A/N: Sorry for the delay. It was a combination of school and the fact that I hated everything I typed. I don't know if it's too much, I feel like it's too much. Please tell me and please be kind. Disclaimer: Anything you recognize does not, regrettably, belong to me. Please enjoy and review.
LINE BREAK
Ally's heart warmed when she received a text from Austin saying he would be there in ten minutes and to dress casually. She was confused by that last part, but quickly changed into her best pair of jeans and white shirt with a black vest. She put half of her hair up, and let down the rest of the curled locks.
"What happened to the dress?" Trish asked.
"Austin texted and said to go casual." Ally responded, changing out her dangly earrings for faux diamond studs.
"So I guess Baleen's out." Trish flopped on Ally's bed, "Now I'm curious."
"I'll tell you all about it when I get back." Ally promised, going over to hug her friend, "Thanks for watching Kaylin and Kyler. You do it so often that I should pay you."
"No Ally, no payment except you finally being happy." Trish said seriously, hugging back.
The doorbell rang.
"Your rock star awaits." Trish said, letting go.
"Do I look ok?" Ally asked, suddenly self-conscious.
"You look amazing. Go, girl, go!"
Ally hurried out to the door.
"Hey Austin." She said before her breath was taken away.
Austin looked, well, delectable. Tight black jeans with a red graphic t-shirt that fit snugly against his torso. He gave her a cocky grin.
"I know. I'm hot, right?"
That would have gotten him slapped before, but now it earned him a giggle and a kiss.
"Mmm." he murmured against her lips, "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes, let me just grab my purse."
Trish shoved the small pocket book in her friend's hand.
"Go already!"
Ally laughed. Austin led her out to his sports car, top down, and opened the door for her.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"It's a surprise." he closed the door and leaned in, "Kiss me and I might give you a clue."
She smiled at him.
"That's not a problem."
She meant to give him a quick kiss, but it turned into so much more. She felt her entire body heat up as his lips moved in synch with hers. Like a melody.
"Whoa." Austin breathed when they pulled away for air, "That was just-wow."
Ally flushed under his heated gaze. He shook his head.
"Shall we go?" he asked.
Ally nodded, speechless.
Austin went around to the other side of the car and jumped over the car door.
"Do I get a hint?" she asked, her tongue finally loose.
He grinned at her.
"I said I might."
She punched his arm.
"You are going to love it." he said, putting the car into gear, then set his arm around her, "I promise."
They soon arrived at the Gehry Hall. He helped her out of the car. Suddenly she couldn't see, he had blindfolded her.
"I'll guide you." He whispered from behind her, pressing a feather-light kiss to her neck.
Ally shivered and let him take her hands. They went into the building and he helped her up what she guessed were the stairs up to the stage.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes." she said, letting go of his hands.
She untied the scarf and gasped at what she saw as the fabric fell away from her eyes.
It was beautiful. The backdrop of the stage was filled with the image of millions of stars. A blanket was laid on the stage floor, lit candles all around it. A basket and an elegant place setting were set up on the blanked.
Ally teared up.
"What is it?" Austin asked worriedly, "You don't like it?"
Ally turned around quickly and grasped his arms.
"No Austin, I love it!" she exclaimed, "It's so beautiful. I can hardly believe it. No one has ever done anything like this for me."
"Good." Austin said, relieved, then motioned to the blanket, "Shall we?"
They sat crisscross facing each other. Ally leaned back to stare at the backdrop.
"This incredible Austin." she said.
"I'm glad you like it."
"I Love it." she stressed, "Thank you."
"No, thank you." he said, "This past, what, almost month? It has been the happiest days of my life."
"I still can't believe you've chosen me." she said shyly.
"I don't want another superficial pretty face anymore." he said, "I want someone who is beautiful with a beautiful soul. Someone like you."
Ally blushed.
"I don't know about that." she said.
"I do." he responded, "Look at me Ally. I do."
They let the thought linger in the air a moment.
"Let's eat." Austin said, reaching into the basket, "I had Dez make us lasagna."
"Dez?" she asked, holding up her plate.
"Yeah, I'm awesome as you know…"
She sent him a look.
"…but I can't cook to save my life." he said, putting the food on her plate.
Ally gasped sarcastically.
"Oh, hush." he chastised playfully.
She giggled and took a bite.
"Oh my god, this is incredible. Dez is amazing." she gushed.
"Should I be worried?" Austin teased.
"I adore Dez. He's like a puppy." she responded, "And no, you do not need to worry."
They chatted throughout the meal. After they had cleared everything away, Ally moved between his legs and leaned back on his chest. Ally sighed contently.
"I wrote a song that I think is perfect for Taylor Swift. I wrote it when I thought you-um, well it's her type of song. I'm sorry I don't have anything for you yet."
"No hurry." his chest rumbled as he spoke, he breathed in her cucumber scent, "I never want to hold anyone else."
