Beca was worried. Chloe had been quiet when she'd gotten home from her appointment. She hadn't eaten anything and after rocking her daughter to sleep, had retreated outside to the back patio to gaze up at the stars with her arms wrapped around herself and to finish a full bottle of red wine.

She'd asked for space to be alone and think, and Beca wanted to give it to her, but she was also itching to know what was going through her fiancée's head.

Chloe wasn't ok and they both knew it.

She stepped outside and placed a sandwich and a bar of chocolate next to the wine bottle before softly kissing the redhead's temple and turning to head back inside.

"Hey," Chloe said quietly, and the brunette paused to glance over her shoulder, eyebrows raised. "Sit with me?"

"Sure."

Beca took a seat on the rattan sofa, careful to maintain her lover's space but Chloe immediate slid closer and snuggled against her, tucking her feet up.

"I'm fucked up, Bec."

Beca wasn't sure if she meant emotionally or from the whole bottle of wine, so she took her hand and brought it to her lips. "I don't think anyone could blame you for being upset, Chlo."

"We're all upset," the redhead replied, a slight slur to her speech. "But I'm fucked up 'cos I failed my baby and I feel horribly guilty."

It was the most the brunette had gotten from her lover in the past couple of days. "You didn't do anything wrong, Chloe," she replied.

"I feel like I did... and I... I'm angry at myself for letting all this happen."

Beca took a breath and then gently lifted Chloe's chin with two fingers. "Listen to me," she said clearly. "You didn't get Armie fired. Armie did when he tried to rape you. It was Armie who kidnapped Bella. It was Armie who demanded the money. It was Armie who tried to humiliate and hurt..." Her voice broke and she had to swallow and blink back tears. "You."

Chloe's hand came up to caress her cheek as she looked into her eyes. "I'm being selfish," she said. "I know you and Mom and Dylan are all struggling with this too... but I'm her mother, Beca, and I wasn't here for her." She shook her head. "And when she was sick and needed me today, I wasn't there either."

"Baby," the brunette said with a little smile. "I'd really love it if you'd stop beathing yourself up over that. There are a billion working moms out there who would have been in the same situation. It's why we have a call list. Mari, You, Me and Dylan. We're a team."

Chloe shook her head, voice raising. "But I'M her mother!" she exclaimed. "She wanted me, and I wasn't there." She shook her head again. "What if she thought I didn't care?! I... oh God!" She collapsed into tears and Beca held her close, squeezing gently.

"Are you kidding me?" the brunette said softly. "She knows you love her bigger than the universe. She knows we ALL love her beyond reason. There's no way she'd think that. Not in a million years, Chlo."

But Chloe pushed her away and got up, glaring back at her. "I should have been here that evening but instead, I was with you!"

Beca blinked in shock, then frowned in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"We were fucking, Beca!" the redhead yelled. "We were fucking when my child was being taken!"

That wasn't strictly true. They'd been sitting on the balcony at Beca's apartment and would probably have slept together later, but Beca wasn't going to argue with Chloe while she was intoxicated like this. In fact, she knew that it wasn't the right time to be having this conversation at all, so she stood up and lifted her hands in surrender. "How about we save this for tomorrow? I love you and I don't want to fight."

Suddenly, all the fight seemed to drain right out of the older woman and her shoulders sagged. "I'm sorry," she said, rubbing between her eyebrows. "You're right. I'm being ridiculous. None of this is your fault."

Beca went to her, itching to hold her. "None of this is your fault either. Chloe, please talk to someone. I can't stand how this is eating you up inside."

Chloe nodded. "I already left a message today with my therapist. I'm waiting for an appointment."

The brunette felt immensely relieved, and she nodded. "Thank you, Baby. I'm going to talk to someone too because right now..." She swallowed and looked down. "I can't get this out of my head either."

Her fiancée closed the distance between them, and they hugged each other hard. "I'm sorry I got angry," Chloe whispered. "I'm a little drunk."

