25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020
Day 12 - Christmas in Tampa
Prompt from FanFiction User RJRMovieFan: [see the end for the full prompt].
"I should be home in time for dinner on the twenty-third, mom," Chloe said, phone to her ear as she walked into the Auditorium for Bellas rehearsal. "I have a class that ends at eleven and then I'm planning to leave right after."
Chloe jumped when Beca came stomping into the Auditorium, throwing her bag on the floor before flopping down in a chair.
"I'm going to have to call you back, mom," Chloe said into the phone.
"Is everything okay?" Mrs. Beale asked.
"I don't know," Chloe said. "Beca just came in and she looked upset. I want to check to see if she's okay."
"Okay, sweetie," Mrs. Beale said. "I hope everything's okay."
"I'll talk to you later," Chloe said, ending the call.
Chloe made her way over to Beca and sat in the seat next to her.
"Are you okay, Beca?" Chloe asked.
"No," Beca said.
"What's-?" Chloe stopped speaking when the other Bellas began to enter the Auditorium. "We'll talk later, okay?" Chloe said, patting Beca on the leg when Aubrey beckoned to her.
"Okay," Beca mumbled as Chloe walked over to join Aubrey.
~~ Day 12 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
After rehearsal, Beca and Chloe were walking to Beca's dorm.
"So, what has you so upset?" Chloe asked.
"It's my dad," Beca responded. "It's like he doesn't even know me."
"What do you mean?" Chloe asked.
"You know my mom died when I was fifteen," Beca said. "Well, she loved Christmas and always made it special. My dad and Sheila aren't into it like my mom was. This morning he told me that they weren't going to be home for Christmas. They're going to Sheila's family in New Orleans."
"That sounds like fun," Chloe said, smiling at Beca. "I bet you'll have a good time."
"I wasn't asked to go," Beca said. "Not that I would anyway."
"So, what are you going to do?" Chloe asked.
"I guess I'll stay at my dad's house and celebrate alone," Beca said. "It wouldn't be the first time and probably won't be the last."
"Come home with me," Chloe said suddenly. "I'm driving down to Tampa so you don't have to worry about the cost to get there. And, I know my mom would love to have you."
"I don't know," Beca said. "I don't want to intrude on your family time."
"You're part of my family, Becs," Chloe said. "Bellas for life means we're family for always."
"Are you sure your mom won't mind?" Beca asked.
"Let's call her and find out," Chloe said, pulling out her phone.
Chloe found her mom's contact and placed the call.
"Hello," Mrs. Beale answered the call.
"Hey, mom, it's me," Chloe said.
"Hello, Chloe," Mrs. Beale said. "Did you talk to Beca? Is she okay?"
"Not really," Chloe said. "Her dad is going away for Christmas and she's going to be alone. So, I asked her to come home with me. Is that okay?"
"That's wonderful, Chloe," Mrs. Beale said. "We'd love to have her."
Chloe put her phone on speaker. "Could you repeat that, mom? I put you on speaker and I want Beca to hear you say it."
"Beca, dear," Mrs. Beale said. "We'd love to have you spend Christmas with us. Chloe talks about you and the girls all the time. It will be nice getting to know you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Beale," Beca said. "I'd love to join your family for Christmas."
"Good," Mrs. Beale said. "We'll see you both on the twenty-third. I'm looking forward to meeting you."
"Same here," Beca said, smiling at Chloe.
"Thanks, mom," Chloe said. "I'll talk to you later."
~~ Day 12 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
December twenty-third was finally here, and Beca was talking to Chloe on the phone.
"I'll text you when I'm on my way to your dorm," Chloe said. "Then you can just meet me outside."
"Okay," Beca said. "I want to thank you again for inviting me. It will be nice to have a real Christmas."
"You're welcome, Beca," Chloe said. "I have to get to class. See you in a couple of hours."
"Okay," Beca said and ended the call.
Beca set her phone down and double-checked her bags to make sure the gifts she had for Chloe and her family were all there. Once satisfied she pulled out her laptop and download a few playlists to her phone to listen to on the drive.
It was eleven o'clock when Beca got Chloe's text that she was on her way. She grabbed her suitcase and the two bags of gifts and made her way outside.
Beca had only been waiting a couple of minutes when Chloe pulled up. Chloe jumped out of the car and opened the trunk. Beca took her stuff over and Chloe helped put everything inside.
"Is that everything?" Chloe asked.
"Yep," Beca said.
Chloe closed the trunk and they both got into the car. Beca pulled out her phone and waved it at Chloe.
"I made a few driving playlists," Beca said. "Do you want to listen to them?"
"Is that even a serious question?" Chloe asked, laughing. "Play them."
"Yes, ma'am," Beca said and started the music.
Chloe and Beca began singing as Chloe pulled away from the curb.
~~ Day 12 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
Chloe pulled into her family's driveway around six o'clock. They had made good time since they shared some of the driving and only had to stop once to get gas.
