It's Comin' on Christmas

A/N - Thanks so much for the alerts, favorites and reviews. I really appreciate it!

Chapter 2

Aubrey sat staring out of her window. It was still cold and gray but the rain had finally tapered off. Her Saturday had passed quietly as usual. She had even avoided going into the office or working from home.

Aubrey had further detailed her list of things to check off and complete before Christmas Eve. But now she was growing antsy in her luxurious apartment.

After spending a day planning and preparing, the blonde felt an intense need to escape the suffocating space that had once been her home. When she and James had first moved in, the apartment had been a sanctuary of sorts for Aubrey. James worked late hours and she was free to decorate and create the home she wanted, desperate to finally have the home and sense of belonging she had never had as a child. Her husband's similarity to her father had quickly surfaced however, and the honeymoon phase had faded.

Aubrey zipped her coat and slipped her gloves on before she stepped out into the chilly December air. The air was cold and her breath billowed in a cloud as she began to make her way down the city streets. She wandered aimlessly until she stumbled upon a festival of sorts.

Aubrey glanced around and found she was unfamiliar with her surroundings. She had wandered far from her upscale neighborhood in her attempt to escape the silence and solitude she found herself in. She started to turn and head for home but the sound of Christmas carols being sung and lights decorating the trees pulled her in.

Silent night…holy night…

The blonde wandered around the cheerful area, dodging a number of children running through. There were people selling hot cocoa and an ice skating rink. They were all happy and some even smiled and nodded in her direction but she barely noticed.

Holy infant so tender and mild…

She paid little attention to the sound of the carolers until a familiar airy tone met Aubrey's ears. Her breathing grew shallow as she made her way through the crowd toward where the group of singers were huddled together, pulled as if by some force, unable to stop herself.

Sleep in heavenly peace…

And there she was. The woman she had walked away from years before. Chloe Beale was smiling and harmonizing with the group of carolers. Aubrey's heart clenched at the sight of two children hanging off of her and singing along. One even had reddish hair. She had no idea what Chloe was doing in New York City. But Aubrey knew she needed to get away from there and quickly. Otherwise, she might not even last until Christmas Eve to complete her plan and she still had so much to do.

She turned on her heel to make her escape but a group of teenagers blocked her path.

"Oh my God, Aubrey, is that you?"

And suddenly the blonde couldn't take another step. She slowly turned and their eyes met. Chloe was just as beautiful as she had ever been. Her eyes were just as mesmerizing if not even more so with the passing of time. But a sadness lingered that was haunting. Aubrey swallowed thickly as she tried to calm her nerves.

"Chloe."

The redhead rushed forward then and threw herself at her long lost friend. Aubrey stood stiffly as Chloe engulfed her in a tight embrace. "Aubrey…my God, it's so good to see you! I didn't know…what are you even doing here?"

The blonde pulled herself away, albeit reluctantly, and once again met her old friend's gaze. The sight of the two children moving to flank Chloe once again sent her heart sinking into her gut.

"I live here in the city…just out for a walk."

Chloe smiled, not allowing the blonde's icy response to dissuade her. "It's so good to see you, you look great! H-how are you? How've you been?"

Aubrey plastered on a smile. "Great, just great. And yourself?"

"Oh I'm doing great." Chloe replied, still smiling widely. Damn her and her smile. "Haven't lived here in the city long…how long have you been here?"

"A few years." Aubrey replied quickly. "Well, I've got to get going. It was really great to see you Chloe…you look great. And your children are beautiful. Merry Christmas."

With that, the blonde turned on her heel and quickly strode away leaving Chloe staring after her. If Aubrey her the other woman calling after her, she didn't acknowledge it.

xxxx

Aubrey pinched the bridge of her nose and stifled a groan. Her Monday was going as expected for any Monday, only worse. The Anderson contract had fallen through and a new client was hesitating on signing on. She might not be around to see it but she still wanted the law firm to be successful.

After seeing Chloe on Saturday evening, the blonde had been out of sorts and preoccupied with thoughts of her former friend and lover. Just the brief encounter had Aubrey reliving their time together. The ache she felt in her heart had only served to further solidify her plans but even her determination to wrap up her existence couldn't wipe the feelings and thoughts of Chloe away. It was as if time had stopped and Aubrey was the same insecure woman she had been when the redhead had waltzed into her life and convinced her that she deserved to love and be loved in return.

