Best Christmas Ever

Chapter 7

Traveling Home

The flight into Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport was long and exhausting, as was to be expected with a layover in Newark. Once they landed and obtained their luggage, the two girls headed for the exit to the cab stand, so they could catch a ride out to the Beale homestead in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Walking through the glass doors of the terminal, the two made their way into the chilly early winter night. Chloe noticed the other woman felt the chill of the night air. She picked up the pace so they could quickly get into a warm cab.

"My Dad offered to pick us up, but he had to work, and my Mom was going to be making dinner, so I told them we'd just catch a cab," Chloe informed her travel companion. "I hope that is okay."

"No problem, the less in the way, or disruption I make, the better," Beca answered softly.

This caused Chloe to stop in her tracks. "Becs, you're not going to be a burden, or in the way, and you in no way are intruding," Chloe said to her younger friend.

"Well, I kinda-am," Beca said as she dropped her eyes. "This is your family's holiday. You know Christmas, time for family…"

With her index finger, Chloe lifted Beca's chin, so she looked into her eyes. "Christmas is a time for love, joy on earth, and goodwill to all. My family will love you as much as I do."

"I don't…" Beca started.

"Everything's going to be okay, Beca. I promise."

And somehow, looking up into Chloe's vivid blue eyes, Beca let herself believe her words. She found she always believed Chloe when the girl was sincere. The redhead had a way of making everything seem like it would be alright with a simple smile and the glint in her bright blue eyes.

"Okay," Beca whispered with a nod.

"Okay then!" Chloe said with open and honest excitement. "On to the cab stand."

Even with all the holiday travelers, it didn't take long for the two young women to get a cab. Chloe handed the driver their address, which he dutifully plugged into his GPS. Chloe settled back into the back seat next to Beca, automatically linking their hands together. Chloe couldn't contain her giddiness, though she did tamper it, so she didn't freak out her younger friend.

As the cab pulled away Chloe rested her head on the doors window, and watched the orbs of light flash as they passed the streetlights in the semi-dark of the early evening. She caught Beca's reflection in the window, she too was gazing out at the night scape.

"It's pretty in the evening," Beca said quietly.

"Yeah, I always love arriving back here at this time of night. It's not too late, but it's already dark, so the lights are all lit up." She looked at Beca with a smile that conveyed a childlike anticipation. "We'll see some of the Wickford Festival of Lights as we pass through town."

"That's awesome," answered Beca, though a yawn also escaped.

"Am I boring you?" Chloe asked in jest. She knew her friend was tired from the day's travel. Truth was she was feeling it too.

"No…" Beca answered through another yawn. She circled her hand in gesture, as she said, "Keep talking." Chloe smiled as she scooted closer to her best friend, while she started telling her stories about growing up in Rhode Island.

It was a relatively quiet ride traffic wise, with just a smattering of other vehicles on the road. The driver had a Christmas music station on, which blended well with Chloe's voice as she passed on little tidbits of information about her childhood, the town, the state, and anything else that Chloe thought might be interesting. Truth be told, Beca only caught about a third of what Chloe said as she gazed out the window in a child-like wonder. This town was so quaint and perfect for Christmas. She took in the beautiful scenery, and could see it was the perfect place for Chloe Beale to grow up in.

There was so much snow, the scenery all looked like it belonged on a Christmas card. Having grown up in Washington State, Beca wasn't unaccustomed to a white Christmas. However, it has been a good number of years since she had actually experienced one. Her father bringing her to Georgia had taken that away. She found she had missed it more than she had expected.

As the cab pulled off the highway, and onto Main Street of North Kingstown, the view only got better. Beca took in all the holiday lights and decorations that had been put up for the season, and she truly began to appreciate the town Chloe had brought her to.

As the car ride drove through the town, they passed by Wickford Village which looked like a Christmas village with all of the decorations. Chloe glanced over in Beca's direction, and saw her features reflected in the window. With the fading sunlight in the distance, the window served as an effective mirror, so Chloe could see the younger woman's features fairly well. She caught the slight curve of Beca's lips, and the sparkle in her eyes. Chloe could see a happiness in Beca that she had rarely seen in the petite brunette. Just seeing such wonder in the brunette's gray-blue eyes made Chloe smile. It helped calm the redhead as the cab drew closer to their destination, her childhood home.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Chloe asked softly.

"Very," Beca answered, without taking her eyes off the outside view. "It's a winter wonderland."

"I know," Chloe nodded. "Growing up, when I was like five, I wanted to live here, in that house in particular." Beca followed where Chloe was pointing. The house was perfect for the surroundings. It was lit up, not as bright as some, but more than others. The house had an old world European look in it's architecture, and Beca had no trouble picturing a young Chloe Beale certain that it was the home of a fairy princess. It would have been the house she would have selected when she was five.

