CHAPTER 14: YOU SO FUCKING PRECIOUS WHEN YOU SMILE
3 ½ Weeks Later
She couldn't fight the smile that formed on her face. She'd woken up with her head resting on Beca's bare stomach and since she wasn't one to sleep in, like the brunette, Chloe gently crawled out of bed and headed straight for the kitchen. She picked up Beca's flannel shirt that had been tossed to the floor last night and shrugged it over her shoulders, not bothering to button it before slipping into her lace panties that were also haphazardly discarded last night.
Chloe placed the mug down gently on the plastic platter she found in the bottom of one of the cabinets, using it as a makeshift tray. She felt a shiver run through her as she reached for the full tray. The mornings were still a little chilly even though it approached May. Chloe quietly made her way through the small cabin and into the bed room where Beca was still sleeping. Chloe smiled as she silently placed the tray down on the small bedside table. Since she'd been in the kitchen making breakfast and coffee, Beca had managed to turn on her side and pull the thick feather blanket up over her shoulders, allowing only a small portion of her head to show. Chloe lifted the blanket slowly and up only enough to allow herself to crawl under so Beca wouldn't catch a draft. She gently scooted herself up to Beca's back, pressing her body up against the chef tightly.
"Shit" Beca mumbled. "You're feet are fucking cold."
Chloe smiled as she wrapped her arms tightly around Beca when she ran her ice cold feet against the brunette's warm ones. "Because I was making you coffee." Chloe answered with a soft kiss to Beca's neck.
"Umm coffee" Beca said with a deep breath. "That's nice."
Chloe kissed Beca gently as she slid her hands down Beca's torso.
"But this is nice too." Beca said huskily as she pressed her ass back into Chloe's front.
Chloe rolled Beca over onto her back, pulling down the blanket and straddling her hips in one movement. The thick covers landed just behind her, still covering Beca's legs, as she ground her hips down slowly over Beca's.
Beca's hands immediately grasped Chloe's hips tightly leading the redhead in the slow sensual movement. Her dark blue eyes focusing on Chloe. Her blue lace underwear that were covering her most sensitive area. The flannel shirt that hung open covering the outer half of each breast. The look of want on her face. She let one hand move to cover the top of Chloe's underwear as her thumb slipped lower over the fabric just enough to tease the actress.
"I don't know why you keep getting up every morning to make breakfast." Beca said as her thumb pressed softly over Chloe's covered clit. "We never eat it." She smirked.
Chloe ground down onto her harder as she let her hand's land slightly behind her, gripping onto Beca's legs. "Are you complaining?" Chloe asked breathless.
Beca shook her head slowly as she watched Chloe above her. The past three weeks, waking up with the redhead, usually like this, had been the best of her life. "Never" Beca whispered.
Chloe couldn't take it anymore. Her hips moving into Beca's. The darkness of Beca's blue eyes. The content look on her face. The way Beca's hand was teasing her in the best possible way. The sound of her voice and the honesty in her single word. Chloe's hands moved from bracing herself on Beca's thighs to the mattress on either side of her head. Pitching forward changed the angle in which she was rubbing herself against Beca in just the right way. She leaned down, slowly capturing Beca's lips between hers for a soft kiss. She pulled back just enough to make a request. "Make love to me."
Beca pushed herself up and gently rolled Chloe so that she was hovering over her so she could do just as Chloe had asked.
XxXxXx
She knew she was pouting. But she didn't care. Chloe crossed her arms over her chest as she sat on the couch refusing to help in anyway.
"Seriously babe" Beca said as she rolled Chloe's suitcase behind her.
Chloe shrugged her shoulders. "I don't want to go." Chloe said childishly.
"We've already been here for 10 days longer than we told Aubrey we'd be." Beca said as she walked back in the bedroom to collect her bag and do one final sweep to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything.
"So what's another few days?" Chloe asked loudly knowing Beca would hear her from the bedroom.
"That's exactly what you said 5 days ago." Beca said with a smile as she returned to the living room with her bag.
"I like it here." Chloe huffed.
"So do I" Beca agreed.
"Then let's say" Chloe said hopeful.
