A million thoughts were ricocheting inside Beca head as she walked up and down the aisles of the small market Aubrey worked at. She didn't know what to do, or where to go. She just knew she had to leave the house. Her anger got the best of her and because of it Aubrey got hurt. Alex could have seen something she shouldn't see and her hand was rapidly swelling and was a dark purple color around the knuckles.
If she ever saw Bumper again, she would kill him. Wait. Kill? Beca wasn't sure where these thoughts were coming from. Sure, she was angry, livid at Bumper. How dare he touch Aubrey? How dare he say the things he did?
She didn't want to kill him; she just wanted him to hurt. She hoped he was hurting, god knows her hand was. She stopped and reached up to grab a box of Alex's favorite cereal.
She knew they didn't need it. They just went grocery shopping, but what's the harm in having a little extra? She dropped the box in the cart and carried on. Looking down she noticed she had put a few things in the cart, she didn't even remember grabbing them. With a sigh she pulled out her phone to see eight missed calls from Aubrey, ten from Chloe and a dozen texts from both.
She ignored them and looked at the time. She had been gone for over an hour. With a sigh she made her way to the cash register and paid for the items in the cart before grabbing the shopping bags and made her way out to the car. She began unloading the bags into the truck when she got an uneasy feeling in her stomach. She froze and listened. It wasn't loud outside, but it wasn't quiet. She could hear cars driving by, birds chirping, people talking as they walked in or out of the market. She could feel eyes on her. Someone was watching her, she could feel it. Her breathing became rapid and with a deep breath she flipped around, her eyes scanning the area nervously.
There were a few cars and some people walking to their car, their shopping cart rattling against the pavement as they pushed it toward their waiting vehicles. But she saw no one. She saw nothing out of the ordinary, though she couldn't shake the feeling that even now, as she was looking around, she was being watched. She turned back around to close the trunk only to bump into someone who had just walked up behind her. She couldn't stop the small shriek that escaped her lips if she wanted to as tried to distance herself from the person.
"Beca!" Two hands grasped her arms and held her tight. She tensed against the person, her breathing coming in short gasps. "Beca, breathe, come on." Came a soothing voice. She looked up to meet the worried blue eyes of Chloe as she held on to her.
"C-Chloe?" She stammered.
Chloe wanted to yell at her, to tell her how upset she was that Beca just took off like she did, and how worried everyone was when she wouldn't answer their messages. But, when she saw the fear in her girlfriends deep blue eyes and how hard she was trying to steady her breathing, she just couldn't.
Instead she pulled Beca against her and held her tight. Becas arms flew around her, returning the hug as she buried her face into Chloe's shoulder.
"Beca, what happened? What's wrong?" she asked. She didn't answer.
Chloe new better than to ask her over and over again, so she decided to just Beca into the car and back home.
"Come on, sweetie, let's get home." She said and led Beca over to the passenger door. She opened it, but Beca wasn't letting her go.
She gave her a loving squeeze, before gently pulling her back. "Get in, baby, let's go home." She said and Beca did as she was instructed and got into the car. Once the door was closed, she walked around to the driver side, closing the trunk along the way. Once in the car she looked over at Beca who was handing her the keys.
"Thanks." She smiled and gently took them, starting the car before pulling away from the market. She didn't miss the way Beca had her eyes locked out the window, looking for something as they left.
She reached over and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"I'm sorry." Beca said softly once they were away from the market.
Chloe looked over at her momentarily before returning her gaze back to the road. "What are you sorry for?"
"I didn't mean to worry you. Is Aubrey okay? Is she mad at me? How did you get here?"
Chloe smiled and shushed her softly. "Its okay, Becs, as long as you are alright. Aubrey isn't mad at you, she is at home with Alex, and I walked here." She said.
Beca looked over. "It's like eight miles." She exclaimed.
"You didn't give me much of a choice when you didn't answer your phone." She said but there was a hint of playfulness in her voice.
Beca looked down. "Sorry. I just didn't know what to say, I didn't mean for all of that to happen."
"Its okay, Beca." Chloe said, not liking how Beca was beating herself up so badly over this. She could see Beca was getting lost inside her head, thinking about everything that had happened.
"You did exactly what I would have done, if I would have gotten to him first. In fact, I would still like too. I'm a little jealous you got to beat him up. He crossed the line, Becs, and you handled it. Just like you should have. Aubrey falling was an accident and she doesn't blame you. She is okay."
