Thanks so much for the support last chapter!

Chapter 11

Macy's smile grows on her face before she's even fully awake. She can feel it. It's a natural response to the energy that seems to swirl in the air, just the general excitement of the fact that it's Christmas.

Stretching out underneath her covers, Macy finds herself thinking back to the night before. To the fact that Beca had last night off (as she does today). That they had a sit-down dinner, just the two of them, and finished the night reading the brand new copy of The Night Before Christmas that Beca bought, just like they used to do with their parents. Macy didn't end up falling asleep until a little after eleven – and not from stress or insomnia like normal. Instead, it was because she didn't want the day to end.

Now, she's committed to making today last as long as possible. She and Beca are going to spend the morning together, and then tonight, Chloe is coming over to watch Miracle on 34th Street, another tradition that they had when their parents were alive. She can't wait.

Laying there in the silence of her bedroom – yes, her bedroom, one that isn't just a guest room in a stranger's house, and one that she doesn't have to share with any sort of foster sibling or Beca for that matter – she is once again amazed at how she got here.

How Beca got them here.

Even though the custody hearing was months ago, it never ceases to blow Macy's mind, everything that Beca has done for them and continues to do for them, just so they can be together. Just so that they can lead a normal life. She knows it hasn't been easy on her sister; afterall, she did spend the entire night throwing up just a few days ago because of how exhausted she was. But she's never heard Beca complain. Not once.

In fact, Macy's the only one that has really complained. Sure, it's only been to Benji (and Emily before the whole Katherine showdown) and Chloe, but she's definitely complained. She's complained about Beca working too much, about never being able to spend time with her sister like she used to… and what does Beca do? She rearranges her schedule so that she can be around more.

Macy has been questioning, almost her entire life, how she got so lucky to have Beca as a sister. Even before they went into foster care when Macy was just an annoying five-year-old who constantly harassed her older sister when she was hanging out with her friend Alyssa in her bedroom. The younger girl has always considered Beca her best friend. Of course, that only solidified through the seven-plus years they spent being wards of the state, but still… she has no idea how she managed to have the most caring, trustworthy, and amazing person, end up being her best friend and older sister all rolled up into one.

Letting out a content sigh, Macy finally gains the strength to sit up in her bed. The sleeves of her pajama shirt roll up her arms, revealing the singular leather bracelet on her wrist. Since the accident, holidays have always been more difficult, especially because, as years have passed, Macy has found it harder and harder to remember even the smallest thing about her parents. But this year, the ache is slightly duller, and she knows it's because she and Beca are finally in a place where they are both safe, happy, and healthy.

Slipping out from underneath the comforter, Macy quietly pads over to the side of the room where her sweatshirt is. Even though it's nine in the morning, she isn't sure if Beca is awake yet, and is determined to let her sleep as long as possible if she's still in bed.

Unfortunately, as soon as Macy leaves her bedroom, she knows she won't have to be quiet.

Soft Christmas music is already playing from their wireless speaker, and even down the hallway, Macy can hear her sister singing softly along. It makes her heart swell, and her grin widens as soon as she comes around the corner to survey the kitchen. Beca is swaying to the beat, standing over a pan, watching something sizzle with a spatula in her hand, two plates of pancakes already off to the side.

Her hair is pulled up into a bun on top of her head, and she's dressed in the same pair of pajamas that Macy is wearing, the same pair that she's sure Chloe will come over in tonight, seeing how she's the one that bought the sets for them. It's just a simple gray, long-sleeved shirt, but the pants are red fleece covered in reindeers. Of course, Beca had first groaned at the idea, but Macy knows that she actually loved it, because she put them in the wash as soon as Chloe left, and she wore them all last night. Macy's sure that Beca won't take them off today, either.

Macy takes one more deep breath, still going unnoticed by her sister, before saying, "Merry Christmas, Bec."

The older brunette jumps slightly at the sudden voice, but to her credit, she composes herself relatively quickly. She looks over her shoulder, an almost identical smile to the one on Macy's face quickly stretching across her lips. "Merry Christmas, munch. How'd you sleep?"

