A/N: Last chapter, Guys! Thanks for following these ladies on their journey! Sorry it's taken me so long to finish but I've been sick... and life and... reasons. Enjoy!
Chloe's hands were shaking. Really badly. She was fumbling the buttons on her shirt and various curses spilled from her mouth as she gritted her teeth in concentration.
"Hey…" Melissa said as she, Mickey and Aubrey strolled into the room. "Let us help."
"Thanks," the eldest Beale replied with a sigh. "I'm ridiculously nervous."
Aubrey smiled as she took over closing the pearl buttons and Mickey moved behind Chloe to work on her hair. She twisted the sides of the soft red locks and pinned them before clipping some tiny white flowers into place. Then her eyes met her sister's in the mirror. "What's ridiculous is how beautiful you look, Chlocifer," Mickey said, emotion almost stealing her voice.
"And what's even more ridiculous is that we're not drinking alcohol right now!" Zoe exclaimed as she joined them, a bottle of champagne and five glasses in her hands.
"Is Beca ok?" the eldest Beale asked as she accepted a glass of bubbly from her sister.
"Beca has her own champagne, she's fine," Aubrey teased, pushing her blonde hair back from her forehead.
"No, I meant…" The vet chuckled. "Sorry. Right. Her Mom's with her."
"Beca's dad and his wife just arrived from their hotel and were civil to Beca's mom. Maybe things will be ok there."
"I hope so," Chloe replied. "If they ruin Beca's day, I swear to God I'll…"
"Ooookay," Melissa laughed. "How about we calm down? I'll go hang out with them and make sure everyone's on their best behavior."
Just then Chloe's phone vibrated on the vanity in front of her and she picked it up to find a text from Beca. "Thanks, Mel," she said as her sister headed back downstairs.
It's all real now, Chlo. You don't have cold feet, do you? ;-)
Even though it was meant as a joke, Chloe knew that the little voice of anxiety and insecurity was probably poking at her beloved partner's chest.
My feet are perfectly toasty warm, thank you very much. I'm soooo looking forward to being your wife.
Love you. See you in ten.
Ten? "Oh shit," Chloe exclaimed. "The ceremony is in ten minutes?"
"Why do you think we're drinking alcohol right now?" Zoe laughed. "Dude, you're wound tighter than a freakin'…" She paused, not even able to find something to which she could compare her sister's stress. "Something super-tight!"
Chloe couldn't help but laugh at that and she nodded. "God, it's just Beca! What the fuck is wrong with me?"
"I'll excuse the swearing since it's your special day," Mo chuckled as she came into the room. "If it makes you feel any better, I was nervous like you are on my wedding day. But you know what, Honey?"
Chloe's eyebrows lifted. "What, Mom?"
"When your pop is walking you down the aisle and you see Beca for the first time in her dress, you're going to be more worried about piddling yourself from excitement… like the little, lost, lovesick puppy you are."
Chloe blinked as her sisters and best friend collapsed into laughter, Mickey almost snorting champagne through her nose. Then she joined them, shaking her head as a wave of relief and happiness crashed over her.
"Thanks, Mom," she laughed. "I needed that." Then she stood up. "How do I look?"
"Like a naughty angel," Mo replied seriously, then leaned in to kiss her cheek. "I'm so proud of you."
The vet sniffled a moment and blinked rapidly. "Jeez, don't make me cry. It took Aubrey ages to get this eyeliner perfect."
Then a deep voice sounded from the door. "An angel indeed." Chloe turned to find her dad at the door. He was offering her a small bouquet. "Ready, Baby Girl?"
Chloe heard the quartet begin to play outside and she nodded, sniffing hard and then smiling broadly. "I've never been more ready for anything in my life," she replied, moving to him and accepting both the bouquet and his arm.
Mickey, Zoe, Aubrey and Mo ducked out the door too and preceded them outside. Mel and the Mitchells were already seated and, when Chloe and her dad reached the bottom of the dual aisles, her breath caught in her chest as Beca, and her dad, reached the end of the one facing them. Tears immediately welled again in the vet's eyes, as she just gazed at her lover, taking her in. Beca's dress was simple and elegant, with a floor-length, flowing skirt and a sleeveless, strappy bodice, sewn with tiny pearls, which matched the pearls sewn into Chloe's fitted cream silk shirt and the side panels of her matching, tapered tuxedo pants. As Beca gazed back, they were suddenly frozen in each other's eyes.
