#grabmyhand

It was the morning of Sophia's birthday, the sun was shining and the wind was blowing an icy air, the mix of these two was delightful. I made myself breakfast and sat on the balcony, took some deep breaths that filled my lungs with refreshing air and got ready for a photoshoot I had in Central Park. When I was about to leave the bell rang, it was the mailman, he had a package for me, so I signed the paper and opened it has soon as I was inside, it was a medium box with another package inside and a little message that read the following “Karlie, here is my new book, 'Fearless', for Sophia. Hope she enjoys it. It was nice meeting you. Love, Taylor.” And a little heart was drawn next to her signature. So kind of her, I had to send her something later, but now I was getting late to the photoshoot and I didn't want to get another warning. I left the package on the table and rushed. 

We finished at 4pm, on my way home I called Sophia, “Hello! Happy Birthday, little princess!” “Thanks, auntie” she giggled, it was the purest, sweetest sound. “I'm grabbing your gift and going to celebrate with you.” “Yay! We have a cake, auntie! Mommy made it, it has Candie on it!” “Candie? The kitty from your book?” “Yes.” Candie was a character from one of Taylor's book, Speak Meow, Soph's favorite one. “That's awesome. I must hung up now, I'm home. But I see you later, I have a surprise for you!” “What is it?” “I can't tell you, it's a surprise! You'll see. You'll love it! See you, sweetie.” “Bye!” I could not wait to meet her, see her gorgeous face and give her Taylor's present. She was going to love having her new book.

On my way to my sister's home I found myself thinking again about my unexpected meeting with Taylor, the look in her eyes when I told her about Sophia and how much we like her books is something I will never forget, her deep sparkly blue eyes. I have never felt this way before about anyone, I surely did like some other people, I had truly fall in love with my ex boyfriend until I realized he was just playing around with me. I was not expecting to have these feelings, I was not even sure what those feelings were I could only tell I liked them and somehow they felt right. I got to my sister's, the frontdoor had green and white ballons with Sophia's name on them. My sister, Brooke, opened the door. “Karlie! Glad you're here. How are you?” “Hey, Brooke! Fine, thanks. Pretty tired, it was a long work day. What about you?” “Great. Sophie's been waiting for you, she's crazy to know what the surprise is.” “Oh, yes. It's exciting. Where is she?” I laughed. “In the background playing around. You've arrived in time for the cake!” I went back and called her name, it was all decorated in her favorite color, which was not the one anyone would think it's a little girl's favorite one, like pink or purple, Sophia loved green, she said it reminded her of trees and she loved trees. She came running to me and hugged my legs. She was dressed in a light green dress with mini yellow kitties. “Hi, princess! Happy birthday! You are so pretty in that dress.” “Hi! Thanks, auntie. Where's my surprise?” I kneeled down so I could look better at her and said “Right here,” I pointed my purse “but first I'll give you my gift” I handed her a green bag with white hearts to her. “Happy birthday!” It was a grey-ish tabby teddy cat. “It looks like Candie!” She was smiling so bright she could light up the whole town. She hold it pretty tight and called Brooke “Look, mommy! It's Candie!” “It's beautiful, hunny.” Sophia hold it tight and then kissed my cheek. “Thank you for that.” I said, “and, here is the surprise. I met Taylor Swift a couple of nights ago and she sent me this for you.” I gave her the book, which was wrapped in a pinky paper with little red bows, pretty cute. She ripped open the package and read “Fearless by Taylor Swift,” she looked puzzled, “it's her new book, Soph.” She looked at me and smiled, she was atonished, probably the first time I've seen her speechless. Brooke looked at me kind of puzzled too and then said to Sophia “Isn't it amazing, Sophie? What do you say to aunt Karlie?” Sophia hugged me and said “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” she opened it and we were both surprised that it had a message written on the front page. “What does it read, Soph?” She cleared her throat and read “Princess Sophia, thanks for reading my books. May this brand new story help you fight against dragons and believe in the magic and power of your heart. Wish you a fantastic birthday and there is some magical fairy dust in the little bottle at the back of the book, use it when you're feeling scared and it will help you beat any fear. A full teaspoon over your head will be enough. Love, Taylor.” Was this girl for real? “That's so nice!” Sophia hugged me again and ran outside to show it to her dad, she would not stop jumping and the smile on her face was indelible. My phone rang, unknown number, “Hello.” “Hi, is this Karlie? Taylor here.” “It is. Hi, Taylor!” “I'm calling to make sure you got my package” This girl was UNBELIEVABLE. Her voice was friendly and every word sounded like she was singing. “Oh, I did. Thanks a lot. Just gave it to Sophia, she's jumping around the house showing it to everyone.” I laughed and I could hear Taylor did too. “Awesome! So, she liked it?” “Sure, she did. I wanted to thank you for sending it.” “Oh, my pleasure. Is she around you? Can I talk with her?” “Yes, she'd love that. Wait a second.” I went out and told Sophia someone on the phone wanted to talk to her, she came running and grabbed my phone. “Hi, it's Sophia!” “Hi, little princess. I'm Taylor. Happy birthday!” Sophia looked at me with her mouth wide open just as her beautiful green eyes, I laughed, I could hear Taylor saying “Did you like my present?” “Yes. Thanks. Is it really you?” Taylor laughed, “it is! How is your birthday going? Are you having fun?” “Yes, auntie Karlie gift me a teddy kitty that looks just like Candie!” -there she was, speaking again- “and mommy made me a cake with Candie on it. Do you want to come and eat some cake? You can have a bigger slice!” “Oh, thank you, Sophia. I wish I could but I'm working now, but I think it's pretty awesome that you have a Candie cake! And I'm glad you like her so much.” “She's my friend. Thank you for your book, Taylor. I'm going to read it tonight.” “That's so nice. I hope you enjoy it!” “Thank you.” “Have fun in your party and don't forget to make your wishes!” “I won't. Bye, Taylor.” “Goodbye, Sophia. Please let me talk with your aunt.” Sophia gave me the phone, “hey, thanks for calling.” “It was nice talking with Sophia, she's such a nice little girl.” “She is so thrilled right now. Thank you again for everything.” “You're very welcome. I must keep working now, but it was nice talking with you again.” “It was nice talking with you, too. Have a nice day!” “Thanks, you too! Goodbye.” “Bye.”