Ally didn't answer, just cuddled into him further. He wrapped his arms around her.
"Ally, I have to visit my parents this weekend. Will you and Kaylin and Kyler come with me?"
"Where do your parents live?" she asked.
"Texas. Will you come?"
This was the kind of reckless think Ally would avoid, but that was the old Ally.
"We'd love to. They have missed you terribly."
"I've missed them too."
There was no more talk after that. Austin kissed her deeply, pushing them both back onto the blanket. Ally broke the kiss.
"Austin, I-I can't, not yet." she stammered, face red.
"It's fine, we'll just lay here and look at the stars."
Austin found some seat cushions and piled them up behind them. He turned on some gentle piano music and lay back down with Ally in his arms. He pressed a kiss to her temple.
"The most perfect night." she said happily.
"I agree."
LINE BREAK
Ally was beyond exhausted by the time she was able to sit down on Austin's private jet. Kaylin and Kyler were off the wall in excitement. It was their first plane ride, and they were so psyched. Getting them packed was easier than getting them to settle down enough to buckle up. They were so happy to see Austin and clung to him as they moved through the airport.
Kaylin was a little nervous during take-off, but loved it once they were in the air and able to move about the cabin. Ally fell asleep almost immediately.
"How long to we fly Austin?" Kaylin whispered, looking up from her coloring book, batting away Kyler's toy trucks away every time he drove them her way, "Stop it Ky!"
Austin maneuvered himself between them.
"2 hours Princess." he answered, "Kyler, how about we play trucks at the other table so Kaylin can color."
"Okay Austin." the little boy said loudly.
"Shh, Little Man, let your mom sleep a little."
"Shh." Kyler repeated, a finger over his lips.
Ally opened her eyes a little while later. She smiled softly as she watched Austin and Kyler crashing his trucks. She had a special bond with both her children, but she and Kaylin could connect as females. It was nice for Kyler to have a guy to look up to and admire. She stood and stretched, sharing a smile with Austin. She joined her daughter.
"I'm almost done with this picture mommy."
Kaylin was very artistic and a perfectionist, so the butterfly on the page was neatly colored in, all within the lines.
"It's so pretty sweetie."
"Austin, come look." Kaylin said.
"Okay." he walked over and looked, "It's beautiful Kaylin. We have an artist on our hands."
Kaylin smiled brightly. She got up from her seat and threw her arms around him. He picked her up.
"Do you want to dance princess?" he asked reaching for a remote.
"Yes please." she said in her polite way.
Austin pressed a button and classical music filled cabin. Kaylin laughed in delight as he twirled them around.
"Mommy, can we dance?" Kyler asked.
"Of course."
She lifted the little boy into her arms and danced around in the confined space.
It was a magical moment. One that she would never forget. One that her son and daughter would never forget either.
LINE BREAK
Austin's parents' house was classic country. Two stories, bay windows and a huge front porch with a bench swing.
"Home sweet home." he said, helping them out of the limo, "Let's head on in, the driver will get the bags."
Suddenly a man and woman who looked a lot like Austin burst out of the house.
"Austin!" the woman yelled, pulling her son into a hug almost violently.
"Mom." he groaned.
The man laughed and rolled his eyes. He offered his hand to Ally.
"Mothers. Hi, I'm Mike."
"Ally. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Kyler!" Kyler said, sticking his hand out.
"Nice to meet you Kyler. And how about you cutie?" Mike asked Kaylin.
Kaylin just smiled shyly.
"That, dad, is my little Princess, Kaylin." Austin said, released from his mother's grip.
"And you must be Ally."
Ally was pulled into a mighty hug as well.
"Nice to meet you Mrs. Moon." she said once freed.
"Oh, please Ally, call me Mimi." the hyper woman said, "Come in, come in."
"Thank you for having us Mimi." Ally said, ushering Kaylin into the house; she was just so shy with new people.
"Oh, don't think anything of it dear. We are just so glad Austin found someone normal."
"Mom!" Austin cried.
"Oh, hush now, I just meant not a Hollywood floozy."
"Thank you?" Ally said, "You have a lovely home Mrs.- I mean, Mimi."
They all sat in the living room.
"Oh, thank you, we have Austin to thank for that."
"Aww, how sweet." Ally smiled at him.
"Yeah, that's me."
Kyler had wandered over to the back window and gasped.
"Mommy! Mommy! Trampoline!"
"Oh, yeah." Mike said, "We got that for the neighbor kids."
"Can I play?" Kyler asked.
"It has the netting." Mike told Ally, "I'll go with him. Do you want to come with us Kaylin?"
Kaylin nodded and Mike led them out the back door.
"Oh, they are just precious." Mimi gushed, "How old are they?"
"Five. And I don't know about precious." she joked, then she thought of something, "Uh you might want to get anything breakable to higher ground, Kyler's a little…clumsy."
