Ashton's PoV:

Yesterday had been so much fun having Carter and the kids at the studio with us.

I couldn't believe I had actually gotten Carter to sing, and I was planning on making her voice prominent in the song. I was giving her vocal credit and also writing credit since it was all about her.

The band had also decided to put Gracie's lullaby as a hidden track on the album. It was cute because the way we recorded it was so the listener could hear Gracie and I talking to each other and singing together, and Carter talking to us. Gracie would be receiving writing credit and vocal credit for that as well.

Today I was at the studio again working on another song that I had written about Carter and hadn't played for her yet called Vapour that I would get to surprise her with.

Carter was staying at the hotel with the kids while I worked, and honestly one of the blessings of us winning this court battle was that we had way less to pay in legal fees since Robert Ramone now had to cough up the money.

I turned my attention back to the boys who were writing another song while we waited for a mechanical issue to be worked out.

"Yeah, and what if you did a diamond strum there." Calum's said as I watched them, waiting to start writing the second verse.

My phone rang in my pocket and I pulled it out to see it was Carter calling me.

"It's the wife." I said and answered the phone, putting it on speaker. "Hey babe."

"Hey." She said. "Do you think you can go to the store for me on your way back? I just need one thing."

"Yeah what do you need?"

"A box of tampons."

A chorus of Hey, Ew, and Gross sounded from all of the guys in the room.

"Oh shut up!" Carter fired back at them.

"Shouldn't you have another two weeks left?" I questioned and the guys whined again.

"Why the hell do you know that?" Calum looked at me with a disgusted look.

"I'm engaged to her!" I smacked the side of his head.

"It's not for that." Carter explained. "My version of arts and crafts with our daughter was gluing cotton balls to coloured paper to make clouds. Hers was getting my box of tampons, ripping them to shreds and then gluing them to the walls of our hotel room."

"Oh my God." I tried not to laugh.

"It's not funny." She whined. "I don't know what her deal is but she's being a menace."

At that I heard a scream come from Gracie.

"Gracie you do NOT scream in hotel rooms, there are people next door and that's rude. Now sit down in the corner." Carters mother voice came through.

"Yikes." I widened my eyes.

"Honestly I can't with her today. She threw her cereal everywhere, she followed me around while I tried to clean it up crying because of I don't know why, she's thrown around all of her toys, then the tampon thing, now she's sitting in timeout where she's been for an hour because I told her every time she talks I'm adding another minute. And I'm scraping freaking tampons off walls."

"I'm sorry, baby." I frowned, I could hear Gracie crying in the background.

"Gracie stop!" Carter told her before groaning. "I want to cry."

"Put Gracie on the phone." I told Carter.

"Gracie, Daddy wants to talk to you." Carter said and I heard Gracie's voice.

"Daddy?"

"Gracie. Are you being a bad girl today?"

"No!"

"Really? Because that's not what Mommy told me."

"Mommy say me in timeout."

"Yeah, because you got in Mommy's things and made a mess."

"No!"

"Gracie, you do not say no to me. Now listen. If I have to come home from work early because you're being a bad girl you are going to be in a lot of trouble."

"No!" She shouted again before I heard a weird noise.

"Gracie!" Carter yelled at her. "She just threw my phone across the room."

I sighed.

"Do you need me to come back?"

"No, but you might not have a child when you get back."

I snorted.

"I'll try and hurry up."

"Okay, love you."

"Love you."

I hung up the phone and then ran a hand over my face, shaking my head.

"I'm gonna go guys, Carter needs help." I sighed before standing up.

"We'll go with you." Luke said and they began to pack up all of their stuff.

I made the stop at the drug store on the way back to get Carter her tampons.

When we got back to the hotel room I opened the door to see our hotel room a mess.

I could hear Gracie crying and I walked through to the bedroom to see Carter trying not to cry herself.

"She is driving me crazy." Carter said as she walked towards me.

"Daddy!" Gracie said and stood up to come towards me when Carter whipped around.

"Darcy Grace, you are still in timeout, go sit down right now!"

