OMG guys I'm feeling so emo right now. But I started this like two years ago and I'd feel bad if I waited any longer since *sobs* the show's over ToT. AND I FREAKING NAMED IT AFTER BETTER TOGETHER WTF KATE.
Literally I wasted like five years of my life on A&A and I want to say I can die happy because I love the ending, but I'm just so sad it ended like what do I do in free time with the TV anymore? What if Netflix is unavailable, and wifi is slow?
kidding #firstworldcountryprobs... no but seriously. I don't know what to do anymore. My vine is filled with all my A&A edits cause I don't know what to do with myself. I'm putting all these things on tumblr and suddenly getting notes because people agree (and I find a lot of behind the scenes finale pics lol)
But seriously, I'm like in love with Alex and Ava ohmygod A&A is literally fanfiction turned into a show OMG it's canon. Sorry about this, haha, I'm just in love with Austin and his son in that scene I was not expecting that. Ohmygod. I screamed. And couldn't breathe. And then dowloaded both episodes. And went on 26 hours of air travel. I'm still recovering. This isn't healthy. The season 1 references omg. Now I keep watching the very first and very last episodes, and someone get me some help. I need help. My friends have lost hope.
I need help.
Okay, so if you're still sane, that means you skipped all of that :).
If you want to check out the edits or photos on either my Vine or tumblr, here they are: Vine: /SA (no spaces), Tumblr: shors-airplane
Anywaysss, on with the story.
This is dedicated to the old lady who choked on that harmonica. Thank you. Because of you, millions of people worldwide watched four kids grow up in a wild ride of fame and love, and over million people skipped the Golden Globes and enjoyed watching that group go off into the world of success and start families. So thanks again, for being at the wrong place at the wrong time, and choking on that harmonica.
Aaaand this will be a two-shot, so watch out for part two!
Disclaimer: there's no way I could write this without Disney, even though their show is canon, but I'm still s broke so... whyyyyyyyy am i doing this? iiiiiiiiiiii'm gonna go cry some more...
Warning: a little confusing but it'll be cleared up in the second half :)
Pull Me Back To Reality
Like pieces of a puzzle
Without each other,
We're in trouble, trouble
- Ross Lynch "Better Together"
"Here you go, Madame; have a nice night. Oh! And be safe... that storm doesn't seem to be letting out any time soon." Ally handed the sweet old woman her change and bag of CDs from 60's Greatest Hits.
"Thank you, Darling. You too," the woman began to hobble toward the exit, and the wind gusted even harder, pushing the door right back. Feeling sympathy for the woman, Ally stopped her.
"Wait!" She glanced around the small music shop, noting that this woman was her last customer. The woman stopped, turning to face the young girl.
"The rain is getting hard. I'm about to close up shop; if you want to wait a minute I can walk you out with an umbrella."
The older woman smiled. "Oh sure, if it's not a hassle, I'm taking the bus." She pulled the door completely shut, watching intently as Ally scurried to quickly close the store, locking the register and fixing items back to their original position, tossing shopping bags back into storage and hurriedly shutting the practice room before meeting the woman once again. She pushed the door open, popping open her umbrella, and locking the store behind her. The two small women headed for the bus stop, in which it's transparent covering provided somewhat of a protection. They boarded the same bus, and the woman- she had told Ally to call her Linda- paid for Ally's ticket.
Linda got off first, and upon much insisting on the younger girl's part, hesitantly took the umbrella. That same stop was where the blond boy boarded the bus, politely helping Linda off first, and taking the seat once occupied by her, right beside Ally.
He simply plopped down beside her, taking his phone out as he ran a hand through his dripping hair. Rain water from his blond tassels splattered her, and she glanced up from her iPod to look at him.
He was fairly handsome, with chiseled features, a defined jaw line, and deep brown eyes, which reflected the light from his phone. He looked up, feeling Ally's gaze on him.
"Sorry."
They both said it at the same time, and he chuckled while she looked down, blushing. Her eyes landed on the screen saver, showing a beautiful blond girl crouched beside a Husky puppy and a mini version of herself, long blond hair, adorable grey eyes, and chubby four-year-old cheeks.
"Aww." It slipped from her lips before she could stop it, and her cheeks reddened further. She worriedly averted her eyes back to the boy, rambling out, "oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to invade your privacy-"
"Hey it's fine," he interrupted. "It's cool, don't be so uptight." Looking back down to the picture, he smiled, tilting it so she could see better. "It's my sister and my niece with my dog."
