unfinished echoes - taylor swift

+1

alternative ending because i feel bad

The morning sun spilled through the curtains, filling the small cottage with a golden glow. The scent of fresh bread and blooming lavender drifted through the open window, carried in by the crisp Italian air. A gentle breeze rustled the lace curtains, and somewhere in the distance, the sound of church bells echoed softly. It was peaceful—exactly how Daisy had imagined it.

Taylor sat at the wooden kitchen table, pouring two cups of coffee. She glanced toward the bedroom with a knowing smile. "Daisy, if you don't get out of bed, I'm going to eat all the pastries myself," she called out, stirring a bit of honey into her drink.

A muffled groan came from the other room, followed by the sound of sheets rustling. "You wouldn't dare," Daisy mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep.

Taylor chuckled. "Try me."

Moments later, Daisy emerged from the bedroom, her fiery hair tousled, her cheeks still warm from sleep. She wore one of Taylor's oversized sweaters, the sleeves hanging slightly past her fingers. Despite the months of struggle, the endless treatments, and the terrifying uncertainty, she was here—alive, healthy, and standing in the kitchen of the cottage they had dreamed of for so long.

"You're cruel," Daisy muttered, rubbing her eyes as she walked over to the table. "Threatening a woman with pastries first thing in the morning."

Taylor smirked, sliding a plate toward her. "I figured it would get you out of bed."

Daisy sat down with a huff, picking up a warm pastry and taking a bite. A hum of approval left her lips as she chewed, and Taylor found herself just watching her—watching the way her shoulders relaxed, the way her eyes still held that spark of mischief. There were moments during Daisy's treatments when Taylor had feared she'd never see this again. Never hear Daisy's sarcasm, never wake up beside her, never get to watch her heal. But against all odds, they were here.

"You're staring," Daisy said, raising a brow.

Taylor shrugged, bringing her coffee to her lips. "Can't help it."

Daisy rolled her eyes, but there was a soft pink tint to her cheeks. "If you keep looking at me like that, I might think you're in love with me or something."

Taylor set her cup down and leaned forward, her blue eyes locked onto Daisy's. "I am in love with you," she said simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Daisy swallowed, her teasing expression faltering for just a second before she smirked. "Well, lucky for you, I happen to be in love with you too."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the world outside their little cottage waking up slowly. The village below was coming to life—shopkeepers setting up for the day, the sound of children laughing in the distance, the soft chatter of people going about their mornings.

"So," Daisy said after a moment, brushing a few stray crumbs from her sweater, "what's the plan for today?"

Taylor grinned, reaching for her hand across the table. "A walk through the village, then maybe we can take that boat ride you wouldn't stop talking about."

Daisy's eyes lit up. "You mean the one where we get to drink wine and eat cheese while floating down a river?"

"That's the one."