home again

Layla withdrew a sharp breath at the announcement the plane will be touching down to their destination. She peeked out the window to the place where she used to call home. One minute she was out with a friend and the next catching the earliest flight to Chicago after receiving a call from April.

She can recall her best friend's uneasy tone indicating something wrong has happened. When she mentioned an unfortunate event at the hospital such as a grenade explosion, leading to an instant lockdown due a to a possible airborne disease. Layla was quick to bombard questions of the nurse's safety and health. She already planned to hop on a plane to comfort her best friend.

April assured the disease threat turned out to be harmless although the day had been tough attending to the wounded and terrifying in the aftermath of the explosion. However, there was more she felt to entail her best friend about that chaotic day.

More would've been affected terribly unless a firefighter hadn't taken initiative to shove the bomber to the side. The firefighter turned out to be Kelly who earned bloody wounds from the shrapnel and became unconscious.

Her heart dropped.

Many thoughts ran through her mind amid packing a suitcase back at her apartment. She kept herself levelheaded by prioritizing to get to Chicago before dwelling on anything else.

As soon as she landed, Layla went straight to Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. She dragged her luggage inside the hospital, feeling her chest tightening and stomach churning. Her eyes switched between her phone and the lobby frantically.

"Layla!"

No second went by when the two friends engulfed one another tightly. They relaxed in each other's arms savoring this moment. Once pulling away, April gripped onto her hand before taking her down the hallway.

They approached a dim lit hospital room. April squeezed Layla's hand when they reached the open doorway. She stood complete still once her eyes locked onto the unconscious man lying in bed.

Eight years.

She couldn't grasp the emotions at the mere sight of the first man she ever loved. Other than a rush of memories flooded in her head.

"Do you want me to—" The curly haired woman began, reeling her best friend out of her trance.

"I'll be fine." Layla insisted. "You should check on your patients if you need to. I won't be staying here that long anyways." She reverted to the room, giving April the cue to make her rounds.

Nodding along, she gave one more squeeze. "I'll come back to take my break." She stalked away not before capturing a glimpse of her best friend's eyes never leaving the bed.

Furthering inside the room, Layla's heart started to race. She left her luggage and purse against the wall before approaching the bedside. She pulled up a chair and sunk into her seat.

An exhale of relief finally left her body after running around. She continued to stare, basking in the familiar features she grown to adore in the past. Scenarios used to run in her head if she would ever cross paths with him. She wondered how their lives ended up apart like the romance movies between high school or college sweethearts who didn't make it. More importantly, those films were much easier in comparison to reality.

As for her and Kelly, that would only matter if anything were to happen.

She noticed the visible cuts and bruises on his face to which she recounted the first time he got injured on the job.

The front door to a Chicago apartment unlocked, revealing the tiresome dancer strolling inside. She shut the door behind before removing her feet from the pair of black ankle boots. Keys were hung on the hook and a black duffel bag dropped against the wall. She called out her fiancé's while heading into the kitchen to place her empty bottle in the sink after setting her purse down. Once, hearing his faint response from the master bedroom her feet padded towards there.

She expected to find him in their living room relaxing after his shift at the firehouse though presumed the comfort of their bedroom was better for tonight. When she emerged into the doorway, she didn't pictured Kelly with a bandage on his forehead along with visible scratches and bruises down his arms.

"You're hurt. What happened? Why didn't you call or text me?" She rushed to his side and began analyzing his face.

He chuckled lightly, grasping onto her hand that cupped his face. "Layla, I'm fine. A minor concussion and some bruises that's all. Besides, I didn't want to distract you from rehearsals for your showcase."

"Doesn't excuse that I should be in the dark when it comes to your health, Kelly." She argued as a concerned expression washed over her face. "Besides, you aren't the only one who signed up for this life—your future wife did too." She emphasized.

"I know." The pad of his thumb caressed her cheekbone while his free hand grasping onto his fiancé's. He knew the second she saw him that she'll become worrisome. Even at the slightest scratch or bruise on him. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm not working next shift."

"You hate that, huh?" She hid a smile, bringing their hands to kiss his knuckles. "Hopefully, you won't dislike that your future wife will nurse you to health."

Kelly licked his lips, "Now, that is a hard pass." He went to brush the front strands of her hair behind her ear. "Mrs. Kelly Severide..."

Layla rose from her seat, she lingered on Kelly asleep in bed once more. Her hand felt driven to reach for his until whisking away the last second when his body stirred. She pivoted to the exit with the rest of her belongings.

"Wish I could say it's good to finally see you back at home base under better circumstances." April spoke as they sat in the cafeteria. "Didn't think you would show up though hoped." She truthfully remarked before picking up a French fry.

"I wouldn't be a good best friend to not check in after a life-threatening event. Especially for the number of times you've been there for me." Layla graced a faint smile, tossing her food with her fork. "Thank you...for telling me about Kelly." Her eyes refrained from her best friend's gaze.

"Honestly, I was conflicted to tell you but knowing you—you care for him like you would with anyone in your past, present, or future. How did it feel...to see him again?"

Layla pursed her lips together, "Unreal. I never thought nor planned to see him again." She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket to prevent from continuing. "I should go see my mom. She's ecstatic to know her daughter is home for the first time in years."

April hummed, pointing her finger while watching her best friend get up. "Don't think you're missing out on dinner and game night with my parents now that you're here."

The wheels of the luggage rolled onto the walkway to Layla's childhood home in which she hasn't stepped inside for the last eight years. Memories withhold between the mother and daughter since the day Catherine shown her daughter that it will be their forever home. For most of Layla's life it had been herself and her mother. Her father died before earning the chance to have knowledge nor meet his daughter. In spite all the hardships that have come in Catherine's way, she thrived and assured to be the best mother for Layla. Something that rubbed off on her daughter.

