Chapter 2 – The Baby Shower
Beca and Chloe throw a baby shower for Aubrey.
"What's all this stuff?" Beca asked as she walked into her apartment.
Her girlfriend Chloe sat at their kitchen table, behind piles of blue and pink decorations and under a ton of balloons.
"Decorations for Aubrey's baby shower of course, remember I told you last week. It's on Saturday," Chole reminded her.
"Right, a baby shower, I forgot about that. I guess that's the sort of thing best friends do for each other," Beca mused as she walked into the kitchen to grab herself a drink.
"Yes!" Chloe squealed, "And you know she'd do it for us..."
Beca almost choked on her drink, "why would we need a baby shower," she managed to spit out.
"Not now obviously, don't you ever think about the future though?" Chloe asked her girlfriend. Her tone had suddenly turned from giddy and fun to serious.
"Not really," Beca said, unsure as to whether or not she wanted to have this conversation, right now.
It didn't matter though, it had already started and there was no point in trying to change the subject.
"Well I do, I think about you, and us, and our future together," Chloe shot back. She didn't sound angry so much as she did hurt that her girlfriend apparently never thought of them having a future.
Chloe continued, "I think about us having a party like this, after we are married and stuff. I think about how we'll have to buy some ridiculous car like a mini-van, and how I can't imagine either of us driving it. I think about the kind of house we'll have to buy, to fit all our kids. I want 6 you know, I want a big family, I've always wanted a big family and I know now that you're the person I want to have that family with. I think about our life together a lot and how my life is so much better with you in it. So hopefully you'll start to think about a future with me, because I'm ready, I know what I want; I just need you to be on the same page."
Beca felt bad now because the truth was, she did think about a future with Chloe. She thought about the kids, and the house and the car and what their life would look like together, and it scared her. What if she wasn't good enough?
Chloe got up from stuffing pink and blue candies into baby booties, walked over and sat next to Beca on the couch. She sat silently for a moment before giving Beca a kiss on the head.
"I'm turning in for the night, really tired from all the running around I did today for the shower. I know tomorrow's your day off, I was hoping you could help me out with some of the other stuff for the party then," Chloe said before turning towards the bedroom and walking off.
Beca could hear the disappointment in her voice, she knew their conversation hadn't gone as Chloe had planned but she didn't know how to fix it.
A few hours later Beca finally decided to go to bed, figuring Chloe would be sound asleep and not up for talking. As she climbed into bed Chloe didn't stir. Beca leaned over and gave her a kiss on the head. She had too many thoughts running through her head to really fall asleep. Now she really wanted to talk to her girlfriend, but she still didn't know what to say. Acknowledging that she did see a future for them was too much for Beca.
"I do love you though," she said suddenly.
At first there was no response, but moments later a very tired Chloe whispered "I know you do," before falling back to sleep.
This eased Beca's mind for the time being, enough for her to fall asleep anyway.
The next morning was Saturday, and the shower was that afternoon. The weekend was usually spent doing school work or just spending time with Chloe but today they had to prepare for the shower.
Beca was already awake and in the kitchen making coffee when Chloe walked in.
"Morning babe, are you ready to bake some cupcakes?" Chloe asked in her usual perky tone.
"Cupcakes?" inquired Beca.
"Yes, for the shower. Aubrey loves cupcakes so I thought we could make them. It's better than store bought, it shows we care."
Beca knew Chloe was right, they should show Aubrey they cared with this shower. They hadn't really been there for her too much lately. They were both so busy with work and school, and neither of them really had any helpful advice to offer her, having never been pregnant. Beca didn't even think she was any good with children so the extent of help she'd been able to offer Aubrey the last few months had been listening to her talk about baby names, and delivering food to her when Benji was in class and she wasn't. She had wanted to help more though so maybe throwing her an awesome shower was a good way to make up for everything.
"Chocolate, red velvet, or both?" Chloe asked from behind the cupboard.
"Definitely both," was Beca's reply. She knew Aubrey loved red velvet cupcakes, but the rest of the Bellas were big fans of plain old chocolate cake.
Minutes later when Beca saw what Chloe had laid out on the table, she couldn't help but laugh.
"We're showing her we care from a box?" she snickered.
"Beca, we're Accounting and Business majors, not bakers. I wouldn't know baking powder from baking soda. These will be great; we'll look up homemade icing recipes if that will help."
Chloe was right yet again, neither of them could bake cake from scratch if their life depended on it. She seemed to be a better mood than last night; Beca didn't know whether she should mention their conversation from the previous evening. She figured it was better not to, they had a lot of work to do to prepare for the party and she didn't want to sour Chloe's fun. She knew her girlfriend loved all the cutesy baby stuff, and was excited to be able to do this for Aubrey.
After she finished her coffee Beca walked into the kitchen to start the baking, only to find Chloe already covered in cupcake batter.
"A bit of a messy baker are we?" Beca laughed as she wiped chocolate off of Chloe's cheek.
