Chapter 11


The Mystic Diner

The events that had happen in the last 24 hours was highly comparable to the apocalypse, or at least for Emily that's what all of it feels like, the end of the world. How ironic that hell even chose the day of her birth to rain fire over them. It was too horrifying that recalling and rationalizing exactly what happened is out of the question. It all happened too fast. One minute she was having the time of her life and then ironically the next minute, running for her life.

If it wasn't for Scott pulling her towards safety she wouldn't even have made it out of Victor Barden alive. They've ran hand in hand, dodging and hiding when needed and defending themselves whenever danger passes them by. The sight of Scott bashing a rock unto a person's head runs around her thoughts until now. The whole scenario of utter chaos and violence sweeping the whole campus was enough to give her nightmares for probably, the rest of her life. It was like something out of their history books, the wars of the medieval times and the bloodshed throughout the years. A part of her doesn't even want to believe all that had happened.

Shutting her eyes closed and tightening her grasp on the hand that has comforted her throughout this whole ordeal, she wills the dark thoughts out of her mind.

"Hey," a deep soothing voice breaks her thoughts as she finally opens her eyes once more to calming green orbs that are now looking at her in concern. Scott, gentle and soft spoken Scott Vanderbilt-Collins, the only one by her side at this moment to place his jacket over her and hold her hand to calm her down.

"It's okay, I'm right here," he assures her as he had for the past few hours.

She looks up at the clock hanging in the 24 hour diner located out of town, obviously it was made for travellers and tourists who drop by anytime. Exhaling heavily, she tries not to let the other worrying thoughts drift back into her head.

"It's been over an hour, Scott. They should've arrived by now," she voices out as she glances out of the diner. The sky was starting to brighten and this means that they would have to move in to that cheap motel up ahead—talk about awkward and oh my holy stars the thought of checking in a motel with her long time crush is enough for her poor heart to comprehend.

"They'll be here, don't worry," he says, words filled with hope but as he glances out as well, she catches the slight drop of that hope in his eyes. Clearly, he was trying his hardest to be strong, for both of them, for her. The action warms her heart.

She was just about to suggest heading to that motel, knowing very well how much of a gentleman he is to even suggest taking her to such place, when a car's headlights attracts Emily's attention immediately.

The vehicle stops in front of the diner, next to her Tesla, and for a second Emily suddenly fears it belonged to those murderers but relief washes over her instead when Stacie's face pops out of the side of the vehicle, the spot next to the driver, who happens to be Nick. Her cousins pile out of the car, which she recognizes belongs to Beca—the one of the many she had illegally parked all around the school because as she always says, 'you just never know when shit blows'

Funny, how real that statement would actually be.

Stacie was barging into the diner's door in a second, looking like she was about to flip the entire place until she finds Emily. Letting go of Scott's hand and standing up immediately, she rushes towards the taller Du Pont.

"Stace!" she says before quickly being engulfed into a tight hug, not bothering to hold back her tears. When Jesse, Stella and the twins walk in, they quickly join in on the hug. If there was one thing they—mostly Beca—emphasized in the family, it is protecting each other until the very end. They may tease each other, sometimes even argue and fight but when it goes down to it, they'd do anything for each other.

When they break apart, she looks at each one of her cousins, her smile faltering as she realizes something but before she could point it out, Nate speaks out.

"What is he doing here?" he asks, looking guardedly at Scott who was standing behind.

"He saved my life," she immediately defends, standing in front of her older cousin to stop him from doing anything that would harm the Vanderbilt. "If it wasn't for him… I wouldn't be here right now, breathing," she explains further, emphasizing each word.

Nate looks down at her then back up at Scott again, his features softening as he slowly nods. "Guess, we owe you one then," he admits towards Scott who shakes his head.

"Our bloodline issues don't matter in times like this. We all need to work together to help each other," he says before softly adding, "And Emily is my friend,"

His words has all her cousins looking at him and for once, Emily finally hears the words she had always wished to speak out loud for years. But then no matter how much she wants to dwell on this very touchy subject, there are other pressing matters to discuss.

