DAY 10 - LOVE THERAPY?
Prompts from FanFiction User horsegurl03: Beca is in the hospital (your choice for why she is there), Chloe brings a therapy dog to the hospital (it totally screams Chloe in my head).
"Beca Mitchell Hospitalized for Unknown Illness," Beca Mitchell read and threw the paper at her publicist.
"Award Winning Music Producer Collapses After Drunken Night; Hospitalized," Beca read from the headlines of another paper. This one she threw at her manager.
"And my favorite," Beca said bitterly while sitting up in her hospital bed. "Beca Mitchell Found in Drug-Induced Stupor." She threw this one at her publicist. She then picked up the stack of other papers and tossed them at both her publicist and her manager. "What are you doing about this?"
"Beca," Stacie said as she stooped to pick up the papers Beca had thrown at her. "We are doing the best we can."
"The best you can?" Beca all but screamed. She turned her wrath toward Jesse. "It's because of you and Aubrey that I'm in this situation in the first place."
"Now hold on, Beca," Jesse said. "This is not our fault."
"You're my manager," Beca said. "If you would just do as I asked one fucking time, I wouldn't be fainting from exhaustion. But, no! You and your fuckbuddy Posen like the big fat paychecks you get by stretching me too thin. My body and mind are worn out because of you two."
"I don't appreciate your tone or your attitude," Jesse said practically snarling.
"And I don't appreciate you using your little head to do your thinking for you," Beca said. "You're fired. I don't want to see your face again. Get out."
Jesse stood there, face red from anger, stumbling and stuttering over words but not able to get anything coherent to come out of his mouth.
"GET OUT, NOW!"
Beca's doctor, Dr. Jefferson, and a nurse come running into the room. "Miss Mitchell, I need you to calm down. Your heart monitor is off the charts."
"Tell him to get out!" Beca said pointing to Jesse. "He's the reason I'm upset."
"I'm going to have to ask you to leave," Dr. Jefferson said looking at Jesse.
Jesse didn't move, so Dr. Jefferson took him by the arm and escorted him out of the room.
"And he's not allowed back in for any reason," Beca called after them.
Beca laid back on her bed and took several deep breaths. She looked at Stacie who was just staring at her.
"Don't think you're off the hook," Beca said. "You're almost as much to blame as he is. So, the first thing you're going to do is put out a press release announcing that I fired Jesse as my Manager. Then you're going to tell Aubrey if she doesn't have a new Manager and Publicist in this room by one o'clock, I'm leaving the label and taking my clients with me."
"You can't do that," Stacie said shocked by Beca's statement.
"Watch me," Beca said. "Now get out. You're fired, and I don't want to see you in here again either."
Knowing it was pointless to argue, Stacie slowly made her way out of the room.
The nurse continued to check Beca's monitors and IV. Dr. Jefferson came back into the room.
"Miss Mitchell," Dr. Jefferson said. "I have to caution you that you cannot keep yelling and getting yourself worked up like this. Part of the reason you're in here is not only exhaustion but because of anxiety and hypertension. One too many bouts of anger and you could have a stroke which could lead to so many other problems."
"I'm sorry, doctor," Beca said. "I just can't stand having these so-called newspapers printing these false stories about me. My publicist and my manager are supposed to stop them before they get started. Now, every paper has misinformation and lies out there about me; they're tearing my reputation to shreds. My reputation is everything to me. I can't help but get angry."
"I understand," Dr. Jefferson doctor said. "I'm going to have the nurse administer a mild sedative, and I want you to try and relax."
Beca sighed and nodded. Dr. Jefferson gave the nurse instructions for the sedative, and they both left. The nurse came back a few minutes later and injected the sedative into the IV line.
~~2019 BeChloe Valentines - Day 10~~
Beca doesn't know how long she slept, but when she woke Aubrey was sitting in the chair staring out the window.
"What do you want?" Beca grumbled getting Aubrey's attention.
"That was quite the display I heard you put on this morning," Aubrey said.
"Yeah, well, they both deserved it," Beca said. "You know how I feel about what gets printed about me. They should have stepped up and caught it before it got out like that."