"No!" Gracie whined and Carter stomped her foot in aggravation.

"Gracie, lets go." I led her over to the timeout
corner and had her sit.

"I don't want time out!" Gracie whined again.

"Well you should've thought of that before you acted like a bad girl. Now you will sit here until I say you can come out of time out. No talking."

Gracie cried but I had to ignore it as I walked away and back over to Carter.

"I'm meeting Harry in three hours and I haven't even showered yet." She said with her arms across her stomach as she watched Gracie.

"Okay, well go shower and I'll watch her." I kissed her forehead and she nodded before heading to the bathroom.

I found the book on teenagers that I was reading since Carter had read it and got a few pages in when the guys walked in.

"Uncle Lukey-" Gracie jumped up to hug them.

"Sit down." I told Gracie firmly and she pouted as she plopped herself back down on the floor.

Michael turned on the television and he and the guys sat down on the sofa while I went back to my book.

Ender was working with his tutor in the hotels computer room so he could take an online test so I didn't have to worry about him.

Gracie kept whining and trying to get mine and her uncles attention but we all ignored her.

Fifteen minutes later I was snapped from my book when I heard Carter scream and then the bathroom door slam and I looked up to see Michael running from the door.

It flung open and Carter, wrapped in a towel, stepped out.

"Oh my god! Don't you ever knock?! What the hell Michael?!" She yelled at him.

Michael ran out the door and I furrowed my eyebrows as it slammed shut.

"What did he do?" I asked.

"I was drying off and he walked in there!"

"Okay-"

"Ashton, I was naked! He saw me naked! Oh my god!"

"Okay. Calm down." I walked over to her and placed my hands on her shoulders.

"No I can't calm down, he saw me naked. I-" She said absolutely distraught and I backed her into the bathroom and closed the door behind me.

"Okay, why are you freaking out so badly? It was one second, he probably didn't see much, it's okay." I tried to assure her.

"No that's not it!" She sniffled.

"Then what is it?" I asked.

"You're the only one who's supposed to see me like that." She whispered and I couldn't help but smile.

"And I am." I kissed her forehead. "But I swear he probably didn't see anything, and I will be the only one who ever gets to see that cute little ass of yours, alright?"

She laughed at this and leaned into me so I could hug her.

"You okay?"

"Yeah." She sighed. "Thank you."

"Of course." I kissed her and then squeezed her waist. "Now get ready."

I left her to go get ready and told Luke to
watch Gracie while I went across the hall where as soon as Michael saw me he ran.

"Dude, relax. I'm not mad." I said and he stopped.

"You're not?"

"No. Just go in there, apologise, and say you didn't see anything and forget it happened."

"But I saw everything." His eyes were wide.

"And you will forget what you saw and tell her you saw nothing."

He nodded.

"Okay." He began to walk towards the door. "She has a little tummy."

"I know."

"And her butt is cute." He poked out his bottom lip.

"I know." I sighed and patted his back as we walked back across the hall.

Michael apologised to Carter and promised to knock first before walking in.

Once Carter was ready Ender came back from taking his test, Carter kissed him, me, and a pouting Gracie before taking off.

Things were definitely looking up for the Irwin-Chase family, and I really hoped it stayed that way.

Carters PoV:

Leaving the hotel I made my way to the car and gave the driver the address Harry had sent me.

'Paps outside. Pull up to the gate. Passcode number is 535.'

I read Harry's message and relayed the information to the driver who nodded.

Soon enough we pulled up to a white bricked house with a tall black iron fence and gate. There were a few fans and paparazzi outside but the driver pulled into the drive, rolled down the window to press the gate passcode and it opened, allowing us to drive in before it closed behind me. The driver drove to the end of the drive where there was a side door to the house and I got out of the car, going up to the white door and knocking.

"Well well, if it isn't Halle Chase." Harry opened the door with a smirk.

"I'm not coming in until you call me Carter." I smiled smugly.

"Fine. Come in, Carter." He laughed after we stared each other down for a few moments.

He opened the door wider and I followed him inside the house.

