Prompt from Lasleonas007: Chloe is a widow with a 3 or 4 year old child. She got married because she was a pregnant and her family turned their backs on her. Her husband dies and leaves her with no money and a child to raise. She meets Beca Mitchell and is invited to spend Christmas with her.
It was Christmas Eve, and Chloe Beale held 3-year-old Sophie tighter to her as she made her way from her temp job out into the unusually cold L.A. evening.
"Mommy, I'm hungry," Sophie said quietly.
"I know, baby," Chloe said with tears in her eyes. "We're going to stop on the way home and get some groceries. Okay?"
Sophie just buried her head in Chloe's neck. Chloe started walking. The grocery store that was 2 blocks from their apartment had some frozen dinners on sale and Chloe had just enough money to buy enough to hold them over until her next paycheck. She knew she would have to use the majority of her paycheck towards paying the back rent, but she hoped that she could catch another sale. Chloe shivered and started walking.
"God, if you're up there," Chloe prayed to herself. "I sure could use one of those Christmas miracles right about now."
Meanwhile, a few blocks away, in the home of Beca Mitchell, reclusive grammy winning music producer, an older woman was frantically searching through the pantry.
"Oh, my," Mrs. Davis said opening the cupboards.
"What's wrong, Mrs. D?," Beca asked.
"We don't have any cranberry sauce," Mrs. Davis replied. "We can't serve turkey without cranberry sauce. We have to deliver all the food to the homeless shelter early in the morning so they can get everything cooked in time for dinner. No stores will be opened at that hour."
"I'll have Charles run me down to the market and get you some," Beca said. "How many cans do we need?"
"Ten for sure," Mrs. Davis said. "If they don't have ten cans, get what you can and we'll make do."
"You got it," Beca said.
Charles followed Beca out to the garage and he opened the car door for her. She got in and settled against the seat. Charles drove to the grocery store and he and Beca got out. Beca grabbed a shopping cart and they went in search of some cranberry sauce.
Chloe shivered as she entered the grocery store with Sophie on her hip. She was a beautiful woman but lack of sleep and too much stress was showing on her face. She sighed and put Sophie in the seat of the shopping cart. She went to the frozen food section and picked out six frozen dinners that were on sale for a dollar each. She then went to the dairy section and grabbed the smallest carton of milk the store carried.
Charles and Beca found the cranberry sauce and put the cans in the cart.
"Can you call Mrs. Davis and see if we need anything else while we're here?," Beca asked Charles.
"Sure thing," Charles said and pulled out his phone.
Beca wandered aimlessly around while Charles spoke to Mrs. Davis. Charles hung up and turned to Beca.
"She said we need some milk," Charles said. "Two gallons of whole milk."
Beca turned and pushed the cart toward the dairy section. She noticed a redheaded little girl in a shopping cart and smiled. The little girl smiled shyly back at her. Beca's breath caught in her throat when she caught sight of the woman pushing the cart the little girl was in. Beca thought she was really pretty.
"Beca?," Charles called her name.
"What?," Beca said. "I'm sorry. I guess I was daydreaming."
"It's okay," Charles said with a smile. "I got the milk. We can go."
Beca nodded and pushed the cart towards the checkout. There was only one open line and she found herself behind the redhead. She watched as the redhead pulled out some money and counted it several times. She saw the woman put her head in her hand and lean on the cart. The woman put her items on the belt and the cashier rang them up.
"That'll be $16.79," the cashier told her.
"No, that's wrong," Chloe said. "The dinners are on sale."
"Do you have the coupon?," the cashier said. "They're on sale with the coupon."
Chloe looked back at Beca apologetic smile, her face flushed with embarrassment. Beca gave her a small smile back.
"I, um, don't have enough," Chloe quietly told the cashier. "Could you take off four of the dinners please?"
The cashier sighed and started to remove the dinners when a $20.00 bill was handed to her. Chloe followed the arm that was holding the bill and saw Beca giving her another small smile.
