A/N - It's a special weekend approaching us here in the UK. Our wonderful Queen is celebrating seventy years on the throne and we've given given an extra day off form work to join in, in our best British way... making cups of tea and throwing colourful bunting (little coloured triangles on string for those that don't know!) up all over the country!

Thanks, as always, to my lovely beta, J. :)

PS - Sorry to everyone… in advance.

.oOo. Chapter Forty Two .oOo.

*A Few Weeks Later*

"Beca! How was it? Was it amazing? Are you in charge of Universal Music yet? Should I get your autograph now or later!" Chloe gushed, as soon as she laid eyes on Beca. It was late in the evening on the day that Beca had gone to Universal for a meeting about her contract and Chloe had been on tenterhooks waiting for Beca to come home so she could hear the news.

She'd been waiting by the front door, having run to it as soon as she heard Beca's car pull up the driveway. She was beyond excited and was desperately trying to control her arms from flying about in her eagerness to reach out and touch Beca.

They'd had a good few weeks since Beca's birthday, despite Chloe's filming schedule ruining what little time they spent together at the house. Though Beca's was not much better, she would often come home late in the evening to find Chloe half asleep on the sofa in the living room, her eyes heavy from reading her daily script updates. At these times, Beca would always try and encourage Chloe to go to bed, often finding out just how stubborn the redhead could be. On those occasions, she'd pick up the script and sit with Chloe for a while, going through her lines.

It had happened so often, Beca joked to Luke on more than one occasion that she felt she could step into Chloe's part and baulked at the idea when he suggested that she should ask Chloe to get a part in her next movie, playfully punching his arm and coming back with a sarcastic retort. Luke loved the more relaxed Beca that he was getting to see since her birthday and the job offer.

He'd sat down the next day and talked through everything with his best friend, and reassured her about twenty times that he'd played no part in getting her the permanent job and that it was her skill and talent that had done that for her. He definitely noticed a pep in her step, and a few less worry lines around her eyes recently and if the rumours were true, she already had a couple of big names wanting to see her portfolio; her fresh approach and dedication to her work getting around to a lot of singers' agents.

Now with Chloe greeting her at the door like an excited puppy, Beca grinned slyly. She pushed the front door closed with her foot, and placed her messenger bag down as she shrugged off her jacket, gathering it into her hand. It had been a long day; she was tired and her brain was burning from all the information she'd taken in, but the look of sheer happiness on Chloe's face made the long day worth it. Made Beca just happy to be home.

'Home.' She mused to herself, wondering if it truly was home. She was about to speak when a shock of red curls covered her face.

"Oh, hugging," She said, as she felt Chloe's arms wrap around her. She was impressed Chloe had managed to wait thirty seconds before touching her. "We're hugging. Um, why?"

"You did great today. Really great. I'm so proud of you," Chloe breathed into Beca's neck.

"Thanks," Beca said, feeling awkward as she usually did when Chloe got this close. "Umm, I'm just gonna go shower and change into sweats, okay?"

Beca gestured down at her pantsuit; the one that she claimed made her look like Aubrey, but Chloe had rebuffed that statement and said that she just looked hot in it. In truth, Beca had spent every single cent she owned on the new clothes but didn't feel physically sick doing it, knowing she'd be earning decent money before Christmas.

"Oh, yes, of course," Chloe said, pulling away a bit awkwardly

"See you in a bit?" Beca asked awkwardly as she picked up her messenger bag. Chloe gave her an awkward nod, and the petite brunette walked through the already open door onto the patio and down the steps towards the pool house.

Once the brunette was out of sight, Chloe pushed the breath out of her lungs as she headed to the kitchen. She was happy about Beca's new job, delighted that someone had finally seen her potential and had given her a chance. Then, somewhere from the dark depths of all her insecurities, a pang of worry suddenly ran through her and Chloe wondered what Beca's new success meant for their little set up. Worried, she pulled her phone out of her back pocket and dialled Stacie's number.

"Hi," Stacie said, sounding groggy.

"What if this means she'll move out?" Chloe asked without any preamble.

"Chloe?" Stacie asked, her tired mind trying to comprehend what was happening. "What's going on? What's happ-"

"-I'm used to her being here. I mean, she's so good with the girls and they love her so much, and she's really sweet when you get to know her and I'd, you know, I'd miss her."

"Um, Chloe, what's happened?" Stacie repeated her question, as she grew more awake.

