Two Pink Lines

chapter 7: beautiful & bad

"There was an accident."

Taylor stepped out of the bathtub as well, "Accident? With who?"

Joe ran his hand through his hair, "Mum and Patrick. They were driving home, some drunk driver slammed into them. I don't know, but I need to go. I'm sorry, why don't you just stay here, I'll be back soon."

"What? No! I'm coming with you," Taylor was already changing back into her clothes.

Joe kissed her cheek, "It's fine love, you need to rest. I promise I'll tell you everything in the morning."

"No! They're my family too Joe!" Taylor pushed him away slightly. "If they're in the hospital I'm going to go see them."

Joe bit his lip, "Okay."

Once they had both changed into their clothes they walked out into the car, Joe sitting in the drivers seat. After punching in the directions to the hospital, he began driving. Taylor was quiet, glaring down at the dashboard in front of her. Joe glanced at her quickly, "Are you okay, darling?"

"No," Taylor said, not elaborating more.

Joe sighed, "Are you mad at me?"

"Yes," Taylor turned away from him when he tried to look at her.

"Honey I can't play 20 questions, just tell me why you're upset and we'll talk about it," Joe was slightly aggravated, but tried to keep his cool.

"Because! I feel like you don't want to include me in these things. We're married Joe! Yet you think I don't want to see when your family, hell, my family is in the hospital! You can't just shield me from the bad parts, and just show me the good parts. I want to be there with you when something bad happens, and be there with you when something good happens. I just want to be with you and sometimes it just feels like you don't want that as much as I do," Taylor stared out the window so he wouldn't see the tears pouring down her face.

Joe didn't reply, but much to her surprise pulled the car over to the side of the road. Taylor still didn't look at him, keeping her eyes trained on the window. "Darling..." Joe said quietly, gently moving her to face him. "I'm sorry. I didn't ever mean to make you feel that way."

Taylor closed her eyes, trying not to cry as Joe continued, "And you're right, I am trying to shield you from the bad parts, but I realize that I was being stupid. I was just afraid that if you saw so much of the bad... you would forget about the good. I'm sorry."

Taylor opened her eyes slowly, just for tears to start pouring out. Joe leaned over the compartment that was separating them, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm so, so, sorry," he said quietly, kissing her forehead.

He held her until her tears slowed, before slowly letting go of her. Taylor wiped her eyes, "It's okay. Just... next time you'll know, right?"

"Definitely," Joe said, giving her one more kiss before starting the car again and getting back on the road. They talk more as they were driving now, but it was mainly to distract from the fact that Elizabeth and Patrick were in the hospital.

Once they arrived, Joe took Taylor's hand, and they both kept their heads down as to not attract attention. So she wouldn't be noticed, Taylor stood back as Joe went up to the front desk explaining the situation. The receptionist typed a few things in the computer, before looking back up at him. "Oh my god, you're Joe Alwyn! I've watched a lot of your movies!"

Joe smiled slightly, not in the mood for fans, but not wanting to be rude, "Yes, that's me."

"I'm sorry, but can I have an autograph?" she asked, giving him a sticky note and a pen.