25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020
Day 7 - A Daughter for Christmas (Part 2)
Author's Prompt: Follow-up to my 2019 Pitchmas gift A Daughter for Christmas. Four years ago Beca Mitchell was surprised on Christmas day when her biological daughter found her. Beca and her wife, Chloe, welcomed her to their family. Four years later, Amanda Henderson (aka Manda Mitchell) is back to celebrate Christmas with the Mitchells and she brings a few more surprises.
Seven-year-old Sophie Mitchell stood in front of the large Bay window with her five-and-a-half-year-old sister Sarah. They were watching for their older sister, Amanda, who was coming to spend Christmas with them.
Beca Mitchell is Amanda's mother. Beca had given her up for adoption twenty-two years ago when Beca was only sixteen. Amanda found Beca four years ago and Beca, and her wife, Chloe, accepted Amanda into their family with open arms.
Amanda had a good life before finding Beca; she loved that the Mitchells were so welcoming. Amanda felt blessed because not only did she have her birth mother, but she got a second mother in Chloe and two sisters who absolutely adored her. The feeling was mutual.
"She's here!" Sophie cried out as a car pulled into the driveway.
Amanda and a young man got out of the car. The young man looked nervously up at the house. Amanda took his hand and smiled at him.
"Don't worry," Amanda told him. "They're going to love you almost as much as I do."
Beca and Chloe came out of the kitchen.
"Who's the guy?" Sophie asked, her brow furrowed.
"What guy?" Beca asked, rushing over to the window, Chloe close behind her.
"He's cute," Chloe said, looking over Beca's shoulder.
"Did she say anything to you about bringing someone with her?" Beca asked Chloe.
"Nope," Chloe said.
They watched as Amanda and the young man walked up to the house. There was a knock on the door.
"Manda's here," Sarah said, rushing to the door, followed by the rest of the Mitchells.
Sarah threw open the door and rushed Amanda, grabbing her around the waist in a hug.
"Manda!" Sarah squealed. "You're finally here."
"Hey, Sarah," Amanda said. "It's good to see you!"
"Let her go, Sarah," Chloe said with a laugh. "We all want a Manda hug, too."
"Sorry," Sarah said, letting Amanda go.
"Come in," Chloe said, ushering Amanda and her guest inside.
As soon as Amanda made it through the door, she was enveloped in a Mitchell family hug. The young man stood by watching Amanda with her family with a nervous smile on his face. Amanda pulled back and pulled the anxious young man forward.
"Family Mitchell," Amanda said. "I'd like to introduce you to my husband, Dylan Maxwell."
Beca and Chloe stood back, stunned. Amanda never mentioned having a boyfriend and now she's married?
"Husband?" Beca said. "Since when?"
"We made a quick stop in Vegas yesterday and got married," Amanda said.
"Does that mean we have a brother now?" Sarah asked.
"Sort of," Amanda said.
"How long have you two been together?" Beca asked.
"Six months."
"Six months?!"
"Beca, calm down," Chloe said, rubbing Beca's arm. "Welcome to the family, Dylan."
Chloe hugged Dylan.
"Thank you, Mrs. Mitchell," Dylan said, pulling out of the hug.
"Please call me Chloe."
"Thank you, Chloe," Dylan said, smiling at Chloe.
"I'm Sophie," Sophie said and hugged Dylan.
"I'm Sarah," Sarah said, also hugging Dylan.
"Nice to meet you both," Dylan said, glancing at Beca.
Beca just glared at him.
"Be nice," Chloe whispered to Beca.
"She's only known him for six months," Beca whispered back. "And now they're married. That's too soon."
"I love him," Amanda said, having heard Beca. "And he loves me. We know we belong together."
"Are you pregnant?" Beca asked.
Amanda gasped. "How did you-"
"So, you are pregnant," Beca stated, interrupting Amanda.
Amanda gulped and nodded. Dylan moved to put Amanda between him and Beca.
"That's wonderful news," Chloe cried, pulling Amanda into a hug.
"I'm only two months along," Amanda said, hugging Chloe. "I wanted to tell you on Christmas day. And, I was going to do it all cutesy and everything."
