I still got your back, you stupid bad-ass

Moving on

Chris's POV

(The next day)

"You know Kenny's been here a lot." Mom said.

"I know," I smiled. I felt it. I felt her presence. Even when I was unconscious. And I know that was her hand that was holding mine when I woke up.

"How is she?" I asked.

"She's doing good. Better. Almost completely healed." Mom smiled.

"Hey, mom." I sighed. "I'm really sorry about the way I've been acting lately."

"I know. But you know I've been in the same situation with your dad before."

"Really?" I asked skeptically.

Mom laughed. "Yep. Hard to believe, but it's true. Only I was the one with the boyfriend. And your dad didn't like him at all."

"Why not?"

"He said that he wasn't good for me, or something like that," mom shrugged. "But did I listen? No. So I ended up getting hurt."

"I guess you deserved that."

Mom slapped my good arm playfully. "Well, you're talking about yourself."

I squinted at her, a little confused.

"Don't you see? You're me. Back in the day me and your dad were best friends, until I got a boyfriend and pushed your dad away. Even though, to me we weren't friends, your dad was always there. Always. I was just too... Distracted to see it."

"Mom.." I started.

"No. I know you probably hate being compared to me, but it's the truth. There is no one who knows you like your best friend.. Except for maybe me." Mom laughed. "And if you're really smart, you'll marry them like I did. Your dad wasn't going to wait around forever. I mean how much can a person take? It's hard to find a true friend and the rarest thing to marry them, or to have that friend be your soulmate. You know?" She nodded at the framed picture of me and Kenny that rested on the side table.

Yeah, I do know.

"Who put that there?" I demanded, not that I really minded.

"I did." Mom smiled. "You don't mind, do you?"

I shrugged. No, I don't.

I loved that picture.

"Hey, Chris?" Mom said distractedly, avoiding my eye. "Your dad and I have been meaning to tell you something."

"What?"

"Well, we were going to announce it when we invited Leigh, Jerry and Kenny to dinner, but we never got around to it..."

"What?" I asked again, impatiently.

"I'm pregnant..."

***

Kenny's POV

"Can I go now? Pleeeeaaaaaase," I begged.

She chuckled. "Alright, alright."

"Yay," I said sweetly. I loved her. She was the best nurse ever!

When we got to Chris's door, I could hardly contain my excitement.

The nurse ushered me in my wheelchair, and I came face to face with Mrs. K and Chris.

"Kenny!" Mrs. K beamed. "Good morning sweetie. How are you today?"

It felt like she was talking to a five year old.

"Great!" I chirped. I looked over at Chris. "Hi."

"Chris, why don't you two talk alone?" Mrs. K suggested. "I'll go and talk to Leigh and Jerry."

Chris nodded. The nurse and Mrs. K walked out silently.

I nodded towards the box. "Have you opened it?"

He glanced at it. "No, I haven't..."

"Why not? It was left there for a reason." I hinted.

"Kenny why are you acting like this?"

"Like what?" I said innocently.

"Like everything is back to normal?"

"Because I want everything to be back to normal?" it came out like a question.

He pursed his lips.

I narrowed my eyes and tilted my head. "Don't you?" I demanded.

Chris stared at me, confused.

"Don't you hate me?" he finally said.

"Do you want me to hate you?" I asked.

"No." he answered automatically. I but back a smile.

"Ok." I held out my hand.

Hesitantly, he reached for my hand. I grabbed it, and a wide grin spread across his face.

"Friends," he said, smiling.

Chris was back to staring at me weirdly.

"What?" I whined.

He shakes his head. "I don't get how you can be so weird one day and the next act like nothing happened."

"I learned that if I dwelled too much on the past, it's going to haunt me forever. And I don't want that. The past is past. And today is called the present which means 'gift'" I smiled cheekily.

Chris chuckled slightly. "Are you sure you didn't hit your head sometime during the fire?"

My hand flew to my skull. "No,"

He laughed. Laughed. As in, seriously laughed. I smiled, thinking about how long it was since I last heard his laugh.

"Great, now that that's resolved, are you going to open the box or what?" I crossed my arms.

"Okay, okay." he said, still smiling.

He placed the box on his lap, but before he could open it, the door swung open.

Oh wonderful. A visit from none other than his beloved Fiancé.

Rozlyn.

****