"You're right," Aubrey said. "They should have caught it earlier. Are you serious about firing them?"
"I was when I said it," Beca said. "But, I'll keep Stacie. Jesse can go to Hell." Beca sat up so she could look at Aubrey. "You know he's using both of us, right? He doesn't see either of us as anything but money in his pocket. I already fired him, and now you need to fire him from the label and dump his sorry ass."
"You're right," Aubrey said and left the room.
Beca watched Aubrey leave and laid back in the bed. She used the controls to put her bed in more of an upright position.
Aubrey came back in followed by Stacie and another woman. Beca just stared at them for a moment.
"I fired you," Beca said as she looked at Stacie.
"I know," Stacie said. "Aubrey rehired me."
Beca snorted and laughed. "Figures."
"The papers are retracting their earlier reports and issuing an apology," Stacie said.
"Thanks," Beca said. "Set up a press conference with three or four of our most trusted media sources. Have them come here, and I'll have Dr. Jefferson give them the medical reasons why I'm here. Then they can ask some questions, but I won't answer anything other than what put me here. Would you also bring me some clean clothes to wear? I don't want to be seen laying in a hospital bed or wearing this stupid hospital gown."
And just like that, Stacie was back on the job.
"I'll get right on that," Stacie said and went to leave.
"Let me know when it's scheduled," Aubrey said. "I want to be there."
"You got it," Stacie said and left.
Beca looked at the woman standing at the end of her bed and then looked over at Aubrey.
"Oh, right," Aubrey said. "This is Ashley Jones. She's taking over as your new manager."
"Miss Mitchell," Ashley said. "It's very nice to meet you. I want to speak with you about what you expect from me, and then we can proceed to cancel those commitments that you don't need to be a part of."
"Finally, someone who will look out for me," Beca said glaring at Aubrey. "And not their personal bank accounts."
"That's not fair, Beca," Aubrey said. "You know I always have your back." She looked embarrassed and then quietly said, "Jesse has a way about him, and I got sucked into letting him commit you to too many things and didn't say anything. I'm sorry. I already fired him so you won't have to deal with him anymore."
"Great," Beca said. "Did you dump him so you won't have to deal with him anymore?"
"I will," Aubrey said.
Beca sighed as she looked at Aubrey. "Aubrey, you're one of my best friends. I have to say it really hurt me when you wouldn't even listen to me when I said he was making too many commitments for me and that I couldn't keep it up. He's not good for either one of us."
"I know. And I am sorry about my part in your being here," Aubrey said. "You and Ashley need to talk. I'll check on you later."
Aubrey gave Beca a quick hug and left.
Ashley turned to Beca and said, "So, Miss Mitchell, let's get started."
~~2019 BeChloe Valentines - Day 10~~
Chloe Beale stepped off the elevator on the third floor of the hospital with her faithful dog, Billie, trotting along by her side. She made her way to the nurse's station and greeted her friend, Jessica.
"Hey, Jess," Chloe said.
"Hey, Chloe," Jessica said and came from behind her desk. She knelt, and Billie jumped up and started licking her face. "Hi, Billie."
"We were finishing up with the kids and just wanted to stop and say hi," Chloe said.
"Everyone loves when you two come to visit," Jessica said.
"I haven't seen you in a while," Chloe said. "We'll need to make plans to catch up."
As Jessica and Chloe stood talking, Billie started sniffing around the desk and slowly made her way down the hallway. Chloe wasn't paying any attention and hadn't noticed that Billie had wandered off.
~~2019 BeChloe Valentines - Day 10~~
After spending an hour with Ashley, Beca was tired and decided to get some rest. Ashley left, and Beca immediately fell asleep.
Beca wasn't sure how long she'd been sleeping with she felt a slight weight on her chest. She turned her head and opened her eyes only to let out a startled squeal which in turn caused the small dog that was sitting on her to start barking and jumping around.
A nurse and another woman came running into the room. The woman, a redhead Beca had never seen before, rushed over and picked up the small dog and hugged her to her chest.
"What the Hell is that thing doing here?" Beca said sitting up in the bed.