"Beca's job at Universal!"

"Right, she got a new job and her meeting was today..." Stacie trailed off, still unable to understand what the problem was.

"Yes! Exactly! She got the job and everything is going to change."

"But why would she move out?" Stacie yawned.

"She's going to have more money now, she might want her own place," Chloe concluded.

"She said that?"

"No, she didn't. But I can't help but think she will," Chloe sniffed.

"Well, even if she does, it won't be for a little while," Stacie sighed deeply. "Maybe you should just finally tell her how you feel?"

"Oh God, no. We've only… it's only… I know she doesn't feel the same way," Chloe said, looking over in the direction of the pool house.

"She might."

"I'd rather have her in my life as a friend than risk losing it all because she lives in my heart and I couldn't control my feelings."

"Glad to see you aren't being too dramatic at this," Stacie snorted.

"What do I do, Stace?"

"Sleep on it."

"Is that all you've got to say on this?" Chloe's voice rose in frustration.

"Well, yes, at this late hour," Stacie sighed. "Look, she just got the new position at Universal. She's not going to want to up and move tomorrow, if at all. You're exhausted at the moment, you're coming to the end of filming and possibly not thinking straight. So, go to bed, get some rest and worry about it all tomorrow. If she says something in the next week or so, then you'll know where you stand. If not, you can bring it up and discuss it rationally."

"You're right," Chloe whispered.

"You're excited for her right now, and a little scared, everything is just buzzing. Just talk to her tomorrow, about anything and everything, and the words will be there."

"Okay, yes, good thoughts," Chloe bumbled. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Night Chloe."

"Night, speak soon."

Chloe laid her phone on the kitchen counter and decided she needed a drink. She wasn't sure if Beca was hungry but she made some quick, light snacks, just in case. She laid it all out on the kitchen island, contemplated putting half of it away as it looked like she was feeding a small army, shrugged and covered the tray with a cloth, and went in search of a good bottle of wine, waiting to see if Beca would come back, or if she'd take the bottle to bed with her.

She was just pouring herself a large glass of wine when she heard the patio door close and the soft footfalls that followed.

"Hey," Beca said, standing uncomfortably in the kitchen doorway, her hair still damp from the shower. She gave Chloe an awkward wave as she hopped from foot to foot.

"Hey. Want one?" Chloe said, holding out her glass towards Beca.

"I'm pretty tired," Beca said but Chloe noticed the eye twitch. There was something on Beca's mind and Chloe knew it. Alex had exactly the same look when she was worried about something.

"That's okay," Chloe said brightly, hoping her disappointment didn't show.

"I just came to say goodnight," Beca said, fiddling with the waistband of her pyjama pants.

"Goodnight, Becs."

"Did you want me to lock up?" Beca thumbed in the direction of the back doors.

"No, I've got it," Chloe smiled. "Thanks though. And seriously, you did good today. I can't wait to hear all the details when you're feeling up to it."

Beca nodded her head towards Chloe, signalling her acceptance of Chloe's words.

"So, I'll see you in the morning?"

"Sure. Sleep well," Chloe said, shifting around the kitchen island to sit on a bar stool as Beca left the kitchen. She uncovered the veggie tray and picked at a couple of things for a minute or two before stretching her neck out, trying to relieve the small headache that had appeared in the last few minutes.

After hearing a satisfying click, she picked up the small tray and her glass of wine and slowly padded her way onto the deck. She glanced over at the pool house, could just make out the reflection of Beca moving about within and watched as the bedside light went out.

"Okay, it's all going to be okay," she said to herself as she laid the tray onto the small side table, next to the lounger chair.

It wasn't a particularly warm night but Chloe enjoyed the cool air hitting her skin. Pulling her phone out of her back pocket, she scrolled through Instagram for a minute or two, finding nothing too interesting to look at. She took a healthy mouthful of wine, set her glass down, leaned back in the lounger and closed her eyes.

Minutes later she nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt a warm hand touch her arm.

"Holy fu-"

"-Oh God, I'm sorry," Beca said, quickly taking three steps backwards.

"No, it's okay," Chloe breathed out as she sat back up, her racing heartbeat not quite agreeing with her words.

"I didn't mean to scare you."

"I was miles away, no need to apologise."

"Did I interrupt anything?" Beca asked.

"No, not at all. I was just thinking and summoning up the energy to go to bed!" Chloe smiled. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry. I know it's late but I…" Beca began, before she crossed her arms over her chest. "… can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Of course," Chloe said, indicating the seat next to her. "Can I get you anything?"

