You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone
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Chapter 9
"Jesse?"
"Just look at the camera, Beca."
"Get out of my room."
"Beca, the hero will save the girl in the end."
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"So?"
Shelia didn't break eye contact as her step daughter struggled not to shift in nervously on the bench.
It had taken a few days until she had been able to come back to L.A. Beca's fever had broken and the girl was on the way to recovering. Stacie had kept her updated with everything new and Beca had filled in the rest of the blanks over the phone a couple days ago. Honestly she wasn't impressed with Beca right then however she had learned years ago that sometimes you had to wait the girl out before she cracked. It appeared like she was ready to burst at the seems.
"So what Shelia?"
Taking a deep breath Shelia said, "I know we aren't just sitting here because you wanted to stare out at the Santa Monica beach, Beca. By the sounds of it you have had a couple major life…" she trailed off trying to think of a word.
"Changes would have worked you know."
"Maybe. But why go easy?" Shelia retorted kindly.
"I don't know."
Shelia waited as she watched the sea come in then sweep out. She would never forget what those months were like after she took Beca to Europe with her. She wished she had known what she was supposed to do. How to be a mother. The nightmares had come every night to her step-daughter. Pleading for help. Asking to be believed. That was one of the hardest things hearing from Beca. Asking for someone to believe in her.
She had been glad at the end of Beca's freshman year that her husband and Beca had reached an understanding. She understood Beca's view of life better than her husband had. Leaving then excepting Beca to welcome him back with open arms like nothing happened was wrong. Beca shutting him out hadn't been right however as a child it was anyone's guess how that effected her emotionally. Coming back dictating her life instead of supporting her dreams and goals had been wrong as well. He had meant well, most parents do. It is just never a assured thing that what may have been meant as right could do so much damage. Or something wrong could produce good.
She did not excuse her actions back then either. She had willingly been the other woman. She played a part in Beca's hurt as a child just as much as anyone. That summer she had reached out to Beca's mother, Tessa. They spoke for hours, putting the past to rest. She had been able to see Beca through the eyes of someone who believed in her.
It had been tragic hearing that she had died in the car accident. It was a blessing that Beca had been in school when it happened. She had leaned a lot on those two girls: Aubrey and Chloe. They had been girlfriends, she remembered. Before they welcomed Beca into the relationship, which she had done happily. It hadn't ended well. She could remember that part of the story too.
"They are back in my life, Sheila."
"But they are leaving today. You'll have everything back to how it was before. Which is what you wanted when you first got sick so I'm going to retort with the clinch question of; how does that make you feel?" The tiny smile she got back was a win in her book.
"That was a clinch." Beca scoffed. Shelia watched as Beca's face settled back into its comfortable frown, "And I don't know. I heard them talking. I hadn't meant to but I did and…"
She retreated inward. Wrapping her arms around herself. "Please."
Shelia immediately leaned back, draping her left arm across the bench while keeping her right by her side. Wasting no time Beca let herself pitch into the body beside her. It wasn't comfortable, but it was safe.
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She shouldn't have been surprised to see what was happening in front of her. It wasn't a surprise, honestly. Beca was better now. Moving on her own. Fever gone. She had gone out to see Shelia for a few hours since the woman was back and worried about Beca. A part of her knew Chloe wasn't running away, so why did it feel like she was as she watched her pack up the medical supplies.
It had taken another week before Chloe decided, with agreement from Dr. Slims, that Beca was out of the woods completely. Chloe in doctor mood was a sight. Even now she probably wouldn't have cleared Beca to be up and around if Dr. Slims hadn't okayed it. During that whole time that Chloe and Aubrey had stayed in the house it seemed like the three had come to some kind of silent truce. Beca acted like a ghost for the most part while Chloe and Aubrey were present yet gave Beca her space. Nothing was talked about regarding the past. Words were kept civil especially when Chloe's daughter was around.
Rebecca would trot through the house making everyone smile. Amy had eventually shared what had happened in the kitchen between the three of them. She just wasn't sure how much Beca had heard. It had only encouraged CR's idea of bring Chloe on board. What her loving and wonderful fiancé had missed was that Chloe hadn't taken the offer seriously.