Macy shuffles across the kitchen, wrapping her arms around her sister's waist. Beca doesn't hesitate to abandon the pancake, turning so that she can properly hold the younger girl, and planting a kiss into the top of her head as Macy mumbles her answer. "Great. You?"

"Good. Santa didn't wake you up?"

Macy rolls her eyes. She hasn't believed in Santa in years. Beca tried to keep the charade up for a little while, but it came to a screeching halt when one of their older foster brothers broke the news to her. "No, he must have been really quiet sneaking."

Beca runs her fingers through Macy's hair, chuckling at the younger girl's sarcasm. "Well, I'm glad. You kind of ruined my plan though, just saying. I was going to bring these in so you could have breakfast in bed."

Keeping her arm wrapped around Beca's waist, Macy peers at the pancakes, her stomach growling from the scent. "Chocolate chip?"

"You know it. Now, we don't have any mugs, but I did buy hot cocoa. Do you want to start heating some up?"

Macy nods, immediately setting off on her task, with vague memories of doing something similar with her parents so many years ago rising to the surface.

When they entered into foster care, their traditions were pushed to the wayside. Even when they were with Sharon, an older woman that lived alone, she dragged them across the state to go and visit her daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids. It was their first holiday without their parents, and while neither Mitchell girl really felt like celebrating much of anything, it was especially hard to go along with festivities that were so different than their own.

They spent most of the time sitting out on the back porch, just the two of them. It wasn't really a fun day.

But because of that, Macy isn't surprised that Beca's trying to reawaken some of the things they used to do with Amelia and Warren. And she loves her even more for it.

As Macy turns back around from getting the cups and hot chocolate mix from the cabinet, her eyes find their way to the lit Christmas tree for the first time since she's come out into the kitchen. At the sight of it – or, more accurately, what's underneath it – Macy's jaw drops open. "Beca…"

Beca grins at her sister's quiet voice, knowing exactly what she's looking at. "I was wondering how long it was going to take you to notice them."

Her eyes grow wide at the various boxes, all wrapped in white wrapping paper with dark red snowflakes dotting the surface, and Macy finds herself wondering where Beca hid them all. "Bec, it's… this is too much."

"Kid, you haven't even opened them yet. For all you know, they could be empty." Beca flips the last pancake onto one of the plates, moving to stand beside her sister. In all reality, Beca knows that there really aren't that many there. It just happens to be a lot more than what Macy's used to – which is one (always from Beca), and maybe two if their foster parents were feeling extra jolly.

Macy gives her an incredulous look. "Are they?"

Beca sends her eyes rolling, already having expected some of this pushback. "You know, most kids look forward to presents on Christmas."

"When have I ever been like 'most kids'?"

"Touché. I promise that there really isn't that much over there. And plus, that isn't anything for you to worry about. You just need to focus on enjoying them." A small smile stretches across Macy's face as she looks over at the tree, making Beca feel all warm and fuzzy. Her little sister might not be like 'most kids' now, but Beca is going to make damn sure that she gets some of those normal kid experiences. "Come on, let's eat and then you can open them."

Beca gives Macy's loose curls one additional ruffle, before handing her the two plates and grabbing the syrup from the fridge.

For a while, the only sound in the apartment is the Christmas songs playing through the radio, and the scratching of forks against the plates. It's a content silence, the Mitchell sisters simply enjoying each other's presence and the fact that this is their first Christmas together as their new family, in their new home, each of them savoring every minute like it's making up for all of the holidays they've missed before. All of the ones they've missed with their parents, all of the ones that they've missed because of being placed in less than adequate foster homes (as well as the one they spent in a group home). But none of that matters anymore. Because, as far as Beca and Macy are concerned, all of that is in the past. Now, there are only holidays spent together in their future, and neither one of them could be happier.

It isn't until 'Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer' comes over the speaker, does Beca break the silence and fall into a fit of laughter.

Macy eyes her cautiously, a slow grin breaking out over her face. "What?"