Beca looked thoughtful for a moment, before looking at Chloe's drink. "Actually, that glass of wine you offered earlier sounded pretty good."

"Yeah? No problem," Chloe said, unfolding herself from the chair. "Sit. I'll be back in a minute. There's some food there, if you want it."

Chloe returned with a glass for Beca, carrying the rest of the bottle and a second chilled one between the crook of her elbow and her body. She handed it to Beca, who she noted, still looked worried but as she was busy cramming a couple of carrot sticks and ranch dressing into her mouth, Chloe wondered if it wasn't that bad. Beca thanked her as she took the wine and immediately drank half the glass in one mouthful before she even looked at Chloe.

"It's a beautiful clear night," Beca raised her eyes to the dark night sky.

"It is." Chloe agreed as she took her seat again.

"I remember, when we were driving out here a few years back, how much nicer the evenings were on this side of the country. And the stars… whew. I would sometimes get out from behind the wheel, lay across the hood of the car and just get lost in the expanse of space. I felt just the same as everyone else as we all looked at the same sky. You know?"

"I do. Something about the stars makes you feel… insignificant, in a way."

"I get that," Beca said, nodding along. "On the nights that Jessie couldn't sleep and so that we wouldn't wake Amy, we'd sometimes sit outside the camper and I'd point out a few of the constellations and the galaxies we could see."

"You know a bit about space stuff?" Chloe asked, snuggling into her seat and thoroughly content in listening to Beca talk.

"Yeah, I guess. I mean, it's always intrigued me. When I was a kid and I needed to get out of the trailer for a bit, I'd sit and stargaze for a while, just lose myself for a couple of hours. Jesse's mom even gave me a couple of books that she thought I'd like."

"Tell me something," Chloe cocked her head to one side.

"Um, I dunno... did you know there are nine galaxies that you can see without a telescope?"

"No..." Chloe glanced up to the sky.

"Yeah, the most famous one is the Andromeda Galaxy which is like a billion years old and is made of a trillion stars," Beca looked back towards Chloe. Chloe smiled as Beca's face lit up as she continued talking. "Although I have no way of proving that fact."

"I mean, you could start counting..."

"Right!" Beca laughed, the sound almost musical. "I'd have more of a chance counting the nine thousand stars that we can see."

"That many?" Chloe looked up at the sky again.

"Yes, the most common are Red Dwarf stars, and did you know that we're essentially looking at the same sky that was there a hundred thousand years ago."

"Really?"

"Yup, it takes the light a really long time to travel back to us, like a million years or something. And stars don't actually twinkle, did you know that?" Beca shot a quick look at Chloe who shook her head. "The light, or 'star' passes through several vision turbulences in the Earth's atmosphere and this path creates the illusion that the stars are twinkling, but, well, they're not."

"You really know your stuff," Chloe beamed.

Beca shrugged her shoulders, "I just find it interesting. I guess as a little kid, when my dad was still around, he'd tell me stories about the stars. They come in different colours, you know?"

"I didn't know that either," Chloe mused.

"Colours like red, orange, white and blue I think. There might be more."

"You're like a walking Google page right now," Chloe laughed and Beca grinned back at her. "Have you been to the observatory?"

"Griffith Observatory?" Beca asked and Chloe nodded. "No, never got round to it."

"We should take the kids one day. They'd love it."

"Sounds good to me." Beca nodded before taking a large gulp of wine. "This is nice wine."

"Isn't it? It's one of my favourites," Chloe said, burying her nose into the top of her glass and breathing in the crisp and sharp scent. "Sofia's father came to visit her on set one day and brought a bunch of his own vineyards wine to share with us."

"Sofia?"

"Sofia Coppola."

"I've heard the name," Beca said, innocently. "Which movie was she in again?"

"Wanderlust Farm," Chloe explained. "She played the aunt and I was the rancher."

"I'll have to watch it sometime."

"Her father is Francis Ford Coppola. He owns a winery up in Alexander Valley."

"He that Godfather guy?"

"Yeah!" Chloe laughed out loudly. "I'm impressed that you know that."

"Been trying to do my research," Beca mused, as she finished her glass, holding it up and looking at it in surprise, as though she hadn't expected to have gone through the expensive wine so quickly.

"Top up?"

