Thank you for your reviews! As always, I appreciate what you have to say and thank you for taking the time to leave it. I know it's been a while again, and I hope this extra long chapter makes up for it. I know it can get sad sometimes, but there are always happy moments to even it out. Promise.

And another short note... I went to the Soldier Ride thing I mentioned last chapter. I'm an emotional wreck, but I couldn't help but tear up as the men and women who were riding who were veterans rode past me as I watched the kick off that day. They've worked so hard to be where they are and are so proud of what they have accomplished despite various injuries both physical and mental as well. You can see it in their eyes and its such a wonderful, overwhelming feeling and I'm so grateful for the chance to volunteer for the program each year and witness it first hand and I hope I can do it for many years to come.

Let me know what you think. Enjoy!

"I'll only be a few minutes." Ally nodded from the passenger seat of the car, watching Austin leave the car and head toward the barracks of his unit. Others in uniform fell in step behind him, some talking to each other, others rushed around to get what they needed and leave for their well deserved rest. She watched until he disappeared and then sighed. Somehow five minutes seemed too long now. Time was such a weird thing.

"You look upset."

"I'm overwhelmed," she admitted. "I don't know how I'm supposed to get this all together by tomorrow without him noticing."

"You have the help of Casey and Clara."

"I know that," Ally murmured. "But there is so much to do, and I still want to spend as much time possible with him. And then there is the sleeping thing…"

Dez chuckled, "Oh young Ally, you won't be doing much of that this week."

Her cheeks burned at his devilish smile. "Right."

A few minutes passed and Austin returned with several bags, tossing them into the trunk. He had changed from his uniform and now sat in a pair of worn jeans and an old t shirt. He was exhausted—dark circles under his eyes, dry, color lacking skin tone—but somehow he was still the most beautiful human she had ever laid her eyes on. She inched closer to him as Trish nearly pulled the curb up from where it'd been lay, and rested her head on his shoulder. He didn't smell the greatest, but none of that mattered. For the first time in a year, a year since meeting the boy who had changed her life, he was safe and he was going to be safe from now on. She called that a victory.

"We're home."

Ally dropped her bags on the bed and turning around so that she could face her boyfriend almost twelve hours later. Exhaustion was only the start of what would accurately describe the last few hours and how she felt at that very moment. It was odd to have so many thrilling emotions running through her at the same time as those that were draining. He came up beside her, dropping his single bag on the floor and then resting his arms around her. "We're finally here."

"Yes," she confirmed, leaning back so that her head rested against his chest. She listened to him breath for a moment, marveling in each part of him that made him the person that he was. Each mole, each freckle, every line. He swayed as he held her. Ally smiled tentatively at him, feeling her heart flutter. "You're so tired."

"It's okay. I'm with you. I could stay awake for many more hours."

"But you don't have to." She turned so that she faced him. "I have some errands to run anyway. Why don't you make yourself comfortable and take a nap? Take a shower. A real shower. My bed is your bed. My parents won't be home for a few days. We have the house to ourselves."

His eyebrows rose. "How do you expect me to sleep when you tell me something like that?"

Ally giggled. "I know. But there is plenty of time for that to come. I want you to be relaxed and right now, you look ready to collapse."

"Can I at least have a preview of what is to come then?"

Ally crossed her arms, feigning anger. "Is that all I'm good for?" He pretended to consider this and she giggled, coming forward. "How about this?" She leaned onto his chest, pressing her lips onto his, using her hands to tangle herself through his worn body. He returned this by sinking into her, his arms going around her waist and searching for something to hold.

She squeaked as he grabbed her ass.

"Oops," he chimed.

"Oops," she murmured back, shaking her head. "Now that's enough. Here. The towels are here. I'm going to the store. You better be asleep when I get back."

"Is that a threat?"

"Do you want to find out?" Ally teased.

"Depends on the punishment."

She rolled her eyes. "Go. Now."

He laughed into the bathroom.