But that was a long time ago. So much had happened and changed in that time. She had believed Chloe once. But no more, she was too tired.

"Aubrey, there's a Chloe Beale here to see you." The blonde was pulled from her reverie at the sound of her assistant announcing her visitor through the intercom. "She said you were expecting her."

Aubrey's breath caught and she felt a familiar churning in her stomach but she swallowed thickly against it. "Did she now." She muttered, her mind reeling with ways to avoid the other woman. But she knew Chloe and she knew there was relatively no chance of getting out of the visit if the redhead was determined to see her. "Fine…send her in."

Aubrey steeled her nerves and squared her shoulders from her spot seated in her leather chair behind her expensive mahogany desk. A few moments later the door opened and Chloe once again stepped into her life. Aubrey remained seated and allowed her eyes to quickly scan the redhead's form.

Chloe couldn't help but feel her nerves beginning to surface at the sight of the other woman. Gone was the warm blonde she had come to know and love in their years at Barden. What remained was a cold figure, gorgeous but icy and impenetrable as she sat in an expansive office in a suit that probably cost more than the redhead's monthly rent. Chloe found herself intimidated by the sight of Aubrey and she came to an abrupt halt under the blonde's intense gaze.

Aubrey narrowed her eyes and felt a small rush of triumph at the sudden flash of uncertainty on her ex's face. She could only think of a handful of times that she had ever seen Chloe less than her confident, exuberant self. Aubrey had been able to silence almost everyone with her cold stare, everyone but Chloe that is. The sight of the shorter woman faltering slightly under her stare quickly turned Aubrey's feeling of pride into one of sorrow for some odd reason. She sighed and motioned for the redhead to take a seat across from the desk.

Chloe smiled, somewhat nervously and dropped into the chair. "Hey Aubrey…thanks for seeing me."

"Did I have a choice?" The taller woman replied flatly. "We both know you wouldn't have left and I can't have a scene here. What can I do for you, why are you here?"

"Oh come on…you didn't think you were going to get away from me that easily did you?" Chloe asked, finally relaxing a bit and smirking at the stoic woman across from her. "No way was I letting you get away again now that I found you. I should have known really…Posen, Banks, & McGee. Of course you'd be the Posen."

"Posen Phillips." Aubrey quickly corrected, her tone still even.

Surprise registered on Chloe's face and she quickly sought out Aubrey's left hand where it was hidden from sight in the blonde's lap. "Oh…congratulations! I didn't realize you're married. That's great Aubrey!"

Aubrey clenched her jaw. "Congratulations to you as well. Your children are beautiful."

Chloe smiled and shook her head. "They are beautiful kids…but they're not mine. I work at a boarding school and some of the kids' parents haven't been able to come get them yet so I took two of them out to the festival the other night. No kids for me."

"Oh." Aubrey replied softly. "I just assumed…so you're a teacher. That's great, seems fitting for you."

The redhead's smile widened and she nodded. "Took a while to figure out what I should do with myself. But Ashley, you remember Ashley from the Bellas, she called me and said the boarding school she worked at was looking for someone to help with their music program. So, I jumped at the chance and here I am, just about to finish out my first semester. I love it!"

Aubrey finally smiled softly. She couldn't help softening slightly as Chloe grew more excited. There was just something about the bubbly redhead she would never be able to resist. "That's great…you're perfect for it. Your kids are lucky to have you."

Chloe blushed and shrugged. "Well what about you? Do you and your husband have any kids?"

And just like that, Aubrey's features hardened once again. She stiffened in her chair and shook her head. "No. We don't have children. We were both far too busy."

"Ah." The redhead replied, immediately sensing the shift in the other woman's mood. "So what does he do-your husband I mean."

"He's a financial planner." Aubrey responded flatly. "Look Chloe…I don't really want to discuss my personal life. I don't have time to catch up right now, it's the busiest time of year. Maybe we can get together some other time…after the holidays perhaps."

Chloe winced and looked as if she had been slapped at the curt dismissal but quickly regained her composure. "Of course, I get it. I'm sorry I just barged in here like this. But I didn't just come for a social call. I need an attorney."

"Oh god, what have you done?" Aubrey questioned with a wary look.