Maybe it was time she stepped in with her powers of persuasion.
"Running or leaving?"
The unexpected voice caused her to jerk in surprise. She stayed where she was. "Stacie, I didn't realized you were back yet."
"I still want to know if are you running away because she's better now, or are you coming back for good?"
"I'm not running Stacie. I'm packing my things and returning home today then I'm coming back to see her as much as I can without getting a restraining order put on me. Aubrey and I said we were in it for the long haul and we meant it." Taking a deep breath she continued, "You have to admit that with her well now she will see it that we have no place here."
Stacie reluctantly had to silently agree with that. She couldn't read minds, but it would be a fools bet that Beca would do a 180 to actively keep Chloe, Rebecca and Aubrey in her sight. In her life? Well, keep them in her life. Still, "So since we can all agree on that then what is the plan?"
"I don't know."
"Chloe?"
"Don't. Please Stacie. You all saw. She should have been in the hospital and we could have lost her. Her temperate was 105 Stacie. People can die with temps like that. She wasn't supposed to see me so soon, Stacie. When I came to MBP Aubrey was supposed to meet me and then we were going to take Rebecca somewhere so they could get to know each other. What if it is my fault that Beca got sick?"
Without a second thought Stacie crossed the room, setting herself across from her old friend on the Beca's bed. "It wasn't like that. And CR was serious."
"Serious about what?" Chloe asked.
"Working as MBP Records doctor. Whatever time you have left in medical school we pay for. We'll take care of the bills and any debt. You would still have to do your residency I know, however I'm sure by then you won't have a problem finding a babysitter for Rebecca." Stacie watched the smile appear then just as quickly vanish.
"Thank you, but I can't. I thought she was joking…I can't take advantage of Beca like that."
"You won't be."
"But,"
"Hear me out Chloe," Stacie bit her lips in thought. There was so much at play here. "You got her better than any of us did. And…She does need you. She needs you both. I know whatever happened before she started dating you two had played a major part in her. She isn't sharing. Chloe, she was in a car accident. It happened not too long after we got here."
The only word that comes to Chloe's mind right now watching Stacie sitting there with her is haunted. She moved over to the bed staying on the floor. It was close enough for her to slip her hand over her friend's. Chloe gave it a squeeze. Returning the gesture Stacie continues, "We went to a club and, God I wish I knew what set her off. She was fine one moment then another she punched some silver/blue hair girl then stormed out. Amy went to help the girl and all she would say was "I'm sorry" over and over again. Her friends took her to get some help. I remember she was pretty pale and the blood dripping down wasn't pretty. But then the next thing we know is we are getting a call from Shelia telling us Beca is in the hospital."
Collapsing back onto the bed Stacie threw her arm over her eyes. "She got hit recklessly driving through downtown L.A. Once Beca woke up Shelia and her had a fight. Whatever was said it made Beca seek help. It had some good things happen and a few bad ones as well. Her reckless behavior was curbed where we weren't worried 24/7 about her. The drinking until she couldn't remember anything stopped." The next thing Stacie had to say, she knew it would hurt, "And the rotating door of one night stands stopped too."
Stacie knew the moment those words hit. Chloe drew into herself. Keeping the understanding look on her face steady. Continuing Stacie said, "Beca became even more driven after that, Chloe. Working until she caught maybe an hours worth a sleep a night. A year later she got so sick, just like this time, and we took her to the hospital. She flipped out screamed her lungs out in a panic."
Stacie felt the bed dip taking on Chloe's weight.
"We agreed back then that we never wanted to see that again Chloe. That is why we wanted you to care for her here. Somewhere, where she felt safe. And this might be hard to believe but she felt safe with you both here."
"Why do you think that?"
"Because she let you touch and hold her, Chlo. She let you both touch."
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"Sorry about that," the words softly spoken.
"You never have to apologize for needed help, Beca." Swiping the tears away she shot a small smile at Shelia. "CR and Stacie kept me update since I wasn't able to get back sooner."
"How was Paris?"
"It was good to see my sister. I'm glad to be back here with you though," Shelia slowly let go of her step-daughter. "Shall we walk?"
