Safe & Sound- (A Taylor Swift AU)

~chapter 8~ I'm Only Me When I'm With You

Taylor's POV (July 11th)
Just a warning, I'm not at all a court case writer so bare with me... it's fast and not descriptive 😂🥲 I'm Sorry! Also this chapter is honestly rushed because I didn't know what to write. It's not as descriptive as I would like it to be, but the storyline is still important. Thank y'all for reading.

Today is the day I have been dreading. I know when I leave Chloe will still be in my arms, but I'm still scared. Today, we go to Joseph's court session. The session that will decide his charges. There's basically 3 options. He can be charged with the murder of his daughter and have life in prison. Or he can be charged with neglect and murder both and really be in there no ifs ands or buts FOREVER.

As soon as I get up, the lack of my warmth interrupts Chloe's sleep. She stirs and whines, "Mommy don't get up yet." If we had no where to be I would give into that innocent little request in a heartbeat, however we got stuff to do. "I have to shower and get ready squirt. We have to go to court in a little bit remember?" Chloe sighs and nods, "Okay mommy. Love you." I kiss her cheek and I head to take a shower.

••
When I get out of the shower and get done doing my hair and makeup I come back to Chloe dressed in a white teeshirt and blue overalls with a white paint splatter effect. "Mommy I want my hair in piggy tails." I smile and grab her hair brush and rubber bands. "Come here," I say with a smile. She sits down in front of me and sings as I do her hair.

"Stay Stay Stay, I've been loving you for quite some, time time time, you think that it's funny when I'm, Mad Mad Mad, so I think that it's best if we both stay." She giggles and I finish her hair and tickle her, "Are you a little swiftie?" She grins, "Duh!"

••
Next thing I know, Chloe is holding my hand as we stand outside court. I have been dreading this day but I know it's a good step. Basically this is all about his charges, but his charges also decide if I get Chloe or not. Because if he goes to prison for murder charges, she's in the system for good. And if she's in the system and completely out of his custody for good... I can try to adopt her. I take a deep breath, Chloe looks up at me with fear in her eyes. I give her little hand a squeeze as we walk inside.

Joseph is standing inside drinking water, with guards making sure he doesn't do anything. "Chloe!" He calls out trying to come towards her. She grabs my leg fast and I pick her up. "Chloe, daddy misses you so much." Chloe is shaking and I feel terrible for her. She's scared out of her mind. He tries to grab her out of my arms but the guards stop him. Chloe clings to me as tight as she possibly can. "Leave me alone!" She yells. He hits her arm, "YOU DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO YOU STUPID CHILD!" I clench my fist as Chloe breaks into tears, but I contain myself because I need to make sure I look good enough to be a mom. The guards take him away from us and into the court room. I take a seat with Chloe.

A few minutes into court Joseph makes a statement while looking at Chloe. "This isn't something I would normally think to say. But now that I'm looking right at my baby girl, I feel like I have to say it. I'm guilty. I killed Bianca. I killed my daughter because I didn't love her. I regret it. I can't go to prison. I need to go home so I can take care of my youngest daughter Chloe." The judge and jury laugh, "This makes our decision easy."

Did he just say that? Did he just admit to it? Did this just make everything simple? What is happening? Am I dreaming? This was the easiest court session I've ever witnessed! What?
"Joseph Ryan Margins, you are being charged with Neglect of a dependent, a level 6 felony, and murder. Along with a lot of little charges. You are hereby sentenced to 65-70 years in prison." The judge slams the hammer.

Chloe looks at me as they take Joseph away. He's still screaming, "FUCK YOU TAYLOR SWIFT! I WILL FIND A WAY TO GET MY DAUGHTER AWAY FROM YOU!" She cries into my chest relieved, "Mommy can we go home?" I stand up and hold her close, "We can go home." The foster facility worker stops us on our way out, "Miss. Swift, it has been brought to our attention that Joseph's brother Joshua would like custody of Chloe since Joseph has no chance of getting her back." It's as if my heart just stopped beating inside my chest. My body goes numb, and my lungs feel as if they are closing. "She will be placed in Joshua's care tomorrow morning. I'll be by to pick her up at 8:30." She continues talking but my brain isn't catching any of it. I run to my car and cry. I tell the drivers to take us home immediately.

