Austin and Carrie

Boy Meets Girl
When boxer Austin Reed arrived in Salem, Carrie Brady was immediately smitten. The twosome began dating, but when Austin refused to throw one of his fights, Carrie became the victim of an acid attack meant for him and ended up seriously scarred. Carrie’s father, Roman, told her he wouldn’t pursue charges against Austin, who he suspected was involved in the boxing underworld, if she broke up with him. Wanting to protect Austin, Carrie obliged.

Sister Acts Up
Carrie’s sister Sami, who’d developed a crush on Austin, seized this opportunity to pursue him. She teamed up with Austin’s brother, Lucas, who had a thing for Carrie. However, after Carrie had plastic surgery, she and Austin reconciled, went off on a romantic ski weekend, and made love. Sami continued plotting to break up the couple. She went so far as to drug Austin and got him into her bed.

Austin and Carrie remained together and began planning their wedding. Then, Sami threw a major wrench into their plans: announcing she was pregnant with Austin’s baby. Although Sami later learned Lucas was her child’s daddy, she kept mum. Austin decided to do the noble thing and build a life with Sami and their child, despite his love for Carrie.

Wedding Bells, Divorce Court
In time, Carrie uncovered the truth about Will's paternity. When Austin and Sami’s wedding day arrived, Carrie interrupted the ceremony and revealed Lucas was Will's real father and that Sami knew all along. Austin married Carrie instead.

Married life was strained for Austin and Carrie. Austin grew increasingly concerned about Will, because of Lucas’s drinking problem, and began spending more time with him and Sami. Carrie, in turn, began working long hours at the hospital and grew close to Mike. They ended up having an affair, and Austin and Carrie divorced. Eventually, Austin left Salem. Carrie accepted Mike's marriage proposal, and they moved to Israel.

Second Chances
Years later, a single Carrie turned up in Los Angeles, working as CEO of High Style. While attempting to take over the company, Lucas discovered Carrie ran it and stopped his plans. He convinced Carrie to return to Salem. She was stunned to find Austin back in town. Sami went into high gear making sure the pair remained apart, orchestrating it so that Austin unwittingly bought out Carrie’s company. Feeling betrayed, Carrie grew closer to Lucas. To make sure Carrie steered clear of Austin, Sami blackmailed Lexie into giving Carrie false medical information: news that Austin and Carrie shared rare genetic markers and any child they might conceive would have severe birth defects.

A devastated Carrie moved on with Lucas, since she and Austin could never have children. When Carrie discovered she was pregnant, she and Lucas wed. Meanwhile, Austin reconnected with Sami and they got engaged, even though his heart was still with Carrie.

Finally Reunited
Before Austin and Sami could wed, the mysterious Gloved Hand slipped a note under Sami's apartment door, and Lucas, Carrie, and Austin learned about Sami’s blackmail scheme and Lexie’s horrific lie to Carrie. A furious Carrie had it out with Sami; then, reported Lexie to the hospital board. Soon after, Carrie learned she was never pregnant with Lucas’s baby.

Once the truth was out, Carrie and Austin couldn’t stay away from each other and began rendezvousing on the rooftop of their apartment building. When Lucas discovered them making love, he was outraged. Carrie presented Lucas with annulment papers, and he signed them.

As Austin and Carrie reconnected, Austin suggested they relocate to Switzerland and start a new life together. Carrie agreed on the condition they remarry, first. Austin was eager to oblige, and the couple headed to the Justice of the Peace. After a brief interruption by a drunk Sami, Austin and Carrie exchanged “I Do’s.” Then, they said goodbye to Marlena, John, Roman and Kate and boarded a plane for Switzerland. The pair returned to Salem in 2011 for the unveiling and celebration of the new Horton Town Square.