And then it was you

It's a hot day in New York and Chloe doesn't want to stay at home. She knows that Chicago likes to stay at home when he can. She doesn't blame him. He works in the army and most of the time he is out for months. He came back a month ago and they haven't left the house since. She knows that he is a good man and he loves her deeply. As for her, she does love him, but she knows that she is not in love anymore. They were the perfect couple since they started dating. It was easy to love him, what wasn't easy were the long months without him. They've been together for 5 years now and it seems like she has only seen him for a whole year in total. They got married within 3 months of being together as he was going to be away for a year and a half. His parents weren't really happy about it but at the end they loved Chloe as their own daughter. The most time they've been together was when she was pregnant and baby Jake came to their lives. It was perfect, the three of them together as a family. But now he is 3 and he barely knows his dad.

"Daddy I want to go to the park" little Jake is sitting on top of Chicago with a pouty face.

"Sorry Jaky, daddy is tired. Another day ok?" Chloe is watching the interaction from the door.

"You're mean. I don't like you" Jake gets up from his dad and run to Chloe. "Mommy...can you take me?" She watches her son with tears in his eyes and how Chicago hasn't even blink. He is just sitting there watching TV and not even caring that his son is upset with him.

"Of couse I'll take you" She picks him up. "Why don't you go to your room and get change huh?" He beams at her and hugs her tightly.

"Thank you mommy!!" He screams as she puts him back down and he runs off to his bedroom. "You could have at least try" She speaks to Chicago and he sighs.

"Look Chloe, I know ok? I'm trying." He gets up and takes her hand.

"No you're not!" She takes her hand away frustrated. One thing was when it was only the both of them, but now she wouldn't let anyone hurt her little boy, not even him. "He's been patience with you and for god's sake, he is only 3 and he has accepted every single time you've said no to him. He wants his daddy, can't you see that?" She hears little footsteps getting closer so she speaks softer. "You should start acting like his father or trust me you are going to lose him. Both of us." At this he looks to the floor and it's about to speak when Jake appears next to his mother.

"Ready mommy" She smiles down at him and takes his little hand.

"Hey Jaky, you want me to go with you?" Chloe smiles softly at Chicago and then looks at Jake who has a frown on his little face and he shakes his head no and hides in Chloe's legs.

"Jake sweetie, you wanted daddy to come before" He looks up at her with those big blue eyes he has.

"Just mommy and Jake. No daddy" You could see the heartbreak in Chicago's face. Chloe was about to say something to her son when Chicago got up.

"It's ok Chloe. I think you're right Jaky, you should go with mommy. I'll stay and make dinner for you guys. Sounds good?" Chloe smiled at that but her son wasn't having it. He didn't change his face one bit. Chloe nodded at Chicago and left with her son to the park giving Chicago a kiss on his cheek before they left.

They were in the car singing together as they usually do. Chloe could see her son relaxing and that cheeky smile back on his face. She didn't know what to do. Her son wanted Chicago's attention so badly and it was clear that Chicago didn't know how to interact with his own son. They arrived at the park and by the time they got to the swings Jake was giggling nonstop. Chloe knows how much going outside means to her son. He loves the sun and the trees, even though Chloe would freak out badly when Jake would try to climb those said trees.

"Hi! I'm Brooke" Chloe watched as a little blonde took her son's hand and shaked it. She laughed at her son's puzzled face. The girl who was about the same age as Jake was grinning. "let's play together". Jake looked at her mother who nodded in agreement smiling.

"Brooke! You little chipmunk! Don't run away from me like that" The brunette woman was out of breath. She looked at Chloe and froze. "Oh! Hi! Sorry if she was bothering you guys" The woman smiled and Chloe couldn't help her own smile.

"That's fine, she is not bothering" Chloe smiled politely and watched the kids running around laughing. "Your daughter is really cute" The woman laughed and sat next to Chloe in the bench.

"She is not my daughter. I'm Brooke's aunty" Chloe nodded and smiled. "I'm Beca by the way. I mean, if our kids are gonna play together the least I can do is to introduce myself" Beca gave Chloe her hand to shake, but Chloe was taken aback by how beautiful the woman's smile was. She composed herself and smiled back.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Nice to meet you Beca, I'm Chloe and that little man there is my son Jake" Chloe took Beca's hand and shaked it. "I'm guessing she learnt this from you then?" Chloe looked at their hands that were still shaking and laughed. Beca smirked and Chloe swore she felt something in her stomach.

