Thank you so much for all of your support last chapter! I am completely blown away by the response that this fic has gotten, and I appreciate each and every one of you.
NJCE - Progress for sure! I will warn, though, that it's not going to be an easy ride back to full comfort. Beca still has lots and lots of healing to do, and Chloe will have to come to terms with her own internal struggle as well. But it will come, and they will talk and have some of their own moments, I promise! Hahah I'm glad you liked that little quip from Callie! Turtle is back :/ But I guess the sooner he's back, the sooner he can go away? Right? Maybe? Yes, Chloe definitely shouldn't blame herself, and that's something she's going to have to work on, too :) This will be a journey for the both of them, 100%. Karla is an interesting character and she'll be back in some of the later chapters, so we'll be able to see some more from her and her thoughts of the time she worked for the family, but it will be an interesting dynamic between her and Stacie/Aubrey/Chloe, and her and Beca. Turtle wasn't good at all to Beca and I'll just say that Beca has every reason to be acting like she is - but she's safe now :) I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks so much for reading and for your support!
Ritchellexx - Theo is back :/ We shall see what that means for Beca and the kids! Thanks so much for reading and for your support! I hope you are staying safe as well!
Flynntrust13 - Thank you so much for your kind words, and I am glad you are enjoying the fic! Beca will eventually let Chloe in, for sure - but she has a long ways to go in terms of healing, so sometimes, it might be more of a 'one step forward, two steps back' sort of thing. But it will come, I promise! Thank you so much for reading and for your support!
CJ3 - I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter and that you're enjoying the fic! Thank you so much for your kind words :) Theo is back and I think this chapter will at least somewhat answer your question about whether or not Theo is going to find Beca. Hahaha, I'm glad you're looking forward to the drama that's coming up, because it will certainly be a rollercoaster. Thanks so much for reading and for your support!
Jody1990 - True story, I completely rewrote that last section and added that quote like ten minutes before I posted the chapter! Callie really is struggling with all the changes and unfortunately, it will stay like that for a while - but she'll see some reprieve in the next few chapters :) I am so glad that you are safe, that makes me so happy to hear. Thank you so much for reading and for your support!
Icedragone - I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter, and thanks so much for your kind words! As much as I, too, want to see Beca start to trust Chloe, unfortunately, Beca has a lot of healing to do before that will even be a possibility -remember that Beca has been in NY for less than two weeks! It will be a long process, and will be more of a 'one step forward, two steps back' sort of thing as I try to make their relationship and Beca's growth and healing as realistic as possible. Chloe also has to work through some of her own guilt, as well. Right now, though, at least, in my opinion, their number one priority (meaning Chloe, Aubrey, and Stacie) is making sure Beca and the kids are safe. But they will get together, I promise! Hahaha do not worry - Stacie, Aubrey, and Chloe's protective sides will 100% come out when Theo inevitably sees Beca again. That will be a difficult showdown, for sure. And Callie will definitely gain friends! Maybe not necessarily at school right off the bat, but I think her and Bella have a special bond forming, and hopefully that will help with some of her own struggles :) As always, thank you so much for reading and for your support!
RJRMovieFan (1+2) - Yes, I think you're 100% right - no one knows how to take the first step, and there is this collective fear that the first step might be the wrong one. And baby steps for sure! I'm glad you're enjoying Chloe and Callie's bonding - there is lots more of that to come! I actually rewrote the final part of Ch.7 ten minutes before posting the chapter, so I'm glad (I hate saying I'm 'glad' about this topic, but you know what I mean) that it had that effect. Thank you so much for your kind words, and for your support!
Mein Gott - First, let me say that I am so sorry that you have any experience with these types of situations. I hope you are doing okay/are safe now. I am certainly trying to make people's reactions (especially in Beca) as realistic as possible, so thank you for taking the time to let me know that last chapter seemed to accomplish that. Second, thank you for the reminder that the healing process for any survivor of abuse is not a linear path. I also appreciate you sharing your experiences in general and your experiences with different types of therapies. Beca has a long ways to go in terms of healing and working through what has happened - as does Chloe. I 100% agree with you that this story will be a journey for both of them to heal before they finally get together, and I hope I am able to convey that idea appropriately. Even if it might look like some progress might be being made (more so on Beca's part), it will certainly be more of a one step forward, two steps back, sort of thing. Thank you so much for reading and for your support :)
Isaiah Flamez - Last chapter, while Callie had her first day of school and Chloe helped to ease that process a bit, Theo got back from Europe and discovered that Beca and the kids were gone. Thanks so much for your support!
Wolvezzz - Wow, thank you so much for your kind words. That really meant a lot to me. Chloe is definitely in a tough position, and as much as Beca has a lot of healing to do, so does she! They'll get their chance to talk, and while there will be some bumps in the road, they'll be together in the end :) I am so sorry to hear that your current home isn't the best, but I am glad that you are safe - I will keep sending so many virtual hugs your way, and know that you're in my thoughts. Thank you so much for reading and for your support :)
Guest (March 3) - I really do feel bad for Callie :( She will get a few easier chapters coming up, though! Haha Beca's relationship with her parents is complex - and that's something that only Chloe really knows, so it'll certainly come up in later chapters. I'm so glad that you're enjoying the Beca/Aubrey dynamic - it's complex for sure, which tends to make me more nervous than most of the other relationships lol. You're exactly right that it won't be too hard for Theo to find Beca, with everything you mentioned plus all the money he has access to. It's interesting that you bring up the prospect of Beca potentially thinking about going back to him, and while I won't comment on that (not that I think it'll happen, but more so because I want to think more about it), I will agree that the child custody situation will get messy. Unfortunately, state child custody laws oftentimes care more about parental rights than child safety, and even further, very rarely actually protect survivors of domestic violence. These concepts will all be explored in further chapters because I think it's so important to talk about. All in all, though, you'll certainly see Aubrey's protective side (and Chloe's, and Stacie's, and maybe a few other surprise guests) come out once Theo is 'back'. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, as always, and thanks for your support!