She watched him until the door closed and then smiled proudly. One thing accomplished, now she just had to run to the store and get the items that Clara had requested over text a few hours before. And then she had to drop them off at her house, where she was probably already preparing. Who needed sleep? Not any of them, clearly. At least Austin would be well rested and that was all that mattered. No one else deserved it more.

She quickly grabbed her keys and bag, running out the door.

Letters from Home

"Go. Now." Ally stood with hands on her hips and a curved lip, her smile teasing him yet also remaining stern. For a second, he couldn't help but laugh. She'd make a good mother someday. Right now though, she was right. He probably stunk and taking a shower where the water pressure and hot water didn't end in five minutes sounded heavenly. And maybe she was right… he could use a nap. He only hoped he could sleep. Maybe being in her bed would help that.

He turned the water on, as the front door to her house closed. He was officially alone. Austin looked in the mirror of her bathroom, staring at his reflection with curiosity. He looked exhausted, she was right. He could take a trip with how heavy the bags under his eyes were, and his skin lacked glow. "Alright," he murmured, hopping into the shower.

The first few minutes, his mind was clear. It was overwhelming feeling to be able to just relax in a shower for the first time in a year, nothing but good things to come that day with Ally, no duty or missions, no superiors requesting things from him. Then, his mind took control of him and he started to think about getting off that bus. Seeing everyone, seeing everything that led him here. Of course there was Ally. The shining light in his life, the representation of all the good he had. She had been waiting next to Cassidy, their hands intertwined with these beautiful smiles on their faces. They'd broken apart and she's run the distance to him. There had never been a more satisfying feeling in the last year as that. He did consider seeing her in the diner during leave a great moment, but this time he knew he didn't have to get back on that damn plane in three weeks. He was home. Then he noticed everyone else, his eyes finally demanded he look at someone else after having such a powerful and stunning moment with her.

Casey had been to the right and much like he knew, Clara was with him. He couldn't believe his childhood best friend had scored the girl despite all the problems that seemed to try to keep them apart. He held back, his expression showing insecurity, which was odd for Casey. But he supposed it was the same feeling he had. Yes, they'd made up, but they weren't back to where they needed to be just yet. Feelings were still swimming just below the surface of the water there. They'd hugged, quick and yet meaningful and a few words were exchanged. Austin knew Casey wasn't one to have a show in front of many people, so he allowed him to back off.

That's when he noticed Dez. The two of them were like children together, and he was so pleased to see him walking with only the minimal help of a cane after all of that. His chest swelled with pride and he threw his friend and fellow soldier into a bear hug. "It's good to see you, man," he murmured.

"You too, Austin," Dez had said quietly.

Trish punched his shoulder. "I want a hug, too."

"So demanding," he'd laughed, and then he saw Cassidy talking to someone in a wheelchair, and his breath hitched in his throat as he gently pulled away from Trish.

He hadn't thought all that much about Tyler in the last few weeks. Sure, he crossed his mind and he did want to know updates from both Taylor and Ally about his progress, but his mind had been constantly on another man he'd come to know so well. A little guilt stabbed at him from this, and he swallowed a lump in his throat that seemed to be getting larger by the second. He stumbled forward, coming up beside of him, not sure what to say. He didn't have to though, it came easily.

"It's good to see you," his voice spoke, and in that moment, he was glad he didn't have to scramble through his thoughts to think of something else.

Tyler nodded, his smile wide. "Welcome home, Austin."

They stared at each other for a second, and then Austin bent over and they hugged. "I know Taylor's been in contact with you and I'm sorry that I haven't been," he whispered, his voice sincere.

"It's all good," Tyler murmured. "I know. I understand."

He pulled away, looking grateful and nodded. They smiled at each other and he turned around, looking for Ally so that he could go back to what was simple. Instead, his eyes caught sight of someone he'd ever only seen in pictures, but a face he'd still never forget. He almost doubled over. What was she doing here? His expression fell and he hoped he could hold it together as he dropped Ally's hand and the redhead came towards him. She shook as she walked, holding onto herself until they finally met at the middle.

