A week on from their first time together, and they were sat in the airport with Aubrey, Stacie, Bella, Amy, and Benji. Travelling together had seemed like a good idea at the time, but after spending an hour at airport security trying to explain the Beca wasn't trying to smuggle anything onto the plane but had in fact got some shrapnel lodged in her back (because apparently her medical id card simply wasn't proof enough) had made everyone but Chloe regret that decision. They were heading to Atlanta for Emily's graduation, all of them bursting with pride for the youngest Bella who was graduating with honours.

"I cannot believe that it took us an hour to do that!" Stacie groaned as she sank into a chair at the airport.

"Tell me about it." Beca sighed, hand in Chloe's as she sat next to her, "Every time we fly I go through the same thing, it's ridiculous!"

"Maybe we should've flown separately…" Amy rolled her eyes, dropping her carry-on unceremoniously next to the seated Bellas, purse in hand, "I'm gonna grab a coffee, I had to get up at six am because someone insisted that we get to the airport four hours before our flight!" She glared at Aubrey who raised an eyebrow.

"Hey, it's a good job I did with ol' Ironside over there!" Aubrey gestured at Beca with her thumb as the brunette scoffed.

"I was shot, you have to be nice to me!" Beca pouted as Chloe laughed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"So was I, but I let it go with grace!" Aubrey rolled her eyes, a smirk on her lips as she gently bounced Bella on her knee.

"Chloeee…" Beca whined, turning to her girlfriend who just shook her head.

"You know I love you Becs, but after two years you can't really use the 'I got shot' excuse anymore…" Chloe giggled as Beca frowned grumpily, sighing dramatically.

"Well what's the point in being shot then?!" Beca sulked, arms folded across her chest in a huff as Chloe laughed, kissing her cheek.

"It makes your girlfriend think you're a very hot badass…" Chloe mumbled in her ear, Beca's cheeks tingling red as she grinned like an idiot.

"I'm gonna go grab a coffee for me and Stace, you wanna come with me Chloe?" Aubrey smiled warmly, passing Bella to Stacie and kissing her head.

"Sure! Coffee Becs?" Chloe asked.

"God yes…" Beca sighed, Chloe kissing her as she stood up to join Aubrey.

"What about you Benji, coffee?" Chloe offered, a warm smile on her face as Benji nodded gratefully, the two friends heading in the same direction Amy had. Once they had ordered the hot drinks, Aubrey and Chloe stood to one side waiting, Amy having wandered off to go and look around the duty free.

"So." Aubrey grinned as she turned to Chloe, her voice low so that their conversation was not overheard by the other people in the airport, "You guys took a huge step huh?"

"What?!" Chloe blushed furiously, going the same shade as her hair as Aubrey raised an eyebrow, "How did you- how?!"

"Honey, I have been your friend for over a decade now, I know you. And it's written all over your face, the way you're all over each other…" Aubrey nudged Chloe with her arm, as the redhead continued to blush furiously.

"I- we- shut up." Chloe mumbled, unable to keep the stupid grin of her face despite her embarrassment.

"Chloe, in all seriousness, this is huge. I'm so proud of you, of both of you." Aubrey smiled warmly, taking hers and Stacie's coffee as their order was called, Chloe picking up a holder of three with the rest in, still blushing deeply as she followed Aubrey back to the others.

"Thanks…" Chloe whispered, grinning. It was a big step, and Chloe knew it.

"I figured it was only a matter of time after Stacie came home from massaging Beca's back." Aubrey mused, the two taking their time to walk back, "You're glowing. You both are. And honestly, after all you've been through, it's so nice to see you both happy for a change."

"I am happy." Chloe whispered, worried if she were to say it any louder she'd jinx it, "Bree this is the happiest I've ever been. Beca's… my whole world." The redhead sighed happily, "I think I'm going to spend the rest of my life with her. Scratch that, I am going to spend the rest of my life with her. I love her. I never thought I'd ever feel like this about anyone…"

Aubrey grinned broadly, gently pressing herself into Chloe's side, "Usually when people gush like that about their other half it makes me wanna barf, but for some reason when it's you? It's bearable."

Chloe just laughed as they reached their friends again, Amy still wandering around the duty free. Beca took her coffee from Chloe, passing the other to Benji who smiled gratefully, all of them sitting in a content silence for a few moments before Stacie piped up again, a soft grin on her face:

"I can't believe that Emily's actually graduating… our girl's all grown up!" She laughed gently, head resting on Aubrey's shoulder.

"God I know…" Aubrey shook her head, "It feels like just yesterday you were all at the Lodge looking for help with Worlds, and she was this tall, bubbly freshman, and now she's a college graduate?"

"If you guys are freaking out over this, how are you gonna handle Bella starting school?" Beca frowned, earning a glare from both of the young girl's parents as Stacie pulled Bella closer to her chest protectively.

"We do NOT talk about that. She will stay my baby forever and that's the end of it." Stacie pouted, kissing Bella's head.

"Silly momma." Bella giggled, squirming in her arms a little, reaching her hands towards Beca, "Aunty Beca, helppp!"

Beca laughed as she plucked her niece from Stacie's ever-tightening grip around her middle, "Don't worry Bells, Aunty Beca to the rescue!" She cried as she spun with her held just above her head, the toddler squealing in delight.

Chloe grinned as she watched Beca continue to swoop her niece around in her arms, planting soft fluttering kisses on her cheeks as she did so. Watching Beca so utterly content with life made her heart swell, and watching Beca with a kid? It warmed her in a way that she'd never felt before.

The voice over the tannoid announced that their flight was boarding, Stacie gently taking Bella from Beca as all of them, now re-joined by Amy, went to board the plane. Benji looked a little nervous as he stood next to Beca, dithering a little.

"What's up with you dude?" Beca asked, a small frown on her face.

"Nothing." Benji grinned uneasily, "I mean… it's nothing."

"Benji…" Beca started, "Come on, out with it. We're gonna be in this line a while, I'll get it out of you eventually."

"Okay fine." Benji sighed, rummaging in his carry on for a small box, fumbling with it a little as he pulled it out to show Beca, making sure that she was the only one of them that could see it, "I was thinking that I might ask her today?"

Beca gasped softly, a wide grin on her face as she saw the engagement ring in his hand. It was a simple silver, set with a small diamond, but it was stunning, "Dude…" Beca had to fight back tears for a moment, "It's so gorgeous. She's gonna to love it Benji."

"Yeah?" Benji whispered as he hurriedly put it in his bag again, a light blush on his cheeks, "You think she'll say yes?"

"In a heartbeat." Beca nodded, hastily wiping away the tear in the corner of her eye.

"What are you two whispering about?" Chloe asked, turning from her conversation with Aubrey, a soft, suspicious frown on her face.

"Nothing!" Both Benji and Beca answered a little too quickly.

"Uh-huh… that's why you've both gone beetroot?" Chloe raised an eyebrow.

"It's nothing babe, honestly." Beca grinned as she wound her arms around Chloe's waist, kissing her in an attempt to distract her. It worked as Chloe deepened the kiss, forgetting entirely what they were talking about as her brain seemed to short circuit at the way the brunette's tongue felt against hers.

"Um guys… the line's moving." Benji mumbled, trying to get their attention as they were lost in each other to no avail.

"Ladies!" Aubrey barked in a way that made them break apart like guilty teenagers, a way that only their former captain could, "You're holding up the line, come on!" There was a cheeky grin on her face as the couple blushed, fingers intertwined as they headed to board the plane.

Chloe greeted Beca's dad with a warm hug, a grin plastered on her face, "Hey Hank! Thanks for letting us have the party here."

"Of course!" Hank hugged her back tightly, "Figured you guys would want a nice big place to have a party, and for you all to crash after, saves hotel fees." He pulled away as Beca awkwardly hugged him too, Aubrey, Stacie and Amy in tow (Benji had gone over to the old Bella house to see Emily before the graduation ceremony).

"Thanks Dr Mitchell, we really appreciate this." Aubrey grinned, a tired Bella on her hip fussing a little as she clung to her mother's t-shirt.

"Hank, please." He smiled warmly, "And it's no problem, Sheila and I are going to Vegas for the weekend anyway, it means there's someone here to keep an eye on the house whilst we're away."

Hank moved aside to let the girls in, Bella grumbling unhappily as she wriggled in Aubrey's arms.

"Tireddd." She whinged, looking up at her mother with unhappy eyes and a wobbling lip.

"Okay honey." Aubrey cooed, "You want a nap before we go and see Aunty Emily?"

"Uh-huh." Bella nodded, burying her head in Aubrey's neck as she lifted her up into her arms.

"I set up Beca's old cot in the first guest room on the left." Sheila smiled warmly as she walked in from the kitchen to greet the guests, a plate of brownies in her hand.

"Ooo brownies!" Beca grinned, dropping Chloe's hand as she raced to grab one, the redhead shaking her head with a short laugh, "What?" Beca asked incredulously as she heard Chloe's laugh, mouth already full of brownie.

"Nothing." Chloe grinned, "You're just cute when you act like a big kid." She teased as Beca rolled her eyes.

A subtle smile spread across Hank's face as he watched Chloe walk over to Beca, wiping away a small cluster of crumbs from her cheek with her thumb before giving her a soft kiss. Seeing his daughter so happy was perhaps the greatest thing in the world, and watching Chloe (a young woman who had been through so much horror) so relaxed and content filled his heart with so much pride he thought it might burst. Aubrey and Stacie disappeared up the stairs to put Bella down for a nap and unpack their bags, Amy soon close behind deciding she wanted to nap too, still grumbling about her six am get up. Sheila turned to Hank with a warm smile, plate out of brownies left on the kitchen island as she grabbed the handle of her suitcase.

"C'mon you, we don't want to miss our flight." She grinned, giving Hank a gentle nudge as he turned away from his daughter.

"Yeah, good point." Hank smiled, kissing her cheek before turning back to Beca, "So you and Chloe are staying the whole weekend yeah?"

Beca managed to drag her attention away from Chloe for a moment, her head resting on Chloe's shoulder, "Mhm, I don't know if all the Bellas are, but Chlo and I are definitely here until you guys get back on Monday."

"Great, we'll see you then. Oh, and don't go too crazy okay? Because you'll have to clean it up y'know." Hank raised an eyebrow as Beca rolled her eyes.

"Dad, I'm nearly thirty… Chloe is in her thirties! I think our mad partying days are behind us."

"I dunno Beca, when the Bellas get together it can be a little like we're in college again." Chloe mused, a teasing smirk on her face as she gave the brunette a playful nudge.

"Okay… but don't tell my dad that!" Beca teased, poking Chloe with her finger.

Hank simply chuckled, shaking his head a little as he headed for the door, throwing one last look at the happy couple as he headed out of the door with his wife. He turned to her as they loaded their bags into the trunk of the waiting cab.

"They really do look happy don't they?" He mused as Sheila grinned back at him.

"They do. They've got that honeymoon glow to them." Sheila's smile was broad and genuine. She loved both of them as much as any mother would, and seeing them this content made her heart swell.

"Remember when we were that young and in love?" Hank laughed as his wife gave him a playful shove.

"Hey! We're still young! And in love!" Sheila scoffed as she prodded him, "You'll see. We'll take Vegas by a storm like we would do in our twenties."

"Is that a promise?" Hank raised an eyebrow in mischief as Sheila rolled her eyes.

"Just get in the cab." She giggled.

The Bellas had arrived in dribs and drabs throughout the morning and early afternoon, all of them excited to see the youngest Bella graduate. Once Bella was up from her nap, the group was sat around the living room in Dr Mitchell's house, trying to figure out sleeping arrangements for the weekend.

"So, Chloe and I are taking my old room, Aubrey and Stacie take the biggest guest room with the cot in, Jessica and Ashley can take the guest room next to them, CR and Lilly you guys could bunk up in the last guest room, and then Amy and Flo you guys can crash in the living room?" Beca offered, running her hand through her hair as she sat next to Chloe. Sleeping arrangements were never an easy thing to figure out with the Bellas. And by Bellas she meant Amy.

"Um, you want me to crash on the couch?" Amy raised an eyebrow, "Me?"

"Huh, let's see, do I want to make the woman who made me and Chloe share a creaky sofa bed for two years because she wanted a king size bed in an area that would have fitted two singles, sleep on the couch for one weekend?" Beca mused, giving Amy a look.

"I once had to stay on a rat infested floor using a potato sack as a blanket, but sure the couch is a terrible place to have to sleep." Flo raised her eyebrows.

"I can crash on the couch?" Cynthia-Rose offered, trying to save an argument that would undoubtedly escalate.

"What, and I share a room with the littlest psycho? Not likely" Amy snorted.

"It gives me the chance to consume your soul." Lilly whispered, unheard by everyone, although there was a brief chill in the room.

"Look Amy, there are two choices." Aubrey's voice was firm, the captain like authority never failing to get all of them to sit up a little straighter, "The couch or sharing with Lilly. Pick."

Amy frowned contemplating her options for a moment, "Fine I'll take the couch…" She grumbled, Beca giving Aubrey a grateful look for deescalating the situation.

"Right, now that's sorted, we should get ready to go." Chloe smiled warmly, "The graduation ceremony is in two hours, so come on, there's loads of bedrooms but only two bathrooms, so we need to be smart about this!"

By some miracle (and some amazing drill sergeant work from Aubrey) all the Bellas were ready for Emily's graduation with enough time to spare to get there. It was a quick journey onto campus, and as they stood on the quad, looking for a good place to sit as a group, they couldn't help feeling a little nostalgic. Stacie laced her fingers into Aubrey's, Bella on her hip as Stacie rested her head on her wife's shoulder.

"God… so much happened here didn't it?" She mused, a soft smile on her lips, "Right over there is the auditorium where we used to do Bella training, where we had our first kiss…"

"Hmm, yeah..." Aubrey grinned, "And the trees over there near the Bella house? That's where we got engaged."

"That was such a good night… right after winning Worlds, Emily's formal initiation into the Bellas. You wanted to wait till I graduated, a whole new start after college. You've always been such a romantic Aubrey Posen…" Stacie grinned, lifting her head to kiss her wife's cheek.

"Only for you my love." Aubrey grinned, turning her head to catch Stacie's lips in hers.

"Silly mommas." Bella giggled, hugging into Stacie's hip.

