The next morning the sun came up and brightened Chloe's room. She wasn't fully awake yet, but she could feel the presence of another person wrapped in her embrace. She could hear that person's heartbeat as her head rested on their chest. The redhead was used to this feeling. It wasn't the first time that Aubrey spent the night at her place. She smiled lightly to herself and was about to go back to sleep as she realized there was something different this time. The heartbeat she heard was faster than usual. The person she wrapped her arms around was tiny and smelled like fresh coconut and vanilla instead of flowers. She opened her eyes and jumped up when she saw Beca watching her.

"What are you doing here?!" She glared at the brunette.

Beca smiled as she pushed herself up with her elbows. "You and Aubrey had gone berserk last night. We dropped Aubrey off before we went home. She was alright, but you were a mess. I think you're not used to alcohol. Plus everyone else here was already asleep, so I decided to stay the night to take care of you." She explained. "Which is not really working, because I tried to get up to make you breakfast, but you were holding me too tight. I didn't want to wake you."

Chloe felt embarrassed and glanced down at her hands. "I can take care of myself." She mumbled.

"Yeah, I'm sure you can." Beca grinned as she got out of bed. "Get dressed, I'll make you breakfast." She walked towards the door as Chloe glanced down at her body to see that she was in her pyjamas, not remembering how. The brunette turned around. "Oh, and Jenny called to tell me she was heading to the restaurant, so we're visiting her after." She added before walking out.

The restaurant that Jennifer owned wasn't doing well after her husband had passed away. Debts were increasing, and she couldn't get enough customers to pay them off. She couldn't handle the restaurant on her own, even though Chloe lent her a hand every now and then. Iris always refused to set foot in there, so she wasn't helping either.

After Chloe got out of her pyjamas to put her dark blue jeans and red shirt on, she stood in front of the mirror looking at herself. What was this feeling? Why am I not mad that Beca is making me breakfast right now, after spending the whole night with me? Why am I smiling? Stop it, Chloe. Don't do this. If you let her in now, you won't be able to stand back up when she leaves.

"Breakfast is ready!" Beca yelled from downstairs, making the redhead snap out of her thoughts. Chloe took a deep breath, hesitated for a second, but eventually walked out of her room.

When she got downstairs, she smiled inwardly at the sight of the cheerful brunette whistling the melody of Just The Way You Are while she put some pancakes on her plate. Beca looked up when she heard footsteps approaching her as a wide grin appeared on her face. She picked up the milk bottle and poured some into her cup as she began to speak. "So, you and Aubrey had fun last night, going all crazy and stuff. You two seem really close." She took the second cup and poured some milk in there as well. "Do you want more?" she asked.

A shock took over Chloe's face. She wasn't expecting a question like that. "What? No, Aubrey is a wonderful person, but I'm happy with just friendship." She rushed out.

"I was talking about the milk." Beca chuckled. "Do you want more milk?"

"Oh." Chloe glanced at the cup, turning red from embarrassment. "No that's enough, thank you." She walked over to the table in the kitchen and took a seat from across the brunette.

"Where is everyone?" Chloe frowned at the silence in the house. It has never been this quiet. Usually, Iris would be praying or yelling at Jennifer and Lily while Benji would be watching basketball on TV.

"The kids are playing outside, enjoying their Sunday morning." Beca smiled. "Iris is praying for the second time today, because I'm taking everyone to the restaurant, so she's coming too."

Chloe furrowed her eyebrows. "Praying? Did she finally manage to make me deaf, or did she quit singing?"

Beca laughed. "I actually convinced her to stop singing."

"How did you manage to take her to the restaurant AND make her stop singing?!" Chloe asked curiously. Iris never listened to anyone.

"Professional secret." Beca smirked as she took a bite from her pancake.

Chloe didn't bother to push her any further so she decided to join the brunette as they ate their pancakes in silence.

Beca took a final bite and finished her milk before she got up to clean the mess she had made. She moved over to the dishwasher, singing Titanium as she put the dirty dishes inside. Chloe's gaze left her now empty plate and stared at the back of the other woman, amazed by the beautiful voice that was coming out of such a tiny person. Beca put the last dirty dish in the dishwasher before she turned around and stopped singing when she saw the redhead staring at her. "Wake up, red." She smiled.

Chloe shook her head and let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "That's my.." she couldn't finish her sentence as she was still dull by the woman's voice.

"Favourite song, I know." Beca finished. "I would've never thought someone like you actually listened to music." She chuckled.

Chloe raised an eyebrow at the brunette's last statement. "How did you even know that it's my favourite song?"

"First, I didn't know much about you." Beca remarked. "But now I do." She smirked, holding up a black diary.

