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The Bella House buzzed with excitement as the ladies celebrated Christmas before they all went their own separate ways for the Winter Holidays. Some of them had stayed a few extra days before departing so they could all be together for the party; others wouldn’t be leaving for a few more days due to work obligations. It had been a tumultuous year for the group. In May, they had won their third consecutive a cappella national championship. Over the summer, they had performed for the President, but that event had also been their downfall. Fat Amy’s poor decision to not wear undergarments while using aerial silks got the group suspended from campus. Now their very survival depended on winning the World A Capella Championship in Copenhagen in May. The girls hadn’t been in sync. They were constantly being mocked by Das Sound Machine - a German group who had declared themselves the best in the world. Everyone was stressing about their impending graduation - except for the freshman Emily. Even the tight friendship of Beca and Chloe was strained. The usual tight sisterhood that was The Bellas felt frayed and in disarray. At least for tonight, they could put all of the mess aside and just enjoy being together in the joyful holiday season.
“Okay everyone!” Stacie yelled over the cacophony of voices in the Bella House. “Hey! Hey! Hey!”
“Don’t you mean ‘Ho Ho Ho’?” Amy cracked herself up with her aside to CR, oblivious to the glares from Stacie, Beca, and Chloe.
“Shut it, Amy,” Stacie ordered as she scowled. “Everyone shut it.”
“YO! The hot girl is trying to get your attention,” CR bellowed. The noise immediately ceased.
“Thank you, C,” Stacie smiled and winked at her friend. “And THANK you.” She then waggled her eyebrows.
“Ugghhh,” Beca groaned. “Keep it in your pants, Legs.”
“As if,” Stacie replied with mock outrage. “Okay, now that I have your attention, it is that wonderful time of night when we read A Visit from St. Nicholas.”
“I thought we were reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” Jessica commented with a confused look.
“It’s the same thing,” Stacie answered.
“How is that the same thing?” Ashley asked with a similarly confused look.
“The actual name of the poem is A Visit from St. Nicholas. It was written by Clement Clarke Moore in 1823.” Chloe explained. “Actually, it was Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas, and Moore didn’t claim it until 1837. Over the years, though, it has become more commonly known as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Everyone looked at the redhead, eyes and mouths opened wide. Chloe took in the faces and rolled her eyes. “Please, seven years as a Literature major. You shouldn’t be surprised I know that.” Everyone murmured their agreement.
Stacie cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention. “BACK to the matter at hand. Whatever we call it, it is time for it to be read.” The room was filled with noises of movement as the girls all situated themselves to get comfortable. “So who will have the honors?”
Multiple voices all spoke up in unison. “Beca!”
The diminutive brunette scowled and frowned. “Why me?”
“Because, normally the dad of the family reads it,” Emily cheerfully explained. “And you’re our Aca-Dad.”
Voices all echoed in agreement, with Stacie’s voice carrying a solitary sultry, “Yeah, daddy.”
“Hey! That isn’t fair. I read it last year.” Beca complained. She then pointed at Stacie, “And you shut up.” Stacie blew a kiss at Beca.
“It’s the rules, Beca,” Aubrey said with authority.
“Why the hell are you even here?” Beca grumbled with a pout.
“I invited her,” Stacie announced before winking at the blonde former captain - who immediately blushed a deep red.
“Is it just me, or is Legs especially horny this Christmas?” Amy observed.
“It’s not just you,” CR answered.
“She tried to corner me under the mistletoe earlier,” Flo announced. “Five times.” All the other Bellas nodded in agreement.
“I have a lot of cheer to spread,” Stacie said with a shrug.
“That’s not the only thing she’s spreading,” Amy loudly whispered to Beca. “Hey oh!” She raised her hand for a high five, but was met only with a disgusted look from her roommate.
Before everything completely went off the rails, Chloe spoke up. “Becs, c’mon. It’s your last year to read it.”
Beca stared at her redheaded best friend, who fluttered her eyelashes. The tiny DJ groaned. “Fiiiiiiine.” Stacie tossed her the book.
“Of course she said yes to Chloe,” Amy mumbled. Beca shot her a glare, which Amy countered by looking away and taking a sizable slurp out of her cup.
Beca flipped open the book and began reading in a quick monotone manner.
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
“No no no,” everyone complained.
“Do it right!” Emily whined.
“You’re breaking your aca-child’s heart,” Jessica commented.
“What kind of father are you?” Ashley added.
“FINE!” Beca shouted. “I’ll do it right.”
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
“Why is it that everyone is just cool with the fact that there is a mouse in the house?” Amy asked. The other girls all sighed and looked her way. “No, I’m saying, it was just understood back then that mice were running around even nice houses? Enough so that the author didn’t need to preface that this wasn’t a flophouse or abandoned warehouse?”
“She has a good point,” CR continued. “I don’t think anyone in here would be that chill about a mouse running around the Bella House.”
“Maybe that was a common thing back in 1823,” Chloe added with a shrug.
