The Reclusive Music Producer and The Journalist

by areaderofmanythings

Chloe is Rolling Stone Magazine's newest intern, she's left Atlanta to start life over in San Francisco. Beca's a cute regular who she befriends at the part time job she has until getting hired on at the magazine. What happens when Beca isn't straightforward about who she is and Chloe refuses to talk about her past? Will Chloe ever get the cover story she's dreamed about for years?

10. Chapter 10

Guess who's back pitches! I know, I suck so hard for being gone longer than expected, but I come back with a gift for you in the form of a 22k word chapter!

Disclaimer: I still don't own PP therefore no ideas/quotes/songs/references to any movie I use are mine! But the mistakes are!

Another huge shoutout to my awesome beta sugarlandaddict23! Thanks for working your magic and catching what I didn't see!

****A minor note on this chapter, it builds on the last one and is the SAME DAY as Chapter 9. Things flip from one conversation to the other a lot, but they are all occurring genuinely all at the same time. So you are getting multiple people's reactions/sides of the story to the things that are happening and it will all come together at the end. SO DO NOT SKIP SECTIONS THEY ALL MATTER.****

Ok now that that is out of the way, on with the show!

---

"So Beca," Stacie began, dragging the bar stool across the floor she hopped into the seat and crossed her legs, "I've missed my girl-on-girl time with you," she adjusted her bra, "if you know what I mean."

Beca ungracefully coughed, spitting the ice cube she'd been chewing into the sink and sputtered out, "No, I-I don't."

"Me and you, we haven't talked much this past month, just random texts," flipping her hair over her shoulder Stacie smiled, "I've missed my favorite snarky customer who regularly leaves me inappropriate tips."

"Oh," Beca is a hundred percent sure the girl-on-girl reference was solely used to catch her off guard and send her mind straight to the gutter. Feeling her face cool she gave a half shrug, "Well there's not much to tell, I've just been hanging out with my amazing girlfriend."

"And how's that working out for you?" Stacie loved, loved, asking vague questions so she could watch people squirm while interpreting them.

"Good, it's…yeah it's been good," Beca gave a firm nod, "I mean the past month has been pretty fucking great and we're happy."

Stacie drummed her fingers along the granite countertop as Beca's eyes floated nervously around the room, occasionally landing on the staircase where they were obviously looking for someone to descend from upstairs to save her.

As entertaining as the furiously blushing face and uneasy laugh was, Stacie was more impressed with what she saw behind it. Beca looked great, better than great, in fact Stacie is sure she has never seen Beca look this healthy the entire time they have known each other. The otherwise naturally pale skin had just the slightest hint of a tan and it was fairly evident Beca has been working out, eating right and getting plenty of sleep. For all practical purposes, her friend looked like she hadn't done a damn thing the entire month and Stacie couldn't think of a more deserving person.

Stacie has no idea what Beca was like before her mom died but she can imagine that this Beca, standing a few feet away, was it. Last night and this morning Beca just seemed genuinely less rough around the edges and totally at ease, she smiled and laughed a whole lot more. It was nice and she was incredibly happy that her friend found some inner peace and was dealing with things.

Stacie grinned when Beca's eyes landed back on her, "So I didn't get a chance to tell you yet but you look good, well rested and thoroughly sexed."

"Thanks I'm working on it," Beca smiled. Being away from San Francisco and her studio has been nice and much needed, but she has missed all her friends, "I've just been enjoying my time off."

Stacie reached for an apple, "You know I want details of all your latest sexcapades."

"Nope," Beca slapped Stacie's hand making the apple drop back in its bowl and the hand smack the countertop in frustration, "we aren't talking about that."

"But why?" Stacie whined. "You told Aubrey yesterday that you and Chloe were in the middle of doing it when we called."

Swiftly turning, Beca swung open the refrigerator door, "Doesn't mean it's up for discussion."

"Oh come on Beca!" Stacie dramatically draped herself over the granite countertop with a huge sigh, "You've never been shy about your sex life with me, we initially bonded over our sex stories."

Rummaging around the top shelf Beca found the plastic container of fruit pushed all the way to the back. Standing on her tiptoes she reached for it and two bottles of water then closed to door with her foot as she turned.

Tossing one of water bottles to her friend Beca stepped closer, "Things are slightly more complicated now, Chloe's my girlfriend, not some one night stand I'll never see again."

Sitting up Stacie easily caught the bottle with one hand, "So you're taking the moral high road now?"

Beca's left eyebrow raised at the disappointed tone and over exaggerated frown as she removed the plastic containers lid.

"It's not about that Stace, I mean it is but it's…it's look I don't know," setting the lid aside Beca let out a huff struggling to find the right words. "It's weird talking about my sex life when the person I have a sex life with is upstairs getting ready to go grocery shopping."

"I get it," Stacie smiled, "but if you ever want to talk about it," she sent a vivacious wink, "you know I'll always listen."

Beca chuckled because only Stacie Conrad would leave the door wide open like that. She freely admits she has had the occasional random one night stand, while Stacie, in all her promiscuous glory, loved to verbally and visually flaunt how she had a very, very, active sex life. It was a topic that had occupied a lot of their late night talks and usually she would be all about gossiping with Stacie, but now that Chloe was in the picture she didn't feel like it was right anymore.

To be honest it felt like a major betrayal of Chloe's trust to blab and it's not because she or Chloe are insecure about it. Hell, Chloe was confident in everything she does both in and out of the bedroom, and Beca loves that, but she still feels like she needs to protect that part of their relationship. It wasn't just about sex, it was about being vulnerable in front of someone again and it had taken Chloe a long time to fully trust anyone in that way after being closed off for over two years. The connection they shared the first time they slept together and every time since, is hard to put into words, it's kind of amazing, because she has never experienced anything like that with anyone.

So yeah Beca's pretty sure that bragging about their ongoing "sexcapades" just doesn't seem cool and hopefully Stacie can live with that.

Setting the dish down on the counter in front of Stacie, Beca grabbed a couple forks from a side drawer and stabbed a slice of watermelon with one.

"Dude you've got to try this," Beca handed the other empty fork over, "Chloe calls it a mojito fruit salad and it's the shit." Biting the watermelon off her fork she savored the light mint and lime flavor, "She made it for us a couple days ago."

"Nice avoidance of the topic," Stacie laughed poking at a piece of cantaloupe, "Is there rum in this?"

"Yep, but like barely a shot," Beca nodded going for a couple of raspberries this time, "she wanted to give it the full mojito flavor. She's likes creating healthy snacks for us and she knocked this one out of the park."

"Does she make stuff like this all the time?"

"Yeah, a couple nights ago we made turkey burgers and baked sweet potato fries with sea salt, dude it was fucking delicious …" As Beca quickly chewed her raspberries she thought about how ironic that statement was because she never knew eating healthy could taste so good.

"You are something special Beca Mitchell," Stacie just laughed at the amazement she heard and saw, "If all it took to get you back on track was a smoking hot redhead we should've locked that shit down for you years ago."

Making her way around the kitchen island Beca laughed as she sat in the chair next to Stacie.

"Probably wouldn't have worked, they needed to be named Chloe Beale and…" Setting her fork aside Beca reached over the counter and snagged her phone, shuffling through some pictures she enlarged a specific one and set the device between them, "Look like that in a bathing suit."

"Damn Mitchell, are you telling me this is what you've been working with all summer?" Stacie asked dipping her head closer to the phone. She had never seen Chloe in anything other than running gear and regular clothes so she was unprepared for what was beneath it, "I'll just say her workout regime puts mine to shame."

"Fucking ridiculous right?" Beca laughed switching off her phone. "It's good to be me," she added in awe.

Stacie tapped her fork against the plastic bowl, "I think Chloe is my new lady crush."

"But I thought you weren't into the ladies?" Beca questioned with a suspicious eyebrow raise.

"I'm not, so don't worry," Stacie joked, "but I thought you would have figured out by now that I'm a connoisseur of attractiveness and I don't discriminate based on gender."

Beca couldn't do anything but laugh and slouch in her chair, "Good cause Chloe's all mine."

After that they quietly split the fruit bowl until Stacie turned and asked, "So you're still not gonna give me any details about the sex you've been having, like not even a tiny hint?"

As Beca took a sip from her water bottle she rolled her eyes, "I mean what do you want me to say? It's good, like really good, will that feed your invasive and intrusive mind enough to get you off my case?"

Beca knew what Stacie wanted to hear, but she still wasn't giving any details. What she and Chloe have or haven't tried, where they've done it and how regularly they do it wasn't anyone's business except for theirs. Once Stacie gets a boyfriend, who she loves and wants to marry, she'll have a better understanding of that concept.

"Nope," Stacie popped the P before taking another couple of bites of fruit. Setting her fork down she tried again, "I want my friend to tell me…"

"No, absolutely not," capping her water bottle Beca's head shifted to her phone and she groaned seeing Gail's name flash on the screen. Not even thinking twice she hit the button and sent the call directly to voicemail, "Stacie can you please tone it down with the whole sex talk," she pleaded turning slightly in her chair, "All you need to know is that I love Chloe and Chloe loves me and that yes, we do it regularly, and it's amazing."

"Fine," Stacie complained shoving another forkful of strawberry and pineapple into her mouth.

"Look, if we ever have a problem in that department," Beca poked at the last few pieces of fruit at the bottom of the bowl, "I'll come to you, until then this topic is off limits. But feel free to let your imagination run wild if you want."

Slamming her fork down again a sly grin formed across Stacie's face, she wanted proof of how good it was if no details were going to be given, "Got any battle wounds you can show me?"

"Dude oh my god," Beca shoved her friend who was wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Beca swears every avenue was being used to get the information today. Letting out a sigh of defeat she fingered the neck of her t-shirt and tugged it down below her right collarbone.

---

"Chloe I can't believe you," Aubrey harshly whispered as she paced the large master bathroom, "You need to tell Beca what happened!"

"Aubrey," lowering the mascara and putting it back in its tube Chloe gave the top a little twist as she stared her best friend in the mirror, "I've got this all under control."

"What the hell does that mean?" Aubrey stopped in her tracks and put her hands on her hips, "Because to me it doesn't look that way, it looks like you're hiding things."

Applying mascara to her other eye Chloe nonchalantly stated, "The way I see it two scenarios can happen. I either tell her the real reason why I left my job and she gets pissed at me for quitting and infuriated with Rolling Stone for blackmailing me or I can continue saying the job wasn't for me and eventually tell her I accepted a new position with the San Francisco Chronicle." Capping her mascara again she set the tube aside, "In the end we're both happy and most importantly her identity is still safe."

"But that's not the point," Aubrey was pretty close to blowing her lid, despite Beca getting angry, the first of Chloe's two options was the most logical and reasonable route, "You need to be honest with her, don't lie. Years down the road you may end up resenting her because you quit a job you loved and had to settle for second best. "

"I'm not settling, I did what I had to do to fix the situation and salvage my career," lifting a tissue from the box Chloe dabbed under her eyes with it.

"Did they threaten you?" Aubrey didn't know the full details of what went down that Friday afternoon, she had specifically asked for as little details as possible when they talked.

"Basically yeah…" Chloe closed her eyes, that was part of the story she didn't want anyone to know and it couldn't be danced around it now, "They gave me an ultimatum, write an article about Beca, with pictures and personal touches, because we're involved," she opened her eyes and saw Aubrey staring back at her with an unreadable, yet angry, expression, "Or jeopardize my future at the magazine and end up doing low level bitch work and never advancing my career." She paused for effect, "I think those are the exact words I used right before I quit."

"Chloe they can't do that to you, you can sue them."

"And what good will that do?" Chloe set her hands on the sink and leaned onto them, "Beca's name would still get out, I'd be stuck in litigation for months, maybe years, and I'd still be right where I am now, searching for a new job." The silence in the room was all she needed to hear to know she was right, "I love her Aubrey."

"And she loves you too but you don't understand," Aubrey's mouth snapped shut as Chloe glared at her in the mirror.

"No you don't understand because you didn't grow up like I did. Not even my own mother loved me like she does. I've never had someone be so selfless and caring in their actions towards me and never ask for anything in return," Chloe's knuckles turned white as she gripped the edge of the sink tighter. "And she doesn't do it because she has to, she does it because she wants to…" She took a steadying breath and was glad when Aubrey opted to not say a word, but listen, "So in answer to your next question, I didn't quit my job because I had to, I quit it because I wanted to. My love for her and her happiness means more to me than any job ever will and I'll never resent myself for loving and protecting her."

Aubrey placed a hand on her forehead and took in a slow breath, "But…"

"Look I can't undo what Rolling Stone has figured out," Chloe interrupted pushing herself off the sink, "but by leaving I did put a stop to them pressuring me and publishing anything about Beca or DJ Titanium, so they haven't won."

Aubrey walked over to the bathroom door and quietly closed it, "Chloe you never know things get out. What if this photographer gets a higher price for their pictures from someplace else."

