Protecting Leah

I Don't Want You To Go!

Andrea's P.O.V

One Month Later...

Scott and I were sitting on Taylor's couch with Leah and Taylor who was about to leave on tour for the first week of a month long national tour. Today was Sunday and Tay was leaving in 10 minutes if Leah let her. Leah was crying and sobbing into Taylor's shirt and I knew Taylor was fighting tears also but I watched with awe as she rocked Leah back and forward whispering in her ear and soon the sobs stopped as Leah fell asleep Scott then carried her to our car in the basement garage and while he was buckling her up with difficulty. I was talking to Taylor who was watching her dad struggle with the clips so she walked forward and her heels clicked against the concrete and Scott stepped back and let Taylor reach in and take over. Once Leah was tucked in I saw the odd tear in my baby's eyes watching her intently as she kissed Leah on her cheek then forehead then nose and then cheek again, it was sweet to watch. Tucking Brownie in she then shut the door after flicking the kiddie lock on then hugged us both and said she would be to our place by lunch on Thursday for Leah. We nodded knowing how tough this would be but Taylor said she would Skype before every concert. But I was worried. What if Leah missed her too much? What if Taylor decided she couldn't be without Leah? What if Leah refused to go to preschool? All these things flooded my mind but I pushed them aside, hugging Taylor I got into the car and soon we were off home.

*FLASHBACK*

I remembered back to the second week that Taylor had Leah, I stopped by one day to find Leah asleep on the couch with Tay's blanket and Tay backing cookies in the kitchen, she met me at kitchen door and motioned me in saying about how she had taken Leah grocery shopping and it was so much fun. Leah selected cereals, juice boxes and Kool Aid, yoghurt and even picked out a cat toy for Meredith to play with. I watched as Taylor's eyes sparkled and she continued to talk to me for ten minutes or so when a small noise from Leah that I didn't even hear made her bolt up and out to the lounge to get her little princess. She came back less than a minute later with Leah on her hip, her face scrunched into Tay's neck as Taylor supported her with one hand under her bottom soothing her back with the other hand before continuing to talk to me while I sat blank faced. "What mom, geez your weird today."

"I'm not weird Tay; it is just strange to see that within two weeks you act like you've had her all her life. You just understand her, and maybe you were right in saying that you needed this." "Oh mom, don't speak like that I'll cry. Honestly I never thought I would ever fall this hard and fast for anyone she is different and it makes all the difference, life is brighter and cookies are far more adventurous. Last night she made me a Lego house so I sent the picture to Ed who liked it a lot." "Do you ever think about giving Leah a father?" I remember Taylors face as I asked the question a mix of sadness and regret washed over it. "Sometimes I feel like she will miss out just because it's me only, but she gets her fill of daddy like stuff when she sees Al, Grant, Amos, Mike and Paul at rehearsals and she loves that. But I've made so many mistakes with men that I can't afford to mess this up." She told me pointing to Leah so I just smiled and watched as she continued to talk to me while holding Leah tightly.

*FLASHBACK ENDS*

I sat that way for almost half an hour while we were stuck in Nashville traffic trying to get back to Hendersonville where we lived. It brought a smile to my face as I remembered Taylor getting her heart broken so many times from when she was fifteen to a year ago with Harry Styles. So many had come and gone and the media had a ball with it I knew it affected her but lately with Leah she was brighter and reminded me of the fifteen year old who had sat and cried about a boy only to say, "don't worry mom I still believe in true love" and it's always stuck with me that Taylor will find someone eventually but for now she has Leah who chose that moment to wake up crying for Taylor, Scott stopped and I got in the backseat kissing Leah's forehead I whispered. "Your mommy loves you so much she left you this movie." Passing Leah her IPad she saw Taylors face. I had thought Taylor was mad for doing it but it seemed to do the trick. She was asking her questions then telling her how much she loved her. She even told her to help nana make cookies and get granddad to push her on the swings at our house. Taylor also said "I love you Miss Leah. Have a fun time with nana and granddad. I will be back soon, make me a picture." Just like that Leah was quiet and she passed me the IPad and then we arrived home. She took off to play with toys as Scott turned to me. "You know in just over a month Taylor has learnt everything there is to know about Leah, what she likes and doesn't like and also how to calm her down. We raised a great daughter Andrea.""I know Scott. Wait till we tell her how Leah reacted. She probably won't be surprised but I wonder if she found Leah's video yet?"

Taylor's P.O.V

Sitting in the bus waiting for everyone to get on I had shut myself away inside a bunk by closing the curtains. I looked at all the pictures I had of Leah on my phone and then I turned on my IPad, there on the front screen was an unmarked video which was strange because I usually named them. So I clicked on it and it was a collage of photos of Leah and I over the last month. I could see the band, mom and dad and Scott had all given pictures. Watching it I missed her, though a little less it was only for four days. Then I saw the last line and it read "I LOVE YOU MOMMY, COME HOME SOON." It was a picture of her waving. Without noticing my band had joined me and were hugging me saying things like "We know you will miss her." And "It took you three days to fall in love with her and it will be four days then you will see her again." I love my band and they were right the next few days would fly past then I would be home with my angel. Smiling I vowed that I would sing and dance my heart out just so it would be done and I could go home again.

Four days later...

It was Thursday morning and the bus had been driving all night to get me home to Nashville. Next time I would fly instead that way I would get home sooner to my wee angel. It was almost 11.00am when we pulled into my parent's street and I left everything and ran inside. My dad was in his chair reading the paper as he shushed me. Mom also did the same and as I entered the kitchen I knew why. Leah was sitting outside on the steps with Brownie talking to him. "...I know Brownie, I miss mommy too. But she comes home today then she has to leave again but she will be here." My heart almost broke hearing my baby say that so I crept up behind her and casually said. "No white bubbles today then Miss Leah." Her face was priceless as she screeched "mommy!" Then she fully jumped into my arms. I lifted her up to me and littered her face with kisses so she was giggling. "Ahh mommy stop it, it tickles." I turned and put her down so she can play but she wants up again so I hug her tightly. As I turn I see my parents watching and smiling.

A few hours later my dad drives Leah and I home and I undress her, let her play in the bath and create havoc for me but she loves it then I dress her in her pyjamas and we eat grilled cheese for dinner. By 7.00pm that night Leah is almost asleep on my shoulder after me walking her around for almost fifteen minutes because she was scared I would leave her again and just as I'm about to put her to bed the doorbell rings. I glance at Leah then wander over; balancing her I carefully open the door to find Abigail there with my parents. I motion them inside and then put Leah to bed. Coming out and they are there, and I know something is up.

Andrea's P.O.V

Seeing Abigail drive up our driveway not even ten minutes after Scott got back from dropping Taylor home let me know something was wrong. Abigail wasted no time in telling me that it wasn't Taylor but there was something weird happening within Leah's new school. She showed us a video that she had and we all sat and watched amazed as this happened under school's noses. After talking about the video Abigail had just shown us we drove to Taylor's. She opened the door balancing Leah at the same time after motioning she had to put Leah down we shuffled in and sat down.