Chapter 4

Stacie sighed happily and stroked Aubrey's hair as the couple lay in bed, completely wrapped up in one another and relishing in post coital bliss. After Hood Night, Stacie and Aubrey were practically inseparable. Even their parents noticed when all three of the girls returned to Portland for the holiday break. While Beca still did not know about their relationship, it did not stop them from spending as much time together as possible. When they were not in class or at a Bellas practice, they were together. Aubrey and Chloe's apartment became their safe space, the place they could go to just be themselves away from everyone else. Chloe was the only one to know about their relationship, even though some of the Bellas had their suspicions. It was in the way Stacie smiled at Aubrey when she was instructing the group during practice and the way Aubrey's hand would linger longer than necessary when helping Stacie with choreography. Beca didn't seem to notice though. When the DJ didn't have her headphones on thinking about a new mix and when she wasn't in class, she was with Chloe. Their relationship was still in the beginning stages with Beca hesitant to make things official. Aubrey realized another consequence of the messy divorce between their parents was Beca's issues with commitment, so while she was loyal to Chloe and made it clear she only had eyes for her, she also kept the redhead at a distance. Chloe assured Beca they could go as slowly as she needed though. Stacie and Beca were great additions to the group and added another layer to their sound. No one was surprised when the Bellas won Regionals of ICCA and Aubrey was more than happy to stay locked inside her bedroom with her girlfriend to celebrate as long as possible.

"I have to go, but I will be back after my lab," said Stacie as she slowly sat up and stretched in bed. Aubrey pushed out her bottom lip in a pout, which made Stacie giggle.

"You are so adorable when you don't want me to leave," added Stacie. Aubrey pulled her back into her arms before she could roll out of bed and Stacie laughed. She wrapped her legs around Aubrey's waist as the blonde grinded into her.

"I never want you to leave," whispered Aubrey as she peppered kisses along her collarbone. Stacie bit her lip and her eyes slid shut when Aubrey palmed her breasts. Stacie's alarm went off again and they both groaned as they pulled apart.

"You know I want to stay, but I have to go to this lab. My parents would kill me if I didn't ace this course and I don't think wanting to have sex with my girlfriend all day will qualify as a good excuse."

"It is the best excuse, especially with lab on a Saturday. Who holds a lab on a Saturday?"

"I'll make sure to take it up with the professor," teased Stacie with a wink as she got out of bed. Aubrey watched her get dressed with a lazy smile on her face and Stacie blushed at the way her girlfriend was looking at her.

"What," giggled Stacie. Aubrey got out of bed and pulled Stacie in for a tender kiss.

"You are everything to me," she whispered against her lips and Stacie sighed happily.

"You are everything to me too, Bree." She grabbed her backpack and laced their fingers together as they walked out of Aubrey's room. Aubrey began to pout again as Stacie unlocked the front door. Stacie giggled and pulled Aubrey into a passionate kiss before opening the door.

"I love you. See you tonight for dinner."

"You sure we can't ditch the parents and just have a date night," asked Aubrey and Stacie nudged her playfully.

"I think it is sweet your mom stayed in town an extra night just to celebrate the win with you and Beca. She is trying, Bree," reminded Stacie and Aubrey sighed, but nodded.

"You are right. See you tonight."

"I will text you after my lab," said Stacie before giving her one last kiss and leaving. Aubrey closed the door and placed her forehead against it, already missing her girlfriend.

"Wow," said Chloe as she entered the living room. Aubrey gave her a playful glare.

"How long were you eavesdropping?" Chloe shrugged with a coy smile as she walked into the kitchen.

"Long enough to know you are a big ole softie who wishes her girlfriend never had to leave. You are going to marry that girl someday. I can already tell." Aubrey blushed and ignored the comment as she walked into the kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and an apple before sitting down on a stool.

"You sure you don't want to come tonight? I am sure Beca just forgot to ask you," she said in desperate need of a subject change. Chloe shook her head.

