I can't stop writing. I blame DISNEY for creating this TV masterpiece. Although I'm not complaining. So everyone, at the time of writing we're at over 300 views, 3 favorites, 7 reviews and 2 follows. So a big thank you from me * smiles at laptop screen *.

Also, enjoy!

Ally Moon snuggled into her pillow. With a dark sky outside, the heating on and a relatively thick comforter, she was in heaven.

Not only had she started sleeping better, but her hormones had also stopped being brutal towards her. She wasn't getting sad or depressed anymore, which was a relief for both her family and friends.

Although, come to think of it, even-though she was enjoying having a morning in, something felt off. Unnatural to a certain extent.

Outside her bedroom door, a trio was outside, the tallest whispering to his companions.

'' Ok. It's mommy's birthday. You know what that means right?'' he whispered.

'' She's old?'' Alex asked, his tone the same as his father's.

Ava hit him. '' Never tell a girl that. It means we're extra nice to her today.''

'' That's my princess. Alright guys, on the count of three, one, two-

'' Mommy!'' the two squalled, jumping onto their mother's bed, using the couch at its foot as a launch pad.

'' Gah! Alex, Ava?! What do you think you're doing? Its 8AM!''

'' I think they're celebrating their mommy's birthday'' Austin smirked.

'' Wait? It's the 29th already?''

'' Yep. Guess with our daughter on the way soon you kinda spaced out huh?''

'' Guess so'' Ally gathered up her frightened children. '' Sorry I yelled at you guys.''

'' Its ok'' Alex nuzzled.

'' Is it though?'' Austin joked.

'' Hey…'' Ally half-smirked.

'' Haha. Hope these help'' Austin smiled, reaching behind him, pulling out a large bag of presents.

'' Austin, kids, you didn't have to.''

'' Daddy says we did'' Ava responded.

'' Hehe. Princess, what'd we say about repeating everything daddy says?''

'' Don't.''

'' Good girl.''

Ally laughed. Despite being Austin's daughter, Ava displayed a lot of Dez's traits, such as his brutal honesty.

'' Hey, enough of this. Let's let mommy open these'' Austin smiled, sitting cross-legged on his side, Alex in his lap.

'' First one's from Grandpa'' Ally said, reading the label on a small box. '' And there's a note attached. Dear Ally, the big 30. I'm so happy for you my little girl. A great wife, mother and daughter. I couldn't ask for more. Have a great day sweetie, hope you enjoy your gift. PS, I made Austin keep the gift receipt in case you wanted a refund.''

The group laughed. Only Lester Dawson would write something like that. Opening the box, Ally beamed. Her father had gotten her a hair clip in the shape of a treble-cleft.

'' Here's mine'' Alex said, giving his mother a large red box.

'' Aw, my little rockstar's the best'' Ally said, squeezing the child before reading his note, completely ignoring his horrible handwriting. '' Happy birthday to the best mommy ever, I hope you have a great day. Alex, you are the sweetest guy I know.''

'' Hey, I'm right here!''

'' Ok fine, it's a tie.''

Opening the box Ally saw what looked like a homemade candle. The colors swirled, ranging from a brick red to a light blue.

'' It smells nice too'' Alex smiled.

Ally sniffed the candle. It reminded her of petrichor.

'' I have the best son ever.''

'' We do. But I think someone else wants to give you something as well'' Austin raised an eyebrow.

'' This is from me'' Ava said, shoving a purple container at her mother.

'' Ava, don't shove.'' Ally, as with the rest of her gifts, first read the note. Thankfully this time 'round she could read it. '' Happy birthday mommy, please enjoy what I got for you and have a great day. PS, daddy ate your chocolate bars.''

Ally playfully looked at Austin.

'' I swear, this kid is going to grow up to be a cop'' Austin sighed.

Ally tore off the wrapping to find something amazing inside. It was a silver-mesh frame, with a picture of all 4 of them together at last Thanksgiving.

'' Ava, I love it'' Ally said, squeezing her daughter.

'' So, I guess that leaves my first present'' Austin shrugged.

'' First present? What're you hiding from me Monica?''

The twins laughed at this. Almost 5 years later and they still loved their father's middle name.

'' Oh, you'll see'' Austin winked. '' But for now, I hope this suffices'' Austin dug in his blazer pocket and producing a black-velvet box.

'' No note?'' Ally asked.

'' Nope. I thought I'd speak from the heat. Allison Edgar Dawson. These past 16 years have been the best of my life. You've made me a better man and father. I always loved you, even when you first yelled at me for playing drums with corndogs. I have no idea what's going to happen in the future, all I know is, as long I have you, I can do anything. Happy birthday beautiful.''

Ally almost cried. Austin was just genuinely the most decent human being she'd ever met. She then leaned over and passionately kissed him, making their children cringe.

'' Stop being gross!" the twins whined, in unison.

The pair broke away and laughed. '' Ok guys, we'll stop. So, Ally, you going to open that thing?'' Austin smirked.