Chloe's eyes widened as she jumped up from her chair with a sudden movement, causing the chair to fall. "That's… That's Aubrey's diary! Oh my god. You took it from her?" she glared at the brunette.

"No, she dropped it in the cab last night, so I read it." Beca shrugged with an innocent smile. "Not all of it though. Just till I got to the part where she mentions that her favourite underwear colour is red." She chuckled.

"You're such a… You're not supposed to do that, it's disrespectful!" Chloe said sternly before she suddenly realized something. "Wait, did you say.. about me? What did she write about me?" She frowned.

"Why don't you ask her?" Beca winked.

Chloe quickly moved over to the other woman, reaching out her hand. "Give it to me."

"What happened to "it's disrespectful"?" Beca laughed, hiding the diary underneath her shirt. "I'm keeping this for her."

"You're unbelievable." Chloe sighed.

"No. Unlike you, I'm actually pretty awesome." Beca smirked.

Chloe rolled her eyes and muttered a few words under her breath as she turned around to walk away. The brunette grabbed her hand to pull her back and look into her baby blue eyes.

"I'm only joking with you, Chloe." She smiled friendly, not leaving the older woman's hand as she used her other hand to put the diary on the counter behind her. "You know, last night it was the first time I saw the side of you that likes to have fun, but for some reason you want to hide that girl inside of you." She remarked. "I just want you to know, wherever he is, your father is looking at you. He sees your anger and sorrow. He's watching everything, Chloe. And perhaps he's even crying along with you. Now you can't wipe his tears from here, but you can stop them by smiling and laughing."

Chloe felt a lump in her throat when she tried to speak. Words couldn't find their way to her mouth. She just kept staring at the brunette's friendly greyish blue eyes that were looking at her with so much love and care, it made her melt inside.

Beca moved her free hand towards the other woman's face and gently poked in her cheek. "Where's that smile? I still can't see it." She said softly. "Come on, I taught you how to do it. 1, 2, 3, and…"

Chloe wasn't aware of her actions. She was lost in those caring eyes as a smile found its way to her lips. She couldn't stop the smile. Even her eyes were expressing the same emotion this time.

"There it is!" Beca grinned widely. "Now keep it like this." She released the other woman's hand and walked away from the kitchen, continuing to sing Titanium.

Chloe walked over to the chair she had knocked over to pick it up while thinking about the brunette, a smile still playing at her lips.

…..

"If we don't pay off soon, we've got two months to leave this restaurant." Jennifer said with watery eyes.

"If you don't mind, can I please do something?" Aubrey asked softly.

Beca didn't only convince Iris to come to the restaurant, but when Chloe entered the restaurant with the brunette, Iris, Benji and Lily, she was met with Aubrey, Amy, Jesse and even a few of the employees.

"Thanks Aubrey, but we can't accept that." Jennifer replied, fighting a tear from escaping her eyes.

Beca was looking through some files when Iris opened her mouth to speak. "Why won't you accept it? You can pay her back later. We need this restaurant."

Jennifer glared at the old woman. "When did you ever help me that you are feeling bad today?"

Chloe interrupted the two women. "Mom please, now is not the time for you two to argue, this is a serious problem."

"With a simple solution." Beca added, looking up at Jennifer from the files she was reading.

"Shut up, Beca. This is our family problem." Chloe commented sternly.

"I don't care." The brunette replied, not leaving her eyes from Jennifer.

"But we aren't.."

Beca waved Chloe's words off. "Shut up, red." She said, leaving the redhead speechless.

"Jenny, this restaurant of yours doesn't run. And it shouldn't.." She walked through the restaurant, looking around her. "Why should it? Just tell me what is available in this restaurant, that isn't available anywhere else in this street?" She paused for a moment, but nobody responded. "Exactly, nothing! Why does that Chinese restaurant from across the street do so well?" She waited a few seconds, but again no respond. "Because they've got a different culture, am I wrong?"

"You are right." Iris remarked.

"I know." Beca smiled. "And we should do the same. We should try another culture." She stopped and thought for a moment before she continued. "Turkish food for example, it's nowhere to be found around here. We need to bring that culture to this small street and spread it in all directions."

"I don't believe this nonsense." Chloe snapped.

"I told you to shut up." Beca replied, again not looking at the redhead.

"Beca…" Jennifer tried to speak, but Beca didn't give her the chance to say anything else as she reached over and gently squeezed the woman's arms, looking into her eyes.

"No Jenny, try. Just try. There is no harm in trying." Beca said softly. "Those who try, never lose." She turned around to face the others. "Come one, hands in!" She exclaimed, reaching out her hand.

