i can't want you (i'm taking you anyway)

part 19

Travis' POV

"What do you mean she left? Why didn't you stop her?" I tried not to yell for Ronan's sake, but anger crashed through me. 

"Well what did you want me to do?" Patrick sighed. "Did you want me to physically restrain her?"

"Yes!" I snapped, quickly lowering my voice when Ronan looked up at me. "Where did she go?"

"I have no idea, she didn't stop to chat."

"Okay, god." I rubbed my forehead. "How long ago did she leave?"

"Fifteen minutes, I don't know."

"You waited fifteen...." I stopped and took a breath. "Alright, well." The door opened, and I looked up. "Never mind." I murmured, hanging up the phone. 

Taylor closed the door behind her, and at the sound, Ronan realized that she was back. Clambering to her feet, she ran over to her mother, arms held high. Taylor's face was streaked with tears but she managed a smile as she scooped her daughter up, burying her face in her hair. Her shoulders started shaking, and my heart broke for her. I didn't know what had happened, but I'd burn the damn world to the ground to find out.

Without a word, I crossed the room to where mother and daughter stood. Taylor turned into my embrace as I wrapped my arms for her, letting me pull her close. She didn't say anything, I wasn't sure she could.

"Mommy?" Ronan poked Taylor's cheek. 

"Mommy's tired." I said gently. "Why don't you do her another drawing?" Ronan giggled, squirming in Taylor's arms until she was set down on her feet. "Come here Teddy." I murmured as Ronan ran off to the table. Taylor burst into louder tears as I held her tightly against my chest, soaking the front of my shirt.

Taylor was strong, I knew that. But everything that had happened had really hit her hard. No one was made of stone, but I hated that she was hurting. She shouldn't be going through all of this. And it was all my fault. If I hadn't cheated on her so many years ago, if I hadn't lied to her, she'd have such a better life. I knew neither of us would change a thing, because if we did, we wouldn't have Ronan, but god I wished I could just take some things out.

She was so small in my arms. Shaking slightly, pressed up against my chest. Vulnerable. I held her as she cried, wishing I could make this all better. Wishing I could tell her that I loved her, and that I'd do anything for her. Wishing I could kiss away her tears.

Fuck, how did I love her so damn much? Two and a half years, and it was like my love for her hadn't so much as faltered. I knew I'd never stop loving her, even though she'd told me she'd never love me again. I'd stay for her until she found someone else, even though I knew it'd break me into a million pieces as soon as she did. But until then, I'd take care of her, and I'd take care of our daughter. 

"What did he do?" I asked a few minutes later when she'd quieted slightly.

"He..." Taylor sniffed. "I keep a safe box for Ronan. It's got everything precious for her when she grows up. He took it. And he won't give it back unless I take her and myself back to him."

I knew how much Taylor treasured memories. So did I. My thought fluttered back to the necklace I had hanging around my headboard post on my bed, where I'd kept it since the second Taylor had disappeared. 

"We'll figure it out." I murmured, rubbing her back just like I'd used to, knowing it calmed her down. "We'll get it back Teddy, I promise." I'd get it back if it killed me. This was obviously so important to her.

"Yeah." Taylor sniffed, scrubbing at her eyes. "I just don't want to think about it today."

"Okay." I nodded. "You want some help bringing everything inside?" Taylor thrived on distraction, and she nodded.

We spent the rest of the day settling Taylor and Ronan into my apartment. They fit in so easily, and even though I didn't know how long they would stay, it was really nice to see their things casually around the apartment. Taylor had gotten most of the things they needed, except for Ronan's bed, but apparently she slept with Taylor a lot so that wouldn't be a problem. 

A few days passed, and we settled into a tentative routine. I dropped Ronan to daycare every morning and then took Taylor to work, and picked them both up afterwards. We worked around each other, trading off nights where we cooked and cleaned. It was hard when Ronan started getting upset about not having Drew around, and I left that to Taylor since she was still getting used to me. We were doing okay, and I guess that was all I could ask for. 

I texted Dante, asking him if he could do something about the safe box. Surely Drew had it in the house, and I couldn't think of any other way to get it back for Taylor.

Thursday was Taylor's day off so she stayed home with Ronan, and I went to work by myself. I had to stay at the bar and help out from the time we opened for a few hours since one of the staff on that night was going to be late, so didn't make it home until eight. Knowing Ronan was probably asleep, and Taylor might be too, I went inside quietly and locked the door behind me. 

"Travis." Taylor's voice made me jump, and I looked up to see her standing at the table, the place dimly lit by one of the kitchen lights. She was just standing there, and as she stared at me, my eyes drifted down to what was on the table in front of her. A cardboard box stamped with a ten digit number. There was a small card on top, business card sized. "Travis." Taylor said quietly. "What the fuck did you do?"

Taylor stared silently at me, and then she  picked up the business card that had been sitting on top of the box and held it out to me. I moved forwards, taking it and flipping it over to read it. I swallowed, looking back up at Taylor.

He won't touch your girl again

"What did you do Travis?" She whispered. "And don't lie to me this time."

"Teddy."

"The truth, Travis. Now." 

"Okay." I sighed, placing the card down on the table. "When you went to sleep the first night here, I called in a favor with a guy I once helped out. He..." I paused. "He made sure Drew wouldn't ever bother you again."

Taylor sucked in a deep breath, staring at me. She looked...I didn't know. I couldn't read her.

"Is he..." 

"I asked them to leave him alive." 

"Oh, well that was fucking nice of you."

"You weren't safe with him around Teddy, he could have found you. He could have found her."

"Yeah, well." Taylor picked up the box. "Maybe we're not safe with you either."

Tears in her eyes, she turned and walked away. I stood there until I heard the click of a door closing and then fell into a chair, my head in my hands.

Fuck.