What If

Chapter 40 - A Thousand Years

Taylor's P.O.V.
I spent that night at Sydney's. After she had found me at the bus stop, she had brought me home with her and I had just broken down. Thankfully the kids were out with their dad, and were staying at their grandma's for the night, so that meant that it was just me and Sydney. Between floods of tears, I managed to tell her what had happened, and I've never seen her so furious before in my life.

"That son of a-" But she stopped herself, seeing as she knew how much I hated swearing, "I swear, I'll kill him! Where are your house keys, Taylor?"

"No, Sydney don't!" I cried, grabbing her arm as she had begun to get up from the sofa, "Please!"

"Taylor, that guy doesn't deserve to see sunlight again!" She growled, sinking back into the sofa and wrapping me in a hug, "God, if I ever see him again-" I burst into another flood of tears, and she stopped. I buried my face into her hair, and she rubbed small circles on my back as I cried. Just like Thomas used to.

"But I don't know what to do!" I sniffled into her shoulder.

"What do you mean, hun?" She said softly, pulling away from me and wiping my tears away with her thumb. Just like Thomas used to.

"I got offered a new job in New York, as a head journalist," I mumbled, "And at first I didn't want to take it, because of Thomas and you guys! Because I didn't want to leave him here, but now I don't know!"

"Taylor," Sydney looked at me seriously, and was speaking in her what I like to call 'big sister' voice, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I was scared that you'd tell me what I wanted to hear," I replied in a small voice.

"What, that I think you should go?" I nodded my head and smiled weakly up at her.

"Deep down, I was so excited when I got the call. But after I'd told Thomas, and seen his reaction to the possibility of me leaving, I didn't want to hurt him."

"And now?" Sydney smiled. She knew what I wanted, and deep down I knew it too.

"I want to go."

A week later...

"Well then, this is it," I sighed, dragging my suitcase from the car towards the airport check-in gates.

"Taylor," Someone said softly. I turned to see Sydney with tears in her eyes, and Sam, who had his arm wrapped around Sydney's shoulders. Escaping from his embrace, she rushed forward towards me and buried me in a bone crushing hug. Tears welled in my eyes, and I smiled softly into her shoulder.

"I'll miss you," I said quietly, and I felt my sister nod her head against my neck.

"I'll miss you so much," She pulled apart from me, and smiled a little. I put on a brave smile.

"Bubbles?" I heard a small voice call from behind Sydney. I knelt down onto my knees as Mia and Teddy came running into my arms, and soaked my jacket with their tears.

"Do you have to go?" Mia cried, wiping her eyes with her small hands.

"I'm sorry, honey," My smile quivered, but I brought them into another hug so that they couldn't see me cry, "But don't worry. I'll keep in touch. We can Skype whenever you like, and you can send me messages."

"But it's not the same! Who's gonna read me Peter Pan?" Teddy mumbled quietly.

"Aw, you've got mummy don't forget!" I laughed lightly, looking up at Sydney, "And don't worry! I'll see you as soon as I can!" Nodding their small heads, Mia and Teddy gave me one last hug before running to their mum's arms. Standing on my feet, I smiled as someone else made their way towards me and embraced me in a hug.

"Take care, Tay," Dylan said quietly, and I could tell he was holding back the tears.

"Yeah, you too Dylan," I replied, pulling away from him. I couldn't take any more goodbyes. Taking a step away from everybody, and lifting my suitcase from the floor, I smiled and waved at them once more.

"Bye guys," And turning my back, I walked towards the gates, not taking a glance back, in fear that I might break down in tears again. I wiped away a lone tear as I handed my suitcase to the girl behind the counter, and she gave me a sympathetic smile as she checked over my passport. I made my way through security, and before I knew it, I was taking my seat on the plane. Opening the small window beside me, I placed my headphones over my head, and shuffled my iPod, blocking out the sounds of the people around me.

Heart beats fast
Colours and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?
But watching you stand alone,
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow.
One step closer

I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

I wiped my eyes with the back of my sleeve and gazed distantly out the window. The plane started to roar down the runway, but I couldn't hear it. All I could hear were the words to A Thousand Years, by Christina Perri, as I watched the clouds float by, and the sky become a painter's palette of reds, pinks and yellows.

And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

-- The End --