Taylor Swift Miniseries

I'm ready to let go

"Y-You're what?" You asked Carter in disbelief as he sat at the kitchen table across from you and Taylor.

"I'm ready to get my own place." He repeated, causing the lump in your throat to grow. You looked down at your lap and felt Taylor squeeze your hand.

There was a tension in the air, making all three of you a little sad and unsure of what to do or say next.

Carter slid out of his chair and cleared his throat. He came over to you and hugged your shoulder. "I love you, mom. We can talk more about this in a little while. I'll give you a bit." He said and then walked out of the room.

Tears stung your eyes and you could feel your heart sinking deep in your chest, almost shattering into pieces right then and there. Taylor placed her hand on your thigh and ran her fingers along your skin. "Hey... talk to me. Tell me what you're feeling right now, darling."

"Sad..." You admitted and tilted your head up. "I knew this day would come but I didn't think it would come so quickly. I feel like it was just yesterday that he was learning to crawl or that he was starting his first day of school. Now he's going to college and getting his own place and one day, he'll have his own family and his own life and,"

"Hey... slow down, breathe." She reminded you and took a couple of deep breaths with you. "Honey, I know it's hard. I mean, I know he's not my son by blood, but he's always been my son. He's just as much my world as he is yours, and you are mine. It's hard to watch him go, but we should be so proud. Especially you. Look at who he's grown up to be. A bright, selfless, loving young man. He might be growing up, and he's definitely taller than you,"

She giggled when you playfully hit her forearm.

"But he loves you a lot. That'll never change. And, c'mon, admit it, when you hit the age of eighteen you were ready to flee the nest too!" She reminded you, making you chuckle tearfully. "He wants to strive for that same independence. He wants his own thing. But he's still your son, that's never gonna change."

You laid your head on her shoulder and smiled tearfully.

"What's your favorite memory? I know that it was only the two of you there for a bit before I came along. Tell me what your favorite memory is."

"Too many to choose just one. Probably the happiness in his eyes when he came home from his first day of school. Or how much he loved to go to the zoo and he was so in love with all the animals. His eyes would go wide and bright..."

Taylor chuckled and kissed your forehead.

"He's grown up fast. He's always had big dreams."

"And he deserves to be able to follow them." Taylor nodded.

"Mom?"

You both looked toward the doorway where Carter stood. He looked teary-eyed as he strode over to you and Taylor and hugged you both.

"Just because I wanna stand on my own two feet, that doesn't mean I'm gonna love you both any less. I am who I am today because of you both. Trust me, I'm never gonna take any of that for granted."

You sniffled and you both held onto him tightly.

"Besides, you're still stuck with me for a few more weeks. I still have a little looking around to do, and I'm not in any rush."

You giggled, happy to hear him say that.

"I'll make you both so proud."

He promised, but you quickly shook your head and said,

"You already do."