what came next

eight - travis

I'd never been so happy to hear someone say something in their lives. 'I love you' sounded so perfect on Taylor's lips, and I couldn't wipe the huge smile off my face.

"You're smiling like a dork." Taylor giggled as she gazed up at me. 

"Well I'm happy." I told her. "Because those are the three most beautiful words I'd ever heard." Taylor smiled wider, stretching up to press her lips to mine again. 

"I love you." She whispered. "I love you, I love you, I love you." 

"I love you." I whispered back. "I love you so much."

Taylor pulled back and smiled adoringly at me, and I couldn't help but kiss her again. After a minute, we moved to keep making dinner, but instead of moving around each other, we moved with each other. I couldn't take myself away from her so I just wrapped my arms around Taylor's waist. She laughed at me.

"Travis that's not making things any easier!" Taylor complained as I kissed the curve of her neck. 

"Sorry angel, you're just irresistible." I murmured.

"Okay, I'll tell you what." Taylor turned around in my arms and peeked up at me. "We'll have dinner, and when the kids are done with they're movie and they're asleep, we'll pick a movie more suited to us and we can cuddle up. Deal?"

"Deal." I whispered.

"And we can..." Taylor was cut off as I pressed my lips against hers in a loving kiss. She sighed. "Travis, hungry kids." Taylor reminded me.

"I love you." I told her, pulling back and tapping her nose.

"I love you too."

We made dinner, letting the kids eat in front of the TV for once. Taylor and I sat with them, and once we'd eaten I quickly did the dishes and then all four of us watched the end of the movie together. Bella was half asleep by the end, draped across my chest, blinking sleepily as the credits rolled. I exchanged a smile with Taylor as I got to my feet, cradling my little girl close as I walked slowly down to the spare room I'd set up for her. 

"Mhm, mommy?" Bella mumbled as I walked into the room.

"It's daddy precious." I kissed her hair, and she yawned.

"Hi daddy." She whispered, still drooping against me.

"Bedtime sweetheart." I told her, and she mumbled something incoherent as I tucked her in, falling asleep immediately. "Good night my beautiful girl, I love you." I whispered, placing a kiss on her forehead before leaving the room quietly. 

When I went back out into the living room, I paused when I saw Taylor and Olly lying on the couch, giggling together over something I hadn't heard. I just stopped, watched how my son interacted with Taylor, watched how wide he was smiling. He really loved her, and I knew Taylor loved Olly so much. My heart hurt in the best way watching them. Then Taylor glanced up and saw me, sticking her tongue out playfully. I laughed.

"Dad I'm not tired for bed yet." Olly told me as I sat down on the couch.

"That's okay buddy you don't have to go to bed." I ruffled his hair. "It's not a school night, so you can stay up as long as you want."

Olly was delighted by this, and we watched most of another movie before he fell asleep cuddled up with Taylor. She gave me a little look with pouted lips, obviously finding it so adorable. I smiled, reaching out to tuck some hair behind her ear and lingering there to stroke her cheek. Taylor leaned into my touch with a soft sigh, her eyes fluttering closed. 

"Why don't you take him to bed?" I whispered. "Because I really want to kiss you."

"Kay." Taylor giggled, wriggling to her feet and carrying Olly off towards his bedroom. She came back a few minutes later, giving me a cute little smile before jumping up onto the couch with me. I smiled as she climbed onto my lap, straddled my hips, and pulled me into a soft, lingering kiss.