Guest prompt [I condensed the prompt a little but here is the basic idea for the story]: Can you do one with Beca as a soldier and it's been 3 years since she saw her wife, Chloe, and her daughter. On Christmas Chloe hears news of an attack where Beca is supposed to be.
Corporal Beca Mitchell walked through the halls of the American Embassy in bumfuck nowhere Syria. She had been sent for by her Sargeant and Beca was worried. There was an ISIS stronghold not too far from the Embassy that intelligence operatives could never get a strong fix on. Whenever they thought they were close, their location changed. There had been too many close calls against the Embassy and her fear was that more trouble was brewing. Her men were tired and so was she. She got to the Sargean'ts door and stopped. She straightened her uniform and knocked.
"Enter," she hears the Sargeant call out.
She enters and closes the door. She stands at attention.
"You sent for me, Sargeant," Beca stated.
"At ease, Corporal," the Sargeant tells her.
Beca stands with her feet apart and her arms behind her back.
"Relax, Beca," the Sargeant says with a smile. "You can cut the formalities now that we're alone. We're married to each other's best friends for God's sake and have known each other forever."
"Thanks, Aubrey," Beca says with a smile and relaxes. "So, what's up?"
"Well, I have some good news for the both of us," Aubrey tells her. "We're going home."
"Area you shitting me?," Beca asked.
"Nope," Aubrey says. "I just got our orders. They're bringing in Special Forces to take over here since it looks like ISIS is planning something really big. They want us all out of here before that happens. Our men will be transported out over the next twenty-four hours. You and I are scheduled for pickup in 2 days time. We'll be home in time for Christmas."
Beca fought back tears. She hadn't seen her wife, Chloe, in 3 years. Which is also the last time she saw her daughter, Sophie. Sophie was only a month old when she began this special deployment. She's had to watch her grow up via skype and videos that Chloe made for her.
"I can't believe it," Beca said. "Chloe and Stacie are going to be beyond surprised when we both show up on Chloe's parents doorstep for Christmas."
"Believe it," Aubrey said handing Beca an envelope. "Oh, and these are yours."
"What are these?," Beca said opening the flap.
"Discharge papers," Aubrey said. "You're done."
"What?," Beca said. "But how? I know I regret doing it, but I already submitted my papers for another tour."
"Well, your papers may have accidentally, on purpose, not been submitted to HQ," Aubrey said.
"Aubrey," Beca said.
"Save it," Aubrey said. "This came from the top. Command Sargeant Major Adams sent your papers back and ordered that they not be resubmitted. He's also the one who expedited your discharge."
"I don't know what to say," Beca said. "Chloe's going to be ecstatic."
"You're not the only one who's done," Aubrey said. "I'll be joining you in civilian life. My tour is done and I'm not coming back."
Beca hugged Aubrey and patted her on the back.
"This is cause for a major celebration," Beca said. "I can't wait to tell Chloe."
"Hold up," Aubrey said. "I think we should surprise everybody and just show up on Christmas."
"I like that idea," Beca said. "But, shouldn't we tell at least one person?"
"We can let Charlie know," Aubrey said. "We can even have him pick us up at the airport."
"I can't believe this is happening," Beca said. "I need to start packing up."
Two days later, Beca and Aubrey were more than ready to go home.
"Corporal Mitchell the transport chopper is leaving with or without you," Aubrey yelled. "You've got 60 seconds to get on it or be stuck here for at least another 30 days."
"Yes, Sargeant," Beca replied as she grabbed her duffel bag and hauled ass behind Aubrey to the chopper.
Beca jumped on the chopper and buckled herself in. She looked over at Aubrey and gave her a smile and thumbs up. Soon the chopper took off and they were on their way. The chopper flew them to a nearby airbase where they hopped on board a cargo plane to Germany. Once in Germany they would transfer to a civilian flight to New York, connecting to a flight that will finally get them to Tampa on Christmas morning. With wait times between possible flights, it was going to take them 24-27 hours to get home.
Beca dragged her duffel bag through the terminal at JFK. They had a 6:30 am flight and it was only 5:15 and they had just gotten in from Germany. She and Aubrey hurried to their gate to get checked in and then hit Starbucks for a much needed caffeine fix.
"I just texted Charlie to let him know were are on schedule," Beca said. "I'm sure he'll text me when he gets the message."
"I can't believe that in just about 4 hours we'll be home," Aubrey said. "I'm looking forward to sleeping in a bed with real sheets. And towels that smell like the rain."
"I'd like nothing better than a nice hot shower and some clean civilian clothes right about now," Beca said.
"Roger that," Aubrey said.
It was almost 8:00 when Chloe Mitchell was awakened by two very loud and very awake 5-year-olds.
"Wake up everybody," Lucy Posen shouted. "It's Christmas."
