Electricity
Chloe woke up to an empty bed. She looked around but didn't see Chicago around. She got up and looked inside her son's bedroom. She smiled at the sight of his son still sleeping while holding his favourite toy. She made her way to the kitchen where she found Chicago talking to someone on the phone.
"Yes. Yes Sir. I'll be there as soon as I can" Chloe knew who he was talking to. "Yes, thank you. Goodbye". Chicago turned around and saw Chloe there.
"When?" She asked knowing he had to leave again.
"Sorry Chloe. I thought this time they were going to let me stay here for good." He reached to her and hold her hand.
"When are you leaving?" She asked again.
"Chloe..." He sighed. "I have to be at the airport as soon as I can...today." She nodded. She knew how this worked. She was used to it by now but her son...it's been 2 amazing weeks for both of them. Chicago's been trying really hard with Jake. They've even got to the park together a few times.
"How long?"
"6 months" He looked at her while she nodded. "I swear Chloe that I will tell them to let me stay here after this. I will tell them that I don't want to leave again." She frowned.
"Don't do that" She took her hand away from his. "Don't say things like that when we both know that's not true" She knew Chicago loved his job. She could even dare to say that he loved his job more than anything.
"But it is. My place is here with you and with Jake" He smiled softly at her and she sighed.
"Look...just...go and talk to Jake. You need to say goodbye to him" He undestood and made his way upstairs.
Now Chloe knew what was going to happen. She would spend the next week with her son crying every single day and then he would forget about it. This wasn't fair to him. She decided to start making breakfast while they talked. She would make his son's favourite pancakes. As she was making the mix her phone rang. She checked her phone and saw that it was Beca calling. Oh that woman...Chloe hasn't been able to stop thinking about her. They've been texting quite a lot. She seems to understand Chloe in so many ways.
"Hello?" She answered.
"Hey yourself" She swore she could feel the other woman's smile through the phone. "I was wondering if you and little monster had something to do today?" She could hear them talking upstairs and she sighed.
"Well, actually Chicago has to leave today again..." She sighed.
"Oh man, that sucks...are you ok?" "Am I?" She thought to herself. Yes, she was sad and mad about it. But it wasn't because of him leaving her. It was because of him leaving their son. The more she thought about it, the more she was sure. She didn't love him like she should anymore.
"Yes, I mean, it sucks but I'm fine"
"And how's Jake doing?" Chloe found herself melting at Beca's caring of her son.
"Well, Chicago is telling him now..." She hadn't heard any screaming or crying...so that was something.
"Then I better let you go, we can meet another day" She sounded a bit dissapointed but understanding as well.
"Actually..." She thought that maybe it would be good for Jake to have a distraction today. "what did you have in mind?"
"I have Brooke with me for a week cause Aubrey and Jesse had a family emergency back at home...so I thought you could guys come over and have dinner with us and maybe watch a movie or something? I mean if you're up for it?" Chloe didn't have to think about it.
"I think that's actually what we are going to need" Having some time with Brooke it was going to be good for Jake. He hasn't stop talking about her. "Want me to bring something?"
"Well then. Movie night it's on Brooke" She heard Brooke's excitement. "You don't need to bring anything. We have it cover"
"Alright then. I guess we 'll see you later" She looked at the stairs and saw Chicago coming with Jake in his arms. "Have to go Becs. Text me your address and the time"
"Bye red"
She hung up and saw her little boy with a pout on his face. 'Is he okay?' She mouthed to Chicago who nodded smiling.
"Hey sweetie, would you like some breakfast?" Jake nodded and Chicago put him in his chair. "Good because I made your favourite"
"Daddy's leaving" She looked at him and saw the tears in his eyes. She hugged him tightly.
"I know baby, it's ok. He is just leaving for a bit and then he will be back with you ok?" Chicago sent her a confused look.
"I will be back to both of you" He said with a bit of worry in his tone. Chloe didn't say anything else.
"Alright, let's see...we have pasta for dinner and popcorn for the movie" Beca said to Brooke who was happy she was going to see her friend again.
"Good. What movie are we watching?" She was sitting in the floor playing with some lego and Beca sat down next to her.
"Hey kiddo, today Jake might be a little sad so we can let him pick the movie ok?" Brooke looked up to her aunt.
"Why is he sad?" Beca sighed.
"His daddy has to go away for a while. So...he is sad because he doesn't want his daddy to go" Brooke nodded.
"Like mommy and daddy?" Beca smiled and nodded.
"Yes, but mommy and daddy are coming next week. Jake's dad is going to be away for a while longer" She looked at her niece. She knew she didn't have to say anything to her, but at the same time it was better if she knew.
