Hey, everyone. Sorry for the delay in updating. Had some unexpected company show up and had to play hostess. Left no time to write. Luckily, I had two chapters already written and just needed to read through them a couple of times and tweak them here and there. So, here you go.
{Note to SavageMinion (Guest?): Anyone who reads my stories knows I usually update fairly often and within a couple of days of the last update. I have not, and will not, abandon any story I have out there. I will try and let you know if there is something coming up that will delay me updating. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.}
Chloe was up early the next morning. Technically, she never really went to sleep. Her brain would not shut down. She thought of Beca and the time they were together. She thought of work and moving to LA. She thought of Trish and Beca together. She couldn't blame Beca for liking Trish. I mean she is absolutely gorgeous. She reminded Chloe of that actress from Pretty Little Liars, Shay Mitchell, only shorter. Dark hair, smoldering eyes, and she had to admit, totally hot. They really looked good together. Chloe hated how good they looked together.
Chloe got in the shower about 7:00 am. She got dressed and checked her work emails. Responding to those that were urgent. She left her room at 8:15 and met Stacie, Aubrey, Jessica, and Ashley coming out of their rooms. The five girls headed down to breakfast together. Chloe was surprised to see Beca and Trish already seated at the table.
"Hey, Beca. Hey, Trish," Stacie called out as they entered the hotel restaurant.
"Hey, guys," Beca said.
"Morning, Beca," Aubrey and Jessica said.
"Good morning, Trish, Beca," Chloe said with a smile.
Chloe sat next to Jessica and Aubrey on the opposite side of the table from Beca and Trish. Stacie sat next to Beca and Ashley sat next to Jessica. Trish saw this and raised an eyebrow at Jessica. Jessica just smiled and nodded at Trish. Trish smiled back and shot her a thumbs up.
Chloe noticed this and looked at Jessica, who was looking at Ashley.
"Oh my God, Jess," Chloe whispered to Jessica causing her to look at Chloe.
"You and Ashley?," Chloe asked.
"Yep," Jessica told her. "We talked and she does feel the same way. We're going to get together after the reunion to see how things go."
"I'm so happy for you," Chloe says pulling Jessica into a hug.
Chloe reached across Jessica and gave Ashley's arm a squeeze. She smiled at Ashley and mouthed "Congratulations." Ashley smiled shyly back.
"Hey, Chloe," Trish said getting her attention. "I just got a new listing that you might be interested in. It is closer to your new office than any of the others. I'm adding to our list to look at on Thursday."
"That's great, Trish," Chloe said with a smile.
"Listing?," Stacie said from Chloe to Trish.
"Um, yeah," Chloe said. "We're moving our headquarters to LA and Trish is a real estate agent and is going to help me find a house."
"Wow," was all Stacie said.
She gave a questioning look to Aubrey. Aubrey mouthed that they would talk later. Fat Amy, Lily, Denise, and CR finally joined the group and everyone decided to get the breakfast bar. Beca got in line and made a plate for her and Trish. She came back to the table and Chloe and Stacie both looked at her with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.
"What?," Beca said looking at the two women.
"I can't believe you still eat like that," Stacie said pointing to Beca's plate, "and still look like that." She finished the last part waving her hand up and down Beca's body.
"Remember that time at Barden when she ate that whole large pizza by herself?," Chloe asked with a shake of her head.
"I lost fifty bucks because of that," CR said with a laugh.
Beca just smirked and shoved half a pancake in her mouth.
As everyone was eating, Aubrey went over that day's reunion activities.
"Okay," Aubrey says. "The bus leaves for Barden at exactly 10:00 so don't be late. We're going to get to see the new Bellas in action as well as get a chance to walk around campus. We'll have lunch at 1:00 at Rosie's Diner and head back to the hotel at 3:00. This will give everyone time to relax a bit before dinner at 7:00 and a special performance that starts at 9:00. Everyone good with that?"
"What's the special performance?," Denise asks.
