A/N: As always, thanks for the reviews guys!

I get what you all mean. I feel like Beca kind of always has a general tendency to blame herself for everything, even when she's not the only one who's at fault, which also sort of relates to her self-confidence issues. I guess she always feels like she was the one that made bad choices and hurt Chloe first, so she feels the need to prove something, even though that's not the issue that Chloe is having.

Yeh well, I'm babbling again… anyway, this won't be a one-way thing, both of them will make efforts and they will have another talk about their break-up again.

Btw, I'm currently writing Beca's first few years in LA, and I'm having a lot of fun with it. So fingers crossed that you guys will like it when it comes up later :)

Chapter 20

Chloe walked into the clinic with a yawn but instantly frowned. Her receptionist Jessica was beaming at her weirdly.

"What?" She asked the blonde sitting behind the counter while walking towards her office.

"Nothing." Jessica answered a little too quickly. She wiggled her eyebrows at Chloe and couldn't stop giggling.

"Okay, Jess, you are starting to freak me out. What's going on with you?" Chloe stopped in her tracks and eyed the blonde suspiciously, demanding an answer.

"Told you it's nothing. You'll know when you get into your office." Jessica returned her attention to her computer screen and pretended to be busy.

Chloe shook her head lightly, and continued to walk to her office. The moment she opened her office door, she instantly knew why Jessica was acting weird. Because there was a bouquet of daffodils on her desk, and a card beside it.

Chloe smiled. She walked to her desk and picked up the bouquet, burying her nose in the flowers and taking in a deep breath, while closing her eyes and just immersing herself in the intoxicating fragrance. She took a moment before putting down the bouquet and going to read the card. She opened it and her smile immediately grew bigger.

To my favourite redhead:

Have a great day at work Chlo! Don't forget to eat your lunch!

I miss you and I can't wait to see you on Thursday.

Beca

Since her birthday, she and Beca had decided to give each other another chance and start over. Both of them agreed to take things slow and try to make it work this time. And the brunette had been sending her flowers every morning for 5 days. Sometimes the bouquet would come with a card, a box of chocolates, or just a cup of caramel white chocolate mocha – Chloe's favourite. She had told Beca that she didn't need to buy her flowers every morning, but Beca just smiled and leaned in to kiss her cheek. The next morning, the flowers arrived as usual, and Chloe had to admit she was swooned over the fact that Beca still remembered her favourite flower, her favourite coffee, her favourite everything. In the card from the day before, Beca had asked her out on a date on Thursday, which was Chloe's day off this week and Chloe was starting to feel a little giddy. She couldn't help but look forward to Thursday and she was beginning to miss the brunette terribly on the days when she didn't get to go see her sing at the bar. She had never felt this way with anyone else that she dated during these 8 years, not even Chicago. And she felt like she was 17 years old again, feeling nervous but excited at the same time when her crush asked her out. And the one that made her feel this way just so happened to be the same person, Beca Mitchell.

Chloe's thoughts were interrupted when she heard a whistle coming from just outside her office door, which she forgot to close.

Cynthia Rose walked in, smirking, "Well, well, well, 5 days in a row. Looks like Doctor Beale has a secret admirer now." Cynthia Rose was another vet at the clinic and Chloe's business partner. She used to work at the same clinic that Chloe interned at and the two became very close. When Chloe decided that she wanted to open a clinic herself and was looking for a business partner, Cynthia Rose was the perfect person to ask and Chloe couldn't feel luckier that the other veterinarian instantly jumped on board.

"Not so secret I'd say." Chloe chuckled, and went to put the daffodils into a vase on her windowsill.

Cynthia Rose widened her eyes, "Not secret? Then you are seeing someone?! I knew you were extra bubbly and happy these past few days for a reason! Who is this new boyfriend? Do I know him? What does he do? I like this one already since he seems to make you really happy compared to that dude who shares his name with a city."

Chloe laughed, "Whoa, slow down with all those questions, will ya? And no, I don't have a boyfriend."

