A/N: Hi Everyone. I waited a little longer to update this next chapter because I was waiting for reviews. I really would love it if you guys reviewed on the chapters. I looove it when I get reviews from you, It lets me know that there are still people reading it and also your input, so please please review. I hope you like this chapter.
Songs of Chapter: 'Halo' by Beyonce
Songs in Chapter: 'You'll be in my Heart' by Phil Collins, and 'Warrior' by Demi Lovato
Ally's P.O.V
Austin never did end up coming back to Sonic Boom after leaving to go meet with Kira. He has however left a few messages and sent me texts asking to talk, those of which I am debating whether or not to answer him. I feel really bad about how I blew on him, he has done nothing to try to help and I feel bad for keep pushing him away. I appreciate him and everything that he's been trying to do but I don't want to hurt him. Everyone that ends up getting close to me either gets hurt or I get hurt by them and I can't risk going through that with him. As I scroll through missed messages from Austin I hear a loud pounding on my door.
Why is someone pounding on my door at 10 o'clock at night? I think to myself, but when I open the door it makes perfect sense.
"What the hell is this?" Elliot asks waving a piece of paper around and comes in before I even have a chance to say one word.
"Shhh! Keep it down Amber is sleeping." I say after he enters. "What is what?"
"This!"He says giving me a piece of paper. "When were you going to tell me that you went to the hospital?!"
"Never. Now will you keep it down." I say shoving the paper, which was the receipt from the hospital, back at him. I guess they sent it to him since we still legally have the same last name and they still have his address under my name.
"Why did you go anyway?!"
"This is none of your business Elliot now get out of my house!"
"According to the doctors note 'the patient was experiencing frequent nausea, dizzy spells, and loss of appetite'" he says quoting it off of the paper.
"Now tell me what the hell is wrong with you!" He says grabbing me by the arm and pulling me towards him and looking me up and down as if trying figure it out himself. I wince because it's the same arm that he messed up before.
"If you think that you can just barge into my house and demand personal information then you're wrong."
"For crying out loud Ally are you pregnant?!" He asks, and I pull away from his grip in shock
"Is that what this is about?"
"These symptoms listed sound awfully familiar!"
"Pregnant or not you don't have the right to just barge in and-"
"Damn it Ally is it Austins?!"
"What?!'
"Oh come on it's no secret that you two have feelings for each other."
"Oh my God, you're an ass! And don't you even think about bringing Amber into this, because you are crazy!"
"You better watch it Ally! I can't believe how irresponsible you are! Is this your way of trying to win Amber? If so you've failed, you think that they are going to let you keep Amber seeing how immature and irresponsible you are?! You better start packing up her things from now because I will get custody!"
"Never, she's not a prize to be won she's a child. Your the devil himself and I would die before I let her live with you!" I yell back, and this must've really pushed him over the edge because right then he slapped me hard across the face.
"Be careful what you wish for Ally!" He says before leaving and slamming the door. I just stand there in shock with my had on my face feeling the burn and pain from the impact. Before I have the time to process I hear quiet movements coming from Amber's room. I quickly go and see if she's awake, my hand still of my face.
"I heard a loud noise." Amber says once she sees me.
"I'm sorry that was just mommy being clumsy don't worry, go back to sleep okay?" She nods, and then slowly drifts back to sleep. I go to the bathroom to see the damage and I see that my lip is busted and my face is red, starting to swell, and parts of it is turning black and blue. For the next couple hours I try to do a few different things to ease the pain, but to no avail. As I try and put ice on my lip I hear a knock on the door making me jump. The knock is much quieter the Elliot's was earlier. I contemplate opening the it since it might be Elliot with his fake apology, I hear the knock again, but this time I hear Austin on the other side.
"Ally it's me, please open the door."
I slowly open the door. Barely opening still thinking it could be Elliot. Once I see that it really is Austin I open I open the door a little wider but only just enough so that I can hide the injured side of my face behind it.
"It's one in the morning what are you doing here?" I ask
"i just wanted to say I'm sorry."
