Good morning Dravenites. Welcome to chapter 2 of A new arrival. SO far this story's views are a little lacking, but, I have hope. Anyway, I'm hoping to reach 50 views by the end of the weekend, let's make it happen.
Anyway, please enjoy this chapter!
'' So, who do we tell first?''
'' Your parents'' Ally answered, matter-of-factly.
'' What, why? Why not Dez and Trish, or your parents?'' Austin asked, sitting across from Ally in the kitchen. '' Dez and Trish will have different reactions. Trish is going to be overjoyed and Dez is going to be sad that I'll have less time to spend with him.''
'' You see him all the time'' Ally breathed.
'' True. But he still misses just us, you know, no wives?''
'' I get that. Same with me and Trish.''
'' Ok. We're getting off topic, why my parents specifically?''
'' Right. I love Dez and Trish but they have no boundaries. We tell them I'm pregnant and then its all over the internet. On the cover of every magazine on Earth. My parents, if you recall, have a strained relationship at best and can't stand to be in the same room as each other. Remember what happened when we told them we were getting married?''
'' That was a lot of curse words'' Austin shuddered at the memory.
'' See cute nickname, I'm right. We'll tell Trish and Dez later, but for now we need to keep it lowkey.''
'' True, but when're we going to tell them. You definitely want to do it in person because a text or email is too impersonal'' Austin answered, using finger quotes.
'' Oh, in about three hours.''
'' What? How, when?''
'' I texted your mom earlier this morning. You know I always get my way'' Ally showed Austin her phone.
'' How did you find the time. I was with you all morning?''
'' I did it when you were out, shockingly, with Dez.''
'' That was like a 10 minute outing. We just went to IHOP.''
'' Austin, baby, what do I do for a living?'' Ally said coyly.
'' Singer, songwriter, producer, co-owner of A&A Records and the Music Factory, model and occasionally an actress'' Austin recited.
'' Which means?''
Austin pretended to think, he truly had no idea where she was going with this. '' I have no idea.''
'' That I can text really fast. I'm permanently on my phone talking to people'' Ally shrugged, getting up and walking to a nearby bookshelf, shutting Austin's jaw, which had literally dropped from shock.
'' Allz?''
'' Uh huh?'' Ally answered.
'' You may be a wizard.''
-x-
Three hours later, the older couple had arrived at Austin and Ally's house. Unbeknownst to Ally, Austin had decided to include two other people in the gathering.
Right now, the quartet found themselves outside on the back porch, busy sharing stories and laughs.
'' Wait, so you guys retired?'' Ally asked from across the table.
'' In a way yes. You see, we love owning a discount mattress store, but we've become complicit. We don't take as many business risks as we used to'' Mike explained. '' So, we've delegated the actual management to a nice Congolese couple who just immigrated here from Port-au-Prince. They do the business, and we reap the majority of the shares. Lovely people, Mimi what did they say they did back in the DRC?''
'' They were child weapons manufacturers dear'' Mimi deadpanned.
Austin, all the while had been testing out a new grill Trent had got him for his birthday, he was hoping the gathering of people for a meal would hopefully distract Ally from what he had done. Mostly because if this didn't work then she was absolutely going to kill him.
'' Hey, who's that?'' Ally cocked her head at the sound of footsteps in the house.
'' Just our…surprise guests'' Austin grinned.
'' Surprise guests? Austin what'd you do?'' Ally deadpanned.
'' Nothing too serious'' Austin nervously laughed, as two other people emerged from the backdoor. One was balding with a cheery demeanour. The other was taller and had a weird looking mouse thing on her shoulder.
'' Mom? Dad?'' Ally gasped, glaring at her husband.
'' We arrived at the same time. I should've known something was wrong when I felt the temperature drop three degrees'' Lester stared at his ex-wife.
'' Insults Lester, come on, you're better than that'' Penny refuted.
'' No, I'm really not.''
'' Anyway….'' Mike coughed.
'' Oh right. Hi there Moons, still happily married?'' Penny asked.
'' Yes we are. Also Penny, what's on your shoulder?'' Mimi answered.
'' In order. Enjoy it, it dies when you realize your husband brings drills to hotels to steal their shower gels that're on mounted brackets. Also, this…is Lulu, she's a tarsier.''
Lulu let out a loud yawn before swivelling her head.
'' Aww, its creepy, just like its owner'' Lester smirked.
'' Uncalled for. Also, look at that bird Lester. Tell me, what sound do they make?''
'' Chirps?''
'' Cheeps. Just like you'' Penny booped her ex's nose as she sat down. Ally, however, had dragged Austin aside.
'' What the Hell Austin?'' she hissed. '' My parents can't stand each other.''
'' I thought they'd be ok right now. You know, considering the news, I thought rather have them all here you know?''
'' Look, I get your intentions but this is not a good idea.''
'' You want me to ask them to leave?''