Cynthia Rose eyed the redhead suspiciously, but before she could ask some more, Emily, the youngest vet in the clinic bounced into Chloe's office as well and joined the conversation, "Of course Chloe doesn't have a boyfriend! More like a girlfriend! I saw her this morning when she came to drop the flowers and the card. She's really pretty and seems really cool as well!" She basically squealed at the end of the sentence.

Cynthia Rose widened her eyes again, "Wow, Chloe! How come I didn't know?! If I'm not married, I'd totally ask you out!" She joked.

Chloe rolled her eyes playfully, "Careful, I'll tell Sasha you said that!"

"I'm not worried, she'll probably say she'd ask you out too if she's not married to me." Cynthia Rose grinned.

"So Chloe, who's the girlfriend? How did you meet her?" Emily asked excitedly.

Chloe blushed lightly, "She's not my girlfriend… yet… I mean, she was… she… well, she was my first love but something happened and it didn't work out. But recently we bumped into each other and decided to try again. And we are taking things slow this time."

The other two veterinarians nodded in understanding.

"She sure does make you happy Chloe, and I'm happy for you that you guys found each other again." Cynthia Rose said sincerely.

"Yeah! You guys would look so cute together! I totally ship you two!" Emily beamed.

Chloe smiled, and soon burst into laughter when she saw the youngest vet bouncing excitedly at her office door.

"Alright, you two! Enough gossip for the day! Let's get back to work, shall we?" Chloe urged, still chuckling and shaking her head a little.

It was finally Thursday, and Chloe was currently having a panic attack in her bedroom. She rolled her eyes at herself, because almost all week she was looking forward to this day so much that she could barely focus on her work, wishing she could just magically skipped the days in the middle and jump straight to her date with Beca. However, now the day had finally arrived, she was panicking and wishing the day could drag longer instead. But ironically, she felt like she only blinked once and now she only had one hour left before Beca would come and pick her up, and she didn't even know what she should wear.

Therefore, she called Aubrey for reinforcement, but was now regretting her choice terribly, since all Aubrey had done so far was sit on her bed, flip through a magazine and laugh at Chloe's demeanour.

"Bree! I didn't call you here to just read a magazine! You need to help me choose an outfit! I'm running out of time!" Chloe groaned loudly, tossing yet another dress onto the bed, unsatisfied.

"Chloe, I'm just confused. From what you told me, I thought you two have already admitted that you both still love each other, right? Then why are you trying so hard? The hobbit will still love you even if you just wear a sack." Aubrey watched the redhead in amusement. When Chloe first told her that she was going to start over with Beca, she was a little worried that Chloe might get hurt again. But she supported her best friend's decision and she knew Beca would make Chloe the happiest.

Chloe glared at her best friend, "I just really want to impress her and show her that I'm serious about us. Now shut up and help me!"

Aubrey held up her hands in mock surrender, "Okay okay, Gee, I'll help! Relax Chloe!" She eyed the dresses lying on the bed, and pointed at a red one, "This one, it'll blow the hobbit's mind."

Chloe followed the direction of Aubrey's finger, and saw that it was an elegant red floral sundress that would end just above her knees, with a slightly plunging neckline in the front. "You think this one is good?" Chloe asked while snatching the dress to put it on in her bathroom. Aubrey just laughed again. It was fun to see the redhead being so nervous and indecisive for once in a lifetime.

A few minutes later, Chloe came out of the bathroom and looked at Aubrey expectantly for her best friend's opinion.

"Hmm, chic, adorable and flirty, not to mention that it also complements your eyes. I'd say we have a winner." Aubrey said, satisfied with her selection and was nodding at Chloe like a proud mom.

Chloe turned around to look at herself in the mirror beside her bed, "Yeah, I think this one is okay, not too casual, and I don't want to go too formal either since Beca said we are not going to some fancy restaurant and told me to wear something comfortable… So you think she'll like it?" She asked hopefully.

Aubrey rolled her eyes, "I don't think, I know for a fact that the hobbit will love it! So calm down Chloe, Jesus."

Chloe pouted, "Hey, what's with the attitude Bree?! I really need moral support okay?"

