Chapter 100-101-102

Chapter 100: "Happy Birthday, Aire"

The day after Stormi's birthday arrived quickly, and with it came another important celebration: Aire's birthday. The house was still decorated with some remnants of the party from the day before, but the energy was already renewed for another day of celebration. This time, it would be Aire's turn to be the center of attention, and Derek wanted to make sure the little one felt the same affection and love that he and Kylie had given Stormi the day before.

Derek woke up early once again, determined to create a party atmosphere for Aire from the beginning of the day. Since the little one was still sleeping, he took the opportunity to walk around the kitchen and start preparing some details for breakfast, while Kylie, still a little tired from Stormi's party, slowly went downstairs, stretching.

"You don't stop, do you?" she joked, seeing Derek already busy with trays of fruit and juices.

"It's little Aire's birthday today, we have to make sure it's as special as Stormi's," Derek said as he organized a basket full of toys he had bought for Aire.

Kylie smiled, leaning against the counter and watching him work. "He's going to love it. And you know, Travis confirmed he'll be home later. I think it'll be good for Aire to have everyone around today."

Derek nodded. Although he had adapted well to the role of father figure in Stormi and Aire's lives, he knew that Travis, their biological father, was important to the boy. Still, Derek wanted Aire to know that he was always there, both for his well-being and for all the important moments in life.

Kylie went upstairs to wake up Stormi, who, still tired from her own party, appeared in the kitchen yawning but already excited about the birthday mood.

"Aire's birthday!" she exclaimed, running to the table to see the decorations Derek and Kylie had put up.

— That's right, Stormi. Today is your little brother's day — Kylie said, smiling.

"Where is he?" — ​​Stormi asked, already jumping up and down with excitement.

"He's still sleeping," Derek replied, smiling at her. "But he'll wake up soon, and then we'll start the party."

A little while later, Aire started showing signs of waking up, and Kylie went upstairs to get him. She went downstairs with him in her arms, still half asleep, but soon his bright little eyes caught the colors and balloons scattered around the house. The little one started moving in Kylie's lap, pointing at the decorations with a mix of surprise and curiosity.

"Happy birthday, my champ!" Derek said, approaching to pick him up.

Aire smiled, with his messy curls, and Derek lifted him up in the air, spinning him around while the little one let out an infectious giggle.

"Look who's getting older today!" Derek joked.

Kylie, watching the scene, couldn't help but smile. There was something special about seeing Derek and Aire together. Although Travis was the biological father, Derek had taken on an important role in the boy's life, and the connection between them was undeniable.

After a quiet breakfast, the house began to buzz with preparations for the party. This time, the decorations were softer, full of pastel colors and childish themes. Balloons in the shape of farm animals were everywhere, and the main table was already being set up with cake, candy, and toys. The first guests began to arrive early in the afternoon.

Kris Jenner was one of the first to show up, as always, bearing gifts and her usual maternal enthusiasm.

"Look at the birthday boy!" Kris exclaimed when she saw Aire in Derek's arms. "He's growing up so fast!"

"Don't even tell me," Kylie replied, who was helping Kris with the gifts. "I can't believe he's already two."

As the guests arrived, Travis also showed up, accompanied by a few friends. He and Derek greeted each other with a friendly handshake, showing that, although they had a complex past, they both knew that the most important thing was Aire's well-being.

"How are you, man?" Travis asked Derek.

"Everything is fine. Happy to be here to celebrate with him," Derek replied, keeping his tone friendly.

The party was lively, full of light and relaxed moments. Kylie's sisters arrived soon after, and even Kim and Khloé showed up to congratulate Aire. Stormi, as always, was the center of attention among the children, running and playing with her cousins ​​and friends who were present.

Derek spent much of the party by Aire's side, always attentive to what the little one needed. At one point, when Travis was busy talking to Kris and other guests, Derek decided to take Aire to the backyard, where they had set up a small play area.

"Shall we play a little, champ?" Derek asked, setting Aire down.

Aire nodded excitedly, running over to a pile of new toys. He took a plastic truck and started playing with it, pushing it back and forth on the lawn. Derek crouched down next to him, joining in the fun with enthusiasm.

"Look, a super truck!" Derek exclaimed, imitating the sound of an engine.

Aire laughed, infected by Derek's energy.

