Falling Slowly {{ sweeran }}

Chapter 12

"But you start to talk about the movies that your family watches every single Christmas / and I want to talk about that / and for the first time what's past is past.." - 'Begin Again', Taylor Swift

Taylor took a quick look in the mirror on her way out the door. Her same clear skin and blue eyes looked back at her, but what wasn't average was the bright smile on her face, or the rosy glow in her cheeks. Her side-swept bangs were stylishly messy, and she ran a manicured hand absently through them as she made her way out the door to the chauffeured car.

"Good morning, Ms. Swift." Earl said with a polite smile, holding the car door for her.

"Good morning, Earl! Gorgeous day, isn't it?" Taylor replied sunnily, casting her eyes upward toward the cloudy grey sky from behind her sunglasses before hopping in the car. Earl gave her a look like he figured something was up but got in the car nevertheless. 

"You're in a good mood this morning, Ms." He looked at her through the mirror and she just shrugged with a pleasant smile.

"I had a great sleep." She said almost giddily, before resting her head on the window and just daydreaming, the radiant smile a fixture on her lips.

****

The meeting was over a few hours later, and Taylor gave herself the afternoon off from writing. 

"Wow, hello. It's really been too long." The oh-so familiar voice drawled in to the phone. Naturally, Ed Sheeran was the first person she called.

"We had fun last time though." She said, smiling a little unbeknownst to herself.

"That's true." A pause. Taylor could almost hear the smirk in his voice. "Listen, I was about to call you." His voice was a little hesitant. Oh dear. Was he having doubts?

Her fears evaporated, however when he said something very unexpected.

"So..I was sort of thinking...would you maybe want to go out? To the cinema or something?" He was very nervous. Taylor could tell in the way he was stumbling over his words. For someone who always chose and thought about their words so carefully, it was not a regular occurrence.

"Like, a date?" Taylor said, almost in disbelief.

"Um, well, yeah." Ed replied, before quickly speaking again. "I mean, if you don't want to..I just thought since, well, after last night.." He was stuttering now, probably regretting even asking, but he was unaware that on the other line, Taylor was smiling from ear to ear.

"I would love to." She replied, biting her lip to try and mask her gigantic smile.

"Well what took you so bloody long then?!" Ed exclaimed, and Taylor only laughed.

****

Three Months Later...

Taylor was feeling good.

It was December 12th. It was finally cold in Texas. She had her Christmas shopping done, and was on her way to meet her boyfriend. 

Yeah. Her boyfriend.

"Everything has changed.." Taylor hummed to herself as she walked serenely through the mostly empty night streets. Of course she was being followed closely by security, but she had chosen to walk to the cafe and enjoy the fresh night rather than take the car.

Yeah, things were going very well for Taylor right now.

She happily snuggled in to her checked scarf, hands in her pockets and earphones in, playing a quiet melody.

Okay, fine, it was Ed Sheeran.

You'd think that since they began dating she wouldn't need to listen to his music, but it was funny. It turns out that since she'd gotten to know him, she'd fallen in love with his voice even more.

'Maybe you're lovable..and maybe you're my snowflake..' 

Wake Me Up was her favourite. It was a pure story of love, and in truth it reminded her of them.

She pushed open the heavy door of the secluded and practically deserted cafe. Taylor was a regular here, so she knew they wouldn't go telling the paps. She and Ed were keeping things quiet for now, but their constant company did not go unnoticed by the fans or media. The thought almost made her smile. For now, everyone just thought they were friends. There was something exciting in the mystery.

And so she stepped in to the cafe, the comforting aroma of coffee granules surrounding her. she thanked her security and gave him the night off, promising she'd call if she needed anyone.

Taylor looked around, and it didn't take long until she spotted Ed himself, sporting a navy pullover that brought out the blue in his eyes and contrasted with his unruly hair. He smiled up at her, and she felt herself smiling back.

"Hello." She said quietly, taking her seat opposite him. He had already gotten her a pot of green tea and started on his own black coffee.

"Ms. Swift." He grinned back at her, and scanned her face in a lovingly slow way that made her blush.

"Listen, I have bad news.." Ed said, smiling sadly. "I have to go back to England."

"What? Again?" Taylor exhaled, defeated, shrugging off her coat and scarf.

"Yeah. I have some small Christmas gigs that I do in Suffolk every year, and I'm staying for Christmas." He watched her with sad eyes.

"I guess that's fair. I mean, I'm doing Christmas at my brother's. When do you leave?" She asked, sipping her tea.

"Tomorrow." He winced and she frowned. "But..if you don't have any plans..maybe you could come with? Come back with me to England, see the bright lights of Suffolk, and fly back in time for Christmas á la Swift." He smiled hopefully at her.

"I'd love to!" She exclaimed without thinking, before blushing a little at her enthusiasm. "I love England, and I want to see Suffolk in all it's grandeur." She grinned, and felt her tummy bubble with excitement. 

"Sorted! This may have been presumptuous, but I kinda booked you a ticket." He produced a first class jet ticket and slid it across the table to Taylor."Not all of us have a private plane at our disposal. Hope you don't mind slumming it on a rented jet." He winked, and Taylor jumped up from her seat and hugged him out of pure giddiness.

"It's perfect! I have so much to do! I have to pack and tell Nigel and my security and my parents and.." She grabbed her mug and  hastily asked the barista to transfer the tea into a travel cup, before thanking them, tipping ten dollars and looking back at Ed, who was holding out her coat and draining the last of his coffee.

"What, are you gonna walk? I'll drive you, and you can repay me by giving me overnight accommodation." He grinned at her, and she felt her stomach flutter.

As they left the cafe, Taylor turned her head toward Ed.

"So does this mean I get to meet your mom?"