A/N: I decided to post this chapter early because I have a busy next few days and won't be able to post tomorrow. So, feel special...
Also, since I already had this chapter written prior to Chapter 11 being released, I didn't get a chance to fully add any of your guys' review suggestions in. But don't worry! It will all work out.
I have also decided that this story will have a follow-up sequel! Which, since I already know how this story ends, is in the process of being written and drafted. I'm still going to assume this story has about 8, if not more, chapters left. I make zero promises on the length of this story. I only know how it ends.
Torn: that's exactly how Chloe feels on her ride home from UCLA. It's not that Chloe necessarily wanted to leave Beca's house in the morning after what had happened, but when she woke up at realized that her finals were in thirty minutes, she flew out of the house to make it to campus on time. But now that she was on her way home, she doesn't know what to think about what transpired the previous night. She plays with the hem of Beca's shirt that she had confiscated from the brunette's closet as the taxi she pulls into her driveway.
She thanks the driver and gets out, heading into the house through the garage. She plugs her phone onto the charger and sits down at her kitchen table, letting the events of last night play in her head.
She didn't regret sleeping with Beca at all, but she does know that Beca was probably freaking out thinking she did. Truth is, after hearing Ashley and Spencer's speeches at their wedding, she really meant it when she told Beca that she forgave her. But Beca had been sleeping and Chloe instantly regrets not really telling Beca how she felt before they had sex. That, while she was drunk, she still really wanted that special moment with her.
"I fucked up." Chloe says out loud to herself.
"How did you do that, baby sis?" Claire's voice says from behind her.
Chloe jumps, startled, before turning around to look at her sister. "Uhm... I didn't know you were here. I thought you were bringing Cassidy home from school."
"I was going to, but Beca showed up and said she'd drop her off later," Claire shrugs as she sits down next to Chloe. "So what happened?"
"I think I just ruined my chances of getting Beca back." Chloe sadly admits as she looks down at the wooden table.
"How?"
"I... Okay... So like, I forgive her, right?"
"You do?" Claire asks, raising an eyebrow, never expecting to hear those words from Chloe's mouth.
"I do, I really do... Anyway, I realized that I really am over what happened. She's done nothing but prove herself to me and Cass and she's been consistent." Chloe sighs.
"So where's the issue? That's good, right?"
"I slept with her." Chloe breathes out and closes her eyes, bracing herself for Claire to start yelling.
"Okay, so...? I still don't see the issue. You forgive Beca, and you guys reconcile like any other couple would." Claire tries to explain.
"I didn't necessarily tell her that I forgave her... We were drunk and it happened. She tried to stop me but I wouldn't let her. And now she's probably regretting it and it's going to change everything because she doesn't know if I was really ready or not. I should have left a note, but I was almost late for finals and then my phone died when I was talking to mom on my way to campus..." Chloe slumps her shoulders and puts her head on the table.
Claire reaches out and rubs circles on her sister's back. "Chlo, okay... So like I love you, but you should have told her before anything happened that you forgive her."
"I know... I just... I saw her and she was so open with her emotions and I couldn't help myself." Chloe sniffles, feeling the tears well in her eyes. "I didn't mean to ruin things."
"Maybe you didn't. Maybe you just need to talk to her and tell her everything you told me. That you care, that you forgive her. You guys obviously still need to take this slow, but it's a start to being together again. If that's truly what you want."
"I think it is. God I've missed her."
Three Hours Ago
Beca paces around her bedroom as she tries to comprehend what happened the previous night.
"Okay, Beca. It'll be okay. Yeah, you slept with her and that was wrong, but you guys can get through this, right? You can move forward and forget it ever happened. You both were drunk and weren't thinking clearly." Beca tells herself as she bites on her lower lip. "You love Chloe, and you need to continue being there for her regardless of this little slip up. She needs to forgive you."
Beca stops pacing and stands in the middle of her room, looking up at the ceiling. "Oh, who am I kidding? This fucking changes everything. She wasn't ready and I've wanted her so badly that I was selfish." Beca groans as she sits on her bed. She rests her head in her hands and sighs.
The sound of her phone vibrating on her nightstand shakes her from her thoughts and she reaches over to grab it, an unknown number flashing across the screen.
Thinking it was a client, she answers it.
"This is Beca Mitchell."
'Beca? It's Liz, Chloe's mom.'
Beca's eyes widen as she straightens up, pressing the phone tightly against her ear.
