Beca stomped down the stairs, making every tread creak under her feet. The short girl was dressed in her Spongebob Squarepants pajamas, holding on tightly to her stuffed teddy bear and yawning loudly with every step. She paused when she reached the bottom; her free hand gripping the landing newel to balance herself.
"Where am I?" She mumbled, looking around the unfamiliar place. She sniffed and creased her eyebrows when she smelled carnations. There was never flowers present in her house. Never.
"Oh." A realization dawned upon her and she smacked herself on the forehead.
The brunette then ran her hand down her face and yawned as she continued shuffling towards the kitchen. She squirmed as she took in the sudden increase in brightness, lifting her hands to block out the excessive sunlight that poured in through the skylights. With her eyes half-closed, Beca felt around for the nearest chair and plopped herself down on the wooden seat.
"Want some coffee, babe?"
"Uh."
Aubrey chuckled as she watched her best friend empty the entire pot of coffee into a large mug, throwing in 2 heaped teaspoons of raw sugar and a half teaspoon of condensed milk before stirring it vigorously. The redhead then sauntered over to her girlfriend and placed the mug in front of her. The latter grunted thanks and gulped down her coffee, smacking her lips loudly as she replaced the empty mug on the table.
"Ah, now I feel human again."
Her companions laughed and Chloe took the chance to plant a soft kiss on Beca's forehead, ruffling her hair as she headed back to the stove.
"Aubrey - scrambled, poached, fried or-"
"-boiled. Always boiled."
"I want mine half-boiled today, Chlo." The redhead arched her eyebrows and turned to face her girlfriend who shrugged as she played with the spoon left in the mug, "I just want to try something different."
"Why is that? You never have them half-cooked. You'd always thought they taste gross and gooey and-"
"Ah well, new house, new breakfast, new eggs."
"New girlfriend too?" Aubrey teased but her smile was short-lived when she received a killer glare from Chloe.
"No, Aub. That would require me dying and then coming back to earth after a few rounds in the reincarnation cycle." Beca deadpanned, trying to help her friend to get out of the sticky situation – i.e. Chloe approaching Aubrey with the killer glare and a greasy spatula in her hand.
"And besides," she continued, giving her girlfriend a pointed look, "I already have the most wonderful woman in the whole wide world – no offense Aub, why would I go around looking for someone else?"
The redhead seemed to calm down at her words and lowered her spatula. Aubrey gave an audible sigh of relief and scooted closer to the door just in case she needed a quick exit.
After they've confirmed that the blonde was out of trouble with Chloe (with the latter smothering Beca with an onslaught of kisses), Beca gently nudged their friend in the elbow. "So, why are you here so early?"
"To see your glorious morning face."
Beca rolled her eyes. "I mean besides that important task – what are you here for? You do know our morning sex schedule right?"
Aubrey dropped her jaw for a moment before shaking her head to rid of the image, "I do not need that imag– oh my gosh you just ruined my breakfast."
"And you just nearly got both of us killed." The brunette rebuffed, reaching over to grab the marmalade and some toast. She took a large bite out of her butter & jam sandwich and peered at her friend.
The blonde cast a quick glance at her best friend before huddling closer to Beca. "It's Stace."
"Stace? As in Stacie Conrad?" Silence.
"No, Stace as in Stacie Orrico."
"You mean that singer's still ar-"
"No! Of course I'm talking about Stacie Conrad. Becs, for serious?"
Beca shrugged and motioned for her to continue – her mouth full with the last of her sandwich as she prepared her second helping. Aubrey sighed again and rubbed her temples. It had happened so quickly and she did not know if the other party was drunk as well. She grimaced as she recalled the events from the night before, trying to relax as she related the incident to her friend.
Regarding her best friend and her.
"Well, Stacie... Erm, we... Sort of..."
"Whut? For the love of everything good and nice, speak woman!"
"We sort of hooked up last night."
Luke adjusts his bow tie for the hundredth time while Jesse simply watches him. The blonde then ducks his head to check the mirror and clicks his tongue in approval.
The two men have been assigned to welcome the guests with special instructions not to hit on any of the guests. Jesse has scoffed, declaring he would never commit such an act while Luke simply looked sad as he glanced through the guest list.
"I can't believe Beca gave us that rule!" The blonde whines, now checking his hair using the mirror. "I mean, what if one of them brings along her brother or cousin? If the lesbians can have their shot, why can't I too?"
