Chapter 8

Chloe's POV

Benji pushes me out of the way as I open the door, a look of pure anger on his face. He stops when he sees Beca, and she freezes.

"Were you going to tell me you're having my baby?" He screams, clenching his fists in his sides. I've never seen him this angry, and it kind of scares me.

"Benji, calm down." I warn, walking up and putting a hand on his shoulder. He whips around and shakes it off, glaring at me.

"Don't. Touch. Me." He growls, and Beca gets up off the counter, giving him the death glare.

"Don't yell at her." She growls at him, clutching the collar of his shirt tightly. "Or you'll be very sorry."

"Beca, calm down. I'm ok." She looks over at me for a minute, then nods and lets Benji go, crossing her arms and glaring at him.

"Why, Beca? Why would you hide this from me?" He asks a little more softly, and her face falls a fraction of an inch.

"I literally just found out yesterday, Benji. I was going to tell you when I got the chance. I just wanted to tell the Bellas first, and I didn't mean to tell them it's yours. Stacie and Emily kind of figured it out." He continues to glare for a minute, then he sighs and nods.

"I'm sorry, I overreacted. I got mad, and I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. I just don't want this getting in between Emily and I." He says, and I walk over and put my hand back on his shoulder comfortingly.

"I don't want this to get between Emily and I either, Benji. Or Chlo and I, for that matter." She walks over and wraps her arm around my waist, and he gives her a shocked look.

"Oh, thank gosh. I was seriously hoping you weren't interested…" He trails off, and Beca and I both burst out laughing.

"Oh, sweet, naive Benji. I'm in love with Chlo." She grins, and I can feel the blood rushing to my cheeks, blushing profusely. She laughs again and kisses me on the cheek. "You're adorable when you're embarrassed."

"Oh, shush." I mumble, turning a deeper shade red.

"You two are adorable together." Benji smiles.

"Thanks, Benji. Look, I know we need to figure out this baby stuff, but I really don't want to do it tonight. I also think you should talk to Emily." She says.

"You're probably right. I'll, uh, I'll let you know what happens." He gives her a hug, and I clench my teeth, instantly feeling jealous, then feeling stupid for feeling it. She just told him she's in love with me. Really, Chloe? Jealous already? But he is the baby daddy… Beca pulls away, and she walks him to the door. As soon as he's gone, I walk over and wrap my arms around her.

"This won't get between us, Beca. I'm ready. For everything." I whisper in her ear, and all of her muscles relax.

"Are you sure? Chloe, I'm having a baby. I know this isn't going to be easy on us." My heart dances at the word "us".

"We'll figure it out." I reply and pull away enough to grab her hands. "Now dance with me." That is not what I was going to say… but oh well. I let go of one of her hands to turn on Spotify on my phone, and "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran blares through the speaker.

"Ugh, Chloe, why?" She complains, but she lifts our arms up and spins me, then quickly lets me go, just to lean down and catch me again in a dip. She kisses me softly, then pulls me back up and wraps her arms around my waist, swaying softly to the beat.

"I didn't know you could dance like this." I smile at her, our eyes never breaking contact. Her cobalt blue eyes are so easy to get lost in, it's like peacefully drowning in the ocean…

"Yeah, well, every girl has her secrets." She winks at me, and I giggle.

"I guess so." I whisper back, and her muscles tensen a little bit, a gleam in her eyes.

"Hey, don't keep all of your secrets for too long. It leads to bad things." She practically breathes into my mouth, and next thing I know, she's pressed up against me, kissing me with a passion I've never seen from her before.

"I want you." She whispers, then proceeds to kiss my jaw and down my neck. I know I should stop this, but the truth is, I want it too. She picks me up, and I wrap my legs around her waist. She walks to the bedroom and slams the door behind us, laying me down on the bed and climbing on top of me.

"That was amazing." I pant a little while later, and she laughs.

"I've had better." She breathes, and I roll over and slap her arm. "Oww, I was kidding! Too early for the sex jokes?"

"Yeah." I growl slightly, and she rolls her eyes.

"Alright, no more sex jokes." Her smile leaves me breathless, and her eyes bore into my soul.

"Thank you."

"You know you're cute when you're jealous?" She asks, and I stick my tongue at her like a five year old.

"Hey, that's mean! I'm never jealous!" I exclaim, and she rolls her eyes again.

"Biggest lie of the century." She calls me out.

"Ok, yeah, fine. But you're hot when you're turned on." I fire back, and she gives me a cocky grin.

"Dude, what are you talking about? I'm always hot." I try to keep a straight face, but the smile eventually breaks through.

"Yeah, you are." I give in, leaning in to kiss the tip of her nose.

"And you're always cute." She smiles, rolling over to cuddle into me.

"I know." I wrap my arms around her, and she sighs contentedly.

"Hey Chlo?" She asks tentatively after a minute, not pulling away.

"Yeah, Becs?" I ask, the warning flags in my head immediately going off.

"I just want you to know that, uh, what just happened…" She trails off, and my heart drops. She didn't like it… it meant nothing… she doesn't love me- "I didn't do it for the sex. I did it for you." She pulls away and smiles at me, and I let out a sigh of relief. "What? Did you think it was just sex or something?" She immediately becomes defensive, misinterpreting the sigh.

