𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞, 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 ✓

thirty-four.

"i need to see him. i have to see him, derek. i need to be in there right now because-"

"because he's your dad and you love him? you should have thought of that before you bailed on your own family and ran off to los angeles. then, you had the audacity to show up to your own brother's graduation with your girlfriend, completely ruining the night! how dare you try to see your father, after all you've done?" the voice silenced kaylani completely, made her pale. derek glared in its direction, wishing chandler were there to handle this. he always handled her in moments of crisis, but he was at the airport, picking up rowan.

"mother, how kind of you to join us. it's almost as if you decided to finally parent me." kaylani's face hardened, her eyes flashing dangerously. something had switched within her. she definitely wasn't who she had been a few months ago. and looking at her, derek knew deep in him that it was in part because of who rowan was and who she made kaylani. he also knew his sister had been dealt some rough cards, worse ones than she would like to admit to him. he knew she cried about losing her mother more often than she showed it. she had been pushed so far.

"how dare you-"

"no, mom, how dare you. how dare you try to decide what I can and can't do. newsflash, i'm eighteen, and I stopped being your daughter two years ago when you kicked me out of your house because you couldn't handle my sexuality. which, by the way, I shared with you because I wanted to. because you were such a big part of my life that I wanted you to know a vital part of me. and you spit on it, mom. you decided your own interpretation of your religion was more important than your daughter. it isn't my fault that you failed to be open-minded. so yes, I had the audacity to come see my dad, who is dying, might I add, because he's my dad, and he's always loved and cared for me even when you didn't. he's my favorite person, and instead of spending precious time with him, I have to sit here yelling at you, because believe it or not, I still want you to love me, mom, when you don't even deserve it. not to mention that you blacklisted my name. I mean, seriously? that's childish. but, luckily, dad asked for me, so they can't say no. now, if you'll excuse me, i'm going to go spend as much time as possible with him until I have to leave again. goodbye, mother."

kaylani stared at her mother for a long minute, tears streaming down her face and making her voice heavy. her mother stood there, shocked as her daughter walked out of the room. derek looked between them for a moment before following his sister. because she was so right. he just couldn't say that.

"kay! babe! hey, hey... you good?" rowan's excitement faded as soon as she saw the girl's tear streaked face. she engulfed her girlfriend in a hug, too shy to admit she heard the rant kay had just gone on. she wanted to give her major props. instead, she held her hand until she could breathe again. she held her hand all the way to the hospital, and even in the room. formally met her dad, saw kaylani cry so hard that she had to leave the room. rowan's heart broke that day, but it swelled, too.

"hey," she mumbled, her head on kay's shoulder as she stroked the girl's hand, "I love you. he's going to be alright. and if he's not, you'll see him again."

"promise? you mean that?" kay looked at her warily.

"I promise, kay."

"okay. and row?"

"yeah?"

"i love you, too."

rowan fell asleep with a smile that night.

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so the general consensus seems to be that y'all want 50 chapters, so welcome to the beginning of the end my loves💕