DAY 09 - I WISH I WERE WITH YOU
Prompt from Tumblr User somegirl333: Maybe a prompt of Military Beca surprising Chloe by coming back for Christmas after saying she couldn't? Super cliche I know lol.
Chloe's laptop pinged with a Skype request. She smiled because she knew it was Beca calling to let her know what day she'd be home. Christmas was just six days away, and she was excited to have her wife of almost eight months home in time to spend their first married Christmas together.
"Oh, my God, Beca," Chloe said smiling as soon as Beca's face came up on the monitor. "I can't wait for you to come home. It's our first Christmas together as a married couple, and I have so many things planned for us. So many sexy things."
Chloe waggled her eyebrows and Beca gave her a small smile. Beca's smile turned into a frown as she ran a hand through her hair. She looked directly into the camera and softly said, "Chlo."
"Oh, no," Chloe said sitting up from her reclined position on the bed. "I know that 'Chlo' and it's never followed by anything I want to hear."
"Chlo, I'm sorry, but, I, um, I won't, um. I won't be home for Christmas."
Chloe didn't say a word and stared at her wife through the laptop screen. An unwanted tear fell down her cheek.
"Chlo," Beca said swallowing past the lump in her throat. "We have some new recruits coming in a few days. Major Adams asked me to stay on for another month to help get them settled. I couldn't say no."
"Yes, you could," Chloe snapped.
"Chloe, come on," Beca said. "I don't get a choice in these things."
"You don't get a choice?" Chloe's voice rose an octave. "You said he asked you to stay, not ordered. So, it sounds to me like you had a choice. Only you chose to stay instead of coming home."
Beca ran a hand through her hair, and Chloe wiped at another tear that fell.
"Did it ever occur to you to talk to me about it before agreeing to stay?"
"Chloe, I'm in the army. My wife doesn't get to tell me what I can or cannot do."
Beca knew as soon as the words left her mouth that it was the wrong thing to say. Chloe just looked at her and the next thing Beca knew, the Skype call was disconnected.
"Shit!"
~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~
The next morning, a sad and disappointed Chloe walked into Barden Elementary School. She saw her best friend, Aubrey, coming out of the main office.
"Who kicked your puppy?"
"Oh, hey Brey," Chloe said with a sad smile. "I talked to Beca last night, and she won't be home for Christmas like she promised. Some new recruits are being sent over, and Major Adams asked her to stick around to get them acclimated, and she agreed without discussing it with me first. It isn't just about her anymore."
"I'm sorry, Chloe," Aubrey said. "I know how much you were looking forward to having her home."
"It's our first Christmas as a married couple," Chloe said. "And I hate to be selfish, but I really thought we would be spending it together. I wish she had just followed her dream and gone into music. I hate that she's made the military her career. And, I wish she hadn't so readily agreed to stick around for the new recruits. She never even talked to me about it. She said she didn't talk to me because she's in the army and her wife doesn't get to tell her what she can or cannot do."
"Being in the military is a Mitchell tradition," Aubrey said. "She talked about it all the time."
"I know," Chloe said a bit of anger in her voice. "Too bad it's the only tradition she ever decided to follow."
"Come on," Aubrey said. "It's the last day before Winter Break. The kids are going to be loud, obnoxious, and disrespectful; even more than usual. You can take some of your anger out on them."
Chloe laughed. "Sounds like a plan."
~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~
At home that night, Chloe didn't feel like cooking, so she threw a frozen pot pie in the oven and set the timer. When it was ready, she poured herself a glass of wine and sat at the counter to eat alone for the one-hundred and seventy-eighth day in a row. Beca was to have been deployed for six months and then come back home. And, now Chloe has to spend her first Christmas as a married woman alone because her wife agreed to stay another month so she could help train a group of new recruits that were arriving.
Chloe cleaned up from her dinner and poured another glass of wine. She wandered around the apartment looking at the pictures she and Beca chose to display.
She picked up their wedding picture. The two looked beautiful together, and Chloe couldn't help but smile. She put the picture back and looked at the one of Beca in her uniform. Chloe had to admit that Beca looked really hot in her uniform. Really hot.
Chloe sighed and sipped at her wine. She held on to the picture of Beca in her uniform and went to their bedroom. She stared at the empty bed and couldn't help remembering how she and Beca would lay together and talk late into the night while holding each other. They talked about a lot of things: their future, having a family.
Chloe downed the rest of the wine and set the glass on the dresser. She went into the closet and ran her hand along Beca's clothes. She stopped at Beca's Army hoodie and grabbed it off the hanger. She stepped out of the closet and grabbed a pair of sleep shorts from her dresser and changed into the hoodie and shorts to sleep in.
