Chapter 7
This chapter is written in 3rd person.
It's a bit all over the place, but I couldn't help myself.
Also, FFW. Enjoy.
...
Time is as powerful as thoughts. It has a lapse, and somewhere between milliseconds we are able to travel back and forth. Even when it's designed to just go\forward, we surf the past, present and future willingly, gliding through our most beloved moments and sometimes just get stuck at our worst.
And that sucks.
Beca feels that all these years have betrayed her essence, turning her into the brooding adult she once promised not to be. Not like she was the life of the party or anything, but she wasn't this boring either. Beca Mitchell assumes everyone is bound to, no matter how hard we try. Even though her job as music producer spices her life up, and molds her routine, most of the nights, she ends up in her apartment either with a glass of red wine in her hand or a designated booty call.
Like today.
Laying on her king size bed, covered with the comforter up her chest, she scrolls Instagram randomly before she is able to deal with real life. The bathroom door opens. Alana walks out wrapped in a bathrobe, drying her hair with a towel.
"Do you think you can drop me off work?" She says casually, walking up to where her black dress lays, on the back of the armchair.
Beca looks at the brunette, while she holds her dress up before letting it fall back on bed.
"I'd love to really, but can't. I have a meeting." She shrugs. "I'll call you a cab, if that's okay." Beca says getting out of bed, throwing her oversize shirt over her head.
"Cab's fine." Alana says nonchalantly. If Beca would have agreed to drive her to work, that would have been a novelty.
"Awesome." The young producer searches on her phone the saved cab company number and hits the phone as she makes her way to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
…
Beca sits in her office, staring blankly out the windows, her sight as lost as her thoughts, submerged in music. It has been hours since she's been trying to figure out what's missing on her new developing track. She pulls her headphones from her neck up to her ears, and plays the track once more, closing her eyes. Softly, her fingers manage the mixing board naturally as he bobs her head to the beats.
She opens her eyes to look up at her computer, to see the phone line blinking. The brunette pulls down her headphones and lets them rest around her neck before picking up the phone.
"Yeah?"
"Miss Mitchell, you have an incoming call from Mr. Swanson." Riley, her assistant, notifies.
Beca raises her eyebrows in surprise. It's very weird Jesse calls through her work phone. She taps her phone's screen to see a missed call and a few message notifications. "I'll take it."
"Transferring call…" Riley says, and Beca greets her best friend.
"So?" She asks excitedly. "What did she say?"
Jesse sighs, delaying his reply. Beca bites her lip, expectant.
"Jesse!" She pushes him.
"She said yes!" The brunette knows he is grinning on the other side of the line. He's finally marrying the love of his life. Aubrey has been and always will be his girl.
They were boyfriend and girlfriend during his freshman year at Barden University, and right after she graduated, they broke up. Long distance relationship wasn't their thing; it didn't work out as Jesse hoped. Of course, he had to move on, and obviously there were hook-ups, occasional flings, dated several girls, and got into a serious relationship with Elise (she was Beca's second favorite), but none of them felt right to him. No magic.
Jesse tried really hard to start off a new relationship, yet he always found himself keen on reconnecting with Aubrey Posen, although the chances were scarce. So, he opted to continue with his life, moving to NY. Little did he know that right after he got his spot on Manhattan's School of Music for his Master's, he would run into Posen in Central Park after so many years.
"Oh my God!" She covers her mouth, delighted. "You're getting married!"
"Jesus, I swear, I almost had a panic attack when she didn't answer right away." Jesse admits. "She took forever."
"I'm so happy for you, Jess!" The brunette replies standing from her chair. "This deserves a celebration! Do you want me to fly up to New York today?" She looks at her agenda on her desktop. "I mean, I'm flying in tomorrow afternoon anyway, but maybe if you wanted, I don't know, to spend some time with me before the a-ca-engagement party, I could fly in earlier?" She hates how corny she sounds right now.
"Oh!" Swanson starts. "Today is a bit tight for me. I have a meeting this afternoon." He exhales softly and Beca can feel disappointment nagging her existence. "That reminds me, can you do me a favor, Becky?"
"Ugh." She rolls her eyes mortified with his nickname, trying to play it cool. "I thought we've outgrown thatname."
