A/N: You all are so suspicious! LOL! Sometimes a wreck is just a plot device to make someone late.

It had indeed been a wreck and Beca was forty minutes late arriving at Jesse's office, but when she got there, he was waiting for her excitedly.

"Dude, I thought you were going to call me back," the brunette said crankily as she wiped her nose with a tissue and sniffled pitifully.

"Do you have a cold?" the producer asked sympathetically, ignoring her tone.

"I'm not sick," Beca frowned. "I refuse to be sick."

Jesse just chuckled. "Well, it's a good thing you're not sick because there's someone here, I want you to meet. Come with me."

Beca was confused but went with the flow and followed Jesse to his office to find someone waiting there. "Hi," she smiled as she rubbed sanitizer into her hands and then offered one for a shake. "Beca Mitchell."

"Cynthia-Rose Adams," the visitor replied with a smile as she shook the brunette's hand and then took her seat again. She pushed her braids back over her shoulder then and looked at Jesse expectantly.

"So," the producer said, face already stretched into a boyish grin. "Cyn here, with whom I've worked on a project or two over the years, has been looking for a screenplay to direct..."

Cyn lifted a hand and Jesse stopped talking, indicating for her to continue. "I've been looking for a specific type of project," she explained. "I want to make a movie about trauma and the mental health challenges it causes. Jesse sent me your screenplay and honestly, Beca, it's exactly what I've been looking for. The timing is almost eerie."

Beca blinked and looked from Cyn to Jesse and then back to Cyn. "You... you want to talk about making a movie from my script?" she said, a little incredulously.

"Yes," the woman replied with a nod. "I'm working with a small studio, and I don't have a lot of budget... and the three of us would have to cast, direct and produce... but I think we could pull it off. It'd totally be an indie project."

"Oh, I'm down with that," Beca grinned, then held a tissue against her mouth as she coughed. "Sorry."

Cyn smiled sympathetically.

Beca cleared her throat and went on. "I also have an actor in mind to play the lead role. Her name is Chloe Beale and she's somewhat of a newcomer..."

"Jesse told me all about it," the director nodded. "I've heard of Elektra King, and I've heard her reputation and work ethic is pretty spotless, especially for an adult movie actress."

Beca nodded. "Full disclosure... Chloe is my girlfriend."

Dark eyebrows lifted. "Family, huh?" Cyn winked. "Good. So, what do you think, Beca Mitchell? Can the three of us and Chloe discuss moving forward over dinner in the next few days? When you're feeling better, of course."

"That sounds awesome," the brunette nodded. "I'll let Chloe know." She paused and cleared her throat again. "So, she's auditioning for other roles but, right now, this would be her first mainstream movie since her recent retirement from um..."

"You can say porn," Cynthia-Rose grinned. "No shame."

"Right... and she's just, you know, getting her feet wet, so to speak, so she wants to audition for the role to make sure she's the right fit, even though Jesse and I think she'll be awesome and want her to star."

"I think that's a solid plan," the director smiled.

"Chloe's not what you might expect of an ex-porn star," Jesse chuckled. "She's about as down to earth as they come, and she's a total sweetheart."

"I can't wait to meet her," Cyn said kindly. "Alright, I've gotta go pick up my wife for lunch. I'll get back with you soon."

"Thanks, Cyn," Jesse said as he walked her to the office door.

"Yes, thank you so much!" Beca exclaimed, trying not to cough as she stood up and gripped the back of her chair to stop herself from keeling over.

The producer closed the door and then slowly turned, a smile spreading across his face. "Well?"

Beca deadpanned for a moment, but then she punched the air and came across the room to hug him. "HOLY SHIT, DUDE! WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!"

"I know, right?" Jesse laughed. "This is the most fortuitous timing I've EVER seen. I only sent her the script yesterday evening. She stayed up late to read it and called me right when I was on the phone with you. Then she came straight over to meet you."

Beca was almost speechless, and she went back to her chair to sit down. "This might really happen," she said slowly.

"This might really happen," the producer echoed happily.

A huge grin lit the brunette's face. "I can't wait to tell Chloe!"

Xx

Chloe and Bella stood in front of the couch, looking down at the gently snoring Beca. She was in her pajamas, wrapped in about twenty blankets and with used tissues littered around her. A half-drunk can of ginger ale sat on the coffee table and she looked so pitiful, even in sleep, that Chloe's heart broke just a little.