"You wanted to live with the fairy princess," Beca stated.

"I did!" Chloe replied excitedly. So happy that Beca saw it like she had, and frankly still did. "I'm so glad you came with me."

Beca turned to the redhead and said, "I'm so happy you invited me, and more so, convinced me to come." It struck Beca that this was true. Her trepidation at coming, at the moment, had slipped down to zero. For that she was truly happy.

She leaned into her friend, content that Chloe wrapped an arm around her. She felt safe and secure, like she hadn't in a long time. At some point Beca must have drifted off, as she didn't remember anything more of the drive to Chloe's home.

Thirty minutes had passed, but Chloe didn't try waking her, till the moment their cab turned onto her street. "Beca baby," the words slipped out without much thought. Chloe's eyes grew round as she worried the sleeping woman might have heard them. She tried waking Beca again, a bit more careful with the words she used. "Becs, wake up. We're almost there."

Beca's eyes slowly opened as the cab pulled into the semi-circle driveway of Chloe's parents' house. Though her eyes were half closed, they grew round and her breath was taken away at the sight of the Christmas lights that tastefully outlined the house, and lit up the front yard. Every tree had white or blue lights covering them, and from the trees were beach ball size ornaments made out of Christmas lights that ran the gamut of Christmas colors; red, green, blue, silver and gold. There were figures of reindeer, and snowmen that were highlighted by Christmas lights, creating a veritable Christmas pageant on the Beale's front lawn. The final, but grandest decoration of the front lawn, was a very tall spruce tree, right in front of the house, which had been carefully decorated to look like a giant Christmas tree, with lights that look like presents on the ground underneath.

"That is… Amazing," Beca breathed out. It was just so beautiful, but more so, it reminded Beca of Christmas from her childhood.

"It's pretty neat, isn't it?" Chloe agreed.

"Your parent's electricity bill must be through the roof," Beca commented.

"Not as bad as you might think," Chloe answered. "Dad had solar put in years ago, and Mom had him put in a small windmill out back, which help ease the electricity costs."

The taxi stopped in front of the long walkway that led up to the front door. The two women stepped out of the vehicle, and made a bee-line for the trunk to retrieve their suitcases. The last of their bags had been set on the snowy ground by the driver, and as Beca moved to grab her wallet to split the cab fare, Chloe waved her off.

"No way, Mitchell. You're my guest, you're not paying for any of this."

"You know, that excuse is going to wear out at some point on this trip," Beca said with a smirk.

Chloe grinned and paid the man his fare plus a generous tip, as she wished him happy holidays. As the taxi drove away, snow had started falling in soft, big, fluffy, lazy flakes. Beca giggled as she watched her crazy red haired friend try to catch a few on her tongue. She couldn't help copying Chloe, and stuck out her tongue to catch a few herself.

She heard Chloe's soft laughter, and it was so pure and childlike, Beca joined in. She turned towards Chloe's childhood home and really took in the sight of it. The lights on the house, with the snow falling, were in full effect, making a perfect real-life postcard.

"Holy shit!" The tiny brunette exclaimed as she gazed upon the large Colonial style house in front of her. "How come you never told me you were like the daughter of a CEO or a politician or something, cause that's clearly who lives here!"

Chloe just glanced over towards the overawed girl, and shook her head. "What… it's not that big."

"Dude, your house looks like it swallowed at least two other houses!"

"Oh stop, you're overreacting Becs. Now come on, everyone's waiting to see us and meet you!" The redhead said as she took hold of the petite brunette's forearm and led her toward the front porch. Beca shouldered her carryon bag and grabbed her suitcase handle as she let Chloe guide her towards the very intimidating home that lay in front of her.

"Why am I so nervous?" asked Beca to the sky.

"I don't know Becs," Chloe answered.

"Shit! I didn't mean to say that out loud," Beca then realized what she said. "Damn! I just swore. What if I do that in front of your Mom? She'll think I'm some fuck up." Beca's eyes grew as she heard the words coming out of her mouth. "Chloe, I can't go in there. I suddenly can't stop fucking swearing."

Chloe let the younger woman pull them to a halt. She stood in front of Beca, and told her, "Beca! Calm down. You'll be fine. Yes, maybe the first words my Mother hears from you should not be 'Fuck', but she's heard the occasional swear word. She has three sons after all." Chloe gestured towards her family's home. "You're just meeting my family. You're here as a 'friend', so you don't have anything to worry about."

The redhead had set her bags down, and then took Beca's. She set them neatly to the side. "I'll get one of the lumbering oafs to carry them in." She then positioned herself in front of Beca, and took a hold of the younger woman by her arms, her hands just above the elbows. "Now Beca. I need you to take a deep breath. This is no big deal. My family is going to love you, and be on their best behavior, or…"

"Or you'll kick their ass," Beca smirked.

