I've gotten a few messages letting me know that something was wrong with the way the Chapter 20 was updated, so I'm reposting it as Chapter 21. Thank you!

Chapter 20

Content Warning - Implied/Referenced domestic violence situation; PTSD, panic attack (child), implied depression (sort of?)

"What do you think, Henry? Would Callie like polka dots or butterflies?"

Henry leans over the side of the shopping cart, sitting amongst a pile of streamers, wrapping paper, and other party decorations for next weekend when they are celebrating Callie's ninth birthday. Beca knows that she probably isn't supposed to have him in the cart, but it is a whole lot easier than chasing him around the store. "Butterflies!"

"Butterflies?" Beca looks between the two sets of plates. "Yeah, I think you're right, monkey."

Since returning home from Los Angeles, Beca and the kids have fallen back into their routine. Beca has spent her days fielding various calls from the real estate agent that is trying to sell their house, some of the higher-ups at the label who are trying to get her to come back, and completing other mundane tasks around the apartment.

Today, some of those tasks include shopping for Callie's birthday and birthday party. After the year that Callie has had, Beca would like nothing more than for this celebration to go off without a hitch and for it to just be a happy day for her daughter. They're hosting the party at Aubrey and Stacie's house because of their backyard. She'll be able to spend the day playing with Bella, the one person around Callie's own age that she seems to tolerate, and both Emily and Karla are flying in. It will – hopefully – be fun for all involved.

"Should we get a few more balloons?"

Henry looks at the shelves in front of them, a grin spreading on his face until he sees a giant butterfly on one of the packages. "That one!"

Beca hands it to him without hesitation. If there is one thing that has gotten better since the accident, it's Henry's levels of excitement and comfortability out in public. He has definitely moved past his clingy stage and never leaving Beca's side (Callie replacing him in that respect), but with the added socialization and no longer being confined between the walls of the Los Angeles house, Emily tells Beca that Henry is starting to meet the developmental milestones that he was otherwise lacking.

"Alright, anything else? Should we go see what we can find for presents?"

Henry sits back against the side of the cart, looking wildly around at the shelves as Beca maneuvers him back into the main part of the store. "Can I get a toy?"

"We'll see. We're going to look for Callie first because her birthday is next weekend."

Beca allows her gaze to drift to some of the people standing around them. Some shoot a familiar glance her way, others are stopping and staring. She would like to say that almost three years without performing or putting new music out would have decreased her presence in the public eye, but with the restraining order going public, the custody trial, the accident, and now the divorce, that couldn't be further from the truth. Luckily the paparazzi haven't viciously attacked since that time with the kids, but they're still around. So are cellphone cameras and people coming up to ask for autographs.

Sometimes, people will be mindful if the kids are with her, and they won't say anything. Other times, they'll stop and have conversations with Henry and Callie until Beca (or Chloe or whoever else they are with) cuts them off and pulls the kids away. It's irritating as hell and it makes Beca want to scream at everyone that thinks that they have free range to talk to her two small children, both of whom have had more than their fair share of struggles, but she would rather this happen than have people camping outside of their apartment building waiting to catch a glimpse; or having Callie and Henry locked up inside, unable to go out into the world.

"Is Callie gonna be an adult now?"

Beca lets out a light laugh. "No, buddy. She's going to be nine, so still very much a kid. Can you show me how many 'nine' is?"

Henry slowly counts out nine fingers before holding them up victoriously. "Nine!"

Beca claps, stopping in front of some of the chapter books that she thinks Callie might like. "Good job, buddy!"

"Mama, how many am I?"

"You're four. Can you show me 'four' on your fingers?" He does so, once again earning Beca's praise.

Keeping one hand on the cart, Beca starts reading through the synopsis on a chapter book set, before Henry pulls her attention back.

"Mama, your phone buzzin'."

Beca turns around to where Henry is holding her cellphone out to her, pouting slightly as the phone call interrupts his game. She scans the screen, a small smile appearing on her face. "It's Emmy. Do you want to say 'hi'?"

Henry lights up. As much as Callie took to Chloe, Henry undoubtedly formed a bond with Emily – or, 'Emmy', as he refers to her as. Beca is just glad that their family has expanded to the point where both Callie and Henry have people, other than herself, that they can turn to for help and for comfort.