"Where's Beca? Did she get in the helicopter?" she asks anxiously, searching her cousins' faces for answers. But one look at their downcast eyes and long faces, the answer might not be one which she will like at all.

"Guys?" she tries again before looking at the one person she knows will never lie to her. Stella, her best friend.

The younger Conrad looks at her sadly and guiltily, knowing very well how much Beca meant to her. Beca was like her older sister, sometimes a mentor to her, the one she always looked up to and adored so much. She had idolized the Du Pont heir despite the negative influence they tell her Beca might pass on to her.

"The helicopter never flew," Stella starts to say. "She wouldn't even get in it, no matter what they did to make her leave. She told us to go to the car and drive away after ten minutes or whenever necessary. She specifically said to trust no one else and that she'd follow shortly while she looks for you. We waited but both of you didn't show up. By that time, those killers were everywhere. Last thing we saw was that they burned down our helicopter, along with the others that didn't make it up in the air. Then we got your message and… we don't know where Beca is or if…" she falters, her eyes now glassy as she looks at her older sister for help.

"We are not sure about anything," Stacie says firmly, putting an arm around Emily whose tears started falling down by now. If something happened to Beca then it would ultimately be her fault.

But Stacie was quick to melt away that guilt that is currently starting to eat her alive, "Em, you didn't cause any of this. Those uninvited people did. And you know how strong she is. Beca is a survivor, she's a fighter and those clowns? They are nothing against her!" Stacie says confidently as she looks straight into Emily's eyes.

"For all we know, she could be drinking a bottle of Jack Daniels on top of their dead asses while giving them all the finger and then muttering about how boring they are to play with. I mean, that lazy bum does have psychopathic tendencies sometimes—or at least when you wake her up before midnight," Stacie lightly chuckles, wiping away Emily's tears. The thought is a bit comforting and a light smile finally curves in her own lips.

"Yeah," Jesse adds in. "Remember that time when we went out to shop for kitchen stuff and she totally went to the knife section to stroke each one lovingly like they were her children? Then we spent hours waiting for her because she can't decide which 'baby' to take home? And then she ended up buying ten and we had to drag her away before she could buy more? I mean, Stacie has a point," he voices out, looking far away as he shakes his head at the memory, eliciting a few much needed light laughs from everyone.

Emily allows herself to soak in on the happier thoughts, calming down her worries even for a few minutes. Until another important question pops up once more and this time it suddenly has her nervous.

"So, does this situation mean a… a temporary takeover?" she slowly lets out, remembering all that Beca has told her. It was part of the family protocol after all.

"I believe it is," Nate breathes out, looking at all his cousins before settling his gaze over her. "In the absence of the heir, the position of head temporarily lies unto a blood relative. Amongst our parents, those who have been born from the direct Du Pont line are all cousins, which makes us all potential heirs but," he pauses for a moment. "We can easily figure out who is next if we take into consideration the proper flow of our family tree. What I'm trying to say is, he or she who is the closest blood relative of both Beca's parents gets to be the next rightful heir," he slowly unravels, an information Emily already knows, important information Beca herself told her.

"All our fathers are cousins with Beca's father, so are Louis and Claudia's mother and Dominique's mother while Lorraine's father is also cousins with uncle Darius. The rest are second and third generation cousins. Which then leaves us to… Beca's mother," he carefully presents while all eyes now land towards Emily.

"Aunt Katherine is aunt Robbyn's sister however, she isn't exactly from a Du Pont bloodline. But you, you have both Mitchell and direct Du Pont blood in you, Em," Stacie finishes gently.

"Which makes me next in line," Emily states shakily before looking up at Stacie in panic. "But I don't know how. I-I'm not ready for this! How can I even lead the family? I can't—"

"Shh," the older Conrad hushes her, wrapping her arms around her and rubbing her back to calm her down. "It's alright. Breathe, okay? You're not alone in this. We're all here, we'll do this together, chérie," Stacie whispers in her ear. Emily does what she is told, focusing on her every inhale and exhale.

