Chapter 3 – Home Stretch

September 21st, 2018

I typed a text out on my iPhone, as Troy was half asleep next to me on the plane. It was a quiet ride as they lost earlier today. The elimination. It took them three extra games in Detroit to do it but the Rex Sox games were going to mean nothing.

None of them were happy, as all they wanted to do was make it to the playoffs and in the four years that Troy has been apart of the club they haven't. They had all of the right tools and players but every year something happened. You lost a pitcher, his bat didn't work as well, and the speed and defense was off. It was always something and this year it all clicked pretty well but they had a couple of bad spurts.

I set my phone down as it had been over a week since our wedding and now Troy and I were counting down until our honeymoon. He had booked it officially the other day when there was no way they were going to make it. We both hoped we would have to cancel it but no luck. I reached across as I grabbed his hand; he shifted as Joel came over to me.

"Do you want to call a game this week?"

I turned as I looked at him, "What?"

He smiled, "Rex has to go home, his boy has that surgery and we were discussing who should replace him and well, do you want too?"

"I'm just an assistant,"

"Yea well assistant who worked and did several segments on ESPN, we know you are talented, we want to see how you work up there."

I laughed, "Are you serious?"

"It's just for the Red Sox series,"

"Yes!" I said with a chill of excitement, "Good, I didn't want too," I laughed as he smiled, "We'll discuss it more later,"

"Okay,"

He walked back to his seat in the plane as I knew with Royals being out of contention they views would drop dramatically. I was okay though; I was getting to do what I have dreamed of doing for so long was call a game. I would be working with Ryan and I already felt so at ease in the booth with them I don't think I could even grow nervous.

Troy shifted as I leaned over and kissed his cheek, he opened his eyes as he looked at me, "You okay?" he asked, his voice tired as he shut his eyes again, "Yea, do you want to go get food after?" I asked, he shrugged, "I don't care,"

I knew he wasn't in any good mood right now, this was the same routine every single year but I rubbed his arm as we were close to landing in Boston. It was one of my favorite cities to go to when we traveled. The hotels we stayed at and the things we got to do. Troy leaned his head against the window, as he was more so disappointed.

He gets the ball tomorrow to pitch; the excitement grew that I would get to call his game, which would be hard. Mostly because I was tense during his game days but tomorrow I would have to figure out how to be an announcer. I had not done any announcing since ESPN but it was natural then, I could only assume it would be natural then.

Once the flight landed, the boys all picked up their stuff, as they were to always get off first. Troy normally stayed in the back of the pack with me but he was in a terrible mood and caught up with Josh, Zach, and Donnie.

They talked as Troy had his hood pulled over his head, I waited for Jay as we walked off the plane together, I held my bags in hand as we were all dressed up as we walked through the airport.

It was late but my stomach was growling. I truly hoped Troy would want to get something to eat, "So I heard,"

"Troy doesn't know yet," I said, "He was sleeping?"

"Yea, he was in a bad mood too so I waited,"

"Congrats though,"

"Thanks," I said with a smile, I caught up with Troy as he looked down with a small smile. "Dinner?" he asked again, I nodded, he slip his palm into mine as we walked to the bus that would transport everything. He kissed me and told me he would see me at the hotel. Team business.

I got into the bus behind that one as I took a seat pulling out my phone to see Alex had called me. I called her back as she answered, "Did you guys land?"

"Mhm,"

"I have been trying to get ahold of Zach but he won't answer,"

"Hasn't two years of him being in the majors taught you after elimination?"

"I know, I know," she huffed, "But I want to make sure he is okay. It came off his glove,"

"Yea, it did," I said quietly, "He'll be fine. I'm hoping Troy will come around, I have some big news to share."

"What? Tell me!"

I grinned, "Watch tomorrows game,"

"Why?"

"I get to do color tomorrow,"

"Ah! Gabs! That is amazing!"

"You can't say anything yet to anybody, I haven't got to tell Troy yet,"

"Oh my god, is this forever?"

"No, this is just a see how you do type of thing. I'm just filling in,"

"Gabs, that is amazing,"

"Thanks,"

"What a month, hell,"

I laughed, "I'll tell Zach to call you and that you are worried,"

"Thanks Doll, celebration when you get back into town!"

"Awesome, Love you Lex!"

