Forever

13. Anything

BECA

We told the rest of the Bellas before leaving Montana. Everyone was ecstatic. Chloe and I went back to work. Well, mostly. There were days where I felt so bad that I couldn't get out of bed. Chloe and I decided Aubrey would be the best person to help us through all of this as she was now a licensed midwife. After we told the Bellas, we set up times with our parents to video chat to tell them. We called Chloe's parents first.

"Hey, Mom! Hi Dad!" Chloe beamed.

"Hi, Sweethearts!" Chloe's mom replied.

"What can we do for you girls?" Ron, Chloe's dad asked. I always liked Ron. He was straight to the point. Also, the only one in Chloe's family who understood personal space.

"Nothing really," I told him.

"We were just calling to tell you that... you're going to have a grandkid."

"Sweetie that's amazing! I'm so happy for you both." Amy said.

"Congrats. You will both make excellent parents."

"Are you adopting or...?"

"We got a donor," Chloe said nonchalantly.

"I'm just the one carrying the kid."

"Well, Beca you look wonderful. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you, Mrs. Beale."

"Beca, you don't have to call us Mr. and Mrs. Beale. We're family."

"Right. Sorry."

"It's fine Beca. I'll get right on making a crib for your little one."

"Oh, thanks dad," Chloe said. "Well, we should let you go. We still have to call Beca's dad."

CHLOE

Beca's dad was not as enthusiastic as my parents were. "Are you sure you're ready for this? I mean you don't even have a house yet." He said.

"We have enough space in our apartment dad."

"Don't snap at me Beca."

Beca rolled her eyes. I understood why she was hesitant about telling her dad. I set my hand on her thigh rubbing it reassuringly.

"I am married. Have a stable job and a stable place to live. We decided to start a family. I thought you would be happy! I'm finally able to move forward is Mom died! You could at least act happy for me!" Beca stood up aggressively and walked off. She slammed the bathroom door. For her, the bathroom was a safe space.

Doctor Mitchell rubbed one hand down his face. "I'm sorry. I am happy for you girls. I just worry."

"I know John. But you know I wouldn't have allowed us to start a family if I didn't think Beca would be able to handle it. We will be fine."

"Alright. If you need anything. Money, a vacation, baby stuff, bill help, anything. You let me know and I'll take care of it."

"Thank you. We appreciate it. I should go check on Beca."

"Of course. Oh, Chloe?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Taking care of my daughter. You are the best thing that's ever happened to her."

"Thank you. I feel the same way about her." He hung up and I knocked on the bathroom door.

BECA

There was a soft knock on the bathroom door. "Beca?" I heard Chloe's voice say. Soft and muffled.

"You can come in," I said from my place in the tub. Chloe opened the door and came and sat with me. I placed my head on her shoulder as she put an arm around me.

"He didn't mean it you know," she said.

I sniffed "I know. But it still hurt."

"I know." she played with a strand of my hair between her fingers. She looked over at my face. "Oh, baby, there's no need to cry."

With my lower lip trembling and eyes tearing up, "I know. It's hormones. Mostly."

She kissed the top of my head and wrapped the other arm around me. She made us sink deeper into the tub. "We can stay here as long as you need."

I cuddled into her. My head lowering from her shoulder to be closer to her chest. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"I can't imagine where I'd be if you..." I started to get choked up."

"Hey. It's okay. I'm not going anywhere. I promise." She rubbed my back gently.

We layed there for a while. Chloe just holding me and comforting me. I listened to her heartbeat. The rhythm constant and comforting. My eyelids began to get heavy. I tried to fight against it. But, the warmth of my wife holding me, the gentle movements of her hand on my back. Her vanilla-caramel scent. The comforting beat of her heart. It didn't take long for me to nod off. I was half asleep when Chloe scooped me up and put me in bed. I groaned slightly at the absence of her touch. She kissed the top of my head.

"Shhhh. I'm still here if you need anything."