Happiness

.04

Mom, Mr Smith and I went to her office, since it was more private and I didn't want Joe and his lawyer to eavesdrop our strategies.

"Taylor, for all of my experience I don't think that Jopeh will take it. He seems to be a very strict minded person. We have to think about the bigger picture now" My lawyer said looking at me and then at my mom who agreed with him.
"I agree with Mr Smith Tay. We all know Joe and we all know how he reacts with being exposed and all the conflicts you both had about it. What are we gonna do?" She was worried, I could see that she was trying to be supportive but she was worried for me and Ellie.
" Look guys, Joe and I, we don't have a legal agreement about Ellie, at least not until now. We were just communicating and sharing our stays with her. So part of this meeting is also because he asked to stay with her while I'm on tour and I would like to take her with me at least for a few of the places, I think it's too long of a time without her. But in order for me to be able to do that... comes the problem that we're trying to solve now" I say looking at both of them with a worried look. " Plus the last time he was supposed to stay with her he just left Ellie with his parents, and if he's going to do that I prefer her to stay with us then."
" I feel that the most viable way for you both would be to settle up a custody agreement. I could be wrong but for what I see, he's not going to be cooperative when it comes to you Taylor." My lawyer says in all seriousness

After about 15 minutes of break we all came back to the room we were before. And not to our surprise Joe didn't like any of the proposals or solutions for our situation. He kept with the arguing and pointing fingers at me. I was mentally exhausted and hurt because if there's one thing he knows how to do well is to mess with my head.

" Look, I don't see any of the parts getting to a common ground here. The wise thing to do is to get a custody arrangement. We'll be filing for one soon." Joes lawyer said, apparently even he was done with the arguing.

"That's my verdict as well. Your client is very adamant on his conditions. I don't see how we could get to any kind of arrangements without involving the law. Good luck on your part, you're gonna need it." Mr Smith said and got up to accompany the two of them out.

I threw myself at the couch and all I could do was start crying. Why would he want to do this to me? What did I ever do to him? My daughter needed me, I'm her mom. I would never put proud on top of her needs, and yet her father was again only thinking about his jaded ego.

After leading the two out, my lawyer got back. We - as more of him and my mom - talked about what were going to be the next steps and Mr smith said that he wanted what was the best of best for me and Ellie.
He said that even though he's been my lawyer for about a decade his specialty was not on family lawyering and that he would come up with an indication of one of the best in this area for me, he really wanted for us to get the win against Joe.

He soon left and then there were only me and my mom. We went to the kitchen for her to fix something for us for lunch,  but I wasn't hungry and more did stare at the food on my plate than ate.
"Taylor honey." My mom started " I know that this will be very difficult but you'll have all of our support, your family, your friends, and I'm pretty sure that Travis will also be here for you. We'll get the best for Ellie don't worry sweetie" My mom held me in her arms and I let all my frustration and sadness take over again, so I cried in her arms just like when I was a kid and would come back home upset from school.

" I.. I'm so afraid mom. I don't want to lose her. I don't think I'll ever be able to recover from this if I did."
Soon enough I heard my phone beeping and a call from Travis came through. I looked at my mom and motioned to the phone, leaving the room and going outside to one of the chairs in the back porch.

Travis pov

I had finished with training about 20 minutes ago. Taylor said she would call me as soon as her meeting with her excuse of an ex was over but until now I had no calls or messages left from her, that made me worried because I don't think that should've taken this long. So i decided to call and check on her.

Trav: "Hey Tay, is everything ok?"
Tay: "Hi Trav." She said picking up the phone I could hear a slight tremble on her voice, that made me sure that the meeting didn't go well
Trav:"You said you would call when you were over with the meeting so I got worried."
Tay: "Oh Trav.. "That was enough for her to let it out, her hard sobs took place of her words and I instantly requested for a video call.
Trav: "What happened? What did he do?" I asked a little nervous after seeing how she was crying
"Babe, do you need me to go down to Nashville? I could talk to coach Andy and.." I got cut by her weak voice
Tay: "No, you're gonna get in trouble because of me. It's just... it was horrible Trav! He's horrible and he just thinks of himself" She was trying to keep it together for me I could tell that, and there's nothing that I wanted more than to be there with her at this very moment.
"He said so many things, mean things.. and he-he's gonna file for custody. I can't lose her Trav, I can't lose my baby girl. She's my everything"
I was holding my own tears, because seeing her like this was hurting me just as much. How could a father be so careless and selfish? As for what she said he barely had called or message wanting to know about his kid. And when he claimed he wanted time with Ellie he just took the girl and left her with his parents in London.
I was so angry I could punch the walls right now, he doesn't deserve the rights for the kid's custody that's for sure. Taylor would be so devastated if that were to happen.
So I did the only thing I knew, I was going to get the first plane down to Nashville after talking to coach.
Trav: "Tay, listen to me ok? You won't ever let his words hurt you again! You won't let it happen and I will also make sure that it won't happen." I say looking right into her eyes, and looking deep down into her watery eyes I could only find hurt and desperation. " I don't really care what you say, I'll see you tonight ok? Stay calm and stay safe. I'll be there with you soon." She just nodded her head and with that I finished the call telling her I loved her.

I went to my room to start packing and while I did that I texted Pia saying I needed the first flight available to Nashville, obviously she didn't like it but I would do it with or without her help. Next o called coach Reid to talk to him and explain what was happening and hopefully not be punished for missing a few days of practice. He wasn't thrilled with the situation but he let me go.

4 hours later I was knocking on Andreas door. As soon as the door opens I could just feel two arms around me. " It'll be alright babe, all will be alright" I say as I hold her tight and place a kiss on her head.