I don't own anything.
A/N: Okay it's time for another update but first off I want to thank my reviewers from last time; chaylorXtraylorlover, HeartsWereNeverMeantToRace, Phelycia, lilmissmonique, traylorlove, MermaidRam85 and tina. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and please don't forget to Review I love to hear from you guys.
Baby S
Chapter Seventeen
The releases of Troy's songs were doing shooting up the charts and the publics opinion on what exactly had happened between Darius and the couple were changing almost daily. Troy maintained a quiet, humble public persona while Darius was shown mouthing off about the supposed ill will that Troy and Taylor had for him. Troy couldn't help but feel as if it was all working out for the best. He slowly wandered into the bedroom where Taylor currently was flopped down on the bed and watched as she wrote a few more words into her journal and then closed it and placed it on her nightstand. "More writing that I can't see huh?" he asked with a small smirk as he looked at her for a moment before lifting her feet up and placing them in his lap. A few seconds later, Taylor tilted her head back and groaned as Troy started giving one of the best foot massages that she had ever had. "So how was your day?" he asked softly as he looked at her.
"It was fine...Julius came over and gave me some company, and we talked about you and this new album and what type of songs you're singing."
"Oh really so what are you doing? Checking up on me?" he asked as he raised an eyebrow at her while smiling brightly. She smirked at his words and then shook her head.
"Yep, that's what I'm doing checking up on you...Julius did tell me that, you booked a interview with VH1 about all of this."
"Julius said I should take one now...he told me that it was time for my side of things to come on out." Troy shrugged as he looked over at the balcony window. "I won't do it if you don't want me too."
"No, it's fine." she replied softly as she yawned. "I really want people to know how we feel for one another so that we can just stop them from taking Darius' side. He certainly doesn't need their support, the publics...support."
"He's not getting it now...you know with the single releases I've been doing. People are starting to feel as if they have everything wrong. All my songs are about you but none or vulgar...and I think that's letting people know just how serious we are about one another."
"The one about me being pregnant was a good one." she mused as she looked at him. Troy nodded his head with a smile as he thought about his newest single "Forever My Lady," he really liked the song after he wrote it up and he was glad their fans were accepting it as well. He was brought out of his revery by Taylor softly whispering,"ouch."
"What's wrong?" he asked instantly on alert as he looked at her. Taylor just smiled and reached out and touched her belly.
"Nothing, our child just wanted to let us know that their here." Troy smirked and reached out and placed his hand on top of her belly. He smirked as he felt a smile hit on the inside of his palm. He looked up at Taylor and just grinned.
"Man, can our son hit."
"You mean our little girl." she countered with a bright smile as she looked at him, Troy just smiled and leant forward so he could kiss Taylor's distended belly, after that he lifted his head and then talked to the belly.
"Tell momma, that your a little boy so she can stop being confused," he whispered with a bright smile. "If you're a boy...give momma a little tap." The kick that followed had both Taylor and Troy laughing. Lifting his head, he looked at her and gave her one of his best self-satisfied smirks. "See I told you it's a boy." he finished with a light laugh as Taylor just shook her head at him.
"Oh I don't think so...you said if our child was a boy to give me a little tap, and that was anything but a little tap. I think our little girl is telling you to stop calling her a boy." Troy chuckled at that and just nodded his head for a moment before sighing.
"Maybe...so what do you want for dinner. I gave Maria the day off, and...I decided to cook." he stated with a look of pure nervousness on his face.
"Wait a minute you aren't Zeke." Taylor stated with a bright smile as Troy just shook his head with a sigh.
"Funny...very funny, I'm glad my attempt to take care of you-."
"Baby I was just playing." Taylor stated with a smile that Troy quickly returned. He knew that she was only joking. He wasn't one of those people that took everything so serious. The only things he took seriously were when things were meant to be serious.
