Chapter 12
(Beca & Chloe)
“The tree looks amazing, Chlo,” Beca said when she got home the Monday before Christmas. Chloe had insisted on a tree even though they were spending Christmas with Emily and Aubrey.
“Thanks, babe. I rather like it.” Chloe wrapped an arm around Beca’s waist as they stood looking at her handiwork. “Did you stop at the store on the way home?”
“Dammit. I forgot. Write down what you need and I’ll run back out.” She picked up her coat from where she’d tossed it on the couch.
“Are you sure? I just want the pies to be done in time.”
Beca smiled and kissed her. “I’m sure. I want the pies done, too. I can’t eat them till you make them.” She grinned and took the list Chloe had written and headed out.
And hour later, Chloe’s phone rang with a number she didn’t recognize. “Hello?”
“Is this Chloe Beale?”
“Yes, who’s calling?” She sank slowly to the couch as the lady, a nurse, explained that Beca was in the hospital after getting jumped in the grocery store parking lot. “I’ll be right there.” She hung up with the nurse and went into damage control mode. She knew she couldn’t drive, so with shaking hands, she dialed Aubrey.
“Chlo? What’s up?” Chloe launched into an explanation. “We’ll be right there to drive you. We got you.”
Chloe hurriedly changed back into street clothes and went outside to wait the five more minutes it took her friends to arrive.
At the emergency room, Emily and Aubrey found seats in the waiting room while Chloe was escorted to Beca. She controlled her expression as best she could; seeing her partner with a black eye, a split lip, and a cut along her cheek bone wasn’t easy. She moved to the side of the bed and took Beca’s hand. “I’m here now. What’s going on so far?”
Beca dejectedly outlined her injuries, which included bruises and a few shallow cuts on her hands from trying to defend herself. Chloe sat on the edge of the bed next to her.
“Sounds like I should live in a bubble for the holidays. Bronchitis for Thanksgiving, now all this for Christmas.” She snorted. “Should make for great pictures.”
“Hey, neither of those was your fault, love. Everything will be okay.” She noticed Beca was keeping her head turned, keeping the black eye and cut out of sight. “Becs, please look at me.”
“You don’t want to see more of this,” Beca said quietly.
“I always want to see more of you. I’m not afraid of a few temporary injuries.” After a long moment, Beca turned to meet her eyes, her own deep blue stormy with a maelstrom of emotions. Just then a nurse came in to clean and bandage the cuts before she was discharged.
“I look like I was in a bar fight,” Beca grumbled in the back seat of Aubrey’s car, Chloe holding her hand gently.
“Maybe you should stay home tomorrow,” Emily suggested. “I’d be surprised if you sleep well tonight.”
Beca considered. “That’s a good idea. Hell, Christmas is Friday, I should take the week.” She pulled out her phone and texted Theo the basics of what happened and her intent to stay home.
Chloe watched her partner closely. She was still turning her head away to hide the evidence of her ordeal. She had a sinking feeling Beca wouldn’t feel comfortable looking at her head-on until she was least partially healed, and she hated that thought. She didn’t want Beca to hide from her. Emily and Aubrey dropped them off with a promise to check in.
Beca sat on the couch, her legs curled under her, and stared off into space. Chloe rested a hand on her shoulder. “Tea to help you relax?” she asked quietly. Beca nodded, and she went into the kitchen. She was waiting for the kettle when her calm façade crumbled. She crouched down leaning against the cabinets, her tears coursing unchecked down her face. Beca was physically fine when it could have been so much worse. But she was more afraid of how it would affect her mentally. As the kettle whistled, she got up and poured their tea. Taking a deep, calming breath, she carried two mugs into the living room, where Beca hadn’t really moved.
The brunette accepted her mug, then did a double-take as she noticed Chloe’s reddened eyes. “Chloe? Babe, come here.” She held out a bandaged hand and pulled her into her lap. “Love, I’m gonna be fine. It’ll all heal in a little bit.”
Chloe caressed her uninjured cheek. “But it could have been so much worse. And now…”
“Now what, Chlo?” Beca asked gently.
“Now you won’t look at me and I’m afraid of how it will affect you mentally.” Chloe hung her head and looked down into her tea.
Beca reached out and lifted Chloe’s face to meet her eyes. “I’m sorry, love. I just… I didn’t… I didn’t want this to be the look that haunts you.” Her eyes filled, but she didn’t look away.
Chloe laid a hand along her jaw. “I always want to see you, Becs. Hiding your face is like you’re trying to hide from me.” She brushed away the single stray tear on Beca’s face.
“I won’t hide anymore, I promise. And… I don’t know how it’ll affect me, either. I suppose we’ll find out overnight. But I won’t push you away. I don’t know what else I can say.” Her tears flowed freely and Chloe carefully wiped them away.
“That’s all I need to hear, Becs. I want to be here for you. Please let me.” Chloe’s sky blue eyes locked with Beca’s deep blue. Each saw the other’s fear and concern, and they sat their tea down to hug tightly, Beca ignoring the sting of the cuts on her hands.
Deciding the day had been long enough, they abandoned their tea in favor of bed, Beca curling up in Chloe’s arms, trying to be careful of her hands. Chloe held her close as a reminder she wasn’t alone.
Around four, Chloe woke up to Beca trying to toss and turn. She loosened her grip so her partner could move, just as Beca’s eyes snapped open as she voiced a strangled, “Chloe!”
The ginger held her tight again. “I’m here. You’re safe. I’ve got you.” Beca clung to her, fisting her hands in the back of her shirt.
