Thanks for hanging in there with me. Leave some reviews and critiques. Much love always…sorry about the delay.
Seasons Change
Taylor bound down the steps after showering and packing back up her duffle bag, she had just unpacked the night before. She was extremely famished from her early morning workout and emotional breakdown with Troy. There was a strong smell of breakfast food coming from the kitchen and it was making her stomach do double flips in anticipation of its goodness.
She dropped her duffle bag down by the front door in the foyer and noticed her biological father and her adoptive father packing away all her Christmas gifts and numerous technological toys into the trunk. She assumed they must have come into the bedroom and taken everything while she was in the shower. She must have stood there longer than she realized because Chad rounded the side of the car with his hair in his signature ponytail. They made immediate eye contact and she could see the pain that was in them and a wave of guilt filled her entire body.
Taylor broke eye contact and walked into the dinning room. She saw Troy sitting at the table already partaking of his morning meal. Sitting next to him she took a huge breath and sighed, placing her head in her hands. Troy dropped his fork, and pulled Taylor over to him and started to give her a massage.
"Tay, this one is out of our control. It's nothing you can do…he'll talk to us when he's ready and we'll tell him the truth" said Troy.
"Which is what?" she asked looking up at him.
"That we're in love and have been for some time" Troy said simply.
Taylor stared at him through her almond shaped eyes and remembered why she fell for him in the first place. "You're right" she said leaning over and giving him a small peck on the lips. Troy smiled as she reached out for a plate and started grabbing various breakfast foods from the platter Lucille laid out.
Taylor and Troy both ate in silence as the small grunts coming from Troy and continuous eating coming from Taylor confirmed to Lucille, who was watching from the doorway, that the food was delicious. She decided to cook, while Kevin helped pack up the car. Her husband was having a really hard morning and she knew he needed to keep busy.
"I see you two were hungry" Lucille said. Both Troy and Taylor looked up slightly embarrassed but nodding their heads giving her confirmation that everything was good.
Troy took a big gulp of orange juice and cleared his throat before he spoke, "Mom, you really should be sitting down and resting" said Troy standing up and guiding his mom to one of the dining room chairs. Taylor watched as Lucille waddled slightly to the seat and lowered her self into the chair gingerly, making sure she didn't bump her stomach on anything. Staring at Lucille's stomach, Taylor felt a pang in her gut and heart as she realized her younger sibling was there in the room with them.
"I…I just want to say thank you Ms. Lucille for the food and hospitality" said Taylor softly.
Lucille sighed as she looked at the beautiful young teenager, "You're welcome sweetie…anytime" she replied. It dawned on Lucille that this was the first decent conversation she had with Taylor, including the one this morning, in what felt like years. She knew it was partly her fault that Taylor had the year from hell, "Taylor…I want to apologize for my part in all of this. I wish you would stay but I understand why you don't want to be here…I'm really sorry for everything" Lucille said as her voice started to break.
Taylor didn't know how to reply, so she glanced at Troy and shook her head in understanding. Troy grabbed his mom's shoulder and squeezed it slightly.
"I hope one day you'll be able to forgive me…and your dad. We love and need you around, especially for your little brother" said Lucille wiping a tear from her face.
Taylor looked up at Lucille with her last statement. Troy audibly gasped, "It's a boy mom" he asked.
"Yeah…you guys are having a little brother" she said rubbing her stomach slightly. Taylor didn't know how to respond as she felt the heat rise up to her neck. She had so many emotions going on inside her. One thing she was sure of was that she needed to get away so she could sort everything out in her one way and on her own time.
Troy noticed the awkwardness that Taylor was feeling and walked over to sit down next to her and he grabbed her hand and squeezed it strongly. Taylor looked over at Troy as he made it known non-verbally that things would work out and be okay. She acknowledged him by squeezing his hand back.
"I think that's everything" announced Stephen as he came into the dinning room, followed by Chad and Kevin, "You ready to go Tay" he asked looking over at the young teens. Even though he knew this was a delicate situation, Stephen could hardly contain his excitement that Taylor was finally his baby girl. He knew that Kevin was hurting…Kevin barely said two words to him while they were packing up the car, but somehow he felt like this was the best thing for right now.
