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?

18. Chapter 18

Well Pitches, we've come to the final chapter in this fic. This has been a long and exciting journey and I seriously can't thank you guys enough for sticking with me the whole time!...This last chapter was kinda bittersweet for me and that's why it's taken me so long to get it up.

This fic has turned into something I never even dreamed of possible. Back when I started this fic I was hoping to have a simple 12-15 chapters and probably not more than 50k words and now it's evolved into 18 and over 300k! When I originally started I knew I wanted to have characters that were different to to what I had ever written before or what was depicted in the movies and in other fanfics, but I also wanted them to have real world issues that hopefully in some small way we can all relate to. I think this ended up being such a novel because I wanted to take my time and let the characters evolve and have their own thoughts and emotions play out and seem and feel real. Problems like they had can't recognized or fixed in a day and I wanted my writing to represent that. This fic was a labor of love and all the parts, the fluffy feel good ones, the arguments, the inner struggles, and the emotional roller coasters, have all been so much fun to write and work through.

This will be one of those fics that is so hard to let go of, but I'm pretty confident that we've reached it's natural end.

Now, I want to give the biggest shoutout possible to my buddy and superstar beta sugarlandaddict23! I seriously could not have done this without you. Thank you for helping me and working my way through some of the rough edges through this fic and calling me out when things didn't sound right or work at all in the chapters. You've been a huge help in making this fic what it is and I can't express enough how grateful I am for all of your help and insight! Plus you're just an awesome person!

Disclaimer: Nothing, I own absolutely nothing, of the PP franchise, no names, not themes, no songs, nothing. I do own everything else including any and all mistakes...

And now for the final time...On with the show!

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A Week Later…

Switching off the bathroom light, Beca leaned against the doorjamb and just watched Chloe sleep. A small smile formed across her lips as her eyes traced the outline of Chloe's face then down and over her girlfriend's still form that was buried beneath the heavy duvet. It never ceases to amaze her just how fucking beautiful Chloe Beale is and she loves getting moments like this to appreciate that fact with no interruptions.

Walking over, Beca eased down onto the bed and pressed a kiss to Chloe's bare shoulder. Despite how late they'd stayed up last night, Beca felt great this morning and had already done her usual morning run, this time venturing out into London's Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, instead of the treadmill downstairs in the hotel gym.

Chloe slightly stirred and Beca eased the duvet up and over Chloe's shoulders. Beca was supposed to wake Chloe up after her shower, but she just didn't have the heart simply because Chloe had been amazing this week. Chloe had been right by her side, supporting her through every step of the process, and handling all the emotions that came with it. It's like Chloe just instinctively knows when her thoughts drift to her mom or when her perfectionist tendencies start to get the best of her. Chloe is always right there offering a calming hand on her back, a gentle kiss, or when she's surrounded by musicians, a reassuring smile from across the room. Chloe can sense the internal struggle she's having and just knows what to do without making a huge deal about it.

It's awesome how Chloe just gets her and how she's never wavered or backed down from anything they've faced this week. Chloe has been strong and confident, loving and caring, basically the presence Beca has needed so desperately for such a long time. Making music, hell even walking through life, was a completely different experience when you have loving support constantly. Although things still affected Chloe this week at random times, Beca sees how hard Chloe is working at this whole thing too. And it's amazing to know that they are rebuilding themselves and their relationship on a solid foundation and that they are doing it together.

There was a tentative knock on their hotel room door and Beca gently slipped off the bed and made her way out of the bedroom and across the suite. Pulling the door open she was greeted by Emily's big smile while holding up a couple bags.

"Hey boss lady," Emily cheerfully greeted as she stepped inside the room and Beca closed the door behind them. "I got…" she lowered her voice seeing Beca shuffle over and shut the bedroom door on a sleeping Chloe. "I got everything you asked for minus the flowers and magazines, since," she deposited the bags on a small coffee table nearby, "you know, you said you'd take care of that."

"Yeah," Beca's face flushed bright red as she crammed her hands in her pockets, "I just thought she'd like them you know," she half shrugged. "I wanted to do something romantic for her or whatever…" She paused then eventually said, "I also wanted her to know that I appreciate how she's been there for me even though I may not have said it often enough."

Wearing a warm smile, Emily nodded in understanding.

"She sees everything, trust me. You're not the person you were last year," Emily reassured, "I see how you put yourself and her first and then music second."

A soft smile slipped on Beca's face, "But I still want her to feel a little special this morning. And I…" She bit her lip as she dropped down onto the couch. "Look we've been having a lot of well," she vaguely waved her hand around looking everywhere but at Emily, "you know and I…"

As Emily shyly sat down, Beca was grateful that her assistant seemed to get what she was trying to say and isn't at all squeamish about it. Which is weird because well it's Emily the person who brightly blushes whenever Beca says or does something even remotely cute for Chloe. Hell, two nights ago Emily stepped onto the elevator and then immediately back off while saying she'd 'take the next one' after catching them making out when the doors opened on her floor.

"It's our last day in the studio," Beca brushed aside her previous comments and continued, "and I just want to do something nice for her."

"Something that she's not expecting?"

Beca rubbed her hands along her knees, "Yeah I guess. I've never done this, I've never had a girlfriend who…" She sighed deeply sinking into the couch cushions, "I've never really had a serious girlfriend or really any kind of girlfriend. So, I'm not experienced with being someone's girlfriend, and…" she chanced at glance in Emily's direction, "and sometimes I let my mind wander and I just don't know if I've done everything right this week or if I may have," she squeezed her hands together, "fucked something up because part of my focus has been on music."

"I understand," Emily crossed her legs. "Do you feel like you've left her out in some way?"

"Kinda," Beca's eyes ventured back to Emily's.

Usually Emily is a tad standoffish talking about relationship things, so Beca was surprised by the maturity she was seeing.

"I don't think you're doing that at all."

"I mean the sex is awesome, better than ever honestly," Beca's cheeks were on fire, but if Emily was remaining mature, so would she, "but do you think I'm falling back into my old ways and using it or music as a way to cope with my emotions instead of just talking to her?"

Emily sat back in thought and Beca found the silence in the room a little unnerving while she waited. It was a little weird to be second guessing herself, especially after recognizing how incredibly supportive and loving her girlfriend has been this past week.

"No, I don't see it that way," Emily spoke after a solid minute. "I think you've learned too much about yourself to let things like that happen again."

Beca let out a breath as her eyes landed on the closed bedroom door.

"You're sure," Beca asked shifting her gaze back to Emily, "because I don't want to be that person again? I didn't like that person."

"Positive," Emily smiled and the endearing kid Beca was so used to interacting with was back.

"Well that's reassuring," Beca nodded as she drummed her fingers against her knees.

"I don't know all the reasons behind what happened between you two, but I'll admit I was skeptical about her coming back so soon after she broke your heart…I was even kinda a dick to her on the plane while you were asleep."

Beca fought back a smile because even when Emily thought she was being rude she was really just curtly polite.

"Oh, I doubt that," Beca commented, "she would've told me."

"She didn't because we came to an understanding, I guess…" They stared at each other and eventually Emily let out a long sigh, "However, she loves you, she's proven that to me in a short amount of time, and I'm sorry for ever thinking that way."

"You don't need to apologize," Beca easily said, "I'm pretty sure Aubrey had a similar internal conflict because we're close but she's also Chloe's best friend."

Emily bit her lip as she fiddled with the strap of her purse, "I know this might sound creepy, but over the past week I've watched you both carefully. And even though things have been busy, somehow you both always know when the other needs something. I mean I don't call Chloe the Beca whisperer for nothing," Beca just chuckled. "She just knows when you need her…And I believe a person wouldn't give that much of themselves to someone unless they were getting something similar back."

Emily didn't need to go into how a week ago she was praying that Chloe wouldn't break Beca's heart again. But it really only took one day for her to see that Chloe was in this for all the right reasons and had meant everything she said on the plane. Beca and Chloe's relationship is different this time around, the same intense love Emily first saw is still there, except now there is this air of openness and honesty between them that wasn't there before.

"What I'm trying to say is that you do the exact same things too. Don't doubt anything you've done this week, you're a really good girlfriend to her," Emily softly reassured.

"I hope so," Beca's eyes were trained on the flower arrangement on the coffee table.

Their brief moment was interrupted by Beca's phone chiming from its place on the coffee table. She grinned because even though she couldn't see the name or read the message she could see the string of heart and kissy face emoji's and that meant it was from Chloe Beale. For the past week it had been Chloe's routine to send a good morning text before getting out of bed regardless of whether or not Beca was still asleep next to her. They always made her grin like a lovesick puppy, even while brushing her teeth.

"And on that note," deciding to excuse herself before she sees a lovey-dovey Beca Mitchell message her girlfriend in the next room, Emily stood. "I'm heading to that coffee shop next door to grab breakfast."

"Oh, ok sure," Beca grinned reaching for her phone not even bothering to look up at her assistant as she typed in her passcode, which she found had somehow conveniently been changed to Chloe's birthday overnight. "I still need to set this stuff up and write out my note for Chlo. Can you grab me a coffee for the road?"

"Yep…" After adjusting her purse strap on her shoulder, Emily placed her hands on her hips. When Beca looked up she sternly, yet politely said, "Your car will be here in twenty minutes," Beca just blinked. "Please be downstairs in twenty minutes boss lady, not twenty-five or twenty-two, twenty…"

To emphasize her point Emily flashed the numbers using her fingers.

"Will nineteen work for you?" Beca sarcastically asked making her assistant roll her eyes.

Emily straightened her jacket, "Please don't get caught up in doing anything random."

"What? Like Chloe?" Emily's face went bright red and she let out a little squeak of embarrassment, making Beca laugh. "Dude, I'm just fucking with you. I'll be ready, I promise."

"Oh, and I got an email from the Rutland's," Emily began while fishing her phone from her jacket pocket after hearing it chime. "I went ahead and confirmed your stay at their boathouse for the week of Christmas, if you want to add more time they said to just let them know."

"Awesome thanks!" Beca smirked seeing Emily's face flush again while reading a text. "That Benji?"

Pocketing her phone quickly, Emily stumbled as she backed towards the door and fought to remain upright, making Beca crack up.

"Twenty minutes, please."

"Sure…"

Emily gave a curt nod then swiftly turned and took the remaining few steps towards the door at almost a flat out run as Beca continued to shake her head and laugh. Ruffling her assistant's feathers was just so easy to do sometimes and she loved it.

When Beca's phone chimed again she focused back on it and what she saw almost made her eyes pop out of their sockets. There on the screen was a very sleepy, a very sexy, and very naked picture of Chloe Beale stretched out along their bed. And when she says very naked she means the only part covered is Chloe's right foot. Beca sees it all and it is glorious.

It took Beca's screen going dark before she was able to breathe normally again. With shaky fingers she unlocked it.

My Love [8:21AM]: Morning sexy! I love you…

Beca swallowed thickly as she attempted to count the emojis, so she could joke about how Chloe loved her more or less then yesterday. However, she lost count at least five times because her eyes kept drifting down to…well boobs and Chloe's overall general nakedness. She's pretty sure this is singlehandedly the best text message she's ever gotten in her entire life.

Because Beca's lazar focus was directed elsewhere she completely missed the message right above the picture and reading it just made her bit her lip.

My Love [8:24AM]: I wanted to surprise you in the shower, but now I'm horny and all alone :(

Tapping the side of her phone, Beca tried to figure out how to make sure her girlfriend stayed in the bedroom, because she didn't want to spoil her surprise.

Beca [8:26AM]: I'm sorry, Emily needed to chat for a few minutes.

My Love [8:27AM]: Your loss…

Beca [8:27 AM]: My iPod and mini-speaker are next to the bed, grab it and go have a nice long bath. I made you a special playlist!

The reply was almost instant and Beca silently laughed hoping Chloe would just slip out of bed and head right to the bathroom.

My Love [8:28AM]: If you insist, but I'll still be lonely…

Beca [8:28AM]: You, my love, are insatiable!

My Love [8:29AM]: Can you blame me ;)

Setting her phone aside, Beca began removing the items from the bag Emily brought and a couple minutes later, light and easy piano music began floating through the room from behind the closed bedroom door. Chloe had undoubtedly easily found the playlist Beca had created earlier and was probably already humming along to it.

Relaxing in the bath was one of Chloe's favorite things to do and Beca had gotten in the habit back at the retreat of making a special playlist for her girlfriend every few days. Most of the time it was random jazz music, but occasionally she'd throw in a playlist of her own personal mixes that were never intended for anyone other than Chloe.

My Love [8:35AM]: One song into your playlist and you're forgiven for not waking me up so we can leave together…Oh and judging by the overall sexiness theme you've got going on with these titles, I'd say you were thinking about last night when you made this…xxx

Beca felt her whole body heat up at that reference because yeah last night was nothing short of spectacular. And as much as she would love to throw a sexy text right back and feed into what she knows Chloe's looking for, she opts to continue her pervious task.

Because of her lack of response, the next message Beca received was a picture of their slowly filling bathtub. She'd love nothing more than to join the love of her life with a couple cups of coffee and just chat and yeah probably makeout a little until they were ready to get dressed and head downstairs in search of a casual place for brunch, but she can't this morning. However, she'll happily partake in all those activities tomorrow because that's when she'll officially be on her break again.