"Austin you don't have to-"
"No Ally, you were right. I never did tell you how sorry I am with what I let happen between us. I guess I just thought that after so long it just wouldn't be enough. I guess I've been trying to tell you through different things, but it wasn't enough... Loosing you as a friend is something I have never been able to get over, and it's harder now knowing how it had affected you. I know it's late but I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am and can you ever forgive me?" he asks
"Thanks Austin..." I start finding hard to make eye contact "I- I feel really bad about what happened too, and I'm also sorry. I wasn't exactly the greatest friend..." I say, the injured part of my face still behind the door. He smiles but then notices how half of me is hiding.
"Ally what's going on?" He asks, a more concerned look on his face now.
"Nothing..."
"Ally." He says more seriously, now trying to come inside.
"Austin, you don't need to come-" I start, but he is already inside before I can finish and he then sees my face.
"Oh my God, Ally what happened?!" He yells, and I immediately try to quiet him.
"Shhh! I don't want Amber to wake up." I say in a hushed tone
"What happened to you?!" He yells a little quieter
"It's nothing..."
"This is not nothing, who did this to you?! Is Amber okay?!" He asks, worry all over his face as he comes closer and examines my face.
"She's fine..."
"Who did this?!" He asks again, looking me straight in the eyes
"Elliot..." I say trying to break eye contact. Shock all over his face.
"Elliot did this to you?" He asks with disbelief, but I just nod.
"Was Amber here? Did he hurt her?"
"She was sleeping. I already told you the she's fine!"
"What are you gong to tell her when she sees you like this?"
"I'll just have to make something up like I always do." I blurt out, and he quickly looks back at me from examining my face.
"This has happened before?! He has hurt you like this before?!" He asks, but I just stay quiet. "Oh my God... When? where?!" He asks but I don't say anything. It seems as though he figured it out himself because in on swift motion he takes my arm and quickly rolls up one of my sleeves before I even have a chance to stop him.
"Austin no-" He is already face-to-face with the scares and bruises that are all along my arms.
"He did this to you?" He asks, his voice strained. "That's why you're always wearing long sleeves... Is he the reason for why your wrist was sprained?"
"Yeah..." He starts to run his hands though his hair and pace back and forth.
"How long has this been going on?"
"I don't know... I can't remember." I say looking at the ground
"Ally."
"A couple of years I guess." I say and it feels as though a pit has just been formed in my stomach as I say it out loud.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I haven't told anyone." I say
"Why?! This is serious."
"Why do you think Austin? This isn't something that people usually brag about." We stay quiet for a few seconds before Austin speaks again
"Does it still hurt?"
"A little, but I'll be okay."
"You should, I don't know, go to the hospital and have them see if you are really okay. You need to report this maybe someone can-"
"Austin stop! I'm not going anywhere, it'll just make things worse..." I say thinking about why Elliot came over in the first place. Austin stays quiet, it looks like he is trying to think of what to do.
"Then come over to my place, I don't want you and Amber to be here alone. Just in case he decides to come back."
"I don't want to wake up Amber. She'll know that something is wrong."
"Fine. Then I'll just stay here." He says
"You don't have to do that. I have gone through this before, and I'll be just fine doing it again." I say in an attempt to make him see that he doesn't have to stay.
"No one should have to go through something like this alone. I'm staying."
Austin's P.O.V
After a while of trying to get Ally to let me stay, she finally ended up falling asleep on the couch. But she wakes up every hour to make sure Amber is okay. I can't believe everything both of them have had to go through, and still going through. Why won't she let me help? I am just trying to be there for her nut she keeps pushing me away.
I hear a knock on the door, and I quickly go see who it is fearing that if they knock again they will wake up Ally and Amber. When I open the door I see that it's Elliot. I go out in the hall where he is, closing the door behind me so I don't wake either of them up.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" I ask, resisting my strong urge to punch him in the face. "Answer me!"
"Why are you here?" Elliot slurs looking just as angry as me.
I he drunk?
"It is 4 o'clock in the morning. What else could you possibly want to do to her? Haven't you put both of them through enough?!"
"You don't know anything about what's going on, so fuck off! No w- where is Ally I need to speak to her."
"I know and have seen plenty to know that you and your drunk ass aren't going anywhere near either of them!"
"I would like to see you try and keep me away." He slurs, almost loosing his balance.
"You need to get the fuck out of here." I warn
"Fine.'" He says with his hands up surrender "I'll just come back later. But remember this Moon, Ally chose me and there is nothing you can do to change that. She will never feel the same way as you do." He say, a cynical grin on his face.