"Okay, look at me," the older Conrad says releasing her from the hug to cup her face with her hands. "What do you think would Beca do right now if she were here? What do you think she'd say?" Stacie asks and Emily envisions the Du Pont heir coming down to the kitchen grumbling about things that annoy her—usually, the twins or the idiot with blue eyes and red hair—and reaching for her black cup of brewed coffee. She recalls the times they'd all look at Beca lounging lazily on the sofa for the final decision as she gives all of them a bored look.

What would Beca do?

"She'd say we look like zombies and that… even zombies need to eat and sleep first before stumbling forward?" she tries and this earns her a nod.

"That's good! Rest is good. That's exactly what the grumpy otter would say. We can do that first," Stacie says with a warm smile, stopping her from saying more while the others agree, Nate even fondly ruffles her hair.

They were contemplating about staying at the motel nearby or braving the early sunrise and driving further to the next town when another set of headlights shine from outside, causing all of them to take up a defensive stance.

Emily waits with bated breath until the headlights switch off and quickly relaxes when golden blonde hair pops out of the vehicle. Aubrey Posen and what seems like the rest of the Vanderbilts exit out of the car and it's crazy to think that despite all that had happened they still look immaculately fashionable—hair and clothes all properly and neatly styled. Next to Emily, she hears what could be a relieved sigh from Stacie.

"What? It could be worse," the leggy brunette mumbles defensively when Jesse gives her a questioning look.

Something's going on there and Emily hopes to find out what it is after this mess is over. But for now, the Aubrey and Stacie issue had to be put aside.

Aubrey steps in the diner followed by her brother, Arthur and Tom's sister, Claire. Scott was immediately walking over to his cousins and this time the panicked look Emily was wearing a while ago is now evident in his eyes. He glances over to the car his cousins just left while Aubrey slowly shakes her head.

"She's got to be with Tom, right? He brought her with him, right?" she hears him ask repeatedly and this is the first time his composed façade breaks for a bit.

However, the second she looks at the Vanderbilts, Emily realizes exactly what has Scott all worked up.

Chloe.

Chloe whom she had invited to her birthday party tonight, Chloe whom she also considers as a sister. The sweet Chloe who gets her broody cousin to think twice before sighing heavily and tentatively walking back in her room to delicately or better yet, awkwardly, place a blanket over the Vanderbilt sleeping on the sofa—Beca threw it over the redhead at first like she was the plague but thought twice about it again and fixed it properly the second time. Chloe who bought them all blueberry cheesecake—because she says Beca loves blueberry—and helped Stella with her homework—because the twins are useless. The adorable Chloe who somehow fits herself perfectly in their noisy family with her beautiful melodies and lively re-enactments of movies, which she even got Beca to watch. That Chloe, who actually got Beca to supress a smile when she made cookies with chocolate letters written on top of it—which secretly reads 'y r u evil? u need hugs' when aligned properly. Based on the slight curve of Beca's pursed lips before she clears her throat and schools her features back into one without emotion, she most definitely got the secret message.

Yes, that Chloe.

"She said she was going to be out late doing a project which I'm pretty sure is a lie," Aubrey says, now looking at Scott with intensity.

Emily's heart sinks at where this could all lead to. If Beca wasn't here because she was looking for her, Chloe wasn't here because she was at a party, her birthday party, far from her cousins, from Tom, from safety.

"She was with us. I begged her to come to my party," Emily finally blurts out, eyes empty as she looks at the Vanderbilts who all then focus on her.

"What?" Aubrey's sharp tone slices up to the roof as she slowly takes a few steps towards her. Almost instantly, Stacie takes a step in front of her, blocking any possibility of Aubrey inflicting anger upon her. The two females eye each other with intensity and Emily has to admit she has never seen Stacie this serious before. The tension grows heavy with every passing second.

"Move, Stacie," Aubrey says through gritted teeth.

"You don't want to go there, Aubrey," Stacie bites back in a low tone.

