A/N: Hello friends! To all you Staubrey shippers out there I highly recommend going to Youtube a searching for Ground Floor, Locked out of Heaven as it is Anna Camp and Alexis Knapp singing Locked out of Heaven for an episode of Ground Floor. Skylar Astin is in it as well so it's a very funny episode, even though I'm unsure how a show about money brokers has so much singing in it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Louder, On my Own, Pitch Perfect, Love will keep us together or Not Over you. It's a very big chapter with lots of songs, sorry.
A/N2: OK… this chapter does have a big cliffhanger and for that I'm sorry. There is only one chapter left after this one. Don't panic or anything when you read the last line, just trust me. And now… when one relationship goes up, the other comes down. Peace.
Two months after the Ellen show...
My words are wrapped in barbwire
My actions speak for what I can't say
Cuz I fall one step forward
To push you away, push you away
I wish that I could listen
To all the advice that I give away
But it's hard to see things clearly
Through all of the pain, all of the pain
I'm caught in the rain, caught in the rain
Chloe nodded her head and pumped her fist as she sang her song into the microphone in the booth.
And my heart's too drunk to drive
I should stay away from you tonight
But in this blackout state of mind
Baby, all I want is you tonight
When my head tells me "no"
My heart tells me "go"
So I'm hitting in the road cuz I
I know my heart's too drunk to drive
But I'm on my way to you
Yea, I'm on my way
To you, you, to you tonight
I'm on my way to you, you
To you, I'm on my way to you
Chloe smiled in approval at what Beca had done to the music for the chorus. The song was a mix between Broadway, pop and clubs mix. It was almost like Chloe and Beca put their personalities into a blender and this song came out.
Yea, there's a million voices
Screaming that this love's a dead-end road
But the only voice that I hear
Is telling me "go", telling me "go"
The sun is rising sober
While passion fades and I'm on my own
My helpless heart's hung over
I'm all out of hope, all out of hope
Where do we go? Where do we go?
Cuz my heart's too drunk to drive
I should stay away from you tonight
But in this blackout state of mind
Baby, all I want is you tonight
When my head tells me "no"
My heart tells me "go"
So I'm hitting the road cuz I
I know my heart's too drunk to drive
But I'm on my way to you
Yea, I'm on my way
To you, you, to you tonight
I'm on my way to you, you
To you, I'm on my way
And no wise words can stop me
I'm past the point of no return
No matter how it hurts me
I'm running to you, running to you
And my heart's too drunk to drive
I should stay away from you tonight
But in this blackout state of mind
Baby, all I want is you tonight
When my head tells me "no"
My heart tells me "go"
So I'm hitting the road 'cuz I
I know my heart's too drunk to drive
But I'm on my way to you
Yea, I'm on my way
To you, you, to you tonight
I'm on my way to you, you
To you, I'm on my way to you
"How was that?" Chloe asked as the music faded out.
"Yeah it was good," Beca said through the speaker. "When did you write that by the way?"
"Just after we met," Chloe answered.
"What?"
"Yeah, remember? I did my best to stay away from you at first because I thought it was too soon to be in a relationship. It didn't last very long."
"Well I'm glad you lost that fight. OK next song."
"Whoa! Wait!" Chloe exclaimed as she walked out of the booth. "We only did one take. We can't just move straight on to the next song."
"Umm," Beca scratched her neck. "Why wouldn't we? It was a good take."
"Yeah but I think I can do better. Even song on this album needs to be meaningful and special and they all deserve their own moment to shine."
"That's great Chloe but we have been at this for over three months. We usually allow 2 weeks for a full album, a month max."
"So you're sick of me?" Chloe pouted.
Beca rolled her eyes and grabbed Chloe's hand. "I'm not sick of you and I know you are only saying that so that I'll say something nice. Me working with you means that I can't do any other albums."
"That's good."
Beca smirked. "For you it's good. For this studio, not so much."
Chloe rolled her eyes. "This album is going to get this studio more money than you know what to deal with."
"Money isn't the issue. We pride ourselves on helping the smaller, unknown bands."
"So you don't like spending all day with your super hot girlfriend who loves you and thinks you are sexily talented?" Chloe asked.
"There's no right answer for that is there?"
Chloe shook her head.
"I love you Chloe. It would just be nice to finish this album so that we can release it and everyone else can see how great you are."
"We're almost done. Only three songs left."
"Three?" Beca yelled, surprised. "Chloe! One, there is ONE more song left."
"Nope. Three."
Beca groaned and dropped Chloe's hand. "Why do you keep adding songs Chloe? This album will never be finished!"
"Three and that's all, I promise." Chloe turned her typical puppy dog look on and one glance had Beca sighing and giving in.
"Fine. Three but that's all. Have you got the new two on you now? I can work on them while your out with Aubrey."
