Avoiding Calamity

Two months after their return from France, it was moving day, and the Bellas converged on the apartment to help with the process. Most of their stuff was already boxed, but there was furniture to dismantle and get down to the rented moving van. When the first load was ready, Amy, Flo, and Stacie stayed at the apartment to keep working while everyone else carpooled over to the house to unload.

As the group of friends filed in with boxes and pieces of furniture, Beca stood in the middle of the living room to direct traffic. Thank god Chloe had been specific in labelling the boxes, or it would have been a madhouse. Chloe stayed at the house to organize better while Beca led the caravan back for the rest of the stuff.

By dinner, it was all moved and the beds assembled. Beca ordered several pizzas and Amy ran out for beer as the Bellas wandered, scoping out the house Amy had found for them. It met all their requirements and then some. The padded cases holding Beca’s equipment had been carefully deposited in the room next to the one she shared with Chloe. The beds were put together but bare, and there wasn’t much to see yet except boxes. Everyone started drifting out after they had eaten.

“Don’t forget to plan a housewarming party,” Aubrey said, the last to leave. “And if you need help unpacking, give me a call.”

“We’ll let you know,” Chloe promised. She walked her best friend to her car. “How are things with Emily?” The youngest of their friends hadn’t moved yet, though she should be there sometime during August.

“Long distance is hard, but she’ll be here soon. We talk a few times a day, usually, but it’s not the same. I want to cuddle on the couch, go for walks, cook meals together.”

Chloe hugged the blonde. “Soon, right? It’ll all be worth it. Where did she find an apartment?”

Aubrey blushed. “With me. I offered to find her a place; she said it would be a waste, since we’ll end up living together eventually anyway.”

The ginger was surprised. Emily had just finished Barden; that she already wanted to live with Aubrey showed how serious they were. “Wow, congrats, Bree. That’s a big deal.”

Aubrey nodded. “I know, and I can’t wait. I’m so excited and so ready. I love her, Chlo.”

“Does she know that?” Chloe asked with a smile.

“Well… I haven’t said it in so many words yet. I don’t want to pressure her to say it if she isn’t ready. I can wait.”

Chloe patted her shoulder. “You’ll know when the time comes. Trust your gut.” They hugged once more before Aubrey took off.

Back inside, Beca collected and rinsed beer bottles while Amy gathered up the garbage from dinner. She hadn’t even thought about a housewarming. She supposed it was a good excuse to have everyone over. She passed Chloe at the door as she took the bottles out to the recycling can. By the time the clean up was done, they were all exhausted. But Chloe dragged Beca into their room to help make up the bed so they could sleep.

***

Between them, they got most of their boxes unpacked the first week. Deciding they would be finished in another week, they put Beca in charge of the housewarming party.

“Can either of you grill?” the brunette asked as she walked into the kitchen Saturday afternoon. Chloe and Amy just stared at her. “I’ll take that as a no. I’ll text the group.” She sat down at the table and Chloe opened a beer and put it in front of her.

“You want to go get a grill before we worry about using it?” Chloe asked.

Beca sent her query to the Bellas group text and set the phone down. “Not yet. Let’s see if anyone else can use it before we buy it. We are gonna need a table or two and chairs for the backyard, though. It’s August, we should enjoy the weather.” Her phone went off and she picked it up. “Excellent. Aubrey says she can grill. So, yeah. A grill and backyard furniture before next weekend.”

Chloe grinned. “Emily will have just gotten here a day or so before that. We’ll all be together again. This will be amazing.”

“You aca-bitches get the grill, I’ll get the table and chairs,” Amy offered, which the couple agreed to easily. Amy’s pick-up was more suited to the furniture than Chloe and Beca’s sedan, anyway.

Chloe moved behind Beca and rested her hands on her shoulders as she finished her beer. “Interested in a walk?” she asked. “There’s a pond in a park a few blocks away.”

Beca smiled at how her partner remembered the smallest things. “Sounds good. Let’s go take a look.” Together, they headed out into the August heat.