"Are you guys hungry?" asked Lucille, "we have plenty of food for you to enjoy" she said pointing at the platter in the center of the dinning room table.
"Oh no thanks" replied Stephen, "the Mrs. already cooked up some good vittles this morning…but thanks for asking. Chad would you like something to eat?" asked Stephen to his first born.
Chad had been standing behind his father looking at Troy and Taylor. The more he thought about what he saw this morning the angrier he got. Unbeknownst to him, he was shooting daggers at both Troy and Taylor, which didn't go unnoticed by the young couple or Lucille and Kevin.
"No thanks dad, I'm just gonna wait in the car until you guys are ready" he said walking away not waiting for a response.
Stephen noticed that Chad had a complete attitude shift from the one he had when they left in the morning. He didn't know what was going on but maybe this house was toxic for young people. Maybe it was in the best interest to get Taylor home in a hurry. "Um Taylor sweetie are you finished or do you need more time" he asked again.
"Oh…I'm done dad. I'm ready to go" she said getting up out of her seat while she began cleaning up her mess, with Troy doing the same. She didn't realize what she had said until she looked up in saw the hurt look that was in Kevin's eyes. It killed Kevin inside to hear his daughter call another man dad. He felt his eyes water and promptly excused himself to the kitchen before he broke down in front of everyone.
Taylor hung her head down and sighed heavily. She kept screwing up everything; her eyes began to water from the shear embarrassment of hurting her biological father…no matter how angry she was at him, she didn't want to hurt him in this way. Without hesitation Troy scooped Taylor up and clutched her close to his body, she responded by clutching his shirt and burying her head in the nape of his neck. He whispered sweet words of encouragement that Lucille or Stephen weren't able to decipher. Whatever he said was helping calm Taylor down before she could really get upset.
Lucille excused herself from the dinning room to go check on her husband. She knew that he was in a lot of pain over losing Taylor, but honestly they had no one to blame but themselves.
Stephen noticed how dependent Troy and Taylor had become to one another over the last few months but this was different. Something had changed between them, and he was starting to wander if what his wife suspected of the two teens was true…that they were dating.
"I hate to break this up but I think we should get on the road" said Stephen quietly. Troy released Taylor and gave her another encouraging look. Taylor shook her head in understanding and began to finish cleaning up her mess. "Don't worry about that Tay, I'll get it. Let me walk you to the door" said Troy quietly. It really just dawned on Troy that he wouldn't be seeing Taylor for the next couple of weeks and it was hurting him more than ever. Troy grabbed Taylor's hand and directed them to the foyer. The door was still slightly open and Taylor's duffle bag had already been taken to the car.
Stephen came behind the teens and announced that he would be waiting in the car, "Troy could you tell Kevin and your mom thanks for everything" he said quietly. Troy nodded his head and Stephen headed out the door to the car, where Chad was already waiting, leaving the door wider than it was before. Troy watched as Stephen walked to the car and got in, noting that Chad didn't even say goodbye to him. When he turned back Taylor was staring at him, given him that look that weakened him to his core. She leaned in and kissed Troy with all the love she could muster inside.
Troy pulled her closer to him and deepened the kiss wrapping his arms around her small frame. He wanted to value the little bit of time he had left with Taylor, knowing it would only be two weeks before he saw her but it would feel like an eternity.
Stephen looked at the kissing couple through his rear view mirror, confirming what his wife had suspected and what he felt inside earlier. Making a decision that he would have to watch Taylor more carefully from now on when she was around Troy, he also realized that this was the reason his son was in the back of the car, looking out of the window, mad at the world. He saw that his son had tried to hide the fact that he was crying earlier. This adjustment of adding Taylor to the family was going to be a difficult process indeed.
Taylor and Troy continued their impromptu make out session until they heard someone clear their throat. Breaking apart the teens looked back and saw Lucille and Kevin looking at them. Taylor and Troy felt themselves blush, but it was more noticeable on Troy's face.
