"They didn't have coconut milk, babe. Is almond okay?"

"Mmm hmm." Chloe nodded, scrolling through her phone.

Beca set down the coffees and sat opposite to Chloe on a sofa-like chair. Chloe placed her phone on the table and traded it for her coffee as Beca took off her headphones and placed them in her satchel, not wanting Chloe to think she was being rude by wearing them.

It was two days before Christmas and Chloe had grabbed a last-minute flight to Orlando (perfectly understanding why her parents wouldn't be paying this time around). Beca, who was set to remain in Atlanta, would've preferred to tag along and join the Beales in their celebrations. Better yet, they could've jumped on a plane to Portland to visit Beca's mom and her side of the family, but Chloe had promised her dad that she'd be with them.

"This wasn't how I imagined our date." Chloe pouted. "I thought we'd be going some place romantic, not sitting in an airport waiting for my flight."

"You don't think having lunch in an overpriced airport Starbucks is romantic?" Beca chuckled.

"It's not overpriced. Our coffees were like, $5.99."

"And you're telling me nearly six dollars for twelve ounces of coffee isn't overpriced?"

"Ooh, look at you memorising its weight." Chloe teased, taking a quick sip of her drink and returning it to the tray. "Do you know the coffee-to-milk ratio as well?"

"Dude, I was a Starbucks barista when I was seventeen. I know these things better than my philosophy course."

"Really? You never said."

"Didn't think I needed to. It's not exactly the highlight of my life."

"Barista Beca sounds so cute." Chloe said dreamily. "I wanna meet her."

"Yeah, how about no? I have bigger aspirations than making coffee."

"Which is ironically what you're doing in your internship." Chloe pointed out with a giggle.

Beca rolled her eyes. "Don't remind me."

"So, do those aspirations include becoming a multi-millionaire, Grammy-winning producer that'll stick two fingers up to your asshat of a boss?"

"Not so concerned about the money or awards. I just wanna make music." Beca said with a shrug. "If I get that successful, sweet. I've made it. I can shove it up Residual Heat's ass. But if I don't, who cares? I've got you, and that's what matters the most."

"Awww, you're so cute." Chloe squealed; even after almost three years of dating, Beca never failed to make her feel fuzzy and warm inside. "I love you."

"Love you more, babe."

Chloe smirked. "No you don't."

"Yes I do."

"Nope. I love you more."

"Fight me, bro."

"So I'm your 'bro' now?" Chloe rose an eyebrow. Her girlfriend's choice of terminology often amused her. "I thought that was Stacie and Jesse."

"They are, but you're my number one bro."

Chloe giggled. "I'm honoured to be at the top of your bro list."

"You should be. It's a highly regarded achievement." Beca picked up her toasted sandwich and chomped on it, strings of cheese sticking to her chin. "Fuck, this is good."

"You're such a sloppy eater." Chloe scolded, trying her hardest not to laugh at Beca's antics. "Why can't you swallow and then speak?"

Beca wiped her face with the back of her sleeve and smirked. "Is that your mantra for when you suck me off?"

"...I am not afraid to throw my sunglasses at you."

"Who wears sunglasses in December?"

Chloe flicked her hair over her shoulder and pushed her sunglasses down, shrouding her sparkling eyes in a tinted darkness. "Me. It's bright in this place."

"Well, at least it's a better weapon than the pen." Beca shrugged, taking another large bite.

"Mmm, true."

"How long until you've gotta go through passport control and all that shit?" Beca mumbled through her chewing.

Chloe checked the time on her phone. "My flight's not until eleven, and it's eight now. So probably in an hour or so. Just to be safe."

Beca nodded and swallowed her food. "So what do we do until I see you off?"

"Sit around? Spend time together?" Chloe said as if it were the most obvious thing.

"So what most normal people would do on a date?"

Chloe picked up her coffee and took another sip. "Yup."

"But we're not normal." Beca pointed out with a chuckle.

"Far from it."

Beca gobbled the last of her toastie and washed it down with her double expresso. She needed all the energy she could get, what with her getting up early to see Chloe off and having their usual fun late last night. Unsurprisingly, Chloe was far more awake and seemed raring to go. She was more of a morning person than Beca ever imagined herself to be.

