Man, I love this couple. So everyone, welcome to chapter 3!
So, here's the situation, since I left the last chapter off on a cliffhanger, its only fair that I start off where it left off…almost. This chapter takes place a day later.
Also, enjoy!
_
It had been a day since Ally's parents had suggested talking to one of the couple's friends about Alex hating their unborn child. Thankfully, as both Austin and Ally had known each other for so long, they could pretty much read each other's thoughts at this point.
Right now, the pair were busy discussing the aforementioned situation over an episode of the Helen show late at night.
'' So, I'm assuming we both know who we're calling'' Ally asked, nuzzling into her husband's chest.
'' Well that all depends.''
'' On what?''
'' Are their names Xander McCormick and Emma Ross?''
'' They are'' Ally said happily.
'' Perfect. Let's call them right now'' Austin said, leaping up, Ally's head falling onto the cushion.
'' Excuse me?'' Ally breathed, getting up.
'' Yeah, I'll grab my laptop and let's call them. There isn't a time difference between New York and Miami anyway'' Austin shrugged.
'' You are aware that they have children right?''
'' Yeah. 2 of 'em. Why?''
'' And what gradeS are they in?''
'' 1st and 2nd but-
'' 1st and 2ndCute, nickname, 1st and 2nd. With Emma's fashion line and Xander's teaching career, they never get a moment alone. Let's let the poor people sleep.''
'' Point taken. Hey, speaking of which. Alex and Ava are asleep'' Austin realized.
'' Yeah, so?''
'' Its 10PM. Normally they'd be up bouncing on their beds, and we'd have to divide and conquer to get them back to sleep.''
'' Oh that. Yeah I took care of that babe'' Ally said nonchalantly as she made her way up the stairs.
'' What? How?''
'' Well…Do you want to know why I made us move to Wave-view?''
'' Because we're close to a beach?''
'' No. Because we're super close to a mall, more specifically one with a pharmacy.''
'' Oh yeah. Elaborate'' Austin instructed as the pair got into bed.
'' Well. I know we moved here when we were just 21, but I always foresaw us having kids, and from stories my parents told me, I wasn't an easy kid. So, every week, when its my turn to go grocery shopping, I purchase a bottle of children's Benadryl.''
'' Ok?'' Austin looked at Ally as if she was some sort of mob boss.
'' So, this evening when we were having dessert, that weird taste they were complaining about?''
'' Benadryl?''
'' Yep. Knocked them out like a light.''
'' I don't know if I'm more turned on or terrified.''
Ally giggled. '' Why can't it be both?''
Austin kissed her. '' You're right. Goodnight Goose pickle.''
'' Good night Cute, -nickname.''
-x-
-Manhattan New York-
'' No, I want those rompers in cornflower blue and I want them in all major east coast city stores by Friday. Also, if I catch you undermining me again I'll turn your career into a smoldering crater of nothingness! Alright, talk to you later Zuri.''
Emma Ross put her phone down and sat down on her favorite chair for the first time all day. Between being a room parent and a multi-millionaire fashion magnate, the woman never got any downtime.
'' Alright, I've done your chores, now let me go nap and pretend that this is all some horrible nightmare'' a familiar voice said.
'' Huh, yeah Bertram sure.''
Normally Bertram despised the Rosses, however he still cared for them and could tell when Emma was a bit upset.
'' You ok?'' Bertram asked, sitting next to her.
'' Not really, between being a mother of 2, pretty much running that damn class and having to become some sort of killer shark with my business, I'm exhausted. Gd, this reminds me of when Kelly and Kate were still toddlers'' Emma whined.
'' Look, this isn't a ploy to get you out of this apartment so I can be alone, but you are aware that you're Ross Designs' CEO right?''
'' Yes Bertram, I'm aware.''
'' So, put Zuri in charge for the next week. Xander and the kids are on a break anyway. Why not go somewhere nice, like Afghanistan?''
'' Nice try. But you are right, this family could do with a little r and r. Alright, I'll get back on the phone with Zuri and hopefully be out of Manhattan by this Thursday.''
-x-
Xander came down the stairs of his and his wife's penthouse apartment. His children in tow.
Despite loving music and anything creative, what he really loved was sharing his love of it with kids. So naturally, after his 21st, he enrolled at a local community college to get his teaching degree. This eventually led to him becoming the head of music at Eleanor Roosevelt High School.
'' Emma, sweetie, where are you? The children don't even remember what you look like anymore '' Xander joked in a dramatic tone.
'' Tell them I look like my high school picture '' came his wife's voice from the kitchen.
Entering the room, what Xander saw next rocked him to the core. '' You-you're cooking?!''
'' Yes, I am. Why?''
'' Because the last time to tried to make eggs, we ended up with a scorched kitchen.''
'' It wasn't that bad. I met a really cute fireman'' Emma flirted.
