CHAPTER 4

"AN ELEPHANT ! IT'S AN ELEPHANT !" shrieked Ethan, full of life.

"No, almost !" replied his grand-father before tossing again his pen against the white board displayed presently in front of the sofa.

Tonight was game night for the Mitchells. Beca and Ethan went to her parents' place or vice versa and they spent their evening playing and laughing for Ethan greatest happiness. Tonight, the program was Drawing is winning. For now, Sheila and Beca were calling the tune by 4 points but there was one match left for the boys to catch up.

"Oh, A WALRUS! It's a walrus!"

"Yes!" said Tyler and high-fived his grandson then pulled another animal from the pile of cards. He began to draw but the child seemed to have trouble guessing.

"Dad, is that even an animal?" scoffed Beca.

"Shhh, you're gonna make us lose with your remarks."

"A DONKEY!" Ethan said.

Tyler gave him a puzzled look. "No! That's not it at all. "

Beca's father kept on moving his pencil, but the boy was still not finding.

"Tick, tock, tick, tock ..." said Sheila swinging her head from left to right.

"Objection! You're distracting my teammate," Tyler replied, accusing her with the pencil.

"Okay, okay, I stop. Go back to your… artwork. »

"Hey, it's abstract art Madam the painter," replied Tyler, imitating a high-class accent.

"Woo, that explains everything," joked Sheila.

"Grandpa, we're losing time!" cried Ethan, anxious to win.

"Right, buddy."

He went back to draw but before the child could find, the time allotted to them had expired.

"STOP!" cried the DJ who was the master of time.

"Ugh, I say we should have more time," Tyler complained, rather grumpily.

"I thought Ethan was the child here," said Sheila and kissed him.

"Hey, there is a child in this room," Beca pointed out and hid her son's eyes.

Sheila glanced at them. "Just because you don't like the fact that your father and I are kissing doesn't mean we're going to stop anytime soon. »

The DJ made a face. Watching her father and Sheila kissing was far from her idea of the most… charming view. Despite the faces that the brunette was doing, she was silently happy to see her father and the blonde so romantic and affectionate towards each other. She hoped that one day, she'd find someone who would look at her with such wonder.

The family reckoned up the points and the boys were declared losers by 2 points.

"Yessss!" exclaimed Beca and gave a high-five to Sheila.

"You cheated. Sheila draws too well, "said Ethan, angry and pouting.

"It was you who chose boys against girls. You'll team up with Sheila next time, little man. »

"Mmmmokay ..." replied her son.

The brunette gave him a kiss on the forehead and then started to tidy up with the help of her parents.

"Dad ?"

"Yes, Beca?" Tyler asked, looking at his daughter.

"Have you ever heard of the Barden Bella? »

"It"s an a cappella group, right? »

Beca merely nodded her head in acknowledgment.

"I think the girls went to the National last year but they lost. Why this question ? »

"You remember Chloe? »

"The one Ethan won't shut up about? »

"Yeah, that one. She asked me to come to the auditions, but I don't know. Ethan, radio, work, au- "

"You should go Beca! That would be awesome. »

"You think so? »

"Honey, since Ethan's birth, you always hanging out with your old parents and your son-"

"You're not old. You're... in the prime of life. »

"Thank you, Becs. I feel suddenly much younger," Tyler joked.

Beca hit him playfully on the chest. "I was trying to make a compliment for once."

"Getting back to the topic in hand, your only TV programs are Disney movies or Pixar ones. It'd be a good opportunity to go out and you hang with people your age. »

"It's just ... he grows so fast and with school, work, I don't see him as much as I used to. I don't want to miss something, you know?" asked the brunette.

"I know, sweetie. And you won't miss anything. You're a mom, but you're also only 19. You have a lot of responsibility for such a young girl, but you need to stop and breath sometimes. Take a deep breath of fresh air in and go out into the big wide world. Ethan will continue to grow perfectly fine, I promise."

The look of the brunette fell on her son who was quietly playing with his action man.

"I wish he could be 4 for ever, small, cute and all cuddly," Beca confessed as she engulfed her father into a hug.

"I know, sweetie. I know. »

"What? Beca's willingly giving a hug and I'm not invited?" exclaimed a female voice behind them.

The brunette chuckled before opening an arm so Sheila could join in.

"What about me, mommy?" Ethan asked.

"Come here, baby," the DJ bent over to pick him up and placed in between the three adults.

"Giant Hug!" laughed the toddler and then let out a huge yawn.

"I think it's time to sleep."

"But mommy, I'm not tired," replied Ethan and yawned again.

"Really? That's not what this yawn tells me."

"I maybe a little tired," Ethan made a small space with his thumb and forefinger. "Can grandpa read me a story tonight ?"

"Sure buddy."