"Love you too doll,"

We hung up as we stopped at the hotel as we all got out; Troy was a step ahead of me getting room assignments. It was strange to travel like this with Troy and they liked it because they didn't have to get me my own room. Troy and I always shared going on one bill. I pressed my lips together as Troy was standing on his phone talking to somebody. I went up behind him as he relaxed against my touch.

"I'll call you tomorrow, yea, see ya,"

Troy hung up the phone as I tightened my grip, "Bolton, are we going to get food?"

"Brie and I were going to grab something," I looked up at Zach, "Hey, Alex wants you to call her. She is worried,"

Zach rolled his eyes, "I will later,"

Troy shook his head as the moods were beginning to lighten a little bit. Troy looked at the restaurant in the hotel, "Do you just want to go there?"

"Perfect," I proclaimed, "Can you we go up and drop our stuff off?"

"Yea," we walked to the elevator together, "I have something to share with you over dinner," Troy glanced up as his eyes flickered over mine, "Do you?"

I nodded with a smile, "I do,"

"Wanna share now?"

"No, I'll share over an awesome glass of wine,"

"I kind of like the sound of that," Troy said with a smile, I shook my head as he kissed me softly. We got off the elevator and walked to the door, Troy entered the hotel as I dropped my bags. He took off his suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves. I watched him debate about putting jeans on but he kept his slacks on.

I though took off my skirt and replaced it with a pair of jeans and redid my makeup. Troy leaned against the bed, his head buried in the phone, "What are you doing?" I asked him, "I'm making sure everything is ready for our trip in three weeks,"

I grinned as he smiled, "Just making sure you have the time of your life,"

"That is why you are the best husband ever,"

He chuckled as we went back downstairs, most of the team had crowded the restaurant but somehow we got an area by ourselves. Troy leaned forward as he glanced at his menu for a moment but we both knew what we wanted. We had been here before.

Troy ordered a bottle of wine and then we both ordered our food. The lights were dim as it was late but we were all starving. Our glasses of wine came as I took a simple drink and Troy followed, "Alright, I am literally dying to know,"

I laughed, "What If I just hold you in suspense until after dinner?" Troy's eyes grew, "No way, tell me," he protested, "I want to know!"

"Hmm," I said as I tapped my fingers against the table, "I don't know, I think I should wait," Troy busted out in a big smile, "Gabriella Bolton," we both paused at how that sounded and how he said it, "You are not going to not tell me," I rolled my eyes as I got up and went over to him. I sat down in his lap as he looked at me with curiosity.

I kissed his cheek and I kept my lips close to his ear, "I'm announcing tomorrow's game,"

He let his mouth gap open as he looked at me, "Are you serious?" I nodded my head as he laughed, "Oh my god Brie! That's amazing!"

"It's just for this series since Rex had to be at home with his kid but they asked me to replace him. I mean, the views and everything are going to go down and it's not as important as today's game but I get air time,"

"Oh Brie, you are going to do so well," he said as he hugged me, he then kissed me, "You are so amazing,"

I blushed as he shook his head, "My game too," he mused, I shook my head, "I'm really excited. It's been since ESPN."

"Mmm, it was really sexy watching you on that screen,"

"Stop," I demanded, he chuckled as I returned to my seat and we talked over our glasses of wine. Our dinner came and we both cleared our plates, starved. Once it got late Troy knew it was time for him to head up to bed to get sleep. I knew neither of us wanted to sleep though, once we paid we walked to the elevator. Troy's hand was on the small of my back as we walked. My arm wrapped around his back.

Once we got into the empty elevator, he pressed me back up against the wall. His lips were so warm on mine, his touch made everything appear alive. I pulled him closer to me as he untucked my shirt from my jeans, his fingers unbuttoning. I swatted his hand away as I had to still get to the hotel room. He kissed me harder as the elevator arrived. I prayed nobody would be on the other side.

Once it opened, Troy and I dashed for our room as he inserted the key card. The door popped open as I kicked off my shoes and Troy followed as I dragged him to the bed, he kissed me and let his hands undress me so calmly.

He didn't want to have sex on the bed as we stayed standing; his clothing began to disappear as I felt in a fog sometimes when we had sex, just him and I. There was nothing else between us. He kissed me and loved me, his touch so tender, his lips so soft. He was perfect.