"Please," Beca said, holding out her glass for Chloe to refill and taking a smaller sip when she'd realised they'd already gone through a bottle already.

"So, what's up?" Chloe asked as she set the bottle back on the table.

"I couldn't sleep."

"Well, you didn't try very hard," Chloe grinned.

"I've got a lot on my mind." Beca turned to look at her and gave her a small smile. Chloe shifted around in her seat until she was sitting cross legged, paying attention immediately. "So much has happened over the last few months. So much has changed. And the last couple of weeks... phew!"

"I can only imagine what you're going through right now."

"I talked with Kirk Beaumont for a couple of hours today, after all the formalities had been done. It turns out that Bryant didn't tell me the whole truth."

Chloe flinched, wondering if it was bad. "Bec, I'm sure his intentions were-"

"-No, I mean, I think Luke told them he'd walk too, if they didn't offer me a job. He was due for promotion," Beca said a little blandly. "And I think I stole that from him."

"Surely, that's not true."

"He's overdue one, everyone knows it. I think he turned it down so I could get a contract."

"He'd do anything for you Beca, you know that, don't you?"

"I do. But I wouldn't want him to miss out on an opportunity on my behalf."

"Luke's happy though, right?"

"I guess he is."

"And I'm sure there'll be possibilities for him in the future. The way you both work together will prove that to everyone. You've just gotta get out there and show the world what you are capable of."

"Yes ma'am," Beca offered a mock salute in Chloe's direction.

"I'm so proud of you Beca."

"Thanks."

"You've worked so hard for this and you've come so far. Tomorrow is the start of a brand new life for you."

"And that's where I guess I'm a... little confused," Beca said slowly.

"Go on," Chloe said when Beca didn't continue.

"I mean, finding out my kid was not my kid was hell. I'm sure you felt the same, in fact, I know you did. Then losing her through the court case. Then gaining access back. Getting to know my bio kid. Then losing my apartment. Then living back in my car, moving in here. It's coming up to November and I never thought the year would have gone this way. Then, getting the job that I have needed for so long. I finally feel like things are coming together. You know?"

Chloe nodded but kept quiet, she'd learnt to let Beca talk when she was willing to.

"It's been an emotional rollercoaster. I hated you so much, it physically hurt. Then I got to know you. And you were a real person. With your own shit happening. But you always made time for me, even with everything else going on. You let me get on being a mother to whichever kid attached herself to me that day. You called when you said you would, kept me up to date with your schedule so I could work it in and around mine and just seemingly wanted to be… I dunno, a friend I guess. Stop me if I'm wrong here."

"You're not wrong."

"And while it's not been that long since I've lived here, I've started to think of us as more than just two people trying to raise three kids together."

Chloe breathed out hard as she watched Beca spill out her thoughts. She topped up both of their glasses again from the second bottle and kept her eyes focused on the wall behind Beca's head, ignoring Beca almost finishing the glass she'd just poured in three mouthfuls.

"I know a conventional family is mom, dad, kids, dog, picket fence but I didn't have that growing up. And I…" Beca gave a nervous laugh. "… it feels like… I think I've found my family here. You said something like that a few days ago, and it's been stuck in my brain for ages."

Chloe wiped a small tear away from her in what she hoped was a subtle move. Beca was saying everything she needed to hear.

"You mentioned something a few weeks ago too, after Aubrey had been over for dinner, and she nearly swallowed her tongue when one of the girls spilled a bit of juice on her pants, and it's been playing on my mind as well," Beca said, pausing to gulp some more wine. She could feel the effects of the expensive wine working its magic through her, making her feel braver. "You said that you always felt as though we were destined to be friends. What did you mean by that?"

Beca hesitantly looked back up at Chloe.

"I believe in fate. I believe in karma. I believe in love," Chloe pondered. "Why did we have that car accident right outside of your place of work all those years ago? What compelled you, at eight months pregnant, to put yourself in danger and save my life? You gave no thought to your own safety? I've never once seen you act like the world owes you a favour and that life has let you down. I said it once and I'll say it again, you are the strongest person I know. Four years ago, you visited my hospital room. Came to check up on me, a complete stranger. I've never forgotten you. I may have forgotten the details, even your name but I never forgot the way you made me feel. What made you visit me that night?"

"I wanted to check if you were okay."

"And you started a connection. Granted, fate had a cruel joke to play on us. But it also had a way to make sure we'd be in each other's lives forever. Had the girls not been switched, would we have ever met again? Maybe not, but I believe we probably would have. We moved in different circles but I truly feel we would have met when the time was right. It just so happens to be now."

