A Place In This World - Adopted By Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

Chapter 20

A/N: I'm so sorry it's been so long since the last update! I've been incredibly busy interviewing for a new job that I'll be starting in a few weeks while also trying to wrap up the summer session in my classroom!

A few weeks later, the Chiefs were playing a home game against the Raiders. This was the game that would clinch a spot in the playoffs and the teams were currently tied at the start of the 4th quarter. On the first play of the drive, Travis spotted a clear path down the right side of the field and raced towards the end zone. Patrick threw a perfect spiral his way, and just as he was about to catch it, he was tackled to the ground by a player who seemed to come out of nowhere.

As soon as he hit the ground, he knew something was wrong. Pain radiated down his left arm as he laid on the field, motioning for a trainer to come help. Taylor tried to stay calm, watching helplessly from the suite as the athletic trainer tried to move his arm before helping him off the field. Her phone rang a few minutes later and someone from the medical team let her know that he needed to head to the hospital to get checked out, wanting to know if she would be accompanying him. She quickly let her security team know that they were going to be leaving before heading to the back of the suite where Avery was having a snack with Sterling.

"Aves, sweetie," Taylor began, trying to get her daughter's attention, "We have to head out now. Dad's hurt so we need to take him to get checked out."

"Is he gonna be okay?" Avery asked, suddenly seeming very small.

"I'm sure he will be, lovebug," Taylor reassured her.

By the time they reached the hospital, Travis had already gotten an X-ray and MRI. He had been given some pretty strong painkillers before the imaging and was now resting somewhat comfortably in the small hospital bed.

"Daddy!" Avery called out as she raced ahead of Taylor into the hospital room.

"Careful sweetie, remember he's hurt!" Taylor reminded her.

Avery slowed down, looking at Travis carefully before gently squeezing his right hand, not wanting to hurt him with a hug.

"How are you feeling, Trav?" Taylor asked gently as she made her way to his side.

"I've been better," Travis joked, gesturing to his arm that was strapped to his chest in a sling, "But the pain meds are helping."

"What did the doctor say?" Taylor asked.

"They think I broke my collarbone. Waiting for the X-ray and MRI to come back but I'll probably need surgery," Travis explained.

A few hours later, the doctor finally came back and confirmed that Travis had broken his collarbone, and that he had likely damaged a nearby nerve, which would explain the tingling sensation all down his arm. He would be having surgery that evening to repair the nerve and place screws to realign the bone, and he would need extensive physical therapy once it started to heal. Unfortunately that meant that his football season had come to an early end, but luckily the doctors were convinced he would make a full recovery and be able to play again next year.

Once Travis had been prepped for surgery, Taylor and Avery were escorted to a private waiting room with the promise that someone would come and get them as soon as the surgery was over. Taylor could tell that Avery had been feeling a bit anxious since they arrived at the hospital, but she was still surprised when she suddenly burst into tears as soon as they were alone.

"Avery, what's wrong honey?" Taylor cooed, rubbing her back gently to try to calm her down.

"Mommy, I'm scared," Avery whimpered.

"Shh, I know, baby," Taylor soothed, "But Dad is going to be just fine. He's in good hands and this is a really common procedure. He'll feel better soon."

"I know," Avery sniffled, "but... but when my mom was here and she needed surgery she didn't get better."

Taylor immediately froze. In all the chaos of rushing to the hospital from the stadium, she hadn't even stopped to think about how triggering it might be for Avery to have a parent getting surgery.

"Ohh sweetheart, come here," Taylor cooed, pulling Avery in for a tight hug, "My sweet girl I'm so sorry I didn't even think about how scary this must be for you. But your Dad is going to be just fine. He'll be back in his room so soon and hopefully we can bring him home in another day or two to keep getting better."

"Promise?" Avery asked, her voice shaking.

"I promise," Taylor whispered.