You drew stars around my scars

she loves you more

 Taylor loved Jessica and Tree's relationship – she really did. She loved that the teen was so comfortable with her – loved that she had somebody else to fight for her.

Jessica gravitated towards Tree over Andrea and she knew it was because Tree spent more time with them – she had been there through the worst times. Tree was firm but fair – she often stepped in when Taylor didn't have the strength but she never overstepped. She kept calm and she pushed through but she also knew when to stop. Taylor was happy that Tree offered them that support. She was so grateful that Jessica had somebody else to talk to – somebody outside the family that could be just that tiny bit more neutral. BUT sometimes Taylor felt like Tree knew better. Knew what to say, what to do – knew Jessica better than she did. Sometimes it made Taylor feel incompetent.

When Taylor spoke about it one day, Tree just said it was because she had had years of being a Mum – she said it was just experience that Taylor would build up but Taylor was still convinced the redhead was just a better person.

Taylor would often battle with Jessica, sometimes for hours then she would call Tree in a crisis who would sweep in and fix it all. Jessica would listen to her – would finally do what she was told when the redhead told her to do it. Taylor worried it was because Jessica trusted her more, maybe even loved her more.

Taylor's own anxiety made her spiral – it made her feel like she wasn't good enough. She felt like she wasn't doing the right things, that maybe she just couldn't handle it all.

She began to think that Jessica wasn't comfortable with her and that was why she pushed back so fiercely, because she didn't feel safe with Taylor – that she couldn't trust her.

Taylor began to question all of her choices, wondering if she was incompetent – if she was fit to actually be her guardian.

The more she thought about it, the more she spiralled. She worked herself into a terrible mood.

She began to feel low every day – she was anxious about everything, questioning all of her decisions.

She asked Tree to come over to help during meals. Tree supported Jessica – guiding her into eating all of the meals which was great but it solidified Taylor's belief that she couldn't cope alone.

The blonde found herself worrying all the time, she wasn't even sleeping because she couldn't switch her brain off properly.

One morning, Taylor asked Tree to take Jessica to school after a particularly rough breakfast.

The redhead could tell that something was going on – but she just didn't know what.

She headed back to Taylor's house after the school run – finding the blonde sitting in the kitchen nursing a cup of coffee – clearly fighting a war inside her head.

Tree laid a soft hand on Taylor's back – pulling her back into reality. Taylor offered her a soft smile but it was obvious that it was fake.

Tree smiled sadly at her, keeping her voice deliberately soft "what's going on with you?", there was no judgement in her tone – just concern.

Taylor couldn't allow herself to open up yet though. She shook her head, her voice edgy "nothing..."

Tree pushed though – not wanting to give up that easily "I can tell there is..."

There was just silence, so Tree pushed again "are you taking your antidepressants?"

Taylor's face registered her shock "yes! Of course..."

Tree nodded, her voice smooth "well, are you eating?"

Taylor sighed "yes..."

Tree rubbed her back gently "something is happening – I can tell."

This set Taylor off, her eyes welled up with tears "Yeah, you can tell everything..."

Tree frowned, unsure what had triggered that reaction "whoa...what's wrong?"

Taylor scoffed "nothing!"

Tree stepped back, unsure what to say or do. Taylor rubbed her face "sorry – you did nothing. I'm just being stupid"

Tree sat down next to her, her face kind "tell me...talk to me!"

Taylor looked up at her, finally meeting her gaze "I'm scared Tree. I'm scared I'm not enough for Jessica..."

Tree frowned – obviously confused "what?! Why would you think that?"

Taylor shrugged "you could do a better job with her, you DO a better job with her. She trusts you more. She battled against me, won't eat for me, cries with me all the time. With you, she trusts you – does what you tell her to. She would be better off with you..."

Tree scoffed, her voice firm "look at me when I say this to you. She pushes you because she trusts you. She is testing her boundaries because she feels safe with you. If she didn't then she wouldn't."

Taylor's jaw dropped slightly "really?"

Tree nodded "really! I know it's hard – that it is draining. It's difficult when you feel like everyone around you has their shit together and you don't. It's difficult to accept help – but doing so doesn't mean you are weak or doing anything wrong. Tay, do you think everyone would sit back and watch you fail with her? Of course we wouldn't. You are doing amazingly. You are everything she needs. If she wasn't comfortable with you – you would know it."

Taylor smiled but then bit her lip "so why does she do what she's told for you?!"

Tree shrugged "it's different. I'm like an aunt – she knows that. My boundaries are different. Tay, she loves you SO much..."

Taylor began to cry – all the pent up tension leaving her body. Relief flooded her immediately as Tree pulled her in for a hug.

"Is this what's been bothering you?"

Taylor nodded, wiping her eyes "I just want to get it right for her. I don't want to go soft!"

Tree smiled "Honey, you are getting it right. I promise"

Taylor smiled again "but how do you know what to do?!"

Tree laughed "I don't! But it's just doing whatever you think is best...you have to stop doubting yourself. You are incredible!"

Taylor nodded, wiping her face again "Thank you..."

Tree smiled softly, taking a deep breath "and I'm sorry if you think I've overstepped...."

Taylor's face fell – her eyes wide "Oh god no! You have helped us so much! I wouldn't have made it through without you! You always know best"

Tree smiled widely at her "thank you! So let me take care of you today too. I'll make you something to eat then you can rest this afternoon"

Taylor shook her head – shrugging the help away "I'm fine!"

Tree narrowed her eyes at her "You just said I always know best...give in to me"

Taylor glared at her playfully "fine..."

Tree laughed loudly "wow that was easy! Maybe you are going soft Swift..."

THE END