Chloe decides on a royal blue dress that falls to her knees. She keeps her hair down and wear a strappy silver sandal that only has a half-inch heel.
At seven on the dot, Chloe hears a knock on the door. She takes a deep breath and opens the door.
Beca's in black strapless dress that falls just short of her knees, and 2-inch heels. Her hair falls in soft waves, and her eye make-up is much less than she normally wears. She literally steals Chloe's breath.
"You look beautiful, Chlo," Beca says.
All Chloe can say is, "Wow."
Beca chuckles. "I had to go buy these," she says. "I don't think I own any other ones."
"Not that I don't appreciate you getting all dolled up for me," Chloe says. "But you didn't need to. I like you just the way you are."
"I – um – I wanted to," Beca says. "Oh, these are for you."
Beca hands her a bouquet of daisies.
"You're so sweet," Chloe says.
"Well don't go spreading that around," Beca says.
Chloe doesn't have a vase, but she makes a mental note to bring them to the house tomorrow and put them in some water. For now she leaves them on her pillow.
"You ready to go?" Beca asks.
"Yup."
Beca takes Chloe to this nice Sushi Bar downtown.
"I remember you saying you love sushi," Beca tells Chloe. "So I thought you'd like this place."
Chloe takes Beca's hand. "It's perfect," she says.
"So how was your day?" Beca asks.
"It was interesting," Chloe says. "I learned I'm never going to be able to play chess."
Beca laughs.
"And my family actually came down to see me," Chloe says.
"Oh," Beca says. Chloe can see her face falter for a half second before she smiles. "I'm glad you're get to see your family."
"Well they want us to come to Thanksgiving," Chloe says cautiously.
Beca spits out the water she was drinking. "You told them about us?" Beca asks.
"Um – kind of. I told them I was planning to have Thanksgiving with my girlfriend, and they said to bring you."
"Wow – um – Thanksgiving with your family?"
Chloe can see Beca is freaking out. "I told them I'd ask you, but that it might be too soon, so it's okay if you don't want to go. I'm going to spend Thanksgiving with you either way."
"You'd give up Thanksgiving with your family for me?" Beca says.
"Yeah," Chloe says.
"No," Beca says. "I won't let you do that. I'll come with you."
Chloe half-smiles. "Are you sure, Becs? I don't want you to be uncomfortable."
Beca laughs. "I'm pregnant, I'm always uncomfortable."
"They're going to be able to tell that, Becs," Chloe says. "My older brother is an OBGYN."
"It's okay, Chlo," Beca says. "I'll be with you, so I know I'll be okay."
"If you're sure," Chloe says.
"I'm sure," Beca say. "Oh my God. When did you turn me into a big pile of mush?"
Chloe laughs. "I guess I just bring out that side of you."
When the sushi comes, Beca looks like she's going to throw up. It's only then Chloe vaguely remembers something about pregnant women not tolerating raw fish. She throws a fifty on the counter and brings Beca outside.
"Breath Beca," Chloe says. Beca does. "Let's go get you some pizza instead, huh?"
They go to this little pizza place called Maria's a block from the sushi bar. Chloe orders a small Hawaiian pizza. Beca orders a small pizza with bacon and pickles which makes Chloe wrinkle her nose.
They argue over who's going to pay for dinner. Beca says that she should because she asked Chloe. And Chloe says that Beca should save her money. In the end Chloe wins because she gives forty dollars to the waitress and tells her to keep the change. Beca glowers at her, but when Chloe pulls out the puppy dog eyes, Beca can't help but laugh and smile.
Chloe and Beca start walking around, seemingly aimlessly, but still heading in the general direction of Barden. Out of nowhere, Beca starts singing.
Chloe laughs when she recognizes "I Just Can't Wait To Be King" from the Lion King.
Beca just smiles and says. "That's the only movie I would watch as a kid."
"I like it when you sing," Chloe says.
"I usually only sing in the shower," Beca says.
They make it back to Barden, and they stop at Chloe's dorm.
"I had a really good time tonight," Chloe says.
"Me too," Beca says.
Beca leans in to kiss Chloe. It's soft and sweet and too short for Chloe's liking, but it lingers on her lips.
"Good night," Beca says.
"Good night."
Chloe wakes up to the smell of vanilla and strawberries. She loves the way her girlfriend smells. She loves that Beca is her girlfriend even more. She pulls Beca closer to her and refuses to open her eyes, hoping sleep will reclaim her.
It doesn't.
Finally Chloe opens her eyes. She looks at the clock Kimmy Jin has on her desk. It's ten. Her parents will expect them around one.
She decides to take a shower now rather than put it off. She kisses Beca's head softly, inhaling her scent once more and climbs over her.
Beca's hand reaches out and grabs her wrist. "Come back to bed," Beca grumbles.
Chloe chuckles at the adorableness. "Okay," Chloe says. "Just one more hour, though. We have to get up."
Chloe sets the alarm on her phone and climbs back into bed, pulling the younger girl against her once more.