Tossing the tissue in the trash Chloe turned to face her best friend. She'd had that same concern at the very beginning and although she never asked, she was almost positive Rolling Stone would've had this paparazzi person sign some type of exclusivity agreement. They also probably had some arrangement wrote in so that they held the originals of every photograph too, but that wasn't the point. The point was because she had refused to write the article Beca's identity was protected by so much red tape that it would never see the light of day unless Beca authorized it and for that Chloe was grateful.

"That's not happening Rolling Stone is worried that Beca and her team of lawyers will sue them," Chloe quickly whispered looking at the closed door.

"How do you know that?"

"Because they'd rather have no press than bad press," hopping up onto the counter Chloe let her feet dangle. "No doubt they want to be the first to interview Beca, but they aren't releasing anything without her 'written consent'," she used air quotes and Aubrey just blinked at her clearly not understanding. "Think about it, Beca is a big time celebrity, her fans and the general public love her even though they have no idea who she is and the first interview she does will bank some reputable magazine or newspaper millions of dollars. So imagine what will happen if a simple picture of Gizmo is published without her consent."

Aubrey's face blanched, "They'd lose their credibility and more money then they could possibly make. And not just from court cases, but in dropped subscribers and the random person who picks their magazine up in the checkout line at the grocery store."

"Bingo."

"But what happens if some tabloid releases her picture first, then what will Rolling Stone do?"

"Full articles about Beca are still off limits without consent," Chloe stated, that much she was sure of, "but everything else will be fair game. They won't be a sleazy tabloid, they'll be selective on what they publish, but they will publish things that will bring them money."

Rolling Stone and every other magazine on the face of the planet was scared of the repercussions that would come by being the first to release personal information about Beca Mitchell that wasn't authorized. DJ Titanium is a household name, a moneymaker and that was something Aubrey had completely overlooked, but Chloe had realized it the day she quit her job. It was totally fucked up how Rolling Stone tried to blackmail her best friend by dangling a cover story, a fancy office and a lucrative career, but what they didn't expect was the whole girlfriend aspect. They quickly found out that Chloe Beale couldn't be bought and that threw them for a loop.

Aubrey has more respect for Chloe now than ever before because this whole situation wasn't just about a job. Yes Chloe loves Beca, there is no question about that, but what her best friend did shows so much character. Chloe may not have been able to stand up to her parents, but she was making up for it now, she was not giving people what they wanted, she was doing what was right. Chloe stood up for herself and proved that morals, self worth and personal values far outweigh anything else.

"You're sure they won't try to undermine everything you did for Beca?" Aubrey tentatively asked, because she still had a few reservations. "I still don't trust them."

"Me either, they haven't even tried to contact me in the past month, don't you think that's weird?" They both turned and looked at the closed bathroom door when Chloe's phone began ringing from the nightstand she had it charging on, "I didn't think they would've given up that easy."

Aubrey got an uneasy feeling in her stomach, stepping closer she placed a hand on Chloe's shoulder, "Which is why you need to tell Beca, she needs to have something prepared not for if it happens but for when it happens."

"You're right," Chloe nodded looking away from the door and to her best friend, "Why are you always right?"

Aubrey just laughed, "You know you strangely sound like Beca."

---

"Oh," leaning in Stacie closely examined the small red bruise just beneath Beca's collarbone tattoo, "that hickey looks fresh."

Releasing her shirt, Beca smacked the side of Stacie's head, "Yeah Chloe and I kinda took a shower together after the pool and stuff happened."

"I knew it," Stacie clapped in excitement, she was now the proud owner of a fresh twenty dollar bill courtesy of Fat Amy, "I saw that extra bounce to your step when you came downstairs."

Finishing off the rest of the fruit, Beca slumped in her chair and mumbled, "Whatever…"

"Any others?" Stacie asked hopefully. "I know you're a freak in the sheets so Chloe had to have left more than one." All Beca did was lift her t-shirt up revealing an even fainter pink mark right at the juncture of her hip and jean line, "Damn, when's that one from?"

"Like earlier in the week," not making eye contact Beca lowered her t-shirt back into place. She was already telling more than she wanted, "Usually that's not our thing, but sometimes it gets intense and I'm not gonna lie it's kind of hot finding them hours later."

"Yeah," slinging an arm around her friend Stacie happily sighed, "Is it bad that I'm living vicariously through your girlfriend status?" Beca snorted out a laugh and crossed her arms, "Seriously, I think I like girlfriend, having regular sex Beca way more than workaholic, one night stand Beca."

"Thanks, I like this version of me too," Beca smiled, glad her interrogation was finally over. "And come on dude you don't have to live vicariously through me. You have all the makings of a great girlfriend, not only are you hot," she waved a hand up and down Stacie's seated figure, "but you're stupidly smart and have a killer personality. You're the whole package really."

"I know…" the buzzing of Beca's phone again interrupted Stacie's thoughts, "I think you should get that, that's twice in ten minutes."

Slipping off her bar stool Beca grabbed her phone and the now empty plastic bowl and made her way to the sink. Glancing at the screen she saw Gail's name again and frowned. It was probably some last minute detail about their conference call with Adele's people on Tuesday and she should answer it, but then Gail would win and Gail knows the rules about work shit while she is on her break. She had been explicitly clear that their conversations and meetings are to be kept to a minimum and that everything was to go through Emily first. With the flick of a finger she sent the call straight to voicemail again then set her phone aside.

"Gail needs to learn that I'm not at her beckon call anymore," Beca flippantly replied turning the cold water faucet on and rinsing out the bowl. "She hates that I'm in Malibu and have only been to see her twice."

"But you're on vacation," Stacie said dumbfounded and Beca mumbled something about saying the same thing, "I'm not surprised she's kind of a bitch when she doesn't get her way."

"Very true and she needs to learn all my business goes through Emily now," turning the water off Beca opened the dishwasher and placed the bowl in the bottom rack, "Emily is fully capable of handling everything, if it needs my immediate attention she'll let me know."

Stacie smiled, she liked Emily, well how could anyone not like Emily? Although she had a tendency to be flighty, she was super good at her job and took pride in even the smallest tasks Beca asked her to do. Personality wise Beca and Emily were complete opposites so the night Emily floated into the deli to grab Beca food happily humming and smiling like she'd just won the lottery, Stacie was more than surprised at the reason behind it. Apparently earlier that day Beca, the broody music producer who Emily was sure hated her, had offered her a full time personal assistant job and was willing to work around her school schedule until she graduated. Emily was a good kid who was unfazed by Beca's fame and was just so wholesome and innocent that it made everyone feel good about themselves, even the sulky Beca Mitchell.

"Maybe it's something about your upcoming trip to London," picking at her nails Stacie hoped she could persuade Jessica or Fat Amy to go with her to the salon tomorrow afternoon to get them done, "You know like the hotel or flight times."

"Umm I doubt it, Emily's already taken care of my hotel, I'm a sucker for the Four Seasons," Beca used her knee to close the dishwasher door, "and Columbia Records has chartered a plane for Chloe and I."

"No more slumming it in first class anymore?" Stacie joked as Beca smirked at her, "DJ Titanium is treating you well."

Beca just laughed because at times being famous had its perks, "Flying private wasn't my idea and it's not on my dime so why would I turn that down?"

"As long as it's free take it," Stacie gave a firm nod even though she was totally envious right now, "So, tell me more about recording with Adele! Are you excited?"

---

Chloe chuckled to herself remembering what she walked up on after her run, "So what were you and Beca really arguing about this morning?"

"We weren't arguing until the end," Aubrey smiled. "Contrary to popular belief Beca and I can hold civil conversations and I do care about her. I just wanted to make sure she was doing ok." Seeing a flash of worry spread across Chloe's face, she gave easy reassurance, "And from my perspective she's doing great, better than I anticipated, she just doesn't like to outright tell me that. And she didn't like the methods I used to extract that information."

"Oh," Chloe let the tension drop from her shoulders, "well she didn't sleep much last night so hopefully she wasn't overly prickly towards you."

"She was fine, nothing I can't handle," Aubrey waved a dismissive hand.

"I probably shouldn't ask this," Chloe gave a shy smile, "but did you guys talk about me?"

"Not gonna lie, you were mentioned," Aubrey sat on the edge of the bathtub and contemplated what to bring up, "but it was only good things I promise."

Originally Aubrey came in here to talk about how it was killing Beca to not know anything about Chloe's past or family, but that could wait until later. Everyone has been together for less than a day, they were all having a good time, so she didn't want to kill the mood. Plus she had just missed her best friend and wanted to hangout.

"It better have been, otherwise she's sleeping on the couch tonight," Chloe teased bouncing her feet off the cabinet doors.

"Have you banished her there yet?" Aubrey asked with a hint of humor.

"Nope," Chloe laughed. They bicker like an old married couple sometimes but Chloe has never had the heart to kick her girlfriend out of the bedroom for a night, "She's too good of a cuddler and I like knowing she's there."

Aubrey grinned because Jesse always said Beca was a secretive cuddler, "I never pictured her the cuddling type."

"She is and she's so cute," Chloe bit her lip then she released it. "I know you probably don't want to hear me gush so much about her, but I don't have anyone to talk to about these things," she ran her palms along her knees as Aubrey laughed saying something along the lines of go ahead. "The other night we fell asleep watching TV in bed and when I woke up at like midnight she was curled up on one side of me, Billie on the other, and Gizmo at our feet. I felt so loved and wanted and I thought wow, this is everything I have ever wanted in life, I want her for the rest of my life."

Nodding Aubrey thoughtfully smiled, "And she wants all that too and I like you how bring that out of each other. I always told Jesse that if the right person came along we'd see a whole new side of Beca and we are."

"She's such a great girlfriend."

"And so are you…" Tapping her nails against the tub Aubrey felt now was the time to say something about the family issue without it seeming contrived, "My only advice to help improve on what you two already have is to let her in on the one thing in your life that scares you the most."

"I will, I promise I will," Chloe locked eyes with her best friend conveying how much she had been thinking about this, "She doesn't know, but I'm actually planning a trip home in a few weeks." She ran a hand through her hair, "I need closure on some things I've been pushing away and I'd like for her to be there with me."

Aubrey was actually glad to hear that, "You know she will, whether you choose to see it or not, she knows when you're hurting and she just wants to be supportive. She's trying her best, but she's afraid of pushing you too much because she doesn't know anything."

"And that's my fault, I've snapped at her a of couple times when she's caught me off guard with questions," Chloe replied.

Chloe knew she was guilty of being standoffish and she wants to put an end to it because she needs to start moving past what happened in her life. She has already started the process by just being involved with Beca and that alone has helped in ways she can't even express, except something is still holding her back and she knows it's her parents. She needs to properly tell them goodbye and she needs to let go of all the resentment she holds against them because of the shit they put her and her sister through. They are dead and she doesn't want to forget them, she will never be able to, but the longer she lets their negativity affect her actions the stronger their hold becomes and longer they win.

Beca has taught Chloe what it really means to be happy and to go after what she wants and what is best for her, so she needs to make this trip home. She left in such a rush after the funeral and before she left for San Francisco that she got no closure and it has led her down a path that she wasn't sure she could ever escape until Beca came along. So not only does she need to do this for her own well being, but also for their future.

"She's motivated me to make changes in my life too," Chloe added, "I know I need counseling to deal with certain things and I'll do it, but I think the first step is making that trip home." Aubrey wasn't saying anything or looking at her condescendingly, her best friend was listening, just like Beca, and it's what she needed right now. Wiping a tear away she didn't want to cry because this was a good thing, "I want to show her where I was at my lowest point versus where I am now so she can see what she's really done for me these past eight months."

"Trust me Beca sees it, she's smart," Aubrey quietly said, "Unfortunately she, and I hate using this excuse but even I tend to forget it, lacks certain social cues that we're used to recognizing every day," she regretfully shook her head. "It frustrates her that she doesn't know how to help because she's unable determine when she should push and when she shouldn't." Letting out a breath she gave a reassuring smile, "Once she figures that out I think you'll find that she'll approach sensitive subjects differently with you."

Chloe thought back to her and Beca's moment in the pool and what she had said, "But Aubrey she's doing everything right already, she's fixed me in so many ways I can't even begin to describe it."

"But that doesn't mean she still doesn't feel helpless sometimes," Chloe gave Aubrey a look of understanding, "Supporting each other is a two way street, she just wants to feel like she's meeting you halfway and not a wall of resistance when things get tough."

One of Chloe's biggest downfalls in life was not talking about her problems because she had no one to talk to them about. Now she has Beca, the one person who hasn't run away yet, and Aubrey is right, she needs to do a better job of communicating. She needs to follow through on everything she told Beca in the pool so they can move forward together.

"I don't want her to feel helpless," Chloe shifted her eyes to the tile floor, "that's my job."

"She's not going anywhere if that's what you're scared of."

