Brooklyn - Taylor Swift

Part 14

The summer sun beat down on the bustling streets of Brooklyn as we made our way through the crowds. It had been a month since the Fourth of July party, and the weight of Cora's illness hung heavy in all of our hearts. Since the party, things have become all too real, the realisation that Cora was going to die having hit me hard one random night. It caused a night full of ugly sobbing, but at some point, acceptance had started to creep in. The knowledge that Cora would soon be out of pain made it all a little easier.

Now, we were just waiting, cherishing every moment we had left with Cora.

After leaving Taylor's house, we relocated to my place in Brooklyn. It was a cosy space filled with memories of late-night conversations and shared laughter. It felt comforting to be surrounded by familiarity during such a challenging time. It was our little escape from reality. No Joey or Gates or Espo. No Lanie or publicists. No events or albums. Nothing but our time with Cora mattered anymore.

Over the weeks, we sought solace in each other's company, finding strength in the bond we shared as siblings. We had a few visitors along the way, including Cara, who joined us for a few days when she could. Her presence brought a much-needed lightness to our days, reminding us that even in the darkest times, there was still a joy to be found.

James also dropped by often, spending his time split between London for work and New York to support Teddy and the rest of us through this all. He gave Teddy the support he needed, allowing him to be there for Cora without feeling overwhelmed. James had become an integral part of our family, a rock we could lean on when the weight of our grief threatened to consume us.

One sunny afternoon, as Cora's condition deteriorated, Teddy, Mick, and I decided to embark on a special adventure. We wanted to fulfil one of Cora's wishes—to visit the Empire State Building. It had been on her bucket list for as long as I could remember, and we were determined to make it happen.

To add an element of surprise, we decided to go in disguise, like full-on disguise, not just the basic cap and glasses we typically wore on our normie days. Teddy donned a bright red wig, Mick sported a fake moustache, and I hid behind a pair of oversized sunglasses and a floppy sunhat. It felt silly, but we knew it would bring a smile to Cora's face, and it really did.

With Cora in a wheelchair, we walked through the city streets. The energy of New York City pulsed around us, but our focus remained solely on Cora and the joy we hoped to bring her. We chatted and laughed, momentarily forgetting the heavy burden we carried.

As we entered the majestic lobby of the Empire State Building, Cora's eyes lit up with excitement. She had seen the building in countless movies and pictures, but now she was here, about to experience it firsthand. We weaved through the crowd, reaching the elevator that would take us to the top.

As we ascended, Cora's grip on my hand tightened. The anticipation in the air was palpable. When the elevator doors finally opened, revealing the breathtaking view of New York City spread out before us, Cora gasped in awe. Her face is brighter than any of the buildings that light up the skyline at dusk.

The smile spreading across her face is the most beautiful thing I will ever see, I'm sure of it. Knowing that her time with us was limited was a bittersweet moment. Still, I also cherished the fact that we could create these memories together. I made sure we took pictures, capturing the happiness that radiated from Cora and all four of us. It was the happiest we had all been in a while.

For a while, we forgot about time. We forgot about cancer. We forgot about fame. We forgot about it all. We were just a group of siblings sharing a magical moment in the heart of New York City. We stayed up there until the building closed, a friendly guard letting us stay an extra twenty minutes before escorting us out. As we left the Empire State Building, the world seemed a little brighter, even as the shadows of grief loomed in the now-dark city.