Hey Folks :D Happy weekend
Thank you the readers, the followers, the people who favors, and the reviewers :)
I'll start by responding the reviews. For a Guest that said the smut was awesome, thank you so much. About Katy's song, it will be in a couple more chapters :)
For RJRMovieFan, you're right. It's still a long ride :)
For JessTerr, you're right. Kids do learn from the adults around them :)
For Guest JC, thank you dude :)
For becamitchel, thanks dude. And about Chloe taking off Beca's shirt. Just sit tight :)
Now, let's get back to the story. In the last chapter, you read about how Beca and Chloe had their first Christmas and New Year together as a couple. For this chapter, there will be a six weeks jump from the previous one. The focus is still on three main characters.
There is a piece of Photograph by Ed Sheeran, and another song; Why I Love You by Major. I don't own Pitch Perfect, nor most of the characters, neither the songs. Hope you enjoy :D
Beca's Studio : February 10th 2026
Emily walks into the DJ's office and asks, "Pop, want to have lunch together out of this office?"
"I'm good, Em." Beca replies while working on her computer. "I brought my own lunch."
"Huh?" Emily is confused, taking a seat across from the DJ and says, "It's not like you at all to bring your own food."
Beca smiles, still looking at the screen in front of her as she says, "Chloe cooked every day, Em. She made me breakfast and lunch. And then for dinner, she would cook again. She has tried so many recipes for me."
"Ooohh..." Emily teases. "Mom brought you lunch, Pop? How unfair for the aca-child. Who is the child again between the two of us by the way?"
With her cheeks flushed, Beca rolls her eyes and mutters, "Shut up, kid."
Emily laughs lightly and says, "Then let me join you. I'll order something."
"Sure."
After calling a delivery service, the youngest Bella says, "I take it that things have been better lately."
Beca puts her computer to sleep and turns to look at her aca-child, smiling as she says, "You can say that. I mean, we talked, a lot. Mostly about our lives after Barden. The days she was in Peace Corps, and I was in hiding, and so many other stuff. It's like I'm learning to know her all over again."
"Great!" Emily exclaims. "How does it feel? Did you find her somehow different from the college Chloe?"
"Ng..." Beca purses her lips, shaking her head lightly while saying, "One thing or two. But she's still as amazing. If not more. You know, she's Chloe, Em. And she's feeling more like herself lately, and it's good. I don't want her to define herself with her mental disorder. So we talked about it. The more we talked, the less we fought. The less we fought, the less distressed we were. The less distressed we were, the more we spent good times together. I mean, she's still second guessing me sometimes, still insecure about me leaving her, but she's learning how to confide her feelings more appropriately. Not only by being angry."
"And how about her therapy?" Emily asks while absentmindedly arranging the stuff on the desk. "She's still having it right? And her meds?"
"We take care of each other, Em." Beca says softly. "We reminded each other to take our meds every day. And the therapy is going so well for her. She's been seeing Pauline twice a week, and go to a group therapy at least once a week in the last six weeks. I came with her one time or two to learn how to deal with her symptoms. We even meditate together every morning and night before we go to sleep."
"Hmmm..." Emily nods, smiling softly upon seeing how relaxed the DJ seems to be. "Seems like everything is working out."
"Yeah." Beca smiles softly. "Everything's been better. I've been thinking about taking her out on a date. You know, it's almost Valentine's Day."
Emily whistles teasingly, "First official date, huh Pop?"
While scratching the back of her head with her cheeks flushed, Beca grins shyly as she failingly tries to say nonchalantly, "I just... It feels so good to see her happy, Em. I... I want to make her happy. Besides, we can celebrate the release of our first single. You know, as a couple."
Emily's face lighten up, and she says, "I came here to tell you that. Your song will be released tomorrow in iTunes. Thanks by the way, for letting me producing that song. It was the best experience for me; to see you two singing together again. And Chloe was pouring out sunshine from every pores in her body when you were recording."
With a light chuckle, Beca says, "She was. She still talk about it every single day until today. It's one of the reasons she's been more relaxed you know; knowing that we'll put something out there that belongs to us."
"It's great and all Pop. But," Emily looks at her former captain in concern. "Have you thought about the outcome after the song is released? With the media?"
"Yep." Beca pops the P. "I have planned the whole thing with Donna and my publicists."
Their conversation is cut off when a delivery guy comes in with Emily's lunch. After the man left, Emily and Beca continue their conversation while eating.
"What plan Pop?" Emily asks with her mouth full.
Beca swallows her sandwich and says, "I had a meeting with my publicists last week. We knew that soon, the news about Chloe and me would come out. It's inevitable. Therefore, before the media blows up, we will put the song out first, you know, to soften the beach. Questions will arise about Chloe's identity, and then, after we make our first appearance as a couple, my publicists will put out my official statement in my fanpage about our relationship."
"Great plan." Emily nods before taking a sip of her water. "What is your official statement?"
Diverting her eyes away from the youngest Bella, Beca chews slowly and swallows before muttering, "That I'm dating my college sweetheart who is also my first love."
Emily chokes on her food, and after drinking to ease the sore throat, she asks, "Seriously?"
Upon seeing how red Beca's face is, Emily laughs whole-heartily, and then the DJ mutters, "Shut up, Em. It was my publicists' idea."
After she's able to compose herself, while wiping the tears on the corner of her eye, Emily says, "Sorry, Pop. Couldn't help it. I mean, don't you think it's a bit... not you at all?"
Beca rolls her eyes in half-annoyance and says, "I know. But it's our safest bet. We've covered all of the public records about me and her. You know, after the duet, the issue about my college life will arise. I have to make sure that the media can't trace it back to Warren. And about Chloe, we've covered all of her condition in the last ten years. But the official statement, it's to protect her from the fanatic fans."
"Oh." Emily nods in understanding. "I bet the fans who ship you and Ashley will be furious. The fans can be... militant on the internet. Especially for finding out that their relationship goal has already sunk to the bottom of the sea."
"Yeah." Beca presses her lips with wide eyes, nodding in approval. "I remember it well when Ashley and I just started dating. The PLL's fans shipped Ashley with Tyler in the series. That made me the bad guy who separated and crushed their dream of having the perfect couple in real life. Every time we went out in public, as rarely as it was, I was always being yelled at on the street."
"But you were tough."
"And in disguise." Beca stares at the youngest Bella convincingly. "Thankfully, I didn't have any social media and I hadn't come out back then. So, they didn't know who I was for a year. And when I came out, they recognized me by my work, and they had seen how great we were as a couple for a year. So, less muss. That's why this time, I put the song out first, hoping that they will love it, and by stating that she's my college sweetheart..."
"It will be easier for the public to accept the fact that you broke up with Ashley and started dating Chloe in such a short time." Emily states. "Because Chloe's not just anybody ordinary for you." She smirks, teasing, "She is, the, college sweetheart. The ultimate first love."
"U huh." Beca nods. "That's the plan."
Still, Emily just keep staring at the tiny brunette, smiling knowingly, and Beca simply rolls her eyes. Then the youngest Bella casually asks, "What about her birthday? Have you planned anything yet?"
"Huh?"
With an eyebrow raised, Emily firmly says, "Pop, don't tell me you forget that Chloe's birthday is only a month away. It's on March 8th."
"Shit!" Beca curses under her breath. "I... totally forgot. I mean, it's been ten years since I celebrated her birthday."
Emily shakes her head in disbelief, and then the DJ mutters, "I'll talk to Aubrey about it. She must have had something planned." She huffs tiredly. "And I'll just ask Donna to pick something for the present. Maybe jewelries. Woman likes jewelries, right?"
"Pop!" Emily exclaims in upset. "She's your girlfriend for God's sake. You can do better than asking Donna to pick her present. You should do it yourself."
"I don't have the time, Em." Beca runs her fingers through her hair in frustration. "With all of the hustles lately; the therapy, the song release, not to mention the hectic of MTV awards in March. I'm working with two different artists now, and-"
"MTV in March?" Emily retorts in confusion. "Pop, the last time I checked my invitation, it's in May."
"What?" Beca scrunches her face. "No, Em. Katy always said that it's in March."
Emily rolls her eyes and says, "No, Pop. It's in May. And back in October, when you visited Atlanta, you did tell me that it was still in seven months. Do your counting right."
With a harsh heavy sigh, Beca rubs her forehead and curses, "Damnit! I've messed up my schedule. No wonder JT seemed to be so relax while I was busting my ass to work on our performance in the last few weeks. I have to tell Katy about the misunderstanding."
Again, Emily shakes her head and sighs in half-annoyance. "So?"
"Huh?"
"Chloe's presents." Emily scolds. "You have the time now."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Beca scratches her chin with her eyebrows furrowed while muttering under her breath, "What should I get her? What should I get her? What should I get her?"
The DJ seems to be in a deep thought, subtly stealing glances at Emily. The youngest Bella can tell what her former captain's thinking about, and in mocked annoyance, she asks, "What?"
"What?" Beca tries to play it cool.
"I know you want to ask me something, Pop." Emily narrows her eyes. "Just spit it out."
With a sheepish smile, Beca says, "Can you uh... will you come with me, Em? You know, to look for her present? You know I'm no good with this kind of stuff. Usually, I didn't plan to buy presents for Ashley. I just... found it. Even Chloe's present for Valentine's day was found accidentally when I was surfing on the internet a week ago."
Emily sighs again and nods. "Of course. When do you want to go?"
"Hmmm..." Beca purses her lips. "How about tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow's fine."
With an appreciative grin, Beca says, "Thanks, Em. You are the best aca-child in the whole universe."
Emily scoffs, though a light tug of smile appears on her face as she says, "I definitely am. Since I am the only aca-child in the whole universe."
Both of them laugh lightly, and then they resume eating in silent for a while. During that silent moment, Emily is thinking about something, and she knows that she has to make sure about it.
Therefore, after they finish lunch, looking nervous as she brushes her brown hair to the back of her ear, Emily mutters, "Uh... Pop?"
"Hm?"
"I don't mean to remind you or something. But uh... have you uh..." Emily purses her lips, can't even bring herself to look at Beca directly. "Have you told Ashley about the song and the date? I mean, you know, so she can prepare herself from the media too?"
Beca sighs heavily, running her fingers through her hair in frustration and says, "I tried. I wanted to tell her in person, but... she hasn't picked up my phone calls, or replied to any of my texts. I already asked my publicists to tell hers though. So, I'm sure they have told her."
