AN: Chapter three for you. I hope you enjoy, let me know your thoughts if you get the chance. I'd appreciate it. 3

Also, I feel the need to make it clear, that this is a Staubrey fic. With some bechloe. People seem to assume otherwise.

Now, I /might/, and I mean /might/, add both Beca and Chloe's perspectives and just make it as like - sort of equal, because this story is called 'The Trouble With Love', and both parties are certainly having trouble, and I could actually see how it could all tie in. But don't get your hopes up. If you're reading this in hopes of a lot of bechloe, then I suggest you leave. I'm not trying to be mean, I just don't want you to waste your time if I decide not to go that route, because I came into this confident that it would be staubrey-centric with bechloe in the background. So, just keep that in mind, guys. Thanks! You guys are awesome.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

The car ride back home is silent, both women seeming to be lost in their thoughts - well, Stacie is definitely lost in her thoughts, Beca could just be giving her space- which, Stacie thinks she really doesn't want. What she wants, is a distraction. She takes a jittery breath and glances over at Beca. "So," She starts, a small smile itching at the edge of her lips. "How long have you had a thing for red?"

Beca coughs, seeming to choke on her own words as she sputters out a, "Dude, what?!" She spares a wide eyed glance at Stacie as they come to a red light. "We're just friends." And Stacie thinks the smaller woman sounds a little sad at that fact.

"Mmm," Stacie lofts a brow. "I didn't ask if you guys were dating. I asked how long you've had a thing for her."

Beca is silent for a long moment as she scratches the back of her neck awkwardly before placing her hand back on the wheel. "I don't." She finally says, though it sounds more like she's trying to convince herself instead of Stacie. "She's my best friend."

"See, I don't believe that because I saw the way you guys were looking at each other." Stacie remarks with a smirk.

She watches as Beca rolls her eyes. "Uh-huh, and how did we look at each other?"

Stacie's smirk grows into a little mischievous smile. "You guys were totally eye-fucking."

"Dude! We were not! We were looking at each other-" She gestures with one hand before gripping the steering wheel again. "Normally! We're friends, dude."

Stacie chuckles. "You don't look at me like that. I don't look at you like that, and we're friends."

"Oh, so we're friends?" Beca deflects, glancing at Stacie through her peripheral.

"Duh." Stacie says with a roll of her eyes. "And don't try to change the subject." She watches Beca carefully, suddenly fearful that maybe they aren't friends, that Beca is just taking pity on her. "We- we are friends, aren't we?" She asks, quietly - hesitantly.

Beca turns her head a little to offer a reassuring smile. "Yeah, dude. We're friends. I was kidding."

Stacie smiles brightly. "Good! So as your friend, you should be able to tell me about your obvious non-platonic feelings for red."

"You're so weird." The brunette says, shaking her head. And just when Stacie thinks that Beca isn't going to say anything else on the matter, she sighs resignedly. "I guess I've had a thing for Chloe since a little into my freshman year of college."

The leggy brunette's brows raise slightly. "Wow. That's- that's a long time, B. Why haven't you told her?"

Beca lets out this sad, little self-deprecating laugh. "Well, at first it was because I wasn't gay. Like, at all. And then it was because I was dating Jesse for a short time because- again, I wasn't gay. And then Jesse broke up with me because I apparently wasn't 'all in', and needed to 'learn to trust', or some stupid bullshit like that. But really it was because I was a shitty girlfriend and basically used him as a way to continue to deny that I was pathetically in love with my best friend."

Stacie smiles sadly and reaches across the console to give Beca's arm a comforting squeeze before pulling back, knowing that Beca wasn't much for people invading her space. But Beca gives a small thankful smile as they come to another red light. "Anyway, after I got my head out of my ass and accepted my feelings, It was a year later and I just- I knew she didn't feel the same. I couldn't risk what we have, because Chloe is literally the greatest friend I've ever had. Before college, I didn't have many friends, if any, really. I just- I can't." Beca lets out a shaky breath.

"You should." Stacie starts gently. "Tell her, I mean. Because she feels the same."

Beca glances over at Stacie, quirking a brow. "How would you know?"

"Because, I know. This is my element, B. I have a sixth sense for these things. You could say I'm an expert. I mean-" She glances down at her pregnant belly with a rueful smile. "Look at me. 19 and pregnant."

"Speaking of," Beca starts and Stacie recognizes the segue for what it is, her friend is done talking about it, which Stacie understands. She knows that revealing bits about herself seems to tire Beca out. She gets it, and respects the fact that she has to earn Beca's trust. Little by little, bit by bit. And that's okay. "How'd it go with Aubrey? I mean, it seemed like you guys were gonna go through with it?" She pulls into the driveway and puts the car in park and as she kills the engine, she looks at Stacie with curious (and bless her, concerned) eyes.

And Stacie thinks her face must show her every emotion, because Beca frowns and the concern grows (and a little bit of panic shines through, like maybe she's scared Stacie is going to start crying - which, Stacie probably could at this point). "I mean- you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but like- I mean, I'm like… here or whatever, if you want to talk?"