"I think that's because you already have someone."
Luke looks up from his mirror and shakes his head, "Nah, I've dumped him before I left for this island."
"What? When?"
"Like I said, before I left for the island."
"Why?"
"We just don't work out, alright?" Luke snaps as he saunters towards the end of the dock, waving his hands at the approaching yacht.
Stacie slowly pulls the zip up and turns Chloe around to face her. The redhead looks at her intently as the brunette fusses with her veil. The latter can feel the pair of eyes burning into hers but chooses to ignore them. She knows what the redhead wants to say and she doesn't want to hear it – or face it.
It's not our day.
"Stace?"
"Yeap. Wait, can you pass me that bobby pin?" The brunette reaches up and sticks the pin into her friend's hair, securing the veil. "There you go. All done and ready to be married off."
"You sound like I'm a piece of meat to be sold off."
"Something like that. But classier."
"Stacie."
"Right, let me just text the boys to see if the guests have all arrived."
"Stacie."
"What?" Stacie snaps, throwing a glare at the bride. "Look, I don't want to talk about that."
Slightly stunned by the sudden outburst, Chloe looks down at her hands sadly; her lips curl downwards and tears brim at the corners of her eyes. The brunette sighs and puts her phone away.
"I'm sorry. You are saying?"
The redhead fishes out her phone and opens up the camera app. She then looks up at her friend and gives her a timid smile. "I just wanted to take a picture with you." She says softly, biting her lower lip.
Stacie softens at her words and mentally beats up herself for snapping at her best friend. She returns the smile and grabs her hand, lifting it up so that the camera is pointing at the both of them. Chloe beams at the gesture before turning to face the camera. The two women then flash their brightest smiles – complete with their pearly whites as the camera goes off.
Getting ready with my maid of honor *stacethegracefuldancer I can hardly wait. DJ, get ready to sweep me off my feet *djmitchB #bcbegins #weddingoftheyear #noweddingjitters #alwaysagoodthing
The brunette dimples as she watches the redhead busy herself with her phone. This day has finally arrived, she muses as she fishes out her own phone to reveal two messages received from both Jesse and Luke.
Alright, Cynthia Rose, Fat Amy and the rest of them are here! - Jesse
I spy with my pretty eyes some cute dudes with killer abs. Stace, abandon Chloe already and come join me! - Luke
The brunette snorts at the second message, earning a questioning look from the bride. She waves and points at her phone dismissively. Chloe nods, pacing around the room looking a little frenzied.
"Hey Chloe, you alright?"
"Um..."
"I thought there's no wedding jitters?"
"Well, I... Look at this." Chloe passes her phone and Stacie finds herself melting at the picture Aubrey has posted on the photo-sharing app. It is a picture of Beca all dressed up and ready; she was holding up what they'd guessed to be her vows as well as a single stalk of Orchid with the biggest smile on her face. She casts a quick glance at her best friend, noticing the misty blue eyes and the red nose.
"Chloe..."
"I feel so happy that I can burst; I'm bursting at my seams, really. But it's also overwhelming at the same time. I mean, I'm actually going to marry Beca Mitchell. I'm going to be living with her and loving her for the rest of my life. It's what I've dreamed of since the day I met her," Chloe whispers, staring at the picture and reading the caption over and over.
I'm ready, Chloe Beale. #morethanready #bcbegins
Stacie nods, slowing retrieving the phone from Chloe and slipping it into her pocket. She runs her hands along the bride's bare arms, trying to calm her down.
"How about you, Chlo? Are you ready?"
Chloe looks away for a second, closing her eyes to will away the mounting tears. Keeping her eyes shut, she nods firmly. Stacie reaches over for her hands, clasping them in hers and feels the redhead returning the grip.
"I'm more than ready."
The brunette smiles and gently guides the bride towards the door to leave for the chapel. She quickly sends a text to the boys with her free hand. Her phone vibrates almost right after her message got through.
Make sure the guests are seated because we are coming over. - Stacie
Good, because Beca is already here at the hall and she is looking ghostly white and pacing the floor. The carpet is going to be ruined if you guys don't arrive any sooner. - Jesse
Yes, Jesse is right – come quick! - Luke
And we must totally abuse the photobooth later! The ladies made a sign that says #bcbegins! How cool is this? It's even in hot pink and neon green! I give it my stamp of approval – Luke
Well boys, get ready to rock and roll. - Stacie