I wanna apologise for the long wait, I've had a rough few months; broke up with my girlfriend, the pandemic, getting a new puppy, all those things kept me occupied. But I'm back, writing some of the stories I had stopped writing (Room, Worth More Broken, etc). I have some amazing storyline for the next chapter!
April 14th came soon and, for the first time in a long time, Charlotte was up with her sisters and she was happily skipping around the house.
"I'm 16! I' m finally 16!" Charlotte said.
"My baby is finally 16!" Chloe said, wrapping her arms around the 16-year-old and kissing her cheek. "Happy Birthday, Char!"
"Thanks Ma!" Charlotte said.
"So, everything ready for your party tonight?" Chloe asked as they made their way to the kitchen.
"Oh yes," Charlotte said.
Although Charlotte had stated she didn't want a huge party, she did want to celebrate being 16, so she organized a party for her closest friends and she wanted it to be as glamorous as possible. Alice, Maya were coming along with some friends she made in high school. Beca and Chloe agreed to have the party in their backyard, Beca would DJ and Chloe had ordered food. The couple had also hired someone to do the decor, as well as rented tables so everyone could sit. The pool was heated, so they didn't have any problems with that and the backyard was pretty spacious. They decided tonight would be the night for Charlotte's celebration with her friends. Saturday would be for the family, including the Bellas.
Chloe put four pieces of bread into the toaster and got the waffles out of the freezer. Charlotte put butter, syrup and juice on the table before getting the plates and cups.
"Char, can you make coffee?" Chloe asked.
"Sure," Charlotte said. She plugged the coffee maker, poured water and put the spoons of coffee before turning it on.
"Good morning!" Sophie walked in and ran straight to her big sister, giving her a hug. "Happy birthday, Char!"
"Thanks, Sophie!" Charlotte chuckled.
Sophie grinned and helped her sister set the table.
"Char, are you excited to start your Junior Year?" Sophie asked her sister.
"So So, I still have to finish my Sophomore Year," Charlotte said.
"Well, you're really close to being done," Sophie said.
"I know, I'm excited," Charlotte said with a smile.
Sophie rolled her eyes and chuckled.
"Are you excited you're finally allowed to drive?" Sophie asked.
"Duh!" Charlotte said.
"So, now that you're a driver, can you take me to school one day so I can show my friends I have a cool big sister who can drive?" Sophie asked.
"You want me to show me off to your friends?" Charlotte asked.
"Yeah!"
Charlotte thought for a while.
"Okay!" she finally said and Chloe laughed and shook her head.
"You guys are so funny,"
"Thanks, mamma!" Sophie said before sitting down.
"I know someone who's turning sweet 16 today!" Beca came in with a smile.
Charlotte smiled brightly and her mom gave her a big bear hug.
"Happy birthday, Char!" Beca said. "I love you very much, I hope you have a wonderful day."
"Thanks, mom," Charlotte smiled.
"You'll get your present after breakfast," Beca said.
"Yay!" Charlotte clapped and everybody sat down as Leslie came in, she put a medium sized box on the counter and Charlotte grinned widely.
The family ate breakfast, the kids helped Beca and Chloe clear the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher. Only then, Charlotte was allowed to open the box on the counter.
Charlotte opened and found a key inside. She frowned and grabbed it before she looked up at her moms.
"A key? Mom, I already have the house keys," Charlotte said.
"Beca! I told you we gave her the house keys when she went to high school!" Chloe said.
"Damn! Well, that key is gonna have to open something else then," Beca said.
"Like what?" Charlotte said.
"Well, let's take a look outside," Beca said and walked towards one of the windows in the kitchen. Charlotte frowned and followed her, looking out into the driveway. "What? Chloe, look! Someone parked their car behind my baby!"
"What?" Charlotte asked.
"Come on," Beca said, going with everyone out to the driveway, where there was a red 2025 Toyota Prius Three parked behind Beca's white Audi Q7. "Aw, come on!"
"Who would do that?" Charlotte asked, looking around.
"I don't know," Chloe said.
"Wait, look, there's something on the hood," Beca said, grabbing a small sticky note. "Look, it says 'For Charlotte'."
