DAY 23 - CHRISTMAS WITH THE BEALES (AND CHICAGO?)
Prompt from FanFiction User JJSoccer: Full prompt located at the end of the story.
Beca twirled the invitation in her hand as she talked to Fat Amy on the phone.
"Come on, Beca," Fat Amy said. "You have to go. Mrs. Beale invited all the Bellas to Tampa for Christmas since Chloe was coming home. It's like a reunion for us."
"Will it be just Chloe?" Beca asked. "Or will Chicago be there, too?"
"Of course, he'll be there," Fat Amy said. "They've been together for a year and the Bellas are betting that Chicago proposes while we're all together. You know Chloe would want you there for that."
"I'm not going," Beca said, fighting back the tears. "I can't."
"What excuse are you going to use?"
"I don't need an excuse. I'm busy working and can't get away. Unlike some, I have a real job."
"The reunion isn't for another month. I'm sure if you asked now, Khaled will give you the time off."
"I said I'm not going, so drop it," Beca retorted. "I'll be spending Christmas alone, just like I want." Beca sighed and said, "I have to go."
Before Fat Amy could respond, Beca ended the call. She threw her phone down on the table and ran a hand through her hair.
Beca looked at the invitation again and threw it on the table next to her phone. Tears stung her eyes as she thought back to watching Chloe drag Chicago into a kiss at the end of her solo performance for DJ Khaled.
Beca wiped her eyes and went to the kitchen for a beer. Two hours and six beers later she fell asleep with tears on her cheeks, wondering if she hadn't been such a coward and told Chloe how she felt, would she be the one proposing to Chloe this Christmas?
~ Day 23 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
Chloe walked into her childhood home and was engulfed in a hug by her mom.
"You're early," Charlotte Beale said. "Not that I'm complaining. I've missed you."
"I've missed you, too, mom," Chloe said, hugging her mom tighter.
Charlotte pulled back and raised an eyebrow to Chloe. "Uh, where's Chicago?"
"He's coming later," Chloe responded. "He, uh, had a mission he had to complete. He'll be here before Christmas. Since he wasn't home, I came early to spend some time with you and dad. And to help get things ready for the Bellas. I'm so excited to see them again. I haven't seen them in a year."
"I'm sure they'll be happy to see you," Charlotte said.
"Is everyone coming?" Chloe asked nonchalantly.
"I haven't heard from two of the girls," Charlotte said. "The rest are coming and sound just as excited as you to see everyone."
"Oh," Chloe said. "Who, um, who haven't you heard from?"
"Cynthia Rose," Charlotte said. "But I understand she's stationed in Germany and may not be able to make it."
"Who else?" Chloe asked.
"Who else what?" Charlotte asked.
"Who else haven't you heard from?" Chloe said. "You said you hadn't heard from two of them."
"Oh, um," Charlotte said and sighed. "I'm sorry, Chloe, I haven't heard anything from Beca. Amy said she doesn't think she's coming."
"Oh," Chloe said and furrowed her brow. "I guess she's busy becoming a superstar."
"I guess," Charlotte said.
"I, um, I'm going to take my stuff to my room," Chloe said. "And call Brey. I promised I'd call her as soon as I was home."
"Okay, dear," Charlotte said. "Your dad should be home soon, and I'll let you know when dinner is ready. I'm glad we'll have some time alone with you."
"Thanks, mom," Chloe said, grabbing her bags and going up to her room.
Chloe dropped her bags by the door and fell face-first onto the bed. She laid there for a minute before turning over to her back and letting out a sigh.
"Why do I miss Beca so much more than Chicago?" Chloe asked herself.
Chloe sighed again and pulled out her phone, placing a call to Aubrey. She put it on speaker and laid it on the pillow next to her head.
"Chloe!" Aubrey squealed when she answered. "Are you at your mom's?"
"Yeah," Chloe said, half-heartedly.
"What's wrong?"
"Beca's not coming to the reunion."
Aubrey didn't say anything. Chloe let out another sigh and waited for Aubrey to speak.
Aubrey took in a breath and said, "Are you really surprised she's not?"
"She's my best friend," Chloe said. "Or she used to be. I haven't seen or talked to her since she flew off to L.A. with DJ Khaled. None of us have except Amy."
"You know Amy's hard for Beca to ignore," Aubrey said with a chuckle.
"I thought I was hard for her to ignore," Chloe said. "She always used to answer my calls or text me back."
"You know you're the reason she hasn't visited," Aubrey said.