The taller brunette chuckles softly at Beca's awkward rambling. "It went… well, I think. I like Aubrey. I think- I think she's going to make a great mom." Stacie says quietly, swallowing thickly.

Beca smiles reassuringly and reaches over to squeeze Stacie's arm, not unlike the way that Stacie had done to Beca a few minutes before. "That kid won't want for nothing, dude."

Stacie nods jerkily. "Yeah."

"Whoa, dude! You shouldn't be lifting all those!" Stacie glances down at the few groceries in her arms as Beca moves quickly toward her and takes them. "You should have told me you were going shopping, or- like let me go for you."

Stacie rolls her eyes. "I'm pregnant, not invalid, Becs. Besides, all you buy is junk. Aubrey says I should try to eat healthier for the baby."

Beca scoffs. "What Aubrey doesn't know won't hurt her."

"Uh-huh. So, you're saying you want to deal with Aubrey when she comes over and looks in our pantry?" Stacie asks with a knowing smirk.

The smaller brunette's eyes widen slightly. "Nevermind, you've got a point. Did you at least get my Fruity Pebbles?"

Stacie chuckles and rolls her eyes again. "Yes, I got your Fruity Pebbles."

"Good." Beca smirks and starts to put up the groceries, humming quietly while Stacie gets out ingredients for dinner.

Three weeks have passed since Stacie first met Aubrey, and during that time, the leggy brunette had learned a lot about the blonde, as well as Beca and even Chloe. They even had dinner a couple of times, everyone talking and laughing.

She and Aubrey had discussed at length about the details of how the adoption would go down. Stacie still has trouble wrapping her mind around the fact that Aubrey is paying her for her child, and paying for her check-ups. It doesn't really feel right, but Stacie could use the money to go to college, which was something that Aubrey had pointed out, too.

But Stacie still struggled with the idea. It was like she was saying she didn't want her child, like she was some sort of good that could be sold or given away. It wasn't like that though. It was a daily struggle for Stacie, because she really did love her child. And it didn't help when the baby moved within her. It hurt her.

The plan though, was that Stacie would sign over her rights, however, it would be an open adoption. It would have been silly to have a closed one, since Stacie and Beca had become such good friends and Beca was friends with Aubrey, so obviously Stacie would see the baby on occasion- which also both soothed and worried her. On the one hand, she would still be able to see her little girl grow (not hers, Stacie amends, Aubrey's). On the other hand, Stacie thinks it will probably hurt to see her and not be able to love her like she wants to. But, maybe, she thinks, maybe it's worth the pain.

"What do you mean, you can't come, B? My appointment is at 11, you're my only ride!" Stacie winces as the baby kicks her sharply in the ribs.

"I'm so sorry, Stace- I won't make it in time. Call Aubrey, she'd probably love to take you.." Beca says through the phone.

Stacie sighs. "Fine. Alright."

"I'm really sorry, dude. I'll make it up to you. Chinese take out, tonight? On me?"

A small smile quirks Stacie's lips. "Deal. I'll see you tonight, Becs."

"Later, Stace."

Beca is right. When Stacie explains to Aubrey that she needs a ride to her doctor's appointment, the blonde happily agrees. She is right on time to pick Stacie up, if not a little early - which, Stacie has learned from Beca, that Aubrey is punctual and has probably never been late a day in her life.

The ride there is filled with small talk, Aubrey asking how she likes her job and how it's going. (It's going well, and Stacie really likes her co-workers. Her boss has even mentioned a raise already.) And Stacie asking about the lodge and if anything interesting has happened. (Nothing has, just a bunch of suits going through trust exercises.)

Once Stacie checks in at the front desk, she takes a seat next to Aubrey in the waiting room. Stacie watches the blonde out of the corner of her eye as she reads a people magazine that's probably four years old. She watches the way Aubrey crosses her legs primly and concentrates on whatever article she's reading, lip ensnaring itself between teeth. It's cute, Stacie think (read: insanely hot).

Because yeah, Stacie's no stranger to checking people out. (How do you think she got in this situation in the first place?) And yeah, Aubrey is actually crazy beautiful - one of those classic beauties. Stacie thinks she's got that good girl faith thing going on; Like a catholic schoolgirl - innocent and sweet, just waiting to be corrupted.

And- Stacie slams her eyes shut and grips the arm of the chair until her knuckles turn white, taking a slow and even breath. That line of thinking needs to shut the fuck down. Nope. That imagery is off limits (because yeah, she's got a great imagination, okay?) Her libido was bad enough before she was pregnant, now it's just plain torture, she muses grumpily.

Damn hormones.

"Are you alright?" Aubrey's concerned voice breaks her from her thoughts (thank god), startling her a little.

"W-what? I mean- yeah. No, I'm good… just- I think this kid is gonna be a soccer player." She smiles nervously, hoping the blonde buys it.

