Beca's surgery had gone really well and Chloe was currently waiting with her mom to go see Beca. They sat in silence for a while until Sheila came out to get them. "She's asking for you," she said to Chloe with a sympathetic smile.
"How is she?" Chloe asked as she stood up with Kate following.
"She's in a lot of pain and she's been crying," Sheila said sadly. "Hailee's really overwhelmed about it."
"Poor girls," Kate said sadly. "Hey how did her dad take it when he had to sign the medical forms?"
"He did it," Sheila shrugged. "I told him he didn't have to see her and all he had to do was sign and he said okay."
"Well at least that worked out," Kate replied as Sheila opened the door.
"Hey honey, Chloe's here," the woman said sympathetically as she walked up to Beca's bed.
Beca wiped her eyes and turned her head to look at her girlfriend. "Hi," she said softly as Chloe approached her bed.
"Hey you," Chloe smiled as she pulled up a chair and sat down after kissing Beca's forehead. "How ya doing?"
"Everything hurts," Beca said, her eyes filling with tears again.
"Hey kiddo," Chloe said softly as Hailee walked over to her. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," Hailee said as she sat down on Chloe's lap.
"Babe do you need anything?" Chloe asked Beca sympathetically.
"Just hold my hand," Beca said exhaustedly.
"When does she get to leave?" Kate asked.
"An hour or two," Sheila replied with a shrug. "I really appreciate you letting her stay with you guys," she smiled.
"It's no problem at all," Kate replied.
"If it's too much, my sister can come get her," Sheila said seriously.
"No it's totally fine!" Kate said reassuringly. "Chloe's already got all their friends lined up to come visit. Except Aubrey, she's at summer camp for another week."
"That's so sweet," Sheila said softly.
Dr. Branson came into the room and sat down on his office chair with a smile. "How are you feeling Beca?" He asked the girl softly.
"Baby the doctor's here to talk to you," Chloe said gently as Beca quickly opened her eyes. "Are you too tired?"
"I'm fine," Beca yawned. "I feel pretty bad."
"That's expected," the doctor replied. "I just want to talk to you a little about your recovery," he said. "So for the first week or so, you should be trying to put some weight on that leg and you'll have to come in every other day to get fluid drained from her knee. After she's able to put a lot of weight on it, which should be around two week mark, we'll start physical therapy. Then it'll just depend on how well she's doing."
"Will I be able to play softball next season?" Beca asked.
"Yes, but you'll have to take it easy," Dr. Branson replied. "What position do you play?"
"Catcher."
"That's gonna be too hard on your knee," the doctor said sympathetically. "I really don't recommend doing that."
"It's okay," Chloe said softly.
"Alright," Beca sighed. "When can I leave?"
"As soon as your stepmom signs all the release forms," he said, handing the woman a stack of papers. "When you get home, get a lot of rest and make sure you eat before you take your medication."
"Okay," Beca said tiredly. "Thanks Dr. Branson."
"You're welcome. I'll see you in 2 days to get your knee drained."
Beca nodded as he walked out of the room. "Can you lay with me when we get back?" Beca asked her girlfriend softly.
The redhead nodded. "You're coming with me so Sheila and Hailee can pick up your prescriptions."
"Do you want anything to eat?" Kate wondered as Beca slowly sat up.
"I feel like I'll throw up if I eat," Beca sighed.
A nurse walked in the room and took the release papers from Sheila. "You ready to go Beca?"
The brunette nodded with a sigh as Chloe helped her stand up. "I don't have to use the wheelchair do I?"
"Since you can't bend your knee you don't," the nurse replied. "Do you need help with your crutches?"
"I'm good," Beca replied as she took them from her sister.
"Feel better Beca," the nurse said before leaving the room.
"Thanks," the brunette muttered. "Chloe do you have my phone?"
The redhead nodded. "You ready?"
Beca nodded as she slowly made her way out of the room. "It hurts," she winced in pain.
"You're okay," Chloe said gently. "Hey Mom can you go pull the car up so she doesn't have to walk that far?"
"Yeah," Kate replied, walking ahead of them to go get the car.
Once Beca made it in the car, Chloe climbed into the front seat and smiled at her sympathetically through the mirror. "Are you sure you don't want anything to eat?"
"You need to eat so you can take your meds," Kate reminded her. "We'll go through a drive through, anything you want."
"I just want chicken nuggets," Beca sighed.
"Is McDonald's okay?" Chloe asked and the brunette nodded. "Okay love, anything to drink?"
"Lemonade," Beca sniffled.
"Alright, I'll text Hailee and ask if she and her mom want anything."