"Mrs. Beale, hi."
'We need to talk. Can you meet with Nick and me around 3?'
Beca spots Claire sitting on the bleachers, waiting for Cassidy's 'Field Day' to be over. Cautiously, Beca ascends the steps and sits down next to Claire.
"Hey." Beca breathes out as she keeps her eyes on the field, the students involved in various outdoor games.
"What are you doing here?" Claire asks.
"It's uh, my day to pick up Cassidy. Did Chloe not tell you?" Beca turns to look at the blonde.
"No, she didn't. Her phones been off all day, but the calendar in our house says she had finals today, or something." Claire shrugs before standing up. "Look, Beca... Can we talk real fast?"
"Yeah." Beca nods and Claire leads them down into the parking lot.
"I'm sorry for slapping you."
"I really did deserve it." Beca plays it off.
"I know, but after you came to me for my help, I can see how much you're really trying. And I wanted to thank you." Claire admits.
"They mean the world to me, Claire. Of course I'm trying." Beca replies honestly. "I don't expect anything more than a friendship, but I love them both and having them in my life is better than not having them at all."
"You really have changed, Beca. I'm sorry for doubting you, at all. You really put me in my place at my office last month." Claire pats Beca on the back. "Are you bringing Cass straight home?"
"Maybe, I always let her decide what she wants to do on our days together. I'll just text Chloe and let her know. Hopefully her phone will be on soon."
Claire fishes around her purse for her keys. "Awesome, well... Thanks for stepping up, Beca. And if it's any consolation, I forgive you for what you did to my sister."
"Glad to hear it." Beca nods, waving at Claire as she gets into the car and pulls away. She turns around to head back towards the field when she sees Liz and Nick standing behind her. "Nick, Liz... Uhm, hey."
"Thanks for meeting with us, Beca." Nick extends his hand and Beca shakes it. "But why here?"
"Oh, it's uh... My day to pick up Cassidy and her field day ends soon, so... I just wanted to be here for when she's out." Beca replies.
"That's sweet." Liz smiles. "Anyway, Chloe called us this morning and-"
"I am so sorry for what happened." Beca rushes out, automatically assuming the worst. "Neither of us were thinking clearly and it just sort of, yeah."
"What? No, sweetie. This isn't a bad talk... Wait, something happened?" Nick raises his eyebrow.
Beca turns red in embarrassment and ducks her head, nodding hesitantly, but refusing to look at Chloe's parents.
"What's wrong, Beca? Chloe called us and told us that she forgives you for what happened all of that time ago. Although, she hung up rather abruptly… Why do you look so upset?" Liz asks, placing her hand on the brunette's shoulder.
"I..." Beca sniffles before looking up, knowing that she really did hear what Chloe said to her last night. "She forgives me?"
"Yeah, we weren't really sure why... When she left Portland, she didn't show any signs of being ready so soon, but I think it's crystal clear now why she did." Nick chimes in. "I mean, look at you! You're here picking up your daughter, having us meet you here so you don't let her down by talking to us elsewhere. And you asked for her birth certificate to be reinstated? That's true support and love."
"And Beca, honey, yeah we were a little hesitant about you guys reconnecting at first, but after you seeking out parental rights and really stepping up for Cass, we have no reason to be. You've become a better person, and you are willing to do whatever for Cassidy regardless of if you get Chloe back." Liz adds, smiling happily at Beca.
Beca wipes her tears away and looks at Chloe's parents, her heart warming as they stare back at her. "Everything I've done, I've done for Cassidy. She deserves the world, and I wanted to show her that I'll be there for the rest of her life."
"Do you really mean that Beca?" Cassidy's voice echoes from behind her grandparents.
"Of course I do, sweetheart." Beca kneels down and Liz and Nick watch as Cassidy flings herself into Beca's arms. "I love you, Cass. Okay? I always will."
"I love you, too, mom." Cassidy mumbles into Beca's neck as Beca picks her up off of the ground. Cassidy turns around in Beca's arms and waves at her grandparents. "Hi Grandma and Grandpa. What are you doing here?"
"We just wanted to talk to your mom." Liz says, leaning forward and kissing Cassidy's cheek. "We'll let you guys go do whatever you have planned."
"Beca, it's been a pleasure. I'm really proud of you." Nick nods his heads, also kissing Cassidy on the cheek. "Have fun, guys. And Beca? Don't be a stranger. Let's get together soon with Chloe and have dinner or something, okay? We'll be in town for a few weeks."