Beca chuckled softly. "It's ok. Why don't you eat your sandwich?"

"Yeah," the redhead nodded. "Thanks for making it for me. And thanks for respecting my request for space."

"Do you want me to stay, or leave you alone again?" the younger woman asked then.

Chloe smiled and without hesitation, pulled her back to the sofa. "Stay."

Xx

Chloe's performances in the play had been downright magical, and she'd received various kudos in many writeups and reviews. But it was over now, and the last performance had been earlier tonight. Her castmates had all gathered with her after the show to have a final drink together, but Chloe knew that this group of friends would be in her life for a long time, especially Bruce and Carrie. The actress had finally gotten over her crush on Chloe and they'd become good friends.

It was late when the Uber dropped the redhead off at home and she was quiet as a mouse as she crept down the hallway and into the bedroom, she shared with Beca, who was now fully moved in. Chloe had also been working with her mom and a designer to get the guest house renovated and it would be ready for Mari in two more weeks.

Things had settled down and Chloe had begun to feel better. Her sessions with Doctor Schaefer had been so difficult in the beginning and Beca had had to be patient when her fiancée had inadvertently lashed out at her over small things. But Chloe was quick to recognize her misplaced anger and had always apologized and worked hard to communicate her state of mind to the brunette so they could work through those moments healthily.

And Beca just loved Chloe even more for her bravery and for the responsibility she took for her own recovery. Beca's own therapy sessions had helped immensely, and their relationship was as strong as ever.

But Bella was still having nightmares and woke most nights crying for her mother, ending up just sleeping with Beca and Chloe. Tonight, it seemed to be no different and the redhead found her daughter snuggled with Beca in their bed. It was so adorable; Beca lying on her back with the little girl half on top of her, but Chloe's concern just deepened, and she decided it was time to make an appointment for Bella with a child psychologist. She'd tried to talk with her about what had happened with Armie more than once, but the little girl mostly clammed up and her mother was worried that something had happened with him that she didn't know anything about.

Chloe took a quick shower and then eased into bed with her family, settling herself with her arm around them both and Beca stirred, head turning to look at her. "Hey, Baby."

"I'm sorry for waking you," the redhead smiled. "Go back to sleep."

"Can I have a kiss first?"

"Mmmm..." Chloe grinned and hiked herself up onto one elbow to lean over and thoroughly kiss her lover, feeling her body respond with a familiar clenching of her guts. She was still on somewhat of an adrenaline high and she wanted more than just kissing. But... Bella. She'd been stopping them from being intimate for a while now.

She exhaled shakily as she drew back and Beca smiled widely at her, knowing exactly what was going through her mind. "I'll move her back to her room," she said as she pulled back the bedcovers. "Make sure you're naked when I get back." She gently lifted the little girl and carried her to her own bedroom to tuck her in and kiss her forehead, making sure she was sound asleep again before creeping out.

She locked the bedroom door behind her and got back into bed, opening her arms to accept her lover into them. But she gasped and then groaned as Chloe took her hand to guide it to the toy strapped between her thighs. "This ok?" she asked softly.

Beca's fingers slid easily against the lubed length, and she nodded as arousal crashed over her. In lieu of answering, she pulled Chloe closer and kissed her hungrily, pushing her hips forward so the head of the toy slid along her panties and pressed a little between her folds through the thin material. "Fuck," she moaned as Chloe bit her bottom lip and her clit pulsed needily from it.

The redhead chuckled softly. "Glad you approve." Her playful tone made Beca grin and pull her impossibly closer. "Mmm... so eager." Chloe pushed the material aside and rubbed the head of the toy against her lover, moaning softly herself. "New double ended one," she managed to get out and the brunette's grin just widened, loving that Chloe was getting pleasure from this too. "Ready?" she murmured as she slid her hands under Beca's shirt and cupped her breasts, stiff nipples pressing into her palms.