"Okay, umm… okay."

"I can't undo the hurt that I've caused you. I can't undo any of it. I wish I could."

"I've been pretty bratty too," Beca whispered, causing Chloe to look at her again. She was surprised to see tears tracking down the brunette's face. "I'm just so scared this is all going to go away."

"I made a promise to you that it wouldn't. I made a promise that there's a place here for you. You are wanted. You are needed. And… and you are loved, very, very much."

"I don't think anyone has ever said that to me before. Not that I can remember anyway."

"What?"

"That I'm loved. I've always felt so worthless and everyone who supposedly cared about me left me or just died with no warning."

"Oh Beca…" Chloe said, sliding off the lounger to sit next to her. She risked snaking an arm around Beca's waist, internally celebrating when Beca didn't pull away. "… you have no idea how important you are to me… to all of us. There are plenty of people who love you."

There was silence for a while and Chloe could feel Beca trembling a little as she tried to hold her emotions in.

"I'm scared," Beca said, in a tiny voice.

"Of what?"

"Not being part of your life."

"You'll always-"

"-Until you meet someone else and I've missed my chance to tell you how I feel."

"Beca?" Chloe drew back a little.

"I'm about to risk everything," Beca muttered and Chloe felt her heart thumping in her chest. All of a sudden, she wondered if she hadn't been reading all of those subtle signals wrong.

"Risk what?"

"Everything I've got here."

"Nothing is at risk. You can say anything you want to say," Chloe stressed, wanting Beca to say what she hoped she was going to say.

"But if I'm wrong-"

"-Just…" Chloe breathed out hard, "Just tell me Beca."

Beca looked up to Chloe as the redhead pulled her into her side even more, tucking a soft kiss to the top of her head and letting her lips linger a moment longer than necessary. She breathed in the gentle scent of Beca's shampoo, loving the smell even more because it was on her.

"See, you do that…" Beca trailed off but she didn't pull away. She sniffed a couple of times. "… and I can't think straight."

"Sorry," Chloe said, sounding anything but.

"I didn't want another night to go past without me telling you."

"Then tell me."

"See my earlier comment."

"I might surprise you." Chloe smiled.

Beca pulled away from Chloe's embrace and rolled her neck before placing her wine glass on the small table and leaning back on her hands to look at the stars again.

"I'm not just saying this because you gave me a place to stay when I needed one," Beca sighed. "Or for giving my daughter everything that I never could. Maybe I'm feeling braver because this past month has been awesome. I mean, I got my first real birthday present in years and an amazing job offer. I'm close to my kids, I've got friends but I've got to get a few things off of my chest. I wrote you a song because I clearly struggle saying what I want to without music."

"You wrote me a song?" Chloe asked and Beca stood up, digging her hands into the pockets of her hoodie and pulling out a crumpled piece of notepaper. She stood up and walked away from Chloe.

"I did. It's not finished but kinda says everything I want it to say."

Beca cleared her throat and began to sing, tapping the beat out with her foot at the same time. She kept her voice low and her eyes closed as she tried to explain to Chloe what was in her heart.

There's a hole in my heart
I've been hiding
I've been strong for so long
That I'm blind
Is there a place
I can go where the lonely river flows
Where fear ends and faith begins

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, let me in
I've been praying
But I'm paying for my sins
Won't you give me a sign
Before I lose my mind
Woah, Hallelujah, let me in

Every step makes me think
That I'm closer
But somehow
I just never arrive
When our hope disappears
Please protect me from my fears
I need you right by my side

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, let me in
I've been praying
But I'm paying for my sins
Won't you give me a sign
Before I lose my mind
Woah, Hallelujah, let me in

Beca stopped singing as she heard Chloe let out a choking sob.

"Oh God…" Beca said, walking backward until she was standing on top of the stairs leading to the pool, getting as far away from Chloe as she could. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

With tears streaming down her face, and breath coming in shallow gasps, Chloe stood up suddenly, covered her mouth with her hand and ran into the house, leaving a very confused Beca alone on the patio.

"Okay. Okay. Fine, okay." Beca mumbled as she turned and ran down the steps and past the pool. She closed the door to the pool house with a thump, hating everything about herself and the mistake she'd just made.

.oOo.

A/N - Song- Hallelujah by Alicia Keys