I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can) - A Tayvis Story

I Wake Up By Your Side

(20 July)

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On Saturday morning, Taylor woke up to the sun streaming softly through her curtains, casting a warm glow across her room. It was one of those rare days where she didn't have to rush to the hospital, but her to-do list wasn't exactly empty. She had a mountain of emails to go through, courtesy of Tree's diligent sorting, and she'd promised herself she'd be productive before the evening.

After a refreshing shower, she padded downstairs, her hair still damp and tied in a messy bun, wearing her favorite oversized sweatshirt and a pair of leggings. The first order of business was feeding the cats, who greeted her with expectant eyes and soft meows maybe except Meredith. She filled their bowls and watched with a smile as Olivia, Benjamin, and Meredith dived into their breakfast.

With a glass of fresh orange juice and a slice of toast, she set up her laptop on the coffee table, facing the backyard, which was lit by the gentle morning light. The view was calming, and for a moment, she just took it in, breathing in the quiet and peace. Then, she refocused and began to tackle the emails Tree had neatly organized into four categories: Very Important, Important, Can Be Looked At Later, and Trash.

She came across an email flagged as urgent about a clinical trial, and her brow furrowed. She quickly picked up her phone and dialed Tree.

"Hey," she said as soon as Tree picked up.

"Hey, what's up?" Tree replied, sounding slightly amused, as if she'd expected Taylor's call.

"I was going through emails. Why is the clinical trial email marked as 'Very Important'?" Taylor asked, squinting at the screen.

"Did you read the whole thing yet?" Tree asked, already knowing the answer.

"Just halfway through. I'm still reading," Taylor admitted, stifling a yawn.

Tree chuckled softly. "Well, maybe keep reading, because it's scheduled for next week."

Taylor's eyes widened as she checked the date. "Oh, crap! You're right."

"That's why I moved it from 'Important' to 'Very Important.'"

Taylor sighed, feeling a wave of gratitude. "You're the best. Thank you."

"Just doing my job," Tree said with a smile in her voice. "Anything else?"

"No, that's it. Thanks, Tree."

"Bye, Tay."

With a renewed sense of urgency, Taylor continued tackling her emails, her concentration occasionally broken by the sound of her cats playing or the faint rustling of leaves in the backyard. By noon, she'd made her way through half of the "Important" emails, feeling accomplished but also starving.

Her Taco Bell order arrived, and she sank into the couch with her food, putting on a random rom-com for background noise as she ate. Scrolling through Instagram afterward, she absentmindedly petted Benjamin, who was curled up beside her, his soft fur warm under her hand. She smiled to herself, feeling grateful for these small, quiet moments.

After finishing her food, she decided it was time to tackle the rest of her emails. Once she was done, she'd start on dinner prep. Travis was coming over, and she wanted the evening to be special.

The menu was ambitious: mixed-sauce spaghetti, baked garlic Parmesan eggplant, lasagna, a fresh salad, and brownies with ice cream for dessert. She enjoyed cooking when it was for someone special, and the thought of surprising Travis with a homemade feast filled her with excitement.