"Use this," Beca said to the cashier.
"I can't ask you to do that," Chloe said her embarrassment clearly showing in her flushed cheeks.
"You're not asking," Beca said kindly. "I'm giving. Merry Christmas."
The cashier took the bill and bagged up the few items.
"Um, thank you," Chloe said to Beca with tears in her eyes.
"You're welcome," Beca said.
Beca watched as Chloe pushed her cart over to the door and buttoned up her daughter's jacket. Chloe lifted her daughter out of the cart and slowly went out the door. Beca couldn't help but wonder what her story was. The cashier rang up the cranberry sauce and milk, all the while blatantly flirting with Beca. Beca just ignored her and continued to wonder about the woman. Beca paid for their purchases and Charles carried the bags to the car. They were stopped at a stoplight when Beca saw Chloe slowly making her way up the street. She watched as she went into a rundown looking apartment building.
"Charles," Beca said as soon as they got through the light. "Stop the car by that building."
"Everything okay, Ms. Mitchell?," Charles asked as he pulled the car to the curb in front of the building Beca was pointing at.
"Yeah," Beca said getting out. "I'll be right back."
Beca hurried into the building she saw Chloe entering. She heard raised voices and followed the sound to find the redhead arguing with some balding overweight man. There were several boxes piled around them.
"You can't do this," Chloe was yelling at the man.
"I can and did," the man yelled back. "You haven't paid rent in three months. I have actual paying tenants moving in just after the first. I have to get the apartment ready for them, so you're out."
"It's Christmas Eve," Chloe said through her tears. "Where are we supposed to go?"
"You can come home with me," Beca suddenly blurted out.
Chloe and the man both whipped their heads around to look at Beca.
"What?," Chloe mumbled.
"Come home with me," Beca said again quietly. "My place is plenty big enough and I have plenty of food for you and your little girl. Spend Christmas with me and I'll help you figure something out. Okay?"
"I don't even know you," Chloe said wiping at her tears.
"I'm Beca Mitchell," Beca said. "I'm kind of well known so if you ask around you'll find out I'm not some creep. I'm 25 years old, single, and I hate for anyone to spend Christmas alone. Which is what will happen if you and your little girl don't come spend it with me. What's your name?"
"Chloe. Chloe Beale," she replied. "This is my daughter, Sophie."
"Pleasure to meet you, Chloe and Sophie," Beca said. "So how about it? Would you like to spend Christmas with me?"
The landlord gave up on the conversation and went back into his apartment and slammed the door causing Chloe and her daughter to jump. Chloe swallowed the lump in her throat and looked down at her daughter. Sophie looked back at her with tears in her eyes and Chloe let out a small sob. She was so tired. She couldn't believe that she was actually thinking about taking this stranger up on the offer to spend Christmas with her.
"Everything okay here, Ms. Mitchell?," Beca heard Charles ask from behind her.
"Everything's fine," Beca said turning toward him with a smile. "I just need some help carrying Chloe's boxes to the car.
"Of course," Charles said and grabbed two boxes and headed out of the building.
"What? No," Chloe said. "I can't let you do that."
"Too late," Beca said with a friendly smile. "He's already got the boxes in the car, so I guess you'll be spending Christmas with me."
Chloe held her daughter tighter and looked at Beca still a little unsure of what to do. She finally gave Beca a small nod.
"Thank you," Chloe said. "We'd love to spend Christmas with you."
"Great," Beca said as she saw Charles coming back towards her. "You take your daughter to the car and we'll get these last couple of boxes."
Charles grabbed another two boxes and Beca took the last one. She motioned for Chloe to follow Charles and she did. Beca brought up the rear and the went to the car. Charles held the door open so Chloe could get in. Beca climbed in as well. Charles situated the last of the boxes and got in.
"Where to, Ms. Mitchell?," Charles asked.
"Home," was all Beca said.
