Title: I Belong With You, You Belong With Me
Author: heartsmash
Rating: M, for later chapters.
Disclaimer: I don't own these wonderful characters written by Kay Cannon and brought to life by Jason Moore.
Summary: Companion piece to "You're My Sweetheart." Jesse and Beca are apart for summer and this time around it's Beca's turn to meet the family. Named for another lyric from "Ho Hey" by The Lumineers.
Chapter Three
Jesse drove them into town and they pulled up to a place called Southside's Bar and Grill. The place certainly did seem popular with people just as happily exiting the place as they were entering.
He took her hand once they got out of the car and she had to stop herself from smiling too wide. It's amazing how much his mood had improved since her arrival. Jesse seemed nothing like the boy that had been on Skype weeks earlier.
Beca had changed into jeans and a simple black tank top, hoping that his friends were not into high fashion as that simply was not her. But Jesse had complimented how she looked before they had left so she felt okay with her choice.
Southside's was pretty dark when they entered so it took a minute for Beca's eyes to adjust. But it didn't take much to realize that the hostess was too excited at Jesse's appearance.
"Jesse!" the blonde said and threw her arms around Jesse, effectively separating the couple's linked hands as his arms went around the blonde as well.
Jesse said hello to her and Beca quickly learned that the girl's name was Molly.
Molly Adams was beyond perfect and it left Beca feeling extremely disgruntled. Of course Jesse had to have that perfect blonde haired, blue eyed girl next-door friend who had most definitely gone onto Yale or Princeton and was now back in their hometown for summer to continue being perfect. It irritated Beca beyond belief.
She might have run a brush through her hair had she known that this is what grew in Maryland.
After Molly released Jesse from their hug, Jesse introduced Beca to her.
"Molly, this is my girlfriend Beca. She's visiting me from Connecticut."
Beca felt inadequate next to her 5'7" goddess. Blonde hair that laid perfect down her back, perfectly tanned skin and black hostess clothes that complimented her huge boobs.
"Oh wow, I got to school at Yale - what a small world. I love it up there, don't you?"
Jesus Christ, was this girl for real? And although she didn't want to make this girl an enemy, was this girl really talking about where she was from in the first five minutes of meeting?
"Love it. The twinset selection is to die for." Beca responded sardonically. Although she had meant to play nice, it was all too much dealing with Miss Baltimore Crabs at the current moment. This, she had not signed up for.
"Hey you, we better find your friends or they will disown you," Beca said hoping to move the couple along and away from Blondie. Jesse took the hint and said goodbye to Molly, guiding her around the hostess stand to find his friends.
"You were…friendly," Jesse stated as he looked for Harrison and Chris.
Beca huffed at his statement."Did you honestly expect me not to act like that? What is she…ex-girlfriend?"
"Not an ex-girlfriend, we went to prom together."
"Even better," Beca replied "She has an unresolved thing for you. It's obvious."
"What? No way."
Males were so oblivious. Beca knew it was best to drop the subject. Discussing the apparent crush that Molly Adams still retained for her boyfriend could be saved for a later date.
Finally, Harrison and Chris were found at a table for four and they both took Beca in with appreciative glances.
"The enigmatic Beca. So you exist," the one with floppy brown hair and blue eyes stated.
"We were starting to think this one was dating his hand," the other one joked.
"I'm real as could be boys," Beca replied introducing herself to the two of them. Chris was the one who had immediately brought up hers and Jesse's sex life but she quickly found that it was a part of his charm and he had not meant to be malicious. Harrison had seemed like a pretty boy but he seemed like he was a true friend to Jesse.
The four chatted around dinner, Chris definitely taking the award for most food consumed in a meal ever in Beca's eyes. Jesse seemed so carefree with the two other boys that Beca was definitively happy that she had convinced him not to cancel his plans.
"Folks, Friday night karaoke is open for business," a middle aged man said into a microphone. Beca saw that a makeshift stage that at one point had been bathed in darkness was now lit up with several books of song choices available and a monitor to display the lyrics.
Looking at the boys, she could tell that this had been planned and that they knew there was karaoke. And from the look on their faces, it was in her future to be up on that stage.
