Ashton's PoV:

Figuring out that a night light was what Gracie needed to help her stop wetting the bed every night was great.

We went out and bought her a few night lights and a stool, and this seemed to do the trick. We placed a light next to her bed, one on the wall on the way to the bathroom, and one in the bathroom itself. We then put the stool under the light switch so she could stand on that to turn the light on.

That first night I woke up to see her walking to the bathroom, stopping to look at every night light before finally getting to the bathroom where she used her new stool to turn on the light.

The next morning her pull-up was dry and Carter and I knew that it had worked. And like the cool parents we were, we high-fived to our success.

After breakfast Carter and Gracie took Sprinkles for her morning walk, and then when they came back Carter pulled me aside.

"Can we talk for a minute?" She asked, and those words alone were enough to send panic through any man.

"Sure." I replied and so she led me to the closet where she mostly closed the door.

Her arms were crossed over her stomach, something she did when she was nervous and she took a deep breath before speaking.

"I've been talking to Becca, and i've also been doing some thinking on my own, and I know that our conversation last week ended with me deciding to quit modelling...but I don't want to quit."

I was a little bit taken aback.

"I've never been a confident person, you know that, and doing this makes me feel good about myself. And it's not that you don't do a good job of making me feel good about myself, it's just that for once in my life I have the chance to do it myself. I know this isn't what you want, and as your fiancé I don't want to go against your wishes, but this is something I have to do for me."

She looked at me expectantly as I let all of this process in my brain.

"I signed a three month contract, so technically I can't even quit yet, so if in three months we're still on the fence about this then i'll quit, but I want this to be a decision we make together."

"I just don't want this to change you." I said. "That's my biggest fear."

"Ashton you and I are still growing up, we're going to change no matter what, we've already changed, but that's a part of relationships right? Loving each other through the changes, good and bad?"

I nodded.

She was right.

"If you keep doing modelling I want to be more involved."

"I'd be okay with that." She gave me a smile. "I want you to be involved."

"Okay." I said and she smiled before stepping forward to hug me.

"Thank you for being so understanding." She whispered.

"I want you to be happy, and if I have to sacrifice my damn pride for you then i'll do it." I said and she laughed beautifully.

"I love you." She she looked up at me

"I love you too." I leaned down to kiss her.

Our enjoyable moment didn't last long because soon Ender and Gracie came storming into the closet.

"Daddy! Ender took my yellow marker!" Gracie yelled.

"I need it for my homework!"

"It's my marker!" Gracie yelled back and then did what all little kids did when they didn't get what they wanted: She began to cry.

"Okay, both of you stop it." Carter said, Gracie trying to muster up her tears. "Ender, did you ask Gracie if you could use the marker?"

"Yes. But she said no but I needed it for my maps for geography!" He threw his hands to the side.

"Calm down." I told him in a stern tone.

"Gracie, you need to learn how to share." Carter bent down to be eye level with her. "You and Ender need to share the toys, and be nice to each other. If he needs the colours for his homework then let him use them, and he will give them back when he's done."

Gracie nodded and then Carter turned to Ender.

"But if she tells you no then you come to me and i'll deal with it, don't take it from her anyways and make her upset because then you'll get upset and we'll have another one of these conversations and it won't end as nicely as this one."

Ender nodded as well.

"Do I make myself clear?" Carter asked.

"Yes ma'am." Ender said.

"Yes, Mommy." Gracie reached out for Carters hand.

"Good. Now tell each other you're sorry, and give each other a hug and then you can go play."

We watched as the kids apologised to each other then hugged before leaving the closet to go play again.

"I'm too young for this." Carter sighed, and I cracked up laughing as she shook her head.

Today we were going to go shopping for Carters award show outfit.

I had been able to get us back in and was excited to be able to experience Carters first red carpet with her. That was supposed to be my job, not Harry's. But the best part for me was that he would be there too and would see me walk with her down the carpet.

When Becca arrived we piled in a car with the kids and drove to a designer boutique shop where Becca had some dresses she had chosen for Carter.