"Of course," Chloe grinned, "but only after my Mom tears them apart. Trust me, Catherine Beale can keep all of them in-line." Chloe threw in a wink for good measure. "Also, trust me when I tell you that my Mother will absolutely love you."

"Why?" Beca asked, not feeling any confidence at the moment.

"Don't be mad," Chloe started. Before Beca can ask for clarification, Chloe continued, "I may have mentioned you to my Mother a time or two…"

Beca looked confused, as she said, "A time or two?"

"Well maybe a dozen times," Chloe offered.

"A dozen?!"

"Two dozen tops," Chloe said. She waved it away as if it was no big deal. "That's not the point. The point is that my Mom has my back, and she knows I wouldn't just bring anyone home. She's going to love you and so she'll have your back. Trust me, with Mama Bear Beale behind you, you'll always be safe. She is the Mama Bear."

"But…"

"Just be you, Becs," Chloe advised her friend. "Trust me. I love who you are; and so will they."

There was a warmth in Chloe's words that matched what was in her eyes. It filled Beca like nothing she had felt in years. There was an echo of a memory of her mother comforting her. It was Christmas morning, just a few days after her father had left. Her mother had pushed through her pain, to be there for Beca, to fill the love that was now missing. Chloe's warmth was very similar to her mother's. It calmed Beca, and made her feel loved.

She smiled and nodded, and was happy to see the delight in Chloe's eyes. As they turned towards the house again Beca had to remind herself that she was just there as a friend.

There's nothing to be nervous about.

She took a deep breath as she tried to mentally prepare herself for what was about to come.

Chloe could still sense a bit of anxiety coming off of Beca so she reached down and squeezed her hand. "Hey, you're going to be okay."

Beca's hand was warm with the heat of the contact of Chloe's hand, and she exhaled a deep breath she'd been holding. Her breath floated up in front of her due to the chill of the cold winter evening. She chuckled, and when Chloe gave her a look, Beca answered truthfully, "I feel like I'm being brought home to meet the parents for the first time." When she realized what she had said, she quickly tacked on, "Funny, huh?" She hoped her awkward laugh would cover the embarrassment of what she had just said.

There was an awkward silence for a moment, since this was exactly how Chloe saw this, or at least wanted this. She too, let out a small giggle for cover, though she worried it came out as the uncomfortable chuckle it really was. She briefly glanced down at their entwined fingers, which helped to center her; it just looked too right to be wrong. "Well that's kind of exactly what's happening, Becs."

If she was being completely honest, Chloe was feeling pretty nervous herself. Sure, it wasn't like she was bringing Beca home as her girlfriend, even though she really wished she was… but she still hoped her family would come to love her as much as she does. She desperately wanted it to go smoothly, so that Beca wouldn't completely freak and bolt. Once the shy freshman is bombarded by questions from her parents, and the teasing of her brothers, Chloe wouldn't be surprised that she never sees the girl again. She could only hope to shield her from the worst of it. Chloe loves her family to death, but they could be a little… well the Beale's.

"Yeah, but I mean like in a relationship-y kind of way. Like, there's gonna be a shotgun and a shovel waiting for me when I meet your dad." Beca said to the redhead with a mildly frightened expression on her face.

Chloe laughed at this. "Oh don't be silly Becs; Dad isn't a fan of guns… He has a chainsaw and a wood chipper out back, though." She teased as she held Beca's hand as she walked towards the front door.

"Ah. Super, that makes me feel so much better." Beca mumbled. Tightening her grip Chloe's hand with one, and on her computer bag strap which dangled over her shoulder with her other hand. She trudged forward next to Chloe, who seemed to float.

Both stepped up on the front porch, but before Chloe could grasp the handle to enter the house, the front door was flung open with such force, Beca was sure it might have been ripped off its hinges. The only thing her wide eyes were able to capture was a flurry of red hair barreling into the senior Bella standing next to her.

"YAY!" Shrieked the red blur in excitement. "My beautiful baby girl. Oh, I'm so happy you're finally here!" Chloe's head is blocking the face of the other woman, but from the brilliantly wide smile plastered on her face, Beca can tell she's just as excited and happy as the person she has wrapped up in her arms.

After a few moments, the two women pull apart from their bone crushing embrace. Beca immediately recognized the former blur of red to be none other than Chloe's mother. Beca had seen pictures of the woman before. Chloe had numerous pictures of her decorating her walls and desk space back at her apartment.

Now that Beca sees her in person for the first time, with her bright blue eyes, wavy red hair and bright smile, Beca can say with certainty that Chloe is the spitting image of her mother.