'' No, just please tell me before you try pull a fast one on me again ok?''
'' Yes ma'am.''
'' Eww, don't call me that. It makes me sound like a teacher.''
'' A hot teacher'' Austin flirted.
Ally blushed before gently pushing her husband away.
'' So, hope you're all hungry. I got this new grill for my birthday, and I'm christening it with the finest steaks money can buy'' Austin boasted, returning to the group.
'' Where'd you buy them?'' Lester asked, probing for more information.
'' This private butchery near us.''
'' No no no. You don't buy that kind of meat'' Lester sighed. '' You buy the stuff at Safeway's that's * just * about to expire. Half price and full of flavour.''
'' That's the same argument you gave back when I got food poisoning from that same meat'' Ally deadpanned.
'' Anyway…let's us son'' Mike said, trying to avoid the Dawson family tension.
As it turned out, Austin was actually good on the grill. His steaks were Argentinian fillets with a creamy pepper sauce and a side of vegetables roasted in brown onion soup powder. For Ally, who enjoyed keeping fit, there was also a cobb salad.
'' Wow, this is amazing Austin'' Mike said between mouthfuls. '' Since when can you cook?''
'' Mine and Ally's last tour was in Lisbon, so we attended some couples cooking classes there. After that I started playing around with food at home. My beautiful wife hasn't had to go to the ER yet'' Austin smiled, wrapping his arm around Ally.
'' Well, we all knew you guys would make each other better'' Mimi nodded.
Ally, who was enjoying the compliments, felt as though she and Austin needed to say what needed to be said. '' So, as much as we love having you guys over, we do have to say something.''
'' Is it that you're pregnant?'' Penny asked, sipping the wine in front of her.
'' How did you know?'' Ally gasped.
'' Simple. This is Napa port. I know that its your favourite kind of red wine in the world. You once polished away three bottles on your own. So, my only conclusion was that you were either pregnant, or an alien.''
'' Well…I am…pregnant I mean'' Ally stuttered.
'' Woohoo! Hello younger demographics'' Mike and Mimi shrieked. '' We can finally advertise to kids, and use our own grandkids as bait for parents!''
'' Hold on. I have a store too. Surely I should get to use them too'' Lester barged in.
'' First come first serve. Tell you what, when Ally has their third kid you can use it. This one's all ours.''
For the next few hours, Austin and Ally's breaking of the news had been a good way to keep Lester and Penny from killing themselves. It had also been a decent bonding experience for Ally and Mimi, who was currently telling Ally all the things she went through when she was pregnant with Austin.
By the time the gathering was about to end, before Mike and Mimi left, the older man pulled his son aside, lowering his voice to a whisper. '' Son, I need you to know, you need to take extra care of Ally right now.''
'' I know dad. After the last two…you know, I know how terrified she is of something happening again. You should've seen her the evening she told me, she was crying.''
'' Well you two are meant for each other. That first time you performed together, your mother and I knew what we saw. You two look out for each other. I think you two're going to be great parents.''
'' Thanks dad'' Austin hugged his father. '' Mom's in the car so you guys should better be off.''
Mike nodded as he and Mimi drove away.
'' So, did your dad give you any good advice?'' Ally asked, as Austin entered their home.
'' More than you know. Also, you may want to check your phone.''
Ally took her phone out of her back pocket, seeing a message from Dez and Trish. '' Party at their place tomorrow night?''
'' Yep. Dez just released another Claws dun dun dun movie. This time the crab's reproduced and is attacking every coastal area on Earth.''
'' So I guess we're going then?'' Ally asked.
'' Sure are. Plus, Dez says its going to be super lowkey. Just close friends. That way when we tell them we're having a baby, the whole world isn't going to find out.''
Ally sighed. Hopefully Dez's idea of lowkey would actually be just that…small and close.
-x-
She was wrong. This was not lowkey.
The following day, the pair found themselves outside of Dez and Carrie's home. Despite their luxurious careers, the pair had chosen to be quite subtle in their spending. Almost always buying clothes from Old Navy, Goodwill or . The pair's house was a modest cape Dutch style with three bedrooms and bathrooms.
'' Hey guys, welcome'' Dez said happily opening the door to the cacophony of music and people.
'' Dez, you said lowkey. This is a lot of people'' Ally gasped, entering the house.
'' Yeah, low-key. Low amount of key people. Most of these guys are just neighbours.''
'' Dez. Lowkey means casual'' Austin informed.
'' Oh, that makes sense. Hey! Everybody!'' Dez clapped his hands, the entire party going silent. '' According to these people right here, and only them, lowkey means casual. So scram!''
'' No!'' one guest shouted.
'' Trish!'' Dez snapped, his friend emerging from another room with a shotgun in her hand. '' Second amendment rights, git!'' the Latina cocked her weapon.
Fearing, the group scrambled, leaving only the friends behind.
'' Trish, when did you get a gun?'' Ally gasped.
