DAY 19 - HOME FOR GOOD?

Prompt from FanFiction User jack19langtry: Could you do a story on Beca in the military coming home to Chloe for Christmas as a surprise gift from the parents or something sweet. I just like military Beca.

"Come on, Beca," Jesse said panting. "Are you trying to kill us."

"Halt!" Beca walked over to Jesse. "Did you say something, Corporal Swanson?"

"We're all tired," Jesse said. "We've been at this for hours. It's time to let everyone take a break, Beca."

Beca got in Jesse's face. "That's Sarge or Sergeant Mitchell to you, Swanson. And don't ever question how I do things again. Do you understand, Corporal?"

"Yes, Sergeant," Jesse spit out.

"Good," Beca said and turned to face her platoon. "Let's head back to base."

The platoon started moving in the direction of their base. Jesse hung back with Beca.

"Seriously, Beca," Jesse said. "What is with you today?"

"What did I just tell you?" Beca put her hand on his arm to stop him. "We are in the field, Jesse, which means you address me as Sarge or Sergeant Mitchell. I don't want to have to remind you again."

Beca turned and jogged off to catch up with the rest of the platoon. She reached the front and had them double-time it back to base.

Jesse shook his head and hurried to catch up with the back of the platoon. One of the privates eased back a bit and looked at Jesse.

"What's up with Sarge?" The private looked forward as he asked. "Is she expecting bad news from the Sergeant Major?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I heard she was ordered to report to the Sergeant Major's office after our hike. Do you think that's why she kept us out here so long?"

"I don't know," Jesse said with a sigh. The two had to quicken their pace to catch up with the platoon.

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

The platoon made it back to the base, and Beca quickly showered and changed into a clean uniform. She let out a breath and knocked on the Sergeant Major's office door.

"Enter," a voice boomed from inside.

Beca opened the door and entered the room. She quickly stood at attention and saluted. "You sent for me, Sergeant Major."

"At ease, Mitchell," the Sergeant Major said as he returned the salute.

Beca stood with her feet apart, and her hands joined behind her back.

"General," the Sergeant Major said causing Beca to furrow her brow.

"Mitchell," a voice said from behind her. Beca looked over her shoulder and saw General Posen standing in the corner. She immediately stood at attention.

"Sir, yes, sir," Beca spit out.

"At ease, Mitchell," General Posen said with a slight chuckle. He moved, so he was standing to Beca's left side. "You took your sweet time getting here."

"We were on a hike, sir," Beca replied.

"For four hours?" General Posen narrowed his eyes at Beca. "I think you were avoiding coming here. Don't worry, Sergeant, it's actually good news. For you."

Beca looked at the General. "Good news, sir?"

"Yes," General Posen said. "You're being transferred."

Beca sucked in a breath. A transfer could mean anything, and not all of them were good. But, the General did say it was good news.

"I've been watching you," General Posen said. "You've proven yourself to be quite valuable in training our enlisted men. You're qualified on the M16A2 and the M4, and you've been a Sergeant for more than a year. You've been enlisted for five years, and you are a Basic Leader Course graduate. These are all the qualifications for you to become a drill instructor. Therefore, we are transferring you to become an instructor at a base in the States."

Beca's breath hitched. She was going home.

"We need a drill instructor at Fort Gillem Army Base in Forest Park, Georgia," General Posen continued. "You report in two weeks."

Beca tried to keep her emotions in check. She would be stationed less than twenty minutes from Atlanta. Less than twenty minutes from Chloe.

"Sir?" Beca looked at General Posen.

"Yes, Sergeant," General Posen responded.

"Is it mandatory that I live on base?"

"I know what you're asking, Sergeant," General Posen said with a smile. "And, you can live in Atlanta. You and Chloe will have all base privileges afforded anyone assigned to the base."

Beca swallowed the lump that came to her throat. "Thank you, sir."

"I suggest you say your goodbyes and pack your gear," the Sergeant Major said. "We're sending you home in three days. The General thought you might like to spend some time with your wife before you have to report for duty. You'll arrive in time to spend Christmas Eve with her."

Beca out an excited, "Seriously?" She then remembered where she was and became the stoic soldier once again. "Thank you, sir."