The little boy kissed his mommy's cheek as well as his grandmother's and Tyler took him in his arms and went into his room, leaving Sheila and Beca alone.

"So Beca, how's college going ?"

"Pretty good so far. Appart the fact that Fat and Furious hates my guts, it's doing pretty well. »

"Fat and Furious?" Sheila couldn't help but smirked at the nickname.

"M. Harmon," translated Beca. "The teacher whom I had arrived late at the first class. Every time he looks at me, I can see the daggers in his eyes piercing me, I think he hasn't forgiven me yet."

"Your father always said Harmon was only an old fossil whom college gave a few courses to keep busy his long afternoons before his retirement."

Beca felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and pulled it out to see a new message from Chloe.

Hey, I hope I'm not disturbing you. In case you're interested, the auditions for the Bellas are held Saturday morning at the auditorium. It'd be good to see a pretty face. :)Chloe.

I'm not sure Chloe. It lacks a little persuasion... Beca.

Seeing me isn't a good reason enough for you to come? Chloe.

Beca thought about what her father had said to her a few minutes ago. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

Touché. What time? Beca.

YES! I knew that I would be able to make you come one way or another. 9-11 a.m. Chloe.

Full of yourself, as usual I see .Beca.

One text was enough to make you bring your pretty little butt here,on a Saturday morning might I add. I think I can afford to be full of myself. ;) Chloe

Did you just admit that you've been checking out my rear? Beca.

The brunette felt her phone vibrate again and was about to reply when a hand appeared on the screen, blocking any possibility of action. She looked up to see her father.

"Told you it'd work," said Tyler to Sheila. "Ethan just passed out."

"Thanks dad."

"You're welcome, baby." He placed a kiss on her forehead. "It's time for Sheila and I to leave. We're not getting any younger so we can't party until dawn like you. 10 p.m max."

"Again with your old age dad."

After her parents' departure, the DJ took a shower and decided to go to bed. She was almost sure that Ethan would wake up before her tomorrow and would come up to wake her up. She turned out the light on the bedside table and looked at the time on her cell phone. The still unread message Chloe flashed on the screen, so she opened it.

For me to know and you to find out. Chloe.

Saturday morning after the auditions...

"Beca!" exclaimed Jesse coming out of the building.

"Hey Jesse."

"Pretty great audition you did back in here. I didn't know you could do stuff like that. Hats off to you."

"Thanks, your audition wasn't bad either," complimented Beca.

"I can't even compete with you."

"You're kidding, right? If the face Aubrey was anything to go by, you'd be a God and me, some error that should've never come."

"Aubrey?"

"The blonde next to Chloe. I think she have a grudge against me," said Beca smiling.

"What have you done to her ?" said the boy.

Beca raised an eyebrow and pretended to act shocked. "Why is it always my fault? I've done nothing wrong!"

"Not yet," Jesse joked.

The DJ knocked him gently on the arm. "Your sister's so much funnier than you."

"Speaking of Mer, you and Ethan want to go to the theater this afternoon with us? »

"Sorry, we can't. I already have plans with Chloe and Ethan will probably want to look at Finding Nemo for 1 583rd time."

"Okay, buddy. See you tomorrow then. 3 p.m at the park? »

"Sure thing, Jesse. See you tomorrow. »

" And Beca? Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, what do we do? We swimmmmmm! " Jesse sang, knowing exactly which string to pull to annoy the brunette.

It didn't fail and the DJ hit him with her fists, rather unforcefully. "I hate you!" she said, but the smile on her lips was saying another story.

"See you tomorrow," taunted the tall brunette.

He imitated a fish with his mouth and then run away before Beca could slap him again. The brunette walked away when she heard footsteps running towards her. Hardly had she been returned, the DJ was being strangled by a redheaded mass' arms that she now associated with Chloe. Beca was somewhat taken aback by the situation but hugged her back, not that Chloe really left her any other choice.

"I thought you wouldn't show up!" Chloe said, finally letting go of the hold she had on the brunette.

"Sorry for the delay. Ethan refused to put his shoes on."

"Don't worry, the important thing is that you came. Aubrey on the other hand was less of a fan," replied the redhead grinning.

"Indeed, Grumpy didn't look too cheerful to see me."

Chloe knocked her shoulder. "She's not always like that. Give her some time and you'll see that she can be very nice when she wants to."

Beca looked dubiously at Chloe. "Mmmmokay. I trust you on this one, Chloe."

The redhead took the DJ by the arm and began to walk along the campus. Beca had little experience with silent walks because Ethan always seemed to have a comment to make about the grass or the leaves. It wasn't bad ... just different. Although Ethan was a quiet child, he was a real chatterbox. The only times when he didn't speak were when he was asleep.

"What are you thinking about ?" Chloe asked.