"I have one of them," Chloe said coyly.
"One? Where is the other?"
"It's a surprise."
Beca groaned again. "Chloe Beale why do you hate me? We have already been through this. Yes I am glad that you are writing songs for me but if you want them on this album then you need to give them to me. I promise I love them all and I am grateful."
"If you keep being like this I'm finding someone else for my third album," Chloe threatened.
"Good! Let someone else deal with your crazy!"
Chloe gasped, comically. "And for that you don't get any new songs! You just think about what you've done," Chloe ordered as she grabbed her bag and moved to the door to go meet Aubrey. She paused to quickly kiss her girlfriend on the cheek as she left. "Love you baby, see you at my place later."
Beca rolled her eyes and shook her head but she couldn't hide her smile. Her and Chloe had been going from strength to strength in their relationship with Chloe even being able to see the humor in Beca's constant complaining and Beca knowing Chloe didn't actually mean any of her scolding. They were open and they communicated. They had even gotten into a routine where Chloe spent one week at Beca's and then Beca spent the next week at Chloe's. They mostly (not including Aubrey) got along with each other's friends. Beca double-checked that the door was locked before she pulled the small velvet box out of her pocket.
"Beca?" Stacie questioned as she walked into her lounge room.
"Hey Stace," Beca replied as she looked up from her laptop.
Stacie looked around her house-well, it was Chloe's but she spent more time there than Chloe at this point. "Where's Chlo?"
"Out with your girlfriend," Beca said with a smirk.
Stacie rolled her eyes and flopped down onto the couch beside the shorter woman. "She's not my girlfriend, we are just friends."
"Yeah well I think you two are being stupid," Beca said honestly.
"Aca-scuse me?" Stacie said as she straightened.
"Please don't you do that too. It's bad enough with Amy and Aubrey saying it in every sentence I really don't need the only one of Chloe's friends that I actually like doing that too."
Stacie raised a perfectly manicured brow, still waiting for the expected explanation.
"Look I get it. You slept with Jesse, she wanted to sleep with Chloe-which if you're being perfectly honest you would do yourself if you had the chance, my girl is hot-so you two are trying to rebuild the friendship before adding a relationship. Guess what? It's been 2 months. The friendship is rebuilt. Now either man up and go get her or stop making her think there's gonna be a chance for the two of you."
"That's harsh," Stacie pointed a long finger, "But effective, thank you."
"Don't mention it. I mean seriously, don't mention it because no one will believe you," Beca somewhat threatened.
"It's a deal if you promise to help me come up with some sort of big gesture to win her back."
Beca scrunched her nose up. "Do I look romantic to you?"
"No but Chloe told me that-"
"Enough! I really need to talk to that girl about what she can and can't share with people. OK fine, I'll help. But why do you want to do some big grand thing? Just go talk to her honestly or whatever, that's what I did with Chloe."
"No. You wrote and sang a song for Chloe, which was so sweet and-"
"Stop."
"The point is that Aubrey and I have never really done anything romantic."
"Sure you have. You took her on that cute-don't tell anyone I said that word-date to the beach."
"The night we broke up?"
"Well sure, that happened, but before that it was great, wasn't it?"
"I think it's because both times we were together we never really had our hearts entirely in it. Hers belonged to Chloe and I was very aware of that during our relationships. This time there is no Chloe-something I expect you to ensure by locking her down very soon-and I owe it to her to prove that I am not only all in but willing to start a fresh."
"OK first, Chloe and I have only been together for three months and second, just sing her something, it's what I did."
Stacie rolled her eyes. "Please. You were ready to give that woman a ring two months ago. And the music thing is kinda just a you and Chloe thing."
"You did that aca-pella thing with Aubrey didn't you? That's how you met right? Why don't you do one of those songs?" Beca decided not to comment on just how right Stacie was. Beca had actually brought a ring the day after their duet on Ellen and had been waiting for some sort of sign from Chloe that she was ready to really fast-forward their relationship but so far the redhead hadn't even wanted to officially move in together even though she'd told Beca on the game night that she wanted that too.
"You do realise aca-pella is a group thing because of the whole lack of instruments? And all the songs we used to sing were either really old or just cheesy as fuck."
Beca held up her hands. "Well I've given you a suggestion, it's not my fault you rejected it. I've reached my mushy quota for the year so I'm just gonna…" Beca pulled her laptop back onto her lap.
"Rude. I guess I'll just talk to Chloe about it tonight. She'll be much more helpful than you."
Beca frowned. "Do you and Chloe have plans tonight?"
"Oh yeah!" Stacie chirped as she stood from the couch. "She's taking me to this small little karaoke bar. It'll be great."
"Why is my girlfriend taking you on a date?" Beca kept frowning.