"I don't think we are there yet. Meeting the parents is a big step."

"You met them last night after we won."

"Yea but so did the rest of the Bellas. Beca has been kind of distant lately. Really ever since she found out her mom and Dave were coming in town."

"Things between her and my dad have been really nice lately and I think she feels guilty. I am the one that gets a lot of flak for it, but we both chose a side. I chose my dad and Beca chose my mom. I think she is nervous about them all being in the same room again and she isn't sure how to interact with them now. When Beca is nervous or anxious about something, she pulls away from people. She always has."

"I am kind of guilty of it too. I am falling for your sister, Bree, but the more I fall, the harder it is to keep all this from her. I mean your relationship with Stacie is easier because it isn't really hurting anyone, but the stuff about your mom and Dave will hurt her. I wish your dad would just tell her."

"Things are going really well right now and he doesn't feel like it is his secret to tell. It wouldn't exactly be the best time either."

"There is no such thing as the best time with something like this, but I get it. It should come from your mom. It just sucks that it might never happen. I don't know if this is something I can keep to myself forever, especially since I see the way it has affected your relationship with her."

"We are doing much better though. You were right. Making her a part of the Bellas has brought us closer and her mixes are great. She has a knack for creating sets and I am happy being part of the Bellas allows her to harness her talents," she said before yawning and Chloe waggled her eyebrows at her.

"Long night," she teased and Aubrey couldn't help but smile as she thought about her night with her girlfriend.

"Let's just say life is very good right now. I need a nap though. I am exhausted and will need my energy if I plan on seeing my mom and Dave again so soon. See you a bit later," said Aubrey before yawning again and Chloe shook her head in amusement.

That evening, Aubrey, Beca, and Stacie went out to dinner with Veronica, Dave, Ben, and his girlfriend, Sheila. The four adults were civil to one another, but Aubrey could tell something was off by her father's demeanor. He wasn't his usual cheerful self and while she thought it was due to Dave's presence at first, she got the sense something else was going on by the way her mother and Dave were acting. Dinner was spent engaging in polite conversation with an awkward tension hanging in the air she couldn't place until her mother cleared her throat.

"There is something Dave and I would like to talk to you girls about. We are so happy that you two are getting along so well again. You were so close when you were younger and watching you perform last night made me realize everyone is finally healing. Our family has been through a lot but we are stronger because of it," said Veronica and Aubrey eyed her cautiously.

"Okay," Aubrey said slowly and Dave slipped his hand into Veronica's.

"We spoke with your father about it last night and are really excited to tell you girls," said Dave.

"We're getting married," announced Veronica and Stacie placed her hand in Aubrey's, sensing her girlfriend's anger. Beca looked back and forth between her parents.

"Dad, you are cool with this," asked Beca as if asking for permission to be happy for her mother. Ben gazed adoringly at Sheila and nodded as he found his voice.

"Yes, I am. If Dave makes your mother even a fraction as happy as Sheila makes me, then I wish them the best. It is what they both want," he said and Beca smiled at her mother and Dave. Veronica showed her the engagement ring and Aubrey shook her head in disbelief.

"Really, the day after our win, I swear to God she is the most selfish woman in existence," she muttered and Stacie rubbed her back.

"Bree," she warned. Beca glared at her when she heard the comment.

"Why can't you just be happy for her? Dad is happy, so why do you feel the need to try to make everyone miserable about it," questioned Beca and Veronica sighed.

"Beca, you don't have to…"

"No, mom, this is ridiculous. What do you want from her, Bree? You don't think I noticed how distant you still were even during the holidays? Sure, things were better, but you look at her like she wronged you or something. They got a divorce. It sucks and I wish it didn't happen, but we all have to move on. The only selfish one at this table is you," said Beca.

"Beca," warned Ben, but Aubrey shook her head as she tossed her napkin on the table.

