Yours Truly (Post Malone)

14

I spent most of the afternoon at work. I had been called in for work early, which meant that I couldn't pick Winter up from school. I made sure that Austin knew where to go and what time to pick her up. I trusted him to get Winter. I just wish that I was there with him to do it. But I trusted him.

Late that night, I texted Austin that I was almost done with work. We had closed and were just cleaning up the bar before we had to head out. Austin texted back that everything was good and the afternoon had gone well. I tried to rush back to the apartment, still worried that I wasn't there and that something was going to happen.

I arrived back home and walked inside. I found Austin on the couch scrolling through his phone. He looked up and smiled when he saw me. He got up and hugged me.

When he pulled away, he said, "Hey, Mack. How was your night?"

"Good," I replied. "How was your night? Did picking up Winter go well?"

"Yeah, everything went well," Austin replied. "Winter was an absolute angel the entire time she was with me."

"That's good," I replied. "I'm going to get ready for bed. I'll see you when I'm done."

I went upstairs and got in the shower. When I was done and finished my nighttime routine, I found Austin laying in my bed in his pajamas. I climbed into bed with him and cuddled against him. He put his phone away and pulled me close. We talked for about an hour before we finally decided to go to bed.

In the morning, I woke up to an empty bed. It was the weekend so Winter was going to be there all day. I got up and went downstairs to find Winter and Austin making breakfast. They were trying to be quiet, giggling as they were cooking. I leaned against the doorframe, watching them with a smile. I pulled out my phone and took a quick candid picture of them. It was too cute.

Austin glanced at me, winking quickly before looking back at the oven. He was having Winter do as much of the cooking as she could. It was sweet that he was doing that.

Winter finally looked back to see me. "Oh, hi, Mom. We're making breakfast."

I stepped into the kitchen. "I see that. What are you making?"

"Hash browns, scrambled eggs, and turkey sausage patties," Winter replied. "Austin said I could help make most of it."

I rubbed her shoulders. "That's sweet of him. Do you want to help out more?"

Winter nodded. "Of course. I'm having a lot of fun."

"She's doing most of the work," Austin said. "I'm just an observer."

"Because I'm the boss in here," Winter said.

"Are you now?" I asked.

Winter gave me the duh look. "Duh, Mom. I'm the boss of the kitchen when Austin's helping cook."

I laughed. "Okay. That's good to know. Since you're the boss here, do you want me to set the table, Miss Ma'am?"

Winter grinned. "Yes, please, since Austin is helping me in here."

I chuckled. "Yes, Chief."

I got the table set just as they finished cooking. Austin had to bring the food over but Winter was right next to him, a large smile on her face. As we ate together, we planned what we were going to be doing the next couple of days. Austin was willing to stay in the house and hang out. He was still a recognizable artist. He also mentioned that he had a lot more planning and writing to do for his upcoming album. Winter wanted to help out so after breakfast, Austin was going to show her how the process goes.

After we were done with breakfast, I started cleaning the dishes and the rest of the kitchen. It was only fair since they cooked. Austin and Winter went into the living room so Austin could do some work while Winter watched. I heard them talking while I cleaned and I felt like my place was finally a home. My partner's and child's voices were in the other room while I cleaned. I felt like I had peace. 

I leaned into the entrance way of the living room. Austin had his computer set up to show Winter how he made music while she watched intently. I watched them for a few minutes before I went upstairs to read a book in my room. I needed to decompress a bit and be alone. Winter was okay with Austin and they'd be busy for the next couple of hours.

After a couple of hours, Austin came up to find me and he was carrying a plate of food with him. He sat on the edge of the bed next to me as I set the book down.

"How's it going down there?" I asked.

"Really good," Austin replied. "Winter is really enjoying learning about what I do."

"That's good," I replied. "What did you bring me?"

Austin handed me the plate. "I made pasta. I hope you like it."

"I'll eat most anything," I replied. "I hope you don't mind Winter hanging out with you."

"Not at all," Austin said. "I've always wanted kids and she's perfect. She's such a quick learner and such a smart girl. How long have you been teaching her how to play the instruments she plays?"

"Basically all of her life," I answered. "She heard me play and wanted to learn so I taught her. She is pretty good at what she does."

"I can tell," Austin said. "If possible, could I use her musical skills in any of my future songs?"

"If she wants to and is interested in doing it," I replied. "But I'm sure she'd want to."

"I'll ask her when I go back down," Austin said. "How's your lunch?"

"Good," I replied. "Thanks for making it. I'll be down in a little bit."

"That's okay. We're not going anywhere." Austin quickly kissed me. "I'll see you in a few."

I finished my breakfast and the last bit of the chapter that I was on before going downstairs. Austin and Winter were sitting outside on the front stoop as Winter played the trumpet. It wasn't an instrument she played often but was one she was still good at. I watched them from the doorway, a smile on my face. It was a father and daughter pairing that I loved.

Winter finished her playing and looked back at me. "Mom, Austin asked me to help make his next album. Isn't that cool?"

"It definitely is, baby," I said. "Are you showing him every instrument you play?"

Winter nodded. "I'm not that good at the trumpet but I still wanted to play it for him."

"She's an amazing player," Austin said. "You did amazing raising her to such a good artist."

"I certainly tried," I replied, sitting next to Winter. "Why don't you go grab your saxophone? You're pretty good at that too."

Winter got up and went for the door but stopped to look back. "Should I grab the alto or the tenor saxophone?"

"Which ever one you want," I replied.

Winter dashed inside, her trumpet in hand.

Austin looked at me with an amazed look on his face. "You raised that girl well. All on your own too."

"I had help from both of her grandparents," I replied. "Her father's parents stayed in her life after he passed away."

"He was really important in your life, huh?" Austin asked.

I nodded. "I miss him everyday but he's in a better place. His parents fell in love with her as soon as they saw her. When he died, they didn't want to leave their granddaughter behind. Besides, they're from India so she's still a very much a part of their family."

Austin placed a hand on my thigh. "I hope that one day that I can be a father figure in her life. If you allow it, of course."

I took his hand in mine. "Yes, I'll allow it. She already loves you."

Winter came out with her saxophone. Austin enthusiastically listened to her play. She was doing such a great job that people walking down the street complimented her. Winter had a grin on her face from all the compliments she was getting. Music was something she was passionate about and she was getting compliments from it. It was even more meaningful that it was coming from Austin, a famous artist and her possible future father figure.