Yours Truly (Post Malone)

18

The next morning, we all got ready to go to the recording studio. I was excited for Winter because she was going to be meeting her favorite artist, Teddy Swims. Austin got him to come meet her and I loved that he was able to do that. Austin was doing everything for Winter and he didn't have to.

I got changed into a cute outfit as I also was excited to meet Teddy. He was also one of my favorite artists and his music was very good. I understood why Winter loved him and played his music constantly. I made sure that Winter was dressed too and that she had breakfast. We left the house on time and we were on our way to the recording studio.

Austin started playing some of his new music. He was playing some of the music from his new album. It was a country album with several artists that we recognized. About a half an hour later, there was a knock on the door. Austin called out for them to come in and Teddy Swims walked in the door. Winter leapt up and screamed in excitement, jumping up and down.

Everyone was smiling at her reaction. Winter was acting all shy about it but I could tell from her face that she was so excited. Teddy kneeled down to greet her, shaking her hand and asking her a bunch of questions. He was interested in how good she was at the instruments she knew.

"Why don't you grab your trumpet and play his song, Flame?" I asked, rubbing her shoulders. "That's one of your favorite songs."

Winter nodded, going to her trumpet case. She picked it up and started playing the trumpet part of Flame. Teddy watched her with interest as she played. When she was done, she leaned against me, burying her face halfway into my side shyly.

"You're a great musician," Teddy said. "How old are you again?"

"I'm eight," Winter replied. "I'll be nine in a couple of months."

"You're amazing for that young of an age," Teddy said. "You're going to be a great artist one day."

Winter smiled shyly. "Thank you."

We ended up hanging out at the recording studio for awhile. Winter was getting more comfortable around Teddy and opened up more. She was smiling more and laughing. He was nice to her and didn't talk down to her because she was a child. 

After a few hours, Teddy had to leave. Winter got to have a giant hug and a picture from Teddy. She was so happy to have met him. Even after he left, Winter was grinning widely.

We spent a couple more hours at the recording studio before leaving. We decided to get takeout food. The girl at the drive-through window recognized Austin and got excited. Some of the other workers came over and got a picture with Austin. I hid my face, thankful that Winter was in the back and away from the camera. I didn't want her to be exposed to the internet and what people would say. I was already in the limelight in some sort of way but I didn't want Winter there yet because of how young she was.

We got home and ate outside. It was too nice to eat inside so we lounged outside in the pool chairs. Winter was happy and talkative as we ate. She was talking about the day that she had and how it was the best day she ever had. Meeting Teddy Swims was the highlight of her young life.

"Mom, can we make YouTube videos of me playing music?" Winter asked. "I want to show my music skills to people."

"Sure, we can do that," I said. "We can get everything set up to do that."

"I think it'd help my music skills because then I can see what I was doing and fix it," Winter said. "I'd also like to take lessons in different instruments so I can improve."

"I can set that up," Austin said. "I know a few people who might know someone who can help."

Winter poked at her food. "I like that we're moving here. I think it'd be better than in Chicago. I'm going to miss my grandparents but I think coming here is going to help me with music."

"You're a prodigy in that, huh?" Austin asked.

Winter shrugged. "I guess. I just really like it and I want to be better at it. Plus, when I see people like Teddy and you, Austin, I want to be like that. I want to create music so other people can enjoy it."

"You're going to be a star one day," Austin said. "I believe in you, sweetheart."

Winter looked bashful. "Thanks, Austin."

We finished the night and Winter went into her room. I tucked her in an hour or two later. As I turned off her bedroom light, I thought about what I wanted to talk to her about making a YouTube channel. I wanted to make sure she understood that backlash would happen and there would be mean comments towards her, no matter how good she was. I wanted her to take that into account before she started making videos.

I went into our room and found Austin already laying in bed in pajamas. I got into bed with him and watched him for a second. He was so attractive and I was surprised he loved me as much as he did. He was a handsome man who had it all and he chose me.

Austin looked over at me. "What? Is there something on my face?"

I shook my head. "No. I just think you're so attractive and I'm lucky to have you. I'm also surprised that you picked me."

Austin put his phone away, smiling. "I would always pick you, Mack. I love you and Winter. I want the both of you in my life because of who you are. I don't regret meeting you and making you my girlfriend. My fame doesn't mean anything when it comes to you and Winter. I would give it up if it meant being with you."

"Where's my ring then?" I joked.

Austin sat up to look at me better. "I'll get it tomorrow and I'll marry you at the end of the week if it means that much to you. I'll make you my wife as soon as I can. That's how much I love you."

"I love you too." I grabbed my phone. "Do you want to see my ideas of what I want as a ring?"

Austin and I spent about an hour looking at rings. I didn't want anything fancy, modest, and nothing flashy. Austin took everything into mind and liked most of the ones that I should him. We talked about what we could do for the wedding, like if we wanted to just go to the courthouse or if we wanted a ceremony. We both agreed on a ceremony but weren't sure on how many people we wanted to invite. I wanted a smaller wedding but he wanted something a bit bigger. We put that to the side to talk about later.

When it got too late, we went to bed. We had been together for not quite a year yet but were talking about marriage. I loved Austin and wanted to be with him. I just didn't know what the hold up for me was. I knew that I could trust Austin and that he was way better than any man I could find back in Chicago. Maybe I was still hung up on Anmol, even though it had been six years since he had died. I had tried dating before but Austin was different. He was doing everything right with us. I had to trust that he'd keep treating us right and open myself more to being married to him.