Hurricanes Chapter 3, a pitch perfect fanfic

A/N: Thank you so, so much to the people who have added me to their story alert list/favourites, and who have reviewed. It's amazing! I can't wait to see everyone's responses to this chapter – I'm posting it just before I'm dashing off to my last exam. After today, my updates should be coming much quicker – most likely a chapter every 3 days at least.

Toodles!

Rating: T

Characters: Beca/Jesse, the rest of the Pitch Perfect cast (eventually), plus some other characters.

Warnings: Mature situations referenced.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pitch Perfect or the songs used in this fic in any way. I'm just playing with them.

Hurricanes – Chapter 3 – Boston Bound

"Would you relax?"

"Telling someone to relax doesn't help them to relax."

"You're meeting my parents. It's not a big deal," Jesse attempted to calm Beca.

Her eyes darted nervously from side to side, tapping her foot agitatedly against the ground, leaning back against the bench with her arms crossed. Not only was she nervous about meeting Jesse's family, the atmosphere of other students greeting their own families (whether joyfully or with huge, noisy sobs) had her on edge. She glared at the easy grace and posture of Jesse. "It is a big deal. I don't want it to be an issue if they don't like me. I want them to like me," she said bitingly.

"I understand that," Jesse said smoothly, "But my parents are easy going. Whatever makes me happy makes them happy."

Beca just continued to look annoyed. Jesse sighed and reassured, "Beca, if I thought they weren't going to like you, I wouldn't put you in this situation."

"Really?" she asked sceptically.

"Really," he nodded. He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze, intertwining their fingers. He bit back a smile as Beca muttered something about a 'sensitive, freaking romance nerd' under her breath.

They didn't have to wait too much longer before a dark silver sedan pulled up in front of the bench where they were sitting and a man and woman jumped out of the car enthusiastically. Beca could immediately tell they were his parents – it was like he was the perfect combination of their best features. Not only that, they all had the same bright smiles.

"Jesse!" his mum cried out, tackling her son in a hug as he stood up.

"Hi to you too, mum," he said, a slight flush creeping up his neck at his mother's affection. "Uh…can't breathe ma."

"Oh, sorry darling," the merry woman said, releasing him to his father, and they shared a handshake and a man-hug.

Beca watched this, studying their reactions, and felt a pang inside of her. Jesse was one of the lucky ones. His parents obviously adored him. And he adored them. She felt all prickly at such an intimate familial moment – like an intruder. She subtly looked away, checking her reflection on her phone to make sure she didn't look as uncomfortable as she was inside.

Disentangling himself from his parents, Jesse stepped back and turned, reaching for Beca and pulling her up to stand next to him. He whispered, "Be yourself," to her before introducing her to his mum and dad. "Hey, mum, dad, this is someone I want you to meet. This is Beca. My girlfriend."

Beca looked at them, smiling hesitantly at them and giving them a wave. "Hi. Nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Swanson," she greeted politely, glad the nervous flopping of her stomach wasn't affecting her voice. She reached her hand forward for them to shake.

She should have known, by the way she had hugged Jesse, that his mum would embrace her just the same. "Oh Mrs. Swanson is my mother in law. It's nice to meet you too Beca. Call me Cheryl," Cheryl twittered happily, making Beca's eyes widen with the force of the hug. She was released and soft, sweet smelling hands cupped her face. "Oh, you're just as pretty as he described. I'm so glad he's found someone like you."

Beca's face turned bright red at the attention and her stomach's churning subsided, to be replaced by something unknown. Gratitude? Who knows, but she felt weird at the fact Cheryl had seen all of her appearance and didn't seem to care about the tattoos and piercings. People passing by on the street didn't even give her that courtesy.

"Cheryl, let the girl go. We don't want to scare her off," Jesse's dad chortled. He gently pried his wife away and offered his hand to shake. "I'm James."

Beca eyed his hand warily. "You're not going to pull me into a hug like Cheryl did, are you?"

