"So did you like it?" Ashton asked me once I closed the magazine.

"That was one of the sweetest interviews you've ever done." I said and he laughed. "Thank you." I leaned over and kissed him.

"Love you." He bumped his nose against mine.

We were then interrupted from our romantic moment by Gracie stepping up between us and putting her hand on my cheek.

"Mommy, its hot." She held up her hot chocolate to me.

"Okay, let me see." I took off the lid and blew on the drink for a few moments and then put the lid back on. "Try it now."

She took a sip and then smiled.

"Is it better?" I asked her and she nodded up at me with rosy cheeks and bright eyes. "Good. Go drink your hot chocolate with Ender."

She went back over to Ender and sat in the same chair as him.

"So you know how you said I should plan our engagement photos?" Ashton moved his chair closer to me so he could hold my hand in his lap. "Well I worked on that this week and I wanted to run over my plans with you."

"Okay." I smiled, tracing my fingers on his thigh.

"So we would be having two shoots, one in a hotel room and it's supposed to be like us in the morning where it's a little bit sensual and light and romantic. And then there would be a second one at night on the rooftop of the hotel where there will be lights and roses and a bit of a dramatic recreation of the night I proposed."

"That sounds sweet." I squeezed his hands.

"But I haven't told you the best part." He said and I raised my eyebrows at his secretive smile. "We would be doing the pictures in Paris."

"Paris?!" My eyes went wide. "Ashton won't that be really expensive?"

"We would just be buying the plane tickets and clothes. I've had photographers offer to take our engagement photos so I called them and told them my ideas and went with the one I liked best."

"Okay so when is this?"

"This weekend. I figured we could have a mini vacation, leave the kids with the guys for two days, and take our engagement photos."

"I think that sounds like a great idea." I smiled up at him.

"You really like it?"

"Yes. Ashton you are really creative and have amazing ideas that never fail to amaze me. This will be fun. I know you've put a lot of thought into this."

He smiled back at me and leaned in to kiss my forehead.

"Mommy, lets go play outside!" Gracie ran up to me.

"Okay, lets go." I stood up and lifted her in my arms. I held Gracie on one side and took Ashton's hand so he was on my other side, Ender next to him as we left the coffee shop.

There were a few paps out there still who began to follow us.

"Carter, where's your engagement ring?" One of them asked me and I rolled my eyes before flexing my fingers that were wrapped around Gracie's leg.

"On my hand." I replied and they began to take pictures but I put it back in its original position.

They continued to ask questions and Ashton and I were both getting annoyed.

"Are you separating? Is that why you left, Carter?"

"Are you ending the engagement?"

"Oh my God." Ashton sighed and then stopped walking so I stopped as well. He let go of my hand and walked around the other side of me to the pap who had asked the question.

"Listen to me," Ashton began, "We're not separating, I don't know where in the hell you got that idea. We are still very much engaged, and I would appreciate you stoping suggesting that we are not in front of our children. Now get your cameras out of my daughters face and go."

Ashton then began to walk us away, staying between me and the paps.

Ender took my hand and we walked away,
Gracie hugging my neck.

"Let's go in there." Ashton nodded to a department store and we quickly escaped the men with the cameras.

I set Gracie down once inside and she ran over to a toy display, Ashton chasing after her.

"Hey, you still hold my hand when we're in the store, okay?" He said to her and took her hand, walking back over to us.

We began to walk around, Gracie dragging Ashton everywhere to look at everything while Ender and I strolled along.

Gracie had a temper tantrum in the store because Ashton and I said no to getting her a toy, and we spent the rest of our day having lunch, shopping some more, then having dinner.

We then got to the hotel and as we walked down the hall to our room I squeezed Ashton's arm.

"So are you excited for tonight?" I winked at Ashton.

"Stop being a tease." He stuck his tongue out at me and I saw him try and discreetly adjust himself and giggled.

When we got to the room we got Gracie in the bath and then her pyjamas and Ender in his night clothes as well before Ashton took them across the hall.

"Give me twenty minutes." I said to him and he nodded as he left.

When the door closed I went to the closet and changed into the red lingerie.

The bra was silk and had some jewels on the edge of the cup, and the panties were silk with a lace edge.