Without even a thought, Emily gives in to her urge to break the impending fight and finally steps next to Stacie, a hand on the older girl's arm to convey her silent message. Stacie's body slowly relaxes and a second later she breaks off from the suffocating tension to give her trust on to Emily.

"It's my birthday, I invited her," she finally explains further, trying to stand firm but unconsciously swallowing the growing lump on her throat.

"You've got to be kidding me," Claire comments icily, jaw clenching and a brow arching up at Emily's words. "Why would she go to your party?"

The words were venomous and Emily resists the urge to hide behind Stacie again. She's unofficially the Du Pont heir as of today and Beca, if she were here, would certainly do anything but hide behind someone else's back. Beca always proudly faced things head first despite the general notion that she's the most useless heir. All these years, she may have always stood from the back, silently, but it was because that's how she protects them, always letting them go first so she can see them all, making sure that nobody gets left behind and that all of them are safe. To Emily, that's what a true leader should be. It's what Beca has taught her in case a scenario like this appears and that's exactly what Emily is going to follow.

But then the mere thought of her missing cousin already makes Emily's heart hurt and unconsciously, it takes her back only a few weeks ago when she and Beca were lounging on the upper floor's sofa of their manor.

"What did I tell you about fear, Em?" Beca asks as she swirls her glass of blood. They've gotten to the topic mainly because she and Stella had been binge watching on horror movies with their friends and now the mere thought of being alone in her room or shutting of the lights scares her.

"To face it with everything you got because you can only fight fear with courage?"

"Exactly," Beca says before drinking blood and letting out a pleased sigh at the flavour. She then looks over at her with a serious look in her eyes which Emily can easily recognize. Beca's about to say something important.

"If the time comes that you'd have to face fear on your own in order to protect the family, you'll find it easier to put in mind something you can hold on to, something that… makes you feel safe. It lessens the fear and heightens the need to keep yourself from falling into that dark trap your own mind creates," Beca continues to swirl her drink, gazing into it blankly.

"Death is probably what everybody thinks is the ultimate fear. But I disagree. If death is the price for your loved ones safety? Death only becomes something so small," she adds in a soft tone, almost melancholic. "Losing your loved ones, that, for me, should be the ultimate fear. It's like dying but not being granted death. You continue to breathe, suffering with every intake of air too painful that you just wish you'd stop existing," she whispers, seemingly lost in her own thoughts.

Silence wraps the whole room, her words slowly settling down on her system like cold water pouring down on her. It confuses her for a moment but when it clears up, Emily doesn't think she likes where it's leading. It doesn't help that this isn't the first time Beca has spoken like this.

"Why do you keep telling me all this, Beca? It's like," she pauses for a second to think of the right words. "It's like one day you're not going to be here anymore,"

The Du Pont heir looks up at her once more, this time a small smile forms in her lips, curving on one side. Her swirling stops as she takes another sip.

"We're all going to stop existing one day, that's the truth," she points at her when she says this, emphasizing her words.

"You can never tell, maybe tomorrow or in the next hundred years my time's going to run out and when it happens, it would leave the family in your arms. I trust you'll be such a good heir, even if you deny or doubt it I still believe that you're going to be way better than me. You just have to believe in yourself," she finishes her drink before stepping closer to her.

"Besides, you have something I don't,"

Her words make her frown a bit, her mind thinking of a guess as to what might it be but nothing comes up so she asks. "And what is that?"

"An unbroken heart. Which makes you very powerful. Use it well and take extreme care of it, ma choupette," Beca pats her head gently as she says the adorable endearment she's given her before walking off to, possibly, the forest yet again.

The short memory ends yet it's enough to give her a boost of confidence, even though some part of her still feels unsure and scared. Nevertheless, she stands straight, taking another step towards the Vanderbilts, her chocolate orbs looking back at their icy ones.

"This stupid war between our families is ridiculous and childish. There are a bunch of killers out there who would want nothing but to rip our hearts out and our family rivalry isn't going to stop them from doing that," she spits back at Claire.

