Safe and Sound

17 Part 1

(Disclaimer- this book has been written in an alternate timeline where The Tortured Poets Department was not released in 2024, instead Reputation was announced in February of 2024 at the Grammys and released in April 2024 and Debut was announced at the end of the European leg of the eras tour in August 2024 and released in December 2024 on Taylor's birthday)

Hannah stumbled sleepily down the bottom step in her black socks and checked red pyjamas and nearly fell but she caught herself, rubbing her eyes tiredly. She'd slept for almost twelve hours, the longest she'd ever slept and felt more tired than before she fell asleep. The upstairs had been silent when she woke up, everyone else was already awake and spending time together. Hannah kind of wished someone had woken her up, part of her felt like she was missing out and she felt kind of guilty for feeling that way because this family wasn't her real family, it was a temporary family. She'd be back with her mother soon, she wasn't sure when, but soon. She missed her mother and felt guilty for enjoying time with Taylor and Travis when things between the singer and her mother weren't good. She felt guilty but she also couldn't help but feel safer with Travis and Taylor than she had on the streets. She swallowed and blinked the sleep from her eyes, shaking the thoughts from her head. Ashley would be happy that she was happy and Hannah told herself that she'd be back with her mother soon. As she wandered towards the living room, her feet padding on the cold tiled flooring, she could hear that the television was on but there was a song playing.

How'd we get here?
How'd we get out?
We used to be something to see
Oh baby look at us now
Baby, look at us now

This thing we have been doin'
Ain't working out
Why can't you just admit it it to me
Oh baby, look at us now
Baby, look at us now

Oh, we could make a good thing bad
Oh, we could make a good thing bad

The song ended and people began speaking as Hannah stepped into the room. She saw Andrea, Taylor and Travis on the couch watching a television show that Hannah didn't recognise any of the people on the screen, it definitely wasn't Grey's Anatomy or Law and Order, Taylor's two favourite shows. Hannah stared at the screen for a moment, finding herself thinking that the blonde character was exceptionally beautiful, and maybe she recognised the two of the people on the screen from a billboard on Times Square a few years ago. She tried to remember the name of the show. She knew there was a number involved... five... six... maybe seven? And a flower... buttercups... lilies... Irises... It took a minute to hit her. Daisy Jones and the Six. The show had come out while Taylor was on her The Eras Tour and Hannah assumed the singer must not have had much time to watch any television during the biggest tour the world had ever seen.

Andrea was first to notice the child's presence and smiled at her. "Good morning." She said in a soft chipper voice, a soft smile on her face, her skin wrinkling at her eyes.

Hannah yawned again and rubbed her eyes. "Hi." She said, her voice still raspy from sleep. She slid into the couch beside Taylor who pulled her into a gentle hug, kissing the side of her head over her messy red hair, as Travis turned off the television show since it wasn't suitable for Hannah, although she'd probably experienced and seen worse while living on the streets with her mother.

"Morning," Taylor said softly, kissing Hannah's temple affectionately. "Hungry? Travis can make pancakes."

"I think it's your turn to make breakfast, babe." Travis reminded her but he quickly changed his tune when Taylor turned to look at him with a look that told him that he would be making breakfast.

"Guess I'm making pancakes." Travis said with a soft sigh, getting to his feet and making his way into the kitchen.

Taylor chuckled and smiled. "You're so whipped, babe." She called after him playfully, sticking her tongue out like a child behind his back.