Meet My Dedication

The car ride to the air port? Not too bad. Going from the parking lot to our gate? Little bit worse, getting caught up by fans and whatnot. I could handle that one; I just kept my face to the ground, while Austin did his thing. I was so proud of him, though, it was amazing how much of an influence he had on so many people.
The flight from Los Angeles to Houston? I couldn’t handle it, even after traveling with the guys on tour. We were in a bus majority of the time, and being on wheels and crashing is completely different than being thousands of feet in the air and crashing. My anxiety was tearing my lungs apart, and I hated putting that kind of stress on myself in my current state.
Austin didn’t skip a beat, and held my hand, while I practically crushed it in my own, and soldiered through it all with me.
“Look out the window,” I shook my head; I refused to look out and see my potential death stare me in the face. “Mikey, we’re about to land, I promise,” Austin squeezed my hand for reassurance and I peeked my eyes over to the tiny window. I saw the air port and stomach didn’t seem so tight anymore.
“It’s beautiful,” I was so used to green and buildings everywhere, it was nice to see a kind of desert type of land. I’d never seen two things in my entire life: snow, and a desert. I can finally cross off desert from my bucket list.
“Told you that you’d love it,” he winked and kissed my cheek.

We landed and I still hadn’t let go of Austin’s hand, until we got our luggage from the baggage claim. He found my nervousness of meeting his dad humorous, I found it nauseating.
Once we found our baggage, Austin found an equally as tall, if not taller—they both were giants to me anyway—man on the other side of the baggage claim. I would only assume it was Papa Carlile himself. We were greeted with warm smiles and bone crushing hugs; now I saw where he got it from.
“Austin, it’s so nice to see you,” Austin’s big smile matched his fathers and I couldn’t help but giggle. I got caught, “and Mikey, it’s wonderful to finally meet you!”
I smiled wide and extended my hand, only to be embraced into another hug, “I’m a hugger, little girl, you might as well get used to it.” We all laughed when Robert caught sight of the rings on our fingers. “You kids didn’t run off and get married already, did you?” The pure look of shock had Austin bust out into laughter.
“No, dad, it’s our engagement rings, I promise. I wouldn’t just not invite you to my wedding, I’d let you know firsthand!” Austin wrapped his arm around my waist. I nodded in agreement.
“Oh good, don’t do that to your poor old man’s heart.” He smiled warmly and took one of my bags, not allowing me to argue with him, and we made our way to his SUV.
I got in the back seat, while Austin sat shot-gun next to his dad. I stared out the window for the hour drive we had ahead of us. Sooner than later I ended up falling asleep shortly afterward.

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Robert had dinner all planned out, we were going out to Carrabba’s, which just so happened to be my all time favorite restaurant in the history of ever. The service was amazing, and the food was to die for, as always.
It was just really nice to get away from everything, and everyone, for a while. It was relaxing, and I think that is exactly what Austin and I needed.
I got interrupted from my own little dream world, when Austin grabbed my hand and cleared his voice. I looked over at him, smile, and nodded. “Dad, we have another surprise for you.”
His father stopped mid bite, giving the two of us all of his undivided attention. “What’s up, guys? An engagement wasn’t enough?”
“Haha, no, it wasn’t and it probably never will be,” Austin laughed. I squeezed his hand, but Austin couldn’t find the right words to say.
“Mr. Carlile,” I started.
“Please, call me Robert, or dad. You’re going to be my daughter in law, someday.” He chuckled, causing me to slightly get red.
I cleared my throat, “Uh, Robert…” I wasn’t comfortable calling anyone dad anymore, it hurt too much. “I… we,” I got cut off by Austin.
“You’re going to be a grandpa!” Austin blurted out. I let out a big sigh once I saw Austin’s face light up and his dad choke up. It was the sweetest sight anyone could have ever seen.
“I’m… I’m going to be a grandpa?” He whispered, realizing that our tiny little family was about to get a lot larger. “I’m gonna be a grandpa!”

Notes