"Take a look around Bells." Stacie grinned, lifting her into her arms so that she could see better, "This is the place where your mommas met and fell in love. Without this place we might never have met."

"I like it here." Bella nodded firmly, "Mommas are happy because of here."

"Yes we are." Aubrey kissed her daughter's cheek, "It's the most important place on earth. It's the reason we have you."

"Bestest place ever!" Bella grinned as her mother's laughed.

Jessica took Ashley's hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles, "Can you believe that the dorm room we shared is being inhabited by two other people who have no idea what had happened there?"

"I should hope they don't…" Ashley raised an eyebrow, "We did a lot of stuff in there that I'd like to keep private."

Jessica laughed as she leant against her wife, "You know what I mean. They have no idea that two soul mates met there."

Ashley kissed her cheek, "You're such a dork… but you're my dork. Who knows, maybe there's two other young women in there falling in love right now."

"Can you imagine?" Jessica grinned, "The cycle repeating itself… I hope they're half as happy as we are."

Ashley said nothing, simply kissing her wife, a grin on her lips as she did.

Beca smiled as she felt Chloe's arms wrap around her from behind, her chin resting on her shoulder, "Can you believe it's been seven years since we met just over there?"

"You mean since you called a cappella lame and then sauntered off with that wicked grin of yours?" Chloe teased, Beca rolling her eyes as she leant her head against Chloe's.

"We were idiots y'know? Spending all that time pretending we didn't feel anything for each other…" Beca mumbled, a soft smile on her face.

"Yeah… but we made it. We got here Beca. I'm yours, Mitchell. You're stuck with me now." Chloe turned her head so that her forehead was pressed against Beca's temple, a soft giggle on her lips.

"Yeah I really didn't think this through…" Beca mused, laughing as Chloe poked her in the ribs before she turned around and wound her arms around Chloe's waist, "I might be the luckiest idiot in the world though."

"Don't you forget it." Chloe grinned, placing a soft kiss on her lips.

"Guys! Over here!" The girls were pulled out of their reminiscing by Benji calling for them, waving a little manically from a few rows from the front. Next to him were Katherine Junk and Alex Hardon, Emily's parents, who already looked like they might burst with pride.

"Hey Mrs Junk!" Beca grinned as they reached them, "Great seats!"

"I got here really early and stuck as many items as I could think off on all the seats I could manage." Katherine grinned, "It's so great that you all came!"

"Are you kidding?" Aubrey grinned, "Em's family, you know that. We wouldn't have missed it!"

Katherine beamed at them, "You really are Bellas, in every way."

Aubrey blushed a little , still grinning as Stacie rested her head on her wife's shoulder, Bella in her arms. Katherine gasped as her eyes settled on Bella, meeting her for the first time.

"Is this little Bella?! She's gorgeous!" Katherine cooed, Stacie practically bursting with pride.

"She really is." Stacie looked to Bella, "Hey Bells, this is your Aunty Emily's momma, can you say hi?"

"Hi." Bella whispered shyly, hiding her face in Stacie's neck.

"Hi sweetie!" Katherine grinned, cooing over her for a moment as the Bellas settled into the seats that she had managed to save them. It was a few moments later when Katherine carefully pulled Aubrey to one side.

"Everything okay?" Aubrey frowned a little.

"Yeah. I just… I never thanked you. For the Cayman Islands." Katherine's smile was a little watery as she looked at Aubrey, "Emily hasn't said much about it, but what she did say was that you were her rock. And the reason you got shot was… was because you stepped in to defend her from that creep."

"That's not…" Aubrey started, a soft smile, "Does she blame herself for that? Because it wasn't on her. Besides, she saved my life out there. When we were on that ridiculous dinghy, it took us thirty minutes to get back to the dock and it was so cold."

Aubrey closed her eyes for a second, taking a deep breath, "I was in so much pain and Jess was saying 'you need to stay awake, you need to stay awake' but all I can think is how cold it is and how much my leg hurts. It was Emily who kept me talking, kept me awake. When I was in the hospital, the doctor said if I'd have passed out there, with the cold and the blood loss the likelihood is I would've gotten hypothermia… I might've died."

Aubrey quickly wiped away a couple of tears, a smile on her face, "Thanks to Emily I got to meet my daughter. So kicking an old skeeve's legs out from under him? It's nothing."

Katherine's eyes were also watery as she hugged Aubrey tightly, "No-one looks after the Bellas like you do, even after graduation. I'm so glad they have you." She pulled back, wiping her cheeks as she smiled, "No more of this now. Today's a happy day."

Aubrey nodded, "It really is. We're so proud of her, graduating with honours, top of her class. She's worked so hard. Are you coming to the party at Dr Mitchell's later?"

Katherine grinned as they rejoined the group, "Of course! Like I'd miss a Bellas party!"

They were soon seated and the graduation ceremony started. There was not a dry eye amongst them as Emily walked across the stage and accepted her degree classification, a broad grin on her face as she could hear the cheers, the whoops, the whistling that came from her proud family. They made more noise than any other student's family, but Emily didn't mind. It was one of the many reasons she loved them. She waved to them as she crossed the stage, giggling as Benji screamed: "I love you Emily Junk!"

An hour later the ceremony was finally over, Emily bounding over like an excited Labrador as she was swept into her proud mother's arms.

"I'm so proud of you Emily! I can't believe my baby girl's all grown-up!" Katherine held her only child tight in her arms as spun her a little.

"Mom put me down!" Emily giggled, holding onto her cap as they spun.

Katherine set Emily down cupping her face, tears in her eyes, "I'm so proud of you baby girl."

"Thanks mom." Emily grinned as the Bellas flocked in, wide grins and damp eyes all around, "I'm so glad you guys could come!"

"C'mon Legacy, like we'd miss this!" Beca grinned, punching her arm gently, "Proud of you kid."

"So proud!" Chloe beamed, "You've worked so hard."

"Little Legacy's all grown up!" Cynthia-Rose grinned.

"Look at those giraffe legs, there's nothing little about her!" Amy scoffed.

Emily just giggled as she enveloped them all into a group hug, tightly enveloped in their arms as she soaked in the love of her family, trying to hug all of them at the same time.

"I love you guys." Emily laughed as the group hug broke apart, wiping away tears with the back of her hands.

"We love you too Em." Aubrey grinned.

"Um, can the boyfriend get some time with his smart ass girlfriend?" Benji carefully and politely pushed his way through the crowd of Bellas to pull Emily into his arms, lifting her a little as he spun her.

"Oh he's allowed to twirl you?" Katherine raised an eyebrow as Alex wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Leave them alone… remember when we were dating in college?" Alex raised an eyebrow as he held his wife close.

"Oh yeah…" Katherine grinned, "Okay yeah, they are way more tame than we were."

An hour later and the party was in full swing, the Bellas enjoying a party together that wasn't a pretext for something awful, just a celebration of everything that Emily had achieved. Beca watched the party unfold, grinning as she sipped her soda. Benji came and stood next to Beca, dithering again.

"I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it now." Benji licked his dry lips, "I asked her dad and he's really excited. I can do this. Right?"

Beca laughed as Benji looked to her, "Dude. You have been in three off-Broadway shows, you sing and dance in front of packed crowds you don't even know. You can ask the love of your life to marry you in front of your family and hers. It's gonna be great." Beca nudged him with her shoulder.

"Yeah?" Benji smiled warmly, turning the ring box in his hand.

"Yes! Now go, go make her the future Mrs Applebaum!" Beca shoved him away with a grin on her face, making a shooing motion with her hand as he turned back to look at her.

Chloe moved next to her girlfriend, a small smile on her face as she frowned a little, "Okay, what're you two up to? You've been squirrelly since the airport!"

"You'll see." Beca grinned, sipping her drink.

Benji reached Emily who was talking with Jessica and Ashley, gently pulling her away, clearing his throat as a hush fell over the room.

"Um, Emily. Ever since we met at that a cappella party four years ago, you've been the queen of my heart…" Benji flicked his wrist to reveal a playing card as Beca rolled her eyes, still grinning. Trust Benji to make it dorky.

"I can't imagine any version of a future without you. Everything I am comes from you. See, you always keep a part of me right here." He reached behind her ear and seemed to pull out a tiny passport sized photo of the two of them from behind her ear. Emily was giggling a little, tears in her eyes as she frowned in confusion.

"You are my rock, my guiding light, my whole universe. I want to wake up every day knowing that you're right there by my side. So, Emily Junk…" Benji grinned as he got down on one knee, taking the ring box and opening it. Emily gasped, hands clapping over her mouth, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Will you marry me?" Benji asked, the whole room holding a collective breath as Emily tried to find her words.

"Yes, god yes." She choked out between her sobs, smile so wide that it might crack her face in half. Emily held out her shaking left hand as Benji slipped the ring onto her finger, clumsily getting to his feet as he pulled her into a deep kiss.

Loud cheers rang out across the house as they did, Katherine rushing over to hug them both tightly. Chloe had gripped Beca's arm so tightly she was in danger in cutting off circulation as Benji had got down on one knee, but now finally released it as she turned to Beca.

"How long have you known?!" She squeaked excitedly.

"Since the airport." Beca grinned, leaning against Chloe, "He showed me the ring whilst we were waiting to board."

"I can't believe you didn't tell me!" Chloe slapped her arm playfully, an eyebrow raised.

"Ow!" Beca exclaimed, a look of mock outrage on her face, "He trusted me with a secret, I kept it, that makes me a great friend!"

"Hm… I suppose…" Chloe raised an eyebrow, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek, "I'm gonna go and congratulate them, you coming?"

"In a sec." Beca nodded, "I just wanna freshen up my drink."

"Kay!" Chloe grinned.

Beca leant against the kitchen island, a grin on her lips. Stacie sidled up to her, having already congratulated the newly engaged couple.

"Uh oh…" Stacie chuckled as she leant next to the short brunette, "Is someone catching proposal fever?"

"What?! No… don't be ridiculous." Beca shook her head, but her chest was pounding. All she had been thinking about since Benji had pulled that ring out of his carry on was the little ring box sat hidden under her bed.

"C'mon Becs… I know that look. It's the same look Aubrey had at Worlds and then BAM she was down on one knee." Stacie sipped her glass of wine as she looked at the blush was steadily growing on Beca's face.

"I- I may have been thinking about it…" Beca shrugged as Stacie squealed in excitement.

"I knew it! Okay, how? When?" Stacie bit her lip in excitement as she lent in close, eyes sparking with excitement.

"Slow down!" Beca raised her eyebrows, shaking her head a little, "Just… just give me a chance to think it through. Although I'm definitely gonna need the Bellas to help, that's just a given." Beca shrugged.

"Of course!" Stacie grinned, "Try and stop us!"

Beca just shook her head, laughing as she grabbed another soda, "You think she's gonna say yes?" Her tone was hesitant as she kept her eyes on her drink.

"Beca…" Stacie put her hand on her shoulder, "Of course she will. Are you mad? Why wouldn't she?"

"I dunno… even after everything I guess I just- it's stupid." Beca shook her head.

"Tell me." Stacie pressed gently.

"What if she doesn't want to? What if this is all just a temporary thing?" Beca rolled her eyes, "Told you it was stupid."

"It's not stupid." Stacie shook her head, smiling softly, "You've been through a lot Beca, it's been a rough ride. But ever since I joined the Bellas, I knew you guys were a forever kinda deal. You really are the aca-power couple. Don't tell Aubrey I said that…" Stacie frowned as Beca laughed.

"Thanks Stace. Wanna help me plan it?" Beca raised an eyebrow as she saw Stacie's light up.

"Really?!" Stacie was practically jumping up and down with excitement.

"Yeah. Who else would I ask to be my best woman?" Beca winced as Stacie squealed again, hugging her tightly.

"Of course Becs! It's gonna be amazing, I swear!" Stacie mumbled into her ear.

"Alright, get off, people are going to know there's something going on otherwise." Beca grumbled, but there was a smirk on her face as she did, "I'm gonna go and congratulate the happy couple, you chill because you look like you're gonna explode."

Stacie grinned as Beca walked away, trying to sooth her excitement as she sipped at her wine. Beca put a hand on Emily's shoulder to get their attention, oomphing a little as the tall Beca hugged her tightly.

"Congrats Em!" Beca wheezed, "Okay, kid you're choking me a little…"

"Sorry!" Emily grinned as she pulled away, "Sorry, I'm just- I'm so happy!"

"I know. I'm so happy for you guys." Beca was beaming from ear to ear, giving Benji a warm hug too.

"Benji was saying that it was you that you that reassured him that everything would be okay. So thank you." Emily was still grinning as she hugged Beca again.

"Hey look, this was all on him. Especially the magic stuff, I cannot stress that enough." Beca smirked at him as she pulled back, "Oh, this is going to be a little bit of an anti-climax after getting engaged but…" Beca pulled a small card out of her back pocket, "Here."

Emily frowned a little as she took the card from Beca, before gasping a little as she read it, "Are you kidding me?!"

"Nope." Beca grinned, "It's official. You Emily Junk are represented by Twilight Records." The card in Emily's hands was a business card with her name on it and underneath were the words 'Twilight Records, Agent: Beca Mitchell'. "There's still some paperwork to sign, but that can wait till you guys get to New York."

"You're gonna be my agent?" Emily beamed, an excited squeak in her voice.

"Of course! Like I'd let anyone else represent my little sister!" Beca blushed as the words left her mouth but Emily just squealed more, hugging her again.

"Beca this is amazing, I can't thank you enough." Emily was crying a little again as she pulled away.

"Hey c'mon you're family, it's nothing." Beca rolled her eyes, "Okay stop pulling that face, cos you'll make me cry…"

Chloe wound her arms around Beca's waist and kissed her cheek, "You're in the best hands in the world, Beca's the best producer in New York, hell in America!"

"Honey that's so sweet." Beca leant back and kissed Chloe, a light blush on her cheeks as she did so, "I love you. Even if you're blinded by your love for me."

Chloe giggled as she shook her head, "Nope." She popped the p as she rested her head against Beca's, "Just spittin' straight facts yo…"

"Oh sweetie… don't do that again." Beca grimaced as Chloe giggled.

A couple of hours later, Stacie and Aubrey quietly slipped upstairs, a sleeping Bella in Aubrey's arms. It was way past the young girl's bedtime, and with all the excitement of the day it was no wonder she was fast asleep. As they lay her down in the cot, Stacie wrapped her arms around her wife's waist.

