Fixes
4
A/N: Alright, you can have it a day early, since some folks asked 3
Chloe's bedroom was tiny, especially with its queen-sized bed, and Beca sighed happily as they stood in the even tinier bathroom together, wearing long sleep shirts and brushing their teeth. It was incredibly domestic yet... at the same time... the space was charged with electricity, especially when their eyes met in the mirror.
"Have you been with more women or more men?" the brunette suddenly asked.
"I'm... not keeping count," Chloe shrugged. "Why?"
"Just curious." The redhead nodded and went back to brushing her teeth. Beca pointed her toothbrush at her. "But… like... if you were to guess?"
The older woman tilted her head. "Beca, does my being bisexual bother you?"
"No, of course not." Beca's tone was warm. "I really am just curious. I've never had sex with a man." She looked down and blew out a breath. "At least not voluntarily." She looked back at her girlfriend then. "So, if you were to guess?"
"Do you mean had a relationship with or just hooked up with?" Chloe asked.
"Both... either," the musician replied with a shrug.
Chloe slurped up a gob full of water, gargled it, then spat into the sink before smacking her lips and wiping them with a towel. "Hookups... more with men because historically for me, it's easier. But my more meaningful relationships were mostly with women."
"Aubrey," Beca murmured.
Chloe leaned back against the countertop and crossed her arms, trapping the towel against her chest. "No... well... Aubrey and I did sleep together but... we kind of found out after a few weeks being in a relationship, that we drive each other insane. She's totes anal and I'm too laid back for her. We work really well as friends though." She shrugged then. "Besides, I think she really prefers men. She's dating a guy now."
"Mmm..." Beca replied. She rinsed out her mouth and then wiped it on the end of the towel peeking out of the older woman's arms.
"Have you ever been in love?" the redhead asked.
The brunette thought about that for a moment and she couldn't help but compare what she was feeling for Chloe, something that she wasn't willing to name yet, to other women she'd been with. "No, I don't think so," she said softly. "My last relationship was kind of a disaster. It took me about a year to get over that. And then the assault happened. I've been single for about three years now."
"I have too. I mean from a relationship perspective." The redhead played with the end of the towel in her hands and then hung it back up. "I didn't really expect to meet someone here so soon, let alone..." She stopped and swallowed. "Anyway, ready for bed?"
"Yeah," Beca replied, taking the older woman's hand and tugging on it. "Which side of the bed do you actually prefer?"
"I'm kind of a center sleeper. I've been told I starfish," the redhead grinned.
"You do actually," the musician laughed. "It seems you have two sleeping states. Limpet or starfish."
They climbed into the bed and settled under the covers. It took Chloe exactly four seconds to gravitate to Beca and spoon against her. "Hmmm... I see what you mean," she said with a little grin. Then she reached over to turn the light off and the room was plunged into dimness.
Beca squirmed a little to get comfortable and then closed her eyes, trying to relax, but the proximity of her girlfriend's warmth shot warmth of another kind through her. "Chloe?" she whispered after a few moments of warring with herself.
"Mmmm?"
"Do you think you could..." She swallowed, suddenly anxious. "Uh... actually… never mind."
There was quiet for a moment and then Chloe kissed her neck. "Whatever it is you need, Sweetheart, just ask."
"Could you... um..." Beca rolled her eyes at herself, then forced the words out. "Touch me please?"
The older woman smiled softly. "I'd love to. I just didn't want to push you into something you weren't ready for."
Beca turned over to face her girlfriend and cupped her cheek, gazing into her blue eyes. "Chloe, I don't want you to think I'm using you. It's just... you're the only person I feel comfortable enough to try this with. You're completely within your rights to say no if..."
But Chloe lips were suddenly on hers, kissing her insistently. "I want to touch you so badly, it's killing me," she whispered in reply as she eased back. "Close your eyes and relax, ok? And tell me the moment you want me to stop."
"Ok," the younger woman breathed. Then she sucked in a breath as her girlfriend's fingertips trailed down her cheek to her neck and their lips connected again. Chloe was so gentle, one hand curled around the back of Beca's neck with fingertips scratching into her hair, while the other trailed downwards to trace delicate collarbones as she nipped and sucked at Beca's lips, dragging a soft moan from her.
"Why is making out with you better than with anyone else?" the vet asked quietly. Beca knew it was a rhetorical question and her lips lifted in a little smile. "Can I touch your boobs, Becs? Cos, I really, really want to."