Beca answers the phone and holds it up to Henry's ear as he exclaims, "Emmy!" Beca can't hear Emily's answer on the phone, but she can see Henry's grin on his face and the excitement in his body as he bounces up and down in response. "Yep! I shoppin' with Mama!"

Beca grabs another book off the shelf as Henry continues. "Uh huh. I dunno. I played with Chloe. We did a puzzle. Uh huh. You're comin'?!" Henry looks up to Beca. "Mama! Emmy is comin'!"

"I know she is! Are you excited?"

Henry grins, shouting into the phone, "Emmy, I so excited!" He looks more serious. "Okay. Bye-bye Emmy. Love you!" Henry blows a kiss into the phone before handing it back to Beca. "Emmy wants to talk to you."

Beca chuckles as she takes the phone, pressing it against her ear as she starts pushing the cart back along the aisle. "Hey, Emily. How's it going?"

Emily went back to Georgia a few weeks after the accident. Beca will never be able to repay the support she gave both her and the kids during that turbulent time. They were all sad to see her go, but they have, of course, kept in contact over phone and FaceTime and she visits frequently as well. Like Chloe, Beca knows they wouldn't have made it this far without Emily.

"Hey! I'm well… how are you? I'm sorry I haven't gotten a chance to catch up over the phone since you got back. How did everything go? How are you doing?"

Beca gently takes the package that Henry is trying to open out of his hands, shaking her head before he has a chance to break open a package of plates. "Oh, it's fine. I'm doing alright. Kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop, but that's not new."

Emily hums knowingly. "You know, sometimes, there isn't another shoe waiting to drop, Bec. You did it. Everything. Enjoy it."

If Emily were sitting in front of her, Beca would wave her off. But hearing the words still takes a little bit of weight off her chest. "Thanks, Em."

"Of course. I'm here to remind you of that whenever you need." Beca lets out a light laugh before Emily continues. "So, I just wanted to check in and make sure that it was still alright that I spent the night Friday and after Callie's party. I know you're probably already stressing about it, so I don't want to add anything more to your plate, and I know Karla will be there too..."

Continuing in the direction of the registers, Beca shakes her head, despite knowing that Emily cannot see her. "No, it is totally fine. We're excited to have you. Though, fair warning, Chloe may end up spending the night, too, depending on how Callie is."

"No worries. I can also stay at Aubrey and Stacie's if it's easier."

"No, no it should be fine. She's been having a pretty good week this week—"

As soon as the words leave Beca's mouth, a resounding dial tone rings through Beca's phone, signifying another call trying to come through. Beca doesn't even need to look at the caller I.D. to know who could be calling her at one o'clock in the afternoon. Still, she pulls her phone back with a sigh, seeing the name of Callie's school flashing back at her. Beca grits her teeth together – she had been hoping for a week of no phone calls and they were so close to making it to Friday – before returning to Emily. "And, of course, I just jinxed it. Em, the school's calling, I'm gonna have to let you go."

She hears Emily sigh on the other end of the phone. "Darn it. My fingers had been crossed. Text me tonight if you get a chance?"

"Will do. Talk to you soon." Emily barely has a chance to say her goodbyes before Beca is switching over to the other call. "Hello?"

"Ms. Mitchell?"

"Yes, hi, Annie. What's going on?"

Annie, the secretary at Lewis Elementary – a woman that Beca has always liked, but someone that she has been speaking to more and more these days – clicks her tongue to the roof of her mouth before answering. "I'm afraid it's nothing good. Mrs. Beckley asked me to call and see if you could come pick Callie up? There was an incident on the playground."

It's a question that Beca has grown used to hearing, but each time she does, her stomach churns and her heart sinks. "I'll be there as soon as I can. Half an hour at most."

"Thank you, Ms. Mitchell. See you soon."

Beca hangs up the phone and looks back to Henry, who has been staring at her ever since she took his game away to have not one, but two, conversations. "Let's go pick up your sister, monkey."

Beca moves on autopilot as she walks up the main steps of Callie's school after taking an Uber back to the apartment so that they could drop off the party supplies. She holds on to Henry's hand as they make it to the entrance, the surrounding areas around the building not yet busy with the parents waiting for pick-up.

After being buzzed in, she heads toward the office, waving to Annie as soon as she comes into view. She wrangles Henry so that he's walking in front of her, until they're standing in front of her desk. "Hey, Annie."

"Hello, Ms. Mitchell." Annie greets her with a kind smile, followed by a wince. "You didn't happen to see Chloe's message, did you?"

