Chapter Two: Breaking All Hearts
"Hey Dallas," Cassidy greeted as she entered Lighthouse Book Café.
Dallas looked up from his work which was currently just wiping down the counter waiting for costumers. "Eh, welcome Mademoiselle Cassidy," he said in a French accent that faintly sounded more closer to German. "Would you like some ice cold ice crème or perhaps some strawberry shaved ice or gelato?"
Cassidy giggled at his accent. "No thanks Dallas. It's too cold for any of those. But I'd like some sweet tea."
"Don't you mean iced tea?" He continued to play with her as he prepared her drink.
"I will kill you if I see ice in my tea," she jokingly threatened.
He smiled cheekily. "I'll take that chance."
"Dallas!"
"JK... You know I was just kidding." He rounded the corner and set her cup of tea in front of her. "Ah, might as well join you. It's always empty in the mornings on most given days."
Cassidy nodded and leaned to grab her steaming cup. "So who's the owner? I never see him or her."
"Actually you do. Everyday," he commented.
"No way."
"Yes way."
"Ally owns this place?"
Dallas looked at her with a are-you-kidding-me type of look.
"Gotcha!" She smiled. "But really, you own this place?"
He nodded. "Yeah, my dad bought the place in '89 and when he died it was passed on to me and my brother. But my brother's still in high school so he wasn't expected to run this placed."
"Where's your mom?" Cassidy suddenly knew she got into a more sensitive subject due to Dallas' reluctance to answer the question causing the mood to change. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to. So... let's get back to this brother of yours."
"No... I don't mind," he replied after a few seconds. "She uh... left my dad when I was in 4th grade but it was unofficial. She just... disappeared one night. But I don't really remember her neither does Colby. He was just a baby when she left."
"So where is she now? If you don't mind me asking."
"I honestly have no idea."
Cassidy nodded. "One last question and I hope I'm not pushing it, but why did you answer my question in the first place? About you mom, I mean. You obviously didn't want to answer."
He looked at her in the eyes. "I wanted to prove to at least one person, just one, that I've got substance. I'm not just a player. I'm a person too."
She was a loss for words. How... how different people seem if they just open up to you. How... they are seen in a new light just from a single piece of new information. It astounded her as to how much there is beneath all of what people tend to show. For her... there really wasn't much of a story.
"Weird, huh?"
"What is?"
"How I'm not such a 'player' as I tend to be. But you've got to give it to me, with my rep and all."
Cassidy laughed. "Fine, I actually have to give that to you." It was a given as to how they just connected. It was like there was something there. Something real, that's only surface now. "You surprised me in the past minute. Did you know that?"
"Well yeah... take a look at this!" He pointed to his face in mock admiration.
"No, really. From how sensitive one is and then you can easily break the tension. You're not that bad Dallas. I like that about you."
"Hey, what's not to like?" he wise-cracked. They both laughed at his cocky statement. Dallas reminded Cassidy of her brother. They were alike in so many ways, but still unique in their own style. The world is a funny place.
"Now, your turn," he said. "Who is Cassidy Moon?"
"Cassidy April Moon. Sister of Austin Moon, hockey player of the Colorado Avalanche. Daughter of Mikael and Mikayla Moon, owners of Moon's Mattress Kingdom. Born September 15, year you do not need to know. Enjoys eating, shopping, sleeping and ironically the outdoors. Born and raised in Miami, Florida and is currently enrolled in interior design at UC Irvine."
"No, no, no," Dallas said. "Not the basics. But who you are."
"Well that's who I am. What else is there?"
"Come on. There's more to a person than college, shopping, family and eating. Like for example, your weird habits, or what freaks you out. Or your drive/motivation to live. Or what you believe the purpose of life is." Cassidy nodded in thought. "Or maybe if you're in a relationship or not," he casually stated, but braving the question anyway.
"You just want to know about my love life don't you?"
"No!"
"Dallas. Come on."
"Seriously! I didn't. It was just a question."