Beca nodded, trying her hardest to believe her. "Um, did Alex see anything?" she asked.
Chloe was quiet for a moment. "She saw Bumper kissing Bree, yes. But, she didn't see anything else. When I left, she was upset with Bree; she didn't understand what she saw. I'm sure its all handled now." She smiled over at Beca, trying to sound confident that Aubrey and Alex had talked about what the little girl saw.
XXXXX
"I want my Mama!"
"I know, I know you do, come on Lex, please let me in?"
For the past half hour Aubrey had been sitting outside Alex's bedroom door where the little girl barricaded herself inside. She wasn't sure, but because there wasn't a lock on the door, she thinks the small girl may have pushed her dresser in front of the door. She could open the door if she pushed hard enough, but she wanted to respect Alex's obvious need to separate herself from Aubrey and she wouldn't force her presence on her.
"Why were you kissing that man?" Came an angry voice.
Aubrey side, sliding her back down the door until she was seated on the floor. "It wasn't what you think, sweetie. He is a bad man, and he kissed me without my permission."
"Why didn't you tell him to stop?"
"I was trying, that's when you walked in. I love you and I love your Mommies, Alex, you know that. I wouldn't ever kiss anyone the way I kiss them. I promise. I'm sorry you had to see all of it." Her voice cracked and she covered her mouth trying to stop the tears she knew was coming. She hadn't had a chance to come back from what happened. The moment Chloe left, she tried to talk to Alex, but was in the same place as she was when she first started.
"I'm so sorry, Alex."
It was quiet for a moment before a small voice came through the door. "Mom?"
"Yes?" She asked wiping her tears away.
"Are you crying?"
Aubrey didn't want to say yes, but they couldn't really teach her not to lie, of they lied themselves.
"I am." She said.
It was quiet again before she heard small huffs and grunts. She turned and looked at the door waiting. After a few moments a frustrated sigh came through the door.
"Mom…I can't move the dresser." She admitted.
Aubrey laughed lightly and stood up. "Can I try?" she asked.
"How?" Came a confused voice. "You are out there."
"Stand back, love."
"Okay." Aubrey waited a second before she turned the handle and pushed the door, using a little more strength and pushing the dresser back with the door.
She looked to see Alex sitting on the edge of her bed. "You could do that the whole time?" she asked as Aubrey carefully made her way in and put the dresser back in its spot.
She nodded as she walked over. "Why didn't you just come in then?"
The blonde sat on the bed, leaving about two feet of space between them. "Did you want me in here with you?"
Alex looked down and shook her head. "Would you have been mad at me if I would have come in anyway?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"You wanted to be away from me for a little while, right? Because you were mad at me?"
She nodded again. "That's why I didn't. I knew you didn't want me in here, so I waited until you were ready."
Alex looked up at her with sad eyes. "I'm sorry I was angry."
Aubrey reached over and when Alex didn't object, she pulled her the small distance to her and hugged her. "It's okay, you were confused." She said. "Thank you for taking a break, instead of throwing a fit, or saying mean things."
"I didn't want to get spanked again." She said. "Mama told me at breakfast that if I'm bad or swear or do mean things, I will be punished, but that you guys still love me."
"That's right. And we will always love you, Alex. Always."
"I'll always love you guys too. You are my favorite." She smiled. "Besides Aunt Stacie. I love her too."
"Good." Aubrey smiled. "We love her too, she is a nice person."
"Where are Mommy and Mama at?"
Aubrey looked down. "Mama needed a break of her own, baby. She was very upset when she saw what that man was doing."
Alex nodded. "Is she in trouble? For hurting your arm?" She motioned to Aubreys bruised elbow.
She cursed herself for bruising so easily. "No, she isn't. It was an accident, and she was protecting me when it happened. Let's not bring it up to her okay? She is very sad that it happened."
Alex nodded. "Is she gonna be home in time to tuck me in?"
Aubrey smiled. "Yes baby. She wouldn't miss that for the world. Besides, tomorrow is your first day of school!" She said.
Alex eyes lit up. "I'm so excited!"
"I bet!" Aubrey smiled and looked over to wear her uniform was hanging on the door handle of the closet.
Alex yawned and rubbed her eyes. "Someone is ready for a nap." Aubrey pointed out.
