Forevermore - Austin Butler
request: Ok so I recently just finished Priscilla's book on her and Elvis and I literally can't get over his reaction when she told him she was pregnant, so I was wondering if you could do an Austin Butler story or REALLY long imagine 😭 (there's 4 total parts) - Read the request here
The Elvis movie turned ten years old. Ten years since you watched a young actor portray the most iconic singer of all time. Endless rehearsals, countless books and the most meticulous of details. All learned and adapted— he was acting from his heart. Perhaps that was what made you fall in love with Austin in the first place. His ambition, his determination of doing a legend justice.
That was all it had been at the time. A young woman in awe at the skills of a young actor. Until the paths crossed and the lines blurred, bringing them to a big wedding and a bigger house many years later.
"You're gonna be a daddy," you said with tears in your eyes. Austin just stared, his eyes darting between you and the pregnancy test, like it was a dream come true. His breath got caught in his throat. Silence. Not a wheeze. Not a whisper. Quiet tears. Waterfalls of a man who had been hoping and praying for a sign, something bigger than himself. You gave him that. You.
"I-I don't know what to say," he made out in between contained sobs. You reached out a hand, feeling the burning sting of tears in your eyes as well. "My god... I... Thank you so much, baby. You— You have no idea h-how much this means to m-me."
The unbroken shattered right there and then. But you held onto other like anchors trying to survive in the most desperate of ways. For that was what you were to each other. A constant. A lifeline. All you had ever needed. Austin's emotions were something you loved about him. Every emotion was overwhelmingly intense. Maybe that was something you had to be cautious of, but you indulged in him being fully himself.
You loved the humanity in his sigh, in his eyes as he watched yours with intent, and in his hands as they held onto yours when the doctor announced you'd be having a little girl. One couldn't put a price on that. That was your moment, between tears and red noses sniffling in awe of your little creation.
Ten years of eternal beauty:
"Thank you everybody for coming," Austin called, shooting smiles at the guests. You watched him from your seat, hand on your bump and proud grin adorning your lips. "Today is a very special day— and not because the Eagles are playing." Scattered laughter bounced around the table. "Today is special because it marks the tenth anniversary of Baz Luhrmann's Elvis."
People cheered, putting their hands together. Baz smiled, waving his hand around comically.
"It's a movie that has given me so much. It has given me the opportunity to get to know a whole new person— Elvis. He was a rebel, a romantic, a performer, and first and foremost a human, like us all." His voice trembled faintly. "Now, working with you Baz has been an absolute honor, and I'm grateful that our paths crossed again in yet another wonderful project. Thank you for having believed in me from the start. I'm grateful for you— all of you wonderful people who have made the film what it is— Catherine, Olivia, Tom, Alton."
You felt tears in your eyes, the emotion in his voice making you tremble in your seat.
"If it hadn't been for the movie, I would've never met my wife," he said with a large smile, eyes darting down on you. "When the movie came out, she went and watched it with her friend. She kind of liked it—" More easy chuckles, and you withheld a teary eye-roll. "And then we talked, and we haven't stopped talking since."
You pursed your lips, preventing sobs to trespass unguarded. But lord, did his words hit you right in that sensitive bud of emotions.
"And now we're expecting a little girl. So thank you, Elvis, really." Austin laughed and raised his glass in the air. "To all of you. Now, dig in, because we've been cooking the whole day." More cheers, easy laughter and good food. All ingredients to a good night.
"Good speech, I'm impressed." You bumped your shoulder on his once he was sat down. He glanced your way and suppressed a smile. "I think I even cried a little."
Austin looked down briefly, and raised his gaze up again, the golden flame fluttering above the candle making him look absolutely ethereal. "The movie really meant a lot to me... Shaped me into who I am today. As an actor, as a human being. I'm really grateful."
You felt the sudden maternal urge to pull him away from the world. But you didn't act on it. You gently caressed his cheek and leaned in to capture the softness of his lips. That was enough to him, more than enough.
The faint sound of the door shutting made you look up from the couch. An instant smile found your face at the sight of your husband. Disheveled hair, happy glint in his eyes and all. It was intoxicating. Austin grinned, setting groceries on the kitchen island.
"Hey baby." He walked your way and bent down to kiss your lips. You smiled against him and raised a hand to his hair in automatic motion. It was second nature, you and his hair were one soul. "How was your day today? Babygirl being a little trouble maker?"
You hummed, tugging him to sit on the couch with you. "She's been more restless than usual, I'll say that." Austin sat on the armrest, lowering himself to brush a hand on your bump. "I should ask how your day has been. My days have been quite uneventful lately." You frowned, letting your fingers tangle together.