Strategically arranging all her gifts, Beca then folded her letter and scribbled Chloe's name on the front. Leaning it against the flower vase, she double checked everything with a grin. It wasn't much but hopefully it'll put a huge smile on her girlfriend's pretty face.

After standing, Beca pushed the bedroom door open and was instantly meet with the smell of Chloe's lavender bubble bath, piano music and light humming. As she made way across the room she couldn't help the smile that stretched across her face, because this is just another instance of what she wants to walk into all the time.

Lightly tapping against the partially closed bathroom door, Beca stuck her head inside. She grinned seeing Chloe covered up to her shoulders with bubbles with her eyes closed as music floated around the room.

"Hey gorgeous," Beca said fully slipping inside the bathroom.

Chloe's eyes drifted open and a sleep warm smile stretched across her face that made Beca's heart beat in double time.

"Hey sexy…"

Crouching down next to the tub, Beca gave a brief, but soft kiss. The kind that she really couldn't get enough of and the kind that Chloe was so good at.

Pulling back, Beca brushed a strand of red hair behind an ear, "You're still tired, why don't you go back to bed my love?"

The yawn Chloe gave made Beca chuckle.

"Because, I want to be at the studio in case you need me." Chloe pressed a kiss to Beca's fingers, then rested her cheek against them and closed her eyes again. "But you've made me late by not waking me up after your run."

"Hey now, I thought you weren't holding that against me?" Beca laughed kissing the top of her girlfriend's head.

"Maybe just a little bit…"

Although Chloe's voice was a little raspy, Beca heard the lightheartedness in the tone.

"And what will I ever do to redeem myself?" Beca pondered and she heard a faint giggle.

"I'll have to think about it," Chloe tilted her head back and playfully eyed her girlfriend, "but it'll probably involve you getting very, very, naked."

"Now that's," dipping her head closer, Beca brushed their noses together and she could feel Chloe's warm breath against her lips, "a punishment I most certainly can deal with," she whispered as she closed the small gap.

Fingers threaded through the hair at the base of Beca's neck as they kissed. She was mere seconds away from totally blowing off the extra full orchestra run through and jumping into the bathtub. Chloe just had this way of being Beca's complete undoing time and time again.

"You're making it very…" Beca breathed out and she shivered as fingernails lightly dug into the sensitive skin along the base of her neck and pulling her back in, "difficult to go to work right now."

"Yeah but you're not exactly pushing me away," Chloe whispered then captured Beca's swollen lips again.

The kiss unfortunately naturally came to completion and Chloe finished it off by slightly tugging Beca's bottom lip between her teeth. Beca knows that when Chloe ends a kiss like that, that her girlfriend wants more.

As they rested their foreheads together, just absorbing the moment and trying to catch their breath, Beca's phone chimed from her back pocket.

"And that," Beca groaned in annoyance as Chloe's hand slipped away, "would be Emily's ten minute warning."

"So, we've still got seven minutes to spare?" The wicked grin that formed across Chloe's face made Beca lightly shiver. "There's a lot of things you could do to me in seven minutes…"

"There is, but," Beca winked, "I'd rather take my time."

Pulling her bottom lip between her teeth, Chloe's eyes drifted down to Beca's lips then back up. Releasing her lip with a sigh she pouted, "But that's what you did last night?"

"And afterwards you told me you wouldn't be able to walk for a week…"

Lifting her hand, Chloe scooped up some bubbles and blew them off then laughed when some landed on her love's shoulder.

"Because you fucking wrecked me last night, but in an oh so good way," Chloe commented factually.

Clearing her throat Beca tried not to sound flustered as a very vivid flashback of a very sweaty Chloe Beale breathing heavily and staring up at the ceiling wearing a satisfied smile replayed in her head.

"I-I had a great day in the studio," Beca swallowed thickly.

"You seriously get that," Beca's face flushed bright red and Chloe grinned, "worked up after a good day in the studio?"

"And we also had an equally great date," Beca defended. "You flirted with me the entire night, I mean I did too, but your hand never left my thigh for more than a few minutes."

Chloe raised a challenging eyebrow, "So the fact that you had your tongue down my throat in the back of that bar after dinner had nothing to do with it?"

Beca just blinked, "All I'm saying is what did you expect when we got back to the room?"

"Oh, you were revved up and ready to go the moment you called it a day at the studio. I saw you unabashedly staring at my boobs as I packed my bags!" Beca's mouth snapped shut at that and Chloe laughed loud because she'd caught her girlfriend doing that not once but twice in the span of ten minutes. "Admit it babe," her finger slid down the curve of her love's nose, "making good music turns you on."

The overly sultry tone and light touch made Beca's whole body flush, "It doesn't turn me on per se, it does amp me up though."

"Well whatever it does, if last night is how you release it, then damn," fanning her face Chloe sighed in content, "I'll be one happy girl for the rest of my life. Dating a musician has it's perks!"

"It was that good?"

"Don't gloat, you know it was," Chloe lightly smacked Beca's arm. "That last position was…damn. You made me cum twice with it."

Beca smirked, "I wanted to work you towards a third, but fuck you were shaking in my arms during the second and when your hand clamped down on my ass like a vice grip and you pulled me in closer, I came too. We were spent and tired after that…"

"Hands down that was one of our best nights ever," Chloe grinned.

Beca couldn't help but smile too, "I think so too."

Chloe satisfyingly hummed as she shimmed down in the water, "I'm going to be thinking about it all day."

"Well…" Beca voice caught in her throat when her train of thought was interrupted by another flashback. "Well at least I've given you something to remember me by while I'm gone."

"And I think I've done the same with that picture," Chloe playfully shot back as she traced the thin gold chain around Beca's neck. "You really have to go?"

Capturing the hand, Beca kissed each finger. "I do and I know you want to be there, and I love you for that, but I have to confess," Chloe's bright blue eyes were shining with happiness, "I purposely didn't wake you up, I had other motives."

"Beca…" Chloe quickly closed her mouth as a soft smile formed across Beca's lips.

"Take your time and finish your bath…" Chloe simply nodded. "As I leave, I'll swing by reception and have them to send up fresh coffee and…"

Beca was being coy and to Chloe that meant she was planning something.

"Baby, what did you do?" Chloe asked then bit her bottom lip.

"Nothing much, while I was out running, I stopped by and picked up you your favorite breakfast," Beca stressed and it was like Chloe's whole presence switched from excited anticipation to radiate love. "I couldn't resist."

Chloe's favorite breakfast was simple, an oversized cinnamon muffin topped with chocolate chips and vanilla drizzle. It was her totally unhealthy, guilty pleasure that she partakes in more often than she should. In fact, the only place that had them was Whole Foods and there was one conveniently not far from their hotel. She'd been contemplating going and grabbing one before heading to Abby Road Studios, but now she doesn't have to. Now instead of fighting the cold, she can wrap herself up in the warm and fuzzy hotel robe, and lazily drink coffee while eating breakfast.

Stretching, Chloe kissed a cheek, "You are absolutely the best Beca Mitchell."

"I get it right sometimes."

"All the time," Chloe smiled.

"Oh, there's also a few other things for you too," Beca winked then gave another quick kiss before standing.

"Bec," Chloe sat up slightly pulling her knees up towards her chest and folding her arms across the top, "you didn't have to do that."

God Beca was just so incredibly cute when she gets like this, Chloe thought. This was the unbelievably sweet, thoughtful, and romantic side to her girlfriend that virtually no one but her gets to see.

"I know but I wanted too," Beca shoved her hands in her pockets and rocked on her feet a little. "I wanted to do something nice for you and I would've picked everything up myself, but things have been crazy. So, Emily volunteered to help," fuck why did she have to be this nervous. "It's not much, but there is one big thing I've been planning behind the scenes the last few days. An-and I hope you'll like it."

Beca's phone chimed again and she groaned digging it out of her back pocket making them both laugh.

"I'd love to stay, but Emily," Beca frowned rereading the message, "says I've got two minutes to get my ass downstairs."

"I highly doubt she said ass," Chloe commented but laughed as Beca mumbled something about not knowing the business side of Emily while typing out a reply.

Pocketing her phone, Beca bent down to give another kiss. Pulling back just barely, she whispered, "I love you," then gave a final peck, "text me when you're almost ready to go, I'll have Em send the car for you."

"I love you too," Chloe answered as she relaxed back against the tub and watched Beca back towards the bathroom door, "but I'll take the underground as far as I can then walk to Abby Road Studios."

"You sure?" Beca drummed her fingers against the bathroom door.

"Positive," Chloe reassured adjusting the towel behind her head, "I could use the fresh air anyways."

Beca nodded, "Cool, want me to wait on you to grab lunch?"

"If you don't mind, I should be there around one," Chloe bit her lip and it was almost like Beca could read her mind and just waited for whatever came next. "Usually I don't like to wait that long to eat, but…"

"My love," Beca chuckled, "just spit it out." Chloe blushed as she stooped back down beside the tub. "You know I'll wait forever for you, even if I get hangry," she tried to joke and when Chloe let a small smile break through it was like everything was right in her world again. "So, tell me babe, what's going on in that pretty little head of yours."

Chloe let out long breath, "I've just about finished my article about you and I wouldn't mind spending some time this morning going over it."

After a lot of internal contemplation and even briefly running it by Dr. Worthington, Chloe came to the conclusion that she needed to do this not just for Beca but for herself too. And Beca, true to form, hadn't mentioned the article since Chloe had brought it up on the plane ride to London, so it's not like she was feeling pressured to have anything done in a certain amount of time. Beca was just happy that Chloe agreed to write it.

Yes, Chloe was still hesitant about writing an article about a celebrity she was involved with, but since she started writing she's learned that it's benefiting her too. It's kind of cathartic in a way and had she not taken this leap she never would have realized she still had one huge lingering wall that she never knew existed. This was the wall built with phrases from her parents like 'you're never be good enough to be published', 'you'll never be successful', 'journalism isn't a reputable career' and 'you're never write about anything or anyone noteworthy'. She had no idea it was there but as she wrote she felt that wall slowly starting to break and crack. And she knows that even if this thing turns out compete garbage and people hate it and hate her, that she'll still be able to say she punched a hole right through that wall and finally sent it crumbling to the ground.

So yeah Chloe's first article to be published in the San Francisco Chronicle won't even be remotely related to anything happening around the city, instead she's simply writing about her girlfriend. She's taking a more personal approach to this and is writing from the heart. She's writing about the person she loves and adores and how Beca, despite having this extraordinary talent, has been through a lot in her life just like everyone else. It's different from how Chloe usually writes and she can only hope that once Beca reads the finished product that she'll like the spin Chloe has put on it.

"You're already done?" Beca quietly asked.

"Just about," Chloe wanted to say how easy it was and how the words kind of flowed once she started, but she also didn't want to give anything away. "Once I'm satisfied I'll let you read it and then I'll make whatever corrections you want."

Beca was briefly silent then nodded, "You know I told you on the plane that I trust you, right? Like you don't have to let me read it."

"I know but I took the article in a different direction than what we had initially discussed," Chloe replied. "I'm personally connected to it now and you and the world will see that."

"I told you, you didn't have to do that. That you could keep yourself out of the spotlight."

"I know," Beca was just looking at Chole in this was that said she was still digesting everything. "But I want people to see what I see and the only way to get that across was to plant myself into the article too."

"Ok…"

"Ok?"

Beca pressed a quick kiss to Chloe's lips, "As long as you're comfortable, I'll roll with it."

They'd discussed how to address them and their private life and Chloe's positive with what she wrote that she maintained a very clear barrier about what was acceptable and what was strictly off limits. Chloe still wants them to be a very private couple, but she also doesn't want them to be so private that they can't go anywhere or do anything out in public. She's never had to deal with being associated with a celebrity before and she hopes that by inserting herself into the article that it will also quash lingering questions people have about her.

"I didn't make it overly personal if that's what's running through your head." Chloe quickly reassured but got a little relief when Beca smiled. "I hope you'll like it, if not then I'll change it around."

"I trust you," Beca reiterated as she stood. "When can I take a look at it?"

"Probably tonight…"

Reaching out, Beca took Chloe's hand, "I'm excited to read it, but don't rush. Ok?"

"Ok…" Giving their hands a squeeze Chloe smiled, "Are you sure one isn't too late to meet you for lunch?"

"Never my love, take your time," Beca smiled. "Adele's stuff is done, I'm just running through a few more takes with the orchestra just in case. It's nothing major."

Chloe playfully frowned as Beca dropped their hands and retreated back towards the open bathroom door, "I know but I still wish I could be there with you."

"I know and thanks…for you know, being there for me this week."

"You don't ever have to thank me Bec."

Beca gratefully smiled as she stepped out into the bedroom, "I'll see you soon, my love…"

"Hey Bec," Chloe called out and a few seconds later her girlfriend reappeared in the doorway struggling to slip her sweater on over her shirt. After straightening it Beca just raised a questioning eyebrow, "You also don't need to worry about if you've been an attentive girlfriend or not this past week because you have," a light blush ran up Beca's cheeks, "you've been perfect."

Shifting her eyes to the ground, Beca stared at it for a few seconds before lifting them back up, "You heard all that?"