When we got there I sat down with the kids on a curved leather sofa, Ender using my laptop for his homework while Gracie ran around looking at all of the dresses.

I told her she wasn't allowed to touch the dresses so she would just lean in very close to look at them before running back to me to tell me about it.

Carter and Becca stood at a rack looking and talking quietly and then they went into a dressing room with a few black dress bags in their hands.

They were in there for a few minutes before Carter and Becca came out.

Carter had on a bright blue dress that had a poofy skirt but jewelled top.

"No." Becca said after she looked at Carter in the mirror. "It looks like a homecoming dress."

"I think so too." Carter said and frowned at herself in the mirror. "Okay, next dress."

They went back in and I leaned over to read what Ender was writing but he shut the lid and moved the laptop away.

"What are you doing?" I asked him, giving him my best father look.

"I'm writing my essay and I don't want you to read it."

"Well it's on my laptop."

"Dad!" He whined and I just stuck my tongue out at him.

A couple minutes later the two girls came out again, this time Carter in a long and flowing light pink dress.

"That's pretty." I commented and Carter smiled at me.

"Let's try it with the shoes." Becca then handed Carter some tall matching heels and Carter put them on and only took one step before tripping.

I stood up to help her and she groaned in frustration.

"Maybe not this dress, you keep stepping on the front of it." I said.

"Yeah." She sighed.

"Let's try the gold one." Becca said and Carter shifted uncomfortably.

"I don't know. I think it's too flashy."

"Just try it." Becca begged her and Carter gave in and took off the shoes before following Becca back into the dressing room.

I called Gracie over to me and held her while I waited for Carter to come back out and after a few minutes the curtain flicked back and Carter made my jaw drop as she stepped out onto the little platform.

She had on a gold mini dress that had a plunging neckline, allowing me to see a bit of her cleavage. She also had on a gold choker and tall gold shoes that had straps on them. The dress was short, it stopped about a few inches after her bum, but she looked amazing.

"Holy crap." I said and she looked back at me nervously.

"It's too much, isn't it?" She bit her lip.

"I mean, it's definitely a change, but you look amazing." I said and Becca smiled proudly in the corner.

"I told you to try it on and look." She said and I laughed.

"It honestly looks really beautiful on you, Carter." I complimented her.

"So is this the one?" Becca asked Carter.

"Yeah, I actually do like it a lot." Carter admitted, now smiling at herself in the mirror.

"Yay!" I said and held Gracie's hands, clapping them together while Gracie laughed. "Say yay Mommy!"

"Yay, Mommy!" Gracie giggled and Carter grinned as she came over to kiss Gracie on the cheek.

Carter went to change back into her other clothes while Becca got the dress and then we were able to go back to the hotel where Carter and I were able to spend a very relaxing afternoon and evening with our kids.

Carters PoV:

The next morning I awoke in Ashton's arms but to the sound of my phone ringing.

I whined at the intrusion of my sleep and reached over for my phone with my eyes closed, squinting them so I could answer the call.

"Hello?" I whined sleepily.

"Wake up! It's our best friend date today!" Harry's cheerful voice came out on the other line.

"It's so early." I whined again.

"So?"

"Harry, give me a few more hours."

"In a few more hours it will be lunch." He argued and I didn't have a chance to reply before the phone was taken from my hand and I opened my eyes to see Ashton ending the call and leaning over me to put the phone on my nightstand.

"You're staying until ten." He said and I nodded before curling back into him.

We were both awake now and so I just laid there and enjoyed the feeling of Ashton kissing my cheek and neck.

"Where are you going today?" He asked after a few minutes.

"I don't know. Harry and I have a best friend date."

"Ah." He said.

I buried my head in his chest, warmth flooding my body, but all too soon it was taken away from me by Gracie crawling between us.

"Mommy, cuddle." She said and Ashton smiled as I wrapped Gracie up in my arms.

"Are you cold?" I asked her and she nodded, working her way closer to me.

"Mommy, I love you." Gracie said and I looked up to meet Ashton's eyes, him smiling at us.

He reached a hand over to stroke Gracie's hair as she snuggled up to me.

