Author's Note: Wow. long time no post. I apologize for the long wait, and I hope you're still with me, because I have plans, man. I barely proofread this, so I apologize for any mistakes. I'll fix those later.

Reviews fuel my muse, fam. Well, they help fuel it, anyway.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Beca plops down on the couch beside Stacie after locking the door behind Aubrey. She's looking at Stacie with concern in her stormy hues.

Stacie sighs and nods, bringing her gaze to meet Beca's. "Just tired. It's been a long day."

Beca nods and turns her attention back to the tv but Stacie can tell she's not even paying any attention - which is generally pretty normal depending on what's on - but the way Beca fidgets with her thumb ring and bites the inside of her cheek has Stacie's curiosity piqued. "Alright, short stuff, spit it out."

The smaller woman snaps her eyes back to Stacie's and blinks owlishly. "I- what? What are you talking about?"

One eyebrow arches as Stacie levels a ' really? ' look at Beca. "Something is clearly on your mind. I can tell you're ready to burst with some sort of news…" Beca gives her a ' really? ' look of her own. "Okay, maybe not burst but, you're definitely ready to something ."

Beca rolls her eyes but eventually angles her body more toward Stacie and takes a breath, fidgeting nervously. "Okay, well… I sort of like- asked Chloe out. Like, on a date or whatever."

Stacie's eyes widen and she slaps Beca's knee excitedly. "No way, shut up! When?! Tell me everything !"

"Ow! Dude!" Beca grabs Stacie's hand to stop its assault on her person. "Only if you stop that ." She grumbles, but there's an amused smirk on her lips as she places Stacie's hand back in the taller brunette's lap.

Stacie grins and holds up three fingers. "Scouts honor!"

Beca just smirks and rolls her eyes. "Okay, well it happened before the whole Fat Amy thing. We were having lunch…"

"So, listen…" Beca starts, licking her lips to stall. Chloe places her drink down and gives Beca her full attention, offering a slight nod for the brunette to continue. "I uh- see-" Beca huffs, shaking her head as she rubs at her forehead nervously. "I was like- wondering if- I mean we've been friends for a long time, right? And- I just-"

Chloe chuckles softly and reaches across the table to take Beca's hand. "Becs, it's okay. You don't have to be so nervous. Whatever it is, I'm here. You know you can tell me anything."

Beca can feel her cheeks heating up as she stares at the hand on top of hers. She brings her gaze back up to Chloe's and is almost shocked by the amount of patience and care in cerulean eyes - almost. But this is Chloe, and Chloe is nothing but supportive. Smiling something shy and soft, Beca nods and takes a steadying breath, turning her hand over to lace their fingers together. Chloe's eyes drop down to their joined hands, a little surprised, but as she brings her gaze back to Beca's, she keeps quiet, waiting.

"The thing is, Chlo- we've been friends for a long time. Best friends. But I- I've been like- crazy in love with you for longer. And I'm not entirely sure if you feel the same way, really, but I hope you do, 'cause I'm finally sacking up and asking you out on a date and it would really suck if you didn't because it'd be super awkward and- and fuck, that's not to say you have to feel the same, 'cause it's totally cool if you don't, ya know? Just that it would suck and I'd get over it, because I'd rather be in your life as just your best friend, than as nothing at all and-"

"Beca," Chloe cuts her off, voice softer than Beca has ever really heard it. She brings her nervous gaze to meet the redhead's and her breath gets caught in her throat as she notes Chloe's bright eyes and pink tinged cheeks, as well as the soft, happy smile. "Of course I feel the same way. And of course I'll go on a date with you."

For a moment, Beca just stares at Chloe in surprise before a slow smile creases her lips. "Really?"

Chloe's smile grows as she nods. "Really, Becs."

Beca knows she's probably got the goofiest grin on her face, but she can't find it in her to care. "Awesome, dude."

Stacie snorts. "Please tell me you didn't actually say, 'awesome, dude'..." Beca just gives Stacie a look and the taller brunette chuckles. "The definition of eloquence, that's what you are."

Beca rolls her eyes, but smirks. "Shut up, Conrad."

Realizing something, Stacie smiles cheekily. "Aubrey owes me a home cooked meal."

"Uh, why?" Beca asks bemusedly.

"We made a bet. I won." Stacie replies with a little self satisfied smirk.

