The sunlight was blinding when we first stepped off the boat and I wished I would've brought my sunglasses as we followed onto the metal ramp that led to the wooden dock which connected to a concrete car lot.

When my eyes finally adjusted to the light I squinted into the crowd so I could find who we would be staying with for the next three days.

Even though I knew Ashton wasn't going to be picking us up, I couldn't help but look for him in the crowd, instead I was met with a bunch of strangers.

I hadn't met Ashton's mum before so I had no idea what she looked like so I stood awkwardly next to Ender as I scanned the sea of people, searching for someone who looked like she could be related to Ashton.

"Carter?" I heard a familiar, feline voice call out to me and I looked in the direction the sound came from to see a blonde woman walking towards us.

"Carter?" She called out again as she got closer and I nodded before Ender and I walked forward to meet her.

"Ann?" I double checked and she grinned widely before rushing forward to take me in a hug. Her arms were soft and warm as she hugged me and she smelled like coconut.

I pulled back and was able to get a good look at her face. She was tan like Ashton and had bleach blonde hair that went to her shoulders and curled at the end. Her eyes were a bright blue and her lips were baby pink.

By the features on her face I could definitely tell she was Ashton's mum.

"It's so lovely to see you in person! And you're so pretty too! Oh!" She pulled me in for another hug and I laughed.

"It's so nice to meet you too! You and Ashton look so much alike." I said as I hugged her back.

"And you must be Ender." She turned to him after we pulled away and he nodded sheepishly at her. She leaned down to his level and gave him a hug as well which he returned.

"Well let's get to the house for dinner, Ash will be home in a couple of hours." She smiled and led us to a black suburban that was parked in the lot. We loaded our luggage into the back and I sat in the passenger seat while Ender sat behind Ann in the backseat.

"So how was the ride over here?" She asked as she pulled out of the lot and onto a big road.

"It was nice, I haven't been on the ferry before." I replied.

"Ash has always said he liked riding the ferry, he said it was a good place to write s- in his journal." She coughed. "Excuse me, I'm just getting over a cold."

"It's alright." I smiled politely.

"So Ender," She glanced at him in the rear view mirror, "Tell me about school. You're in fifth year?"

"Yes ma'am." He answered with a simple filled smile.

He then chatted on about his teachers and the homework and even trying out for the soccer team.

"Yes. Calum set up his goal in our backyard so you two can practice." She beamed and Ender was practically on cloud nine.

I listened to them talk while I stared out the window and the Sydney scenery.

The sun still hung high over head and the road we were on was surrounded by grassy fields with a few tress and some random houses. It was hot outside but the air conditioner on the car was blowing on my face keeping me cool.

Eventually we arrived at a suburb type neighbourhood and Ann pulled into the driveway of a one story house with a spacious front yard. The next house was several hundred feet away which seemed to give it lots of privacy.

Ann parked in the driveway and we all got out of the car, taking our suitcases from the trunk and following her inside.

The inside of the house was very pretty as well and felt safe and warm. Even by being inside for a few seconds I could already tell I would like it here.

Photos of Ashton when he was younger lined the walls and shelves along with photographs of him and his mates, Luke, Michael and Calum.

I smiled as we passed the photographs along the wall. Ann must have noticed me looking at them because she spoke up.

"Ashton was always very handsome. Even when he was younger, he looked very much like his grandfather, always had a smile on his face." She nodded towards an older photo of Ashton around Ender's age with an older man.
I could see some of Ashton's features in his grandfather as well.

"Woah that's Ashton?" Ender gawked at a photo of Ashton holding a puppy and Ann laughed.

"Mhmm." She hummed. "That was when we got Indie. Speaking of Indie, where is that dog?"

Ann walked though a living room and to a back door where she opened it and a black and white dog with brown fur around his ears and tail wagging came padding in, running up to Ender and sniffing at his legs.

"Hi Indie, Hi!" Ender cooed at the dog and knelt down so he could play with it.

Ann laughed and reached down to pat Indie on the head as well.

"Carter, let's go take your things to where you'll be staying." She waved for me to follow her and I did so with a smile.

She led me down a hallway to the door at the very end and opened it.

I was immediately hit with the scent of Ashton's cologne.

One of the walls was brick and was covered in posters while a bed was pushed against another wall.

The closet was opposite the bed and a desk and a bookshelf were adjacent to the closet. There was a sweatshirt tossed over the back of the chair that was at the desk and a few random photos of Ashton with the boys were tacked to the wall.

"Is this Ashton's room?" I asked and Ann turned to me with a smile.

"Yes?" She answered, a little confused." Is something wrong?"

"I just didn't know that's where I would be sleeping, I don't want to put him out of his own room." I explained.

"But you're not? He's sleeping in here too?" She looked at me questioningly then her eyes widened in realisation.

"Oh. I just assumed that...I'm so sorry, I can put you in the guest room if you'd like?" She offered and I shook my head.

"It's fine." I blushed. "I just didn't know."

"Well you can always sleep in the guest room if you change your mind." She smiled.