"Hey! What makes you think I've done something?" The redhead replied, a mischievous glint to her eye.

Aubrey quirked a brow, fighting against the feelings Chloe's smirk was causing to surface. "It's you we're talking about here Chloe. You probably got arrested for chaining yourself to some tree that was about to be cut down or for breaking into a laboratory to set the animals being tested on free. So what is it…why is it that you happen to need an attorney?"

Chloe chuckled. "Ok so…one of those things might have happened in the years we've been apart. But no, that's not why I'm here. I also volunteer with a local nonprofit. The building that they've rented and worked out of for years was left to them by some rich old lady but her kid got a lawyer and is contesting it. They're being threatened that they'll have to move out or the rent will almost double and no way can they afford to find another place. They'd have to shut down. They need an attorney to fight for them and show that the lady's will was legit. Or at least to just let them know if they have a chance or not. I was hoping you could help. It's a great organization Aubrey, really great."

The blonde pursed her lips. "What kind of nonprofit?"

"It's a kind of halfway house, shelter." The redhead replied. "They take people in, help them get back on their feet. They even help the residents find jobs and secure decent housing. Unfortunately…they wouldn't be able to pay you much. But it's Christmas…ya know, the time to spread good will and all that. Please Aubrey…"

Aubrey sighed at the hopeful look on Chloe's face. One act of kindness surely couldn't hurt. One final act of kindness before the end. Maybe God would have mercy on her. She didn't have anything else to bank on so she nodded. "Fine. But it has to be done as soon as possible…before Christmas for sure or I can't help."

Chloe's face lit up and jumped to her feet in excitement and clasped her hands in front of her. "That is so great Aubrey! Thank you so much!"

Aubrey's heart skipped a beat. She had forgotten how it felt to make Chloe happy. It felt amazing. But now it also made her heart ache unbearably.

"Ok." Chloe said, taking a seat once again and trying to tame her excitement into a more professional demeanor. Aubrey pushed the previous thoughts from her mind and tried to refocus on the woman in front of her. "I'll get all the paperwork and bring it to you so you can look through it. Or I know, there's a coffee shop just down the street from the building! We could meet there and I can give you all the information you need and then if you have any other questions or anything we can just go right to the building and let you talk to Jim, he runs the place. Oh my God, Aubrey, I can't thank you enough! Is tomorrow night after work ok? You're the best!"

Aubrey found herself agreeing without a second thought. She was a glutton for punishment. "Tomorrow will be fine."

xxxx

Aubrey squared her shoulders and stepped into the small coffee shop. A hand waving from the corner booth quickly caught her attention. Chloe was smiling widely as she beckoned her closer. The blonde swallowed thickly and made her way to the booth.

"Hey Aubrey!"

She nodded in response and settled in across from the shorter woman. "Hey Chloe. So…what do you have for me?"

The redhead frowned slightly as Aubrey jumped right into business. But she quickly smiled again, determined not to let the opportunity to reconnect with her best friend slip away. She had thought about Aubrey countless times in the last few years. They were the best of friends once. Chloe was certain that even though the chance to be more was gone now that Aubrey was married, they could be just as close as they once were. She could live with that as long she was in fact back in her life in some capacity. Chloe ached from how badly she had missed the blonde.

Chloe pulled out the paperwork that she had and passed the folder to Aubrey who immediately began to sort through it all.

After nearly a half an hour of Aubrey reading and jotting notes while Chloe watched silently, the blonde leaned back with a sigh. "This all looks pretty straight forward. The witnesses who attested to the will have also provided affidavits. Everything looks to be on the up and up. I think you all have a pretty solid case."

"Oh my god, that is such good news!" Chloe exclaimed. "Jim will be so relieved! Seriously Aubrey, I don't know how to thank you!"

Aubrey shrugged, uncomfortable with the praise.

"You have to come over for dinner, bring your husband!"

The blonde's eyes widened when Chloe's words registered. "I'm sorry what?"

"Yeah," the redhead continued. "I've actually learned to cook a few things without causing a fire and I want to meet your husband. You have to come!"

Aubrey clenched her fists in her lap and shook her head, obviously uncomfortable. "I don't think so."

"Oh Come on!" Chloe exclaimed. "I need to meet the lucky fella. It's just dinner Aubrey. Please?"