"It's a benefit for Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Fund," Aubrey responds. "We get a free 30 minute concert before the doors are opened to ticket holders."
"Who's performing?," Stacie asked.
"You'll find out tonight," Aubrey said.
Everyone booed and kept asking who it was. Aubrey just shook her head and wouldn't say. Chloe sat at the table listening to the various conversations going on around her. She was a little spaced out from not sleeping much the night before.
"Chloe?," she hears Beca call her name. "Are you okay?"
"What?," Chloe asked trying to shake the fog from her brain.
"You look really tired," Beca said. "Are you okay?"
"Um, yeah," Chloe said. "I didn't sleep well last night. Just talking about looking for a house in LA, makes the move real. I just never had time to think about it before."
"It is a bit daunting," Trish said. "But, don't worry, you have me and Beca to help you. We'll even be there to help you move in when the time comes. Won't we, babe?"
"Um, yeah, sure," Beca said with a small smile.
Aubrey excused herself from the table and came back about 5 minutes later.
"Okay, ladies," Aubrey said. "The bus is here. You guys go on and I'll take care of the check."
"Do you want some cash to help pay it?," Beca asked.
"No, thanks," Aubrey said. "Breakfast is on me. You can get lunch if you're feeling generous."
"I can do that," Beca said.
The girls leave and pile onto the bus. Chloe sat next to Fat Amy since just about everyone else was already doubled up.
"So, how are you doing, Red?," Fat Amy asks Chloe.
"I'm fine," Chloe says.
"Seriously?," Amy asks. "You're going with that?"
"What do you mean?," Chloe asks, furrowing her brows.
"You're going to tell me," Amy says, "that seeing our little DJ with Trish doesn't bother you. Like, at all."
"I have no reason to be bothered," Chloe said. "Beca and I are the past, and Trish is her future. I am totally fine with it."
"Okay," Amy said. "If you say so, Red."
Chloe crossed her arms over her chest. She was fine with it. She had to be. She pulled her ear buds and iPhone out. She found a playlist and put her ear buds in, effectively shutting Amy out. Amy put up her hands in mock surrender and moved to sit next to Lily.
The "new" Bellas put on a small performance for the girls. Aubrey and Chloe were asked for any ideas on how they could do it better.
"This is the person you should be asking," Aubrey said, pulling Beca forward to stand in front of the girls. "She's the one who created our sound that helped us win the ICCA National Championships."
Beca blushed slightly.
"Um, I do have a few suggestions," Beca said. "You know, if you want to hear them."
"Yes, of course we want to hear them," June, the Bellas Captain said.
"Um," Beca said. "Could you, um, maybe, get into your starting positions. I need to know who was standing where."
"You heard her," June said. "Starting positions. Now, please."
The girls all hurry and get into their starting position.
"Okay," Beca said. "The song choices are pretty good. They blend together well and the choreography is really good."
Beca continues with the girls. Chloe is watching in awe. Aubrey sees the look Chloe is giving Beca and nudges Chloe's shoulder.
"You're toner is showing," Aubrey whispers to Chloe.
"What?," Chloe says blinking and looking at Aubrey.
"You need to tone down the looks," Aubrey says quietly. "Trish or Beca may see you. What happened to seeing them together would help you get over Beca?"
"I can't help it," Chloe says sadly. "I knew she had probably moved on, but I really didn't think it would hurt this much."
Aubrey put her arm around Chloe's shoulder and gave her a squeeze.
Beca finishes giving the girls her suggestions and they all thank her profusely.
"Once we make the changes you suggested," Laura, Co-Captain of the Bellas, said. "Would it be alright if we sent it to you to look at? Give us your critique so we can make it the best it can be."
"Um, sure," Beca said. She takes out one of her business cards and hands it to Laura.
"My work email is on there," Beca said. "Just send it there and I'll get back to you as soon as I can."
"Thank you," Laura said and grabs Beca in a hug.
"Oh, um," Beca said tensing up. "You're welcome."