The older Beale woman turned away from her daughter to face the petite brunette in front of her. "So this must be the infamous Beca Mitchell. It's so nice to finally meet you dear."

"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Beale." Beca managed to smile genuinely as she reached her hand out toward the older woman.

"Catherine, please. And nonsense!" She pushed past Beca's hand playfully away as she leaned in toward the girl. "We hug in this family missy." Catherine said as she wrapped the young brunette up in a soft and warm embrace. "Which is something you best get used to." Catherine turned her head slightly and whispered in Beca's ear, "I have a feeling this won't be the last Christmas you spend with us."

Beca pulled back from the hug with a slightly confused look on her face. The older Beale shot her a wink and a sly grin before she turned back to her daughter.

So the wink is genetic… huh.

Beca quickly pulled out of her daze. "Right, hugging… I really shouldn't be surprised after dealing with this one for the last few months." She motioned her thumbs towards the girl in question standing next to her. This caused Catherine to chuckle lightly. "And infamous?" Beca emphasized, with a tilt of her head. Beca looked directly into the slightly widened blue eyes of one Chloe Beale. "You really talk about me two dozen times then, hmm?"

"Oh at least three dozen times," Catherine said with a laugh.

Beca raised an eyebrow, "Hmm? Three dozen?" she teased the redhead next to her.

Chloe's cheeks flushed crimson with a rare blush. "Maybe…" Trying to conceal the rising blush in her cheeks, and thankful for the nightfall around them to assist in that, Chloe responded in turn. "Only all bad things, I promise." She managed to sneak in a wink, something not unnoticed by her mother.

"So you two, you must be exhausted from all the travel. Come on then, let's get you inside. The boys can't wait to see you!"

The three women walked into the house, Catherine leading the way into the foyer. "Charles!" Catherine called out her husband. She signaled for the two younger women to follow her to a door off to the left.

Catherine opened it and said, "Sweetie, guess who finally made it here!"

As Beca rounded the frame of the doorway, she found herself sandwiched in between the two Beale women. In front of her she watched an older man who looked to be in his late 50s stand up from his desk, and approach her. He's quite distinguished looking with salt and pepper hair, and standing well over six foot tall. As he moved around his desk Beca caught a glimpse of a number of shining objects on the desk before the man blocked her view as he moved towards the group.

"Pardon my mess, I was just cleaning my knife collection." The man said in a deep and intimidating voice, making eye contact with the tiny brunette as he made his way to greet the women.

Recognizing that this statement was made directly for her, she couldn't help wondering at the implications behind it. Beca cleared her throat loudly and averted her eyes, suddenly feeling very awkward under his pointed stare.

Chloe stepped between her father and her best friend, so as to shield the younger woman. She opened her arms for a hug. "Hi Daddy!" She exclaimed happily whilst throwing her arms around the man's shoulders for a hug. "Be nice!" She whispered.

"Hey hunny, how's my Chlobear doing? Did you have a good trip here?" He asked after he released her. He then kissed his daughter on the top of her head.

"Yeah, the flight and drive were good." Chloe replied before she caught Beca's eye. She reached her arm out, and motioned the young brunette to come closer. "Daddy, I want you to meet someone." She said as she took a hold of the girl's hand. "This is my best friend, Beca Mitchell. Becs, this is my dad Charles Beale."

Wanting to be polite, Beca covertly wiped her clammy palm on the side of her jeans before extending her hand out to shake the man's hand.

"Hello sir." Beca managed to say calmly.

For his part, Mr. Beale was standing resolute above her. He towered over the young woman, with a good foot more in height. It made his attempt to appear intimidating to Beca easy. He wanted to gauge the character of this new person his little girl had brought home for them to meet. So far he could tell she was intimidated, but save for a slight swallow, she hadn't flinched and was able to maintain eye contact.

Crossing his arms and setting his jaw, he pulled out the one line that nine times out of ten would garner the amusing reaction he was waiting for. "So Beca… what exactly are your intentions with my daughter?" He asked with a heated glare that could melt steel.

Beca's eyes grew to huge saucers and her face paled significantly as she began to roughly cough at the completely unexpected question from the older man.

"I―I―I, uh―I… wh―what?" She sputtered out, her brain not being able to form any kind of response. At the same time Beca's mind went into overdrive.

What the fuck?!

Don't say 'fuck'!

Do they think I'm Chloe's girlfriend?

Not that I would mind that.

Hell, I wish that was true.

Shit what do I say?

Don't say 'shit', that's for sure!

WhaddoIsay!?

That I've seen your daughter naked sir but it was totally platonic.

Was it platonic?

Do I say we're really just friends?

Do I say my intentions are to date her?

Brain, we didn't prepare for this!

Why didn't we prepare for this?!

WhaddoIsay!?