I then went to the bathroom to freshen myself up.

I made sure I hadn't missed anywhere while shaving and then put on lotion and a bit of perfume. I fixed any spots my makeup had smudged and then flattened the stray frizz on my hair.

I then went back to the bed and sat down before scooting back and propping myself up against the pillows.

I dimmed the lights on the lamp and then waited. My skin was tingling and the adrenaline rushed through me, making my body feel light and excited.

I then heard the sound of the key in the door and it opened, my heart leaping in my chest. The door closed and then Ashton stepped around the corner, his eyes taking me all in.

"Holy shit." He breathed and I laughed. My eyes were trained on him and his were on me as he stepped forward and kicked off his shoes and socks and then yanked off his shirt.

"Are you gonna join me or just stare at me all night?"

"I'm still deciding." He said and I rolled my eyes, giggling as he unbuttoned his jeans. "Because either way I'm lucky as hell."

"Come here." I laughed and he got on the bed, moving in front of me as I sat up and brought him down to me so I could kiss him.

I moved to unhook my bra but he placed his hands on mine and moved them back around his neck.

"No, don't take it off."

As the kissing began to escalate into something that we were both craving, I could feel myself getting lost in him.

Everything was hot and blurry as Ashton kissed every inch of my skin, and made love to me like I needed.

My hands were knotted in his hair and his lips were glued to my neck, driving me into a frenzy.

When it was over he held me against him as we settled our racing hearts and caught our breath that we had stolen from each other.

"That was...wow..." He breathed and I blushed heavily.

"So you like the lingerie, huh?"

"I'm not gonna lie it's pretty sexy...okay, extremely sexy."

I laughed at that and he joined in.

"But you, my love, no matter what you are wearing, are still the sexiest woman on the planet."

"I love you." I smiled into his arm and he squeezed my body tighter to him.

"I love you more."

We laid together for a bit longer before getting in the shower together to wash off before he went to bring the kids in so we could all go to bed.

In the morning Becca arrived to get me ready for us to go shopping for my engagement shoot with Ashton, while Ashton took the kids to work with him.

Becca and I left the hotel with a list Ashton and the photographer created and hit the shops. Brad and Dave were our security today and followed us into every dress and lingerie shop and I felt kinda sorry for them.

Becca and I ended up at one designer dress shop where I tried on a white bohemian looking dress that Becca and I both fell in love with.

After twirling around in front of the mirror for twenty minutes we finally bought it.

"Yes, now all we need is shoes. There's a really good designer store downtown." Becca said and I smiled in agreement.

We made arrangements with the store to have the clothes delivered to the hotel and then Dave who was waiting by the front door stopped us.

"Brad said there's a mob of paps outside. He tried to move the car closer but he can't."

"Great." I sighed.

"I've got you." Becca took my hand.

Dave opened the door after telling Brad we were on our way and walked out first to lead the way.

"Move! Move!" He shouted at the paps but they swarmed for some reason and I squeezed Beccas hand tight.

The flashes of cameras blinded me.

I placed a hand on Daves back so I knew where I was.

The men screamed at me.

"CARTER ARE YOU PREGNANT?"

"CARTER ARE YOU CHEATING ON ASHTON WITH HARRY?"

"HAVE YOU GAINED WEIGHT?"

"WHY ARENT YOU WEARING MAKEUP?"

"DID ASHTON BREAK UP WITH YOU?"

"IS ASHTON CHEATING ON YOU WITH JENNA?"

"WHY DID HE END YOUR ENGAGEMENT?"

"DID YOU GET PLASTIC SURGERY?"

"ANSWER ME, SLUT."

It was all too much.

I could feel my face getting hot and the blood rushing to my ears. I was trembling and I could hear Becca yelling for them to shut up and that they were idiots.

"WHY WONT YOU TALK? GIVE US ANSWERS! THE WORLD WANTS TO KNOW. DONT BE A BITCH!"

"Stop. Please." I said as the tears began to cascade down my cheeks.

"WHY ARE YOU CRYING?"

"IS ASHTON CHEATING ON YOU?"

"ARE YOU BREAKING UP?"