Beca nodded tiredly and rested her head against the window until Chloe passed her food back. "Eat in the car so we can get you into bed right when we get home," Chloe said. "Do you need anything else."
"I'm okay, thanks," Beca smiled gratefully as she opened the bag of food.
When they got home, Chloe helped Beca up to her bedroom and helped her lay down. "Let's read that packet about your recovery," the redhead said as she laid down on the bed and opened the folder. "Damn you can't shower for 5 days," she laughed.
"Oh my god, you're gonna have to wash my hair for me," Beca laughed.
"You're supposed to be icing your knee for 20 minutes at a time with an hour break in between," Chloe said. "I'll go get you a bag of ice."
"Babe I really don't need it right-"
"I'm getting it," Chloe said as she ran downstairs. She returned a minute later and gently placed the ice on Beca's knee. "Does this hurt?"
"It's fine," Beca shrugged as Chloe laid back down.
"Ooh it says you'll be able to bear weight on it tomorrow and you might be able to be without crutches in a week! You just won't be able to bend it a lot until a week after that," Chloe explained.
"When is your sister coming?"
"Next Wednesday," Chloe replied. "She wants to hang out with both of us so don't worry about anything. I'll figure something out."
"Thank you," Beca said with a smile. "When can I start running again?"
Chloe flipped through a few pages before showing it to Beca. "4 months."
"I start physical therapy in 3 days," Beca said tiredly.
"I'll be there with you," Chloe said. "Sleep if you need to, I'll be here the whole time."
"I think I will," Beca yawned. "Thanks baby."
"You don't have to thank me, I'm here to help you through this," Chloe smiled.
"Well I have news," Chloe said the next morning. Beca had woken up for a little while to eat dinner the night before and take her meds, but she fell asleep shortly after and slept through the night with no problems.
"What is it?" Beca wondered as she propped herself up on her elbows.,
"My sister decided to come early, but she's staying for a couple weeks!" The redhead said excitedly. "So she's getting here tonight and we're gonna cook burgers and have a fire pit."
"Oh okay," Beca said with a yawn.
"How are you feeling?" Chloe wondered as she stroked Beca's hair out of her face.
"Pretty okay," Beca shrugged. "Can we go eat some breakfast?"
"Yeah!" The redhead said as she stood up. She held out her hands and helped Beca stand up before handing her the crutches. "Does it hurt to put weight on it?"
"Not really," Beca shrugged. "Now that some of the pain is gone, it's really not that bad."
"What pain meds do you have to take?"
"I don't know what they're called but they're not the narcotics," Beca laughed. "I only have to take those at night for the next 2 days."
"Oh these ones," Chloe said, tossing the bottle to her girlfriend."
Beca checked the label before she nodded.
"Oh I'll get you something to drink," Chloe said as she opened the fridge. "You want apple juice?"
"Sure," Beca shrugged.
"I'd offer you coffee but you can't mix caffeine with your pain medication," Chloe laughed as she poured a glass for Beca. "What do you want for breakfast?"
Beca took the pill and swallowed before answering. "Whatever you want to make is fine."
"Okay," Chloe replied as she opened the cupboard and got out a frying pan and a baking pan. "Cinnamon rolls and bacon?"
"Fuck yes," Beca laughed as she pulled out a kitchen chair and another one for her leg. "I have to call Hailee, hang on." She dialed the younger girl's number and Hailee picked up quickly.
"Hey! You okay?" Hailee wondered.
"I'm good," Beca smiled. "I'm feeling a lot better."
"Good! Are you doing anything today?"
"Chloe's sister is coming this afternoon so we're gonna have a barbecue and build a fire pit," Beca said.
"Well are you up to all that?" Hailee asked hesitantly.
"Yeah I'll be fine," Beca replied. "Can I talk to Mom?"
"One second," Hailee laughed as she ran down the stairs. "Mom, Beca wants to talk!"
"Hi honey," Sheila said as she took the phone from her daughter. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," Beca shrugged. "I'm actually awake today," she laughed.
"That's good!" Sheila said excitedly. "Are you starting to put weight on it?"
"Yeah, it's a little sore but not too bad," Beca shrugged. "Chloe's sister and nephew are coming over today."
"Cool! I don't want you leaving the house though," Sheila said seriously.
"We're not going to, we're just having a barbecue," Beca said. "Don't worry, Chloe won't let me do anything I'm not up to."
"I trust her," Sheila laughed. "We'll come by tomorrow then, okay?"
"Sounds good!" Beca smiled. "I love you Mom."
"I love you too Beca," Sheila smiled before hanging up.
"I didn't know you call her Mom now," Chloe smiled when Beca put her phone down.
"Well I'm trying," Beca laughed. "It's hard because of my actual mom, but Sheila's been understanding of that."