"We just wanted to say our goodbyes" said Lucille quietly walking up and giving Taylor a small hug. Taylor responded slightly, she still felt uncomfortable with everything. "Be safe honey" said Lucille placing her hand on Taylor's face and looking at her adoringly. "I truly am sorry for all this".
"I know" whispered Taylor.
Next her biological father walked up to her and embraced her in a bear hug. Taylor still feeling strange about the whole ordeal just let him hug her. "I'm sorry about everything again…and I'll love you forever" said Kevin as tears streamed down his eyes. Without waiting for a response he walked up the steps and could be heard chocking up some more. Troy just looked after where Kevin had just been and felt sort of guilty for not believing that their parents didn't love them.
Taylor was visibly fighting back tears, and Lucille decided it was best if she went to console her husband. Without saying a word she slowly walked up the steps and to the back room to help her husband deal.
Troy pulled Taylor to him, "I'm gonna miss you so much Taylor Rose" said Troy, fighting back tears himself. Taylor finally let her tears fall from her eyes. She pulled away from Troy, "Do you think I'm making the right decision Troy?" she asked visibly shaking at this point.
"I think you are doing what is best for you to start this healing process. I don't think you came to this decision lightly Tay. Kevin's a big boy, he will get through this" said Troy looking Taylor in the eyes intently. "Honestly right now Tay, I think it's okay to be a little selfish. I'm gonna miss you like crazy but I do believe you're making the right choice" he said, wiping the tears from off her cheeks and kissing them softly.
"Troy I love you so much…and I'm gonna miss you too" she said embracing him. She clutched him closely to her hoping to remember every imprint of his body. The couple stood rooted to the spot for a few minutes, when Taylor pulled away. "I think I should get going" she said softly.
"C'mon I walk you to the car" said Troy grabbing her hand. They made their way to the passenger's side of the car, where Troy opened the front door for Taylor to get in. Once she was seated and buckled, he squeezed her hand one more time and whispered goodbye. Nodding to Mr. Danforth he gave Taylor a small wave before closing the door and walking away from the car, not before trying to catch Chad's eyes. But Chad purposely held his head down and ignored Troy, something Troy noticed; realizing his friendship with Chad had taken a hit.
Troy stood in the driveway as he watched Mr. Danforth pull out. He saw Taylor looking at him as they made a right onto the street slowly. She waved again and he did the same in return. He stood in the driveway until he couldn't see the car no more. Taking a deep breath he made his way back to inside the house.
Inside the car the tension in the air was palpable. There was music on the radio but no one was listening. Chad was cursing himself quietly for forgetting his iPod so he could block everything out, and Taylor had made herself into a ball in the front seat as she fought back getting over emotional. She felt bad about what happened with her dad but she realized that it was necessary for her to start healing and moving on to her new life. More importantly than that, she was desperately going to miss Troy. She hadn't realized how much she depended on Troy these last months, until she actually had to separate from him. Then there was Chad; she had no idea how she was going to deal with the fact that he walked in on Troy and herself. Fear the size of a grapefruit had permanently settled in her stomach in anticipation of how the teenage Danforth would deal with the new information he received that morning. There was one Danforth she was forever grateful for though.
"Thanks for coming to pick me up Mr. Danforth" said Taylor breaking the silent awkwardness in the car, "sorry if it inconvenienced you" she whispered.
Stephen glanced at her from the corner of his eyes "This was absolutely no inconvenience Taylor…and it's dad as long as you still want to call me that" he said taking his hand to squeeze hers tightly, "for as long as you want…you hear me girl".
"Yeah dad…I hear you" said Taylor looking at her adoptive father. Chad rolled his eyes in the back of his head; he finally has had enough of Taylor and her drama. Not only did she reject him but now she's coming in and taken over his whole family. Chad's anger was getting the best of him and he wasn't thinking clearly. His face was flustered and he decided it was best if he laid across the backseat and just waited out the rest of this short road trip.
Once they were back home the twins ran outside and engulfed Taylor in a hug. She made sure to kiss them both and give as much attention as possible. Chad got out of the car and slammed the door behind him. Dismissing his little brothers he made his was to the trunk of the car where his father met him.