A smile grew on Ally's delicate lips. "That's adorable."
"Yeah," he breathed, turning the screen back to himself. "My name's Austin by the way. Austin Moon." He held out a hand for her to shake.
"I'm Ally," she responded, shaking his hand.
"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl."
The brunette rolled her eyes. "And right when you think he's a sweet guy, he lets off the cheesy line." Meeting her eyes back with his, she added, "That only works for the name Belle."
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And why is that?"
"Because it actually means beautiful."
"Oh." Austin paused a moment. "You wouldn't happen to have a middle name which is-"
He was cut off from a giggle which erupted from the nineteen-year-old girl. "No," she continued on through more giggles. "And I'm not telling you my middle name."
"And why not?"
"Because... you still haven't told me yours."
"Monica. My middle name is Monica."
This made Ally choke on air as she laughed even harder.
"Yeah, yeah, my parents thought they were getting another girl, laugh it out. But now will you tell me your middle name?"
Ally thought a moment as the bus came to a screeching halt, the rain hitting the roof even louder. "Nah."
"But- but, but why?" He sputtered, pouting like a little kid.
"Because this is where I get off. Smithson Park?" She asked, standing and dragging up her belongings into her pockets.
"Oh yeah, I get off at SP too." Austin stood, immediately noticing his towering height compared to her as they came off. He smirked down at her as the bus pulled away. "Where to, shorty?"
She slapped his arm, flipping her dampening hair from her face. "I'm not short, I'm fun-sized!"
He looked at her weirdly.
"Okay, sorry. I'm going to stay the night at my dad's, since he left with my keys earlier. He lives across the park, but I'm taking a shortcut."
Austin nodded. "I have to get to my sister's- I'm babysitting my niece." He motioned toward her with his head, tucking his thumbs into his pockets. "See you around?"
Ally smiled. "Yeah. See 'ya."
The blond smiled back, sending her a wink as he turned and headed the other way into the rain.
Her smile faltered as she turned, letting out a huff before starting her shortcut.
"Leila!" Austin dropped his keys into the bowl by the front door.
"Uncle Aussin!" The tiny four-year-old emerged from the kitchen, racing up to him on her chubby baby legs, leaping up to him as he sweeped her up into his arms. He pecked her cheek, looking up at the presence of another person before them.
"Dakota? You're home early." Austin furrowed his brow, studying his sister's frown.
"And you're late," the other blond accused, glaring at her younger brother.
"Sorry. I missed the first bus and I got distracted by this girl-"
"Wait, wait. Girl?" Dakota raised an eyebrow, a knowing look to him. "Was she cute?"
Austin blushed, his pale cheeks reddening. Leila poked his rosy cheek, giggling at his embarrassment.
"So she was!" The twenty-four-year-old gasped, becoming giddy. "Oh, Aus, tell me about her!"
"Don't you have a banquet or something you and Jason are supposed to be at?" He pouted, shifting Leila to his other hip.
"It got rained out," she shot back. "Now stop changing the subject and spill about the girl!"
"What girl?"
Austin groaned as his brother-in-law came behind Dakota, quirking an eyebrow.
Austin couldn't sleep, for some odd reason. Maybe it was because of the rain, though he was usually a deep sleeper. Maybe it was the countless teasing he received from his sister and her family. Or maybe it was this Ally girl herself.
He found himself wondering about her... and worrying about her. There was the sudden crack of lightning and boom of thunder that caused a tiny hand to reach for his doorknob.
Light seeped through his door as a small figure entered his room, squeezing a stuffed lion.
"Aussin?"
He peeped open an eye, popping up on an elbow. "What's wrong, Little Lei?" His voice was deep and groggy with tiredness.
"I can't sweep," she whimpered, holding her lion tighter. "I'm scared."
Austin's face softened at her innocence."Come'ere, baby girl," he sighed, opening his arms as she shut the door and waddled to his bedside. He pulled her up under the covers with him, wrapping his arms around her tiny shivering body and letting her snuggle into his chest. "What did Mommy and Daddy say?"
Leila lifted her face from his shirt, pouting. "I towd Mommy, but she said to cwose my eyes and I'll fall asweep, but I can't. The rain is scary."
The older blond pulled the little girl closer, kissing the top of her head. "It's okay. You'll be okay. Just go to sleep."
