Electronis Zappa prompt: Beca and Chloe learn their favorite bar is closing in Barden and they go back for one last drink. Don't know how to tie it into the holiday aside from maybe they find a way to buy it to prevent the closure.
"I can't for the life of me figure out how you convinced me spending Thanksgiving with my dad and Sheila was a good idea," Beca said as they drove their rental car from the airport.
"Oh, hush," Chloe said. "All I had to do was show a little side boob and you were agreeing to everything I suggested."
"I so hate you right now," Beca said.
"Maybe," Chloe said. "But you love my boobs."
"You can't tell me we won't be having sex in my father's house," Beca said glancing at Chloe. "And then start talking about your boobs. So not fair Beale."
"It's Mitchell," Chloe said. "Or have you forgotten already?"
"I will always remember our wedding day," Beca said kissing the back of Chloe's hand. "One of the best days of my life."
"And, don't forget the honeymoon," Chloe said with a cheeky grin. "Remember how my bikini top kept coming loose. Good thing we were on a private beach or everyone would have seen my boobs."
"And, I'm back to hating you, again," Beca said.
Chloe just laughed and turned up the radio. They arrived at Professor Mitchell's house about twenty minutes later and grabbed their bags. Sheila answered the door and ushered them inside.
"How was the flight?," Sheila asked.
"I guess it was fine," Beca said. "I slept through it."
"It was fine," Chloe said giving Sheila a hug. "Except for the constant snoring that was going on in my right ear."
"I do not snore," Beca said.
"Keep telling yourself that, babe," Chloe said with a laugh. "Where's Ben?"
"He went to his office but should be home in just a bit," Sheila said. "Can I get you girls something to drink?"
"I'll just have some water please," Chloe said.
"Same," Beca said. "I'm going to take our bags upstairs."
"I'll help," Chloe said. "I want to hang up my blouses so the don't get wrinkled."
Beca and Chloe came back downstairs about twenty minutes later when they heard Beca's dad come home.
"Hey, dad," Beca said and gave the man a hug.
"Hey, Beca," Ben said. "I just heard something that might interest you."
"Oh, yeah," Beca said giving Chloe a kiss on the cheek as she sat next to her. "What's that?"
"Ned's is closing," Ben said. "After this weekend they're closing their doors for good."
"What?," Beca said. "Why?"
"The owner died a few months ago," Ben said. "And one of his nephews took over but doesn't know what he's doing. He apparently been trying to sell it but no on has shown any interest in it. So, he just decided to close it up."
"I can't believe it," Chloe said. "Ned's is where Beca first told me she loved me. All of the Bellas and the Trebles used to hang out there and do karaoke all the time."
"Since we're here, we should see if any of the Bellas are around," Beca said. "Get everybody together for one last drink. Most of them are in nearby Atlanta so I'm sure we can get a pretty good group of us. I'll text everyone and see if we can maybe go on Friday night. How does meeting up at 8:00 sound?"
"Sounds good," Chloe said. "I have to call Brey and let her know we're here. I'll tell her about the get together. You can group text everyone else."
"Oh, wait," Beca said. "Dad, you and Sheila didn't have anything planned for us for Friday night did you?"
"No, you girls make whatever plans you want," Ben said.
"Thanks Dad," Beca said.
Beca had her phone out and was writing a group text while Chloe called Aubrey.
"Chloe!," Aubrey's voice came through the phone. "Are you and Beca in Barden yet?"
"Yeah," Chloe said. "We got here a little bit ago. I was mainly calling to see if you and Stacie were available on Friday night? Ben just told us that Ned's is closing after this weekend and we wanted to get everyone together to go have one last drink."
"I can't believe it," Aubrey said. "Stacie and I will definitely be there. What time?"
"Beca's texting everyone to meet there at 8:00," Chloe said and Beca nodded her head in agreement. "Why don't you guys meet us at the Barden diner first? It'll be just like old times."
"Okay," Aubrey said. "We can be there around 6:00. Is that good for you?"
"Perfect," Chloe said. "We'll see you then."
"Okay," Aubrey said. "Bye, Chlo."
Chloe hangs up and looks at Beca.
"Brey and Stacie are in," Chloe says.
