Safe & Sound- (A Taylor Swift AU)

~chapter 28~ Denial is a River in Egypt

Takes off where the last chapter left off

Inspired by BraedenLee

Taylor's POV (December 25th)
It has been 3 hours since Travis kicked me out of his room. The nurses have said he doesn't wanna talk to me when I've asked. I'm scared to go back in on my own. He doesn't want to see me. Everytime he looks at me he's not gonna see the love of his life anymore... he's gonna see a monster that told him his career was over.

A nurse comes up to me after exiting Travis's room, "Travis wants to see Chloe." I nod, "I'll take her in there. Thank you." I grab Chloe's hand and lead her into Travis's room. When I see him he looks lifeless. His eyes are empty, his smile gone. He's not himself and I don't think he ever will be again. Chloe climbs onto Travis's bed, "Daddy." Travis pulls Chloe closer to him and looks up at me with a glare. Shivers run down my spine, it unsettles me to see him look at me like that. I sit down in a chair. "What are you doing in here?" He huffs. I don't dare look up at him, "Being here for you through the ups and downs." He scoffs, "I don't want you here." I now look up. His face is unreadable. "Travis, just let me be here. Let me help you. Don't push me away." Travis laughs, "If you wanted to be here for me you shouldn't have taken football away from me."

I stick up for myself now, "Take football away from you!? Are you hearing yourself!? The only person that took football away from you is the guy that shot you! I'm just following doctor's orders! You think I want this to happen? Travis I love you. And I want you to be happy. Playing football makes you happy. And I love watching you play. I'd never take that away from you unless I absolutely have to. You got shot and your leg will never be the way it used to be again. It's not safe for you to play. I'm protecting you? Why the hell do you hate me for that?" 

He looks at me and we lock eyes. For a second it seems as if I even see a little hint of sorrow in his eyes. "This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me Taylor. But not even football being taken away from me could make me hate you. I don't hate you and I never will." I sigh. Well it's not a lot of talk about his feelings but it's something besides him yelling at me. I'll take it I guess. "There's nothing we can do?" I shake my head, "There's nothing we can do. The doctor already called Coach. Then coach called me and asked how you were doing. Then he confirmed that he's not gonna let you fight it." Travis throws his phone at the wall. Chloe starts shaking and I take her off the bed and hold her close. "Travis calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down Taylor! How would you like it if you were told you would never be able to perform again?" I sigh, "I'd be heartbroken. But I'd figure something out. Whether that be writing songs for other people, becoming an author, something, I'd do something to keep me happy career wise." He rolls his eyes, "You are happiest when performing. You're a whole different person on stage. You've been doing it for 17 years. Imagine that being taken away from you Taylor! I can't just calm down. You don't get it." I sigh, "Okay. Maybe I don't. But football isn't something you can do your whole life. You've made it longer than most people. You did your part. Have you ever thought of coaching?" He sighs, "Yeah. But I can't see myself coaching for any team except the Chiefs." I look at him wide eyed, "Coach told me Toub's retiring. He said he'd talk to everyone important but it looks like the assistant coach position could be yours if you want it." Travis's eyes grow wide, "What? The assistant coach position? Really?" I nod, "He said he wouldn't want anyone else." Travis's lips dare to smile but he wouldn't let them.

Chloe starts to climb back in bed with Travis but accidentally hits his leg, causing him to wince and yell out in pain. "FUCK! CHLOE!" She immediately gets off the bed, crosses her arms, and runs to the corner. She sits down on the floor and tucks her legs into her chest to cry. Travis sighs guilt adamant in his voice, "Baby girl." Chloe's cries turn audible, "I'm sorry daddy!" "Come here baby," he says softly. Chloe hesitantly walks over to him. She stands 6 feet back but still closer than she was in the corner. He opens his arms to provide her an inviting embrace, "Come give me cuddles." Chloe very carefully goes over to him, "I don't wanna hurt you." He helps her up carefully, "I'm okay. You didn't mean to do it. Daddy's sorry for yelling at you." Chloe takes a sigh of relief and instantly clings to him in a warm embrace.

He kisses her head, "I love you princess." Suddenly tons of dings fill the void of the room. I pick up his phone from when he threw it, and look at it closely, "Not even a scratch, that's crazy." I hand it back to him. He glances at the screen, "The team is asking when I'm supposed to be back and sending get well wishes." Tears form in his eyes once again. I sigh and massage his arm soothingly.

Suddenly the phone rings and Andy Reid's name pops up. He clicks accept and breathes out, "Hey." Coaches voice projects from the screen, "Travis. I'm so glad you're okay!" Travis groans, "I'm never gonna get to play again. I am NOT okay." "At least your career ended with a winning touchdown," he jokes. Travis sighs, "I love football, it's not fair." Coach sighs, "I know you do Kelce. But you gotta remember you made it longer than most people. And I spoke to everyone I needed to speak to. The assistant coach position is officially yours next season all you gotta do is sign the paperwork to agree."

"Are you serious?" Travis asks, a little lighter. "Absolutely," Coach says. "Thank you so much. It won't be as great as being tight-end. But it's still an honor." Coach chuckles, "Get well soon Kelce." He hangs up. I look at Travis, "Assistant Coach, look at you!" He nods, "Look at me." But his tone isn't happy and joyful like mine. He's pushing the happiness aside. His heart is being overtaken with gloom.

The thought of not being able to play football for months was devastating to Travis. It was his passion, his identity, and now it was being taken away from him. There is an undeniable joy that comes from doing what we love, engaging in activities that nourish our souls, and provide a sense of purpose. For me it's performing on stage in front of thousands of people screaming my name and the words to my songs. And for Travis it's playing football. The excitement of the fans and the challenge of a game had always been excruciating to him. However, life has a way of delivering cruel blows, forcing individuals to confront the harsh reality of not being able to pursue their passions any longer.
The sudden absence of our passion can often leave us feeling a profound emptiness that is hard to fill.

I just hope I can be the guiding force that Travis needs at this time. He is at his lowest. His breaking point. Right now he's in denial. For a few hours he was overly aggressive. And now he believes it but doesn't want to. I'm hoping coaching can help put his mind at ease. He's not the player, but football is still in his life. And who knows, maybe one day he'll coach our son.