Taylor Swift’s hands were shaking. She sat on the bathroom floor, her back against the cold tile wall, knees pulled to her chest, staring at three pregnancy tests lined up on the marble counter. All three showed two pink lines. All three were positive. From behind the bathroom door, Travis’s voice called out, concerned.

 Babe, you okay in there? You’ve been in the bathroom for like 20 minutes. Taylor couldn’t answer. Her mouth was dry, her heart pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears. Pregnant? She was pregnant. But they weren’t trying. They hadn’t planned this. They weren’t even married yet. Travis knocked softly on the door. Taylor, you’re starting to worry me.

 In that moment, Taylor knew her entire life was about to change, and she had absolutely no idea how Travis would react. Taylor stared at those three tests like they might change if she looked at them long enough. two pink lines, positive, pregnant. The word felt foreign in her mind, like trying on a coat that didn’t quite fit yet.

 They’d been careful. Mostly careful. There was that one night two weeks ago when they’d been careless, caught up in the moment after Travis’s playoff victory, but one time couldn’t, except apparently it could. Taylor, I’m coming in. Travis’s voice was more insistent now. No, wait. Taylor scrambled to her feet, quickly, grabbing the tests and shoving them into the drawer under the sink.

 She flushed the toilet for effect, washed her hands, and took a deep breath before opening the door. Travis stood there in sweatpants and a t-shirt, his hair messy from sleep, concern written all over his face. It was Saturday morning, their lazy day, the one day a week when neither of them had obligations and they could just be together.

 “You okay?” he asked, his hands immediately going to her shoulders, his eyes searching her face. Yeah, I’m fine. Just stomach thing. Maybe something I ate last night. The lie came too easily, and Taylor hated herself for it immediately. Travis pulled her into a hug, and she melted against his chest, breathing in his familiar scent.

 “You want me to make you some tea?” “Ginger tea helps, right?” “That would be nice,” Taylor whispered, not trusting her voice to say more. As Travis headed to the kitchen, Taylor closed the bathroom door again and pulled the tests back out. Still positive, all three of them. She’d taken them because her period was 5 days late and Taylor Swift was never late.

 She ran like clockwork had since she was 14. She pulled out her phone and Googled false positive pregnancy test. The results weren’t reassuring. False positives were rare. If you got a positive test, you were almost definitely pregnant. pregnant with Travis Kelce’s baby. Taylor sat on the edge of the bathtub, one hand unconsciously moving to her still flat stomach.

 There could be a baby in there, a tiny human, half her, half Travis, a little person with his smile and maybe her eyes or his eyes and her smile. A football player or a musician or a doctor or anything they wanted to be. The thought should have terrified her and it did. But underneath the terror was something else.

 something that felt suspiciously like excitement. Te’s ready. Travis called from the kitchen. Taylor hid the tests again and went to join him. He’d made her favorite mug, the one that said, “I run on coffee, sarcasm, and lipstick filled with steaming ginger tea. He’d even put honey in it just the way she liked. “Thank you,” she said, taking the mug with hands that were steadier now.

 They sat at the kitchen island together, Travis scrolling through his phone, Taylor pretending to drink her tea while her mind raced a million miles an hour. She had to tell him. She couldn’t not tell him. But how? When? What if he freaked out? What if he didn’t want this? What if? You’re being weird? Travis said, looking up from his phone.

What? You’re being weird. You’ve been staring at that mug for like 5 minutes without drinking any tea. And you have that face. What face? That face you get when you’re working through song lyrics in your head, but you can’t quite get the verse right. Taylor was constantly amazed by how well he knew her.

 I’m not working on lyrics then. What’s wrong? Travis set his phone down, giving her his full attention. And don’t say nothing because I can tell something’s bothering you. Taylor set her mug down. This was it. She couldn’t lie to him. She wouldn’t lie to him. Travis, I need to tell you something. His face immediately went serious.

 Okay, what is it? I’m She started then stopped. The word stuck in her throat. I think I’m I mean I took some tests and they were all Travis waited, patient but clearly concerned. I’m pregnant, Taylor finally said, the words tumbling out in a rush. I took three tests this morning and they were all positive and I know we weren’t trying and we weren’t planning this and we’re not even married yet and I don’t know how this happened.

