Title: When I grow up, I won't be an angel (Mitchsen) Work In Progress
Rating: T
Pairing: Aubrey/Beca
Genre: AU, Humor, Romance, Drama
Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me; I just like playing with them.
Notes: Written for me, myself & mine

Summary: Two girls, a princess & an angel. A life, full of promise & happiness. But people grow, evolve and persevere. And then there is only one you can trust with all that you are.

Chapter 1. How different we are...

September, 1991

A lovely day in Russell County, Alabama. The streets of the county awash with sunlight conveyed the sense of peace and consistency. For some people the feeling of permanence was essential, for others it brought that tiny piece of comfort at certain times. For Angelica Posen it was just an inevitable fact of life. The anal, rule-abiding way of life, which comes when you marry young, out of obligation and without much love.

The only happiness out of this marriage was received from Angelica's daughter Aubrey. Presently little 2-month-old Bree was quietly snoozing in the stroller. The baby was warmly clothed and covered with blanket. With air gently ruffling her blonde hair Aubrey was a picture of all that is good in the world.

Today Angelica's husband was at Fort Benning, wrapping up his final schedule plans and other paperwork. Colonel Posen was transferred to the Fort in Georgia a mere year ago. Then they haven't planned on having a baby just yet. Though Lloyd wanted a son, he never quite made the demands on the time, pretty confident in his viral capability and that his wife wouldn't dare to leave him. The crux of such confidence was of course the Franklins, who gave their daughter up for marriage. Angelica still didn't understand their motives fully. Just that her parents were sure she would be much happier and well-off in life being someone's wife than pursuing her dreams.

When Aubrey was born, Lloyd was regretful. He made a point in telling Angelica that it was expected of her to recover swiftly and be certain to produce him an heir. Mister Posen paid little attention to the squirming child in the bassinet.

After two months Angelica started to give up on her husband to be that father to his daughter she wanted him to be. Her little princess didn't deserve such aloofness and Angelica swore that little Bree wouldn't feel loveless as long as her mother was alive.

This sunny Wednesday Angelica didn't expect Lloyd to return from the base. With her still recovering from childbirth and his total lack of interest in Aubrey it wasn't a surprise. The girls' afternoon stroll led them to the pond. It housed several geese and was filled with little islets of algae. Pushing the stroller nearer to the gate surrounding the pond, Angelica bent to get some bread from under the buggy.

Pieces of white bread floated down to the greedy mouths of geese. Angelica quickly crumbled some more of the loaf. Suddenly she heard a laugh nearby. Turning to her right she saw a woman – a pregnant girl, much like herself not so long ago. The girl wore bright colours, her coat was a light beige, but the warm dress peeking from under the edge of it was an astounding purple. Angelica felt a little inadequate. She herself wore prim clothes as was dictated by the rules of Posen behavioral code, her blonde hair was always tied up in a sophisticated bun, and she so wanted to let loose a little, at least somewhere.

"Hi! I'm Cristina." The girl held out her hand and Angelica couldn't resist accepting the greeting. "Cristina Mitchell." Cristina had a dark brown hair that fell in smooth waves down her shoulders. She had a very inviting personality, Angelica could tell.

"Angelica Posen. It's nice to meet you." Angelica surprised herself. She was so used to meeting Lloyd's co-workers (whom she didn't like one bit) and telling them 'it has been a pleasure', that this first genuine liking of Cristina had her stumped.

"Have you been living here long? My husband and I moved here just under 6 weeks ago. And, frankly, I'm a little confused. Topographical cretinism is a scourge of mine."

"Just a little bit more than a year. Don't worry, you'll get your bearings in no time." Angelica wanted to help this poor thing. "Why don't we take a little walk and hit the basics?"

"Oh, Angelica, that would be great! I haven't yet met here anyone properly. I find it sometimes difficult approaching new people. But you seemed nice." Cristina's face was illuminated with relief. "And that little munchkin of yours is so cute!"

"Cristina, trust me, that is an understatement. So, how far are you along?" The blonde woman was curious.

"Well, it's approximately my 4-5th month. We've estimated her arrival somewhere in February next year." Exhilaration was nearly overflowing Cristina and Angelica couldn't not be happy for her.

"Her? You know that its a girl? We didn't want to know for sure until the birth. Witch turned out for the better or I wouldn't have had my husband even for the last few months of my pregnancy." Angelica was bitter, yes, she could admit at least that.

"Yes, it's a girl. We are not big fans of mysteries, when it concerns such basic things." Cristina laughed again. "Though Derek still fights me on every name I come up with." She noticed the sadness on Angelica's face.

"I take it, not everything is good in your home life?" Angelica didn't know what it was, but Cristina called out to her, something wanted her to be sincere, and it whispered to her that this woman came to her not by chance.

