Armed with way more bags than a dog that small should need, Austin followed Melody up to his new apartment. She was carrying Rudolf as they walked across the street to the Frost Crest Diner. Of course, Bell would be the one to name his first pet, he thought with a little grin tugging at his lips.

Oh well, he was just as much her dog as his. He was waiting outside her door, after all. He'd have suggested she take the tiny guy home if her dad weren't allergic. This was better; more reasons for her to come over. She walked around the side of the building towards the back stairs entrance, and he followed her. They let Rudolf do his business one more time and then headed up. Austin fished for his keys and handed them to her, and she opened it up.

She set Rudolf down as they stepped into the tiny one-bedroom apartment. He was happy to be let free and started running around.

"Holy crap, it's so dull." She echoed the words in his head.

"When he said it was already furnished, he didn't mention perfectly matching."

The apartment had bare light beige walls, one big window, and off-white curtains. The décor was as basic as possible: a tan couch, a tan chair, a light wood coffee table with matching end tables, and a kitchen table. Even the few rugs in the kitchen and dining were a creamy color scheme pattern.

"If it makes you feel better, I'm still in my pink bedroom," Melody offered, "poster marks on the walls and everything."

"You didn't leave the boy bands up?" He teased her, and she laughed out loud.

"I mean, it was tempting, but no." she headed to the bags and started taking stuff out. Rudolf raced over when she squeaked one of his toys and started playing. Keep away with it.

"I might need your help," Austin looked around the drab room.

"Perfect time of year to ask for my help!" She chirped.

"Within reason on the Christmas stuff," he said warningly.

"Of course," she smirked with a flicker in her eyes.

He just chuckled and went to toss his bags in the bedroom. The bed was covered with, surprise, an off-white bedspread, and matching rugs. It had the same wooden dresser and accent tables as the living hall room. At least it was clean; his first apartment in London came with tiny four-legged roommates he didn't ask for.

She was still sitting on the floor when he stepped back out playing with the puppy.  She was smiling at Rudolf as he was happily wagging his tail. A lock of hair fell over her face, and he pictured himself brushing it back... like that night.

She must've felt his gaze because she looked up, and he quickly played it off as if he'd just walked in.

"Bedroom is just as oatmeal themed as out here," he informed her.

"That doesn't surprise me," she said as she stood. Rudolf went to his new bed and plopped down in it.

"Now might be a good time to sneak me back home," she motioned as the puppy fell asleep.

Austin felt his stomach drop; he wasn't ready for the day to end.

"Let me buy you a bite from downstairs first?" He suggested, "it's been a long day."

"Yeah, sure, I'm kind of hungry."

They headed back down and outside to the restaurant entrance. It was busy there, and Christmas music was already blaring through the speakers.

"Melody!" A tall, beautiful, raven-haired woman Austin recognized as Rafe's wife waved them to a table near the bar.

"Hey, Drea!" Melody greeted her as they headed over.

"This is Austin, " Melody introduced, "or have you met?"

"Only on screens; great to meet you in person," Austin smiled and took her hand to kiss it. She giggled and smiled back.

"Watch it, charmer," Rafe's deep voice commands the room.

"Rafe! How the hell are you, man?" The two friends hugged briefly, he looked great. His dark hair was cut short, and his tanned face was clean-shaven. He'd filled out quite a bit from the skinny kid he was several years ago. Managing a restaurant probably had a lot to do with that.

"It's great to see you again, man." Rafe pulled up a chair and sat down. He motioned to a server. "Bring them the special on me."

"What's the special?" Melody asked as she sat down.

"Shepherd's pie," Drea said, making Austin's stomach growl.

"Sounds great," Austin sat down as well.

"You want a beer?" Rafe asked as he stood, "wine, Mel?"

"Always," Melody agreed, "Rose."

"Just a Coke for me; I need to drive Bell home," Austin said.

"I'll get them, sit and visit with your friend," Drea rose as Rafe sat back down. He watched her leave with a little grin, then looked back at them. It was good seeing his buddy happy and married.

"It's like old times seeing you two again," Rafe commented.

"Almost," Melody said, "just missing Coop and Sadie."

"Right," Rafe agreed.

"Has Sadie told you when she's coming home for Christmas?" Melody asked.

"Uh, I don't think she's nailed down a date yet," Rafe said, "busy, busy."

"Yeah, I know," Melody grumbled. "I practically have to schedule a phone conversation. So... what do you know about that?"

"About her phone?" Rafe asked.

"About what's got her so busy," Melody shot back.

"Uh.. no idea"-

Drea returned with the drinks, and Melody's phone rang simultaneously.

"It's Coop!" Melody quipped loudly.

"Huh?! How"- Rafe shut up when Drea suddenly nudged him. "On the phone, it's Coop calling her."

"I'm going to take this outside, so I can hear him. Be right back," Melody said, shooting the couple a curious look before she ducked off.

Drea started to laugh once she was out of sight. "That was close, you idiot."

"What was?" Austin asked.

"Don't tell"-

"Cooper and Sadie are together," Drea blurted out, and Rafe groaned.

