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When I awoke the next day the bed was empty next to me. The bathroom door was ajar and Austin's clothes were no longer on the floor. I got up and walked into the living room as my heart sunk further into the pit of my stomach. The kitchen was empty, the hall bathroom was empty, guest room was empty. After further investigation in the kitchen I found a bowl of uneaten cereal in the sink.
So, he wasted my cereal and left?
I remembered our breakfast plans and decided to put on a brave face and head to the coffee shop. My mind knew very well that the chances of me being stood up were great and still my heart ached for me to go. So, I did.
I threw my hair into a messy fishtail braid and quickly put together an outfit that wasn't too planned but showed that I was put together and strong. That his absence this morning hadn't affected me, even though it did.
My walk to the coffee shop was filled with mixed feelings and I knew that when I got there he would most likely not show up. He regretted last night and felt it was a mistake, that's why he fled. He didn't have the heart to break it to me, he realized he took the game too far and now feelings were involved, at least on my part they were.
I walked in and sat at our table, not even going up to order anything. I just sat there, staring at my idle phone. He would surely call or text or send a telegram or something. He had to. After an hour passed Jo brought me some tea to soothe me, but it didn't work. It wasn't until someone asked for channel 6 to be put on that I felt my heart completely shatter.
There on the channel was a live feed of a mudslide devastation that happened late last night. There were dozens of people everywhere you looked, firetrucks and ambulances and police cars. There was a lot of wreckage and people were screaming for their family members. I knew now why he had left and why there was a bowl of cereal left in my sink, why there was no note or text or call, why I had woken up alone.
I watched as the chief of Austin's fire company came onto the screen, answering questions.
"Before this slide was there any warning that it was going to happen?" The reporter asked.
"No, no, this was a completely unforeseen slide," Pennington said, he fought back a cough. "This came out of nowhere. No warning."
"A homeowner last night told me he was assured by authorities in '06 that it was safe. What do you have to say about that?"
"Well, I heard the same thing. That area was mitigated very heavily. ... It was considered very safe. Please, no further questions, my men need me back on the scene." He said before hurrying back towards the massive groups of hurt individuals.
I quickly unlocked my phone and opened my fire-police radio app, searching for channel 13, Austin's channel.
After some static, voices came through, a few people noticed and came around my table, listening intently.
"That thing could break loose at any second," the command post radioed, I knew they were talking about the river behind the mound of dirt the landslide came from.
We simultaneously watched the news and listened to the radio, piecing together the information. Calls went out for more police and firefighters. Calls went out for a hydrologist and geologist. One call asked for "every available chaplain." Crews began to grasp how many victims there might be. The command post asked about the largest neighborhood just across the river from the hill. That's when the first chopper arrived above the scene.
"We have confirmed debris from houses off of West Steelhead Drive," the pilot radioed, dejection in his voice. "If we can get more manpower to search the debris for possible victims, that would be great," he said.
As the ground team moved in, someone radioed up to the chopper.
"Do you have any indication that there could be life down there?"
"Not at this time."
The crowd in the coffee shop became so silent you could hear a pin drop. That's when I heard his voice come over the radio, for the first time since I started listening. His voice wasn't calm and collected as it usually was, it was strained and rushed.
"I need swift-water gear out here. If I can get a partner, I can get to the patient. He basically has one arm amputated."
I felt my heart sink. You could hear the man's screams, I heard the fear in Austin's voice as he spoke to his partner about how every step was a gamble. That one wrong step could lead to a trip down a bottomless hole.
"We are close but still no visual" He announced, and my heart was beating out of my chest as it would until he was back to safety.
Finally they found him, sitting at the base of a shattered tree. The slide had carried him across the valley and up the slope on the other side. His left arm hung mangled, the biceps extruding from the skin. He was covered in mud and blood, and shaking. He appeared to be suffering from both shock and hypothermia. At least that's what I got from the conversation Austin was having with dispatch and his superiors.
Austin's voice finally came back on the radio after 5 strenuous minutes of silence. "We've got a patient that we're losing quickly. He's critical."
They had a helicopter diverted to a nearby clearing, and the man was flown out, along with Austin. They were on their way to the memorial hospital, it was about 7 blocks away and within seconds of hearing this information I was out the door and on my way to the hospital. Without a car, I was forced to run but honestly I didn't care. I had one thing on my mind and that was getting to Austin.