After finishing their coffees, Beca and Chloe made their way to the waiting area and took their seats, Chloe's bags occupying a third one. Chloe reached for Beca's hand the second she got the chance, and Beca - after a moment of contemplation - decided she'd be nice and accept Chloe's offer.

"Y'know, I'm gonna miss you when you're gone." Beca sang with a coy grin. Whenever she threw in a Cups reference, there was more meaning behind it than most would ever know. That, along with Titanium, were the songs responsible for building the foundations of their relationship.

Chloe giggled and pecked Beca's cheek. "I still don't know how you do the cup-thingy."

"It's a secret."

"And that secret is?"

"It wouldn't be a secret if I told you."

"I can keep it a secret though." Chloe pushed up her sunglasses and winked.

"You're just as good as Amy when it comes to keeping secrets. And by good, I mean god awful."

"You can't tell your girlfriend one teensy, weensy little secret?"

"Nope. Sorry, babe."

"You're a meanie." Chloe pouted, mocking offense.

Beca smirked and softly stroked Chloe's hand with the pad of her thumb. "A proud meanie."

Chloe rested her head on Beca's shoulder, allowing her hair to spill in loose waves down the brunette's arm and bosom. Beca continued to stroke Chloe's hand and tilted her head to peck Chloe's cheek.

"Cos' I know you're gonna miss me when I'm gone." Chloe sang with a whisper, her voice as smooth as silk.

"And you're gonna miss me, right?" Beca mumbled against Chloe's face as Chloe gently shifted her hand away.

"Totes." Chloe traced the pattern of Beca's grasshopper tattoo. "But are you gonna miss me when I get up to go to the bathroom?"

"And when will that be?"

"Now."

"I'd rather come with you." Beca wiggled her eyebrows. "Get it, come?"

"Such a perv." Chloe shook her head and pressed a kiss against Beca's cheek. "Take care of my stuff, okay?"

"As if I'd end up getting it stolen."

Chloe stood up and walked off with a purposeful sway of her hips. God, Beca was really going to miss her. Each time they were miles apart, it felt like an eternity. Neither could go less than twenty-four hours without texting at least fifty times, or having long, loving conversations on the phone.

Chloe's absence could be overwhelming. Beca supposed it showed how vital Chloe had became in her life, just as she was an essential in Chloe's. They were the final pieces of the jigsaw that completed the puzzle, the halves to a locket. Or, more appropriately, the Yin to each other's Yang, and vice versa.

Chloe kept her sane and grounded, but Beca knew that if she lost her, there was no telling what would happen. She knew that if Yang was taken from Ying, the forces would become unbalanced. And that was something she did not dare to dwell on, because she needed her Ying.

"Hey! Becaw!"

Jesse was waving frantically in the distance, catching the attention of several passerbys. It was impossible for him not to stand out. Beca cringed as he skipped over, his oversized backpack bouncing with every step. Countless keychains from his favourite movies dangled from the zips and badges adorned the straps. He looked like a child scout on the search to flog his cookies.

"Oh jeez."

"I thought you were staying in Atlanta for Christmas." Jesse said, smiling goofily. "Why the change of mind?"

"I thought you were staying in Atlanta for Christmas." Beca repeated. She had sworn Jesse said he was spending Christmas at his cousin's place.

"I said I was going to New York about two months ago."

"You were probably annoying me that day, therefore I chose not to listen."

"But I always annoy you." Jesse chuckled, not at all fazed by Beca's brutality. "So, where are you going?"

"Nowhere. I'm seeing Chloe off."

"And where's she going?"

"The fucking moon, Jesse. Where do you think?" Beca groaned in exasperation.

"Well she's from Florida, right?" Jesse asked dumbly. Beca rolled her eyes. "I take that as a yes. So she's going there?"

"Congratulations, you've won the million dollar prize."

"Hey, Jesse." Chloe perked as she approached the duo, a small bag of opened M&Ms in her grasp. Her hand flew into the bag and she popped a couple in her mouth.

Beca pointed to the candy. "Dude, not vegan."

"My period is coming and I'm craving." Chloe stated, turning to Jesse. "When's your flight to New York?"

"In about..." Jesse checked his watch. "Three hours. Whoa, and you remembered. I'm impressed. You're a far better listener than my so called 'bro' over here."

