Hey guys!
I hope there's nothing rushed in here, I'm just trying to reach my goal of being able to write a Christmas chapter at actual Christmas time for once!
Also that means the next chapter will be a jump to the wedding, I hope you don't mind!
I Love LA - Chapter 13: ADHD
Beca was still thinking about that dream even a few days later, she couldn't seem to shake it from her head. She hadn't spoke to anyone about it, not even Chloe. She had something more important on her mind for the time being, making sure Barden wins the championship today.
"Lucy, what's wrong?" Beca asked softly, her, Stacie, Emily and Jennifer were trying to calm the team's nerves in the locker room before they had to go out on the field. The short brunette approached the teenager who was sitting down with her head in her hands.
The 17 year old just shook her head, taking her hands away to turn to the older woman with teary eyes.
"Woah, what's up?" Beca said in a quiet voice, trying not to draw too much attention.
"My girlfriend just dumped me." Lucy whispered, her lip quivering as she tried not to cry. "She just texted me saying she couldn't do this anymore."
Beca's heart broke for the girl. That other girl is a little cunt doing that to Lucy on her big day. She took a deep breath, trying to think of what to say. "I'm...so sorry Lucy. That's really shady of her." She mentally kicked herself for not being able to be more sympathetic.
"I just can't...I love her and hate her at the same time." The girl muttered in frustration.
Beca knew how she felt. All those years ago when Chloe slept with Ryan behind her back, she didn't know she could hate and love someone so much at the same time, it was a crazy feeling.
"I know how you feel." The brunette placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder.
"You do?"
Beca just nodded. "Look kid, I know I sound blunt but shit happens. She obviously doesn't deserve something like you. I wish I could help but there's not much I can do."
"Nah it's okay, I don't expect you to do anything. You've done enough for me already. I just don't think I can go out there, she'll be watching." Lucy hung her head.
"And that's why you need to play, you need to show her what she's missing." The 24 year old offered a smile with a playful nudge. "Focus all that negative energy on the game...just don't get too carried away and do what I did plenty of times, get a red card." She added with a laugh. "Let it motivate you."
Lucy took a deep breath before nodding.
"Come on girls!" Beca yelled from the sideline, acting more as a coach as coach Corcoran was.
"There's my captain." Coach Corcoran chuckled from beside her, folding his arms across his chest. "You girls have really lifted their spirits y'know." He smirked knowingly.
"You think?" Beca asked as she watched Lucy make a run into the box as the ball was crossed in, unfortunately she missed it completely and almost flew into the post. "Woah, she gotta be careful." She cringed.
"She's quite a clumsy. A great player but she's the one that ends up injured most of the time." The man chuckled, shaking his head.
"Hey! sounds like me." Beca laughed, holding up her cast.
"How are you doing anyway? I've barely had a chance to talk since you've been here." He nudged her gently.
"Good. A little stressed about the wedding but other than that, everything's going great." Okay, that was a slight lie.
"Oh yeah. I wish you both all the best by the way." He grinned, pointing at her ring that still had to be worn on the wrong hand. Of course he knew Chloe when she worked here, just like every other teacher but since they've been here, not one of them have questioned their relationship.
"Thanks." She smiled back before turning back to the game just as Barden were awarded a corner kick. "Come on." She whispered to herself.
Katie was the one to take the corner. She whipped it into the box and Lucy was the one that managed to get her head to it, sending it into the back of the net.
Lucy immediately ran up to Katie, throwing her arms around her as the crowd erupted into cheers.
Beca whistled, catching the teenager's attention before giving her a thumbs up.
The opposing team had equalised just after half time and even though there was only 5 minutes left in the match, the scoreline hadn't changed since.
Beca didn't want the girls to have to suffer extra time and penalties, she knew how tiring it was. She was still standing at the sideline, chewing on her nail but this time she was joined by Chloe, Hailee, Jesse, Benji, Emily, Stacie and Jennifer all anxiously waiting.
Hailee slipped her hand into Beca's as she intently watched on, there seemed to be a lot more pressure on these girls compared to her team back home.
