Chapter 2
“How the hell did we get all this in here in the first place?” Beca grumbled as she barely cleared the door frame with a heavy box in her hands to follow Chloe down the stairs. It had been a month since they got home from France and they were in the process of moving to their new apartment.
“Gradually. We didn’t have this much at the beginning,” Chloe replied over her shoulder. She heard Beca curse as her knuckles hit the wall as they made a turn. “We’re having dinner after this trip, and we’ll finish tomorrow. Almost done, babe.”
They loaded the two boxes into Chloe’s car. “Okay. Food. Like, as soon as possible,” Beca asserted as she buckled in the passenger seat.
Chloe chuckled. “Yes, food. How does burgers sound?”
“Sounds perfect.” The redhead nodded and pulled into traffic in the direction of their new place. They picked up dinner on the way, leaving the boxes for afterwards.
They hadn’t had a chance to put much furniture in yet, though Amy and Aubrey had helped them move the bed first thing that morning. In lieu of a table, they pushed two heavy boxes together in the living room and sat on the floor to eat.
When dinner was done and the car unloaded, they flopped onto the bed, glad to be done for the day. “That was harder than moving out of college,” Chloe observed, reaching for Beca’s hand and twining their fingers.
“Yeah, it was,” Beca agreed. “And we can only unpack so much without furniture like dressers. Guess shopping is next on the big to-do list.”
Chloe rolled closer. “Don’t worry about it, babe. We have a bed, and that’s all we need tonight.” She lightly, suggestively dragged her teeth over Beca’s earlobe and heard her breath hitch. They had tried to be respectful of Amy the last month, waiting for her to leave before getting too affectionate. But Amy’s schedule was flexible at best, so they hadn’t had very much privacy since the tour. When Beca turned to look at her, she captured her lips in a fierce, hungry kiss, tangling her hand in soft, brown hair to pull. Beca groaned quietly as she leaned into the kiss, rolling onto her side and grabbing Chloe’s hip to pull her close. “Touch me, Beca. I need to feel you,” Chloe whispered against her lips.
Beca glided one hand up the back of her shirt to lightly trail her nails down her spine making her shiver. Beca drew her into a deep, urgent kiss as she clawed Chloe’s back, making her hiss is pleasure and arch against her partner. The brunette made quick work of the fastening of Chloe’s jeans and they were rapidly discarded. The ginger moaned and gripped Beca’s shoulder with her nails as she felt one gentle finger stroking. “Christ, Becs, please…” she pleaded, her voice lowering to a deep groan as Beca sank her fingers into her. Chloe clung to her as she thrust slow and hard, her teeth and tongue tormenting her ear and neck.
“Come for me, love,” Beca growled quietly in her ear. She bit down on the juncture of her neck and shoulder, and Chloe cried out and shuddered as she came. Beca held her tight, kissing her temple as she panted heavily against her neck. After a few minutes, Beca gently tilted Chloe’s face up to meet her eyes. “I love you, Chloe.”
Sky blue eyes went wide. The ginger knew how she felt – how she’d always felt – but had held back from saying it so Beca wouldn’t feel pressured into a reply. She hadn’t expected such a declaration so soon. “I love you, too, Beca.” She raised a hand to caress her cheek.
Beca kissed her palm. “I think maybe I always have. I just didn’t recognize it for what it was.”
Chloe smiled and drew her into a soft kiss. She had everything she wanted and couldn’t have been happier.
***
The next morning, Sunday, was spent shopping for furniture, spreading out the delivery dates so Chloe wouldn’t have to juggle too much at once while Beca was at work. They had lunch while they were out, as the kitchen had yet to be stocked. Much as they had enjoyed furnishing their new place together, it had also been a lot of work and they were glad to get home.
While Chloe changed and got comfortable at the head of the bed, Beca got her laptop set up on a box and started some music. Standing, she surveyed the clearly marked boxes stacked around the room. Most of it was clothes, so there wasn’t much that could be unpacked yet. “Becs, come relax. It’ll all get done.” Chloe patted the bed next to her. With a small sigh, Beca conceded and joined her partner. “I know you want this to be… neater than the old place, and it will be. When the furniture gets here, everything will have a place.”
Beca nodded and leaned her head on Chloe’s shoulder. “I wish I could stay home this week and help.”
Chloe took her hand and laced their fingers. “Are you super busy at work?”
“Not really. Just some random stuff so I can get used to working with the team. Why, do you have an idea?”
The redhead shrugged slightly. “I thought maybe you could take some or all of the week off. Surely they’ll understand there are things to do when you move.”