“Thank god we have central air,” the brunette commented as they walked. “Window units would not cut it in that house.”

Chloe nodded, her hand snugly in Beca’s. The house had been a lucky find and Amy had pounced on it when she found it. The owner had been happy to sell quickly and now it was theirs. With the lion’s share of the unpacking done, it was starting to feel like home. “We’ll put Aubrey and Emily in the guest room and clear the living room for everyone else.” They continued planning as they walked, occasionally texting Amy for plan approval.

When they got too hot and headed back, they found Amy had ordered in while they were gone, and plans continued over dinner.

***

The following Saturday afternoon, the Bellas descended on the house again, this time with gifts, food, and alcohol to contribute. Chloe oversaw the table of food, Amy played bartender, and Beca kept the music coming. When everyone was there, Chloe brought the burgers out for Aubrey to grill.

The Bellas milled around the yard, drinks in hand, as Aubrey cooked, Emily standing nearby. Chloe stopped by a few times to check on their progress and refill their drinks. In short order, a platter of burgers went to the food table, and Beca got everyone to make a plate and find a seat at the large table Amy had picked out. The others sat, leaving two seats open for Beca and Chloe, Ashley and Jessica on Beca’s left and Aubrey and Emily on Chloe’s right.

Talking slowed as they ate, but didn’t stop entirely. This group of ladies always had things to talk about, especially since they didn’t hang out as a group very often these days. They all relaxed around the table after dinner, various people singing with the music at different times.

Chloe’s phone rang, and she took it inside to answer it. “Hello?”

“Hi, it’s Calamity.”

The ginger blinked. “How did you get this number?”

She could almost hear the singer shrug. “I asked around. Look, we’re coming back to New York next week and staying a couple months. Let me know if you want to see a show.”

Chloe glanced out the window and saw Beca deep in conversation with the other couples. “I don’t know what your motives are, but you need to know and understand that I’m with Beca. I’m not looking for anyone else.”

Calamity chuckled. “I know. But life happens and things change. Just remember you have options. Talk soon.” There was a click as she hung up.

Chloe stood looking at the phone. She knew she should tell Beca about the call, but didn’t want to put a damper on the party. Sighing, she shoved her phone in her pocket and returned to the back yard, where Amy shoved a margarita in her hand. Beca was turning the volume back up on the music and some of their friends were dancing barefoot in the grass.

Aubrey walked over with her own margarita. “Important call?”

Chloe hesitated. “Not really and kinda at the same time. It’s complicated.” She looked at her best friend. “I’ll talk to Beca after the party.”

Aubrey looked worried; she hadn’t seen Chloe nervous like this in a long time. “Well, if you need to talk, I’m here.”

The redhead sighed and sipped her drink, her eyes still on Beca as she danced with the Bellas. She would not be happy to hear who had called and what had been said. Part of her wondered if it was a good idea to bring it up at all.

Aubrey could sense her internal struggled and put a hand on her wrist. “Whatever it is, you’ll get through it. You two can do anything together.”

Chloe nodded and swiped at the threatening tears. “It’ll be fine. She won’t like it, but we’ll get through.”

Aubrey could hear the fear in her voice. “C’mon. Let’s go in and talk. If she sees you like this, you won’t get to wait till after the party.” She opened the sliding glass door and took Chloe to the guest room. “Now, what’s going on?”

So, Chloe outlined all her interactions with Calamity and how Beca had responded to their run-in in France. “I don’t know how she got my number, but Becs will see it, and what she said, as more proof she’s out to steal me away. I don’t know how long my promises will convince her.” She put her face in her hands. “The worst part is that, if I wasn’t with Beca, I’d probably be interested.”

Aubrey pulled her into a hug. “But you are with Beca, after seven years of dreaming about it. Don’t let that bitch ruin what you have with Beca.”

The ginger sighed heavily. “We should get back before anyone comes looking.”

Aubrey nodded, and they returned to the yard, where Beca and Emily made a beeline for them. “Everything okay?” Beca asked, taking Chloe’s hand.

