She was beautiful, deep down to her soul. @taylors-unopened-letters - Tumblr Blog

*** Hey guys, this is my first Taylor and Joe story here. I don’t think I need to give you any premise or anything really, it’s all in the story and it’s very clear when and where it takes place. I don’t know how often I’ll be writing but I’ll be around here for your questions and feedback. Or if you wanna talk Taylor and Joe, I’m down for that too. Anyways, I hope you’ll enjoy it! p.s. This has smut, so all of you not into it, maybe skip the first half ;)

Perfect Sunday

As he slowly turns on his back, he slightly stretches his body and he can feel his brain waking up like an old rusty machine that’s been put to use after long slumber. Using his left hand, he rubs his eyes in childlike fashion and groans quietly while trying to adjust to rays of sun coming through the window.

‘What time is it,’ he wonders as he turns his head little bit more to his left and sloppily picks up his phone only to find out it’s barely 9 am. Putting his phone back on the nightstand, he runs his hand through his hair, in a complete mess as it usually is in the morning, and looks to the woman that has successfully trapped his right arm underneath her.

She’s sound asleep. ‘No wonder,’ he thinks to himself. Smile almost instinctively creeps onto his face when he looks over her frame. Most peaceful smile there is. Smile that screams, ‘there’s no place I’d rather be right now.’

Taylor had just played her second Wembley show last night. Emotions were running high, people were, as it usually happens, waiting for hours backstage to meet her, both before and after the show. And she had given them all time out of her day. It’s one of her gifts. When she talks to you she makes you feel like you matter, like it’s not just another chat she’s having, with just another person attending her show. Joe knows that all too well. He knows how her eyes tend to pierce into your soul when you are talking to her, taking in every word she hears, and if you pay attention you can almost hear her brain processing and feeling the words that are being spoken to her.

Unfortunately, that usually takes its toll. Nothing too bad, just draining a lot of energy out of her. They came home last night, clock already ticking off few hours of new day and they went straight to bed. She was absolutely exhausted. Not that he blames her one bit... She just played her last show in Europe and she was absolutely amazing. Crowds and stadiums change but one thing doesn't - she always has every single soul in the stadium wrapped around her little finger.

And he is so proud of her. And he can’t get enough. ‘I could watch her do this millions of times,’ he caught himself thinking last night as she was flying over the crowd. But just as much as he adores superstar Taylor, he also adores the girl that’s lying next to him on this Sunday morning. Peaceful, calm, no make up, no stage lights on her... Just his girl, Taylor. He can hear her breathing, occasional sigh... yeah, she’s definitely asleep.

He goes back to his initial position, on his side, just behind her, slowly draping his left arm over her waist. His head just behind hers on the pillow, he can smell the familiar mixture of her shampoo and perfume, mixed with hints of his own perfume that still lingers on his t-shirt that she put on before bed last night.

He contemplates letting her sleep for a while longer and not risking waking her up, but he quickly succumbs to temptation and lets his lips gently graze the side of her neck. ‘Just few little kisses,’ he tells himself, secretly hoping she does in fact wake up so he can continue trailing his kissed down her body.

And she feels it. She loves when he is the first thing she feels in the morning. Feeling of his soft lips and warm breath on her skin mixed with ticklish feeling his scruff is creating. She loves it. Slight smile appears on her face and Joe could swear he hears the softest of moans escape her lips. He doesn't stop, trailing his lips from the soft spot just below her ear to her half exposed shoulder, his hand firmly squeezing her hip. She finally turns her head towards him and their lips meet for the first time that morning. Gentle, lazy kiss, her left hand lightly scratching the back of his head.

“Good morning gorgeous,” he whispers into her ear. She giggles, as she always does when he calls her that. Sometimes they both think they've been overusing that word to the extent that neither of them takes it seriously anymore, but she knows he means it, especially when it’s just the two of them.

She looks around sleepily, her voice still very much coated with morning hoarseness, “what time is it babe?”