Austin couldn't help but stare at her. This was Rocky's girl, the one he spoke off so often and had all the plans in the world with. He knew about the house in Virginia that they had, how he dreamed of finally moving in it with her, and all the renovations that they wanted to do. They were so lucky to find a house that would have been condemned, Rocky had told him. It was pure luck. Of course, pictures didn't do her justice. Her hair was all over, despite the bow on the side that tried to contain it. Her eyes were a bright blue, filled with water and threatening to spill over. But she stood tall and he watched as a quivering hand extended towards him. He stared down at it, almost afraid to lock it in his when she spoke, "Welcome Home Soldier."

He slammed a hand into the shower, his anger and pain finally coming back to surface. It was such crap that he had to watch her say this instead of watching her run into Rocky's arms. Why did so many others get to enjoy a homecoming with their loved ones while others prepared funerals? What kind of fucked up world did they live in? How did life just do that, how did it just stop for some and continue on for others?

He slid to the floor of the tiles, letting the water spill over his head as his hands covered his face. He wanted to scream, he wanted to cry, but all that he could do was shake. He was so angry, so upset with how the world worked, how life worked. He didn't want to have to say that Rocky was gone. He didn't deserve to be.

Austin sat like that for nearly a half hour until the water ran cold and his body became wrinkled. He was clean, but now his mind was jumbled, and he dug through his bag for clean clothes so that he could at least pretend he would sleep any time soon. If he was lying in the bed when Ally got back, maybe she'd think he had. She'd never know that he hadn't slept correctly in months, and the only time he had seemed to was when they were together, and maybe an odd night or two over the last couple months. She couldn't know that. He wouldn't allow it. She didn't deserve the pain that he felt. She needed to be happy.

Letters from Home

Ally drove back across Miami toward her house after dropping off five shopping bags at Casey's. The married couple had already begun to decorate, including a large banner that read 'Welcome Home, Austin!' hung across the fence of the yard. She'd taken a peek of the back porch, which was decorated just as nice, balloons and more streamers, looking like the Fourth of July puked on the deck. Casey had said he was going to start the grill up soon, and he had collected wood for a bonfire down on the sand. Everything was coming together. Now she just had to get home and get ready without alerting Austin to the plans.

Her mind whirled at what to tell him so that he'd leave the house. A part of her knew he probably wanted to stay in tonight, get close and stay close, but the party only worked out on this day. The hospital wouldn't allow Tyler gone much longer, and it wouldn't be right to have the party without him. She'd even invited Alex, who had respectfully declined and no one could blame her for that. Showing up to the ceremony had been one thing, but a celebration when she was mourning was another.

A few minutes later and she pulled into her driveway, killing the engine and running up the steps. She was grateful that her parents planned a little getaway the same weekend he was returning home because she didn't have to make up a lie to why he was here. Two days from now they'd be on their way to a cottage and she could make up a story for when they returned so that he could stay with her even longer.

She made her way inside, seeing the light on in her room from the steps. She'd been gone about two hours now, and she hoped Austin had followed through with the shower and nap and wasn't sitting on her bed looking like a zombie still. She dropped her keys on the table near the door and ran up the steps, entering her room seconds later. He was laying on the bed, eyes closed. A smile graced her lips, curving it long and wide at how he looked with the covers over him, his hair still damp and messy from not being styled. With his eyes closed he looked like a child and she couldn't help but giggle.

Apparently he was a light sleeper. His eyes peeled open and a smile was returned. "Oh…" He yawned. "Ally. Didn't think you'd be back so soon. What has it been?" He looked at the clock and widened his eyes. "Oh. I didn't even notice. Wow."

She laughed, jumping onto her bed so that she could lay beside him. "You poor thing. You still look exhausted."

He looked away for a second and then turned back. "I slept well though. I'm ready for whatever you want to do."

"What do you want to do?"

His smile curved even more. "I could think of a few things."

"Oh, Austin." She hummed on the bed. "I was thinking we could go out, actually."

Ally noticed the disapproval on his face immediately and knew this was going to be harder than it looked. She wondered at that moment why she wasn't as horrible as her best friend and just knock him out. "I don't know…"

"Hear me out?" she said too quickly. "I just… hear me out."