Bechloeforever14 - Hi! Unless stated otherwise, I am trying to update this fic every five days or so - but I'll always give my next expected update-date at the bottom A/N at the end of every chapter! I'm so glad you're enjoying the fic, and thank you so much for reading and for your support! I hope this chapter was worth the wait :)
Guest (March 4) - Haha I'm glad you liked that little bit from Callie! She can be a spunky one when she wants to be, that's for sure! Chloe and Beca will have their moments, for sure, but there is a long road ahead of them, and the process might be a little like 'one step forward, two steps back', but they'll get there, I promise! You are 100% right about Callie and Chloe and how that will help Beca and Chloe in the long run. Just like Beca, Chloe also has a lot of healing to do. She has gone the last 10 years thinking that Beca just cut off contact, when really, Beca couldn't contact her even if she wanted to. The guilt, the blame, all of that, Chloe is going to have to work through that - just like Beca is going to have to work to process all of the trauma that she has lived through. It will be a journey for the both of them, for sure! Haha I wasn't sure if me saying sooner rather than later would give away the end of the chapter, but I'm glad you were still surprised! Big drama coming up for sure. I hate him too :/ Hahaha no comment on Theo's ending, but... something will happen. I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks so much for reading and for your support! Have a nice week :)
Chapter 8
Content Warning: References to an abusive relationship, gaslighting, panic attack, Theo is in this chapter
"Mama?"
Beca leans her head out of the bathroom at her son's voice, toothbrush sticking out of her mouth. She watches as Henry waddles towards her without pants on, extending the pair of jeans to her as he gets closer to the bathroom. She quickly spits and rinses her toothbrush, before turning back to Henry. "Whatcha got there, little man?"
Henry gives her a cheeky grin. "Pants."
"Pants? I thought Callie was helping you get dressed."
"I forgot I needed my book to show Chloe, Mama!" Callie's call comes from the bedroom, and Beca can't help but shake her head with a chuckle, simply dropping to the floor and guiding Henry's legs into the jeans and buttoning them when she's done.
She lifts Henry to her hip, planting a kiss on his cheek, while trying to comb out his hair with her fingers as she goes into their shared bedroom.
Over the last couple of days, Beca has seen her kids grow more and more comfortable in the NYC apartment. They've started adopting some of their routines from LA out here, including their normal dinner and bedtime routines, and they have even watched Wheel of Fortune a couple of times like they used to. All around, the kids have just seemed a little bit happier than they had when they got to the city over a week ago.
Of course, Beca is sure that also has to do with the fact that Callie has been getting acclimated to school with Chloe's help. They've spent the last four lunch periods together, with Chloe sending Beca pictures of them out on the playground every afternoon. Although Beca still hasn't brought herself around to actually have some sort of substantial conversation with her once-best friend, Beca appreciates what Chloe's doing for Callie, more than the redhead will ever know.
For Beca, she's been spending a lot of time with Henry at the apartment. It's starting to get a little claustrophobic, especially because she is still waiting for Theo to return home from Europe. He's scheduled to be back next Tuesday, which will be exactly two weeks since Beca left LA and made her way across the country. Waiting in that suspense has pretty much limited Beca's mental capacity to do anything else. She doesn't want to start growing roots here or make moves that could just tear her and the kids more violently if they're inevitably forced to return back to Los Angeles.
Stacie and Aubrey have helped. So has Chloe. One half of the Conrad-Posen duo comes over every afternoon or early evening for about an hour, each time trying to make conversation about anything and everything under the sun. Beca often finds herself wondering whether it's because they're trying to keep her mind off of everything, or if it's their way of becoming reacquainted with the brunette.
And Chloe? Well, she sees Chloe every morning when she brings Callie to school, and every afternoon when she picks her up. Their conversations are normally short-lived, Beca's anxiety still sky-high surrounding the idea that she might be found in the drop-off/pick-up crowd. But that never stops Chloe from asking Beca if she needs anything, or if Chloe can do anything for her or the kids.
Of course, Beca's response is always the same. That, thank you, but they're fine. She can't allow herself to just accept the fact that Chloe's fine with everything that's happened over the last decade.
She can't allow herself to hurt Chloe again.
She won't allow herself to hurt Chloe again.
So, she just thanks Chloe for keeping an eye out for Callie, and returns to the solitude of the apartment, talking aimlessly with Henry until the clock strikes two-fifty. When she goes back to the school, the conversation with Chloe is always the same, and then by the time she gets back to the apartment, this time with Callie in tow, there's normally a text from Chloe waiting for her.
They've talked – very minimally – over text for the last few days. Chloe, for her part, asking questions about the kids, and Beca typically responded with one or two word answers. She wants nothing more than to keep a safe distance between her and the redhead.
But, like Beca's always known, Chloe is persistent. She doesn't give up easily. So, the texts keep coming, especially after eight when Chloe knows that the kids are asleep.
Beca will admit that she likes seeing a message from Chloe on the cellphone that Aubrey bought her. She would be lying if she said she didn't. After ten years of not talking to her best friend – after ten years of not having a best friend – it's nice to even just see her name on the screen.