Layla stood on the porch and knocked on the door. Incoming footsteps were heard on the other side of the door before bursting open.

Catherine's face softened and enveloped into a bright smile. She took no time to pull her daughter into her arms. "Oh sweetheart, it's so good to see you back home." They spent holidays and small reunions outside of Chicago, so for the woman to have her daughter in their home environment felt whole.

"Nathan is out buying food." She mentioned her husband who became a father figure to Layla during her teenage years. "I already set up the guest room—your old bedroom." Her eyes focused on her daughter scanning the living area.

"You didn't lie when you said you had the urgency to change it up. A lot has changed." Layla mused, furthering into the room. She skimmed past childhood photos on display from her first recital with her mother to fragile knickknacks and art pieces hung in the family home. The room where she stretched before practicing the dance techniques appeared to be different than she could remember.

Her mother lightly scoffed, "Nathan says it was how I was coping with empty nest syndrome."

"But I was out on my own in New York."

"You were still here and visiting, that's different. More to the fact, you haven't been back in years." She retorted with a teasing look. "But let's celebrate your homecoming. I'm so happy to have you home. We can even go to the dance studio. You could teach a class or two like old times." You could say the older woman was overly excited about her daughter's surprise visit.

Layla let out a small giggle, spinning around to face her mother. "Let's not get too ahead of ourselves. I must get back home in a couple of days." She reminded though entertained by the idea of seeing some old faces at her second home growing up. "I would like to see the dance studio and if your office has changed as well."

They were both in the kitchen where Catherine begun making tea for them.

"By the way, your grandparents are joining us for dinner. They're eager to see you." She informed.

The young raven-haired woman knitted her brows in amusement. "That's not going to be awkward, will it?"

As perfect her relationship had been, her mother and grandfather were different. The two were civil at most although telling of tension between them. Layla noticed the passive aggressive tone that would occur between the latter from time to time. No doubt there would be explosive arguments, but Catherine wouldn't let it overshadow her daughter's relationship with her grandparents.

Questions would arise from the young woman about the tension. She tried to ask her mother, yet it would be brushed off. Perhaps, it would be best to be in the dark than finding out the truth.

"Layla, your grandfather and I are fine. Always been."

Not convinced, she muttered into her cup of tea. "Grandma, Nathan, and I would disagree."

"You're really doing this, huh?"

Layla surveyed April's apartment crowded with moving essentials and suitcases. When her best friend proclaimed to have her "carpe diem" moment by traveling around the world. She offered to assist in packing up the apartment and moving to storage. At first, she was taken back by the news, but she understood when April explained. An event such as the one the ER nurse experienced can put a perspective in things. While in preparation for this trip, Layla pointed out potential destinations to check out when she previously gone on a few international tours.

April glanced up from the counter, exhaling a sigh of relief. "I really am. This isn't crazy, right?"

"Oh, far from it. You should be able to live out your carpe diem moment."

She went to pick up the ticket, "Considering all the studying and hard work through the nursing program to get you here with this career. You deserve it. There's so much to see out in the world while Chicago will remain here when you come back."

Both women shared soft smiles until a ripple of knocks alarmed them.

"I'm going to start in your room while you get that." Layla strutted towards the master bedroom not without snatching a box and bubble wrap on the way.

Layla began tucking fragile items into pieces of bubble wrap then placing inside the box. She came across a collection of framed photos to which April displayed on top of her dresser. The corners of her mouth tugged into a soft smile at the collection of her best friend's beloved memories. Specifically, a picture that reflected the early days of their friendship in middle school to their high school graduation. Another shown their first adventure taken in New York. She remembered the crazy nights in the city. Somehow the duo would end up at their favorite diner on the way home from a party or club with friends.

She was brought out of her trance by a familiar voice coming from the living room.

"Did you quit the hospital?"

Layla slowly moved to the door and crept in the hallway to see it for herself. Her gut had been right. Standing in the middle of the room was Kelly.

"I tried to, but they gave me paid leave instead." April paused. "It was a real wake up call, Kelly. I'm taking a break. I'm going to go see all of the things I'm missing out on."

Kelly raised a brow, "All of them?"

"Yeah, all of them. Because at any moment a psycho with a grenade can come along and ruin your whole day." She deadpanned before walking to grab her ticket. "So, I bought myself around the world plane ticket. Gonna start flying east taking destination as I go. Whatever I feel like going." She shared with the firefighter reading it.

Quite in shock, his mouth parted open. "That, uh, sounds amazing." He briefly glanced at the ticket then back to his friend. "Let me take you out before you go." He insisted.

April frowned, "I don't have a lot of time."

"Come on, we just reconnected. Now you're gonna leave?" Kelly was visibly sad about his friend's abrupt departure.

"There are some loose ends that I must tie up. Packing, putting my stuff in storage, and saying goodbye to a few people." She told, peering over at her best friend listening down the hallway.

"We can get together when I get back."

He nodded in agreement, "Alright, take care of yourself." The two old friends embraced for this bittersweet goodbye. He stepped back to make his exit yet pivoted. "I've been meaning to ask...how is she? Layla?"

The woman mentioned had her back against the wall, gnawing her bottom lip and fiddling with one of her rings.

"She's doing well."

"Is she happy?"

"She's happy, Kelly."

-Don't worry we'll see Layla and Kelly interacting soon! Just little crumbs of her backstory and more to come! Hope you like it! Tell me what you think! Don't forget to vote and comment! Stay tuned!-

WRITTEN: 5/25/22

PUBLISHED: 5/25/22