“We had many mice running through our house back in Guatemala,” Flo commented with a faraway look in her eyes. “Often that was where we got our meat for dinner.”
“Dear Lord…” Aubrey said under her breath.
“I keep a crate of mice in the basement,” Lily stated in a barely audible voice.
“Did anyone else just hear what she said?” Emily asked with nervous wide eyes. She then scooted away from Lily and closer to Chloe.
“Are we done?” Beca asked with a scowl. “Two lines. We got TWO lines into the poem before you squirrels got distracted.”
“Squirrel was a welcome change from mice,” Flo whispered.
“Do you want me to read this or not?” Beca asked, steam about to blow out of her ears. The girls all answered in the affirmative. “Then hush up.” The small brunette resumed once everyone quieted and showed they were paying attention.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
“What exactly is a sugar plum?” Jessica asked. Several ladies groaned, and Beca loudly sighed. “I’m serious. I’ve never seen one.”
“Me neither,” Ashley agreed.
“Doesn’t Starbucks sell some sugar plum thing?” Chloe asked.
“Oh, please, Red,” Amy scoffed. “Don’t try to act like you don’t know EXACTLY what they sell at Starbucks.”
Chloe’s mouth dropped open in offense. The other girls clearly sided with Amy. “I mean,” Beca observed. “She’s not wrong…”
Chloe’s head spun quickly to her co-captain. “Et tu? Beca?”
Beca’s face flushed. Cackling, Amy said, “Oh shit! She stepped in it now.”
Beca glared at the Aussie. “Excuse me, I was agreeing with you.”
“Should’ve known better,” Amy shrugged, emptying the rest of her drink.
“Get back to the story,” Aubrey ordered.
Beca grumbled something about “Generalisimo not being in charge anymore.” Everyone silenced and watched Aubrey level Beca with her icy stare. The two ladies locked eyes for several moments before Beca rolled hers and started to read again.
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,
Amy started to speak, but Beca fixed her with a stare and pointed. “Aah ah ah. Not a word.” She then resumed.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
“That movie sucked,” Stacie mumbled to herself.
“No, that is THE Flash ,” Ashley corrected.
“We all know!” Beca snapped in frustration. She then began to read faster, hoping to avoid any more comments.
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,
“Wait,” Emily interrupted. “It says that?” Everyone groaned. “I’m serious, it says ‘breast of the snow’?”
“Yes, Ems,” Beca sighed. “It says ‘breast’.”
Giggles broke out around the room. Aubrey huffed. “Seriously ladies? What are you thirteen year old boys? All of us have them.”
“Some have more than others,” CR observed, fixing Stacie with a lascivious stare. The leggy brunette waggled her eyebrows in return.
“Whoomp, there they are,” Amy commented, grasping her own boobs and giving them a little shake.
Most of the ladies laughed at Amy’s action. Except Aubrey, who sat with her arms crossed and look of disapproval on her face. And CR, who looked at Beca with a curious smirk on her face. And, Beca, who unconsciously stared at Chloe’s chest.
‘Uhhhhh, Cap,” CR spoke up. “Whatcha doin? Were you just … ogling Red’s boobs?”
Beca jerked to attention and spluttered. “Noooo… I wasn’t … no”
“Yeeaaaah,” CR countered. “You were straight up locked in on Chloe’s goodies.” Beca’s face was scarlet red. Chloe - on the other hand - beamed at the news.
“I wasn’t … I swear!” Beca protested. “I’m going to get back to reading.” Over the comments swirling around, she read.
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
“Chloe’s sugar plums…” Amy interjected. The room devolved into uproarious laughter. Beca dropped her face into her hands. Even Aubrey and Chloe giggled along.
The laughter died down, and Beca raised her head - still bright red in the face - and asked, “Did everyone get that out their systems?”
“Did YOU get Chloe out of your system?” Amy replied with a guffaw. The girls burst into laughter again.
“This is pointless,” Beca mumbled. She glanced up at Chloe, who was smiling and watching Beca intently. When their eyes met, Chloe grinned wider and winked at the brunette. Beca tried to smother the grin that popped up on her face, but she couldn’t. Chloe had a way to get past her defenses; she always had. No matter if things were smooth or rough between them, the redhead could impact Beca more than anyone else. The small brunette sighed and continued reading the story.
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.
“Mmmmmm,” Stacie commented. “Santa Baby.”
“You are one sick woman,” Aubrey groaned.
“Am I?” The leggy brunette leaned forward and waggled her eyebrows. “I thought you would like that, Bree.”
“What is happening here?” Beca mumbled.
Flo looked between Stacie and Aubrey. “I think these chicas are in heat.” Aubrey blushed ferociously while Stacie grinned widely.
“What’s going on?” Emily asked, swinging her head back and forth, taking in everyone in the circle. “I’m so confused.”
“Again … you are beyond clueless,” Amy chastised the youngster. “Let the grownups talk.”
“I’m gonna get back to the story,” Beca announced. She sped up her reading, hoping to avoid interruptions.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
“Why don’t they mention Rudolph?” Emily interjected.
