Invisible String [T.S-E.S BOOK ONE]

31

December 13th, 2013

It was a national holiday in the newly formed Slater-Swift household. Taylor's twenty fourth birthday.

Eleanor had everything planned out. She got up earlier than normal to run, so that she could make it home to cook breakfast before Taylor woke up. Then she'd surprise her with breakfast in bed. It was a perfect plan.

Then Taylor waltzed into the kitchen, throwing the whole plan off kilter.

Eleanor turned, coming face to face with the central element of her plan. "Damn! You were supposed to stay asleep!"

Taylor giggled and crossed the room. She reached up and wiped a stray streak of maple syrup off of her lover's nose.

"Sorry baby, your dog woke me up." She told her, leaning in for a quick kiss.

Eleanor knew she should've fully closed the bedroom door.

"Spence, you've betrayed me!" She cried out as she pulled away from Taylor's lips. "My own son."

Spence looked up at her with a dopey look on his face. She couldn't be mad at those big eyes no matter how hard she tried.

Eleanor sighed and wrapped her arms around Taylor's waist. "Happy birthday, love." She grinned, leaning in for a proper kiss.

It was going to be a good day.

Taylor couldn't help but blush at the pure love that she was being shown. "Thank you."

The last birthday that Taylor had with Eleanor in her life was not exactly the best. El was determined to make twenty four the best one Taylor had ever had. Just the two of them and a dinner with friends and family. No parties. No gimmicks.

"Are you shaking?" Taylor asked, stepping back to get a good look at her.

Eleanor was shaking. She knew that she was having a bad day in terms of her withdrawals. It had been over a month and the episodes were starting to space out and become lass severe, so she was determined to keep it from interfering with Taylor's special day.

"That's not important." El shook her head.

Taylor's face dropped, it was exactly what Eleanor didn't want to happen. She was now more worried about her than having a good day.

"El..."

"Nope. Not on your birthday." Eleanor was quick to shut down her pity. "We're making it a good day."

Taylor looked hesitant, but nonetheless she let herself trust Eleanor. "Please tell me you didn't plan a party, I cannot take any more partying."

Nell laughed, thankful that the mood was changed. "No party, I swear. Just you and me." She rubbed Taylor's arms. "And dinner with the girls and your mom." Taylor's rates widened and Eleanor quickly came to her own defense. "They made me!"

"I don't want to get dressed up." Taylor groaned.

Eleanor had already predicted that response. "Well it's a good thing dinner is here."

"I love you."

Eleanor pecked a kiss to her cheek and turned around to finish playing Taylor's breakfast. It wasn't breakfast in bed, but at least it was still a nice gesture.

"What did you make me?" Taylor leaned against Eleanor's back, resting her head on her shoulder for a good look at the plate.

"An all-American breakfast for my Miss Americana." Eleanor teased.

Taylor rolled her eyes at the nickname El had grown fond of. "Why do you call me that?"

"Saw it in an article once and I thought it fit." The athlete laughed. "You are America's sweetheart."

"Until they find out I'm bisexual."

Eleanor tensed, turning around to look into the blonde's eyes. "Don't think like that."

"Babe, you can't look at me and honestly say that you don't receive any hate for being gay?" Taylor looked right back at her.

El definitely still got a lot of hate. At this point, though, she figured that she had bigger things to worry about than what some some sad sack who could only dream of waking up next to a girl like Taylor Swift thought of her. She already had the approval of those who matter most.

"I do." She shrugged. "But I don't give a shit about those assholes. They're just mad that gay women show girls what it means to be in a good relationship and no one tolerates their bullshit anyone."

"You had that one ready to go." Taylor giggled at her girlfriend's declaration.

Eleanor smiled. "I'm not wrong."

"It's just..." Taylor tried to find the words to describe her fears. "I feel like in your profession, there's more of a female gaze. Being gay isn't necessarily a big deal because most of the fan base is probably some level of gay or close to someone who is. With mine, it's completely dominated by the male gaze. If I'm not desirable to men and if I'm not seen with a man on my arm, I'm nothing."

"Baby, is that what you think?" Eleanor cupped Taylor's face in her hands. She'd been so busy with her own issues, she'd never given Taylor's a second thought.

Taylor didn't believe her words. She knew that that's how the industry worked, but she didn't believe that she needed a man to be significant. At least consciously. Deep down, there was still a lock left in place. She knew who she was and she knew who she loved. No one else could. If the men of the world knew that Taylor Swift was in love with a woman, she wouldn't have a career.

"I wish it didn't work that way, but it does." Taylor smiled sadly. "I'm just not untouchable yet."

"You have seven Grammys." The athlete pointed out.

"You have an Olympic Gold Medal." Taylor shot back.

"You know what I meant."

Taylor pressed a kiss to Eleanor's cheek. "Unfortunately, seven is not enough. Not when you're a twenty four year old woman."

They left it at that. There was really nothing more to say because honestly....she was right. Taylor had to run faster than everyone else because she was a woman. Hell, the US Women's National Soccer Team had two Olympic gold medals and two World Cup wins in their history...the men had none and still were paid more than her. It was dumb.

"Let's not get all introspective on my birthday, okay?" Taylor giggled. "I just want to have a good day with my lover."

"Lover?" El chuckled. "Who says lover anymore?"

"I do!" Taylor defended herself. "Now give me my food, I'm hungry."

Eleanor slid the plate over to her with a fond smile. She watched her girl as if she was the sun. Taylor was everything to her and always would be.

In the corner of the room, Spence had curled up on his bed to watch the scene unfold. Suddenly, a streak of gray and white came crashing into him. He would've jumped up, ready to attack had it been anything other than his sister. But this was Meredith.

He stayed in his spot, letting her climb all over him in search of a place to curl up. He had become her favorite nap spot in the few weeks that they'd been living together. Meredith didn't really like anyone, but Spence was her favorite by far. All the more reason for Taylor and Eleanor to believe they were meant for each other.

"I never thought my daughter could love anyone." Taylor laughed as she glanced at the pair. "But she seems to love your son."

"Our son." Eleanor picked a piece of food off of Taylor's plate, looking over at the dog and cat as well. "Our daughter loves our son."

"Yeah." Taylor shifted her gaze to El's profile. "Our kids."

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Super short chapter because I have a ton of writers block but I'm trying to push through!

Love y'all

— Cai