"I'm so sorry," the redhead said quickly. "Billie just loves visiting people, and I guess she wanted to see who was in here. I hadn't realized she had wandered off until Jessica mentioned it. Then we heard her barking. I hope she didn't scare you too badly."
The nurse was checking the monitors and was pleased that the sudden fright wasn't any cause for concern.
"Everything checks out, Miss Mitchell," the nurse said. "Is Billie okay, Chloe? She doesn't usually bark this much."
"She's fine, Jessica," Chloe said. "Just a little startled."
"She's not the only one," Beca mumbled.
"I'm really sorry," Chloe said having heard Beca. "She likes people and doesn't respect boundaries."
Beca watched as the dog squirmed in Chloe's arms and licked her face.
"Much like her owner," Jessica said with a laugh.
Chloe laughed as well, and Beca looked at the two and settled her stare on Chloe. "And who are you exactly?"
"Oh, I'm Chloe Beale," Chloe said. "And this little furry ball of goodness is Billie. She's mine, and we come to visit patients a couple of times a week. She's a support dog, and we usually hang out in the Pediatrics Ward; the kids all love her. We came down here to visit Jessica."
"That's, um, nice," Beca said.
"Chloe and Billie are well-known fixtures around the hospital," Jessica said. "Everyone loves to see them come through the door."
"Yeah, well, I'm not much of a dog person," Beca said. "I love them, but they usually don't like me."
"Billie seems to like you," Chloe said and stared at Beca.
"Do I have something on my face?" Beca asked wiping at her face.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare," Chloe said blushing slightly. "I'm a big fan, and Billie and I listen to your music all the time. Would it be okay if we got a selfie with you?"
"Um, sure, I guess," Beca said. "Do I at least look human?"
"You look beautiful," Chloe said quietly and then blushed when she realized Beca heard her. She gave Beca a small smile. "I mean, you look fine."
"Okay," Beca with a smile of her own. "Can I ask one thing though?"
"Sure, anything," Chloe said.
"Don't post that it was taken in the hospital," Beca said. "I have enough to worry about without having a picture of me laid up like this."
"No, problem," Chloe said. "I'll post that we met you on one of our many excursions. Billie has a huge following, and people love to see photos of her out and about."
"Right," Beca said. "Um, Jessica, could I have my shirt to put on? To cover up the hospital gown."
"Certainly," Jessica said with a smile. She got Beca's shirt and then looked at Beca. "I'm afraid you won't be able to put it all the way on with your IV."
"I have an idea," Chloe said. "Put your arm in the sleeve, and I'll sit in front to cover your left arm, and it will look like you're wearing the shirt. Jessica, will you help me fix the shirt and then take the picture for us?"
"Sure," Jessica said and stood to the side of the bed.
Chloe sat Billie on the bed and had Beca sit up. She and Jessica then helped Beca put her arm in the sleeve, and she pulled the rest of the shirt around Beca's shoulders. Chloe picked up Billie and then sat as close to Beca as she could and held Billie between them.
Jessica took Chloe's phone and held it up to look at Beca and Chloe in the frame.
"How's this?" Chloe asked.
"Move a little bit to your right," Jessica said.
Chloe shifted, so she was closer to Beca. "How's that?"
"Perfect," Jessica said. "Say cheese."
Beca smiled, and Chloe said cheese. Jessica took a couple of shots and then handed the camera back to Chloe. Chloe stood up and looked at the photos.
"May I see them?" Beca asked.
Chloe handed her the phone. Beca swiped through the photos and was pleased with how well they came out.
"These are good," Beca said and handed Chloe back her phone. "I have no problem with you posting any one of them."
~~2019 BeChloe Valentines - Day 10~~
The next day, Dr. Jefferson was checking on Beca. "Miss Mitchell, I think we need to keep you here for another day or two. Your heart monitor is showing intermittent increases in your heart rate. I can sense you're still stressed and anxious. I've asked my colleague, Dr. Madison, to come to talk to you as well. She's a psychologist and can help work out some of your other triggers so we can get a better handle on what we need to do to help you. I want to keep you here and as stress-free as possible until we can get it under control. And, also to allow you to get more rest."
"I'm all for getting more rest," Beca said.
