Aubrey looked up from her menu as the host reappeared, stepping aside to reveal Beca behind him. Her hair was down in soft curls, her makeup light. The dress she wore was knee length, navy blue and modest. She took in her Wife's appearance in a matter of seconds before looking to her father, John who sat across from her. He was also eyeing the woman, though a small smile touched his lips and Aubrey felt her anxiety melt away.

"Hello, Beca. I thought you'd gotten lost. I trust you are learning your way around the area." John said as he stood up and pulled her chair out.

"I am, yes. I apologize for being late, I got hung up in a meeting." She said as she took her seat next to Aubrey. She looked at her, her face apologetic.

"I suppose that's the price you pay when you work for someone, instead of being your own boss." He chuckled as he sat back down and picked up his glass of scotch.

Beca nodded, trying to keep her smile intact. She glanced at Aubrey, hoping she would say something in her defense. She didn't.

"Well, as a matter of fact," She started, unfolding her napkin and placing it on her lap. "This meeting was about just that." She said, shaking away the insecurities that always seemed to arise when she was around her Father-in-law.

Aubrey picked up her wine glass and looked at her wife in question.

"Oh really?" John asked.

Beca nodded, feeling a rush of excitement. This weekly dinner with Aubrey's father always went the same. Her work would be criticized, her work ethic would be questioned. Her Wife would stay quite as her father picked her apart. It had been that way for the entirety of their marriage. John didn't have a problem with His only daughter marrying a woman. But he had a problem with Becas choice of career. And he wasn't quiet about it. Aubrey always told her in private, that she shouldn't take it seriously. She made good money and that is what mattered.

She would just once, like for Aubrey to tell her father what she told Beca out of his presence. It hadn't happened yet though, and she would be lying if she said she was surprised.

This night, however, she had news to share. News she was certain John would approve of. Maybe, he would take her more seriously. Maybe he would start treating her like an equal.

"Remember a few months ago, when I was asked last second to help with the final touches on Billie Eilish's album?"

"Yes, you missed the family vacation to Spain." John said over the rim of his glass.

Aubrey hummed next to her and she looked down, feeling her excitement dissipating.

"Well. My boss, the Lady that owns the label I work for, is retiring early. She has decided to move to Europe with her kids and has chosen me to be her successor." She said, unable to keep the pride out of her voice.

The table was silent and she looked at Aubrey expectantly. The woman sipped from her wine glass, not meeting Becas eyes.

She looked at John, meeting his level gaze. "Starting next month, I will be my own boss and the head of Rosebud Records."

John finished his drink and set it down with a hard clink. Beca flinched slightly, her confidence vanishing.

"Aubrey." He said and Beca looked at her Wife who hadn't uttered a single word to her.

Aubrey looked at her. "Beca, we need to talk about something important." She said and Beca felt her heart drop into her stomach and beat painfully.

"Okay?"

"Beca, you are twenty-six years old, correct?" John asked.

"Yes, Sir."

"We I have discussed it, and we feel it is time you and Aubrey figured out exactly what you are going to do to start a family. I want grandchildren, sooner rather than later, while I am still in good health."

Beca felt as though she had the wind knocked out of her.

"I'm sorry?" She asked, her tone rising in pitch as she looked at Aubrey with wide eyes.

"Beca, there is just no way that I could possibly carry a child at this point in my career." She spoke. "We talked about it and thought that you would be a better fit to carry. You have the ability to work from home. I don't, and My Father is right, at our age it is time we start thinking about children."

Beca sat in stunned silence. Children weren't even a topic of discission yet. They had been Married for two years, together for four. They had both been working hard in their fields. Beca at the label and Aubrey was partners with her father and Brother in the family Law firm.

She sat back. "I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting this. I uh, I don't know what to say." She spoke.

"I have already found you a fertility doctor and she is expecting your call next week." John said as the waiter arrived at their table and began taking their orders.

Beca looked at Aubrey as John was busy with the waiter.

She shook her head just slightly and Aubrey looked away from her. She didn't understand what was happening. This was not at all how she expected this dinner to go. Especially with the news she had to share.

Before she knew it the waiter was walking away. She looked after him, and Aubrey reached under the table and placed her hand on her bare leg.

"You were in your own world so I ordered you the pineapple chicken." She spoke.

Beca looked at her. "Thank you."

"I'm sorry, no offence John, but I think this discussion of children should be between Aubrey and I and to be perfectly honest, I'm not ready for any of that yet. I was just entrusted to run a record label and I can't do that if I am pregnant."

She felt Aubrey's had squeeze her thigh tightly. She looked down, away from the daggers being thrown at her from John.