"What?!" Charlotte grabbed the note from her and it really did say that with Beca's handwriting. The teenager looked back at the car and saw a red bow on the front and her mothers and sisters were grinning widely, waiting for her to catch on. She immediately felt her eyes filling with tears and she had to cover her mouth to hold back a sob.
"Happy birthday, Char!" everyone said and gave her a bear hug while the teenager cried.
"I have my own car?!" she asked.
"Yes!" Beca said.
"Oh my God!" Charlotte said, jumping. "I have a car!"
"Yaaay!" Sophie said.
"Did you know this?" Charlotte asked Sophie.
"Yes!" Sophie said.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"That's the point of a surprise," Sophie rolled her eyes.
Chloe chuckled as she looked at the redhead.
"You know, you might look like me but you are so much like your mom, Soph," Chloe said.
"I know, this one could smirk before she could talk," Beca said with a chuckle.
Sophie grinned.
"When I grow up, I wanna be a badass music producer like mommy," Sophie said.
"I thought you wanted to be a professional dancer, Sophie," Charlotte said as the family made their way back inside to get ready.
"I do! I mean, after my career as a dancer," Sophie said.
Charlotte chuckled and everyone headed upstairs.
"Mom, can I go to school in my super cool new car?" Charlotte asked once she was ready.
"Sure," Beca said.
"Mommy, can Char drop me off at school in her super cool new car?" Sophie asked, putting her backpack on and adjusting her french braid.
"Sure, Soph, but then you two gotta hurry," Beca said, looking at her watch.
"I'm ready," Sophie shrugged.
"Okay, come on, Soph!" Charlotte said.
Sophie grabbed her dance bag and hurried with her sister out the door. She got out of school and went straight to dance class so she always carried her dance bag with her.
"Bye mommy!" Sophie waved before closing the door.
Beca smiled and went back upstairs to finish getting ready. She brushed her hair and did her makeup before going downstairs. It was 7:20 and she knew she had to hurry if she was going to drop Leslie off at school.
Leslie came downstairs wearing a Stratford plaid dress, her hair was up in a braid, a matching plaid scrunchy, white socks and black shoes. She was holding her backpack and set it down right by the door. She opened the front pocket, got her glasses case and took off her glasses, wiping them with the tissue before putting them back on.
"Les, you ready?" Beca asked, coming downstairs too.
"Yep," Leslie said.
"Great, let's go,"
Leslie opened the door and went to her mother's car, getting in the backseat.
"Mommy, I have Math Club today after school, so you can pick me up at 4:30," Leslie said, buckling in.
"Alright," Beca said. "How would you feel if Charlotte picked you up?"
Leslie smiled widely.
"Awesome!" she said.
Beca smiled and turned the key.
oO0Oo
Sophie grinned as Charlotte pulled up in front of her school. She turned to her sister before opening the door.
"Thank you, Char! You're the best big sister ever!" she said, opening the door.
"You're welcome, Soph," Charlotte smiled.
Sophie got her bags and closed the door, waving at Charlotte before going off to school.
Charlotte shook her head with a giggle before driving to her own school. She parked in a relatively good spot before getting out, being met with her two screaming best friends, Maya and Alice.
"I can't believe you have a car!" Alice said.
"I knew your moms wouldn't let you down," Maya said.
"I know, they're the best moms ever!" Charlotte said, squealing, locking her car.
"Not just moms, they're the best people ever," Maya said.
"Yes, they are," Charlotte smiled, getting her bag and books.
Alice spotted a person making their way to school and sighed before turning to her friends.
"Uh-oh, jerk ex alert," she said.
The three watched as Callie walked to school, looking tired. She looked at the three for a moment before she disappeared into the crowd.
"Can't believe she dumped you," Maya said. "She seemed like she liked you so much!"
"Well, it doesn't bother me anymore," Charlotte shrugged.
"That's great," Maya said.
"Of course it doesn't bother you, that cute guy from our English class won't stop staring at you!" Alice said.
"Oh my God, really?!" Maya said.
Charlotte blushed and hugged her books tighter with a small smile as they began walking.
"Who?" Maya asked.
"Ethan, that dirty blonde guy," Alice said.