"She doesn't listen to me half the time either."

"I do too." Beca insisted, frowning at Chloe. "I just have a low attention span. And nobody's is lower than Stacie's whenever she doesn't have a controller in her hand."

"Excuses, excuses." Jesse wiggled his forefinger. "Stacie's a genius, she's allowed to have a low attention span."

Beca scoffed. "Who said?"

"She did."

"So you automatically believe her?"

"Uh...yes?"

"And this just proves you're an idiot."

"Beca, don't be mean to him." Chloe lightly slapped Beca's arm. "Jesse's such a sweetheart."

"Why thank you." Jesse grinned. "Hey Becaw, why can't you be more like your girlfriend?"

"Because no. I don't do smiles and rainbows and stupid chick flicks. No offense, Chlo."

"Now how could I possibly be offended by you resorting me to three select things?" Chloe said with an incredible sarcasm that staggered Jesse.

"Wow, this one's really rubbing off on you, huh?"

As Chloe was about to reply, an announcement blared out through the intercom. "Flight AA1223 to Orlando International Airport will be ready for take-off in approximately one hour."

Chloe's ears pricked up at the mention of her destination. "Oh, sounds like I better get going. It could take up to half an hour to get through those x-rays machines."

"Yeah, uh...right." Beca forced a smile.

Jesse gave her a quick hug, knowing Beca would want more time to say goodbye. "Safe journey, Chloe."

"You too. Have fun in New York."

"Will do."

As he stepped away, Beca came forwards and wrapped her arms around Chloe's waist. They stood compacted together for a solid five minutes, thumping heartbeats pushed up against each other's chests. Chloe blinked back tears as she felt Beca burrowing down into the depths of her neck and collarbone. Her girlfriend was just so adorable.

"I'll call you as soon as I land." Chloe slowly combed her fingers through Beca's brunette tresses. "You know it's not a long flight."

"Do you have to go?" Beca murmured into Chloe's shoulder. "I want you to stay. We can have lots of Christmas and New Year's sex instead of you using that piece of plastic shit for a week."

Chloe nuzzled Beca's hair and inhaled the familiar scent of tea tree. "I'm only gone for nine days, Becs. And when I get back, we can have all the sex we want. In between class and rehearsals, of course."

"Or we could just skip straight into it?"

"Yeah, I don't think so."

"I love...you...so much." Beca pecked Chloe's lips over and over, never wanting to stop.

Chloe finalized their pecking with a lengthier kiss and titled her head to nuzzle Beca's nose. "I love you, too. I'll be back in nine days, okay?"

Beca nuzzled back. "Yeah, nine days."

Chloe smiled and shifted out of Beca's embrace. She pushed down her sunglasses, grabbed the handle of her small suitcase and blew Beca a kiss as she walked in the direction of a sign saying 'passport control', Beca pretended to catch it and gave a small wave, watching Chloe disappear into a sea of travellers.

Beca looked to the ground once her girlfriend completely out of sight. "Nine days..." She mumbled to herself. "Nine long ass days..."

She felt a familiar touch on her shoulder and glanced up at Jesse, who looked at her with mild concern. "You okay, Bec?"

Beca sighed. "It's hard, Jess. I hate being away from her."

"Then why didn't you go with? These internal flights aren't expensive."

"I already spent Thanksgiving with her family. My dad would've got pissed if I ditched him again."

"You would've ditched him three years ago."

"That was before I started going out with Chloe. She's changed me, man."

Jesse's smile faltered. "Well, I...wish I would know what that feels like."

As annoying as Jesse could be, he had been there for Beca since day one, months before she and Chloe had fallen for each other. And though Beca often found herself mocking Jesse, she knew her limit. She was forever grateful for his loyalty and would always be there to offer her support.

"Hey, you'll find your girl." Beca patted his back. "Who wouldn't love an idiot like you?"

"Thanks." Jesse sighed, looking as if his puppy had just been ran over. "But it just...hurts, y'know? I'm twenty-one and I still haven't had my first kiss. Maybe I'm born to be a loser."

"Maybe, but being a loser doesn't mean a girl won't like you. You've gotta find the one that doesn't give a shit about your weirdness."

"I've tried, but most girls are judgy. No offense."

