DAY 10 - BECA AND THE BRAT

Author's Prompt: Chloe Beale is divorced and has an eight-year-old son. She starts dating famed music producer Beca Mitchell and her son isn't too happy about it. They haven't been dating long and are about to spend their first Christmas together. Or are they?

It was the day after Thanksgiving, and Beca was helping Chloe decorate her house for Christmas. They had been dating a few months and this would be their first Christmas together.

"Am I going to have to see you in Christmas sweaters all month?," Beca asked.

"No, silly," Chloe replied. "I'll only be wearing them all the way up until Christmas day."

"Great," Beca said rolling her eyes all the while smiling at the gorgeous redhead. "So, I was wondering, what does an eight-year-old boy want for Christmas?"

"You don't have to get us anything," Chloe said.

"Hey, I like you guys," Beca said. "A lot. And maybe getting Dylan something will make him like me."

"Are you trying to buy my son's affections?"

"Nothing else seems to be working. Face it, Chlo. Your kid hates me."

"He doesn't hate you. He still thinks his dad and I are going to get back together and if you're around that won't happen."

"Like I said. He hates me."

"But, I like you and that's all that matters."

Chloe leaned into Beca and kissed her. Beca pulled Chloe closer and deepened the kiss.

"Gross," Dylan said causing them to pull apart. "Can you not do that when I'm around?"

"Dylan, be nice," Chloe said.

"Why?," Dylan said crossing his arms over his chest with a pout. "It's not like she's going to be around once dad comes back."

Beca stood awkwardly next to Chloe. Chloe sighed and looked at Dylan.

"Dylan," Chloe said and knelt in front of him. "It's been two years, sweetie. Your dad's not coming back to us. He's got a whole new family and he doesn't want to be with us anymore."

"Just tell him you still love him," Dylan said teary-eyed. "He'll come back if you tell him you still love him."

Dylan turned and ran off to his room. Chloe sighed and stood to face Beca.

"I'm sorry," Chloe said.

"It's okay," Beca said pulling Chloe into a hug. "I kind of know what he's going through. My dad left me and my mom when I was eight. He had a whole new life and forgot all about me."

"I should go talk to him," Chloe said.

"That's a good idea," Beca said. "I'm going to go so you two can be alone to talk. I'll call you later."

"Thank you," Chloe said. "For understanding. I know we've been dating a few months but I think he just needs some time to get used to me dating someone. I really haven't dated anyone else since my divorce."

"No worries," Beca said and kissed Chloe. "Call me if you need me for anything."

"I will," Chloe said and walked Beca to the door. They kissed one more time before Beca left.

Chloe closed the door and leaned against it. She ran a hand through her hair and went to talk to her son.

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

It was a week before Christmas and things still weren't going well between Beca and Dylan. Dylan would yell through the door for her to go away when she came to pick Chloe up for their dates. He would stare daggers at her whenever she held hands with Chloe or hugged her. He made gagging sounds whenever she would kiss Chloe.

It was to the point that anytime Dylan was around she refused to touch Chloe in any way. It was putting a real strain on their relationship.

That night, Beca brought Chloe home from an album release party that Beca's studio held for one of their new artists. They were both dressed to kill and Chloe couldn't keep her eyes off Beca. She looked hot.

Beca looked around when they got into the house. "Where's Stacie?"

"She probably went to bed," Chloe said. "I told her we would be really late and that she should just spend the night."

"Oh," Beca said.

"Would you like some wine?," Chloe asked as she led Beca into the kitchen. "Or maybe some water."

Chloe stopped short when she entered the kitchen. Dylan was standing by the counter with his back to the door.

"Dylan? What are you doing still up?"

Dylan was startled when he heard Chloe's voice. He went around the back of the counter toward the other side and dropped something in the trash can, and said, "I was, um, just getting some water."

Beca watched him closely. Something told her he was up to no good, especially since he knew she had taken his mother out.

Chloe walked over and opened the refrigerator. She grabbed a bottle of water and turned to hand it to Dylan when Beca said, "I'd like some water, too, please."

"Dylan, please give this one to Beca," Chloe said and turned to retrieve two more bottles of water.

Dylan walked over to the counter and set the bottle down. "Why don't you have a seat so you can drink your water?"