"She's so cute when she's asleep…" Stacie mumbled, "I can't believe she's almost two!"

"I know." Aubrey grinned, "She's growing up so fast…"

"Did you see the way that Em and Benji were cooing over her? I bet it won't be long before they've got one of their own y'know…" Stacie raised an eyebrow as they took a moment to sit on the edge of the bed and take a breather.

"Oh god don't…" Aubrey smiled as she shook her head, "Emily's a grown up now. Like a proper grown up. She graduated college, got engaged… when did we start being adults?"

"I'm gonna say when we turned twenty one?" Stacie raised an eyebrow as Aubrey gave her a playful shove.

"You know what I mean. This is us, we're adults now, with bills and taxes and careers and a daughter… college feels so long ago, but only yesterday at the same time." Aubrey sighed, flopping backwards on the bed.

Stacie lay next to her, rolling onto her side so that she could look at her wife, a soft smile on her face as she gently traced her fingers on Aubrey's stomach, "I know. It's crazy that we're here, that we're adults. But you know what? We're really good at it."

Aubrey laughed softly, "That is true. We are excellent at it." The blonde bit her lip, pausing for a moment as she mulled over what she was going to say next, "I um… I've been thinking."

"Uh oh…" Stacie raised an eyebrow, smirking, "Should I get you an ice pack?"

Aubrey rolled her eyes but carried on regardless, "I was thinking… maybe we should have another kid?"

Stacie gasped slightly, propping herself up on her elbow, tears forming in the corner of her eyes, "Really? You want another?" She asked, a grin spreading across her face.

"Yeah…" Aubrey was grinning to as she intertwined her fingers with Stacie's, "I always wanted a big family, maybe that's my Southern upbringing or something…"

"How many kids do you see us having?" Stacie asked, an eyebrow raised.

"Three? Maybe four?" Aubrey pulled a face as she blushed a little, looking at their joined hands.

"I love that." Stacie grinned, "I like the idea of having our own little Vonn Trap family…"

"Really?" Aubrey beamed.

"Really." Stacie nodded, lifting their joined hands to kiss her wife's knuckle, "I wanna build a dynasty with you Aubrey Posen."

Aubrey laughed as she leant up to kiss her, "So… we're really going to do this? Have another kid?"

"Yeah… we really are…" Stacie beamed, "We're gonna be mom's again, and we're gonna be amazing at it."

"Naturally." Aubrey grinned as she kissed her again.

"How do you wanna do this?" Stacie asked, running her fingers through Aubrey's hair.

"I was thinking… I could carry this time?" Aubrey whispered, playing with Stacie's fingers, feeling a little shy.

"Oh thank god…" Stacie breathed, laughing softly, "I love Bella to death, but pregnancy and me? Not a good mix."

"You don't have to tell me!" Aubrey giggled, "That third trimester was… interesting."

Stacie poked her in the ribs as Aubrey laughed, "You'd be great at it though. I think it's something you were born to do."

"I love you…" A small tear slipped down Aubrey's cheek as she smiled at her wife.

"I love you too." Stacie kissed her wife, grinning mischievously, "Wanna make a baby now?"

"You know for a scientist your lack of knowledge when it comes to biology is shocking…" Aubrey laughed as Stacie leaned in to kiss her deeply.

"Oh baby you always underestimate my abilities…" Stacie mumbled, voice husky as she rolled on top of her wife, Aubrey giggling as she did so.

Once back in New York, Beca and Chloe threw themselves back into work. Chloe was in the middle of choreographing for a production of Cats for the theatre (to which Beca had rolled her eyes multiple times, especially when she came home and started playing the soundtrack to work out sections that were causing problems), and Beca was working with Emily to start producing her debut album. It hadn't escaped either of them that they were working harder and harder the closer they got to the anniversary.

They spent time with Aubrey and Stacie for Bella's birthday the week before (it was a quiet one, the Bellas all having to work having already taken a big chunk of time off for the weekend of Emily's graduation) but the night before, Chloe came home shutting the door quickly behind her. She pressed her back against the door as her legs went from under her, breathing heavily, hands clenched into fists as she tried to stop herself shaking. She'd been on the subway and as she'd gone to get off at her stop a tall, balding man in a suit had bumped into her knocking her off her feet. It had been a total accident and he'd been nothing but apologetic as he helped her to her feet, even offering to pay for her spilled coffee, but Chloe had just seen Fergus Hobart again, shrinking away as a hand was offered but forcing a smile and letting him help as she shakily got to her feet. Chloe had held it together until she'd got home, but now in the safety of her home she fell apart.

"Chloe? Honey?" Beca had been in the bathroom when the redhead had arrived home, but as she walked out she found Chloe having a panic attack. She moved quickly, kneeling in front of her girlfriend and taking her hands, "Chloe, it's okay. You're home. I'm here. Just take a deep breath for me."

Chloe forced herself to take a deep breath, and then another, gripping Beca's hands tightly, "Ten minutes?" She managed to gasp out, Beca nodding as Chloe pulled her closer, gripping her tightly as she buried her face in her chest. Beca wrapped her arms tightly around Chloe, kissing the top of her head.

"I've got you honey. It's okay." Beca whispered into her hair as Chloe sobbed, "Just breathe. You're okay."

Chloe managed to get control of her breathing again, pulling back from the hug as she heard Beca's watch beep (there was always a ten minute timer ready to go on it), head resting against the brunette's.

"Do you need longer?" Beca asked softly, tucking some of Chloe's hair behind her ear.

"M'okay." Chloe mumbled a soft smile on her lips, "Sorry…"

"You've nothing to be sorry for." Beca shook her head, "Do you wanna talk about it?"

"It was so stupid." Chloe sighed, sniffing a little, "I was on the subway, this older guy accidentally knocked me over, but at a glance he looked like… he looked like Hobart."

"Oh sweetie… that's not stupid." Beca gently stroked Chloe's cheek with her thumb, "It's totally normal. It happened to me yesterday, there's this exec at Twilight Records who looks like him, and I ran straight into him as I went to make a coffee and I just… I nearly threw up."

"Why didn't you call me?" Chloe frowned.

"I knew you'd be in rehearsal, and I was okay after a few minutes." Beca's eyes met Chloe's as she smiled softly, "I took tomorrow off work, I haven't been able to focus much the last couple of days anyway and it felt easier than forcing myself to be productive when I couldn't."

"Me too." Chloe sniffed, "That way I don't risk injuring myself if I don't sleep tonight."

"Sounds like a good plan to me." Beca rested her head on Chloe's shoulder, "All I want to do is sleep honestly. It's been such a long week."

"Tell me about it." Chloe sighed, "Between the anniversary and work, I'm exhausted."

"Let's go to bed." Beca breathed, kissing her softly, "We can put a stupid movie on, order a pizza, and we'll just try and get some sleep."

"That sounds amazing." Chloe grinned, letting Beca gently pull her to her feet.

Two hours later, Chloe lay with her head on Beca's shoulder her finger's tracing along the scar as she hummed softly. Beca would never tire of the way Chloe's fingers felt against her bare skin.

"I felt it throb earlier…" Beca mumbled, "Just a little, but instead of my head flashing to what happened, I um…" A light blush spread across her cheeks as she bit her lip, "I was thinking about you."

"Oh?" Chloe grinned as she lifted her head, "Really?"

"Little bit…" Beca blushed deeper as she scrunched her nose, "It just… it was nice y'know."

"Nice? You were using far better objectives on the night." Chloe raised an eyebrow teasingly.

Beca rolled her eyes, "That's not what I meant and you know it. I meant that it was nice to think about something else. Replace a bad memory with a good one."

"Hmm…" Chloe looked thoughtfully at her girlfriend, "I like that. Making new memories to replace the crappy old ones."

"Exactly." Beca ran a hand through Chloe's hair, "There's gonna be plenty of great memories to replace the awful ones."

"Yeah there will." Chloe grinned as she leant in and kissed Beca deeply. Beca smirked against her lips as she kissed her back. After Chloe pulled back, Beca smiled at her adoringly.

"I love you Chloe Beale." She mumbled, "Let's get some sleep."

"Okay." Chloe whispered, sighing a little as she settled onto her shoulder, snuggling into Beca's side. To her surprise, it wasn't long before she drifted off to sleep, content and safe in her girlfriend's arms, even with everything that was going on in her head.

Beca had also fallen asleep relatively quickly, but she was awake early, Chloe still sleeping deeply on her shoulder, snoring lightly. The brunette bit back a laugh as she looked at her girlfriend's slightly open mouth and dishevelled hair; Chloe was always so cute in the morning light. Quietly and carefully, she slipped from under the redhead, grabbing a hoody and a pair of jeans and throwing them on. She quickly scribbled a note for Chloe before grabbing her phone and her bag, gently kissing her girlfriend's forehead before slipping out the front door.

Chloe woke up a few of hours later, realising it was midday. She stretched out a hand for Beca as she stirred, realising that her girlfriend wasn't there either. Frowning, Chloe sat up, rubbing her eyes as she swung her legs out of bed.

"Beca?" Chloe called groggily. She got to the table and picked up the note that had been left in Beca's endearing scrawl.

Gone to grab a few things. Meet me on the roof at 2pm. Love you! B xx

Chloe laughed softly as she set the note back down, running her hand through her messy hair. She had a couple of hours to kill before she had to head up to the roof so she decided to run a bath. It was perhaps the best part of their apartment. Yes it was small, and technically only two rooms including the bathroom, but that second room had a bath and that's all that mattered.

Chloe sunk into the bubbles with a happy sigh, phone in her hand as she smiled warmly, a text making her phone beep.

AUBREY: Hey Chlo how are you doing? Xx

CHLOE: I'm okay. Better than I thought I'd be actually… are you okay? Xx

AUBREY: Yeah, we're good. I'm glad you're doing okay Chloe, you've no idea how relieved I am to hear that. Beca doing okay? xx

CHLOE: I think so? She went out to get a few things apparently, left me a weird note… xx

AUBREY: How can you tell what's weird with Beca? Just out of interest xx

CHLOE: I'm ignoring that. Do you know what she's up to? She wants me to meet her on the roof at 2 xx

AUBREY: Why would I know what the littlest a cappella is up to? Xx

Aubrey grinned as she set down her phone, turning to Beca who had come by to borrow some things.

"She hasn't got a clue Becs." Aubrey grinned.

"Great!" Beca beamed, checking the bag to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything, "Thanks for this guys, I appreciate this."

"Of course." Stacie smiled, "Now go on, go be romantic so that we can get back to our… quiet day in." She had gone to say something flippant but had earned a look from Aubrey that had silenced her.

"Ew, gross." Beca frowned as she looked at them, turning around to leave, "You nerds go back to your… quiet day." She waved her hand over her shoulder as she left.

Aubrey rolled her eyes as she turned to her wife, "Really? Quiet day? She's gonna think we're doing it."

"I'm sorry, I was going to tell what we were doing but I got the Posen death glare!" Stacie protested, grinning, "I could have told her that we were seeing the fertility doctor and you were starting a hormone procedure to get ready to carry our next child?"

Aubrey bit her lip, a wide grin spreading across her lips as she wound her arms around her wife's waist, "I know, I know. I just… I don't want to jinx anything just yet."

"I get it." Stacie smiled broadly, "I'm just excited. We're gonna be mommas again."

"Yeah we are." Aubrey kissed her wife, "Now c'mon, we're gonna be late."

Chloe checked the time on her phone, grinning as it finally said two pm. She took one last look in the bathroom mirror, running a hand through her hair again before heading out of the door. She quickly took the stairs to the roof, opening the door to see what Beca had been up to all day.

"Ta da!" Beca held her arms out wide as she beamed, Chloe gasping softly as she looked around.

Beca had strung up a line of fairy lights above several blankets and cushions, plates of food laid out, a bottle on ice. In front of the carefully arranged food was a large portable projector screen and a projector. Chloe could feel tears pricking at the corner of her eyes as she looked at what Beca had worked so hard at.

"Beca… this is amazing…" Chloe gasped, walking over to her and wrapping her arms around her waist.

"Yeah? You really like it?" Beca asked, hands resting on the back of Chloe's neck.

"Beca it's beautiful… I love it." Chloe leant in and kissed her, grinning against her lips as Beca pulled her closer.

"C'mon…" Beca mumbled as she pulled back a little, "Let's go sit down, I wanna show you something."

"Okay." Chloe let Beca take her hand and gently pull her into the cosy nook the brunette had made for them.

She sat next to Beca, arranging a couple of pillows behind her as she leant back. Beca pulled the bottle from the ice and showed it to Chloe, "For you madam?"

"White wine?" Chloe felt her chest pound a little as she looked to Beca, "Beca-"

"Don't panic, it's all for you!" Beca grinned, "I've got my own." Beca held up a bottle of cider, "But I bought it all by myself, I didn't linger or anything!"

"Becs that's huge!" Chloe grinned wrapping Beca into a tight hug, "I'm so proud of you!"

"Thanks babe." Beca giggled, handing her the bottle and a glass as she pulled back, "I think I'm gonna try that trivia night with the group next week."

"Really? That's amazing!" Chloe was still beaming as she poured herself a glass, "Although are you sure you wanna go to a trivia night?" She pulled a face.

"Are you saying I'm not smart enough for trivia?!" Beca scoffed, mock outraged.

"No! No, just… trivia was never your thing." Chloe back tracked a little, trying to hide a smirk.

"Uh huh…" Beca nodded, "Right."

"You are plenty smart sweetie, it's just that you never struck me as a trivia person…" Chloe leant in and pressed a soft kiss to Beca's lips.

"You're lucky you're pretty." Beca grumbled against her lips.

Chloe winked as they broke the kiss, sipping her wine as she sat back, grinning as Beca passed her a plate, "Mini quiche?" Beca offered.

"Who are you?" Chloe giggled as she took one, Beca rolling her eyes.

"I'm trying to be romantic okay? Give me a break." Beca took one for herself and then looked to Chloe, "What is a quiche?"

Chloe just laughed, lifting Beca's hand to her mouth, "Just try it okay?"

Beca frowned but took a cautious bite, nodding a little as savoured it, "Huh… whatever it is, it isn't bad!"

"See!" Chloe wiped a crumb from Beca's cheek with her thumb.