"Penalty!" Beca, Stacie and Hailee all yelled at the same time as Lucy was tackled right inside the box.
The referee blew his whistle and pointed to the penalty spot, Beca celebrating not so subtly.
"You got this Lucy." The brunette whispered to herself as the said girl stepped forward to take the penalty.
The 17 year old took a shaky breath, closing her eyes for a second. All the pressure was on her shoulders, she could easily finish the game, there was only a minute left on the clock. She was thinking about all the things Beca had told her before opening her eyes again. Raising her head slightly, she looked the goalkeeper dead in the eyes before jogging up to the ball, doing a cheeky little chip as the goalie dove to her left. The ball first bounced over the line and a wave of relief washed over the girl. She done it. She scored what surely was the winning goal.
"Oh my God!" She almost screamed, looking up to the sky as her teammates were practically jumping all over her. Lucy managed to escape the huddle and run over to the sideline, automatically jumping into Beca's arms, almost knocking the woman backwards.
"That was risky, you little fucker!" Beca exclaimed with a laugh, jumping up and down with the teenager.
Lucy pulled away from the woman, pointing up into the bleachers at her ex before flipping her hand around to flash her middle finger. Of course the referee didn't miss that one and gave the girl a yellow card.
Beca could only laugh. "Go on and win this, kid." The brunette blinked, patting Lucy on the back before she jogged back onto the field.
"You're amazing, babe." Chloe threw an arm around Beca, kissing her on the cheek.
"What did I do?" Beca smiled, holding onto Chloe's hand that was draped over her shoulder.
"So much for those girls." The redhead winked. "You just don't realise it."
"We have a very special guest to come and present the trophy today." The league official said into the microphone as the Barden girls were all standing in a line behind him. "Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for Beca Mitchell!" He exclaimed and the place went crazy, even the supporters from the losing team.
Beca waved as she walked up and took the microphone. "How's everybody doing?" She asked, smiling as everyone cheered some more. "It's been 6 years since this school has won this thing and it's been 6 years since I was standing in this very spot, lifting that trophy with so much pride. Now it's these girls turn. I'm so proud of them, they've worked so hard for this, they deserve it." She smiled at the team, some of them were even crying, including Lucy. "And now for the best bit." The brunette smirked as Jesse and Benji walked towards her, carrying the trophy. Those two also getting a lot of attention from the crowd. "Everybody give it up for this year's captain and match winner, number 19, Lucy Green!" The woman exclaimed as the said girl stepped forward.
The men handed their friend the trophy, taking her microphone off of her so she could hand the trophy over to Lucy.
"Congratulations." Beca said into the teenager's ear before backing off, allowing Lucy to lift the trophy, making the crowd and team go crazy. She took the microphone back off Jesse before talking into it. "Hey everyone meet me in the auditorium in 15 minutes." She said, chuckling when everyone lost their shit, realising what Beca meant. The 24 year old walked back over to Lucy whose jaw was almost on the floor. "You have 2 choices and 'none' isn't an answer. You can either sing 'Closer' with Jesse or 'Alive' with me." She said into the teenager's ear.
"Seriously?" Lucy asked incredulously.
"Did you tell her?" Jesse came up behind Beca and threw an arm around her as he smiled at the girl in front of them.
The short brunette nodded, still awaiting an answer.
"Uh...I. You're really not gonna let me away with this are you?" Lucy narrowed her eyes with a laugh.
"Beca said you told her that you can sing." Jesse smirked, looking at his best friend.
"I did...but I can't sing next to either of you, that's just crazy."
Jesse was one of those actors who managed to balance a music career at the same time so he was very well known in both fields.
"I said 'none' wasn't an answer." Was all Beca said stubbornly.
Lucy cringed, before taking a deep breath. "Fine I'll do it. I mean 'Closer' is the easier option but I love 'Alive' so much." She glanced between Jesse and Beca in front of her as she tried to decide what song to sing.
"I could always use the help." Beca said hopefully and Lucy couldn't help but smile.
'Alive' it was.