"That name will never go out of style."
Beca sighs defeated. "Whatever… So, how can I help?"
Jesse hums. "Can you walk up to the windows of your office and look outside?"
Beca frowns in confusion, wondering why Jesse would want her to just stare at the buildings. "O-kay?"
"Just do it, Beca." He demands knowing she'll hesitate, and yet she complies, pressing the speaker button on the phone. She turns in her seat, to face the glass windows, walks up to them and looks around, observing the LA city Skyline.
"You're on speaker." Beca notifies. "Okay, I'm at the window."
Jesse clears his throat. "Look down, right across the street."
And Beca does as he says. She spots him and she deeply believes he's still her sappy idiot. Jesse waves at her and holds up a cardboard sign that says I'm getting hitched! in bold black letters. She starts laughing at his devoted act.
"You're such a nerd!" Beca says elated and turns around, feeling the urgency to meet her best friend. "I'll be down i-"
"Wait!" Jesse stops her. "There's more..." She faces the windows, and can see his annoying, huge grin from hundreds feet away.
"There's more?" Beca raises her eyebrows in surprise.
He flips the cardboard, for her to read his proposal. Will you be my best woman?
Beca starts laughing, acknowledging she shouldn't have expected any less from him. He loves movies and he's vehement by their iconic scenes.
"So?" He hurries excitedly.
"Dude!" She nods even though he won't be able to see her from the sidewalk. "Of course! I'd love to."
Beca feels warm with his proposal. She feels happy for him. She really does. And such news gives her life.
The thing about Beca and Jesse is that their chemistry has been off the charts since kindergarten. They were inseparable since day one. These awesome nerds share an unbreakable bond, and despite the fights they have had or the time they had been apart or the secrets that they kept from one another, notwithstanding the walls she has tried to build up which he easily broke down, they know, that once they meet again, it's like time never passed. Like nothing has changed.
Beca knows that no matter what happens, she can rely on Jesse, and Jesse knows he can rely on her. She will be forever grateful to him for supporting her when she came out as a lesbian to her parents, and more so, for standing by her side when she needed him most. More than being her best friend, Jesse Swanson is family.
"I'll be down in a minute." She says eager, and without further ado, she hangs up the phone.
It takes her forever to get out of the building, skipping as many steps on the stairs as she could, to meet Jesse on the ground. To her surprise, her best friend is already waiting in the lobby.
"Becaw!" He shouts as soon as he spots her.
She grins at him, and almost runs, to wrap him in an embrace. He lifts her off of the floor, laughing after one twirl.
"Long time no see, Becs." He says endearingly.
"I miss you too, idiot." Beca closes her eyes, a bit out of breath, holding on to him until he puts her back on the ground. She grabs his face, observing his broad boyish smile, her fingertips inspected his stubble beard. "You look so handsome."
Jesse chuckles, blushing. "Thank you. You look… terrible." He teases, earning a flick on his pec. "Ow."
"Shut up."
"So, how have you been? What have you been up to?" He asks excitedly.
"You know, just work." She shrugs.
Jesse holds her by her arms. "Just work?!"
"Um, yeah. Basically." Beca says nonchalant.
"Beca, your songs are, like, top 10 on all platforms!"
"I'm aware." She nods, and pushes her hair behind her ears. "I'm stoked!"
"You're such a dumbass." He pats her cheek twice. "You should be, like, peeing on yourself... enjoying the process. Beca, this is huge!"
"Alright! Thank you, and I deeply appreciate your support, but enough about me." She brings her arms up, trying to drop the topic and focus on what really matters. "Why don't we go grab lunch and you tell me all the proposal's deets?" The young music producer smiles at her best friend, who reciprocates the action.
"Double celebration? Sounds great!" He grins.
…
Aubrey Posen is getting married, and Chloe Beale cannot contain happiness and excitement for her dearest best friend. Since college years they have fantasized about their engagement proposals. Chloe never saw hers coming; she practically had no idea Chicago would propose to her right after they discovered she was pregnant. The proposal was so spontaneous it took place in her apartment's bathroom. It was not romantic, or dreamy or cute… it was nothing but ordinary and practical.
