My morning started off in a scramble.

Our alarm went off as scheduled but the sound was low so we didn't hear it until twenty minutes past the time.

Then Gracie had wet the bed sometime in the night so I then had to get both her and Ender cleaned up and change the sheets before I could even shower.

Ashton took over from there to pack a bag for Gracie and get her dressed and ready for the day while I scrubbed myself clean and then blowed my hair dry.

I dressed in Ashton's hoodie and some yoga pants before putting Gracie's bag over her shoulders.

"Okay, i'll call you later." I went to kiss Ender then Ashton.

"Okay. Love you." Ashton kissed me back and I then rushed out the door with Gracie, taking a coffee to go.

The driver had the information on where to take me and we arrived at a studio downtown.

I got Gracie out of her car seat and then held her hand as I walked inside the building.

Following the sound of voices I walked down a hall and then into a large room where Harry, Becca and a lot of other people were moving about.

"Hey." I walked up to Harry, tugging my little Gracie along.

"Hey!" He hugged me. "Okay so go find Becca and she will get you into hair and makeup." He said and I nodded.

"Uncle Harry!" Gracie grinned and he bent down to hug her before I took her hand again and went to find Becca.

I found her standing over by the makeup tables  and hugged her tightly.

"Oh it's so good to see you." She hugged me back. "How are you doing?"

"I'm good. Sorry we haven't been in touch for a while."

"Car you were going through a lot, you needed to be with Gracie. But i'm so glad everything worked out, I was praying for you."

"Thank you. That means so much to me." I smiled and she kissed my cheek.

"Aunt Becca!" Gracie looked up at her in awe and Becca bent down to hug her.

"Aw, Gracie I missed you."

Gracie beamed at this and Becca squeezed her extra tight before I set Gracie in a makeup chair next to me while I sat in one.

Becca got to work on straightening out my curls while I gave Gracie my phone to play with.

"So how are you and Ashton?" Becca asked me.

"We're good." I smiled happily, thinking about last night. "We got tattoos last night."

"No way!" Let me see yours!" She gasped and I carefully lifted my shirt so she could see.

"Aw, I like it. It's small and understated but has a meaning and it's not like tacky. It's sweet." She smiled. "What did Ashton get?"

I took my phone from Gracie to show her Ashton's tattoo which she liked as well.

"You two are so perfect for each other." She said and then sighed. "I wish I had a fiancé who loved me like that."

"Becca you'll find someone. How every guy isn't fawning over you is beyond me."

She laughed.

"Hey, how's it going over here?" Harry then strolled up.

"Good." Becca and I both smiled at him.

"Great. Car, if you need anything then you can ask Jack," He pointed to an asian guy with an ipad in his hands, "and he will get it for you."

"Okay." I smiled and he leaned against the counter. "You good, Hare? You look kinda tired."

"I'm fine." He said.

"Don't lie to me." I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Okay I didn't sleep last night, but I'll be fine." He admitted and I frowned.

"Why didn't you sleep?"

"I was just trying to make sure everything was set up and ready for today."

"Please don't stress about this, okay? I am extremely low maintenance and I have all the faith in the world in you. So relax."

"Okay." He nodded.

"Now go take a nap or something and I'll get you when I'm done with hair and makeup."

"Alright." He sighed with a little smile and then squeezed my hand before walking over to a sofa to lay down.

I shook my head and Becca chuckled before resuming her work on my hair.

Once she had my hair mostly straight we then got me into the first outfit which was a cute dress of black, white, and pink swirls with a jewelled bust and white stockings.

Once the dress was on she had me sit again so she could start on makeup, "glamming me up" as she said.

She then braided my hair in a loose braid, teasing my hair and making it look really cool.

I then got out of the chair and went over to Harry, waking him up.

He yawned and sat up, blinking his eyes a few times before downing an espresso shot and then standing up.

Becca had a pair of heels in her hand and her makeup pouch on her waist and jewellery in her other hand.

Harry then led me upstairs, Gracie following, and into a room with a green wall.