September 22nd, 2018

"Ella, I am so proud of you," my dad's voice sent goosebumps down my back, "I'll be sure to watch tonight,"

"I hope I don't sound horrible,"

"You did that series for ESPN, you did fantastic."

"Dad, you know how they criticize any female,"

"Of course they do but I know how smart you are and how much you know. Hell, I think you know just as much as me."

I smiled as I played with the coffee cup in front of me. Troy was still asleep but I had gotten up, too excited to do anything else. I had made coffee in our hotel as I let my hands feed off the warmth, as it was a chilly September day already.

"You are up awful early for a weekend,"

My dad groaned, "I really wish we had kids closer together, I thought I was done with this school thing and we are only in 2nd grade." I smiled, "I know,"

"Tell Troy good luck tonight, we need to have a dinner when you get home."

"End of the season," I bargained, "After we are done, we will have a dinner with you guys."

"End of the season grind,"

"It was hard on all of them yesterday,"

"They will click soon, you can see it,"

"I sure hope so," I said with a sigh, "I'll talk to you later, I love you El and good luck tonight."

"Thanks Daddy and I love you too," we said goodbyes and then hung up as I took a drink of the coffee as his arms slipped around my waist, I smiled as I leaned back against him. "Why are you not in my bed,"

"I couldn't sleep," I told him, he buried his nose into my hair as he shook his head, "We have so many hours before we have to be anywhere,"

"More hours to lay around," I advised, "Talking to you,"

Troy smiled as he rubbed my stomach with his hand, "I think we need to have a talk about some stuff anyways," Troy said, I pulled away as I looked at him, "And you aren't going to want to talk about it at all but we have time and I want to know your thoughts."

I slowly nodded as he went over to the couch in the hotel room that we were staying in, he pulled my hand into his as he leaned back, "I know this is probably really soon in a marriage but hell, it's been eight years together and I just want to know where you stand,"

"You want to talk about babies," I remarked as a sudden depression inflated through me. "Yea, I know how this subject hurts but we are coming up on the off season and if we need to make doctors appointments or if you want to wait a little bit,"

I let the words sink into my head as I thought about my answer carefully, "I don't think I'm ready to really start trying for a baby yet, I think, I want some time and I want to have our first baby in the off season, I don't want to be thrown into motherhood and you are on the road all the time and we have newborn so I have to cut back on hours, I want to start a year with a baby not have to stop in the middle."

Troy nodded his head, "I understand,"

"So basically, you want a baby from anywhere between October and March,"

"Yea, I mean, if something happens and we do have a baby earlier than that it's not a huge deal but if we are going to talk babies, that's ideal,"

"You are going to make a fantastic mom one day," Troy said, I smiled as I looked down, "I just hope I'll be able to have a baby," Troy sighed softly as he pulled me into his lap, "You will, even your doctor said that if you make it out of the first trimester you'll have a healthy baby,"

"But what if I never make it out?" I asked him, "You will, I know you will because you are meant to be a mom. Your mom had three kids and the same thing happened Brie, we'll have kids. We just have to be patient."

"I'd rather have trouble getting pregnant than keep getting pregnant and keep losing the baby." Troy rubbed my back, "I know,"

"I think we should practice though," Troy said, I laughed, "Just so we can make the perfect baby one day," he said causally, I laughed as I turned around in his lap, he smiled as I shook my head kissing him softly. "Is that how it's done?"

"Mhm," he whispered, he kissed me as we stayed close to each other. "Then what the hell," Troy smirked as he kissed me again, his arms wrapping tightly around me, we fell backwards onto the couch as I only had a t-shirt on. He only had shorts on as we made it quick, a few heavy kisses before he pushed the shirt up my body and his shorts fell to the floor.

He was quick and fast today, I kept right up with him. He moaned quietly into my neck, "Jesus," he whispered, it was nothing special to anybody else but any sex we had was amazing it felt like. I closed my eyes as he rolled next to me His arm draped over my stomach as I let my head roll next to his. He smiled as he kissed my forehead. "I pitch better when we have sex on game days,"

I snorted as he chuckled, "Really?" he nodded with a grin, "I do,"

"You would say anything to have more sex,"

"I think that I propose this day as have sex with Troy until we have to leave,"

I giggled, "In your dreams,"

"What, lots of room service and pillow talk."

