25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020
Day 14 - Thank you, Santa
Military Coming Home AU: Beca tells Chloe she won't be home for Christmas.
Sgt. Beca Mitchell was video chatting with her wife, Chloe, on WhatsApp. The conversation was a bit tense after Beca told Chloe she wouldn't be able to make it home for Christmas.
"Chlo, you know I'd be there if I could," Beca said.
"I know," Chloe said softly. "I just miss you so much. You haven't been home for Christmas in over two years."
"I know," Beca said with a sigh.
"And it's not like we're at war right now," Chloe said. "Why can't they let you come home? Your dad and my folks have all said they'd help pay for your trip. They want to see you as badly as I do."
Beca sighed and stared at her wife as Chloe wiped at the tears in her eyes. "Please stop crying. You know I hate to see you cry, especially when it's because of me."
"I'm sorry," Chloe said, sniffling and wiping her face. She forced a smile, and said, "So, Brey and Stacie are having a Christmas Party."
Beca smiled at the sudden change of topic, knowing it was Chloe's way of dealing with her emotions.
"Yeah?" Beca asked. "Are the Bellas going to be there, too?"
"Emily, Jessica, and Fat Amy will be there," Chloe said. "The rest aren't able to make it."
"Sgt. Mitchell?"
"I'm sorry, babe," Beca said. "I have to go. I'll talk to you later. I love you!"
"I love you, too," Chloe said. "Stay safe!"
"Always," Beca said, smiling and blowing Chloe a kiss.
~~ Day 14 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
"CR and Ashley are coming home for Christmas," Chloe told Beca on their next WhatsApp video call. "Why can the Air Force and Navy send soldiers home for Christmas, but not the Army?"
"It doesn't work like that, babe," Beca said.
"It should," Chloe said. "The Army sucks!"
"I know," Beca said. "But it is what I signed up for, and by virtue of marrying me, so did you."
"I know," Chloe said. "Doesn't mean I have to like it. Sometimes I wish-."
Chloe paused and looked at Beca.
"Sometimes you wish what?" Beca asked, raising her brow. "That you never married me?"
"NO!" Chloe said quickly. "I'd never wish that. I love you, Beca, so, so much. I was going to say sometimes I wish you had never joined the Army."
"But, I did," Beca said. "You knew I was a soldier when we met."
"I know that!" Chloe said. "And I love that you want to serve our country." Chloe's voice broke as she added, "What I don't love, is the families that are left at home not knowing when, or if, they'll see their loved ones again! I have to go."
Chloe ended the call and cried. She didn't bother to even try to curtail her tears. She cried because she missed Beca. She cried because she had yelled at Beca and Beca didn't deserve that.
Chloe knew she owed Beca an apology, so once she calmed down, she initiated another video call with Beca.
"Hey," Beca said, accepting the call.
"Hey," Chloe said, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I'm sorry. You didn't deserve to be yelled at. I'm just so frustrated at how much I miss you, and can't see you, or hug you, or kiss you. I miss all that."
"I get it, I do," Beca said. "I want to see you in person and hug you and kiss you, too. I'm going to see if I can get permission to take some leave and come home. I know I won't be able to do it for Christmas, but I'll try to make it as soon as possible."
"I'll take it," Chloe said, smiling at Beca. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Beca said. "Things have been quiet here, so I should be able to call you on Christmas. Maybe we can video chat while you're at Stacie and Aubrey's party."
"I'd like that," Chloe said. "I'm sure the girls would love to see and talk to you, too. They are always asking about you."
"I miss those crazy nerds," Beca said smiling.
"God, I love that smile," Chloe said, causing Beca to blush.
"Stop it," Beca said.
"I really am sorry for taking my frustration out on you," Chloe said.
"It's forgotten," Beca said. "I should go. I'll talk to you soon. I love you."
"I love you, too," Chloe said. "Stay safe!"
"Always," Beca responded and ended the call.
~~ Day 14 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
On Christmas Eve, Chloe pulled up WhatsApp and initiated a video chat with Beca.
"Hey, babe," Beca said, answering the call. "Where are you?"
Chloe looked around. "I'm spending tonight at Brey and Stacie's. They didn't want me to be alone on Christmas morning. This way I get to see Bella open her gifts from Santa."
"That's good," Beca said. "What's a good time for us to talk tomorrow?"