"DID YOU CHEAT ON ASHTON?"

"CARTER ARE YOU PREGNANT?"

"Please, stop!" I cried out and made eye contact with one of the men with a camera in his hand, a horribly sinister smile on his face.

"Get in the car." Dave said.

I turned away from the pap to see the car door open and Dave all but pushed me inside, Becca following.

The second her door closed I let out a sob.

"Can you get Ashton on the phone please?" Becca asked Dave as she moved in to hug me.

"Let it out, let it out." Becca patted my back.

"Yeah. There was an incident while we were out shopping. No, she's fine, just shaken up. I think you should get here. We can't move there's a mob around the car, we're going to have to get the police here to move them. We're on 6th and Lindale."

I heard Dave talk to Ashton on the phone through my sobs.

"He'll be here in a few minutes, Carter. He's on his way." Dave said in a softer voice.

"You're okay, Car." Becca hugged me.

"Becca there's a car up the street for you." Brad said and Becca nodded.

"I'll see you at the hotel. I'll go straight there. Ashton is going to be here in a few minutes. You'll be okay. I love you."

I gave no response as she said all this and then was whisked back outside into the storm, Brad quickly closing the door so the men wouldn't get any photos of me.

They were banging on the windows and doors and I just couldn't take it anymore.

Dave was saying things to me and I registered none until he said "Ashton's here."

I looked to my left to see Another black SUV like the one I was in pull up beside ours.

The paparazzi began to swarm it and then Brad appeared, yelling at the men to move before opening the door.

I could then see Ashton, and he did not look pleased.

Then my car door was opened and Ashton climbed inside, slamming the door shut behind him.

He then looked at me and my distraught state before sliding across the backseat and pulling me into his arms.

"I'm so sorry." He sighed after he had moved me into his lap and tucked my head under his chin.

"They- they said- so- many- things- about me."

"Nothing they said was true." He squeezed me a bit tighter.

"I know- but it still hurts." I cried into his chest.

"I know. I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I'm so sorry."

"I can't live like this."

I was completely falling apart in his arms.

"And I don't want you to." He said.

At this someone beat so heavily on the window I thought they were going to break it. I whimpered and cried out and Ashton placed his hand on the back of my head, holding me to him.

"STOP IT!" Ashton shouted, and I could feel the vibration resonate through him as he held onto me.

But they didn't stop.

"GOD DAMNIT, WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM HER?!" He yelled again and I just pressed myself closer to him, squeezing my eyes shut tight.

"Make it stop." I cried. "Please, make it stop. I can't do this."

He sucked in a sharp breath.

"I'm so sorry, Car. I'm so sorry." He whispered.

"Ashton, make it stop." I pleaded, making eye contact with him and he nodded.

His arms let go of me and he slid out from under me.

"What are you doing?" I asked him.

"Ashton you're not going out there." Dave said.

"I'm making it stop." Ashton said seriously.

"Ashton, don't-" I began but he cut me off.

"I promised I would protect you and right now i'm failing. And I refuse to break that promise with you."

"I don't want you to get hurt."

"I won't." He leaned forward and kissed my forehead before unlocking the door and managing to get out.

I held my breath when the door closed behind him.

They began to scream the same questions at him that they had screamed at me.

"STOP IT!" I heard Ashton shout back at them and surprisingly it quieted down a bit.

"You're scaring her!" Ashton yelled at them. "She's done nothing, and i'm sick of you people treating her like she's a criminal on a damn trial! You follow her around and scream those horrible things at her and it's disgusting! If you want a story then here, i'll be your damn story, but leave her alone! And I swear to God if I see any of your faces again i'll have you arrested for harassment!"

At this the car door opened again and Ashton got in, slamming the door and locking it before he moved to hug me again.

"Can we go?" Ashton asked Dave.

"The police just got here." Dave replied and Ashton and I watched through the tinted windows as the cops cleared the men away to make a path for us. The moment the way was clear we sped off in the direction of the hotel and Ashton relaxed ever so slightly.

I leaned my head against his chest and he cradled me in his lap. His lips pressed a long kiss to my forehead before he rested his forehead against mine.

"Are you going to be okay?" He asked.

"Yeah." I whispered back to him. "Thank you."