'' Guess I should'' Ally opened the box to find 3 separate gifts, a pair of diamond-studded earrings, a gold bracelet and 2 tickets to the opening of a new American history museum in Tampa.

'' Austin, I love these, but where does this second present come into play?''

Austin shrugged. '' You'll see.''

'' Fine, but Tampa? Who's watching the kids? When're we going, there's so much to do.''

'' First off, I am, I'm not as big of a nerd as you are. I arranged for Trish to go with you.''

'' Aww, thanks. But seriously, what's the second gift?''

'' You'll just have to wait to find out'' Austin grinned.

-x-

For the next week, Ally couldn't understand her husband. He was being secretive and whenever she brought up her gift he would just smile and change the subject.

Thankfully, she had a way to find out what he was up to…his bank account.

Austin was currently trying to teach Alex and Ava the basics of baseball.

Ally snuck into their room and saw his laptop on his desk. Opening it quietly, she typed in his password. Thankfully it was an easy one; PANCAKES1… or so she thought.

'' What the fuck? Let's see… ALLYALEXAVA? What? Wrong? What's his new password?''

'' Its my wife has privacy issues 1'' came a voice from the door.

'' What? Oh, hey babe, uh, what're you doing up here. Weren't you teaching the kids baseball?''

'' I was. We took a break since its 64 degrees outside. I came up here to get into a bigger jacket. Nice to see you tried to hack into my laptop though.''

'' Sorry. But your secret's driving me crazy. What're you hiding from me? A mistress? DO you have an Ashley Madison account-

Ally was interrupted by Austin pressing his lips to hers.

'' Not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?''

'' To calm you down. Look, Goose pickle, I'm not cheating on you. The reason I'm being secretive is because your gift is a surprise. Not even the kids know about it.''

'' Really?''

'' Have you met our children. They can't lie.''

Ally hugged him. '' Sorry I tried to hack Cute nickname, I was just curious.''

'' I know Alz, I know. Come down in a minute. Its movie time. I'm thinking Nightmare on Elm Street.''

'' Austin!''

'' Kidding'' Austin laughed, walked downstairs, locked himself in the downstairs bathroom and dialed a number on his phone.

'' Hey, its me. You ready?''

''….''

'' Great. Pick her up Saturday at 12. She's super excited for the museum.''

''…''

'' Because you're better suited to a weekend in a museum, De La Rosa.''

''…''

'' Wow, language.''

''…''

'' Yeah I know. Talk to you soon.''

Austin hung the phone up and joined his family in the family room.

-x-

'' You all set?'' Austin asked.

'' Yep. Clothes, books, toothbrush, all of it. You sure you don't want to come with. We can probably squeeze you in.''

'' I'm sure Goose pickle. GO have fun, and you'' Austin bent down and patted his wife's stomach. '' Take care of your momma.''

'' Austin, she can't hear you'' Ally laughed.

'' I know, but her momma can. Hopefully she'll pass along the message.''

'' Ahem!"' came a familiar voice.

The pair turned around to see Trish, arms folded, in the middle of the door. '' Its 12:04, let's hit the road. I want to be in Tampa before dark.''

'' Trish, relax. We'll make perfect time.''

'' Hey! I'm not giving up my weekend to be in a museum so you and Austin can play couple-goals .''

'' Jealous'' Austin smiled, kissing Ally.

'' Hey! True'' Trish admitted.

'' Alright Alz, go on, have fun and bring me back one of those old-timey judge wigs'' Austin called.

Once Austin could see that Trish and Ally had left in Ally's car, he grinned. The plan, was working.

Austin came down the stairs to see his children, happily watching Nick Jnr.

'' Alright guys, mommy's gone. You ready to get to work?''

The pair nodded. Austin felt awful for lying, but it was the only way to ensure that Ally didn't find out.

Austin led his children upstairs into their room. '' Alright, have you guys decided, who's staying in this room, and who's moving?''

The two children looked at each other knowingly. '' Avey gets this one. I'm taking the other one.''

'' Wow bud, that shows real character, good job. So, now that that's taken care of. Its time to help me with mommy's present. You remember where all those newspapers are don't you princess?''

Ava nodded and left for the Alex's new room, later emerging with a stack of newspapers.

'' Great job princess. Alex go, lay them out in the baby's new room, all over the floor. It's the one we're currently not using at all, the one across from Ava's room. Ava, you go grab those face-masks out of the medicine cabinet. I'll go to the garage and grab those paint cans. Good thing we have that tarp. Otherwise mommy would've got a clue as to what's happening.''

-x-

'' Trish, look here, an exact copy of our country's founding constitution!" Ally gasped, snapping photos of the image.

'' Yay, more reading'' Trish rolled her eyes. They had only been in Tampa for a day and already she was bored out of her mind. Part of her agreement with Austin was that she had to feign enthusiasm for the next two days. An easy thing to do in theory, but when you hated learning as much as Trish did, this might as well have been torture.

