Opened my eyes, and it was only just a dream
Beca was sitting in her class with Brooke. She was planning on leaving Brooke with Stacie at home as Beca worked in the afternoons and Stacie in the mornings. They had a great schedule to stay with Brooke during the week. The thing was...Brooke wanted to be with Beca and had a tantrum when Beca left. Stacie called Beca and told her that she was ok with staying with her, but Beca decided to ask Stacie to bring her to the Academy. Brooke's a good kid so she sat down in Beca's chair and coloured the book Stacie bought for her on the way.
"Aunty Beca, when are your students coming?" She was happy colouring Elsa's hair in pink.
"They should be here in 15 minutes" Beca checked her phone. She was waiting for someone but it wasn't her students.
*That morning
To Redhead: Hey can you let me know when are you free?
From Redhead: I'm actually on my lunch break. Everything ok?
Beca didn't wait and dialed Chloe's number.
"Hello?" Chloe answered right away.
"Hey Red" Beca didn't know why she was so nervous. She wasn't asking her on a date.
"Are you ok? Did something happen?"
"What? No, no, nothing happened. It's just that I was thinking that maybe you would like to...wait a second" Chloe felt nervous "Sorry, Brooke was talking to me"
"No worries, what were you going to say? Chloe didn't know if she wanted Beca to finish that sentence...or maybe she did want it.
"Yes, would you like to come over to my Academy today?" Chloe started breathing again. She didn't even notice she was holding her breath. "It was just after last night and how good we sounded...It would be great if I could show my kids how to mix with someone else's voice"
"Oh...until what time would we be there? I have to pick up Jake from my parent's house at 6pm" Chloe felt a bit disappointed but thankful at the same time that Beca wasn't asking her out.
"It would be until 5pm. Just one hour"
"Ok. Send me the address and I'll meet you there" Beca smiled.
"Thank you Chlo! I owe you one. The Academy is next to the park where we met. The one at the corner, you'll see it" Chloe chuckled at the other woman's excitement and blushed at the new nickname.
"See you later Becs! I have to go with my minions now"
"See ya" Beca hunged
*Present
Beca heard a knock on the door and saw the redhead woman through the window smiling at her. She signaled her to come in which she did. Brooke looked up and saw Chloe there.
"CHLOE!!" The little girl got up and run to her. "Is Jake with you?" Chloe kneeled down and huged her.
"I didn't know you were going to be here with us" Chloe smiled at her. "Jake's not with me today but I will tell him that you say hi" Chloe winked at the little girl and Beca chuckled. "Hello Becs"
"Hey yourself! Thank you for coming" As they talked one girl entered the class in a rush. "Emily? are you ok?"
The girl looked to Beca and smiled "Yes! Sorry I thought I was late" The tall girl looked then to Chloe and to Brooke "Oh...did I interrupt something? I'm so sorry!" Beca laughed at the anxious girl.
"Emily relax! It's fine" The girl nodded. "These are Chloe and Brooke" Beca pointed to both of them.
"You have a beautiful family Miss Mitchel" The two women were surprised by that and blushed. Brooke crooked her eyebrow to Emily.
"We are not...We..She is a friend of mine" Beca composed herself but didn't look at Chloe "And that is my niece"
"Shit. Sorry I did it again" Students started to enter the class and Emily sat down in her usual place.
"Ok..." Beca breathed and started. "Brooke, sit there and don't move ok?" The little girl did what she was told while Chloe stood there next to her. She counted at least 7 people. "Afternoon class. Today we have a guest" She looked at Chloe and smiled. "This is my friend Chloe, she is here to help me out with you guys" They all nodded. "So first I would like you to show Chloe the song we've been practising nonstop since last month for the competition." They stood up and got to their own instruments as Beca used her computer to record it. "Emily, Jessica...Ready?" They nodded happily. She then turned to Chloe and whispered. "Check it out and tell me what would you change" Chloe nodded as the music started. They sounded good. The girl, Emily started to sing.
I don't hate you
No, I couldn't if I wanted to
I just hate all the hurt that you put me through
And that I blame myself for letting you
Did you know I already knew?
Chloe was impressed by the girl's voice. It was a mix of sweetness and power. Then it was the other girl who sang.
Couldn't even see you through the smoke
Lookin' back, I probably should have known
But I just wanted to believe that you were out sleepin' alone
The music was flawless and both girls had great voices. Chloe wasn't sure what Beca wanted her to do. For her, everything sounded perfectly. The chorus came and they sang it together.