Beca stood motionless for a moment. She wasn't considering it. She knew they needed to get to LA. She knew Aubrey would be even more pissed than she was 5 days ago if they didn't show up like they said they would. Again.
The first time she was all about missing their flight without even telling Aubrey until the blonde called fuming from LAX where she was waiting to meet them. They both got an earful over the phone that night. Even though Chloe rolled her eyes and giggled at her best friends rant over the phone before pushing Beca down roughly on the bed and crawling on top of her while Aubrey called out to them through the phone that was tossed somewhere on the same bed as they ignored her until she hung up. Beca didn't need to hear anymore guilt tripping from Aubrey about the scheduled meetings Chloe had that needed to be cancelled last minute. She didn't need to hear how unprofessional that was and she didn't care to hear Chloe defending her to Aubrey anymore insisting that 'it wasn't Beca's fault.'
Chloe watched Beca, praying she was changing her mind and they were going to stay.
"We need to get back." Beca said softly knowing Chloe would not like that answer.
Chloe's head flopped back on the couch as a groan escaped her lips. "Why?" she drug out dramatically.
"Because" Beca sighed, she was going to say it all again and hope that Chloe would finally agree with her. "We can't hide out here forever." She knelt down at Chloe's legs and placed her hands softly on Chloe's thighs.
"Why not?" Chloe whined as her head lifted and their eyes met.
"Because. As nice as this is." Beca said sweetly, "and it's been amazing. Like really, the best 3 weeks of my life" she smiled, "it's not real life Chlo."
Chloe frowned. She knew Beca was right.
"We need to get to LA and start our life there." Beca said as she gently ran her hands up and down Chloe's legs hoping to comfort the actress. "Aubrey said there are meetings you need to be at and there are apartments I need to look for."
Chloe huffed loudly as her eyes narrowed. "You could just live in my house."
Beca smiled and shook her head while she patted Chloe's legs. She stood up straight and reached her hand out for Chloe to take. "We've already talked about that babe."
Chloe stubbornly sat still, not reaching for Beca's hand.
"We're not moving in together. You know that's not the right thing to do." Beca said for what felt like the hundredth time. "We're just starting out and I want us to try and be as normal as possible."
"Normal" Chloe repeated sarcastically.
"Yes." Beca smiled. "Normal people don't move in with each other after less than a month. It's gonna happen babe. But it's not happening any time soon."
"You suck." Chloe replied childishly.
Beca saw the opportunity and took it. "Maybe tonight, but only if you're a good girl." She finished with a wink.
Chloe rolled her eyes and shook her head as she lost the battle with the smile that she was fighting.
XxXxXx
"Here's your ticket information for your flight." Aubrey said as she pushed send on the email. She listened to the swoosh sound on the phone in her hand and seconds later heard the chime from Chloe's device that sat on the table across from her. "You leave on the 18th which is next Tuesday."
"Okay" Chloe replied from the kitchen. "You want some water?"
"Sure" Aubrey answered.
"CR?" Chloe asked.
"Yes. Thank you." CR answered.
Chloe sat a water bottle down in front of each women before joining them at the table. She picked up her phone and closed Aubrey's email notification. She opened up her text message app hoping to have something new from her girlfriend.
"When does Beca get back?" CR asked as she watched her friend frown.
Chloe sat the phone back down on the table before answering. "Couple of weeks."
CR nodded and swallowed, "wow. She's been gone a long time."
Aubrey gave CR a look of 'really' but the publicist missed it.
"Yeah" Chloe sighed and shrugged. "She left 17 days ago."
Aubrey rolled her eyes as Chloe spoke sadly. She was happy her best friend was in love. She was happy her best friend was happy but listening to Chloe's sighs and mumbles and whines and sad voice every day for the last 17 days was driving her nuts.
"Why so long?" CR asked.
"Well, Amy called and asked her to come. They booked really important back to back charters and they had to let Bumper go for some reason so Beca needed to be there to help and to train the new chefs that Amy hired." Chloe explained.
"Is she gonna meet up with you in New Zealand or do you have to wait until you get back in October?" CR asked.
"She said she'd come." Chloe smiled.
