I Hate California

six

Today's a pretty busy day, I have a lot of work that needs to be done in my office and I know that if I keep Sage here any longer, she's going to go insane with nothing to do. My parents flew in to visit and decided that they're going to take Sage out for the day while I get my work done. 

I keep thinking about Taylor's message to me. I was stunned when I woke up this morning. I definitely want to talk to her, for Sage's sake, but I need to figure out when I can. 

"Bye Daddy!" Sage yells running into the office and gives me a big hug. I smoother her face in kisses as she giggles and runs off to my Mom and they head out the door. 

I sigh, closing the office door just so it could feel a little more quieter and take a deep breath before opening my laptop to all of the emails flowing in. 

At this point I've replied to about a forth of the emails coming into my inbox when my phone vibrates next to my laptop. 

"???" Taylor texts.

I put my phone down and stare at the wall. I take a look at the custom calendar I had made of Sage and I at the corner of my desk and look at what I had planned tomorrow. Taylor has another concert tomorrow, but that won't be until night time. 

"Tomorrow early morning?" I text back and she reads it immediately. 

"That works! Where are we going to meet up? Do you want to come over, so Sage doesn't have to see me?" She responds and I think, most likely have my parents take Sage out again tomorrow so she could come over to my house instead. I don't think I would be able to step foot into that house again, the last time was when Sage was a baby. 

"Actually, do you mind just coming over here? I'll send over the address, my parents are in town and will take Sage out for the day tomorrow." I text.

I see the texting bubbles pop up and I wait, nervously. 

"Perfect, thank you so much." She responds and I turn off my phone. 

-

"Daddy! Look at the new stuffy Gramma bought me!" She yells as she shows me this gigantic pig stuffed animal. My parents will literally buy her everything it scares me when she comes home from a day of shopping. 

"Oh wow darling, that's something. Where are you going to put it?" I ask her staring at the pig that was bigger than her. 

She hugs it close and puts on her thinking face, "In your room!"

I gasp, "What? No!"

She giggles and runs out towards the living room and I head over to my Mom and Dad that are standing in the kitchen. 

"Hey, would you be able to take Sage out again tomorrow? Some things came up and I have a meeting early morning." I tell my Dad who excitingly nods his head, excited to spend another day with his only grand baby. 

My mom laughs at his reaction as she starts to prepare our dinner. 

I went into the living room and sat down on the couch watching as Sage set up the her new pig friend in front of her tea time table and starting playing. 

"What's the name bub?" I ask her.

"Piggy!" She says as she pretends to sip tea out of her cup. 

I chuckle at her response, so creative. 

The night went surprisingly well, my Mom helped Sage get ready for bed, bathed and read her a story and Sage was out before she could even finish her book. I peeked into her room seeing that Piggy was next to her under the covers and Sage was comfortable cuddling. 

-

The doorbell rang and I looked through the cameras from the kitchen seeing Taylor standing, looking nervous as ever. My heart started beating fast and I took a deep breath before heading towards the front door. 

"Thank you for making time for me today." She says as she walks through the door. 

I shake my head, "No problem, do you want anything? Water?" I ask her and she nods smiling. 

I grab a glass and fill it with water before heading to the table where she was sitting. She was looking around, smiling every time she saw a photo of Sage on the walls and on the tables around the house. 

I sit across from her, not really knowing what to say. I just stared at her features, her blonde her, bright blue eyes that could be seen from across the room. 

She looks up and smiles at me, "How have you been? I'm sorry it's been ages." She says.

"I've been good, Sage has kept me busy and at the same time keeps me feeling younger than ever knowing how much energy that little kid has." I tell her and she cracks a big smile when I mention Sage. 

"I'm glad, how is she? Does she ask about me at all?" Taylor asks with a shaky voice looking down. 

I sigh, "Actually, she doesn't. Not in a bad way, she just doesn't bring up the topic about a Mom." I tell her truthfully. 

She nods and fidgets with her fingers. 

"I've been seeing someone" She says which has me by surprise. 

"That's good!" I tell her, I didn't expect her to be single for the rest of her life, it's her life and she could do what she wanted. 

She looks up at me with sad eyes, "His name is Travis, he plays for the Kansas City Chiefs." She continues to say. 

I nod, not really knowing what to say. 

"I'll always have love for you Joe, you're the father of my daughter." She tells me with big eyes. 

I give a soft smile, "Don't worry Taylor, I understand. Go live your life, I won't stop you."

"I don't know how much longer I can go on in life, without Sage." She finally tells me. 

"What do you mean? Do you want to meet her?" I ask, knowing she was eager to see her daughter, that small hat interaction wasn't enough. 

She nods, "We don't have to tell her I'm her Mom, but I want to see her, I want to talk to her and hug her. I go back to New York after the concerts, it kills me being in California. The only memories that stuck with me are from leaving her and I don't want to keep being reminded of it." She says closing her eyes tightly. 

I take a deep breath and look around the room, just trying to look at something else other than her. 

We hear the door open and both of our heads shoot up. Crap. 

"Daddy!" Sage yells running into the kitchen with my parents behind her and their eyes go wide when they see Taylor at the other end of the table. 

Taylor tilts her head towards her lap as they make eye contact. 

Sage stops before she could get to me and looks at Taylor while tilting her head. 

She mouth opens wide and she repeatedly hits my leg, "That's Taylor Swift Daddy! Why is she in our house?" She yells staring at Taylor with a big smile.

Taylor looks at Sage with tears in her eyes as she gives her a soft smile. I don't know what to tell her, why would Taylor Swift be in our house.