Chloe gave a simple nod and Beca felt the invisible weight she'd been carrying around for the last few days lift off her shoulders.

"I just…" shrugging Beca let out a breath and decided to just be honest, "I had this weird feeling that because this is the first time I've really been back in the music since…that maybe I wasn't being a stellar girlfriend."

"Please don't ever think that."

Beca's fingers tapped nervously against her thigh and Chloe's eyes shot to them making her immediately stop.

"I don't know why, but I felt like maybe during our free time together whether it was sightseeing or relaxing in the room that I wasn't exactly fully present even though I was trying so hard," Beca's nervousness was back even though Chloe didn't seem the slightest bit upset. "And as amazing as the sex has been," their eyes met again and Chloe just warmly smiled, "I didn't want you to think that I've been using that as a way to cover up my emotions rather than just telling you them."

"Bec," Chloe gently interrupted as she slightly sat up again.

"Fuck," Beca breathed out running a hand through her hair, "I've totally rambled nonsense and," she glanced at her watch, "and now Emily's going to so be pissed that I'm late."

Holding out her hand, Chloe wiggled her fingers until Beca took a few tentative steps forward to grab them, "Emily can wait because this is way more important than music."

"Yeah, yeah, you're right," Beca ran a hand through her hair again.

Lacing their fingers together Chloe smiled when Beca's thumb began brushing the underside of her wrist.

"Things have been crazy this week, including the paparazzi, but I've never once felt pushed aside by you or that you were just half assing our relationship." The thumb stilled its movements and that was a clear indication to Chloe that Beca was processing everything. "But the thing is, you've been actively seeking me out me when you need it and even when you're busy you're checking on me to make sure I'm ok, and in the afternoons," she lightly shook their joined hands until Beca's eyes shifted to her, "it's just us. I never get a distracted vibe from you. You're doing everything right, everything," she stressed as the thumb started moving again. "So please don't worry."

Letting Chloe's words reverberate in her head, Beca can easily see how well she's been managing this whole situation. Emily was right, the person Beca was this time last year wouldn't have been able to juggle a relationship and music. She's really grown so much as a person this last year, her priorities are finally straight, and she has herself and Chloe to thank for it.

Beca cracked a smile, "I need to quit overthinking it right?"

"You do, but it's all part of the process," Chloe was quick with her Dr. Worthington quote making them both laugh.

"Well, that's good I guess…" The relief Beca felt just by this small conversation was everything she needed. "I mean I'm glad that I'm kinda sorta doing things right."

"You are," Chloe smiled as she wiggled her love's pinky before letting her hand completely fall away. "Now though," she swatted Beca's ass, "you better get going."

Hopping towards the door, Beca gave one final glance over her shoulder, "I love you."

"I love you too…" Chloe relaxed back against the tub but only for a few seconds. "Hey babe," she called out after sitting back up, "can you have coffee delivered in like half an hour?"

Chloe heard a faint, "You got it," before their suite door was closed with a thud and she laughed picturing Beca Mitchell running down the hall to the elevator.

Getting comfortable again, Chloe used her foot to turn the hot water tap on just enough so she could warm the water slightly. She loved just soaking in a hot tub, it was her favorite pastime, and it was something she started back in graduate school to kind of get away from everything.

Today though, Chloe was relaxing her sore muscles for a completely different and much more pleasurable reason. And as she twisted the tap off and sank further into the warm water she couldn't help but let her mind wander to last night again and relive how completely amazing it had been. She'd just been joking earlier when she claimed that dating a musician had it perks, but holy fuck she had never spoke truer words. They hadn't made love like that since Malibu and although they've just delved back into the sexual side of their relationship this week and it has been full of magical moments in the bedroom and yeah even a few times in the shower, last night was kind of everything she didn't know her body needed. Damn, Beca is one incredible lover.

Sighing happily, Chloe hummed along as smooth jazz music floated through the bathroom. God she's missed this, she doesn't ever remember a time where she's just been able relax without something weighing her mind down other than where her and the love of her life will eat lunch. She's finally allowing herself to move on and it's improved everything about her life and she knows she couldn't have done it without Beca being her strongest supporter.

The sudden blaring of the Darth Vader Imperial March startled Chloe then eventually made her grin as she lowered the portable speaker volume and reached for her phone. It wasn't Beca's ringtone, it was the ringtone Beca had given Aubrey one day while they were at Beca's beach house. Chloe had never gotten around to changing mainly because every time it rang, it made her laugh.

Chloe had sent her best friend a quick text while waiting for the bathtub to fill telling Aubrey to call once she was up and moving around for the day. So needless to say, as Chloe hit the green answer button and enabled the speaker phone, she never expected a call back so soon.

"Hey Bree!" Chloe happily greeted setting her phone back on the ledge beside her and settling back into the water.

"Hey Chlo," Aubrey greeted and Chloe heard the tiredness in her best friend's voice.

"I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon, usually you have your phone on do not disturb at night."

Aubrey let out a long sigh and Chloe also heard a little bit of rustling, "I know, but I've had a hard time sleeping lately."

"Everything ok?" Chloe carefully asked knowing full well that her best friend hadn't been gifted with the easiest pregnancy.

"Good, but just exhausted…" Relief washed over Chloe at the simple answer. "The babies on the other hand aren't, they are wideawake and kicking."

Although the answer was laced with tiredness, Chloe could practically see the small grin forming across Aubrey's face.

"Sounds like they're having a dance party," Chloe lightly laughed.

Aubrey laughed too, "Well Jesse did make me watch the animated version of The Jungle Book tonight. Apparently, this means they liked it."

They both continued to laugh as Chloe tossed in her own jab, "Well, despite what Aunt Beca says, it is an awesome movie."

"I almost forgot, Beca's just a connoisseur of good movies," Aubrey deadpanned making Chloe laugh harder. After a few seconds Aubrey tiredly sighed again, "Chlo, I've got three and a half months left I'm so over being pregnant."

Thankfully other than an awful case of morning sickness that sent her best friend to the hospital twice for an IV, Aubrey hadn't had any other real health problems. Although after the second trip, Aubrey was put on partial bedrest for an entire month until things settled down. And Chloe feels awful for not being there to at least hangout. Even if that meant watching bad daytime TV shows while listening to Aubrey complain about having to be confined in her own home.

"Yeah but once you see those cute little faces," Chloe heard a happy sigh and she could just picture her best friend rubbing her growing belly with a soft smile, "everything will have been worth it."

"You're right…"

"Did you and Jesse like the sketches I put together for their rooms?" Chloe asked biting her lip.

Not only was this the first time Chloe had ever been asked to paint for someone else, but she'd also taken a little creative liberty with Aubrey and Jesse's ideas. She'd gone through about six different designs while at the retreat before ultimately deciding on something she hoped would satisfy both Jesse and Aubrey's unique styles yet also wouldn't make things look overly cartoonish. She wanted to keep it classy, but with a hint of nostalgia.

Aubrey just hummed in approval and Chloe held her breath as she waited for the inevitable explanation.

"We loved them," Aubrey stressed. "Jesse thought the retro Space Invaders rocket ship was a nice touch to the space theme in Parker's room…And I," a smile began stretching across Chloe's face, "absolutely adore the Curious George thing you did for Paige." The smile on Chloe's face really couldn't get any bigger. "I can't believe you remembered that it was my favorite book as a child. I didn't think I mentioned that at all."

"You did," Chloe lightly laughed, "but just once. I took things in a different direction there than you guys originally wanted and I've been really nervous about it."

"It's great, please don't change a thing!" Chloe let out another breath of relief. "Jesse wants to know if you can do another throwback to the 1980's Space Invaders game when you do Parker's name. He specifically mentioned the space alien characters."

The excitement in Aubrey's statement was enough to make Chloe's worry about color schemes, accent walls, and rough sketches vanish.

"I'll check it out and sketch something up in the next few days and send it over," Chloe laughed, just the thought of Jesse getting all excited from a throwback game made all her worries worth it. "If you don't mind, can we pick out colors once Beca and I get back? I've got a couple weeks before I start my new job and Bec starts teaching and I liked to get started. This is a first for me and I want to make sure everything's perfect, plus it'll give us plenty of time to hangout."

"Oh thank god, I was hoping you'd say that," Aubrey rushed out and Chloe just lightly chuckled. "I've made Jessica the fulltime assistant manager at the deli and went ahead and cut my time back there to a few times a week and…"

"You finally pulled that trigger?" Chloe commented.

"Yeah, it wasn't doctor's orders, but I'm just exhausted all the time and being on my feet all week is getting to me," Aubrey didn't necessarily sound sad, but Chloe knows her best friend is the kind of person who likes to keep busy.

"I can understand that," Chloe said.

"And don't get me wrong I love having Stacie and Jessica and yes even," there was a dramatic sigh this time, "Fat Amy stopping by to visit this past week, but I've also missed my best friend."

Chloe bit her lip, "I've missed you too and you know once I get back I'll be there, right? Like we can do whatever you want."

"I know and if you don't mind, I'd like to come over some too, you know get out of the house…" Chloe could almost hear Aubrey's eyeroll with the next statement, "Jesse doesn't understand that cutting back at work doesn't mean I have to sit around and eat bon-bon's all day."

"You're always welcome, although…" Chloe had a suppress her girly giggle from erupting. "You may have to split your time between my condo and Beca's house. I'll probably be over there just as much as she'll be at mine."

"That actually won't be a bad idea…" Running her hands through the warm water, Chloe detected a small trace of humor in her best friend's voice, "I need to start baby proofing Beca's place. You know put up baby gates so that Beca gets trapped upstairs."

Chloe let a giggle slip, "She's excited about the twins, she's even begun calling herself Aunt Beca."

Just remembering how cute her girlfriend had been when they wandered through a small giftshop and came across some London themed baby bottles made Chloe grin. Aunt Beca hadn't thought twice about buying them and commenting how her 'niece and nephew' were going to be cool babies, and not the kind that used those 'lameass clear bottles'.

"Yeah, you're right," Chloe just listened and another smile stretched across her face when she heard Aubrey say, "and she's surprisingly great with kids."

"Yeah, she really is," Chloe breathed out wearing a soft smile.

The two fell into an easy conversation after that and at one point Chloe was laughing so hard that she could hardly breath when she heard how Stacie and Fat Amy had been keeping a scrapbook of all the paparazzi pictures they'd found of her and Beca. Supposedly its title was 'Beca and Chloe, A Pictorial Love Story' but Aubrey said it was just an excuse for them to buy gossip magazines and do art projects at work.

Chloe on the other hand took the time to fill her best friend in on all their adventures for the week. And the thing that made Aubrey laugh the most was the story about how giddy Emily got when she had to ride one of those classic red double decker buses while running an errand. After they heard Emily's long drawn out story, where Beca had to keep reminding her assistant to take a breath, Beca had somehow arranged for one of those tourist buses without a top to pick them up and give them a personal tour around the city.

"So, Beca just up and rented one?" Aubrey asked.

"Yep, it was there when we stepped out of the studio," Chloe confirmed.

"And what was Emily's reaction?"

All Chloe could do was laugh as she pictured Emily's face lighting up when they exited Abbey Road Studios and she realized that bus wasn't broken down like Beca insisted it was. Beca just wore this innocent smirk and tried to play it off, but Chloe saw the sincerity behind the gesture.

"I swear Bree, Emily's year was made with that stunt!" Chloe was outright bragging now. "And she also stood on the top in the freezing cold to take pictures and be crazy tourists with us without bitching," she barely got out before she ran out of air.

Chloe swears she took more selfies with her girlfriend in one afternoon than they have in the entire time they've known each other. Beca was just enjoying life and the proof was in the smile and laughter and relaxed demeanor the whole time. It was like music and the major undertaking Beca was here for was completely forgotten and they were just having fun.

"It sounds like Beca made your year too," Aubrey joked.

Chloe's comeback was quick, "No, she's made my life."

"Chlo?"

"Yeah Bree?" There was a brief pause and Chloe thought maybe the phone had disconnected.

"I don't mean to change the subject, but I just want to tell you," Aubrey let out a short breath, "the last couple times we've talked, you've sound really good. Happy, I mean," she quickly corrected. "You just sound really happy, not that you didn't before…But now it's just different."

"Thanks," Chloe let out a content sigh because she knew exactly what her best friend meant and she was glad others were seeing her changes too. "For the first time in my life I can actually admit that I am happy, truly happy. I'm beginning to accept and move on from the things that have happened in my life and," she paused to allow another grin to stretch across her face, "I got the love of my life back. And I'm not going to allow anything," she stressed, "to fuck any of those things up again."

Lightly laughing at Chloe's quick but quiet follow-up apology for using choice words, Aubrey couldn't say anything but, "Beca's rubbing off on you."

Placing a wet hand over her eyes Chloe laughed, "In so many ways."

"Is it safe to assume that all aspects of your relationship with her is back on track?"

Aubrey couldn't see it, but Chloe's face went bright red at the question and she sank a little further into warm the water.

It wasn't that she was nervous about telling her best friend something so personal, it's just that commenting about how fantastic their sex life has been this past week to someone other than Beca wasn't something she wanted to delve into just yet. Aubrey's been well aware of just how frustrating it had been and they've both laughed at her and Beca's numerous failed attempts, yet this past week of just being with her girlfriend physically again has been blissfully perfect. They created this little intimate bubble that Chloe just wasn't ready to burst yet.