"I'm listening."

Ally attempted to come up with something for what she had just said but her mind blanked as he stared back at her. She opened her mouth and closed it once more, feeling her cheeks redden at how ridiculous and unconvincing she was. How was she supposed to get him out of her house? A pout somehow became her lips. Maybe she could be her best friend, if only for a few minutes.

"Okay, you got me."

He raised an eyebrow.

"I have something planned."

"Oh yeah?" That damn smile of his was so distracting sometimes.

Ally nodded. "At the diner. I had Bridget close early and a dinner planned. Please come."

He smiled, as if he had convinced her to tell him this and she couldn't help but laugh. Maybe she was better at this when she thought. A part of her made a note to stop listening to Cassidy so much. She was never this convincing of a liar before.

"Okay."

"Thank you!" She squealed, throwing her arms around him. She got up as he laughed, quickly texting Casey that they'd be on their way soon. Ally glanced at the time on her phone and then slipped it into her bag. "We have to get going soon, but I need to change."

"You look fine."

Ally looked down at her old pair of jeans and worn shirt and wanted to laugh. Whether he truly meant it or not didn't matter; she knew she didn't. And she wanted to look her best tonight. Not only was it a celebration for his return, it was a night to show herself that she was not the same girl that Austin had met a year ago, she was a better person. She had grown so much in the last year herself and she wanted to show that.

It brought her back to reality. "Thank you," she murmured as she sank onto her bed.

Austin wrinkled his expression. "For what?"

"For coming into that diner and showing me more than I ever could have imagined."

He was quiet after her explanation, his eyes staring holes into her. "I could say the same thing."

Ally peered up with gentle eyes, feeling love practically pour out of her. She hadn't realized that he wasn't the same person anymore either. He had left Miami last year angry and alone, thinking he had no one who cared about him. She was his light. His beacon of faith and caring; of love and nurturing and a reminder that he was worth it. They'd changed each other and for the better.

"Okay, we have to get going." Ally stood up a few minutes later, after a quiet few moments between the two. She gathered the things she needed to change and ran into the bathroom, throwing on clothes and trying to apply a little make up in less time than she would have liked. All in all, by the time she walked back into the room, she felt like a new person. And Austin gave his approval almost immediately with a smile and a kiss and she couldn't help but feel light headed at how wonderful he made her feel. "Let's go."

Letters from Home

Cassidy stared at Tyler on her room bed, watching him sleep with a smile on her face. Some days, he didn't get the peace that he experienced at that moment. There were still so many days when he'd wake up in agony, feverish and sick, from both his body working overtime and the pain that losing a limb so harshly that he did. There was a thing called phantom pain, and it was the leading reason he stayed up at night sometimes.

She'd run back to her fake little apartment, change her clothes and take a shower sometimes, only to return to him groaning in bed, thrashing and attempting to numb the pain. They'd give him painkillers then, but even the highest doses allowed didn't relax it at times. She'd have to watch him writhing and squirming for the remainder of the night, hoping that it would dull and he could finally catch up on the rest he so much needed to heal.

So days like these were her favorites. Especially considering the long ride in the car they'd experienced and the first out of hospital trip they'd taken. They weren't sure what to expect, or how it would affect them. It had taken all of the pleading in the world to go alone, to not have his brother in the back seat on the way there. In a sense, Cassidy was so proud. People were trusting her with a lot and she wanted to prove herself. Another part of her wanted to laugh at them for the same reason. Did they realize who she was?

Sitting on the chair in her own room, this was the first time she noticed a real change in her life. Maybe she could still be irresponsible and she probably always would be. She might be the one making the inappropriate comments most of the time, maybe she spoke a bit too loud and laughed at things she shouldn't, but she had grown in the last few weeks. Tyler's injury had forced a change in her that she never expected. It involved growing up and realizing that the world wasn't just about her; realizing that if she wanted this to last, she needed to be a woman, not a girl, not a teenager either. A part of that would scare her for eternity, but the other took it in stride.

