Taylor's Darkness

18th Birthday

Taylor was on the mend from her dealings with Mr. Robert. As promised, the locks on her door were changed and only 4 people have the keys. Taylor could leave her room and go to the courtyard whenever she liked and she didn’t have to worry about Mr. Robert. He would go the opposite direction if he saw Taylor. Taylor woke up early and fixed herself up for her birthday. She had been wishing she could see her family. Although, she knew better than to get her hopes up. Taylor braided her hair and put her dress on. She felt different today, like something major was going to happen. She did a once over in the mirror and walked out of the bathroom. “Happy Birthday!” Mrs. Patter and Patty shouted and blew confetti at her. They had decorated her room with some streamers and balloons. There was a banner that said Happy 18th Birthday hanging over her bed. Taylor smiled at Mrs. Patter and Patty. “Thank you both so much.” Taylor said with a smile. “You look beautiful Taylor. We have a surprise in the courtyard for you. You are welcome to bring Chloe as well.” Patty said with a smile. Taylor looked at Chloe and said, “I would rather her stay in here where it is safe. I can’t lose her too.” Patty nodded in understanding and said, “we will bring her back some treats then. Come on let’s go.” Taylor giggled at Patty and they all left to go to the courtyard.

Patty and Mrs. Patter stopped at the door to the courtyard and turned to Taylor. They both smiled and Patty held up a blindfold. “We can’t ruin the surprise now can we?” Mrs. Patter said as Patty put the blindfold on Taylor. “Okay, but don’t let me fall.” Taylor said laughing. They all laughed and Mrs. Patter opened the door. Patty and Mrs. Patter helped Taylor through the door and held on to either hand as they walked her over to the surprise. Taylor tried to see where she was going at the bottom of the blindfold, but it gave her no clues as to where she was being led to. Patty and Mrs. Patter stopped walking. “Are we there?” Taylor asked, but no one answered. Taylor waited for a minute and then asked, “Patty? Mrs. Patter? Where are you two? This isn’t funny.” Taylor then pulled the blindfold off and almost passed out from the shock. She sat down on the ground and began to cry. She closed her eyes thinking it was a cruel hallucination, until she felt hands on her helping her stand back up. She opened her eyes once more to see that she wasn’t hallucinating. “Mom! Dad! Margaret! You’re really here? But, how is this possible? Dr. Trey has been determined we wouldn’t be able to see each other.”

Sarah grabbed Taylor and pulled her into her arms. “Oh my baby. Ive missed you so much. Are you okay?” Sarah asked checking her over. “I can’t believe you are here.” Taylor said again in disbelief. She looked over to Patty and Mrs. Patter to see them both smiling. Collin walked up to Taylor and looked down at her. Taylor looked up at him and before she knew it, she was pulled into his arms. “I’m so sorry my daughter. We are still working out the plan to get you out of here. However, today, is all about you.” Collin said to Taylor. Taylor wrapped her arms tightly around her dad. “I love you dad. I forgive you.” Taylor said to Collin as she pulled away and looked up at her father. Collin smiled and soon Taylor was all but tackled to the ground by Margaret. Taylor and Margaret hugged one another and laughed and cried at the same time. “I’ve missed you all so much.” Taylor said and then she looked at Patty. “This is why you wanted me to bring Chloe down?! I should have brought her.” Taylor said as she sighed. “Meow.” Taylor heard Chloe and turned to see her running towards her. She looked at the door and saw Dr. Trey had brought her out to her. Taylor couldn’t understand why he was being so nice all of the sudden. She put that in the back of her mind and caught Chloe as she jumped up to her arms.

“Mom, dad, Margaret, this is Chloe. She is my protector. Chloe this is my mom and dad. This is my best friend, Margaret.” Taylor introduced them to Chloe. Chloe meowed at them and began to purr. “We brought you cake and some presents. There is also ice cream as well.” Sarah said with a smile as she showed her the picnic table. Taylor looked at smiled. “Is that chocolate cake?!” Taylor said with a smile and licked her lips. Margaret giggled and said, “well, the chocolate fiend has not changed.” Taylor looked at her friend and made a funny face at her then walked over to the cake. Taylor saw the gifts and asked, “may I open the presents first?” Sarah and Collin both laughed and nodded their heads. “Of course Taylor. It is your birthday after all.” Collin said as he chuckled. Taylor smiled and let out a squeal as she ran over to the gifts. Patty and Mrs. Patter stood by Sarah and Collin as Taylor opened her gifts. Taylor opened her first present. It was a black leather jacket that fit Taylor perfectly. “Oh wow, this is beautiful. Thank you.” Taylor said as she set the jacket back in the gift bag. She reached for another bag and opened it. Inside there was a pair of jeans, a black tank top that had angel wings on the back and had neat designs on the front. There was also a pair of black boots that went to her calf. Taylor smirked at the outfit and said thank you.

