Chapter 18
Beca's POV
A few hours later, we're all standing outside a small cottage, not sure what exactly to do. After talking about it for a while, we all decided to take the 2 hour trip to Chloe's grandma's house. I can feel Chloe shaking with nerves beside me and I grab ahold of her hand to calm her. She gives me a grateful smile and focuses her gaze back on the tiny house. I look all around, using my senses to check the perimeter. Her grandma lives a ways from the town and we had to ask around until someone finally knew who we were talking about.
Apparently, her grandma is known as the crazy old lady who lives alone. She almost never goes into town and when she does, it's for a few groceries and then it's back to her isolated cottage.
Chloe's mom is the one to make the move to the front door, rapping her knuckles quickly before backing up. I hear footsteps coming closer and then the door opens to reveal a tiny, pretty old woman. Chloe's grandma has short black hair and kind, but sharp eyes. My gaze focuses on her wardrobe. She has on combat boots, skinny black jeans, and a biker jacket that's zipped all the way up, the collar popped.
"Can I help you?" Her sharp, harsh voice cuts through the air, startling us out of our shocked state.
"Um, yes." Chloe's mom stumbles. "We're looking for Joyce Beale. Is that you?"
"Who wants to know?" Her wrinkly eyes, narrow as she studies us.
"It's me. Laura Beale." Joyce's eyes widen in surprise.
"What are you doing here?"
"We just have a few questions. If-"
"Why would I answer any of your questions?" Joyce yells. "You didn't even tell me when my son died until it was too late to go to the funeral."
"Mom?" Chloe gasps. "Is this true?" Ms. Beale looks over at Chloe and I with tears in her eyes.
"Yes, but only because I couldn't bear to go through his stuff and he never told me where she lived. I know it's not an excuse but I'm sorry Joyce." All is silent while Joyce studies Ms. Beale until her eyes suddenly soften.
"It's okay. I understand you loved my son with all your heart and as much as it hurt me when he died, I can't imagine how it was for you."
"Thank you," Ms. Beale whispers before wiping her eyes and composing herself. "I believe you've never met your granddaughter, Chloe." Joyce brings her gaze to the younger redhead.
"She looks just like you," Joyce laughs and steps out onto the porch, getting a closer look at Chloe. "Except for those eyes. Those are all your father's. You get it from me, you know?"
"I didn't until now," Chloe laughs. Sure enough, Joyce's eyes are the same crystal blue as Chloe's.
"Yup!" Joyce puts her hands on her hips. "The famous Beale eyes. Charming our way out of trouble since the 1800s." We all laugh at that but I stop when Joyce's gaze is turned onto me.
"Now, who are you?" Her eyes flicker down to where Chloe's hand is still grasping mine. I attempt to pull away, but Chloe just holds on tighter.
"This is my girlfriend, Beca." Joyce stares me down before turning back to Chloe. I stare at Chloe, shocked. We hadn't defined what we were just yet and I was waiting for Chloe to say something. I guess she did now, just not in the way I was expecting.
"Right on," Joyce raises a hand which Chloe high fives with her free one. "You go girl. Getting all the pretty ladies. How long you two been together?"
"Well," Chloe chuckles nervously. "That's a little complicated."
"It actually kind of has something to do with why we're here," my raspy voice joins in and I attempt to clear my throat. It doesn't work and instead, I'm gifted with a cough. Joyce stares at me for a second before going back to her spot in the house.
"Why don't y'all come in? Get some food and some ice cold tea or something in ya?" Ms. Beale nods and we silently follow Joyce into her house. Joyce leads us to the small but comfy living room before taking orders. A few minutes later, we all sit around, Joyce on a wooden stool, Ms. Beale in a armchair, and Chloe and I sitting together on the old couch. I'm sipping the iced tea that Joyce gave me, trying to help my throat some.
"So, what's your question?" Both Chloe and her mom look at me to explain.
"This might sound weird, but do you get visions of some sort?"
"What?" Joyce's easy going manner falls apart, replaced by thick tension.
"Are you a psychic?"
"Is this a joke?"
"No, I assure you. This isn't a joke." I try to sound calm and soothing but my hoarse voice won't do it.
"Why do you want to know? Did someone send you?" Joyce stands up, fists at her sides. My wolf side kicks in, seeing the fists as a threat to Chloe and I stand up. I eye Joyce's movements, calculating any unexpected moves.
"Guys, it's okay. Calm down." Chloe stands up and gets in between Joyce and I. "We want to know because I'm getting visions." This makes Joyce freeze.
"You're not pulling my leg?" Joyce whispers and we all shake our heads. Instantly, Joyce relaxes, sitting back on her stool.
"Beca," Chloe tuggs my hand, pulling me back onto the couch with her. I grab her hand, sending a silent apology to her.
"So, explain how exactly you're getting these visions."
"My dreams," Chloe explains. "I've had two so far that have shown me the future." Joyce looks thoughtful, nodding her head.
"To answer your previous question," she looks at me. "Yes, I am a psychic, though I've never called myself that."
"What do you call yourself?"
"Batshit crazy." Joyce's laughter booms throughout the house, making us all smile and laugh with her.
"So what exactly can you do?" Ms. Beale asks. Joyce just shrugs.
"I've always been able to tell when someone is going to die."
"How?" I speak up, not as shocked as Chloe and her mom.
"All I have to do is touch them for a few seconds. When that happens, I know when, where and how they're going to die."
"Why is every psychic so different?" Chloe wonders.
"No one knows. It seems to have something to do with their ancestors. You have visions in your dreams? My grandma could see the future and the past in her dreams too."
"Will my power change?"
