The Kelce family was known for their loud entrances, and this morning was no different. Jason Kelce and his wife Kylie arrived at Travis's house at exactly 11 a.m. with their three daughters—Wyatt, Ellie, and Bennett—in tow. It wasn't unusual for the family to show up unannounced. They were close like that, and Travis rarely minded.
Jason set down a box of donuts on the kitchen counter and looked around the quiet house. "Travis must still be asleep," he said, raising an eyebrow.
Kylie laughed. "Shocking. You'd think he'd have grown out of this by now."
Jason smirked and turned to his daughters, who were already bounding toward the stairs. "Alright, girls, your mission—should you choose to accept it—is to wake up Uncle Travy. And remember, loud and chaotic wins the day."
The three girls giggled mischievously and darted up the stairs, their laughter echoing through the house. Jason leaned against the counter, chuckling. "That ought to wake him up."
Upstairs, the girls crept into Travis's bedroom. The curtains were drawn, and the room was dim, but they could make out his large figure sprawled out under the blankets. Wyatt, being the oldest, took the lead, gesturing for her sisters to follow her closer. As they approached, they froze in their tracks. There, curled up beside their uncle, was a woman—a blonde-haired woman—tucked under his arm, sleeping soundly.
Ellie's eyes went wide. "Uncle Travy has a girl in his bed!"
Bennett gasped and tugged at Wyatt's sleeve. "Who is she?"
Wyatt didn't wait for answers. She turned and bolted toward the stairs, screaming at the top of her lungs, "Uncle Travy has a girl asleep in his bed!"
Ellie and Bennett followed suit, their little voices shrieking as they barreled downstairs. Jason and Kylie whipped their heads toward the staircase as the girls came skidding into the kitchen.
"What are you talking about?" Jason asked, his brow furrowed.
"There's a girl in Uncle Travy's bed!" Wyatt declared dramatically, her hands on her hips. "A real girl! She's asleep with him!"
Jason blinked, then exchanged a look with Kylie. "A girl?"
Kylie raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "I'm not sure I want to know, but... we should probably check this out."
Jason sighed, running a hand through his beard. "Alright, stay here with the girls. I'll go investigate."
"Not a chance," Kylie said, grabbing his arm. "If there's some random woman in his bed, you're not leaving me out of this."
Together, they climbed the stairs and carefully pushed open Travis's bedroom door. The sight that greeted them was unexpected, to say the least. Travis was lying on his back, one arm draped protectively over none other than Taylor Swift. Her blonde hair spilled across the pillow, her face pale and peaceful, as if she'd finally found rest after a rough night.
Kylie's jaw dropped. "Oh my God. Is that... Taylor Swift?"
Jason let out a low whistle. "Well, I'll be damned."
As they stood there, trying to process what they were seeing, Travis stirred. His eyes fluttered open, and he blinked groggily at the two figures standing at the foot of his bed. For a moment, he looked confused. Then realization dawned on him, and he groaned, rubbing a hand over his face.
"Seriously?" Travis muttered, his voice thick with sleep. "What are you two doing in my room?"
Jason folded his arms. "The better question is: What's she doing in your bed?"
Travis glanced down at Taylor, still sound asleep in his arms. He sighed heavily and sat up slightly, careful not to disturb her. "We were up all night," he said quietly. "Taylor couldn't stop throwing up. I think it's food poisoning or something. I finally got her to sleep, like, ten minutes ago."
Kylie's expression softened, and she stepped closer. "Oh no, is she okay?"
"She will be," Travis said, rubbing the back of his neck. "It was a rough night, though. She didn't want to go to the hospital, so I stayed up with her. Got her some ginger tea, crackers, anything that might help. She finally passed out after hours of me rubbing her back."
Jason raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "So you're telling me the only reason Taylor Swift is in your bed is because she was sick?"
Travis shot him a glare. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm telling you, jackass."
Jason chuckled. "Relax, man. I'm just messing with you."
Kylie, ignoring her husband, leaned in to get a better look at Taylor. "She looks exhausted," she said softly. "You really stayed up all night with her?"
Travis shrugged, his usual bravado replaced with genuine concern. "What was I supposed to do? She's my girlfriend. I wasn't just gonna leave her to deal with it alone."
Jason's smirk faded, replaced by a rare look of respect. "Alright, Travis. I'll give you credit for that. But next time, maybe give us a heads-up before the girls come running downstairs screaming about you having a woman in your bed."
Travis groaned. "Great. I can only imagine what they're telling the neighbors right now."
Kylie laughed. "Don't worry. I'll handle them."
As she turned to leave, Jason clapped a hand on Travis's shoulder. "You're a good man, Travis. But don't think I'm letting you live this down anytime soon."
Travis rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Just get out of here so I can let her sleep."
Jason and Kylie left the room, closing the door behind them. Travis leaned back against the headboard and looked down at Taylor, who shifted slightly in her sleep but didn't wake. He smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
"Don't worry, babe," he whispered. "I've got you."
