Thank you so much for the support last chapter! Sorry that it's taken me a little while to get this one up.

Wolvezzz - He is a creep, that's for sure and your feels of hatred are 100% valid. He might not have called Aubrey, but they'll have their first interaction soon enough! The next few chapters totally cover Theo's next steps so I don't want to spoil it for you, but I will say that it's about to get kind of crazy. Thanks so much for your kind words and for your support!

RJRMovieFan - Oh, for sure. It's all about to go down. Beca 100% needs to go to therapy and she will in the future. She has a lot of healing to do and you are exactly right - as long as she keeps holding on to the guilt, she'll never truly be free. Theo certainly has the money and the resources to keep track of the Bellas, especially with not wanting Beca to do the same. Very creepy. Thanks so much for your kind words and support!

SharonE - Thanks so much for your kind words! The Bellas will certainly help Beca, and her and the kids will finally be safe. Aubrey/Stacie and obviously Chloe are not going anywhere - and I'm sure Khalid will make an appearance in the future :) Thank you so much for reading and for your support!

Icedragone - Oh Theo for sure knew what he was doing and knew that if anyone knew where Beca was, it'd be Chloe (which is ironic, considering Beca didn't want Chloe to know). Hahaha yes Aubrey will definitely keep a level head through this all - at least she's going to try. The Bellas are slowly going to start trickling in, but no comment on who's going to be first ;) The confrontation, too, is coming soon! (And that's not to say there is only going to be one confrontation and that some may be worse than others). It's certainly a back and forth with Chloe and Beca, but they'll figure it out! Thanks so much for your kind words and for your support!

Jody1990 - I 100% feel what you're saying and agree with you. I think Ch.10, 11, and 12 are some of the toughest ones I've had to write in terms of the kids' reactions. Theo has done his work over the years, that's for sure, and you're right - it's only a matter of time before he finds out where Beca is. Thanks so much for reading and for your support!

Guest (1/2, Mar 7) - He really did and he is 100% a creep. Thanks so much for reading and for your support!

Guest (2/2, Mar 7) - Hahahaha Theo knew what he was doing when deciding not to call Aubrey... maybe he did some research on his own just like his wife did :) Yes, you're 100% correct on everything you said about Beca. I think one of the scariest things, is that it's not just going to be like a one and done reunion, they're going to have to see each other multiple times, in various capacities, and who knows what will be said/what will happen each time. Needless to say, Theo will definitely have his shot to try and get Beca to come back with him. But she will be absolutely terrified, and rightfully so. But yes, Aubrey, Stacie, and Chloe of course will do everything in their power not to let that happen. The next steps are interesting for sure! Luckily, we're at Friday so they have the weekend to figure out school and such... but let's just say the next couple of days are going to be a rollercoaster of events. The false seeds idea is interesting for sure! I guess it all depends what happens in the next 72 hours, I guess...hahah thanks so much for reading and for your support!

CJ3 - Thanks so much for your kind words! The drama is picking up, that's for sure. And yes, I agree with you in feeling happy that Beca isn't alone anymore. Theo is 100% controlling and knows exactly what he is doing, which makes my stomach churn to even write. Thanks so much for reading and for your support!

Guest (Mar 8) - Thank you so much! I appreciate it :) Chloe and Beca's relationships is for sure delicate and complicated, you're 100% right. But yes, I promise it will all be okay in the end! Theo did call them and he is definitely desperate, especially because he also is concerned about how it will look for the record label and in the public's eye. His number 1 goal is just going to be to get Beca back into the house, alone, because that's where he has the most control over her - and since he knows how he has acted in the last 10 years, I think realizing that she is gone is going to make him know that she made a big move, one that very possibly could have led her back to the Bellas, who are people he also knows will not let him get away with it if they have anything to say about it. The plan for the other Bellas is in this chapter! At least part of it lol and oh my goodness if you have predictions I'd love to hear them if you want to share! Thanks so much for your kind words and your support!

Bechloeforever14 - Thank you so much for your kind words and for your support! I hope this chapter is worth the wait!


Chapter 9

Content Warning: Implied domestic violence relationship, panic attack

Beca's eyes blur as she stares at Stacie's phone screen through fear-induced tears.

