Eurrrrggghhhhh….I know it has been so long since I updated this. Honestly, I have just not had the energy or focus to write much at all. I can only apologise to the people actually following this story. It is gonna be a short chapter, just to get myself back into it.
''Beca...What are you doing here?''
''Hey Mom.'' Beca nervously shifted from one foot to the other. She's not sure she had ever felt this shy around her mother before. Anxiously rubbing her clammy palms against her jeans, she looked up to meet her mothers gaze. ''I umm. I kinda need to crash here for a bit. Like, well, you know...if it's okay with you?''
Ellen Mitchell was much like an older version of Beca. The dark brown hair, deep blue eyes, short (though still an inch taller than her daughter) with a slight frame. The only difference was she was far more open than Beca. ''Of course sweetheart. You're welcome here any time baby girl.''
Beca stepped inside the apartment, hauling her bag in with her. ''Thanks Mom.'' Beca whispered, barely audible before setting her bag on the floor and sighing to herself.
''Look, I have to get going before I'm late for work. Make yourself at home.'' Ellen gave her daughter a quick hug before rushing out the door to go to work. ''See you later okay.''
/
It was weird in the apartment by herself all day. Her mother had moved here shortly after Beca had gone off to college and she hadn't actually visited yet.
The younger brunette had managed to nap until around midday, but didn't feel any less tired than she had before falling asleep on the large comfy couch. She had got up and gone in search of food, though it hadn't stayed down long. She sat and watched the television for a while but even that wasn't a big enough distraction from all the thoughts running through her mind.
When her mom walked back into the apartment at 4pm, she found the younger brunette sat cross legged in front of the floor to ceiling window that overlooked the beach. Beca was day dreaming, so out of it that she hadn't heard her mother walk through the door and up behind her. Ellen leant down and kissed her daughter on the top of the head, startling the her. ''Ooops. Sorry darling.''
''It's okay. Was just in a world of my own.'' Beca replied, turning round to watch as her mother went about dumping her handbag and laptop bag on top of the kitchens centre island and walking around the kitchen to make a coffee. She was kind of in awe of how relaxed her mother seemed. She had never really witnessed her like this. Back in Maine, her mother had been on edge a lot. Dealing with a job she hated but was only in to make sure she could pay the bills on the overly large house that they lived in. It was far too big for just the two of them, but her mother insisted they stay there because it was the house that Beca had grown up in. ''This place is amazing Mom. Can't believe I've not visited before now.''
Ellen let out a light chuckle. ''Well I don't know either. Since I have asked you numerous times to visit, and along bring that lovely girlfriend of yours with you. Where is Chloe anyway? Not fancy the trip?''
Beca's eyes widened as she immediately shot her line of vision to the floor. Totally ignoring her mothers questions, she started to fiddle with the rings on her right hand. It was very reminiscent of Beca's teenage years whenever her mom tried to get her to talk about anything other than music.
''Something you need to tell me munchkin?''
Beca shot her mother a glare. She had hated that nickname since she was a child but her mom had always insisted that it was cute. ''Don't call me that.'' There was a snip to her voice that she hadn't really intended to be there, but she truly did dislike that nickname. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath she whispered, ''shit, sorry.''
Ellen walked over to Beca and wrapped her arms around her, only tightening her grip when the younger brunette tried to resist the contact. ''Beca. Sweetie, what's happened? Come on, tell me.''
That's all it took for the young brunette to completely break down. She stood, wrapped up in her mother arms, sobbing so heavily that her entire body shook. ''M...Me….Me and Chloe, we're through.'' she managed between sobs.
Beca doesn't know how or when she ended up on the couch, led with her head in her moms lap, but her eyes sting from the constant flow of tears. For the most part, Ellen had simply comforted her, let her cry it out. Waiting until her sobbing subsided before asking any questions. ''So, do you wanna talk about it?'' When Beca shook her head and buried her face in her hands, she didn't push her to speak. Clearly knowing her daughter well enough to know not to push her into anything she wasn't ready to do. ''Ok. Well what do you say I order in Chinese? I don't feel much like cooking.''
''Yeah, sounds good.''
/
''Chinese is here.'' Beca chirped from the couch as her mother grabbed them a can of soda each from the fridge.
Quirking an eyebrow at her daughter, Ellen replied, ''No, the door bell hasn't gone yet.'' just seconds before the door bell dinged. ''Hmmm...well I guess I was wrong. How'd you do that?''
''Could smell it.'' Beca called out as her mother went to the door to retrieve their food.