Beca smiled. Stood, gave a gentle hip check to her step-mother then walked aimlessly down the boardwalk. Shelia followed after with a smile of her own. She knew Beca would always see her as her step-mother, a friend. To her Beca was her daughter. They worked. It worked. It took time, building this trust but here they were.
"I don't know what to do, Shelia. Aubrey and Chloe are in my life again. They want to make a life with me again. Chloe has a kid. Aubrey is a lawyer, a good one to and she is mine. CR has a plan…"
"Yes, she told me about it. Hiring Chloe to be the company's doctor. Putting her the rest of the way through her schooling so you could avoid hospitals and be around someone who you even said once; got you better then anyone you have ever met."
"Then why were they scared? I heard them. I think I understand, but why did they leave me like that?"
"Beca, you know they are the only ones who can answer that. And what do they want now?"
"To be with me. Win me back."
Shelia suspected that much, "And will you let them?"
Beca stopped walking as the question swirled through her mind. Would she let them try to win her back? It was strange having them in her home again. Strange yet right. They hadn't pressed her to accept their company except when it came to her health. Chloe…Beca could still see the fear for her well being in those eyes. It was a look Chloe always seemed to reserve just reserved only for her. Aubrey wasn't half as hard headed as she used to be. Firm but not as her way or high way personality.
She hadn't said a thing to them when she left this morning. They had even asked if she wanted them to leave since she was better or would she like them to stay at least one more night. She had heard them, part of her hadn't care in that moment. She just left the house to go see Shelia. She had ignored them the whole time they had been there. Neither had complained. They let her.
Did they feel like they deserved to be ignored? Left alone?
They said…
Crying until they passed out, admitting that they had made a mistake. She hadn't thought of it until then however, them never knowing what happened…
What she went through that night. She hadn't been ready to share then. Much less share what had happened back then with them now. They were operating without the whole picture. Yet they had still welcomed her in, made her theirs. What they did hadn't been right. And the situation was completely different but what was the difference between her ignoring them now to how they ignored her then?
Six years later it didn't seem like much. It had destroyed a part of her to leave. Maybe a small part of her was glad to know they hadn't been able to make it without her. Although, how would it feel for them to leave her? The Bellas, her friends that had stuck by her wouldn't have known how she was if it hadn't been for Shelia finding Ashly before they left for Europe. Had she really tried to talk to them about what was happening or had she only thought she had because of the drama with Jesse?
They had never, in the time they had been staying with her, said anything like that. Never expressed any pain that the past had caused them. Only worry for her now.
…She must have hurt them. Her silence each time they said "hi" or "can I do anything for you". It had to have hurt them. Would they take that silence as hatred towards them? She didn't, not really. Maybe at one point, but not no. It was pretty hard to dislike Rebecca.
On thing she could say with certainty; she hadn't been the same since then. If anything she let the good parts she had discovered back at Barden be stolen by life being out of her control. She owned her friends and Shelia a lot. They were always in her corner. Her Mom would have been too if she had still been alive. She really did have a habit of running when things got tough emotionally.
Meeting Shelia's eyes Beca said, "I think I could but it would take time. To trust."
"And if they love you like I think they do then Chloe and Aubrey will wait and be there the whole way."
The front door opened then she closed it silently behind her. Slipping off her shoes it quickly registered that her house was silent. After hearing her friends and Aubrey, Chloe and Rebecca wandering around it was odd to hear nothing again. There were no extra shoes by her door. She hurried over to the living room where she could remember seeing the three watching a movie from time to time. Maybe they were there still. Or Dinah could have stopped by to take Rebecca out for the afternoon. The girl was nice if a little spacey sometimes.
Nothing.
It was empty.
"Aubrey? Chloe? Is anyone here?" she called out.
Silence was the only sound that greeted her.
Closing her eyes she took a deep breath then slowly let it out. "Maybe they went out to eat?"
Turning she headed for the stairs. The flooring in her home was a lot like her office. Black and silver. The walls of her house…that was a mix of two different blues mixed with green that were just thrown on the walls once when she had gotten bored.