"Nah, it's cool. You're right. Most girls are judgy, but that's what makes Chloe different. When she found out I had a dick, instead of calling me a freak and running away, never to talk to me again, she asked me to strip off so she could 'inspect it thoroughly.'" Jesse chuckled and rose an eyebrow at Beca. "Okay, bad example, but you get what I mean."

"Yeah, I get you." Jesse seemed to have cheered up. "Find a girl who wants to analyse every part of my dick."

"Aubrey's the type to do that, but she's negative one-thousand on my list of recommendations."

"The infamous Aubrey Posen?" Jesse laughed. "She's hot, but I don't think I'd be able to get with someone like her. She's too...serious. And from the sounds of it, she's more judgy than a judge."

"That was a horrible pun, Swanson."

"You know you're just jealous of my talents."

"And this is why Posen will hate you the second you ask her out. Try pinning after someone else that's more on your level."

"Will do, Mitchell. But when I get back from New York you're helping me. It's part of the bro code."

"Since when did we have a 'bro code?''"

"I'm writing it in here as we speak." Jesse tapped against his head. "Gotta pre-plan it."

Beca shook her head. "You're such a nerd, man."

On the morning of Christmas Day, Beca took it as an opportunity to sleep in even more so than usual. And since she wasn't set to leave for her dad's until twelve, she had three hours in the Bella house all to herself.

Her eyes still drooping with leftover sleep, she reached across the bed and picked up her phone from the bedside cabinet to check for any messages from Chloe, only to be greeted with over one-hundred on the Bellas' group chat. She groaned and scrolled through them as even more messages were sent her way. Those girls couldn't stop talking.

Fat Amy: MERRY CHRISTMAS, ACA-PITCHES! (It's three o'clock in the fucking morning here, so Christmas has been and gone down under, but eh, who cares?)

Stace: *bitches. (And it's two o'clock in the afternoon here :D)

Fat Amy: Warning, warning, grammar Nazi alert, grammar Nazi alert.

Cynthia-Rose: Helllllll na, that's Aubrey.

The Aca-Dictator: :/

Stace: Merry Christmas, you whores. xxxx

Stace: I'm livin' it up in good ol' Italy.

Legacy: Unfair. And I'm stuck in Chicago. :(

Fat Amy: Be grateful you're not in Georgia like shortstack or in Souuuuuttthhhh Caroliiinnaa like twig blondie. *Attempts to do a Southern accent*

Stace: I'M DEAD!

The Aca-Dictator: *But fails miserably*

Cynthia-Rose: Dayum.

Carrots: Merry Christmas, guys. Hope you all have the bestest of days. Love you all. :) xxx

Fat Amy: Thanks, just had my day. Ate a whole turkey myself.

Jessica: You went to Australia?

Fat Amy: BECAUSE WHERE ELSE WOULD I BE GOING?! (Dumbass).

Beca rolled her eyes and finally decided to intervene. Couldn't the girls talk without saying pointless things? And that didn't just count Amy. Please quit with the spam, guys. My phone's exploding here.

Stace: You and Aubrey need to quit fucking lurking, we all know you're active.

Fat Amy: Holy shit! I have come to the shocking realization that you and Aubrey actually have something in common.

Beca: What.

Stace. *?

Beca: Fuck off, Stacie.

Fat Amy: YOU LURK!

Beca: The only person I regularly text is Chloe. Can't help it if I lurk. And Posen's not lurking.

Stace: If you say so.

Fat Amy: Mmmm hmmmm. ;) well we know all about that 'regular texting' don't we?

Legacy: Oh god.

Beca: K bye.

Beca switched over to her private chat with Chloe and sent her a message. Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal. xxxxxxx

It took a couple of minutes for Chloe to reply. And to you, too. :) xxxx

While she texted Chloe, Beca opened her laptop and loaded one of her mixes in the making. She needed to get it finished within the next week. What did you get? xxx

Clothes, jewellery, all that stuff. You? xxx

Beca balanced her phone on her thigh. Don't know, we open gifts after dinner. One of dad's stupid rules.

Hahaha we've always been so impatient. Me and my brothers aren't little kids anymore but Christmas feels just as magicial. xxxx

Because you believed Santa was real until you were nineteen and Aubrey crushed your dreams?