She buried her head back into his shirt, mumbling a muffled, "Thanks, Aussin."
He rested his chin in her head. "No problem, baby girl." She snuggled deeper into his chest at the rumble of more thunder, and for once, all his attention was on this little girl.
"I wove you, Uncle Aussin."
"I love you too, baby girl."
The pitter patter of rain grew louder, her breathing becoming more stable. Austin gazed down at the little girl in his arms. She meant the world to him. But if this was his niece, how much would he love a daughter? He still certainly had more than enough time to find a girl to love; he was only twenty. Still, at that age his sister was pregnant with her husband's child, and she and Jason were still inseparable.
His mind drifted to Ally. Had she made it to her father's house safely? He was almost certain she had, but then why did it bother him so much? She was only crossing the park- the quickest shortcut to that development.
Then it hit him; the park didn't separate the two developments where they went separate ways- the other side of the park had a thick strip of woods between it and the next development. What if Ally was stuck there, out in the rain?
Without thinking, he unfurled himself from Leila, changing his pants and throwing on a sweatshirt. He took a step out his bedroom before he heard the soft whimpers of his niece, curling in a ball in the cold, large bed without him to protect her with his warmth.
He hesitated, sliding his hand down the side of the door a bit. Was he really going to leave his little niece all alone again to go after some girl? What if she wasn't even in danger? But what if she was, with no one to call for help? So many things could go wrong, but Austin was willing to take the risk if it could help the poor girl.
He silently crept down the stairs, grabbing his phone and a flashlight he made a quick detour to the small kennel, unlocking it. "Diesel, come boy." He motioned for the small Husky to follow, clipping on his leash, and slipping out into the storm.
"Ally!"
No response.
"Ally!"
Maybe she just couldn't hear him.
"Ally!"
Maybe she couldn't respond- couldn't use her voice.
"Ally!"
Or maybe she really was okay- huddled up by the fire at her father's house.
The chances of Ally being lost outside were slowly thinning away, disintegrating with the dryness of the air. Eventually, he gave up, calling Diesel back to him.
He whistled. "Diesel, come boy."
The Husky began trotting to his owner, but a peculiar scent stopped him dead in his tracks. Vanilla.
Pulling up short, he raised his nose and sniffed. There definitely was something out of place. Placing his nose to the ground, Diesel began his search. He snuffed around, following the sweet scent as Austin watched. Catching a stronger scent, he lifted his nose once again and took off.
Diesel stopped in a clearing by a thicket of brush, immediately spotting the pale, lifeless body. He carefully nudged it with his nose, but it didn't move.
"Diesel!" Austin caught up to his dog, heart almost stopping at the sight. The husky's paws were planted atop a small delicate figure, so pale and dead.
She was so small, curled into the tree trunk. She wasn't shivering, already numb. Austin crouched in front of her, hand flying to her wrist. There was a pulse, slow and frightening under her frozen white skin. She was just so small, brown eyes of innocence clouded and distant. Her face and body bruised and scarred, pale and cold, she didn't look anything like Ally, her dark hair plastered to her neck and shoulders. She definitely wasn't the Ally he'd met.
The girl Austin had come to know a few hours ago was so lively and spontaneous. She had a certain sparkle in her big brown orbs, moved and looked like a daughter of an angel. She was beautiful.
And laying in the canvas of leaves, pale and sleeping, she was just as beautiful, like Sleeping Beauty or Snow White. The droplets of water shone on her soft cheeks, enhancing her every perfection.
"Ally," he breathed, watching her pleading eyes.
Please.
Sliding his arms under her frail body, he attempted to lift her, stopping at the ear-splitting scream that erupted from her throat. He immediately placed her back down, holding up her upper body with one arm while the other curled around her head, his thumb stroking her cheeks staining with salty tears. He held her there, in the pouring rain, wishing he could take away all her pain; a girl he'd just met, and barley knew. But that didn't stop him from pulling her closer, whispering in her ear, and kissing her forehead, trying not to think of how similar she looked to one he once loved.
•
"Austin!" The petite girl giggled, wiggling out of his grasp.
"What?" he asked innocently, tilting his head toward her.
"You know I'm ticklish!" She hugged herself, trying to hide her growing blush with her long black hair.
Austin stepped toward her again, lifting her head to meet her gaze in those crystal blue eyes of hers. "And you know how much I love that," he murmured, placing his forehead on hers.
