Day 17 - Christmas (Re)Connection

Prompt from FanFiction User malexfaith: Beca and Chloe are together in High School but break up just before they head off to separate colleges and lose touch. Five years later, they meet up again due to their careers (Beca in music; Chloe, a photographer).


Chloe entered the music studio with plenty of time to spare to make it to her appointment on time. She walked over to the receptionist's desk.

"Good morning," Chloe said. "I'm Chloe Beale, and I have an appointment with Mr. Burnett."

"Have a seat, and I'll let him know you're here," the receptionist said.

"Thank you," Chloe said and went to the waiting area.

Chloe sat and thumbed through a magazine she found on the table. She smiled when she came across one of her photos advertising L.A. tourism.

"Miss Beale?"

A man Chloe presumed was Mr. Burnett stood in front of her. Chloe stood and held out her hand.

"I'm Chloe."

"Theo Burnett," Theo said, shaking Chloe's hand. "Thank you for agreeing to do this on Christmas Eve. If you'll follow me, we can get started."

"It's not like I have anywhere to be for the holidays," Chloe thought as she hefted her camera bag onto her shoulder and followed after Theo.

"I hate to do this," Theo said as they waited for the elevator. "But we need you to sign a non-disclosure agreement before we start."

"May I ask why?"

"You'll see once we actually get you into the studio," Theo said as they stepped onto the elevator.

Chloe nodded. She had photographed celebrities before, so signing an NDA was not an unusual request.

"I wonder who I'm photographing," Chloe thought as she followed Theo off the elevator and to his office.

"Have a seat," Theo said, indicating a chair across from a desk.

Chloe set her camera bag down next to the chair and sat. Theo rummaged around his desk and pulled out a folder.

"I think you'll find it's a pretty standard agreement," Theo said, holding it out to Chloe.

Chloe took it and started reading. The wording was the same as other NDAs she'd signed.

"May I have a pen?" Chloe asked when she had finished reading.

Theo handed her a pen, and Chloe signed the agreement.

"I'll make sure you have a copy before you leave today," Theo said.

~~ 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases 2022 ~~

Chloe walked into the studio and looked around. She smiled at the familiarity of the lights and filters. She set her camera bag down and retrieved her favorite.

"Do you mind if I take a few throwaway shots?" Chloe asked Sarah, the woman Theo had bring her to the studio.

"That's fine," Sarah said. "We can reset anything you need us to change. Just let me know."

"Is there anything, in particular, you're looking for in the photos?"

"Theo wants something sexy so it will sell," Sarah said, chuckling. "You may find that the artist is of a different opinion on what they want."

"Yikes," Chloe mumbled, chuckling. "I hope I can find a happy in-between."

"I've seen your photos," Sarah said. "I'm sure you'll do just fine."

Chloe smiled and raised the camera. She looked through the lens and snapped a couple of quick shots. She pulled the camera down and looked through what she had taken.

"Can I get this light moved about six inches to the right? It's casting a weird shadow."

"Certainly," Sarah said.

Chloe waited for the light to be moved and then took a few more shots. After looking through those, she smiled at Sarah and said, "That's much better. Mr. Burnett said there would be a laptop for me to download the photos onto."

"Yes," Sarah said. "It's set up right over here."

Chloe plugged her camera into the laptop to ensure everything was working as it should. She then took her camera and starting moving around the studio, checking shots to find the best angle and location for the shots the studio had requested.

She stood by a wall and pointed the camera down a hallway. She caught movement to one side and moved the camera to see Sarah in the frame; she quickly snapped the shot.

She realized Sarah was talking to someone walking next to her so she moved the camera and a face popped into her view. A face she knew.

Chloe gasped out a "Fuck" as she lowered the camera and then raised it back up again. "I can't believe this." Chloe mumbled, unsure of what to do.

When she noticed the two women coming toward her she quickly turned around the corner and put her back against the wall. She peeked out when she heard the voices turning in a different direction. She let out the breath she was holding and quickly made her way back over to the laptop.

Chloe set her camera down and put her head in her hands.