'' Jace gave it to me'' Trish pointed to her boyfriend who was currently outside playing ping-pong with Trent. '' Best anniversary gift ever.''
'' Can he do that?'' Austin asked. '' I know he's a paramedic but I don't think he should be allowed to have firearms on him.''
'' Totally, he shouldn't have to carry a burning limb'' Carrie agreed, appearing from the other room with Ally's old enemy now close friend Tilly.
'' Uhm, Carrie, sweetie, firearm means guns'' Tilly said sweetly.
'' Spelling's not really my thing.''
'' Anyway…welcome, make yourselves at home, I'm going to go feed our pet gharial'' Dez said gleefully. '' Isn't that cool? Shoot one movie on the Ganges that turns into a blockbuster hit and the cinema owner gives you a reptile as a thank you.''
'' Its nice that money hasn't changed Dez'' Austin smiled.
'' Austin Moon, my favourite boss!'' Trent man-hugged his friend.
'' Trent Thompson, my favourite dancer'' Austin returned.
'' Hey man, how's it been going. What's it been, like 2 days since we last hung out?'' Trent asked.
'' Yeah, I can barely remember that sleeveless hoodie you were wearing.''
'' Yo Trent, best 2 out of 3. I want more of your money!'' Jace called from the backdoor. '' Hey Austin.''
Austin playfully pouted at Ally.
'' Go play'' Ally breathed.
'' You have him trained, I'm impressed'' Trish smirked.
'' I know. I never knew he knew any tricks either'' Carrie gasped.
'' No, Carrie, Trish is being sarcastic'' Ally explained.
'' Oh. Sarcasm isn't my thing.''
'' Shocking'' Trish muttered.
'' Anyway…how's song writing Ally?'' Tilly asked, easing the room tension.
'' Its actually really good. So far my songs have gotten A&&A Records 15 nominations and 5 wins at last years Grammys. Por Austin's exhausted though. So many new signings has made him as energetic as Trish before her morning nap.''
'' Hey! Fair enough'' Trish admitted. '' I've seen him around my area lately, the guy's passing out from exhaustion.
'' What? Why wouldn't he tell me?''
'' No clue. So ladies, guess what Arman Bianci gave me for 10 years as a model for him?'' Carrie said giddily.
'' Hepatitis?''
'' Trish!''
'' Just saying Ally'' Trish shrugged.
'' No. He gave me these'' Carrie brought out glass case of cigars, the large emblem on the case cover showing that they were Panamanian.
'' Cigars? Carrie since when do you smoke?'' Tilly asked.
'' I don't. But they were a gift so I have to use them. Since Dez won't touch them, I want you guys to use them with me.''
'' Eh, when in south Florida'' Trish shrugged, taking a cigar. '' Tilly?''
'' Sure'' the blonde took a tobacco product.
'' How about you Ally? Aren't you going to take one?'' Carrie asked, slightly saddened.
'' No, its just that pregnant women shouldn't smoke is all.''
'' You're pregnant! Lead with that!'' Carrie dashed over to her friend, knelt down and began speaking to her stomach. '' Hi baby, its your aunt Carrie, your mommy and daddy love you very much, but come to me for any problem ok?''
'' Ally, that's so great to hear!'' Trish hugged her best friend, but uhm, can you follow me for a second?
Leaving the room, Trish spoke in a quiet tone to her friend. '' How're you holding up?''
'' What do you mean?''
'' Ally, I'm not stupid. I know what this must be doing to you mentally? I know after the last two…incidents, you were ready to adopt.''
'' It's hard. I'm not going to lie to you. I don't want this to happen a third time, but Austin's amazing, I know he'll take care of everything.''
'' I know he will. Back when we were kids I knew Gavin was a flash in the pan. Austin was the real one for you. Please, let me or Jace know if you need anything.''
'' I will Trish'' Ally hugged her shorter friend.
-x-
'' A dad. Awesome, I can use an actual kid in a murder scene instead of a dummy for once!'' Dez said happily.
'' Yep, super great Dez, now hit the ball.''
'' Jeez, I thought Ally was supposed to be snappy, not you'' Dez flicked his wrist.
'' You do realize just how hard her life's going to be right?'' Jace asked.
'' Course he does. This ain't his first time…sorry'' Trent shut up after remembering the territory he was stepping into.
'' Its fine. But what do you mean Jace?'' Austin asked.
'' You have to make sure she's comfortable all the time. She needs to know you're there for her. Be prepared for late night cravings and morning sickness 24/7.''
'' How do you know this? Trish isn't pregnant is she?''
'' No. But I have four sisters. All of them have kids. Whenever I got back home, I'm always babysitting. I kinda have a skill with this stuff ya know?''
'' Dude. You are officially number one on my speed dial.''
Ah Jace, so underutilized. Thanks for reading everybody, hope you enjoyed it. As usual, stay safe and stay awesome!