Hey everyone! Guess who's back with another chapter? lol. Anyways, this chapter's extra long, just for my AWESOME readers! :) Hope you like!

Disclaimer: I do not own Austin & Ally or anything else you recognize.

Chapter 7

The concert flew by in a blur. Austin played song after song after song, filling the next two hours with heartfelt lyrics and music. He was sad that this would be his last concert, but he tried to hide it from the fans. Instead Austin tried to make it special for them. He cracked jokes, goofed around, told stories and all in all had a great time.

After Austin played his last song and gave his speech about Ally, he had one last thing to say. "I just want to thank everyone for coming tonight, everyone who has supported me throughout these past five years, and everyone who's a fan. It really means a lot to me, more than you guys think. Because, as I said before, I wouldn't be here without you. So thank you so, so much. I love you guys. And no matter what happens, don't forget to live your life to the fullest, just like I did."

He took a deep breath. "Don't let anything stop you. Never give up. You guys are awesome! That's all I wanted to say. Thank you, everyone!"

With that, Austin got up and walked off stage. He barely made it before he collapsed. Briefly, he saw Dez, Trish, and Allie's worried faces and their mouths moving, but he heard no sound. All three of them wore identical terrified expressions. Austin wanted to comfort them, to tell them that he was ok, but he couldn't talk. He couldn't hear anything. He couldn't move. He couldn't do anything. He could see that Trish was sobbing, but before he could do anything about it, the world around him began to spin, and it faded into darkness.

Austin woke up to the sound of crying. Looking around, he realized three things—he was back in his own room in his own bed; Dez, Trish, Allie, Jimmy Starr and his daughter Kira, and all the people who were on tour with him were in his room; and all of them were crying. Yes, every single person. And Austin hated it.

"Don't cry," he whispered. It was all he had strength for. "Please, don't cry."

"Uncle Austin!" Allie cried. "You're up!" The girl's cry got the attention of everyone in the room.

"Austin!" Everyone proceeded to hug him.

"Don't cry, guys," Austin whispered. "I hate it when you guys cry."

"But Austin, you're—" one of his backup dancers said.

"I know," he interrupted. "But I want everyone to be happy." He took a deep breath. "You know, a wise girl once told me to live life to the fullest."

"Oh Austin," his backup dancer sighed. "I'm going to miss you."

One by one, everyone said their goodbyes to Austin and left the room. Soon, only Trish, Dez, Allie, Jimmy, and Kira remained.

Without warning, Trish burst into tears again. A very depressed looking Dez put an arm around his wife, trying to comfort her. The sight of the two of them together put a small smile on Austin's face.

"I always knew you two were going to end up together," he stated.

This made Dez laugh a little. "Yeah, but everyone else didn't. Even we were surprised when it just happened."

"Trish, please don't cry," Austin begged. "You know I hate it."

"I know, Austin, but I can't help it. You were such a good friend to me. You're so energetic and full of excitement, that I can't believe this is really you. You're one of my best friends, Austin. You can't leave."

Her words made Kira tear up as well, and Austin sighed. He decided to let the girls have their moment.

Turning to Jimmy, he said, "Thanks for making my dream come true all those years ago. I can never thank you enough for giving me a record label. It was one of the best things that had ever happened to me."

The man gave him a sad smile. "You're welcome, Austin. You were one of the best artists I'd ever had. I'm going to miss all your energy around the studio."

Austin returned the smile, then said to Kira, "I've known you for a long time, since we used to go to school together. I've watched you grow into a wonderful and successful young lady. One day, you're going to be like your dad. I know it."

Through her tears, Kira tried to give Austin a small smile.

"And Trish, without you, I wouldn't have gotten to play Times Square on New Year's Eve, gotten signed to Starr Records, or played any gigs without your help. And I know being my manager is hard work, but you stuck with it, even though you usually quit your jobs after a couple hours. I really appreciate it. You're the best manager in the world."

Trish hugged Austin and whispered in his ear, "Being your manager is the best job in the world."

Austin grinned, then turned to the redhead. "Dez, you're my best friend, and we've gone through so much together. My life would have been so boring without you and all your weird ideas and your wackiness. Thanks for always being there for me. And now you have to stay strong, and be there for Trish and Allie. They need you, Dez, just like I needed you. Stay strong for them."

Dez's bottom lip began to tremble, but he managed to nod and say, "I will, Austin, promise."

"Good," Austin replied.

"What about me?" a little voice asked. "What about me, Uncle Austin?"

Austin smiled. "Come here, Allie," he told the girl, beckoning for her to come closer to the bed. When she did, he took her hands in his. "Allie, you're a very special girl. Guess what? You're going to grow up just like your mommy and daddy. You're going to grow up just like Kira over there, like Jimmy, like me. One day, you might just replace me."

"But I don't want to replace you! I want you here! With me!" Allie cried.

Austin's heart broke. It pained him to see the little girl cry. "Allie, just because you don't see me anymore, it doesn't mean I'm not with you. I'll always be with you. In here," he said, pointing to her heart. "And I'll be watching you grow up from above. I promise. When someone…dies…they become closer to you. You know why?"

Allie shook her head. "Why?"

"Because they move from living out here," Austin said, gesturing in random directions with his hand, "to here." Austin again pointed to Allie's heart. "They live inside you now. They live in your heart, and that's where I'll be. Because they don't have legs, it's up to you to carry them around. Will you carry me around, Allie?"

The girl giggled and nodded. "Of course I'll carry you, Uncle Austin!" She climbed onto Austin's bed and lay down beside him. "I'll carry you with this." She pointed to her heart. "I already have a special place for you in there."

Austin smiled. "That's my girl." With difficulty, he wrapped his arms around her tiny body. "And here," Using his free hand, he took Dougie the Dolphin and put him into the little girl's hand. "Keep this for me, okay? A very special girl, the one you were named after, gave it to me, and now I'm giving it you. Will you keep it safe and sound for me?"

Allie nodded. "I promise I will."

The blonde popstar smiled. "Good." Then he addressed the whole group. "Guys, when I'm…gone…I want you to keep on living your life to the fullest. Trish, Dez, remember what Ally said when she passed? I've lived by that my whole life, and I'm so glad I did. I've had a happy successful life. So you really have to life it to the fullest. Promise me?"

They all nodded, all of them intending to do exactly as Austin wanted them to do. "Good," Austin sighed. He tightened his grip around Allie, who smiled at him. Placing a kiss on the girl's forehead, he said, "I'm going to miss all you guys."

"I'm going to miss you too, Austin," Dez said, his voice thick with unshed tears.

"Me too," said Trish.

"Me too," echoed Jimmy and Kira.

"Austin?" Allie asked. "Does it hurt?"

"A little," Austin answered honestly. "Why?"

Biting her lip, the little girl said, "Because I want you to know that it's okay to let go." Then she buried her face into Austin's shirt and cried.

Allie's words brought tears to Austin's eyes. "Thanks, Allie," he whispered hoarsely. He hugged the girl and tried to comfort her. Soon, she had cried herself to sleep.

Austin could feel himself getting sleepy, so he took one last look at his friends around his room. "Thanks, guys. You're the best family I could ever ask for. Don't for get to live your life to the fullest."

His statement was greeted by more tears and a chorus of whispered, "I will"s.

Satisfied, Austin closed his eyes, and within seconds, was drifting off toward dreamland.

That's it! What did you guys think? Let me know in a review! :) Have a great weekend, guys!

Until next time,

~amillipede