Chapter 20
Friday had come around and Beca and Chloe are outside the principals office again. When they are called in only the principal and the head of the board are there.
“Ms Beale, Ms Mitchell, the board and I have had a long discussion of your situation, we have discussed our own points of view, as well as some input that was given by the parents of your class. After careful consideration we have decided that your suspension will be lifted and that you can stay. Also it has lead to a reconsideration of the rules, we won't restrict the interaction of staff members with parents as much as we have in the past, as long as it doesn't cloud your judgement here at school.”
“Thank you”
“But…” the principal continues, “there are some consequences. Due to practicalities it is not possible to do it now, but after Summer break David will be moved to the other class, so that he will no longer be taught by you. Until then I will be involved in the evaluation of his progress, just to exclude any rumours of you playing favourites. I hope you can agree with these measures, you are a good teacher and I am glad we can solve our situation like this.”
“Yes, that's okay. I am happy I can stay.”
“Good, we'll see you on Monday then.”
Outside the office Chloe pulls Beca in for a big hug and a quick kiss.
As they exit the building, they see Alice waiting for them amongst a group of other parents.
“So I guess it worked then?
“What worked?”
“I reminded them how bad it would look for the school if they fired Chloe for being in a relationship with a woman.”
“Oh, that’s a good one, but I prefer to think that they bent the rules because Chloe is so great at her job.” Beca says with a goofy smile that makes Chloe's knees weak. “But it was a good one, I must say. If I ever need someone for my legal department…” Beca adds with a wink.
They continue to their car and after getting in it, they share a long and passionate kiss. When Beca pulls out of the parking lot, Chloe sends Aubrey a quick text to let her know the outcome. A minute later Chloe's phone rings and Beca can hear Aubrey’s excited voice without Chloe putting it on speaker.
After the redhead has hung up, Beca says: “I think today calls for a celebratory dinner. What would you like? I know this great restaurant…”
“I would like to have pizza tonight.”
“Pizza?” Beca asks surprised.
“Yeah, I have some very fond memories of a certain pizza dinner and it's David’s favourite.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, I want to celebrate with you guys in a way we can all enjoy.”
Beca smiles. “Okay, but where going out to a proper pizzeria to make a special night.”
Later that day Beca goes to pick up David by herself. Although it is a 20 minute walk, she decides the weather is nice enough and walks to school. She get there a little early and waits amongst the other parents. Some come up to her to congratulate her and Chloe and state how happy they are that Chloe will be staying. Beca thanks them politely, not wanting to go into details with these people she hardly knows. Luckily she is saved by the bell and soon the kids come pouring out of the building.
David comes running towards her and Beca gets down to hug him.
“Hey there, my man. How was school today?”
“Well, it was okay. Jake is leaving our school, he and his dad are going to move. He says his dad needs to move for his job. So we said goodbye to him today. And the sub is also leaving. So is Chloe coming back?”
“Yep, she'll be back by Monday.”
Beca takes his hand and says: “I walked here, let's get going.”
Halfway home they pass a florist on the street corner. The brunette can’t help herself and before she knows it, she has bought a giant bouquet of red, pink and white roses. For the rest of the way home she struggles with the flowers and she's glad they finally reach the apartment.
When she comes into the kitchen she finds a note from Chloe to let her know she went for a quick run. Wanting to give her girl the flowers properly, she puts them in a vase with a layer of water and hides them in the spare room. In the meantime she changes herself and David into something nice to wear. Nothing too fancy, it’s a proper Italian pizzeria, not a gourmet restaurant after all, but Beca just wants to look nice for Chloe.
Not much later Chloe comes back, Beca and David are in the living room, but Chloe calls out that she's going to shower first. When she hears the water running, Beca gets the bouquet into the living room and waits for Chloe. Some fifteen minutes later Chloe comes back, wearing a black and white dress, and Beca just gapes at her.
“Wow, you look stunning, I swear you get more gorgeous every time.”
“Thanks, you look wonderful yourself.”
Beca is confused when Chloe keeps looking at her expectingly, until she feel a small hand tugging at her arm.
“Mom, the flowers..” David hisses.
The brunette snaps back into reality and looks at the bouquet in her hands for a second, before handing it to Chloe.
“To our friendship, our love and new beginnings.”
Still getting used to the new found intimacy with Beca in front of others, especially David, Chloe kisses Beca on the cheek and whispers in her ear: “Thank you, they're perfect. You're perfect.”
Beca feels Chloe's breath hot on her skin and her breath hitches.
“Okay, let's head out.” Beca says as Chloe pulls back.
Chloe quickly puts the flowers in a vase to keep them fresh, but then they are ready to leave. The pizzeria isn't far from the apartment, so they walk there.
The dinner is a quiet one between the two girls, and all night they sit and glance at each other and touch each other. David is the one who keeps the conversation going. As the evening grows later, David becomes more quiet and Chloe asks a question that has been on her mind all day.
“Becs, do you think that they only kept me because of what Alice said?”
“Nah, I don't think so. If that would have been the case, they would have given you restrictions that would have made it hard for you to stay, so that you would leave on you own account. But with the boundaries they've set now, it is possible to be David’s other parent. So I think they had your interest in mind as well.”
Chloe seems content with the answer and smiles at her girlfriend.
The evening comes to a close a they leave the restaurant with David between them. Out on the sidewalk Beca can't help herself and she reaches over to Chloe, whispering “I love you” and kisses her.
“Eww” David says.
Both women laugh at him. Beca picks him up and Chloe says: “Aww, we love you too.”, and they kiss him on his cheeks.
David wriggles himself loose and Beca puts him down. He wipes his cheeks. “Yeah, I love both of you too.” and he skips ahead.
Chloe links her hand with Beca's and they follow him.
“I love you too. So much.”