Beca smiled as she took in all the lights and decorations on the Beale house. Two people, Beca guessed were Chloe's parents came outside as they got out of the car.
After introductions (Call me Charlotte; I'm Carl) and welcoming pleasantries, Beca followed Chloe and her parents inside.
"Follow me, Beca," Chloe said. "I'll show you where to put your gifts and then we'll take our bags upstairs."
"Okay," Beca said and followed Chloe.
Beca and Chloe came back downstairs a few minutes later.
"Come into the kitchen, girls," Charlotte called out when she heard them come down the stairs. "Dinner's ready."
Beca followed Chloe and found Carl and Charlotte sitting at the kitchen island waiting for them. The Beales made Beca feel welcome and Beca was enjoying being part of a real family Christmas again. Things were going well until Charlotte made a comment that threw Beca for a loop.
"I have to say," Charlotte said, looking at Beca and Chloe. "You two look really cute together."
"What?" Beca mumbled, slightly taken aback.
"Mo-om," Chloe whined.
Chloe wouldn't look at Beca; Beca was looking from Charlotte back to Chloe.
"Excuse me," Beca said before hurrying out of the kitchen.
"Did I say something wrong?" Charlotte asked, looking at Chloe.
"Mom, we're just friends," Chloe said. "I'm going to check on Beca."
Chloe left Charlotte standing in the kitchen with a knowing smile on her face.
~~ Day 12 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
Later that night, Beca tapped lightly on Chloe's door.
"Come in," Chloe's voice called out.
"Hey," Beca said as she poked her head through the door. "Can we talk?"
"Sure," Chloe said as Beca moved into the room. "Is this about what my mom said at dinner? She didn't mean anything by it."
"Actually, it's about Jesse," Beca said.
"Oh," Chloe said. "What about Jesse?"
"He texted to ask where I was," Beca said. "And then got angry when I told I was in Tampa with you."
"What?" Chloe asked. "You didn't tell him you were spending Christmas with me and my family?"
"Why would I tell him?" Beca asked. "It's none of his business who I spend Christmas with."
"As your boyfriend, I'm sure he thinks you were being disrespectful by not telling him."
"Jesse's not my boyfriend, Chloe. I know Aubrey thinks we're hooking up, but we're not anything, except friends. Plus, he's got this whole idea in his head that since we're both in an acapella group, that we're going to have aca-children."
"And you don't want that?"
"Not with him," Beca said.
"Oh," Chloe said and couldn't stop the smile that came to her face.
"I'm going to go to bed," Beca said. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Goodnight, Beca," Chloe said. "I'm glad you're here."
"Thanks," Beca said. "Me, too."
~~ Day 12 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
The next morning, Beca woke to find Charlotte in the kitchen, and Chloe nowhere to be found.
"Good morning, Beca," Charlotte said as Beca walked into the kitchen. "Have a seat, and I'll get you some breakfast."
"Don't go to any trouble for me," Beca said. "I'll just have coffee, thank you."
Charlotte poured a cup of coffee and set it in front of Beca. She pushed the sugar bowl and cream pitcher within reach.
"Thank you," Beca said as she added her cream and sugar. "Where's Chloe and Mr. Beale?"
"Carl went to pick up our turkey for Christmas dinner," Charlotte said. "And Chloe went for a run."
Beca sipped her coffee and looked at Charlotte. Charlotte was looking at Beca as if studying her.
"Do I have something on my face?" Beca asked.
"I'm just curious," Charlotte said.
"About?"
"Why you haven't told Chloe how you feel?"
"How I feel about what?"
"How you feel about her."
"What do you mean?"
"Carl and I both noticed it yesterday," Charlotte said. "You look at her as if she were the sun and the moon."
"What?" Beca screeched, nearly spilling her coffee.
"Don't worry," Charlotte said. "She looks at you the same way. Carl and I are okay with you and Chloe being together if that's what you two want."
Beca's eyes grew wide. She excused herself and rushed out of the kitchen. Beca ran upstairs to her room and grabbed things for a shower.
"Unless she's like her daughter," Beca thought. "I should be safe in the shower for a few minutes."
Beca got into the shower, thinking about what Charlotte had said.
~~ Day 12 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
Chloe came in from her run and went into the kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
"How was your run?" Charlotte asked.
"It was good," Chloe said, leaning against the counter, sipping her water. "Oh, Mrs. Harris said to tell everyone Merry Christmas."
"Thanks, dear," Charlotte said, staring at Chloe.
"What?"
"I had a nice conversation with Beca earlier," Charlotte said. "Although, I think I scared her a bit."
"Mom," Chloe said, looking at her. "What did you do?"
"It's not so much what I did," Charlotte said. "It's what I said."
"What did you say?"
"I just told her that your father and I were fine with the two of you getting together if that's what you both want."
"MOM! Why would you say that to her?"
"Because your father and I are fine with it," Charlotte said. "We both saw the way you two look at each other. We just don't understand how you two don't see it."