"Chloe…I can't…James and I…we're divorcing. It's a done deal actually, signed the papers last week." Aubrey ended softly. She had no idea what made her tell Chloe about her divorce. She had no intention of letting the other woman close, especially not now with so little time left. There was no point. She intended to do her one final good deed, penance of sorts, and fade away with no fuss or attention.

But she had to admit that when Chloe gasped and immediately reached for her hand that Aubrey felt more comforted than she had in all her years of marriage.

"Shit Aubrey!" the redhead cried. "I'm so sorry! I should have known when you barely said two words about him…God I'm so stupid sometimes. Are you ok? Fuck, what a dumb question, you're split from your husband, at Christmas no less. Of course you're not ok! God I'm so sorry!"

Aubrey chuckled at her friend's rambling. She couldn't remember the last time she had genuinely smiled, let alone laughed. "I'm ok. It's for the best."

Chloe squeezed her hand and scooted closer in the booth. "Well now you definitely have to come over. I have wine and you are due for a good vent session. I won't take no for an answer…and you know it."

They sat gazing back at the other for a few moments, both lost in their memories. Aubrey finally sighed and nodded. She tried to convince herself that she was only agreeing to meet Chloe because she did in fact know that the shorter woman wouldn't take no for an answer and it was just easier to agree and get it over with. But she knew it was more than that. She wanted to see Chloe again and spend more time with her. Before it was too late.

xxxx

Aubrey found herself genuinely laughing at stories from Chloe's past, particularly the story of how she had indeed been arrested for disturbing the peace and destruction of property when she organized a protest outside of a laboratory. While she hadn't actually tried to set all the animals free, she had blocked all the doors to the facility and spray painted the words 'puppy killers' and 'mice are people too' on the sides of the building.

"You're so lucky they let you off with only a fine!" Aubrey exclaimed around her laughter.

"Oh don't forget the community service!" Chloe replied with a groan. "I scrubbed that building for days! But I'm proud to say that I got the attention of a few other animal advocacy groups and most of those animals have made it out to happy homes."

Aubrey smiled fondly at her former best friend and shook her head. She glanced around at her friend's apartment. It was small, very small. In fact, Aubrey's office was probably more square footage than the entirety of the tiny apartment Chloe called home. But it was cozy. It had a feeling of home unlike the sterile, modern furnishings and décor of her own place.

As much as she had tried to remain distant and aloof, the redhead just had a way of breaking through all of Aubrey's defenses. There was just something about her. That was why when Chloe turned serious and asked her what had gone wrong in her marriage, Aubrey found hiding the truth was the furthest thing from her mind.

"He cheated." She replied without hesitation. "That was kind of the final straw even though we weren't exactly picture perfect before that. My father introduced us…I suppose that should have been my first red flag."

Chloe reached for the blonde's hand and waited patiently for her to continue.

"I don't even know if we ever loved each other." Aubrey said quietly. "We complimented each other and I liked that my father was pleased with the match. But…I don't think there was ever much more than that. He found someone else and the divorce papers are signed. I probably should have taken more from him but…I just don't care. I make more than enough in my own job that I don't need anything from him. I don't want anything from him, especially money."

"That fucking asshole." Chloe hissed. "I hate cheaters. What a fucking idiot!"

Aubrey smirked and took another sip of her wine. "Of course my father said I hadn't done enough to keep James interested. If I had been performing my wifely duties properly he wouldn't have strayed."

"Bullshit!"

The blonde smiled wryly. Chloe was clearly just as fiercely protective of her friends as she had ever been. "So have you kept in touch with anyone…any of the Bellas?" she asked, suddenly eager to change the subject.

Chloe took a deep breath as if to steady herself and quiet her anger. She nodded then and a genuine smile once again formed. "I do keep in touch with quite a few of them. Beca of course. She and Jesse are still together out in LA. He's landed a few jobs scoring short films and a few TV shows. She's doing really well too. Some kid Emily's record that she produced did pretty well on the charts so things look good for them. Amy was in Idaho last I heard. Ashley is here of course, she said hello by the way. I don't think anyone has heard from Lilly, not surprising."

Aubrey laughed again, her momentary jealousy at the mention of Beca slipping away. "Not surprising at all. She's probably a double agent somewhere. And look at you…teaching music at a boarding school and volunteering at a shelter. You haven't changed a bit…you're still an obscenely good person Chloe Beale."