"Please," the brunette nodded heatedly, and Chloe slipped the shirt off her, replacing her hands with her mouth and dragging a ragged groan from her. She took her time with a careful exploration of every inch of her lover's skin, worshiping her before slowly sliding the toy inside her. It was a little bigger than their other ones and she paused a moment to let the younger woman adjust to it.

"Feel ok?" she asked, caressing Beca's face with infinite care and gentleness.

The brunette's fingertips skirted down the bare skin of her back to cup her ass and squeeze. "Don't keep me waiting," she whispered, and Chloe grinned this time as she slowly pulled her hips back and then thrusted forward. Beca brought her legs up and locked her ankles around the redhead's waist, slightly adjusting the angle and she whimpered as pleasure laced through her.

Chloe's light blue eyes closed, and she pressed her forehead to her lover's collarbone as she felt it too. "Bec," she moaned. "Oh...wow..." Her chest was fiercely burning with love for the younger woman who was holding her so tenderly. "I know things have been hard the last few weeks but... don't leave me, ok?" she asked sincerely. "Please don't ever leave me."

Beca's dark blue eyes opened, and Beca gazed right into her lover's soul, lamenting the fear in the older woman's eyes. "Never," she promised. "Chloe Beale, I love you more than I've ever loved anyone else, and I'm never letting you go. Where you go, I go."

A tear trekked slowly down Chloe's cheek as she drew her hips back again and this time speared forward, pulling another gasped whimper from her fiancée. They settled into a slow, deep rhythm and Beca closed her eyes, losing herself in the pleasure and only coming back when Chloe kissed her, pushing her tongue deeply into her mouth in time with her thrusts.

The brunette squeezed her ass again in encouragement. "Baby... faster," she begged breathlessly, lifting her hips to take the toy even deeper. Chloe growled softly and picked up her pace, beads of sweat forming on her brow and under Beca's fingers as they slid up her back to pull on her shoulders and then grasp into her hair.

She slowed down then, circling her hips teasingly as she tried to catch her breath a little, then picked up the pace again as Beca tugged on her hair encouragingly. After only a few more moments, Chloe was close; so close she felt like she was going to explode. Her chest was tight with exertion and passion, and her breathing was ragged. "Bec... I'm gonna..." she groaned.

"Me too," Beca whimpered. "Chloe, I fucking love you so much."

"L-love you too," Chloe whined, and then she was lost to pleasure as she came around the toy, hips jerking erratically as she moaned gutturally into her lover's neck.

Beca was right there... so, so close... so, when Chloe's mouth closed on her pulse point and sucked hard, her body released like a shattering dam, and she had to bite down on her closed fist to stifle the loud cry of pleasure that ripped from her. "Jesus... fuck... oh my God..." she groaned as she shuddered through it, and Chloe held her as her own body slowly calmed. Then she eased back and gently removed the toy from inside them both before snuggling back against Beca.

They didn't move, didn't speak. They just lay chest to chest, eyes locked on each other's as they emotionally connected on a whole new level. Chloe had thought she couldn't love Beca any more than she already did. Now she realized she'd been wrong. Beca had been there for her during the worst moments of her life, had seen the aftermath... the anger, the depression, the drinking... and she was still there. She was still Chloe's. And Chloe loved her even more for it all.

A little chuckle left Beca's chest then, and the redhead tilted her head, smile lifting her lips at the same time. "What's funny?"

"Babe," the brunette replied with a grin of her own. "I'm really fucking glad that you've kept up with all that cardio."

And Chloe shook her head, giggles shaking her body as she curled around her lover and tickled her. She was sweating, they both were, but it felt good. Like it was washing away the pain and sorrow and fear that had invaded their lives and bringing them back together in a very visceral way.

Beca was so happy, she could hardly contain it and she ran her fingers through Chloe's hair, ordering the thick strands and pushing the fine hairs back from her damp forehead. "You're amazing," she said. "And totally badass."

