[ FAMILY ] t i e s. - a tayvis story.

[ THREE ]

"It was nice to really meet and hang out with you all," Kylie told Patrick, Brittany, and Chris mostly. It truly was nice. It was nice to get to be with people that didn't feel so stuck up their own asses. So different from the people she and Jason tended to hang around back home in Philadelphia. Selena and Brittany gave Kylie hugs, promising that they should all meet up again before they headed back to their suits with their families.

"Can we talk a little bit?" Kylie asked both Taylor and Travis.

"Is it about why Jason doesn't claim me as a brother?" Travis asked Kylie. Kylie froze a little bit, worried that she was overstepping boundaries that he could have up when it came to his past.

"I mean, if that's okay, and you want to talk about it, I would love to hear your side of things," Kylie responded.

"I don't mind telling it. I trust you." Travis said. He pulled Taylor close, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, and the group started to walk. They walked until they found a part of the boat that was surprisingly not occupied by a single person. "You're Tay's friend before you are my brother's wife, so I trust you." He reassured her. Kylie took his words to mean whatever he said was between them; nothing was to get back to Jason or even the parents.

"Whatever you say is safe with me." Kylie replied.  They plopped down in the lounge chairs that lined the area. Travis pulled Taylor into his lap. She cuddled into him instantly, stroking his beard.

"Hey. It's not sleeping time." Travis said to Taylor as he rubbed her swollen belly.

"I'm not going to sleep." She replied. He gave her a face, a face that said he didn't believe her. It was still early in the evening, but he knew his wife, and he knew the things she did before she inevitably fell asleep laying on him. "I'm going to be a part of the conversation when I can. I know this is your story to tell."

He tilted her face up, gently kissing her lips. Kylie could do nothing but admire the love they showed the world. She was happy for her friend and happy that she had someone so gentle with her who obviously cared for her and their girls. A part of her was envious of that. Jason was clearly nothing like his brother.

"So, can I ask why they disowned you? Why did they not want you in the family anymore?" Kylie asked, getting comfortable in the lounge chair.

Travis let out a deep sigh. He hadn't told this whole story to anyone other than Taylor. "Growing up we never really had much. Mom and Dad were always trying to make ends meet. When I was around 15, I found a way to help out. I got hooked up with Andy Reid. I loved that man. He was like a father to me."

"We know of Andy. We heard he was a great guy. He was very helpful in the community until they pushed him to leave town." When she said they, she meant Scott Swift and her father. Andy was their rival, and they needed him off their turf.

"Yeah. Well. I started selling for him. It brought in good money. I was able to help Mommy and Dad pay some bills. Jason and I were able to get some things that we wanted and needed, but we were never able to get them." Travis paused for a second. Taylor rubbed the side of his face. She could tell he was starting to get upset talking about it. Even though, in his eyes, his family hated him, he loved them. All he ever wanted was their approval, their love. "When they found out how I was getting the money, they kicked me out. Said I was I was a disgrace to the family name and that no child of theirs was going to be a dealer. Especially not under their roof." Travis looked over at the girls as they ran around, laughing and playing with each other. His kids and Jason's kids.  Playing together, something he never thought would be possible. The universe clearly wanted this, clearly wanted those kids to know each other, to love each other.