"Hmm." Emily nods in understanding. Then she hesitantly asks, "Do you uh... still miss her?"
Automatically, Beca rubs the back of her neck, flexing it while blowing out a long breath through her mouth. Then, while absentmindedly rubbing her left hand, she says, "I... I don't think so. I've moved on, Em. And right now, I just want to focus on loving Chloe."
Emily can see that Beca isn't aware of the fact that she is absentmindedly rubbing the black ice carbide ring on her left hand when she's talking about Ashley. Nevertheless, the youngest Bella simply smiles in understanding.
Suddenly, Beca's phone rings. The DJ smiles instantly and says, "It's Chloe." Then she picks up, "Hey Babe."
"Baby, have you had your lunch yet?"
With a soft smile, the tiny brunette replies, "I have Babe. I just finished lunch with Em in my office."
"Oh. Hi, Em!"
Beca chuckles, glancing up at Emily as she says, "She said hi, Em."
"Hi, Mom!" Emily shouts cheerfully.
Then Beca says, "Hear that?"
"U huh."
"You eat yet, Babe?"
"I just finished lunch. How's your day so far?"
"It's been good." Beca smiles softly. "Missing you though."
"Aw... I miss you too. You know, Babe? Today, we talked about your music in my class. And guess what? The kids love you!"
Beca smirks, "I bet they will go nuts if they find out that I'm your girlfriend."
"U huh. I had to restraint myself from saying my Beca Mitchell; my DJ."
Knowing well that the redhead must be nodding her head excitedly while talking, the DJ laughs, leaning her back onto the chair, looking relaxed as she teases, "It must be so hard on you, Babe."
"You have no idea! I was tripping in my words! I had never tripped in my words in front of my students! And it's your fault!"
Hearing how Chloe is scolding her playfully, Beca can't help but chuckling, and then she teases, "My fault?"
"Hmph! Your fault."
Beca simply chuckles lightly because she can tell that the redhead must be pouting.
"Babe, I have to prepare my next class. Don't forget your meds, okay?"
"Don't forget your meds too." Beca replies. "For dinner tonight, anything you want me to bring or buy?"
"I want to make you seared salmon with vegetables. I've got all I needed, but can you get us some milk and cereal?"
"Sure."
"Okay. See you at home. I love you, Babe. Say bye to Emily from me."
"I love you too." Beca ends the phone call, still grinning when she sighs.
With her eyes wide, Emily says in surprise, "Wow... that better, huh?"
"Yeah." Beca nods, leaning forward to put down her phone on the desk. "That better. We've learnt a lot in the last six weeks. She only texted me in between classes, and in her lunch break, she would call just to make sure that I had lunch and meds. It says a lot that she's getting better."
"I'm glad, Pop." Emily smiles softly. "I'm really glad to see that both you and her are feeling better."
With her hands behind her head, Beca leans back onto the chair, staring unfocused at the ceiling and says, "Stacie did say that I've loved her before, and it shouldn't be hard for me to love her again. And it turns out, she was right." She smiles softly. "Chloe has always been lovable, Em. Since forever. Since I was 18. Even before I knew that I loved her; that I wanted her; and that she wanted me too."
"You can write a song out of it, Pop." Emily suggests lightly.
Beca is taken aback for a second, and even though her eyebrows are furrowed, there's a light smile on her face. She takes her time to think. The longer she's thinking, the less furrowed her eyebrows, and the wider the smile on her face. Then she closes her eyes, still smiling softly as she hums lightly to a melody, tapping her index finger on the desk gently. After a while, she opens her eyes and says, "Absolutely."
Upon seeing that her former captain is hurriedly writing down her ideas, Emily asks, "So, do you still want to buy that jewelries for Chloe, or you're just gonna give her a song?"
"Both." Beca says while writing.
"See you tomorrow then." Emily says while standing up. "Bye Pop."
"Bye Kid." Beca replies without looking up from the paper on her desk. The brunette works on the song until her next meeting at 3 PM.
Later that evening, when Beca comes back to her place, she finds Chloe in one of her oversized shirt in the kitchen, cooking while singing and swaying lightly to Photograph by Ed Sheeran that's playing from the audio set.
Slowly without making any noise, Beca puts the grocery bag on the table before wrapping her girlfriend from behind, softly singing along, "Loving can heal..."
Chloe smiles instantly, and she puts down the spatula in her hand to hold Beca's on her stomach, closing her eyes while the DJ swaying along, singing softly near her ear, "Loving can mend your soul... And it's the only thing that I know... I swear it will get easier... Remember that with every piece of you... And it's the only thing we take with us when we die..."
Can't hold the urge anymore, Chloe wiggles her way around to wrap her arms behind her girlfriend's neck, smiling as she says, "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too." Beca replies while staring at her girlfriend softly. Then she brushes Chloe's cheek with the back of her hand, trailing it up slowly to hold the back of her girlfriend's neck, grasping the red hair gently in between her fingers as she pulls the redhead closer for a kiss.
Chloe tilts her head slightly, parting her lips when the brunette's warm tongue slides across her lips, feeling the heat pooling in her core in an instant. When the DJ slips a hand under her shirt and rests it on the side of her stomach, the warmth on her skin sends sparks down her spine, and Chloe feels lightheaded, stirring her head slightly.
Then Beca brushes her lips down to the redhead's neck, and Chloe can't help herself but biting her bottom lip to hold the moan in her throat.
Right then, suddenly Beca smells something is burning, and she drops her forehead on Chloe's collarbone, starting to laugh lightly. On the other hand, Chloe rolls her eyes, huffing in annoyance before turning around to turn off the stove.
After that, she turns back to look at her laughing girlfriend, pouting as she scolds, "You ruined our dinner."
However, Beca just keep laughing harder, and the redhead scolds her more, "Stop laughing, Babe. Now we don't have dinner."
"I'll just..." Beca wipes the tears on the corner of her eyes, still trying to hold herself up when she says, "I'll just order some delivery."
"But I wanted to cook for you." Chloe pouts even more.
"Babe..." Beca tries to hold her laughter while tucking a strain of hair to the back of the redhead's ear. "You don't have to cook for me every day. I love it. But it's okay to have take out one time or two."
Chloe huffs in annoyance, still keeping her pout when she says, "Okay. But I'm not happy about it."
"I know." Beca nods with a childlike grin. "So... pizza? Veggie pizza."
"Hm." Chloe nods, still with that endearing pouting lip.
While waiting for their food, they decide to meditate on the balcony. Then they simply cuddle up on the couch and watch some show. As usual, Chloe is snuggling up on the brunette's chest, sprawling her arms lazily on her girlfriend's stomach with her eyes fixed on the TV.
On the other hand, Beca doesn't pay any attention to the show. She's fiddling their intertwined fingers with her eyes fixed on the TV, but not with her mind. She's thinking about the song she wrote for Chloe earlier that day.
Not long after, their food arrives, and they move to the kitchen/dining room to eat. While chewing her food, Beca casually says, "Babe, our song will be released tomorrow."
"Really?!" Chloe exclaims with her blue eyes so bright, smiling excitedly.
"U huh." Beca wiggles her eyebrows playfully before swallowing her food. "So starting from tomorrow, you'll have bodyguards around you every time you step out of this apartment. But don't worry. They'll be in stealth mode. You won't know that they're there, unless it's required for them to show up."
"Is that necessary?"
"Very." Beca stares at her convincingly. "The paparazzi will find you, and they will most likely want to take pictures and do some interviews. Not to mention the fans out there. They can, and will be... well they'll act like fans. I have covered all of your public records in the last ten years from the internet. The most they can find will be the fact that we were in Bella together, and that we were best friends back in college. Then a bit about your life after Barden; the Peace Corps, and the places you worked."
Chloe sighs deeply and nods. "Okay. Who will guard me? Is it the bodyguard who came to the hospital? Pascal was it?"
"No." Beca munches a huge chunk of pizza, and then muffles, "Yow gew yigo."
"Heh?" Chloe scrunches her face, staring at her girlfriend with puzzled look.
After swallowing, Beca says, "You'll get Rico. From now on, he'll be your security along with another man. Maybe Larry."
"Why don't I get Pascal instead?" Chloe asks suspiciously. "I mean, you seem to trust him the most. He was the one you always called every time you needed something from the mansion."
"He's Ashley's main bodyguard." Beca replies nonchalantly. "Besides, he is the head of security at the mansion. He's needed there."
"You keep the best for your ex then." Chloe states coldly.
"Babe..." Beca smiles understandingly. "It doesn't matter if it's Pascal or Rico. Both of them are my trusted bodyguards. They have been working for me since ten years ago, and they both are just as good."
Chloe seems to be upset because she's fighting the negative automatic thought in her mind while gripping the edge of the table tightly with her hands. It doesn't go unnoticed by her girlfriend, and Beca puts her hand on the redhead's before calmly says, "Babe, it's not important who'll guard you. The most important thing is that you're safe."
With a defeated sigh, Chloe nods one time and says, "Rico is fine."
"He is." Beca states before munching her pizza again. "And Babe, I suggest you to private all of your social media."
"Why?"
"Well," Beca swallows her food. "Many people will try to find about you from there in the first place. If you don't mind being followed by many people you don't know, then... it's up yours. I myself never have one."
"Hmmm..." Chloe nods absentmindedly. "I'll see how it goes for several days. If I'm not comfortable with being followed by strangers, I'll private them."
After they finish eating, they go back to lay on the couch to continue watching the show. The redhead is lying half on top of the brunette, resting her temple on Beca's chest while the DJ herself is twirling Chloe's hair with her fingers.
"Babe." Beca calls casually.
"Hm?"
"Do you have anything to do on Saturday night?"
"Why?"
"I'm thinking that we can have dinner at some restaurant. You know, to celebrate the release of our song. You can pick whichever restaurant that you want."
Chloe pulls back a bit to look at her girlfriend, grinning as she asks, "Are you asking me out for a date? On valentine's day?"
"U huh." Beca says casually while caressing Chloe's head gently. "If you're ready. It will be our first public appearance so I can introduce you as my girlfriend."
With her eyes widen in surprise, Chloe pulls back even further, trying to look at the brunette even clearer as she exclaims, "Really?!"
"Yeah." Beca nods with a light smile. "I've discussed it with my publicists. It's time for us to let people know about our relationship before paparazzi find some ways to cook nasty stories about us."