Please don't remind me. That was so embarrassing.

At least I wasn't there as a witness, because if I was I'd never let you hear the end of it. ;)

And changing the subject, how did you know I was watching Home Alone? xxx

Because I know you. Your Christmas movie agenda is Home Alone followed by The Nightmare Before Christmas, and then the Muppets and Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas because you're weak. :P

Yup. :)

But you secretly liked The Nightmare Before Christmas. xxx

It was decent. Less cringey than the others. But the Halloween/Christmas combo was lame.

Though I won't lie, I thought the Gremlins was some high quality shit.

You only liked the Gremlins because me, Aubrey and Stacie screamed when it got put in the blender. :/

Which I should've recorded. That was pure gold.

Ass.

You know it, babe. ;) by the way, how's your fam?

They're good. You wanna talk to my brothers?

Aren't you watching the movie?

Do you think I'm able to watch anything with Chad rambling on and on?

You sure you're not the one rambling? You do have a big mouth ;) :D :P

You're so dirty minded.

And you're not?

Mehhhhhh. Are you calling or what?

Sure, in a sec. Just need to shut down my laptop. Making a mix for a very special someone. (Sorry it's late :/)

It's okay, don't rush yourself. I look forward to it. :)

Beca switched off her laptop and put it to one side on her bed. She then reloaded her conversation with Chloe and pressed the green button at the top of the thread. It was only a matter of seconds before Chloe picked up.

"Hey, baby!"

"Hey, beautiful. How's your sexy ass doing this fine morning?"

"Good, good. How are-Cory, can you turn down the TV please...? Thank you. Which one of you wants to talk to Beca-oh, okay. Becs, I'm gonna pass you over to Clayton, okay?"

"Okay, hon."

"Hi, Beca." Clayton said after a few moments. "How's life treating you?"

"Things have been decent, but boy am I missing your sister."

"She misses you, too. Why didn't you come with?"

"My dad's side of the fam are round, so I was practically forced to stay. I haven't seen them since Easter last year. And my dad would've got really pissed with me if I decided to ditch them."

"Now that's understandable."

"How's things with you, aside from that undeniable crush on Aubrey?" Beca had been dying to bring the subject up with Clayton when Chloe hadn't been present.

Clayton sighed down the phone and lowered his voice. "...Chloe told you, didn't she?"

"Yeah."

"Now I know you and her don't get on, but I think she's...a breath of fresh air. I respect her honesty and-"

"Her shitty attitude?"

"She's not...that bad-"

"'Not that bad?' So she's allowed to say whatever the fuck she wants to Chloe?" Beca spat. Clayton fell silent. Though he was still on the receiving end, it didn't feel like it. And his lack of response made Beca all the more frustrated with herself as well as Aubrey for not keeping her anger in check. "I'm sorry, Clayton...she just pisses me off."

"It's fine, Chloe told us what she said...and what you said back."

"Really?" Beca said with an element of surprise. "I didn't think she'd wanna talk about that."

"We're always confiding in each other."

"Right, I get you. So what were your brothers' take on things?"

Clayton spoke in an inaudable whisper, making it narrowly impossible for his siblings to overhear. Beca had to really focus on what Clayton was saying, otherwise she too would have next to no clue. "Cory thinks Aubrey's a toxic friend and Chad even compared her to the people that bullied Chloe."

"Well they're not wrong." Cory and Chad had hit the nail on the head; it was exactly how Beca saw Chloe and Aubrey's friendship, even at the best of times. Only, Chloe had never came to that conclusion. Beca doubted she ever would.

"Okay, so what she said was horrible, but there's still a lot of good in her. I know there is."

"That's what Chloe says. But every time Aubrey acts like Her Royal Cuntess, I find that harder to believe. Her apologies are always half-assed."

"How so?"

"Well if she meant it, she wouldn't keep shitting on Chloe." Beca explained irritably. She was on the verge of snapping once more.

"I-I...can we not discuss this anymore? I don't want to get involved and I can tell that you're losing your temper. I'm sorry, you didn't deserve this on Christmas."

"It's my bad for bringing it up." Beca sighed. Clayton was such a gentleman. "Don't blame yourself, dude. If you like her, you like her. Just keep in mind what your bros said, okay? She's much more than a pretty face. Don't hurt yourself over it."

