A/n: So I'm gonna try to give you some fluffy chapters for the next couple before ramping it back up again, but I cannot promise that. That's also what I just told my academic advisor yesterday when they saw a good chunk of my last script for my film school program, but I'm good with angst, but I always come through with that happy ending though... most of the time.

PS... if you haven't seen The Greatest Showman, do yourself a favor and go see it. I was genuinely surprised.


Chapter Four

It was the day before Aubrey was set to go back to work and Chloe and Greyson were set to go back to school. Chloe was sitting in her room with her girlfriend Stacie, both were finishing up some homework that was supposed to be due the day after the shooting, but obviously got pushed to after scheduled fall break. The redhead had been really quiet since that fatal day, she blamed herself a lot for the shooting, despite her family's protests that it wasn't her fault and it would never be. She said no to Tom's homecoming proposal because that was what was best for her.

"You done?" Stacie asked Chloe. "Because I really wanna cuddle with you."

Chloe softly chuckled, "Almost," she said. "Give me like five more minutes to finish this equation and then I'll be done, I promise." Stacie nodded not wanting to disturb her girlfriend working. The brunette had finished her homework a few minutes ago and the two of them spent most of fall break with their families after the shooting. The redhead finished the last of her math homework and then turned around to see her girlfriend lying on her bed waiting for her, she went and crawled into the taller girl's arms, "Hi." She said as she was settling.

"Hey there," Stacie said, kissing her neck, "I've missed you, sweetheart."

Chloe smiled a little, "I've missed you too, baby." She said. "I'm sorry that I've been so withdrawn."

Stacie kissed the top of her head, "Don't you even worry about it. I understand." She said.

The two just lied there for a moment before they heard Aubrey on the phone in the hallway, "I knew there was going to be a lawsuit." The headmaster said, "It only makes sense. Three people died and nine more were injured." There was silence, "I just don't understand, Mr. Baker wasn't showing ANY signs that he would do this." More silence. "I know he said he did it because of an ex-girlfriend, but that doesn't excuse the fact that two sets of families were never going to see their children graduate from high school AND college, get married, start a family of their own, and so on and so forth, and it's not fair that the media is trying to figure out who this mysterious ex-girlfriend is. She did NOTHING wrong. And we have sponsors threatening to pull out," Uncomfortable silence. "I don't care, Larry. You're OUR lawyer. Figure out a way to fix this."

"This sucks," Chloe whispered once Aubrey slammed her and Beca's bedroom door shut.

Stacie sighed, "Yeah," she said, "it does."

There was a sudden knock on the door, "Come in," Chloe called softly. Beca poked her head in, "Hey Beca."

"Hey Chlo, Stacie," the music producer said. "So tonight's dinner might be a little tense."

"We heard most of Bree's conversation with the school's lawyer," Chloe said. "Is everything okay?"

Beca shook her head, "She's really upset." She said. "Sponsors are threatening to pull out of helping fund the school. I'm going to go to try and hold her before dinner, Jesse is barbecuing. Are you staying for dinner?" She asked Stacie.

"Only if it's okay," the girl said.

Beca nodded, "Of course it's okay, I'll come get you when dinner's ready." She said. "Oh and Chloe?" The redhead made more direct eye contact with Beca, "I'd like to talk to you alone after dinner, if that's okay."

"I'm probably going to end up telling Stacie anyway," Chloe said through a chuckle. "You can talk now."

Beca came and sat in the office chair by the bed, "I would like your permission and blessing to marry your sister," the music producer said. "I don't want a life without her and I won't propose without your or my kids' permission."

Chloe smiled a big genuine smile for the first time since the shooting, "Of course, Bec. You have my permission and blessing, you make her unbelievably happy. Speaking of which," Chloe nodded her head towards the door, "now would probably be a good time to go do that."

Beca stood up and kissed Chloe's forehead, "Thanks Chlo, I really care about you, I hope you know that." She said.

"I do. I love you, Bec." Chloe said for the first time.

"I love you too kiddo," Beca said. "You wanna help me propose to your sister tomorrow night?"

Chloe nodded in excitement, "Can we talk about it tonight? I kinda wanna cuddle with my girlfriend right now." She asked.

Beca chuckled leaving the room, "Of course," she said. "Don't have too much fun in here." The music producer said shutting the door behind her.

"You're really cute," Stacie said after a moment.

"You're cuter," Chloe said before kissing her girlfriend hard as they began to make out.