"Good," Dr. Jefferson said. "We'll continue to monitor you to find some of your stressors, although we already know most of them are work related."
"We fired one of the main causes, so hopefully that will help in the long run," Beca said.
"Well, the media seems to have moved on to some other celebrity spat or divorce or something since the press conference yesterday," Dr. Jefferson said. "That should help relieve some stress as well."
"Thanks again for handling that," Beca said and covered a yawn. "I'm sorry. I think I need a nap."
"That's good," Dr. Jefferson said. "You should rest whenever you feel tired. Don't try to push through it."
"M'kay," Beca mumbled as her eyes closed on their own.
Dr. Jefferson smiled and left Beca alone.
~~2019 BeChloe Valentines - Day 10~~
Later that day, Beca woke up when her ex-manager, Jesse, stormed into her room.
"What are you doing here?" Beca asked.
"I made you a lot of money, Beca," Jesse yelled. "How dare you fire me and talk Aubrey into breaking up with me."
"You're a leech," Beca yelled back. "Leave Aubrey and me alone. We don't want or need you!"
Beca suddenly felt like someone was sitting on her chest making it hard to breathe. She was having an anxiety attack.
"You're nothing but a selfish bitch!" Jesse yelled at Beca.
Beca started sweating, and her breathing became more rapid; she tried to breathe normally but wasn't having any luck.
"What's wrong with you?" Jesse asked confused.
Just then several doctors and nurses ran into the room and over to Beca's bed.
"Get him the Hell out of here," Dr. Jefferson said.
One of the younger doctors hurried over and ushered Jesse out. "Is she okay? What's happening to her?"
Jessica looked on and watched as Dr. Jefferson tried to get Beca to calm down. She bit her lip and ran out of the room.
A few minutes later, Jessica came hurrying back into the room with Chloe, and they both rushed over to Beca. Chloe swallowed and pushed past one nurse and laid Billie on Beca's lap.
Dr. Jefferson looked at Chloe like she was crazy. Beca looked at Chloe and then down at the dog.
Billie sat looking at Beca, and when Beca looked at her, she moved so she could stand with her front paws on Beca's chest and licked her face a couple of times. Beca put her arms around Billie; Billie let Beca hold her to her chest.
Dr. Jefferson and his interns stood back and watched as Beca's heart rate immediately slowed down, and her breathing returned to normal.
"I'll be damned," one of the interns muttered.
After a minute or so, Beca hugged Billie a little tighter to her and mumbled, "Thanks."
~~2019 BeChloe Valentines - Day 10~~
The next morning, Beca was surprised to see Dr. Jefferson and Chloe walk into her room. Billie jumped up on her bed, and Beca was all smiles as Billie licked her face.
"Come on, Billie," Chloe said taking the dog into her arms. "We have some stuff to talk about, and then you have to go home."
Billie licked Chloe's face and settled in her arms. Dr. Jefferson cleared his throat and looked at Beca.
"I spoke to Dr. Madison, and she thinks getting an emotional support dog would be helpful to you. And after what I saw yesterday, I agree with her and am convinced that it could help with your anxiety which is the biggest contributing factor to everything else that's been happening to you."
"I'm not much of a dog person," Beca said. "But, I did feel much calmer when Billie was in my lap."
"She did what she was trained to do," Chloe said.
"I've heard of support animals being an effective resource for anxiety," Dr. Jefferson said. "But actually seeing one do what Billie did for you, is truly an eye-opener. I hope Dr. Madison has helped you figure out some of your triggers. She did tell me that she gave you some exercises to help calm yourself if you're ever alone when you have an anxiety attack."
"She did," Beca said. "With Jesse yelling at me I couldn't remember anything she told me. I'll try harder to remember to use them next time. At least until I can get the support dog." Beca thought for a moment and then asked, "Do either of you have any ideas on what kind of dog I should get?"
"Chloe can help with that," Dr. Jefferson said. "She's a vet and also helps train support dogs."
"Once you're out of the hospital," Chloe said. "I can help you find a dog that will fit you and your lifestyle. I can also help teach the dog how to notice when your anxiety is rising. In the meantime, I'll bring Billie to visit you when we visit the children's ward. I can show you more of what a support dog can do for you."