I held Gracie for a little bit longer until I needed to get out of bed.

I dressed in skinny jeans and a tee shirt with a cardigan on top before brushing my teeth and putting on a spot of makeup.

"Okay, i'm heading out so give me kisses." I said and Gracie ran up to me and jumped in my arms.

"Oh, I love you princess. Be a good girl for your Daddy while i'm gone."

"Okay, Mommy." She smiled and then kissed my cheek.

Ender came up to me next and I hugged him.

"Love you." I kissed his forehead.

"Love you too. See you later." He smiled and then I went to Ashton.

"Have fun." He kissed me. "Be safe." He kissed me again. "And I love you."

I laughed at his sweetness.

"I love you too. I'll call you later." I stretched up to kiss him.

Phone and wallet in hand I left the hotel and had the driver take me to Harry's, sending him a text that I was on my way.

When I arrived I walked up to the side door and let myself if.

I walked into the kitchen where he was sitting at the bar.

"If you ever call me that early again we will have words, mister." I said to him and he rolled his eyes.

Harry had his long hair in a bun and had on a tee shirt and jeans.

"You ready to go?" He asked.

"Yes. Where are we going?"

"I'm not telling. But I made you a thermos of coffee." He said and picked up one of the two thermoses on the counter and handed it to me before taking one for himself.

We then headed out to where his driver was and got in a black SUV before it began to drive us to wherever we were going.

"So how was your day yesterday?" Harry asked.

"Good. I picked out my dress for the awards show Ashton is taking me to next week." I said and Harry looked at me in confusion.

"You're going to the Teen Choice Awards too?" He asked and I nodded.

"Yeah, its mine and Ashton's first red carpet together. Can you believe that? I'm so excited." I smiled giddily and took a sip of coffee.

"Congratulations." He said and I smiled.

"So you'll be there?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Oh fun! Maybe we could sit next to each other."

"Well they have assigned seating." He chuckled.

"Oh." I joined in his laughter.

After about ten minutes we arrived at our destination and as we got out of the car I read the sign of the building.

London Pet Adoption.

"What are we doing here?" I asked him but he just smirked as we walked inside.

Harry walked up to a woman who was standing behind a desk.

"My name is Harry and this is Carter, I had called about us volunteering today."

"Oh yes, we're so glad you're here." She smiled. "Well follow me, i'll take you to the back where the animals are."

I followed Harry and the woman through a door and into the back where there were dogs and cats in rows of cages.

The woman introduced herself as Lindsey and then led us to where the food was.

"If you want to start by feeding them that would be great. There's also a bucket for water."

Harry and I then began our task of volunteering.

I had the food and Harry did the water and we went cage by cage, filling up the food bowls.

As I went along I came across a husky laying in its crate.

"Aw." I gasped and set down my food bag before opening the crate and reaching in for the puppy, pulling him out. "Hi little guy." I smiled.

He licked at my hands and I laughed, Harry coming up to me.

"Isn't he so cute?" I asked him.

"Yeah, he's pretty cool looking." Harry smiled.

"He's so sweet." I smiled and Harry scratched the dog behind his ears.

"Hey there guy." Harry leaned in and the dog licked him on the cheek.

I laughed as Harry wiped his cheek off and he grinned.

I put the puppy back in his crate but kept looking back at him as I continued to feed the other pets.

When we were done feeding them we went to Lindsey who then had us give some of the animals baths.

"Let's give this one a bath." I went back to the husky pup and Harry smiled at me as I carried him over to the bath.

Harry came over and helped me, the two of us soaping up the dog before using the sprayer to wash him off.

"You're such a good boy." Harry patted his back while I scrubbed behind the puppies' ears.

"Did you ever have a puppy?" I asked Harry.

"No but I always wanted one." He chuckled. "I had the name picked out and everything."

"What was the name?"

"Jupiter." He laughed.

"Why Jupiter?"

"Because when I was a kid that was my favourite planet."

I laughed at this.

When we finished bathing him we then dried him off and then went on to bathe the next one.