"You said it yourself-the girl is hot. I'd totally sleep with her." Stacie disappeared quickly into her room, leaving Beca to yell at her closed bedroom door.
"Not funny!"
"What do you think?" Chloe asked as she pulled the changing room curtain open.
"Chloe!" Aubrey gasped as she stepped forward to try and cover her friend's body. "You are a celebrity in public! You don't just walk around in," Aubrey glanced at what her friend was wearing, "Extremely revealing underwear. Why are you wearing extremely revealing underwear?"
"I want to see how many times I can make Beca pass out in one week. I'm doing pretty well so far," Chloe smiled proudly.
"It's Monday."
"It sure is."
Aubrey rubbed her eyes. "I have no clue how she hasn't killed you yet."
Chloe closed the curtain so that she could get changed but continued her conversation with her best friend. "What do you mean? I'm delightful."
"You're like a sex-crazed teenager."
"That's not something that Beca complains about-ever."
Aubrey rolled her eyes. "She is just so grouchy and sarcastic, I'm not sure how she deals with your constant… joy."
"Thank you," Chloe smiled as she pulled the curtain open, dressed properly this time.
"Not a compliment sweetie," Aubrey smiled.
"Beca and I are opposites which makes us work. She is all moody and I'm all bubbly, we even out. Kinda like you and Stacie."
"Chloe," Aubrey sighed. "Don't go there."
"C'mon Bree! You two are my best friends and I want to see you both happy. This weird 'rebuild' thing that you've been doing for the past 2 months was cute at first but now it's old. It's time to just say, 'Hey Stacie, I want you to cum on my face."
Aubrey's face burned red as everyone within hearing distance turned to look at them as they joined the short line to pay. Most people returned to ignoring them but a few men were very obviously still listening in.
"You love her, she loves you. You hurt her, she slept with Jesse. It's all good."
"It's not that simple Chlo."
"Sure it is," Chloe beamed.
"I think I get it now. Beca says her opinions and you just steamroll them with her own," Aubrey snapped.
"Don't be mean, I'm trying to help."
"Well you're not!" Aubrey stormed out of the shop. Chloe found her a few minutes later sitting on a bench outside. Chloe took a seat next to her, carefully placing her bags on the ground.
"Explain it to me Bree. What's holding you back?" Chloe asked softly.
"We have one try left in us. If we get together and it doesn't work out this time then it's done for us, no more relationship, no more friendship. I'm not ready to lose her."
"Bree… I think that means you are ready."
"Did you not hear what I just said?" Aubrey snapped again.
Chloe rolled her eyes; Beca definitely was rubbing off on her-in more ways than one. "You just told me that Stacie means so much to you that you don't want to lose her. To me that means that you a ready to do anything to make a relationship work. You know it's going to be hard and you know that there is no way in hell you want this to fail. Take the risk Aubrey. Stacie'll catch you."
Aubrey nodded. "You're right."
"I usually am."
Now it was Aubrey's turn to roll her eyes. "Any suggestions on how to tell her?"
"Yes! Stacie and I are going to this cute new karaoke bar tonight. You should romantically appear on the stage and sing to her."
Aubrey scrunched her face. "You watch too many romance movies."
"Oh c'mon! Singing is the most romantic thing you can do! Beca wrote a song for me and I always sing to her."
"That's weird Chloe."
"Is not! Trust me, she'll love it."
"Whatever."
"Do you like my shopping baby?" Chloe asked as she walked out of the bathroom and into the bedroom where Beca was sitting on the bed with her trusty laptop.
Beca's eyes widened, her mouth fell open, and her laptop was forgotten when she saw what Chloe was wearing. You'd think after three months together she'd be used to seeing Chloe's body… you'd be wrong.
"Baby?" Chloe asked again to snap Beca out of her lustful haze.
"I," Beca said as she stood up from the bed, "Think you should cancel on Stacie and let me show you just how much I love your shopping."
Chloe smiled and let herself be pulled in by Beca. "Mmm," Chloe breathed against Beca's mouth. "That sounds like a really good idea but something really big is happened tonight so I need to be there."
"What's happening?" Beca asked as she tilted Chloe's head to the side and began to suck on her girlfriend's pulse point.
"Mmm," Chloe moaned again. "It's a secret. But I can guarantee that I'll be home very early."
"You? Leave a karaoke bar early?" Beca spoke after she released Chloe's neck, leaving a very prominent hickey in her wake.
"Well I will have you waiting here for me," Chloe admitted.
"You know, if we moved in together, I would be waiting at home for you every night."
"Naw! I'd love that!" Chloe chirped as she pulled away from Beca and returned to the bathroom to pull on her dress. Chloe glanced in the mirror and noticed a very obvious mark on her neck. "Rebecca Mitchell! You did this purposefully didn't you?" She yelled.
