I'm SOO sorry for making y'all wait for this update. I just had a really stressful week and didn't even think about this honestly, I'm sorry. This week should be better though; our classes aren't allowed to give us work at the moment so I'll have some writing time(:

SHOUTOUTS IN THE LITTLE ENDING THING UNDER THE CHAPTER. I'm going to try to do these often.

This one is for XxAddictedToWritingxX ! Love the topic, been listening to Christmas music all day because of this! (: Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Legit. Also I didn't go over it, I apologize for mistakes.

Warning: A few swear words in this chapter, but overall the rating is K+.

Gingerbread K+

Austin's POV

"Ah, damn it." I cursed under my breath as I pulled out another batch of burnt gingerbread cookies from the oven. Tomorrow is Christmas, and since it's me and Ally's first one together, I wanted to do something a little special. You know, bake something for her instead of the other way around like it usually was. Of course, a few other little things as well, but let's focus on the task at hand here, shall we?

Scraping off the cookies into the trash can along with my other three failed attempts, I set the pan on the counter and went to take a seat on the living room recliner. Rubbing my temples, I thought to myself, how come girls make cooking look so easy? Heck, even Dez is a better chef than me. Groaning outwardly, I considered calling him to come over and help me, but soon remembered he left with family for the holiday. So did Trish, therefore I was on my own.

Knowing fully well that complaining would get me nowhere, I grabbed the TV remote and began channel surfing as I had decided a break would be nice right about now. Stopping on Food Network, I started cursing Bobby Flay and Paula Deen and Rachel Ray for being good chefs without even trying.

Scowling as another perfectly made pie was pulled out of a perfect oven in a perfect kitchen, I turned off the TV and stalked back over to my oven in my kitchen. Picking up the recipe for gingerbread cookies, I halfheartedly decided to give it another shot… until I realized I didn't have any of the right ingredients left. "Unbelievable." I muttered to myself, taking a seat at the kitchen table while putting my head in my hands.

I guess I could just run to the store and get everything real quick, I debated with myself. Sighing and standing up, I looked down at the shirt I was wearing, and for a moment considered changing. But then again, if I pulled on a hoodie no one would notice the flour, sugar, eggs, or spices strewn across it.

Shrugging, I put on my jacket and made my way down to the grocery store.

As I grabbed the last thing I needed off the shelf, I went to the checkout lines which were pretty crowded. Finding the shortest one there was, I stood in line and glanced around to see what everyone else was here for.

Toys were obviously flooding everyone's shopping carts, along with tacky sweaters and tons of food. Looks like everyone was in a hurry as well, most of them didn't bother to change out of their pajamas. Laughing to myself at what a few of them were wearing, I noticed someone wearing flannel pants with music notes all over them, paired with a sweater that had a cup of coffee on it.

Just as I thought to myself that those were definitely things Ally would wear, I looked up to see the person's face only to discover that it was indeed, Ally.

"Shit," I murmured, turning around; hoping she wouldn't see me and discover what I was here for. It's supposed to be a surprise and –

"Austin?" I heard someone call to me, and I wasn't even going to pretend I didn't hear it; I can recognize her voice anywhere and she knows it.

Facing her once again, I smiled and pretended I hadn't seen her two seconds ago, "Als? Hey! What are you doing here?"

Giving up my spot in line to go hug her, she giggled as I commented on her outfit and said, "Well, looks like you didn't get all fancied up, either." Scrunching up her eyebrows together in confusion, she stepped closer to me and asked, "Have you been cooking? You smell like sugar or something."

…Annnd that's the Ally I know. Nothing gets past her. But you know, it doesn't hurt to try, "Maybe I'm just really sweet." Winking at her, she shoved me over a bit while she laughed, "Well maybe. But I still think you were cooking. Not that the ingredients in your hands give me any hints, either."

Looking down at what I was holding, I knew there would be no escaping her now, so I settled with defeat. "Okay, so maybe I was baking something. Surprising, yes?"

"Very!" She exclaimed, "But only because you never do, ever. And hey wait, didn't one time you tell me you couldn't cook whatsoever? Or were you lying?"

I told you she remembers everything.

"Well yeah I said that, and it's true," – Hence why I'd already burned four batches of cookies – "But might as well try to get better, right?"

"I suppose," She said nonchalantly, right before a wave of enthusiasm hit her, "Do you want me to help? I can teach you!"

Hesitantly considering this, I thought it might be a good idea to get help before I burn down the house – even if I meant for it to be a surprise. "Sure, why not?"

"Yay!" She squealed, "What are you planning to make?"

Showing her all the things I'd picked up, I told her, "Gingerbread cookies."

A few hours later back at my place found Ally and I covered in flour from our ongoing war. Through the process of trying to show me how to make gingerbread, we also decided to make sugar cookies and cinnamon rolls… and of course, we all know that its impossible to have flour and not throw it in your girlfriend's hair.

"Austin!" She squeaked as I accidentally knocked the tub of sugar onto the floor.

"Oops," Was all I said before slipping on frosting I'd spilled earlier; landing on my butt. "Owwie," I complained as Ally fought to keep in her laughter; failing miserably. Trying to get up and finally managing to regain my footing, I grinned evilly as I reached for the food coloring as she continued to laugh at me.

Once I had it in my hands, I opened the little canister and spilled it over her sweater.

"Hey!" She shouted incredulously, moving to hit me, but ended up stumbling over because of everything on the floor. Before she fell though, I caught her and she burst into a fit of giggles whilst trying to regain her balance. Chuckling, I pulled her up to me and wrapped my arms around her until we could breathe again.

For a while, there was a sweet silence as we hugged each other in the middle of my disaster of a kitchen; until Ally spoke up, "Austin, we need to clean this place."

Snorting, I told her we would later because I needed to show her something now. "What is it?" She asked curiously as we stood apart.

Smirking, I pointed upwards, and after she looked she questioned, "Is that mistletoe?"

Nodding and knowing I'd made the right decision as to hanging the stuff in every room in the house, I said, "Yes."

"Well then," She smiled, raising herself up on her tiptoes and connecting our lips.

And this time, I could care less about burning the cookies.

Whew! Glad I finished that, now I should probably start on my homework. Yeah, that's a good idea. But first, a few shoutouts!

XxAddictedToWritingxX : Again, love the word I hope you enjoyed(:

RossLynchLUVR : I should've given you a shoutout ages ago, you review on almost all of these! Thank you! …But what. You & me, shopping. NOW.

Awesomesauce325 : Embrace it!

Alrighty guys, well, give me a few new words to work with and I'll try my hardest to update within the next few days! Love ya

Xx