Sweet Talker || Taylor Hawkins Fanfiction ||

Chapter 22 - Fresh Starts

°°°

°°°

"Did you really believe that the best option would be to just disappear?" Dave said, taking a sip of his whiskey as he stared at the couple across the table, Tessa was eating sushi and Taylor had a mouthful of salmon "and you really came to the conclusion that you want to do this? Move in together? It's quite a responsibility, you know?".

"Yeah" Tessa said as Taylor nodded his head "I know it's kind of weird after what just happened, but I already practically lived in his hotel with him and like Tay said, I can't see my life without him, so why not put our lives together? Monday I'll meet the kids and we'll look for a house, all of us together right?" Taylor did said a quick 'yes' trying to not drop anything from his mouth and Tessa laughed "I don't know, it just feels right you know? I think it's the first time I've ever done and decided something with such...certainty, I think it's the trust he gives me."

"Awn, that was adorable" Taylor laughed, taking a sip of his juice and giving his girlfriend a kiss on the cheek "that's pretty much what she said man, I finally know what I want and like you said yourself, I'm running after it".

"You guys are so cute, I can't believe you're together thanks to me" he stuck out his tongue playfully and laughed, "you know, you start with the house, then  get married and soon there's a mini Tessa".

"okay I think you drank too much for one night Mr. Grohl"Tessa rolled his eyes and laughed "one step at a time".

"We're getting a dog" Taylor commented.

"I said we're going to THINK about adopting a dog".

"Dave laughed at the two of them, he missed that beginning of their relationship, where everything was new and special, taking the first steps in the beginning of a new life together and he was happy, really happy to see his both his best friends doing so well, in the end that was all he wanted for both of them, to be happy, to find peace.

"I wanted to show you something" Tessa said reaching into her purse and pulling out her tablet that Taylor gave her "when Taylor told me that you were going to play here in New York I felt really inspired, I put on my headset and listened to your last album about three times and did this, it's kind of like a poster for the show? I don't know, it just came to my mind and I thought I'd give it to you guys as a form of thanks? To show how much I appreciate you and your music, for everything you've done and do for me, I made a copy, to have one for each member of the band, if the others want it of course" Tessa said showing the original drawing on her tablet "the printed ones are in my room, I thought it would be too much work to bring them here" she handed the tablet to Dave, who carefully observed every detail of the drawing in front of him and smiled, he smiled sincerely because he knew that Tessa was finding herself again, that she was rediscovering herself and finding passion again in the things she always liked, he had already noticed that she was a good artist, he saw it in the drawings she did with the kids, he just didn't know that she was so good and that gave him an idea "I'm not used to draw in this kind of format, but I tried, right? ".

"Tessa, this is amazing," Taylor said taking the tablet from Dave's hand, smiling foolishly at seeing Tessa finally producing something.

"Sure, we'll use this and the others you'll make to promote the tour." Dave commented, crossing his arms and watching Tessa's eyes light up.

"What do you mean the others?" Tessa questioned feeling her throat dry.

"I'm hiring you now and you can't refuse because I won't accept, I want to see you doing the art for our tour, we're going around the world soon, so get ready, it's going to be a blast" Dave opened a big smile and Tessa stood up right away, going towards her friend who stood up to receive her in a strong and sincere hug "I believe in your potential mini Grohl, I want to see you shine".

Tessa looked into Dave's eyes, she wanted to cry but had already cried too much for one day, she just hugged him again.

"Are you sure this isn't charity? I know there are much better artists out there, I wouldn't even know where to start and.... " she started to speak, but Taylor interrupted her.

"You've already started, baby, you just don't see it, when Dave and I say it's fucking great, it's because it really is, you just have to believe it" the blonde smiled, stretching out his hand towards her, who held it lovingly and sat back down, giving Taylor a long, tender kiss "this is just the beginning, the kick start to the career you really deserve" Tessa looked at Dave.

"Hey, don't look at me, he's more than right, you just have to believe in yourself and say yes, so, do you want to be the newest artist for the Foo Fighters?".

Tessa looked down at Dave's hand, staring at it for far too long, feeling her breathing quicken. Her head kept telling her that this was an act of charity, that he was doing it out of pity, because he knew she was unemployed and fucked up, but at the same time she knew that Dave would never hire someone to do anything for the band he loves and cares for if he didn't believe in her work, Dave, as well as all the Foo Fighters, were extremely professional, they wouldn't let something like this happen just because she was all kinds of screwed, because she was the girlfriend of one of the members and a close friend of Dave. She felt her hand shaking, but she held on tightly to Dave's hand and then they closed the deal.

"I'm up for it" she said feeling a wide smile grow on her face "let's do this".

"Get ready for the greatest adventure of your life, Tessa Hampton" Dave smiled wryly.

"SIR! YOUR BEST CHAMPAGNE! TODAY WE'RE GOING TO CELEBRATE" Taylor said pulling his girlfriend into a strong hug as everyone laughed and celebrated at the table "I love you girl".

"and I love you" the cups were soon in the hand of the three friends, the three musketeers, united on yet another journey.

"To fresh starts" Dave said raising his cup.

"To fresh starts" Tessa said and all three toasted.