After brushing her teeth, Chloe climbed into bed with Beca's picture and hugged it to her chest. She laid down on her side and ran a hand over Beca's pillow. She picked it up and held it to her nose, but Beca's smell was no longer there. She held the pillow and picture to her and let the tears roll down her face before sleep overcame her.
~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~
Chloe woke Saturday morning to her phone ringing. She reached for it and answered it.
"Hello," Chloe answered, her voice raspy from sleep and crying.
"Chloe?"
"Yeah," Chloe said clearing her throat. "Hey, Brey."
"Don't tell me you were still asleep," Aubrey said. "You promised to do some last minute Christmas shopping with me today."
"Right," Chloe said as she wiped at her eyes. "What time is it?"
"Ten," Aubrey said. "Get up and dressed. I'll be there in half an hour. We'll have brunch and then hit the mall."
"Fine," Chloe said. "I'll be ready."
"See you in thirty," Aubrey said and ended the call.
Chloe got herself up and into the bathroom to shower. She was dressed and ready to go when there was a knock at the door. She opened it and gasped in surprise.
"Stacie!" Chloe grabbed the brunette into a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"She's with us!" Chloe hears Cynthia Rose's voice from the hall.
Chloe steps out of her apartment and sees Aubrey with the Bellas. She lets out a squeal, and they all join in a group hug.
"Oh, my gosh," Chloe said with a big smile. "I didn't know you guys were going to be here. Come inside."
The girls all file in and Chloe closes the door.
"What are you all doing here?," Chloe asked looking around at the girls.
"We're here to surprise you," Jessica said. "Well, we were going to surprise you on Christmas Eve, but Aubrey told us how much you were missing Beca, so we decided to surprise you early and make this a Bellas reunion week."
"Aw, you guys," Chloe said with tears in her eyes. "You don't know how much I needed this."
"Are we going to get something to eat or what?" Of course, Fat Amy is the one who brings up food first.
"Yes, Amy," Aubrey said. "We are going to get something to eat. Let's go."
Chloe grabs her keys and phone, and the girls file back out of the apartment. Chloe links arms with Aubrey and is smiling as they made their way to the elevator.
"I can't believe you did this," Chloe said as they followed the Bellas.
"Most of the girls were already going to be in town," Aubrey said. "I thought a Bellas reunion was the perfect thing to help keep your mind off Beca for a bit. Also, it's your Christmas present from me, so Merry Christmas."
~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~
After a three-hour brunch and an afternoon of shopping, Chloe was sitting around her apartment with the girls, drinking wine and sharing some laughs. She looked around and couldn't help but wish Beca were there. Aubrey saw her and mouthed, "are you okay?" Chloe gave her a real smile and nodded her head.
"Hey, Red," Amy called out. "Your computer's pinging."
"Oh, shoot," Chloe said jumping up and almost falling onto Ashley. "That might be Beca."
Amy grabs the computer and opens it up. She accepted the Skype call and yelled, "Hey, Beca!"
"Amy?"
Chloe grabbed her laptop and started walking back to her bedroom with it. "Hey."
"Was that Fat Amy?"
"Yeah," Chloe said as she sat on their bed. "The Bellas were in town, so Brey put together a mini-reunion."
"That's cool."
"I miss you," Chloe said softly. "And, I'm sorry I hung up on you the other night. I was just so disappointed and didn't want to get into an argument with you."
"I miss you, too," Beca said. "And, I'm sorry I didn't talk to you first before accepting the extra time here." They stared at each other for a minute before Beca cleared her throat and asked, "Um, so how long are the Bellas there for?"
"All week," Chloe said.
"You should take them to that karaoke bar we found," Beca said. "I have a feeling that a trip to a karaoke bar is on the agenda somewhere."
Chloe laughed. "We're going out to one on Christmas Eve. I'll take them to the one you mentioned. What was it called?"
"Christmas Eve and karaoke with the Bellas," Beca said. "Sounds like I'll be missing a fun time. Anyway, I think the place is called something like the O-Karaoke Saloon."
"That sounds right," Chloe said and laughed.
"Um, hey," Beca said. "I hate to tell you this because I know you're still upset with me, but I won't be able to Skype you tomorrow or Christmas Eve. But, I promise I will definitely talk to you on Christmas day."
"Can you tell me why?"
"You know I wish I could. I'm sorry, Chlo."
"It's okay."
Suddenly, Chloe's bedroom door was thrown open, and Fat Amy came barreling into the room. "We want to talk to Beca!"
Chloe couldn't help but laugh as the rest of the Bellas came into her room. She looked to the screen to see Beca laughing as well. Amy grabbed the laptop; all the girls gathered on the bed and began trying to talk to Beca at once.
