Chapter 20: Music, Lights, and Love

Summer was coming to a rapid close and it was almost time for the Bellas to reunite at the Bella house. Beca was the first to arrive. She was tired of being with her family and was ready to see Chloe again. She was excited to see all her sisters, but obviously she was extra ready to see Chloe. Her first day back consisted of doing some light swimming in the pool alone, blaring some music while she cooked, and working on her mixes or sets for the bellas. It was a good day alone, but it was the only day alone she wanted to spend before all the bellas returned. She had convinced Chloe to cut her summer break with family short by 2 days so they could have alone time. It really wasn't that hard to convince her, though.

Chloe pulled up to the house in the late morning and checked her reflection in her rear view mirror, although she knew Beca wouldn't care a thing about her appearance. It was just her habit. She grabbed all the bags she could carry before taking a deep breath and walking to the door. She struggled to get it open and then immediately dropped her bags.

"Beca!" She called, waiting for a response. Considering Beca hadn't texted her back in over an hour and now didn't respond to her being home, Chloe was pretty confident Beca was wrapped up in a mix with her headphones blocking out all sounds. She grinned as she skipped up the stairs to Beca's room. Sure enough as she slowly opened the door she saw Beca's back to her, bobbing her head to the tune coming through her headphones. Chloe tip toed over to the clueless brunette and brought her hands around her shoulders.

"Holy shit!" Beca shrieked in surprise and, unable to control her flailing, fell out of her chair. Her headphones nearly brought down her mixing equipment with their cord but Chloe quickly reached over to save it, trying to stifle her giggling.

"Chloe?!" Beca was ecstatic to see the redhead but also frazzled with almost watching her prized possession fall to the floor.

"That should teach you not to ignore my texts." Chloe reached her hand down to help Beca up. Beca rolled her eyes.

"I wasn't ignoring you. I was just distracted."

"Hmm…" Chloe thought for a minute. "I can think of something else to distract you…" She stepped closer and grazed Beca's cheeks with her lips. Beca thought she might just melt right there into the floor.

"But for now, let's go get groceries!" Chloe instantly changed moods and clapped her hands as she walked to Beca's door.

"W-What? Groceries?" Beca stood in shock. "We can just order food." She closed the distance between them when Chloe gently put a hand up to Beca's chest.

"We're getting groceries." She said firmly. "We're not going to spend this WHOLE time with each other just making out."

"Really?" Beca grumbled. "That was kinda my plan."

"And that's why I'm a senior and you're basically a child." Chloe smirked, motioning for Beca to follow her downstairs.

"Wait!" Beca stopped her when Chloe had taken a couple steps down, she looked up at Beca. "Can't I at least get a hello kiss?"

"Sure." Chloe craned her neck, softly connecting her lips with Beca's. Beca leaned down, holding onto the stair rails. She let out a soft moan when she felt Chloe's tongue sneak its way into her mouth, but then just as quickly retreat.

"Hello, Beca." Chloe winked. And just the way she said it made Beca weak in the knees.

"I like feeling taller than you." Beca smirked down at Chloe, who just rolled her eyes and made her way to the door.

Their time at the grocery store was a cross between Chloe acting like Beca's mother and a disgustingly adorable newlywed couple. Beca would in one isle be begging for the extra sugary cereal, that Chloe would order her to put back for a healthy option, which Beca would obey with whines. In the next she'd pick up her favorite beer, but also a bottle of Chloe's favorite cheap wine without being asked. Chloe would "aww" and pull her into a kiss that they'd only separate from because of a throat clearing fellow shopper.

They returned home and put all the groceries away, hiding their favorite cookies behind cans of vegetables so Fat Amy wouldn't steal them when she returned. Beca grabbed Chloe by the hand, with one of her signature proud smirks planted on her face.

"So...if you're not too tired from the drive, I have a date planned."

"Oh?" Chloe's eyes brightened. "Where? What?"

"Surprise." Beca shook her head as she planted a quick kiss on Chloe's lips. "But dress Chloe casual, and I'll come pick you up at your door at 7pm sharp." Chloe looked at her watch that said 3:00.

"What should we do in the meantime?"

"I have a few ideas." Beca looked to the ceiling innocently. Chloe just shook her head disapprovingly.

"I don't want to wear you out before our date." Chloe shot her a wink, and grinned happily at Beca's flustered reaction.

"We could swim? I enjoyed the pool on my own yesterday."

"Oooh, totes! It's been a while since I've been in the pool for normal pool related activities."

"Sweet, I'll go get changed!" Beca bounded up the stairs like a little kid when their parents agree to take them to the pool.

The spent the next couple hours sunbathing, racing laps, and seeing how could win at water wrestling. It was much funner game without Fat Amy. Chloe released her hold on the brunette who was flailing her arms underwater.

"I think I win." She grinned smugly as Beca popped back up, catching her breath. "Now my prize." She grabbed Beca by the waist and pulled her closer as she pushed back to lean against the edge of the pool. Beca happily followed and Chloe brushed her wet hair out of her face. Chloe looked at Beca briefly before kissing her, smiling against Beca's lips. Beca rested her hands on the side of the pool as she leaned her head in to deepen the kiss. Their bodies were flushed as Chloe ran her hands along Beca's back.