Becca helped me into the heels while Harry talked with the photographer and introduced us. His name was Nick.

Another girl helped put the necklace and bracelet on me before Nick walked me over to a corner of the room where he had me sit and then went back and forth from the camera to me, adjusting things like my body placement and the position of my clothes and jewellery while Gracie stood next to Harry who was watching me.

Nick had Becca add a little more blush and then the photo taking began.

I listened intently to what Nick was telling me to do with my hand placements and facial expressions because I had no idea what I was doing and he knew more about this than I did.

"She just has that natural, timeless look." Harry said to Becca who nodded.

Nick was standing over me adjusting me again when Gracie came over to me.

"Mommy, I want juice."

"Okay, you have a sippy cup of juice in Baby Bear." I told her. "Have Uncle Harry take you."

She ran back to Harry who had the guy Jack from earlier go get Gracie's teddy bear back pack so she could have her juice.

Once Nick was satisfied with this look I was then taken back downstairs to change outfits and makeup then back up to do more photos.

After an hour we took a break so I could change again when I heard noises and looked to see Ashton and Ender walking in.

"Daddy!" Gracie ran over to him and he caught her in a hug.

"Hey baby girl, are you having fun with Mommy?"

"Mhmm." She nodded with a smile. "I get to play makeup and dress up!"

"You're just having the best day ever aren't you." He chuckled and then came over to me. "Hey."

"Hey." I smiled as he leaned down for a kiss.

"How's it going so far?"

"Good. It's fun." I smiled at him brightly. "Hey bro." I then turned my attention to Ender who had a coffee in his hand and a brown paper sack.

"We brought you lunch." He handed me the bag which contained a salad and then the coffee.

"Thank you." I kissed his cheek.

I ate my salad while Ashton sat next to me and held Gracie and then Becca began to work on my hair again, adding a slight curl to it.

I left to change clothes and then Harry came back in the room.

"Okay, you ready?" He asked and I nodded with a smile.

Harry went to go upstairs and I went to follow when Ashton pulled me back.

"Why is Harry here?"

"He's my manager." I said and he raised his eyebrows.

"Oh." He said and then shook his head before following me up.

Ashton stood off to the side and watched me as Nick and Harry discussed how to position me and then the flashes went off.

I wanted to look at Ashton but I had to look at the camera, so when I got a break I looked to see him smiling and taking a couple pictures with his phone.

Sometimes he acted like a proud dad with me.

When we were done with this outfit we went downstairs where Ashton came to hug me goodbye.

"I'm glad you stopped by." I said as I hugged him in my private dressing room in only my under shorts and a sports bra.

"Me too. I kind of like seeing this new side of you." He smirked and I laughed.

I put on a little robe before following him out.

"So tonight since you are leaving me for a week, I got the guys to keep the kids so you and I can..." He trailed off as I leaned against a counter and pulled him close to me.

"We can..." I teased him and he smiled before moving in to kiss me hotly.

I felt my muscles turn to jello as I melted into his hands and his tongue tangled with mine.

I wrapped my legs around his waist and placed my hands on his cheeks as the make out session continued but the sound of someone clearing their throat had us break it.

Harry was standing there with an awkward yet serious expression.

"We only have the studio for two more hours." He said and I nodded.

"Okay. I've gotta go." I told Ashton and he kissed me once more.

"Okay. I'll call you when I'm going to the hotel." He said.

"Okay. See you later. Love you."

"Love you too. Have fun." He waved and then Ender hugged me before they left.

I finished getting ready for the last look with Becca's assistance and then was leading Gracie upstairs alongside Harry who finally spoke after being silent for about twenty minutes straight.

"You're leaving for a week?"

"Yeah, its spring holiday next week and I have tours back home."

"Oh." He nodded. "I was hoping we could hang out."

"Sorry." I frowned but he replaced his sad look with a smile.

Upstairs we did the final shoot and then Nick showed me some of the shots they had taken and honestly I never thought I could ever look like that.

I felt pretty.

