Trouble
Chapter 4
Ally released a sigh as she rolled her neck, listening as the vertebrates popped. She stretched her arms over her head, arching her spine, feeling the bones as they realigned. Her client was already half an hour late, and Ally was beginning to lose her patience. She moved in front of Sonic Boom, where the photo shoot would be held. Adding last minute touches as she kept glancing over her shoulder. She ran her fingers through her long hair once more, mussing the wild curls again. Frustrated with herself, and her client for being late, she jerked the wild locks into a messy bun atop her head, hopefully the bound strands would help her resist her urge to mess with them further. The sun was rising steadily in the early morning sky as Ally stretched again, crossing her left arm over her chest.
An hour late. She growled in annoyance, finally hearing a call pull up. She didn't bother glancing over her shoulder as she moved to her camera, checking the settings for the tenth time that morning. She didn't look up as she heard people move closer to where she stood, however the words left her lips before she had a chance to stop them.
" This shoot was scheduled for nine. Not nine-ish, and not ten. You're an hour late," she commented, her voice low as she straightened her body. A familiar chuckle reached her ears, and she had to bite her lip to resist the groan that was trying to force it's way past her lips.
" Out of all my luck," she muttered, however he heard her.
" Come on Ally, we used to spend all our time together," Austin spoke, a smirk dancing on his lips. She only shook her head, twisting her body to finally see him. Her eyes widened in shook at the sight. He was wearing a black dress shirt that he had left open, revealing a plain white undershirt. Dark jeans rested dangerously low on his hips. His hair was tousled, falling across his forehead.
She shook her head, glancing at who he had brought with him. A small smile danced on her lips at the sight of a familiar face she hadn't seen since Austin left.
" Mimi, how are you?" Ally spoke, watching as his mother stepped forward. The older woman wrapped Ally into a warm hug, shocking the younger girl. Ally took a moment to respond before lightly returning the hug.
" Austin told me he was going to a photo shoot this morning, and I haven't seen my son properly in the last to years. I wanted to spend as much time with him as I could," Mimi informed Ally, explaining why her client was late. Ally released a sigh, knowing she couldn't hold a grudge against his mother.
" It's alright. Actually, I think you might be able to help me," An idea formed in her mind, a smile slowly stretching across her lips. Austin's mouth parted, the protests dancing on the tip of his tongue.
" If it's in my power to help sweetie, I'll be glad to," Mimi answered, watching as Ally nodded.
" My manager had this great idea one night, showing the family side of my business. I have plenty of family portraits. However I don't have one on one pictures, such as the mother and son, or father and daughter. I would volunteer myself for the mother son picture, however, I don't trust anyone else with my camera. Would you mind taking a few pictures with Austin?" Mimi furrowed her brows when Ally said she would have volunteered, before she shook the thought off. She smiled brightly at the young woman before shaking her head.
" I wouldn't mind at all dear. I love getting my picture taken," Mimi commented, watching the slight smile that had formed on Austin's lips. He truly cared about this girl, why was he being so blind.
The photo shoot was dragging on by one, having stopped to eat so lunch. Trish had decided to call as she sat at a table at the food court, munching on French fries.
" Hello?" Ally picked up on the second ring, not bothering to glance at her screen.
" How much longer is the shoot going to take?" Trish never really bothered with pleasantries, always jumping right in. Ally rolled her eyes at her blunt friend's question before answering it.
" I'm not sure. I need at least five more frames, and my client doesn't know how to sit still for longer than five seconds," Ally muttered, before asking the question as to why her friend was so eager for her to be done.
" Why, Trish? Is something wrong with Dev?" she spoke, her eyes widening at the possibilities. She knew Trish was rolling her eyes, but waited for her to answer.
" Think about it Ally. How long are you and Devon usually apart?" Trish questioned, chuckling.
" Six hours, Monday through Friday," Ally answered easily, finally realizing what her friend was talking about.
" I see. You know what, screw policy, go ahead and bring my baby down to Sonic Boom. It's boring with out him here," Ally finally spoke, listening as Trish laughed loudly.
" Wow, I never thought I would hear those words out of your mouth Allyson Marie Dawson," Trish commented as she called for Devon.
" Oh shut up Trish," with that both girls hung up their phones as Ally glanced at the food on her tray. She had an hour lunch, yet she wasn't really hungry.
" You need to eat more," a motherly voice commented, forcing Ally to glance up. She offered Mimi a bright smile, as bright as she could muster.
" I try, but sometimes I just can't," Ally answered with a shrug, playing with one of her fries. Mimi nodded her head in understanding.
