Broken Generation (Austin Carlile FanFic)

Chapter 33

*Madison's POV*
*3 weeks later*

"Mads. Wake up, baby." Austin whispered, rubbing my back.

I slowly opened my eyes and looked at the clock. "What's going on? Is Zach okay?"

He chuckled. "Yeah. He's at school."

I nodded and rolled over, trying to go back to sleep. "Good."

He grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him. "Gimme a kiss."

I kissed him. "It's 9 o'clock in the morning. Where do you get this energy?"

He smiled. "I'm just a morning person."

I rolled my eyes and smiled. "Bullshit."

He moved my hair out of my face. "I have something for you."

I turned to him. "I'm not in the mood, babe."

He shrugged. "You're never in the mood. I'm used to it." He got up and went to his dresser, pulling out a small gift bag.

I sat up. "What's that?"

He came over and handed it to me. "Just a little something I picked up." He sat down on the edge of the bed. "Open it."

I smiled and looked inside the bag, butterflies filling my stomach. "Austin I'm gonna kill you."

At the bottom of the bag was a small ring box. I pulled it out and held it in my hands, looking at Austin. "If you're proposing to me again I'm gonna punch you."

He smiled. "Open it."

I opened it and gasped. The ring took my breath away. It was beautiful. Silver band with a huge sparkling diamond in the center, with two smaller diamonds on the side.

"Oh my God, baby. This is beautiful." I said.

He nodded and took the box. "Yeah." He held his hand out. "Gimme your old ring."

I frowned. "I'm not getting rid of this."

He smiled. "You're not getting rid of it. I bought you a chain so you can wear it like a necklace."

I looked at my ring and I couldn't seem to give it up. So many memories were held in this ring. I smiled. "Remember when you first proposed?"

He leaned on the bed, propping himself up on his elbow. "Of course."

I looked at him. "We were in that awful dingy apartment."

He chuckled and took my hand, examining the ring. "I bought this from some smelly antique store. The lady lectured me about getting married so young."

I smiled. "Here we are nine years later and still not married."

He kissed my hand. "I know, baby. It will happen soon."

I picked up the new ring and looked at it. The diamonds sparkled. "Honey, you really didn't have to do this. I love this ring, but I love my old ring too."

He nodded. "I know. But this ring," he slipped my old ring off my finger, "this ring shows the past." He pulled a thin gold chain from his pocket and slipped the ring onto it. "I look at this ring and it represents those dorky kids that moved here 9 years ago. Broke, scared, and having nothing." He smiled and slipped the ring on my finger. "This ring, it shows the beautiful people we've grown into. We've been through a lot, Mads." He looked at me and smiled. "This ring represents the new people we are. Our new beginning."

I smiled. "Promise me you'll never forget where we came from. Promise me that there will always be a piece of those dorky, broke, scared teenagers inside us." I held his hands. "I don't ever wanna lose us. I don't ever want to lose what we have."

He smiled and kissed my hands. "We'll never lose us." He sat up and threw the gift bag and the ring box on the floor. "You'll always be my best friend." He took the necklace with my ring and hung it around my neck.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him. I loved this man more than words could explain. He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tight.

"I love you, Madison. Never forget that." He said.

I pulled away and kissed him. "I love you too, baby."

He smiled and kissed me. "I have to go take a shower."

I nodded. "Okay."

He stood up and walked towards the bathroom. "Wanna join me?"

I shook my head, only half listening to him. I was looking at my new ring. I loved what it represented. It showed how far we've come. It showed how committed he was to me.

---
*later that night*

"Auntie, where's Uncle going?" Zachary asked, walking into the living room.

I looked up from the book I was reading. "Nowhere, honey. Why?"

He came over to me and laid down, resting his head on my leg. "He's all dressed up."

I frowned. "Well then I don't know." I looked at him. He was so precious. "You sleepy?"

"No." He said, yawning and rubbing his eyes.

I chuckled and pulled a blanket over him, rubbing his back and going back to my book. A few minutes later he was passed out. I picked him up and carefully carried him to his bed, tucking him up and kissing his forehead, then stepping out into the hall and softly closing the door.

I smelled Austin's cologne and went to our room. He was standing in front of the mirror, buttoning up his shirt.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

He looked at me through the mirror. "I'm going out with some friends."

I smiled. "Oh, should I find a sitter?"

He shook his head. "You probably won't wanna come with us. We're going to a club and I know you don't like those."

My smile faded. I went and sat on the bed. "Who are you going with?"

He smoothed his shirt out and turned and looked at me. "Just some friends."

I chuckled. "Like who?"

He licked his lips. "Just some tech guys, our manager, and.." He coughed, "Mary and Ricky."

I smiled. "What? Mary and Ricky? Crazy swinger people?"

He shrugged. "Yeah. Once you get to know them, they're pretty cool."

I chuckled and stood up, going over to him and unbuttoning his shirt a few buttons. "Don't button this all the way. You look like a weirdo."

He smiled. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." I kissed him. "Have fun tonight. Don't stay out too late please."

He nodded. "I won't." He kissed my forehead and walked out of the room.

I followed him to the front door and opened it for him. "Be careful driving too."

He chuckled. "I know."

I looked at him. He looked tense and weird. "You okay?" I reached up and felt his forehead. "You look funny."

He nodded. "Yeah. I'm good." He smiled, but it was a weird smile. "I'm gonna go."

"Okay." I said. "Have fun."

He walked outside. "I will." He walked toward the driveway.

"Love you!" I called to him.

He didn't say anything.

I shrugged and shut the front door, locking it. I left the living room like on for him and then I headed to bed. I changed into pajamas and fell asleep almost immediately after my head hit the pillow.