"No, I didn't…" Beca furrows her eyebrows, moving Henry's hand to her belt loop as she pulls her phone out of her back pocket, heart picking up its pace. But there, right at the top of her notifications, is a message from Chloe, just as Annie said there would be:

Hey Bec… You don't have to come down to pick Callie up if you don't want to. Her teacher totally overreacted. She didn't do anything wrong. I brought her back to my room and will bring her home after dismissal. See you soon xx

Beca lets out a quick laugh. "Well, too late for that, I guess."

Annie, too, chuckles after wiggling her fingers at Henry, who tucks himself behind Beca's leg, but still lets out a small smile. "Chloe's class is in their specialist period right now, so you are more than welcome to go down and either take Callie home, or discuss with her what you want to do. I'm sure Mrs. Beckley is around as well."

Beca resists the urge to make some snide comment about how Mrs. Beckley has barely been there for Callie during this last school year, doing more complaining about the poor girl and pawning her off on Chloe rather than trying to work with her. But she doesn't because she knows that Chloe would be doing everything that she has done for Callie already, on her own. Instead, she says her goodbyes to the secretary, signs the visitor sign-in form, and walks the familiar path to Chloe's classroom.

When she reaches the classroom, she peers cautiously around the corner, lifting Henry up onto her hip. Chloe is at her desk working on her computer, and Callie is in one of the desks closest to hers, bent over a worksheet. She taps lightly on the door. "What's going on in here?"

"Callie!" Henry wiggles out of her arms, running over to his older sister and throwing his arms around her. Beca fondly watches their interaction, always grateful that their sibling relationship is so strong.

When Henry pulls away, Callie avoids Beca's gaze. Whether it's guilt or embarrassment, Beca can't be sure, and she certainly doesn't get a full chance to evaluate it because Callie is soon pulled back into a conversation with Henry.

Chloe makes her way to where Beca is standing by the door, stopping only to give Henry's head a loving scratch on her way by. "I guess you didn't see my text in time?"

Beca shakes her head with a light laugh. "No, sorry. Annie had to tell me about it in the office." She lets out a sigh, catching Callie's eye as she cautiously looks back over in Beca's direction. "So? What's the damage?"

"Oh," Chloe scoffs and waves away Beca's concern. "Mrs. Beckley is just being difficult and taking out her frustrations on Callie, of course."

Chloe lowers her voice to a whisper. "I only caught the tail-end of it. I told her we could do our recess date out on the playground today because it was so nice out. She was dismissed from lunch earlier than my kids were, so she was outside for a little while before me. But when I came out, I heard one of the third graders asking questions about you and about…" she tilts her head to the side, indicating that she isn't going to say Theo's name with the kids so close, "you know. She got angry, started yelling. Apparently it wasn't the first time she got aggravated today, so Mrs. Beckley took her to the office and had Annie call you. I tried stopping her, but apparently she wasn't having a very good day either because she wouldn't hear any of it."

"Great. Another person that is going to be fighting against her." Beca shakes her head, anger brewing inside of her. "Thank you for looking out for her and for bringing her back in here. As always."

Chloe wraps her arms around herself, looking as sincere as ever when responding to Beca's gratitude. "No thanks necessary, Bec. I'll always be there for her – for all of you."

It's a dialogue that they have frequently. Beca thanking Chloe for everything that she's done. Chloe telling her that she doesn't need to thank her because she'll always be there. Beca saying thank you anyways. And just like always, after this pattern ends, Beca struggles to ignore the same, small fluttering inside of her chest that she fought down all four years at Barden and the subsequent years following their graduation.

When she moved to Los Angeles, the knowledge and the guilt associated with knowing that she was hurting Chloe by falling into the whole Theo situation was enough for her to squash those feelings that had been brewing inside of her since meeting Chloe at the Activities Fair. The stress and, again, guilt, associated with seeing Chloe after ten years (you know, plus everything else that was going on in her life at the time) was enough to keep them repressed, buried under countless other emotions and thoughts.

But now, almost two years after her return to New York, the connection that she has always felt with Chloe – the connection that was still there even during the first week back in New York, let alone the first and second year – is getting harder to ignore. It is especially difficult because Beca has years of experience ignoring such feelings and simply embracing this undeniable connection, hidden under the guise of friendship, that they have always had, but has never done so after surviving an abusive relationship and with two struggling kids under her care.

