Chapter 9

Beca

Gasping, I shoot straight up in bed and desperately look around for Emily. When I don't find her, my panic level skyrockets. I scramble off the bed and fling open the door, taking a second to remember where I am. Everything from last night comes rushing back, making me feel light headed. Holding onto the stair railing, I stumble downstairs. I spot my mom cooking and my dad drinking coffee at the table. I head for the door when I run into something. Or someone.

"Where are you going?"Chloe asks, holding my shoulders and keeping me steady. My parents turn our way and I start shaking, needing to see Emily. To make sure she's okay.

"Beca,"my mom cries, coming over with a smile on her face. "I hope you slept well. If you sit at the table, I'll get you some breakfast."

"I actually have to leave,"I say and try to walk around Chloe, but she steps in front of me.

"We have to tell you about Chloe, remember? We didn't get to last night since you fell asleep in her arms."My dad states. My face heats up as it turns different shades of red. I open my mouth to tell them that I really have to go, but I see the hopeful look in my mom's eyes. Swallowing hard and sending one last look at the front door, I nod and sit down across from my dad. He beams at me and sets down his paper. I instantly hold out my hand for a pen and my dad gladly gives me one. Guess he had one ready, just like old times. The only time we never let fighting happen was in the morning when we did our daily crossword puzzle together. I study the crossword for a few moments before figuring out an answer. My dad and I go back and forth, me struggling to keep the memories at bay and my father struggling to figure out the answers.

"Here you go,"my mom says, cheerfully, setting a plate full of food. I start to eat before spotting a phone.

"Could I make a call real quick?" My mom nods and I leave the kitchen and sit at the bottom of the stairs. I type in Stacie's number and tap my fingers on my knee, anxiously waiting. Hopefully, she won't be mad that I didn't come back last night.

"This is Stacie,"Stacie says into the phone with her usual cheerful morning tone.

"Hey, Stacie. I'm so sorry I didn't come back last night. I ended up falling asleep."

"It's okay babe,"Stacie assures. "Everything's been fine over here. Emily had a few fits because you weren't here, but other than that, everything's peachy." I let out a sigh of relief.

"Good, I was worried."

"Don't be. I'll be here with your darling daughter and you just take your time coming back. You need this time with your parents. Do you want to talk to Emily for a second?" I say yes and hold my breath until I hear Emily's soft cooing sounds float through the phone.

"Hey, honey,"I say, heading back toward the kitchen. "I'm sorry I didn't come back last night. I promise I'll see you real soon. I love you so much!" Emily just coos louder and I hear Stacie laugh in the background.

"This is adorable,"Stacie remarks. "She's looking at the phone angrily, like it's to blame for not being you." I laugh with her and we hang up just as I enter the kitchen. My heart aches at being away from Emily for so long, but I cheer up at the thought of seeing her in just a few hours. If I can last that long. Sitting back down, I start eating once again.

"Who was that?"My dad asks.

"Just Stacie."I decide not to mention Emily until after they tell me about Chloe. Speaking of Chloe, I sneak a glance at her. She's sitting next to my dad and the sight of her takes my breath away. She's in casual clothes. Dark blue jeans, blue t-shirt and her hair is pulled into a ponytail. Somehow, still able to look beautiful. She looks over and I quickly look away, blushing at being caught staring. My mom sits nexts to me and we all eat in silence before my dad speaks.

"So, I guess it's time to tell you Chloe's story. Chloe, you want to?" Chloe shakes her head and looks down at her plate. "About a year after you left, we met Chloe. She had stumbled into town and the moment we saw her, we knew that she needed us. So we took her in and she lived with us for a few years before moving out. Still, even after she moved out, we kept close. Took us a long time to realize that we were the ones who really needed her." My mom shakes her head at my dad's bad brief explanation.

"My family had died when I was 18,"Chloe says and my heart breaks for her. "I traveled through a few towns before deciding on settling in one. Lucky, I chose this one and met your parents. Don't know where I would be if I hadn't."

"I'm so sorry,"I say, setting my hand on Chloe's for a second, before jerking it back. I'm surprised I reached out. It's hard enough to let somebody else touch me, let alone I do it. Silence washes over us.

"Are you okay with it?"My mom suddenly asks and I turn towards her.

"What do you mean?"

"Are you okay that we took Chloe in? I don't want you thinking we replaced you or anything."

"I don't think that. I left. That's my fault and I will regret it for the rest of my life. You needed someone and Chloe was there for you and you were there for her." I turn my gaze to Chloe. "Thank you for being there for them. I should've been but I was such a rebellious teenager and I didn't want to believe that my parents actually loved me. I thought that the whole world was against me and that the only way to deal with it, was to leave."

"You've grown up so much,"my mom says and I look at her. In that moment, my shoulders slump with all the memories and the guilt.

My voice shakes against my will as I reply. "I know."

Lillian

"I know,"Beca says, staring at me with sad eyes. I take that moment between us to study her. I notice the bags under eyes and the stress lines on her face. It's evident that she's been through so much. Maybe more than Chris and I. She looks like she grew up too fast. I grab her hands, noticing when she flinches a little. I cringe inwardly as I think of the only thing that explains the look she gets in her eyes when Jesse is mentioned. All the signs are there but I don't want it to be true. Because if it is, than my baby has been suffering this whole time and I haven't done anything to help her. I know it's irrational to think that way since I didn't know what was going on, but I just can't help feeling like I could've done more.

Of course, the only way to know if what I think is true, is to ask her. I swallow the lump in my throat before speaking.

"Beca,"I say quietly and I can see the pain in her eyes as she guesses what I'm about to ask. "Did Jesse…..did he abuse you?"

A/N- I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I know I enjoyed writing it. Also, how did you guys like me throwing in Becas mom's POV?