Love me with your worst intentions
Didn't even stop to question
Every time you burned me down
Don't know how, for a moment it felt like heaven
Love me with your worst intentions
Painted us a happy ending
Every time you burned me down
Don't know how, for a moment it felt like heaven
That was it. That was what Beca meant. Both girls sounded great when they sang they're own part but when it comes to mixing their voices...That's where they needed help. Beca signaled them to stop and looked at Chloe. "What do you think?"
"It was incredible guys! Really, I'm completely amazed" Beca looked at her waiting for what she knew the other girl was about to say. "But...when you guys sing together it's like two different songs. You need to find your own voice together." Chloe smiled happily. "Then even if you do sing two different songs...it would sound like one" They were all looking at Chloe in awe, mostly Beca.
"And how are we suppose to do that" Jessica asked.
"Why don't we show you? You up for it Chlo?" Chloe nodded. She was always happy to sing. "She actually gave an idea, so we can prove what she just said it's true" Beca walked to the middle of the room with Chloe and they stood there looking at each other. "Ok..Sing anything, whatever you want and I will jump into it" Chloe thought for a moment and couldn't help the song it came to her brain while looking at Beca.
Oh, her eyes, her eyes make the stars look like they're not shinin'
Her hair, her hair falls perfectly without her tryin'
She's so beautiful, and I tell her everyday
Brooke stopped what she was doing and looked at her aunt and Chloe. Beca then without even blinking joined Chloe.
Uh, uh, I was thinkin' bout her, thinkin' bout me, thinkin' bout us, who we gon' be
Opened my eyes, and it was only just a dream
It was only just a dream
They sang together in perfect harmony looking at each other. The whole class went quiet and then started to whistle and clap. The two women blushed and control themselves. "That was awesome" They all laughed at Brooke who was now standing on top of the table.
"Brooke get down there!" The girl apologized and Chloe picked her up from where she was. "So...yeah I guess you saw what we did there. Everything is recorded so we can play it a few times and see what we can do to get to that point. Sounds good?" The whole class agreed with her. "I know the class is not over but if you are in a rush it's fine. With that I think we can work something out" Chloe who had Brooke in her arms nodded smiling shyly.
"I think I should go to pick up Jake then. How long do you have to be here for?" Beca looked at the clock and saw that it was 4:30pm.
"2 more hours and a half. I have 2 more groups apart from them." Chloe then looked at the girl in her arms who was hugging her tightly.
"Would you like me to take Brooke with me until you finish? You can pick her up later?" Beca wasn't sure. She knew Brooke wanted to be with her. And she didn't want Brooke to have a tantrum with Chloe.
"YES! I want to go with Chloe and Jake" Beca rolled her eyes at her niece 'where did I want to be with aunty Beca go?' She thought to herself.
"Are you sure you don't mind?" Chloe smiled and took Brooke's things.
"Not at all. I'll text you my address later" And with that they were gone. Beca stood there looking at the door until one of her students cleared his throat. She snapped out of it and went back to her class.
"Ok so...I've been thinking that maybe we need an original song" They all seemed happy with it. "Let's start"
Chloe and Brooke were in her car and the little girl was singing happily to the music on the radio. Chloe understood why her son liked the girl so much. She was really cute. They were almost at her parents house when Brooke talked. "Do you like my aunty?" Chloe looked at the girl through the rearview mirror.
"I do, she is really nice" The girl looked as she was thinking her next question and Chloe chuckled.
"So..you're going to marry her?" At this Chloe who pulled the car in her usual spot at her parents' house and looked back at the girl shocked. "If you like her and she likes you, you're getting married" She concluded.
"Oh sweetie, I like your aunty but not like that. She is my friend. I'm married to Jake's daddy." She tried her best to express with clarity.
"Ok" She said as Chloe took her out of the car. "I love your hair" Chloe laughed and thanked her as they went inside the house.
"Mom? Jake?" She walked all the way and saw the patio door open. Brooke was holding her hand in silence.
"Mommy!" Jake came into their view. He was running to them. "Brooke!!" He soon forgot his mom and hugged the little girl.
"You brought company today" Chloe's mother hugged her and smiled. She was an old version of Chloe. Redhead, blue eyes and a bright smile.
"Yeah, she is Jake's friend" At that Jake looked at her and hugged his mom. After that they just ran off to the patio to play.
"How are you dear? Have you talked to Chicago?" Chloe shook her head no.