"Oh, totally," Chloe finally admitted in an overly coy way.

"Now I don't need any more details," Chloe was grateful Aubrey didn't press the subject right now, "but I'm glad you guys are ok…"

"Me too," sitting up Chloe reached for a washcloth and dunked it in the water. "We've been through a lot and I'm not just talking about us as a couple. Although I've desperately needed a healthy relationship like this for a long time."

"And you also needed people who care about you," Aubrey easily corrected. "You have a family with all of us now Chlo," Chloe stilled her movements, "and if you haven't figured it out, we're a tad bit dysfunctional. I mean we're all friends with Fat Amy and you're officially on the drunk dial list now."

Chloe wished she could be having this conversation in person in some cute little café because she missed her best friend.

"Yeah, you're right."

"And it also doesn't hurt that you're crazy in love with my nemesis!" Aubrey said making them both laugh. "Who, behind all the eyeliner and sarcasm, has a very kind and caring side."

"All that certainly helps," Chloe gushed as she ran the washcloth over her shoulders. "Plus, she's sexy."

"I've got no comment on that."

"Aubrey Posen, is all this your roundabout way of calling my girlfriend a sweetheart?"

There was a long pause before Aubrey tiredly sighed in defeat, "Only to a certain extent. And if you tell her I said that, I'll deny it until the day I die."

Chloe just chuckled, "She'd never believe me anyway."

"This is very true," Aubrey let out a burst of laughter. "But in all honesty, she's also needed someone like you for a long time too. I watched her live through the darkest part of her life, I saw how it broke her, and how ever since she's been missing this sense of normalcy and security," Aubrey's voice was light and Chloe could tell she was choosing her words carefully. "And then she met you, and you give her that and so much more. You see past her fame and her music and love her for who she really is."

Chloe dropped the washcloth back into the water and watched if float, "She's always been just Beca to me. That's who I fell in love with."

"And that's all she wants, she doesn't want you to see her as anyone else." Aubrey yawned making the last word drag out. "Oh wow, I'm so sorry," Chloe chuckled, "the tiredness hit me all the sudden. The babies seem to have finally settled down."

"You really should get some rest." Aubrey started to protest, but Chloe quickly shot it down, "No, you need to it's important."

"Are you sure?"

Chloe could hear the frown in Aubrey's tone, "Positive, plus I've got breakfast and I need to review the article I wrote."

"How's it coming along?" Suddenly, Aubrey now sounded very awake.

Chloe had briefly discussed the whole article thing with Aubrey when she dropped the sketches off before going to the airport last week. Aubrey thought it was an important move for both of them but didn't really offer much of an opinion on the actual content for the article. Aubrey had simply told her to sit down with Beca and come up with an outline for it together. So that's what they did.

Drying her hands, Chloe released her hair tie and ran her fingers through her hair, "Really good actually."

"Did you involve her like we talked about?" Aubrey's question was tentative and Chloe knew her best friend was fishing for information.

"Yeah, she's been in this one-hundred percent," Chloe reassured. "The only thing she hasn't seen is the finished product." Sticking the hair tie between her teeth, she quickly swooped twisted her hair up into another loose bun. "And surprisingly my boss at the Chronicle has given me free reign."

There was a brief pause before Aubrey spoke again, "How did he take it when you suggested an article about your girlfriend?"

Pulling her knees up to her chest Chloe rested her arms on top of them and laughed, "Well first off he had no idea who DJ Titanium or Beca Mitchell was, so he initially shot it down."

Aubrey's laughter floated around the bathroom, "You met a person who doesn't know about DJ Titanium? Now that's ironic."

"I know right, has he been living under a rock?" Chloe easy shot back and the two laughed again. "I mean Beca's name and face are everywhere right now, I was a little stunned he had no clue, but he said he'd do research," she mimicked her boss's tone, but could barely keep a straight face, "and get back to me."

"And how'd that work out?"

"He called me back within an hour and said," Chloe had to pause to laugh at the memory, "and said he'd have to get with me tomorrow because apparently his teenage daughters were going to school him in Beca's music."

Her boss had sounded a little bit star struck on that second call and honestly Chloe totally got it. First off, the guy had no idea who Beca was an hour before that but probably did a quick Google search to pacify her and Chloe can only imagine the reaction he had when he saw everything, including pictures of her and Beca together.

So, Chloe gets how surprised he was knowing that she was connected to someone like Beca. At the time she accepted the job Beca's name and face was still a mystery and Chloe had just gone through that whole ordeal with Rolling Stone, so she'd made sure to take extra care to cover her tracks and keep her mouth shut.

"Needless to say, the next day I got an email from him giving me the greenlight and…" Chloe paused for dramatics and she bit her lip hearing an impatient huff, "and that I had the full support of the newspaper. They were honored that Beca wanted her first published interview to be with them. But quickly emphasized that they couldn't compensate her in anyway."

"Wow, what a change in tune…" As an afterthought Aubrey added, "I bet the next thing you'll tell me is that your article got moved from the arts and entertainment section to the front page of the paper." Chloe didn't reply, she just grinned when her best friend gasped, "Holy shit, no way!"

"Yes way!" Chloe let out excitedly. "My very first article for them will be front and center for everyone to see."

At first Chloe was reluctant to say yes simply because she didn't think she had spent enough time as a journalist to warrant the front page of anything, but Beca had quickly quashed that. Beca was ecstatic for her, saying that this will be everyone's opportunity to see everything she already saw; that Chloe was a great writer, a fantastic photographer, and an even better person. It felt good to have praise from the person that mattered the most to her, because it was something she had never experienced before.

And although Chloe still knew she got this because she was dating Beca, she was just glad it didn't happen because she was blackmailed in an attempt for someone to make money. So, she decided to take Beca's advice and she embraced it and allowed herself to be excited about it.

"That's great Chlo, a cover story, what a way to stick it to Rolling Stone," Aubrey actually sounded proud.

"I know," Chloe grinned knowing that that was the best part, "and I've actually subtly addressed that in the article too, I just didn't outright point fingers or name names."

"Well," Aubrey curtly began, "if you ask me they deserve way more than that."

"I know…" the whole ordeal still infuriates Chloe, "but being vindictive won't fix anything that's happened. They'll just deny everything I say anyway and possibly even slap a lawsuit on me for slander. Bec says it's not worth it…"

Aubrey hummed in agreement. "She's actually right about that. Would you look at that," Aubrey stated in wonderment and Chloe knew exactly where this was going, "me and the pain in the ass agree on something."

"I'll be sure to let her know," Chloe chuckled.

"Well are you still struggling with certain parts of the article?"

Chloe let out a deep sigh, "I mean yes and no, I've gone in a completely new direction and although it's close to being done, I'm still hesitant about a few things."

"I don't think she'd try to influence you in any way."

"I don't think so either," stretching out her legs Chloe thought for a few seconds, "And it's not because I have a lack of material, I could write a novel about Beca Mitchell," she couldn't help but smile at Aubrey's laugh, "it's just, I guess I'm procrastinating finishing it because I'm still worried people will view it as me using my girlfriend to get a career boost."

"The only opinion that really should matter to you is what Beca thinks," Aubrey carefully stated. "If she wanted to just get her story out she could've gone to anyone. But she didn't, she came to you because she trusts you to do it right."

Chloe contemplated how completely right Aubrey was about that before glancing over at the phone and asking, "Do you think, that she thinks this will help people understand her, so they'll leave her alone?"

Deep down, Chloe knows that no matter how many articles are written or how many interviews Beca gives that she'll never really be understood or left alone. The hype may die down, but Beca's legendary celebrity status was kind of cemented in stone the minute she got her first number one hit and Grammy and then never showed her face.

"That's debatable…" Aubrey finally said. "For once she probably just wants to set the record straight. There's a ton of info and misconceptions circulating about who people think DJ Titanium is and now, who they think Beca Mitchell is and subsequently how that's all tied together with her famous mother. Since she was young she's always kind of been in the spotlight due to her unique…" Aubrey struggled to find the right word, "musical gifts. Yes, some of that attention was unwanted and harsh, but it was always there, Jesse can attest to that. So, I think she just wants to clear the air of mystery that surrounds Beca Mitchell, DJ Titanium, and Elizabeth Richardson."

Chloe couldn't really argue with that, Aubrey had hit the nail on the head.

"You're right." Chloe nodded.

"Oh of course I'm right," Chloe snorted out a laugh at that comment, "Beca and I've been friends a long time, at each other's throats eighty percent of it," Chloe heard the lightheartedness in the tone, "but she's the closest I've ever had to a real sister, so like you I know the real Beca."

"Hmmm," Chloe needed to make a few more notes after this conversation. "You've given me a few other things to think about for my article. And I think I know how to wrap it up."

"Just be honest and open in the article and once Beca reads it, if she wants something changed she'll tell you."

"I guess I'm just also worried I revealed to much of the true Beca. I think there's still a part of her that doesn't want all of the hype surrounding her."

Aubrey laughed, "Look, Beca's naturally a very quiet and an extremely guarded person. I don't expect her to do many interviews and she most certainly will never become a regular on late night talk shows," Aubrey sounded winded. "But she knows that there will be times where people will want to know everything about her and right now is one of those times. So, push the boundary, but just slightly…Sorry I'm trying to waddle my way up the stairs…" A couple of deep breaths were taken before Aubrey laughed out of breath, "A two story home was a nice idea when I wasn't pregnant with twins and always exhausted."

Chloe just grinned, "You're fine and I get what you're saying anyway."

Sighing in triumph when she finally reached to the top Aubrey eventually said, "Good…Have you put any thought into the title of your article?"

Chloe let out a bark of laughter because she had, but she hadn't told Beca yet, it was just another surprise.

"I guess that means yes," Aubrey jokingly said.

"I have and…" Chloe debated about revealing anything just yet, but quickly caved, "Promise you won't tell her?" Aubrey hummed in acknowledgement. "I think I'm gonna go with, The Reclusive Music Producer and The Journalist…"

Chloe let that permeate the air without offering a follow up or explanation because she's pretty sure it speaks for itself.

"That's unique…" Aubrey paused and Chloe just held her breath, "But I kind of love it."

Chloe just grinned widely, "I love it too and…" standing, she reached for a nearby towel then stepped out of the tub to dry off, "I struggled with whether to use her name or her professional name, but I went with something different because she's dropping the DJ Titanium name. I think it highlights that she's not hiding anymore."

As Chloe reached for the robe hanging on the back of the door Aubrey said, "That was the last thing Jesse and I expected when she texted us a few days ago."

To say that Chloe was surprised by that revelation was an understatement, she honestly had no idea it was coming. One minute they are laying in bed drinking coffee while reading after a casual room service dinner and the next she hears Beca say, 'I don't want to be known as DJ Titanium anymore, I think I want to only be Beca Mitchell from here on out'. There wasn't any discussion after that because frankly Chloe couldn't think of anything to say other than ok.

Pulling the drain plug, Chloe reached for her phone then turned toward the bathroom door, "So, I made a point to only mention the DJ Titanium name a handful of times."

"Well, I'm sure she'll be happy either way," Aubrey's voice lowered to just above a whisper.

"I hope so…"

The second Chloe stepped out of their bedroom her eyes landed on a small bouquet of her absolute favorite flowers, bright red oriental lilies, in a neatly decorated Christmas vase sitting in the middle of the small coffee table. Next to it was, as promised, her favorite breakfast, along with a small plastic container of fresh fruit. However, there were a few additional souvenirs from their journey around London, all holding some kind of sentimental value for them, including a 'Mind the Gap' coffee mug because they'd totally made out on the Underground a few days ago. But the thing that made her laugh out loud was a couple tabloids with their pictures on the front sitting under the mug.

"Oh my god…" Chloe was internally swooning at the thoughtfulness of everything she saw as she plopped down on the small couch. "I swear this woman…"

Lifting the folded note with her name on it, Chloe's attention refocused back on Aubrey when she heard, "And you must have found your surprise."

At a loss for words, Chloe fell back against the couch wearing a grin while holding up the letter. Quickly dropping it to her lap she asked, "Wait…you knew about this?"

"Stacie and I did, yeah. She sent us the website a couple days ago," Aubrey rattled off like it was nothing. "She was nervous about the whole house rental thing for Christmas considering you guys had like a whole road trip planned…"

"What do you mean house rental?"

There was nothing but dead silence on the other end of the line.

"Shit…" Aubrey let out a defeated sigh, "We aren't talking about the same surprise, are we?"

"Nope," Chloe couldn't help but laugh, "but I'd love to hear more about this house."

"The only thing I'll say is…" there was another brief pause that made Chloe bite her lip in anticipation, "she wanted to do something romantic for your first Christmas together. And trust me," the awe in Aubrey's voice was enough to make Chloe's heartrate quicken, "this place is romantic. Stacie and I both agreed you'd love it."

Crossing her legs, Chloe tucked the phone between her shoulder and ear and lifted the note again.

"She constantly surprises me," Chloe said just staring at Beca's messy, but unique handwriting, "I swear I don't deserve any of this or her."