"But she's not going to stay the whole time." Aubrey said looking directly into Chloe's eyes. "And you're not going to make her."
CR watched the interaction between the two best friends.
"No. She can't stay. The process to get Tuck into the country is crazy. She'd have to get a pet exporter and he'd have to been in quarantine for a while prior. It's just too much." Chloe said returning her eyes and smile back to CR.
"And" Aubrey said urging Chloe to continue. She knew the actress had a way of using her feminine wiles to get what she wanted and Aubrey also knew from watching the couple over the last 2 months they'd been in LA that Beca was pretty much helpless against them.
"And, I'll be working so I need to be focused on work." Chloe rolled her eyes at the blonde before turning back to CR. "And not her sexy ass." She teased with a smile. "So, we agreed that she'd visit every couple of weeks over the three month shoot."
"And it's going well?" CR asked. She hadn't spent as much time around the couple as Aubrey had.
"It's amazing. She's amazing." Chloe's smile was blinding.
XxXxXx
"Happy 6 month anniversary." Chloe said as she placed a kiss to Beca's shoulder.
"Oh no" Beca groaned. "I didn't know you were one of those girls." She said as she stretched her arms out above her head.
"What girls?" Chloe asked popping her head up quickly.
"Those crazy girls that count everything." Beca teased.
"I don't" Chloe said softly, "count … everything." She denied.
"No?" Beca questioned teasingly scrunching up her face.
Chloe stilled her facial features so she wouldn't look caught in her lie. "No."
"Oh. Okay. My bad." Beca said pretending to give up. "Come here." She opened her arms and Chloe immediately snuggled into them. She tucked her head under Beca's chin. Beca ran her hands slowly up and down the length of Chloe's back, dragging her fingertips over Chloe's goose bumped skin. "I'm gonna miss you." Beca whispered.
"Me too." Chloe breathed. She didn't want to think about Beca leaving New Zealand tomorrow. She didn't want to think about being without her girlfriend again.
"But you'll be home soon." Beca said softly as she continued to relax Chloe with her hands.
"11 more days." Chloe answered as her eye lids fluttered shut.
Beca pursed her lips together to keep from laughing. After she was able to calm herself she spoke again. "What's next after this?"
She felt Chloe's head try to shake. "Don't know." Chloe mumbled into Beca's collarbone. "Don't care. As long as I'm with you."
Beca smiled. "Do you ever get tired of being with me?" She asked.
Chloe's head snapped up. "What?" She asked quickly.
Looking down at her Beca asked again, "Do you ever get tired of being with me?"
"No. Of course not." Chloe answered quickly. Her confident answer washed away, "do you get tired of being with me?" Her voice was shy.
"No. I don't. You're great. You're amazing." Beca said honestly, which was enough for Chloe who laid her head back down on Beca. "But I mean, I know I have to get on your nerves." Beca added. "Maybe a little?"
"I don't know." Chloe replied. "I'm sure I get on your nerves too. Isn't that normal?"
"I guess." Beca answered. "It's good that it doesn't ever really escalate."
"What do you mean?" Chloe asked.
"You know. We don't have a lot of fights." Beca replied.
"No." Chloe sighed. "We've only had 3 fights. 4 if you count that disagreement" she emphasized the word, "about whether or not we were actually having our third fight … which we were."
It was getting hard and harder for Beca to keep herself from laughing as Chloe once again proved her point that she counted everything in their relationship.
"But they none of them were bad enough for me to not want to be around you." Chloe added sweetly.
"Thanks babe." Beca said dropping a kiss to the top of Chloe's head.
They laid for a few minutes in silence as Beca thought of what to say next. "So last night was amazing."
"Mhm" Chloe agreed as she instinctively nestled her body further into Beca's. "Amazing all four times."
Beca giggled. This was almost too easy. She couldn't believe Chloe hadn't caught on by now.
"Was it not?" Chloe asked feeling Beca's body move with laughter.
"No. No" Beca said quickly. "It was." She said as she wrapped her arms around Chloe tightly.
"Why were you laughing?" Chloe asked.
"Just thinking."
"About?" Chloe asked again.
"How much I love you." Beca whispered. She felt Chloe breath in her arms.
