A/N: Before I wrote this chapter I had a completely different idea about where it was going than where it ended up. That said, I like this better and I think it fleshes things out better than what I had originally planned. As always I hope you'll enjoy it. I promise more Bechloe togetherness is coming, but I felt like this interaction between the ladies and others was important to the story.

To all those who leave feedback in the form of comments, reviews and Tumblr messages (shesamarshmallow), you are awesome and I really appreciate it. It does help me to grow and improve as a writer, and it is good to know what people are enjoying or not liking so much with this story. Also just another thank you to all the lovely readers who are following and reading this story, you guys are great. All that said, enjoy this next chapter.

Chloe drove the short distance to Tom's apartment in silence. It was unusual for her, someone who normally had the music blaring but her head was filled with thoughts she couldn't concentrate on if she had the overwhelming urge to sing along with Pink. She had thoughts about her kids, Tom and Beca, all of which was normal for Chloe but this time it was different, this time they were nervous thoughts. Chloe was used to being so sure of herself, even if she turned out to be wrong in the end she was sure. Today though, nervous thoughts wracked the red head's brain, taking her steadfast certainty and throwing it out the window. She had told Beca she would love for her to meet her children, but what if that wasn't a good idea. What if Tom thought it wasn't a good idea, what if this made things harder between them. Things had been going well and she wanted them to stay that way for the sake of their kids, but what if this changed their dynamic. Mostly though she wondered how her kids were going to react, how they were going to feel about all of this. It was new territory obviously and she hadn't a clue. Unlike Beca the red head hadn't grown up in what many would call a broken home. Her family, her parents especially were happy and happy together. She never had to experience what it was like to meet mommy or daddy's new significant other. She never imagined her kids would have to either but things change and all of that change was now making her incredibly nervous.

She considered momentarily a pit stop at Aubrey's house. Aubrey and her family lived roughly in between her and Tom's respective living spaces. She could stop there and get some much needed reassurance from her best friend but she was already late. Not to mention she wasn't sure Aubrey would be much help today anyway. On top of having 2 ½ year old twins who were going through that annoying stage where they have tantrums and it takes all of your energy to calm them down her best friend just found out she was pregnant again. Exhausted but excited she explained to Chloe the other day over the phone, and Chloe believed her. She had three kids but she couldn't imagine having twins, so much to deal with all at once. In any case she let the idea flit from her mind, she would settle for a reassuring text from the blonde for now. She got this in the form of you can do it and kept driving.

As she stood in the elevator that would take her up to Tom's place she took a deep breath. She tried to exhale all of the nerves and confusion but her body didn't seem to want to let her. There was no turning back now, she was there to pick up the kids anyway and it was a conversation they would have to have eventually. As nervous as she was there was still a hint of certainty, about Beca. Chloe was sure about Beca, as sure as she'd ever been about anything. Even if she was nervous about talking to Tom and about her kids meeting Beca she was still incredibly sure about her love for the other woman. She could get past this; past the butterflies in the pit of her stomach and do this. All she had to do now was knock.

"Mama!"

It was Alyson who squealed this and ran to the door and into her mother's arms first as it always was. Adrienne and Adley made their way over much more calmly and gracefully and wrapped their arms around her. It had been a few months but weekends were still hard. Neither the kids nor Chloe were used to being apart from each other so even two nights a week felt unbearable. Chloe found herself crying more often than she ever had in her life. Beca had gotten used to it by now. It was often on a Saturday night they'd be lying in bed, ready to fall asleep after a long day and Chloe would just burst into tears. At first Beca was dumbfounded and at a loss to help her. She would mumble incoherently and the brunette just wasn't sure what was wrong. Eventually though when she could verbalize her feelings Beca realized she was just missing her kids. She missed being able to hug and kiss them and tuck them in before bed. She missed the infinite amount of love that came inherently with having kids. Not having them physically there with her made her heart ache. More often than not it was also too late to call them as they would be long since in bed themselves. So Chloe just cried and Beca just held her. Weekends were hard, but they were getting better.

"Hey Alycat, how was your weekend?"

"Fun, fun, fun; daddy took us to the library and we could take out as many books as we wanted."

"Wow, did you read them all already?"

"Nope, the books are in my backpack. I have two weeks to finish them."

"Great, we can read some of them together," Chloe said smiling as she lifted her little girl into her arms and pressed a kiss to the side of her head.

As they walked further into Tom's apartment Chloe noticed all of the finishing touches Tom had added to the place to make their kids feel more at home. It was filled with photographs just like their home always was. He had put up bookshelves and filled them with books they would all enjoy. He had games and toys neatly piled up around the room. Everything was just so and it was nice to see. To Chloe it meant she was just sending her kids off every weekend to an extension of their own home, not somewhere foreign that made them uncomfortable. As sad as it often made her to be away from them at least she knew they were enjoying their time with their father. Chloe always maintained that no matter what happened between the two of them she never could have picked a better father for her children. Tom was amazing; now she just hoped he would be as understanding as he always had been.

Tom had always been good at reading people and one look into his soon to be ex-wife's eyes and he knew there was something on her mind. He knew she wanted to talk before she even had to say it.