New heat moved through Beca's body, and she murmured a yes as the hand slowly caressing her chest slid lower to softly cup her breast and squeeze. She gasped as Chloe lightly pinched her nipple and kissed her again, sucking gently on her tongue, then pinching a little harder.
A flash of terrifying memory suddenly made Beca freeze, her hand moving then to capture Chloe's wrist and stop her but this time, the older woman didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned a little closer to murmur in her girlfriend's ear. "It's me, Beca," she said. "It's Chloe."
Chloe," the brunette whispered, and after a moment, she let go of the redhead's hand, caressing it instead as the memory began to fade away.
"You're so beautiful," the vet smiled. She kissed her girlfriend again, letting her hand explore a little more and loving the little whine that escaped the brunette's throat. "So soft and sexy." Beca was trembling and she arched her back, pressing her chest harder into Chloe's hand. "Mmmm... would it be ok if I touched you under your shirt?"
A sudden burst of bravery and overwhelming desire made Beca lift herself and pull her shirt off over her head, leaving her naked from the waist up. "Will this work?" she asked in a sultry tone as she lay back down.
"OhmyGodyou'resohot," Chloe gasped out and before she could stop herself, she eased the younger woman onto her back, hovering above her on her knees and capturing both breasts in her hands. She eased her thigh between the younger woman's and lightly pressed against her. She didn't try to bear down; didn't try to trap Beca underneath her and instead, let her set her own pace. She could feel through the younger woman's underwear, how wet she was against her bare thigh.
Beca's eyes were wide, and she swallowed as she just let the anxiety roll over her. "It's Chloe," she murmured as her dark blue eyes met Chloe's light blue. "It's Chloe."
"It's just me," Chloe moaned. "God, Beca, you're so incredible." They kissed again, Beca's hands clenching into Chloe's hair and pulling the vet fully down on top of her. Her chest was heaving, her hips lifting to grind her core into her girlfriend's thigh as Chloe caressed and rolled and pinched her nipples... but when the redhead's mouth suddenly replaced her hand on one breast, the suction felt so amazing it was enough to drive Beca to the edge and she stiffened, body tensing like a bowstring. Chloe sensed it and moved up to murmur into her ear. "Take what you need, Baby. I want you to come for me." With a series of rough thrusts into Chloe's thigh, Beca came hard, crying out and then groaning through her girlfriend's name. And then she was crying softly as the waves subsided and Chloe eased over to lie on her side and gather Beca into her arms, kissing her forehead and murmuring sweet reassurances into her ear. As the younger woman calmed and hummed softly in contentment, Chloe grinned happily. "Damn, I'm good."
Beca laughed, shoving playfully against her shoulder. "Cocky, Doctor Beale. But yeah, Dude, you really are."
They laughed together and then slowly sobered, just gazing at each other. "Are you ok?" the vet asked softly.
The musician leaned closer to kiss her girlfriend's lips. "I feel like I can breathe again," she whispered.
And Chloe just smiled.
Xx
Beca was lying awake, had been for a short while, with Chloe wrapped around her, fast asleep in the center of the bed. She felt slightly guilty since, after having experienced one of the best orgasms of her life, she'd fallen asleep without reciprocating, leaving Chloe, she was sure, hot and bothered. A half-smile came to her face, and she suddenly wondered if her girlfriend liked being woken up for sex. Then she chuckled to herself. As much as Chloe loved intimacy, it was probably something she'd welcome. Only one way to find out though.
So, Beca eased over to face the older woman, taking a moment to watch her face as she slept. Chloe always had a slight smile to her face, as if she was having amazing dreams, and it made the brunette's heart swell for her. She closed her eyes, suddenly confused. She'd known Chloe barely four days. She couldn't be in love with her... could she? Beca decided to put that away for further thought later and instead, flicked her tongue against the redhead's lips, then kissed them gently.
Chloe frowned adorably in her sleep and sighed softly, so Beca did it again, then licked slowly along the seam of her lips. The redhead was still wearing her shirt, so the musician cupped her breast through it, running her thumb gently over the nipple as she kissed her again.
"Mmmm..." A little, dopey smile rose to Chloe's face as she stirred. "Someone's eager for another round," she murmured sleepily.
"Actually," Beca replied, a husky tone to her voice. "Someone's eager to make YOU come, Doctor Beale."