“Oh my god! They were… it was happening again. I tried… I couldn’t…”
Chloe held her tighter. “Shh, it’s okay now. You don’t have to talk about it. Just breathe.” She continued to murmur reassurances as she stroked her hair. When she was still clinging a few minutes later, Chloe suggested, “Why don’t we go have that tea?” Beca hesitated, then nodded a bit. They sat up and Chloe helped Beca climb out.
In the kitchen, Chloe reheated their tea, Beca standing as close as possible at all times until they sat at the table, Beca in Chloe’s lap. Her hands trembled slightly, and Chloe took her mug and set it down so it wouldn’t spill, along with her own, and took her hands, lacing their fingers. “Becs, you’re okay. It’s over, and you’re home, with me. Tell me how to help.”
Beca lifted her eyes, filled with tears. “Just… stay close. I don’t want to be alone.” They sat with their foreheads pressed together for several minutes.
“Want to try some tea?” the ginger asked softly. Beca nodded, and her hand was steadier when she picked it up. They sat and drank their tea quietly, Chloe hoping the silence, tea, and herself would be enough to relax her partner. But as Beca sat her mug aside, she didn’t seem any less tense or shaken. Chloe was at a loss for how to help, and her frustration morphed into anger at the situation. Her grip around Beca tightened enough that Beca turned to look at her.
“Chlo?” Beca was startled at the anger she saw in Chloe’s eyes when their gazes met. “Babe, what is it? What did I…”
“It’s not you, Becs.” Chloe kissed her hand. “It’s not you at all. I’m just angry it happened. I’m mad someone hurt you and made it so you can’t sleep.” She shook her head and looked away. “I’m sorry, love. You don’t need more to deal with.”
“No, love, it’s okay.” Beca sighed. “I think part of being together, of loving each other this much, is that when things happen, they happen to both of us. It makes sense for you to have feelings about what happened.” She hugged Chloe tight. “Let’s try to sleep, at least a couple more hours.”
***
Beca did not, in fact, sleep, but she was able to lie still in Chloe’s arms while the ginger slept. It wasn’t that she didn’t try, it was that every time she tried, she could feel the attack happening all over again. By the time Chloe woke at 8, Beca was exhausted and achy where her hands had been cut.
Chloe kissed her shoulder. “Feeling any better?” she asked.
Beca sighed. “I haven’t slept yet. So, I’m ready for coffee when you are.” She moved to get up, but Chloe held on to her.
“Wait, you didn’t sleep? Babe…”
“I know, it’s not good. I’ll just have to try to nap later. I don’t know what else to do.” Her voice betrayed the frustration she was trying to hide as she fisted her hands in the blanket.
“Okay, love,” Chloe said quietly, gently pulling her arm away. “Let’s go make coffee.” They threw on slippers and robes and made their way to the kitchen, where Beca sat dejectedly at the table while Chloe started the coffee pot. The brunette put her face in her hands, feeling Chloe behind her before her hands settled on her shoulders.
“I’m sorry, Chlo. I have a feeling I’ll be saying that a lot for a while. Please know that I’m not frustrated with you.” Her voice was low and tired.
Chloe stroked her hair. “Don’t worry, love. We’re gonna get through this, together. Whatever you think you need, I’m here.” She kissed the top of her head and went to pour their coffee. When she came back, Beca caught her wrist and drew her down into her lap.
“Sit with me? Even if it’s just a bit?”
Chloe kissed her softly. “For as long as you want, Becs.” They drank their coffee, Beca’s arm tight around Chloe. Even exhausted, the urge to keep her partner close was strong. When they finished their coffee, Chloe reached to caress Beca’s cheek. “Do you want more coffee? I’ll sit with you after I get it,” she promised. Beca nodded and kissed her palm before she got up. When she returned, she settled back in Beca’s lap, her free arm draped over her shoulders.
“I hope I don’t drive you insane being so clingy,” Beca said quietly. “I don’t know how long it’ll last.”
Chloe stroked her hair. “I’m fine with clingy, babe. I’d rather you reach out for what you need than shut me out.” Beca sighed and nodded, tightening her grip on Chloe. The ginger kissed her softly, getting a desperate kiss in return.
“Distract me, Chlo,” Beca murmured. “Distract me and put me to sleep.”
Chloe took her mug and set both on the table, then stood and took Beca’s hand, pulling her up and into an aggressive kiss. Beca grabbed her hip and held her tight against her. They carefully made their way to the bedroom, dropping their clothes as they went. Beca’s kisses became more urgent as they went; by the time they hit the bed, she was nearly trembling with need and anticipation. Chloe dragged her nails hard down Beca’s side as she bit down on her shoulder. Beca groaned and grabbed Chloe’s shoulders with her nails.
Kneeling over her partner, Chloe leaned down to torment one taut peak with teeth and tongue, drawing moans from Beca, before gliding her hand downwards to stroke gently. Beca gripped her tighter, carving crescents into soft skin, voicing a long, low groan as she felt Chloe’s fingers inside her. “Fuck, yes, babe,” she panted as she lifted her hips to meet each thrust, chasing her release.
“Come for me, Becs. Let go,” Chloe whispered before nipping the soft skin beneath her ear. Soon, Beca was whimpering and writhing beneath her as she came, pulling Chloe down on top of her and holding tight. Chloe kissed her forehead. “I love you, Beca Mitchell. And I’m here to take care of you.”
Beca rolled them to lie on their sides. “Stay till I fall asleep?” she asked quietly. Chloe nodded and wrapped her arms around her, singing quietly until Beca drifted to sleep.