Beca grinned as she turned her head to kiss Chloe's hand, helping herself to another and grabbing the remote at the same time. She rested her head on Chloe's shoulder as she pressed the buttons she needed to.

"What're you up to?" Chloe asked as she put an arm around Beca's shoulders.

"Just watch okay?" Beca rolled her eyes, grinning as she pressed play, "Now, full disclosure I haven't had time to watch all these so… it might get cringey."

Chloe just watched the screen as she gasped, a smile spreading across her face as she watched the video, "Oh my god… is that us?"

"Yeah." Beca grinned, "I think this is the first Bella practice we ever had. Aubrey used to record them because… well y'know Captain Posen."

Chloe chuckled as she watched eighteen year old Beca begrudgingly start learning the choreography, "God you were such an ass when you first joined the Bellas…"

"Yeah." Beca winced, "And that shirt is awful…"

"No, I love your flannel shirts!" Chloe turned to kiss Beca's head, "I miss them!"

"I still have them somewhere…" Beca lifted her head to look at Chloe, a smirk on her lips, "I can put them on for you, give you a little runway show?"

"Oh?" Chloe raised an eyebrow, "I think I'd like that." She leant down and kissed Beca deeply before turning back to the screen.

They watched their college aged selves on the projector screen, laughing and cringing as they relived the four years they'd spent together at Barden. Beca chuckled as she watched Chloe twirl ribbons around during one of the early rehearsals for the Worlds.

"Why did we ever think that ribbons were the answer?" Beca shook her head.

"I have no idea…" Chloe laughed, "Speaking of ribbons, why did we agree to Amy being up there again?"

"I… I feel like she just wore us down. Y'know the way she does?" Beca frowned, "I love that girl, but god is she draining sometimes."

"Didn't she get us drunk too?" Chloe asked, a thoughtful frown on her face.

"Oh my god yes, that god-awful cocktail she made!" Beca exclaimed, pulling a face, "Y'know that bright pink shit looks like Pepto-Bismol?"

"Ugh yeah…" Chloe shook her head, "Yeah I remember her handing us the drink, and then… the Kennedy Centre performance."

"Yep… that is the only thing I remember as well…" Beca laughed as she curled in closer to Chloe's side, "Sometimes I really miss the Barden days y'know? The simplicity of it… in comparison anyway."

"I know what you mean." Chloe smiled softly, "But y'know, where we are now? It's better. We're grown up, we're doing the jobs that we want to do… we're getting healthier."

"Yeah, that's true." Beca lifted her head, smiling at her girlfriend, "And we were nowhere near mature enough to be together like this then either."

"God, too true…" Chloe chuckled softly, "Thank you for this, for today. I really needed it."

Beca smiled as she leant in to kiss her softly, "Me too. I just wanted us to have a day remembering that the past wasn't all bad. We had a great time together, all of us. Sometimes it's important to remember that."

"Yeah, it is." Chloe lay back, Beca's hand on her stomach as the redhead reached up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, "I love you Becs."

"I love you too." Beca grinned, tracing circles on Chloe's stomach as she stared at her lovingly, "This is a better time for a picnic right? Summertime?"

Chloe laughed, "Yeah, this is way better. Thank you."

Bliss. That would be the way to describe the next few months if you asked Chloe or Beca. Both of them were thriving in therapy, both of them were crushing it at work, and neither of them had suffered from nightmares in months. It wasn't perfect, there were still dark days, days where Chloe was so exhausted from trying to not think rather than dealing with what was on her mind, days were Beca was so stressed and fraught with work that all she wanted was a drink, but they always sat down and talked it through rather than bottling it up. They were managing, and more than that they were thriving.

"Honey will you get that?" Chloe asked Beca as there was a knock at the door, smiling as she stirred the sauce on the stove.

"Sure!" Beca grinned, kissing her cheek as she walked over to the door. If Beca had witnessed this scene as a third party she would have pretended to barf, but somehow being in the middle of it was entirely different.

Beca opened the door, her heart pounding as she saw who was stood there. It was a man she had only met once, but it was during one of the worst days of her life. She licked her dry lips, trying to find her words.

"Beca? Who is it?" Chloe asked, not looking up from the stove as she cooked dinner.

"L-Luke. It's Luke." Beca found her words as she turned from the young man at the door, watching as Chloe's head whipped round so quickly that she might have given herself whiplash.

"Luke…" Chloe was pale as her eyes met her brother's, "What're you doing here?"

"I-" Luke shifted his feet awkwardly. He hadn't seen his sister since the Christmas that she'd come home to disastrous consequences, "I um, I live in New York now…"

"Yeah I know." Chloe crossed her arms across her chest, jaw tight as her chest pounded, "Dad paid me a visit wanting to know where you were."

"I had no idea…" Luke shook his head, still stood in the doorway, not wanting to come in without an invitation, "I'm sorry Chloe, I didn't think he'd come here…"

"Well he did." Chloe didn't move as she stood her ground.

Had this been two years ago, a year, hell six months ago, she might have fallen apart, might not have been able to stand here like this. But now? Now Chloe had the strength to stand her ground. Beca moved from standing near the door to the stove, stirring the contents of the pan. She was determined not to undermine Chloe whilst she was being this strong, but she wanted her to know she was right here if she needed her.

"I was… I was hoping we could talk?" Luke looked at his feet.

"Come in." Chloe's tone was firm but there was no malice in it, "Sit at the table, I'm making dinner."

"Oh… I don't wanna intrude if you guys have plans." Luke ran a hand through his short red hair in the same way Chloe did when she was uncomfortable.

"It's fine." Beca smiled warmly, "There should be enough for the three of us." She knew they needed to talk about things, and this way Chloe didn't have to do this alone.

"Actually…" Chloe turned to Beca, a soft smile on her face, "Could you give us some space?"

"Are you sure?" Beca frowned softly, hand on Chloe's hip.

"Yeah. I'm okay. Go see Stacie and Aubrey, give Bella a hug from me." Chloe tucked a lock of hair behind her girlfriend's ear with a warm smile.

"Okay." Beca nodded, "Call me if you need me though yeah? I'll be here in a heartbeat."

"I will." Chloe grinned, turning back to the food.

Luke entered the apartment as Beca kissed Chloe's cheek and grabbed her coat, giving Chloe one last supportive smile before she left. Chloe turned back to the pasta sauce she was making, Luke sitting at the table as he'd been told to. There was a moment of tense silence between them, Chloe hyper fixated on the food.

"That smells great." Luke forced a smile, hands twisting together as his heart threatened to pound out of his chest, "What are we having?"

"Spaghetti bolognese." Chloe was still looking at the stove as she responded.

"Sounds great." Luke nodded. There was another moment of tense silence before Luke tried again, "Um, do you have anything to drink?"

"There's soda in the fridge. Or coffee." Chloe still didn't look from the stove.

"Oh… you got anything stronger?" Luke asked.

"No. Beca doesn't drink, so I don't keep it in the apartment." Chloe shook her head, "Oh, wait, there's that bottle of red wine I was given today. I was just gonna give to Aubrey but we can have it. There's glasses in that cabinet, and the bottle is in the gift bag by the door." She waved in the direction of the items, still focused on the dinner as she checked on the pasta.

Luke got up and got the glasses and the bottle of wine, turning to Chloe as he set them down on the table, "You got a corkscrew?"

"Uh, third draw down." Chloe moved to drain the water from the pasta, grabbing the two bowls as she started to plate it up.

"Got it." Luke opened the wine and poured them each a glass, sitting down as Chloe set the food down with some cutlery.

They ate in silence for a couple of moments, before Luke set down his cutlery, "I don't know how to start this…"

"Why did you come here?" Chloe looked up from her food. There was no anger in her eyes, she wasn't angry. She was confused and tense.

"I- I don't know…" Luke shook his head, "I wanted to see you, wanted to apologise…" Luke looked up from his plate, his eyes meeting his sister's as he sniffed slightly, "For… for that night in the basement. For not doing anything to stop him. I was an awful big brother, I just let him do that to you. I did try standing up to him, once… after he made me do that to you. Mom had to take me to the ER for stitches. Which is obviously nothing compared to what you had to go through, why am I going on about how I was treated, god…"

Luke put his head in his hands as Chloe just stared at him. She didn't know what to say. This was the first conversation they'd had since she was twelve years old, and she just didn't know to approach this.

"Every night I close my eyes and I'm right back there. I can hear you asking for my help, begging him to stop and I… I just let it happen Chloe. And every time after that, every time you ended up in that basement, every time he hit you I just… I wanted to do something I swear I did, I was just too much of a coward to do anything about it. I'd hate me too in your shoes…" Luke was crying softly, head buried in his hands.

Chloe wasn't used to seeing him like this. This was her big brother, the quarterback, the star athlete, the stereotypical jock. Yet here he was sobbing into his hands at her dinner table, rambling and saying that… she hated him?

"I don't hate you…" Chloe whispered, Luke having said nothing else, "It wasn't your fault."

Luke lifted his head, confusion etched in every inch of it, "What? Of course it was…"

"No." Chloe shook her head, "I remember everything about that night. Including the bruise on your cheek, the way your hands shook, the tears in your eyes…" The redhead swallowed a lump in her throat, holding back her own tears, "I never blamed you for it. For any of it. I always thought you hated me for bringing all of this down on our family. You pulled away, I barely saw you even when I was still living in Portland…"

"I thought it would be easier." He mumbled, wiping at his face with his sleeves, "I just figured you'd hate me for being complicit in what happened… I was too much off a coward to stand up to dad so you hating me made that fact a little less painful. God I'm so selfish… none of this is about me and here I am bitching about how it made me feel. I don't know how you can keep carrying on after everything that happened…"

Chloe smiled softly as she reached out for Luke's hand. It felt odd, it was something they hadn't done in a long time, but as she took his hand in hers and squeezed it gently she felt like a sister again. He looked at her with wonder in his eyes. Luke had come here expecting to be screamed at, berated, even have things thrown at him, but this? This was alien to him.

"Do… does this mean you forgive me?" He asked tentatively.

"There's nothing to forgive Luke. Dad's a monster, but it's neither of our faults. It's taking me a long time to realise that, too long arguably." Chloe's smile was warm and caring as she sniffed, "Now eat your dinner. It's gonna go cold."

Luke laughed a little as she winked at him. They ate in relative silence for a little while, but it was more comfortable than before.

"Where did you learn to cook like this?" Luke asked as he looked up at Chloe again, wiping his mouth on a napkin.

"My college roommate, Aubrey. She cooks way fancier than I do but she taught me the basics." Chloe grinned.

"Leaving Portland was the best thing that ever happened to you wasn't it?" Luke smiled softly, a sad glint in his eyes.

"Yeah…" Chloe nodded, sadness in her eyes too, "I feel so bad about leaving mom, about leaving you, but long term? It's the best decision I ever made."

"She misses you, mom does. Sorry, that's not helpful…" Luke shook his head.

"No, no." Chloe shook her head, "It kinda makes me feel better? That she still thinks about me… I miss her too."

Luke smiled softly, "I know about your secret letters to mom. It's how I knew you were in New York… I guess I just wanted to follow in your footsteps."

Chloe smiled at him, "What are your plans whilst you're here?"

Luke bit his lip, looking down at the table, "I- I wanna act. There're some old college buddies of mine here in the city and I moved in with them. I've been doing some community theatre work, it's not much right now but… it's what I really want to do."

"That's amazing Luke!" Chloe beamed, "I didn't know you liked acting…"

"I uh… I had to keep it under wraps, obviously, but I did a production of Streetcar in college… I was Stanley, and I just… I kind of fell in love with it." Luke shrugged, going a little red as he sipped his wine.

Chloe smiled warmly, "You have to let me know the next time you're in something, I'd love to see you on stage!"

"Really?" Luke smiled, looking up at Chloe, "I'd love that…"

"I think it's time we started behaving like siblings again, don't you?" Chloe sniffed, "I'm not in contact with mom or Jack anymore, you're kinda the last blood relative I have…" She raised an eyebrow, a smile on her lips as she looked at her brother.

"Me neither. It would be nice to reconnect…" Luke smiled too, eyes flicking down to Chloe's phone as it beeped. Chloe smirked as she looked at the text from Beca.

BECA: I love you, I'm so proud of you, I hope it's going okay. Call me as soon as you can? Xx

"Sorry… that's Beca checking in." Chloe grinned as Luke sipped his drink, "She worries, but she's amazing."

"She makes you happy doesn't she?" Luke asked, a genuine fond smile on his face.

"Yeah she really does." Chloe bit her lip as she thought about how happy she'd been lately, "I… I never thought I'd be this happy, not with another woman, not after what happened. But Beca? She's the love of my life… I wanna spend the rest of my life with her…"

Luke grinned broadly, "I really am glad that you're this happy sis. It's the least you deserve after everything that happened."

"What about you? Are you happy now?" Chloe asked, genuine concern on her face as she sipped her drink.

"Happier." He nodded, "I'll get there. Eventually."

"Why did you stay in Portland so long?" Chloe asked, a slight frown on her face.

"I… I felt like I deserved it…" Luke whispered as he shifted in his chair, "After everything that happened I felt like I had to stay. That and it took the heat off mom a little bit if I was there to step in. I didn't do it as often as I should've. I feel bad about leaving her there with him…"

"I was talking to my therapist about this the other day." Chloe crossed her legs as she shifted, a soft smile on her lips, "She was saying that it's normal to feel guilty in this sort of situation, but that I can't do anything about it. That there is nothing more I can do to help mom now, I have to look after myself now. And so do you."

"Yeah. Maybe you're right…" Luke smiled softly, "We can fix this right? Us? I'm not expecting us to be the Brady Bunch all of a sudden, but I'd like for us to be in each other's lives again."

"I'd like that too." Chloe nodded, smiling warmly, "Give me your phone, I'll give you my cell number."

They exchanged mobile numbers quickly and Luke got up to leave, citing an early rehearsal. Chloe walked him to the door, opening it for him as he turned to her with an awkward smile.

"I uh… is it soon for me to give you a hug?" Luke asked.

"Come here." Chloe held out her arms for him to wrap her in a hug. Luke hugged her tightly, the young woman feeling far more comfortable than she thought she would in the embrace. He pulled back after a couple of moments, smiling warmly.