"So this is where the famous Harry Styles lives. Wow, I am incredibly honoured to be here." I said and he rolled his eyes.

"Would you like a tour?" He asked.

"A tour? Oh my god I get a tour of Harry Styles' house? Omg!" I made my voice sound more nasal and high pitched and Harry rolled his eyes again.

"Shut up, Carter. Come on." He shoved my shoulder gently and I laughed as I followed him through an entry way where there was a dining room on my left. The floors were black hard wood and the walls white, the outside colours continuing inside.

"So this is obviously the dining room." He said with a small smile on his lips.

"Very nice." I smiled back, running my hand over the wood of his black painted wooden dining room table.

He then led me out of the dining room to the kitchen and my jaw dropped.

"Holy crap!"

He laughed at my expression.

The cabinets were black and the counters were a black and white marble swirl, stainless shell for all of the fixtures and appliances.

"This kitchen is bigger than the entire downstairs of my house." I said, still in awe.

"I don't know why I got one so big, I never use it." He shrugged.

"What?! Why not?"

"I can't cook."

I stared at him in shock.

"Okay, that's not acceptable."

"Whatever. Come on, let's see the rest of it."

He led me then to the living room across from the kitchen where there was a black marble fire place, plenty of plush furniture, and elaborate decor.

Then we went up stairs where he showed me the several bathrooms, media room, game room, and then to the master bedroom.

"So this is my room." He said as he opened the door and I walked in first.

His bed was massive, the comforter white and soft, and there was a sofa, two arm chairs, and a coffee table by a window.

"Wow. I could sleep here." I laughed as I sat on the bed and he joined in my laughter.

"Okay, I have one more room to show you." He took my hand to pull me up and then led me down the hall and as he was about to open the door he stopped and I ran into him.

"Why are you always running in to me?" He frowned and I laughed but stopped when he got serious. "So, I've never let anyone else in here. Like never. So this means I really trust you."

"Okay." I gave him a smile and he opened the door to let me inside.

This room was different than all of the rest.

The walls were dark wood panels and the floor was covered with a red rug.

There was a beat up green leather couch, a bean bag, several bookcases filled with books, a few guitars and a television.

"This is where I spend most of my free time."

I walked in to the room, looking about the space. I noticed there were a lot of journals along with books and I turned back to see Harry leaning against the door frame watching me.

"I like it." I smiled and he joined in. "So why don't you let anyone in here?"

"Because it's private, but i'll always make an exception for you."

"Weirdo." I laughed. "Come on."

I walked back downstairs and to the kitchen where I sat on one of the bar stools.

"So what are we doing tonight?"

"Well, I have several movies for us to choose from, we can order in Chinese food, of course, and then i'm going to convince you to do modelling." He smirked angelically.

"Whatever."

"I'll order the food, you can go pick a movie." He smiled and I headed over to the living room where I looked through the cabinet to find the movies but I couldn't find them.

"Harry, where are the movies?"

"They're upstairs." He called back to me and I went up to the media room where I looked through films until I found one that made me smirk.

I put it in the the dvd player in his special room and then went back downstairs.

"What did you decide on?" He asked me.

"You'll see." I smiled and he narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"Okay then. So about modelling-" He began and I groaned. "Just hear me out. I think this could be really good for you. You're a public figure, a lot of people know you, you're beautiful and have a great personality. And I can get your foot in the door."

"I'm just not comfortable." I shook my head.

"Are you not comfortable or are you not confident?" He bluntly asked and I didn't know how to respond.

"Lets make a deal. You go have a meeting with the agency, if they like you we'll do one shoot and if you hate it I'll never bring it up again and you can hold it over my head for the rest of my life, but if you like it then I want you to try and keep going."

I stared at him for a minute, contemplating, and then I remembered what Ashton had said. "If this is something you're interested in then I want you to go for it."

"Fine." I sighed and Harry grinned at his success.

"Now where's the food. You made me cranky."

"You're a literal child." He scoffed and I gave him a fake smile.

We waited around downstairs for a little longer until the food arrived and Harry went to get it, coming back in with a large brown paper sack.