Charles started the car and drove home. Chloe's eyes widened as she looked at the house they pulled up to.
"You live here?," Chloe asked. "Alone?"
"Well, Charles and Mrs. Davis live here, too," Beca said as Charles parked in the garage. "I don't have any other family or friends, so it's just us."
Charles opened the door and Beca got out. Chloe helped Sophie out of the car before getting out herself.
"Hey, Sophie," Beca said. "Do you like macaroni and cheese?"
"Yes," Sophie said shyly holding onto her mother's pant leg.
Charles got the grocery bags from the back of the car and started toward the door to enter the house. Beca motioned for Chloe and Sophie to follow him. Chloe picked up Sophie and carried her. Beca walked beside Chloe looking at Sophie.
"I happen to love macaroni and cheese," Beca was telling Sophie. "And, my friend, Mrs. Davis makes the best mac and cheese anywhere."
Sophie's eyes were wide as she watched and listened to Beca talk. Beca closed the door once Chloe had come through.
"Mrs. Davis," Beca said. "This is Chloe Beale and her daughter Sophie. We would like three servings of your mac and cheese please."
"Of course," Mrs. Davis said. "You go wash up and I'll bring it to the table."
"Great!," Beca said. "Thanks, Mrs. D. Ladies, if you'll follow me."
Chloe gave Mrs. Davis a small smile and followed Beca. Beca showed them to the bathroom where they could get cleaned up for dinner.
"Can I take your jackets?," Beca asked. "There's clean towels in the cabinet under the sink. Just come to the table when you're ready."
Chloe took off her jacket and Sophie's. She handed them to Beca with a quiet "thank you." Beca took the jackets and left the mother and daughter alone. She placed the jackets on a coat rack near the kitchen and went to wash up at the sink. She saw Mrs. Davis plating up the mac and cheese.
"Do we still have some leftover chicken?," Beca asked and Mrs. Davis nodded. "Could we have some of that as well. I don't know when they last ate a full meal."
"Certainly," Mrs. Davis said and pulled out a container of leftovers."What's their story?"
"I don't know yet," Beca said. "We saw them at the grocery store and Chloe didn't have enough money to pay for her stuff, so I paid for it. It was just some frozen dinners. And then I saw them go into a rundown apartment building and I felt like I needed to follow them. Her landlord had her stuff packed up in a few boxes and kicked her out. I told them they should spend Christmas with me. And here we are."
Mrs. Davis had three plates of food ready and Beca helped carry them to the table. Chloe and Sophie came out stood somewhat awkwardly by the the door.
"Come on in," Beca said with a smile. "Have a seat."
Chloe led Sophie over to a chair and sat her down in it. She took the one next to it and sat. Beca sat at the end of the table next to Sofa.
"Would you like something to drink?," Mrs. Davis asked. "We have milk, juice, tea, or water."
"Um, I'd just like some water, please," Chloe said. "And a small glass of milk for Sophie."
"Water for me, as well, please," Beca told her. "Dig in before it gets cold."
Beca picked up her fork and started eating. Chloe handed Sophie her fork and Sophie sat up on her knees and started eating, practically shoveling the food into her mouth. Chloe did as well telling Sophie to slow down. Beca chuckled.
"I told you Mrs. Davis makes the best mac and cheese," Beca said to Sophie.
Sophie just nodded and kept eating. Mrs. Davis brought the drinks in and Chloe helped Sophie with her milk.
"Mrs. D," Beca said. "I think we're going to want seconds on the mac and cheese."
"I'll bring it right in," Mrs. Davis said with a smile.
Sophie finally slowed down and appeared to be full. Chloe wiped Sophie's mouth and helped her drink the rest of her milk. Sophie licked her lips and couldn't hold back a yawn.
"Let me show you where you'll sleep," Beca told Chloe. "Charles will bring your boxes up to your room."
Chloe picks up Sophie and follows Beca out of the dining room. She leads them upstairs and shows Chloe the guest room.