"If someone had told me five years ago I'd get pregnant and my life would be what is was today, I'd have had a good laugh at them."

The redhead stopped abruptly and turned around, just in front of Beca. She grabbed the brunette's hands and looked into the dark blue eyes. "You're a wonderful mother. I haven't spent much time with you two, but the complicity and love that there is between you is amazing. When you talked about Ethan, you're glowing happiness; it's at the limit of surreal. Do not underestimate yourself." Chloe placed a kiss on her right cheek.

Beca bowed her head in humility. "I'm not used to compliments. Thanks."

Chloe gave her a big smile. "You better get used to it then," she said before walking along the path again. "I plan to give you plenty, starting with your pretty little butt," she added with a wink.

"Mommy! Hurry up, you're going to miss the start!" Ethan yelled from the living room to his mother who was in the kitchen, heating up the popcorn.

"Coming!" She yelled back. "It's not like I was missing something I've never seen before," she said to herself.

"Need help?" asked a voice out of nowhere and scared the DJ.

She turned and saw Chloe. "What the hell! I nearly had a heart attack."

"I didn't know I had that much effect on you."

Beca merely shook her head, a smile on her lips nonetheless. "I'm sorry to make you suffer through Finding Nemo. If you don't want to watch it, you can see with Ethan to change it. He has already seen it hundreds of times, I'm sure he'll understand. There are plenty of other Disneys. Sure, Nemo's his favorite but it's not a reason to watch this one every fucking single time, right? I don't even understand how he does it. He knows the replicas by heart, all the jokes but he still insists to watch it. And you shouldn't be forced into this movie. You know what? If you don't want to, you just tell me and I w- "

Chloe put a hand on the the DJ's mouth, cutting short the discussion she was living with herself. Although watching her going around in circles was cute, a time came when the monologue had to end. "Beca, you're rambling."

"Sorry."

"Don't be. And I'd love to watch Nemo for the umpteenth time."

"Really?" asked the brunette.

"Really. "

"God thank you. If I'm being honest, I can't imagine asking Ethan to remove this movie. It'd have gone horribly wrong, " sighed the DJ happily.

"You're so cute," said Chloe and placed a kiss on the cheek Beca.

"Go into the living room, I'll be out with the popcorn in a sec," replied the DJ.

"Yes, sir!" Chloe said, making the Salvation Army sign and walked out.

Once the popcorn ready,the DJ joined them in the living room. Her son was sitting on the floor on a pillows and blankets rain while the redhead was on the couch, tapping the empty seat next to her. The brunette sat down and instinctively pulled the redhead to hug her as she used to do with her son. The redhead, who wasn't against it, let her do it and enjoyed the special moment her right temple shared with the the DJ's rib cage.

Ethan was watching the movie, mechanically repeating the replicas one after another and laughing at the jokes with as much enthusiasm as the first time he had heard them. Half into the film, the boy found himself short of popcorn and turned to his mother to ask her more.

"Mommy?" Ethan asked in a small voice.

"She's sleeping, little man," Chloe whispered to not wake Beca up. "What do you want?"

"I wanted more popcorn ..." said the curly-haired brunette sadly.

"At this hour? I'm not sure that your mommy would give you so much sugar this late."

"But I'm hungry," said Ethan making small eyes and grimaced, bringing out his lower lip. "I'm sure mommy would let me!"

"Put this lip back where it belongs Ethan," Beca replied, barely awake from her nap. "And don't try to bribe Chloe, you know very well that you have the right to one bowl of popcorn."

"But mommmmmmmy ..."

"Huh huh, no buts. You know the rules, baby."

"Mmmmokay," the little boy turned and kept on watching the movie, not really troubled by the fact he didn't get what he wanted.

The DJ turned to the redhead. "Sorry, he has a tendency to try to get what he wants if-"

"Don't apologize. He's still a child, it's normal that he seeks his limits," replied Chloe. "I was just taken aback. Now I know what to say next time," she added with a smile.

Beca couldn't help but smile in return, it was contagious.

"So, you're very sweet when you sleep, but you have a slight tendency to get handsy."

The brunette gave her a look between surprise, shock and incomprehension.

"My shirt, Beca."

Beca looked at her hands and saw that one of them was firmly holding the cloth between her fingers, not allowing the redhead to move at her will.

"Oh, sorry," she said, releasing the shirt.

"It's fine. As long as you're not drooling on me."

"Oh, but who said I won't?" said the DJ, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Ouh," Chloe stepped back on the couch so Beca was at arm-length.

"I promise I won't drool. You can come back," said Beca to the redhead and resumed to their position.

Once Finding Nemo was done, so about 45 long agonizing minutes during which Beca had to avoid falling back asleep, it was finally time for Ethan to go to bed.

