Broken Records | Tayley

Chapter 32: Epilogue

Hayley's POV

Finally, when the last guest has left and the door clicks shut behind them, I walk up behind Taylor, wrapping my arms around his waist from behind. He's standing in the middle of the living room, looking around at the remnants of the party—balloons still floating lazily near the ceiling, half-empty glasses scattered on tables, the faint scent of birthday cake lingering in the air.

"Hey," I say softly, my voice barely more than a whisper as I press my cheek against his back. I can feel the steady rise and fall of his breath, the warmth of his body against mine.

He turns around in my arms, his smile soft and full of love, that special kind of love that's just for me. "Hey baby," he replies, leaning down to press a tender kiss to my forehead. The gesture is simple, but it sends a wave of warmth through me, settling deep in my chest.

"This has been the best birthday ever, Hayley. Thank you," he says, his voice sincere, filled with a gratitude that makes my heart swell.

"It's not over yet," I whisper, my voice laced with anticipation as I take his hand in mine. "I haven't given you my present."

He looks at me curiously, a mixture of surprise and intrigue flickering in his eyes, but he doesn't ask any questions. He trusts me completely, and that trust is something I cherish more than anything else. Hand in hand, I lead him upstairs to our bedroom, my heart pounding with nervousness and excitement. I've been waiting for this moment for weeks, and now that it's here, I can hardly contain myself.

When we reach our bedroom, I close the door behind us. The room is dimly lit, the soft glow of the bedside lamps casting a warm, intimate light over everything. It's our sanctuary, our safe space.

"Sit," I tell him, pointing to the edge of the bed. My voice is steady, but inside, I'm a bundle of nerves.

Taylor sits down, watching me with those beautiful eyes that seem to see right through me. There's a softness to his gaze, a quiet intensity that makes my heart flutter.

I take a deep breath, reaching into the closet and pulling out a small, neatly wrapped box. My hands are shaking slightly as I hand it to him, my nervous smile betraying the flood of emotions swirling inside me.

"What's this?" he asks, his voice filled with curiosity and a hint of amusement. He's trying to read my expression, but I keep my face carefully neutral, not wanting to give anything away just yet.

"Just a little something," I say, sitting down beside him on the bed. My heart is racing, every beat a countdown to the moment I've been dreaming of.

He carefully unwraps the box, taking his time as he peels back the wrapping paper to reveal a beautifully crafted red guitar strap inside. His brows furrow in confusion for a moment, his eyes flicking up to meet mine. "A guitar strap?" he asks, clearly puzzled but trying not to show it.

"Look closer," I say, my voice trembling slightly with anticipation.

Taylor unfolds the strap, and his eyes widen as he reads the words embroidered on it: "Rockstar Dad."

There's a moment of silence, a heartbeat where time seems to stand still as the words sink in. I watch as the realization slowly dawns on his face, his expression shifting from confusion to disbelief, then to pure, unfiltered joy. His hands tremble slightly as he looks back at me, his eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Hayley..." he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. "Are you—?"

I nod, unable to speak as my own tears start to well up, my heart too full for words. "Yes," I finally manage to say, my voice barely more than a whisper. "I'm pregnant."

For a moment, he just stares at me, completely stunned, as if he can't quite believe what he's hearing. Then, in an instant, he pulls me into his arms, holding me so tightly that it takes my breath away. But I don't care, because in this moment, everything is perfect. The world outside fades into nothingness, leaving just the two of us, wrapped up in each other and the incredible, overwhelming love we share.

"Happy Birthday, daddy York," I whisper against his chest, my voice choked with emotion.

He pulls back just enough to look at me, his face a mix of shock, joy, and overwhelming love. His eyes are shining, and I can see the tears he's trying so hard to hold back. "This... This is the best gift I've ever received," he says, his voice thick with emotion. "I can't believe it. We're going to be parents?"

I nod, laughing through my tears, my heart bursting with love for him. "Yes, we are."

He cups my face in his hands, his touch gentle, reverent, as if he's afraid I might break if he's not careful. He presses his forehead against mine, his breath warm on my skin. "You've made me the happiest man in the world, Hayley," he whispers, his voice full of awe.

"And you've made me the happiest woman," I reply, my voice trembling with the intensity of my feelings. This moment, this love—it's everything I've ever dreamed of and more.

We stay like that for a long time, just holding each other, overwhelmed by the magnitude of what this moment means. There's so much ahead of us—so much joy, so many challenges—but I know we'll face it all together. We're a team, and there's nothing we can't handle as long as we have each other.

Taylor leans back slightly, his hand gently resting on my stomach, his touch so tender it makes my heart ache with love. "Our little family," he says softly, his voice filled with wonder and awe.

"Our little family," I echo, placing my hand over his. The words feel right, like a promise of all the good things yet to come.

As we sit there, wrapped up in each other and the promise of the future, I can't help but feel that this is what all the struggles, all the pain, and all the hard work have been leading up to. This moment, this love, this life we're building together. It's more than I ever dreamed of, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for joining me on this journey! Your support means the world to me. As much as I've loved crafting this tale, all good things must come to an end. But don't worry, I'm already onto something new that I just couldn't shake!

Soon, I'll be diving into a new Tayley story, one that will be more raw, more intense, and less like a fairytale. This next chapter will explore deeper themes and will be labeled as "mature" for various reasons. It's going to be a bit darker, a bit more real, so please read at your own risk.

Thank you again for your unwavering support. I can't wait to share this next adventure with you. See you soon!