Not that the sight of it doesn't still bring a swell of guilt. Not that the sight of it doesn't makes her heart clench and her palms grow clammy. But she's trying. She's trying to keep a distance while also recognizing that there's something about Chloe (her name, her presence, all of it) that brings Beca this sense of calm that she hasn't felt in so long.
It's a constant battle. One that Beca doesn't know if she's winning or losing.
"Did you find your book, bug?"
Callie nods, shoving it into her backpack and zipping it up. "Chloe said we could read at lunch."
"That sounds like fun." Beca leans up against the doorframe, watching as Callie lifts the bag onto her shoulders. "You know, I bet some of the other kids in your class like reading, too. Maybe you could read with some of them as well?"
Callie shakes her head, taking Beca's hand once it's offered to her. "I don't think so. I don't think I like them."
Beca holds back a laugh. "No? You don't like the other kids in your class?"
"No. I don't think so. I think I like grown-ups better."
Beca can't exactly argue, knowing that she really didn't like kids in her class when she was younger, either (she didn't exactly like adults either, but hey, to each their own). Plus, she can't exactly penalize Callie for thinking that way. After all, it is Beca's fault that she's never really gotten the chance to be a normal kid around other kids. "Well, make sure you're saying thank you to Chloe for spending lunch with you, okay?"
Beca slides her sunglasses down over her face as they make their way out the door, stopping only to put shoes on.
"I do. But she says she likes eating lunch with me better anyways. 'Cuz we're friends."
Beca's heart pulls at the admission. Her daughter is getting further in the friend department with Chloe than she is. "That's great, kiddo."
"Mhmm." Callie skips down the hallway, her hand firmly in Beca's. "Mama?"
"Yes, bug?"
"When are we going to see Daddy?"
Beca's breath gets caught in her throat just like it does every time someone mentions Theo – especially when that someone is one of her kids. It hasn't stopped in frequency, really. Looking back, there may have been one or two times fewer over the last couple of days, but the question has remained. It's happened when they're alone, like now, but it's also happened when Stacie or Aubrey or Chloe are present as well.
Every time, it's like Beca's ability to speak completely alludes her. Because really, how can she answer? It's the same question she's grappled with ever since deciding to come out here – not that she's regretting her decision, not really anyways, but she still has no idea how to even attempt to form any sort of response to her children's requests to see their father.
"Mama?"
Beca blinks out of her stupor, leading her kids out onto the busy, morning-commute filled streets of New York City. "I'm uh… I'm not sure, Cal."
"How come?" Callie presses herself up against Beca's side, the seven-year-old still finding herself feeling incredibly uncomfortable with the hustle and bustle of the city.
"Well, I just don't know when he's going to be back from work, I guess."
Callie looks up at her, eyebrows scrunched. "But don't you have to work, too? With Daddy?"
Beca shakes her head, pulling Callie tighter into her side as someone in a suit swinging a briefcase back and forth goes rushing by them. "No, not right now. Remember? We talked about how Mama wasn't going to sing anymore."
Henry looks up from where he's been laying his head on Beca's shoulder. "Mama sing?"
Beca shoots him a small smile. "I'll sing to you, monkey. You and Cal and that's it."
"But how come you don't want to sing with Daddy anymore? I thought Daddy liked your singing."
Yeah, Daddy liked her singing a little too much. Beca looks around at the people crowding the crosswalk, pulling a deep breath in through her nose before she returns her gaze back to her daughter. "Daddy… Daddy did like my singing, but Mama doesn't really like singing to Daddy anymore. Does that make sense?"
Callie turns her nose up as they start to approach the elementary school. "No. I don't think so."
Beca laughs, even though the tightness in her chest still hasn't dissipated. She just shakes her head at Callie, not even bothering to go more in depth. "Well, maybe we can talk about it a little more when you get home from school, if you want. Look, there's Chloe."
Grateful for the excuse to change the course of the conversation, Beca juts her chin in the direction of the redhead, who is standing on the sidewalk, already waving and making her way over to the trio.
Callie brightens, using the hand that isn't in her mother's to wave at the teacher. "Hi, Chloe!"
When Chloe is finally standing in front of them, Beca releases Callie's hand, allowing her daughter to wrap her arms around Chloe's waist in a hug. Chloe runs her hand lovingly over the back of the girl's head, holding her close. "Good morning, Miss Callie. How are we doing today?"
Beca gives her a thumbs up while Callie's face is still buried in Chloe's blouse, but Callie answers, nonetheless. "Good! Mama made pancakes for breakfast."
Chloe raises her eyebrows. "Mama made pancakes, huh?"
Beca knows the look. It's the look that says Chloe knows all about (what used to be) Beca's ineptitude to make anything in the kitchen without burning it. "Yes, I made pancakes, and they were pretty good, right, bug?"
"Yup! Mama makes the best pancakes." Callie takes a step back, hands going back to her backpack straps as she doesn't give Chloe a chance to respond. "I brought my book to show you. Can we still read at lunchtime?"
"Whatever you want, Cal. But we better get you to Mrs. Harrington's class. I think Mama's pancakes might have made us a little late." Chloe gives Beca a small smile and is glad that the joke is received with a Beca-patented eyeroll.
"Okay, come give me a hug and a kiss." Beca squats down and does just that, holding Callie tightly against her chest before she pulls away. "Have a good day, Cal. I love you."
"Love you, too! Bye Mama, bye Henry!"
