The next night, Beca had a bleed.
Her doctor had said that spotting was normal, so when she got up to pee, she didn't think too much of it. It was normal, her doctor had said.
But then it got worse, and Beca worried.
She'd been told that if she had any worries or concerns, to go to the hospital. And she had both of them.
"Jesse". Beca smacked his shoulder. "Get up. Get up, we need to go to the hospital".
"Hmmm?"
"I'm bleeding".
His eyes flew open. "What does that mean?" he said in a strangled voice, kicking the blanket aside and reaching for his well-worn sweatpants. "Should we go to the hospital?"
"I thinks so". Her voice was quiet, and her face was pale. "I- I'm scared, Jess".
"It'll be okay Bec", he said quietly.
She crawled out of bed, shoving her feet into her well worn boots, padding after Jesse.
"What's going on?" Benji wanted to know, from where he was sprawled out on the landing couch.
"We're going to the hospital".
"Can I come?"
"I'd rather you didn't".
But Benji was already wearing shoes and following them down to the car, so they didn't stop him. He crawled into the backseat, and Jesse helped Beca into the passenger side.
"So what's going on?" he wanted to know.
"Beca's bleeding", Jesse said softly, and Benji's face turned ghost white before crumpling.
"What?"
"Everything is gonna be fine", Jesse said, swallowing hard to stop his voice from shaking. "And this baby is gonna think its hilarious in like five or so years for scaring us".
"Yeah, the baby is half Beca, it'll be a bit of a jerk like that", Benji agreed.
"What?" she glared at him in the rear view mirror.
"You shot a confetti canon through the window and scared me so much I broke three plates".
"I pulled you out of a box".
"It's not about me, it's about my godchild".
"Did we actually agree to that?"
"I didn't".
"Yeah neither did I".
"What other options do you have? Fat Amy?"
"Benji, you can be godfather".
"Oh wow", Beca said breathlessly, as she stared at the screen. "It's a little person!"
"They've got a very strong heartbeat", the doctor commented. "Bleeding is completely normal- but its always good to get things checked out, especially for first time parents".
"So basically we were being dramatic", Beca deadpanned and Jesse laughed.
"Do you want to know what you're having?" the doctor said, and Beca and Jesse exchanged a glance.
"I want it to be a surprise", Jesse mumbled. "Like I want to find out with everyone".
"I want to find out with everyone as well", Beca nodded. "Could you- could you write it down for us? So we can organise something for everyone to see? Our family- well, they aren't family exactly-"
"I agree". Jesse nodded firmly.
"I'll write it down for you". She smiled at them.
"Everything's fine, Beca", Jesse assured her. "Our baby is okay. We're gonna find out if we're having a little boy or girl, and whatever it is, we're gonna spoil it rotten?"
"Can we have a party?" Benji burst out, making both of them jump. "Like one of those gender parties or whatever they're called?"
"Shit, I completely forgot about him", Beca said guiltily (what kind of parent was she going to be? She'd forgotten about Benji and they were literally in the same room).
"A gender reveal?"
"I'll organise it!" he said brightly. "I'll get a cake and balloons and organise the whole thing, you and Jesse will just have to show up".
"What's the worst that can happen?" Jesse shrugged.
"You remember he literally got himself stuck in a box, right? I didn't imagine it?"
Benji flushed.
"I can write it down for you", the doctor offered. "I can put it in an envelope and you can open it when you're ready".
"Well now I'm gonna want to open it", Beca mumbled, and Benji raised his hand.
"I'll take it!"
Their doctor laughed. "I'll write it down for you, and you can decide what you do with it".
"Thank you", Beca said gratefully. "Everything's okay?"
"You've got a very healthy baby, Miss Mitchell. Everything is going perfectly".
"Thank you", Jesse said softly, squeezing Beca's hand.
"We want cake and or balloons", Beca said firmly, easing herself into the car. "Understand? And don't go telling everyone else, that'll be an actual shit show".
"Cake and balloons", Benji said confidently. "I've got this".
"And whatever you do, don't tell Fat Amy".
"I've got this".
The next day, Benji called a meeting of the Trebles and the Bellas.
"So I'm planning Beca and Jesse's gender reveal".
"What the fuck?" Stacie roared.
"Why you?" Fat Amy screamed.
"I can't fucking believe this", Donald griped.
"I can't believe they're trusting you", Fat Amy seethed.
"I know", Benji agreed. "So, cake and balloons. What flavour cake do they want, do you think?"
"Chocolate or you don't know Beca at all", Cynthia Rose and Stacie said together.
"That was weird".