Beca lifted her head and contemplated. She supposed as long as didn’t have a specific project to work on, she could take the time. Theo had said she was the boss, or at least his boss. “Y’know, you’re right. I’ll text Theo and tell him I’m taking the week.” She kissed Chloe on the cheek and got up to get her phone and send the text. “There. I’ll be home to help. I’ll sleep better now.” Setting her phone on a box next to the bed, she rejoined Chloe, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close. “What else can we get done while I’m home?”
“There’s plenty more shopping, which will be easier with both of us.” Chloe took Beca’s free hand in both of hers. “But I also want to relax with you while you’re home. You’ve been working since we got home from France, and weekends have been all about packing. I’d like some downtime with you.” Her voice was quiet on the last request.
Beca held her tighter. “Of course, babe. I’m sorry we haven’t had much time, especially this early on.” She raised their hands to kiss Chloe’s knuckles. “I don’t want that to become a habit. I love my job, but I won’t let it keep me away from you.” She turned to kiss Chloe’s temple. “Promise me you’ll tell me if something is going wrong. Too much work, not enough help at home, anything. I don’t ever want you to feel like I take you for granted.” There was a certain urgency in her voice; she needed Chloe to believe her.
“I promise, Becs. You know I’m your biggest fan, right?”
Beca kissed her softly. “I do, love. But you’re also so much more than a fan. I love you, Chlo.”
“I love you, too.” She rested her forehead against Beca’s, eyes half-closed as she simply enjoyed her partner’s embrace.
***
By Friday, the furniture had all been delivered and assembled and most of the boxes unpacked. Chloe woke up first that morning, as usual, and smiled as she snuggled closer against Beca’s back. They had agreed to a lazy day in, no unpacking, no shopping, just TV, music, food, and each other. Beca had turned off her alarms for the week, so she was likely to sleep a while longer. Carefully, Chloe slid out of bed and closed the door behind her as she headed for the kitchen. She had insisted on a latte machine so they wouldn’t have to leave the house for it.
Yawning, she started making a latte, looking in the fridge for breakfast ideas while the espresso brewed. She settled on bacon and eggs and went back to her drink; she would cook when Beca was up and ready. Settling at the table, she checked her phone, quickly replying to a text from Aubrey about the apartment. The blonde lived outside the city, but came in regularly for visits.
“When do I get to see it?” Aubrey replied.
“I’ll ask Becs. Probably soon.” She heard the bedroom door open and set her phone down to make a latte for Beca. The sleepy brunette sat and yawned as Chloe brought over her mug. After so many years, she knew better than to try and talk about anything of import before caffeine; Beca was not a morning person and a few of the Bellas had learned to wait before talking to her after getting nothing but growled complaints. Her phone buzzed again but she ignored it for the moment.
Halfway through her drink, Beca started to look more awake as the ginger got up to make herself another. “Bree was asking when she can see the apartment. I told her I’d talk to you.”
“Maybe Sunday, but I’ll have a better idea later on,” Beca replied. “I wanna concentrate on us today.” She had been so busy with work and the move, she wanted to make sure she wasn’t neglecting her partner. When Chloe moved to reclaim her seat, Beca held a hand out to her, drawing her down to sit in her lap instead.
The ginger was more than happy to sit so close to Beca, especially so early in the day. She repeatedly ran her free hand through Beca’s soft brown hair, and Beca was soon leaning into the motion like a cat, making Chloe smile. “I’ll let her know in a bit.” She kissed Beca’s forehead before sipping her latte. “Let me know when you’re ready for bacon and eggs.” Beca perked up at the mention of bacon and nodded enthusiastically. Chloe laughed and claimed a soft kiss before standing. She started a second latte for Beca before pulling out the supplies for breakfast.
While Chloe cooked, Beca finished making her second cup of coffee and settled to watch the redhead at the stove. Now that they had finished moving and Beca would be back at work on Monday, they would start figuring out how things would work. She had her fingers crossed that Chloe wouldn’t regret changing trajectories from vet tech to homemaker. Packing had been considerably easier with Chloe home so much to get it done well. But Beca had no intention of becoming some useless 50s husband who couldn’t do anything for themselves.
Soon enough, Chloe brought their plates to the table, sliding her chair closer to Beca’s when she sat. “Y’know,” she observed as they ate, “I already pretty much know what kinds of food you like, so there’s not much learning curve there.”
“Feel free to experiment, babe. You don’t want to get tired of making the same things all the time.” When they finished eating, Beca was quick to grab the dishes and get everything into the dishwasher. At Chloe’s confused look, she moved to take the redhead’s hands in her own. “I know the house is your thing, Chlo, but I don’t wanna become some sitcom caricature. So there are gonna be times I help out like that. Does that make sense?” She hoped Chloe didn’t take it the wrong way.