Amidst the turn of events, Chloe took a life changing decision without analysing it thoroughly. Chloe Beale never thought of raising a child by herself, she was sure about that. Deep down in her heart, she wanted to be able to share one of the most beautiful stages of her life with her significant other. She wanted her daughter or son to be as lucky as she was with her family. To grow in a place where acceptance, kindness, love and respect reign.
Chloe Beale rarely regrets. Most of her life, she embraced all the consequences that followed every one of her actions. Except for one: marrying Chicago. She regrets precipitating herself into marriage, not taking their lives and future plans into consideration. And instead, she sacrificed to not be herself entirely, which resulted in an unhappy relationship. Somewhere between the lines, she forgot about the essence of love and its importance, just to live an erred idea of hers.
What a lesson this has been for her…
Amelia, her five year old daughter, has humbled her, has changed the way she sees and lives life. She has defined the meaning of family, has molded her and constantly makes her aspire to be better. It hasn't been easy for either of them, and yet, she has been capable of seeking help when needed. Because she's not alone in this world anymore. And although she has been giving her very best, she still feels she can give a little bit more.
Some say, love can move mountains. And Chloe Beale deeply believes so too.
"Oh my GOD!" Chloe squeals as Aubrey shows her the engagement ring via FaceTime. "Bree! It's so beautiful!"
Aubrey shrieks in delight, jumping in place. "It was so romantic and Jesse was just.. wow!" She says with heart-eyes.
"I'm so happy for you, Aubrey!" Chloe is all teary eyed, and Aubrey can't hold herself. "Jesse is a great person." She smiles widely, knowing that her brother is and has been in love with her best friend for as long as she can remember. "And I'm not saying this because he's my brother."
"Thank you, Chlo." Aubrey chuckles to stifle a sob by placing her fingers over her lips. "Thank you for everything and our talk, and your advice." She laughs softly. "I almost gave him a heart attack when I took my time to reply..." She shakes her head.
Chloe laughs with her. "Well, he's alive and he put a ring on it, so..." Beale winks and smiles at her best friend. "Speaking of, where is he? I'm surprised he hasn't crashed the call."
Aubrey Posen presses her lips, and smiles gently at her best friend. "In LA."
"Oh!" The redhead is taken aback with the news. Her breath catches up but she immediately shakes it. She knows her brother very well, and acknowledges the bond Jesse shares with Beca. The same Beca she will get to see tomorrow after what seems like forever.
"For work?" She asks softly even though she knows why he's there.
"No. He flew in because he wanted to give Beca the news in person." Aubrey rolls her eyes. "You know how extra can be."
Chloe chuckles. "Oh, totes!"
"So, are you guys coming for the weekend? Kathleen, Andrew and Jesse arrive tomorrow, plus The Bellas are coming to the engagement party Amy deliberately arranged." Aubrey asks while she takes out groceries from the paper bag.
"How did she- nevermind... and yes, we're getting ready." Chloe glances over her shoulder, to check up on Amelia who's watching cartoons on TV with her backpack on, which she has refused to take off since she found out they were paying a visit to Uncle Jesse. Her attention is now back to the phone. "We'll be there. Ames? Come say hello to your godmother."
The tiny redhead rips her sight from the TV and runs to her mother, smiling at the phone.
"Auntie!" She grins, her front teeth missing. "Look!" She places her face so up close to the phone that Aubrey can only see her nose.
Posen laughs at the kid's action. "Wow!"
Chloe chuckles and adjusts the phone so Aubrey can see both of them. "I'm a big girl now."
Chloe peppers her cheek with kisses, making Amelia squeal.
"Yes, you are growing up." Aubrey encourages, laughing at their cuteness.
"Mommy!" Amelia squirms and holds her mother's face in place.
Chloe laughs and glances back at her best friend. "We'll be there tomorrow. I have to settle some things before we leave." She nods at Aubrey, and Posen gets the message. She knows Chicago can be a pain in the ass when he chooses to. She really hopes Chloe's well-deserved trip turns out as planned.
"Alright, can't wait to see you guys." The blonde blows a kiss to Chloe and Ames.
"Love you!" The redheads reply in unison and wave goodbye.
…
"Honey, we're home!" Jesse calls from their apartment's front door, letting Beca in first as they enter with their luggage.
