Welcome dear Dravenites to chapter 3! Now this chapter explores the ghosts of the past theme in this story a lot more. So I hope you enjoy it.

Austin tossed and turned in bed. He had been having terrible nightmares lately. They always involved the two most important people to him in the world; Ally and his unborn child. How was he going to protect them when every night in his dreams they were always just out of reach. Tonight's nightmare being the worst, Ally and the child both being eaten alive by army ants.

'' Ally no!'' Austin shot up.

'' No what?'' Ally moaned as she turned on the lamp on her nightstand.

'' Ally, thank God you're ok'' Austin tightly hugged her.

'' Oh course I am, why wouldn't I be?''

'' No reason'' Austin lied.

'' Liar.''

'' How so?'' Austin asked.

'' Please Austin, I know you. You're lying to me. Why did you ask if I was ok? Keep in mind that on my laptop I have the video of you watching every Twilight movie there is in the dark.''

'' Fine. I was dreaming about you and the baby.''

'' Ok?''

'' You guys got eaten alive by army ants.''

'' Yikes, that's bad. Look, I'm fine, and so is this little thing'' Ally patted her belly. '' Uh oh'' the woman shot out of bed and made a b-line for the bathroom.

This had been going on for a few days. Ally's morning sickness was keeping her awake for most of the day and night. It was so random. One moment the poor woman would be relaxing and the next she'd be hugging the toilet.

The following morning saw Austin sluggishly make his way into the kitchen. The oddly overcast Miami weather and distant rumbling of thunder keeping him permanently drowsy.

Flicking on the light switch, the man winced as the room was bathed in artificial light.

'' Morning.''

''Gah! Ally, when did you get up?'' Austin clutched his chest.

'' About 2 hours ago. I've had to pee every three minutes so I just stayed up.''

'' But why're you in the dark?''

'' I honestly just didn't have the energy to turn the light on.''

'' Sorry to hear that. Anyway, how's the new song going?''

'' Not good. I have horrible writers block. I cant even type three words without not feeling my flow stopping.''

'' Ooh, that's bad. Are you sure you still want to write, you can stop for a bit and just relax you know? You are carrying our hope for a brighter tomorrow in your belly.''

'' First off, weird thing to say to someone about their unborn child. Secondly, I think I just need to force myself into it.''

Austin sighed. He really didn't want her to overexert herself. '' I really wish I didn't have to go into work today.''

'' I know cute nickname, but one of us has to run the place. Besides, I don't think I need be taken care of'' Ally answered, tucking into her brew.

'' Sure you do'' Austin ruffled her hair as he planted a kiss on her cheek and fled upstairs to get dressed.

'' Weird'' Ally muttered to herself.

-x-

'' Woohoo!'' Austin shrieked later that afternoon. He had felt so drained both energetically and emotionally that he had left his MD in charge of the office so he could take the rest of the day off.

Practically skipping inside, the sounds of NSYNC could be heard from the kitchen.

'' 'm doing this tonight. You're probably gonna start a fight, I know this can't be right.
Hey baby come on, I loved you endlessly- hey!''

Austin had turned off Ally's phone, which was blaring the song. '' Why's that in the past tense? Don't' you love me anymore?'' he playfully pouted.

'' Don't be ridiculous. Of course I love you. But why'd you kill my groove?''

'' I wanted to talk to my beautiful wife. I never knew you were into NSYNC.''

'' Yeah, they're a guilty pleasure of mine…'' as Ally continued to drone, Austin looked around him, his home was immaculate. Sure, he knew Ally was a compulsive cleaner, but it was probably more spotless than when the pair first moved in.

'' Austin!'' Ally snapped.

'' Huh, sorry, I zoned out. This place looks great, did you hire a maid?''

Ally laughed at this. '' No, I just felt like cleaning, I was a little bored.''

'' Well I hope you enjoyed it. Because its going to be the last time you do for the next few months.''

'' Excuse me?'' Ally breathed angrily.

'' You're pregnant, I don't want you to endanger yourself or our baby.''

'' How is cleaning dangerous?''

'' You were inside the oven, you could've hit your head.''

'' Right, because I'm so fragile.''

'' Come on Ally, you know I didn't mean it that way. I'm just doing what's best for you.''

'' What's best for me?! I'm a grown woman, what's good for me is to have a husband who doesn't treat me like I'm crippled!"

'' You're being stupid Ally, all I'm doing is trying to keep you from danger-

'' Oh, now I'm stupid am I? Honestly you can be so insensitive!''

'' I'm not, you aren't listening! I'm your husband and I'm going to do what's best for you!''

'' Since when did I ask you to make all my decisions?!''

'' Its called being kind-

'' No! Its called being controlling! You know what, I don't need to take this. Make your own dinner considering its too dangerous for me to do it!"' Ally stormed upstairs, slamming their bedroom door behind her.

'' Dammit, I'm an idiot'' Austin sighed.

-x-

Hours later Austin emerged in their bedroom, Ally know watching Jeopardy on their TV.

'' What is Minnesota, yes!'' Ally pulled her fist. Why didn't she go on the show? She'd be a millionaire…still.

'' Hey, can we talk?'' Austin asked.

No response.

'' Honey talk to me.''

'' I owe you an apology. I overreacted. I know you were just trying to help but it felt like you thought I was fragile.''

'' Fragile? Allz, I think you're the strongest person I know'' Austin responded, sitting next to her and muting the show.

'' I know you're scared, so am I. But if we keep acting so terrified then when the baby comes neither of us is going to be happy at all. We'll both be too scared to appreciate our new lives.''

'' I'm sorry Goose pickle, I've been acting like an asshole. How about this, get your keys, we're going to the American history museum. I hear they have a new display on…Franklin Roosevelt's tires'' Austin shuddered.

'' Let's go. Time to show those tour guides just how wrong they are.''

'' Guess we got a taste of your hormones didn't we?'' Austin laughed, as he followed his wife downstairs.

'' Watch it'' Ally warned. '' Also can we stop at a burger joint along the way. I have this craving for red meat that just won't go away.''

'' Oh cravings, fun'' Austin muttered.

And scene. I know this chapter's a little shorter than usual, but that won't be the case for too long I hope. Anyway everyone, happy December, and remember to stay safe and stay awesome!