"Um, okay," Beca said warily. She sat on the stool at the counter. She got even more nervous when Dylan smiled at her.

"Dylan," Chloe said as she handed him a bottle of water. "It's late. You should go back to bed."

She reached down for a hug and kissed him on top of his head. He yelled a quick 'goodnight' as he ran out of the kitchen. Chloe laughed and shook her head at him.

Chloe walked over and set her water on the counter next to Beca's. Beca tried to shift in her seat and she couldn't. Beca furrowed her brow as Chloe put her arms around her neck and moved to stand between Beca's legs. Chloe laughed when Beca didn't move to allow her in.

"Playing hard to get," Chloe said with a smirk.

"I think I'm stuck," she said with a laugh. She tried to turn and then tried to stand up. The stool came up with her. "What the fuck? I am stuck."

"What?"

Beca started twisting and turning and Chloe had to grab her to stop.

"Sit back down," Chloe said.

"I don't want to," Beca said. "I can tell it's only my dress that is stuck right now. If I sit back down I'm afraid my ass will be stuck along with my dress."

Beca leaned her torso on the counter. She knew she must look preposterous with a stool sticking out from her ass. She could also feel the stool pulling her dress down, making it tighter around her shoulders. She was surprised it hadn't ripped.

Beca shook her head at the absurdity of it all. And in the back of mind, she knew she would probably be laughing if it were anyone else.

"Would you unzip my dress, please?"

Chloe reached up and did as Beca asked. "There. It's all the way down."

"Could you lift the stool just a bit?"

Chloe took hold of the legs and held the stool up. She saw Beca's dress slacken and told her to try and get it off.

Beca lifted her torso off the counter and managed to slide the sleeves of her dress down her arms. She could feel the dress slacken and she took a half a step back and stood so she could slide the dress down her body. Chloe tilted the top of the stool slightly so Beca was able to push the dress down far enough so she could step out of it.

Once she was free, Chloe set the stool upright onto the floor. Beca couldn't stop looking at her dress still attached to the stool. Chloe was biting her lip as she stared at Beca standing in her bra and underwear.

Beca walked around the counter and looked into the trash can. She reached down and pulled up a small tube of crazy glue.

"I told you Dylan hated me," Beca said holding up the crazy glue.

Chloe was a bit taken aback that Dylan would actually do something like this.

Beca threw the glue back into the trash can. She noticed Chloe was just staring at her and cleared her throat. "Could I, uh, borrow something to wear?"

Chloe snapped out of it and mumbled, "Um, yeah. I'll, uh, be right back."

Chloe didn't say anything more and hurried out of the kitchen to get something for Beca to wear. When she got upstairs she went into the guest room and woke Stacie and explained what happened. She handed Stacie some clothes and asked her to take them to Beca while she went to talk to Dylan.

Beca remained standing as she waited for Chloe to come back. It was a couple of minutes before Stacie came into the kitchen carrying some clothes.

"Where's Chloe?"

"She's with Dylan," Stacie said.

"This is fucked up," Beca ranted. "I know the kid doesn't like me dating Chloe, but this is ridiculous."

"Chloe gave me some clothes for you," Stacie said just holding them in her hands. "Although, I don't mind if you want to walk around like that."

Beca wasn't in the mood for Stacie's playful flirting and snapped at her. "May I just have the clothes, please?"

Stacie handed Beca a hoodie and a pair of sweatpants. Just then Chloe walked in with Dylan. She immediately put her hand over Dylan's eyes when she saw Beca still standing in just her bra and panties.

"Thanks for the clothes," Beca said as she turned her back on them and quickly got dressed.

Beca heard Dylan giggle as she was pulled on the sweatpants. She jerked her head around to look at him.

"Dylan, stop," Chloe admonished him. "You owe Beca an apology."

"Save it," Beca said as she turned to face Chloe. "He won't mean it and I don't want to hear it."

Beca grabbed the stool in one hand and her dress in the other and tried to rip the dress off the stool; it didn't budge.

"Fuck it," Beca said. "You can have it."

Beca looked at Chloe and opened her mouth to say something more but snapped it shut. She then walked past Chloe and Dylan and stormed out of the kitchen.

"Beca, please, don't go," Chloe said going after her. Tears were running down her face now. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

"Don't, Chloe," Beca said with tears in her eyes. She looked to see Dylan smiling at her. "I can't do this anymore." Beca left without another word.