Chloe looks at me, she's also terrified. "I'm being taken away," she mumbles. I just hold her close. "Mommy what's gonna happen?! Joshua is mean!" She's panicking now, screaming and crying. "I will figure it out squirt. I'll figure it out. But I don't have enough time to figure it out soon enough, you're gonna have to go with Joshua. But I will do everything I can to get you back. I'm gonna give you my completely working old phone, it has service okay? You will still be able to contact me. You have to be secretive about it. He can't find out you have it or he will take it away. But you can message me voice recordings, pictures of your situation, and just other things you need to tell me okay? I'll also send you with some of my stuff. And a camera that you can hide in your room that will record sound and video so anything he does in your room. Chloe sobs into my chest, "Mommy no I need you." I stroke her hair and hold her chin, "Squirt, baby, look at me, you are the strongest little girl I know. We gotta do this. You'll get through it okay?"

I honestly have no clue what I'm gonna do. But I promised Chloe I'd always have a plan. So I'm gonna figure it out. Hopefully he just does stupid shit and I can get her back.

When we get home the whole entire day is spent having fun with each other and holding each other close all night. When she fell asleep I got her stuff packed and made sure she had a phone charger and I made sure everything I gave her was planned out. In the morning the foster worker did indeed come to get her. I squat down in front of Chloe with tears in my eyes, "Look squirt, we are going to get through this okay? You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. God brought you into my life for a reason. I know you are scared and I'm so sorry this is happening but we have to get through it. We have to take this step." I squeeze her hand 3 times. She breaks our hand holding and sobs into my chest, "I love you mommy, I love you mommy," she repeats. I kiss her head, "I love you too." The worker knocks on the door so I whisper, "Remember what I said about the phone and camera. Don't forget." I open the door and the worker greets us. "Okay Chloe, time to go sweetie," the worker urges her out the door. But before Chloe listens she gives me one more long hug.

Chloe walks out that door and she's now taken away from me. I watch the car drive off then I close the door and fall to the ground. I lay on the ground sobbing for what feels like an eternity. All my worries flood my brain. "How am I gonna get my baby back?" "What's going to happen to her?" "How am I supposed to perform in a couple days?" I go upstairs to Chloe's bedroom. I climb into her bed and lay there like a fish with no water. My head hits something and I uncover it to find out what it is. Moola. She left Moola! She needs Moola! My poor baby. She doesn't even have her comfort item. I find a note attached to Moola. The handwriting is very messy and the words aren't 100% right, but I have taught her so much about writing and reading she is the smartest 4 year old I know. The note reads, "Mommy I lef u mooa so u don mis me." She left me Moola. On purpose. That makes me sob even harder. That sweet girl.

After hours of laying in bed I text Travis.
The text reads:

I lost Chloe. Her dad was sentenced to 65-70 years and he asked that Chloe goes with his brother. Chloe claims his brother is abusive so I'm really hoping I can get her back.

Seconds later my screen lights up with his reply:

Travis Kelce ❤️: Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry Tay. I'm heading to your apartment now.

He's what? He doesn't have to do that, he has a life. I text him again:

Trav you don't have to you're probably busy.

He's always so quick to reply:

Travis Kelce ❤️: I'm never too busy for you.
1. You need my support. 2. We have to get Chloe back. 3. My friend has dealt with this situation before and I know what I'm doing.

He knows what he's doing? He could be a big help. I sigh and text him back:

Okay Travis Kelce ❤️ you can come.

Why did my phone add in the heart just because that's his contact name? This is not the time for a heart.

He replies:

Travis Kelce ❤️: Be there soon.