Taylor is happy that Harry and Louis get to spend time together, but she's even happier that she gets to see Eleanor. With everything going on with the two boys, it's been harder for the young lesbian couple to meet up. 

"I've missed your face," Taylor says. She leans forward and connects their lips quickly. They stand in the kitchen, light pouring in through giant windows opened towards the backyard.

Taylor can still remember purchasing the property when she first became famous. She promised herself ages ago that this is where she would have a family. The other house, the one she lives in now, is her luxury home. The home that all the paparazzi know about and the fans know about. Nobody besides her family know that she owns this house.  

"You know, I always told myself that if I ever get around to having kids I'll raise them here. It's the perfect size for a family. Out of the way, but still in LA so I can get to my work. What do you think about it," Taylor questions. She tries to be discreet about her hinting. To be honest, Taylor would be lying if she said she hadn't imagined what having a family with Eleanor could be like. They haven't been together long, which is partly why Taylor hasn't brought it up. 

Taylor  stops and looks around the room. She can imagine a couple kids running around. Taylor teaching their oldest child how to make the cookie batter and Eleanor teaching their youngest child how to make the icing. Maybe a third child in their future if Eleanor's up for it, but Taylor only imagines the two. 

Her blue eyes flicker towards the dining room connected and the giant table. An oak wood table she had picked out when she first bought the house. It was the very first thing they moved in. Taylor always believed that a home isn't a home without dinners around a huge table.

She imagines Christmas dinner as a family, blue eyes meeting Eleanor's brown ones from across the table. Taylor helping one of their children cut their ham while Eleanor nods along to the babble coming out of their other child's mouth. 

Maybe Taylor can have Thanksgiving. Eleanor's always talked about wanting a giant American style Thanksgiving dinner. Taylor could invite her family and Eleanor could invite all her friends over. Maybe Harry and Louis' children will be friends with their own. A little girl with bright blue eyes and curly brown hair chasing around a blond-hair, brown-eyed little boy. 

"What are you thinking about," Taylor questions. Taylor notices the slight drop in Eleanor's face, as if she's realized something that she doesn't want to realize. Taylor tries to meet her eyes, but Eleanor can't look at her. 

"Simon sat me down a couple of days ago and told me something," Eleanor starts. Taylor's eyebrows furrow. The tone in Eleanor's voice is guilty. 

"What's going on," Taylor asks. 

"Louis and I have to get married."

Taylor's face falls. It's as if someone's punched her in the gut. Deep down, she guessed that maybe the engagement wouldn't be all fake, but she never could've guessed this. 

"Not like... actually married right? A ceremony that they media can catch, but... not really... married. Not with a certificate and name changes," Taylor asks. She's heard before of a record company hosting a fake marriage, hell, she's even attended as few. Celebrity couples pretending to get married and posting the pictures to give off the allusion of marriage, but there isn't actually a marriage certificate signed. 

"No. Simon wants us to be married with a certificate and wants me to change my last name. I signed that stupid contract with him because I had nothing to lose at the time. I had no idea that I'd find someone else," Eleanor explains. Eleanor has been open with Taylor about the contract she signed with Simon, but neither of them thought he would take it this far. 

The idea of Taylor attending Eleanor's wedding and not being her bride slams her hard. Watching Eleanor walk down an aisle all in white to Louis instead of herself. Seeing the 'Congratulations' and knowing that it's not for them. Having to hear Eleanor's name as Eleanor Tomlinson instead of Eleanor Swift. 

"When are you... how can he... what? This is such fucking bullshit. He shouldn't be allowed to do this to you. A marriage should be about love! Why can't he just have a fake ceremony like everyone else does," Taylor asks. Tears brim her eyes, but she wipes them away harshly. She curses at herself fro crying. She isn't sad, not really, she's angry and hurt and more than anything wants to punch the shit out of Simon's face. 

"He said that if we actually get married than we have documented proof. We can easily pull up a marriage certificate to prove that we're actually married. Besides, nobody would think that we would legitimately get married if Louis' gay," Eleanor explains. Of course Taylor knows this already. She knows why a company would prefer an actual marriage over a fake ceremony. She just never thought she would lose the one person she's ever loved over it. 

Taylor feels like her whole world is crumbing underneath her. All her plans and wishes for a future with her lover has been torn from her. Of course, they could still be together. The marriage is still fake, just like their current relationship. Does it really count as cheating if the couple aren't together out of love? Taylor's sure that Harry and Louis will stay together even through their marriage, so why not Taylor and Eleanor? 

"We'll make it work, okay? I can't not have you in my life, El, it's just not something I can do," Taylor sighs. Tears stain Eleanor's cheeks and Taylor cups them gently. Their foreheads rest together as Eleanor silently cries, surely feeling the weight of everything dropped on her. Seeing her lover hurt like this pains Taylor like none other. 

So, Taylor holds her and silently promises herself that she'll never let go. 

~_~_~ 

Hey guys! There are only three chapters left of this book! I'm really excited for the ending of this book and the starting of the next. I've been wild with ideas for such a long time and I've been planning so much. Can't wait to share it with you. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed! ~B