CHAPTER 2:

The next morning, Aubrey, Chad, and Finn were sitting down having breakfast.

"Guys, I have a proposition for you," Aubrey said.

"What's up?" Chad asked.

"Last night, Chloe and Chicago pitched us this crazy idea. I was almost afraid to agree, but when they pitched it, I said I might be willing to try it," Aubrey said. "As long as you'd be willing to go with me, Chad," she added.

"Well, what is it?" Chad asked.

"They invited me to join everyone for a subway ride in New York next Sunday," Aubrey replied. "But I don't want to go unless you can come with me, so we'd need to see if someone can watch Finn for the day."

"Why would Finn need a sitter? He's been on the subway with us before," Chad asked.

"Well...because we'll be riding the subway - with no pants on," Aubrey said.

Chad nearly spit out his drink.

"What?! Are you serious?!" Chad asked while laughing hysterically, thinking his wife was joking.

"Yeah, I'm serious," Aubrey said.

"But wouldn't our legs be freezing?" Chad asked.

"Probably. But then again, when else do you get to walk freely through a public crowd in your underwear?" Aubrey fired back.

"Well, when you put it that way, I guess I'd try it. I'll call Leslie or Debbie later today and see if Finn can have a playdate with Henry or Eliza that day," Chad said.

"Aw! Why can't I come too?" Finn asked, feeling left out.

"I'd just feel safer if you didn't, and I'm sure Mommy would too," Chad said, elbowing Aubrey.

"Huh? Uh, yes, I agree. I'll explain when you get a little older," Aubrey chimed in.

There were a lot of predators in the city; Chad was right, but she couldn't think of an age-appropriate way to explain it to Finn.

"Besides, you love your little playdates with Henry and Eliza, right? Chad asked.

"Yeah!" Finn exclaimed, excited at the idea of spending the day with his friends. He completely forgot about the idea of being left out on the subway ride.

"So, this whole subway ride idea, is this a real thing?" Chad asked Aubrey.

"Yes. Apparently, the No Pants Subway Ride is a worldwide event that happens every year in many different cities that have subways," Aubrey explained.

"Ah, okay," Chad said.

"Then it's settled. Next Sunday, we meet the other Bellas in the city at lunchtime," Aubrey explained.

Just as the family finished breakfast, Aubrey received a text from Beca. It read, "Can you meet me for lunch today? I need to talk to you."

Aubrey replied, "Sure. Let me know the restaurant, and I'll see you at Noon."


Later that afternoon, Aubrey joined Beca for lunch.

"Thanks for meeting me here today, Aubrey," Beca said as the two Bellas sat down at a table.

"No problem. Though I do wonder why you wanted to meet me here," Aubrey said.

"It's not something I can talk to Chloe about," Beca admitted.

"Why?" Aubrey asked.

"She kept being persistent saying, 'Come on, Beca; it won't be the same without you,'" Beca explained.

"Okay. So, what's this all about?" Aubrey asked.

Beca sighed, "Okay...I don't want to do the No Pants Subway Ride with you guys."

"You don't want to ride the subway with us?" Aubrey asked.

"I don't mind riding the subway. I have to take the subway whenever I go to work. It's just...I'd much rather ride the subway clothed," Beca explained.

"Beca, it's okay; I totally understand," Aubrey said.

"The thing is...I have a job that I really love. And my boss has Twitter. So, if any spectators that aren't participating get pics of me exposed like that, they could post it on social media. Not only would I risk being a laughingstock around the world, but I could also put my job on the line," Beca explained.

Beca's reason for not wanting to participate certainly made sense. And with her job as a music producer, it was probably best to avoid bad press.

"Beca, I get it. I'd be worried too if I was working for someone else in a high-profile job," Aubrey assured her.

"How are you not worried?" Beca asked, curious.

"My clients have a rather good sense of humor," Aubrey explained.

"Well, thank you for understanding," Beca said.

"Of course," Aubrey smiled as a waiter approached the two, prepared to take their order.