"Of all the people I could have been hired to photograph, it had to be Beca," Chloe thought, chewing her lip. "I should at least say hi. I mean, it's been five years, she's can't still be mad at me, right?" Chloe sighed as her inner monologue continued. "Who am I kidding? I broke her heart. I'll just stay behind the lights so she can't see me. I can do this. She doesn't have to see me for me to take her picture. Yeah, that''ll work." Chloe rubbed her temples. "Oh, God, why is seeing her having such an affect on me? And, why does she have to look so good? Screw it, I can't do this."

Chloe grabbed her camera and started to stuff it into her bag.

"Chloe?" Sarah said from behind Chloe. "Is everything alright?"

"What?" Chloe asked, acting as if she was searching for something. "Everything's fine. Ah, there it is."

Chloe turned and faced Sarah.

"I decided to try a different lens," Chloe said, holding up the lens in her hand.

"Um, okay," Sarah said. "We're ready to start whenever you are."

"Great," Chloe said. "Can we get the lights turned on?"

"James, lights on, please," Sarah said.

The lights came on and Chloe could saw Beca raise her hand and shade her eyes.

"Perfect," Chloe said, moving to the spot she had chosen to shoot the photos from.

"Where do you want Beca?" Sarah asked.

"What?" Chloe asked. "Oh, I'll leave that up to you and her. I can shoot her anywhere."

Sarah walked over to Beca.

"Why don't we start with a few shots of you sitting on the stool?" Sarah said.

"Okay," Beca said and sat on the stool, grimacing as she looked at the lights.

"Try to pretend like you're enjoying yourself," Sarah said.

"I can't see anything with those lights shining in my face," Beca said.

Chloe put the camera to her eye and snapped a few candid shots of Beca.

Sarah walked over to Beca and fluffed her hair; then she started messing with the buttons on Beca's shirt.

"Let's just," Sarah said as she attempted to unbutton two more of the buttons.

"Stop it," Beca said, smacking at Sarah's hands. "Two buttons are plenty."

"Sex sells, Beca," Sarah said. "You know the studio wants something provocative for your cover."

"I don't care," Beca said, rebuttoning the two buttons Sarah managed to unbutton.

"Same old Beca," Chloe muttered and giggled.

Beca's head shot up, and she squinted her eyes to see who giggled. She couldn't see anyone behind the lights and shook her head.

"Everything okay?" Sarah asked.

"Um, yeah," Beca said, chuckling. "That giggle reminded me of someone."

Chloe gasped and put her camera to her face so no one could see her blushing. She looked through the lens, and Beca was smiling, so she snapped the photo. She moved around a bit and snapped a few more while Beca was relaxed and at ease.

"Chloe?" Sarah called out loudly to get Chloe's attention.

Chloe's head snapped around, and she looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"Chloe?" Beca said, pushing past Sarah and walking toward Chloe. She was smiling as she said, "I knew that giggle sounded familiar."

Chloe stood there, wishing the floor would open up and swallow her.

"Um, yeah," Chloe said. "It was me."

"What? I don't get a famous Beale hug after all these years," Beca said, holding her arms out to the side.

"I'm just trying to keep it professional," Chloe said, not moving.

Beca's smile and arms dropped.

"Oh, sorry, my mistake," Beca said, turning to go back to the stool.

Instead of taking a seat, Beca walked past the stool and toward her dressing room in the back.

"Beca!?" Sarah called out, hurrying after Beca.

Chloe swallowed and looked down at the floor, wiping a tear from her eye.

"Jesus, Chloe," she muttered. "What is wrong with you?"

~~ 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases 2022 ~~

Beca stormed into her dressing room and attempted to slam the door. Sarah caught it before it closed and stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

"What the Hell was that?" Sarah asked.

"I know her," Beca said. "Or I knew her."

"Who? Chloe?"

"Yeah."

"Is working with her going to be a problem for you?" Sarah asked. "Because we're on a tight deadline, and I don't know if we'll be able to find another photographer of her caliber on such short notice, especially during the holidays. Can't you put your feelings aside and just get through this?"

