Changing Elle's Age. She is 6 Gabi is still 9.
Enjoy!!
Joe Alwyn stormed back into his hotel room, slamming the door behind him with a loud bang that startled his parents and cousin Lucy. His face was flushed with anger, a stark contrast to the calm, composed demeanor he usually maintained. His mother, Beth, looked up from her seat with a concerned frown, while his father, David, raised an eyebrow, clearly expecting an explanation.
"How did it go?" Beth asked cautiously, though she already sensed the answer from Joe's stormy expression.
Joe exhaled sharply, running a hand through his tousled hair. "It was a disaster," he muttered, pacing back and forth across the room. "Elle barely acknowledged me, and Travis was hovering over her like some kind of bodyguard. I couldn't even get a word in."
Lucy, sitting cross-legged on the bed, looked up from her phone, her curiosity piqued. She had been staying with Joe's parents for the past two years, ever since her own parents moved abroad. She didn't know much about Joe's life in the States, especially not about the daughter he'd had with Taylor Swift, but the drama intrigued her.
Beth's lips pursed in disapproval. "Well, maybe tomorrow will be better. You should take us with you. She needs to know she's got more family than just Taylor and Travis."
Joe stopped pacing, considering his mother's suggestion. He wasn't thrilled at the idea of a repeat performance of today's disaster, but perhaps a united front might help. "Fine," he agreed reluctantly. "But don't expect miracles."
The next day, Joe arrived at Taylor and Travis's house, flanked by his parents and Lucy. The air was thick with unspoken tension as they walked up to the door. Joe knocked, and moments later, the door swung open to reveal Travis, his expression neutral but guarded. Behind him, Taylor stood with Elle and Gabi.
Travis greeted them with a polite nod. "Come in," he said, stepping aside to let them enter.
The Alwyns filed into the living room, exchanging awkward pleasantries. Beth, trying to appear warm and welcoming, bent down to Elle's level. "Hi, sweetie. Remember me? I'm your nana," she said, reaching out for a hug.
Elle's face twisted in discomfort, and she quickly darted behind Travis's legs, peeking out from behind him. "I already have a nana," she murmured, her voice barely audible.
Beth straightened up, her smile faltering as she forced a chuckle. "Well, you can have two," she said, but the rejection stung, and she couldn't help the small roll of her eyes as she turned away.
They all moved to sit down on the couches, the room quickly dividing into two sides: Travis, Taylor, Gabi, and Elle on one side, the Alwyns on the other. The tension was palpable. Lucy, eager to connect, leaned forward and smiled at Elle. "Hey, Elle! Why don't you come sit with me?"
Elle shook her head, clinging to Gabi, who gently pulled her onto her lap. "No," Elle said firmly. "I want to stay here."
Lucy pouted, her voice taking on a whining tone. "But you should sit with me. We're family."
Travis stepped in, his voice calm but authoritative. "Elle can sit where she wants. If she's comfortable with Gabi, that's fine."
Taylor, trying to ease the situation, smiled at her daughter. "Elle, why don't you tell everyone about the game we went to yesterday? Remember, Travis's game against the Jets?"
Elle's eyes lit up at the mention of the game, and she launched into an enthusiastic retelling of the day, complete with details about the snacks they ate, the cheers, and her excitement at hanging out with her best friends—Blake Lively's kids. The warmth and joy in her voice contrasted sharply with the strained atmosphere.