"Oh really?" The vet's smile was bigger now.
"Really," the musician whispered as she eased Chloe's shirt up and captured her breast in her mouth, running her tongue slowly around her nipple and then suckling gently on it.
The vet hissed and her hips jerked. "God, Beca."
The brunette got onto her knees, easing Chloe onto her back and then encouraging her to sit forward so she could take her shirt off. The older woman lifted her arms and, as the t-shirt cleared her head, her hair cascaded in waves down her chest. For a moment, Beca was speechless at the beauty before her. Light blue, passion-filled eyes gazed up at her and then Chloe moaned softly as she cupped her own breasts and caressed them, knowing exactly what it would do to her girlfriend.
"Nuh uh, mine, Doctor Beale," the musician whispered. She moved one knee between Chloe's thighs and then eased down onto her, holding her hips as she kissed and licked her way down the older woman's chest. The redhead's hand was between Beca's shoulder blades, blunt nails scratching aimlessly, and Chloe shivered as her girlfriend's mouth moved lower to kiss her stomach and playfully nibble around her navel. Beca realized she'd found one of the vet's sensitive spots when Chloe moaned and her hips lifted, seeking some way to relieve the sudden, insistent throbbing between her thighs. "Beca…" she groaned. "Fuck."
Beca suckled on Chloe's breast again as she let her hand roam further south, easing it between the vet's thighs and closing her eyes as she felt the warm, wet material against her fingertips. "Is this ok?" she asked softly.
"Mmm… please," the older woman replied, hips chasing Beca's fingers. She was almost delirious with need, and she leaned up to kiss her girlfriend, locking her fingers into her hair. "Please, Beca," she groaned against her lips.
"Lift," the musician whispered, and Chloe nodded, lifting her lower body off the bed so Beca could slide her underwear down and off.
It was a lot and Beca took a moment to just breathe. She wasn't scared, she wasn't feeling anxious, she just wanted to savor the moment but her girlfriend, always so kind, just cupped her cheek. "It's ok if you need to stop," she said.
"Not a chance, Chlo," the musician laughed softly. "I'm not that cruel."
The redhead grinned and then bit her bottom lip as Beca's fingertips barely skimmed through her warmth. "Ungh…"
"Or maybe I am," the younger woman cackled as she barely brushed her folds again, making her girlfriend roll her eyes.
"Spontaneous combustion is a real thing, Becs," Chloe deadpanned.
"Mmmm…" the brunette replied. "We certainly wouldn't want that to happen, would we?" She didn't wait for an answer and instead, leaned down to kiss her girlfriend deeply as she slid her fingertips into her wetness, moaning softly at the sensation. Chloe forgot what she was doing for a moment and her mouth fell open as a loud groan escaped her. Beca chuckled, peppering her face and lips with little kisses before moving back to suckle and worry her nipple, and gently push two fingers inside her.
Chloe gasped and her hips lifted off the bed again. "Beca…" she whispered, her eyes closed as the brunette withdrew and then pushed into her again. "Oh God…" Her fingers tangled in her girlfriend's hair as she bit her bottom lip again. Beca's fingers eased back and slowly wandered up and down her lover's inner thighs before returning to slide into her again.
"I want to taste you," the brunette murmured. "May I?"
Chloe nodded enthusiastically and grinned as Beca left a final kiss on her breast and slid lower. She opened her thighs wider and felt the younger woman part her soaked folds to place a gentle kiss on her clit. Then she circled it slowly with her tongue. Chloe shuddered as Beca's tongue traced little shapes through her folds. The vet's moans were constant now and the musician realized that what she really wanted was for this gorgeous, amazing, kind woman to come undone around her fingers. So, she pushed inside her again as she kissed her intimately, flicking her tongue against her clit and then suckling on it.
"Beca," Chloe gasped. "For someone who hasn't done this in a while, you sure haven't lost your touch."
"Thank you for the compliment," Beca replied softly. "But you can reward me by coming for me."
The vet's eyes slid closed, and she nodded. "I'm already so close, Becs. It's not going to take…" But Beca suddenly doubled down, sucking hard and thrusting her fingers harder and faster. "FUCK!" Chloe exclaimed. "Oh shit… Bec… don't st… fuck… FUCK!" And the older woman came with a cry that echoed around the bedroom as her back arched off the bed. "BECA!"
