I stayed in the back room for a few more minutes until I walked back out to the front of the bus where everyone was waiting.

"You alright?" Ashton asked when I walked in.

"Yeah." I smiled. "So what's the plan?"

"Well while you two were going at it like rabbits, we made cupcakes which are baking, and now we were waiting on you." Ari said and Ashton glanced at her in annoyance.

"I'm going to duct tape your mouth shut."

"And i'll duct tape your pants zipper shut."

Jason chuckled at this.

"No one is taping anyone's anything, now since there's not a show tonight, I suggest we go out." I intruded.

"There's a bowling alley a few blocks away, we could go there?" Michael suggested.

"That sounds fun!" I grinned. "We'll get changed, grab some dinner and then go."

Ashton and I changed clothes while Ari took out the cupcakes and iced them with Gracie.
She of course got frosting all over her so I changed her clothes and made Ender change as well before heading out.

We went to a small burger place for dinner where Gracie had her first hamburger and Ashton filmed her trying to eat it while I helped her hold it so she didn't drop it all over the floor.

After dinner we made our way to the bowling alley.

Ashton was grossed out by putting on the shoes but I told him to get over his fear so we could have fun. Ironic? I know.

Finally our group took a lane, getting ready to kick each other's asses.

It was cool to see Jason, Luke, Calum, Michael, and Ashton becoming close friends. It's like my two families had come together as one.

The boys were taking photos together while Ari and I sat to the side, our bowling not even started.

"So what did Harry say?" She asked me.

"Just that he missed me and was worried about me." I shrugged. "If he doesn't hear from me at least once a day he threatens to send out the search party."

She gave me a small smile.

"He's really taken a liking to you, huh."

"I guess. I mean he's one of my best friends."

"Have you told him about...you know who?" She asked and I knew she was referring to Cadwell.

"No." I shook my head. "There's just some things he doesn't need to know."

"What does he think about all this?" She waved her hands around in a circle.

"He seems unfazed by it but he's worried about what I think. I mean, he's used to the press and paparazzi but this isn't my world, Ari. I belong on a boat in Haven Harbour, not on a red carpet."

"Haven Harbour will always be your home Carter, but while it may have been hard and is still going to be hard, as much as I hate to say this, leaving home has been good for you. You've grown so much and have learned things you never would have if you stayed inside that island bubble. It's brought you out of your shell."

"And then crushed me into sand." I rolled my eyes.

"No, it's made you into a pearl."

"God, you're so cheesy." I laughed.

We then looked over to the boys. Ashton and Jason were back to back holding up bowling balls while Calum was crouched in front of them holding one as well while Luke took their photo.

"Hey, when are you boys going to stop stalling so us girls can kick your asses?" Ari called out to them.

"We'll see who's asses get kicked." Jason retorted and Ari rolled her eyes.

Luke went first, leaving only one pin up and groaned because he was so close to having a strike and then missed it when he tried to knock it down.

As I was watching Michael bowl, Ashton came over and sat next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder before moving in to kiss my temple.

"How's my fiancé doing?" He smiled.

"Good." I pecked his cheek. "And you?"

"Good." He laughed. "You didn't want to invite Harry?"

"No." I shook my head. "I wanted to spend time with you and the kids. I've been a really bad mom and fiancé this week so i'm going to make up for it."

He smiled before pulling me into a hug.

"You haven't been a bad mom or fiancé, you were upset and I understand, but i'm glad you're back with us nonetheless. Let's just have fun tonight."

"Love you." I kissed his nose.

"Love you too."

He brushed his nose against mine making me giggle.

"Hey Carter! Stop sucking face with Ashton and come bowl!" Ari yelled at me and I shot her a glare before standing up.

"Fine." I took a bowling ball and quickly rolled it down the lane, turning around before it even hit the pins.

I heard the crash and smirked as my friends gawked at the scene behind me. I got a strike.

"Your turn." I smirked at Ari as I sat down in Ashton's lap and he laughed as I did this.

"Are you secretly a professional bowler?" He poked at my sides.

