Under His Protection

Chapter 69: A Step Toward Healing

The villa was cloaked in a heavy stillness, the kind that followed a storm. Travis sat on the couch with Taylor clinging to him, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, her face buried in his shoulder. Every muscle in her body was taut, as though she feared he might vanish if she didn't hold on tightly enough.

The therapist, Dr. Caroline, sat across from them in a soft chair, her hands folded calmly in her lap. Her presence was quiet but reassuring, her voice gentle as she addressed them both.

"Taylor, I'm here to help," she said, her tone soothing. "You're safe. And I want to make sure you feel that way, no matter what we talk about. We'll go at your pace."

Taylor's fingers tightened in Travis's shirt, and she shook her head almost imperceptibly. "Don't leave," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"I'm not going anywhere, Sunshine," Travis murmured, pressing a kiss to her hair. He adjusted his hold on her, his large hand rubbing slow circles on her back. "I'm right here, baby. I'll stay with you."

Dr. Caroline offered a small, understanding smile. "It's okay if you're not ready to talk yet, Taylor. We don't have to dive into anything you're not comfortable with. But I do need to ask a few questions to understand how you're feeling."

Taylor didn't respond, her head still buried in Travis's shoulder. Her body language spoke volumes: the tremble in her frame, the way she clung to him like a lifeline.

Travis cleared his throat, his voice steady but low. "You can ask me," he said. "She's... she's not ready to talk yet."

Dr. Caroline nodded. "That's perfectly fine. Travis, I'll need your insight to help Taylor." She shifted slightly, her posture open and non-threatening. "I've noticed how much Taylor depends on you. It's clear you're her anchor right now, and that's a beautiful thing. But we need to explore how this attachment is affecting both of you."

Taylor tensed, her breath hitching as though even the mention of anything changing was too much.

"Easy, Sunshine," Travis soothed, his lips brushing against her temple. "We're just talking. Nothing's gonna happen without you, okay? I promise."

Taylor exhaled shakily, her fingers loosening just slightly on his shirt but not letting go.

"Taylor, do you feel safe with Travis?" Dr. Caroline asked softly, her tone gentle.

Taylor nodded, but her voice was barely audible. "Only with him."

"And Bronze?" Dr. Caroline pressed. "Does he make you feel safe too?"

Another small nod. "When Travis isn't... but I need him more."

Travis's jaw tightened, his heart aching at her words. He hated seeing her like this-so fragile, so dependent, so unlike the vibrant woman he knew.

Dr. Caroline turned her attention to him. "Travis, this kind of dependency can be overwhelming-for both of you. It's wonderful that she trusts you so deeply, but it's also important that Taylor finds other ways to feel safe, even when you're not right there. That doesn't mean you're abandoning her-it means helping her regain her independence and strength."

Taylor stiffened, her head snapping up as her wide, tear-filled eyes met Travis's. "No," she said, her voice trembling. "Don't leave me. Please, don't leave me."

"Hey, hey," Travis said quickly, pulling her closer and kissing her forehead. "I'm not going anywhere, Sunshine. I'm staying right here." He glanced at Dr. Caroline, his expression a mix of helplessness and frustration. "She's not ready for that," he said firmly.

Dr. Caroline nodded in understanding. "I'm not suggesting you leave her, Travis. But we do need to work toward helping her feel secure without needing constant physical closeness. It's a gradual process, and it starts with small steps."

Taylor buried her face in Travis's neck again, her shoulders shaking. "I can't do it," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I can't do it without him."

"You don't have to do it all at once, Taylor," Dr. Caroline reassured her. "This isn't about taking Travis away. It's about helping you find ways to feel strong again, little by little."

Travis stroked Taylor's hair, his voice low and soothing. "We'll do it together, baby. Whatever it takes, we'll do it together. I've got you."

Dr. Caroline leaned forward slightly, her tone soft but firm. "Travis, I need to ask you something important. How are you holding up through all of this? You're giving everything you have to Taylor right now, and that's admirable. But it's not sustainable if you don't take care of yourself too."

Travis hesitated, his eyes flicking down to Taylor before meeting Dr. Caroline's gaze. "I'm fine," he said gruffly. "She's what matters right now."

"Travis," Dr. Caroline said gently, "you can't pour from an empty cup. If you run yourself into the ground, you won't be able to help Taylor-or the kids. It's okay to admit that this is hard on you too."

Taylor whimpered softly, her grip tightening again. "Don't leave," she whispered again, her voice cracking.

"I'm not leaving, Sunshine," Travis said immediately, his voice firm but kind. "I'm here. Always." He looked back at Dr. Caroline, his expression conflicted. "I can't let her down. Not now. Not ever."

Dr. Caroline nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "And you're not letting her down, Travis. You're doing an incredible job. But part of helping her is also taking care of yourself. That doesn't mean stepping away from her-it means finding support for both of you."

Travis's shoulders sagged slightly, the weight of her words pressing down on him. He didn't know how to let anyone else in, not when Taylor needed him so desperately. But he also couldn't deny that he was exhausted, emotionally and physically.

"I'll try," he said finally, his voice quiet but resolute. "For her. For us."

Dr. Caroline offered a small, encouraging smile. "That's all I ask. We'll take it one step at a time. Together."

Taylor's trembling began to ease slightly, and she nestled deeper into Travis's arms. She didn't know how to face the world right now, but as long as he was there, she felt like she might have a chance.

Once Taylor had finally fallen asleep, still holding onto Travis like a lifeline, Dr. Caroline gathered everyone else in the villa: Patrick, Brittany, Ross, and Isiah. They sat in the dining room, their expressions a mix of concern and exhaustion.

"She's struggling deeply," Dr. Caroline began, her voice calm but firm. "What Taylor is going through isn't something that will be fixed overnight. Her attachment to Travis is a coping mechanism, but it's also become her safety net. While Travis has done an incredible job of supporting her, he's carrying a weight that no one person can bear alone."

"Is there anything we can do to help her?" Brittany asked, her voice tight with emotion.

Dr. Caroline nodded. "Yes. You can start by taking over some of the responsibilities that Travis has been shouldering. Help with the kids, even small tasks like cooking or cleaning. This will give Travis the chance to focus solely on Taylor without running himself into the ground."

"And what about Travis?" Patrick asked, his voice heavy with concern. "He's tough, but even he has his limits."

"That's part of why I wanted to speak with you all," Dr. Caroline said. "Travis needs to feel supported too. He won't admit it, but he's overwhelmed. Taylor won't let anyone else care for her right now, but that doesn't mean you can't care for him. Even small gestures-bringing him food, giving him moments to breathe-will make a difference."

Ross leaned forward, his elbows on the table. "What about the attachment thing? You mentioned it during the session."

Dr. Caroline's expression turned serious. "It's something we need to address carefully. Taylor's fear of being alone has become so intense that it's impairing her ability to function. Right now, the best approach is to gently encourage small steps toward independence-like letting someone else hold her hand or sit beside her while Travis is still nearby."

The group exchanged worried glances.

"Is she going to be okay?" Isiah asked quietly.

"She has a long road ahead," Dr. Caroline admitted. "But with the right support-and with Travis by her side-I believe she can find her way back to herself."