"We've heard that so many times".
"Birthdays aren't all about Beca".
"But they are all about cake".
"Oh my God". Fat Amy's eyes lit up. "I've just had the best idea. Benji. Tell me the gender of the baby. I'll sort it out. Beca and Jesse won't even have to worry about it".
"I feel like they'd exclusively worry if you were in charge of their gender reveal".
Benji had been told not to let Fat Amy do anything. But he knew that her idea would probably be better than cake and balloons, and he was curious as to how things would pan out.
"Okay". He shrugged.
Two days later, Fat Amy sent Benji a text.
Everything is a go. Tell them to meet in the Bellas backyard on Thursday afternoon. Get them white shirts.
To say he was terrified was an understatement, but he was excited.
"Beca and Jesse are gonna love it", he said, more to reassure himself.
"So, the party is this afternoon", Benji said, spreading peanut butter over his toast. "We're gonna do it at the Bellas house".
"What time is everyone coming over?" Jesse wanted to know. "I can't believe how quickly you pulled this together Benj. Good job man".
"Thanks. Around four".
"Cake and balloons?" Beca checked.
"Has Benji ever given you reason to doubt him?" Donald said, strolling by in his bathrobe.
"So many times".
"Bellas house at four!" and Benji, carrying his plate, walked out the front door. "Bye!"
"Oh, this isn't gonna end well", Donald called.
"Happy gender reveal day!" Donald sang, as Beca stepped into the backyard.
She was expcting balloons, or a cake. Maybe even both.
But what she came face to face with was a leaf blower, positioned at the foot of the porch steps.
"What the fuck?" Beca screamed.
"What is that?" Jesse gaped.
"Happy gender reveal!" and Stacie twisted a confetti canon, making both of them jump.
"What the fuck is that?"
"It's a leaf blower".
"Yeah no shit sherlock!" Beca turned to Benji. "You said you were getting balloons. That is a leaf blower. Where are the balloons? Where is the cake? Either or! That is a leaf blower!"
"Benji!" Jesse wailed. "I was rootin' for ya man! What happened?"
"Well Fat Amy had a great idea-"
"You gave the gender of my baby to Fat Amy? And she did this?" Beca wailed. "Oh my God!"
"Everyone gets balloons and a cake! Its boring!"
"What, and getting shot isn't?" she hollered.
"Beca, you're going to get campus security called on us!" Cynthia Rose mumbled.
"Good! They can see the kind of SHIT you people put me through! I am gonna die before I find out what I'm having!"
"Calm your tits", Amy said breezily. "I've got it all worked out".
"How?" Jesse stared. "Its going to blow us up! There is no way this is gonna work".
"That's how were gonna fucking die, that's what that is".
"The baby can hear you".
"Please, that baby is half Beca Mitchell, its going to come out screaming profanities".
"I can't believe you bought a leaf blower! In what world did you think 'that's a good idea Beca would love it'?" Beca complained. "Honest to God-"
"Honest to God, this is a great idea!" Fat Amy assured them. "I've thought this through!"
"Well I don't see how that's possible".
"Go and get changed into clothes appropriate for pictures and I'll explain".
"You seem awfully confident", Stacie noted.
"Yeah this isn't gonna work", Donald announced.
"It is! Just watch! And when it does work, I'm gonna say I told you so".
"Well I can't wait for that", Benji mumbled. "They wanted balloons. Maybe a cake. Instead, we have a leaf blower. That baby is gonna need all kinds of therapy".
"I am the least of that baby's problems".
"You are all of my problems", Beca seethed, marching inside.
"There's an outfit on your bed!"
"Jesse, your clothes are on the upstairs couch".
"If we leave right now, I will buy us literally all the ice cream we can eat", Beca said, meeting Jesse on the stairs.
"Are you bribing me?"
"I want it known that I am not above bribery. That's how I got Lily away from the stove yesterday".
"Don't you want to know if we're having a boy or a girl?"
"I'd rather go back to the hospital and find out that way. It'd be safer, have you seen the contraption they've set up out there?"
"It's a Fat Amy special".
"I'm going to kill Benji".
"If he thinks he's becoming our kid's godfather after this he is sadly mistaken".
"We should flee the country immediately".
"To live with the mole people".
Beca smiled at him.
"This is literally the worst thing you've ever done".
"Big call!"
"Absolutely not".
"Don't speak too soon", Stacie drawled. "Now, how does this thing work".
"I'm gonna give Jesse the button", Fat Amy said confidently, "And I'm going to stand back with the camera".
"Beca, do you want to press the button?"