"It's not me you have to worry about," Beca said. "You saw what just happened. I was trying to reconnect, and she blew me off."

"She said she wanted to keep things professional," Sarah said. "I admire her for that."

"Admire her?" Beca scoffed. "I'm the star, you're supposed to be kissing my ass and making sure I'm happy. I am not happy."

"Having a temper tantrum because someone wouldn't hug you is not a good look on you," Sarah said. "You need to take a page out of Chloe's book and keep it professional. Now, get back out there, and let's get this done."

"Fine," Beca said. "But I want to talk to Chloe first. If you can get her to talk to me, I'll be professional, and we can finish the shoot, and all will be right with the world. Otherwise, you'd better change your Christmas plans because you'll be looking for another photographer."

Sarah stared at Beca; Beca crossed her arms and stared back at her.

"Fine," Sarah said. "I'll go talk to Chloe and see if she'll come talk to you. Just be nice, okay?"

"I will," Beca said and held up three fingers. "Scout's honor."

~~ 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases 2022 ~~

Beca spent the next few minutes pacing in her dressing room. She stopped when there was a soft knock on the door. Beca opened the door to Chloe standing there.

"Sarah said you wanted to talk to me," Chloe said, standing with her arms around her waist.

"Come in," Beca said.

Chloe stepped in, and Beca closed the door. Beca looked at Chloe; Chloe was staring at the ground.

"What the hell, Chloe," Beca said. "Is hugging really that repulsive to you or something?"

"No," Chloe said. "You just surprised me. I wasn't expecting you to want to talk to me, let alone hug me."

"Why? Because you broke up with me and broke my heart. Or don't you remember that?"

"Of course, I remember," Chloe said. "I remember every second of every moment we spent together. I loved you, Beca, and that day was-. I wish I handled it better-" Chloe stopped and stood looking at Beca. "I wish things had gone differently."

"It wouldn't have mattered," Beca said, shaking her head. "You still would have broken up with me. You would have still broken my heart."

"We were leaving for colleges across the country from each other, Beca," Chloe said, running a hand through her hair. "And I believed that breaking up was the best thing to do."

"Are you sure that's the reason?" Beca asked. "Or was it because you weren't willing to try, and walking away was easier?"

"I loved you, Beca," Chloe said, barely holding it together.

"You said that already," Beca said. "It doesn't change anything."

"May I finish?" Chloe asked.

Beca nodded and looked down at the floor.

"I loved you even after we were no longer together," Chloe said. "And seeing you again today made me realize that I never stopped loving you."

Beca scoffed. "Are you trying to break my heart again? Because that's just cruel."

"No, I'm trying to tell you that I still love you," Chloe said. "I never stopped loving you."

"Loving me wasn't enough to keep us together back then," Beca said. "How can I be sure it's enough now?"

"Give me a chance to make it up to you," Chloe said. "To prove to you that I still love you. I'm not the same person I was then. I've grown up, and I'm ready to do whatever is necessary to prove that I'm not going anywhere. Are you willing to give us another chance?"

Beca held her hand out to Chloe. "Let's finish the photo shoot and then we can go somewhere and talk some more. How does that sound?"

"It sounds like we might be trying again," Chloe said, taking Beca's hand.

"I think you might be right," Beca said as they walked out of the room hand-in-hand.

~~ 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases 2022 ~~

"I take it the talk went well," Sarah said when she saw Beca holding Chloe's hand.

"Yeah," Beca said, smiling.

Chloe smiled at Beca and reached up to Beca's shirt.

"What are you doing?" Beca asked, looking down at Chloe's hand as she unbuttoned 2 buttons.

"Sex sells," Chloe said, winking at Beca.

"She's right," Sarah said. "Let's get this shot so we can go home. I have a hot date waiting for me."

"So does Beca," Chloe said, picking up her camera and looking at Beca. "Go sit on the stool."

"Were you always this bossy?" Beca asked as she sat on the stool.

Chloe didn't say anything; she just turned on the floor fan and tilted it up so it was blowing Beca's hair. Chloe smiled and started snapping pictures.