Uncovered Secret: Taylor Swift Has A Daughter - Fanfiction

Chapter 32: Dad

Bridget's POV

Tonight was one of those rare, fun evenings where it was just me and Travis at home. Mom was out at some event, and Travis, well, he was on babysitting duty. But with Travis, it never felt like babysitting. It was more like hanging out with a super cool older brother who just happens to be dating your mom. Okay, that sounds weird. But you know what I mean. Maybe not brother, maybe just a super cool dude who was easy to talk to.

We were in the middle of a hilarious board game marathon, and I was laughing so hard my sides hurt. Travis was surprisingly competitive, and his mock-seriousness about the game was just too funny.

As he triumphantly placed his piece on the board, claiming another victory, I couldn't help but cheer him on. "Yes! Way to go, dad!" The word slipped out before I could catch it, and as soon as it did, the room went silent.

We both froze, our eyes meeting in a moment of shock. Did I just call Travis 'dad'? My heart started pounding, a mix of confusion and embarrassment swirling inside me. I never called anyone else 'dad' except, well, my actual dad.

Travis pretended like nothing happened. "Alright, what are we playing next? How about..."

I cut him off, my words tumbling out in a nervous rush. "I'm so sorry, Travis, I don't know why I said that. It just slipped out. I didn't mean to make things weird."

He smiled, a kind, understanding smile that somehow made me feel less awkward. "Hey, it's okay. I know it was just a slip. No pressure, no weirdness. I called my coach my dad before."

I nodded, grateful for his easygoing attitude and trying to defuse the situation. But inside, I was still reeling. Why did I call him 'dad'? Was it because I was having so much fun, or because, in some strange way, he was starting to feel like a part of our little family? I wasn't sure, and that uncertainty left me feeling a bit lost.

We resumed our game, but my mind was elsewhere, pondering this unexpected moment and what it meant for me, for Travis, and for our family.

—

Taylor's POV

Arriving home from the event, I was still buzzing with the evening's excitement. I found Travis in the living room, but he seemed a bit... off. There was an awkwardness in his posture that wasn't there when I left.

"Hey," I greeted, hanging up my coat. "Everything okay?"

Travis took a deep breath. "So, something happened while you were out. It's not bad, just... unexpected."

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "What happened?"

He hesitated before speaking. "Bridget... she called me 'dad.' Just slipped out during the game."

My heart skipped a beat. "Oh?"

"Yeah," he continued, "It seemed like it surprised her as much as it did me."

I processed this, a whirlwind of emotions hitting me. It was a big deal, but also a delicate situation. I needed to talk to Bridget.

"Thank you for telling me. I'll talk to her."

I headed to Bridget's room, knocking gently on her door. "Bee, can we talk?"

She opened the door, a hesitant look on her face. We sat on her bed, the familiar comfort of her room around us.

"Bridget, Travis told me about the 'dad' comment. I just want to understand how you're feeling."

Bridget fidgeted with her hands, looking down. "I didn't mean to, mom. It just... slipped out."

I reached for her hand. "It's okay, Bee. It's a big word, and it means different things. Are you okay with Travis being around us more?"

She nodded slowly. "I like Travis. He's fun and kind. It just felt so natural, like he's part of our family. But it's also weird because, well, he's not dad."

I squeezed her hand gently. "I understand, honey. Families come in all shapes and sizes. What matters is that we care for each other. You can always talk to me about anything, okay?"

Bridget looked up, her eyes meeting mine. "Thanks, Mom. I'm just trying to figure all this out."

I wrapped her in a hug. "We'll figure it out together. You, me, and whoever else is part of our journey. We're a team, remember?"

Bridget's eyes welled up with tears as she grappled with her emotions. "Mom, am I a bad person for calling Travis 'dad'? I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I do love dad... it's just he's not around much."

I pulled her close, feeling her small frame shake with sobs. "Oh, Bee, you're not a bad person at all. Feelings can be complicated, especially when it comes to family. It's okay to care about Travis. It doesn't take away from your love for your dad."

"But I feel like I'm betraying dad," she sniffled, her voice muffled against my shoulder.

I stroked her hair gently, trying to offer comfort. "Your dad loves you, and I know you love him. But it's also okay to have room in your heart for others who care about you. Loving Travis or enjoying your time with him doesn't change the special bond you have with your dad."

Bridget looked up, her eyes searching for reassurance. "But what if dad gets upset about this?"

I sighed, knowing Joe's absence was a sensitive topic for both Bee and Joe. "Your dad wants you to be happy, Bridget. And if having Travis in your life makes you happy, I think he would understand. We all have different ways of showing love and care. What matters is that you're honest with your feelings."

"Do you think I should talk to dad about this?" she asked, wiping her tears.

"If you feel comfortable, yes. It's important to communicate, Bee. I'm here for you, no matter what. We can talk to him together if you want."

She nodded, leaning into me. "Thanks, mom. I just don't want to hurt anyone."

"You have such a big heart, Bridget. It's okay to share that love with others who are important to us. Remember, love doesn't divide; it multiplies."

We sat together in silence for a while, Bridget's sobs slowly subsiding. In that moment, I realized just how much she was growing up, navigating the complexities of her emotions with such maturity. My little girl was becoming a thoughtful, caring young woman.