25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020
Day 8 - Distance Means So Little. . .
Prompt from FanFiction User TotroCat: Hi! My prompt idea is home for Christmas. Maybe instead of one of them coming home, though, Beca or Chloe has been working in another country and isn't able to make it back for Christmas so the other flies out to surprise her.
"What do you mean Chloe's not coming home for Christmas?" Beca asked Stacie.
"That's what she told Brey," Stacie said. "She said something about tests and papers that she needs to do. If she comes home, she'll put herself too far behind and she's afraid she'll never catch up."
"Why didn't she tell me this?" Beca asked. "It was only two days ago she was telling me she couldn't wait to come home to see everyone."
"I don't know what to tell you, Beca," Stacie said.
"I have to go," Beca said. "I'll talk to you later."
"Don't read too much into this, Beca," Stacie said. "Brey's her best friend."
"Chloe always said I was her best friend, too," Beca said.
Beca ended the call before Stacie could say anything more.
"So much for being best friends," Beca sighed.
Beca went to her home studio to work on a track that had been giving her trouble. It was close to Midnight when she saw her phone flashing and looked at the caller ID to see Chloe's name pop up.
"This should be good," Beca mumbled as she answered the call. "What do you want, Chloe?"
"So, it's true?" Chloe said. "Stacie told you I wasn't coming home."
Beca didn't say anything in response. She waited for Chloe to speak.
It was a good two minutes of silence before Chloe finally spoke.
"I know you're still there, Beca," Chloe said. "I can hear you breathing. Say something."
"What do you want me to say, Chloe?" Beca asked. "Two days ago you were telling me how excited you were to be coming home. And now, you have too much homework to do and can't come home."
"Beca," Chloe said beseechingly. "I can't help that I'm loaded down with homework."
"Christmas isn't for three more weeks, Chloe," Beca said. "What's the real reason you're not coming home?"
Chloe sighed and cleared her throat. "I miss everyone so much," Chloe said. "I'm afraid if I came home, I wouldn't come back. My folks spent so much money putting through Barden, and now they're paying for me to study art in Paris. I couldn't be the reason they lose so much more money. I need to see this through, Becs. You understand don't you?"
"I actually do," Beca said softly. "What if I pay for your semester so your parents don't lose anything? Could you come home then?"
"That's sweet of you, Beca," Chloe said. "But I can't take your money. I'd never be able to pay you back."
"I didn't say anything about paying it back," Beca said.
"Beca, don't do this," Choe said, sniffling. "I already feel bad enough about not coming home. Don't make me feel worse."
"It's just," Beca started and stopped. "I miss you, Chlo," Beca whispered.
Chloe let out a small sob. "I miss you, too. So much."
Beca could hear Chloe sniffling and just knew that she had tears streaming down her face. Chloe was an emotional person and Beca's mind was filtering through so many thoughts as she tried to think of something that would make Chloe feel better.
"Have you eaten any snails?"
"What?" Chloe asked, caught off guard by the sudden change of topic.
"I think in France they call them escargots," Beca said, causing Chloe to laugh out loud when she pronounced the "gots" as if it rhymed with hots.
"Stop it," Chloe said. "I know what you're trying to do."
"Is it working?" Beca asked.
"Actually, it is," Chloe said, chuckling. "And wipe that smirk off your face, Mitchell."
Chloe laughed again, which made Beca feel better.
"You know me so well," Beca said, smirk firmly in place. "And I'm sorry I made you cry."
"It's okay," Chloe said. "You always fix it by making me laugh."
"Maybe I just like the sound of your laugh," Beca said.
"I need to go," Chloe said. "I have a class in thirty minutes."
"Okay," Beca said. "I'll try and call later this week, okay?"
"Okay," Chloe said. "Love you, Becs."
"Love you, too, Chlo," Beca said softly and ended the call.
~~ Day 8 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
Beca spent the next week working on her second album. Theo had done an early release on one of the songs from the album (which Beca found weird because the album wasn't even ready to drop yet). The song was doing very well on the charts and was being purchased on all the music download sites.
