A/N: Sorry for the wait for this chapter! I had just finished a differnt version of this, when my computer crashed and deleted it! But sort of thankful it did as I feel that this version is better. As always, reviews are welcomed and if you have any opinions or advice, feel free to message me! Hope you enjoy :)
THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS VIOLENCE
'You can do this, deep breaths' Beca told herself as she followed Aubrey down the hallway of Jessica's house. After years of falling in love with this girl, having her heart ripped out when the red head left, she was going to see her again. The brunette had so many emotions; so, overwhelmed.
"You didn't have to do this Jess, really" a soft voice spoke. There was that voice she had missed so much, coming from the kitchen. She turned the corner and their she was. Chloe. Sat facing her, with a little girl sat in a chair opposite her.
"Becs?" Chloe questioned, eyes widening and her mouth wide open with disbelief.
A small laughter of joy fell from Beca's lips as she saw Chloe drop her spoon in surprise. It felt like a piece of them had been fulfilled by each other having finally reunited, as Chloe stood up and let her little legs carry her to stand directly in front of the brunette.
Beca didn't want to push her luck, and having been told by Aubrey that Chloe was closed off, she didn't want to scare her and simply smiled at Chloe, waiting for her to make a move. Beca's heart exploded when as she was wrapped up in a bear hug and knocked backwards by the force of it.
Beca would cherish this moment forever, as she wrapped her arms around Chloe's waist, never wanting to let go. She had dreamed of meeting Chloe again, and before hearing the news of her return, had promised herself that if she ever got a second chance, she would tell Chloe about her feelings. She would tell her how she has loved her for so long. But now wasn't the time. So much had happened in the space of a few days. One step at a time.
Jesse wrapped an arm around Aubrey's side as he kissed her cheek, so unbelievably happy for his best friend. Aubrey leaned into his embrace as they stood in the door way, letting the two in front of her with a smile on her mouth and a tear rolling down her cheek.
Confused and slightly worried about the fuss being made around her, was Bella. She hadn't seen her mom interact with anyone like that apart from her, ever. Unaware of what she should do, she toddled behind Jessica, and pulled at her pant leg. Jessica crouched down in response, meeting the concerned eyes of the younger blonde. "What is it sweetheart?" Jess asked as she tucked a stray hair behind the little girl's ear.
"Who dat?" was the response she earned, having to strain her ears to hear the tiny girl's voice.
Jessica smiled gently, continuing to run her fingers through the tiny blonde's hair, felling ever so thankful that Bella was slowly feeling comfortable and trusting her.
She quickly glanced to the side to see both Beca and Chloe wiping their eyes and then swiftly returned her attention to the patient girl in front of her. "Her names Beca….and she's very very special to your mom".
Seeing Bella apprehensively take another look at Beca, Jessica saw part of the concern leave Bella's face, but she didn't want to settle for that. She wanted Bella to feel completely comfortable with everyone she's just met and all of the others that she will meet in the future.
"Shall we both go and say 'hello' to her?" she asked, expecting a no, but being pleasantly surprised when Bella responded. "Yes pwease" she said, but instead of toddling over like Jess thought she would, she wrapped her arms around the older girl's neck, insisting that she be carried, putting a huge smile on Jessica's face.
Hearing footsteps approach them, Beca turned around to see Jessica carrying a small child, Chloe's child, towards them. Usually, Beca made an effort to avoid being in contact with children, finding them intimidating and creepy, but not this one. Chloe's child was simply beautiful, with her soft blonde hair and piercing bright blue eyes. 'Definitely Chloe's daughter' she thought.
The silence was interrupted by Jessica, introducing the child she was carrying on her hip. "Someone wanted to say 'hello' to you Beca" she spoke slowly and softly, the looking at Bella and whispering "do you want to tell her your name?" she encouraged.
With a nod of understanding, Bella turned around to face the new stranger. "I'm Isabewa" she mumbled, not quite making eye contact. Aubrey, witnessing the encounter, felt her heart fill with joy by not only the interaction between Bella and Jessica, or Bella and Beca, but the smile that erupted on her redheaded best friend. God how she missed that smile.