"God, I've never been so wet." Beca leaned back, proud of her little play on words.

"You're a dork." Chloe gave her a little splash. "It's 5:00. I need to get ready." She pulled herself out of the pool and Beca didn't try to hide watching her intently, taking in her dripping wet figure. "Now, stop checking me out and go get ready yourself." Chloe turned around to Beca as she shook her hair with a towel.

Chloe was putting the finishing touches on her makeup. Her hair was done, perfectly curled, and she had agonized over an outfit, but decided she'd picked the best one. Beca however had been ready for twenty minutes. Dressed in her dark blue skinny jeans, purple plaid shirt, and black boots that made her a couple inches taller. She tapped her heel impatiently as she sat on the couch waiting for Chloe to appear. She glanced at her watch that said 6:30, knowing it'd be about a twenty minute drive, she started getting anxious they'd miss her reservation.

Just as she was about to get up and storm over to pound her fist against Chloe's door, the redhead appeared. Her outfit was simple yet breathtakingly beautiful, so Chloe. Beca jumped up from the couch and let her eyes wander from Chloe's head to her toes and back up.

"You're beautiful."

"Thanks." Chloe tossed her hair over her shoulder. "You're not so bad yourself."

"Shall we?" Beca held out her hand that Chloe immediately took.

When they reached Chloe's car, Beca held out her hand asking for the keys. Chloe gave her an "as if" look.

"Where we're going is a surprise. So give me the keys so I can drive us there. Or...we'll just miss our reservation."

"Fine." Chloe rolled her eyes, knowing she was no match for Beca's stubbornness. Plus, she was okay with sitting in the passenger seat, able to watch Beca instead of the road.

Beca had her hand resting lightly on Chloe's back as they were led to their table. Chloe was busy taking in the decor of the cute little restaurant Beca had taken her to. Their table was outside, and strings of small lights hung from posts around the outdoor area. There was a medium sized fountain in the center, sending out soothing water sounds for the patrons. There was a small makeshift wooden dance floor in front of a small stage where a band of three musicians played softly at the perfect volume to give the outdoor patrons mood music, while they could still hear each other perfectly.

"Beca, this is amazing." Chloe took a seat across from the brunette, and gently placed a napkin in her lap.

"I looked up places and I figured you'd like the ambience of the outdoor lights. And its not too expensive for a couple poor college kids." She winked.

"Its perfect. Although literally anything would've been perfect. I'm just glad I'm here with you."

"Me too." Beca reached across the table and linked their fingers together. The waiter came over and interrupted their intense eye contact, offering a bottle of wine. Chloe nodded, glancing nervously at her underage date, but the waiter didn't even ask to see ID. He poured them both a generous glass.

"To music, lights, and love." Chloe grinned, knowing Beca would think her words were cheesy. Sure enough, Beca rolled her eyes with a playful smirk.

"Yeah, to that." The brunette mumbled as they clinked glasses, keeping their eyes on each other.

After they had finished their meal and were waiting for desert, Beca walked up to the stage where the band was in between songs. Chloe turned to look over her shoulder to see Beca talking with the woman who was the lead singer and guitar player. She saw the woman nod a couple times with a big smile before shooing away Beca's hand, which seemed to be attempting to give them money.

Beca returned with her I-have-a-surprise-and-I'm-excited-about-it grin. Chloe just eyed her curiously, wondering what the little brunette was up to. Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar melody come from the band. It had an old school feel, and she could sense already it was a perfect dancing song. As soon as the lead singer sang the first lyrics, "We can leave the Christmas lights up till January…" She glared at Beca in shock, mouth open, eyes wide, realizing the song was one of Taylor Swift's new songs, "Lover."

"I know you've listened to this song like a hundred times since it came out." Beca stood up and held her hand out. "Wanna dance?" Chloe didn't hesitate to take Beca's hand as she led them to the small dance floor. Beca held Chloe's left hand in her right, and let her left hand rest on her low back, pulling her as close as possible. Chloe's free hand wrapped around Beca's neck and she closed her eyes as she rested her chin on Beca's shoulder. They slowly swayed to the music, Beca thinking of the lyrics:

"Have I known you 20 seconds or 20 years? Can I go where you go? Can we always be this close? Forever and ever and ever. Take me out and take me home. You're my, my, my, my lover."

Beca stepped back to guide Chloe in a small twirl. Chloe spun around and then landed right back against Beca. This time she looked deep into Beca's eyes as they stepped together perfectly around the dance floor. Chleo again closed her eyes against the brunette, hardly able to stand up straight due to the electric happiness she felt surging through her body. A year ago, never imagining to be in this intimate of a position with anyone, let alone the surly freshman that fell into her life.