"I'll see you soon Chloe." Luke grinned, waving as he walked down the hall.

"Later Luke." Chloe leant against the door frame watching her brother walk down the hall. Once he'd gotten into the elevator, she retreated into the apartment still smiling softly as she picked up her phone and called Beca, "Hey baby… yeah, I'm okay. Yes I promise. Look just come home okay? I love you too honey. See you soon."

Beca was home twenty minutes later, a cautious smile on her face as she walked into the apartment. Chloe had cleaned up the dinner pots and gotten rid of the rubbish and was now sat with a coffee at the table.

"Hey." Chloe smiled as Beca walked in.

"Hey." Beca grinned back, "Are you okay?"

Chloe nodded, getting to her feet and taking Beca's hand, gently pulling her to the bed and into her arms, head nuzzling into the side of her neck, "Ten minutes." She mumbled.

Beca kissed her head in response, pressing the button on her watch as she pulled Chloe closer. They said nothing as Chloe soaked in the feeling of comfort she got from being in her girlfriend's arms. Once the alarm went off Chloe lifted her head to look at Beca with a soft happy sigh.

"I did it." She smiled widely, "And it wasn't scary, and I didn't freak out… even though we talked about what happened in Portland. We're gonna try and build some kind of relationship… it's not going to be perfect or anything, but it's something."

"I'm so proud of you baby," Beca cupped her cheek with her hand, "You're the strongest woman I have ever met, and I have never been more in awe of you."

"I wouldn't be able to this without you Beca." Chloe pressed a kiss to the palm of Beca's hand, "How are Aubrey and Stacie?" The redhead was drained after such an emotional evening and wanted to talk about something more mundane right now.

"They're good. Y'know busy, but we had Thai food and watched a dumb movie, it was nice." Beca grinned. She couldn't tell Chloe what she'd really been up to, not yet.

"Hey!" Beca grinned as Stacie opened the door, "I um… I need somewhere to hide out for a few hours, I'm not interrupting anything am I?"

"Oh god what did you do?" Came Aubrey's response from inside the apartment, Beca rolling her eyes as Stacie chuckled, inviting her in.

"I haven't done anything!" Beca protested, "Why was that your first response?"

Aubrey simply raised an eyebrow in response, sipping her coffee as Stacie handed Beca a mug.

"Ignore her." Stacie gave her wife a look before turning to Beca, "What's going on?"

Beca took a deep breath as she sat next to Aubrey on the sofa, "Luke is at our apartment."

"Your old boss from the radio station at Barden? With the terrific abs?" Stacie frowned as Aubrey turned to give her a look.

"How do you? Never mind…" Beca shook her head with a grin, "No, Chloe's brother Luke."

"What? What did he want?" Aubrey frowned, concerned that Chloe was alone with any member of her family.

"To talk. I tried to stay but Chloe wanted some space to talk to him alone, and she was so strong about it I was not gonna argue with her." Beca smiled a little as she remembered the strength in Chloe's eyes, "She's come really far Bree, I'm not as worried about her being alone as I would've been a few months ago."

"That's great." Stacie grinned.

"It is." Aubrey nodded, "Alright then. Let's take our minds off Chloe with some takeout yeah?"

"Thai?" Stacie looked to the women on her couch who both nodded.

"Actually, I have something I wanna run past you both whilst I'm here. Chloe being otherwise preoccupied works really well for me." Beca sat up a little straighter as she pulled her phone from her pocket and showed the photo to Aubrey.

"Oh my god Beca is that-?" Aubrey gasped, grabbing the phone to get a better look.

"Yeah. It's my Gran's apparently." Beca ran a hand through her hair, a shy grin on her face.

"How long have you had this?" Aubrey exclaimed.

"Two years almost." Beca winced a little, "I um… I was gonna propose when Chloe and I got back from Portland but… y'know. I'm glad though, that it didn't work out like that. I think it's better this way."

"Oh you finally told Bree?!" Stacie squealed excitedly as she re-entered the room having left to phone in their order.

"Wait how long have you known?" Aubrey turned to face her wife, unable to believe she'd kept a secret this big from her.

"Two ish years?" Stacie grinned trying to look innocent.

"And you didn't think to tell me? Your WIFE?" Aubrey raised her eyebrows.

"Okay, I feel like we're getting off topic…"Beca frowned, "Look, I've been thinking about how I want to ask Chloe to marry me and I wanted to know what you guys thought."

Beca laid out her plan for Stacie and Aubrey, Stacie sat on the arm of the sofa next to Aubrey, arm around her shoulders. Neither of the pairs eyes were dry when Beca had finished.

"Beca…" Stacie sniffed, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand, "That's beautiful…"

"Yeah?" Beca asked, biting her lip nervously.

"I didn't know you were such a romantic Mitchell…" Aubrey grabbed a tissue from the box on the table, using it to wipe her eyes, "It's going to be perfect."

"You think we can pull it off?" Beca asked.

"Look who you're talking to Beca." Aubrey raised an eyebrow, "There's nothing I can't organise."

"A quiet night in then?" Chloe asked, kissing her cheek.

"Pretty much." Beca grinned, butterflies in her stomach. The countdown was on.

The holidays rolled around quicker than either of them noticed. They spent Halloween at a small theatre in Brooklyn watching Chloe's brother in a production of Rocky Horror (seeing her brother in fishnets was… an experience). Chloe felt like the proudest sister in the world as she watched him play Frank N Furter, clearly having the time of his life. Beca took the three of them out for dinner after, chatting easily with him much to Chloe's relief. It was nice, it was normal… it was what Chloe didn't even know she wanted until they were sat eating burgers and laughing like it was something they did all the time.

"I can't believe you'd never seen Rocky Horror before!" Chloe shook her head as she teased her girlfriend.

"Oh c'mon, you know I'm not a movie person, this isn't a surprise!" Beca rolled her eyes as she ate her fries.

"You don't like movies? Like any movies?" Luke frowned, a bemused look on his face.

"No! It's weird right?" Chloe answered before Beca could as the brunette held up her hands defensively.

"Hey! Some people just don't like movies okay?" Beca cried as the Beale siblings laughed.

"It's okay honey, I don't mind. You're really pretty." Chloe grinned as she kissed Beca's check, the brunette rolling her eyes.

"What're you guys doing for Thanksgiving?" Luke asked, sensing a change of subject was needed before Beca imploded.

"We're gonna spend it with my folks in Atlanta." Beca smiled, arm around Chloe's shoulders, "Do you have plans?"

"Yeah, my roommates and I are doing a friend thing, it's going to be fun!" Luke grinned, no hint of sarcasm or anything else, clearly having inherited the Beale blinding optimism.

"I loved spending Thanksgiving with friends! We used to do something like that at Barden remember?" Chloe grinned as she turned to Beca.

"How could I forget? The Aca-Dictator turning up at the crack of dawn on Thanksgiving morning and dropping three bags of groceries into my arms as she breezed into the kitchen and turned Thanksgiving dinner into a military level operation. Although you did look cute in that apron…" Beca grinned, resting her head on Chloe's shoulder as the redhead blushed a little.

"Aca-Dictator?" Luke frowned as Beca laughed.

"It's Beca's nickname for our friend Aubrey, we were in this a cappella group together in college. Aubrey was captain during Beca's first year and they butted heads a little." Chloe rolled her eyes as Beca lifted her head.

"'This a cappella group'? Really?" Beca raised an eyebrow, "So dismissive… we're former Barden Bellas, we were three time consecutive ICCA champions and world champions by the time we graduated, and for three of those winning years we were co-captains. The Barden Bellas are currently on a three year winning streak, they're kind of legendary."

"Who'd have thought you'd be the one gushing over the Barden Bellas?" Chloe grinned as Beca blushed a little, giving her a playful shove.

"I just… I love our weird little family, I wouldn't have met you without the Bellas…" Beca mumbled, kissing Chloe's knuckle as Luke watched his little sister be blissfully happy.

"You're such a dork Beca Mitchell." Chloe tucked a lock of hair behind Beca's ear.

"You love that about me." Beca laughed as she rested her forehead against Chloe's.

Thanksgiving was also a picture of domestic bliss. Chloe loved spending time with Beca's parents, especially Ellie who was a fairly good indication of what Beca would be like in twenty years, and Beca was able to enjoy her parents being in the same room now that they'd reconciled their differences. Chloe woke up in Beca's arms on Thanksgiving morning, a happy and sleepy sigh leaving her lips as she lifted her head to look at her sleeping girlfriend. She gently twirled a lock of Beca's hair around finger as she watched the rise and fall of her chest.

Chloe was happy. Far sooner than she thought she'd be, Chloe Beale was happy. She was (as of next week) a Broadway choreographer having been approached by the Ambassador Theatre after she'd produced a critically raved about production of Chicago. She lived with her girlfriend in a nice apartment in Brooklyn. And that girlfriend? Well that was Beca Mitchell, senior music producer, former a cappella champion, and the most amazing person that she'd ever met.

"Are you watching me sleep weirdo?" Beca grumbled, pulling Chloe from her thoughts as she smiled warmly.

"Like you never watch me sleep?" Chloe gently poked Beca's stomach as the brunette frowned, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"You don't have to be right all the time y'know." She grumbled, unable to help the smile that crept onto her lips as Chloe trailed kisses along her jaw.

"It just happens, what can I say? I'm a very smart lady." Chloe chuckled, her hand splayed across Beca's stomach as her lips moved up to connect with the brunette's.

Beca hummed softly as she kissed her back, hand on the back of Chloe's neck as she pulled her closer grinning as Chloe's tongue skated across her bottom lip before slipping into her mouth. The kiss was deep and passionate up until they had to break apart for air, stupid grins on their faces as they did so.

"Well good morning to you too." Beca mumbled, "You must love me a lot to kiss me before I've had chance to brush my teeth."

"What can I say, I just find you irresistible…" Chloe chuckled as she curled in closer to Beca's side, her leg hooked over Beca's.

They just lay in each other's arms for a little while, not needing words, only each other. It was Beca who eventually broke the blissful moment, kissing the top of Chloe's head as she moved from underneath her.

"I'm gonna go pee and then get us some coffee." Beca said as Chloe grumbled about being in the bed alone.

"Okay fine…" Chloe sighed dramatically as Beca rolled her eyes, pulling on a hoody over her t-shirt and ran a hand through her sleep tousled hair.

"I'll be back in a few minutes, you'll survive." Beca chuckled as she left her bedroom.

Once in the kitchen she found her mom, dad and Sheila sat around the kitchen island, all with mugs of coffee.

"Morning sleepy head!" Ellie grinned as she sipped her coffee, a bemused look on her face as she wiggled an eyebrow at her.

Beca just rolled her eyes, grabbing the coffee pot and pouring two mugs before adding cream to Chloe's and sugar to both. As she turned around again, she found all three adults looking at her with huge grins.

"What?" Beca asked, "You guys are creeping me out…"

"Nothin'" Ellie was still grinning widely as she clasped her hands round her mug, "We were just talking about how cute you guys are."

Beca rolled her eyes again as Hank sipped his coffee before saying: "We were just wondering if there were any… questions that you were gonna ask anytime soon?"

Beca's head whipped round to make sure Chloe wasn't hiding on the stairs as she shushed them, a blush spreading across her cheeks, "God can you guys just be cool for like five minutes?" She hissed, setting the mugs down as she sat at the kitchen island with them.

"That's a yes then?" Ellie beamed, leaning in close as she lowered her voice, Hank and Sheila also leaning in close as Beca shook her head, unable to keep the grin from spreading across her face.

"Yes it is." Beca bit her lip a little, "New Years Eve, I've got it all planned out."

"Oh my god!" Sheila squealed, "Beca that's so exciting!"

"Come on, spill it, how're you gonna do it?" Ellie was unable to keep the grin of her face as she held her mug tighter.

"Okay…" Beca looked over her shoulder again to make sure Chloe wasn't there before lowering her voice to a whisper, "So…"

The low level excitement over Thanksgiving dinner went largely unnoticed by Chloe who was just content spending time with Beca and her family as well as taking a well-deserved break from her job. It was nice to be able to put her feet up, and to have such an easy holiday period compared to the last couple of years.

"So Chloe, what's new?" Hank asked with a warm smile as they sat around the dinner table.

"I uh, I got offered a job as in-house choreographer for the Ambassador Theatre." Chloe grinned as Beca gave her hand a proud squeeze.

"That's Broadway right?" Sheila beamed, "Chloe that's huge!"

"Yeah it is." Beca was so proud that she thought she would burst, "After the critics raved about her work for that production of Chicago, there were theatres all over New York falling over each other to hire her."

"Becs…" Chloe blushed, "I start next week, it's a production of The King and I which I loved when I was little."

"It's one of my favourites!" Hank smiled warmly, "You'll have to let us know when the performance is running so that we can come and see it."

"That'd be great." Chloe beamed, "I might even be able to get you tickets…"

"Beca have I ever complimented you on your taste in women?" Ellie smirked as Beca rolled her eyes.

It was coming up to Christmas before they knew it, and Beca had something special in mind. The last two Christmases had been awful; between Portland and Chloe's breakdown there had been nothing much to celebrate. This year, Beca was determined to remind Chloe that Christmas was a happy time.

She kept her plans to herself until the day before Christmas Eve, waiting eagerly for Chloe to get home. Beca stood next to the bed looking smugly at her packed suitcase and the one that she'd packed for Chloe next to it. She really should keep up this organised thing, it definitely made her life easier. The sound of the key scraping in the lock made Beca spin round, a huge grin on her face as Chloe entered the apartment.

"Hey!" Beca beamed as Chloe yawned, sleepily rubbing her eye.

"Hey." Chloe smiled sleepily, holding her arms out for a hug, "I'm sleepy."

Beca went and hugged Chloe close, the redhead slumping a little as she sighed happily in Beca's embrace, "Long day baby?" Beca asked.

"Uh huh." Chloe snuggled into Beca's neck, "S'good though."

"I'm glad." Beca turned her head so she could kiss Chloe's forehead. Chloe lifted her head, frowning a little as she saw the packed bags on the bed.

"Beca… are you leaving me?" Chloe asked, half joking as she pulled back.

"Oh god no!" Beca shook her head with a grin, "Never Chlo. I have a surprise for you."

"Oh? Does it involve me doing loads of stuff? Because I may need a nap first…" Chloe smiled, anxiety eased as she looked at the excitement in Beca's eyes.