'' Hey!''
'' Kidding. Alright gang sit down'' Emma ordered, her family obeying, known exactly how legendary their matriarch's wrath was.
'' What's wrong mommy?'' Kate said, cocking her head to the side.
'' Well, I'm taking the week off to relax, and since you guys are already on vacation I figured a beach vacation might be nice and-
'' Venice beach '' Kelly cheered; clearing having inherited her mother's enthusiasm.
'' No. We're off to…Xander drum roll'' Emma pointed.
Xander obeyed, banging his hands on the table.
'' Miami!'' Emma cheered.
Her daughters burst into peels of joy.
'' Miami? Why're we off to Miami?'' Xander asked.
'' Simple. I feel like getting in touch with Austin and Ally.''
'' We talk to them all the time.''
'' Pfft, details. So, flights are booked, you 3 pack your bags and get ready. We leave tomorrow morning'' Emma ordered.
Her family obeyed, marching upstairs. She herself didn't need to pack as she already had this morning.
-x-
- Miami Florida –
Ally heard a buzzing coming from her purse. Standing up and walking over to the table in her practice room she kept in on, she dug her phone out, and noticed there was a voice message on it…from Emma Ross.
Opening it, Ally was met with the sounds of a busy airport terminal.
'' Hey girl, so listen Xander, the kids and I just landed in Miami for a week of summer fun. I was wondering if you, your kids and Austin wanted to meet up tonight? Get back to me when you can.''
Ally smiled. Despite Emma once being one of Austin's many stalker groupies, after she met Xander she had calmed down a lot, even going so far as to become one of Austin and Ally's best friends. It would be so good to see Emma again.
Ally quickly texted back. Hey :D Been too long! Sure, where're you guys staying?
Weirdly, even though Emma was known for only texting back like 3 hours after she sent something, Ally got a relatively quick response, in the form of a video chat.
Ally swiped up, accepting the call. '' Hey Em! How're you enjoying Miami?''
'' Its hot and my hair just expanded. Also, I think these two are sleeping for the whole freaking trip'' Emma responded, pointing her phone to her sleeping husband and daughter.
'' Let me guess, Radisson on 5th?''
'' How did you-
'' I've lived here my whole life, I know every inch of the city. From the looks of it you're staying in room 2J.''
Emma looked at her friend, slightly terrified.
'' Sorry. Alex and Ava discovered Scooby-Doo, now I guess I've become my home's resident Velma'' Ally defended.
'' Don't worry, I completely understand. So, when do you get off work?''
'' 12:30, why? Did you have any specific place you wanted to go to?''
'' Well, I made Xander do some research before he took his power nap and I found this place called King Victor's. Any thoughts on it?''
'' Oh, my Gd, I love King Victors, for a kid's restaurant they do surprisingly good food. When I was pregnant with the twins I was devouring their cheese-anator burgers every chance I got.''
Emma chuckled. '' So that's a, yes?''
'' Yes, it is. Also, King Victor's isn't exactly that far from where you guys are staying. I'd say 15-minute drive at most.''
'' Ok? So, what time should we meet up, I'm pretty sure that if and when my daughter and husband wake up we're off to the beach.''
'' Well, once I get off work I have to pick up the kids, then I have to force them to do homework, then I have to wait for Austin to get home. All in all, I'd say 6:14.''
'' Great see ya then'' Emma smiled, before hanging up.
Ally sighed happily. Finally, she could get someone else to cook for a change.
-x-
'' King Victor's? Awesome! Finally, a burger that won't cost enough that I'll have to take out a second mortgage'' Austin shouted as he entered the house.
'' Yeah well even better news, remember that look I gave you on Sunday?'' Ally asked.
'' I remember every time you've looked at me since we first started working together.''
'' Aww, Cute nickname'' Ally embraced her husband in a chaste kiss, making her nearby children cringe. '' But in all seriousness, Emma, Xander, Kelly and Kate are meeting us there.''
'' Awesome. I love them, Xander's always trying to get us to perform together.''
'' Great. So, grab your keys.''
'' What? Why? You can drive, can't you?''
'' Of-course I can. But let's ask the jury, shall we? Alex, Ava whose car do you want to take to the restaurant?''
'' Daddy's '' the pair squealed.
'' There you have it, they want daddy's'' Ally smirked.
Austin sighed. '' Alright, everyone get ready.''
-x-
Once the two families arrived, they were immediately met with hugs and compliments. They were then seated by a host, who Austin and Xander were pretty sure, were hitting on Ally and Emma.
'' So, how've you been? Austin won't shut up about making me design the clothes for his artists'' Emma commented.
'' Hey, I want these people to look good, not like they got dressed by a stoned color enthusiast '' Austin defended, making the group laugh.
'' We've been good, the LA trip was pretty cool, I got to actually go out on a date with my husband for the first time in months'' Ally answered.