It made her realize she had fallen for the boy sleeping before her harder than anyone else before. No one else had ever made her feel this way. She was sure that if any of her exes walked into the room and demanded the same things that Tyler now needed, she might laugh in their face. But he was different and he made her different.

"You look constipated."

"You're an asshole," she retorted almost immediately. A grin swept her face. Some things would never change though.

He stared at her with sleep-ridden eyes from the bed, stretching as he awoke. "How long was I out?"

"Only an hour or so. I was just about to wake you up. I got a text from Ally that she just back from the store, we need to head out to Austin's friend's house now so we make it there before they do."

Tyler pulled himself up on the bed, bringing himself into a sitting position. She marveled at the therapy at work. Only a week before that he was unable to do something which seemed so simple, but now being relearned was a lot harder. She couldn't help but be proud of him and grin at what he could do.

"Now you look like you're going to murder me."

Cassidy turned her smile into a smirk. "I just might." He took this with a laugh as she grabbed the wheelchair from the corner of the room, helping him transition from the bed into the chair. She watched as he wheeled himself into the bathroom and closed the door, preparing for a night out with some of their closest friends for what was truly an accomplishment and a meaning to celebrate. Cassidy could only hope there would be some sort of alcohol involved. While her best friend wasn't much of a drinker (she could only remember two occasions where the girl had a drink) she hadn't had a night out in a long time and wanted nothing more than a shot of something strong. She didn't have a desire to get drunk, but maybe just loosen up. She was sure she deserved that.

"Hey, can you grab the door?"

"Yeah, back up."

She opened the door for him and she noticed a change in outfit as he put dirty clothes into the bag on the floor. Her cheeks flushed as he grabbed something off the bed, wondering if they would share it that night, or if she should sleep elsewhere when they returned that night. She wasn't one to claim she was innocent, but she was nervous about hurting her boyfriend. He was still sore in many ways, and sometimes even cuddling did hurt him.

"You ready to go yourself?"

Cassidy looked in the mirror and shook her head. "Absolutely not." She looked in her closet and found a simple looking dress. "This'll do."

"That'll look hot on you."

She turned to face him. "Of course it will."

He rolled his eyes. She pulled off her jeans and top, leaving her boyfriend to stare with a smile on his face. "You're such a tease."

"You say that like you didn't expect it."

"Keep moving your ass that way and we're going to be late."

Cassidy grinned. "Oh?"

He threw something at her and she giggled childishly, throwing her hair into a ponytail and deciding since it would be dark soon make up would not be an issue. She quickly gathered the things that Tyler might need, including some medications, and then did a double check of everything in the room. "Are we ready?"

Tyler nodded. "Think so."

"Alight then, let's go."

Letters from Home

"Ally, the turn for the diner was back there. You're heading toward the water now."

Ally hummed. "I know. I need to get something first."

He stared at her from the passenger seat as they took the service road toward Casey's quiet beach front home. If he realized where they were truly headed, he hadn't yet voiced it.

She could smell the beach air as they drove closer, the salt and ocean water mixing in for the familiar smell as she noted they were less than a mile away. She could tell Austin was getting suspicious now, but still remained silent in the front next to her. Even from the distance, Ally saw her best friend's car, and the two beautiful cars that her new friends owned all parked at the house. Austin's eyes finally narrowed. "Ally Dawson, what are you up to?"

"I needed to grab something from Casey first," she feigned innocently.

He raised his eyebrows as she parked a short distance from the house. "Now come on, let's hurry. We don't want to be late."

"To what exactly? If its just us how could we be late?"

Ally just giggled as she ran out of the car, sending a warning text to her friends' phones. Austin chased after her, struggling to keep up with the bounce in the excited girl's step. She continued her musical laughter until they reached the door and the banner came into view. Austin stopped just below it, staring at the bright letters with an unreadable expression. Before he got a chance to comment, Ally opened the door and grabbed his arm, dragging him through the old stomping grounds of Casey and his friendship.

"Don't you think you should have knocked?"

"Why knock when they're expecting us?"

