BeChloe Week 2022 - Day 5

Prompt: Single Parent

Two years ago, Beca Mitchell was twenty-five years old and had the world at her feet. She was an award-winning singer/songwriter/producer. And up until about eighteen months ago, she couldn't think of anything that she would change. Shortly after that, she decided she wanted to make her dream of being a mom a reality.

Beca had come out as bi to her parents when she was just fourteen; even though she had a stronger preference for girls, she never came out as totally gay.

Beca wasn't into guys enough to want to have sex with one just to get pregnant, nor was she going to have sex with a stranger just to get pregnant. So, since most guys were out, Beca did the next best thing and went the IVF route. She was lucky and fell pregnant on the first try.

Now, six months after giving birth, she decided it was time to get into the studio. The studio was only a four-block walk, so she strapped Dylan in his fold-up stroller and made her way to work.

Once they arrived at the building that housed the studio, Beca decided to remove Dylan from the stroller so she wouldn't have to worry about others on the elevator bumping into the stroller or Dylan. She was struggling to fold the stroller with one hand and stood back from the doors to allow others to enter and exit without them bumping into her or her bumping into them.

"Jesus Christ," Beca mumbled. "How fucking hard can this be?"

She grimaced when she looked down at the chubby face of 6-month-old Dylan.

"Sorry, dude," Beca muttered. "I shouldn't be saying that kind of word around you. It's just this dam-darned stroller doesn't want to cooperate."

Dylan cooed and giggled as Beca continued to struggle with closing the stroller with one hand.

"Oh, you think that's funny, huh?" Beca said, smiling. "It's a good thing you're that cute."

"Do you need a hand?" a voice suddenly asked.

"Oh, um, thank you," Beca said, looking into the kind eyes of a male stranger.

"These things are tricky," the man said, taking the stroller. "My wife and I both had trouble with closing one of these without the other's help. We have three kids now, and we've mastered doing some things on our own. Closing a supposedly easy folding stroller is one of them."

"They sure don't make things easy for someone on their own with a 6-month-old," Beca said, chuckling.

"They sure don't," the man said.

The man pushed the stroller by the handles, closing it. "Ah, there we go," he said, holding it toward Beca.

Beca shifted Dylan on her hip and took the stroller. "Thank you," Beca said. "It was very kind of you to help."

"My pleasure," the man said. "You two have a great day."

"You as well," Beca said as the man walked away.

"Now, let's go in and see if your mama can get some work done," Beca said as she sighed and kissed Dylan on the forehead.

~ BeChloe Week 2022 - Day 5 ~

Beca didn't get much work done with Dylan there. Everyone just had to stop by her office to see Dylan since she had been working from home since he was born.

"Beca!" Emily Junk said as she entered Beca's office. She came to a sudden stop when she saw Dylan in Beca's arms. "I heard Dylan was here and had to come to see him for myself. Oh, my word, he's even more adorable than the last time I saw him. Can I hold him?"

Before Beca could answer, Dylan was reaching for Emily. Beca wasn't the least bit surprised that he went to Emily without any fuss. With her rather surly demeanor, she's not sure how he was becoming such a friendly kid.

"Who's a handsome boy?" Emily cooed, grabbing Dylan's hand and kissing his cheek. "You are, that's who."

Emily then held Dylan up and blew raspberries on his stomach. Dylan laughed and tried to push Emily away.

"Did you come in here for something, Em? Or are you just here to steal my kid?"

"What?" Emily asked, bringing Dylan back down to her hip. "Oh, sorry. I'm working on a song, and I thought you might have some time to help me."

"Um, I'll have to find someone to look after Dylan," Beca said. "He'll be nothing but a distraction if I keep him in here while we're working."

"Why don't you take him to the studio's daycare?" Emily said.

"The studio has a daycare?" Beca asked. "Why is this the first I've heard of it?"

"It just opened up like three months ago," Emily said. "And, it's free to any child of a studio employee."

"Wow," Beca said. "You'd think someone would have mentioned this new development to me since I, you know, have a kid now."

"Oops. I'm sorry," Emily said. "I was afraid if I told you, you'd come back sooner, and you said you wanted six months at home with Dylan before coming back to work in person."

Beca sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I did say that, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did," Emily said. "Now come with me, and I'll introduce you to Chloe. She owns and operates the daycare. You'll like her; she's really nice. And she's great with the kids, too."

"Fine," Beca huffed, taking Dylan. "Let's go."

Beca settled Dylan on her hip, then grabbed his diaper bag, hooking it over her shoulder.

Seeing the frown on Beca's face, Emily turned to her, saying, "Stop frowning, Beca. Chloe will take good care of Dylan. You'll have nothing to worry about as long as he's with her."

"I'm sure she's great," Beca said. "It's just, I haven't let anyone I don't know watch Dylan because I don't trust people easily."

"He'll be fine," Emily said. "And I hate to keep repeating myself, but you have nothing to worry about regarding Chloe."

