In the quiet solitude of her dressing room, Taylor sat on the floor, her legs pulled to her chest as she stared at the six pregnancy tests lined up on the counter. Every single one of them read "positive." She had been feeling a little off lately — emotional, tired, maybe even a little nauseous — but she chalked it up to the stress of being on tour, pouring her heart and soul into every performance. Now, with the weight of this revelation crashing over her, she realized it was so much more than tour stress.
Seventeen weeks. Four months. She was already almost halfway through this pregnancy, and she hadn't even known.
Her heart raced as she tried to make sense of it all. How had she not noticed? The bump was barely there, just a slight curve under her clothes, something she'd thought was just a little bloating from long nights and junk food. But now, the reality settled in, suffocating her with the fear and uncertainty she hadn't prepared herself for. She was going to be a mother again — and she hadn't even told Travis. The guilt gnawed at her, and tears blurred her vision as she hugged herself tighter.
She wasn't ready to tell him. She wasn't even sure she could face this reality herself yet. With shaking hands, she pulled out her phone, scheduling an appointment with her doctor for the next day. She needed answers, reassurance, something to help her understand what to expect now that everything had changed.
A knock on her door startled her, and she hastily wiped her tears, getting to her feet. She took a few deep breaths, trying to push down the wave of emotions before calling out, "Come in."
Her assistant popped her head in, a bright smile on her face. "Taylor, you're on in fifteen minutes. Kelsea's already here, too."
Taylor forced a smile, nodding. "Thanks, I'll be right out."
The assistant left, and Taylor took a final glance at the pregnancy tests, a fresh wave of disbelief settling over her. But tonight, she had a show to put on, and she wasn't going to let her fans down. She forced herself to stand tall, shoving the tests into her bag before heading out to the stage, determined to keep it together — at least for a little while longer.
The crowd roared as Taylor stepped onto the stage, the spotlight bright and blinding, drowning out the worries that had plagued her only moments before. She smiled, feeding off the energy of the audience, letting it push back the fears gnawing at her heart.
After a few songs, she paused, grinning as she looked toward the wings. "I thought I'd bring out a special guest tonight," she announced, her voice carrying over the cheers of her fans. "She's one of my best friends, and we've written a few songs together that are on her new album. Please welcome Kelsea Ballerini!"
The crowd went wild as Kelsea bounded onto the stage, her infectious smile lighting up the arena. She hugged Taylor, and the two shared a knowing look, one that only close friends could understand.
As the first notes of Baggage filled the air, they started singing, their voices harmonizing perfectly. Taylor felt a strange sense of calm wash over her as they sang together, the familiar lyrics grounding her amidst the storm of emotions brewing inside.
They moved on to This Time Last Year, a song that was both nostalgic and bittersweet, the lyrics resonating in a way that felt almost prophetic now. Taylor's heart ached, but she kept going, letting the music be her solace.
Finally, they launched into I Would, a song about love, promises, and the vulnerability of opening up to someone. As they sang the final verse, Taylor leaned closer to Kelsea, whispering so only she could hear, "I took six pregnancy tests tonight... I'm four months pregnant."
Kelsea's eyes widened, and without missing a beat, she lifted her microphone to speak to the crowd, her voice filled with playful shock. "Hold on... you're four months pregnant and didn't even know it?"
The crowd gasped and laughed, and Taylor felt herself blushing as she nodded, trying to stifle a laugh. "Yeah... I've actually been on tour this whole time without realizing it." She laughed, though it was tinged with nerves, knowing how big this moment was.
Kelsea shook her head, still incredulous, her voice carrying through the arena. "I can't believe you've been on tour without knowing you're pregnant! I mean... that explains the mental breakdown you had in the dressing room before the show. And look at your little bump!"
Taylor couldn't help but smile, placing a hand over her stomach as the crowd erupted in applause and cheers. It felt surreal, sharing this secret with her fans and her best friend, and for a moment, the weight of her fears lifted, replaced by an overwhelming sense of love and support.
After the show, Taylor returned to her dressing room, feeling a mixture of relief and exhaustion. But as she closed the door behind her, the emotions she had been holding back came rushing in all at once. She stumbled into the bathroom, leaning against the sink as silent tears streamed down her cheeks. The reality of everything felt so heavy, and the guilt of not telling Travis sooner crushed her heart.
She didn't hear the door open, but suddenly, she felt strong arms wrap around her from behind. She looked up to see Travis in the mirror, his face filled with concern and tenderness. Without a word, he turned her around, pulling her close as she buried her face in his chest, letting the tears fall freely.
"I'm sorry," she choked out between sobs, clutching onto him like he was her lifeline. "I didn't tell you... I didn't even know. I was so scared."
Travis held her tighter, his hand gently rubbing her back. "Hey... it's okay. You don't have to apologize. We're in this together, Tay. No matter what."
She looked up at him, seeing the love and support in his eyes, and felt her heart swell with gratitude. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I'm just glad you're okay. And... we're going to have a baby." His voice was filled with awe, and she felt herself smile through the tears, finally allowing herself to feel the joy that had been buried under her fear.
The next day, Taylor and Travis sat together in the doctor's office, hands intertwined as they waited for the ultrasound. When the doctor finally came in, she smiled warmly, turning the screen so they could see the tiny image of their baby.
"Congratulations," the doctor said, pointing to the screen. "It looks like you're having a girl."
Taylor's breath caught, and she looked over at Travis, who had the biggest grin on his face. He leaned over, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "A girl, Tay... we're going to have a daughter."
Her heart swelled, and for the first time since finding out, she felt a deep sense of peace. This was real, and she wasn't alone in it.
Later that night, Taylor sat curled up on the couch with a bowl of chocolate ice cream topped with crushed Hot Cheetos, savoring the strange combination that she never would've considered before. Travis watched her with a mixture of amusement and adoration, unable to hide his smile.
"Hot Cheetos and ice cream?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Since when do you like spicy food?"
She shrugged, taking another big bite. "I don't know... but it just tastes so good right now."
He chuckled, settling down beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Well, whatever you want, I'm here for it. Even if it's the strangest snack I've ever seen."
She leaned into him, feeling a sense of contentment she hadn't felt in a long time. As they sat together, the weight of everything finally started to lift, replaced by the excitement and love for the new chapter they were about to embark on together.
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