"Should we wake her up?" Bella loud whispered, making Beca stir immediately.

The redhead sighed as sleepy, dark blue eyes blinked at them. Then a big smile spread across the brunette's face. "My favorite girls," she croaked, then coughed a little. "Hi."

Chloe knelt and took her lover's hand, brushing a kiss across its knuckles. "Poor baby," she said with a frown.

"It's barely a cold," Beca replied with a shrug. "I'm fine." She looked at her phone sitting on the coffee table. "Shit... ake mushrooms! I didn't know it was so late. How did your audition go, Chlo?"

The older woman smiled tentatively. "I... I think it went well. I didn't forget my lines and that's always a plus."

The brunette chuckled. "Indeed. What did they say?"

"It was positive, and they said they'd let me know. I don't know if I really have a chance though. There were some names auditioning that I've heard of before."

Beca smiled and gazed into light blue eyes adoringly. "Well, if it's meant for you, you'll get it," she said. "I wanted to call you earlier, but I crashed when I got home. I... um... have some news too." She sat up on the couch, leaving room for Chloe to sit next to her and for Bella to sit in her lap. She kissed the little girl's temple and cuddled her.

"Are you ok, Beca?" Bella asked. "Do you need a glass of water?"

"No, Honey, I just need munchkinsnuggles," the brunette replied. "And mommysnuggles," she added. Chloe grinned and snuggled up to them. "So anyway..." Beca explained all about her meeting with Cynthia-Rose Adams. "She'd already heard of you, Chlo, and she wants to meet you."

"You mean she'd heard of my other name," Chloe replied.

"Well... yeah... but she also said that she knew your reputation and work ethic is excellent, and she didn't seem at all concerned about the... other stuff."

"Huh," the redhead said, a little surprised. "Well, good. I'm glad she's open minded."

"She's gay too," Beca added. "And black. So, I'd imagine she's dealt with more than her fair share of intolerance."

"What's intolerance?" Bella asked suddenly as she played with the collar of Beca's pajamas.

"It's when people are mean to other people because of the way they look or sound... or because of who they love," Chloe replied gently.

Bella nodded thoughtfully. "Is that why Mark's brother was mean? Because he's intolerance?"

"Intolerant. He's intolerant. Yes, Baby Girl. Being intolerant can also make people be bullies... and you know how we don't like people who are bullies, right?" Chloe stroked the little girl's red hair back from her forehead and then kissed it.

"Right," Bella agreed, then fell silent as she thought about that some more.

"So," Beca smiled. "The plan is for us to meet for dinner and go from there."

"That's so exciting, Becs!" Chloe exclaimed. "I'm so proud of you!"

"And I'm proud of you, Chlo," the brunette replied. "I know this... transition... isn't easy for you."

"Mommy, what's gay?" Bella asked then.

Beca and Chloe looked at each other and chuckled. "Well..." the redhead said as she tried to think of the best way to explain to a five-year-old. "You know how there's a LOT of love in the world?"

Bella nodded. "Yeah."

"And you know how people are all different from one another?"

Bella nodded again. "Yeah."

"Well, there are lots of different types of love too. Boys love girls and girls love boys. But sometimes, boys love boys, and sometimes girls love girls... and people who love like that are sometimes called gay." The redhead decided to stop there for the moment. "Understand, Baby Girl?"

Bella's brow creased in thought. "So... you're a girl and you love Beca. Beca's a girl. So does that make you gay?"

"Yes, Bella. I'm gay," Chloe confirmed with a sweet smile. "And it's a very happy and healthy thing for me."

"I love you, Mommy, and you're a girl. Does that mean I'm gay?"

Beca did her best not to laugh but a strangled gurgle still escaped her. Chloe glared playfully at her over her daughter's head.

"Being gay is really for romantic love, so that's something you'll have to decide for yourself when you're ready, My Darling," the redhead finished, kissing her daughter's cheek.

Beca lifted an eyebrow as she thought about that. Both of Bella's parents were gay. How would that translate genetically to their child, if at all? It was an interesting thought.

"Ok, Mommy," the little girl replied, satisfied with the answer for the moment.

"Nice," Beca praised as she leaned over a little to kiss Chloe's forehead.