"You really are a flirt," Cassidy laughed as well as Dallas. "But I trust you seeing how you told me about your mom and all. And no, I don't have a boyfriend."
"So... how about the other questions?"
"Oh. You were serious?"
"Totally."
"You're such a jerk... in that nice way. But I like you. You're funny and fun to talk you."
He spied them from outside the plexiglass walls of the café. Laughing and talking. Jealousy boiled inside of him. He thought only he and Cassidy had that connection. Guess not. He thought he'd gotten somewhere with her. Looks like it was the last thing on her mind. And it hurt, that someone else could possibly be vying for his spot. But he really was in a tough decision. Best friend or her? But he'd already made the decision a while back.
He'd chosen her.
"Dad, please," Ally said via Skype*.
Lester Dawson stared at his daughter's face through his computer. He hadn't seen that face in more than ten years. And that a reason it must be for her to come and talk to him. "Ally... " he breathed. He kept blinking and trying to make sure it wasn't an illusion.
"Daddy..." No matter what age, a girl will always be a daddy's girl even with some bad history in the back pocket. "Hey..."
"Ally..." She'd grown. She'd matured. She was a grown woman now of age and with a stable job and a home. She'd accomplish what she had said when she'd left. And it was a bittersweet moment of realization.
"So um... Dad. I um..." How was she going to break the news to him? She'd left because of Austin and what would her father say if he was the only reason that she'd come calling.
"How are you?" he choked out.
"I'm uh, I'm fine. Great. Got and job and apartment and everything."
He nodded. "I'm... I'm really proud of you Ally. It's hard for a father to watch his daughter grow up and leave, but even though you left on such rough terms... I'm proud of you."
"Thanks." Was those tears in her eyes? She quickly blinked to hide them. "It wasn't easy, but I made it."
"I know Ally." He too wiped a few stray tears that had dared to fall. "So how's your Aunt?"
"She's great. Still gardening even though it literally breaks her back."
Lester chuckled. "Did you find out about her past?"
"Oh yeah," Ally laughed. "Most definitely. Who knew a such nice old lady, could have such a history? But people can amaze ya."
"Yeah." He nodded. It felt good. It was just like old times, where they'd just talk about life.
But she kept evading the topic. For half an hour they talked about sports (not hockey, they clearly stayed away), Elliot (he's also matured from high school), just basically anything. Meanwhile Austin sat behind the computer waiting for the topic to come up. The only reason they'd called was to break news of their wedding. He didn't mind waiting seeing as it was about ten years since this father/daughter pair had last talked. It must've felt like a century to both of them.
"Dad."
"And I remember how you were just three and already you were-"
"Dad."
He stopped mid-sentence. "Yes Ally?"
"It's been a while since we've talked and only now I've plucked the courage to call you. And that's because of someone." She looked above the screen to Austin. "Dad... I'd like you to meet-"
"Hold up, Ally." Oh no... This didn't sound like good news to him. "The only reason you called me ten years later is so that I can meet this guy? Ally, I thought I raised you better than that! And it's not even a person to person meeting."
"But Dad..."
"No Ally. Whomever this guy is, I'd like to see. I want to see if he's good enough. But this is just unbelievable! Because of a guy... you finally talk to your old man. This really was a disappointment."
Couldn't he have yelled? It would've been much easier. Making a parent feel disappointed is one of the most horrible feeling one could ever imagine.
"I'm sorry Dad. But we are getting married and I don't need your approval. I love him and he loves me! I don't care what you say. You don't even need to be there! I couldn't care less!"
"Then who'd walk you down the aisle?!"
Oh yeah, she hadn't thought of that. Until now... "His father!"
"Ally!"
"Dad!"
"I want to see him! Turn the computer around. I know he's there. And you are so lucky I'm talking thru a computer screen or else I'd have his head!"
All that yelling didn't sound like good news to Austin, but he stood up anyway, caught a breath and joined Ally. "Hi Mr. Dawson."
Lester Dawson couldn't believe his eyes for the second time that day. "Au-Austin Moon?"
Austin meekly smiled and gave a small wave. "Nice to see you again sir."