"I won't let them hurt you." He promised and I nodded, grasping the fabric of his shirt in my hand.

When we arrived at the hotel we went through the back, and went up to the room where Becca was waiting with Michael, Calum, Luke, and the kids, all of them standing around the television.

"Are you guys okay?" Michael asked us as we walked in, Ashton holding my hand.

Ashton didn't reply.

"It's made international news. It's on every station." Luke said as we stepped up to the television where they were showing footage of me walking through the crowd, clutching Beccas hand and holding onto Daves shoulder.

"If you listen closely, you can even hear Carter telling the men to stop." The news anchor narrated and then they started the video again, subtitles now as they showed me telling the men to stop.

"Oh my God, i'm so sorry." Michael breathed.

"Holy shit. Car, are you okay?" Calum asked.

"I'm fine." I whispered.

"Babe." Becca then came over and wrapped me in a hug.

"I just don't understand."

Becca held me tightly and I felt Ender and Gracie pulling at my clothes while Ashton stepped over towards Luke, Michael, and Calum.

"That was insane." Ashton said. "They were everywhere."

"What did you do?" Luke asked.

"I told them to stop because they were scaring her." He said. "I don't know what to do anymore. I send her out with two body guards everywhere she goes, management takes down every nasty article they can, I try to make sure she doesn't see all of that crap and yet this still happens."

"Ashton you can't control everything she's exposed to." Michael said.

"She was so scared." Ashton sighed and I hugged Becca tighter.

"Mommy?" Gracie pulled at me and I let Becca go before picking Gracie up. "Mommy, don't be sad."

Gracie hugged me and I looked up as Ashton walked over and placed a hand on my back.

"Let's go talk for a minute." Ashton said and I passed Gracie to Luke before following Ashton out into the hall.

"I have an idea." He said. "Let's leave for Paris early."

"Leave early?" I asked as he moved to swipe his thumbs under my eyes.

"Yes. We'll leave tonight, just me and you, take the rest of the week off and just relax and have some time to cool off and just be together."

"Ash, what about the kids?"

"The guys can handle them. We'll owe them a favour."

"We've never been away from Gracie that long. She's always had one of us with her at all times.  The longest we've both ever been away from her is one night."

"Carter we need this."

I didn't know how to respond.

"The longest time we've really ever been alone is a night, and those times was the one time in Sydney when I told you I loved you for the first time and then the others you were in the hospital. I know it's not the most ideal timing and the kids are going to be upset, but we need some time for us. Baby, we need this."

"O-okay."

"I'll go get us plane tickets." He leaned in and kissed me gently.

"Ashton, about today." I placed my hand on his arm.

"I know." He gave me a brief smile. "I'm going to handle it."

Ashton and I went back in the hotel and went up to the guys.

"So i've decided that we are going to leave for Paris early, and so we were hoping you guys could look after the kids for us." Ashton said.

"We know it's short notice and a lot to keep up with, but we trust you guys and know the kids will be in great hands with you three." I added.

"Yeah. We can do it. We just don't know how you guys do everything you do." Luke said, Michael and Calum nodding.

"I can write down some notes for you guys." I suggested and they nodded.

"You're leaving?" Ender asked, walking up to us.

"We'll talk to you in a minute." Ashton said and Ender frowned.

I grabbed a notepad and went over to the bed and sat down before before making a list of what to do for the kids.

Morning
-Gracie will want to be held as soon as she wakes up
-Keep it light on sugar for both
-If Ender tells you he can drink coffee, don't let him
-No xbox or playstation until homework is complete
-Pack an extra outfit or two for Gracie

Afternoon
-No dessert
-Ender must meet with tutor for his lessons
-Put Gracie down for a nap at around 1:30 until 3:30. If she starts to get cranky then put her down early but let her sleep until 3:30.
-She will need blankey, bunny, and a kiss
-Make sure she goes to the bathroom before as well and right after she wakes up

Evening
-Only a small amount of dessert and no sugar after 7:00
-Ender must be off games at 9:00 and phone up at 10:00
-Bath time. Try and keep soap out of Gracie's eyes and have Ender shower before bed
-Bed time for Gracie. Pull up! Read a story, play or sing her lullaby, hug, kisses, and cuddles if necessary
-Bed time for Ender. No phone, and make sure he stays off it.
-If Gracie wakes up, cuddle her till she falls back asleep.