"Fat Amy and Bumper are in," Beca said. "CR said she and Denise will be there but might not get there until a bit later. Lily just texted 'K' so I guess she's in. I expect we'll hear from the others later."
"Dinner's ready," Sheila called from the dining room.
Thanksgiving was uneventful and Beca was looking forward to seeing the Bellas the next night. Beca and Chloe were having breakfast with Ben and Sheila on Friday morning when they decided to take a walk around Barden.
"We'll see you in a few hours," Beca told her dad as she and Chloe left the house.
They walked toward the University. They just wandered around reminiscing and found themselves in front of Ned's. They decided to go in for a drink. The place wasn't quite like they remembered. It was more rundown and looked like the owner had just given up on the place. The place was practically empty.
"This is sad," Beca said as they sat at the bar.
Beca orders two beers and looks around the place.
"Right over there is where I first knew for sure that I was in love with you," Beca told Chloe pointing to the booth where the Bellas always sat.
"It's also where you told me you loved me for the first time," Chloe said giving Beca a quick kiss.
"Being here sure brings back a lot of memories," Beca said.
"It sure does," Chloe said.
Chloe sat and looked around the old bar. There were so many memories here and all around Barden that she and Beca have shared.
"Babe, I need to talk to you about something," Chloe said. "But, can we go back to your dad's and talk."
"Um, sure," Beca said feeling nervous. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah," Chloe said. "Let's wait until we get back to your dad's."
The walk back to Ben and Sheila's was a quiet one. Beca lost in thought wondering what Chloe needed to talk to her about. Chloe going over in her head what she wanted to say to Beca.
"How was your walk down Memory Lane?," Sheila asked when the girls came through the door.
"It was good," Beca said.
"Did you girls eat?," Ben asked. "We were just going to have a turkey sandwich."
"I could go for a sandwich," Beca said. "Chlo?"
"Yes, thank you," Chloe said.
Sheila made sandwiches and they all sat around the table chatting as they ate. Beca and Chloe both anxious for the talk they were going to have.
"Are you girls okay?," Ben asked. "Did something happen on your walk?"
"What? No," Beca said. "Sorry, we stopped off at Ned's and all the memories just got to us. As a matter of fact, Chloe and I need to talk about something. Would you excuse us?"
"Sure, go ahead," Sheila told them.
Beca led Chloe upstairs to their bedroom. Beca sat on the bed with her back against the headboard. Chloe sat next to her. Neither of them said anything for a few minutes.
"Chlo, you're kind of scaring me," Beca said quietly. "What's going on?"
Chloe put her head on Beca's shoulder.
"You know how you had decided that after graduation you were going to stay in Atlanta because you thought I was staying here?," Chloe asked. "I was waiting to hear about that position at the Atlanta Music Academy I applied for."
"Yeah," Beca said. "And, you didn't get it. But, you did get that really great job offer in L.A., so we moved there."
"And you found a job as a producer and did some DJ gigs on the side," Chloe said.
"Yeah," Beca said. "And we've done quite well for ourselves. What's all this leading up to, Chlo?"
"Well, you remember how I told you the Atlanta Music Academy was my dream job?," Chloe asked and Beca nodded. "Well, I was offered the position as Assistant Dean. I have to let them know soon because they want me to start right after New Year's."
"Chloe, that's great," Beca said. "Oh, my God. I'm so proud of you."
Beca grabbed Chloe and hugged her. Chloe hugged her and pulled back.
"I'm not going to take it," Chloe said.
"Why the hell not?," Beca asked.
"Because I'd have to move back here," Chloe said.
"You mean, we'd have to move back here," Beca said. "We're married. We're a team. Where you go, I go."
"I couldn't ask you to move for me again," Chloe said. "Your dream has always been L.A. I can't ask you to give that up."
"Chloe, my dream is wherever you are," Beca said. "Besides, we've been living my dream for the past five years. It's time we lived yours. Accept the job."
"What about you?," Chloe asked. "What are you going to do?"
"Let me ask you this," Beca said. "If I got an offer to work for Sony in New York, what would you tell me to do?."
"I'd tell you to take the job," Chloe said without hesitation.
"And you'd go with me, wouldn't you?," Beca said.
"Of course," Chloe said.
"So, I'm telling you to take the job," Beca said. "And I'm coming with you. You can't get rid of me that easily."
