The Bella's arrived early morning in Copenhagen the Thursday before Worlds. Worlds are held on Saturday which doesn't give them much time to adjust and prepare. Hotel shuttles take them from the airport to their hotel. They check in and most of them crash as soon as they are in their rooms. Beca is given a room to herself and the rest doubled up. Beca walks into her room and lets out a deep sigh.
"This is it," she thinks, "after Saturday the Bellas are Champs or chumps." She has the bellhop set her bags on the floor.
"Thank you." she says as she tips the bellhop and closes the door behind him. She moves farther into the room where she notices a small basket with some fruit and mini muffins in it. She smiles and immediately knows it is from Luisa. She picks up the card attached and smiles as she grabs an apple to eat.
"Welcome to Europe meine Maus. Here is that fruit and mini muffin basket I promised to send you back at the car show. I wish I could see you but there is just so much going on that we are unable too. I will try and call you later but I know that you are going to be sleepy and rehearsing just as we will be. So please text me to know that you have arrived safe and sound. I cannot wait to see you and to hold you in my arms once again. I wish you the best of luck, Liebling and I will see you at Worlds. Luisa"
Beca gets her phone out and sends Luisa a text.
"We arrived this morning and are at the hotel now getting settled in. Thank you for the yummy treats they are delicious. And just because you sent them doesn't make up for you calling me a troll (smiley face emoji with tongue sticking out) I miss you and love you too baby. I will talk to you soon and see you Saturday. Be prepared to be my winner's prize." Beca sends and gets a response a minute later.
"Glad you arrived safely and like your treats. Sorry I could not have met you at the airport, I would have loved to see you. If you and the Bellas are looking for places to eat just contact the concierge at the hotel and mention you know the Kommissar, they will let you know of some good places to eat that aren't so commercialized unless that is what you are wanting to eat. I must get back to Pieter before the rest of DSM decides to tar and feather him. Ich Liebe Dich."
Beca reads the text and laughs as she imagines Pieter being tarred and feathered. She then sends out a group text to the rest of the Bellas.
"Everyone let's take the rest of the morning to rest from the trip then meet up in the lobby for lunch at noon and discuss our schedule then." The Bellas all message her back confirming the plan. Beca takes a quick shower feeling a little dirty from all the traveling and puts on some comfy clothes. She sets her alarm and lays down for a small nap. Beca slowly caresses her baby bump.
"Just a few more days and your mama will know about you and hopefully be as excited I am." Beca drifts off to sleep.
The rest of the day and Friday fly by and before they know it, it is Saturday morning the day of Worlds.
"See you at Worlds Liebling." Beca wakes up to a message from Luisa.
"See you there love." She quickly texts back and gets up getting ready.
"Wake up prego it's time to finish this like some fresh Danishes" Amy shouts through the door. Beca opens it up and steps out.
"Ohhh that sounds delicious. Now you have made me hungry Amy." Beca moans then glares at Amy. Amy holds out a small tray of fresh pastries to Beca.
"I saved you a couple." Amy winks as Beca takes a couple and scarfs them down.
"Thanks Amy you are the best." Beca eats them as they head down to the lobby to meet the rest of the Bellas. They load up into shuttles and are off the festival grounds where Worlds are being held. They arrive and there is already a large crowd forming. A capella is definitely a bigger thing here than back in the US.
As they get back stage the Canadian team is performing and the makeshift dressing areas are packed with other teams. The Bellas were luckily chosen to go last but it also means that they have to wait all day to perform. DSM was going right before them which make it a little bit more nervous for Beca and the rest of the Bellas.
The day goes by almost too fast and soon DSM is on deck. Beca can hear them chanting in one of the dressing tents. She is surprised that she hasn't run into any of them yet but the Bellas have been staying mainly to one side of the stage and she is guessing that DSM is staying to the other side. Beca is glad for that because she doesn't know how she would react if she had seen Luisa, she probably would have sprinted to her girlfriend, jumped into her arms and kissed her senseless. Beca is making her way back stage to make sure that everything is ready for their performance when she sees Benji kissing Emily.
"Hey Benji!" she says loudly to get their attention. They pull apart and blush. "You ready Ems?"
"Yeah be right there." Emily says then kisses Benji again before following Beca.
"How long has that been going on?" Beca asks Emily as the walk up the stairs to the backstage.
"All of one minute." Emily blushes redder.
"Well you two are a cute couple and Benji is a good guy." Beca gives her a little hug.
The Bellas get in the staging area behind the stage. As they talk quietly Pieter and the Kommissar approach.
"Hear that?" Luisa looks into Beca's eyes, hiding her smile so as to intimidate the rest of the Bellas. "They chant for us."