"Hey Isabella, I'm Beca" the brunette said. When first informed of Chloe's daughter, Beca didn't know what to think. But now? Beca felt so unfortunate not to have been introduced to this child sooner. She also couldn't comprehend the fact that Chloe probably had to raise her on her own, without anyone else's support. She had never met such a strong, caring and loving woman.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
After eating and being told that they were all going to take the two new arrivals out shopping for new wardrobes and other essentials the next day, Chloe took Bella up for a nap, but feeling the effects of the last couple of days catch up with her, the red head decided to take a little rest whilst the others were sat downstairs. Ever so slowly, her eyes fluttered shut.
[Flashback]
It took her over an hour, but Chloe finally settled 8-month-old Bella in to bed. She was at that age that her teeth were coming through and the poor girl didn't like it one bit, spending most of the afternoon with crocodile tears.
It was his birthday which meant that Tom had gone out drinking in the morning, leaving Chloe specific instructions to clean the house spotless and to have food ready in time for when he came back home. And clean she did. The house was fairly big given the amount of money Tom made by selling drugs, and that meant that it would take up the majority of her day, as well as balancing looking after her child, and making sure that Tom had something to eat when he came home. Resulting in one very stressed red head.
She had been so preoccupied with soothing Bella, that Chloe had momentarily forgotten that the chicken she had put in the oven had still be cooking, and after that moment of discovery, Chloe bolted down the stairs as quickly as she could, praying that she hadn't left it in too long.
"no no no no no no no" she mumbled to herself as she ran towards the cooker, where she was hit with the smell of smoke.
She got on her knees, and as expected, she turned off an opened the oven to be met with the sight of a very burnt meal. It was just her luck that as soon as she reached for the tray, a very drunk Tom stumbled in.
"mmm bitch where's the foooood?" he slurred, reeking of alcohol, looking at Chloe sat on her knees with a tray of burnt food beside her.
"I'm so so sorry Tom, Bella's been crying all day and I lost track of time! Here, let me just fix you something up". She pushed herself up from the floor, but as she was about to stand up straight, a very angry Tom raced forward and grabbed her by her hair with a tight fist.
"Do'ya know how much fucking monEY YOU'VE just wasted" Tom hiccupped as he stormed towards the kitchen table, dragging a helpless Chloe up behind him, pushing her side right into the table as he came to a stop, with her hair still in his hands.
Tom was quite an angry and impatient person when he was sober, but he turned into even more of a monster once he started drinking.
"I'm sorry, it was a mistake, there's still some other stuff I can-" Chloe was cut off with a sharp pain in her cheek from where Tom had just slapped her, instantly putting a hand up to sooth the pain.
"You stupid bitch, can't fucking do anything right" he harshly spat, looking right into the poor girls eyes.
"Please Tom don't do anythi-" a knee to Chloe's stomach and she dropped down on the floor.
"SHUT UP (kick) SHUT UP (kick) SHUT UP (kick) SHUT UP (kick) SHUT UP!" he screamed, emphasising his anger by kicking at the body by his feet. The most upsetting thing was that although in so much pain, Chloe was getting used to the feeling of being Tom's sober and drunk abuse. Tears spilled from her eyes as she violently coughed, using her arms to try and protect her head and stomach, drawing her legs up to her chest.
"Chloe! Chloe! Chloe!"
"Chloe! Chloe! Wake up!"
Chloe sat up straight away, her heart rate through the roof, breathing rapid, and sweat all over her. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please stop! Please!" she begged, grabbing her ears, protecting her head, preparing for the next blow.
Beca cupped Chloe's cheeks, lifting her head to get her to look at her. "Hey Chloe, hey, it's ok, it was just a dream". As soon as Chloe looked into Beca's deep blue eyes, she stopped shouting, still taking fast and rapid breaths.
"Breath with me, in, and out… that's it, in, and out" Beca said, still not letting go of Chloe's face, stroking her cheeks with her thumbs and wiping away the stray tears that escaped for her face.
As soon as she realised where she was, Chloe dove into Beca's embrace, needing that sort of protection and security. No words were spoken on Chloe's behalf, but Beca was holding her tight, stroking her hair and whispering words of reinsurance. After a while, she heard Chloe's breathing even out, looking down to see the redhead fast asleep.
Beca couldn't bear to part with Chloe after seeing how distressed she was, so very carefully, she repositioned themselves so that they were both lying on their side, with Beca wrapping her arms around the slightly taller girl's waist. Putting a kiss to her shoulder, Beca slowly joined Chloe and Bella into falling into a deep sleep.
