Prompt: "Well, this went horribly wrong…"
A/N: Comments are a writers encouragement. Please give generously!
"Hey Dad, Sheila... um... you remember Chloe, right?" Beca asked, nervously shifting from foot to foot.
"Of course we do," her dad's wife replied with a smile. "So nice to see you again, Chloe."
"You too," the redhead replied with a matching smile.
"We should go in," Dr. Mitchell said, indicating the entrance to the restaurant.
"Sure," Beca added. "I'm actually starving." She wasn't. The brunette was so full of nerves, she was almost vibrating, and Chloe gently rubbed her back as they walked behind her parents into the building.
The restaurant was bustling with activity, but the hostess had their table ready and led them to it. Beca slid in on one side of the booth with Chloe beside her, while Dr. Mitchell and Sheila slid in on the other.
"So," the man began as they settled. "How are classes this semester?"
"A lot," Beca admitted. "With exams coming up, the Bellas and my internship at Residual Heat, it's never a dull moment."
"For me too," Chloe added. "I've been busting my butt to try to pass Russian lit. She giggled a little. "I really need to actually graduate this year, much as I love Barden."
Beca smiled affectionately at the redhead. "You'll fly through, Chlo. You've taken this class like three times at this point."
"Da," Chloe grinned.
"And how's your family, Chloe?" Sheila asked as she perused the wine list.
"Very well, thanks," Chloe responded with a smile. "My youngest brother just started community college. He wants to be an accountant so he's taking some business and finance cla..."
"Dad, there's something I have to tell you," Beca suddenly blurted out. Chloe stopped speaking, teeth clicking together as her mouth closed and she looked at the brunette with raised eyebrows. "Sorry for interrupting, Chlo."
The redhead smiled and leaned back in her seat, hand finding the younger woman's knee under the table.
"You're not failing, are you?" Doctor Mitchell asked. "I've been trying to stay out of your business, Beca, but if you're..."
"No, I'm not failing." Beca swallowed hard. "But I... I AM gay."
Silence fell at the table and Doctor Mitchell slowly put his menu down, blinking owlishly behind his glasses. Then his eyes went to Chloe. "Are um..."
The redhead nodded. "Beca and I are together."
Beca took Chloe's hand and squeezed gently. "We're in love and we want to be together so... I'm coming out, Dad." She bit her bottom lip and waited anxiously for her father to say something.
Very slowly, Doctor Mitchell got up and tossed his napkin onto the table. "I need some air," he said and then walked away.
Beca looked down, eyes filling with tears. "Well, that went horribly," she said softly as Chloe rubbed her back sympathetically.
Sheila shook her head. "It's not... he loves Chloe, Beca. It's just... he has this whole idea of retirement and grandkids built up in his head and I think he's just a little derailed."
"Let me talk to him," Chloe said suddenly. "I'll be right back."
"Chlo..." Beca began but the redhead was already on her way toward the door. She stepped outside and looked around to find Beca's dad standing off to one side.
"Hey," she said softly as she approached him. "Kinda blindsided you, huh?"
The professor nodded a little. "I wasn't expecting... this."
Chloe nodded back. "Listen... I'm not sure exactly what Beca wants... I mean we've talked about stuff and we're on the same page... but I'm in this for the long haul and I want everything with her, including marriage and kids."
"How is she supposed to know WHAT she wants? She's only twenty," Doctor Mitchell pointed out. "You're older, Chloe."
"Three years, I know. But it doesn't make me any wiser or put together, believe me," the redhead chuckled. "Beca keeps me on the straight and narrow." She sobered then. "She's still your Beca, Doctor Mitchell, gay or straight, ok? Your dreams don't have to change because of this single piece of information."
The man sighed. "You must think me selfish, Chloe."
"Not at all," the redhead replied with a smile. "My parents were a little... hesitant... too. But at the end of the day, it's Beca's life and I know you just want her to be happy. She just really needs to hear that right now."
"You're right. Let's go back in."
Chloe nodded and followed her girlfriend's dad back to their table. Beca was sitting quietly, just staring dazedly into space when her dad came up next to her and held out his hand. "C'mere, Baby Girl," he said softly.
Beca slowly took his hand and got up, utterly surprised when he pulled her into a tight hug. "I love you so much, Beca and I'm so proud of you. Thank you for being open with me and I'm sorry I didn't do this the second you told me."
Beca squeezed him back just as tightly. "It's ok."
"And Chloe's a keeper," he added in a whisper. "Don't let her get away."
"I won't," the brunette replied, sniffling a little. "Thanks, Dad."
Chloe slid into the booth, smiling at Sheila.
"What did you say to him?" the older woman asked.
"I just reminded him of what he already knew," the redhead replied with a shrug.
And Sheila just chuckled softly.