"Who is expecting us?"

Ally finally paused. "You're quite oblivious, aren't you? I would have thought you figured it out by now."

She pulled open the back door and beamed as their group of friends roared a 'Welcome Home, Austin!' to the surprised soldier on the other side. He quickly graced them with a smile and laughed, finally understanding and probably feeling stupid for that reason. Ally darted through the door, hugging her female friends with a sense of accomplishment. She watched as he finally stepped outside and marveled in the beauty of the decorations.

"I can't believe you guys did this."

"It was all their idea," Tyler said from the table.

Austin turned to face his girlfriend and Casey. "You two are teaming up on me. I can't help but think that's seriously dangerous."

Casey's eyes flickered with amusement. "Scared, Moon?"

He laughed. "Unbelievably."

Ally wrapped her arms around his waist, grinning up at him. "Surprise, Austin. Welcome home."

He kissed her gently on the lips. "You."

"Me?"

He chuckled again, nodding. "You're my favorite."

"I thought I was your favorite!" Dez whined from the table.

The group laughed and Ally took a second to enjoy the crowd around him. It was small, not exactly a party but still a celebration with people who truly cared for the blond before them. Casey came forward, walking the distance of the deck to the sandy ground below where a grill sat, steaming and reminding them that food would soon be served.

"Hope everyone is hungry," he added as he flipped the burgers and hot dogs. "We have plenty."

The sun, still bright in the sky allowed them to chat while the food cooked. At first, it was Casey telling stories about Austin when they were younger to entertain the others.

"He was probably about… fourteen? It was just before high school. He'd just gotten his first skateboard. He had to show off of course, try to out do everyone and make sure everyone saw it. It's not that he wasn't good, he was a natural at it. But everyone has a limit and of course, in his mind, he didn't. He went to perform a trick I knew from the moment he mentioned would never work and as much as I told him to not do it… he did it. Not only did he fall hard on his ass in front of half of the skate park, he had to start high school with a huge cast on his arm because he broke that, too. And let me tell you, when the girls in the school are giggling at you instead of offering to help you with your books, you know you did something stupid."

Trish's eyes lit up. "Oh my God! I remember that. Someone videoed it! I saw it on the internet a few days after school started. I think I laughed for weeks. You fell hard."

Austin scowled. "Thanks, Casey."

His friend, sipping on kiwi lemonade smiled widely. "You're welcome."

Then it was stories between the soldiers at the table. Dez spoke about basic training and how they became friends. Ally noticed Casey during this story, how his eyes hardened at one point and then softened. She soon realized that there was a bit of animosity between the two. They both believed themselves to be the blond's best friend and probably thought there could only be on. But at some point during the redhead's tale of pissing off drill sergeants and cheering on a discouraged Moon, she saw Casey realize that Dez was not a threat. Ally couldn't help but smile.

Tyler soon spoke up about their jam sessions and how he missed them. A silence fell over the group as Rocky was brought up, and as all eyes fell on the quiet blond in the center of attention. He fidgeted in his seat and then smiled, nodding his head. "We had a lot of fun playing those nights when we had off. There is a lot of bad out there," he remembered. "But I'm really grateful for the people I met too."

"Did you ever end up getting your own guitar?"

Casey's eyes narrowed at this.

"Nah."

"What happened to yours?" his dark haired friend spoke up.

Austin shifted uncomfortably at this question and Ally swallowed too. Not everyone knew of what he'd been through before he joined the army, and Ally couldn't help but wonder just how much Casey knew too. She was sure he knew of a lot of it, but since they hadn't been talking when he joined, he was probably unaware of some things.

"It … uh broke."

Casey stood up then as the grill steamed once more. "Should be ready. Let me grab some food." He stared at Ally. "Would you mind helping?"

"I'll help!" Austin said, but Casey gave him a look that had him sitting back down before he was even up.

"Sure," Ally said uneasily.

The two of them walked down the deck where they were out of earshot. Tyler had begun another story, and the conversation picked up, leaving the two distanced to have one of their own. Casey shifted as he flipped the burgers once last time. "I didn't know he lost his guitar."