"And I invited Chloe because she is my friend and so is Scott," she eyes the Vanderbilt who looks back at her. It doesn't take much to decipher the knowing look he gives her before he nods his head in silent agreement. This small encouragement he gives her fuels the courage deep within her.

She's done hiding what she felt is right all these years.

"Yes, if anything happens to her, I put myself responsible for it. And if it ends up being something I have to carry for the rest of my life then so be it. But right now, we need to survive and fighting like a bunch of little brats is going to get us nowhere near survival," she looks back and forth at her cousins and the Vanderbilts, looking at each of them before settling her eyes unto Aubrey, the likely candidate to be heir during Tom's absence.

"We are going to stay at the motel up ahead. We have an advantage in numbers but if you've got other plans then I'm not going to stop you. The sun is going to be glaring at us real soon so I'd advise you to move fast," she finishes before taking off Scott's jacket and handing it over to him.

He takes it as they share a look, words unspoken hanging at the tip of Emily's tongue but she couldn't say them, not at a time like this. Maybe someday. Maybe when everything goes back to normal. Instead, she steps away towards the door, her cousins following behind her.

She hasn't even gotten in the car when she hears Aubrey call out to her, "Wait,"

Turning around, she looks at the blonde haired Vanderbilt who seemed a little hesitant as she exhales heavily before talking.

"You're right," Aubrey breathes out but no sooner has she spoken those words her brother immediately reacts behind her.

"You can't possibly be serious—"

"Silence, Arthur!" she cuts him off quickly, raising a hand in front of him while Claire rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

"You guys have any better plans?" Aubrey asks her cousins in a tone nobody wants to oppose. "It's a motel with vampires who aren't going to put us in coffins, for real," she points out, emphasizing the last two words. "Or out there in the sun being chased by a bunch of sadistic imbeciles who would definitely put us in coffins, for real!" she glares at her brother then at Claire who both look away.

Silence passes for a moment yet again until Scott breaks it by clearing his throat and heading to their own car.

"Motel it is then," he answers awkwardly.

They all start moving in silence, getting in their own cars to drive to the motel, the Du Ponts leading the way. At this point, Emily knows anything can happen and somewhere in the back of her head she just prays that Beca's right about her leadership skills.

God, she really hope Beca is alive because this… being the heir thing is no joke.

I need you. We need you, Beca.


"I said I'm fine!"

That's what Beca has harshly spat at her yet Chloe could easily tell that it was far from the truth. But the Du Pont was stubborn and no matter how many times she tried to reach out to hold her Beca was quick to pull her arm away from her. It made Chloe feel like she was some virus Beca didn't want to catch and it actually hurts.

Being left behind hurts too

The distance between them is rapidly increasing once more. It's as if she hadn't felt Beca's arms around her an hour ago or felt her heart cradled so preciously to the soft hum the brunette made to the familiar tune of their childhood. For a moment there, it almost gave her hope that maybe things between them would finally be repaired. Sadly, that hope had abruptly left as soon as they started their journey by foot. It left with the Beca who held her tight and made her feel safe.

It left when you walked away eight years ago

It shouldn't really be surprising that Beca's body collapses minutes later but it still had Chloe shouting out her name in concern. Beca had been losing blood since that time she got wounded on her arm and near her hip from the knife's blade. The dark red liquid had constantly been dripping down her fingers and ankles. Unbelievably, it actually got Beca pissed more than concerned because she says it just leaves a trail for their enemies to find them—but their lack of gauze and what not didn't really gave them a choice.

You never gave her a choice

It was a miracle how she even found a cave. Carrying Beca on her back as she almost stumbled and tripped on the uneven terrain for almost half an hour, the sight of shelter, no matter how shabby, was a huge relief. It probably was adrenaline that kept her going. Nevertheless, she got the both of them a place to hide and rest throughout the day. Taking off her jacket, she placed it down the cold ground before laying Beca on it.

Chloe eyes the butterfly knife Beca had kept, the very knife she used to stab the woman straight to her heart, killing her. The object brings a dreadful feeling Chloe tries to escape but can't. Kneeling next to the Du Pont, she reaches for the deadly weapon with shaking hands. There's no time to give in to her traumatic memory right now, Beca needs blood. Chloe's blood.

