In the Blink of an Eye

Chapter Eight

A/N: We're back in Taylor's perspective, and honestly, this might just be my favorite one I've written so far.

Continuation—December 13, 2024

Taylor wasn't sure about the party at first. She understood it was her birthday, but deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that she should be celebrating it with Joe.

Before she could dwell on it too much, someone handed her a drink, and Blake and Selena appeared at her side. Their presence grounded her, made her feel something close to normal. For a moment, it was familiar—like she belonged here after all.

A few drinks later, tipsy and slightly light-headed, Travis found her in the crowd and pulled her into the center of the room. The soft melody of Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran played in the background as he wrapped his arms firmly around her waist, drawing her close.

Taylor let the alcohol quiet the noise in her mind. It dulled the confusion, the strange ache that had been gnawing at her for the past few days. Right now, there was only Travis. His gaze was locked on her, warm and unwavering, like she was the most precious thing in the universe. It was almost overwhelming. No one had ever looked at her like that before—not even Joe.

"Should this be the last thing I see,
I want you to know it's enough for me,
'Cause all that you are is all that I'll ever need."

Taylor rested her head against his chest, letting the lyrics wash over her as they swayed gently to the rhythm. His heartbeat was steady, a grounding force against the haze of her emotions.

"I'm so in love with you, Taylor," he murmured, his voice a low whisper in her ear.

Her heart stumbled over itself, unsure of what to feel. She told herself it was just the alcohol making her react this way, making her feel the softness of his words more deeply than she should. But for now, she didn't want to think about the impossible questions or the things she couldn't explain.

Lifting her head, she met his gaze—steady and full of something she wasn't ready to name. Without a second thought, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his.

"You look so beautiful in this light,
Your silhouette over me,
The way it brings out the blue in your eyes,
Is the Tenerife sea."

For a moment, it felt real. For a moment, it was enough.

It was well past midnight when they got home. Taylor was mostly sober now, but a lingering tipsiness still warmed her edges.

"C'mere," Travis said, gently guiding her into the living room. He sat her down on the couch, his expression unreadable but excited. Taylor looked at him curiously, unsure if she was supposed to know what was coming.

"Close your eyes, baby," he murmured softly. For some reason, she didn't hesitate.

She felt something light being placed in her lap. "Okay, open," he said, stepping back slightly.

Taylor opened her eyes to see a simple box resting on her knees. She looked up at him, confused but intrigued, before carefully lifting the lid.

Inside was a white book. Her brows furrowed as she picked it up, running her fingers over its cover. Glancing up at Travis again, she saw his smile—wide, genuine, and so infectious that it tugged a matching smile from her.

Opening the first page, she found a date. It took her a moment to place it, but she assumed it marked the beginning of their relationship. Flipping through, she found page after page of pictures, handwritten notes, and dates.

Her smile faltered as she stared at the photos. She didn't remember any of them—where they were, what they'd been doing—but in every one, her face was lit up with joy.

"You made this?" Taylor asked, her voice quiet and a little shaky.

"All by myself," Travis said, his pride evident.

She looked back down at the book, the weight of it suddenly overwhelming. Tears blurred her vision as she stared at the page in front of her. Why was she crying? How could she feel so much for someone she'd only known for three days?

Maybe it was because she was used to extravagant gifts. Everyone assumed that, being rich and famous, that's what she wanted. But this? This was different. To create something like this, someone would have to know her deeply—know that she cherished small, meaningful gestures over anything money could buy.

She felt the couch dip beside her as Travis sat down, wrapping his arms around her. "Thank you," she whispered, tucking herself against his side. "I love it," she added, a few tears slipping down her cheeks.

Travis pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his hold tightening just slightly. "You deserve it," he murmured.

After wiping a few stray tears away, Taylor's eyes caught on an envelope sticking out of the book. Her brows knitted in curiosity as she gently pulled it free. "What's this?" she asked softly, her voice thick with emotion.

Travis smiled, leaning back against the couch and placing a comforting hand on her back, his fingers rubbing slow, soothing circles. "Read it," he encouraged, his voice tender.

With trembling hands, Taylor opened the envelope, revealing a folded, handwritten letter. Her heart skipped as she unfolded the paper and began to read.

"Taylor,

I've spent hours trying to find the right words to say, but words are your thing, not mine. Still, I'll try, even if I can't make this as perfect as you deserve.

You've changed my life in ways I didn't even realize I needed. You've made me softer, more patient. You've taught me what love really means—not just the feeling, but the kind of love that makes you want to be better, every single day. In just one year, you've shown me a depth of love I didn't even know existed.

When I'm with you, Taylor, I've never felt more like myself. You've brought out the best parts of me, parts I didn't even know were there. The way you love—so fully, so fearlessly—it's unlike anything I've ever known, and I'll spend the rest of my life trying to love you the same way.

I've never been more sure of anything than I am about you. I can't wait for the day I get to call you my wife. To see you walk toward me and know, in that moment, I've got everything I'll ever need.

You mean everything to me, Tay. Always."

As Taylor reached the end of the letter, tears streamed freely down her face, her emotions too overwhelming to contain. She barely registered Travis's arms wrapping around her again, holding her close as she instinctively leaned into him. His touch was grounding, steady—a silent reassurance she didn't realize she needed.

Every uncertain, anxious thought that had plagued her for days seemed to dissolve in an instant. For the first time in what felt like forever, she was sure.

She'd never received something so raw, so deeply personal, so utterly beautiful. Not ever. Not even from the person she once thought was her home.

Yesterday, she'd been grieving her old life—missing it so much it ached. She wanted it back, desperately clinging to the familiarity of what once was. But now, sitting here, held by Travis, everything felt different.

Because now, she wasn't lost. She wasn't searching. She was here, with someone who loved her with a depth and purity that even she couldn't put into words.

It was the kind of love she realized, in this moment, she had been waiting for her whole life.