Protecting Leah

Songs and Cuddles

Karlie's P.O.V

It been more than a month since Andrea showed up on our doorstep and since then a lot has happened. First Taylor and I came out, then Leah turned five and we began to look for schools for her and just last week Taylor headed back to the studio to work on new music with Jack and Max. I was relaxing because I had a month off so I happily watched Leah for the day. Since Taylor and I have come out paparazzi have been more respectful when we have Leah. Sure it's crazy when Taylor and I go out alone but when either of us or both of us are out with Leah they stay back and are more respectful and as a result Leah doesn't get so upset now. Every now and then she will cry a bit because we have to leave but she is getting better which pleases Taylor and I.

Today is another mama and Leah day and we are doing nothing. We might bake some more cookies since we ran out because Cara is in New York and has seen us every day since she arrived. "Hey Leah, where are you bug?" I call through the apartment. I hear a loud bang followed by a loud sobbing and little feet on the floor of the apartment and I sigh. Of course this has to happen when Taylor is away. "Mama! The door bit me." I fought off a laugh and turned to see Leah holding her finger. I open my arms and let her climb into them as I her to place her on the counter top and run her finger through the cold water. She leans into me and I can smell her kids blueberry shampoo. I kiss her head. "Feeling better bug?" She looks at me and presses her face back into me. I sigh knowing that the cookies would have to wait with a clingy five year old. We stand in the kitchen for another ten minutes as Leah presses further into me. Her tears have dried and she is just clingy now. I reach around her and turn off the tap introducing a new wave of whining. "Mama..." I look down at Leah and say, "Yes bug..." she laughs and I lift her up and kiss her cheek before settling her onto my hip and walking into the lounge. As I make my way to the couch I'm reminded of how much space we don't have in the apartment. We have thought of alternating between my apartment and Taylor's but we don't get why so we just stay at mine, even though her apartment is much bigger. Meredith has made my apartment her home too. She is currently on mine and Taylor's bed. I get to the couch and go to lower Leah only to have her cling onto me harder. "Bug, I've got to go find Brownie for you. Just sit down." I attempt to put her down again but she refuses so I lift her back up and we walk through the apartment to get Brownie from mine and Taylor's room where she left him earlier in the day after her nap. I glance at the clock as I let Leah lean down to get him, 'God it's almost 4.00pm...' Standing back up and making my way back to the lounge I sat down on it. Leah turned and curled into me as I said, "Are you tired bug?" She nodded into my sweatshirt as I moved to lie down. We had done this several times in the last month, where I would lie down and Leah would somehow find a way to lie on me and eventually fall asleep. I found it funny and adorable and Taylor claimed that some of her favourite pictures ever included the ones she took of Leah and I sleeping, usually we slept on our bed but this time it was the couch. I sighed and pressed a kiss to Leah's forehead before shutting my eyes and falling into a deep sleep.

Taylor's P.O.V

The last month had been incredible. My relationship with Karlie seemed to go from strength to strength. The media weren't bringing us down like they had done in my previous relationships, it was as though we both knew what the other wanted before it happened. We hadn't had another fight since the last one and my family hadn't tried to contact me again. I was happy and content in my relationship and even when I called my band and let them know they were excited and Caitlin had been to New York to meet Karlie and they were now good friends too. The last month had been busy with coming out, Leah turning five and starting the next project, but I felt like it was time to start exploring and I hadn't told anyone the direction I wanted to go in, I was hoping they would just agree with me. Jack and Max had been willing to explore and I had started writing. I knew I wanted the next album to be different from RED and I hoped I could do that. I had also talked to Ed who was supportive of the stuff I had written on the RED Tour and he also loved hearing about Karlie and I and also with Cara being here I had told him about the lack of cookies in the apartment. "...and then, bam! It was gone. The whole cookie." I heard Ed laugh on the other end. "The whole cookie?" I nodded and said,