Beca entered the room and leaned against the doorjamb, a smirk on her face. "Babe you do realise that I just asked to move in with you, right?"
Chloe froze and her eyes widened. "When?"
Beca laughed. "Just then. The comment about being waiting for you everyday."
Realisation entered Chloe's eyes. "And what did I say?"
"'I'd love that'," Beca tried to imitate Chloe's cheerful voice but failed. "It's not the first time I've asked either but you seem to misunderstand every time."
"I suck, I'm sorry baby. Yes, I would love to live together. We should start looking for a place."
Beca frowned. "Why not here? I mean I'd offer my apartment but it's tiny and I don't want you to need to deal with Amy and Jesse everyday."
"I love Amy and Jesse, just as I love Stacie and Aubrey. This place was always meant to be a temporary place. Now that LA is a permanent move I need to find a permanent house with my permanent girlfriend. Besides, this place is more of Stacie's than mine. She'll love it. And wouldn't it be nice for us to find a new place together that has everything we both need? An office for you, a pool for me, tonnes of shelves for your records, a massive closest for my clothes."
Beca scratched her neck nervously. "Umm Chlo? That all sounds really great and I want all of that but… I don't really have the bank balance that you do."
Chloe waved a hand. "Don't even mention that, I'll pay."
Beca stiffened. "Are you kidding me Chloe? Is that what you see when you look at me? Some house husband that needs to rely on a weekly allowance from my better-than-me girlfriend?"
"Whoa!" Chloe spun quickly to give Beca her full attention. "I didn't mean it like that!"
"How else could you have meant that Chloe? Everyone has always said that you are too good for me but I never expected you to make me feel like that." Beca turned and stormed out of the room, Chloe hot on her heels.
"Beca wait!" Chloe yelled as they neared the front door.
"What?" Beca yelled back, turning suddenly and almost causing Chloe to run straight into her.
"You are being completely irrational! You said you wanted to live together! You did! You can't just jump down my throat for being honest and telling you what I want! I don't care about how much you make, I don't even know how much you make just as you don't know how much I make. Money isn't a big deal for me and I didn't think that it was for you."
"Exactly! You didn't think! You just come in and decide what you want and that's what happens!" Beca snapped. She knew her words were unfair and not even true. Chloe had been nothing but giving and understanding but Beca was once again looking for the exact words to break Chloe down so that she felt the insecurity that Beca was feeling.
"I'm sorry, I-" Chloe's lips were quivering and she looked a second away from crying. Beca couldn't handle that.
"Oh look! There you go again! You don't get your way so you turn on the water works. Well boo-hoo Chloe. Dry your own tears for once, I'm out." Beca turned and stormed from the house, not slowing until she was closing her apartment door behind herself. For fuck sake Mitchell, she scolded herself, what was that?
Stacie had been in the lounge room waiting for Chloe so that they could leave so she'd heard almost everything. She made her way quickly to the redhead who still seemed frozen at the front door. "You ok sweetie?" She asked as she wrapped an arm around her friend's shoulders.
"Am I really that shallow and selfish?" Chloe asked with big wet eyes.
"No honey, you're not. I think you just triggered something that Beca has been feeling sensitive about. Give her time to cool off and she'll be back with an apology and explanation, I promise."
Chloe focused her eyes on the door. As much as she wanted to believe that Beca would come back when she had cooled off Chloe knew better. Beca wasn't the type to come back with her tail between her legs. Beca had grown so much in such a short time with Chloe. Chloe was actually surprised that it was the brunette pushing for more from their relationship when Chloe had been taking her time to let Beca move at a comfortable pace. Chloe would have married her weeks ago if it was her decision. That all depended on if she could get Beca to accept that they were perfect for each other, that no one was out of anyone's league.
Chloe downed another shot. She was tipsy but she was having fun.
Stacie was watching her with growing concern. "Hey Chloe maybe we should go? We can have a fun night in, maybe have some ice cream, have a good cry, what do you think?"
Chloe rolled her eyes. "Stacie I'm fine, stop worrying. We aren't going anywhere until I get to sing."
"And next up we have… Chloe Beale!" An announcer spoke. "Wait? The Chloe Beale?" The poor man seemed to be having a slight panic attack.
Chloe smiled at Stacie and made her way to the stage. Stacie would try again after the song. Chloe took the microphone from the man with a large smile and a slight push as the man still seemed to be internally freaking out about the fact that Chloe Beale was in their small bar and wanting to sing.
"Hello hipsters," Chloe greeted as she giggled into the microphone. There was some laughter but people mostly seemed excited that they were about to get a free concert from a celebrity. "So I was going to do a song but I couldn't decide which. Do you guys mind if I do something original?"