"Yes, you do," Aubrey reassured, "don't ever think otherwise." Chloe rested the note in her lap as she listened, "Let her give you the world, please don't try to limit her or yourself for that matter."

Chloe nodded but then grinned knowing Aubrey couldn't see her and she quickly said, "You're absolutely right."

"She really is the best version of herself when she's with you. She's just so happy and at ease and honestly I was afraid I'd never see that side of her again." The sincerity in Aubrey's voice was enough to make tears sting Chloe's eyes. "So, thank you for bringing her back."

Chloe wiped the corner of her eyes, "I should really be thanking you for hiring me at your deli. If you hadn't," there was a slight pause, "well I wouldn't have her and I wouldn't have a best friend and people I now consider family. I'd still be the same lonely and miserable person I was for years. So, thank you and…"

A rapid set of knocks on the hotel room door followed by a voice announcing room service interrupted Chloe.

"And that really is my signal to go," Aubrey said as Chloe set the note aside and stood, "I'm ready for bed anyways and it's only a matter of time before Jesse wakes up and lectures me on proper sleep amounts again."

Laughing, Chloe checked herself in the mirror as another set of knocks sounded, "I'll give you a call in a few days."

"Sounds good," Aubrey said. "Be sure to tell Aunt Beca she's still a pain in the ass."

"Will do," Chloe laughed.

After a brief exchange of goodbyes, Chloe quickly locked her phone and slid it in a pocket, then opened room door. The room service guy set the tray on a nearby end table and then swiftly made his exit after pouring her a cup of coffee. Chloe then spent the next few minutes standing in front of the large picture window sipping it while admiring how parts of Hyde Park were still beautifully dusted with snow.

For the first time, in a long time, Chloe can look out a window and just admire everything without other troubling thoughts plaguing her mind. This week has been one of the best of her life, and it's not only because she and the love of her life are back on track, it's because she's simply enjoying life. She's finally seeing the world through clear eyes and she can't believe everything she missed while buried in that fog. Sure, things were beautiful then, and she had some really great experiences, but now it's just different because she's changed and grown so much.

Turning from the window, Chloe freshened up her coffee then settled back on the couch. After opening the plastic top on the fruit, she popped a grape in her mouth then cut a hefty chunk of the muffin off and then reached for a fork. As she savored the first couple of bites her eyes landed on the tabloids.

Picking one up Chloe couldn't help but smile at the headline, 'DJ Titanium and Girlfriend share a romantic night out following private tour of Westminster Abby, details inside!' The front page had a picture of them standing in front of the West Entrance taking pictures and Chloe remembers the exact moment it happened. The picture was a little grainy from having been taken so far away, but that didn't matter because Chloe saw how her eyes were shining with love and how she wore a smile that even she'd never seen before. The funny thing was, Beca hadn't done anything particularly romantic, Beca was just being a nerdy history buff explaining some intricate detail about the architecture. But it was heart stopping to see that look splashed across the cover of some tabloid for the entire world to see.

Taking another couple bites of her breakfast, Chloe flipped through the pages and couldn't help but bark out a laugh when she landed on page seven. Because there in the middle of the page was a picture of them crammed into the back of one of the Underground carriages, kissing like nobody was watching. The caption simply read, 'Being packed like sardines doesn't stop our lovebirds from locking lips!' Chloe just grinned because she knew she had started that mini-makeout session by tugging Beca closer by the scarf, but it had just been one of those perfect moments and Beca hadn't made any attempts to back away.

As Chloe's eyes shifted down the page, her face went bright red seeing another picture of them, this time they weren't kissing although their faces and lips were so close that it was debatable. However, that wasn't the focus of the picture. Instead the focus of the picture was on her hands and how they were very clearly on Beca's perfect ass and had the following caption, 'Sigh…don't we all wish we were in Chloe Beale's shoes right now? Chloe knows DJT is HOT, we all know the elusive producer is HOT, it's just too bad that Chloe has already staked her claim and didn't give the rest of us a chance to experience it too!" Chloe couldn't help but laugh because at least the caption got two things right; Beca was hot and was totally all hers.

It was very obvious these photos were taken from someone's phone, because it wasn't until halfway through their trip on the Underground that Beca had been recognized. It wasn't a flash mob scene like what they'd experienced their first few days at Abbey Road Studios, surprisingly that night no one asked for autographs or even talked to them. Although Chloe will admit that they were too absorbed in themselves and the whole normalcy of the situation to even think twice about anything else.

Chloe wasn't sure what she was in for in regards to the paparazzi and Beca's fans, but so far they really weren't being exceedingly intrusive. For the most part she follows Beca's lead of being friendly and approachable, yet still maintaining some semblance of a boundary that clearly couldn't be crossed. Beca's actually pretty great at being a celebrity while Chloe still finds it weird that people want to take her picture or to talk to her just because she's dating one.

As Chloe sipped her coffee, she set the first tabloid aside and picked up the second noting how it was published today. They weren't on the front cover of this one, but skimming through it she found Beca had dog-eared the pages they were on.

While she finished her muffin, she randomly flipped through the pages until she came to a small article next to a picture of Beca seated in the back of the car that Chloe knows was used to film the Carpool Karaoke segment with James Corden and Adelle. It gave a basic overview of what Beca had been up to since landing in London and even went so far as to speculate that she was here to record more than just the James Bond song. The last bit was obviously false, because for one the James Bond song was so intricate that there wasn't time to focus on anything else and two Beca hadn't given any indication that she was even remotely ready to go back to fulltime producing. For all practical purposes her girlfriend's mind had already shifted to being a college professor and she was actually pretty excited about it.

Flipping the page, Chloe landed on the 'Celebs Out and About In Town' section and probably what Beca had intended her to find all along. The pictures were from last night and weren't high quality considering the lighting hadn't been great in the pub and because they had purposely chosen a small secluded table in the very back.

It wasn't a special night, Emily had been off seeing Hamilton, while they opted to do the whole tourist thing of walking across Tower Bridge and then stopping into a pub to eat fish and chips and drink beer. It had simply been a fun night spent drinking, chatting, and yes lots of flirting and kissing, and these pictures reflected that. It warmed Chloe's heart to see herself and Beca looking totally in love, completely at ease, and happy again.

It's a different kind of happy from what Chloe saw before in pictures of herself. It's one Chloe knows she'd never been able to achieve without having taken a long hard look at herself and what was important in her life and then making steps to change it. She definitely didn't make the best choices in the beginning and she regrets how that turned out and how she treated Beca, but she's putting the pieces of her life back together and these pictures are proof of that.

However, when Chloe moved her eyes to read the excerpt next to the pictures, she couldn't help but fall in love with Beca just a little bit more:

Pictures of DJ Titanium and her lady love, Chloe Beale, dining at the popular pub The Blackfriar Pub spread like wildfire last night on social media. So, we reached out to them and they confirmed the lovebirds did in fact drop in last night.

"They were very friendly and didn't want any special treatment," the pub manager stated. "DJ Titanium declined my offer of a designated waiter and opted to order dinner and drinks at the bar just like everyone else. They mainly kept to themselves and we made sure they were left alone, but there was quite the buzz throughout the pub all night!"

Judging by these pictures and others circulating from this past week these two seem to be the epitome of relationship goals. According to the pub manager, when asked about holiday plans DJ Titanium said she, "was surprising her girlfriend with a romantic private homestay in one of the Cotswolds most picturesque villages…" Can we say swoon worthy romantic? Seriously who wouldn't want to be Chloe Beale right now? I for one wouldn't mind it, but until then, I guess I'll have to settle for living vicariously via their Instagram pages.

Oh, and if you aren't already following this lovely couple on Instagram, do it RIGHT NOW! They are just as much in love over there as they are in every picture we've seen of them around town. And to boot DJ Titanium is downright hysterical while trolling her girlfriend's posts…

"Well holy shit," Chloe breathed out with a fond laugh, "that was setup perfectly."

Reading over everything again, Chloe knew it was purely coincidence that this was published today and that Beca surprised her today. Beca was far too relaxed and comfortable in every picture for it to be staged and her comments didn't reveal much. That leaves Chloe with only one conclusion, Beca probably saw this tabloid sitting on the rack while buying her breakfast and thought it would add a nice touch. Whatever it was she didn't care, she was keeping this and it was going in Stacie and Fat Amy's scrapbook.

Setting the magazine aside, Chloe pulled out her phone and unlocked it with a wide smile.

Chloe [9:41AM]: Awe babe!

She rapidly wiped the happy tears stinging her eyes and continued to furiously type.

Chloe [9:43AM]: I can't believe you did all of this for me! I seriously mention one time how I'd love to spend Christmas in the Cotswolds and you go and totally surprise me! I don't know what to say other than thank you and I love you so much xxx ;)

Letting out an anxious breath, Chloe placed her phone aside then picked up the plastic fruit container. As she was biting into the last piece of pineapple her eyes landed on the letter. She'd been so blinded by the magazines that she'd totally forgotten about it.

Just as Chloe was reaching for it, her phone dinged.

Hot Professor [9:47AM]: I love you too…I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you like it and I don't have to call and cancel!

Chloe [9:49AM]: Oh you're definitely not canceling. I haven't even seen this place, but I know I'll love it.

Hot Professor [9:51AM]: Have you even read my note, woman!? I told you what to Google so you could look it up…Those pictures and captions in the magazine were just added bonuses.

Chloe bit her lip and laughed.

Chloe [9:54AM]: I haven't gotten that far yet. I've been too busy eating breakfast while looking at our sexy date night pics!

Hot Professor [9:56AM]: And I may or may not have been sneaking peaks of that insanely fucking hot picture you sent me earlier every chance I get.

Chloe couldn't help but brightly blush at that because she'd never in her entire life sent any type of suggestive picture, let alone a full on nude picture, to anyone before. The closet she had ever gotten was sending a bikini clad picture to an old fling sophomore year of college while she was at the beach. If Beca ever asks why, she'll blame her boldness on waking up in the post orgasmic bliss she'd been left her in from the night before.

When Chloe's phone dinged rapidly in succession again she was ripped from her thoughts and her eyes shifted back down to her hands. What she saw made her laugh out loud because fuck she felt the same way.

Hot Professor [9:58AM]: And btw I'm fucking horny as shit again!

Hot Professor [9:58AM]: So thanks for that…

Chloe [10:00AM]: Come back to the room once you're done, I'll wait for you wearing only my robe and nothing else and we can take care of that. We can have a late lunch or an early dinner…

Hot Professor [10:03AM]: I'd rather eat you…

Chloe [10:04AM]: Someone must be making good music…

Hot Professor [10:06AM]: Actually the audio tech is setting up me some additional microphones and I'm innocently huddled in the corner sexting my hot girlfriend.

Chloe just grinned as she typed.

Chloe [10:07AM]: Well in that case, can we use the strap-on tonight?

Chloe bit her lip, that had been a total online impulse buy one afternoon while they were in Malibu. It had been something neither of them had ever tried and the prospect of just 'testing the waters' had been hot. They'd only used it a handful of times and there had been a ton of fumbling and laughs associated with their first attempts, but they eventually got the hang of it. It was something they'd agreed was fun but wasn't something they wanted to use regularly. Although Chloe will admit, in the short amount of time they did get to use it, Beca had become very skilled.

Hot Professor [10:08AM]: I left it at my beach house :(

Chloe [10:08AM]: London is a big city, I'm sure we can find a store xxx

Chloe [10:09AM]: Not that I don't love the grinding you do without it, because fuck the way you moved your hips last night…

Hot Professor [10:10AM]: You just like it because you can ride me.

Ok, Chloe knew that was a fairly accurate statement and it made her blush. She loved being on top of Beca, she loved how both of Beca's hands had the freedom to roam her body and hit all her sensitive spots all at once, and she loved how when they were both close that one of Beca's hands would rest on her hip to help set the pace while the other dipped lower so a thumb could work her clit. Yeah, they occasionally do a similar position without the strap-on and it's amazing, but there's just something about having both hands free.

Chloe [10:11AM]: Oh admit it you like it when I ride you too. You still get off and you get unobstructed access to my boobs. It's a whole package deal babe!

Chloe [10:11AM]: And it makes me wet just thinking about it.

The small typing bubble appeared then disappeared briefly, then reappeared, as Chloe waited. She knew what she'd typed and she knew that Beca Mitchell was probably very flustered trying to decide how to respond. Sexting wasn't her girlfriend's strong suit, but god did Chloe love her attempts. Eventually the text came through and the blatant change of subject made her burst out laughing.

Hot Professor [10:13AM]: And it looks like the sound guy's ready to roll. Gotta go my love!

Chloe [10:14AM]: Get that sexy ass of yours back to work! I'll see you soon…

Deciding she'd tortured Beca enough, Chloe tossed her phone aside and picked Beca's note up again. Opening it she just stared at the sloppy slanted words before lifting it to her lips and pressing a soft kiss to Beca's signature at the bottom. It only took reading the first two sentences for her to swoon, because god Beca just had a way with words and was so incredibly romantic.

---

Never in a million years did Chloe think she'd actually be anything other than just a regular tourist at one of music's biggest shrines. However, as she turns a street corner and sees the iconic Abbey Road zebra crossing and then Abbey Road Studios it becomes real that she's more than just an average tourist. Of course she's still a huge fan of the Beatles, who wouldn't be, they crafted some iconic songs here, but now she gets to take it one step further and actually go inside and wander around.