“Yeah, we’re good. Just a conversation.” Chloe laced her fingers with Beca’s. “Let’s dance, babe.” Beca grinned and led her towards the group, Aubrey and Emily following.

As the sun started to set, Beca switched to a slower playlist, and she drew Chloe close. As they swayed to the music, Beca asked, “Good party?”

Chloe smiled. “Yeah, good party. We’ll have to do this more often, now that we’re all in one place again.” She, Beca, and Amy had been the first to leave Georgia for New York. Aubrey had then quit the retreat to move. Over the last three years, all of the Bellas had ended up in the city. Now that Emily had arrived, they were whole again, even without shows and competitions.

Beca could hear - feel - that something was going on, but now wasn’t the time with a yard full of people. She held Chloe tighter. “I love you,” she murmured in her ear.

“I love you, too, Becs. Don’t ever doubt that.” She was dreading telling her partner about the unexpected call.

As it got darker, people started heading home, stopping by the couple to congratulate them again. Aubrey and Emily were the last ones out.

As she hugged Chloe, Aubrey whispered, “You have something special here, with Beca. Don’t let it go.” Chloe nodded, and the other couple headed out.

She, Beca, and Amy set about cleaning up, though it didn’t take long. Inside, Amy claimed exhaustion and headed to bed. Beca settled on the couch against the arm, coaxing Chloe to sit in front of her. She wrapped her arms around her, and Chloe snuggled closer. “Are you tired? You got awfully quiet towards the end.”

Chloe sighed. She couldn’t put it off any longer. She detailed her conversation with Calamity. “I don’t know how she got my number, but I didn’t give it to her.” She felt herself getting defensive, but couldn’t help it. “I swear, Becs, I’m not encouraging her. You’re the only one I want to be with.” Her last statement pleaded for belief and understanding.

Beca rested her forehead on Chloe’s shoulder. She didn’t know how to compete with that level of determination. “Thank you for telling me and not hiding it,” she said quietly. “Do me one favor, Chlo?”

“Anything,” came the earnest reply.

“If you change your mind, please tell me first. Before anything happens and things get messy. I want you to be happy, even if that’s not with me.” There were unshed tears in her voice and Chloe’s heart ached at her words.

She moved to turn and face her partner. “Becs…”

Beca shook her head. “I don’t want to lose you. But I won’t keep you from being happy, either.”

“Beca, I am happy. I don’t want her, or anyone else. I don’t want the concert tickets, or her flirting, or her uninvited phone calls. I want you.” Desperate to prove the truth of her words, she framed Beca’s face with her hands and drew her into a long, slow kiss meant to convey what words couldn’t.

Beca sensed her desperation and raised a hand to her jaw as she kissed back. “I will always be yours, Chloe. No matter what happens. I will forever be in love with you.” She whispered her vow against Chloe’s soft lips, feeling a part of her readying for things to crash and burn.

Her partner’s sincerity brought tears to Chloe’s eyes and she closed them so Beca wouldn’t see as their foreheads rested together. She sensed something changing, but didn’t know what it was. “Please tell me you aren’t giving up. Tell me you believe me. Becs, I can’t…” Her tears roughened her voice. “I can’t lose you. It would destroy me.”

Beca wrapped her arms tightly around her. “I’m not going anywhere, love. If you want me gone, you’ll have to say so and convince me.”

“But do you believe that I only want you?”

“I believe that’s true right now. But I don’t know how to compete if she keeps pursuing you.” She felt the first of Chloe’s tears splash against her neck. She stroked Chloe’s hair and rocked her in her arms. “I’m sorry, Chlo. I wish I were…”

Chloe shook her head vehemently. “No. I love you as you. You don’t have to change. And I’m gonna prove myself to you, every day if I have to. If you ever - ever - question or doubt my love, devotion, and adoration, tell me, and I’ll remind you.”

Beca felt awful that she was so insecure her partner had to make such promises. “Come on. We’re both exhausted.” She stood and extended a hand to Chloe. “Let’s get some sleep.”