"Hey guys, why don't you go play the new game grandma bought you before dinner? Mama and I are going to start cooking and it might be a while."

The kids obliged happily and ran off towards the room that Adrienne and Alyson shared. Chloe breathed a sigh of relief. Tom could read people well and Chloe could read Tom. She knew he had sent the kids off to play in an effort to give them some time alone to talk.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

"Beca, actually," Chloe said; a slight hint of hesitation evident in her voice.

"Okay, wasn't expecting that but go on, we can talk about your girlfriend if you need us to."

"Well," Chloe started, "it's actually more about the kids than about Beca." She took another deep breath. "What I'm trying to say is Beca wants to meet the kids and I guess I was wondering if that's okay with you."

"Is that all? Of course that's okay with me. I mean, I figured it would happen sooner or later."

Chloe breathed an audible sigh of relief but she was still a bit shocked. Tom seemed so utterly calm and nonchalant about the whole thing. She wasn't sure what she expected from him but it wasn't this.

"It's okay with you, really?" Chloe asked, still in disbelief.

"Of course, why wouldn't it be? I would be more concerned if she didn't want to meet the kids."

"Why?"

"If she wants to meet them it means she's serious about you and she's making an effort to really solidify your relationship. If she didn't want the kids in her life that would be a big issue right? I mean they're in your life forever and if she wants to be in your life too, she needs to be in their lives. Besides, I just want people in my kids' lives who are going to care about them and love them. If she brought up meeting them, she's probably willing to do that. I just want what's best for them you know, and for you. I think it's a big step but a good one."

Chloe took a moment to take in everything Tom had said. She hadn't even considered it that deeply before. Beca wanting to meet her children really was a big step in their relationship. Obviously Beca was thinking about the future and their future together would inevitably have to include Chloe's kids. They couldn't keep seeing each other just on Saturdays forever. They needed more time together and they needed to be more involved in one another's life. Beca being in Chloe's life more meant Beca being with Chloe when she's with her kids. Like Tom said, it's a big step but a good one. Chloe is sure she wants that future with Beca so this is a step she's just going to have to take.

"You're right, this can only be a good thing for us."

"You're nervous though, I can tell. You rarely give off nervous energy so it's kind of noticeable when you do. I remember the first time you were nervous about kids. You weren't sure how to tell your parents you were pregnant with Adrienne."

"They're going to think we're crazy, irresponsible even."

"They won't think either of those things. We're married and we want this, we're ready."

"They still think we're crazy for getting married so young."

"We're only crazy in love."

"You are a cheese ball Thomas Adam Riley, a giant ball of cheese."

Tom placed a kiss on his wife's cheek and another on her already growing belly. She was already over 5 months along and while Tom had been excited to tell his parents their news, Chloe had been hesitant. She had been making excuses since she started showing about not being able to visit them. She told them she was busy with work, that Tom was busy, that they had a lot on their plates but her parents had stopped buying it. They wanted to see them and they were going to. Chloe's protests couldn't keep them away any longer, they were on their way to Atlanta and they were due in the next few hours. Chloe couldn't stop the nerves that were overtaking her. She couldn't help but think of everything that could be said that would make this visit a disaster. Her parents weren't entirely unsupportive, they just thought Tom and Chloe were young and naive and rushing into things. Chloe was sure that they would find the idea of them bringing a baby into their lives this soon to be absolutely nuts, and she was right.

The first thing Mrs. Beale said when Chloe finally blurted out their good news was that they were insane. Insane to want a kid this young, and that they had their whole lives ahead of them to have kids. They should have thought more about this before just going ahead with it, and on and on she ranted. It wasn't until Chloe's father politely asked her to shut her trap that she finally stopped. Chloe was surprised by his forcefulness but by the end of his rather curt speech Chloe knew that he was on board. Essentially he said that there's no reason to argue about something that's already happening and that they should just be happy about the new addition to the family. From that point on Chloe knew there was no further reason to be nervous. Her mother would come around, and her father already had. Like Chloe and Tom and Tom's parents her own parents were now excited about the prospect of their first grandchild. Once they met Adrienne that apprehensive excitement turned to pure joy and elation and the rest is family history.

"I remember that well, who knew my father would be the one to actually stick up for us?"

The two of them laughed, remembering just how crazy everyone thought they were at the beginning of their marriage.

"They weren't right you know."

"What?" Chloe asked, slightly confused. Tom had a serious look on his face and she knew the conversation had now shifted.

"About us, they weren't right. Even though we're here now and we're not together anymore, we weren't crazy. We did what we thought was right at the time and what made us happy. We had a good life; we have a good life still. We may not have ended up in the place we thought we would ten years ago, but that doesn't mean they were right."

Chloe smiled and nodded.

"We weren't crazy," she agreed, wrapping an arm around Tom's shoulder.