"You didn't say anything about karaoke," Beca complained. Sure, she sang in front of strangers as a member of the Bellas but she had people backing her up. This whole solo adventure, singing along with a machine thing was not ideal.
"And if I had would you still have wanted me to keep my plans?"
"I see your point," she grumbled.
Harrison rubbed his hands together gleefully. "I propose a little competition. Whoever receives the most applause does not have to kick in any money for the meal."
"Child's play," Beca responded instantaneously, her competitive side taking over. If there was one thing that she didn't back down from, it was a bet. "I say we up the ante a little bit. Boys versus girl, opponent picks the song to be performed."
"Interesting," Chris said, "I'm down. Should make this more interesting."
"Are we playing nice or with fire?" Jesse asked his girlfriend, and Beca only smiled devilishly.
"We shall see," she responded.
After a coin toss, it was decided that the boys would perform first. The group poured over songs available. Beca deliberated thoughtfully, chewing on her thumbnail.
Before long, the boys were on stage and the music began to play.
"You are my fire, the one, desire. Believe, when I say I want it that way," Harrison sang and Beca was pleasantly surprised by how well he sang. If she had to guess, Jesse and Harrison were probably friends from musical theater or something equally terrible. But it was cute the way all three of them played off each other on stage.
"But we, are two worlds apart, can't reach to your heart, when you say, that I want it that way ," Jesse sang pointing straight at her. She dropped her head into her hands and stifled a giggle. She definitely could've gone for something incredibly difficult like Busta Rhymes, but Beca had played nice.
Plus, there was something about her boyfriend singing boy band music that always did something to her insides. The patrons of Southside's ate up everything that the boys did on the stage and Chris made sure that Beca was aware of how loud the applause was when they got off the stage.
"Best of luck mi'lady," Chris said, saluting her. Beca sauntered up the stage and took the microphone that she was handed. As the introduction page to the song showed up, she glowered at the boys.
"Alanis Morissette, really guys?" Beca said into the microphone so that they could hear her loud and clear.
"Angry white female sings about relationships…figured it was appropriate," Harrison called back, hands cupped over his mouth to amplify his words.
With a smirk, Beca began the song. It was weird getting into it but by the time that the chorus came around, she was more comfortable and could hear the audience cheering her on.
"You've already won me over in spite of me and don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet. And don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are. I couldn't help it, it's all your fault," Beca sang.
She had a feeling that even though Harrison had called back to her questioning the song choice for her that Jesse had a strong influence on what she was singing at the moment. It was a public declaration of how much Beca cared for him and funny enough, she didn't care.
By the time she was done, a majority of the action in the restaurant had stopped. Waiters, bus boys and even the owner of the place had stopped to watch her and were cheering as the song wrapped up.
Beca ducked her head in embarrassment. Singing alone was bad enough, having to deal with the applause alone was even worse. Putting the microphone back in the stand, she made a beeline for the table that they had been sitting at.
"I hate you all," Beca muttered. Jesse ignored the statement and pulled her stool closer to his so that he could tuck her under his arm.
"I do believe that you wiped the floor with us," Chris told her, pulling out his wallet and throwing out money to cover the bill. Harrison did the same, bowing to her at the table, which only served to embarrass her more.
"So I can keep her?" Jesse asked his friends, hopefully.
Harrison and Chris conferred between themselves before answering.
"She'll do," Harrison replied as Chris bobbed his head in agreement.
The next morning, after having claimed victory in the karaoke set, Beca sat down to breakfast with Jesse's parents and little sister. His mother, Liza, had gone to extremes in her preparations for the meal. There were eggs, bacon, an Italian frittata, fresh fruit and when the couple had walked in she was at the stove cooking up a big batch of French toast made from Challah bread.
"I'm going to gain ten pounds visiting you," Beca said poking her boyfriend in the stomach. "You better still want me when I'm pudgy."
Jesse placed a noisy kiss on her cheek and his mother cooed at their interaction. Liza asked Christina to set the table and the teenager rolled her eyes but obeyed. Beca went to the girl's side and without a word, took the utensils and napkins from her in order to help. Christina smiled gratefully at her.