Emily Junk: Does anyone have time to talk?

Cynthia Rose Adams: What's going on?

Jess Smith: You okay Em?

Ashley Richards: Yeah, what's up with the secret text thread?

Cynthia Rose Adams: ok you guys are going to think I'm crazy… but I just got a phone call from Theo

Flo Fuentes: Theo who?

Cynthia Rose Adams: Beca's husband

Emily Junk: Yeah, that's what I needed to talk about. He called me too.

Ashley Richards: …why? What did he say?

Jess Smith: Is Beca okay?

Emily Junk: He said that they got in an argument and he hasn't seen or heard from her in a few days.

Cynthia Rose Adams: Idk… said that him and Beca got into a fight and asked if I'd heard from her.

Emily Junk: Same here.

Flo Fuentes: ? Does he not know that she doesn't talk to us?

Jess Smith: Why isn't he calling the police?

Ashley Richards: Maybe he did and they told him to call us?

Emily Junk: Do you think he called Chloe? I didn't want to send this in the main chat in case he didn't.

Cynthia Rose Adams: Stacie/Aubrey, have you heard anything?

Beca's chest feels like there is someone stepping on it by the time she finishes reading the thread, her breath coming out forcefully as she takes in each message from her old friends.

Not only is she absolutely terrified, but the guilt hits her like a truck. Guilt from simply seeing the girls' names on Stacie's phone, and even more so with all of the implications behind Emily's last text: I didn't want to send this in the main chat in case he didn't.

It just further reinforces how much she hurt Chloe and how much she hurt everyone else.

Talk about messing up everything good in her life.

Aubrey's voice sounds like it's underwater when she speaks up.

"Tell them that he didn't, and that we'll tell her."

It goes unnoticed by Beca that she's talking to Stacie. She's far too preoccupied with the text messages swirling around in her mind. She bores holes into the table with her stare, tears threatening to fall with each passing second, her nails digging into her palms so hard that they could draw blood.

But she can't wake herself from the trance. She can't release herself from the vice grip of Theo's influence – even from thousands of miles away. She can't release herself from the constant weight of pure hatred she has for herself – not just for allowing herself to be in this situation, but making it worse by coming out here, and for everything she's done to hurt the Bellas – to hurt Chloe.

She doesn't think the pain she has caused herself for hurting them so badly, will ever go away. How could it?

As Beca drifts further and further from the conversation happening mere inches in front of her, Chloe shoots her a fleeting glance, before turning to Aubrey. "Why can't you say that I did?"

Aubrey, too, lifts her eyes briefly to Beca while simultaneously watching Stacie type out her text. "Because we don't want them to do anything. If you had heard from Theo completely out of the blue saying that he didn't know where Beca was – you'd be up in arms. They know that, and if you weren't acting like that, they'd ask questions."

With Chloe not necessarily being able to dispute Aubrey's deduction – and being equally as grateful that she has enough of a level head in this moment to be able to think three steps ahead – she turns her attention back to Beca. The brunette hasn't lifted her gaze from the spot where Stacie had left her phone, even though said phone is currently back in Stacie's hand. She's sitting in her chair as rigid as a post, but each breath seems to take everything out of her – her chest visibly shaking with effort.

Making a split second decision, Chloe slowly moves so that she can kneel beside Beca's chair. Sitting closer to her now, she can actually hear her labored breathes being slowly sucked in through her nose and subsequently blown out once she holds it in for a few moments. Wanting to do nothing more than comfort Beca who is falling deeper and deeper with each passing second, Chloe delicately lays her hand on the brunette's thigh.

Beca flinches in reaction, Chloe instantly moving back and giving her space.

"Bec…"

Beca closes her eyes tightly against the world, the brief moment that Chloe's hand was on her thigh feeling like it burned a hole through her leg. She digs her teeth into the inside of her cheek, one thought running through her mind on a loop: She needs to get out of here.

She needs to get out of here before Theo finds her and the kids.

And she needs to get out of here before she causes the people she loves, any more pain.