“It’s still early... 9 ish. We've got time,” he mumbles as he buries his face back into the crook of her neck, his lips and tongue exploring her skin. He continues down her shoulder, arm and then bringing his lips back to her neck all over again, all the while holding her tight, listening to the soft little sighs and moans that she’s making.

Taylor slowly rolls over and looks at Joe, sleep still written all over her face and simply says, “well, that’s a nice way to start the day.” She melts into his arms and presses her lips against his. This time Joe kisses her back much more passionately, his tongue slowly working its way over Taylor’s lips, from one side to another. He then slows down and pulls back a little, just enough to give her nose a gentle, soft kiss, eliciting one of those heartfelt giggles he’s so crazy about. He then kisses her cheek, caressing it with his fingertips and runs his fingers through her hair. His arm travels from her shoulders and down her back and then to her sides, down over her thighs... Maybe he pauses just a tiny bit longer over her ass, feeling her rock her hips into him. He just wants to feel her. All of her.

They break the kiss and look into each others eyes and they can both tell what is on their minds. He leans back towards her and starts kissing her again, this time his hand travels under her shirt, feeling her warm and soft skin. Taylor reciprocates, tugging at his shirt and soon enough both of their shirts are long gone. Joe’s leg slowly makes its way between her legs, he grabs her thigh and pulls it up towards him so it’s draped over him. Her breasts are now completely exposed and he wastes no time, eagerly leaning down to kiss them. Joe slowly rolls them over so Taylor is on her back, one of his legs between hers, he can feel her thigh between his legs and he’s sure she can feel how hard he is. Taylor runs her fingers over his chest and back, and he can feel himself getting even more turned on with each and every touch she provides.

They look back at each other and smile, no word necessary to express how much they want and need this.Their hands now traveling down, helping each other get rid of their underwear. Her hand is soon on the head of his cock, pumping him slowly, as he moans into her mouth, stealing sloppy kisses while they both try to work each other. While his hand is caressing her center, he looks back at Taylor and he can see the desire and lust in her eyes. It’s one of his favorite things in the world, to watch her while he touches her in all the right places. Her whole body shivers when his fingertips run over her clit, her hips somewhat involuntarily thrust forward into Joe’s hand and soon enough his long fingers find their way insider her. They keep looking into each others eyes as they touch the most intimate parts of their bodies.

For a second there it looks like Taylor is trying to mouth something to him, but unable to concentrate long enough to do so, she simply brings her lips back to Joe, his tongue exploring her mouth and dancing with her own in a slow, passionate dance. And all he can think about is how good she feels. Their hands slowly traveling up their backs and chests, they continue kissing, completely lost in each other until Taylor finally stops, her eyes firmly on his, her hand giving him one last pump before she rolls over to her back, pulling him completely over her. She instinctively spreads her legs and guides his length to her center, managing to give him her sweetest smile that just as quickly turns into one of her most devilish ones. For that one moment, Joe keeps his eyes on her face and all that he can remember going through his head is one thought, ‘God, this woman...’

He slowly presses into her as she opens her legs even wider to accept him and softly moans, the sound of it like music to Joe’s ears. Her hand travel down his back, pulling him further into her as they slowly find their rhythm. Soon enough, Joe’s head drops down to her neck, tasting every inch of her and one of her hands goes back into his hair, lightly scratching his scalp and guiding his lips over her body, arching her back as soon as his mouth finds her nipples. And as his thrusts get faster, their bedroom is filled with both her moans and his grunts, both of them completely lost in one another. When he slowly rises himself a little bit above her, she can see him move one of his hands between them, down her stomach and to her entrance. Taylor feels him start to work her clit and less than minute later she completely loses it, tightness inside her stomach building and exploding in glorious high, sending her whole body into blissful oblivion. Her legs shake, her whole body is shaking and Joe stops to enjoy the sight for few seconds. When she finally opens her eyes, she can see him proudly smiling at her. He leans down and gives her one soft kiss before whispering into her ear, “I’m so close too baby.” His thrusts resume, Taylor’s hands all over him, helping him get to his own pleasure, and soon enough she can feel him losing all control, his final thrusts fast and deep, eliciting loud grunts from him. Orgasm soars through his body, finally releasing himself into her.

