Chapter 9

Memories & Meaningful Time


Austin POV

I watched Ally as she ran out of the store. I mentally beat myself up. Why did I kiss her? Was it because I missed her? Or was it that I was still in love with her? No, that can't be it. I mean, I'm engaged to Cassidy. Then why did I do that in the first place?

I needed to clear my head. I decided to take a walk with no destination in mind. I ended up in Sunflower Gardens. It was nice to see everything was there. I saw the pond and remembered all the times when Ally and I would sit there and watch the clouds and talk or just picnic. I smiled at that memory, thinking of it as one of the happiest days of my life.

I then noticed something glinting in by the pond. I went over to it and noticed a dirty object. A ring. The Ring. On the outside, it was just a golden ring with a small diamond in the middle but it was a promise. A promise to be by each other no matter what. I dusted it off and saw the engraving was still as beautiful as ever. It read:

Austin & Ally

Better Together

I slipped the ring in my pocket and walked back home. Cassidy greeted me when I got there with the usual kiss. I remembered feeling sparks every time I kissed her but it wasn't strong. I don't know why.


Ally POV

I felt exhausted after the fight. I fell asleep immediately on the first comfortable thing within reach: The couch. I ended up having another flashback:

I ran into the store. I had enough courage to tell my dad about Austin and I. I put on my best smile and I had my mom's necklace with me. I walked into the store. I saw Dad, as usual, counting coins he took from the fountain.

"Hey dad," I said.

He turned around and smiled. "Hi honey."

I tried to muster all the courage I could. "Dad, I want to break off my engagement with Dallas." I took a look at my dad's face. He had a expression that made him look like that he didn't believe what was happening.

"Why would you do that?"

"Because Dad, I feel like I am not in control of my future anymore. And I am in love with somebody else."

"Honey, I'm doing this for your own good."

"Dad, if you really care about me, you'd let me make my decisions."

"Ally, I will if you tell me the name of the boy."

"Austin Moon."

"HIM?! Ally, I TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM HIM!"

"Dad, he's not like his father. He is sweet and cares about me."

"It's true sir," I heard a familiar voice behind me. I turned around to see Austin there. He came over to me and put his arm around my arms. He gave me a small smile before talking with my dad.

"Sir, with all due respect, I really care about your daughter. I love her even more than life itself. Please let us be together."

My dad looked like he was about to shout but I quickly cut in. "Dad, you know that Mom would agree to this."

His look seemed to soften a bit at this. Austin and I waited nervously for what seemed like forever even if it was only 3 minutes.

"Well...since you put it that way...yes. You two can be together."

I was so happy that Austin picked me up and spun me around. He then leaned in and gave me a passionate kiss, our hope renewed.

"So, Ally, I was wondering...remember when we thought that we could be partners in music? Well would you want to be my partner in music?" I was really shaking with excitement and I tackled him with a hug that knocked him to the floor.

"I take it that's a yes," he asked. I rolled my eyes and said, "DUH!"

I was then awoken by a knock on the door. I opened it to find the brown eyed brat standing on my doorstep. "What do you want," I asked, trying to talk as normal as possible.

"We need to talk Ally."

"Not this again." I started to close the door but Austin stuck his foot into the gap between the door and the outside.

"Please Ally. I don't want us fighting like this." I looked up into his eyes remembering the sparks that flew every time I saw them. They seemed to be pleading. Before I could say another word, Trish came down holding Annie by the hand.

"Mommy, why is the man from the store back?" I knew she needed the truth but I wasn't ready. I turned to Trish for help but she just said, "Ally, you have to tell her or I swear I will." I mustered all my courage and said, "Annie, that is your father."

My little girl looked from me to Austin and back again. She then let go of Trish's hand and ran to Austin and gave him a big hug. He seemed confused at first but he hugged back even picking her up and spinning her. I had to admit that it was sweet seeing them like that.


Austin POV

I was surprised as my little girl run to hug me. But I didn't care because I was so happy to be with my little daughter again. "Oh, my little girl," I whispered to her. I was crying tears of happiness just being with her. "Daddy, why did Mommy say you were dead?"

That stopped me in my tracks I put Annie down and gave Ally a look of anger and hurt.


Ally POV

I stared down at my feet and started playing with my hands. "Well, I'm gonna go now, come on Annie," I heard Trish say. Great, of all the things that could have happened today, I have to tell him the truth. I looked up to see Austin still standing there, waiting for something to happen. "Ally, how could you! I come here hoping to be forgiven and I find that you are guilty as well."