"Guess we won't be seeing her again," Dylan said with a smug smile on his face.

Chloe turned on him but before she could say or do anything, Stacie got between them. She pushed Dyland toward the stairs and told him to go to his room. Seeing his mother's face, Dylan did as he was told.

Chloe let out a small sob and sat on the sofa.

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

It had been three days since the incident with the crazy glue. Dylan was still walking around with a smile on his face because Beca hadn't been around. But, he continued to tread lightly where his mother was concerned because she was still upset with him. Although he didn't know why; he got rid of Beca and now all his mother and father had to do was talk and say I love you to each other and things would be normal again.

Chloe spent countless hours texting and calling Beca during those three days. She left countless voicemails apologizing for Dylan, and begging and crying to try and get Beca to call her.

On the fourth day, a courier had come to the door with a box addressed to her from Beca. Chloe was a bit confused but smiled a little as she opened the box. Inside she found the hoodie and sweatpants that Beca had been wearing when she left Chloe's house that night. She also found a note written in Beca's handwriting.

Chloe lost the smile and the tears came again as she read the note.

Chloe:

It hurts me to do this because I really do care about you and Dylan. The fact is, Dylan doesn't like me and, honestly, I'm not too thrilled with him right now either. But, he is your kid and I would never want to be the one that comes between a mother and her son.

I'm really sorry things didn't work out. I do wish you and Dylan the best.

Beca Mitchell

PS - Thank you for letting me borrow the clothes. They've been washed.

This made it real. There was no longer any hope; Beca broke up with her. Chloe dropped the note on the floor and went up to her room. She threw herself on her bed and began sobbing.

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

Dylan heard his mother crying in her room and didn't know what to do. He went downstairs to get her some juice because that's what she always did when he was feeling sad.

Dylan saw a box sitting on the coffee table and went to see what it was. He found the note that his mother had dropped on the floor and read it. Beca had really broken up with this mother because of him.

"That must be why she's crying," Dylan thought and frowned. "But, she should be happy. Now she can tell my dad she loves him and we can be a family again."

So, why doesn't he feel better now that he knows Beca is really gone?

Dylan chewed on his bottom lip as he thought about how much his mom smiled and laughed when Beca was around. Dylan looked at the letter again and made a phone call.

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

Two days later, Stacie called to check on Chloe. She could hear how sad the redhead was through the phone.

"How about I take Dylan shopping," Stacie told Chloe. "He told me he wanted to get you something special for Christmas. It will also give you some time for yourself."

"That sounds good, Stacie," Chloe said. "Thank you."

"Great," Stacie said. "Tell him I'll be there in an hour."

"I will," Chloe said.

Chloe told Dylan that Stacie was coming to take him shopping. Dylan thanked her and went to get ready.

Stacie showed up and Dylan hugged his mother and she told him to be a good boy. Stacie led the young boy out to her car and stopped him before he got in.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Dyl?"

"Of course, I'm sure, Aunt Stacie," Dylan said. "My mommy is sad now. But, she's happy with Beca. Beca doesn't like me so if I go live with my dad, Beca and my mom will get back together, and we'll all be happy. Everybody wins."

"Dylan," Stacie said kneeling down in front of the boy. "Your dad hasn't seen you since the divorce. Are you sure you're ready for whatever he has to say?"

"I'm eight years old," Dylan said puffing out his little chest. "I can handle big boy stuff."

"Okay," Stacie said. "Your mother is going to kill me but I'm only doing this because I think you need to know the truth."

Stacie makes sure Dylan is safely belted in and gets behind the wheel. She drives off and about thirty minutes later they reach their destination. Stacie parks across the street from a modest looking two story home. Stacie and Dylan look over to see Chicago in the yard with two young boys playing catch with a football. Dylan frowns. His dad never played football with him.

Chicago is laughing as he chases one of the boys around the yard. He catches the boy and lifts him in the air before pulling him into a hug, smiling the whole time. Dylan tried to remember the last time his dad hugged him or smiled like that.

Chicago notices the car and Stacie and Dylan staring at them. He said something to the two boys and they went running into the house. Chicago then stands at the gate and looks at the car. Dylan is just staring at him.