They danced, swayed, and twirled to the music until the lyrics ended. Beca leaned in and placed a passionate, but chaste kiss on her girlfriend's lips. Suddenly they were brought back to reality when they heard light applause from the other customers in the outdoor area. Even the female singer was clapping lightly. Beca started blushing, realizing they were the only ones dancing. Who'd have ever thought she'd be dancing so intimately with anyone in public, without shame.

"Can you imagine if we had been dumb enough to never realize our chemistry?" Beca smirked.

"We'd have been total idiots." Chloe giggled in agreement.

"Guess we should get that desert, then?" Beca let out a heavy contented sigh. Chloe just smiled as she let Beca lead her back to their table.

Beca and Chloe slowly walked hand in hand back up to their front door. Chloe reached to unlocked the door as she felt Beca's hands wrap around her waist.

"I had an awesome night." Beca whispered in her ear.

"I had an aca-awesome night." Chloe winked. Beca winced at the aca addition, but she couldn't help but feel happy, knowing it only meant it was extra special to Chloe. She leaned in to give Chloe an innocent kiss goodnight. As their lips lingered, and Chloe grabbed Beca by the cheeks, the kiss quickly turned a bit more passionate. They roamed each other's tongues and moaned against each other and only broke apart when they had to gasp for a breath.

"Anyway." Chloe exhaled. "Shall we go inside?"

"Nope. This is me dropping you off at your door." Beca took a step back. Chloe tilted her head in confusion as she opened the door. Once she was inside Beca stayed put.

"Are you really not coming in?" Chloe stifled a laugh. Beca just shook her head and waved. Chloe rolled her eyes and slowly shut the door. Beca was a dork sometimes, but she was Chloe's dork.

Chloe settled on the couch and opened her laptop, wondering what Beca might be doing. As she pulled up her different social media accounts she heard the backdoor in the kitchen open and close. Beca came strolling around the corning and saw Chloe on the couch.

"Aw, you waited up for me?" Beca gasped in feigned shock as she took a seat next to the redhead. Chloe almost burst into laughter but went along with Beca's little skit.

"Beca, I always wait up for you…" Chloe gave her a nudge. "So, did you have a hot date or something?"

"Oh, yeah, the hottest. I'm pretty lucky." Beca turned to face Chloe as she rested her elbow on the back of the couch.

"I think your date is pretty lucky."

"Well, duh." Beca rolled her eyes and received a playful elbow to the ribs. She just smiled dumbly as she watched Chloe fiddle away at her keyboard. Chloe could sense the dark blue eyes staring holes into her head, and she knew how powerless she was when Beca looked at her in that way.

"Stop looking at me like that." Chloe shook her head.

"Like what?" Beca asked innocently.

"You know like what." Chloe tried to keep her voice stern, and eyes focused on her laptop. Beca leaned closer and gently put her lips on Chloe's neck. Chloe felt a shiver run down her body, and she closed her eyes tightly for a moment, trying to stay strong. Beca ran her tongue along Chloe's neck as her arm came down to rest across Chloe's shoulders. Chloe took a deep breath, shut her laptop and set it on the coffee table. She turned to face Beca's whose pupils were dilated you could hardly see the blue. In a swift motion Chloe, for lack of better word, pounced on Beca. She quickly found herself straddling the brunette, settling in for an intense makeout session. Beca smiled proudly against Chloe's lips as he hands roamed Chloe's back, under her shirt. Beca adjusted herself so she was now horizontal on the couch. Chloe hovered over her, smiling as she caught her breath. Chloe quickly reattached their lips and involuntarily rolled her hips against Beca, eliciting a low moan.

As things were getting a little too hot, Chloe heard a key in the door.

"What the fuck?" Beca groaned.

"Shit." Chloe whispered as she leapt to the other side of the couch, adjusting her shirt. They both tried to steady their breathing as Stacie walked through the front door. She dropped her bags down and let out a tired sigh.

"Oh, hey guys! I guess you beat me back. What are you up to?" She grabbed a water from the fridge and looked at the two girls who seemed like they might've been out of breath with a suspicious eye.

"Oh, just wa-" Chloe stopped when she realized the TV was off. "Wondering about new songs for the Bellas and stuff."

"Ah." Stacie nodded as she took a drink. "Well, I'm super excited to get back to performing. I've really missed it, especially after Worlds."

"Me too!" Chloe groaned like she was actually in pain.

"Well...I'm beat. So I'm just going straight to bed. Night guys! Glad to be back!" Stacie smirked and took her stuff upstairs.

"Well that was close." Beca whispered.

"You need to learn to behave yourself." Chloe stood up.

"Behave myself?" Beca snorted. "I do believe you're the one who jumped me."

"Oh, please, you knew what you were doing." Chloe rolled her eyes as she stepped over to her room. "Now, goodnight. See you tomorrow when we welcome the rest of the bellas."

"Ugh! I wish we had more time alone…" Beca whined.

"We'll find time. Night Becs." Chloe winked as she entered her room.

"Night, Chlo." Beca just leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling. She'd never felt this before. It was infuriating, exciting, fun, awesome, and she hated how she felt butterflies in her stomach like 24/7. But it was definitely worth it. And she knew without a doubt, she'd never been happier in her life.