Both of them desperately trying to catch their breath, they look at each other, goofiest of smiles spreading across their faces. And that’s what she adores about him. He’s always so in the moment with her, wanting to have fun and just make her happy, make her laugh, make sure that smile never disappears from her face. She bites on her lower lip and puts one of her hands on his neck, the other on his cheek as she pulls him towards her for a slow, passionate kiss. Joe slowly lets himself collapse on top of her, managing to plant the softest of kisses on her cheek and then her collarbone. He rolls them back to their sides, both of them looking into each others eyes, his arms tightly wrapped around her. The most comfortable silence settles between them, both Taylor and Joe reveling in this intimate moment.

And then smiles starts spreading further onto both their faces and almost at the same time, with Taylor starting just a second or two before him, they finally speak again...

“Don’t you dare...” Taylor starts but Joe has already started vocalizing his thoughts.

“I am so in love with you,” he cuts her off, looking into her eyes, smile wide on his face.

She closes her eyes, pretend sighs in disapproval and says, “that is the cheesiest thing you could've said.”

Joe just slightly nods his head and shrugs his shoulders, laughing at her remark. He does it on purpose, and she knows it. And he knows she loves it, she loves hearing him say that sentence out loud, no matter how much she likes to act cool and unbothered. She actually is everything but cool and unbothered. And giggle that comes out of her while he’s looking at her mesmerized just further proves that.

“Anything else you care to share?” she asks while drawing imaginary shapes with her hand on his chest.

“Nope.” He cocks his eyebrow, his accent thick, smile never disappearing from his face, his hands in her hair, “I’m a man of few words...”

Taylor just hums in approval, the slyest of smiles on her face.

“...but when I do speak, I really mean it. Like, really, really mean it.” He drags out each of those ‘really’ for dramatic effect.

“Yeah, I remember you being very wordy back in the day. So chatty, so many stories to tell.”

Her hand now placed over the stubble on his cheek while his free hand, that’s not underneath her, gently caresses her bare chest as he looks at the way her breasts and her skin react to his touch.

“Man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, you know...” and she can feel his baby blues piercing into her own. She swears just their eye contact could power electricity for a small town. Neither of them able to look away.

She pulls him in for another kiss, her long lashes coming together as she closes her eyes when their lips finally meet. And just for a brief moment, she parts her lips granting him access and their tongues intertwine in a slow dance, completely lost in the taste of each other. And then back again to just the delicate brushing of their lips.

Joe loves this thing she does, he’s loved it from the very first moment. The way she changes the pace and keep him on his toes. He’s had time to think about it a lot and came to the conclusion that’s one of the reasons he can’t get enough of her. She’s always changing things up, she never settles, bringing excitement to each and every moment is her thing. It’s like everything is new and never done before with her.

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

“...okay, what else?” Joe asks, nudging her leg with his own as they are sitting on the cushioned window seats in her rented London house.

They've been dating for few months now and at this point they both are very well aware this thing between them is not a joke, it’s not a fling, not an attempt by either of them to pass time and just have fun. It might have taken some time for both of them to come clean about those feelings, but they have been quietly aware of them since the very beginning.

Hot coffee in their hands, hoodies and sweats keeping them warm during this cold winter day in London, their conversation has led them into fundamentals of relationships. And then general conversation led them to one very specific relationship - their own. Sure, they already had few serious conversations like ‘I want this or that out of the relationship’ but this was more of a carefree one, discussing small but important things that make each relationship special. Like Taylor telling him she wants him to remember to buy her favorite fruit once its season starts. Or Joe telling her he’d really appreciate it if she tried to be excited when his favorite team wins. “Like, I don’t expect you to really, actually care... But you know, just pretend. Or, or, even better - maybe you try to console me when they lose,” he said to her with a glint in his eye and a mischievous smile on his lips.

