Taking It

Epilogue

Epilogue

The scent of bacon sizzling over the stove top, mixed with Taylor's earthy tones wakes me up mere seconds before his alarm starts to obnoxiously beep. Taylor lets out an irritable groan, rolling onto his stomach, nearly crushing me beneath him. Not caring if he's possibly suffocating his girlfriend, Taylor buries his face into my neck and inhales deeply. I shiver as his breath tickles the skin on my neck as he slowly exhales.

"Five more minutes." Taylor murmurs, pulling me closer and twisting his fingers in the fabric of my shirt against my thighs.

"Not five more minutes, we need to get up." Reaching up I brush my fingers through his short strands of hair, tracing his hairline against his temple with my thumb. Taylor moans, his tense muscles relaxing against my body. It becomes easier to breath.

I do this a few more times before he finally pushes himself up and rests on his knees. My eyes trail up his torso, taking in the small scars littered about and his broad chest. When they reach his face I smile, his lips slanted in the same gesture.

"Today's the day." His hands fall to his hips, running his thumb beneath the waistband of his boxers briefs.

"It is." I nod my head, sit up and pushing myself back against the wall. I pull my legs towards me and cross them.

"This is a huge step, are you sure you're ready for this?" Taylor arches his scarred brow and I nod my head again despite the nervous bubbles in my stomach.

"There's no turning back after today. You're out there, on your own." Taylor leans forward, using his hands as support.

"You'll be with me." I remind him, his words and closeness does nothing to ease my rumbling stomach. The bubbles cause me to feel nauseous.

"Not the whole time."

My hands begin to shake and I shove them under my thighs beneath the sheets so he couldn't see. Taylor leans forward a bit, pressing his lips near the corner of my mouth.

"Everything's going to be okay." He whispers against my skin. "You're going to be okay."

My eyes shift over to the gown sprawled out in my chair and I can feel the bile rise up in my throat. Shaking my head I push Taylor aside, reaching for my waste basket next to me. My throat and nose burn as I spew into it, the sound of it plunking against the bottom making it that much worse.

• — • — •

"Are you feeling better?" Blair questions as she sets a full plate of bacon, eggs and toss in front of me. I shrug my shoulders, willing myself to have an appetite.

Last night had begun my spell of throwing up. It kept me, and Taylor, awake for most of night. When I finally fell asleep I had figured it was a small bug and I had gotten over it but this morning proves otherwise.

"Maybe we should take you to see a doctor afterwards. Do you feel any pain anywhere?" As usual when someone feels ill Blair places the back of her hand against my forehead. "You don't feel too warm."

"I just think she's letting her nerves get the best of her." Taylor tenderly rubs my back, kissing my shoulder.

"So much is happening today she may be overwhelmed." My stomach rumbles again, however its not for food.

Shaking my head I push the plate away. Blair looks a bit heartbroken by the action.

"Are you sure?" Slowly she picks up the plate and I nod my head.

I can make it through the day. It's only a few hours.

• — • — •