The day after watching *The Polar Express*, Travis made it his mission to take care of Taylor. He knew how fragile she still was from getting sick at his last game and with the cold weather sticking around, he didn't want to risk anything. While she still lay on the couch wrapped in the blanket they'd cuddled under the night before, Travis brought her breakfast—toast with jam, a perfectly brewed cup of her favorite coffee, and fresh berries.
"Stay cozy," he said with a soft smile, planting a kiss on her forehead. Taylor smiled back but couldn't shake the sadness that lingered in her chest. She loved being by his side during his games, supporting him through every win and every loss, and the thought of missing another one tugged at her heart.
As the week passed, Travis prepared for his next game. The cold front hadn't let up, and with the weather being just as brutal, he gently but firmly told Taylor she had to stay home again.
"I can't risk you getting sick, babe. You barely recovered from the last game," he explained, holding her hand as they sat on the couch. "Please promise me you'll stay home this time?"
Taylor bit her lip, wanting to protest, but she knew he was only worried about her health. Still, it didn't stop the ache in her chest as she reluctantly nodded. "I promise," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
The morning of the game, after Travis left for the stadium, Taylor tried to distract herself by watching TV, but nothing could pull her from the heavy weight of her emotions. The house felt too quiet, too empty without him, and she hated the idea of missing another game. She tried to focus on the positives—staying warm, resting, keeping herself healthy for him—but it only made her feel more disconnected from where she truly wanted to be.
After a while, she moved from the couch to their bed, pulling the covers over herself, hoping that burying herself in the warmth would somehow ease her sadness. Benjamin, Olivia, and Meredith—her three cats—snuggled close to her, sensing her distress. It wasn't long before the loneliness overwhelmed her, and she started to cry. She felt guilty and sad that she couldn't be at the stadium, cheering Travis on like she always had. She was supposed to be there by his side, and yet here she was, stuck at home, alone with her thoughts and tears.
The cats purred in an attempt to comfort her, but it wasn't enough. She wiped her eyes and stared at the ceiling, determined to pull herself out of the sadness. She couldn't sit here and wallow anymore. She needed to be there, with him, supporting him like she always had.
With newfound determination, Taylor got out of bed and started to bundle up. The cold wasn't going to stop her this time—she'd make sure of it.
She slipped on a pair of black tights under her black leggings, pulling them snug over her legs for extra warmth. Then she grabbed a long-sleeved red turtleneck and layered her Kansas City Chiefs crew neck over it, making sure it was warm and comfortable. Next came her knee-high knit socks, followed by her knee-high black boots. She pulled on her red gloves and slid the friendship bracelets she made onto her wrists.
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