Damn, sequels are hard. Ythis chapter kinda sucks, too so... Yeah no im not proud of it.

So I realized I uploaded the wrong draft for chapter one... Heh... I'll have to fix that.

Aw man this is actually shorter than I meant for it to be... Whoops... I'll make tomorrow's longer I promise!

not edited again, sorry! I'll go back when I have time.

Disclaimer: we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, even though we're broke

Chapter 2- A Special Time Is Near

Holidays are made for
Happiness and cheer
Ringing sleigh bells means
A special time is near

-Ross Lynch and Laura Marano "Perfect Christmas"

"Ow! Austin, can you move your boots?"

Looking down from hanging the mistletoe in the kitchen doorway, I spot Ally behind the couch, holding on to stabilize herself with her leg bent as she rubs her toe. I laugh, making my way over and moving my boots off to the side with the rest of our shoes. "Sorry, Alls."

She waves it off and turns back to the area we'd cleared for the tree, tying her hair up as she studies the space.

Standing there by the doorway for a moment, I pause and study her, still marveling at the chances of how we met. It really was insane.

Over Thanksgiving, she met my parents. We'd flown down to Miami and spent the weekend with my parents, half of which consisted of my mother showing Ally all my embarrassing baby pictures and my father reminiscing every awful story from kindergarten through high school.

"Ally?" my mother called as I walked into the house.

The brunette's cute face appeared in the kitchen doorway. "Yes, Mimi?"

Mom spun around, her hands completely occupied with thee different tasks at once. "Could you maybe help me out on this one? I feel like my body is trying to grow a third arm."

Ally nodded, rushing into the kitchen and joining the flutter around my mother.

Wiping my boots on the mudroom mat, I walked into the room and looked around at the dishes that Mom had already whipped up

"Do you need any more help, Mom?"

Mom's eyes flickered to me for only a moment before she was back to skittering around for the right spice. "No, no, Dear. Go clean yourself up before you get your germs on the food."

"Aw, but that's what gives it the best taste," I teased, walking up behind Ally and wrapping my arms around her as she placed the dough over the apple pie.

"You smell," she said after leaning back for a quick kiss. "What were you doing?"

"Dad and I were working on that old Mustang by the garage," I told her.

She nodded and began making slits in the crust as Mom whacked me in the back with a dish towel. "Let Ally work and go take a shower. Your Aunt Shelly will be here with your cousins soon. You can be lovey-dovey with Ally tomorrow."

Pouting, I begrudgingly let go of her and started for the stairs as Mom began behind me, "Oh, Ally! Has Mike told you the story of how Austin ruined all of his Aunt Shelly's award-winning petunias? No? Remind me to ask him later when he gets in, it's one of my favorites."

•

Apparently I'd been lied to. Ally was already downstairs when I woke the next morning in my old Electric Avenger/Jackson Lowe themed bedroom. She'd gotten up early to help Mom and my cousins with the last few dishes, which meant the "lovey dovey" stuff would have to wait until that night.

I was stuck with Aunt Shelly for the day, going and running her errands with her.

Needless to say, I was a tiny bit grumpy when my first real conversation with Ally was right before dinner, and all my relatives had began to show up.

"Ally, Darling, take a break and go get dressed," Mom instructed her as she wiped her wrist across her forehead, smearing flour everywhere.

Ally, being her obedient self, immediately ran up the stairs to my bedroom. I followed close behind, closing the door behind me as she stripped off her shorts and t-shirt, trading them for a smart-casual little red skater dress. She ran to my bathroom, quickly tossing around her little makeup sets and brushing out her ponytail before nearly running smack-dab into me.

"Hey," I breathed with a laugh. "Slow down for a moment. I haven't even gotten my hello kiss today."

"Sorry," she breathed, relaxing beneath my touch. She leaned up, sweetly pressing her red lips to mine. I laughed as I felt her lipstick rub off onto me, pulling away and kissing the top of her head before letting her go.

She moved aside and sat down on the bed while I fished my clothes out of my suitcase, getting changed.

"You don't have to pretend to like my cousins," I told her, stripping off my shirt. "They all have like, fifty percent Aunt Shelly in them, so they can be a little.. You know…"

Ally nodded and toyed with my navy comforters. "They're not so bad."

"Fifty percent of Shelly is still way over the top."

She rolled her eyes.

By the time we were downstairs and settled, most of the family had arrived. They all scrutinized Ally when she wasn't looking, but we both knew what was going on.