After five dogs we were exhausted.

"I just want to thank you so much for your help today." Lindsey told us as we were about to go.

"We had fun. I'd love to do this again sometime."

"Me too." Harry smiled.

"Okay, I just want to say goodbye to that puppy before we go." I said to Harry and then went back to where the puppy was, pulling him out of his cage again, rubbing behind his little ears.

"I know two little kiddos who would go crazy over you." I smiled at him.

I heard the door open and turned to see Harry walking in.

Without a word he took the puppy from me and then walked back to the front of the store.

I followed him and he walked up to Lindsey at the counter.

"We'd like to adopt this one." He said and my jaw dropped.

"Okay let me get the paperwork." Lindsey smiled and I looked at Harry.

"Are you serious?" I asked him.

"Yup. Now we have a dog together. There's no way to back out of this friendship now."

I laughed at this and then hugged him, the puppy licking my ear.

"You're going to be our best friend, aren't you?" I playfully talked to the puppy.

"So what do you want to name him?" Harry asked, smiling at the two of us.

"How about Jupiter?" I asked him and his smile widened.

Lindsey came back with the paperwork that Harry and I signed and Harry paid for him before we asked Lindsey to take our picture with Jupiter.

Harry and I sat on the ground and held the puppy between us, smiling at the camera.

Afterwards we went to the car so we could go shopping for the new puppy.

Harry held Jupiter on the car ride over to the pet shop and I decided to post the picture of us with Jupiter.

'For Best Friend Day we went to volunteer at a local animal shelter and ended up adopting a puppy! Welcome to the family Jupiter!'

"You should post the picture too." I told Harry.

"I don't really post things about my personal life." He said.

"Why not?" I asked.

"I'm a private person, you know that."

"Yeah, but your fans want to know what's going on in your life, and i'm sure they'd love to see this little guy." I scratched Jupiter behind the ears.

"Okay then, you've convinced me." He said and I took Jupiter from him so he could type on his phone.

He shared the picture and I watched as he typed out his own caption.

'Harry, Halle, and Jupiter.'

"Halle? Really?" I laughed.

"What? I like that name."

"Oh my gosh, Ashton does the same thing. Like he has my name in his phone as Halle Carter and he even asked if he could call me Halle sometimes." I laughed.

"So why do you go by Carter and not Halle?"

"Because when Ender was a baby Carter was easier for him to say, so it stuck. When my parents were alive they would call me Halle or Hal but when they passed away there was no one left to call me that."

"Honestly, I think it's cute that you go by your middle name but so does Gracie." He said.

"Cute?" I giggled.

"I don't know, shut up." He said, his cheeks now blushing.

"I think it's cute too. Like mother like daughter." I said to ease his embarrassment.

When we got to the pet shop we bought Jupiter a leash and a collar, and then went to the machine where you could make a tag that had the puppy's name on it.

After that we bought black food and water bowls, food, and then a white dog bed for him.

"Would you mind if I brought the kids by tomorrow so they could see Jupiter?" I asked Harry since we had decided the puppy would stay at his house.

"Sure." He smiled.

Once we had purchased everything for Jupiter we then decided to take him for a walk.

Harry and I each purchased a coffee (okay well Harry bought mine) from a vendor in the park and then we began to walk Jupiter around the trail that went around a lake.

"So since you're going to be in L.A. for the awards show next week, would you mind if I booked you some shoots there?"

"Sure." I smiled and then decided if I should tell Harry or not about what Ashton and I had discussed. "So can I tell you something and you not get mad at me?"

"You know you can tell me anything." He said.

"So when Ashton and I were in Paris we had a fight about spending time together, and somehow it came out that Ashton never wanted me to model in the first place, but told me to because he wanted me to be happy. But I told him I wouldn't be able to be happy knowing I was doing something he didn't want me to do. And so I decided to quit modelling."

"You what-"

"Let me finish my story!" I shushed him. "But I was talking to Becca about it and I said I wanted to quit and she told me that I should talk to Ashton some more because she thought I was really good at it. And so I did, and he is still not 100% okay with it, I can tell, but he knows it makes me feel good about myself and so he's going to support me and be more involved with modelling."