"Well, I hope it's a lot." Chloe teased. "Because I love you a lot and if you don't then this could get awkward pretty quick."
Beca rolled her eyes. "Of course it's a lot."
"I wouldn't know." Chloe said pretending to be sad. "You haven't told me yet today."
"No?" Beca questioned.
"Nope." Chloe said quickly. "And you only told me twice yesterday."
Beca barked a laugh. "Oh my God seriously Chloe?"
"What?" Chloe's head shot up. "You did when we woke up and right before you fell asleep."
Beca knew the look on her face had to be crazy because Chloe's face fell. "What?" the redhead questioned softly.
"How many dates have we been on?" Beca asked not having any idea but knowing Chloe would give her a number.
"21 official dates in 6 months." Chloe rattled off.
Beca widened her eyes hoping Chloe would see her point but still the redhead looked clueless. "How many times did I kiss you yesterday?"
Chloe narrowed her eyes. "On the lips?"
"Yeah sure on the lips" Beca rolled her eyes.
"Four." Chloe answered quickly but added after some thought, "We should kiss more."
"You count everything Chloe." Beca groaned as she arched her body backwards.
"No I don't" Chloe denied again.
"How many times to I breathe in an hour when I sleep?" Beca asked with a blank expression.
Chloe instantly stilled her body. "Oh my God. I count everything." She agreed as she dropped her head and buried it into Beca's neck.
Beca never felt so loved or ever smiled so big.
XxXxXx
"Sooooo" Chloe sang as they closed their hotel room door behind them.
Beca sat down on the edge of the bed and let her body flop backwards, her arms stretched out.
"I did not see that coming." Chloe said as she sat down beside Beca on the bed. She looked over her shoulder at her girlfriend who looked up at the ceiling expressionless. "Did you?"
Beca shook her head negatively.
Chloe turned back and shrugged. "I mean, it's great. We should be totally happy for them right?" She asked trying to be chipper.
Beca shook her head positively.
Chloe didn't need to look to feel the difference in the two shakes. She could feel it in the movement of the bed. "Of course." She said quickly. She sat with her hands folded in her lap staring straight ahead at a TV that wasn't turned on. The room was silent as Chloe thought. Thought about all the things she told Aubrey about Beca. All the details that Aubrey didn't want to hear. All the intimate details that Beca would probably be upset about if she found out that they left the privacy of their bed. Well, now, probably when she found out.
Beca couldn't remove her eyes from the ceiling. Why did she have to tell Jesse all those things about Chloe? Why did she have to share so much? Because she loved the girl so much. Because she thought she was so sexy. Because she thought it was just 'guy talk' between her and Jesse. Because she thought it would never get back to Chloe. Because she had no idea that her best friend and Chloe's best friend were hooking up. And because up until 20 minutes ago in the lobby of the Beverly Hilton hotel, when Jesse dropped down to a knee and asked Aubrey to marry him did she ever think they spoke to each other.
"Is it weird?" Chloe asked turning slightly toward Beca but not enough to see her. "Is it weird that our best friends are … engaged … and we literally had no idea that they were even speaking to each other regularly?"
Beca sighed, "It's so fucking weird." Beca agreed.
"How did I not know?" Chloe questioned herself. "I mean, Bree's my best friend." She felt her eyes welling up with tears but she wasn't sure why. Was it because she was a bad friend? Did she spend too much time not listening to Aubrey? Did she spend too much time talking about her and Beca? Maybe Aubrey told her and she just didn't listen. "I think I'm a bad friend." She said quietly.
Beca lifted her head and looked at the back of her girlfriend. She heard the words Chloe spoke and she felt the same about her and Jesse. But she wasn't on the verge of tears the way Chloe was. Beca pushed herself up to her hands and scooted her legs backwards before repositioning them on either side of Chloe and scooting up to wrap her arms around the actress.
"Why are you crying?" Beca asked.
Chloe shrugged. "How could I not know? Why wouldn't she tell me?" Chloe sobbed. "I told her everything." Chloe eyes popped open wide as the words left her mouth.
The words rang in Beca's ears. "What?" She cleared her throat. "What did you tell her?"
