APOV

Of course Beca completely owned her set. And the meeting went off without a hitch. The only negotiations left to be had were those involving her schedule.

"We'd like her in New York to record, anywhere from six to ten weeks. After that, she'll have about three weeks here at home while the record is in post. Then the first single will drop, and we're off to LA promoting and doing all kinds of publicity. Talk shows, Mall of America signings, parties, exclusive shows, the whole nine yards." Jarvis rattled off an itinerary like it was a grocery list, not my fiancée's life. "Come home, have another break, the album drops and boom. You're a superstar kid. After the record drops there will be cross country tours, maybe international. Canada, Europe, Brazil. What do you think Beca? Talk it over with your managers if you need to."

"I record here." She said, her eyes steely blue, jaw locked in the defensive position I knew so well. "I do my best work in a studio I know, am comfortable with and confident in. As for LA, I'll do the promoting there and in New York when the first single drops. Whatever you put on my schedule there I'll do. After the record hits shelves, the tour can happen… But only if Aubrey can be there for it. I won't leave her for that long. I just won't do it. Those are my conditions. If you can't work with them… I think there are a few other labels we've been putting off to meet with you." Beca locked her steely gaze with Jarvis'. He broke out in a huge smile.

"Welcome to Big Beat Records. You're a hell of a lot tougher than you look kid. I'll make your conditions work. We'll have the papers drawn up as soon as I get back to the office in New York and have them sent straight to Miss Posen. Did you have a producer in mind?"

"Yeah, me. I am the only person who touches my music. You wanna master it after? Go ahead. But not one fade in one song gets fucked with. My music is who I am, it's all I have. No one gets to mess with that."

"You got it. Mix it, master it, and I'll sell it the way you make it. You are DeadEndz, and frankly… You're the biggest up and comer in any genre right now. As long as it sells, we'll do it your way." Jarvis and Beca locked grips in a firm handshake, after that he grabbed his briefcase and left.

BPOV

I had done it. On my terms, I was officially on a label. I was finally a recording artist. I hadn't known anything could make me feel this high without drugs. Aubrey was talking but I couldn't hear her. Luke was slapping my back and Jesse had come running in from the hallway. I just fell back on the couch with a goofy grin on my face, taking in the feeling.

When things came back into focus, I noticed Aubrey had taken the seat beside me and was looking at me quizzically.

"You risked it, signing with the only label that mattered. Why would you take that risk?"

"Big Beat might have been the only label that mattered to my music career. But to me, Beca Mitchell, the only thing that matters is you. There will always be another job, another gig, another label. There will only ever be one Aubrey Posen. I would never risk losing that again. And honestly, if Jarvis and Big Beat can't respect that and give me what I need and want then they aren't the label for me." I kissed her and stood up. "I'm going for a smoke, and I need a minute of quiet. I'll be back before you know it."

As soon as I sat on the bench, Pop sat down beside me. "You killed it baby girl. Dad and I… we are so proud of you Beca. After everything you been through this last year, you still made it here. How'd your meeting go? Did you charm them into signing you?"

"Charm? I've never been in possession of that particular Mitchell trait. But yes, they did sign me. On my terms too. I get to record here; in my own studio. I get to bring Bree on tour with me, I get to produce my own record and everything. I told them if they didn't accept my terms they didn't get me. I'm engaged now Pop. It's time to start thinking about my family. What's best for Aubrey and eventually our kids. So I drew a line and won the battle."

He laughed. "That's my little warrior. I'm glad. Just remember honey, it is always on your terms. Before you sign anything, run it past Aubrey, she'll make sure it's all in line for you. They may have said things in order to get your agreeance that they have no intent to follow through with. But that's tomorrow's stress, are you going to celebrate?"

I yawned. "To be honest… I just want to go home."

"Me too baby." Aubrey's voice came from behind me. She reached for my hand and I weaved our fingers together, letting her lead me to the car.