Beca was out shopping for Christmas gifts when she was recognized by a group of teenaged girls. She spent time talking with them and taking selfies. She still finds it weird when people recognize her and want her picture. Beca couldn't wait to tell Chloe that one of the girls mentioned her and the Bellas and how she wanted to go to Barden so she could be a Bella.
Beca continued shopping and found the perfect gift for Chloe. She placed the order for it and asked for it to be shipped to her house so she could check it out before sending it to Chloe.
With a nine-hour time difference between L.A. and Paris, Beca had to wait until close to eleven p.m. her time to call Chloe so she could catch her before she had to go to class.
That night, Beca called Chloe at eleven p.m. her time. Chloe answered the call sounding bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. "Why wouldn't she be," Beca thought. "It's eight in the morning in Paris."
They talked for about fifteen minutes and Beca was yawning throughout most of the conversation. Chloe finally told Beca to go to bed and she'd talk to her another time. Beca scoffed at first but acquiesced when she yawned again.
It was the week before Christmas and Beca and Chloe hadn't spoken in days. Their only communication had been a few texts; most of which sat unanswered for several hours due to the time difference. Beca had enough. She needed to see and speak to Chloe face-to-face. Beca pulled up her favorite travel website and looked for flights going to Paris for Christmas.
~~ Day 8 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
The next few days for busy for Beca. She had a lot of planning to do for her trip to Paris. The night before her departure, Beca was too excited to sleep. Her bag was already packed and she had wrapped Chloe's Christmas gift. There was nothing left to do but wait.
Doing nothing, especially while waiting, was not something Beca could do, so she took her laptop to bed with her and worked on the music for a song she had written. Before she knew it, her phone's alarm sounded and she got up and dressed. She left for the airport and had to wait in an extra-long security line.
After what seemed like an eternity, Beca was settled in her First Class seat (don't judge; she's making good money now and can afford it). She didn't care where she sat as long as the plane got her to Paris, and ultimately to Chloe. She'd sit on the wing if she had to.
The flight would take just over ten hours and Beca planned to sleep the entire time. Once they had taken off and She set her phone's alarm for one hour before the plane was to arrive and got more comfortable.
After not sleeping the night before, Beca was sure she'd be out in no time. Her thoughts had other ideas and decided to play the "What If" game.
"What If. . . Chloe does get homesick and wants to go back home to her parents?"
"What If. . .I do pay for her to come home and she resents me because she was determined to see her art studies through to the end?"
"What If. . .Chloe was lying and just didn't want to see me?"
"What If. . .Chloe has a boyfriend and didn't want to tell anyone about him? Or, worse, What If. . . she has a girlfriend?"
Beca doesn't know how long her thoughts kept going, or when she fell asleep, but the next thing she knew she was being awakened by a stewardess, telling her they would be landing soon.
Once Beca was off the plane and in the terminal, she placed a few calls, trying to find someone, anyone, to tell her she was doing the right thing and Chloe would be glad to see her. There was no answer when she called Stacie, Fat Amy, or her last resort, Aubrey.
Beca put her phone away and let out a breath. She headed out of the terminal and grabbed the first cab she could find. It was a bit cooler than she expected.
"Where to, mademoiselle?" the cab driver asked.
Beca gave him the name of her hotel and he drove off. Twenty minutes later, Beca was thanking him and being helped out of the cab. A hotel porter took her bags and she followed him inside.
Once she was checked in, the porter showed her to her room. She tipped him and checked out the accommodations.
"Tomorrow's Christmas Eve," Beca thought. "I'll wait and go see Chloe then." After a quick shower and changing into pajamas, Beca called in an order for room service.
The next day, Beca woke up late and got dressed. She left her room and made her way to the lobby, where she asked for a car and driver. Ten minutes later she was in the car and on her way to Chloe's.
"I hope she's home," Beca thought to herself.
The car stopped in front of an old-fashioned looking building and Beca looked up at it. She got out of the car with her bag and walked to the door.
Beca entered the building and looked at her phone for Chloe's text with her address and apartment number.
Beca was finally standing in front of Chloe's door, with no idea what she was going to say to her when she saw her. She took a deep breath and muttered, "here goes nothing", before knocking on the door.