Chloe lifted her eyes, because that was exactly what she was scared of, "Everyone I've ever cared for has left me."

"But Beca hasn't," Aubrey reiterated, "and she won't, unless you give her a reason to. Like I've told you Beca has been missing a piece of herself since her mom died, I mean you've heard and read the lyrics she writes. There are some gimmicky ones," they both laughed, "but a majority are filled with such a wide range of raw emotions that even I can't interpret their true meaning and maybe like many artists we're not supposed to."

Chloe exhaled, "She's a beautiful songwriter and actually the most amazing person I've ever met."

"She is, but beyond her talent and fame, she's just as heartbroken and confused about what's happened in her life as you," Aubrey pointed, but not in an accusing or malicious manner, more so just to get her point across, "are of your past. But it's different when she's around you, she is Beca again and you're really truly yourself when you're around her, I see that."

"I am and I'm pretty lucky to have met her," Chloe smiled. "I'm pretty sure it was fate that brought us together."

A grin stretched across Aubrey's face, she has been waiting for this opportunity for months and it was also a nice opportunity to transition away from a sensitive subject, "Actually it was me, I saw the way you were checking her out in my wedding picture during your interview."

Chloe just laughed, because the thing she remembers most about seeing that picture was how funny Beca was and how the eye candy was on point. Beca Mitchell looked sexy then and was quite possibly even sexier now.

"I can't believe you noticed that," Chloe exclaimed bringing her hands up to cover her face in embarrassment as they continued to laugh.

"How could I not? You're eyes were glued to that picture when I walked in," Aubrey stretched her legs out and decided to carry the joke a little further, "And I knew you weren't looking at my wedding dress."

Dropping her hands Chloe raised a questioning eyebrow, "How'd you know I was looking at her and not the other people in your wedding party?"

"Please," Aubrey waved a dismissive hand, "I've known Beca forever and even though she's blind to it, I see the way people stare at her."

"What can I say, she's hot!"

"And thankfully she hasn't quite figured out that she has sex appeal that can be used to get her anything," Aubrey stated making Chloe giggle more.

"That's probably the most endearing part." Chloe watched her best friend roll her eyes, "Come on you know I'm right, why do you think I call her sexy all the time? I'm pretty sure there's a set of groupies out there who want to sleep with her and they have no idea what she even looks like."

"Good thing she's a one woman type of person."

Smugly smiling Chloe straightened her back, "I'm very confident that she won't stray."

"Anyways…" Aubrey needed to change the subject otherwise she would find out exactly how Chloe keeps Beca Mitchell's attention and she really didn't want to know that, "What did she do last night? I didn't hear the piano and usually it's always involved when she can't sleep."

"Tossed and turned in bed mainly, at one this morning she was reading," Chloe knew late night music making was Beca's go to activity when her girlfriend was unable to sleep, but they'd had a lengthy discussion about how it did more harm than good, "Then a little before five she was watching TV, but eventually I got her to sleep for a few hours."

After forcing Beca to turn the TV off Chloe had snuggled in close to her girlfriend, but even that hadn't stopped the fidgety restlessness. So she made Beca remove her t-shirt and lay on her stomach so she could give a calming back massage. It took less than ten minutes of running her hands along Beca's skin and lightly kneading the tense muscles for Beca to pass out. When Chloe got up a few hours later to use the bathroom Beca hadn't moved and was sleeping soundly. She hadn't used that tactic in weeks and when Beca appeared downstairs, still looking exhausted, right before Chloe left on her run she didn't really argue. Instead she made them a quick breakfast and started the coffee.

"Whatever magic you work on her keep doing it," Aubrey smiled, "She'll eventually break herself of these sleepless nights."

"She's gotten way better since we've been together…The first few times we umm," Chloe cleared her throat and looked away, her face turning the slightest shade of pink, "slept together is when I noticed how bad the problem was. She tried to hide it by waiting until I was asleep then getting up but it bothered me."

Aubrey heard the worry in her best friend's voice as she drummed her fingers against the tub, "You thought you were the problem didn't you?"

Chloe slowly nodded, "Yeah my first real relationship, she never spent the night. She'd wait until I was asleep then bolt, without giving me any warning. I always felt like I'd fucked up somehow, but it turned out that I was just being used. I thought we had something and she just saw us as fuck buddies. "

That relationship was doomed from the beginning, Chloe should have known that, but she had just moved to New York to start her master's degree at Columbia when they met and Jenna had been nice. In the beginning they did more sleeping together than actually dating and Chloe was blinded by that because they both had busy schedules. However she was under the impression that their relationship was more serious than what it actually was. She had never had a real girlfriend before, just casually dated and had fun, so when empty beds and unreturned affections occurred she ended up blaming herself for not being good enough. Nothing she could say or do made Jenna stay and when her family died and she needed support the most, she'd been hung out to dry.

So waking up and seeing Beca's side of the bed empty always gave Chloe that same hollow feeling inside. It was like she was being duped all over again,

"Chloe, Beca's not like that," Aubrey quickly added, "if she was I would've told you once I found out you guys were hanging out. Beca doesn't use people."

"I know that," Chloe just shrugged. She had learned a lesson with her ex-girlfriend and even though she wasn't looking for a relationship when she met Beca, she had been careful with how she approached it when the relationship found her. "The way Beca treats me is how I should've been treated back then, I see that now." Aubrey just nodded in affirmation and she looked away, "Yet when she first started spending the night my mind couldn't disassociate an empty bed with feelings of dread and like I'd done something wrong."

"Did you tell her that?"

"Yeah, we talked about it, well I did most of the talking and she listened. Basically I told her I didn't expect her to always stay in bed until I woke up every morning, but I also told her how it made me feel when she'd vanish after we had sex," Chloe's eyes wandered back to Aubrey and she saw understanding and sympathy in them.

"Did she see where you were coming from?" Aubrey asked.

Chloe can still remember their conversation, it was a little after midnight on a Wednesday when she woke and noticed Beca wasn't in bed and probably hadn't been all night. She knew Beca hadn't left her condo, Beca never left, it was something she found strangely odd about the whole situation. She found Beca doing the exact opposite of what she was expecting and it was heartbreaking seeing her girlfriend curled up on the couch, Gizmo protectively laying beside her, blindly staring at some late night infomercial on TV. Chloe could tell just by Beca's body language that her girlfriend had been crying and was a complete emotional wreck and utterly exhausted.

Chloe didn't have the heart to be upset or even annoyed after that and she ended up just sitting down and laying out all her fears and worries. She started with her own anxieties and feelings then segued into her concerns about Beca and her sleep patterns. She wasn't trying to reprimand Beca, she was simply stating that she didn't mind being woken up when the dreams or thoughts in Beca's head got out of control. She wanted them to get past these demons and the only way to do that was if they actively worked on it together.

"In a way I think so…I admitted how my anxiety is something I need to work on," Chloe admitted, "And she agreed she needed to do a better job of letting me know when she can't sleep."

"I don't think that's asking too much from each other," Aubrey approved, honestly she was happy to see Beca openly acknowledging she had a problem. "Jesse and I…" she paused, she wanted this to sound like a reassurance rather than a gripe, "We've been telling her for years that wandering and working late at night is more of a hindrance than a help. Keeping her in bed was half our battle."

Giving a relieved smile Chloe was thankful she wasn't the only one Beca gave a hard time about that.

"Oh trust me it was rough at first, we argued a couple times," Chloe chuckled to herself as she bounced her feet against the cabinets. Looking back on the few tiffs they had, they really were ridiculous, "Her rational was that she didn't want to disturb my sleep, but I didn't let her use that excuse, eventually she gave in and stayed in bed. And more often times than not she'd end up back asleep."

"It's interesting, it's fairly easy to tell when she's keeping herself awake because she thinks she won't be able to sleep. Versus when she's had a nightmare or her brain won't shut off and she doesn't want to go back to sleep," Aubrey laughed rubbing her hands along her knees.

Beca always thought this theory was stupid, but in a roundabout way Chloe had just proved it.

"Oh my god that's so true," Chloe grinned, "When she doesn't over think it, she sleeps like normal."

"Bingo!" Aubrey repeated Chloe's earlier phrase making them laugh, "So which one was last night?"

"Definitely the second," it was like Chloe was seeing a whole new aspect to Beca's sleep patterns, "She didn't tell me but I just knew she had some type of bad dream that woke her up."

Aubrey just nodded, "I thought the same thing while we were having coffee."

"Is that why you want her to take the sleeping pills?" Chloe curiously asked.

That wasn't what Aubrey wanted to bring up right now, but she could roll with it, "In a way yes, Jesse and I always felt when she woke up distraught that they would help her go back to sleep, but…"

"But what?"

In the beginning Aubrey thought they were the only thing that could help Beca, but that's not the case anymore. Chloe has gone about improving Beca's sleep in a unique way that nobody in their concerned group of friends ever thought about. Chloe is gently correcting the situation by making slight changes to Beca's normal routine without it feeling forced. That night Beca had been caught in the right state of mind and was open to listening and everything she heard probably scared her a tiny bit. Beca didn't want to lose Chloe, that much was painfully obvious, but she had really listened to what Chloe said and ultimately made the necessary changes.

Aubrey should have known that Beca can't be forced to do anything, Beca can't even be forced into drinking a glass of water, but Chloe can lovingly suggest something and it's like Beca takes a step back and say "yeah ok that's not that bad." It was a true testament to how much they really love and care about each other.

"But I've done a lot of thinking after my conversation with her this morning and," Aubrey hated to say it and she saw a triumphant smile growing on her best friends face, "I agree with you, they should only be used as a last resort."

"Thank you," Chloe replied. In the distance her phone was ringing and she didn't even acknowledge it. "She just doesn't like how they make her mind foggy hours after she wakes up."

---

"So Chloe's going with you to Europe?" Stacie asked in excitement at the new development.

Finishing off her water Beca just nodded, "Yeah I asked her last month, and we just found out yesterday that she can get the time off from work. We're pretty excited about spending Christmas in London and New Year's in Paris together."

"Sounds like this trip is more much needed time off," Stacie responded, resting her chin in her hand, as she intently listened to Beca's upbeat rambling.

"I mean yeah," scratching the back of her neck Beca let out an easy breath and smiled, "I've been to London, but never seen anything other than the Underground, the studio and my room at the Four Seasons. So we're going a few days early to do the typical tourist sightseeing shindig around town."

"How long will recording take?"

"I hope less than a week," Beca tapped her fingers against the empty bottle, "The Royal Philharmonic part will be the most time consuming. We're doing live takes with Adele on Monday to get a feel for the song and I've set aside the next two days for full orchestra recording." Lifting up her hands she crossed her fingers, "Then hopefully on Thursday I can get some solid vocal tracks from Adele so I can do all the mixing after New Year's."

"Then bam," Stacie smacked her hand on the countertop making her friend jump, "they might as well hand you the Academy Award."

"That's not why I'm doing this song," Beca reprimanded with a stern look.

"I know…" Stacie just laughed even though it was a given Beca would win, all signs pointed to it. Steering the conversation back to neutral territory she asked, "So, Christmas in London huh?"

Beca nodded, "That's the plan, then on Christmas Day we're setting out on a mini-road trip before we take the train to Paris."

Stacie perked up, "Oh how many days?"

"Umm five I think, we're not straying far from London," Beca stated matter of factly, "just taking doing some of the recommended day trips at our own pace. Chloe's put together a makeshift schedule," she grinned after using a posh accent that made them both laugh, "and direction we're going so we make like a big loop…"

Getting out of the city was initially Beca's plan, but Chloe was the one who suggested renting a car instead of using the train. It made sense, it allowed them to linger in places they wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to. She was totally into being able to stop at random places for photo ops, pubs for a drink or taking scenic back roads just because they could and she loved Chloe's idea of finding hotels "wherever they ended up" each night. Of course there were obligatory things that couldn't be missed like the White Cliffs of Dover, Stonehenge and the Jane Austin walking tour in Bath, yet what she was really excited about was doing it all with Chloe. Chloe's love for travel, learning, and experiencing new things was infectious and she hopes this is just the beginning of a lifetime of travel adventures together.

"I'm apprehensive about driving on the other side of the road," Beca cringed just envisioning the dangerous scenarios she'll put herself in, "but Chloe's done it and says it's not that bad. So we'll see what happens I guess," she shrugged.

"I'm sure you guys will have a great time," Stacie grinned finally getting a word in after the very detailed and intricate timeline was laid out, including totally random places of interest they were stopping and seeing, "I'm envious, especially about Paris."

"Dude that's Chloe's favorite place on earth," Beca loves seeing that brilliant smile every time they bring up the city. "It sounds romantically corny but I can't wait to fall in love with her all over again there."

Stacie laughed at the rapidly chatting brunette, hands waving wildly in the air with this lovesick grin plastered across her face. It was a version of Beca Stacie had never seen, yet it was everything she had been waiting for. She thinks that totally in love Beca Mitchell is probably the best version of her friend she has ever encountered.