"We're home?" Aubrey comes out from what Beca assumes is the kitchen's entrance. "Beca, oh my God, what a surprise!" Aubrey wraps her up in an embrace, which the brunette replies with a small smile. "How are you?" She pulls back holding Beca's hands out.
"I'm good, how are you?" Mitchell squeezes her hands gently.
Aubrey brings her left hand up to show her the ring. "Engaged!"
"Wow! It's beautiful." Beca observes the rock and then glances back at Jesse who is watching them fascinated.
"Thanks." The tall blonde replies happily. "So, how have you been? Now that you are the hottest music producer in the US and Europe…"
There's a knock on the door. Aubrey's eyes are not focusing on Beca or Jesse. Her façade changes entirely. A little unnerved perhaps, because Chloe arrived a bit earlier than expected. Jesse glances over his shoulder, frowning.
"Mom and dad took an early flight?" He starts walking towards the door. "Mom didn't say anything…"
Beca's attention is on Jesse, she sure misses the Swanson-Beales. It's been so long, and after all these years, it'll be nice to spend time with the people she considers family.
Jesse swings the door wide open, and that's it for Beca. Time stops. And it starts ticking again in slow motion. Chloe stands by the front door, holding Amelia with one arm, who is asleep, and the other struggling with the handle of the luggage. Her eyes are otherwise occupied, not being able to absorb what's before her.
"Chlo?" Jesse asks surprised, almost choking on his own saliva. He is confused; his sister told him she was not gonna be able to make it.
Aubrey reacts, shaking off her guilt, and walks around Beca to greet her best friend by the door. The blonde stands behind her fiancé, placing a hand on his shoulder, to soothe his flabbergasted self.
"Hey!" She exhales exhausted, and yet she offers them the kindest and brightest smiles, readjusting her sleeping daughter.
Unlike Beca, who is replaying her past in a matter of milliseconds, Jesse snaps out of his shock, and moves to help the redhead with her baggage.
"Let me..." He reaches for the suitcase.
"What do you know?" Chloe chuckles softly. "Chivalry is not dead." She teases as she walks in right after Jesse, immediately wrapping her arms around her best friend.
"We've missed you." Aubrey says sweetly and Chloe closes her eyes tight, trying really hard to not break down in front of them.
Beca is transfixed in place, staring at Chloe, absorbing all the mature details of her features, her tired eyes and her everlasting smile. Years have gone by, yes. They might have become strangers, yes. And certainly Beca Mitchell has collaborated with several stars in her career from different continents, yes. But before her eyes, Chloe Beale still shines brighter.
Aubrey is the one to end their embrace, holding Chloe's cheek in her hand. "Chloe-"
Light blue eyes meet steel blue. The redhead swallows and Beca can see her throat bobbing.
"Becs?" Chloe says above a whisper, blinking her eyes just to make sure she's not hallucinating.
"Hello." Beca waves her hand once, so damn awkwardly, she deeply believes she had a stroke or something.
Jesse clears his throat, and smiles awkwardly, before sharing a hug with his sister, who embraces him but her attention is somewhere else. "Um, I thought you weren't coming..."
"Sorry to interrupt but… Smells like something's burning." Beca furrows her eyebrows, and glances over her shoulder, right before the smoke detector sets off.
"Oh, no!" Aubrey darts into the kitchen, and Jesse follows her.
Chloe readjust her arms around her daughter, staring at Beca. The brunette hides a strand of hair behind her right ear, as she glances back at the redhead.
"How have you guys been?" Beca musters herself up, amidst the whirlwind of feelings resurfacing in the moment, to greet Chloe Beale.
The redhead smiles at her, in a futile way to mask up her fatigue, which unwillingly breaks forth.
"We've been good." Chloe blinks, her eyebrows knit together, biting her lip. Beca recognizes Chloe is hesitant about something. "Can I hug you? It's just been so long..."
The brunette nods. "Of course." And Mitchell is the one who takes a few steps forward, to hold Chloe and her daughter in an embrace. The familiar warmth and their scent caresses her kindly, and she wonders how many tricks life will play on her; Beca figures it will be countless.