"I understand. Thank you, Beca."

"Don't sweat it. And if you can't find the one at USF, there's loads of senior girls at Barden I could hook you up with. Just shoot me a text and we'll sort something out. Amy's practically friends with everyone, so she'll know someone you'd be interested in."

"Wow, that's amazing. Thank you so much."

"You're-"

"Stop hogging the phone, Clayton! I wanna talk to Beca as well! You keep kissing her ass with all this 'thank you this' and 'thank you that!'"

Though the connection wasn't completely clear, Beca knew exactly who had bombarded their conversation. Only one of Chloe's brothers still spoke as though his voice was debating whether to break or remain painfully high-pitched, and that was a teenaged boy by the name of Chad Beale.

"Fine, you win." Clayton chuckled. "You can talk to her."

After a moment of silence, Chad spoke with his normal enthusiasm. "Hey, Beca!"

"Hey, dude. What's up?"

"The sky."

"Ha. You're a genius."

"I know. So guess what?"

"What?"

"My mom and dad got hold of a season ticket for Magic! Now I don't have to worry about free tickets anymore!"

"That's awesome, man. I bet Chloe's jealous."

"Oh, she's super jelly."

"Taking on her vocab I see."

"Hell no. I wouldn't use 'totes' or some stupid aca pun in a sentence even if you paid me a gazillion dollars."

"Yeah, I don't think so."

"So you know how it's my birthday next month?"

"I didn't, but okay."

"I was thinking it'd be pretty cool if you and Chloe came over to celebrate."

"I hope this doesn't involve us overseeing a party full of drunk ass teenagers."

"How many friends do you think I have?"

"Right. Point taken." Beca knew that feeling fairly well, only her friends in high school were non-existent. Barden had been a life changer in so many ways.

"Mom said we could go to this posh restaurant, and I'm all for it. I know you guys have a lot on your mind, but I'm really close with Chloe. And we're starting to get closer as well, which is awesome. I'd be really happy if you could make it. Y'know, considering you said you'd be coming for the holidays but ended up staying in Atlanta."

"Whoa, I never made any promises. Your mom jumped to conclusions-"

"Beca! Are you there?" Warren called from upstairs.

"What the-dad, what are you doing here?!" Beca looked to her covered crotch and cringed. That was something she'd rather her dad didn't see. It was a completely different scenario prior to puberty. "I thought I was coming to yours!"

"Change of plan. Paige was insistent that you'd join us a little bit earlier."

Beca rolled her eyes; leave it to her half-sister to be her irritating self and tell her father to turn up while she was more or less in the nude. Why she hadn't stayed with their mother and Beca's step-father in Maine was a mystery. But then again, Sheila had always been insistent on taking anything her mother had, and that seemed to include her younger daughter.

"How did you even get in?"

"In case you've forgotten, the Bella house is owned by Barden University. Every place of residence on campus has a master key."

It was the first Beca had heard of it. "That's fucking invasive! You could walk in on me jacking off or having sex with Chloe!"

"...thank you for that image."

"Tell your dad I nearly did." Beca had almost forgotten Chad was still on the line. "Chloe was so gonna suck you off in the yard."

"What can I say, your sister's the master of the mouth. She likes things oral."

"Oh my god, everyone can hear you!" Chloe piped up in the background. "You always think with your dick, Beca!"

Beca's eyes widened at what she presumed Chad had done. "You little shit, did you put me on loud-"

"Chop, chop!" Warren knocked on the wooden handrail. "We haven't got all day!"

"I need to get dressed!" Beca hissed. With the Beales torturing her on one end and her dad on the other, Beca was increasingly panicked and frustrated. "Look, I've gotta go, Chad. Can you tell Chloe I'll call back later?"

"Beca's gonna call back later."

"But she didn't talk to-you're not bothered, Cory? Oh, okay."

"How nice." Despite addressing his brother, Chad kept on talking into the phone. "Oh, and Chlo?"

"Yeah?" Chloe responded.

"Beca said she promises she'll stop thinking with her dick."

"If you're gonna lie about what she's saying, can't you take her off loud speaker first?"

"Yeah, what the future Mrs said."