The redhead met her gaze and a sad look crossed her face. "Not really. I try to be a good person, I want to be. But I'm not really. There's a difference between actually being a genuinely good person and wanting to be one. I don't think genuinely good people have to try so hard to be good. Do you have any idea how much I wanted to break every window in that laboratory and get all the animals out and then burn that fucking place to the ground? What good person wants to commit arson? And what good person lets the most important person in their life just disappear when they need them most? I knew your father pressured you into going to law school. I knew it. And instead of supporting you, I let you walk away and I was too stubborn to come after you."

Aubrey felt a shiver shoot down her spine at the fierce look in Chloe's blue eyes. She swallowed thickly. "I…I didn't give you a choice Chloe. I made my own decisions. You're not responsible for that. You're not responsible for me now. And you can't doubt that you're a good person Chloe…you're genuinely the kindest and best person I've ever met."

Chloe's breath hitched and before her brain could catch up to her heart, she leaned forward and captured Aubrey's lips with her own. The universe seemed to tilt and then right itself once again when their lips touched after so many years apart. She reached and cupped the blonde's cheek as she sighed into the kiss.

Aubrey however found she wasn't able to shut her brain off, as much as she might have wanted to. She broke away from the kiss and turned her head slightly. Chloe sighed again and closed her eyes, her forehead still pressed against Aubrey's temple as she tried to rein in her emotions.

"Chloe."

"I'm not sorry." The redhead replied firmly. "I've wanted to do that since the last time we kissed. Every day since. I've missed you Aubrey and I never should have let you go. We were so good together…we can be again. We can-"

"Chloe, I'm going away." Aubrey whispered, tears stinging her eyes. "I have plans."

The redhead turned her face to press a kiss to the palm that had been lifted to gently stroke her cheek. She reached and took Aubrey's hand in her own and brought her fingers to her lips. Her heart sank when the blonde refused to meet her eye. "When are you leaving?"

Aubrey swallowed thickly around the lump in her throat and released a shaky breath. "Christmas Eve night…that's the plan."

Chloe nodded and pulled back slightly but didn't release Aubrey's hand. "Ok. If anyone deserves a vacation, it's you! But you'll be back right? I'm serious Aubrey…When you come back I'm going to be waiting for you right here. And I want to see you before you go, we still have a few days. Please."

The blonde finally lifted her gaze to meet Chloe's. The redhead gently thumbed away a tear that Aubrey hadn't realized was about to escape. Aubrey blinked against the sudden onslaught of tears and let Chloe pull her into her arms.

"I've missed you." She whispered brokenly.

Chloe tightened her hold on the taller woman and pressed a kiss to her head. Aubrey closed her eyes and willed herself to enjoy the comfort. She couldn't put words to just how much she had missed this kind of contact with the other woman. And now that she had it, it was more bitter than sweet. She had made her choice, made her plans. It was for the best.

"I've missed you too." Chloe murmured, her lips still pressed to the blonde's hair. "I'm so sorry life hasn't been kind to you Aubrey. You seem so sad. But I've never stopped loving you and if you'd let me…I want to try to make you happy again."

Aubrey released a shaky breath, a small sob slipping out as well, and separated herself from the redhead's arms. "I think I should go."

Chloe nodded with a sad smile. "Ok. I know I just kind of sprang all this on you. I'm sorry if I took you by surprise. I totally understand if you need some to think about it."

The blonde nodded, already pushing herself to her feet, once again refusing to meet Chloe's eye. She stumbled almost blindly for where her coat was draped over an armchair. She was shrugging it on when Chloe finally spoke again.

"Please Aubrey. I promise I won't put any pressure on you and I shouldn't have come on so strong what with you fresh off a divorce and all but…you know how I get carried away. Please, can I see you again before you leave? I promise I'll behave."

Aubrey turned and finally locked eyes with the redhead standing a few feet away from her. She should just cut her losses and go. She shouldn't let Chloe get any more attached than she already was. She had no desire to hurt the other woman. But if anyone had asked her how she wanted to live out her final days, she would always without a doubt, reply 'with Chloe'. So she nodded before silently turning on her heel and quickly retreating toward the exit.

The door closed between the two women, leaving one smiling with hope and the other fighting tears.