"Beca, look at me." Chloe steps back so she's beside her but not on top of her, trying to find the perfect balance of the right amount of space that will bring comfort to the brunette, but not leave her struggling on her own. "You're safe, Beca. Open your eyes, Bec. You're safe."

Beca shakes her head. She's not safe. She's never been safe, and she never is going to be safe.

She needs to get out of here.

Beca forces herself to stand on feet so unsteady she almost falls over. Her eyes open but they're unfocused at best, her head pounding, and vision blurred. She continues to try and focus on her breathing, but the eyes on her don't help, and her neither do her frantic thoughts. Yet somehow, she's able to vocalize her desires. It's quiet – but it's undoubtedly heard loud and clear in the silence of the apartment, for at least the second time in the last few hours. "I need to get out of here."

Chloe is immediately shaking her head, standing in front of Beca with her hand outstretched. "No, Beca, you don't. You need to stay right here where you are safe."

Beca's gaze flicks around the apartment, suddenly feeling like the walls are closing in around her. "No – no. I need to leave. I need to – get the kids –" she runs her hands through her hair, gripping her curls at their roots. "I need to get out of here."

Stacie abandons her phone on the table, cautiously moving to stand next to Chloe. She, too, watches Beca with concern, the shorter brunette pacing three steps back and forth in front of them. "Beca… it's okay. We fixed it. They don't know – Theo doesn't know. You are okay."

Beca just shakes her head, continuing to run through her mental lists. If she leaves tonight, maybe she can start heading to Canada? Maybe back down South? Literally anywhere but here...

Chloe's voice cracks, tears burning at the back of her eyes, as she desperately tries to pull Beca from the hole she is falling down without laying a hand on her. "Beca – please. He isn't going to find you—"

"Yes he is! He is going to find us because he already has!" Beca's face grows red with exertion, her eyes blood-shot and both her expression and her posture, panic-stricken.

Stacie keeps lays her hand lightly on Chloe's so that she doesn't make any physical moves toward their friend. "No, he hasn't, Bec. He has no idea."

Aubrey comes to stand beside her. She keeps her voice even, and the strength in the tone is enough to get Beca to hear at least part of what she says. "If he knew where you were, Beca, he wouldn't have called the other girls. Jess and Ashley are in Boston, Emily and Cynthia Rose are still in Georgia, Amy is in Australia, Flo is in Florida, and Lilly is… well she's everywhere. But if Theo knew where you were, he wouldn't be calling us all. He'd already be here. And he's not."

This causes Beca to still her pacing. She clenches her jaw, her hands pulled into fists by her side.

Aubrey gives her a small smile. "He doesn't know, Beca. You are safe here, just like we planned."

Chloe sees her opening and takes it, keeping her volume quiet, and never once looking away from Beca's eyes. "I know you're scared, Bec, and you have every right to be – but I promise that we are not going to let anything happen to you or the kids."

Stacie instantly agrees. "Exactly. We're here for you, and we're not going anywhere. Neither are you."

Chloe and Stacie's words sound foreign to her, yet those are the ones that she hears. After everything they've been saying – those two statements are the ones that break through her spiral.

But the word – the single word – that follows, pulls her completely free.

"Mama?"

Aubrey, Stacie, and Chloe turn to look in the direction of the hallway. Beca, on the other hand, relaxes her jaw. Her hands unclench, the tension in her shoulders loosen, and she slowly turns to face her two kids.

Callie and Henry are standing at the entrance of the living area, hand-in-hand, looking worriedly at Beca.

The sight of her children brings Beca back to the present. Despite the residual tears still rolling down her cheek, Beca takes a deep breath. She forces a barely noticeable smile – unconvincing to say the least, but she forces it nonetheless – onto her face. Her voice quivers ever so slightly as she answers. "W-what's up, guys?"

Henry lets go of Callie's hand and slowly walks over to Beca, arms outstretched. Callie follows shortly after, carefully approaching the group. "Mama, what's wrong?"

Beca struggles to lift Henry without her arms shaking, but she manages. He sits on Beca's hip, his hand coming up to her face and gently wipes the residual moisture from her cheek. "Hug, Mama?"

