(Author's Note...we are coming to the close of this story, just the epilogue left. A quick shout out to two faithful reviewers that have kept me smiling...Thanks Idunnox and Joylinda, you guys have been wonderful, thanks for keeping me going. Song used A Thousand Years/Christina Perri, it's really the way I imagined it in my mind. I hope you enjoy.)
Chapter 32-Rescued
Back at the car...
"Christ Posen, were you trying to kill me?"
"Trust me Mitchell, if I were trying to kill you, you'd know it. Now get out of the freaking Jeep and help me with this tire."
"This jeep is way old Aubrey, is there any way we can even get these lug nuts off?" Beca asked while looking over the damage.
"We have no time..the concert has already started by my watch. Screw this, I'm calling for help."
"Whose going to come to our rescue Aubrey, everyone is at the concert?"
"I know someone who isn't..." Aubrey dialed quickly. "Benji it's Aubrey, can you come get me and Beca, we have a flat about a mile down from the exit? What? You can't get your car out..Benji I can't hear you what? Really..ok, we'll meet you over at the Dirt road, thanks Benji."
"Ok, Beca, grab your bag, help is on the way..although it's going to be a bit uncomfortable."
"What, wait, what are you saying?" Beca shot up and asked.
Just as they made their way over to the dirt path, Benji appeared on horse back. He was the Camp ranger's son, and was always around doing odd jobs. Beca had said hello to him, but hadn't spent much time with him over the summer.
"I'm not getting on that thing." Beca crossed her arms refusing to move.
"Beca, so help me god if you do not get on that horse, I will go get the rope."
"Fine."
Beca grabbed Benji's outstretched hand and Aubrey pushed her heal up and onto the saddle behind the boy. Aubrey made a long jump into the stir-up, grabbed Beca's shoulder and hiked her other leg over the back of the saddle.
"We good?" Benji yelled to them.
"We're good, get us up that mountain, we've got a concert to make." Aubrey commanded.
Back at the Amphitheater...
All the kids did great. Boys and girls in each age group. And by the time they made it through to the finals, the performances were even in the Boards Of Director's Eyes. Everyone agreeing that musically, they all did fantastic.
"Shit what do we do...No Aubrey, No Beca..we're screwed." Cynthia said.
"Hey guys, I just got a text from Aubrey, she said she is in camp and on her way...WE NEED TO STALL." Lily shouted, which to everyone just sounded like normal speaking.
Chloe took a deep breath..she knew what she needed to do, as she took the stage with a guitar in hand.
The crowd immediately perked up with the site of the Red-Headed Program Director..chants again came from the audience..."GINGER, GINGER."
"Hi guys". Chloe greeted them with her smile, as she began to speak..projecting her voice once again as the crowd hushed slowly.
"You know we have a camp tradition here...and I'm lucky enough to get to share it with you folks tonight." As Chloe spoke she positioned the guitar around her neck. " I've spent every summer here for the past 15 years, and never a summer did I miss out on this performance. And, I'm so very proud of the job all the campers have done this evening." The applause rose again from the crowd. "Now since this is my last summer at Camp A'Capella"...the crowd murmured, "NOOOOO" a few voices sang out. Chloe continued..."Yes, you see it's time for me to head off to Medical School, but I am so thankful for the amazing time I have spent here at this camp, and especially for the amazing gift I was given this summer. "
As Aubrey and Beca ran into the Amphitheater, Beca stopped in her tracks at the sight of her Ginger. Aubrey stopped too, but then, found her way to the back of the stage, Beca just walked towards Chloe, never looking away.
Chloe did not see the smaller girl enter as she continued with her speech. "It's a pretty amazing thing to fall in love...so this song is for Mitchell."
Beca's movement stopped suddenly upon hearing those words.
Chloe began to strum the guitar, her voice soft, as she began..
Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone?
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
Chloe's eyes ran across the audience, as the campers joined in with the chorus, she smiled, trying to push the emotion building in her to the back of her mind.
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
As her song continued, Chloe's eyes closed, as a tear fell, this was all for Beca...as she opened her eyes, the tear fell, but her voice did not falter. Her eyes continued to look out across the crowd.
One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Suddenly Chloe's eyes fell onto a familiar face, she could see him, eyes wide, lost in the moment...Holy Shit..Dr. Mitchell, at this thought her voice broke a little, but being the professional she was, made it unnoticeable to her audience. She continued to sing while her eyes searched the crowded theatre.
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
As she panned to the left of the stage, her eyes connected with Beca's, and her tears began to fall freely..
One step closer
One step closer
Chloe's voice hit a high note on the second line as Beca looked back, in complete amazement, Chloe's singing was beautiful, and so full of emotion. Her own tears began to fall. Chloe slowed her strumming, and softened her voice for the end of the song, she really was singing this to only one person, yet everyone could still hear her...
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
As she ended the song, thunderous applause filled the arena. Chloe smiled, and struggled to shake off the tears falling from her eyes. She saw as Beca ran to the back of the stage and Chloe walked over to meet her, moving her out of the view of the Audience.
"Wasn't that great...Chloe Beale Everyone". Aubrey said to the crowd as she took center stage.
Everyone was bustling around in the background. The Bellas all clapping for Chloe, then snapping their heads up to see Beca run in..Chloe quickly handed the guitar to Stacie.
And at that moment, the world seemed to fade into the background as they slowly walked towards each other, never looking away from the other's eyes.
They stopped their movement just an arms reach away from the other. Beca's heart was racing, and couldn't catch her breath. Chloe was the first to open her mouth to speak, but was immediately cut off by the smaller girl's lips crashing into her own.
Cynthia Rose beamed at the sight, while Amy said..."Woomp there it is"..with a wink and a nudge at Stacie.
