Chapter 1: The Big Test
"Babe! Focus!" Gabriella snapped her fingers. We have been studying for hours now...
Tomorrow i'm taking my GED test although I have been studying for weeks now, Gabriella wants me to cram some more. I'm nervous for the test...i've never been a good test taker.
"Ok so if..." she started to ask another question when Charley started crying.
"I'll go get her" she said. She got up and walked out and I checked out her ass as she walked.
Charley is 8 months old. She is standing and crawling and baby talking. She looks exactly like Gabriella. It's crazy.
Noah is about to be 2 in 2 months. He's saying more words and he's stubborn as hell. When he wants something he wants it now! He doesn't care what he has to do to get it. He gets into everything and hides from me! It's crazy!
The puppies are now full grown at 6 months old. They're huge. The girl's name is Dollie and the boy's name is Hugo. The other puppies are living with all they're families. Lady is fully recovered thankfully. Rocky is still the biggest momma's boy out all of them.
"She's back down" she came back in. Hugo lied on the bed with us and snuggled up to Gabriella and Rock crawled into her lap.
"Babe...please can we just stop this..." I begged.
"No Troy...you need to study"
I whined.
It went on and on and on...to the point even the dogs got off the bed!
"Babee! No more!" I said after another hour.
"Fine." she said putting the books down. She got up to put it on the dresser and I walked up behind her.
"You know...your the hottest teacher I ever had" I said in her neck.
"Oh really..." she said turning around. We kissed and I picked her up on the dresser.
The next morning she woke me up just wearing my shirt.
"Test day baby" she said. She looked so beautiful...i love waking up like this.
I woke up to her kisses. I am the luckiest guy in the world being able to wake up to this everyday.
"I'm up..." I said. She giggled.
"I am going to get Noah...you go get Charley?" she said putting her shorts on. I nodded. I got up and put some pants on. Last night was amazing.
I went into Charley's room and she was awake.
"Hey baby girl" I said. She giggled. I love this little girl...aside from Gabriella she brings light to my day. When she smiles and laughs and tries to talk all I can do is smile. She has me wrapped around her finger. I want to protect her from everything. I don't want her to ever feel pain. Anytime I look at her I imagine that little 3 pound baby in the incubator looking up at me.
We went to the kitchen and I put her in her seat.
"I think your mommy is going to feed you baby girl" I said to Charley.
Then Gabriella walked in with Noah.
"Daddy!" Noah said. I smiled. All of us were in the kitchen and eating breakfast. For a quick second I forgot about the test...
Before I went to the test sight we had to drop the kids off at her dad's and then I had to take her to the salon.
"Bye baby good luck" She said kissing my cheek.
"Thanks angel" I said. She smiled. She was still working two jobs. The salon and the diner. I still don't agree with it.
I went to the test. I was sitting there with it in front of me and I froze...
what the hell am I doing? Why am I doing this? Is this me? No this isn't me! I'm not this person! I hate tests...i hate school...i hate this shit! What the hell am I thinking!
I got up and I walked out. I couldn't do it...i know Gabriella will be disappointed in me but I just couldn't do it.
I drove to the salon. She was with a client doing some color. After she was done with them and they were sitting she looked up and saw me sitting in my car. She came out.
"What happened?" she asked.
"I couldn't do it..." I said. She got in the car and hugged me.
"It's ok babe..."
"Your not mad?"
"No..." she sounded confused.
"I thought you would be disappointed..."
"No babe...i want you to do the best for you and not anyone else...do you feel walking out was the best?"
"Yes"
"Then i'm proud of you"
I kissed her and hugged her.
"Why don't you come in for a little bit..." she said.
"No i'm going to go see Danny"
"Ok well don't forget to pick me up in a few hours and take me to the diner"
"Ok" I said.
I drove to the gym and Danny was training.
"Keep on the bag!" he yelled to the kid.
"Hey son" he came up to me.
"Hey"
"Aren't you supposed to be taking a test?"
"I skipped out..."
"Why?"
"It just wasn't me"
"I never taught you to skip on something!"
"I know"
"Well was it worth it?"
"Yea"
I knew he would be dissapointed but he also understands. He didn't look too good though...almost like he was sick.
"You ok man?" I asked.
"Yea..yea"
"Hey can you help with this kid...i need to get something to drink..." he said. I nodded. I went over to the kid he was training.
"Your knees need to be bent at all times!" I told him. As I was talking to him we heard things fall.
I saw Danny laying on the floor and I ran over to him.
"Someone call the ambulance!" I yelled.
Seeing Danny like that I could feel all the blood in my face just drain out...i knew something was wrong...i knew this wasn't going to be good.