Before Beca's thoughts could spiral any further, and she suffered a heart attack due to the speed at which it was beating, Chloe stepped in to interrupt her internal panic attack.

"Daddy! Stop it, you're terrifying her." Chloe reprimanded her father.

She turned slightly to face the tiny freshman. "Becs, don't pay him any attention, he just loves riling up anyone I ever bring home, friend or not. In fact, he gave Aubrey a hell of a time during her first visit, isn't that right dad?" She said, as she clasped the younger girl's hand, trying to ease the panic away from the now frozen brunette.

"Ha!" Charles laughs boisterously, "And that girl sure took it like a champ. She even managed to turn my questioning on me!" He said with a bit of pride, thinking about the girl the Beale clan has welcomed into their family like a second daughter. "How is Aubrey doing?"

Chloe began chatting with her dad, hoping to pull the attention off of her younger friend. It worked with the change in conversation topic briefly taking the attention off her, Beca had a moment to compose herself.

Breathe, Mitchell. Come on, you've barely made it through the fucking front door and you're already panicking.

Quit acting like a weirdo.

Get your shit together.

Just act like a normal human being when interacting, and remember to breathe. You'll be fine.

Alright, get out of your head and focus on their conversation.

Oh shit, now they're staring at you.

Did someone ask a question?

Shit!

Pretend you were listening.

Say something!

"Uh, what?"

Smooth.

"Mom just asked if you're okay with us sharing a room, seeing as the others are all pretty much claimed by everyone else." Chloe reiterated, though with a hint of shyness in her voice.

"Share?" Beca squeaked out.

Share?

As in me and Chloe?

Together?

In the same room?

In the same bed?

Our bodies like laying right next to each other all night? Oh shit.

What if she sleeps naked?

What if I sleep naked!?

Wait, why would I sleep naked?

Also it's winter.

No one's sleeping naked.

Crap. Now I can't stop thinking about Chloe naked. Stop it brain!

Showering naked in the bathroom that's right next to the room we're sharing.

Enough!

Remember how perky her breasts looked when you had your shower duet?

Stop thinking about her perky tits!

"Beca!" Chloe said loudly enough to shake the brunette out of her internal meltdown. The redhead then said in a softer tone, "Beca."

The petite freshman looked into Chloe's eyes.

"Are you feeling ok Becs? You're looking really flushed." Chloe asked curiously, lifting her hand to tuck a stray hair from Beca's face behind her ear, then holding it against her forehead, as she checked for a temperature.

"Yeah yeah, no I―I'm good. Great even! Um just, it's uh I guess it's a little warm in here." She said, tugging slightly at her jacket. "You know, compared to outside. Where we just were. And now we're here. Talking. About going up to our shared room." Beca rambled out, her hands falling limply at her sides.

Standing off to the side with her husband and smirking while she watched this little scene unfold in front of them, Catherine decided it was time to jump in and alleviate Beca's anxiety.

"Alright, ChloBear," the elder red haired Beale looked towards her daughter. "Your room is all set up for you two, so I'd say recruit one of your brothers to help go get your bags from outside. Have them take all your stuff up to your room. You two can get settled in then. Dinner will be ready in about 10 minutes."

Not wanting to appear to be rude to the young girl, Charles, shrugged off his intimidating persona in exchange for a warm smile. He extended his hand towards the petite woman. "My apologies Beca. I'm really not the intimidating figure I was trying to project. Sorry for the charade. We just like to have a little fun in the Beale household. We're happy to have you here. Please make yourself at home, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask one of us."

Beca took the offered hand, taking his apology in stride. She smiled as she accepted both the apology and the offer of hospitality.

"Thank you Mr. Beale…"

"Charles." He interrupted.

"Charles. Thank you, and I will." Beca replied..

With that, Charles and Catherine headed towards the kitchen, leaving the two young women alone in the office.

With the parents out of the room, Chloe showed her concern. "Becs, are you really okay with sharing a room for the next two weeks? Cause if you're not, I can sleep on the couch, or I'm sure I can get Chad and Chase to bunk together and take one of their rooms..."

"Chloe. I'm positive, I have no problem sharing with you." Beca answered with a soft but shy smile.

"Good." Chloe lets out a gentle sigh of relief. "Great, okay, well let me just go find one of my brothers and we can just.."

As Chloe had been speaking, Beca saw two tall red haired men approaching Chloe from behind. The older of the two motioned a finger to his lips, silently asking the petite freshman to keep quiet as they snuck up on their unsuspecting sister. The older looking redhead quietly slipped just behind Chloe as he reached his arm out. In one quick move the man grabbed the redhead by her elbow and swung her about. In one fluid motion, pulled Chloe into him, and hoisted her body up over his left shoulder. He then spun around with Chloe in mid-air as she let out a high-pitched squeal of surprise.