I set down the notepad and looked over to see Ashton typing furiously at his phone. Not wanting to disturb him I pulled Ender aside to explain to him what was happening.

"Okay, so Ashton and I have decided to leave early for our trip this weekend. The guys will be watching you and Gracie until we get back."

"How long will you be gone?"

"Six days."

He frowned.

"I know we've never been separated that long, but I know you'll be okay. And if you need us for anything I want you to call me right away, no matter what time of day. Alright?"

"Okay." He nodded and then hugged me tightly. "I love you, Car."

"I love you too, End." I kissed the top of his head. "Will you be sure to help look after Gracie."

"Yeah, i'm her big brother." He smiled up at me and I kissed his forehead a few times before going to get a suitcase from the closet.

"I've got the tickets." Ashton said as he stepped up to me with a suitcase of his own. "We leave in three hours."

He and I packed next to each other, reminding each other of stuff we needed while Ender and Michael distracted Gracie by taking her to walk Sprinkles.

"I'll make sure to have the clothes sent to the hotel before I arrive for the shoot so you can make sure everything fits." Becca said as she helped me pack, Calum assisting Ashton in packing.

"Okay what do we do if one of them gets sick?" Luke asked.

"Call us. If it's something minor I can walk you through what to do, and if it's something major then we can go from there. We prefer calling in a paediatrician that does home visits but if you have to take them to the hospital then do what you have to do." Ashton answered.

"What if she wants Mommy cuddles?"

"Then call and let her hear my voice." I said.

Ashton set our fully packed suitcases by the door then had Michael bring Gracie and Ender back up.

"Where we going?" Gracie asked when she saw the suitcases but we didn't reply and instead took her to the bathroom where we got her into the tub.

"Mommy, we go on trip?" She asked after I had poured a cup of water over her head.

"Well, baby, Daddy and I are going on a trip."

"You are?" She asked and Ashton chuckled as he began to massage the shampoo into her hair.

"We are. But Uncle Mikey, and Uncle Luke, and Uncle Cal, and Ender are going to stay here with you. Is that okay?"

"You going to miss me?"

"We are going to miss you very much." I smiled.

"Then that's okay." She said back and Ashton and I laughed.

We finished her bath and got her into a pull up and pyjamas before taking her to the bed where Ashton read her a story and sang her lullaby.

We both kissed her goodnight and told her we loved her and missed her already before she fell asleep curled up next to Sprinkles.

Once she was asleep, Ashton and I decided to leave.

"We'll call you when we get to Paris." I told Ender as we hugged him goodbye.

"Okay."

"I love you." I kissed his cheek.

"Love you, End." Ashton hugged him as well.

We hugged the guys and Becca goodbye and then took our luggage, leaving the room.

Ashton and I were quiet as Brad called the car around to the back and Ash and I got inside with Brad and Dave who had duffels as well. Ashton must have told them.

We drove past the mob of fans and paparazzi outside the hotel on our way to the airport.

I pulled out my phone to see about a thousand texts and missed calls from Ari and Harry asking if I was okay, and also noticed Ashton had shared a photo on his Instagram. But when I went to look at it, I noticed it was a note he had typed on his phone instead.