Taylor's quiet, steady breaths echoed through the bedroom as the house finally settled into calm. Travis hadn't left her side, still sitting on the edge of the bed, keeping a protective hand on her back. Kylie checked on them periodically but stayed downstairs with Jason and the girls to give them space.
But as the morning wore on, the calm shattered.
Taylor stirred, her face contorted in discomfort as she pushed herself upright. "Travis..." she murmured, clutching her stomach. Without waiting for his response, she darted from the bed, her footsteps unsteady as she stumbled toward the bathroom.
"Tay!" Travis jumped to his feet and followed, his heart pounding.
The sound of retching reached him before he even made it through the door. When he stepped inside, he froze. Blood. It was unmistakable this time, streaked through the toilet bowl and staining her trembling hands as she tried to steady herself against the counter.
"Taylor!" Travis rushed to her side, his arms wrapping around her as she coughed violently. "It's okay, I'm here. Just breathe, babe."
She groaned, weak and barely able to lift her head. Her knees buckled, and he caught her before she hit the floor.
Downstairs, Jason and Kylie heard the commotion. Jason's brow furrowed as he looked at Kylie. "Something's not right."
Kylie nodded, already heading upstairs. When she reached the bathroom and saw the scene before her, her stomach sank. Taylor was slumped against Travis, her face pale and her breathing labored.
"Kylie, I need your help," Travis said, his voice shaking as he tried to steady Taylor.
"Let's get her to the hospital," Kylie said immediately. "She needs a doctor."
"I'll stay with the kids," Jason called from the hallway. "Just go."
Travis carried Taylor to Kylie's car, her head resting limply against his chest. He climbed into the backseat with her, cradling her gently as Kylie sped toward the hospital.
When they arrived, the ER staff quickly took over. Taylor was whisked away, leaving Travis and Kylie to pace the waiting room in silence. Travis's leg bounced nervously, his hands running through his hair as he stared at the floor.
Finally, after what felt like hours, a doctor emerged.
"Are you here for Ms. Swift?" she asked.
"Yes," Travis said, jumping to his feet. "What's wrong with her? Is she okay?"
The doctor's face was serious but calm. "We've completed some initial tests, and we believe Ms. Swift may have lymphoma, a type of cancer. The vomiting and blood are likely related to complications from that."
Travis felt like the ground had been ripped out from under him. "Cancer?" he whispered. "She has cancer?"
"We need to run further tests to confirm the stage and plan treatment," the doctor said. "But yes, the signs point to lymphoma. She's stable for now, but we'll need to keep her for observation."
Travis's hands balled into fists as he fought back tears. "Can I see her?"
"Soon," the doctor promised. "We're getting her settled in a room."
When Travis finally saw Taylor again, she was hooked up to an IV, her eyes barely open. Her pale skin seemed to glow unnaturally under the harsh hospital lights.
"Tay," he whispered, sitting beside her and taking her hand.
She blinked slowly, her lips parting as if she wanted to speak, but no sound came out.
"I'm here," Travis said, his voice cracking. "We're going to figure this out, okay? You're going to be okay."
Kylie stood nearby, watching quietly as tears welled in her eyes. After a moment, she gently touched Travis's shoulder. "I'll step out and give you a moment. Let me know if you need anything."
Once Kylie left, Travis pulled his phone from his pocket, staring at the screen for a long moment. He knew he had to call Taylor's family, but the thought of saying the words out loud made his stomach turn.
He finally dialed Andrea, Taylor's mom. The phone barely rang before she answered.
"Travis? Is everything okay?" Andrea's voice was laced with concern.
"No," Travis admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "Taylor's... She's in the hospital."
"What happened?" Andrea asked, her voice rising in panic.
"She's been sick for a while, but it got worse today," Travis explained. "She was throwing up blood, and... they think it's lymphoma. Cancer."
There was silence on the other end of the line, followed by a muffled sound like Andrea was trying to compose herself.
"I'm on my way," she said firmly. "I'll get Scott, and we'll be there as soon as we can."
Travis nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "Thank you. I'll keep you updated."
After hanging up, he called Austin, Taylor's brother. The conversation was just as difficult, filled with long pauses and quiet reassurances. By the time Travis hung up, he felt drained, but he knew he couldn't stop.
He turned back to Taylor, squeezing her hand gently. "Your family's coming, Tay. We're all here for you."
Taylor stirred slightly, her eyelids fluttering open for a brief moment. "Travis," she whispered, her voice hoarse.
"I'm here," he said, leaning closer.
"I'm scared," she admitted, her voice breaking.
"I know," he said, his own tears spilling over. "But you're not alone. We're going to fight this together. You hear me? You're not alone."
Taylor's eyes closed again, but her grip on his hand tightened, a small sign of hope amidst the overwhelming fear.
It had been a few months since Taylor's chemotherapy treatments began, and while the rounds had taken their toll on her body, her spirit remained a steady source of light for Travis. Though the exhaustion had a firm grip on her, she was still the woman he had fallen for—kind, thoughtful, and fiercely determined to keep moving forward. Yet, the chemotherapy was relentless, and the side effects left her constantly fatigued, often unable to even hold a cup of water without help.