Things like that. They went back and forth, listing some reasonable and some of the most ridiculous things. And they laughed together, Taylor could swear her face muscles started to hurt from all the laughing. But when first lull in conversation happened, and Joe nudged her for more, she looked up at him, look on her face getting a bit more serious. She was looking at him for 10 or maybe even 20 seconds, her expression making it clear to him that she was contemplating whether she should say what was on her mind.

Joe tilts his head a little bit to the side, the warmest and most loving look on his face and he does this little move with his head that can’t really be described, but she knows he is encouraging her to tell him what’s on her mind. No matter what it is, he wants to know, his whole body language serving as a reminder that she can tell him anything.

She slightly lowers her head and looks at the cup of coffee in her hand. “Kissing,” she says just above a whisper. Joe’s eyes narrow a bit and he looks at her a little bit confused before she goes on...

“...we promise each other that we’ll never stop kissing.” Her eyes back on his and he can see this matters to her, more than things they discussed before.

“Okay...” Joe still uncertain of what she meant exactly with that. They are now intently looking at each other and after few seconds Joe continues, “...I mean, that’s what most of couples do babe.”

“I know, but I don’t mean it like that... I mean, I do, but that’s not what I meant...” Taylor shuffles a little bit in her seat, having trouble explaining exactly what she meant. But she knows he’ll listen and wait for her to phrase it just right, she knows because that loving look on his face is still very much present in that moment.

She sighs a little bit in frustration, cause words are supposed to be her specialty, before she tries to explain.

“Like, so many couples, everywhere, they just... they take things for granted. Everyone does it all the time. It’s just a fact. People take things for granted. God, I've taken things and even worse, people for granted. And it’s just...” Taylor pauses, shaking her head she lets out a deep breath, “...we just get complacent with things. Things and people that are supposed to be most sacred to us.”

For a moment they just stare at each other. His face now serious, taking in each and every word she says and he waits. She has more to tell...

“You know how when you're with somebody for a long time you start to forget how special certain things are? You know what I am talking about, right?” Joe nods his head in approval. “Yeah... I don't want that. Not again. I've been through that and I know I don't have much of a long relationship experience but I know that's not how it's supposed to go. And I'm not looking for fairy-tales, I've stopped believing in them long ago but some things... I just think some things are still worth the fight and little extra effort.”

Taylor sees Joe nod his head once again and before he could say anything she closes her eyes and smiles widely, “I’m confusing you, huh?”

”No, I get what you’re saying and I completely agree it’s just... I’m just trying to connect all the dots...”

”...with my initial point?” Taylor finishes the sentence for him and they both chuckle. “My point was, I don’t want us to ever be one of those couples that kiss out of habit. I probably could have started with that huh?” Taylor lets out a sigh and then continues, “I was just thinking about it, how we always remember our last kiss with someone we loved. It’s because we pay attention, because we know it’s the last one and we wanna feel all of it for that last time. But that’s just wrong you know? If you think about it, our lips are the way we communicate everything, our thoughts, feelings... and when you kiss someone that’s the most intimate way of communication. So when I say I never want us to stop kissing, what I mean is that I never wanna do it just cause. What I mean is, I don't ever wanna kiss you just out of habit.”

The moment she finished her little speech, she starts to question whether it was really necessary. They were just having fun after all, and she had to run her mouth. Sometimes the hardest thing for Taylor seems to be to control the thoughts in her head. Luckily for her, Joe is quick to respond...

“I don't ever wanna kiss you out of habit either.”

And it’s not just that he said it, it’s the way he said it. So confident and unwavering. Look in his eyes telling her he means every single word. And butterflies in her stomach telling her she is falling even deeper for him with each day they spend together.