The Swansons all laughed, and James turned to his son and proclaimed, "Jesse, I like this girl." He shook Beca's hand. "No worries Beca. I leave most of the hugging up to my wife, but be warned next time I might have to," he winked. It reminded her of the way Jesse winked at her.

Jesse nudged her shoulder with his own, looking smug and happy. "Told you," he said.

Beca flicked his shoulder. "You're ego is already huge, I'm not going to add to it."

"You owe me a milkshake – and you can't admit that once I was right?"

"I did. At ICCA's. That's once," Beca shot back with a smirk.

Cheryl and James shared a knowing look as Beca and Jesse began to barb each other about being right and egos, deciding to load up their son's luggage while the couple were sorting things out. It wasn't until they snapped the boot closed that the playful argument came to an end. Their faces fell when they realised Jesse would have to leave now.

Cheryl patted Beca's arm and said, "You are welcome at our home if you want to come and visit during the summer."

"Thanks Cheryl."

"We'll give you two a moment," James said, shaking Beca's hand again before leading his wife to the car.

Beca and Jesse stared at each other, Jesse rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. He didn't know whether to kiss her or just hug her, because he knew that each wouldn't be enough. Beca made up his mind for him, reaching forward and grabbing his shirt, tugging him to her. "You aren't leaving without a proper goodbye," she murmured lowly. Their lips crashed together, eyes closed, enjoying the passion and sparks that flew between them. When they released, they were breathing heavily and blushing.

"Can I get goodbye kisses like that all the time?" Jesse asked dazedly.

"If you're lucky," Beca replied, giving him a quick peck. "Dork."

"Your dork," affirmed Jesse. He hugged her tight and stated, "You need me, for anything, just call. Whatever is going on, just don't be afraid to reach out. I'll be there, and I'm not going to ever give up on you."

Beca felt her heart thud heavily in her chest. She was so lucky to be with this sweet, endearing man. "Me either. Call me if you need…whatever."

With one final kiss, they parted. The petite woman watched the car drive away with Jesse waving out the window at her until she was out of sight.

Cheryl, observing this, murmured, "Ah, young love."

When did the world get so colourless?

Maybe it was the moment Jesse left in his parents car.

Maybe it was leaving her dad with tears in his eyes at the airport, wishing her a safe trip.

Maybe it was the boring surroundings in the taxi ride on the way home.

Or just maybe, the fact that she was back home and the small house was completely and utterly silent. Her mum was still at work, or maybe out with other corporates discussing how to make more money, or with a new boy toy.

"Home, sweet home," Beca grumbled out, hauling her suitcases one by one back to her room. At least they didn't have any stairs in their house, that would have been taxing. She looked around at the sparse furnishings, what little of her was left before going to Barden. The bed with the dark purple quilt, a bookshelf full of books on music and novels that happened to get her rare attention. A few articles of clothing left in her wardrobe and a pair of shoes gathering dust under the bed was all that was left. It was like she had completely moved out.

Deciding to unpack only her mixing equipment, Beca let her thoughts drift to the thought of moving to Atlanta.

Her father was right. She was no longer a pawn in the twisted game between her divorced parents. She didn't have to be controlled by her mother anymore, and now that she knew the truth about why she had to stick with her mother all these years, she could use it as leverage if she needed to.

"At the end of the summer," Beca said to herself. She'd spend another few months here and then leave for good. She knew if she stayed that she'd go crazy. It was hard to realise – coming to terms with it was like trying to catch a bar of soap with wet hands – but she couldn't live with her mother anymore. It was making her a stifled, hard, defensive person.

Her cell phone buzzed on her hip, followed by a ping, signalling a text message. Digging it out, Beca opened up the text and immediately smiled.

Text to: Ear spike girl
From: Capt. Treble

Missing you. It's so weird that I miss you already. J

"Aw, nerd," she murmured happily, replying.