"Just really good." I squirmed in his arms. "Remember our first date when you suggested bowling as one of our options? I said no because I didn't want to beat you."

"Cheeky little thing." He tossed his head back in laughter.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Gracie suddenly bounced up to us. She had been at the arcade with Ender and he had obviously won her a stuffed animal from the claw machine because she had a stuffed penguin in her hands along with her blanket and bunny.

"What is it, baby girl?" I picked her up to set her on my lap.

"I want to play." She pointed towards the bowling lane.

"Okay, i'll have to help you though." I said and she nodded.

Ashton and I took her over to the lane and I let her have my turn. We each held onto the bowling ball with her since it was too heavy for her and helped her roll it down the lane.

As it hit all the pins we jumped up and down and cheered with her, Ari videoing the whole thing on her phone.

"Good job, baby!" I hugged Gracie tightly.

Ashton then took mine and Gracie's picture as we held up the bowling ball together.

I had refrained from posting on any social media in the last week besides the statement i'd had to release, so I let everyone else post their pictures while I stayed off. I didn't want to read the hateful comments I knew would be waiting for me.

"Mommy, you show my picture?" Gracie tugged on my arm as she sat next to me, pointing at my phone.

"Daddy posted your picture." I told her.

"But you, Mommy." She whined.

"I will in a little bit."

I just wasn't ready to go back online, but Gracie didn't understand. She just knew I always posted her photo when she asked me to, so me telling her no to this confused her.

We spent the rest of our night at the bowling alley, the girls obviously winning before we went back to the bus.

The next day the schedule was back to normal and I stuck to Ashton like glue. I held onto him like a koala and I thought I might be annoying him but he seemed happy to hold me right back.

Though when he had to go to sound check I waited back stage for him, Ari and Jason keeping me company while the kids went with him.

"Car, you'll be fine without him for two minutes. I mean I know i'm the one who pushed you into his arms after your breakdown but come on." She pushed me down into a chair as I whined.

"I'm pathetic." I mumbled.

Jason rolled his eyes at me as he shook his head but sat down next to me to keep me
company.

"Ugh!" Ari groaned and we looked over at her.

"What?" I asked.

"Freaking Harry is blowing up my phone." She sighed. "Wow, I have Harry freaking Styles over here texting me and i'm complaining."

Jason raised his eyebrows at her.

"Oh shut up, you know he's everyone's bae." Ari waved him off and I let out a loud laugh.

"Yep, that's my wife." I then heard Ashton say in the microphone and the girls laughed so I knew everyone must have heard my laughter.

"What is Harry saying?" Jason changed the subject.

"Asking about Carter of course. Should he visit, should her send her flowers, should he send her chocolates, or flowers and chocolates or send Jupiter to visit blah blah blah." She made faces as she scrolled through her messages.

"I think this is the longest we've really gone without being together."

"He saw you yesterday, he needs to relax." She said and then groaned again before reading Harry's new message. "What if I buy her a new boat? Do you think that will help?"

"If he buys me a boat I will kill him!" I gasped. "Tell him that!"

Ari laughed as she texted Harry back.

Once sound check ended I went back to clinging to Ashton.

He welcomed me into his embrace and as we lounged on the bus I curled myself into his lap as we watched television.

As we sat there Gracie walked up to us, arms crossed over her chest and a grumpy look on her face.

"Mommy, you have to share Daddy. I no get my cuddles today and that no fair so you share." She directed at me in a "serious" voice and my jaw dropped.

Ashton busted out laughing behind me, everyone else laughing as well.

"Well excuse you but I like to cuddle with Daddy too. But you can cuddle with us."

Gracie climbed up and I moved to one side of Ashton while she snuggled up on his other side.

The night was calm and relaxed, and for the first time since the hacking/cheating rumours, I went out into the crowd with Ari, Jason, and the kids for the show.

A lot of fans came up to me to hug me and say they were sorry for what happened, and I heard a lot of people yell out that they loved me.