The older Mitchell sister continues to chuckle to herself, placing her fork down on her now-empty plate, and tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "I don't know if you remember, you were pretty young… but whenever this song would come on, Dad would put you on top of his shoulders and would, like, gallop around the house singing along to it, and you would spend the entire time cackling your little head off."

It's Macy's turn to laugh, trying desperately to picture her father – the man that she remembers being so awkward and not at all musically inclined – singing and running around the house and balancing her on top of his shoulders. "Really?"

"Yeah… and then Mom would get mad because she thought he was going to drop you, which just made you laugh even harder. One time you were drinking milk or something and he started doing it and you ended up squirting the milk out your nose." Beca shakes her head, her grin never once fading from her face. She knows how lucky she is to have these memories of her parents, and now that they're in the apartment, she's found them to be coming back in waves. It took a little bit, but she's gradually started becoming more comfortable with sharing them with her sister. Macy is still apprehensive about talking about them, and rightfully so, but Beca knows she's been enjoying the brief reminders of Amelia and Warren. "You were the cutest kid."

Macy scoffs, "Please, I still am the cutest kid."

Beca rolls her eyes in feigned annoyance. "Right. My bad."

Macy falls silent again, allowing her thoughts to drift back to the memory that Beca resurfaced. She can't quite picture it, but the song itself definitely brings up a vague sensation that maybe, just maybe, there's something important associated with it. She meets Beca's navy blue orbs, one simple request on her mind. "Tell me more?"

Chloe has been vibrating with excitement since she woke up this morning. It wasn't early – not like when she was a kid – but it was only around nine-thirty when she made her way downstairs to where her parents were enjoying a quiet breakfast. They opened their presents, just like they do every year, and waited patiently for Bryan and Christian to come over with their wives and kids. Of course, JJ was bouncing off the wall, as was Mia, who turned one a few months ago. Ella was definitely on the calmer side, but she was still looking forward to the morning – Chloe could tell.

Now though, Chloe is the most excited out of all the younger members of the Beale family. She ate brunch with her parents, brothers, sister-in-laws, and nieces and nephews, and it's finally time for her to head over to Beca's for dinner.

With her hair tamed into two braids and a light jacket on over her pajamas (yes, the matching ones she bought for Beca and Macy because they are the absolute cutest thing), Chloe bounds into the living room. JJ is sitting on Christian's lap, helping him put together one of the toys his grandparents got him, while Ella is playing on the carpet with Mia. She leans up against the arm of the chair that Lisa is sitting in, the older woman looking up at her. "Heading out, sweets?"

Chloe nods, "I'm probably going to spend the night, if that's okay."

Lisa runs her hand over her daughter's. "Of course. You have their gifts?"

"I put them in my car last night."

JJ looks up from his toy. "Where are you goin' Auntie Chlo?"

Chloe bends down so that she's squatting in front of her nephew. "I'm going to go over Beca's house. Do you remember Beca?" When he shakes his head, Chloe chuckles. "She's my girlfriend. You've met her a couple of times. She came to your last birthday party, remember?"

Natalie speaks up from the couch where she's been sitting with Kevin and Kelly. "You danced with her, JJ. After cake."

Sudden realization crosses his face. "Oh! Right! I like Beca! Can I come?"

Chloe lets out a small laugh, leaning over to press a kiss into his forehead. "Not this time, monkey, but maybe some other time." She leans into Christian's embrace, before making her rounds through the other members of her family. "I'm sorry I have to leave early, but I promised Beca that I'd be over at three and it's already quarter-of."

Bryan pretends to scowl. "Mhmm, already ditching your family for a girl. We get it."

Chloe rolls her eyes while jiggling her car keys in her pocket a little bit. Bryan has loved playing the protective older brother role ever since she and Beca started dating. Quite frankly, it's getting annoying, but she knows that if she puts up too much of a fight, he'll just come down twice as hard. "I gave you plenty of advanced notice. Plus, why is it fair for Dom and Jaimee not to be here, but I can't go over to Beca's house for the second half of the day?"

Bryan holds up his hands in slight surrender but doesn't back down. There's an obvious gleam in his eye, showing just how much he's joking. "Well for one, Dominic and Jaimee are married."