They'd sat down up at the centre island, Ellen chatting away about her job, her time living by the beach and her new neighbours that she got on really well with. Beca would never admit that she had zoned out more than once. It wasn't that she was disinterested in her mothers life, in fact finally seeing her mom had made her realise just how much she missed her. It made her regret all the bad things she had said to her mom on the run up to her leaving for college, blaming her for being forced into college when all she wanted to do was move to L.A. It made her hate herself for not making more of an effort to stay in contact, to phone her mom back when she purposely missed the calls every week or not replying to her emails. It's not like they didn't talk at all, but Beca used minimal effort.
''…...and then, Michael next door, he said that maybe'' Ellen stopped in her tracks as she heard to quiet heave her daughter let out. Next thing she knew, Beca was scrambling off of the stool and running for the bathroom, unable to shut the door behind her before violently vomiting into the toilet.
''Beca...Beca are you okay? Was it something you ate? Are you ill?'' The mother asked whilst holding her daughters hair back and rubbing gentle comforting circles on her back.
Beca pulled her face away from the toilet, staring up into her mothers eyes, her own eyes brimming with tears. ''No. None of those.''
''So, what is it then sweetheart?'' There was a mildly panicked look in Ellen's eyes before something obviously clicked in her mind.
Recognising the realisation on her mothers face, Beca looked away. She wasn't prepared to witness the disappointment that would be evident in her mothers eyes. ''Please Mom. Please don't make me say it. Please.'' Beca begged in a whispered tone.
''Sweetheart, are you…Are you pregnant?''
Beca nodded and burst into tears.
/
Their Chinese went unfinished, Ellen quickly discarding the takeaway containers into the bin in an attempt to prevent further vomiting. Instead, she had made them both a milky coffee, taking it out onto the small balcony where Beca had curled up onto a chair, watching the sun go down.
It was clear that her daughter was very shaken, so she had given her a little space before attempting to go speak to her. ''Hey, I made you a coffee.''
Beca greeted her with a smile. ''Thanks Ma.''
A few times, Ellen had opened and shut her mouth again. Struggling to find the words to talk to her daughter. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she finally spoke up. ''So, how far gone are you?'' she asked as she sat herself down in the other chair.
''I think around eight weeks. But I don't know exactly. I've, umm, not been to the doctors.''
''Is this why you and Chloe broke up?'' asked almost timidly as she took a sip of her coffee.
Beca slowly turned to face her mom. Almost taken aback by the sheer bluntness of the conversation. This is what she didn't want to happen. Her mother questioning her when she really wasn't ready to go into detail. ''Uh, yeah I guess.''
''So, you cheated on her?''
''What? No. It's, it's not like that.'' Beca's voice had gotten louder as she rose from her seated position, clearly offended by the accusation. They were caught in a slight stare off. Both just glaring at each other.
''Well you don't just get knocked up whilst you're in a relationship with another female Beca. That's not how that works.'' Ellen retorted in a heavily sarcastic tone.
Rolling her eyes at her mothers statement, Beca brought her hand up to pinch at the bridge of her nose. She could feel the beginning of a headache starting and she knew that if she didn't calm down soon, it would turn into a three day migraine. ''Oh my god, Mom. No. Jesus Christ. I am not talking about this with you. I'm done.'' She briskly walked away, taking herself off to the spare room and slamming the door.
Ellen was taken aback by just how quickly it escalated into raised voices and slammed doors, clearly forgetting all the dramatics from Beca's early teenage years. She knew she had to go and apologise for what she said. Taking a deep breath and running her fingers through her hair, she stood up and made her way back inside.
The older brunette made her way over to the spare room, stopping herself just before entering, figuring it would be a better idea to knock first. ''Beca? Baby girl, can I come in please.'' she waited for around a minute, only to be met with silence. ''Bec, I'm coming in okay?''
Ellen opened the door to be greeted by the sight of her daughter curled up in the middle of the double bed, silently crying. She didn't think twice about stepping towards the bed, and sitting on the unoccupied side. ''Come here.'' she said as she gestured to Beca to pull herself further up the bed and into a waiting hug from her mother.
''I'm so sorry for the way I spoke to you.'' Ellen whispered as she held her daughter tight and stroked her hair, just like she did when Beca was a toddler and woke from a nightmare.
It was a real comfort to the younger brunette. She held on just as tight at her mother as more tears escaped her eyes.
''Beca, please don't get cross with me, but do you plan on keeping this baby?'' Ellen's voice was steady but quiet, silently praying this question wouldn't cause another argument.
And it didn't. Beca figured it was a legitimate, not just her mother asking unnecessary questions. ''No. No I can't. I...I'm getting an abortion.''
''You know, when I fell pregnant with you, I didn't think I could be a mom either. But you are the best thing that's ever happened to me. I loved and do love you so much. Whatever you feel you need to do, I will be there for you okay?''
''I love you too Mom.''