I shook my head as I kissed him again, I snuggled close to him as he picked me up and we went back into the bedroom. "How will it work when we have kids?" I asked quietly, I looked up at the ceiling, "With work and stuff, I mean, I don't want to stop working." I claimed, "Your parents will help a lot, I know that," Troy said as he looked at me. "Yea so we half raise a baby,"

"Brie, we are gone for 81 days,"

"81 days I won't be with my baby,"

He sighed, "When we have a baby we can most likely take it on some trips with us, especially when it's older. The Royals like us and we have plenty of wives that come along on the road trips each time and my dad comes to a lot of the games. We would have babysitters. Or you could just work the home games,"

"And then you are gone 81 days,"

"I think we are getting way ahead of ourselves here. Whatever happens will happen and the Royals love you. They aren't going to kick you out because you have a baby. I mean, we do have a no baby rule on the plane and we probably might be able to bend it a little bit as we both work here or we'll figure it out when it's time to figure it out."

I nodded as I smiled, "Do you want a girl or a boy first?"

"Boy, to protect the girl,"

"She'll always have you,"

"Well yea but two is better than one," I smiled, "Man, I just gave you baby fever."

"I have had it every since Becca got pregnant."

"Cody being a dad in March, he going to make a fantastic dad,"

"You are going to be a fantastic dad," I commented, he smiled, "I don't know,"

"I do know, you are awesome with Luke and my siblings when they were younger."

"Yea I guess, I just, I don't know if I'll ever be good at it,"

"You'll do fine," he smiled as I pressed my face into his arm, "I love you Troy,"

"I love you too Brie,"

Troy ended up getting what Troy wanted. A day of sex. It was nice, very honeymooners type vacation. Troy and I ended up taking a shower together in the little shower and then we both began to get ready for separate things.

He got ready for the game, in the zone type things as I finished getting ready for tonight. I pulled on a pair of flats and let my hair lay down natural. Once I was done we both made our way down to the bus getting ready to leave.

"Good luck tonight," Troy said as he kissed me softly, "Kick ass," I replied, he smiled as he hugged me and we both went separate ways on the bus. I climbed on as a bunch of the guys were already on. "Our pitcher ready tonight?" Ryan asked, I laughed, and "I sure hope so,"

"You guys were very quite today," Jay said as I sat down next to him, "I don't know what you are talking about," I replied, he laughed, "Such a typical married couple,"

"Whatever," I remarked, he chuckled, as I hadn't felt nervous until right now. "How you doing? You still up for it tonight?"

"I won't suck will I?" I blurted, Joel laughed, "I sure hope not! We hired you because you had a lot of potential. Ryan will help you out if you need it, you are doing color if you are golden,"

"I know it inside and out, I just hope I don't freeze,"

"You'll be a natural," he smiled as he pulled a paper out, "You'll still proofread this for me right?" I laughed as I took the paper nodding, "I'll forever proofread your papers," he smiled as he always tried to get a perfect paper but I always found something, not once has he made it by. When I made a mark he sighed in a sarcastic matter. I laughed quietly as I handed the paper back.

"You should really work on well and good."

"Damn, okay," I shook my head as he went back to his own seat. Jay laughed, "You are something else."

They put a mike on me as I tapped my foot nervously; they were finishing the pre-game show as they did a once over on me. I smiled as they grinned, "You are going to do fabulous,"

"Thanks," I said, I went over my notes of who was starting, which was easy, what changes have been made from yesterday to today but it was pretty relaxed as many of our guys were still starting but a couple of odd replacements. "You ready?" I grinned as I nodded, "Two years of assisting you and I think this is the best reward ever."

"You are truly the best assistant we have ever had so there's that," I smiled, "I think maybe because you went to school to do this that it helped you. Like you understood everything we were talking about."

"It's been a dream since I realized this is what I wanted to do."

"You are a natural, we thought so during that ESPN series," I smiled and I thanked him as we were getting ready to start. I could spot Troy in the bullpen, as he was getting ready to walk up to the diamond. I smiled as everything was falling into place, even if it was only for a few days.