"I know," Chloe said. "But what I don't know is why."
"Don't be so obtuse, Chloe," Aubrey said. "We both know you know exactly why Beca isn't coming."
"What? Because I have a boyfriend?" Chloe snarked.
"Yes," Aubrey said. "But, you know there's more to it than that."
"Not this again," Chloe said with a sigh.
"Yes, this again," Aubrey said. "Beca finally admitted it, why can't you?"
"Beca didn't admit anything to me."
"She told me and the girls that she was going to tell you. Right after her performance, she went looking for you."
"If she had feelings for me, why didn't she tell me before then? " Chloe said.
"Why didn't you tell her you had feelings for her?" Aubrey countered.
"She did everything she could to avoid me after her show," Chloe said.
"Only after she saw you kissing Chicago," Aubrey said. "And stop deflecting and answer the question, Chlo. And be honest."
Chloe felt tears stinging her eyes. Aubrey isn't the first to tell her that Beca had feelings for her.
"Can you honestly tell me that you aren't in love with her?" Aubrey asked.
"I love Chicago," Chloe said softly.
"That's not what I asked, Chloe," Aubrey said. "Are you in love with Beca? Yes or no?"
Chloe wiped the tears from her eyes and swallowed audibly before whispering, "Yes."
"What are you going to do about it?" Aubrey asked. "All the Bellas think that Chicago is going to propose to you at the reunion."
"I, um, I think he is, too," Chloe responded. She let out a small sob. "That's why I came home early so I could have some time away from him to think about us. But I don't know what to do. I love Beca so much, but I love Chicago, too."
"Enough to spend the rest of your life with him and forget about Beca?"
Chloe was silent as Aubrey waited patiently for her to respond. She could hear Chloe sniffling through the phone.
Chloe's head jerked toward the door when she heard light tapping.
"Chloe, dinner's ready," Charlotte's voice came through the door.
"I'll, um, I'll be right there," Chloe said, sitting up and wiping the tears from her face. She picked up her phone and said, "Brey, I have to go."
"We're not done with this conversation," Aubrey said. "I'll talk to you later."
"Yeah," Chloe said and ended the call.
~ Day 23 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
Charlotte looked on in concern as Chloe moved the food around on her plate without eating any of it. Chloe finally threw her fork down.
"Everything okay, Chloe?" Charlotte asked.
"I, uh, I'm just tired and have a headache," Chloe said. "It was a long flight, and I didn't sleep much on the plane."
"Why don't you go up to your room and lie down?" Charlotte suggested. "I'll make you a cup of hot cocoa and bring it up in a few minutes. That always used to help you sleep."
"Thanks, mom," Chloe said. "I'd like that."
Chloe got up and walked out of the kitchen. Charlotte got up and prepared the hot cocoa.
"Is everything okay with Chloe?" Chloe's dad, Carl, asked.
"I don't know," Charlotte said. "I know she loves Chicago, but she also loves Beca. She's torn and is having a hard time figuring out what to do about it."
"I like Beca for her," Carl said as Charlotte walked out of the kitchen, carrying a cup of hot cocoa. She took it to Chloe's room and knocked quietly.
"Chloe?" Charlotte said through the door. "I have your cocoa."
There was no answer, and Charlotte quietly opened the door only to let out a sigh when she saw Chloe asleep on her bed. Charlotte's heart hurt when she saw tear tracks running down Chloe's face.
Charlotte walked over and set the cup of cocoa on the nightstand. She then took the blanket from the foot of the bed and gently laid it over Chloe.
Charlotte looked down at Chloe with a sad smile, before turning and leaving the room, quietly closing the door behind her.
Charlotte walked downstairs, pulling her phone out of her pocket as she did. She found the contact she wanted and placed a call.
~ Day 23 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
Chloe walked around in a daze for the next week. Charlotte was beside herself with worry. She's never seen Chloe look so down.
"Chloe, are you okay?" Charlotte asked one day. "You've been moping around here like you've lost your best friend."
"I did," Chloe mumbled.
"What was that?" Charlotte asked.
"Nothing," Chloe said with a sigh. "I'm fine, mom. I have a lot on my mind."
"Oh," Charlotte said. "You know you can talk to me. About anything."
"I know," Chloe said with a quick smile. "I'm just not ready to talk to anyone about it yet."
"Are you and Chicago okay?" Charlotte asked. "Is that why you came home early?"
"We're fine," Chloe said, her smile not reaching her eyes. "I'm going to go see if dad needs any help."
