BecaPOV
"I come here at least once a week, it's my last connection to her." I could see that Chloe was trying to restrain herself from reaching across the jeep and pulling me into her arms. I took a ragged breath. "It's been three years. I was 13 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She fought it so hard. Lost her hair and everything. My dad tried to get me to come live with him, but that would've left her all alone. I ran away for three days. My mom finally convinced me to come home after she made my dad leave. I was 17 when it went into remission. We were so excited, we went and got matching tattoos."
"The birds on your side?" Chloe whispered.
I smiled a weak smile. Chloe had made it a mission to find out what all my tattoos meant. "Yeah, they were supposed to symbolize her being finally free." My voice shook and I leaned toward Chloe, needing her comfort more than ever. "I don't talk about this, like ever, but I need to tell you. She was driving to work one morning when a drunk driver hit her head on. She fucking beat cancer, but some jackass can take her life and not even get jail time." I couldn't speak any more, my body shaking with my sobs. I couldn't hold back any more. Chloe was rubbing my back and kissing my head, and I knew even more so now, that she was the one for me.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I can imagine how hard it was." She whispered in my ear as I calmed down. I just nodded my head, not trusting my voice yet. "I'm also sorry because I'll never get to meet the person who raised the woman I fell in love with."
After a few more minutes of silence I spoke up. "You know, I wasn't always like this," gesturing down my body.
"A punk DJ who snots a lot?" She smiled at me.
I laughed lightly, and pulled away just enough to kiss her. "Yeah, I mean before my mom died, I had a lot of the same qualities like I didn't like movies and I loved music but I wasn't so...dark. I was a pretty social person. Popular. On the cheer squad." I shrugged and hid behind my hair.
"What happened after..." Chloe trailed off.
"I dropped out. Got my GED and took off with some friends I met at a party. We drove all the way to New Orleans. That's where my dad found me about 6 months later. I would occasionally text him and tell him I was okay and I guess he got one of the tech guys at school to track my phone. He put me in rehab, I, and I'm not proud of it, I popped pills. A lot of pills. Pain killers. And I usually downed them with a bottle of vodka. I was in a downward spiral, I see that now. My dad really did save my life. It's part of the reason I agreed to come here. While I was in rehab though, they let me start mixing music and that's when I fell in love." I could feel my cheeks flaming. I've never admitted to anyone how bad I got after my mom died.
"Beca." Chloe pulled away and held me at arms length. "I love you. Nothing you say can ever change that. You're my girl." She smiled and then crashed her lips to mine. After a few moments I pulled away.
"Thank you." I brushed the hair out of her face. "I love you so much. Will you come meet my mom?"
"I'd be honored to." She replied with a smile. We got out of the jeep and headed towards her grave, I brushed a few leaves off her stone before I began to speak.
"Hey mom, sorry I didn't bring you any flowers today, this trip was pretty unplanned. You know that girl that I've been telling you about, the crazy redhead that I'm in love with?" Chloe elbowed me playfully. "I finally grew the balls to propose to her and she said yes. I wish you were here for this, you know how I am about fashion and shopping." I traced the letters of her name carefully. "I love you." I whispered before standing back up and resting my head on Chloe's shoulder.
"I wish I would have been able to do this in person, but this will have to do." Chloe's voice sounded through the silence. "Thank you. Thank you for giving me Beca. Thank you for raising the woman you did, because if you didn't then I would have never met the hard headed, wonderful woman that she is. Thank you for teaching her to love with her whole heart because I can see it every time I look into her eyes. I wish I could've know you too, because I know I would've loved you like my own mom."
I just stared at Chloe. "Take me home, Chlo."
She nodded in understanding and we headed home, Chloe holding me the whole way. Once we got home, she guided me past the girls and straight to our room where she got me into bed before cuddling next to me and holding me while I cried.
•••••••
I woke up a few hours later, Chloe's body wrapped around mine. I smiled as I remembered how loving and doting she was. I carefully untangled myself from Chloe, grabbed my laptop and walked out to the living room.
"Shawshank?" Amy asked.
"Yeah?" I responded, looking over to her on the couch.
"You know, I'm here for you, if you need to talk or anything,"
I nodded. "Thanks"
"So, I'm assuming since Chloe is sleeping in the next room with a giant hickey on her neck that she said yes?" Amy asked changing the subject.