"Oh my gosh! Chad, STOP!" Chloe yelled through her breathy laughter, as she tried to break free. "Put me down, or I swear, you will be so very sorry!" She threatened, though she continued to laugh loudly, not sounding even the slightest bit intimidating with her threats. After five full rotations with the shrieking redhead over his shoulder, the tall and solidly built man set her down on the floor. He held her arm till she had regained her balance.

"That was SO not funny you jerk," Chloe laughed, punching Chad firmly in the chest.

"Aw but you're just so easy to pick up. You're so tiny little sister." The man replied, chuckling, before shifting his attention to the small brunette woman standing next to his sister, looking mildly alarmed at the man's now intense gaze. "Speaking of tiny, I can't believe you didn't tell me you had a new girlfriend!"

Beca began to wonder if her eyes were going to permanently stay the size of saucers as she felt them widen again at the man's statement. Chad didn't seem to notice as he continued. "I thought we were closer than that, sis. I always tell you about all my newest relationships."

"And I've told you I don't need all the details of your sordid little affairs," Chloe cut in.

"I'm really hurt by that. Truly and deeply." He said in a fake offended tone, placing his hand to his chest.

"One-night stands and the women you meet at strip clubs with your buddies do not count as relationships." Chloe tossed back at her older brother. This is a game they would play; making sexual jokes and insults at the expense of themselves or the other. Both had a pretty high tolerance for embarrassment, so they would take any opportunity to try and embarrass the other with their comments or jokes in front of new people they would meet or in large public settings.

They had even set up a points system for when they managed to succeed in embarrassing the other, partly because it didn't happen that often. It was a game they began in high school, just after Chloe came out to her family that she was bisexual. Its impetus was initiated when Chad joked about Chloe being able to hook up with twice as many people as him now, and that his legacy as the ladies man of the Beale house was going to be in jeopardy. It was something Chloe appreciated about her Irish twin, him being able to joke with her like nothing had changed, despite her being attracted to both sexes. It had been a secret she held onto for almost a year, she had been worried her family would see her differently. They hadn't, and Chad was the first of her siblings to show he saw her as still the same person. She was his sister and nothing about her was different. Because there was only an eleven month age gap, they were close. Chad and Chloe really bonded over their singledom, eventually becoming constantly involved in the others' love life and sexual exploits. Their oldest brother, Charlie has been married for six years, and in the same relationship for nine, while their youngest brother Chase was still pretty young at seventeen, about to turn eighteen, and to their mother's relief, didn't have quite the sexual experience of his older siblings. So they leaned on each other, having had a lot of similar experiences up to this point.

"THAT… that is… maybe the point… NO! That is NOT the point." declared Chad as he pointed accusingly at his sister. He decided there was too much potential here, not to continue their game. "Besides, Candi with an "I" always asks about the family when we have our special time together. It's usually after her mouth is free again, but that's totally a relationship-y thing, right?" He added, grinning towards his sister while side-eying the embarrassed face of the brunette girl next to her.

"Okay, that's gross, stop being you for like two seconds. This," she said while wrapping her right arm around Beca's shoulders, "is my best friend and fellow Bella, Beca. Becs, this is one of my idiot older brothers, Chad. The biggest idiot I know."

Beca looked up at the man standing in front of her. Like his father, Chad is a pretty tall guy. Granted, anyone standing in Beca Mitchell's presence is going to look like a giant, but this guy was easily six foot five, and built like a linebacker―large muscular chest and arms, but still athletically lean. He was handsome, with soft blue eyes and a bit of scruff covering a strong jawline, and the distinctive red hair that topped Chloe and her mother.

"Best friend Beca, huh?" Chad replied, reaching a hand out to the petite woman. Beca took his large hand to shake. "Chlo, you know this is a safe space." Chad said with a mischievous smile forming on his face. "You don't have to pretend to be friends just so Mom and Dad will let you share a room, and you guys can secretly sex it up at night." He tacked on a wink for good measure, staring Beca straight in the eyes.

Beca's whole body tensed up and she began to splutter a cough as Chloe conceded to her brother's torment.

"Alright! You. Leave. Now. Get the bags from outside." Chloe is sporting a furiously deep blush as she starts pushing Chad past their younger brother, and out of the office and towards the front door, leaving a shocked and blushing brunette in her wake. "I am banning you from speaking. Ever again!" She whispered harshly when they're out of earshot from Beca.

Before Chloe could push him through the front door though, Chad abruptly turned about, not allowing himself to be easily ushered out any further. His body weight was too much for the smaller woman to continue pushing, and they came to a quick halt.

