"Where are we going?" Beca asked for the fourth time since they had gotten back in the truck.
"That's the surprise." Aubrey steadfastly refused to reveal their destination.
Beca glared playfully at the side of the blonde's head. Aubrey glanced at her and laughed before reaching over to pull the brunette's hand into her own lap.
"Just chill. You're gonna love it. I promise."
Fifteen minutes later, Aubrey pulled the truck off the back road and onto a wooded dirt road.
"Are we out here because you secretly really do hate me after all and are planning to kill me?"
Aubrey chuckled. "No, Beca. We are out here because it's quiet and we can talk."
She backed the truck into a little shaded alcove situated right on the edge of a large clearing. As they both hopped out, Aubrey could see in Beca's eyes that she had made good on her earlier promise and that Beca did indeed like the space.
"We aren't like trespassing or anything, right?"
"No. This is the back of my grandparent's property. I called Papa earlier and told him I would be out here tonight."
There was a small creek cutting through the area, filling the alcove with the calming sound of running water.
"I like to come out here and think sometimes. Just get away from my family for a bit," Aubrey explained as she climbed into the truck bed. She opened the truck tool box and pulled out a blanket. She spread it out in the bottom of the truck bed and pulled a couple of pillows out of the box as well.
"Hand me the basket."
Beca handed it to her as she chuckled. "Wow. You were really prepared for this weren't you?"
Aubrey blushed. "Hush, you. Get up here."
Aubrey offered Beca her hand as she stepped up onto the bumper and over the tailgate. They both kicked their shoes off and got comfortable as they leaned back against the toolbox.
Aubrey pulled the basket to her side and began pulling out the contents. She paused when she pulled out the sandwiches. "I really should have marked which is which. Here just check them. Mine will be the one with mustard, since you're weird and all." She teases as she hands the sandwiches to Beca and continues to unpack.
Once Beca has the sandwich issue figured out she looks at everything the blonde has laid out in front of them: pasta salad, three different kinds of chips, a bowl of mixed fruit, and a container full of chocolate chip cookies.
"As cute as it is, this is a little over the top. This is a lot of food for two people."
Aubrey blushes as she sheepishly rubs the back of her neck. "I wasn't sure what you would like."
"It's perfect," Beca assures as she leans over and kisses Aubrey on the cheek.
When they finish eating, they pack everything back into the basket and lay side by side on the blanket, gazing up at the night sky through the gaps in the trees.
"So, you've met my crazy family. And unfortunately for you, you've trapped yourself in spending time with them. What's your family like?"
"I like your family. Your mom is amazing."
"You should have grown up with them. They can be downright embarrassing when they want to be. And other times they care too much. But, stop changing the subject. What's your family like?"
Beca sighs as she focuses her sight on a single star. "I don't know."
"You mean you guys aren't close?"
"I don't even know them. My parents died when I was a year old. Car wreck. They hydroplaned and hit a telephone pole."
"Beca, I'm so sorry. We don't have to talk about this if you don't want to."
Beca blew out a ragged breath. "I haven't talked to anyone about this. But something just draws me to you. I know I can trust you. It feels good to talk to you."
Aubrey smiled softly at her before kissing her gently. "So talk. I'm here to listen."
Beca pauses for a moment before continuing.
"I stayed with my mom's sister for a while after that. But they never really got along so I didn't know her that well. She put me in the foster system before I turned two. I've been in and out of foster homes ever since."
Aubrey didn't know what to say to this.
"This one is number seven."
"What's it like?"
"It's not always horrible. Some places actually do it to help. Other places just do it for the check."
"What about this one?"
"Booze money. I haven't seen either Mike or Lisa, they're my foster parents by the way, sober since my social worker dropped me off."
Aubrey turned on her side and propped her head against her palm. Beca remained staring at the sky.
"What's it like to have a family?" she whispered into the night air.
Aubrey smiled sadly. "They're amazing. Supportive. Loving. Everything I could ever ask for."
They fell into a comfortable silence as they both laid flat on their backs; their hands wound up laced together between them and they watched the stars together.