"The party is supposed to start at one my time," Chloe said.
"That's good," Beca said. "It's still early enough here that I should be able to talk for a while. Hopefully, I can talk with everyone."
"I'll make sure to keep them to a time limit," Chloe said. "After they're done, I can hide out in my room and we can chat privately."
"Why, Mrs. Mitchell," Beca said, waggling her eyebrows. "Are we going to have one of those kinds of chats?"
Chloe laughed. "Stop, you perv. If I can't have you physically participating, it's not worth it."
"Speak for yourself" Beca laughed. "I love watching you."
"You need to stop," Chloe said. "Or this might turn into one of those calls."
"Would that be so-"
"Chloe?" Aubrey said as she opened the bedroom door. "Lunch is ready."
"Hey, Posen," Beca said from the computer screen. "Impeccable timing as usual."
"Oh, hi, Beca," Aubrey said, looking at Beca. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you two were talking."
"It's okay," Chloe said. "We were just finishing up."
"We were?" Beca asked, pouting.
"Yes, we were," Chloe said and laughed. "We'll continue this tomorrow. Maybe."
"Fine," Beca said. "I'll talk to you tomorrow. I love you."
"I love you, too," Chloe said. "Stay safe!"
"Always," Beca said. "Bye, Aubrey."
"Bye, Beca," Aubrey said.
Chloe ended the call and closed her laptop.
"I really am sorry, Chloe," Aubrey said.
"It's okay, Brey," Chloe said. "I'll get to talk to her tomorrow."
~~ Day 14 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
On Christmas morning, Chloe was awakened by a very excited four-year-old Bella Conrad.
"Aunt Chloe," Bella yelled as she bounced on Chloe's bed. "Santa came. Get up!"
"I'm up. I'm up," Chloe said, sitting up.
"Mommy said, breakfast is ready," Bella said as she slid off the bed and ran toward the door.
Chloe flopped back on the bed, stretching her arms over her head. She ran a hand through her hair and wiped her eyes before sitting up on the side of the bed.
"Aunt Chloe!" Bella yelled from the doorway. "Breakfast is ready!"
"I heard you," Chloe said, standing and slowly made her way to the door.
"Hurry up," Bella said as she grabbed Chloe's hand and led her to the kitchen.
"Good morning, sunshine," Stacie said to Chloe.
"Bite me," Chloe said, as she took a seat at the counter, placing her head on her arms.
"Chloe!" Aubrey admonished. "A c-h-i-l-d is present."
"Presents?" Bella squealed. "Is it time to open presents?"
Stacie laughed. "Not until after we eat."
"Darn it!" Bella said, crossing her arms and pouting.
Chloe laughed.
"Don't encourage her, Chloe," Aubrey said.
"Sorry," Chloe said. "She's just so darned cute when she pouts."
Aubrey set a cup of coffee in front of Chloe as Stacie plated the food.
Breakfast was finally over, much to Bella's delight. Chloe watched Bella open her gifts, with a sad, thoughtful smile on her face.
"You okay, Chlo?" Aubrey asked, looking at Chloe.
"Yeah," Chloe said. "I'm just thinking about Beca and what it will be like when we have kids."
"What time is Beca calling today?" Stacie asked.
"I told her the party started at one," Chloe said. "I'm guessing she'll call a little after that."
~~ Day 14 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~
Chloe helped Stacie and Aubrey get everything ready for the party. It was a little before one when the doorbell rang.
"Looks like our first guests are arriving," Stacie said as she and Bella went to the door.
Stacie opened the door and found Santa standing on their porch.
"Santa!" Belle squealed and clapped her hands.
"Ho, ho, ho, Bella!" Santa said.
"Um, Santa?" Stacie said, her brows furrowed. "What brings you here?"
"I have a special delivery," Santa said.
Aubrey and Chloe moved to look over Stacie's shoulder.
"Who is that?" Chloe whispered to Aubrey.
"I have no idea," Aubrey whispered back. "We didn't ask anyone to be Santa."
"Come in, Santa," Bella said, stepping outside to grab Santa's hand.
"Bella!" Stacie yelled, reaching for her daughter.
"No!" Aubrey cried, reaching out as well.
"Why not?" Bella asked, standing outside the door, holding Santa's hand.