"I'd like that," Beca said.
"Good," Chloe said. "I really have to go. I have a shift at the veterinary clinic."
"Thank you for everything yesterday," Beca said sincerely. "And for coming this morning. And, thank you, Billie."
"You're welcome from both of us," Chloe said as Billie wagged her tail and gave a quick bark.
Chloe bid everyone goodbye and left. Beca stared at the door for a minute before Dr. Jefferson's voice made her turn to look at him.
"If all goes well today," Dr. Jefferson said. "I think you might be going home tomorrow."
"Thanks, doc," Beca said as Dr. Jefferson left the room.
Jessica came in a few minutes later. "I need to change your IV bag."
"You're friends with Chloe, right?" Beca asked.
"Yes, I am," Jessica said.
"Do you think she'd be offended if I offered to pay her for her time?" Beca said. "She said she'd help me find a dog and then help with its training. That's got to take up quite a bit of her time."
"I don't think she'll be offended," Jessica said. "But don't be surprised if she turns you down. Chloe's one of the best people I know. If you want to do something, donate to her clinic or an animal shelter in her name."
"Thanks, Jessica," Beca said. "And thanks for yesterday. I know you're the one who got Chloe to bring Billie in during my attack. I would have laughed if you had told me a dog could help with my anxiety. But, after having Billie help me through my anxiety attack by just letting me hold her, I think a dog would be perfect for me."
Jessica smiled and patted Beca's arm before she walked out of the room.
~~2019 BeChloe Valentines - Day 10~~
It was early evening, and Beca was bored as she flipped through the TV channels looking for something to watch. She turned off the TV and threw the remote on the bed. She laid back and put an arm over her eyes. She looked up when she heard a noise to find an orderly placing her dinner on her tray.
"Thank you," she called out as they hurried out of the room.
She lifted the lid and frowned at her plate. "Bland looking chicken, green beans, a wilted salad, and green jello. I am definitely in a hospital."
Beca picked up her knife and fork and cut into her chicken. Just as she got the fork to her mouth, she heard a noise. She pulled the fork away to look around but didn't see anything. She shrugged her shoulders and took a bite of the chicken and made a face.
"That bad, huh?" Chloe asked from the doorway.
Before she could say anything, Billie had jumped onto the bed and crawled under the tray to get to Beca's lap. Beca couldn't help the smile that came to her face.
"It's worse," Beca replied to Chloe as she started petting Billie and pushed the tray away.
Chloe came into the room, and Beca looked at her with a smile.
"Things went well today so there's a good chance I may get out of here tomorrow," Beca said.
"That's great news, Beca," Chloe said.
"So, do you have any ideas on what kind of dog I should get?"
"I'd recommend a Labrador retriever," Chloe said as she sat in the chair next to Beca's bed. "They are great emotional support animals, and easy to train."
"Okay," Beca said. "Would you have some time to help me find one?"
"There's actually one I want you to meet," Chloe said with a smile. "He's available, and his name is Oscar. I put a hold on him until you decide if you want him."
"Oscar," Beca repeated. "I like that." Beca rubbed under Billie's neck and laughed when she rolled over on her back to get a belly rub.
"Let's exchange numbers," Chloe said as she pulled out her phone. "That way you can text me when you're home and I can bring Oscar to meet you. If you hit it off, and I think you will, we can start training him to work with you."
Beca pulled the tray to her and opened the drawer. She pulled out her phone and handed it to Chloe. "Put your number in here and text yourself."
Chloe did as Beca said and returned her phone to her. Beca saw she had a bunch of messages but decided to leave them for now.
"Thank you for all your doing to help me," Beca said. "I really do appreciate it."
~~2019 BeChloe Valentines - Day 10~~
It's been four months since Beca left the hospital. In that time, a lot has changed for Beca. She and Oscar hit off, and Oscar is her official emotional support dog. And, if she plays her cards right, today Chloe Beale will officially become her girlfriend.
Two days after getting out of the hospital, Chloe had started working with Beca to help train Oscar. Beca's had Oscar for close to four months, and as much as she always said she wasn't a dog person, she had become one very quickly.