"I'm sorry Mama Mitchell spoiled the surprise," Chloe said, turning to her wife. "Becs, don't you have something to say to Amanda?"
Beca didn't say anything. She just pulled Amanda into a hug.
"I am really happy for you," Beca whispered.
Beca wiped at her eyes when she pulled back from the hug. Amanda smiled at her and said, "Thank you."
Beca looked at Dylan and said, "We need to talk."
~~ Day 7 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
Amand paced back and forth outside the kitchen where Beca had taken Dylan to talk.
"Relax, Amanda," Chloe said. "You know Beca is all bark and no bite."
"Yeah," Amanda said. "But that was before she found out I was pregnant."
"She's happy about that," Chloe said. "She wasn't faking that. Everything will be fine."
In the kitchen, Beca offered Dylan a seat at the kitchen island.
"Can I get you something to drink?" Beca asked. "We have beer, wine, tea. . ."
"I'll just have some water, please," Dylan said.
Beca gave him the water and sat across from him.
"I'm guessing Amanda told you about us," Beca said. "About her being adopted and finding me after her adoptive parents died?"
Dylan nodded.
"She's become a big part of my family," Beca said. "Sophie and Sarah adore their big sister."
"I can say with absolute certainty," Dylan said. "The feeling is mutual. She talks about them, about all of you, all the time. I feel like I already know you."
"I admit I was a bit shocked when she first showed up on my doorstep," Beca said. "I was worried about how Chloe was going to react. I shouldn't have, because Chloe accepted her without any hesitation. Amanda has taken up space in all of our hearts. None of us want to see her get hurt. Especially me. Understand?"
"Believe me, Mrs. Mitchell," Dylan said. "I love her with every fiber of my being. And truth be told, I would have asked her to marry me even if she wasn't pregnant."
"Good," Beca said. "Welcome to the family. Be prepared to see a lot of us, especially when the baby is born."
"Amanda's already told me she wants you and Chloe there when the baby comes," Dylan said. "I'm more than okay with that. I am looking forward to getting to know all of you. I don't have any sisters, so Sophie and Sarah will be a welcome change from all the boys in my family."
"How many brothers do you have?"
"Five," Dylan replied. "Two older and three younger. The two oldest, David and Jeremy have two kids each. All boys, too."
"Do you think Amanda will have a girl and break the cycle?"
"My mom does," Dylan said with a laugh. "I don't care what the sex is, I just want a healthy baby."
"Good answer," Beca said, smiling. "Let's sit here for a few more minutes. I want to make Amanda squirm a bit for not telling us about you before today."
"She was really nervous about telling you about the baby," Dylan said.
"I know I didn't show it at first," Beca said. "But I really am excited for you both. For the marriage and the baby."
"Thank you," Dylan said. "That means a lot to me. To us."
"And, before I forget," Beca said. "I want you to truly understand how much I mean it when I say, you hurt her and you'll have to answer to me. Got it?"
"Yes, ma'am," Dylan replied, taking a drink of his water to quench his suddenly dry mouth.
~~ Day 6 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
It was ten minutes later when Beca and Dylan walked out of the kitchen, looking serious. Amanda ran over to Dylan.
"How'd it go?" she asked.
Dylan looked at Beca and smiled. "I've received the Mama Mitchell seal of approval and have been officially welcomed into your family," Dylan said. "And we came to a mutual understanding. I won't hurt you and she won't hurt me."
"You're such a softie," Chloe told Beca, kissing her on the cheek.
"I'm not going to apologize for being soft for all my girls," Beca said. "What's for dinner? I'm starved."
"Ooo, can we order pizza from Donatelli's?" Amanda asked. "I've got a craving for their pineapple pizza."
"Yes!" Sarah and Sophie squeal. "Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!"
"Okay, okay," Beca yelled over her daughters. "We can order pizza."
~~ Day 6 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
The next day, Beca pulled Amanda aside and asked her what she could get Dylan for Christmas.
"Can you find him a job?" Amanda asked and laughed. "He graduated in May and hasn't found anything yet." Her smile dropped as she said, "He's making himself sick, worrying about how he's going to support me and the baby."