"Chad your attitude has shifted something horrible since this morning" announced his father. Chad continued to pull Taylor's luggage and gifts out of the trunk as if he didn't hear his father speaking. "I'm advising you to get it into check before this day is done" said Stephen sternly. Chad picked up some of the luggage and walked away without uttering a word. Stephen grabbed his arm and jerked him back towards him; "Do you understand me Chad Ignatius Danforth" said his father through clenched teeth.
Chad fought the urge to jerk his arm away and nodded his head in understanding as his nostrils flared angrily. Getting in an argument with his dad wasn't what he wanted, but it sure did irk him that he was always coming to the defense of Taylor and not to his at all. He fought back tears as he nodded his head again to let his father know he got the message. Letting his son go, Stephen watched a Chad scurried up the steps to the house and walked in. Passing his mother by with out one word, he went straight to Taylor's room and dropped her belongings on her bed. "She can unpack her own crap" he thought to himself angrily.
Chad walked back out to the living room and noticed that his makeshift family had the rest of Taylor's stuff so he high tailed it up to his room and slammed the door behind him. If he was gonna 'check' his attitude like his father said it was best if he did it by himself.
The slam didn't go unnoticed by the people downstairs. Debra gave her husband a questioning look, but he shook his head indicating that they would talk about it later. Everyone placed the rest of Taylor's things in her room.
"Alright twins, hit the back yard and play while Taylor gets settled" said Mr. Danforth to his younger sons. The bushy haired boys ran out screaming and laughing. They truly were happy that Taylor was home even though she had been gone only a day. Taylor felt her self genuinely smile as she could still hear the boys running through the house getting their things together for free time outside.
"Taylor will you be able to settle in by yourself hun, I want to get dinner started" asked Mrs. Danforth.
"Oh yes ma'am, I can take everything from here…honestly I'm just glad to be back home" said Taylor waking over to Debra and giving her a hug.
"Your always welcomed here sweetie…to be honest with you I'm glad you're here also" she said giving her a small kiss on the forehead before letting her go. "C'mon husband, come help me with dinner" she said pulling Stephen by his shirt. "Give Taylor some peace of mind".
Taylor appreciated the time alone. She immediately got her phone and called Troy, but instead of hearing his real life voice she got his voice mail instead. She left him a message letting him know that she got home safely and that she couldn't wait to talk to him and let him know how much she loved him. Taylor began unpacking her clothing and trying to figure out the new technology her biological dad bought her, "This computer really is nice" thought Taylor to herself.
Meanwhile out in the kitchen, Stephen was updating his wife on what happened at the 'new' McKessie household. He told her that her suspicions of Troy and Taylor dating turned out to be very true and how it contributed to their son being in a super funk. He told her about Kevin breaking down and how Taylor unintentionally hurt his feelings. It was a long conversation but the Danforth married couple had to realize what they were getting into.
Debra finished up dinner and the whole family found themselves around the dinning room table partaking of a lovely meal. Chad's time a lone hadn't but him in a better mood at all. Instead of pouting he decided to remain quite in everyone including the twins left him alone.
Taylor was actually in a good mood at dinner. She had finished unpacking her room and she was looking forward for the rest of her Christmas vacation to be drama free. She even thought about everything she was going to say to Chad once he calmed down. She was gonna do like Troy suggested and just be honest with him. She shouldn't feel bad that she was madly in love with Troy…I mean she has been in love with him for a very long time. Chad may not like what she has to say but at least she wasn't afraid to deal with it anymore.
While Taylor was thinking about her plan, Chad happened to look up at her and the anger that he was trying to suppress was started to boil to the top. "I dare she sit here with a smirk on her face, enjoying my family! How could she do this to me? When Troy was cussing her out and degrading her like she was a whore in the street…who was there? Me! I was the one who took her in and helped her out, and how does she repay me…by making out with Troy in his bedroom" thought Chad to himself. His nostrils were starting to flare again and it didn't go unnoticed by his mom.
"Taylor would you pass me those green beans honey" asked Mr. Danforth.
"Sure dad. No problem at all" replied Taylor.
"HE'S NOT YOUR DAD TAYLOR, HE'S MINE!" shouted Chad standing up, causing everyone to stop and look at him with their mouth's ajar.