Yet, while everything has changed for Beca in terms of her life and her and her kids' stability - nothing has changed for Chloe. Chloe is still Chloe – amazing, wonderful, supportive, and straight Chloe.

Not to mention, even if that latter fact is incorrect, Beca is nowhere near ready to embark in any sort of attempt at another relationship. She doesn't know if she ever will be.

The whole thing is a moot point.

So, Beca just accepts Chloe's soft smile and kind words. She brushes away the flutter in her chest; ignores the way her own smile appears under Chloe's gaze, how her stomach does a little flip, and brings the conversation back to her kids.

A nice, safe topic.

"Has she said anything about what the kids were asking?"

Chloe shakes her head. "Nothing. She wouldn't even talk to me when I brought her in here."

Beca heaves a heavy sigh. "Alright. I guess I'll take her home and see if she'll tell me anything."

"I'm sure you'll be able to get something out of her. You are her best friend, you know." Chloe says the reminder with a wink, joking about how Beca is always second in Callie's list of friends, still following Karla even though they've only seen each other over FaceTime in the recent months.

Beca lets out a small laugh. "Well, you are her 'Chlo', so… I don't know how I compare."

Chloe beams, always loving to hear how much she means to Beca's kids.

Beca loves to remind her about it, too.

"Will you let me know if she does tell you what happened? Obviously I want to make sure she's okay, but I also want to make sure the teachers here know what actually happened."

Beca nods. "Of course."

"And let me know how she's doing tonight?"

This time, Beca smirks knowingly, having predicted that that would be the redhead's next request. "I will. I'll see you in the morning?"

"I'll be here. Do you need me to do anything for Callie's birthday this weekend?"

Shaking her head, Beca quickly looks over to the kids to make sure they're still behaving themselves. She catches Callie watching her, before the young girl looks away. "I got everything at the store this afternoon. I'm supposed to be going over to Aubrey and Stacie's early on Saturday to set up, though, if you want to join."

Chloe grins. "For sure. What time is Emily getting in?"

"A little after four on Friday. You're more than welcome to come over, if you want. We're just doing pizza for dinner and the kids will probably be in bed early."

Chloe, too, glances over at the kids. "I don't want to overstep, especially if Cal isn't doing too well. We can play it by ear, it's fine."

The flutter returns to Beca's chest, this time accompanied by the overwhelming sense of awe that is often associated with remembering how much Chloe cares for Callie and Henry – more than their father ever did.

"Sounds good. I'm hoping Emily coming, and knowing she'll get to see Karla on Saturday… I hope it's a good weekend." Something that they have not had in multitudes lately.

Chloe reaches out to grab Beca's hand, giving it a light squeeze. "It will be. I'm sure of it."

Beca reciprocates the squeeze before releasing Chloe's hand and letting out a sigh. She cautiously begins to approach Callie's desk, kneeling down in front of her while she feels Chloe's presence behind her. "Hey, Cal. Ready to head home?"

Callie packs up her work without a word. Henry joins Beca at her side, grabbing her hand as they wait patiently. When Callie is all packed up, she gently goes over to hug Chloe, who instantly hugs her back, before allowing her to take her mom's other hand.

"Have a good night, Mitchells."

Beca rolls her eyes with a chuckle. "You too, Chlo. Thanks again."

Beca doesn't notice how Chloe's eyes trail them until they turn the corner, falling from her line of sight.

"Alright, I want you guys to wash your hands and then I would like to talk to you, Cal."

Callie shrugs her backpack off of her shoulders, letting it drop by the table with a loud thud. "Can I have some alone time, please?"

Beca shakes her head, all the while taking in Callie's pale face. The exhaustion hanging under her eyes; dark blue circles that she definitely inherited from her mother, but ones that no almost-nine-year-old should have. "I would like to talk to you before you have some alone time, bug."

Callie takes a deep breath, holding it inside of her chest and saying, tautly, as Beca can practically see her temper rising, "I don't want to talk. I want some alone time. Please."

"Cal, we need to talk first. I know that there was a misunderstanding on the playground, but I still got a phone call from Mrs. Beckley—"

"I don't want to talk!" She stomps her foot against the tile in the kitchen causing Henry to look up from where his gaze has been focused on his iPad after washing his hands in the bathroom. He slinks over to the couch, hoping to remain unnoticed.

