A/N: You have all been the most patient audience and I will never stop appreciating that. Thank you so much for reading, and thank you for your feedback. It always makes me smile to read a new review. If you have a moment I always appreciate a review, comment or message on Tumblr (shesamarshmallow) from a reader. Thank you for sticking with this story and enjoy.
When Beca arrived at the hospital Aubrey was again standing in front of the door to Chloe's room. It was obvious that she was there to fill Beca in on whatever she had missed when she dropped her phone. Beca's heart was racing, she had assumed Aubrey had good news but this could be anything. Her tone had been even, she didn't sound upset, Chloe had to be okay, she had to.
"Beca, hey," she heard the other woman's voice as she neared the spot where Aubrey stood, "calm down."
Aubrey placed her hands on Beca's shoulders and waited for her to take a deep breath. It was obvious Beca was worked up and Aubrey wished she had let her finish when they were on the phone. Perhaps she shouldn't have opened with you need to get down here now. It wasn't her intention to scare her or get her all worked up like this. The doctor had news and she just thought Beca would want to hear it.
"Do you need to go sit down?" Aubrey asked, "we can find some chairs in the waiting room."
"I'm fine," Beca was only half lying; she just really wanted to know why she was here.
"When the nurse came in to check on Chloe this morning she saw movement, Chloe was stirring. She called in Chloe's doctor to see and he confirmed it. This is a good sign Beca, she's in there and Dr. O'Brien thinks she's close to waking up. He thinks she's trying."
Beca's jaw was agape. She had of course been hoping for more when Aubrey called her but this was something. This was good news.
"Can we go in and see her?" Beca asked, a little unsure.
"You can," Aubrey said smiling, "I've been here for a while. I'm going to go home and check on Thalia and Greg."
Beca nodded, "yeah, okay. I'll call you if there is anymore news."
Beca watched as Aubrey walked down the long hallway and turned the corner. She was hesitant to go in, she was excited minutes ago but now she was nervous. All the doctor had said was that she could wake up soon. Nothing was guaranteed and there was still no time frame. Close wasn't now and Beca didn't want to get her hopes up anymore than they already were.
As Beca cracked the door open she could see Chloe lying there, still. She may have been stirring before but she was stiff right now. Beca hated seeing her like this, it was hard to see her like this, it never stopped being hard. The Chloe she had met on the cruise was bright and full of life. She was perky and upbeat and so far removed from this. This Chloe needed her to be there though. She needed the people she cares about to stick by her and be there even when she can't be with them. Beca knew this much so she sat in the same chair she did every day and watched. In her haste to get to the hospital Beca hadn't brought anything with her, no book, no music, nothing. She was alone with her thoughts and the noise from the machines in Chloe's room.
As much as she wanted it to her brain just wouldn't stop. Her thoughts were running wild and they were forcing her to consider each one. The loudest one was a thought she had a couple of times before. Whenever she was sitting in this very room the same thought crossed her mind. What would she say to Chloe if she did wake up? Surely Chloe would have questions. What would she tell her? Oh hi Chloe, no I know we're not together but yes I have been sitting by your bedside for weeks. What would Chloe think of that? Sure Aubrey said she was going to call her the day of the crash but she hadn't, not yet. As far as Chloe was concerned Beca was still the woman she left behind on that cruise, the one she said she wasn't ready for a relationship with. Beca wasn't really anything to Chloe, she was just a girl and would Chloe even want to see her when she woke up? Beca couldn't bear the thought.
"I'm sorry if it's weird if I'm here right now," Beca started; even if no one was listening she wanted to get this off her chest.
"This isn't the way I pictured seeing you again. When I thought of our perfect first date it definitely wasn't in a hospital. I wanted to take you on a picnic; I was going to make your favourite foods, the ones you told me about on the second night of the cruise. Ham sandwiches, you said it was kind of lame but you just really like sandwiches. I figured that was good for me because I'm not a very good cook anyway. I even bought a picnic basket after I gave Aubrey the video; I dared to hope that I would see you again. I hope you know I'm here because I care about you and I can't picture myself with anyone else. Every time I close my eyes and dream about my future, you're there…"
Beca stopped talking when Chloe's room erupted with noise. The machines were going crazy, beeping loudly and Beca was scared. When she looked over she could see Chloe struggling to breathe. She didn't know what to do. She stood frozen in the corner of the room as nurses raced in to check on her.
She couldn't see anything; the crowd of people who now surrounded Chloe's bed formed a curtain that blocked her view. The loud noises from the machines stopped but there was loud talking now. Beca couldn't understand any of the medical mumbo jumbo she heard. Everything was a blur and Beca wasn't sure if she should try and excuse herself and call Aubrey or just stay still. She was too scared to move so she stayed in her corner.
It took a few minutes but eventually the crowd of doctors and nurses dissipated. After a while it was just Dr. O'Brien left in the room, her still in the corner and him standing over Chloe's bed. Beca walked over hesitantly, she was sure by now that no one even knew she was in the room still.
