Chapter 3 –4 Years of Logan

Friday, October 27th, 2023

"Really?" I nodded as I looked at Ellie, "Yup. They are having a paternity test next week." I told him, "They actually talked for four hours two weeks ago and I thought it was a many break through. They both cried at some point and it was insane."

"How is Josh now?"

"Well he hasn't been drinking as much and he has been playing with Logan. I think it is finally getting better."

"I'm glad." Biting down on my lip I glanced at Logan who was munching on her chicken strips. Emerson was sleeping next to Ellie. "Can you believe she is going to be four?" Logan looked up at me with a smile and I smiled back at her. "No, I actually can't. Time is flying. I can't believe Emerson is two," she stroked her hand through her hair and I pushed the rest of my food away. "I remember like it was yesterday finding out I was pregnant with her."

"I remember you not telling anybody for eleven weeks," I smirked, "What didn't you tell mommy?" I glanced at Logan, "It's nothing sweet girl,"

"Can I have a baseball party and invite Uncle Sal?" I smiled, "I don't know sweetie, Uncle Sal is far away,"

"But if I have a baseball party he will come."

Ellie glanced at me, "Your husband has corrupted her."

"I have blame as well, I mean, I work in the field."

Emerson began to get up and Ellie groaned, "I guess that means it is time for me to leave. She isn't going to want to be here any longer."

"Momma, can we go?"

"Yes, sweetie," I boxed up the rest of her food and I stood up. My heels squeezed my foot as I got Logan out of the high chair she was sitting in. She got down, "Mommy, you are pretty." Ellie smiled, "I can not wait for that."

"It makes you feel a little bit better about those stretch marks." I winked at Ellie and she smiled, "Let me know if you need any help with Logan's party."

"I will. Thank you,"

"Any family dinners soon?" I nodded, "I think next week."

"Yum, I vote pizza and salad again."

"We have got to stop eating pizza."

"Blah, blah, you boring person."

"I want my daughter to be healthy."

"She just ate chicken strips…"

"And?"

"Pizza vs. Chicken strips?"

I grabbed Logan's hand and began to walk out of the restaurant with Logan. "She only gets chicken strips every now and then as well." Ellie rolled her eyes while we went out into the KC traffic. I gripped Logan's hand tighter and she whined, "Logan,"

"Momma," she whined, "Do you want to go see Daddy at Swings?"

"Yes! Will the boys be there?"

"No, they are at school silly, just like you should be."

"Then why didn't I go to school?"

"Because of your doctors appointment," I said, "What?"

"Nothing," Ellie laughed, "You have a fun day!" I nodded as we walked into the parking garage. I loaded Logan into her car seat and she kicked the back of the chair. "Logan, you don't do that."

"But…"

"No."

I shut the door and I got into the car. "Why is Daddy at Swings?"

"He is working with Lance and Gary."

"Oh! Will they come to my baseball party?" I laughed and I shrugged, "Maybe." She went quiet after that and she kicked on the chair again. "Logi," she stopped, "Sorry,"

"It's okay baby," Stopping at a traffic light I turned up the music and Logan began to mumble along with the words. She giggled and I looked at her in the backseat. Her little face so precious and that smile made my heart melt any time she would flash it, which was often. It made every hard part with her easier by the little things she did that made my whole world easier.

Pressing my foot to the gas we lurched forward and Logan uttered my name again, "Momma,"

"Yes?"

"Are we almost to Swings?"

"Yes, we will be there in two minutes."

"Why are we going?"

"To pick up Daddy,"

"For what,"

"Nothing."

"For something."

I laughed, "Logan, you'll figure it out soon enough."

Pulling into Swings the parking lot was dead but Troy was really in a meeting. I slipped the car into park and I looked back at Logan who was battling sleep. My eyes flickered over to the clock to see it was a little past 2 in the afternoon. It was about her naptime right now so she wasn't going to be a spitfire with Lance and Gary. That was such a disappointment because that was always quality entertainment for me.