After the shoot I went to change and exited the dressing room to see Harry and Becca talking. They were laughing and smiling and I thought they would make a good couple.

Harry left to go talk to Nick and I walked up to Becca, smirking.

"What if I set you up on a date with Harry?" I asked her and she started to laugh.

"Um, he's not really my type, and besides he's dating Jenna Taylor." She giggled but I froze.

"Wait, he's dating Jenna?"

"You didn't know?" She stopped laughing. "I figured he would've told you that."

"No." I said in a bitter tone and looked over at Harry, my eyes narrowed.

I know I had forgiven Jenna, but I still didn't particularly like her, especially after she had tried to basically steal Ashton back right in front of me. And after all of those things she said about me how could Harry even think about dating her?

I didn't want to talk to him or even be around him now and I gathered Gracie before finding Nick to tell him thank you before getting the hell out of there.

At the hotel I got a call from Ashton who said he was on his way back and I was relieved. I wanted to talk to him about this and see if I was overreacting.

"Mommy, I want to play dress up like you." Gracie crawled up into my lap as I sat down on the sofa and I smiled at her.

"You want to play dress up like me?" I laughed and she nodded up at me with a smile.

"You're sweet." I kissed her forehead and then held her close as she snuggled up to me, and the two of us ended up falling asleep.

I awoke from my nap to the feeling of Ashton's hand stroking my face.

Opening my eyes I saw him above me and felt his legs underneath my head.

"Someone's tired." He smiled down at me and my cheeks flared in a blush.

"Hi." I stretched my arms above my head and he placed his hand on my stomach.

"You slept through dinner, the kids are already in the guys room." He said and I looked about to see it was just us.

"Oh."

"I'll order you something from room service." He offered and I nodded.

"I'm going to go take a shower."

I slipped in to the bathroom to wash off the makeup and stress from today, hoping this would make me feel better but it didn't.

How could Harry betray me like that?

Once I had stepped from the shower and dried off I stood and looked at myself in the mirror, letting my fingers graze over to the two inch tall letter A on my side.

"Hey, your foods here." The bathroom door opened and Ashton walked in, seeing me standing there looking at my tattoo.

His lips set into a small smile and I watched as he stepped forward and then moved down to press a kiss where the tattoo was.

I let out a breath as he kissed the inked skin for a bit and then moved his lips up to my neck and then my lips.

We broke the kiss so he could undress and then he lifted me up to carry me to the bed, laying me down on the soft sheets.

Closing my eyes I let myself get lost in the feeling of his lips kissing my skin. This was just what I needed to get my best friends betrayal off my mind.

Ashton caressed me and touched me gently, tenderly, and lovingly, making my mind go blank and my body feel at ease.

When his mouth went to a place that had me seeing stars I let out a moan of pleasure letting the euphoria take over me.

Since I wouldn't be seeing Ashton for a week I wanted to treat him properly and I then took my turn pleasing him, Ashton panting and moaning at this.

Once I had got him to the point where I wanted him he flipped us so that he was on top of me and then the real love making began.

My lips landed on his chest, kissing his tattoo as he moved his body against and with mine, both of us getting pleasure from the other.

It ended in a crash of euphoria and fulfilment and as we caught our breath I laid on his chest, my mind now in a million places.

"Are you okay?" He asked after a few minutes.

"Yeah." I whispered.

"You seem upset about something..." He trailed off, his voice sounding nervous. "Did I not do something or was it not good for you-" He began.

"No. No that's not it at all." I shook my head and sat up, bringing the sheet with me. "It was amazing as always Ashton, really, I'm just a little distracted."

"What's going on?" He furrowed his eyebrows as he sat up as well.

I sighed.

"Harry is dating Jenna." I sighed and Ashton's eyes went wide. "And I know I forgave her for what she said but I still don't think she's a very good person and I just wish he would've at least talked to me about it. I thought we were closer then that."

"Oh, baby Im sorry." Ashton moved to put his arms around my shoulders and pull me into his arms.

"Am I overreacting?" I asked.

"No. You have every right to be upset. He should've discussed that with you knowing you had a history with her."

