What I Want

Chapter Twenty

Taylor's P.O.V

The doorbell rang at 11.50am and I knew it was Karlie's parents. They decided to travel out earlier today to save themselves the trouble tomorrow which I understood and was thankful for because my parents were flying here tonight with Austin. I knew that the twins were coming today as well and were excited to meet their new niece, well only niece. "Karlie get the door will you?" I called as it rang once more. She walked out holding my phone to her ear since she broke hers earlier this morning. She looked at me and mouthed. "Please answer it for me." I smiled and stood up bringing the sleepy Allie with me. Our short journey towards the door was enough to put her to sleep which would be good for her.

I pulled the door open and Karlie's parents stood with the twins behind them. Her mom walked over and hugged me and peaked at Allie who was wrapped in a blanket and sleeping soundly. "Oh she's beautiful Taylor." I smiled and looked at her, she was pretty perfect. I know my mom's going to flip out when she sees Allie's eyes because they are replicas of mine or so Karlie says. I look up to see the twins standing idly by the front door because Karlie's dad was bringing in the bags. Looking at them blush as I caught them staring at me I say, "Man I wish your Auntie's wanted to meet you huh baby." To the sleeping Allie, they immediately look at me and smile before coming over and standing next to us. Everything was going okay until I heard a door slam upstairs. Everyone froze and looked a bit puzzled but I knew it was Zoe and Karlie having another fight then they all looked at me and I looked down at Allie who had woken up. Smiling at her I handed to Karlie's mom Tracy. "Here baby, go see grandma..." she looked at me as I passed her over but I smiled at Allie. "...and Aunty Kim and Aunty Kariann but not Aunt Kristine because she's not here." The twins laughed at me and I smiled and told them to make themselves at home before rushing upstairs where I saw Karlie packing her bags.

Karlie's P.O.V

"Zoe that is unacceptable, you told me it was after New Years..." I spoke harshly into the phone while sitting on the bed in mine and Taylor's New York apartment. "Look Karlie, I don't know what you want me to say, sorry? If that's so then I'm sorry." I huffed as she spoke. She knew she'd make me mad but she wasn't going to change her mind. "So there's no way out of this then?" I questioned once more as Zoe sighed. "I'm sorry Karlie but no, you need to be in California by tonight." I looked towards the door before speaking once more. "You do realise that my entire family and Taylor's family are coming here for a week to spend time with us and meet Allie who by the way is celebrating her first Christmas. Do you have any idea how much this will crush my family?" I question a hint of sadness replaces the anger. I know Zoe understands but if she had of told me the correct date when I spoke to her this morning, this problem would have been avoided because I would have pulled out. "I know Karlie, how many times do I have to say I'm sorry because I am. I understand that this is Allie's first Christmas and Taylor will be going all out since everyone is coming over but this is your job." I groan but listen anyway. "Karlie, it's this simple. Do this shoot or you don't have a future in modelling." I was stunned. Zoe had never spoken to me like that before. So I did the one thing I swore I would never do which was fire her but taking a deep breathe I spoke. "Zoe, I will do this shoot in California. Send me the information but after tomorrow you can find someone else to represent because I don't want you. You used to understand where I was coming from and I thought that you understood me wanting to be home with my family for my daughter's first Christmas, but you don't. With that I hung up not giving her time to respond. I thought about throwing the phone but the cat stickers and candy in the side make it not mine so I hold it and place it on the nightstand before stalking off to the wardrobe for a suitcase.

Ten minutes later I accidently dropped my make-up bag onto the floor, hearing the thump I knew everyone else would hear it too and surely not even five minutes later my fiancé was standing in the doorway of our bedroom and I looked at her and saw part of her break. Watching her take a deep breath she said, "Where are you going Karlie?" I looked at her and sat down on the bed staring at the ground. "Zoe fucked up Taylor..." I state as she looks at me.  "What do you mean?" she questioned me. I looked at her and then stood up to pull her towards me. "Zoe booked me tonight for the modelling gig not New Years. She messed up and told me that if I don't go then my career is over." I watched Taylor's mouth drop open as if she understood why I was mad but then she frowned. "So why are you packing?" I looked at her in amazement. "What do you mean? I have to go to California." I state a little stunned because she can usually keep up with me. "Oh..." was all she said as she stood up from my lap and walked towards the door. "I thought that you were staying that's all." She said and I understood she thought I gave up modelling. "I have to go to California. Maybe you can come?" I question hopefully and then without me even seeing it coming she turns to me and says with anger. "What the hell am I supposed to do Karlie? Huh? Our families are here for Allie's first Christmas but you are leaving for a modelling job in California, six hours away. You won't even be here tomorrow." She states and she turns and walks out of the door but pauses and turns to me. "Karlie?" she questions. I look up."Yeah babe?" I smile at her she looks down then up. A fierceness in her face. "If you go to California then don't come back." I feel my world crumbling around me. She doesn't want me to come back to her, but I love her. I listen to her footsteps edging away downstairs and the low chatter of voices as my family talks to Taylor and Allie.

I move to the stairs to listen to them, sitting on the top step like a kid again. I barely hear Taylor say. "...she's got to its work." Then my mom starts to talk and I listen to her all of a sudden my dad sits down next to me. I look at him and he pulls me into a hug. "Why are you going Karlie?" he questions. I sit up and talk. "I've worked for this for years now. I train all the time for this career and if I don't go it's gone." I mutter as I look into his eyes. He stares at me for a minute not saying anything but then says. "I'm not going to tell you what to do Karlie, but know that if you go then your life will change." I look at him and watch him walk away downstairs again. A few seconds later Taylor appears with Allie. "We're going to Starbucks around the corner. I'm taking Allie with me." She states walking past me as I continue to sit in silence. Ten minutes later the apartment is quiet as they all leave. I stand and walk around this apartment I share with the love of my life. There are pictures of us everywhere, kissing each other on the cheek and a newly framed one sits on the island in the kitchen. It's of Allie, Taylor and me on the couch last weekend, Paul took it. It had been a good day that day, Allie had slept and we had baked again. I slowly put the picture down and walked back to my suitcase at the foot of the stairs and I think, 'if I leave then I'm walking out on my family...' glancing at my phone and the suitcase I then realise that I've been working for this career for a long time and it means so much to me...but I love my family. Glancing at the suitcase that will take me to California and my phone that can end my career. I think and then reach and take it.