I've been MIA. School took over my life. Multiple English classes in one semester was a poor choice, but I somewhat survived. Hopefully you all like this chapter. I was going through stories I haven't completed yet, and this was the one I decided to try to start up again. We'll see how it goes.


Chapter Two


Beca and Jesse dated for a few months, much to Chloe's delight, and things were good. And then things weren't so good. Once their relationship started to get more serious, the things that they weren't too fond about each other started becoming actual problems. Jesse didn't like the fact that Beca still worked at Coyote Ugly and wasn't actively pursuing the career in music she dreamed of having. Beca didn't like how pushy Jesse was when it came to sensitive topics, such as her music, her family, and her past. Strangely, the only common ground they found was when Jesse made her watch movies.

Their imminent break-up was brought up while they were watching Say Anything one night. They knew they were too different and wanted different things to stay together, so they figured they'd end it before they got in too deep. Jesse wanted a family, Beca never envisioned herself as the mothering type. Beca wanted to travel and hoped to become the next David Guetta, and Jesse was content staying in New York at the job he had. The break-up was painless enough; a few arguments broke out, but nothing major. Beca and Jesse both figured they'd never have to see each other again, hoping that Chloe and Tom would understand the situation and try to avoid as many gatherings as possible.

They figured wrong.

"I don't see how you thought it was a good idea to name Jesse and me as Cassie's godparents," Beca said one night as she sat in Chloe's kitchen while her friend was busy baking for the party she was throwing tomorrow.

"You're both our best friends and we're not extremely close to our families, and neither of us have siblings," Chloe explained. "You two are the two people we trust with the most important person in our lives. Deal with the awkwardness for your goddaughter's sake."

"I blame you," Beca said accusingly. "You forced me to go out on that date and I actually liked him until shit hit the fan."

"Shit always hits the fan, sweetie. It's part of being in a relationship. It weeds out the people you're not meant to be with," Chloe said. "Although, I think you weeded Jesse out a bit too early, but that's just my opinion."

"Nobody asked for your opinion," Beca grumbled. "I have to go to the bar and show the new DJ the system."

"New DJ? Aubrey actually hired someone?"

"Yeah, his name is Luke," Beca said as she put her coat on. "Pretty hot actually."

"You sure you're just showing him the sound system?" Chloe said with a smirk.

"Yes," Beca rolled her eyes. "What type of girl do you think I am?"

"Not even going to go there," Chloe laughed. "Don't forget to be here tomorrow by one! I need your help."

"Yeah, yeah," Beca said as she kissed Chloe on the cheek. "You owe me for the godparent business!"


"Good to know that all that money Chloe made in tips was put to good use," Stacie said as she looked around Chloe's house and yard.

"Living the housewife dream," Beca nodded. "Helps that Tom is an executive at Google. Damn nerds taking over the world."

"Speaking of nerds," Stacie said as she pointed over to the gate where she saw Jesse walk in. "Isn't that a certain ex-nerd of yours?"

"Unfortunately," Beca sighed, finishing her drink. "He's also co-godparent for Cassie."

"Get the hell out," Stacie said in shock. "Chloe actually did that?"

"Yup. Wasn't too happy, but I love Cassie so sucking it up for my goddaughter."

"He is looking good, Beca," Stacie said as she stared at his ass.

"He always looks good," Beca said in frustration. "That wasn't the problem in our relationship."

"And what exactly was the problem again?"

"He wanted this life," Beca said as she waved her hand around. "This life is great for Chloe, it's what she's always wanted, but not me."

"Eh, it's not so bad, Beca," Stacie shrugged. "Then again, I haven't slept in three days between working at the bar and studying for the MCAT so I'm a little loopy."

"What up bitches?" Fat Amy said as she walked over to Beca and Stacie.

"I thought you couldn't make it?" Beca asked. Fat Amy worked as administrator for the NYPD at their 99th District. She would usually give Aubrey a heads up when there was issues with the bar and the police when she could.

"Took off. They need to realize how much I'm needed at the precinct," Fat Amy said. "Besides, who am I to miss out on a party?"

"It's a late christening party for Cassie. Not that exciting."

"No, but what is exciting is that you and your ex-lover boy are the godparents of Chloe's precious bundle of joy," Fat Amy said with a smirk. "I came for the drama."