"For you. But I'm not really feeling the love."
"Look Mr. Dawson, but-"
"No buts. I'm really disappointed in both of you. Ally, I thought you knew better than get back with Austin after he broke your heart. As for you young man, I've still never forgiven you. I'm really disappointed," he repeated. "And for the moment, don't bother sending a wedding invite. I won't need it." And just like that, the video call was cut short by Mr. Dawson.
Stunned silence. Did he just...
Austin wrapped his arms around Ally because even though she wasn't making a sound, he knew she was hurting deep inside. It didn't go as well as they'd thought it would. "Shhh... don't worry Ally. I'm sure my dad will be able to walk you down the aisle. He'll be proud to do it."
Ally sniffed. "Thanks for being there. Now... why don't we tell your parents? It should be better."
"Yeah," he nodded. Hopefully.
...
"Austin!" Mimi Moon exclaimed. "What a surprise? How's the team?"
"Mom... it's just me. And I've got some news."
"Please don't tell that you quit the team."
Quit the team? Why would he quit the team? But his mind flew back to the text that Hayden had sent. He shook his head. "No Mom. I didn't quit."
She sighed in relief. "Okay. Worst-case-scenario out. So, what's the exciting news? Wait. I'll get your Dad. Hold on for a minute." Mimi briskly walked out of the screen to call on her husband. Back in Vermont, Austin look at Ally and smiled. "Okay, hit us with your news."
"So... Mom, Dad... I'm getting married!"
Mimi and Mike did not expect that at all. Their mouths dropped to the ground. "M-married?" Mimi gasped. "As in tying the knot?"
Austin nodded. "I proposed on Christmas and we're getting married on February 14th."
"Wait," Mike interrupted. "That's in two and a half months from now. Austin, please tell me that your fiancée is not pregnant."
"No, no, no." Austin blushed. He knew Ally was looking at the computer with the same expression he wore. "Don't worry. We just wanted our wedding date to be Valentines."
"What about Ally? I thought you were so desperately in love with her?" Mimi posed. "You got over her? About damn time!"
"That's the thing..." He waved for Ally to come and join him. "I'm getting married to Ally."
"Mike, I must be hallucinating or that girl looks exactly like Ally Dawson."
Ally laughed, trying to keep a light atmosphere. "I am Ally Dawson, Mr. and Mrs. Moon. Austin found me in Vermont and ever since... I've fallen for him again. And we were just here to break the news of our engagement."
"Oh," both Moons chorused. "This I was not expecting at all," Mimi added.
"Neither did we, but we're happy," Austin said, grabbing hold of Ally's hand and smiling at her. He loved her with every beat of his heart. "So we'll send you the invitation and all the information will be there. We don't know where we're getting married, but we'll figure it all out."
Mimi looked at her husband. It was written all over his face. Then she looked at Austin's hopeful face. "Austin... this is all such a great surprise and I'm genuinely happy for the both of you, but..."
"But what?"
"But I'm not sure your mother and I can make it Austin, " Mike finished. "We've both been caught it in our own web of troubles." He didn't specifically say because that'd just crush Austin's feelings even more. "I'm sorry bud. We'll try, but there's no guarantee."
"Oh, okay. Bye." Austin slammed his laptop shut. "I hate them!"
"Austin," Ally soothed, pulling him in an embrace. "We'll figure it out. Don't worry."
Oh yeah. What's not to worry about? It's been less than a week since their engagement and everything seems to be falling apart. Ally was still not on good terms with her father and he didn't even want an invitation to his own daughter's wedding! As for his parents... it was just complete disaster. It was like they'd forgotten about the text Mimi had sent him. But he knew... and God, life is just a mess. Neither sets of parents looks like they'd make it. How was it going to be even a wedding if their parents couldn't/wouldn't celebrate with them?
What else could go wrong?
*I do not own Skype.
A/N: And I'm back. I got the inspiration and motivation to update today. And I really appreciate the reviews/follows/favorites. Forget 20 reviews, when even just a couple well written ones are all I need.
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