I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can) - A Tayvis Story

Everything Has Changed

(Travis's Perspective)

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As Travis watched Taylor walk away, disappearing behind the hospital doors, a strange feeling settled over him. He felt... unsettled, almost anxious. He wanted her to stay close, to be by his side. It was a confusing mix of emotions, something he wasn't sure how to process. Jason noticed his brother's lingering gaze and nudged him playfully. "Ready to go, baby bro?"

Travis rolled his eyes, but the corners of his mouth twitched in a faint smile. The unease didn't leave him, though, not even as they drove home. The thought of Taylor lingered, like a thread connecting him to something important, something he wasn't ready to lose.

The car ride was mostly quiet, save for the hum of the engine and the occasional comment from Jason. But in Travis's mind, the silence was filled with memories—small moments with Taylor that had gradually chipped away at the wall he'd built around himself. He remembered the way she looked at him, not with pity, but with an understanding that felt like a lifeline. The way her voice softened when she spoke to him, not out of fear of breaking him, but out of a genuine desire to help him heal.

They made a quick stop at a flower shop, where Travis bought bouquets of hydrangeas and tulips, feeling an inexplicable need to make amends. When they arrived home, he placed the hydrangeas on a side table by the stairs, but he held onto the tulips, the vibrant colors almost a reflection of the emotions swirling inside him.

"Kylie?" Jason called out as he guided Wyatt to the living room.

"In here!" Kylie's voice came from the couch, where she was watching a show.

Jason gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before heading to the kitchen, leaving Travis standing there, tulips in hand. He hesitated for a moment, then made his way to Kylie, who looked up with a surprised smile.

"Hey, Trav. What's up? How was your day?"

Travis handed her the tulips, his small smile tinged with something deeper, something almost vulnerable. "I'm sorry, Kylie. I'm sorry for putting you and everyone else through so much these past few months. And thank you for putting up with my shit."

Kylie's eyes softened, and she pulled him into a warm hug. "Trav, you're not just Jason's brother. The day I said 'I do,' you became my brother too. We're family, so don't thank me for looking out for you."

Travis nodded, a lump forming in his throat as he realized just how much support he had taken for granted. It was a quiet moment of clarity, one of many he had been experiencing lately. After a moment, he asked, "Where's Mom? And when's dad coming back?"

Kylie smiled, sensing the shift in his mood. "She's out back, sitting on the bench and Ed will be back in a few weeks"

Travis took the hydrangeas and made his way to the backyard, where he found his mom sitting quietly, lost in thought. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the yard, making the moment feel almost serene. As he approached her, nerves bubbled up, but Taylor's words echoed in his mind, grounding him, giving him the strength to continue.

Donna looked up when she heard his wheelchair, her expression softening into a smile as she saw him. "Hey, sweetheart. What's this?" she asked as he handed her the flowers.

Travis helps himself to sit down beside her on the bench, the hydrangeas now resting between them. He was silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "I... I wanted to say sorry," he finally said, his voice quiet, almost tentative.

Donna's smile faltered slightly, replaced by a look of concern. "Sorry for what, Travis?"

He stared down at his hands, the words tangled in his throat. "For... everything," he began slowly. "For pushing you away when I needed you the most. For letting you down. For letting this injury... letting all of this get the best of me. And for thinking that you were disappointed in me."