"Sure thing she did. I swear her mother is going to kill me one day" Beca looked at the kids and laughed. "I think they're having fun"

And they were. Chloe was happy to see Jake like that again. Since Chicago was back they've only played inside the house. Jake loved to play with other kids. She remembers how hard it was for her to drop him off at daycare the first time. For her of course, he was happy to be there with so many children. She was pulled out of her thoughts when Beca's phone started to ring.

"Hey Bree!...She is fine....She is inside the lake with her clothes on" Chloe wasn't paying attention at the phone call but she laughed hearing Beca's comment. She looked at her and she was smirking. "Come on, it was fun Bree....Stop worrying...go have fun with Jesse. You can pick her up tonight....yes I know....yes I know" Beca rolled her eyes at whatever the person on the phone was telling her. "Bye Bree!" She hung up the phone and sighed. "My goodness that woman. Sorry about that."

"No need to be sorry. Brooke's mom I guess?" Beca nodded. "We moms can be a little overprotective sometimes." She nodded laughing as the kids ran towards them.

"Mommy! Can we have dinner with Brooke?"---"Beca! Can we have dinner with Jake?" They were doing the best puppy eyes they could. Jake's blue eyes were filled with excitement and Chloe wanted to say yes so he would stay this happy. But Chicago was making dinner for them.

"Jake...daddy is making dinner for us tonight remember?" She smiled apologetically to Beca.

"And we are having dinner with Stace tonight chipmunk" Beca said. Both kids lost their happy faces at the same time. "But..." They both looked hopefully to Beca. "if your mom gives me her number maybe we can meet up again? How does it sound?" Beca said to Jake who beamed at her. Beca looked to Chloe and smiled. She wasn't sure if she meant to do this because she couldn't stand to see those kids sad or because she wanted to spend more time with the redhead. But she was sure that she wasn't going to forget her beautiful face.

"YES!" Jake screamed at his mom. "Come on mommy, give it" Chloe laughed at her son's behaviour.

"Sure." Beca gave Chloe her phone so she could write down her number. "There you go. Text me so I can have yours as well" Chloe was thankful for Beca's idea. Her son was happy again.

"Ok chipmunk! I think it's time for us to go and get some pizza and home to Stacie" Brooke nodded and smiled. "Now...what have I told you..." Beca raised her eyebrow to Brooke and smiled.

"It was a pleasure to meet you and to play with you Jake. You too redhead mommy" Chloe and Beca laughed.

"Such a gentlewoman you have there" Beca nodded proudly. "Thank you Brooke and we will see you soon ok? And my name is Chloe so you can call me that"

"Yes! Very soon. Like tomorrow soon!" Jake said smiling from ear to ear.

"We will see Jake. Now let's go home to daddy, shall we?" At that Jake frowned and crossed his little arms. Chloe sighed and bent down "Jake come on...daddy loves you" She spoke softly to him. Meanwhile, Beca was picking Brooke up and looking at the redhead with a softsmile.

"He doesn't" He got closer to Beca and hold onto her leg. Beca looked down at him and shuffled his hair.

"Hey bug" Beca said and Jake looked up to her. "Are you a big man?" He let go of her leg and nodded. "Then I want to ask you something" Chloe was looking at them.

"What?" Jake asked looking at Beca and Brooke.

"Can you take mommy home? I think she is tired and needs to eat something. Can you do that for me?" He looked at her and then to Chloe who was smiling softly at him. Then she bent down carefully as she had Brooke in her arms and whispered to Jake loud enough. "I know you can do it dude. That's why you're wearing a superhero shirt. I know you are one and I will keep your secret. We will, right Brooke?" The little girl smiled and nodded. Jake was thrilled with the idea of Beca thinking he was a superhero. He nodded smiling to her. Beca got up and Jake walked next to his mom.

"Let's go mommy" Chloe didn't know how to thank the girl so she walked to her holding Jake's hand and gave her a one arm hug.