I nodded, trying to rid my face from the blush that was burning on my cheeks.

Did Ann think that Ashton and I were that far in our relationship?

I left my suitcase by the end of the bed and then followed Ann back into the living room.

Ender was still sitting on the floor playing with Indie.

"I have the guest room set up for Ender." Ann smiled and went to let Indie back outside.

"Ender, go put your suitcase in the guest room, Ann will show you." I nodded at him and he followed Ann down the hallway as she asked him if he had ever had a dog.

I smiled at their budding friendship and slipped my phone out of my pocket, taking it off airplane mode.

A few texts came in from Ash that said to be safe and that he was boarding his plane to Sydney and he would see me in a few hours.

It was already 7:40 and I had the feeling Ann knew that I was starving because when she came back with Ender from putting away his things she immediately went to the fridge.

"How does ordering a pizza sound?" She asked after staring at its contents for a while and I nodded with a laugh.

"That sounds great." I smiled.

"Perfect. What kind do you like?" She asked as she pulled a phone book from a drawer.

"Cheese for me!" Ender piped up.

"I'll have the same." I smiled.

"Okay well then a large cheese and a large pepperoni and when Ash gets home he can have the rest." She smiled in affirmation and then dialled a number so she could order.

While we waited for the Pizza to arrive, Ann turned the television on to a re-run of Modern Family.

Ender and I had watched the show a few times before so we had no problem settling into the lounge while Ann sat in the big sofa chair.

We finished the end of one episode and then began another when the doorbell rang.

"Pizza must be here." Ann stood up and went to the front door. A minute later she came back with two pizza boxes in hand.

"How about some wine to go with our pizza." She winked and pulled a bottle from a small rack on the counter.

"Sure." I smiled and she took two glasses and filled them halfway up for each of us.

I was not a big alcohol drinker but I would have wine sometimes with Ari when I went to her house to dinner and then the occasional glass at home from my parents wine collection.

She opened the two boxes on the counter and handed Ender and I a plate so we could take a few slices.

Ender sat at the coffee table in the living room while Ann and I sat at the bar, munching on our pizza.

Ender was the first to finish his dinner and asked if he could play with Indie which Ann happily allowed.

Ender went outside into the backyard, that was now getting dark, and Ann turned the outside lights on so we could see him.

"He's going to want a dog now." I chuckled after swallowing my last bite of pizza.

Ann laughed. "A dog might be nice to have around when it's just you and Ender."

"That's true." I smiled. "I'll think about it."

"So tell me about Haven Harbour, have you lived there your whole life?" She asked.

"Yes." I nodded. "This is the first time I've left the island."

"Wow." Her eyes widened. "So you run a family business."

"I do. My grandpa started it when he was young and passed it down to my parents and when they died the business went to me." I explained.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but how did they pass?"

"It was a car accident. Something happened with their car and they swerved off of the road and they hit the side of the hill." I explained.

I was so used to telling that story that I had become better at controlling my emotions. When it first happened, even thinking about it would make me burst into tears.

Ann had pools in the corners of her eyes.

"I'm so sorry." She leaned in and gave me a tight hug.

"It's alright." I whispered.

When we pulled away she dabbed at the undersides of her eyes.

"I'm sorry I started crying on you there, it's just...you've been through so much and you're only eighteen..." She trailed off and I nodded.

"You are very strong, Carter. Very strong." She added and all I could do was let out a breathy laugh.

"So tell me about your friends or something to make me stop crying." She laughed trying to shake off her tears and I went into a story about Ari.

"So Ari is my best friend and I've known her my whole life practically. She and I are total opposites and one time for Halloween we tried to dress up as each other. I remember I got so offended because her costume was a tee shirt and shorts while I had to dress up in heels and a dress."

"Oh no!" Ann laughed. "What did she say about your costume?"

"She loved it!" I laughed. "She said I should dress like that everyday!"

Ann and I burst into fits of giggles and almost missed the sound of the front door opening.

When we heard the click we both tried to catch our breath and stop laughing.

I heard a thud by the front door and then footsteps behind me as my back was to the front door. Ann looked behind me and I turned around in my barstool to see Ashton walk into the kitchen.

His messy, golden waves were mopped upon his head and he wore a solid black v-neck shirt and his typical black skinny jeans.

The moment our eyes made contact my entire body settled into a state of relief and happiness. Finally, the three weeks was officially over, no more waiting.

"Hey." He brightly smiled at me and I returned the expression.

"Hi." My lips set into a small upwards curve as he ran a hand though his already tousled hair.

"Well if you won't hug him I will." Ann stood up and embraced her son.

"Hey, mom." He laughed and hugged her back.

Ann let go of him and went back to her seat and took another sip.

I slipped down from my seat and closed the distance between me and Ashton with a step that he met gratefully, pulling me into his grip and practically crushing me to him.

"Mmm I missed you." He hummed into my hair and I sneakily kissed the bottom of his throat.

"I missed you too." I tilted my head back so I could look at him and he leaned down to connect his lips to mine.

