Is this God's Way of Testing Me?
Chapter 2
Chloe made her way to the couch and sat with her head in her hands. Stacie was pissed, and Aubrey was trying to calm her down.
"No, Aubrey," Stacie said and pulled away from her. She stormed over to stand in front of Chloe. "Care to tell us why that Chicago guy was here looking for you at this time of night."
"It's not what you think," Chloe mumbled.
"Then what is it?" Stacie asked.
"Stacie, don't," Aubrey said. "This should be between Beca and Chloe."
"Oh, I agree," Stacie said. "The only problem is, I don't see Beca anywhere around here, do you? And friend or not, Chloe, if anything happens to Beca because of this, I will end you."
"Stacie, stop!" Aubrey said and pulled Stacie to sit down in the chair across from Chloe.
Aubrey ran a hand through her hair and went to sit next to Chloe. Aubrey pulled out her phone and called Beca. It went straight to voicemail. She left a message asking Beca to call and let someone know she was okay. Stacie tried to call as well and got the same result. She sent a text asking Beca to call her.
"Is there anyone else we can call?" Aubrey asked.
"Call Amy," Chloe said quietly. "Beca probably went over there."
"I'll call her," Aubrey said and pulled out her phone. She pulled up Amy's number and made the call. "Hey, Amy, it's Aubrey."
"Hey, Aubrey," Amy said. "Why do I get the pleasure of you calling me?"
"Beca and Chloe had an, um, a disagreement," Aubrey said, looking at Chloe. "Beca was very upset and stormed out of here. We wanted to give you a head's up because we think she might be heading to your place. Could you, um, let me know if she shows up at your place?"
"What happened?" Amy asked.
"You should hear that from Beca," Aubrey said. "Chloe's really worried, and we just want to make sure she's okay."
"I'll let you know if she comes here," Amy said. "And I'll try and call her, as well."
"Thanks, Amy," Aubrey said. "Call my phone if you hear anything."
"You got it," Amy said and ended the call.
"Amy's going to call if she hears anything," Aubrey said.
"I swear if anything happens to Beca," Stacie said, shaking her head.
"Stop it, Stacie," Aubrey said angrily. "This is not what you or Beca think. Chloe will talk to Beca and explain it all. Until then, keep your comments to yourself."
Stacie scoffed and looked at Aubrey. "You know what this is all about, don't you?" Aubrey looked at Chloe and then at the ground. "I should have known you would know. The two of you are always keeping secrets from Beca and me."
"This isn't about being best friends," Aubrey shot back. "It's a legal matter, and as her lawyer, unless Chloe gives me permission I cannot tell you or anyone else what it's about."
"I need to go check on Sophie," Chloe said and slowly made her way upstairs.
Stacie's mouth opened as if to say something. She snapped it shut without saying a word and got up and went into the kitchen.
Aubrey ran a hand through her hair and followed after Stacie.
~Is this God's Way of Testing Me?~
Beca sped away from the house as tears streamed down her face and her thoughts ran wild. Of all people, why the fuck was Chicago at their house? Is that who Chloe was talking to in the car? And why did she say she was sorry when I asked what was going on?
Beca's vision was blurred, so she pulled into a half-empty parking lot and parked her car. She sat and let the tears fall unabated. She could not control her thoughts.
Is he why Chloe had been so out of sorts lately? Because they'd been sneaking around? Is that why Chloe has been so quick to accuse me of cheating? Because Chloe was the one cheating and thought it would deflect away from her? Are they planning on taking Sophie and running away together?
Beca sat for about twenty minutes before she was calmed down enough to drive. She drove to Venice Beach and sat on the hood of her car, leaning back against the windshield. She stared out over the ocean.
Beca had been ignoring all the calls and texts she'd received. She pulled out her phone to check the time and noticed that Fat Amy had called.
"Figures they'd have Amy call me," Beca mumbled.
Beca stayed where she was for about an hour before deciding to go home. She was cried out, angry and ready for a fight. Plus, she had promised Sophie that she would always come back, and she was not going to break a promise she made to Sophie.
~Is this God's Way of Testing Me?~
Aubrey sat in the chair, waiting for Beca to come home or for Amy to call. Stacie and Chloe had fallen asleep where they were sitting. It was nearly one a.m. when Aubrey heard a car pulling into the driveway. She checked to make sure Stacie and Chloe were still asleep and quickly ran to the door. She quietly went outside to intercept Beca before she came in.
"Get out of my way, Aubrey," Beca said when Aubrey met her at the bottom of the porch steps.
Aubrey didn't say anything and grabbed Beca in a hug. "Dammit, Beca. You scared the shit out of us."
Beca stood there with her arms at her side. "I want to speak with my wife, at least while she's still my wife."