"Hi," Beca spoke up and Dr. O'Brien turned around startled.
"Beca?" a voice replied, barely a whisper.
"Chloe, oh my god, you're awake."
"You're here."
"I'm here."
Dr. O'Brien interrupted, "I'm sorry Beca, I didn't realize you were in here. Often when patients come out of a coma they choke on their breathing tube and begin to struggle. She's okay."
Beca smiled at Chloe, relieved to know that all that commotion had been a good sign after all. Chloe was awake.
Dr. O'Brien left the room, sensing that they could use a moment alone.
"It's not weird," Chloe spoke up again after a few minutes.
Beca gave her a strange look. "What?"
"I said it's not weird that you're here."
Chloe had obviously heard what Beca had been saying. Beca blushed slightly, she wondered how much Chloe had heard over the last two weeks. She and Aubrey had spent days in the room chatting by her bedside. Not that she had said anything she didn't want Chloe to hear, but she was curious.
"I'm…I'm g-glad," Beca stuttered slightly. "There isn't anywhere else I would rather be than here with you."
"I'm glad too, I should have given you my number after the cruise."
Beca laughed, "It's okay. You had your reasons I'm sure."
Beca thought she could see a flash of panic in Chloe's eyes. She remembered it from the last day of the cruise. The same look she had in her eyes when Beca had asked for her number and talked about getting together after the cruise.
"Beca I have something to tell you."
The brunette moved closer to the hospital bed and grabbed Chloe's hand, squeezing it tight. She knew what Chloe was going to say but she stayed quiet.
"I have a daughter, she's almost five and she is my whole world. I'm a waitress, I have two jobs and I live on the wrong side of town in a run down apartment. I wasn't totally honest with you about who I was. I just thought that if I told you, you wouldn't be interested in me. I'm not that fun loving, free and open girl you met on the cruise. My life is complicated and messy and I don't want to make your life messy Beca."
Beca cracked a smile as Chloe finished talking. Nothing that Chloe said was a surprise to her. Aubrey had filled her in about everything. She only liked Chloe more the more she heard about her life.
"I know you have a daughter. I met Thalia and she is adorable and sweet and every bit as wonderful as you. I don't care that you're a waitress or where you live. You are absolutely the girl I met on the cruise but you have a life. Maybe it is messy and complicated but I don't care. No matter what you tell me about your life that won't change the way I feel about you. Chloe, I love you."
Chloe's jaw dropped and Beca herself was shocked. She hadn't planned to say that, She wasn't even sure until it came out that she felt that way about Chloe. She liked her a lot she knew that much, but over these last few weeks she realized that she loves her.
"I'm sorry," Beca spoke up again, "I didn't mean to blurt that out. I know it's too soon. I just…I can't help it. I have never been happier in my life than I was when I was with you. I fell fast and hard but I wouldn't change that even if I could. I love you. I just hope you'll give me a chance and maybe you could feel the same way some day."
Chloe was crying, Beca hadn't noticed it before but tears were rolling down her cheeks. She wasn't saying anything and she was crying. Beca felt like an idiot. Chloe almost certainly thought she was ridiculous. She made the woman cry and right now she wished that she were anywhere else.
Chloe squeezed Beca's hand, "I would like that. I would very much like the chance to fall in love with you Beca."
Beca breathed a sigh of relief. She moved her hands up to Chloe's cheeks and just stared at her for a moment. Beca had been staring at her still body for weeks now. It was amazing to stare into her bright blue eyes again. They were glistening with tears and Beca was sure she had never seen anyone more beautiful. She leaned in close and pressed a kiss to the other woman's forehead. Beca could hear Chloe exhale and it calmed her. Hearing that Chloe was still breathing had been Beca's only salvation over the last few weeks. It meant she was still alive and she could still wake up and now she was awake. Without warning Chloe moved her lips closer and kissed Beca hard on the lips. Beca leaned into the kiss, not wanting to let go. Chloe's lips were warm and soft. They felt amazing against hers and Beca's mind flooded with memories of the cruise. She missed this and she was sure now she wouldn't have to miss it anymore.
When they broke apart for a breath Beca was speechless. "I should umm, call Aubrey," she said, still trying to catch her breath.
Chloe nodded, "can you ask her to bring my baby girl?"
"Of course."
In less than fifteen minutes Aubrey was back at the hospital. She knew the route like the back of her hand now. She had let out an excited scream when Beca called to tell her that Chloe was awake. That excitement and relief was written all over her face when Beca saw her.
"Hey there," Aubrey said, smiling wide at her friend.
"Hi Bree."
Aubrey was about to speak again but just as she opened her mouth Chloe's young daughter ran into the room with Greg.
"Mama," Thalia shouted, "you're awake."
Aubrey helped the little one up onto her mother's bed. As soon as Chloe saw her daughter she burst into tears.
