Greetings! No long spiel from me today, just a quick thanks to my beta for the read through.
Happy Holidays everyone xx
.oOo. Chapter Eleven .oOo.
7th March
"Hi, you've reached Beca Mitchell. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you." *beeeep*
"Hi Beca, it's Chloe again. How are you doing? Hope you got my last couple of messages. Just wondering if you wanted to meet up this week with the girls? Thought we could head over to that new arts and crafts place on Belcher Street. It's only fifty dollars entrance fee. Let me know? Take care, see you soon. Bye."
.oOo.
8th March
"Hi, you've reached Beca Mitchell. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you." *beeeep*
"Hi Beca, Chloe again. I'm sorry things went so badly last week at the play centre. I'd really like to speak with you again. Hoping we can get together in the next few days, spend some time together. Let me know if you liked the idea of the craft place. Call me. Bye."
.oOo.
9th March
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 07.09 - Hi Beca, it's Chloe, just checking in, seeing how you are and when you'd like to meet up. Text me please. Chloe x
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 22.05 - Hi Beca, Chloe again, hope you are okay and I've got the right number for you. Just wondering what kind of day you and Jessie have had. Chloe x
.oOo.
10th March
"Hi, you've reached Beca Mitchell. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you." *beeeep*
"Beca, it's Chloe. David is asking about whether we need to get the authorities involved to mediate. I really don't want to go down that route so I am hoping to get in touch. We can meet without David if you want to. Just us girls. Come back to me when you can. Bye."
.oOo.
12th March
"Hi, you've reached Beca Mitchell. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you." *beeeep*
"It's Chloe again. Just wondering what your plans are for Easter and if you'd like to get together for an Easter Egg hunt with us. Let me know and I'll organise the tickets. They are eighty dollars each. I've also sent a third package to you with some clothes, toys and books for Jessie. Please let me know that you received this safely. Bye."
.oOo.
16th March
"Hi, you've reached Beca Mitchell. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you." *beeeep*
"Hi Beca, it's Chloe. I'd appreciate a call back Beca, when you can. Starting to now feel like you're ignoring me now. Thanks. Bye."
.oOo.
21st March
"Hi, you've reached Beca Mitchell. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you." *beeeep*
"Miss Mitchell, this is Caroline Davies with Child Protection Services. I believe the Mitchems have been trying to get hold of you for a couple of weeks with regard to meeting up with you and Jessica Amy. Please can you respond to Mrs Mitchem. Her cell number is 555-102-9185. Alternatively, I can mediate a second meeting. You can reach me on my cell or office line. Thanks."
.oOo.
23rd March
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 07.09 - Hi Beca, trying to get hold of you. Can you call me this week please? It's Chloe, if you don't have my number saved yet. Chloe x
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 16.11 - Hi Beca, David's asked for your number. I've had to give it to him or he'd just call Caroline Davies and get it from her. Please call me, I'd love to arrange a get together. Chloe x
.oOo.
24th March
"Hi, you've reached Beca Mitchell. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you." *beeeep*
"Chloe again. Please call me back, I'd really like to speak with you. Bye."
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 15.08 - Hi Beca, I know you're upset with everything and we are too but we need to work together for a solution that works for all of us. I've sent some more things for Jessie today and some money in there for you to buy her anything she needs. We'd like to see Jessie this weekend please. I am sure you'd like to spend some time with Alex. Call me? Chloe x
.oOo.
29th March
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 14.26 - Hi Beca, please can you give me a call. Chloe x
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 17.11 - Hi Beca, I thought you might like this photo of the girls in the back yard this afternoon. Chloe x [attach KateAndAlexInBackYard]
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 22.08 - Hi Beca, can you send me a picture of Jessie please? Chloe x
.oOo.
30th March
"Hi, you've reached Beca Mitchell. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you." *beeeep*
"This is David Mitchem speaking. If you don't respond to this message, I will be forced to take further action. I expect to hear from you by the end of the day. Goodbye."
"Hi, you've reached Beca Mitchell. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you." *beeeep*
"Hi, it's Chloe, I'm whispering because I don't want David to hear me. He's on the phone with CPS trying to work out his next move. Please, please call me Beca. Send a message... anything. You've seen David, he's not the easiest of people to deal with and it's better to have him on your side. Please call. Please. Bye."
