Why hello there Terrans. Hope you enjoyed the last chapter because this one is extra special. Why? Because I used math for this chapter. Yes, you read that right. I used math for this chapter. Please enjoy!
Austin Moon groaned as he heard a familiar sound from his nightstand. It was of course, his cell phone. Unfortunately, the person who was calling wasn't the kind of person you wanted to hear from at 4AM on a Saturday. Looking next to him, he could see Ally starting to stir. With their daughter due in less than three weeks, he couldn't afford for anything bad to happen to her. Both physical and otherwise.
'' Jimmy, what is it?'' Austin groaned.
'' Austin. Glad you're up.''
'' Cut the crap Jimmy. Its 4AM, what could you possibly need at this hour?''
'' Kinda harsh, but please, check your email.''
Austin begrudgingly got up with his phone and dragged himself over to his laptop. Opening the device, the man winced at the bright light, before checking his email.
'' All it says it that you've bought out A&A Records?!'' Austin yelled, hardly believing what he was seeing.
'' Austin, its 4AM, what's going on?'' Ally asked, rubbing her eyes and approaching her husband.
'' You heard me. Jimmy's buying us out!''
'' What?! Seriously?! That evil gutless, rat'' Ally responded, in a much quieter tone. '' We worked hard to start A&A Records, we even bought Starr Records purely to get rid of him as a competitor. How did he even do this?''
'' No clue. But whatever happens, we'll be ok. We still get a share of every A&A Music Factory franchise's profits.''
'' Forget the money, he's being an ass.''
'' It gets worse, remember that trip to Brazil I was supposed to take?''
'' Yeah, what about it?''
'' Read for yourself'' Austin pointed to the screen.
'' That mother fucker!''
-x-
A few hours later, the entire Moon family were gathered around for breakfast. Both Alex and Ava, easily being able to see something was wrong.
'' Mommy, daddy?'' Ava asked, tugging at her mother's shirt.
'' Not now sweetie, not now.''
'' What's wrong?'' Alex piped up.
Austin sighed. '' Do you remember Jimmy Starr?''
'' The guy you used to work for?'' Ava asked.
'' That's him. Well, back before you guys were born, mine and mommy's company A&A Records bought out his company.''
'' Do you own him?''
'' Not anymore rockstar, he owns us. He emailed daddy this morning to say that he just bought us.''
The children's faces fell. '' Are we poor?''
'' No buddy, we aren't. We're just sad is all'' Austin said, snuggling his child.
'' That's not all. Jimmy's sending daddy off to Brazil, in South America to find new talent.''
'' That's far'' Ava answered.
'' Sure is princess. I'll be gone for about 3 weeks.''
'' When do you go?'' Alex asked.
'' Thursday morning bud. I'd love to take you guys, but Jimmy said I have to go alone. Its not safe for mommy to go since she's due soon, and I need you guys to watch her like hawks, 'kay?''
The children nodded.
'' Take care of me? Austin, they're 4. Remember goldies 1 through 36?'' Ally whispered.
'' Hey, according to the paramedics form your feinting spell a while ago, they're perfectly decent nurses. Also, since they don't understand pay yet, they won't ask you for money.''
'' Austin, Monica Moon!'' Ally gasped.
The twins laughed, the loved it when Ally called Austin out.
'' Allison Edgar Moon'' Austin retorted, winking.
The entire family laughed, and held each other close. They would miss Austin, but they knew he would be back soon.
-x-
'' Do you have to go? Why can't we just send one of your clients instead?'' Ally protested, the following morning, as she slammed the trunk of her car shut.
'' I have no choice. Jimmy's forcing me. God, I wish he had just sent me somewhere closer, like Cuba'' Austin responded, helping Alex and Ava with their seatbelts, before climbing into the passenger seat.
'' Cuba? Cute nickname, your Spanish is awful, not to mention you have enough trouble with English.''
'' Hey!''
'' Relax, I'm just teasing ya. But seriously though, I'm going to miss you'' Ally playfully pouted, driving out of their home. It wasn't something Ally was particularly proud of, but she tended to get very bad separation anxiety when she was away from her love.
'' I'll miss you too. Quite honestly, if you didn't have our daughter inside of you, I'd have absolutely forced Jimmy to get you guys to come with. But until then…'' Austin dug in his pocket, pulled out his phone and hooked it up to the car's Bluetooth.
'' What're you doing Tiger?''
'' Trust me, this should help'' Austin winked.
Just then, a familiar song came on.
When you're on your own
Drowning alone
And you need a rope that can pull you in
Someone will throw it
'' Our first ballad together '' Ally swooned.
