Pitch Perfect Harmony

Coming Home

Somehow, Taylor got through the next few days. Andrea and Scott took care of her whenever she couldn't herself. Tree tried to only give updates on the situation in Vienna if there was anything positive to say. They were also in contact with the London authorities about the last few shows here but it seemed like they could play. Security was the most important thing but Tree was sure that they could manage it. One day before the first show, Taylor used the evening to try and push everything aside. She asked Tree to only give her updates if absolutely necessary. Her parents also had to assure her to not talk about it till after the shows and Travis too.

The night before the show, Taylor thought about numbing her thoughts with alcohol or weed like Joe had done it sometimes or Matty did it almost every other week. But she decided against it and instead opted to keep herself busy. She worked on different things always making sure that Tree wouldn't immediately notice that she had been doing stuff at night. But when she got too exhausted, she lay down in bed with the weighted blanket and a normal one on top and the voice recorder next to her playing Travis' little love message over and over trying to imagine him here so she could sleep. And she got a few hours of sleep at least.

The hours before the show were busy anyway, so she managed to push everything aside pretty well. Otherwise, she couldn't get on stage tonight. And everyone close to her knew that. So they played along watching her worriedly. They all, including Taylor, knew that she probably couldn't keep this up for the whole week but what should she do? It worked for the first three show days and the off-day in between shows. The night before the second to last show, she felt herself drifting closer and closer to the emotions she had pushed aside. They lingered just around the corner. As if she had pressed them all into a closet and tried to hold the door close with all her strength. It was exhausting on top of the pure show stress and the sleep deprivation.

Laying down again after midnight, she took the voice recorder again hoping it could soothe her enough to sleep. But her shaking hands pressed the wrong button and suddenly, the little message was gone. Deleted. No "I love you, Allie" anymore. And that was what made her tip over the edge. A sob escaped her lips and soon it was followed by more. Tears streaming down her face, she broke down. Alone and not willing to admit it. She didn't call Travis or go over to her Mom's bedroom. She cried herself to sleep and was even more exhausted the next day. During the shows, she somehow managed to forget about everything enough to have fun. But when reality caught up later, it was hard.

The last two shows went by in a blur. Taylor blocked everything and everyone out acting like it was her birthday every day and focusing on nothing else but the show. The practice with Florence had perfect timing for her. Something to focus on. There still was a relief after the last show. Everything went over safely. Noone got hurt. There were still a lot of people mad that she didn't mention Vienna publically yet and it stressed her as much as she knew it was better this way. Tree was already on it. Finally, on her way home, she became calm. Too calm for Andrea. She was still worried and glad that Travis would be by her side soon.

Travis was pretty impatient. Waiting for her arrival in Kansas City, he tried to prepare a cozy night. He scattered some candles around the place, some in Taylor's favorite sent, prepared dinner, and bought some flowers and ice cream for dessert. When he got notified about the landing, he lit all the candles and put most of the big lights out. She'd be tired. Then, he waited at the door looking out to where the car would come from. As soon as he saw them, he opened the garage for them before they were close enough to do it themselves so they wouldn't have to wait in front of it. Then he waited by the door to the house. He wasn't sure what condition she was in.

Finally, Taylor got out. She immediately spotted him and smiled. But her face showed how exhausted she really was and the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Taylor seemed like she was still in the mode of pretending to be okay. But he still hugged her and held her close just now realizing how relieved he was about her being okay. There had been a terror threat targeting her shows. She could've gotten injured if not worse. Travis took in her familiar scent, let out a small sigh, and squeezed her closer. "Trav", she tried to push him away a bit. "No, you're not going anywhere", he answered. "I was so worried. I didn't even notice how scared I was, baby", Travis added. She tried to ignore how emotional he was and to hold herself together for longer. He noticed and it bothered him a little. There was no need to pretend anymore. So, when she was about to walk off, he took her hand again and pulled her right back in for another hug. A more gentle one. As much as the first hug had been for him, this one was for her.

And Taylor slowly melted into his embrace, her muscles letting go of the tension that had been there for days. Silent tears of relief started running and he kissed her head. "I was so scared", she whispered. "It's okay now", he told her and she nodded, reality slowly sinking in. "I can't believe this happened. I... Can we... I don't want to just go to bed now", she sorted her words out. "Sure. I have some dinner prepared if you want some", he suggested. She didn't seem convinced though. "Or we can jump to dessert and get out the ice cream I bought? I prepared the couch for a cozy night. Cuddle, maybe watch a movie or listen to some music", he had another idea. "Lana sent me some new stuff. I hadn't had time yet", she remembered. "Okay. D'you wanna prepare the music and I get us ice cream?", he asked. Taylor agreed.

When she came into the living room, she felt at home immediately. All the dim lights and candles made it feel so warm and it smelled calming. She couldn't quite explain it but a soothing wave washed over her body and slowed her down. Immediately more relaxed, she put the songs on that Lana had sent her a few weeks ago and waited for Travis, so they could cuddle on the couch. He pulled her close to his side and wrapped both of them up in a soft blanket. They ate their ice cream stealing glances while getting swept up in atmospheric and melancholic music. Putting her bowl aside, Taylor leaned against him more and closed her eyes to hear his heartbeat better. Lana's music fit perfectly with how Taylor felt. Travis started combing through her hair slowly making her breath slow down even more. She started thinking about the past few days. Maybe she should've let him come to London just to hold her like this. This was everything. "I love you, Allie", he whispered making her tear up because she had listened to these words a lot from the voice recorder he had gifted her when he had left Europe. "I deleted the recording accidentally", she admitted silently. He needed a second to understand what she meant but he caught up. "Oh, baby. Why didn't you tell me? I could've sent you a digital one. Just a phone recording", he felt like it had meant a lot to her. "I just... it... I listened to it over and over until I fell asleep for a week and then... it was gone", she explained. Travis pulled her even closer until she practically sat in his lap leaning against his chest. "I can tell you now. I love you, I love you, I love you", he mumbled and kissed her head over and over until she chuckled a little.

When Lana's songs played out and started over, Taylor started talking more about what had been going on from her perspective. Travis just listened and held her close. Sometimes he told her what he had felt in certain moments or how he thought about something. It was a slow but honest conversation letting both of them sort through their thoughts and feelings until they fell asleep without even noticing.