Hey guys! So I know its been a month, but please don't kill me?

I actually updated today because I super crammed and need your help. I'm not really sure how to continue this story, and I want to know if you guys want to keep it a Christmas AU, OR make it a normal Christmas/winter story?

I'd really appreciate it if you guys told me what you think!

Disclaimer: I'm poor and sad...

Chapter 3

It's hard to believe it's been a year. It feels like it's been two days. Wasn't it just last week I was running to Ally's apartment after I kissed her?

I can still feel my heart dropping into my stomach whenever I think about it; when she suddenly pulled away, breathing a soft "I'm sorry." against my lips. Her warm hands still leave my arms tingling and empty, her scent evading my senses. I can still vividly see Cassidy behind all the cell phone cameras, making a shooing motion and mouthing to GO. And I can still feel the crisp air nipping my cheeks as I run down the sidewalk, all the way to her apartment. The hour of desperation, pounding, then knocking, then simply talking from outside her door. The next two hours of sitting in her doorway, wondering if she's there, or if she's coming back.

I almost regretted looking for her after that first day. Almost. Because even though she'd bruised my back with the fall, brought up a new weapon for my family to use against me, and just shattered my hopes, she'd made the whole experience enjoyable, and actually kissed me back. I know her. She wouldn't have done it if she hadn't wanted to. She's too controlled to do that.

When it sunk in that I couldn't get to her, I decided to give her some space. Just until she would actually talk to me. Dejected, I walked back to the hotel, ignoring Dez's "What's wrong?" and trudging to my room, locking the door. I must have stared at the bracelet for hours, imagining it fitting perfectly on her wrist. Rehearsals the next day were tired and uninspired, which prompted Dez to give me a stern, "Bud, I don't know what happened, but you need to get your act together. Just for this show at the least."

Still, I may not have even been able to even smile at the show if I hadn't spotted her in the crowd right before I went on, wearing my missing blue beanie. She could have easily left after Cassidy's set, and we both knew it. The smile on my face that night felt almost genuine.

I remember weeks after that, she still hadn't given my beanie back, no matter how much I asked. She still hasn't.

I don't ask her for it anymore, but I always tease her about wearing it.

"Alls, you wear that so much it's probably molded to your head."

She looks at me and rolls her eyes. "You love it. you would've taken it back by now if you didn't."

"Well then maybe I should," I say, closing her apartment door and walking into the middle of the living room, blocking the TV.

"Okay," she says, standing up and wrapping her arms around my waist. "Go ahead. No one's stopping you."

I shake my head, cupping her face and pressing a kiss to her lips. "Nah. You're cute in it."

"You think I'm cute in anything that's yours."

"Very true." I lock my arms around her. "So, our anniversary is soon..."

"And?"

"Aaaand I was thinking we could have a day date- visit the kids for the video premier, hit the city, and then dinner?"

"Sounds special."

"Trust me, it will be."

"I bet."

"You don't sound too convinced."

"Convince me, then"

"As you wish."

She giggles, but I cut her off with a kiss, just like the first time. Although this time, neither of us leaves.

Little screams fill the air when we walk into the playroom, high pitched and jubilant. I love it.

Before I can even begin to let go of Ally's hand, the kids have pried us apart and are busy launching themselves at us. The little boy with the shaggy blonde hair- Ethan- immediately jumps up for me to catch him. His chubby baby arms wrap around my neck, and I ruffle his har before setting him down. Kneeling down on one knee beside him, I give hugs to the little ones that surround me, calling many by name and taking note of new shaves and colored cheeks.

To my left, Ally also has a group of kids around her, each latching onto her with tiny hands. She hugs and kisses each one, smiling at their enthusiasm. Once Heidi reacher her, however, she grabs Ally and refuses to let go. She wraps her arms around her leg, holding on and refusing to let go. Megan, last to reach her, laughs at her sister and hugs Ally tight, almost as tight as Ally hugs her.

When they let go, the three make their way over back to me. Megan would be the first to hug me, but Heidi detaches herself from Ally's leg and races ahead. She hugs my legs first, then raises her arms in an I want up gesture. Laughing, I lift her and place her on my hip.

"How's my little girlfriend?" I ask teasingly, and she giggles.

"Good."

"That's awesome," I smile.

"Yeah," she nods. "Do I get a kiss?"

"Sure, sweetheart."

