Return to Silver Creek: Taylor's Chance

April’s house was bustling with activity as she led Logan to the kitchen for a bite to eat. Meanwhile, Chance was left to care for Taylor. He instructed Tucker to fill the bathtub with cool water, then proceeded to undress Taylor down to her underwear, leaving his own clothes on despite knowing he’d be joining her in the tub.

He was grateful for the spacious tubs that Tucker and April had in their bathrooms. Holding Taylor securely in his arms, he stepped into the tub. As he lowered her into the water, she whimpered and arched her back, which he interpreted as a reaction to the cold.

“No. I’m sorry,” she mumbled, squirming in his hold.

“You’re okay, Taylor. We’re just trying to bring your fever down,” Chance reassured her, trying to soothe her fears.

“I’ll be good. Please don’t hold me under. I’m sorry,” she whimpered, continuing to struggle.

The words hit Chance like a punch to the gut. Hold her under? Who the hell would do such a thing? Her pleas tugged at his heartstrings, and he wished he could pull her out of the water, but he knew he couldn’t just yet.

“You’re safe with me, Taylor. I won’t let you slip under, but we need to stay in the water a bit longer,” he comforted her, using his hand to wet her hair. “I’m here to help you.”

Time seemed to crawl as Taylor continued to whimper and try to climb out of the tub. Chance did his best to soothe her until her temperature dropped to a safer level. He then began to contemplate the safest way to get her out of the tub.

She was still unconscious and could easily slip under in the large tub if he stood up first. Despite his confidence in his strength, he realized he had made a mistake by not removing his socks. The porcelain tub was slippery, and he didn’t want to risk them both ending up in the hospital.

“Yeah?” Chance responded to a soft knock on the door, still pondering his predicament.

“Need a hand?” a man’s voice asked casually.

Hearing Jesse’s voice was both surprising and relieving for Chance. His older brother had more medical experience and had always been someone Chance looked up to. Their bond had only strengthened after his accident, when he and Noah had found common ground.

“Actually, yeah, I do,” Chance admitted.

Jesse chuckled as he pushed the door open. His ability to remain calm and cheerful even in stressful situations never ceased to amaze Chance. It was the perfect temperament for his profession as a doctor.

“Okay,” Jesse said, feeling Taylor’s forehead. “She’s cooled off for now. Let’s get you two out of there and get her into bed. Hopefully, she’ll wake up enough to drink something within the hour. If not, we’ll have to give her fluids intravenously.”

Chance simply nodded, trying to hand Taylor over to Jesse. She whimpered and began to struggle again, but as soon as Jesse lifted her out of the water, she stilled. She clung to his shirt, burying her face in his chest.

“Em would be thrilled.” Chance grinned.

“Ha ha.” Jesse rolled his eyes. “Get out and strip, little bro. April left some of Tucker’s clothes on the bed. I’ll need help getting Taylor changed when you’re done.”

Chance hesitated as he drained the water and stood in the tub. He didn’t want to make a mess, but he also didn’t want to risk Taylor waking up to find him mostly naked. Deciding it couldn’t be helped, he quickly stripped off his jeans and T-shirt.

Jesse followed Chance into the bedroom. Chance hurriedly put on the sweatpants as Jesse gently laid Taylor on the bed. He held her upright while Chance pulled a large shirt over her head, then unfastened her bra and removed the soaked garment.

“Those are healing nicely,” Jesse commented, brushing the scars across Chance’s left rib cage.

“I told you they were,” Chance retorted, pursing his lips before pulling on the dry shirt that had been set out for him.

“I know, but you never let me check after the accident,” Jesse pointed out.

Chance shrugged, then scooped Taylor back up. “Pull the blanket back.”

Jesse complied without further comment. Chance tucked Taylor into the bed, pulling the blankets around her to cover her long, thin, muscular legs. Pushing thoughts of her aside, he turned to face his brother.

“Ava?” Chance asked, a note of panic in his voice despite knowing that April would have called someone if necessary.

“I got her. She’s in the kitchen, trying to make friends with the little boy,” Jesse reassured him with a smile.

“Thanks, man,” Chance sighed, running a hand over his face.

Jesse studied his brother’s exhausted expression for a moment. “How are you two doing?”

“Great,” Chance replied too quickly, shrugging stiffly.

Jesse raised an eyebrow as he held the door open for Chance to pass through. Chance took a few steps down the hall, then paused with a sigh. Of everyone in his family, Jesse was the one who could understand what it was like to suddenly become a parent. Maybe he would have some advice.

As Chance turned around, he saw Jesse still waiting, leaning against the door frame. His gaze was knowing but not judgmental. He waited patiently as Chance approached him and leaned against the opposite wall.

“I’m trying, I really am,” Chance sighed, meeting Jesse’s gaze.

“I know you are.” Jesse nodded. “Parenting is no joke. It’s hard, and your circumstances make it even harder.”

“She keeps crying over the smallest things. This morning, I put too much milk in her cereal, and she had a meltdown,” Chance sighed. “I don’t understand.”

“When a child has a single parent, they get used to things being done a certain way. It’s probably more about missing her mom than the milk,” Jesse explained gently. “She’s young and still grieving.”

“That makes sense. I hadn’t thought of it that way,” Chance admitted. “I can’t believe she was in the car. It scares me to think about it, even though it’s in the past. She could have died too, and I never would have met her.”

“Don’t think like that. She didn’t die, and now you have full custody and responsibility for her,” Jesse said firmly, then softened his tone. “How is she handling her aunt dropping her off?”

“She always asks if I’m coming back when I drop her off at work. I guess her aunt told her she’d be right back before walking away. Ava’s terrified I’m going to do the same,” Chance growled, running his hand over his face.

“Yeah, Chase still acts like that sometimes. Consistency and honesty will help with that over time. She’ll get better. You’ve only had her for ten weeks.”

Chance nodded, then turned back to face Jesse. “By the way, Em has been a lifesaver. The day care was too much for Ava. According to Beth, she would spend hours curled up in a corner, crying and shaking. She seems okay with a few kids, but too many stress her out.”

Jesse laughed. “Em wouldn’t have it any other way. Even though she’s eight months pregnant, she’s happiest when she’s surrounded by kids. Avrily, Addy, and Chloe have become pretty close too. I think that friendship will benefit all of the girls.”

Chance nodded in agreement. With a sigh, he leaned his head back against the wall. His life felt like some cruel joke.

His siblings had partners and families who loved them, while Chance had survived an attempted murder, battled depression and alcoholism, and now had custody of a daughter he knew nothing about. He wondered what he should brace himself for next.

Jesse reached out, patting his shoulder. “You’ll both get through this, Chance.”

“Yeah,” Chance sighed, but he wasn’t as confident as his brother seemed to be.