Wild Card

Matching Onesies

N/A: This chapter is slightly longer than usual, I'm gonna try and keep them at this lenght moving forward, I know the short chapters must be annoying. Also I'll try and post again tomorrow or Monday. Xx.

Taylor was sitting in her home's living room admiring the way the flames from the fireplace danced, forming strange shadows in the otherwise dark room. It was a cold December night in Rhode Island and the singer was enjoying a quiet peaceful night in after wrapping up yet another leg of her tour.

As she watched the fire, Taylor couldn't help but think back on the last year of her life as she often does. The year had brought some of the biggest highs and lows of her career. The success of her tour and album had been beyond what she could've imagined which only made her more excited for the things to come. But while her career seemed to be reaching new heights, her personal life had become a nationwide joke. Taylor she'll-write-a-song-about-you Swift. She had heard the joke hundreds of times from people who thought they were being oh-so-clever-and-original. She was sick of the joke. She wanted to show the world that there was more to her than just her dating life. She wanted change.

A thought popped into Taylor's head, one that had been lingering in her mind for the last few months: I need to move to New York. Of course she had thought about it before, but it had all seemed like a naïve daydream. She had no business moving to New York, but while she couldn't come up with a reason for living in New York, she couldn't find a reason why she shouldn't. As she thought more and more about it the singer couldn't help but get excited. It would give her a chance to live away from her parents and her best friend Lena lived there as did her most recent friend Karlie, so she wouldn't be completely alone in a new city.

Suddenly Taylor got up from her couch, so quickly that she almost spilled her tea. She made her way to the study and opened her laptop. She had emails to send.

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The next morning Taylor heard a car pulling into her house, signaling her family's arrival. She quickly jumped off her seat and ran to the door, the second she opened it she threw herself into her dad's arms.

"Oh! Hey to you too," Scott said as he returned her daughters hug.

"Hey!" The blonde said enthusiastically before pulling away, and moving to hug her brother and mother. Taylor couldn't contain her excitement it had been too long since the whole family had been together. "I'm so glad to see you guys, this is going to be a great Christmas."

That night they had dinner as a family for the first time in months. Taylor and Austin spent most of dinner arguing competitively, while Andrea and Scott watched their children, smiling at each other knowingly. At the end of the night when everyone had settled in the living room to watch a movie Taylor decided to voice her plans to move to New York.

"I was talking to my real estate agent, she said she would have a list of possible locations for me soon. I was planning of going there next month and see if I find anything I like."

"But why the sudden move?" her mother asked, "I feel like we will only see you less with this move."

Taylor couldn't help but feel slightly guilty, she had been spending so much time focusing on her career that she rarely saw her family anymore. Sure, her mom was at most of her shows but her dad and brother weren't. Even though they didn't mention it, she knew they were looking forward to her spending her summer in Nashville like she always did after a tour. But even knowing all of this, she couldn't push down her desire to live in New York.

"I just feel like... like I need change. I want a new start, a new city." Taylor says after a minute. "I have actually been thinking of cutting my hair as well. I picked a date and everything." A small smile playing on her lips.

"Well, if that's what you really want then you know we support you fully," Scott said, smiling at his daughter.

"Thank you guys." Taylor couldn't help but feel even more excited now knowing she had her parents' approval. Not that she needed it, but she had always valued their opinion.

"Well your father and I better get to sleep now, it's Christmas Eve tomorrow." They all exchange their goodnights before her parents make their way to their room.

Taylor turned her attention back to the TV, a smile still on her face. After a while of watching the movie Austin spoke up, "I can go look at the apartments with you if you want."

The blonde looks at her brother smiling, "I would very much like that."

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It was Christmas Eve and the entire family was sitting on a couch drinking hot coco, wearing matching onesies that Taylor had gotten them all. They were all having a comfortable conversation as Taylor looked at the pictures they had taken. She specifically liked one of her and Austin standing in front of the Christmas tree. Without thinking much about it she opened Instagram and posted the picture.

A few minutes after posting it her phone's screen lit up showing a new message from Karlie.

            K-Well aren't you guys cute.

Taylor couldn't help but smile at the message. They had been texting constantly since meeting. It was strange having only met Karlie once and she already felt like they were best friends.

        T-We only do cute in this family.

        K-Why aren't I surprised? So are we still on for next month?

        T-Most definitely! Like you even have to ask.

        K-Just making sure, no need to give me attitude.

        T-You're just too sensitive.

        K-Ha! Whatever you say. I'll talk to you later!

        T-See you soon..

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The remainder of the holyday season went off perfectly, Taylor spent her New Year's with her friends in LA. She had invited Karlie to the gathering but she already had plans to spend it with her family. Taylor hadn't been too disappointed however, as she would be seeing her soon. And soon came rather fast. Before she knew it Taylor was in her hotel room getting ready for her date with Karlie, she opted for something warm given New York's cold weather.

That morning, Karlie had sent the singer the address to a café that the model frequented for them to meet at. Today was panning out to be a great day for Taylor, coffee with a Victoria Secret model, followed by house hunting with her brother. The singer appeared to be radiating happiness as she made her way to the waiting car that would be taking her to Karlie.