"His father broke it."

Ally didn't like the look on the dark haired boy's face at what she said. He closed his eyes, shaking his head and then sighed. "Why am I surprised? I shouldn't be surprised."

She remained quiet.

"I think we should replace it."

"… I think that'd be a good idea."

Casey took the food off the grill, staring down at her. "Music has been a big part of his life as long as I can remember. That guitar meant everything to him. I can't bring it back, but I can give him something new to cherish. Do you want to go shopping with me for one? I'm sure you'd pick out something he'd love."

Ally finally nodded. "I would love to."

She took the plate of hamburgers from him with a smile and then walked back up the steps to Austin staring at her. She gave him a reassuring squeeze to the shoulder and she saw him visibly relax as the plate was set down. Clara stood up as Casey also returned with a plate of food, going inside the house for the remaining items. Soon enough, everyone was enjoying the barbeque while music played in the background and the crash of the surf beyond them reminded them of where they were.

Ally enjoyed learning of her boyfriend through stories and they continued for the next hour. She sipped her soda, giggling over another embarrassing story that Casey had to tell, enjoying the look of murder on her boyfriend's face all too much. Soon, Trish began to tell a story of her own, a story of her and Dez when they'd first agreed to date.

"I thought he was so weird. He never left me alone while I was at work. It wasn't bad attention, he'd compliment me constantly. He was never overbearing, or rude about it either. He just loved to make me feel wonderful. I just… I thought he'd loose steam. I never thanked him or acted like I cared. And then I realized that he was a good guy despite everything he sometimes said that made me question his sanity."

"And here we are," Dez bragged.

"And I still want to punch him half the time."

"And I still think she's the most beautiful girl I've ever laid eyes on."

"So, pretty much," Tyler started. "Nothing has changed."

The group laughed. "I'll be right back," Clara said, getting up and walking into the kitchen. Her presence soon returned with a bottle of some sort of alcohol. "I know not everyone here drinks, but I also know that some would like to celebrate with some too."

"And some of us think getting drunk sounds heavenly," Cassidy finished.

Clara raised her eyebrows, making Cassidy blush.

"I mean…"

"I know," the other girl finished, giving her a smile. "There is more in the house. I just grabbed whatever looked the best. By all means, take your pick."

"Anyone up for shots?"

Dez revealed a bottle of whiskey from inside of his pocket. It was small, only enough for about five people. Cassidy eagerly raised her hands, and Ally couldn't help but laugh. Tyler declined while he whined about wanting some (the medications he was on couldn't be mixed with alcohol), and Trish soon agreed to some too. Casey and Clara respectfully shook their heads, and then all eyes fell on Austin and Ally. He looked at her for what she wanted.

A small smile curved her lips. "I suppose one shot won't hurt."

"Then I'm in," Austin agreed. He looked at Casey briefly, who only nodded back. Ally wondered what that was about.

"To badasses who protect our country!" Cassidy chimed.

Trish stood. "To those who gave some," she added.

Austin filled his glass, remaining quiet. Ally watched as he poured her small glass and then smiled. "And to some who gave all," she finished, as everyone downed the heavy drink quickly.

Ally helped them clean up a few minutes later, as second drinks were poured between those who wanted them. The conversations broke into smaller ones as they exited the deck and sat on chairs scattered around the now burning bonfire, music playing beyond them, and Ally leaned back in her chair as Austin began a conversation with his childhood friend. This allowed her a chance to look at Clara, who seemed pleased despite her silence.

"How are you?"

She peered up. "Me?"

"Yeah."

"I'm good. I'm happy. What about you?"

"Beyond," she admitted. "Thank you for doing this. For helping me with this. It's perfect."

She smiled at the other girl. "Thank you for making my husband's best friend so happy."

"He makes me happy."

"I know."

"It's good to have him home."