The musician eased her girlfriend through the waves as her body convulsed and shuddered. Then Chloe just collapsed back onto the mattress, arms resting on the pillow above her head and chest heaving.
Beca kissed her way up her body and just settled on top of her, pressing her ear to the redhead's chest and hearing the thundering of her heart subside as she gently caressed her damp skin. Chloe blew out a long breath as her brain booted back up and she started laughing. "Now I know what you meant," she said, as her arms closed around her girlfriend.
"About what?" Beca smiled.
"I feel like I can breathe again."
Xx
The next three weeks were a whirlwind for Beca and Chloe. The musician got three solid demos recorded for her commitment to Disney Pixar. She sang and played on them, of course, since the actual cast wouldn't hear them until they were approved and finished.
Chloe's rotation had moved to nights so, while she was a lot less busy at work, she didn't get to sleep with Beca. But still, they managed to get together often, mostly when Chloe stopped by in the evening on her way to work. It just so happened that one evening, she came by just after five, while Beca was in her therapy check in with Elise.
"Sorry, Elise," the brunette said. "Let me just see who's at the door."
"Sure," the older woman replied, leaning back in her chair and chewing on her pen. Then she sat forward again as, through the video, she saw her client share a kiss with a stunning redhead, then drag her across the apartment by the hand.
"Elise, this is Chloe," Beca said, smiling broadly.
"I'm so sorry to interrupt," the vet said shaking her head as she ducked to peer into the camera. "This is personal time. I should go."
"Actually, Chloe," the therapist said. "It's really so nice to meet you. To put a face with the name, as it were."
"Oh…" Chloe chuckled softly. "Yeah, for me too. Beca talks about you a lot. You sound like an amazing therapist."
Elise's smile broadened. "And you sound like an amazing girlfriend."
Beca was smiling as she kissed her girlfriend's cheek. "She's a keeper, huh?"
"That, she is," the therapist nodded. "I've never seen Beca as happy as when she's been with you."
The redhead blushed and she caressed Beca's cheek very gently. "I'm happy too."
"Ok," Elise said, watching them gaze into each other's eyes and knowing she wasn't getting her client back. "That's today's check-in done. See you tomorrow, Beca."
"Bye," the brunette replied absently and just before the therapist disconnected the video call, she saw their lips meet passionately.
"Awww," she whispered, shaking her head. "Young love."
Xx
"This is kind of exciting," Chloe said as she walked hand in hand with Beca through the airport terminal toward their gate. Thanksgiving was the next day and they were both looking forward to just stuffing their faces and chilling together in Chloe's childhood home in Tampa, Florida. "Being able to introduce you to my family, I mean."
"You miss them," Beca said with a smile. "Wish I could say the same about mine, except for Bella that is. I hate leaving her with a sitter. I already miss her so much."
"I know," the redhead nodded. "And yeah, I do miss mine. Especially the little ones. The older ones are a bit annoying sometimes." She rolled her eyes playfully. "But I guess I miss them too."
"So, how many will be there?" Beca asked.
"I spoke to my mom yesterday and she said it's a reduced crowd this year. Most of my adult siblings are in long term relationships and two of them don't live in Florida at all now. There tends to be on/off years when they go to their partner's families too, so all said, I think it'll just be mostly my two youngest brothers and sister. So, it'll be Melissa, she's sixteen, Mark, who's ten and Jack who's seven."
Beca nodded, tugging on Chloe's hand as she spotted their gate and adjusted their direction. She took a moment then to gaze at her girlfriend as she took a seat in the waiting area and set her bag on the floor. The older woman looked adorable, in cutoff denim shorts, a green tank top and Adidas sneakers. Her red hair was pulled up into a ponytail and she was makeup free except for a light pink lip. The musician suddenly had an urge to climb into her lap to make out with her.
The lascivious thoughts must have been on Beca's face though, because Chloe smirked sexily, also eying the brunette's shorts, V-neck shirt and the slightly heeled sandals that somehow seemed extra-sexy on her. "I like what's obviously going through your mind right now, Becs," she said. "But remember, we're in public and you're famous. Wouldn't want that splashed all over the front page of the tabloids, right?"
Beca chuckled. "I'm a far cry from famous," she replied. "Besides, even if I was, I totally think it'd be worth it."
A beaming smile lit Chloe's face and she tugged her girlfriend into the seat beside her, leaning over to drop a chaste kiss on her cheek and then rubbing away the lipstick mark. "Later. I promise."
