Better Together | Auslly One Shots & Mini Fanfics

you will always break my fall, part 2

hey y'all, i'm sorry this took so long to get up. school has been so hectic, it's not even funny. every time i'd sit down to write this, i'd remember something else i had to do and reluctantly do that instead. don't get me wrong, i like writing this more than my school stuff. it's one of the only things keeping me sane atm :') anyway thanks for your patience with this. let me know what y'all think in the comments. i'll hopefully be able to post the third part earlier than a month from now lol but then again i feel like i'm jinxing it.

that is all. enjoy :)

-Ej

*not thoroughly edited

/

two: at the edge

august 18th, 2024

around 9:15 a.m.

I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always,

As long as I'm living,

My babies you'll be.

Austin stared at the last page of the book and repeated the phrase to himself over and over. He couldn't believe how deep and meaningful something as simple as a children's book could be. And yet, here he was, sitting with the three most important people in his life, almost regretting going into work that morning. He had wondered if it was too soon; after all, they'd just gotten back from the hospital a few days ago, and Ally was still recovering. It was clear that she hadn't been ready for him to leave her alone with both kids just yet.

He glanced down at his left arm, in which Alex was snoozing softly. Austin hadn't even noticed that his arm was starting to become numb but he didn't want to move it yet. Ava's head was resting on his right leg, and her thumb was in her mouth. She sucked on it subconsciously, her eyes fluttering every once in a while. Occasionally she'd let out cute little sighs, which made Austin smile.

Finally, he looked over at Ally, who was on the other side of the couch, her head facing away from the rest of her family. Though he couldn't quite see her face he could tell she looked exhausted and stressed out. Being extra careful with his movements, Austin pushed Ava slightly to the right so he could stand up from the couch. He set Alex in his rocker swing and went back over to Ally, whose eyes were now open and squinting up at him.

"Hey," he said, grinning a little. "Did you have a good nap?"

"Shut up," Ally mumbled, swatting at him playfully. Austin grabbed her hand and pulled her into an upright position. She winced and leaned against the back of the couch. "Ow..." she groaned.

"What's wrong?" Austin frowned. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Well, no..." her voice trailed off as she groaned again, cradling her midsection. "When I was chasing Ava around the kitchen earlier, I tripped and the vase broke. And ever since then, I've been getting sharp pains in my stomach." Austin's eyes radiated concern. She waved a hand. "It's probably nothing though." He frowned.

"Wait... what do you mean, sharp pains? Should I take you to the doctor? Are you bleedi—"

"Austin..." Ally interrupted, "Calm down. There's no reason to panic. I promise." Austin scrunched his eyebrows together. "Everything's gonna be fine. I'm not bleeding any more than normal and... I'll be fine."

"I don't believe you." Ally rolled her eyes.

"Of course, you don't." She sighed, flopping back on the couch. Austin thought he saw her wince a little. "Even if I did agree to let you take me to the doctor, I'm not sure that I'm quite comfortable leaving Alex with someone else just yet. I mean, he's barely even a week old..."