In The Clear - Out Of The Woods Sequel - A Taylor Swift Fanfiction

Chapter 21: Secret Sessions

Author's note: that lyric rewrite was so frustrating I've been trying to get it right all day haha also totally cried while writing this! AND WE'RE GETTING A NEW ALBUM IN APRILLLLLLLLLLL!!!!

As Taylor and Madison returned back home, still basking in the glow of their day together, Taylor was mid-story, recounting a moment Madison didn't know about.

"So, he had this secret group chat, talking shit about me and my friends," Taylor began, her voice laced with amusement, "Thought I wouldn't find out about it."

Madison, intrigued and already smiling, leaned in. "And what did you do?" she asked, her laughter just a breath away.

Taylor's smile broadened, her eyes sparkling with the punchline ready at her lips. "What did I do? I named my whole album after it," she declared.

Madison burst into laughter. "Legend," she exclaimed, thoroughly entertained.

"Tree made me change it to The Tortured Poet's Department," Taylor rolled her eyes, "but yeah, now you know how that came about!"

"And babygirl, if you thought your day was full of exciting events," Taylor continued, her laughter subsiding. "Just wait. I've got one more up my sleeve."

Madison, her curiosity now fully piqued alongside her amusement, followed Taylor eagerly, wondering what could possibly top the day they had already shared.

Taylor led her daughter towards the music room, a space filled with instruments, recording equipment, and memories of countless hours spent creating music. She gestured for Madison to take a seat in the plush chair usually reserved for guests during private listening sessions.

Taylor smiled, her gaze softening as she looked at Madison. "I want to recreate our Secret Sessions," she said, her voice imbued with warmth. "Only, you know, it's just you here."

Madison's face lit up with excitement, the prospect of a private concert from Taylor Swift herself, even if she was her mom, was thrilling. "Really? You'd do that for me?" she asked, barely containing her joy.

"Of course," Taylor replied, moving to pick up her guitar. "Anything for my favorite audience of one."

As Taylor began to strum the familiar chords of Madison's favorite songs she heard at the Secret Sessions where she first met Taylor, the room filled with the magic that only live music can create.

Madison watched, completely captivated, as Taylor performed with the same passion and energy she brought to sold-out concerts around the world. Yet, here in their music room, it felt even more special, more personal. Madison couldn't help but sing along, her voice blending with her mom's in perfect harmony. It reminded Madison of her love for singing - something she abandoned entirely over the years.

Between songs, Taylor shared stories about the inspiration behind each track, turning the concert into a journey through her creative process. Madison listened, awestruck, gaining new insights into her mom's world and the thoughts and emotions that shaped her music.

The concert, though private and meant just for Madison, was a grand gesture of love, a reminder of the unbreakable bond they shared. For Madison, it was more than just a series of performances - it was a reaffirmation of their connection, a celebration of their day together, and a moment that would stay in her heart forever.

As the last note faded into the quiet of the room, Madison jumped up to give mom a tight hug. "That was amazing, mom. Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Taylor hugged her back, equally moved. "Anything for you, my baby. Always."

She picked up her guitar again, "There's a final song I have for you. I wrote this for my mom, years ago. But I think it also applies to you now."

Madison took a deep breath when she heard the first notes of 'Soon You'll Get Better' play and realized Taylor rewrote the song for her.

"The buttons of my coat were tangled in my hair
In doctor's office last month, I didn't tell you I was scared
I need to say how much I care
Hearing piercing screams, each night I pray to you
Desperate people find faith, so now I pray to Jesus too
And I say to you
Ooh-ah, soon you'll get better
Ooh-ah, soon you'll get better
Ooh-ah, you'll get better soon
'Cause you have to"

As Taylor sang, her voice carried a weight of emotion, tears brimming in her eyes with each verse. Madison, wrapped in the gravity of the moment, felt every word deeply, as if the song were a mirror reflecting her own fears and hopes back at her.

The lyrics, "who am I supposed to talk to? What am I supposed to do? If there's no you," struck a chord so deep within Madison, she allowed herself to hysterically sob as Taylor continued to play while letting her own tears flow.

Madison's tears were not just for the struggles she faced or the challenges ahead - they were also tears of love, of understanding, and of a shared strength that the song had somehow managed to articulate. It was a moment of raw emotional honesty between them, a testament to their bond and the healing power of music.

As Taylor finished the song, her voice fading into a whisper of the final note, the room was filled with a heavy silence, the kind that follows a profound shared experience. Madison completely lost her composure, her cries not just of sadness but also of a deep, unspoken gratitude for the love and support her mom had always provided.

Taylor set the guitar aside and moved to embrace Madison, holding her tightly as they both allowed themselves to feel the full weight of the moment.

"Who am I supposed to talk to, what am I supposed to do, if there's no you? " Taylor whispered, tears running own her cheeks. She wanted to make sure Madison knew how much she meant to her and the pain it would've caused if she ever lost her. Madison let herself go in her mother's hug, crying uncontrollably.

In each other's arms, they found a solace that words could never fully convey. The song, a reminder of their vulnerability, also served as a beacon of hope—a promise that no matter what the future held, they would face it together.