"Yeah that makes sense," Chloe replied.
"Do you need help with anything?" Beca asked.
"Beca you're injured, you're not helping me," Chloe laughed. "Let me get you some ice."
"But it doesn't hurt!" Beca protested.
"Stop lying, I know it does," Chloe laughed as she opened the freezer. "Plus you need to keep the swelling down."
"Fine," Beca sighed as Chloe handed her the bag of ice. "I'm really sorry I'm keeping you from your sister."
"You're not," Chloe said reassuringly. "Babe, you and her are 2 of the most important people in my life, she understands that you need me right now."
Beca smiled at that. "But seriously, hang out with your sister, don't worry about me."
"I always worry about you," Chloe laughed.
"I'll be okay for a few hours on my own," Beca laughed. "Plus your mom will be here."
"And my nephew," Chloe reminded her with a laugh. "He's so adorable, you're gonna love him."
"I can't wait," Beca smiled.
Beca had managed to convince Chloe that she'd be okay without her for a few hours, so Chloe and Sydney were currently at the mall. "How was the drive?" Chloe asked as she sipped on her bubble tea.
"It wasn't bad," Sydney shrugged. "Tyler slept for like 3 hours of it so he's got tons of energy right now."
"Beca and my mom probably have their hands full," Chloe laughed.
"How's she doing with her dad?" Sydney wondered.
"She's not really up for talking about it much, but I think she's doing okay," Chloe said. "She's gonna move in with her aunt in a couple days probably."
"Her step mom couldn't do anything, huh?"
"Well she tried, but Beca's dad has full custody of her so he could've sued her. My mom explained it to me and it's completely ridiculous."
"She's got so much happening to her all at once," Sydney said sadly.
"She's feeling a lot better today though," Chloe said reassuringly. "I don't know if she'll be up to coming outside tonight."
"That's understandable," Sydney replied. "How was softball? I'm sorry I couldn't make it to a game."
"It was good!" Chloe said happily. "Aside from the whole homophobia thing."
"I know," Sydney said sympathetically. "Are you okay?"
"Beca slammed a locker in her face so yeah I'm good now," Chloe laughed. "She's left me alone since then."
"I'll come down here and handle her if anything else happens," Sydney laughed.
"It's just disappointing," Chloe sighed. "We got her to leave me alone but she's never gonna change her views."
"There's so many people that support you, Chlo, you can't worry about the assholes that don't."
"I know," Chloe said reassuringly. "I hate to cut this so short, but we should probably head home and have dinner before Beca gets too tired."
"I understand," Sydney said reassuringly.
They had eaten dinner and Beca had fallen asleep on the couch shortly after they finished. "Should I wake her up for the fire pit?" Chloe asked her mom, looking over at her sleeping girlfriend.
"Give her a half hour or so," Kate said with a shrug. "She was moving around a lot today, she's probably exhausted."
Chloe nodded and lifted her nephew onto her hip. "Are you ready for smores Ty?"
"Yes!" He said excitedly. "Your girlfriend is really nice."
"She is," Chloe agreed with a smile.
"I wish she could come outside with us," Tyler said disappointedly.
"I'll see if she wants to later," Chloe replied. "She needs to rest right now."
"Okay," Tyler agreed as Chloe carried him outside.
After about 20 minutes, Chloe decided to go inside and check on Beca. "Babe? You awake yet?" The redhead asked as she walked into the living room.
The brunette hummed a tired response and pushed herself into a sitting position. "Sorry I fell asleep."
"Don't worry about it, you've had a rough couple days," Chloe said reassuringly. "Do you want help upstairs so you can go to bed?"
"No, I wanna come outside for a little while," Beca said as she pushed herself up and grabbed her crutches.
"Babe I'll bring you some s'mores, you don't have to come outside," Chloe said seriously.
"I want to," Beca replied with a shrug. "As long as you promise to wash my hair tomorrow. I don't want it smelling like smoke for 3 days," she laughed.
"Of course," Chloe said reassuringly, placing her hand on the small of Beca's back as she helped her make it down the deck and out to the fire pit. "Here babe, you can use my chair for your leg," Chloe said, pushing her chair over next to Beca.
"Thank you," Beca smiled gratefully at her girlfriend before putting a marshmallow on a skewer and putting it in the fire.
Chloe lifted Tyler up and sat down on his chair, putting the little boy on her lap.
"Hey Beca, Chloe told me about you putting that homophobe in her place," Sydney smiled. "It means a lot that you did that for her, since I'm not around to."
"Sydney, you can't hit a 15 year old," Kate laughed, shaking her head at her step daughter.