As Aubrey pulled to the curb, they both unbuckled and turned to face each other.
"Hey Beca?" Aubrey asked with a grin.
"Hey Aubrey?"
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
Beca pretended to think about it. "Well, I don't know. Your brother was kinda cute."
Aubrey's jaw dropped open in shock.
Beca laughed as she leaned over the console and kissed blonde. "Of course I'll be your girlfriend."
"Are you aware that I can't trust you with my brother now?"
Beca laughed once again. "Bree, I'm about as straight as a bowl of Fruit Loops. The only interest I have in your brother is that he is related to you."
Aubrey laughed at Beca's cereal analogy and looked at the clock on the dash. 11:42.
"Shit. I've gotta get home, babe. My mom will be mad if I'm any later."
Their lips met over the console for one last kiss.
"Thank you for tonight," Beca whispered before getting out of the car.
"Beca," Aubrey called through the open window as the brunette began to walk away. The brunette turned and walked back towards the truck.
"Promise you'll call me if anything happens. You said they were only in it for the money. I don't trust them."
Beca smiled at her. "I promise. Goodnight, Aubrey."
"Goodnight."
Once again, the blonde waited until Beca had closed the front door behind her before driving away.
It was almost midnight by the time Aubrey pulled into her own driveway. She entered the house to find her mother sitting on the brown leather sectional sofa with a book in hand.
She shut the door and tossed her bag on the coffee table before sitting next to her mother and curling into her side. Elaine closed her book and set it down on the arm of the sofa before wrapping an arm around her daughter.
"How was your date with Beca?"
Aubrey looked her mother in shock. "Did Brandon tell you?"
"No. You two aren't as subtle with checking each other out as you would like to think."
"You don't…have a problem with it?"
"Not at all. Whatever makes you happy is what your father and I want for you. Now, how was your date?"
"It was wonderful. She's amazing."
"Yeah? Will there be another?"
"I hope so considering she's my girlfriend."
"I knew it! Thomas, you and Chloe both owe me twenty bucks!" Elaine called through the house.
Aubrey stared at her mother. "You two were betting on whether or not Beca and I would get together?"
"No. We bet on when you and Beca would get together. I didn't think it would happen until after the end of the month," Thomas grumbled as he came out of the hallway leading to the master bedroom, clad in a white t-shirt and plaid lounge pants, with wallet in hand. He handed Elaine a twenty dollar bill before plopping down in the recliner and turning on the television.
"I can't believe you people."
"Well, believe it. See, never doubt a mother. I know my own children," Elaine lectured Thomas.
"Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I still won the bet about Thomas dropping out of college."
"Who are you people?" Aubrey asked in disbelief.
"I said the same thing when I heard them all making the bet," Brandon said as he came up from the basement to join his family. He sat on the end of the sectional not occupied by his mother and sister.
"You kids are old enough to see the gambling addicted sides of your parents now," Thomas deadpanned.
The siblings rolled their eyes as they all turned their attention to where an old sitcom played on the television.
Aubrey sighed before standing up and heading toward the hallway. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight, guys."
Elaine stopped her. "Aubrey, sweetie is everything okay? You've got that look you get when you're thinking too hard."
Aubrey stood still for a moment before walking back to the sofa. This time however, she chose to curl up in her mother's lap.
Thomas rose from the recliner and went to sit with his family. Brandon scooted closer so that he was next to his father. They all looked at Aubrey in concern.
"Thank you," Aubrey whispered.
"For what, sweet-pea?" Thomas asked.
"Everything," she paused before continuing. "Beca and I were talking tonight. She lives with foster parents."
"She's adopted?" Elaine asked, shocked at the news.
"No. She's part of the foster system. Her parents died when she was little." She intentionally leaves out the part about Beca's aunt. After all, she doesn't want to betray Beca's trust.
"So just… thank you for always being there for us. For loving us," she lets her voice trail off.
Elaine tightens her arms around the girl. "It's our job, baby. It's part of being a parent. We'd do anything to see you two happy."
At this, Thomas puts his arms around his family as they sit in silence.