Thank you for your incredible patience. I know I am horrible for keeping you waiting. Please re-read the previous chapter if you need a refresher. This is the last chapter. I hope it doesn't disappoint.

a/n: I own nothing.

CHAPTER 27: THE DECISION

Beca is now facing her worst nightmare. Her life is at a turning point. This is what she has been avoiding since she lost her mother. This is what she has been running from. She never wanted to be in her mother's position. She never wanted to fill those shoes and experience what her mother experienced. She could not even imagine the heartache and the hopelessness her condition made her feel. She didn't want to imagine how it would feel to be a burden, to constantly hurt the people you love, to be helpless and faultless but still feel very much guilty. She tried to keep people at arms' length to spare them, just in case. She lost that fight in college when these persistent, relentless loving people. They just kept coming back.

THEY WERE DETERMINED TO LOVE HER DESPITE ALL HER DEFENSES.

And now here she is….the last place she ever wanted to be.

She has a tumor and a bleed in her head.

Awesome.

She is so very tired, probably because of the bleed.

Awesome.

And the doctor probably wants to go in there and mess with her brain.

Awesome.

What if something happens in that OR?

What if complications happen?

What if she goes into a coma?

What if she loses her sight? Her hearing? HERSELF?

The brain hates to be messed with and it's been fucking with her for a while and now she is lying in a hospital bed because of it.

She doesn't want to become her mother…her brain…the treatments….the hospital visits…hurting the people she loved…

She can't put them through that.

xx

The girls file out of Beca's room per her request. They are not pleased about it. Actually they were pissed Beca asked them to leave the room so she can talk to her doctor alone. Dr. Vincent closes the door behind them.

Chloe turns to Stacie, "What was that about? Why can't we be in there?"

Stacie gives a drastic sigh and shrug, "I don't know Chloe. Obviously. I was kicked out too. I am just as pissed as you are. Actually I'm more pissed. And I am still in this god awful hospital gown."

Aubrey steps up hoping to calm both girls down, "Beca…has a right for some privacy to talk to her doctor. Right? We should respect that. As her friends, we should respect her privacy."

All three girls look at each other before they all launch themselves towards the door, pressing an ear against it. After a couple of seconds, Chloe steps back, "Crap, I can't hear a thing."

Stacie steps back as well, "Me either."

Chloe shakes her head, "I have a bad feeling about this, a really bad feeling about this. I don't like it."

Aubrey shakes her head, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's wait and see what happens and we can go from there."

Stacie shakes her head, "Fuck this. I have a right to be in there." Stacie moves to open the door.

Chloe balks, "Stacie, you can't."

"Yes I can. Maybe you can't. But I can." Stacie opens the door and tries to close the door behind her but Chloe and Aubrey file in after her.

Beca and Dr. Vincent stop their conversation and look towards the intruders. Beca turns to the doctor. "This is exactly what I mean."

Dr. Vincent nods and turns to the girls by the door. "Ladies, I am going to have to ask you to leave."

Chloe looks to Beca, "Becs don't be ridiculous, we should be in here with you."

Beca turns her head and looks to opposite wall, "This is my business. I don't want you guys a part of it."

"Becs."

Beca shakes her head, "I need to do this alone. You guys will not like my decision."

"What decision? Of what to do?"

Beca doesn't answer. Chloe looks to Stacie for help. Stacie gives it a try, "Beca, we have been through a lot… Beca look at me."

Beca clenches her jaw but looks to Stacie because Stacie was right; they have been through a lot together. This she cannot deny and is forever eternally grateful that Stacie came to L.A.

Stacie continues, "Good. Now, you know I have your back and your best interest at heart. You know this. I always had you or followed you through whatever hole you wanted to jump in. I always had your back, hell I jumped with you, and we always made it out alive. I mean, there were some close calls BUT that's beside the point. The point is, we got through it together. Together. Let's not break up the team now."

Beca mulls over what Stacie says but doesn't respond.

Chloe speaks up, "And now you have me.. and Aubrey here as well for you. And Amy wherever she is right now. We are Bellas for life."

Aubrey's eyes widen. She completely forgot about Fat Amy. The blonde pulls out her phone and sends Amy a quick text of where they are.

A tear slides down Beca's cheek as she looks away. She hears them. She does. But her mind is made up.

She needs to save them from what's to come.

"I need to do this alone."

Aubrey stomps her foot, "Well you're not alone dumbass."

Beca scoffs and faces the trio, "I don't want you guys here! And I don't want surrrr—AHHHHHHHHHH!"

A sharp shooting pain stabs through Beca's brain. Everyone's eyes widen in fear and surprise as Beca's eyes roll to the back of her head and she starts convulsing. It only lasts for a couple of seconds before Beca's body goes limp and slumps to the side. The doctor runs over to the side of the bed and checks for a pulse….