I was probably as thrilled as Sophia at the moment. I have never met someone as kind as Taylor. It was time to sing the happy birthday to Sophia, she was so happy and she was squishing the kitty I gave her. I took some pictures of her with Candie and the cake, Brooke had made a great job, the cake looked fabulous. I told Sophia to looked at me while taking a picture so I could send it to Taylor, now that I had her number I thought she would like seeing Sophia and Candie. Sophia took the book also and kissed Candie on its forehead. She was adorable. I sent the picture to Taylor “Sophia is loving her gifts, thank you.” some minutes later I got a reply “She's a cupcake, so lovely. Thanks for the pic! :)”

I woke up the following day feeling blissful and a rush of exciment ran through my veins when I remembered Sophia's birthday. I had forgotten what was waking up this way, a part of me was telling me to calm down, I had only talked to this girl twice and there were no big chances I would meet her again; she did not look like being into girls neither. Nevertheless, I couldn't help it, I would find myself thinking about her at any moment, even not accurate ones; for example, while seeing the leaves fall on the ground, the way they moved with such a grace and slowly from side to side would bring flashbacks of her flawless walking. My mind wanted to stay away from those thoughts but my heart was liking them way too much.

It was my free day, as usual I would turn on the radio and cook something delicious. That's when I thought I could make some cookies for Taylor to thank her for everything she had done, hopefully she likes them. After half an hour I had these soft chocolate cookies ready, I waited for them to get cold and wrapped them in a golden basket I found in the kitchen, I added a note to them “Thanks for being so kind. Hope you like these cookies I baked for you. XO, Karlie.” and sent them to the address on Sophia's package. 

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