Key West Chapter 7:

. . .

The Friday after getting home from Sunset Island Ally finished up her last lesson of the day with Lydia who was now the star of her high school choir. Ally stood up from the piano, congratulating the girl on her progress of their current piece for her solo/ensemble festival with school. Lydia collected her things and turned to leave the room but stopped short with a gasp.

Ally looked up from the music sheets she was straightening to see Austin Moon leaning casually against the door frame and smiling at her. When she saw him he pushed off the door and crossed the room to her, giving her a quick chaste kiss.

"Hey baby. How's your day been?" he asked.

"Good thanks." Ally answered.

"Ready to go?" Austin asked.

"You still haven't told me what we're doing on our date. Am I dressed right?" Ally asked.

A squeak drew their attention and Ally realized that Lydia was still there, frozen and gaping at them in shock. "Auslly." She croaked.

"You can go now Lydia. I'll see you next week okay? Oh, and if you see him at school, please remind Casey about his lesson on Tuesday. If he misses another one I'm going to drop him as a student." Ally said.

Lydia nodded and shuffled out of the room without making another sound.

"Is she going to be okay?" Austin asked uncertainly.

"I hope so, she's a really good singer. She's got to get over the shock of seeing famous people though. It took me two lessons to get her to relax back when we started because I'm the famous Ally Dawson." Ally said, putting air quotes around her name.

"Huh."

"You still haven't told me what we are doing tonight." Ally prodded but it only made him smile more.

"You're going to love it." he said.

"What?"

"Come on." He grabbed her hand and started heading out of the practice room above Sonic Boom. Ally was just able to snag her purse as they left the room and she couldn't help but laugh as Austin pulled her along, eager to get wherever they were going.

They ate dinner at the Melody Diner and then crossed the mall to the book store. Ally looked at him curiously when she saw a small group gathered at the back of the store and Austin was heading straight for it.

"What's going on?" she asked him in a whisper.

"Your favorite author is doing a reading and book signing tonight." Austin answered.

"Really?" Ally asked, excitement rising in her as she did a quick happy dance in place.

"Yeah. Don't you like it?"

"I love it. I just can't believe you thought of this and are willing to come. This is a boring thing." Ally said.

"Maybe, but it makes you happy. That's more important than anything else." He said and reached out to gently touch the silver heart pendant she wore every day. She had his heart and he wanted her know he would take good care of hers too.

"Thank you." she said and hugged him. "I still can't believe you thought of this."

"I know you." he said quietly into her ear. It gave her chills in the best possible way and she gave him one more squeeze before moving forward and joining the crowd. He stood right behind her with his arms around her waist. He could see over her head and she relaxed happily in his arms as they watched the author come out and begin her reading. Later Austin bought her the new book and they got it signed.

Ally clutched her new book to her body with one hand and held Austin's hand in her other as they walked through the mall and back to their cars later that night. She was smiling like crazy and had such a great time. Austin was stepping up and proving he could be a boyfriend in Miami as well as in Key West.

Austin walked her to her car and they paused after she unlocked the driver's door.

"Thank you again for tonight. It was great." She beamed at him.

"I'm glad you liked it. I don't know if I can top it next week, but we'll do something fun, I promise." He said.

"Are you asking me out again?" Ally asked.

"You don't think you'll ever have a free Friday night again do you? Because they are mine now." He said and moved closer, drawing her into his arms. They kissed and broke apart a few minutes later with smiles on their faces.

"Okay. Next Friday then." She said. She was already looking forward to it but also lamenting that she had to wait a whole week to see him again.

"Love you." he said as he took a step back so she could get in her car.

"Love you too." She said in return and then got inside and started her car.

. . .

Ally didn't have to wait until Friday after all. Austin called her on Sunday and they hung out at her place that afternoon. Then he stopped by Sonic boom on Tuesday to see her and was disappointed that she had students. Casey showed up after all and Austin had to settle for a few quick kisses before he left her to teach.