"You don't care if we talk about your connection to Troy and blah? I mean, we are going to say Gabriella Bolton and it just leads,"

"No! I don't care, I mean, I feel like any Royals fan knows,"

"True, but you would be surprised."

"No, we can talk about me. I'm okay with that,"

"Awesome,"

"Ryan, Gabi, two minutes." I nodded as I took a drink as I sat down in my chair, I adjusted my headset, Mallory, Ellie, Chase, Collin, Becca, Cody, Alex, and Melissa had all sent me a text message wishing me luck after I had told them what was happening tonight. I shoved my phone away as they started the thirty second count down and once they hit two it all went quiet and Ryan smiled.

"Welcome to Fenway Park where Troy Bolton will duel against Matt Chase tonight for a Saturday night September showdown, hi, I'm Ryan Mattson with my new co-host for the night Gabriella Bolton, welcome,"

"Thank you Ryan! I'm so happy to be here tonight!"

"We technically you are here every night," Ryan said, I smiled, "Technically I am, I am happy to be in the booth," I corrected, "Gabi here is our Midwest Sports assistant and has been the past couple of years,"

I smiled as my eyes wondered onto the field; Ryan went in to tonight's matchup as I piped in my two senses as he grinned with approval of everything I said. I wasn't sure if it was for positive reinforcement or if he really liked it.

"Troy Bolton is starting tonight and he has had another hell of a season, nothing will faltering him much. He will most likely log right over two hundred innings for the third season in a row, have a 3.6 ERA most likely."

I went over the starting line-up for Boston and once we were done, the first batter was coming up to the plate. We went over Gordon's stats over the past year as we were rounding up, Gordon got a hit up the middle to start the game.

"Even with the boys being eliminated yesterday they are still out there looking for the win," I said as I surveyed all of them, "I was thinking the same thing, these boys worked out this morning like they were going out for the championships. They are still dedicated even though they know it's over."

"That's why I really love this team together, they work together really hard and they do so much together. They make it work very well together, I think that in a year of two, with these core guys, we will have a championship team that Kansas City has patiently been waiting for."

"Patient they are,"

I smiled as Salvy hit a double up the line; one out had already been recorded. I felt my stomach falter as Gordon was on third, we talked about some more of them being a winning team for the past few years but could never make it to that next step.

Once we had recorded one run, we ended with three outs. They all switched and we went off air, "You did fantastic!" Joel boosted, "God, you are a natural." I smiled as I blushed thanking all of them as I took a drink of my water. Once we were back on air, I looked at Troy. He was bending over handling the hole in the dirt. His fingers brushed it gently, "And on air,"

"Welcome back!" Ryan greeted, "Getting ready to start the bottom of the 1st, Gordon scored on a Moose pop fly. Now, we have Troy Bolton getting ready to make his 30th start for the Royals this season and Gabi you have a very awesome connection to Troy,"

"Well, if they caught my last name is Bolton,"

"But it hasn't always,"

"No! Actually, it's only been Bolton for a week, we got married last Saturday on our off-day,"

"I think you just crushed a lot of girls dreams," I laughed, "Did I?"

"I did attend the wedding and I must say it was very beautiful, congrats,"

"Thank you, thank you,"

"You met in high school right?"

"We did! We started dating our junior year together, got engaged right before my junior year of college and had a four-year engagement! It has been a lot of fun,"

Troy picked up his first strike out as I thought about what he said this morning, how he played better when he had sex on game days, I smirked to myself. "Alright, since we have you in our booth, can you tell us one random thing about Troy that nobody knows?"

"Shoot, I could write a book," I said with a laugh, "My favorite though is his socks can't match,"

"What?" Ryan asked laughing, "Don't they match today?" I shook my head, "Since he wears his pants down, he has on one blue and one black sock."

"Are you serious?"

"Dead, he is a nut and if they have to wear pants up for some reason, he steals someone else's sock? I don't know! He is crazy but I love him so I'll keep him." Ryan laughed, "Well congrats again, I hope everybody is enjoying Gabi as she will be with us for the rest of the week. Rex is out with his family for a couple of a days."

We continued through the inning as Troy got another pop fly out and then a grounder to second. He exited the field as he adjusted his belt, he looked up at the booth and tried to hide my grin and he smiled himself before ducking underneath the dugout.

I smiled as I was really enjoying this.