"It doesn't honey, don't worry." Beca giggled, "We're going to have a Bella Christmas, all of us together, one big family celebration."

"What? Really?" Chloe beamed, suddenly wide awake as her eyes sparkled the way they always did when she was really excited about something.

"Yep." Beca grinned, "Stacie's house sitting for her folks whilst they're in Aspen for Christmas, which might be the fanciest thing I have ever said, but it means that Conrad Mansion is free for the holidays, with plenty of space for all of us."

"It's going to be amazing!" Chloe was practically bouncing up and down with excitement at this point, "When do we leave?"

"In two hours. Stacie's sending a car, it's all very fancy." Beca raised an eyebrow as Chloe giggled.

"I should pack!" Chloe panicked, suddenly realising she was wholly unprepared for the holiday.

"Already done." Beca caught Chloe as she went to rush to the nightstand, "I took today off to pack for us both, we're all ready to go."

Chloe looked at Beca in wonder, a tear slipping down her cheek as she cupped Beca's cheek, "You did all of this for me?"

Beca shrugged, a dumb grin on her face, "I know the last few Christmases have been crap, I just wanted you to have a nice one for a change."

"I love you." Chloe whispered as she leant in and kissed her, "You are the best person in the whole world."

Beca just kissed her back, the two of them sharing a deep kiss, Chloe's hand on the back of Beca's neck, Beca's hands on Chloe's hips.

"I love you too." Beca said as the kiss ended, tucking a lock of hair behind Chloe's ear, "You deserve to have a good Christmas Chloe."

"Any Christmas I have you is the best Christmas ever." Chloe grinned.

"Dork." Beca teased her.

"Weirdo." Chloe responded, kissing her quickly.

Three hours later, Chloe and Beca stared out of the window of the town car in wonder as they pulled up outside of the biggest house either of them had ever seen, more akin to something from a Disney movie than an actual place where people lived.

"Holy crap…" Beca whispered, "I knew Stacie's parents were well off, but this is insane…"

"Right?" Chloe grinned as the car pulled to a stop, "It's huge! I don't think people will be arguing over sleeping arrangements here…"

Beca laughed as the car door was opened for them (the fanciness of the situation was enough to make Beca's head spin), the brunette going to collect their bags from the trunk, feeling weird about letting anyone else do it for her. She quickly joined Chloe who went to take a suitcase from her but Beca pulled away.

"Nope, I got this. You go grab the door." Beca grinned as she moved her head in the direction of the front door.

"So strong." Chloe giggled, pressing a quick kiss to Beca's lips before going to the front door, "Hello?" She called as she opened the door.

"Hey Chlo!" Stacie beamed, "I'm so glad you guys made it!"

Beca pulled the suitcases through the door as Stacie wrapped Chloe in a warm hug, "Hey Conrad, nice castle!" She smirked as Stacie rolled her eyes.

"Not surprised it looks like a castle to you short stack, you make a dollhouse look like a real house!" Stacie raised an eyebrow as Beca looked outraged, Chloe leaning into kiss Beca's cheek as she giggled helplessly.

"C'mon, the others are in the lounge, they're all dying to see you guys." Stacie led them through the long entrance hallway, Beca and Chloe hand in hand as they entered the room to be greeted by the smiling faces of their family.

"Hey, Bhloe finally got here!" Amy cheered as everyone got up to wrap the two women in warm hugs, "How are you guys the last to arrive when you live this close?"

"I didn't tell Chloe about it until a few hours ago, I wanted it to be a surprise." Beca had a lazy grin on her face as she and Chloe took a seat on one of the sofas that was carefully set up in front of a roaring fire, "Had to wait for her to finish being a big Broadway hotshot for the holidays first."

Chloe rolled her eyes as she rested her head on Beca's shoulder, "Hotshot is an exaggeration Becs, but I am having a great time. Besides, Benji's the star of the show I'm just the choreographer!"

Benji blushed as Emily beamed at him proudly, "There's no such thing as just a choreographer Chlo, the show would fall apart without you."

"Alright, enough shop talk for the holiday thank you." Aubrey had her arm around Stacie's waist, an easy smile on her lips, "I've got the next two days all planned out, and I figured you guys could have the 26th to yourselves, sleep in and all that."

"Anyone else having flashbacks to Barden?" Cynthia-Rose mumbled.

"Yeah I'm half expecting her to roll out a white board with a flowchart on…" Amy grimaced as Aubrey rolled her eyes.

"I just want to make sure we spend some quality time together, because otherwise some people will just sleep through the whole holiday." Aubrey gave Amy a pointed look, the Australian holding up her hands defensively.

"It's going to be great Bree." Chloe beamed, "But it starts tomorrow right? Because I'm exhausted…"

"I made sure that she stuck to planning Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, don't worry." Stacie kissed her wife's cheek, "Tonight, it's just relaxing after a long week. Bella's already in bed because it's late, but she's very excited to spend Christmas with you guys."

"Does that mean we get to leave cookies and milk for Santa?" Emily was like a little kid as her eyes glittered with child-like excitement, "I haven't done that since I was a kid!"

"So… last year?" Beca asked, eyebrow raised as she teased the youngest Bella.

"Be nice Becs!" Chloe slapped her arm playfully, "You don't wanna end up on the naughty list this close to Christmas."

"Really?" Beca turned to Chloe with a wicked smirk, eyebrow raised even higher, "You sure you don't want me to be naughty?"

"Ew gross!" Amy pulled a face as Chloe went a deep shade of red, kissing Beca a little as she shook her head, "Get a room you guys."

"Am I naughty babe?" Jessica asked turning to look at her wife who grinned broadly.

"No sweetie, you're sugar and spice and all things nice." Ashley chuckled, "It's one of the many reasons I love you."

"Aw…" Jessica's grin matched Ashley as she kissed her, Amy miming dry heaving at the display.

"So you've all got your own rooms." Aubrey quickly changed the subject, a deep shade of red in her cheeks after Stacie had whispered something about showing her just how naughty she could be in her ear unnoticed by the other Bellas, "I uh, I drew up this floor plan so you can find your rooms easily, and all the couples have the rooms with the en suites to try and keep the main bathroom streamlined."

Stacie handed out the floor plans that Aubrey had created with a proud smile. She loved this side of her wife. The Bellas got to their feet, deciding to retire for the night after a long week. Beca had dragged hers and Chloe's bags to their room without a second thought, gasping in wonder as she the room that they'd been given. It was huge, arguable almost as big as the main room of their studio apartment, with its own fireplace with a chaise lounge in front of it, a four poster king sized bed in the middle of the room adorned with pillows and blankets and an oak dresser large enough for a small family to use. Through a door on the far side of the bed was a bathroom with a bathtub that would easily fit at least half of the Bella in comfortably, even the toilet seeming like the fanciest thing in existence.

"Oh my god…" Chloe whispered as she stood behind Beca, "Look at this room…"

"You guys like it then?" Stacie grinned, making both of them jump.

"Stace, it's… it's gorgeous." Chloe shook her head in disbelief, Beca just speechless as she looked around her.

"Yeah, it's the nicest room in house. It's an early Christmas present from me and Bree, we figured you guys deserved a little bit of luxury at this time of year after everything that's happened." Stacie leant against the doorway as she watched her friends stand there gob smacked.

"Stace…" Beca smiled softly, "This is… it's too much."

"No it's not Mitchell. It's what you deserve. Now get some rest you two, Aubrey has gone full Captain Posen for Christmas so you're gonna need it!" She winked at them as she shut the door, leaving Beca and Chloe in their decedent room.

"I can't believe she gave us this room…" Beca whispered, looking around with a stupid grin on her face.

"It's so romantic…" Chloe breathed, wrapping her arms around Beca's waist from behind with a happy sigh.

Beca turned in her arms and draped her arms around Chloe's neck, leaning in close as she smiled happily, "It kind of is isn't it?"

"Wanna go try out that bath? Together?" Chloe raised an eyebrow as she pressed a soft kiss to Beca's lips, "I can wash your hair?"

"God that sounds amazing…" Beca breathed, mentally noting how huge a step this was and how far away this already was from the last two years.

"C'mon on then, I think I saw one of those bath stuff gift baskets in there, I bet it's all super fancy stuff." Chloe grinned, pulling Beca through to the bathroom.

Chloe and Beca were awoken on Christmas Eve by a polite but firm knock on the door. Beca groaned as she stirred, preferring to stay in Chloe's arms then go and see whoever was at the door.

"I can hear you groaning Beca, if you don't answer the door I'm gonna come in anyway!" Aubrey's voice came from the other side of the door and Beca had enough experience with the blonde to know she meant it.

"Alright, I'm coming, jeez…" Beca grumbled as she reluctantly untangled herself from Chloe's arms, the redhead waking as she did so, frowning as she watched Beca shrug on a hoody and head to the door.

"Good morning." Aubrey raised an eyebrow as she looked at the dishevelled (and pantless) brunette, "You guys sleep well then?"

"Shut up." Beca rolled her eyes but was unable to keep the smirk of her face, "Is that coffee for us?" She asked as she nodded to the mugs in Aubrey's hands.

"Yes. You guys have an hour to get up, change and drink this before you have to be in the kitchen down stairs okay?" Aubrey held them out for Beca to take, smiling warmly.

"Aye aye cap'in!" Beca gave her a little salute before she took the mugs from her, Aubrey simply rolling her eyes.

"I'll see you guys in an hour." Aubrey shut the door for Beca who now had her hands full.

Beca turned and headed back to the bed, handing Chloe a coffee. The redhead was now sat up, propped up by the soft pillows, covered in a blanket and smiling sleepily as Beca got in next to her, letting her head rest on Chloe's bare shoulder as she let out a happy sigh.

"She's gone full Captain Posen hasn't she?" Beca chuckled.

"Oh yeah!" Chloe laughed, "Although it still feels far less stressful then ICCA prep…"

"Nothing will be as stressful as ICCA prep with Aubrey Posen." Beca raised an eyebrow as she sipped her coffee.

There was a moment of contented silence as they had their coffee, the couple just enjoying a quiet moment to soak in their happiness. Neither of them had to say it, they just knew it, knew that a tiny part of them was waiting for the other shoe to drop and for something to go wrong. But even though the idea was niggling at them, it was almost drowned out by the overwhelming happiness that they both felt as they sat there on a quiet Christmas Eve morning.

"Alright…" Chloe smiled softly as she turned her head to look at Beca half an hour later, unable to not smile as she looked at her girlfriend's sleepy expression, "We should start getting ready, better to be early for Aubrey than on the last minute."

"You don't have to tell me that…" Beca mumbled, smirking as she met Chloe's gaze, "I have been on that bull's horns more times than I care to count."

"Well it wouldn't have happened anywhere near as much if you'd set an alarm every once in a while…" Chloe teased, kissing Beca softly as the brunette scoffed.

"You're so mean to me…" Beca pouted as she pulled back from the kiss, Chloe rolling her eyes.

"That's not what you said last night." Chloe raised an eyebrow as Beca blushed furiously.

"I- shut up…"Beca hid her grin and her blush behind her coffee mug as Chloe moved to get out of bed, "No… where are you going?" She wined, pulling a face.

"Getting dressed!" Chloe grinned as she ran a hand through her hair, standing butt ass naked in the middle of the room, looking over her shoulder as she felt Beca's gaze run up and down her form, "Don't look at me like that… we'll never get downstairs if you keep looking at me like that."

Beca licked her dry lips as she felt her heart pound a little, "What can I say? Have you seen you?"

Chloe giggled a little as she blushed, throwing Beca one of her jumpers, "Put that on instead. That way you can spend the day smelling like me, and I can melt over how cute you are."

Beca frowned, "I'm not cute."

"You don't want my jumper then?" Chloe raised an eyebrow as she pulled a set of clothes for herself out of the suitcase.

"I didn't say that." Beca responded quickly, holding the jumper closer to her chest.

"Just get ready." Chloe laughed as she rolled her eyes.

Beca and Chloe by some miracle were in the kitchen ten minutes before they had to be, Aubrey smiling approvingly as she passed them the coffee pot.

"First ones down… maybe my years of nagging did pay off…" Aubrey mused as Beca and Chloe each took a seat at the kitchen island, Beca pouring both of them another cup of coffee.

"Sure, that's what it is." Beca smirked, "It's not that we're all terrified of you."

Aubrey rolled her eyes, about to respond with something snarky, but was interrupted by the arrival of her daughter and her wife.

"Auntie Beca, Auntie Chloe, you're here!" Bella exclaimed, racing into the kitchen with Stacie not far behind.

"Hey kiddo!" Beca grinned as she picked up her niece, "You've gotten so tall!"

"Momma says I'm gonna be as tall as her someday!" Bella grinned broadly in the short brunette's arms, green eyes twinkling just like Stacie's.

"Great…" Beca mumbled, "Just what I need, another member of this family to tower over me."

"It's not our fault you're a literal elf!" Stacie grinned as she poured herself a coffee, kissing Aubrey as she did so.

"You are?!" Bella exclaimed, eyes wide with wonder before Beca could bite anything back in response as she glared at Stacie, caught off guard for a moment.

"She sure is!" Chloe beamed as she kissed Beca's cheek, "So you have to be extra good when Beca's around okay? Otherwise Santa will know."

"And you have to keep it a secret." Beca hastily added. The last thing she needed was Bella running around the house yelling about her being an elf, she'd never live it down, "It's super top secret, only your mom's and Aunty Chloe know okay?"

Bella nodded enthusiastically, Chloe feeling her heart swell three sizes as she watched Beca with the young girl. Beca had never been one for kids, but watching her with Bella it was clear she was a natural. The other Bellas arrived gradually, and with the exception of (to absolutely no-one's surprise) Amy, everybody was in the kitchen at the time that Aubrey had requested. When Amy finally had the decency to join them in the kitchen (twenty minutes late, Aubrey's eyelid twitching with every passing minute), the Bellas matriarch smiled warmly, filling them in on the plan for the day.

"So, this morning we thought we'd let Bella pick what we did and she wanted us to do some baking all together, decorate sugar cookies, that sort of thing. This afternoon, after lunch, we're going to do the food prep for tomorrow so that there's no stress, and then tonight after we've put the milk and cookies out for Santa obviously, the grown ups are going to have a little karaoke night like we used to in college." Aubrey stroked Bella's hair as her daughter bounced happily next to her, brimming with excitement for the days activities, as the Bellas all shared grins of approval.