Friday came quickly much to Ally's relief and Austin picked her up at Sonic Boom again. Lydia still stared as she left the room but didn't freak out quite so much at seeing Austin again. That night they got dinner since Ally was starving after working all afternoon and then they went to an action movie. Ally got a little bored partway through with the predictable plot, but she happily found that Austin didn't mind being distracted at all and they spent part of the movie making out in the back of the theater. After the movie they were noticed and had to dodge some excited fans on their way out of the theater. When they reached her car they agreed that running away together was pretty fun. Ally was starting to like the thrill of running with the wind in her hair and Austin's hand clutched tightly in her own as they dodged people and things in their way trying to escape screaming fans and photographers.

. . .

Austin kept up his habit of seeing her once or twice during the week as they anxiously waited for date night to come again. And he did well to choose a mix of things to do that pleased both of their tastes. Then in September Ally's 24th birthday came around and he planned a big party for her at Sonic Boom. All their friends and family came, there was food and music and dancing.

Jimmy approached Austin while the cake was being passed around to the guests.

"So, when am I going to get you in the studio again Austin? It's time to work on some new music." Jimmy said.

Ally's head snapped up at that comment. "You haven't been working?" she asked Austin.

"I'm trying to figure some things out. I'll let you know soon Jimmy." He said.

Jimmy shook his head and walked away with his plate of cake.

"Austin." Ally placed a hand on his arm and made him look at her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm great." He reassured her with an honest smile. "I'm here celebrating my amazing girlfriend's birthday and I couldn't be happier."

"Okay." Ally said. His open expression calmed her worries though and they got some cake for themselves.

Trish had helped Austin plan the party and was enjoying watching her friends finally have the relationship they both wanted for so long. Austin and Ally were clearly very happy together. When they spent most of the night dancing together Connor nudged Dez from the sidelines where he watched them slow dance.

"Fifty bucks." He reminded the red-head.

"I told you, Ally moves slow and is all about traditional stuff. She'll hold out for a June wedding." Dez asserted.

"Whatever. I still say it will be sooner." Connor said.

When most of the guests had gone and party was ending Ally started to clean up a bit. Her parents shooed her away since it was her birthday and she left with Austin. As they drove home she remembered the conversation with Jimmy Starr.

"Austin?" she spoke up.

"Hmm. yeah?" he responded absently as he squeezed her hand which he held as he drove.

"Are you taking a break from music or something? I can't get what Jimmy said out of my mind." Ally said.

"Honestly? I don't know. I think I wrote to you that I haven't been feeling the music lately and I don't want to go into the studio and work on meaningless lyrics with strangers again. It was hard to get through that last record and come out with songs I was proud of and wanted to perform. The only problem is that I don't know what else to do. I've been living my dream, so where do I go from there?" Austin said.

Ally took it in for a minute. It was a big decision.

"Do you still love performing and being on stage?" she asked.

"Yes. The fans, that energy, it makes it all worth it. I just don't have any ideas for songs anymore." Austin said.

"Then we just need to find you some inspiration." Ally said. "If you really want to walk away, then that's what you should do. But if you still love it, then you have to try one more time." she concluded.

Austin turned and smiled at her. "You're really smart, you know that?" he lifted her hand and kissed it as he looked back at the road.

"Yeah, well. . ." Ally said and laughed. "I'll help you any way I can, okay?"

"I'd like that." he said. He pulled up in front of her apartment and she kissed him goodnight. She thanked him again for her party and then got out of the car and went inside.

Austin watched her go and sighed. He hoped she could help him.

. . .

When Austin showed up at Sonic Boom to see Ally between lessons the following wednesday she greeted him enthusiastically. He smiled into her kiss, feeling at home once again, as he always did with her.

"I'm so glad you're here." she said. She grabbed his hand and pulled him over to the piano. He sat beside her on the bench as he had so many times before and just grinned as she bubbled with excitement beside him.

"Good day?" he asked with a laugh.

"Yes. Two of my students cancelled because of a choir thing tonight." Ally answered.

"And that's a good thing?" Austin asked.

"Of course. It means you are here just in time for us to find you some inspiration."

"How are we going to do that?"

"By going back in time." Ally said mysteriously. They laughed together before she continued. "We wrote songs here all the time when we were younger, so lets recapture that. What motivated you back then? What spurred your songwriting?"

"You." Austin said.

"Well, I'm here, so what do you need me to do?" Ally asked.