"I want everyone to give a warm welcome to my next special guest because she's a little nervous about coming out here today." Beca wiped the sweat from her brow since she had just finished the intense choreography from 'Closer.' "I've asked her to help me out with this song, please put your hands together for Lucy!" She applauded with everyone else as the teenager walked out onto stage, waving nervously as she did so.
'You ready?' Beca mouthed and 17 year old nodded her head. They had quickly gone over who was singing what part and Beca was surprised at how quickly Lucy picked it up.
(Song used: Alive by Sia)
[Beca] I was born in a thunderstorm
I grew up overnight
I played alone
I'm playing on my own
I survived
[Lucy] Hey
I wanted everything I never had
Like the love that comes with light
I wore envy and I hated that
But I survived
[Beca and Lucy] I had a one-way ticket to a place where all the demons go
Where the wind don't change
And nothing in the ground can ever grow
No hope, just lies
And you're taught to cry into your pillow
But I survived
I'm still breathing [4x]
I'm alive [4x]
Beca was completely taken aback by how much Lucy could belt out and keep up with the chorus.
[Lucy] I found solace in the strangest place
Way in the back of my mind
I saw my life in a stranger's face
And it was mine
[Beca] I had a one-way ticket to a place where all the demons go
Where the wind don't change
And nothing in the ground can ever grow
No hope, just lies
And you're taught to cry into your pillow
But I survived
[Beca and Lucy] I'm still breathing [4x]
I'm alive [4x]
You took it all, but I'm still breathing [8x]
Beca let the teenager take the lead for the rest of the song, letting her take her chance in the spotlight.
[Lucy] I have made every single mistake
That you could ever possibly make
I took and I took and I took what you gave
But you never noticed that I was in pain
I knew what I wanted; I went out and got it
Did all the things that you said that I wouldn't
I told you that I would never be forgotten
And all in spite of you
[Lucy] And I'm still breathing
I'm still breathing
I'm still breathing
I'm still breathing
I'm alive ([Beca] You took it out, but I'm still breathing)
(You took it out, but I'm still breathing)
I'm alive (You took it out, but I'm still breathing)
(You took it out, but I'm still breathing)
I'm alive (You took it out, but I'm still breathing)
(You took it out, but I'm still breathing)
I'm alive
[Beca and Lucy] I'm alive [4x]
Lucy was deafened by the cheers, screams and applauds when the song finished. Feeling completely overwhelmed, she threw her arms around Beca.
"People will see that, kid. This won't be the last time I see you." Beca said into her ear as she hugged her tight. She wasn't just saying that, she believes the teenager has some serious talent and she was going to see what she could do for the girl back in LA if possible.
"I love you, Beca." Lucy said, still not letting go of the 24 year old.
"Love you too, kid." Beca chuckled, soothing rubbing her back.
Unfortunately, Beca had to fly back to LA that night so she had to say goodbye to Coach Corcoran, the team, her grandparents and of course her mother (which was odd but she promised to keep in touch with the woman.)
"You won't believe who I ran into in Atlanta." The day after they returned to LA, Beca invited her dad over for coffee since they hadn't seen each other in a week. It was mostly an excuse for Beca to talk to him about her mom.
"Who?" John asked, sipping on his coffee.
"Beca, be chill about it, alright?" Chloe warned, softly stroking her fiancée's shoulder as her arm was draped over the back of the couch.
The man furrowed his brow.
"Mom." The brunette said, raising her eyebrows as she leaned back into the couch, her neck now resting on Chloe's forearm that was still behind her.
John almost spat out his coffee. "What?"
"Yeah and she told me the truth. No in fact grandma was the one that had to tell me the truth. Dad, why the fuck did you lie to me?" Beca sat up, her voice increasing in volume slightly.
"Beca." The redhead warned, gently pulling her back.
"Chloe can you maybe give us a minute?" John asked hopefully and just as the redhead was going to stand up, Beca stopped her.
"Dad, she's gonna be my wife, whatever you have to say to me can be said in front of her."
The older woman's heart melted when Beca said that. The trust between them was something special.