Getting out of the car, I opened her car door and started to unbuckle her seatbelt. I picked her up and she buried her head into my shoulder. Locking my car I walked into the front door as I glanced around to see a couple of older guys standing around in the cages for it to be Zach and Josh.

I waved, "Is Troy back here?" Zach nodded, "Princess tired?"

She lifted her head, "Uncle Zach!"

"Hi Logan," she smiled and waved, "How is Hanson?" I asked him he gave a thumb up. "He is good! Teething but good!"

"I don't miss that," I said back, he smiled as I walked back into the office. I heard Troy's laugh and I set Logan down as she went running in before me. "There is my sweet girl," I smiled as I heard him pick her up. She giggled and I walked in afterwards, he looked up at me.

"What are you doing here?" I frowned, "Not happy to see me?"

"Well…of course I'm happy to see you but I'm just wondering,"

"Logan's doctors appointment?" I said looking at him, Troy frowned, and "I told you I wasn't going." I crossed my arms looking at him, "What are you talking about? You told me this morning that you were going," Lance and Gary both glanced at each other as Troy leaned back with Logan in his lap. "I don't know why I need to go,"

"Because she likes it when you go,"

Troy glanced at Logan and then at me, "I am busy with Lance and Gary."

"Busy? What talking about your new shirts? You can't go to the doctor with your daughter because you are sitting around here talking shirt designs?" Troy looked at me, "You are being unreasonable,"

"So when she cries when the 'S' word comes out and you aren't there and she wants you want and I supposed to say?"

"Logan, come on, let's go bug Uncle Zach." Lance took Logan with him and I laughed, "You are unbelievable Troy,"

"She isn't supposed to get any of those today,"

"Yes she is maybe if you listened you would know." I got up from the other side of the room, "Thanks for saying hello to me by the way," Running my fingers through my hair I turned around to leave. "Gabi,"

"Nope, I am leaving. I don't really care any longer."

"Gabi you are being stupid,"

"I'm being stupid? You are the one yelling at me for not going to some lame doctors appointment."

"Whatever, I'm leaving. I'll see you later."

Walking out of the office I shook my head and I glanced at Logan who was playing with Zach and Josh. "Logi, come on baby girl. It is time to go."

She hugged each of the men good-bye and came running over to me, "Come on baby girl, let's go."

I sent a final glare to Troy and he looked at me with a turned head, a frown placed upon his face, and I shrugged my shoulders as I walked out of Swings with my head held high.

Troy's POV

I watched a pissed off Gabi walk out of Swings and four men stare at me in return. I looked at each of them, "What?"

"Do you not realize what you just did or?" Lance said, Zach looked at me with a laugh, "Alex would have my head,"

"Gabi just beheaded him really in her brain, you know she isn't done yet." Josh mumbled, "And I will get to hear all of it." I rolled my eyes, "I don't understand why I need to go to her physical. It is the same every year. She is healthy."

"What if she isn't the one time you don't go?" Gary asked I looked at him, "That is absurd, Logan is fine."

"How do you know? What if she has cancer?" Josh mentioned Zach and I both looked at him like he was a fucking idiot. "Really?" Zach wacked him in the head and I felt my stomach tighten.

"Jesus Christ," I went back into the office and I grabbed my jacket, "I hate all of you and now Gabi is going to yell at me for the rest of the day."

"You are the one who made the wrong choice to begin with." Lance said as I put on my jacket, "Lance, I don't need a lecture from you and from my wife."

"Are you and Gabi okay? You guys seem to be arguing a lot more." Zach said touching his bat to his cleats. I smiled, "We're fine. Just a rough patch Y'know? Baby stuff and Logan getting older."

"Trust me, they still have sex! That is not the issue."

"Don't make me kick you out."

"My wife is still too tired to have sex and teach so that is always fun."

"How does Hanson like having dad home all the time?"