Everyone hesitantly looked at each other until Aubrey made her first move and put her hand on Beca's, making the rest do the same.

"That's the spirit!" Beca exclaimed happily.

They all took a chair and sat in a circle to throw some ideas into the group. Beca wrote everything down that seemed useful. They discussed the details and made plans for the whole week. After the little meeting, everybody got up to carry out their tasks. The first task was to take all the useless things out of the restaurant. Everyone worked together. Beca and Jennifer researched everything about the Turkish culture and food, Aubrey and Chloe cleaned the restaurant as Jesse and some employees took the decorations down.

The tasks for the next day were to buy new decorations and groceries. The tasks for the third day were to paint the walls. These tasks went on for a few days until eventually the walls were painted, the American flag was replaced with a Turkish flag, the name of the restaurant changed from 'Café New York' to 'Café Istanbul' and the decorations were all new and Turkey- related. Everyone looked around, admiring their own hard work and smiling proudly at the change. Jennifer put the 'Open' sign on the door and turned back around to the others. "Everything is ready now." She smiled.

They waited patiently as a few hours passed, but the restaurant remained empty.

Beca couldn't wait any longer. "I'll be right back." She said as she rushed out of the door, leaving everyone confused.

A few moments later, customers started to fill the restaurant. Jennifer had never seen it this crowded. She was surprised, yet happy about the satisfied looks on the customers' faces after their meal.

Beca walked in with a wide smile on her face as she looked around the restaurant. Her eyes stopped at the hardworking woman. "Hey, Jenny!" She walked over to the older woman. Jennifer smiled as the brunette approached her, immediately opening her arms to hug her tightly. "Thank you." She whispered as a tear of happiness escaped her eyes.

"Don't thank me, we all did this together." Beca smiled, wiping the tear away.

Chloe watched the two women from a distance, chuckling to herself. She hadn't seen her mother with so much happiness since what seemed like forever.

….

Beca Mitchell's magic was spreading in all directions, whether they liked it or not, everyone was being swept off their feet. She made Iris stop singing, she helped Jennifer with the restaurant, she even found a way to make Benji play basketball with her, despite his handicap. Beca could simply do anything. Lily's perfect family had a new member in her doll house. And Chloe.. She was finally laughing again.

It was scaring her though. She wasn't used to so much happiness. Whenever she was happy, sorrow was always just around the corner.

….

Beca frowned at the worried look from a taller brunette sitting across the table.

"What happened? You look like someone just died." Beca remarked.

Stacie's eyes left her coffee to look at the younger brunette. ""Shut up, Beca. I just need more time." She replied.

"No, you can't get more time. The café is going to shut soon, you have to order now." Beca said, holding back a smile.

"I'm not talking about the restaurant." Stacie sighed.

"I know, I'm joking." Beca chuckled.

Stacie furrowed her eyebrows angrily. "This is not the time to joke around, it's a serious problem!"

Beca nodded seriously.

"I already told you before you came to New York." The older brunette said.

"What do you mean? Are you saying I shouldn't have come?" Beca frowned.

"When did I say that?" Stacie snapped

"That's what you mean, isn't it?

"You don't understand! I need time.. Yours and mine." Stacie exclaimed, getting annoyed by the younger woman's behaviour.

"Okay, okay." Beca used her hand to make a zipping motion across her mouth. "I came to New York just for you. Now whatever you say, I will do it." She put her hand on Stacie's, squeezing it gently. "And as for time.. all my time is yours."

….

Beca closed the door behind her as she entered the house, kicking her shoes off. When she made her way to the living room, she found Jesse sleeping on the couch.

The brunette slowly walked over to him, trying to make no sound. She leaned over and put her finger in her mouth before she reached over to put it into her best friend's ear. Jesse jumped up from the sudden contact and rubbed his hand over his ear. "Jesus, Beca! You're disgusting."

Beca laughed as she put her arms around her stomach. "I.. can't.. breathe.." Was all she could manage to get out of her mouth. "it…hurts."

"Ha-ha.. very funny." Jesse rubbed his hands over his eyes tiredly as he waited for the brunette to stop laughing.

Two minutes later, Beca finally got herself together. "That was funny." She chuckled, wiping away the tears that spilled from laughing.

"Whatever, what did Stacie say?"

"Nothing." Beca replied curtly.

"She wanted to meet you to say nothing? Who are you trying to fool Becs."

"She told me the same things, Jess. She needs more time."

"More time? What is she expecting? That you are just going to…."

A knock on the door interrupted the man. He got up and walked over to open the door. He was surprised to see the redhead. "Chloe?"