Simultaneously, Chloe closes her eyes, relaxing her body. Content. She wastes no time taking in Beca's presence. She still smells good, not the same as before, but there's some familiarity to it. Memories resurface as the redhead gives a light squeeze and exhales, feeling a little bit morose. She has missed Beca ever since she left for LA.
Beca pulls away from them, and offers a welcoming grin.
"I'm glad to see you guys are well."
"Thank you." Chloe smiles and turns to Amelia, to kiss her head gently, delighted by her daughter's warmth. The small brunette let her fingers run through Amelia's curls, unaware of the smile growing on her face, cherishing the silence surrounding them. Beca believes Ames is Chloe's spitting image, except for her green eyes.
Chloe embosoms the moment. She can't recall how many times she imagined an encounter with Beca; there were so many different scenarios. The redhead would play the script in her head over and over again, to be able to fluently recite her apologies to Beca when she had the chance. Chloe Beale knows how wrong she did things, how badly she hurt Beca and how much of a coward she was to not mend the damage caused.
Ames flutters her eyes open and sighs.
"Miss Mitchell." Amelia greets sleepy, rubbing her left eye with her hand closed.
The redhead feels her heart might burst out of love. Amelia has always referred to Beca as Ms. Mitchell no matter how many times Beca, Chloe, Aubrey or Jesse have corrected her.
"Ames." Beca smiles widely, tucking a strand of hair behind the girl's ear. Chloe glances at Beca, and they observe each other in silence, their eyes taking in their grown up features.
"Ahem," Their moment is interrupted by Jesse, who walks in, joining his hands together in front of his lips. "Aubrey burnt our dinner, so..." Jesse acknowledges his niece is awake. "Hey, munchkin!" He kisses the girl's head.
"Uncle Jesse." She opens and closes her hand twice, still slumberous, suggesting he should pick her up, and he does.
"Mom and dad will be landing very soon, and we need to come up with a plan B." Jesse says earnestly, as Amelia wraps her arms around his neck "Fast." He pushes.
"I know a place." Beca shrugs. "I can get us a table. I know the owner."
"Huh," Aubrey scoffs, surprised, joining them in the living room. "Fame is finally paying off."
"Something like that." Beca says unamused, grabbing her phone from her jacket's pocket. "Anyone else joining the party?" She asks, staring at Jesse earnestly, since he completely forgot to mention Chloe was coming in today and staying under the same roof.
"Nope." He replies apologetically. He didn't know his sister would come, not after she told him she wasn't going to be able to make it. "Party of seven it is."
Beca nods, and walks into the kitchen after excusing herself. She chuckles at the burnt mess Aubrey and Jesse left behind, acknowledging getting a table was an urgent matter. And after a few calls and with the help of Riley and Stacie, she managed to make a last minute reservation. The young producer turns to find Jesse entering the kitchen.
He brings his hands up in surrender. "I swear I didn't know Chloe was coming." He says softly.
Beca snorts, smiling at him. "Dude, chill. I mean, I was caught off guard, but it's okay."
Jesse observes her. "It- you okay?"
"Yeah. I'm okay." She passes by him and pats his cheek gently. "I promise."
Jesse stares at her dumbfounded. "Wow, adulthood's changed you."
"Don't be stupid, Jess." Beca glances at him from the kitchen's entrance. "Time heals."
Jesse sighs, worried. "I just don't want it to be an inconvenience, Beca."
"It's not." She walks up to him, holding his sight. "Do you trust me?"
Her best friend nods immediately. "Yes."
"Good. 'Cuz I'm okay, Jesse. But since you are walking on eggshells about the whole situation, if something bothers me, you'll be the first to know. Cool?"
His brown eyes subtly studies Beca, and he nods twice. "Breezy."
"Awesome." She smiles at him. "Come on."
"Um," Jesse starts, and Beca frowns at him.
"What now?" She rolls her eyes.
"Guess who's gotta sleep on the couch?" He grins sheepishly.
…
After dinner, Beca sits in the living room by herself while the others settle in their respective rooms. She has set up her computer and her old MIDI board over the coffee table, to once again try to add the missing arrangement to her track.
The unexpected turn of events obviously is making it harder for her to focus. Chloe Beale is here, under the same roof. The thought makes her scoff and roll her eyes, trying to dismiss memories by pulling up her headphones to her ears. Her eyes close as she tries to lose herself in music again, but in a futile intent, she groans. She rubs her forehead and pinches the bridge of her nose.
