The Ex-Husband of Alice Langley

14

TAYLOR SWIFT
Travis, London, Paris, and I are all crowded around the kitchen table, the morning light filtering through the window and casting a warm glow on our breakfast spread. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the sweet scent of pancakes and maple syrup, creating a cozy atmosphere that feels almost normal despite the recent chaos. Alice is off somewhere with Hunter and Luca, and it's been odd adjusting to her absence, especially considering the recent divorce. I can't help but think how strange it is for her to be spending time with someone she just split from. I assume it's all about the baby, but still, it feels a little too close for comfort.

"So family, what are we doing today?" Travis asks, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he glances around the table.

"Playing video games," London replies enthusiastically, already digging into his stack of pancakes, syrup pooling at the edges of his plate.

"Studying," Paris counters immediately after, her nose buried in a textbook, the pages slightly wrinkled from constant use. She glances up, shooting a playful glare at her brother, as if the very idea of playing games during study time is absurd.

"I don't know, probably write music," I add, trying to keep my tone light despite the undercurrent of uncertainty that seems to linger in the air. The thought of writing music excites me, but it also reminds me of the whirlwind that is my life right now.

Travis laughs, shaking his head. "I meant, what are we going to do together? It's that time of the month."

"How did you know?!" Paris questions, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and embarrassment as she realizes the implication of his words.

"What? Ew! No!" Travis replies, holding up his hands defensively. "Once a month, we make sure we hang out together as a family. We all agreed this month we would do it today."

I chuckle softly, relieved to see the lightness return to our breakfast. "Right! I completely forgot about that." I look at the kids, hoping to gauge their interest. "So what are we thinking? Movie marathon? Board games? A trip to the park?"

"Can we go to the arcade?" London suggests, his eyes lighting up with excitement, a wide grin spreading across his face. "They have that new racing game! The one with the realistic steering wheel!"

Travis glances at me, gauging my reaction. "Are you sure, Lon? I mean, you know how it can get in there. There will be a lot of loud sounds and flashing lights. I don't want you to get overstimulated."

London shifts from foot to foot, a mix of anticipation and determination written all over his face. "I'll bring my noise-blocking earbuds and my sensory glasses. Please! I really want to try it!"

Travis's expression softens as he considers his son's request. He knows how much London loves games, and I can see him trying to balance that with his protective instincts. "Okay but you have to promise me that if it gets too loud or too much, we'll take a break, alright? We can step outside or find a quieter spot."

London nods eagerly, his excitement bubbling over. "I promise! I can handle it, Dad!"

"Alright then," Travis says, a smile creeping onto his face. "Let's grab your things, and we'll head out. Just remember to tell me if it's too much, okay?"

"Okay!" London beams, practically bouncing on his toes as he runs off to gather his gear. I watch him go, a mix of pride and concern washing over me. It's moments like this that remind me how brave he is, navigating a world that can be overwhelming for him.

Travis stands beside me, still watching London. "He's really excited about this, isn't he?"

"Yeah," I reply softly, "and I think he needs a fun day out. It'll be good for him, and for us too."