sweetest little part of destiny

chapter 9

After her school lets out for the holiday break, Taylor hangs around the city for a few more days while Travis finishes up his slew of work so that they can drive back to their hometown together. They're sharing a rental car, and they're supposed to share the actual driving, too, but Taylor doesn't sleep well the previous night - Travis's out late at an event, and she tosses and turns in his bed until he finally gets home and slips beneath the covers next to her - so she falls asleep while they're still in city traffic, and doesn't wake until the car's speed begins to slow after they've passed the sign that announces Willowshade: The magical Town!

"I was supposed to drive the second half," she says groggily, straightening up in the passenger seat and wincing as she rubs at her sore neck.

"Right, because I'm going to wake a pregnant woman from her nap and insist that she take over the driving." Travis glances over at her as he comes to a stop at an intersection. "You get a good couple hours in?"

"Yes," she admits. "Let me drive on the way back."

"I'll let you take the first shift," he bargains. "How's the kiddo?"

"Napping, too, I think," Taylor says as they turn onto her street. A block away, she can spot a snowman in the yard of her childhood home, a sure sign that her brother and his family have already arrived.

Travis parks by the curb in front of the Swift's house. He circles the car to give her a hand getting out, but Taylor hauls herself out of her seat before he can get there. She slides him a look. Despite having absolutely no obligation to do so, he's been taking really wonderful care of her, when she needs it - and sometimes when she doesn't. His concern is sweet, and she knows that he's invested in the baby's wellbeing, but sometimes he just acts like - well, like such a dad. It's not something she's really let herself dwell on, and she pushes the thought to the back of her mind yet again when he takes a step back, letting her close her door and make her way toward the trunk by herself.

He does, however, take her suitcase out of the car and carry it up the stairs to the front door. She follows after him, huddled into her new maternity coat, breathing in the smog-free air.

Travis sets her bag down and offers her a little smile. "Have a good time with your family," he says, lifting one eyebrow to acknowledge that Taylor's been whining about enduring forced holiday interactions with her mother for a week now. "And... " He touches her arm. "Call me if you need anything, okay? No matter how small."

"I'll be fine, Travy," she promises, smiling back at him. "Say hi to your dad and brother for me."

"I will."

It seems like the conversation should end there, but it doesn't; Travis keeps standing there with her by the door, looking as though he'd like to say more.

"I'm good, Trav," Taylor tells him firmly. She touches her belly. "And so is this girl. We're going to see each other in, like... three days."

"I know," he says. His voice is low, and he breathes a mirthless laugh before he adds, "Just feels weird to leave you."

Taylor's brow furrows, but before she can even begin to think of a response, Travis shakes his head as if doing so will clear it and flashes her a fleeting smile.

"Merry Christmas, Teddy," he says, and heads back down the walkway without waiting for a response. Taylor watches his retreating form with her brow still creased. Part of her wants to call after him, but she's not sure what she'd say. He gets into the rental and the baby turns over, a newer sensation that still takes Taylor by surprise every time.

"I know," she murmurs to her daughter, and rubs her belly before she lifts her fist to knock on the door.

It swings open a moment later, revealing her mother, who is wearing one of her holiday aprons, this one printed with gingerbread men. Andrea is wearing her polite, hostess smile when she opens the door, but it melts off of her face and gives way to shining eyes as she looks at her daughter.