Charlotte sighed as Chloe left her sitting alone in the kitchen. Charlotte got a determined look on her face and picked up her phone.
Chloe found her dad on the ladder, hanging lights from the gutters of the house.
"Hey, dad," Chloe called up to him, causing him to look down at her. "Can I help you put up the lights?"
"I'm good," her father said. "But, I can use some help getting the inflatable decorations from the garage."
"On it," Chloe said and went into the garage.
As she was looking for the inflatable decorations, Chloe's mind was working overtime. She couldn't stop herself from comparing Chicago and Beca. She knows Chicago loves her; he tells her all the time. Aubrey and Fat Amy have told her Beca loves her; Beca's never said it, but if Chloe were honest with herself, Beca showed it in the little things she did for Chloe. Chicago appears ready to propose; she hasn't spoken to Beca in almost a year. Chicago was safe; Beca was...Beca. There was only one thing holding her back from giving her all to Chicago: he is not Beca, and she wasn't in love with him.
"God, what am I going to do if Chicago proposes?" Chloe whispered, running a hand through her hair as tears pooled in her eyes.
~ Day 23 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
Charlotte was happy to see Chloe finally relaxing and enjoying herself after almost two weeks of being home. They were in the kitchen going over their Christmas Eve dinner menu when there was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it," Chloe said.
Charlotte smiled when she heard the squeals coming from the living room.
"Brey!" Chloe said, crushing Aubrey in a hug. "What are you doing here already?"
"I missed you, Chloe," Aubrey said. "And I wanted some best friend time before all the girls got here."
"I'm so glad you're here," Chloe said, not letting Aubrey go.
Aubrey saw Charlotte over Chloe's shoulder. Charlotte smiled at her and mouthed, "thank you." Aubrey smiled back and pulled back from Chloe.
"Charlotte, it's so good to see you," Aubrey said.
"You, too," Charlotte said. "Why don't you girls go upstairs and catch up. I'll bring you a snack."
"Thanks, mom," Chloe said, dragging Aubrey upstairs.
Chloe pulled Aubrey into her room and closed the door. They sat on Chloe's bed, and Aubrey looked at her.
"Okay, spill," Aubrey said. "What's going on with you?"
"Nothing," Chloe said with a shrug.
"Chloe," Aubrey said in a way that let Chloe know she wasn't going to buy into Chloe's bullshit.
"Fine," Chloe said. "I started comparing Beca and Chicago and realized that I couldn't give my all to Chicago because he wasn't Beca. Then I realized that Chicago had one thing going for him that Beca didn't."
Aubrey waited, but Chloe was looking down at her blanket and fidgeting.
"What does Chicago have going for him that Beca doesn't?"
"He wants to be with me," Chloe said softly. "Beca has avoided for the last year and has made it obvious she doesn't want me. So, I've made a decision. If Chicago proposes, I'm going to, um." Chloe cleared her throat and looked at Aubrey. "I'm going to say yes."
Aubrey doesn't know what to say. She's saved from responding when Chloe's phone rings. Chloe picks it up and looks at the caller ID.
"Oh, um, it's Chicago," Chloe said. "Would you mind?"
"Go ahead," Aubrey said. "I'll go visit with your mom. Come find me when you're done."
"Thanks," Chloe said and answered the call. "Hey."
Aubrey sighed as she walked down the stairs to find Charlotte.
"We have a problem," Aubrey said by way of greeting.
"What kind of problem?" Charlotte asked.
"Chloe compared the two and said that she couldn't give her all to Chicago because he wasn't Beca," Aubrey said. "The fact that Chicago is ready to propose means he wants to be with her. Then she said Beca's been avoiding her and has made it obvious she doesn't want to be with Chloe. She also said that if Chicago proposes, she's going to accept."
"He's not right for her," Charlotte said. "We need to make her see that before it's too late and she marries him for all the wrong reasons."
~ Day 23 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
It was two days before Christmas, and Beca was sitting on DJ Khaled's jet in New York. The jet had been scheduled to fly Khaled and his family in New York; it didn't take much to add a trip to Tampa as well.
Spending the night in New York caused Beca to relive the memories she made while living in the city with Chloe. Memories that made her determined to reconnect with Chloe, either as her friend or, hopefully, something more.
"We'll be on our way in about twenty minutes," the pilot told Beca. "If the weather holds up, we should be in Tampa around eleven-thirty."
"Thanks," Beca said as she stared out the window, waiting to take off. "What the hell am I doing?"