"Let's see you do better, the red velvet box is there," Chloe pointed to the other side of the counter.
Beca grabbed some eggs and the box and got to work mixing. Turns out, she is a messy baker too. After they got the cupcakes in the oven they looked at each other and couldn't help but crack up. Their attempt at showing Aubrey they care had turned into quite the dirty endeavour. Beca could see them doing this again, in their own house, for their kids' birthdays or for each other. Beca could see them having a future together, and she wanted it but she was still afraid to want it.
After they settled on using the store bought icing Chloe had ready in the fridge they decide to watch a movie while they waited for the cakes the cool. Her relationship with Jesse didn't last long, but she had taken a love for movies away from it. Watching a movie while cuddling with Chloe just made it that much sweeter.
Once the cupcakes were iced, they decided it would be best to decorate the apartment rather than leaving it for tomorrow morning. They were having the shower at their apartment this time rather than Aubrey's parents' house for obvious reasons. It was just going to be them, the rest of the Bellas, a few of Aubrey's friends from work, Jesse's girlfriend Jen, Aubrey's mother and her aunt.
They draped pink and blue streamers all around, strung up balloons and a variety of baby booties and hung a banner that read "It's a baby!"
"The banner was Fat Amy's idea," Chloe informed Beca as they hung it up.
"Oh, I was wondering, I assume that's because they've decided not to find out the sex?" Beca asked.
"Yeah, Aubrey said she really wanted to be surprised with her first child. So this was the best we could come up with, it's cute and factual," Chloe seemed proud of their solution.
Beca's stomach grumbled and she wondered what the plan for food was at this shower.
"Are we going to be eating those weird little sandwiches this afternoon?" she asked her girlfriend.
"No, Aubrey's family is kind of rich but she's not really that type. I figured we could just order pizza, kind of unorthodox but I know the Bellas love pizza, and I'm sure Aubrey's mother can deal."
"Sounds good," said Beca, "you're a pretty good party planner babe."
"Thanks, you're a good assistant," a glitter covered Chloe leaned in for a kiss just as the doorbell ring.
They hadn't realized it was so late, but it was nearing 2 o'clock and the first shower guest had arrived, or rather guests as the case may be. The Bellas all lived close to campus, and arrived at Beca and Chloe's apartment with Jesse's girlfriend Jen.
"Hey girls, the place looks beautiful," Stacie was impressed by their decorating prowess.
"Sweet cupcakes Chloe, we eat a lot of cupcakes back in Tasmania because they're easy for people with no teeth to eat," the Bellas all laughed at Amy's admission. They were used to her cracking jokes, or what they thought were jokes all the time.
The Bellas sat around the table and began catching up. A short while later a few female teacher's from Aubrey's school arrived, followed by Aubrey who came with her mother and aunt.
Once the guest of honour had arrived the party could begin. Chloe thanked everyone for coming to celebrate her friend's exciting milestone. Aubrey also thanked all of them for being there for her throughout the last 9 months. As they all knew she hadn't been planning on starting a family with Benji this early but life happens and here they were. Even though Aubrey liked for things to go according to plan, Beca and Chloe both knew she was really excited about this baby, and they knew she'd make an excellent albeit strict mother.
The ladies chatted all afternoon about baby this, baby that and on and on. Beca was getting a little exhausted of the baby talk but she knew this shower was important to Aubrey, and to Chloe.
When the talk turned to baby names Aubrey said they had decided but weren't telling yet, they wanted it to be a surprise.
Chloe went out into the kitchen to order the pizzas, and Beca followed her, wanting to get away from the table before Fat Amy got around to asking her opinion on breast pumps. Beca put arms around Chloe from behind and kissed her on the top of her ear.
"Great job with the shower, Aubrey seems to really be enjoying herself," Beca wanted her girlfriend to know how highly she thought of her, she was still unsure of Chloe's feelings after their discussion.
"I'll have 4 extra-large pizzas with pepperoni, extra cheese and black olives, hot sauce on the side" Beca heard Chloe order. This was the Bella special, after Beca took over the group when Aubrey and Chloe graduated practices had become a lot more relaxed. They would frequently order pizzas and chat after a good rehearsal, and Chloe had joined in quite a few times after work.
Beca kissed her again, this time on the neck. Chloe turned around and gave Beca a soft kiss on the cheek before returning to spot next to Aubrey in the dining room. Beca followed Chloe out, sitting next to her and holding her hand under the table.
"Can she open the gifts now?" asked Amy, like a child on Christmas morning. I'm excited for her to see what I brought.
They had eaten the pizza, and the delicious cupcakes so that was the only thing left to do. Chloe and Beca had opted not to prepare any of the typical baby shower games, knowing Aubrey would find them ridiculous, preferring to sit around and just enjoy the company of friends.
Fat Amy handed Aubrey a large box that said love your favourite aca-bitches Amy and Bumper on the tag. This made Beca snort but she tried hard to stifle it.