Chloe extricated herself from the bed and slowly made her way out of the bedroom. Stacie and Aubrey saw her leave. Stacie went to stand, and Aubrey mouthed, "I'll go." Stacie nodded her head, and Aubrey followed Chloe to the kitchen.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I guess. Beca just told me she wouldn't be able to Skype or talk to me on Christmas Eve. I"m sure it means they're moving again."
"Don't worry. Beca knows what she's doing. She'll be okay."
"I know. I just miss her so much, and these Skype calls are all I get to see of her. I just wish-"
Chloe stops and sighs. Aubrey wrapped her friend in a hug.
"At least you have us to keep you busy."
They hear loud, raucous laughter coming from the bedroom. "Maybe we should go save your wife," Aubrey said with a chuckle.
Chloe smiled and walked back to the bedroom. She could see Beca on the laptop with her hands covering her face and blushing.
"Oh, God. What did you do to my wife?"
~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~
On Sunday, the Bellas were back at Chloe's for a marathon of cookie making, hot cocoa drinking (with whatever alcohol Fat Amy could slip into it), and watching Christmas movies. Chloe was having a great time but went to her bedroom to Skype with her parents since they were leaving the next morning for a seven-day cruise to the Bahamas.
Chloe had sent her folks their gifts, and they had sent her and Beca theirs. They laughed and opened gifts since they wouldn't be able to do it in person.
"What about Beca's gifts, dear?" Mrs. Beale asked Chloe.
"I'm saving them all for when she gets home," Chloe said. "I'm leaving the tree up and all her gifts under it."
"Do you know when she'll be home?"
"She said another month," Chloe said. "So, sometime toward the end of January, I suppose."
"Well give her our best when you speak with her again," Mr. Beale said.
"I will," Chloe said.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash from the living room.
"What was that?," Mrs. Beale asked.
"I'm not sure I want to know," Chloe said with a laugh. "I'd better go check it out. I love you, guys. Have a great time on your cruise."
"We will," Mrs. Beale said. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," Chloe said and ended the call. She jumped up and ran to the living room to find Fat Amy laying underneath the fallen Christmas tree.
The Bellas were all laughing as they tried to figure out the best way to set the tree upright. Chloe joined in, and they managed to get the tree back up with minimal damage. Well, minimal until Chloe looked down and saw a broken ornament laying near Amy's feet.
There were tears in her eyes when she bent to pick up the broken pieces. She turned on Amy and angrily asked, "What the Hell, Amy? Why the fuck is it that you are always in the middle of whatever fuckup happens?"
The Bellas all got quiet. In all the years they've known each other, Chloe has never yelled at any of them like that, especially Amy.
Chloe saw them all looking at her, and she muttered an "I'm sorry" as she ran back to her bedroom and slammed the door. Everyone looked at Aubrey who sighed and started to follow after Chloe.
"Wait," Stacie called out. "Let me."
Aubrey stopped and nodded as Stacie walked past her. She stopped outside the door and knocked softly before opening the door and entering to find Chloe laying face down on the bed.
"I'm fine, Brey," Chloe said as she started to sit up while wiping the tears from her cheeks. "Oh, Stacie. I'm sorry, I thought you were Brey."
"That's okay," Stacie said and came to sit on the bed. "Want to tell me what that was all about?"
Chloe held up her hand with the broken ornament still in it. "It's a 'first Christmas' ornament to signify my and Beca's first Christmas together as wives. I don't know why I got so upset. I mean, she's not here for it, so I guess this really isn't our first Christmas together."
"You know Beca is my best friend," Stacie said. "And I miss not being able to tell her things or talk to her about my problems. It hurts my heart, and I can only guess how badly you hurt without her here."
"I sometimes forget how close you two are," Chloe said. "I do have Aubrey to talk to whenever things get too bad."
"I'm glad she's here for you," Stacie said honestly.
"How about this," Chloe said wiping her eyes. "I'll be your best friend while Beca's gone. That way you have someone to talk to, and we can both miss her together. Just call me, and I'm here for you."
"Sounds like a plan," Stacie said. "Does this deal start now? Because I do need someone to talk to."
"What is it?"
Stacie and Chloe talked for another thirty minutes before going back to the living room. Chloe walked over to Fat Amy.
"I'm sorry, Ames," Chloe said. "I didn't mean to yell at you. I'm just on edge because I miss Beca so much."
"I'm sorry, too, Chloe," Amy said. "It really was an accident. I swear."
"I know," Chloe said and hugged the blonde Aussie.
~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~
Christmas Eve was a fairly quiet day, with each of the girls doing their own thing until they were to meet up again at the karaoke bar later that night. Many, including Chloe, took the opportunity to sleep in since they were planning a late night at the karaoke bar.