I beamed. "Yeah-"
"Beca Mitchell. You are not allowed to tell people about our engagement without me!" Chloe interrupted, coming from the bedroom looking extremely cute in a tank top and shorts. She took my laptop from me and sat herself on my lap. "Or let me wake up alone." She whispered as she kissed me softly.
"Relax, Gingah. I already knew she was doing it."
Chloe looked at me. "Yeah, she helped me...she picked up the ring while I kept you distracted." I explained.
"I just texted the girls, they'll all be here in 30." Amy said. "I'm taking a shower before they get here. Try to still be dressed when I get done." I threw a pillow at Amy's retreating form, laughing at her under my breath. Chloe started kissing down my neck, sucking softly on my pulse point.
"Unngh, Chlo, what are you doing?" I was beginning to pant as her hands moved under my shirt, her fingers skimming underneath my bra.
"Shh, she said to have clothes on when she comes back." She said, kissing me passionately. "Now shut up and let me love you."
I threw my head back and moaned out, "Yes, mam." She was pinching and twisting my nipples with just the right combination of pleasure and pain. Her free hand was already slipping beneath my sweats and into my panties.
"God, you're so ready." She mumbled before sliding two fingers into me easily. She quickened her pace and flattened her palm against my clit. "Cum for me baby, I can feel how close you are." I moaned. "That's it baby, let go." She said before kissing me deeply, swallowing my moans as I fell over the edge.
"I love you, Chloe. I don't know what I did to deserve you but I'm glad I've got you." I said once my brain could form coherent sentences again.
I could feel her smile against my neck. "I love you too, baby"
I traced my fingers up her side, slowly making my way to one of my favorite things. I palmed one breast, getting even more turned on knowing that my small hand only covered a bit of it.
"Mmm, baby, stop." I stopped instantly.
"What's wrong? Did I hur-" Chloe stopped me with her mouth on mine.
"Quite the opposite. We don't have time for what I really want to do with you." I groaned. "Tonight, I'm all yours."
We sat in silence for a few moments, enjoying each other's presence. I didn't want to ruin the moment but I really didn't want to sit through telling the Bella's with my underwear ruined.
"Chlo?" I whispered. She hummed against my neck.
"I need to get up." I said.
"Nope. I'm comfy." She mumbled.
"Chlo. I REALLY need to get up." Emphasizing the really part.
"Why?" She asked.
I blushed, because even though she's the one that put me in this position, I'm still embarrassed to talk about it. "I've got to change. My underwear are ruined." I whined.
Chloe smiled against my neck before rolling off of me and laying on the couch. I quickly scrambled off the couch and sped walked to the bedroom, Chloe's laughter filling my ears.
•••••••
Telling the girls about the engagement was fairly painless. They're all very accepting of us and so this was just another event for them. Amy insisted that we go out to celebrate, which is how I'm waking up this morning with a raging hangover and Chloe halfway undressed cuddling me. It took her an hour to calm down and stop laughing after she remembered how I had drunkenly tried to make love to her, only to pass out between her boobs.
"Are you still mad at me?" She asked, walking out of the bathroom completely naked.
It took me a second before I could respond. "No, you know I can't stay mad at you." I said, grabbing her and pulling her onto my lap. "I love you too much,"
"I love you too. Now come on, I don't want to be late for dinner with my parents."
Chloe's parents love me. And I'm not just being cocky, they've made me feel like their own daughter since day one. So as soon we walked in the door, we were both bombarded with hugs.
"Beca! You need to come over more often."
"What am I? Chopped liver!?" Chloe exclaimed. "At least Peanut likes me." She grumbled as she picked up the small dog.
"Actually, Will we have something to tell you." I beamed. He looked at me expectantly. "Let's sit down first. It's big." I winked. He had known for a month now because I had asked for his permission. We both agreed for him to act surprised to his wife and daughter, knowing they'd view it very old fashioned for me to ask permission.
Chloe grabbed my hand as we walked to the living room, her thumb playing with my ring. "We're engaged!" Chloe blurted out before we even got to the room. I looked at her incredulously.
"Really? Subtle, Beale."
She blushed. "Sorry, I just couldn't hold it in anymore." I just shook my head and looked to her parents for their reactions. I should have been more prepared for the ambush into my personal space from Ellen.
"Congratulations!" She squealed. "Come on, we've got to start planning!" She said as she pulled Chloe out of the room. I laughed when I saw the look of horror on Chloe's face.
"I'm glad she said yes. I'm especially glad that I can officially call you my daughter." Will said as he handed me a drink. I smiled in thanks and began an easy conversation with him.