The redhead blushed a tad but smiled. "You know, I get it now," she said. "What happened to Bella wasn't my fault and I'm really glad I got to kick Armie in the balls."

"And punch him in the face," Beca added.

"And punch him in the face," Chloe agreed. She flexed her hand from which, only the day before, its cast had been removed. It was still a little tender and she had exercises she had to do to help strengthen it again, but... "So worth it," she murmured.

"Mmmm..." Beca agreed. "Totally." Then she smirked as her hand wandered down Chloe's chest to cup her breast and run a thumb over her nipple. "Got your breath back?" she asked.

"Yeah," the redhead responded huskily. "Why? What did you have in mind?"

Beca ran a fingertip along the harness still loosely circling her fiancée's hips. "I think it's my turn," she whispered as she ran the tip of her tongue along Chloe's jawline. "What do YOU think?"

The older woman grinned evilly. "I think you're gonna wish you did more cardio!"

Xx

Chloe straightened her bikini top before diving into the pool and settling into her daily lengths with a little more enthusiasm than normal. Even though she and Beca had been up late the night before, she felt energized, and she completed her thirty lengths within a time that would have been a personal best, had she been paying attention. She lifted her goggles from her eyes when she realized that her mom was sitting at the patio table, reading on her iPad as she sipped at her morning coffee.

"Hey, Mom," she grinned. "Beautiful day."

"I'm surprised you had the energy to get out of bed this morning, Young Lady," the older woman teased.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Chloe replied innocently, then pressed her body up and out of the pool, dripping as she padded across the patio to her towel.

"Is Beca alive?" Mari asked then, eyebrows raised.

"I think Beca's more alive than she's ever been." Chloe wrapped herself in a robe and took a seat, pouring her own coffee and then buttering a croissant. "We both are."

Mari's face gentled and she pushed her blonde hair back where it had been tossed by the breeze. "I'm glad things are better between you," she said. "I was a little worried for a moment there."

The redhead nodded, thoughts turning inward for a long moment. Then she met her mother's eyes. "I wasn't..." she began, quickly swallowing a bite of buttery pastry. "I was never mad at Beca. It was all directed at myself, but therapy really helped. And Beca was so patient through the whole process."

"All relationships go through ups and downs, Honey," her mother replied. "But I can see every day how much you and Beca love each other. If you keep communicating, you'll be ok." Chloe just hummed her agreement and Mari knew her daughter well enough to know when it was time to change the subject. "So, what's on the agenda today, My Love?"

"I'm meeting with Beca, Jesse and Cynthia-Rose today to audition for the role Beca wants me to play in her movie."

Mari looked surprised at that. "I thought it was in the bag? Why are you auditioning?"

The redhead shrugged and wiped her greasy fingertips on a napkin. "It's for me really," she said. "They think I'm right for the role, but I want them to have an opportunity to audition other actors too." She smiled a little. "I'm so proud of Beca and I want to support her in making the best movie she can... even if it means I'm not in it."

She startled a little then when warm hands landed on her shoulders and gentle lips kissed the top of her head. "In what existence are you possibly not right for this role, Chlo?" Beca asked with a smile.

The redhead chuckled softly. "As much as I appreciate your faith in me, Becs, actors with no experience don't get to just walk into roles."

"No exper..." The brunette shook her head. "Chloe, you've been acting for twelve years. How is that inexperienced?"

Chloe just shrugged and sipped her coffee. Then she poured her fiancée a cup and indicated for her to sit down. "At the end of the day, there's no harm in doing an audition, right? It'll let me get initial notes from you guys on how you want me to play the character."

Beca had to give her that. "Ok," she said gently. "I get it. Collaboration is a good thing."

The beaming smile returned to the redhead's face, and she leaned back in her chair. "It truly is a beautiful day."