"Crap, that's too fast, she might be hemorrhaging."

The doctor presses the 'code blue' button on the wall and an alarm goes off. "She needs surgery now, we need to get that blood out. Did she just say she didn't want surgery? Is that what she just said? I couldn't tell. I need consent. Do you know if she is a full code or Do not resuscitate?"

Chloe shakes her head, "I-I-I don't know." Chloe is not sure what she heard either and if she did hear Beca say she didn't want surgery, she sure as hell is not going to say so. Chloe looks to Aubrey. Aubrey's face is green and she looks like she is about to vomit everywhere. If she heard something, she wasn't about to say so either.

Chloe looks to Stacie with pleading eyes. Stacie bites her lip. This cannot be happening. Why did God put her in this position? She has a feeling she knows what Beca wants BUT that doesn't mean she agrees with it.

"LADIES?!"

Nurses burst through the doors, "What happened?! What do you need for us to do?"

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Stacie internally screams.

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Beca, don't hate me.

"I have power of the lawyers or attorneys or whatever. Do everything you can. Just do it!" Stacie closes her eyes as she feels a stab through her heart.

I'm sorry Beca.

xxxxxx

TWO HOURS LATER…

Stacie, Chloe, Aubrey, and Amy are sitting in the waiting room. Amy arrived an hour ago with Stacie's clothes. Chloe is pacing back and forth as Aubrey and Amy watch her fade a path into the carpet. Stacie is sitting off in the corner with her head in her hands.

She wanted to be alone.

She wanted to drown in her inner turmoil alone.

The girls told her it was the right decision, that she did the right thing.

But did she?

ANOTHER HOUR PASSES…

Aubrey looks over to Stacie still in the corner. The brunette is now looking out the window, deep in thought. Aubrey has wanted to go over there and comfort her for some time now but Stacie made it clear she needed some space. Three hours was enough time, right?

The tall blonde stands up, slowly walks over and sits next to Stacie. Stacie doesn't acknowledge her presence. Bree clears her throat, "Uhm, should we call her dad?"

Without looking at Aubrey, Stacie responds, "He's teaching a semester somewhere in Europe. I sent him an email. Another thing Beca will hate me for." Stacie closes her eyes as a tear slides down her cheek.

Aubrey wipes away Stacie's tear and gently guides the brunette's face to face her.

"Whatever you think you did wrong. Stop. You probably saved Beca's life. She will forgive you."

"You don't know that."

"If she doesn't, I can promise you, I will knock some sense into her until she does."

A little smile appears on Stacie's face for a moment.

A moment.

And just as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared.

"Thanks Bree. I still would like to be alone right now."

Aubrey shakes her head, "But you are not alone. You have me and those two losers over there."

Chloe and Amy sit in the chairs next to Stacie. Chloe takes Stacie's hands in her own, "We are in this together. No one is alone. And Beca is sure as hell not alone no matter how hard she tries. She is stuck with us just like how you are stuck with us."

Amy nods, "Bellas for life. Group hug!"

Amy pulls everyone into a group hug as they take strength from the love and support they have for each other and for Beca. "The Shrimp will come back to us or else I will go into the underworld and drag her back myself."

Tears fall from Chloe and Stacie's faces. Chloe reaches over and wipes Stacie's tears away. "She will be okay. We must believe. Do not give up hope." Stacie nods, closes her eyes, and for the first time since she was a child, Stacie sends a prayer to God.

A couple of moments of silence pass as the girls could not let go of each other.

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Stacie's phone starts to vibrate. She breaks away from the hug to look at the message…it's one of her media alerts.

"Fuck"

…TMZ.."Breaking news: Beca Mitchell aka DJ LADY BLISS has been reported to have been rushed into the hospital. No news on her current condition."

…National Enquirer… "Breaking news: DJ LADY BLISS hospitalized, possible O.D."

"Motherfuckers."

Aubrey looks at Stacie's phone and sees the headlines, "HOW DO THEY KNOW SHE IS HERE?! O.D? This is a violation of HIPPA and patient confidentiality. Heads will roll for this. Don't worry about this Stacie, I will deal with it."

Aubrey gets up and storms away, determined to hunt down the source. Stacie watches Aubrey storm away, feeling very grateful she wasn't alone.

Chloe looks at Stacie's phone, "I don't understand, how did they know?"

Stacie shakes her head, "There are eyes everywhere. You get use to it."

"But what about a person's privacy?"

"The downfall of being famous."

"But they can at least get it right! To jump and think an overdose? She is fighting for her life in there and the least they can do is be respectful."

"I will deal with this later. Once I know Beca is okay. I will set the record straight."

Stacie's phone starts ringing…."It's Taylor Swift…" Stacie sighs. She really doesn't want to deal with the publicity of it all…..but its her job….but….COME ON!