Aubrey moaned as she leaned against Beca who was rubbing her shoulders in the tub after dinner that night, "You take such good care of me," the blonde said.

"I try." Beca said kissing her shoulder. "I just want to take care of you."

"I love you, Bec." Aubrey said turning to kiss her. "Thank you for taking care of me. And Chloe, I know you've been checking in with her lately."

"She feels like it's her fault," Beca said softly. "I don't want her to feel like anything evil in this world is her fault. I love that kid sister of yours, I hope you know that." She kissed Aubrey's shoulder, "I love you too, by the way. So much. I can't imagine my life without you in it anymore."

"Same here," Aubrey said turning around fully to cuddle into Beca's chest. "You're actually the first person that I've brought around Chloe because I knew you weren't going to leave."

The music producer kissed the top of the headmaster's head, "Yeah, you two are stuck with me and the kids forever now." The brunette said.

"Good," Aubrey said.


The next morning was a little tense. The three John Adams prep goers didn't know how to feel about going back to a place where tragedy struck. Aubrey assured both students that the place was all cleaned up and that Tom was locked up in jail, awaiting to hear trial, but that didn't put any ease back into the two, especially Chloe, who was beating herself up for what had happened. Beca walked into Greyson's room to see him struggling with tying his tie, "You okay, baby?" She asked her son coming in to tie his tie for him.

"He's not going to come to my locker just to hand me my favorite coffee from the diner across the street before we go to homeroom together." Greyson said.

"Owen?" Beca asked knowingly. He nodded, "I'm really sorry baby." She finished tying his tie and kissed his cheek. "Try to have a good day today, okay?" He nodded as there was silence between them. What neither of them know is Chloe was outside the door hearing her best friend express emotion for the first time. He had been so strong. She pulled out her phone and sent a text to Jessica walking away.

Chloe: Hey, can you get Greyson a coffee from Logan's across the street from school? He drinks his coffee black. Owen used to do it for him so that he could save the coffee Aubrey gave him for his physics class.

She got an immediate text back.

Jessica: Already on it. Trying to rack up those good girlfriend points. You want anything? Getting Stacie coffee as well.

Chloe: Coffee would be great. You know how I like it.

Jessica: Creamer and sugar with a splash of coffee? ;P

Chloe chuckled at her best friend as she walked downstairs for breakfast.

Meanwhile in Greyson's room, Beca had pulled him in for a hug and was holding him tight, "I love you, mom." He murmured through wet eyes.

"I love you too, baby." She said. "Hey, I did have a question for you though?"

"What's that?" He asked still in his mother's embrace.

"I want to spend the rest of my life with Aubrey and I want to make sure it's okay with you, Em, and Chlo." She said. "And no, I'm not telling you what the girls said."

Greyson pulled back and chuckled, "She's already like my stepmom anyway." He said. "The way she's been treating me for the last couple of weeks, I'd be stupid to say no. I really like her, mom. I like who she and Chloe are to this family. I know you and Em miss dad and I wish I could say that I do too, but I never knew him, but you've never been more happy with anyone you've ever dated like you are with Bree."

"She makes me happy," Beca agreed. "So unbelievably happy."

"Well then, go on, make her my and Em's stepmom." He said with a big smile.

Beca kissed his cheek again and said, "I love you baby."

"I love you too, mom." He said pulling her into another hug. Towering over her with his chin on her head, it made her feel as safe as James made her feel when he was alive. She loved that her son was almost an identical twin to the man. She may love Aubrey wholeheartedly, but there will always be a part of her that loves the father of her children.

"So, you want to help me propose to Aubrey tonight?" Beca asked.

Greyson smiled, "Of course, what did you have in mind?" He asked.


Greyson was putting his books in his locker when he hears a knock on the locker door, he closed his eyes, that's what Owen used to do, he held back tears as he closed the door halfway to see his girlfriend smiling at him with a cup of coffee from the diner across the street, he smiled and let his head fall, "Thank you, hun." He said looking up at her taking the cup of coffee. "That was really thoughtful of you."

He leaned in and kissed her softly, hyperaware of the people around them, "I know today and really the rest of the year is going to be hard, but I hope that even though, I'm your girlfriend and not Owen, that I can help you through this." She said.

"I really appreciate it, hun. You have know idea." He said pulling her in for a tight hug. They pulled away and Greyson put his coffee in his locker like he usually does when he's unloading his books. "You ready for this all-school assembly?" He asked as he was grabbing the books that he did need shoving them into his backpack.

