(i words this while listening to Atlas: Touch by sleeping at last. ummmm, 10/10 recommend to feel this chapter 🥺)
kendall -a couple months later-
"chunky monster." taylor tickles gias tummy and she giggles.
"god. where are the boys?" elizabeth asks, walking into the living room. taylor shrugs and shakes her head.
"probably traffic." she says. elizabeth nods. just then, my phone rings.
"speak of one of the devils." i say. they laugh. i answer and put it on speaker.
"hey ba-"
"ken..kendall?" i hear nash say
"nash? what's wrong?" i ask. taylor and elizabeth come closer. i can hear him breathing really heavily and some background talking.
"nash. baby talk." taylor says.
"i don't-i don't know. they took hayes and they wouldn't let me see hi—oh my god this is so bad." he exhales really heavily
"nash. who took hayes?" elizabeth asks
"we got in and accident. like really bad mom. we were both wearing our seatbelts but—i don't know—i think hayes got it really bad. i got out. but he didn't. mom he wasn't moving." he balling at this point. that's when we all rush to get our shoes on and get the babies stuff.
"okay honey. what happened next?" elizabeth asks.
"i think i blacked out i'm not sure. mom what's if he's go-"
"do not say that. do not. he's fine." elizabeth cuts him off. she looks at both of us and we nod. we all rush out the door and taylor straps malakai's car seat into the back seat of my car. elizabeth gets in the drivers and i'm in the back, taylor's in the passenger.
"i tried to wake him up and he was just laying there. like slumped over." he says
"okay. okay. did you get checked out?" she asks
"i'm fine. they think i might have a concussion but..wheres my brother? where'd you guys take him?" nash asks. i hear some talking
"they took him to hunington." he says.
"okay honey." she says
"okay. an officer is gonna take me there." he says.
"okay babe. we're on our way right now." elizabeth says.
"okay. i love you guys." he says
"we love you too nash." taylor says. he says a couple more words and then hangs up. taylor reaches back and grabs my hand
"he'll be okay. he's a fighter." she says. i nod as a couple tears roll down me face.
after what felt like years, we finally arrive at the hospital. we all rush in and see nash pacing in the waiting room. he sees us and practically runs to taylor and malaki. he hugs them. i hug gia. he sees me and let's go of taylor and pulls me to him. i break down.
"he's gonna be okay. i promise. he'll be okay." he says. elizabeth and taylor join in.
*a couple hours later*
"the grier family?" a doctor says walking out. elizabeth stands up.
"i'm his mom. elizabeth." she says. he nods and shakes her hand. he kinda glances at me and then back at elizabeth.
"hayes just had two surgeries. each went very well. he is breathing on his own but does have assistance." he says. she nods.
"he was unresponsive when he came in and still is. we are not sure when he'll wake up. but, he's stable." he says. she nods
"can we see him?" she asks.
"only one person at a time." he says. elizabeth looks back at me
"i think you should go first." she says. i go to argue but she shakes her head. i nod and nash hands me gia. the doctor gives me a soft smile and then escorts me back. we walk for what seems like a long time. gias asleep. we finally reach his room and the doctor opens the door.
"i'll give you privacy. there's a button to hit is anything happens." he says. i nod and thank him and then walk in. it's really dim. i scan the room and my eyes land on hayes lifeless body. he's just laying there. i walk over to him and grab his hand. he looks horrible. like he was dragged across the road. but nash said he didn't fly out. i sniffle and lean down and kiss his cheek. my baby has never looked so peaceful.