"Sweetheart, you were only a little girl. I couldn't exactly tell you that your mom was on drugs, could I?" John asked calmly.
"So you told me she left for no reason and then when I was older and asked why, you made up some bullshit lie and told me she cheated on you. Do you realise how much of shittier person that made her out to be?" Beca laughed at how stupid it sounded.
John sighed heavily. "I know it was wrong to say that. I thought if you knew the truth, you'd start to resent Kat and want to find your own mom instead."
"Why would I ever resent Kat? She's practically the only mom I've ever had. I just wish I knew, y'know?" The 24 year old finally brought her voice back down to normal volume. "Oh wait and something else." Beca just remembered something and sat forward on the couch, furrowing her brow again. "You and mom are 10 years apart, she was a student when you worked at Barden! You're having a laugh right?!" She asked incredulously, furiously motioning between herself and Chloe. "You gave us so much shit and you were just being a huge hypocrite!"
"Beca!" The redhead had to raise her voice to cut her fiancée off. "Calm down, you're starting arguments over stuff that happened in the past."
"Well no wonder-"
"Beca, look at me." Chloe used her hand to gently turn Beca's face towards her. "Chill out, okay?" She said softly and the brunette took a deep breath. Chloe and Jesse only seemed to be the two people that were able to calm Beca down when she got riled up, not even Emily or her own dad could do it.
"Sorry for yelling, dad." The 24 year old whispered.
"I'm sorry for everything Beca, I'm sorry for lying to you, I'm sorry for being a hypocrite. I was just trying to keep you safe."
Beca looked down at her hands and only nodded.
"I can't find it!" Hailee cried as she entered the room, startling the three adults in the room.
The 11 year old was breathing heavily, tears of frustration running down her cheeks as she scanned the living room.
"Honey, why are you crying?" Chloe asked as she furrowed her brow in concern at her daughter who was now on the floor, looking under the couch.
"I can't find my phone." She snapped in frustration.
"Hailee sweetheart, you don't need to cry over it. You'll find it." John said softly as he eyed the girl at his feet who had her hand shoved under the couch.
"Where did you last have it?" The 30 year old asked.
"If I knew, I'd have it wouldn't I?!" Hailee exclaimed as she pushed herself up off the ground.
"Hey! Don't talk to your mom like that." Beca warned firmly which only seemed to make the girl cry harder.
"Hailee, why are you crying? It's just your phone." Chloe was completely lost.
"Fuck…" Beca muttered to herself, feeling like it was her fault yet again to make her cry. "Come on, I'll help you find it." She calmly stood up and lead the girl out of the room.
The redhead on the other hand just held her head in her hands, letting out a sigh of frustration.
"Everything alright, Chloe?" John asked in concern.
"I don't know what's been going on lately. I've just been exhausted. I constantly get causes for concern home from her school, she won't focus on her homework, she can't sit still...Just ugh, I feel like I'm not doing my job right." The woman shook her head as she glanced up.
"As a mom?" John asked and Chloe nodded.
"I feel like it's my fault she's like this."
"Of course it's not your fault. It's not Ryan or Beca's fault either. Chloe, have you ever thought of getting her tested for ADHD?" He asked softly, unsure of how the redhead would react.
"I have but Beca thinks she doesn't need to get tested."
"That's only because she was tested as a kid, sweetheart. It's better knowing than not. In the end it's up to you what to do, you're her mom, not Beca." John reminded her. "What does Ryan think?"
"I've spoken to him about it and he thinks we should get her checked, he just doesn't want to freak her out." The 30 year old explained.
"I know you and Beca hate keeping things from each other but maybe you should get it done without her knowing. After all, it's between you, Ryan and Hailee. If it does turn out she has ADHD then of course you'd have to tell Beca but if she doesn't, Beca doesn't need to know any different." John suggested and Chloe glanced up at the ceiling.
She took John's word but things didn't quite go as smoothly as she planned.
"Hailee, baby, please calm down before we go inside." Chloe pleaded as she unlocked the front door of the house.