.oOo.
2nd April
"Morning." Luke said, entering his office and seeing Beca with her nose buried in her phone.
"Hey."
"Rough night?" He asked, setting his bag down by his desk. He shrugged off his jacket and hung it on the back of his chair.
"No, just another thousand messages to delete from the Mitchems."
"Maybe if you called them back…" Luke said lamely.
"And give that fucktard another reason to scream and yell at me, no thanks." Beca scoffed, looking up from her phone for a second.
Luke sat down on his chair and turned towards her.
"I know you don't want to hear this but you can't hide from this."
"Not you as well, Luke." Beca said, exasperated. "Please, not you too."
"Don't you want to get to know Alex?"
"Of course I do, more than anything. I'm ready to meet her again. I'm just busy and I know you don't get it and they certainly don't get it, but I have to put food on the table and a roof over my kid... their kid... Jessie's head. God, I'm trying here! Universal are riding my ass to get those demo's done and I've got sets to prepare to Avalon that can't wait."
"I can help."
"No." Beca said, shaking her head and going back to her phone. "You've done enough. I'll speak to her soon."
"You don't want the authorities poking their noses in so do it soon."
"Yeah, yeah, okay."
.oOo.
3rd April
"Hi, you've reached Beca Mitchell. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you." *beeeep*
"Beca, it's Chloe again. It's been over a month since we met up and we've left countless messages for you. I don't want to pester you but we have a right to see our daughter. Please call me so we can get something arranged. I've sent some more money and a couple of books to you today. You should receive these tomorrow. Bye for now."
.oOo.
4th April
message from chloe.m, to beca.m – 18.08 - Hi Beca, couple of pictures of the girls at bedtime this evening. Thought you might like them. I'd love one of Jessie, when you can. Chloe x [attach AlexBedtime attach KatePyjamas ]
.oOo.
6th April
"Hi, you've reached Beca Mitchell. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you." *beeeep*
"Hi Beca, Chloe again. I have a meeting on Thursday in Los Feliz and I know you live there. I'm not just going to turn up at your apartment without being invited but I'm getting pretty desperate. Can we meet for coffee? It would be really nice to see you again. I'll be on my own. Let me know, okay? Bye."
.oOo.
9th April
"Hi, you've reached Beca Mitchell. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you." *beeeep*
"Hi Beca, your friendly stalker here. I know I've now left you over forty messages, and sent dozens of texts but I'd really like to talk to you. I'm trying not to lose patience but we've been unable to get hold of you for almost six weeks now. Please call me back, we can talk over the phone, if that's easier for you. Or I can meet you near where you work? Call me. Please. Bye."
.oOo.
10th April
"Hi, you've reached Beca Mitchell. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you."
"Mailbox full. Please try again later."
.oOo.
11th April
"Luke Bryant."
"Luke, hello, it's Chloe Beale. Mitchem, Chloe Mitchem. We met… um, we met-"
"-Mrs Mitchem, yes, hello." Luke said politely., wincing a little as he quickly realised what this was about.
"Chloe, please."
"Of course. My apologies, Chloe. How are you?" Luke asked, keeping his tone even.
"A little frustrated." Chloe answered, breathing out a small, thin laugh.
"I'm sorry to hear that. How can I help?"
"Firstly, I'm sorry to have called you out of the blue, but I got your number from the business card you gave me last month. I've been trying to get hold of Beca and I've not been able to. Can I check her number with you please?"
"Yes, it's 555-475-0214." Luke said, reading the phone carefully from the index card he kept on his desk even though he knew Beca's number well anyway.
"Okay, that's the number I've been trying." Chloe huffed down the phone. "Do you know if she's been getting my messages? I'm sorry to ask."
"She's been very busy with work lately Chloe." Luke said, not wanting to commit to a different answer.
"As have I."
"Yes, of course, I'm sorry for-"
"-Sorry, that came out wrong. I'm not asking for much, just a message back every now and then. I sent pictures of the girls, been asking to meet up and sent texts and now her mailbox is full. My husband and our case worker are... well, they aren't quite as patient as me."
"She's not great at using her phone."
"This is important Luke."
"I understand." Luke grimaced, knowing he'd said the wrong thing.
