Nothing big going on this chapter.
Chapter 16
"I'll take Sophie to her appointment today. Kaitlin will watch Caden. I know you've got work to do." Taylor glanced over at her husband who was pulling his shoes on as he sat on the edge of their bed.
"When do you go back to work?" He questioned.
"Six more weeks. Maternity leave is a perk of having a baby." Taylor grinned as her husband stood up and approached her.
"What are we going to do once you're back at work?" He asked her taking her hands in his.
"I was thinking…Kaitlin's not going to be working or anything so…maybe she could watch him? She's going to need the practice and I really don't want to leave him with a stranger…"
"Sounds perfect." He cut her off before kissing the top of her head and releasing her hands.
"Are you okay today?" Taylor asked. It had only been a few days since the night at the cemetery. Ryan hadn't spoken a word about it since, so Taylor figured she probably shouldn't bring it up until he did.
"Yeah, I am." He nodded but Taylor could already see that wall slowly being built back up. "I'll see you tonight." He kissed her before leaving her alone in their room.
-
"Ready to go, Sophie?" Taylor entered the kitchen to find her and Kaitlin eating cereal.
"When does school start back for her?" Kaitlin pointed her spoon at Sophie. She would be going into the 3rd grade.
"Two weeks." Taylor smile which happened to be a week after Sophie's eighth birthday.
"I'm going to be eight in a week, Kaitlin." Sophie giggled.
"I know, kid."
"Alright, let's get going. You okay with watching the baby?" Taylor asked Kaitlin one last time.
"Yes, now get before you two miss Soph's appointment." Kaitlin urged her to leave.
"Fine, fine." Taylor helped Sophie down from the stool before taking her hand.
-
"She's doing better?" Dr. Harris questioned Taylor once she had sat down in the woman's office after Sophie had already spoken to the older lady.
"Much. I'm so proud of how much progress she's making. I mean…she still misses her parents but I figure that no matter what she'll always miss them." Taylor told the woman nervously.
"Your husband's sister is living with you two now?" The doctor asked slowly writing things in her notebook.
"Step. Yes, she is. Only for a little bit though. Why is that a bad thing?" Taylor worried.
"No, not at all. Sophie was just telling me about her." The doctor smiled up at Taylor.
"Sophie adores Kaitlin."
"Mrs. Atwood, I was wondering if the situation with her other brother has gotten any better. She didn't speak of him this session."
"Oh, well. Seth's kind of in a strange place right now…so no…it hasn't gotten any better but we're working on it. My husband's not doing any better than his brother. It's really difficult for everyone right now…" Taylor felt like she was telling this woman way too much about her family.
"I'm sure everything will get better." Taylor didn't like this woman's smile. It wasn't warm or reassuring. It was cold and Taylor felt like the woman was mocking her in a way. "For all of you." She finished.
"So, is that all?" Taylor asked hoping she would be able to get Sophie and leave already.
"Pretty much."
-
"So, are you ready for the wrath of Julie Cooper-Atwood?" Taylor laughed leaning her weight against the counter as Kaitlin stuffed her mouth with chocolate cake.
"Might as well go ahead and get this over with. I don't think I'm going to tell her about the rape part though. I just don't want everything to be worse with her than it will already be." Kaitlin said with a mouthful of cake.
"She'll understand if you tell her, Kaitlin. You obviously need your mother in a time like this." Taylor tried before grabbing a fork and taking a bite of the cake. "Now, how are you going to tell Bullit?"
"I've already told him. He knows everything and he said that it might be best to not tell mom about the rape part…"
"How'd be take it?" Taylor asked taking another bite.
"He started telling me he knew I should have stayed here with everyone…he just went on and on about being too young to live alone in New York. He's going to help me though." She said. "God, this cake is amazing."
"If Bullit can take the whole truth how come you don't think your mom can?" Taylor questioned her.
"I don't know…I just…I'll tell her about that part when I'm ready. Right now all I can deal with is actually telling her about the pregnancy." She said before looking down at her stomach. "Oh God, I'm going to get fat." She groaned.
"Yeah, you are." Taylor smiled at her.
"That helps."
"I'm being honest." She shrugged putting the fork down and stepping away from the cake. "Especially if you keep eating things like that."
"I can't help it. It's amazing." Kaitlin grinned taking another bite not caring that she had eaten almost all of the cake in three days by herself. "How's Ryan doing?" Taylor had told Kaitlin all about Ryan's little breakdown at the cemetery leaving out the part about him crying. Taylor wanted to keep that one all to herself.
"Honestly, Kaitlin. I have no clue." Taylor sat down in a chair. "He hasn't said anything since the other night. I don't know how to get it out of him either."
"He'll come around. I'm sorry for upsetting him like that. It's just he's Ryan and I can always count on him. I just figured that this wouldn't be any different, even if he had a lot on his plate." Kaitlin shifted her weight on one foot and then the other.
"Maybe you should talk to him today." Taylor suggested as Sophie bound into the room singing something. "You're in a good mood."
"I want some cake." Sophie's eyes widened at what Kaitlin was eating. "Please?" She begged. Taylor nodded at Kaitlin before watching the little girl scarf down the cake just as Kaitlin had been doing just moments before. "Sometimes Mommy used to make cake for me and Daddy. One time she burnt the cake so Daddy went out and bought one from the store. Then one time Mommy dropped the cake on the floor making a huge mess. It was really funny." Sophie was smiling the entire time she recalled her times with her parents.