It's perks like these that it really hits Chloe that Beca is a massive celebrity. And that's never been more evident than when she stops at the famed crosswalk and she sees a large group of people congregating at the fence in front of Abbey Road Studios vying for someone's attention. It's larger than normal, probably around fifty, and from what she can tell, it's people of all ages.

After crossing the street, Chloe tilted up on her tiptoes once she reached the edge of the crowd and she can't help but grin. Because over loud voices and hands waiving CD's, pictures and pieces of paper, she sees her girlfriend's dark red beanie and bright smiling face as she grabs whatever is offered and scribbles her signature on it with that familiar black Sharpie pen Beca uses for everything. For a person who spent their entire career trying to keep themselves out of the spotlight, it simply amazed Chloe how at ease Beca was with her new found fame.

Working her way around the group, Chloe eventually reached the security guard standing near a small side gate and flashed her temporary access card. Spotting Emily nearby texting, Chloe made her way over.

"Chloe, hi!" Emily cheerfully greeted slipping her phone in her jacket pocket and giving a quick hug. "Beca was supposed to let me know when to send the car."

Pulling back, Chloe grinned, "It's ok, I told her I didn't need it." Emily seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and it made her laugh. "Oh, I brought you this," she smiled as she handed over a coffee mug, "Beca shot me a text saying you needed the extra pick me up. So, I got your favorite and in a souvenir Beatles travel mug!"

Emily's face lit up as she looked down at the black mug with each of The Beatles silhouettes jumping over the main logo. "This is awesome! I love it, thank you!"

Chloe just laughed as she shoved her hands in her coat pockets, "You're welcome."

Emily took a quick sip then said, "You're here just in time, Beca's all done." That made Chloe raise a questioning eyebrow. "I know I thought we'd be here all day too, but just as she sat down at the mixing board she looked at everyone and said they were done by noon."

"No other explanation?" Chloe asked, softly smiling as they both turned to see what made Beca laugh.

"None, and I didn't ask," Emily had been just as surprised as everyone else and didn't even bother to question it. "She's really changed. This week is the happiest I've seen her in a long time, she's actually having fun making music again."

Chloe couldn't agree more. "How long ago did she finish?"

"A little after eleven," Emily said and Chloe just shook her head and laughed because that's around the time their flirtatious texting started up again. "By eleven thirty she was wandering around the building. She even dropped in and listened to some up and coming band laydown a track. Chloe," Emily enthusiastically rattled off, "she was actually excited to help them smooth out their lyrics and clean up their music. And that band took all her advice. Their song instantly sounded better afterwards…She's just an incredible musician."

Of all the things that Emily could've told Chloe just now, she was just happy to hear that her girlfriend was enjoying making music again. Overall Beca was loving life again and Chloe's incredibly grateful that more people see that.

"She is…" Chloe's eyes ventured over to her girlfriend as she wore a soft smile. "Did she want any credit when that song cracks the top ten?"

"None," Emily quickly acknowledged. "When they asked, all she did was give that wink that…"

Cutting in Chloe laughed, "Oh I know which one. The overly charming one where people fall all over themselves but really it's a way for her to sidestep questions politely."

"Yeah that one," Emily joined in the laughter, "she gave that one and offered to take pictures with the group instead."

Emily's hand lightly pushed Chloe's shoulder, "You should go over there and see her."

"Is she waiting out here for me?"

"Well no…" Chloe's eyes shot back to Emily's in amusement making Emily slump her shoulders in defeat. "Ok fine yes she is…but I'm not supposed to tell you that," Emily nervously sipped her coffee trying to hide her bright red face behind it. "She came out here almost as soon as you texted her saying you were ten minutes away." Emily focused her eyes on her coffee mug, "Please don't say anything, she just couldn't wait to see you."

Stepping closer, Chloe whispered like she had a big secret, "You know what? I missed her too and I kinda can't wait to kiss her."

Emily's face went bright red again, "I'm still not used to that. I always interrupt at the most inopportune time!" Adding a small foot stomp, she apologized, "I'm sorry again about the other night."

Chloe lightly giggled, "Em it's totally fine, we all were all on the London Eye together, remember?"

"Ye-yeah…"

The kiss they'd shared on the London Eye had been completely innocent. They were minutes away from having to get off and she was taking a few last minute pictures when Beca came up behind her and wrapped her arms around her waist and rested her chin on her shoulder. All Chloe had done was turn her head and barely brush her lips against Beca's when Emily let out an embarrassed squeak making then jump apart. It was a totally PG moment and something any couple would've done in their predicament, but Emily had just been Emily.

"All we were doing was kissing," Chloe reassured.

Emily just bashfully nodded and mumbled something about checking her email then abruptly turned and headed up the steps and back into the studio leaving Chloe chuckling as she started making her way over towards her girlfriend. As she slowly moved she allowed her eyes to thoroughly scan her girlfriend's body. Damn that dark green wool sweater over the white button up rolled up to Beca's elbows and dark skinny jeans, was enough to make her weak at the knees because it was just so casually sexy. But when Beca turned and saw her and she got that same lopsided smile that she saw minutes after they first met, well Chloe got the same butterflies she always does as she fell in love all over again.

"Hey gorgeous," Beca greeted in a breathless voice after jogging over.

Chloe grinned loving how the way they always address each other still sends her heat a flutter.

"Hey sexy…" Chloe added just before Beca brushed their lips together.

"When did you get here?"

With a smile, Chloe adjusted Beca's beanie a little, so it covered her love's ears, "Like five minutes ago."

Cameras were going off like crazy and people were yelling both their names, but Beca didn't care. Chloe was here and it's safe to say that even though they saw each other just this morning that it still felt like coming home. Just seeing her girlfriend's beautiful smile is all Beca needs for it to feel like home.

Cupping Chloe's cheeks, Beca gave another kiss, lingering just a little bit longer, then pulled back.

"Bec," Chloe stopped the hands from falling away by lightly placing her hands on Beca's wrists, "I thought you didn't like the whole PDA thing?"

"You did see those pictures of us, right?" Beca quipped.

"But we didn't know people were taking our picture…" Chloe's eyes shifted to the large group watching them from behind the fence, as she ran her thumbs along the underside of Beca's wrists. Shifting them back she said, "But we know people are taking our picture now."

Beca tilted forward and gave another easy kiss. Gentle and barely there, making Chloe's whole body warm up.

Pulling back, Beca winked, "Yeah, well, I've come to the conclusion that I just don't care anymore…" Chloe just smiled. "After seeing all those tabloid pictures, I spent the whole morning thinking about how nice it was just being me and just being us. I don't want to be on my guard all the time anymore and I definitely don't want you to think twice about holding my hand or kissing my cheek like you always do." She swears one of her favorite things in life is when Chloe kisses her cheek, even just in passing or while she's eating cereal. "But if you're not cool with it or aren't ready, I'll cut back. I mean I'll never be totally sold on cameras taking our picture, but I kinda love you a lot and I don't want to hide it."

Chloe held Beca's hands, "No, babe no, I'll never complain about any affection from you. I mean yeah, it's weird seeing myself in magazines, but I don't want to stop being us because of them either. So, you won't hear me complain."

"Good," Beca grinned.

Chloe leaned in a little closer, "Does that mean I can keep grabbing your ass in public?"

"Oh totally, you're not just limited to the London Underground," Beca shot right back as she laced their fingers together.

"Gotta stake my claim!"

Beca just laughed while swinging their hands, "Things will ease off and we'll be able to go back to our normal life once we get back home, you know that right?" Chloe just nodded. "But when things get crazy, and they will," she seriously said even though she was still nervous about the fame thing, "you'll let me know if the whole spotlight thing starts to freak you out?"

"I will," Chloe easily said, "but only if you do the same, deal? Because I'm in this with you for the long haul. Like we agreed that first day at the retreat, we need to keep ourselves and our relationship our main focus, all that other outside stuff doesn't matter."

"Deal…"

"I love you."

"I love you too…"

Clearing her throat Chloe smiled, "So word on the street is you're all done for the day."

"I believe the official phrase is back on vacation," Beca loved hearing that giggle, patting her stomach she grinned, "and lunch and beer are first on the agenda. Unless you want to head back to the room and make that whole late lunch early dinner thing happen. And before you ask, no we're not going to a sex shop to get the…" Chloe's smirk almost had her caving, "well you know…"

"I do know, but hear me out…"

"No, there's too many people around," Beca didn't want their sex life accidently blasted to the paparazzi and small children that were lingering around, "we'll discuss it tonight. I'm sure things can be…shipped."

Chloe let her eyes trail down her girlfriend's body then snapped them back up, "That works for me…"

Tilting forward, Beca brushed their lips together, "Good, now what would you like to do this afternoon my love? I'm all yours…"

Chloe thought for a few seconds then her eyes lit up, "I would love to go shopping on Oxford Street to get something new to wear to Hamilton tomorrow night." She was practically bouncing as another idea hit, "Oh babe, we can make it a fancy date night. Let me take you somewhere expensive for drinks and dinner before."

"You wining and dining me? I'd love that!" Kissing their joined hands Beca began backing away lightly pulling Chloe along with her, "but first I'd like to sign a few more autographs…Come with me."

"I'd love to, but," Chloe began.

"I mean," Beca quickly added letting her grip on Chloe's fingers loosen just slightly, "only if you want too."

Chloe quickly tightened her grip pulling Beca to a stop making Beca cock her head with a curious expression.

"First tell me more about this house you've rented us for Christmas," Chloe stated seriously. "I looked it up and I have a few questions."

It was hard for Chloe to maintain her neutral expression because Beca looked like she was ready to backpedal at any moment. She loved it, she found Beca so adorable.

"Well, technically it's a boathouse on a small lake," Beca scratched the back of her neck nervously. "A one bedroom, one bath luxury boathouse hidden away on a twenty-five hundred acre private property to be precise." She let out a shaky breath still unable to read her girlfriend's expression. "I just figured since we have a few extra weeks than what we originally planned because of well…"

"Your recording session being moved up?"

"Yeah that," Beca nodded as she swallowed thickly. "I mean we can still do our road trip like we planned, but I booked this place so we could get away from all this," she waved behind them, "shit before we head off to Paris for the New Year. It'll be totally chill, we can lounge around in our pajamas all day if we want and take walks, there's miles of trails we're free use, and we can eat at local spots for dinner. And Christmas can be simple and quiet…I just want to spend time with you away from it all like we did that last week at the retreat."

"What about naked time?" Chloe questioned seriously, suppressing her laugh. "I hear Christmas Day sex is the best."

Beca's eyes snapped to Chloe's, "I umm, I've never heard that, but we can certainly try it out if you want…"

"Bec…" Chloe eventually let out a light laugh. Reaching out she fiddled with the edge of her girlfriend's sweater and tugged on it, "I'm just messing with you, I love it. And I'd love nothing more than to spend Christmas there with you."

"Really?" Beca's face lit up. "Because I know this is kinda last…" a finger was pressed to her lips.

"I have one stipulation," Chloe grinned.

"What?" Beca mumbled from behind Chloe's finger.

"Can you call and reserve it for our entire trip?" Chloe had mapped everything out and the furthest thing away they wanted to see was less than three hours. There was no need for a road trip anymore when they had this absolutely beautiful boathouse available. "We can make it our basecamp and take day trips. I think it'll be more relaxing that way."

Beca nodded as a grin stretched across her face, "I can do that. The people I'm renting from already said we can have it as long as we want. They normally only rent during the summer, but because I'm," her voice trailed off.

"Babe," Chloe just lightly laughed, "sometimes your celebrity status has perks. It's ok to use it every once in a while."

Beca let out the breath, "Good, cause I kinda had to and I also had to promise them that we wouldn't need the private chef that usually comes with it, but they assured me the maid comes every other day."

Chloe just laughed again because a quiet Christmas with little to no interruptions is exactly what she wants. This will be the first time they both will really be celebrating Christmas since their families died. It's going to be difficult, she knows that, but she's also ready to face it head on, kind of like how Beca faced her birthday a few weeks ago.

And Chloe also wants to do so much more for Christmas than just eating whatever was left over in her fridge and watching old Christmas movies; which had become her lonely normal the past few years. She actually wants to celebrate it by doing things like exchanging gifts and singing carols and drinking warm apple cider in front of a fire. And she also wants to slave away all day in the kitchen cooking them Christmas dinner while Beca lounges around and naps all day. She hasn't done any of that in so long that she doesn't really remember what the Christmas spirit feels like and for the first time in a long time, she can't wait.

"That sounds wonderful babe," Chloe commented then gave a quick kiss. "I'm kinda excited to shop local and get farm fresh stuff daily for our meals."

"God, I've missed your cooking this week," Beca lamented, although with a grin. "I mean I love eating out and trying new places, but your cooking is just…it's great. You have a way of making even the simplest and easiest meals fucking awesome. Oh," she snapped her fingers, "do you know how to make gingerbread coffee cake? That shit is dope, my mom used to make it every Christmas."

Chloe's features softened, Beca had just mentioned her mom and there wasn't a hint of sadness behind it.

