Chapter 2
That evening, Aubrey and Stacie had a house full of Bellas and Aubrey was busying herself by being the best hostess she could be. Stacie arrived home with lunch for them and then took Emily to the recording studio to meet up with Beca. Aubrey stayed behind to greet the rest of the Bellas as they arrived and Chloe helped out with pickup duty. Aubrey giggled at her best friend as Chloe joined her in the kitchen where Aubrey was making margaritas.
"Make mine extra strong," said Chloe.
"You seemed tired when you got here. I know the Bellas are a handful but picking up Ashley, Jessica, Lilly, and Flo couldn't have been that bad."
"It wasn't, I am just tired. Taylor is a perfectionist like someone else I know," she said as she glanced at Aubrey.
"It is a world tour, Chlo. I am pretty sure she is allowed to be."
"Of course she is and I love the work, trust me. I am just exhausted. We have been at it for two months now and Beca has been in the studio with Troye. We barely see each other and that makes for very lonely nights."
"And we know all work and no play makes Chloe a dull girl."
"Yes, which is why I have decided that I do not want to go on tour with Taylor."
"Wait, what, I thought that was a done deal?"
"No, the deal was that I do the choreography, train the dancers, and if I wanted to, I could travel on the first leg of the tour to make sure it went off without a hitch, but that isn't what I want. The last thing I want is more time away from Beca, so I told Taylor this week that I am going to sit this one out."
"What did she say?"
"She was disappointed, but understood. She knows touring is taxing on people. That is also why I am so tired. Since I will not be on tour, I am working overtime to make sure everyone has the choreography down. This is my first weekend off all month and I plan on enjoying it with my girls."
"It will be aca-awesome," giggled Aubrey and Chloe nudged their hips together.
"So, how are you really, Bree? I know everyone else is excited about Pride like I am, but this can also be a sore spot for you." Aubrey sighed.
"I am slowly warming up to the idea. It just brings a few bad memories with it," admitted Aubrey and Chloe gave her a hug as she nodded in understanding.
"Well, I am here for you. You know that, right?"
"I always know that, Chlo. Now, let's get these drinks out to everyone and get this party started," said Aubrey as she picked up the tray of drinks and Chloe clapped happily.
It didn't take long for the music and liquor to start flowing and the Bellas to fall back into their old routine of having a blast. Aubrey made sure to order plenty of food from her and Stacie's favorite Italian restaurant down the street and Chloe and Beca provided the desserts and drinks. Aubrey couldn't stop the laughter bubbling up inside of her as Ashley, Jessica, and Flo told Aubrey and Chloe about the last time Flo came to visit them. The five of them were sprawled out on the outdoor couches around the fire pit as the surround sound system played music overhead.
"So we are in Midtown Manhattan in our pajamas and I am just thinking, I just finished law school and passed the bar so of course now I am about to get arrested," said Flo as the others laughed.
"The cops show up and the only thing that saved us was that we could prove we worked on Broadway and we told them we were performing a skit as a form of method acting," added Jessica as Ashley nodded.
"And we offered to buy them hot dogs," said Ashley. Chloe shook her head with a smile.
"You should have listened to Cynthia Rose and just stayed at the party."
"Who knew that the three of us would get in more trouble than we would at the party," exclaimed Jessica. Aubrey and Chloe raised their hands.
"I could have told you that," teased Aubrey before downing the rest of her margarita.
"Hey, Bree, I think you are being summoned," said Ashley as she nodded in the direction of Stacie. Aubrey's eyes darkened with lust when she saw Stacie giving her a wink as she danced with Cynthia Rose and Beca.
"I'm just going to go check on her," mumbled Aubrey as she made it to her feet and regained her balance. She helped Chloe up as the ginger giggled.
"And I need to get Beca and claim a bed before they are all taken. We are totes staying here tonight."
"Was there ever a doubt about that," laughed Aubrey as they made their way over to their wives. Stacie beamed with happiness and pulled Aubrey into a kiss as she moaned.
"Damn, Hunter, do we need to get the hose," asked Cynthia Rose as she, Lilly, and Amy watched. Emily waved them off.
"They are married. Leave them alone," said Emily and Stacie nodded as she pulled away with a satisfied smile.
"She is mine and I am hers, so deal," Stacie teased back before kissing Aubrey again. Beca rolled her eyes, but smiled smugly at Chloe as Chloe laced their fingers together.
"Come on, Becs, I know you are tired and we have a long day tomorrow and I may or may not be a bit too tipsy right now," giggled Chloe. Beca winked at her and wrapped an arm securely around her waist to keep her upright before waving at the others.
"See you in the morning," she called as Chloe pulled her toward the house. Aubrey giggled when Stacie nipped at her earlobe.
"Stace," whimpered Aubrey and Stacie smiled at the sound.
"Take me to bed, baby," Stacie whispered in her ear as her hands slid down to cup her wife's backside. Aubrey noticed Cynthia Rose starting to fan herself and Amy pulled out her phone.
"I should send some pics to Bumper just to make him jealous of the good time he is missing," said Amy.
"Alright, perverts, the show is over. Come on, Stace, let's head inside. There are plenty of rooms. I am sure you ladies will figure it out," said Aubrey as she slipped her hand into Stacie's.
"Goodnight aca-bitches," called Stacie as they headed inside and Aubrey shook her head with an amused smile.
"How many did you have tonight," questioned Aubrey and Stacie shrugged.
"Only two, but I think we both know I don't need to be drunk to have a good time or be incredibly horny." Aubrey giggled as they headed upstairs. She placed her hands on Stacie's hips as Stacie led the way.