"No, not for a long time.. And maybe it never was that good to begin with." She decided to leave it for now. "My light now is Bree. My little princess." Just then a cry was emitted from the inside of the stroller.

"Well, here we go." Angelica moved the buggy to the safe position and got the baby. "Hey, my little one. You're awake now?" The bluest eyes that all the children have blinked sleepily. "So, princess, let's meet mommy's new friend, Cristina." Angelica has seen the look on Cristina's face. It was full of longing and love that you can't help but feel for all infants. Cristina's hand went to her belly and caressed the baby bump lovingly.

"Here, take her." The hands that accepted the girl from Angelica's were steady and welcoming. Aubrey, who has started fussing just a little, settled at once, studying the strange but nice face flowing above her.

"Cristina, meet my daughter, Aubrey Jessica Posen."

February, 1992

Cristina was in labour for the last 7 hours. Derek Mitchell was finding it difficult to stay calm. The meaning of calm flew out of the window the second he picked up his phone and heard his wife hollering "Derek frickin' Mitchell! My waters broke, I'm on my way to the hospital! If you're not there when we come in, it will be hell to PAY!" He didn't even have the chance to ask even one question. The time showed 14:37.

He managed. Arrived just in time with Janell's car. Their eccentric neighbour agreed to help out just in case the labour began and Derek wasn't at home.

"Oh, you're so lucky you're here! Derek, I really need you right now!" Cristina's appearance was disheveled and you could easily say that she was in pain. And when Cristina experienced any kind of discomfort she had a tendency to let loose. What it really meant she had no filter on her mind-to-mouth route.

"You! Where have you been?" his wife was clearly past the point of pleasantries. And also any sense of what exactly she needed from her husband.

"Sweetie, I was just leaving the school. My last class has just finished and I had a phone in my han..."

"Shut up! Don't care. Okay. We're here. Everything's fine. And she's ready to come out." Cris always ranted when agitated. They were just placed in the delivery room and Derek watched as Cristina was hooked up to all the necessary machines.

"She's just as bullheaded as you." Derek felt helpless, and saying this gave him on ounce of relief.

"Wants everything at once but to gain it she makes her own way." The woman smiled. "That just like you, Derek. So don't go spouting who she takes after more. Already." New contraction hit the brunette and she clenched her teeth to hold the scream in. "And she's not even in the world properly." Cristina's voice held all the love Derek felt her sharing with their baby during the pregnancy. It rang with pride. "My girl. My Rebeca." Time couldn't be moving any more slower.

Now, 6 hours later his daughter still refused to leave her mother's womb. Derek was exiled from the room on 4th hour due to his wife's claim that he was distracting her. Such an announcement hasn't surprised him in the least. For all his desire Derek couldn't make himself move and even hold Cris's hand, much less rub her back and the rest. He was of no use to her right then.

Sitting here he contemplated his life. In his youth Derek was quite shy, clumsy although sweet guy. He never was a ladies' man. Meeting Cristina Juno Wallace was a gift. Getting to have a life with her equaled having a roll of parchment with Derek & Cristina Mitchell's love story and subsequent Happily Ever After written down unfold before him. Maybe he did spend too much time in his work in the world of Comparative Literature, aspiring to become a Professor. He viewed everything in his life through the prism of literature. Not everybody could live with that.

The name discussion started from the moment they found out they were having a baby. Lists upon lists were perused, arguments held and no consensus was in sight. Upon hearing her murmur 'My Rebeca' Derek accepted his defeat in this matter. And he finally understood that no matter how much he loved Cristina, and no matter how much she loved him... They were finite.

One more hour of anxious waiting and the doctor came out to see him.

"Derek Mitchell?"

"Yes, yes, that's me! How's my wife? And the baby?" The questions poured out of him like an avalanche.

"Mr. Mitchell, calm down. There is no need to worry. Your wife handled everything excellently. Now she's resting." The doctor smiled encouragingly.

"And my baby? Is she ok?"

"The baby is in great health. It seems she just didn't want the closeness with her mother to end." At this phrase of the doctor Derek couldn't hide his smug smile. "Like mother like daughter. Both exceptionally stubborn."

"You may go in and see them. Everything should be placed in order." The doctor shook Derek's hand and pushed him gently in the direction of the hospital room his wife and daughter have been moved to.

Derek made his way slowly to the door. He didn't know how it would affect him seeing his wife after she has given him another greatest gift known to men, when he had almost abandoned her, not necessary physically, but emotionally for certain. Even if it was for one second.

Cristina was reclined in the hospital bed, her hand stretched to reach a small cot. She was humming something, it seemed some kind of a lullaby. He made his way closer to them.