Travis had adapted to this new normal, always by her side, ensuring she had everything she needed. It had become routine for him to help her sit up, prop pillows around her, and hand her anything she might need. Taylor had a hard time holding onto things, whether it was a glass of juice, her phone, or even a book she'd try to read. Her fingers trembled too much to grip objects, and while she still tried to maintain a semblance of independence, Travis always knew when to step in without being asked.
It was a sunny afternoon when Travis's family came over for another visit, and as usual, Taylor was napping on the couch, curled under the blanket Travis had draped over her. Jason, Kylie, and the girls were in the kitchen, quietly chatting and preparing lunch, while Donna and Ed sat in the living room, watching Taylor with concern in their eyes.
"She's been sleeping a lot more lately," Donna observed, her voice tinged with worry.
Travis, who had been sitting on the floor beside the couch, running his fingers through Taylor's hair, nodded. "The chemo's really draining her. She tries to power through it, but sometimes she just can't."
Ed sighed deeply, looking at his son. "You're doing everything you can, Travis. But remember, you don't have to carry all this weight alone. We're here for both of you."
Travis turned his gaze to his dad, the words hanging in the air between them. "I know, Dad. It's just... it's hard, you know? I want to be strong for her, but seeing her like this, every day... it gets to you."
Donna reached over, resting a comforting hand on Travis's arm. "It's okay to feel that way, sweetheart. You're doing your best. But you're also allowed to lean on us. It's what family's for."
Just as Travis was about to respond, Taylor stirred on the couch, her soft breathing interrupted by a weak cough. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she blinked a few times as if trying to adjust to the light. Her pale face looked tired, but she managed a faint smile when she saw Travis.
"Hey," she whispered, her voice raspy.
Travis leaned in closer, brushing her hair from her face. "Hey, babe. How're you feeling?"
Taylor sighed deeply. "Tired... Always so tired."
He chuckled softly, his heart aching at the truth in her words. "I know. But you're doing great. Just rest, okay?"
Taylor nodded, her eyes drifting closed again. But before she could fully fall back to sleep, she reached for her water bottle that was sitting on the small table beside the couch. Her hand trembled as she tried to grab it, and it slipped from her fingers, falling to the ground with a soft thud.
Immediately, Travis was on his feet, quickly bending down to retrieve it. He handed it to her gently, lifting it to her lips. Taylor gave him a grateful smile, her eyes glassy with exhaustion. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible.
"Of course, babe," Travis whispered back, brushing his thumb across her cheek.
The afternoon passed quietly, with the family sharing stories and eating together while Taylor rested in the living room. Occasionally, the sound of her soft breathing interrupted the chatter, and Travis kept his eyes on her, monitoring her every move. It wasn't long before Jason, sensing that Travis might need a moment to himself, pulled him aside to have a private conversation in the kitchen.
Kylie and Donna were tending to the dishes, and Jason made sure the girls were entertained, allowing the two brothers some space to talk. Jason leaned against the counter, arms crossed, his expression serious yet understanding.
"You never told us you were dating her," Jason said softly. "But you told her family right away. Why?"
Travis exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't know how to tell you guys. I mean, it's Taylor Swift, Jase. I didn't want things to get weird, especially with everything going on with her health. I just didn't want to make a big deal of it."
Jason raised an eyebrow. "A big deal? Travis, she's a person, just like everyone else. I get it, but why did you keep us in the dark?"
"I wasn't ready for everything that came with it," Travis confessed, glancing back toward the living room, where Taylor was still lying down. "The attention, the rumors, the pressure—on both of us. And when she got sick, I didn't want to drag you guys into it. She's been through enough already. I didn't know how to make all of that feel normal."
Jason nodded slowly, considering his brother's words. "But you're not alone in this, man. We've got your back. All of us. You don't have to carry this weight by yourself."
Travis sighed, a sense of relief washing over him. "I know. I should've told you sooner. I just... I didn't want to risk anything happening to her because of the spotlight. But now, seeing how you've all rallied around us—it's been a big help."
"Good. We're here for you, Travis. Don't forget that."
Back in the living room, Taylor was still resting, but the subtle sounds of her labored breathing signaled that she hadn't quite fully drifted off. Travis returned to her side, sitting beside the couch again. He gently placed his hand on her arm, feeling the weight of the silence between them.
"Hey," he whispered, his voice soft. "You doing okay?"
Taylor's eyes fluttered open again, and she gave him a weak smile. "Yeah... Just so tired."
"I know. You've been fighting hard. Just a little longer, okay?"
Taylor nodded, but her hand instinctively reached out for Travis's, as if needing reassurance that he would be there. He clasped her hand in his, holding it firmly. As he did, his gaze lingered on her pale skin and the dark circles beneath her eyes, both a result of the toll the treatments were taking.
"You're my hero, Taylor," he said quietly, a tender expression crossing his face.
Taylor's lips quirked into a faint smile, but her eyes were filled with exhaustion. "I'm just doing my best, Travis. But you... you've been my strength through all of this."
The two of them sat in quiet understanding, holding each other in the moment, knowing that the road ahead would be difficult, but they had one another to lean on.