"No, no, Becs. I didn't think that at all. I…" I trail off, and she stares at me, unconvinced. "I thought you were going to say it was a mistake, and that you didn't like it or something… I realize now it was stupid." She laughs and cups my face, kissing me lightly.

"Chloe Beale, listen to me. I have wanted this for the past twelve years, even before my addiction." She smiles, and I grin back.

"Me too, Beca Mitchell." Her grin widens at the use of her full name, and I roll out of bed, getting dressed.

"Wha? What are you doing?" She asks, startled.

"Going to get some Chinese takeout for dinner tonight, if that's fine with you." I say, and she stands up, wrapping her arms around me and kisses me.

"You're literally perfect, babe." My stomach flips at her use of the word "babe." I'm still shocked she likes me back. She smiles lovingly, and I peck her cheek before pulling away.

"Thanks baby. I'll be right back." I wink at her, then walk out, grabbing my purse and car keys on the way out the door. As soon as I get in the car, I let out a silent scream of happiness. "Titanium" comes on the radio, which just makes the blissful moment even better. I sigh in defeat though when my phone rings. It's Aubrey. But isn't she on her date?

"Aubrey, hey. What's up?" I ask as I answer, backing up out of the parking lot.

"Hey, so guess what?!" She asks excitedly, and I do my best to suppress my laughter.

"What, Aubrey?"

"STACIE LIKES ME BACK." She screams, and I flinch.

"Oww"

"Oh, sorry? Can you believe this though?! I thought she was always just interested in sex, but she actually likes me!"

"Wow Bree, I'm really happy for you. What's next?" She sighs on the other end.

"I'm not sure. I've never really done this before…"

"Yeah, I get what you mean. Starting out with Beca was kind of difficult, but we just rode it out." A fit of giggles threatens to come out at the pun.

"Chloe! Don't tell me you had sex with her!" She exclaims, and I sigh in defeat.

"Yeah, I did. And it was amazing." I say, already feeling nostalgic.

"Chloe, she's addicted to sex! This isn't helping her." She says, and I gasp. I completely forgot about that…

"Shit, it slipped my mind. We just got so caught up in the moment… and she told me it was for me, not just the sex." I can almost see Aubrey's frown on the other end of the line.

"Sure, Chloe. Keep believing that." She says. I go to argue, but she cuts me off. "Stacie's back, I've got to go. Just… be careful, ok?"

"Yeah, b-" I'm cut off when she hangs up, and I sigh in defeat. I scream in frustration as I pull into the parking lot of the Chinese buffet. I must have screamed really loudly, because several people walking down the street give me weird looks. I flip them off, and one returns the gesture. I quickly go in and get some rice and chicken, then get back in my car and race back home. Today's just been too much…

As I walk up the steps and arrive at my apartment door, I realize I can't open it, so I pound on the door.

"Coming!" Beca yells, and she sounds almost panicked. I hear some shuffling, then she opens the door and quickly turns and walks away, her arms crossing her chest.

"Beca, why?" I ask as the smell of weed floods my nostrils.

"Oh, don't pretend it wasn't going to happen." She turns to look at me, scoffing.

"Beca, I didn't think it was going to happen, truly! I really thought you were going to change! I thought this baby would make a difference. I thought I would make a difference. But I guess not, huh?" Her bloodshot eyes meet mine, and they're full of pain.

"You are making a difference. I know I fucked up, but I only had one. I was sitting on the couch, and I just knew that what I was doing was stupid. It wasn't easy to stop, but I made myself. It's you or the drugs, and I'd rather have you." I sigh and cross over to her, engulfing her in a hug. She doesn't hug me back; she just leans into me, completely defeated.

"I'm sorry I yelled, but… Beca, you can't keep doing this." She nods in my shoulder, and I drag her to the couch, then sit and pull her into me, her face in my collarbone. "Please, promise me it'll never happen again."

"I promise." She whispers, and I pull her tighter to me, resting my chin on her shoulder and tracing circles into her back soothingly.

I wake up on the couch with Beca still curled into me, and I groan as I turn my phone on to check the time. 6:27 AM.

"Beca, wake up." I shake her gently, and she mumbles something incoherent and curls into me tighter. "Becs. As adorable as you are, I need to get up. I have to go to work today." She groans and sits up slowly, rubbing her eyes and blinking at me.

"You're working today?" She asks groggily.

"Yeah. I still have bills to pay." I get up off the couch and walk into the kitchen, turning the coffee pot on.

"Yeah, I know." She walks in and stretches, her shirt lifting up to show off her hips and torso. "You're staring." She comments, and I quickly avert my eyes. The slight acknowledgment that she noticed sends an electric ripple through my spine.

"S-sorry." I mutter, and she laughs, leaning forward on her elbows against the island.

"You're so cute when you're embarrassed."

"Apparently I'm cute no matter what I do." I fire back, and she laughs.

"It's true." She gives me a sexy smile and slowly walks around the table, trailing her hand on the island slowly as she wraps one arm around my shoulder. "It's really true." She whispers and kisses my jaw softly.