Clara glanced at Casey and Austin who were laughing at something that must have been said. She noticed the pure happiness between the two in those few minutes and understood the knowing look on the blonde girl's face. Soon she got up though, going into the kitchen to bring out a cake that seemed homemade. Ally couldn't help but wonder how she found the time to do that in the last twelve hours. As the night went on, she couldn't help but feel herself lose more and more energy.

Just as she was going to question this, a loud boom startled them all. Then a beautiful firework graced the sky, a silver color, one of those that seemed to rain sparkles as it faded. Ally's eyes lit up and she and Cassidy grinned at each other. Fireworks were some of their favorite things, and they had missed the yearly show at the boardwalk because of their trip to Georgia. She turned to Austin. "Isn't it beautiful?" she murmured as more lit up the sky from somewhere over the water, somewhere down on the beach a few miles away.

Different colored sparks of light continued to fill the sky for the next few minutes. All watched with pleased expressions and smiles. Soon, it quieted for a minute. Then it changed to noise makers, the ones which sounded like a balloon losing air, and then the ones that only could describe like sounding like a bomb.

"They're so pointless," Cassidy grumbled. "The whole point of fireworks is to light up the sky."

"They date back to the first ever Fourth of July," Dez explained. "They are supposed to represent a celebration, a show of what this country is. Can't help but think tonight is a perfect example of that."

The two girls walked closer to the water, to get a better look at the beautiful scene before them, giggling over nothing important and generally enjoying being together. Ally sat down on the sand, staring at Cassidy had her phone pointed at the sky in an attempt to capture one of them mid burst.

"So, have you thought about it?"

She glanced at Ally. "About what?"

"What you're going to do?"

She shifted on the sand, looking at her best friend who's expression was now guarded. "Cassidy…"

"I'm going to stay with him."

Ally felt like someone punched her in the stomach. She knew how much Tyler meant to her friend and she was so happy that she'd finally found someone who she truly cared about and who made her happy. But what he was going through was taking her away from home, away from Ally, away from everyone. And as much as she realized that he needed her, the entire thing just sucked. But she wasn't going to tell her best friend that. Despite how upset she felt herself getting, she knew her approval was important to Cassidy. Ally made the right decisions in her mind, so if she agreed with her, it would mean she had made the right one.

"Say something, please." Ally still couldn't talk. She wanted to, but she knew she was not going to see her best friend for an extended period of time for at least a year. "Please. You have to understand, Ally. I think I may love him. I wouldn't have thought that I do, but I think I do. I don't know if this is what love feels like but—"

"Like when you're apart your heart is being stomped on and you can't breathe? When you're together nothing else matters in the world and you could literally be told the worst news ever and as long as he's there, it's somehow bearable? Like when he looks at you suddenly realize why nothing else ever worked out? Like he completes you?"

The other girl stared at her with wide, doe eyes. "Exactly."

Ally smiled. "I'm not saying that you saying this isn't killing me because it is. But I understand and I know that being with him means a lot to you, and I know it means to same to him. I can tell how you act together and how you act around others. I've never seen you like this and that's not a bad thing. I'm going to miss you, but I know it's not forever."

"Oh, Ally," Cassidy murmured, throwing her arms around her. "I don't know how I ended up with such a wonderful best friend."

"I love you, Cassidy."

Cassidy nodded, blinking back tears. "I love you too, and I promise it's not just the alcohol saying that."

When they returned to the bonfire, Austin and Casey were missing. She wondered where they'd gone off to, but didn't question it since no one seemed concerned. The fireworks had stopped a few minutes before, and the conversations about life and friendship returned. Dez was telling another story that had them rolling in the sand and when the two boys showed up a few minutes later, everyone seemed to fall into place.

Time flew and soon it was after midnight and eyes were closing faster than what anyone could expect. Not a single person had gotten much sleep over the last day or so, and soon they were all returning to cars and driving back to where they'd come from. Ally and Austin had retreated into Casey's house, lying on the couch while they waited for Casey for something he said he needed to give them before leaving. Somehow along the way, Ally must have fallen asleep. The one thing she did remember before succumbing to the slumber was Austin's firm arms around her, and she couldn't help but think that was all she'd ever wanted in the last year.