"It seems that as time goes on, the more powerful our line of seers gets. Most likely, your power-with time-will change."
"Did yours?" With Chloe's question, Joyce's expression turns sad.
"Yes. It used to be where I could touch someone and see just a little into their future. I could handle that. One day though, your father fell off his bike and scraped his leg and while I was cleaning it, I saw it. The day he died. I couldn't make sense of it. All I saw was flashes but that didn't freak me out. The feeling did. I knew he died and that scared me more than anything."
"So you became overprotective," Ms. Beale whispers and Joyce nods sadly.
"I didn't mean too but I was just so scared. For years, I monitored every thing he did and was just so strict. Eventually, it wasn't death that caused me to lose him, but my own foolishness. The moment he turned 18, he left and didn't come back until that brief time with Laura. I didn't even know you two got married and had a child." Joyce laughs but it has no humor in it. A tear rolls down her face.
"When I figured out that these visions affected not only me but everyone else around me, I moved out here."
"To be by yourself," I whisper, being able to understand. Moving out to the cabin was for the best, but there were many times I missed the late night talks with Emily. Even working at the radio station took up a lot of my time from friends and Chloe. Joyce nods, sadly.
"Whatever you do," Joyce stands up and grabs Chloe's hands. "Don't let your visions run your life. Maybe someday you'll be able to control them, but don't let that consume you. Make time for loved ones." Joyce gestures to Ms. Beale and then me.
"I won't." Chloe sits up straighter, determination lighting up her eyes. Joyce beams and moves back to her stool.
"Now, how exactly do your dreams work?"
"Before we explain that," Chloe starts cautiously. "You have to tell us where you stand on other supernatural creatures."
"Um, if you're asking if I believe in them, yes. There are seers so why can't there be other things. We're not that special." Joyce chuckles.
"Good because Beca here is a werewolf." Joyce goes silent as she studies me, frowning.
"You're telling me that this tiny girl here is a werewolf?" We all nod and Joyce doubles over laughing. "I have got to see this. Can you shift?"
"I guess." I stand up and head into the hallway before quickly shifting. It's not painful at all which comes as a relief to me. I prance into the living room, startling Joyce so bad, she falls off the stool.
"Damn, you're huge." She stands up and reaches a hand out, brushing my head before jerking back quickly. "It's hard to think that such a little girl could be something this...big." I let out a bark of laughter which only Chloe understands.
"She thinks that's funny," Chloe giggles, oblivious to the confusion written on Joyce's face.
Would you like to explain this to her while I go shift?
Chloe nods and I go over to her, licking the side of her face before going back into the hallway. Quickly, I shift and get dressed. I head into the living room and resume my spot next to Chloe who is explaining everything to Joyce.
"-projects herself into my dreams to help guide me."
"So the dreams aren't about other people? Just you and Beca?"
"So far." Joyce looks at us thoughtfully.
"Hmm. I've never heard of a seer having visions of herself or just one other person. It's like you two are connected on some unknown level. Fascinating."
"So you don't know anything about it either?" Ms. Beale asks and Joyce just shakes her head.
"It just worries me how deeply you two are connected."
"Why?" I sit up straighter, not liking where this is headed.
"Because that kind of dependency isn't necessarily a good thing. It can be destructive and unhealthy."
"Don't say that," Chloe bursts out and I set my hand on her knee. "Look, we came to you for answers. If you don't have any, we're leaving."
"I'm sorry," Joyce raises her hands in up in mock surrender. "I didn't mean to say anything to upset you, but I do want to help. Actually, I think I have something." She mumbles a "be right back" and goes into the hall for several minutes. When she comes back, she has an old looking box in her arms.
"These are some journals from my grandma. You can just take them with you, if you like."
"Thank you," Chloe grabs the box from her. Ms. Beale stands up, going beside Chloe.
"It's getting late and we should head back."
"Of course. You guys should come around more often. It was fun getting to finally meet you." Joyce hugs Chloe but sends an apology look at Ms. Beale.
"Seers can't tell another seers future and I don't really want to see your death. It was torture enough to see my son's."
"I understand," Ms. Beale nods and heads to the front door.
"Beca, can I talk to you for a second?" Joyce calls out and I look at Chloe.
"I'll meet you out there." Chloe gives me an unsure look but kisses me on the cheek and goes outside. I turn toward Joyce.
"What do you need?"
"When I touched you earlier, when you were in your wolf form, I saw your death." I shake my head and turn toward the door.
"I don't want to know."
"But Beca," Joyce grabs my hand. "You need to know. It's about Chloe." That gets my attention.
"What about her?"
"I don't want to cause you any unhappiness, but you need to stay away from her."
"Why?" I blanch just thinking about a life without Chloe.
"She's going to be the one to kill you." I just stare at Joyce, not quite believing her. "It's not very clear about why but it shows her killing you."
"Chloe wouldn't do that without a good reason."
"A good reason for killing you? You must be insane."
"No," I smile. "I'm in love. If Chloe is meant to kill me, than that's going to happen. There's no reason for me to try and stop it. I'll just make myself miserable." Joyce stares at me before pulling me into a hug. I go stiff, only used to getting ones from Chloe.
"Sorry," Joyce pulls away. "I just...it was nice meeting you before-"
"Before I die," I finish for her. Joyce just looks at me sadly, tears streaming down her face and I smile. "It's okay."
With that, I leave the house, hearing Joyce sob from behind the closed door. On the way to the car, I think about what she just told me. Chloe will be the death of me, literally. How am I supposed to feel about that? Because I feel nothing. No fear or worry, just love for Chloe. She waves at me, smiling, from the car and I softly wave back.
If being with Chloe kills me, than so be it.