"He loves it. We sleep in until noon,"

"Where is he now?"

"With her parents for the afternoon. They miss him."

"Poor thing,"

"Logan constantly asks to go to Gabi's parents house but never mine,"

"Troy…her dad is a superstar. Why wouldn't she?"

"She doesn't even know that!"

"It's the vibe," I pulled my car keys out and I waved, "I have to go before my child is diagnosed with cancer," I glared at Josh and he frowned, "I didn't actually mean it."

"Something you don't joke about man, never."

"Fine, I won't joke about it."

"Good. Never joke about it or Zach and I will kill you."

Running out the door, I got into my car as I thought about Gabi and I. We did fight over little shit right now but it was just how we are sometimes and she is under a lot of stress. I was doing a lot of different things with life. I was trying to add another pitch to my game to keep the hitters on top of the toes and I just didn't see it but I guess if something happened then I would be there for both of them.

Gabi's POV

Pulling into the doctors office Logan quickly started throwing a fit. "No, mama," she began to whine and I sighed. She hated the doctor's office and I couldn't blame her. The yearly physicals were torture on her and normally it took two of us to calm her down and I guess Troy just doesn't care.

Getting out of the car Logan was already crying and I eased her out of the car seat. "I know, I'm sorry sweet girl," I kissed her temple and she wrapped her arms around me. "I want daddy,"

"I'm right here," I turned around and Troy was standing there, his hat turned backwards and his jacket zipped tight. I eyed him and he gave me a smile, I frowned and he did a little laughter, a nervous laughter. Logan reached for Troy and I glared at him.

"Gabs,"

"Troy?"

"Stop being mad at me please, I realized my mistake and I fixed it. I'm sorry,"

"What did the guys make you come so you could go out with them tonight because you know it is always up to me."

"Gabi, what the hell is your deal,"

"Daddy! Swear jar," Troy rolled his eyes as he adjusted her, I opened the doctor's office door and Troy walked in first and I followed. I signed her in and sat down in the waiting room. Troy massaged his temple as Logan grabbed his shirt. "What is wrong? You have been in a bad mood since I have seen you this morning."

"I don't know, my husband disappeared from my bed at the crack of dawn and then I hunt him down at Swings to find out he isn't doing something that I want him to do. The one thing that I want you to do. I never care when you go out with your friends and do things with the boys but the one thing," Troy leaned his head back, "Okay,"

"Okay? That's all I get?"

"Can we talk about this at home please?" I just turned around and Logan tugged on my shirt. "Momma," I turned to look at her, "What sweetie?"

"I love you," I smiled, "I love you too." I leaned over to kiss her, "I love you as well," Troy whispered into my ear, I looked at him and he turned his head, I sighed and I rubbed his knee. "We aren't done talking about this but I love you too."

Troy exhaled and I kissed his cheek, they called our names and Logan gripped onto Troy's shirt tighter and she turned away, "No momma," I stroked her hair as I walked to where she could see me. "We aren't going anywhere sweet girl. Daddy and I are right here." I grabbed her hand and she gripped Troy's shirt tighter.

Getting back to the house, I dropped my keys in to the bowl by the door and I walked into the house. Troy was right behind me with a sleeping Logan after a screaming fit at the doctor's office over two shots she had to receive.

He took her upstairs and I went into the kitchen and I got a water bottle out as I lowered my head down onto the counter. I heard Troy enter the kitchen moments later and I looked up. "Are you alright?" he asked, I shrugged my shoulders, "I'm okay."

He looked at me a little closer than he did last time, "You know, it is very unlike you to yell at me in public places." I did lose my shit earlier today. I don't know what was wrong with me. "I'm sorry,"

He came over and started to massage my shoulders and I gave in as I lowered my head to let him. He rubbed them and didn't talk or say anything. "I was wrong. I don't know why I thought I shouldn't go because the shots part is a two-man job. I know this."