"Santa came!," Lucy's twin sister, Lauren, shouted as well.
"Well, at least they didn't wake us up at 5:30 like last year," Chloe mumbled to herself.
Three-year-old Sophie Mitchell sat up and started yelling and clapping as well.
"Soph," Chloe said. "Quiet down please. The twins are making enough noise."
Chloe gets out of bed and picks Sophie up.
"Santa?," Sophie asked.
"Yep," Chloe said putting Sophie down. "Santa came. Let's go potty and then we can go see what Santa brought us. Okay?"
"Yay," Sophie squealed and clapped.
Chloe took Sophie into the bathroom and let her use the toilet. She changed her training pants and told her to wait in the bedroom for her so Chloe could use the bathroom and brush her teeth. Chloe finished in the batrhoom and went into the bedroom. She took Sophie's hand and they made their way downstairs where everyone else was waiting.
"Merry Christmas, girls," Charlotte Beale said when she saw them.
"Merry Christmas, mom," Chloe said.
"Merry Chismas, gan-maw," Sophie said.
Chloe led Sophie over to sit with the twins by the tree.
"Is there coffee?," Chloe asked her mother.
"Of course," Charlotte said. "Come help me get breakfast together."
"Okay," Chloe said. "Remember Sophie. No presents until after breakfast, okay?"
"Kay, Mommy," Sophie said.
Chloe poured coffee for her and her mom. She put some sugar in the sugar bowl and set it on the counter. Charlotte takes out the breakfast casseroles she prepared the night before and put them in the oven.
"Carl, turn that off," Charlotte yelled when she heard the TV come on.
"The kids want to watch the Christmas shows," Carl Beale shouts back.
"That better be all they watch," Charlotte warns.
"Yes, dear," Carl murmurs.
Chloe laughs and Stacie comes into the kitchen.
"Can I help?," Stacie asked. "The kids are all waiting impatiently for breakfast so they can get at the gifts."
"They won't have to wait long," Charlotte says. "The Christmas casserole should be ready in about 30 minutes. Can you grab the coffee creamer out of the fridge?"
"Got it," Stacie says and goes over to the fridge.
Chloe poured Stacie a coffee and handed it to her.
"Hey, guys," Charlie said as he entered the kitchen. "I have to run out for a bit. You can let the girls open their presents without me. The rest of you can wait until I get back."
"Where are you going?," Charlotte asked her youngest child.
"Jake called," Charlie told them. "His car broke down on his way to Tracy's and he asked if I could come get him and take him there. The auto club said it would be like 4 or 5 hours before they could get to him because they were short-handed. He doesn't want to miss seeing the kids for Christmas."
"Alright then," Charlotte said. "Give him our best and tell him Merry Christmas."
"Will do, mom," Charlie said. "I should be back in a couple of hours. Save me some Christmas casserole."
Charlie kisses his mom's cheek before he heads out the door. He is all smiles as he starts the car and heads towards the airport.
Aubrey and Beca were sitting in First Class. An older couple saw them get on the plane and immediately spoke to a stewardess and wanted to change seats with them. They tried to decline the generous offer but nearly everyone around them argued they should take the exchange so they did. They both disliked being the center of attention and found it easier to relax in First Class because there were fewer people. Aubrey is sleeping and Beca is listening to some music on her phone. Beca's phone started acting weird and when she looked at it she noticed she was down to on 3% on her battery.
"Shit," Beca mumbled. She turned her phone off and decided to try and get some sleep. She dozed lightly but kept thinking of the looks on Chloe and Sophie's faces when she saw them.
The kids were playing with their presents and the adults were laughing and chatting. Chloe had Sophie on her lap.
"Did Santa bring you everything you asked for?," Chloe asked Sophie.
"No," Sophie said with a sad smile. "But, that's okay. Maybe next Chismas."
"That's a very grown up thing to say," Chloe said kissing Sophie on the cheek.
Sophie got down off Chloe's lap and went to play with Lucy and Lauren. They were squealing and giggling. The adults grew quiet when they heard the news suddenly come on in the middle of a show.
We interrupt this program to bring you breaking news out of Syria. The American Embassy has been overtaken by ISIS insurgents. Approximately 30 minutes ago a call for assistance was made from inside the Embassy. We will update with more information as it becomes available.
Chloe's coffee cup fell from her grasp. Her hand was in front of her mouth as she watched the news report.
"Oh, my God," Stacie whispers.
Tears came to both Chloe and Stacie's eyes. The American Embassy in Syria was where Beca and Aubrey were stationed.
"Hey, girls," Charlotte said to Sophie and the twins. "How about we get grandpa Carl to make his famous hot chocolate. And you girls can help him."
"Yeah," Carl says. "Last one in the kitchen doesn't get any marshmallows."