"You can both stay in here if you like," Beca said. "In case Sophie gets scared sleeping alone in a strange place. Charles will put your boxes in the room next door and you can unpack them later. There's an ensuite bathroom with everything you need. If not, just ask and we'll get it for you. If you need anything during the night, I'll be just across the hall."
"Why were you buying so many cans of cranberry sauce?," Chloe blurted out.
"Oh," Beca laughed. "We're putting together some baskets for the homeless shelter and we had everything except the cranberry sauce. Mrs. Davis and Charles have to deliver the food early tomorrow morning so Charles and I offered to get the cans tonight since nothing will be opened in the morning."
"Oh," was all Chloe said.
"If you wake up in the morning, and can't find me," Beca told her. "Mrs. Davis or Charles should be around so just ask them if you need anything. Word of advice - don't try to fix your own breakfast. Mrs. Davis will throw a fit. She feels it is her duty to feed whoever is in the house, which is usually just me, so when someone new is around, she goes all out. Also, you are welcome to stay here until you get back on your feet. I have a few connections and I'm sure we can find you a good job with a decent salary to live off of."
"Thank you," Chloe said with tears in her eyes. "I honestly don't know how I'm going to ever repay you for your kindness."
"No repayment is necessary," Beca tells her. "I am happy to help. It will be nice to have a friend here for Christmas. It won't feel so lonely."
"What about Charles and Mrs. Davis?," Chloe asks. "Don't they spend Christmas with you?"
"They do," Beca said. "Mrs. Davis is a widow and her son and his family live in Canada so she doesn't get to see them often. Charles is alone as well. He has no family so we are each other's family. They both live here and I always give the time off from Christmas Eve to the day after New Year's to do whatever they want. They usually stick around but I got them both a vacation package for Christmas so they'll be gone starting the day after Christmas until after the New Year. That's okay isn't it? That it will be just me, you and Sophie here after tomorrow."
"It's okay," Chloe said. "I know how to cook, so I will be your cook while Mrs. Davis is on vacation."
"Excellent," Beca said. "I can make breakfast but that's about it."
"Then it's settled," Chloe said and smiled her first real smile in a long time.
"I'll let you and Sophie get some sleep," Beca said. "Good night."
"Good night, Beca," Chloe said.
The next morning, Beca woke up early and found Charles and Mrs. Davis in the kitchen.
"Something smells good," Beca said.
"I'm making up a bunch of meals for you," Mrs. Davis said. "I want to make sure you eat while I'm gone."
"I'll be fine," Beca said. "Chloe said she can cook and has offered to cook while you are gone."
"So you're expecting her to stay for a while?," Charles asked.
"I told her she can stay until she can get back on her feet," Beca said. "I'm not sending her and Sophie out into the streets."
"I think our young boss is smitten," Mrs. Davis told Charles.
"I am not smitten," Beca said. "I am intrigued."
Charles let out a snort and said, "Same thing."
"I picked out a few gifts from the Children's Hospital bag and put them under the tree for Sophie," Mrs. Davis said. "Every child needs to have something to unwrap on Christmas morning."
"You're the best, Mrs. D," Beca said. "I wrapped a few gift cards and put them under the tree for Chloe. I figure she could use them to buy something for herself and Sophie. I'll take them shopping tomorrow."
"Hello?," Chloe called out.
Beca went to see what Chloe needed.
"Everything okay?," Beca asked seeing Chloe and Sophie coming down the stairs.
"I'm sorry," Chloe said. "I couldn't remember where the kitchen was.
"Oh," Beca said. "Right this way. I'll give you the grand tour after breakfast."
"Okay," Chloe said and followed Beca to the kitchen.
"Do I smell Christmas cookies?," Beca asked Sophie.
"Cookies?" Sophie said eyes lighting up.
"We have to eat breakfast first," Beca said. "Then we'll have cookies and hot chocolate while we open presents."