"Why am I not getting a daily itinerary for Paris like you did London?" Stacie held back a smart remark and smirk as Beca froze and sheepishly grinned at her.

"Oh…" Beca trailed off, she'd been so amped up about her vacation that she'd gone off on a tangent. Biting her lip she released it then raked her fingers through her damp hair, "I'm not exactly sure what we're doing, the highlights probably, but I'm following her lead."

"Anything romantic planned?"

A tentative marriage proposal had been mapped out but Beca didn't want to reveal those plans to Stacie because she hadn't fully committed to it yet. She wants to marry Chloe and she will, except only when the time is right and they are both ready. If she feels like they are both in the proper headspace on New Year's Eve, she'll ask, otherwise like Aubrey said there is no harm in waiting.

"I'm arranging our New Year's Eve plans," Beca said with pride, "So far I've got us tickets for the Eiffel Tower at sunset and reservations at a super nice restaurant for dinner and dancing to ring in the New Year."

Stacie dramatically rolled her eyes, "Not my question dumbass, it's the City of Love, you planning on loving your girlfriend while you're there?"

"Here we go with your sex questions again," Beca good naturedly laughed watching Stacie wiggle her eyebrows enticingly. "Will it happen? Probably, we can't keep our hands off each other," they both laughed at the truth behind that statement, "but honestly I just want to spend my time following the girl I love around the city she loves and knows better than anyone." If she didn't see one single piece of artwork and they spent all their time sipping coffee in a park for five days, she wouldn't care because she'd be with Chloe and that's all that mattered. "I mean fuck Stace…" she let out a slow breath, "I've been showing her my world for months and since I'll probably never see hers back in Atlanta, I'll happily follow her around the City of Love."

"Wow ok," Stacie sat back in her chair and crossed her legs. Taking a sip from her water bottle she regarded her nervously twitching friend, "Fair enough. I'll live vicariously through Chloe's Instagram posts."

Beca let out the breath she'd been holding thankful that Stacie wasn't questioning anything about what she said, especially the part about Chloe's hometown.

"You can do that," Beca flashed a grin, "Vacation is still a new thing for me so I'm sure you'll see a ton of pictures."

"I'm just glad you're taking some time for yourself finally," Stacie thoughtfully said.

Resting her elbows against the granite countertop Beca crossed her feet at the ankles and smiled, "You know I never really thanked you for being there for me and never asking why."

"You don't have to thank me," Stacie never needed any acknowledgement, she was just happy to have been there when Beca was at her lowest, "I'd do it for you again in a heartbeat, you know that."

Stacie loved to joke and laugh, but right now Beca could tell the air in the room had shifted to the serious side. Stacie wasn't a person Beca ever saw herself getting close to, she only ever pictured them having the typical waitress and customer type of relationship with a heavy side of flirting, but they had struck up a rather interesting friendship over the years and it meant a lot to her.

"But still, just thanks for you know, everything," Beca averted her eyes and she doesn't know why, there was no reason to be nervous. "You've been a really great friend to me and yeah I can't thank you enough for never pushing me away when I'd randomly show up at the deli or your apartment," her eyes ventured back over and they smiled at each other.

"Beca we all need a friends who we can blow off steam with and not be questioned about it," Stacie saw the apprehension and tension this was causing Beca, but she didn't mention it, "I'm just glad you felt comfortable enough to do that with me."

"Me too," Beca bit her lip, because underneath Stacie's flamboyant personality was a very serious and caring person. Cracking a smile she added, "Thanks for also getting me home and to bed without any incident when I couldn't do it myself."

It took Stacie months to figure out that Beca showing up at the deli late at night wasn't because she was board and hungry, but was because she was lonely and needed someone other than Aubrey or Jesse to talk to. Their talks were always very light and easy with a lot of joking and laughter until Beca had a few drinks. What Stacie quickly learned was that nights were the worst time for Beca, it's when her demons showed up and wrecked havoc on her mental state and kept her up for days. And instead of the easygoing and fun person Stacie was used to, she witnessed how completely broken Beca was. On nights like that, Beca didn't need lectures or a best friend, she simply needed someone who would just listen. So they drank together and on rare occasions when Beca got completely hammered she'd make sure her friend got home and put to bed without any problems or Aubrey and Jesse finding out.

"Those weren't my finest moments," Beca uneasily laughed after a few beats of silence, "And I don't usually drink myself into oblivion but…"

Stacie held up a hand to stop the impending apology, "I've told you Beca, you don't ever have to explain yourself to me," she replied without hesitation. "I can count on one hand how many times that's happened. We all get drunk, hell we've all gotten drunk for various reasons other than partying, so don't worry about it. Besides you're a lightweight anyway," they both laughed and the atmosphere in the room lightened. "I'm pretty sure tonight at the bonfire you'll be wasted and then I can laugh as Chloe struggles to get your drunken ass upstairs and to bed."

"And she'll probably do it with a smile too," Beca grinned, "tell me I'm all cute and shit."

Although Stacie loves the friendship she has with Beca, it's obvious that no one gets through to the feisty brunette quite like Chloe can. Chloe has done what everyone has thought impossible for the last few years and that's given Beca the love and support she has so desperately needed. The Beca standing in front of her is a brand new person and Stacie really needs to thank Chloe for that, but then again she also needs to jokingly toss out that she no longer has her main wingwoman anymore.

"Probably," Stacie agreed, "I swear that girl is way too good for you Mitchell."

"Oh trust me I know, I got fucking lucky in the amazing girlfriend department…" Beca rapidly tapped her fingers, "You know, I've had all these friends in my life for a long time, but I've been so blinded by my own problems that I failed to acknowledge how great you guys are."

"Don't beat yourself up about that," Stacie jumped in waving a hand, "no one has faulted you for what goes on in your head. Even when you're all moody and shit you showed us you cared and that's why we love you and stick around."

Leave it to Stacie to be brutally honest, but done in a way that always made Beca laugh.

"Well still, I'm trying this new thing where I…" Beca shook out her hands, why was finding the right words to open up to people so hard, "I let my friends know that I'm lucky to have them in my life. So I'm sorry for being an asshole like seventy-five percent of the time."

"It's was more like eighty-seven percent," Stacie paused and Beca's face went pale making her grin, "but I'm not really counting and will accept the apology anyway!"

"Thanks," Beca gave a wirily smile.

"Chloe put you up to that?"

"Nope, my shrink suggested it would be good for me to express myself to my friends or whatever."

"Chloe make you tell me today?"

Beca rolled her eyes and dragged out a, "Yeah."

Stacie wiggled a finger and laughed, "Man she has you so whipped."

Beca shrugged with a smirk on her face, "Maybe, yet maybe it's just because she's simply in my life and I'd do anything for her."

Stacie just couldn't let this golden opportunity pass by as a coy grin slip on her face, "Maybe it's because of all the awesome sex you're having?"

---

"So believe it or not I didn't mean for us to get off on a tangent involving the hobbit's problems," Aubrey smiled, "That's not why I came in here."

"Are you sure?" Chloe raised and eyebrow.

"Positive…" They were both laughing at this point and Aubrey can't believe how much she had missed this, "I just wanted some time with you and Beca is always around."

"She's kinda my girlfriend," Chloe teased hearing the uncharacteristically whiny tone come out of Aubrey Posen, "and we're pretty serious." That earned her a good natured eye roll making her grin, "You should've gone running with me this morning."

Aubrey had thought about it and she had wanted to, but after taking in Beca's relaxed and happy demeanor the night before she made the snap decision to have a much needed talk with Beca. Plus with so many people around, it would have been hard to get Beca alone another time and not have it look suspicious.

"I figured we can do that tomorrow," Aubrey smiled, "or we can go shopping and to lunch."

"Or we can do all three?" Chloe asked hopefully, "I don't think anyone would mind if we vanished for the day. Besides Jesse was trying to con Beca into going to some cigar shop in LA while we were in the pool this morning."

Aubrey rapidly tapped her foot against the tile floor in annoyance, "I swear he is the absolute worst at keeping secrets."

A huge knowing grin stretched across Chloe's face, "Damn it! Beca won our bet and I really wanted to do the Hollywood sign hike too."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Aubrey feels like she needs to backtrack before she reveals too much.

"It means, we know your secret Bree." Chloe laughed, "I didn't believe Beca at first but I noticed things. Last night you passed on every drink offered and Jesse gingerly helped you stand and sit." It was really very sweet the way he looked at Aubrey so adoringly the whole night, "Then when you got out of the pool, I really noticed."

Aubrey just blinked at her best friend, speechless and nervous as her palms began to sweat. This wasn't supposed to happen right now, she and Jesse had it all planned, they were going to surprise everyone with her pregnancy news in a unique and exciting way after dinner. She was thrilled about their new adventure and although she was a little panicky about being a new mom, she knew Jesse was going to be a great dad and that alone was enough to settle her nerves and bring an even bigger smile to her face.

Aubrey's hand flew to her face and she took a couple deep breaths, "I'm still kind of in shock about it, this all happened so suddenly."

"It usually does," Aubrey was freaking out in a way Chloe had never seen before, but the excitement radiating around the room was enough to make her jittery with enthusiasm too, "You know I want details," her feet were bouncing off the cabinet doors in a rhythmic pattern that screamed anticipation and before Aubrey could say anything she was rushing out, "Last time we talked you guys were debating about waiting another year or two to have a baby. You didn't even tell me you were trying."

"Because we weren't," dropping her hands Aubrey folded her fingers together in her lap and squeezed them tightly, "well not exactly, I mean I stopped my birth control and Jesse he…" her face flushed, "we didn't exactly take any other precautions to prevent it."

"So you were going with the whole, it happens when it happens routine?" Chloe questioned with a hint of humor. If that was true then it was totally askew from Aubrey's usual way of intricate planning.

"Yes, he convinced me to," letting out an excited puff of air Aubrey laughed at herself, "and you have no idea how frustrated it has been to just let nature take its course."

"Why didn't you just call it practicing instead?" Chloe teased.

Aubrey laughed as her face reddened, she so wasn't used to talking about sex, but she had a great best friend that made it easy and less invasive and probing than talking to Stacie or Fat Amy.

"That was our initial joke," Aubrey answered, actually Jesse had some weird baseball analogy that she really couldn't remember or understand, "and now we say that one of our practices ended up hitting a home run."

"Well I think that's the best thing that could've happened!"

"We think so too," Aubrey agreed, "It was nice, we could just be together and not have the pressures of…" she bit her bottom lip trying to find the right words, when nothing normal came to mind she went with a Stacie Conrad catch phrase she had heard a thousand times, "baby making hanging over our heads. Sorry if that sounds crude, but I'm too excited to think straight."

"It's ok!" Chloe was bursting at the seams with happiness, she was only holding back because Aubrey was too, "What made you guys change your mind?"

It was a long story, consisting of hours of conversations with Jesse both for and against just letting it happen. They both wanted a family but they also didn't want to purposely start trying only to get their hopes up then smashed when it didn't happen right away. So as hard as it was for Aubrey to agree to something she had absolutely no control over, she did and it actually turned out to be the best option. It was a complete surprise and exactly how they wanted it, but nothing was more surprising than what they saw on their very first ultrasound.

Aubrey pushed herself off the edge of the tub and stepped up to the mirror next to Chloe. Placing her hands on her rounding out stomach she stared at her reflection, "Honestly our lives are in a great place and we have the perfect home in a great area of the city not far from you and Beca and timing couldn't be any better. Jesse says it was destiny."

"You know he's been sending Beca pictures of swing sets," Chloe giggled as Aubrey's face softened, "he wants to put one up in her back yard."

"He's so cute, I don't think he's ever been this pumped about something," Aubrey grinned and that's counting the first time he saw The Force Awakens trailer and the day they got married, "I'm looking forward to seeing him as a dad."

"It's ok to squeal in happiness right now," Chloe hopped off the counter and nudged her best friend lightly with an elbow as they looked at each other in the mirror, "I know you want to, I'm just waiting for you."

Aubrey turned so they were facing each other, grabbing her best friends upper arms they did this little jump in place thing that almost sent them toppling to the ground as they shrieked like a couple of teenagers talking about boys. Usually Aubrey refrained from such childish actions, but she didn't care, she was pregnant and going to be a mom and that's all that mattered to her.

"Chlo, you have no idea how happy I am," Aubrey said out of breath as her best friend engulfed her in a tight hug that rocked them back and forth, "I'm like over the moon happy. I'm scared and anxious and worried, but all that over shadows the love I have for them."

Chloe pulled back and kept Aubrey at arm's length with a surprised look on her face, "Them?"

Aubrey bit her lip in anticipation, "Yeah…I'm having twins."

"No way!" Chloe's mouth hung open in disbelief as she stared at Aubrey, "As in two babies?" She held up a peace sign, "As in we have to go shopping and buy double sets of everything? As in twenty little fingers and twenty little toes and twice as many diapers to change?"