As they played, Kylie watched from afar, a mix of emotion and gratitude flashing in her eyes. She knew how much Derek cared about his children, and that only strengthened the love she felt for him. Even with Travis present, Derek always knew how to maintain a healthy balance, putting Stormi and Aire's needs first.

The party continued until late in the afternoon, with soft music and lots of laughter. The moment of happy birthday arrived, and Kylie, Derek and Travis gathered around the cake, with all the guests ready to sing. Derek held Aire in his arms, and Stormi stood next to Kylie, excited at the idea of ​​blowing out the candles.

"Come on, Aire!" Time to make a wish! — Kylie said, laughing.

Everyone started singing "Happy Birthday", and Aire, still confused by what was happening, clapped along to the music, laughing along with everyone. When it was time to blow out the candles, Derek helped the little one blow them out, holding his little hand and guiding him.

The cake was cut, and the children ran to get their slices, while the adults continued to chat and enjoy the end of the party. Travis, after spending some time with Aire and the other guests, said goodbye, leaving the boy in the loving care of Derek and Kylie.

When the party finally came to an end, the house was filled with scattered balloons, leftovers from opened presents and a feeling of happiness permeating the air.

"It was a great party, don't you think?" Derek asked Kylie, as he held Aire, who was starting to doze off in his arms.

"Yes, it was. Aire had the perfect day, thanks to you," Kylie replied, smiling and stroking Derek's arm.

— He deserves it. — Derek looked at the boy in his arms, who was already almost asleep. — And I couldn't be happier to be a part of it.

And so, Aire's birthday ended with the feeling that, even in the midst of all the challenges and complexities of their lives, Derek, Kylie, Stormi and Aire were building a close and loving family, where every moment was a new opportunity to create unforgettable memories.

Chapter 101: "The Intriguing Story with Taylor"

It was a quiet Sunday afternoon, and Derek was sitting on the couch in the spacious living room, watching an NFL game. He loved these moments of relaxation, taking advantage of the opportunity to follow sports and disconnect for a while from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Beside him, Kylie was flipping through a fashion magazine, but she always glanced at the TV, trying to understand what was happening in the game.

Derek was deeply focused, but a specific scene in the broadcast made him raise an eyebrow. The camera cut to the VIP lounge of the stadium, where Taylor Swift appeared smiling and excited, cheering energetically for the Kansas City Chiefs, the team of her boyfriend, Travis Kelce.

The commentators made jokes about Taylor's presence, joking about how the pop star always seemed to be the center of attention, whether in music or now in sports.

"Look who's cheering over there," Derek commented, pointing to the screen while laughing.

Kylie looked at the TV and her smile disappeared for a moment.

"Ah... Taylor Swift," she said in a tone that mixed disinterest and something else that Derek couldn't immediately identify.

Derek noticed the change in Kylie's expression. Curious, he turned to her, frowning.

"You don't like her, do you? I've noticed you and your sisters get a little... uncomfortable when her name comes up. What's the problem?"

Kylie sighed, putting the magazine aside and settling further into the couch, as if she was preparing herself for a long explanation. She looked at Derek and shook her head slightly, as if pondering how to begin.

"It's not exactly that I don't like her... it's just... our family has had some issues with her in the past. Especially with Kim and Kanye. It's complicated," Kylie began, crossing her arms.

Derek, still intrigued, gestured with his hand for her to continue.

"Complicated how?"

"Well, you remember those controversies from years ago, right?" It all started when Kanye interrupted her speech at the VMAs in 2009, that famous "Imma let you finish..." — Kylie explained, rolling her eyes as she remembered the event that seemed to have forever marked the relationship between Taylor and the Kardashian-West family.

Derek nodded, vaguely remembering the incident, but not knowing all the details.

— Oh, yeah, sure. It was a big scandal, but it was years ago. Is that what still causes this discomfort between you two?

Kylie shook her head.

— It's not just that. Things got worse in 2016, when Kanye released the song "Famous". In that song, he mentions Taylor in a way... well, let's just say it wasn't very nice. He said something like "I think I made this bitch famous", insinuating that her career took off after he interrupted her at the VMAs — Kylie explained, grimacing as she remembered the offensive content of the song.

Derek nodded, now understanding better. He knew Kanye had always had a provocative way of dealing with the media and other artists.

"And how did Taylor react to that?"

"She was furious. She publicly said she had never agreed to the lyrics, and denied that Kanye had asked for her approval. That's when things really got ugly," Kylie continued. "Kim, at the time, decided to expose the conversations between Kanye and Taylor, saying she knew about the lyrics. Kim even released a recording where she supposedly showed Taylor giving Kanye permission."