'' Best night of my life, well, after when I sang I think about you to you, prom, the Helen Show, when I proposed to you, our wedding and our honeymoon night'' Austin smiled.
And when you're afraid
That you're gonna break
And you need a way to feel strong again
Someone will know it
And even when it hurts the most
Try to have a little hope
That someone's gonna be there when you don't
When you don't
If you wanna cry, I'll be your shoulder
If you wanna laugh, I'll be your smile
If you wanna fly, I will be your sky
Anything you need that's what I'll be
You can come to me
You struggle inside
Losing your mind
Fighting and trying to be yourself
Then somebody lets you
Out in the cold
But no where to go
Feeling like no one could understand
Then somebody gets you
So take a breath and let it go
And try to have a little hope
'Cause someone's gonna be there when you don't
When you don't
If you wanna cry, I'll be your shoulder
If you wanna laugh, I'll be your smile
If you wanna fly, I will be your sky
Anything you need, that's what I'll be
You can come to me
Like a chain that never breaks
Like a truth that never bends
Like a glue that takes a broken heart and puts it back again
It's the feeling that you get
It's the moment that you know
That no matter what the future holds
You'll never be alone
If you wanna cry, I'll be your shoulder
If you wanna laugh, I'll be your smile
If you wanna fly, I will be your sky
Anything you need, that's what I'll be
If you wanna climb, I'll be your ladder
If you wanna run, I'll be your road
If you want a friend, doesn't matter when
Anything you need, that's what I'll be
You can come to me
You can come to me
Yeah
'' Mommy, daddy?'' Alex and Ava piped up.
'' Yeah guys, what is it?'' Austin asked.
'' We love you.''
'' We love you too'' Ally smiled.
-x-
Later that afternoon, Ally had invited Trish and Dez over for coffee. Not only because she enjoyed spending time with them, but also because she needed some time with adults. If she had to watch one more episode of Peppa Pig she may end up a vegetarian.
'' That mother trucking son of a biscuit!''
'' Trish, my kids are at Mike and Mimi's, you can swear.''
'' Oh, she can't. You see, since Jace's nephews are over from Albuquerque for Christmas break, she was told specifically by Jace's sister and himself that she can't swear. So, this is the alternative'' Dez shrugged.
'' She can swear here though. They aren't here.''
'' oof, no she can't'' Dez smiled, '' you see I have a bet with her. If she can go the rest of the week without cussing, being mean or insulting me, then she gets to decide who's in the cast for my next movie; The Endless sea. If she can't, then I give the role of her co-star Althea to someone mean and unbearable, like Brandy Braxton.''
'' What if she's on her own, what stops her from cussing then?''
'' Integrity '' Dezz shrugged. '' So, 3 weeks without Austin huh? With your daughter on the way as well, you sure you don't need some help around here?''
'' I'm sure Dez, its just a few weeks, what could possibly go wrong?'' Ally nervous laughed. In truth she was slightly terrified. Not because she couldn't take care of herself and the kids, she was extremely independent. She just needed company was all.
'' Lets see, a gas leak, tidal wave, sinkhole, burglary, fire-
'' Dez! You absolute- nice guy, Ally can take care of herself '' Trish smiled, her eye twitching.
'' Close one, almost-Dillon. You almost had to share the spotlight with Lindsay Lohan.''
'' Dez!''
'' Kidding Ally, I'm not a monster. But seriously, three weeks is a long time to be apart. I really think you should get someone to help you out.''
'' Dez, I'm flattered, but I'm 30, I can take care of myself, also, Austin and I survived dating other people like Gavin and Kira, as well as a three-month tour. We can survive three weeks apart.''
'' Oh, ok'' Trish said, saddened.
'' Trish, what's wrong?'' Ally asked.
'' Oh nothing, its just that I kinda already bought you something is all. Nothing too huge though. But hey, if you'll be fine I can always auction it online.''
'' No, what is it?'' Ally asked, frantically.
'' Follow me'' Trish winked, the to other group members following Trish to her car.
Opening the trunk, Ally was amazed at what she saw. It was a gigantic body pillow.
'' You got me a body pillow? Why is it in plastic?''
'' That's not all she did'' Dez dug into the satchel he now wore around his torso, pulled out a flannel shirt.
'' I'm confused'' Ally said blankly.
'' The pillow was bought on Sunday. We knew you'd pull the whole independent, don't-need-no-man-thing on us, so we bought this, not before we made Austin rub it all over himself though. We did the same to the shirt.'' Trish explained.
'' We put it in plastic so the scent would kinda incubate, ya know? So, Ally Moon, we give to you…the hubby-vice!'' Dez trilled.
'' Guys, this is so sweet, thank you'' Ally smiled.
Little did she know, 4077 miles away, someone was feeling something similar.