"God, you have a phenomenal ass," moaned Aubrey and Stacie laughed.
"How many did you have tonight," Stacie asked in a teasing tone.
"More than two," admitted Aubrey as they entered their bedroom. She began kissing Stacie's neck and her wife sighed happily as she unbuttoned her jeans.
"Best wife ever," giggled Stacie, but she stopped when she saw the seriousness in Aubrey's eyes.
"You are the best wife ever, like ever, ever….like, I don't deserve you, ever," said Aubrey and Stacie rolled her eyes with a smile.
"You may be too drunk right now."
"No, Stace, I am serious. I got so damn lucky and I almost ruined it, you know? I pushed you away for so long and let my stupid father get in the way. You are the only one I have ever wanted so much, you know that right? I've told you that before, right?"
"Bree, I know you love me, baby."
"It's more than just love," said Aubrey as she wrapped her arms around Stacie and cupped her cheek.
"I know that you will always be it for me and I knew back then too. It is why it is so hard for me to put a label on whatever the hell I am, gay, bi, pan, I don't know. I am just meant for you, no one else. No one else has ever made me crave them or made me terrified and yet feel safe with them all at the same time. No one, not a man or woman, there is no else that could ever matter to me and that's why it irks me sometimes when CR flirts with you or other people can't stop staring because I know that you could easily find someone else. You could find someone else and be happy, but you are it for me. There is no one else," explained Aubrey with tears in her eyes and Stacie kissed her tenderly.
"That goes both ways, Bree, and that's what you still don't get after all these years together. It isn't that I just don't want anyone else. You once told me you felt lucky that I chose you. It was never about choosing you, Bree. Being with you is like second nature to me and I have never felt that with anyone else either. There is a reason the Hunter was always on the prowl before you. No one else has ever made me need them and they never will. You aren't alone in the way you feel, baby. You never have been, so get it through your head right now. You are it for me. I wouldn't have said I do if I felt any other way," assured Stacie and Aubrey captured her lips in a passionate kiss. They fell onto the bed and Aubrey peeled off their shirts with a smile.
"Best wife ever," whispered Aubrey and Stacie laughed before proceeding to make love to the love of her life.
Aubrey woke up the next morning feeling groggy, but smiled when her eyes fluttered open and she saw Stacie snuggled up beside her in bed. She checked the time and groaned when she realized it was only eight in the morning. A part of her wanted to go back to bed, but the sound of a blender echoing from the kitchen made her too curious. She smiled even more when she rolled out of bed and Stacie reached out for her, eyes barely open and a pout on her lips.
"Come back to bed and cuddle with me," mumbled Stacie and Aubrey sweetly kissed her forehead.
"I will be back. Someone is down in the kitchen. I'll bring up breakfast."
"Green tea, if I am going to function today, I need green tea. I am so tired." Aubrey winked at her and nodded before quietly leaving their room. As she made her way downstairs, she saw Lilly sprawled out on the couch still in her clothes from the night before.
"We tried to get her in bed, but she wasn't having it. She said the couch was a bed of clouds apparently," said Cynthia Rose from the kitchen.
"Morning, CR," greeted Aubrey as she opened the cabinet with Stacie's favorite tea in it.
"I thought you hated tea."
"I do, it is for Stace."
"You are so whipped, might as well be whipped cream." She laughed when Aubrey playfully glared at her.
"I have no clue what you are talking about."
"Hey, I would be too. I just don't know who is sappier now, you and Stace or Beca and Chloe."
"I like being a sap. It means I am happy, which definitely would not be a thing without Stacie," said Aubrey as she put the tea kettle full of water on the stove.
"Whipped frosting," she teased and Aubrey laughed.
"What about you? You plan on settling down anytime soon?"
"After the way things ended with Denise, I kind of think I need to be on my own for a bit. I still have some soul searching to do."
"What do you mean?"
"I've always been looking for someone special, but maybe it isn't meant to be. I thought Denise was the one, but we were always really different and we had different outlooks on life. Stacie got really lucky with you, Aubrey." Aubrey's eyes widened at the compliment and couldn't contain her blush.
"Me? I am the lucky one and you always said as much."
"Don't get me wrong. You are definitely lucky to have the Hunter, but she got lucky to find someone that was brave enough to be what she needed. Denise always struggled with her sexuality. It is the reason we broke up in the first place, but she started to make a few strides that I realized later were actually baby steps."
"But you two were talking about getting married."
"Yea, it was always just talk though and no matter how much I wanted it to be more, she didn't. One day, I just had enough. I asked her to set a date and when she refused to, I left."
"I always wondered what really happened between you two. I am sorry, CR." Cynthia Rose sat down with her smoothie at the counter and smiled sympathetically.
"Look, I know you aren't exactly comfortable with all this Pride stuff and I get it. It isn't for everyone and there is nothing about being gay that says you have to be down with all of that, but the fact you are willing to give it a try for Stacie is what really matters. I know I flirt and tease Stace a lot because hell, woman, she's hot and I have eyes."
"True story."
"But she is so lucky to have you, someone willing to put herself out there for her. You are lucky to have her, but she sure as hell is lucky to have you too." Aubrey gave her a hug and kissed her cheek.
"Thank you. By the way, what are you drinking? It smells horrible."
"It's my famous hangover remedy. I had one too many last night and can't be looking rough while we're at the festival. You want one?"
"No thanks, I will stick with coffee. I better get this green tea up to Stace," said Aubrey as the kettle whistled and she poured the water into one of Stacie's favorite mugs.
"I'm going to start calling you Cool Whip," called Cynthia Rose and she laughed when Aubrey showed her middle finger.
