So High School - Tayvis One Shots

23: Family and Stolen Moments Part 2

Morning sunlight crept into the guest room, casting a soft glow across the bed. Taylor stirred awake slowly, her head still nestled against Travis's chest, his arm wrapped protectively around her. She felt the gentle rise and fall of his breathing, the warmth of his skin, and the comfort of his steady heartbeat beneath her ear. For a moment, she simply stayed there, savoring the peaceful quiet that lingered in the early morning.

Travis began to stir as well, a soft hum escaping him as he shifted slightly, tightening his hold on her. He opened his eyes, blinking as he looked down at her with a lazy, affectionate smile.

"Mornin', beautiful," he murmured, his voice a bit husky from sleep.

She looked up, grinning. "Good morning."

He brushed a kiss across her forehead, then her nose, and finally her lips. "I don't think I've ever had a better night's sleep."

Taylor giggled, tracing her fingers along his jawline. "Must be the company."

Their moment was interrupted by the distant sound of tiny footsteps pounding down the hallway. Before they could even sit up, the door burst open, and Ellie came rushing in, a wide grin on her face.

"Uncle Trav! Auntie Tay! Are you awake yet?"

Travis laughed, pulling himself up a bit as Ellie clambered up onto the bed with them. "I think the better question is, why are you up so early, squirt?"

Ellie shrugged, sitting on the edge of the bed, her eyes bright with excitement. "Because Grandma Donna made pancakes! And she said we could wake you up."

Taylor shared an amused glance with Travis before reaching out to tuck a strand of Ellie's hair behind her ear. "Well, in that case, how could we say no?"

As Ellie chatted animatedly, two more pairs of little feet joined her. Jason's youngest daughters peeked in, their eyes widening with excitement when they saw Taylor and Travis still snuggled up in bed.

"Oh boy, looks like we've got a full house," Travis said with a chuckle, making room as the kids eagerly piled onto the bed.

The girls wiggled their way into the covers, giggling as they nestled between Taylor and Travis. For a while, they all talked about pancakes, the family plans for the day, and the possibility of playing board games again later. Taylor couldn't stop smiling, enjoying the innocence and pure joy the girls radiated.

"Alright, I think I smell those pancakes Ellie was talking about," Travis announced, slipping out of bed and scooping Ellie up, tossing her over his shoulder as she squealed with laughter.

Taylor followed, reaching for the girls' hands as they led her down the hallway. In the kitchen, Donna was already at the stove, a stack of warm pancakes ready for everyone. Jason and Kylie were there too, along with Travis's dad, who waved as they entered.

"Oh, there they are!" Donna called, smiling as she set a fresh plate down. "Taylor, you've got to try my famous blueberry pancakes. Family recipe."

"Can't wait," Taylor replied, sitting at the table as the girls slid in on either side of her.

As they ate, the warmth and camaraderie around the table were infectious. Jason leaned over with a mischievous smirk. "So, Tay, how does it feel to survive a night at the Kelce household?"

Taylor laughed, exchanging a knowing glance with Travis. "I think I managed just fine, don't you think?"

"You handled it like a pro," Travis said, squeezing her hand under the table, his eyes shining with a mixture of pride and affection.

The morning was filled with easy laughter, stories, and family memories. After breakfast, Donna insisted on showing Taylor and Travis some old family albums, including childhood photos of Travis and Jason.

"Look, Trav, you haven't changed a bit!" Taylor teased, holding up a picture of a young Travis, missing his two front teeth and beaming at the camera in a Chiefs jersey.

He groaned, shaking his head. "Aw, c'mon, Mom, did you have to pull out that one?"

Donna laughed, patting him on the shoulder. "Oh, honey, you were adorable. And Taylor deserves to see the best of you."

The rest of the family joined in the laughter, even as Travis wrapped an arm around Taylor's waist, pulling her closer. "Just remember, Tay, everyone has an embarrassing baby photo."

"Oh, I'm counting on it," she replied, her eyes twinkling as she leaned up to give him a quick kiss, to the delight and loud "Eww!" from the kids, who were watching intently.

Later that morning, after the kids had wandered off to play, Taylor and Travis found a quiet moment alone in the living room, watching as the rest of the family bustled around them.

"Thank you for last night," she said softly, looking up at him. "It was perfect."

He wrapped his arms around her, pressing his forehead against hers. "Any time, babe. Seeing you here with my family... it just feels right."

Donna passed through the room just then, smiling at the tender scene. "You two staying one more night?"

Travis looked at Taylor, eyebrows raised in a question. "What do you say?"

Taylor nodded, her heart swelling with warmth. "I'd love to."

They spent the day with the family, playing with the kids, enjoying Donna's homemade lunches, and going for a walk around the neighborhood. As the evening rolled in, they settled in for a family movie night, with all the kids piled around them on the couches and blankets strewn across the floor. Taylor sat beside Travis, nestled into his side, and before long, she felt herself nodding off, her head resting against his shoulder.

Travis looked down, his eyes softening as he watched her sleep. He brushed a gentle kiss across her hair, content in the moment.

Donna noticed and gave him a warm smile. "She's part of the family now, you know?"

Travis looked up at his mom, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "Yeah, I know."

As the night grew late, they carried the kids off to bed one by one, and eventually, Travis helped Taylor upstairs as well, holding her close as they slipped into bed. He wrapped his arms around her, feeling the quiet, peaceful rhythm of their love settle in. And as he closed his eyes, he couldn't help but think he'd never been happier.