"Fuck." She can't find her muse.
She opens her eyes to look at the screen, to find Jesse looking at her from the kitchen's entrance.
"Seems like you're having a musical crisis." He walks to her, and lets his body fall down to sit beside her.
"You think?" She deadpans.
He nods at her, opening and closing his hand, gesturing to Beca to hand over the headphones.
"Gimme."
She rolls her eyes, pulling the headphones off her, handing them to Jesse. "I'm genuinely panicking, right now, okay?! I can't make music. What am I going to do? Beca effin' Mitchell can put together a track for Sia."
"Shh." Jesse stops her rambling word vomit. "Wait… Sia?!"
Beca exhales, pushing her hair back and holding her head. "One of the most talented writers and singers our generation has ever faced? Yes. That one."
Jesse's eyes bulge out of his sockets. "No wonder why you're panicking…"
She mocks a smile. "Thanks."
He puts on the headphones and presses the spacebar and the track starts playing. Beca watches him intrigued and expectant. He's bobbing his head to the tropical rhythm she came up with, that soothingly merges with electric and pop influenced beats.
"Wow!" He mouths with a grin, as his hands pull a legal pad and a pen from the coffee table's drawer. He scribbles something down, and Beca sees him drawing lines and keys, composer habits.
Jesse pushes one of the ear cups back. "So, this?" He points at the headset. "It's pretty sick, but I think I know why you are freaking out."
"O-kay." She frowns at him.
Jesse pulls the headset off. "Follow me. There's something I need to show you." He stands up. "Just bring your laptop." He starts towards the stairs, and pushes what apparently is the wall, but is not and turns out to be a door.
Beca is still processing Jesse's random proposal andthe door, but she's compelled to do as requested, picking up her computer and following Jesse to his chamber of secrets.
"What the h-" Beca doesn't even finish her sentence.
The room lights up automatically, revealing a mini studio. There, he has the essentials. In the live room lies a keyboard, a violin, a bass, a set of drums, a saxophone, a flute and a few microphones. And, of course, the control room, which she almost dives into. She opens the door, and tears threaten to spill when she sees Jesse has her first multitrack mixing console in there. She knows it hers because it has a green label stuck to it, in which Fat Amy wrote: I belong to Beca Effin Mitchell.
"What!?" She grins at him excitedly. "Oh my God! I can't believe you have it!"
"Well, your father bought it off your label, and he gave it to me. He thought it should remain in the family."
Beca stares at him surprised with the news. This is the biggest and cutest thing her father has ever done. It was so hard for her to let go of it, but she needed the money in her early days as a producer.
"I can't believe it." Mitchell says breathless as fingers caress the console slowly. "He never said anything." She frowns. "Why didn't you say anything?" She reproaches automatically.
"Um, duh, to surprise and get Beca Mitchell all emotional?" He smartly remarks.
She exhales and tries to conceal a smile. "It's a beautiful gesture, Jesse. Thank you."
He grins proudly, wrapping her shoulder with his arm. "You can thank me after we finish your song, yeah?"
Beca looks at the tall brunette, wondering what has she done to deserve a friend like him. He's an outstanding person, a talented composer, and she's pretty sure he'll be the best husband of all time.
"Yeah." She smiles excited.
…
Beca and Jesse spend most of the night in his studio until the track is complete. Beca sighs satisfied, throwing herself back on the chair, hands behind her head. She closes her eyes as they listen to it one more time.
Before it comes to an end, Jesse lowers the volume. "She'll love it." He starts to say overly excited. "This is a masterpiece!" He holds his head with his hands.
"I mean, definitely a Bop." Beca nods at him.
"Absolutely!" He sits beside her with a wide smile.
"Thank you, Jesse." She turns to him, placing her hand on his shoulder. "For helping me out"
"You're welcome, Becs." He tries to stifle his yawn.
Beca inhales and stands up from her chair. "Why don't we go get some rest? It's been a long ass day." The small brunette turns off the equipment and shuts closed her PC.