By the time I got to the hospital my feet had blisters from my sandals and I was past being out of breath. I rushed into the ER doors and ran right up to the front desk.
"I'm looking for an Austin Moon. He is a firefighter, he was brought here with a patient from the landslide. They came on a helicopter."
"Ma'm you are one of about 200 people looking for their families, I don't see anything here about an Austin Moon, but when I do hear something I will let you know. Please feel free to wait with the others. You are all going through the same thing, lean on each other."
I sighed and walked towards the crowded waiting room. Then I stopped, and turned back to the desk.
"I'm sorry to bother you again, but I really need to use the restroom and that one over there seems to be in use by someone crying who won't be out anytime soon, is there any other restrooms around here?"
She sighed and looked around before getting up. "Come with me."
"Thank you."
She walked me through the doors of the emergency room and I began to scan the people for that one familiar face. That's when I saw him.
"Dad?"
"Ally?" He sat up as I stood there paralyzed.
"What are you doing here?"
"I was caught in that landslide, what are you doing here? Did they call you?"
"No, no. I was looking for someo-"
"Ally?"
I turned around to see a dirty, tired Austin. I instantly ran to him and hugged him, to know it was really him.
"Thank god you are ok, I heard..I heard on the radio" I sobbed into his dirty shirt.
"I'm ok, I'm right here." He said, rubbing my back. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, I came to find you, I know it was crazy but I was scared and not in my right mind and then I saw my dad and then you and I'm so confused right now." I said, out of breath.
"This is your dad?" Austin asked in shock and I nodded my head as my dad looked as confused as us.
"This is the man that saved me." My dad spoke up, as best as he could before coughing.
I felt like a ton of bricks had just hit me, or a mac truck, or a piano was dropped on me. Any of those would have worked in that moment as I looked to where my dad's arm should have been. I felt my head spin and my legs collapse under me. I would have felt the ground if it hadn't been for Austin who caught me and gently laid me down before everything went black.
My eyes fluttered open and shut as I drifted in and out of consciousness. I tried to speak, failing as my mouth and throat were dry. Why was I here? How did this happen? What time was it? Where was Austin?
"Nah, the boy went back to the scene about 2 hours ago after he knew she was stable. I swear I've never seen someone care so much about someone who is so self centered in my life... no, no I know she's my daughter but she's just like her mother. A selfish, ungrateful whore."
I felt a tear roll down my cheek as I heard my dad in the bed next to me. Why did they have to put us in the same room? Why did he have to be the one Austin saved? More importantly, why wasn't he off far away living his life. He was right under my nose this entire time.
"Why?" I struggled to get out as my voice was scratchy still. "Why the hell are you here?"
I refused to look at him as he stared at me. "I was in a landslide, lost my fucking arm you dumb bitch. I guess you can't see now?"
I flinched at his obscene words, they brought back painful memories. "No. You do not get to call me names, I have survived my entire adult life without you and look where I am as soon as you come back into it, in a hospital bed."
"I didn't put you there." He scoffed.
"Not this time maybe but-"
"You shut up! I told you to never speak of that, oh but I'm sure you went and blabbed to your little hero boy toy about me. You always did love to play the guilt card."
"I hate you" I spat, getting up out of the bed.
"Ouch, that one really hurt." I unhooked the monitor from my finger and was glad I still had my clothes on. "I think that hurt more than losing my ARM!" He shouted as I walked out of the room.
"Miss, you shouldn't be-"
"I'm fine really, where do I sign myself out?"
The nurse pointed to the nurses station and I walked over. After all the papers were signed I walked all the way out of that hospital. I refused to even look back or think about my father. He was dead to me, even if he did live only 30 minutes away. Deciding to take Austin up on the 'my couch is always open' offer I grabbed the key from under the plant and walked up the tall staircase. I collapsed onto his couch and felt my eyes droop again. It had been a long day and Austin most likely would be busy with clean up and rescues for at least another few hours so I decided to allow my body to rest.
"Good god" I heard someone say as they squeezed my body against theirs. "You had me worried sick."
I opened my eyes and took in his familiar smell. "Sorry" I mumbled against his chest.
"Next time you decide to check yourself out of the hospital maybe shoot me a text or something."