She puckers her lips, and I try not to laugh as I copy her, right as she leans forward and gives me a quick peck, her lips barely touching mine.

Heidi lets me put her down, content with herself. Megan comes forward next, and I wrap my arms around her shoulders as hers go around my waist. I smile down at her when we pull apart, ruffling her hair. "You hair's growing so fast."

She smiles and fixes her hair, now the length of a bob.

Megan's eyes are brighter than the last time we saw her. Her face glows, and her smile seems wider. I'm glad to see it, though. She's been happier, now that she's in remission. She told us last time we came to visit, practically jumping off the walls with happiness. The doctor had just left the room when we walked in, a wide smile on her face. Apparently, she'd just learned so too.

Megan and Ally must've hugged for an hour, crying tears of joy and relief. By the time I even got to her, Val was by the door, telling us it was time to go. I hugged the girl, whispering a soft "congrats" into her ear before smiling down at her and letting go, taking Ally's hand as we walked out. "We'll come back when we're done," I'd told her over my shoulder.

I smile and clap my hands, looking at all the little kids. They look back up at me expectantly."Are you guys all ready?"

They respond with a chorus off-key cheers.

Honestly, we weren't even sure if we should watch the video premier with the kids- many of them were really young. Not that there wasn't anything too mature for them, no. We just weren't sure if they'd get it too well.

Still, we'd wanted to spend at least part of the day with them, and it only felt right to watch the video with them.

They all settle down somewhere, Heidi in Ally's lap, Ethan in mine, and Megan leaning against my side. The nurses had set up a projector and turned off the lights, projecting the video onto a blank, blue wall.

The video itself may have been one of my best. And it wasn't because Ally was in it. Not at all… Okay maybe it was. But can you blame me? She's utterly adorable and one hell of an actress. We'd filmed in Florida, down in Phil's Fun Town. It was an upbeat, silly video that we'd put together quickly after we realized we had so much footage of that day when Dez had caught us on tape around the park.

Heidi squeals and hides her face behind Ally's hand when she sees me kiss her, even if it was quick. We simply laugh, but she refuses to uncover her face until I declare that we we're leaving soon.

We really do stay for a few more hours, playing and catching up with the kids.

We stroll down the streets afterward, simply just walking with her hand in mine, before I lead her to the restaurant I had picked out. The chilly air is crisp against our faces, and her face is a deep rosy color whenever I look at her. Her hand is small and cold in mine, but I just pull her closer and kiss them. Her whole face is cold, so I pull her closer and kiss her too.

She smiles up at me, that sweet smile I could never find any willpower against, and know that I'd always be a goner. We talk about anything and everything, really. Things we didn't know yet, things we want, and things to come. Occasionally, I place a soft kiss either on her nose, her forehead, it in her hair, just because I know I can. It still shocks me that I can sometimes.

My lips leave her temple, and some sighs contentedly before leaning into my side.

Looking down at her, I study her happy expression for a moment. "What's on your mind?"

She shrugs. "Not much."

"Really?"

"Mmhm. Just a few things here and there." She pauses for a moment, her mouth slightly open as if she's not sure she should continue. "Do you want kids when you grow older?"

"Yeah," I answer immediately. I've thought about it before, on those nights where Ally cuddles up beside me with Nelson sleeping in the other room.

"How many?"

"Eight."

"Eight?"

"Eight." If it's Ally having my kids, I want a whole big family of miniature Austin and Allys running around. "You?"

"Not that many maybe. Four at the most."

Four. But I've still got all the time in the world to change her mind. No need to worry.

But then she slips on ice and stumbles right into me, and we laugh because that's exactly how we met a year ago.

Eventually, I show her to the restaurant I had picked out for us. We'd never been there before, but Jace suggested it to me. It was a nice place with surprisingly loud music and good food. The waiters are all over the place, and clacking and banging are constant noises coming from the kitchen. It's relatively new, but we like it. It's nice and modern, and the breadsticks are the best.

We finish eating and stay a little longer, and I reach across the table and take her hand in mine. It's still cold. Soft, but cold.

"I love you."

I don't even feel cheesy saying it anymore. It's completely cheesy.

But then again, we're cheesy people.

She squeezes my hand. "I love you, too."

Thanks guys! Love youuuuuuuu.

Dont forget to tell me show you think I should continue it, Kay?

im gonna add in shout outs later, promise!

Keep cool!

Bie!

-k8ie ️