Chapter 101: Chapter 101

Seven p.m.

I arrived at Taylor's home and I'm welcomed in by a fine young maid named Rachel who leads me into the magnificent white mansion. I hold the white lilies in my hand, hoping to offer them to Reign once I see her. It is still a wonder to me how Taylor became so successful, I am not judging, in fact, I'm utterly impressed at her achievement. Although media has referred to her success as sudden and shallow in the past week while linking Patrick Hilton investment in her Goodfood and gifting it to her as something she received only because she was with Keenan at that time and not because she merited it. But I do know, Patrick Hilton would never support just anyone he sees with his son, but those he dimmed worthy, able, business-minded and determined to work for what they wanted and it's not a surprise that Taylor fitted into that list.

And hell she did fit in perfectly. She's made quite a name for herself and she's able to stand on her own two feet now.

I applaud her.

I have tried calling Phoebe, but my calls she refused to pick up and even though I worry about our relationship, I am glad I told her the truth. I did something terrible to her and I pray the day comes when she will forgive me.

Once we are inside, Rachel nods her head at me and walks away leaving me in the centre of the large room and why did she leave I almost begin to wonder, when I see Taylor coming down the stairs, her hand locked in a little damsel's hand.

She's wearing a white crop top and a red skirt with its cutting just a little above her thigh and my eyes drop to her legs which are in a pair of black flat sandals toned flawless. Her hair she let fall behind her shoulders and I don't see a trace of make-up on her face. I can tell much isn't put into her appearance, but damn!

The little damsel is wearing white sneakers a red trouser and a white t-shirt and though she's young she's dressed to kill.

Talk about elegance and simplicity.

They walk down the stairs, stopping on the third step and I stare at Taylor, desperately looking for the right word to say, but also something that wouldn't give me up as trying too hard.

Who am I kidding? I am trying too hard, I'm desperate and ready to accept whatever Taylor offers.

That's how crazy I've become.

"Hey." I finally manage out breathlessly.

She gives me a small smile and I offer her my hand, but instead of taking it, she just climbs down the rest of the stairs herself. "Right on time, I see."

I awkwardly withdraw my hand and they both walk past me to stand before me. "It's a date." I remind her before bending down to properly look and greet the little damsel beside her.

I have to say she's as beautiful as her mother, her brown hair packed into a loose ponytail with a few curly ones in the front. Her eyes a vibrant blue just like her mother and her nose I remember are like Taylor's, she indeed is beautiful.

If I hadn't given up so quickly on us, maybe she would have been mine.

Yes, the joke is on me and there's no one to blame. After everything I did to her, I gave her no choice.

Even if she hadn't been with Keenan while we were together, I gave her every reason to go to him.

"Hey, kiddo," I beam at her.

She frowns at me. "Who a-h you?" her voice comes out faintly and uncertain.

"I'm Rory, Mom's friend," my lips curve up, but she just stares at me like I am about to harm her and straight away she grabs onto her mom's leg, and I have to look up at Taylor, "I'm scaring her right?"

"You are," she nods with a chuckle and I would have been satisfied just seeing Taylor have fun if I wasn't trying to win over the little Angel who is presently scared of me as well.

"What do I do?" I anxiously whisper, trying not to make her hear me even if I know she does.

"Make her feel like you're trying to be her friend and try smiling instead of smirking," she whispers back her suggestions and advises and nod, wiping off the thing I'd earlier thought was a smile from my face.

"Come on, dear, don't be scared, I'm not gonna hurt you." I wave the flowers in my hand at her, "I got these for you 'cause I want to be your friend."

The little girl shakes her head dismissively, "Reign no need another friend, Reign has daddy, mommy and Rachel."

My face drops and I pout, giving her one of my most adorable puppy dog eyes. "Can't Reign add one more to her friends' list, even if that means removing mom, especially mom from friends??"

I hear Taylor gasps out in disbelief, "You're cheating!" she exclaims, covering her mouth and I just wink at her before continuing with my wooing.

"Please." my face squeezes even more and she begins to giggle and I can't help giggling either.

"You a...are funny, like daddy."

My brow rises expectantly, "Reign will be my friend now?"

She nods happily and replies, "Yes" I open my arms for her and honestly I don't know why I did, but when she runs in, I feel completeness I haven't felt before.

When we pull away I hand her the flower and Rachel comes and takes it away to keep in the vase.

"Let's go eat before the food gets cold." Taylor's voice makes us break apart and I lift Reign into my hand carry her along to the table.

The dinner is delicious and seeing them enjoy it as well as I am, makes me feel less weird. I can't remember when last I had such a nice meal, I know I can cook one, but I've never fancied it so I didn't. I resorted to buying food from restaurants or just living on junk food.

After eating, Reign takes the next minutes telling me about all her friends Taylor, Rachel and Keenan and out of the three she talked about Keenan more and I realised that she is more taken with her father than she is with Taylor.

"Daddy's my super-m-ero" she finally says while I stare at her.

A part of me envies Keenan for what he has with Reign there is an unbreakable bond between the two and I can tell he will always have a place in her heart. I pray one day I can also share a place in her heart too.

"Time for bed," Taylor announces and Reign rocks on my lap happily before Rachel comes and takes her away from me.

"Bye, Rory." she waves at me while she's being taken away.

I smile at her, "Bye, Reign." I wave back at her.

Taylor begins to walk towards where I sit looking afar towards the direction Reign is taken to.

Breaking my gaze away from where it is to look at her, I get up and walk towards her, "Thank you." I tell her, shoving my hands into my pocket, making sure the small box is still intact.

"I did nothing," she says with a surprised face as we walk towards the door of the house.

"I should be the one thanking you; Reign hasn't been this happy since Keenan left." her eyes slowly drop and I remove my right hand out of my pocket to take her hand into mine and bring it to my lips and trail a small kiss on it.

"My pleasure, love."

She tears her eyes away from me and bites down on her lower lips with her teeth, "You should go." she says reluctantly.

"Do you want me to go?" I ask, feeling my voice drops into a much deeper tempo. "'cause I'm not so sure I want to anymore."

Her lashes lift and she slowly looks up at me from underneath them, and a part of me hates that I can't read this new Taylor because she always wears this unreadable face most times. "What are you saying?" she demands, her eyes squinting delicately.

I let go of her face and I cup her face in my hand, "I love you, Taylor, and I more than anything want to spend the rest of my life with you."

I drop down on one knee and I pull a red box out of my pocket and I open it, "I don't know when the time will be right so, Taylor Snowfall, will you make me the luckiest man alive by marrying me?"