Tayvis one-shots (3)

Personal Loss

Taylor sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the floor. Her heart ached with a profound emptiness that no words could fill. The news of her mother's passing had come as a crushing blow, despite the long battle with cancer that had given some time to prepare. Nothing could have truly prepared her for this.

Travis, her rock and support, stood in the doorway, watching her with deep concern. He had seen Taylor go through many challenges, but this was different. This was a grief that cut to the core of who she was.

"Hey, sweetheart," he said softly, approaching her. "How are you holding up?"

Taylor looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes. "I don't know, Trav. It feels like there's this huge hole in my chest. I knew it was coming, but... it still hurts so much."

Travis sat down beside her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "I know, baby. I can't even imagine how hard this is for you. I'm here for you, whatever you need."

Taylor leaned into him, letting the tears flow freely. "She was my best friend, you know? She was always there for me, through everything. And now she's just... gone."

Travis held her tighter, feeling her pain as if it were his own. "I know, Tay. She loved you so much. And she was so proud of you."

They sat like that for a long time, wrapped in each other's arms, as Taylor let the waves of grief wash over her. When the tears finally subsided, she pulled back slightly and looked up at Travis with gratitude in her eyes.

"Thank you for being here, Trav. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Travis kissed her forehead gently. "You don't have to thank me, sweetheart. I'll always be here for you. We're in this together."

Over the next few days, the reality of her mother's death began to sink in. There were funeral arrangements to be made, family members to contact, and an overwhelming sense of loss to navigate. Through it all, Travis remained by her side, offering comfort and support.

One evening, as they were going through old photo albums in Taylor's childhood home, she came across a picture of her mother holding her as a baby. Taylor's eyes filled with tears again, but this time there was a hint of a smile.

"She looks so happy here," Taylor said, tracing her mother's face with her finger. "She always said that having me was the best thing that ever happened to her."

Travis leaned over to look at the picture. "She was a wonderful woman, Tay. And she raised an incredible daughter."

Taylor turned to him, her heart full of love despite the pain. "Thank you, Trav. I just wish she could be here to see how happy you make me."

Travis smiled softly. "I think she knows, Tay. And I think she's still watching over you, proud of everything you've become."

As the days passed, the funeral drew closer. Taylor dreaded the thought of saying a final goodbye, but she knew it was a necessary part of the grieving process. Travis helped her prepare, making sure she took care of herself even when she felt overwhelmed by sorrow.

On the day of the funeral, Taylor stood by her mother's casket, feeling the weight of the loss pressing down on her. She delivered a heartfelt eulogy, sharing memories and expressing her love for the woman who had shaped her life.

After the service, as friends and family gathered to offer their condolences, Taylor found herself drawn to the quiet of her mother's garden. She sat on a bench, surrounded by the flowers her mother had lovingly tended, and let herself feel the full depth of her grief.

Travis found her there, sitting silently among the blossoms. He sat down beside her, taking her hand in his.

"How are you doing, love?" he asked gently.

Taylor sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder. "It's hard, Trav. I miss her so much. But being here, in her garden, it feels like she's still with me somehow."

Travis squeezed her hand. "She is with you, Tay. In every memory, in everything she taught you. She's a part of you, always."

Taylor nodded, finding comfort in his words. "I just wish I could hear her voice one more time. Tell her how much I love her."

Travis kissed the top of her head. "She knew, Tay. She knew how much you loved her. And she loved you more than anything in the world."

They sat in the garden for a while longer, finding solace in the quiet beauty of the place her mother had cherished. As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the flowers, Taylor felt a sense of peace wash over her.

"I'm so grateful for you, Trav," she said softly. "You've been my rock through all of this."

Travis smiled, his eyes filled with love. "And I'll continue to be, Tay. We'll get through this together."

In the weeks that followed, Taylor slowly began to adjust to life without her mother. The pain was still there, but it became a part of her that she learned to carry. Travis was a constant source of strength, helping her find joy in small moments and reminding her of the love that surrounded her.

One evening, as they sat on the porch of their Nashville home, Taylor turned to Travis with a thoughtful expression.

"Do you think we'll ever have a family of our own someday?" she asked.

Travis looked at her with surprise, then smiled. "I think we'd make great parents, Tay. And I know your mom would have loved to see that."

Taylor smiled, feeling a sense of hope for the future. "I think so too. And I know she'll always be a part of our lives, no matter what."

Travis took her hand, his gaze steady and loving. "Whatever the future holds, we'll face it together. You and me, Tay."

Taylor leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his embrace and the strength of their love. Despite the loss and the heartache, she knew they would build a beautiful life together, filled with the memories of those they had loved and lost.

As the stars began to twinkle above them, Taylor felt a sense of peace and gratitude. She had lost her mother, but she had found a partner who would stand by her through anything. And in that love, she found the courage to face each new day, knowing that she was never alone.