"Sergeant Major, would you give us the room for a moment?"

"Yes, sir," the Sergeant Major said and saluted before exiting the room.

"Take it easy, Beca," General Posen said, and Beca relaxed. "I've known you for a long time. That's why when I saw the request come across my desk, I thought of you first. You deserve it."

"You don't know what this means to me, sir," Beca said as tears came to her eyes. "Chloe and I haven't spent Christmas together in three years. She's going to be so surprised when I tell her."

"Hold that thought," General Posen said. He pulled out a phone and made a call. "Charlotte?"

Beca's eyes opened wide in surprise. Why was he calling Chloe's mother?

"I understand Chloe's spending Christmas with you in Tampa," General Posen said while looking at Beca. "I have a special surprise for Chloe that I need your help with."

Beca couldn't help the smile that came to her face.

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

"Yes, mom," Chloe said. "I'll be there tomorrow, and we can talk all night if you want." Chloe let out a sigh.

"Are you okay, dear?" Charlotte Beale knew her daughter missed her wife. They hadn't spent Christmas together in three years, and it was beginning to get to Chloe. Christmas was always her favorite holiday, especially when she was spending it with Beca.

"I guess I'm just really missing Beca," Chloe said sadly. "I'm not even sure I'll be able to talk to her this year."

"Don't worry, Chloe," Charlotte said. "You know Beca will do everything in her power to try and call you. I have a feeling you'll be talking to her before you know it."

"I know," Chloe said with a sigh. "It's just not the same as her being here."

"Let's talk about something else," Charlotte said. "Did you get the pajamas I sent for Stacie and Aubrey?"

"Yes," Chloe said with a small laugh. Her mother insisted that anyone who spent Christmas at the Beales had to wear matching pajamas. Chloe laughed harder and said, "Remember the first time I brought Beca home for Christmas? She was so cute when she put them on and tried to act all badass walking around with elves all over her pajamas. I can't believe that was six years ago."

Charlotte laughed as well. "I remember. She'll, she'd love the Charlie Brown ones we're wearing this year."

"A Charlie Brown Christmas was one of the few Christmas shows she would always watch," Chloe said smiling at the memory.

"I remember," Charlotte said. "I can still hear her thanking us for the DVD we sent her the first Christmas we knew she couldn't come home. She sounded like a little kid who got a new bike or something."

"What can I say? My little badass is a real softie at heart." Chloe said with a smile. She let out another small sigh. "I'm sorry, mom. I know you said we should talk about something else, but everything reminds me of Beca."

"I know, sweetie," Charlotte said with a laugh. "And that's fine. When you stop wanting to talk about her, that's when I'll start to worry."

"I love you, mom," Chloe said. "I should go. I need to finish packing, and I promised to meet Aubrey and Stacie for dinner."

"Okay," Charlotte said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

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

"I wish you guys were flying to Tampa with me," Chloe said as she hugged Aubrey at the airport the next day.

"I'm sorry, Chloe," Aubrey said. "Stacie has to work. We will drive down tomorrow and be there in plenty of time to get in on the famous Beale Family Christmas shenanigans."

"Don't forget to pack your Christmas pajamas," Chloe said. "We all have to wear them on Christmas morning."

"They are already in the suitcase," Aubrey said. "I can't thank you and your folks enough for letting me and Stacie crash your Christmas. With both our folks going away, it would have just been us. I can't believe my mom talked my dad into meeting her in Paris to celebrate Christmas and their anniversary."

"I think it's romantic," Chloe said. "And you know you two are always welcome to spend Christmas with the Beales." Chloe checked the time. "I guess I should go. I still have to get through security. Thanks for dropping me off. I'll see you guys tomorrow. Love you."

"Love you, too," Aubrey said as she watched Chloe walk away. As soon as Chloe was out of sight, Aubrey went to her car and drove home.

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

"Hey, babe," Stacie said when Aubrey walked in. "Chloe get off okay?"

"I had to leave her at security," Aubrey said. "She looked so sad when she walked away. I know she misses Beca terribly."

"But, she won't be missing her for long," Stacie said with a big smile. "I'm almost glad my folks are going away for Christmas. I wouldn't want to miss Beca's homecoming for anything."