Now the few people in the bar were on their feet and pushing into the small dance floor with phones at the ready. Stacie groaned and shook her head.
"Oh wow, cool. OK." Chloe plugged her phone into the karaoke speakers and cued the track. "I wrote this song for a special person in my life. I hope that one day she will understand that she is special and she can be anything, all she needs to do is scream a little louder. She isn't here tonight but there is another one of my friends who is also going through a relationship problem so I'm hoping that she will find a message in here for herself. Stacie, may you find your voice." Chloe pressed play.
Come out of the shadow
Step into the light
This could be the moment
Are you ready to fight?
Don't you know, you know
You're not the only one
Why so low, so low
What are you waiting for
All I ever hear are whispers
All I ever hear are whispers
But I just wanna hear your voice
Don't be afraid
Why don't you scream a little louder
Turn it up
I know you can
Come on and scream a little louder
Oh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh,
Why don't you scream a little louder
Oh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh,
Why don't you scream a little louder
Chloe stepped off of the stage and moved through the crowd so that she was standing in front of Stacie who was still at their table and singing the words to her.
Wanna be remembered?
Stand out in the crowd
Don't choke on the fire
It's tryin' to burn you out
Why so low, so low
What are you waiting for
All I ever hear are whispers
All I ever hear are whispers
But I just wanna hear your voice
Don't be afraid
Why don't you scream a little louder
Turn it up
I know you can
Come on and scream a little louder
Oh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh,
Why don't you scream a little louder
Oh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh,
Why don't you scream a little louder
Chloe moved her way back to the stage, the audience parting for her politely and listening with avid attention. She kept her performance simple, not adding any of the usual hip swaying or movements that she normally did for songs, this song, for her, was just about encouraging others, it had nothing to do with herself.
Come out of the shadow
Step into the light
This could be the moment
It could change your life
All I ever hear are whispers
Chloe raised and fist and banged it with the beat of the music that Beca had created, the pounding sounding light a hear beat increasing.
But I just wanna hear your voice
Don't be afraid
Why don't you scream a little louder
Turn it up
I know you can
Come on and scream a little louder
Oh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh,
Why don't you scream a little louder
Turn it up
I know you can
Why don't you scream a little louder
Oh, oh-hoh, oh-hoh,
Why don't you scream a little louder
As the last note played Chloe looked up to see Aubrey standing at the back of the bar.
"I want to thank everyone for being such a great audience but I think I need to go make sure that my girlfriend gets that message. Before I leave though there is someone here who is ready to scream a little louder. Aubrey?"
Stacie's head whipped around as she searched for the blonde, finally finding her as she was making her way to the stage. Chloe happily handed over the microphone and moved to set up the karaoke machine with the song Aubrey had said that she wanted to sing.
"Stacie?" Aubrey spoke into the microphone nervously. "I… umm… listen to the words," she finished lamely.
Chloe gave her thumbs up and pressed play so Aubrey took a deep breath and began to sing.
Dreams, that's where I have to go
To see your beautiful face anymore
I stare at a picture of you and listen to the radio
Hope, hope there's a conversation
We both admit we had it good
But until then it's alienation, I know
That much is understood
And I realize
Aubrey's voice started off rocky but was growing as her confidence built. She hadn't thrown up yet and the crowd wasn't booing.
If you ask me how I'm doing
I would say I'm doing just fine
I would lie and say that you're not on my mind
But I go out and I sit down at a table set for two
And finally I'm forced to face the truth,
No matter what I say I'm not over you, not over you
Aubrey thought of what she felt when she'd seen Stacie in bed with Jesse. She hadn't had a right to be hurt but she was, more than anything. She was still hurting. She wanted Stacie to be hers. She wanted to have a reason to be jealous of every person that spoke to Stacie. She wanted to be the one in bed with Stacie.
Damn, damn girl, you do it well
And I thought you were innocent
Took this heart and put it through hell
But still you're magnificent
I, I'm a boomerang, doesn't matter how you throw me
I turn around and I'm back in the game
Even better than the old me
But I'm not even close without you
If you ask me how I'm doing
I would say I'm doing just fine
I would lie and say that you're not on my mind
But I go out and I sit down at a table set for two
And finally I'm forced to face the truth,
No matter what I say I'm not over you
Aubrey raised her eyes and found Stacie's in the crowd. Stacie was smiling and from here it almost looked like the brunette was crying. Aubrey put all of herself into the words, hoping that the woman of her dreams would understand all she was trying to say when her words had failed.
And if I had the chance to renew
You know there isn't a thing I wouldn't do
I could get back on the right track
But only if you'd be convinced
So until then...
Stacie and Aubrey began moving at the same time, walking to each other across the bar.
