AN: So I'm sending them back to Barden in this chapter, and I kind of have an idea for an Epilogue. I think I might do a few oneshots of the other Bella's and Jesse finding out but I don't want to dwell on them going back because this was more of a Beale family and Beca feeling accepted story... if that made any sense then yay, but if not then... ah well. Just read :)

Chapter 20 – Beca POV

I've never been one for goodbyes. They have always been uncomfortable, long and (in some cases) tearful affairs. I was never good with showing excess emotion. Unfortunately for me, the Beales are the polar opposite... I'm currently being passed around like a five-year old at a family reunion.

"Dad, I think you're killing her. Remember she's only tiny, we need to be careful." I'm finally placed back on my feet, only to have three small bodies crash into my legs almost making me fall over. I twist my upper body round to see Riley, Finn and Connor. The older boys have tears in their eyes but Connor is shaking from the force of his sobs. It's heart wrenching.

"It's not fair... A-aunt C-C-Chloe gets to spe-spend every day with you. She's Sp-Supposed to sh-share." I pick him up and hold him close. He puts his head on my shoulder and buries his hand in my hair, twirling it around my fingers. I close my eyes to keep back the tears threatening my own eyes. Beca Mitchell does NOT cry. I can feel his soul-crushing sobs as they reverberate through me and hear him sniffling and wailing. I squeeze him a little tighter to my chest and open my eyes to see Rachel with her arms held out ready to pry him off me and everybody else stood with Chloe and a car I don't recognise.

"It's okay little dude. I'll see you soon I promise. And you call Aunt Chloe all the time, I'll be there too. There's no way I'm letting her talk to you guys and not let me talk too!" He nods and pulls back to give me a wet kiss on the cheek. Rachel takes him and stands to the side. I see a flash of Brown before I'm engulfed in a hug by Clare. I chuckle at her antics as she pulls me close and whispers in my ear.

"Aubrey's dad won't wait long so I'll be quick. Take care of yourself. Make sure you eat properly and don't stress too hard about Finals. You make my little girl happy and I can't thank you enough for that. Get yourself back here for the summer, you hear me?" I nod at her command, her voice wobbly with emotion. She squeezes one last time before kissing my forehead and pushing me slightly to the car. I'm greeted at the door by Aubrey. She's smiling and I can't decide whether to be suspicious or smile back. I settle for a smirk as I sit next to Chloe, Aubrey going round to the other side of the car and climbing in herself. As the engine starts, I turn and wave out of the window.

As the Beale residence disappears in the distance, I can't shake the little empty feeling I have. I've never felt like this before. Not since my mom died. I never got like this. I didn't do these emotions, they only led to hurt later in life...

"You okay Becs? You're being awfully quiet." I sigh, taking one final look out the window before turning to my girlfriend, forcing a smile.

"Yeah Chlo. I'll be fine. I'm just dreading going back. I have mountains of work to do." Chloe narrows her eyes giving me a 'Bullshit' look. Aubrey just frowns.

"Why didn't you do any before you left? That's irresponsible Beca!"

"I didn't exactly know I was going anywhere Aubrey."

"Still, you could have brought some with you." I narrow my eyes.

"And when exactly would I have done it? If I haven't been with Chloe then I've had Connor or Riley and Finn vying for my attention the whole time we were there!" I hear Chloe chuckle and Aubrey scoff.

"Becs, don't act like you didn't love every second of it. And Aubrey, lay off it. I didn't do any work either. It was a holiday. That means some time off. I'll help when we get home if you have that much Beca." The look on her face when she offers to help me lets me know she's calling my bluff. She knows I don't have any work to do. I roll my eyes and turn back to the window. I faintly hear her and Aubrey launch into conversation about some song or another, I'm not really listening. I can't shake that empty feeling. Is this what it's supposed to feel like to leave your family? I know the Beales aren't really my family, but it kind of felt like it. I wasn't there long but they all kind of accepted me straight away. It felt nice. There was no awkward silent dinners, no shouting or arguments. There were no disapproving glares or annoyed glances. All they showed each other was love and affection. Yes it was a shock to my system (I mean, Chloe is one thing but there were, like, hundreds of Beales and they're all very physical) but I still loved every single one of them. I really hope it's not like this every time we leave.

