Chapter 4
"Come on, come on, come on! We're gonna be late!" Alex exclaimed as he pulled at my hand.
I laughed. "We're almost there. Don't worry! See? There's her house."
We walked up the stairs as Trish opened the door.
"I could hear Alex from inside." Trish laughed. "We're ordering pizza and having a movie night. Sound good?"
"Perfect!" I said.
"Mommy. When is Austin gonna be here?" Alex asked looking up at me.
"Austin's coming?" Trish asked. "The more the merrier. He'll give Dez someone to talk to."
"He should be here soon. Let's go to the living room, alright?" He nodded in reply and dashed off.
I looked up at Trish who was grinning. I instantly blushed. "Austin's coming, huh? So, anything I should know?"
"Whaaaat? Psh, no. Nothing at all. I don't like him or anything. Alex just wanted him to come, and he is very nice, and-"
"Ally!" She cut me off, then smirked. "I didn't say anything about you liking him." My blush got darker. "But, hey. He's cute. And your son likes him. You never know. Give it a shot!"
I just shook my head and went to the living room. Shortly after, there was a knock on the front door. Trish answered it.
"Guess who's here?" Trish said as she entered the living room, Austin following.
"Austin!" Alex exclaimed and ran up to him.
Austin picked him up. "Hey, little guy! Told you I'd come!"
Alex just grinned and hung his arms around his neck. Austin walked over to sit on the couch that I was occupying. I smiled at how good he is with Alex. You know, maybe Trish is right...
"When is the pizza gonna-" Daphne started but stopped as soon as there was a knock at the door. "PIZZA!"
Dez handed Daphne the money, and she took off towards the door, Trish following behind.
"So, what are we doing?" Austin asked as he situated Alex on his lap.
Dez answered him. "We're watching a movie and eating pizza!"
"What movie?"
"Only the best movie ever made in existence!" Dez exclaimed.
"Seriously? You mean Zaliens?" Austin asked excitedly.
Dez nodded enthusiastically, and Austin cheered. Trish and Daphne brought the pizza boxes to the coffee table, then Trish started the movie.
~~A&A~~A&A~~A&A~~A&A~~
"How can you find that boring?" Austin exclaimed looking at me after the movie finished.
"Shh!" I indicated to Alex's sleeping body curled up on his lap. He mouthed sorry. "And they just aren't interesting. And the graphics are so bad. I'm gonna go take Alex to the bedroom. I'll be right back."
I took him to the guest room that he usually stays in and tucked him in. I kissed his forehead. "I love you." I whispered.
I headed back out to the others and saw Daphne headed down the hall rubbing her eyes.
"You headed to bed?" I asked and she nodded in reply.
"Goodnight, Daph." I told her.
"Night, Aunt Ally." She replied, and we went our separate ways.
"So, when did you guys get together?" Austin asked Dez.
"Oh, we used to hate each other up until freshman year. That's when Ally moved here, and she is the one that actually brought us together. By the end of freshman year, we were close friends. And by the beginning of sophomore year, we were a couple. We got married right out of high school because I was going into the army, and well, Daphne is a honeymoon baby!" Dez said with a happy gleam in his eyes.
"And they are so cute together! I could tell that Trish liked him as soon as I met her!" I said happily. "So, I HAD to do something!"
Everyone laughed. The rest of the night was spent getting to know each other more. Dez and Austin clicked really well. They act like they have known each other all of their lives. And Trish didn't mind having an extra friend around. That family fun night was the best one we've ever had.
~~A&A~~A&A~~A&A~~A&A~~
"Come on, Alex. Time to go!" I tried to shake him awake, but to no avail. He wouldn't budge.
"I can carry him, if you want?" Austin offered.
I looked back at the doorway, where he was leaning on the doorframe. I sent him a smile. "That would be really great, actually."
I stood up as he walked over and carefully picked up Alex. Alex sleepily snuggled into his chest.
We headed out towards the front door. "See you later, Trish." I hugged her.
"Bye!" She said, then whispered in my ear. "He so likes you."
I blushed and pulled away. I didn't reply to her and said my goodbye to Dez.
"See ya later, man! Video game marathon tomorrow?" Austin asked.
"Of course!" Dez said.
Austin shifted Alex where he was supporting him with one arm, and did his and Dez's new 'What-up?' handshake.
We headed out the door and headed to my apartment.
"Thanks, Austin." I smiled at him.
"It's no problem at all." He replied. "So, about those songs..." He trailed off.
I shook my head. "Okay, how about next Sunday. You can come over for lunch. Alex takes a nap right after lunch, and I can show you then?" I offered.
"Sounds great!" He said.
We walked in comfortable silence the rest of the way to my apartment. He followed me into Alex's bedroom and tucked him in.
We made our way back to the living room, and I turned to him.
"So, I'll see you Sunday?" I asked.
"Definitely! Here, my phone number!" He grabbed a loose piece of paper and scribbled down his number. "Maybe we could all hang out sometime this week?"
"Yea, sure." I said. "Goodnight, Austin."
"Goodnight, Ally." He replied. He hesitated, then did something I did not expect. He leaned forward and placed a kiss on my left cheek. He pulled away and smiled. "Bye."
My face burned bright red. I was frozen in place. I didn't even move as he left out the front door. I think Trish is right. But, am I ready to have a relationship? And what am I going to do about my job? How can someone even want to date a stripper?
A/N: Hey, guys! Sorry for the wait! I have been pretty busy getting ready for my sophomore year of college. I start the 24th, so updates are going to be slower. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!
Please review! :)