Yours Truly, Austin Post - Post Malone

17

Today is an Autium day so Austin makes a nest in the den for Gracie with a mound of fluffy blankets. Hope sits with her and they whisper and giggle like teenage girls as they reminisce over their memories. It's very personal and a moment Hope will cherish so Ava stays in the kitchen, close enough to hear Hope shout if she needs help but, far enough away so she can't hear their whispers. Austin had also given the sisters some time by taking his three nieces for a swim in their swimming pool. Ava watches as they squeal and jump into the pool while Austin chases them like a shark underwater stopping to look over at Ava every so often to get confirmation that Gracie is still fine. Those three little girls adore him.

"Ava," Hope says poking her head into the kitchen. Ava's heart drops, she's on edge - everyone is on edge. But, she stills her worry when she sees a soft smile on Hope's face. "Gracie is asking if you would like to watch the home videos I brought with today. It will be fun," she says. Ava smiles and gets her emotions under control - Ava had always wished she had a sister, but it's always just been her and her mom - their relationship now in tatters after how poorly Ava dealt with Carter's loss. But, Gracie is starting to feel like a sister and so is Hope. It's sweet and even touching that they would include her. "I would love to. I will just take this lemonade out to Austin and your girls and then I will be right in...and thank you for the invite," Ava says. "Of course, but you have to promise not to laugh at the way our mother used to cut our hair - it was a monstrosity," Hope says with a chuckle as she walks out.

Ava picks up the tray with the lemonade pitcher and glasses then walks out just in time to see all three girls curl themselves into Austin's arms as he takes a running leap and plunges into the pool - all their faces including Austin's are bright and worry-free. They pop up one by one giggling and swimming to the edge. "You guys want lemonade?" Ava asks placing the tray on the table. "Yes, please!" they shout in unison and clamper out of the pool. Ava pours them each a glass and then one for Austin. "I am going to watch home movies with Gracie and Hope," she says passing Austin his glass.

"Thank you," he says taking the glass but his face has turned worrisome again, "I won't be able to see you from the pool, what if Gracie-"

"Hope will come out and call you if something has to happen."

"But-"

"It's ok to take a break, Austin. It does not make you a bad person."

Austin does not look convinced but, he takes her advice and nods quietly. "Uncle Austin," one of his nieces says from next to him. Austin turns to her with a smile and raises his brow for her to speak. "The water is burning my eyes, I think I have had enough swimming for one day," she says. "Me too," the other two say together. "You sure? You said you want to swim till your skin wrinkles," he says. "Na, we can swim longer next time," one says with a relaxed shrug and takes her towel off the back of a chair. "I want to watch Mom and Anuty Gracie on the tv!" one says also grabbing her towel then all three dash inside to dry and change. Austin watches them and Ava watches him. He chews his lip and then looks at Ava with watery eyes. "They are good girls," Ave says softly. "The best," Austin whispers then blinks away his tears before they can fall and walks inside quickly.

His nieces had wanted to swim, they would have swam for the rest of the day if given the option but, they know how much their uncle worries and how much he needs to be around their aunt right now so without making a fuss they give that to him selflessly, happily and quietly. Ava is sure the morals their family has instilled in them play a part but, it's undoubtedly the man Austin is that has made them want to give him this so freely - he has earned their love and understanding by just being the man he is.

Ava lingers outside for a moment and by the time she walks into the den Austin and his three nieces are sitting in the den. They're all quiet and calm with their movements knowing Autium days are quiet days. They huddle on the floor by their mother as Gracie stretches out her tired painful arms to Austin who climbs in gently behind her and pulls her close to his chest. Hope smiles at Ava and pats the open space next to her, Hope is as sweet and kind-hearted as Gracie. "It took a while for Gracie to grow into her feet, she was like bigfoot for most of our childhood," Hope chuckles to Ava. "Hey," Gracie whispers with a soft smile as she nudges Hope's thigh with her toes. Hope starts the video and Ava settles back into the couch to watch.

It starts at a birthday party with a little firey red-haired girl blowing out her birthday candles with her electric eyes glowing as she smiles broadly and everyone sings to her. "You were a real cutie," she hears Austin whisper as he cuddles Gracie. The video changes to two little girls, one red-haired and one brown-haired swinging upside down from monkey bars and telling their parents to watch them - Hope and Gracie at about ten. The video goes through family holidays, BBQs, school plays, days spent hiking or swimming or playing sports; Christmas mornings, and easter Sundays - and through it all the sisters are happy and smiling, and very close. Their parents dish out hugs, kisses, and cheers constantly - Gracie had a happy and wonderful childhood.

Eventually, the video changes to an older Gracie and Hope in high school - still smiling and happy, still close and their mother is never too far away for a quick cuddle while their dad films everything. Gracie shows off the gifts she got for her sixteenth and Hope shows off her new hairstyle or a new dress. There are still BBQs and picnics as well as the appearance of one or two boys who pick Gracie or Hope up for a prom or a date. The three little girls giggle into their hands as their mother or aunt groan at the memory of their poor high school choices in boys, clothing, or hair.

Again the video changes, Gracie is about eighteen standing in front of a bus with bags as she says an emotional goodbye to her parents and Hope. After that is a scene with that beat-up old Mazda driving up a driveway, an excited Gracie jumps out and hugs a just as excited Hope then the sudden appearance of a very nervous-looking Austin as he meets Gracie's parents for the first time.

Ava watches as the video rolls on - Gracing and Austin growing older, his family becoming more mixed up with hers, and then the arrival of their nieces and nephews. There are Christmas mornings, easter Sundays, picnics, and BBQs. Their Utah house appears as well as the orchard and there are the odd clips of Austin on stage - Ava can hear Gracie singing off-key at the top of her voice near the camera. It's happy and loving, it's warm and wonderful - it's perfect. Gracie will only live a short life but it was full of love and family.

As the movie continues with more happy times, captivating the little girls, Ava can hear Gracie sniff softly and then whisper to Austin who stands and gathers her gently in her arms, slipping out of the den quietly. Ava feels a little raw and she can see by the way Hope is trying to hang on that she is no better. Ava does not know Hope too well yet but in this home, everyone is family so she slips her arm around Hope's shoulders and lets her cry softly in her neck.

Not one person in this family is going to survive the loss of Gracie - they will always walk with a slight heaviness after she slips away and Ava's heart breaks for them, she knows what's in store for them.