The tears cleared up quickly as Chloe internally panicked. What was she going to say? "You know."
"No" Beca drug out. "I don't know."
"Just stuff." Chloe answered softly.
"Stuff?" Beca asked.
"Things." Chloe answered softly.
"Things." Beca repeated. "Like … what things?"
"You know. Details." Chloe answered softly.
"For example?" Beca asked.
Chloe took a breath. She was going to do it. She was going to bite the bullet and be honest. She thought quickly about the last 'detail' she shared with Aubrey. "For example, like how you did that one thing last month."
"What thing?" Beca asked.
"You know" Chloe said leaning back into Beca instinctively. "When we were up against the fridge." Chloe prayed that Beca wouldn't make her say specifically because she knew if she did, she get turned on. She was already getting turned on just thinking about it.
"No." Beca smiled. "I don't know." She knew.
"You know. When you like …" Chloe clenched her eyes shut tightly. Either Beca was going to be pissed that she told Aubrey or she wouldn't care and she would hopefully fuck her the same way in just a few minutes. "held your finger on my g-spot and then you know … did that thing on my clit." Chloe knew she was blushing.
"Oh" Beca sang loudly. "When you squirted?"
Chloe didn't answer. She'd had amazing sex with Beca since the very first time they'd done it. It was usually always different. At least a little bit. And it was always really good. She never had one single complaint it that department. Beca took very good care of her. But when that happened, she was a little embarrassed. That had never happened to her before.
"You told Aubrey that?" Beca asked softly.
Chloe nodded.
Beca felt relieved. "Okay good, cause I told Jesse." She admitted quickly.
Chloe's head turned quickly. "You did?" She questioned. Her voice pitch elevated.
"Uh. Yeah. That never happened to me before. You were the first girl that I've been with that had ever"
"Okay." Chloe said cutting her off. "Got it. I understand." She felt embarrassed again.
"So" Beca hesitated. "Do you and Aubrey talk about stuff like that a lot?" Beca asked.
Chloe shrugged. How was she going to answer that?
"Because I talk to Jesse a lot." Beca admitted. "He's my best friend and the only person I really trust … other than you … and things between us are so great. In all areas" Beca cleared her throat again. "And I just need to share it."
Chloe totally understood what Beca was saying. She'd be lying if some of their more adventurous bedroom detail didn't fly through her brain, wondering if Jesse knew about them.
"I hope you're not mad." Beca said nervously.
"No baby." Chloe sighed. "I'm not mad." She felt Beca's arms squeeze her tighter. "But only if you're not mad that I've probably told Aubrey about some things. You know … being my best friend and all."
"Of course not." Beca smirked.
A comfortable silence set in as Chloe let Beca hold her in the expensive hotel room.
"I still can't believe they didn't tell us." Chloe whispered.
Beca's eyes narrowed. Fucking Jesse she thought. "You don't think." Beca stopped speaking.
Chloe waited for a few seconds but Beca didn't continue. "Think what?" She asked.
"You don't think that … they …" Beca couldn't even make herself say it.
"That they …" Chloe said trying to help her girlfriend get it out, "are telling each other what we're telling them?"
It was a confusing sentence and Beca shook her head slightly to get the words out of her brain, "No. Worse. That they are … you know … doing what we're doing?" Beca questioned.
"I'm sure they are Beca. Their engaged. I'm sure they're sleeping with each other." Chloe said plainly.
"No Chloe." Beca released her hold on Chloe and turned her shoulders so the redhead could look at her. "That they are doing what we are telling them we're doing?"
Chloe let the words sink in. Could Aubrey be using her and Beca's adventurous side in her own life with Jesse? She knew Aubrey was a little high strung. She'd never known the blonde to be free with her sexual experiments. She was always a little more on the vanilla side.
Beca was convinced. She'd heard way too many of Jesse's stories about how he rocked a random girl's world but in actuality Beca tried to convince him that women don't actually like the stuff he was doing. She knew he had to be taking the things she'd told him about her and Chloe and applying it to him and Aubrey. He was always way to interested. And had too many questions. And now. It made sense.
"Ewwwww" Chloe sang out loudly.
"So fucking gross" Beca replied immediately.