Beca takes a few steps so that she is closer to Callie. She kneels in front of her daughter, gently taking her hands in her own. "Callie, take a deep breath, please."

Callie blows out a frustrated breath from her nose, her face turning a deeper shade of red. Beca knows that Callie's becoming overwhelmed – it's a common occurrence in their house – but she also knows that she needs to continue to set boundaries, even if it means Callie getting mad at her for a short period of time.

"Good. Keep breathing, bug. You're doing great." Reaching out and gently holding Callie's upper arms with her hands, Beca looks gently into her daughter's eyes, the ones that so closely resemble her own. "Do you want to tell me what happened at school? I'm not mad – I just want to talk about it."

Callie's face contorts as she bites into her bottom lip. She furrows her eyebrows, scrunching her nose. She visibly struggles with her own frustration until an even deeper exhale escapes her control and her entire torso slumps – the tension releasing from her body as soon as the words do. "I didn't want them asking about you and they were! They always do! Even though I tell them that I don't want them to. They just – they need to mind their own business! And Chloe tells them every day to mind their own business and they never do!"

Tears start streaming down Callie's face halfway through her explanation, her arms struggling against Beca's grip as she tries to wave her hands to enunciate her words, but Beca doesn't let go. She listens intently, keeping her hold steady so that Callie feels some comfort from the pressure coming from her hold. There have been times where Beca has had to wrap Callie in the biggest – and tightest – hug that she could manage, just to calm her down. It was probably one of the most terrifying things that Beca has ever seen, and she would rather not let it get to that point again.

"Okay." Beca nods when Callie finishes. "What were they asking you? Can you tell me?"

Callie sighs again, this time sounding more exasperated, but she keeps the same volume and the same passion behind her answer. "They were asking about you and-and your music and if you were going to make another album and then they started asking-asking about if we were ever going to move back t-to L.A. with—" she scrunches her eyes closed as though not being able to say Theo's name. "And I just – I just don't want to talk about that! I don't want to answer those questions!"

"Okay, okay, bug. It's alright." Beca pulls Callie into her chest, stroking the back of her hair as Callie lets out a shuddering sob into Beca's shoulder. At least Beca can feel a little relieved that it sounds like kids were just being nosy rather than spiteful. Callie has definitely experienced some of the ruthless bullying that only elementary schoolers can be responsible for, especially directly following the accident, but at least this time, it doesn't seem like the kids were trying to be mean.

Not that that makes up for the fact that it has clearly affected Callie in a negative way, which Beca, obviously, never wants to happen. It's difficult to say whether or not these types of questions would have affected Callie on a different day or if today there was just something else going on in her mind that these questions – particularly the one about returning to L.A. – were just too much.

When Callie's sobs start to quiet down, Beca lowers her voice so it's quieter in Callie's ears. "You do not have to answer any questions that you are not comfortable answering. We've talked about that before – and I'm proud of you for knowing that you were not comfortable answering their questions. But how could we have handled this situation better? Did we have to start yelling at the other kids?"

Callie pulls away so that she can look into Beca's eyes. "I did try telling them that I didn't want to answer! They kept asking! And-and then I did answer one of the questions because I thought they would leave me alone, but they didn't! I told them that you weren't making music anymore and then I told them that I wanted to read but they kept asking and my-my chest got all t-tight like it always does, and I was just so angry! I wanted them to stop!"

"Alright, kiddo, it's okay. I'm proud of you for trying to end the conversation like we've talked about… you did good, bug. I'm sorry that the other kids were not respecting your boundaries." Beca pulls her back into her chest, scratching gently at the top of her head where Beca knows she often gets headaches from stress. "Take another deep breath, Cal… how does your chest feel now? Is it still tight?"

Callie nods her head against Beca's shoulder, and Beca holds on tighter.

"Can we try our square breathing? We can do it together, okay?" Callie nods, giving Beca permission to start leading her through a few rounds of the breathing exercises that Andrea has been practicing with Callie since their first session. At the beginning, Andrea had tried using some of the 'fun' breathing exercises that have clever names and toys for kids, but Callie quickly got annoyed with them. So, Andrea went with ones that she uses for some of her teen patients – breathing in for four seconds, holding for four seconds, exhaling for four, and then holding again for four. Beca has spent as long as fifteen minutes cycling through this rhythm with Callie, taking as long as is needed for her daughter's breathing to be under control, and for the tension to leave her body.