"What makes you think there will be a next time?" I laughed, feeling better now that he was here and I was being held against his, amazing, body.
"Oh, I'm sure with you there will be a next time." He chuckled as he pulled away and placed a kiss on my forehead.
I felt my cheeks heat up as I had kinda forgotten our new status, whatever it was. Austin must have missed it though because without missing a beat he stood up and walked into his room. I sat on the couch with that amazingly nerve-wracking butterfly feeling in my stomach and he was unaffected. When I finally composed myself he walked out with only a pair of boxers on, making my temperature rise again. I quickly bowed my head out of habit.
"I'm gonna get a quick shower, do you-" He chuckled. "Ally?"
"Mhmm?" I asked, my voice failing to hide my nervousness.
"Whatcha doin'?" He came over and lifted my chin with his fingers.
My eyes would have locked with his but my hormones got the best of me and looked everywhere but his face. I knew when I did eventually make eye contact his face would hold a cocky grin and his ego would be even bigger than it already was. So instead I quickly stood up and made a maneuver to get past him, failing.
"Oh no you don't!" He said, scooping me up in one swift move.
"Austin!" I squealed as he carried me into his room. "Put me down!"
"Ok" He chuckled, dropping me onto the bed. "Wait here, don't fall asleep, I will only be five minutes."
I nodded, trying to keep my eyelids open but ultimately failing.
"Ally?" Austin asked as he came out of the bathroom sometime later.
I was sitting on the edge of the bed with my head in my hands, thinking.
"Austin after today, I can't deal with you always almost dying."
"But, I didn't die and I'm not going to...not until I am old and stinky and you have to change my diapers" He chuckled but I didn't find it funny.
"I'm sorry" I shook my head and walked away from him.
"No!" He yelled as he caught up to me.
"Austin" I started but he cut in.
"You do not get to do this again. I let you walk out of my life once before and I refuse to do it again."
"Austin" I said again, tears brimming my eyes.
"Marry me."
"Wha-what?"
"I love you Ally, I love you so much it hurts and I can't live without you so marry me."
"Austin are you crazy? I just broke up with you what makes you think I-"
"Marry me Ally" He said again staring into my eyes with sincerity.
"I...I don't know what to say."
"Say yes" He smiled.
I pondered for a minute, trying to make up my mind, internally fighting with my heart and mind.
"Fine, yes I'll marry you." I giggled.
He picked me up and spun me around before setting me back on my feet. His facial expression changed and I felt my stomach flip. His face held an evil smirk and I knew something was up.
"What?" I dared to ask.
"You can leave now." He said with a flick of the wrist as he walked towards the kitchen.
"What?"
He laughed sarcastically. "You didn't actually think I was crazy enough to propose to someone that I not only met a couple weeks ago but also someone that has been walking in and out the entire duration of those two weeks, did you?"
"Wha- it was a joke?"
"Yup, and now you can leave feeling exactly what I felt when you walked out the first and second time." He said, refusing to look at me.
"I can't believe you" I cried.
"Treat others the way you want to be treated Allyson." He said and I could hear the hurt in his voice.
This was the hurt and anger talking not Austin. "You don't mean this, you're hurt I get that but this isn't you."
I saw his shoulders tense up as his back was turned to me. He slowly turned around, his face was stone cold. I felt his intense glare shoot through me and my palms began to sweat.
"Oh, you have no idea. You don't know me, you like to think you do but you have no idea who I really am."
"That's not true."
"Oh yeah, then who am I? I can tell you right now I am not some prince charming or underdog hero. I am the villain, the one everyone hates."
"No one hates you Aus-"
"Like hell they don't. Just leave Ally before I get angry."
"I'm not leaving, not again."
"Ya know, your dad was right you are stupid. Now leave."
"You're just saying these things to upset me so I hate you and leave but I won't. I know your tricks"
He laughed again but this time his laugh made me nervous. He stalked over to where I was standing and backed me into a wall. I felt my heartbeat pick up until I knew he could hear it beating out of my chest. His eyes pierced mine and I couldn't break away from his gaze. He was right, this was a side of Austin I never knew before.
"What's wrong cat got your tongue?" He mimicked me from last night.
"Fuck off." I spat, trying to show him I wasn't affected even though I was.
He smirked. "Maybe we should, just once before we call a quits, so I can know whether all this was worth it or not."