It had been a long time since the Bellas had all baked together like this, and it was as chaotic as it had been in college. Before very long there was flour on every conceivable surface as well as in Bella's hair, and on several of the adults faces (Amy was at fault for yelling 'flour fight!' but it was a little concerning that something so simple was all it took to get adults with serious careers to start chucking flour at each other).

"Hey, can we make gingerbread?" Beca asked, flour on the end of her nose and across one of her cheeks, "My mom always makes it at Christmas and Chloe has the recipe for it?"

"Oh I do, it's in my suitcase, I packed it just in case!" Chloe grinned, flour on both cheeks and her jumper.

"What do you think Head Chef?" Stacie turned to her daughter who'd been put 'in charge' of all baking activities and it became evident very quickly that she took after Aubrey in the leadership department.

"Hm…" Bella paused thoughtfully, "I like gingerbread!"

"Sounds like a yes to me!" Aubrey grinned, wiping some of the flour from her daughter's forehead before planting a kiss there.

"I'll go grab the recipe." Chloe kissed Beca's flour free cheek as she headed out of the kitchen. Beca looked over her shoulder to make sure the redhead was gone before she turned to the Bellas.

"Are you guys still going to be available for a rehearsal on the thirtieth?" She asked, voice low just in case Chloe was still nearby.

"Hell yeah!" Emily exclaimed.

"Just try and stop us." Cynthia-Rose smirked.

"I can't believe you guys are finally getting engaged…" Jessica smiled, eyes a little glassy.

"Look she hasn't said yes yet, she might not, but all I can do is ask." Beca half-smiled, shrugging a little as she diverted her attention to the sugar cookie dough she was mixing together.

The Bellas all shared a look. None of them wanted to get Beca's hopes up on the slight chance they were wrong, but all of them knew what the answer would be when the question was asked.

"It's a really beautiful idea Beca." Ashley smiled softly.

"Yeah who knew you were such a romantic Shawshank?" Amy raised an eyebrow

Beca rolled her eyes, going to say something but stopping as she heard Chloe re-enter the kitchen.

"I got it!" Chloe smiled, blissfully unaware of the conversation that had just taken place, "Bella do you wanna help me make the gingerbread?"

"Yeah!" Bella grinned as she bounded over to where Chloe was assembling ingredients.

The rest of the day passed by in a haze of baking, cooking, and laughter, a scene straight out of a Christmas card. Chloe had taken a step back at one point to watch the scene unfold: the Bellas, her family, laughing and joking as they worked in a unison that only came from years of knowing and a deep understanding of each other; Aubrey, her best friend, the sister she never had tidying up after her daughter who was haphazardly leaving stuff all over the kitchen, imploring her wife to help as she simply laughed at their daughter; and Beca, her girlfriend, the reason she got up in the morning carefully piping icing the sugar cookies that had been baked and cooled, tongue sticking out of the side of her mouth as she frowned in concentration. This was all Chloe had ever wanted, a happy family, people who loved her and who she could be herself around. It had taken a very long time, a lot of pain and hearbreak and fear, but here Chloe Beale stood, happy.

Aubrey quietly stepped next to her friend, a hand on the small of her back as she frowned softly, "Are you okay Chlo?" She whispered.

Chloe realised she'd started crying, sniffing slightly as she wiped the tears from her cheeks, "I'm happy." She looked at Aubrey, laughing a little at the absurdity of her tears, "It sounds stupid, but I'm really happy Bree."

"Oh Chloe…" Aubrey grinned as she pulled her into a hug, "It's not stupid, not at all. I'm so glad you're happy, it's all I want for you." She caught Beca's eye as she pulled Chloe close, subtly gesturing for her to put the piping bag down and come and hold her girlfriend.

Beca frowned as she slipped her arms around Chloe, Aubrey moving out of the way, "Honey what's wrong?" Beca asked, a worried look on her face.

"Nothing." Chloe grinned, still trying to stop crying, "That's the stupid thing. Everything is perfect and I'm so happy, but I'm crying."

Beca cupped Chloe's cheek with her left hand, a soft smile on her face, "It's okay baby. It's normal to get this flood of emotion."

"I really am happy Beca. Thank you for this." Chloe kissed the palm of Beca's hand, knowing that she'd never be able to put into words just how much this all meant to her.

"It wasn't all me." Beca was never one to have all the attention focused on her, even now, "But I'm so glad you're happy. I did get you other things for Christmas, but this is what I wanted to give you the most. Happiness, and a great Christmas."

"I love you." Chloe leant in and kissed Beca, leading to wolf whistles from the other Bellas that went ignored.

"Oi, you two! Don't think that because you're in love you can get away with not helping with the clean up!" Amy yelled as the two broke apart, Beca rolling her eyes.

Later, once they'd eaten pizza and put Bella to bed (after setting out milk and cookies for Santa obviously) Aubrey emerged with a tray of drinks, handing them out to the Bellas, having one clearly set aside for Beca to make sure it wasn't confused with the alcoholic ones. Handing them out, she then settled next to her wife who had hooked up a karaoke machine to the huge tv.

"Alright, who's going first?" Aubrey asked, smiling at her family.

"We will!" Ashley tugged Jessica to her feet as the blonde giggled, the two of them setting their drinks down on the nearby side table and grabbing the two microphones, Jessica keying in the song.

"Hey I thought it was a song each!" Amy cried, grabbing a handful of popcorn.

"Leave them alone." Flo laughed, "They're in love, let them duet."

"I really can't stay." Jessica started, free hand in Ashley's.

"Baby it's cold outside." Ashley responded, wide grin on her face. Baby It's Cold Outside was their Christmas karaoke tradition, they even sang it as they made Christmas dinner for their parents. They concluded the song in perfect unison, a well rehearsed dance, the Bellas clapping and whooping as they did so (Bella was on the far side of the house so there was very minimal chance of them waking her up in such a huge house).

"You guys are always so good!" Flo beamed.

"Yeah, why weren't you guys like that when we were in college?" Amy asked, eyebrow raised.

"We were!" Ashley and Jessica answered in unison, sounding a little exasperated as the other Bellas laughed.

"Me next!" Emily beamed, kissing Benji before she stood up, picking up the mic as the musical intro started, "I'm driving home for Christmas/ I can't wait to see those faces."

Benji was by far the loudest of the assembled group when Emily finished, brimming with pride for his fiancee. Emily giggled as he swept her off the makeshift stage into his arms, Amy huffing loudly and rolling her eyes.

"That is the reason you're going to be the number one artist at Twilight Records in January when your album drops." Beca grinned as Emily blushed.

"Thanks Beca, you really think so?" Emily smiled softly.

"Oh yeah." Beca nodded, "And let's face it, you got the best agent in the business." Beca winked in the awkward way that she always did as Emily laughed.

"Alright ladies, time for a bit of Mariah!" Cynthia-Rose was grinning from ear to ear as she got up.

"Let me just grab another beer!" Stacie got up quickly, "Anyone else want anything?"

There were a couple of drink order, Stacie returning promptly with them and sitting back down as Cynthia-Rose started to sing "I don't want a lot for Christmas/There is just one thing I need."

All the Bellas would gladly admit that they didn't have same vocal capabilities as Cynthia-Rose, loud cheers and whistles coming from them as she bowed.

"Thank you. Thank you." Cynthia-Rose grinned, high fiving Beca as she went to sit down again, Benji getting to his feet with a grin on his face as he finally settled on what he wanted to do.

"I'll be home for Christmas/ You can plan on me/ Please have snow and mistletoe/ And presents by the tree." Benji sang, smiling at his future wife as he did so. It was easy to forget that Benji had an incredible talent, what with him being a former Treble Maker and all, but sitting and listening to his talented voice made them realise that he was definitely the perfect fit for their little family.

"You're so talented baby." Emily grinned as she kissed him once he'd finished.

"Not as talented as you gorgeous." He responded, kissing her softly.

"Oh god someone else go before I barf." Amy pulled a face.

"Hold my beer Chlo." Stacie passed Chloe the bottle as she got up, a wicked grin on her face, Aubrey feeling her stomach tighten a little. She knew that look. And she knew the song that was starting to play.

"Oh god…" She whispered, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

"Santa baby." Stacie raised an eyebrow, smirking as she locked eyes with her blushing wife, "Just slip a Sable under the tree for me/ Been an awful good girl/ Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight."

Stacie stepped out from behind the karaoke machine, slowly and deliberately, exaggerating every movement of her long legs, running her free hand through her hair: "Santa baby, a 54' convertible too, light blue/ I'll wait up for you, dear/ Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight."

Stacie was now stood in front of Aubrey who swallowed loudly, her cheeks a deep shade of red. Stacie skillfully and seductively dropped into her wife's lap, leaning back against her, forehead pressed against Aubrey's temple so her lips were mere centimetres away from her face even with the microphone in one hand: "Think of all the fun I've missed/ Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed/ Next year I could be just as good/ If you check off my Christmas list."

The tall brunette jumped to her feet again but not before grinding in Aubrey's lap a little, fingers of her free hand trailing along Aubrey's jaw as she got up, "Santa baby, I want a yacht, and really, that's not a lot/ Been an angel all year/ Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight."

Stacie had her back to her wife as she flicked her hair, looking over her shoulder at the blushing blonde who was trying her best to hide a grin, eyebrow raised, smirk on her lips as she slowly and purposefully turned on her heel. "Santa honey one little thing I really need/ The deed to a platinum mine/ Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight."

The brunette stood in front of her wife, the pair of them unable to hear the whoops and cat calls of their friends as they were totally absorbed in their own bubble, Aubrey biting her bottom lip a little as she was unable to hide the grin anymore. Stacie bent over, free hand resting on the arm of the chair that Aubrey was sitting in, low cut top giving her wife a perfect view of the twins, "Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with a duplex and cheques/ Sign your 'x' on the line/ Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight."

Stacie was now straddling her wife, moving her brunette hair out of her face with her free hand, grinning as she felt Aubrey squirm a little with arousal underneath her, chest flushed, mouth hanging open a little. She twirled a lock of Aubrey's hair around her finger, her face a mere inch from Aubrey's, "Come and trim my Christmas tree/ With some decorations bought at Tiffany's/ I really do believe in you/ Let's see if you believe in me."

Aubrey's hands settled on Stacie's hips, unable to take her eyes off hers as Stacie ground her hips into her lap. The brunette ran a hand through Aubrey's hair, biting her lip a little before launching into the next verse, "Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing/ A ring, I don't mean on the phone/ Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight."

"Hurry down the chimney tonight." Stacie's hand slid to the back of Aubrey's neck, "Hurry, tonight." She finished the song, stretching out her arm to drop the mic dramatically as she pulled her wife into a deep kiss, the Bellas laughing and cheering as she did so.

"Yeah I'm not following that!" Beca laughed, an eyebrow raised as she finished off the last of her soda.

Chloe got up, wine glass in one hand the other stroking Beca's hair, "Want another drink?" She asked as she smiled at her.

"Yeah, that'd be great thanks." Beca beamed, handing her the glass she had emptied.

"I'll try and separate the randy twins whilst you do that." Cynthia-Rose nodded her head towards Aubrey and Stacie who were still wrapped in each other.

When Chloe returned with a drink for her and Beca, Aubrey and Stacie were now sat next to each other, Aubrey's hand resting on Stacie's thigh as both still wore wicked grins. Amy was standing at the karaoke machine, loading a song, the short brunette hiding a wince as she had her back turned to Amy. In chorus with the rest of the Bellas, Amy was great. Solo? Well that was hit and miss…

"Silent night, Holy night…" Amy started, singing operatically as the Bellas collectively swallowed hard, eyes wide as they forced grins onto their faces. It was official, this one was a miss. They cheered and clapped with as much enthusiasm as they had for everyone else that had gone before the Australian as she finished. She might have been terrible but she was still family.

"Beca next!" Chloe grinned, getting to her feet again as she tugged Beca to the karaoke machine, "And I'm picking the song."

"Oh no…" Beca pulled a face as Chloe stood her in front of the karaoke machine, pressing the mic into her hand as she queued up the song, kissing her cheek. The brunette rolled her eyes heavily as she realised what the song was, "Really?"

"Uh huh." Chloe nodded, a wide grin on her face as she sipped her drink.

"Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus lane." Beca sang in a rather lacklustre way as the Bellas laughed.

"Oh come on Beca, you can do better than that!" Aubrey smirked, an eyebrow raised.

Beca rolled her eyes heavily as she inserted more enthusiasm into her performance, "Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer, pulling on the reins."

"That's more like it Mitchell!" Cynthia-Rose cheered.

"Bells are ringing, children singing, all is merry and bright." Beca was getting more and more into the performance despite the cheesiness of the song, a smile creeping onto her face. By the time she finished, the brunette was completely immersed in the song, grinning broadly as she danced a little, the Bellas all cheering wildly as she finished.

"See, I have great taste in songs!" Chloe beamed as Beca flopped down next to her, taking her soda from her girlfriend as she did.

"You're such a dork." Beca chuckled as she kissed her.

"My turn!" Flo got up quickly, all the Bellas grinning as they heard her song choice, "Feliz Navidad/ Feliz Navidad/ Feliz Navidad/ Prospero ano y felicidad." It was Flo's choice every year that they had karaoke, and it was always a huge hit. The Bellas cheered loudly when she was done Flo blushing a little as she sat down again, sipping her drink, "I always like that one. Reminds me of home."

"Do you miss your family?" Stacie asked with a soft sympathetic smile.

"Of course. But I have you guys, you're my family too!" Flo grinned widely.

There were murmurs of agreement and wide grins from the Bellas as Emily (who was sat between Flo and Benji) wound her long arms around her and hugged her tightly, head on her shoulder. It was then that they realised that Lilly had taken her turn whilst they'd been talking, for some reason the music being as quiet as she was. Lilly rolled her eyes as the Bellas apologised, mumbling something that sounded like "Rudolph" as she sat down again, downing her beer in one quick motion.

Aubrey stood up, walking over to the karaoke machine as Amy groaned loudly, "Please don't tell me we're going to get a repeat of the dry humping from earlier?" Amy sighed dramatically.