"He called me this morning and told me he wouldn't have a way to contact us for a while." She shrugged. "He should call soon enough though." Her mother nodded understanding. "I'm really tired of everything mom" She's always talked to her mother about everything. She knows her better than anyone.
"My Chloe...you can't be in a relationship with someone you don't love" Chloe's mother took her hand. "I know that you're thinking about Jake...but he is still going to be his father...even if he is not your husband." Chloe thought about it for a moment. Her mother was right but she couldn't do it while he was away. She would wait until they were in the same room.
"Thanks mom" She hugged her mother and felt relieved.
"Anytime dear. Now...where did that little girl come from?" She knew that if she talked about Beca her mother would read into her. And she would know that there's something there. She will tell her but when there's something to tell.
"She is a daughter of a friend. She was busy and asked me if I could keep an eye on her" Chloe's mom nodded.
"What friend?" She was busted already.
"Aubrey" Her mother sent her a 'I'm not buying your tale cause I know all your friends' look. "I met her the other day at the park, her and her husband Jesse." She smiled proudly at herself. "Jake and Brooke hit it off quickly so we've been having playdates and all that" It seemed like her mother believed her.
"Then you'll have to invite them over for Jake's birthday next month" She smiled at her mother and nodded. She would definitely invite them. She looked at Jake and Brooke playing catch and melted at the view."Would you like to stay for dinner honey?"
"I would love to but I have to get Brooke to Be..to her house" Chloe's mother nodded understanding. "When's dad coming? I'd love to see him before we go"
"He should be back soon. He went to fetch a few things that I need from the store" Jake and Brooke were running over to them.
"Mommy!" He jumped into her lap and Brooke stood next to them with a cheeky smile. "Can we have a sleepover?" Chloe looked at them and laughed.
"Jake you have to go to school tomorrow, and you know I have to work" They were both giving Chloe their best puppy eyes. "Stop that" Chloe and her mother laughed. "What about Friday?" They both grinned at her.
"YES! I have to tell aunty Beca!" At this Chloe's mother looked to her daughter who before she could say anything got up with Jake in her arms.
"I think it's time to go!" She took Brooke's hand and hurried to kiss her mother before searching for the door. "Tell dad I said hi. Bye" Chloe's mother stood there shocked at her daughter's actions.
'That was close' She thought to herself as she buckled the children in the car. She drove to her house and texted Beca her address once they arrived. Jake and Brooke went upstairs to his room while Chloe started with dinner. She thought about the talk she had with her mother. Was she going to leave Chicago after all this time? She knew deep down that it was the right thing to do. It wasn't fair for him either. He deserves to be with someone who loves him deeply. Someone who looks at him like he is the most important person in the whole world. She wants him to have that. And maybe deep down she wants someone to look at her just like that. It was settled. In 6 months, she will ask him to get a divorce. She focused back into making dinner and get everything ready before Beca arrived to pick up Brooke.
She finished cooking and before she could sit, she heard the doorbell. "Coming!" She called. She opened the door and there she was. The woman who was making her stomach do somersaults with just a smile. "Hello Miss Mitchell" Chloe winked at Beca who blushed and went inside the house and the smell got her attention.
"Wow it smells amazing Chlo" Beca looked around and was surprise to only see pictures of Chloe and Jake. There was only one when Jake was a baby with a man who Beca assumed was Chicago. He was handsome, she would give him that credit.
"Thanks, I was hoping you would stay for dinner" Chloe smiled at Beca and heard footsteps running downstairs. "Here they come"
"Aunty Beca!" Brooke run to her aunt who picked her up and hugged the little girl. "Today was so much fun" Beca chuckled at her niece. "Can I come tomorrow too?" The two women laughed.
"Chipmunk I think we've taken much advantage of Chloe for a day"
"I actually wouldn't mind to have her around in the afternoons while you're at the Academy" She thought it would be a good idea to have Brooke around. And plus she would be helping Beca. The two kids were thrilling about the idea of spending all that time together.
"You really don't need to" Beca didn't want to bother Chloe. "She can stay with Stacie or come with me. It's alright. You've helped me enough already"
"Nonsense" Chloe shushed her. "What are friends for?" They both smiled awkwardy at the word. "Come on, let's have some food in you"
They all sat together at the table and ate dinner while Brooke and Jake told Beca everything they did together. The two women couldn't stop laughing at them. They both looked at each other smiling each of them thinking how right it felt just to be there, together. The kids got up and went to watch TV.
"Oh Becs I forgot! I wanted to ask you if it was ok for them to have a sleepover on Friday. I can have them here if you want" Beca looked at Brooke on the couch smiling and then to Chloe.
