Dear Austin...

The next morning, I stretched and yawned. Another boring day of hanging at the house, probably reading, maybe I'll go to the park with LP or find something to do with her. On the bright side, I had an amazing dream about meeting my heroes. Wait, it wasn't a dream!

I popped out of bed like a bullet from a gun. The smell of pancakes wafted from the kitchen on a wave of deliciousness. I was still in my shorts and t-shirt from yesterday so I shut my door quietly and threw on a shirt I bought at my percussion competition. My shorts were thrown in the dirty clothes basket and I threw on a longer pair of paint stained, black pants.

Slinking down the stairs, I avoided the one step that always squeaked and slid into the hallway. Hoping into my normal seat as silent as an owl on the hunt, I watched three bodies hover over a pancake griddle. I saw Austin, tallest guy in the group, and Alan's height broken up by a tiny head poking up over the side. Her blonde hair barely reached their elbows.

"You gotta pour it carefully." LP whispered to them. Austin nodded and made sure his pancake pouring was what LP wanted it to be.

"Is that good?" He asked her. Alan ruffled her hair as she picked up the paddle used to pour out the batter.

"Perfect." Her voice murmured. I read the clock on the oven. The green numbers illuminated the time. 8:30. It was Friday morning, and I smiled at the sight I thought I would never see.

"Be careful of the burner." Alan warned my sister.

"Ok." She stuck to Alan's side like they were glued together. LP turned around to see me, but didn't say anything. I smiled to her and waved. She gave a small wave back.

"Let's make pancakes for Rae." LP noted. I smiled at the kind thought.

"We'll make special pancakes for her, how about?" Alan asked. Austin nodded and smiled happily. I swear, my heart must've burst at their kindness. Honestly, Austin and Alan were some of the kindest people that I've ever met! They were so genuine.

"She likes chocolate chips." LP murmured. I laughed a silent chuckle and decided to finally speak up as all three of them had their hands on their hips. But before the moment was lost, I spotted my phone on the counter and snatched it up, taking a picture of the three sets of hands on hips.

"Who doesn't like chocolate chips?" I laughed, still holding the camera from the picture. Alan and Austin jumped while the little girl giggled happily. LP rushed over to my side as I got off my stool and gave me a bear hug around the waist.

"Good morning Rae." Her voice was muffled from my shirt. I returned the affectionate gesture and squeezed her shoulders.

"Morning Raelyn."

"Glad to see you got up for breakfast." Austin and Alan chorused. LP ran back to Alan's side as they flipped the golden brown circle. The others were starting to sizzle as they burned. The three were in a panic to save their breakfast. I saw Lily-Pearl's form disappear into the pantry to retrieve chocolate chips.

"Do you want any help?" I asked them, preparing to get off my stool

"No! You get to sit there!" Austin held out a hand to stop me while simultaneously trying to salvage a pancake. I held up my hands and returned to my seat.

"This was all your sister's idea, by the way." Alan told me while pointing an accusing finger. She put on a face and mock scowled at him.

"But burning the pancakes was your fault!" She threw back. He copied her posture and stuck his tongue out. My sister pulled the hat over his eyes and poked his nose playfully. Austin was trying to manage by himself and control two young children.

"Come on, you two! Let's get this back to your mom." He scolded them. They stood up and held out their hands for the plates and toppings. Together, they put it on a tray and started the procession back to my mom's bedroom.

She was up and reading her book when we knocked and entered the quiet room. She smiled and helped take the tray as it transitioned hands. The new morning light peeked in through the blinds, watching the five of us in the room.

"I thought I smelled something delicious! You are all so wonderful Thanks for the breakfast!" She exclaimed before taking her fork and digging in. Austin sat there with my mom, talking to her about the band, Warped Tour, how she was feeling, and other things in between bites of food. Alan and LP sat quietly, or at least as quietly as they could, on the bed. I stood next to Austin.

I could tell just from the way that Austin talked to my mom that he adored her. There was a longing glint in his eyes, just a spark of remembrance. I knew why he cared about my mom so much. It was because he missed his own mom!

"I just love these flowers that you brought me!" She addressed both boys. Alan held up his hands.

"It was Austin's idea!" He pointed to Austin who blushed profusely and ducked his head away. LP poked Alan again, causing him to laugh. Austin moved to the door and Alan pulled my sister along. I caught up behind Austin. Alan and LP moved to the kitchen to keep cooking. I pulled my mom's door closed and Austin waited for me in the hall. His hair was partially combed to keep it in a messy style. Without warning, I warped my arms around him.

"Thank you so much. You've helped my mom so much." I told him. He wrapped his arms around me again. It felt exactly like the first time he hugged me. When he finally pulled away, his eyes stared into mine so sadly.

"She reminds me so much of my own." He told me. I took his wrist and pulled him into the kitchen so we could eat the pancakes that Alan and LP were finishing up.

Breakfast was delicious. Half way between my second and third pancake I had an idea.

"How about we go to a park after lunch?" I asked them. Alan turned around and squealed with delight. Of course, it was the ginger princess! The two little kids with the highest energy in room bounced with excitement. Today was a park day.

Notes

Thanks everyone for inspiring me to keep writing! I LOVE YOU ALL!
So what do you guys want? More Lily-Pearl/Alan, or some more Raelyn/Austin?
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