The wait at the airport and the direct flight to Orlando were uneventful and Chloe had arranged for her dad to pick them up and drive them the hour home. But to her surprise, her mom was also at the airport waiting for them and Chloe grinned broadly as she kissed Beca's knuckles and then let her go to jog to her parents and hug them hard.
Beca smiled too as she strolled up to them and set her bag down on the floor next to her girlfriend's. "Hi," she said, a little nervously.
Chloe's smile seemed to grow even wider as she wrapped her arm around Beca's waist and kissed her temple. "Mom, Dad, this is my girlfriend, Beca Mitchell. Beca... Tom and Maureen Beale, my parents obviously."
"Mr. And Mrs. Beale, it's great to meet you," Beca said with a smile. "Chloe's told me a lot about you."
"Oh, call us Tom and Mo," Tom replied with a warm smile. "You're part of the family now, Beca."
And then, to the brunette's utter shock, Mo stepped forward and stole her from Chloe to hug her. Beca froze and a little sound escaped her but then she felt Chloe's hand on her shoulder, caressing gently and she relaxed a little.
"Hey, Mom?" the vet said gently. "Remember what I said about grabbing Beca like that?"
Mo opened her mouth to apologize but Beca just shook her head. "No," she said with a smile as she eased back from the hug. "Actually, it's ok, Chlo. I don't want to miss out on any amazing Beale hugs."
Mo and Tom watched as their daughter practically melted in front of their eyes and she lifted her hand to brush her knuckles against her girlfriend's cheek. "Ok then," she murmured, light blue eyes infinitely soft.
The Beales exchanged a knowing look, then Tom bent to pick up both bags. "Let's get going, shall we," he rumbled, his deep voice making Beca smile again. He reminded her of her own dad a little. "Mark and Jack have been vibrating with excitement all day about seeing you."
"How's Mel?" Chloe asked, tangling her fingers with her girlfriend's as they all strolled together toward the parking lot.
"Still in her everything's meh phase," Mo replied. "But I know she's excited to see you, Chloe. Even if she doesn't show it."
Chloe chuckled. "Mel's the black sheep of the family, Beca," she said. "Or at least she thinks so. But she's sixteen soooo..." She shrugged and laughed a little.
"Totally get it," the brunette replied. "I was so that girl when I was sixteen."
"You should talk to her, Chloe," Mo said thoughtfully. "I mean... technically... you're almost old enough to be her mother, and she does look up to you."
Chloe blinked and then shook her head. "Um... I think I'd rather just be her big sister, thanks."
Beca looked at her girlfriend. "Am I getting the sense that... you... you don't want kids?" she asked.
"Oh no... I totes want kids at some point," Chloe grinned. "I'm just not ready to start practicing for it yet."
For some reason, Beca was greatly relieved that Chloe wanted a family. Then she felt slightly weirded out by the feeling. But then Mo was taking her attention away from THAT subject.
"Beca, Chloe said you're a musician. What kind?"
"Oh, well, I guess you could say I'm a composer. I score movies and write songs where needed."
"Cool," Tom replied, face lighting up. "Have you scored anything I might know?"
Beca rattled off a list, some of which even surprised her girlfriend. "Beca, that's incredible," Chloe breathed.
"Indeed," Tom agreed. "And I've seen a lot of them. Are you working on something now?"
"I am, actually," the brunette nodded. "I'm working on three songs for a Disney Pixar animated movie."
Chloe's parents were suitably impressed with that. Then Mo looked at her daughter. "And how about you, Baby Girl? You still like the new practice?"
"I really do," the redhead replied enthusiastically. "They've been so warm and welcoming and having Aubrey there too is a huge bonus."
"Chlo, do you think you could take a look at Duke while you're here?" Tom asked. "He's getting old and I'm a bit worried about him."
"Of course," the vet replied. "Poor Duke. He's getting on alright."
"Duke?" Beca asked, eyebrows raised.
"Oh... Duke's our golden retriever," Mo said. "He's sixteen. We got him the same week Melissa was born. They grew up together."
"Awww sweet," Beca replied with a smile. "I love dogs. I can't wait to meet him."
Tom and Mo beamed at her, and Beca, who could see Chloe in their faces, knew they were going to get along famously.
She felt Chloe squeeze her hand and the taller woman leaned in to whisper in her ear. "They love you already... and so do I."