"I'm going to kill Bree" Chloe said seriously but couldn't help but laugh right after.
"They're kind of perfect for each other." Beca said as she laughed with Chloe.
"Oh totes." Chloe agreed.
After their laughter died off, Chloe asked, "You're sure you're not mad? Because if I'd known they were seeing each other, I probably wouldn't have told Aubrey some of the things I did. You know, the more intimate things."
"Why?" Beca asked. She's pretty sure she knew why. It was probably the say reason she wouldn't have told Jesse.
"Because I wouldn't have wanted her to tell Jesse. Because he probably would have told you and I don't want you to be mad. I never said anything bad, I promise." Chloe said quickly.
"It's okay baby." Beca said gently. "I'm not mad. And I probably wouldn't have told him. Because if he told Bree and she told you, then you would know he knew and I wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable around him knowing he knew. Not that he would make you feel uncomfortable on purpose. Jesse's not like that." Beca rambled.
"I'm going to kill Bree." Chloe said again. She wasn't. But she was gonna playfully punch her in the arm or something.
"Oh well." Beca shrugged. "Who cares?"
"Who cares?" Chloe questioned. "They know … stuff."
"Maybe." Beca said as she pulled Chloe's hair over one shoulder, opening up access to her neck. Beca leaned forwards and placed a gentle kiss on the soft skin. "But they don't know what we're about to do."
"And they never will." Chloe smiled.
XxXxXx
"I'm Sandy Jennings and we are streaming live on 20th Century Fox's Facebook page in New York from the Museum of Modern Art at the premier of 'In the Sun'. I'm here with one of the film's stars. Chloe Beale." The reporter said angling the microphone in Chloe's direction.
"Hello" Chloe said happily adding a bright smile.
"This is crazy" the reporter said gesturing to their surrounds.
The bright lights moving in all different directions. Thousands of bright flashes flashing constantly. The hundreds of people milling around on the red carpet. Fans behind barricades screaming her name.
Beca stood back behind Chloe as she took the next interview in line. Chloe held her hand behind her as Beca stood out of the camera block. The actress squeezed slightly when the reporter mentioned the madness happening around them. Chloe knew this was still the worst part for Beca.
"You look gorgeous by the way." The reporter complemented.
"Aww thanks." Chloe smiled accepting the complement as she looked down at her black lacy gown. It was modest. It covered all her essential parts but the lace and sheer over the top as very sexy. At least that's what Beca's expression conveyed to her when she first saw her this evening.
"The film is amazing." The reporter gushed. "You're performance is so emotional and raw. The audience has no choice but to connect with your character."
"Oh" Chloe placed her free hand over her heart. "Thank you so much."
"Where did that come from? You're nothing like your character but yet your performance was so real. So honest." Beca heard the reporter ask.
"It wasn't that much of a reach really." Chloe chuckled. "I think" She turned her expression to a serious one, "Everyone can relate to a character like Jenna. Everything she did, she did for love. For the love of her young son. To protect him." Chloe shrugged. "I think love is the underlying emotion in everyone's life. The things we do in the name of it. The things we do because it's broken or how it affects us when we are scared to lose it." Chloe smiled. "And personally I was falling in love at the time so, it wasn't hard to get there."
"Falling in love?" The reporter questioned. "When was the movie shot?"
"A year and a half ago. In New Zealand." Chloe answered. "It was a really special time for me."
"And I see you brought you're lady with you." The reporter smiled around Chloe to Beca who was looking at everything happening around them.
"Hum?" She said quickly when she felt Chloe pull on her hand, bringing them shoulder to shoulder in front of the camera.
"I was just complimenting Chloe on her performance." The reporter said.
Beca smiled at the redhead who was beaming at her. She could see the love in Chloe's eyes. The appreciation for her just standing there with her. Holding her hand. Supporting her. "Well" She turned toward the report. "I haven't seen the movie yet but I was on set a little bit and I got to see some of the scenes and she's amazing." Beca winked with at Chloe with the eye that was farthest away from the camera.
"Everyone who worked on it was great. I'm sure the movie is going to be great." Beca said going to a stock answer that she and Aubrey had drilled millions of times since Beca started appearing to events with Chloe. It was in this moment she was grateful for Aubrey's insistent prepping.