If you ask me how I'm doing
I would say I'm doing just fine
I would lie and say that you're not on my mind
But I go out and I sit down at a table set for two
And finally I'm forced to face the truth,
No matter what I say I'm not over you
Not over you
Not over you
Not over you
Aubrey and Stacie reached each other and leaned in as the last note sounded. "I still love you Stacie. Take one last try with me?"
"I'll take as many tries as I need to make you mine forever," Stacie answered as their lips connected, sparking fireworks and passion, the type you only have with kissing your true love.
Chloe watched on with a smile before ducking out of the fire escape and heading to her own true love.
Beca's guilt only grew as she watched Chloe's latest video on her phone and listened to the redhead's words. It had been taken by various people in the audience and posted online immediately. Beca had been watching it on repeat as she tried to think her way out of the mess her insecurity had created. Chloe made it seem so easy, as if just believing in herself more would help, but years of abandonment and self-anger made that impossible.
Beca wasn't the least bit surprised though when the front door to her apartment opened and she glanced up to see Chloe entering holding a bag. Chloe looked at Beca on the couch and raised an accusing finger.
"I am mad at you," Chloe commented. "But I love you, even when you are a complete idiot." With that Chloe closed the front door and walked past Beca and into Beca's bedroom.
Beca's eyes widened when she realized what the redhead was doing. She jumped over the back of the couch to try and beat Chloe but her door slammed and locked before she could. "No Chloe! That's my bedroom!"
"Get used to sharing!" Chloe yelled from the other side of the door.
Beca groaned. "OK fine, I get it, I suck. Just come out so we can talk!"
"No! I'm mad, leave me alone!"
Beca's mouth dropped. "Then why did you come here and lock yourself in MY bedroom."
"Because you're such an idiot that you would think this fight meant we were broken up. I refuse to break up."
"That's kinda a two people decision baby," Beca laughed.
Chloe was silent for a moment. "Go away! You're confusing me."
Beca laughed but moved away from the door anyway. "Great comeback baby!" She yelled over her shoulder.
Jesse rolled his eyes as he walked in a few minutes later and saw Beca flicking through channels on the TV and her bedroom door closed with light peaking out under it. "What stupid thing did you do now?" Jesse asked, correctly assuming that Chloe had locked herself in Beca's room again.
"Dude!" Beca gasped. "You're my best friend, why are you assuming I'm the one that did something wrong?"
"Because he obviously knows you very well!" Chloe added in.
Beca rolled her eyes and indicated for Jesse to follow her into the hallway outside of their apartment.
"What happened?" Jesse asked when Beca closed the door behind them.
"I asked her to move in with me but then yelled at her when she said she wanted a pool."
Jesse laughed before he could help himself.
"Dude!" Beca punched his shoulder harshly, which made him shut up. "She's just… she has everything. She has talent and looks and money and I'm just…" Beca used a hand to herself. "She can do way better than me. I can't even afford to get her a place big enough to hold all of her clothes."
Jesse shook his head. "Chloe doesn't care about that stuff. Just let her pay for the place. I'd love getting a girl that hot, that actually wants to move in with me and start working on a solid future together."
"I want us to be equal Jesse. I want to stand on my own two feet."
"OK. Then get a small place like this that you can afford."
"Chloe doesn't deserve to live in a slum just because she has a poor girlfriend."
Jesse groaned. "And why didn't you think about all this before you asked her to move in with you?"
"I don't know! I'm not really all that practical and I guess I kinda figured we'd just live where she is now."
"You do realize that rent for that place has got to be crazy expensive, right?"
Beca shrugged. "How did my mum ever manage any relationships without money?"
"Maybe you should go ask her?" Jesse suggested.
Beca blinked as she considered it. "That's a great idea Jesse!" Beca opened the door and quickly grabbed her bag. "Chloe!" She yelled to get her girlfriend's attention, "I'm heading out for about an hour but Jesse will be here and I'll be back soon."
Beca's bedroom door opened a crack and Chloe peaked a skeptical face out, wondering if this was a trick to get her to open the door. "Where are you going?"
"It's a surprise but I'll explain everything when I get back if you're ready to talk?" Beca offered.
"Bring me ice cream and I'll see."
"OK baby. I love you."
"Love you too," Chloe said quickly as she closed the door again.
"Thanks Jesse, see you later." Beca headed out the door, on her search for answers and advice.
Stacie and Aubrey strolled along the boardwalk hand in hand, enjoying the feeling of being with each other and so deeply in love. Music reached their ears and they began walking in the direction it was coming from. There were a group of elderly gentlemen playing old-timey songs for the passing lovers on their dates. Stacie had an idea as she recognized the song they were starting. After all, she had never gotten a chance for her to sing at karaoke. She let go of Aubrey's hand and moved over to the nearest man, whispering in his ear to ask for permission to sing with them. He gave a friendly smile and nod and pointed to a microphone that was laying unused in his open guitar case. Stacie winked at Aubrey as she picked it up to sing.