“Taylor, I don’t think anyone wants to lose that magic, but shit happens. You said it yourself, people get complacent. I can’t lie to you and promise it’s not gonna happen to us at some point in future. You don’t want fairy-tales, right?”

Taylor shakes her head and whispers, “No.”

“What I can promise you, and you’ll have to meet me halfway here and promise back, is that we will remind ourselves to appreciate our moments together whenever we feel like one of us is forgetting to do so. Hm? How’s that?”

“That sounds... very realistic. Grown up too. I like it.” Smile on her face is telling him that he might just have said the perfect thing.

“Well, I’m good with words like that...” he says in a cocky tone, turning his head to look out the window like an old Greek philosopher that has just discovered the meaning of life. Taylor just rolls her eyes, mouths a quiet “Oh God...” and uses one of her legs, that are tangled up with his on a cushioned window seat, to nudge him playfully.

He looks back at her, mischief written all over his face and continues in his cocky tone that’s coated in British accent, “I mean, I was kinda already planning to save my,” he snaps his fingers couple of times, pretending he’s trying hard to remember something that just escaped his mind, “how did you call it - kissing out of habit? I was planning to save it for movie sets.”

“You better,” she shoots back immediately, her bossy tone that Joe finds absolutely adorable coming to life.

Joe then takes her hand in his and gently rubbing the back of it with his thumb, he asks, “so do you?”

“Do I what?”

“Do you promise to meet me halfway? We’ll work at this, together? You and me.”

“I promise.”

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

Her kisses still feel the same... And Joe still remembers that day because as much as it meant to Taylor to talk about it and just get it out, it meant maybe even more to him to know how much she cared and wanted to do this thing with him right. It meant the world to him back then. Means the world to him now.

“Hey... what you thinking about Alwyn?”

Taylor’s voice brings him back to reality, to this moment. “Nothing. Just... enjoying my view.”

He winks at her, his hand still gently caressing her body and combination of the two makes Taylor close her eyes and sigh in pure bliss. Silence settles between them for a minute before she hears Joe speak.

“Tired?”

“Well... I am now,” she says referring to their romp in bed.

They both cackle at her remark and then Joe moves above her, supporting himself on his elbows. He gives her nose a gentle peck while Taylor puts her arms around his neck.

“It’s Sunday,” he says.

“I know.”

“We really don’t have to go...”

“No, no, I wanna go. And you wanna watch the game and trust me, if we stay here, you’ll have to watch it with me and me only. Is that something you really want?”

“I feel like that is a trick question.”

As they both giggle, Taylor playfully slaps his shoulder before she continues, “...you get to watch it with your family. And I get to keep your mom from going insane from all the testosterone. Everyone wins. Plus, I don’t see Tom often. And I really wanna, you know, do some ‘bonding’ with him.”

“Wanna conquer all the Alwyns?” Quick kiss to her lips following his questions.

“All of them. All mine.”

And it’s exactly this kind of banter that he has with her that keeps him completely head over heels for Taylor. The balance she manages to have between being completely childish, the most powerful boss woman in the world and being the most gentle, delicate woman he’s ever met - it never seizes to amaze him.

Joe nods his head in understanding, “I can’t say I blame you. We’re amazing.”

“You are amazing.” Short and to the point. She feels like she wants to remind him of that every day. Sometimes it is best to just say what you feel, bluntly and straight to the point. And she does just that. Looking into his eyes, she whispers, “I love you. So much.” And he leans down to capture her lips in his. He whispers it back, almost not even parting their lips, “love you too babe.” And then more kisses follow.

Before they get lost in each other again, he pulls away, hating himself for doing so, but they have to be at his family’s home in few hours.

“How about you go and take a shower and I’ll go and make us something to eat, hm?”

Taylor just nods her head and watches him as he grabs briefs and sweatpants and goes into master bathroom, coming out two minutes later with both clothing items now on him. He stops at the door frame and looks back at her, “I’m serious, go!” pointing his head in direction of the bathroom, he can’t help but laugh at her sprawled across the bed. She hasn't moved an inch since he left bed.

