"you know, if you don't stop pacing, you'll end up tripping, or worse." kaylani looked up to see none other than chandler's brother, grayson, a smile on her lips as she processed who it was.
"you know, for a fourteen year old you're awfully sarcastic," she replied before pulling him into a hug, happy to have him with her again.
grayson chuckled, hugging her back tightly before stepping away. "did chandler tell you about mom?"
her face fell, and she shook her head. "no. is she okay? will she make it?"
"she's fine! she got into a really bad car accident and they had to rush her into surgery but-" grayson stopped, shaking his head. "mom is fine. we can see her when she's out of surgery."
"they don't think she will," chandler whispered, coming from the nurse's station. he wrapped his arms around kaylani's waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. now that she thought about it, she could see why people thought they were dating. but his words brought her out of the momentary bliss of seeing grayson again, and she turned around, eyes widening.
"what? but she- I thought she was fine?" her voice was soft, but his eyes were softer as he almost immediately shook his head.
"they did too, but she isn't. and i'm scared, kay. i'm really scared." chandler was here, an almost broken mess before her, and she didn't know what to do. all she could do was hug him, hug him tight because if she was hurting right now, she knew chandler and grayson were ten times worse. because she loved gina ann riggs like a mother, but she was their mother. she couldn't imagine their pain.
"it's okay to be scared, chandler. she'll be okay. and if she's not, you'll be okay. not right then. not right now. but after a while. until then, she's alive, chan. she's alive, and that's what matters." kaylani held him close despite him being taller, laid her head on his chest, stroked his back. she let him cry, heard the sobs that wouldn't stop until they eventually subsided into cries. eventually, grayson joined the huddle, too. and the three teenagers stood there, arms tight around each other as they cried and prayed for the mother they all loved and needed so dearly.
"kids?" all three of them shot apart, chandler's fingers intertwining with kaylani's, who used her free hand to hug grayson close. their father, william, walked toward them, bloodshot eyes making kaylani squeeze the brothers.
"dad?" chandler asked softly, and the three of them all held their breath as william shifted.
"she's okay. it'll take a while, but she's okay." a smile broke on all of their faces, and kaylani found herself hugging chandler so tight, he was surprised she didn't break him. because gina ann was closer to her than anyone could really understand.
"can we see her?" grayson asked hopefully, making william shake his head.
"not yet. she's not awake. but as soon as she is you can, alright?"
"okay. we'll go get food...?" chandler asked, looking at the two other teenagers. kaylani smiled and nodded, waiting for grayson to agree. but it never came, the boy shaking his head.
"you guys go. bring me something back? i don't want to leave mom."
"oh, uh... okay." kaylani smiled again, hugging him to her side before tossing chandler his car keys.
--
"chandler?" she whispered after they had settled into a booth at zaxby's, both of them more relieved and tired than anything. he brushed his hair from his eyes and looked at her, the side of his lips quirking upwards.
"yeah, kaykay?"
"it's september... it's senior year. I can't believe we're so close." he smiled, nodding slightly.
"it is a little weird, isn't it? but a lot is weird. this is weird. sitting at a zaxby's without getting noticed is weird. not being on set is weird. being a senior is weird."
"yeah, you're right. especially considering I thought i'd be spending senior year with... well, you know. but i'm glad i'm spending it with you. if we can handle this with mom, we can handle anything." chandler smiled, nodding even as kaylani held out her pinky.
"chanlani forever?"
"we really need a better ship name," chandler replied, snorting under his breath as he looped his pinky around hers. "chanlani forever."
"it could be worse, loser." she stuck her tongue out at him before they both erupted into laughter, the relief of having gina ann safe and the happiness of being together making them elated.
in that moment, the two teenagers were happy. they were happy and alive, alone together for the first time in too long. for once, nothing could separate them from their peace.
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kayfost: despite his horrified face, chan and I are here to say we're okay, and so is gina ann💞 i'm so blessed to be a part of this family, they're my everything.
[tagged: chandlerriggs5]
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rowan baby💖 I'm so glad your mom that isn't a mom is okay 💞💞