"Wait a second…" Chad said, as he noted the distinctive color in his little sister's cheeks. Realizing he had scored, he couldn't not tease her. "Is my little sister, the Chloe Beale, blushing? Did I actually embarrass you?!" Chad asked with real incredulity. His voice pitched with more giddiness than he'd ever admit.

Chloe was silent for a moment, as she futilely attempted to push him further out of the house. Finally she stopped trying, though she did smack his chest.

"YESSS! Okay, yes!" She finally responded in a harsh whisper, looking back over her shoulder towards the office where Beca was still. "Look, I've only talked about this with Mom so far, and I haven't told you yet cause… I dunno, yeah we chat about actual relationships we have, but we normally talk about hookups and flings, and all that, and this is just different for me this time."

Chloe looked up into her brother's face, steadying her breath. "But if you must know, I―uhg," she sighed. "I really like Beca. Okay?" She watched The mirth in his features. "Shut up!" She admonished, seeing the rapidly growing shit-eating grin on her brother's face. "And she doesn't know I like her, so I'd really appreciate it if you didn't say anything or make any of your normal brutish sexual comments and jokes around her about us being a thing."

Somehow she managed to plead with him via her blue eyes, even as she leveled a significant glare his way.

His teasing grin softened to a more accepting gentle one. He placed a comforting hand on his little sister's shoulder, as he conceded, "Alright sis, I promise."

"Thanks big bro," Chloe replied while giving him a quick hug.

"But that doesn't mean I won't play the big brother card and make sure she's good enough for you while you guys are here. That's my job and my birthright as your Irish twin." He whispered in her ear as they broke away from their sweet sibling moment. Chloe just smiled before heading back towards where she left Beca.

"Oh and Chlo?"

She turned back around as he continued off toward the kitchen, "That was so like 500 points."

He laughed loudly as his little sister flipped him off and turned to head back to Beca. "Get the bags you Neanderthal!"

Chloe ignored his hearty laughing as she stomped back into the house.

"I am so sorry about him. He was dropped on his head many times as a child which damaged all his social skills and higher cognitive levels of thinking."

"Yeah, totally cool. No worries." Beca replied, bobbing her head up and down like an idiot in her attempt to appear chill.

Beca was glad Chloe had stepped away for a moment so she could try and clear her head of the explicit images that entered her brain at the mention of her and Chloe having sex.

"So yeah, that Neanderthal was Chad, and this quiet one is my younger brother, Chase." She pointed her thumb over her shoulder toward the handsome teenager that was awkwardly standing there with his hands in his pockets. In all the slight chaos of the previous moment, Beca had forgotten the guy had still been standing back there in the front hall.

The introduction seemed to activate something within the tall red haired teenager. Chase stepped past his older sister and straight up to Beca, giving her his most charming grin. "Well, hello there beautiful. Can I get you anything, or be of any assistance?

Beca's eyes widened again as her eyebrows lifted high on her forehead. She bit back a laugh as she leaned slightly to her right, looking past the flirtatious boy towards Chloe, silently asking the older girl to help her out of this incredibly awkward situation.

Chloe, for her part, simultaneously tries to cover the laugh threatening to burst from her while pushing down the instant feelings of jealousy bubbling in her stomach.

Jealous of your little brother, really Chloe? Sure he's a handsome guy, a perk of those amazing Beale genes. But Beca wouldn't go for that, would she? She is less than a year older than Chase. But… No!

Chloe's briefly lost in thought as Beca continues to stare at her.

Well they are close in age, I'm sure they'd have some things in common…

NO!

Chloe quickly shook herself out of her reverie and came to her friend's rescue . "I don't think she's interested, Casanova. But you can still make yourself useful with those bags." She teased her younger brother, placing a hand on his shoulder, and nudging him out into the foyer, and toward the pile of luggage Chad had created when he brought them in from the front walk.

Grabbing for the brunette's hand, she pulled her towards the staircase. "Come on Becs, my room's this way."

As they ascended the stairs to Chloe's childhood room, she had to admit to herself, she couldn't blame the guy for trying. She wanted to do much the same when it comes to Beca.

Reaching the top of the stairs, Chloe guided Beca down a wide hall off to the right, passing a large upstairs living space containing a large couch set up near a big screen tv, a multitude of game tables, and a wet bar towards the back corner near the double doors exiting to a deck outside. They also pass an office and a full bath before turning left down a corner at the end and heading towards what Beca is assuming to be the bubbly woman's room.

"Welcome to Casa de Chloe!" The redhead said as they stepped through the doorway. It's a fairly large room painted a pale blue, with a queen sized bed situated against the wall directly across from the door. Off to the left of the room is a large bay window gazing out towards the backyard, a golden telescope standing in the back corner near a large and full bookcase. Towards the right of the room there is a door leading to what Beca assumes is the en suite bathroom and closet. A tall and wide cherrywood wardrobe stands against the wall where the door is, and a modest sized desk on the other side adorned with picture frames of a younger Chloe. It was well decorated; clean and fit for a guest room, but still with hints of the room's past occupant.