"Baby, hey. I'm here. How are you sweetheart?"
"I'm okay. I missed you," Thalia was now crying. Chloe wiped the tears from her little girl's face.
"I know. I'm sorry I scared you. I'm okay though."
"Good," Thalia sniffed, "please don't leave me again."
Chloe took a deep breath, "I won't." Chloe pressed a kiss to her young daughter's temple, "I love you Thalia."
"How are you feeling?" Greg asked after a few minutes had passed.
"Surprisingly good for someone who has been in a coma," Chloe laughed, "speaking of which, how long have I been in a coma?"
"Two weeks," Aubrey answered.
Chloe hesitated for a moment and then asked her next question. "Did either of you get hurt in the accident?"
"Just a few scratches. We were really lucky, nothing major. Thalia was okay, we went home the next day," Aubrey confirmed, knowing Chloe was worried about her daughter.
"Thank you for taking care of her Bree. If I couldn't be there with her you are the next best thing."
"Greg, Alison and Beca helped out a lot. That whole 'it takes a village' thing is not too far off."
"Thank you all then. I couldn't ask for better people in my life."
"That's true," Greg said chuckling, "we are all pretty great. Don't run away from this one again Chloe, you found a good one."
Beca blushed again. "I won't let her run, even if I have to keep my arms wrapped around her forever."
"Aubrey can you call Alison and tell her I'm okay?"
Aubrey nodded, "yeah sure."
"I guess we should get the doctor in here and find out when I can go home then. I can't wait to go on that picnic," Chloe winked at Beca.
Beca sat back down in her chair and let Thalia play with her hair as they waited for Dr. O'Brien. Greg had followed Aubrey out into the hall to call Chloe's sister and it was just the three of them in the room. There was so much Beca wanted to say but she couldn't find the words. She had learned so much about Chloe from Aubrey but she wanted to hear it all over again from Chloe. She wanted to re-learn everything about her and every inch of her body but now was not the time. For now though she was content to just sit and watch her. It felt good to see her smile and see her laugh. It was nice to hear her voice again. Beca could sit in this hospital room a little bit longer knowing that Chloe was awake and alive. Beca could be okay as long as Chloe was.
"Hello Ms. Beale," Dr. O'Brien greeted his patient.
"Hi Doctor. I was just wondering when I could get out of here. No offense Doctor but I'd love nothing more than to go home and hopefully never see you again."
"No offense taken Ms. Beale, I would love nothing more than to never see you again too. However, you'll have to put up with me a little bit longer. You were lucky not to sustain any severe internal organ damage in the accident and very minor head trauma. Unfortunately though both of your legs are broken, as is your eye socket and most of your toes. You may not have even noticed yet as you're on some very strong painkillers but it is going to take some time to recover from those injuries. I need to run some tests today but if the results are good you can go home tomorrow. We will get you setup with a wheelchair but you will need to come back in a few weeks to get the casts removed and for a checkup. I believe you will make a full recovery though. You were lucky Ms. Beale, eventually this accident will be a distant nightmare."
"Thank you Dr. O'Brien," Beca said when she could tell that Chloe couldn't speak.
The red head was in tears and Beca didn't know what to say.
"I'm sorry Chloe. It's just a few weeks, you'll walk again."
Chloe sniffed, wiping the tears out of her eyes. "These are happy tears Beca, I am incredibly grateful to be alive. I can deal with some broken bones. I'm just relieved that it's me and that Thalia and Aubrey are okay."
"You are amazing," Beca smiled, picking up Thalia and walking towards Chloe's bed.
"I could say the same thing about you babe," Chloe gave Beca a peck on the lips and stuck her arms out for Thalia.
Beca ruffled the little girl's hair as she sat in her mother's lap and pressed another kiss to Chloe's forehead, being careful not to hurt her eye.
"So, what did Dr. O'Brien have to say?" Greg asked walking back into the room.
"I can go home tomorrow if my test results are good but I can't walk because my legs are broken."
"Well that's good and bad I guess."
"On the plus side I'm alive."
This was the Chloe that Beca remembered from the cruise; vibrant and lively, funny and upbeat. Even in a terrible situation Chloe could still laugh.
Greg laughed, "Yes that is certainly a plus side. You and Thalia can stay with us while you recover."
"It'll be a full house," Aubrey chimed in, "Alison is coming to stay for a few days as well. She told me as much after she stopped bawling on the phone. She's pretty happy you're alive Chloe."
"I think we all are," Beca added.
Everyone was in agreement. Chloe had a lot of people around her who loved her. She had her best friend, her boyfriend, her beautiful daughter, a protective older sister and a maybe, sort of new girlfriend. At least that's what she hoped Beca was. They would have to talk about it; there was a lot they had to talk about. They hadn't had a full conversation since their last night on the boat and there was so much Chloe wanted to say. So much she should have said already but the past is in the past and Chloe was looking toward the future.