“I swear to God, if I come back in few minutes and find you sleeping... We gotta get ready baby. C’mon... There’ll be coffee waiting for you in the kitchen when you’re done in the shower. How about that?”

Taylor lets out a long dramatic breath and slowly rolls to the edge of the bed. Joe knows she is exhausted and that she probably needed a few more hours of sleep so it’s no surprise that look on his face is full of sympathy. She gets up and starts walking towards the bathroom, Joe not missing the chance to look over her beautiful frame as she moves.

When she notices his eyes on her, Taylor smiles at him and starts saying, “Baby...” dragging each letter of the word and Joe half expects her to say something sweet to him and half expects her to... “breakfast ain't gonna make itself,” say something just like that. ‘Sass is out,’ he thinks to himself. Walking backwards through the door, he laughs with his hands up in the air in surrender and concedes, “okay, okay. I’m going now.”

Young couple moves, almost in sync, from their car to the door of the classic British brick house. Joe’s arm is safely wrapped around her shoulder, and Taylor quickly puts her phone back in her purse, barely audibly mouthing, “okay, we’re not late.”

They ring the bell and soon enough they are greeted with a smile from Joe’s father.

“Oh good, you've made it. I was getting a little bit worried for a second there... Traffic’s a nightmare huh?” He gives them both a hug and ushers them in.

“Actually, not really dad... Which is kinda weird. I guess everyone’s already in front of their tellies. I expected much worse traffic to be honest.”

Suddenly they can hear a familiar voice shouting from the kitchen and then getting louder as it comes closer to them. Voice belonging to no one else but Joe’s mom who greets them.

“You’re here! What is that? Taylor, honey, you shouldn't have...” Elizabeth points to the basket in Taylor’s hand and gives her the look. You know the one, when moms or anyone from your family is so happy to see you and they hate the thought of putting you through trouble of buying them any gifts. That look.

“Oh, no, it’s okay. I actually,” Taylor pauses and laughs for a second, “actually this is from last night. One of the record labels I work with sent these giant baskets to my dressing room, you know - as a good luck, so I thought I’d bring you one.” Taylor looks down at the basket in her hand, “this one is with chocolate goodies. No one can say no to chocolate, right?”

“God, thank you... you’re gonna spoil us honey. You’re gonna go back to America and then I have to deal with Patrick here...” Elizabeth says quickly on her heels as she goes back to kitchen to put the basket away.

Taylor, Joe and Richard can see Patrick’s head appear from the back of the sofa, “Hey, I heard that!”

And this is the kind of thing that Taylor appreciates so much - family gatherings and smiles all around. Joe’s family has been nothing but welcoming since day one. It has made her life in London not just bearable, but something she looks forward to whenever her schedule allows it. It’s her second home.

Finally, the last member of Alwyn family enters the room with a loud, “hey you two!” He gives Taylor an almost brotherly hug, while him and Joe exchange their usual greeting consisting of stern voiced ‘Brother’ followed by, what it seems to Taylor as very aggressive pats on the back.

She once asked him about it, where does it come from and Joe explained to her that, as it usually happens with brothers, him and Tom loved to annoy Patrick. When Taylor rolled her eyes at that remark, Joe found a perfect excuse for it in the fact that Patrick was a lot younger, “you don’t know how annoying he was sometimes. Plus, it’s all part of growing up, the school of life and all...” So Tom and him always greeted each other this way, “it seemed so manly and grown up,” but never did so with Patrick, telling him he can join in when he’s older. And so it stuck. “You guys are so cruel,” is what she told him back then, but deep down she was enjoying every single second of these stories because they very much were the stories of normal childhood. She always loved that about Joe and that normalcy he was bringing into her life was priceless.

“That show last night - amazing! I was gonna tell you last night after the show but I just didn't want to bother you too much, I know you get pulled into hundred directions, I didn't wanna be the hundred and first. But just so you know,” and Tom makes this gesture with his hands mimicking the expression ‘mind-blown’.