"I'm just so stressed about adding this new pitch into my routine and it isn't going well." His fingers pressed down into my shoulders and I gripped the counter because it felt so good.

"Logan's birthday is next week. She wants Uncle Sal to come," I said lifting my head, Troy smiled, "She loves him."

"She really does."

"Today when she was screaming, all I could think about was her teething."

"Oh sweet Jesus," I mumbled, Troy laughed and he slid onto the counter. He pulled me in between his legs and he kissed my forehead. "Don't miss those times?"

"No, no I don't," I said with a laugh.

Flashback

Logan is 8 months old

I rocked Logan gently but she screamed bloody murder as she twisted in my arms. This was a nightly routine of late and the nights before Troy pitched she was all mine. Troy appeared in the doorway, as we were both exhausted. The grind of July was pushing us to the brick and I couldn't wait for the All-Star break next week when we got to sleep in past nine.

"I feel horrible for her," Troy said, Logan screamed again and I just held her close as her teeth were starting to poke through and she was in pain. "Did she eat?"

"No," I told him, he came in and he reached for her. I gave her up and Troy held her close. "I'm so sorry sweet girl, I know,"

Troy kissed on her and this broke his heart. He hated seeing her in pain and I hated seeing her in pain. It was miserable to watch and I wish we didn't have too. I wish that we didn't have to do this with her and that it was painless.

She screamed and tried to break free of Troy's grasp. Troy bent over he sat her down on the ground and she just screamed. Troy and I glanced at each other and we were both at loss for what to do. "I'll go get the teething ring and then we can just lay her down and hopefully she eventually falls asleep."

I let out a sigh and I nodded, I bent over to pick her up and I settled back in the chair. I rested her into my lap and I let my hand massage her gums and she started to calm down but her breaths were scary.

"I'm sorry princess," I kissed the top of her head as this was every night and we have been blessed that on the planes she is too busy playing with one of the boys or eating or doing something else that she doesn't think about it as much. We only had one plane ride where it was really bad. Most of the guys understood because they all had kids. They got it but I was so hesitant to get back on the plane.

She was a fantastic child on the plane making it easy for us but once we were going to lay her down she was not happy and this had been going on for three weeks. Every single night she fought us and was completely exhausted. We were all so tired as this went on all night.

Troy came back and he picked her up, he kissed on her as he gave her the teething ring. "Come on sweet girl, you need to get some rest."

"She is going to want to eat,"

"Gabs, we finally got her to stop screaming for five minutes." He was worn and exhausted after pitching. It was a little after two in the morning and I curled my legs up closer to me. "You can go to sleep. I'm going to sleep in here."

"Gabi, when in hell did you actually sleep last? She is going to fall asleep soon. I'll do the next bottle. You need to go to bed."

I shook my head, "I'll stay in here with her," Troy ran his fingers through his hair and he came over and sat down next to me. I looked down at him and he looked up at me. "Yes?"

"What are you doing?"

"I'm staying here."

"You need sleep."

"So do you."

"You need it more than me."

"Do not."

I rolled my eyes as I leaned back into the chair. He reached up to rub my knee; "I miss laying in our bed with you because it hasn't happened in a couple of weeks now." My eyes looked over at Logan and I shrugged, "You tell her that."

"She is quiet,"

"For how long?"

"For as long as she wants to be. We need to go get some rest while we can." I rocked back in the chair and Troy stood up. He grabbed my hands against my will and pulled me up. "Troy,"

"Shh…you are going to upset her if you are loud."

"Maybe I should." Troy sent a glare to me and I smiled, "I'm joking. You know once we leave this room she is going to cry and become angry."

"I mean we got her to lay in her crib and that is a shocker," he helped me up and we both walked to the door. We didn't get five steps down the hallway when she started to scream again. I sighed and I patted Troy's chest.

"Go keep Skip Company,"

Troy sighed and nodded, "Okay, come to bed when you can okay?" I nodded and he kissed my forehead. "I love you,"

"I love you too."

