Beca slipped away from the doting crowds of wedding guests as the crowd fawned over the blushing bride. The brunette never really enjoyed weddings, and this one was no different: it was unbearably warm out, her entree was undercooked, and she inadvertently bought a duplicate gift for the couple on the registry.

"That's the last time I use Bed Bath & Beyond for a wedding gift", she thought to herself...

In hopes of distracting herself from the day she wished would just end, Beca took a moment to admire the venue's architecture and design choices. Every detail was planned for the happy couple's big day: the shrubs were meticulously trimmed and shaped; the walkways were swept free of leaves, soil and twigs; each and every flower in the archway before her was pristine and perfectly healthy...

It was all perfect, except for one thing: Beca wanted nothing more than to go home.

Chloe, meanwhile, finally spotted Beca sitting on a lounge chair, nearly out of sight of the others.

"How can that girl sneak around like that in HEELS," she thought to herself with only the slightest hint of exasperation.

The redheaded hypnotist walked over to her partner, sitting down softly in the seat across the path.

"Bec...?" Chloe asked, cautiously.

Beca sighed as she let the smallest crack in her armour show as she turned to face her partner.

"I... I hate weddings. I know they're supposed to be this fun, happy occasion, but all I can think is, 'my parents loved each other, and look what happened to them.' Now I never get to see my mom, and she has taken her place, and..."

Chloe leaned in, wrapping her harms around Beca as she consoled her girlfriend. "Shh, it's okay, babe..."

Beca embraced Chloe tenderly, putting her walls back up enough so as not to ruin her mascara, but remaining vulnerable enough to find some relief from her episode.

"Sorry I ruined things, Chlo. I knew I should've made up some excuse not to go to this..."

Chloe kissed Beca on the cheek and smiled warmly. "Oh, stop it. It'll take a lot more than that to scare me away. Besides, I have a feeling today's gonna be awesome."

Beca rolled her eyes at her partner dismissively. "Oh yeah? We're missing the reception and it's a thousand fricking degrees out here. We're in some serious need of air conditioning and ice cream right now, and unless you're hiding an air conditioner somewhere in - " Beca gave Chloe the once-over with her eyes - "that very tight dress... I don't see how this day's gonna get any better."

Chloe gave Beca a mischievous smile and ran a finger along Beca's black flamingo-dress-covered leg.

"Funny that you should choose this dress, of all the dresses in your closet. Do you know why flamingos flock together, Bec? Protection. Yes, that's right. There's strength in numbers, everyone knows that. But you - oh, you left the flock, and now that protection is gone," Chloe said, gazing deeply into Beca's eyes.

Chloe absolutely loved the look in Beca's eyes during those early moments of a scene: before the moment they both knew was coming.

"Yes, and nobody here to stop me, I could just pin you down with my eyes and you'd be helpless to escape. Isn't that right?"

Beca, stunned, just sat there, vacantly gazing up at Chloe. They both knew that Beca was free to use her safeword at any moment if she didn't wish to play; nevertheless, Chloe waited for some form of response.

Beca nodded slightly, eyes already glazing over.

Chloe's eyes lit up in response.

"That's right. Even with all those people nearby, you're helpless to resist my spell. Any one of them could see you, but none of them can help you. It's too late for you. Just look into my eyes, and Sink..."

Right on cue, Beca's muscles turned to mush as she collapsed into the lounge chair.

Chloe adjusted Beca's limp body so that, to the untrained eye, it would appear as if Beca was simply dozing in the chair. She then stretched out next to her hypnotized partner, taking the role of the big spoon.

"Deeper and deeper, now. Very good, doing so well. Now, when you wake up, you're going to feel like you're full of energy. The heat will be the last thing on your mind. You'll be thrilled to be here at the wedding, and you'll want to dance with me all night long. You can do that for me, can't you sweetie?"

Beca gave a slight nod.

"Excellent, now, waking up on three, my little hypnotized hottie. One, two, three!" Chloe exclaimed, snapping her fingers for added effect.

Beca's body startled for a moment as she snapped out of her hypnotic interlude. With a slight tear in her eye this time, she turned and hugged her partner.

"I love you. I don't deserve you..."

Chloe smiled with her eyes and replied, "I love you too, and don't say things like that. Besides, I'm the lucky one, here. Plus, I got you a little gift for today."

Beca spontaneously burst into excitement. "Ooh, really? Wha'cha get me?"

"Well, I kinda figured you wouldn't be keen on being here, today. So, I had a little chat with the bride the other day..." Chloe said, fiddling with a chain around her neck.

Beca's mouth made a perfect O-shape in shock. "Chlo, you didn't!"

"Just a little something! Nothing too terrible, I promise. It'll only last for ten minutes, starting after you say the words 'something borrowed' to the bride."

"What'd you do? What'd you do?"

Chloe laughed out and said, "Wait and see..."

Beca grabbed Chloe's hand, excitedly pulling them both out of the seat and back to the party.

----

An hour or so later, the hypnotic power couple took a break from the dance floor to rest their tired feet. The bride and groom took the opportunity to sit down with Chloe and Beca, finally able to say hello amongst their busy day.

"Wow, who knew you two could dance like that? I can barely get Trevor out of his seat most nights."

"Well, Rachel, now we have the rest of our lives to dance the nights away," Trevor replied as he kissed his bride.

Beca then said the words she'd been waiting to say all night.

"Tonight has been just perfect. I'm curious: what was your 'something borrowed'?"

Rachel's eyes glazed for a fraction of a second before replying, "Oh, it's my broach. Do you like it?"

Rachel ran her hand over an ornate antique broach around her neck.

Beca smiled from ear to ear. "I love it. This is a 'lovely wedding.'"

Rachel's smile somehow grew larger and said, "Thanks! I'm cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs for this wedding."

Trevor looked at his bride quizzically. "Huh? What did you just say?"

She cocked her head to the side like a confused cocker spaniel. "What do you mean?"

"When Beca said this is a 'lovely wedding'..."

"I'm cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs for this wedding!"

"There! You did it again!"

Beca and Chloe exchanged knowing glances while poorly hiding their respective smirks.

"Did WHAT again? Whatever, you big dork. Come on, we've got guests to thank. Have fun tonight, you two!" Rachel said, pulling her groom along to the next table.

Once the happy couple was out of earshot, Beca and Chloe burst out into fits of laughter. "You are twisted!" Beca said, swatting Chloe in the arm.

Chloe flashed her million watt smile. "I'm okay with it."

Beca turned to face Chloe.

"I love you," they both said simultaneously.

They both leaned in and shared an extra-special kiss.

At the end of a wonderful evening, Rachel and Trevor walked out toward their limousine, complete with "Just Married" painted on the back. The half-drunk crowds were exuberantly cheering for the happy couple, wishing them the best and thanking them for a fantastic time. As Rachel was about to get in the limo, someone shouted, "the bouquet! Throw the bouquet!!" Also half-drunk and not wanting to risk a wardrobe malfunction, Rachel unceremoniously spun around and threw the banquet into the crowd - right into Beca's hands.