"Oh, ok. He can pick the movie" She smiled and continued playing.
She took her phone and texted Chloe.
To Redhead: Everything alright? How's Jake? Here you have my address. If you changed your mind it's ok.
She knew she liked her. But at the same time she knew nothing was going to happen. Chloe was married so Beca pushed away those kind of thoughts. They were friends, really good friends and she was happy with that. She was getting everything ready and she only had one more thing to do.
"Stace! Are you there?" She knocked in her friend's room. She heard a 'yes' coming from inside. "Can I come in?" Another 'yes'. She opened the door and there was Stacie in her underwear, getting change. Beca covered her eyes. "Fuck' sake Stacie"
"What?" She could hear the woman's smirk.
"You could have tell me to wait. I do not need or want to see you like that" She was still covering her eyes and Stacie laughed.
"Oh Beca you're no fun. You can take your hands away now"
"I swear Stacie...if you're not dressed.." Beca took a pick and her friend was fully dressed.
"So what did you need me for?" Stacie started to get her purse ready for work.
"So Chlo...Claudia" Beca smirked "she is coming today for dinner and I wanted to know if you're going to be here as well"
"Are you having a date midget?" Stacie said taking her hand to her chest in surprise.
"Not a date." She wished it was. "She is bringing Jake to play with Brooke and I already told you, she is married"
"Hasn't stop me before" Beca rolled her eyes at her friend.
"Anyway...are you going to be here?" Stacie nodded. "Ok, good"
"So...if you're not into her...can I make a move?" She wiggled her eyebrows and Beca facepalmed herself.
"No Stace...leave her alone" She went back to Brooke and played with the girl until it was lunch time.
Jake's been quiet the whole time. They left Chicago at the airport and he didn't say a word. Not to his dad and not to anyone. Chloe tried to make him smile but she was failing. They were in the house having lunch and she thought that maybe they could go earlier to Beca's.
*Back at the airport.
"You have to be a good boy and take care of mom and the house ok?" Chicago said kneeling in front of his son. He was wearing his army clothes. They heard his flight call.
"Come on Jake, say goodbye to daddy" Jake hugged his dad but didn't say a word.
"I'll be here before you know it" Jake let go of him and took his mother's hand. "Take care of each other ok?"
Chloe nodded and smiled at him. He got closer to her and when he was going to kiss her lips she moved so the kiss landed on her cheek. He stood there looking at her but was too afraid to ask her about it. So he took a last look at them and crossed the security doors. Chloe picked up his son and walked to the car.
*Present
"Hey sweetie you know where are we going today?" Jake wasn't crying but he had his pout permanently on his face. No answer. "We are going to see Brooke" That seemed to catch his interest. "We are having dinner at Beca's and you can play with Brooke"
She took her son's plate and put it in the sink. "Why don't you go get ready and choose a few toys you want to take and show Brooke?" He nodded and she could see the little pout starting to leave his face.
"Can I take more than 1?" She smiled at his son's voice.
"Sure sweetie. You can put them in that bag there" He run off to his room. She knew this was the best they could do today. For her son and for herself as well. She then remembered she didn't text Beca back.
To Gentlewoman: Couldn't answer earlier. We are fine. He is a bit sad but I think he is happy he is going to see Brooke. Do you mind if we go now to yours?
The sooner they go the sooner her son would be alright.
From Gentlewoman: No problem at all. Come whenever ;)
She smiled and got ready herself. Once they got everything, Chloe put her son in the back seat and buckled his seatbelt. "Can we get ice-cream?" Chloe thought it was a great idea.
"Sure! Let's get ice-cream and go to Beca's" He looked better. He was starting to smile again.
She drove them to the ice-cream shop that google told her it was the nearest to Beca's place. She bought chocolate and vanilla just in case. She found a parking spot and made her way to the door with Jake in her arms. She knocked a few times and the door flew open revealing and out of breath Beca. Chloe chuckled at the sight.
"Hey! you're here" Beca smiled and let them in. "Hey bug! high five?" She put her hand up and he smiled. He high five her. "Wow dude! Be careful...you're too strong" She took her own hand like it was hurting from the action. Jake was proudly smiling by that. Chloe was just mesmerized at the woman. 'This woman...I swear..." Chloe thought to herself. "Why don't you go and find Brooke? She is going to be really happy to see you" Jake looked at his mom who nodded and put him on the floor.
"Be careful!" She screamed after him.
"Hey" Beca said this time softly and smiling at the woman.
"Hi Becs" Chloe felt like a teenager talking to her crush.
"Wine?" Beca chuckled and pointed to the kitchen.
"Oh god yes!" Chloe laughed and followed Beca to the kitchen. "You have a beautiful house Beca" You could see from the outside that it was a big house.