After dinner was served and the plates were cleared away and cleaned Chloe was finally ready to go home. She packed the kids and their stuff into her van and they said their weekly goodbye to Tom. He would see them in less than 24 hours when he picked them up from school on Monday afternoon but it was a weekly ritual nonetheless. Hugs were exchanged and tears were shed but soon enough they were on the road. Just hours ago her brain was filled with nervous thoughts and uncertainty but driving home it was as clear as day. She even turned up the radio slightly and laughed as Adrienne and Alyson began to sing along with Pink. Chloe was back to being the regular, self-assured red head she's always been, not a hint of doubt plaguing her thoughts. Now she can't wait to call Beca and arrange things. It's been a full week since their conversation and she's not entirely sure what has been going through the brunette's mind since she asked about meeting the kids.

It was Beca who found herself at Aubrey's house to talk on the same evening that Chloe had drove past the place, deciding it was better if she didn't go in. It felt odd as she sat across from the blonde and sipped tea from a mug emblazoned with a picture of the most adorable blonde twins she had ever seen. They hadn't exactly been the best of friends at Barden and they certainly hadn't spoken to each other much over the last ten years. Since getting together with Chloe though Beca had spent a bit of time with Aubrey, mostly out for coffee with her and her girlfriend. In all the time they spent together though, Beca and Aubrey had rarely had a conversation involving just the two of them. Chloe was their catalyst for being together at all and she was normally the one who spearheaded their conversations. Today though Aubrey seemed like the only person Beca could talk to and not just because she had started to vomit from stress and nerves.

Aubrey knew Chloe better than anyone, they had been best friends for longer than Beca had known either of them and that made Aubrey the ideal candidate for this conversation. Beca was incredibly nervous about the possibility of meeting Chloe's children and she didn't know anyone else who would understand. Her friends didn't know Chloe and they had never been in a similar situation. They were all either still single and playing the field or happily married. None of them were dating a married woman with kids and that made them entirely useless to talk to. Even another friend with divorced parents might have helped but Beca didn't have any of those either. Beca had Aubrey and even though the blonde was shocked when Beca called her, she was still eager to help.

"They're adorable," Beca remarked of the picture on her mug.

"Yes they are," Aubrey smiled proudly. "Even cuter in person," she added.

As they walked into the living room with their tea Beca grew even more nervous. She had never been around children before. She didn't know how to act around them, how to talk to them and she certainly didn't know how to make them like her. She smiled nervously at the twins as they ran around at the living room busily, playing and laughing. Definitely even cuter in person she thought to herself, amazed that the thought had even crossed her mind.

"So, you're nervous about meeting Chloe's kids?"

"Yeah, I mean I don't want to mess it up. Things are good between us but what if the kids hate me?"

Aubrey laughed at the notion, "They won't. They may not warm up to you immediately but those kids are awesome and I can't see any of them hating you. They're sweet like Chloe, especially Adrienne. Adley is just like his father. Alyson is kind of the perfect mixture of both of them, but even crazier than Chloe if you can imagine that. They'll like you though…eventually."

Beca felt only slightly reassured by her words, especially since she had made a point to stress the word eventually.

"I don't know the first thing about kids though. How do you get them to like you?"

"No one does at first Beca, and you don't, they just do. It's kind of trial and error; if whatever you're doing first isn't working on the little munchkins, try something else."

Beca sighed, it wasn't the advice she was really hoping for. She knew Aubrey thought she was being helpful, but she was more nervous than ever now. There were so many variables, so many things she could do or say that may make the children dislike her.

"Here," Aubrey spoke up again, this time placing a tiny blonde toddler in her lap. Both Aubrey and the little girl laughed at the way Beca's face contorted in confusion and fear. The little giggle Gwen let out though immediately helped Beca to loosen up. This wasn't so bad. This was the first time she had ever held a child and it wasn't screaming bloody murder, she could consider this a small victory. She sat there with Gwen in her arms and just stared down at her chubby cheeks and tiny blonde curls. Gwen stared back up at her and considered her as well. It was seconds before she felt a tiny finger poke her face. Gwen was poking her and giggling heartily. It was a few more moments before Beca finally caught up and began to play with the little girl. Beca tickled her and poked at her nose, smiling at the laughter that erupted from the small child. It was something so simple but Beca couldn't remember ever having more fun. Eventually Beca could see that all the excitement had tired the little one out. Soon the laughter that filled the living room was replaced with tiny snores. Beca's heart melted at the sight of the little blonde laying on her shoulder fast asleep.

"Goodnight Beca, you'll do great." Aubrey whispered this as she took her little girl from Beca's arms. Beca smiled at the pair one last time and waved goodbye as she walked out the door of her friend's house.

"Thank you," she mouthed as she disappeared down the steps.

She had gotten so much more out of her time with Gwen than she had out of any of Aubrey's words. She was still nervous about meeting Chloe's kids, but less so than she was just a few hours ago. Gwen was the first child she had ever spent a significant amount of time with and things had gone better than she ever imagined. Maybe she could do this. It would be different with older kids, but it was still the same idea. Be open to them and hope they'll open up to you. Beca could do this. As soon as she got home she would call Chloe to find out how things went with Tom and then they could set everything up. A future with Chloe meant a future with Chloe's kids and thankfully after tonight Beca was slightly more confident that she could handle that.