I got on the bus as I was trying to work through all of the text messages, twitter messages, voicemails, and so much more as they were all excited for me. "Gabi," our boss, Dan, came up to me as he grinned, "You did fabulous tonight! We got a lot of positive feedback of having a female in the booth. A young female. They liked your link with Troy but they want to know how you know so much, do you care if tomorrow on pre-show we can do a segment on you and your dad?"

"Of course," I said, as I knew they were trying to fill in spaces but it was whatever. I had yet to see Troy as I finished in the office and went straight to the bus. I was completely exhausted. Ellie called my cell phone as I grinned, "Hey baby,"

"Hello sexy,"

I laughed as I looked out the window as the buses began to roll, "You did amazing!" she said, "That's what everybody keeps saying,"

"I enjoyed hearing your voice,"

I smiled, "I LOVED IT TOO!" Mallory's voice screeched through, "Make that three!" Alex said, "Four!" Melissa piped, I grinned as I looked out the window, "Thanks guys,"

"We so wish you were in Kansas City! We could party so hard tonight,"

"We will when we get back,"

"Six games after that," Melissa said, I could hear the smile on her face, "I know, I'm ready too. I think some down time will be great."

"Troy played pretty well,"

"Yea, I think he is about done for the season. He is slowing down."

"Mmm, yea, out for the season. Probably shouldn't have him overdo it,"

"Yea, he only has one more start."

We talked for a bit until we pulled into the hotel parking lot. I waited to get off the bus since I was talking on the phone, "I'll see you in a couple of days!" Mallory cheered, "I love you guys, thanks for the support."

"You're welcome baby, see you soon!"

I shook my head, as I loved them. I loved all of them, as we were such a great family together. I got up gathering my bags as I walked out of the bus. I looked around for Troy but I didn't see him anywhere, my stomach sank as I wondered where he was. "Looking for me?" his husky breath ran down my spin as I smiled, "No," I lied, he shook his head as he pulled away and I turned to face him.

He was holding a thing of flowers and I felt a smile burst across my lips, "Congrats baby," he whispered, "I bet you kicked ass," I smiled as I hugged him, "You are the best,"

Troy squeezed me tightly, "You hungry?"

"Not really,"

"Good,"

"Good?" I questioned, "Good, because I want to take you somewhere,"

"Can I change out of my work clothes?" I asked him, he nodded, "Yes, come on,"

We went up to our floor as I looked in my bags, "What should I wear?" I asked, "Sweats, Yoga pants," he offered, "God Bless you," I muttered as I grabbed my Pink sweats with a half zip Royal jacket. I switched my clothes and put on flip-flops as I braided my hair and it lay on my shoulder. I slipped a headband into my hair as Troy put on a pair of shorts with a t-shirt.

"This is my favorite way to see you," I smiled as I had taken my contacts out and went with my glasses. He slipped his hand through mine as we walked down to the bottom of the hotel and we walked the streets of Boston. "Tell me about it," Troy asked, "I don't know what to tell, and it was amazing. Everything about it, it was a perfect game to call and we had fun. It was light and casual. We talked about the end of the seasons and stuff like that," I said with a shrug, "It was all simple."

"Good, I'm glad. I can't wait to hear it for myself,"

I smiled and blushed as Troy came to a local ice cream shop, he opened the door and I walked through. Troy ordered two homemade strawberry ice cream cones. I smiled softly as we each were handed one. Troy and I went back outside as we walked the little area we were in. "How was the mound?"

"Quiet," Troy commented, "I don't know, they shut me down for the rest of the season." He replied with a sigh, "You only had one start left anyways,"

"I know, I know, I just wish we were going to post season, that's all,"

"Soon," I told him, "Everybody always says soon about this program, that should be the official slogan, soon." I took a lick to my ice cream cone, "Patience,"

"How long do I have to be patient for?" Troy's burst of anger surprised me; he had been holding this in for a little bit. "I don't know Troy, until everything clicks." He looked up at the sky, "What if it never clicks?"

"Then it doesn't click, this group of guys won't be together forever Troy,"

"I wish because this is the best group of guys,"

"Everything amazing must come to an end," he tossed his half eaten ice cream as I continued to finish mine, his eyes were set into the distant, "I have been talking to Dan about signing a contract with the Royals this off-season," I looked at Troy, "Really?"