"But, Beca," Chloe said.
"Take the job," Beca said.
"But,"
"Take the job."
"Becs."
"Take. The. Job."
"Fine," Chloe said. "I'll take the job."
"Good," Beca said and kissed Chloe. "So, were you going to decline the job offer and never tell me about it?"
"I thought about it," Chloe said. "About not telling you, because I knew you'd tell me to take the job. But, with all the memories that resurfaced today, I think a part of me wanted you to be okay with me taking the job, so we could move back here. This place holds so much of what made us who we are, it would feel like coming home."
"I love you," Beca said kissing Chloe. "Now I need to talk to my dad about something. It might take me a while. Why don't you shower while I do that and then when I come back up we can get ready. We have to meet Aubrey and Stacie in a couple of hours."
"Okay," Chloe said.
Beca goes downstairs to find her father. He's in his study and she asks to speak with him. She spends the next hour telling him her idea and he seems to think it's a good plan. They agree to get things started the next day.
The gang all meet up at Ned's that night and reminisce about all the time they spent there. It's a bittersweet reunion but they drink beer and sing karaoke and close the place, just like old times.
The next morning, Beca and her dad are up early and out of the house before Chloe wakes up. She tries texting Beca and just gets a 'be back soon' message from her. Chloe helps Sheila decorate the house for Christmas and are in the middle of decorating the tree when Beca and Ben come home.
"The place looks great, dear," Ben tells Sheila.
"Chloe did a great job of helping," Sheila said. "I wouldn't have half as much done without her."
"Where have you two been?," Chloe asks.
"Just spending some time together before we head back to L.A. tomorrow," Beca said. "Plus I talked to a realtor to get started on looking for a house for us. I brought back some brochures of a couple I think you'd like. Karen, the realtor, said she's available this afternoon if you want to go look at any of them."
"Seriously?," Chloe asked looking through the brochures. "Let's see if we can look at these two. They're my favorites."
Beca calls the realtor and sets up a time for later that day to view the houses Chloe picked. Beca and Chloe fell in love with one of the homes they looked at and made an offer.
"We'd really like to expedite the sale," Beca said. "We're in a rush because my wife will be starting her new job the first of the year."
"If the offer is accepted," Karen told them. "I think we can have you moved in by Christmas. The owners have already moved out, all of the inspections are complete, and the only thing we'd have left to do is sign the paperwork."
"Excellent," Beca said.
Beca and Chloe go back to Ben and Sheila's and excitedly tell them about the house. Ben is happy that Beca will be close by again. Their relationship has gotten somewhat better over the years and he was looking forward to being able to spend more time with his daughter.
Beca and Chloe fly back to L.A. where Chloe gives her final notice at her job and starts packing up the house. Karen told them their offer was accepted and made arrangements for them to sign the paperwork to make the house theirs. They flew to Atlanta on a Friday, signed the paperwork and flew back home on Sunday. It was Chloe's final week at her school and the students and faculty threw her a going away party on her last day. She loved the school and was going to miss everyone but she was also looking forward to her new position in Atlanta.
Beca was on the phone when Chloe got home. Ending the call when she saw Chloe.
"Hey, babe," Beca said kissing the Chloe.
"Who was that?," Chloe asked.
"My dad," Beca said. "He's helping me with a job I'm trying to get in Atlanta."
"Oh," Chloe said. "What job?"
"I don't want to tell you yet," Beca said. "I don't want to jinx it."
"Beca Mitchell, what are you up to?," Chloe asked.
"You'll see," Beca said. "Let's order some food. I'm starved."
Their house sold quickly and they were all packed up. There was nothing left to do but move to Atlanta. Their good friend and neighbor, Maddy, had volunteered to let the movers in to pick up their stuff the day after Christmas. It was scheduled to arrive in in Atlanta before New Year's Day. Beca and Chloe will be staying with Ben and Sheila until their stuff arrives.
It was Christmas Eve and Beca told Chloe to get dressed in some party clothes. Ben and Sheila were getting ready as well.
"Where are we going?," Chloe asked.
"Just get changed, woman," Beca said giving Chloe a swat on the butt.
"Okay, okay," Chloe said with a laugh.