"Alright, I'll-hey, Swiper no swiping!"

"Bye, Becs." Chloe's voice was evidently clearer. "Is six a good time for you to call?"

"Any time's a good time, babe. If we FaceTime, everyone's able to chat."

"Yeah, I don't know why we didn't do that now."

"Because you said to call. And I'm barely dressed, so."

"Mmm, now that would've been a nice sight." Chloe purred.

Beca bit her lip for a split second, restraining herself from saying anything that was particularly naughty. "Your tits are a nice sight."

She didn't know if Chloe's phone was left on speaker, which risked all three of the Beale brothers from attentively listening to their very sexual discussions, and would rather not have a boner with her dad hot on her tail.

"So are yours, baby."

"I am not afraid to come down there, Beca!"

"Alright!" Beca snapped before calming herself to continue talking with Chloe. Of all the times Warren had to interrupt and it was when their dirty talk had begun to heat up. "I've really gotta go, babe."

"I can hear." Chloe sounded a little disappointed. "Is that your dad?"

"Unfortunately. He's forcing me to be sociable before eleven o'clock and I don't like it."

"Aww, poor you." Chloe teased with a giggle. "That must be so traumatising."

"Wasn't asking for sympathy, but thanks." Beca said dryly. Chloe would never beat her when it came to wit and sarcasm.

"You're welcome. And don't forget, six o'clock."

"I don't forget anything, Beale."

"Mmm hmm."

Beca knew she needed to wrap everything up before Warren actually acted on his threat. "I'll talk to you later, babe. Love you."

"Love you, too. Bye."

"Bye."

Beca hung up and sprung out of bed, casting her phone aside on the comforter. She stripped even quicker than when Chloe wanted her and took out a clean pair of boxer briefs and a bra. Neither matched, but since when did she care? It was impossible anyhow, and Beca had came to terms with it many eons ago.

The wardrobe doors flew open in the blink of an eye and Beca threw on whatever she first grabbed. She found herself wearing a pair of ripped jeans, one of Chloe's oversized varsity hoodies and her trusty leather jacket.

Not even bothering to spare a pasaing glance at her make-up, she grabbed her phone and bolted up the stairs in her heavy boots and almost ran into her dad standing in the doorway, his arms folded.

"Sheila said you always wear the same thing. I thought she was exaggerating, but this," Warren said, geusturing to Beca's attire, "seems to prove her point."

"What, you think I've got one outfit in my closet?" Beca snorted. "With the queen of the mall as my girlfriend, I don't think so. And you were rushing me, dad. Not as if I had time to dress up."

"If I never rushed you, you would've taken your time getting ready. I know what you're like."

"Yeah, yeah. Let's just go, I'm starving." Beca zipped up her phone in her jacket pocket. "Have you got anything for breakfast?"

"A couple of mince pies. Paige suddenly decided to stop believing in Santa, so they'll go to waste otherwise."

Beca pushed open the door. "The kid's eight. Why'd she lose her innocence so quickly?"

Warren shrugged and stepped into the crisp, cool outside. "Ask your mother. She isn't my daughter. Though I have you say, she's a very sweet little girl."

"Like she gives a fuck about your opinion." Beca mumbled, turning around to close the door. Nowadays, she wasn't one to antagonize her father as much as she had done in the past, but they hadn't got off to a fantastic start that morning.

"Sheila adores her." Warren added. Beca wasn't sure whether he heard her or not.

"Shocker." Beca rolled her eyes as she slammed the door shut and locked it, the jingle of her keys surprisingly atmospheric. "Why'd she wanna come and spend Christmas with us, anyway?"

"She wanted to see you. Damian flew her over, stayed overnight and then flew back to Portland." Beca shot him an incredulous look. "I know, it sounds like a truly ridiculous tale. But he seems like a fantastic father. But I don't know if I would've done the same for you." He chuckled half-heartedly.

"Doubt it." Beca walked over to her dad's car, opened the passenger door and climbed in.

If there was one benefit of having to leave at such a ridiculous hour on Christmas Day (which, in Beca's eyes, should've been against the law), it was not having to drive anywhere. Though her dad only lived ten minutes from campus, Beca was feeling especially lazy and could stare out of the window while they cruised along the freeway, Chloe invading her thoughts.