"Thanks, but it's actually Stacie's." She took a bottle of wine and poured two glasses. She left a third one outside. "She will be joining us later" She said gesturing to the third glass.
"So are you guys..." Chloe took her glass and drank. She saw Beca's reaction at her question and she almost spilled the wine. Beca had a disgusted face and shook her head super fast.
"Oh no, no and in a million times no" Chloe laughed. "I mean, she is great, she is pretty and super smart but she is like a sister, I could never see her like that" Beca explained as best as she could.
"Got it." Chloe laughed. "How did you meet?" They've moved to the living room where the kids were playing. Chloe waved hello to Brooke who beamed back at her.
"Well, we've known each other since high school. It's always been her and me." She smiled. " She was my first real friend. I was a bit difficult in high school and I really had no friends until one day she came to me" She laughed at the memory. "She was nuts. She still is. She asked me to help her get a phone number from a guy that was in my class" Chloe listened to the woman smiling. "So yeah, that was it. We then met Aubrey at Uni and it's been the three of us since" Beca smiled at Chloe.
"So Aubrey is married to your brother?" Beca nodded. "That's cute and...maybe a bit weird for you?" Chloe laughed.
"You have no idea. They tried to hide it from me. Total failure." They laughed together. Chloe looked at her son and see how he has forgotten about everything for now and it's playing happily with Brooke. "They were meant to be" Beca stated.
"You believe in that?" Chloe looked at the floor and Beca watched her. She hasn't talked to Beca about Chicago because it felt weird. But maybe she needed to.
"I do actually" Beca smiled and looked a bit embarrased. "Don't tell Stacie thought" Chloe looked up at Beca and laughed. "I mean, I believe in the idea that when two people are meant to be together, they will find a way. Sometimes it takes a while, and another times like Aubrey and Jesse is something that clicks, like a key into a door." Chloe saw how Beca blushed and looked away. "Don't you believe in soulmates or whatever?"
"I thought I did" Chloe smiled sadly at her son. "I think it's always the same you know? At the beginning everything it's perfect but then it just changes."
"Chicago?" Beca asked and Chloe nodded.
"I love him, I do. It's just...I don't think it's love love you know? Am I making any sence?" Chloe laughed a bit and Beca smiled reassuringly and nodded.
"I think I get it" She took Chloe's hand and held it. They both felt like electricity running through their hands at the touch.
They didn't say anything else about it and started to talk about random stuff. They talked about each other's jobs. Chloe learnt that Beca was a teacher like her. Difference was, she teached little kids how to write and Beca had her own Music Academy. When dinner time arrived they moved to the kitchen and Beca heated the food in the oven. As Chloe called the kids to sit down Stacie opened the door.
"Midget! I'm home" Stacie called from the door and Chloe raised her eyebrow to Beca who was rolling her eyes.
"Midget?" Chloe tried not to laugh.
"Shut it red..." Beca warned her. "We're in the kitchen" As she said it, Stacie came into the kitchen.
"Hi, you must be Claudia. I'm Stacie" Stacie smile flirtatiously to Chloe. Beca tried to keep her face as straight as she could. She saw Chloe's confusion face.
"Mmm actually...it's Chloe..." Beca looked how her friend blushed for embarrassment and laughed loudly.
"Oh shit, sorry...She told me...BECA!" Beca couldn't stop laughing at her friend and soon enough Chloe joined her.
"Why are you laughing?" Brooke looked confused to her aunt. Stacie just rolled her eyes at Beca.
"It's nothing chipmunks. Let's eat shall we?" They nodded. The five of them eat listening at the stories of Stacie's work. She worked for a pharmacy company.
The kids finished and wanted to watch the movie as promised. They run to the couch and didn't leave much space for the three women, they each sat in a corner. Stacie didn't think twice and lay down on the carpet. Leaving Beca and Chloe with the tiny space. Chloe gave each kid a bowl with ice-cream.
"What movie are we watching?" Chloe asked and took the sit next to her son.
"Jake can pick the movie" Brooke said looking at Beca who winked at her.
"Really?" He was happy to choose. "Can we watch Trolls?" he said hopefully.
"YES, I love that one" Brooke said. Beca laughed at them and put the movie. She sat next to Chloe, and there was no space between them. Again, they both felt it. The electricity running up and down where they were touching.
"Sorry about this" Beca pointed to their sitting potition.
"That's ok." Chloe smiled softly at Beca and wished she wasn't blushing.
The movie started and the kids were dancing and singing in their place. Ice-cream long forgotten on the floor. "Aunty Becs...will you sing it with me?" Beca rolled her eyes at her niece smiling.