"Ha, if there ever was an exciting all-school assembly." She said. "What do you think Headmaster Posen is going to address?"

"Everything," he said knowingly as he asked that same question during their all-family breakfast. "I guess there's gonna be a lawsuit. She just wants everyone to be informed, I guess."

"Even the younger kids?" Jessica asked, incredulously.

"They actually are only going to be in there for the first bit, I guess." Greyson said closing his locker and shrugging while taking a sip of his coffee and putting his backpack on. "I asked Headmaster Posen all the same questions at breakfast this morning."

Jessica chuckled, "I'm still shocked that you live with both Chloe and Headmaster Posen." She said grabbing his hand as they started to walk.

Greyson shrugged and looked around to make sure Aubrey wasn't around before saying, "My mom's proposing her tonight."

Jessica's eyes went wide, "Really?" She asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, in front of all of their close friends and family." He said. "I was wondering if you'd like to come? I hear Chloe's bringing Stacie."

Jessica stopped and grabbed his face before kissing his mouth, "I'd love to, baby." She answered. "I'll just come over with Stacie, since we live next door to each other and all."

"Sweet," Greyson said smiling. "I'm really excited."

Jessica looked around to also make sure Aubrey wasn't around before she asked, "Sooo, how's she going to do it?"

Greyson smiled and said, "Well, it'll be kinda a reunion..."


"Now that the younger kids are gone, I'll give you all some cold hard truth about what it's going to be like for awhile as we heal as a community," Aubrey said to a half-filled auditorium of middle and high schoolers. "It's not going to be easy. We lost people and we can replace teachers, athletes, and student body presidents, we've done that before, but we can't replace what Mr. McPherson, Owen Walker, and Sophia Brown were to this community." Aubrey took a deep breath and looked out into the crowd of students to find Chloe, Greyson, Stacie, and Jessica all sitting next to each other with coffee with soft, encouraging smiles. "I wish it were easy." She continued. "But it isn't. I know you've probably heard your parents talking about it, but legal action is going to be taken. I really wish it didn't have to come down to this, but it does. You may have heard that we have sponsors threatening to pull out funding and that is true. I know you all have a lot of questions and I want you to know that we, the faculty, administration, and staff will do our bests to answer them for you, but we here at John Adams Prep need some time to heal." Aubrey sighed as she looked out to see worried looks on some of the students faces, "I promise you," the headmaster said earnestly, "we will come back from this as one." Aubrey's eyes then landed back over to the senior class, "And to the senior class, I know you've lost a lot recently. Two people won't be walking with you at graduation in May. One teacher isn't going to come full circle to finish what he started. And for that, I'm sorry. I am here for everyone." She then addressed every class. "My door is always opened." There was a brief pause as Aubrey's eyes met her sister and girlfriend's son's eyes. "Is there any questions?" She then asked. "Yes, Mr. Cordova?"

"What about the people who were injured?" The senior student asked. "Most of the nine were seniors, are they going to be walking in May?"

Aubrey nodded her head, "That is our only hope." She said, making a mental note to check in with all nine of those students and their families. "Yes, Miss Gonzales?"


Beca was sitting in on one of Emily's recording sessions with Jesse behind the board, she loved watching her daughter sing. It brought her some unbelievable joy. It's like when she watches Greyson code something on his computer. Her two kids found their deepest passions and are pursuing such passions.

"Alright Em," Jesse said. "That sounded good, but let's give it five and then run it again." He then turned to Beca, "The song sounds like it's missing something right?"

Beca nodded, "I wasn't going to say anything, but yeah, it does." She said.

"You're always welcome to give feedback, boss." He said. "I'm all about receiving it. I'm gonna go get coffee, you want anything?"

"Nope, thanks Jesse." The older music producer said as Emily came out.

"Oh mom," the girl said. "I didn't know you were in here."

"Snuck in at the last minute," she said. "I need to talk to you."

"Okay," Emily said falling on the couch next to her mom curling into her. This was their talking position. "What's up?"

"I want to spend the rest of my life with Aubrey," she said. "But, I won't do it with out you, Grey, or Chlo's permission. And before you ask, no I won't tell you what the other two said."

Emily chuckled, "I really like Aubrey," she said. "I do. She and Chloe are the missing pieces of out family after daddy died."

"She's not here to replace your dad," Beca reassured her daughter.

"I know," Emily said. "But, I want you to be happy mom. So of course you have my permission."

Beca let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, "Good because I was planning on doing it tonight and I've already enlisted your brother and Chloe's help. I need your help too."