"I'm really excited to see her, too," Aubrey said. "Chloe's going to hate the fact that we get to see her before she does."

"But just think," Stacie said. "Chloe is going to lose her shit when we show up with Beca tomorrow. She won't care that we saw her first."

"I can't believe my dad and Charlotte planned this whole thing," Aubrey said.

"What time does Beca's flight get in tomorrow?"

"Around eight-thirty," Aubrey said. "We'll pick her up and hit the road. We should get to Tampa sometime between four and five. I'm sure the first thing Beca will want to do is stop and get some real food on the way."

"Are we going straight to the Beales?"

"No," Aubrey said. "We are going to the hotel first. I spoke to Charlotte and the son of a friend of hers, um, Jason, is going to meet us at the hotel. We'll check-in and then go to the Beales. Jason will follow about thirty minutes later with Beca. Charlotte wanted to make it more of a surprise."

"It will be good to see, Beca," Stacie said with a smile. "I miss having the little shit around."

"She's always been a sarcastic, snarky, little pain in my ass," Aubrey said and then smiled. "I miss having the little shit around, too."

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

Stacie and Aubrey wait outside the gate for Beca. Suddenly, they hear clapping start and get louder as more people joined in. They looked over to the gate and saw several men and women in uniform coming towards them. They clapped and cheered with the rest of the crowd while keeping an eye out for one particular soldier.

"There she is!" Stacie was pointing toward the back of the group. "Beca!"

Beca looked up at hearing her name. She smiled when she saw Stacie waving at her. Stacie and Aubrey closed the distance and Beca barely had time to drop her bag before they grabbed her in a sandwich type hug. Beca laughed and hugged the two women back.

"Alright, get off me, you losers," Beca finally said and pulled back from the hug wiping at her eyes.

Aubrey and Stacie had tears in their eyes as well. "Let's go," Aubrey said. "We need to get on the road so we can get you to your wife."

"Yes, ma'am," Beca said and grabbed her bag. "I need to go to baggage claim and get my duffel bag."

The airport was quite the madhouse since it was Christmas Eve. Beca finally got her duffel bag, and they headed for Aubrey's car.

"Can we stop and get some food?" Beca asked.

"Aubrey said that's the first thing you'd want to do," Stacie said with a laugh.

"Can you wait about an hour?" Aubrey asked as she led the way to the car. "I'd like to get out of the city before we stop."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Beca said.

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

About ninety minutes later, the three friends were sitting in a diner having breakfast.

"Wait," Stacie said. "So, you don't have to go back?"

"Nope," Beca said sipping on her coffee. "I'm being transferred to Gillem, and I start in ten days."

"Gillem?" Stacie said. "That's like twenty minutes from Atlanta. Oh, my God, you're actually coming home and not just for Christmas!"

"I thought you knew," Beca said. "When General Posen called Chloe's mom, he told her."

"Charlotte must've wanted it to be a surprise to everyone," Aubrey said. "Or just wanted Chloe to find out before everyone else."

"Yikes," Beca said. "I hope I didn't spoil it for her."

"Chloe doesn't know yet," Aubrey said. "I think you're safe."

"Can we go now?" Beca asked as she stood.

"We have to pay first," Stacie said with a laugh. She got the waitress's attention and asked for the check.

"It's been taken care of," the waitress said causing all three women to stare at her. "My manager paid the check for your table. She has a son deployed to Afghanistan. It's just her way of saying welcome home, soldier."

"Wow," Beca said. "Um, thank you. And thank her for me, too. I, um, I greatly appreciate it."

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

"Mom!" Chloe called from upstairs. "I can't find the tablecloth you wanted."

"It's on a shelf in the attic," Charlotte yelled up to her.

Chloe went to the attic and looked around. She found a few Christmas tablecloths in a clear plastic bag and pulled out the one her mom wanted. She hurried back downstairs with it and helped her mom put it on the dining room table.

"I hope Aubrey and Stacie get here soon," Chloe said. "They said they'd be here in plenty of time for dinner."

"I'm sure they are probably at the hotel freshening up before they come over," Charlotte said.

"I guess," Chloe said. She went to get the dishes and silverware to set the rest of the table.

"We'll need six settings," Charlotte told Chloe.