"Excuse me?" He asked. "I do believe I made myself clear. I paid for your wedding. Your honeymoon. I helped you find a lovely home here in Atlanta. All I ask for is grandchildren while you are still young enough to have a baby and you can't give me that?"

Aubrey tightened her grip on her leg and she winced looking at her. Her look was one of warning. The conversation was over, and she needed to keep her mouth shut.

"Beca and I will get the appointment made next week." Aubrey said and Beca whipped her head around to look at her.

"Aubrey."

"End of discussion." Aubrey snapped and Beca felt her face become hot.

She grabbed Aubrey's wrist and yanked her hand off of her.

"Excuse me." She said throwing her napkin on the table and standing up, walking away from them.

Aubrey looked after her, then to her father. "I told you she wouldn't take it well."

"I'm sure you can convince her." He spoke. "I'm serious Aubrey. Your brother is as worthless as a penny and its up to you to carry on this family's name. The Posen's have been a powerful staple in this city for decades. And it isn't going to end with you."

"I understand where you are coming from, Dad, but if Beca doesn't want to have a baby right now, I can't exactly force her."

"Yes, you can." He said leaning back in his chair.

XXXXXX

Aubrey had finished a bottle of wine by herself over the course of dinner and Beca was thankful they drove separately. She would take them home and they would pick Aubrey's car up form the restaurant in the morning.

The ride was silent. Beca was still upset over the topic of conversation at the beginning of the meal.

It wasn't long before she was walking into the kitchen from the garage kicking her heels off by the door as Aubrey stumbled in behind her.

"You shouldn't have talked to my dad like that, Beca. You know how he gets." She said as she opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water.

Beca turned around. "You have a lot of nerve Aubrey." She spoke. "You backed him up. Him. I am your Wife."

Aubrey drank the water and set it aside. "And he is my father. And what John Posen wants, he gets. You knew that when you agreed to marry me." She pointed at Beca.

"Yes, I agreed to marry you, not your father. He has no right to decide and if and when we will have children, let alone which of us will carry it!"

Aubrey walked toward her. "Beca, we don't need to discuss this any further, the decision has been made." She glared down at her Wife. Remembering what her father had told her while Beca was gone from the table. She is the one that makes the most money. She is head of their household and what she says goes.

"If Beca has a problem with that, remind her who the boss is. Don't disappoint me, Aubrey." Her father's voice was in her head.

"Is that clear?" She growled and Beca glared at her, her words slurring slightly, and Beca knew she was too drunk to be having this fight.

"I don't know who you think you are talking to Aubrey, but I am your wife and I will not- "She was cut off by a sharp slap and she stumbled to the side.

Aubrey watched, her hand burning as it dawned on Beca what had just happened.

She opened her mouth to say something and Aubrey charged toward her. She flinched stepping back, hitting the fridge.

"Shut up, Beca."

Beca looked up at her with wide, tear-filled eyes.

"I am the only one that can carry on the family name and I am not going to let my family down. I don't care if you aren't ready, you will get ready. We will see the fertility doctor next week and that is that last I want to hear about it. Do you understand me?" She yelled slamming her hand against the fridge next to Becas head.

She was too stunned to speak. They had had fights, and she knew that Aubrey had witnessed violence between her parents as a child. She also knew that five years ago Aubrey's Mom finally left her dad. She never thought Aubrey would become physical. She was wrong.

Aubrey stepped away from her. "I'm proud of you for being chosen to run the Label." She said picking up the water bottle and walking out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

Beca watched her go, her tears falling as she released a shuddering breath. Her hand coming up to touch her burning cheek. Aubrey had hit her.

What was she supposed to do now? She knew what to do. She knew the right thing to do.

Leave. She needed to leave.

"Beca!"

She jumped, looking toward the stairs. "Beca come here please?"

She stepped away from the fridge and looked at the garage door. Then back at the stairs.

She let out another breath as her name was called again. Then she made her way towards Aubrey's voice.

She found the woman sat on the floor at the end of their bed. Tears running down her face.

"Beca, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." She cried reaching for her and Beca, unable to stand the sight of her strong, usually loving wife in a heap of tears hurried toward her and allowed her to pull her into her arms.

"I can't believe I did that; I am so sorry. Please, please forgive me?" She begged. "I don't know what came over me, my dad's voice was in my head and I just… I just hit you, I am so sorry My love please forgive me." She sobbed and Beca cried with her.

"I love you so much, Beca, so much."

"I love you too." Beca said through her tears. Seeing her Wife so distraught made her believe it was a one-time thing.

A slip up. An accident. Aubrey was drunk and under the influence of her abusive power-hungry father. It wouldn't happen again. Would it?