Hi! Happy New Year. My sister made me watch Noelle over the break (not that it was a hard sell) and I remembered my adoration of Anna Kendrick. Then I went back to my stories - and I found a few things. This is very short - but I think it's kind of cute. I hope you enjoy.
Beca, a late night drive, and a teddy bear
Jesse was surprised when their doorbell rang; it was late for a random visitor and they weren't expecting anyone. But Beca was on the other side, so he let her in. She looked frazzled, her jacket pulled on over pajama pants and a soft t-shirt. If he wasn't a gentleman, he would have noticed the lack of bra. Her hair was pulled into a messy braid and her eyes looked – well, slightly possessed.
"Becs, what brings you over in your jammies?" Jesse asked.
She rolled her eyes and began up the staircase to his second floor. Jesse followed, watching as she walked into the guest room and began searching. Under the bed, beside the bed, under the covers. "What'tcha lookin' for?" He asked. "Maybe I can help? It is my house, after all." Aubrey had found them and was watching from the doorway.
"Bella left her stuffed bear here – and she is crying like someone just killed her puppy. Big, huge crocodile tears. For over an hour. I can't take it." She shook her head. "Chloe says I'm spoiling her; I say I'm saving my sanity. It doesn't matter which one it is - It's a fucking bear and I'm not losing sleep over it." Once the drawers and closet had been searched and it was clear that the bear was nowhere to be found, Beca hurried down the stairs to the playroom, the Swansons behind her. She and Jesse both began picking through stuffed animals amidst the semi-organized jumble of legos, books, stuffed toys, and more.
Finally, Jesse extracted it from the driver's seat of a large toy truck and handed it to Beca, who seriously looked like she was going to cry. "Thank you," she said. "I'm sorry – I didn't mean to barge in – I'm just going nuts. I haven't slept well all week – now this –"
"Not a problem," Jesse said. "Next time, call. I would have been happy to bring it over. I have one less kid to tackle into bed – I have slightly more time than you." He offered her a hug – because she truly looked like she needed it. She pulled away quickly and he could see that she was struggling to keep her emotions under check. Aubrey remained silent because she knew her option – that driving across town for a stuffed animal was wasteful and indulgent – would not be a welcome one.
"Thanks again," Beca said softly, eyes avoiding them both. "Good night."
"Night," Jesse responded.
"Good night. Drive safely," Aubrey told her. Beca drove home, trying to calm herself. Bella hadn't been loud for the time she'd spent crying, but she had been so quietly devastated that her waves of distress had caused her mother's anxiety to spike.
Reaching home, Beca let herself in and locked the kitchen door again, setting the alarm. They were in for the night. When she turned around, Chloe was waiting for her, a pot of tea and two cups set on the table. "Are you okay?" She asked, studying Beca.
Beca nodded and removed her jacket, throwing it over the back of the chair. She showed Chloe the bear. "I'll be right back." She walked softly up the stairs and gently pushed open the door to Bella's bedroom. Fairy lights twinkled from her nightlight, but everything else was dark. The little girl had cried herself to sleep, so Beca carefully tucked the bear in the crook of her arm and gently kissed her forehead.
She was almost to the door when she heard the words, "Thank you, Mama."
"Good night, Love." She walked back to the kitchen where Chloe had now poured her cup of tea. Beca accepted it from her wife and sat at the table. "I'm sorry – I know that was irrational."
Chloe smiled at her gently and picked up her own mug to take a sip. "I'm not upset that it was irrational. I'm worried that you got so worked up. Honey, you almost had an anxiety attack –"
"I'm aware," Beca responded stonily. "I can't help it. Some people give off more negative energy when they're sad or distressed. Bella is one of them."
"Emily's another?" Chloe asked. Beca nodded. "Bec, you need to talk to someone – to figure out how to not get overwhelmed by other people's emotions. She's only two – it's going to get worse, not better. What happens when she's a teenager and every wrong look or errant blemish is a world-ending event in her eyes?"
Beca shrugged and then nodded. She knew Chloe was right. She also thought her own current hormonal imbalance wasn't helping things. "I think it worked." She rubbed at her eyes. "I think my hormones are already wonky."
"We'll know for sure in a few days," Chloe said. "But you would know best what that feels like."
Beca looked down at her stomach and patted it. "No more double-teaming your moms. Singles only, please." Chloe giggled.
"I think if it's twins, it's already twins."
"Bite your tongue," Beca said with a faux-gasp. "We would have as many babies as we have hands. That seems unmanageable." Chloe smiled.
"I think we're doing okay." She snaked her hand across the table and took Beca's. Beca smiled.
"Other than the not sleeping anytime ever, yes, I'd say so. And totally worth it." Chloe grinned.
Please let me know your thoughts. I would love to add more one-shots to this universe, so let me know if there's anything you'd like to see.