"Looks like feisty mouse should have her name changed to chubby mouse." Pieter says noticing that Beca has gained a little weight. Beca wraps her arms over her belly. Luisa's face starts to heat up. She knows that Pieter does not mean what he says but he should know better than to ever call a woman fat. She will be sure to reprimand him later for that. Luisa looks closer at Beca's stomach, thinking hopefully her Maus is ok and she then looks to Beca's face. Luisa moves closer towards Beca. Luisa sees genuine tears start to form in Beca's eyes.
"Now don't cry too hard when you lose, eh?" Luisa reaches out and caresses Beca's cheek softly and oh too quickly for either of them, looking into each other's eyes expressing their love to each other, "makes eyes puffy."
"Your hands are so soft." Beca mumbles and Luisa has to get back to Kommissar mode.
"I'm sorry, I don't speak loser. What did you say?" Kommissar bends down getting in Beca's face again.
"She actually speaks eight languages, but loser is not one of them." Pieter chimes in from behind Kommissar.
"Everything must come to an end." Kommissar straightens up and looks at the rest of the Bellas, "Even the Bellas.
"Take care and lose nice." Pieter says as they walk towards the stage to perform. As they do Kommissar glares at Pieter and he knows he is in trouble for making Beca almost cry. He knows that he will be dealt with later as they have to go sing. Beca takes in Luisa's scent as they walk away and tries to insult them as they leave.
"Ha, your sweat smells like cinnamon." Beca just cannot think straight. "Damn, it." Beca turns around kicking herself for failing once again to insult the Kommissar.
DSM gives an amazing performance, one that the Bellas have never seen nor will ever see again. Beca is almost dreading going on the stage after that performance.
As the crowd roars, DSM walks off the stage in unison except for the Kommissar and Pieter. She stands center stage the spot light on her, Pieter just off to the side. She looks off to the edge of the stage and asks if the judges have turned in their score cards, she gets a response yes.
"Hallo all of you a-ca-fans," The Kommissar says holding her arms out to the audience. The crowd cheers loudly. "Quiet quiet please," She says trying to hush the crowd and they do. "I want to personally thank you for coming here today and for being the best fans. Even if you are not a fan of DSM I thank you for your support of a cappella." The crowd cheers again.
"What is she doing?" Chloe leans in asking Beca.
"Talking to the crowd," Beca answers.
"Is she trying to win some favor with the judges?" Emily asks in confusion.
"No, they have already turned in their score sheets." Beca answers.
"Yes yes thank you for everything." Kommissar nods to the crowd. "But I must tell you that this was my last performance with DSM and in the world of competitive a cappella." The crowd is shocked and starts shouting no and begging her to stay. "I will miss you all and miss performing for you all but I must retire and pass the torch to the next." Luisa takes a slow breath.
"She's trying to psych us out," Cynthia-Rose says from the back of the group.
"I am off to a new adventure of my life and I hope that you all will still support me. Thank you all." Luisa blows a kiss to the crowd. "Now I would like to introduce our final group for tonight, please give a big round of applause for Team USA: The Barden University's Bellas." Luisa gestures where the Bellas are standing and she makes her way off the opposite side of the stage.
Luisa quickly pulls Pieter aside backstage by his shirt.
"Why would you say that to her?" Luisa asks rhetorically. Pieter tries to start to answer. "Don't speak until I am finished." Pieter nods. "You should know better to never say something like that to any woman but saying it in front of me to my girlfriend is beyond idiocy. You better think before you speak from now on and I expect you to apologize to Beca as well as the rest of the Bellas for that behavior. It's one thing to have some rivalry banter but never bully someone especially about their weight." Luisa lets Pieter go. "Now I am going to watch their performance. You go think of what you are going to say to them."
Pieter nods and hangs his head as he walks away from Luisa. Luisa turns back towards the stage and moves into a better spot to watch them. She smiles slightly as the Bellas perform their upbeat mash-up of songs that she knows Beca arranged. It is no wonder the record label hired her as an associate producer in the remixes and electronica department. Luisa is suddenly asked to step aside for a moment as the lights dim and Beca is standing center stage. A group of women quickly make their way onto the stage in the darkness. Luisa returns her attention to Beca as she listens to the song and notices she has never heard it before.