Beca blinked and just gazed at her girlfriend's smiling face. She swallowed hard and then just nodded. She hadn't been ready for that. At all.
Not at all.
Xx
The car ride to the Beale family's home took about an hour. It was much closer to Tampa than Orlando, and Beca found herself enjoying the ride. She let the chatter roll over her, and it gave her a moment to think about what Chloe had said and to wonder what she'd meant. Sure, Chloe was very loving. She told Aubrey she loved her all the time so, it tracked that she'd say the same to Beca, right?
They'd been together four weeks now. ONLY four weeks, so it couldn't mean anything else, right? Right. No other explanation. Yet, in the back of the brunette's mind, niggling at her, was the memory of the adoring looks, the loving touches and endless kindness Chloe always gave her. Beca had tried to reciprocate with little caring things like dropping off coffee and cake pops for Chloe when she knew she was so busy with surgeries that she wouldn't be able to get out herself. And going back to buy her the shirt she was currently wearing after they'd seen it in a store window as they were rushing by.
Those two events alone had led to heated make out sessions in Chloe's office and in the alley behind the practice. THAT one had almost led to sex, standing against the wall. Chloe had totally been into it, but Beca had pumped the breaks with a little frown and a gentle shove against her girlfriend's chest. It had only taken a moment for Chloe to realize that Beca wasn't fond of alleys these days.
But, apart from kissing and an indecent amount of eye-fucking, they still hadn't had sex since their first time. Beca certainly hoped that situation would change soon.
"Beca?" The brunette felt a squeeze against her hand, and she looked at her girlfriend.
"I'm sorry, I zoned out there for a sex... I mean... sec... what did I miss?"
Her cheeks were rosy, and the redhead grinned knowingly. "I asked if you wanted to go out this evening or stay in?"
"Oh..." the musician took a breath to regain her composure. "I honestly don't mind, Babe. Whatever you want to do is fine with me." She paused then. "Actually... maybe we could take your brothers and sister out? Give your mom and dad some time alone for a date night?"
Chloe's face softened and she nodded. "That's a really great idea," she said. "Mom, Dad, how about you guys take some time to yourself while we take the kids out."
"Thanks, Ladies," Tom replied. "I think I'd really like to take my wife out to wine and dine her."
"Cool," the brunette agreed. "Where around here is fun for the kids?"
The vet thought about that for a moment. "Mom, can we take your car please? I'm thinking we could take the kids to that new fun center with the bounce house and bowling alley."
Mo laughed softly. "Of course, and I think that'll be just the perfect amount of meh for Mel too."
Chloe snorted a laugh. "She thinks she's all grown up but she has no idea how fu... um... flippin' hard life can be."
Beca had to agree. At twenty-eight, she'd experienced more than enough of life's challenges and somehow, she sensed that Chloe had too. Even though she hadn't mentioned anything specific.
"Have you spoken with Maura lately?" Mo asked and, to the musician's surprise, Chloe's face darkened considerably.
"No," she said simply, looking out the window at the scenery speeding by.
Beca saw her throat bob in a deep swallow and on impulse, squeezed her hand and laid her head on the vet's shoulder.
"Do you think that maybe you could reach..."
"No," Chloe said again.
Mo sighed, but let it go.
Xx
"Holy guacamole!" Chloe exclaimed as she swept her little brothers up into her arms. "You guys are getting SO BIG! Like MOUNTAINOUSLY BIG! Have you been eating whole anvils of iron?!" She tickled them both, making them laugh hysterically.
Beca laughed softly as she watched the boys squirm and try to get away from their big sister. "Stoppit, Chlocifer!" the taller of the two giggled.
"Jeez, Chlo, you're so extra!" another voice called out. "You saw them over video chat, like yesterday."
"Shut up, Melissa!" the smaller of the two boys yelled and the girl rolled her eyes as she strolled down off the porch. To Beca's surprise, Melissa stopped in front of her, looking her up and down. "So, you're the current girlfriend, huh?"
Dark blue eyes blinked. "I am," the musician replied. "Beca Mitchell. You must be Melissa."
"Guilty," the girl shrugged, giving Beca another raking look. "And you're exceptionally hot. My sister has apparently developed some taste since moving to L.A."
Beca blinked again. "Thank you?" she replied uncertainly. She glanced over at Chloe who was watching the exchange with concern and quickly set the boys down to jog to her.