When they finally finish, Callie takes the smallest step backwards out of Beca's hold, with Beca gently brushing the new and old tears from Callie's cheeks. "Good job, baby. How are we feeling now?"

Callie sniffles, new tears springing to her eyes as Callie continues to hold tightly on to Beca's hands. "I don't want to feel like this anymore, Mama."

Not expecting that response in the slightest, Beca's heart shatters inside her chest. "Oh, Cal…"

"I don't want to be angry all the time – I don't want to be like this anymore." Another sob wracks Callie's body and Beca is instantly pulling her back into her arms, Beca's own tears falling on to Callie's head.

Because she knows how hard this past year has been for her daughter. She knows how much she has struggled with both her internal thoughts and the external forces happening around her.

She knows how confusing it has been. She knows how painful it has been.

And as much as Beca has tried, desperately, to relieve Callie of all of those struggles and challenges, she hasn't been able to.

But she has done the one thing that she can do for her daughter – she has been there, never once letting Callie fight this battle alone.

Waking up multiple times in the middle of the night for nightmares. Holding her and whispering sweet murmurs and lullabies until she is lulled back to sleep – normally in Beca's arms.

Stroking her back and holding her hair above her head as Callie has gotten sick from the stress and the anxiety, so much so that she would miss school for days on end, typically leading up to the few visitations with Theo.

Reminding Callie day in and day out that none of this situation is her fault. Reminding her that she is strong, and brave, and beautiful and that one day it will get better because she is not – and never will be – alone.

Chloe's heart is heavy when her Uber pulls into Aubrey and Stacie's driveway later that night. She's excited to see them and Bella – of course she is – but there's a bigger part of her that feels like she should be somewhere else.

With someone else. Multiple people, in fact.

To say that she feels bad and wants to take Callie's pain away when she has a difficult day at school is an understatement. Chloe would do anything to take that pain on herself, the little girl meaning more to Chloe than words can describe. There is something special about the bond that the two of them share; like a part of Callie (and Henry) live on in Chloe's heart, and every time they feel pain, she feels it, too.

Much like their mother.

And Chloe has seen Beca's struggles over the last couple of years. She has seen her trials and tribulations; has seen her triumphs, too. She has been pushed away, with Beca – understandably so – closing herself off from Chloe. But now, Chloe is proud to report that that has changed. That Beca is letting Chloe in. That their relationship has many of the same characteristics that it did when they were younger. That it has matured, that they have grown; but many things remain the same.

Including Chloe's feelings for the brunette. The feelings that she hid all through her college years and continues to hide, even now.

Because right now, Beca doesn't need that burden. She needs a best friend. She needs someone that she can rely on to help with the kids. To help her when she encounters some more difficult days (because while those days are becoming less frequent, they are still ever present).

Chloe is more than happy to be that person.

So much so, that when she knows that one of the Mitchells (Callie and Henry are still Wrights, technically, but none of them complain when they are referred to as Mitchells) are struggling, her heart aches. Her mind is preoccupied with thoughts of whether or not they are okay.

Whether or not Henry has fallen silent and is clinging to his mom like he's still two.

Whether or not Callie is so lost in her mind that Beca has to do everything in her power to distract her, or if she has gotten so overwhelmed that Beca needs to just sit on the floor with Callie safely in her arms for hours.

Whether or not Beca is lying awake in bed at night, heart racing, because her demons still like to visit her in her most vulnerable state.

Because she loves those three with her entire heart. She has loved Beca since college, and she fell in love with her kids since she first saw them in the grocery store all those months ago.

There is absolutely no denying that.

Chloe thanks her driver and promises to leave a tip on the app before climbing out of the back seat. After closing the door behind her, she makes her way into Stacie and Aubrey's house, instantly being greeted by the delicious smell of whatever Aubrey is making for dinner, and the soft classical music playing in the kitchen – meaning Bella is downstairs working on her homework.

"Hello?"

"We're in the kitchen!"

Chloe slips her shoes off, laughing to herself for calling it, before heading in the direction of the voice. "Sorry I'm late, I wanted to finish up some grading before I came over."

"Aunt Chloe, can you please tell moms that I am old enough to go to the movies on Friday night."

For the first time since coming inside, Chloe notices how Aubrey and Stacie are in a stand-off with their daughter, Stacie perched in the corner of the kitchen, arms crossed over her chest, with Aubrey standing beside her, pressing her palms into the counter. Bella – looking more and more like Stacie every day – is sitting in the chair in front of her, tapping a pencil against the textbook in front of her.

