Fearless

Chapter 11- Your String Of Lights Is Still Bright To Me

December 10th

Taylor

"It's so early." I groan as I curl up on the sofa. It's 4.30am and Violet is still asleep upstairs, but I have a 7am flight so I'm just waiting on a car picking me up. "I know, baby." Karlie laughs as she sits down beside me, handing me a travel cup as she wraps her arm around my shoulders. "Thanks Kar." I smile as I hold onto the travel cup and smile at the brunette.

Karlie spent the night the other day and then the next day I was having lunch with my parents, so I didn't see her again until she came over last night.

"I left her schedule on the fridge, there's breastmilk in the fridge and it all has times on it for around when she'll want it. If she's fussy, rock her in her room and put her down for a nap in her crib and then if she doesn't like that then try laying with her in my bed and-" I start rambling through everything and Karlie cuts me off with a kiss, making me relax and get lost in the feeling of her lips.

"You told me all of this last night and it's all written down. I promise we'll be fine, we'll be watching when you win and then you can have all of the cuddles you want when you get home." The brunette's voice is a soft hum as she rests her forehead against mine and I sigh, nodding as I turn into her body and cuddle into her chest. We both know I'm just anxious about leaving Violet for such a long period of time and also about the awards show, they're really not my favourite thing.

"I don't wanna go, I wanna stay home and snuggle in bed with you and Violet." I pout and Karlie laughs as she runs a hand over my back, trying to soothe me. "I promise we can spend all of tomorrow in bed, but you have to go, babe." I sigh, I know that but it doesn't mean I have to like it. "It seems like someone's awake." the brunette smiles as the baby monitor comes to life and I smile, glad I get to see my little one before I have to go.

I get up and walk upstairs to get Violet from her crib, opening her bedroom door and walking into the dark room. "Good morning, sweetheart." I smile at the groggy baby and lift her into my arms, turning the baby monitor, nightlight and white noise machine off before heading back downstairs. Since Karlie helped me with the nursery, I've been transitioning Violet into her crib and last night she slept the full night in her own room for the first time.

"Good morning, love bug." Karlie coos at Vi as I sit back down, holding the baby in my arms as she cuddles close to me. I lean back against Karlie, cradling Violet as she starts to wake up, "are you gonna be good for Karlie, baby?" I rub her back as she keeps her head on my chest, "I think I'm gonna feed her and then you guys can just go back to bed once I'm gone." It's super early and Violet usually sleeps longer than this so I'm pretty sure she's just looking for some cuddles and a boob.

I let Violet latch on and cuddle with Karlie as the baby eats. It's still dark outside so it feels like we should all still be in bed, but in about twenty minutes my publicist is gonna get here and I'm gonna have to leave Karlie and Violet for nearly a full twenty four hours. I've said it a million times at this point, but being in Karlie's arms makes me feel safe, it feels so right and her presence makes me a little more brave.

That safe space is shattered all too soon as my phone buzzes and Paula texts me to tell me that she's on her way up. "I'll get the door, she looks like she's nearly out." I move to let Karlie up from the couch but before she can get too far I grab her hand and pull her into a kiss, knowing fine well that if Paula is coming up then I probably won't get a chance to do that before I go. "I'll be right back," she smiles sadly, knowing exactly why I did it, and she pecks my lips one more time before walking through the apartment to answer the front door.

"Who's that?" The superior personality of my publicist is fully on show as she walks into the living room moments later, Karlie coming shortly behind her. "Karlie's a friend, she's watching Violet for me until I get back." I feel bad calling Karlie a friend, we're not officially together but we're definitely more than friends. The blonde simply looks the model up and down and nods in response, but I just focus on feeding Violet as Karlie sits back down beside me, leaving a respectable amount of space between us so that Paula doesn't get suspicious.