Beca thought back to the phone call she had with Chloe's mother, Charlotte Beale.
"Beca," Charlotte said as Beca answered her call.
"Dammit," Beca muttered, looking at her caller ID, realizing she should have done that before answering. "Hey, Charlotte. How's everything?"
"Not good," Charlotte said. "Chloe is about to make the biggest mistake of her life. I need you to come for Christmas and talk some sense into her."
"Charlotte, I haven't talked to Chloe in almost a year," Beca said. "We're, uh, not as close as we used to be."
"I know, but she still respects you and thinks of you as one of her closest friends," Charlotte said. "And I know she'd be happy to see you. I'm afraid Chicago's going to propose and Carl and I aren't happy about it. We know that Chloe is settling, and we can't be a part of that. I've tried talking to her, but she won't listen."
"I don't know what I can say to make her not love the guy," Beca said. "He makes her happy, and I can't take that away from her."
"She's not happy, Beca," Charlotte said. "Chloe is not in love with him; she's in love with you. I'm sorry to be so blunt, but I'm desperate. If you love Chloe like I think you do, you need to come here and fight for her. Let her know that you are an option for her."
Beca fought back the tears that filled her eyes. "I'll be there on Christmas Eve," Beca told Charlotte.
"That's perfect," Charlotte said. "Thank you, Beca. I'll see you on Christmas Eve."
The call ended there, and Beca has been second-guessing herself ever since. She took a deep breath and let it out.
"Suck it up, Mitchell," Beca muttered. "And go get your girl. At least I hope she wants to be my girl."
The jet finally took off, and before Beca knew it, she was on the ground waiting for her bags to be removed from the baggage hold.
Theo had ordered a car and driver for Beca; it pulled up next to the jet, and the driver got out and introduced himself to Beca.
"Miss Mitchell," the driver said. "I'm Richard, and I will be your driver for the duration of your stay here in Tampa."
"Nice to meet you, Richard," Beca said. "Please, call me Beca."
Richard nodded and gathered Beca's luggage and put it in the trunk while Beca got settled in her seat. Richard got behind the wheel and turned to look at Beca.
"Where to first?" Richard asked. "I have the addresses for most of the places you'll be going."
"I'd like to check into my hotel, please," Beca responded.
"Yes, ma'am," Richard said and drove off.
Beca checked in and unpacked her bags. It was almost two o'clock, and Beca was sitting on the bed, debating if she should go to the Beales' now or wait until the next day.
"Fuck it," Beca mumbled and texted Richard to pick her up.
~ Day 23 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
Beca was now standing in front of the Beales' door. She took a deep breath and knocked. She looked around at all the Christmas decorations as she waited. She jumped slightly when the door opened.
She was surprised to see Aubrey standing in front of her.
"It's good to see you, Beca," Aubrey said, smiling at Beca.
Without thinking, Beca grabbed Aubrey in a hug. Aubrey was a bit surprised but hugged Beca back.
"Good to see you, too, Posen." Beca held the hug and mumbled against Aubrey's shoulder, "I'm sorry."
Aubrey hugged Beca tighter and whispered, "You have nothing to be sorry for. We all understand."
Beca pulled back with a chuckle and said, "There are some who may not be so understanding."
"Beca!" Charlotte called out, seeing Beca at the door.
In the kitchen, Chloe's head jerked up. "Did she say Beca?"
"Yeah, she did," Stacie said as she jumped up and ran into the living room with the rest of the Bellas on her heels.
Chloe stood and followed them out a bit slower. Chicago followed Chloe and put his arms around her waist from behind when she stopped outside the kitchen door. She stepped forward and out of his arms.
"Beca!" the Bellas screamed and engulfed Beca in a group hug.
Chloe walked over to the group, and it was like they sensed Chloe behind them, and started stepping aside until it was just Chloe and Beca standing a foot away from each other.
"Hey," Beca said with a soft smile.
Chloe glared at Beca, making Beca uncomfortable enough to look around at the Bellas. She returned her gaze to Chloe.
"You, uh, you look good, Beale," Beca said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Chloe smile and rolled her eyes. Beca stepped forward and engulfed Chloe in a hug.
"I missed you," a teary-eyed Chloe whispered. "I thought you weren't coming."
"I missed you, too," Beca whispered through her tears. "You're the only reason I'm here."
"What?" Chloe said as she pulled out of the hug.
"Let's give Beca some breathing room, shall we, Chloe?" Chicago said, taking Chloe by the arm and pulling her back to him.