Aubrey pulled back at the calm way Beca was speaking. This frightened her more than if Beca had shown up crying or yelling.
"Maybe you should wait until later in the morning to talk to Chloe," Aubrey said.
"Please move," Beca said. "Or I swear to God, I will move you myself."
Aubrey felt real fear for the first time since she's known Beca. She swallowed and stood her ground.
"I can't let you go in and do something we both know you'll regret later," Aubrey said. "Please, Beca, I'm begging you. Don't go in there like this."
Beca stared at Aubrey for a moment before her shoulders sagged, and she dropped down to sit on the bottom step.
"Did she tell you why he was here? Has she been cheating on me? Is that why she's been accusing me of cheating? Because she was the one cheating and was trying to get me to leave her so she could be with him with a clear conscience?"
"I can't tell you why he was here. Only Chloe can do that," Aubrey said. "But, I do know that Chloe would never and has never cheated on you."
"Then what reason would Chicago have to be here?"
"That's a question Chloe will have to answer," Aubrey said. "I can tell you, it's not what you're thinking."
Beca put her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands. Beca thought she had cried herself out and was surprised to find tears rolling down her cheek.
Aubrey sat on the step next to Beca and pulled her to her, whispering "I got you, Beca."
~Is this God's Way of Testing Me?~
Aubrey held Beca for a while until she was all cried out. Beca sat there feeling numb.
"Beca?" Stacie called softly from behind them. "I thought I heard you out here."
Beca turned and looked over her shoulder at her best friend. Stacie's heart broke at the look on Beca's face.
"Do you want me to take you to our house?" Stacie asked as she sat on the step behind Beca and wrapped her in a hug.
Beca shook her head, and Stacie said, "Okay, but I think you should stay elsewhere tonight. How about we go to Amy's? Her place is closer, and we can both stay there and come back later this morning, and you and Chloe can talk. How does that sound?"
Beca just nodded her head.
"Aubrey will stay here and make sure Chloe and Sophie are okay," Stacie said.
"Of course," Aubrey reassured Beca. "I'll stay as long as you need me to."
"Okay," Beca said. "Aubrey, will you please tell Sophie that I promise I'll be back?"
"I can do that," Aubrey said. "And, Beca? Promise me you'll listen to Chloe before you fly off the handle. For Sophie's sake as well as your own."
Beca nodded again. "I promise," Beca said and stood.
Beca pulled out her phone and dialed Amy's number. Amy picked up on the second ring.
"Beca, where the Hell are you?" Amy said as soon as she answered.
"I'm, um, I'm at home," Beca said. "Is it alright if Stacie and I come to stay with you tonight?"
"Of course," Amy said. "I'll see you two in a bit."
"Thanks, Ames," Beca said and ended the call. She looked at Stacie. "We should go."
"I'll tell Chloe you'll be back to talk later," Aubrey said.
"Don't forget to tell Sophie I'll be back," Beca said. "I promised her I would always come back to her, and I'm not breaking that promise now."
"I'll make sure to tell her," Aubrey said.
Aubrey pulled Beca into a hug. Beca pulled out of the hug and walked toward her car.
"I'll text you when we're on our way back later," Stacie said, kissing Aubrey; she then hurried after Beca. "Give me your keys," Stacie said, holding out her hand. "I'll drive."
"Okay," Beca said, handing Stacie her keys.
~Is this God's Way of Testing Me?~
Amy was watching for Beca and Stacie. She walked out to the driveway when they pulled in. Beca climbed out of the passenger side, and Amy pulled her into a hug. Stacie got out of the car and stood by the driver's side door.
"You okay, Beca?" Amy asked.
"I guess," Beca said. "I just wish I knew what the hell was going on."
"It's late," Amy said. "Let's take this inside, and we can talk if you want."
Stacie started walking to the door, and Amy followed with Beca. Once they were inside, Amy led Stacie and Beca to the kitchen.
"Do you want something to drink?" Amy asked as she grabbed a bottle of water.
"Water's fine," Beca said.
"Same," Stacie said.
Amy grabbed two more bottles of water and handed them to the girls.
"So, what happened?" Amy asked.
"I honestly wish I knew," Beca said, staring at her water bottle. "We were having a date night, and things were going pretty well. Chloe told me she needed to tell me something, and I suggested that after dinner, we take a walk on the beach so we could talk. We had just finished eating when the paparazzi showed up and started taking pictures. We decided it would be better to just go home and talk."
Beca took a sip of her water. Then, she took a deep breath and continued.
"On the way home, she got a text," Beca said. "It upset her, but she wouldn't tell me what it was. Then her phone rang, and she had a cryptic conversation with someone; I couldn't hear anything she said because she was whispering. I can only assume now that she was talking to Chicago."