"And I, again, have to go to work." I say and playfully push her away, turning to grab a coffee mug from the cupboard. When I turn around, she's sitting on the island with a pout on her face.

"And, again, you're cute." She argues.

"We need to talk about this, actually. Becs, I'm not sure if us having sex is the greatest idea…" I expect her to get mad, but she surprises me by nodding.

"I was actually thinking the same thing. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but…" I cut her off by kissing her nose.

"I know." I pour my coffee and chug it, and she gives me an incredulous look.

"How the hell did you do that?" She gapes at me, and I laugh.

"I'm used to being in a hurry. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to take a shower." I can't help but wink at her, and her smile widens.

"Alright, well, I'm going back to sleep. Wake me up before you leave." She walks over and kisses me, holding me in place for a minute, then walks away, closing the bedroom door behind her. I watch her in a daze for a minute, then snap out of it and walk into the bathroom, stripping and stepping into the shower.

After taking a quick, cold shower, I tiptoe quietly into my room to get my scrubs on, using my phone for a light. I then run into the kitchen and eat a protein bar for breakfast. I put my jacket on and grab my keys, then turn and walk back into my room, smiling to see Beca sitting up in bed, facing the opposite wall and writing in a small notebook.

"What's that?" I ask as I walk over, resting my chin on her shoulder.

"Top secret information." She snickers and snaps it closed before I can read it.

"Ooh, mysterious, much? Sexy, my love." I kiss her cheek lightly. "I gotta run, but I'll be home around 4:30. Do you want someone to come over, or?"

"Nah, I'll be fine. I need to get to work anyway." She says. She must see the panic flowing through me, because she holds up the journal again. "From here. These are song lyrics." I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and kiss her neck.

"Alright. I love you."

"Love you too." I smile and walk away, leaving to go to work.

Work was positively boring. Tom gave me crap about putting a cat and puppy in the same room, but it really wasn't a big deal. The only fun thing was the phone call Beca and I had over my lunch break.

"Hey, what are you up to?" I had asked, biting my lip.

"Still writing. I've got an amazing idea for a new song. You?"

"That's good, I can't wait to read it! And work is slow, actually. Just check-ins."

"At least it isn't too hard."

"Yeah, true." I thought back to the time I had to put a puppy down. It killed me. Tom yelled at me, and I sighed. "I have to get back to work, but I'll be home soon, ok?"

"Yeah, see ya then. Love ya, babe."

"Love you too."

I realize now that it was just a small conversation, but I loved it at the time- and I still do. It proves we can be normal. This moment keeps playing through my head as I'm driving home, and I can't help but smile every time.

I hear loud music as I walk into the apartment, and I see Beca laying on the floor, listening to a beat with her brow scrunched up. She has a book in her hand, and she's chewing on the eraser of her pencil. I can tell she's frustrated, but it's kind of adorable.

"Hey." I say as I walk in, taking my jacket off and throwing in on the floor, then throwing my purse on top of it. She smiles up at me, then turns the music down.

"Hey babe. How was work?" I lay down next to her on my back, looking up at her.

"Ehh. Could've been better." She nods and clicks some things on her computer, dropping the main beat from the loop she has playing. "This is good, Becs!"

"Ehh. It could be better." She laughs, then closes her laptop and pushes it and her journal to the side. "I've been doing that all day, I can't do anymore."

"I bet. Did you eat anything today?"

"Last night's Chinese." She whispers, looking guilty.

"Well, at least it didn't go to waste." I chuckle, kissing her jaw lightly before curling into her side. "Can I read the lyrics?"

"Ugh, why, Chloe?" She blushes profusely, but sighs and hands me the book. I flip open to the page with the bookmark, and I gasp at the words.

I'm wandering in this endless maze

Not entirely sure where I'm going

I'm trying to get out of this haze

But I know my pain is showing

I swear though to keep trying

Because I know the end is worth it

I'm so done with the hiding

This shot is one I won't forfeit

I look over at her, a smile tugging at my lips. "It's beautiful." A tear unexpectedly rolls down my cheek, and Beca laughs and wipes it away.

"Thanks, babe. It's for you." She smiles softly at me, and I start sobbing uncontrollably. "Hey, hey, Chlo, talk to me. What's wrong?" She pulls me into her.

"I- no one's ever done anything like this for me." I choke out, and she laughs.

"I certainly hope not. I was trying to do something special." She kisses my shoulder tenderly.

"What are we, Beca?" I blurt out, pulling away and looking at her. "I mean, we haven't officialized anything, really…"

"That depends. What do you want?" She smiles at me.

"I want you. I want to be yours. That's it." I smile so hard it hurts my cheeks, but I can't stop it.

"Good, because that's what I want too." Her thumb strokes my cheek for a minute, and I laugh and rub the tears off my face.

"Jeez, I look like a wreck, don't I?" She shakes her head and leans closer to me, chuckling softly.

"You look amazing." She says, then kisses me. I lean forward to kiss her back, wrapping my arms around her neck. It's a soft kiss, and it doesn't progress into anything more. I'm ok with it though. As long as I have her, I'm happy.