"We'll just to go back upstairs while you all open your gifts," Chloe said.
"Nonsense," Mrs. Davis said. "I saw a few things from Santa for you and Sophie under the tree."
"That's, I," Chloe let out a sob and ran out of the kitchen and they heard her running upstairs.
"Mrs. Davis would you mind getting Sophie some milk?," Beca asked.
Mrs. Davis nodded and waved Beca to go after Chloe. Beca races out of the kitchen and upstairs to Chloe's room. Beca lightly knocks on the door and opens it.
"Chloe?," Beca said. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Chloe said wiping her eyes.
"You don't sound fine," Beca said.
"I'm sorry," Chloe said with a sniffle. "I wasn't able to afford to get Sophie anything for Christmas. And, now, you're all just being so nice to us and telling me there are presents under the tree for us and Sophie's going to have a real Christmas. I'm just so overwhelmed by your kindness and everything that's happening"
The tears fell even harder. Beca didn't know what to do, so she just held Chloe and let her cry. When her crying subsided, Beca suggested she wash her face and come down to have some breakfast.
"Okay," Chloe said. "Could you wait for me? I don't want to get lost looking for the kitchen again."
Beca let out a little laugh and said, "Of course."
Beca and Chloe went back to the kitchen and Chloe apologized to Mrs. Davis for her outburst.
"There's nothing to apologize for," Mrs. Davis said. "Sophie and I have been getting to know each other. Beca, did you know that Sophie is three years old and her favorite color is blue."
"Really?," Beca said. "My favorite color is blue, too."
Everyone settled down and Mrs. Davis made a pancake breakfast. After everyone had their fill, Mrs. Davis made hot chocolate and put cookies on a plate. Charles carried the cookies and hot chocolate into the living room and set everything down on the coffee table. Everyone took a seat and Beca donned a Santa hat.
"Okay," Beca said rubbing her hands together. "Let's see what we have here."
She looks over the packages and picks up one and looks at the tag.
"This is for Sophie," Beca said. "From Santa."
Sophie's face lit up in surprise and wonder. Beca handed her the gift and Sophie looked at her mother.
"Go ahead, baby," Chloe told her with a smile. "Open it."
Chloe helped Sophie open her gift and Sophie gasped when she saw the pink and white yoga pants and a pink top to match.
"Look, mommy," Sophie said holding it up. "It's beautiful."
"Yes, it is," Chloe said with a smile and a tear in her eye.
The morning passed and everyone had opened their presents and eaten their cookies. Mrs. Davis was back in the kitchen preparing the turkey and all the trimmings for dinner. Chloe put Sophie down for a nap and came back to the kitchen to help Mrs. Davis. Beca was sitting at the kitchen counter drinking a cup of coffee.
"I don't mean to pry," Mrs. Davis said to Chloe. "But, how did you end up almost in the streets on Christmas Eve?"
"Just bad luck," Chloe said with sad smile. "I was laid off about 6 months ago and could only find temp jobs here and there. I wasn't making enough to pay the bills, but I was doing the best I could."
"What about Sophie's dad?," Beca asked. "Can't you get him to help out?"
"He, um, died a little over a year ago," Chloe said.
"I'm sorry," Beca said and everyone remained quiet for a few minutes. "How did you and Sohie's father meet?"
"In college," Chloe said. "Dylan and I met on the first day and we started dating. Then, the next year I found out I was pregnant with Sophie. We got married and we both dropped out. My parents told me I was a disappointment to them and that I could do so much better than Dylan. They just turned their backs on me. It was hard at first but we loved each other and we somehow kept our heads above water. Just barely, but we managed. When Sophie was born it became much harder. Honestly, things weren't good between me and Dylan when he died. He was staying out late every night, drinking. And I'm sure he was cheating on me. But, he was Sophie's father so I ignored everything and tried to make the best of a bad situation."
"What happened to him?," Beca asked. "If you don't mind my asking."
