𝐎𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐔𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐀 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐲! {𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐯𝐢𝐬}

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣

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Two days later
Taylor's POV:

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a mellow golden hue over the backyard, where the laughter of Travis's family blended with the sounds of splashing water. I stood at the edge of the pool, my toes dipping into the cool water as I watched Travis toss a beach ball to his brother , Jason. His joy was contagious, and a smile tugged at my lips despite the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my mind.

His nieces who already feel comfortable around me, are running around the pool. Ellie with soap bubbles and Wyatt with a kite she is trying to fly. They are so cute in matching pink swimsuits and the floats on their little arms. Kylie in the pool with Bennett, her and Jason's youngest daughter, who is sitting in a small swimming float. And she moves it with small movements, the smile does not leave her. Across from me are Travis, Jason and Ed, their dad. They play and their competitiveness makes me laugh. And then there's me sitting like a cow at the edge of the pool with a bowl of fruit in my hands. I can't stop eating. I'm eating for two after all.

And if you asked yourself where Travis's mother is, she is my personal maid it seems. She makes sure that I don't lack anything ,until now she made sure to bring me sunscreen, cut fruit for me, a towel to sit on and now she entered the house to bring me god knows what. I want her calm to sit next to me but her loving and care seems impossible to stop.

"Taylor honey I brought you a bottle of water and sunglasses" she smiled and gave them to me and then finally sat next to me in her chair. "I saw you narrow your eyes and assumed you probably didn't feel comfortable asking so I brought them to you, I hope that's okay".
She told me gently rubbing my shoulder and I smiled even bigger.

"I appreciate that thank you so much Donna, but you didn't have to do all that for me, it's okay you can sit peacefully" I joke and put the sunglasses.

Today was supposed to be about fun and relaxation, a welcome respite from the new life growing inside me that I barely had time to reckon with. With every laugh and splash, I felt moments of relief, but beneath it all, something deeper lay heavy in my heart. The secret hung in the air, a sweet, unspoken truth I wasn't ready to share.
I got up to go to the bathroom but some voice stopped me.

"Hey, Tay!" Travis called, his voice bright and teasing. His hair glistened under the sun, and he flashed a grin that made my heart race. "Are you going to stand there all day, or are you going to join the fun?"

I giggled, my apprehension momentarily forgotten. "Join the fun? You mean, like, actually get wet?" I teased, though my heart fluttered at the thought.

Without waiting for my response, he took a few steps toward me, mischief dancing in his green eyes. Before I could respond, he reached out, wrapping his arms around my waist and hoisting me up effortlessly. "No! Wait—Travis, no!" I squealed, though I couldn't help but laugh.

"No!" I squealed, laughter spilling from my lips as he marched to the edge of the pool. With hardly a second's pause, he spun and jumped, taking us both into the water with a big splash.

When we surfaced, I gasped for air, my laughter spilling out along with the water I swallowed . Travis grinned at me, droplets glistening on his skin, and I felt my heart race. The sun danced across his chest, making him look more handsome than ever .Travis swam over, water cascading off his sun-kissed skin, and pulled me into his arms. "See? Isn't this better than sitting around?"

I couldn't help but laugh, the sound ringing out in the bright afternoon sun. "Okay, you win!" I said, gazing into his eyes. His playful spirit was magnetic, and somehow, I felt my insecurities diminish in his presence.