Aubrey gave her a look as she picked up the mic, deciding against the biting comment as the music started, "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas/ Just like the one's I used to know/ Please send snow and mistletoe/ And presents under the tree."

Stacie grinned broadly at her wife as she sang. There were was nothing in this world quite like Aubrey Posen's voice when she sang, and every time she heard it Stacie couldn't quite believe that of all the people Aubrey could have had she had picked her. The Bellas cheered and clapped as Aubrey sat next to her wife again, Stacie wrapping her arms around her and kissing her head.

"That was beautiful baby." She grinned.

"Thank you." Aubrey beamed, head turning to look at Chloe, "Alright Beale, you're up."

Chloe grinned as she set down her drink, kissing Beca's cheek as she stood up, knowing exactly what she wanted to sing. She'd heard Beca humming it every year, and it felt like the perfect song for that moment. She watched Beca grin as she recognised the music and winked at her before she started to sing, "Have yourself a merry little Christmas/ Let your heart be light/ From now on/ Our troubles will be out of sight."

Chloe locked eyes with Beca, tears welling in the short brunette's eyes as she heard the sincerity in Chloe's voice as she sang, a soft smile on her face. The redhead continued to sing to Beca as if they were the only people in the room, "Here we are as in olden days/ Happy golden days of yore/ Faithful friends who are dear to us/ Gather near to us once more."

By the time she was finished there was not a dry eye in the room, all of them knowing that Chloe meant every word of the song as if it had been written for that exact moment. There was clapping and cheering as she finished, Beca getting up from her seat as Chloe stepped off the makeshift stage and into her girlfriend's arms. Beca gave Chloe a watery smile as she tucked Chloe's hair behind her ear.

"I love you Chloe." Was all Beca could think to say at that moment as Chloe rested her forehead against hers.

"I love you too." Chloe mumbled before she kissed her, the Bellas wolf-whistling as she did so.

"Alright, that's it, I'm out. I've taken about as much as this love fest as I can." Amy shook her head as she got to her feet, Beca laughing as she rested her head on Chloe's shoulders, content in her arms.

"We might head up too. I'm tired." Beca smiled sleepily as Chloe nodded.

"It'll be an early start tomorrow so we'd all better head up. We're not college students anymore, we can't stay up that late." Aubrey laughed softly as she and Stacie got up too.

The Bellas headed to their rooms, bidding each other fond goodnights as they did so. Stacie and Aubrey quietly checked on their daughter who was sleeping soundly, before heading into the bedroom. Stacie pulled Aubrey into her arms, smiling as the blonde rested her hands on the back of her neck.

"I do not have the same alcohol tolerance I did in my early twenties…" Stacie mused, "I used to be able to drink three beers and then go out all night, but now? All I want to do is go to bed."

"Welcome to old age Stace." Aubrey laughed, "You can't drink like you used to and you have to pay taxes, it's really fun."

Stacie giggled as she kissed Aubrey softly, "I guess I'm just trying to distract myself from the uncertainty…" Her hands trailed up from Aubrey's hips to rest on her stomach, "I hate waiting to find out."

"I know." Aubrey whispered, a soft smile on her lips, "But it was like this with Bella. You went to the insemination appointment alone, without telling me when the appointment was, and didn't tell me you were pregnant until 12 weeks in. You wanted to surprise me when you were certain, when there was less risk of a miscarriage. And I loved that, I loved the surprise, the way your eyes sparkled when you told me we were gonna be parents. I just want to give you the same."

"I know." Stacie grinned, "And I'm excited. Unreasonably so. But I'm also very impatient, you know this."

Aubrey giggled, "I do know it. We got married the week after I proposed. You whisked me away to Vegas and we were married by an Elvis impersonator. It was the greatest night of my life."

"Do you ever regret it? Not having the big Southern wedding with all our friends and family?" Stacie asked, running a hand through Aubrey's hair.

"No." Aubrey answered sincerely, "I love your impulsivity. I love that you couldn't wait any longer to be my wife. I love that you wanted our life to start straight away, no waiting."

"I have never been more certain about anything then I was, then I am about you and how much I need you." Stacie kissed her deeply, Aubrey almost melting in her arms as she did so. No-one had ever made Aubrey feel this way, made her feel as safe and as loved in one single act.

"Come to bed." Aubrey breathed as the kiss ended, "Let's see if we can make a baby."

Stacie laughed as Aubrey pulled her to the bed with a ridiculous grin on her face, "Merry Christmas to me." She chuckled as she tugged off her jumper.

The rest of Christmas with the Bellas was just as blissful and romantic. Chloe basked in the warmth of her family, in the way that Bella had bounced around the house on Christmas morning and ripped into her presents with innocent enthusiasm, in the way that Beca had held her hand through Christmas dinner with a happy grin on her face. It was the Christmas she had always wanted. Almost a week later, the night before New Years Eve, Chloe woke up in Beca's arms in the same way she had every morning since she'd quit vet school. She smiled softly, taking a moment to enjoy the quiet of their apartment and the feel of Beca's arms around her waist before she had to get up and go to work. As she heard her alarm go off, she kissed Beca's lips, the frown that Beca had as she woke to an alarm blaring quickly replaced with a grin as she returned the kiss.

"Hm you are far better to wake up to than an alarm clock." Beca mused, stroking Chloe's cheek as she pulled back.

"Don't you forget it." Chloe grinned as nuzzled her face against Beca's hand, "I love my job, but I really wish I didn't have to go back to work today… I'd much rather stay here with you."

"I know. Me too." Beca smiled sleepily, "But I've got to go to the studio for a few hours today."

"I thought you were off work until after New Years?" Chloe frowned, hand resting on Beca's stomach.

"Yeah but they're behind with some of the stuff for Em's album so I'm gonna go in and help them catch up a little." Beca shrugged, lying her ass off. She had to try really hard not to think about her plans for tomorrow because she knew that Chloe would be able to feel her heart pound and she didn't want to give anything away. Not yet.

"Speaking of New Years, what are you doing tomorrow?" Beca asked, trailing her hand along Chloe's arm.

"I'm working until late." Chloe smiled softly, "The show opens on the second so tomorrow's the dress rehearsal, the director is giving us New Years Day off. I'll be back before midnight though, no way I'm not counting down into next year without you."

"You're adorable." Beca grinned as she chuckled lightly, "As long as you're home before midnight I don't mind. I love how much you love your job. I love seeing you this happy."

"A lot of it's down to you." Chloe whispered, brushing her nose against Beca's, "I don't think I'd be this happy without you."

"Well you're stuck with me a little while yet Beale, so it's a good job I make you happy." Beca laughed as she kissed her.

The couple eventually dragged themselves out of each other's arms and the bed and off to their commitments for the day, the time passing by in a rather uneventful fashion.

It was New Years Eve and Beca was sat on the couch as she waited for Chloe to come home, her leg bouncing a little as she thought about tonight. About asking Chloe to marry her.

"That's it. That's perfect." Beca grinned at her friends, wiping the tears from her eyes.

Stacie walked over as the Bellas chatted excitedly amongst themselves, hand on Beca's arm as she grinned, "She's really going to love it Becs, it's amazing."

"Yeah?" Beca asked, grinning sheepishly, hands twitching nervously, "You really think so?"

"It's perfect." Stacie sat next to Beca as they sat down on the roof of Beca's apartment building, "I can't believe you guys are actually doing this at long last. I feel like it's been a lifetime since you were mooning over each other at Bella rehearsals."

Beca chuckled, "It really does, doesn't it? God I was an idiot back then…"

"Yeah." Stacie nodded as Beca gave her a playful shove, "But we all were. I spent nearly a whole year dating anyone but Aubrey because I was too afraid to admit I had fallen head over heels for her. But look at us now, we're married, we've got a daughter… true love and all that? It forgives idiocy, it forgives mistakes and it forgives the past. You and Chlo? It's something straight out of a fairytale, it's soul mates, all that crap. It's been a long road, and it's not been an easy one, but I know in my heart of hearts that you guys are meant to be together."

Beca sniffed as she let her head rest on Stacie's shoulder, "I really hope you're right Stacie." She whispered.

Stacie put an arm around her shoulders, "C'mon Becs, when have you known me to be wrong?"

Beca ran her hands through her hair. It had been a while since she was this anxious, but unlike every other time she'd felt like this, it was a good kind of anxiety. A happy kind. An excited kind. Her phone beeped and she picked up, seeing a text from her mom.

MOM: *photo of Ellie, Hank and Sheila wearing New Years Eve hats all with their fingers crossed*

MOM: We love you Beca, we're rooting for you! Xoxo

Beca smirked, head jolting up as she heard Chloe's key scrape in the lock. Quickly, Beca opened up the group chat that had been created for planning her proposal and sent one simple text message:

WEDDING BELLS ARE RINGING

BECA: Ready

She stood up as the door opened, patting her pocket discreetly to make sure she had the ring. Beca swallowed hard, but she was grinning as Chloe walked in, "Hi." She all but whispered.

Chloe froze in her tracks as she looked Beca up and down, frowning a little. Beca was in her smartest black suit and brilliant white shirt that looked brand new, a skinny black tie tied neatly in position. Her hair was loose and styled, looking like she was ready for a formal event. Chloe herself was wearing yoga pants and a sports top, hair a little damp and messily tied up, leaving the redhead feeling more than a little under dressed.

"What's going on?" Chloe asked as she set her bag down.

"Do you trust me?" Beca asked, stepping towards Chloe and taking her hands in hers.

"Of course." Chloe smiled, heart pounding a little but comforted by the gleam of excitement in Beca's eyes.

"Then come with me." Beca grinned, gently pulling her to the door and opening it.

"Wait, do I need to change first? Seeing as you're dressed so smartly?" Chloe asked with an eyebrow raised.

"No. You're perfect." Beca grinned as she lead Chloe in the direction of the roof, "You're always perfect."

They got to the door and Beca turned to face a bewildered looking Chloe, "Close your eyes." The brunette was beaming, her heart pounding a mile a minute.

"What?" Chloe couldn't help the smile that crept onto her lips as she tried to figure out what was going on.

"Just close your eyes okay?" Beca tucked a lock of hair behind Chloe's ear. Chloe closed her eyes obligingly, hearing the door to the roof click open, the cold December air hitting her as it did.

Chloe held tight to Beca's hand as she let her lead her out onto the roof, keeping her eyes shut despite having the overwhelming urge to peek. She didn't know what was happening, but she was excited, butterflies in her stomach.

"Open them." Beca said, letting go of Chloe's hands, stepping backwards and nodding to the Bellas to give them their cue.

Chloe opened her eyes, letting out a soft gasp as she looked around her, the Bellas harmonising the opening to a song she hadn't heard them sing in nearly a decade. The roof was strung with fairy lights as it lit the roof in a warm yellow glow, rose petals strewn around her, the Bellas all dressed in smart suits and dresses in gold and black, co-ordinated to a tee. A tear slipped down Chloe's cheek as Aubrey sang:

"Oh, her eyes, her eyes/ Make the stars look like they're not shining/ Her hair, her hair/ Falls perfectly without her trying."

Ashley and Flo joined in as Aubrey reached the end of the verse: "She's so beautiful and I tell her every day./ I know, I know/ When I compliment her she won't believe me/ And it's so, it's so/ Sad to think that she don't see what I see/ But every time she asks me "Do I look okay?"/ I say…"

Chloe turned to Beca who was biting her lip, a wide grin on her face. Tears pured faster down Chloe's face as it slowly started to dawn on her what was happening. As Aubrey, Ashley and Flo got to the end of the verse, Emily started to sing, a melody that blended perfectly with the other, Chloe shaking slightly with emotion as she looked from Beca to the Bellas.

"It's a beautiful night, we're looking for something dumb to do/ Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you."

Jessica and Stacie joined in for the second part of the verse, not a dry amongst the Bellas as they harmonised and sang during the most important moment in Beca and Chloe's lives: "Is it the look in your eyes, or is it this dancing juice?/ Who cares baby, I think I wanna marry you."

The two songs melded together as Chloe stood shaking, tears flooding down her cheeks, a hand clapped over her mouth, totally overwhelmed in the moment.

"When I see your face/ There's not a thing that I would change/ 'Cause you're amazing/ Just the way you are/ And when you smile/ The whole world stops and stares for a while/ 'Cause girl you're amazing/ Just the way you are." Sang Aubrey, backed up by Ashley, Flo and Amy harmonising.

"Don't say no, no, no, no, no/ Just say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah/ And we'll go, go, go, go, go/ If you're ready, like I'm ready/ Don't say no, no, no, no, no/ Just say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah/ And we'll go, go, go, go, go/ If you're ready, like I'm ready." Emily, backed up by Stacie with Cynthia-Rose and Jessica harmonising, sang at the same time, Lilly as always laying down the beat for both songs.

"'Cause it's a beautiful night." Beca sang solo as the Bellas harmonised, stepping forward as she held back her own tears, determined to get through this without weeping but knowing it probably wasn't likely, "We're looking for something done to do/ Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you."

Chloe was weeping as Beca stood in front of her, a smile on her face that could be seen from space as she slowly reached a hand into her pocket. The Bellas harmonised behind her, all of them beaming, all of them crying as Beca continued the chorus.

"Is it the look in your eyes, or is it this dancing juice?/ Who cares baby, I think I wanna marry you."

Beca got down on one knee, pulling the ring box from her pocket and opening it. The Bellas started to sing again as the brunette talk half a second to gather herself.

"When I see your face/ There's not a thing that I would change/ 'Cause you're amazing/ Just the way you are." Aubrey and Emily led the Bellas through the chorus again, the others backing them up and harmonising, all of them emotional as Beca started to speak.

"Chloe Beale. You are the most amazing person I have ever met, you are my solace, my rock, my guiding light. You are my soul mate, and I cannot imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else." She sniffed hard as tears fell down her cheeks, looking up at Chloe with nothing but love in her eyes, "There is no-one in this world that I love more than you or will love as much as I love you. Chloe, if you'll have me, I wanna spend the rest of my life proving that you made the right choice two years ago in picking me and our weird little family. You are the love of my life…"

"And when you smile/ The whole world stops and stares for a while/ 'Cause girl you're amazing..." The Bellas sang, falling into quiet harmony just before the last line, all accept Aubrey who sang:

"I think I wanna marry you."

Beca grinned as the Bellas finished singing, "Chloe, will you marry me?"