"Go brush your teeth, dude. I'll be right there," asked Beca to her son. She turned to the redhead. "You want to stay the night? It's rather late."

Chloe looked at the time on her phone. "Late? At 9.30?"

"I live to Ethan's rhythm since 4 years now. To me 9.30 is late," explained Beca. "I don't have a spare bedroom though, so you'll sleep in my bed, I'll take the couch."

"Don't be silly, I'm not going to put you out of your own bed. We can share, it'll be a kind of PJ party," replied Chloe with a big smile.

"You sure?"

"As long as you don't do inappropriate things with your wandering hands."

"Oh, so I can make appropriate things with my wandering hands? Interesting," replied Beca with a smirk.

Not even 5 minutes later, Ethan was walking down the staircase steps. In his right hand, he held his blanket while he had a thumb in his mouth. He approached his mother and went up on the couch, a big smile on his lips.

"Mommy, can Chloe sing with us tonight?"

"Singing ?"

Ethan shook his head vigorously. "Yup, mommy sings and she said you sing too. If you both sing, I'm sure I'll be asleep twice as fast."

The redhead nodded her head at Beca.

"Then we're following you, baby."

Ethan grabbed Chloe by the hand and led them to his room. It was relatively small and simple: a bed, a small table and a few toys here and there. On the walls, Chloe could see small phosphorescent stars. The boy climbed under the covers, putting himself on his stomach to be ready to fall asleep at any time.

Beca loved the evenings when Ethan asked her to sing. Not that she didn't like stories, but during those brief moments, she shared her passion with her son and he always seemed to sleep better.

"Come and sit here," indicated the brunette, pointing the spot next to her on the bed with her guitar.

"Any complain baby, or you want to let Chloe decide?"

"Chloe decides," grumbled the brunette in his pillow.

"Chloe?"

"Uh ... What do you usually sing?"

"Nothing too fancy otherwise Mister here can't sleep and turns into a real dynamo."

"Okay." Chloe thought before finding a fairly quiet song for Ethan and which Beca probably knew the notes. "Payphone by Maroon 5?"

"No problem," replied the brunette. She began to slowly stroke the strings of her guitar and sing.

At the end of the first verse, Chloe joined in and Beca was surprised by her voice. Right and a little edgy at time. Typically Chloe. She had very good vocals and the brunette self-noted to ask her if she could borrow it later for her mixes. Arrived at the end, Beca kissed her son's forehead, whispering a "I love you" and then left quietly the room with Chloe.

"I still can't believe how beautiful your voice is!" Chloe whispered excitedly.

"Yours not bad either," said the DJ settling on the couch. Chloe yawned, maybe her voice really held soporific powers after all. "Come on, Chlo'. I think it is time for you to go to sleep," Beca took her by the hand to her bedroom.

"Chlo? So our relationship's already to the nicknames base?"

"Of course pumpkin," replied the brunette, her voice laced with sarcasm. She handed her a tee-shirt along with leggings. "Bathroom is last door on the left."

"Thank Becs," she replied.

Beca took this opportunity to change as well and slide under the covers while closing her eyes. Almost in the arms of Morpheus, she felt the bed dig under Chloe's weight and her smell filled Beca's nose as she moved closer.

"Becs, you asleep?"

"No, I'm training to die," joked Beca then opened her eyes to see Chloe's face of surprisingly close to hers.

"Where is the switch to turn down the sarcasm?"

"You mean the switch to stop my irresistible sense of humor?" asked the brunette with a smirk.

Chloe laughed and then they fell in silence, far from uncomfortable. Playing with the redhead's hands, Beca wondered what was going on in her head. She could clearly read the deep in reflection look Chloe was sporting.

"How was it?" Chloe finally asked.

"How was what?"

"Having Ethan, how was it?"

The brunette rolled onto her back and let out a long sigh. She had never really shared her past about Ethan. Of course, it didn't bother to talk about it. It was just very strange to be asked about her past. Very strange that someone was interested in her. This feeling was foreign to the brunette. Not unpleasant, though. From where she came from, no one had ever really taken interest in her after Ethan's birth. The brunette had never really made any effort either to communicate with others and maybe it was better this way. Ethan, Tyler and Sheila were enough for her. Chloe was by far the best friend the brunette had ever had. Sure, the two women didn't knew each other for a long time but Chloe had kind of a gift to read her. She knew how to make her smile, make her laugh, and she knew how to make Beca speak without her feeling compelled to open up. Beca felt that little I-don't-know-what between them that made her stomach felt strange things inside.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked, it was totally inappropriate," the redhead said in a small voice.

"It's not. It's just that I ..." the DJ searched the right words. "I've never really share this story with everyone so I really don't know where to start."

Chloe grabbed her right hand and tangled their fingers. "Begin at the beginning?" she asked in a soft voice.