"I think it's a good idea but I would have to call Aubrey and tell her about it" Chloe nodded understanding.
"Sure." They started to clear up everything from the table. "So...how was the rest of your classes?" Beca smiled and started to do the dishes. Chloe tried to stop her but the brunette wouldn't let her.
"It's the least I can do" She said referring to the dishes. "The classes were alright. I don't have problems with the other two because they're not going to compete."
"Yes, you said something about that. When is this competition?" They were in sink. Beca washed the dishes and Chloe dried them.
"In a few months. You helped a lot actually so now I think they have a chance" She smiled thankfully to Chloe. "They have to do 2 songs. And I told them that we could do one original" She shrugged.
"Oh my...Becs that's amazing" She hugged the girl with one arm. "Who's gonna write it?"
"I am actually" Beca chuckled at Chloe's shocked face. She dried her hands and sat on one of the kitchen stools.
"You can also write songs?" Beca laughed. "I mean, what can you not do?"
"I didn't say I could. I said I'm going to" Chloe sat next to her. "I told them that if they did the music I would do the lyrics" She shrugged again. "I used to write when I was younger but not anymore...so I'm not really sure what I'm going to do" Chloe put her hand in Beca's shoulder.
"It will be ok, I'm sure" She winked and Beca blushed.
3 weeks had gone faster than Beca could imagine. She's been talking to Chloe mostly everyday. They would always use some kind of excuse about the kids and would talk for hours. After talking to Aubrey, she allowed the sleepover but only if it was in Beca's house. After all she didn't know this Chloe her sister-in-law wouldn't shut about. Thankfully, Beca arranged a playdate and she was sure to make Chloe and Aubrey would meet. She had a feeling that the two women would hit it off. She was right. Since the moment they talked for the first time they were joined at the hips. As for Jesse he wouldn't shut up about how Beca had the hots for Chloe. She of course denied everything and told him about the husband. Husband who hadn't call Chloe since he left. Beca wasn't sure how to talk to Chloe about it. It was a weird topic to talk about when as Jesse put it...Beca had the hots for Chloe. Sometimes Beca swore Chloe was feeling the same as her but she wouldn't let her imagination win. It was already hard to be around her, but it was even harder to be away from her. Like there was a force pulling her to the redhead. That's why she stole Brooke from Jesse and Aubrey today and is parking her car at Chloe's house.
She rang the bell and waited for the beautiful redhead to open the door. The door swung open and Beca's smiled faltered. There in the door was a tall man who Beca recognised from the picture in Chloe's living room. He had a cast in his right arm. "Hello? How can I help you?" Just like that Chloe appeared next to him. He put his left arm around her.
"Beca" Chloe's voice sounded weak. Beca wasn't sure what to do or what to say. She knew this day would come. But she thought it was going to be in 5 months. She thought she had Chloe to herself for 5 more months...but at the same time she never had her in the first place.
"Hi. It's a...we were.." She shook herself and forced a smile to appear in her face. "Brooke here just wanted to tell you that we are all coming to Jake's birthday party" Chicago stood there watching the two women interaction. 'So this is Beca' He thought to himself. "Glad to see you're back! Thank you for what you do for our country" Beca wanted to slap herself. Brooke who was in Beca's arm hugged her aunty. "So gotta go now. See you at the party" With that Beca left to her car. She watched Chloe still at the door with a sad face. She drove off to the beach.
"Aunty Beca...why didn't they come with us?" Brooke looked sad as well. "Was that Jake's daddy?"
Beca felt her phone going off in her pocket. "Yes chipmunck that was Jake's daddy" She wasn't going to show her niece how she felt. "I didn't ask them to come because they would want to be with him you know?" She saw her niece nodding in the back seat.
They arrived at the beach and Beca sat down in a towel watching her niece playing in the shore with the sand. She checked her phone.
From Chloe: I was going to call you. He showed up. Call me later?
She shouldn't feel angry. It wasn't like her and Chloe were something but sure as hell it hurt like they were. It was like a dream, she then sang softly "Opened my eyes, and it was only just a dream ". And then it clicked. She left her phone there and took the notebook she kept in her bag and started to write. The words kept coming to her. She got it. She's got the song. She put everything back in her bag and went to play with her niece. She would at least enjoy the day with her.
Chloe was shocked. Chicago was there in front of her. In their house. He left his bag hit the floor and hug her. She returned the hug still shocked. She couldn't find her voice to talk. He wasn't suppose to be here. Then she saw his arm. "What happened? Are you ok?" Chicago chuckled.
