I Hate California

nine

"Okay you ready Sagey boo?" Joe asks as they are both ready to get off the private jet. 

Sage nods her head excitingly as she jumps out of her seat. While Joe carries her backpack, she drags Piggy along beside her. A black SUV is spotted at the end of the stairs and the two hurry into the car. Joe was glad that they didn't have to bring a car seat, Taylor bought one beforehand and had it installed. 

"Daddy, are we going to Taylor's house?" Sage asks looking up at Joe with big eyes. Even though she knew that Taylor was her Mom, she definitely not ready to call her that. At this point, Sage didn't know how to feel about the whole situation, she was so excited to finally see Taylor again, but as the days came closer to their meeting, she was getting nervous. 

"I believe so baby, are you excited?" He asks her, rubbing her small hand and she gives a slight nod looking out the window again as they approached the city. It was Sage's first time in a big city like Manhattan and everything was catching her attention as she looked out the window. 

As they arrived at the apartment, waiting for the garage doors to slowly open, Joe felt uneasy; he hasn't been back here in ages. When he watched the garage doors close behind them, he began to unbuckle Sage from her seat and she instantly grabbed Piggy. 

"Okay, we can head up here." A security guard tells them and they head up the elevator that will take them straight into her apartment. 

Sage looks up at her Father and the security guard as she holds tightly onto her plushy and looks back down at her feet. She felt her heart start to beat faster and she started to feel uneasy. Joe packed some snacks in her backpack, but she had finished them on the flight. Sage didn't want to tell Joe that she was hungry, she's worried that'll be a problem as they meet Taylor and she didn't want to make anybody angry. 

When the elevator stops, the doors open, revealing a grand apartment that holds such a cozy feeling. No one was in sight. 

"You two, Taylor said make yourselves at home." The security guard tells them as he heads back out another door. 

Joe takes off him and Sage's shoes and places her backpack on the couch. Sage looks around, unaware of everything. 

"Oh hi!" They both turn around to see Taylor walking towards them from the hallway. 

Joe smiles and gives Taylor a side hug as she kneels down to Sage. "Hi darling, how was your flight?" She asks with a kind smile. 

Sage gives a shy smile and clings closer to Joe's side. Joe lets out a small chuckle and rubs Sage's back. 

"Sorry, she's super shy and she's probably tired, she didn't want to sleep at all on the flight. " Taylor nods her head and keeps a big smile on her face as she looks at Sage. This was all she ever wanted. 

"Are you two hungry? I have some food warming up in the oven." Taylor mentions leading them into the kitchen. 

Sage looks up at Joe and eagerly nods her head, showing him that she's hungry. Taylor begins to set out some plates and Joe tells Sage to take a seat at the table. She sits down politely and watches as Joe and Taylor are plating up some food. Joe preparing Sage's plate and Taylor preparing hers and Joe's. 

"Here you go babe" Joe says as he sets Sage's plate in front of her. Taylor had made spaghetti with sides of mixed veggies and toast. Sage loved veggies more than anything, so she was eager when she looked at her plate. She grabbed the fork and began to dig in, quickly getting sauce all over her face, but she didn't care. 

As Taylor sat down, next to Sage she looked as the little girl was too busy stuffing her face and she let out a little laugh. "Slow down there buddy, we don't want you to choke!" Taylor smiles and Sage gives a small smile, clearly embarrassed a little.