Fixes
13
A/N: Hi Friends, I actually loved writing this chapter but just a warning for a little bit of darkness at the end and thoughts of rape.
"Ok, Beca Mitchell, the contract is fully signed and you're officially under deadline." Benji grinned as he held up a champagne flute and clinked it against his friend's. "Cheers!"
"Cheers," Beca replied with a smile, then took a sip. "Thanks again, Benji, for getting it closed."
The man crossed his legs and gazed at her. "So, only a week to the Oscars. Nervous? Dress all ready?"
"Yeah, everything's ready," the musician replied thoughtfully. "Imagine if I won? I mean… I'm not going to… but imagine if I did."
Her agent tilted his head curiously. "Why do you assume you're not going to win?"
"Benjamin, look at who I'm up against! The other nominees are top of their game!" Beca laughed softly. "I'm just a blow-in compared to them."
Benji tutted softly. "Beca, just because you're more of a newcomer doesn't mean you're less deserving of your place. You have crazy talent, and the Academy has chosen to recognize that. Even if you don't win, you've made it to somewhere other people can only dream of going."
Beca nodded slowly. "I guess you're right. It just seems so surreal. If they call my name, I'm not sure my knees will hold me up on the walk to the stage."
"Well, if JLaw can take a nosedive and live through it, so can you!"
The musician laughed softly. "She's so funny… and so sweet."
Just then, Beca's phone rang, and she fished it out of her bag to look at the screen, her face immediately lighting up when she saw Chloe's picture. "Excuse me, Benji. Hey, Babe."
"Hey, Becs. It's quiet today so I'm leaving work a little early. Want me to get something for dinner?"
"Actually," Beca replied with a grin. "The contract is fully signed, and I want to do something to celebrate, this evening."
"Sounds great! Should I dress up?"
"No," Beca smiled. "Let's keep it casual. I have something in mind that I think you'll enjoy."
"Ok, Baby. When will you be home?"
"I'm leaving Benji's office shortly, so… about thirty minutes, I guess?"
"See you then!"
"Seeya, Honey."
The musician dropped her phone back into her bag and then got up, immediately accepting a hug from her agent. "I'll see you at the Oscars, Sir."
"Not if I see you first!" Benji replied. "Bye, Beca."
The drive back to her apartment was filled with plotting and planning and by the time she'd arrived, she'd picked up their dinner and knew exactly what she was going to do for Chloe. She had pretty epic plans.
The musician turned on the shower to wash away the stress of the day. Meyers was still at large but Beca was doing her best to keep looking forward and to keep the anxiety at bay. Of course, the little treats, massages and more intimate playtime with Chloe was REALLY helping.
Beca grinned as the shower door opened and the lady in question slid in behind her, wrapping her up in a hug and kissing her neck as the water cascaded down over them.
"Hi, Beautiful," Chloe grinned. "How was your day?"
"Better now that you're here," the brunette replied, turning in her fiancée's arms to kiss her. "But overall, pretty good. How about yours?" The grin that split the vet's face made Beca laugh softly. "Let me guess… either Hecthare or the chinchilla was back for a checkup?"
"No, actually. I made a new friend today and… um… well… I think she might want to come home with me." Chloe poured some shampoo out into her hand and began washing Beca's hair. "How do you feel about snakes?"
Dark blue eyes lifted and widened comically. "No fucking way, Doctor Beale! I'm NOT having a snake in this apartment!"
The redhead pouted and huffed out a breath. Then she grinned again. "Good thing she isn't a snake then! HA!"
Beca sighed, shaking her head. "I see what you did there. Whatever it is couldn't possibly sound as bad as a snake now, right?"
Chloe ignored that and rinsed the soap out of her lover's locks. "She's a kitten, Becs! A wittle, itty-bitty, wittle kitty-witty!" she exclaimed instead.
Beca's eyebrows lifted this time. "Ok… that's over the top, even for you."
The vet chuckled as she relented. "Sorry. She's a three-month-old kitten. I had to amputate her front right leg today because she was run over by a car. She needs a home and I thought Bella might like a sister."
Beca considered that for a moment. "Bella might eat her new sister but ok."
Chloe's movements paused. "Ok… like… yes, ok?"
The musician laughed softly. "Yes, Chloe. The answer is yes."
"Wow," the redhead murmured. "I thought you'd take more convincing."
Beca poked her belly and laughed again. "Jeez, Chlo. I'm not a monster. I'm not going to turn down giving a home to a wittle kitty-witty." She imitated her lover's tone and pitch.