Chloe holds her hands up in surrender. "Oh no, no, no – I'm not getting involved. If your moms say you're not old enough, you're not old enough." She walks over to Bella, planting a kiss on her head. "And hello to you, too."

Bella reaches up to hold give her a one-armed hug. "Hi. They're being ridiculous."

"We're not being ridiculous Isabella – you are not going into the city to see a movie with a boy that we have never met. You are eleven years old."

Bella's voice starts to raise. "I'm going to be twelve next month!"

"Great, we can revisit this conversation when you're twelve," Stacie goes over to pour Chloe a glass of wine, not even really looking at her daughter while she's answering. "Ma and I already told you no, Bells. Sorry, kiddo."

"This is so unfair! Aliyah's parents let her go to the movies with Travis last weekend!"

Aubrey shoots her a warning glare: one eyebrow quirked upward and her head slightly tilted. "How many times have we told you that we don't care what Aliyah's parents let her do? You are not going into the city by yourself, with someone that we have not met. If you would like to reschedule for next weekend, when we don't have a birthday party to set up for, and one of us can come with you, that is perfectly fine. You're not going this weekend, Bella. End of discussion."

Bella glares across the counter at her moms before pushing herself out of her chair and stomping up the stairs into her bedroom, closing her door tightly – but not quite slamming it closed – behind her.

Aubrey shakes her head while massaging her temples. "Sorry. We've been having this argument for the last three days."

Chloe lets out a soft chuckle after taking a sip from her glass. "No worries. She wants to go to the movies?"

Stacie hums in acknowledgement. "Yeah, with a kid that is a year older than her – who we haven't ever met or really heard about. So, clearly, we're the worst parents ever for not letting her go."

"Clearly."

Rolling her eyes, Stacie goes over to stand next to Aubrey, rubbing the small of her back. "She'll get over it. How was your day?"

Taking Bella's seat, Chloe responds with a shrug. "It was alright. What about you guys?"

Both Aubrey and Stacie nod, but Aubrey answers verbally as well. "A little busy but it could've been worse. How did Callie do today?"

Sighing, Chloe relays to Stacie and Aubrey about what happened at Lewis today with Beca's daughter. How, clearly, something had happened out on the playground, but she was too distraught to tell Chloe what had actually occurred. How Chloe wanted nothing more than to wrap her in a hug, but Callie was closed off and not really interested in being comforted until Beca came. She hasn't heard from Beca yet tonight, so she is anxiously awaiting hearing what Beca found out and how Callie is doing now that she's away from school.

Stacie clicks her tongue. "Poor kid."

Aubrey, too, wears a saddened expression. "She's still going to see the therapist, right?"

"She is, and Beca has said on multiple occasions that if she wasn't, she'd be far worse off than she is right now."

"Makes sense." Aubrey moves to the stove to check on the dish that's inside of the oven. "I was talking to Emily a couple of days ago… she said that things like this are just going to take some time. Callie needs to heal at her own place."

Chloe and Stacie nod in agreement. They've all had this conversation multiple times. About Beca, too.

"And how are you doing, Chlo?" Stacie asks with a quirked eyebrow, taking a small sip from her wine.

Chloe answers with a shrug, moving to lean up against the counter. "I'm hanging in there. I just hate seeing them all like this."

"Mhmm… and how are you doing with the other thing?"

Chloe rolls her eyes, knowing exactly what Stacie is insinuating. It's the same thing that they've asked her multiple times since Beca's return. It was placed on the back burner during the hearings and what not, though Aubrey always seemed to find time to check in with Chloe to make sure she's "protecting her heart", but the question has always been on Aubrey and Stacie's minds, apparently.

Chloe has gotten very good at pushing those questions and feelings away, though.

Because that is what she has had to do for almost two decades. And right now, Beca certainly does not need Chloe's feelings on her plate too - especially when every single sign points towards there being nothing that could happen between them besides a close friendship.

This isn't about Chloe. This is about Beca being comfortable and being able to heal.

"Same as I have been. It doesn't matter – it's not about me. I'm doing whatever it is they need me to do. I'm going to be there for them, no matter what it means for me."

Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed the chapter :) I look forward to reading any thoughts/comments/critiques that you would like to share!

See you next week :)