After the show I put the kids to bed and then the rest of us went to the back room to watch movies.

We popped popcorn and had ourselves a party, shoving our faces with the snack and watching the most raunchy comedies I had ever seen.

I stayed curled up on Ashton's side, his arm around me and his lips pressing kisses to my face between giggles.

I took a picture of all of us together and decided to be brave and post something on my Instagram.

I used that photo and tagged my friends in it, captioning it with a simple 'Thank you for everything you do for me. I love you.'

The next day Ari and Jason went home because Jason had only taken a few days off of work. I felt like part of my security crutch was gone, and the moment they left I felt vulnerable again.

Ashton was sitting in the living room afterwards, answering emails on his laptop when I walked in.

"Hey, can I talk to you?" I asked him shyly.

He looked up at me before looking back at his laptop, a smile on his lips.

"Sure baby, what's up?"

"I guess just now that Ari has left i'm just wondering what to do next. I mean I want to be with you and the kids but I know i'll have to see Harry sometime and continue living my life but I don't want to cause anymore drama." I admitted.

Ashton looked back up at me and then patted the space next to him after setting his laptop to the side.

"Come here." He opened his arms and I gratefully moved into them.

"Car I know that you're scared of what people are going to say, but if you live your life scared of what others think then you won't ever actually live. Don't let this beat you down, let it bring you up. Rise above it. Show those idiots that their words won't hurt you. Don't let them win, Car. Prove them wrong."

I smiled before hugging him tightly.

"See, this is one of the many reasons that I love you."

He laughed before kissing me on the lips.

"Okay. I'm going to live again." I stood up.

"Good." Ashton chuckled. "I'm glad."

While Ashton went back to his work, I checked on the kids who were napping before looking for my phone, going to the back of the bus so I could call Harry.

"Hey." He answered on the first ring.

"Hey."

"How-how are you? Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine Harry." I laughed lightly.

"Good, i've been worried about you."

"I know, that's why i'm calling. What do you say let's have a best friend date?"

"I'd love that. You're in Arizona right? I can pick you up in a couple hours?"

"Where even are you?" I laughed.

"Not far." He chuckled. "I just have to get a few things in order then i'll be right there."

"Okay. I'll see you soon."

"See you."

I got ready as I waited for Harry, making myself look presentable to go out in public. While I was fixing my hair he told me he was on his way, so I quickly wrapped up and then told Ashton where i'd be.

Harry waited in the car he had rented so he wouldn't be seen and I kissed my kids and Ashton goodbye before heading out to the vehicle.

He was in the back seat waiting for me, a big smile on his face.

"So I had an idea, I want us to make this." He passed me his phone to show me a recipe for ravioli.

"Okay. Then we need go to the grocery store."

"On it." He grinned and told the driver where to take us.

When we got to the store we grabbed a cart and began to roll it around the store, getting all of the ingredients we needed.

"There was a bakery across the street. We should get something for dessert." Harry suggested.

"Sure."

There were a few paps outside but we had to ignore them and went to get a few treats from the bakery before going back to his hotel where he had a kitchen.

Harry seemed more focused on creating a "cool" vibe in the room for when we ate instead of actually cooking, so while he set up the table and ordered us champagne and flowers from the hotel, I cooked us dinner.

"Hare, stop focusing on the lights in the room and help me cook." I laughed as he played with the dimmer switch.

"Well, they're too bright all the way up, but if I do it halfway then it's...romantic...so what do you want?"

"I don't care. Just pick." I giggled.

Finally he came over to help me finish dinner and then we brought it over to the table, noticing he put the lights down halfway.

"This is freaking amazing." Harry said after he took a bite.

"I'm not gonna lie, it's pretty good." I agreed.

As we ate I couldn't stop thinking about Ashton and the kids back at the bus. I wondered if he had made them dinner or had heated up leftovers. I wondered if Ender had finished his homework or if he had stayed outside all day practicing footie with Calum. I wondered if Gracie was okay without me there. I had been so absent and I was regretting it deeply. And of course I wondered if Ashton had wished I stayed with him today.