Emily smiled big, "Okay." She said. "What do you have in mind?"

"Well," Beca said, "it's gonna be at the coffee shop that we had our first official date at."


Aubrey was tired. She spent most of her day consoling students, but she also knew that today was her and Beca's three year anniversary and she knew that her girlfriend had plans for them, so she looked at her computer on the desk, grabbed the coffee next to it, and took a huge gulp as she heard a knock on the door.

She sighed, "Come in," she called.

It was Greyson and Chloe, somehow the headmaster felt relieved, "Hi loves," she said softly. "What's up?"

"You know how my mom always has a game plan to make sure her next spontaneous surprise is better than the last?" Greyson asked making Aubrey chuckle and nod her head. "Well, today being your three year dating anniversary, we were enlisted to help."

"Okay?" Aubrey said nervously.

"Don't worry, Bree." Chloe said softly. "Beca just wants to cheer you up."

"Starting off with this," Greyson said pulling something out of his uniform jacket.

Aubrey took it from the boy and then unfolded it and saw Beca's messy handwriting, the blonde smiled.

I know this is weird, the note said, but hang tight with me love. My son and your sister are going to take you on a little scavenger hunt, that's not really a scavenger hunt, and I'll be waiting at the final destination for your anniversary surprise. I gotta top the last two years, so here we go! [heart] -Beca

Aubrey folded the note back up and looked at the two seniors in front of her, "Well, let's go." She then said as Greyson put his arm out for her to take.

The headmaster took the senior boy's arm as he led them out to his car. Aubrey had no idea what her girlfriend had planned for her, but she had a feeling that she was going to fall more in love with the music producer, which she didn't think was possible.


The first place they showed up at was the flower shop that Beca got Aubrey flowers from, they walked in, and the florist seemed to know Greyson, "Oh Greyson," she said. "How are you?"

"I'm good, Mrs. Robertson." He said with that charming smile that Aubrey knew that he got from his father. "How's Brad?"

"Oh, he's good." She said. "Trying to get into Stanford, but he's struggling in trig. You think you could help him out?"

"Of course, tell him to give me a call," the boy said. "Anyway, my mom stopped by here earlier, right?"

"Oh yes," she said. "Here you go," she added handing the boy flowers as Greyson tipped her.

"These are for you." He said to Aubrey. "Your next note is inside."

Aubrey looked inside to a folded up piece of paper, and read the next note:

I remember our third, no? Fourth date, where you had just come off a really hard day and I noticed it in your text message responses and I showed up at your car at John Adams Prep to surprise you with your favorite flowers and a promise to take care of you. I will promise that until the day I die.

Aubrey took a minute to smell the roses, literally, and then looked up at Greyson who said, "Ready?" Placing out his arm. She nodded as she led her and Chloe out to the car. Opening both their doors as they got in.


Greyson then led his future stepmom to three other different locations where the couple had various dates with different memories before leading her to his mom at the place where they shared their first date.

When they got out Greyson held his arm out for Aubrey to hold, Chloe going ahead of them to open the door, "Okay Bree," Greyson said. "Close your eyes and I promise to guide you." Aubrey nodded her head and did as told. Greyson guided her into the cafe that was rented out by Beca herself so that they could then properly celebrate the couple's engagement. "Okay Bree," he said softly open your eyes.

Aubrey opened her eyes to see everyone she loved standing around various places of the cafe, she felt Greyson let go of her arm and join Chloe, Stacie, and Jessica to the side. She then saw Emily standing near by with Benji's arm around her and Jesse standing next to them, and finally her eyes laid before her to the love of her life kneeling on one knee right in front of her with a ring, Aubrey's hand went to her face, and she began to cry a little.

"Aubrey Posen, every single day since you reentered my life has been the best days of my life. I know things lately have been tough and I know that you've felt bad for leaning on me, but I wish you wouldn't. I want you in your good days and your bad ones. I want you in the good times and the bad. I want to spend the rest of my life taking care of you. With the blessing and permission of my kids and your sister, will you do me the honor of marrying me and being my wife?" Beca said with a hopeful smile.

Aubrey looked up to the three kids, who all nodded their heads, then back at her love, and said, "Yes, of course."

Beca slipped the ring on her fiancé's finger and stood up to kiss her, "I love you," she said as she rested her head on Aubrey's.

"I love you too, baby." She said.


End note: Okay, so maybe I can write a lot of fluff for a chapter.

It'll be a few chapters before the wedding, but it'll be a good one!