"Fine! But you better hurry up, only 15 minutes left and I see you haven't done your make-up yet."

Chloe widened her eyes, immediately running back to her bathroom while yelling, "Oh my God! Bree! If Beca's here later, you need to stall her until I'm done here!"

Aubrey laughed, shaking her head. She got up from the bed and walked to the living room to wait for the brunette musician to arrive.

About 15 minutes later, Aubrey heard a few knocks at the door. She looked up at the clock and was pleased. Hmm… punctual. That's good. She thought as she stood up from the couch to answer the door. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see that Beca was wearing a dress too.

Aubrey got to know Beca a little bit back when Chloe would always drag her to the bar to see the brunette perform, so she at least was able to learn that Beca was super sarcastic and hated dressing up. Therefore, seeing Beca Mitchell in a dress was quite shocking for the blonde.

However, Aubrey quickly snapped out of her shock, "You clean up nice." She said calmly.

Beca shrugged, "Well, special occasion so…"

Aubrey nodded, and moved out of the way to let Beca in. When she turned around after closing the door, she noticed that Beca was holding a pretty bouquet of daffodils behind her back. Aubrey smirked, maybe Chloe's finally found her Ms. Perfect after all. She cleared her throat and looked at Beca sternly, still playing the role of the protective and disapproving best friend. After all, a little intimidation wouldn't hurt.

"Wait here, I'll go get Chloe." With that, she disappeared into the hallway and left Beca alone in the living room.

Truth be told, under the chill facade, Beca was freaking out inside big time. This would be her first date with Chloe in 8 years. And she didn't know what to expect or what would actually happen. She had spent 2 days planning this date, and she could only hope it would be perfect and live up to Chloe's expectations without ending up being a complete disaster.

Earlier today, she went through the same struggle as Chloe about choosing which outfit to wear, although she had no idea that Chloe was panicking as well. She thought about wearing her usual shirt with jeans and boots, but she worried if that would be too casual. She wanted to let Chloe know that she was taking this date seriously and hopefully impress the redhead. Consequently, without a clue, she decided to call for help. She thought for a moment who she should call. Fat Amy? No, that blonde gives the worst advice! Jesse? No, just… weird. Then that only leaves… Stacie…

Beca groaned. She knew if she called Stacie for fashion advice, she would never hear the end of it from the taller brunette for the rest of her life. But desperate times, Stacie would have to do.

"Hey Becs, what's up?" Stacie's voice sounded on the other end of the phone.

"Stace, I need your help." Beca said reluctantly.

"What? You don't sound like you are asking for people's help." Stacie teased the shorter brunette.

"That's my normal voice, deal with it! So will you help me or not?!"

"Hmm… fine, but only because you don't normally ask people for help, so I feel honoured. Now, what is it? Shoot!" Stacie was curious what caused Beca Mitchell to call her for help.

"I… I need your advice on what to wear for my date with Chloe." Beca rushed out the sentence, she did not want to repeat that ever again.

There was a beat of silence over the phone. And after a few seconds, Beca was starting to think the taller brunette got disconnected. But just when she was about to move the phone away from her ear to check, she heard Stacie screaming,

"Oh. My. God. It's happening! It's finally happening! Beca Mitchell is asking me for FASHION ADVICE!"

Beca winced at the loud volume, "Will you clam down?! You can freak out by yourself later, I'm in an emergency here. Now shut up and help me pick an outfit!"

Beca had told Stacie that she and Chloe were giving each other a second chance, and Stacie couldn't be happier for her two friends. Now Beca was even calling her to ask her what to wear? Even better! So she quickly said,

"Sorry, sorry! You are right! Let's get you all sexy and sweep that redhead off her feet again, shall we? Now hang up the phone! We need to Skype, I have to see you in those outfits!"

Then Stacie hung up before Beca could even reply. Beca rolled her eyes, throwing her phone on the bed before going to pick up her laptop which was blaring with a Skype call.

–

After spending nearly 2 hours trying on different clothes, Stacie was still unsatisfied and Beca was losing patience.

"Seriously, Stacie? Still no?! Those are all I have! You have to pick something out of them."