Taylor was shocked but she felt fresh tears come and in a instant they made a steady stream down her face. "I'm…so sorry Chad" she stuttered out.
"You just ought to be! This is my family and you can intrude like this!" yelled Chad again. He knew he had crossed the line but it was too late, the words were already out of his mouth.
Before Taylor could respond, Mrs. Danforth was out of her chair and had crossed the dining room in two strides. If you'd blink you would have missed her. Without saying a single word she slapped her first born son, hard across the face. "Get out of my sight right now" she said through clenched teeth. Chad's face was already turning red and he was shocked that his mother, not his father, had disciplined him in such a manner. He was so stunned that he just stood there looking at her.
"NOW!" she yelled, causing the younger boys and Taylor to jump. Chad felt a lone tear escape his eye before he moved swiftly upstairs to his room. It finally dawned on him that when it came between Taylor and him, his parents would always pick Taylor. He flopped down on his bed and cried into his pillow.
"Boy's upstairs now" said Mr. Danforth to his young twins. The boys still looked shocked by the events but they both scooted their chairs out and darted up the steps.
Taylor was still shocked by what Chad had done and tears were just leaving her eyes at a steady pace. She apologized again before excusing herself and running to her room.
Stephen looked up at his wife who was still standing in the spot where she had just slapped her son. Her hand was over her chest as she was trying to control her breathing, while looking at her husband. "Go see about Taylor" she said quietly trying to regain her composure. Stephen nodded and got up and did as his wife had told him.
Walking around the corner he could hear Taylor in her room crying. Without even knocking he opened the door and walked in. Taylor had flung herself on her bed and she was ironically crying into her pillow. The sight he saw literally broke his heart, he was still so shocked at his son's behavior, what happened hadn't fully registered. But when he gained composure he promised himself he was going to knock the hell out of Chad. Walking over to the bed, he scooped Taylor up and clutched her to his chest.
"Taylor Rose, you are my daughter. I love you and so does my wife. You can and will call me dad as much as you want, whenever you want, and no one can change that except you. Do you understand me girl?" he questioned Taylor. Taylor hadn't stopped crying but she nodded her head and let out a shaky "yes" in response.
"You are welcomed in my household, and don't you ever apologize for who you are in love with again" he said. "Do you love Troy?"
"Yes sir" cried out Taylor.
"Than so be it. My wife and I will support your relationship and your decisions Taylor, as long as they are beneficial to you. And in my humble opinion Troy is good for you…so you keep loving that boy and don't hold your head down in shame and don't ever apologize for the way you feel about him" said Mr. Danforth. "You hear me girl?" he asked.
"Yes sir…I hear you" said Taylor still crying. Mr. Danforth gave Taylor a kiss on the top of her head before letting her go. "I love you" he said quietly before walking out and closing the door behind him.
"I love you too…dad" she whispered more to herself than to him. Taylor still shaken up and still crying reached for her phone on her night stand. She dialed Troy's number hoping to get in touch with him, but like earlier his phone went to voice mail.
"Where are you Troy?" she asked no one in particular, "I really need you right now".
Taylor lay in bed for the rest of the evening trying to calm herself down. She tried Troy's number at least a dozen more times but she never made contact with him. She was so tired and emotionally drained but she couldn't fall asleep. Around eleven that night, she heard more yelling upstairs and assumed that Chad was getting another ear full for what he had done. She didn't feel bad because he shouldn't have been a jerk to began with.
Finally around one in the morning, her phone rang and it was Troy. She was highly irritated by now and Troy could hear it in her voice when she answered.
"Where the hell have you been Troy?" she yelled into the phone, "I've been calling all afternoon and all night" she said pissed.
"Sorry Tay, I really am…but I'm at the hospital" said Troy.
"The hospital? What the heck is going on Troy?" asked Taylor immediately concerned.
"It's my mom…she had the baby today Taylor…our little brother is here" he said quietly. Taylor's mouth dropped open as she received the most unexpected news of the day. The seasons were definitely changing around in their lives and she hoped she was strong enough to deal with it.