Together

Pack Her Bags

Hey guys... it's been a few days. Sorry about that. Lots of things have popped up that I haven't expected. This week has been really rough for me, so I hope it's been better for he rest of you x. This is a sweet chap so comment/vote if you wish x
-ab

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January 31, 2026

Patrick

After I send Harper off to her two-show day, I send a text to Taylor. We are leaving for our little adventures tomorrow, and I need help with packing Harper's bags. Everything else is all set. I confirmed with the tour company this morning, while Harper thought I was in the bathroom, and we are going to pick up the rental car tomorrow. 

Patrick: Hey Taylor! Would you mind coming over today to help me with Harper's luggage for tomorrow? Now, if possible x

Taylor: Of course! I'll leave in five minutes xx

Half an hour after I request my sister-in-law's presence, she appears at my flat. "Hey," I say, giving her a smile. "Thank you so much for coming."

"Absolutely not a problem," Taylor replies. "You two are going to have so much fun. I'm so excited for you."

"It should be a nice time," I smile, leading Taylor back to our room, where I've pulled a duffel bag for Harper's things, and another for mine, out of our storage closet. Our suitcases are packed away in locations which aren't our tiny flat in the middle of London, taking up space which isn't necessary.

"Do you think she'll be able to handle it?"

"What?" Taylor asks.

"Well, being away from London for so long... from her dad."

"Hey, don't worry about that. She'll be alright. It's not like she's at his bedside her every waking minute. Of course, she's concerned. I was, too, when my mom had cancer, and from what I understand, this case is much worse, but she'll be alright. He's stable, at this point. A week away isn't going to do her any sort of harm, in all honesty. She's got to get her mind off of it."

"Hopefully."

"I'm sure of it."

We share a moment of silence before Taylor suggests that we begin packing.

"Sounds perfect," I state. "So, um, Harper's things are in this dresser and the closet. Don't pack something that you think she would never wear, because I know for a fact that she owns some pieces of clothing like that, and I don't quite know why, as they're just taking up space."

Taylor laughs. "That's a girl thing, love."

"See, this is why I have you do this instead of me. You understand the female mind."

"I'm not sure I would go quite that far."

"But you know about... like, girly stuff. I wouldn't know the first thing about packing her... well, like, underwear."

"That's valid," Taylor says with a laugh. "I've got you covered, love."

She turns to the dresser and starts to open up the drawers, trying to figure out Harper's system of organization. "What sort of outfits does she need? Like, casual, formal..."

"Okay, so, mostly just casual, but also cute. Don't pack her joggers and tees for every day. But we are going to have some nice dinners, as well as an afternoon at the theatre in Edinburgh, so probably some nicer outfits as well. I'm bringing a few button down shirts and a sports coat."

"Perfect."

"Also, while you're rooting through those drawers, don't be alarmed by my wife's Taylor Swift tee shirt collection."

"Oh god," Taylor laughs. "I think that I'm scared to see this. Out of all of the girls in the world, you had to pick my biggest fan, Patrick."

"I can't control who I fall in love with."

"Don't worry about it." Taylor gives me a smile. "I truly don't think that I could imagine any girl more perfect for you."

I watch as Taylor pulls clothes from the closet and drawers. "Hopefully she won't notice all of this stuff missing."

"She'll be exhausted when she gets home tonight, and you're leaving pretty early in the morning, right?"

"Yeah."

"She's not going to have any time to notice. I promise."

"Okay..." I reply reluctantly.

"The only emotion that she's going to be feeling at 6:00 in the morning when you wake her up is anger for disturbing her beauty rest."

"God, I know," I laugh. "I'm waking up at 5:30 to make her some tea so that she won't be quite so grouchy with me."

"Good luck with that one."

"Gee, thanks," I roll my eyes.

Taylor doesn't respond, and instead, turns back to her packing. "Hopefully she likes these outfits."

"She'll survive," I reply.

"Does she wear these shoes a lot?" Taylor holds up a pair of brown ankle boots, and I nod.

"Quite often."

"Great."

By the time that Taylor is done with the packing, the duffel bag is nearly stuffed full.

"Taylor," I remark, "did you pack her for a week-long trip or to survive the apocalypse?"

"I just wanted to be safe," Taylor replies. "What if she spills water on herself every day for a week?"

"Okay, while that does sound like something that she would manage to do, I don't think it's very likely."

"Just, go with it, alright? I promise, most girls are huge over-packers. We are too afraid of waking up and not being in the mood for the dress that we planned for that day."

"God, I'm so glad that I'm not a girl."

Taylor chuckles, then picks up the bag. "Where should we stash this?"

"In my closet. Come on."

I take her to my small closet in the hallway, which was probably designed to be a linen closet, but we store those other places so that I'm able to have somewhere to keep my nice clothes. While we are there, I grab a few hangers with shirts on them, so that I can pack them away in my bag.

The duffel fits in the bottom of the closet almost perfectly, and after getting it in there, we close the door.

Taylor gives me a high five. "Good work today. You two have a lovely trip, alright?"

"Thanks, Tay."

"If you need anything, don't be afraid to give me a call. Seriously. And send pictures to Joe and I. Your parents want some, too."

"God," I laugh, "should we just text pictures of Harper in castles to the entire world?"

"It wouldn't be a bad idea..."

I know that Taylor is teasing me there, of course.

After we chat for a few more minutes about my plans for the trip, Taylor states that she needs to be on her way back home. "Joe and I have a pizza and movie date tonight," she smiles. 

"That's so sweet. Have fun."

"Thanks. I'll see you two when you're back from your trip."

Taylor and I exchange a quick hug, and I thank her once more for helping me, before she is off on her way.

Only a few more hours to wait, and I honestly couldn't be more excited for the upcoming adventures that I'm about to embark on with the love of my life.