They were judging her. Seeing for themselves if she really was sincere, or if she was using me for my money.

We ignored the looks, however, and I introduced her to everyone, a protective arm around her the whole time. The only people who didn't seem to mind her were Gram and Gramps, and a few of my nieces and nephews.

Mom soon had the food out on our big oval dining table, and we all crowded around to get a little serving of everything. I was surprised when Ally even loaded up her whole plate.

She'd been cooking all day, was her excuse.

Plates clanked, stories ran across the dark wooded table, and smiles were thrown every which way.

"Mimi, this green bean casserole is fantastic," Aunt Phoebe commented eventually.

Mom looked up from her plate, a proud smile on her face. "I would think so. Ally and I spent the whole morning fixing the recipe."

The table fell nearly silent at this, as if in surprise. Phoebe, who'd been particularly harsh in her scrutiny, pursed her lips. "Oh, really now?"

Mom nodded. "Yes, she helped me all yesterday and worked with me since early this morning.

A few noticeable looks were shared and hushed whispers were exchanged among my relatives, the looks directed to Ally slowly becoming less and less harsh.

I smiled and grabbed her hand under the table. She smiled back.

"... What do you think?" Ally looks up and over at me, and it suddenly hits me that I'd been staring.

"Yeah, of course," I nod, standing up straighter. "Sounds good."

Ally cocks her head to the side. "You didn't hear any of that, did you?"

"No," I admit shamelessly. "I'm just thinking."

"About?"

"You. I dunno. Us."

Looking rather surprised, she simply nods and turns back to the space.

There's no denying it- she's beautiful. From her profile, I can see just how stunning she naturally is. Her dark chocolate hair is pulled up in a messy ponytail, and her matching rich dark eyes flicker back in forth in thought. She gnaws on her full, pink lip, one forearm crossed over her ribs and the other elbow resting on it, her index finger tapping her cheek. And she's so tiny, it's hard to keep from just wrapping her up in my arms all the time.

Really hard.

As in, help-me-Lester-I-might-crush-your-daughter-if-you-don't-do-something hard.

I'm pretty sure he can help me with that. But he might want to learn my name first.

"Ally! Sweetheart, what are you doing in Miami?!" Ally's mom nearly tackled her when she opened the door.

Ally laughed. "We were in town," she answered, hugging her mom back. "Decided to visit."

"We?" Her mother pulled back, only to notice me awkwardly standing behind her daughter. "Oh! Hello, you must be the boy Ally always talks about."

Ally flushed and I laughed, extending my hand. "Nic-"

"Penny? Who is it?"

A man appeared at the door, rather short with graying hair. His eyes widened at the sight of his daughter, and he too reacted in joy.

"Ally!" He rushed forward and hugged her, nearly cutting off her air supply. Still, she hugged him back with a smile.

"Hi, Dad."

He pulled away and took her by the shoulders, looking her in the face. "Are you visiting?"

"We are." She nodded, and Mister Dawson's eyes fell on me.

A look of skepticism flashed across his face for a moment before he smiled.

I extended my hand again and smiled back. "Hello, Sir. I'm-"

"Yes, yes, Dallas- no Houston! Nice to meet you, Son."

"Uh, Sir, it's actually Austin."

"Minor details."

I laughed.

Those next few days, he never really did get my name.

"Houston, pass the potatoes?"

"Son, where is Ally?"

"Ok, Popstar, I heard you play hockey."

"Moonboy, hands off my daughter when I'm right here." (Sorry, Sir. I didn't see you there.)

"Hey, Kid. Would you mind helping me move that old refrigerator out in the garage."

"Well, it was nice meeting you, Dustin."

Sighing with relief, Ally leans her head back against my chest. Her place is finally decorated, and tomorrow we're going to work on mine. I wrap an arm around her, taking in her vanilla and peppermint scent.

"So, you've done quite a bit of thinking today," she says, turning her face up toward me.

Leaning down, I give her a quick kiss. "I know."

"Wanna share?"

"It's not much. Just thinking about this. You know, our anniversary is soon."

She nods and hums. "It's so strange to hear you say that."

I can't help but grin playfully. "Well you better get used to it. We've got quite a few to come."

Ally smiles. "I love you."

I nuzzle my nose against hers. "I love you too."

Damn I wish I had mistletoe in my pocket.

So that made no sense whatsoever... Um... Yeah...

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