"Don't worry, dad. I am leaving anyways. I knew something was wrong and I can't sit here and just watch you bite your tongue. You really are a class act, mom. Please, continue to play the victim here and remain silent. You seem to be quite comfortable watching others fall on swords." Aubrey pushed her chair back from the table to leave.

"Wait," called Veronica and Aubrey crossed her arms as she turned back to her. Veronica squeezed Dave's hand for support and he nodded, but Ben shook his head.

"This really isn't the time or place," he said as he looked around the restaurant. They were in a backroom reserved for their group, but he knew how loud the conversation could get.

"I should have said something over two years ago," said Veronica with tears in her eyes and Ben slumped down in his chair. Sheila rubbed his back soothingly as Aubrey eyed her mother.

"Sit please," said Veronica and Aubrey slowly sat back down as her mother turned to Beca.

"There is a reason Aubrey can't stand to look at me half the time we are in the same room. It kills me because I deserve it," she informed and Aubrey looked down at her hands in her lap.

"What could you have possibly done to deserve her acting like a bitch to you," asked Beca.

"Beca, I lied to you about Dave. I told you we met after the divorce, but that isn't true. We met before it," she confessed and tears prickled Aubrey's eyes as she looked over at her sister. She saw the moment it clicked in Beca's mind, but her mother continued anyways.

"I am not proud of it. Neither of us is proud of it, but we had an affair and the reason Aubrey cannot forgive me for the divorce is because she saw us together." Everyone was quiet as the truth was finally out and Aubrey looked around the table. Her father had his face in his hands and Sheila was rubbing his back to console him. Dave was looking down in shame and Stacie had her eyes trained on Beca. Veronica reached for Beca, but she shook her head and pushed her chair away from the table with such force the screeching sound attracted the attention of some of the other guests. She hurried out of the restaurant and Veronica crumbled into Dave's arms as she cried. Aubrey felt a wave of emotions, sadness, anger, relief, disappointment, but anger won out. She nodded at Stacie, who excused herself and went after Beca. Aubrey wanted to scream at her mother. She wanted to scream at all of them. She and Beca were finally happy. They were working together and rediscovering what it was like to just be young and carefree again. All that was taken from them in an instant and Aubrey sighed as she stood up.

"God this family sucks," she said in disbelief before storming out of the restaurant.

After half an hour of not being able to find Beca, Aubrey called Chloe. Stacie called the rest of the Bellas and asked them to keep an eye out for her. Aubrey was relieved when Chloe texted her saying she found Beca. Chloe texted Stacie as well before walking onto the stage of the amphitheater and sitting beside Beca.

"This is where Bree comes to think too. She says it is peaceful," said Chloe and Beca wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"My life sucks," she mumbled and Chloe rested her head on her shoulder.

"I am so sorry, Bec."

"Did you know?" Chloe sighed, but nodded.

"Bree told me right before you and Stacie arrived on campus."

"How could you not tell me?"

"There are things that Bree tells me as her best friend. Things she confides in me. Plus, while I hate to admit it, she was right. It wasn't my secret to tell. Your mother needed to tell you, Bec. I am just sorry she sprung it on you like that."

"This whole time, I have blamed my dad for everything. I blamed him for leaving. I blamed him for not staying to fight for our family, but she was the one that ruined everything. I can't believe everyone just let me think that for so long. I welcomed that bastard into our family. I treated him better than my own father. Jesus Christ, this is so messed up."

"I know baby, but I am here for you. Bree and Stace are here too and you have so many people in your life that love you, Beca." Beca gulped at the words.

"You love me," she asked and Chloe looked up at her.

"Yea Bec, I do."

"Wow," whispered Beca in awe and Chloe giggled. She rested her head on Beca's shoulder again and they sat in silence for a moment as Beca processed the words.

"I love you too," she admitted and she couldn't help but smile when Chloe showered her with kisses.

"I guess this means you are officially my girlfriend, huh," teased Beca and Chloe shook her head in amusement before kissing her.