Beca and Chloe spent a lot of time together as Chloe helped train Oscar to recognize when Beca was becoming overly anxious. One night during the training period, Beca became very anxious, and Oscar's training kicked in. When Beca was doing better, Chloe asked if Beca knew what triggered her anxiety and Beca said, "You."
"Me?" Chloe asked somewhat astonished.
"Yeah," Bec said. "I, uh, I like you and have been trying to figure out a way to ask you out. Just before I started having my attack, I was starting to worry about how you'd react if I told you I like you and asked you out."
Chloe looked at Beca and smiled. "I like you, too."
"Really?" Beca said with an even bigger smile. "Would you like to go out to dinner with me?"
Chloe surprised them both when she kissed Beca. She pulled back from the kiss and said, "Yes, I'd love to go out with you."
They've been dating ever since.
Beca was walking Oscar along the beach when her phone rang; she smiled when she saw Chloe's name on the caller ID.
"Hey, babe," Beca said as she answered the call.
"Hey, yourself," Chloe said with a laugh. "Where are you? I thought we were meeting at your house."
"Oh, Oscar and I are taking a walk on the beach," Beca said. "We're not that far from the house. You should join us."
"I'll be right there," Chloe said.
Beca ended the call and put her phone back in her pocket. "Did you hear that, Oscar? Chloe's coming to meet us."
Oscar barked and jumped around a bit, and Beca laughed. "I feel the same way about seeing her myself." Beca rubbed Oscar's head and neck. "Let's sit and wait for Chloe."
Beca sat down with her legs stretched out in front of her. Oscar was excited and jumped on Beca causing her to fall back on the sand. She was laughing and trying to push the dog off of her but finally gave up and let him lay across her. She lazily rubbed her hand on his head.
"Beca!" Chloe yelled out. "Oh, my God, Beca!"
Beca turned her head slightly and saw Chloe running toward her. She tried to sit up, but Oscar wasn't moving.
Chloe reached her and fell to her knees next to Beca. "Beca, are you okay? Did you have an attack?"
"What?" Beca asked confused. Then she realized that seeing her laying on the sand with Oscar laying over her, Chloe thought she had an anxiety attack and Oscar was helping to calm her.
"Beca, do I need to call an ambulance?" Chloe said pulling out her phone.
"No, wait," Beca said and pushed Oscar off her so she could sit up. "I'm fine, Chloe. I promise. We were waiting for you and Oscar fell on top of me. I couldn't push him off, and it was easier to let him lay there."
"Are you sure, you're okay?" Chloe asked her brow still furrowed with concern.
Beca launched herself at Chloe and Chloe squealed as she fell back onto the sand. Beca was now laying half on top of Chloe and looked down at her as they both laughed. Oscar sat nearby, content to do nothing.
"I'm sure," Beca said, and she leaned down and kissed Chloe.
Chloe put her arms around Beca's back and held her while they kissed. Beca finally pulled back and smiled down at Chloe. "Happy Valentine's Day."
"Happy Valentine's Day," Chloe said and smiled at her.
Beca stood and helped Chloe up. "Are you hungry?"
"Starved," Chloe said as she took Beca's hand.
"Good, because I'm making you dinner," Beca said as they started walking back to Beca's house.
Oscar ran ahead and was sniffing everything as he went.
"Mmm, I love when you cook," Chloe said with a smile. "What are we having?"
"Whatever my girlfriend wants," Beca said and stopped walking. She looked at Chloe to see her reaction.
Beca was quite happy when she saw the smile that lit up Chloe's face. "Girlfriend, huh?"
"I know we haven't talked about it, but I'd like for you to be my girlfriend," Beca said. "I mean, I love you, so it makes sense."
"Yo-you love me?" Chloe asked with wide eyes.
"Yeah, I do," Beca said. "Is that okay?"
"It's more than okay because I love you, too," Chloe said.
Chloe leaned in and kissed a smiling Beca. Chloe ended the kiss and grabbed Beca's hand.
"Come on," Chloe said as she led Beca toward her house. "My girlfriend promised to cook me dinner."