I looked him straight in the eye and said, "Well, if you hadn't left for that record deal, I wouldn't have said anything in the first place. You know, all I wanted was to settle down and be with you! But no, you had to drop everything, including our partnership for a life I thought you gave up on!" I could feel the tears in my eye as I said all that. All the abandonment, the sorrow, and the despair just came oozing into my words. I collapsed on the couch. I felt Austin's arms around me and in that moment, I didn't care about what would happen to me. I just wanted to stay in this moment forever. I could hear Austin whispering in my ear, saying "It's ok." When we pulled away, he looked at me with a sad and hopeful face. "Ally, I'm sorry to make you feel this way. I hope I can make it up to you."

"Then spend time with Annie. It would be good for her."

"Aww...do I have to?"

I rolled my eyes at him. I immediately went to my daughter's room to find her sleeping. I also saw Trish sleeping on the couch snoring. I started laughing hysterically at this. That woke Annie up but Trish was still asleep. I yanked the blanket from her and she ended up falling on the floor with a loud thud! I started laughing hysterically again this time with Annie joining me too. "Annie, do you want to spend time with your dad." Her eyes widened and she started jumping up and down for joy. "Yeah," she said. I followed her as she ran out the door and down the stairs. I saw them start to leave but..."Dad, can Mom come with us?"

"Sure. If it is okay with your Mom."

"No," I said.

"Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease," they said together giving me the puppy dog eyes they know I can't resist. I rolled my eyes at them finally giving in. "YAY," they shouted, intoxicated with their "success". We got into Austin's car, me in the passenger seat with my daughter at the back. "Where are we going," I asked Austin. He turned to me with a cocky grin. "You'll see."


I started chewing my hair since this was the first family outing ever. We never had one when Austin and I were still married because mainly we had to take care of Annie. Austin noticed me at it again and gently took the hair out of my mouth. When the car stopped, I noticed that we were at the beach. I got out of the car and started to open the door on Annie's side so she could get out but Austin tried to do it at the same time as me and it ended up with our hands touching. I felt a spark of electricity course through my arm. I glanced at Austin but we just dropped our gaze and let go. I opened the door and Annie got out, breathless with excitement. We both took each of her hands and ran to the beach.

Austin taught Annie how to build a sandcastle which I was really bad at. After that, Annie splashed some water at Austin and he tried to do the same with Annie but then it ended up into a three person water fight. It ended when Austin pushed me into the water. He then regretted it a few seconds later. "Sorry, Alls. Let me help you."

He gave me his hand to pull me up but I yanked his arm and he ended up landing right beside me in the water. We couldn't help cracking up at this. When we stopped, I found myself gazing into his brown, golden-flecked eyes again. He started leaning in and I started to until..."Mom, Dad, can you please kiss somewhere else?" I ended up giggling at this though it did break the spell. What are you doing Ally? Austin's engaged. Stop it before it ends badly. I picked myself off the water and squeezed my clothes as best as I could. "Where to next," I asked Austin. I could tell he felt awkward too because he was messing his hair. "I think we better get home first. We need to change anyway," he said, looking down at his sopping wet clothes. "Sure thing." On the car ride home, I let my daughter sit in front not wanting to feel awkward beside Austin. I kept thinking back to that moment at the beach. I had no idea what was happening right now. I swore that after the divorce, I would never fall for anyone anymore especially Austin. Now, I can feel the sparks I had when Austin and I first met. I remembered happy I was with him, how he always made me smile, gave me hope, and gave chances to be the person I wanted to be. Could it be that all those years, I was still in love with him? It was. I silently admitted that I loved Austin Monica Moon. Austin dropped us off at the house before heading to his. I secretly hoped he felt the same way.


Austin POV

I headed home for a quick change of clothes. When I got home, I got cornered by Cassidy. She had a smile on. I could tell that something was up. "Austy, sweetie, I think that we should move the wedding."

I gave her a surprised look. This is like the 3rd time she moved the wedding. "When is it now," I said, silently groaning. She then gave me a sickly sweet smile. "This Friday," she said, screaming after. I swore that my eyes were ready to pop out of my head. "WHAT," I shouted, "that's like 4 days from now!"

"Austy, it's just that I want to get it over with so we can be together forever," she said. I nearly gagged at this but I remembered. I love Cassidy. Then why did I feel like this? I excused myself and found myself running to who knows where. When I stopped running, I glanced up at where I stopped at. Ally's house.


BEWARE...

THERE IS MORE THAN WHAT MEETS THE EYE! PLEASE REVIEW.