"Okay." Beca smiles as she sets Cassidy down on the ground, shaking Nick's hand again. "Thank you."
"Go get your girl." Nick whispers in her ear, winking as he and Liz leave Beca and Cassidy.
"So, what do you want to do today?" Beca asks as she and Cassidy walk to the car.
"Can we go get ice cream?" Cassidy asks excitedly.
"Of course, Cassidy." Beca replies, causing Cassidy to jump up and down with excitement.
"Can we invite mom?"
"Whatever you want."
"So neither of you think it's a bad thing that I slept with Beca?" Chloe asks as she stares between Aubrey and Stacie. After a brief conversation with Claire after her finals, Chloe headed back to UCLA's medical campus to see her two best friends for some much needed advice.
"Meh." Stacie shrugs her shoulders.
(Or not...)
"We saw it coming." Aubrey adds nonchalantly. "Here's the real question: do you think it's a bad thing?"
"I mean, I don't regret it at all... But I feel like I could've gone about it differently." Chloe sighs. "I mean, you guys were right. I do love Beca and I have finally forgiven her, I trust her. But it's all still so new and I just don't want to feel like I ruined any of our chances."
"You need to talk to Beca about that, Chlo. Not us." Stacie advises. "Do you see yourself getting back together with her?"
"I've entertained that idea, a lot. Especially recently. She's legally been Cassidy's mom for almost two months and she's been wonderful." Chloe practically gushes. "I never thought she'd be as invested as she is. And while she has legal rights, my opinions always matter when it comes to Cass. It's how I always dreamed it would be."
"Did you dream that you'd bone her?" Stacie jokes and Chloe glares at the brunette before reaching across the table and slapping her on the arm. "What!? I was just asking."
"Think of it this way, Chlo. Remember when you went to the zoo as a family? How did that feel?"
"Up until the part where I got jealous, amazing. It felt as if she never left and I was so happy." Chloe beams. "I just don't know if she wants this, you know?"
"She does." Aubrey and Stacie say in unison, looking at each other and smirking.
"What? How do you know?"
"What do I do, guys?" Beca asks as she plays with the coffee cup in her hands. "I mean, she just upped and left. No note, no text message... Nothing..."
"Do you regret what happened?"
"Yes and no. Like the selfish part of me that loves Chloe and has dreamed of being with her doesn't regret it. But the selfless part of me that knows she wasn't ready and-"
"I think she was." Stacie interrupts and Beca states at her with a confused look. "Last night, at the wedding... When Chloe and I were dancing, I asked her how things were going. Her response was positive, Beca. And she told me that she wanted to move forward with you and that she was over what happened."
"She said that?" Beca gulps.
"Yes, she did. And maybe she should have verbalized that better, but I highly doubt you ruined anything. Maybe her phone just died or something important came up." Stacie says comfortingly. "She loves you, Beca. It's always been you."
"It's always been her for me." Beca breathes out. "No matter what, it'll always be her. There's nothing else that could change my mind."
"You need to tell her that, Beca." Aubrey replies softly. "She thinks you've been rejecting her because you really don't want this."
"I- I've always wanted this. I've always wanted her."
"It's obvious." Aubrey and Stacie say in unison again.
"Wow... Am I just blind?" Chloe ponders.
"No, it's just Beca's a subtle person." Aubrey shrugs.
"But regardless of subtleties, do you really see a future with her?" Stacie adds.
"Yes." Chloe replies wholeheartedly. "I really do."
"So tell her that. Make Beca realize you're happy with her, that you forgive her, and that you're ready. Then take it slow." Aubrey suggests. "Like try dating for a little bit, and then if it works out; relationship."
"You're right. I'll talk to Beca late-" Chloe's cut off by the sound of her phone going off. She looks at the screen and her heart flutters when she sees that Beca's calling her. "Hold on."
"Hey, Beca."
'Hey, Chlo. You, uh, busy?'
"Not really. Just finished my finals. Hanging out with Aubrey and Stacie on their break. What's up?"
'Cass wanted me to invite you out for ice cream.'
"I feel like you guys are always eating ice cream." Chloe jokes.
'Can't say no to the puppy dog eyes, now can I?'
"No, I guess you can't."
'So? Will you join us?' Beca says, loud enough for Stacie and Aubrey to hear. They instantly start nodding their heads and urge Chloe to agree.
Chloe rolls her eyes at her friends before turning her attention back to her phone. "Of course, I will."
