forever and always - taylor swift

17

Tears welled up in Daisy's eyes as she looked at Taylor, who had been silent through the exchange, but her hand was still tightly clasped around Daisy's. The joy on Taylor's face was impossible to miss, a bright, hopeful smile that Daisy hadn't seen in what felt like forever.

"I... I don't know what to say," Daisy whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I didn't think this would happen. I thought I'd just... have to get used to the idea that this was my life now."

Taylor squeezed her hand gently, her voice soft but steady. "You've always had a chance, Daisy. You've always had strength. I'm so proud of you for fighting."

Daisy shook her head, not fully trusting the emotions surging inside her. "I wasn't fighting. I was just surviving. I didn't know if I could keep going. But now... now it feels like maybe I can."

"Because you can," Taylor said, her words filled with certainty. "You're going to get through this. You're not alone in it."

Dr. Miller, who had been quietly watching their exchange, nodded. "That's exactly right. You've done the hard work, Daisy. The treatments are showing real results, and with continued support-both from us and from your loved ones-you'll keep making progress."

Daisy took a shaky breath, her mind still reeling. For so long, she had been consumed by the idea that her life was slipping away. But now, in this moment, there was something new-something powerful. A future, full of possibility. A future where she could heal, where she could live, where she could reclaim her life.

"I'm... I'm going to make it," Daisy whispered to herself, as if trying the words on for size.

"You are," Taylor affirmed, her voice full of quiet conviction. "We both are."

As they stepped out of the doctor's office, the crisp winter air hit them, but it was different today. There was something light in it, something that felt less cold, more alive. The sky above was a pale blue, and the snowflakes were drifting down, settling lightly on the ground, glistening like tiny diamonds in the light of the early afternoon.

Taylor took a deep breath, glancing at Daisy beside her. "How about a walk?" she suggested, her voice soft but laced with excitement. "I know a little coffee shop not far from here. We could sit, warm up, and just... breathe for a bit."

Daisy gave her a tired but grateful smile. "Yeah, that sounds nice. I could use a moment to just think."

They walked through the park, the snow crunching beneath their boots as they moved at a leisurely pace. Daisy's steps were still careful, her body growing accustomed to the lighter weight of her own movements, but Taylor could see it-the way Daisy was walking just a little taller, a little stronger. It made her heart swell with quiet pride.

As they arrived at the small coffee shop tucked away at the edge of the park, the warmth inside hit them immediately. The soft hum of conversation, the smell of freshly ground coffee beans and baked goods, filled the space, a comforting embrace after the chill of the outdoors. They ordered their drinks-Daisy, still favoring her hot chocolate, and Taylor, always with her coffee-and found a small table by the window.

Through the glass, the snowflakes continued to fall, now a steady stream, painting the world outside in soft white. Taylor sat back in her chair, her eyes never leaving Daisy. There was a peace in her now, an openness that hadn't been there before. Taylor felt like they were stepping into a new chapter, one where Daisy was not just surviving, but truly living again.

"You're doing amazing, Daisy," Taylor said softly, stirring her coffee as she watched Daisy take a sip of her drink. "I know it hasn't been easy. Hell, I know it's felt like you've been carrying the weight of the world for so long. But today... today, I'm really seeing it. You've come so far."

Daisy lowered her mug, her eyes looking down at the table as a flush of warmth spread across her face. "I don't know... it's hard to believe it's real. After everything. I just... I don't feel like I'm back to myself yet."

Taylor leaned forward, her gaze unwavering as she looked into Daisy's eyes. "But you are. You're getting there. And every step you take is a step toward who you are. You just have to keep going. Keep pushing."

Daisy's chest tightened, but this time it wasn't with the weight of fear or doubt-it was something different. Something hopeful, something that felt almost like a promise. She had spent so long fighting against the current, so long unsure of whether she could survive, but now, with Taylor here, beside her, there was a sense of possibility.

"I don't know if I can do it alone," Daisy whispered, the vulnerability creeping in. "I feel like I'm always on the edge. Like I'll fall if I don't have something to hold on to."

Taylor's heart swelled, and without thinking, she reached across the table, taking Daisy's hand in hers. She wasn't letting go, not this time. "You're never alone, Daisy. Not with me. I'll be here for every step, every fall, and every victory. You can count on me."

Daisy squeezed her hand, and for a brief moment, they just sat there, letting the quiet and the warmth of the moment settle around them. Outside, the snow was still falling, but in here, in this small, quiet coffee shop, it felt like time had stopped, like it was just the two of them in the world.

And then, without thinking, Taylor leaned across the table, her face soft but filled with determination, and pressed a gentle kiss to Daisy's lips. It was brief, just a simple touch of warmth and affection, but in that moment, it felt like everything they had been holding back for so long was finally coming to the surface.

Daisy's eyes fluttered open as she pulled back, her breath catching in her throat. For a moment, she couldn't quite process it, the sudden rush of emotions. But when she looked into Taylor's eyes-those bright, caring eyes-she knew that it wasn't just the kiss. It was everything. It was the promise, the hope, the future.

"Thank you," Daisy said quietly, her voice soft but filled with something new-something stronger than before. "For not giving up on me."

"I'll never give up on you," Taylor replied, her voice just as soft, but filled with certainty. "I'm right here, Daisy. Always."

And as the snow continued to fall outside, they sat together, their hands intertwined, the warmth between them stronger than anything the winter could bring.