She needs you now just like she needed you before

Swallowing hard, she slowly presses the blade on to the skin of her wrist. Inhaling air deeply, she finally slices through her own flesh. The stinging pain makes her gasp as she watches dark red liquid trickle down her skin. Lifting, Beca's head slightly, she places her bleeding wrist against the Du Pont's slightly parted lips, letting her blood drip down inside her mouth.

It's the least you can do

There is movement in Beca's shut eyelids, increasing rapidly, a frown appearing in her face. It only takes two seconds until Beca's lips start to move and before Chloe knows it Beca, even with her eyes closed and in the state between consciousness and deliriousness, presses her bleeding wrist harder against her lips, drinking thirstily. The act makes her heart hammer inside her chest, her stomach twist and her breathing shallow. After all, drinking blood between vampires is such an intimate affair and elicits a feeling that is easily tantamount to French kissing and other things. She could already feel the heat rising up in her cheeks and goose bumps forming in her neck. With Beca gripping on her wrist tight and unlikely to let go anytime soon, Chloe leans Beca's back against her own chest, the brunette's head settling against her shoulder before resting her own forehead against the side of the brunette's head. She tightly holds Beca in her arms as a wave of nostalgia hits her. Back to a time when they meant so much to each other and the world seemed like a beautiful place to live in then.

She used to hold you like that

The temperature had dropped drastically by now as snow starts to fall heavily and Chloe was truly tempted to build a fire- she learned it from camp training 101 and was awarded most likely to survive in the wild and other harsh environment scenarios. But then building a fire is like waving a huge neon yellow flag towards their enemies and would certainly get them killed. The scent of smoke alone is enough to give away their whereabouts. So, in the end she does the only alternative to fight off the cold.

Hugging.

She continued to keep Beca close to her. The Du Pont had stopped drinking at some point and is currently in the middle of a deep slumber. Her face now has a bit of colour in it unlike the ghostly pale shade she sported a while ago. Lying on her side with an arm supporting her head, Chloe watches every rise and fall of the brunette's chest, relieved to find her recovering fast.

It may have been almost ten years but Beca's face has retained that youthful look Chloe remembers back then. The only difference was her more defined cheekbones and jaw—and that sinful smirk partnered with that dark seductive look she annoyingly does.

"Don't go,"

A whisper pulls Chloe from her thoughts as she looks back at the sleeping Du Pont. She swore she heard her say something but she wasn't exactly sure what it was. Instinctively, she leans her ear close to the Du Pont, wondering if Beca is finally gaining consciousness and needs something.

"Please, don't," Beca softly murmurs.

Chloe looks over at the Du Pont's face, she remains sleeping yet her eyes underneath her eyelids are moving rapidly indicating that she might be dreaming.

"Beca?" she tries, placing a hand on top of the brunette's arm yet she doesn't get any response. What she gets though is furrowed brows and a slight finger twitch.

"Don't leave me,"

As soon as the words leave the Du Pont's lips, Chloe pauses. A huge wave of memories crash straight towards her, memories she forced to keep locked away deep within her. The memories that she tried so hard to bury down in order to ease her guilt. Yet it seems no matter how much she tries it just keeps coming back, stronger than ever. And tonight, it might as well have blown up from the box she shoved it in.

The box she kept hidden eight years ago.

"Shh! Keep it down! I got you something,"

"You did? I—Oh! Pancakes!" Beca exclaims, eyes widening at the sight of the paper bag filled with food, Chloe had been carrying as she sneaks inside Beca's home, an easy task with how huge the mansion was and Darius Du Pont's presence barely felt. Besides, Chloe basically has the house's blueprint in mind including all the secret or hidden emergency passages. Beca had taught her all of it.

"They're not just pancakes, they're blueberry pancakes. Your favourite!"

"You… made these for me?"