"You really are drunk."
"Maybe, but I'm not blind." He says before he turns and starts to stubble down the hallway to the elevator.
"Who was that?" Ally asks once I get back inside.
"No one. I was just on the phone and I didn't want to wake you up." I lie "You don't have to wake up every hour you know. Nothing is going to happen."
"I've been waking up every hour since Amber was born, that is if I even fall asleep." She explains now sitting up from her previous laying position. There's a short moment of silence between us before she speaks up again. "It was Elliot wasn't it?" I look over at her trying to figure out how she knew and I just nod. "Was he drunk?"
"How'd you know?"
"He usually comes back hours after very drunk and tries to apologies."
"Every time?"
"Yeah..." I clench my jaw, pained that she has had to go through this so many times to have formed a routine.
"Ally please, you can take this guy to court and-"
"Austin stop. I don't want to talk about this again."
"You are still married to this freak and there is a chance that he could be granted full custody of Amber. I know you don't want that to happen."
"Of course I don't bu-"
"Then then me help you!"
"What if I do except your help, and take your advice and take him to court? He could still end up winning!"
"He could end up winning either way."
"It would make sense that the judge chooses him, after all they would see that I was the kid irresponsible to get pregnant in High School. I've also gone to jail twice! What if they don't think I should be able to raise Amber by myself? What if they think Elliot is the better choice?!" I hear her voice start to get shaky "After all he doesn't have to worry about money! He has his family business that he is practically the owner of now!"
"Ally stop thinking like that! Do you know the likeliness of the judge picking Elliot? It's like 20%."
"Well the way my life has been going my whole life, I would be apart of that 20%." She says before getting up and grabbing her sweater that is hanging on a nearby chair. "I'll be back" She says and then walks out the door before anything else could be said. My first instinct is to follow her, but then I remember Amber and I don't want to leave her alone. I don't know what to do. I want to help but she's just to closed off.
I just sit and wait for her to come back from wherever she went. As I wait T see another round of texts and calls come in from Kira. She's been trying to get a hold of me all night. The next time she calls, however, I decide to pick up.
Austin/ Kira
Yes Kira? I say rolling my eyes when I answer the phone
Holy crap I didn't think you were going to pick up. She says sounding relieved
What do you want?
I want- I want you to talk to me. I'm so sorry for what I did but I want us to try and work this out.
I thought I made myself clear when I left yesterday that it is over between us Kira. I'm done.
Austin please. I know if we just talk about this everything will be okay. She says and I hear her trying to hold back tears
Kira stop. I don't know what you want me to say. I can hardly look at you let alone talk about what you did and then forget about it.
Please just give me another chance. Please...
I already told you that what we had is over. I need you to stop trying to change that because you're going to make it harder on both of us
But I- I love you...
Yeah, I bet. I say sarcastically. Before she can say anything else Ally comes back. I have to go. I say and then hang up. Ally on the other hand walks straight pass me towards the bathroom. I get up and follow her, she doesn't realize until she turns around and we are face-to-face in the bathroom.
"What the hell?!" She says and takes a few steps back
"Are you okay?" I ask, as I look to see for any new visible injuries. I notice a scent of smoke on her, it's subtle but there.
"I'm fine." She responds naturally. I quickly go for her jacket pocket and pull out a small box. Which just so happens to be a box of cigarettes.
"What the fuck?!" She yells, trying to take them back.
"I could ask you the same thing." I say, shock probably all over my face, as I look in the almost empty container. "Really Als?"
"Don't 'Really Als' me, now give me those back and get the hell out of my bathroom!" She says, with a failed attempt at trying to take the box back. "Fine, you can keep them they're almost done anyway. But get out of here so I can take a damn shower!" I just stay and wait to see if she is going to explain.
"Well are you going to explain?"
"I'm sorry I didn't realize I was dealing with a police." She says sarcastically "Don't act so surprised, you already knew about this from High School."
"Yeah that was before Amber."
"She doesn't know, what kind of person do you think I am?" She asks crossing her arms, but I don't respond. "Are you seriously not going to leave?"
"Fine" I say throwing my hands up and exit the bathroom, the box of cigarettes still in my hand.
