Out Of The Woods - A Taylor Swift Adoption Story

Chapter 34: The Nightmare

In the quiet of the night, the tranquility of the hotel suite was broken by a soft whimper coming from Madison's room. Travis, a light sleeper, was the first to stir, immediately alert to the sound. He quietly got out of bed and made his way to Madison's room, his paternal instincts kicking in.

As he entered, he saw Madison tossing and turning, her face scrunched up in distress. Gently, he approached her bed and sat down beside her. "Hey, Mads, it's just a dream. You're safe," he whispered, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Madison's eyes fluttered open, still clouded with the remnants of her nightmare. "Travis?" she murmured, her voice shaky.

"Yeah. Do you want to talk about it?" Travis asked softly, his tone soothing.

Madison nodded, sitting up and hugging her knees. "I saw it again... the crash. It felt so real," she said, a tear rolling down her cheek.

Travis gently wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into a gentle hug. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Mads. I got you though. You're safe."

Just then, Taylor, having woken up and noticed Travis not being next to her, rushed into Madison's room. She paused at the sight before her – Travis comforting Madison in such a tender, fatherly way.

"Is everything okay?" Taylor asked, concern evident in her voice as she quickly moved to Madison's other side.

Madison leaned into Taylor, finding comfort in her presence. "I had a bad dream... about the car accident," she said, her voice still quivering.

Taylor gently stroked Madison's hair, her heart aching for her. "Oh, sweetie, I'm so sorry. But remember, you're safe now. We're here, and we love you so much."

Madison buried her face in Taylor's shoulder, "I get so scared. Every time I fall asleep I'm scared I'll have the nightmare." 

Travis, seeing the fear and sadness in Madison's eyes, leaned in closer, his voice taking on an even gentler tone, filled with care and encouragement. "Hey, you know, it's really brave to talk about the things that scare us. It helps make them a little less scary."

Madison looked up at Travis, her eyes reflecting the turmoil inside. "I wasn't there in the car with her," she whispered. "But I've imagined it so many times... It feels like I was."

Travis nodded understandingly, his heart aching for her. "I can't even begin to imagine how hard that must be. But you know what? You're here with us now, and you're incredibly strong. Stronger than you might even realize."

He continued, his tone warm and comforting. "And it's okay to be scared sometimes. It's okay to have these feelings. What's important is that you share them, and we face them together. You're not alone in this. We're right here with you, every step of the way."

Madison's eyes filled with tears, but this time, they were tears of relief and gratitude. "Thank you," she said, her voice soft.

Taylor, watching from the other side of Madison's bed, felt a deep sense of appreciation for Travis. His words were simple but filled with such sincerity and kindness. She realized in that moment just how much he had come to mean to both her and Madison.

Madison sniffled, her voice trembling. "Sometimes I feel like I'm losing her. Like I don't remember what she looks like. Or smells like."

Taylor and Travis exchanged a glance over Madison's head, a silent communication of shared concern and love for the young girl in their care.

Travis gently wiped away the tears from Madison's cheeks, his expression soft and caring. "I know it's hard, Mads. But remember, your mom's love for you, and all the memories you shared, they're a part of you. They'll always be with you, no matter what."

Madison sniffled, "I just miss her so much. I don't want to forget her."

Taylor moved closer, enveloping Madison in a warm embrace. "Sweetheart, it's okay to feel that way. But you know, the heart remembers what the mind might forget. The love she had for you, the way she made you feel, that's what truly matters. That's what stays with you forever."

Travis nodded in agreement, his voice soft but reassuring. "And whenever you feel like sharing stories about her, we're here to listen, always. Talking about her can help keep her memory alive."

Madison leaned into their embrace, feeling a sense of warmth and security. "Thank you both. It means a lot to know I can talk about her with you."

Taylor kissed the top of Madison's head, her voice full of love and empathy. "You can always talk about her. We want to know all about her, and through you, we get to know a part of her too."

Travis added, "And maybe, in some way, we can help you remember the love and the happy moments you shared. We're your family, and we'll help carry her memory together."

Madison, her voice still quivering but growing steadier, began to share a memory, a precious snippet of her life with her mom. "There was this one time," she started, a small smile breaking through her tears, "when my mom and I got caught in the rain. We were walking home from the grocery store, and it just started pouring out of nowhere."

Taylor and Travis listened intently, their own eyes glistening with unshed tears as Madison continued.

"We didn't have an umbrella, and we were getting soaked. But instead of rushing home, my mom just started dancing in the rain. She twirled around and sang at the top of her lungs. I thought she was crazy at first," Madison chuckled softly, "but then I joined her, and we danced together in the rain like no one was watching."

Madison's eyes shone with the memory. "She said to me, "sometimes we have to enjoy the little things, even when there's a storm." I didn't really get it back then, but now... I think I do."

Taylor, deeply moved by the story, hugged Madison a little tighter. "That's beautiful. She sounds like she was an amazing person."

Travis, his voice thick with emotion, added, "What a wonderful memory to hold onto. She taught you an important lesson without you even realizing it."

Madison nodded, the tears now mixed with a sense of gratitude. "She was amazing. And I'm glad I have that memory of her. It makes me feel like she's still with me, somehow."

In that moment, the three of them shared not just Madison's grief, but also the beauty and joy of her memories. Madison's story, a testament to her mother's spirit and love, left an imprint on their hearts, drawing them closer together.

Madison, surrounded by love and care, felt the fear from her nightmare start to fade away. "Thank you," she whispered, a sense of peace and safety enveloping her as she was cocooned in their embrace. In the safety of their hugs, she found the peace she needed to drift back into a calm, restful sleep.