Reaching the stairs she started making her way up them. A lot of things had blue and green. The two tear drops on her mask. The walls of her house. She still loved to wear dark colors yet when it came to decor she was drawn to those two colors the most. Turning to the left at the top she walked down the hall. Noticing that the doors to the rooms they had used were opened instead of closed. Making her way to the closest that was Aubrey's she stepped then chuckled at the sight.
The bed was made just like she remembered. Military style. Neat and tidy without a wrinkle in place. She could remember joking how it looked like Aubrey had taken an iron to the bed and that was how she made it look so nice and neat. It had always provoked a laugh out of her girlfriend.
The bed was made although she didn't see anything of a personal nature of Aubrey's.
She felt dread hit. It wasn't there. She ran over to the bed side table. It wasn't sitting there on the bedside table. The replica of the pitch pipe Aubrey had made after her senior year at Barden with the words "just the way you are" engraved into it was missing. The group had tease Aubrey for weeks about it after she had gotten it made. Accusing her of secretly yearning to still be captain. She had rolled with the teasing, even laughed about it with the group, but in a private moment Aubrey had taken her aside and explained.
It was a symbol of their night in the pool. Hence the words. She would keep it with her wherever she went to remind herself that being just the way you were, was alight.
Aubrey had had it when the three of them were together. She never went anywhere without it. Vacation. Classes. Even took it with her when she had gone home to see her parents. Which at the time hadn't gone so well. Her Dad hadn't understood then. And, was it a brother, had teased her about it the whole trip. But Aubrey hadn't cared. She had carried it with honor.
Beca knew she had seen Aubrey holding it a few times around the house. So if it wasn't on the bedside then? Marching over to the closet she threw the doors wide.
Empty.
Aubrey's clothes were gone.
Beca swallowed.
Spun around dashing for Chloe's room. Crashing through room the slight left her empty. It was the same thing. Completely clean. Where Beca had been chaos Chloe had been organized chaos. Aubrey would have zero clothes of the floor, Chloe would have had three draped over a chair or the bed while Beca's whole closet would have been found on the floor or under the bed.
Was this what it had been like for them six years ago when she told them her stuff was gone?
Empty?
Turning on her heels Beca made her way to the last room. It was the same. Nothing. There were no toys covering the floor. Beca had heard Chloe singing a silly clean up song for Rebecca to clean her toys up to. The kid had laughed each time before pleading with Chloe to sing another song. Then not too long after she would hear Chloe laugh while complaining about Rebecca making a mess of her toys again.
Slowly she backed out of the room until her back hit the wall. Letting herself slide down to the floor she felt hallow. They were gone. She hadn't told them to stay so they left.
They would be at MBP Records. But that wasn't the same as coming home or waking up in the morning to see them wandering around the kitchen or relaxing in the living room. She hadn't even tried to get along with them. What had she done?
"I pushed them away. Again."
She blinked hard. Tears filled up her blue eyes. It hurt.
She blinked once more then closed her eyes willing away the tears.
Crying never did much good. Even if some claimed it was healing.
Getting to her feet she brushed off any dirt from her pants. Straighten then headed back towards the stairs. She stared straight ahead.
"Don't look in the rooms again. Ignore them Beca." She ordered herself.
She took a deep breath as she passed Chloe's room.
"Don't think of it."
She had to bite her lip passing Aubrey's to ground herself.
She reached the stairs trembling. Taking them two at a time, barely keeping herself from tripping over her feet she made it to the first floor. She kept her eyes averted from the living room heading towards the kitchen on the opposite side. Entering her gaze zeroed in on the fridge. Water sounded good.
A glass of water would help.
Maybe she could think clearer then.
One step after the other she pushed herself forward.
Passing the island in the middle of the kitchen a piece of paper caught her eye. Picking it up she saw the two keys lying on the counter. She would recognize those two keys anywhere. Ignoring it for now she started to read.
Beca,
Here are Aubrey's and my keys to your house. I made sure everything was cleaned up. All the medical supplies are gone and I made sure Rebecca made the bed in the room she was using. I'm glad you are better. Please take care of yourself, alright.
I decided to take the job CR offered. I understand that we, Aubrey and I, me…
Beca, I think
I want for us to be able to talk someday.
I hope someday we can clear the air.
And I hope someday you can forgive me. Us.
If taking this job will hurt you then let me know.
And I won't.
