addicted. (a tayvis short story)

c h a p t e r . t w o

"Good morning, sweetheart," Joe said, pulling Taylor closer to him. She rolled over to face him, taking in his face. She felt as if she hadn't seen him in months. She was engaged to this man that she saw what felt like once a month.

"Morning," she sighed, a pout on her lips.

"Stop pouting," he instructed before kissing her forehead.

"You just got here, and you have to leave." She protested, the pout remaining.

"I'm trying to make this family financially secure," he told her, moving her hair from in front of her face.

"I know, but Ian and I miss you. That's all." She confused. Even with her confusion, something in his eyes told her he didn't care. That even if she begged, he wouldn't cancel this trip.

"I know and I miss you guys too. My flight was pushed back, so how about we go to breakfast as a family and then check out that new car wash? I know that isn't romantic, but your car is filthy," he suggested with a smile, before trying to make a puppy face. Taylor laughed a little then kissed him. She would take whatever time with him that she could get.

"You're losing that romantic touch you used to have."

"Oh yeah?" he asked and she nodded. He pulled her on top of him, causing her to giggle. Cries came through the monitor sitting on the nightstand before Joe could show her that he was still the same romantic guy she had met little over two years ago. But, Ian was awake. Taylor knew he would get fussy really quick. He usually slept with her while Joe was away. He fell asleep last night in Taylor's arms, so waking up in his crib was going to upset him since he was used to waking up to mommy's face. She rolled off of Joe and pulled the covers back. She swung her legs out of the bed and slipped her feet into her slippers.

"I can get him," Joe offered. She looked over her shoulder at him, shaking her head.

"Thanks, but he's used to seeing my face in the morning," she told him, a slight dig to his absence as she got up. "Just get ready. Someone promised me breakfast." She walked out of the door and a short way down the hall to Ian's room. She walked in, and Ian's soft cries began subsiding as he lifted his arms. "Morning mama's baby. You're not used to waking up without mommy, huh?" She talked to Ian as she picked him up and held him. "All better?" She asked once his cries had stopped entirely. She wiped away the tears that were still on his face. She gave him a kiss on his cheek. Ian took Taylor's face in his hands and gave his mother a kiss. "Mommy loves you!" After seeing Travis yesterday, looking at her son felt so different. She saw the similarities of the two before, but today they felt as if they were more present. More obvious.

"I wuv you." Ian told his mother, with the biggest smile on his face.

"I love the both of you," Joe said, walking into Ian's room.

"Daddy!" Ian exclaimed with a smile.

"Hey, precious boy," Joe stated, taking Ian from Taylor.

Taylor smiled as they interacted. She found it so sweet how Joe loved Ian and took him as his own. Her mind quickly went to Travis. Questions started to swirl around her head. Would he have been a good father? Did he put two and two together and realize that Ian was his son when he looked into the back seat yesterday? Would he be mad to find out that he had a child and she had kept him away from him all this time? Should she even tell him at all? He was obviously serious about turning his life around. So that had to mean he deserved to be a part of his son's life, right?