I felt my stomach knot up even more. "Why do you have to be this way?"
"Because this is who I am." He yelled and his voice shot through me like a bullet.
"I hate you" I cried, wishing he was lying but starting to believe he wasn't.
"I knew you would, eventually." He said, backing away. "Now get the hell out of my house." He screamed pointing towards the door.
I ran out the door sobbing uncontrollably before I felt my body begin to freefall. I gasped as I sprung up in bed. It was dark now and the only light in the room was the moonlight shining through the window. I was in Austin's bed. It was all a dream, strike that, a nightmare.
I rose from the bed, as Austin was no where in sight, and walked towards the hallway. His dark outline appeared in the moonlight of the living room. He was standing by the large windows of his balcony, looking out into the night. I watched him for a few seconds taking in his appearance. He was in a pair of sweats and looked exhausted. At the same time I thought he never looked more irresistible, there was no denying my attraction to Austin Moon.
"Are you just going to sit there and stare at me?" He said, barely moving anything but his lips.
I jumped a little at his words. "Can't sleep either?" I asked, walking over to him.
He nodded and took me into his arms as I got close to him. He placed his head on top of mine and I felt relief from my nightmare. I loved this feeling, this completeness he gave me.
"I know you may never want to but if you ever want to talk about your dad and what happened today my doors always open." He spoke quietly.
"Ok" I mumbled into his chest.
"Everything's gonna be fine."
"Ok."
"We are both safe and together and happy and everything is fine."
I pulled back to look at him. "Are you trying to convince me or yourself?"
"Today in the wreck all I could think about was staying safe, for you. I knew I didn't leave a note or anything. I knew you were probably watching and listening, scared to death. I knew you would figure it out pretty quick once you saw the news. I'm sorry Als, I got the call right when I went to eat my cereal and ran out the door. I almost forgot shoes and-"
"Austin, it's fine. I know what I signed up for and even though I am constantly scared to death, I want to be here waiting for you when you get home with your amazing heroic stories." I almost giggled as he smiled at me almost lovingly.
"So you'll be my girlfriend?" He asked, like a schoolboy in high school.
"Yes, I'll be your girlfriend!" I laughed.
He smiled and leaned down to connect our lips met for a soft, sweet kiss. I felt my knees go weak as this was technically our first real kiss. With two feet on the ground, his hands cupping my cheeks. When he pulled away he placed a quick kiss on my forehead before pulling me back into his embrace.
"But fyi, I'll be sleeping on the left side of the bed." I joked.
He let out a deep laugh. "Ok, I think I can do that, as long as I get to be the big spoon." He winked.
"Yes, you can be the big spoon." I giggled. "Oh and you have to understand that when I get in my zone at work I might not be home...for like a few nights maybe."
He let out another laugh. "Alright, but the same goes for my work and you can't get mad at me for being a big brave hero" He puffed out his chest and I giggled again.
"To some extent ok, but do not go out there and get yourself killed."
"I won't."
"I love pickles, so always have them for when I come over."
He pulled back and stared at me to make sure I was serious, and I was. "Uh, ok whatever you say. I'll have pickles, but you have to make me pancakes every morning."
"Every morning?"
"Ok once in a while." He smiled and I shook my head at him.
"Never go to bed angry, upset, or frustrated."
"And always kiss each other goodnight." He leaned down and pecked my lips.
"Mmm I could sit here and kiss you goodnight all night, but lets go to bed because you look like crap."
"Gee thanks." He playfully nudged me and I hip bumped him back. "Ya know, I spent my day saving lives, I have a reason to look this bad, what's yours?" He smirked as we reached his bed.
"My boyfriend put me through hell and back, but that's just an ordinary day in the life of dating a daredevil firefighter." I joked, crawling into bed next to him.
He wrapped an arm around me and I smiled as I became the little spoon, Austin Moon's little spoon.
He kissed my cheek. "Goodnight Ally."
"Goodnight Austin."
Soooo...you guys are AH-MAZING! Thank you for all the amazing reviews and for following and favoriting! You guys are the reason I do this, the reason I stay up until 2 in the morning writing and the reason I ignore my boyfriend whenever we hang out, just kidding. If I did that you guys wouldn't have to wait this long for updates! Thank you for all the anniversary wishes, you guys are my favorites! XOXOX