Once I exit the bathroom I realize that I don't remember the last time I ate and I'm pretty sure Ally doesn't either, so I decide to go to the kitchen and make the only thing I know how, pancakes. About an hour later Ally comes back out, and comes to the kitchen. "Are you making pancakes?" She asks skeptically
"Yep. It's pretty much the only thing I know how to make." I say looking up at her, and she smiles and shakes her head. I also notice that the side of her face with the bruises looks…normal. You can't even see it. "Your face…"
"It's called make-up Austin." She says sarcastically, but I just roll my eyes. "So why the pancakes?" She asks
"Because they are amazing." I say simply, and she just shakes her head. Right then my phone starts to ring and I see Kira's name on the screen.
"Your girlfriend is calling." Ally says seeing her name. I just roll my eyes and quickly put it on silent.
"She's not my girlfriend." I say not looking up.
"Why? What happened?"
"It just didn't work out…" I say, which technically isn't a lie.
"Austin. What happened?" Ally asks again looking straight at me.
"She cheated on… with her coworker." I explained and Ally winces a little
"Was it with Trent?" She asks hesitentaly, and I look up at her wondering how she could've known.
"Yeah, how did- how did you-"
"When they came into Sonic Boom together when you were out of town I had a feeling that something was off between the two of them. I just ignored it, because I thought that Kira wouldn't- I'm really sorry." She says "It sucks. I know the feeling."
"Don't apologize, things haven't been working out between the two of us for a long time. It was going to be over eventually." I explain
"That doesn't mean it sucks any less." She says. There is a quiet between us for a few seconds but then I speak up.
"Wake up Amber, I want to take you two somewhere." I say once I'm done with the pancakes.
"It's six in the morning. On a Saturday."
"I know, but I don't think Amber will mind." Knowing that I'm right, Ally goes to get her.
"Austin! What are you doing here?" Amber asks walking out of her room looking more awake.
"He's here to have breakfast." Ally says from behind her and looking at me as if to say 'That's all I want her to know'
"Really?!" Amber says as she hops on the chair next to where I am.
"Yep, and I want to take you and your mom somewhere." I say looking up at Ally who obviously wants to know where I'm talking about.
"Where?" Amber asks excited.
"It's a surprise, so we have to hurry."
"Oka- Pancakes!"
"You guys can go to the car, I'll be right down I just need to get a few things." Ally says as she scrabbles around the apartment.
"Are you sure?" I ask.
"Yeah I'll be right down."
"Okay… Amber let's go wait for your mom in the car."
"Okay" Amber says as she skips out the door, and he go towards the elevator. "Austin…?"
"Yes?"
"I like it when you come over…" She says looking up at me.
"I like when I come over too." I say looking at her and she smiles.
"I think my mom likes it when you come over too."
"Oh yeah? Why do you think that?"
"Because she's always happier when you're around." She explains "She- she doesn't worry as much either."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, I can tell." She says. Before either of us can say anything else Ally comes and catches up to us in the parking lot.
"Hey sorry I took so long." Ally says "What were you two talking about?"
"Nothing" Both Amber and I say at the same time.
Ally's P.O.V
We're in the car for a few minutes before Austin turns into a dark alley behind a big building and parks.
"Where are we?" I ask "Why are you stopping?"
"Because we're here." He says laughing my reaction and facial expression. "Come on" He says and then exits the car. I look back at Amber and she has the same hesitant look like I do on her face. "Guys come on, trust me?" He says as he opens the door for the both of us. We both reluctantly get out of the car and go towards the building and Austin knocks on the door. Almost immediately it opens, and to my surprise Dez is the one to open it.
"Dez!" Amber says happily as we walk inside, I look at Austin confused.
"Welcome to Starr Records!' Austin says, and I look around with a mixture of confusion and amazement as I admire my surroundings. "I realized that I've brought you two here before." Austin says as if answering my unspoken question of why he brought us here. "Hey Amber, Dez is going to show you around to some of the recording studios, the places that I record all my songs" Austin says
"Like the songs that are on your CD I have?" My very excited daughter asks
"Yep." Austin replies, and the Dez leaves with Amber to show her around.
"When did she get one of your CD's?" I ask once they are gone.
"I may have given her a copy…" Austin confesses, but I just smile and shake my head.