Her best friend agrees, and they both leave the studio. Once at the base of the stairs, while they share random small talk, Aubrey is waiting at the top of the stairs, her arms crossed. Chloe standing beside her, holding a mug of tea up to her lips. Both wearing short sleeveless nightgowns and robes, already set up for sleep.
"Glad you guys decided to finally come back." Aubrey says a little begrudgingly.
"Honey!" Jesse smiles widely, and starts up the stairs. "You have no idea..." He's obviously excited with what they achieved during these past hours.
"Can we talk about this in the comfort of our bedroom?" She interrupts his train of thought, placing a hand on his cheek. The action alone makes him agree with his fiancée.
"Sure." He glances back at Beca, who's at the base of the stairs. "Good night!" Jesse grins and places a kiss on his sister's cheek. "See you guys in the morning."
"Good night." Beca says politely.
"Nite." Chloe hugs Bree with her free arm.
Beca watches as the pair disappears down the hallway, and her deep blue eyes focus on Chloe, who absentmindedly sips from her cup, before glancing back at Beca. They hold their sight in silence for a while, Beca slipping her hand into her jeans' back pocket, her other arm holding her laptop.
Both acknowledge they are alone for the first time today, and both are unsure of what to do next. But Chloe feels determined. She wants to spend a few more minutes with the brunette, to catch up and maybe find the appropriate time to apologize.
"So, what were you guys up to?" Chloe holds the mug between her hands, staring back at the small brunette.
"Music." Beca smiles at her, unable to contain her excitement.
"Hmm." The redhead starts to walk down the stairs, without breaking eye contact with Beca. She stops once she's before her. "Aren't you going to show me?"
Beca observes those bright blue eyes, wondering if she could be capable of ever denying Chloe a request. She willingly could, but wanting to is another thing entirely.
"I could, yes." She nods, trying really hard not to smile. Beca nods toward the living room. "After you." She says politely.
Chloe sips from her tea before making her way to the couch. She sits and Beca follows right after. She places her PC on her lap, and connects the headphones before handing them over to Chloe.
"Thank you." Chloe takes them with the brightest of smiles, feeling satisfied by the result of her tiny whim. She places her tea on the coffee table, to place the headphones over her ears.
Beca chuckles and shakes her head, perceiving how smug Chloe is. Beca occupies herself with the mixing program, clicking on the modified track. She hits the spacebar and music starts playing.
As accustomed, every time Chloe listens to one of Beca's mixes, tracks or demos, she gently places her hands over the earcups, and closes her eyes. This is the way she enjoys the brunettes' music.
Beca feels nervous, anxious and self-conscious. Normally, she feels extremely confident about her music. But under the circumstances of producing music for an artist like Sia and at the expectancy of Chloe's approval, her confidence may falter a little.
Chloe starts humming to the song, captivating Beca's attention, giving her a brilliant, wonderful idea. Her eyes twinkle in excitement.
"Wow. Just, wow!" Chloe says above a whisper. "Oh my God!" She removes the headphones and turns her body to Beca. "It's so lit!" She says excitedly, bringing her arms up in front of her.
"Shh!" Beca hushes with a chuckle, lowering Chloe's hands. "People are sleeping, Beale."
"You should be really proud of this. It's amazing." Chloe says wholeheartedly.
"I am. Thanks." Beca nods, taking the headphones and placing them along with the laptop on the coffee table.
The redhead hides a strand of hair behind her ear, making herself comfortable on the couch after picking up her tea. "How's it going in LA?"
Beca nods. "It's good. Lot more difficult than I imagined. You know, childish dreams."
"Looks like all the hard work paid off." Chloe states, sipping from her mug, looking at Beca over its rim.
"Speak for yourself, Dr. Beale." Beca points out.
"I'm a vet." Chloe clarifies politely.
"Okay, an animal doctor. Still a doctor." The brunette insists. "Ames must be living the best of her life with all the puppies, birds and kittens..."
"Kind of…" The redhead laughs softly. "She's terrified of birds, but she's fond of cats and turtles."
Beca laughs adoringly at Chloe's statement. "She's afraid of birds?" The brunette grows intrigued, wanting to know more about this fact and the story behind it. "What happened?"
"Well, one day, she went to the clinic with me, and I was examining a bird. She got so excited because the bird had, and I quote, so many colors and it was so pretty… that when she tried to pet it and it beaked her. And that was it for her."