 Well, I know how it happened, but I didn’t think one time would. Wait. Travis held up his hand, his face pale. Wait, you’re pregnant? Yes. I mean, I think so. The tests say so. All three of them. Travis just stared at her for a long horrible moment. He didn’t say anything. Didn’t move. just stared. Taylor felt tears burning behind her eyes.

 Please say something. I your were having a baby. Maybe. I need to go to the doctor to confirm, but the tests were all positive, so probably yes. Travis stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. He walked to the window, his back to Taylor, his hands on his head. Taylor’s heart sank. This was it. He was freaking out. He didn’t want this.

 He was going to Travis turned around and there were tears streaming down his face. Travis. Taylor stood up alarmed. He crossed the kitchen in three long strides and dropped to his knees in front of her, his hands on her hips, his forehead pressed against her stomach. “We’re having a baby,” he whispered, and his voice was full of wonder.

 “Taylor, we’re having a baby.” Relief flooded through her so intensely she thought she might collapse. “You’re not upset?” Travis looked up at her, his face wet with tears. Upset, Taylor, I’m terrified. I’m completely terrified. But I’m also I’m happy. I’m so happy. I can’t even breathe. Taylor started crying then, too.

 Her hands in his hair as he held her. You’re sure? Because this wasn’t the plan. We were going to get married first and wait a couple years and plans change, Travis said, standing up and pulling her into a tight embrace. And maybe this is better than any plan we could have made. They held each other in the kitchen, both crying, both laughing, both terrified and excited and overwhelmed.

 When do we tell people? Travis asked finally. I want to go to the doctor first. Make sure everything’s okay. But then I guess we tell our families. My mom is going to lose her mind, Travis said, a smile breaking through his tears. She’s been wanting grandkids forever. Your mom already has grandkids. Wyatt Elliot Bennett. Okay, but this is different.

This is her baby having a baby. Travis pulled back to look at her, his hands on her face. Our baby. Can you believe it? We made a person. We maybe made a person. Taylor corrected. I need the doctor to confirm. Right. Right. When can you get an appointment? I’ll call Monday morning. That night, Taylor couldn’t sleep.

 She lay in bed next to Travis, who’d finally drifted off after hours of talking about baby names and nursery colors and whether they’d need to buy a house with more bedrooms. His hand rested protectively on her stomach, even in sleep. Taylor put her hand over his and tried to imagine a baby growing inside her, a little person, a tiny human who would call them mom and dad.

The thought was overwhelming and beautiful and terrifying all at once. Sunday passed in a blur of secret smiles and Travis randomly hugging her and both of them caught up in this bubble of possibility. They googled things like first trimester symptoms and how to tell if you’re pregnant and when does morning sickness start.

 We should wait to tell people until after the doctor confirms, Taylor said on Sunday night. Just in case. Good idea, Travis agreed. But can we tell Jason? I’m going to explode if I don’t tell someone. Taylor laughed. Okay, we can tell Jason, but he has to keep it secret. Travis called his brother immediately, putting him on FaceTime.

 What’s up? Jason answered clearly in the middle of watching TV with Kylie. Can you keep a secret? Travis asked, unable to keep the grin off his face. Depends on the secret. Taylor’s pregnant. There was a beat of silence. Then what? Kylie’s face appeared in the frame. Did he just say what I think he said? We think so, Taylor said, moving into view.

 I took three tests yesterday. All positive, but we’re waiting for the doctor to confirm on Monday. Oh my god, Kylie squealled. Oh my god. Congratulations. Jason was grinning ear to ear. Trav man, that’s amazing. How are you feeling? Terrified, excited, all the things. That’s exactly how I felt when Kylie told me about Wyatt, Jason said.

 best terrified feeling in the world. They talked for another hour, Jason and Kylie giving advice, sharing stories about their pregnancies, telling them what to expect. By the time they hung up, Taylor felt slightly more prepared and slightly more terrified. Monday morning, Taylor called her doctor’s office the moment they opened.

 I need to schedule an appointment. I think I’m pregnant. Congratulations. We can see you this afternoon if that works. It worked. Travis insisted on coming with her, rearranging his entire day to be there. The doctor’s office was in a discrete medical building chosen specifically because Taylor could come and go without being mobbed by paparazzi or fans.