"Hey, Crissi." He whispered. Cristina turned her face to him, the smile she gave Derek was blinding.

"Hi, Der." The woman motioned to him come closer. He made another step and now could see the tiny baby lying in the small bed and looking everywhere with her unfocused eyes.

"Can I pick her up?" He wasn't very confident but the desire to hold this precious thing overweighted all his fears. His wife nodded encouragingly.

Gently Derek placed his right hand under the infant's head, left hand at that moment place directly under its back. Carefully maneuvering the girl he placed her head on the crook of his left elbow. The baby, with the wisp of dark hair, nestled comfortably in his arms and it seemed looked straight into his eyes. Derek Mitchell fell in love. In that kind of love all parents have for their children. Or at least those who are capable of any love at all.

"We didn't come up with a final name for her, have we?" He still was looking deeply in the eyes of this little angel. The colour reminded him of the sky before the storm. His girl's eyes were a deep shade of midnight blue.

"Rebeca Mitchell. As it was me who has pushed her out and didn't get any kind of substantial help from her husband, I think it's only right." That, of course, stung. But, on the other hand, Cristina never made such jabs for them not to have the desired effect. The girl in his arms began fussing. A mild panic started clambering on his soul.

"Still, I got dibs on the middle name." Derek tried to make some light of this fair but at the same somewhat painful topic.

Cristina nodded her head. Derek looked down at his little angel. "It's a beautiful Friday, 7th of February. Welcome to the world, Rebeca."

He then moved to the bed and placed his little girl in her mother's arms. Where she undoubtedly belonged. And again, looking at how his Cristina was cooing at Rebeca, he knew that even his daughter wouldn't keep Derek at their side forever.

A week after the prolonged stay at the hospital (at Derek's insistence) Cristina was finally able to sit down on the bed in her very own house. With Beca sleeping in the cot near the bed, the same cot she personally assembled together, Cristina was able to relax, lying under the blanket. Derek went to the school today, and so she was planning on finishing sorting through her hospital bag and organizing the stuff for infants so that she knew where everything was.

"Hello? Cris?" The voice was coming up from the stairs and as its source approached the bedroom, Cristina felt ridiculously happy that her friend was here.

Angelica carefully opened the bedroom door and walked in with Aubrey quietly nestled on her hip. The 7-month-old girl started smiling when she saw the brunette. She squirmed stretching her arms to Cristina. In the last months of Cris's pregnancy Angelica has become her good friend. And little Aubrey wormed her way in Cristina's heart and took the place right beside her unborn daughter.

"Ti!" Bree was almost jumping out of her mother's arms now. The Posen girls didn't visit Cristina for the last two weeks. First Lloyd was given a few days off and where it couldn't be said he didn't like the Mitchells, at the same time Mr. Posen considered them to be a little undesirable company. The days after that Cristina spent at the hospital. And though she has kept her friend updated on her own and the baby's condition it wasn't the same as seeing Angelica and little Bree in person.

"Oh, little one. Hi." The words were whispered so not to wake up Beca as Cristina accepted the blonde child from her mother and hugged the girl tightly. Aubrey too wound her hands around Cristina's neck. She missed her friend very much.

"Bree was very upset that we couldn't come visit you. She missed you terribly. As did I." After kissing Cris on the cheek and hugging her, Angelica made her way to the crib. She looked at the baby Beca, whispering "Beautiful little angel." She then glanced at Cristina holding her own daughter, "How long has she been sleeping?"

"A few hours, she's going to wake up soon." Cristina then smiled. "Bring her here." Angelica without hesitation picked Beca up and made her way to the bed. Little Bree looked at the new baby her mother was holding and tried to move closer.

"I think someone might be a little jealous." Cristina sat Aubrey down on her knees and turned so that both of them were facing Angelica. "No, it seems Aubrey likes her." Angelica was watching her daughter's face closely and didn't notice anything but curiosity. Bree was now halfway on her mother's lap, looking closely at Beca. Both women watched with great interest as the blonde girl stretched her hand to the infant girl and touched her nose and cheek. Beca didn't appreciate that and scrunched her face adorably, which in turn made little Bree laugh. Cristina caressed Aubrey's head and pecked her nose.

Angelica ran her fingers down Beca's face and gently noted "I think, our girls will be really fast friends."

"If it happens, I will be very happy. This little munchkin of yours is very hard not to love." The rarely spoken topic wasn't to be brought up now. The situation hasn't improved in the Posen household and Cristina tried to support Angelica in any way a good friend would deem possible.

"Hm, I suppose it's time to officially introduce you three." Cris looked at her slowly awakening daughter in the hands of her only real friend in this city and then at the blonde child in her own arms.

"Angelica and Aubrey Posen, my daughter, Rebeca Jillian Mitchell."