What This Could Be- Joe Jonas Fanfic

Chapter 53: And That's the Tea

*Taylor's POV*

"Daddy!" Willa and Delphine ran down the driveway into Joe's arms as he knelt down to their level.

"Hey, my beautiful angels!" he picked them up and twirled them as they squealed in amusement, "I've missed you!"

They were the first that caught my attention until a young woman with straight, blonde hair that fell down a little past her shoulders appeared. She was dressed in a pair of matching grey sweatshirt and sweatpants that would degrade my body, but enviously flattered hers.

"Hey, Joe," her British accent pierced through the awkward energy between them as she approached us, "And you must be Taylor, right?"

"Hi," I forced a smile, putting my hand out towards her to shake, "And you must be Sophie."

"I was going to go in for a hug, but a handshake will do," she took my hand and shook it amicably. It was hard to tell if her friendliness was a façade or genuine.

"Come see my room!" Willa blabbed out, "We can have a tea party!"

"I guess when in London, have a tea party?" I said with a shrug.

Joe let the girls down, allowing them to grab ahold of our fingers in their tiny hands and guide us inside. Sophie followed closely behind us, shifting her sunglasses to the top of her head to allow the sunlight to reflect off her icy blue eyes. 

"Wow," I gaped at the simplicity and elegancy of the inside of her rural estate, "Your place is... Wow."

Delphine tugged at my hand the best that she could, discontented with how slow-moving I had become, "Come! Faster, Taylor!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" I giggled, glancing at Joe, "We're being held hostage, huh?"

He seemed detached. Distracted. Dissociative.

Gazing up at me with empty eyes, he replied with a stiff grin, "Yeah. I'm guessing so."

Their rooms were filled with toys upon toys that would make a child act like a spoiled brat. While they were extremely privileged, the fact they still were humbled proved the kind of parents Sophie and Joe were. Loving, grounded, encouraging, empathetic, understanding, and supportive. All what you would want in a parent. That was them, collectively.

"Here!" Willa presented me with an empty teacup, "We made it special for you!"

"Mm!" I took an imaginary sip, "It's so refreshing! Thank you!"

"Hey!" Joe pouted, "Where's mine and Mum's?"

Willa gave Delphine two teacups, "Give these to Daddy and Mummy, please."

She carefully gave Sophie and Joe their own teacups. "You welcome!" she said before they could thank her, making us all chuckle.

"You know," Sophie chimed in, "I was painting with them right before you showed up. Do you think you could give me some pointers, one artist to another?"

"Since when do you paint?" Joe's eyebrows came together, lines of confusion visible in between them.

"I don't," she lifted the teacup to her mouth, "And that's the tea."

Joe opened his mouth to speak, creating a click sound, before shutting it. After a few seconds had passed, he finally said, "I never thought I'd hear that phrase again in my life."

"It's become my brand," she replied, "You think I'd give that up?"

It was evident by Joe's facial expression that he had a witty comment to respond back with that I knew he'd regret immediately after.