Then Chloe saw John say something to his daughter and she was suddenly being gently guided by her own dad to the meeting point at the center of the aisle where the fathers would pass their daughters' hands to each other.
"Love you, Becs," John whispered.
"Love you, Chlo," Tom whispered.
Then Beca and Chloe's hands met, electricity passing up their arms and straight to their hearts.
"You are the most beautiful woman I've even seen," Beca whispered, gazing into her partner's shimmering blue eyes. "I just… can't believe you're mine."
"And YOU look like a goddess," Chloe whispered back. "I'm the lucky one, Becs. Always."
At the top of the main aisle, Mickey was smiling. "Ladies, if we may begin."
"Oh, right," Chloe laughed. "We should probably get up there, Babe."
The congregation laughed with her, and she laced her fingers with Beca's, walking with her toward the second eldest Beale sister. Somehow, the two women had completely missed Jack with his basket of flowers, but the rose petals strewn on the ground in clumped and crushed handfuls made Chloe giggle softly and she loved her littlest brother even more for it than she thought possible.
In the front row, Beca's mother was seated next to her stepmother and the musician did a little double take as Sheila offered a tissue to her archenemy, who accepted it with a smile. John and Tom were taking their seats as Chloe and Beca stopped in front of Mickey. The celebrant leaned close and kissed each one of them on the cheek. "It's totally insane how fucking gorgeous you both look," she whispered, making them laugh. "I'll try not to embarrass us."
"You're going to do great," Beca whispered back, squeezing her soon to be sister-in-law's hand.
Michelle cleared her throat and lifted her voice. "Family and friends, the Beale and Mitchell families would like to thank you for gathering here today to celebrate the joining in marriage of Chloe Beale and Beca Mitchell. And you know, I'm not one bit surprised that these two amazing women fell in love, because Beca's soul, always filled with kindness and love and empathy, is undoubtedly Chloe's soul's mate."
The vet sucked in a breath and her eyes filled with tears. "Wow, Mickey," she said softly but her sister just smiled.
"Little known fact, the first time I met Beca, she was wearing a towel that barely covered her assets and mouthing at me about how I was yet another Beale sibling to appear. It made me laugh and damn, I think I fell a little bit in love with her myself." Mickey chuckled softly as Beca blushed. "And since then, my love for Beca, just like all of my siblings' love, has just grown." She paused then. "As for Chlocifer here, we've had our ups and down over the years, just like every group of siblings but, I want to tell everyone here today how amazing she is and how she's always there for us when we need her. So, thank you, Chloe. None of us Beale kids could even imagine having a better big sister."
At that, Tommy stepped forward to kiss his sister's cheek and smile gratefully at her before stepping back. Beca was crying now too, wiping under her eyes to stop her mascara from running. Mel darted forward and handed her two tissues, one of which the musician passed to her lover.
"So, without further ado, let's get this rolling. Mark, please bring us the rings."
Mark stepped forward and Chloe crouched to hug him and accept the small box. "Thanks, MarkyMark," she said softly, then kissed him on the cheek. "Love you." Beca caressed his cheek adoringly and Mark blushed before ducking away, back to join his younger brother, while Chloe handed the box to her sister.
"I know you both have something prepared for your vows, so I guess I'll let you take it away. Chlo?"
The vet turned to face her lover and caressed her cheek. "Sometimes," she began. "Fate has a way of stepping in and either showing its kind side or showing its ass. We were lucky, Beca, right?"
"We were," Beca smiled.
"The first time I saw you, standing in the waiting room at the vet's office, my breath was stolen, as if fate had just come along and plucked it right out of my chest…" She paused, trying to get her emotion in check. "And I knew I had to talk to you, to ask you out, to just be with you in any way I could. I was so lucky you actually were gay." She grinned as Beca and the whole congregation laughed. "But seriously though, we've been through a lot together in the last two years, Becs, and honestly, I can't wait to continue going through whatever life brings for us in the future… together. I love you more and more every single day."