"Okay. I'll let you guys get inside the museum. Have a great night ladies." The reporter said.
Chloe smiled at the reporter and stepped away. That was the last one. Now it was time for the movie. She felt Beca press her lips to her cheek softly. "I'm so proud of you." Beca whispered.
"But you haven't seen the movie yet." Chloe said as they walked hand in hand to where the showing of the movie was.
"That doesn't matter." Beca smiled. "I'm sure it's really good but that doesn't have anything to do with it. I'm proud of you for who you are. You've never once been fake. You've never once not been true to yourself and you're heart."
Chloe's heart swelled at Beca's words as they walked slowly.
"And I've never been more proud of you. Never been more proud to be with you." Beca smiled. "I love you."
They stopped just at the entrance of the large theatre that was almost completely filled. Some people were still walking around, mingling, making introductions. Chloe turned to Beca. "I love you too." She leaned forward and placed a light kiss on Beca's lips.
Beca pulled her head back so that Chloe could get a good look at her lips.
"Nope. You're good." Chloe said knowing that Beca didn't enjoy walking around with her lipstick all over her lips.
Beca let Chloe pull her into the movie theater. Happy that she finally had at least two hours to wait. At least two hours to try to breath and compose herself. In all honesty she was shocked that she'd held it together as long as she had. Shocked that Chloe couldn't tell something was up. Beca swallowed thickly as she sat down slowly in the seat next to Chloe. She glanced a look to her right, towards the actress, who was leaned over speaking to one of the other actors on the film. The little boy. The one that played her son in the movie. Gosh, he'd grown a bunch in a year and a half, Beca noticed.
"You okay?" Chloe asked after turning back to Beca.
'Shit' Beca thought. "Yeah" She managed to push out.
"Cause you look a little pale all of a sudden." Chloe said worry laced in her voice.
"No. I'm good." Beca lied. She could feel the room beginning to close in on her. She had two hours to get over the panic that was currently setting in.
The house lights dimmed and the crowded quieted as the screen in front of them came to life with the black and white numbers counting down. Beca swallowed hard. Two hours.
And two hours later and she hadn't managed to calm herself. In fact she couldn't figure out for the life of her if the movie even played. She thinks it did. It seemed like everyone around her watched it. But she didn't. She'd sat through the whole thing and she couldn't even tell you what it was about.
The lights came back on and the people in the auditorium began to stand. Some shook hands. Some hugged as they congratulated each other in a job well done. Her worst nightmare happened almost immediately after.
"So? What did you think?" Chloe asked turning towards her.
"It was great Chloe." Beca said. "You were amazing." It wasn't a complete lie. She's sure Chloe was amazing. But she wouldn't really know but Beca couldn't remember watching the film.
Chloe looked a little skeptical. Something was wrong with Beca. She could tell. "Let's go home." She said softly.
Beca nodded and immediately turned to walk down the long row so they could exit the theatre.
Once they made it outside the museum and cars were lined up to pick up the big names, the fresh air hit Beca. She felt a little better. At least she didn't feel trapped anymore. At least they were outside.
"Do you see the car?" Chloe asked as she linked her hand with Beca's.
"No" Beca lied. She wasn't looking for a car.
"Bree said it would be here just after." Chloe said as she pulled her clutch up to retrieve her phone from it.
"Hey look" Beca said pushing through the nerves. She pointed across the street.
"What?" Chloe asked looking up from her clutch.
"Look." Beca pointed again at the horse drawn buggy. "Wanna take a ride?"
Chloe's face scrunched. "Really?" She asked. "I thought you weren't feeling good?"
"I'm fine." Beca replied quickly. "Come on." She pulled Chloe's hand causing the actress to move. They moved between two parked SUV's and across the street. She handed over some cash to the driver as she climbed up into the carriage. Beca turned around and offered Chloe her hand. She hadn't anticipated this. It was easy for her to climb up in her pant suit but Chloe had to pull up her dress and maneuver her foot awkwardly to get it high enough for her high heel to land on the step. Beca pulled her up and they sat down in the carriage.
