Yours Truly, Austin Post - Post Malone

11

Over the next week, Gracie's plan does not come to fruition as the week is summerless. She has four winter days two Autium and one spring. Austin is physically drained from doing everything Gracie can't, and mentally drained from being helpless to stop the pain and watching the person he loves most in this world deteriorate rapidly. He never complains though - just thankful that Gracie is still close enough to wrap in his arms. She does catch him breakdown once though when he drops her pink cup and it breaks. He sinks to the floor gathers the broken pieces then stays there crying. Letting the silent tears fall as his shoulders shake - desperate for a miracle he knows will never come. Ava tries her hardest not to overstep but she wants to help which only leads to her getting a growling from Austin. Towards the end of the week, exhausted, he relents and hands some tasks over to Ava so he can keep Gracie curled in his lap.

"Do you think I should call a doctor in? She has never been this bad," he asks Ava one evening while Gracie sleeps on his lap in the den. "For peace of mind, I think you should. But, tumors on the brain are hard to work out. Next week could all be summer days," Ava replies. "Or they could all be winter days," he counters. "I think it best if you call a doctor in...you will drive yourself mad with worry if you don't," Ava says.

The following morning, if by magic it's a summer day and Gracie floats around the house in a flowing white summer dress as if she has never been sick a day in her life. She makes a huge breakfast that both Ava and Austin battle to get through but, they eat everything just pleased that Gracie can cook again. She makes it to and from her orchard then bakes an apple pie and Austin can't help cutting into it as it smells like heaven. Ava has to beg him to give her a slice and they bicker like children over the fairness of sharing. Gracie's solution is to bake another one so Austin begrudgingly gives Ava a slice while the new pie is in the oven. But, Ava can see him hide his fond smile. He is warming up to Ava, he has changed his view on her since leaving Gracie with her - she does not know how long that will last once Gracie and her start in on him with the harvesting of eggs thing.

The doctor pretty much tells Austin what Ava had said, Austin knew that already but, the visit from the doctor was not really about Gracie - it was about Austin who is just trying to fucking survive so neither Gracie nor Ava makes him feel silly about calling in a doctor and later when his nerves have calmed he groans at his overreaction so Gracie cuddles him and reminds him that his wonderful while Ava begrudgingly shares a slice of Apple pie with him that she had been saving for later. Summer days are always the best. After dinner, Austin shares a new song he had written with Gracie, and Ava gets to hear it too - it's fantastic.

Their parents pop in which only leads to Ava and Austin getting a lecture from the fathers about sharing and the mothers about gluttony when they hear about Austin and Ava having finished off both apple pies while Gracie's eyes dance and then she produces another pie that she had hidden - Austin and Ava are not allowed a piece but, Gracie sneaks them each a slice.

"Fuck, I am burping up entire apples at this point," Austin says after the parents leave. He is laying on his back in the middle of the den floor. Ava is no better as she lounges on the couch. "I can't sit up straight," she groans. Gracie plays nurse to both of them, coming in with ginger tea and a hug for each of them. "I won't bake any more apple pies for a while I promise," she says giggling when Austin pulls her down to the floor with him. "I married you for your cooking skills, woman, don't slack off now," he says humming into a kiss. "Just make a different pie, we will make do with that," Ava suggests. "Yes! That pear one!" Austin declares. "No, needs to be peach," Ava counters.

"Oh, you have made yourself pretty comfortable Ava. Need I remind you that I am the man of this house."

"More like the big puppy of the house."

Gracie giggles at Ava and Austin's playful banter and kisses him to stop him from slinging another shot at Ava. "How about I make one of each," she suggests. "Ok," Austin whispers as he loses himself in Gracie, Ava will need to leave them alone soon. She starts the process of trying to sit up - it's a hardship, then Gracie's phone rings and she answers it excitedly after showing Austin who is calling.

"Hello, Kimmie!"

"Hello, Miss Gracie. How are you?"

"Wonderful, thank you, Kimmie. How are you?  I love when you phone me."

"I am fine thanks and I love that you love when I phone. Kids are missing you and they wanted to visit. I spoke quietly to the parents at pick up and they are all happy with me bringing them for the afternoon tomorrow - you up for it?"

"Yes!"

"Now, hold on there baby," Austin steps in. "It's not a no but, you have had a rough week. Your days can be a little unpredictable lately. Let's see how we feel when we wake up and then give an absolute answer."

"Oh, I will be fine. Having the kids around will make me feel great."

"Gracie, it would not be fair on them," Austin says softly, Ava can see it pains him to have to say that to her. Gracie's face falls but, she nods - she knows Austin is right. Telling the kids they can come and then saying no would devastate them. "I will let you know how I am feeling when I wake up, Kimmie," Gracie says not as excited as she was before, the stark reality of her illness slapping her in her face. "Of course and if we can't make it out to you we'll make cards and I will drop them off after school," Kimmie says. That makes a little smile form on Gracie's lips. "Thank you, Kimmie, I would love that," Gracie says. They chat a little more and then Gracie ends the call, she looks sad.

"Don't be sad, baby, we just have to be a little careful when it comes to kids and their sweet little hearts," Austin says. Gracie looks at him like he is made of all her favorite things then pulls him into a hug. "You are the most kind-hearted, lovely person and I don't know what I ever did to get you to love me so much," she says. "You didn't do anything, baby, because my love has no if's or but's, it was just made for you...it just is," he whispers. Ava stands quietly and slips out, they won't even notice she is gone - not because they don't care for her but because they are back in their little bubble, the little bubble that is reserved only for them.