Henry opens and closes his fist as he waves to his older sister. "Bye, bye."
Chloe practically melts at the interaction, but Beca just swells with pride. She turns back to the redhead, watching as Callie slips her hand into Chloe's. "Thanks for taking her in."
"Of course. We'll see you at dismissal?"
Beca gives her a definitive nod. "Three o'clock sharp."
"Alrighty. Text me if you need anything?"
This time, Beca is a little more hesitant in her response, but acquiesces regardless. "I will. And same to you."
"I will." She flicks her attention over to Henry. "Bye Henry, have a fun day with Mama!"
Henry responds in the same way that he did to Callie, opening and closing his fist as he says, "bye, bye."
A light laugh flits past Chloe's lips, waving to him all the same. "Bye, buddy. Bye, Bec. See you later."
It's Beca's turn to wave, "Bye. See you at three. Bye, Cal!"
"Bye Mama!"
Beca blows her a kiss and waves once more, watching as Chloe leads Callie into the throng of other parents, teachers, and students, until they're disappearing into the building.
Once they're gone, Beca heaves a heavy sigh, pressing a kiss into the side of Henry's head. "Looks like it's just me and you, kid."
Chloe loves her job. She loves the students that she gets to work with, she loves getting to watch them grow.
One thing she doesn't love, is standardized test prep.
She's a firm believer in not having to teach to the test. She thinks that learning should be fun and should involve far more information than what is concentrated into hours-long tests that do little to actually determine a student's academic achievement and/or potential. So, Chloe tries her best to balance the two teaching styles, and while she does a fairly decent job (she thinks) most of the time, there are still times when she has to follow the directions of the state's Department of Education and actually administer practice questions and exams.
They're her least favorite days, but she knows that they have to happen.
And of course, on a day that started off great with both Callie and Beca in happy moods, today is one of those practice exam days.
Chloe sits at her desk, watching as her students work diligently through the packet of multiple choice questions. They've been at it for almost an hour, and while some of the kids are still focused, others are clearly starting to zone out. Who can blame them? She would want to zone out, too.
She catches one of her student's eyes as their gaze starts to wander around the room. Chloe gives him a soft smile as his cheeks flush pink, but she just shakes her head in reassurance, letting him know that he isn't doing anything wrong. Chloe would love nothing more than to interrupt their test-taking for a dance break or maybe a snack, but that's against what she's supposed to be doing. She's supposed to be simulating the actual test day, which is annoying considering the test isn't until the spring.
But she doesn't make the rules.
So, Chloe sits there, her lesson plans for next week open in front of her. Trying to focus on her own work as her students lead by example.
Naturally, as soon as she places her fingers on the keys of her laptop, the classroom phone rings from its position by the closed door.
Twenty fifth-graders jump at the sound, all of them looking up at Chloe with their pencils in their hands, watching as she stands from her desk. She keeps her voice quiet, almost hidden by the ringing. "Eyes on your papers, please. You guys are doing great and are about half-way done."
By the time she reaches the phone, they're all back to work. She lifts the receiver, and steps into the hall, closing the door over behind her and twirling her finger in the cord. "Miss Beale's room."
"Hi Chloe, it's Annie. I have a phone call for you in the office. Do you have a second to come down?"
Chloe's eyebrows wrinkle slightly. She doesn't get many calls – any, really – during the day. Her students' parents have the direct line to her classroom, and most of her communication is done through email. Really, the only time her phone rings is when another teacher needs temporary coverage or something. "Hi Annie. My students are actually doing their ELA practice exam; would you be able to take a message for me?"
"I tried, but the caller said that it was an emergency and he needed to speak to you, personally."
A sudden wave of confusion causes Chloe to falter slightly. She looks back into her classroom, where her kids are all still working, and responds after a few beats of silence. "Um… okay. Let me just see if Chay can keep an eye on them while I run down. I'll be right there."
"Thanks, Chloe, see you in a few."
When Chloe slips back into her classroom, she places the phone back on its holder. She gives her students a reassuring smile, though she's sure some of her curiosity is showing on her face as she walks over to the door connecting her and the other fifth grade teacher's room. After asking her coworker to keep an eye on her students, she starts the short walk down to the main office.
Chloe would be lying if she said her heart rate remained at a steady beat, or that she isn't slightly concerned with who might be calling her for an 'emergency', especially considering that all of her friends and family have her cellphone number and her lock screen was blank when she left. She's biting her lip by the time she gets to the front office, her hands wringing together as she pushes her way into the room. "Hey, Annie."
Annie, the sweet secretary who really does hold Lewis together, greets her with the same kind smile she always does. "Hi, Chloe. Here you go."
Chloe takes the phone from her, sitting down in the chair in front of Annie's desk, and plugging her other ear with her finger. "Hello? This is Chloe Beale."
Someone clears their throat on the other end of the line, but as soon as their voice comes through, Chloe's blood runs cold.
"Chloe? Hey, I don't know if you remember me, but this is Theo Wright. I work for DJ Khaled? We met during the USO tour."
Chloe's eyes widen as she hears Theo, loud and clear, as he introduces himself. She freezes, her chest instantly tightening. Annie must notice the change in her demeanor, because she quirks her head in confusion. Chloe just shakes hers and does everything in her power to keep her voice steady and void of any indication that she knows something that he most certainly doesn't. "O-Oh, Theo," she curses herself for the way her voice cracks and tries to redeem herself as she continues. "Yeah, of course I remember you. What can I…um… what can I do for you?"
