Choose Me- the second novel

Chapter 26- 5 years, 10 years

Taylor's POV

A clear bright morning can only be made better with Matthew James Henderson. Sprawled out on the bed, feeling too hot with the covers on him. I glance out at the large oak, revealing a shimmer of white snow laced on its branches, I smile. We must be the only people who can pull off a bbq in the snow, in the woods with an open fire. It will be magical and I hope everybody, including Rachel dresses the part.

Soundly asleep, I curl up into his chest and take a peek at my messages. Worried about Gilbert Scott and instantly remembering all of our interactions from the night before. I curse the alcohol, knowing that his intense stare and cold blue eyes helped immeasurably for me to be intrigued by him.

Taylor, truly astounded by your show. Look forward to your bbq later, I'm sure you cannot make a better bbq than me; prove me wrong? Jay x

Gilbert Scott and I, are going to have a long standing competition with one another over this, I can already tell. Messaging him back becomes a priority because he gets a rise out of me, knowing what buttons to press.

Jay, it was not my show. My bbq will always beat yours however. Even a snowy one x

Gazing at the snow again I smile to myself at my reply, searching through my next message and giving Ross' essay a read.

Let's be honest you stole that runway, it was nice seeing you shining in that moment. I wanted to ask you, if you'd let me take you for a coffee on Sunday? It's just now we never get the chance to talk with Gilbert Scott around and I'd like to catch up with you. I know a lot has happened between us, but I figure we can at least sit over coffee and talk everything through. Either way let me know. Ross xx

Most definitely this is one to discuss with your fiancé first. The two blondes are descending upon me, the southern kind and the caring kind. I sigh and pull out my contraceptive pills, Matthew and I were unable to keep our hands off of each other multiple times last night. And I mustn't forget them.

Groaning slightly as I regard the pills and realise that the foils are empty and all of the pills are gone. Be calm Taylor I tell myself, getting angry at my inability to keep track of things. I grasp at my phone, planning on ordering more contraception.

"Taylor you okay?" Matthew stirs.

"I'm okay" I say to him preoccupied, ordering a repeat prescription to be sent home within three working days, they should be delivered between Tuesday or Wednesday. The website flashes up a warning declaring that if you miss pills you must use other means of contraception in the meantime. That pregnancy is not preventable without the use of a condom, if you miss a pill.

"Mmm baby what are you doing" Matty says sleepily.

"I forgot to order pills and I'm out" I tell him, softly and he pulls me into him.

"So I'm ordering a repeat prescription but it will take a few days" I explain and he chuckles.

"Babe you don't have to, Maybe it's a sign or something" he smiles and I laugh out loud.

"Matty no this is just me forgetting important stuff. Which further proves I'm not ready to have another human to look after." I chuckle.

"Can you imagine it, like one day maybe?" He giggles glancing down at my tummy. Here we are yet again discussing babies, we're utterly unstoppable at steaming ahead in our relationship.

"I can imagine it...With you. I already know that you would be a great daddy. I have already contemplated having one with you remember" I tell him. Before university we had unintentional unprotected sex once, and after lots of deliberation I decided to take emergency contraception.

"But is it something that you would want for yourself?" He asks searching my eyes.

"I've always known I wanted to be a mum, I always thought that would happen for me. And maybe in time that's something we can have together" I tell him. He kisses me.

"Matthew are you broody" I laugh and he smiles holding onto my waist, the snow falling again outside.

"I've not experienced this with anybody else Taylor. I've thought about it yeah, and I don't see any problem with us having a little one to run around the woods with" he smiles and I giggle imagining a little boy that looks just like him running around the yard.

"I didn't really have a father figure for a while in my life. I had huge respect for my mum. For going it alone. I would always try to avoid thinking about my future, before now. So I guess I never really thought about what that would look like. I always lived in the present" he tells me more seriously.

"But now a lot of things have changed for me with you around. I think about things like where we could be in 5 years, 10 years even" he smiles briefly glancing out at the snow.

"Go on then what do you see for us" I ask him smiling, his arms encircle me as he faces me.

"Okay five years that makes us like 24, we're happily together. Enjoying our lives, we've done a bit of travelling seen a few countries together. We're wed, enjoying married life" he laughs.
I can't help but chuckle along with him.

"Okay what about 10 years" I ask pulling him into me.

"Ten years and we'll nearly be 30. We will already have one child and you'll be pregnant with our second. I'll be working and you'll be on maternity leave, I'll kiss you every night and rub your belly. Feeling the kicks of our unborn baby. I'll be putting our first child to bed every night and cooking everybody dinner because you'll have taught me how to cook by then" he says chuckling and I ruffle his hair.

Matthew is a dreamer. He visualises stuff and idealises life. It makes him an amazing artist and a fantastic lover.

"That sounds perfect" I tell him softly.

"I can make that our reality Taylor, I promise I will do all that I can to make you happy" he smiles happily.

"I love you" I tell him urgently.

"And Matthew that doesn't even cut it. You make me happy, I love you so much I want you to myself. Forever." I tell him quieting him before he interrupts me.

"Thinking about having all of these things with you makes me feel impatient, and I want it all now" I laugh.

"I want you to myself forever too Taylor. More than you could ever imagine" he says, gazing down at me.

Matthew and I get ready together, showering and even brushing our teeth together. I don an oversized cable knit sweater and a short skirt with tights. My smart boots and Barbour jacket, Matthew smiles as I place a beanie on my head telling me that I look wonderful and snow ready.

"I actually have something booked for us" he says softly.

"I know we spoke about the art shop, but I decided on something different, something especially for you before we come home and have everybody over later" he whispers looking into my eyes.

"No spoiling surprises" he smiles as I begin to ask him what it might be. I place my hands under his cashmere jumper feeling his abs and mainly nicking his body heat before we descend upon the snow together.