But that was so long ago, it felt like three years without her had become a lifetime. He just wasn't so sure he was ready to move on.
•
Only a few minutes passed until he decided to try again. If he could lift Ally up just right, he could carry her painlessly, but it was a risk since he didn't know what part of her was exactly injured. Gritting his teeth, he pulled her up, cringing at her tortured moan. He felt her shift, clutching a handful of his sweatshirt. Carefully, he lugged the small girl toward home, Diesel trotting by his side.
Leila panted, sweat beading her forehead as the ringing of thunder receded from her ears. She pulled the blankets closer to her, shaking and afraid. Where was Austin when she needed him? Squeezing her eyes shut, she slowly counted to ten, but never made it past eight. There was another rumble, but one of the front door opening. Slowly, she crawled out of bed, dragging her stuffed lion behind her.
To say she was struck with confusion at the sight of her uncle holding a small girl at the front door was all her toddler mind could manage. Cradling the girl to his chest, he mouthed to Leila, get your dad.
She didn't have to be told twice, running off with eyes wide to retrieve her father.
Jason hurried to the family room, watching as his brother-in-law laid the girl over the couch.
Austin moved aside, letting the doctor take over. He watched the older man's dismayed expression at Ally's condition, checking her vitals. Dakota clattered in while he did so, eyes widening with bewilderment at the sight. She pulled her daughter off with Diesel, who had been camping at Ally's side. Jason cleaned her cuts and bandaged what he could, assessing the damage and saying he'd have to find the main detriment when she awoke.
Austin stayed behind, though, watching her. He carried her to the guest bedroom, laying her down under the covers. He pulled a chair from the hallway, sitting beside the bed, just watching the shallow rise and fall of her chest as he held her hand.
Another small, cold hand.
•
She grasped his hand tightly, a sad smile on her lips. Tears welled in her eyes, on the verge of spilling over. She swallowed, shifting in the hard hospital bed. It didn't help much with her back pain, or any pain for that matter.
She suddenly shut her eyes, a hand flying to her swollen stomach in agony. The pain slowly receded, and left her breathing hard and weaker.
He let her crush his hand, knowing it wasn't as painful as what she was going through. He knew what they had done was a mistake, but what she was holding wasn't, at least not to them. And he knew it was his fault, but they couldn't stand the thought of letting it go. He'd grown to love the little thing inside her belly, knowing it was his own. Still, they were young and immature, and her body was immature. It wasn't ready for a baby.
She was in pain, a deep trench of it. She was only eight and a half months along, but they might not have had a choice. He noticed the light slipping from her fading blue eyes, and the slowing of the heart monitor. But she had begged him not to call the doctor just yet, when they could still have a few precious moments together.
And so, all too soon, she was taking her last breaths.
"No, baby, no don't leave me," he cried, eyes pleading, begging her to stay.
But all she said was, "I love you, Austin."
"I love you too," he replied, holding back a sob.
"Promise you'll take care of her for me."
He nodded.
She gave him one last smile, and just like that, she was gone, off to Heaven. But this wasn't a promise he could keep, out of the few he'd ever made. Because she took their baby with her.
A tear escaped Austin's eye. For so long he'd felt like he lost. Lost his world. Lost emotions. He felt numb. No one blamed him though, he'd lost his girlfriend and his baby. And after three years, he thought he was going to be okay, that something like that couldn't stop his life too. But it would certainly scar it.
Leila was only one at the time- he was eighteen. Seeing his niece was painful, but she somehow seemed fill the missing space that had been made for his little girl. But the space for his girlfriend was still too large for an infant to fill, and he had to remind himself that Ally was not her, that this was not some cruel trick of deja vu.
But she looked so much like the girl that had stolen his heart, and taken it to Heaven with her. If only Ally had darker hair, and crystalline blue eyes, he would swear they were twins.
But Ally had chocolate brown locks, and matching deep brown doe eyes. If only her hair wasn't wet and appeared black, and her eyes weren't closed...
Another tear escaped, and another, and another. Tears flowed down his cheeks to the soft bedding he was leaning toward. He was no longer numb, and the pain rushed in and crashed on him like a bulldozer.
Ally.
The want to put her name to his old girlfriend struck him senseless. It was as though she had died, all over again. She was so pale, but in the bed, she looked more at rest than dead, as opposed to a few hours before.