"I feel bad for calling you."
"No, it's okay."
"I find out my child has been switched, we go through all of that hard emption in such a short time. Then I meet Jessie once, Beca leaves rather abruptly and then radio silence."
"It's how she deals with trouble."
"How do you mean?"
"She blocks it out and fights through it in her own way."
"This isn't going to go away."
"She knows that. I'll talk to her. I can't make any promises but I'll try."
"Thanks Luke. I appreciate it. And I'm sorry for putting this onto your shoulders."
"It's fine ma'am, honestly."
"I feel Beca is the only other person who truly can understand what is going on right now."
"I understand that. I'm sorry for all you and Mr Mitchem are going through."
"No need to apologise Luke, I'm grateful she has you. I'm sorry to have called."
"No problem. It's okay. Bye for now."
"Yes, goodbye Luke." Chloe said.
Luke spun around in his chair and faced Beca who was camped out on the sofa in his office, laptop carefully balanced on the arm of the couch. She was listening intently to Luke's side of the conversation.
"Call her." He said to Beca's unimpressed face.
.oOo.
12th April
message from beca.m, to chloe.m - 14.02 - Hi been busy sorry, thanks for the stuff for J, here's a picture of J for you [attach j at amy's]
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 14.06 - Hi Beca! So great to hear from you. How are you? What a lovely picture of Jessie, I love how she's got that chocolate smeared all over her face! Looks like a fun time all around. Thank you so much for sending me this. It's precious. Chloe x
message from beca.m, to chloe.m -18.48 - :)
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 18.48 - Hi, how about a meet up? Chloe x
message from beca.m, to chloe.m - 23.01 - Will check diary
.oOo.
13th April
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 08.11 - Hi, how's Friday looking for you? Chloe x
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 12.07 - Hi, or suggest another time you are free, if it's easier. I'm not filming at the moment. Chloe x
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 19.03 - Hi, just checking you got my last message? Chloe x
.oOo.
14th April
message from beca.m, to chloe.m - 04.17 - Busy Friday sorry
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 07.15 - Hi, hope you are okay? Would you like to suggest a better date and time? Chloe x
message from beca.m, to chloe.m - 08.14 - At work reply later
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 08.14 - Hi, no problem Beca. We'll speak later. Chloe x
.oOo.
15th April
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 07.15 - Hi Beca, any news for me? Chloe x
.oOo.
16th April
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 14.59 - Hi, hope your day has been brilliant, didn't hear back from you with a date to meet up. David really wants to meet up and he's asked Caroline Davies to get involved to mediate. Chloe x
message from beca.m, to chloe.m - 23.56 - k
.oOo.
17th April
"Hello?" Beca said absentmindedly, picking up her phone without checking the caller ID as she tried to work a new bass line into the demo she was currently editing.
"Miss Mitchell?"
"Yeah?"
"It's Caroline Davies from Child Protective Services."
"Oh. Um, hi." Beca cursed herself for not looking to see who was calling her.
"You are a difficult person to get hold of." Ms Davies said blandly.
"Sorry, been busy."
"Hmmm."
"What can I do for you?" Beca asked after a couple of moments silence.
"I've been asked to orchestrate a meeting between you and the Mitchem's on the twentieth of April." Ms Davies stated, her tone devoid of any nonsense.
"I have to work."
"This is a requirement Miss Mitchell."
"I still have to work." Beca said, looking at the work roster she had on the wall in front of her.
"The Mitchem's are prepared to meet you in your break time. When is that please?" Ms Davies all but barked down the phone.
"I don't get a break time, Ms Davies. I work a lot of hours and-"
"-I would suggest that you don't make this too hard on yourself Miss Mitchell. The Mitchem's are wanting to get to know their daughter."
"Okay, okay, okay. The twentieth really doesn't work for me. Can we make it the twenty first?"
"If you can hold on for one moment, I'll check with them."
"Oh, you can just call me back when-"
"-They are seated next to me, Miss Mitchell." Ms Davies said loudly.
"They're there with you?" Beca asked, unable to keep the hint of surprise from her voice.
"Yes, they were unable to get you to commit to a meeting so I've been asked to step in. I've had several, regular meetings with Mr and Mrs Mitchem. You have been unable to commit to even one."