A new batch of tears swell in Beca's eyes, but she nods all the same. Henry's arms immediately wrap around her neck and holds her tightly. She mumbles into his cheek, kissing the skin lightly. "Thank you, baby."

When Henry pulls away, Beca sniffles. She turns back to Callie, her throat thick with emotion. "You okay, Cal?"

Callie eyes her suspiciously, suddenly reverting back to her shy-self at her mother's clear vulnerability and the presence of people she's still not entirely familiar with. She whispers her answer. "I finished my math homework."

"That's great, bug." Beca brushes Henry's hair out of his eyes, ignoring Chloe, Stacie, and Aubrey. "Do you want to read for a little while?"

With one last glance to the three other adults that she's seen more in the last few days than she has in her entire life, Callie nods. "Can you read with me?"

Callie's question lifts the weight from Beca's chest. She answers immediately. "Yeah. Yeah, let's go read for a bit."

Beca takes a few shaky steps in her direction, reaching her hand out, which Callie takes gratefully. Beca doesn't even look back at the other women as she heads down the hallway, closing the bedroom door behind her.

As soon as it clicks shut, Chloe's own tears spill from her eyes. She brings a shaky hand to her her mouth, completely breaking down for the first time all afternoon. "That son of a bitch."

Aubrey chastises her lightly, keeping an eye on the hallway to make sure Beca is out of earshot. "Chloe…"

"No. How dare he? How dare he call them? Call us? Beca hasn't done anything to deserve this."

"She is safe, Chlo. We're not going to let anything happen to her."

Stacie takes a step back, running a hand over her face. She lowers her voice, her own exasperation shining through. "And how are we supposed to do that without a restraining order? Without starting legal proceedings?"

"That is just going to draw attention to her, Stacie. Right now, he doesn't know where she is – we've talked about this."

Chloe's lip trembles as she looks between Stacie and Aubrey. "Then what are we supposed to do? It's not like she can live in hiding forever. It's not like he's just going to...to give up."

Aubrey gives her a helpless shrug. "I don't know, Chloe. Right now, there's nothing we can do except for be there for Beca, making sure she's safe and comfortable, and that the kids are happy… unfortunately, it's a waiting game right now, and as much as it is horrible, it's the best thing for Beca at this time."


An hour later, after the tension in the apartment has simmered to a more bearable level and everyone's respective emotions approach a more manageable level, Chloe finds herself sitting on the couch in Beca's apartment, staring at the opposite wall. Stacie and Aubrey are sitting beside her, Aubrey typing away on her phone, while Stacie continues to monitor her own texts for questions from the Bellas.

Chloe, on the other hand, hasn't looked at her phone. She knows that the girls didn't text her asking if she had been contacted by Theo, but she's more concerned with whether or not an Unknown Number from Los Angeles will be waiting for her in the call log.

She'd much rather focus her energy on Beca and her two kids that have yet to emerge from the back bedroom.

Not that she can really blame them. If she were Beca, she wouldn't ever want to leave her room. She'd lock the door and throw away the key. How she managed to function enough to get herself and Callie and Henry across the country and into a new life is beyond Chloe.

And then the kids? Chloe knows she'd completely break down if she had to uproot her entire life, start living in a random apartment, with random people coming and going, and watched her mother burst into tears two different times in the span of two hours. She can't even imagine what is going through their heads.

Yet they still seem so happy. Confused, yes, but happy and loved? One thousand percent. That's just a testament to what a fantastic mom Beca is.

She pulls her legs into her chest and glances at the clock on the television. It's only just now approaching one in the afternoon, and while she's not surprised that Beca hasn't been disturbed by hunger – or Aubrey or Stacie - really, she's a little shocked that the kids haven't made a fuss loud enough for Chloe to hear out in the living room.

"Are you guys hungry?" Chloe's question startles both Aubrey and Stacie, the silence of the apartment shattering into a million little pieces.

Aubrey looks at the time for herself, noticing just how fast the afternoon is flying by. Apparently, that's what happens when your friend's abusive husband starts calling your other friends completely out of the blue and spooks the first friend into thinking she needs to leave the one place that they all know she is safe. "Um, not really."