Instantly, Chloe hugs her girlfriend tightly, peppering her lips with kisses and says, "I'd love to go out on a date with you, my love!"
"Great." Beca grins. "So... where do you want to go?"
"Surprise me." Chloe smirks.
Beca chuckles, "Okay."
Then Chloe leans downward to kiss the brunette, and Beca's hands automatically slip under the redhead's shirt to brush her back. After they break the kiss breathlessly, Beca says, "Let's move to somewhere more comfortable so I can have my way with you."
Chloe simply chuckles while getting up from the couch, pulling her girlfriend to the bedroom.
Ashley's POV.
Three days ago, Ashley's publicists told her over the phone that Beca would release a duet with Chloe, and then they'd make their first public appearance as a couple on valentine's day.
Upon getting that news, Ashley couldn't hold the pain in her chest because even though it's been more than three months since she broke up with Beca, she hasn't been able to move on yet.
In that sanctuary, she broke down on her knees with her face in her palms, sobbing and shaking, crying her eyes out, screaming at the top of her lungs, hoping that it could push out the ache that was throbbing in every fiber of her being.
She felt so helpless because there was nothing she could do to change the fact that Beca was moving on, and the only thing she could and should deal with was her own pain; the sadness, the misery, the longing, the vulnerability.
At first, she tried to ease the pain by smashing some of the frames, the pictures of her and Beca in that room. However, it didn't work. It didn't help easing the pain, and it made her frantic, pacing around the room, grasping her hair on the side of her head while tears running down her face.
Suddenly, she remembered the one thing she used to do to express her feelings. Hurriedly, she ran to the third floor, to her own studio and grabbed some canvases and some acrylic paint with a palette before running back to the sanctuary. Since then, she's been painting to pour out her feelings, catharsis-ing the pain in her chest.
The first canvas was filled with only one color, and it was red, splattered and splashed messily, even angrily. The next one was almost the same, but with addition of the colors black and dark blue.
It was the third one that had a bit of brighter colors like white, green, and yellow. Then the fourth one, the one that hasn't finished yet; this one actually has a form. Ashley has been painting this certain canvas for two days.
Other than falling asleep from exhaustion, showering, and taking a break for meals and bathroom need every now and then, Ashley hasn't stopped painting yet. The more she paints, the closer it is to be done, the less painful she feels.
Right now, the blonde is at the balcony in the sanctuary. She's sitting on a comfortable chair with her back leaning forward in front of a medium size canvas. She's wearing Beca's navy hoodie, and her hair is tied up in a messy bun with some light strains falling on her forehead, cheeks, and the back of her neck.
Because her fingers are tainted with colorful acrylic paint, therefore, even her cheeks and forehead have some bits of paint on it; accidently brushed on when she wiped her tears with the back of her hand, and when she brushed her hair to the back of her ear.
With her left hand, she's holding a porcelain plate filled with basic colors such as red, blue, yellow, black, and white. On her right hand, she's holding a brush with her thumb and index finger. Around her feet, there are so many empty tubes being tossed down messily.
There are also some broken brushes. They are broken not without a reason. When Ashley felt like it was too emotional, she'd grip the brush too tightly in her hand, trying not to choke on her tears. Yet it couldn't stop the tears escaping from her eyes.
However, as painful as it feels, the memory of her and Beca spending their last valentine's day keep flowing into her mind, driving her to keep on painting to let her sadness out of her system. She keeps her sole attention on the painting before her eyes.
Flashback: Valentine's Day 2025
Ashley just put the last touch of make up on her face. The blonde was wearing a strapless soft pink dress that ends midthigh, and her hair was tied up in a slick ponytail.
After checking her appearance that night on the mirror for the last time, she walked out to the balcony, looking down while straightening her dress when she said, "Babe, I'm ready."
Upon not getting any response, the blonde looked up, and her jaw dropped upon seeing the scene before her eyes.
Apparently, when she was taking a shower and getting ready, Beca was preparing dinner at the balcony. The brunette had lit so many candles on the railings and every corners of the balcony.
On the table, there were dinner for two, certainly completed with Ashley's newest found most favorite cheesecake with it. The brunette was standing beside a chair, wearing her tiffany blue suit that is paler than her steely blue eyes, which only making them even more stood out. Her brown hair was just the way it was supposed to be, let down, curly and a bouncy below her shoulders. She was smiling ever so fondly, simply staring at her girlfriend, making Ashley felt like she was the brightest star in the sky.
When Ashley couldn't say anything or even take another step forward, Beca chuckled nervously, walked toward her girlfriend to lift up her chin, and kissed her chastely on the lips. "You take my breath away, Hon. You are so, so beautiful."
Still, Ashley just kept staring at her girlfriend in awe, and then Beca chuckled and asked, "Surprised?"
Ashley blinked her eyes and shook her head lightly to get out of her daze, smiling as she said, "Indeed, Casanova."
Beca chuckled again and held her hand, pulling her toward the table while softly saying, "Come on, Hon. Our dinner is waiting for us."
As usual, the brunette would pull out the chair for her girlfriend and let Ashley kissed her cheek before she herself took a seat across from the blonde.
During dinner, Ashley couldn't shake off this odd yet welcomed tension, excitement in her chest from the way Beca was treating and looking at her. With her right hand, the brunette kept holding the blonde's left hand on the table. Hence, they had to eat with one hand. In addition, Beca's hand is a bit damp and cold. However, Ashley didn't mind at all.
The way Beca was looking at her, it was different from usual. The fondness in her eyes was mixed with somehow a feeling that Ashley could only describe with nervousness. It was light and subtle, but it was there.
None of them talked while eating. When Ashley was trying to decipher the look in her girlfriend's eyes, she also caught Beca's subtle glances at her. The nervous glances combined with a light smile and rosy cheeks, it filled Ashley's stomach with thousands of butterflies, trying to flip their wings out of her body.
Ashley could feel the heat under her skin, not the sensual one, but the excited one, pushing their way out of her pores, and it made her giddy even though she didn't know why Beca was behaving that way.
One time or two, while fixing her slightly narrowed eyes on the brunette, Ashley would tap her index finger on her spoon, trying to understand the meaning of Beca's nervous manner.
Halfway through dinner, she still couldn't find any answer of Beca's behavior and her own reaction. Therefore, she let it go and simply enjoyed dinner in a complete yet comfortable silent with her girlfriend.
When the plates in front of them were already empty, Beca took her meds, drinking the water slowly before wiping her lips gently with a napkin. Then she stood up, offering her left hand to the blonde and said, "May I have the pleasure, Miss Benson?"
"Of course, my Casanova." Ashley grinned with her eyebrows slightly furrowed in curiosity while taking her girlfriend's hand and stood up.
Gently, Beca put Ashley's hands on her own shoulders, and then she herself rested her hands on the blonde's waist.
With her eyebrows furrowed yet also with a teasing smile, Ashley asked, "We're slow dancing without a music?"
Beca smirked smugly and tapped her own temple three times with her index finger while saying, "It's already in here."
Then the brunette started humming to a melody, swaying their body lightly to a song that Ashley had never heard before. The blonde didn't have the time to think about it though, too busy calming her fluttering heart upon being stared at with those steely blue eyes ever so fondly.
While brushing the back of her hand on Ashley's cheek gently, Beca smiled and started singing softly,
I found love
In you
And I've learned to love me too
Ashley couldn't hold the smile on her face, growing wider and fonder upon feeling the warmth in her chest. As the brunette rested a palm on her heated cheek, Ashley stirred, leaning onto the touch to feel more. The warmth on Beca's palm spread slowly down to her neck, to her arms, to the tip of her fingers.
Never have I felt
That I could be all that you see
It's like our hearts have intertwined
Into the perfect harmony
The fond smile on Beca's face, the tenderness in her voice, it brought tears to Ashley eyes, and they were glimmering from the reflection of the candles.
This is why I love you
Ooh this is why I love you
Because you love me
You love me
This is why I love you
Ooh this is why I love you
Because you love me
You love me
Gently, Beca slipped her hand slowly down to her girlfriend's back, and leaned closer to rest her cheek on Ashley's, whispering the song softly near the blonde's ear. The brushing of their cheeks sent sparks under Ashley's skin, and Beca's warm breath on her earlobe sent ticklish sensation into her stomach that made her knees weak.
I found love
In you
And no other love will do
Every moment that you smile
Chases all the pain away
Forever and a while
In my heart is where you'll stay
Still singing softly, the brunette brushed the tip of her nose, ghosting her warm breath down from Ashley's neck through the curve of her shoulder. Automatically, Ashley closed her eyes and leaned closer, wrapping her arms around Beca's shoulders even tighter.
This is why I love you
Ooh this is why I love you
Because you love me
You love me
This is why I love you
Ooh this is why I love you
Because you love me
You love me
Beca pulled herself slightly backward just so she could look at her girlfriend in the eye, and Ashley looked back at her, drowning herself in the melting love from those steely blue eyes.
The stars have all aligned and right now
is the perfect time to say
I love you
I love you
I love you
I love you
I love you
I do
Ashley couldn't help herself but stealing one chaste kiss from her girlfriend by then, and the smile on Beca's face grew even wider, if it was possible.
This is why I love yo
This is why I love you
Because you love me
You love me
This is why I love you
Ooh this is why I love you
Because you love me
Me
When Beca's forehead touched hers and their nose brushed onto each other's, Ashley closes her eyes, and her mind became so quiet. The only thing her brain could receive was her girlfriend's soft voice, and their warm breaths.
I found love
In you
And no other love will do
That's why I love you
Beca softly whispered, "Thank you Hon, for showing me the truth. You were right from the very beginning. I should love myself. And loving you, being loved by you, it taught me to love myself too. I love you, Hon. And I will always do. Forever and always."
Still with her eyes closed and her forehead on Beca's, Ashley smiled and replied softly, "I love you too, Babe. Forever and always."
Just a split second later, she felt Beca's warm lips on hers, kissing her so, so gently, started with a light brushing, then followed with gentle pressure before their lips moved in harmony. While Ashley's fingers found their way to grasp her girlfriend's brown lock, Beca's arms caged her tightly around her lower back.
When the need of air came between them, Beca broke the kiss gently and breathed out, "Dessert time, Miss Benson."
Ashley smirked, "I love having dessert with you."
Upon hearing the punctuation in the word dessert, Beca barked out a loud laughter and said, "Not that kind of dessert, Hon. The literal dessert. The cheesecake that you said feel like orgasm in your mouth."