Chloe looked down at the counter.
"I do kind of like her," Chloe said quietly. She looked up at her mother. "But I think you're wrong. She only sees me as her friend. And I'm fine with that."
"Are you really?"
Chloe started to walk out of the kitchen saying, "I'm going to go shower."
~~ Day 12 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
Beca's thoughts were all over the place as she showered.
"Does Chloe really like me like that?"
"Do I like Chloe like that?"
"She is one of the best people I know."
"But, she's also your best friend."
"It wouldn't be the end of the world if we became something more than friends, would it?"
"What would my dad think?"
"Do I really care what he thinks?"
Beca shook her head. "No, I don't care what he thinks."
Beca smiled as another thought came to her. "My mother would love Chloe as much as I do."
"Wait! What?"
"Beca?" Chloe's voice called from outside the bathroom.
"Um, yeah?"
"Everything okay? I thought I heard you scream."
"Oh, um, yeah," Beca stammered. "I, uh, I saw a spider."
"Okay," Chloe said. "Let me know when you're done, so I can get in there. Unless you'd rather I joined you."
Beca could feel her face heat up.
"Go away, you perv."
Beca could hear Chloe's laughter as she moved away from the bathroom door.
~~ Day 12 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
Beca spent most of the day helping Chloe and Charlotte get ready for the Beale Family's Annual Christmas Eve Get-Together. She spent most of the time in the kitchen, laughing and smiling; her smile turned sad as it reminded her of Christmases with her mother.
"You okay, Becs?" Chloe asked when she noticed Beca with a sad look on her face.
"Yep, everything's good," Beca said, smile back in place. "All this just reminded me of Christmas with my mom."
"Tell me about some of the things you two used to do," Chloe said.
"This," Beca said. "All of this." She laughed and said, "Only we were a lot messier."
Charlotte smiled and threw a handful of flour at Chloe.
"You mean, like that?"
Beca laughed and watched as Chloe shook the flour from her hair. Chloe grabbed a cup of flour and ran toward Charlotte, but turned quickly to dump it on Beca's head.
Beca laughed and ran at Chloe, grabbing her around the waist, shaking her head so the flour went flying all over Chloe and the counter.
The three women were laughing so hard, Carl came into the kitchen to see what was going on.
"What's going on in here?" Carl yelled to be heard above the laughter and squealing.
The laughing stopped but started again when Carl was hit in the face by a handful of flour Charlotte threw at him.
~~ Day 12 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
The party was in full swing, and Chloe stayed by Beca's side, introducing her to everyone as they made their way around the room.
"Chloe, dear, is this your new girlfriend?" Chloe's Aunt Dianne asked as they walked up to her.
Chloe's eyes widened as she looked at Beca. She got a surprised look on her face when Beca didn't react to the question.
"Chloe?" Charlotte called, waving Chloe over.
"Excuse me," Chloe mumbled before walking over to her mother, leaving Beca with her Aunt Dianne.
"To answer your question," Beca said politely. "Chloe and I are just friends. For now."
Beca winked at Aunt Dianne, causing the woman to smile and chuckle.
"Good luck with that," Aunt Dianne said. "Chloe is truly special to all of us."
"She's truly special to me, too," Beca said, smiling at Chloe when the redhead caught her eye.
A little bit later, Beca was looking for Chloe and spotted her talking to one of her cousins. Beca had a beaming smile on her face as she made her way over to Chloe.
"Excuse me," Beca interrupted. "Chloe, could I borrow you for a minute?"
"Sure," Chloe said, excusing herself from her cousin.
Beca took Chloe's arm and led her to the doorway between the kitchen and living room. She put both hands on Chloe's arms and moved her to where she wanted Chloe to be. She looked over Chloe's head for a second and seemed satisfied with Chloe's placement.
"Beca? What's going on?"
Beca didn't say anything, she just leaned in and kissed Chloe. Chloe pulled back from the kiss.
"Beca, what are you doing?"
Beca's smile fell. "I'm so sorry. Your mom said-. I thought you-. I'm sorry."
Beca turned and started to walk away. Chloe reached out and grabbed Beca's arm, pulling her back to her. She put her hands on Beca's cheeks and smashed their lips together. Beca reached her hand up and grabbed the back of Choe's head, holding her in place as she kissed her back. Chloe moved her hands down and put them around Beca's waist, pulling her closer as she deepened the kiss.
"It's about time," Charlotte said as she walked past the two.
They both smiled and continued to kiss.
Prompt from FanFiction User RJRMovieFan:Beca has another fallout with her father (her mother passed away while she was in high school). Chloe invites Beca to come to have Christmas with her family in Tampa. Jesse gets mad Beca accepted. Chloe's mother mistakenly believes Chloe is dating Beca, and unknowingly pushes the two to address hidden feelings.
[A/N: Sorry, not sorry that I barely mentioned the Jesse part.]