What If

Chapter 16 - Why Not?

Taylor's P.O.V.
Groaning, I rolled onto my back and looked up at the ceiling. I'd been up all night long, sniffling and coughing. My throat was dry, and my eyes were streaming tears down my face. I wasn't crying, but I was at that awful stage that when I cough, my eyes fill with water. It was awful. I knew that there was no point in lying here anymore, so I threw my legs over the side of the bed and wrapped a blanket over my head. It's been three days since we got back from flat sitting for Henry. Thankfully, Thomas managed to get a guy to come round and fix the panel he broke, before Henry came home, but aside from that nothing else went wrong.

Shuffling into the kitchen, I filled the kettle and leant against the kitchen counter. As I waited for it to boil, I suddenly burst into a fit of sneezes. With tears filling my eyes, I covered my mouth and nose with my hands and ran out of the kitchen to the bathroom. And straight into Thomas.

"Whoa!" He exclaimed, placing his hands on my shoulder, "You alright, Taylor? You look bloody dreadful!"

"Wow, you're definitely one for your chat up lines," I sniffled, rubbing my nose and eyes, "And in case you weren't aware, I'm sick!"

"Oh come here," Thomas wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me into his chest. I buried my face into his black t-shirt and balled it slightly in my fist as Thomas slowly rubbed my back.

"Sorry Thomas," I mumbled, looking up at him into his dark brown eyes, "I was just making tea, do you want some?"

"Ohhh no no no," He grabbed my round the waist as I started for the kitchen, "I'll make the tea and you'll go and get comfy in the living room!"

"But Thomas," I protested, "I'm not that sick! I-" I was broken off by an outburst of coughing.

"Yeah, you're not sick!" Thomas laughed, pushing me in the direction of the living room, "Off you go!"

In the evening...

I have been sick all day. Coughing, sneezing, the lot! Stuck on the sofa, watching episode after episode of Modern Family on the television, with a blanket brought up to my chin. But I guess I can't really complain. Thomas hasn't left my side once. The pair of us have both been curled up on the sofa, me lying up against Thomas' chest and Thomas with his arm around my middle. He's been an absolute gentleman today - bringing me food, cups of tea and medicine when I needed it.

"You know," I grinned, taking probably my tenth cup of tea from him, "You are gonna make one hell of a husband!"

"Oh shut up!" He chuckled, sitting back down on the sofa and pulling me into a hug.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," I said, holding back a laugh, "I'd guess you'd have to have a girlfriend!"

"Hey, meanie!" He moaned, hitting me lightly on the arm, "I don't see you with a boyfriend!"

"Pfft, me? A boyfriend? "I laughed, raising my eyebrows at him, "Yeah, that's never gonna happen!"

"Mm, that's not true," Thomas smiled down at me as I shifted my body, so that I was practically lying on top of him, "There's someone out there for you, Taylor. Sure, he'll have to get used to your crazy ways, your ridiculous sense of humour and your obsession with Disney songs, but he's somewhere!"

"Awww is that your try at poetry then, Mr Thomas Brodie-Sangster?" I grinned, ruffling his hair with my hand.

"Mm, yeah never been good at poetry!" He chuckled, gazing into my eyes. And something just clicked. I didn't notice it at first, but there was something in his eyes. And I felt it - a spark. I felt myself leaning in towards him slowly, him leaning down towards me. And just as I felt his nose brush against mine, my phone began ringing from beside me. Mentally screaming, I looked up into Thomas' eyes and slowly pulled away.

"Oh, sorry that'll be my phone!" I giggled, slowly sitting up and rubbing my nose before picking the phone up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Taylor, it's Ellie!" My cousin screamed down the phone.

"Ellie, hey! How's the plans for the wedding going?" I asked. Ellie was my cousin who was getting married on New Year's Eve.

"Good! I just wanted to remind you that you need to bring a date to the ceremony!" She laughed, "You don't want the sickos at the bar asking you out!"

"Oh shut up, Ellie!" I groaned, "I'll bring someone don't worry!"

"Okay great! Well I'll speak to you later then! You sound pretty dreadful!" She giggled. Laughing, I said goodbye and hung up before turning to Thomas.

"You alright?" I smiled at him.

"Yeah I'm good!" He ran a hand through his hair, "Who was on the phone?"

"Oh, that was Ellie, my cousin who's getting married on New Year's Eve!"

"What'd she call you for?"

"To make sure I had a date for the ceremony!" I laughed.

"Ohhh, and do you?" He chuckled as I leant my head against his shoulder.

"Well, I was actually going to ask you!" I smiled, looking up at him. He rose his eyebrows at me and smirked.

"Me?"

"You!" I repeated, "We'd have to pretend to be a couple for the few days, but it should be fun!" Thomas looked thoughtfully at me, before nodding his head.

"Yeah, why not? It'd be fun!"

"Brilliant!" I said happily, turning my attention back to the television.

"Oh, and there's one condition," Thomas smirked, causing me to look at him confused.

"Mm?"

"Please tell me you're gonna be more attractive on the day?" He laughed when I punched him on the shoulder.

"You are a funny guy, Tommy!" I sighed, "A funny guy!"