the only exception

 "You alright?" Taylor asks, his arm thrown over her hip, hand resting on her stomach as she faces away from him in the bunk. They were back on the road for the After Laughter tour, and while Hayley was happy that she'd be back to performing tomorrow, she couldn't help but to worry about Phoebe.

Hayley shrugged in response, "Just thinking about Phoebe, I hope she's okay."

"I know, baby." He sighs, pressing a kiss to her shoulder, "Have you tried reaching out to her? Seeing how she's doing?"

Hayley shakes her head, "I don't wanna bother her."

"I don't think you will. She seemed comfortable with you, I mean, hell, she didn't even wanna leave." Taylor laughed a little, letting her shift in his arms to face him.

"Yeah," Hayley conceded, giving him a small smile. "Have you thought more about what I asked you?"

She watched his face for anything negative, but all she got in response was a small smile, "I already told you, Hayles. Whatever you want, I just want you to be happy."

"So we're getting our fostering license?" She asks with a grin, earning a nod back from the man.

"If that's what you want." Taylor agreed, giving her a quick kiss on the corner of her mouth.

"I do, I really, really do. Just in case, you know?" Hayley smiles, although a little sad.

"Then we'll start working on it. I read it'd probably take a few months, though." Taylor told her, making her heart swell with love knowing that he was looking into it on his own.

"Well, if all goes well, we'll never have to use it." Hayley tells him, because even if she does want Phoebe around, she hopes and prays with everything in her that the foster family she's with is better than the last.

After giving Taylor another quick kiss, she turns on her back, his arm still over her as she pulls out her phone.

hayley

11:37pm

Hey, Phoebe! It's been a few days. Just wanted to check in and see how you're doing.

A second after the text is sent, she's happy to see 3 little dots popping up on the other side, indicating a text back.

phoebe

11:37pm

its going ok. ended up not getting to go to the new house yet. been in the hospital. broken lung or something and they're worried about complications.

i think im getting released tomorrow tho. nervous to meet the new family.

Hayley sits up at the information, almost hitting her head on the top bunk as Taylor loosens his grip on her. She feels guilty that she hadn't taken Phoebe to the hospital that night. Doesn't help her worry.

"Everything okay?" He asks, but Hayley holds up a finger, signaling for him to wait as she types up a reply.

hayley

11:37pm

Hospital??? But you're okay, right?

"Phoebe has been in the hospital, broken lung." Hayley mumbles to Taylor, frowning at her phone.

"Is she okay?" He asks quickly, in which Hayley just shrugs.

"I don't know. She says she's getting released tomorrow, but.." She sighs, turning back to the screen.