So High School

Lover

Travis paused for a moment, processing the name Kayden had called him. A smile spread on his face as she gently shut the backseat door and made his way to the front where Taylor was.

"Did you hear that?" Travis whispered. He started the engine, knowing Taylor was in a hit of a rush to get Kayden home.

Taylor smiled as small drops of tears rolled down her cheeks. "He called you daddy".

Travis nodded and backed up the car. "He did. Gosh, he's the cutest thing in the world".

Taylor laughed quietly as she wiped tears. "He is. He's the best".

"But I understand if you're not ready or don't want him to call me that. I mean, I don't really know too much about your relationship with your ex so I don't want to interfere", Travis quipped.

"No, Kayden's biological father isn't even in the picture. He hasn't been paying the child support fees for the last two months. And I kinda like that he called you that", Taylor said softly as they drove.

"I'm sorry. He doesn't sound like a good dad at all", Travis said with pursed brows.

Taylor shook her head. "Yeah, when he found out I was pregnant he just left and I'm fine with that because I'd rather have Kayden have no father than a bad one".

"That makes sense," Travis nodded.

Once Travis got to Taylor's apartment complex, he parked and helped her out.

"I'll get him. You get the bag", Travis whispered. It was dark and crickets chirped in the distance.

Taylor nodded with tired eyes.

Travis quietly opened the backseat door and unbuckled Kayden, carrying the sleeping boy inside. The 2-year-old rested his head on Travis's shoulder, remaining asleep.

"Where's his room?" Travis whispered.

"Down the hall but I'm going to rock him to sleep because he's had a pretty bad evening", Taylor whispered back.

Travis nodded, gently handing the boy to his mom.

"Mommy?" Kayden asked tiredly. He rubbed his eyes.

"Hi baby. Let's get you to bed", Taylor said gently.

She walked down to Kayden's bedroom and sat in the rocking chair. She cradled the boy against her chest as she did when he was a baby, shushing him while stroking his blonde curls.

Travis leaned against the doorframe and looked fondly at Taylor and Kayden. She clearly loved her son more than anything and that was something he valued. He himself believed that family was the most important thing a person could have and Taylor clearly believed in the same morals.

After a few minutes, Kayden closed his sleepy eyes and his breathing grew soft.

"Goodnight buddy", Taylor whispered, laying him down in his crib. "I love you so much". And with a kiss on his head, Taylor left the room.

Travis embraced her tightly against the doorway, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "You're an amazing mom".

Taylor smiled against his chest. "Thank you". She breathed in his familiar scent and felt her muscles automatically relax in his embrace.

"I'm sorry our first date didn't go as planned", Taylor mumbled against his chest, clearly not letting go any time soon.

"That's ok baby. Nobody could predict this happening and I'm just glad that Kaydens alright", Travis said quietly. His voice was low and gruff, vibrating in his chest and onto the side of Taylor's face.