Chapter 6:
. . .
Ally and Trish went shopping the next morning on Key West. Trish found a hat and purse and then indulged Ally in going to a funky little antique store where Ally bought a handmade scarf and a pewter vase. Outside of another shop Ally was stopped by a fan who asked for her autograph and took a photo on her phone.
The girls went back to the cottage where they guys had planned a night out. They went to the Hard Rock for dinner and were given a VIP table since Austin gave them an autographed guitar on their second visit to the island years ago. The guitar now hung with several others in the restaurant and he was always treated like royalty when he came.
As they got up to leave the restaurant that night Austin stopped Ally beside their table.
"What do you think about going to Mallory Square to watch the sun set and make some new memories? I'd hate for last year to ruin it for you forever." He said.
Ally paused for a moment, the familiar pain slashing through her chest as she thought about last year. She looked into his hopeful eyes and then gave a short nod.
"Okay." She said.
Austin smiled and grabbed her hand. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."
They followed the others to the entrance of the restaurant and walked out hand in hand. They were surprised to be met by a small crush of people and flashing cameras.
"Austin Moon, we've been looking for you." one of them said as he snapped pictures.
"What's going on?" Austin asked, pulling Ally closer and putting a protective arm around her shoulders. The flashes went crazy then.
"Are you two together?" a voice asked.
"Is Ally 'Key West' from your concerts?" another shouted.
"How long have you been secretly dating?"
Austin quickly maneuvered Ally through the throng of people, trying to get to Dez, Trish and Connor on the sidewalk. Ally pressed close to him, following his lead and holding on tight with an arm around his waist and another clutching the front of his shirt as they hurried along, pushing through bodies and questions. The crowd followed as they reached their friends.
"Go!" Dez urged, pointing down the street.
Austin glanced down at Ally and then understood. He released his iron grip around her shoulders and quickly grabbed her hand.
"Run!" he said.
They broke into a sprint and were halfway down the block before the paparazzi and fans realized what was happening and began to follow. Austin led her down the street and straight into the hotel lobby before they stopped, breathless and laughing. Ally collapsed against him after they rounded a corner and hid just out of sight of the front doors. He held onto her and they laughed, bodies shaking and eyes watering at their impromptu flight.
"That was crazy." Ally said when she caught her breath.
"I know. We usually don't get that here so I almost forgot I was famous for a minute." Austin agreed.
Ally nodded and giggled.
The front doors slid open and they heard voices calling from outside. Austin pulled her toward the dock where he saw the ferry loading.
"Let's get out of here." He said. She followed willingly. They rode the ferry to Sunset island and walked into the cottage.
"What do you think happened to the others?" she asked as she flopped onto the couch.
"I don't know. They might have still gone to Mallory Square." Austin said and sat beside her.
"So we have some time." Ally concluded. "It's nice to just be us for a little while."
"It's nice to be me with you." Austin agreed.
Ally looked into his eyes which had turned serious.
"You keep me grounded and sane. I don't know if you realize how much you mean to me Ally. I'm not kidding when I say I need you." he said.
Ally sat up straighter. "I know. And no matter how I tried to push it away, I'm drawn to you and need you too. But we have to face reality. Take tonight for example: we won't be able to go out like normal people do without being recognized. We still have careers and things to consider. It's going to be harder when we leave here in two days." She said.
Austin shook his head. "Nothing is too hard as long as I get to be with you."
"You say that now, but what if you change your mind in a few months, or even weeks?" Ally asked. "I don't know if I can handle that again."
"I'm not going to change my mind Ally, not ever. That's what I'm trying to tell you." Austin said. He reached for her and caressed her cheek as he looked into her eyes, willing her to believe. He leaned closer and kissed her softly, giving her the shivers. She giggled and they smiled at each other for a moment before he kissed her again. She began to relax in his arms, falling under his spell.
Both of their phones pinged and with a huff of frustration Austin pulled his from his pocket. Dez sent them a link to EntertainMe Tonight's website and he held up his phone for Ally to see as well. Photos were already up of Austin and Ally holding hands as they came out of the restaurant and clinging onto each other as they tried to get past the paparazzi. They were 'breaking news' on the entertainment website and were beginning to trend.
As they took in this information their friends walked through the door and into the cottage.
"Whew! Did you see that? It was like a red carpet frenzy and you two are Brangelina!" Dez exclaimed.