"Food!" I clapped as he walked in and he chuckled at my childishness and then the two of us walked upstairs into the little room, making ourselves comfortable on the floor.

We leaned against the sofa as we spread the food out in front of us and then I pressed play on the remote.

"The Princess Diaries?!" Harry exclaimed once it came on. "You're kidding me! Carter you can't be serious?!"

Laughter fell from my lips.

"You said I could pick!"

"Anything but this! Ugh!" He groaned and I continued to laugh.

He rolled over onto the floor to fake cry and I pulled out my phone to video him when he rolled on his back and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Now Harry, why are you angry?" I teased and he looked straight ahead as he muttered.

"You're making me watch dumb movies." He muttered

"The Princess Diaries is a classic."

"No it's not." He looked up at me and rolled his eyes.

"Yes it is."

"No!" He whined and then grabbed the blanket to throw it over his face, making me laugh.

I stopped recording and set my phone down then moved the blanket from over his face, his innocent yet grumpy gaze appearing.

"Please watch The Princess Diaries with me?" I batted my eyelashes adorably, something that always worked with Ashton and finally Harry whined as he sat up, crossing his arms as he watched the screen.

We ate our Chinese takeout and as the movie progressed I could see Harry finally lose his grumpy resolve and watch the movie normally, even smiling or chuckling at some parts.

"See, you're enjoying it." I nudged his shoulder with my own.

"Whatever, Chase." He rolled his eyes and then dropped his arm on the sofa so it was behind me.

I had a blanket and was snuggling into it to keep myself warm.

"You know, I don't bite. If you're cold you can share my blanket." He said and I nodded, Harry lifting up his blanket and letting me scoot over so that he could put it over me.

"T-thanks." I shivered.

"You should really see a doctor about that."

"I should but I'm really sick of doctors and hospitals."

It was silent for a bit except for the movie and finally I remembered something.

"I forgot to thank you for being there to support us at the custody hearing."

"It was no bother." He shrugged and from our close proximity his shoulder bumped mine.

"Still, it meant a lot to both of us. We needed all of the support we could get at that time."

"So how is it now? Does it feel like you're officially the parents?"

"Yeah, but we always knew." I smiled.

We went back to watching and I could see Harry lean forward as we watched and I laughed as he began to comment on what was happening.

"That Josh guy is a prick." Harry pointed at the screen and I managed to get a picture in my giggling state and then went to my Instagram to share the video I had taken earlier and the photo that I captioned 'Now he likes the movie.'

"I don't like the movie, I'm tolerating it. Just like how I tolerate your attitude."

I smacked his arm playfully and the two of us laughed.

When the movie was over we cleaned up and took our trash downstairs to throw it away. The sound of my phone ringing  from where it lay on the counter tore me away and I went to get it, seeing Ashton's name on the screen.

"Hey babe." I answered with a smile.

"Hey. How's friend night with Harry going?" I could hear his smile as well.

"Good. We're having fun."

"I'm glad. We'll I just wanted to let you tell Gracie goodnight because she's in bed in her pyjamas and wanted to hear her Mommys' voice."

"Aw." I laughed. "Put me on speaker."

"Okay, you're on."

"Hi Gracie."

"Mommy!" I heard her gasp and then Ashton laugh.

"Well I wanted to tell you goodnight, and that I love you very much."

"You give me kiss?"

"I'll give you a kiss when I get back from Uncle Harry's."

"Okay Mommy."

"Did Daddy read you a story?"

"Mhmm."

"And sing you your lullaby?"

"Yes!" She giggled.

"Well then you're all set to go to bed." I smiled.

"I love you Mommy."

"I love you too baby girl. Go to sleep and I'll be back soon to give you a kiss."

"Okay Mommy."

"Alright, see you later babe." Ashton said.

"See you, bye Ash."

"Love you."

"Love you too."

I hung up the phone and then heard Harry close the pantry door behind me.

"Do you have to go?" He asked quietly.

"Not yet." I smiled. "But I had an idea."

"What?"

"I am going to teach you to cook." 

"Good luck. Many have tried and many have failed."