"So do you usually come here at seven in the morning through the back entrance, or was that something special you did just for us?" I ask
"Yeah. I find that there are less distractions, and less people to deal with and interrupt me when I come in this early." He explains as we walk through the building "That's why Kira never thought I came. I never told her that I come this early."
"I never thought Austin Moon willingly woke up early for anything." I say jokingly
"Honestly, I think I love music more than sleep." He jokes back. We then stop in front of a door with a sign 'Studio 4' on it.
"We're here." He says as he opens the door and we walk in.
"What is this place?" I ask looking around in awe.
"It's one of the recording studios, my favorite one actually. Here is where people get to sing with real instruments playing in the background instead of the pre-recorded music." He explains and I find myself drawn to the piano, examining the raw beauty of my favorite instrument.
"Wow…" I is all I'm able to say. This place is pretty amazing.
"You should play something." Austin says, and I quickly snap out of my thoughts and turn to him.
"What? No I can't. I told you it's been a while since I've played or sang anything." I say nervously.
"Oh come on Als, I know you want to." Austin says walking toward me and the piano. I couldn't argue because I really did want to.
"I don't know… It's been a long time." I say hesitant
"How about I go first, then you can go?" He suggests. I finally give in and nod in agreement. We both sit down and then he starts playing. I smile recognizing the song immediately.
For one so small,
You seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
Keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always
Why can't they understand the way we feel?
They just don't trust what they can't explain
I know we're different but deep inside us
We're not that different at all
And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
Don't listen to them
'Cause what do they know (what do they know)?
We need each other
To have, to hold.
They'll see in time
I know
When destiny calls you
You must be strong (you gotta be strong)
I may not be with you
But you've got to hold on
They'll see in time
I know
We'll show them together
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
[another version says: "Believe me, you'll be in my heart"]
I'll be there from this day on,
Now and forever more
Oh, you'll be in my heart (you'll be here in my heart)
No matter what they say (I'll be with you)
You'll be here in my heart (I'll be there), always
Always
I'll be with you
I'll be there for you always
Always and always
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
I'll be there always.
"Tarzan." I say smiling when the song is over, but he just shrugs
"I told you that it's my favorite Disney movie." He says, but I can't help but feel like that wasn't the only reason he sang the song. "Okay, it's your turn remember?"
"Okay fine." I say taking a deep breath. I think for a second on what to sing, but the only thing that comes to mind is the last song that I had written. I then nervously start to play.
This is a story that I have never told
I gotta get this off my chest to let it go
I need to take back the light inside you stole
You're a criminal
And you steal like you're a pro
All the pain and the truth
I wear like a battle wound
So ashamed, so confused
I was broken and bruised
Now I'm a warrior
Now I've got thicker skin
I'm a warrior
I'm stronger than I've ever been
And my armor, is made of steel, you can't get in
I'm a warrior
And you can never hurt me again
Out of the ashes, I'm burning like a fire
You can save your apologies, you're nothing but a liar
I've got shame, I've got scars
That I will never show
I'm a survivor
In more ways than you know
'Cause all the pain and the truth
I wear like a battle wound
So ashamed, so confused
I'm not broken or bruised
'Cause now I'm a warrior
Now I've got thicker skin
I'm a warrior
I'm stronger than I've ever been
And my armor, is made of steel, you can't get in
I'm a warrior
And you can never hurt me
There's a part of me I can't get back
A little girl grew up too fast
All it took was once, I'll never be the same
Now I'm taking back my life today
Nothing left that you can say
'Cause you are never gonna take the blame anyway
Now I'm a warrior
I've got thicker skin
I'm a warrior
I'm stronger than I've ever been
And my armor, is made of steel, you can't get in
I'm a warrior
And you can never hurt me again
No oh, yeah, yeah
You can never hurt me again
Once I finish, there's a moment of silence between the two of us.
"It's kind of the story of my life I guess…" I say shakily to try and break the silence, but Austin just stayed quiet and instead moves his hand to softly stroke the side of my face. My breathing catches, but he just keeps looking at me.
"Austin wha-" I start softly, but before I have a chance to finish, his lips are on mine and what feels like an electric shock runs through my whole body as I kiss him back.
This is the first time in a really long time that kissing someone felt so damn good, and I didn't want it to stop.
A/N: I hope you like this chapter. Please tell me what you think my reviewing or/and by DM's to me. I would love to hear your thoughts.