evermore [taylor swift adoption]

five

"Tree, I don't want to do this! They'll take her away and I know I've only had her for a day but I already love her and— Taylor, you're rambling, take a breath," Tree instructs, looing over at Taylor who was staring to hyperventilate.

"Baby, you have got to do this, you can get in serious legal trouble," Andrea said with a hint of sadness.

Just as Taylor gathered the courage to pick up her phone to dial the number of CPS, Arden came running downstairs with a worn-out looking Austin chasing behind her. Arden giggles looking at Austin panting and sticks her tongue out before and running over to Taylor. Just like that, all of Taylor's courage had melted away after taking a quick look at Arden.

"I'm sorry I really tried but she wanted you after about an hour, Taylor," Austin says, catching is breath and sitting down.

"See? Even she doesn't want to go!" Taylor protests.

"Me, your dad, and your brother will take her out to the backyard for a little bit, you and Taylor can make the call," Andrea says to Tree, swiftly picking up the small girl.

Before Arden could cry or retaliate, Scott distracted the toddler by talking to her about the pool and carrying her over to it, which fascinated the small child. After the three family members left, Tree rubbed Taylor's back comfortingly, giving Taylor another minute before picking up her phone. Tree hated seeing Taylor like this and understood her worry but she also knew the legal complications with this situation. On the other hand Taylor was looking over at Arden, smiling as she saw the small girl touching the water and laughing with her parents and brother.

Tree's comforting touch brought Taylor back to the present moment. "I know this is hard, Taylor," Tree said softly, "but we have to do what's right."

Taylor nodded, her eyes pooling up with tears, she shakily reached out for her phone. She knew Tree was right, but it didn't make the decision any easier. With a shaky breath, Taylor unlocked her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed the number for Child Protective Services.

As the call connected, Taylor's heart pounded in her chest. She struggled to find the words to explain the situation, there was so much going on in her head, it was hard to let out coherent sentences. 

"Hello, this is Aimee from Child Protective Services, who am I speaking with?"

"T-Taylor."

"Hi, Taylor, what seems to be the issue?" Aimee asked, her voice gentle but curious.

"I found a small girl, three years old, her name is Arden, and she was hurt, she has bruises all over her and I want to keep her!" Taylor let out, earning a sigh from Tree.

Tree took the phone from Taylor and greeted the woman. "Hey, this is Tree, I am here with Taylor."

"Well, Tree and Taylor, can you tell me more about the state you found the girl in and what you guys did?"

"Taylor and her family took her to the hospital where she got a cast for a broken arm and medicine for her bruises. Right now she is at Taylor's house, Taylor's parents and brother are occupying her right now."

"We are sending three workers over right now, could we please have your location, ma'am?"

"No! She can stay with me," Taylor cries.

"Ma'am I'm sorry but this is protocol," the woman says, sympathetically.

Tree gives the woman her address as Taylor breaks down in tears thinking about the small girl's life. There was no doubt that Arden was already attached to Taylor because she woman saved her and now she would be forced to split away from Taylor. Andrea seeing her daughter breaking down in her publicist's arms, runs back into the house to her daughter. Taylor picks up her phone with clammy hands, dialing someone's number, sobbing while the call ringed. After a couple seconds the person on the other side picks up.

"I need you to come over right now," Taylor cries.

"Tay, I'm like five hours away from you, I'm visiting in about two weeks,"

"Now!"

And with that Taylor ends the call and throws her phone to the side of her bed. Everyone knew she was upset the girl would be taken from her but no one could understand why she was this upset about it and Taylor refused to answer. She only stopped crying, which turned into sniffles, when she saw Arden running to her, worried.

"Why is Tay Tay crying?" Arden asked.

"No reason, honey," Taylor said, wiping away her tears and picking the girl up.