"Why?" Chloe mentally counted the number of people. "There's only five of us."

"Oh, um, I invited Jason," Charlotte said. "He's visiting his Grandma in the nursing home. I didn't want him eating alone on Christmas Eve in some hotel."

"Oh," Chloe said. "It will be nice to see him."

"I know it will," Charlotte said with a smile.

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

Stacie pulled into the hotel, and the three women got out of the car. They entered the lobby, and a man came up to them.

"Excuse me," the man said. "Are you Beca?" Beca nodded. "I'm Jason. Charlotte sent me to take you to the house."

"Oh, right," Beca said. "It's nice to meet you. Um, this is Stacie and Aubrey."

"It's a pleasure to meet all of you," Jason said.

"Thank you for doing this," Beca said. "I'm sure you have better things to do on Christmas Eve."

"Nothing more important than this," Jason said with a laugh. "I'll be spending the rest of the evening with my grandmother. When she heard what Charlotte was planning as a surprise for Chloe, she ordered me to do whatever Charlotte needed. Charlotte was kind enough to invite us over tomorrow and Grams is excited to meet you. "

"Well, I do appreciate your help," Beca said. "Did Charlotte say how she wanted to do this?"

"Um, yeah, she did," Jason said with a grin.

"Why do I have the feeling I'm not going to like what you say next?"

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

Chloe was making a salad when there was a knock on the door.

"That must be Brey and Stacie," Chloe said as she hurried out of the kitchen to answer the door.

"Brey! Stacie!" Chloe grabbed both women in a hug. "How was the drive?"

Chloe led them inside, and they followed Chloe to the kitchen.

"It was nice," Aubrey said. "Not as many people on the road as I had expected."

"Good," Chloe said.

"Hi, girls," Charlotte said. "I'm so glad you two could be here."

"So are we," Stacie said with a big smile.

"Oh, and my mom invited the son of an old friend of hers. His grandma is in a nursing home here, and he's visiting for Christmas."

"That's nice," Stacie said.

"He should be here shortly," Charlotte said. "Dinner should be ready by the time he gets here."

"Where's dad?" Chloe asked looking around.

"Probably still in his office," Charlotte said. "Would you go get him? I told him there was to be no work over the holidays."

"You know how he is," Chloe said. "He thinks the office will fall apart if he's not there or in constant contact. I'll be right back."

Chloe left to get her father. Charlotte waited until she could hear Chloe knock on the office door before turning to Aubrey and Stacie.

"I take it Chloe's gift arrived without any problems," Charlotte said.

"She did," Aubrey said and smiled. "Although she was a bit hesitant about your plans to get her into the house."

"But, she wanted to see Chloe so she was going to do whatever she had to so she could," Stacie said with a laugh.

"Aubrey, Stacie," Carl Beale said as she came into the kitchen. "It's so good to have you here."

"Hi, Carl," Aubrey said and hugged the man.

"Thanks for having us," Stacie said as she, too, hugged the man.

"Don't be silly," Carl said. "You're family and are always welcome here."

"That's what I told them," Chloe said. "Would you two like something to drink?"

"I'll just have some water for now," Aubrey said.

"Same," Stacie said.

Chloe got their waters and set the glasses in front of them. Charlotte and Chloe continued putting the finishing touches on dinner. Everyone was chatting when the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," Carl said as he got up. "It's probably Jason."

Carl went to the door and opened it to find Jason standing there in front of a big square box wrapped in Christmas paper. Carl leaned toward the box and whispered, "Beca? You okay in there?"

"I'm right here," Beca said from behind Jason.

Carl grabbed her in a hug and held on for a minute. "It's good to see you."

"You, too," Beca said. "I love you but can I please see my wife?"

"You sure can," Carl said and laughed. "Just get in the box. Jason and I will carry you in."

Beca opened the lid of the box and stepped in. She got on her knees and hunched down in the box. Jason closed the lid and secured a bow to the top. Carl and Jason each grabbed a side and carried the box inside and set it down.

"You okay in there, Beca?"

"All good," Beca said. "I'm ready when you are."

Carl stood and yelled, "Chloe! Charlotte! Can you girls come in here."

"Why are you yelling?" Chloe asked as they four women came out of the kitchen. "Jason!"

