Chloe stood up from her seat in the church and steadily walked to the front. She began, "Beca was… incredible. She was so different, so new. Every time I saw her it was so refreshing and made everything bad go away." She took a few moments to breathe deeply, and then continued, "She saved my life in so many different ways. I loved her with all my heart. No, I love her with all my heart. Because the last thing… the last thing she said to me…" Tears began to spill out her eyes and Aubrey perched on the edge of her seat, ready to take over. However Chloe continued through the tears, "She said to me 'I'll still look after you'. So that's how I know… I know that she is still here with me," her voice began to break, "She is never going to leave me, and I don't want her to. She made me happy, and I love her."

On those last three words, her tears became uncontrollable and when she finished she put her hand over her mouth to suppress the sobs. Aubrey was up within seconds and put her arms supportively around Chloe as she guided her back to her seat. "Are you okay?" she whispered, and Chloe nodded. Then, Aubrey returned to the front with a piece of paper in her hands. She read out, "I know that I wasn't Beca's favourite person, but we were becoming close. And like Chloe said, she was refreshing." She paused for a moment and then looked back down at the paper she was holding. She took in a deep breath and then read out a poem Chloe knew Beca loved.

"Angels looked around a garden, and found an empty place. They then looked down upon the earth, and saw your precious face. They put their arms around you and lifted you to rest; their garden must be beautiful – angels always take the best. They knew that you were suffering, they knew you were in pain, they knew you'd never ever get well on earth again. So they closed your weary eyelids and whispered, "Peace be thine." Then they took you up to Heaven with hands so gentle and kind. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you, the day the angels took you home."

As she finished Chloe couldn't take it anymore and ran out of the church, sobbing. Aubrey instinctively followed as the service continued, and found Chloe collapsed on the floor outside the doors. She sat down next to her and cradled her in her arms. Chloe shook and sobbed into her best friend's shoulder, and felt selfish when all she wanted was Beca. In front of them someone coughed, and Chloe raised her head to look at who wanted their attention. She jumped when she saw standing before her was her father with a violent look in his eye and he said, "I'm here to finish what I started." Chloe began screaming and kicking out trying to fight the man before her, but felt arms pinning her down and restraining her.

She clenched her eyes shut as she kicked out, until she heard someone say her name. Chloe opened her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief at the sight before her. "Was it the nightmare again?" Beca asked, still restraining Chloe by the shoulders. Chloe nodded and continued crying. Beca pulled her up into a tight hug and said, "You need to stop thinking about it. I'm fine, I'm still here. Your dad's been in prison for 6 months now and he's not getting out any time soon." Chloe buried her face in Beca's neck as the tears eventually subdued. She shook in fear and clutched onto the smaller girl, not wanting to ever let her go.

Eventually, Beca pulled away and flicked on the light. She looked over and saw Chloe sitting there drenched in sweat, still shaking even though the nightmare was over. "Come on," she said encouragingly, "Let's get you into some new pyjamas." Chloe allowed Beca to take her by the hand and pull her out of the bed and towards the wardrobe. Beca pulled out a fresh pair of shorts and a vest top and handed them to Chloe. She didn't mind when Chloe changed in front of her – she was used to it by now. These nightmares were happening several times a week, each time requiring a change of clothes. Chloe had spent every day in hospital with Beca, and when she was finally released Chloe insisted she came to live with her. It didn't take much convincing before she accepted, despite the fact that it also meant moving in with Aubrey. But even Aubrey had been uncharacteristically welcoming and she felt a lot happier in that apartment.

"Do you think you can get back to sleep?" Beca asked, knowing it was a long shot as it was very early hours of the morning. Chloe shook her head and so Beca took her by the hand, leading her into the kitchen. "Hot chocolate?" she asked, and a small grin spread across Chloe's face. Between them they made a cup each of hot chocolate with a pile of cream on top, chocolate sprinkles, and marshmallows. They sunk down onto the sofa; Chloe leaning into Beca needing to feel the safety of her warmth. Beca took a sip, wiped the cream moustache from her mouth and asked, "Was it the same as usual?" Chloe nodded before taking a sip of the drink, finding that hot chocolate made it all easier to talk about.

"I spoke first, and then Aubrey read that poem you really love, and I couldn't take it so I went outside, but my dad was there," she explained. Beca nodded, and still holding the mug she raised her free hand to stroke through Chloe's hair comfortingly. At first it was strange to hear about her own imaginary funeral, but now hearing it was just a process to help Chloe feel better. She could tell that Chloe still wasn't relaxed and asked, "What's wrong?"

"I just feel awful and so selfish. You're the one who was stabbed, but I'm the one who's taking the longest to get over it."

"Don't think like that," Beca said, pulling her girlfriend closer, "It's not your fault. You've gone through a lot more than I have in the long run, so you have every right to need my support right now." Chloe was still unconvinced, but relaxed at the thought that Beca wasn't mad at her. They finished up their hot chocolates and lay down on the sofa, getting more comfortable. Beca had her arm around Chloe, and Chloe stretched her arm across Beca's waist. She began tracing circles on her stomach with her delicate fingers, but stopped when she felt the slightly raised skin underneath her hand.