Derek raised his eyebrows, now seeing how things had escalated.

"Wow. That's… confusing. So who was telling the truth?"

Kylie shrugged.

"It's hard to tell. At the time, it seemed like Taylor was lying, because the recordings seemed to show that she had agreed with Kanye. That turned the internet against her. She was called a 'snake,' and that's when Taylor started the whole 'reputation' era, reinventing herself as someone who deals with fame in a more acidic way, shall we say."

Derek paused for a moment, processing everything. He hadn't realized the situation had been so complicated.

"So that's why you and your sisters seem to have tension with her? This whole Kim and Kanye thing?"

Kylie nodded.

"Yeah. Kim was at the center of this whole mess, and since we're a very close family, we ended up siding with her. I think the media also fueled this rivalry, as they always do. But honestly, over time, we kind of stopped caring. I think it's more a matter of public image than actual hostility. But in a way, Taylor became a symbol of a very complicated time for us."

Derek was thoughtful for a moment. He looked back at the screen, where Taylor was still smiling, cheering on the game.

"It's crazy how things can get so big in your world. Just hearing all this is tiring. I can only imagine what it was like to experience it up close."

Kylie gave a tired smile.

"Exactly. The media loves to take these things and turn them into a the never-ending war. And sometimes, it's hard to know who's being truthful and who's just trying to manipulate the narrative. But in the end, I think all of that is in the past now. Everyone has moved on with their own lives. I don't have anything personal against Taylor, but… you know how it is. Old grudges take time to fade.

Derek nodded, understanding the complexity of the situation. He knew that Kylie and her family's lives were full of drama and intrigue, often fabricated or amplified by the media. But he also knew that, deep down, they were all just people dealing with difficult situations, like any other family.

"Well, at least she seems happy now with Travis Kelce," Derek said, trying to lighten the mood.

Kylie laughed, relaxing a little.

"Yeah, they seem pretty happy together. Travis seems like a nice guy. Maybe we'll run into each other someday, since you're an NFL fan too."

Derek smiled, imagining that possibility.

"That would be interesting." And who knows, if that happens, you can finally put this rivalry to bed once and for all. It could be a good thing.

Kylie smiled, although with a somewhat distant look, as if she was wondering how it would be possible to completely leave the past behind.

"Maybe. Life is unpredictable, right?"

Derek nodded, pleased to finally understand the context of that tension that was always present whenever Taylor Swift's name came up in conversation. Although he wasn't directly involved, he now better understood the impact that all that confusion had had on Kylie's life and her family.

As the game continued, the two relaxed on the couch, and Derek pulled Kylie closer, enjoying the quiet moment amidst the chaotic routine they both faced.

"Let's see where life takes us," Derek said, smiling as he wrapped Kylie in a warm hug.

"Yeah, who knows what the future holds," she replied softly, resting her head on his chest, while the sound of the game filled the room with a light and welcoming atmosphere.

Chapter 102: "A New Alliance"

It was an idea that Derek had been developing for a few days, ever since his conversation with Kylie about the long-standing feud between her, her family, and Taylor Swift. He knew that deep down, these tensions between them no longer held as much weight, but they still existed, like a shadow from the past that hung over Kylie and her family. Derek had always believed that certain conflicts could be resolved with a simple gesture, and that was when he decided to act.

A week after that conversation, Derek had the perfect opportunity: the Kansas City Chiefs were playing again, and Taylor Swift would undoubtedly be there to cheer on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Derek thought that this might be the ideal time to try to work things out. He and Kylie already had tickets to the game, and although she had no idea of ​​his plan, he was determined to help Kylie and Taylor understand each other once and for all.

The morning of the game, as they were getting ready, Derek glanced at Kylie, who was choosing a casual but elegant outfit for the event.

— Kylie, have you thought about that conversation we had the other day, about Taylor Swift? — he asked casually.

Kylie paused for a moment, grabbing a jacket and looking at herself in the mirror.

— Oh, Derek, I guess that's in the past now, huh? It's not like we're friends, but… I don't have any grudges or anything anymore. It just… it is what it is.

Derek smiled, realizing that this was the right time to tell her his plan.

— Well, I was thinking… what if we tried to move on and put this completely behind us? — He walked over and wrapped her in a light hug. — What if you and Taylor made up once and for all?

