Baby Love

Chapter 58

Word Count: 4043

Averie's POV

"I'm sorry, honey, but she's dead," the officer tells me.

"No, she's not," I hear myself squeak. My breath catching in my throat, tired of screaming.

"I'm so sorry she died, Taylor's dead," the officer repeats, his voice stern and final.

"NO, NO, she's not!" I scream in a high-pitched wail. Taylor can't be dead. There's just no way. Where was Greg?

I feel a hand on my back, making my body tense as I turn around to see Brandon. "Averie, your Daddy doesn't want you anymore, so you're coming home with me. Yay!" he informs me in the peppiest of voices. I try to run away, but he grabs my arm, squeezing me roughly. It must've bruised. I scream and fight, trying to get away, but nothing works. He's much stronger than me. Then I see the doctors wheel away a body that resembles Taylor, so I start screaming at them to stop.

Suddenly, I'm transported to another place, a warm hand is rubbing my back. "Shh, it's okay, it's just a bad dream. I've got you," a calming voice reassures me over and over again. I cling to whoever is holding me, terrified of being alone.

"Shh, can you hear that, baby love? That's my heartbeat. You're okay, and I'm okay," Taylor's comforting voice fills my ears as she holds me close against her chest. Did Daddy leave? Where is he? I struggle to find my words as I search the room frantically.

"I'm here too, Nugget," Daddy's voice breaks through the dim light. He's here. Maybe he does want me? I hope he does. I don't want to go with Brandon.

"Do you want to tell us what happened in your dream?" Taylor asks gently, but I shake my head, too scared to speak. I bury my head into Taylor's warmth, desperate for the nightmare to fade away.

"Okay, that's okay. Why don't we get you changed and then we can cuddle?" Taylor suggests, knowing I don't want to sleep anymore. That was so scary.

"Paci?" I mumble, seeking comfort.

"Sure, Joe, can you grab her pacifier? It should be on the nightstand," Taylor asks, rocking me gently before setting me down.

"Uh yeah," Daddy responds.

In just a few moments, Daddy is holding out my glow-in-the-dark paci for me. I take it gratefully before resting my head on Taylor's chest again. I love that she wears summer PJs even in the fall. I like to hear her heartbeat. Taylor always seems to know exactly what I need.

A short while later, Taylor lays me down and quickly changes my diaper. I whimper a little, missing her cuddles, but she's swift and gentle.

"I've got you, baby," Taylor whispers as she resettles us on the bed. I cling to her, finding comfort in her presence. Daddy's here too, but Taylor's much better.

——

I tried my best to stay awake, but somehow I fell asleep. When I woke up in the morning, I was cuddled into Daddy's side. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, turning around to see Taylor but she wasn't there. Oh no! Did she die like she did in my dream? I instantly panicked.

"Taylor!" I yelled, spitting my pacifier out. She didn't answer, so I screamed again, which woke Daddy much quicker.

"Nugget, it's okay. She's still here. I promise you're safe," Daddy tries to quiet my screams, but he doesn't understand. I shake myself loose from his grip and crawl to the end of the bed. Where did my Taylor go?

"Taylor!" I begin to sob, hopelessly, blocking out everything and everyone in the room. She's always here when I wake up, so where is she now? I grab the essentials, my blanket, and my friends.