Hey, you guys! I hope you all are enjoying this story so far. Love you yall!
Previously…
"Look I have to tell you something," they both said at the same time both the smiles wiped from their faces.
"Alright, go ahead," Austin said motioning for her to go on.
"I heard you and Dez on the phone this morning," Ally said sighing.
And Austin froze…
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Wide-eyed and frozen, Austin stared at the brunette whose face showed no emotion. His mind went into overdrive.
How much did she hear?
What is she thinking?
Oh no, she's gonna push everyone out again.
Austin wanted her to trust him, and this probably wasn't a good way to show that she could. He should have woken her up to talk to Dez with him considering that is was concerning her sister and herself.
Austin took in a deep breath and started to speak. "Ally I was gonna tell you I promise, and I know that I should have woken you up to speak with you about all of this, but I just want to protect you. Mentally and physically," Austin explained as quickly as he could manage.
"Austin I'm not mad. I promise, and I understand that all you want to do is protect us, and for that, I've never been more grateful," she voiced genuinely staring at the never wracking blonde that was fiddling with his fingers.
Austin let out a sigh of relief and walked over to her. Standing right in front of her, Austin had to look down for eye contact. Staring into her tender chocolate eyes Austin saw… dread. Austin knew that she was dreading to see, or deal with Rick again. He could see how stressed she was, the way she was playing with the little ring on her middle finger, twisting it in circles. Her actions were stiff, strained, and she would look from Austin's eyes to everything in the room.
"Ally," Austin spoke out to her delicately, inching his hand to her arm running his fingertips up and down comfortingly. Moving his other hand, he placed his index finger under her chin for her eyes to meet his.
Ally's eyes meet his, and Austin could see how afraid she was…tears filled the rim of her eyes out of fear.
"You aren't going back, I promise you," Austin stated firmly, yet gently. Ally took in a shaky breath and nodded. "He'll have to get through me before he gets you."
Austin took her small frame in his arms, and Ally gripped tightly to his shirt with her shaking hands. "I promise," he whispered, placing a small kiss on her forehead before placing his chin on her head.
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Ally sat on the porch, pulling her coat tighter to her body each time the wind blew. Her legs were curled up in the chair, and Ally was positive that she was cutting the blood circulation off because she couldn't feel them. Yet, then again…maybe it was going along with the rest of her body's actions. Ally was numb…she didn't want to think…she didn't want to eat, sleep, or drink…and she didn't want to talk to anyone.
She stared blankly at the kids across from her playing in the yard. She would give anything just about to be them, be normal. This wasn't normal…none of it was. Her actions weren't, neither were her thoughts.
She just couldn't help but think negatively…
What if he finds us? He would do some much worse if he got his hands on us. Would we leave the state, or just be here for everyone to know that we are beaten but can't get away? What if we can't get enough evidence?
Those are the type of questions that have been running through her mind ever since she overheard the phone call between Austin and Dez. This was Rick they were talking about. He was devious, underhanded, and tricky to deal with. If he really wanted them badly, he would get them. That's just how Rick was, she never understood why her mom married him. All because she wanted to get back at dad…
Ally heard the opening of the door but paid no attention to it. Soon she heard someone quietly sit in the seat on the other side of the small, round, glass table.
"Ally, I have good news," she heard Austin's voice speak out to her. Ally turned her head to him, her eyebrows furrowing in question.
"I just got off the phone with Dez. He was able to talk the judge into letting him get more evidence to prove that Rick is guilty. This means that Rick will still be locked up," Austin told her gently.
Ally nodded and Austin could see that she was pondering with a thought. "Austin, how are we going to get evidence? There is none left. Rick has people, and I have no more bruises but if I did he would find a way around that too," Ally exclaimed, turning fully around.
"Well, we will need a plan, but the thing is that Rick is still in jail. And we could always prove that Rick is an unfit father," Austin said.
"But how are we going to do that," Ally asked him.
"Um…we could go to all the liquor stores in Vermont, and get a file showing how much beer Rick buys a month," Austin said
"Rick would say that we were buying them for his friend that owns a bar that he works at, and he has his bills under a different name," Ally said to him.
"How do you know that," Austin asked her.
"Well I was looking at the mail once, and I stopped at the bill that had a different name, but I can't remember the name. He probably knocked me out that night, because he found that I was going to the mail, which was a 'no no'," Ally said bitterly.
Austin's heart broke for her, but he had to admit Rick was smart.
"What's the worst he's done to you," Austin asked carefully, this was touchy, and he had made it this far.
Ally's eyes widened, she was about to speak for closing her mouth. Pondering whether or not that she should say.
"Um, you know what, I'm tired can we talk about this another time," Ally asked him, but got up and went inside instead of waiting for an answer.
Austin sighed and placed his head in his hands. So close…
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"Hey Dez,"
Ally heard Austin open the door and greet Dez and Trish. Austin had invited them over for dinner and a movie that had just come out. Ally knew that somewhere in this dinner they would have a conversation with Rick, which Ally knew that they would at some point.
Ally took the last step down to see Austin talking to the couple. Ally spotted that Dez had a bag over his shoulder. "Hey shorty," Dez said ruffling her hair, bringing her in for a hug. Ally chuckled before hugging Trish. "Wow, Dez how long are you staying," Ally commented looking at the bag on his shoulder.
"Oh, every couple of months, ever since we were teens, Austin and I have always had a movie night with a sleepover, and Trish is joining since you are here," Dez exclaimed excitedly.
"Yeah, you are joining us. I would suggest Abby, but she fell asleep a minute ago," Austin said pointing up the staircase.
"We are going to order pizza, watch Poltergeist, and eat candy until we bounce off the walls. We are also going to sleep in the living room," Trish exclaimed excitedly.
Ally giggled and nodded, "sounds like fun."
Dez and Trish walked into the living room with Austin about to follow them until he felt a tiny tug on his arm. Turning around, Austin faced Ally with a look of question covering his facial features.
"I have a question," Ally asked him quietly
"Shoot," Austin exclaimed
"How long do we have to prove Rick is innocent?"
"Dez said that the judge schedules the actual and final court date for December 5th," Austin told her.
"That's two months from now," Ally stated, and Austin confirmed with a nod.
"Ok, thanks, Austin," she smiled as big as she could at the moment.
How was this going to work? Ally was going over plans in her head, but none of them seemed good enough to bring down Rick.
"Als, you coming," Trish called to her from her spot on the living room floor.
Ally stared at her friends…I'm just gonna be happy tonight, screw Rick.
Smiling Ally walked into the living, sitting between Austin and Trish as they mashed play…