Stacie mutters her agreement, locking her phone and placing it on the arm of the couch. "No. I don't think I'd be able to keep anything down."

Chloe nods an understanding, but pushes herself up from her seat, nonetheless. "I'm going to make something for the kids and see if Beca will eat something, too."

"That's a good idea. Thanks, Chlo. I hadn't realized how late it was getting." Aubrey runs her hand over her face once more. "As much as I don't want to, I need to get back to the office. I'm going to meet with the coworker I've been talking to about Beca's case. Update her on what's going on. I can come back later, though."

As Chloe continues to stare at Aubrey, allowing her words to sink in, Stacie slowly nods in agreement. "They shouldn't be left alone. Not until we figure out what Theo's next move is."

"I'll stay here," Chloe starts to shake her head at Aubrey and Stacie's brief exchange of glances. "It's okay. You should get back to work. Both of you should. I have the rest of the day off and I'm planning on calling out Monday, too."

"I can stay too, Bree, if you want to come pick me up later. Or I can take a cab back home."

"It's okay, Stacie. You can go home, too. You're going to have to pick Bella up anyways."

If Chloe's being honest with herself, she just wants some time alone with Beca. It's selfish, yes, but Stacie and Aubrey have been able to help her for the last week. That's all she wants to be able to do: to be there for Beca and to help her in whatever way she can.

But for some reason, Stacie doesn't quite agree with that notion. "No, it's fine, Chlo. I can stay for a while. At least until Bella gets out of school."

"I seriously don't mind." Chloe pushes a little harder, fingers clasped together in front of her.

Stacie gives her a small smile. "Chloe, I love you, you know I do, but remember that we have to take this slow."

Oddly threatened, Chloe quirks an eyebrow upward. She's not exactly sure what Stacie is insinuating, but it makes some brew inside of her, itching to rise and escape. "What does that mean?"

"It means exactly that – that we have to take it slow. Beca's had an overwhelming day and hearing that someone is spending the night tonight might now go over well."

"Someone, or me?"

Stacie's eyes flutter closed and she lets out a sigh. "That's not what I meant, and you know it."

"Really? Because it sure sounded like it."

Aubrey cuts in before their voices get too loud, stepping in between her best friend and her other best friend who also happens to be her wife. "I'll tell you what we're not going to do – we are not going to argue about things as little as who is staying and who is going. Beca needs all of us on her side right now and the only thing that's going to disrupt that, is acting like a bunch of children." She sighs, turning to look directly at Chloe. "I know that you want to get close to her again, and I get that. One hundred percent. But today is not the day for it. She is stressed, she is terrified, and the littlest thing could make her want to leave."

Stacie holds up her hands in surrender. "All I'm saying is that even though we all know now – and even though everything is starting to pick up – we are still only doing what Beca is comfortable with. That's not changing."

Chloe softens, nodding slowly. Whether it came out the right way or not, Chloe gets what Stacie is saying. "Agreed."

"Good." Aubrey starts to gather her things. "Stace, why don't you leave with me now, and then we can check in later. We can call after dinner and see how things are going, and then switch out if need be."

"Okay." Stacie turns to Chloe, guilt starting to creep into her features. "And I really didn't mean to imply that Beca doesn't—"

"I know. It's okay. We're all stressed, I get it."

All three of the women exchange hugs that leave them clinging to each other for support, their collective stress radiating off of them – and only briefly dissipating at the contact. Chloe promises to call if she needs anything or if anything happens, with Aubrey and Stacie doing the same, before the apartment door closes behind them.

After locking back up, Chloe releases a deep sigh into the apartment that is once again silent. Even the traffic out on the street seems to be quieter – something that Chloe has very rarely experienced in all of her years of living in the city. It's eerie and oddly symbolic of the 'calm before the storm' feel that seems to be permeating into their lives at the moment.

Chloe makes her way into the kitchen, taking a quick look through the cabinets to see what ingredients Beca has for both lunch and dinner, but of course, upon seeing the contents of the kitchen, Chloe still can't do anything. Like it or not, she has no clue what Beca or her kids eat, or like. It's been over a decade since Chloe last amicably shared a meal with her best friend, and she has no idea what Callie and Henry's favorite meals are.