The kiss was tender and sweet but my cheeks were flaring, partially from excitement and partially because of the fact that we had just kissed in front of his mom.

Ashton seemed to realise my embarrassed state because he squeezed my sides once more and then released me with a small chuckle.

I moved back into my seat while Ashton stood next to my chair.

"So what have you two ladies been up to this evening?" Ashton quirked.

"We've been having a lovely chat, Carter was just telling me a story about her friend, Ari." Ann smiled.

"Mhmm." I nodded with a small smile. "And we had a nice dinner of pizza and wine."

"Sounds like you two have had a fun evening." Ash laughed and glanced over at our empty wine glasses.

"There's leftovers for you if you want it." I gestured to the pizza boxes on the counter.

"Great. Thanks." He pressed a smiley kiss to my cheek and then went to make himself a plate.

Ann winked at me and my blushing face before pouring us another glass each.

"Ashton!" Ender burst through the back door, Indie following close behind.

"Hey, mate!" Ashton leaned down as Ender threw his arms around his waist.

"I've been playing with Indie!" Ender told him and Ashton smiled at the little lad.

"Mate, that's awesome. Maybe if you're good for your sister and get ready for bed, then Indie can sleep with you tonight." Ashton suggested and looked up at me for approval.

"That's fine with me." I agreed and Ender grinned like a kid in a candy store. "Better go get ready for bed then, it's already ten." I added and Ender rushed off to the guest room.

"I'm gonna eat then head off to bed too." Ashton announced as he took his plate out of the microwave.

"I'll do the same."

Ann and I sat with Ashton as he ate and continued making small talk, sipping our wine as we did.

"Carter, I'm ready for bed!" Ender called out to me.

"I'll go tuck him in." I slipped off my stool and headed towards my little brother.

Ender was standing in the doorway in his Spider-Man pyjamas. He held his favourite stuffed Olaf under one arm and his dark curls were sticking out from where he rushed to put on his pyjamas.

"You ready, Bub?" I asked and he nodded profusely.

"Did you brush your teeth?" I raised an eyebrow and his eyes went wide before he ran off to find his toothbrush then run to the bathroom.

Ashton walked into the hallway as Ender breezed past him and he laughed at the spectacle. He stood silently by me as we waited for Ender to come back.

When he did he ran and jumped onto the bed.

"Okay, I'm ready now!" Ender bounced in his seat on the bed.

"Alright." I smiled.

"Indie!" Ashton called and the dog came loping into the room.

Ash set Indie on the bed and the dog immediately went up to lay down by the little boy.

"Night, End." I walked over and kissed his head.

"Night, Car." He replied and turned his attention to the dog that was curled up next to him.

I turned off the lights as I left and closed the door gently behind me.

"You ready for bed?" Ash asked and I nodded in reply.

He took my hand as he led me down the hallway to his room and closed the door behind us.

"Are you sure you're comfortable sleeping in here?" He asked as he tossed his suitcase on the bed. "Mum just assumed that this is where you would sleep but you don't have to." He offered the room change with a timid look.

"No it's okay." I answered myself more than I was answering him and smiled in return.

"Okay."

Ashton left the room to go brush his teeth and I took that time to change quickly into a black tank top and grey cotton shorts.

As he came back I left to wash my face and brush my own teeth and when I returned he had changed into grey basketball shorts but lacked a shirt.

I tried my best not to stare but I'm pretty sure he caught me eyeing him as he raised his arms to brush his hair back.

"Do you have a side of the bed?" I asked just to fill the silence.

"I sleep on the left." He answered.

"Well that's good because I sleep on the right." I smirked and he moved across the room so he could place his hands on my hips and pull me closer to him.

"Three weeks is definitely too long to wait to see this beautiful face. I don't want to do it again." He placed a hand on my cheek and looked down into my eyes.

"Then don't." I replied and leaned up so I could kiss him.

This time that our lips connected was much more passionate than our quick kiss in the kitchen. No, this time was more intense and feverish.

His fingers gripped at the strip of skin that was showing from where my shirt raised when I wrapped my arms around his neck.

Every part of me was awake and longing for the feel of his lips. I allowed my hands to roam up and down his bare chest.

When our air ran out and we parted so we could breathe, Ashton leaned his forehead against mine.

"Hmm, has someone had too much wine today?" He chuckled lightly.

"Nope." I giggled.

"Sure you didn't." He winked and I smacked his chest lightly.

"Shut up." I laughed.

He kissed me one more time before we both went to our sides of the bed. I couldn't deny that my heart was pounding in my chest.

Yes, we had slept in the same bed (or more like sofa) before, but it was never deliberate. This time was an official decision and a step forward in this relationship, in my opinion, but I was ready to take it.

--

A/N: Yay Carter and Ashton are reunited at last! haha
Don't forget to vote if you want and comment your opinion on their ship name(:
So far I've come up with Cash or Asher but you can vote on one of those or come up with your own(:

Thanks so much for reading, the next part will be up soon. -M