She pats the girl on the back and gently pulls away. The girls leave and start walking around campus. Chloe looks back and sees that Trish and Beca are lagging far behind. She sees Beca help Trish over to a bench and they sit down. Chloe walks back to check on them.
"Hey," Chloe says causing Beca to look up. "Everything okay?"
"Um, yeah," Beca said. "Trish is a little tired and needed to rest."
"Oh, okay," Chloe said. "Do you guys want to head over to Rosie's? It's only about a 2 minute walk from here. I know Aubrey made a reservation. Maybe they'll have it ready so you guys can just rest and relax. I'll tell the others you'll meet us there."
"Sounds good," Beca said. "Thanks, Chloe."
Chloe nods her head and hurries to catch up with the rest of the group. Aubrey slows down to walk next to Chloe.
"Everything okay?," Aubrey asks.
"Yeah," Chloe says. "Trish was getting tired to I suggested they meet us at Rosie's."
"Is she okay?," Aubrey asks looking worried.
"I guess so," Chloe said. "Beca just said she was tired. What's going on, Brey? Why are you so worried?"
"No reason," Aubrey says. "I just want to make sure everyone has a good time. I am the one who planned everything."
Chloe didn't say anything. She looked back over her shoulder to see Beca, with her arms around Trish, walking in the direction of Rosie's.
Lunch at Rosie's went well. The staff remembered the girls and they all reminisced about all the times they spent at Rosie's after Bellas practice. Before the girls knew it, it was time to catch the bus back to the hotel. They arrive and before everyone leaves the bus Aubrey stands up.
"Okay, ladies," Aubrey says. "Dinner will be at the same place as last night. The reservation is for 7:00 so let's plan to leave here about 6:45. Don't be late."
The girls all get off the bus and head into the hotel. Aubrey stops Beca and Trish.
"Trish," Aubrey says. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Trish says. "I just got a little tired, that's all. It's nothing."
"Okay," Aubrey says. "Beca, are you ready for tonight? Do we need to go over anything?"
"No," Beca said. "I'm going to go check on everything before I head upstairs to rest a bit. I will need to leave dinner no later than 8:30 to get back here and ready before the show."
"We can just say I'm tired and need to come back to the hotel," Trish says.
"That's actually a good idea," Aubrey said.
"Okay," Beca said. "We'll go with that."
The three women make their way across the lobby to the elevators. They separate once they reach Beca and Trish's room.
"See you at dinner," Beca says as Aubrey walks away.
Beca gets Trish settled for a quick nap and heads down to the small ballroom to make sure everything is ready for her concert tonight. She does a sound check and once she is satisfied she heads back upstairs to change. She decides to wear the outfit she is going to perform in to dinner. Trish is sitting up in bed, drinking from a bottle of water when she walks in.
"I'm going to shower," Beca tells her.
"Make it fast," Trish tells her. "We don't have much time before we need to meet the girls."
"Okay," Beca says. "I'll be out in a flash."
Beca showers and when she comes out Trish is already dressed. She is wearing light blue skinny jeans, a dark blue v-neck tee, and a black leather jacket. She is slipping on a pair of flat sandals when Beca comes out of the bathroom.
"You look nice," Beca tells Trish.
"Thanks," Trish says. "I'm going to brush my teeth and finish my makeup in the bathroom so you can use this mirror."
"Thanks," Beca says.
Beca goes to the closet and pulls out her outfit for the night. She dresses and is putting on her makeup when Trish comes out. Trish lets out a wolf whistle.
"Damn," Trish says. "My fiance is smoking hot."
Beca is wearing dark red skinny jeans, a white cropped v-neck tee, and a black leather jacket. She adds black knee-high boots to complete her outfit.
"Thank you, ma'am," Beca says.
Beca grabs her wallet and hotel key.
"Ready to go?," Beca asks.
"Yep," Trish says grabbing Beca's hand and heading for the door.