Harry was silent for a few minutes.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to quit?"

"Because I didn't want to disappoint you."

He nodded.

"Well I'm glad you're not quitting, and i'm glad he's being more supportive."

"Well he was supportive in the first place, now he's just being more honest with me about how he feels."

"That's good. Honesty is important."

I nodded and he smiled at me before we stopped so Jupiter could do his business.

When the paparazzi arrived we decided to head back to Harry's house.

In the car I looked at my phone to see a few texts from Ashton.

'Hey i'm on break at the studio, call me!'

'Carter?'

'You bought a puppy?!?!?!'

I quickly called him.

"Sorry my phone was in the car." I said when he answered.

"Did you seriously adopt another dog?"

"Yes! Oh my gosh Ash, you're going to love him."

"Baby, we have no where to put another puppy."

"It's staying with Harry, we adopted it together. But I want you guys to meet the dog, oh my gosh he's so sweet."

Ashton laughed.

"Okay then, do you know what time you'll be back."

"No, I don't know yet."

"Alright, i'll talk to you later."

"Okay. I love you."

"Love you more."

I hung up and looked over to see Harry leaned back in his seat, his eyes closed while Jupiter laid in his lap.

I got a cute picture on my phone to share and then when we got to Harry's house we decided to get Jupiter all settled.

The dog ran about the house while Harry and I put the bowls in the kitchen and filled them, before putting the dog bed in front of the fireplace.

"I think he likes it here." I smiled as Jupiter came running into the room and went over to lay on his bed where I was sitting. "Do you like it here at Harry's house?" I asked the dog, scratching his back.

"It'll be nice to have someone around." Harry said and I frowned before walking over to him so I could hug him.

"You won't be alone forever, Harry. Love takes time."

"I know it does." He sighed as he hugged me back. "I just wish it would hurry up."

"I felt the same way before I met Ashton."

He didn't reply but let go of me instead and went over to Jupiter.

"Did I say something wrong?" I asked him.

"No. I'm just sad, i'm sorry."

I went to sit next to him and held his hand as he pet Jupiter with his other hand.

"Are you hungry?" I asked him after a few minutes. "I could make us dinner."

"Or we could call in Chinese takeout and watch a movie?" He said and I smiled.

Harry went to call in our food while Jupiter followed me upstairs to Harry's private room where I picked out the sequel to The Princess Diaries and set up the blankets and pillows.

When he came in with the food I was laying on the sofa under a blanket, Jupiter on my stomach as I pet him.

Harry handed me my box of fried rice and then sat down on the floor in front of me.

"Again?!" He exclaimed when he saw the movie.

"It's the sequel!"

"Oh my gosh."

"Jupiter wants to see it. Don't you, Jupiter?" I asked the puppy who just tilted his head to the side as he looked at me.

"Shut up and eat your food." Harry said and then pressed play on the movie.

I began to eat my fried rice and when I was done I set down the container and waited until Harry was finished eating.

"Can I ask a question?" I said and he turned around to look at me.

"Is it inappropriate for friends to cuddle with each other?"

"Um, not to me no." He said.

"Then cuddle with me." I said and he laughed before getting on the sofa and laying behind me.

I rested my head on his arm and he let his other drop around my waist.

Jupiter laid in front of me, guarding me and I began to pet him, eventually letting my eyes close as I drifted off to sleep.

Turning over in my sleep I felt a chest beneath my cheek and I scooted up to have my chin tucked under another. Arms came around my back and then a kiss was being placed to my forehead.

I fell back into unconsciousness and the next time I awoke it was to movement.

By the way this person was moving I could tell I was being carried down stairs, I was then placed on something soft. I could hear nothing but footsteps and then a thumping noise.

There were voices.

"Thanks for calling me." I heard the voice of my fiancé.

"Yeah, no problem." Harry then said. "She just knocked out."

"She tends to do that." Ashton chuckled and I then felt his arms slide under my body and he lifted me up.