When her alarm goes off one hour later, she knows she and Beca both have to get up.
"Come on Becs," Chloe says. "Time to get up."
"Don't wanna," Beca says.
"You don't wanna be late do you?" Chloe says. "I don't think my father would like that."
That gets her attention. "Fine," Beca says, "I'm up."
Beca's up all of two minutes before she runs to the bathroom. Chloe runs after her, holding her hair back and rubbing small circles into her back like she's done many times before.
They walk back to the room together, gathering their toiletries before going back to the bathroom to shower and brush their teeth.
By the time they're both ready it's twelve thirty five. Chloe is wearing a blue plaid dress that falls to her knees. Beca has on a pair of black skinny jeans, a black tank top and a royal blue shirt with sleeves to her elbows.
"Is this okay?" Beca asks. "Should I change?"
Chloe thinks Beca's nervousness is adorable.
"You look amazing, Becs," Chloe says. "Don't worry, they're going to love you."
Beca raises her eyebrow. "No they're not, Chlo," she says. "They're going to judge me the second they see that I'm pregnant."
"But they're going to love you when they realize how awesome you are and how much you mean to me," Chloe says.
"Are you sure I look okay?" Beca asks. "Maybe I should wear something looser, so it's not as noticeable?"
"Beca you look fantastic," Chloe says. "Though you should probably look at some maternity clothes soon, right now, you're perfect."
Beca leans in for a kiss which Chloe gladly gives her.
"Alright," Beca says. "I think I'm ready."
"Okay," Chloe says. "Let's go."
Chloe leads Beca down to her new car. She had taken the sedan last night, so it doesn't seem too out of place, though it is a nice BMW.
"Nice car," Beca says.
"You don't think it's too flashy?" Chloe says.
"It's classy," Beca says. "Just like my girl."
Chloe blushes and her heart flutters from Beca calling her 'my girl.'
Beca holds onto Chloe's hand the entire drive.
"Oh my God," Beca says as Chloe drives up to the house. "This is where you live?"
"Um, kind of," Chloe says. Chloe never did like showing off her family's wealth. She always felt like she didn't earn it. It is, after all, her father's hard earned money, not her own.
Chloe parks the car in the garage and leads Beca into the house.
Beca marvels at its size and beauty. "How do you not get lost in this place?" Beca asks.
"I do," Chloe says.
Beca laughs.
"Come on," Chloe says. "I think the kitchen is through here."
Chloe doesn't exactly want to tell Beca that this place is hers. She's not exactly comfortable with the fact that she now owns something this extravagant herself. Then again, she'd only just found out yesterday, so it's understandable that she's still adjusting to the concept.
Chloe does manage to navigate their way to the kitchen. Everyone's in there, waiting for them.
"Everyone," Chloe says. "This is Beca, my girlfriend."
Chloe introduces Beca to her parents. Her mother seems to like Beca just fine. Chloe can see her father doesn't approve, though he's friendly to her.
Chloe's little sister, Carrie, thinks Beca is 'so cool' and Chloe happens to agree. Her older brother Joseph looks a lot like her father, only his hair hasn't been dyed blonde. His attitude, however, is almost exactly the same.
Her little brothers Matthew and Connor seem to like her well enough, though they're not exactly interested in Chloe's new girlfriend at the moment. Connor is whining about being hungry and asks when dinner is every other minute. Matthew asks their father if he can turn on the football game and runs out of the room when he says yes.
Everyone seems to hold most of their questions. It kind of worries Chloe.
When they finally sit down to eat, Chloe says grace, and Beca digs in, not having eaten anything yet. "Oh my gosh," Beca says. "This is amazing. Great job, Mrs. Beale."
"I'm glad you enjoy it," Mrs. Beale says.
"It's really good," Beca says. "I don't think I've had a homecooked meal in years."
"Really," Mrs. Beale says. "Why not?"
And here come the questions.
"Um, my mom's in the army, so we move a lot. She doesn't often have time to cook. And my dad left when I was young. My step-dad can't cook to save his life, so he does us all a favor and doesn't attempt it too often."
"So you're an army brat?" Mr. Beale says.
"Dad!" Chloe says.
"It's okay, Chlo," Beca says. "I suppose you could say that. It is the general term for kids of those in the armed forces, though I'd like to think I'm not a brat."
"You're not," Chloe says.
"So, why Barden?" Mr. Beale asks.
"Um, well my dad actually teaches here. And my parents wanted me to get a college education before I moved to LA," Beca says.
"You're going to Los Angeles," Mr. Beale says.
"Well that was the original plan," Beca says. "But um, plans change. I'm not sure where I'll be when I graduate."
"Why change the plan?" Mr. Beale asks.
Beca looks at Chloe. Chloe nods. They're going to figure it out anyway.
"Well, sir, I um –" Beca starts. Chloe can tell she's really nervous. She take Beca's hand under the table, rubbing small circles with her thumb. She can feel Beca relax, but only slightly. "I'm pregnant."
Silence envelops the table for the rest of the meal.
