The Beard

- Twenty-Six -

- Sunday -

The sun hung low in the sky as Y/N and Karlie pulled up to Don Adler's house. It was far too early in the morning, and if it wasn't for Don, Y/N would have cancelled all the plans just so that she could stay home and sleep in.

She parked the car she had rented in front of the house before she and Karlie got out of it and made their way up the driveway. Before Y/N could even reach the door and knock, Don opened the door, his smile wide and warm.

"Good morning, Kiddo!" Don pulled Y/N into a firm hug, patting her back affectionately. Then, his eyes shifted to Karlie, and he extended a hand. "You must be Karlie. I've heard so much about you."

Karlie took his hand with a grin. "It's an honor to finally meet you, Mr. Adler."

"Please, call me Don. None of that formal nonsense. We are all family here." He winked and gestured for them to enter. "Come on in. There are a few people I'd like you to meet."

Y/N and Karlie exchanged a curious glance before following him inside. As they stepped into the living room, they froze in surprise. Standing there, smiling warmly, were Elizabeth, Mary-Kate, Ashley, and an elegant older woman who appeared to be in her late 50's.

" No way!" Elizabeth said, laughing.

Y/N blinked, then grinned. "Okay, what's going on here?"

Don frowned . " Youknow each other?" he asked and all the girls nodded. " Yes, we met yesterday, and Beth and Y/N have known each other for a while now."

Ashley said and got up to hug Y/N and Karlie.

Don nodded and looked towards the older woman, " well, I will do the introductions anyway. Y/N, Karlie this is Jarnie my goddaughter. She's also the mother of these three troublemakers. Ashley, MK and Ellie."

Y/N raised and eyebrow and smiled at Elizabeth. " Ellie?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes " I couldn't say my name as a kind, I could only say Ellie. So Grandpa Don always called me Ellie."

Jarnie stepped forward, her eyes twinkling. "Don's been like family to us for as long as I can remember. I was so happy that he has a neighbour like you that cares for him, and now I like you even more knowing that you already knew the girls."

The room filled with laughter and light conversation as the Olsens and Don got ready to leave.

Y/N felt at easy for the first time in years, she linked her arm with Elizabeth, a natural ease settling between them. Karlie walked alongside Mary-Kate and Ashley, deep in conversation and Don strolled beside Jarnie. They were all dressed in black making it crystal clear that they were cheering for the Raiders.

(...)

The drive to the private plane was filled with laughter and music, Don's stories about old Hollywood captivating everyone. He seemed decades younger, his eyes alight with joy.

On the plane, Don's enthusiasm only grew. "This feels like the old days," he said, his voice thick with emotion as he took a sip of his whiskey. "You know, back when we traveled in style, with a whole entourage."

Karlie leaned forward, genuinely interested. "What was it like, being a superstar in those days?"

Don's eyes sparkled. "Oh, it was magic, kid. The premieres, the fans... It was like being part of something bigger than yourself."

Y/N watched him, a soft smile on her face. She was glad she'd made this decision. This was Don's moment, and she was determined to make sure he enjoyed every second of it.

When they landed in Las Vegas, the mood shifted, it felt more professional, more serious.

As soon as they stepped off the plane, the twins and Elizabeth put on their sunglasses, but it was clear the attention wasn't on them.

The paparazzi, already waiting, focused their cameras on Don and Y/N.

"Don! Over here!"
" Mr.Adler!"

" St.James! over here!"

" DON! Y/N! Give us a wave!"

"Y/N St. James! Look this way!"

Don grinned, waving at the photographers like he'd been doing it his whole life—which, of course, he had. Y/N linked her arm with his, smiling for the cameras and waving.

Karlie walked beside them, watching the scene unfold with a mix of pride and amusement.

When they got to the stadium the crowd went inside as they recognised Y/N and her entourage.

"Is that Don Adler? With Y/N St. James?"

"No way... That's Hollywood royalty right there."

Don's smile grew wider, his eyes glistening. "I'd forgotten what this felt like," he murmured to Y/N.

"Well get used to it, because if you want, from now on you'll be my plus one everywhere," she whispered back.

Near the entrance, a familiar figure stood waiting. Taylor Swift, dressed in Chiefs colors, plastered a polite smile on her face as they approached. She stepped forward, hand outstretched toward Don.

"Mr. Adler, it's such an honor to meet you. I've admired your work for years."

Don shook her hand, his expression cordial but distant. "Thank you. I recognize you—you're the girl who used to sneak into Y/N house on the weekend... you are the one that left her for fame and money right? What's your name?"

Taylor's smile faltered, " My name is Taylor sir."

He nodded and Taylor turned to Y/N, moving in for a hug, but Karlie stepped between them, her fingers intertwining with Y/N's. " Alison..." Karlie said with a fake smile on her face.

Taylor stepped back and ran a hand through her hair. Karlie and Don message was clear.

Taylor introduced herself to the Olsen twins, Jarnie and she went to hug Elizabeth. Who was the only person in the group that hugged her back. The photographers went wild, capturing every second of Taylor Swift being publicly rejected by Hollywood Royalty.

Travis Kelce appeared beside Taylor, he introduced himself politely. The group exchanged pleasantries, all smiles and polite words for the cameras, Karlie even took Taylor hand and admired her engagement ring in order for the paparazzi to take photos of it, Y/N and Travis shook hands and she wished him the best of luck on the game but the tension was palpable.

Soon, an attendant escorted them to their VIP box.

As they settled into their seats, the stadium buzzed with energy. Y/N friends started to come in, one by one, Toni, Then Levi Woods, Dominic who found himself chatting and flirting with Mary-Kate.

Don placed his hand on Y/N shoulder.
" Kid I have a question."

" is Taylor your Evelyn?" he asked softly

Y/N nodded, her voice low. "Yep. Taylor is to me, what Evelyn was to Celia."

Don's expression softened. "Then Give her time. She'll realize what she lost and come back to you."

Y/N sighed. "What if I don't want her to come back? What if I don't want to spend my entire life hiding the person I love? Because Taylor will never come out. I know that now."

Don looked thoughtful. "Then you'll find someone else. But I think..." He glanced over at Elizabeth, who was laughing with Karlie. "I think you already have."

Y/N followed his gaze, her eyes landing on Elizabeth. She smiled, unaware that Don's real focus was on Karlie, who watched Y/N with a fond, knowing look.

" And trust me, I can tell by the way she looks at you that she wants you as much as you want her... you just need to make a move. But not right now, wait until your heart is healed."