"Good...so how about I head downstairs and cook up a dinner I'm sure you won't forget," he paused and raised his hand. "Don't you dare comment on what I just said." Taylor giggled at his words and then lifted a hand to her mouth and made a zipping motion. Troy eyed her for a few more moments before continuing. "I'm going to make you a dinner that you won't forget and you can stay up here and relax and I'll come and get you when it's all ready."
"Troy you know the doctor told me I could move around right. I'm off bed-rest." Troy pushed himself off the bed and shook his head.
"So what, doesn't mean I can't let you take things easy." he pointed out, he quickly walked around the bed till he was looking her directly in the eyes. Reaching out he touched her hand and knelt down beside her. "Let me take care of you Taylor...just let me do that for you." he replied softly, she nodded her head and then pulled Troy towards her for a brief kiss.
"I love you so much." she murmured, admitting the feelings that came from the very depths of her soul. Troy was the one man that had stuck by her and slowly and carefully pulled her from the pit that Darius had tried to trap her in for the rest of her life. She would always been thankful to him for never giving up on her no matter what even when she had almost walked out on him, because of the fear that Darius and placed in her heart. Troy smiled as he pulled away from her lips and nodded his head while sighing.
"I love you too...now let me go ahead and cook this dinner and I promise it will be good." he stated with a wink as he stood and quickly walked out of the room leaving Taylor alone. She sighed as she picked up the remote while hoping that her kitchen could withstand a visit from Troy Anthony Bolton cause she wasn't very sure if he could cook and she couldn't remember if she had batteries in her fire alarm.
Thankfully when Troy returned upstairs, he didn't smell like smoke. She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed him to lift her up from the bed. "You know, Troy you should probably stop doing this cause really...I'm getting quite use to this."
"Good, I like spoiling you." he murmured as he bounded down the stairs, once they were in the kitchen he sat her down and stepped back. Clasping his hands behind his back, he looked at her for a moment before speaking. "So what do you think?"
"Did you really cook all of this?" she asked as she took in the floor plate of seafood, which Troy had set in front of her. Nodding his head, Troy smirked and then pointed towards the table.
"I cooked all of your favorites...lobster, some crab legs."
"And I repeated did you really cook all of this by yourself." Troy rocked back on his heels for a moment before nodding his head.
"Well, yeah...if talking to Zeke over the phone doesn't count as help." he replied with a smirk, as he moved over to his chair. "Besides, I'm sure it doesn't matter right."
"I guess not...I mean you had to do all the work, Zeke was I guess your living cookbook." she replied with a bright smile as she lent forward and took a deep sniff. "Oh my goodness this smells wonderful, you know I like this...you spoiling me and all." she replied as she looked across the table at him. Troy took a sip of his water and nodded his head for a moment before gracing her with another smile.
"Baby, all I want to do is spoil you."
"You seem to be on cloud nine today." Julius stated as he walked into the front door, Taylor just smiled and rubbed her prodding belly before closing the door. She had to admitted last night had certainly been a wonderful evening and Troy really was the man of her dreams. He did things without asking and strived daily to be the man that man her feel special and loved. She would never get tired of those feelings, never.
"I am, in fact I'm walking on clouds today, Jules." she replied as she latched onto his arm and led him down the hall. "So are you ready for work." she asked with a bright smile as she looked up at him. Julius slowly nodded his head and then pointed towards himself.
"I'm always ready to work...I'm glad you have this studio at home," he paused as he held opened a door for her. "Why doesn't Troy just record here."
"Well, for one...he wants to make everything a secret. He doesn't want me to know about the songs that he is recording for me and two...he thinks that recording here will disturb my rest." she stated with a knowing smile. Julius just smiled and nodded his head, that sounded about right. If there was one thing he knew about Troy since he began working with him it was that for Troy his family which also included Taylor came first. Nothing else matter to him, nothing else was more important. Julius had to admit that an attitude like that in the industry was hard to find, so Troy's attitude towards his family and friends was a welcomed change. As they descended into Taylor's personal studio, he looked over at Taylor and asked.