Alex stopped fighting naps the year before and simply nodded. "I'm a little sleepy." She said. Aubrey nodded and stood up, pulling off her small shoes and pulling the blanket back so Alex could climb into it and she covered her up.
"Sleep tight sweetie." She said kissing her forehead. She turned around to leave when a sudden question popped into her mind.
"Hey, Lex?"
"Yes?"
"How did you move the dresser in front of the door? If it was too heavy to move back?"
Alex looked down for a moment. "I don't know. I was really mad when I moved it in front of the door. I guess, I'm stronger when I am angry." She said.
Aubrey nodded. "Yeah, I guess so." She said. "Okay, go to sleep baby, I'll see you in a couple hours." She said leaving the room.
Once the door closed with a soft click she walked down the stairs and grabbed her phone, calling Stacie.
She answered after a few rings. "Hey Bree, what's up?"
"Hey, Stace, where are you?"
"I just got off work, I'm headed home."
Aubrey sighed. "Don't go home, come here. Please?"
"What happened?" Stacie immediately demanded hearing something off in Aubreys voice.
"Something happened with Bumper, I don't know if he went back to your place. Either way, I don't want him around you, so please just come here and I will explain?"
"Of course, I'm on my way. Just, tell first, is everyone okay?"
"Kind of. I promise to explain when you get here."
"Alright, I should be there in about ten minutes. Should I call Donald?"
"Yeah, maybe. Just tell him Bumper did something he shouldn't have and that it would probably be best if he left your house."
"Okay, no problem. See you soon Bree."
"Bye, Drive safe."
After hanging up, she sent another text to Beca, and one to Chloe. It had been an hour now, and she was getting worried. She decided to busy herself with preparing dinner for that night. They always had a big dinner on Sunday nights, and she hadn't even started yet.
It was long after, as she was cutting up vegetables that there was a knock on the door. She stopped and waited a few seconds. Then a second knock. She exhaled and put the cutting knife down, making her way to the door and opened it to see Stacie standing outside.
"What's going on, Bree?" She asked as she walked in.
Aubrey led her into the kitchen where she sat down and Aubrey went to the fridge pulling out a bottle of water and handing it too her. "Thanks." She said and looked down, instantly spotting the growing bruise.
"What the fuck?" She exclaimed.
"Shh!" Aubrey scolded. "Alex is asleep upstairs."
She closed her mouth. "Sorry." She said. "Bree, what happened? Where are Beca and Chloe?"
"Beca needed to leave for a little while. I sent Chloe after her."
"Did bumper do that?" She motioned to her bruise as the blonde picked up the knife and began cutting up a pepper.
"No, Beca did-"
"What?" Stacie cut her off with wide eyes.
"No, listen. She didn't mean to, I was holding her back, and she got free and I lost my balance, it was an accident."
"Holding her back?"
Aubrey sighed. "Yeah. Beca took Alex out to breakfast this morning and it was just me and Chloe here. Bumper came by, and like an idiot I let him in. I thought we could just get over the past, but he was instantly his old self. He was staring at Chloe in a gross way, and it made her uncomfortable so she went upstairs to change into some clothes, and while she was gone, I told bumper to keep his eyes and hands away from Beca and Chloe. He got really cocky and started insulting them, and I told him to leave, but he wouldn't. I don't know what his problem was, one second he was asking me to let him stay and the next, he was… kissing me."
Stacie's jaw dropped. "He what?"
Aubrey held up a hand, telling her to let her finish. I pushed him away, and everything happened so fast. Beca had come home, and the next thing I knew, Chloe was taking Alex out of the room, and Beca was punching him. I tried to pull her away, but he kept taunting her. She went for him again, and that's how I fell. After he left, she was so upset with herself for this," She held up her arm, before dumping her freshly cut peppers into a bowl. "That she left. Said she needed to go for a bit. I didn't want her out there alone, so I sent Chloe after her. I didn't realize Beca took the car, and Chloe followed her on foot. I can't get a hold of either of them, and I'm just really worried."
"Aubrey, I am so sorry. I can't believe he did this. Donald is going to kill him, if I don't get to him first. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
"No, I'm fine. I'm worried about Becas hand though, she hit him pretty hard a few times, and she has to be in pain."
They heard the door open then and Aubrey was instantly rushing to it. Stacie followed behind and watched as Aubrey launched herself at the small brunette that just walked into the house.