" After I had Austin, my schedule became so hectic. I could hardly eat a proper meal. Than as he got older, I had to stop in the middle of a meal just because he had hurt himself or broke something," Mimi reminisced, shaking her head fondly.
" That boy was certainly clumsy," she continued, her warm chocolate brown eyes focused on her son.
" When he was six, he decided he was going to be a super star. That way he could take care of his father and I. He wanted to prove he wasn't chasing phantoms, didn't have his head up in the clouds," Mimi informed her, watching as Ally nodded in understanding.
" You know, I believe if he hadn't met you, he wouldn't be where he is today. You helped him spread his wings," Mimi patted her hand, glancing up as she saw a car pull into the parking lot. Ally followed her gaze, groaning at who stepped out of the driver's seat.
" Damn it. I really don't need this today," Ally muttered, sliding out of her seat and picking her way back to her equipment. Mimi's eyes narrowed, as she followed Ally, curious as to why she would have a reaction like that to this man.
" What's wrong Ally?" the older woman questioned, confused. Ally shook her head, turning to notice just how far Dallas had made it before deciding to end it before it escalated into a fight. She didn't need that on her record. She straightened her posture, turning to Mimi.
" Why don't you go talk to Austin and Dez. I need to inform him the mall is closed today due to a photo shoot," Ally watched as Mimi pursed her lips, obviously not liking the idea before listening to Ally and making her way over to her son.
Ally inhaled a deep breath before turning to face Dallas who was only a foot away from her.
" What are you doing here Dallas? The Mall is closed," Ally spoke, her cinnamon brown eyes narrowed to slits as she shook her head, arms crossed over her chest. Dallas shrugged his shoulders, a smirk dancing on his lips as he looked around the area.
" I heard you would be here. And seeing how I'm trying to win you back, I decided to make a surprise visit," Dallas answered nonchalantly. Ally shook her head, her patience running thin with this man.
" How much clearer do I need to make myself, Dallas? You aren't winning me back. I was never your's in the fist place I already explained my reasoning as to why it won't work between us. I can't have any flings. I'm not thinking about myself any more. My son needs a father figure, and that can not be you," Ally growled, shaking her head. Her frustration was slowly reaching a new level between him and Austin.
Dallas parted his lips to say something when he let out a yelp instead. Ally glanced down, smiling widely at her son who was standing protectively in front of her.
" Leave my Mama alone. She doesn't like you," Devon spoke, his cinnamon brown eyes narrowed to slits as he held out his arms in front of his mother. Ally dropped down to a crouch, pulling her son back towards her.
" Dallas, I suggest you leave. Now," Ally spoke, turning her head to kiss her son's cheek. Dallas mumbled something under his breath before turning on his heel and leaving. Trish moved over to the mother and son, her eyes glaring holes in Dallas' back.
" Have I told you how much I dislike that man?" Trish commented, shaking her head. Ally looked up at her friend for a moment before turning her attention back to her son.
" Did I ever tell you how wonderful you are, Little Man?" Ally spoke quietly, unaware of the three other bodies that had decided to join Trish.
" No Mama," Devon answered cheekily, a grin stretching across his lips. Ally chuckled, pressing another kiss to his cheek.
" You are the most wonderful son any one could have. Thank you for protecting me," she whispered, finally straightening her body. She glanced around, raising an eyebrow.
" How long has Dallas been bothering you?" Austin was the first to break the silence, something in his eyes telling her of his barely controlled anger. Ally shook her head, refusing to comment before grabbing Devon's hand and leading him towards her equipment. Mimi followed after her, something in the back of her mind nagging at her.
" Ally, who is this adorable little boy?" Mimi questioned, looking down at the child who stood close to his mother.
" This is my son, Devon. Devon, this is a friend of Mama's, Mimi," Ally spoke, introducing her son to his Grandmother. Mimi dropped to a crouch in front of him, holding out her arms in an inviting hug. As she waited she took in his appearance. His hair was a lighter shade of blonde, closer to hers. His eyes were Ally's. His nose was similar to hers. His skin was close to hers as well. Her son certainly was blind, and oblivious. This child was the perfect mix between the both of them. Finally, after a moment's hesitation, Devon wrapped his arms around Mimi's neck, holding her. She smiled brightly, and something in that smile told Ally that Mimi knew. The older woman had figured it out before her own son, this little boy was her grand child.
Devon released her, moving around the food court to stand beside his Tia Trish as Mimi spoke.
