Our Invisible String (Complete Version)

33 (Travis Version)

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this chapter was written by lauren

Out of all the things I thought would be in the little box Taylor had gifted me for Christmas, a positive pregnancy hadn't been one of them. But there it was in my hand, displaying the words 'Pregnant: 2-3 weeks'.

Taylor was pregnant. Pregnant with my baby. And so soon after we'd fallen into each other's arms we'd have another little baby in our family. I knew it was rushed, but was is it really rushed if it felt so right? Time meant nothing when you could feel it in your heart that it was perfect.

"Yes." Taylor whispered, and I looked up to see her cuddling Abby close, pressing her cheek against her daughter's soft blonde hair. Her bright blue eyes were full of tears, the happiest little smile on her lips.

"Oh my god." I brushed my thumb over the little screen. I knew we'd talked about it, said we wanted it, but now that it was actually happening it felt so incredibly real. For the first time in my life, I was so eternally grateful that I'd failed in my NFL career. If I'd gone far, I might never have come home and been swept into a whirlwind romance.

"What do you say Travis, you ready for a little mini you?"

"Oh god yes I am." I put the test back in the box, placing it aside and moving forwards to hug Taylor tightly. She let go of Abby and wrapped her arms around me as I started to cry, burying my face in her neck.

"Oh baby what's wrong?" Taylor whispered.

"I'm just so happy." I sniffed, and I heard a little huff of air as she smiled. "Princess, you have no idea how happy this makes me. I love you so much."

"I love you too Travis." Taylor pulled back just enough to kiss me, only lightly on account of the toddler still in her lap. A toddler that was staring up at us, smiling. "What about you my sweet girl?" Taylor let go of me to pick Abby up and hug her close. "Do you want a little brother or sister?" Abby looked at her quizzically, obviously not understanding.

"Abby." I caught her attention, and she watched me as I reached out and placed a hand on Taylor's stomach. "Baby." I told her, exaggerating the word.

Abby looked at me for a long moment, and then looked at Taylor's stomach. We waited to see if she'd put the pieces together, a few long moments ticking by. I exchanged a look with Taylor, and then Abby let out a little giggle, clapping her hands together.

"Baby wike me!" She cooed.

"Yes my sweet angel that's right!" Taylor laughed in delight. "Mommy has another baby like you in her tummy." She looked up at me, her eyes shining with tears. As I watched, she mouthed the words 'I love you' at me, and I mouthed them right back. God, I did. I never thought love could be this strong and this fast and not burn out, but I knew it wouldn't.

Abby got bored a moment later and wriggled out of Taylor's lap to play with her new toys, and I took the opportunity to pull Taylor closer. She smiled as I hugged her tightly, lingering there for a long moment as I took in the news. I just wrapped my arms around my girlfriend and held on tight, overwhelmed by the thought that I was a father. When I pulled back, I glanced down at Taylor's stomach in a silent question. She nodded, smiling.

Shifting from where I sat on the couch, I moved to kneel on the ground next to it instead as Taylor lay back. She used the arm of the couch as a pillow, folding her hands to rest just underneath her chest as I reached for the hem of the shirt. Glancing at Taylor for permission, I waited until I got a little nod before taking her shirt and tucking it up to expose her stomach. Nothing showed yet, but that didn't matter. I knew.