"I, uh, I don't know him," Aubrey said, as she stood next to Stacie.
"It's Santa, mama," Bella said (the duh was not said, but heavily implied).
"Come on, Brey," Stacie whispered. "What harm could there be in letting him in? He knows Bella's name so he has to be someone we know."
Aubrey looked at Santa and then at the hopeful look on Bella's face.
"Okay, let him in," Aubrey finally relented.
"Yay!" Bella yelled. "Come on, Santa."
Santa threw his sack over his back and followed Bella into the house. Aubrey kept her eye on him the whole time.
"So, where's this special delivery you have?" Stacie asked.
Santa set his bag down and opened it. He pulled out three wrapped packages and reached into the bag and stood.
"There's supposed to be a fourth gift," Santa said. "The last one must have fallen out in my truck, um, my sleigh. I'll go get it. But first,-."
Santa handed a gift to Bella, Aubrey, and Stacie. "You can open these while I get the last gift."
Santa turned and hurried outside, yelling "I'll be right back" over his shoulder.
Bella sat down and ripped the paper from her gift. Stacie and Aubrey just stood, looking confused as they held their gifts and watched Bella open hers.
"Look, mommy," Bella said, holding up an army shirt with her name on it. "It's just like Aunt Beca's."
Chloe walked over to the two mothers. "I think Santa is Jesse," she whispered.
"Really?" Aubrey asked. "Why would he be doing all this?"
"Maybe Beca put him up to it," Stacie mumbled.
"She didn't say anything to me about it," Chloe said. "But, Bella's gift makes me think she is behind it."
"I wonder what she sent for you," Aubrey said.
Santa was back, carrying a wrapped package, and handed it to Chloe.
"You need to open this last," Santa said.
"Open your gift, Brey," Stacie said, ripping the paper on hers. "So, Chloe can open hers."
Aubrey ripped the paper from hers.
"I got a red cashmere sweater," Stacie said, holding up the sweater for them to see.
"I got a green one," Aubrey said, showing it as well. "They're beautiful."
"Open yours, Chloe," Stacie said.
Chloe ripped the paper and set the box down. She lifted the lid and saw a laptop sitting inside.
"She sent me a laptop?" Choe said. "There's a note on top."
Chloe lifted the note and opened it. "It just says play me."
"So, play it," Aubrey said.
Chloe lifted the laptop out of the box and opened the lid. She held the laptop in front of herself as Stacie and Aubrey stood on each side so they could see. Chloe pressed play and Beca's face popped up on the screen.
"Hey, babe," Beca said through the laptop. "I know you were expecting me to Skype during the party today, but something came up and I won't be able to do that."
"That's it," Chloe said, looking at Aubrey and then at Stacie. "It just stops. I wonder what happened? Why can't she Skype?"
"Because she wanted to do it in person," Santa said.
The three women looked over at him.
"Aunt Beca!" Bella yelled and ran to the door.
"Hey, Bella," Beca said, leaning down and grabbing Bella up in her arms.
"Aunt Beca?" Chloe said and looked toward the door. "Beca!"
Chloe shoved the laptop at Aubrey and ran toward Beca. Beca quickly set Bella down and braced herself to catch Chloe. Chloe launched herself at Beca and smashed their lips together. Beca held her round the waist and spun her around.
"I love you," Chloe said, pulling back from the kiss.
"I love you, too," Beca said, reclaiming Chloe's lips.
"We want a Beca hug, too," Stacie said, causing the couple to break their kiss.
Chloe held onto Beca while Stacie and Aubrey gave her a quick hug.
"Can we go home now?" Chloe asked, staring at Beca.
"Shortstuff!" Fat Amy's voice called from the doorway.
Beca looked over her shoulder to see Fat Amy standing by the door.
"I think that means we're staying," Beca whispered to Chloe before turning back toward Amy.
"Oh, my stars!" Emily squealed as she entered the house. "Beca's home!"
"Beca made it home?!" cried Jessica and Ashley as they entered behind Emily.
CR entered and smiled when she saw Beca. All the friends moved as one toward Beca, and Beca was soon lost in a sea of hugs.
Chloe slipped away from the hug circle and walked over to Santa. She hugged him and whispered, "Thank you, Santa Jesse."
"You're welcome, Chloe."
A/N: I know I'm a day behind, but I hope to catch up in the next couple of days.