"Oh don't worry about a thing dear." Mimi said, "Should I show you to your rooms so you and the kids can settle in?"
"That would be wonderful."
The Moon's had two guest bedrooms upstairs along with Austin's room. They slept in a room down stairs. Everything was beautiful in old-country fashion. Ally unpacked her suitcase after unpacking the kids in the other room. There was a knock on the door frame.
"Is everything ok?" Austin asked.
"Wonderful." she said, coming over to him and wrapping her arms around his neck, "Thank you for inviting us."
He leaned down and kissed her.
"Thanks for coming." he said before kissing her again.
"Eww." came to little voices.
They pulled apart with a laugh.
"Mommy, he's a boy." Kaylin stage whispered, crinkling her nose in disgust, "They have cooties."
Austin scooped her into his arms.
"I don't have cooties." he said before peppering her little face with kisses.
Kaylin squealed and giggled. Ally smiled at the sight. Kyler just made faces.
"Did you have fun on the trampoline?" Austin asked, setting Kaylin down.
"Yes!" both of them cried, "Grandpa said we can ride horses too."
"Grandpa!" Austin and Ally exclaimed together in surprise.
"Mr. Mike said we can call him grandpa." Kaylin explained.
"Oh, geez." Austin said, smacking his forehead, "I'm sorry Ally."
"It's fine." she said.
And it really was. It was sweet of the Moons to make them feel like family.
"Austin! Lunch is ready!" Mimi shouted.
"Now my mom, she can cook." Austin said, "Come on, I'm starving."
"What about the horsies?" Kyler asked.
"We'll do that tomorrow." Ally said, realizing that Austin wanted some time with his parents.
It was a wonderful rest of the day. Mike had become attached to the twins, going as far as to raid the attic for old toys of Austin's. Austin joined them, reminiscing his childhood. Ally helped Mimi in the kitchen after dinner.
"This was wonderful Mimi, thank you." Ally said, drying off a plate.
"Thank you for making my little boy so happy." Mimi said, "Austin has loved music for as long as I can remember, dancing around in his diaper as a toddler."
Ally giggled, knowing Austin would be horrified that his mother was sharing such things.
"Austin has done amazing things with his talents, but I can tell you have inspired him. Last time he was here, he was very depressed, said he was tired of being a rock star."
"He said that?" she asked.
Mimi nodded sadly.
"But he is like a shining star now. I almost didn't recognize him." Mimi continued, "He's especially bright when he's looking at you."
Ally blushed.
"Mommy look!"
Ally turned to see Kyler with more toy trucks.
"Wow Ky, tell Mike thank you."
Kyler threw his arms around Mike.
"Thank you grandpa." he said.
"Grandpa?" Mimi said smiling, one eyebrow raised at her husband.
Mike shrugged and kissed her cheek.
"Time for bed." Ally said.
"Why?" Kyler whined.
"Do you want to ride a horse tomorrow?" she asked, "Go on, I'll be up in a minute."
Austin appeared, smiling.
"That was fun. I forgot I had all that stuff." he said, pecking Ally's cheek.
"Austin, come help me with the car." Mike said.
"Coming." Austin responded, following his dad out of the house.
"And you look at him the same way." Mimi said.
Ally opened her mouth to respond.
"Mommy!" Kaylin yelled.
Mimi laughed.
"Go, I'll finish up."
Ally went to sleep that night with a smile on her face.
LINE BREAK
Ally knew she was holding everyone up, but that dang horse was huge.
"Come on mommy!" said from the horse he was sharing with Mike, Austin had Kaylin.
"Uh-hold-hold on honey." she stammered.
She jumped a mile when the horse moved forward a little.
"I don't know if I can do this." Ally said.
"Let me help you." Austin said getting off his horse, setting Kaylin down, "Just second Princess."
They eventually got her on the horse. Austin hopped back on his horse.
"Just remember what I taught you." he said, "Let's ride. Ally, loosen up on him a bit."
"Like that's easy!" she snapped.
Ally was happy when it was all over, but Kaylin and Kyler wanted to ride forever.
"How about a walk darling?" Austin asked later that evening.
"Yes, go, we will watch the twins." Mimi said, "You leave tomorrow morning, and you need some good Texas air Ally."
"I'd love to." she said, taking her boyfriend's offered hand.
The sun was just beginning its descent. Austin put an arm around her waist. A cool breeze moved through the air. Ally closed her eyes and breathed deeply. They walked in companionable silence on a dirt path.
Mimi watched them walk away, her heart warmed at the sight.
"Spying darling?" Mike said, joining her at the bay window.
"Of course not Mike. I'm admiring."
Mike put an arm around his wife.
"They fit so perfectly." Mimi said, turning to face Mike, "Like we do."
Mike smiled and kissed his wife.
"Eww grandpa, she's a girl." Kyler cried.
They laughed. Ah, innocence.