The two couples were ready and got into Ben's car. Beca blindfolded Chloe and told her it was a surprise. Ben drove for a few minutes and parked the car in the lot. Beca got out and helped Chloe out of the car. Chloe could feel Beca's excitement. Beca led Chloe a little ways and stopped. She positioned Chloe and then took off the blindfold.
"You brought me to Ned's?," Chloe asked looking around. "I thought they were shutdown."
"The old Ned's was closed down," Beca said. "I brought you to the new and improved Ned's Grand Reopening."
"Somebody bought it?," Chloe said excitedly.
"Not someboday," Beca said. "We. We bought it."
"What?," Chloe said. "When? How?"
"I got the idea when we were here for Thanksgiving," Beca said. "After you told me about your job and us moving back here, I talked to my dad and he thought it was a good investment. So, I worked with Karen, and I bought it."
Chloe hugged and kissed Beca.
"So, this is what all those secretive phone calls for the past month have been about," Chloe said.
"Yeah," Beca said. "My dad and Sheila have been overseeing all the renovations and stuff so we'd have it up and running by Christmas. Wait until you see the inside."
Beca grabbed Chloe's hand and led her to the door. Just as they were about to go inside, Fat Amy came out.
"Hey, boss," Fat Amy cried.
"Boss?," Chloe asked.
"Yeah," Beca said. "Several of the Bellas work for us. Fat Amy is our Manager. Bumper and Lily are handling security. We plan to serve lunch and dinner so Jessica and Ashley are our cooks. Oh, and I am the DJ. We also hired some bartenders and a few waitresses that attend Barden U."
"This is all so much to take in," Chloe said. "How did we afford all this?"
"The owner sold it to us dirt cheap," Beca said. "He wanted to get rid of it so bad that he practically paid us to take it off his hands.. I used the bonus the studio gave me to pay for most of the remodeling. Dad and Sheila kicked in some, and Amy and Bumper also put up some money and here we are."
"I can't believe it," Chloe said. "I want to see the inside."
"Let's go," Beca said and they followed Amy inside.
"Surprise!," all their friends yelled when they entered.
"Oh, my gosh," Chloe exclaimed. "Brey! Stacie! CR! Everybody's here!"
Chloe went over and was hugging everybody. Beca followed with a smile on her face.
"It looks fabulous," Chloe said when she finally stopped to take it all in. "I can't believe you got this all done in such a short amount of time."
"I enlisted Aubrey to help my dad and Sheila," Beca said.
"That would do it," Chloe said with a laugh.
"I have to get up to the DJ booth and get the party started," Beca said. "Come up and visit when you get a chance."
"I will," Chloe said and gave Beca a kiss before she ran off to the DJ booth.
Beca started playing her mixes and the dance floor was jumping. Chloe sat back and watched Beca in the DJ booth, loving how Beca looked so at home. She knew Beca loved her job in L.A., but she hadn't seen her his excited about DJing in a while. Chloe got a big smile on her face and went to bar before heading up to the DJ's booth.
"Hey," Beca said when she saw Chloe leaning in the doorway to the booth.
"I brought the DJ a drink," Chloe said handing Beca a beer.
"Thank you," Beca said and took a drink before setting it on the table. "Are you having a good time?"
"I'm having a great time," Chloe said putting her arms around Beca's waist and pulling her tight against her. "So, I was just wondering if you wanted to christen the new Ned's the same way we christened the old Ned's?"
Beca swallowed hard and looked at Chloe. Chloe bit her bottom lip and gave Beca a wink.
"Um," Beca stammered. "Let me queue up some songs and I'll meet you in the bathroom in five."
Chloe squealed and ran off. Beca just laughed and queued up enough songs to go for thirty minutes. She took off her headphones and headed for the bathroom. She entered and found Chloe standing there waiting for her.
"Ready to make some new memories?," Chloe asked and motioned Beca toward her.
"Merry Christmas to me," Beca said with a smile and pushed Chloe into the nearest stall.
A few minutes later Stacie and Aubrey enter the bathroom.
"Oh, my God," Aubrey says when she hears moaning. "Is that Beca and Chloe?"
"Yeah, it is!," Stacie says with a laugh. "It wouldn't be Ned's if Beca and Chloe weren't doing it in the bathroom."
There you go, Zap. Hope it meets with your approval.
