the only exception

 Phoebe isn't sure what time she passed out, but by the time she woke up the sun had set and she was shocked to realize it was nearing 2AM. The house was quiet and cold, but light was coming from the hallway, so she knew at least someone else was awake.

It was an internal battle on what to do. On one hand, she didn't want to run into Hayley or Taylor right now, unsure what she'd even say to them. The regret had taken over full force, easily replacing her anger.

However, she was hungry and thirsty and knew she couldn't stay hiding under her covers forever. Plus, maybe if she had any luck they'd both be asleep and just forgot to turn the light off.

When she peeked her head out of the door, it was still quiet so she decided to take the risk and venture downstairs, making sure to keep her steps quiet as she walked to the kitchen.

First order of business was getting a glass of water, hoping it could wash away the scratchy feeling in her throat. After a few satisfying drinks, she examined the fridge, trying to decide what would be the fastest snack.

"There's leftovers on the top shelf," a voice spoke out, nearly making the teen drop the glass in her hand. When she turned and saw Taylor sitting there, guitar on his lap, she wasn't surprised. There'd been countless nights where she'd come downstairs in the middle of the night for something and found him doing the exact same thing.

"I think I'll just have an apple," she found herself saying, words quiet and unsure. She'd been expecting him to be angry at her, but if anything he just looked tired, causing another pang of guilt to wreck through her.

"Have a couple bites at least, Hayley was worried about you skipping dinner, but didn't wanna wake you up."

"Is she awake?"

When Taylor shook his head, Phoebe nodded slowly, getting the food ready and taking a few bites while Taylor sat in the other room, back to strumming his guitar. The silence was unsettling and she knew she needed to apologize, but everytime she tried to speak she stopped herself. It wasn't necessarily something that could be ignored, but she didn't wanna be the one to bring it up.

"What're you playing?" She asked after a while, making her way into the livingroom to sit on the couch beside him.

Taylor stretched his arms out, "just jumping around songs, clearing my head."

Phoebe knew it wasn't a dig, but she also knew how high the probability was that she was the reason he needed to clear his head in the first place.

"I'm sorry."

"I know you are," Taylor shrugged, "we just want you to be alright."

Phoebe nodded, "I do too. I know I can be a lot."

"It has nothing to do with 'being a lot' kid, we just want you happy. What you said hurt, yeah, but I'm not angry at you and I don't hold it against you or think you're too much because of it." Taylor told her easily.

"And Mom?"

Taylor smiled a little, "she just wants you happy too."

Phoebe nodded, her face softening as she slouched back on the couch, "And what if I can't be?"

"You will be, one day at least." He told her, "You won't always be, but other emotions are healthy too. Just because it's a bad feeling doesn't mean it's bad to feel it. Sometimes it's necessary."

Phoebe nodded, even if she didn't really believe it.

"You know," Taylor said after a moment, "Hayley started looking into fostering you pretty much right after we met you. She's wanted to be there for you since day one."

"And you just agreed? You guys didn't even really know me." The teen pointed out. It was still a somewhat foreign concept- having people want her- but it was something she'd been getting used to more and more being with them.

"I mean, I'd do just about anything she asked me to, you know that." Taylor grinned. And Phoebe did, she witnessed it pretty much everyday. It was another thing that was sort've foreign to her, that kind of devotion, but they showed it to each other every day. They'd even shown it to Phoebe, and she had no doubt in her mind that they loved her because of it, even when they didn't really know her.

"But, I don't know," he continued, "I could see how much she cared about you and I think everyone always knew she'd make a great mom, so if fostering was the way she wanted to go about it I didn't wanna get in her way. Then when I started to get to know you well too, I just knew you'd fit in with us."

"But it doesn't feel, I don't know... Strange, I guess? Since I'm not really yours." Phoebe asked slowly.

Taylor shook his head, "I mean, I've never had a daughter until now, but I'm pretty sure it feels like this."

Phoebe smiled softly, ducking her head to try and hide it as Taylor leaned back.

"You know, I've known Hayley, and Zac too, since we were kids. They've been my family ever since, so I learned young- hell, I was probably the age you are when I realized this, but family doesn't have to be blood."

"I didn't know you've known each other that long," Phoebe admitted, her smile still present. "So Zac's always been a third wheel?"

"No," Taylor laughed, shaking his head, "things between me and Hayley happened in their own time, we didn't get together till much, much later."

"Why not?"

Taylor gave a half shrug and turned back to his guitar, begging to softly play something, "that's something you'd have to ask her about."

Phoebe frowned, "you don't know?"

"I do," he assured, "some things just aren't mine to tell."

"Oh," Phoebe nodded, letting a few seconds pass before speaking up again, "Dad?"

Taylor hummed, not his eyes on the instrument in front of him.

"You think she'll forgive me?"

"I told you she's not mad at you, kiddo." Taylor frowned, "Just talk to her tomorrow, it'll be okay. I promise."

Phoebe nodded, looking back down at her hands. She doesn't think there's a world where Hayley isn't mad at her right now, there's no way there could be, but she thinks it's a little better cause at least Taylor isn't right now.

And if he is, he's hiding it very well.

"You should probably go get some sleep." Taylor suggested, hearing Phoebe stifle a yawn.

"No, I'm okay," she insisted, "you think you could teach me another song on guitar?"

Taylor broke out in a grin tilting his head towards the music room, "Of course, go get yours."

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a/n

some taylor and phoebe bonding as an apology