Beca noticed Chloe freeze and said, "It is okay, you can touch it. It won't hurt I promise." Chloe traced the scar up and down with her fingers, at first feeling crushed by the guilt but eventually she found it soothing. It was a scar showing that Beca had survived; that she had saved a life and come out stronger because of it. "I love you," Chloe whispered and turned her head so she was facing Beca. "I love you too," Beca replied and placed a kiss on the top of Chloe's head. Eventually they dozed off in each other's arms, and didn't wake until it was nearly midday. Chloe woke first, causing Beca to wake soon after. They looked at the coffee table in front of them to see a note from Aubrey: Hope you're okay, left something for both of you in the kitchen x

Intrigued as to what it was, they slowly stood up still trying to wake up and headed into the kitchen. On the counter top was a CD titled, 'Bella's New Mix'. Chloe picked it up and put it in the CD player, wondering how on earth Aubrey thought this was something nice to leave for them. However, all was explained when she hit play and one of Beca's mixes – Just the Way You Are and Just A Dream began playing. Beca squealed as she realised that this was Aubrey's way of telling her that they would be singing one of her mixes with the Bellas. Chloe excitedly jumped up and down, feeling so happy for her girlfriend. Hurriedly they got dressed, grabbed something to eat for lunch, and then headed out to Bella rehearsals.

They rehearsed until it was dark, but all they sang was "I Saw a Sign". Beca began to lose hope, until at the very end Aubrey said, "Okay, I know how hard you've all worked today so now I thought we'd do something different. Beca, do you want to lead?" Beca felt like it was the moment she had been waiting for, and she wanted it to be perfect. "Sure, but not here," she said provoking some confused but intrigued looks as she led everyone down to the abandoned swimming pool, explaining what songs they were mashing up. "Chloe, are you okay to lead?" she asked, and the redhead nodded. Beca began by singing the high backing notes, initiating everyone else to follow.

Chloe made sure to make direct eye contact with Beca as she sang, "Her eyes, her eyes make the stars look like they're not shining. Her hair, her hair falls perfectly without her trying. She's so beautiful, and I tell her every day." She made a point of emphasising the words 'she's so beautiful', wanting to tell Beca exactly what she thought of her. Then, Beca began mixing in the second song and sang, "I was thinking 'bout her, thinking 'bout me, thinking 'bout us, who we gonna be." It was as if they were having a private conversation between them, telling each other exactly how they felt. Briefly Beca's eyes flicked across the other girls to check they were getting on okay, but soon she found her gaze returning to Chloe. Both of them felt a small smile develop on their faces, and felt their hearts warm up at the sight of each other.

Soon the song finished, and Chloe quickly winked at Beca. They were distracted from one another as the rest of the girls cheered, feeling invincible after performing that amazing mix. They all excitedly headed back up to campus, complimenting Beca the whole way. Eventually they departed to go their own ways, and Beca, Aubrey, and Chloe headed back to their apartment. "Thanks Aubrey," Beca said, feeling so grateful that her music was being sung in the Bellas. "It's no problem," the blonde replied, "You're actually quite good at that stuff." Beca smiled at the compliment and Chloe reached for her hand, giving it a light squeeze. They reached the apartment and Aubrey went straight into the bathroom to perform her night-time routine of cleansing, toning, moisturising and goodness knew what else. "What do you want for dinner?" Chloe asked.

"Hmm… Surprise me," Beca answered and quickly went into their room to pick something up. As she re-emerged, Chloe was already mixing something in a bowl in preparation for dinner. Beca walked up behind her and looped her arms around her waist. She rested her head on Chloe's shoulder and watched as she sprinkled some herbs into the bowl. "Can I help you?" Chloe asked, becoming distracted by Beca's warm breath on her skin. Beca placed her lips against Chloe's neck and then said, "I just wanted to give you something." Chloe turned her head, waiting to see what it was and Beca closed the distance between them, bringing her into a kiss. Chloe put her tools down and turned around so she was facing Beca, deepening the kiss. Their lips pushed against each other firmly, and Beca placed her hands on Chloe's sides before slowly pulling away.

"That was great, but not quite what I wanted to give you," Beca explained and Chloe raised an eyebrow inquisitively. Beca took her by the hands and said, "I wanted to give you… me. For the rest of our lives, I want you to have me and I want to have you." She pulled out something from her pocket, and held it in between them. It was a beautiful ring and Chloe gasped. "It's only a promise ring, so not quite an engagement," Beca explained, knowing that Chloe wanted to wait until she was out of college before getting engaged. "But I love you, and so this is me promising to never stop loving you for as long as I live." Her heart was pounding, worried about how Chloe would respond.

She let out a sigh of relief when a smile appeared on Chloe's face and tears formed in her eyes. "I love it," she said, allowing Beca to slide the ring on her finger. "I love you," she said and leant forwards, placing a kiss on Beca's lips. "Have a look on the inside," Beca instructed, feeling happier than she ever had before. Chloe took the ring off and examined the inside engraving. She smiled even wider when she read the words that cast her back to the time when they first properly met; words that somehow still applied to everything they had gone through those past few months. Her heart leapt and she flung her arms around Beca, pulling her into a tight hug. "You're amazing," she said, feeling so lucky to have Beca in her life. Aubrey wandered out of the bathroom in her pyjamas and said, "What's the celebration?"

Excitedly Chloe ran up to her best friend, showing her the ring as she returned it to her finger. "Wow, good taste Beca," she complimented with a wink, pretending it was the first time she had seen it. In reality, last week Beca had come to her for help asking desperately which ring she should buy. But she was surprised when Chloe squealed, "She got it engraved as well!" Aubrey raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh yeah? What does it say?" Tears came to Chloe's eyes again as she replied, "Shoot me down, but I won't fall."