Stacie was sitting behind her office desk, resting her chin on her hands and deep in thought. Then suddenly, she jumped, slamming her hands on the table while exclaiming,

"I know! The blue dress! You have to wear that blue dress!"

Beca blinked, she didn't have a blue dress, in fact, she wasn't even sure if she had any dresses. But then she suddenly remembered as well, that blue dress.

Before she left for LA, Stacie managed to talk her into buying a dress, claiming that there might be some really formal performances or auditions in LA waiting for her and showing up with jeans would just be inappropriate. So that was why Stacie dragged her to go shopping and when she was forced to try this blue dress on, even she herself had to admit she looked pretty good in it. It was a knee-length navy blue A-line dress with spaghetti straps, hugging her body in all the right places. And the V-neckline showed a delicious amount of cleavage without revealing too much. All in all, it was classy, sexy and mysterious. And according to Stacie, it would be suitable for both formal and casual occasions, which was perfect for Beca. So that was probably why Beca decided to buy that dress, or maybe it was just to finally make Stacie shut up about all the dress talks.

Beca rushed to her closet to try to find that dress. She didn't get to wear that dress in LA and had completely forgotten that she had it right until now. After 10 minutes' digging, she finally pulled the dress out from the bottom of her storage box.

She showed Stacie the dress, "Are you sure?"

Stacie urged, "I'm one hundred percent sure! This is it! Now put it on!"

Beca quickly went to her bathroom to change and when she came back, Stacie gasped, "Told you this is IT! It's perfect! I'm pretty sure when Chloe saw you in this dress, she's gonna jump you right there on the spo—"

"Okkkay Stacie, your job here is done! Thanks!" Beca cut the taller brunette off, blushing slightly.

Stacie smirked, "Don't forget to bring your black leather jacket. It may get chilly in the evening and it'll add to your badassness. Ohhh, and I think from what you told me about the date, you don't need to wear heels, just wear those cute black ankle boots that you have! And and for makeup, you—"

"Stacie! I think I can take it from here! Believe it or not, I can do my own makeup pretty well!" Beca deadpanned, "But thanks though, for the help! I appreciate it."

Stacie pouted slightly, "Fine, my job is done. The rest is all yours! Don't stress too much though, Chloe will still have a good time even if you guys just stay in and watch movies or something."

"I know, but I really want to show her that I'm serious about us this time and she deserves the best, you know?"

"Yeah," Stacie smiled, "Then good luck Becs! I want to hear all about it after, okay?"

"That depends if I feel like telling you, bye Stace!" Beca smirked, and before Stacie could protest, she hung up the Skype call and went to finish her make-up.

Beca was waiting in the living room anxiously, she was starting to wonder if the fact that Chloe was taking so long was because she had changed her mind. But then she heard some ruffling noise behind her, so she stood up, figuring Chloe was ready. She hid her hand with the bouquet behind her back and turned around. And then, just like that, everything else seemed to disappear and Beca suddenly forgot where she was.

Because Chloe was walking slowly towards her with a shy smile. The redhead was wearing a cute flowery dress that brought out her enchanted eyes, while her fiery hair flowed down her shoulders lazily and effortlessly, in perfect waves. And those locks would bounce slightly with every step she took. Beca completely lost all brain functions right there and she felt like it was a miracle that she was even able to stand up straight. She felt like her heart almost couldn't handle the beauty of the redhead and the butterflies in her stomach were making her a little dizzy.

"Sorry I took so long."

Chloe's sheepish voice brought Beca back to reality a little. Although she was still a bit dumbfounded, she managed to pull herself together.

"It's okay. Here." She brought the bouquet out from behind her back for Chloe to take, "You look beautiful." She added softly, looking into Chloe's cerulean eyes.

Chloe smiled and took the flowers, "Thanks, you look really beautiful too."

Beca grinned, "Thanks. Ready?" She asked the redhead.

Chloe nodded, "Let's go."

A/N: Oops, I did it again didn't I… lol, but I just really want their 'first date' to be a separate chapter so… where do you think Beca is taking Chloe?