Taylor x Travis: In Every Life

home for the holidays (pt 3)

Over the next few months, Travis and I settled tentatively into parenthood. It was hard, but we managed it. We didn't get much sleep at a time, but slowly, Lilly started sleeping for just a little longer at a time, and so we did too. We mostly stayed at home the first week or two, and Travis only went out once to get some more baby things that we'd forgotten the first time we'd gone shopping. I started healing, and once I was able to move around properly, I started doing a little exercise. Just a little when I could, but I wanted to start to get back into things. By the time the football season rolled around, we had the most beautiful, healthy, happy three-month-old.

"Are you sure you two are going to be okay?" Travis asked for the tenth time as he finished packing his things. "I don't have to play. I can still take this season off."

"No, we both know you don't want to do that." I straightened up from the changing table and looked at him. "We'll be fine. We have fun don't we duck?" I smiled at our daughter who smiled gummily at me and waved her arms in the air. Then I looked back up at my husband. "I promise, we'll be just fine. We've got extra security, and the suite's limited to just family and friends we trust. If I think for any reason Lilly isn't safe, I'll leave and come straight home. You know I will." When it came to our daughter's safety, we'd spare no expense.

"I know, you just know I worry about my girls." Travis came over and took my face in his hands.

"I know." I murmured.

"Okay." He sighed. "If you're sure, then I have to go. I'll see you out there."

"We'll be cheering you on." I told him, and Travis smiled before pressing a lingering kiss to my lips. "I love you." I murmured when he pulled back.

"I love you too." He brushed his thumb over my cheek and then turned to Lilly. "And you, you take care of your Mommy huh? Make sure she doesn't get into any trouble." I laughed and smacked his arm lightly as he bent to pepper light kisses over our daughter. "I'll see you after." Travis chucked my chin and I smiled as he headed for the door.

"You excited to go to your first football game huh duck?" I crooned as I turned back to Lilly, attaching the other side of her nappy and reaching for the tiny red dress that I'd had someone embroider the Chiefs logo on. "Daddy's going to be so happy to see you and me up there." I told her as I gently pulled the dress over her head. "And you'll get to see your Grandma again. She'll probably steal you away, though I'm pretty sure Auntie Kylie will fight over you too." Ed and Jason weren't coming today; they had something else on. "And I'm sure Brittany and Keleigh will take up your time. You're going to be a very popular little lady today, yes you are." I nuzzled my nose against hers and peals of laughter escaped my daughter, going straight to my heart.

I tucked some socks and shoes (yellow and red to fit the theme) onto her feet and then tucked a tiny little white cardigan around her shoulders. Lilly watched as I rifled through the little tote bag, making sure I had everything I could possibly need for the day. I'd already showered and changed before Travis had left so we were pretty much ready to go even though we didn't have to leave for two hours. Knowing I'd be early, I'd organized for us to go over to Donna's house and catch up with her for a while before we went to the stadium.

"Hey, how's my favorite youngest granddaughter?" Donna smiled when she opened the door. Lilly smiled, reaching out for her Grandma.

"She's a very happy girl today." I said as I passed her over.

"Come in, come in. You want some tea Taylor?" Donna asked as we shifted inside. "I was just about to make some."

"I'll get it, you two hang out." I told her. "Just normal for you?"

"Thanks."

I made some tea and brought it into the living room where Donna was bouncing Lilly on her knee, talking to her. I smiled to myself as I set the tea down on the coffee table, sitting down on the couch opposite. Lilly had really taken to her family, and she adored spending time with them.