𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘦𝘴 7

Chapter 7:

First Public Appearance & Tour Dilemma

Hazel's first public outing was supposed to be perfect.

It wasn't.

Reese had imagined it a million times: A peaceful stroll through the park, the three of them wrapped up in the cozy warmth of early spring. Maybe they'd stop for coffee, maybe they'd sit by the fountain while Taylor hummed to Hazel, maybe Hazel would give them one of her sleepy little smiles.

Instead?

Cameras. Everywhere.

They hadn't even made it five steps outside their house before the flashing lights started.

Reese froze, gripping the stroller tighter.

Taylor immediately stepped in front of her, shielding Hazel as best as she could. "Seriously?" she snapped at the photographers. "Can you guys not?"

The paparazzi, as expected, did not care.

They shouted questions. "Taylor! Reese! How's parenthood?"

"Is Hazel sleeping through the night?"

"Are you going back on tour, Taylor?"

Reese's stomach twisted.

Hazel stirred, making a tiny unhappy noise.

That was it. That was the moment Reese snapped.

"Back the fuck off," she snapped at the cameras, her voice sharper than she'd ever used in public. She reached down, scooping Hazel up and tucking her against her chest. "You do not get to do this. Not to her."

Taylor, standing beside her, looked pissed. "You heard her. Leave."

But of course, the pictures were already taken. And by the time they made it home, it was all over the internet.

Reese sat on the couch, scrolling through the headlines, frustration bubbling inside her.

Taylor sat beside her, scrolling too. Her jaw was clenched.

TAYLOR & REESE: FIRST PUBLIC OUTING WITH BABY HAZEL SWIFT-CARTER!

REESE CARTER SNAPS AT PHOTOGRAPHERS – OVERPROTECTIVE MOM MODE ACTIVATED!

INSIDE THE PRIVATE LIFE OF TAYLOR SWIFT'S NEW FAMILY

Reese groaned, throwing her phone on the coffee table. "Jesus Christ, they act like we invited them."

Taylor sighed, rubbing Reese's back. "I hate this."

Reese sighed too, leaning into her. "I just don't want her life to be like this, Tay."

Taylor nodded, running her fingers through Reese's hair. "I know, baby. I know."

They sat like that for a long time. Wrapped up in each other. Hazel, nestled between them, completely unaware of the storm outside their home.

Finally, Reese whispered, "Do we keep her out of the public eye completely?"

Taylor hesitated. "I don't know."

Because the truth was, it wasn't a simple decision. Taylor had built her entire career in the public eye. But Hazel hadn't chosen that.

"I think," Taylor said slowly, "we should share what we want to share. Nothing more."

Reese nodded. That felt right.

So that night, Taylor posted a single photo on Instagram.

A black-and-white shot of Hazel's tiny hand curled around Reese's finger.

The caption was simple:

mine.

Three days later, Taylor got the call.

A tour offer.

A big one.

It would be a year-long world tour, even longer. Stadiums. International dates. The biggest tour of her career.

Taylor stared at the email on her phone, her stomach twisting.

She wanted to say yes.

She wanted to sing again. She wanted to perform. She wanted to be on stage.

But Hazel was only three months old.

And the thought of being away from Reese and Hazel for even a single night made her feel sick.

Reese, who had been half asleep on the couch, stretched and glanced at Taylor. "What's wrong?"

Taylor hesitated. "They offered me a tour."

Reese sat up instantly. "A tour?"

Taylor nodded. "A big one."

Reese's eyes lit up. "Baby, that's amazing!"

Taylor exhaled, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah. But it's... it's a lot."

Reese tilted her head. "You want to do it, don't you?"

Taylor hesitated.

Then, finally, she nodded. "Yeah. I do."

Reese smiled. "Then do it."

Taylor's stomach flipped. "But... Hazel."

Reese reached out, grabbing Taylor's hands. "We'll figure it out."

Taylor frowned. "I can't just leave you guys."

Reese shook her head. "We can come with you."

Taylor's breath hitched. "You'd do that?"

Reese squeezed her hands. "Of course. Hazel and I? We'll be front row every night."

Taylor exhaled, her eyes glossy. "God, I love you."

Reese grinned. "I know."

Taylor laughed, launching herself into Reese's arms, pressing kisses all over her face.

Hazel, still asleep in her bassinet, made a tiny sleepy noise.

Taylor grinned against Reese's lips. "Guess she's cool with it."

Reese laughed. "Yeah, I think so."

Selena and Sabrina were horrified.

"A YEAR AND A HALF-LONG TOUR?" Sabrina gasped, dramatically flopping onto the couch. "Babe. That's insane."

Selena nodded, crossing her arms. "Are you sure?"

Taylor sighed. "I think so."

Reese, sitting beside her, squeezed her knee. "She is."

Selena and Sabrina exchanged a look.

Then, softer now, Selena said, "I mean... we get it. But Taylor, you just had a baby. You don't have to prove anything."

Taylor smiled. "I know." She glanced at Reese. "But I want to do this. And we're gonna make it work."

Sabrina sighed. "Okay. But I'm coming on tour."

Selena raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

Sabrina shrugged. "I wanna babysit."

Reese laughed. "Babe, you gagged when she spit up on you."

Sabrina pouted. "Okay, fair. But I can still help."

Selena sighed. "Fine. But if you're going, I'm going."

Taylor grinned. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."

That night, in bed, Taylor curled up against Reese, pressing a kiss to her bare shoulder. "Are we really doing this?"

Reese hummed sleepily. "Yeah, baby. We are."

Taylor exhaled, wrapping an arm around Reese's waist, pulling her close. "I love you."

Reese smiled, half-asleep. "I love you more."

And as they lay there, tangled up in each other, with Hazel sleeping peacefully in the bassinet beside them, Taylor knew—

No matter what happened next, as long as she had this, she had everything.