Austin chuckled, shaking his head. "You're cooking a whole human being. I don't think it matters if I stumbled into Meryl Streep at Target or not."
You breathed out a surprised gasp. "No, you didn't."
"No, I didn't babe. I don't think she goes grocery shopping by herself." Austin bumped your shoulder with a cheeky grin. You swatted his arm with a playful smile. "How about I give you a nice massage and sing babygirl a song?"
Your eyes lit up, your excitement caught up in your throat. "I like the sound of that."
That was your evening. A little fruit, back rubs, and Austin softly singing to the both of you. It had become a routine since you found out you were expecting. His soft voice lulled you to sleep each time with no fail, all under the soft glow of candlelight and his blue eyes. The feeling of safety could be described by that singular moment. From the way his arms cradled you like a mother would a babe, to the way his lips sang sweet little things.
"I can't help falling in love with you," Austin murmured, voice dripping with emotion. The flame wavered, but kept burning softly. Plump pink lips itched closer to your bump, until they finally touched your skin. Finally, you sighed in awe. That was love, that was how it felt like to be loved and cared about. In every shape and state. He loved you.
"I love you," he revealed unsurprisingly. The corners of his lips lifted into a gentle smile, one that had always been reserved for you and you only. Your hand rose to his cheek, feeling the light stubble under your touch.
"I love you," you said back just as easily. The distance between you two diminished, inch by inch, until two breaths became one and his lips finally met yours in an endless dance. One you could never get enough of.
You fell asleep like that, lulled by the sweet sound of breathy sighs and golden glow.
Until your baby woke you up.
"Ow..." you made out, a frown clouding your face. Austin woke up in an instant, so naturally that you wondered if he had even fallen asleep in the first place.
You shook your head, settling a hand on your bump. "I think she's ready."
Austin's eyes widened, immediately shooting up to his feet. "O-Okay let's go— We'll get you ready. I got the bag in the car, but I have the spare one in the nursery. Should I go and get it, just in case? Do you want me to take the diaper bag as well? Do hospitals provide diapers?"
You managed to chuckle through your pain, your hand curling around his arm. "Just— Help me get up. And we can freak out later." He nodded, brows scrunched together and eyes following every move, every twitch of your fingers. His hand held you up, failing to let go in fear. "I'm fine. I'll just go—" you winced. "I'll just go and get ready— Go check the car."
The drive to the hospital was smooth. Traffic wise. Everything else was a panicked mess. Austin's frantic eyes stayed on you the whole time, one of his hands held yours as your nose scrunched in pain. "Yeah, you've got it baby. We're like five minutes away— Five minutes only—"
"Austin, I swear to god—"
He stopped talking, and you immediately shot him a look.
"Keep talking, oh my god. How else am I supposed to distract myself?"
He nodded, hand tightening on you. "Yes, you're right, you're right. Hmm, let's see—"
"Okay!" He exclaimed in a hurry. "I got it, I got it. Remember that time at the beach? When that seagull snatched away half of my hotdog and dropped it on my head? That was so disgusting—"
"That was so funny," you smiled, delighted. "And then—" you winced at the shooting pain. "And then I gave you a bite of mine."
Austin disguised his worry with a big grin, nodding with faux enthusiasm. "Yeah, that's right baby. Oh, and look, there's the hospital." He parked with unprecedented precision and found himself by your side in an instant, bag across his shoulder and worried eyes concentrated on you. "Good, you're doing great, baby."
Nurses and doctors welcomed you both in, withholding the urge for autographs and photos. Although it was more than exciting having baby Butler born there.
"Mrs Butler, welcome." A nurse smiled warmly at you. "You look incredible."
Austin smiled faintly. "She said she didn't want the baby to see her hair messy."
You winced, your hold on Austin tightening significantly. "I'm still here."
The nurse nodded, her eyes widening. "Right, I'm very sorry. I'll wheel you into one of our rooms to change you in a comfortable gown. How does that sound?"
"I want Austin to come with me—" You darted a helpless look at Austin, who was already walking with you. No hesitation. No further questions.
"Of course, let's go." He pressed a kiss to your forehead, following the nurse into another room. He helped you change into the gown, ugly and blue, making you whine.
"I don't like it," you cried, but your husband knew the further motive of your tears. He gave you a small smile, brushing a hand on your arm and then finally tended to your bump, big and ready to give you the little angel you had dreamed of for years.
"I know darling," Austin cooed softly. "But it's just so you can give birth to our babygirl. We'll take it off once it's all over." You nodded reluctantly and hoped that everything would go by in a flash. But your little baby took her sweet time, waiting and turning, making you cry in pain and Austin's heart break.