It is that original song that the little freshman sang at the underground riff-off. She listens closely as the rest of the Bellas join and notices it is similar to the song that she had sang to Beca on their picnic. Suddenly the Bellas all raise their hands and the lights brighten revealing the women that had just passed by her onto the stage. Luisa realizes that they are all Bellas from previous graduating classes. Luisa looks back to Beca and sees she is looking back at her. Beca smiles at Luisa and she smiles back. At that moment Luisa knows they have lost. Having the Bellas sing an original song and bringing back old members will show the judges a new and innovative side to a capella which they usually reward well if executed properly. Luisa stands and watches the rest of the performance. A few of the other members of DSM have joined her. She nods off to the side once the Bellas are finished singing telling the others to go. She follows them back down to the changing areas to await the top 3 to be announced.
The Bellas finish their performance; they are so pumped and excited. The crowd loved them and was now chanting for them. They all rush off the stage and head down to the waiting area while the judges tally the scores and figure out who gets honorable mentions and who placed in the top three.
"Wow that was a-ca-amazing," Chloe shouts as she jumps up and down. The rest of the Bellas join in in her celebrations.
"We totally just a-cked the Worlds!" Amy shouts.
"Yes that was a very emotional packed performance." The Kommissar says as DSM comes from around the corner. "I am quite surprised." She smiles at the Bellas.
"Yeah told you we were going to kick your asses." Chloe says.
"I believe we are still waiting for the judges to tell us who has kicked who's ass." Pieter pipes up. Beca notices he is looking a little beat down. She knows that Luisa gave him a talking to about what he said to her before they performed.
"And while we wait I…we," Beca looks at Luisa and she nods," have an announcement we would like to make." Beca pipes up as she looks to the Bellas and DSM. "Please do not be too upset or mad at us for not telling you sooner because we know how some of you would have reacted had we told you sooner, but I would like you all to meet my girlfriend, Luisa." Beca looks at the Bellas as she moves towards the Kommissar and takes her hand. Everyone gasps besides Pieter and Amy.
"Ja I would like you all to meet my girlfriend, Beca." Luisa says to DSM and gives them a look that says if anyone gives her any lip there will be a smack down. "I have missed you meine Liebling." Luisa leans in close not caring that everyone is watching them and kisses Beca soft yet passionately. Beca moans into Luisa's lips having missed the taste of her lips.
"What hold up a minute?" Cynthia-Rose shouts out. "Are you telling us that you two have been lying to all of us since November?"
"I am sorry for lying to you all, it was very difficult but we thought it best to wait until after we had competed here at Worlds to tell you so you wouldn't think that this was some kind of sleeping with the enemy to get a leg up on the competition and once the competition was over that that is all it was, kind of thing." Beca says looking over all of the people looking at them.
"It never had anything to do with the Bellas or DSM. We met and fell in love. She never told me a thing about your set, well except for after your disastrous performance in February but that was only because Beca was stressed and needed to vent, plus it was on that podcast with that misogynistic pig host. I had no idea about your performance tonight and she knew nothing about ours, besides my announcement after." Luisa looks over at DSM. "Whatever the outcome of tonight is, there was no sabotage involved and if you do not believe me ask Pieter or Amy. Pieter knew and Amy figured out who I was. And if you all want to be mad at someone for feeling betrayed please blame me, I was the one who initiated this relationship and was the one who suggested we wait to tell you all." Luisa holds Beca tight against her side as she speaks to the large group of singers. "I never meant any harm by not telling you all so I hope you can forgive us and be happy for us."
Chloe is the first to step forwards. She is glaring at the couple in front of the group, staring Luisa down as she takes in how they both look together. "I know how much you two love each other, I can see it and Beca has told me many times. Now I am not pleased about being lied to but I understand and I wish you would have told us sooner. Beca you know we abolished that Bella rule about the Treblemakers and that goes for all of our competitors. We don't care who you date just as long as you don't share information."
"Yeah I was so hooking up with Heidi and Jan whenever DSM was in town and others knew about it," Stacie waves to a dark-haired girl and one of the taller guys among DSM, "why do you think we would be mad at you?"
"I don't know maybe because Luisa is the leader and I'm the captain and that would look a little suspicious." Beca says.
"No stranger than Bumper and I hooking up, or Jesse and Aubrey." Amy says.
"I was already graduated, that doesn't count." Aubrey says from the back of the group, which has grown with all of the former Bellas joining.
"Do any of you have anything to say about this?" Chloe looks over at DSM.
"Nein, we are happy for our Kommissar. We all knew she had feelings for your leader. She has never in the past been so intense with a competitor nor flirted as much." The beatboxer says with a smile.
"We also can tell that she will be good for the Kommissar which is good for the German people. No one wants a grumpy Empress running the Empire." A girl in the back says.
"So that's true then? You are the next Empress of Germany?" Emily asks looking at Luisa.
"Yes that is true; I will be shadowing my grandfather and taking over within the next few years."
