Invisible String

25

Then came the big one. Album of the Year.

My heart pounded as they opened the envelope.

“And the winner is… Taylor Swift, Homegrown Lightning.”

Everything stopped.

I blinked. Sabrina smacked my leg and screamed. “GO! GO UP THERE!”

Gracie was already up, pulling me by the wrist. “Taylor. You did it. Again.”

Walking up to the stage felt surreal. I could hear the applause, the cheers, but it all blurred into white noise. I took the award, stared into the lights, and took a breath.

“This album… was written in between nursing sessions and dance recitals. In moments where I felt more human than ever and more fragile, too. It’s about choosing love even when it's messy. And tonight, to win this surrounded by two women who inspire me daily—Gracie, Sabrina—I’m just… deeply grateful.”

I paused, catching my breath.

“And to Travis—thank you for all the inspiration from waking up and talking with me at two AM to getting drunk in the kitchen while your brother watches our kids”

The applause roared. And I walked back down to my seat, trophy in hand, heart full.

---

The music was thumping through the floor of the after-party venue, low lights casting a hazy glow over the room. I still had my award clutched in one hand—Album of the Year—but it was Gracie who I was searching for in the crowd.

“There she is!” I spotted her by the bar, her shiny trophy sitting on the counter while she laughed with Sabrina. I made my way over, dodging a few congratulations and cheek kisses along the way.

Gracie turned and squealed the second she saw me. “Tay! We did it!” she practically launched herself into my arms, and I didn’t care how many camera phones were out—I hugged her like she was my little sister.

“You did it,” I whispered, pulling back to look at her. “New Artist. You’re not the new girl anymore.”

She laughed, already tearing up a little, and I handed her a napkin. “Thanks, Tay”

Sabrina chimed in, sipping from a glass of champagne, “I think the three of us just swept the night. Power trio.”

“Power moms,” I corrected, and we all cracked up—though technically, only I was wrangling toddlers. Still, the sentiment landed.

I took a seat at the edge of one of the plush couches, slipping off my heels for just a second of mercy. My feet were killing me, but it was worth it. I scrolled through a text from Travis—“You looked unreal tonight. Tell Abrams congrats for me. Lily saw you on TV and screamed.”

I smiled down at my screen, heart warm. I missed them. Even with all this glitter, the noise, the praise—there was nothing like coming home to baby cuddles and tiny feet on hardwood floors.

Gracie flopped down next to me, stealing one of my fries off a shared platter. “So… are you actually going to stay the whole night or sneak out early like you always do?”

I gave her a mock offended look. “Hey! I’m fun.”

“You’re also thirty-five with a breastfeeding infant and a two-year-old who sleep-kicks,” Sabrina chimed in.

“Okay fair,” I laughed. “I’ll stay a bit. At least until someone starts dancing on tables.”

“I give it ten minutes,” Gracie smirked, tipping her glass.

And she was right—because not long after, Sabrina had already kicked her shoes off and was pulling me toward the dance floor.

Award in one hand, heels in the other, and hair coming loose—I let myself live a little. Just for the night.

The music at the after-party was loud but not overwhelming, just enough to give the room a pulse. I had changed into something a little more comfortable—a satin champagne slip dress with my hair pulled back loosely—and I was finally relaxing. After walking the carpet, sitting through the show, and doing a million tiny polite conversations, I could finally breathe.

Sabrina was deep in conversation with someone from her label while Gracie was still glowing from her win. She slid into the plush booth beside me, her cheeks flushed from excitement or maybe just the champagne.

“You looked so happy for me,” she said, bumping her shoulder against mine.

“I am happy for you,” I replied honestly. “You deserve that award. And can I just say you had the best acceptance speech of the night?”

She laughed. “It was mostly panic, but thanks.”

My phone buzzed in my hand, and I glanced down. A picture from Kylie. Mira was sound asleep on her chest, and Lily had made a fort in their living room with Bennett and Wyatt. I smiled, typing back a quick thank you again, seriously—owe you guys big time before tucking my phone away.

“What?” Gracie asked, watching me grin.

“Just my girls,” I said. “And Kylie holding it down like a total superhero.”

“Still blows my mind you’re doing all of this,” she said softly. “Mom of two. Award shows. Being Taylor Swift.”

I shrugged, though a little proudly. “I’ve got help. Good people. And a lot of coffee.”

We clinked glasses gently.

Just then, Sabrina leaned in, catching part of our conversation. “We should plan a girls’ retreat,” she said. “No kids, no deadlines, just wine and quiet.”

“Quiet?” I raised an eyebrow. “Do we even know how to do that?”

Sabrina laughed. “Okay, wine and chaos.”

I tilted my head. “That sounds more accurate.”