Blurred lines in a forbidden fairytale [Taylor x OC]

Epilogue

4 years later
March 2024
Taylor's POV:

The roar of the crowd still echoes in my ears as I step off the stage, my chest heaving with exhilaration. My cheeks hurt from smiling, my throat raw from pouring every ounce of myself into those songs. The thunder of their applause, the way they chanted my name—it's a kind of magic I never thought I'd know.

But none of it compares to what's waiting for me backstage.

I spot them immediately: Aurora, Felicia, and little Nora. My family. My heart clenches at the sight. Aurora is holding Nora, her free hand resting lightly on Felicia's shoulder. Felicia, now a teenager, stands tall and confident, though there's still a flicker of the girl she once was in her bright eyes. My little Nora, just two and a half years old, is squirming in Aurora's arms, her tiny arms stretching toward me as she bounces impatiently.

"Mama!" Nora shrieks the moment she sees me. Her voice cuts through the din in my head, clear and pure. She wriggles free from Aurora's grasp with a determination that makes me laugh, and she's running toward me, her little legs pumping as fast as they can.

I crouch down just in time to catch her, scooping her up and spinning her around. Her delighted giggles fill the air, and I feel something in my chest loosen, expand.

"You came to see Mama sing?" I ask her, pressing kisses all over her chubby cheeks. She giggles harder, her tiny hands clutching my face.

"Mama loud!" she exclaims, and I laugh, my head tilting back.

"That's right, sweetheart. Mama's very loud."

I lower Nora onto my hip, her little fingers curling around a strand of my hair as Felicia steps forward. Fifteen now, she's all gangly limbs and cautious smiles, but she wraps her arms around me without hesitation, her head resting against my shoulder.
"You were amazing, Mom," she says softly.

"Thank you, baby," I whisper, pulling her close with my free arm. I press a kiss to her temple, savoring the way she leans into me, no longer as guarded as she used to be.

Finally, my gaze shifts to Aurora. My wife. My rock. She's watching me with that soft, steady smile that never fails to ground me. Her eyes shine with pride, her love for me written so plainly in her expression that my throat tightens.
I step closer, shifting Nora to one side as I reach for Aurora. She steps into my arms easily, her hands settling on my waist as our foreheads touch.

"You did it. Your first show of your very own tour," she murmurs. "You've really done it."

"I couldn't have done it without you," I reply, my voice cracking. It's the truth. Every step of this journey, she's been there, steady and unwavering. She gave me the courage to face the world, to face myself.
Aurora tilts her head up, her lips brushing mine in a kiss that's sweet and lingering. It's not just a kiss; it's a promise. A reminder of everything we've built together and everything we still have to look forward to.

When we break apart, Nora tugs on my hair, demanding my attention again.
"Mama, I'm hungry," she announces.

I laugh, brushing her curls back from her face. "Of course you are, little one. Let's find you something to eat."

As we head toward the exit together, I take a moment to look at my family—the people who make everything worth it. Felicia walking by my side, her hand brushing against mine. Aurora beside me, her gaze warm and steady. And Nora in my arms, babbling about her favorite song from the concert.
This is my everything. My success, my happiness, my life.
As we make our way through the backstage area, I'm still holding Nora, who's starting to get a little squirmy in my arms. Aurora nudges me playfully with her shoulder.