"Back then I was trying to figure out my feelings for you or ignore them. I don't exactly have to pine after you and wish we were dating right now."

"I could break up with you and then you can stare at me across the room longingly." Ally suggested.

"No! No: not even funny." Austin said quickly.

Ally laughed. "Okay, what else inspired you?"

Austin shook his head again, refusing to let her change the subject. "I can't believe you said that. Ally, how many times do I have to tell you that I need you in my life? What do I need to do to convince you that I want you?"

Ally sobered at his reaction to her joke. Then she had an idea. "Write me a song."

Austin scoffed and then his eyes lit up. "Okay." he said, taking the challenge.

Ally slid a blank notebook his way on the top of the piano and she handed him a pencil she had nearby for making notes on her students music.

"I need a melody." he muttered and shook out his hands before resting them on the keys. He closed his eyes and a smile dawned on his face. Then he began to play. He searched for the right chords and progressions and eventually found something that satisfied him.

Ally watched happily, basking in his creativity. He paused to write things down or to look at her or steal a kiss, but always went back to work. He wouldn't let her leave the piano bench even though she wasn't doing any of the work. Ally was intrigued by the melody he was constructing. She laughed when he caught her looking at the lyrics and went to hide them from her. She eventually began to hum along with him as he formed the vocal line.

Two hours later a knock at the door surprised them and Lester Dawson popped his head in the room.

"Are you two hungry? I'm going to order pizza." he said.

"That would be great dad. Could you get us a pepperoni?" Ally asked.

"Sure thing. I'll bring it up." Lester said.

"Thanks Mr. Dawson." Austin called as Ally's dad closed the door again. "I'm starving."

Ally got up and took two bottles of juice out of the fridge, handing one to Austin. He drank his quickly and went back to work.

"So? How do you feel?" Ally asked as she sat beside him again. He grinned at her.

"I feel great. It's still rough and needs some polishing, but I may have a new hit on my hands here." he said.

"So you found your inspiration again?"

"I have you. That's all I'll ever need." Austin said.

Ally was frozen by the intense look in his eyes. They flickered to her lips and he leaned in for a real kiss. He'd been giving her quick pecks all afternoon, but this one was serious and full of meaning. His hand snaked around her back as he pulled her close and she couldn't hold him tight enough as she lost herself in his heat.

Another knock on the door broke them apart some time later and Lester's face reddened when he walked in with a pizza box.

"I have your pizza." he said.

Ally sat up straight and brushed at her clothes and hair, not sure how rumpled she and Austin looked. Her face was hot.

"Thanks dad." Ally squeaked.

"I'll leave this door open." he said and quickly left again.

Austin let out the laughter he was holding in and Ally turned to him and smacked his arm.

"It's not funny!" she hissed.

"Yes it is."

"I feel like a sixteen year old again. Getting caught making out by my dad is not my idea of fun." Ally lamented.

"Talk about going back in time! But come on, we're 24 years old, it's not like we have to feel embarrassed about kissing. If we did something else in here, maybe he could get upset, but even then it's pretty long overdue. Even your dad has to know that." Austin said.

Ally turned red again. "We. . . I. . . no!" she sputtered.

Austin laughed again. "Your face!" he pointed and she scowled at him. He got up and crossed the room as his laughter subsided. He picked up the box Lester dropped before leaving, pulled a slice out and took a huge bite. Then he carried the box to Ally and held it out for her to take some as well. They ate and Austin played through the song one more time, humming instead of singing as he still hid the words from Ally. Then he left and Ally ventured down into the main part of Sonic Boom.

Lester was straightening some things up since the store was pretty quiet. A few shoppers were scattered throughout the space, but overall it was calm.

"Thanks for dinner dad. We needed it." Ally said as she approached her dad behind the counter.

"Sure sweetheart. Sorry about interrupting, but I did knock." he said and his ears turned darker pink.

"It's fine, you didn't interrupt anything really." Ally tried to brush it off.

"Promise me you two are being careful." Lester said.

"Dad! It's not like that - we were just kissing."

Lester closed his eyes and shook his head like he didn't want to hear anything. "Just promise me, please?" he begged.

"I promise." Ally said.

Lester opened his eyes again and sighed in relief. "Thank you."