I tiredly wrapped my arms around his neck and he squeezed me gently.

"Thanks again." Ashton said as he began walking.

Harry opened the door and then I felt the outside air and then felt Ashton getting me in the car.

When the car began to drive I barely opened my eyes to see him on his phone while my head was in his lap.

"Hi." I said in a sleepy voice.

"Hey." He set his phone down and then looked down at me. "You fell asleep at Harry's."

"Apparently." I said and he laughed.

"How was your day?"

"Good." I smiled and then stretched my limbs. "What about you?"

"It was fine. I missed you though."

I smiled at this and then turned over in his lap.

"Harry's booking me some jobs in L.A. so i'll be leaving early, unless you want to come with." I mumbled into his thigh.

"I can't, I have studio stuff. We have to get the album wrapped up."

"Oh. Well then I can take Gray with me." I said.

"Okay. What kinds of photo shoots are you doing?"

"I don't know." I sighed and then felt his hand land on my back.

"Go to sleep." He said and I nodded before closing my eyes again and letting the feel of the car moving lull me to sleep.

The next day I slept until 11:00, Ashton taking Gracie to the studio with him and had Ender stay with me.

When I woke up Ender explained it to me and I nodded before getting dressed.

I then took Ender out for lunch and then he and I went to get Gracie from Ashton at the studio.

When we arrived there were fans outside and I waved at them before Ender and I headed inside.

We walked into the control room where Ashton was leaned back on the sofa, his eyes closed and head back as he listened to the music, Gracie doing the same next to him.

I quietly laughed at this and then stepped up to Ashton and ducked down to kiss him. The kiss was long and hot and when I pulled away he opened his eyes, a sensual smile on his face.

"You got plans tonight?" He asked and I shook my head no. "Well you do now."

I laughed at this.

"I just came by to get Gracie so I can take them over to meet the new puppy."

"Ah, okay. Well i'm probably going to be late tonight because we're mixing."

"Okay then. Just let me know when you're coming home." I smiled and then leaned in to kiss him again. "Oh, and thanks for letting me sleep in."

"You looked like you needed it." He gave me a small smile. "I love you."

"I love you too." I kissed him once more before picking up Gracie.

She kissed my cheek and waved bye to her Daddy and Uncles and then I had Ender come along as we headed back to the car.

The driver took us over to Harry's house and when we got there I held Gracie up and pulled Ender along as I went to the side door that Harry now left unlocked for me whenever he knew I was coming over.

I let us in and immediately Jupiter sprinted into the room and up to us.

Gracie gasped happily and Ender grinned as he reached down to pet the dog.

Harry then strolled up, a smile on his face.

"Hey."

"Uncle Harry!" Gracie grinned and reached out for him, Harry taking her up in a hug.

"Hey Gracie." He hugged her. "Do you want to meet the new puppy?"

"Mhmm." She nodded eagerly.

"Okay then, come in here." He carried her into the living room and Jupiter followed along.

In the living room we sat down on the floor and  Gracie crawled over to Jupiter, petting her new furry friend.

"I love him." Gracie giggled as Jupiter licked at her hands.

"Me too." I smiled and leaned in to pet him with her.

"Hey Ender." Harry then said to my brother and I glanced up at them.

"Hey." Ender nodded at him then went over to pet Jupiter.

I sat with them for a few minutes before moving over to sit next to Harry.

"I told him you were coming over today and he ran around the house looking for you." Harry nodded towards Jupiter and I laughed.

My phone then went off in my pocket and I pulled it out to see I had a text from Ari.

It was a screenshot of an article headline followed by a bunch of question marks and explanation points.

'CARTER CHASE ENDS ENGAGEMENT WITH ASHTON IRWIN: IS NOW DATING HARRY STYLES'

Oh. No.

--

Oops!

What do you think Ashton's reaction will be? And do you believe Harry has ulterior motives with his "friendship" to Carter?

How will this play out when they go out on the red carpet together?

And here's a real question, do you think Carter has subconscious feelings for Harry, or is she honestly just his friend?

More to come!

Much love xx-m