This means so much to Taylor. The fact that he would use his Saturday night to come and watch her show and be so supportive warms her heart. And gesticulating just that, with her hands on her heart she thanks him from the bottom of her heart.

He finds her reaction hilarious, “are you fucking kidding me? I mean, there are worse ways to spend your Saturday evening than at the biggest show in town... at freaking Wembley! I’m telling you, you are selling yourself short, that was absolutely amazing. Like, I wouldn't lie to you, I promise, if it was any different I’d tell you but last night’s show was mind blowing. Oh, and Robbie Williams... that hit me hard.”

“Good, I was hoping it would. That was the goal...”

And just as she was about to explain to him how it all came about, Patrick comes from the kitchen, drink in his hand and stops right by them, “you guys know I love you both, right? Good. But game is about to start, so you know...” and he does a perfect replica of Ross from Friends trying to get Joey to quiet down.

Taylor and Tom exchange the look between them, trying so hard not to burst into laughter. Joe on the other hand doesn't even bother. Watching the scene from one of the couches in the living room he manages to say through his laughter, “Yeah, tell them Pat!” After all, England is playing. In the World Cup. On Sunday. It’s safe to say the whole country is watching.

“I guess I’m gonna go and join them,” Tom winks at Taylor who nods with understanding.

“Yeah, I think I’m gonna go and see if your mom needs help.” As she starts walking towards the kitchen, she throws one more look at Alwyn men all seated in front of the TV, anxious to see the match start. And she would think ‘I could get used to this,’ but the truth is... She already did.

Taylor slowly makes her way into the kitchen. “Care for some company? Or help?”

“No honey, I've already got everything sorted out,” and as Elizabeth says this they can both hear and see Joe and Tom yelling at Patrick to stand up and sing the anthem and Patrick throwing pillow at his brothers in frustration. Taylor and Elizabeth exchange looks. The looks. The ones women exchange when they get front row seats to men acting like children. “I would love some company though,” Elizabeth finishes her sentence with an almost begging look on her face.

“It must be nice to have them all here though,” Taylor says, turning her back to living room and taking a seat at the kitchen isle.

“Oh I love having them all here, but I find it’s best to stay away during games like this one. They can get pretty heated. I told you this already, but you being here... it’s always like a breath of fresh air. But enough about them. Why didn't your parents come? I would have loved to have them here too...”

“They flew out this morning. Even I didn't get to see them today, last night they were just like ‘oh, we’re leaving in the morning’. But I’m glad you guys got some quality time this week... It is important to me. And Joe too.”

Having been looking at the vegetables she was chopping up for a salad, Elizabeth stops for a second and raises her look to Taylor. She is still sometimes stunned by his son’s girlfriend. Last night she was holding sixty thousand people in the palm of her hand, sporting shiniest costumes and readily welcomed countless camera lenses on her every single second of that show, and today... today she is sitting at her kitchen counter, in simple denim shorts and a white button-up shirt, her sleeves rolled up, allowing her to prop herself up on her elbows at the kitchen isle, barely any make up on her face, talking about how much it means to her that her boyfriend’s family and her own are getting along.

But Elizabeth doesn't say anything, she just smiles at her and does a barely visible head shake, not the disapproving one - exactly the opposite actually, so barely noticeable that if you blink you’d probably miss it, and then looks back at food she was chopping up. “Did you mom tell you about the vineyard that we went to?”

“Yes, she mentioned it... where did you go again?”

“It’s this wine estate, just a two hour drive south of London... East Sussex? I think you and Joe passed through it on one of your road trips last year, I don’t know how much you remember...”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s not far away from coast right? If I remember correctly there’s a lot of golf courses there. And, well now that you've mentioned it, lots of vineyards too,” with a little reminder from Elizabeth, Taylor can clearly picture estates that they passed by while they were driving.