"Yea, I don't really want to go anywhere as much as this team frustrates me. I love it here and I can't ask you to up and move your job. I don't care about the money, we have so much money we have no idea what to do with it."

I nodded as I held his hand, "Troy, you know that I support whatever you do. You have two more years before you even become a free agent though."

"I know, I just, I don't want the contact year coming on us and I have to spend the whole season worrying about it. I would rather take care of it now."

"If that's what you want," Troy smiled as I kissed him softly, "I'll talk to Dan about it more and then we'll see,"

"Okay,"

Troy kissed the top of my head; we were quiet on the way back to the hotel as I looped my arm through his holding on tight.

September 26th, 2018

Troy's POV

The season kept coming closer and closer to the end. Gabi had done the three game series in Boston and was sitting on cloud nine every since. She was having a blast and I couldn't wipe the smile off her face if I even tried.

I sat down on the grass in the middle of Kauffman stadium; I came in early to get in a workout. We only had four games left to play in our schedule. Four games and they didn't mean much of anything. The clubhouse was lighthearted and it was a bunch of boys having fun.

My fingers ran through the grass, as it looked like it could pour at any moment, which didn't look good because tonight we were playing a game that didn't matter. It was us vs. the Twins. It was the final game in our series but neither of us was going to the playoffs, Twins finishing third, us finishing second.

It was difficult knowing how close you could come to something and then fall apart at the very last minute. Gabi had the day off work, not broadcasting the game, so she wasn't even coming to the stadium. She was going to a sleepover at Mallory's apartment tonight with all of the girls. Colin was busy in his final year of PT school and stayed closer to campus giving Mallory a lot of free time.

In that sense, it basically meant a guys night as well. I didn't know how they fit in a sleepover on a Wednesday night but they did and they did it often due to Mallory's work schedule. She worked a lot of weekends and with Gabi's schedule she basically did too.

When they fit them in, they did. I loved knowing that she had an awesome group of friends and I was comfortable with her always being with them. I stretched out as a couple of the ground crew guys were around doing some stuff around the grounds. They pulled out the tarp, "Is it supposed to rain?" I asked, they looked up and they nodded, "Big storm heading straight for us,"

I nodded, "Odds of playing tonight?" I asked, "Slim,"

I sighed, "Thanks," I stood up as I went back into the clubhouse as I looked around; I did want to stay here. I truly did.

Gabi's POV

I tossed my head back in laughter as I looked at Ellie trying to stuff her face with chips. "I hate my life," she said chomping, I laughed harder as she shook her head, "Chase needs to grow a pair of balls and propose to me. It's time. I'm ready! I want to get married and now is the perfect time so we can pull off a June wedding." She clapped her heads together, all of it making sense in her head.

"Wait, you don't want a four year engagement?" Alex asked, "Hey!" I picked up a marshmallow and threw it at her. "It was a compliment!" she fought back, I shook my head, "I have way to many Alex's in my life do you know this?"

"I'm the best female on though," she said with a smirk, "You are the only female one,"

"See? The best!"

I laughed as Mallory sat down next to me, her facial mask very green. I leaned back against the couch as Rebecca sat down with her tiny belly popping out at only four months pregnant. Melissa looked up from painting her nails and she huffed, "When are you guys leaving?" She asked, "I'm leaving in about an hour, I'm pregnant and exhausted."

"Probably about the same time," Alex said, "You trying to get rid of us?"

"No, just wondering when I can bring the good stuff out," she mumbled under her lips, I laughed as Melissa gave me a big smile. Our teachers had to leave so they could get up in the morning and teach their classes. I smiled as I leaned against Ellie, my head lying on her shoulder. "So how is Troy?"

I shrugged, "Okay,"

A pop of thunder boomed in the sky as I looked outside, "Probably wishing it wasn't going to rain, they wont make this game up,"

"Poor guy,"

"Yea, he hates the beginning of off season but I am hoping us going to Bora Bora will help," I said with a smile, "I am so jealous," Becca said with a shake of her head, "I so wish we could go on cool places. I think I am going to shove my husband to the baseball fields and tell him play," we laughed as we all talked more and when they decided it was time to go my phone rang.