**********************on the plane**********************

For the duration of our flight Aubrey would be sitting next to the window, Chloe would be in the aisle seat and they had sat me between them. I have to admit it was very thoughtful of them. Of course Aubrey couldn't resist making a few jokes at my expense once she found out about my fear of flying but to be fair to her, she let me crush her hand whilst we took off, as did Chloe. I think I could learn to cope with Aubrey if Chloe and I last as long as I hope we will. She's not all bad once I got to know her a bit.

Chloe fell asleep within 15 minutes of being in the air, leaving us with just each other for company, and my headphones were in the carry on bag, in the overhead compartment because, as Chloe so lovingly pointed out, when there are three of us to make conversation it's rude to drown the other two out with my music. You know, it honestly wouldn't surprise me if this was all some elaborate plan to get Aubrey and I to get along. I bet she isn't even asleep. I'm just about to poke her when Aubrey slaps my shoulder, "What are you doing Beca?!"her slap makes me jump and my finger darts forwards poking my girlfriend in the neck. I turn a glare on her and she shrugs sheepishly as Chloe startles awake.

"What the hell?" she looks at us both, rubbing the little red spot my finger just left behind.

"Aubrey pushed my hand!"

"Beca stabbed you with her finger!" we say at the same time before glaring at each other.

"I did not!"

"Chloe she's lying"

"No she's lying" what the crap? It's like an episode of twilight zone. We keep speaking in sync. I put my hand over Aubrey's mouth to stop her next thought from spilling out into open air.

"Chloe I was going to gently poke your cheek to see if you were actually asleep when she slapped my arm and made me jump. I'm sorry. But it's all her fault!" Chloe just looks between us with a blank expression on her face. I feel a huff of air against my hand as Aubrey sighs in annoyance at being unable to voice her uptight opinions. I stick my tongue out at her and her eyes narrow. Before I can move my hand she's slobbered and licked all across my palm as payback. I let out a very unladylike whine of disgust as Chloe starts to laugh.

"I feel like I've brought two children on this flight with me, not a college sophmore and a grad student! Jesus, act your ages! Aubrey go fix your make-up. Beca's smudged it. And you!" she pokes my side. "Behave yourself!" Aubrey manages to give me a sneaky kick to the shin as she slides past to get to the bathroom.

As soon as she's gone Chloe turns to me with wide, concerned eyes. "Are you okay? I saw you in the car earlier. You looked like you were about to cry. I don't think I've ever seen you cry. And I know you weren't thinking about your 'work'. C'mon Becs, spill. What's wrong?" I sniff and look down, slightly ashamed of how emotional I'm being.

"I was just thinking how hard it was to say goodbye to them all. I've never had the big family. All I had was my mom and dad, then just my dad. They were all so accepting. I felt empty when we drove away. Is that how it's supposed to feel? Because if it is, I can't understand why you would ever leave?" I don't realise there's a tear running down my cheek until Chlo reaches up and wipes it away. She cups my cheek and leans over to give me a quick kiss.

"Becs, why didn't you say? It does kind of hurt to leave but it's okay because as you said to Connor, I call them, like, all the time. Plus I know I'll be going back before too long... you know, whenever I go home, you're more than welcome to come with me. In fact, I think my mom would be disappointed if you didn't come too. So would Connor. It gets better, trust me." she gives me an awkward hug over the armrest and we settle together for the remainder of the flight. I'm asleep before Aubrey even gets back.

***************** A COUPLE WEEKS LATER******************

I'm studying philosophy one evening when Chloe walks into my room on the phone, sits on the end of my bed and rolls her eyes at my raised eyebrow. She makes herself comfortable and mouths 'mom' at me. I chuckle at her expression.

"Yes I love you too... Yes she's here... Okay okay... Well that's up to her isn't it... No ma, I'm not sassing you...I'm not... I cant force her to talk to you!" I take the phone from her before she digs herself an even bigger hole.

"Hey mama Beale!" Chloe pokes her tongue out at me, I smile at her.

"Beca. How are you doing? You were supposed to call yesterday but you never did! How's all the work going?"

"It's going okay. My work load isn't as strenuous as Chloe's. Sorry about yesterday. By the time I got back from the radio station it was gone 10:30 and I didn't want to call that late, I mean, I didn't know what you were doing. You could have been asleep."