'' Look, an actual cannon from the civil war! Can you believe it only happened less than 300 years ago?'' Ally gasped, taking another picture.

'' It feels like its been 300 years already'' Trish mumbled.

'' Come on Trish, this is fun. We're learning about the events that led to the place we live in.''

'' Uh huh, thrilling.''

Ally put her hands on her hips. '' There's also a gift shop here with an a-joining café.''

'' Deal!'' Trish shrieked, charging ahead.

A tour guide approached Ally. '' Maám, we don't have a café here, nor a gift shop.''

'' Oh I know, I just needed to distract my friend.''

That same evening saw Trish and Ally at the hotel's famous 4 star restaurant. The restaurant; Amour, was known for being a classic bistro, however, what really set it apart was its desserts. International dining standards called them '' the cure for depression.''

'' Oh my Gd, this is good'' Álly said, stuffing her face.

'' Uhm, Alz, that's your 2nd chocolate brownie. Didn't your doctor say that for your daughter's sake, you needed to chill on the chocolate?''

'' HE's in Miami, this is Tampa'' Ally said between mouthfuls.

'' Hold on a sec'' Trish nervously laughed. The woman then got up, went behind a tree and called someone.

'' Hey Trish, how's Tampa?''

'' Cut the crap Austin, please tell me you're almost finished with that room. I had to learn today. I thought I left that behind me after business school.''

'' Trish relax, we're almost finished.''

'' We? Don't tell you employed your own children as labor?''

'' I didn't employ them, they're 4, I'd go to jail. All I did was ask if they wanted to help mommy and they said yes.''

'' Whatever. Look, we're supposed to leave Monday morning, you better get this done'' Trish hissed, hanging up the phone.

'' Who was that daddy?'' Ava asked, splashing paint onto the bedroom's walls.

'' That, was you aunt Trish. Mommy's loving the museum. She'll be home by Monday. ''

'' We miss her'' Alex whined.

'' Me too buddy, me too.''

'' Look it!'' Ava squaeld.

'' What the?! Are those paint grenades?!'' Austin shrieked.

'' Uh huh. Uncle Dez gave 'em to me.''

''Sweetie, these are seriously dangerous'' Austin said, however immediately changing his tone when he saw his daughter's face.

'' Fine, we'll use one'' he sighed.

The man then led his children behind him, pulled out the pin and threw the device, a gender neutral blue encompassing the room.

'' Awesome!'' the twins shrieked, their clothes now soaked in blue paint.

'' Yep. You guys go change, I can take care of this by myself.''

The two children obeyed, going into their now separate rooms.

-x-

A day later, Austin had evened out the walls, let the fumes leave and had gotten rid off all the newspaper. However, he did need help moving some furniture he had been storing in the guest room. Since neither of his children had any body strength, he had used the services of the only person who lived in his area that he knew.

'' Seriously? Almost five years later, and you need me to carry stuff for you again?'' Dez pouted as he heaved a full bookcase into the room.

'' I asked, you didn't, have to, say yes '' Austin grunted.

'' It was this or judging a local high school talent show'' Dez wheezed.

'' Well bud, you should've taken the gig. Because we've still got a lot more furniture to bring in.''

'' Curse my vow to your unborn child and devotion to you and Ally'' Dez muttered.

For the next hour, the two men moved furniture into the room, by the end of it, you would've thought that Austin had purchased all of IKEA.

'' Alright, now for the fun bit'' Austin smiled, opening a metallic red box. '' We've got cribs, stations and dressers to build.''

Maybe I should've just been a judge Dez thought. '' Alright, lets get to it.''

An hour later, the two men were utterly exhausted, although what they had produced was definitely not something to sneeze at.

'' We really did a great job'' Austin marveled.

'' Yeah, we did. Now set me free!''

-x-

'' Mommy!''

'' Hey guys! I missed you so much'' Ally said, squeezing her children.

'' Uhm, the man who married you, is still waiting for his hug.''

'' Don't be rude'' Ally half-joked, hugging Austin.

'' Sorry, I'm excited. You gift is upstairs.''

'' Really? What is it?''

'' First'' Austin was handed a blindfold from his daughter. '' You have to put this on.''

Ally put the blindfold on, and carefully made her way up the stairs, before entering.

'' Alright, what do you think?'' Austin asked.

Ally gasped as she looked around her. The once empty and unused room, had been turned into a nursery. With an oddly large crib, dresser, baby-changing station and book case it was everything she could've wanted.

The walls were decorated with a turquoise color scheme, thanks to some last minute alterations by Austin, the walls now contained pictures of music notes as well.

'' Austin I-

'' Ssh. We all pitched in'' Austin said, the trio embracing their matriarch.

Ally smiled. This kid was going to be brought up in an amazing household.

Not crying. That's the uhh…shower, yeah. So everyone, thanks so much for reading. Hope your week is going well. As usual a big thank you to everyone who's read so far, your support is greatly appreciated.

Until next time, stay safe and stay awesome!