He had never seen anything like that. The true power of a human— of a woman. No one else was able to do something like that. Create life and deliver it into the world. Austin's eyes watched you— every drop of sweat trickling from your forehead, every wince, every tear. His woman. You were his woman. And you were capable of something as magical as that. He was in awe of you.
When Eleanor Marie-Anne Butler finally made an appearance, the world seemed to still, all the noise narrowing to that singular moment. A faint cry— then it sounded more like a scream. But she was right there, finally, into the life you've dreamed of for years. A nurse handed your little girl to you, her voice quietened, but your tears didn't subside. Austin cried too, his tears never-ending at the sight before him. Three. It was the three of them. He looked at you, pressing a kiss to your temple.
"You're incredible," he made out through tears. "Thank you so much."
The moon was shining bright that night. Austin thought it was shining particularly bright for his daughter, trying to impress her with games of moonlight. She didn't care as she blissfully slept in his arms, her tiny lips parted just a little and her fist holding onto his finger.
You were asleep in your bedroom, drifting into the well-deserved land of dreams. It had been three weeks with little Eleanor back home. The house seemed brighter, more alive. Not only because of her little cries. But laughter was sweeter, smiles a little cheekier. Everything was better.
Except for a little voice. It wasn't a voice exactly, perhaps a whisper. An echo. An image. His beloved mama. She couldn't see the bundle of joy sleeping in his arms right now. She couldn't see his wife, his rock through thick and thin, she couldn't see little Eleanor's grimaces at the sight of something new.
She couldn't see him become a father.
It hurt. Grief was never-ending. It subsided and it came back harder, sharper, in ways he couldn't control. The birth of his daughter brought it back, yet it silenced it at the same time. The bright look in her blue eyes— Austin didn't see the replica of his own, he saw his mother's.
The tears didn't ask for permission, they just fell to his chin, dripping to his chest. Why did he feel that gaping hole in his chest? Why was it so painful, still? After so many years of grief, of therapy, of long conversations and breakdowns. How come was it still there?
Austin didn't hear you come in. His gaze rose, catching your tired eyes. "I-I didn't wake you up, did I-I?" You shook your head, tangling your fingers through his soft hair, taking a seat beside him.
"You didn't, my love. I just sensed... You weren't there," you said honestly. Austin pressed his lips together, swallowing his cries. "Wanna talk about it?" A gentle question steered his way, not pushy, not demanding. Just there for him to take it.
"I just miss her so much." He looked up, eyes full of crystal clear eyes, but hands full with life. A life you had both created together.
"I know, my love," you murmured, careful not to wake up your daughter. "No one can replace her. But I'm sure she's so proud of you." You brushed a hair to the side, catching one of his tears with your finger. "She's proud of the man you've become, the choices you've made, the family that you have." You tilted his chin, smiling softly at him. "I hope you know it too. You're amazing, Austin." Your lips caught his in a tender kiss, right when your daughter started stirring in his arms.
The years went by and little Eleanor turned four years old. Her laughter echoed across the garden as she ran around with her shoes thrown over her shoulder. She was carelessly happy, and that was the best look on her.
"C'mon baby," you called from the kitchen. "We gotta go get ready. Graceland is waiting for us."
"Okay mommy!" She ran up to you, dirty feet, bright smiles and all. "What's Graceland?"
You bent down, pushing a wild curl behind her ear. "That's Elvis' house. Your daddy played him in a movie, remember?" The look of recognition flickered over her features, and then she ran off with a giddy smile, right past Austin.
"Well, someone's excited," he commented, cradling his coffee cup. "You ready?"
You hummed. "Yeah, just waiting on Elle to get ready." You left your mug in the sink, turning around to face him. "How do you feel? You haven't been there in... Many years?"
"Yeah, in way too long," he took a long sip of his coffee. "I'm excited though. To see it again, for our baby to see it... It's gonna be very special."
The world kept turning, but Graceland remained the grand palace it had always been. The massive musical gates, the lions in the front, and Angie Marchese waiting on the three of you.
"Elle, darling, go say hello to Miss Angie," you called gently, but she hid behind your legs, fisting your long skirt. You looked up with an apologetic smile. "She'll come around, she's a little shy." Angie beamed at her, unbothered by the behavior.
"Well, Mr Presley, lead the way," she said to Austin in a joking manner. He blushed, shaking his head, but he was still absolutely flattered by the remark. It had been fourteen years since the movie had come out, and even longer since Austin stepped in Elvis' blue suede shoes. Your heart jittered at the sight of the mansion, and you couldn't even imagine what that felt like for your husband, who had lived and breathed Elvis for so long.
Angie gave you the tour of the house, a giddy smile on her lips to have the Butlers in the Presley home. That place felt like home in some strange way. You had been there before, both times with Austin, and the magic stirring in your tummy didn't cease. Even after all those years. It was there, lingering like an old friend.