"Mommy!" Bella appeared from the kitchen, dressed for school and with her backpack on her shoulder. Chloe stifled a laugh as she picked her up and set her in her lap.

"Bella, there's no school today. It's Saturday, Baby Girl."

The little girl rolled her eyes, a trait she'd picked up from Beca. "I know, Mommy," she stated. "But I'm going to see Doctor Tee... Tree..."

"Teefrage," Chloe supplied helpfully.

"Treefeage," Bella repeated.

"Close enough," Beca chuckled.

"I wanted to look nice," the little one went on. "Don't I look nice?"

"You look so pretty," her mother smiled. "But how about we take off that uniform and just wear jeans and your favorite shirt?"

"No," Bella replied.

"Bells..." Chloe tried again.

"NO!" The little girl shook her head, red curls bouncing as she folded her arms stubbornly.

"Bella." Chloe's tone was firm but even. "Please go and change into jeans and a shirt... right now."

Bella pouted and sighed heavily. "Yes, Ma'am." She slid off her mother's lap and headed back into the house.

"She's just like you were at that age," Mari told her daughter. "Adorable but headstrong." She paused then, head tilting. "Who am I kidding? You haven't changed a bit."

Chloe scowled playfully as Beca sniggered behind her hand. "And on that note," she said. "Let me go check on her and get ready myself." She finished her coffee and leaned over to kiss Beca's cheek before heading into the house.

When she was gone, Mari grinned at her daughter-in-law-to-be. "How are you not walking like John Wayne this morning?"

Beca grinned back. "You should ask Chloe the same thing."

Xx

Bella was sitting on her bed sulking when her mom came into the bedroom. "Need some help, Baby Girl?"

"No," the little girl replied. "I can do it myself."

"I see," Chloe replied, stifling a smile. "Big girl, huh?"

"Yes," Bella confirmed with a big nod.

"Then, as a big girl, you'll know that school uniforms are only for wearing at school, and that other kids, don't wear their uniforms on a Saturday."

Her daughter looked uncertain for a moment, then got up and went to her closet. "Of course I know that, Mommy," she said as she pulled a t-shirt off a hanger and began unbuttoning her shirt. Chloe felt like crying as love swelled in her chest for her kid, who was so like herself it was eerie. She watched as Bella changed her outfit, then knelt in front of her to help her switch her shoes to the right feet.

"I love you, Kid," Chloe said softly. "You know that, right? No matter what, I'll always, always love you."

"Yeah," Bella replied with a smile. "I know."

The redhead swallowed softly as she twitched her daughter's t-shirt straight. "Bella, the bad man..." She eased back a little as she saw her daughter stiffen. "Did he touch you?"

"No," the little one replied. She looked at her mother then. "But..."

Chloe held her breath unconsciously, overcome with fear. "But what, Baby Girl?" she prompted then.

"He said... he said..." Bella's eyes filled with tears. "He said he was going to hurt you if I didn't stay quiet. I tried to stay quiet, Mommy, I promise, but he was going to hurt you anyway so I must have done something bad. And I'm sorry, Mommy, I'm sorry! I tried to be good." She reached out her arms to her mother and Chloe pulled her into her lap, holding her close and stroking her hair gently as the little one broke down and cried against her neck.

"You did nothing wrong, Bella," her mom said. "You did everything right. You were a good girl... SUCH a good girl. The man was bad and no matter what, he wanted to hurt me. It wasn't anything you did, My Love, I promise."

"You promise?" Bella hiccupped.

"Yes, my Sweet Girl. I promise. You're such a good girl and I'm so, so, so proud of you."

Mother and daughter cried together until the little one dozed off in Chloe's lap. Every fiber of the redhead's being wanted to go to Armie and make him suffer. Death was no longer enough for him. She wanted him to suffer for the rest of his life.

A/N: Sorry, Guys. I have to stop here. I'm emotional after writing this chapter and I need to take some time to recover.