Beca chuckled because she could feel Aubrey glaring at Chicago without turning around.
"Why don't we go into the living room," Charlotte said, ushering the group forward. "Beca can tell us all about being a hotshot musician."
~ Day 23 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
An hour later, Beca was exhausted. She had forgotten how much it took to keep up with the Bellas. That and all the energy she was expending trying not to look at Chloe every ten seconds.
Beca's stomach grumbled, and she blushed; she hadn't eaten anything since early this morning. Charlotte smiled at her and stood from her seat.
"I'm getting hungry. Anyone in the mood for an early dinner?" Charlotte asked, looking around the room. "I have stuff for sandwiches and some salads. We can eat in here since there's more room. Who else is hungry?"
Everyone laughed and raised their hands, shouting, "Me!"
"Chloe, would you mind helping me?"
"Sure, mom," Chloe said, standing to follow Charlotte.
Chicago pulled her back and kissed her, smiling as he let her go. Beca looked away but not before she saw Chloe look at her.
Beca thought about offering to help just so she could spend some time with Chloe, but Aubrey jumped up and beat her to it. Beca sighed and was surprised when she heard her name.
"Beca?" Chicago called her again.
"Um, yeah?" Beca said, looking over to him.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Beca looked around nervously. "Sure."
Chicago stood and waved for Beca to follow him. She saw Stacie look over at her with a raised brow. All Beca could do was shrug and follow Chicago out the front door; she closed the screen door but left the main door open.
Chicago stopped and turned toward Beca, leaning against the porch railing.
"I, um," Chicago started nervously. "I want to ask Chloe to marry me."
Beca was surprised that Chicago just blurted it out. She took in a slow breath and let it out.
"Okay, but why are you telling me this?"
"Because you're her best friend, and I'd like your okay."
"Where's Beca?" Chloe asked as she carried napkins and silverware into the living room.
"Chicago asked to speak with her," Stacie said, standing near the opened door. "They're on the front porch."
Charlotte and Aubrey heard this and looked at each other. They set down the trays they were carrying and followed Chloe to the front door. Stacie grabbed Chloe's arm to stop her from going out.
"Shh," Charlotte said as Beca started to speak again.
"Dude, why are you asking me for permission?" Beca asked. "I'm not her mother or father."
"Like I said, your her best friend," Chicago said. "She misses you and respects you. Having your approval would mean to the world to Chloe. "
"You're asking the wrong person," Beca said.
Chicago stood up and took Beca by the arms. Beca squirmed uncomfortably, so Chicago let her go. He stepped back and looked at her.
"You're the one she'll listen to," Chicago said. "You two haven't spoken since you left France, but you're all she talks about. If you're okay with it, she'll say yes. I know she will."
"I can't," Beca said as tears filled her eyes. She pushed away from Chicago and turned her back on him.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I'm not okay with it," Beca said, shaking her head. "I don't approve of you proposing to Chloe."
"Why not?" Chicago said.
"Because I'm in love with her!" Beca said, turning back to face Chicago. "I only came here to so I could try and get her to see that she belonged with me, not you."
"Beca?"
Beca whipped her head around to see Chloe standing there with tears falling down her cheeks. Charlotte, Aubrey, and Stacie stepped outside and stood behind Chloe.
"I'm sorry," Beca choked out and ran down the porch steps. "I shouldn't be doing this."
"Beca, wait!" Chloe cried out, starting to follow Beca.
Chicago grabbed Chloe's arm to stop her. "Let me go!"
"No!" Chicago yelled. Seeing the look on Chloe's face, he asked, "Do you love her, too?"
Chloe didn't say anything, but Chicago knew the answer. To try and save face in front of Chloe's friends and family, he said, "If you go after her, we're through."
Chloe looked at him and then looked to see Beca hurrying down the street. She turned back to Chicago.
"Fine," Chloe said, causing Chicago to relax his grip, thinking Chloe was going to stay with him.
But Chloe had other ideas. She moved away from him and said, "We're through!" before running down the steps and chasing after Beca, calling her name.
"Beca! Please stop!" Chloe said, catching up to Beca and grabbing her by the arm.
"I'm sorry, Chlo," Beca said through her tears. "As much as I wanted you to pick me, I didn't mean to ruin this for you. I'm so, so sorry."
"You didn't ruin anything," Chloe said, stepping into Beca's personal space. "You just made things better."
"How?" Beca asked, wiping tears from her face.