Love, love will keep us together
Think of me, babe, whenever
Some sweet talkin' girl comes along
Singin' his song, don't mess around
You just got to be strong
Just stop, 'cause I really love you
Stop, I'll be thinking of you
Look in my heart
And let love keep us together
Aubrey laughed happily, watching her girlfriend giving the poor old men heart attacks with her unnecessary groping while singing an old classic love song.
You, you belong to me now
Ain't gonna set you free now
When those girls start
Hanging around, talking me down
Hear with your heart and you won't hear a sound
Just stop, 'cause I really love you
Stop, I'll be thinkin' of you
Look in my heart
And let love keep us together, whatever
Stacie tapped her chest and pointed at Aubrey, adding a slow and seductive sway to her hips and moving so that she was standing directly in front of the blonde.
Young and beautiful
Someday your looks will be gone
When the others turn you off
Who'll be turnin' you on
Stacie winked and her hand inched its way around Aubrey's body to pinch her butt, causing Aubrey to gasp and step backwards.
I will, I will, I will
I will, be there to share forever
Love will keep us together
I said it before and I'll say it again
While others pretend
I need you now and I need you then
Just stop, 'cause I really love you
Stop, I'll be thinking of you
Look in my heart
And let love keep us together, whatever
Aubrey could only shake her head and smile as Stacie's dancing began to fill up the empty and open guitar case for the elderly band of men.
I will, I will, I will, I will
You better stop, 'cause I really love you
Stop, I've been thinkin' of you
Look in my heart
And let love keep us together, whatever
I will, I will, I will, I will
Stacie spun and bowed as the crowd that had started applauded her performance. She gave a hug to each of the men in the band and returned their microphone before returning to Aubrey.
"What'd you think?" Stacie asked with a smirk.
Aubrey swallowed. "I think we should head home so I can answer you properly in private."
Beca knocked on the door and waited impatiently. Soon a light flicked on and the door opened to reveal her tired mother wearing a robe and slippers.
"Beca?"
"Hey Ma, can we talk?"
Grace placed a tea in front of her daughter before taking a seat at the table and wrapping her hands around her own cup.
"Thanks," Beca spoke in a soft and nervous voice.
"Are you going to tell me why you showed up here so late or do I need to fake small talk for a bit longer?" Grace said bluntly.
Beca sighed and ran a hand through her messy hair. "It's about Chloe… and money."
Grace nodded and pushed her tea to the side. "And I suppose it's also about you feeling insecure."
"How's you know?"
"Because I know you, my sweet girl, and I knew this conversation would come. So what happened?"
"I asked Chloe to move in with me-I know you probably think it's too soon but-"
"I don't think it's too soon. I adore Chloe. I think she is good for you. The sooner you make things official the better in my book. Every time the phone rings I'm almost worried that it's you calling to tell me you have ruined things with her."
Beca pouted. "Well thanks for that vote of confidence."
Grace gave the trademark family eye roll. "As I said: I know you Beca. But I know Chloe too so I know she won't let your problems chase her away."
Beca laughed. "That's for sure. In fact she let herself into my apartment tonight and locked herself in my room to prove she wasn't going anywhere even though she was pissed at me. And it's not even the first time she's needed to do that."
Grace smiled. "Remind me to bake that girl a cake."
Beca returned the smile before sighing. "So I asked her to move in and she said yes but then she said she wanted a pool and I got mad and yelled at her."
Grace took Beca's silence to mean that it was her turn to speak. "You yelled at Chloe for wanting a pool in LA?"
Beca groaned. "No. I yelled at Chloe because I told her I couldn't afford the fancy house she was describing and she offered to pay for it herself. It's meant to be me and her living together not me just crashing at her place. I have a great job and I love it. I have never wanted or needed anything beyond my means, you taught me that, but how am I supposed to give a girl like that what she deserves when I have nothing."
Grace couldn't stop the tears from escaping her eyes. "I am so sorry dear."
Beca's eyes widened at her mother's reaction and she rushed to grab her mother's hand. "Ma?"
Grace sniffed. "I have worked so hard so that you and your brother could have everything that you need in life. A mother should be able to help her daughter with this. You shouldn't be ruining your relationship because I can't help you pay for a house."
"Ma," Beca shook her head and wiped away her mother's tears, "This isn't your fault. You are a great mother. You've given me and Josh everything we need. And don't worry, Chloe and I are going to sort everything out. You are right about her Ma, she's not going to just leave me because I can't afford some mansion. Chloe loves me and she will be happy living in a small apartment with me until I can afford more." Beca blinked at her own words, realizing how true they were as she used them to comfort her mother. Chloe did love her for exactly who she was. Beca was sure if she went back to her apartment, apologized and explained, then Chloe would be the first to suggest a smaller place that they could afford half each of to start with.