~ BeChloe Week 2022 - Day 5 ~

Beca stood outside the daycare, staring in through a huge glass window. She could see a couple of kids running around.

"Wait, it that Stacie's little girl, Bella?" Beca asked Emily, pointing out the young toddler.

"Yep," Emily said. "Stacie brings her here because Chloe charges reasonable rates, and it's only two blocks from her yoga studio."

"Hmm," Beca hummed. "I wonder why she didn't tell me about the daycare opening up here."

"She probably figured someone else told you," Emily said. "And, again, I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"Maybe we should go in," Beca said. "That redhead is staring at me."

Emily looked through the window and waved to the redhead. The redhead smiled and waved back at Emily.

"That's Chloe," Emily said, opening the door and holding it for Beca. "Come on."

Beca entered and waited for Emily to step inside next to her.

"Hello, Emily," the redhead said. "Who do we have here?"

"Beca works for the studio and wants to leave Dylan with you while we get some work done," Emily said. "Is that okay?"

"That's perfectly fine," Chloe said, looking at Emily and then moving her gaze to Beca.

"Oh, where are my manners?" Emily said. "Let me introduce you two. Beca, this is Chloe Beale. She owns and runs the daycare. Chloe, this is Beca Mitchell, a Senior Music Producer, and songwriter. She's the one that helped me with my song Flashlight."

"Oh, I remember you telling me about that," Chloe said. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Mitchell."

"It's, uh, it's nice to meet you, too," Beca said, looking around. "How exactly does this work?"

Chloe went over and picked up a clipboard from a nearby desk.

"Well," Chloe said. "I'll need you to fill out this form. Please be thorough in your responses; it helps me learn about your child, so there aren't any surprises later."

"Oh, um, okay," Beca said, turning to Emily. "Em, could you hold Dylan while I fill out the forms?"

"I'd love to," Emily said, taking Dylan.

Chloe handed the clipboard and a pen to Beca. "I'll also need the contact information for your husband. Especially if he'll be picking Dylan up or dropping him off."

"Beca doesn't have a husband," Emily said as she tickled Dylan's side. "She's single."

Beca glared at Emily. Emily didn't notice since she was focused on Dylan.

"Oh," Chloe said. "Will you be having someone else picking up Dylan? If so, I'll need their contact info as well."

"Um, I don't know," Beca said. "I suppose I will, I just don't know who it might be. Can I get that info to you later?"

"That's fine," Chloe said. "We are open from six a.m. to six p.m., Monday through Friday. If you think you'll be later than six, just call, and I can make arrangements to stay a little later."

"Doesn't that bother your husband?" Beca asked. "I mean not knowing what time you'll be coming home."

"Chloe's single, too," Emily said. "I've invited her to come to some of our girls' nights, but she's said no every time. You should start going out with us again, Beca. It's not the same without you."

"Kind of hard to do when anyone I'd trust to watch Dylan will be out with you," Beca said.

"Maybe we can plan a night in at your place," Emily suggested. "You've got the biggest place of all of us."

"I'll think about it," Beca said.

"And Chloe could come, too," Emily said. "You'd come, wouldn't you, Chloe?"

"I don't know, Emily," Chloe said. "I don't really know anyone but you."

"You know Stacie," Emily said. "And, now you know Beca. Live a little. Come hang out at Beca's with us."

"I haven't said yes, Em," Beca said.

"You will," Emily said. "If not, you know Stacie will let Fat Amy unleash the Kraken on you."

~ BeChloe Week 2022 - Day 5 ~

Two weeks later, Beca had agreed to have everyone over for a girl's night in, and Emily had convinced Chloe to accept the invite to attend.

It was the day before the get-together, and Beca was dropping Dylan at daycare. Beca was getting Dylan settled, and Chloe asked to speak with her before she left.

Dylan was settled in the crib. Beca saw that Chloe was sitting at her desk, so Beca walked over to her.

"What's up?" Beca asked.

"I was wondering if I could bring a friend to your place for girl's night?" Chloe asked.

"You want to bring a date?"

"Not a date," Chloe said quickly. "I forgot I had made plans with my best friend Aubrey, and I really want to come to your, uh, to the girl's night thing, so I thought I'd invite her to come with me. If that's okay with you."

"You're adorable," Beca muttered, then blushed and cleared her throat. "Um, sure. I don't see any problem with you bringing your friend."

Chloe squealed and jumped up, grabbing Beca in a hug. "Thank you."

Beca awkwardly patted Chloe on the back before slightly pulling away. She looked at Chloe, and Chloe looked at her. Beca looked down at Chloe's lips, and Beca could swear Chloe looked down at hers.

"Um," Beca said, clearing her throat. "I should get to work."

"Oh, right," Chloe said, stepping away from Beca. "I'll, um, see you later."

Beca walked over to the crib where Dylan was lying and picked him up. She kissed his cheek.

"See you later, little dude."

Dylan cooed and waved his arms as Beca smiled at him. She put him back in the crib and turned to Chloe.