Beca lofts a brow, arms crossing over her chest. "Dare I ask what it is you bet on?"

"You and Chloe," The leggy brunette starts. "And who we thought would make the first move."

"Dude, you bet on our love life? So not cool." Beca says with a slight frown, though she doesn't sound all that upset.

Stacie shrugs. "What? I'm pregnant and bored, what do you want from me? Besides it's not like we bet actual money or something. Just food. And you won. Way to come through in the clutch. I knew you had it in you." She grins and bumps shoulders with the smaller brunette.

Beca finally breaks and chuckles. "Thanks for your faith in me, nerd." She replies voice dripping with amused sarcasm. But then she sits up a little straighter and regards Stacie carefully, as if she's trying to decide if she should say something or not. "So…" she starts, tapping her fingers against her arm. "This dinner. Is that- like… a good idea?"

Stacie frowns, brows furrowing in confusion. "It's free food, why wouldn't it be?"

Beca shrugs slightly. "I mean- with Aubrey- you guys are getting pretty close. Don't you think that would like- I don't know, make shit harder on you? Ya know," she gestures to Stacie's belly. "After everything?"

"Oh." Stacie blinks as she looks down at her pregnant belly. "I- well-" She chews on her lower lip, mind suddenly racing as she brings her gaze back to Beca. "I guess it could be, but- you- we're friends, right?"

The smaller woman smiles softly, hand reaching out to squeeze Stacie's arm. "Yeah, dude. I told you, we're friends."

Stacie nods, not sure where this sudden need for reassurance came from. Damn hormones. "Right, okay-" She pushes a strand of hair behind her ear. "You and Aubrey are friends. So, even though I'm giving up this baby, I'll still see her, Beca. Because Aubrey is your friend and you and I are friends. It's stupid to not be Aubrey's friend, too. Plus, Aubrey said that if I wanted to be in the baby's life, I could. I'd be like- some really cool aunt." Even as she says this, the thought makes her sad.

Beca seems to study Stacie's face before she offers a small nod. "Okay. I just- I want to be sure you're okay, dude."

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me, B. What you should worry about is what you're going to wear on your date, and where you're going to take her." Stacie says, hoping the topic would be enough to distract Beca from talking about Stacie.

It works, because Beca's eyes widen and she flops back against the couch. "Oh man, Stace- you've gotta help me!"

Stacie chuckles and pats Beca's knee. "Calm down, I'll help you come date night."

Beca and Chloe's inevitable date night comes quickly, and after Stacie talks Beca out of a mini-panic attack, she helps her friend get ready. Stacie herself can't help but be nervous, too- but not for Beca.

No, ever since Beca brought up she and Aubrey getting closer, Stacie's been obsessing over it; wondering if maybe the whole dinner thing was a bad idea, or even worse- if being in the baby's life was a good idea.

Despite those troubling thoughts, she doesn't cancel it and thirty minutes after Beca leaves, there's a knock on the door.

"Hey," Stacie greets as she opens the door to reveal Aubrey standing at the doorstep. She's dressed in a pair of casual jeans and a simple light blue cardigan. Her hair is down in loose curls and Stacie thinks she looks beautiful.

Shit.

"Hey, are you okay?" Aubrey asks, a look of concern coloring her features.

And Stacie realizes she's just been standing there, staring at the blonde for much longer than probably appropriate. "Oh, yeah. I'm sorry. Come in." She steps aside, trying hard to fight the blush that she knows is crawling up her neck and to her cheeks.

Aubrey eyes her curiously as she steps in, setting her purse and keys on the side table before heading into the kitchen. "I hope you and Beca have actual food here, and not junk." She calls behind her. Stacie chuckles, despite herself.

"How did you know that all we live off of is Pizza hot pockets and Fruity Pebbles?" Stacie asks teasingly. She settles down on one of the stools facing the kitchen, just as Aubrey turns to shoot Stacie a worried look, but before Aubrey can open her mouth, Stacie is laughing. "Relax. I'm kidding." She bites her lip to hide her grin. "Mostly. But, I'll have you know, I went grocery shopping just for this occasion, and you will find all of your ingredients there."

Aubrey's arms go akimbo and she narrows her eyes at the brunette. "You better be eating healthy, Anastacia."

