band-aids don't fix bullet holes

{64} I remember it all too well

Taylor's POV:

The next morning Hailey is released with a diagnosis of several allergies, including all kinds of nuts and a few vegetables.  It's safe to say that I'm hella relieved because yesterday's events terrified the shit out of me and it's something I never want to experience ever again. I'd love to wrap my daughter up in bubble wrap in order to protect her from every possible danger in life but I know that this is not possible and there will always be things I can't protect her from no matter how hard I try.

"Come on, I'll drive you two home. Your car is still here." Travis says as soon as we are all packed up and I signed the release papers.

"Thank you, Trav." I reply, before picking Hailey up and placing her onto one of my hips. "Wait." My expression shifts.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm pretty sure there's paparazzi outside the hospital and I really can't be seen with my child. I need to call Eliza, Hailey's babysitter." I sigh with a hint of sadness, now definitely more concerned about the media than yesterday.

"How about I take her and you ask your driver to pick you up?" My boyfriend suggests and I take a minute to think about his words, before moving the girl to my other hip.

"I don't know. Maybe they've seen you and me together yesterday and they'll be able to do the math, knowing the child has to belong to one of us."

"I don't care, Taylor. Let them think she's mine, it doesn't bother me, really not, unless that's something you're not comfortable with."

"You'd do that for me? It'll definitely draw the attention away..." I admit gratefully.

"Of course. But we have to clarify one thing...how do you wanna handle our relationship? You wanna keep it private too? Because that's okay with me." Travis expresses while meeting my eyes and suddenly all the thoughts disappear from my mind, the only thing I can focus on being his green eyes and the way they light up whenever he catches a glimpse of me.

I want to scream 'Yes', because that's how I usually handle relationships, keeping them as private as possible, not feeding the media any details, but with Travis I feel different. I feel like screaming from the top of my lungs that he belongs to me.

"No." It slips from my lips. "I don't wanna hide. I'm done hiding the people I like."

A huge smile spreads across his face, assuring me that this is the answer the footballer was hoping for, before reaching out and taking the girl from my arms.

"You'll drive with Travy, okay? I'll see you at home, princess, I promise." I coo and gently stroke her cheek, then watch the two of them disappear out of the room, leaving me alone with the rest of Hailey's stuff. I pull out my phone in order to call Jim, only to see at least twenty messages from my publicist on my lockscreen. With a sigh I open them, quickly skimming through.

Tree: What the hell Taylor?!

Tree: Why are pictures of you at the hospital all over the internet?!

Tree: What is Travis Kelce doing there at the same time?!

Tree: Why are you without security?! Do you know how dangerous this is!

Tree: Call me as soon as you read this! We need to talk!

Rolling my eyes I dial Jim's number, letting him know where to pick me up before calling the redhead, definitely dreading her lecture.

"Taylor Alison Swift." The publicst answers the phone, her voice stern.

"That's my name, thanks. What's up?"