Taylor shot up in the middle of the night, sweat pouring down her face and all down her back. Harper's bear and blankie were nowhere in her bed and she could feel her hair sticking to her neck and forehead. Her entire body shook as she began sobbing and desperately tapping Travis in need of some comfort.
Travis quickly shot up as well looking over at her immediate concern hitting him as he pulled her close to him. Taylor sobbed even louder and clung to him. "I miss her." She cried.
Travis looked over at her confused. "Miss who?"
"Harper!" Taylor sobbed. The pain and grief was evident in her voice and her cries. Travis hadn't ever seen Taylor so upset and in such a state. She remained shaky and sweaty despite only being in a bra like top and panties. Her sobs just got louder and louder.
"Baby it's okay. She's right over there," Travis whispered pointing over at the crib that Harper was sleeping in. Taylor looked at him confused then turned to see Harper sleeping peacefully in the crib. She then looked back at Travis and started to sob again. "She died! She was covered in blood and it was so bad!" She sobbed.
Travis just held her closer. "She's okay, it must have just been a horrible nightmare. She's right there she's okay," Travis reassured her. Taylor nodded and cuddled closer to him. She felt warm and sweaty but she needed him close to her. She just held her hand over her mouth trying to keep quiet so that Harper wouldn't wake up from her crying.
Travis just kept holding her close to him. "I'm all sweaty and gross." Taylor whined. Travis laughed a little bit still with his arms around her. He gently pushed her bangs back. "You can get a cold shower if you want or we can go get some cold water." He suggested.
"Water." Taylor whispered. Travis nodded, helping her get some cold water. She just stood at the kitchen island trying to process what she had just seen in her dreams. She had her elbows on the counter and head in her hands, sipping on a straw.
Travis put a comforting arm around her. She tensed at first but immediately recognised his touch and stood up, meeting into his arms. "What about the others? Are they alive?" She asked with a shaky breath.
Travis nodded holding her closer. "They're okay too. They're sleeping upstairs. Everyone is okay I promise," Travis whispered to her again.
"I need to check." Taylor told him. She turned to look at her icy water and pointed to it. "I know we agreed no drinks upstairs other than Harper and Mal's bottles... but can I bring it?" She asked, her voice had a different tone to it. One that showed vulnerability and fear. She still had tears running down her now pink cheeks.
Travis smiled a little bit looking over at her. "Of course you can," He reassured her again. Taylor looked down and noticed her lack of clothes and immediately her face went red in embarrassment. Sure Travis had seen more but she never walked around like that. "I feel a bit exposed." She whispered.
Travis smiled again before taking off his shirt and helping her put it on. Taylor smiled a little and thanked him then pointed to her water. "Please could you take it for me?" She whispered. She still felt so shaky and was still unsure of her feelings. She didn't even want to try carrying a glass of ice and water.
"Of course I got it, don't worry," Travis told her picking up the glass. Taylor nodded and headed upstairs. The floor was cold against her bare feet and she was immediately transported to her nightmare where she had run outside to harper and Travis in her bare feet. She paused at the bottom of the stairs, the images playing back. She immediately started shaking with fear again.
Travis looked over at her, putting one arm around her while still holding the glass with his other. "It's okay I promise," he told her in his warm and comforting voice. Taylor nodded, biting on her nails as she headed up the stairs. She checked Evie's room first then Mals, making sure both girls were still there and breathing before going back into her and Travis' room.