"Oh Rebeca! You mustn't do that! You call every Thursday, I don't care about the time! Do you hear me young lady?"

"Yes mama Beale. Sorry. How's everybody over in LA doing?"

"We're all good, but the person you're really asking after is about ready to snatch this phone out of my hand if I don't give it to him soon!"

I laugh at her scolding tone, imagining the disapproving look on her face.

"Can I talk to him before he has to go to bed? I didn't get to last time."

"Of course you can, but I expect to finish our conversation when you're done Missy!"

"Wouldn't have it any other way mama Beale!" I hear the shuffling of the phone changing hands before the sound of my favourite little voice coming over the receiver.

"My Beca? I miss you, when are you coming home? Daddy says I have to wait for the Summer but that's forever!"

I chuckle at him. "Oh Connor. I miss you too little dude! Don't worry, Summer will be here before you know it, then you won't be able to get rid of me!"

"D'ya Promise?"

"I promise. How's daycare going? Make any more friends? Eat any play dough?"

"EW! My Beca, you're not a sposed to eat the play dough. It doesn't taste nice! I maded a friend called Hanna. She's real nice. She likes Green grapes though, and they're not nice. Only the red ones are good. So I have to try really hard to sit by her for snack time when she eats those green ones."

I let loose a full belly laugh. Oh to have the troubles of a three-year old and for my only issues to be what colour grapes my friends eat.

"Awwww little dude! You can't not like her because of her grapes! I bet she doesn't like all the things you like but she's still nice to you. Hmmm?" he sighs and I smile.

"Yeah I guess. Mama says it's time for bed now my Beca. I havta go. I love you so so so much."

"Yeah. I love you too little dude... I love you too." I hear the phone being passed along again and Clare's voice rings through the line. She asks all the standard parental questions. Am I eating okay? Doing my washing? What date we're coming home for the Summer? How's the Bella's going? Am I getting along any better with Aubrey? I'm pretty sure she always throws the last one in to tease me, but I can never be certain. We talk for around 45 minutes before saying our goodbyes and hanging up the phone. I walk out to the lounge to find Chloe sitting watching some cop show on the TV. I throw myself down next to her and steal some of the Twizzlers she's eating.

"how much did she grill you for forgetting to call?" Oh hell no! That smirk has to be wiped off her face!

"She didn't, just told me to try not to forget next time." I shrug, folding a whole twizzler into my mouth. She gapes at me.

"That's totally unfair! When I forget I totes get an earful!"

"Yeah well, I'm clearly her favourite, so..." I shrug again then get up to get a drink. Chloe catches me up and slaps me on the ass as she walks passed. I yelp before frowning playfully at her.

"You know, whenever you talk to them, you just light up. Your face brightens, your eyes go all shiny and you just seem so happy. Like nothing can get you down."

"I turn into you then." I smirk at her and she lets out a ladylike snort.

"I'm serious. They all love you and it's pretty clear you love them. I'm so glad I took you with me to LA. I mean, I would've taken you down eventually, but I'm so glad you came with me this time. I think they would all be seriously mad with me if we ever stopped seeing each other for any reason." I frown at her words then smile at what she's implying.

"I guess you're stuck with me forever then Beale. Unless of course you're willing to face the wrath of Connor and Mama Beale!" She looks at me with eyes wide as saucers.

"Rebeca Faith Mitchell, did you just kind of propose to me?"

"Chloe Grace Beale, I think I did, but one of us has to do it with a ring someday. That doesn't really count." I smile before she catches my lips in a kiss, all tongues and teeth and passionate feelings. I smile into the kiss, returning it and winding my arms around her hips, pulling her impossibly closer.

When we pull apart for breath, she rests her forehead against mine and smiles, eyes closed.

"I love you Beca. Don't ever run. Not ever. Promise me, if we have problems we'll work them out. I don't think I could live without you." Our lips meet again in a chaste kiss this time, I pull away to reply.

"I promise Chloe. Now you have to promise me, no hiding. No secrets, we tell each other everything. Always. No matter how bad we think it is."

"I promise."

AN: I think I'm going to write the Epilogue for the next chapter now. Please review and tell me what you thought. I know Aubrey wasn't in it much but I actually found it harder to write her than I thought I would. Anyway, tell me what you think :)