As these thoughts ran through my head Harry talked. I could hear his voice but my mind was elsewhere and I couldn't focus on the conversation.

In this moment all I wanted was to be with Ashton.

But I put on a smile for Harry and nodded at his words, not letting them actually remain in my mind.

I was still a bit in a daze when I left his hotel with him placing a kiss on my forehead and a box of left overs for the kids.

He had his car take me back to the venue where I made my way to the bus, going inside to find Gracie standing there awaiting my arrival.

She was in her pyjamas with her hair washed and braided but she looked grumpy like she had earlier.

"What are you still doing up?" I asked her. "It's past your bedtime."

"She's been waiting for you to come back so you could kiss her goodnight." Ashton said as he walked over to me and kissed my cheek. "Trust me i've tried to put her to bed but it was a nightmare."

"Gracie." I frowned before picking her up.

I took her back to her bed and got in with her, wrapping my arms around her.

"Tell me about your day." I said to her.

"I play with Sprinkles and watch Daddy sing." She hugged my side.

"That sounds fun. I'm sorry I left, I would've loved to stay here with you."

She nodded.

I hugged her tightly, running my fingers through her hair, and beginning to hum a song to her.

Ashton walked in to get in our bed and smiled over at me.

"Halo by Beyoncé?" He chuckled at the song I had chosen.

I gave him a smile before looking back down at Gracie, watching her fall asleep.

Once she was asleep I moved back over to mine and Ashton's bed, curling into his body.

"How was your night with Harry?"

"It was good."

"Well based on those leftovers you brought that I put in the fridge it was better than good."

I laughed at this.

We got comfortable before he kissed my lips several times and we fell asleep.

The next morning Gracie helped me make pancakes for breakfast and then we went outside to play.

I was helping Gracie ride her tricycle around, Ashton calling out encouragements to her.

When she was tired of the bike she changed over to her barbie jeep and then after that she played catch with Ashton.

I took a big step today and went to sound check with Ashton.

It felt really good. I was able to laugh and smile with him and the boys.

Ender helped me with dinner since I made his favourite and then we went to the show.

We were walking back to the bus when I got a call from Harry.

"I need you to come over. I'll send a car to get you."

"Harry I-"

"Please. I need you to come over." He insisted.

I rolled my eyes before hanging up.

When Ashton came back I walked up to him.

"Harry called me and something must be important because he's insisting I come over so i'm going to go but i'll be back as soon as I can."

"It's okay." He gave me a smile. "Take as long as you need."

I kissed him before I left the bus, getting into the car Harry had provided.

As the car drove through downtown Dallas I looked at the tall city buildings and admired their beauty.

I arrived at his hotel and made my way up the tall building and to his room, knocking on the door.

It flew open and Harry stood there, looking nervous, anxious and a little scared.

"What's wrong?" I began to worry.

Was there another rumour? Or did my modelling agency fire me? Was something wrong with Jupiter?

"I need to talk to you." He pulled me inside before closing the door behind me and walking over to the window before he began to pace.

"Talk to me about what?" I asked as I stood there watching him act so strangely.

He stopped pacing to look at me, and by the look in Harrys eyes I knew this was something that I would not see coming.

Ashton's PoV:

I watched Carter hesitantly leave before going to walk back to the back room to pull Ender off his video games when Luke's voice stopped me.

"Why do you let it happen?" He asked.

"What?" I turned around.

"You let him steal her away from you, piece by piece, day by day. He calls her and she runs to him, she calls him and he's already there. Do you not see what's happening?"

"Of course I see what's happening Luke! I'm not an idiot! But I know what i'm doing and i'd appreciate it if you'd let me do this."

"You're letting him steal your fiancé!" Luke shouted.

"NO!" I yelled back before calming myself down. The last thing I needed was everyone asking why I was upset and yelling at Luke.

"I'm letting her chose who she wants."

--

I apologise in advance for the next chapter. It's been a long time coming though, that's all i'm gonna say.

Much love xx-m