"I don't mind having both at the same time." Ashley winked playfully.
A growl came from the brunette's throat before she said, "You are unbelievably insatiable, Ashley Victoria Benson."
Ashley chuckled, "I've been told. So many times actually."
"By?" Beca raised an eyebrow, smiling teasingly.
Shrugging nonchalantly, Ashley replied, "By someone who needed to drink and smoke her way to heaven only to tell me that she was falling in love with me."
Beca kissed her lips chastely and said, "It was worth it."
"No, it wasn't Babe." Ashley softly said while resting her hand on the brunette's cheek. "Never hurt yourself that way again for loving someone. Ever. You'd do nothing good to yourself, nor the person you love."
"Yes ma'am." Beca smirked. "Come on. The orgasm in your mouth is waiting."
Ashley laughed lightly while letting the brunette pulling her to the couch. It became more confusing for the blonde when Beca insisted to feed her the cake. But Ashley went with it even though her girlfriend's hand was a bit shaking when feeding her.
Everything was going perfectly great until suddenly, after shoving a spoonful of cheesecake into her own mouth, Beca's eye widened; she was most likely stunned, and she hurriedly walked back into the bedroom.
Ashley was indeed confused, and she asked, "Where are you going, Babe?"
However, Beca ignored her and kept on walking, pacing her way toward the bathroom, and Ashley followed her. Just when the blonde was going to step into the bathroom, Beca closed and locked the door.
"Babe?" Ashley knocked the door. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" Beca yelled from inside the bathroom.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah! Just wait for me at the balcony. I'll be right back."
With her eyebrows furrowed, Ashley replied, "Okay then." Then she walked back to the balcony, waiting for the brunette anxiously on the couch. When Beca finally came back out, she hurriedly asked, "What happened?"
"Nothing happened." Beca said dejectedly before joining her girlfriend on the couch. She sighed heavily and repeated, "Nothing happened."
Ashley became more and more confused, and she asked, "But why are you acting like something has happened? What's wrong?"
Beca dropped her head back onto the couch, rubbing her face with her hands, most likely in frustration, sighing before she muttered, "Nothing happened."
"Babe-"
"I'm okay, Hon." Beca cut her off softly. "The universe just... loves joking with me."
Ashley could see it in her girlfriend's eyes that she was indeed disappointed. However, thinking that in time the brunette would tell her, Ashley didn't push. Later that night, Beca seemed to be a bit better when they were riding a gondola while stargazing, and Ashley forgot about the earlier commotion.
End of flashback.
Remembering how happy they were a year ago brings a light smile on Ashley's face. Even though her eyes are teary, the pain in her chest has become bearable. It still hurts, but it's the kind of pain that she can embrace.
She stares at the painting in front of her. It's still halfway done, and it's definitely a painting of someone's face. It still doesn't have any expression on it but a pair of steely blue eyes.
Even though the painting isn't done yet, Ashley is feeling too tired to go on. Therefore, she lays down on the couch, curling on her side and closes her eyes. After a while, she falls asleep with a light smile on her teary and paint tainted face.
Back to Beca and Chloe: February 14th 2026, Valentine's Day.
Everything Will Change was released three days ago. Just as predicted by Beca, the song jumped on to the top chart; no wonder at all since it was the first song where the DJ actually sang in it, not only producing it, and not to mention a duet with a newcomer.
From Beca's popularity and the song itself, it's safe to say that automatically, the questions and curiosity about Chloe's identity raised so vastly.
The media and paparazzi have been looking for any information about Chloe Beale while Beca's publicists haven't given out any statement yet because they are waiting for the moment.
They did release the video of the Bella winning Acapella World's Championship as a bait, and millions of people had watched it. It certainly drew much attention not only to both of them, but also to the Bella, especially upon finding out that Beca and Chloe were best friends since college.
For DJ Mitchell, there wasn't any difficulties because she used to live in stealth mode. Therefore, the paparazzi have been haunting the redhead like vultures. Even at school. Moreover, there have been too many people looking for anything about her from her social media and the people around her.
Thankfully, the news about the redhead remained positive so far. The media has been talking about how talented and stunning she is, how she has a beautiful voice, and how perfect the duet is. There are people who despise her, but they are far less than the one who likes her. But still, the attention is overwhelming.
Beca was used to it, but not with Chloe. With all of the fuss, Beca was worried about Chloe's reaction to the overwhelming attention. Turns out, she was worried for no reason. The redhead enjoyed the attention, and that was relieving.
As for today, they will have their first official date, but it's still later that night. In the morning, Beca wakes up upon feeling warm lips pressing on hers, and she smiles onto it.
"Good morning, Babe." Chloe softly says, and Beca opens her eyes slightly before mumbling, "Mmm... morning."
Still lying half on top of her girlfriend, Chloe stares at her girlfriend ever so fondly and says, "Happy valentine's day my love."
The smile on Beca's face becomes wider and she replies, "Happy valentine's day, Babe."
Then the brunette rests her hand on Chloe's back over the shirt, pulling her down for a prolonged kiss. After the redhead breaks the kiss, she says, "I made you breakfast in bed."
"Aren't you every day?" Beca teases.
Chloe chuckles, "But today's breakfast is different."
"How so?" Beca tucks a strain of hair behind Chloe's ear.
"See it yourself." Chloe pulls away to take a tray of breakfast for two.
Beca smiles, "Eggs Benedict. Yum..."
"Not just any other Eggs Benedict, baby." Chloe says patiently. "Look at the shape."
With a light chuckle, Beca says, "A heart shaped Eggs Benedict."
"Yep." Chloe pops the P. "The toast is in a heart shape, even the poached egg is in a heart shape."
"How did you do it?" Beca asks comically.
"That would be for me to know, and for you to find out."
"Hmmm..." Beca nods with her lips pressed, impressed by Chloe's cooking skill. Then she sits up, leaning her back onto the headboards and starts eating her breakfast. On the first bite, she hums and says, "It's great, Babe."
"Of course." Chloe rolls her eyes playfully.
Halfway through eating, Beca casually says, "Hey, Babe. Are you still enjoying your newfound celebrity status?"
Chloe chuckles, "Well, I certainly don't enjoy being hassled by paparazzi. But so far, yeah. I mean, who doesn't like to be told beautiful and has a voice of an angel by millions of people? They love our song, Babe. They love the duet."
"Cool." Beca grins. Then she shoves another piece of egg into her mouth. "Hopefully it will ease the tension after tonight."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you know." Beca waves the fork in her hand casually as she talks. "People haven't found out about me breaking up with Ashley and about our relationship. The people who ship Ashley and I will most likely riot in the internet. You know, bombarding us with raging comments."
Chloe puts her fork down and worriedly asks, "Is it gonna be bad?"
"I think so." Beca shrugs. "But don't worry, Babe. My publicists have planned it all out. After we make our appearance tonight, they will post my official statement in my fanpage about us. It will be a chaos for a little while, but it will pass eventually. Just ignore the negative comments. If you can, just don't access anything from the internet for a while until it all calms down."
Chloe sighs heavily and says, "Okay then. I'll try to ignore any bad gossip about our relationship."
Upon seeing the worry on Chloe's face, Beca puts down her fork and caresses the redhead's cheek gently while saying, "It's one of the downside of being a celebrity, Babe. But it will be fine eventually. Trust me."
With a light nod, Chloe smiles nervously and says, "I hope so."
After having breakfast, they meditate on the balcony together for half an hour before cuddling up on the couch and watch La La Land. For Chloe, this would be the umpteenth times she watches this movie, but not for her girlfriend. This is the first time for Beca to watch that musical, and it turns out, she loves it.
"Finally!" Beca exclaims triumphantly once the movie has ended. "Some directors do have a common sense!"
Chloe chuckles and asks, "What do you mean?"
"Duh." Beca responds. "A drama that doesn't have a happy ending between the two main characters."
"Huh?"
Beca rolls her eyes playfully and says, "You see the irony by the ending, Babe? In order for the two of them to have their dreams, they can't be together. If they had stayed together, Sebastian wouldn't have had Seb's because he would have gone to wherever Mia had to go. It was the same for Mia. If she had gone with Sebastian whenever he had a gig, she wouldn't have had focused on the play that gave her a chance to audition for her huge break. As happy as they would've been for having each other, it wouldn't be the life they had wanted. And in the end, they still got their happy ending anyway. Just not together."
"Hmmm..." Chloe purses her lips. "But isn't it sad that they have to live their dream life without the person they love the most? I mean, wouldn't it be perfect if they had both; living their dreams and also having the love of their life?"
"Well," Beca shrugs nonchalantly. "Something's got to give, Babe. We can't have everything we want."
Chloe pulls herself up a bit to look at her girlfriend fondly and says, "It's a good thing that we have both. We have our dreams, and each other. We got the perfect happy ending we wanted, Babe."
"Yea. We do." Beca smiles lightly, though the slightly furrowed eyebrows above her cloudy eyes do tell that she's a bit sad, even though she's not aware of it.
With her sparkling blue eyes and a smile so bright, Chloe softly says, "You are my dream, Becs. You are everything that I've ever wanted in my life."
Then she leans downward to kiss the brunette. As usual, the kiss escalates in the matter of seconds, and they end up having sex on the couch.
After Beca is done giving her girlfriend her best service, still panting heavily, Chloe says, "Babe... that was..."
Beca lays on her side, holding herself up with her elbow while rubbing Chloe's bare stomach gently as she teases smugly, "Earth shattering? Mind blowing? Life changing?"
Chloe rolls her eyes in mocked annoyance but says nothing because she's still catching her breath. Then the brunette leans downward to nuzzle her nose into the crook of Chloe's neck and breathes deeply before she mumbles, "I love your natural scent. I can't describe it precisely. But it smells a little bit like... coconut?"
Turning her head slightly aside to look at her girlfriend, Chloe cups her cheek and says, "It's my shampoo, Babe."
"Hmmm..." Beca brushes her nose back onto the redhead's neck and breathes deeply before pulling backward to look at her girlfriend, grinning as she says, "I love it."
Upon feeling the ticklish sensation in her stomach, Chloe crashes her lips onto the brunettes, and Beca returns the kiss just as fiercely. Cautiously, Chloe slips her hands under her girlfriend's shirt to rub the side of her stomach. When Beca doesn't pull away, the redhead dares herself to move her hands up, brushing the curve under the brunette's breast gently with her thumb.