Chloe smiled softly at them standing off to the side. "Jesus Christ Beca!" Aubrey exclaimed pulling away and holding the smaller girl by her arms. "Don't ever do that again! I don't care how upset you are, you answer your damn phone when I call! I was worried sick!" Beca could only nod.
Aubrey looked at her for a moment before pulling her against her again. "You scared me to death, Becs. I love you so much, I was so worried." She said and pulled back to press her lips against Becas. Beca kissed her back softly before pulling away.
She was about to ask where Alex was when Aubrey had turned her anger on Chloe.
"And you! You have a phone, answer the damn thing! I called, and texted, you two are going to be the death of me!" She said. Chloe however could only smirk at the outburst before pulling Aubrey into a hug.
"I'm sorry, Bree. I love you, and I am sorry we worried you. "She said and kissed her as well. "Are you okay?"
Aubrey nodded. "Yes, just with bumper and all that happened, I got scared." She said.
Chloe nodded and led her towards the kitchen. Beca and Stacie followed.
"Are you okay, Becs?" Stacie asked. She nodded and walked toward the freezer, opening it and pulling out an ice pack. She tried to subtly cover her hand, so they wouldn't see, but she should have known that wouldn't work. Aubrey noticed instantly.
"Let me see." She said.
"You first." Beca nodded at her arm. Aubrey sighed but lifted her arm.
"I'm fine, it doesn't even hurt. Now let me see your hand."
Beca looked away and lifted the ice pack. "Shit, Becs." Chloe said, how did I not see that?!"
"You were driving. I'm glad you weren't paying attention to it, you would have got up both killed." She said, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Hush." The redhead said as she examined the bruised knuckles. "Just keep the ice on it."
Beca nodded. "Where is Alex?" She asked. "Is she okay?"
Aubrey nodded. "It took a little while, but I explained what happened. She is okay; she was tired so she laid down for a nap."
"What did she say?"
"She thought I was kissing him, in the way I kiss you guys. She was upset by it. I explained to her that it was a bad thing that happened. She understands. She also managed to lock me out of her room by pushing the dresser in front of the door. She said her anger made her stronger; because once she cooled off she couldn't move it away to let me in."
Chloe looked a little troubled by that. "But she is okay?"
Aubrey nodded. "Yes, she was more worried that Beca wasn't going to be back in time to tuck her in."
"I wouldn't miss that-"
"For the world." Aubrey finished and gave her a quick kiss. "That's exactly what I said."
"Are you sure you are okay Bree?" Beca asked.
"Beca, I told you it was an accident-"
Beca cut her off. "No, not your arm. Bumper, the kiss. Are you okay?"
For the first time, Aubrey looked a little unsure. "It's a weird feeling. Physically, I'm fine. But, nothing like that has ever happened to me before. Something like that that I didn't want. It's like he stole something, and I just feel kind of… off, you know?" She asked, hoping they understood.
"I do." Beca said. "No matter how big or small, a kiss, an uninvited touch. It makes you feel a little off, like something was stolen from you, but it wasn't an object. He took something that wasn't his to take, and you might even feel a little sick to your stomach, because you know it could have been worse, but you're relieved that it wasn't. It feels petty, because you aren't hurt, and it may seem so small, but to you, it's huge." She said.
Aubrey couldn't help the tears that formed in her eyes, because what Beca was explaining to her, was exactly what she was feeling. Like the small brunette was inside her head, dissecting these thoughts and feelings and putting them into words. That's exactly how she was feeling. She wasn't sure if she was crying because Beca was able to help her understand. Or because she knew why Beca was able to help her. Because the girl that stood in front of her had so much stolen from her. Things that were so sacred were ripped from her and she had been dealing with it for so long, she dealt with it every single day. Aubrey nodded and pulled her gently into a hug.
"I'm sorry this happened Bree. I love you." Beca said turning to place a gentle kiss on the blonde's throat before nuzzling into her.
Stacie and Chloe watched with sad but loving eyes.
"I love you so much Beca. Thank you for being there, thank you for stopping him."
Beca nodded softly. "Always."
Chloe walked up and Aubrey opened her arms and pulled her into the hug, before looking pointedly at Stacie.
Once Stacie had joined, Beca spoke again. "I'll always protect you, the way you have protected me. All of you."
A/N: LONG…er…. Chapter here :D Actually kinda proud of this chapter I hope you all like it thanks for your continued support of my writing you guys! It means the world and more to me 3