"Oh I'd love nothing more than to blow us all up". She rolled her eyes.
"One of these days you're gonna get your eyes stuck", Donald said.
"I can't believe we're gonna die before we find out if we're having a boy or girl", Beca grumbled. "Honestly Benji, what the fuck were you thinking?"
"When have I ever let you down?"
"Oh, all the time".
"Do you really want her to answer that?"
"Constantly. You're very unreliable".
"Alright team, lets do this!" Donald enthused. "Jesse, here's the button?"
"Wait, who knows?" Jesse said suspiciously. "Are we the only ones who don't know if Beca's having a boy or girl?"
"No, only Benji knows!" Fat Amy said hastily.
"And it's killing me! Press the button!"
"Alright team, this is how we die". Beca braced herself, leaning against Jesse. "Do it. I've accepted my fate".
"Don't be like this Beca".
"It's a fucking bazooka!"
"It is a leaf blower, Christ enough with the dramatics!"
"Everyone brace yourself!"
"So I just press the button?" Jesse checked. "And you're sure we won't all blow up?"
"Would I blow us up?" Fat Amy scoffed.
"Intentionally? Probably not. By accident? Absolutely".
"Stop being so dramatic and press the button!" Benji was practically vibrating with excitement.
"Three!" Fat Amy chanted. "Two! One!"
Jesse, wincing, pressed the button.
Nothing happened.
"What the fuckenheimer", Beca murmured, as a ripple of confused noise went through their group of friends. "Fat Amy! I thought you said something was supposed to happen!"
"What the hell-" Fat Amy's eyes followed the lead to the power point. "Oh shit, my bad! I forgot to turn it on".
"You FORGOT to TURN IT ON?" Beca's voice rose to the pitch only dogs could hear, and Fat Amy held up her hands. "I can't believe you; you're fucking ridiculous!"
"Sorry!" she scurried towards the plug, before hurrying back behind the camera. "Round two! Three! Two! One!"
Jesse pressed the button again and clutched Beca tight as the leaf blower began to whir.
"Oh my God!" Benji wailed, as hot pink powder flew out of it, covering Beca and Jesse and making Donald sneeze.
"It's a girl!"
"It's a girl!"
"Baby girl!"
Jesse lifted Beca into the air, whirling her around. "We're having a girl!" he whooped. "I knew it!"
"We're having a girl!" Beca said, her eyes filling with tears. "A girl!"
"A mini Bella!"
"I can't believe you're having a girl!"
"We're having a girl!"
"A baby Bella!"
"Congratulations!"
Jesse lifted up Beca's shirt and she smacked him away, laughing. "We're having a girl!"
"We didn't die!" she agreed.
"You're always doubting me!" Fat Amy snapped.
"It's not like you've ever given her any reason to doubt you", Cynthia Rose snorted.
"Right?" she said emphatically.
"Thank you for not killing us all Amy", Jesse said, wrapping his arms around Beca and blowing the chalk dust out of her hair. "Although when we said cake and balloons, it's because we wanted cake and balloons".
"Yeah, where the hell is the cake?"
"Oh I have cake, but its not relevant at all".
"Bring out the cake!"
Beca turned to Jesse, frowning a little under her coating of pink chalk. "So we suffered through this even though they had a cake?"
"The cake is irrelevant", Cynthia Rose said.
"Is this just a cake you had on hand?"
"Yes".
Fat Amy carried the cake out, Benji following with the knife and a pile of plates.
"How did you not see the cake?"
"Maybe I need my eyes checked", Beca mumbled, and Fat Amy offered Jesse the knife.
"So now that we know we're gonna have a niece, can we talk names?"
"No". Jesse shook his head, sinking the knife into the cake. "We are not discussing names".
"I am so happy for you guys", Fat Amy said, holding up her fork and accepting the plate Jesse was giving Beca. "And here's to baby Fat Amy!"
"Oh, we definitely aren't naming her Amy", Jesse said firmly.
"Absolutely not".
"So when are we having another party?"
"She needs a baby shower", Stacie said, and Cynthia Rose scrunched up her nose.
"That's some white people shit right there".
"We'll have cake".
"I'll be there".
"I'm not having a baby shower".
"You definitely are".
"And when the baby is born, we'll have a party".
"Not necessary".
"Look, is this baby a Bella or what? The Bellas love a party!"
"And she's half Treble, the Trebles throw an even better party than the Bellas".
"I'm so glad you guys broke the oath".
Stacie chortled. "You threw that oath out the fucking window!"
Beca blushed, stabbing her piece of cake with the fork. "So I guess we're having a girl".