the stars in your eyes | t.s. one shots

waterloo sunset (2)

The next few days are a whirlwind. Taylor and Travis find their own way to walk the line between being cautious, keeping their private moments to themselves, while still going out and having fun. They drive around, looking at everything through their windows, but stop on occasion, a disguised security guard following closely behind as they get out to look at something up close. They spent an afternoon vintage shopping at Portobello Road and Brick Lane, had a personal capsule in the London Eye, and even went out for an afternoon tea. They'd seen a West End show and taken a tour of Abbey Road studios. It's not just anybody who they let inside those sacred walls of musical history, but it wasn't difficult for Taylor to pull a few strings. Though she doesn't frequently record at Abbey Road, she certainly has in the past. Anybody who's anybody in the music world has. So, all she had to do was make a quick phone call. Her and Travis even managed to catch a moment for a quick photograph on the zebra crossing before they climbed back into their car in a fit of giggles.

Yet still, Taylor had a few trepidations on taking Travis to some of the most important places, those packed with tourists but still well worth seeing. Those were the places she knew they'd get really ambushed with people. The likes of Westminster, Waterloo, and Tower Hill. The places that are exactly what you think of, when you think of London. But she's got a trick up her sleeve for that one, too.

On their last night in the city, before they're scheduled to fly back to Kansas City, Taylor turns to Travis with a coy smile. "You know, there's one more way to see some really special parts of the city..."

"Oh really?" he raises an eyebrow. "And what would that be?"

"Bring a warm coat, we'll be outside. I've got a surprise lined up."

"I don't even get a little hint?" he asks, stopping her in her tracks by placing his hand on her stomach, then moving it around to rest it on her bum, giving it a little squeeze. Still, that's not persuasion enough for the singer. She shakes her head and walks away without a word, heading up to her bedroom to get ready.

Half an hour later, she's dressed in a black turtleneck and jeans, her blonde curls loosely hanging down her back. She sits at her vanity table, putting the finishing touches on her makeup for the evening. Travis walks up behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Hey there, gorgeous. You almost ready to go?"

"Yeah, I've just gotta-" she's cut off by her boyfriend taking the tube of red lipstick out of her hand.

"How about a more natural color?" he laughs. "We're gonna be in public."

"Oh... yeah," she laughs, choosing a shimmery lip gloss instead. Her and Travis have a reputation of destroying her lipstick, with it ending up all throughout his beard, and on at least one occasion, even down his neck. "Let's go."

The car is waiting for them out front, and before they know it, they're making their way into London. Travis starts to look around, noticing where they are: the tourist center of the city. "Tay, where are we heading?" he asks, knowing of her hesitation around here for the last few days. They drove through, but they didn't really get out or even stop the car. That's why he's so confused when they turn into a parking lot. But, Taylor gets out of the car, so he does too.

"Come on, into the building, I'll explain once we are in," she says, grabbing his hand and leading the way through the door of a small building by the river. Inside, there's only one person behind a counter, who smiles and greets them. "Hi. Reservation under Swift," Taylor speaks.

"Ah yes, the private boat," the lady says, as Travis's eyes widen. "We have the chicken dinner option and champagne add-ons to that, and your boat will be ready in five minutes if you will just have a seat."

Taylor turns to him with a smile on her face. "Surprise. A sunset river cruise... it felt like a pretty great way to get to see the city."

"It sounds perfect," he tells her, slipping his arm around her waist and placing a kiss on the top of her head. "Thank you... you've already made this trip so special, and this is just... wow."