Brooke started to pout when the scene started and Beca sang.
"I really hope I can do it...'Cause they're all depending on me.
I know that I must leave the only home I've ever known...
And brave the dangers of the forest...saving them before they're eaten,
I mean, how hard can that be?"
Brooke's face turned into a grin. Chloe was taken aback by Beca's voice. She knew she was completely staring at the woman, but she couldn't help it. Stacie caught her staring but didn't say anything. Brooke, Jake and Beca sang the song together and the kids were laughing nonstop at the end.
"You can sing..." Beca blushed.
"Yeah...a bit" She scrunched her nose up and Chloe laughed. They kept watching the movie, laughing here and there when Beca started to sing again.
"You with the sad eyes...Don't be discouraged,
oh I realizeIt's hard to take courage...in a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all...the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small...
Show me a smile then... don't be unhappy
Can't remember when I last saw you laughing
This world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear Just call me up
'Cause I will always be there"
Chloe was stunned but so was Jake. "Now you mommy" He whispered to his mother who nodded and sang along with Beca.
"And I see your true colors shining through..
I see your true colors...and that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show your true colors
True colors are beautiful
I see your true colors shining through
I see your true colors...and that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show...
Your true colors...true colors are beautiful (they're beautiful)
Like a rainbow Oh oh oh oh oh…"
Chloe and Beca smiled at each other the whole time. Brooke and Jake were looking at them grinning. "You can sing too" Beca whispered and Chloe laughed nodding. They finished the movie and Chloe got up. It was time to go home and get Jake to bed.
"Come on sweetie, let's go home" Jake nodded and got up from the couch. Brooke run towards him and hug him tightly. The three women looked at them with smiles on their faces. "Thank you for today, he really needed that. I think we both did" Chloe smiled.
"Sure, you can come over anytime. Brooke is going to be here until next Sunday, so feel free to come" Beca said looking at Stacie who nodded in agreement.
"Thank you guys" Chloe hugged Beca as well and pick up her son. "See you next time"
"Bye Brooke! Bye Beca! Bye Stacie" Jake waved at them. They all waved back. "That was fun"
Chloe arrived at her house with her son sleeping in the back of the car. She picked him up carefully and took him inside and into his bedroom. She changed him into his PJs and kiss him goodnight. She went downstairs and started replying everything in her head. 'What was that?' She knew she had things to figure out. She then sent Beca a text.
To Gentlewoman: Thank you for today. It meant a lot
From Gentlewoman:Thank you for coming. We had a great time. Hope we can do it again soon. ;)
Chloe smiled at her phone and was about to leave it on the table when it went off again.
From Gentlewoman: PS, You're voice is incredible.
Chloe laughed blushing. She knew she had a good voice. She was in an acapella group when she was at University.
To Gentlewoman: The pot calling the kettle black ;)
From Gentlewoman: Shush. We do sound good together...
To Gentlewoman: I guess you could say that..:) Going to bed. Gnight Becs!
From Gentlewoman:Gnight Red :)
Stacie looked at her friend texting back and forth with she assumed was Chloe. Beca was smiling and blushing. Stacie saw the moment those two shared together and couldn't help but talk to Beca about it.
"So Beca...That moment before...? You and Chloe singing?" Beca nodded to Stacie.
"What about it?" She was stroking Brooke's hair who was sleeping with her head on top of Beca's legs.
"Nothing...just wondering how you felt about that..." Stacie didn't want to push it too far.
"Oh...It was amazing. She has a great voice Stace...and..."
"And?..." Stacie was looking forward for the right answer from her friend.
"And I think I'm gonna tell her to come to the Academy to help me out with one of my classes" Stacie sighed but smiled nodding to her friend. "Ok, I'm gonna put this one and myself to bed" She picked the girl up and took her to her room. She let her down in the bed and went to get ready to sleep. She knew what Stacie was trying to do, but she promised herself she wouldn't let her mind go there. Chloe and her? Friends. That's it. The back of her mind was telling her otherwise...the electricity between both of them was telling her otherwise...but she couldn't let those thoughts in or she would get hurt. Chloe was married. Even though, after today she knows that their marriage it's not going well. She wouldn't do anything about her feelings. Her father cheated on her mother and she swore she wouldn't ever do something like that. Beca lay down next to her niece and saw her awake looking at her.
"What are you doing awake chipmunk?" She smiled at her.
"Are you sad?" Brooke asked worried.
"What? No, of course not. How could I be sad if I have my beautiful niece here with me?" Brooke smiled and hugged her.
"I like Chloe and Jake" She said looking at her aunty with sleepy eyes.
"Me too kiddo, me too" She kissed Brooke's head and closed her eyes.