This makes Beca laugh adoringly. "Poor girl. She's traumatized."
"Yeah," Chloe chuckles. "She's working on it though. She even asked Santa for a pair of love birds." Chloe winks.
"Oh!" The brunette nods. "That's a great step."
"She's a smart kid." Chloe nods.
"I don't doubt it."
The redhead seems distracted for a second, staring at the tea, struggling. "You know," Chloe pauses. "I get so many calls from her school, her teacher telling me over and over that she talks too much or that she gets bored easily. And I understand the teacher's point, 'cuz she kinda' distracts the other kids, and she talks too much… But Amelia does so because she finishes her tasks before the other kids do." Chloe sighs. "I mean, sometimes it is infuriating that her teacher even complains about it. It's not her fault… entirely."
"And I agree with you. I guess it's no one's fault." Beca says gently. "Maybe… Ames has outgrown the school? Have you thought about enrolling her in a more challenging, advanced school?"
Chloe thinks it through. She hasn't considered that possibility. "No, I haven't. That's a great idea. Thanks."
"Yeah, no worries." Beca nods and runs out of words. She's blank and suddenly panicking on the inside. She doesn't want to bore Chloe to death. She needs to distract herself with conversation, and try to not stare at Chloe's toned legs nor even think about how fine she looks in that short nightgown and robe.
"So, you're an acclaimed music producer now..." The redhead states, saving the brunette from a mental fart.
"Why does everybody keep saying that?" Beca shrugs, shaking her head.
"Um," The redhead scoffs in disbelief, closes her eyes and exhales, trying not to snap. "Beca Mitchell, do you realize who you have become?" Bright blue eyes stare into deep blue ones, who's owner looks like deer-in-headlight.
"Eh, yes?" Beca grimaces at her weak reply.
"You better." Chloe threatens with her index finger. "Stop minimizing yourself! You're so talented, Gosh!" The redhead exhales profusely. "The World knows it."
"Alright, sheesh!" Beca says playfully, bringing her hands up in surrender. "Promise I'll stop minimizing myself."
Chloe smiles at her, cocking her head to the side, observing the young music producer, who's smile fades slowly as the seconds pass.
"What?" The brunette asks out of curiosity.
"Nothing." The redhead reassures, with a slight smile on her lips. Lips that Beca is staring at.
"Do you wanna see something cool?" Beca says just above a whisper, finding excited bright blue eyes staring back at her.
"Yes."
Beca reaches for her phone in her jeans pocket, and scoots closer to Chloe as she searches in her phone. She hits the photos icon, and scrolls for a moment until the desired file comes to sight. She taps the video.
Chloe's mouth hangs open as she watches the video.
It's Sia, belting, her amazing voice harmonizing with Beca's as they rehearse a song she has never heard before.
"Are those the lyrics to the song? I mean, for the track you-?"
"Yes." Beca says elated.
"Oh my-" She brings one hand to her lips and with the other, she holds the phone, coming in contact with Beca's hand. "That's amazing. A-ca-mazing." Chloe glances at Beca grinning. Neither realizing how close to each other they are. Chloe's eyes slip to Beca's lips automatically, and Beca feels a knot in her throat.
"Thanks." She murmurs nervously.
She sees the growing smirk Chloe deliberately plasters on her face, causing a spike in her heart rate. The brunette feels magnetized, and is unable to pull away from the moment.
That's until her phone chimes. Both of them turn their faces, and before Beca can lock her phone, Chloe catches the messages preview Alana: see you 2nite?, whose name is followed by a peach emoji.
Chloe raises her eyebrows in surprise, picking the mug from between her thighs, readjusting on the sofa, separating herself from Beca. She silently drinks what's left of her tea, trying really hard to dismiss the heavy pressure she feels on her chest and the burning sensation behind her ears.
"Um, I better check on Amelia." Chloe pushes herself up from the couch. "Have a good night." She says without making eye contact, and starts to walk away.
Beca sits by the edge of the couch, planning to mend whatever fucked their moment. But her intention withers on spot. She couldn't recover fast enough to do so. The fuck up was inevitable.
"Yeah," The brunette stands up, giving up for now. "Nite."