A look of understanding washes over Aubrey's features. She chuckles softly before giving a sympathetic smile. "What does it feel like? Her moving around, I mean."

Stacie looks thoughtful for a moment before she meets Aubrey's gaze. "Kind of like bubbles popping- unless she's kicking my ribs or my bladder, then it's kind of painful." She replies, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Aubrey nods before glancing away and it doesn't take a genius (which Stacie actually is, by the way) to figure out that the blonde wishes she could feel it. It's what prompts her next decision.

"Here," Stacie says, boldly reaching over and taking Aubrey's hand in her own before placing it flat against the side of her belly. Aubrey looks surprised and like she wants to take her hand away, but Stacie presses her own over Aubrey's. "Just give it a sec, she's been really active, lately."

For a moment, they sit there, waiting and Stacie thinks that the baby isn't going to cooperate. But then she feels a kick and she knows Aubrey feels it, too, because the blonde's eyes widen and a beautiful smile immediately lights up her face. Her hand is still covering Aubrey's as their eyes meet, and Stacie thinks she stops breathing for a second, because the blonde's eyes are a deep, emerald green - like a gentle reminder that spring is coming after a harsh winter, the golden flecks like rays of morning light peeking through the treetops to melt the snow and warm her bones.

And she can't help but stare.

Until a voice breaks the sudden tension, and they both jump back like they've been burned - Stacie clearing her throat awkwardly and Aubrey flushing as she glances away. "Stacie Conrad?" A nurse stands, holding her chart and waiting patiently.

"I'll wait for you here." Aubrey says, voice quiet.

Stacie gets to her feet, slowly and as she glances back at Aubrey again, she bites her lip. "No, you can come. I mean- if you want, 'cause they'll do an ultrasound again and you can hear the heartbeat."

Aubrey looks up, a little surprised (again). "Are you sure? I mean, I'd certainly love to experience that, but…" She trails off, wringing her hands nervously.

"I'm sure." The tall brunette smiles gently and waits for Aubrey to stand up.

The nurse does the usual preliminaries before leaving the two women in a room, Stacie laying back on the table and Aubrey sitting in a chair in the corner. The silence between them isn't exactly awkward, but it's not comfortable, either. After a few more minutes of silence, Stacie can't take it. "So," She licks her lips to stall a little. "Are you excited?" She brings her gaze to Aubrey and offers a small smile.

The blonde's smile is full, yet shy. "Definitely." She replies, earnestly. And the look in her eyes leaves Stacie with a content, warm feeling.

Before anyone can say anything else, a woman in her late thirties enters. Stacie knows her to be that of her OBGYN and so far, she likes the woman. She's been super supportive of Stacie's decision. "Good afternoon, Ms. Conrad." She looks up from the chart in her hands and spots Aubrey. "Well, you're not Ms. Mitchell, so I'm going to guess that you must be the mother-to-be."

Aubrey seems a little startles at the doctor's words, like she's not really used to someone calling her that. And if Stacie feels a pang in her chest at the reminder that this isn't her baby, she doesn't admit it. Still, as the words seem to settle in Aubrey, she finally smiles this shy, excited little thing and nods, standing slowly to shake the doctor's hand. "You'd guess right." She says, voice soft, but sure. "Aubrey. Aubrey Posen."

The doctor smiles and shakes Aubrey's hand. "I'm Dr. Avary. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Posen." Dr. Avary brings her attention back to Stacie and offers a small, sympathetic smile as she sets the chart down in favor of washing her hands. "Now, let's see how we're doing today." She goes about setting up the ultrasound machine, typing in a few things before gently lifting Stacie's shirt and placing a towel above and below it to keep the gel away from her clothes. "You know the drill, it might be cold." Dr. Avary warns, holding up the bottle of gel.

Stacie nods gently, eyes going to the blank screen. "I'm ready, go ahead."

Dr. Avary squirts a small dollop onto Stacie's stomach before gently pressing the wand to her skin. Immediately an image fills the screen, and the sound of a fast little, ba-bump ba-bump ba-bump echoes in the room. The doctor smiles. "There she is."

Stacie has already been through this twice, but it never fails to take her breath away. Behind her, there's this quiet little gasp and as Stacie turns her attention to Aubrey, she feels her breath leave her all over again (this can't be healthy for her, can it?). The other woman stares at the screen with a look of awe and what Stacie thinks might be reverence, and it simultaneously causes her chest to both ache and swell -and it's in this moment, that she's never been more sure that this is the right decision.

But then Aubrey is looking at her with tears in her eyes like she's never been more thankful, but she doesn't know how to verbalize it, so Stacie just smiles her own little watery smile and says, "You're gonna be a really good mom, Aubrey." And if her voice cracks at the end, nobody says anything about it.

Aubrey's smile widens and she wipes away a stray tear as she stands and moves to place one hand on Stacie's shoulder and the other on her arm, squeezing gently on her shoulder. "Thank you, Stacie." She whispers as both their eyes go back to the screen.