"Beca, you're our guest. You should be sitting and relaxing," Liza chided. Beca didn't listen to Jesse's mother instead setting places around the table. Jesse's father, Lenny, joined the crowd and started brewing coffee. Beca could see that she and Jesse's father were going to be fast friends as Chloe put it. He seemed to value the liquid gold as much as she did.
The five sat down to the feast that Mrs. Swanson had gone to a ton of trouble for. Without commenting about her dietary lifestyle as she might have for Sheila, Beca stuck to French toast and fruit.
"So what's on the agenda for the rest of your visit Beca?" Mrs. Swanson asked, serving her husband some eggs.
"It's up to Jesse. I'm not even sure what there is to do in the area."
"Are you joining us at the benefit on Saturday?"
Jesse groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
"Ma, Beca's not into that sort of thing," Jesse said
"What benefit?" Beca asked. She knew was probably walking into a commitment that she couldn't get out of and the thought of wearing a dress and heels didn't sound appealing but she didn't want to stop Jesse from being somewhere with his family or be a terrible guest.
"Well, obviously my son has not gone into a lot of family information but I'll forgive him since I'm sure it was to be private and not for any other reason," Liza said sternly, eyeing her son. "Christina has been in remission from leukemia for nearly six years. Her father and I made a sizable contribution to the children's hospital because she received amazing care. Every year they have a benefit the day after the Fourth for survivors as well donors."
"It's an honor to be both," Jesse's father added, a look of love for his daughter in his eye.
"I'd love to go," Beca told his parents especially knowing that it was for Jesse's younger sister. "Do I get to see you all Sean Connery in a tux?" she asked Jesse softly, for his ears only. He perked up at the James Bond reference.
Apparently his sister's ears as well.
"Are you a movie dork like my brother?" Christina asked, nose wrinkled.
"Only in some ways," Beca responded.
The back door to the house opened into the kitchen and young man who looked remarkably like Jesse entered, a blonde trailing behind him, holding onto his hand.
"Hey family," he greeted and Liza beamed at her eldest, rising to kiss him and the blonde by his side.
"Hello new person," he said to Beca and she could instantaneously see who Jesse had learned his sarcasm from.
"Beca, this is my older brother Parker and his wife Shannon. Guys, this is my girlfriend Beca."
The empty seats and place settings made sense as the two slid in and joined the meal. Beca kind of loved how close this family was, something that she had never had in her life. Even though Parker and Shannon were married and a family of their own in that sense, they still came over for weekend breakfast.
"What's the hot topic?" Parker asked, taking bacon from the plate and pouring coffee simultaneously.
"We were actually telling Beca about the benefit," Christina told her older brother.
"Awesome. So you're going to join us then?"
"That's the plan," Beca answered. Jesse gave her leg and squeeze in thanks.
"Beca, I can go shopping with you if you need. I'm guessing you weren't planning on anything like this for your trip," Shannon offered.
"That'd be great, thanks," Beca responded.
Breakfast continued with conversation and Beca learned a great deal about Jesse's family. His mother was a chiropractor and his father was a neurologist so despite being in the medical field when Christina got diagnosed, they had to put their faith in colleagues. Parker was a lawyer having graduated from law school two years earlier. He had met Shannon on campus as she was finishing her masters in education.
Jesse took her upstairs after breakfast as he told her that he had big plans for her. Beca had desperately craving for some serious alone time with Jesse and clearly he had picked up on her wish.
"Do tell," Beca said, tugging on his belt loops.
"Goof, it's a surprise. Just put on a bathing suit."
"I hate surprises," she grumbled pulling a black bikini out of her bag.
A/N: Thank you for all the lovely reviews! More to come as I continue to write the fourth chapter.
Songs from this chapter were "I Want It That Way" by The Backstreet Boys (shame on you if you didn't know that one) and "Head Over Feet" by Alanis Morissette.
I kind of have pictures in my mind as to who each of the "created" characters looks like. So for your mental picture (if you care), you can look up these actors/actresses for the characters. Liza Swanson is Bellamy Young, Shannon Swanson is Candace Accola, Rob Stewart as Lenny Swanson and Lily Collins as Christina Swanson.