Theo laughs on the other end, his accent as thick as it was years ago. "Sorry, I know this is kind of weird, me calling you at work and all." Chloe wants to scream at him that, of course, this is weird and wildly inappropriate, but she stays silent. "I actually just have a quick question for you, and then I'll let you get on your way."
Chloe keeps her gaze focused on the desk in front of her, her knuckles turning white from the grip she has on the phone. She tries to keep her breathing steady, her voice even as she holds back every single fear and concern that she's felt for Beca over the last week. "Okay. What can I help you with?"
Theo laughs once more, and Chloe can't help but roll her eyes. "Well… okay, yeah this is really weird—"
"Listen, Theo, I was in the middle of teaching a class…"
"No, I know, I'm sorry." It's blatantly obvious that he's lying through his teeth, playing up the innocent and uneasy persona for Chloe, who knows damn well why he's calling and what he's been up to the last decade. She's not going to be fooled by his act again. "So, I was actually wondering if you've heard from Beca?"
Chloe blanches, her mouth running dry. Her voice wavers once more. "B-Beca Mitchell?" Okay, so that might've been playing a little too dumb.
"Yeah, Beca Mitchell. I, well, jeez this felt like a good idea when I dialed…" Chloe remains silent as he pauses for whatever dramatic effect he is going for. "I don't know how much you two have kept in touch over the years, but we had an argument a few days ago and she left home and hasn't come back yet. I was wondering if you'd heard from her."
Chloe forces her tone to turn bitter, which isn't hard considering her audience. "I haven't talked to Beca since the USO tour, Theo."
Theo's end is silent for a moment before he starts again. "Oh, really? I hadn't realized…"
Chloe clenches her jaw, trying to keep up her own act proving more and more difficult by the minute. "Yeah, so I really don't know what to tell you. Have you contacted the police?"
This time, there's no hesitance in his answer. "No, no, she'll be back soon, I'm sure. You know Beca… stubborn and bull-headed. She'll be fine… and she wouldn't want the bad publicity anyways." He takes a deep breath. "I'm really sorry to have bothered you. I just assumed that you guys kept in touch. I know Beca doesn't talk about Barden or you guys very much, but I had always figured you still talked every once in a while."
Chloe's blood boils at his insinuation, the fact that, not only did Theo gaslight Beca, but now he's trying to gaslight her into thinking that Beca still has zero interest in talking to Chloe. It takes every ounce of restraint she has in her to stay calm. "Nope. Haven't talked to her since a few months after she left for LA..." She wavers back and forth on whether or not to continue, but knowing that any inkling of suspicion that Theo may have could be dangerous for Beca and her kids. Chloe bites back the wave of nausea that passes over her as she says, "and I don't want to talk to her. So, when she comes home, please don't tell her that you contacted me. I have nothing to say to her."
"Y-yeah… okay, Chloe. Sure. I'll uh… I'll let you get back to work then. Thanks for your help."
"Okay. Bye, Theo." She motions for Annie to press the end button, and as soon as Chloe hears the dial tone, she lets out a shaky breath.
Her hands are trembling as she gives Annie back the phone, tears burning at the back of her eyes. She needs to cry or scream or do something to let out all of the emotions that are building up inside of her.
What the hell just happened?! Theo wasn't supposed to be back until next week, and he certainly wasn't supposed to call Chloe at her place of work. At the place where his daughter currently goes to school.
She needs to do something. She needs to do anything but sitting here in front of Annie looking dumbfounded and petrified as she continues to stare at the phone. She needs to call Beca or – no, that would not be a good idea – Aubrey. She needs to call Aubrey; she'll know what to do.
"Annie, would you mind if I made another phone call?"
Annie nods, concern etched in her expression. "Of course. Is everything alright, Chloe?"
Chloe gulps, accepting the base for the phone as the older woman hands it over. "I um… I'm not really sure."
Chloe doesn't hesitate. She dials Aubrey's cellphone number as quickly as her quivering fingers allow her to, and prays that she'll pick up.
It rings three times before the line clicks on. "This is—"
"Aubrey, it's me."
"Chloe? What're you doing? Why aren't you calling me from your cellphone?"
"Bree, Theo just called me. At the school." Chloe doesn't bother lowering her voice. She knows that Annie doesn't know all of the details of Beca or Callie's life prior to Lewis, so the name Theo won't mean anything to her.
"He what?" Chloe doesn't even have a chance to respond before Aubrey is continuing. "What did he say – wait, where are you? Are you in your classroom?"
"No, I'm in the office. He called the school's main line."
"Is Annie there?"
Chloe flicks her gaze to the very worried looking secretary. "Yes."
"Okay. I'm going to have her dismiss Callie to you and tell her that Theo Wright is not to step foot onto Lewis' property. Bring Callie back to Beca's; I'm going to go pick up Stacie and then I'll meet you there."
The fear in Chloe's voice is evident. "Bree…"
"Don't. Not now. We need to make sure that Callie, and Beca, and Henry are safe. I'm going to call her; you just focus on getting Callie out of there and back to the apartment, okay?"
Hearing Aubrey's stern voice, the no-nonsense one that is loud and clear over her own fear, is enough to shake Chloe from her frozen state. She nods, despite the fact that Aubrey can't see her, and stands from her chair. "Okay. I'm giving Annie the phone now. I'll see you soon?"
"An hour, tops. Text me when you get to Beca's." Chloe tells her that she will, and gives the phone over to Annie with shaky hands and an ashen face. She waits as she watches Annie's face contort with first puzzlement, and then a slight sense of distress, before it hardens to understanding. She nods along to what Aubrey is saying, typing on her keyboard at a rapid pace, before she finally hangs up the phone.