Taylor also received a black leather book bag that was waterproof. Sarah walked over and simply said, “you can put your gifts in it to take back inside. I wanted your birthday present to be you being freed from this false imprisonment. This is the best we were allowed to do. We are still having our lawyer help us. He’s working day and night to find a way to free you.” Taylor stood up and hugged her mom. “Mom, I am so glad I can at least see you guys and hug you.” Sarah smiled and squeezed her daughter. “You have one more present Taylor.” Collin said to Taylor. Taylor did not see a gift bag or boxes. She looked at her dad then saw something move behind him. Her eyes widened at the realization. Taylor began running and she cried, “Zag! Dilfiri! How did you get here? Is this real?” Taylor asked so excited. She wrapped her arms around Zag and her eyes went wide. “Wait, really?” Taylor asked Zag, completely floored from feeling the sparks when she touched Zag. Zag smiled and nodded. “Happy Birthday Taylor. We were able to come up here for your party. The answer to your shock and awe is yes. Yes we are mates Taylor.” Zag admitted to Taylor. Taylor wrapped her arms around him again. “This is cruel punishment. I can’t be with you yet.” Taylor said with a frown.

Dilfiri grabbed Taylor and pulled her into a hug. “I’m so glad that you finally know. It was a bit difficult to not tell you.” Dilfiri said to Taylor. Taylor then remembered her parents and Margaret. Zag smiled and said, “they already know we are mates. I told them already.” Taylor rolled her eyes and said, “I should have known. Come on, let’s go eat some cake and ice cream. That chocolate cake is calling my name. I would like for you both to meet Patty and Mrs. Patter. First, meet Chloe.” Taylor picked Chloe up so she could meet them. Zag smiled and said, “well, it is nice to finally meet you Chloe. I’ve heard such good things about you. Thank you for protecting our Taylor.” Chloe meowed at Zag as if to say you’re welcome. Dilfiri shook her head. “It’s nice to meet you Chloe. I hope we can be good friends too.” Dilfiri said to Chloe. Chloe jumped into Dilfiri’s arms, causing all three to watch in shock. “You aren’t stealing my cat Dilfiri.” Taylor said pointing her finger at Dilfiri and her other hand on her hip. Zag started laughing at both Taylor and Dilfiri’s reactions. “Come on, let’s go eat cake and ice cream.” Taylor said rolling her eyes and taking Chloe into her arms.

Zag and Dilfiri walked over with Taylor and were introduced to Patty and Mrs. Patter. Zag shook both their hands and said, “it is a pleasure to meet you both. Thank you for taking such good care of Taylor. It means so much to me.” Patty and Mrs. Patter both smiled and said, “it is no problem. We love Taylor and we know she is being wrongfully held here.” Zag looked at Mrs. Patter and said, “we will get your husband out as well. That is part of the plan.” Mrs. Patter said nothing as a tear rolled down her cheek. “Thank you,” was all that Mrs. Patter was able to say. Zag gently squeezed her hand and turned his attention to Taylor. Margaret sat next to Taylor and they caught up on as much as they could. “I haven’t found my mate yet. I am hopeful I will sometime. I’m not too terribly worried. I want to free you first.” Margaret said to Taylor. Taylor frowned and said, “I do not expect you to put your life on hold for me. Who knows how long this will take to get me free. Besides, I know you will be right here when I get out of here. I’m not worried about you forgetting about me.” Margaret hugged Taylor and whispered in her ear, “there are special pockets in your bag and jacket with other birthday gifts in them. Do not look until you know you will not be seen.” Taylor smiled and nodded. “Who wants cake?” Sarah asked as she started cutting the cake and putting slices on plates.