The three young girls squeal and hurry into the kitchen. Charlotte closes the kitchen door and hurries back over to Chloe and Stacie. She sits between them on the couch and puts an arm around each of their shoulders. She pulls them to her.
"Let's not panic," Charlotte said trying to stay calm for the girls. "We have to believe they are okay. Let's think only good thoughts. Okay?"
She gently rocked the two women as they both let their tears fall from not knowing what was happening with their wives. The continued to listen to the news.
We have just received reports that there was no indication that anyone was able to evacuate from the Embassy before it was overtaken. We don't know if there are any casualties inside the Embassy. At this point, it would just be speculation. We will continue to bring you more as this story develops.
Chloe grabbed the remote and checked every station. It was all the same. They didn't know anything. Chloe threw the remote on the table and swiped at her tears. She could feel a pain start deep in her chest.
The plane taxied to the gate. Aubrey and Beca stood to get their bags and exit the plane. They noticed that no one else was moving. They looked to see that the door was open but no was leaving. They looked around confused when an older gentleman sitting across from them spoke.
"Welcome home, soldiers," the man said. "We are all waiting for you to depart the plane first. We figure you got family you haven't seen for a while waiting for you. Go to them."
Beca and Aubrey were both moved by the display.
"Thank you," Aubrey said. "Thank you all."
"Thank you, soldier," the older man said. "And God bless you, both!"
Everyone was quiet as Beca and Aubrey got their bags and started down the aisle toward the door. When they got there, people started clapping and saying "Welcome Home" and "Thank you." Beca and Aubrey thanked everyone as they exited the plane.
"Well, that was surreal," Beca said as they walked into the terminal. "I'm going to text Charlie to see if he's here yet."
Beca pulled out her phone.
"Shoot," Beca said. "The battery's dead."
"Mine, too," Aubrey said as she checked her phone.
"Let's just go outside," Beca said. "See if we can find him."
The two soldiers head for the exit and as soon as they make it out they hear a voice yelling their names.
"Beca! Aubrey!," Charlie yells. "Hurry up! Let's go!"
Aubrey and Beca hurry over to him.
"We have to get you two home immediately," Charlie said grabbing Aubrey's bag and tossing it in the back. "Something bad happened."
"What happened?," Beca asked as she threw her bag in the car. "What's wrong? Is it Chloe? Sophie?"
"For fuck's sake, Charlie," Aubrey said. "Spit it out."
Beca and Aubrey both climbed into the car. Charlie started the car and pulled away so fast he left marks on the road. He then told them about the news reports all over the radio about the Embassy being overtaken. Beca and Aubrey both paled.
"We were just there," Aubrey said.
"Oh, shit," Beca said. "The girls have probably seen the news. Where's your phone? Ours are dead."
"Here," Charlie said glancing down to unlock it for Beca.
Beca took the phone and dialed Chloe. It rang and went to voicemail. She tried Stacie's number and got the same result. She tried calling both twice more and got the same result.
"Dammit," Beca yelled in frustration.
"Beca, calm down," Aubrey said. "Just wait a few minutes and try again. Or try Charlotte."
"Shit," Charlie says. "It's a cop. He's pulling me over."
Charlie signals and pulls over to the side of the road. A State Trooper comes up to the car and Charlie puts down his window.
"Morning, Officer," Charlie says.
"Where's the fire?," the trooper asks.
"Officer," Aubrey leaning forward from the back seat. "I am Sargeant Posen and this is Corporal Mitchell. We literally just flew in from Syria where we were stationed at the American Embassy that was overtaken by ISIS this morning. Our families don't know we are on our way home. Our phones died because we've been on the move for the past 27 hours trying to get home so we can't reach them to let them know we are safe. We-"
"Say no more," the trooper said. "What's the address of your destination?"
Charlie spits off the address.
"Follow me," the trooper says and hurries back to his car. He pulls out and speeds off down the road. Charlie follows behind him and stays right on his tail. The trooper put on his siren and flashers to get people to move aside as he led them home.
Stacie was sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the TV waiting for more news. Chloe had cried so much that she had made herself sick. She was sitting on the floor of the downstairs bathroom with her head in her hand and tears streaming down her face. Sophie walked in and sat on Chloe's lap.
"Please no cry, mommy," Sophie said hugging Chloe.
Chloe put her arms around Sophie and held onto her. She loosened her hold and wiped the tears from her face.
"I'm sorry, Soph," Chloe said. "But mommy's really worried. The news just said that some really bad guys are in the same place mama is. I'm just scared for mama."
"Is mama got boo-boos?," Sophie asked.
"I don't know, baby," Chloe said with a chuckle. "I hope not."
"If she does," Sophie says. "I kiss them and make them better?"