"Thank you Beca" She smiled to her and Beca just winked.

"No problem red. See you soon bug!" Jake waved goodbye smiling.

Beca and Brooke walked to their favourite pizza place and went home. Stacie was talking on the phone when they arrived. Brooke run to her and Stacie kneeled down to hug the little girl. Beca laughed and went to leave the pizza box to the kitchen. She wasn't able to stop thinking about the redhead.

"Hey stranger!" Stacie said as she walked into the kitchen and hugged Beca from behind. "Are you getting shorter?" Beca scoffed as Stacie laughed.

"Fuck off" Stacie laughed louder. "Where did you leave her?" She said looking for Brooke.

"She is watching cartoons. What did you do today?" Stacie was getting the table ready to have dinner.

"We went to the park. The one next to the academy" Stacie nodded. "We had a good time. She met this little boy who I swear Stace, had the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen" Stacie smirked at her friend "and...so did his mom"

"I knew it! You had that look on your face" She sat down and called Brooke. "Dinner time!" Brooke came and sat down at her usual spot. "So tell me...does she have a name?" She wiggled her eyebrows at Beca who just rolled her eyes.

"You're being ridiculous" She said giving Brooke her pizza.

"Alright then....hey little B, what did you do today?"

"We went to the park with Jake and....oh yeah...Claudia" Beca laughed but didn't correct her.

"So Claudia..." Stacie wasn't done. "Is she pretty?" Brooke was happily eating her pizza and nodded.

"Super pretty aunty Stace"

Beca decided to let them talk and she texted Aubrey to let her know they were home having dinner. Stacie talked a bit more with Brooke and tried to get more information but at the end Brooke just kept going on and on about how much fun she had with Jake. They finished their pizza and went to watch a movie on the sofa with popcorn. It was Beca's turn to choose a movie, but she knew what her little chipmunk wanted to watch. So she pressed play and Brooke's eyes lighted up when Frozen 2 started. Stacie looked at Beca and mouthed 'you're a softie' what Beca answered with a shrug. Beca got up and went to get a beer from the fridge and decided to text the redhead now that Stacie was busy. She could hear her singing along with Brooke.

To  Redhead:  Hi! It's Beca here. Hope you guys arrived safe and sound. Today was fun. 

She left her phone in the counter to open her beer and it beeped. She saw a text from Chloe. 'That was fast' she thought.

From Redhead: Hey :)- Such a gentlewoman even by text. I hope we can see each other again soon. Jake hasn't stop talking about you.

Beca went back to the living room and saw Stacie and Brooke engrossed with the movie so she answered.

To Redhead: Of couse I am ;)- Sure. Brooke as well. I think Stacie knows your son as well as her right now. LOL.

There was a knock on the door and Beca looked at both of them...Nothing...they didn't even flinch. She laughed and went to the door to reveal Aubrey and Jesse there. 

"Hey sis" Jesse went in and hug Beca. "How's my little girl?"

"Fine, she is there watching Frozen 2 with Stace" Beca pointed to the couch.

"I was talking about you" Jesse smirked and Beca slapped his arm. Aubrey rolled her eyes at them.

"You are adults now. Start acting like you should. Now...Brooke? Honey come on! We have to go" Brooke looked up and shook her head no. "Come on, it's late."

"But...Elsa...." Beca laughed and watched how Aubrey melted with her daugther's cuteness. 

"Come on chipmunk, we can finish it next time" 

Brooke wasn't happy but didn't say anything else. Jesse and Aubrey were raising her right. She hugged Stacie and then Beca who picked her up. "I had so much fun today chipmunk! Let's do it again soon ok?" Brooke smiled and nodded. Jesse took her from his sister's arms. "She is probably going to fall asleep shortly"

Aubrey kissed her daughter's face and nodded. "Thank you Beca! We owe you one." 

"That's fine. I love to spend time with her. Anytime" She smiled and they all said their goodbyes. Beca closed the door and sat next to Stacie. She saw her phone lighting up.

"So...wanna talk about Claudia?" Beca laughed and took her phone. 

"Goodnight Stace" She got up and went to her room and left a pouty Stace in the living room.