"Hi Mel," she said, hugging her sister. "I see you met Beca."
"Yeah..." the girl replied as she turned on her heel to walk back to the house. "Let me know when you're done with this one, Sis. I'll take her."
Chloe's face sobered significantly, and she took a step to go after her sister, but Beca grabbed her arm. "Chlo, wait," she said. "Hold on."
"She can't say things like that," the vet stated angrily. "That was rude and disrespectful."
"Honey," the younger woman said quietly. "Take a step back for a second. Did you know she likes women?"
"Uh..." The redhead shook her head slowly. "Actually no."
"Then she might have just come out to you in the only way she knew how."
Chloe blinked, her eyebrows lifting in surprise. "Wow," she murmured. Then she cupped Beca's face between her hands and kissed her. "Thanks, Becs," A short distance away, Mark and Jack started whistling and catcalling. The vet laughed softly and slid her hand down Beca's arm to grasp her fingers. "Come meet the boys."
And the only word the brunette could use to describe the boys was adorable, because once she reached them, they both suddenly turned shy. "Hi, Guys," she said, hugging one, then the other. "It's so great to meet you. Chloe has told me all about how amazing you are. Mark, you're a gamer, right? What's your favorite game?" She listened with a smile on her face as he enthusiastically told her about his favorite game and all his stats. "Epic. And Jack, you're into comics, right?"
"Yeah, Superman and Batman," the seven-year-old replied. "The Joker is my favorite villain."
"I'm kind of partial to Harvey Two Face myself," the musician replied. "I like how indecisive he is. Reminds me of myself a little." She laughed softly as she felt Chloe's arms come around her and she leaned back into her as she swayed them.
"You're really pretty," Jack said shyly, and Mark elbowed him.
"Dude, you're not supposed to say stuff like that to girls," he hissed.
"Actually," Chloe said. "It's ok to SAY nice stuff to girls. You just shouldn't TOUCH them without permission, ok?"
"And thank you, Jack. That's very sweet of you," Beca added.
Chloe winked at him. "I think she's really pretty too, Bud."
Beca felt an indescribable emotion roll over her as she looked at the three redheaded siblings, one of whom was holding her so close, and tears of gratitude welled in her eyes. "I... uh... I could use some water, Chlo," she said, voice slightly choked.
The vet kissed her temple and nodded as she glanced over at her parents, who were standing in front of a flower bed talking. "Hey, Guys, can you take mine and Beca's bags up to my room please? They're in the trunk of Dad's car."
"Sure!" Mark exclaimed and he and Jack took off running toward the SUV.
"They're so wonderful, Chloe," Beca said as they walked hand in hand toward the house.
"They're good kids," the vet agreed. She led Beca into the kitchen and got her a bottle of water out of the refrigerator, then waited as she gulped down two-thirds of it. "Becs, are you ok?"
"Yeah," the musician nodded. "Just a little overwhelmed by how amazing your family is."
Chloe smiled. "They can be just as infuriating as amazing," she chuckled. Then she tilted her head. "Thanks for stopping me going after Melissa. My judgement was a little clouded there for a moment."
"Just experience," the brunette shrugged. "I remember what it was like figuring stuff out at that age. Plus..." Beca stepped closer to her girlfriend, putting her hands on her hips. "I get the feeling that what your mom asked you in the car kind of threw you. I'm here if you want to talk about it."
The redhead blew out a long breath. "Thanks... and yeah, it did." She changed the subject then. "So, is it ok if I get you settled in our room and let you relax, while I go talk to Melissa?"
"Of course, Babe," the younger woman replied.
Chloe led them upstairs and to a room that, when she pushed the door open, made Beca suck in a happy breath. It was a light and airy space with a large bed covered in stuffed animals and throw pillows. "Beca," Chloe deadpanned. "These are my friends, The Stuffies."
"Awwww..." Beca laughed softly. "So cute."
The vet rolled her eyes. "As you can probably tell, my mother loves to embarrass me." She went to the bed and gathered up the toys, then tossed them carelessly into the walk-in closet making Beca laugh again.
Their bags were sitting on the bed too, so the brunette went to her girlfriend to kiss her gently on the lips. "Go," she said softly. "It's probably eating her alive."
"Yeah," Chloe replied. "It probably is." She nodded and with a grateful smile to her girlfriend, went to find her little sister.