~~ Day 8 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
While waiting for Chloe to open the door, Beca shifted nervously from one foot to the other. She was looking down when the door was suddenly flung open. Beca quickly jerked her head up to see a beautiful woman who was not Chloe, standing in front of her.
Beca cleared her throat. "Je suis désolé. Je cherchais Chloe Beale; est-elle ici?"
"Chloé est là mais devrait bientôt rentrer," the woman said. "Voudriez-vous entrer et l'attendre?"
"Oui, si je peux. Merci", Beca said. "Je m'appelle Beca."
"Beca?" the woman said as Beca entered the apartment. "D'Amérique? Vous êtes Beca de Chloé?"
"Oui, je suis, euh, Beca de Chloé."
"Je suis Geneviève, la camarade de classe de Chloé," the woman said. "Nous sommes censés déjeuner ensemble. "
"Like on a date?" Beca squeaked in English.
"Oh, no, no," the woman said, also in English. She smiled and said, "Not a date. Just friends having lunch together."
"Oh," Beca said. "Cool. Cool, cool, cool."
"Please sit," Genevieve said, indicating the sofa.
Beca sat. "Merci. You speak English very well."
"Thank you," Genevieve said. "You speak French very well."
"I started learning the language when Chloe first said she was moving here," Beca said. "So when I visited I'd be able to understand when others were talking to me and she wouldn't have to translate everything."
"That's so sweet," Genevieve said.
"So, you have a key to Chloe's place?" Beca asked.
"Oui! And she has one to mine," Genevieve said. "For emergencies."
"Ahh," Beca said. "Just as friends, right?"
"Yes, just as friends," Genevieve said, chuckling lightly. "Do not worry, Beca. Everyone knows Chloe's heart belongs to you."
"What?" Beca asked.
Beca and Genevieve turned to look at the door when they heard it open. Chloe came in speaking quickly.
"Geneviève?" Chloe said. "Je suis désolé je suis en retard. Les lignes étaient terri-. Beca?"
"Hey," Beca said, standing.
"Beca!" Chloe squealed and ran to Beca, pulling her into a tight hug. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you, too," Beca said, burying her face between Chloe's neck and shoulder.
"Chloe," Genevieve said, causing Chloe to look at her. "Let's do lunch another time. I'm sure you will want to go out with your Beca."
"Ce n'est pas ma Beca," Chloe said, her cheeks tinged a light pink. "Mais merci. Nous sortirons une autre nuit."
"Ça sonne bien," Genevieve said. "Appelez-moi plus tard et donnez-moi tous les détails de votre dîner avec votre Beca."
"Bye, Gen," Chloe said. "I will call you later."
"Au revoir, Beca," Genevieve said. "It was very nice to meet you."
"It was nice meeting you, too," Beca said as Genevieve let herself out.
Chloe was smiling as she turned to look at Beca. "How are you here? Why are you here?"
"Je suis ici parce que tu m'as manqué," Beca said.
Chloe's smile faltered just a bit. "You speak French? Since when?"
"I learned so I could have a conversation with you," Beca said.
"So, you understood everything Gen and I were saying before?"
Beca nodded as her lips curved into a smile. "Allons-nous parler de la façon dont je suis votre Beca?" Beca asked. "Et comment tout le monde, sauf moi, sait que votre cœur m'appartient?"
"Is that what Genevieve told you?" Chloe asked. "She's a lot like Fat Amy. She just says shit that makes no sense to stir up trouble."
"Is that so?" Beca asked, stepping toward Chloe.
Every time Beca took a step forward, Chloe took a step back.
"What if I said I wanted to be your Beca?"
"What?" Chloe asked as she froze in place.
"I said, Et si je disais que je voulais être votre Beca?"
"Are you serious?" Chloe asked.
"Oui, je suis très sérieux," Beca said.
"Could you please go back to speaking English?" Chloe asked. "Hearing you speak French is doing something to me."
"Really?" Beca asked. "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?"
"Beca," Chloe whined. "Don't ask that if you don't mean it?"
"You're not answering the question," Beca said, pulling Chloe to her and smashing their lips together.
"Mmmm," Chloe moaned before pulling back from the kiss. "Yes! Yes, I do want to sleep with you tonight. And every night from now until forever."