"Chicago?" Amy asked.
Stacie nodded, and Beca continued.
"I asked Chloe what was going on as we were pulling into our driveway. That's when I saw Chicago standing there. I kind of lost it and ordered Chloe out of the car. I didn't want to listen to anything she had to say. All I could think was that she had been cheating on me with him, and he was there to take her and Sophie away."
Beca wiped at the tears in her eyes.
"Aubrey knows about whatever it is," Stacie said. "She-"
"What?" Beca yelled. "Aubrey knows! Are you fucking kidding me?"
"Calm down, Beca," Stacie said. "She said it was a legal matter and that she couldn't say anything without Chloe's permission, not even to me. The only thing Chloe said was that it wasn't what I thought. Later, she didn't speak to Aubrey or me and I guess we fell asleep. I woke up when I heard voices outside. That's when I came out, leaving Chloe still asleep on the couch."
"What legal matter?" Beca asked. "Chloe's my wife. Why couldn't she tell me? Unless it's because Chloe is cheating on me and wants to divorce me so she can go off with Chicago."
Tears are streaming down Beca's face now. Stacie pulled her into a hug and held her as she cried. Stacie couldn't keep the tears from collecting in her eyes. She was hurting for her friend and wished she could do something to help ease her pain.
"Beca," Stacie said, pulling back so Beca would look at her. "Listen to me. Aubrey said that Chloe didn't cheat on you. Okay? She wouldn't lie to me about that. I believe her, so don't get inside your head and make up all these wild scenarios that Chloe is cheating on you. If you do that, then when you talk to her, you're going to just make things worse. Okay?"
"She's right, Beca," Amy said. "I know Chloe goes off the deep end sometimes over some of the things that are printed about you, but that's because she's insecure around you. She loves you; we all know this. Whatever is going on is something she probably should have told you, but she thought she could handle it by herself. Or at least with Aubrey's legal help."
"You're both right," Beca said and wiped her face. "I'll keep a clear head and let Chloe tell me what's going on. Then we can discuss it."
"Maybe we should all get some rest," Amy said.
"I need to text Theo and let him know I won't be in the studio tomorrow, well, today," Beca said when she saw how late it was. She pulled out her phone and sent the text. She yawned and stood. "I'm going to bed."
~Is this God's Way of Testing Me?~
Chloe woke early the next morning when Sophie came running into her bedroom.
"Mommy! Mama!" Sophie yelled as she started to climb onto the bed.
Chloe reached down to help Sophie get up on the bed.
"Good morning, baby," Chloe said.
Sophie sat next to Chloe, looking over at Beca's empty side of the bed.
"Where Mama?" Sophie asked.
"She stayed with Aunt Amy last night," Chloe said. "She'll be home soon."
"Okay," Sophie said. "Can we have pancakes?"
"Sure," Chloe said, pulling Sophie into a hug and kissing her cheek. "I love you."
"I wuv you, too," Sophie said, squeezing her arms around Chloe's neck.
"Let's go make pancakes," Chloe said, moving to get out of bed.
Sophie slid off the bed and ran out the door; Chloe pulled on a robe and followed behind her.
"Aunt Bwey!" Sophie squealed when she saw Aubrey in the kitchen.
"Sophie!" Aubrey squealed, grabbing the toddler up in her arms.
"Hey, Brey," Chloe said as she entered the kitchen.
"You left your phone downstairs," Aubrey said, handing Chloe her phone. "You got a notification that Beca texted."
"What did she say?" Chloe asked hesitantly.
"I didn't read it, Chloe," Aubrey said, setting Sophie on the floor.
"Oh," Chloe said softly, looking down at her phone. "Sophie, sweetie, why don't you go watch TV in the living room while you wait for your pancakes."
"Okay, mommy," Sophie said and ran out of the kitchen.
After Sophie was gone, Chloe opened her phone and took a deep breath. She pulled up her texts and tapped on Beca's name. A small smile came to her face as she read what Beca wrote.
"What did she say?" Aubrey asked.
"She, um, she apologized," Chloe said. "For everything that happened last night. And she hopes we can talk today about whatever it is that's going on with Chicago."
"That's good," Aubrey said. "It's best to tell her what's going on, to allay her suspicions that you're leaving her for Chicago."
"I would never leave-"
Chloe was interrupted by Aubrey's phone pinging with a text notification. Aubrey checked her message and looked at Chloe.
"Stacie said that she, Beca, AND Amy were on their way and should be here in about fifteen minutes," Aubrey said as she looked at Chloe. "You know you don't have to include Stacie or Amy when you tell Beca what's been happening. It's solely up to you who you tell. You know I won't say anything, even to Stacie, without your say so."