Annie finishes typing something on the computer, before giving her attention to Chloe. "You're all set to go get Callie. I'll send someone in to cover your class." She falters, "If I had known that that was who he was…he didn't say his last name or anything..."
Chloe gives her a reassuring smile, but it's forced. Not because she's harboring any resentment toward the woman, but because she's currently in a state of inner turmoil and still doesn't really know what to do. "No, I know. It's okay. Everything's going to be okay."
"Yes. I'll update Dean McKinley on everything that's going on. You just get that little girl home."
Chloe nods, her mind racing as she starts toward the door. "Thank you."
The next ten minutes are a blur. Chloe rushes back to her class as fast as her heels will allow her and apologizes to her students for needing to step out. She whispers to Chay as she gathers her things, slinging her bag over her shoulder and gripping onto her phone once she is packed and ready to go.
She steps out of the room just as the school's librarian is walking into the classroom, a soft smile on her face. Chloe doesn't pause to give her any explanations, just thanks her for the coverage, and starts to make her way down to Mrs. Harrington's classroom.
Chloe comes to a stop when she is standing in front of her colleague's classroom, taking a deep, soothing breath to try and make herself look less flustered. She plasters a smile on her face, before poking her head into the doorway while knocking on the door.
Mrs. Harrington, who is reading to her class from the front of the room, looks up with the rest of her students. "Miss Beale! What a pleasant surprise."
Chloe gives her a slight wave, her eyes drifting across the crowd of second graders until they land on Callie, sitting one of the desks closest to the windows. She shoots the girl a quick wink before readdressing the teacher. "I'm so sorry to interrupt, Mrs. Harrington, but Callie Wright is actually getting dismissed for the day. I'm just here to grab her and her things."
Mrs. Harrington's head quirks to the side, a silent question passing to her friend, the woman also knowing at least a little bit about why Callie transferred a month into the school year. Chloe tries to give her a reassuring smile, though she's not sure if she is at all successful. The second grade teacher just nods. "Of course. Callie, have a great rest of your day. Don't forget to do your reading and your math packet for homework this weekend, alright?"
Chloe watches as Callie eagerly stands from her desk, gathering her things from her desk, before making her way over to the cubbies. She waits, every once in a while throwing a nervous glance behind her, half-expecting Theo to be there waiting for her. Soon enough – though it feels like hours for Chloe – Callie is coming around the corner, a grin on her face.
Chloe takes Callie's hand almost instantly. "You ready, sweetheart?"
Callie falls into step beside Chloe, not knowing what's going on. "Ready for what?"
"We're going to head home for the day. Is that okay?"
Callie looks behind her, back to her classroom. She thought she still had a long time before lunch, let alone dismissal. "I don't have to go to school anymore?"
"Not today. Isn't that exciting?"
"And we're going home? To Mama and Henry?"
"Yup!" Chloe is as chipper as she can be as she and Callie exit the school, Chloe pulling Callie tighter into her side. "We're going to walk home right now. And you need to hold onto my hand just like you do with Mama, okay?"
Callie responds easily, clearly over the moon about not having to stay in class for the rest of the day. "Okay."
Chloe holds onto Callie's hand like it's the last thing she'll do, weaving expertly in and out of the pedestrians on the sidewalks. Every once in a while she'll throw a fleeting glance behind her, but for the most part, she keeps her focus on her destination. Each step brings them closer to safety – closer for Callie to be safe, and closer for Chloe to make sure that Beca is safe.
"Chloe?"
Callie's call barely registers inside of Chloe's racing mind. "Hm? What's up, sweetheart?"
"Does Mama know I'm coming home? 'Cuz she gets sad if I don't finish my schoolwork with Karla."
A smile tugs at Chloe's mouth. "Your Mama knows we're coming. She's going to be so excited to see you, I promise."
Callie hums happily at this, swinging her hand in Chloe's, not a care in the world. All the while, Chloe jumps every time someone beeps their horn or someone yells on the side of the street.
Chloe tries to keep her breathing under control as she leads Callie into the apartment complex three blocks from hers, the one that she first stepped foot into five years ago when she moved further into the city, and the same one that Aubrey told her she rented an apartment for Beca almost a week ago.
They climb into the elevator, Chloe managing a smile as she watches Callie excitedly presses the button for the fourth floor.
Unbeknownst to Callie, Chloe wills the elevator doors to close faster, never once taking her eyes off of the apartment building lobby until they're climbing upward.
When the elevator lets out a soft 'ding' and the doors push open, Callie practically starts dragging her down the hallway toward the apartment at the far end of the building.
"Woah, slow down, speed racer." But Chloe can't help but be glad that Callie is just as anxious to see her mother as Chloe is. "Hold on, sweetheart, we're going to have to wait a second."
"How come?"
Chloe just squeezes her hand and knocks lightly on the door. "Bec? It's us."
Only silence follows.
In and out.
In.
And out.
Beca pulls in shaky breath after shaky breath, eyes closed to the world as she stands stock-still in the kitchen, barely being able to hear Henry chattering along to himself as he plays with some of Bella's old toys, over the sound of her pulse racing in her ears.
Theo called Chloe.
He called Chloe while she was at work. He knows that Beca and the kids aren't in LA. He knows that they left.
He called Chloe, he knows that they left, and he's two steps away from finding them here, in New York.
