Yours Truly (Post Malone)

09

I woke up to an empty bed. I moaned softly and sat up, looking around. Austin was gone. I didn't think much of it as I went to the bathroom. When I was finishing in there, I started hearing music and voices in the kitchen. Winter and Austin were down there.

I followed the voices and found them in the kitchen. I leaned against the doorframe, watching them with a smile on my face. Austin was making pancakes, hashbrowns, and eggs while Winter was sitting on the counter, her crutches leaning next to her. She was smiling and giggling at the funny things that Austin was saying. 

Winter finally saw me. "Goodmorning, Mom. Austin and I are making breakfast."

I smiled. "I see that. It smells really good."

"I wanted to spoil my favorite girls," Austin said as he flipped a pancake.

I joined Austin at the stove and wrapped an arm around his waist. "Thank you very much. How's it coming along? Do you need any help?"

Austin shook his head, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Nothing from you, love. It's almost done anyways. Just some plates."

I stepped away and got some plates. Winter grabbed some utensils and hopped over to the table to help set up the table before sitting down. Austin put food on the plates and carried both his and Winter's plate over. We ate together, talking about everything. Winter was a chatterbox, happily telling stories while we listened. As I watched them, it felt like a family with the three of us sitting there. With Austin holding my hand and sending smiles at me every couple of minutes, it felt like we were meant to be there.

"Mommy?" Winter asked.

"Yes, sweetheart?" I asked.

"Can we go to the park today?" Winter asked. "It's a nice day and I don't want to be stuck inside all day."

"Yes, we can," I replied. "After breakfast, you can get dressed and we can leave."

Winter finished her food quicker and got up, bouncing over to the sink. As soon as her plate was cleaned, she grabbed her crutches and went to her room. 

"We better hurry up with eating because she's going to want to go to the park as soon as possible," I said. "She's an insistent one when it comes to things she wants."

"I know," Austin said. "She was the one that suggested what to eat for breakfast and I didn't want to break the girl's heart."

I stood up to put my dish away. "I've had to do that far too much. Just don't become the fun parent that says yes to everything."

Austin wrapped an arm around my waist as I stood at the sink. "So you're going to keep me around long enough for me to be a parent?"

I snorted. "If you play your cards right, then yes."

He kissed my neck. "I hope I do because I love you."

"I love you too, babe," I replied. "Now give me your plate so I can clean it."

He handed me his plate and went upstairs to get dressed. I followed soon after and changed. By the time the both of us were done, Winter was already calling for us in the living room. She was dressed and ready to go, shoes on and a backpack on her back. We left and headed to the closest park. Winter was ahead of us, her crutches loudly hitting the pavement. Austin was wearing a hat and a mask to hide his face. Because I didn't want either Winter or I to be on the front news yet, he was making sure to hide his identity.

We arrived at the park and it turned out that some of Winter's friends were there. She ran around with them, playing some game. Austin and I sat on a park bench, watching the children play.

"Have you thought about having any more children?" Austin asked.

"I thought about it," I replied. "My late partner and I talked about it but he passed before we could have anymore."

"How old was Winter when he passed, if you don't mind me asking?" Austin asked.

"She was two years old. She doesn't remember him and it breaks my heart. He was such a good man and loved her with all of his heart. It's very unfortunate that he couldn't be here to watch her grow up."

Austin took my hand. "Did I ask how he passed?"

I wiped my eyes. "It was a car crash. He didn't make it to the hospital. I know you probably don't want to hear about my ex though."

He pulled me close. "No, no, it's okay. I don't mind hearing about what sounds like an amazing man."

I smiled, reading my head on his shoulder. "Thank you, Austin. His birthday is actually coming up soon."

"Maybe we could go visit him," Austin said. "So I can meet him. I promise I won't start any fist fights though."

I laughed. "Anmol was never the fighting man, though there were a lot of times he stood up for me. We grew up together and ended up dating. We had Winter right after high school and now we're here. I was so mad at him for leaving us but now I've got the chance to be with you so in a way, it worked out."

Austin stared at me. "I'm sure he was a good man and treated the two of you well. Do you and Winter visit him often?"

"We have a picnic every year on his birthday," I replied. "Winter always wants to hear stories about us when we were growing up. We did a lot of crazy things when we were growing up."

"I'd love to hear more about that," Austin said. "Winter seems really happy. You've done good as a parent."

"Thanks," I replied. "I had Jay and both sets of parents. Anmol's parents have dinner with Winter a couple of times a month and she spends the night at my parents. It helps a lot when I'm working at the bar."

"That's great that both sets of grandparents are still involved," Austin said. "I'll have to meet your parents at some point."

"What do you think about tomorrow night?" I asked. "We can go over for dinner."

"That sounds nice," Austin replied. "Have you told them that I'm your boyfriend?"

"I told them I'm seeing someone," I said. "It'll be the first person I've brought home in awhile."

"You haven't been dating?"

I shook my head. "No, not really. I've been too focused on Winter and my job."

"I get being focused on my career as I've been working on new music," Austin said. "But I hope we can make enough time for each other."

I scanned Austin's eyes. "I hope so too because I really like you."

Austin smiled and gave me a brief kiss. "I really like you too, Mack."

Winter came over. "Mommy, can we go out for lunch?"

"Sure, baby, we'll find something to eat," I replied.

Without saying anything, she turned and went back to playing with the other kids. Austin and I watched Winter for a bit longer, chatting as we did. Eventually, we left the park to get lunch and stopped at a Thai place. Winter loved trying new foods and wasn't usually picky with what she tried. But Thai food was one of the things she liked a lot.

Austin paid, much to my complaint, and we were on our way. We got back home and Winter went to her room. Austin and I went to the couch, cuddling up as we talked. Austin's arm felt natural around me as he held me close. Like he was meant to be by my side. He was going to be a good man to Winter and I.