"I think I'm going to head home, unless you want some help closing up tonight." Ally said.

"I've got things under control here. I'll see you tomorrow." Lester said.

Ally gave him a quick hug and then went to get her things and leave for the night.

. . .

Ally didn't see Austin again until their date on Friday night. He was excited as they drove to the beach club for a concert. A friend of theirs who recently signed with Jimmy Star was playing and they were happy to go support and have a night out. It was early October and getting cool, but the weather was still fair enough for a few more outdoor concerts.

"It worked Ally: I had another song idea and it feels good to be making music again. It hasn't felt this good in a while." Austin said happily as they got out of his car.

"I'm so glad!" Ally said.

"It's because of you and I had an idea: what do you think about working together on some songs again? I know it's been a while but you are my first and favorite songwriter." he said.

"That sounds like fun. I have a few melodies that I haven't found the right lyrics for yet. We can work on them together." Ally said.

"Awesome." Austin said. "I want this record to be like the old ones, made by us. It just feels right."

"It does." Ally agreed.

He put an arm around her as they walked into the beach club and out onto the sand for the concert. They melted into the crowd in the darkness of night and had a great time just being a couple at a concert.

When the show ended and the crowd began to disperse, Austin guided Ally out toward the water instead of into the beach club and toward his car. He took Ally's hand, intertwining their fingers and walked along the beach just out of reach of the water in the moonlight.

Ally stayed quiet by his side, enjoying the romantic moment with the man she loved. They stopped after a while, all the lights from the beach club and beach houses in the distance with the roar of the ocean in their ears.

"Ally." Austin faced her and stepped close. He reached up to touch her face oh so gently. She sighed happily at his touch and he smiled at her. "I love you." he said.

"I love you." she said in return and rose on her toes slightly. He met her in a kiss. He shifted slightly, dropping one hand from her side and then his hand came up as he pulled away slightly. He held a small black velvet box.

Just as Ally realized what he held he dropped to his knee in front of her, holding one of her hands and holding the open box up between them with his other hand.

"Nothing in my life makes sense without you. Will you marry me Ally?" he asked.

"Yes." Ally nodded and she was stunned to realize Austin's hands were shaking slightly as he took the ring out of the box to slide it onto her finger.

He stood up inside the circle of her arms. She hugged him tight and then kissed him as tears sprang to her eyes. Austin's arms around her made her feel safe and loved. They finally belonged to each other, just like she'd hoped they would for years. She almost couldn't believe it was real because she wanted it so badly. But he was there, holding her, kissing her, loving her. And she loved him with all that she was.

. . .

Trish dressed her daughter Mia after her bath and went into the family room. Connor sat on the couch and held the remote but the tv was paused.

"Your favorite show is on." he said.

"Thanks. Do you want to hold her?"

Connor reached for his daughter and cradled the three month old in his arms while his tired wife sat down next to him. She pushed play on the remote and the theme song for EntertainMe Tonight played. Shauna Roberts appeared on screen with a huge smile.

"Today photos were released from last month's wedding of singers Austin Moon and Ally Dawson and I'm here with the exclusive."

Trish and Connor smiled at each other as a photo filled the screen of their two friends. They had been there for the wedding and he collected on his bet with Dez during the reception.

"The long time friends and musical partners made their relationship public early last fall and were married in a private ceremony attended by family and close friends last month on Valentine's Day. The ceremony took place on Sunset Island, a private island just off of Key West. After all the rumors circulating around Austin's love life during his tour last summer, we finally saw him happy once again when he reunited with Ally during an annual trip they shared with friends on that same island every August. The couple have been inseparable since and finally tied the knot. Sources say they've been traveling throughout Europe for the last month on an extended honeymoon. When they get back they will finish work on a joint album that Starr records has confirmed they are releasing together."

Several more photos flashed across the screen as she spoke showing Ally in a lovely white dress and Austin in a tux. Both of them had huge smiles and looked incredibly happy.

"Our congratulations go out to the newlyweds with many hopes of more great music to come." Shauna finished.

The screen then showed Austin and Ally facing each other and smiling, faces close and eyes only for each other. Ally wore simple silver jewelry with her wedding dress, including a large silver heart pendant.

. . .

So? Tell me what you think!