Chapter 25 - Chances
Beca fixed her eyes on the expanding road in from of her. Her fingers tightened around the faux leather steering wheel, and her lips stayed in a tight purse. She could feel Chloe's eyes boring into the side of her head, but she trained her own eyes to stay on the road in front of her.
It was nearing dusk, and it was becoming rather dark, but Beca wanted to drive through the night, explaining to an apprehensive Chloe that staying in a motel would only keep her worried, and she wouldn't sleep anyway, so preoccupying herself with driving would be much, much better. And it wasn't like their destination was too far; only around three hours without traffic if they kept their pace.
Beca couldn't stop thinking about what the next few days would ensue. Tomorrow would be the wedding rehearsal (Beca wasn't actually sure, but she was assuming that's why they wanted her a day early) and then the next day was the not-so-exciting-wedding. She was nervous for everything.
As Beca mulled the same thoughts over and over, she felt Chloe tap her shoulder. She turned her head quickly, only to see Chloes face sporting the cutest damn look. And Beca had never been good at resisting Chloe's questions or requests when she looked at her like this; lips absently jutted and eyes glimmering, though Beca was pretty sure Chloe didn't even mean to look that adorable, it sure worked in her favor.
"Yes?" Beca asked while a smallsmirk was palpable. She had a feeling Chloe was becoming bored, because surely sitting in a car for hours on end was less than entertaining.
"I'm hungry."
"We just ate."
"So? Tell that to my talking stomach!"
Beca glanced at Chloe and laughed lightly. She had always found amusement in Chloes vast appetite. She seemed to have a hollow leg, which Beca thought was a rather odd quality, but found it funny on Chloe.
"You're like a twelve year old boy when it comes to food, Chlo. Always need to be fed."
Chloe giggled. "I just want some ice cream, or like… candy! Yes, let's get some candy!"
Beca laughed at Chloes optimism and nodded.
"You want skittles, I assume?"
"Yes!" Chloes eyes went wide with joy and Beca was glad that at least someone on this trip was happy.
Chloe rolled onto her side and immediately was met with a pile of brunette hair in her face. After blinking a few times she scooped the hair away from her and chuckled as she saw Beca's mouth parted and little puffs of air falling out with each rise and fell of her chest. Chloe glanced to the side and noted it was nearing eleven a.m.
The pair were supposed to arrive at Becas fathers house in the early morning and as soon as they had settled in the guest room, Beca knocked out, which Chloe thought was rather funny seeing as Beca hadn't want to stop for the night.
This rehearsal was scheduled for noon, so Chloe knew she should wake Beca soon so they could get ready and what not, but Beca seemed so peaceful it was proving harder than Chloe originally thought.
She gently poked Becas shoulder and got no response. She then decided to slightly shake Beca and again got no response.
So she decided that she would cuddle up next to Beca and go from there. This option seemed much, much better.
"Wake up." Chloe whispered, gently kissing her cheek. She let her lips linger, softly brushing them away though it proved no avail as Beca only whimpered and turned her body into Chloe's. The absent smile on Chloe's face only grew as she realized Beca actually had indeed woken up as her arms tightened around Chloe's waist and she felt lips come into contact with her collarbone.
"I don't want to." Beca murmured.
"I know, but we have to." Chloe whispered, her chin resting atop Becas head.
The brunette retracted her head and threwit onto her pillow as Chloe stayed still.
"Can't we just blow it off?"
Chloe chuckled and leaned forward. She pecked Becas lips and slid her hand up Becas arm.
"Negative."
Beca groaned.
"Did you sleep at all?"
Chloe nodded. "I did, actually. I guess the therapist was right about the time thing."
(Referring to that fact that over time and the right breathing exercises that Chloe would be able to sleep for longer amounts of time, and even sometimes not waking up, Chloe had not woken up with any problems for the last few days.)
Beca smiled groggily. "That's great, Chlo."
Chloe smiled contently. "Okay, now get your cute butt up."
Beca groaned, longer this time.
"If you're good today, you'll get rewarded when we get home." Chloe said, and Beca swore her voice dropped an octave.
"Not tonight?"
"It's possible… but then you would have to be extremely quiet."
"Is this a bribe?"
"Of course, only if you behave."
It always thoroughly surprised Beca when Chloe made little innuendos. Now it doesn't need to be mentioned all that's changed, but she still couldn't rap her head around the fact that Chloe Beale was so (still, possibly, though, Beca isn't sure if Chloe was always this sexual) damn good at this.
"Maybe if you show me a preview… I'll try to behave." Beca offered.
And suddenly Chloe hooked one leg over Becas waist and lips were on hers and hips were colliding and tongues were molding and then Chloe was standing and Beca was gasping for air as she watched the redhead pick up her suitcase and pull out some clothing.
"You'll behave, right?"
Beca deeply sighed and bit down on her lip. "I think I'm going to have to."
It was done. Everything was official and oddly enough, Beca wasn't feeling as ambiguous as before. Her father seemed happy, as well as her "step-monster". She only hoped what she was witnessing was true.
Beca and Chloe sat at a reserved table with Brooke (who Beca grew fond of over the last few days, realizing that she was definitely nothing like her mother) and Beca was nursing some champagne that she initially thought was disgusting while Chloe held apple cider.