"I'll see you later, too," Beca said before walking out the door.

Once Beca was out of sight, Chloe fanned her face and plopped down in her desk chair.

"Oh, my god, she is so hot," Chloe mumbled.

~ BeChloe Week 2022 - Day 5 ~

A few hours later, Beca was working in the studio with Emily.

"How was that?" Emily asked from the booth.

Beca didn't respond or look up. Emily sighed and came out of the booth and stood in front of Beca. She put her hands on her hips and cleared her throat, getting Beca's attention.

"What?" Beca asked, lifting her head to look up at Emily.

"What is wrong with you today?" Emily asked. "You seem distracted. Are you okay?"

"I think I like Chloe," Beca blurted out and then covered her mouth. "Forget I just said that."

"Oh, my gosh," Emily squealed. "That's so great. I think she likes you, too."

"I doubt that," Beca scoffed.

"I'm serious, Beca," Emily said. "I've seen the way she looks at you. I think you should ask her out. You two would be so good together."

"How do you know she's not seeing someone?" Beca asked. "Or that she's into women?"

"I don't," Emily said. "But, I'm sure if you asked her out and she is seeing someone or isn't into women, she'd let you down gently. I'm also sure she's interested in you and will say yes."

"But, how can you be so sure she'd say yes?"

"Oh, my God! Do I have to call Stacie and Fat Amy in on this?"

"No! Don't call them or tell them," Beca said, running a hand through her hair. She sighed and added, "I'll ask her."

"Yay!" Emily said, clapping her hands and bouncing up and down.

~ BeChloe Week 2022 - Day 5 ~

It was almost six, and Chloe was getting Dylan ready for Beca.

"There we go, cutie," Chloe said, smiling as she picked Dylan up. "Your mama should be here any minute."

There was a soft knock on the door, and Emily poked her head in.

"Hey, Chloe," Emily said. "Beca's tied up with something and asked me to pick up Dylan, so you don't have to stay late."

"Oh," Chloe said, trying not to sound too disappointed. "Well, he's all ready to go."

"Thanks," Emily said, noticing Chloe's disappointment. "Are you okay?"

"What?" Chloe said. "Oh, I'm fine. I was hoping I'd see Beca. There was something I wanted to ask her."

Emily smiled. "I have an idea."

Chloe furrowed her brow as Emily started telling Chloe her idea. She was smiling by the time Emily was done.

"I'm in," Chloe said, hugging Emily.

~ BeChloe Week 2022 - Day 5 ~

Beca finished the track she was working on and saved her work. She looked toward the door when she heard a soft knock.

"Come on in, Em," Beca called out.

"Sorry," Chloe said as she entered Beca's office with Dylan on her hip. "Emily had to leave, so I thought I'd bring Dylan to you and save you the trip downstairs."

Beca smiled as she stood and walked over to Chloe, taking Dylan from her.

"You do know I practically have to walk by the daycare to get out of the building, right?"

"Oh, really?" Chloe said. "I guess I wasn't thinking straight."

"It's okay," Beca said. "I was hoping to see and talk to you before tomorrow."

"I was hoping to talk to you, too," Chloe said.

"Would you like to go out with me?" Beca and Chloe both blurted out.

"I'd love to," came the response from both, causing them to laugh.

"Let me," Beca said, raising her hand to stop Chloe from speaking again. "I know it's short notice, but would you like to go to dinner with Dylan and me tonight?"

Chloe looked at Dylan and asked, "What do you think, Dylan? Should I join you and your mama for dinner?"

Dylan giggled and started waving his arms.

"I'll take that as a yes," Chloe giggled and grinned as she looked at Beca. "It looks like I'll be joining you two for dinner."

~ BeChloe Week 2022 - Day 5 ~

Six months later, just after Dylan's first birthday, Beca and Chloe were still going strong. Their friends were so used to seeing the three of them together that they all thought Chloe had moved in with Beca.

The girls were surprised when, during their next girl's night at Beca's, Chloe broke the news.

"I'm moving in with Beca and Dylan," Chloe told the group.

"I thought you already lived here," Stacie said, furrowing her brows.

"We all thought you had already moved in," Emily said. "We hardly see one of you without the other."

"If I hadn't been to your place so much and seen you," Aubrey said, "I would have thought you already lived here as well."

"Yeah, well, now it's official," Beca said. "And Chloe will be moving in next Saturday. So, you're all invited over for a welcome home party for her."

"A welcome come home party?" Fat Amy asked.

"Yeah," Beca said. "It feels more like a home when Chloe's here, so a welcome home party is in order."

"I love you," Chloe said, kissing Beca. "Thank you."

"I love you, too," Beca said, pulling Chloe back for another kiss.

Dylan started babbling in Emily's arms.

"Get used to it, Dyl," Emily said, rocking Dylan back and forth. "I have a feeling your mama and Chloe are going to be doing that a lot around here."

Dylan giggled and put his fist in his mouth.