Beca's breathing is labored, tears running down her face as she keeps her back to Henry. She grips her hair at its roots, tugging as though the slight pain that it causes, is going to release all the chaos in her brain.
She needs Callie. She needs Callie and Henry and they need to get out of here, far, far away from New York before Theo can get on a plane and beat them to it.
She needs to leave. It was a mistake coming here, it was a mistake ever reaching out to Aubrey. It was a mistake, letting Aubrey, and Stacie, and Chloe back into her life.
It was a mistake. It was all a mistake.
This is all a mistake.
A quiet knocking on the apartment door causes Beca to jump, her breath getting caught in her throat. Her body tenses, limbs locked with fear as she lifts her gaze to the door, staring daggers at the barricade keeping the outside world from coming in.
"Bec? It's us."
Beca can hear Chloe's voice. She can hear the softness, the same sweetness that she has missed for the last decade. But even though she's a few feet away, separated only by a bit of flooring and a locked door, it sounds like Chloe is miles and miles away.
The comfort that Chloe brings with her, sounds like it's miles and miles away.
"Mama! You gotta let us in!"
Beca blinks hard, Callie's call slowly waking her from her trance-like state. She gulps, once again trying to hold back her emotions, as she finally covers the remaining distance between her and the door. She unlocks each mechanism with shaking hands, carefully opening the door wide enough to see Callie and Chloe standing in the hall, waiting for her.
The sob finally escapes Beca's mouth and she falls to her knees. She pulls Callie into her hold, running her fingers through Callie's hair, breathing in the scent of her coconut shampoo and relishing in the fact that Callie is back in her arms. That her two kids are safe.
"Mama? What's wrong?"
Beca just shakes her head, holding on to Callie tighter. She vaguely hears Chloe coming inside and closing the door behind her, locking the apartment back up, but all she can focus on is her daughter.
She slightly pulls away, keeping her hands firmly on Callie's shoulders as Beca's tears, the same tears that she has tried so hard to hide from her kids, stream down her face. "Are you okay?"
Callie looks worriedly from her mom to Chloe, back to Beca. "Mama, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Beca squeezes her eyes shut, willing everything to just stop. Her daughter's pain, her confusion. Selfishly, her own fear. She just wants it all to quiet down. "I-I'm so-sorry, bug."
"Mama, what—"
"Hey, Callie, sweetie…" Beca feels Chloe's presence before she sees her, the way she carefully squats down beside them. "Can you do me a favor? Do you think you can bring your bag down to your bedroom? I just need to talk to your Mama for a minute."
Callie looks up at the redhead with her own tears in her eyes. "But—"
"Honey, I promise, I am going to make sure your Mama is okay. But I can't do that until you go down to your room." The seven-year-old's internal struggle is obvious, her eyes flicking between each woman, not knowing whether to listen to her new friend, or to Beca's strong grip.
Chloe turns her attention to Beca, whose face has gone white as she just stares at Callie, lost for words. She keeps her hands to herself, not wanting to panic Beca even more than she probably already is. "Bec, Callie is safe. You are safe. He is not here. He does not know that you are here."
Beca's eyes drift closed, her hands not moving from their position on Callie's shoulders. And though she's lost in her sea of fears, anxiety, and self-deprecation, the cool, comforting hand that Chloe places on top of her own, carefully pulls her back to reality.
Gently, ever so gently, Chloe guide Beca's hands off of Callie's shoulders, and brings her into her own embrace. "It's okay, Bec. It's okay."
"Here you go," Chloe places a steaming mug of tea down in front of Beca, her eyes puffy and full of exhaustion. One of her legs is pulled up into her chest where they sit at the kitchen table, Chloe's hand brushing her shoulder as she takes the seat next to her. "The kids are in their bedroom. Callie is reading to Henry."
Beca gulps, staring at the table in front of her. "Thank you."
"Of course." Chloe folds her hands on her lap, looking to her phone that's face up on the table. "We're going to figure this out, Bec. I promise."
Beca digs her teeth into her lip to stop it from trembling, just shaking her head.
Before Chloe has a chance to tell her that they really will figure this out and that she is not leaving her side, Chloe's phone buzzes in front of her. She leans forward to read the text, speaking quietly so as not to startle Beca. "Bree and Stacie are here. Is it okay if I let them in?"
Chloe waits as she practically watches her words sink into Beca's mind, until she slowly nods. Chloe's voice is even quieter as she answers. "Okay."
She moves slowly back over to the door, abandoning her phone on the counter as she keeps an eye on Beca, carefully unlocking the door. Chloe watches as Beca's body goes rigid at the sound oft he lock coming free, as her gaze flies to where Chloe is slowly prying the door open. She looks back down at the table as Aubrey and Stacie silently make their way into the apartment.
Their eyes immediately flick over to Beca, who is once again staring intently at where the bottom of the mug meets the surface of the table. Chloe just shakes her head at their inquisitive looks, locking up the apartment behind them.
Stacie and Aubrey step cautiously around her, Stacie lowering her volume to a whisper. "Where are the kids?"
"Bedroom. They're… occupied."
"Are you okay?"
Chloe's eyebrows crinkle. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine."
Aubrey nods, laying her jacket and bag on the counter, as her down-to-business demeanor starts to shine through. "Good… how's it going, Bec?"
Beca lets out a pitiful snort. "Fantastic." Chloe pads back over to her seat, Aubrey and Stacie following suit.