"I've been kinda expecting that," the redhead chuckled. "Dylan told me this morning that he's seeing someone, and he was slowly introducing him to Bella too."

"Oooohhh, good for him!" Beca grinned. "I'm glad he's getting out there."

"Me too," Chloe replied. "I want him to be as happy as I am."

"Awww..." the brunette said... then sneezed loudly. She groaned as she let her head fall against the back of the couch. "Chlo... I think I'm sick."

Xx

And sick Beca was. It turned out that she had the flu and Chloe had basically moved into her place to take care of her. Bella was only allowed to visit through a Zoom meeting because the brunette was terrified she'd make the little girl sick too. Chloe was charmed by her girlfriend's thoughtfulness.

"You know, you could catch this crap too," Beca croaked as they lay in bed together.

"I have the constitution of a horse," the redhead replied with a sniff. "I don't get sick."

"Yeah, that's what I said too," the brunette said sagely. "NOW look at me." Chloe moved closer and tried to kiss her, but Beca turned her head away. "Seriously, Chlo. I don't want to give this to you."

But Chloe's hand on her cheek, made her look back to her. A little smile was on the redhead's lips. "I love you," she said softly and leaned in again but this time she just placed a lingering kiss on her girlfriend's cheek.

"I love you too," Beca replied, then tucked her head under Chloe's chin and rested against her. "I'm so tired."

"I know, Baby. This flu's a bitch. Just rest, ok?"

"Ok," the brunette agreed and moments later she was asleep.

Chloe just held her quietly, reading the monolog she had to prepare for her next audition over and over until she'd memorized it and then settling down herself. She slept for a few hours, but something woke her, and she suddenly realized she could feel how hot her girlfriend was. Beca's fever had them both sweating through their pajamas and the redhead was suddenly worried.

"Becs?" she said softly, shaking the brunette a little. "Beca, I need you to wake up, Honey." She shook a little harder and Beca mumbled something. "Baby, wake up, ok? I think your fever is worse."

Dark blue eyes blinked open then. "Why am I wet?" Beca asked groggily as she looked down at them. "Why are you wet? Did you pee on me?"

Chloe couldn't help but snigger. "No, you peed on me," she replied.

"Shut up," Beca smiled. "Jesus, it's hot in here."

"Let's get some meds and water into you, ok?" Chloe untangled herself from their cuddle and got out of bed, shivering a little as the air conditioning hit her damp skin. She went to the kitchen and grabbed some ibuprofen, then brought two bottles of water from the refrigerator back to the bedroom. "Here, take these, Honey." She handed over two pills and one of the bottles.

Beca complied and then Chloe helped her out of her pajamas. "Can we just be naked?" the brunette asked, pupils dilating as she gazed at her lover's breasts, straining against her thin shirt.

The redhead chuckled, recognizing the look for what it was. "Ok... but no sex, ok? Not tonight. You need to rest," she replied as she stripped out of her own t-shirt and shorts and accepted her pouting girlfriend back into her arms.

"But sex is good... and fun," the younger woman whined, letting her lips roam over the soft skin of Chloe neck and then biting softly. It was something the redhead couldn't resist, and she moaned as her fingers threaded gently through Beca's hair.

"You're incorrigible," she whispered. "And sick, Becs. You should be resting."

"Well..." The brunette waggled her brows. "If you want me to rest... maybe you could..."

Chloe was already grinning. "A compromise, huh?"

"I'll owe you one," Beca deadpanned, but the older woman's hand was already skimming its way down her body and then between her thighs to slowly caress.

"It's my pleasure," the redhead murmured. "You're exceptionally hot, you know, and I kinda love fucking you."

Beca's breath hitched. Dirty talk in general wasn't really her thing, but there was something about the way Chloe so casually and simply dropped it in when they were having sex that sent new heat through her every time. Then two of the redhead's fingertips were between her folds, gently teasing and caressing and tugging at her clit as they slipped through her growing wetness. "Y-yess, Chloe," she stammered, voice husky from her arousal as much as from her flu.

"You're beautiful, Beca Mitchell." The older woman was quiet for a moment as she worried a little mark into the tender skin of her lover's breast, making her gasp. "You're the sexiest woman I've ever made love to. Relax and close your eyes." Chloe took her time, slowly building Beca up until she felt her getting close, then she eased back a tad, letting her catch her breath. She did this a few times until Beca was whimpering with need. "I love you," she murmured. "I love you so much." And this time, she let Beca find her release. It was deep and heavy, and pulsated through the brunette's body, pulling the most deliciously deep and guttural moan from her.