Fat Amy senses Stacie's despair and takes the phone from her hand,

"I got this. I got this." Super graceful, Stacie nods as gratitude fills her heart. Aubrey is dealing with the hospital leak and now Amy will deal with answering her phone. She couldn't be more thankful for the Bellas. Their timing couldn't be anymore perfect. There is no way she could have handled this alone. This is too much for one person to handle.

Amy walks away as she answer's Stacie's phone, "TayTay, I didn't know you were friends with my bestie.

Stacie shakes her head as Amy becomes out of earshot. She is not sure how Fat Amy will answer these calls. She will probably have to do damage control for Fat Amy's responses later but right now, it's good that she doesn't have to deal with it right now. Right now is about Beca, not PR for DJ Lady Bliss.

Xx

INSIDE BECA'S HEAD

Beca wakes up on the floor of a very dark empty space. The space is massive, massively empty. The tile is cool and thankfully clean. Beca stands up and spins in circle looking for any signs or direction. Where is she? Is she dead?

"Hello?"

No one responds.

"What the hell."

She starts walking forward with no destination or direction in mind. Maybe something will turn up. Hopefully.

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After walking for what felt like 30 minutes. Beca plops herself on the ground, defeated.

"HOW DO I GET OUT OF HERE! HELLO! Throw a girl a bone! HELLO!"

….Nothing.

"CAN SOMEONE OR SOMETHING TELL ME IF I'M DEAD or NOT!?"

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A spotlight suddenly turns on and it illuminated a kitchen with an island table. Rebecca, Beca's mother, is placing cookies on a cooking sheet.

"Mom?"

Rebecca looks up from the cookies and smiles at her daughter, "My beautiful baby girl. Remember cookie nights?"

Beca smiles and nods as she sits on the bar stool across from her mother like she would do when she was a child. Rebecca claps her hands, picks up a plastic cup and starts tapping it against the counter and does the cup routine Beca did at her audition. Rebecca's smooth, older voice, fills the room.

"I've got my ticket for the long way 'round

Two bottle whiskey for the way

And I sure would like some sweet company

And I'm leaving tomorrow. What'd you say?

When I'm gone, when I'm gone

You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

You're gonna miss me by my hair

You're gonna miss me everywhere, oh

You're gonna miss me when I'm gone"

Beca smiles. She can't believe it. Her mother is right in front of her. She looks radiant. Just like how she used to be. Tears start filling Beca's eyes as she is overcome with happiness. "I miss you sooo much mom."

Rebecca stops the beat and gives Beca a thousand-watt smile, not unlike Chloe's smile. "I am soo proud of you Beca. When I saw you perform my little routine in front of those girls…I knew… I knew right then and there, my baby girl would be okay."

"You were watching?"

"Oh sweet pea, I am always watching over my baby girl."

Beca smiles, "I am so happy to see you again."

"And I am soo happy to see you. Come here, give your mother a hug."

Beca hops off the barstool and runs around the island table and into her mother's arms. Happy tears are flowing down her cheeks as she squeezes her mother tightly. Rebecca squeezes her daughter just as tightly. After a few moments, Beca pulls away, "Does this mean I'm dead?"

Rebecca shakes her head, "Over my dead body. No, you're not dead. You are in a limbo state while you are in surgery."

Beca jumps back, "Surgery?! I told them I didn't want surgery."

"Beca don't be stubborn, you needed surgery to survive this."

"But mom-"

"No. This is not the end of your story. You still have so much more life to live."

"Mom I don't want to get sick like you did. I can't put my friends through that. They are not nearly as tough skinned as me."

"Oh sweet pea, haven't you learned yet that those girls are not going anywhere? You can try pushing them away all you want, but those girls are not going anywhere. They are just as stubborn as you are."

Beca sighs, "I don't want to hurt them."

"They are tougher than you think."

Beca looks down at her shoes, unsure of what to say. Rebecca lifts up Beca's chin so her daughter would look at her, "Have faith sweet pea."

"Faith in what? In who?"

"Have faith in yourself and your friends. I know you are scared but do not be scared to live….. Live…. There is still life to live. Do not give up. You fight. You are a fighter."

"But I'm tired. I'm not as strong as you. I can't do it."

"Now that is a load of horse shit."

Beca's eyes widen in surprise.

"Little pea, You are the strongest person I know. I wouldn't have lived as long as I did if it weren't for you. You kept me alive. So, enough of this talk, you will fight, you will beat this, and you will live on. This is not the end for my little girl."

Beca doesn't reply.

"Beca Mitchell, promise me you will beat this."

"How are you so sure I can?"

"Because I am your mother and a mother knows these things….I also fully expect grandchildren."

"Grandchildren?!"

Rebecca happily nods, "Yes, two, a boy and a girl. They will be the cutest things."