"Yup! Well, when you said that you missed those pancakes your mother used to make I raided our kitchen and made them. I did have help though. Told them I was craving for it so—woah! And here I thought you hated hugging. Uhh… Becs, a-are you crying?" she asks uncertainly as soon as she hears small sniffles.

"You remembered… It's just… I was having the worst day. Thank you, Chloe. Thank you for being here, for being... you. You're… all I have and I guess… that's all I really need," the brunette says in between soft sobs and Chloe feels her arms wrap even tighter around her.

"You're all I need,"

"Becs, what's wrong? Did your father say something again? And please stop crying before I start bawling as well," Chloe asks worriedly, blinking back her own tears as she softly pats the back of Beca's head, hugging her back.

"I don't want to talk about it," Beca answers weakly and Chloe nods her head in understanding.

"Chlo, can you promise me something?" Beca asks, her voice raw and vulnerable.

"Uhm apart from all the million things I promised you we'd do when we go to Victor Barden and places we'd explore together?" Chloe quips back, hoping to earn a smile from her best friend. She is rewarded with a soft chuckle and it brings a smile to her own lips as she begins to sway them both gently in the middle of their hug.

"Yes, but this one's way, way more important,"

"Okay, what is it?"

"Don't ever leave me. Please promise me that, Chlo," Beca breathes out pleadingly, almost desperately.

"Becs," Chloe slightly pulls away from the hug to look at her best friend who is looking down, avoiding Chloe's eyes as she wipes her own tears away from her cheeks.

"Becs," she says once more, tucking the strands of Beca's hair in order for friend to look straight at her.

"I'll always be here, always. And we pinky swore on that already so, you and me? It's forever! I promise," she beams and finally a smile forms on Beca's lips. It's adorable whenever Beca smiles and Chloe loves seeing it because the shy Du Pont rarely does it whenever they are in public.

"So, feel better?" she asks and when Beca replies with a, "A little," Chloe opens her arms excitedly before giving the surprised brunette a big bear hug. The impact was enough to knock Beca off her feet, dragging Chloe down with her as they both fall down the floor next to Beca's bed trying not to laugh too loud unless they want to be caught.

Rolling to Beca's side in order for her best friend to breathe, Chloe grins at the wheezing Du Pont.

"Are you trying to kill me, sunshine?" Beca coughs out while Chloe lets out a giggle, both of them too lazy to get up from their position on the floor.

"Yeah, I'm going to kill you with all my special hugs, midnight," she replies teasingly, poking Beca's cheek while Beca then tries to playfully bite her finger.

"Becs,"

"What now?"

"Feel better?" she asks with a smile as she stares at her best friend who is currently looking up at the ceiling, seemingly deep in thought.

But when Beca looks back at her, Chloe already has a feeling that her 'make Becs feel better' tactic is working.

"Yeah, so much better," Beca says as Chloe tangles her fingers around Beca's. She feels a tight squeeze and it's enough to convince her that the Du Pont really means it.

But what have you done instead?

Chloe pulls herself out of the memory as she finds herself back into the present, Beca's face now calm as Chloe realizes that she was now holding the Du Pont's hand. A tear makes its way down her cheek and without hesitation she inches closer to the sleeping Du Pont. She wraps her arm around Beca, hugging her tightly as she finally cracks, sobs breaking out of her lips.

Burying her head at the crook of Beca's neck, she continues to cry, tears flowing freely as she clings tightly to Beca like she was her lifeline. The beating of Beca's heart, the only thing consoling her and calming her down.

"I won't," she whispers shakily against Beca's ear.

"I'm not leaving, not this time," she swears, the words tumbling out of her lips over and over again like a prayer.

This time, it's for good


A/N:

This my friends is an interesting twist of things. Here we have person C wanting to finally hold on to person B who has literally every intention to keep their distance as long and wide as all the oceans of the world combined. Now, I wonder how this all going to play out. One thing's for sure, the angst in this fic is going to be overflowing. I mean the first fic I did had angst for 12 chapters, and that was a very light story (at least for me) and has a lot of grammatical errors. It only had 15 chapters by the way. So... that's going to be interesting. In addition to that, we also have person E who claims that she is friends with person S and vice versa. But then lingering looks suggest otherwise. Funny. Oh and let's not forget person A and person S (not to be confused with the first person S, this one is the female S) with their very fiery tension and relieved sighs. Tune in next week to "Will they? Won't they?"

