peter (tayvis shortfic)

and i won't confess that i waited but i let the lamp burn

Kansas City, 2019

Spring had arrived in Kansas City, bringing with it a gentle breeze and the promise of new beginnings. Taylor's house was filled with the sound of children's laughter and the soft purring of three cats. Benjamin, the youngest, was lying on the living room rug, watching Emma run back and forth, clutching one of her favorite toys.

Now four years old, Emma had a mischievous grin and sparkling eyes, the perfect mix of her parents. She danced around the room, creating a routine to a song Taylor had put on the stereo.

"You're killing it, my little ballerina!" Taylor cheered, sitting on the couch with Olivia in her lap and a cup of tea in her hands.

"Look, mommy! I'm a star!" Emma twirled, her blonde curls bouncing as she giggled.

Taylor smiled, her heart swelling with a love so big it almost felt impossible to contain.

(...)

It was late afternoon when Travis arrived. He always made sure to spend his days off with Emma, even if it meant driving for hours. Taylor had insisted he stay for dinner, as she always did, and he agreed without hesitation.

While Emma played with the cats on the living room floor, Taylor and Travis were in the kitchen, talking and preparing dinner. He opened one of the drawers to grab a dish towel and, without meaning to, pulled out a small photo that had been tucked in the corner.

"Hey, what's this?" he asked, unrolling the paper.

Taylor turned to look. As soon as she saw the photo, she froze for a moment. It was a picture of them from 2014, taken at one of her shows. They were hugging, smiling, clearly happy.

"I didn't even remember I kept this," Taylor said softly, taking the photo from his hands.

Travis stared at her for a beat, his smile growing more subdued. "We were... so young."

"We were," Taylor agreed, her voice tinged with melancholy. She traced her finger over her smiling face in the photo.

For a moment, the silence between them felt heavy, filled with unspoken memories. Taylor thought of the lyrics of a song she hadn't written yet, but that was already beginning to take shape in her mind.

She'd never truly expected them to get back together, but she'd never fully let go of that tiny spark of hope either.

"Do you still have all the old pictures?" Travis asked, interrupting her thoughts.

Taylor nodded. "Some. Only the ones that make me smile."

He chuckled softly. "I hope this one's one of them."

Taylor smiled back, trying to ignore the sudden warmth flooding her face.

At dinner, Emma insisted on monopolizing her father's attention.

"Daddy, did you know Benjamin is my favorite kitty now?" she said, pointing to the cat perched on the chair next to her.

"Oh, really?" Travis asked, feigning surprise. "And what happened to Meredith and Olivia?"

"I love them too," Emma said, as if it were obvious. "But Benjamin is new, so he's special."

Taylor laughed. "Benjamin's lucky to have you as his owner, Emma."

After dinner, Emma insisted that the three of them play a board game. Travis sat on the floor with her, helping her arrange the pieces, while Taylor watched from the armchair, holding a glass of wine.

It was one of those perfect, simple moments that seemed even more precious now.

Once Emma had fallen asleep, Taylor and Travis remained in the living room, each with a glass of wine. Benjamin sat in Taylor's lap, while Meredith and Olivia curled up on the sofa beside her.