"Yes! As in holy shit Jesse and I are having twins," Aubrey grinned not even caring that she just cursed because as soon as they got into the car after their first ultrasound that's exactly what they said to each other, "As in twice as many names and twice as many babies to throw up all over Beca."

Chloe was bouncing on the balls of her feet, she couldn't wait to babysit and squish two sets of chubby cheeks. Babies were quite possibly the only things cuter than Beca Mitchell.

"Oh my god congratulations," Chloe squealed again pulling Aubrey in for another hug, "You have no idea how happy I am for you!"

Aubrey couldn't do anything but laugh with happy tears as she tightly hugged her best friend. One baby was life changing, but two really took it to the next level. She had no idea how they were possibly going to handle two babies all at once, she was terrified with excitement, but like Jesse told her "two is our magic number and we'll be ok."

Bringing them to a standstill Aubrey broke the embrace and wiped under her eyes, "So I guess that means you're ready to be Aunt Chloe?"

"Oh totes! I'll teach them all the good things in life! We'll do art projects and have sleepovers with movie nights and blanket forts," reaching for a tissue Chloe handed it over, "and Aunt Beca will be right by my side providing the witty commentary while teaching them all the curse words and colorful language you can imagine, all while being a giant softy and spoiling them."

Aubrey rolled her eyes and stifled a laugh because that was such a true statement, "And if we end up having a girl Aunt Stacie will teach them how to flaunt it."

"And Fat Amy will…" Chloe bit her lip in thought then shrugged, "You know I'm not entirely sure what she'll teach them, but it probably won't be good."

"Fat Amy won't be babysitting."

"But she'll insist."

"Then I'll need an extra babysitter just to babysit Fat Amy," tossing the tissue in the trash Aubrey shook her head, "she'll teach my kids to play rousing games of dodge the cable car in the street or how to make mixed drinks at the bar."

Resting her hip against the sink Chloe just shook her head and laughed, "Do you know if you're having boys or girls or a mix?"

"It's still kind of hard to tell the doctor told us he's positive baby number one is a boy." At last weeks ultrasound Aubrey was disappointed when they were only able to fully confirm one of the genders, "Baby number two likes to hide, but they're seventy-five percent sure it's a girl. Hopefully during the anatomy check and 3D sonogram in a couple weeks we'll have a definite answer."

Secretly Aubrey was hoping for one of each it was the perfect scenario and two boys would be a handful. Mainly she wanted a little girl for the same reason any mom wants a little girl and because she wants Jesse to have his own "little princess." Whatever they end up with they will be blessed and happy, how could they not.

"Wow that's awesome, a boy and a girl."

"Hopefully…"

Taking a step forward Chloe reached out a hand, "Can I?"

"Sure..." taking the outstretched hand Aubrey gently placed it on her stomach, "It's just been in the last couple of weeks that I really started showing."

"How far along are you?" Chloe whispered waiting for something to happen.

"Almost sixteen weeks…try here," Aubrey adjusted Chloe's hand so it was right above her navel, "I'm not sure if it's me or them, but for the past week I've felt these tiny flutters." She brushed her fingers up Chloe's arm to mimic the sensations, "The doctor said it'd be a couple more months before I get any kicks."

Chloe couldn't feel anything, but she didn't really expect it, she just wanted to relive one of the few good memories she had growing up. Before her parents found out she was having a little sister, she had done the exact same thing to her mom that she's doing right now to Aubrey. It's one of the few times she can remember her mom letting her hand roam the small stomach trying to elicit a kick. It was a nice memory and she can still remember the smile she was given and how happy she was to be gaining a sibling. However, the joy in the household didn't last long, a month later her parents found out they were having another girl and her mom kind of shut down and she was never allowed to feel again.

Tentatively taking her hand away Chloe covered her frown up with a smile, "Sorry, I just I did that once before my little sister was born."

"You don't have to apologize," Aubrey easily smiled, "you can do it anytime you want."

"Really?"

"Really, I need to prepare myself for Stacie and Jessica touching my stomach randomly for the next five months," Aubrey joked resting her own hands on her rounding belly, "And you're a very touchy feely person, so I can get used to it with you."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Chloe crossed her arms over her chest and grinned, "But watch out, Beca will probably poke your stomach like it's an alien."

Aubrey shook her head in regret, because that was entirely true, "All the more reason to punch her."

"You two I swear," Chloe stomped her foot, they were always picking at each other.

"I'm joking," Aubrey reassured, although if she can at least get one good swing in it might be worth it, "So tomorrow would you mind walking instead of running?"

"Whatever's best for the future mom," Chloe nodded with a smile, "but can we still go shopping to cute baby stores?"

"I'd really liked that," Aubrey laughed because she'd been waiting for an entire month to do that with her best friend, "I want to pick out some boy and girl outfits and start getting stuff for their nurseries."

"I'd love to help you," shoving her hands in her back pockets Chloe got an idea, "Also if you guys want I paint and sketch, it's just a hobby really and…"

"Beca told me how good you are," Aubrey smiled, Chloe was being hesitant again and it was endearing.

"Anyways if you guys want I'd love to do something in their rooms," Chloe bit the inside of her cheek in anticipation and to avoid the topic of her art for the time being.

"Jesse and I would love that," Aubrey has had this idea to do something with their names once they were decided and Chloe might just be able to follow through, "We've already decided on colors and we'd love to hear your ideas."

Chloe's phone could be heard ringing from the other side of the closed bathroom door, regretfully turning towards the door she said, "I better get that, whoever it is, is persistent."

---

Beca's phone chimed again interrupting her and Stacie's chatter about their plans for the next few days. Straightening herself she reached for the device and was thankful that this time it was only a text from Emily. Navigating to the text screen a couple pictures came through and she grinned seeing one of the spare room she had been using as storage now filled with all kinds of boxes from art supply companies for Chloe. Even the expensive as shit professional art desk she found downtown was assembled and situated in front of a set of windows overlooking San Francisco Bay. It looked like everything had finally arrived and she couldn't wait to show Chloe and them spend days putting everything together and in the perfect place.

"What's got you all smiley?" Stacie's voice came from right beside Beca's ear making her jump.

Stacie had crept up on Beca without even creaking a floorboard and was now cackling beside her like a maniac. Seriously that girl was all kinds of stealthy, she can not imagine how guys feel when Stacie goes out hunting and preys on them.

"Oh ummm," switching her phone off Beca shoved it in her back pocket, "a surprise for Chloe. Well not really a surprise," she ran her hands though her hair, "she told me what to buy, but Emily was just letting me know everything had arrived."

"Oh my god you sly dog," Stacie inched closer trying to snag the phone but Beca was slick and ducked out of the way, "you guys are totally creating a sex dungeon aren't you?"

"What? Dude no…" Beca flipped around and tried to hold Stacie at arms length so more than just her phone wouldn't be grabbed, "And quit trying to cop a feel."

"Beca Mitchell I never figured you or Chloe for the kinky type," standing up straight Stacie adjusted her bra and a set of eyes followed her movements. "You checking me out?" she asked with an overly confident smirk.

"No-no, it's just yeah, your boobs they're," Beca timidly moved a hand in what little space there was between them and poked the left then right boob, "they're in my face."

Cocking a hip to the right Stacie looked Beca up and down for conformation, she bought it, "Right forgot you're a shorty!"

"And you're stupidly tall."

"See and here I thought you were weirdly flirting with me," Stacie joked folding her arms across her chest popping her boobs out a little bit more.

It was almost like Beca was watching a lion narrow in on its prey because the space between them was getting smaller and smaller by the second.

Clearing her throat Beca held up her hands in protest and refused to make eye contact, "Nope I can assure you, I'm not."

"You sure," Stacie salaciously licked her lips and winked.

"Positive," Beca was pretty sure her armpits were sweating for no other reason than she felt trapped, "because we've been through this multitude times both sober and drunk."

Dropping her hands to her hips Stacie just shrugged like it was no big deal and took a step back, "After all these years still nothing?"

"Nope sorry," Beca scrunched up her nose and shook her head.

"Yeah same for me, I like men and the D to much," Stacie said in a depressive nature. "It's a shame we could've had really hot sex."

"Probably," Beca flicked her eyes to the ceiling then back down thinking about all the amazing times she and Chloe have had, "but it's best not to dwell on it, I've found my forever person and you soon will too."

Stacie grinned flipping her hair over her shoulder, "I hope you're right."

Beca's phone buzzed in her back pocket again and she pulled it out, seeing Emily's name she waved it in Stacie's face, "I need to text her back and go see if my love is about ready." Backing away she pointed a finger, "We're leaving for the grocery store in ten minutes, so go wrangle Fat Amy up."

"Ummm no can do," Beca came to an abrupt halt and raised an eyebrow, making Stacie uneasily laugh, "She's lounging by the pool and talking to her boyfriends all day today."

Fat Amy gave specific instructions to Stacie about not disturbing her until it was time for afternoon drinks and honestly Stacie was kind of scared to do what Beca asked. Right now Fat Amy was in one of the guestrooms painting her toenails and watching reruns of Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Vanderpump Rules and was quiet, so there was no need to poke the sleeping bear.

"You know what, just let her be," Beca loves Fat Amy, she really does, but sometimes her friend can be to much to handle so it's best to sneak away and not get involved in some random argument she'll never win, "It's better this way."

"Fair enough," smacking Beca's ass on the way to guestroom she was sharing with Jessica, Stacie laughed at the surprised yelp, "I'll get my shoes and purse biotch."

"Cool…" Beca looked down and let out an angry groan, Gail was calling again and she sent it right to voice mail as she headed for the stairs.

---

As they exited the bathroom with their arms looped together Aubrey asked, "Can you please not tell Beca and the others, I still want to surprise them tonight."

"I won't saw a word," Chloe pretended to zip her mouth shut and fake throwing away the key. The faint knock on the bedroom door drew her attention and she saw Beca leaning against the doorjamb with a soft smile on her face. "Hey sexy…" she breathed out returning the smile.

"Hey gorgeous," shoving her phone in her back pocket Beca pushed off the door, "Aubrey."

Aubrey carefully watched Beca close the short distance and ever so subtly press a gentle kiss to Chloe's cheek. It was unexpected, yet nice, to see Beca for once initiate a sweet and loving gesture towards someone and not be embarrassed by it. Beca wasn't much for the whole PDA thing, it was something they actually had in common, but given everything she's seen in the past twelve hours she thinks Beca doesn't really care how other people perceive her actions anymore.

Crossing her arms Aubrey stared down the other woman, "Beca…"

"You almost ready?" Beca quietly asked her girlfriend.

"Yeah," Chloe's eyes shifted from Beca's to Aubrey's then back, "Can you give me like five minutes? I need to make a quick phone call."

"Sure," Beca answered giving another quick kiss, that made her stomach do flip-flops. "And you," glancing at Aubrey she put on an annoyed face and sarcastically said, "hurry up, I'm not waiting on your ass because you are playing kissy face with your boy toy."

"Oh whatever!" Aubrey threw up her hands up in indignation and glared at Chloe who was hiding a smile as Beca victoriously smirked. Aubrey dismissively stomped from the room and as her heavy footsteps made their way down the hall, the two heard a loud, "You could've just asked me to leave so you could makeout with your girlfriend," before a bedroom door was slammed shut.

"Beca!" Chloe snagged the back pocket of her girlfriend's jeans so she couldn't run, "Was that really called for?"

"Totally, I was tired of looking at her face," Beca wobbled around unsteadily as she twisted to face Chloe. "So since she suggested it, wanna make out?" Lifting her hands she clicked her tongue while making gun shooting fingers and winked, "If so lay it on me baby."

"No, but I'll give you points for being so cute," although Chloe did lean forward and give a resounding kiss then pulled back. "Now get your shoes and I'll meet you downstairs in a few minutes."

"Ok," stealing another quick kiss Beca smiled into it before being lightly pushed away, "Stacie decided she's coming with us."

"That works it'll make things go faster," Chloe gave a shooing motion with her hands. Beca abruptly stopped a few feet from their closet and she saw a weird look of concentration on her girlfriend's face while removing her phone from its charger, "What's up babe?"

"Can you make more of that mojito fruit salad thing?" Hiking a thumb over her shoulder Beca added, "Stacie and I ate it all."

"I was planning on doing a watermelon and feta cheese recipe this time," Chloe answered watching girlfriend sprint into their closet then emerge seconds later with a pair of shoes in her hands.

"Yeah I'd rather try that!" Beca replied throwing her shoes on the ground and stepping into them, "Also I'm taking a nap when we get back."

"Ok," Chloe laughed watching her animated girlfriend move out of their bedroom giving a wave over her head, "Oh and Bec?"

Beca's head popped back in the room, "Yeah my love?"

"I love you…"

Practically skipping over to Chloe, Beca gave her another kiss, "I love you too."