"Yeah, baby," Chloe said as more tears fell. "I'm sure mama would like that."
Sophie leans her head on Chloe's chest and mother and daughter sit like that for a few minutes.
"Come on," Chloe said. "Let's check on Aunt Stacie. She's scared and worried about Aunt Brey."
Chloe got up, holding Sophie in her arms. Chloe sat next to Stacie and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. Sophie wanted to get down so Chloe let her go. Mr. and Mrs. Beale came back in the living room when the news came on again.
We have just received word, the news anchor starts and stops. He clears his throat. We have just been informed that the White House has received information that there are no American survivors inside the Embassy. They are currently awaiting confirmation. Again, this has not been confirmed.
Chloe let out a sob and starting hyperventilating. Stacie continued to just stare at the television with tears streaming down her face. Chloe got up and ran out the back door and dropped down into the grass as she sobbed. In the background a siren could be heard. Mr. Beale heard it and it sounded like it stopped outside their house. He went to the door and looked out. His eyes grew wide when he saw Aubrey and Beca both hurrying out of Charlie's car.
"Charlotte!," Carl screamed. "Get Chloe!"
"What on earth," Charlotte said as she walked up to her husband. "Oh, my God!"
Charlotte went running into the living room and pulled Stacie up from the sofa.
"Aubrey and Beca are here!," Charlotte yelled as she dragged Stacie to the front door.
"Aubrey's here?," Stacie said in a daze.
Aubrey stopped for a brief moment when she saw Stacie in the doorway. Beca ran around her and moved out of the way as Stacie ran to Aubrey. They crashed together and Stacie's tears fell. Aubrey pulled back and pushed Stacie's hair out of her face and crashed their lips together. Stacie kissed her back and then stood their hugging her wife.
"Baby, I've never been so afraid in my life," Stacie said through her tears.
"It's okay," Aubrey said. "I'm here, Babe. I love you so much!"
"I love you, too," Stacie said and pulled Aubrey in for another kiss.
Beca made it into the house and saw Sophie looking at her wide-eyed. She grabbed her up and pulled her into a hug.
"Hey, baby-girl," Beca said through her tears.
Sophie put her hands on Beca's face and said quietly, "Are you real?"
"Yes, Sophie," Beca said with a laugh. "I'm real."
Charlotte stood by wiping her own tears.
"Where's Chloe?," Beca asked her.
"She went out back," Charlotte said and took Sophie from Beca. "Go!"
Beca hurried out the back door and could see Chloe kneeling on the ground. She could hear her sobs as she ran over to her and kneeled in front of her.
"Chlo," Beca said causing Chloe's head to jerk up.
Before Beca could say anything else, Chloe let out a sob and Beca found herself being thrown backward when Chloe threw herself into Beca's arms. Beca laid on her back holding Chloe like she was never going to let her go.
"I, I," Chloe sobbed. "The news."
"I know, baby," Beca said. "I'm okay. I'm here and I'm okay."
Chloe continued to cry and hold onto Beca. Beca managed to sit up and Chloe was straddling her lap with her legs wrapped around Beca. Chloe has her arms around Beca's shoulders and her head buried in Beca's neck. Beca has her arms around Chloe's waist. Beca kissed Chloe's forehead and Chloe brought her head up. Beca kissed the tip of Choe's nose and brought her left hand up to cup Chloe's cheek. She wiped the tears away with her thumb and pulled Chloe into a kiss. Chloe pulled her in tighter and kissed her back with all the love she could put into a single kiss. They finally pulled back and Chloe rested her forehead on Beca's.
"I'm sorry you were scared, baby," Beca said. "Aubrey and I wanted to surprise you and Stacie for Christmas. Then our phones died and we couldn't get anyone to answer when we tried to use-"
Beca was cut off by Chloe's lips. She smiled into the kiss and kissed Chloe back.
"Mommy! Mama!," Sophie cried as she came running over to them.
Beca broke the kiss as Sophie threw her arms around Chloe'e neck from behind and hugged her tight.
"Let's go back inside," Beca said.
Chloe managed to move off Beca's lap with Sophie hanging off her back. Beca stood up and took Sophie. She then helped Chloe up and pulled her into another kiss. Beca broke the kiss and took Chloe's hand shifting Sophie to sit more comfortably on her hip.
"I've got some news," Beca said as they started walking toward the house. "I've been discharged. I'm not just home for Christmas. I'm home for good."
Chloe stopped walking and said "Really?" She looked at Beca and a tear slipped down her cheek.
"Really," Beca said catching the tear with her finger. "Think you'll get sick of having me around?"
"Never," Chloe and leaned in for another kiss which Beca gladly returned.
"Santa did it, Mommy," Sophie said smiling at her mothers. "I askded him to bring mama home. And he did."