When Mrs. Beale starts clearing the table, Beca says, "Oh please, Mrs. Beale. You cooked, I'll do the dishes."
Mrs. Beale smiles at Beca. "Nonsense," she says. "You're a guest."
"No, I insist," Beca says. "You've all been really great letting me intrude on your Thanksgiving. It's the least I can do."
Chloe's glowing watching her girlfriend.
"Chloe," her father says.
Oh no. The talk. "Yes daddy," Chloe says.
"Can I talk to you?"
No. "Sure, daddy."
Chloe follows her father into the study.
He gets straight to the point. "I don't think she's right for you."
"Daddy, you don't even know her," Chloe says.
"She's pregnant. You're rich. She only wants you for your money."
"No, daddy. You are rich. I'm just a regular college student who happens to have a rich father. And she didn't even know we had money until we pulled into the driveway today. That's not something I flaunt."
"She's pregnant," her father repeats.
"Yeah, she is," Chloe says. "But it doesn't matter because I love her."
"You love her?" her father asks, clearly surprised.
"Yeah," Chloe says. "I do. And if you don't want to support that, us, me. It doesn't matter. You can take back your house and your cars and your bank accounts. I just need her."
"Hmmm," her father says. He leaves it at that.
Chloe goes to the living room and watches the football game while her mother and Beca finish the dishes. She's not really that into football, but her brothers like it.
When the dishes are done, Beca comes in and joins them. Chloe pulls Beca into her lap, and Beca laughs as she settles into it. Beca kisses Chloe on the cheek and Chloe blushes.
Chloe's father soon wants a word with Beca. Chloe protests, but Beca says it's fine. Whatever happens with them seems to turn out alright because when they return ten minutes later, Beca is smiling and her father gives Chloe his nod of approval.
"C'mere," Chloe says, pulling the younger girl into her lap once more.
"So, Chloe," her father says.
"Yes, daddy?" Chloe says.
"I've got a last minute meeting in the morning," he says. "So we're going to leave tonight."
There are groans around the room. Her siblings want to stay longer.
Her mother brings out pie and ice cream for everyone to eat while watching the game. Chloe keeps trying to feed Beca, and Beca is laughing from her attempts.
When the game is over, her father tells everyone to go pack, leaving Chloe and Beca alone in the living room.
"C'mon," Beca says, pulling Chloe up with her. "We should do the dishes."
"You really don't have to," Chloe says. "I'll get to them later."
"But –" Beca starts.
"Becs," Chloe says, "We should talk before they all come back down."
"Oh, um, okay."
"So you know how Aubrey and I haven't been getting along?" Chloe says.
"Yeah," Beca says. "I'm really sorry about that. I didn't mean to come between you guys."
"You have nothing to be sorry about," Chloe says. "That's all on her. Anyway, I've been thinking about moving out of the room."
"I still don't see why you bought this place for Chloe," Joseph says as he and his father come back into the room. "You didn't buy me a house even after I got married."
Beca's eyes go wide.
"Chloe hasn't asked me for anything in since she was twelve," Mr. Beale says. "And if I know my daughter like I think I do, she won't ask me for anything for at least another seven years. Think of all the things you've asked me for in the last seven years."
"She didn't even ask for this," Joseph says.
"Exactly," Mr. Beale says.
"This is your house?" Beca asks Chloe.
"See where your big mouth gets us, son?" Mr. Beale says. "Come on, let's go help your brothers pack."
Mr. Beale and Joseph scurry back out of the room.
"Um, yeah," Chloe says. "That's um, what I was trying to tell you."
Beca scratches her head. "I don't understand why you live in the dorms if you have your own house five minutes away," Beca says.
Chloe laughs. "Well, my dad just got it for me," she says. "Honestly, it's a little lavish for my taste, but I guess that's what I get for asking my dad for help finding a place off campus."
"Wow," Beca says. "Um, I don't really know what to say. Except it's going to be a lot harder for me to pick you up for dates."
Chloe laughs again. "Well actually," she says. "I was thinking maybe you'd want to move in with me?"
Beca looks surprised. Chloe realizes moving in together is a big step, but for the two of them, she doesn't think it's that big a deal.
"I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to," Chloe says. "I was just thinking that we practically live together in your dorm anyway, and this place is a lot bigger. I thought we could turn one of the bedrooms into a studio for you, and another one into a nursery for the baby, and there's like six cars here. And I know freshman are technically not allowed to live off campus, but you could always maintain your dorm for appearances and if we feel like crashing on campus or something, or even if you just want space from me. And since I know your dad gets you the room and board and stuff for free you could even keep it every year. And I know moving in together is like a big step and all, but –"
"Chloe, breathe," Beca says, laughing a little.
Chloe does. "So what do you think?" she says.
"Well," Beca says. She's smirking now. "Since I know you can't sleep without your arms around me…"
Chloe smacks Beca's arm lightly.
"So is that a yes?"
"Yes," Beca says.
What do you think?
P.S. I've decided there will be a slight Glee crossover. It'll only be noticeable in a few chapters.