'Awesome. Uh… usual place good?'
"That sounds amazing. I'll meet you there soon." Chloe smiles, and Aubrey and Stacie start making kissie faces while Chloe glares at them.
'Sweet. We'll, uh, see you soon.'
Chloe hangs up and is immediately met by the cruel torment of her friends.
"Awwwww. Family date at the ice cream parlour!" Stacie sing songs.
"Can it, Conrad."
Chloe enters the ice cream parlour, the bell dinging as she opens the door. She spots Beca and Cassidy, already having dug into their ice cream and a cup of Chloe's favorite, mint with graham crackers, waiting for her.
"Hey guys." Chloe smiles as she sits down in between Beca and Cassidy.
"Hey, you made it! We got your favorite." Beca awkwardly smiles, pushing the cup towards Chloe. Now, if there was one thing Chloe knew about Beca, it was her nervous antics. And Beca was obviously nervous.
"Thank you. How was your field day?" Chloe asked, turning her attention to Cassidy.
"It was great! And thanks to Beca helping me with soccer and basketball, I beat all of the kids by running the fastest mile!" Cassidy brags.
"That's great, sweetheart." Chloe replies sweetly.
"So, uhm... I called Claire and she's going to come pick up Cassidy because I think we should talk about... You know." Beca whispers softly, out of Cassidy's earshot.
"Yeah... That'd be best." Chloe replies hesitantly.
"Mom, grandma and grandpa are in town!" Cassidy exclaims.
"They are? How come I didn't know this?" Chloe raises an eyebrow.
"I don't know." Cassidy shrugs as she continues working on her ice cream.
"We'll talk about that later." Beca assures and Chloe nods as the three of them continue eating.
Claire had come to pick up Cassidy thirty minutes later, leaving Beca and Chloe alone. The pair had ended up outside, sitting on the trunk of Beca's car while they talked.
"So..."
"So."
"About last night..." Beca bites her lower lip.
"I'm sorry, Beca. I didn't mean to push you or rush into anything." Chloe immediately apologizes.
"Oh... Okay..."
"Why don't you sound happier about that?" Chloe asks.
"Because I- at first, I was freaking out. Don't get me wrong, but with our track record and all... You know. I thought you left because you also freaked out and were worried that this would ruin all the progress we've made."
"No, Becs... It wasn't like that. I left because I was almost late for-." Chloe starts but Beca cuts her off.
"I was like 'fuck. We jumped into this and she doesn't even forgive me.' But then... Your parents showed up and asked to meet with me." Beca inhales sharply before exhaling loudly. "They told me that you called them this morning and I guess they immediately hopped on a plane and came down. I met them at Cassidy's school and they told me that you said you forgave me. And I didn't feel as terrible."
"I do forgive you, Beca. I tried telling you last night, but you didn't reply so I assumed you were sleeping." Chloe sighs.
"I heard. Well, sort of... You whispered it in my deaf ear, so I couldn't really confirm that you said what you had said." Beca replies honestly, looking over at Chloe with sad eyes. "Do you regret what happened?"
"Not at all." Chloe smiles, grabbing Beca's hand. "I know we jumped the gun, but I don't regret it at all. Do I wish we weren't drunk? Yes. Do I wish I would have told you I forgive you and that I was truly, deeply ready? Yes. But I didn't and it happened. I still don't regret it. Do you?"
"At first, I did because I didn't think you were ready. I thought it was going to change everything." Beca admits. "But after hearing what your parents said and hearing it from you, now... No, I don't regret it. Just wish we would have gone about it differently."
"So, what does this mean? In terms of us?" Chloe asks cautiously, not wanting to put any pressure on Beca, but craving the answer.
"We obviously need to take it slow... But now that the past is in the past, and we're moving forward, I'd like to try and move forward with you... Like that." Beca replies honestly, still avoiding eye contact with Chloe. "I mean, if that's something you want to try. Like we can date or something. We don't have to jump into a relationship, but I don't know... I really do love you and yeah... We can try and give this another shot, try to make it work. Or whatever you want, I mean-"
Chloe smiles as she laces her fingers with Beca's, causing the brunette to stop ranting and focus her attention on the feeling of Chloe's hand in hers. Chloe's leans forward and presses a soft kiss to her cheek.
"I'd like that, Beca."
A/N #2: Yay. They're finally dating! Nothing could possibly go wrong, right? RIGHT?