"I just...I thought he was my friend."

"I'm sorry love." He kissed my forehead.

Ashton held me for a long time,  continuing to let me feel immersed in his love before we showered together and I ate my dinner.

"I'm sad you're going home tomorrow."

"I am too now." I frowned and he kissed me a few more times before bringing back the kids.

I had never been away from Gracie for a week and I was scared of how that was going to work.

I knew Ashton would be able to handle her but still, she was my baby and I wanted to be with her.

I took Gracie up in my arms after I had played with her and then given her a bath and sat down on the kids bed, rocking her back in forth in my arms.

Her head rested on my chest and she reached up a hand to play with my hair as I swayed her in my arms.

"Mommy you tell me story." She said as she looked up at me.

"A story." I chuckled. "What story do you want to hear?"

"You and Daddy." She smiled back and I looked up at Ashton who was standing across the room.

"Ash." I called him over and he sat down next to me. "Someone wants to hear the story of how Mommy and Daddy met." I said and he grinned at Gracie, reaching over to tickle her little tummy.

"You do?" He laughed when she started to squeal. "Okay then, so one day-"

"You say once upon a time." Gracie corrected him.

"Oh, you're right. So Once upon a time, a boy named Ashton, that's me," he leaned over to whisper in her ear to make her laugh, "well I went on vacation to an island called Haven Harbour with my best friends Luke, Michael, and Calum. We were going surfing and swimming and having fun, and one day we had an appointment to go on an underwater diving tour."

She gasped and pulled on my shirt causing me to laugh.

"And that same morning, I woke up ready for the first day of the summer season and to give tours to people. So Ender and I got the boat ready and waited for our first customer,
and then in walked your Daddy and your uncles."

"And then you say I love you!" She grinned as she bounced happily.

"Well we didn't say that yet." I chuckled. "I didn't know your Daddy yet."

"But you love him?" She frowned.

"Well I thought he was very funny and sweet. And Ender liked him a lot."

"But you Enders Mommy and Daddy, and he my big brother." She said.

"No, remember I am Enders sister. Grandpa James and Grandma Megan are our Mommy and Daddy. But Ender calls us his Mommy and Daddy because we take care of him. And we say that he is your big brother because he acts like he is. Does that make sense?"

She nodded primly. "But you love Mommy?" She then asked Ashton.

"Mhmm." He nodded at her with a smile and she gasped happily.

"Ashton." I shook my head.

"What? It's true. I loved you from the moment I looked at you."

I rolled my eyes and let out a little laugh.

"So anyways, Daddy and I met and then started to hang out with each other. And one night he took me out on a date, our very first date, and I knew that I liked him a lot."

"You love him?" She asked.

"Almost." I chuckled.

"And then I asked your Mommy to be my girlfriend, and we dated for a little bit, and then you came along, and then we got engaged." Ashton said.

"So you love him now?"

"Mhmm. Yes I loved him." I kissed her head.

"And you have baby that me." She pointed at herself and we nodded. "And baby go in the tummy!" She giggled and then moved her head over to my stomach. "Baby! Baby!" She patted my stomach and Ashton and I both laughed.

"What are you doing silly girl?" I placed my hand on her head.

"I talk to baby." She smiled up at me.

"Well there's no baby in there right now, love."

"Yes there is." She said and I shook my head.

"We will tell you when there is a baby in Mommy's tummy okay? And you can talk to it and sing to it all day long." Ashton told her.

"But I sing to baby now."

"There's no baby Gracie." I told her but she just smiled and laid her head on my stomach, smiling away.

"She's something else." I shook my head at Ashton who laughed, kissing my head as we loved on Gracie.

I went to bed that night feeling a lot better than I had when I had gotten back to the hotel.

I noticed a missed call from Harry and a text asking why I hadn't said goodbye to him before I left but I ignored them and went to sleep.

In the morning I began to pack alongside Ender for our trip home.

Ashton held a pouting Gracie who kept her bottom lip poked out all morning as she watched me pack.