The newlyweds were dancing as everyone watched, though Beca was more intrigued with the pleased look on Chloe's face more than anything.
The redhead really did look perfect to Beca. She had her hair in her usual loose waves and her makeup was as simple as could be; mascara. Her lilac dress she choose to wear (it actually went along with the color scheme of the wedding which Beca thought was secretly adorable that Chloe had done that) fit her wonderfully.
Beca had chosen a white dress because white went with everything and she didn't want to screw anything up. She had a tiny penchant for that it seemed.
The song came to a halt, which Beca hadn't realized was My Eyes Adored You by The Four Seasons. She was happily surprised the choice wasn't something more cliché, one of those sappy love songs that everyone danced to at their wedding.
Chloe turned her head and smiled warmly at Beca.
"I think everything will work out just fine." Chloe stated, looking between Brooke and Beca.
Brooke smiled, nodding slightly. "I'm going to go talk to my cousins." she stated, before standing and walking off.
Beca cleared her throat, suddenly feeling flustered. "Thank you for being here."
Chloe smiled and let out a breath as she picked Beca's hand up and intertwined their fingers out of habit. "I'll do anything for wedding cake."
Everyone said good night to each other once they hit the house, though Beca and Chloe decided on going out back for a while just enjoying the night sky that they rarely got to see.
The two were sat at a spare table that had been left from the rehearsal the day before, one sat on each side, saying nothing as they looked at the stars painted throughout the sky. Suddenly, Chloe stood up and sat on the grass about five feet away from the table. Beca watched momentarily, unsure of what the redhead was doing, but eventually stood and plopped down next to her.
Neither said anything. It didn't seem like anything needed to be spoken. Though this was cliché and seemed a little overrated in Becas mind, each time she glanced over, tearing her eyes away from the sky, her heart skipped a beat seeing the simplistic look on Chloe's face.
Her eyes glistened, and her cheeks had a rosy tint to them. She admired how breath taking Chloe looked in that moment and something came over her. She wasn't sure if that was the night sky, the peace and serenity of being surrounded by nothing but trees and a wooden fence, or if it was the simple fact that Beca could actually feel how deeply she loved Chloe peeking through, but she needed to exclaim how she felt about her.
She was oddly nervous. Ever since early this morning, she has had this tingly feeling deep in the pit of her stomach. She hadn't been this nervous to explain her feelings to Chloe since she revealed how she really felt and said, 'I love you'. It wasn't like Chloe's reaction would change, she wasn't going to be grossed out, she wasn't going to not reciprocate, nor would she lie about her answer.
But for some reason saying those three words felt different right then.
Beca trained her eyes on the side of Chloe's head, and re-memorized each and every freckle on the visible part of her face, along with a few small thought lines etched across the side of her forehead.
She blushed as Chloe turned her head, the most innocent look draping over her features. Beca nervously bit her lip and looked down.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Chloe gently asked, she scooted closer, so their knees touched.
Though it was nearing dusk, the illumination from the lights outside lit up the yard and each girl.
Beca chuckled breathily, afraid she was going to say something dumb. "You're just… I don't know. You're-you're…" she looked up, seeing Chloe with a tiny smile aimed at her and she blushed even more due to her own flustered state. "You're Chloe. And it's crazy that you're here. I can't believe you actually agreed to come to this what I thought was going to be travesty of a wedding and you've been so gracious the whole time. You're the sweetest person I've ever met."
Chloe only leaned forward and connected their lips. In the process she had pushed Beca over, her back coming into contact with the plushness of grass and the hardness of a few small rocks. (Beca couldn't possibly mind the jagged objects poking her back as the feeling of Chloe's lips was serious bliss.) Chloe pulled away and kissed the corner of Beca's mouth before sitting up, pulling the brunette along.
"I love you a lot."
"I love you a lot, too."
Chloe was pulled down onto the grass, her body becoming adjacent to Beca's as they laid together. Their hands were intertwined at their sides, their heads nearly touching.
Chloe took in a large, peaceful breath.
Everything felt right.
Chloe may still have a lot of recovering to do. She may still have yet again another dreaded set back, even a few relapses mixed in. But she had Beca. And no, it's not like Beca can magically remove all the problems and all the terrible things that have been said and done; but she's there for Chloe. And Chloe is well aware that she always will be.
It felt like hours before either said anything. Chloe had actually thought the brunette had fallen asleep, which would've been rather funny seeing as they were in their dresses.
"I'm glad you were so stubborn and made me play hide and go seek with you, Chloe Beale." Beca whispered, her hand tightening around Chloe's.
"And I'm glad you decided to take a hide behind the chalk board, Beca Mitchell." Chloe whispered back.
Chloe would always be thankful that she decided to sit next to the pouting little girl the first day of pre-school, made her play hide and go seek with her and even went as far as to slap her for eating her animal crackers. Chloe Beale was absolutely grateful she met Beca Mitchell at the age of four, and thanked whoever was up there for making Beca be the one who eventually kept her going.
A/N: So there it is. I'm sorry for taking such a long time with this update and all that. Again, thank you for reading the story and sticking with this when updates became few and far between.