The Assistant || Ashton Irwin

1.2

"So are you getting nervous?" Catherine asked as we went through last minute cheeks with the dress fittings.

"What? Why would I be nervous?" I called through the curtain as the shop assistant helped me into my dress.

"Oh yeah it's not like you're getting married or anything" Catherine called back, his voice thick with sarcasm.

"Yeah in like two months. I don't have time for nerves now" I laughed as I stepped from behind the curtain.

Catherine froze as I came into view, her eyes wide and her hands slowly went to her mouth. I looked around me before I stepped on the box in front of a full length mirror.

"Oh Ali, you look beautiful" Cath whispered.

I smiled at her through the mirror and noticed the door of the shop open. I was shocked at the sight.

"Anne?" I said spinning around.

"Hello darling" she smiled.

I gathered up the ends of my dress and ran to her, throwing my arms around her neck. She laughed and hugged me back. It was then I spotted Lauren and Harry over her shoulder.

"Harry, Lauren! Come here" I said excitedly waving them over. I hugged them both tightly, totally forgetting I was in my wedding dress.

"What are you guys doing here? I thought you weren't coming over until next week" I asked.

"Well first, change out of that dress before you rip it" Anne said laughing and I did as she said, "And we wanted to surprise you and spend some bonding time with you before Ashton got back from LA"

"You guys are awesome" I called over the curtain as I pulled back on my jeans and top. I stepped out and discussed what needed to be done to the dress with the steeamstress before I linked arms with Lauren and Harry and we all headed to a café for a well earned cup of tea.

After chilling out for a while Catherine headed home and I drove us home. I told Harry and Lauren to make themselves at home while I helped Anne unpack a few of their things.

"So how are things?" Anne asked.

"Fine, everything is going the way it should" I answered.

"Honey don't lie to me" she said raising an eyebrow.

"I'm not lying, things are good. They're great actually" I said smiling.

"Oh my god, you're actually getting along aren't you?" Anne questioned stopping what she was doing.

"We might be" I said, biting my lip.

Anne's next sentence was cut short by my phone ringing. I put my finger up to put our conversation on hold.

A smile spread across my face once I saw Ashton's name light up my screen.

"Hey" I answered in a hushed voice.

"Hey, why are you whispering?" He asked with a laugh.

"Em, your mum's here" I said heading into my room.

"She's what?!" He asked and I could picture his panicked state.

"And your siblings" I added.

"Oh no" he muttered.

"What's the problem? It's not as if you're here so they can disturb us" I laughed. Over the past two months Ashton and I had grown a lot founder of each other's company. Well, each other's company in bed.

"Um, yeah see I'm flying back tomorrow, you know bonding time before the wedding" he said.

"Aw man" I signed, "we'll figure it out. So when are you getting in? I'll pick you up" I offered.

"6am. You don't have to it's way too early"

"Ash, I'm picking you up just smile and say thank you" I said.

"I can see that smirk on your face all the way over here" he laughed, "Alright, see you in the morning babe. Night"

"Night" I said and hung up.

After telling Anne her son would be home sooner than expected, I headed to bed and tried to get some sleep. I got into bed and just lay there. I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve, the excitement was building and my stomach felt sick with nerves and I couldn't understand why.

It was only Ashton coming home, why should I be that excited? Is it because I like him? Well yes I did like him, he was actually a sweet guy he just buried him for a while. But did I feel more for him? I wasn't so sure.

The next thing I knew my alarm was blaring and I jumped up out of bed and stumbled to get ready before dashing out the door to go get Ashton. I pulled into the airport car park and made my way to arrivals.

I checked the board and his flight had landed. I waited nervously as people filed out of the arrival doors. I watched as people were reunited with their loved ones and I couldn't help but smile.

I was dragged back to reality by someone calling my name. I looked and instantly locked eyes with Ashton. I ran towards him, he dropped his bag and opened his arms. I locked my arms around his neck and he spun me around and I let out a laugh. He set me to my feet and rested our foreheads together.

A bright flash caught had my eye and soon the whole place around us lit up. Ashton's eyes closed and his smile faded.

"Can't they leave me alone for one fucking minute" he muttered.

"Hey, forgot them ok" I whispered, placing my hands on his chest.

"Okay" he whispered back, as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

His lips hovered over mine and the room around us faded out. It was as if it was only us yet I knew everyone's eyes were on us.

Ashton's head tilted slightly and began to lean in, I stood on my toes to close the gap. The second our lips touched, Ashton pulled me closer and the cameras went off like the 4th of July. We pulled apart and a blush spread across my cheeks.

"Let's head home" he smiled, taking my hand and leading me towards the exit. When we found the car Ashton took the keys from me. I gave him a look.

"Let me drive, bad enough I got you out of bed so early" he said. I smiled and got into the passenger side. As soon as the engine started I was out cold.

The next thing I knew, I felt my ankle hit something hard.

"Ow" I grumbled.

"Sorry" Ashton whispered, "I tried being careful"

"Huh?" I asked as I felt my body sink into the familiar warmth of Ashton's bed.

"Shh, I'm tired too, just go back to sleep" he said getting in beside me. I didn't protest, I just rolled over and snuggled into his bare chest, the darkness of sleep taking me over.