Chloe ran over and hugged the man. "How are you? How are your folks? And your grandma?"

"They're all good," Jason said.

"I'd like to visit your grandma while I'm here," Chloe said. "If that's okay."

"Your mom invited us to spend Christmas with you all tomorrow," Jason said. "She's looking forward to seeing you."

"That's wonderful," Chloe said with a big smile.

"Chloe."

"I can't remember the last time I saw you," Chloe said.

"Chloe."

"It's been a few years," Chloe said. "Are you seeing any-"

"CHLOE!"

"Dad!" Chloe turned to her father. "You're being rude to our guest."

Aubrey and Stacie were trying to hide their smiles. They could just imagine what Beca was thinking while in the box waiting for Chloe to open her gift.

"Um, I think that gift he's standing next to is for you," Jason said. "It was sitting on the porch when I got here."

"For me?"

"That's what it says," Carl told her. Charlotte moved to stand next to her husband. "That's why I was yelling for you to come out here."

"Open it, Chloe," Aubrey said.

"Shouldn't I wait until tomorrow?"

"NO!" four voices said at once causing Chloe to look at them as if they were all crazy.

"I mean," Carl said with a laugh, "it wouldn't hurt to open it now."

"We always open one gift on Christmas Eve," Charlotte said. "This can be yours."

Chloe walked over to the box. "I wonder who it's from."

"There's a tag on the side," Stacie said pointing it out.

Chloe leaned over to look at and got tears in her eyes. "It's, um, it's from Beca."

"Open it, Chlo," Aubrey said softly.

"Right," Chloe said and ripped off the bow. "Oh, it's got a lid."

Chloe reached down to remove the lid and as she did Beca jumped up. Chloe screamed and jumped back only to propel herself forward when she realized Beca was in the box. Beca grabbed Chloe around the waist and lifted her as Chloe threw her arms around Beca's neck.

Beca could feel Chloe's tears against her neck. "Hey, baby," Beca whispered in Chloe's ear."

"I can't believe your home," Chloe mumbled into Beca's neck.

Beca pulled Chloe back and set her down, so she was standing on her own two feet. She then wiped Chloe's tears with her thumbs and pulled her into a kiss. Chloe tightened her arms around Beca's neck, deepening the kiss.

The two girls pulled back, and Chloe brought her hands to Beca's cheeks.

"How are you here?" She kissed Beca again before Beca could answer.

"Well, that's a long story," Beca said. "I'll tell it to you over dinner."

"I think that's my cue to leave," Jason said. "I'll see you all tomorrow. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," everyone said.

"Thanks for all your help, Jason," Carl said as he walked Jason out.

"My pleasure," Jason said. "I'm glad I was able to be a part of it. I'll see you all tomorrow."

Jason left, and Carl went back to his family. Beca was completely out of the box now, and she and Chloe were just standing there holding each other. Stacie, Aubrey, and Charlotte were standing and watching them with huge smiles on their faces.

"Come on, girls," Carl said. "Let's give them a minute alone."

Stacie, Aubrey, and Charlotte let Carl usher them back into the kitchen.

As soon as they were out of sight, Chloe leaned in and kissed Beca, hard.

"Wow," Beca said when the kiss ended. "Did you miss me or something?"

"More than you will ever know," Chloe said and kissed Beca again.

"I love you," Beca said. "And I've been transferred. I won't be going back to the Middle East."

"Where, um, where will you be stationed?"

"Gellum Army Base," Beca told her and smiled.

"The one near Atlanta?," Chloe asked, and Beca nodded. Tears sprang to Chloe's eyes again. "You'll be home. For good?"

"Yes, I'll be home for good," Beca said. "Merry Christmas, baby."

"Merry Christmas," Chloe said and kissed Beca.

"Girls, come eat," Charlotte said from the kitchen doorway.

Chloe grabbed Beca's hand and led her into the kitchen.

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

Later that night, before they were ready to go to bed, Charlotte handed Beca a package. Beca looked inside and smiled. She hugged Charlotte and kissed Chloe, telling them she'd be right back.

A few minutes later, Beca came downstairs wearing a pair of A Charlie Brown Christmas pajamas that matched the rest of the family.

"I really am home," Beca said as she rejoined her family.