"Well I don't give up easily." I smiled proudly and he shook his head to laugh.

"Okay. Your first lesson is tonight. Now let's see what you have."

I went to his walk in pantry and looked at the contents and then moved to the fridge.

"Well, you have everything we would need to bake a cake. We could do that."

"We can try."

"Alright then. So let's get out all of our ingredients."

Harry and I found everything we needed and measured them out before setting them on the counter in two groups: wet ingredients and dry ingredients.

It took us forever to figure out how to pre-heat his oven (since he had never done it before) and then we mixed everything together before putting the batter in a pan and putting it in the oven to bake.

We set a timer and took seats at the bar to wait.

"So can I ask you a question, and you don't have to answer if you don't want, but I'm just curious?" He asked.

"Sure."

"Now I don't want to bad mouth Ashton in any way because I think he's a great guy, but why did you stay with him after he lied to you about the band?"

I gave him a half smile.

"Because in that situation it wasn't just me I had to think about, I also had to think about the repercussions it would have on the kids if I broke up with him. Ashton is just a really important part of my life and the kids lives and as much as I was angry and hurt, I couldn't do that to myself and the kids. We need him."

"So do you trust him?"

"Of course I trust him, he's my fiancé. I'm going to be spending a very long time with him and trust is a pretty big part of any relationship."

"Have you set a date for your wedding?" He asked in a quieter voice.

"Not yet." I said and his eyes went wide and then he furrowed his eyebrows before looking at me.

"Why not?"

"Because when Ashton proposed we agreed to a  long engagement so he and I could get past the whole lying thing and then get some more time under our belts. He really wants to set the date but I still think we are too young."

"But if you love each other then why would it matter how old you are?" 

"It's not really the age that I want, it's the amount of time we've been together before we get married."

"So how long do you want to wait?"

"Well we got engaged when we had been together for five months, so I think maybe once we've been together a year? I don't know."

He nodded.

"So what about you, Harry? Any more dates?"

"I have one tomorrow night actually." He replied.

"Aw, with who?"

"It's a blind date. One of my friends set it up."

"Sounds interesting. You'll have to give me all the details." I smiled.

We talked for a bit longer until the oven timer beeped and I showed Harry how to see if the cake was done by sticking a toothpick in the centre, and if it came out clean it was ready.

While the cake cooled we made frosting and then iced it, Harry then deciding to cover it in sprinkles.

We applauded our work once we were done.

I took Harry's picture in front of the cake to commemorate the moment and shared it saying 'It's always a sweet time when you get to
bake cakes with your best friend.'

He smiled at that and then he took my picture as well.

We each had a slice before cutting the rest in half and putting it in a box for me to take back to the kids.

"Well I guess it's time for me to go." I sighed and began to walk to the door, Harry following me.

"I'm glad you came over." He smiled.

"Me too. We need to do this again."

"Definitely."

Once I reached the door I stopped and turned around to hug Harry.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow." He mumbled as he hugged me.

"Okay." I squeezed him then gave his cheek a friendly kiss.

He did the same before walking me out to the car, opening the door for me and then closing it .

The driver took me back to the hotel where I went up to our room, quietly opening and closing the door.

Walking in I set the cake container on the counter and then walked to where the beds were to see Gracie and Ender asleep in their bed and Ashton asleep in ours.

Quickly I changed clothes and took off my
makeup before putting on my glasses and going over to the kids bed.

I gave Gracie a kiss like I promised and then kissed Ender before going to my bed where I got beneath the covers.

Ashton moved once I did and I leaned over to kiss his cheek.

"Hey." He yawned and opened his eyes.

"Hey."

"How was the rest of your night?"

"Good. I brought some cake back."

"Oh, yum." He smiled.

"Go to sleep." I chuckled and kissed him properly. "I love you."

"I love you too." He moved to wind his arms around my body and pull me close to him, ending the night in my favourite place: his arms.

--

Any thoughts about Carters blossoming friendship with Harry and her decision to model?

Will this affect her relationship with Ashton?

More to come!

Much love xx-M