"I can help with that," Beca said. "You're still on my health insurance so you will have coverage for any costs associated with your pregnancy. What was Dylan's major?"
"Advertising and Public Relations," Amanda said. "He wants to get into the entertainment industry and be a PR rep."
"I think I can help with that, too," Beca said, smiling. "I'll make some calls and see what I can do. Okay?"
"Thank you," Amanda said, hugging Beca.
"Now, what can I get him for Christmas?"
Amanda laughed. "He needs some nice work clothes for when he does get a job."
"Do you know his sizes?"
"Yeah."
"Great! Let's go shopping for Dylan."
Chloe said she'd stay home with Dylan, so Beca and the girls could go shopping.
"I'm surprised you want to go out shopping on Christmas Eve," Chloe told Beca as they were getting ready to leave.
"I want to have something under the tree for Dylan," Beca said. "Did you need me to pick up anything while we're out?"
"I think I might need a few things for dinner tomorrow," Chloe said. "I'll text you a list."
"Okay," Beca said, leaning in for a kiss.
Chloe kissed Beca and then Beca and the girls left. Chloe looked at Dylan.
"Care to join me in the kitchen?" Chloe asked. "I need to check and see what I need for dinner tomorrow so I can send the list to Beca."
"Sure," Dylan said and followed Chloe into the kitchen.
~~ Day 6 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
Christmas morning was hectic with lots of laughing and squeals of excitement as everyone opened their gifts. The family was sitting down to a late breakfast when Beca's phone rang.
Beca checked the caller ID and stood from the table, saying, "It's work. I have to take this."
"Beca," Chloe said. "It's Christmas. Can't you talk to whoever it is tomorrow?"
Beca waved Chloe over to her; once Chloe was close Beca whispered, "It's about a job for Dylan."
"Oh," Chloe said. "Go ahead then."
"Where's mama going?" Sarah asked when Chloe sat back down at the table.
"Someone from work called her," Chloe said. "She had to take it."
"Is she going to work?" Sophie asked.
"No, sweetie," Chloe said. "Once the call is over she'll be staying."
"Good," Sophie said. "I want to try out my new bike."
"Me, too," Sarah said.
"I'm sure mama will take you both out after we eat," Chloe said.
"Can we go, too?" Amanda asked.
"Of course," Sarah said.
Sophie and Sarah finished eating and asked to be excused. Chloe told them they could and they rushed off to play with their new toys.
A few minutes later, Beca came back to the table smiling. She looked at Dylan and said, "I don't know how long you were planning to stay, but I need you to be here on the 29th for a job interview."
"What?" Dylan asked, surprised. "What job interview?"
"The one I just set up for you," Beca said. "It's for an Assistant Public Relations Representative. It's entry-level and will get your foot in the door and help you gain real-time experience to become an actual PR Rep. What do you say?"
"I say, which of my new suits should I wear?" Dylan responded with a smile.
Amanda jumped up and ran over to hug Beca. "Thank you, Mama Mitchell."
"You're welcome," Beca said, patting Amanda on her back. "Merry Christmas."
Amanda sat back down and she and Dylan started talking about the possibility of living in L.A. if he got the job.
Beca started eating and Chloe leaned over to her and whispered, "Told you; you're a total softie."
"What did you expect me to do?" Beca asked. "He's the father of our first grandchild."
Beca suddenly paled and dropped her fork, causing a loud clatter as it hit her plate. Amanda and Dylan's heads whipped around to look over at her.
"Beca," Chloe said, caressing Beca's arm. "Are you okay?"
"We're thirty-eight," Beca said in awe. "Chlo, we're thirty-eight and we're going to be grandparents. GRANDparents, Chloe!"
Amanda and Dylan laughed.
"Beca," Chloe said, smiling as she pulled Beca toward her to kiss her. "Thirty-eight is a great age to become grandparents. We're still young enough to keep up with them. And we'll look hot doing it."
"I love you," Beca said. "Merry Christmas, babe."
"Merry Christmas, grandma,' Chloe said.