"I know," Chloe said.
"Mommy," Sophie said, coming back into the kitchen. "Where my pancakes?"
Chloe chuckled and said, "I'll get right on that. We want to make sure they're ready when Mama gets home."
"Mama's coming home?" Sophie squealed.
"Yes, she is," Chloe said. "She should be here in about fifteen minutes."
"I knew Mama would be back," Sophie said. "She pwomised. And when Mama pwomises something it's a done deal."
Chloe and Aubrey looked at each other and laughed; Sophie was repeating what Beca would always say after she made a promise to Sophie. Chloe walked over and hugged Sophie.
"You're right, Soph," Chloe said, kissing the top of Sophie's head. "Mama always keeps her promises. Now let's see about those pancakes."
~Is this God's Way of Testing Me?~
"Somebody had better be making breakfast," Fat Amy called out as she entered the Mitchell home.
Aubrey came out of the kitchen. Stacie walked over to her and kissed her.
"Chloe's making pancakes," Aubrey told Stacie. "Why don't you and Amy go into the kitchen and keep Chloe company?"
Stacie and Fat Amy went to the kitchen, leaving Beca and Aubrey alone.
"What's wrong?" Beca asked.
"Nothing's wrong," Aubrey said. "Chloe wants to know if you have a problem with Stacie and Fat Amy listening in when she explains things to you regarding Chicago?"
"Is she planning to leave me so she can be with Chicago?" Beca asked, nervously twisting her wedding and engagement rings.
"I swear she's not," Aubrey said.
"Then I don't have a problem if Stacie and Amy hear what she has to say."
"Good," Aubrey said. "I hate having to keep anything from my wife. Come into the kitchen, or I can't promise there'll be anything left for us to eat. You know how Sophie and Fat Amy love pancakes."
Beca smiled and followed Aubrey into the kitchen.
"Mama!" Sophie squealed, running over to Beca. "Did you have fun at Aunt Amy's?"
"We sure did," Beca said, lifting Sophie into her arms. "But I sure missed you and mommy."
"I think mommy missed you, too," Sophie said, looking over at Chloe.
"She did?" Beca asked, also looking over at Chloe.
"Yes, she did," Chloe said, making her way over to hug Beca and Sophie. "Mommy missed mama a lot last night."
"I'm sorry," Beca said, kissing Chloe.
"It's not your fault," Chloe said, pulling back from the kiss; she placed a kiss on Sophie's cheek. "Let's have breakfast and then we can talk."
"Okay," Beca said, smiling at Chloe. "Let's take a seat, Soph."
Chloe went back to the stove as Beca sat Sophie at the counter, taking the seat next to her.
"Did you put blueberries in the pancakes, Chloe?" Fat Amy asked.
"Of course I did," Chloe said, smiling. "Blueberry is Sophie's favorite."
"Has anyone made the coffee yet?" Stacie asked.
"I'll make some now," Aubrey said.
"Chlo, can you turn the kettle on?" Beca asked. "I'd like some hot tea."
~Is this God's Way of Testing Me?~
Breakfast was rather subdued as the five friends and Sophie ate. They talked about a lot of nothing and a little bit of everything.
Beca kept stealing glances at Chloe. Her stomach was in knots, wondering what it was that Chloe had to tell her about Chicago.
Chloe could feel Beca's anxiety from across the counter as she caught Beca looking at her and immediately turning away. Aubrey had been telling Chloe she needed to let Beca in on the situation with Chicago, but she let her fear rule over her common sense and kept it to herself.
Chloe was silently praying that Beca would still want her and Sophie after she told Beca what was going on. Her biggest fear is that Beca would not want to be with her anymore and that scared her almost as much as the possibility of losing Sophie.
"Looks like we have a bit of a sticky situation over here," Fat Amy said, laughing.
Chloe looked over to see Sophie's face and clothes covered in syrup. There was almost as much on the counter as there was on Sophie. Sophie looked at her mother and smiled a syrupy smile.
"I got her," Beca said, picking up Sophie as she stood. "C'mon, munchkin. I think it's bath time for you."
"I'll help," Chloe said, also standing. She looked around the counter and said, "Will you excuse us?"
"Do whatcha gotta do," Stacie said. "We'll clean up while you're gone."
Chloe followed Beca and Sophie out of the kitchen, as Stacie, Amy, and Aubrey watched them leave.
Twenty minutes after leaving the kitchen, Beca was running back in, startling the three women.
Beca stopped in front of Aubrey and asked, "Could Chicago really win custody of Sophie?"
Stacie and Amy gasped in shock at the question. Aubrey looked at Beca and took in a deep breath before she answered.
"I'm not going to lie to you, Beca. It's entirely possible he could win. But, I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that does not happen."