"Him. I was going to say don't tell him." Rafe finished.

"Why?" Drea and Austin asked at the same time.

"Because he'll tell her," Rafe said.

"Austin, they don't want her to know yet, don't say anything." Drea said to Austin.

"Why?" Austin frowned as an unsettled feeling took root. "I don't like that; she'll be upset to be the last to know."

"I told you so," Rafe looked at her.

"It's not your secret to tell," Drea pointed out.

"It doesn't matter; he tells her everything," Rafe told her, "call Sadie and tell her to hurry up and fess up."

Well, almost everything, except the one big lie about wanting to kiss her, but Rafe had no clue about that night, and Austin planned to keep it that way.

"Can you give them a second? She's been kind of down lately, and they're afraid it'll make her feel worse." Drea pleaded.

"What do you mean down?" Austin asked.

"Now you got him all worried, Drea," Rafe laughed. "Just normal figuring out life stuff. She'll be fine."

"So you'll hold off telling her about them?" Drea pushed.

"I don't feel comfortable doing that.." Austin looked towards the door. Melody had just gone through.

"Is he always this... honorable?" Drea asked Rafe, who laughed. "Always."

"I was a jerk that never called her during college. I'm rebuilding a friendship with her," Austin said with a sigh, "I don't want to break it already."

"Foods up," Drea stood as her pager went off, "I'll be right back. Talk some sense into him, hon."

"Thorne, this isn't a big deal," Rafe turned to him once she'd left. "They'll tell her when they get here."

"They're coming home together?" Austin questioned. "That's a big deal."

"To tell everyone, the parents too, and it is their news. Drea was right."

"Yeah, I guess," Austin mumbled, feeling defeated. "I'll try not to say anything."

"Try not," Rafe scoffed.

"Best I can offer," Austin said with a sheepish grin.

Melody had stepped back inside, but she was standing near the door. Her soft cheeks were flushed from the cold, and she smiled while talking to her brother.

Rafe chuckled, "she's single."

"Don't be stupid." Austin scoffed as he pulled his gaze away.

"She's all grown up now," Rafe commented.

"It's Bell," Austin said as if that was all the answer he needed.

Drea returned with their food then, and Melody returned to join them.

They chatted for a while and enjoyed catching up in addition to the fantastic food. After watching Mel drink and chat even get a little buzz it was getting easier to see her as an adult. Somehow she'd cemented herself as nearly eighteen in his head until then.

"One more glass of wine, Mel?" Drea asked as she topped her glass.

"We can't!" Melody's eyes widened. "Rudolf's probably been up!"

"Who?" Rafe asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"Long story, but we got to go," Austin was already envisioning how bad the mess could be.

The two nearly raced out of the diner to the sidewalk. Just as they turned the corner, Melody yelped as she slipped; he quickly caught her, wrapping an arm around her to secure her just before she fell. She gasped in surprise as her eyes met his.  And for a moment, the world around them went black; all he saw was emerald green.

"I'm okay now.." she spoke first. She was biting her lip. He gently released her. "Go ahead, really, I'm fine." She spoke softly as she motioned to the steps ahead of them.

Wordlessly he climbed up first and heard her coming behind him. He stepped inside, carefully bracing himself for the worst.

"Not bad!" The toys were strewn about, and the couch looked chewed in one cushion.

Rudolf ran up to them and jumped all over them like crazy.

"We're sorry we left!" Melody giggled as he peppered her face in kisses.

"I don't see any accidents," Austin said with surprise.

"I better get him out now!" Melody said as she stood with him.

"It's so slippery out there, " he took him from her, "I'll take him."

"I'm not that big of a klutz," she rolled her eyes but didn't argue.

When he came back, she was still in her coat. Rudolf whined and squirmed for her, so he handed him over; she snuggled the dog close.

"I don't think he wants you to leave just yet," Austin said with a ghost of a smile playing at his lips.

"I should get going, though," she pouted at the pup as she held him up to her face.

"It's not that late..." Austin commented. "What if we watch a Christmas movie?"

Her face predictably lit up at that.

"I guess I could stay for a little bit," she set the puppy down and shrugged off her coat.

"I'll go down and get some wine for you, " Austin offered.

"Get yourself some beer, too," Melody directed.

"Bell..."

"I'll walk if you're that worried about it," she retorted.

"You're not walking," Austin denied that idea, "not at night."

"I live five minutes from here, and as stated earlier, I'm twenty-three."

"It's still night." He countered.

"The worst thing that could happen in Frost Crest is someone stealing your candy cane." Melody said, "Then they'd send you an apology note the next day."

"I mean- true, but"-

"Have some beers, and you and Rudolf can walk me home later?" She compromised.

"Deal."

He returned a few minutes later with wine, beer, and desserts.

He found Melody already curled up on the couch, she had grabbed the beige blanket from his bed, and it was across her. The puppy was sitting on the side of her with its head in her lap, and she was gently petting it. Once again, he stared at her for much longer than he should have.

"Austin?" She looked up at him, "you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm just fine," He said as he went to join her.

Yet another lie... what was happening to him?