Another small hand clasped his, warm this time. It wasn't the first time Leila saw Austin like this; she had grown to know not to question him. She simply pulled his hands from Ally's, climbing onto his lap and hugged him. She wrapped as much of his torso as she could reach in the biggest bear hug her little arms could muster. He wrapped his arms around her too, pulling the little girl as close to him as he could.
And the three stayed in that room, two curled in a chair beside the bed, where the other lay unconscious, none of them moving through the rest of the storm.
Light. Ally could see, no sense the light. It was bright, and comforting. It was inviting, but she didn't move; she couldn't move. She wanted it though, she wanted the sun.
It felt warm, and it seeped through the curtains, passed the headboard, and landed on the cream comforter draped over her body. The room was quiet, painted a light gold and white. The black ceiling fan was off, but she still felt cold. To her right- a wall with a simple black mirror and a door. In front of her- a wall with two doors opposite each other and a narrow brown table drawer between them. Behind her- a large window shielded by thin white curtains with gold embroidery. To her left- a chair occupied by two blondes.
Austin sat, slumped in his seat with a small blonde girl cocooned in his arms. She slowly stirred, cracking her small eyes open after rubbing them with her adorable little fists. Those pretty gray eyes- Ally recognized those. This was Austin's niece.
"Hi," the girl said, her sweet little voice cracking a bit. "I'm Leila. Are you Ally?"
Ally only nodded, keeping a skeptical expression. Leila, however, broke into a grin and wiggled out of Austin's grasp, plopping down aside her in the bed.
"Uncle Aussin towd us 'bout you. You're the really pretty giwl on the bus."
"Really?" Ally asked, her voice hoarse.
Leila nodded vigorously. "Mhmm!"
Ally smiled at the toddler. She could see the resemblance of Austin in her.
"Does anyone else live here?" She asked, recalling that this was probably Austin's sister's house.
"Yup. Mommy and Daddy. But they'we sweeping." Leila motioned to one of the doors, almost falling off the edge of the bed.
Instead, two arms caught her, keeping her upright.
"Careful there, baby girl," Austin croaked, pulling her back into his lap. He looked up to Ally, noticing that the color had come back to her, cheeks now a rosy pink. "Morning."
"Morning," she responded, taking in his messy hair and rumpled clothes. She opened her mouth to speak, but hesitated. "whe- how did you find me?"
Austin shrugged. "I just had this feeling... a hunch I guess."
Ally nodded thoughtfully. "Thanks, then."
Austin nodded too. They sat in silence for a moment, wondering what to say.
"How are you feeling?" He leaned toward a bit, as if he knew she would answer quietly.
"Okay, I guess," she said half-heartedly, eyes shifting back to Leila. She couldn't meet Austin's concerned gaze. Seeing this, Austin turned to his niece, shifting her in his lap.
"Hey, Lei, can you go to Mommy and Daddy's room for a minute?"
She smiled at him, as if this were the biggest feat she would ever accomplish. She kissed his cheek, and surprised Ally with a gentle hug of goodbye before swinging through one of the doors.
Austin turned back to Ally, locking his gaze with hers. "Now really, how are you?"
Trying to lie, she answered all too quickly, "Good."
He sent her a look of disbelief, making her shift uncomfortably.
"Look," she sighed, "I'm fine. Just a few scrapes and bruises; I'll be just fine." She pushed back on the bed, attempting to lift herself up. Instead, a wave of pain surged through her back, making her whole upper body collapse forward. She squeezed her eyes tight, ready to black out again.
But she didn't. Austin sighed, almost knowingly, and reached out, gently pushing her back to a laying position.
"Ally. I was there when you were treated. I saw how many injuries you have- they're not good. Don't lie to me, because I know what's wrong with you. I don't know where last night, or how, or when, but I do know one thing that happened."
Her head giving in to the pillow, she sighed. "What?"
"Knock, knock"
Turning her body, Ally studied the girl in the door frame. Her perfectly figured body leaned in the doorway, smiling gently behind her long dark lashes and falling dirty blonde hair. "Hi, Ally. I'm Dakota, Austin's sister."
Ally smiled back, a humorous chuckle escaping her lips. "Hi." She watched as the taller girl's smile broadened, waking over to the edge of the couch to sit by her feet. "So," Ally began, "Austin and Dakota, huh?"