Chloe put together a few make-ahead dishes for the Christmas feast that several of the girls were attending the next day. She also wrapped the gifts she picked up during the shopping trip the Bellas had on Saturday. Chloe was glad Aubrey had planned it as she did not have gifts for all the girls and she was able to find something for everyone.
Aubrey picked up Chloe and drove to the karaoke bar. They were both dressed in jeans and a festive sweater. As soon as they walked in Fat Amy yelled across the bar and waved them over. They greeted all the girls, and Fat Amy handed them both two shots.
"You're already lagging behind the rest of us," Fat Amy yelled as they downed their two shots. When they slammed their second shot glass on the table, Amy smirked and said they had already been put in to sing a song of Amy's choosing.
"Oh, God," Aubrey said.
"Wooo Hooo!" Chloe was ready to have fun, sing, and get drunk.
"Next up we have Stacie," the DJ announced.
Stacie jumped up with a grin and rushed to the stage. The girls all whooped and hollered for the sister Bella. They got even louder when the first notes of Santa Baby started. Stacie proceeded to give quite a sexy performance to the pleasure of all the men in the crowd.
The placed erupted in cheers and catcalls when Stacie finished and stepped off the stage. She sashayed over to the Bellas table. Stacie picked up her drink and was taking a sip when she moved the glass down and let out a whistle.
"Plenty of hunter material just walked in the door," Stacie said eying the group of soldiers that walked in.
"Keep it in your pants, girl," CR said with a laugh.
"But they look like they just got home from being so far away from their loved ones," Stacie whined. "It would be my civic duty to welcome them home properly."
Stacie smoothed down her dress and started walking over to the bar where the soldiers were now gathered.
"Hello, boys," Stacie said as she situated herself among the soldiers.
Aubrey was laughing at Stacie's shenanigans when she turned to Chloe. Chloe was watching the soldiers with a sad smile.
"Hey," Aubrey said giving Chloe a shoulder nudge. "You want to leave?"
"What? No," Chloe said shaking her head. "I'm fine. I'm glad that they're home and get to see their families."
"Okay," Aubrey said not quite believing Chloe was okay. "If you change your mind, let me know, and we'll leave."
"Next up we have the Barden Bellas," the DJ announced.
"All of us?," Chloe asked.
"Come on, pitches," Fat Amy yelled as she made her way to the stage. "That means you, too, Stacie. Get over here."
"Looks like she means all of us," Aubrey said with a laugh.
The girls all gather on the stage and look at Fat Amy for direction. Fat Amy takes a mic.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Amy said getting everyone's attention. "Before we start we'd like to say 'welcome home' to the soldiers at the bar. Give them a round of shots on me!"
The soldiers all cheer and hold up their drinks in salute to Amy.
"We are the Barden Bellas, and we are sending this out to one of our own soldiers who can't be with us here tonight," Fat Amy said, and the girls all hugged Chloe closer to them in support. "This is her wife, Chloe." Amy points to the redhead who gives the cheering crowd a wave. "This is Merry Christmas, Darling. Red, you start us off.
The DJ starts the music and Chloe takes the lead.
Greeting cards have all been sent
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you
Merry Christmas Darling
We're apart that's true
But I can dream and in my dreams
I'm Christmasing with you
Chloe quickly wiped away a tear as Jessica and Ashley took the next verse.
Holidays are joyful
There's always something new
But every day's a holiday
When I'm near to you
Aubrey comes in to solo the next part.
The lights on my tree
I wish you could see
I wish it every day
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
All the Bellas take on the rest of the song.
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year too
I've just one wish on this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
The logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year too
A soft gasp comes from the back of the group, and a new voice joins the girls. Chloe is so into the words of the song that nothing else registers until she feels someone take her hand in theirs and continues to sing as the other voices grow silent.
I've just one wish on this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
Beca changes the last line and finishes with,
I'm glad I'm here with you
Chloe drops the mic she was holding and throws her arms around her wife's neck and smashes their lips together. The crowd starts cheering, and the Bellas are laughing and crying as they gather Beca and Chloe in a group hug.
They pull apart, and Aubrey and Stacie get them all back to their table. Beca grabs Chloe's arm and pulls her in for another hug.
Chloe pulls back and just stares at Beca with tears in her eyes. She puts her hands on Beca's face. "It's really you."
"It's really me," Beca said.
"But, how?" Chloe continued staring into Beca's eyes.
"After you hung up on me I went to talk with Major Adams. I told him about our call, and he called me an idiot and told me to go home to my wife. I didn't say anything so I could surprise you and here I am."
"I love you," Chloe said and kissed Beca.
When they came up for air, Beca said, "I love you, too. And, I'm glad I'm here with you."
Song Used: Merry Christmas, Darling by The Carpenters.