Aubrey takes a deep breath, trying to calm her own racing thoughts. She hasn't stopped moving since she got off the phone with Chloe, and now, having to slow down in the presence of the frightened brunette in front of her, she doesn't have anywhere else to put her nervous energy; she canceled the rest of her meetings for the day and drove across the city to Stacie's hospital, all the while trying to figure out what they hell they are supposed to do now. "Okay. I know you're probably stressed beyond compare right now, so I'm going to ask you: do you want to talk about this now or later?"
Beca drags her nail against the ceramic of the mug, mumbling, "there's nothing to talk about."
Stacie quirks an eyebrow. "What do you mean, Bec?"
Beca looks up at them with her glistening, deep blue orbs. "I need to get out of here… I need… I need to go somewhere else – somewhere far, far away from people I – people I know, or-or knew."
Chloe is shaking her head before Beca even finishes. "No. Absolutely not. You are staying here, Beca. You're not going anywhere."
"Chloe's right – you are going to be far safer here, with us, than you would be on your own. We aren't going to let him get to you or the kids, again." Aubrey stares at Beca, trying to hold onto her gaze for as long as possible, but the brunette immediately casts it to the table in front of her. "I can only imagine how terrified you are right now, but we are not going to let anything happen to you. You are never going back to him again; do you understand me?"
At Beca's silence, Stacie chimes in, her heart breaking in her chest as she watches her friend starting to slip away once more. Even in the short time that Beca's been back, Stacie's still been able to see some progress – they all have. She's been smiling more, laughing every once in a while. It's been nice, but Stacie knows that this morning has set her miles back. "We told you that we were going to be here for you, through and through, Bec. Nothing is going to change that."
"Absolutely," Chloe murmurs in agreement, reaching out to take hold of Beca's hand, and feeling relieved when she doesn't pull away. "We're going to figure this out."
Another tear rolls down Beca's cheek, the brunette's mind filled with regret after regret. Regrets for coming here, regrets for dragging them into her mess. Regrets for not being brave enough to stand up to Theo herself. It makes her sick.
"I know we had talked about a restraining order before, but I don't think we should do that now. Not when he might be… suspicious, of you being here."
Chloe glances cautiously over at Stacie and Aubrey. There's something about the way that Aubrey says it, that makes Chloe question the true meaning of her statement. "But he just asked if I had talked to her… not if I'd seen her."
Aubrey and Stacie exchange a brief – almost unnoticeable – glance. But with Beca on high alert and Chloe watching, too, both of them see it. "What?"
Stacie sighs, "he called me before I left the hospital. Asked if I had seen or heard from you."
Beca blanches, sitting up straighter in her chair. Her voice meek as she asks once more, "What?"
Stacie holds out a gentle hand. "He just asked if I had seen or heard from you… he said he wasn't going to the police or anything—"
"—He said the same thing to me."
Beca's leg falls to the ground, her foot starting to bounce up and down. She shakes her head, voice quiet. "He won't call the police. It would… it would draw too much attention."
"You're joking." Chloe's tone holds more disbelief than her actual statement. She just naturally assumed that Theo was lying to her about that just like everything else.
Beca just shrugs, not looking Chloe in the eye. It's almost a mixture of embarrassment and nonchalance; this is her life. That's her husband. It's not really odd to think that he doesn't give a shit about her, he just wants her in his life so that he can control her. "Not really."
"Bec…" Chloe strokes the back of her hand with her thumb. The back of her throat burns, once again getting stuck in her own downward spiral wondering what Beca's gone through all these years. She just shakes her head, tears stinging the back of her eyes. "You deserve so much better than that, Beca."
At Chloe's statement, Beca pulls her hand away, wrapping it around her mug without a word.
Aubrey treads lightly. "Then it sounds like we still have time. You can lay low for a little while, and hopefully things will die down."
"Okay, but don't we want to keep him away for good? Why wouldn't we be doing the restraining order, and getting you two divorced and all of that stuff? If he's going to find out where Beca is eventually..."
Beca's stomach rolls with a wave of nausea at Stacie's questions.
Luckily, Aubrey is more than prepared to answer those questions - and to cut off any further questions from her wife. "If we file anything with the court, Theo will know exactly where she is. Then we're stuck in a legal battle, and we know it's going to happen eventually, but right now, we just want to keep Beca and the kids safe. " She shakes her head, "Of course, Beca, if you want to start filing things with the court – we can, and we will. I'll get working on it as soon as you say the word."
Beca's eyes widen with panic. "No. No courts. No restraining orders. I'd rather live like this than just—no." Beca trails off, her voice hitching in her throat. She redeems herself after taking a sip of tea. "No. Please. Can we just… stay like this?"
"Of course. It's your call, Bec. Whatever you want."
Aubrey immediately agrees but meets Chloe's eyes after the I'd rather live like this than… comment.
Stacie, on the other hand, has turned her attention to her cell phone, her lips tucked into her teeth.
Aubrey notices immediately. "What's wrong, Stace?"
Stacie looks up like she has forgotten that she is sitting around the table with them. She glances over to her left at Beca, and then back to Aubrey and Chloe – her expression no longer schooled.
"Stacie?"
Beca sits up straighter. "What is it?"
Stacie gives Beca one more softened expression, before placing her phone on the table. "He called some of the other girls, too."
In the grand scheme of things, this is like, a baby cliffhanger, but I still apologize hahaha.
There we have Chapter 8! I hope you enjoyed it, and I look forward to hearing any thoughts you might want to share.
This week is looking a little crazy for school, so I'm going to try and update on Friday but it might be up Sunday at the latest. I'm sorry in advance if it's on the later end of that time frame, but I hope the wait will be worth it!
See you then!