"Of course you did," Beca grumbled.

"Looks like man candy is coming over here," Fat Amy whispered.

"Hey guys," Jesse said politely. "Having fun?"

"Now we are," Stacie said, earning an elbow in the ribs from Beca. "How's it going, Jesse?"

"Pretty good. Been busy at work," he said with a shrug. "How about you?"

"Between working late at the bar and studying for the MCAT, I don't sleep. If I could become a vampire, I would."

"You going to continue working there during medical school?"

"I'm not sure yet," she said. Beca could tell where this was going with the way Jesse was glancing over at her. "I've been saving most of my money so I can focus on school and maybe work once a week. We'll see."

"Good luck with everything," Jesse said earnestly. "I'm glad to see you have plans."

"Working at Coyote Ugly is a plan, Swanson," Beca said bitterly.

"And here we go," Fat Amy muttered.

"Not when you can do bigger and better things," he shot back. "I think anyone would agree becoming a doctor is bigger and better than being a bartender."

"There is nothing wrong with being a bartender."

"There is when you have so much more to offer. You just never seemed to understand that."

"Lets keep the arguing to a minimum," Chloe said as she walked over with Cassie and passed her into Beca's arms. "I know you wouldn't dare say anything unbecoming around your goddaughter."

"Not like she'd understand it anyway," Beca grumbled as she glared at Jesse. "It was a pleasure to see you, Swanson."

"Likewise," he huffed. "I'm going to go find Tom, or whatever. Somewhere far away from here."

"Should have done that five minutes ago."

"Enough, Beca," Chloe said with a sigh. "Why can't you two just get along?"

"Because he's a condescending," Beca went to say a bad word but the dirty look Chloe was giving her made her chose her words better. "Doody head."

"Very nice," Fat Amy said with a laugh. "The sexual tension between the two of you is insane. Hotter than mating season between dingoes."

"There is none of that."

"Oh no, there is," Stacie said as she fanned herself. "I might need Tom to point out his single friends and find an empty guest bedroom in your lovely house, Chloe."

"You will do no such thing at my daughter's christening," Chloe said as she took Cassie from Beca. "But after, Tom's friend Shawn is single and super cute."

"Okay, enough of this. I'm going to go eat some cake," Beca said, walking away from her friends.

She knows they mean well, especially Chloe, but the constant reminder of how great a catch Jesse is, is not what she needed to hear. She knew he was, but that's not enough of a reason to stay with someone. Beca decided the kitchen would be a quiet place to hide and eat, but instead she found Tom getting the cake ready.

"You know, Thomas," Beca said with a loud sigh. "I would have thought you out of all people would have had more sense than this."

"What did I do now?"

"You named Jesse and me the godparents for Cassie. Why on Earth would you let that happen?"

"Okay, let's back this up a bit," Tom said as he wiped the icing off his hands. "You and Jesse were always going to be godparents. I never wanted you two to date because of that."

"You couldn't control your wife?"

"You've know her longer than I have, Mitchell," he said and Beca nodded knowingly. "She's not easily swayed when she has an idea like that."

"You knew we were going to break up?"

"I know the both of you very well, I had a feeling it wouldn't end well," he sighed. "He's a pusher, the best possible way, and you don't handle that well. For some reason you deal with Chloe, but that's the only person."

"He wanted more than I can do."

"No, he wanted you to realize you can be more," Tom said gently. "But you're the type of person who needs to figure that out on your own, and there's nothing wrong with that."

"I planned on sitting here to ruminate how I'm completely right and he's a pompous jerk, but you ruined that. Thanks, buddy."

"Anytime," Tom smiled. "Chloe and I wouldn't trust Cassie with anyone else but the two of you. You'll learn to get along eventually."

"Fat chance," she scoffed. "Need help?"

"I'm worried you'll eat the cake before it makes it out there."

"That's a valid concern," she smiled. "Thanks for believing in me enough to make me Cassie's godmother."

"Yeah, well it was either you, Stacie, or Fat Amy. You were the best option."


Let me know what you thought, even if you think it was completely horrible.

Also, question for any English majors/minors: Can someone briefly explain what novel tradition is? I have a paper to write and Google has been unsuccessful unfortunately. I'd greatly appreciate it :)