It's with that pang to her chest that Chloe leaves the kitchen with yet another round of tears swelling in her eyes. But she quickly blinks them away – she doesn't have time to feel sad. She doesn't have time to regret the last ten years any longer. They're moving forward, they're going to get better. Beca is back in Chloe's life, Chloe is back in Beca's. Beca has two amazing and adorable children that Chloe's been lucky enough to spend time with over the last week.

It's going to get better. It's just going to take time.

When she gets to Callie and Henry's bedroom, the door is closed to the rest of the world. Chloe presses her ear gently against the wood, expecting to hear some sort of noise – Beca reading, or even Callie, maybe Henry's quiet giggle that never seems to raise above a whisper. But she's simply met with even more silence.

Carefully, Chloe opens the door, the hinges gratefully not making a single sound. When she pokes her head around the corner, Chloe practically melts at the sight.

Beca and Henry are tucked into the corner of the bed, Henry slumped against Beca's chest, and both of them are sound asleep. To Beca's right, Callie remains curled into her Mama's side, but continues to silently read her book to herself, her fingers quietly playing with the pages as she reads through the chapter.

Callie looks up in surprise, but a smile spreads across her face when she sees Chloe standing in the doorway. She lifts her finger to her lips, silently asking Chloe to be quiet, to which Chloe immediately nods in response.

Chloe motions for Callie to join her, waving her over. Callie hesitates, looking down at her mom, before carefully peeling herself from Beca's side. She lays her book on the bed beside Beca's sleeping figure, and creeps across the room to take Chloe's waiting hand.

Both Callie and Chloe remain quiet until Chloe shuts the bedroom door, and they are in the kitchen.

"Mama fell asleep," Callie says bluntly, climbing up onto one of the chairs at the table.

Chloe can't help but laugh, sitting down beside the little girl. The other part of her, though, wants to just go back and wrap Beca in a hug. The fact that she has been so stressed and emotionally exhausted that she just fell asleep while she was reading with Callie, is enough to bring tears to her eyes. "That was nice of you to stay with her and keep her company."

Callie shrugs, pulling her legs up onto the chair and folding them beneath her. "She does that sometimes. It's 'cuz she needs a rest. That's what Karla says."

"Does it happen a lot?"

Callie pulls her mouth to the side. "I dunno. Sometimes. Especially when she gets homes late from work with Daddy. So, I just play with Karla or read with her. Henry always falls asleep, too."

Not wanting to address the 'Theo' of Callie's statement, Chloe just smirks. "Well, maybe your Mama needs to go to bed earlier."

Callie nods her head vehemently in agreement. "I think so. And she always makes me go to bed early."

"Well that just doesn't seem fair."

Callie giggles at Chloe's statement and in that moment, it's like Beca sitting right in front of her. The small giggles, the sarcasm (even from an eight-year-old), it's all eerily similar to how Beca used to act when her and Chloe were spending time together, alone, first in college and later in their own NYC apartment. It sends a pang through Chloe's heart, not just at the millionth reminder of how much she has missed her best friend, but also at all that she's missed out on so far, with Beca's kids.

Swallowing down her pain, Chloe just gives Callie another loving smile. "What do you think, Cal? Are you hungry for lunch?"

As if on cue, a low rumble emerges from Callie's stomach, causing the young girl to giggle once more. "I think Mama forgot about lunch."

Chloe pushes herself up from the table, heading towards the kitchen to start looking through the cabinets. "Well, it's like you said: Mama's just tired and she was probably so tired that she did forget about lunch, but that's okay. What can I get you, sweetheart? Do you want a sandwich?"

"Peanut butter and fluff, please," Callie says, polite as always. She might not have been raised around a variety of adults, but her Mama and Daddy and Karla were always telling her how important manners are. As she watches Chloe start making her sandwich, though, her mind is taken elsewhere. It's taken back to a few hours ago when Aubrey and Stacie showed up after Chloe brought her home, and it takes her back to the previous nights that she has spent, watching different people walk around this new kitchen, when the only people she's interacted with that much, were her parents and Karla. "Chloe?"