Amy had gotten Aubrey a breast pump, which would explain her bizarre questions all afternoon. Beca had little idea what a breast pump was for, but figured it was a nice gesture.
"Thank you Fat Amy," said Aubrey, "I can use it when Benji and I go out for karaoke night."
As much as Beca joked about karaoke being lame, she secretly loved karaoke night with her friends and was glad to hear it wouldn't be ending now that Aubrey and Benji were having a kid.
The next few gifts Aubrey opened from the Bellas were all kinds of cute baby clothes. They had done their best at picking out unisex outfits, and most of them were adorable. Stacie however was convinced that Aubrey was having a girl and purchased a number of pink and purple outfits. Beca couldn't help but wonder what they would do with those outfits if the baby was a boy, or they didn't feel like dressing their kid up so stereotypically feminine. She knew Stacie meant well though, and that she purchased them in hopes of proving that she was right about the baby's sex.
Chloe and Beca had gotten Aubrey and Benji a car seat, knowing Aubrey would love to have something functional and safe to bring home the baby in.
Her mother and aunt got together and got them a crib for the nursery in their newly purchased house. The teachers from her school also got together and got Aubrey a great stroller for little one.
"Thanks ladies, all of these gifts will be so useful for our little one. I really appreciate you guys celebrating with me and helping me prepare for the arrival. I can't believe I'm going to have a baby in less than a week, it's crazy to think about," Aubrey sounded optimistic but slightly nervous.
"You'll be a great mother darling," Aubrey's mother chimed in. Beca knew this probably meant a lot to Aubrey as she had told her and Chloe about what happened when Aubrey revealed her pregnancy to her parents.
A few months ago while they were having coffee Aubrey told Beca and Chloe that she had some news. They were a little shocked when she revealed that she and Benji were expecting. She said something about the condom breaking, but that everything happens for a reason. Beca wasn't sure she believed this, but if it meant her friend feel better it was cool with her. They made promises to be there for her, and offered their baby sitting services which Benji and Aubrey would be taking them up on in a few months when they were to go away on their honeymoon. After they offered their congratulations Aubrey's smile was gone and she started to tell them about her parent's reaction.
Her parents yelled and screamed, told her she was disappointment and asked how she could be so careless and stupid. Beca didn't say anything but she thought this was a ridiculous and over the top reaction, especially considering their daughter was in her mid-twenties, had a solid job and was in a committed relationship. Needless to say Aubrey was really upset about this, she thought her parents would understand but all they could talk about was how she didn't have the right man. Beca and Chloe assured her that they would come around, although they weren't entirely sure this was true. Beca was glad to know now that it was. Aubrey's mother had spent a lot of time this afternoon singing her daughter's praises and gushing about her soon to be grandchild.
As they shower was winding down Beca heard a knock at the door.
"Well, if it isn't the baby daddy. You nervous yet or what?" Beca was just busting Benji's chops. She knew he'd make a great dad, what kid doesn't want a dad who likes all their nerdy hobbies and knows magic tricks?
Benji was there to take some of the gifts home in their SUV, and Aubrey decided she like to ride home with him.
The Bellas, Aubrey's friends and family and Jen had cleared out, leaving just Beca, Chloe and Aubrey in the apartment waiting for Benji to come up.
"Thanks girls, you're the best best friends a girl could ask for and this was a lovely shower. I especially loved the red velvet cupcakes; you know they're my favourite." Aubrey sounded tired and genuinely happy about the day's events. This made Beca, and Chloe happy as they really had wanted to make their friend's last few days before the baby's arrival really special. The ladies hugged just as Benji walked back in the door.
"You ready to go darling?" he asked Aubrey.
"I am, I can't wait to show you all the awesome stuff we got for the baby when we get home," Aubrey gave Benji a kiss and grabbed his hand as they walked out the door.
Beca and Chloe spent some time cleaning up the apartment, and watching TV before turning in early. They were tired from being up so early to prepare for the shower.
"I'm glad today went well, Aubrey really enjoyed herself and it would seem she's all prepared for that baby now," Chloe mused.
"Yeah, I can't believe I'm saying this but those outfits were all painfully adorable," Beca was really surprised she actually cared about baby outfits.
"Especially the ones Stacie picked out. I know it's ridiculous to dress your baby in so much pink, but it is really, really cute."
Beca agreed with her girlfriend and let out a big yawn.
"Tired?" asked Chloe.
"Yeah, you know I'm not used to being up early on Saturday morning," Beca normally had things to do but figured they could wait until after 11 am.
Chloe leaned over and kissed her on the lips, Chloe's lips were soft and tasted sweet. Beca returned the kiss, before turning over to get some shut eye.
"Good ni…" Chloe began just as the phone rang.
It was Benji on the other end, letting her and Beca know that Aubrey had gone into labour shortly after getting home from the shower. It looked like Beca wouldn't be getting to bed early after all…