Fan: Thank you!

RJRMovieFan: P...robably? Well, the adult Du Ponts and Vanderbilts are actually more civil with each other, given they are much more mature. They tend to just ignore each other and keep their nasty opinions against each other to themselves. Because of course, there's still that feeling of dislike and tension between families deep down due to the intense rivalry they all experienced all through out their childhood up until their teens. They just handle it more maturely than the kids do. Also, Robbyn, Beca's mom isn't born into this rivalry. She was a normal human for most of her life. Which is why she is more comfortable being close and friendly with the Vanderbilts, especially Chloe's parents. So, if there's one person who did really try to change things it's Robbyn. Thank you... for not having any plans of stabbing me and deciding to continue reading. Much appreciated.

Comiiksde: Aww thanks! That's sweet of you. Also, the hashtag is #blueberrykisses. Just kidding! No hashtags.

Yuzu-chi01: M...aybe? There's something mystical and magical in the Winter Forest for sure. Good question about the assassin who killed Beca's mom. We might get to that in the future. Aww that would've been great and that's a really funny story! Loved that. Also, agreeing with the united bloodlines. We just need a legal and binding contract, a house and then probably a baby? Yeah, that could work. As for Staubrey... that elephant is about to enter the party. Nope, that ship won't sink. We all won't let that happen (if we have to force them to re-shoot a Bechloe ending then we fucking will) Yes Deadpool is ma big bro. He's a huge pile of dog poo but I love him. Yeah "No more slips this time"!

Sa0621: Because we are all masochists in the inside and angst makes everything fucking interesting! There I said it. And yes, definitely so much more worth it. That's the author life. We either get love or murder. There's no in between. By the way, is it crazy that I actually figured out that the unnamed guest was you in before reading your second comment?

Parziwolf: Russia is such a sensitive topic and Beca would rather leave it in the dark. I, on the other hand want to shed even a bit of light to the Russia incident just because I want to. And yes, if cookies don't work Chloe is basically a wrecking ball. So, I hope Beca's concrete walls are prepared for that. Yes, stab me. I'm prepared! No, I'm not. Please don't stab me. I'm soft and squishy. I won't survive the attack. Thank you! Well, if this gets published I'll sign your copy and if they turn it into a movie I'll give you free VIP tickets (one for you and your date, *wink wink* she'll be so impressed~)and a large popcorn and drinks of your choice.

Kasia143: Oh no, keep going with all these juicy and scandalous History 101! Oh my god, I love it. It's so cool and absurd at the same time. It's like the past history version of Gossip Girl and Keeping up with the Kardashians combined. Also, keep going with this little jealousy story line. Sassy Chloe seems hot. Kissing Beca in the neck might lead to some other... situations. So, I'm totes okay with this.

Okay, breathe, don't be stressed... just yet. I guess, it's only right I give a warning then.

Warning: Uhh things are going to... get... even... darker... so... fasten your seatbelt?... You've been warned.

Sa0621 doesn't need any more encouragement. We do plan to shake people's worlds with our words. It's a hobby because we are bored with imaginations as vast as the universe and have nothing to do but write it down...and shake worlds. Oh and you'll survive don't worry. You'll fall but there are cottony soft pillows and cute panda or otter plushies down at the bottom. Don't worry, we got you.

Have a happy redchoco day!

kimmania: Thanks for reading! I appreciate it so much.

Abs: Thanks! I try to give all these characters good story lines as much as possible. I just hope I can keep it up until the last word of this fic.

Well, you forgot the unlimited pizza. That, guitar lessons and a laptop then we're good. :) :) :)

Thank you to everyone who favorited, followed and commented/reviewed Midnight Sunshine! I love and appreciate all of it. See ya next week. Until then just keep being awesome and don't forget to hug your loved ones.