Surprisingly, Beca leans forward as if asking for more, and Chloe grants her a light brushing on her nipple.
"Damnit!" Beca hisses in pleasure.
However, when Chloe starts to pull up her shirt, Beca automatically bats the redhead's hand away. Then her eyes widen, and she hurriedly says, "I'm sorry, Babe. I didn't mean to do that."
Chloe sighs heavily, "Babe, how could you not want me to take care of you? How could you hold yourself up from... letting me returning the favor?"
With an apologetic grimace, Beca says, "Years trained of self-control?"
"Seriously." Chloe pouts.
After taking a deep breath, Beca stares at the redhead and softly says, "Everything in its time, Babe."
Chloe bites her bottom lip nervously as she asks, "Were you not... you know, on? I mean, didn't you feel... anything?"
Beca scoffs, "I think we can scratch that possibility from the list, judging by the way you came."
With her cheeks flushed, Chloe mutters, "I just... is it me? Do you think I can't... you know, satisfy you?"
"No!" Beca hurriedly says, "God, no Chloe. I don't think that way."
"Then why?"
"I just..." Beca shakes her head lightly, sighing deeply before she says, "It wasn't you, Babe. It's me. I... I want to be ready. Believe me, I do. I just..."
Truth to be told, she wants Chloe to return the favor. She has thought about it for a while, and she thought she was ready. Therefore, she herself doesn't get it why her body wasn't completely comfortable the redhead's touch, especially every time Chloe tried to pull out her shirt.
Upon seeing the conflicted and frustrated look on the brunette's face, Chloe smiles in understanding and says, "It's okay, Babe. We've progressed." She continues with teasing tone. "At least you let me touch you under your shirt now."
Beca sighs in relief, smiling apologetically as she says, "Thank you for understanding, Babe. I love you."
"I love you too." Chloe replies before pressing another chaste kiss on her girlfriend's lips.
While her fingers are twirling Chloe's red locks, Beca asks, "What do you want to do this afternoon?"
"I'm going out with Bree." Chloe replies casually. "We're gonna find me a dress for tonight."
Beca whistles, "I can't wait to see you in your new dress."
"Oh I thought you couldn't wait to see me without it." Chloe winks.
With a loud bark of laughter, Beca replies, "That's true. Who am I kidding? You look much better, perfect even without anything on you, Babe."
Chloe giggles and turns to lay on her side, facing and wrapping the brunette's arms around her back, and Beca automatically kisses her forehead.
"At what time do you have to go?" Beca asks with husky voice while brushing her thumb gently on the side of the redhead's bare breast.
"In two hours or so." Chloe breathes out.
Beca smirks, "Then we have two more hours for cardio. I heard that it's good for your heart."
Chloe chuckles and says, "I've heard that too."
Then Beca kisses her girlfriend fiercely on the lips, and they go down the same road again. After that, to waste their time, they simply talk more about their past, but the brunette avoids topics about Ashley.
When the clock hits 11 AM, Chloe reluctantly says, "I've got to get ready, Babe."
Beca caresses the redhead's head gently and says, "Okay then."
After Chloe is done getting ready, Beca kisses her in front of the elevator and says, "You be careful, okay? Rico will be around. I'll pick you up at Stacie's around seven."
"Okay." Chloe says softly. "I love you Babe."
"I love you too." Beca replies before letting her girlfriend walking into the elevator.
After Chloe is gone, Beca takes a shower. And when she's done, she doesn't really know what to do on her own. Therefore, she dials a number in her phone and puts it on her ear.
"Dude!"
"Hey!" Beca grins. "You free man?"
"Beca Mitchell is missing her best friend, huh? I should be celebrating. Maybe with a glass of champagne."
"Goodbye then."
"Wait!"
While Patrick is laughing, Beca is rolling her eyes in mock annoyance.
"Kidding dude. And stop rolling your eyes. I know you just did it."
Beca rolls her eyes again and asks, "Want to hang out?"
"Sure. I'm at home with Troian. Come and join us."
"Be there in twenty." Then Beca ends the phone call.
When Beca arrives at Patrick's place, the blonde man pulls her in a tight hug, exclaiming. "Been a while dude! How's life?"
Beca pats his back and replies, "Just the usual. And get off me, you pervert."
While laughing lightly, Patrick breaks the hug, and then they both walk into the living room.
Troian hugs the DJ immediately and says, "Hey hobbit. Long time no see. Glad to see you out of your cave to see the civilization for once in a while. On your own. In our place."
"Haha. Very funny." Beca responds with bored tone, knowing that her best friend is playfully insinuating the fact that her girlfriend doesn't like it when she's hanging out with them, simply because they are Ashley's best friends too.
Troian chuckles, pulling away and asks, "Anything I can get you?"
"Water will be fine, Troian. Thanks." Beca says while sitting down on the couch.
"Seriously." Patrick says. "How's life, dude? Everything good?"
"Everything's good." Beca replies. Then Troian hands her a glass of water, and the DJ says, "Thanks."
"We've heard your duet." Troian sits next to her fiancé. "It's good. Congratulations for the release."
After taking a sip of her water, Beca smiles and says, "Again, thanks."
"How's Chloe?" Patrick asks casually. "Is she fine with all of the attention?"
"U huh." Beca replies casually. "Her reaction is much better than my prediction. She's facing the fame like a pro."
Troian and Patrick chuckle lightly, and then Troian says, "Good then. How's your life with her?"
"It's getting better, Troian." Beca says with a light smile. "We're getting better each and every day."
Smiling softly, Troian says, "Good to know, Beca."
For a split second, Beca wanted to ask about Ashley, but she decided against it. She doesn't know if knowing about the blonde's condition will make her feel better or worse; whether the blonde is still miserable, or already moving on from her.
Instead, she asks, "When will PLL start filming again?"
"In a couple of weeks." Troian replies. "We'll start filming the last half season for about six months, and everything will be over."
"You must be sad." Beca says sympathetically.
"Ng..." Troian purses her lips. "Not really. I mean, I will be sad to say goodbye to the casts and crews. But I already have a plan about what to do next. And I'm so excited."
"And what is it?" Beca asks.
Troian turns to look at her fiancé, giving him a hint to tell the DJ, and then Patrick turns to look at his best friend and says, "Dude, Troian and I, we're thinking about getting married after PLL is over."
With her eyes wide and a huge grin, Beca exclaims, "Finally!"
Patrick chuckles, "Yeah. Finally."
"I thought you planned to stay engaged for the rest of your life." Beca teases.
The couple laugh lightly, and then Troian says, "No, hobbit. We just want to wait until the work is less demanding so we can really enjoy our wedding and marriage."
Beca sips her water and asks, "And when is it exactly?"
"December this year." Patrick replies nonchalantly. "On December 10th to be precise."
"Still ten months away." Beca comments.
"Yep." Patrick pops the P. "And you dude, you'll be my best man. Or woman."
"Seriously?" Beca asks comically.
"Duh." Patrick responds. "Who else would I ask?"
Beca laughs and sarcastically says, "No one else, considering that I'm the only girl who's stupid enough to be your best friend."
"I can ask Shay." Patrick says in mocked nonchalant.
"I'd be honored, dude." Beca certainly says.
"So..." Patrick drags his word teasingly. "You're up for it then?"
"Absolutely." Beca states without hesitation. "When did I ever pass a chance to embarrass you in front of other people? I'll give the best toast, dude."
"If you dare to come up to the stage without shaking on your feet." Patrick fires back playfully, and the three of them laugh together.
After the laughter unwind, Troian clears her throat and says, "Just one thing, Beca."
"Hm?"
Troian steals a worried glance at her fiancé before she says, "Obviously, Ashley will be my maid of honor. And she already said yes. Regardless if you'll be Patrick's best woman or not."
Upon getting that information, even though she should have known that, it doesn't prevent her heart from pacing and thumping harder than usual. She can't exactly tell if it is because of the fear or the excitement of seeing her ex, or both. Trying to stay cool, the DJ simply responds, "So?"
Patrick pinches the bridge of his nose and nervously says, "Well, it means the two of you will see each other a lot of times in the next ten months. We know that Chloe doesn't take it well when you hang out with us. And I think she will be more... upset if Ashley is included."
Subtly, Beca swallows and asks, "And?"
With a heavy sigh, Patrick says, "We don't want to put pressure on you and your relationship, dude. So... if somehow Chloe... let's just say that if you take your words back about being my best man, then there will be no hard feeling. Promise. You'll still be my asshole best friend."
Beca snorts but says nothing in return, and then Troian reassures, "It's okay, Beca. We're best friends. We want to have you as a huge part in our wedding since you have been a huge part in our life, in our relationship for six years. But we'll be okay if you say no. As long as you promise that you'll still be there on our wedding day."
The only thing Beca can do is giving them a light conflicted smile, and the couple don't push. Therefore, Patrick says, "You can take your time to consider. Talk to Chloe about it. We will start the preparation in a couple of months anyway."
"In July to be precise." Troian chips in.
Beca tilts her head slightly aside, not looking at her best friends directly, taking her time to think while absentmindedly playing with the black ice carbide ring on her left hand. Then she takes a deep breath and says without hesitation, "I will be your best woman, dude. Both of you are my best friends, and I'd be honored to be involved in your wedding. I want to be involved."
With a huge grin, Patrick smugly says, "That's my dude!" Then he turns to his fiancé and says, "Told you, Babe."
However, Troian asks to reassure, "Are you absolutely sure that Chloe will be okay with that?"
While pressing her lips tightly, Beca shakes her head and says, "I don't know. I will tell her. But nothing she says can change my mind about it. You are my best friends. So she'll learn to accept you in my life."
Troian smiles softly and says, "Okay then."
To ease the tension, Beca asks, "So, about your wedding, do you have any idea yet?"
"Of course." Troian replies, rolling her eyes in a manner that says obviously.
Then they talk about the wedding plan. Beca still replies to Chloe's texts in between the discussion. Sometimes around 3 PM, Beca's phone rings, and upon seeing Chloe's face on the screen, the brunette apologetically says, "I have to take this."
Beca walks away from the living room and picks up the phone. "Hey Babe. How's shopping?"
"Where are you?"
"I'm at Patrick's." Beca says certainly.
"That's why you didn't pick up the phone at your apartment."
The redhead sounds upset for sure, but Beca remains calms when she says, "Yeah. I'm hanging out with my friends."