Beca used her tissue to dab her tears away and took a deep breath. "Chloe, I know writing lyrics is part of what composers do for a living but… I found myself kinda coming up short when I tried to put how much I love you into words. But this song speaks to the way I feel about you; how I've felt since the first moment I saw you…"
Chloe looked around, expecting a song to begin playing from a speaker somewhere, but instead, Beca nodded at the string quartet, and they started to play. Then, Beca began to sing and the whole congregation fell silent.
"When I first saw you, I already knew,
There was something, inside of you,
Something I thought that I would never find,
Angel of mine.
"I look at you, looking at me,
Now I know why they say the best things are free,
Gonna love you girl, you are so fiiiiine,"
Chloe laughed softly and blushed a little,
"Angel of mine.
"You came into my life,
Sent from above,
When I lost all hope,
You showed me love,
I'm checking for you
Girl, you're right on time,
Angel of mine."
Beca's eyes gentled and filled with tears, as Chloe's gorgeous voice rose to add harmonies, and they swayed together a little as they sang.
"Nothing means more to me than what we share,
No one in this whole world can ever compare,
Last night the way you moved is still on my mind,
Angel of mine.
"What you mean to me, you'll never know,
Deep inside I need to show,
"You came into my life,
Sent from above,
When I lost all hope,
You showed me love,
I'm checking for you,
Girl, you're right on time,
Angel of mine."
As Beca's voice trailed off, and the quartet played the song out, they looked into each other's eyes and then their lips met in a kiss that was probably a little too passionate for a wedding. Mickey cleared her throat. "Right… so… um…"
Chloe and Beca parted and looked at the congregation. "Sorry…" Beca breathed, holding up a hand. "Sorry." But everyone just grinned and clapped. A few wolf whistles sounded out.
"For the record, I'm not sorry," the vet joked, then she fanned herself. "Phew, Becs, that was incredible!"
"I had time to rehearse it while you were at home last week," the musician grinned.
Mickey pulled everyone's attention back to the ceremony then. "Ok, it's time to exchange the rings." She took one labelled 'C' out of the box and handed it to Beca. "Chloe Beale, do you take Beca Mitchell to be your wife and to basically do everything she tells you to do for the rest of your lives?"
Chloe nodded. "I most certainly do," she replied cheerfully, as Beca slid the ring onto her finger, then brought it to her lips to kiss it as she laughed.
Then the vet took the other ring and ducked her head to place a soft kiss on Beca's lips.
"Beca Mitchell, do you take Chloe Beale to be your wife, warts and all, and to do everything she tells you to do for the rest of your lives?"
"Since I love even her warts," Beca laughed. "I guess the answer is… I do too." The vet grinned as she slid the ring into place and then, without waiting, she pulled Beca into her arms for another kiss.
"Well, then, in that case, I now pronounce you Beca and Chloe Mitchell-Beale!" Mickey exclaimed. "You may now… continue kissing the bride!"
The congregation gave the newly married couple a standing ovation as the quartet began playing again. Then the hugs began.
And Beca didn't feel even an ounce of anxiety.
Xx
Beca's face lit up when she saw a familiar face from across the yard and she ran to pull an older woman into a hug. "Elise!" she exclaimed. "It's so good to see you! I thought you couldn't come?"
The therapist chuckled and waved at the revelry going on around them. "Honestly, Beca, I really couldn't NOT come. I had to see for myself how happy you are with Chloe, so I moved some stuff around. The ceremony was beautiful, and you both look stunning."
"Thank you. And, Elise, I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up with my check ins," the musician said contritely.
"No, Beca, I'm infinitely grateful that you don't feel like you need them anymore," the older woman replied. Then she smiled broadly as she saw Chloe coming toward them. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the other Ms. Mitchell-Beale. How are you, Chloe?"
"Happier than I've ever been in my life," the vet replied practically vibrating with energy. Then she took Beca's hand. "Elise, Becs… look."