As the buggy pulled away, lights illuminated the basket they were in. It was a cool night in New York City and Chloe scooted Chloe to Beca wrapping her arms around the brunette for comfort and for warmth. "This is nice." Chloe said into Beca's ear.
"Yeah. It is." Beca replied. She felt calmer with Chloe's arms wrapped around her.
Chloe laid her head down on Beca's shoulder as she enjoyed the scenery. The buildings lit up. She didn't notice as the traffic began to die off but it did. The buggy stopped abruptly after about 10 minutes. Chloe's head popped up quickly.
"Walk with me for a bit?" Beca asked as she stood from the bench seat.
Chloe looked around confused. There was no one around.
"Chloe?" Beca asked softly snapping Chloe out of her trance.
"Okay." Chloe whispered.
Beca got down first and turned back towards the buggy. It was much easier for Chloe to get out but Beca still reached up and put her hands on Chloe's hips, gently guiding her down safely.
"What's going on?" Chloe asked as Beca linked their hands and intertwined their fingers. She let Beca pull her through the empty streets of Times Square. She couldn't believe it. It was only them. It was eerie. She'd been in Times Square hundreds of times. It was always crowded. No matter the time of day. It was never like this. Ever. She suddenly felt Beca stop in the middle of the side walk.
"What's going on?" Chloe asked again looking around.
"Why are you crying?" Beca asked.
Chloe didn't even realize she was crying until Beca asked.
"Because I'm a little freaked out." Chloe said dropping Beca's hand and covering her mouth with her hands.
"It's okay. I promise." Beca said softly. She rubbed her hands gently down Chloe's arms. "Chloe" She said earning the bright blue eyes on her. The lights of Times Square illuminated their entire surroundings. The bright LED lights only helped to enhance Chloe's confused bright baby blues. "You changed my life from the moment I met you. Well, from the moment I saw you actually." Beca smiled.
Chloe couldn't believe this was happening. She stood in one of the busiest, most crowded place in all of the world and it was completely empty except for her and Beca. And Beca was speaking to her. "I never want to live a life without you in it. You're my best friend and I love you more than anything in this world. And I want nothing more than to be with you, behind you and by your side for the rest of my life."
Chloe sobbed into her hands. This moment was perfect. She watched Beca pull a something from her pocket and drop to one knee. Chloe looked down and Beca who looked nervous as hell. Chloe couldn't contain the laugh that erupted through her tears at the sight of her girlfriend.
"Please marry me." Beca asked.
Chloe nodded. "Yes" She accepted. Beca stood up quickly and slipped the diamond ring onto Chloe's finger in one motion. She wrapped her arms around Chloe's waist and picked the redhead up enough to spin her slowly as their lips met. She sat Chloe's feet back down on the concrete as the kiss ended. Their foreheads resting against each other.
"I can't believe you shut down Times Square." Chloe whispered.
Beca felt the words ghost across her lips.
"I know right." She teased. "I'm kind of awesome."
"Yes. You are." Chloe agreed ducking back in for another kiss.
"I love you so much." She said as she pulled away.
"I love you too." Beca replied. "Let's go home."
"Okay." Chloe agreed. She grabbed Beca's right hand with her left and wrapped her right arm around Beca's arm as she pulled herself as close to the chef as possible.
Beca stopped after a few steps. "Shit."
"What's wrong?" Chloe asked.
"There's no cabs." Beca said looking in all directions. "I didn't think about that." She said shaking her head.
Chloe smiled.
AN: And that's all on this one folks. Can't promise there won't be a one shot here and there in this universe but I also can't promise there will be. So, I hope you all enjoyed. Thanks for reading as always.
Song Title Cred: Brazzi, Mine
AN2: So, I'll probably take a while off. I have a few idea's rattling around in my brain but need some time to let it simmer. One is from a prompt I got before this story about the Bella's going to perform for the USO except Beca isn't a Bella. She's a soldier. And Chicago is there. And he's a soldier. So there's that one. I'm thinking about. But then I was also thinking about picking up where PP3 left off and going with a what could happen after universe. That's been done a bunch recently so I might pass. Don't know. Suggestions welcome. DM me. Thanks y'all.