Aca-moms

Beca wakes as Chloe stirs at her side. When she opens her eyes, she is met by those giant sky blue eyes. "I've missed this Becs" Chloe yawns as she pulls her closer. Beca hums in agreement as she presses her head into the crook of Chloe’s neck, burying her face in the red curls. Then she gets up, but instructs Chloe to remain where she is. Returning with the little gift, Beca starts to speak nervously as she sits down next to Chloe.

"Chlo, the other day at the zoo, David and I bought all our friends a little gift. That day we bought you something too...David made sure I didn't forget to buy you something, we just forgot when we got home." Beca says with the wrapped gift in her hands.

"Ah, how sweet, Becs" Chloe answers with a smile.

"But I added a little something for you.." Beca quickly adds "I would like you to have the keys to my apartment. I mean... I already meant to give them in case of emergencies, but actually I want you to feel free to use them to let yourself in whenever. I am so glad you're back in my life and you already spend a lot of time here, so I guess … it would be practical? But if you think it's weird or anything, I mean, it would also be fine if you kept them for emergencies .. just, whatever"

Chloe opens the package and notices the ladybug keychain. While she listens to Beca rambling on, tears start welling up and a smile forms on her face. Somewhere deep down she feel the urge to shut the other girl up by kissing her, but she quickly pushes the feeling away and settles for a much more appropriate hug. "Oh Becs.." is all she manages to say.  They lay like that for a while, until noises from the kitchen attract their attention. "Come on, let's check what the kids are up to" Chloe says getting up and pulling Beca with her. 

As they approach the kitchen, they hear Emily shushing David. "Come on Davy, we've got to finish making breakfast and laying the table before the aca-moms wake up". David chuckles and repeats "aca-moms". Beca groans and rolls her eyes, while Chloe giggles next to her. When they round the corner, Emily and David greet them with a giant stack of pancakes. The four of them devour the stack of pancakes and get started with the rest of their day.

While the kids are working on their assignments, Chloe finds herself playing with the set of keys that Beca gave her. With the thought of Beca giving her the keys, also came the thought of how she'd felt that morning. She had tried so hard to get over the little brunette, but she clearly hadn't. If possible she loves her even more now, her and the boy. She longs for those chances to be part of their little family. She truly enjoys helping her friend out, even just being her friend, being there for her. She knows very well that Beca giving her the key was her acceptance and appreciation of that help, nothing more.

As school is over, Chloe checks her phone again to find a text from Beca.

Beca 3:20 Hey Beale, wanna come hangout after school at the studio?

Beca 3:21 Also, could you please bring my kid along, if you're heading here?

Chloe 3:31 Please don't tell me you forgot about picking your son up again? 

Beca 3:32 Okay, I won't.

Beca 3:33 No, but, seriously Legacy has a favour to ask you.

Chloe 3:36 You're the worst. We are on our way.

Chloe quickly finishes organizing her classroom and calls David. “Come on, we’re going to pay mommy a visit at work” David slips his little hand into Chloe’s as they exit the classroom.

When they arrive at the studio they are not only greeted by Beca and Emily, but Mrs Junk is also there. Chloe is surprised to see the older Bella there, but before she can greet her Emily enthusiastically hugs her. After the redhead has had a chance to greet Mrs Junk as well. Beca speaks up:

"Chloe, Legacy here has a favor to ask you"

"Well, Beca and I were brainstorming about a bonus track for the new album and we came up with an acapella version of Flashlight. As an homage to our time as Bellas, important for both Beca and me and the start of our collaboration. And then I thought about asking my mom to sing along, because she always showed me how great it was to be a Bella. And of course you had to be there, you and Beca were some sort of unity leading the Bellas in my first year. So Chloe, will you sing on the track?"

"But I'm no professional singer..."

"Relax Chloe, it's acapella, we are World Champions in that remember? And you know the song, although the arrangement is now for four people only. Besides I hear your singing on almost a daily basis. You'll be fine." Beca tries to put her at ease.

"Yeah, Chloe you'll be great. And think about how awesome it would be: a track with me and my three moms!" Emily chips in.

The three other women laugh at Emily's enthusiasm and Beca rolls her eyes and says:

"I've told you before, but you're taking Amy's aca-mom crap way too seriously."

Emily quips back: "Ah, but I know you secretly love it", which causes Chloe to giggle.

"Okay Chlo, how about I show you what I came up with, we'll do a test recording and then you decide?"

Chloe had forgotten how good Beca actually was at the entire acapella thing. She made an arrangement that was so complete, with only four voices. It simply took Chloe's breath away. All three other women had already recorded their part and when Chloe heard her test sample mixed in with that, she knew  she had to do it.

It took quite a few tries to get it exactly the way Beca wanted it, but she was patiently explaining how she wanted it each time and Chloe felt totally at ease in the booth.

When the redhead had finished, she stepped outside the booth. Beca had called for some coffee and snacks, which were delivered at that moment. The three other women sat together eating the snacks and making small talk. Chloe had noticed how nice and quiet David had been, keeping himself entertained and not interrupting anything. She called him over to drink and eat something and he came, crawling into her lap.

Beca insisted that she wanted to finish mixing the track to see if anything needed changing. Whilst making small talk with the others, Chloe kept glancing at the producer, she had always loved watching the other girl work, but here in the studio it impressed her even more. The tiny producer asked Emily to record a certain part again, but the she was happy with the result. When she played it back to them, Chloe felt tears welling up in her eyes.

To celebrate the successful completion of the track, Mrs Junk insists on taking everyone out to dinner. Because they have David with them and Emily and Beca both claim to be very hungry, they go to a diner that is well known for its burgers according to Chloe.

When they get to the diner, Chloe and Beca settle into one side of a booth with David in between them, while Emily and her mother sit opposite them. Not long after ordering, they are presented with large plates of food and start to eat. Emily enjoys watching the trio at the opposite side of the table. They seem to have forgotten the Junks, trying to steal food of each other’s plates, playfully swatting away hands and feeding each other bites of food.