Out Of The Woods - A Taylor Swift Adoption Story

Chapter 26: The Cemetery

Author's note: MERRY CHRISTMAS, here's a very non Christmassy chapter for you haha!

On a quiet afternoon, Taylor and Madison walked through the serenity of the cemetery. They were there to visit Madison's mother's grave, to pay respects on her birthday. Madison hasn't visited her mom's grave since attending the funeral and Taylor gathered all her strength to make sure she was there for her.

Taylor could sense the distant presence of the paparazzi, their cameras a faint but persistent reminder that this was still a public affair. She felt a surge of gratitude for her security team, who discreetly kept them at a respectful distance, allowing them this moment of privacy.

They arrived at the grave, adorned with a simple but beautiful headstone. Madison stepped forward, a bunch of colorful flowers in her hand, and gently laid them down. She stood there for a moment, her young face a canvas of mixed emotions.

"Hi, mommy, happy birthday," Madison started softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's me, Maddie. I came to tell you about everything that's been happening."

Taylor stood a few steps back, giving Madison the space she needed. She watched the young girl, her heart aching with empathy for the pain and loss that no child should have to endure.

"I've been adopted," Madison continued, a tremble in her voice. "Taylor, she's my new mom now. Taylor Swift, mom. I can't believe that happened. But she's really kind and caring. You would have liked her."

Madison paused, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I miss you, mom. Every day. But Taylor takes good care of me. She makes me feel safe, like you did. I just wanted you to know that I'm okay, and I'm happy. I... One day I think I'll probably call Taylor 'mom'. But I want you to know that it doesn't mean I don't love you. I love you so much. And she'll never replace you. But... it feels right. I hope you can understand. I love you."

As Madison spoke, her words filled with love and longing, Taylor felt a profound respect for the strength and resilience of this young girl. Madison was facing her loss with a bravery that belied her years, finding ways to connect her past with her present.

Madison turned back to look at Taylor, seeking comfort. Taylor stepped forward, wrapping an arm around Madison's shoulders. "She's always with you, Maddie, in your heart. And I promise to be the best mom I can be for you," Taylor whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Standing beside Madison at the gravesite, Taylor could feel the weight of the moment.

"Taylor..." Madison's voice was tiny, "do you want to say anything to her?" Taylor nodded, feeling a profound sense of responsibility and honor in doing so.

She stepped forward, her eyes tracing the name etched on the headstone. Candace Sutton. Taylor took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts, aware of the significance of her words in this sacred space.

"Hi, Candace, happy birthday" Taylor began, her voice soft and respectful. "I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for bringing such an amazing person into this world. Madison is incredible, and I feel so blessed to have her in my life."

Taylor paused, feeling the emotion rising in her throat. "I promise to take care of her, to protect her, and to give her all the love and support she deserves. I'll do my best to help her remember you, to keep your memory alive in her heart."

She looked back at Madison, her eyes filled with warmth and reassurance. "You raised a brave and beautiful daughter. I'll always be grateful for the chance to be a part of her life, to be her family."

Turning back to the headstone, Taylor added, "I hope I can make you proud."

As Taylor stepped back, rejoining Madison, she felt a connection not just to the young girl beside her, but to the woman who had given Madison life.

"I miss her so much," Madison whispered, tears spilling over her cheeks.

Taylor gently wrapped her arms around Madison, pulling her close in a tender embrace, "I know, sweetheart, I know. It's okay to miss her. It's okay to cry."

Taylor closed her eyes. She knew paparazzi were probably snapping pictures of this vulnerable moment and soon, it'll be all over the internet. But this was important for both Madison and Taylor. Taylor wanted to make sure Madison feels connected to her mother and that she understands Taylor wasn't there to replace Candace. Instead, Taylor was devoted to making sure the love Madison experienced in the past continues to be a partb of her daily life in the present.

"I love you," Madison suddenly whispered to Taylor as she snuggled closer to her.

"I love you too, baby," Taylor said back, giving her daughter a gentle smile.

The drive home was silent - while Taylor was lost in her thoughts, Madison fell asleep on her lap. Travis was waiting for them in the garage the moment the car pulled in. Taylor, feeling emotionally drained, watched as Travis gently lifted the sleeping Madison from the car.

As Travis carefully carried Madison towards their apartment, he glanced at Taylor with a look of concern. "You okay?" he asked, his voice soft but filled with worry.

Taylor followed beside them, her eyes on Madison's peaceful face. "It's just... a lot," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Seeing her there, talking to her mom, it brought up so many emotions. I just want to make sure I'm doing right by her."

Travis nodded, understanding the depth of what Taylor was feeling. "You're doing an amazing job, Tay. Mads knows how much you love and care for her. That's what matters."

Taylor sighed, a small smile forming amidst her weariness. "Sometimes I just feel so overwhelmed, like I'm walking this tightrope of being a guardian and respecting her past."

As they reached the apartment, Travis carefully laid Madison down on her bed, tucking her in. Taylor watched, her heart swelling with love for the girl who had become her world.

Travis turned to Taylor, taking her hand. "You're not alone in this. I'm here, and I sure as hell aren't going anywhere."

Taylor leaned into Travis, her head resting on his shoulder. "I know, and I'm so grateful for you. It's just hard sometimes, seeing her pain and knowing I can't fix it all."

Travis wrapped his arms around her, offering a comforting embrace. "You don't have to fix everything. Just being there for her, loving her – that's what she needs. And you're doing that, every single day."

Taylor wiped the tears escaping her eyes. "They'll make a spectacle out of our visit. But we had to do it for Maddie."

Travis nodded, his embrace tightening ever so slightly. "I know," he acknowledged, his voice a blend of empathy and reassurance. "But what matters most is Madison's healing and her feeling connected to her mom. The paparazzi, the media... they don't see the real story. They don't understand the love and care behind it all."

Taylor leaned back, looking into Travis's eyes, finding strength in his understanding. "You're right. It's just hard sometimes, feeling like every private moment is up for public scrutiny. But today was about Maddie and her mom, nothing else matters."

Travis gently brushed away a lingering tear from Taylor's cheek. "You're an incredible person, Tay. You've given Mads a loving home, and you've been there for her in ways that count the most. Don't let the outside noise overshadow the good you're doing."

Taylor let out a deep breath, a sense of resolve returning to her. "Thank you. I needed to hear that. It's easy to get lost in the noise sometimes."

As they stepped out of Madison's room, leaving her to sleep peacefully, they carried a sense of quiet solidarity. The world outside could wait; what mattered was the love they were giving to Madison and the bond they continued to share with each other.