Dakota rolled her eyes, nodding. "Yeah. My parents were quite the travelers. They begged me to name my daughter Paris, but I wouldn't. Jason and I named her-"
"Leila," Ally finished for her. "Yes, I've met her. She's adorable."
Dakota's smile broadened. "Thank-you. But enough about me, I want to know about you. I know you don't want to talk about how you're doing; let's just talk about you. Y'know, where you're from, how old you are, what you like- stuff like that."
Ally let out a short breath, glad that someone understands. "Um, I don't know- there's nothing really outstanding about Ally Dawson." Dakota gave her an encouraging smile. "Lets see- I'm a bit of a dork- kids at my old high school called me Dorkson. My dad owns a music shop- oh! And I love music. I play it, listen to it, write it; it made me a bit of an insomniac when I had writers' block. Uh, yeah." Dakota dropped an amused chuckle.
"My brother's in love with music. Well, he used to be. I only ever see him sing to Leila at night now."
"Those two fit together like a puzzle," Ally said, a memory of the little girl curled perfectly into his arms.
Dakota sighed, dropping her eyelids over her pretty gray irises. "You have no idea." Opening her eyes once more, she tilted her head as she began studying the brunette before her. "What's your last name, again?"
"Dawson. Why?"
The taller girl shook her head, as if to clear a thought. "No reason. You just look like someone."
At that moment, another presence filled the room. He was tall, dark haired, and rather handsome. No doubt Leila's father and Dakota's husband- Jason. He entered the room, stopping beside his wife. "You must be Ally," he started, "I'm Jason."
Ally turned her face up to see his, watching as he visibly stiffened. "Hi."
He nodded tightly to her, making eye contact with the blonde. "She looks just like-"
"I know. She does too- sort of."
"But does he?"
Dakota bit her lip; Ally watched the couple in puzzlement.
"I don't know. And I'm not sure if it would be good to or not."
Choo!
The couple turned their attention to the girl, watching her rub her reddening nose with the base of her wrist. "Sorry," she breathed, glancing shyly up at them through her watery-red eyes.
" 'Sokay," Dakota assured her. "You can't help it."
"How are you feeling, Ally?" Jason questioned her, beginning one of his many over-practiced interrogations.
"Um, okay- I guess." She answered hesitantly.
"Okay- are you tired?"
"A bit." Lie. She was extremely tired. If she had known the man questioning her was a doctor, maybe she would've answered a bit more truthfully.
"Are you hungry at all?"
"Actually, no" She was a little more trustworthy here.
"When was the last time you ate?"
The brunette's eyebrows scrunched together in concentration. "Yesterday... around three? I had an orange around then."
Jason and his wife exchanged worried glances. "Is there anything you need? Any daily medications or..."
"Sleep." It had slipped her mouth before she could stop it, but that was probably his plan.
"And how do you feel now?"
"Tired. I can't feel much else- almost numb. Everything is a little blurred around the edges." She squinted her eyes as if to focus, but once they began to drift, Jason's eyes widened.
"No- no she can't sleep. Dakota- keep her awake. I'll call an ambulance," he called, hastily entering the kitchen for the phone.
"Wait, why?" Austin stood at the doorway to the kitchen from the foyer, Leila hugging his hand and Diesel waiting behind them. "What's wrong with Ally?"
"Austin, don't go in there-" but the blonde was already through the next doorway. "Au- hello? Yes there's a girl..."
Austin flew through the doorway, coming up short at the sight. His sister was speaking to Ally, patting her cheeks and telling her to stay awake.
"What's going on?"
Dakota glanced up at her poor little brother, concern drawn over her features. "Austin, keep her awake- I'm getting Leila and Diesel to another room." With that, she let go of the smaller girl, dragging Austin to take her place and sweeping up the puppy and toddler before racing out of the room.
Austin turned to the miserable wreck laying before him, big brown eyes half-shut. "Ally, what's going on?" He tried.
"Aus..." Her hand went over his, and he obtained their fingers reassuringly.
"Ally, come on. You're scaring me."
"Austin." Jason stood in the doorway, holding the landline in his limp hand.
"What's happening to her?"
"Her body- it's shutting down. I called an ambulance. They're on their way."
"No," Austin shook his head. "No, that'll take too long. I'm driving her." He began to slide his arms under her,
"Austin, you can't. You can't drive and keep her awake. You'll either crash or lose her on the way. We just have to wait for the ambulance."
