Wildest Dreams - A Taylor Swift Adoption Fanfiction

One Shots Chapter 1: After Mandy's First Night (OG Version)

Author's note: This isn't in any order and doesn't make sense chronologically or anything, just stuff I took out from the story or rewrote because I didn't think it was fair for a child to be in the middle of all of this and I wanted Mandy to be more snarky and less vulnerable on the outside. But this was the 1st version I wrote aaaaaaaaaaaaages ago.

Let me know if you like these types of one shots!!

TRIGGER WARNING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The sound of footsteps makes Taylor tense before she even realizes she's doing it. I watch her face change – the mask sliding back into place, shoulders squaring like she's preparing for a hit.

Joe appears in the doorway and my stomach drops. He's all smiles now, British accent soft and charming as he wraps his arms around Taylor's waist. She flinches right before he kisses her, so quickly you'd miss it if you weren't looking for it. He doesn't let go of her after, keeps her pressed against him like a possession.

Tree's eyebrows shoot up, her lips pressing into a thin line. The temperature in the room seems to drop ten degrees.

"You must be Mandy." His smile doesn't reach his eyes. They're cold, assessing, like he's trying to figure out how much of a problem I'm going to be.

"The street rat herself." I meet his stare head-on, making it clear I heard every word he spat last night. Every crash. Every threat.

His smile tightens but doesn't drop. Taylor's gone very still in his arms.

"Joe. Didn't expect to see you this morning. Thought you'd be... sleeping it off." Tree's voice could cut glass.

"Wouldn't miss meeting our new house guest." His fingers dig into Taylor's waist. She doesn't wince, but I see the effort it takes. "Though we'll have to discuss more permanent arrangements, of course. Can't just take in every stray that crosses our path, can we love?"

The way he says 'our path' makes my skin crawl. Taylor's eyes are fixed on the floor.

"Actually," Tree cuts in smoothly, "we were just discussing those arrangements. Lots of boring legal details to work out. Probably best if we handle it ourselves, wouldn't want to waste your time."

"Nonsense." His grip on Taylor tightens. "I want to be involved in every decision that affects our home. Don't I, darling?"

Taylor nods, the movement almost mechanical. "Of course."

I want to scream. Want to tell him to get his hands off her. But I know better. I know how men like him work. I know how they wait for any reason.

"Well then," Tree says, and there's steel under her professional smile. "Pull up a chair. Let's talk about all the paperwork involved in reporting abuse."

Joe's smile finally slips, just for a second. Taylor goes even stiller.

And I realize – Tree knew exactly what she was doing. Exactly what words to use.

—-------

Tree waits until Taylor's footsteps fade before moving closer. She sits in the chair by my bed, her professional mask slipping for the first time.

"Does he hit her?"

The question catches me off guard, even though part of me has been waiting for it. "What?"

"Joe." Tree's voice is very quiet, very careful. "Does he... hit her?"

I pick at my blanket, suddenly finding it hard to breathe. "I don't know."

"Mandy..." She leans forward, eyes intense. "If you ever see or hear something, can you let me know? I've had my suspicions for... a while now."

My throat gets tight. Last night plays through my head – the crashes, the threats, Taylor's voice getting smaller and smaller.