Hard Knock Life ch. 6
Just knowing that my father's going to be here at Barden next week at see how I'm doing is extremely nerve wrecking, raising my stress level tremendously as nothing that I have ever done has been good enough in his eyes. It doesn't help that Father knows about the puking incident back in my freshman year, earning a long and detailed lecture which I never wanted to hear as I had to hold back the tears because I didn't want to look weak. It doesn't help that the Bellas have a performance this week which Father will see as a lot is riding on this but I don't know if any of the girls are remotely ready to stand in front of a crowd, pitch wise or performance wise. It's why I've been extra hard on them because I can't disappoint Father, wanting to meet his expectations of me but with how things are going, it doesn't seem like a likely outcome as I walk through the front door of my and Chloe's shared apartment.
I had a long and stressful day of attending classes and helping the Bellas get prepared as the only thing that I wanted to do was a nice long bath, maybe a glass of wine and cuddle up with my girlfriend. As soon as I walk through the door, I was nearly taken out at the legs by unknown force as I look down to see Emily looking up at me with a bright smile while wondering why she was here in the first place. I look around to see my redhead girlfriend as well as Beca standing in the kitchen over the stove, inhaling the smell of something delicious cooking as the tiny DJ looks over at me with a small shy smile which I return. I know that we've invited the alt girl over dinner sometime this week which she was hesitant to accept but what I had in mind was to cook her dinner, not the other way around and with my father coming, it was back pushed to the back of my mind.
This is a definite pleasant surprised but I thought that Beca might be a little pissed at me after the arguing that we've doing lately but it doesn't seem to be the case if she's in my apartment cooking me dinner. The younger Mitchell takes me into the living room towards the coffee table where it becomes obvious that she's been using to do some sort of art project, picking up a piece of paper with a huge smile on her face and offering it to me to see. Upon further inspection, the drawing is well done for an eight year old as Emily placing in my hands saying that it was for me and I was touched by the gift, pulling the child in my arms and kissing the top of head in thanks. The medical student comes in, letting us know that dinner's almost ready and to wash up as I know Emily where the bathroom is before turning the faucet on as she looks up at me curiously.
"Bree?"
"Yes Emily, what's on your mind?" I asked curious.
"You and Chloe like my sister, right?"
"Very much so even she can be a pain in the butt sometimes" I said smiling slightly.
"Good because I want her to be happy and I think that she could be with you but she pushes people away because she doesn't want to get hurt. People hurt her and I don't want her to get anymore" Emily said sadly.
"Emily, I promise you that I will do everything that I can to protect Beca because I look after the people that I care about and that includes you too" I said lifting her chin so she's looking at me.
"Even you're mad at each other?"
"Especially when we're mad at each other" I said smiling reassuringly.
"Okay" Emily said hugging me tightly.
We return the kitchen to see that the two younger girls had made my favorite chicken alfredo, a light salad, and roasted red potatoes and it smells heavenly as Chloe sets a plate in front of me with a glass of iced tea. I didn't know that Beca could cook but it makes sense since she's raising her littler sister as medical student only knows how to cook a few dishes, never really having enough time to learn how to do more with her schoolwork and the Bellas. The food tastes even better than I expected it to as the tiny DJ tries to hide a smile but I know that she's glad that I'm enjoying the food that she made as the younger Mitchell regales with tales of school and the friends that she made. Once the food was eaten and dishes washed, Chloe and Emily head towards the kitchen to pick out a movie, leaving me alone with Beca in the kitchen as she looks everywhere but at me awkwardly, looking adorable before carefully moving into my space.
I didn't move too quickly and freak her out unnecessarily as the alt girl loosely wraps her arms around my neck, wrapping my arms around her slim waist because I know that she's not big on physical contact. It feels amazing having the smaller girl in my arms and I didn't want to let go as Beca moves back slightly during which I find myself getting lost in her cobalt blue eyes before blushing a tad, ducking her eyes then moving towards the living room. I follow her, sitting next to the younger Mitchell who's sitting on the medical student's lap in the middle of the couch while the older Mitchell decides to sit a little further away but it doesn't last long. I gently taking her wrist, pulling the alt girl in close lean against me, to notice that the recent Bring It On movie was playing and I couldn't help rolling my eyes because I know how much my girlfriends loves these movies and secretly I do too.