I want you back in my life Beca.
I miss my friend.
Please think about it.
All our love,
Chloe
Rebecca
Aubrey
P.S We'll always be here if you need us Beca
The tears fell.
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She shoved the rest of her papers in the box trying desperately to ignore Karen. It was turning out to be pretty hard to focus between Karen, leaving Beca's house two days ago and the rest of the conversation with Stacie running through her mind. Stacie had helped get the rest of her and Becs' things packed. Stacie had kept the conversation going so it hadn't felt as awkward as Chloe thought it should have been. The subject of discussion had stayed centered on the woman they both cared about, just in different ways. Even now, a couple days later, everything Stacie had said was still fresh in her mind.
It still threw her a bit and at first, what Stacie had said hadn't made sense. She had been dealing with so many emotions just then that she had had to ask Stacie to spell it out for her. She had:
"Beca let you both touch her without flinching Chloe. She flinches whenever we lay a hand on her shoulder. Her hand shakes are firm and as quick as possible. We need you to be with us. We'll take care of everything and this way you and Aubrey have a chance to woo her all over again. You can't get a better deal then that!"
It hadn't taken her more then a minute to accept their offer after that. She had a year left of med school to complete. CR was getting everything in order for her. Any debt was being taking care of. They would, for right now, pay her under the table. She felt horrible about them taking control of that part of her life even if it was helpful. She had worked so hard to be able to care for Rebecca and herself. Getting the things they needed to live. She would be able to better care for her daughter now yet it was a bit of a hit to her pride.
To ensure that nothing bad might happened they decided that they would use Dr. Slims as a second opinion as needed which had delighted the older man when CR had spoken with him on the phone. What wasn't delightful currently was Karen standing over her looking extremely pissed off. When she had walked in that morning Karen had been only curious about where she had been. Once Dr. Slims came in they had gone back to his office to discuss her future. He agreed she should do it. She had his support. He only insisted that she continue to visit him from time to time and let him help if she ever had any questions with her schooling.
Neither had been aware that Karen had stood outside the door eavesdropping. When she had come out Karen had demanded to know how Chloe had landed a job like that. Chloe had simply told her that some friends had contacted her about it and she took it. She had hoped that would be the end of it.
It wasn't. Karen continued to ask questions.
Who were her "friends"?
When had they met?
Why hadn't Chloe ever mentioned these other friends before?
Which one had she slept with to get the job?
That last question kept reoccurring. She wasn't sure how she had kept herself from lashing out so far. Once she was done here she owned Becs a huge apology. Her daughter had never liked Karen. She hadn't either, but if this is what Rebecca saw then it wasn't that hard to figure out why she hated Karen so much. It was getting to the point of her wanting to contact Aubrey early or even Lily and have them here for backup.
Aubrey had something to do at the office this morning then she would be over afterwards to pick her up. Besides Karen the other thing or she should say person that was driving her out of her mind was Beca. She hadn't heard a thing since they all left Beca's house. Lily had even loaded all of MBP Records contact information into her iPhone, including Beca's. Last night she had opened Beca's contact information with the intent to text her when that typing bubble popped up.
Disappeared.
Reappeared.
Then disappeared again without returning or any text coming through.
That single moment felt like all that time they had spent with her was a waste towards moving forward and wooing Beca back into their arms. Would this back and forth always be there? Would Beca be this prickly person with her claws retracted a bit? While staying with her she never actively sought them out, but she did not avoid them either, except that last day.
Rebecca took a real shine to Beca, Aubrey, and all the others dubbing them as her new aunts. She kept asking when were they going to see them all again. When Amy had offered to teach Becs how to wrestle a dingo Beca had stepped in saying maybe when Rebecca actually knew what one was. Looking at their time together how Beca acted around Rebecca, in some ways actually hurt her and Bree the most. Rebecca could get as close to Beca as she wanted during their time there and Beca never turned the girl away. Her baby girl would climb into the DJs bed, snuggle up and sleep there for the rest of the night but she still held them at a distance.
"Are you fucking listening to me Chloe?!"
The hand slamming down on her desk startled her. It also caused many patents to turn their way.