 Her doctor, Dr. Sarah Martinez, had been her OBGYn for 3 years and was someone Taylor trusted completely. In the exam room, Taylor changed into a gown while Travis sat in the chair, his leg bouncing nervously. “You okay?” Taylor asked. Yeah, just nervous. What if the tests were wrong? Then we deal with that, Taylor said, but she was wondering the same thing. Dr.

 Martinez came in with a warm smile. So, I hear we might have some exciting news. I took three home tests. All positive, Taylor said. But I wanted to confirm. Of course. Let’s do a blood test. That’s the most accurate. We can also do an early ultrasound if you’d like, though it might be too early to see much. They did the blood test first.

Dr. Martinez said it would take about an hour to get results. In the meantime, she did a physical exam and asked Taylor about her last period, her symptoms, her medical history. Everything looks good, Dr. Martinez said. Based on your last period, if you are pregnant, you’d be about 5 weeks along.

 5 weeks? Taylor tried to wrap her mind around that. Let’s do an ultrasound while we wait for the blood work, Dr. Martinez suggested. Taylor lay back on the exam table, Travis holding her hand, both of them staring at the ultrasound screen as Dr. Martinez moved the wand across Taylor’s lower abdomen. It’s very early, Dr. Martinez warned.

 We might not see anything yet. But then there it was, a tiny blob on the screen. A gestational sack. Is that? Travis whispered. That’s the gestational sack, Dr. Martinez confirmed. Which means there is definitely something there. But I can’t see a fetal pole or heartbeat yet, which is normal for this early that usually shows up around 6 weeks.

 Taylor stared at the screen at that tiny blob that might be her baby. Travis was squeezing her hand so tight it almost hurt. They waited in tense silence for the blood test results. Travis paced the small exam room while Taylor sat on the table, her hand unconsciously on her stomach. Finally, Dr.

 Martinez came back and her expression was different, more serious. Taylor’s heart sank immediately. What’s wrong? Dr. Martinez sat down, her face sympathetic. I’m sorry, Taylor. The blood test came back negative. What? Taylor felt like she’d been punched. But the home tests, sometimes home tests can give false positives, especially if there’s a chemical pregnancy or hormonal imbalance.

 Your hCG levels are elevated, but not high enough to indicate pregnancy. And the ultrasound, while it showed what looked like a gestational sack, could also be a pseudo sack caused by fluid buildup. So, I’m not pregnant. Taylor’s voice was small. I’m afraid not. I’m sorry. I know this isn’t the news you were hoping for. Travis had stopped pacing.

 He stood frozen, his face pale. But the tests, Taylor said again, tears already streaming down her face. All three of them. They were positive. It happens, Dr. Martinez said gently. It’s rare, but it happens. Stress, hormonal fluctuations, certain medications, all of these can cause false positives. I’d like to run some more tests to figure out what’s causing the elevated hCG levels, but for right now, I can say with confidence that you’re not pregnant.

 Taylor couldn’t speak. She just nodded, tears falling faster now. I’ll give you two some privacy, Dr. Martinez said, squeezing Taylor’s shoulder before leaving the room. The moment the door closed, Taylor broke. Great heaving sobs that shook her entire body. Travis was at her side immediately, pulling her into his arms, and she could feel that he was crying, too. “I’m sorry.

” She gasped between sobs. “I’m so sorry.” “Why are you sorry?” Travis’s voice was thick with tears. “Because I got your hopes up.” “Because I told you we were having a baby and we’re not.” “Because.” “Stop,” Travis said firmly, pulling back to look at her. “Stop. This isn’t your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong. But you were so happy. And now, and now I’m sad.

We’re both sad. But Taylor, that doesn’t change anything about us. They held each other in that exam room, both crying, mourning something they’d only believed existed for 3 days, but had somehow already loved. The drive home was silent. Taylor stared out the window, her hand on her stomach, which now felt empty instead of full of possibility.

Travis drove with one hand on the wheel and one hand holding hers. At home, Taylor went straight to the bedroom and climbed into bed fully clothed. Travis followed, climbing in next to her, pulling her against his chest. “We need to call Jason,” Taylor said, her voice flat. “Tell him it was a false alarm.” “Later,” Travis said.