Kylie turned to him, a little surprised by the suggestion.

— What do you mean? You want us to… talk? In the middle of the game?

Derek nodded with a smile.

— That's right. I thought maybe, during halftime or something, we could meet up with her and have a talk. I know you've already moved on, but it would be nice to settle this once and for all, right? And who knows, it could be the start of something new. You're both great, successful women, you don't need something like this hanging between you.

Kylie looked at Derek, a little thoughtfully. She knew Derek was trying to help, but the idea of ​​confronting Taylor, even in a friendly way, made her a little nervous. However, something in Derek's calm and confident tone made her reconsider.

"I... I don't know, Derek. I don't want this to turn into a big drama," she said, biting her lip. "But on the other hand, it would be nice to finally put all this behind us. If you think it's worth it, I'm in."

Derek smiled, satisfied with the answer.

"It'll be easy, I promise. We'll settle this once and for all."

With the plan in place, they left for the stadium. Derek, more confident than ever, knew that this was the ideal time for Kylie and Taylor to settle their differences.

When they arrived at the stadium, the atmosphere was electric, as always. The roar of the crowd, the bright lights, and the cheering fans made the place pulsate with energy. Derek and Kylie settled into their seats, but he already had his eye on the VIP lounge, where he knew Taylor would be. He had arranged everything in advance, contacting one of Travis Kelce's assistants to make sure Taylor knew they wanted to talk to her at halftime.

As the first half of the game wore on, Derek noticed Kylie was getting a little restless. She glanced toward the VIP lounge every now and then, and Derek could tell she was mentally preparing herself for the conversation to come. When halftime finally came, Derek stood up and held out his hand to her.

"Come on, just a quiet chat. I promise it'll be okay."

Kylie took a deep breath and took his hand, standing up and following Derek's side as they walked toward the VIP lounge. They were greeted by one of the security guards and soon they were in front of the lounge where Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were. Taylor, seeing them approach, gave a polite but somewhat curious smile. She clearly knew what this was about.

Derek was the first to speak.

"Hi, Taylor. I hope this isn't a bad time. We just wanted to… work through some things from the past, if you're willing."

Taylor, who was standing next to Travis, smiled back, but there was a slight tension in her face.

"Sure, Derek. I figured it would be about that." She looked at Kylie, her clear, piercing eyes softening. "I'm open to talking, if you are too, Kylie."

Kylie gave a small smile, still a little hesitant, but ready to move on.

"I am too, Taylor. I think it's been too long, and there's no point in continuing to hold on to this tension. It's been a difficult time for all of us, and I know my family also had a hand in how things turned out."

Taylor nodded, keeping her gaze understanding.

"I made mistakes too. It wasn't easy for me back then, but now I see that we could have resolved everything differently.

Derek smiled, seeing that the conversation was flowing well. He decided to step back a little, letting the two of them sort it out between themselves.

"I just wanted to say," Kylie continued, now more confident, "that on my behalf and on behalf of my family, we apologize. Especially for everything that happened with the recordings. It was a difficult time and I think we were all influenced by the pressure of the media."

Taylor smiled, genuinely touched by Kylie's sincerity.

"I apologize too. I know things got out of hand, and I should have handled it in a better way. Thank you for reaching out, Kylie. I think we can finally move on."

The two of them approached and hugged briefly, sealing the moment of reconciliation.

Travis, who had been silent until then, finally spoke, with a huge smile on his face.

"Well, I think that was one of the most successful moves I've seen today!" Derek laughed, placing his hand on Travis's shoulder.

"Who would have thought, huh? Sometimes, resolving things off the field is more important than on it."

Taylor and Kylie laughed together, now more relaxed, as if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders. The tension that had existed between them seemed to have disappeared, and they both seemed genuinely relieved to finally have this conversation.

As the break came to an end, Derek, Kylie, Taylor and Travis said their goodbyes, promising to keep in touch in a more friendly way from now on. Kylie, returning to her place with Derek, seemed much lighter.

"You were right, Derek. I think this was exactly what I needed," she said, holding his hand with a grateful smile.

Derek kissed her hand affectionately.

"I'm glad it worked out. Now we can move forward, without anything holding us back."

Kylie smiled, happy to have Derek by her side, always willing to do the best for her and her family.

New stories in my Patreon 

This story is already complete there 

p@treon.com/SHADOWGHOST07 

Just replace the @ with an a