"You're right. That does sound weird," Chloe said, wincing and rubbing her ear. "Anyway, that's awesome, Becs. Thanks."
Beca grabbed some soap and squirted it into her hand, going to work on washing the firm breasts and toned stomach in front of her. "What will we call her?"
"Um…" Chloe bit her bottom lip sheepishly.
"You already named her?" the brunette accused indignantly. "Without me?" She tweaked a nipple, making her lover swat at her hands.
"Yes… NO! Well, technically Aubrey named her. We had to call her something and it kinda… stuck."
"And what is it… pray tell?"
"Aubrey called her Battle Cat… because she survived her battle against a car. It suits her. She's scrappy." Chloe held her breath and waited.
"You know…" Beca said slowly, then smiled widely. "I love it."
The vet hugged her close. "Good. Me too. She'll be in recovery for a few days, but I'll let you know when she's ready to come home."
"Sounds great," Beca replied. "Now… who's going to break the news to Bella that she's no longer an only child?"
Chloe just looked at the ceiling and whistled innocently.
Xx
"So where are we going?" Chloe asked as she basked in the evening sun. Beca had her BMW's top down and the wind tossed their hair as they sped along the highway.
"I have a surprise for you," the musician replied with a wink.
"Oh yeah?" the redhead asked, eyes twinkling. "I love surprises!"
"I know you do, Baby." Beca looked over the top of her sunglasses and admired the glow of her fiancée's skin. Chloe's naturally pale complexion burned easily, and she took care to wear a light sunblock on her face under her makeup every day. As a result, she had a healthy-looking, but not over-the-top tan and every single day, she was the most beautiful woman Beca had ever seen.
"Beca?"
"Hmmm?"
The vet's face was a big smirk. "Are you going to tell me what the surprise is or just keep undressing me with your eyes?"
"Oh… right, sorry." The musician focused her eyes back on the road and her thoughts back on her surprise. She cleared her throat gently. "So… we talked about moving, right?"
The vet nodded, her lips lifting into a little smile this time. "Right."
"Well, since we decided to postpone the wedding a little, I thought we could go ahead and look at properties, so I contacted a friend of mine, who's a realtor, and asked her to put together some beachfront options for us."
"Cool," Chloe grinned. "Go on."
"I gave her the wish list we talked about over dinner, and this morning, she sent me an option that I think you might like. I called her this afternoon and she was able to get us a showing for this evening. She seems to think it's going to sell fast."
"Wow, that's awesome," the vet replied enthusiastically. "Does it have a pool?"
"It does… a pretty big one apparently." Beca took an exit off the highway and followed it down to a set of traffic lights. She made a left turn, then followed the road until the beach appeared in front of them. Then she took another left and slowly guided the car along a palm tree lined street.
"Wow, this looks really nice," Chloe said, her head turning back and forth as she looked at the houses. "Fuck, Bec, can we afford this neighb…" She chuckled then and shook her head at her lover's raised eyebrow. "Never mind."
Beca checked the house numbers and then pulled over. "It's this one."
"Holy shit," Chloe breathed as she slowly got out of the car.
The house was huge, surrounded by a high wall, and it had its own electric gate with keypad and camera. Chloe pressed her face to the bars of the gate and sucked in a breath. The house was two stories but was sitting on top of what she thought was a five or six car garage, their doors positioned to the side of the structure. There was a set of wide stone steps leading up to a wraparound deck that encircled the entire home and Chloe could only imagine how spectacular the view of the ocean would be from the rear of the building. The house itself was sturdily built, finished with white-painted wooden siding and lots of floor to ceiling windows.
"It's stunning, isn't it?" Beca breathed.
Chloe nodded dumbly as her eyes roamed over the landscaping and pebbled driveway. "Wow."
Just then, a car horn sounded as a white Camaro pulled up next to them. "What up, Beca Mitcheeeeeell!" a voice Chloe didn't recognize yelled.
A woman in a low-cut blouse, short black skirt and six-inch heels got out of the car and tottered over to share air kisses with the musician and Chloe couldn't help but smile as they hugged hard. Then Beca eased back and looked at Chloe.
"Babe, this is Stacie. We're old friends from college. "Stace, this is Doctor Chloe Beale, my fiancée."
Stacie perched her hands on her hips and grinned as she looked Chloe up and down. "Fuck me, Beca. You told me she was beautiful. You never told me she was STUNNING."
Chloe blushed a little and held out her hand. "Thank you. And nice to meet you, Stacie."