-x-
'' Ok seriously? Another rapper? This is the fifteenth today!'' Austin scoffed.
As soon as he had gotten off at GRU international airport, an official from A&A Records had come to whisk him away to a recording studio. Turns out when local news stations say that Austin Moon was in town looking for a big hit, people tend to show up.
Right now, Austin was busy in the recording studio, next to him was an old student of his and Ally's, Lilly. Currently the young woman was busy working as a talent scout for Jimmy, it just so happened that she had been assigned to Austin.
'' Come on Austin, they aren't that bad.''
'' Lilly. Even with sound editing and autotune, the last guy still sounded like two raccoons having a fight to the death.''
Lilly stared at the man. Ever since he had stepped off of his flight he had been miserable, grouchy and morose.
'' You miss them don't you?''
'' Excuse me?''
'' Austin, I may be 24, but I'm not an idiot. I know you'd rather be with Ally and the twins.''
'' I would, but Jimmy bought A&A Records, I have no choice but to be here.''
'' I know. Look, I can't promise you that we'll find an overnight sensation, but we can at least try. Also, knowing your wife, she wouldn't want you to quit so easily.''
'' I know, I know. Gah this is awful. Alright who's next?''
-x-
Ally snuggled into the body pillow that had been bought for her. Weird as it may sound, it almost felt exactly like she was snuggling into the actual small of her husband's back.
However, even though she had continuously told everyone that she didn't need anyone's help, everyone who new her knew exactly how wrong she was. Not that Alex and Ava weren't well behaved kids, the absolutely were. But taking care of two kids when you're almost due and your husband is on another continent, that wasn't an easy task to accomplish…even for Ally Moon.
That's why Trish had '' Invited herself '' over to stay, until Austin came back. Right now, the Latina woman had built herself a little nest, next to Ally.
'' Mmm, you kick a lot'' Trish groaned.
'' You talk too much'' Ally muttered, snuggling deeper into the pillow.
'' Ow!'' Ally yelped, shooting upright.
'' How are you in pain? With the amount of money that that body pillow cost, it should be softer than a cloud. And hopefully more, sturdy.''
'' No, its contra- ah!''
Alex and Ava burst through their mother's door. '' Mommy are you ok?'' Alex asked.
'' Fine baby'' Ally winced.
'' You don't look fine Ally'' Trish commented. '' And based on what I can see around you, it looks a lot like your water broke.''
'' What? But I'm not due for at least three weeks!''
'' Tell that to the kid sweetheart'' Trish leapt up. '' Alex, go to the hall closet, fetch as many towels as you can. Ava, Grab your mommy's hand and tell her to breathe.''
'' What exactly are you going to do?'' Ally panted.
'' Calling the most qualified person I know to help me out in times of crisis.''
'' Dez is in Tallahassee.''
'' Jace it is then.''
Trish whipped out her phone and called her fiancé. '' Jace! Get your butt down to Wave-view. Ally's having her kid.''
Before she could say another word, Jace hung up and bolted to his car, he needed to get to the hospital as fast as he could.
'' Ok, now that that's taken care of. We need to find a way to get hold of Austin. The only way I can think of is email. But he's almost never on his laptop when he's on trips'' Ally explained.
'' Wait a minute. He has WhatsApp international calling enabled right?'' Trish grinned.
'' Yeah, but its 5AM in Sao Paulo, he won't be up.''
'' Then we wake him up'' Trish grabbed Ally's phone, dialled Austin's number and waited.
'' Trish?! That's an- agh! International call, Its not cheap-
'' My best friend has a kid trying to get out of her boy-howdy and I know how much you two are worth, you'll manage.''
-x-
Austin groaned from his hotel room. Was it now illegal for the man to get some sleep?''
'' Hello?'' he groaned.
'' Austin Monica Moon! Get your privileged ass onto the next flight to Miami right now!'' Trish shrieked.
'' Trish? What's wrong?!''
'' Ally's water broke, she's having contractions and your bedroom now looks like a slip n slide. Get up here now!''
'' I'm on it'' Austin hung up and rang Jimmy.
'' Austin, how goes the talent hunt-
'' Not now Starr! My wife's in labor and I'm in Brazil. Get me the Starr jet, I need to be in Miami yesterday!''
'' Calm down! I understand, get to GRU as fast as you can. I'll meet you there by Terminal 12. Mark my words, you will be at your daughter's birth.''
'' Thanks Jimmy, I-
'' Quit talking and start packing boy!''
Austin nodded, hung up and raced to pack up his things.
It's a race against time Terrans. Will Austin make it to his child's birth? Thanks for reading, have a great weekend and as usual, stay safe, and stay awesome!