A chill runs down Stacie's spine at the use of her full name. She swallows thickly and clears her throat. "Well, you've got the mom voice down." Although, Stacie thinks that Aubrey meant for it to have a much more… different effect than making her hot and bothered. "But yes, I am…" She grins again and glances away. "Mostly."

"Stacie!" Aubrey cries with a frustrated huff, but there's a small smirk on her lips.

"What!? A girl has cravings, okay?" Stacie pouts and cross her arms over her round belly.

Sighing, Aubrey rolls her eyes. "Fine." She relents, as she moves toward the fridge. "At least I know you'll be eating healthy tonight."

After dinner, Stacie finds herself curled up on the couch with Aubrey, watching a movie. They're sharing a blanket, and though there is plenty of space between them, Stacie can still feel the warmth of the other woman's body.

At this point, she has no idea what's happening on the screen, too hyper aware of the woman beside her. Her mind is racing with Beca's words, repeating over and over again.

She's so distracted by her conflicting thoughts, that she nearly jumps out of her skin when she feels a body press up against her own. She looks over to see that Aubrey has fallen asleep and her head is now resting against Stacie's shoulder, and- wow she's pretty . Aubrey is all soft features and apparently a cuddler, as her arm seems to wrap around Stacie's.

Stacie internally groans, head falling back against the couch, but being careful not to disturb the blonde. I'm so fucked. She thinks, ruefully, but as she turns her head to stare down at the blonde once more, she can't find it in her to wake her.

Or to care, really. Because, apparently, she's a masochist like that.

Sighing, Stacie brings her gaze back to the tv, content to let Aubrey sleep, for now.

"Stacie? Hey, dude- wake up."

"Bree…"

Stacie frowns, and snuggles into the warmth at her side. "No." She mumbles petulantly. "Go away…"

"Dude…" Beca shakes her shoulder gently, and Stacie finally opens her eyes, finally realizes where she is and-

"Aubrey, wake up." Chloe is suddenly standing beside Beca with an unreadable expression as she taps the blonde who is leaning against Stacie.

Aubrey jerks awake and away from Stacie as if she's been burned. "W-what? What happened?" She looks around, confused.

Stacie clears her throat, running a nervous hand through her messy, brown locks. "I think we fell asleep watching that movie." She says, ignoring the concerned look that Beca is giving her.

There's a light blush coloring Aubrey's cheeks as she realizes exactly how they'd been found. "Oh. I uhm-" She rubs tiredly at her eyes, clearly still groggy. "I guess I should get going." She stands slowly as Beca and Chloe step back and look at each other, clearly having a silent conversation. Stacie wants to roll her eyes, suddenly annoyed with everything and everyone.

"Yeah. I had fun. Thanks for dinner, Aubrey." Stacie says, despite her initial grumpiness. "Drive safe."

Aubrey smiles softly and nods. "Of course. I'll see you later." She turns her attention to Chloe and gives her a little nod.

"Text me when you get home, Bree." Chloe says.

The blonde nods again as she heads for the door.

Standing slowly, Stacie sighs. "Well, I'm going to bed. You two kids have fun." She moves as quickly as her pregnant belly will allow her, ignoring their stares as she does so. She knows exactly what they're thinking. And it's totally not true at all.

"Hey," There's a knock on her door, fifteen minutes later and Beca is poking her head in. "So… that was kind of awkward."

Stacie pushes her reading glasses up onto her head and sets her book aside. "Not really. We just fell asleep." She says with a shrug.

Beca moves further into the room and sits on the bed. "Dude, you guys were totally cuddling."

"Like I said, we fell asleep." Stacie grouses, irritation quick to rise to the surface. "It happens."

Holding her hands up in an attempt to placate, Beca nods. "Okay. If you say so. I'll let you get some rest." She goes to stand and Stacie sighs.

"Wait. I'm sorry. I'm just tired, and my hormones are all over the place." Stacie says, forcing herself to calm down. She knows Beca means well.

Smiling crookedly, Beca just shrugs. "It's alright, dude. But, if you need to talk, I'm here."

Stacie smiles, despite herself. "Thanks."

"No problem. Anyway, night." Beca turns to leave, but Stacie stops her.

"Hey, don't think you're going to get away without telling me how your date went. I want details tomorrow. You're not allowed to leave anything out." She grins and waggles her eyebrows.

Beca rolls her eyes and chuckles. "Yeah, yeah."

Once her door is shut, Stacie drops her head back to the pillow. "I'm so screwed."