Taylor Swift Imagines Book Three (gxg)

oh, darling, don't you ever grow up

The little hand shaking Taylor's shoulder woke her from her peaceful sleep.

"Mommy?" Carter whined and tugged at the seams of her sweater.

"Hm? Carter? Buddy? What is it?" She asked through the long yawn that suddenly came over her. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and took in the sight of the little boy standing in front of her. His hair was messy but he looked like he was wide awake, as if he hadn't slept a wink, despite the fact that it was going on eleven o'clock now and usually he's out like a light at this time.

"I can't sleep! I think there's a monster in my closet." He said as he cuddled the bear in his arms closer to his chest. Taylor cracked a tiny smile and nodded her head, carefully making her way out of bed without disturbing you.

"Okay, buddy. Show me where the monster is! I'll take care of it for you."

Carter climbed into bed and pointed to his closet. Taylor opened it quickly and turned on the light, peeking inside only to confirm her suspicions. There was nothing in there. She turned the light off and looked at the little boy in his big bed. "All good, little buddy. There's nothing in there!"

Carter pouted slightly and loosened his grip on his teddy bear. "Are you sure? Really sure?"

Taylor giggled and sat beside him. "Really really. You are safe and sound." She kissed his head and reached for his blanket but Carter stopped her. "Wait, mommy! Can you read me a story?"

"I don't know buddy, it's late. You need to sleep."

His eyes filled with tears and guilt flooded Taylor immediately. "No, hey, shh. What's wrong?"

"I don't wanna sleep. You were gone when I woke up today."

Her schedule had pulled her out of bed way sooner than Taylor wanted. She wanted to be home when you and Carter got up, but that wasn't how things worked this morning. She knew he'd be saddened by it, but she didn't expect him to stay up late and try anything he could to get her to stay by him for as long as possible.

"I know, buddy. I wanted to be but I had things I had to take care of for my music."''

His eyes sorta lit up at that. "Music? New music?"

Taylor chuckled at his sudden excitement and nodded her head as she brushed her fingers through his hair. "Its almost done and then you can listen to it." He smiled at that. "And don't you worry. I'm home tomorrow so I will be here when you open your eyes. Maybe we can convince your mom to go out for ice cream tomorrow! Sound fun?"

He nodded excitedly.

"Okay, then. It's a deal but you have to get some sleep for that to happen."

He laid down flat on his back and allowed for Taylor to pull the covers over him. "Can you sing to me?" He asked, and if it was possible he became even happier upon hearing her say yes. "lay with me and teddy!" He shrieked happily and Taylor found herself curling up next to him and his little bear in his small bed.

"Close your eyes," Taylor said and Carter did just that, but he also laid his head on her chest and snuggled up to him.

"Your little hand's wrapped around my finger and it's so quiet in the world tonight. Your little eyelids flutter cause your dreaming so I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light,"

she sang softly and let the palm of her hand brush along his back comfortingly.

"Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple. I won't let nobody hurt you, won't let no one break your heart, and no one will desert you. Just try to never grow up."

She noticed he had fallen asleep and even though she wanted to get back to bed to lay beside you and hold you as you slept, she knew these times didn't come around as often as she'd love them to because of her own schedule.

One day, these things won't be possible. There will come a time when Carter is all your grown up and he doesn't need Taylor to sing him to sleep each and every night.

Her hand brushed along his back gently and she found herself laying little kisses to his head. She didn't move. She didn't want to. She didn't dream of it.

She let her head fall back to his pillows, or the tiny part of it her head was on. His bed was small since he was small himself, so it was almost impossible to get comfy, but she also knew there was nowhere else she'd rather be in with him tonight.

She closed her eyes and fell right asleep, but not without whispering something in his ear.

"I love you, Carter. To the moon and back."