They meet Aubrey and Stacie heading for the elevators. Just as they get on the elevator they hear Fat Amy yelling to hold the door. She jumps on and the elevator descends to the lobby. The other girls all show up and the group heads to the restaurant. They all sit and place their orders. Aubrey taps her glass to get the girls' attention.
"To the Bellas," Aubrey says raising her glass.
"To the Bellas," comes the collective reply.
Everyone clinks their glass with whoever they can reach.
"Okay," Ashley finally says. "Isn't there some Bella code about not lying to another Bella sister?"
"Yeah," Stacie says.
"So," Ashley says. "I'm invoking the Bella code and insist that Aubrey tell us who is performing tonight."
"I'm with Ashley on this," Stacie says.
"Me, too," Chloe chimes in.
"Nope," Aubrey says. "Not going to happen."
"Bella code, Brey," Chloe says.
"That's not going to work this time," Aubrey said.
"Fine," Ashley huffs. "I tried."
The rest of the girls mutter about it not being fair.
"Well, I'm going to hit the ladies room before our food arrives," Stacie said standing.
"I'll go with you," Chloe said.
The two girls leave and head to the ladies room. They are both washing their hands when a couple of teenage girls walk in talking excitedly.
"I can't believe my dad got me tickets," the blonde girl said.
"I'm so glad you asked me to come," the brunette said.
"And it's all for a good cause, too," the blonde said. "Can you imagine being two of only one hundred people to have tickets the see a special Beca Mitchell in concert?"
Stacie and Chloe look at each other. Beca was the performer tonight.
The two young girls finish checking their makeup and leave the bathroom.
"I can't believe Aubrey didn't tell me that Beca was performing tonight," Stace said. "I am her girlfriend. She should have at least told me."
Chloe didn't say anything. She didn't know what to think. She had ony seen Beca sing on TV when she did a guest appearance. She has never really seen her live since she became famous.
"Don't say anything to the other girls," Chloe told Stacie. "Let's let it be a surprise."
"Okay," Stacie said. "But Aubrey will hear about this later."
Chloe just laughed as they exited the ladies room.
The food was just being delivered to the table when Chloe and Stacie returned. They both sat down and looked at Aubrey and then over to Beca. Aubrey saw this and wondered what was going on between the two.
"What's with the looks you and Chloe are giving Beca?," Aubrey whispered to Stacie.
"Oh," Stacie whispered back. "We were just talking in the ladies room. We'll definitely talk about it later."
Aubrey just nodded her head and continued eating. At about 8:15 Beca and Trish stood up.
"Where are you going?," Stacie asked.
"Oh," Beca said. "Um, Trish is a little tired. I'm going to take her back to the hotel. We'll see you guys at the concert."
"I bet you will," Chloe said with a quick glance at Stacie.
"Um, so, yeah," Beca stammers. "I'll um, take care of the bill for tonight."
Beca and Trish leave. Beca looks back at Stacie and Chloe. Both girls are looking at her. She gets an uneasy feeling but she needs to get back to the hotel so she just ignores it.
The rest of the girls finish and are ready to leave. Aubrey, Stacie, and Chloe are at the back of the group walking together. Stacie can't hold it in any longer.
"We know Beca is performing tonight," Stacie blurts out so only Aubrey and Chloe can hear.
"Stacie!," Chloe says slapping the girl on the arm.
Aubrey stops and the other two girls follow suit.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Aubrey huffs.
"Can it, Brey," Stacie tells her. "We heard two girls talking about the special concert being given by Beca Mitchell tonight."
Aubrey sighs. "Fine, it's true," she says. "Please don't say anything to the others."
"We aren't," Chloe said. "I'm actually glad we found out before the show. I mean, I've never seen Beca in concert and I don't know what I would've done when she came onstage. This way I can at least have time to prepare myself. You know?"
Stacie put her arm around the redhead. "I get it," she tells Chloe. "If you need to get out of there, just let me know. I'll go with you so it doesn't look bad."
"Thanks, Stacie," Chloe says. "I think I'll be okay. But, I'll let you know if I'm not."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Stace," Aubrey said. "Beca asked me not to tell anyone."