"Are you sure that this is okay? You won't be tiring yourself out will you?" She smiled and looked over at him before shaking her head.
"Please believe me I'll be fine." she replied with a small smirk, as she quickly moved to the sofa that had been placed in the room. Thankfully earlier that morning she had come down and placed her song notebook in here. Julius nodded his head and then moved over to the sound controls, once he was seated he looked over at her.
"So what are we recording today...and once its done are we going to release it." he asked bluntly as he looked at her. He knew the public was literally starving for one of Taylor's newest singles and since he had to be one of her biggest fans he couldn't wait to hear what she wanted to release either. Hell, he had been a fan since the moment he discovered back when she was in college.
"You know I was thinking of a theme and all I could come up with was the idea that I've been on a journey you know...," she paused and placed a hand on her large belly. "I've been on a journey to find the real me and now I really think that I've done it." she replied with a bright smile as she looked at Julius who just nodded his head in complete understand. He probably would never get over the guilt of his involvement with Darius, who wanted to make her totally dependent on him.
"You have there is no doubt about that." Julius replied as he looked back at her, "So that's what this album is about then."
"Yeah, I want people to know the real me, and that means dropping the ridiculous stage name I've carried for so long."
"You mean Tay-Ann?" Julius replied, Taylor nodded her head and mentally added up just how long it had been since she had actually heard that man. Troy had made a point to not even refer to her as that anymore and none of her friends did either. "I think that's a good idea...to show the public and yourself that you are actually moving on."
"Exactly and if they can't get behind me...as Taylor Ann McKessie, then I'm okay without them." Julius smiled at her statement and nodded his head in understanding. He knew that she really needed to do this mostly for herself. She was finally moving on professional and he was glad he could help her do this. It was almost like repaying her for his past mistakes especially his involvement with Darius when he was basically brainwashing her and running her life.
"So what exactly will we be recording today...I mean are you up to it."
"Please Troy has me off of my feet so much I'd probably but up for a half a mile walk, but I'll settled for recording a song." she replied with a wide smirk as she looked at him. Julius nodded and then turned back to the soundboard.
"So do you have any background music prepared." Taylor nodded her head as she looked at him and pushed herself up from her seat.
"Yeah, I have some prepared...I was, thinking about doing this just months before I finally figured out what type of person Darius really was." she stated softly as she looked at him. "I believe the track I want to record right now is under um, track six." Julius nodded his head and then pressed the button so the track music could come up. Soon, they could hear the soft melody of the music flowing through the studio.
"Sounds nice."
"Good I really like this song and I'm hoping that these tracks are still as good as I imagined them to be." she replied with a small smile as she looked over at him. Julius moved a few dials on the soundboard and then nodded his head.
"I think these loops are good...you just have to put some words on them and sing good and their be fine." he admitted with a bright smile as he looked at her. "Besides I already know you can do it so there's really nothing to worry about." He admitted with a small smile as he looked at her. Taylor nodded her head and then walked towards the booth.
"I guess we better get started, we are certainly on a time table...especially since Troy makes it a point not to have any late nights." Julius just nodded his head in agreement and then motioned for her to pick up the headphones. Doing so, he started the track and Taylor stood there listening to the music and getting in groove with the song. They did this several times before Taylor started singing finally.
I know that when you look at me
There's so much that you just don't see
But if you would only take the time
I know in my heart you'd find
A girl who's scared sometimes
Who isn't always strong
Can't you see the hurt in me?
I feel so all alone
I wanna run to you (oooh)
I wanna run to you (oooh)
Won't you hold me in your arms
And keep me safe from harm
I wanna run to you (oooh)
But if I come to you (oooh)
Tell me, will you stay or will you run away
Each day, each day I play the role
Of someone always in control
But at night I come home and turn the key
There's nobody there, no one cares for me
What's the sense of trying hard to find your dreams
Without someone to share it with
Tell me what does it mean?