"He was drunk and got into a bar fight," Chloe said. "The other guy had a gun and shot him."
"I'm so sorry," Beca and Mrs. David both said.
"It's okay," Chloe said. "I don't mean to sound harsh but when he died, I really didn't love him anymore. I only stayed with him because of Sophie. Even before he died, he was pretty much an absentee father. Sophie deserves so much better. I just wish I could do better for her."
Beca sat staring into her coffee cup. There's got to be something she can do to help Chloe get back on her feet and give her and Sophie the life they deserve.
"I should probably go check on Sophie," Chloe said.
"I'll go," Beca said. "You stay and help Mrs. Davis. I'll take care of her."
"Are you sure?," Chloe asked.
"Let her go," Mrs. Davis said. "Sophie'll be fine."
Beca left and went up to check on Sophie. Sophie was just waking up when Beca walked in.
"Hey, Soph," Beca said. "Did you have a nice nap?"
"Yes," Sophie said smiling.
"Want to go downstairs and have a tea party with me?," Beca asked.
"Yes," Sophie squealed and jumped up and down.
Beca sat on the bed and told Sophie to hop on. Sophie grabbed Beca around the neck and wrapped her legs around her back. Beca grabbed hold of Sophie's legs and stood up.
"Let's see if Mrs. Davis will make us some tea for our tea party," Beca said.
"Okay," Sophie said.
Beca stopped in the living room to pick up the tea set that Sophie got from Santa Claus that morning. She then carried it and Sophie into the kitchen. Beca took Sophie over to Chloe and Chloe took her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Mrs. Davis," Beca said. "Could you make us some tea please? Princess Sophie and I must prepare for our tea party."
"Of course," Mrs. Davis said and took the teapot from Beca.
"Shall I set the table, m'lady?," Beca said bowing down in front of Sophie.
Sophie laughed and said, "Yes."
Chloe smiled at how well Beca and Sophie were getting along. Beca set up the teacups and saucers on the small kitchen table. She took the teapot from Mrs. Davis and placed it on the table.
"M'Lady," Beca said to Sophie. "Your chariot awaits."
Beca turned her back to Chloe and Chloe put Sophie on Beca's back. Beca trotted over to the table and let Sophie down. She held the chair for Sophie and sat in the other one. She poured the
"Is the tea to your liking, m'lady?," Beca asked in a fake British accent.
"It's good," Sophie said taking a sip.
Chloe smiled as she watched Sophie and Beca enjoying their tea party.
A year later, Chloe was standing in almost the same spot as she watched Sophie and Beca having their traditional Christmas tea party. She thought back to that Christmas Eve night when Beca invited them into her home for Christmas. Here it was, a year later, and they were still living in Beca's house and Beca was her girlfriend. She doesn't know how, or even when to be exact, but Beca got through the walls she had built up to protect herself and Sophie and she fell in love with Beca.
"Hey, you two," Chloe said. "Get cleaned up. It's almost dinner time."
Beca whispered something to Sophie and Sophie laughed and nodded her head. Sophie went over to the counter and climbed up on the stool.
"Mommy," Sophie asked. "Do you love Beca?"
"Yes, I do," Chloe responded. "Very much."
"If she asked you to marry her, would you?," Sophie asked and giggled.
Chloe smiled and looked at Sophie.
"What are you up to?," Chloe asked her.
"Answer the question," Chloe heard Beca say behind her.
Chloe turned to look at Beca and saw her down on one knee, holding out a diamond ring. Chloe's hand went to her mouth and she let out a small gasp.
"So," Beca said. "If I asked you to marry me, would you?"
Tears were falling down Chloe's face as she nodded and squeaked out a yes.
Beca jumped up and grabbed Chloe, kissing her. She then placed the ring on Chloe's finger and kissed her again.
"I love you," Beca said.
"I love you, too," Chloe said through her tears. "You truly are my Christmas miracle, Beca Mitchell."