Chicago turns and picks up the football. He takes one last look over his shoulder before turning his back and walking into the house.

Stacie is disappointed but was expecting something like this. She looks in the rearview mirror at Dylan and he is sitting in his seat with his head down.

"What do you want to do, Dyl?"

"Can we just go see Beca now?"

Stacie started the car and drove away. She felt bad for Dylan but was also glad he got to see what Chloe had been hiding from him for so long. Stacie never would understand how a man could walk away from his own child and step into the role of father to someone else's children, and not look back.

Stacie pulled up to Beca's place about forty minutes later. Stacie and Dylan get out of the car and slowly walk up to Beca's door.

"You ready for this?," Stacie asked and Dylan nodded.

Stacie rang the doorbell. The door opens and Beca looks shocked to see them.

"Stacie? Dylan?" Beca looks from one to the other. "Is everything okay? Is Chloe okay?"

"Chloe's fine," Stacie said. "I'm sorry if we're disturbing you, but Dylan wanted to talk to you."

Beca looks down at Dylan and he is staring down at the ground. Beca knelt in front of him and when he looks up at her she sees tears falling down his face.

Beca pulls Dylan into a hug and the young boy lets out a sob and buries his head in her neck.

"I'm sorry." The words are mumbled into Beca's neck but she hears them.

"Hey, it's okay," Beca said. "It's okay."

Beca can't help it as tears spring to her eyes as well. Beca holds Dylan for about five minutes and just lets him cry. She finally pulled him back from her and looked at him. She wiped the tears from his face.

"Come on in," Beca said and stood. "Let's talk inside."

Dylan takes Beca's hand and lets her lead him inside. Stacie follows and closes the door behind her.

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

Christmas morning found Stacie and Aubrey at Chloe's watching Dylan open his presents. Chloe was smiling but her friends could see she was still hurting.

"That's the last of them," Chloe said as Aubrey thanked her for the sweater. "How about breakfast?"

Stacie and Dylan were whispering together and Stacie pulled out her phone. She sent a text and told Dylan everything was ready. Chloe looked at them.

"What are you two conspiring over there?"

"Wait," Dylan said. "There's one more present."

"Sweetie, there are no more presents under the tree," Chloe said. "We got them all."

"This one's not under the tree." The doorbell rang and Dylan smiled. "There it is. Go open the door, mom. It's for you."

Chloe furrowed her brow and looked around at everyone. She got up and made her way to the door.

"What did you do?" Chloe was looking back at Dylan when she opened the door. She was shocked to turn around and see Beca standing there with a big bow stuck to the front of her and two bags of gifts sitting on the ground by her legs.

"Sorry," Beca said as she pulled the bow off. "It was Dylan's idea."

Chloe just stared at Beca and Beca stood there rocking back and forth. "Um, Merry Christmas?"

"Beca, come in," Dylan said from behind his mother.

"Oh, right, um, yeah," Chloe stuttered out. "Please come in."

Beca picked up the two bags and entered the house. She saw Stacie and Aubrey and smiled at them.

"Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Beca," Stacie said while Aubrey just glared at her.

"Not that I'm not glad to see you," Chloe said. "But, um, why are you here?"

"Well, Dylan and I talked," Beca said. "We've come to an understanding and he promised that he wouldn't glue any more of my clothes to the furniture and I promised him that I would try and win you back."

Chloe turned to look at Dylan who smiled at her and nodded his head.

"I'm really sorry about that note," Beca said. "I was still upset and I knew if Dylan didn't like me, we'd never make it so-"

Chloe shut Beca up by crashing their lips together. Beca dropped the two bags at her side and pulled Chloe closer.

"I've missed you," Chloe said against Beca's lips.

"I've missed you, too," Beca said as she pulled back from the kiss. "I even missed the little brat, too."

"Hey," Chloe said and smacked at Beca's arm.

Beca smiled and kissed Chloe again. "So, does this mean you'll give us another chance? Because I'm all in if you are."

"I'm all in, too," Chloe said quietly and kissed Beca again.

"YES!" Dylan yelled and high-fived Stacie.

"You two did all this?," Aubrey asked.

"Yes, we did," Dylan said and ran over to hug Beca.

"I'm glad you came," Dylan whispered.

"Me, too," Beca whispered back.