"Likewise," the realtor replied. "Now, this house... Ladies, it's da bomb and it's going to sell quickly, trust me. Let's get you inside. I'm totally thinking we'll be making an offer after you see it."
"But…" Chloe blinked at her lover. "We need to find a place for a practice first…"
"Oh, trust me," Beca smiled widely. "This is JUST what we're looking for, Babe."
The vet looked skeptical for a moment but just nodded and took the brunette's hand to join their realtor on the walk up the driveway.
They didn't notice the dark sedan with the tinted windows that slowly stopped outside, nor the pair of hard brown eyes that watched them as they strolled hand in hand up the steps to the home.
Xx
"I'm not sure what I love the most," Beca said as she wandered the property with Chloe. Stacie had let them inside, given them a quick overview and then shooed them away to look around themselves.
"Well, the entertainment space and pool outside is pretty epic," Chloe grinned. "But so is the master bedroom... and that bathroom... fuck me, we could have a party in the shower!"
"If that's what you're into," the musician teased, tugging on her lover's hand a little. "So, you like it?"
"God, Beca, I love it," the vet nodded. "But..." She paused and looked around.
"But...?" Beca prompted.
Blue eyes blinked worriedly. "How much is it?"
"One point one," the brunette said.
"MILLION?!" the redhead exclaimed, her voice coming out in a breathy squeak.
"Yeah," Beca nodded. "But..." She grinned broadly. "There's more."
"More?" Chloe asked. "What more could there possibly be?"
"Come on," the musician said, tugging on her fiancée's hand again. "You're going to LOVE this."
They headed back to the front hallway where Stacie was waiting and Beca grinned at her. "I think we're sold on the house. Now... can you show us the..." She winked. "Other thing?"
"Ooohhhh... the other thing." Stacie winked back as Chloe looked back and forth between them. "Come on then!" Back outside the house, Stacie led them around to the opposite side of the home from the garages to a small gate nestled into a low wall. She paused there and imperiously waved a hand. "TA DA!"
Nestled in some trees on the other wide of the wall was a large, whitewashed, single-story building with its own driveway leading back down to its own gate at the road. There was a small parking lot in front of it and the sign labelling the building as Purrrfect Veterinary Services above the front entrance made Chloe shake her head in disbelief.
"No... no, seriously?"
Beca wrapped her arm around her fiancée's waist. "How's that for a short commute, Chlo?"
The redhead looked at Stacie, who smiled and nodded her agreement. "The homeowners are both vets and are retiring to North Carolina to be closer to their grandkids. They want a quick sale, and the veterinary practice is included in the cost.
Chloe's mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. "Where do I sign?"
Beca laughed. "You haven't even seen the inside of the office yet."
"Can... can I?" the vet asked, breathlessly.
Stacie fished in her purse for the keys. "Sure. Let's go."
"Beca," Chloe said, hand pressed to her chest.
"I know, Baby. Just breathe, ok?"
"I'll try."
Hand in hand again, they followed their realtor through the small gate and across the grass to the smaller building. "Oh, I forgot to mention, the owners said the buyer can have all the equipment for a small fee. It'd work out better for them if they didn't have to sell that stuff separately. In fact, I think they were secretly hoping that a vet would buy the property." She opened the door and let her clients inside.
"Oh, I'm definitely interested," the redhead nodded. Her trained eyes roamed as she walked from room to room. "There are definitely a few updates I'd like to do," she mused. "But this is in great shape, Beca." She turned to look at her lover, eyes welling with tears. "It's perfect," she whispered.
"And the good news is, there's already a client list for this practice," Stacie smiled. "I'm sure Tom and Betty would pass it on to you. They're really nice people."
Chloe was just gazing around her, bottom lip caught between her teeth. Beca smiled and winked at their realtor. "Give us a minute, Stace?"
The taller woman grinned and headed for the door. "Sure." She closed it behind her and Beca leaned back against the reception desk, arms folded.
"So," she smiled. "What do you think, Babe?"
Chloe just shook her head, still slightly disbelieving of what they were potentially going to do. "I... I love it. All of it," she replied. "It's better than I could have imagined."
"And what do you think about moving out of the city? I mean, we're not far from the local amenities but it's much quieter than either of us is used to."
"We'd have a swimming pool... totally private... no prying eyes..." Chloe stalked toward her lover, a little smirk lifting her lips. "I see skinny dipping... and more... in our future." She pressed Beca back against the desk and kissed her, smiling as the smaller woman's arms slid around her neck and pulled her closer.
