Yours Truly, Austin Post - Post Malone

2

Ava watches as Austin and Gracie walk back into the kitchen, Gracie tapping his arm to prompt him to say something to Ava. He does not want to but, he gives in to Gracie's tender request.

"I am sorry I was rude earlier. I just...this is a stressful time and-"

"It's ok. I understand, there is no need to apologize," Ava stops him. The man is under a lot of pressure and she feels for him right now. It will only get worse as time goes but, she does hope that when it does he will trust her.  Austin looks at Gracie who smiles warmly at him and kisses his cheek. "Thank you," she whispers and then turns to Ava. "Austin is a singer. He is very talented - the best singer in the world," she says and kisses his cheek again. "Stop," Austin says with a chuckle but, pulls her into another hug and nuzzles her neck. They are very loving towards each other which is sweet to see, it's clear that are both very much in love. It makes Ava worry - this is going to be a difficult few months for Gracie but, Austin will suffer the brunt of this. The man will be broken.

"I know...I am a little bit of a fan myself. I agree with Gracie, you are very talented," Ava says. Gracie detaches herself from Austin's arms, he seems to have forgotten Ava was even in the room. "Oh, that's wonderful! If you like I can show you all his stuff. We can watch his old shows and listen to some of his music!" Gracie says excitedly. "Gracie has always been my biggest cheerleader," Austin says trying to draw her into another hug. Gracie laughs and nods then turns to start making lunch. "Let me do that, baby," Austin says trying to take over. "Nonsense, go sit," Gracie says pushing him away gently. Austin goes reluctantly and takes a seat two chairs away from Ava. Ava is a little nervous to look at him but she can see out the corner of her eye that Austin has his eyes trained on Gracie's every move as if she will suddenly evaporate. Gracie's eyes flick to his occasionally and then to Ava's as she works, she keeps a smile on her lips, and Ava finds she grows to like Gracie even more as time goes along - there is just something captivating about her. When people talk of people who light up a room and capture everyone's attention without even trying, they're talking about people like Gracie.

"Ok. Here you both are," Gracie announces placing a plated sandwich down in front of Ava and then Austin. "Homemade bread with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, cheese, and honey ham," she says with a proud smile. "Thank you, baby," Austin says, "Thank you," Ava echoes his words. "You are both welcome. Now, would you like anything to drink?" Gracie asks. "I'll get it, baby, you sit," Austin says slipping off his chair. "I am up already, sweetheart, come on what would you like?" Gracie pushes sweetly. "Orange juice, please," Austin says a little defeated as he sits back down. "I will have the same, thank you," Ava says. "I made this myself too with oranges from my orchard," Gracie says opening the fridge and trying to lift a large glass jug with vibrant orange juice in it. She struggles a little and Austin readies himself to jump up, which he does as soon as Gracie steps back and looks at him. "Sorry, my arms are a little weak," she says as Austin grabs the jug and places it on the kitchen counter. "Don't be sorry, baby," Austin says as Gracie places three glasses down on the counter in front of him. Gracie looks like she wants to explain herself to Ava, but there is no need, this is one of her symptoms.

"You have an orchard?" Ava says trying to distract her. Gracie's face lights up and she nods excitedly. "It's an amazing orchard, Gracie has a knack for making everything she touches out of this world," Austin says placing the jug back in the fridge. Gracie giggles and then touches Austin's arm, prompting him to chuckle and wrap his arms around her. "You make me feel out of this world," he says. He looks at her - it's like she is the only girl in the world. Ava has been around them for less than an hour and she can see without a doubt that Austin is deeply in love with her. "I have apple, orange, lemon, cherry, peach...um...oh gosh, I have tons of trees in there. It was a birthday gift from Austin a few years back now. I will take you for a wander one day," Gracie says walking around to a chair next to Austin and sitting down with him. Austin cuts her sandwich into four small squares and grins at her when she rolls her eyes at him fondly.

"So, Ava," Gracie starts picking up one of the squares and nibbling on the corner of it, "tell us a bit about yourself," she says. Austin ignores her as he bites into his sandwich, choosing to keep his attention honed in on Gracie. "Well, I am a nurse but, I found being an at-home nurse was my calling so this is what I do. It's never easy, but it's rewarding knowing you helped someone keep their dignity toward the end," Ava says taking a bite of her sandwich and letting out a hum at how good it is. Out of this World, comes to mind. "You chose to be around this? Sounds a little sadistic," Austin mumbles into his sandwich. "Baby..." Gracie says giving him a pleading face. "It's ok. A lot of people don't understand why I would. My mother did it and I look up to her, felt natural to follow in her footsteps. This job can get pretty intense and demands most of my time," Ava explains then takes another bite of her sandwich. "Do you have children? A partner?" Gracie asks.  "No kids but I do have a husband."

"I take it that file there is bursting with information about my medical history. You know everything there is to know...and what's to come?" Gracie says. Austin puts his sandwich down and leans back in his chair. The mere mention of Gracie's illness makes him look physically ill. Ava nods but, keeps quiet. She will not only learn how to care for Gracie but, how to do so without upsetting Austin - he is very protective of her. "Well, seeing as you have all that information I can just tell you about us," Gracie says pointing between her and Austin. "It's a little private, baby," Austin says softly rubbing her back. He is always touching her in some way. "Don't be silly, love, she will be living with us, helping out...I don't think we could get more private than that," Gracie says softly. Austin's eyes search her face, "I can do it, I want to do it," he says, Ava can hear the desperation in his words. "I know and you will, you are so wonderful...I just worry you are taking on too much...please...for me," Gracie says, her voice kind, soothing.

Ava can see Austin's eyes are glassy as he swallows thickly when he turns to look at her. "What would you like to know about us," he says then clears his throat, looping his arm around Gracie as she leans over him and also looks at Ava. "You decide what you would like to share. I know about your diagnosis, and how it works, but that's not who you are...I would like to know who you are, but you don't have to share everything," Ava says. She is trying to gain Austin's trust, and show him that he can trust her with the most important part of his world but, it's important to her that all her clients know she is more than just a nurse, this is the hardest time in their life - they need trusted people around them, not just stiff medical staff.

"Oh, can I tell her our story? I love our story, it gets me giddy every time I share it!" Gracie says with excitement. Austin chuckles and kisses the side of her head. "Have at it, baby," he says, his eyes going glassy again.