I picked it up as it was Troy, "Hey," I said answering it, "Our game was cancelled," I looked out to see it was pouring, "I'm sorry,"

"And you aren't at home," I could hear the pout in his lips, "Go out with the guys!" I said, "But Brie time,"

"But we just had a lot of that," I said with a laugh, "Yea, yea, be good tonight,"

"Night in," I said, Alex put her jacket on as I held up a finger, "Good, I'll see you in the morning."

"Roger that, I love you,"

"I love you too,"

We hung up and I walked over to Alex as I threw my arms around her. "I'll see you on Friday?" I asked, "Maybe," she said, "Depends on if I kill my class or not?" Rebecca laughed as I smiled, "Beers!"

"Yes, I'm in,"

I hugged Rebecca as they both filed out and headed out into the storm. We all lay around after that as we talked, "So how was Boston?" Melissa asked, I sighed, "It was Boston, Troy and I had fun I guess, I don't know,"

"You okay?"

"Troy has me thinking about babies," I muttered, "Oh shit, somebody get her a beer, vodka, something," I cracked a smile, "Does he already want a kid?"

"No, not exactly. We were just talking about when we want a kid and I have chalked it up we can try from end of January to the end of April,"

"Jesus, you thought about it,"

"I'm not getting any younger," I remarked, "Plus with my rate of miscarriages," I muttered, "Yup, drinks," Mallory said standing up, she went into the kitchen area of her apartment as I sighed, "It's just been a heavy thought on my brain."

"Well don't stress about it because it's not going to help,"

"Yea, I'm not going to worry about it for a while, I just think we both want kids and we want to be younger."

"I hear you on that,"

I smiled as we went into another topic as I asked Melissa if we could work out together later next week so I could be in tiptop shape for Bora Bora. "Hell yea girl, about time somebody comes and joins me."

"I can not keep up with you," Mallory said, "I'm on my feet all day and there is nothing I can do to keep up with you."

Melissa laughed as Ellie shook her head, "Mal, you can't keep up with anybody."

She shrugged her shoulders as she picked up a chip and ate it. "I'm tired guys," I said as I laid my head down, another rolling boom shook the apartment floor. "I know, what's wrong with us. Are we getting old?"

We laughed and we all agreed we began to get ready for bed. I brushed my teeth and I crawled onto Mallory's bed. Mallory joined me; Melissa scooted close to me as Ellie right on the end. We barely fit in the big bed but we did it. I cuddled with Mallory as we turned out the lights. We talked for a while longer as each of us slowly fell asleep. This was why I loved these girls.

September 27th, 2018

I ran my hands through my crazy hair as I opened the apartment door. I dropped my keys on to the nearby stand. My purse collided with the floor, as I was exhausted and ready to sleep for days.

I had to start getting ready for work though. I had to be there early because none of the plans were ready to go as I had slacked on my assistant duties, too busy doing a glamour job.

A long yawn slipped through my lips as I walked into the bedroom as Troy was still sleeping. Skip was curled up next to him as I smiled, I walked over and I crawled onto the bed and straddled his body. I gently sat down as I began to rub his back.

My hands moving down each vertebra, my hands pushing a little deeper as he didn't move for a bit as I kept massaging his back. "I always though Kenny gave great massages and then you give me a massage," he said quietly, his face buried into a pillow.

"You also probably want to have sex now,"

"Mmmmm…. how nice does that sound?" he asked, I kissed the back of his neck, "Sorry buddy, massage or sex," he smiled as he opened his eyes, "Hi," I smiled, "Hi," he leaned forward to kiss me, "I think we can handle both though," he said with a smile, "No luck, I have to get ready to go to work. I have things I need to do,"

"Brie," he said with a pout, "You are so horny,"

He smirked with a raised eyebrow, "Is that bad?"

"Sometimes," he snaked his arms around my torso as he pulled me in closer, his warm breath hot against my face, "I missed you,"

"I missed you too," he kissed me again as I lay down on his chest as we lay like this for a while, I shut my eyes as exhaustion rolled over my body. "Maybe a small nap," Troy laughed as he rubbed my back with his hand, "I thought you had to work,"

"I do,"

"I can't wait to spend the whole winter like this," he said into my ear, "Me too," I said quietly, "Me too,"

Happy Sunday! I hope you guys have a fabulous week ahead! Till next week! Xx

Please Review!