Safe & Sound- (A Taylor Swift AU)

~chapter 27~ Christmas Tragedies

Inspired by BraedenLee

Taylor's POV (December 25th)
Christmas has been and always will be my favorite holiday. It's 2 out of 365 simple days that mean everything. The 24th and 25th bring people together in so many ways. It's a season of giving, a season of cheer. This Christmas I have even more to cherish. The number people around my tree has grown. I'm a mom now. Christmas as a mom. It's a scary thing. It's hard to get right. You want to please your kids, make them happy. So you do everything you can to get them what they want. Chloe is too young to truly understand the meaning of Christmas. The birth of Jesus. But that doesn't stop me from teaching her.
This is the first time I've ever been on this side of Christmas. It's not young me jumping on my mom early in the morning. I'm the mom being jumped on. That being said, Chloe just jumped on top of me.

I groan and look at the clock, "Squirt it's 5:30." Chloe tries to tickle me but I'm too tired to react, "Wake up mommy! It's Christmas! Santa came!" I laugh at her excitement, "Okay, Okay! I'm up! But you'll have to force daddy up." I pull myself out of bed and head to the bathroom. When I get out I follow Travis and Chloe to the living room. Chloe screams and jumps around. She looks at the name tags and sure enough 80% of them are hers. "Mommy! They're for me!" She squeals. I giggle, "They are for you." Her face lights up, "Santa didn't forget me this year!" Sadness runs through my veins but I force a smile, "Of course not! You deserve all the presents possible!"

Travis got me a lot of well-thought nice things. Designer Clothes, Jewelry, Accessories, chocolates, and some cute things he handmade with Chloe. I got Travis some new clothes and stuff. We also used Christmas as an excuse to buy a buttload of baby things. But overall we definitely spoiled Chloe the most.

I look up and see Travis recording Chloe as she unwraps a small box and when she looks at what's inside she lets out a scream and starts crying. She jumps into Travis's arms and hugs him tight, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I look at them curiously, "What is it?" Chloe brings the box over to me, "Tickets to Lainey Wilson!" I smile at her, "Oh wow! You love Lainey! That's awesome!" She nods and giggles jumping around some more.

When "all" the presents are opened I help Travis clean up. I pull my phone out and catch him off guard recording him as he's going to sit. "Chloe has one more present for you," I say handing Chloe a present, "Can you take this to daddy?" She nods and walks over to him. "Thank you sweetie," he says taking it. He opens it and looks at me a little confused when he pulls out a yellow envelope. He looks inside of it and his jaw drops. Tears well up in his eyes. Chloe looks at him confused, "Im sorry! Don't cry!" He looks at Chloe like she's the only person on the planet and hugs her tight, kissing her head. "Is that a yes?" I question. "Of course. I would love to adopt her," he smiles his biggest smile. "Yay! You're officially gonna be my daddy," Chloe says tearing up.

We spent the rest of the morning as a family before Travis left to go to the stadium. Now I'm getting ready to head there 2 hours after Travis did. "Mommy why does daddy have a game on Christmas Day?" Chloe asks innocently. "Because the NFL likes celebrating Jesus's Birthday honey, I really don't know," I laugh. She puts on her Chiefs boots she just got for Christmas and groans, "Daddy better win. I'm too tired for a disappointment." I giggle, "That's because you woke us up before the chickens baby! Daddy will try his hardest and that's what matters." Chloe groans, "I'm tired of seeing them lose." I hold back a laugh as we leave the house and head to the stadium.

****
0:35 left in the game. The Chiefs are down 28-31. Patrick just threw the ball to Travis a whole 22 yards away. Travis caught the ball and has a clean path to the end zone. He runs and runs and runs, til finally "TOUCHDOWN KELCE!" I jump up and cheer. Not as much as I used to before I was pregnant but still a lot. The buzzer goes off and the Chiefs win! "Yay go daddy!" Chloe squeals. Our celebration is cut short when we hear the sound of a gunshot. Everyone starts running to leave and hide. I look down at the field to see what's going on and if anyone was shot. But my worst fear comes true. "DADDY! NO!" Chloe sobs noticing. Fear over takes everyone in the suite.

I see security pull the gunman out of the stadium so I know it's safe. I immediately grab Chloe's hand and speed walk to the emergency exit where there is always an ambulance on stand by. Just as I reach the exit Travis is being wheeled to the ambulance. "Is he gonna be okay? Where was he hit? Is there an exit wound?" I ask all the questions panicky. "Are you his wife?" The paramedic asks me. "Fiancee," I correct. They nod and let me in the ambulance. "There is no exit wound so he's going to need surgery. But we aren't doctors so we can't tell you the extent. The bullet went into his right leg just below the knee. There will definitely be damage but I'll let the doctor give you the rest of the details." I look at Travis worried, "Your right knee is what you had surgery on.. this could be serious." He nods and holds my hand.

We get to the hospital and he's immediately taken in for surgery. After he's out the surgeon comes up to me. "Miss. Swift," He greets. I look up at him. "I will explain this in understanding terms. We were able to remove the bullet. But it did some nerve damage. We were able to repair the nerves to the best of our abilities. But there's a good chance his leg will never work the way it used to, again." I listen closely, "Will he be able to play football?" The doctor looks at me sincerely, "I'm sorry. I just don't think that would be a good idea. It could result to further injury. There's just know way he'll be able to play." I tear up, "This is gonna kill him. How am I supposed to tell him he'll never be able to play again.. tell him he has to retire?" He has played football his whole life. He knew retirement would happen eventually. But not this soon. This will literally change him. The doctor nods, "I can tell him if you want." I shake my head, "He'll want to hear it from me."

I go into Travis's room and see him awake from surgery, "Tay," he says groggily. I set Chloe down in chair and hold his hand, "I'm here baby." He looks at me sympathetically, "I'm sorry this is how we're spending Christmas." I brush my thumb against his cold hand, "You're okay. That's all I care about right now." "It came out of no where. I didn't even have time to do my touchdown dance. I hit the ground and saw a bullet flying towards me. It was terrifying. But I'm glad it was me and not someone else. I'd hate for anyone to go through that. I just wanna heal now so I can get back on the field." I tear up, "Trav.. I.. there's something I have to tell you." He looks at me concerned, "What?" I bite my lip gaining the courage to tell him the worst news of his life, "Your leg has already been through so much. And with 10 years of pro football already in, you've already played longer than most players. The injuries are too severe. The doctor said it's best if you watch from the sidelines for the rest of the season and then retire."

Travis winces and shakes his head, "No." I sigh, "Trav.." "No!" He yells. "I'm sorry.. it's for the best," I whisper. He raises his voice more, "You do not get to stand there and tell me I have to retire! Do you know how much football means to me! Football is all I care about! I cannot retire! Football has been a constant in my life since I was a boy." I look at him, "Baby.. retirement is your best option." He glares at me like he never has before, "Get the fuck out." I sigh, "Trav." "GET THE FUCK OUT TAYLOR! IM NOT GONNA TELL YOU AGAIN." Chloe gets off the chair and goes over to him, "Daddy," she says softly. He ignores her and stares at the wall. I pick Chloe up and leave the room. I stay at the hospital though. Hoping he'll wanna talk nicely.

I was the one to give Travis the worst news of his entire life. I'm the monster. Here's where my life turns upside down.