"You told me you had to take over this fall." Beca looks up at Luisa.
"I talked with my grandfather about it and about us and he has agreed that I can take time I need until I am ready to take over and that will give us time to adjust to our new life together before final decisions are made." Luisa looks deep into Beca's eyes seeing something in them.
"Yeah well would have been nice to know this sooner, not that it matters as im already moving here for work but some decisions will need to be made sooner rather than later." Beca pulls away from Luisa with a huff.
"What…." Luisa starts to question what Beca is saying then she is interrupted by the announcer calling for the Bellas, DSM and team Canada to come to the stage. Beca turns towards the stage and heads up with the Bellas following. "What just happened?" Luisa looks at Pieter.
"Not a clue, she is your girlfriend." He says as he and DSM head up on stage leaving Luisa there in a slight daze.
"Come on Kommissar we have a trophy to win then you can deal with your domestic situation." A guy from DSM says waiting for Luisa to head up onto the stage.
"Why does it feel like I am in big trouble when I haven't done anything, at least that I know of?"
"That's how women are Kommissar, thought you would have known that." Heidi says.
"Well I guess not." Luisa says heading up onto the stage.
"Ah yes welcome back our top three teams!" the announcer shouts into the microphone. The Bellas are on one end of the stage and DSM on the other side with Team Canada in the middle. "All of the teams were a-ca-awesome today and we want to thank you all of the fans who came out." The crowd cheers. "First there are some honorable mentions we would like to recognize, Team India and Team Philippines." Everybody claps and cheers. "Right well before we get to the awards I personally want to say that we are going to miss the Kommissar of DSM as she has brought so much attention to the world of a capella and has set a higher standard of performing for a capella groups all over. Thank you for your years of service and entertainment. You will be missed." Luisa steps forward and waves to the crowd and bows in gratitude before stepping back to join DSM.
Luisa looks over at Beca who is looking back at her. Luisa smiles at her. Beca sees that Luisa wants to cry but is keeping her Kommissar walls up. She also knows this is hard on Luisa as it has been her heart and her life for so long and it is hard to give up.
"Let's get to the awards so we all can go celebrate the winner and the end of this wonderful festival." The announcer pulls out two envelopes. "In third place with an absolutely amazing performance, Team Canada," the crowd roars as Team Canada jumps up and down and hugs as they receive their trophy. "Okay settle down, this was a very close competition between Team USA, The Barden Bellas," the crowd cheers wildly, "and Team Germany, Das Sound Machine." The crowd cheers at the same intensity as they did for the Bellas. The announcer holds up her hands to quiet the crowd once again. "With just a few points difference between these two teams your 2015 A Capella Worlds Runner-up is," the announcer slowly reads the card as everyone waits with antici….pation. "Team Germany, Das Sound Machine, making Team USA, the Barden Bellas your 2015 Worlds Champions!"
All of the Bellas are in shock as are most of DSM, but Luisa knew that the Bellas had won, they showed their hearts out there and beat them fair and square. The crowd cheers as DSM is handed their trophy and they circle around shouting DSM Ja! The Bellas are now all jumping and hugging and crying as they receive their trophy. Beca takes the trophy and gets in the middle of the girls.
"Alright you a-ca-bitches. You know what to do." Beca puts the trophy in the middle. "One…two…" and they all sing ahhhh in perfect harmony, the resounds across the stage and the festival grounds as Beca attempts to lift the trophy up into the air, but Amy takes it from her as it is heavy and Beca shouldn't be lifting heavy things and then hoists it in the air above the Bella's heads. Beca turns to see DSM is still on the stage and that Luisa is looking at her. Beca unconsciously places her hand on her stomach and rubs it slowly as she starts to move towards center stage. Luisa watches Beca's hand movements, and is slightly puzzled but then takes Beca's lead and heads towards center stage. They meet in the middle and Luisa holds out her hand to shake Beca's in congratulations. Beca assumes that they are doing this to show that this is all friendly competition. As Beca turns to head back to the Bellas, Luisa grips her hand tighter and pulls Beca too her. The whole crowd gasps as they see this.
"I am sorry for upsetting you Liebling, I should have told you sooner that I had talked to my grandfather and we had come to an agreement about taking things slower. I hope you can forgive me."
"Of course I forgive you baby. I love you so much."
"Ich Liebe dich, meine Maus." Luisa leans in and kisses Beca in front of the whole crowd and cameras and other medias. She pulls Beca close and feels Beca's belly against her, then a thump thump from Beca. Beca jumps a little bit and gasps in surprise. Luisa pulls back a little bit looking down at Beca's stomach as Beca places her hands on her stomach.