"Are you guys okay?" Connor asked.
"They've been through this before." Trish brushed it off.
"We're fine. Did you guys have a hard time?" Austin asked, glancing nervously at Ally. He didn't want her to shut him out again.
"No. They stopped Dez for a minute after you disappeared and he gave them a soundbyte about his next movie project, but they mostly left us alone." Trish answered.
"I just wonder how they found us?" Ally mused.
"It's all over their site." Dez said and sat down on the couch between Austin and Ally holding out his phone. "They noticed that Austin's been MIA since his last concert and Ally's lessons are on hold so they sent someone here to watch for Austin in case he showed up. Then a girl posted a photo of Ally from this morning and everyone got down here as fast as they could."
"Wow." Connor said. "I see you guys as regular people and I forget about all the fame stuff sometimes."
"That's cool man." Austin said.
"It must be hard to date. How is this going to go for you guys after our trip?" Connor asked.
Austin silently waved at him, motioning him to stop and not say that. Ally glanced back at the movement behind her and Austin froze, running a hand back through his hair and trying to look casual.
"It's going to be fine, right Ally? We can handle this no problem." Austin said and pushed Dez off the couch so he could scoot closer and put his arm around Ally's shoulders again.
Ally rolled her eyes. "We'll see. It might not be so easy." She stood up and walked into the kitchen.
Trish shook her head and frowned at the guys in the front room while Ally was behind her.
"What should we do tonight guys? Another movie?" Trish suggested, trying to change the subject.
"I'm just going to my room. I only have one more full day of freedom here on vacation and I want to enjoy it. Good night guys." Ally said and headed toward her room.
Everyone was silent until they heard her door close. Austin let out a gusty sigh and slumped back on the couch.
"She's getting scared." He said quietly. "What am I gonna do? I can't lose her again."
Dez patted his leg comfortingly from where he sat on the floor after being pushed off the couch. "It's going to be okay buddy. You'll figure it out."
. . .
Their last day at the cottage was quiet. Ally was subdued and kept to herself most of the morning. Dez tried to keep Austin busy and enlisted Connor's help. Trish tried to get Ally to open up a bit but had little success.
The unified group they had been the last few days seemed to be crumbling and it wasn't making Ally feel any better about going home. She began to pack a few things she wouldn't need that day so leaving would be easy tomorrow. Austin even retreated to his room to wrack his brain for ideas to keep Ally.
In the afternoon Dez went around to everyone and informed them that he set up dinner at 6pm for them all at Latitudes, the hotel restaurant on the island by the dock. He told them all to dress up so they could have a great last dinner to end their vacation.
As requested they were all ready on time and gathered in the main room of the cottage. Austin stared at Ally when she came out in a dress with her hair curled and make up done.
"You look great." Austin said as he approached her. He wore khakis and a nice shirt with his perfectly messy hair and she felt her cheeks heat in a blush.
"Thanks. You too." She said.
He offered his arm to her and she took it. They walked together to the restaurant and were soon seated. Ally sat next to Austin and found herself relaxing a bit. She couldn't quite get her hopes up after the reality check from the night before, but for now Austin was still being attentive and sweet. She decided to enjoy it while she could and deal with tomorrow when it came. She didn't want to ruin Dez's nice dinner with her fears.
Luckily they fell into their usual patterns and shared some food around when something was really good. They talked about the coming year and what people had planned and going on in the near future. Ally was sticking with teaching and working with new artists for Ronnie Ramone. Trish and Connor had a lot going on with the baby due before the end of the year. Dez had some scripts he was looking at and a movie currently in pre-production that he had to get back to. Austin didn't volunteer anything until there was a lull in the conversation and Dez pointed out his silence.
"I'm not sure what I'll be doing." Austin admitted.
"Aren't you making another record?" Connor asked.
"I haven't decided yet. There are some other things I need to work out first." He said and glanced at Ally who froze under his gaze.
The waiter arrived with their desserts and they dropped the conversation for a moment as they tasted their food and encouraged others to try some as well. Austin held out a bite of his Key lime pie for Ally to taste on his own fork. She tried it and noticed how he watched her and licked his lips. She nodded in approval of the dessert and her thoughts strayed to the kisses they'd shared over the last two days.
Dez clinked his glass with a spoon to get everyone's attention. "I have an announcement." he said.
All eyes turned to him.