Chloe shrugs. "So?"

Kelly shakes her head. "Bryan, stop harassing the poor girl."

Natalie nods in agreement. "Seriously, she's more serious about Beca than Caleb has been about half the girls he's brought around."

The younger redhead gestures to her sister-in-laws. "See! Thank you!"

"Plus, I give them two years max before they're at least engaged."

Kevin chokes on his coffee at Natalie's statement, that of which was muttered under her breath as more of an afterthought than anything else. Both Bryan and Christian flush in short-lived anger at hearing about their sister growing up, while Lisa hums in mild agreement.

Chloe just smirks, glancing bashfully down at the ground at the thought, before giving her family a small wave, never once denying the notion.

It's perfect. Everything about this day, from the moment she woke up, to know, has been amazingly perfect.

And Beca isn't one to say that about much. In fact, she's only had a few of these perfect days in her life. The trip to Disney World she took with her parents and Macy five months before the accident. Macy's adoption day. And now this. This Christmas, spent not just with her little sister in a completely safe and loving environment, but also spent with the girl who has made Beca's life hundreds of times better than she ever could imagine it to be.

But, yes. This Christmas? Hands down one of the best days of Beca's life.

The morning was spent with just her and Macy. They poked around for a while, eating breakfast and recounting stories of their past Christmas traditions and different memories of their parents – nothing was said about any of the past eight Christmases spent in foster care, which both girls were grateful for.

They opened presents shortly after, Macy tearing up at the various books and outfits that Beca purchased for her. The thirteen-year-old actually started crying when she opened the simple silver bracelet with the coordinates of their childhood home engraved on the surface.

Beca, too, fought back tears when she opened the collage of pictures that Macy had matted in a shadow box. Most of them were of the two sisters, but there were also some with Cynthia Rose and Chloe as well.

Now, though, hours later when the sun has set and the excitement of the day has begun to die down, Beca can't help but allow the smile to play across her face at her current situation. How the Grinch Stole Christmas is playing on the television in the darkness of the apartment, and Beca, Macy, and Chloe, are cuddled up under one blanket, their eyes focused on the screen.

This is how they've been for the majority of the night. They ate dinner around five, followed by Macy opening her presents from the Beale family (Beca and Chloe decided not to do gifts for Christmas, and rather to wait until their anniversary in February), and eventually settled in for another round of holiday films. They started off with Miracle on 34th Street, then moved onto Elf, and are ending with the Grinch. Despite Beca's minor grievances about the impromptu marathon, nothing beats the fact that she can look over at the girls at any time and see the smiles on their faces. The joy and peace in their eyes. She'll watch a thousand movies just to see that.

With Macy slowly starting to doze off, the young girl's body slouched into Chloe's side, Beca reaches her arm up over the back of the couch, and gently taps the top of her girlfriend's head. Chloe chuckles, looking over at her, all the while keeping her voice down. "Yes?"

Beca brushes a gentle finger across her forehead, never once looking away from Chloe's eyes. "Thank you for coming tonight."

Chloe grins, continuing to run her own hand through Macy's hair. "Of course. It was our first Christmas together. I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Before answering, Beca allows Chloe's words to run through her head. Their first Christmas. The brunette wants nothing more than to have more Christmases with Chloe. More everything with Chloe. Holidays, birthdays, adventures, trips… there's something so special about the redhead. Something that makes Beca's heart complete, something that makes it almost unimaginable to think about Chloe not being a part of her life anymore. And sitting here, on the couch by the light of the Christmas tree, seems so natural, that Beca can't think of any other way she'd want to spend the rest of her life.

With Macy.

With Chloe.

Perhaps with some mini-Chloes running around on Christmas morning, pouncing on their moms' bed so they can get to the tree faster.

Sitting around with Lisa and Kevin as they watch their grandkids, telling embarrassing stories of when Chloe was little.

Messing around with Chloe's brothers while equally being terrified of them.

Marrying Chloe.

Growing old with Chloe.

It all just seems so… perfect.

And Beca can't wait for that to be her life.

I hope you enjoyed! Let me know what you think :)