I wanna run to you (oooh)
I wanna run to you (oooh)
Won't you hold me in your arms
And keep me safe from harm
I wanna run to you (oooh)
But if I come to you (oooh)
Tell me, will you stay or will you run away
I need you here
I need you here to wipe away my tears
To kiss away my fears
If you only knew how much...
I wanna run to you (oooh)
I wanna run to you (oooh)
Won't you hold me in your arms
And keep me safe from harm
I wanna run to you (oooh)
But if I come to you (oooh)
Tell me, will you stay or will you run away
Once the song ended, Taylor opened her eyes and found Julius openly staring at her in what she could only term as open disbelief. She smiled and sat the headphones aside and looked at her waiting for him to say something, but he didn't he just couldn't to give her his dumbfounded stare. Finally she leaned into the mic and spoke. "So what do you think?"
"That Darius was a damn fool for never letting you sing like this." he muttered more to himself than to her, looking up he found her watching him and shook his head. "Taylor, that was absolutely beautiful." he admitted softly. "I'm being serious right here."
"You think it was good."
"Look, that was wonderful shoot I want you to sing it again but I'll settle for the recording." he stated with a shake of his head. "It was perfect take too...I didn't hear any imperfections in there." Taylor nodded her head and slowly walked out of the booth. Julius was by her side in moments, he carefully wrapped his arms around her waist and then led her to a chair. Once she was seated, Taylor released a breath and sighed.
"Maybe Troy was right to keep me off my feet."
"I'll but a chair in there next time...if there is a next time." Taylor rubbed a hand over her belly and looked over at him for a moment before nodding her head.
"Oh there will most definitely be a next time...right now I just want to record two songs. You can release that one whenever but the second will be my come back song...and also my song for when I accept Troy's proposal." Julius could hardly keep the smile off his face at her words. He didn't know a man more deserving than Troy to receive a gift like the one Taylor as planning.
"Alright...how about I release this one next week...and then we record that song later on and just how do you want to stage your big comeback." he asked with a small smile, Taylor looked at him and bit her lower lip before snapping her fingers as if she had just gotten one of the greatest ideas ever. Julius watched with amusement as she wiggled in the chair as she was literally bouncing with excitement.
"The Grammy Awards...I know they want to be a performer and it's slated for um...well," she paused as she looked over at Julius. "It's a month away."
"And you are very pregnant." he pointed "and will be even more so when the award show happens." he stated with a sigh as he looked at her.
"I don't care...I want to do this." she pointed out angrily. "I'll be fine and so will the baby and then Troy can see just how much I love him and I'll also effectively shut down all the haters including Darius." she stated with pride in her voice as she thought about the look on Troy's face when she would finish singing her song. "You have to work all this out for me Julius."
"Don't worry I will." he replied as he slowly realized that he couldn't take anything away from her. Not after he had taken so much, this was the least he could do, and he would try his best for Troy's sake to make sure that she was as safe as possible. "I'll take to the program director and see if there's still room for you to come aboard but you have to promise me that you will sit for the song. I don't want any accidents on the stage."
"You have my word." she replied with a smile as she looked up at him. Julius smiled back and then looked down at his watch.
"I'll go back over the song...make sure it's okay and then ship to the radio stations for play. I'm sure they're just dying for a single from you and this will get people talking I'm sure of it." Julius replied as he held out his hand for Taylor who quickly accepted it. "However, do you mind telling me why you wrote that song." he asked just wanting to know the backstory behind the development of the song, Taylor looked down for a moment before speaking up.
"It was a song, I wrote when I realized just how much I really liked Troy." she paused and looked down at her feet for a moment. "And I was really scared that if I let him know about my feelings that he would do the same thing that Chad did to me which was leave." she stated with a sigh, "So I wrote the song but I didn't mention it to Darius because well...I knew he wouldn't like it." she stated with a shake of her head as she thought about how that man had constantly ruled her life.
