Adopted by Taylor Swift

Chapter 33: Flashbacks & Nightmares

1/8/2019
Elijah's Perspective

It was late at night and I got woken up by Astrid, who was shaking and thrashing violently in her sleep. I was heartbroken when she started sobbing, and I got out of bed, I ultimately decided to get Taylor.
"Mom?" I say in almost a whisper.
"What is it Elijah?" Taylor asked, she was probably confused because I don't go to her room in the middle of the night.
"It's Astrid." I said bluntly, making my reasoning obvious. I watched as Taylor quickly got out of her bed, and I led her to mine and Astrid's room.

As soon as Taylor saw the shaking and sobbing Astrid, she gently woke up Astrid.
"Mom?" Astrid said.
"It's me baby." Taylor said before wrapping my sister in a tight and comforting hug. "It's ok Astrid." She adds as she gently strokes Astrid's hair soothingly.

Astrid started to calm down, slowly relaxing as Taylor hugged her tightly. I felt relieved seeing Astrid not shaking and sobbing anymore. Just the thought of what could've happened had me and Timothée not noticed her disappearance gives me the chills. I hugged my sister, helping calm her down.

After a little while, Astrid managed to fall back to sleep, and mom went back to her room. I laid in my bed, and fell back asleep. We all slept peacefully for what was rest of the night, before waking up the next morning.
"Good morning." I said to Astrid, who just woke up and was rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Good morning Elijah." She said, still half-asleep. Astrid stretched before getting out of bed, grabbing some clothes, and getting dressed.

Once we both got dressed, we headed downstairs and were greeted by Taylor in the kitchen.
"Good morning you two." Taylor said while flipping a pancake.
"Good morning mom." Astrid replied, before hugging Taylor from behind. After a few seconds Astrid released the hug.
"Do you guys both want pancakes too?" Taylor asked us while checking on the pancakes.
"If you don't mind." I replied to Taylor's question.
"Not at all." Taylor replied to us.

A few seconds later we both sat down on the chairs at the kitchen island. I saw Astrid looking eagerly in anticipation for the pancakes. We both know that Taylor's cooking is unmatched, because she's never made a bad meal. The smell of pancakes filled the air, and we couldn't wait to dig in.
"It's almost ready!" Taylor called out, watching our faces light up with anticipation. I love these mornings, where the kitchen is a whirlwind of laughter and sweet aromas.

Once breakfast is served we all enjoy the delicious pancakes that Taylor has made us. It's definitely nice having someone who can cook so well.
"Incredible as always." I said, complimenting Taylor's delicious pancakes.
"Thanks Elijah." Taylor replies gratefully.

We all enjoyed breakfast, and once finished, we all sat down on the couch. Astrid and Taylor started a conversation, whereas I just watched the TV.
"Do you guys wanna come with me to the studio? I'm going to make sure 'Lover' is ready to be released and check the mixing of the songs." Taylor said to us.
"Sure!" Me and Astrid both excitedly said.

Fifteen minutes later, we all left the apartment and got into a waiting black SUV. We sit in the backseat, and after a few minutes, the car starts to drive away from the Tribeca Apartment and towards Electric Lady Studios. The ride was short, roughly ten minutes, maybe a little longer because of traffic.

Once we got to the studio, Taylor met up with Jack and we all went to a room and heard back the mixes for the songs, 'Me!', 'Lover', 'The Man', 'Cruel Summer', 'The Archer', and 'You Need To Calm Down'. Taylor decided to start with Me!. We all listened to the mix.
"Could you adjust the vocals and make them a little louder?" Taylor asked Jack.
"Yeah, sure." Jack says before quickly adjusting the volume on the vocals.

Taylor and Jack slightly adjust the drums, bass, and a few other small details.
"I think that's perfect. What about you guys?" Taylor asks us and Jack.
"I agree." Jack replies.
"Us too." Me and Astrid both enthusiastically respond.
The process continues with 'Lover'. After hearing the initial mix, Taylor and Jack adjust the guitars, drums, and subtly adjust the vocals.

While Taylor and Jack were working on 'The Man', Astrid started to start breathing rapidly and shallow breaths.
"Shit! She's having a flashback." Taylor says, aware and understanding the situation.
"You're right." Jack quickly adds just before Taylor rushes over to Astrid.
"It's ok. You're ok Astrid." Taylor says while comforting Astrid, gently hugging her. Astrid slowly started to calm down, snapping out of the flashback.
"Jesus Astrid, you scared the shit out of us." Taylor says while explaining why to Astrid.

After we make sure Astrid is ok, Taylor and Jack get back to working on the mixing of 'The Man'. The main differences were adjusting the bass volume, synth volume, and drum volume. Taylor and Jack just knew that the mix would be perfect.
"Maybe for the next session we should bring in different types and qualities of speakers to make sure the album will sound great no matter what it's played on." Jack pitched to Taylor.
"That's a great idea. I want the album to sound great no matter if my fans are wearing headphones, using speakers, or just their regular phone or laptop." She replied agreeing to the proposed idea.

After two or three more hours, we all say our goodbyes to Jack, before going back home. The ride back to Tribeca was short, but I could practically feel Taylor's sense of accomplishment towards her upcoming album. The rest of the evening wasn't very eventful, just us having dinner, watching some TV, then going to bed.
"Goodnight Taylor." I said to her before we went to bed.
"Goodnight, see you both in the morning." She replied. Then me and Astrid both went to sleep.

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*Number of Words: 1007*