"I love you, too," Beca said, before leaning in for another kiss.
~~ Day 8 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
It was several hours later before the couple came up for air.
"I'm starving," Chloe said. "Do you want to get dressed and get some dinner?"
"It's kind of late," Beca said. "Do you have any food here?"
"I think I have something I can throw together," Chloe said.
"Cool," Beca said. "Let's see what you got."
Beca got out of bed and Chloe followed. After throwing a quick dinner together, they went back to bed to continue their afternoon delight.
Christmas morning, Beca woke with a big smile on her face. She looked down at Chloe snuggled into her side and sighed.
"Morning, Becs," Chloe said, looking up at her. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, mon amour," Beca said, as she leaned down to kiss Chloe.
"I got you something for Christmas," Chloe said, jumping out of bed.
"I brought you something, too," Beca said, grabbing Chloe's robe before following her to the living room.
Beca stopped and stared when she saw Chloe bent over the presents, trying to find Beca's. Chloe looked over her shoulder and wiggled her bare ass when she saw Beca looking at her.
"I'm not going to be able to function," Beca said, throwing Chloe's robe to her. "Until you cover your junk."
"Here," Chloe said, handing Beca a brightly wrapped package before putting on her robe.
"And, this is for you," Beca said, handing Chloe the bag she had brought with her.
"On three we'll open them together," Chloe said.
"So, is it on three or after three?" Beca asked with a grin.
"Just open the damn present, Becs," Chloe said, trying to hide her smile.
Beca opened her gift.
"Chloe," Beca said, looking at a framed picture of Chloe. "This is perfect. Where was this taken?"
"At the Art School," Chloe said. "It was the end of my first week and Genevieve took it."
"It's beautiful," Beca said. "Thank you. Now open yours."
Chloe opened hers and held it in her hand. "You got me a pillow?"
"Look at it," Beca said. "I know it's cheesy, but it comes from the heart."
Chloe looked at the pillow. It had the outline of California with a heart where L.A. was located and Beca's name underneath. A plane was flying from one side to the other. The other side had an outline of France with a heart where Paris was located and Chloe's name underneath.
"Distance means so little," Chloe read. "When someone means so much. Hug this pillow until you can hug me."
Tears came to Chloe's eyes.
"Hey, hey," Beca said, pulling Chloe to her. "It's not supposed to make you cry."
"I know," Chloe sniffled, wiping the tears from her eyes. "It just reminds me that you'll be leaving soon and I don't know when I'll see you again."
"Hold that thought," Beca said and reached into her gift bag and brought out an envelope. "I got you something else."
"What is it?"
"Give me a sec, okay?"
Chloe nodded.
"Okay, after I decided I was coming to see you," Beca said. "I called your folks."
"My parents knew you were coming here?" Chloe asked.
"Yes," Beca said, handing Chloe the envelope. "And they know why. And they gave us their blessings."
"They did?" Chloe asked as another tear ran down her cheek.
"They did," Beca said. "Now, open the envelope."
Chloe opened the envelope and pulled out the contents. Chloe let out a small sob when she saw what it was.
"You got me a ticket home?"
"I got you a ticket to L.A.," Beca said. "Which I'm hoping you'll want to call home. I love you, Chloe, and I want you to live with me in L.A."
Chloe nodded her head as the tears streamed down her face. "I'd love to live with you in L.A."
"And don't worry about Art School," Beca said. "Your parents told me to make sure that when I got back to the States, you were with me. And they said to tell you not to worry about the money."
Chloe pulled Beca to her and kissed her. Beca deepened the kiss. When breathing became an issue, they broke the kiss, both struggling to slow their breathing.
"Merry Christmas, Chlo," Beca said.
"God, I love you," Chloe said, leaning in for another kiss.
Author's Note: I want to thank horsegurl03 for the pillow gift idea (it's a real thing y'all). She sent me a picture and said "it screams bechloe to me." I agreed and decided to use it in this fic.
Also, apologies if I messed up any of the French spoken in this fic; blame it on Google translate if any of it is wrong. I did try to have the context written in such a way as to help everyone understand what was said in French.