Bit of a filler chapter, but I figure that I owe you guys at least this much. Follow me on tumblr TheGrimLlama for updates on where I'm at J

Emily's transition after the incident on the weekend was rough. She not slept in her bed in three days and rather than rushing to the school gate as she usually did, she spent twenty minutes before classes clinging to Beca's legs, only letting go once her teacher pried her away. It broke Beca's heart to see her normally well-adjusted child so anxious. She was hoping desperately that spending tonight bowling with Benji and Uncle Jesse would chill little Emily out a little.

Beca arrived with Emily about ten minutes before they were supposed to meet the boys, but found Jesse already attempting to teach Benji the art of shoe tying. Benji spotted them first, calling out to Emily and almost landing face first on the floor in his haste.

Jesse looked up and smiled. He finished tying Benji's shoe and picked Emily up, swinging her around until she squealed, "Put me down! Uncle Jesse, I'll spew!"

Beca giggled and bent down to hug Benji, ruffling his hair, "How was the week at your mom's?"

Benji shrugged, "It was ok. Her new boyfriend took me to a baseball game. Then I got hit in the head with the ball…?" Beca bit her lip to hide the giggle, Benji was about as athletic as a wooden post. He took after his father in that aspect. Benji pulled his fringe back, attempting to show Beca the fading bruise on his hairline. He quickly lost interest as he spotted someone else entering the bowling alley. "Auntie Aubrey!"

Beca couldn't hid the smirk as she spun around, ready to give Aubrey a good ribbing. The smirk slid off her face as Aubrey threw her a wink and picked Benji up. Chloe was standing uncomfortably beside Aubrey, as though wondering whether or not she was actually welcome.

"Chloe!" Beca was nearly knocked off her feet as Emily bolted past her, and latched on to Chloe's legs. Chloe swung Emily onto her hip and walked over to Beca, leaving Aubrey and Benji to make their way to the counter for Aubrey's shoes.

"Sorry, Aubrey asked me to come. She never actually mentioned that you guys and Jesse and Benji would be here…"

"Are you actually apologising for removing the awkward third wheel vibe?" Beca said, pushing Chloe's shoulder.

Chloe shrugged, "Well when you put it that way… Have you girls got shoes yet?"

Emily piped up, "We just got here too! Momma never said you were coming."

"Well, Momma didn't know," Chloe answered with a wink. "Is it ok that I'm here?"

Emily scrunched her face up, "Seriously? Momma, I can't tell if she's seriously asking me this…"

Beca chuckled at the horrified look on Chloe's face, "She's seriously asking, sweetie, and I think you're worrying her."

"I'm sorry, Chloe… I was just teasing. I want you here," Chloe grinned as Emily leaned up and whispered something into her ear.

"Well then, are we going to sort out our shoes or what?" Chloe hooked her arm through Beca's as she walked passed. "So, have you grown out of kids sizes yet, Short stuff?"

"Rude. Just rude," Beca said, pulling her purse out and giving her and Emily's shoe size to the attendant, "And whatever size the firecracker needs."

"You aren't paying for me, Beca…"

Beca nodded at the attendant, "Do you think it's appropriate for a young lady to pay for her own shoes on a date?"

The attendant shook his head at Chloe, who sighed and gave him her size. Chloe let Emily take her shoes and run to Jesse, "You know, if I'd have known this was a date, I would have dressed up…"

"Would you have actually turned up if I asked you on a date?" Beca shot back, a grin sneaking its way across her mouth.

"You're right… I probably wouldn't have. Good thing you don't have the lady balls to actually ask me out," Chloe replied.

They quickly slipped their shoes on and joined the rest of the group, Jesse rolled his eyes and nudged Beca, "About time, you two." Beca walked over to him and dropped their street shoes by the table.

"Hey, you caught me off guard, dude!"

"Pfft, off guard? Does she make you nervous or something?"

Beca grinned sheepishly, "Yeah, kinda…"

Jesse laughed loudly, catching the attention of the two children who were crawling under Aubrey's chair and grabbing at her ankles. "We'd better go rescue Aubrey," Beca said, shaking her head pointedly at her daughter.

Jesse gave Beca a side eye and nodded at Chloe, who seemed to be encouraging the behaviour from across the lane, "Looks like somebody else is the instigator here…"

"Oi, Beale! Stop turning my kid into a brat," Beca said, sitting heavily next to the

Sure enough, seeing Benji outside of school hours cheered Emily up immensely. She was bouncing around the bowling alley dragging Benji from the arcade while the adults were up and back to the lanes.

By the end of two games, Beca had lost miserably to Chloe and Jesse, so was stuck with the ice cream bill. Emily and Benji were curled up on Aubrey and Chloe, their sleeping faces covered in rainbow ice cream. Beca nudged Chloe lightly, "Are you sure you're ok with her?"

Chloe chuckled, "Honestly, I don't think you'll be getting her back anytime soon. She's latched on like a sloth."

Beca laughed, "You'll just have to come home with us then."

Chloe raised an eyebrow, "I'm not sure that's entirely appropriate Mitchell…"

"Well considering this is… what? The ninth? Tenth date?"

Chloe laughed, "When did these dates happen and why wasn't I invited?"

Aubrey looked up, "Actually Chlo, that might be a good idea. I'm going to head back to Jesse's tonight, so it saves you catching a cab into the city alone."

Jesse wiggled his eyebrows at Chloe, earning him a slap from Beca, "You totally planned this, didn't you?"

"I didn't even know Aubrey invited you! But if you want to get in a cab with a seedy New Yorker, feel free," Beca answered with a wink."

The cab ride back to Beca's house was pleasantly quiet. Emily still had a vice grip on Chloe's arm when they arrived back at the house, so instead of trying to pry the little girl off, Chloe lifted her up and carried her into the house.

"She's not gonna let go anytime soon, so you might as well crash in my room with us. Do you have an early start at the café tomorrow?" Beca asked. She took Chloe's free hand and led her up the stairs to the room.

"No, I'm closing tomorrow, so I don't start until lunch time. I can drop Emily off if you want to get an early start?"

Beca chuckled and took two sets of sweats from her dresser she threw one at Chloe, who frowned as the clothes hit her in the face. "Nah, it's ok. I actually don't have much to do until Taylor gets back into town next week." She changed quickly, watching in the mirror as Chloe attempted to deposit Emily onto the bed. She chuckled as Emily's legs wrapped around Chloe's waist. Chloe tried to untangle Emily's legs but Emily sleepily reached up and wrapped her arms back around Chloe's neck. "That's not gonna work, Chlo."

Chloe frowned, "Teach me the ways, oh great one…"

Beca took Emily from Chloe fairly easily with a few whispers and laid her down on the pillows, "Honey, let go of Momma now." Emily's arms slowly released Beca's neck and curled around the teddy bear that Beca had offered. Beca held her arms out cockily and smirked at Chloe. "And that's how it's done. You're welcome."

Chloe rolled her eyes, "I'm going to change. You know you're insufferably smug sometimes, right?"

"Yeah, I know."