The blonde's dark hazel eyes suddenly grew darker, his expression grim as he gripped Ally's hand, forcing a whimper from her. "The last time I waited, I lost my girlfriend and my daughter," he growled. "I'm not losing her because of another one of my mistakes."
"And if you drive, she's bound to die, one way or another! Let the paramedics arrive. She's not going into labor, Austin. She's falling asleep. Keep her awake!"
Bang!
The front door slammed open, echoed by hasty steps.
"I called her father, since he lives across the park," Jason explained. "Keep her conscious while I get him. And don't do anything stupid," he said sternly, then swooping through the door.
Austin turned back to Ally, her eyes closed more than before. "No, no Ally, stay with me." He squeezed her hand, but feeling no reaction, put his head to her chest. Her heartbeat was slow and shallow. "Ally, come on. Just a few more minutes." He leaned down to hear her heartbeat again.
There was none.
When Lester Dawson entered the living room, he did not expect the scene he saw so soon.
The blonde boy he had recognized as Dakota's brother from when he helped her move in was on the floor, practically on top of his daughter, with one hand plugging her nose while his mouth was on hers. He quickly pulled away, overlapping his hands on her chest and pumping.
A look of concentration crossed his face as he leaned down to blow air into her mouth once again.
Two fathers stood frozen to the side of the room, while the one who had lost his child and girlfriend crouched over a stranger, trying to pump life back into her. He tried for several more minutes, never giving up.
Until the sirens came. Falling through, Austin moved off the lifeless body, staring at her tiny, fragile figure. Fun-sized, she called herself. The boy offered a sad smile at the thought, as a tear rolled down his cheek.
One hand draped over her stomach, the other gripped in his hand; it was a scene he'd known all too well. He'd told himself that he was over it, that he wasn't dwelling on that one image, but now, he knew that it was a load of crap. Two arms wrapped around him as more tears came, just rocking him back and forth, not bothering to silence him.
The paramedics appeared and swiftly swept her up onto the stretcher, Jason the first to spring into action and follow them back out to the ambulance.
The three left sat in silence for a moment. Lester watched the siblings rock back and forth on the floor, the younger sniffling softly while the older murmured calming words.
Finally, Dakota spoke up. "We should go outside."
"Where's Leila and Diesel?" The broken boy asked, his red-rimmed eyes following his sister as she rose.
"They're sleeping," she assured him.
He nodded, slowly getting to his shaky legs. Dakota, being the most stable, was the first out the door. Austin soon followed, stopped by the hand dropping on his shoulder.
"Austin."
He spun around, only to find a disoriented Lester Dawson. "I want you riding that ambulance no matter what. I can drive."
"Why do you want me there?" He asked, his brow scrunching together.
"Because- I believe if you can save her once, you can save her again."
The blonde's expression softened some, nodding slightly.
The two headed outside, readying for the dreaded scene they both felt coming.
•
"Sixty- clear!" Her body jolted. No response.
"Seventy- clear!". . .
"Eighty- clear!". . .
"Ninety- clear!". . .
"One hundred- clear!". . .
"One hun- wait! I think we have a heartbeat."
"Yes, It's faint- let's get moving."
Austin felt his heart skip a beat. She's alive.
"Austin, go," Jason called to him, already climbing into his car with Lester.
Austin quickly obeyed, climbing into the back of the ambulance after Ally's stretcher was lifted into it. He sat in the back with one of the two paramedics, simply staring at the young girl as he took her small, cold hand and squeezed it- for once being able to believe that the girl he was hanging onto just might have another chance to live.
A/M: holy crap I just wrote A/M on accident... I'm not changing it. Literally they're both A.M. now I'm sorry I don't know why this is suddenly hitting me so hard I've been ok since Monday.
OKAY GUYS I KNOW I SHOULD UPDATE MY OTHER TWO STORIES BUT I'm kinda grounded at the moment and they're on my device... which was taken away... I'm actually supposed to be doing school work that I need to catch up on so... see ya!
p.s. again if you want to see the pics/edits my vine is /SA (I've revined some of storyandsongwriter's edits- she goes by austinandallyduh) and my tumblr is shors-airplane.
The second part of this should be out soon- within this week. I have it all written, I just need to edit :)
Stay Strong!
Keep kool!
Bie!
-k8ie💙❤️ (blue and red heart if ya can't see it... idk it's symbolic just go with it)