" I don't hate you, Ally. I could never hate you. I am a little shocked, and a little disappointed. How old is he?" Mimi questioned, watching her own son out of the corner of her eye. Ally chewed her bottom lip, sliding her hands into the back pockets of the old worn jeans she decided to wear today.
" He's five," Ally whispered, watching as the older woman nodded her head.
" Before he left for tour. I see. Are you going to tell him?" she asked the other question, watching as Ally slowly shook her head.
" I should. I know I should. I mean I'm not only hurting Devon, I'm hurting Austin as well. But I can't. I can't ruin his career, Mimi. I care deeply about your son, and I can't crush his dreams like that," Ally answered, watching as the older woman nodded in understanding.
" There will come a day, Ally, when you need to decide. Do you really want another man to raise your child? Or would you rather have the father of the child, the man you love, help you," Mimi commented, before moving towards the group.
Ally knew the woman had a point, she refused to let anyone else help raise her son. She shook her head, glancing at the group of old friends as they laughed. She smiled slightly as Devon who was watching the clouds as Trish argued loudly with Dez.
" You like watching the clouds?" Devon glanced to his left where he saw Austin. Hi nodded his head slowly, chewing his lip out of habit.
" It's something Mama likes to do. I decided because she doesn't like the beach I'll do something she likes every other day. Today was our designated cloud watching day before her client decided he wanted Mama to work," Devon explained, turning his attention back to the clouds. Austin shook his head. Ally certainly raised this boy right. He glanced up towards the petite woman who was fiddling with her camera. Slowly he made his way over to her, his hands in his pockets as he stopped beside her.
" So, cloud watching?" he commented, watching as she nodded her head.
" He's sweet. He knows I'm not fond of the beach so he made a deal with me. I couldn't help but feel proud at how clever he was," Ally answered, setting her camera on it's tripod.
" Look, are you done for today? Do you want to do a second shooting? Or do you want to finish today?" Ally questioned, annoyed by how long their 'lunch break' was taking them. She honestly wanted to spend time with her son, and she couldn't until Austin decided he was done. She watched as he ran his fingers through his messy golden strands, releasing a sigh as he watched his feet, covered by black high tops.
" Yeah, can we reschedule for next Saturday?" he questioned, glancing up to see her nod. Quickly she began to pack up her equipment, eager to leave. Her hopes were crushed when Mimi decided to speak.
" Ally, why don't you, Devon, and Trish come over for dinner tonight? I mean it's the least I can do since you were kind enough to include me in Austin's photos," Mimi spoke, smiling warmly at her grandson. Ally's shoulders dropped in defeat, knowing there was no way out of it.
" Sure Mimi, that would be great. What time?" Ally questioned, disassembling her tripod. " Seven, dress nicely please. Mike has a few clients coming as well," Mimi answered, easily hiding the mischievous glint in her eyes.
She wasn't lying about the clients coming, she was just with holding information that they though Austin was married. She shook her head, Devon looked so much like Austin did at that age, yet he had a lot of Ally in him as well. He balanced perfectly between the two, and she prayed they would realize what they have before the chance at true happiness passes them by. She made her way back to the car, watching as Austin internally debated about something. She changed directions until she was standing beside her son.
" Austin Monica Moon, you help her with her equipment right now," she hissed, watching her son snap into action. She looked over her shoulder to see both Trish and Dez staring at her.
" Sometimes a Mother must be firm," was all she said, watching the two.
" Honestly Austin, I've got it. I don't need help," Ally out right refused to let him help her. He shook his head, reaching for the case before gently prying it out of her hands. " I understand you don't need any help Ally. But I want to help you," he informed her, smiling brightly. Confusion flitted through his eyes as he watched anger dance in her cinnamon gaze.
" No. I don't care if you want to help me or not. Let it be," she wouldn't plead, she wouldn't beg. She had more class than that. However she couldn't exactly take her case back, Austin possessed two advantages against her, height and strength. He simply shrugged his shoulders, calling out to Trish.
" Hey Trish, which car is Ally's?" Trish looked up before pointing to the black Mustang across the parking lot. He let out a low whistle, shaking his head as he sauntered across the parking lot, leaning against the trunk as he waited for her to open it.
Ally stubbornly crossed her arms over her chest, refusing to do it, biting back a curse as Trish took the keys out of her front pocket and pushing the button.
" There, was that so hard?" Austin questioned with a grin. Ally turned her head, ignoring him. One though going through her mind.
'You have no idea'. She moved around the area, grabbing Devon and leaving the group behind. Austin shook his head, this was going to be harder than he thought. Why was Ally so stubborn?