'What I am saying right now is something I never thought I would have to say, but in light of recent events, it is something I have to say.
Today I was called out of a recording session by a phone call that I never in a million years thought I would receive. It was from one of our bodyguards, and he told me that my fiancé, Carter, had been mobbed in the streets by the paparazzi, and was really shaken up and scared. When I arrived her car was surrounded by men with cameras shouting horrible things at her and banging their fists on the windows and doors. Then I had to do something I never thought i'd have to do. I got into the vehicle with her, and held her as she shook, cried, and begged me to make it stop because she was so absolutely terrified of what was happening. In my time of being with Carter i've seen her cry tears of joy, sadness, anger, defeat, and hope, but never had I seen her cry out of pure fear for her physical and mental safety.
When I proposed to Carter, I vowed to keep her and our children safe and protected, and I never intend on breaking that promise to her like it was unfortunately broken today. So when I ask this, I don't ask as any "celebrity" or person in the public eye, I ask this as a husband and a father...please, make the mobbing and the hate stop. It has reached a level now, and if you watch any news station you will see, that makes me fear for the safety of my fiancé and our two kids. And I don't understand why it is happening.
Yes, I am a figure in the public eye and paparazzi and lack of privacy is something that comes with fame, I'm well aware. But Carter has done nothing to deserve this horrible treatment she is receiving from the media and even, which is the saddest part for me, the fans of the band.
I'm tired of seeing her be ripped to shreds over her deciding to not wear makeup one day, or hear the paparazzi call her horrible names and verbally harass her, and i'm tired of the rumours that we are faking this relationship or are separating. As has been said before by me and Carter, we are both very much in love and are excited to transform our engagement into a happy and everlasting marriage. I'm tired of my son asking me if Carter and I are breaking up because of a rumour he saw. I'm tired of having to defend our relationship from the same lies, rumours, and assaults that plague it constantly that apparently no amount of shutting those rumours down will put to rest. Something has to change, not only for Carter and I, but for everyone else who deals with the same issues in this industry.
I've kept my mouth shut for too long and I'm not putting up with this anymore, because this kind of behaviour shouldn't be tolerated as okay or acceptable. The hate has to stop and it has to stop now.
To the people who batter and bruise us in the media and on social media, I pray you find kindness in your hearts and remember that no matter how hard or far you drag Carter and I down, we will end up on top. And to the fans and media who have supported us, I thank you for your support and please know that it is appreciated and noticed more than you know.
I hope in the future we will all be able to get along despite our differences and will soon be able to reach an agreement on how people should be treated. I wish everyone well and we will see you fans on the North America tour soon.
Peace and love, Ashton'

At this I set my phone down and reached for Ashton's hand. I squeezed his fingers and then moved to lay my head down in his lap. His fingers went to my hair where he began to play with it and then stroked his fingers along the side of my face.

Ashton always knew what to do to comfort me and relax me.

"I love you." He spoke into the dead silence of the car and I noticed Brad look at us in the rear view mirror.

"I love you too."

When we did arrive at the airport we drove past the few paparazzi that were standing at the door, and drove around to a back entrance.

Ashton and I got out of the car and were taken inside where we went through private security instead of the normal one.

Then we were taken to the airport hall where Ashton and I got on the back of a golf cart and were driven to our gate.

When we arrived we hopped off the cart and Brad and Dave went to sit down while Ashton checked us in.

I found a seat against an empty wall and a few minutes later Ashton came up and set his suitcase next to mine.

"Stand up." He said. I did as such and he sat down in my seat before placing his hands on my waist and pulling me back so I could sit on his lap. I sat sideways and put my feet in the neighbouring chair before leaning against Ashton who had his arms wound tightly around me.

"We'll make it through this; we always do." He said softly before kissing my temple.

"Yeah." I began to fiddle with the fabric of his shirt. "Do you think the kids will be okay?"

"I think they will. They've got the strength of their Mom."

He said this with a smile and I wrapped my arms around his neck, lightly laughing into his neck.

"And their Daddy's charm."

He laughed at this and kissed my forehead.

We stayed like that for a while until our flight was called and he and I stood up and began to make our way to the plane.

Ashton put our luggage in the over head compartment while I sat down in the window seat. He sat down next to me, Dave and Brad behind us, and then once everyone had passed us he got back up and retrieved a blanket from my suitcase.

"Here." He passed it to me and I gave him a thankful smile.

"You know me so well."

"Well, you are my wife." He chuckled.

"Yes, I am." I placed my hands on his arm and leaned up to kiss his cheek.

"Let's take a selfie." He said and pulled out his phone and leaned in to kiss my cheek before snapping the picture.

He then went over to post the picture on Instagram.

'It's been a stressful few days for us, so we decided to take our vacation a little early. Gonna take a break from all of the craziness and spend some much needed alone time with each other. Off to Paris we go!'

--

And just when you think the drama is over...BAM!

I'll have more written soon!

Much love xx-M