Yours Truly (Post Malone)

06

I spent most of my waking hours cleaning my place. Austin was coming over and I didn't want my place to look absolutely trashed. Winter helped where she could but as dinner came closer, I had her sit down to do her homework. I knew she would be very distracted when Austin came over because it was a new person and Winter loved to meet new people. It would be the first person I was dating that I brought home to meet her and I was nervous thinking it wouldn't work out.

Once I got the kitchen in shape, I sat down at the table to have a talk with Winter. I wanted to explain to her who was coming over and who he was to me.

"Winter, baby, I need to talk to you," I said.

She looked up from her homework. "That never means anything good."

"It is in this case, I promise," I said. "There's going to be a man coming over for dinner. His name is Austin and he's the man I'm seeing. He is a famous singer that goes by the name of Post Malone but I don't want you to treat him any differently because of that. He's just a normal guy, okay?"

Winter nodded. "Okay. Do you mean that like, you're dating him?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I am. I know it's the first guy I'm bringing home but it's not terrible that I'm doing so. He's a good man, I promise, and he's very excited to meet you. But I wanted you to know so that you weren't surprised when he came."

"Is he nice?"

"Yes, very."

"Then that's really all that matters, isn't it?"

I smiled, getting up from the table. "Yes, it does. Now I'm going to start dinner so I'm not scrambling when he comes over. Don't be acting a fool when he comes, okay?"

Winter rolled her eyes, smiling. "Now why would I do that?"

"Because you're always acting a fool."

Winter laughed as there was a knock on the door. I went to the door to find Austin on the other side. He smiled when he saw me.

"You came early," I said.

Austin shrugged. "I wanted to get here in case you needed help with anything."

I stepped aside. "Well, come on in. I was just about to start cooking."

Just as Austin came in, Winter stepped into the hallway. They stared at each other for a couple seconds.

Winter finally looked at me. "Is this your boyfriend?"

"Yes, dear." I waved my hand for her to come closer. "Austin, this is my daughter. He doesn't bite."

Winter came, her crutches clicking against the floor. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Austin."

Austin smiled, holding out his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Winter. I've heard so much about you, young lady."

Winter grinned. "All bad, I hope."

"Winter, stop it!" I said. "Now get into the kitchen. I know you didn't finish your homework."

Winter rolled her eyes but listened. She led the way to the kitchen, sitting down in the chair she was in before. Austin started helping cooking dinner but he ended up helping Winter with her homework since she was asking so many questions. Pausing with cooking, I watched the two of them. Austin was very gentle and good with Winter. They were getting along well and I was beginning to like it. I hadn't dated since Winter's father had died so it was nice that the first guy I bring home is respectful of not only me but also my daughter. He hadn't even asked about her leg or crutches.

Once dinner was done, I set out plates for us. Having Austin with us made eating much more fun. Winter was a giggling mess with all the funny faces and jokes Austin made. I smiled at the two of them interact. It was like he was meant to join us at our table. A fleeting thought said that he would be a good father to Winter. He could never be the same as Anmol, Winter's father and the man I believed had been the love of my life at one point, but that was so long ago. I had spent so much time raising Winter that maybe it was time to focus on me a little bit. Austin was a good man too.

Austin looked over at me, giving me a goofy smile. I returned it as I got up. I grabbed all the dishes and started cleaning up. Austin excused himself from helping Winter and helped me wash the dishes. We would bump hips while joking back and forth.

Winter finished her homework before we were done with cleaning the kitchen. She went up to her room, calling out where she was going first. Austin leaned against the counter, playing with a towel.

I didnt have to look at him to know his eyes were on me. "Can I help you?"

"I mean no disrespect but what happened to Winter's father?" Austin asked. "I saw old pictures of him but none recent and I've noticed he's not around."

I signed, knowing this conversation would come eventually. Leaning against the counter across from Ausdin, I answered. "He died in a car accident involving a drunk driver when Winter was two. He was my best friend and the best partner I've ever had. The only one, really. I did everything with him. Winter was really an accident but we decided to keep her and she's the best thing to ever happen to me. She was truly daddy's little girl. They were basically inseparable from the moment she was born to the day he died. He didn't care she only had one leg. That was his girl and he'd be damned if she was treated any differently."

I wiped away the tears but continued. "I miss him everyday because I know he would have been an amazing father for Winter and a phenomenal partner but it didn't work out that way. For awhile there, I wasn't looking for anyone to date because I thought I already had my one true love. But then I met you. And you've been great so far. To me and Winter."

"I can't be what Anmol was to you. I can't promise I'll be there physically all the time because of my job," Austin said. "But I can promise I'll be the best that I can for you with whatever support you need. And I'll be just a phone call away when you need something."

I held out my hand, and when Austin took it, I pulled him close. We kissed, Austin's hands on my waist and my arms around his neck. It was a tender, soft kiss.

Austin pulled away first. "I'm glad I'm with you. You're a godsend."

I placed my hands on either side of his face. "So are you. Just don't disappear on me."

"I would never think of it, my love."