Part 2 of Only the young
Requested by: @USMCRulesIt was two days after the attack, but for Travis, it felt like a lifetime. He hadn't left Taylor's side, watching her as she tried to rest, her body bruised and fragile. The sight of her in this condition made him feel both terrified and furious—furious at the world for letting this happen and terrified of losing her.
Travis knew he had to do something drastic, something that would give her the safety and peace she deserved. As he held her hand, he made up his mind: they were leaving. He'd take her somewhere far away, somewhere calm and secluded, where no one would disturb them. Football could wait; his career didn't matter if it meant Taylor would be safe.
That night, while Taylor slept fitfully, he slipped into the kitchen to make the calls. His hands shook as he dialed his coach, who picked up on the first ring. After Travis explained his decision, the coach was silent for a moment, taking it all in. Then he simply said, "I understand, Travis. Take all the time you need. We'll be here when you're ready."
Next, he called his closest friends—Aric, Ross, and Patrick. They had been through thick and thin with him and knew how much Taylor meant to him. One by one, they all offered words of support, telling him to do what he needed to protect her and reminding him they'd be there for him. Hearing their encouragement lifted a weight off his shoulders, solidifying his decision. Finally, he called his family. His mom, always a source of comfort, encouraged him with words that soothed his fears: "We're proud of you, Travis. You take care of her, and we'll keep you both in our prayers."
With the support he needed, he began packing in the quiet hours of the night. He moved through their home quickly and efficiently, gathering only the essentials. Their three cats—Meredith, Olivia, and Benjamin—and their two dogs, Rambo and Chauncey, were safely secured in carriers. He filled suitcases with their most important belongings, sentimental items they couldn't leave behind, and anything Taylor might need during her recovery.
Then, he made the purchase. A sprawling, historic mansion in Melbourne, Australia, surrounded by lush gardens and far from the noise of their usual lives. It was perfect—secluded, serene, and filled with the character Taylor would love. He arranged for a private flight, and within hours, they were on their way to a new life.
As they arrived in Australia, Travis was filled with a mix of exhaustion and hope. The drive from the airport to their new home was peaceful, the landscape rolling by like something out of a dream. When they finally reached the mansion, Taylor, though still weak, managed a small, grateful smile. She looked at him, eyes full of appreciation and love. Travis squeezed her hand, silently promising he'd never let anything hurt her again.
The first thing Travis did after getting Taylor settled in their new home was take her to the hospital. He watched over her as the doctors examined her, his heart aching at every wince of pain on her face. After several tests, the doctors came back with news that made his stomach drop—Taylor's blood loss had been worse than they'd realized, and she would need an immediate blood transfusion. The seriousness of it all weighed on him, but he stayed strong for her, reassuring her with soft words and a steady hand.
As Taylor received the transfusion, Travis stayed by her side, stroking her hair and whispering comforting words. He told her about the mansion, describing each beautiful room and how he'd already planned to set up a music studio just for her. Despite the beeps of hospital machines and the sterile white walls around them, Travis painted a picture of the life they would build here, a life full of peace, love, and healing.
Two months later, the change in Taylor was almost miraculous. Her cheeks had regained their color, and the light in her eyes was brighter than ever. It was on a warm evening in their garden, under a sky painted with shades of pink and orange, that Travis knelt down and pulled a small, velvet box from his pocket. With a smile, he asked the question he'd wanted to ask since the day he met her. "Taylor, will you marry me?"
Her answer was an immediate, tearful "Yes," and they held each other under the setting sun, savoring the moment that marked the start of their new chapter.
Over the next several months, they settled into their home, making it their own. Travis kept his promise and designed a music room just for Taylor. It was her sanctuary, filled with guitars, a piano, and all the equipment she needed to create music. The walls were lined with her favorite records, and a cozy chair sat in the corner, where she could curl up with a notebook and find inspiration.
Their wedding took place six months after their engagement, right there in the mansion they had come to cherish. The ceremony was small and intimate, with only their closest family and a few friends who had flown out to join them. Taylor wore a simple, elegant gown, and Travis couldn't take his eyes off her. As they exchanged vows in front of the people who mattered most, he felt a sense of peace he had never known before.
After the ceremony, they gathered in the grand dining room, filled with laughter, music, and the warmth of family. It was a day of joy, love, and celebration, a day that symbolized the strength they had found in each other.
Life in Australia became a beautiful routine. Travis had given up football without a second thought, dedicating himself to supporting Taylor and helping her recover fully. He found joy in their quiet days together, exploring the vast gardens surrounding their home, cooking meals, and watching Taylor's smile grow brighter with each passing day.
The music room became her sanctuary, a place where she could pour her heart out in song. Travis loved listening to her play, her voice filling the house with melodies that told the story of their journey. They spent lazy mornings in the sun-drenched kitchen, afternoons in the garden with their pets, and evenings curled up in front of the fireplace, talking about everything and nothing.
Travis had never felt more fulfilled. This life, this peaceful existence with Taylor, was everything he'd ever wanted. The mansion in Melbourne had become their haven, a place of healing, love, and new beginnings.
And as they stood together, months after that fateful day, hand in hand, watching the sun set over their home, Travis knew that he had made the right choice. This was their forever, and he would do anything to protect it.
Requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~>