Meeting Karen's eyes Chloe sighed. "I wasn't actually. Again, and for the last time, please leave me alone Karen. I want nothing to do with you."
She returned her attention back to finishing packing. She only had two more things and she would be done then out of here and back where she belonged. Grabbing her chin Karen yanked the Chloe head up meeting her eyes.
"Screw your kid and whoever got you that job. You belong with ME Chloe and I will have you."
"Karen, I've told you more then once to leave me alone. So just stop. I won't go out with you."
"You will Chloe. I know you want me. I know that you're mine. Do you understand that? You're mine and so is that kid. And after we are done here I'm taking you with me!"
"Fuck off Karen. And get away from me."
Karen let go of Chloe's chin. Chloe felt relief flood her although it didn't last long. Nails bit into her arm as Karen grabbed her. Shoving her hard against the desk Karen moved right into her space trapping her. Chloe could feel the edge of the desk dig into her back. Raw fear tore through her. Had Dr. Slims heard anything? Why weren't the people standing in the waiting room saying anything.
"Back the fuck off bitch!"
Karen wasn't sure how. One moment she was in front of Chloe the next she was on the floor staring up at an angry short, brunette that was staring at her with the assurance that she would be dead right now if this woman had half a chance. Another woman rushed to the brunette's side, this one had black hair and, were her eyes deceiving her or was that a gun and knife strapped to her hip? The black haired woman laid a hand on the brunette having some kind of conversation while an angry blonde went right to Chloe pulling what should have been her girl into their arms. She recognized the blonde who had come in over a week ago asking about Chloe. Other women started filling the room. They were all sporting the almost the same degree of anger that the blonde was. Only the two in front of her seemed to be angrier.
"Hey, bitch." The brunette called getting her attention.. "I highly suggest you never come near Chloe ever again. If you do I swear I'll get my lawyer to slap you with so many assault charges filed you'll never find a decent job in L.A again. Got me?"
"Screw you asshole," Karen shot back. "I have friends that would bury you."
"Lily."
The black haired woman leaned down whispering in her ear, stood then backed up. Karen wished she could miss how that left hand appeared relax yet was closer to the gun she wasn't bothering to conceal than before. She wanted to swallow. She wanted to run. It was the first time she could remember feeling trapped.
Chloe had never been happier or more confused to see another person in her life let alone seven of them. But it was seeing Beca and Aubrey there and made her heart trip over itself. Aubrey came early! And Beca and the rest were with her. Beca was there. After all that silence she was standing there staring down at Karen like she could murder her.
Whatever Lily had whispered in her ear made Karen afraid. Well, that she could understand after hearing a few of the disturbing things Lily had mentioned before too. But Beca. Dressed in black, been giving them the cold shoulder Beca Michell was there.
"Beca?" It was so soft she almost couldn't believe she said her name out loud. It was enough to pull her DJ out of the murderous daze she seemed caught up in.
Hearing Chloe's voice was enough to bring her out of the moment that replayed in her mind. Forgetting about the woman on the floor she moved over to Aubrey who was still holding Chloe in her arms. She barely opened her arms when Chloe was suddenly in them holding her just as tight. She felt the anger cool. She wanted to murder that woman for hurting Chloe. Never again. She'd never let it happen again. To Rebecca, Chloe or Aubrey. She'd destroy anyone who tried first.
Moving her head till her lips were next to Chloe's ear she whispered, "Are you okay Chlo? Did she hurt you? Tell me that you're okay. If she hurt you I'll take care of it. I swear."
Chloe knew tears were falling, hitting Beca's skin. She felt shock. This was a complete 180 from the Beca she had seen two days ago. She opened her mouth but the words seemed frozen in her throat.
"Just nod if you are okay or shake your head if you aren't." Which one was she? Beca was holding her. Karen had grabbed her. Beca was holding her in her arms. It was warm. She nodded. "Good. Do you have all your things?"
"Yeah," She wondered if Beca heard her answer. Had she actually said the word?
"Okay, okay. Good." Beca took a step back to put a bit of space between them. Chloe followed, closing the space once more. "Lily, grab Chloe's stuff on the way out and I'll be waiting in the second limo. We're done here."