Beca's chest was heaving, and her eyes were shut tightly. She'd had many orgasms with Chloe by this point but this one was different to any of the others, and a wave of total lethargy suddenly crashed over her. "Jesus Christ," she moaned.

Chloe chuckled as she eased her hand back and grabbed her t-shirt off the floor to wipe it off. "Was that your first time?" she asked softly, kissing the brunette's forehead.

"Huh?" Beca asked, eyes tracking to her.

The redhead blinked, then smiled. "Oh... uh... sorry. I..."

"Did I do something wrong?" Beca asked a little uncertainly.

"No... GOD no," the redhead grinned. "You squirted, Becs. Has that never happened before?"

The brunette shook her head, still slightly dazed. "No," she finally replied. "Never."

Chloe wrapped her arms around her girlfriend and held her close. "Then it's even hotter that the first time was with me."

Xx

The flu was finally gone. Beca was feeling a lot better, and she was spending some time at Chloe's house with her three favorite girls. Mari was reading a book poolside while Beca, Chloe and Bella were playing pool volleyball. Somehow, it had turned into a Mitchell versus Beale showdown and Beca was losing terribly since Chloe had her kid perched on top of her shoulders and they were killing it on the return shots.

"This is not fair!" the brunette exclaimed for the third time. "You two are cheating!"

Chloe laughed and looked at Mari. "Mom, you have to be the umpire. Are Bella and I cheating?"

"Definitely not, Baby Girl," the older woman replied, not even taking her eyes off her book.

Beca sighed and huffed her wet hair out of her face. "Fine! I'll be the bigger person here."

"Hardly," the redhead giggled. "I almost got you water wings so you wouldn't drown in the deep end during this game."

"Fu...dge you, Beale!" Beca stuck her tongue out at her lover, but she smiled then as Bella bounced excitedly. Chloe was wearing a dark blue bikini and her bouncing breasts were doing all sorts of wonders for Beca's body. Then she caught the redhead's smirk, and she knew that Chloe knew EXACTLY what she was doing.

"Alright," the redhead said then. "Time to hydrate." She waded to the side of the pool and gently eased Bella off her shoulders and onto dry land. Then she pressed her body up and out of the water, smiling to herself as Beca watched her walk away, with her mouth hanging open. The look on her lover's face made the hours at the gym more than worth it.

Chloe toweled off and then headed into the kitchen to bring back the sandwiches, cookies and drinks she'd made earlier while Beca lay on a lounger next to Mari.

"Your boner is showing," Mari said quietly as she glanced around to make sure Bella was out of earshot.

"Wh... what?" Beca asked in shock.

The blonde laughed. "You look like you're going to combust if you don't drag Chloe to the bedroom in the next five minutes."

The brunette blushed so red, she felt lightheaded. "Urgh," she gargled.

"Don't get me wrong. I get it. I mean... I know she's my daughter, but I also have eyes, Beca. She's an exceptionally beautiful woman."

Beca squeaked this time but managed to nod her agreement. "Yeah. Totally."

Mari nodded back. "What you have is special. I want to thank you for making my kid so happy."

"By embarrassing the fu...dge out of me?" the brunette asked, but she smiled good-naturedly. "But thank you. And I want you to know that she makes me happy too. Chloe and Bella... and you, Mari... all make me happy."

The older woman looked away and sniffed, then swallowed hard as her daughter came back with a tray of goodies. Chloe set the tray down on the coffee table and smiled at her mom. But then the smile fell as she crouched and took the older woman's hand. "Mom, are you ok?" she asked, brow creasing with worry.

"Oh, I'm fine," Mari replied with a watery smile. "I'm just a very lucky woman to have a family like ours. You, Beca and Bella are everything to me." She shared a hug with her daughter. "I love you, Chloe."

"I love you too, Mom," the redhead replied happily. Then she straightened and went back to the tray. "Who wants lemonade?"

Xx

"There's no need to be nervous, Baby," Beca said, smiling as Chloe tugged at her suit jacket for the hundredth time. "It's just a dinner; a meet and greet essentially. You're really good at stuff like that."