Chloe and Jake arrived and Chicago was waiting for them with tha table already set up. Chloe smiled lovely to her husband who smiled back at her. He went to them and gave Chloe a kiss. Jake pushed him away of her. Since he was able to, he would push people away from Chloe. It was his mommy and only his. Chicago laughed and put her hands up in surrender.

"Jake...we've talked about this. That's not nice"  She scolded him.

"But...mommy..."

"No buts. I will always be yours. But you have to learn to share ok?" He nodded sadly. "What do you say?"

"Sorry daddy.."

"It's ok Jaky. Come here" Jake smiled and ran to his father who picked him up and hugged him tightly. "Would you like some cheeseburguers?" Jake's whole face lighted up and looked at his mother. "I think that's a yes" Chicago chuckled.

Chloe looked at them with pure adoration in her eyes. That's what she's always wanted. Chicago and Jake getting along. They enjoyed their dinner while Jake told everything he did with Brooke at the park. He was so excited that she needed to calm him down from time to time or he would choked with his food. Chicago was listening the whole time. It seems that their talk earlier that day worked. Even if at the end she wasn't in love anymore...she wanted a father for their son. 

"And then Beca told me that she...she...she knows I'm a superhero" It was the cutest sight. She then felt her phone going off.

From unknown:  Hi! It's Beca here. Hope you guys arrived safe and sound. Today was fun. 

She smiled at her phone, saved Beca's number and typed back. "Who's Beca?" Chicago asked Chloe.

To Gentlewoman: Hey :)- Such a gentlewoman even by text. I hope we can see each other again soon. Jake hasn't stop talking about you.

She saw Chicago looking at her waiting for an answer. "Oh, sorry. Beca is Brooke's aunty. The girl who was playing with Jake today" She smiled fondly and Chicago nodded as her phone went off again.

From Gentlewoman: Of couse I am ;)- Sure. Brooke as well. I think Stacie knows your son as well as her right now. LOL.

She laughed again but a little louder this time and got a confused look from Chicago who was looking at her and then at her phone.

"Who are you texting?" He said.

"Is it Beca mommy?" Jake was thrilled to think that it was Beca.

"You gave her your number? Why?" He wasn't mad. Just curious. 

"Oh, em yeah it's Beca sweetie." At this Jake got up from his chair and started to jump up and down. "I gave her my number because Brooke and Jake really enjoyed today. So we thought it would be a good idea to meet again sometime." Chicago nodded but didn't say anything else.

"I like Beca daddy. She is cool. And Brooke! she is so funny" Chicago smiled sadly to his son. He knew he had to win him back. 

"Then I guess I will have to meet her huh?" Jake nodded excitedly!

"That would be awesome!" Chicago smiled back at his energetic son.

Chloe looked at both of them and decided to try something.  "Hey sweetie, would you like daddy to get you ready for bed?" Chicago looked afraid of his son's answer. Jake who looked like he was giving it a thought, looked at his dad and smiled.

"Yes. Daddy can put me to bed today" Chloe smiled proudly to her son.

"Well then, off you go. Come on! It's pass your bed time." They both got up and went to get ready. Chicago looked back at her and mouthed 'thank you'. She nodded smiling and started to clean the table. She heard them upstairs laughing together and she could hear Jake speaking 'but mommy is mine ok?' . Oh that kid. She didn't know what to do with him. And then it clicked in her brain. He didn't push Beca away when she hugged her. 'Why?' she thought.

"Hey mommy! You coming to say night?" She laughed at her son. 

"Coming!!" She screamed back and took her phone to text the woman before going upstairs.

To Gentlewoman: I think we are going to be really fast friends Becs. Nighty night. :)

She gave her son a goodnight kiss and leave to her room with Chicago. They sleep in the same room, in the same bed but nothing has happened for a long time. He kissed her goodnight and goes to his side of the bed turning on his side. She does the same. Just before she closed her eyes she saw the light in her phone telling her she's got a message. She carefully takes the phone and check it. Trying her best not to wake up Chicago.

From Gentlewoman: So...when are you free? ;)

She feels gushy and it's been a while since she felt that. She also feels guilty...she doesn't want to feel that way with him next to her. She decided to leave the phone and get some sleep. Beca's face though? That's what she had in her mind when she fell sleep.