"Well, if you don't mind me saying this...that song is set to be a hit and I'm glad you are allowing me to help you with that." he stated with a smile as he looked down at her. He really and truly felt like Taylor was his little sister and he knew that he was going to help and protect her along with Troy. Taylor smiled and nodded her head.
"No, I should be thanking you...Julius, you forced Darius to tell me how he truly felt which opened my eyes to everything. You responsible for breaking Darius' hold on me and-."
"No, I shouldn't get the credit for that, Taylor. Troy did that for the both of us." he stated firmly. There was no way he would take the credit for that event. Troy did it for the both of them, he woke him up first and then Taylor...as far as Julius was concerned that was the end of the story.
"Still, thanks...now let's head upstairs, before Troy shows up." she replied with a bright smile as Julius nodded and led her out of the studio. "I don't want him suspicious at all...I want this to be a total surprise." she stated with a bright smile as they carefully bounded up the stairs.
Troy was feeling rather good as he exited his new office building, he certainly had a certain hop to his step at the moment. He was glad the day went so well, but he did wonder where exactly Julius went off to after his lunch. The question didn't bother him to much, especially since now he was finally headed home. As he entered the parking lot he paused at the sight of Darius Combs leaning against his car. The man was watching him silently as he advanced and then pushed off his car. "You know you're on private property right." he snapped his good mood instantly forgotten. Darius eyed him up and down and then shook his head.
"I bet you think that you're just the shit huh...you think that don't you." Darius snapped out angrily as he pointed a finger towards Troy's chest. In response all Troy did was raise an eyebrow at the other man's look and smirk.
"Um, what's wrong with you...I thought you were all to happen to let us go. I thought you could still be number one without us isn't that what you said." Troy replied coolly as he looked at the other man who did nothing more than grate on his nerves. Darius narrowed his eyes at Troy and then chuckled while shaking his head.
"You're no better than me...all this is for the money, you may have them fooled...but I know a user when I see one." Troy immediately invaded Darius' space and glared at him.
"No, it's not about the money to me...I could care less. What I care about is expressing myself and letting the world and Taylor know exactly how I feel. Money...that isn't my God...even though it is yours. You better do your research on me...cause you haven't a clue. I love making music...and I was content singing in the dives you found me. I love Taylor...and I'm content with her as well. The money is an added perk I could do without to be perfectly honest with you."
"You're a liar."
"No, you're the one that lied to a person who thought of you as brother for over five years...just what are you doing here anyway other than trying to harass me." Troy snapped out as he looked at the man before him who was cautiously watching him. "Answer the question, Darius."
"Just thought I come by and tell you what I thought of you."
"No, you came by because your studio...record label...whatever is failing slowly...but it's still failing." he replied with a small shake of his head. "I do read the papers...and the charts. The last hit you had barely scratched the top ten."
"It's what you wanted."
"No, it's what you brought on yourself," Troy replied with a small shake of his head as he looked at the man before him. "It couldn't have happened to a better person." Darius winced at his words as Troy shouldered past him and got into his car. Troy carefully pulled out and watched as Darius stood in the parking lot silently watching as he pulled away. Once Darius was no longer in his rearview mirror, he allowed a smile to spread across his face. He had done it. He had made the great Darius Combs pay for the way he had treated Taylor Ann McKessie. As he pulled up outside of house, he quickly got out and rushed inside. Making his way upstairs, he found Taylor calmly sitting on the bed watching some television show. She looked up as he walked towards her and instantly smile, setting the remote down she looked at him and then just shook her head.
"I would really like to know what has you in such a good mood." she asked her tone light and free. He could hear the happiness coming through, and he felt proud that he had helped put her in that frame of mind, that he had helped her get to this point.
"Nothing much," he stated with a smile as he bent down and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. "Let's just say today is a good day."
Song Credit:
Run To You-Whitney Houston