A/N: I couldn't apologize enough for making you guys waiting so long. I even considered taking this down, but I don't want to do that to you guys. I hope you enjoy the update!

II. The Sunlight through the Flags

"Worry not everything is sound

This is the safest place you've found

The only noise beating out is ours

Lacing our tea from honey jars

Why don't you rest your fragile bones

A minute ago you looked alone"

"Yeah, Aubrey I'm on my way home now," I said into my phone, slightly irritated at the traffic that was stopping me. It had been a long day at work, especially arguing the validity of reading classic novels to some stubborn freshmen. All I wanted to do was take a nap before my flight left, but that didn't seem likely now.

"Are we still going to the Bella's ten year reunion tomorrow?" Aubrey asked softly. "It's okay if you don't want to, Chlo."

I pursed my lips in thoughts. The idea of not attending was tempting, but I couldn't live under this black cloud for the rest of my life. "Yeah, Bree. I'm still in," I reply after a moment of silence, lacking the conviction and pep I would usually have in this situation.

"No one would blame you for not going," Aubrey stated with what sounded like caution in her voice. "We know it's not going to be the same without Beca there, too."

I sighed. Part of me wanted to lash out in anger for Aubrey being so delicate with me, but that reaction would just reinforce that kind of behavior from other people. "I'll be fine, Aubrey. It'll be great to see the girls again. Plus if I didn't go, you wouldn't go, and I know you miss them all too," I teased.

Aubrey let out a huff of laughter, and agreed. She paused, and sadly added, "I miss Beca, too."

I smiled sadly. "I miss her too. Hey, I'm going to go, I'm about to get on the freeway. I'll call you when I'm home though. Love you, Bree."

"Love you too, Chlo," the blonde responded, as we hung up our phones. As I merged onto the freeway my mind once again wandered to Beca. It had been a little over three years since the accident, and it was still hard.

For the first few months I was practically hysterical at any mention of Beca, or even indirect references such as hearing her music play on the radio unexpectedly. Eventually, I could function properly talking about her, listening to her music, and even looking through our old pictures, but that doesn't mean that any of this was easy for me. A sadness that so wholly enveloped my being when I realized that Beca was dead still remained when I thought of her for too long. I missed her.

I decided to put in my CD of mixes that Beca had made back from our college days. Instantly her "Bulletproof" remix began to play through the speakers in the car. I smiled slightly, remembering her excitement when Luke put it on the campus radio station; her first mix of many that would be instant hits with listeners.

As my fingers tapped along to the beat, I didn't have any time to react to the car that swerved into my lane. I felt the air leave my body in shock as metal met metal. A giant crash echoed through my ears, and my vision went dark.

"Miss, stay with us!" A voice demanded from what seemed like miles away. I still couldn't see anything, and the voices were hard to make out. A faint buzzing seemed to be reoccurring consistently as a mash of voices came from all over. However, I felt completely relaxed and calm despite the odd situation. The sound was the only tangible thing I could hold onto. Some part of my instinct demanded that I continue holding on. Survival instinct, I wondered vaguely.

"Don't worry ma'am, we're going to save you." A manly voice shouted from the far distance. I tried to recall what had happened, or what situation I was even in. I felt like I was in the midst of a deep dream.

I was in a car crash.

The buzzing started to grow more frantic, but I couldn't make out what anyone was saying from such a far distance. Nothing was making sense. To add to my confusion I heard "Hold on, Chloe," from a soft voice that was so recognizable I had to detect it among the buzzing.

Even though I hadn't heard it in more than three years.

"Come on Chloe, stay strong," Beca's voice requested, sounding slightly panicked. It sounded just as far away as the man who had tried directing me earlier.

Beca, I want to be with you Beca, I thought automatically, absolutely enjoying hearing my wife's voice once again, despite the strange circumstances. I heard the man scream from the distance, "We're losing her!"

"Chloe…" Beca practically whimpered. "Don't do this."

Beca, don't you miss me? I felt the swarming grow louder, my thoughts getting harder and harder to make out. I felt like I was sinking farther and farther: into where, I had no idea. I just want to rest now, I thought as I felt my grip loosening.

The buzzing grew louder, and I could no longer make out anyone's voice. It just continued to crescendo and build. My body sank lower and lower into the unknown.

Then every thought, every sense, and my entire consciousness flickered, and finally shut down.

A/N 2: So apparently it's become a stereotype to include a car crash in Bechloe fics, but honestly this was the only route that I could think of that wasn't overly dramatic. To be fair, this was the idea I had in mind since I had the idea for this fic.

I swear the next/last chapter will be up soon! Until next time!