She's The Best Thing, That's Ever Been Mine

fifteen

Taylor's POV

"You all ready?" I asked as I helped Lyla buckle herself in. 

Lyla's never been to New York before, so I was more than excited to see her reaction. She's told me that she knows so many Swifties that travel there just because of me and she even told me that she knows what my apartment looks like because of the fans that have walked past it. She'd be the only fan that I wouldn't be bad at if she went just to see where I lived. 

"Tay? Can you try and message my mom that we're leaving? I don't know if my texts are getting through to her," she asked in a worried tone. I quickly nodded my head, sending a quick text to Julia right before we took off. 

I could tell that her moods were shifting, waiting to hear back from her parents from their long trip, but only getting to talk to them for a couple minutes if they were available. It broke my heart to see her disappointed after each call; I could never do that to her. 

"It'll be a while before we get there, try to get as much sleep as you can," I told her, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. Lyla was too fascinated, too busy by looking out the window. I took a quick picture.

I watched as she slowly started to drift off, her head bobbing as she tried to stay awake and watch her movie she was watching on my iPad. I shook my head, chuckling softly to myself when she finally knocked out onto my shoulder. I turned the iPad off, undoing her seat belt so she would be more comfortable and placed my hand on her lap, closing my eyes as well. 

When I woke up, I felt around for Lyla beside me and my eyes flew open when I realized the seat next to me was empty. "I went to the bathroom" she whispered, giving me a soft smile, climbing back to her seat.

I sighed, smiling back at her as I looked out the window. We had thirty more minutes until we land. Lyla took many photos of the sky on her phone, so intrigued by the new sights. I was trying to figure out everything that I wanted to do with her while she stayed with me in the city. I had asked her before we left what she wanted to do and she told me the basics, all the touristy things of the city, but I was flustered thinking about how we were going to do that without me being seen. 

When my jet reached the ground, I immediately took out my phone to see if I had gotten a message from her parents, nothing. Weird.  Lyla and I hurried off the jet and into my car as we headed straight to my apartment. I took more pictures of her looking out the window as we entered the city, seeing her eyes light up as she saw the buildings up close. 

"This is so cool," she said in awe, with her face sticking to the window. I chuckled, feeling happier than ever. 

I quickly sent the pictures I took of Lyla from the jet to my family group chat. I instantly received messages back, everyone was obsessed with her. When we approached my building, her mouth dropped, acting like what she was in photos didn't seem real unless she saw it in person. 

"Wow, it is green," she whispered, making me laugh. 

When we entered my apartment, she took a good look around, taking in her surroundings. "Take a tour, go explore," I encouraged as I set the bags down. She walked around the living room, looking out the windows and then right back at me with a big smile on her face. 

"Should we go to your room?" I asked, receiving a confused look on her face.

"It isn't finished what so ever, but we will re decorate it however you like. Right now, it's probably a bit childish for your liking," I said, leading her upstairs. Her bedroom was right next to mine. 

"Taylor, you didn't have to," she gasped, seeing how big her bedroom was. There sat a perfectly neat queen bed in the center of the room, the walls pastel pink and white with a few plushies scattered around. I had a few baby clothes in the drawers along with other sizes, every time I got baby fever, I'd buy it, making sure to place it with the rest of her clothes she would've worn. 

"I ordered you more clothes and they should be arriving tomorrow, you can look online for more if you want to," I offered as she walked around her bedroom, looking at the plushies with soft eyes. 

"You would've been an amazing mom," she smiled at me. Tears began to form in my eyes, but I didn't let them fall. I know I would've been a good mom, because I had an amazing daughter.

Lyla started to get settled in, taking her clothes out from her bag and stored it into her closet. I went into my room to do the same with the very little clothes that I brought back. I checked my messages again and still didn't receive a text from her parents, so I decided to message them again. 

"Lyla and I just arrived in the city! Please let me know when you guys make it here :)"

I sighed after hitting send, hoping I'd get a reply. They didn't seem like the type to not reply or just leave me on read. Lyla wasn't getting any replies back, it didn't seem like them at all. I tried to not let it get to my head, thinking they were obviously busy at the moment. 

"You done?" I asked, standing in the doorway of her room. She looked up from her phone as she sat on her bed and nodded.

"Taylor, why aren't my parents answering my calls?" she asked in a sad tone. My heart was breaking.

I sat down next to her as she showed me her unseen messages and multiple calls she tried to make. I didn't know what to tell her, I didn't know what was going on. 

"I'm not sure babe, they might be busy right now, especially since they should be flying back real soon," I informed her, hoping that was the issue. Lyla nodded her head, setting her phone down next to her. 

After we ate our late lunch, I went into my office to make a call to Tree. Lyla was occupied in the living room, watching Netflix, so this was the perfect moment. It rang a twice before she answered.

"Hey," Tree answered.

"Hey..." I replied.

"Everything okay? How's the city?" she asked.

"Great, so far. Is there a way you can track down Lyla's parents? What they're doing?" I asked, desperately.

"Um, I should be able to. Why, what's wrong?" she asked in a worried tone. 

"No one's replying to us, they aren't answering Lyla's messages or calls and she's getting worried," I said. 

"Okay, okay. I'll get right on it. I'll give you a call right when I figure things out," she sighed. I nodded my head and ended the call. 

There was a knock on my door and I was shocked, not expecting anyone. I looked at my camera to see my security standing there with packages; her clothes came early! I ran towards the door, thanking them as I rushed to Lyla on the couch. 

"Guess what's here!" I exclaimed, sitting next to her. I set everything down on the table in front of us and she looked at everything with wide eyes. 

"This is too much," she gasped. I shook my head, nonsense.

I began to open the packages, holding up the clothes one by one to show her. So far, they were all perfect and I've now gotten her sizes spot on! Lyla was obsessed with her new clothes and shoes, I spent more than I intended, but it was all worth it. For her, I'd spend all my money. 

While she tried on some of her clothes, I was getting a call from Tree. I excused myself into my office again, leaving her to try on the rest. 

"Taylor," Tree said, in a blank tone.

"What's wrong? Did you find them?" I asked.

"Oh I found them. Taylor, when was the last time you guys heard from them?" Tree asked with a shaky voice.

"Yesterday, Lyla had a very short phone call with her mom before they were headed towards their last meeting," I responded.

"They're dead, they died in a car crash," Tree whispered, making me gasp as I quickly covered my mouth. 

I heard Lyla enter the room and I quickly ended the call. I looked over to see her in her new dress that I bought, fitting her perfectly. She smiled at me as she gave a quick twirl. Tears started forming in my eyes as I looked at her. She looked at me confused, walking over to me and I quickly wrapped my arms around her, holding her close to my body as I started to sob. 

"Taylor, what's wrong?" she asked.