Austin and Ally the college years

Chapter 22: Countdown to Paris

The days flew by, and the excitement of the upcoming trip to Paris enveloped both Austin and Ally like a warm embrace. As Austin prepared for his finals, he found solace in the knowledge that soon they would be exploring the City of Lights together. Meanwhile, Ally spent her days celebrating the end of her semester and dreaming about the adventures that awaited them.

It was Saturday afternoon, and Austin sat at the kitchen table surrounded by his textbooks, frantically trying to cram as much information into his head as possible before his first exam on Monday. He felt the weight of the world on his shoulders—every equation and financial principle seemed to blur together in a dizzying swirl.

Ally, on the other hand, was basking in the afterglow of her freedom. She had spent the morning at a local café with Emily, who was still staying with them. They had shared pastries, coffee, and laughter, planning outings to explore Seattle together before Ally and Austin left for their trip. But even as they chatted, her thoughts kept drifting back to Paris.

“Hey, Austin?” Ally called from the living room, breaking his concentration. “Can you come here for a second?”

“Sure!” He pushed back from the table, stretching his stiff muscles before heading into the living room. When he entered, he found Ally scrolling through her phone with a look of determination on her face.

“What’s up?” he asked, leaning against the doorframe.

“I was thinking,” she began, looking up at him with an excited gleam in her eye. “Since we’re going to Paris, we should make a list of all the places we want to visit. There’s so much to see!”

“Good idea!” Austin replied, feeling his own enthusiasm build. “What do you want to hit first?”

“Definitely the Eiffel Tower!” she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up at the thought. “And we have to visit the Louvre! I want to see the Mona Lisa.”

Austin nodded, smiling at her infectious excitement. “Absolutely. And we can stroll along the Seine and check out Notre-Dame.”

They continued to brainstorm a list of must-see spots, from quaint cafés to picturesque gardens. Ally suggested visiting Montmartre, and Austin suggested the charming neighborhood of Le Marais. As they planned, Ally’s excitement was palpable, and it made the anticipation of their upcoming trip all the more exhilarating.

Just then, Emily walked in, holding a freshly baked chocolate cake she had whipped up to celebrate Ally’s finals. “What’s this about Paris?” she asked, placing the cake on the counter.

“We’re going to Paris for our anniversary!” Ally beamed.

Emily’s eyes widened. “That’s incredible! I’m so happy for you guys. You’re going to love it!”

Austin felt a rush of gratitude. He loved seeing Ally so happy and was thrilled that Emily was part of this new chapter in their lives. “We’re super excited,” he said. “But I need to focus on these finals first.”

“Yeah, I was just telling him to buckle down,” Ally said, glancing at Austin. “But I can’t help but dream about the trip.”

“Fair enough! You’ve earned it after finals,” Emily replied, glancing at the cake. “Now, let’s celebrate! I think this deserves a toast!”

“Absolutely!” Ally agreed. “Here’s to finishing finals and to Paris!”

As they gathered around the table, glasses filled with sparkling cider, they toasted to new beginnings and adventures ahead. Laughter filled the room, and for a moment, Austin was able to push aside his stress and simply enjoy the company of the two most important people in his life.

After they finished their cake, Austin returned to studying, while Ally and Emily set about organizing their plans for the next few days. Ally was determined to make the most of the time they had before the trip.

By Sunday evening, the atmosphere in the house shifted slightly. With finals looming, Austin buried himself in his studies, but every time he looked at Ally, the sparkle in her eyes reminded him of what was at stake. Their anniversary trip had become a beacon of light guiding him through the heavy cloud of exam stress.

“Alright, babe,” Austin said, closing his laptop after what felt like a marathon study session. “I need a break. Want to go for a walk?”

“Definitely!” Ally replied, jumping up from the couch. “Fresh air will do us both good.”

As they strolled through their neighborhood, the sun setting behind them, Austin felt the warmth of Ally’s hand in his, grounding him amidst the swirling thoughts of exams. They talked about everything and nothing, relishing the simple moments before the chaos of finals kicked in for Austin.

“Can you believe we’ll be in Paris in just a few days?” Ally asked, looking up at him with a soft smile.

“I can’t wait,” Austin said, squeezing her hand. “It feels like a dream.”

“Are you nervous about your exams?” Ally asked, her tone shifting slightly. She knew how hard he had been studying.

“Kind of, but I just keep thinking about our trip. It’s motivating me to push through,” he confessed.

“You’ve got this,” Ally said confidently. “You’re going to do amazing. Just focus on what you’ve studied.”

As they walked, Austin felt a swell of affection for Ally. Her unwavering support meant everything to him. It gave him the strength to push through the pressure he felt.

When they returned home, Austin sat down at the kitchen table to resume his studies while Ally curled up on the couch with a book. The clock ticked softly in the background, reminding Austin that time was running short before his finals began.

Just as he was starting to lose focus, Emily poked her head into the kitchen. “Hey, can I steal you for a second?” she asked Austin.

“Sure! What’s up?” he replied, standing up and following her into the living room.

“I wanted to talk to you about the trip to Paris,” she said, her expression turning serious. “I think it’s awesome you’re planning to propose. But remember, it’s okay to feel nervous.”

Austin’s heart raced at her words. He had planned to propose to Ally during their trip, but he hadn’t mentioned it to anyone yet. “How did you know?” he asked, surprised.

“Just a hunch,” she replied with a knowing smile. “I can see how much you care about her, and I think it’s the perfect place to take that step.”

“Yeah, I really want to,” he said, glancing back toward Ally. “But I don’t want to mess it up.”

“You won’t,” Emily assured him. “Just be yourself and speak from your heart. That’s all that matters.”

Austin felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. “Thanks, Emily. I really appreciate your support.”

As he returned to studying, he felt a renewed sense of determination. He would conquer his finals and then create the perfect moment for Ally in Paris. It was a journey toward not just a trip, but a new chapter in their lives—one that would bring them even closer together.