“Exactly...” and before she could continue, there are loud cheers and both Elizabeth and Taylor look back to the living room where Alwyn men are celebrating a goal by England, “...well that will keep them happy for awhile. Anyways, as I was saying, that’s exactly where we went. Ummm, oh my God, wait... it’s on the tip of my tongue... Ridgeview! Yes, it’s called Ridgeview estate. It’s so beautiful, and wine and food were fabulous. But you know what’s the best part?”

Taylor is grinning throughout Elizabeth’s whole story cause she can relate. Great wine, food and peaceful setting - she’d be lying if she said she wan’t already contemplating taking the same trip with Joe.

“What?”

“There are all these benches along the way, you know as you go on a tour, there are benches on the side of the path and let me tell you - Richard and your dad might have not appreciated it that much, but Andrea and I... oh my God, wine and then walking don’t go well for women in our age.”

Taylor bursts out laughing and Elizabeth follows suit. “That was the best part?” she manages to ask through her laugh.

“Obviously the wine was great too and we tried a lot of different ones. Which is why we needed the benches...”

“Oh my God, that’s funny, I wish I could've been there too. Wait... so how did you guys drive back?”

“Thankfully, Richard and Scott weren't as much into the wine tasting. I think they were more into cheese plates. Thinking about it now, your mom and I probably should have eaten more food,” laughing between two women still not stopping, “it’s not like we were that buzzed, but you know, we were... let’s say - happy.”

“Very giggly I bet?”

“You could say that.” There’s a few moments of silence while two women are catching their breaths after a good laugh before Elizabeth asks, “speaking of trips, I hear two of you are planning a little getaway?”

“Oh... yeah, we will go after my next show. Well I was thinking, cause it’s gonna be 4th of July that week, and you know how big that is in USA... but it’s kinda pointless to go to Rhode Island because we won’t be able to do anything. Like, I fully expect drones over my house 24/7...”

“How fun,” Elizabeth interjects with her most sarcastic remark today.

“Soooo fun, you know how much I love it,” she makes a dramatic pause to roll her eyes, sarcasm seeping from her facial expression, “so we thought, why not get away somewhere for few days? And I've been to this place with my family, it’s literally heaven on Earth, so you know... we’re gonna go and catch some sun.”

“Ha, so I should be expecting my son to return red as a tomato then, huh?”

“We probably both will. I’ll take care of him though, don’t worry,” Taylor playfully winks at her boyfriend’s mom.

“Oh, I’m sure you will,” Elizabeth smirks knowingly at Taylor and probably for the first time that day Taylor can feel herself blush a little. It doesn't go unnoticed by Elizabeth, so she skilfully changes the topic to something else and once again, they are completely lost in their conversation. At some point Elizabeth looks around and announces, “okay, I think I’m done here. It’s all ready.” And then she looks at the men in front of the TV and then at the clock, realizing she’s been chatting with Taylor for more than half an hour.

“Although, I think there’s at least 10 more minutes till halftime. Wanna go and join them? We can ask annoying questions and watch them roll their eyes at us?”

“That actually sounds perfect,” Taylor says grabbing her glass of wine that Elizabeth and her have opened right around the time vineyard story came up.

They both walk over to the living room and as Joe spots her from the corner of his eye, he moves his arm to rest on the back of the couch, leaving room for Taylor to snuggle up to his side. Which she does. Her head on his shoulder, glass of wine in one of her hands, her other hand gently resting on her boyfriend’s thigh. Joe wraps his arm around her shoulder and almost instinctively leans his head down a bit to kiss the top of her head.

She can’t say she’s looking at the game much. More soaking up the atmosphere in the room. Brothers teasing each other, their father occasionally reminding them to talk less and pay attention to the game more and Elizabeth who asks her oldest son about that new technology that’s used in the games. And Taylor? She can’t wipe that smile off her face. And just like Joe thought to himself that morning, looking at people around her she thinks, ‘there’s no place I’d rather be right now.’

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

She was beautiful, deep down to her soul.