"I'm sure I can." Chloe gently smiled, "do you know what we need?"

Beca lightly swung their set of joined hands, "Yeah, I haven't made it in years, but it's not difficult."

"Can we find a Christmas market and maybe get a small tree to decorate?"

"Oh, that's a must! But can we discuss all this over lunch? The crowd is getting restless."

For a few brief minutes Chloe had forgotten that they weren't completely alone. Even though they were far enough away that no one could overhear them, there was this constant buzz of excitement. And as she peaks over Beca's shoulder, sure enough there's still people there and every move they make is being watch.

"Oh," Chloe gave a cringey smile making Beca laugh. "Yeah, go sign autographs," leaning forward she brushed their lips together, "and be awesome. Besides," she whispered, "after lunch I have one small surprise detour to take you to before we go shopping."

Raising an eyebrow, Beca asked, "And where's that?"

"A totes awesome bookstore!"

Beca comically clutched her heart, "A bookstore?"

Chloe nodded, "Yep, and it's super old too. It's got spiral staircases and is two stories."

Beca gave a low whistle, "Damn Beale you certainly know the way to my heart. You may not be able to drag me away in a relatively reasonable amount of time."

Chloe just giggled, "We're in no rush. If we're there three hours who cares."

"Kinda like dinner last night?" Beca interrupted with a blush.

"God you're cute," Chloe kissed a cheek then pulled back with a smile, "but yes, exactly like that."

"Sorry, I'm still new to this whole vacation vibe thing," Beca blushed.

"You're getting the hang of it," Chloe winked making her love chuckle as they started walking towards Beca's fans.

"Can we pick up books about Thailand?"

"Yep! So, we're doing lunch, then the bookstore, then shopping," Chloe stated factually. "Then tomorrow we can visit Saint Paul's in the morning and go on our date to see Hamilton at night."

"Sounds good to me…" Knocking their shoulders as they walked, Beca spoke lowly out of the corner of her mouth, "So, since tomorrow night is a date, will I get lucky afterwards?"

Chloe playfully thought for a few seconds, "If you play your cards right babe…"

The crowd collectively awed at her reference as they came to a stop making Chloe's cheeks flush pink. Turning her head she was greeted with a smiling Beca, who just kissed the back of their joined hands before dropping them and reaching for a picture being held out to her. Chloe saw that the picture was of Beca taken a few days ago standing at the top of steps leading into Abbey Road Studios and waving at the crowd.

"This is actually a badass pic of me," Beca commented from behind the Sharpie pen cap hanging from the corner of her mouth.

Chloe just laughed as she reached up and took the cap and shoved it in her jacket pocked until Beca was done. Leaning over Chloe admired the picture as her girlfriend began scribbling her name across the side and she noted how it read simply Beca Mitchell.

"Oh, that reminds me," Beca stopped mid-signature and turned to look at Chloe, "we need to take a pic of me like this before we leave today…And I refuse," Chloe's eyes were sparkling in delight, she loved it, "to leave until I get a pic of me crossing that," she stood up on her tiptoes and pointed behind the crowd, "famous street!"

Rubbing Beca's back, Chloe just laughed, "Just promise me you'll leave your shoes on."

"Damn and I wanted to be like Paul McCartney…"

"No, babe, it's freezing out here."

"She never lets me have any fun," Beca winked at the young guy as she finished signing then passed the picture back to him. "Take my advice bro, when your girlfriend is that hot," she reached for a vinyl record of Maroon 5's latest album and scribbled her name along the front, "make sure you follow the rules. That's how it works."

Rolling her eyes, Chloe just laughed as she brought her cell phone up and took a picture of Beca signing away with a beautifully smiling face.

"No, that's not how it works." Chloe commented making everyone laugh as she lowered her phone.

"Hi, Chloe!"

Chloe looked down to her left and found a young girl, probably not more than five, brightly smiling and enthusiastically waving at her. Stepping over then stooping down so they were eye level, Chloe couldn't help but notice how the little girl was clutching what looked like a tattered old album under her right arm. Her dad was standing behind her with had his hands on her shoulders just smiling down at them.

"Hi," Chloe greeted with a bright smile.

"Hi." The little girl shuffled closer and moved the album to hold it in both hands.

"Now that," Chloe asked holding out her hands, "doesn't look like one of my love's albums."

"Do you love DJ Titanium too?"

Chloe hadn't really intended to refer to Beca as 'my love' in front of a group of strangers, she usually only said things like that in private, but it honestly just slipped out. And well kids hear everything.

Chloe blushed, "I do, very much."

"She's nice, she's got a pretty smile."

"Yes, she does, but so do you," Chloe said and the little girl just brightly smiled back at her. "Now, can I have a look at your record?" The little girl just looked down at the record then up to her father who nodded, "I promise I'll give it back."

The girl easily passed the album through one of the slots in the wrought iron fence and Chloe was finally able to read the name across the front. The album was titled Solo Monk and was by Thelonious Monk, someone she knew with one-hundred percent certainty, was Beca Mitchell's favorite jazz piano player.

"Now what's a cutie like you doing with an album like this?" Chloe playfully questioned as she flipped it over to read the back.

"I-I like the piano," Chloe's eyes snapped back to the girls. "I like to play the piano," she corrected. It was almost like the little girl couldn't get the words out fast enough and Chloe found that endearing. "My mom says DJ Titanium likes to play too."

"She does, she plays for me all the time," the little girl's face lit up and it warmed Chloe's heart. Flipping the album over she pointed to Thelonious Monk's picture on the front, "And this is her favorite piano player. Did you know that?"

"Yeah!" The little girl nodded vigorously.

"Is he your favorite too?" Chloe asked and the girl shook her head from side to side. "Well, who's your favorite then?"

"DJ Titanium's my favorite."

Chloe couldn't help but laugh, she had walked right into that.

"I'll let you in on a little secret," Chloe shuffled closer and whispered, "she's my favorite too."

They shared a little laugh and then Chloe looked down at the record in her hands as she contemplated what to do next. Just as she was about to stand and bring Beca over to them, she felt a hand run along her back as Beca crouched down next to her.

"And what's your name?" Beca asked after winking at Chloe.

"A-Ava," the girl shyly stated.

"Well Ava," Beca flashed a smile that made Ava brightly blush, which Chloe found utterly adorable, "you have very good taste in music."

"You're DJ Titanium," Ava said in wonderment.

"I am," Beca fought back a chuckle. Taking the record from Chloe's hands she studied it, "Now, what are you doing with this gem?"

Ava seemed to be star struck as she looked at Beca with wide eyes. It was almost like she couldn't believe that her idol was here and speaking directly to her and Chloe couldn't help but give a little nudge to her girlfriend when Ava didn't respond.

"Ava likes playing the piano," Chloe easily stated and they watched the girl nod again, "she was very excited to know you do too."

Beca quizzically studied the little girl wearing a funny face and made Ava giggle and instantly put her at ease. It made Ava grin widely and inch just that little bit closer to the fence so that her cheeks were now pressed against the cold metal. The interaction was so similar to the one Chloe had witnessed with the Vogel family back at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Beca just has this uncanny way with kids that makes them gravitate towards her without a second thought.

Chloe likes to think Beca's connection with kids is because of her kind nature and gentle smile, but it's really something completely different. Yes, Beca had a great mom and says she had an equally great childhood that she wouldn't change, but Chloe still feels like there are still some missing pieces. Chloe's not sure what those missing pieces are exactly, but when she watches Beca interact with children it's almost like Beca's gotten them back. It's very subtle and always disguised behind laughter and jokes or in this case goofy faces, but Chloe sees it because that's when the true Beca shines through.

"I don't just like it Ava, I love it," Beca grinned. "When did you start playing?" Ava held up her hand and wiggled all five fingers, "No way!" She playfully gasped making Chloe giggle beside her, "Me too!"

"My mom teaches me," Ava tentatively said and Beca's eyes landed on the girl's dad who just smiled.

"Mine did too, moms are the best, aren't they?" Beca asked.

"Yeah!" Ava excitedly said as she jumped a little. "Is your mom here?"

Chloe's eyes shot to Beca. The question seemed to have blindsided her girlfriend and her smile faltered just slightly but was quickly replaced with another happy one. Sliding her hand to Beca's back, Chloe lightly rubbed it, silently giving her love all the support she needed.

"No, she's not, not anymore. She's in here in here though," Beca pointed at her heart, "so it's like she's with me every day."

"Is she gonna miss Christmas?" Ava blurted.

"Yeah…"

Ava sadly frowned, "My mom is at the hospital with my little brother. He's probably gonna miss Christmas just like your mom cause the doctors have to fix his heart. And I'm gonna miss him."

Reaching out, Beca took Ava's hand in hers, "Can I tell you a secret?" Ava nodded. "It's ok to miss him when he isn't with you. I miss my mom every day, but I always keep happy memories of her here," she pointed to Ava's head, "and here," then to her heart. "That's pretty easy to do right?"

"Yeah!" Ava smiled.

Chloe's heart soared at Beca's kind words and at how much progress Beca has made in just openly talking with others about her mom. Although Ava didn't quite understand that Beca's mom wasn't coming back, that's not what was important here.

"What's your little brother's name?" Chloe asked. Threading her fingers through a set of Beca's, she giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Max and he's one, and our new puppy's name in Ollie," Ava grinned looking up at her dad. "Ollie's my best friend."

Beca just laughed, this kid was totally hilarious, "I have a dog too, his name is Gizmo and Chloe's little furball's name is Billie."

"Wow!"

Beca just looked over at Chloe, who just leaned in and lightly kissed her lips.

"So, Ava," Beca focused back on her new little friend, "what did you want me to do with this?" Detangling her fingers, she held the record out in front of her and inspected it closely. "This is a very special record you have here."

"Can you put your name on it," Ava stuck her arm through the fence and pointed to a blank spot in the top corner, "right there? Please? I want to show my mom."

Beca looked over at Chloe and winked, silently asking her to play along.

"I'll tell you what. I'm gonna give you this back to you," Beca passed the record back to Ava who looked kind of sad, "because I've got a much better idea." Chloe was just looking at her with amusement. "You see that building behind me?" They all turned to look as Ava nodded. "Well I make music in there, so how would you," she tapped Ava's nose who giggled swatting it away, "like to come inside and see where I make music?" Ava's eyes went huge making Chloe laugh beside her. "Maybe we can play the piano together," she persuaded.

Ava just looked up to her dad who just smiled as he took the record from her hands. Chloe loved how Ava was practically begging without saying a word.

"I know Christmas songs! And I know the alphabet song!" Ava excitedly said looking back at Beca and Chloe

"I don't think Beca knows the alphabet song," Chloe happily added making her love laugh.

"Can you play the yellow song?" Ava excitedly asked clutching the fence. "The everything was all yellow song. It's my mom's favorite."

Chloe glanced at Beca and although Beca was playing along like she was deep in thought, Chloe could tell Beca knew exactly what was being asked. It was amazing the amount of music Beca knew just by a few brief words, it was an encyclopedia of knowledge really.

"I think it's Yellow by Coldplay," Beca gave a glance up to Ava's dad who just smiled in acknowledgement, "and yep I can play it." Ava was kinda bouncing around in excitement now and it totally reminded her of Chloe's excited tendencies. "We can play it together, do you know any of the words?"

"Yep!" Ava said confidently making them laugh. "All of them! I know all of your songs too."

"Yeah DJT, she knows all your songs too," Beca held back her laugh at Chloe's very obvious taunt.

"Well then we can play some of them too," Beca answered hiding that smirk that Chloe loves.

Chloe was having just as much fun watching Beca interact with this kid as Beca was clearly having. It makes Chloe want to be a mom someday, she wants to be the type of parent that is the exact opposite of her own. She wants to be involved, a parent that who shows up for every school performances or cuts orange slices for soccer games, but above all she just wants to give them the life and love that she never got. And she wants Beca by her side for it, because Beca was going to make an amazing mom one day, all the qualities are there.

"So, how about it? Do you want to come inside and make music with me, so you can brag to your mom and brother later?" Beca asked and Ava looked like Santa had just come early. "I'll take that as a yes, but let me just check with your dad first." Standing, she smiled, "I mean only if it's cool with you…"

"We were just taking a break from the hospital, I saw your picture online and told her you were in town. And well you're all she's talked about since then," the blonde haired man said with a nervous laugh. "She and her mom love your music and we were really just hoping to swing by and maybe get a picture and autograph. You've already made her day just by talking to her."

"Pictures and autographs are easy…" Beca smiled, "Look, I promise to keep the tour quick if you need to get back to the hospital."

"You really don't have to do that."

"I know, but I want too. It's obvious from the record she's carrying around that she loves music."

"More than you know," the man bragged handing the record back down to Ava, "she'd rather play music than play outside."

A grin stretched across Beca's face, "How old is she?"

"Six," the man said looking down at his daughter, "her and my wife pulled that from a stack of old records at my parent's house last month." At this Beca chuckled because she remembers doing something similar with her mom at that age. "She's too little to know what most of the song titles mean, but the minute my wife said this guy was your favorite jazz musician, well she's been listening to it nonstop ever since."

Shifting her eyes down Beca saw Ava and Chloe examining the album cover again and thoroughly engaging in a serious discussion about it. It was comical how serious Ava was and how intently Chloe was listening and commenting in return.

