Chapter 3: Time Alone
Taylor had a few things in a backpack as she was walking through the park. She let out a sigh as she stood in the middle of the park. She made sure no one was watching as she got herself to go back onto the Animarium.
She opened her eyes to find herself back on the Animarium. She set her bag on the ground and started walking through the familiar places. She came to the middle of the Animarium to find the fountain. "Princess Shayla?" She called. She jumped when the princess appeared in front of her.
"Taylor…what an unexpected surprise," she commented.
Taylor smiled and rubbed the back of her neck. "Princess Shayla…I need to stay here for a couple of days," Taylor informed. Princess Shayla saw the tears glistening in her friend's eyes.
"Taylor, what's wrong?" She asked.
Taylor sat down and told Princess Shayla everything. Once she finished telling her about Eric disappearing she placed her hands on her stomach. "I'm pregnant and I don't know what to do," Taylor told her. Princess Shayla placed a hand on her shoulder. "I couldn't spend another night alone in that house…in that bed…I couldn't…" Taylor trailed off. Princess Shayla nodded her head slowly.
"You can stay here as long as you like," she assured her.
Taylor gave Princess Shayla a half-smile. "Thank you," she answered. Princess Shayla left and Taylor looked at the fountain's edge that she was sitting on. She closed her eyes and let out a sigh.
(Flashback)
Taylor rounded the corner and spotted the Red Quantum Ranger cleaning his Quantum Defender. "Always working?" She asked. Eric glanced at her.
"Yep," he replied.
"Can I see that?" She asked.
He looked at the weapon in his hand and nodded his head slowly. "Yeah, sure," he replied. Taylor sat next to him. "Now, this isn't your standard issue Silver Guardian weapon. This, is a one of a kind…the Quantum Defender," he informed. Taylor aimed it before started to fiddle with it. "Hey, be careful with that now. It's not a toy you know," he commented. Taylor looked at him with a slight grin.
"Hey, I was in the Air Force. I can probably teach you a few things about this," she commented.
Eric grinned at her and it made Taylor's heart stop.
(End Flashback)
Taylor opened her eyes and she let out a sigh. Her hand found it's way to her stomach, knowing that their baby was growing inside her. She let out a sigh and lowered her head slightly. "This isn't me…I'm stronger than this," she mumbled. Taylor stood up and rubbed the back of her neck and started walking around the place she once called home.
Taylor walked through the field and sat down, the wind blowing through the field, but she was ignoring it. She played with her ring and just sat in silence. Her heart was beating painfully in her chest. Eric was the first person…okay the only person that would make Taylor feel this way. "Damn you Eric Myers for doing this to me," she hissed.
(Flashback)
Taylor looked at Eric in shock. "You're kidding me right?" She asked. Eric was holding the box out in front of her.
"Does it look like I'm kidding?" He asked.
Taylor just stared at the ring in the box. "Eric…" she trailed off. Eric let out a sigh and closed the box.
"Alright, if you say so," he commented.
Taylor let out a sigh. "Wait," she answered. Eric stopped and looked over at her. "You're really serious about this? I mean, you're spending the rest of your life with me," she commented. Eric grinned.
"Wouldn't have it any other way," he answered.
Taylor smiled and nodded her head. "Yes," she told him. Eric smiled at her.
"Yes?" He asked.
She nodded her head with a smile. Eric took the ring from his pocket and placed it onto Taylor's finger. Taylor looked at the ring before throwing her arms around his neck. Eric hugged her back and kissed her neck. Taylor let out a sigh. "I love you, Eric," she murmured.
"I love you too, Taylor," he answered.
(End Flashback)
Taylor swallowed the lump in her throat and she pressed her hand against her forehead. "This can't be happening…not to me," she mumbled. She placed her hand on her stomach once again with a sob escaping her lips. The light bounced off her wedding ring once again…but the light also bounced off the ring around her neck…Eric's ring.