Austin and Ally the college years

Chapter Ten: Home Sweet Home

The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the large windows of the cozy living room, casting a warm, golden glow over the newly furnished space. Austin stood by the open kitchen, a cup of coffee in hand, taking in the peaceful silence of their new home. The air was still, except for the occasional hum of traffic outside and the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. Everything felt new and familiar at the same time—a delicate balance of fresh beginnings and the comfort of being together.

Austin glanced at the front door, waiting for Ally to return from her last class of the day. He still had another week before his own classes started, which gave him time to settle into the house and finish unpacking. Most of their boxes were gone now, and the house had quickly become a reflection of their personalities. Bright and open, with little touches of their shared memories scattered everywhere.

The walls were adorned with photos—some from Austin’s tours, others from Ally’s early performances at the A&A Music Factory. On a small bookshelf near the window, Austin had framed the acceptance letter from his business program. It served as a reminder of the new chapter he was starting, both in his career and his life with Ally.

The living room itself was cozy and inviting, with a plush gray sofa positioned in front of the fireplace, a soft throw blanket draped casually over the back. A few colorful pillows added a playful touch to the otherwise neutral tones, and a couple of guitars leaned against the wall in the corner, always within reach for Austin to strum whenever inspiration struck.

Just as he was about to sit down, the sound of keys jingling at the front door pulled him from his thoughts. Austin turned, smiling as Ally stepped through the door, her bag slung over her shoulder and a content, albeit tired, smile on her face.

"Hey," she greeted him, her voice light as she kicked off her shoes by the door and set her bag down on the entryway bench.

"Hey yourself," Austin replied, crossing the room to meet her. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "How was class?"

Ally sighed happily into the hug, her body relaxing against his. "It was good. Just got out of Music Theory—it was a lot to take in, but I think I’m finally getting the hang of it. We went over advanced chord progressions today. My brain feels a little fried, but it was definitely interesting."

She stepped back, still smiling, and ran a hand through her hair. "And it was my last class of the day, so now I can finally unwind."

"Good timing," Austin said, leading her into the kitchen. "I was just about to start planning the housewarming party. Figured we could go over the guest list and decide what we want to do."

Ally perked up at that. "Oh! I’ve been thinking about it all day. I want to keep it simple but fun. Maybe invite just our close friends and family, nothing too crazy."

They moved to the kitchen island, where Austin had already laid out a notebook and a couple of pens. Ally sat down on one of the barstools, and Austin slid a cup of tea in front of her, knowing it was her favorite way to unwind after a long day. She smiled appreciatively before taking a sip, her shoulders visibly relaxing.

"So," Austin began, flipping open the notebook. "Who do we want to invite?"

"Definitely Trish and Dez," Ally said, tapping the pen against her chin. "I was also thinking we could invite my parents, and maybe your mom, if she’s free."

Austin nodded. "Yeah, I think that’d be perfect. Keep it small but close-knit."

They started writing down names, bouncing ideas off each other. The guest list was shaping up to be just right—enough people to fill their new home with warmth and laughter, but intimate enough that it wouldn’t be overwhelming.

"Do you think Dez will bring one of his weird party ideas?" Ally asked with a grin.

Austin laughed. "Probably. I’m half-expecting him to show up with some kind of crazy game or an elaborate film project for us all to participate in."

"Knowing Dez, that’s exactly what he’ll do," Ally said, shaking her head fondly.

After they settled on the guest list, they moved on to planning the food and drinks. Ally suggested a mix of finger foods—simple, easy, but delicious. Mini sandwiches, fruit platters, and maybe a few of her famous homemade cupcakes. Austin was in charge of drinks, and they decided on a selection of both non-alcoholic and a few fun cocktails for those who wanted to indulge.

As they talked, the house around them felt more and more like home. The soft hum of their conversation filled the space, and for a moment, everything felt wonderfully complete.

"I’m thinking we could set up some of the party in the backyard," Austin said, his voice thoughtful as he glanced toward the sliding glass door that led to the small garden space behind the house. "We could string up some fairy lights, maybe put out a few chairs and blankets so people can relax outside if the weather’s nice."

Ally’s eyes lit up at the idea. "That sounds perfect! And we can play some music, maybe even get out the guitars for a little impromptu performance."

"I like that idea," Austin agreed. "It’ll feel like our own little concert."

They continued planning, and before they knew it, the evening had settled in. The golden light outside had faded into the soft hues of twilight, casting a calm over their home. The more they talked, the more excited they became, not just about the party but about the life they were building together.

Austin looked around their home, a warm feeling spreading through him. This was what he had wanted—something real, something grounded. He and Ally had built something special together, not just a house, but a life that felt like their own.

Ally finished the last sip of her tea and leaned back in her chair, gazing around the kitchen. "You know," she said softly, her eyes meeting Austin’s, "I think this place already feels like home. I can’t wait to share it with everyone."

Austin smiled, reaching across the table to take her hand. "Me too. This is just the beginning."

As they sat there, in the heart of their new home, the future felt wide open—full of possibilities, laughter, and love. And for the first time in a long time, everything felt exactly as it should be.