"I want to make a toast to good friends." Dez raised his glass. The others smiled, lifted their glasses, and all repeated "to good friends" before tapping the glasses together lightly and drinking.
"I'm glad we are all here together and things are feeling more normal again. There is only one thing to set right and that is to give the mysterious box back to its rightful owner." Dez continued and produced the small box to murmurs around the table. He looked at each of them and then held the box out to Austin.
"I believe this belongs to you, my friend." Dez said.
Austin took the box. "Thanks Dez. How did you know?"
"What do you mean its Austin's? You told me the name of the store where you bought it and gave me dates and everything!" Connor objected.
"I saw the box months ago in Austin's hotel room when he came to visit me in California. It was sitting on top of the bag with the store logo and the receipt to the side. It was easy to tell Connor that to get the box. So yes, I know that the box is Austin's, but if I'm not mistaken its contents belong to Ally." Dez explained.
"To me?" Ally asked.
"You have the tiny silver key don't you?" Dez asked.
Ally pulled the key from her purse and held it up for the whole table to see. Trish grinned and Connor stared.
"That's why you came to ask me about it." Connor noted.
"How do you know all this Dez?" Trish asked.
"Because I'm the Love Whisperer." Dez whispered.
Everyone laughed for a moment and then Ally locked eyes with Austin. The others watched the two of them as Austin held the small box in his hands.
"Austin, why don't you give Ally your box?" Dez prompted.
Austin handed her the box. She studied it for a moment and then looked at the key in her other hand. She paused and took a deep breath. She looked down at the box and twirled the key once more between her slender fingers. Before she could question it she put the key into the lock. She turned it and the lid opened easily. Inside, resting on the red velvet lining of the box, was a shiny silver heart on a long chain. Ally glanced up at Austin as he watched her calmly, then she looked at the heart again. She lifted it from the box and admired the polished surface which reflected everything around it. Her fingers felt something on the back of its smooth surface and she turned it over in her palm. She read the words engraved on the other side aloud: "my heart belongs to you".
"It does, you know. It always has." Austin said. He reached out for the chain and slowly lifted the heart out of Ally's hand. Her chest constricted when she lost contact with it. Then he leaned closer and slid the long chain over her head. Ally lifted her hair so the chain rested around her neck and the heart lay on her chest.
"It's lovely."
"You can always have it with you and know that I'm thinking of you, everyday, no matter where I am." Austin said.
"Thank you."
"I'm in love with you. I know you may not be ready to hear it but I need you to know. You are it for me, Ally Dawson. There will never be anyone else." Austin said.
Tears sprang to Ally's eyes. She did the only thing that made sense. She leaned forward and threw hers arms around Austin's neck. He hugged her and their friends erupted in cheers and applause.
"I do love you Austin. But the idea of losing you terrifies me." Ally told him.
"You can't lose what already belongs to you." he said. "That's why I wanted to give you my heart."
Then he kissed her. Ally's senses were overwhelmed by Austin. His lips were on hers, his arms held her tight, their breaths were in sync, and she finally had everything she wanted.
A collective 'awww' rose from their table as Trish, Connor and Dez watched with huge smiles on their faces. Ally remembered they weren't alone and hid her face against Austin's shoulder. He chuckled lightly.
"Now I have two things to ask you." he said.
Ally lifted her face to look at him and search his eyes. "What?"
"Will you be my girlfriend? And will you go out with me next weekend?" he asked.
Ally smiled. "Yes, and yes." she said.
Austin kissed her again, but stopped before it could get heated. He smiled his huge heart melting smile at her and their friends cheered again.
"I'd buy you all desert to celebrate but we already have it." Dez said, gesturing to their half eaten desserts.
"Let's finish and go home." Trish said. "We can't have these two making out in the restaurant all night." She pointed to Austin and Ally, making everyone laugh.
When they got back Austin and Ally went out to the beach chairs and sat on one together in the moonlight. Austin's arms were around Ally and they talked and kissed occasionally as they held each other long into the night. When Ally fell asleep after midnight Austin carried her to her bedroom and lay her on her bed. She curled up and murmured his name as he kissed her cheek tenderly and went to his room.
. . .
A/N: I know it's cheesy, but is it the good kind of cheesy? Did any of you know what was in the box? Did I disappoint? Please let me know! Your feedback helps me write better. Thanks
weesh