Chloe searches through the drawers for a knife, not quite looking up at Callie's call. "What's up, kiddo?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

This causes Chloe to pause. She looks up at Callie's curious expression, and says, "Of course you can."

"Are you friends with Aubrey and Stacie?"

A light laugh flits past Chloe's lips, along with a feeling of pure relief. She gets back to gathering her supplies, grabbing the peanut butter and fluff from the cabinet and opening the bag of bread. "I am. Why do you ask?"

Callie watches as Chloe starts to spread each topping over the slices. "I don't know. 'Cuz they're always here."

During their daily lunch dates, Chloe and Callie haven't talked much about Callie's move to New York. The first day or so, Callie had hardly talked at all. The following days were filled with Chloe trying to get Callie to talk about her classes and tell her stories about her mom, brother, and unfortunately, some about her father as well. But other than that, Chloe suspects that Callie must still be numb to the fact that she's actually living here. Or maybe Beca just hasn't told her the permanency of the situation, but still.

Keeping that in mind, Chloe is aware that she doesn't know the extent to which Beca has informed Callie about their new living arrangement. So, she keeps her answer simple. "Well, moving to a new city is hard, so they've just been coming by to make sure your Mama doesn't need any help."

"Help?"

Chloe nods as she carries Callie's sandwich – cut into four triangles – over to place it in front of her. "Yeah, like making sure you guys are settling in. Comfortable. That's important in a new place."

Chloe can see the gears turning in Callie's head as she takes the first bite. She's smart for her age – Chloe picked up on that the first time she met her - which is why she's nervous to hear what else is on Callie's mind.

"But how come they're coming here?"

"Well…" Chloe gives her a small shrug, pushing Callie's napkin closer to her. "They're friends with your Mama, too. So, they wanted to help and see her."

Callie chews thoughtfully on her sandwich. "But you don't come after dinner. Aren't you friends with Mama?"

"I am." Chloe doesn't hesitate in clearing that up. "But, you know, I see you guys every morning and every afternoon at school, and I love spending time with you at lunch…"

Callie takes a sip from the glass of water Chloe brought over to her. "Yeah, but I think I like it better when you're here, too."


After Callie finishes her lunch (and thankfully ends her line of questioning) Chloe searches for a movie for the two of them to watch. She already finished her homework, and in attempt to keep her entertained but not feel pressured to socialize, Chloe put on Moana and cuddled up with Callie on the couch.

But half-way through You're Welcome, both Callie and Chloe jump in their positions on the couch at the shout that comes from the back bedroom.

"Callie?!"

The door bursts open following the call, with Beca's frantic footsteps running down the hall. Callie's eyes widen at the sound of her mother's distress, instantly standing from her position beside Chloe.

Beca is in the living room in a matter of seconds, and when she finally is, it's clear that her mind is harried by her wide eyes and the fact that Henry is hanging on for dear life when she comes to a stop in front of the couch.

Beca lets out a sigh of relief, dropping to her knees and pulling Callie into her embrace. Before she buries her head into Callie's shoulder, Chloe sees a few tears streaming down her face.

Callie, though confused and concerned, wraps her arms around her mother's neck, allowing her to hold on for however long she needs to. "Did you have a good rest, Mama?"

Beca lets out a teary laugh, lifting her head to press a kiss into Callie's temple. "I did, baby, thank you." She brings Callie back into her embrace, taking a deep breath, and holding her close.

Watching from the couch, Chloe can't help but feel guilty. It's clear from the way Beca had reacted, that she was scared about where her daughter was. Potentially – likely – scared that perhaps Theo had somehow made his way into the apartment and had taken Callie. She can see that fear in Beca's stance, in the way she clings on to Callie like she's trying to make sure she's real.

It breaks Chloe's heart.

Eventually, Beca pulls back, shifting so that she's on her knees. She glances back at Chloe, who gives her a small, apologetic smile, but Beca doesn't even acknowledge her. She simply turns to Callie. "What've you been up to?"

Callie points to the television where her movie has been paused, and then looks over at Chloe. "Chloe made me lunch and now we're watching Moana."