"Are you sure you don't want to look at other properties?" the brunette asked against soft, plump lips.
"I think I'm ruined for any other properties, Becs," the vet replied sheepishly.
"Me too," Beca admitted. "Are you ok with putting a full asking price offer in? It sounds like your being a vet might give us an advantage over other potential buyers."
Chloe leaned back a little. "Beca, this is your money and..."
"Shhh... stop," the musician said, putting a fingertip against her lover's lips. "It's OUR money. I expect you to make a profit on your business and make us enough money to take our skinny dipping to a private beach three times a year."
The redhead laughed and kissed her fiancée again. "Yes, Ma'am."
"Ok," Beca patted her side and then eased around her. "Let's go tell Stace the good news and get her started on selling our place."
Fingers tangled loosely, they ambled outside to find their realtor on the phone, but she quickly excused herself and hung up. "Well? Was I right? Are we putting an offer in?"
Beca and Chloe exchanged a grin and then the musician nodded. "Full asking price. In cash, if it'll speed up the sale. I've had a savings account for buying a house for a while now."
"I'll write up the offer and order a home inspection right away!" Stacie beamed. "Do you want to put your place on the market too, Becs?"
"As is," Beca nodded. "I don't want to do a lot of redecorating."
"You got it," Stacie grinned. "Alright, Ladies. Let's go so I can get the paperwork done!"
"Actually," Beca said as they exited the main gate and ambled back to their cars. "I have one more surprise for Chloe. Let us know as soon as you get the offer in, Stacie, please?"
"Will do," the realtor replied. She shared a hug with each woman and then got into her Camaro. "Toodles!"
"Wow, ANOTHER surprise. I don't know if I can handle another one today," Chloe joked.
"Well, this one is a little less epic," Beca grinned. "But still cool, I think." She opened the trunk of her BMW and pulled out a box. "I got us a picnic dinner and I thought it'd be nice if we had it on the beach. There's public access a block away and we'll be able to still see the house from there. You game?"
"I'm SOOO game!" the redhead grinned. "Lead on, Baby."
Hand in hand again, they headed down the street. There were a few people on the street, jogging and riding bicycles but In her peripheral vision, Beca caught sight of a man in a baseball cap and dark sunglasses leaning against a wall but, when she turned to look fully, there was no one there. "Huh… I'm seeing things," she murmured, then shrugged and kept on walking.
Late as it was, the beach was almost empty, and they walked a little until they could find a clear view of their potential new home, lit by the moonlight. "It's so fucking gorgeous," Chloe whispered, still a little in awe as they sat on a picnic blanket and laid out the food.
"Just like you," Beca replied. "Are you happy, Chlo? I want you to be happy."
Chloe got onto her hands and knees and crawled to her lover to kiss her. "I've never been happier in my entire life, Beca," she replied seriously. "You've made my dreams come true in so many ways."
"Are you going to tell Aubrey?" the musician asked as she settled down to open a bottle of wine and pour two glasses.
Chloe settled too, her toes digging into the cool sand as she leaned back on her hands. "Not until we know for sure that we have the practice," she replied. "I wouldn't want to disappoint her."
"Do you think she'll come with you?"
The vet sighed. "I'm honestly not sure, Babe. This is a much longer commute from her apartment." She smiled then. "Although she'd definitely enjoy autonomy in running the practice for me on a day-to-day basis. I think she's a little bored where we are now."
Beca passed Chloe a glass and then lifted her own in a toast. "To Stacie. May she get the deal sealed for us!"
"Stacie!" the vet agreed with a grin. "I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed. I just love this place, Beca."
"Me too!" the musician replied. Then her face gentled. "I can't wait to live this new life with you, Chloe. I love you so much. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"And you me," Chloe replied, eyes welling with tears. "Thank you, Beca, for everything and I love you too."
They leaned closer, lips brushing, then making solid contact as the moon lit them with a pale, loving glow.
Xx
He watched from behind a lifeguard tower, a sneer lifting his stubbled lips as the bitches kissed. Dykes. Rug munchers. Perverts. His mind came up with a million other names, but his focus was on one thing. Taking the bitch, Mitchell, out of the game. And if Beale, was collateral damage in the process, so be it.
He licked his lips. The fiery hair was hot, and she was good looking enough to make him stir in his pants, even if brunettes were normally his type. Maybe he'd fuck her. And make the Mitchell bitch watch. Mmmm... yeah... He rubbed his crotch and smiled wickedly. It was just a matter of time now that he'd found them.