"It's okay," Stacie said kissing Aubrey. "It is still a nice surprise."
The three girls hurry to get back to the hotel. They arrive and the other girls are waiting for them.
"Follow me girls," Aubrey tells them. "The concert is this way."
Aubrey leads them to the small ballroom. The place has chairs lined up in front of a stage. There is an aisle running down the middle of 5 rows. Each row has 10 chairs on each side of the aisle. At the front of the chairs are two tables with 5 seats at each table with a "reserved" sign on each
"These are our seats," Aubrey tells the girls heading for the tables.
"Wow," CR says. "VIP seating."
The girls all take a seat. At one table is CR, Denise, Ashley, Jessica, and Lily. The other table has Aubrey, Stacie, Chloe, and Fat Amy.
"Hey, Captain," Fat Amy says getting Aubrey's attention. "There's only one seat left. We need two for Beca and Trish."
Chloe and Stacie look at Aubrey. Aubrey just gets up and walks onto the stage. She goes backstage to check on Beca.
"Are you ready?," Aubrey asks. "It's almost 9:00."
"I'm good to go," Beca said.
"Where's Trish?," Aubrey asked.
"She's heading into the ballroom right about now," Beca said.
Aubrey nods her head and walks back out on stage. She sees Trish sitting down at the table.
"Where's Beca?," Amy asked Trish.
"Oh, don't worry," Trish says with a smile. "She'll be here any minute."
Aubrey goes to the microphone and gets everyone's attention.
"It is my pleasure to introduce our special guest performer for the night," Aubrey says. "Girls, give it up for your friend, and mine, Beca Mitchell!"
The girls sit in stunned silence for a moment. They erupt in cheers and catcalls as soon as they see a grinning Beca walk out onstage.
"Thanks, Aubrey," Beca says as Aubrey leaves the stage to take her seat.
"This first half hour is just for you," Beca says. "I'm going to perform songs from my upcoming album that won't actually be released for anther two weeks. So, I'm going to have to ask you to not record or post any of what you are about to hear on Instagram, or Facebook, or any other social media outlet out there. That being said, here we go."
Beca started playing her guitar as the rest of her band came out onstage and joined her. The girls were having a great time. Most of them had not seen Beca in concert before. It was almost time to open the doors to the other hundred guests so Beca said she had one final song to play. It was a little slower than her previous songs. Chloe listened to the lyrics and it was a song about losing someone. As the song continued, all Bellas were wiping tears from their eyes. When Beca sang the last note, the girls all jumped up and cheered.
Beca looked around at all of them with a big smile. She glanced over at Chloe and looked away quickly to find Trish. Trish was smiling and clapping along with everyone else.
"Thank you, awesome nerds," Beca said once they had quieted down. "There's going to a 10 minute break while we let the others in so we'll be back in 10."
Beca and the band left the stage just as the doors were opened for the special ticket holders. The crowd came in and quickly filled the seats. Once everyone was settled, you could hear excited whispers in the crowd. The lights dimmed and the announcer thanked everyone for coming and talked about the Susan G Komen foundation. He then introduced Beca who came running out onto the stage to applause and a standing ovation.
Beca and her band played some of her older songs. Beca played for 90 minutes. When they finished their set, Beca and the band left the stage. The crowd went wild. People were yelling and standing and screaming, "Beca, Beca, Beca." The noise increased almost tenfold when Beca and the band came back onstage. As an encore, Beca played one of the songs that was going to be on her next album. After she finished, Beca thanked everyone for their support and she and the band left the stage. The lights came back on and the crowd let out a collective groan. They didn't want it to be over.
The crowd finally left the room and only the Bellas and Trish remained. The girls were all talking excitedly about how great Beca was.
Beca came out and headed over to where Trish was sitting. Everyone was congratulating her as she walked by. Trish stood up and kissed Beca on the lips. Chloe turned away as she felt tears come to her eyes.