Chloe smiled up at her. “It does make sense, and I understand. We’ll get used to everything over time.” She kissed the back of Beca’s hands.
The brunette nodded. “Well, breakfast is done. What’s next on our absolutely-no-work day?” It was the height of summer, so staying in was always better than going out in the oppressive city heat.
“I didn’t really have a schedule. As long as we’re here, together, not working, we can do whatever.”
Beca grinned and leaned down for a kiss. “Then let’s see how the new couch is for cuddling.” It had just been delivered the day before, and Chloe returned the grin as she stood and followed Beca to the living room. She watched Beca get comfortable with her back against the arm and one leg stretched along the cushions. She patted the space right in front of her, and Chloe sat with her back leaning against her partner. Beca snaked an arm around her waist and held her snugly. “Comfy?”
Chloe smiled as she settled her hand over Beca’s lacing their fingers, and leaning her head back. “Very. I love how tight you hold me.”
“Oh, yeah?”
The ginger nodded. “Makes me feel safe and secure. Like everything will always work out as long as you still hold me like this.”
Beca kissed her temple. “I will do everything I can to keep you safe. And whatever happens, I will hold you however you want.” They sat in comfortable silence a bit, till Beca reached for her phone to turn on some music. That reminded Chloe of the text she had ignored, and she took up her phone to check.
“Bree says hi, by the way,” she told Beca, as that was the missed text from Aubrey.
Beca chuckled. “I had an idea, but it’s up to you.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“Well, we have a furnished guest room, even if it also has my mixing equipment in it. Why don’t we have Aubrey over tomorrow for dinner and drinks, and she can stay the night.”
“Really, Becs?! You’re ready for a weekend guest?” Chloe couldn’t contain her delight at the idea.
Beca chuckled again. “Yeah, I don’t see why not. It’ll be fun.” She could tell Chloe loved the idea and was rather proud of herself for thinking of it. She’d do almost anything to see that sparkle in Chloe’s eyes.
“Babe, this is epic. Can I tell her?”
“Of course. I imagine she’ll want enough notice to pack a few things.”
“She’s at work by now, but she’ll see it at lunch,” Chloe said as she texted the invitation to her best friend. Putting the phone down, she shifted so she could turn her head for a lingering kiss. “I love you, Beca.”
“And I love you, Chloe.” Beca ran her hand through soft red hair, holding Chloe a bit tighter. She never got tired of hearing or saying that, and tried to slip it in many times a day.
Chloe leaned into Beca’s hand, eyes half-closed as Beca’s nails grazed over her scalp in the most relaxing way. Placing a hand on Beca’s jaw, she leaned close for a long, deep kiss. She felt Beca’s hand slide under her shirt to splay over her toned midsection, and the heat of that touch ignited the spark of her desire. “Touch me, love. I want to feel your hands on me,” she murmured against her lips. Beca kissed her again as she hands glided lightly over her partner, searching out those hidden, unexpected sweet spots. Chloe shivered against her as she grazed her nails over the soft skin of her hips, biting her lip with a quiet moan when the motion was repeated.
Beca rearranged them so Chloe was lying across the couch in just her oversized shirt, Beca kneeling between her legs. Leaning down, she nibbled along Chloe’s hip bone delicately, and she could hear the ginger breathing harder. When she moved to the other hip, she delved with one finger until Chloe arched her back and groaned at her soft strokes. Beca reached her other hand up to tease one hardened bud, and Chloe tangled her hands in Beca’s hair.
The brunette kissed and licked a path upwards until she could claim a deep, passionate kiss. “Becs, please…” Chloe begged in a whisper against her lips. She gasped, then moaned as she felt Beca’s fingers in a slow, deliberate rhythm. She lifted her hips to meet each thrust, digging her nails into Beca’s arms as she felt the pleasure build.
“Come for me, love,” came Beca’s quiet voice in her ear, followed by a slow series of kisses down her neck. As the wave crashed, she gripped Beca tighter and voiced a ragged cry against her partner’s shoulder. Shuddering hard beneath her, Chloe released Beca’s arms to throw her own arms around the brunette and hold her tight.
Beca shifted them so she could lie down and wrap her arms around the ginger as she breathed heavily against her neck. That had been different from their previous encounters, and Beca held a trembling Chloe close against her.
“Becs… That was… intense,” Chloe murmured when she had caught her breath enough to speak. It was the only word she could find for it at the moment.
“In a good way, I hope,” Beca replied quietly.
“Definitely a good way.” Chloe lifted her head and ran a hand through her hair, gazing into loving, deep blue eyes a long moment before claiming a soft kiss.
Beca smiled and kissed her forehead. “Then I’m happy.” She snuggled closer and they soon fell asleep.