At some point during the second movie, someone's fingers entangle themselves in my hair, massaging my scalp while someone else's hand begins kneading the middle of my shoulder blades. I could feel myself getting sleepier, finding it hard to keep my eyes open as Chloe giggles, knowing fully well what she's doing to me before removing their hands as Beca looks at the clock to realize how it's gotten.
"Me and Emily should probably get going. It's late" Beca said reaching to take Emily from Chloe.
"This might be reaching and let me know if I'm overstepping Beca but why don't you stay here tonight. You don't have a car and I don't feel comfortable with you walking back to your apartment with a sleeping child late at night"
"We have an extra bedroom that you could use and one of us can drop you off in the morning plus we could cook breakfast to sweeten the deal" Chloe said winking.
"I don't know" Beca said biting her lip hesitantly.
"Beca, you don't have to stay if you really don't feel comfortable with it. Chloe or I could take you home if you want to go" I said fighting back a yawn.
"Yeah because you're in a position to drive" Beca said smirking.
"Oh shush you" I said sleepily glaring at her.
"I'll stay but no funny business from either of you and I want pancakes tomorrow"
"Awesome. I'll give some clothes to sleep in" Chloe said passing the sleeping child to me.
"Thank you" I said turning my attention towards Beca.
"For what?" Beca asked raising an eyebrow.
"For making dinner and just being here. I know that I haven't the easiest person to deal with lately but you still came over and I appreciate it" I said taking her hand in my own.
"Don't go soft on me, Posen. It might get out that you're actually tolerable" Beca said smirking.
"You're such a jerk, Mitchell" I said rolling my eyes good naturedly.
Chloe returns with sleepwear for both of Mitchell girls as the alt takes her sleeping sibling from me before heading towards the guest bedroom, bidding us a good night. When I woke up this morning, if I knew that it was what I was going to end up with than I would've been more than happy to go through how hectic to have these two beautiful women by the end of it. The medical student takes me by the hand, leading me to our bedroom as I change into a long sleeve shirt and shorts, pulling my hair into a messy bun before climbing underneath the cover with the redhead close behind. She wraps her arms around me as I nuzzling into her chest, sighing content because every time that I fall asleep with her holding me close, it feels like everything's not so bad and like I'm coming home. In many ways, Chloe has been my protector and had my back when I felt like I didn't deserve it as people have even told me so but even then, she stuck by my side with a smile on her face; always supportive of me and my needs.
"I love you Chloe"
"Love you too babe" Chloe said kissing my temple.
Slender fingers slips into my hair, kneading my scalp lolling me to sleep and honestly it was the best sleep that I've had in a long time as I woke up feeling refreshed to start the day on a good note. I get up out of bed towards the kitchen to the cabinet, pulling out the pancake mix and a bag of chocolate chip left over from the bake sale to get started on breakfast when Chloe comes out of the room to pull out a carton of eggs and a packet of bacon. Soon enough the smell of food was enough to draw out Beca and Emily who was adorably wiping the sleep from their eyes to sit down at the table before placing a plate in front of them. Beca moans at the taste as she shovels more into her mouth, giggling at her as she looks up at me before choking on the half eaten food with a blush tenting her cheeks, patting her on her back to ease the struggle.
"Are you okay?" I asked worried.
"Yeah um just went down the wrong pipe I guess" Beca said chewing her food more slowly.
"Beca thinks that you're hot and that's why she started choking" Emily chimes in.
"Emily!" Beca shrieks.
"What? That's what you said yesterday after Bellas practice" Emily said shrugging her shoulders.
"So you think I'm hot, eh Mitchell?" I asked smirking smugly.
Beca groans as she buries her face into her hands, I giggle at how cute she's being right now before leaning down to kiss the top of her head before moving to the bedroom to get ready for another day of classes. Once I'm dressed and made sure that I have everything that I need, I give Chloe a quick kiss on the lip, Beca and Emily on the cheek before heading to class, feeling amazing.
~Nicole The Dragon Rider signing off
End of ch. 6