The three women turned to find Tommy and Aubrey standing a little way away from everyone else, talking together. Then Chloe bounced excitedly on her toes as the blonde reached out to close her hand around the man's wrist as she laughed at something he'd said.
"Wow," Beca laughed. "They're flirting!"
"I know, right?" Chloe nodded. "There's soooo much eye contact!"
And then Tommy was leaning in to kiss Aubrey, who didn't seem to mind in the slightest. "Now, THAT'S more than flirting," Elise chuckled. "Judging by the red hair, I presume that's your brother, Chloe?"
"Yeah, my brother and my best friend, Aubrey."
"They hung out a little last week," Beca explained. "But this is the first time I've seen them actually…" They watched then as Tommy took Aubrey's hand and led her toward the house, both looking like they were up to some mischief or other. "Uhhh…"
"Maybe they're just getting more drinks," Elise chuckled.
"Yeah, let's just not go in the house for a while," Chloe giggled.
"Weddings, amiright?" Beca added with a smirk.
Xx
"Oh my God," Chloe groaned as she kicked her heels off and flopped onto the bed on her back. "I'm soooo tired, Babe. What an awesome day!"
"Me too," Beca replied, kicking off her own heels and then sitting on the bed. "Could you help me out of this dress please, Doctor Mitchell-Beale?"
"Of course, Ms. Mitchell-Beale," the vet replied as she sat up and started undoing the pearl buttons at the back at Beca's boddice. "How about a shower?"
"I need one," the musician laughed. "Jack outdanced me, despite my best efforts. I think I used muscles I didn't even realize I had."
As Chloe worked on her buttons, Beca quickly opened her wife's shirt and nibbled her collar bone. "You, on the other hand, have a lot of muscles that are incredibly hot."
Chloe smiled tiredly. "You have a lot of energy for someone who just got outdanced by a nine-year-old."
Dark blue eyes lifted. "Too tired?" the brunette asked softly. "It's ok if you are, Babe. We have the rest of our lives together."
Light blue eyes twinkled in return. "Too tired to make love to my wife? Are you crazy?"
"Only about you," Beca replied, kissing Chloe on the cheek, then the nose, then the lips for good measure. "I love you."
Then her dress was being peeled from her shoulders and pushed down to her waist to free her breasts. Gentle hand covered them, palms caressing softly. "I love you too," the vet replied, nuzzling the brunette's neck. "How about that shower?"
"Ooohhh... our first shower together as a married couple!"
"Becs," Chloe laughed. "You've been saying that about everything we've done since we tied the knot."
Beca got up and fully slipped out of her dress before sitting in the vet's lap and wrapping her arms loosely around her neck. "I know. It's SUCH a hardship to hear," she cooed.
"Terrible," Chloe agreed, giggling softly. She was definitely feeling the effects of that last glass of champagne she'd drunk with Aubrey.
Beca got up then and helped her undress, caressing her skin, then blatantly feeling her up and kissing her into a state of need that had Chloe shoving her against the nearest wall and crouching to taste her.
The brunette moaned softly as she hooked one leg over the redhead's shoulder and tangled her hand into her hair. Then she was groaning as Chloe eased back and got up to lift her into her arms and carry her into the bathroom. Beca's legs wrapped around her waist, and they shared filthy kisses as they bumped and dodged their way across the room. Somehow, Chloe managed to feel blindly around and get the shower on, despite her wife's tongue dominating her mouth.
Hazily, in the back of her mind, Beca marveled at how far she'd come. It was her own hard work, along with Chloe's love and patience, that had brought them to where they were now. Where SHE was now; no longer afraid, and just ready to let the past go in favor of her future with her wife.
Beca knew she'd never forget what had happened to her, but now under the hot, cleansing water, with Chloe's fingers inside her and teeth biting roughly at her neck, she was the happiest she'd ever been in her life.
