AUTHOR'S NOTES: The last time I had a rather dark moment was when I wrote Aubrey's Nightmare. When we get to that dark moment, I will specify. Anyway, on top of that, this story will combine a few of the prompts on my list into one story. If you'd like to suggest prompts for me, private message me. Fair warning: My personal rules still apply.
This story takes place in the fall of 2023.
CHAPTER 1:
At Beca, Chloe, & Amy's apartment, on the night before Finn's first day of preschool.
"Is the lasagna ready yet?" Chloe asked walking into the kitchen.
"Almost. Just about 10 minutes left in the oven." Beca said as someone knocked on their door.
"I'll get it." Chloe said as she went to answer the door. "Hey, Aubrey. Come on in."
"Thanks. I hope you don't mind me dropping by, but I've been a bit worried about something." Aubrey said nervously.
"What is it?" Chloe asked.
"Finn's first day of preschool is tomorrow and he's been having first day jitters." Aubrey said.
"Did you talk to Chad about this?" Chloe asked.
"I did. He's noticed those jitters too. He & I just want everything to go well for Finn's sake." Aubrey said.
"Aubrey, you & Chad have nothing to worry about. First day jitters are very common." Beca said.
"Yeah. I had those when I started school, but I turned out alright. And if that's the case, I'm sure Finn will turn out alright too." Chloe said.
Just then, Aubrey received a text from Chad reading "Finn & I are home from the park. Let me know when to start dinner."
She replied "Went over to Beca, Chloe, & Amy's apartment for a bit. I'll let you know when I head back home."
He replied "Well, don't be too long. Don't want to keep Finn hungry."
"I guess I got to head back before dinner gets too cold." Aubrey said.
"Alright. Well, listen: Don't stress too much about everything. I'm sure it'll all be okay." Chloe said.
"Thanks, Chloe. I'll call you later." Aubrey said before leaving.
20 minutes later, the three were sitting down eating the lasagna when they heard someone knocking at the door and Beca went to answer it.
"Jesse?" Beca asked surprised to see him.
"Hey, Beca." Jesse said before walking in.
"What are you doing here?" Beca asked.
"I've missed you." Jesse said.
"Really? What happened to that girl you were dating?" Beca asked.
"We broke up. Turns out we got into a fight and it only got worse." Jesse said.
"I'm sorry to hear that. But it's nice to see you." Beca said.
"You too. Listen, how about I look for a place to live around here and then we catch up sometime." Jesse suggested.
"That'd be great. Let me give you my number." Beca suggested as Jesse handed her his phone and she put her number in. Yeah, the two became distant after they graduated from Barden, but Beca & Jesse saw this as an opportunity to hopefully rebuild their relationship.
"Thanks. I'll call you sometime." Jesse said.
"Later." Beca said as Jesse left.
"Wow, Beca. I bet you didn't expect him to come by." Chloe said.
"Not at all. But I'll surely be hearing from him later. Right now, let's get back to our dinner." Beca said.
After Beca sat down to continue eating someone else knocked on the door.
"Again?" Beca asked.
"I'll get it this time." Chloe said as she did so and like Beca, she too had an unexpected visitor as well..."Chicago?" She asked surprised to see him.
"Hey, Chloe." Chicago said before walking in.
"I got to say I'm surprised to see you here." Chloe said.
"Yeah. The entire time I was in the National Guard, I couldn't stop thinking about you after that USO Tour." Chicago said.
"Wait; you're not in the National Guard anymore?" Chloe asked.
"Yeah. I left a month ago. And since I remembered that you live here, I was thinking about getting an apartment out here and then we could meet up sometime." Chicago said.
"Sure. Let me give you my number." Chloe suggested as Chicago handed her his phone and she put her number in.
"Thanks. I'll see you around." Chicago said.
"Later." Chloe said as Chicago left.
"Wow. What's next? Bumper?" Amy asked.
"I don't know. But right now, let's get back to our dinner." Chloe said as she sat back down and the three continued to eat their lasagna.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Some of you might read this chapter and ask "Where's the 'trauma' portion of this story?" Well, we'll get to that later. And to be honest, I had a hard time thinking of a good title for this story.