Safe & Sound- (A Taylor Swift AU)

~chapter 20~ secrets out

Taylor's POV (December 4th)
Travis came home late last night. I missed him so much, I don't think I let go of him all night, wrapped in his warm loving arms just feels right. And when I walked in the room after my shower and saw him with my daughter, snuggled in his arms, nothing felt more perfect. Travis is home. Wherever Travis is, is where I belong. Where we, as a family, belong. A person as a home is more important than a location.

We are at breakfast, Travis and I have been done and Chloe just finished her waffles. She wipes her face and Travis looks at her, "Ready to go to the toy store?" Chloe's eyes grow wide with excitement at his suggestion she looks at me and I nod, she looks back at Travis, "YES!!!" She jumps up and I grab her hand before she can run off, and wait for security to be ready to escort us. I let go of her hand when security is near. When we walk outside and the door opens there are tons of paparazzi. Chloe looks at Travis, "Daddy can you carry me?" His face lights and he picks her up, "Of course sweetie." She buries her head in his chest not liking the flashes of the cameras.

She just called him dad for the first ever time, to him. She's mentioned that he's her dad to me, but never to him. Based on the way his face lit up I'd say he's honored to be called dad. He loves our little girl more than anyone in the world, including me, which makes me even happier. When I first adopted her I prayed that whoever I ended up dating would love her..care for her, she's my number 1 priority. So knowing Travis is her dad by choice and not just my fiancé, that's like all I ever needed.

We choose to walk to the toy store because it's not that far away. Security is following us, so I know we're okay, but it still feels so weird to be this comfortable in public. I'm used to being forced to hide. Wigs and sunglasses were my best friend and now they're just an occasional alliance. It feels weird to be protected by a man, weird in a good soul-stirring way. Travis is the light at the end of my tunnel. The man I never knew I needed. A man that I am safe around, who loves me unconditionally. I can be me in public, I can be his fiancé in public, and I can be Chloe's mama in public.

I can be private and public at the same time. It's an unreal experience. It almost brings me back to my days before my eating disorder. I was happy and carefree back then. I didn't have to live in a bubble, constantly guarding myself from humiliation. As soon I started judging myself because of what others said, all my carefreeness went away. I had this burning desire to make people like me. I was tired of everyone's thoughts and my mental health overpowered my happiness.

But now I can put peoples opinions behind me. I am a mom, I am a fiancé, I am Taylor Swift. One of the most loved artists in the world. My fans outnumber my haters, and that is something younger me would never understand. Life can be good to you. I'm safe, and cared for now. It's an amazing feeling.

"Honey...Tay... Taylor..." Travis zones me back in. I shake my head getting out of my thoughts, "Hmm what?" I mumble. He gives me a concerned look but doesn't act too much on it because Chloe is too excited. "We're here, you gotta quit walking straight forward," he says softly. I nod, "Right." I smile at him wanting to give some reassurance that I'm okay. Travis puts Chloe down once we get inside the store, but he holds her hand. Their height difference is so cute. Her hand can barely reach his.

"Just one thing right?" She questions looking at him. "You can get whatever you want sweetheart, you don't just have to get one thing," he tells her. She looks at me cautiously. "It's Daddy's money, not mine. If he says you can get whatever you want, his word stands." She nods with a huge smile on her face and hugs Travis's leg. She picks out a bunch of toys, and each time she asks if the price is okay. I swear she has to know we have the money to buy her this whole store, but she's still very polite, and eternally grateful about it.

When we check out there are 13 toys in total for $380. If toys were this expensive when I was a kid, my mom would've made me play with newspaper dolls like the older generations. Times are changing, that's for sure.

Chloe kisses Travis's cheek when we leave and walk back to the SUV. The guards are carrying the bags. "Thank you daddy, thank you so much," she keeps repeating. He doesn't tell her to quit thanking him, instead he keeps his calm and tells her she's welcome every. single. time. It's the smallest thing, but it means a lot to me.

***
30 minutes later we are home. Chloe is in her room playing with her new toys. I pull out my phone and see I have a ton of notifications. But the one that catches my eye is Tree.

Tree: Taylor, honey, you should've warned me before you went out today. I know you're still early, but your bump is hard to hide now. And people saw it. And now there are rumors spreading around that you're pregnant. We need to put something out about this.

I let out a loud, agitated sigh. I saw this coming, but I didn't realize it would happen this soon.

I text Tree back: You're right. Confirmation should come from me. I'll put out a post on all my socials.

I look at Travis, then back at my phone as I pull up Instagram. I don't look at him when I speak, "Paparazzi put out pictures, I didn't hide it too well, pregnancy rumors are spreading. I'm going to make a social media post. Is that okay with you?" He nods respectfully, "Whatever you gotta do baby, I can handle anything." I nod at him as I begin writing.

And now it's out. The world knows.