'' Sounds fun. So, Emma told me earlier after she woke me and Kate up, that you guys wanted to speak about something important?'' Xander commented.
'' Yeah, we did actually'' Ally looked at her two children, studying the menus.'' Guys, go play with Kelly and Kate in the fun canyon, we'll go find you later.''
Obeying, the four children ran off.
'' Well shoot'' Emma shrugged, lying back.
'' Well…'' Austin lowered his voice. '' We're having another kid.''
'' Yee!" Emma squealed, her smile encompassing her face.
'' Quiet down Em. The last thing we want to do is turn this place into a paparazzi frenzy'' Xander hissed.
'' Fine'' Emma playfully pouted.
'' Anyway…we told the kids on Sunday. Ava was ecstatic but with Alex…it…didn't exactly go down well'' Austin put his fingers together.
'' Let me guess, he hated the thought?'' Emma raised an eyebrow.
'' And he said he didn't want it as well?'' Xander added.
'' Ye, yeah? How did you know?'' Austin asked.
'' Happened when I was pregnant with Kelly. Kate wouldn't speak to us for a week. She even started calling us by our first names'' Emma explained.
'' But that was easily taken care of. Good old fashioned McCormick discipline'' Xander said proudly.
'' What if when we have the kid Alex becomes aloof, starts listening to heavy metal and starts going by the alter ego Shredding Klaw?'' Ally asked, panic in her voice.
'' First off, by the time your kid is born, he won't even be five. Secondly, I'm sort of weirded out that you went straight to the goth phase '' Emma snickered.
'' Hey! But in all seriousness, how do we deal with this? The last thing I want is for our kid to hate his baby sister or brother.''
'' He doesn't hate it. He's jealous is all'' Xander shrugged. '' Kids hate change, take it from a teacher. All you have to do is make it clear to him that he and Ava won't be loved any less, and that no-one's ever going to become a favorite.''
'' Don't all parents have favorites? Mine's Ava'' Austin shrugged, earning a punch from Ally.
'' Anyway…just assure him that everything's going to be ok. Maybe even help him and Ava get to know the fetus'' Emma suggested.
'' How would we do that? It can't speak…it cant speak can it?'' Austin asked.
'' No Austin, the fetus can't speak. But seriously, how are we going to get Alex to get to know our baby.''
'' Same way we did with Kate. When's your next OBGYN appointment?'' Xander asked.
'' Tomorrow actually-
'' So take them with'' Emma threw her hands in the air. '' Make Alex watch the sonogram.''
'' And that'll work?'' Ally asked.
'' Maybe. It worked for us'' Emma shrugged.
-x-
Several hours later, both families had left the restaurant for their homes, agreeing to see each other again before Emma and Xander went back to NYC.
Right now, Ava had gone upstairs to change into her pajamas, whilst Austin and Ally cornered their younger kid.
'' Alex, take a seat '' Austin said, his child obeying.
'' Am I in trouble?''
'' No, not at all sweetheart. We just want to talk to you is all'' Ally reassured the child.
'' Ok?'' Alex said, the skepticism in his voice quite obvious.
'' Well bud, we want to know why you've decided that you hate the baby already '' Austin started.
'' I don't wanna tell'' Alex pouted.
'' C'mon sweetie, what's the reason?'' Ally pried.
Alex folded his arms.
'' You know what we have to do right?'' Austin winked at his wife.
'' Oh, I know '' Ally nodded.
The pair then started to violently tickle their child, causing him to scream with laughter.
'' Ok ok, I'll tell you!'' the child squealed, his parents getting off him.
'' Well, what's the reason rockstar?'' Austin asked.
'' I. I'm afraid you won't have time for me and Avey.''
'' That's it? Alex, we'll always have time for you guys, day or night.''
'' But what if the baby takes you away?''
'' It won't. We have enough love for all three of you guys'' Austin defended.
'' Yeah, I guess love multiplies, it doesn't divide'' Ally shrugged, putting her son on her lap.
'' Alz, he's 4 he doesn't understand math.''
'' Hey, you're 30 and still don't understand it '' Ally refuted, making the child laugh.
'' Hey rockstar?'' Austin asked.
'' Yeah?''
'' How would you like to meet your new brother or sister?''
'' How?''
'' Well, mommy has an appointment with the doctor on Friday, why don't you come with me?'' Ally suggested.
'' Are you sick?''
'' No bud, I'm not sick. The doctor's just going to check to see that the baby is ok is all'' Ally answered.
Alex went silent. '' ok.''
'' Awesome. Run upstairs and get ready, I think we're starting a new book tonight '' Austin said, Alex jumping off of Ally and walking up the stairs.
That's right, I did a crossover! Thanks so much to everyone who's reading at the moment, it means a lot.
Until next time guys, stay safe and stay awesome!