I was sad to leave her and Ashton but I had no choice.

Ender packed his bag up and Ashton set it by the door while I finished mine and then went across the hall to say goodbye to Luke, Michael, and Calum who each gave me a tight hug.

Back across the hall I lifted Gracie up to set her on my waist. I carried her around, her little arms hugging my neck, as I finished gathering the last few things and the bellhop came to get our luggage.

We made our way to the car, Ashton double checking that Ender and I had our passports and tickets before we got inside the vehicle.

The ride to the airport went by all too fast and soon we were walking through security and terminals and found our gate.

When we arrived they began to board and then this was the daunted moment.

Ender hugged Gracie and then Ashton who kissed his head.

"Be good for your sister and do your homework and I'll call you everyday, okay? I love you."

"I love you too." Ender smiled and I then went to my little girl who was now holding onto my hand.

"I'm going to miss you so much sweetheart." I crouched down and took her face in my hands.

"I miss you too, Mommy." She smiled at me and I felt the tears come to my eyes.

"Are you excited to have a whole Daddy-Gracie week?" I asked and she nodded happily. "Good. Now you be a sweet girl for Daddy and your uncles, don't get in trouble and I will talk to you everyday, okay honey?"

"Okay, Mommy." She continued to smile.

"I love you." I kissed her forehead, both cheeks and then her lips.

"I love you Mommy." She kissed me back and I then hugged her to me tightly.

Standing up I watched Gracie step towards Ashton who patted her head and then moved to bring me into his arms.

"I'm going to miss you." I sighed as my cheek pressed to his chest and his arms wound around my back.

"I'm going to miss you too." He breathed and kissed the top of my head.

"Don't have too much fun without me." I said and he laughed.

"Call me when you land, my mom will be picking you up."

"Okay." I gave him a little smile and he leaned his head down to lock his lips to mine.

"I love you baby, so much."

"I love you too." I said back and felt the tears coming so I placed my face in his neck to hide them.

"Don't cry. It's just a week. We've done this before. We'll be okay." He assured me as he rubbed a hand up and down my back.

"I know, I'm just really going to miss you."

"We'll be okay." He said again and kissed my lips.

"Flight 782 for Sydney. Final boarding." I heard the mechanical voice say and Ashton let me go.

I stepped back and took Enders hand in mine.

"We'll see you guys in a week." Ashton gave a smile but I could tell he was sad.

"See you." I smiled back. "Bye Gracie." She waved her little hand as Ashton picked her up and as Ender and I walked to the line.

We showed the flight attendant our passports and tickets and I looked back as we were about to walk into the tunnel to see Gracie with her head resting on Ashton's shoulder.

He was saying something to her and then looked up to catch my eyes, giving me a smile.

"I love you." He mouthed to me and I did the same back before stepping into the tunnel, losing sight of him and our daughter.

Ender continued to hold my hand until we got to our seats.

I sniffled as I stared at the window at the airport, a couple tears rolling down my cheeks.

"Car, are you okay?" Ender asked me in a quiet voice and I turned to look at him.

"Yeah, I'm just going to miss them." I gave him a sad smile before he leaned over to hug me.

"I'll miss them too." He said and I squeezed his shoulders, kissing his hair.

I heard my phone go off and looked to see I had a text from Ashton.

It was a photo of Gracie standing on a chair, looking at our plane from the window.

'Missing you already. We love you so much. Smile for me, okay? Don't forget to call me when you land. And put your phone on airplane mode! Love you Car!'

'Love you too!' I sent back and then put my phone on airplane mode.

As the plane began to make its way to the runway I took Enders hand in mine, squeezing it.

When the plane began to drive fast I took a deep breath, feeling my stomach drop as we lifted into the air; leaving my fiancé and daughter behind me as we flew back to our home without them.

--

Sad ending :(

What do you think about Harry dating Jenna? How will this affect their friendship and Carters career?

How do you think Ashton and Gracie will do being without Carter and Ender and vice versa?

Will Carter regret going home?

More to come!!

Much love xx-m