Protecting Leah

Tears and a Phone Call

Leah's P.O.V

I was all ready for bed in my striped purple pyjamas when mommy said in a small voice. "Leah are you okay sweetie?" I turned and faced mommy, she was on the couch reading a book and I was playing with Brownie and Lego. I felt her eyes carefully watching every move I made and then it happened a piece of Lego pinched my finger and I began to cry. "Oh sweetie come here." Mommy had her arms open wide for a hug so I ran to her. Pressing my face into her neck I cried and cried. My finger wasn't all that sore but I couldn't stop crying. Then I said it and that was it. Mommy looked at me and I looked at her, then she smiled slightly and pulled me back into a hug.

Taylor's P.O.V

Leah was playing in the corner of the room while I pretended to read, I was watching her closely. Tonight she had a bubble bath but there was no mess or anything which was odd. She walked from the car in a new place which was odd and she didn't want ice-cream which was strange. Who wouldn't want ice-cream! So I asked her if she was okay and she didn't answer then the floodgates opened when she pinched her finger on some Lego, which happened a lot but this time she started to cry so I opened my arms and waited for her to snuggle into me. When she did I ran my hand over her back while holding her close, she nuzzled close to my neck then she whispered. "I want to go home mommy. I want Uncle Austy." I pulled away from her and looked her in the eyes, her big blue -eyes filled with tears and then I pulled her closer and whispered. "I know babe, I want to go home too. But one more interview tomorrow and tomorrow night's show and then we are gone okay." "Okay mommy." Leah breathed into my neck. Ten minutes later she was sound asleep on my shoulder so I put her to bed, tucking her in I felt a tear run down my face. How could I not realise how tough this would be for Leah to leave everyone for months at a time. Can I really do this to her? I was thinking as I heard my phone ring, walking down the hallway to the kitchen it was my mom.

Andrea's P.O.V

I decided to ring Taylor to see how she and Leah were doing, I knew that they would be back in two days after the M.S.G show and an interview but I missed them both. So I called them, Taylor answered on the fourth ring. "Hey mom, how are you?""I'm doing okay Taylor. How are you and Leah doing? How is New York or Apple as Leah says?" "Ha-ha, Apple is great very big and large. I think she was overwhelmed by it today. But we are doing okay..." I noticed her breathing hitch on the other end like she was upset. I knew her so well after twenty two years. "Tay" I asked softly. "Yeah mom," I sensed caution in her voice. "Is everything okay in New York?" I paused, waiting for an answer. It never came. Taylor's breathing changed and I just waited for her to calm down. "What am I doing mom?" "How do you mean sweetie? You're building your career." "This isn't the environment for a child. Leah misses Austin and you guys and we have been gone since August and its nearly thanksgiving and I don't know if I am doing the right thing anymore." I froze, not knowing what to say. "Honey, listen to me very carefully. When your dad and I got married and we were working a lot so that when we had you and eventually Austin I was able to stay home with you both. Now you're doing much the same thing. Working now for rewards in six months to a year, sure promotional work and tours isn't what you want to be doing forever but you love this honey. Why wouldn't it be the right thing?" I waited for a response, I was going to let Taylor vent. I knew it was what she needed, I always knew. "The road is no place to raise a child mom. We both know that. Jumping from pillar to post every other day what type of life it that?" "It's the kind of life most kids dream of Taylor. Now Leah is young, she is only four. It's natural that she misses people that help to shape her life. We miss you all the time when you leave. But we always know that you are coming home. Leah knows where home is Taylor but most of all she knows that as long as she has you, she has her family and that she is home." I let out in a huge sigh in a condescending way. "I know mom. But I'm nearly twenty three and I have a four year old daughter who starts school in February. Should I cut back?" That was when I heard it the magical question every singer, artist, actor or actress or even regular parent asks. Is enough, enough? "Look Taylor I can't tell you what to do. But you are home in two days for the next two months. Why don't you see where life takes you and Leah then decide. Red tour is almost over the last show is tomorrow night. So relax into it. Leah may be a child but let's face it Tay she is your daughter to a 'T' no two ways around it." I could hear her laugh on the other end, and just like when she was a child. The world was right again. She could smile and I knew I had helped. "Yeah mom that's a great idea. I'm excited about the show tomorrow night. I hope we go out great. Oh shoot I have to go mom, Leah just woke up actually she is screaming." I paused and I could hear the screams quickly saying goodbye and that I would be at the last show. I then let her go and turned to Scott and started to talk about finance.