Once Beca was gone Chloe woke her phone up, she had three missed calls and one new text message from her former boss at Rolling Stone.

Roger P. [11:12AM]: Please call me, it's urgent.

Chloe shifted her eyes to the vacant doorway and she could hear laughter and animated talking coming from downstairs. Quickly typing in her passcode she navigated to the missed call log and immediately hit the redial button and her ex-boss answered in less than two rings.

"Roger hey, it's Chloe Beale sorry I missed your calls…" Chloe bit her lip as she hurried across their bedroom to close the door, "What's up?"

---

"So have you taken Chloe to me that hunk of a man Adam Levine yet?" Stacie asked pushing their shopping cart down the snack food aisle.

"I have actually," Beca stopped in front of the assortment of potato chip bags and stared at them with a hand on her chin, "We had lunch with him before he filmed an episode of The Voice."

"And did she freak like Aubrey does?" Grabbing a bag of Fritos, Stacie tossed it in the cart.

"Not really, I mean she was excited and nervous, but…" Reaching for bags of original and sour cream and onion Ruffles, Beca scrutinized them before ultimately deciding to add both to their basket. Chloe wouldn't be happy at the level of unhealthiness they'd acquired so far, but she was told to get things to snack on and healthy wasn't stipulated, "She didn't really go bat shit crazy and speechless like Aubrey tends to do, then again Adam didn't have his shirt off."

Stacie gave a low whistle pushing the cart forward, "Shirt on or off doesn't matter to me, he is fine with a capital F."

"I still don't see it, he's a total goofball to me," Beca laughed snagging a bag of tortilla chips as she passed them. "We need salsa," she said to no one in particular.

"He could be the lamest person alive and have no personality and I still wouldn't care, he can lay that body on me anytime," Stacie stated matter-of-factly.

"Dude," Beca turned around and walked backwards, "he's married and has a kid."

"Never stopped me before," Stacie winked, "rings don't mean a thing."

"Yeah Stace I know," Beca laughed. Standing on her tiptoes she looked over her friend's shoulder and spotted a couple of kids from earlier, "Hey we have spies watching us again."

Slightly turning Stacie sent the two little girls, who were maybe five and ten, a tiny wave of acknowledgement before they scattered back to their mother side who was looking at lunchmeat. That's the third time since they've been in the grocery store that they have caught those kids watching them. Facing her friend again Stacie got a weird feeling, something tells her they were only being followed because they wanted to see Beca.

"I don't think they care about me," Stacie whispered taking a step closer, "I'm not famous."

"What? Pssst dude please neither am I…" Beca waved a hand blowing off the statement. "They have no idea who I am, if they did don't you think they'd come and ask for an autograph or a picture?"

"I don't know Beca, weird things have been happening today," Stacie stated in a tone that meant she wasn't playing around. She'd gotten multiple Google Alert's about Beca that she hasn't had time to check and the kids are practically following them around like mini-paparazzi, not to mention how evasive and standoffish Chloe acted the whole way to the grocery store after her phone call, "I mean what the hell has Gail has been trying to call you about?"

"I told you she never leaves a message, so to me it's not important," Beca quickly replied, "Everything is chill in the DJ Titanium world if it wasn't I'd know about it."

Stacie looked over her shoulder eyeing the two sisters as they hung from their mother's shopping cart laughing at each other. Maybe this could simply be a case of kids being kids because there was plenty of evidence showing how kids loved Beca. They were naturally drawn to her feisty friend who in turn was really great with them and she'd seen that countless times over the years. So maybe she was reading a little too much into things and the kids and Beca were playing a game she was totally unaware of.

Shrugging off her original thoughts Stacie smiled, "I guess you're right, anyways do you think Fat Amy would mind making her famous salsa instead of us buying the premade stuff?"

"Oh I'll get Aubrey to force her into it while we drink by the pool," Beca was on the move again pulling the cart behind her with one hand.

"She owes everyone for bailing on Jesse and making him buy all the alcohol, she's the whole reason they lost chicken jousting," Stacie said excitedly already texting the loudmouthed Australian, "We'll probably need jalapenos and cilantro."

"Quick to the produce department," Beca cheered as she continued to drag the cart with one hand and point in the direction she was going with the other, "grab anything else you need from this aisle because we're not coming back."

"On it," passing a five pound bag of trail mix with M&M's Stacie scooped it up and tossed it in the cart, "Oh can we get one of those giant boxes of Goldfish?"

"If you put the lame ass bag of pretzels back."

"Deal."

---

Pulling out her phone Chloe typed out a quick text while Aubrey read it over her shoulder.

Chloe [12:15PM]: Roger, I'm here…in the back of the store near the meat section.

Roger P. [12:16PM]: On my way…

"Chloe couldn't you have done this some place else?" Aubrey questioned shifting her eyes suspiciously around the store.

Turning to her best friend Chloe put her phone back in her purse, "And what would I have told Beca or Stacie or anyone currently vacationing in our house?"

Aubrey didn't like the tone she was hearing, it was tense and on the defense much like it was before they all piled in Beca's SUV to come here. Chloe had pulled her aside in the garage and gave her a quick rundown on what was about the happen. Apparently Chloe's old boss at Rolling Stone had something important for them to discuss, so important that it couldn't be done over the phone. It made her worry that the brief conversation they had earlier was coming true, Beca's name and picture had gotten out.

"I don't know? That you wanted some alone time?" Aubrey harshly whispered adjusting the strap of her purse on her shoulder, "Or maybe you forgot to pick up something from the drycleaners? I don't know anything!"

"Right because Beca would've totally bought that," Chloe threw her arms out in frustration, "look I'm as worried as you. I wasn't expecting that phone call, but I need to see what he has to say."

"You're telling Beca about this as soon as we get home," stepping closer Aubrey pointed a finger and sternly spoke, "this is bad, I warned you about this and now it's about to blow up in our face."

"Miss Beale," they both turned to see a guy casually dressed in beach attire quickly approach and Aubrey didn't like the worried look he wore, "Thank you for meeting me on such short notice."

Chloe just nodded tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "Sure Roger, kind of ironic you're in Malibu too."

"I'm on vacation," Roger quickly stated with an uneasy smile and laugh, "my wife said she and our kids wanted an end of summer beach trip before the water got to cold." Chloe and her friend gave a light laugh through tight smiles, "Anyways we're just passing by on our way to Santa Monica."

This whole issue happened rather quickly before Roger left on vacation and he didn't think it was a coincidence either. When he'd called earlier he was fully set on talking to Chloe over the phone, but since she ended up being in his general vicinity he convinced his wife to do her grocery shopping now instead of later on tonight.

To put it plain and simple Rolling Stone Magazine had strategically waited for him to be on vacation to start slowly releasing information on DJ Titanium. He probably wouldn't have even heard anything about what was internally going on at the magazine had he not gone back to the office a few days ago to grab his travel laptop. He'd been stopped by one of the mid-level photo editors who began interrogating him on the whereabouts of all the DJ Titanium photos. Apparently over the span of two days they had vanished from the magazines private, stronger than Fort Knox, password protected, network. Not only where the pictures gone, but every single file, email, note, reference or lead, including Chloe Beale's transcribed phone conversation with the one person responsible for tracking down the elusive music producer in the first place. Everything had been deleted, even the folder he had personally kept as a backup for the last four years had been removed from his locked filing cabinet.

"I don't mean to be rude but," Roger glanced at the blonde then back to Chloe, "I need to speak to you alone, this is a sensitive subject."

Chloe took a step closer to her best friend, she wasn't allowing Aubrey to leave, "She's fine, Aubrey Posen is one of DJ Titanium's closest friends. Whatever you're going to say to me, you can say to her."

"As long as you're ok with that," Chloe nodded and Roger held out his hand to introduce himself, "it's pleasure to meet you Mrs. Posen, as you're well aware I'm an editor with Rolling Stone Magazine and Chloe's former boss."

"That's what I'm told," Aubrey curtly replied, her face remaining neutral, "So, what's going on with Beca Mitchell?"

"Right, did you bring the folder?" Roger waited as Chloe removed it from her purse and handed it over. Flipping it open he surveyed all the contents, "It's very important that you do not lose this, lock it up in a safe if you have to."

"Why?" Chloe asked not even caring how desperate she sounded and that the guy behind the meat counter had glanced their way. Stepping closer she whispered, "Is something wrong?"

Aubrey remained quiet and observed the contents of the folder as they were shuffled through. The majority looked like emails and other notes, then there was a contract of some sort along with a list of questions and numerous pictures of Beca; Beca with Gizmo, Beca and Chloe, and Beca in various places around San Francisco, there were even pictures of her deli and staff interacting with Beca. The whole thing was total paparazzi material, Chloe had said she had been provoked with revealing pictures, trying to sway her into writing the article, but Aubrey had never been told about a whole folder of them. If Beca unexpectedly found these, shit was going to hit the fan.

"Mine is missing," Roger answered removing the email with 'Alex's' phone number on it, "Along with all the research Rolling Stone has been doing on DJ Titanium."

"Even the pictures?" Chloe pulled one of her and Beca drinking coffee at their favorite spot with their dogs resting under the table. In any other scenario and taken by one of their friends, she would adore this picture, but knowing how and why this was taken just makes her sick. "What happened to all their rules about privacy and protecting me and Beca or any artist for that matter?"

The tenseness in Chloe's tone was something Aubrey wasn't used to and definitely didn't like. Chloe had left out some major stuff when she said she had just quit.

"Probably reworked and reworded to include the removal of things at their discretion," Roger removed his phone from his pocket and began taking shots of emails and other miscellaneous papers containing things like phone numbers and transcripts. "They're planning something, I don't know what, but they're covering their asses."

"It's simple," Aubrey interrupted and the two turned to look at her, it was obvious that she had been forgotten about during the whole interaction, "they're paying someone else to release the information for them."

Roger scratched the side of his head, "How do you figure that?"

Aubrey didn't want to step on anyone's toes, but the writing was one the wall. Things had been stolen from his office, pictures were missing, emails were missing, everything dealing with Beca Mitchell and DJ Titanium was missing and it wasn't because someone accidentally pressed the delete button. Rolling Stone Magazine was probably doing exactly what she warned Chloe about earlier today, they are throwing the paparazzi photographer under the bus and probably giving him a generous sum of money to do it.

"They want to make it seem like they have no information on Beca so when her identity does come out and Beca's legal team jumps on them, Rolling Stone is clean and gets away scot-free," Aubrey took the pictures from the folder and shook her head as she looked at them, "They've probably told whoever took these pictures that they can sell them to the highest bidder as long as it doesn't get back to them," her face paled seeing Chloe in a handful of them. "And my guess is since Rolling Stone has pressured Beca the most about an interview that's the first place the lawyers will come knocking. And what better way to show their innocence then to open up the doors and prove they have nothing other than the basic requests to her manager?"

"She's smart," Roger joked, knowing full well that was probably the angle Rolling Stone was going for, "I like her."

"Yeah she is," Chloe grinned at Aubrey who didn't even look away from the photos, "When do you think the information will go live?"

"I'm not sure, but since I've been gone from work for a week and will be gone another one," Roger moved his glasses to the top of his head, "I would guess any day now."

"I should've known Paul Connelly would've stooped this low," Chloe said in disgust, that guy was a lowlife who was out to get an interview with DJ Titanium at any cost, "He probably paid 'Alex'," she used air quotes in reference to the source who found Beca, "under the table to release Beca's photos and name."

"That's not good," Aubrey handed the stack of photos back and pulled out her phone, "Beca has no idea what is going on, she will be blindsided."

Roger was taken back hearing that Chloe hadn't said a word about what transpired a little over a month ago. He had gone home and immediately told his wife and Chloe, who was involved with the person Rolling Stone so desperately wanted for the cover of their magazine, hadn't said a word. However, that didn't really matter now and he wasn't one to get involved in other peoples affairs, so he just let that slide.

"Do you know if they have any new pictures of Beca or us?" Chloe prayed to everything that was holy they didn't.

"Unfortunately," Roger glanced at Aubrey who was franticly typing something into her phone, then to Chloe whose expression was a mixture of fear and anger.

"But how? We've been relatively secluded at her beach house for the past month," Chloe heatedly stated.

Reaching for his back pocket Roger pulled out a handful of new photos and handed them over, "I have no other explanation than you two were followed."

Chloe took the photos and Aubrey immediately took a step closer so they were able to look through them together. The first was of her and Beca running, the second was of Beca in her SUV pulling into the cemetery her mom is buried in, while the others were of Beca in various places around LA and Malibu, there was even one of the two of them kayaking in Monterey. The more Chloe shifted through them the angrier she got, Rolling Stone was taking their picture at every possible opportunity, even as they were eating fucking lunch together or kissing up against the SUV for no reason.

