Chloe woke up around 6 and carried Harper into the kitchen to feed her. She figured Beca needed the sleep more than she did, and she wanted to spend time with her niece. After she fed the baby girl, she put her in the pack and play so she could eat something. She made oatmeal for her and Beca and sat down at the table. Beca came out of the room. "I figured you had the baby. Thanks for letting me sleep in a little." Beca picked up Harper and cradled her in her arms. "Chlo, she's so beautiful." The baby brought tears to Beca's eyes. She was so happy, yet amazed that everything would work out without Jesse.
"She is your daughter," Chloe said. "I can tell she's a real badass like you. She hasn't cried too much, and she's not playing with her toys."
Beca smiled. "Chlo, thank you so much for inviting me back into your house and everything. I don't know where I would be if you weren't here."
Chloe hugged her friend. "Becs, you don't have to worry. You're like the sister I never had. I wouldn't let you be stuck somewhere with the baby. She's my niece and I love her." There was a moment of silence before Chloe said something that made Beca unbelievably happy. "You know, Becs, she has your eyes, and smile, and nose, and dimples. She looks nothing like Jesse. We're basically looking at the mini Beca Effin Mitchell."
"Thanks Chlo. I know she'll be able to sing."
After breakfast, Aubrey and Anna came over to see Harper. Aubrey picked up the baby and got teary eyed. Babies were her soft spot. "Hi, Harper, I'm your Aunt Aubrey. I'm so proud of your mommy. You know you'll hear a very interesting story when you're old enough to comprehend it."
Chloe smacked Aubrey in the arm. "You're lucky Beca was out of the room. She still really upset. The baby is the only thing that's keeping her together."
"Sorry Chloe, I thought she was over it." Aubrey handed the baby to Anna.
"Hi, Harper. You know your mommy is going to be the best ever. She loves you more than anything, and you have three crazy aunts to tell you that. We're like the evil stepsisters, but none of us are related and we're the sweetest."
Becs came back into the room. "Gimme back my baby," she said playfully.
Chloe made coffee for everyone and sat down on the couch with them. "Everyone give me an update on the last week or so. I haven't talked to anyone in forever."
Aubrey smiled. "You're so weird Chloe. Everyone who's still in Georgia wants to see the baby. I think we'll have the next reunion in 2 months. Becs do you think you'll be able to go or bring Harper?"
"I'll see. I could probably bring her for the beginning and then my dad could take her. It would probably be the only opportunity to meet her father."
"Ok. You sure you'll be able to handle Jesse?"
"Yeah. Once he sees that Harper looks and acts just like me, he'll be really hurt and sad and I'll feel better."
Anna laughed. "I still have this stupid brace on my leg because apparently 10 months isn't enough time to rebuild it's strength."
"It's seemed like a hard process for such a minor break." Chloe said.
"Yeah it really does." Beca cradled her daughter. "Well Chloe knows the update of me, but I guess I'll tell you guys. I'm physically feeling a lot better. It's nice to feel good for the first time in a year. I feel like the only place I've been in the last year is the hospital. Emotionally, I'm still a wreck. I've been doing better at holding it together. But I'm just really upset Jesse didn't come for the birth. I couldn't deal with it when i was in pain, but now I realize the reality of the fact that my beautiful baby girl won't know her father who I loved more than anything. It hit me really hard that I'm not getting married. I'm not having my dream wedding. I don't have a fiancé anymore."
Beca was shivering. She was wearing a tank top and it was really cold inside the house. Chloe wrapped a blanket around her friend. "Becs, you don't have a fiancé anymore, but you have 3 best friends who would do anything for you. We all love and support you more than Jesse ever would. We'd never leave you like Jesse. We care about you and Harper more than anything. She's going to grow up and be an amazing, beautiful person, just like her mom. You both can have a happy life here."
Beca had tears in her eyes. "Chlo, that means the world to me. I have some of the best friends in the whole world. I know Harper will grow up in a happy home and family, and that means the world to me. I want her to be happy. That's what matters the most."
"And she will be." Chloe took the baby from Beca's arms. "That's right, Harper, your Aunt Chloe loves you. She and Beca will take good care of you."
Aubrey picked up the baby. "Aunt Aubrey is going to be far away, but she loves you so much."
"Bri, I wish you lived here." Beca said. She missed Aubrey. She missed a lot of people. She even missed Jesse.
"Bec, I wished I lived here too. I miss all of you. But I can't leave the retreat place. I have a solid job there, and it means a lot to me that people benefit from that. I'll visit all the time, and Harper will grow up to know me so well."
"Thanks Bri."
"I gotta get going. I can't miss my flight." Aubrey handed the baby to Chloe as she got up to hug Beca. "Congratulations sweetie. It really sucks what you're going through, but I promise it will all work out. If you ever need anything, I'll be here in 3 hours flat." Beca was crying again. "Still pretty hormonal?"
"Yes." Beca giggled. "Thanks so much, Bri. I know I can get through this. Same with you. If you ever need anything, me and Chlo will be there as soon as possible."
Chloe handed The baby to Beca. "Bye Bri, text me soon about the second reunion. I want to make sure we can make it."
"Sounds good! Hope to see you."
Aubrey left, and after awhile Anna left to meet Ben for dinner, and Chloe and Beca we're left sitting with the baby.
Beca put on one of her mixes, and put the headphones on Harper. "Harper, this is mommys job," Beca said quietly.
Chloe came into the living room. "Hey, Becs, I ordered pizza for us. I'm going to run out and get some more diapers. Text me if you need anything."
About 20 minutes later, Beca answered the door to see Karl standing there. "What the hell are you doing here. I haven't seen you in like 6 months."
"I got another job, woah you have a kid?"
"As of 2 days ago, yes." Becs was surprised at how polite he was being. "Can you wait for 2 minutes while I put her in the crib?"
"No problem."
Beca ran and put Harper in the crib. "I didn't know you were married." Karl said without realizing she wasn't.
"I'm not. He was my fiancé and he left. He didn't even show up for the birth."
"I'm sorry. My girlfriend left me too. Here's your pizza."
"Thanks." Beca took the pizza and handed Karl $20 "keep the change."
With that, she closed the door and smiled. She didn't know the softer side of him.
