Safe & Sound

lavender haze

taylor's pov 

the following morning, i awoke to the gentle sound of birds chirping outside our window. i turned to see travis still asleep, one arm draped protectively around me, reminding me of the events of last night. i glanced down at my finger to check i wasn't dreaming and sure enough, the diamond ring was staring right back at me. a smile spread across my face as i remembered about the life growing inside of me, placing a hand on my still-flat stomach, envisioning it's appearance a few months from now. 

i gently slipped out of bed, wrapping myself in a soft robe and stepping out onto the balcony. i was met with the mid morning sun casting a golden glow over the landscape as i felt a wave of serenity wash over me.

a few moments later, travis joined me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder "good morning, fiancé", he whispered, kissing down my neck. i giggled and leaned into him, cherishing the moment.

after a leisurely breakfast of croissants, fresh fruit, and cappucino's in the castle's sunlit dining room we set out the agenda for the day. we got dressed, both in light linens which served well against the heat of the italian sun. then we set out to explore the rolling hills and charming villages of tuscany's countryside. we rented a vintage fiat, it's cherry red paint glistening in the sunlight. with the top down, the wind played with my hair as the scent of flowers filled the air.

i felt travis's gaze on me. "you look absolutely radiant today tay" he said, his voice tender.

i smiled, unable to stop my cheeks from flushing with happiness "it's this place. it truly feels like a dream come true."

we drove along winding roads which were lined with cypress trees and vineyards, the landscape a patchwork of green and gold. every turn revealing another breathtaking view that we couldn't resist stopping frequently to take photos and soak in the beauty of it all.

our first stop was a local winery, which although i couldn't drink with the pregnancy, we thought it an integral part to the culture here. something we couldn't miss. we were greeted by the warm and welcoming owner, lorenzo who guided us through the vineyards, explaining the intricate process of winemaking. travis and i held hands as we walked amongst the rows of grapevines, the sun casting our dappled shadows on the ground.

"can you imagine raising our baby somewhere like this?" i mused, my mind alive with possibilities.

travis squeezed my hand "it would be amazing. a peaceful place to grow up, surrounded by nature and beauty."

lorenzo led us to the cellar where he showcased exquisite wines before leading us to where a private picnic had been arranged under a large olive tree which had a view that stretched out over the rolling hills.

the picnic spread was a feast and we sat on a soft blanket, the warm breeze rustling leaves above us. "this is perfect" i said, taking a bite from one of the cheeses "i can't imagine a better way to spend the day."

travis leaned in "every day with you feels perfect, tay." i smiled at him, tenderly kissing him.

after our leisurely picnic, we thanked lorenzo for his hospitality then continued on our journey, stopping at a quaint village nestled in the hills. the cobblestone streets and centuries-old buildings added a timeless charm. we wandered through narrow alleys, hand in hand, exploring the shops and buying handmade trinkets as souvenirs.

stumbling upon a small courtyard, we found a charming cafe with tables shaded by umbrellas. feeling dehydrated from the walking and heat, we sat down for a cappuccino, enjoying the quiet atmosphere. "nobody takes notice of us here, do you notice that?" i asked