 “Right now, we just need to be sad.” And they were. They lay in bed as the afternoon turned to evening, both of them processing the loss of something they’d barely had time to dream about. I didn’t realize how much I wanted it until it was gone, Taylor whispered as the sun set outside their window. Me too, Travis admitted.

 I was terrified when you first told me. But then I got excited. I started imagining what our kid would look like, whether they’d play football or make music or do something completely different, what we’d name them, how we’d tell them stories about how we met. I did too, Taylor said. I was already thinking about nursery colors, about teaching them to play piano, about you teaching them to throw a football in the backyard.

 We can still have those things, Travis said. Just not right now. Taylor turned to face him. Do you want those things for real? Not just because you thought they were happening, but actually want them. Travis was quiet for a moment, really thinking about it. Then yes, I do. I want to have kids with you, Taylor.

 I want to marry you and buy a house with a big backyard and fill it with little versions of us. I want all of it. Fresh tears spilled down Taylor’s cheeks, but these were different. I want that, too. I didn’t know how much until this weekend. But I want it. I want to be a mom. Your kid’s mom. Then we’ll make it happen, Travis said, kissing her forehead. Not right now.

 Maybe not for a year or two, but eventually. When we’re ready. For real. Ready? Not accidentally ready. I thought I wasn’t ready, Taylor said. I thought I’d be terrified, but I wasn’t. I was excited. Me, too. They were quiet for a while, holding each other in the growing darkness. I need to call your mom, Travis said finally.

 Tell her we were wrong. She’s going to be so disappointed. She’ll understand. And she’ll be excited when it really happens. Whenever that is. Taylor nodded. Okay. But tomorrow. Tonight. I just want to be sad with you. Deal. The next morning, they made the hard phone calls. First, Jason, who was supportive and understanding.

 Then, Donna, who cried with disappointment, but told them she loved them and that there was plenty of time for grandkids. Then, Andrea, who immediately wanted to come over and take care of Taylor, but Taylor insisted she was fine. “False alarms happen,” Andrea said gently. “But honey, this told you something important.

 It told you that you’re ready, both of you. I think you’re right, Taylor admitted. Over the next few days, Taylor went for more tests. Dr. Martinez determined that the false positive was caused by a combination of stress and a hormonal imbalance. Both easily treatable. She prescribed some medication and suggested Taylor take it easy for a few weeks.

“And when you’re ready to actually try,” Dr. Martinez said with a kind smile, “Come see me. We’ll make sure everything’s in good working order. A week after the false alarm, Taylor and Travis sat in their backyard watching the sunset. Taylor’s head was on Travis’s shoulder, his arm around her. I’ve been thinking, Travis said, about what you said.

 About wanting to be a mom. Yeah, I want that, too. I want us to have that, but I think we should do it right. Taylor looked up at him. What do you mean? Travis shifted, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a small box. Taylor’s breath caught. I was going to wait, Travis said. I had this whole plan for New Year’s Eve.

 But after this week, after everything we went through together, I realized I don’t want to wait anymore. He opened the box, revealing a stunning diamond ring. Taylor Allison Swift, will you marry me? Will you be my wife? And eventually, when we’re both really ready, will you be the mother of my children? Taylor was crying again, but these were happy tears. The first happy tears in a week.

“Yes,” she said, laughing through the tears. “Yes, yes, yes.” Travis slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her. Both of them smiling. Both of them crying. Both of them looking forward instead of back. “So, when it really happens,” Taylor said later, curled up against him on the couch. “When I’m actually pregnant for real, we’re going to be ready.

 We’re going to be so ready,” Travis agreed. But for now, let’s just focus on wedding planning and practicing. Taylor laughed. Practicing making babies is a skill. We should practice a lot. You know, to make sure we get it right when we’re actually trying. Taylor swatted his arm playfully. You’re ridiculous. You love me.

 I do, she said, looking at her new ring, then up at him. I really, really do. And as they sat there together planning their future, mourning what they’d lost, but excited for what was coming, they both knew something important. They were ready. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon. They were ready to be parents, ready to be a family.

 But first, they were going to get married. And that was exactly how it should be. If this emotional journey touched your heart, hit that like button and tell me in the comments. Would you want to know if it was a false alarm or would you rather not take the test at all? Don’t forget to subscribe for more stories about love, loss, and hope.