"Why didn't you tell me before I went out with Aubrey? Is Ashley there?"
Beca sighs and says, "She's not here, Babe. I'm only with Troian and Patrick. Besides, I didn't tell you before you went out with Aubrey because I didn't plan to see them. It just came out of nowhere."
"Then you should've told me in your texts."
"I didn't think it was important. I'm just hanging out with my best friends."
"Of course it is. Unless there's something you're hiding from me."
With a defeated sigh, Beca says, "Okay. I'm sorry. I'll tell you next time."
"Can... can you go home please?"
"Why?" Beca asks in confusion. "Are you at home? I thought I would pick you up at Stacie's tonight."
"No, I'm not at your place. But... I just... I'm worried about you."
"I'm fine, Babe." The brunette says patiently. "Besides, I won't stay any much longer. I have to go home to get ready anyway."
There's a silent moment for a couple of seconds before Chloe says, "Okay then."
"See you tonight, Babe." Beca says softly. "I can't wait to have our first date."
"Me too."
Upon hearing that Chloe's voice is already soft, Beca sighs in relief, smiling as she says, "I love you."
"I love you too. And see you tonight."
Then the DJ ends the phone call before going back to the living room, and Patrick asks, "Everything okay?"
"Yeah." Beca smiles lightly. "Everything's just fine. Sorry about that. Where were we?"
Troian says, "So, we're thinking that..."
They resume talking about the wedding until 4 PM, and then Beca excuses herself.
The First Date.
Beca is looking at her reflection on the mirror while humming lightly. For the date, she wears her electrical blue suit over a white shirt, Chloe's favorite color on her. As usual, she just puts on a light make up and let her hair down. Then the sleeves are pulled up to her elbow.
After re-checking her appearance for the umpteenth times and making sure that she has put Chloe's present in her pocket, Beca walks out of her bedroom, heading straight to the elevator. On the way down, suddenly, the memory of her first date with Ashley comes into her mind. She smiles lightly while shoving her hands into her pockets, thinking about how much she has changed since her other first date.
"How far you've come since six years ago, Mitchell." Beca thought to herself. "Not too shabby for someone who used to be a closed off awkward alt girl."
All along the drive to Stacie's place, even when she stops to by a bouquet of flower, Beca keep on humming and smiling upon feeling this warmth in this chest. Undeniable, she's excited to have her first date with Chloe. As she parks her car in front of the house, Beca pulls out the little box from her pocket, opens it, and looks at it with a soft smile.
Then she puts it back into her pocket before grabbing the bouquet of flower and walks out of her car. When she's already in front of Stacie's front door, without hesitation, she pushes the bell, and then she turns around to look at her car.
When the door is open, Beca turns back around, and she's stunned for a second upon seeing her girlfriend's appearance. She herself isn't aware that a grin has appeared on her face along with a soft staring.
The redhead is wearing a bright red strapless dress that wraps her body all in the right curves, and it ends mid-thigh, showing her long tan legs. As for her radiant red hair, she wraps it in a pinned messy bun, and it looks perfect on her. A pair of black shiny high heels completes her look that night.
The redhead simply smiles with her cheeks flushed upon seeing her girlfriend's adoring look, and then Beca says, "You look stunning, Miss Beale."
Chloe giggles lightly and takes a step forward before she says, "You look fine yourself, Mitchell."
Beca chuckles lightly and pushes the flowers forward while saying, "For you."
After taking the flowers, Chloe leans in to kiss the brunette and says, "Thanks Babe."
Then Chloe takes Beca's hand and pulls her inside to the living room. "Wait here, Babe. I will take care of this flower first."
Beca simply nods. After the redhead left to the kitchen, Aubrey and Stacie come into the living room, and the blonde coldly asks, "When do we expect our Chloe to be home tonight?"
Taken aback, the brunette simply stares at Aubrey, slacked jaw with a look that says Are you fucking kidding me?
"Babe..." Stacie warns softly. "Stop joking."
Then Aubrey chuckles and says, "Kidding, humpty dumpty. Geez..."
Beca scoffs while rolling her eyes before she says, "Haha. Very funny, Posen." Then she remembers about Chloe's birthday, and she asks, "Hey Bree. Have you planned anything for Chloe's birthday next month?"
"Actually, I have." The blonde says casually. "I have invited all of the Bellas to have a party here in my place."
"Hmmm..." Beca nods absentmindedly.
"Anything you want to add?" Aubrey asks.
"I'm writing a song for her." Beca explains. "I'd like to sing it to her that night. Is that okay?"
"More than okay." Aubrey smiles softly.
"Great." Beca grins.
"Anyway, where are you taking her, shorty?" Stacie asks.
"Just a France restaurant that will certainly draw so many paparazzi tonight." Beca replies nonchalantly.
"Huh?" The couple is confused, and Aubrey asks, "Why?"
Beca shrugs, "It's time for me to introduce Chloe as my girlfriend to the public."
While Stacie is nodding, her wife asks, "Are you sure it's a good thing to do now? When she's just starting getting better?"
"Hm." Beca is taken aback for a second. Even though she has prepared everything, but now that Aubrey mentions the redhead psychological condition, she starts second-guessing her decision and thinking that she might be pushing it too soon. "You're right. So... should I... postpone the date?"
"No." Chloe answers while walking toward the brunette and holds her hand.
With an apologetic smile, Beca says, "I'm sorry, Babe. Maybe I didn't think it through before. I only thought about the media's reaction without considering your condition. Are you sure you still want to have this date?"
Chloe smiles and reassures, "Absolutely, Babe. I'm ready to tell the whole world that you're mine. I've been ready for a long time."
While Beca is smiling unsurely, Aubrey worriedly asks, "Are you sure, Chloe? The media can be brutal. And the fans that worship Ashley will rampage upon finding out at the same time that Beca has broken up with her and started a relationship with you. It will be so stressful."
"I'm sure." Chloe replies without hesitation. "Beca has already planned the whole thing with her publicists, and the duet will help the understanding. Besides," She smiles fondly at her girlfriend. "I know that it will be hard, Babe. It has always been hard. But we still end up together. So I'm not afraid. As long as I have you."
Beca smiles and says, "Okay then. Let's have our first date, Babe."
When Aubrey seems to want to argue, Stacie says, "Okay if you think so. Just be careful, and maybe keep it down a bit with the touchy feely, Chloe."
While Beca snorts, Chloe rolls her eyes in mocked annoyance as she says, "I can keep my hands off of my girlfriend, Stace."
"I'm not so sure." Stacie teases. "But I think you can try."
"Babe..." Chloe pouts at her girlfriend, asking for back up.
"Come on." Beca smirks teasingly. "Our reservation is waiting, my touchy feely girlfriend who can't keep her hands off of me."
It earns the brunette a playful slapping on her arm from the redhead, but Beca simply laughs while pulling Chloe toward the front door.
"Have fun you guys!" Stacie yells from behind.
"We will!" Chloe replies.
"And be safe!" Aubrey adds.
"Yes mom!" Beca yells back.
"Hey!" Aubrey scolds, and everybody laugh.
Then the couple walk outside to the car, and Chloe asks in comic surprise, "You brought Azure?"
"Yeah." Beca shrugs nonchalantly while her hands automatically find her pockets to hide her nervousness. "You know, since she uh... she has a history value in our relationship."
Chloe smiles and kisses her chastely on the lips before saying, "I love you, Babe. You and your adorableness."
"Am not adorable." Beca says matter-of-factly with her cheeks flushed while opening the passenger door for the redhead.
"Thanks Babe." Chloe gets into the car, suppressing a huge grin on her face by biting her bottom lip. Then the brunette circles around to the driver seat, and drives to the restaurant with Rico and Adrian following their car closely from behind.
When Beca and Chloe arrive at the restaurant, the paparazzi have been waiting for them. After securing the way, Adrian and Rico open the door for the couple, and Beca immediately circles around to hold Chloe's hand.
They are walking through the rain of flashes from the cameras and questions from the paparazzi. There is no doubt that the questions are mostly about who Chloe is to the hotshot producer, and why they look so intimate on valentine's day. Beca ignores the paparazzi but gives her time to the fans who are asking for pictures and autographs. Even some of them ask for Chloe's too.
After spending a couple of minutes dealing with fans, the couple walk into the restaurant, and the waiter immediately leads them to their table. Beca pulls the chair out for her girlfriend, and Chloe kisses her cheek before sitting down. Then the brunette takes her seat in front of the redhead.
After telling the waiter her dinner course, while reading the menu, Beca says, "You'd want to try their Raspberry Napoleans, Babe. It's the best."
"Sure." Chloe replies.
"May we offer you our best liquor, Ma'am?" The waiter asks politely.
"Just ice tea for me." Beca says warmly, and then she turns to her girlfriend. "I don't drink. You can have one if you want to, Babe."
"No, I'm good." Chloe smiles. "Just water for me."
"Very well." The waiter says. "Please wait while we prepare your dinner."
After the waiter left, Beca takes Chloe's hand in hers and softly asks, "What do you think about this place?"
Chloe looks around, smiling upon seeing the elegant interior and says, "It's lovely. I love it. Definitely a first date material."
Smirking smugly, Beca says, "Good to know."
"Do you come here often?"
"Quite often. This is one of my favorite restaurants."
"Beca Mitchell likes to have dinner in a fine dining restaurant?" Chloe teases.
Beca shrugs and nonchalantly says, "Well, Ashley is a foodie. She loves to try just any kind of foods and restaurants. So, it's safe to say that we've tried too many restaurants in L.A. From the fast food to fine dining, from barbeque to cafe."
"Hmmm..." Chloe nods absentmindedly.
Suddenly aware that she has mentioned Ashley's name, Beca hurriedly adds, "Well, my most favorite is still Tacos."
Upon having their first date, Chloe is feeling too good to care about Ashley. Therefore, she giggles lightly and teases, "You and your love to tacos, Babe. Maybe I should learn to make them. So you can have tacos every day."
"Great idea." Beca grins.
"The healthy one." Chloe teases. "Without grease."
Beca slumps her shoulders and groans overdramatically, making her girlfriend laughs. Then, with her lips pressed like an upset child, Beca whines, "The fat is the essence of Tacos. You can't make Tacos without the grease part of the meat. It will be like taking Gary away from Spongebob. And it's not right."
Upon seeing Chloe laughs even louder, the brunette simply smiles softly. Making the redhead laughing has become one of her favorite things to do lately, and she enjoys every second of it.