Hailee didn't though. Not in the slightest. She continued to cry her little eyes out as the walked inside and she immediately ran upstairs, running past Beca who was on her way down.
"What the?" Beca furrowed her brow at her fiancée as she pointed her thumb over her shoulder.
"Come here." Chloe sighed, leading her into the kitchen.
"What's going on?"
"She's got ADHD." The redhead closed her eyes and pressed a couple of fingers to her forehead.
"You took her to get tested?! Chloe they're gonna put her on meds and everything for fuck sake. Look at the state of her!" Beca exclaimed, pointing up at the ceiling.
"I'm not letting them put her on meds so calm down!" Chloe snapped, tossing her purse onto the counter.
"You went behind my back, Chloe."
"She's my daughter, Beca. I'm just trying to do what's best for her." The redhead said through gritted teeth. She was stressed enough, she didn't need this shit from her fiancée.
"She's basically my kid too!" Beca's voice cracked with tears and Chloe could only look into her eyes. She could see the amount of love and adoration she had for Hailee. "I just want her to feel like every other kid."
Chloe was a little taken aback by how upset Beca was getting by this.
"She will Beca, I promise. I was blaming myself for this, I just needed that reassurance that it wasn't my fault." The taller woman said softly, pulling Beca close to her.
The brunette took a few shaky deep breaths. "I'm sorry for yelling, it's just she's my baby too y'know." She whispered and a tear fell from Chloe's eye as she squeezed her tighter.
"Babe, you're such an amazing step-mom to Hailee, I don't understand why you don't-" The redhead began but Beca cut her off.
"Don't. I know what you're gonna say."
Chloe just looked down at her feet. It seemed like she was never gonna convince her fiancée to have a baby with her.
"I'm marrying you and I love you so fucking much. You and Hailee are my life…" The brunette trailed off, looking down at the ground as she spoke. "So many things were said down in Georgia but something also happened and it sounds really stupid but it did make me realise something now that I've thought about it." Beca's voice began to quiver, suddenly feeling extremely nervous.
"Huh?" Chloe asked curiously, a little confused.
"Chloe...I uh...wow, Um...Jesus Christ, I asked you to marry me and I can't even do this…" Suddenly becoming tongue tied, Beca ran a hand down her face and glanced up at Chloe.
The older woman was still oblivious and didn't have a clue what Beca was trying to say so she couldn't even try to help her out. "Why don't you write it down?" She suggested, referring to the way Beca proposed.
The brunette walked over to the counter and grabbed a pen and a small piece of paper that was lying around. She quickly scribbled down 'I want to have a baby with you' before handing it to her fiancée.
"Beca…" The word almost didn't come out of Chloe's mouth as the woman's eyes widened. "Are you serious?!"
Beca nervously nodded which automatically made Chloe throw her arms around her and lift her up. "Don't cry, you'll make me cry again!" The brunette warned as the redhead set her back down, her eyes welling up along with her fiancée's.
"Baby, I can't…I can't believe you're wanting to do this with me." Chloe sobbed, unable to fight it back anymore.
"Neither can I, I'm still scared as fuck, Chloe." Beca said honestly, wiping her eyes.
God these two loved to fucking cry a lot…
"Everything will be perfect, Beca. You'll love it, trust me." Chloe reassured before passionately kissing her fiancée. "I love you so much."
"I love you too." Beca ran her fingers through Chloe's hair softly. Inside, the brunette was totally freaking out because this was really happening, she was eventually be a mother, not just a step-mother. Fuck.
Noticing her fiancée's wide eyes, Chloe quickly gave her a word of reassurance. "Honey, we don't have to rush into this or anything. We still have our wedding and everything, we don't have to figure it all out till the start of next year if you like." She said softly, noticing how pale Beca was. It kinda reminded Chloe of Ryan when she told him she was pregnant.
"That would be good." Beca said weakly, swallowing thickly. This was really happening. Oh my God.
I really hope it didn't seem rushed or anything, I really just needed to tie up some loose ends before the wedding!
I hope I can achieve my goal guys! I'd really love to write a Christmas chapter!