Atlas: A Top Gun: Maverick Fanfiction

Chapter 37: This is like Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds

A/N: Hi guys!!  I know it has been SO long since I've updated.  I'm hoping that once school starts and I go back to working part-time, I'll be able to update this a little more regularly.  Luckily, the end is in sight and there's only a few more chapters to go.   Please be patient with me and I'll do my best :) I'd love to hear your thoughts and get some feedback (it'll help me want to write more for sure :) Thanks!!  

Valentines Day

Kelsey had never been particularly privy to girl's days and what they generally entailed, given the fact that her mother had died around the time when Kelsey would have actually started enjoying said excursions. It was true, Sarah and Penny certainly had their way of bonding with Kelsey, but it was nothing like she was currently experiencing.

You see, Kelsey had known for quite some time that her brother was planning on proposing to Natasha and trying to settle things on that front. What she hadn't been counting on was having to go in for chemotherapy on said day that her older brother was planning on proposing. That left her with little to no choice—she simply had to take Natasha with her so that she could ensure that Natasha looked good for the proposal later and still be none the wiser.

She had run it past Layla first, ensuring that her friend and nurse was cool with the plan. Layla had been more than thrilled at the idea and had splurged on all sorts of products including, but not limited to, facemasks, nail polish, and several outfit options.

Natasha was none the wiser as they arrived at the hospital. And upon Layla insisting on doing Kelsey's nails and Kelsey offering to do Natasha's, everything seemed to be working out all for the better.

Kelsey was painstakingly taking her time and concentration and energy to paint Natasha's nails a pearl color (which seemed the only fair option, given the fact that it wasn't regulation and would have to go soon anyway). Natasha didn't seem bothered by the turn of events in the slightest, and had a grin on her face as the three of them chatted back and forth.

"You don't seem the type to like nail polish, Nat," Kelsey admitted.

Making a slight face, Natasha gave a laugh. "That's true enough. I used to do kickboxing while my sister got her manicures. I've never been into the whole makeup and beauty queen thing."

"Kickboxing huh?" Layla said, gently adjusting her grip on Kelsey's other hand. "You probably terrified boys on your own with that."

"Well I didn't really have a dad around to do it and my little sister was a saint, so someone needed to make sure the boys were scared," Natasha admitted. "Nail polish your thing, duckie?"

Kelsey grinned. "Not really. I think Brad-Brad did my nails the night I was supposed to have prom. You should have seen it—pink nail polish stained his fingers for days, but mom was happy—she took a shit-ton of pictures while we danced to the most ridiculous songs. I get them done occasionally now, but...not so much anymore."

"You two missed out then," Layla said, finishing Kelsey's left hand. "My girls and I used to get together every Friday and change our colors. It was one of the few things that didn't cost a lot for us to do. There was never a dull moment."

"You do have the prettiest nails," Natasha conceded.

"I sure as hell hope so," Layla said proudly. "My sister's got a business and everything. I'll have to take you two sometime when you're not in the hospital. You'll love her."

"That sounds great," Kelsey beamed.

There was a beat of silence and then Natasha smiled. "Maybe we can paint your brother's nails sometime."