"Yes, don't worry about it. I had a bad fall in one of our trainings" She nodded. "Where's my boy?"
"He is sleeping" They went to the living room and sat down. "So, when do you have to go back?" He grinned at her.
"Already trying to kick me out?" He smirked at her and she shook her head no. "I wanted to wait for Jaky to tell you together but I can't wait" He got closer to her and took her hands in his. "I don't have to" He waited for her to say something.
"You don't have to come back?" Chloe said slowly. No emotions.
"I don't. We can start all over again baby. We can fix this" He pointed between them. She was trying to process everything. Chicago was back. He wasn't leaving. He wanted to fix things with her. 'I need air' She got up and went to the kitchen. He was about to follow her when he heard the doorbell. He opened the door and saw a tiny brunette with a blonde girl in her arms.
"Hello? how can I help you?" He said smiling to her. The woman looked a bit pale. Chicago was about to ask her again when Chloe appeared next to him. He put his arm around his wife.
"Beca" Chicago looked between the two girls. He seemed to be connecting the dots. The woman then spoke. "Hi. It's a...we were...Brooke here just wanted to tell you that we are all coming to Jake's birthday party" Chicago kept looking at them. This was the Beca his son talked to him about. "Glad to see you're back! Thank you for what you do for our country" He smiled proudly at her. "So gotta go now. See you at the party" Before any of them could say anything she ran to her car. Chicago shrugged and went inside the house. Chloe though, she stayed there and watched Beca leaving. She knew the other woman wasn't there for that. It was then that they locked eyes with each other. Chloe wanted to call her name and tell her to stay. Beca then broke the eye contact and drove off.
Chloe took her phone and texted Beca. She went back inside the house and found her son at the end of the stairs looking at Chicago. He then looked at his mother and ran to her. She picked him up and hugged him tightly. She knew how her son was when he woke up. Chicago was about to take him from Chloe's arms when she stopped him. "Let me talk to him" He nodded and she went upstairs to his room. She sat down in his bed and let him cry for a bit. "There...there...it's ok" He looked up to her with so many questions in his eyes. She kissed his little nose. "Why are you crying sweetie?"
"Be..cause..da...daddy..." She made him look at her and breathed with him so he could relax. "He's hom..me" She smiled and hugged him. She knew he was overwhelmed. He didn't expect to see his dad there, I mean, not did Chloe either.
"I know, and you know what?" He looked up at her and Chloe could see he had stopped crying.
"What?" He said sniffling.
"He wants you to go down and give him a super hug" He smiled and she kissed him in both cheeks. "Go, go" She helped him down and saw him running to the door. When she got down Chicago had tears in his eyes and their son in his arms. She smiled at the sight. She knew that there was a big elephant in the room. Chicago wanted to fix things and she didn't think there was anything left to fix. And then it was Beca...She didn't know what to do with that.
"I'm so happy to be back with you" Chicago was grinning. He was back with the people he loved. And this time he was going to do everything right.
They spent the whole day together inside the house. Chloe tried to stay away from him so he wouldn't try to kiss her. She knew she had to talk to him but today was not the day. She was getting Jake ready for bed when her phone went off. 'Beca' She thought. She kissed her son goodnight and went to the living room. Chicago was asleep on the couch. She woke him slowly.
"You should go upstairs. You need to rest" He smiled at her.
"You're so beautiful Chloe" Chloe smiled. "You really are" He sat up.
"Come on, go upstairs" He frowned a bit.
"I'm going to win you back Chloe. I'm not giving up" She sighed.
"We will talk tomorrow, now go to bed and get some rest" He nodded and kissed her in her head. "G'night"
"Night Chloe"
He went upstairs and she sat in the couch. She was trying to order all her thoughts. She took her phone out and read Beca's message. She hopped she could call her.
From Becs: Can't talk. Brooke's staying over tonight. We'll see you next week at the party. Take care.
'Take care' That was so not Beca. She was afraid the other woman was hurting because of her. They've gotten so close so fast. Anyone who could see them would notice how they looked at each other. She heard Jesse joking around with Beca but she didn't say anything about it. Aubrey called her out on it, but as well as Beca did, she also denied it. She hoped she could talk to Beca tomorrow. It hasn't been a day since they've met that they haven't talked. There was someone she needed to talk to first. Tomorrow. Tomorrow's the day. She went upstairs and decided to sleep with Jake. It would be easier that way. She closed her eyes and let the sleep took over her thoughts.