A Place in This World - A Taylor Swift Adoption Story

End of Beginning

April 24, 2024

~~

Rose anxiously rummaged through her stuff to determine what she would take. After all, she didn't know if Taylor would allow her to take all her things with her. It was already late at night, and she really had to go to sleep soon. But Danielle stayed with her, helping her sort. "Okay, keeping crop tops or not?" she asked, holding up a really cute butterfly crop top.

"Um... No, I don't think so. I don't want her to think the wrong thing about me," Rose admitted, putting it in the donate pile. Danielle frowned, but continued. "Ooh, keep those sweatpants please!"

"You got it. Hey, what about these gloves?" Danielle offered, and Rose looked at those with a curiosity. She didn't remember them. "I'll throw them in the extra clothing closet. Next winter might be rough." Danielle threw it in the "stay" pile. It was 11 at night when they finally gave up for the night. Taylor would be there bright and early to pick her up. She had to be prepared.

~~
April 25, 2024

It felt like Rose blinked and she was already up for the day. The other girls also woke up with her, preparing to say their goodbyes. Rose grabbed her filled up backpack after doing her morning routine of brushing her teeth and hair. She tied it in a ponytail, then walked out of the room and to the reception desk, where Juliette was there, smiling. "Morning kid. You excited?"

"Morning! Yes!" Rose said, and the girls popped their heads out and announced their presences with a "good morning Juliette!" from each of them.

"Good morning girls! She should be here in a bit, but there's something you guys should know." Juliette turned her chair to face them all. "She is a human being, and she's about to become a mom. She is just like any other fostering mom, and I ask that you do not ask her for pictures today." The girls nodded. Seemed reasonable after all. "Good. Sit down, she should be here any minute now." The girls sat and chatted, mostly about whether or not Taylor would take her out on the tour, if she would ever get taken to awards shows, and if they would they be able to sleepover? Rose laughed it off, but she also had her own reservations about this entire situation. She was scared. What if Taylor decided to send her back?

"Hi, sorry, I'm a little late!" a voice said, and the girls looked up from their talking to see Taylor. Rose smiled and got up slowly, the girls following her lead as if not to scare Taylor off. "Rose, good to see you again! Who are these friends of yours?"

"Oh, this is Danielle, Alice, and Ellie. They've been my roommates for a while now," Rose said, wringing my hands. 

"Hi, guys! Would you like a goodbye picture?" Taylor offered, and Dani snickered. Taylor's face fell, and Dani immediately apologized.

"No, I didn't mean it like that, I swear!" she said as all 4 girls glared at her. "It's just, Juliette said to not bother you for a photo and you just... offer one up," she explained, and the girls nodded in agreement. Taylor's face went from hurt to relief as she giggled.

"Alright, that's understandable. Still want a picture?" she offered again, and they all piled in for  selfie on Rose's phone. Rose sent it to her friends as Taylor signed some final papers. The girls chatted about whether or not they would bully the next girl to sleep in Rose's bed, and Rose scolded them and told them not to. When Taylor finished, she let the girls hug goodbye. Tears were shed, and Taylor hugged each of the girls. As they walked outside, Taylor's guards were waiting. "Just a precaution. Hope you understand," Taylor said, and Rose nodded.

"Yeah, makes sense. Where do I put my bag?" Rose asked, still anxious. A guard extended his hand out to take it, a warm smile reassuring Rose. She gave it to him, taking a deep breath before getting in the car next to Taylor.

"Alright, you know where to go," Taylor said, and the guard who took her bag was now driving away. They drove away, Rose's tears still falling from her eyes. Taylor offered a tissue and a reassuring smile, and Rose accepted, focusing on the journey in front of her.