"Yeah I can," Sydney shrugged as she leaned over and smacked Chloe on the leg.
"You know what I mean," Kate laughed.
"She hurt my sister, if I was there I would've done a lot more than hitting her," Sydney said seriously. "But really Beca, thank you."
"I wasn't gonna let Chloe be sad anymore," Beca said, squeezing the redhead's hand.
"You're sweet," Chloe laughed. "Here babe I'll get you the graham crackers and chocolate."
"I really just want the marshmallow," Beca admitted with a laugh as she took it off the skewer and ate it.
"You weirdo," Chloe laughed. "You still feeling okay?"
Beca nodded. "The meds are wearing off so I'm a little more sore, but I'm good for now."
"Okay," Chloe said. "Let me know when you want to come inside."
"I will," Beca shrugged.
This was the first good day she'd had in awhile.
"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Beca asked as Chloe helped her carry her bags down the stairs.
"I'll see you later, you should take some time to hang out with your aunt," Chloe replied seriously. "You'll call me if you need anything?"
"Yep, and we'll meet you for dinner tonight. Just let me know where you pick," Beca said.
"Are you sure you're up to it?" Chloe asked hesitantly. "We can just have everyone over for carry out at my place."
"I'm fine," Beca said reassuringly. "I can't wait for your sister to meet Sheila and Hailee."
"Me too," Chloe smiled. "Oh here she is, let me help you out," she said as she lifted up Beca's bags and carried them outside.
"Hi Aunt Zoe," Beca smiled as the woman got out of her car.
"Hey! How are you feeling?" Zoe asked as she lifted Beca's bags into the back seat.
"Good," Beca smiled. "This is Chloe, my girlfriend," she said proudly.
"It's great to meet you," Zoe said, shaking the redhead's hand.
"You too," Chloe smiled.
"I'll see you tonight," Beca smiled, hugging Chloe. "I love you."
"I love you too," Chloe smiled. "Make sure you're still using at least one of your crutches," she laughed.
"I will babe," Beca laughed as she got into the car and blew Chloe a kiss.
Zoe got in and smiled sympathetically at her step niece. "I'm really sorry this all had to happen."
"It's okay, Chloe's been so good to me so I've been getting along just fine," Beca said reassuringly.
"I'm really sorry I haven't been able to see you the past week, I've been busy getting your room set up."
"My room?"
"Yeah! I got you a few things to make it feel more like home," she shrugged.
"Aunt Zoe you didn't have to do that, I would've been fine in a guest bedroom," Beca said seriously.
"I want you to feel like you can call it home, because you can," Zoe shrugged. "I'm sure eventually you'll get to move back home but until then, you deserve it."
"Thank you," Beca said genuinely. "That means so much."
"Hailee helped a lot too," Zoe laughed. "She loves you so much, she just wants you to be okay and be able to come home."
"I know," Beca sighed. "I love her too. She's my best friend."
"I told her she can stay whenever she wants," Zoe said.
"Can she stay tonight? I miss her," Beca said. "Chloe was going to but I'm sure she'll understand."
"Yeah of course!" Zoe said.
"Alright I'm gonna call Chloe," Beca said as Zoe pulled into the driveway.
"Hey babe, you okay?" Chloe asked when she picked up.
"Yeah I'm fine," Beca said. "Hey listen, I know you were gonna sleep over tonight but I haven't seen Hailee in a couple days and-"
"Don't worry about it, I'll stay another night," Chloe said reassuringly.
"I don't want to have to choose between you guys, I'm sorry," Beca sighed.
"I've had you all to myself for a week now," Chloe laughed. "Plus she's your little sister, I get what that's like. Don't worry about a thing."
"Thank you," the brunette sighed in relief. "See you tonight."
"Uncle Julio's at 5," Chloe said. "As long as you're up to it."
"I will be, I promise," Beca laughed. "See you in a bit."
She slid her phone into her back pocket and got out of the car before grabbing her crutches from the backseat. "Aunt Zoe, I can get my bags," Beca said as her aunt got them from the other side.
"No you can't, stop pushing yourself so much," Zoe said knowingly. "The stairs are on the left and your bedroom is the second to the right."
Beca went upstairs and opened her bedroom door. "Oh my gosh, I love it," she smiled.
"Is the color okay? We can repaint it if you don't like it." The room was a light gray with white trim.
"I love it, thank you," Beca smiled. "You look just like Sheila, it's weird," she laughed.
"Except my hair's darker," Zoe replied with a laugh. "I'll let you get settled in, let me know if you need anything."
"Thanks," Beca smiled.
She sat down on her bed and began to unpack her suitcase. Living away from her parents and her sister would be difficult, but she knew she'd be okay.