Jerry Schilling, Priscilla Presley, Riley and her children, they all showed up on the exclusive day the Graceland gates remained shut. A jingle of keys made Austin look up.
"I think these are yours. If you still want them." Angie dangled a set of keys in the air, raising her eyebrows with a knowing look. Austin glanced over his shoulder, catching the sight of his wife running after their daughter. He paused, watching them exist together.
"Yeah, we'd like that. I'm pretty sure my wife is gonna be the one enjoying it the most," he said playfully and grabbed the keys. "Thank you, Angie. Girls!"
"Yes daddy!" Elle ran up to her daddy excitedly, forgetting about her mother.
"I got a surprise for all of us." But his eyes were set on you and the playful smile on your lips. "What's that grin for?"
You shrugged, the grin untamable. "Nothing, just happy. Happy to be with you, our daughter, a golf cart."
"I knew it," he grinned. "You're just here for the ride." He bumped his shoulder with yours, your talk going straight past your daughter who watched the two of you, oblivious. "Okay, let's go."
"Don't be shy with that gas pedal."
Golf carts and laughter— the best medicine to cure any kind of blues. Priscilla watched the three of you with a longing look, the sight reminding her of simpler times. Where laughter was a given and company wasn't bought. That was pure happiness between a family. The most beautiful and organic feeling. Her eyes wandered elsewhere, but she couldn't look anywhere and not find a memory of some kind.
The meditation garden was the last spot.
Austin crouched down in front of Elle. "Now, baby," he took her tiny hands in his. "We have to be very respectful when we go in there."
"Because there are people resting."
He nodded, humming. "Yeah, baby, they're resting in peace—"
You felt your heart in your throat. But that was a genuine question of a little kid connecting dots together.
Austin nodded again, his lips pressing together more firmly. "Yeah, like grandma. So we have to be quiet, and respectful. We don't wanna disturb anyone."
Elle remained quiet, intently watching her daddy. Then she nodded, like she had finally processed the information. "Okay, daddy."
It was quiet, just the gradual noise of the water spilling from the fountain. You stayed by your family, passing each grave with a prayer. "Is this Elvis?" your daughter asked smartly, catching pictures and colorful flowers by his grave. You smiled sadly and nodded, brushing a hand through her hair.
"Yeah, baby, that's Elvis."
"He's very pretty," Elle mumbled, and looked up to you in confirmation. You stifled a laugh and nodded.
Austin's eyes lingered, never letting go of either of your hands. You didn't need to glance at him to understand what was going on in his head. The constant images of the past, of putting on a suit too big, of dyeing his hair black to fully believe in his dream. And there he lay, the man that made it all accessible. It felt surreal.
You passed another grave, Vernon and Gladys Presley, parents that encouraged a young man to a dream, and then finally Lisa Marie's resting place. Goosebumps covered every inch of your skin. A death that walked in too soon, that took away a life that meant so much to the world. And to your husband.
You heard it all in late night talkings, the motherly figure Lisa Marie was to Austin. It felt like two puzzle pieces had found each other again. The loss of her son, the loss of his mother— the void was filled, the wound started scarring. Only to be ripped open again.
"This is Lisa Marie, baby," Austin explained, his voice trembling with emotion.
"Marie?" Elle looked up. "That's also my name, daddy."
Austin nodded. "Yeah." The emotional knot in his throat prevented him to say anything more.
"Hello Miss Lisa," Eleanor murmured softly, her fingers brushing the gold lettering of the Presley name. "You have a pretty name."
You chuckled through tears, sniffling softly. Your eyes darted on your husband, only to find the same emotion haunting his eyes. His jaw clenched as his tears quietly fell, not suppressing them. A breath, a tear, big blue eyes looking up at the both of you. You curled a hand around his arm, pulling him closer to you.
"Thank you," you murmured in his ear, pressing a kiss to his cheek. He glanced your way, faint confusion masking his face.
"For being you. Loving, funny, caring, showing emotions in front of your daughter... Just you."
Austin sniffled, his hand trailing to yours, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You're the one that's made me who I am today. I only have to thank you for that."
You tilted his chin, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "I love you."
"Me too!" Elle called from below, her tiny hands thrown in the air.
"Alright, but let's go away first—"
Austin moved with you, hand never leaving yours. But his eyes followed Elvis' grave again, catching it like he'd caught up with an old friend. Thank you, the voice echoed in his head. The words weighed heavier, even after all those years that gratitude never dissipated into nothingness. He knew that without him a lot of his present would've never happened.
That feeling was forevermore.
A/N: that was almost 4k words, wild. hope you enjoyed 💋 requests are welcome 🍿
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