Suddenly it dawn on Karen what or actually who she was seeing. The blonde and brunette were the ones Chloe must have dated and let go. They had finally come back for her after all this time. Chloe had described them so many times Karen wasn't sure why she hadn't realized it sooner. Karen scoffed. Chloe must have been an idiot if she couldn't see the love reflected in both of their eyes when they looked at her. Briefly she considered getting up off the floor then marching over there to take Chloe back, but the black haired one stepped forward blocking her path. Her lips moved but Karen didn't hear whatever words she said. Being threatened by being killed slowly in her bed then left in her bed paralyze while her house burned down around her was enough to discourage her.
Beca had shifted her body around placing her hand on the small of Chloe's back. Reaching out with her left she caught Aubrey's hand pulling her with as she started to exit. Without a backward glance to Karen, Beca smiled, shaking her head, "I don't think that will be needed Lily. Just grab Chloe's stuff then meet us in the limo."
The women behind the main four were still shooting her glares. A leggy brunette flipped her off before taking the hand of another women with red in her black hair. Another blonde pointed between the two of them muttering something about withholding the Kraken before she followed the rest out of the office. Another blonde had only glared with her arms crossed before she stormed out. When Lily picked up Chloe's stuff Karen barely held back the swallow she wanted to take at the sight of a gun and knife hanging off her belt before she too was gone leaving just her and the clientele.
"Karen, can I see you in my office." Dr. Slims called out having seen everything. "We'll be discussing your termination here effective immediately."
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The vase shattered on impact. Water, rose petals scattered across the office. His personal files and contracts strew over every surface available. The mess was nothing to what was still currently standing in front of him.
Benji held his hands up in the calmest manner he could. His ex-friend's eyes were bloodshot, face sunken in and pale. He had been drinking again. Jesse always came to him when he had been drinking, it was like clock work. He didn't even have to guess how Jesse got set off this time. He had seen the papers.
The shot of Aubrey, Chloe and Beca had been a great one. Anyone with eyes could see how the three felt. The old Bellas would think he was crazy to say 'three' except he wasn't. In that one photo Beca was leaning into the touch. She didn't do that with people.
He did not blame her either. He knew he was one of the few who had knowledge of what really happened back then. After Jesse was thrown in jail he had gone to see him. Trying to find out what had happened. Jesse had told him everything. Every detail of the plan he and his friends had had and exactly how it all played out.
The whole thing left a sour taste in his mouth. Benji could remember being glad he wore a mic into that meeting and was able to help Beca in a small way of getting Jesse away from her. He honestly could say he would rather protect Beca then help the person in front of him find her.
It was time to call Lily and let her know the situation.
"Jesse. Calm down and we will work something out."
"I want my girlfriend back! She was at MBP Records! Help me find her!"
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Chloe, Aubrey and Rebecca sat in the living room blinking as movers loaded their things into Beca's house as she directed them which rooms to place it all and the room that had held all of Beca's stuff was moved into the room across with Rebecca's stuff being put in Beca's old room. The ride to Dinah's had been quiet. Rebecca had been thrilled when they pulled up to get her. Dinah had stood there with her girlfriend in awe when she answered the door to find Beca standing there waiting. Jessica and CR had taken that moment to quickly slipped into Beca's limo grabbed Aubrey's and Chloe's house keys without protest then exited back to the limo they had been riding in.
Beca had gotten back in with Rebecca who immediately went to her Mommy talking excitedly about being with Beca again. When she had noticed Aubrey she talked even faster. They arrived at Beca's house shortly after that. Lily had help usher them all inside Beca's house had been quiet. She had lead them to the living room. Insisted they sit. Left only to come back with mugs of hot chocolate and warm blankets.
Now they were watching from where they sat as clothes, furniture and Rebecca's toys filed passed. CR was grinning like a fool as she helped direct the movers. Lily could be seen flashing hints of her gun and knife at the movers if they looked at a item the wrong way or a cell phone peeked out of a pocket. Chloe had to revalue that statement, at any of the movers who made a less than professional glance at herself, Aubrey or Beca then Lily would flash the gun or knife.
The little bubble that had been surrounding her since she saw Beca on the office seemed to dissipate.
Wait!
Was Beca moving them all in with her?!