"Oh, the one from Baltimore? He is cute!" Maya said. "He's in my Math class! Very smart,"
"Char, why don't you ask him out?" Alice asked. "He obviously likes you,"
"Me ask him out?" Charlotte asked.
"Yeah!" Alice said. "You're a strong young woman,"
"Yeah I am," Charlotte said. "But on my birthday? What if he says no?"
"It has nothing to do with your birthday, he's been watching you for months, go ask him! Maybe you can get a date on your birthday," Alice said.
"That's not gonna work, today's my party, remember?" Charlotte said.
"Invite him, then!" Alice said.
"No, we don't even know each other! I'll wait until Monday before asking him out," Charlotte said.
"By then, someone will have snatched him away from you," Maya said.
"I didn't say I was gonna talk to him," Charlotte said. "Maybe we can exchange numbers."
"Awesome!" Maya said.
oO0Oo
Charlotte got home before her sisters, of course, she didn't have any after school activities. She happily got out of the car before making her way inside.
"Hi mom!" she said, knowing only Beca would be home at this time, Chloe came home at 5.
"Hey Char!" Beca said from the kitchen. "Are you hungry?"
"Depends, what do you have?" Charlotte asked, putting her bag and books down by the front door and her shoes in the entrance closet.
"Just a fruit salad," Beca said.
"Oh, alright," Charlotte said, coming into the kitchen.
Beca was eating sitting at the table, the big bowl was right in front of her. Charlotte grabbed a small bowl and a spoon so she could help herself to some.
"How's the backyard? Is it beautiful?" Charlotte asked, sitting down, setting her phone on the table.
"Yes, absolutely gorgeous," Beca said. "Alejandro will be here at 5 to do your hair and makeup."
"Awesome," Charlotte said.
"Can you pick Leslie up at Stratford at 4:30?" Beca asked.
"Sure!" Charlotte grinned.
Beca chuckled.
"Then, can I pick Alice and Maya up so Alejandro can do their makeup?" Charlotte said.
"Sure," Beca said. "It's your birthday."
Charlotte squealed and threw her hands up in celebration and her phone buzzed. She quickly grabbed it and saw it was a text from Ethan, making her smile.
"New crush, Char?" Beca asked.
"Yeah, actually. It's this guy, Ethan," Charlotte said. "I initiated the contact."
"Of course," Beca said. "Good luck, Char."
"Thanks, mom," Charlotte said.
"You should get your homework done, y'know. Don't leave it for Sunday," Beca said.
"Yeah," Charlotte said. "I'll be up in my room."
Charlotte put her bowl and spoon in the dishwasher, leaving her phone by the counter before going upstairs with her backpack and books.
At around 4, Charlotte left to pick Leslie up, leaving Beca alone to organize the backyard. Nikki was helping her, of course.
By the time 8:30 rolled around, the house was all decorated, Beca was already in her DJ station, there was a big table with candy and the cake, balloons that spelled out Charlotte 16 stood right behind that table, the pool lights were on and everybody was ready.
Beca and Chloe had hired a chef to cook small portions of risotto for the guests, there were non-alcoholic cocktails, a photographer to take pictures, everything was exactly the way Charlotte wanted.
Maya and Alice were the first ones there, Alejandro did their makeup. The three were taking pictures, Charlotte took pictures with her moms and sisters. Sophie had done her own hairdo. Of course, she was only 11 but she had gotten used to it after years of dancing.
"Oh my God, Char, you're trending on Twitter!" Alice said, looking at her phone.
"Really?!" Charlotte asked and Alice showed her. "How?"
"Well, your mom is a famous music producer and DJ and you won an Emmy," Alice said.
"That's awesome!" Charlotte said.
The party didn't have as many guests as Beca and Chloe feared and all the kids there behaved exceptionally well. Some even made friends with Sophie and Leslie, which made the two ecstatic.
Beca posted everywhere on social media a picture of the family and it was going viral, everyone was commenting how gorgeous the girls were and how much Charlotte looked like Beca, some even asked if Charlotte was actually her younger sister.
It made her so happy that Charlotte was happy, she was growing up to be an amazing young woman, very responsible and trusting. She had her teenage moments, who didn't? But she was a great kid overall.