When the appetizers arrive, Beca pulls her hand gently and starts eating. During dinner, they simply talk about everything and nothing at all. They keep everything light, and everything is going smoothly. Therefore, Beca decides not to tell Chloe about her being Patrick's best woman just yet. She doesn't want to ruin the good vibe they have on their first date.
"You still have tomorrow, Mitchell." Beca thought to herself. "Or the day after tomorrow. Besides, the preparation is still in a couple of months. You've got plenty of times."
After they finish dessert, Beca pays the bill and holds Chloe by her waist when they're walking out from the restaurant. Just like when they arrived, the paparazzi shower them with flashes and questions, and to which, Beca totally ignores.
The brunette's sole focus is on getting Chloe back into the car safely. As the valet service parks azure in front of the couple, Beca immediately opens the passenger door for the redhead before circling to get into the driver seat, and then she drives to another place she has planned to.
"Where are we going, Babe?" Chloe asks when she realizes they're not heading home.
"Somewhere that you'll find out soon."
Throughout the drive, Beca rarely let go off Chloe's hand at all. Their hands are laced lazily on the redhead's thigh, making Chloe's heart fluttering, beating faster than usual. Even more so that one time or two, when they stopped at red lights, the brunette would absentmindedly kiss the back of her hand gently.
Eventually, they stop at a hill, and Chloe looks around in confusion. There's only their car in that area, and it makes the redhead worry. Therefore, she asks, "Babe, what are we doing here? There's no other car around, and it's dark outside."
With a reassuring smile, Beca says, "It's okay, Babe. Adrian and Rico are not too far from here, and I chose this dark place for a reason."
Chloe just keep staring at the brunette with puzzled look, and then Beca says, "Trust me. Come on."
Then the DJ gets out of the car and circles around to open the door for her girlfriend. "Wait here." Beca says while closing the passenger door and goes to open the trunk.
When the brunette is taking something out of the trunk, Chloe wraps her arms, rubbing it gently to warm herself from the wind while looking around worriedly. Upon seeing the redhead's gesture, Beca smiles and walks to her with some stuff in her hands.
"Don't worry, Babe." Beca says softly while putting down the things in her hands and takes off her blazer. "Here." She helps her girlfriend putting on the suit.
"Thanks Babe." Chloe smiles fondly.
Then the DJ picks up some kind of banner, and unfolds it on the ground before offering her hand to the redhead. "Come on."
Chloe takes the brunette's hand and follows her to lay down on the banner, and then the DJ covers their feet with a blanket.
Upon seeing the stars above her, Chloe says with wide eyes, "Whoaa..."
"Yeah." Beca smirks. "Whoa..."
"It's beautiful, Babe." Chloe says while cuddling up onto her girlfriend's chest, and Beca wraps her tightly with her left arm.
"It is." Beca points out with her index finger. "You see right there? The slightly beeping reddish star?"
"U huh."
"It's a star that appears on Valentine's Day." Beca explains softly. "It's called Betelgeuse."
"Bee what?"
"Betelgeuse."
"Beetlejuice?"
Beca chuckles lightly and says, "Yeah. It's pronounced almost like that. It's not as bright as ten years ago, but it's still shining brighter than the rest of the Orion's constellation."
"It looks like a beating heart."
"Yeah." Beca states. "That's why it's also called the Valentine's star."
"Hmmm..." Chloe smiles while hugging the brunette even tighter.
Beca simply twirls Chloe's red hair with her fingers absentmindedly while fixing her eyes on the sky, and the couple simply stare at the sky in silent.
The sky above them is so bright, and they are surrounded with the quietness that's only filled with a sound of wind. Though under her ear, Chloe can hear Beca's heart, beating in a steady rhythm, and it calms her.
Eventually, Chloe softly says, "It's like there are only the two of us Babe."
"It feels like it." Beca replies softly. Then she reaches above her head with her right hand and takes something before handing it to the redhead. "Here."
"My favorite!" Chloe exclaims excitedly upon getting a box of her favorite milk.
"Yep." Beca pops the P.
Then the redhead sits up to drink the milk and says, "I wonder how you only have two girlfriends in your whole life, Babe. I mean, judging from this first date, I bet you could've charmed more than two."
Beca chuckles, sitting up next to the redhead and pokes her nose playfully from aside as she says, "You, Miss Beale, are the only woman that I took out on a first date like this."
"Huh?" Chloe furrows her eyebrows in confusion. "What about Ashley?"
With her chin resting on her own left shoulder and her eyes fixed at the redhead, Beca says, "My first date with her was nothing like this."
"How come?"
"Do you remember the way I was when you first met me?"
"The alt snarky nervous girl?" Chloe teases.
"Yeah." Beca nods lightly. "I was worse when I first met Ashley. I mean, after hiding for four years, it was kind of hard having a first date. Not to mention, the official first date, with a well-known celebrity. I didn't have any suit to wear; I didn't even know how to dress decently; I certainly didn't take her to a fine dining restaurant; I didn't even bring her any flower; and I was nervous as hell. I was totally a different person than you're seeing right now."
"What did you do then?"
Beca raises an eyebrow and asks, "You want to talk about my first date with my ex on our first date?"
"Just curious." Chloe shrugs, trying to be nonchalant by sipping the milk.
"Curiosity killed the cat you know." Beca dares playfully.
Chloe rolls her eyes in mocked annoyance and says, "You're with me now. I think I can handle the story of your first date with Ashley. I mean, we can't avoid talking about her forever, Babe."
After taking a couple of seconds to look at her girlfriend with narrowed eyes, Beca says, "Nothing much to tell. I was in my plaid shirt, wearing a huge sunglasses and a beanie, and we had dinner at a low profile diner that served ordinary burger."
"Why?" Chloe asks curiously.
"Because I was still hiding, and she hadn't known about my occupation or who I really was." Beca says matter-of-factly.
"And she didn't mind?"
"We had that date." Beca shrugs. "So, I think it's safe to say that she didn't mind. Besides, she didn't dress up as well. She was only in her ripped off jeans and a shirt."
"That's it?" Chloe asks with furrowed eyebrows. "Nothing special about it at all?"
"Well," Beca takes a deep breath, turning to look forward. "We talked. At first, she talked and I listened. Then gradually, I started to talk too, and suddenly it was already midnight, and the diner was closing, but I still didn't want to... end the date. You know, since it had been a while since I had someone to talk with other than Donna and Harvey. I mean, really talk. And she seemed to feel the same. So, when I asked her if she would mind having a late night snack, she said it was okay, and we ended up eating tacos in Azure by the parking lot. Around dawn, she fell asleep in the car, and I drove her back to her place."
"You brought Azure?" Chloe accidentally glances at how Beca is rubbing the black ice carbide ring on her left hand.
Beca can sense a bit of jealousy in Chloe's voice, and she takes the redhead's hand in hers as she softly explains, "Azure was the most low profile car I had, Babe. I couldn't exactly bring my other car without raising any suspicions. Before my second heart attack, Ashley only knew me as a junior producer in some unheard records that sometimes DJ-ing at low profile clubs. She hadn't found out that I was DJ M yet."
"Hmmm..." Chloe purses her lips.
Upon seeing that the redhead is starting to get a bit antsy, Beca softly says, "I think it's enough talking about Ashley for tonight. I'm enjoying our date, Babe. This is our first date, and I love every second of it."
Chloe smiles fondly and puts down the box of milk before kissing her girlfriend chastely. "I love it too. I've had so many first dates before, but I've never felt like this. This is the best first date I've ever had."
With a light smirk, Beca says, "Well, our date is not over yet."
"Huuuh?" Chloe's eyes widen excitedly.
After adjusting her position so she's facing the redhead, Beca pulls out a little box out of her pocket and hands it to her girlfriend. "For you."
Chloe's breath hitched, and all of the sudden, she feels like the blood is drained out of her body; can't help it when her mind automatically thinking and hoping for a marriage proposal. With her trembling hand, the redhead takes the box and holds it on her laps, looking down as she asks, "Wh- what is this, Babe?"
"Open it." Beca says nonchalantly.
After swallowing hard, the redhead cautiously touches the box lid with her shaky thumb. The surface of the box is silky, and she rubs it gently while biting her bottom lip nervously. She can feel it in her chest; her heart is thumping so hard and her head is throbbing from the blood rush.
Then slowly, she gives a bit push to open the box with her thumb. Upon seeing the content, Chloe sighs deeply, slumping her shoulders down in disappointment. In that box, there's a crescent moon shape brooch, with red diamonds and sapphires on it.
Since the redhead is looking down at the box, Beca can't tell her expression upon seeing the present. Therefore, she asks, "Do you like it?"
Chloe remains silent for almost a minute to compose herself, and it makes her girlfriend anxious.
"Do you not like it?" Beca asks worriedly. "When I saw it, it reminded me of your radiant red hair, and your blue eyes. And it's shaped like C, your initial. But if you don't like it, we can exchange it with something you like."
Then the redhead puts on a smile and looks up at Beca before saying, "I love it, Babe. It's beautiful."
Beca sighs in relief, smiling as she kisses the redhead's forehead and says, "I'm glad you like it, Babe."
Chloe hugs her girlfriend tightly, trying to hide her disappointed look by nuzzling her nose into the crook of Beca's neck and says, "I love it. Whatever it is, as long as it's from you, then I'll love it. Because I love you."
With her lips pressed gently onto the redhead's crown, Beca says, "I love you too, Babe. Happy valentine's day."
After the redhead breaks the hug, Beca takes the brooch and says, "Let me put it on you."
Gently, Beca pins the brooch on Chloe's dress near her left chest. Then she brushes it gently with her thumb, and suddenly, she remembers the failed proposal she did in last year's Valentine's Day for Ashley.
She had put the engagement ring into the cake, but she miscalculated the timing, and ended up shoving the ring into her own mouth. After going to the bathroom to clean the ring, Beca had lost her courage to propose.
"Babe?"
Beca scoffs lightly as that memory flows into her mind, and Chloe's voice pulls her out of her daze.
"Babe."
Focusing her eyes back to her girlfriend, Beca softly says, "It looks perfect on you."
With her eyebrows furrowed, Chloe says, "You were kind of spaced out for a moment."
Beca shakes her head lightly, smiling as she says, "Just remember something."
"What?"