"Chloe shouldn't need to do that and neither should you. I understand and admire you not wanting Chloe to pay your way even though she certainly has the means to do it but it takes a very strong and independent person to say no," Grace complimented.
Beca smiled, "Thanks ma. And thanks for listening and helping but I should get going. I owe someone a bit of an apology."
Grace nodded but an idea quickly entered her mind. "Wait, Beca?"
"Yeah?"
"There's something I want you to have," Grace said as she stood. Beca followed her out of the kitchen and into her bedroom. She fiddled with something at her dressing table for a few minutes before turning and handing a necklace to her daughter. "I want you to take this and sell it."
"Ma-"
"Don't argue with your mother. I had it appraised a few months after your father left when we were struggling. It has been in my family for years and is an antique and the stones are real. It would be enough for half a deposit on a house with a pool with enough left over for a wedding," Grace grinned at the last part.
Beca wanted to argue but she knew her mother wouldn't take no for an answer and she actually really wanted to do this. As a way of thanks Beca pulled out the box still sitting in her pocket and handed it to her mother. "I love her ma."
Grace gasped and covered her mouth with her hand as she opened the box to reveal a very small golden band.
"I know it isn't much but the ring isn't really what matters right? It's the question? That's what the Internet said."
Grace pulled her daughter in for a tight hug. "I am so proud of you and I am so proud of your choice. You make sure to bring her by to see me more often though, our weekly phone calls and Sunday family dinners aren't cutting it anymore."
Beca raised a brow. "You have weekly phone calls with my girlfriend-actually never mind, I'm not really surprised. She basically added herself to Josh's party after a week so weekly phone calls are nothing by comparison."
Grace laughed and handed the ring back. "Alright you need to go and apologize. Tell her to call me once you do, OK?"
"Will do Ma. And thank you."
Beca walked into her apartment baring ice cream to find Chloe and Jesse on the couch watching a movie. Beca didn't say anything as she grabbed Chloe's hand and led her to her bedroom.
"Can we talk now?" Beca asked as she handed over the ice cream and a plastic spoon and shut her door to give them some privacy.
Chloe nodded and smiled as she sat cross-legged on Beca's bed and began to eat her ice cream.
"You need to know that I'm sorry for the way I reacted and the things I said, you didn't deserve that," Beca began, planning to give a full apology speech that she'd planned in the car.
"You're forgiven," Chloe responded quickly.
"I-what?"
"You're forgiven."
"No you can't forgive me yet, I have this whole speech that I worked really hard on."
"Oh. Well you can say the speech but I don't really need it."
"Why not?" Beca frowned.
"Because all I needed to hear was you say that you were sorry and mean it. I know you won't do it again, well not intentionally. And I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to make you feel insecure or anything like that. I love you for exactly who you are. I never should have suggested me just paying for anything, it was selfish. We can find a funky apartment with just enough room for the two of use and it will be intimate and romantic and it'll stop Aubrey and Stacie from moving in with us again," Chloe beamed.
Beca shook her head and smiled. "How did I find you?"
"Well you had a creepy obsession with me for years which led Luke to trick me into letting you produce for me. The rest was your charming and bright personality," Chloe joked. "Apartment hunting is going to be so much fun! We are going to disagree on everything until suddenly, there it is, a small gem in the rough. It's cheap because someone died there but the ghost will become our friend and-"
Beca covered Chloe's mouth with her own to shut her up. "If the whole being an actress thing doesn't work out then story telling seems like a good alternative."
"I'll keep it in mind," Chloe agreed as she kissed Beca again.
Beca looked into Chloe's beaming eyes and decided to take a risk. Chloe loved her as she was and that was all they needed. She took a seat on the bed next to Chloe and joined their hands. "I love you Chloe, so much."
"I love you too. In fact-"
"Chloe," Beca interrupted. "I kinda have something I want to say so can you stop talking for a sec."
Chloe pouted. "You really shouldn't tell your girlfriend to stop talking, it's rude." But Beca's pointed look had her zipping her mouth closed and ready to listen.
"I love you. I have since I was a kid a first laid eyes on you-"
"Creepy."
"Chloe!"
"Right, sorry."
"I never imagined that I would be lucky enough to one day be able to call you my girlfriend. Chloe, baby, will you make me lucky enough to call you my wife?" Beca pulled the box out and placed it, open in front of Chloe.
Chloe's eyes were wide as she took in the ring and Beca's words. It took her brain a while to catch up and realize she had to answer. When she finally did speak Beca wished she hadn't.
"No."
A/N: Don't kill me! She has a VERY good reason, trust me. This will lead to quite a romantic grand gesture and much closure and happiness.