Two Pink Lines

chapter 20: a test

After gathering her thoughts, Taylor walked out of the bathroom, back to Elizabeth and James. "Are you good?" Elizabeth asked Taylor.

Taylor gave a small smile and a nod, "I'm good."

Elizabeth didn't look like she bought it, but continued on in the kitchen. "I think James and I will be on our way soon, I have to get him to school," Taylor said, helping James out of the chair. "Are we still coming over next weekend?"

Elizabeth nodded, "I'll see you then. Have a fun time at school James!"

James just tucked his head into Taylor's neck, still visibly upset from Joe's departure. 

After strapping him into his carseat, Taylor was about to start driving before her phone began to ring. She picked it up, seeing it was Joe wanting to facetime. "Hey, what's up?" Taylor asked, turning the phone on speaker. 

"Hey! I just landed and wanted to call. Have you dropped James off yet?" Joe asked.

"I was actually just about too. Do you want me to give the phone to him?" Taylor said, and Joe nodded.

She handed the phone back to James, beginning to drive. She heard Joe and James talking in the background. After arriving at the school she parked the school, turning to face James. "Alright Jam, why don't you tell Daddy bye, okay?"

James made puppy dog eyes, "Five more minutes?"

"You have to go to school," Taylor frowned. "He'll be home soon."

"But mummy-" James was about to began complaining.

"James, listen to your mum," Joe's voice filtered through the phone. 

James frowned, practically shoving the phone back into Taylor's hand. Taylor sighed, mumbling a quick, 'I'll call you back' to Joe, before hanging up. "Alright, let's go," Taylor unbuckled James, leading him to the into the building. "I'll pick you up in a bit, okay?" Taylor said, kneeling down to James's level. "Have fun."

James crossed his arms as an act of rebellion against his mom, before marching off to his classroom. Taylor let out a long sigh, walking back to the car. She rested her head on the steering momentarily before calling Joe again. He picked up almost immediately, and Taylor positioned the phone on the dashboard so he could see her face.

"How's it going?" Joe asked her, seeing the exhaustion in her eyes.

Taylor shrugged, "Fine. Just a little tired. It's... been a lot. James hasn't been in the best mood today."

Joe's mouth curved downward, "I'm sorry, is there anything I can do?"

Taylor just shook her head, burying her face in her hands. "Tay..." Joe said softly, wanting nothing more then to be able to jump through the screen and be with her. Taylor let out a small sob, still hiding her face from him.

"Love what's wrong," Joe asked worriedly. 

Taylor wiped up her tears hastily, "I'm fine, just a bit of a rough morning. I'll talk to you later?"

"Taylor don't hang up," Joe said, "C'mon let's tal-"

She pressed the end call button, letting her head fall back into her hands. The phone began to ring again but she ignored it, crying until her eyes had dried out. After calming down, she drove back home. Joe eventually gave up on calling her back, deciding he would try again later. Taylor slammed the front door to their house, quickly walking up to the restroom. 

Shuffling through the cabinet she found a pregnancy test, and promptly took it. Waiting nervously she leaned back against the counter, tapping her knee. After a few minutes she knew the test would be done, but she couldn't bring herself to look at it. Hastily she shoved it in the kitchen cabinet before letting out a long sigh and walking out of the bathroom. Pulling out her phone, she called Joe back, and he answered instantly.