State of Grace - Mitchsen One Shots

And I never saw you coming

And I'll never be the same

Disclaimer: The following is a work of fan-fiction. I claim no ownership over the characters therein. No copyright infringement intended. Lyrics from Taylor Swift – State of Grace.

All You Have To Do

"Chocolate or white cake?" Aubrey asked her friend.

"Definitely chocolate, Beca is very much a its not real dessert if it doesn't have chocolate type of person," Chloe informed the blonde.

Aubrey sighed, "why don't I know this? I feel like a terrible girlfriend. I've been trying to plan her a surprise party she'll love, and I don't know anything about her. You told me about the finger foods and pizza, what balloon colours would be best and even suggested I get her that boxed set of Friends."

"Well the two of you spent the better part of a year butting heads and then started dating on a dare, so you never really had that friendship stage where you get to know all these things. Don't get me wrong, I think you are a surprisingly well matched couple, but you're too serious all the time. Last week I walked in on you guys discussing where you were going to get your taxes done," Chloe smirked.

Chloe recalled the time they were drunkenly playing truth or dare and she had dared her uptight bestie to ask anyone in the room out on a date, and be prepared to follow through if they accepted. The blonde chose Beca knowing she was the safest bet for rejection, and ended up having to take her out to a nice Italian restaurant. When Aubrey asked why she said yes she was expecting to hear that the brunette wanted a free meal, when Beca said that she wanted to see what it would be like, she was floored. Much to the shock of their friends, they went on multiple follow up dates and eventually fell into official girlfriends territory. It wasn't that Aubrey didn't want to know these things about Beca, silly, seemingly insignificant questions just didn't come easily to Aubrey. Asking someone about their family history, or their life ambitions rolled off her tongue, but finding out someone's favourite colour or a movie they always watch when they're sad, it didn't occur to her.

"She's never done them before, I was just trying to help," Aubrey defended.

"That's fine, but maybe try talking about something lighter once and a while. Beca knows all your favourites you know."

"Really?"

"You let things slip easier than her, and she's so used to being an observer that she picks up on things quickly. Just last week she told me that your favourite animals are panda bears, I didn't even know that and we've been best friends for years."

"That's true, I love how fluffy they are and how sweet they seem. I just mentioned it in passing when we were watching Animal Planet the other night."

"Well she remembered. Now, what else do we need for your girl's surprise party?" the redhead prodded.

"Streamers?"

"Too much, let's go," Chloe said laughing.

The night of the party arrived and Aubrey had assembled the Bellas, the Trebles and a few of the other friends Beca had made over the last 3 years at Barden. Aubrey may not know all of Beca's favourites, but she did know who the brunette would and would not want to see at her birthday party. No parents, no Kimmy Jin and definitely not that annoying girl who semi-stalked Beca by taking all the same classes and auditioning for the Bellas.

Aubrey figured the best thing to do would be to have Chloe take her out for coffee while she "studied" in their shared apartment. Beca had moved in with her just a few weeks ago and she figured a surprise birthday party was a great way to really welcome her to the place. As 6 pm approached Aubrey had everyone hide and flicked off the lights.

"Surprise!" the guests shouted in unison and Beca walked through the door, Chloe following closely behind.

"Happy Birthday Beca!" Aubrey said, walking towards her girlfriend.

Beca wrapped her arms around the blonde's neck and gave the taller woman a kiss on the lips.

"I guess that means you like it then?" Aubrey inquired.

"Of course, I secretly or I guess now not so secretly love surprise parties. No one's ever thrown one for me though. Thank you."

"Well I guess that makes one thing I actually know about you," Aubrey sighed.

"What are you talking about?" Beca asked, eyebrow raised.

"You, us, I'm a terrible girlfriend, I don't know anything you like, I don't know anything about you."

Beca took Aubrey by the hand and led her over to their couch, greeting her friends on the way.

"First off, you're a wonderful girlfriend. You threw me this great surprise party, and invited all my friends. Secondly, you know lots of things about me. You know that I'm worried about the future and still trying to figure out what I want to do after graduation. You know that I like to sleep in the morning, and always try your best to be quiet when you're getting ready for work. You know that I always like to have coke in the fridge when I'm writing a paper because I think it helps me work, and you'll go out of your way to buy a case on the way home from work if we're out. You know that I hate the scent of lavender and switched all the air fresheners in your apartment as soon as I moved in. You know how to make me feel safe, happy, welcome and most importantly loved. If you want to know something random like my favourite 80s song all you have to do is ask, but trust me, I know you know me in every way that matters."

When Beca finished talking she could see the tears starting to form in her girlfriend's eyes. She wiped the blonde's face with her sleeve and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I love you Beca, and what is your favourite 80s song?"

"Its 'Rock the Casbah' and I love you too, very much. More than Wall-E loves Eve; that's my favourite romantic movie by the way."

Aubrey just laughed and kissed her girlfriend on the cheek as she got up to go enjoy the rest of the party. She had plenty of time to get to know all of Beca's favourite things as she wasn't ever letting the brunette go.