“Here we go again,” Amy groaned. “Listen tall, hot, and stupid … Rudolph isn’t real.”
“None of them are real,” Ashley replied.
“Yeah,” Jessica agreed. “This is all made up.”
“What?” Emily asked, confused.
“Please don’t tell me you still believe in Santa,” Amy rolled her eyes.
“NO!” Emily shouted. “I’m not a child. I know this is all make believe.”
“That’s a relief,” Amy mumbled.
“Amy, stop being mean to Legacy,” Beca said.
“I was just asking why Rudolph isn’t included in the list,” Emily explained.
“Sweetie,” Chloe gently began. “Rudolph came about like a hundred years after this. Totally different source material.”
“Oh,” Emily said. “I didn’t realize that.”
“It’s all good,” Chloe replied with a smile. “Like I said, seven years of being a Lit major.”
Everybody nodded. Beca looked around and didn’t speak. The other ladies exchanged confused glances. “I was just waiting to make sure nobody else wanted to say anything. You know? Before I continued.” When nobody spoke up, Beca began again.
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
“Amy! That sounds like you after you’ve been drinking!” Emily bounced up and down and pointed at the Aussie.
“LEGACY!” CR shouted as the other ladies busted out in laughter. “Nice one! Get her!”
Amy just scowled, crossing her arms across her chest as she grumbled, “Stupid giraffe.”
“How does the saying go? You can dish it out, but you can’t take it?” Flo observed. The ladies continued laughing at the Australian’s expense.
“Face it, Amy,” Beca said. “She isn't wrong.”
“Bunch of skinny bitches, ganging up on the talented one,” Amy whined. “Beca, get back to the story. This is dragging out. And I have an appointment later. Not with Bumper. And not getting naked behind the campus Christmas tree.”
“Aaahhh! No more,” Beca shouted. “Say nothing more.” She then continued the story.
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
“I am offended by all of this fat shaming,” Amy announced.
“I don’t think they are shaming him, Ames,” CR replied. “I think they are just describing him.”
“Still, the guy seems hung up on Santa’s weight,” Amy complained.
“Really, there are quite a few things in here that wouldn’t fly today,” Ashley shared. “The smoking, the weight stuff, him being dressed in fur. All of those are problems now.”
“Kind of like that Baby, It’s Cold Outside Song,” Jessica added. “It’s interesting how things change as time goes by.”
“Have you heard John Legend’s modern take on that song?” Stacie asked. “It is ridiculous.”
“He was just trying to fix it,” Emily countered. “It really is a disturbing original.”
The Bellas all started arguing about the original song and the new version. Beca flopped her head back against the back of the couch. She groaned loudly. “Can we just finish already? This is taking forrrr-ev-errrrr.”
All of the other ladies mumbled their apologies, and Beca announced, “NO! MORE! INTERRUPTIONS!”
“Aye aye, captain,” Stacie replied, saluting the small brunette. Beca shook her head and continued.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
“YAY!!!” The Bellas all cheered.
“Thanks, Dad,” Emily called. The ladies all laughed at the comment. They then mingled and talked some more. In short order, they began cleaning up and making their way to their rooms.
Once all of the ladies were back in their rooms and all the noise had died down, Beca found herself outside of Chloe’s door. She lightly knocked. The muffled sound of movement came from inside. The door swung open to the sight of a smiling redhead. Chloe was dressed just in a longish t-shirt. Her makeup had been removed, but she was still absolutely lovely. “Oh, hey Becs. What’s up?”
“I … uh …,” Beca stammered and blushed. “I just wanted to say … I wasn’t really … you know … staring at your … sugar plums … earlier.”
Chloe’s face brightened as she grinned even bigger. “Oh, I’m sure. But, even if you were, I wouldn’t have minded.” She waggled her eyebrows, causing Beca‘s face to turn a deeper red.
“Why do you say those things?” Beca whispered.
“Cause they’re true, Becs.” Chloe’s eyes twinkled as her face took on a more serious look. The two ladies stared at each other, a weighted silence looming between them.
Clearing her throat, Beca spoke. “Um … I know that … things have been a little rough lately … between us … and …” She waved her hands towards the rest of the house. “I’m really sorry.”
Chloe reached out and grasped one of Beca’s hands. “I know, sweetie. We’ll get through it. I’m not going anywhere.”
Beca nodded and swallowed the lump in her throat. “Me neither. Not yet, anyways.” They again stood silently. “Umm … can I … can I sleep in here … I want to … be here…”
“Always, Becs.” Chloe leaned forward and kissed Beca on the cheek. The brunette looked with surprise into the blue eyes inches in front of her. The redhead flicked her eyes upward to the top of the door frame. A sprig of mistletoe hung down.
“Oh … When did that …?” Beca mused.
Stepping closer, Chloe whispered, “Merry Christmas, Beca.”
Beca swallowed, inched closer, and replied, “Merry Christmas, Chlo.”