Beca raises her eyebrow, "Wait, how do you know this?"

Rebecca zips her lips and throws away the imaginary key.

Beca smiles at her mother's antics.

The spotlight starts to dim. Beca looks around. The kitchen and her mother are becoming blurry. Beca starts to worry, "Mom, what's going on?!"

Rebecca smiles. "Our time is up."

"No. no. Mom, I need more time with you." Beca lunges forward and wraps her mother in a tight hug. "I love you."

"I love you too baby girl. Just remember I am always with you."

Beca nods as tears again fall down her cheeks.

Rebecca removes herself from the hug and steps back. The kitchen evaporates into nothing as Rebecca starts to float up in the air. "By the way, I absolutely love that tall one and that redhead and all the Bellas. They are truly a magnificent group of girls to watch over my baby girl."

Beca smiles and shrugs, "I guess they are pretty alright."

"Forgive her."

"Who?"

"You know who." And with that, Rebecca vanishes.

"Bye mom."

The place is dark and empty again. Beca starts walking hoping an exit will appear. After awhile she starts getting annoyed that nothing was happening.

"Wake up Beca. Come on. Wake up. Wake up!" She tries to encourage herself. She starts to sprint as hard as she can into the endless darkness. She feels her heart starting to beat faster and faster as if it was waking up. She takes it as a good sign and continues to run. For the first time in God knows how long, she is trying to run to something instead of away from it.

Xxxxx

IN BECA'S HOSPITAL ROOM

The girls are sitting around the bed looking back and forth between Beca's heart rate monitor and an unconscious Beca lying in bed with a breathing tube in her mouth. The left side of Beca's head is wrapped in a gauze bandage as the other side is in corn rolls courtesy of Fat Amy. The heart rate increases from 60 beats per minute to 90. Chloe grabs Beca's hand.

"Wake up Becs. Please wake up."

Stacie stays at the foot of the bed and just looks at Beca's closed eyes, hoping they would open. It's been 10 hours since the surgery has ended and Beca has yet to wake up. 10 hours. 10 fucking hours.

The girls haven't left Beca's side. Sleep can wait. They wouldn't be able to sleep anyways. The worry would keep them awake. Earlier, a nurse suggested they get some rest and she would call if anything changes. HA!

And now, for the first time, Beca's heart rate picked up. Maybe, just maybe she will wake up…

Stacie impatiently chews her lip. The anticipation is killing her. She can't take it anymore. Beca needs to wake up. Stacie can barely breath. She puts her hand around Beca's ankle through the blanket and gives it a squeeze, "Come on Beca. Wake up."

Chloe squeezes Beca's hand.

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Beca squeezes back.

Shocked, Chloe looks down at their hands and then back up at Beca's face. "Guys she is squeezing my hand! Open your eyes Becs. Come on. You can do it. Please, just open your eyes."

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Beca's eyes shoot open and immediately lock eyes with Stacie at the foot of the bed.

Stacie freezes, unsure if Beca hates her or not.

Beca's grip tightens around Chloe's hand as she continues to stare at Stacie. Feeling Beca's rising tension, Chloe rubs Beca's hand with her other hand, "Beca, look at me."

Beca looks away from Stacie to Chloe.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again. Do you hear me?"

Beca looks away from Chloe and back at Stacie. Chloe leans down and whispers in Beca's ear, "Forgive her. She made the right call. She loves you. We love you… I love you."

Beca closes her eyes as her mother's voice echoes over Chloe's…

"Forgive her."

Beca nods in response to both women. She relaxes her grip on Chloe's hand. A tear escapes and slides down her cheek. She must forgive. She must fight. She must live. She has to let them help her get through this. She must have faith in herself and her Bellas. She has to beat this. She is going to beat this, not just for herself, but for them too.

This is not the end.

Beca opens her eyes and looks at Stacie. Beca's eyes soften and she gives Stacie a grateful nod.

Stacie lets out the breath she was holding. She can breathe again. Words cannot express what she is feeling right now. Aubrey wraps a supportive arm around Stacie's shoulder. Stacie smiles as she rests her head on Aubrey's shoulder. Thank you God.

Fat Amy walks to Beca's free hand and gives it a squeeze, "I'm glad you're back mate. You scared the chickens out of us."

Beca squeezes Fat Amy's hand in return, her crazy college best friend, she always did have a way with words.

Beca turns and looks to Chloe and really looks at Chloe. Sweet Chloe. The girl who came crashing into her life all those years ago, the girl who changed her life all those years ago, the girl she ran from because she was too scared to admit her feelings...to let her in... to hurt her.

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No more running.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The END

I love you guys for sticking with me. Thank you for coming on this journey with me. I hope I did okay but I felt it was time to wrap it up and move on. Thank you for your support.

Please review for the last time.

Sincerely,

Wolfie

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