"No matter what I said before, you've always been my first choice, and now I know I'm yours," Chloe said as she took Beca's hands in hers. "You know what would make this a thousand times better?"
Beca shook her head, looking in Chloe's eyes.
"If you'd kiss me," Chloe said, leaning in to place her lips on Beca's.
Beca let out a small sob but managed to kiss Chloe back. Chloe snaked her arms around Beca's neck and deepened the kiss. Beca let out a moan and put her arms around Chloe's waist, holding her close to her.
"Yes!" Stacie and Aubrey both cheered, while Charlotte watched Beca and Chloe with a smile.
Chicago's face was red with anger as he watched Chloe kiss Beca. He looked as if he was going to go after Chloe, but three women stepped up to block his way.
"Don't," Charlotte said, holding up her hand to stop him. "She made her choice. Be a man and accept it."
Chicago swallowed hard and looked at the two women with tears in his eyes. "I'm in love with her."
"I know," Charlotte said kindly. "And she loves you, too, but she's in love with Beca."
Chicago wanted to argue, but looking at Chloe and Beca still kissing, he knew it was pointless to do so. Instead, he nodded his head and wiped at his eyes. "I guess it's a good thing I haven't unpacked. I'll just get my bag-"
"Got it, right here," Carl said, carrying the bag as he came outside. "I'll give you a ride to the nearest hotel."
"I think that's best," Aubrey said.
Seeing Chicago still standing there, watching Beca and Chloe, Stacie spoke up and said, "Maybe you should go before they come back."
Chicago turned and nodded again before following Carl to his truck.
~ Day 23 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
Later that night, Beca and Chloe were sitting in Beca's hotel room, both lost in thought. After they got back to the house, they knew they had a lot to talk about, and Chloe suggested Beca's hotel so they could have some privacy while talking.
Beca told Chloe all the feelings she had kept bottled up for her over the years. She apologized for being five minutes too late in telling Chloe at the end of her solo performance.
Chloe apologized, too, and admitted she kissed Chicago because she didn't think Beca felt the same for her as she did for Beca.
Beca felt bad about how things turned out for Chicago. She wanted to apologize to the man but wasn't sure how that would go over.
Chloe was upset because she did love Chicago, but she had been in love with Beca for so long that as soon as she saw Beca engulfed in the hug with the Bellas, she knew she was not going back to Spain with Chicago.
The two were cuddled together, enjoying being in each other's company when Chloe's phone pinged with a text notification. Before she could pick it up, another notification came through. She sat up and grabbed her phone from the nightstand.
"It's from Chicago," Chloe told Beca.
Chicago: I'll ship your stuff to wherever you end up when I get back to Spain. Just text me the address.
Chicago: I have a rental car and am leaving to drive to Savannah to spend Christmas with my brother and his family. Goodbye, Chloe.
Chloe read the texts to Beca. "I'm just going to thank him and wish him a Merry Christmas."
"Don't," Beca said, pushing the phone down toward the bed. "He said goodbye. Maybe call him when you know where you're staying, and you can use that time to apologize or clear the air. Things are a little too fresh right now. Give him some time to process everything."
"I just feel bad at the way things ended," Chloe said sadly. "I don't like hurting him."
Beca sat up straighter. "Are you regretting your decision to be with me?"
"What? God no, Beca," Chloe said, turning to pull Beca into her arms. "I was with him for a year, and I did love him. You know I hate to hurt the people I care about."
Chloe leaned in and kissed Beca. "I love you, and it wouldn't have been fair to him or me to stay with him. I will never regret choosing you. You have to believe that."
"I do," Beca said. "And I love you, too."
Beca and Chloe kissed again. When the kiss ended, Chloe settled down on the bed, snuggling close to Beca.
"Hmm," Chloe said. "This feels nice."
"It does," Beca said, pulling Chloe closer to her. "We should get some sleep. It's getting late, and we have to be at your folks early tomorrow to help get things ready for Christmas Eve dinner."
"I'm glad we're spending Christmas together with the Bellas," Chloe said.
"I'm glad I'm spending Christmas with you," Beca said.
Full prompt from FanFiction User JJSoccer: Beca is set on spending Christmas alone in fear of having to face Chloe and Chicago if she shows up at the Bellas Christmas reunion Chloe's mom is putting together…. only because during a phone call with Amy the Aussie shares with Beca her thoughts about this being something more than a holiday thing and Chicago might propose.
Chloe's mom's intentions, though are a bit different, and she wants to finally bring Chloe and Beca together after overhearing a conversation between her daughter and Aubrey.