Chapter 6 -The good in the bad

Things had been looking up recently. It had been at least three weeks since any signs of contact from Molly and slowly we were becoming comfortable in our new home. Monterey had lots of small motels and hostels dotted around and we found one that was discrete enough to let us feel safe for a while. That hadn't stopped Austin from acting jittery and checking the door every chance he got. He was even more wound up recently since the couple next door had left and the room next to us was vacant. This meant that we had no one near us if anything went wrong, no one to hear us if we screamed. I was a little more optimistic, comforting Austin and reminding him that she was not one for discrete, we'd know she was there.

"Lets go out for the day," I muttered into Austin's shoulder, as he stared at the door.

"I don't know Ally," he turned to me so I gave him a soft kiss before climbing onto his lap.

"Please Austin, I can't sit in this room any longer, I am loosing my mind and I am so bored. Plus we need clothes, we are running low with quick packing and all the running. Can't we just go out for one day…" I begged him and all of a sudden his eyes lit up like it was the best plan in the world.

"Yes, let's go out. I will get the car ready." He jumped from the bed and left me wondering how the enigma that is my boyfriend had a mood swing so violent it would give someone whiplash.

He honked the car as he pulled up and I rushed from the room, breathing in the first fresh air I had really taken in a week. Austin smiled as he saw me walking to the car and I beamed back at him, freedom felt amazing.


Soon I had a bundle of brightly coloured dresses and flowery tops that suited my old style a lot more than this bland new Ally look that had happened. I wanted to get back to what we used to be, even if we were still on the run. The store clerk was enthusiastic to help and even set up a dressing room for me with a clothing rack and two large mirrors whilst I looked around for shoes and accessories to go with my many outfits. For the first time in months I was happy. Trying the outfits was even more fun, the clerk gave me her opinion on all of them but they were always positive and always enthusiastic. I ended up still buying all of the clothes anyway.

Austin's POV

I made up some excuse about finding clothes in the male section and headed towards the jewellers I knew was in this part of town. There was one thing I had on my mind to try and find today and I knew that it was important to get the right thing otherwise nothing would go right. Noticing just the store I wanted I checked behind me and then I ducked into the door way.

Inside, the store was beautiful, all shimmering silver and glittering gold. The shelves of necklaces and earrings were demanding attention but the one thing I came here for stood out like a diamond in the rough. This would be perfect.

Asking the shopkeeper to get it out for me, and feeling anticipation settle in my stomach the moment the cold metal hit my hand I smiled and told her I would have it. This was the beginning of the rest of my life.

Ally's POV

After an hour I was finished with my shopping and decided to text Austin to see if he was ready to get food and chill back at the motel. We didn't like to push the public appearances too much. He answered on the second ring and told me he was waiting in the café across the street with food and hot chocolate. I smiled and giggled to myself, he really was the perfect guy.

I headed over to the café with my bags and caught sight of him through the window. He was so handsome, even when he hadn't been sleeping well or hitting the gym three times a week his build was impeccable and his smile was charming. I walked over to the table and set my bags down beside me, telling Austin of the helpfulness of the clerk and the wonderful new things I had bought but he didn't seem to be listening.

He was just playing around with something in his pocket and his eyes looked shifty, as if he was keeping a secret: it scared me. "Austin, are you okay?" I asked him.

Austin's POV

I had never been so nervous to give Ally a piece of jewellery before, usually I would just put it around her neck and smile at her as her face lit up. But this piece of jewellery had a completely different meaning and damn was I nervous to give it to her. She looked at me with bright eyes and I honestly tried to listen to her shopping stories but my mind was abuzz with different worries. I looked at her hand holding her hot chocolate like it was precious and smiled at the fond thought that popped into my head. A ring would look great on that finger.

It was now or never.

"Ally… baby, I have something I need to ask you." I got up form my seat and walked over to my girlfriend, falling easily to one knee.

Ally's POV

Oh my god what was he doing. Why here? This was a very bad idea? So why was I so happy?

"Allison Marie Dawson, I promise to treasure and respect you for the rest of time, I promise to keep you safe no matter what. I promise to run the country over a million times to make you happy and I promise to love you every day of forever. Will you do me the honour of marrying me?" his eyes shone with love and sincerity and I couldn't help the tears that spilled over.

"Yes, a million times yes." I cried and he picked me up, swinging me around like in the movies and kissing me softly. The whole room was buzzing as people caught sight of what was happening and before long we had attracted quite the crowd. It was time to make our escape.

Austin paid the bill quickly and grabbed my bags in one hand, clasping mine in the other and making a run for the exit before we drew anymore more unwelcome attention to ourselves.