"What if she doesn't buy that I can do this?" the redhead said nervously, tucking her purse under her arm. "I'm not even sure that I buy that I can do this."

"Well, it's a good thing I have enough faith for all of us," the brunette stated firmly.

Chloe's face gentled as her heart melted and she leaned in to kiss her lover tenderly. "Thank you," she said sincerely.

"Just telling the truth, my Love." Beca glanced at her watch. "We should go."

"Yeah," the older woman agreed. "The Uber is just arriving."

They headed out, hand in hand, both wearing pantsuits and heels, Beca's in a deep purple and Chloe's in cream. "You look beautiful," they said to each other at the same time and then laughed together.

"We're both saps," Beca chuckled.

"Yeah," Chloe agreed, eyes twinkling.

Thirty minutes later, their driver was dropping them off at a favorite sushi restaurant of Chloe's and they went inside, immediately finding Jesse and Cyn already seated at a table with a glass of wine.

The producer quickly got up and hugged each of the women in turn. "Cyn, you've already met Beca. This is Chloe Beale. Chloe, Cynthia-Rose Adams."

"So nice to meet you," Chloe smiled as she shook the woman's hand firmly.

"You too," Cyn smiled back. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Oh... good things I hope?" the redhead ventured as she took a seat at the table. Beca took the seat next to her and put her hand on Chloe's thigh to help calm her.

"Excellent things," the director chuckled. "You have a lot of friends out there, Chloe."

"I take it you've been doing some research on Elektra," Chloe said warmly.

"Actually, no," Cyn replied, surprising the heck out of the former adult movie star. "I wanted to meet you, Chloe. Elektra is your past and I understand that it's time to leave that behind. Tonight, is about all our futures, right?"

"Right," Beca and Jesse agreed.

For a moment, Chloe felt tears of joy prick her eyes, but she blinked them back and smiled instead. "I think we'll have to drink to that."

They ordered some more wine and then Chloe leaned in a little closer to Cyn. "So, Beca told me you're looking for a project centered on mental health. Any particular reason why you chose that topic?"

Cynthia-Rose looked down and took another sip of her chardonnay. Then her brown eyes lifted, filled with purpose. "My wife," she stated. "Both of us actually," she added. "My wife is a recovering alcoholic and I'm a recovering gambler. Getting through the withdrawal, the trauma around quitting... our mental health struggles were extremely challenging. So, I wanted to make a movie about mental health struggles... but not about my wife and I."

"Totally get it," the redhead replied. "I've been through some mental health issues myself. I was anorexic and bulimic in my early twenties, and I still struggle with healthy eating habits sometimes."

Beca was floored. Chloe had never mentioned that before and the brunette squeezed the older woman's thigh gently, offering a raised eyebrow. Blue eyes tracked to her, slightly apologetic.

"So, when Beca's screenplay came across my email," the director went on. "I was intrigued. It just somehow spoke to me, and I knew I had to get her into a meeting."

"It's an amazing screenplay," Jesse agreed. "I've actually had a couple more folks call me."

"Oh..." Cyn looked slightly disappointed. "Bigger studios with bigger budgets? Well... I suppose my luck couldn't..."

But Beca held up a hand. "No..." she interrupted gently. "I... I have this strong feeling that it's supposed to be us doing this together, Cyn."

Chloe was nodding her agreement. She wasn't sure how or why, but she felt a connection to the director; good vibes of some sort.

Cyn beamed at them. "Really? Wow! Ok, let's drink to that then!" They lifted their glasses in a toast, but Chloe suddenly got a text, and she snatched up her phone as she saw the preview of the message. She read the full text and her hand went to her mouth. "Oh my God."

"What... Is everything ok, Honey?" Beca asked worriedly. "Is Bella ok?"

"It's... it's my agent," the brunette replied, barely able to speak. "I didn't get the lead role in the play... but they've offered me the main supporting female role."

"Oh my God! Chloe!" Beca exclaimed, hugging her girlfriend hard. "That's amazing!"

"They apparently liked how I ignored the way the audition room was set up and just used the space as my own."

"Congratulations, Chloe," Cyn said, raising her glass in another toast. Then she looked at Jesse and Beca in turn. "You were right. This girl really does have something special."

Chloe blushed a little and raised her own glass. "To the future!"

They all grinned at each other. "To the future!"