Chloe, having placed her carry-on at the foot of the bed, indicated Beca could place her computer bags down on her desk. "You can set up your laptop there."

"Really?"

"Of course, Becs. Did you think I would stop you from making your mixes. I figure you might need moments to yourself, or just want to work on your music, so the desk is yours."

"Thanks Chlo, that's really considerate of you," Beca replied with a soft smile.

"There is a fee though," Chloe admitted.

"Of course there is," Beca smirked.

"Yep," Chloe grinned as she slowly stepped into the petite brunette's personal space. "I get full access to listen to all the music you make here." She tapped Beca on the tip of her nose to emphasize her demand.

Beca's breath caught, then her eyes narrowed, as she asked, "Did you just boop my nose?"

"Yep."

"And you expect me to share my music?"

"Yep," Chloe gave a sly smile, as she locked eyes with the younger deejay. She inched even closer to the petite brunette.

With a swallow, Beca tried to come up with a good bit of snark, but there was nothing, and in the end she just squeaked, "Okay." Beca then moved out of Chloe's personal space, making a great show of studying the room.

Chloe smirked as she watched as Beca took in her childhood room and walked over to Chloe's dresser to admire a number of her old pictures. She understood she might have pressed too much after the welcoming her family had given the introverted young woman. It would be best to give her some space.

Beca ran her hand over the tops of several of the frames, giving each one a proper look before settling on one towards the end of the desk set in a simple silver frame. There were pictures of Chloe ice skating, or playing soccer, of her graduating high school. It was a picture of Chloe, no older than seven, dressed in her ice skating gear with two braided pigtails and a wide smile showing a missing front tooth. She's being lifted up in the air by what appears to be a teenage boy, Charlie, would be Beca's guess. Next to them another young boy, Chad had Chase, as a tiny toddler, flung over his shoulder facing the camera. All four siblings in one picture looked so carefree and happy. Beca can't help but smile serenely at the image. She secretly always wanted siblings such as these. She delicately placed the frame back in it's spot before immediately grabbing the one next to it.

"Oh my God!" Beca laughed out loud. She's staring at a pre-teenaged Chloe wearing what looks to be a full on nerdy doctor Halloween costume including a white lab coat with scrubs underneath, a stethoscope wrapped around her neck and thick black glasses perched on her nose. She was standing with a blonde girl wearing something similar, both girls excitedly posing in a science lab, the blonde with a handful of beakers and test tubes, the teenager Chloe laughing into the camera holding a clipboard to her chest, with one of those skeleton guys displayed next to her sporting a mustache and a sombrero. "This is seriously the cutest thing ever," Beca declared with a smirk. Chloe leans over the shorter woman's shoulder to see the picture Beca is laughing about.

"Seventh grade. They let us dress up at school for Halloween. And anyways that's nothing. You just wait Mitchell… you're in for a whole world of cuteness this week." Chloe grinned. "So, if you wanna get washed up real quick, we can head downstairs for dinner."

Beca nodded, and after placing the frame back on the desk, headed across the room to the en suite bathroom. She was truly grateful that Chloe's parents had set up Chloe with her own bathroom, it just made it a bit easier to get a bit of privacy…

Unless a certain redhead looks to have another duet…

Flashbacks of the first duet caused Beca to blush. Speeding up her pace so she could disappear into the bathroom before Chloe could notice. She had had enough teasing from a Beale for the moment.

Looking into the mirror, she was right about the blush. Running the cold water in the sink, Beca splashed a couple handfuls of water into her face.

As Beca freshened up in the en suite bathroom, Chase and Chad brought their bags into the room. Chloe chased them out before they could say anymore. She was aided by their mother who told them to head down for dinner.

With a sigh, Chloe quickly grabbed a change of clothes, then made her way to the full bath down the hall to freshen up herself.

When both women were done in the bathroom they met in Chloe's room. The redhead had changed into some more comfortable clothes, a Barden sweatshirt with matching sweatpants. She suggested Beca could get comfortable too in more casual clothes. Beca readily agreed, and went to her carryon and pulled a pair of sweats she had stashed there. Ducking back into the bathroom, Beca was gone for two minutes before she re-emerged looking way more comfortable.

With a huge smile, Chloe grabbed Beca's hand. "Are you ready?"

"For food? You bet!" Beca answered with real enthusiasm. "For round two with your family-umm-no?"

Chloe giggled, "You'll be fine." With that she pulled the younger woman out of her room, and together they headed downstairs towards the dining room.

-~Merry Pitchmas 2021~-

Notes: What do you think of Chloe's family?