All I Need

Chapter Eleven

Taylor's P.O.V

Austin and Sarah have been with us for a week now and everyday mom gets a little bit weaker and a little less coherent. The doctors say it's all the medicine that she is on but I think that the cancer is just draining her. Nothing is working and so my dad made the decision to stop all treatment. Austin and I agree but it just doesn't seem fair. The few pieces of good news this week include me knowing that Karlie and I are about to become Aunts and our kids will have a cousin, the creepy letters to Allie have stopped for now and Cara seems to have disappeared for now too. All in all a good week except for my mom who is actually awake today and has called Karlie in to see her. I can't really imagine what it is about but it is obviously special because she only wants Karlie there not even dad. We all trust mom's instincts and agree that whatever she wants, she damn well gets. I stand watching Nashville as the kids are watching T.V in the lounge and I begin to remember the day that I brought this apartment, it was my first home that I would live in once I left the confined space that had been home for the last nineteen years.

*Flashback*

"Honey, I think this might be a little too big for you." My mom calls from behind me. I roll my eyes and sigh a little. Turning to face her I start to speak. "Mom...please don't do this now. We agreed that when I'm twenty I will be moving out. It's June and so I need to find somewhere to live. This place is perfect." I gush looking past the modern ideas of it. Mom sighs and moves towards the kitchen as I frown. "What's this really about mom?" I question. She looks up.
"Taylor, I've been looking after you for twenty years and a few months..." I'm a little confused at her math. "Ever since I got pregnant with you I've always wanted what's best for you and when you said you wanted to go to Nashville to be a singer I thought it was possible and I watched you try every day for a year and when you still weren't signed by RCA I let you walk away knowing that you would work it out." I look at my mom and for once I see her for the woman she is, taking me places and letting me make my own way. She even let me do home school so I could travel for music. Walking over to her I hug her to me. "You'll always be my mom and I love you but I want this too." She nods and dries her eyes with the back of her hand. "I know and you will be great but it's hard to let you go at the same time." I nod agreeing with her and wondering if I will be the same when I have children. "You really want this one honey?" she questions as I nod.
"I do." She nods and walks to the real estate lady nearby.
"She'll take it. Cash okay?" The lady looks taken back but nods. "When can she take hold of the apartment?"
"Next week. Once papers are signed." I smile and turn and look out across Nashville wondering how quickly the next few months will be.

*Flashback Ends*

"Mom, where are you?" I break from my flashback and turn to see Ryan holding the phone out.
"Who is it Ry?" He shrugs and hands it to me before walking to the kitchen. I smile and raise the phone to my ear. "Hello?" I question.
"Taylor Swift. We meet again." My blood instantly chills. 'Who the hell?' I think.
"Who is this?" I question when I hear a giggle on the other end.
"Your favourite sister in-law..."
"Kariann?" I question in amazement. She confirms it. "What the hell are you thinking, calling me like that?" She falters.
"Shit, I'm sorry Tay, I wasn't thinking. Sorry." This breaks me out into giggles.
"What's up Kariann?" I question walking towards the kitchen when the front door opens and closes, I stick my head out and see Karlie, waving to her and mouthing 'Kariann' she walks into the lounge to join the kids. "Do you mind if I stay in your New York place for a while? I have a few interviews in the city so it makes more sense." Of course I have no issue so I say she can stay as long as she likes, just pay the power and water bill and it's all good. She thanks me and I tell her to get the key from Lena who gets on with Kariann. Hanging up the phone I walk into the lounge and join everyone and rather than sit on the couch next to Ryan and Allie I walk over and sit on Karlie, straddling her as Becca giggles and Flynn jump on too. Ryan groans and mutters something about loss of appetite but he still takes the popcorn with him and Allie whips out her phone and sings. "Gotta go text Caleb." I smile and let them all go as Becca climbs on top of Flynn and we do a hug until Flynn and Becca rush off when Ryan yells that he's ordering pizza and what does everyone want? Of course he knows and Allie no longer reacts but Flynn and Becca always rush to him placing their plain cheese pizza order.
"Alone at last." I coo burying my head into Karlie's neck as she kisses my head. "How is she?" I ask sitting back. Karlie looks at me and says, "she's getting worse Tay, your dad said that the doctors don't think it will be much longer." I nod understanding but at the same time hoping doctors are wrong for once. Which seems strange considering when I gave birth I was praying that they knew what they were doing but that's life I guess.

Karlie's P.O.V

I was really nervous walking into Andrea's hospital room, I know that she doesn't have long left now and I know that every day is precious from here on out but I can't help but wonder what she wants with me, just me. Knocking on the door I quietly step in as Scott smiles and stands allowing me to sit while he leaves. "Karlie..." Andrea breathes as I smile and hold her extended hand.
"Andrea, how are you today?" Andrea laughs and coughs as I wince.
"I'm okay, how are my grandbabies?" I smile.
"They are fine, eating breakfast when I left so I brought you a video of them." I grab my iPhone and quickly find the video it starts with Becca eating her toast but most of it is around her mouth. "Mama goway..." she states her mouth full of toast. You can hear me laugh as I turn to Flynn who is trying to land his toy into his pancakes without Taylor noticing. "Flynn Jacob Swift-Kloss if I see that toy at my table in ten seconds I will throw it away." The look captured on Flynn's face is pure confusion considering Taylor has her back turned away. "Put it away champ." I state as I pan the camera to Allie who is taking a selfie with her fruit smiley face Taylor made her. "Allie-gator what did mommy make you today?" I question walking the camera to her face, she shoves me away shrieking I have no makeup. Lastly I pan to Ryan who is shovelling pancakes, bacon and eggs into his mouth like he hasn't been fed for a year. "Calm down big guy. There's still heaps more." Taylor states as she lies more pancakes on his plate. "Hi baby, say hi to the camera." Taylor blows a kiss and walks away as I turn it to me. "Swift-Klosses out!" and the video stops. I take the phone back as Andrea holds my hand. "Thank-you Karlie. That was wonderful."
"No problem. So why am I here exactly?"

Andrea takes a huge breath and begins to talk, "When I am gone Karlie everything will fall apart. Scott won't function, Taylor will push everyone away and Austin will run." I nod agreeing that those things will happen. "I want you to help everyone, I don't want it to be like that for Scott, Taylor and Austin. I want everyone to be okay." I nod not really understanding why I'm here.
"Karlie I need you to hold everyone together, you're a strong person and us Swift's are not strong people, we are emotional and at a time like this I realise that it's terrible that I will die first and they all don't know when to expect it or how and I want to ask if you can be the glue. Will you Karlie?" She looks at me with the same eyes as Taylor as I stiffly nod. "Anything you want." I state closing my hand around hers. I sit for a few hours before heading home and as I walk in and see Taylor on the phone and the kids watching a movie I know to appreciate all I have because you never know when it could be gone.