Xx
It was barely dawn. Chloe was seated on the porch swing with a steaming cup of coffee in her hand, swinging idly to the sounds of the birds singing around her. She'd always been a morning person and, somehow, despite the tiny amount of sleep she'd gotten, she still felt energized. Beca was asleep, having fallen back into pleasant dreams after some lazy morning making out, and she'd looked so peaceful that the vet hadn't wanted to wake her again, so instead, Chloe had crept down the stairs to find a quiet spot from which to watch the sun rise.
"What is it with you and Beca and showers?" Mo asked as she crossed the porch and took a seat next to her daughter, her own coffee sending wisps of steam into the air. "Judging by the noise that girl was making last night, you must be a tiger in the sack, Darlin'!"
"Mom, stop," Chloe laughed, covering her eyes with her hand.
"Nothing to be ashamed of," her mother went on. "You came by it honestly." She winked and her daughter grinned.
"I'm not," the vet replied. "It's just... Beca and I connected on a whole new level last night." She sighed and propped her legs up on the porch railing. "I think I fell in love with her even more."
"You've been through a lot together," Mo said. "Things like that tend to make or break a relationship. Your love has carried you through the bullshit and out the other side to an amazing fucking life together." She smiled then as Chloe's eyes welled with tears. "Don't tell anyone I swore like that."
The vet scooted closer to her mother and was immediately wrapped up in a loving hug. "I won't, Mama."
"I love you, Chloe, and I'm so proud of you," Mo said, sniffling a little herself. Then she smiled devilishly. "And congratulations for not piddling yourself yesterday."
Chloe just laughed helplessly and hugged her mom harder.
Xx
After dropping various people, including the Mitchells, off at the airport that afternoon, Chloe and Beca were helping finish up the last of the cleanup in the yard when Tommy and Aubrey strolled to them, holding hands. Chloe playfully punched her brother's shoulder then leaned in to whisper conspiratorially to him. "I hope you used protection, Brother."
"Fuck off," Tommy replied, blushing a little.
Aubrey laughed, covering her face with one hand as she shook her head. "I have no clue what it is about you Beales but holy shit, I can't say no to a one of you!" She chucked a thumb over her shoulder. "Jack just got me to agree to helping him build a treehouse."
"He's a wily one, that JackSparrow," the vet replied somberly. "You have to learn his manipulative ways."
"If that means learn to not give him exactly what he wants," Beca interjected. "Then you still need to work on that yourself, Baby."
"Psshh," Chloe scoffed. Then her eyes softened as Jack came up to her and hugged her around the waist hanging off her and giving her big, blue eyes.
"Chlocifer, can you help me haul some wood up into that tree over there please?"
"Sure... I..." Chloe stopped and rolled her eyes, pointing a finger at her sniggering wife. "Not a word, Young Lady."
Beca held up her hands. "I wouldn't dare."
"C'mon," the vet told her brother, then strolled with him to his chosen tree to look up into it and point at a big thick branch.
Aubrey watched Beca watching Chloe for a few moments, then bumped her gently with her hip. "So, what's next?"
The musician shrugged. "I guess it's back to L.A., open the vet clinic and just... live."
Aubrey looked at Tommy, then back to her friend. "I think maybe I have some living of my own to do. You know, Benji's date to the wedding was my ex-boyfriend... the one who cheated on me and then fell in love with the guy at the gym, namely Benji?"
Beca's mouth dropped open. "No! Are you kidding?"
"Not kidding. Small world, Becs. We got to talk for a few minutes and... I guess it was closure I needed."
The musician nodded. "I'm glad you got that opportunity, Brie." She bumped her friend back. "And I'm glad you've found someone to maybe... live... with."
"He's a male Chloe," Aubrey chuckled. "I think he might do." Then, with a little wink, she went back to Tommy and led him away.
Beca ambled over to where her wife and brother-in-law were seriously discussing treehouse building techniques. "Ever built a treehouse before, Babe?" she asked.
"Never," Chloe replied, wrapping her arm around Beca's shoulders and kissing her temple. "But... I'm going to learn. Someday, I'm going to build one for OUR kids. Jack already said he'd help me."
Beca's smile widened. "And I can't wait." She kissed her wife, then gazed into her sparkling blue eyes.
JackSparrow made a disgusted face. "Ewww, you guys! Gross!"
The End