"Yeah? Have you been a good girl?"

Callie gives her a cheeky grin. "Yes, Mama."

Finally, Beca meets Chloe's gaze. "Thank you for watching her."

Chloe straightens in her seat. "Of course. We've been having a lot of fun." Callie leaves Beca's close proximity, climbing back up onto the couch, this time with Henry following her after wriggling out of Beca's hold. "Aubrey and Stacie had to go back to work, but they said they'd check in later."

Beca silently nods, sitting back on her legs and just staying on the ground. "Did anything else…"

"No. No more calls and Stacie took care of the rest of the girls."

Beca gulps, her gaze shifting to the floor in front of her. Besides the fact that she woke up from her impromptu nap in a panic, the rest of the day has been utterly exhausting. She just wants to go to sleep with her kids safely tucked in beside her.

Chloe sees the exhaustion radiating off of her best friend, and locks eyes with her when Beca flicks her attention up to the couch. "You can go back to bed, Bec. I can watch the kids if you want a little bit of time for yourself."

Beca immediately shakes her head. "No, I'm… I'm fine. Sorry, I'm just a little scattered I guess. You can head home, though, if you want."

After Stacie's little comment earlier, Chloe has been second guessing her offer to stay the night with Beca. Not because she doesn't want to – obviously she wants nothing more – but because she doesn't want to make Beca uncomfortable.

"Actually," Chloe glances over at Callie and Henry, where Callie is playing with Henry's hands, not really paying attention. "I was thinking that maybe I'd spend the night tonight? You know, just—"

Beca shakes her head, playing with her hands in her lap. "I'm fine, Chloe. Thank you, but…"

Chloe tries not to let Beca's words cut through her like a knife. She ignores the way tears immediately spring to her eyes, and how she feels like someone has punched in the gut. "If you don't want me to stay here, that's fine, but Stacie, Bree, and I… we don't think you should be here alone. Not until we… know more about what's going on."

"Chloe, you don't need to stay." Beca tries to make her words sound convincing, but even she knows that it comes out weak. She doesn't want to be here in the apartment by herself – she probably won't even sleep soundly tonight anyway – but she also doesn't want Chloe feeling like she has to be here either (and perhaps she doesn't want her to stay).

Beca also doesn't know if she has another 'difficult' conversation in her.

Callie suddenly perks up. "Chloe's sleeping over tonight?"

Chloe looks to Beca for her answer, who simply gives Callie a small smile. "Not tonight, Cal."

Callie pouts, starting to glare at her mother. "How come?"

"Because Chloe has to go back to her own home, bug."

Callie's expression narrows. "But Chloe's my friend. And your friend, too. Like Karla. She told me."

At this, Beca blanches. She flicks her attention up to Chloe – albeit briefly – before turning back to her daughter. "I...I know she is, Cal, but—"

"So how come she can't stay? Karla used to sleep over."

Henry looks up at his mom, too. "Karla?"

Before Beca has a chance to address either Callie or Henry, Callie starts again. "Please, Mama? We can watch movies."

Beca can feel the panic rising inside of her. She doesn't want to set any of Callie's progress back, but this…this doesn't sound like a great idea either. "But we don't have another bed, Cal. Where would Chloe sleep?"

For Chloe, she doesn't want to pressure Beca, but she also doesn't want her to be alone tonight – whether that means Chloe is staying there, or someone else. "I can sleep on the couch, Bec, it's not a big deal."

"She can sleep on my bed! I can sleep with you, Mama!"

Henry lights up. "Me too!"

It's one of the first few times that pure joy brightens up her kids' faces since they've been here. It makes sense. Being around Chloe does that to Beca, so it's obvious that it would do the same to her children. They have those Mitchell qualities that can only be tamed by Chloe Beale. And despite her nerves about the situation, despite the fact that she knows she's just going to end up hurting Chloe once more – and perhaps hurting herself in the process – the sight of Callie and Henry's smiles is enough to convince Beca to go against her own desires.

Her answer is quiet as she finally agrees. "Okay."


Thank you so much for reading! I can't wait to hear what you thought, and I hope it was worth the wait!

See you on Friday!