Shifting her attention back to Ava's dad, Beca said, "Inside there's still some orchestra instruments set up and of course a piano and guitars." The crew was in the middle of breaking things down, but some of the bigger pieces wouldn't be moved until the end. "Let me show her where I make music, we'll play the piano, take some pictures and I'll sign some autographs. She can even bang on some drums and shit, it'll be fun."

"We really don't want to keep you from your work," the man stated.

"Trust me, you won't," Beca reassured, "I'm done anyways."

The man smoothed out the fabric on his daughter's jacket as he thought, then eventually said, "I know she'd enjoy it and I wouldn't mind taking a look around either."

"It's the Beatles, right?"

The man shook his head with a knowing grin, "Actually, I'm more partial to Pink Floyd."

"Well right on…" Beca laughed before bending back down to talk to Ava. "Ok, see that pretty tall girl behind us," Ava shifted her gaze to Emily who was now back outside and standing close to them, "I bet if you ask her real nice, she may be able to find some of my music for me to sign for you. I'll even sign some for your mom and brother. How's that sound?"

"Awesome!"

"But while she gets all that stuff together, we'll check out all the cool stuff inside and play the piano."

"Really?"

Beca just smiled, "Yep."

Chloe watched Beca stand again and take a few steps toward Emily where the two quickly discussed everything in rushed whispers. Before Chloe knew it, Emily was motioning Ava and her father towards the security guard and Beca was back to signing autographs. Almost as soon as Emily had the two signed in and through the gate Beca was waving goodbye and apologizing in this delightfully charming way for not being able to get to everyone.

Stretching out her hand, Chloe held out the pen cap which was quickly taken and secured back on. Beca then tucked it in her back pocket and reached for Chloe's wiggling fingers. Their fingers laced together and Chloe dragged her girlfriend closer and gave a quick kiss as they walked towards the entrance to Abbey Road Studios.

"You are quite possibly the sweetest person ever Beca Mitchell," Chloe gushed.

"Well it's not every day that you see a kid toting around a sophisticated jazz album like that," Beca deadpanned.

They were just at the bottom of the steps when Ava turned around at the top, "Hey DJ Titanium?"

"What's up kiddo?" Beca grinned tearing her eyes away from the love of her life's.

"Do I really have to practice?" Ava asked. "My mom says I have to practice if I want to be like you. But I hate practicing."

The quizzical look Beca got was like Ava had thoroughly thought out that question and was using her as the definitive authority.

Chloe gave Beca's hand a squeeze, "Afraid so dude, everyone has to practice. I practice all the time, even Maroon 5 practices."

"Ok…" Ava's little shoulders dropped in defeat, "if you say so."

Chloe suppressed her giggle as Ava disappeared into the building while holding tightly to her dad's hand. She admired the little girl's perseverance to ask that question, and she couldn't help but use it as a way to tease her girlfriend.

Tilting closer Chloe whispered, "Feel free to practice your tongue work on me later tonight," as they continued up the steps.

Stopping just inside the door, Beca quickly closed it behind them and lightly pinned Chloe against it. Hands immediately fell to her hips as they shared a brief, yet thorough kiss, that left them both breathless at the end.

Pulling back, Beca smirked, "Hi…"

Fuck, Chloe's whole body instantly warmed up and she let out a flustered breath of air, "Hi yourself."

"I've been wanting to kiss you like that since I first saw you."

Chloe giggled, "And you said making music doesn't turn you on."

"But…" Chloe placed a hand over Beca's mouth.

"Come on sexy," taking Beca's hand, Chloe intertwined their fingers again, "you can finish that statement later. Your fan club president is waiting."

They continued further into the building where Emily was already showing Ava and her dad around the main studio Beca had been working in all week. Beca couldn't help but laugh and wear a warm smile watching Ava's face morph into wonderment and excitement as she dropped her dad's hand and ran over to the xylophone to pick up a mallet and began pounding away. It was all too real because Beca has very fond memories of doing the exact same thing every time her mom brought her to the studio.

"Babe she's so cute," Chloe kept her voice low as they watched, "I think you just made her life."

It was very obvious to Beca as a studio musician came over and showed Ava how to properly tap on the xylophone that this little girl's life was going to revolve around music.

"I didn't do anything," Beca whispered back. "I just wanted to take her mind off her brother."

"Yeah you did that," Chloe softly smiled, "but only her favorite person can make her smile like that. And I must confess," she lightly knocked their shoulders together, "you're kinda sorta, maybe, just maybe, my favorite person too," she finished by pressing a kiss to a brightly blushing cheek. After a few minutes of silence, she added, "You're very good with kids, more so than you are with adults. They get to see the Beca, I see every day. Why is that?"

After briefly thinking about it, Beca's answer was simple, "Because kids don't know how to judge you, it's very black and white with them," Chloe just thoughtfully nodded. "And they also haven't been taught that they need to adapt themselves to fit in somewhere. They're themselves all the time. So, how can I not be myself around them?"

Chloe had to agree with that statement because she saw this very thing in her own sister. Before Claire died, Chloe can remember how she wished she could go back to that age and not have to care what other people thought. Claire didn't know she was a disappointment and she hadn't caught on that she needed to mold herself to meet their parent's expectations. Claire was just happy, she was innocent, and she loved everything and everyone, even their father who hardly ever paid attention to them.

"Is that your way of admitting that you like kids," Chloe joked as Ava pounded away on the xylophone while her dad took a video.

"Oh, I love kids," Beca smiled, her eyes trained on Ava.

"I know we've never really talked about it this but," pulling her bottom lip between her teeth, Chloe briefly contemplated if she should even be asking this right now. "I mean…never mind we can talk about it later…"

Turning, Beca faced her girlfriend and found a very apprehensive looking Chloe Beale, staring back at her. It kind of looked like Chloe wanted to finish what she'd started to say but also that she was terrified if she said the wrong thing then it would shatter everything about their relationship. Beca had only seen that look once, that afternoon after their first couples counseling session. Chloe wore this very look when she'd told her that she would do whatever it takes to make things right because she couldn't lose her, that she couldn't lose another person that she loved. It was a look Beca never wanted to see again.

"Are you asking me if I want kids someday?"

"Well yeah," Chloe tucked a strand of hair behind her, "I mean I always hoped I'd have the chance one day and after seeing you with Ava for all of five minutes made me…"

"Chlo…" Beca softly said as her girlfriend's eyes shifted to the ground. "My love, please look at me." Reaching out she gently moved Chloe's face so she could connect their eyes. "Yes, I want children, and yes, I want children with you," she stressed.

"Yeah?"

"Yes."

A happy smile replaced the worried one on Chloe's face, "I'm sorry this isn't the time or place to bring that up."

"I don't care, I always want to know what you're feeling regardless of the time or place," ducking her head, Beca briefly brushed their lips together. "I love you…" tears were brimming at the corners of Chloe's eyes and she easily wiped them away before they fell. "I want the whole stereotypical white picket fence life with you."

Chloe let out a relived breath, "I want all that too."

"And I think I've known I wanted that with you since the minute you walked into my life."

There was a loud squeal of delight and then pounding on the timpani drums making them both grin widely. Then when Ava called for DJ Titanium to watch her, they couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"And that," Beca hiked a thumb over her shoulder in the direction of the rhythmic pounding, "will be our kid one day. Instead they'll be yelling Mom and possibly have a head full of red hair."

"Our kid is definitely going to love music," Chloe stated factually.

"And she's going to your artistic genes," Beca countered.

Chloe raised an eyebrow, "She?"

"O-or he, you know no preference," Beca stuttered with her hands up in defense. Chloe just bit her lip as she blurted, "Ok fine, I tend to use the girl pronoun since I kinda already picked out a name."

A light pink tinge dusted Beca's cheeks, because she had thought about this a lot, even during the time when things were rough.

"And what would that name be?" Chloe was intrigued now.

Beca closed her eyes and just said it, "Claire Elizabeth…Claire after your sister and Elizabeth after my mom." Opening her eyes, Beca saw Chloe fighting back tears again, "I wanted her to carry the names of the most important people in our lives."

"Bec…" Chloe breathed out as her tears threatened to fall. Cupping her girlfriend's cheeks, she didn't know what to say other than, "I love it."

"I didn't want just any random name you know," Beca felt herself starting to ramble.

Capturing Beca's lips, Chloe cut off her girlfriend because she didn't need to hear anymore. When the time comes and if they have a girl that is the name they will use. There will be no need for any further discussion.

"There's just one tiny catch," Beca laughed, a little breathless.

"What's that?" Chloe's pretty sure she'll agree to just about anything right now.

"I want to enjoy you and us a long time before we even think about having kids." Taking Chloe's hands, Beca lightly kissed them then interlocked their fingers. "I want to travel the world with you and I want us to build a beautiful life together first, and of course there's the whole marriage thing."

"Bec, I'm in no rush either," Chloe reassured with another kiss. "I want all those things too and I'm not even remotely ready for kids right now and probably won't be for a while. There's still a lot of myself I need to work on and that will take time. Because when the time comes I want to be the best wife and mom I can be."

"Me too."

"Plus," Chloe winked, making Beca laugh, "I kinda what to experience all the things life has to offer with you and only you. I mean there's so much sex we have to have first."

Beca just laughed as arms wrapped around her neck and they shared a brief kiss as the rhythmic drumming on the timpani just increased. Yeah there was a little more laughing than actual kissing happening but that was part of the fun.

"I hate to cut this short," Beca tried to talk between loud kisses to her cheek, "but…"

Thankfully Chloe didn't get a chance to respond because Emily emerged from the control room next to them, making them jump apart. Emily just gestured to the bag she was carrying that held all the stuff for Beca to sign. Beca had half expected Emily to need to go out and buy everything, but leave it to Emily, the ever overly prepared personal assistant, to travel with a bag of CD's, records and other odds and ends 'just in case.'

A cymbal crashed and Beca cringed as she was signaling to Emily they'd be over to sign everything in a minute. She was probably going to be buying a new cymbal today, but she didn't care that kid was having a blast.

"And on that note," Beca lightly chucked, "Ava's living her best life right now and I'd love to join in."

Pecking her love's lips, Chloe smiled, "Go be your awesome self and have fun. I'll grab my camera so I can take some pics of you two."

"Ok! Love you…"

"Love ya too babe!" Chloe called out as Beca dashed off towards the back of the studio.

"Ok Ava!" Beca excitedly said and the pounding on the drums instantly stopped and Chloe stifled a laugh as Ava practically pushed over an entire drum set to get closer to her girlfriend. Beca on the other hand easily anticipated the disaster and scooped Ava up at the last second. "Are you ready to see some really cool stuff!?"

"Yes please," Ava nodded as she grinned at Beca. "Then we can play the everything is yellow song?"

"Oh, you know it!" Beca replied with just as much enthusiasm, "And I want you to teach me the Alphabet Song too."

Chloe swears she's never seen anything sweeter than how that little girl looks at Beca like she was the whole world while being carried around and shown all the different instruments and recording equipment. But then Chloe thinks back to one of the first paparazzi pictures of them back on the beach in Malibu, the one where she was in Beca's arms and how she looked every bit as enamored with Beca Mitchell as Ava does right now. Except she doesn't see DJ Titanium, she's never seen DJ Titanium, instead all she sees is Beca Mitchell. Even though that was one the pictures that brought everything crashing down around them, it's still one of her favorites because they both just looked so happy.

Back when Chloe first got to San Francisco and The Divisadero St. Deli, she was just looking to forget everything that had ever happened to her. So she definitely wasn't looking for friendships or even love. But all that swiftly changed the very minute she laid eyes on Beca Mitchell. And now as she is stands here watching Beca Mitchell, the love of her life, and the person she fought so hard for and who fought so hard for her, act so comfortable and laugh and shoot her beautiful smiles filled with so much love and acceptance, well Chloe can finally admit that for the first time ever she is completely and utterly happy.

San Francisco was never the end for Chloe, it was simply her beginning.

Fin...

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Thanks for reading!

Liked it, loved it or hated it? I want to know your thoughts, so drop me a review or shoot me a PM and let me know what you think. Thank you guys so much for all the love this fic has gotten and I can't wait to hear what you thought now that's it's over. Reviews and PM's have really kept me motivated like you wouldn't believe to keep this fic rolling!

I know I said there would be an M section, but I just couldn't make it fit without drawing this chapter out even longer. If you guys want I can make an excerpt or a short oneshot of a purely smut filled chapter between these too, I have the beginnings of one that I had done for this chapter that I decided to cut, so that's an option.

Just and FYI there will be an epilogue at some point! I just don't want to give a timeline of 2 weeks then not happen. But it will eventually happen. Until then I'm going to mark this fic as complete!

In the meantime I'm going to finish my fic Flannel Sheets and Mistletoe and I'm going back to A Series of Hilarious and Cute Events. I already have a new chapter outline in the works so I'm excited to get back to work on that because it really is just so much fun!...Also, I have another fic, loosely titled 'How We Got Here', almost completely written, well I have a few things to add to and expand on so it's getting there. It was a fic I worked on when I had writers block while writing this. So be on the lookout for that, (it'll be more fluff than angst)

Until next time...