"I didn't know I was supposed to-"
"-It was all in the information package I mailed to you at the beginning of March." Ms Davies bit.
"Sorry, I've been-"
"-Busy, yes I know. Please bear with me one moment."
Beca heard hold music a moment later as she turned to look at Luke.
"Sounds like I've got to meet up on the twenty first. Good job I've got nothing on that day."
"You have nothing on the twentieth either Beca." Luke said, smirking a little.
"I know, but I just don't want them choosing the date. It would-"
"-Miss Mitchell? The Mitchem's will meet you at nine o'clock on the twenty first of April. We'll have you all meet here, at the offices and this will be a supervised meeting."
"I get off work at five that morning."
"That's fine." Ms Davies said. "You'll have four hours to make it to the offices then."
"Okay." Beca said, unable to come up with another excuse to put off the meeting.
"We will see you then."
"Okay. Bye." Beca said, ending the call and turning to Luke. "Shit. Can you write me a letter saying, as my boss, I've got to work."
"You know I can't do that Becs. This isn't high school."
"Worth asking." Beca grumbled before returning to the song she was working on.
.oOo.
21st April
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 09.26 - Hi Beca, just checking you are still able to make our meeting today. Looking forward to seeing you. Chloe x
message from beca.m, to chloe.m - 09.47 - Traffic bad be there soon
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 09.48 - Hi, where are you coming from? No bad traffic reported this morning. Chloe x
message from beca.m, to chloe.m - 10.14 - Will be there soon
message from david.m, to beca.m - 10.26 - This is David Mitchem. Where are you?
message from beca.m, to david.m - 10.47 - Almost getting pulled over for using my phone at the wheel
"Hi, you've reached Beca Mitchell. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you." *beeeep*
"Miss Mitchell, this is Caroline Davies. It's almost mid day, are you intending on coming in today? This is quite frankly unacceptable behaviour. Please call me back immediately. Goodbye."
message from beca.m, to chloe.m - 13.15 - Got called back to work for a meeting, will re arrange
message from david.m, to beca.m - 13.17 - David here, this is unacceptable. Simply unacceptable. We have a right to see Jessica.
message from beca.m, to david.m - 13.35 - At work, talk later
message from david.m, to beca.m - 13.35 - We will meet you after work this evening. What time do you finish? David
message from david.m, to beca.m - 13.40 - Hello? David
message from david.m, to beca.m - 13.42 - Hello? David
message from david.m, to beca.m - 13.43 - Respond please. David
message from beca.m, to david.m - 14.01 - Can't take my phone into recording studios
message from david.m, to beca.m - 14.02 - I am about to instruct my lawyer to start proceedings to gain access to Jessica. David
message from beca.m, to chloe.m - 15.06 - Got message from David, I don't want to talk with him
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 15.07 - Hi Beca, then talk with me. Please communicate with one of us. We just want to get this sorted out. Take care of yourself. Chloe x
message from beca.m, to chloe.m - 15.28 - I have to work, you understand, right? I can't drop everything to answer messages
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 15.29 - Hi, of course I understand but you missed a meeting and don't respond to us when we message you. We just want to spend some time with Jessie and I'm sure you'd like to spend time with Alex and get to know her. I am sure you can appreciate how confusing this is for all of us. Chloe x
message from beca.m, to chloe.m - 15.59 - Don't appreciate David threatening me with lawyers
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 16.00 - Hi, I know he's angry but he does mean it Beca, please don't push this. Chloe x
message from beca.m, to chloe.m - 16.48 - I'll try and call you tomorrow, k?
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 16.49 - Hi, that would be great, speak to you then. Chloe x
.oOo.
22nd April
"Hi, you've reached Beca Mitchell. Leave me a message and I'll get back to you." *beeeep*
"Hi Beca, it's Chloe. Just a polite reminder that you said you'd call today. I'm trying to hold David off from calling CPS and our lawyers but I'm not sure how long I can. Please call me soon. Bye.
.oOo.
24th April
message from david.m, to beca.m - 08.15 - You said you'd call Chloe two days ago. We've heard nothing from you. I'm now done with waiting. I have instructed my lawyers to start legal proceedings for us to see Jessica. We'll see you in court. David Mitchem
.oOo.