However the very last picture was the one that made Chloe furious and pushed any last little bit of respect for her former employer right out the window. She remembers the night perfectly, because instead of doing their normal beach walk after dinner they'd taken Billie and Gizmo to the famous Zuma Beach to watch to sunset and eat ice cream. It had been a beautiful evening, the beach had been relatively empty and they had been just another couple casually talking and watching the sunset together unbothered. The picture itself was simple, their dogs were beside them on the blanket they brought, she was resting with her back against her girlfriend's front and they were kissing. It was such a private moment between them and was special for no other reason than because they had been so happy in their own little world they had created. Now it feels like they had been intruded on in a major way. That night she was with her girlfriend, not a celebrity, but her fucking girlfriend, and now this picture had the potential to be splashed across every major magazine, tabloid and TV show by tomorrow morning and there is nothing she can do about it.

Looking at the pictures again Chloe was fuming, all of them were private moments, because they were different from the pictures that had been taken of Beca in San Francisco. Not that she condones those photos either but at least, with the exception of the ones she was in, all of them were of Beca working.

Adding the photos to the folder Chloe sighed as Aubrey spoke with anger lacing her voice, "Those are so intrusive, these two are on vacation sharing some much needed alone time together and it looks like their picture was taken at everywhere."

Roger couldn't do anything but sadly agree, "I know and I feel bad about how low Rolling Stone has stooped, it's a complete fiasco. I don't agree with anything they've done, my stance on the DJ Titanium situation will always remain the same, until she wants to come forward we should respect her and Miss Beale's privacy." Tapping the photos with a finger he emphasized one main point to Aubrey and Chloe, "But you need, she needs, to be prepared for the inevitable whether she wants it or not."

"How did you even get these new photos if everything else has vanished?" Aubrey point blank asked because from her perspective it looked like Roger was the one leaking this information. "Why should we trust you?"

The simple answer to that question was that Roger got lucky. The photo editor who stopped him hadn't had a chance to archive the photos yet and they were still on her desktop computer hard drive. After some convincing she quickly printed them off and he shoved them in his laptop case and left the building. And now they are here, in a grocery store, where DJ Titanium is roaming around somewhere totally unaware of what is going on.

"Aubrey it's ok," Chloe reassured, "he's a good guy, he only wants an interview with Beca when Beca is ready," Roger just nodded as she gave a reassuring smile.

"I just wish there was something I could do to convince you," Roger pleaded.

"I see…" Aubrey rolled her eyes not entirely convinced of that explanation. Looking down at her phone she opened the Safari app again and started her search over.

"It's ok Roger," Chloe shrugged, she knew Aubrey was worried and would protect Beca at all costs so the standoffishness and general attitude she was going to let slide. "So where do we go from here?" She asked diverting their attention away from Aubrey, "Should I take this to Beca and her manager and publicist team?"

"I know it's not exactly ideal, but I'm afraid it's the only option…" Roger paused contemplating his next move to an already very delicate situation, "I think the only way to beat Rolling Stone at their own game is for Miss Mitchell to voluntarily release her identity and unfortunately yours as well."

That made sense because if Beca gave her own press release then people wouldn't pay top dollar for that coveted first photo anymore. And releasing their picture together and announcing their relationship, Beca also quiets any speculation into her personal life and eliminates the even higher price someone would get for "intimate" and "compromising" photos together. It was a smart decision and unfortunately the best case scenario.

Chloe placed a hand on her forehead and let out a breath, "Well that certainly changes things."

"No this…" Aubrey held out her phone so all three of them could see the screen, "significantly changes things," she stated harshly, "looks like Rolling Stone beat you to the punch."

Chloe gasped and her face paled, the phone many be hard to read upside down but she saw the headline and she definitely could see every picture of Beca as Aubrey scrolled down the article.

"Well fuck," Chloe cursed looking away from the picture of her and Beca together and to Aubrey with alarming eyes.

---

Turning out of the junk food aisle, Beca lead Stacie to the back of the store for a quick stroll through the frozen food section. They didn't really need anything here and her half of Chloe's list was almost complete, but Stacie had insisted on looking at the ice cream. They kind of argued for a few minutes about what everyone would want until ultimately deciding against it since they were having Smores tonight.

Riding the shopping cart down the aisle like a little kid left Stacie doubled over in laughter, "Real attractive Bec."

"Not my fault Chloe finds me delightfully irresistible," Beca laughed back sliding the cart to a halt with a foot. Releasing her grip she gestured to the handle for Stacie to take over, "You know maybe if you did similar things Dr. Hotness would notice you."

"I've done everything possible, except take my clothes off," Stacie groaned in agony slumping over their cart as she slowly pushed it, "which I wouldn't be opposed to."

Dr. Spencer P. Atkins was probably the one and only man Beca had witnessed on a daily basis be impenetrable to the hooks of Stacie Conrad. It was kind of hilarious the lengths she has seen her friend go to in order to get this guys attention. Not that either of them will ever admit to Instagram stalking to find vacation pictures of him from Costa Rica last summer, but judging by the amount of likes some of them received Stacie isn't the only one who finds this guy attractive. He is like Abercrombie & Fitch model levels of hot with perfectly chiseled abs and a brighter than white smile, but he is also just a really nice guy. Beca had met him twice and both times he had been quiet and reserved and she could tell just by his actions that he likes Stacie. Sadly, and much to her amusement, his super smart intellectual capabilities tended to totally blind him to her friend's flirtatious advances and over the top innuendos.

"So you're still crushing on him?"

"Every day of my life," Stacie regretfully answered fixing her hair in the glass of one of the freezer doors, "Like I'm not even sure he's even checked me out."

"So scandalous," Beca deadpanned and got a smack to the arm, "Why don't you just ask him out?"

"Because…" Stacie let out a restless breath, "I don't know, I just can't and that's crazy because I have no problem showcasing my goodies and telling other men exactly what I want." Standing up straighter she adjusted her shirt and boobs, "I like being a hunter, I'm good at it, so I don't know why he is any different."

"Because he's your academic and intellectual equal," Beca plainly stated looking over at her friend. "Those other guys you can manipulate to get what you want. You probably can't with him and that's what's holding you back."

Stacie thought about how amazingly true that statement was, "Probably."

Continuing towards the produce section Beca added, "Just do what you told me to do with Chloe, start slow and build a relationship."

"But I just can't give up sex for months like you did…"

"It may seem like it's asking a lot, but it's not. I'm glad I didn't rush that step with Chloe, it was totally worth it in the end." Beca peered in one of the freezer doors debating about grabbing a bag of tater tots, "I'm having best sex of my life with Chloe and trust me I'll never do another random hookup."

"But you shouldn't need an easy lay anymore right?" Stacie asked opening the freezer door, "Chloe's kind of it for you isn't she? Like she's the one?"

"Yeah she is." Reaching in and taking the tater tots off the shelf Beca held them in her hands and scrutinized them closely, "She's the girl I want to settle down with."

"So you want the whole nine yards like wedding rings and the white picket fence?"

Forgoing the tater tots Beca placed the bag back on the shelf and closed the freezer door.

Leaning against it Beca thoughtfully regarded the question, "This time last year I would've laughed in your face if you'd asked me that, but I've changed in a lot of ways since I met her eight months ago so yeah," she smiled shoving her hands in her pockets, "I do like the way all that domestic shit sounds and honestly it's what I need, this past month has proved that. I like living with her and doing things as a couple, it's made me happier and has given me a new purpose in life." She let out an easy breath as they smiled at each other, "And I think I give her all those things too."

Stacie wasn't entirely prepared for such a mature outlook, Beca was making huge strides in her life and it was nice to see how her friend had evolved.

Gripping the shopping cart Stacie rolled it back and forth, "I think I want that too, I have a good job," in fact the first week in January her post-doc ends and the naval base is hiring her permanently with a new job title and a significant pay raise, "And I'd like to have a serious boyfriend and buy my own place so I don't have to live with a roommate anymore."

"Then ask him out Stace," Beca shrugged giving a small smile, "start simple like lunch or coffee after work. I'm horrible at giving relationship advice, but I followed yours and now look where I am."

Stacie flexed her fingers checking out her nails, "I feel like I'm in still living the college lifestyle while all you guys are pairing up with significant others and getting married. I feel left out, even Fat Amy has a semi-boyfriend and a condo she owns."

They had talked about this during one of their late night chats, they had both liked the single lifestyle, but Beca always knew deep down that it wasn't a long term thing for either of them.

"Maybe your person isn't Dr. Spencer Atkins," Beca stated making Stacie's eyes venture to hers with alarm, "but you won't know that until you give it a try. And the house thing I agree with, I like your place but your roommate Jamie gives me weird vibes."

"She thinks you're hot, she's told me," Stacie grinned, "and she's not into girls."

"No dude it's because she's a fucking psycho, I woke up on your couch one morning and she was eating Fruit Loops on the other end just staring at me," Beca visibly shivered, the bad kind of shivers too, the kind of shivers one gets from watching a scary movie, "I asked her if she ever worked and she said…"

"My job is to watch you," Stacie repeated in a higher pitched voice and laughed. She must have had heard Jamie tell Beca that a hundred times. "You know," she winked, "she told me she'd be down for you to be her first girl to go down on her."

"No," Beca firmly stated pushing off the freezer door and standing upright, this wasn't a joking matter and Stacie was grinning like it was, "Not only are blondes and blondes with fake tits not my thing, but I have a girlfriend and she's the only one I'm going down on." Stacie seemed almost pleased with the tiny tirade she was on, "Besides even if I wasn't getting laid regularly it'd never happen."

"She knows that I told her but…"

"But what?"

Stacie just grinned, "She says the offer still stands."

"I'm sure it does," Beca's phone buzzed again in her back pocket and her smile grew thinking it was Chloe. Pulling it out her smile vanished as she sent the caller strait to voice mail, "Fuck me Gail just doesn't give up."

"She eventually will," Stacie said pushing the cart forward again, "Now come on lets get to the produce section, I'm ready to lay out by the pool before it gets to cold out."

Rounding a corner the two came to a stop next to the tomato stand, fluffing out a plastic Beca held it open while Stacie gathered a handful. Glancing around for the onions she saw a flash or red hair over near the meat section and she grinned. Handing the bag to Stacie, Beca pushed their cart out of the way for a better view of her girlfriend, but stopped when she saw Chloe and Aubrey speaking to some guy she had never seen before.

"Who are they talking to?" Came Stacie's whispered voice from beside Beca.

"No idea," Beca replied not even looking away, "But it looks like Chloe knows him."

Stacie shifted slightly for a better view, Chloe seemed to be doing all the talking while Aubrey just stood there intently listening. The guy was holding some sort of folder and pointing to its contents before shaking his head at whatever question Chloe asked. Even when Aubrey leaned over to glance at something then reluctantly nod in agreement while rapidly speaking Chloe just stared between the two with a questionable look. As she quietly watched the exchange for a few minutes it still didn't look like Chloe knew this guy.

"How can you tell?"

"Look at her body language compared to Aubrey's," Beca grabbed Stacie's arm and moved them behind the display of neatly stacked oranges to get a different angle, "Watch."

Aubrey was ridged and standoffish, with her arms crossed over her chest and an unreadable expression, while Chloe looked just as tense. Yet as Stacie scrutinized the small group she did notice that when Chloe talked to this guy it was in a more casual manner than how Chloe usually interacts with customers at Aubrey's deli. Sure Chloe was friendly and chatted with everyone who came in, but it was always kept professional. The way Chloe was talking right now similar, except it was just a little different and she couldn't pinpoint exactly how.

"What do you think?" Beca questioned her eyes never leaving her girlfriend.

"I think you're right," Stacie occupied her hands with an orange so it looked like they were talking about how many to buy, "but how does Chloe know him?"

"I don't know," Beca shrugged, "maybe she unexpectedly ran it to someone she knows."

From what Stacie knew, Chloe had no family in California and except maybe for the people she worked with they had the same group of friends. When Chloe came downstairs before they left for the grocery store Stacie thought the redhead seemed a little frazzled and that her smile was a little too forced, much like how she looked right now.

"I don't know, how does she just run into someone she knows at a random grocery store," Stacie alleged with suspicion because things weren't adding up. Moving down to the limes she grabbed a few and reached for another plastic bag, "You sure Chloe didn't mention meeting anybody to you?"

Beca watched the guy shove a piece of paper back in the folder then close it and hand it to Chloe who quickly put it in her purse. Chloe then put on a bright smile and shook hands with the guy thanking him then did the same to Aubrey before ultimately parting ways.

Standing up straight Beca indifferently shrugged, the last interaction didn't seem all that forced and Chloe seemed happy. Chloe even gave a final wave to the guy, his wife and the two little girls who had been following them around the store and acting so cute.

"Nope, nothing," Beca said kind of relieved. Taking the bag of limes from Stacie she spun it then tied a knot at the top and added it to the cart, "Who knows, my birthday's next month, maybe she's planning a surprise or something."

