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The sun was just beginning to rise over the small town of Maplewood, casting a golden hue across the snow-dusted rooftops. In a cozy little house on the edge of town, laughter echoed through the halls as a playful four-year-old girl named Lily raced around, her tiny feet pattering against the hardwood floors.

"Mommy! Look what I made!" Lily squealed, her face lighting up with excitement as she burst into the living room, a colorful drawing clutched tightly in her little hands.

Taylor looked up from her desk, where she was surrounded by a whirlwind of papers, notebooks, and half-finished drafts. Her heart swelled with pride at the sight of her daughter, a beautiful mix of her and Travis. "What is it, sweet girl?" she asked, smiling as she pushed aside her work to give Lily her full attention.

"It's you and Daddy and me! We're having a picnic!" Lily beamed, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

"That's amazing, Lily! You're such a talented artist," Taylor praised, kneeling down to take a closer look. The drawing was a riot of colors—green grass, a blue sky, and three stick figures sitting on a blanket.

"Can we have a picnic today?" Lily asked, her big brown eyes sparkling with hope.

"Of course! That sounds like a wonderful idea. Let me finish up my writing, and we can head to the park," Taylor promised, ruffling Lily's hair affectionately.

"Okay! I'm going to go find Daddy!" With that, Lily darted off to find Travis, her giggles trailing behind her.

Taylor watched her daughter go, her heart full. Life had changed so much since that Christmas when Travis proposed. They had built a beautiful life together, one filled with love, laughter, and a few unexpected twists.

After years of touring and performing, Taylor had embraced a new passion: writing. She had published her first novel just a few months ago, a heartfelt story inspired by her own experiences. The feedback had been overwhelmingly positive, and she was already deep into writing her second book. It felt liberating to express herself in a different way, and she found joy in crafting stories that resonated with readers.

Meanwhile, Travis had found his own calling after retiring from professional football. He had opened a football school in Maplewood, sharing his love of the game with local kids. The school had become a cherished part of the community, and it kept him grounded while allowing him to connect with the sport he loved. He often came home with stories of his young students, and Taylor loved hearing about the little victories they achieved together.

"Hey, sweetheart!" Travis's voice rang out as he walked into the living room, Lily dancing around him like a whirlwind. "What's going on?"

"Lily wants to have a picnic today!" Taylor explained, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Travis grinned, bending down to scoop up Lily in his arms. "That sounds like a great idea! We'll need to pack all your favorite snacks, right, Lily?"

"Yeah! And juice boxes!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands.

"Alright, then it's settled!" Travis said, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Let's make it the best picnic ever. I'll help you with the snacks while Mommy finishes up."

As they headed into the kitchen, Taylor smiled to herself, feeling the warmth of their little family. The laughter that filled their home was a reminder of all the love they had cultivated together over the years. She knew they were incredibly fortunate, and every day was a blessing.

After a short while, the picnic was packed, and they set off to the nearby park, the crisp air invigorating. The park was their favorite spot, where they often spent weekends enjoying the outdoors and creating memories together.

Upon arriving, they spread out a bright blanket under a sprawling oak tree, the perfect spot to soak in the sun. Lily excitedly helped set up, handing out juice boxes and snacks while her parents watched with smiles on their faces.

As they sat down to eat, Taylor looked at her family, her heart swelling with love. "I can't believe how fast Lily is growing up. It feels like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital," she said, her voice filled with nostalgia.

"I know," Travis replied, a hint of emotion in his voice. "But every day with her is an adventure. I love seeing her personality shine."

Lily, oblivious to the sentimentality, took a big bite of her sandwich and declared, "I want to be a soccer player and an artist when I grow up!"

"Both? That's ambitious!" Travis laughed, his eyes dancing with pride. "You can absolutely do it, Lily. Just remember to practice hard!"

"And always have fun!" Taylor added, smiling warmly at her daughter.

As they finished their lunch, the afternoon sun began to set, painting the sky with vibrant hues of pink and orange. Taylor felt a sense of peace wash over her, knowing that this was their life—filled with simple joys, love, and the promise of a bright future.

After the picnic, they spent time playing catch and running around the park, their laughter echoing in the air. Travis showed Lily how to kick the soccer ball, while Taylor cheered them on, snapping pictures to capture these precious moments.

When they finally made their way back home, the stars began to twinkle in the night sky. The warmth of their love enveloped them like a cozy blanket.

As they settled in for the night, Taylor tucked Lily into bed, reading her favorite story before kissing her goodnight. The little girl's eyes fluttered shut, a content smile gracing her face as she drifted off to sleep.

Returning to the living room, Taylor found Travis lounging on the couch, a soft smile on his face. "She's amazing," he said, his voice full of admiration.

"She really is. I can't believe how lucky we are," Taylor replied, sinking down beside him.

They shared a comfortable silence, simply enjoying each other's presence. As Taylor leaned against him, Travis wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

"Any plans for the future?" he asked, his voice playful yet sincere.

Taylor chuckled softly. "Just keep writing and maybe start planning the next book tour. And of course, lots of family adventures!"

"Sounds perfect to me," he said, kissing the top of her head. "As long as we're together, I'm in."

In that moment, Taylor realized that life was full of beautiful stories yet to be written, and she couldn't wait to explore every chapter with the love of her life by her side. Together, they would continue to build their family, their love deepening with each passing year.

As they sat together, the glow of the fireplace flickering warmly, Taylor felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the journey they had shared. The love that had blossomed between them, the laughter they shared as a family, and the dreams they were building together—these were the moments she cherished most.

And as the stars shone brightly outside, she knew that their story was only just beginning.

—-

i thought of the idea of Taylor becoming a writer because we know she would never be able to do nothing. i'm in love with this 'new' life of theirs and hope it meets your expectations.

13k readers :,) thank you 🫶🏻

the next chapter is the last one. :(

vote a lot!

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