"Is Beca home?" Chloe asked. "I want to talk to her."

"Yeah, sure." Jesse stepped aside to let the woman in.

Beca looked up and a smile appeared on her face as her eyes met Chloe's. "What a wonderful surprise, red!"

Chloe rolled her eyes at the word red. "I wanted to talk to you." She muttered.

"I'll be in my room." Jesse said, heading towards his room to give the two women some privacy to talk.

Beca tapped the empty place beside her on the couch, hinting her to sit down. The redhead moved over and sat down next to the younger woman.

"What do you want to talk about?" Beca asked curiously.

Chloe fidgeted at the hem of her sleeves, looking at the ground. "Why?"

"Why?" Beca frowned at the crypticness of the question.

"Yes, why?" Chloe repeated.

Beca got confused. "Why what?"

The redhead was quiet for a second before she looked up from the ground to meet the greyish blue eyes of the brunette. "You moved into this neighbourhood, and suddenly so much around has changed. I mean, you don't even know us.. I just don't understand why?" She finally managed to explain.

"I did it all for you." Beca said, looking into the older woman's wide eyes. "I did all of this because of you, Chloe." She paused, amused by the redhead's shocked expression. "Isn't that what you wanted to hear?"

Chloe smiled, slowly shaking her head. "Not really, actually."

"Good, I didn't even mean it." Beca grinned.

Chloe's smile fell as she looked back to the ground, continuing to rub her fingers together. "Beca.."

"Chloe.." Beca interrupted. "Eyes…"

The older woman looked back up. "What?"

"Have you seen your mother's eyes? There's a lot of pain in them. Whatever I've done, it was for those eyes." Beca smiled. "You know, I actually have a problem. I can't see any mother's sorrow or pain, because I've lost mine."

"I.. I'm so sorry, what happened?"

"She had a car accident when my father left us. I was 16." She explained. "But it's okay, I laugh every day to make sure she laughs with me."

Chloe smiled and nodded curtly.

"Why are you smiling? I did so much for you, at least say thanks." Beca smirked.

Chloe started to fidget at the hem of her sleeves again. "Thank you." She muttered.

"You're welcome." The brunette smiled, pausing for a minute. "Hey, red.."

The older woman looked up as Beca reached her arms around the redhead, taking the hairband off to let her hair down. "Much better." She whispered.

Chloe's heart skipped a beat at how close the brunette was. She was speechless, getting up from the couch, not saying a word as she walked towards the door like a zombie.

Beca furrowed her eyebrows. "What happened, Chloe?

"I.. I have to go." She said as she walked out of the door, leaving Beca confused.

….

Chloe was standing next to the bull statue, waiting for her best friend. They had been spending a lot of time together while helping at the restaurant, but she never had the chance to give Aubrey's diary back.

"Look at you being all pretty with your hair down and smiling." The blonde remarked as she approached the redhead. "What happened to Chloe Beale?"

Chloe shook her head, laughing. "Shut up. Whenever I'm with you, I'm always happy. You know that." She said.

"How sweet." Aubrey smiled, melting inwardly.

Chloe searched through her bag to take the diary out and hand it over to the blonde. "You left this in the cab that night."

Aubrey got nervous as she took it from the redhead. "I was looking for this for so long! Did you…?"

"No, I didn't read it." Chloe cut her off. "At first I wanted to, but then I decided to stay trustworthy towards my best friend." She smiled.

Aubrey felt relieved. She wrote about everything in this diary. Her daily life to her deepest feelings.

Chloe turned her head to face the blonde woman. "Aubrey, can I ask you something?"

"Whatever your question is, my answer is yes." She shot out.

"What? No, it's a serious question." Chloe frowned.

"Okay, shoot." Aubrey noticed the redhead rubbing her fingers together, assuming she was nervous about whatever she was going to tell.

Chloe looked down at her hand, taking a deep breath before looking back up to her best friend. "Has it ever happened to you, that you didn't like someone at first,

and then suddenly you like that person a little, and then a lot.. and then.. you know..?"

Aubrey smiled at the other woman's babbling. "Why are you asking me this?"

"Just because..." Chloe replied nervously.

"Like I would believe that. Who do you like?" Aubrey asked with hope in her eyes.

"Nobody, I was just asking.." Chloe said, looking away from the blonde.

"You know you can't lie to me, who is it?"

"I have to go." Chloe rushed out, turning around to walk away.

Aubrey grabbed her hand to make her stop. "No running away, tell me."

Chloe laughed lightly. "Nope, I really have to go." She said as she rushed off.

"At least hear my answer." Aubrey muttered to herself with a smile. "The answer is yes. That person is you, Chloe."