"Yeah, maybe," Stacie ripped another plastic bag off the holder and opened it before stepping over to the jalapenos. Her eyes found Aubrey's and what she saw wasn't good, "Will you grab some potatoes please?"

"Sure, corn's on the list too right?"

"Yep," Stacie said without ever looking away from Aubrey who was fumbling for her phone.

Aubrey just stared at Stacie while Chloe spoke to the guy behind the meat counter and pointed to the steaks. Whatever those three had been talking about, it wasn't about Beca's birthday and she knew just by the way Aubrey's eyes were bulging in alarm that she couldn't let Beca know that. Aubrey eventually looked down and franticly typed something out on her phone and seconds later Stacie's was buzzing in her hand.

Aubrey [12:43PM]: I'll explain later…

Stacie [12:44PM]: That better have been a meeting about Beca's 'surprise' birthday party.

Aubrey [12:44PM]: I said I'll explain later…

The scowl Stacie was given from across the produce department could've only be characterized as a death glare, Aubrey Posen wasn't playing around.

"Beca," Stacie said flipping around, "Fat Amy wants us to grab onions for her salsa."

Stuffing potatoes into a plastic bad Beca didn't even look up, "I get them next."

"And not the regular white onions," standing on her tiptoes Stacie glanced around, "she wants a large red one, it has to be red. They're in the corner over there," she motioned to the back of the produce section.

"Ok…" Beca hummed spinning another plastic bag and tying it off. "I'll be right back," tossing it into the cart she wandered away.

Stacie turned to face Aubrey again but she and Chloe were gone. Moving their cart towards the meat department she stopped in the spot the two were previously standing in just and looked around. Checking her phone resulted in no new text messages so she typed out a new one.

Stacie [12:47PM]: I want answers now…

Resting the edge of her phone against her chin Stacie impatiently tapped her foot and tried to remain calm. Seconds later her phone buzzed and she saw Aubrey step out of an aisle with her hands on her hips.

Aubrey [12:49PM]: I'll explain later, Chloe needs to talk to Beca, but in the meantime just Google Beca.

Stacie reread the text and had no idea what to think, then it dawned on her, she had gotten Google Alerts on Beca a little earlier but hadn't had a chance to check them out. So with nervous fingers she navigated to her Safari app, but before she could do a search more texts came through.

Aubrey [12:50PM]: Do not tell Beca what you find.

Aubrey [12:50PM]: And whatever you do act normal, we need to get home without attracting any unnecessary attention to Beca and us.

Stacie [12:51PM]: Ok…

Closing the text, Stacie went directly to Google and searched DJ Titanium. Less than a second later the screen loaded and the first thing she saw wasn't one of Beca's many dedicated fan sites, instead it was news articles, specifically highly creditable celebrity gossip sites. They all had basically the same headline, but one really stood out, DJ Titanium's Identity Finally Revealed, and it was from none other than TMZ.

Before Stacie could click on the link to see the pictures Beca was back by her side, "Did you get red onions?"

"Yep," Beca popped the P setting the bags in their cart, "Where'd my girlfriend go?"

"Ummm," faking a breath of uncertainty Stacie glanced down at her phone and quickly locked the screen and put it back in her purse, "probably the seafood department, didn't they need to get lobster and shrimp?"

Beca snapped her fingers and pointed, "You, my friend, are correct. Lets find them, I'm ready to go home."

"Yeah same," Stacie agreed, putting on her usual happy and carefree face.

---

Lugging four bags in from the garage Beca used her elbow to open the door. Huffing and puffing her way to the kitchen she was followed by Stacie, Chloe and Aubrey who placed their bags down on various counter spaces around the kitchen.

"See I told you we could get it all in one go," Beca exclaimed out of breath and bent over slightly.

"Yeah but nobody challenged you," Stacie laughed.

"It was a silent challenge," Beca whipped around to Aubrey and pointed, "I saw the way you cocked an eyebrow at me."

"Shut up and go take your nap," Aubrey reprimanded unpacking her bag, "lord knows we heard you bitch about it the whole way home."

A book snapped shut and everyone turned in the direction of the noise only to find Gail Abernathy-McKadden in all her beehive, overly put together glory. She stood, tossed the book aside on the couch, tucked a stray hair back in place and plastered on the fakest smile Beca had ever seen. Her manager did not look happy, in fact Gail looked perturbed and maybe the slighted bit frazzled.

"Beca, so nice of you to answer all my calls," Gail curtly said stepping around the coffee table.

Beca glanced over her shoulder at her friends who seemed surprised while her girlfriend looked down right scared, refusing to make even the smallest bit of eye contract.

Turning back to her manager Beca frowned, "I told you things were going to be different, I'm not answering your relentless," she stressed because that's how it's been all day, "calls anymore."

Picking up her phone Gail scrolled through her call log, "I've called you twenty-seven times today Beca and not once have you answered."

"And not once have you left a message," Beca replied, tone even and steady.

"This was too…sensitive of a subject to have just, 'left a message'," Gail emphasized using finger quotes.

"So go through Emily."

"She's the worst assistant I've ever met," Gail said flippantly taking a couple steps closer, "I told you that European firm DSM could do a better job for you, they're much more efficient. If you were using them I wouldn't have had to drive all the way from San Diego today."

"Oh give me a fucking break," Beca took a deep breath, she needed to remain calm, they'd had this discussion before, it was a constant battle between them. Emily had forgotten to inform Gail about one tiny contract detail and had flipped, "You hate her for no reason, she was barely an intern when she screwed up, she didn't know…you know what, who cares, she's not going anywhere so quit pushing it. And for the foreseeable future she is running my studio and handling all of my affairs. You," she pointed accusingly, "need to start working with her. I tapped out of the game almost two months ago."

Looking around Gail noticed not a single person has moved and for the sake of not making either of them look bad she put on a more appealing smile, "We can discuss that later."

"No we won't," Beca said with finality. Deciding to cut to the chase she crossed her arms over her chest, "Who let you in? I don't remember ever giving you a gate code or a key to my house."

"The boy and the one who calls herself Fat Amy," Gail answered, "I saw them walking your dogs, they were sympathetic to my cause."

"I'm going to kill him," Aubrey breathed out stepping around the group and heading towards the stairs. Halfway up she yelled, "Jesse get your ass down here right now!"

Aubrey was furious, Jesse hadn't even sent her a warning text about Gail and she had no idea Gail had been calling Beca. The whole DJ Titanium situation was about to blow up in their faces and Jesse, one of the few people who can keep Beca Mitchell calm in bad situations, needed to get his ass down here and get involved. Although with what she and Chloe had been told in the grocery store and they had seen on the internet, even Jesse's best damage control was not going to stop this steam train from rolling through at max speed.

"Gail can you just cut the shit," Beca curtly said making everyone look at her, "why are you here?"

Footsteps could be heard barreling down the steps and seconds later Fat Amy appeared with Jessica following close behind, "Your baby daddy forgot my Goldschlager so I sent him out for more."

"I think I'm just," Stacie pointed to the French doors and pool. She could practically cut the tension with a knife and she was just going to take her leave now and pretend to be surprised like everyone else in a matter of minutes, "Yeah I'll be outside. Jessica care to join me?"

Jessica just wordlessly nodded and followed Stacie through the kitchen and living room while Fat Amy turned and disappeared upstairs mumbling something about old reruns of MTV Cribs.

As Chloe stood there watching everyone, except Aubrey, abandon her she got an intense feeling of dread. This was all her fault, if she had just told Beca they could have avoided the situation they were facing right now. She wanted to run, to hide out until the storm was over, but she knew that would just make things worse. For once she was going to stand her ground and even though she knows Beca will be angry, it's far better than running and looking like this was all her fault.

"Answer the question Gail," Beca said drawing Chloe back into the conversation and away from her thoughts, "Why are you here?"

"A slight issue about your identity has come up," Gail answered after a beat of silence.

"Wait what do you mean issue," Beca dropped her hands, her heart rate had picked up and she's pretty sure she heard either Chloe or Aubrey gasp behind her.

"Your picture and name has gotten out to the press," Gail said without any hint of sarcasm. Looking around the room she saw worried, yet knowing looks on two faces. "Can I please speak with you alone, there are things we need to discuss privately on how to move forward from here."

"Ummm," Beca ran an uneasy hand through her hair, flipping around she looked to Aubrey then Chloe who seemed the most upset. Closing the gap between them she took Chloe's hands in hers, "Babe look at me," Chloe tentatively made eye contact, "this will all blow over, I'll handle this, Gail will leave, and we'll have dinner as a group like we planned."

"Bec, I need…" Chloe took in a slow breath fighting to keep the tears at bay, because she had caused this.

"It's ok," giving a quick kiss Beca tried her best to give a reassuring smile, "this is all part of dating a celebrity. We talked about this remember?" Chloe's eyes said she understood, but there was a different type of worry in them. "This was bound to happen."

"Yeah but I tried to," the tears were freely flowing down Chloe's cheeks and she couldn't even finish her sentence.

Beca had no idea why her girlfriend was so upset and basically blaming herself. Her anger at the situation would come later because right now she was scared as shit and totally at a loss for what to do next. She needed to remain calm and put together and not let her emotions control the situation. She and Gail and her publicist team hadn't exactly prepared for this, fuck she thought she had done a fairly decent job of remaining under the radar. She wasn't the typical celebrity, she was very selective on what press she released, she had absolutely no entourage and only a small group of loyal friends. In her mind she was just a regular person, living a regular life, it was just her job that was abnormal. However, apparently she hadn't done that great of a job, because someone had done some snooping and had found exactly what they were looking for.

"Aubrey," Beca said looking over to her friend who just nodded in understanding and stepped up to Chloe, "Do you mind? I'm not sure how long this will take."

Knowing better than to put up an argument Aubrey quietly answered, "Sure…"

"Thank you."

Shaking the hand off her arm Chloe stood up straighter and wiped under her eyes, "No I'm staying this is all my…"

"Chlo no," Beca interrupted shaking her head. Glancing at Gail then back at her girlfriend she gave another quick kiss, "I'm not hiding anything from you I just need to handle this alone right now. So please, just…" she closed her eyes so she wouldn't continue to see the hurt, "please just go upstairs with Aubrey."

"Beca no!" Chloe firmly stated making her girlfriend flinch, "Listen you need me here so I can explain."

"I told you not right now Chloe," Beca took a step back, she didn't want to argue right now that was going to happen soon enough with Gail and she didn't want anyone to witness it, "I swear, I'm not hiding anything from you."

"I didn't say that," Chloe said in defense. "I'm trying to tell you that…"

"Beca please just give Chloe a chance to say what she needs to say," Aubrey pleaded.

"No, whatever she has to say can wait," even Beca didn't like the tone of her own voice or the way it reverberated around the room. Holding up her hands she needed to draw the line and she needed to do it now. "After I've dealt with this mess…" she pinched the bridge of her nose and let out an angry huff, "then we can talk. I wasn't prepared for this today and I sure as hell don't need any other problems compounding on top of it right now."

"You aren't even listening to me," Chloe said in defeat, she was doing everything in her power not to run, but her whole body was telling her too. "I just need two minutes then I'll leave you and Gail alone."

"I'm not listening?" Beca angrily questioned her eyes snapping to her girlfriend's. "Chloe, this picture that got out will affect my life," she jabbed a finger in her chest, "your life," she pointed at her girlfriend, "and our life together," she circled the finger in the air. "This is a game changer, so excuse me if I can't give you two," she held up her fingers, "two fucking minutes to tell me whatever it is you're going to tell me, because I'm trying to figure out the best ways to protect us."

Unbeknownst to everyone in the room, Jesse had arrived home just in time to catch the tail end of the tirade, while Fat Amy had heard everything from the top of the stairs and Stacie and Jessica had been watching from the pool deck the second voices were raised.

Beca dropped her hands and turned to face Gail, "I'm sorry, can you give me a minute to myself," she said sidestepping away and heading for the bathroom, "I just need a minute to wrap my head around this."

"Sure you can take a minute for yourself but you can't give me any," Chloe whispered under her breath making Aubrey glare at her.

"The longer you wait to react the harder it will be for me to control this," Gail loudly reiterated.

"Oh cry me a fucking river Gail!" Beca kicked the door of the downstairs bathroom open and stepped inside, "My face is already plastered across every social media platform and I'm probably trending on Twitter, you can't control that," was heard as Beca slammed the bathroom door behind her.

The room went deadly silent and everyone just looked at each other with worried expressions.

"Well," Aubrey began, taking a steadying breath she delicately clasped her hands in front of her, "I guess now isn't the best time to tell everyone I'm pregnant with twins."

---

Things are about to heat up! Thanks for reading!

Liked it, loved it or hated it? Leave me a review or drop me a PM to let me know what you guys think! Seriously guys it helps me gauge what works and what doesn't in chapters. And I know I suck for not getting back to you, but please know that I do read every single one and they mean so much to me and I'll try to respond to you in a reasonable time this chapter.

Until next time...