Tilting her head slightly aside, Beca takes a couple of seconds to think of what if. What if she had proposed, and then Ashley and her had gotten married on their fifth anniversary? Would she meet Chloe that night? Would everything end up like this? Or would she be celebrating valentine's day with Ashley instead of Chloe?
"There's no way to find out, Pop." Emily's voice comes into her mind. "Things do happen for a reason. For many reasons even. Some of them are good, some of them are not. It all depends on how we react on it."
"Babe?" Chloe stares at her girlfriend with puzzled look. "You okay?"
Beca looks back at the redhead, smiling softly as she says, "I'm okay, Babe. And about the thing I was thinking, it doesn't matter anymore."
"Why?"
"Because it didn't happen." The brunette says without hesitation.
"Huh?"
Upon seeing to confusion written all over the redhead's face, Beca chuckles and says, "Come here you weirdo. Come closer so I can kiss you."
Chloe smiles and leans forward to kiss the brunette deeply, and when they break the kiss, she says, "I love you, Babe. So much."
While caressing the redhead's cheek gently with her thumb, Beca says, "I love you too, Chloe Beale."
Then they lay back down to look at the sky while talking about their college life and The Bella. About 15 minutes later, Chloe yawns, and Beca says, "Let's get you home, Miss Beale."
"Okay." Chloe takes the brunette's hand and pulls herself up.
The drive back is around an hour or so, and they arrive at Stacie's place at midnight. Since Chloe has fallen asleep, gently, Beca shakes the redhead's shoulder and says, "Babe, we're here."
"Hm?" Chloe mumbles while rubbing her eyes, and she's confused upon seeing Stacie's house. "Why are we here, Babe?"
Beca smirks, "You don't think that I'd take you back to my place on our first date right, Miss Beale? I'm a gentleman. And the rule of being a gentleman on the first date is to take the girl back to her own place."
With a soft giggle, Chloe says, "Babe, I think we're way pass that already."
"Nu uh." Beca shakes her head smugly. "You're gonna let me walk you to the door, and kiss you goodnight at the front porch."
"God!" Chloe exclaims joyfully. "You and your adorableness, Babe."
"Not adorable." Beca states matter-of-factly. "A badass gentleman." Then she unbuckles herself and gets out of the car before circling around to open the passenger door for the redhead.
While swinging their laced hands lightly, the couple walk toward the house. Then, by the front porch, still with Chloe's hand in hers, the brunette says, "I had a great time with you tonight."
Chloe rolls her eyes playfully and asks, "Seriously Babe? We're really doing this?"
"Yeah." Beca says in all seriousness, though there's a light tug of smile by the corner of her lips. "I'm very serious."
Again, Chloe rolls her eyes and softly says, "I had a great time too."
Then the DJ leans forward and kisses the redhead gently on the lips. Chloe automatically wraps her arms around Beca's shoulders and deepen the kiss while the brunette holds her by her waist. After they break the kiss breathlessly, Beca softly says, "I'll pick you up in the morning."
"U huh." Chloe responds still with her eyes closed. After pressing several chaste kisses on the brunette's lips, the redhead finally pulls away and opens the door. Then she turns around to look at her girlfriend with her beaming megawatt smile.
"See you tomorrow, Beale." Beca says with a soft smile.
"See you tomorrow, Mitchell." Chloe replies with a matching smile before closing the door gently.
With her hands in her pockets, the brunette skips her feet to her car. However, when she reaches the driver side, instead of getting in, she stands up with her back leaning on the car door, simply staring at Stacie's house, grinning goofily and feeling satisfied of the first date.
Still with her hands in her pockets, Beca sighs contentedly with a soft smile on her face. While her eyes are fixed on the house, out of nowhere, her mind strolls its way back to the end of her first date with Ashley.
Flashback
After Ashley fell asleep, Beca drove to the blonde's apartment building, and when they arrived, she even walked Ashley to her door.
Upon arriving in front of her apartment door, Ashley said, "I had a wonderful time with you."
"Me too."
"Do you want to... maybe come inside and have some coffee?" Ashley asked nervously.
The brunette's heart was thumping hard, and her cheeks are flushed. Nevertheless, she tried to play it cool by chuckling nervously and said, "I think you should get some rest, Benson. Besides, it's an unspoken rule that I should just walk you to your place, and then leave it just like that for a first date."
Upon seeing how adorable the brunette was trying to act all cool, Ashley asked teasingly, "Can I at least get a kiss good... morning then?"
With her jaw slacked open, Beca couldn't really say anything in return, and she didn't even get the chance. Just a second later, Ashley's lips met hers, and it was short but firm.
After she pulled away, the blonde brushed her hair to the back of her ear, biting her bottom lip shyly with her eyes fixed on her feet. Then she stole a glance at the brunette before she muttered, "Call me later?"
Beca grinned and replied, "Absolutely."
Then Ashley looked up at the DJ, smiling ever so brightly with her rosy cheeks before pressing another kiss on Beca's cheek and walks into her apartment.
After the door was closed before her eyes, Beca pumped her fist up triumphantly and then she touched her lips gently, still feeling the ghost of Ashley's warm lips on hers. The ticklish sensation in her stomach made her grinning goofily. Then with a contented sigh, she turned around and walked away.
Unknowingly to the brunette, on the other side, Ashley was standing with her back against the door, feeling her blood rushing to her head like crazy, and it made her feel lightheaded. She was happy but also dizzy at the same time, and she slid down, biting her bottom lip so hard to hold the joyful scream from escaping out of her chest.
Sudden ringing from her phone pulls Beca out of the memory lane, and she pulls out her phone out of her pocket to pick up.
"I miss you already."
Beca chuckles and says, "Well, guess what? I'm still standing in front of Stacie's place."
"Really?!"
Upon hearing how excited the redhead is, Beca chuckles and says, "Really."
Around a minute later, the redhead opens the front door, smiling from ear to ear while skipping her way to her girlfriend. Then she wraps her arms around Beca's neck and presses a hard kiss on her lips.
After Chloe breaks the kiss, with a goofy grin, Beca asks, "I guess there's no way you'll let me be a gentleman on our first date."
"Nope." Chloe pops the P.
"Thought so." Beca smirks. "So... want to go to my place, Miss Beale?"
With a wide grin, Chloe winks and replies, "I thought you'd never ask."
Then the couple go back to Beca's apartment.
Earlier that night at Ashley's place.
"Ashley!" Troian is banging the sanctuary door. "Open up, Ash!"
"Miss Bellisario, I have to politely ask you to leave." Nina says as calm as possible. "Miss Ashley had given me a clear order to not let anybody into this house."
"I'll take a full responsibility of this, Nina." Troian says firmly. "Don't worry."
"But-"
Suddenly, Ashley opens the door and says, "It's okay, Nina. Thank you."
Upon seeing how calm and collected the blonde is, Troian sighs in relief and asks, "Why didn't you pick up my phone calls?"
"Huh." Ashley is taken aback for a second. Then she walks back to the balcony and nonchalantly says, "I don't even know where my phone is."
While following the blonde, cautiously, Troian asks, "So, you don't know then?"
"About?" Ashley sits down in front of the canvas.
Troian stands next to the blonde, seeming torn when she says, "The internet blew up... about Beca and Chloe on a date?"
"I do." Ashley replies casually while giving a last touch on her painting. "About a week ago, my publicists told me about it."
"And you're okay with that?"
"Hmmm..." Ashley pushes the tip of the brush onto her chin, shrugging as she says, "I think so."
This time, it's Troian's turn to be taken aback, and she blurts out. "You're not broken hearted?"
Ashley turns to look at her best friend, smiling lightly as she says, "I was. A week ago. And then I started painting. And now, I'm feeling better."
Knowing that Ashley doesn't like to sugarcoat things, Troian believes her and sighs in relief.
Seeing through her best friend, Ashley smiles and says, "I got a little bit stronger, Troian." Then her smile becomes wider, and she writes those words down on the bottom corner of her painting, reading it out while scratching her brush on the painting, "I... got... a... little... bit... stronger... There. Done."
Troian takes a look at the painting for a moment before she asks in confusion, "You drew Beca's smiling face? Why?"
With a light shrug, Ashley answers, "I didn't intend to. It just... came out of my mind."
"Hmmm..." Troian nods absentmindedly.
Ashley smiles and says, "She could be happy. Well, I don't really know. But I do hope so. I guess it makes me feel better you know, thinking that she's happy. If she's miserable, then I don't think I'll be able to move on. I will hang on to her, hoping that she'll come back to me. And it won't do any good to both me, and her."
Troian hugs her best friend tightly from aside, kissing her crown and says, "I agree, Ash." Then she breaks the hug and says, "Patrick is downstairs with Shay. We're planning to take over your entertainment room and binge watching FRIENDS. Want to join us?"
"Sure." Ashley gets off the chair and brings the canvas in, put it next to the other paintings she made in the last week, saying while walking, "Just let me shower first."
"Okay. I'll wait downstairs."
"U huh."
Then the blonde finds her phone and charges it before taking a shower. While the water washing all of the paint on her skin, Ashley let her mind wander, thinking about the thing she should do.
After showering, still wrapped in a towel with her hair wet, Ashley calls her publicist.
"Hey Ash."
"Hey Ellie. So sorry to bother you this late."
"It's okay. Anything I can help you with?"
"Yeah." Ashley says casually. "After Beca gives her official statement, can you put out mine too?"
"Sure. What do you want to say?"
"Tell the fans that Beca and I broke up in early November last year, and we did it in a good term. Ask them to support our mutual decision."
"Is that all?"
"Yeah. Thanks Ellie."
"You're welcome."
After ending the phone call, Ashley feels much lighter. While drying her hair, she takes her time staring at her paintings one by one, starting from the first one to the latest one, and she smiles in satisfacition.
Then she changes into something comfortable, but before she walks out of the sanctuary, her eyes catch Beca's navy hoodie on the bed. Gently, she picks it up and presses it under her nose, breathing deeply into her lungs. She finds that there's no trace of Beca's scent on it anymore.
With a light smile, she folds it carefully and puts it into the drawer in her walk-in closet. She chooses the bottom one, the furthest at the corner one. After staring at it for a couple more seconds, Ashley closes the drawer and heads to the entertainment room, feeling the lightest she's ever been since the break-up.
So, that would be chapter 29. How do you think about it? I'd love to know it. For the next chapter, there will be another time jump to Chloe's birthday. How it will turn out, well, just sit tight and make good choices until I post chapter 30. Thank you for reading :)