End Flashback

Troy smiled thinking back on the memory as I did as well. "She was a handful. I was kind of sure you swore off anymore kids after those two months." I rested my head on his shoulder, "Never,"

Troy hugged me tightly and I sighed, "I booked us a vacation in Hawaii…" I pulled back to look at him, "What?" he smiled, and his fingers playing with mine. "Our family vacation. Hawaii," I smiled, "Just us three?"

"Just us three." He said with a nod, I laughed, "When? Why didn't you consult me over this?"

"It is a surprise for one and two because you have been so stressed out so I just took care of everything for you. Hotel, car, plane, reservations to certain places are all done. We leave in the first week of December,"

"I knew I married you for a reason,"

"I thought about inviting our parents but Luke and the twins have school."

"No, I think we need some family time."

"That's what I thought."

Troy then picked up my hand, "Then in January we are going to go to St. John, just you and me. Logan will stay with your parents for the five nights we are gone."

"Troy, what made you do all of this,"

"A thank you for everything that you have done for me and we both deserve to get the hell out of here. You know once winter starts it is hell."

"So a month until Hawaii with our favorite little girl and then another month until we get to have some time together."

"Exactly," he massaged a pattern into my hand, "You're the best. I cannot wait,"

"Do you remember Logan's first time in Florida?"

"When she walked for the first time?" he smiled, "That time,"

Flashback

Ben ran across the beach as we all laid out, my eyes looked at Logan who was 13 months old and still hadn't taken that first step. She was gripping things and taking steps holding on to something but never by herself.

Troy had her propped up in his lap and she giggled at a bird flying in the water. I smiled at her as I took a couple of pictures on my phone. She was as precious as could be and loved the beach.

She plopped down and Troy glanced at her and returned to his conversation with Cody. She crawled forward and let her hands sink into the sand. She crumbled it and I crawled over to her. She looked up at me, "mama," she gurgled, I smiled, "Hi sweet girl," I kissed the top of her head and she giggled. The only words she would utter were momma and dada.

We were still working on Royals but as off-season had come the slow down for that happened. I lifted her up and I placed her on her own two feet. "There you go big girl, you should walk."

"Be careful what you wish for," Becca said, I smiled, "Should I?"

"They don't stop when they start," she chased Ben down and I smiled, Logan took a couple of steps holding on to my hand and she giggled as I gently let go. Troy turned to watch me and Logan went to attempt a step but quickly tumbled back. I caught her and she laughed, Troy smiled at the both of us as he reached for his cell phone. "You got this baby girl," she stood up and took more steps with my hands and once I let go she wobbled on her feet but stayed standing.

Troy grinned, "You should see her face."

"Take a picture!" I commanded, he did as told and I smiled as she lifted her foot up and we all kind of held our breath but she put it right back down. "You got this Logi," she looked over at Troy and he moved away from Cody and crawled across the sand to be about five feet from her.

"Come here," he persuaded, she looked at him and I nudged her a little bit as she picked up her foot and actually took a step. Troy and I tried not to get too excited and scare her as she moved her other foot. She was beginning to wobble so Troy stuck his hands out there another foot so she really only had to take one more step.

Once she did, Troy scooped her up in his arms as we both laughed. "Logi! You did it!" she smiled and buried her face into Troy's chest. He kissed the top of her head as the Newman's looked at us, "Don't you say a thing. You did the same when Ben walked."

They laughed, "Congrats, now you have a full time job at hand."

End Flashback

Saturday, October 28th, 2023

I sat across from Josh as he stirred his cereal in a circle, he knew Melissa was coming over soon and I don't know if he was ready for that or not. "Josh,"

"Hmm?" he looked up at me, his eyes distant, "Are you okay?"

"What if the baby is mine?" he asked, I arched an eyebrow at him and he sighed, "Of course I would love to have a child but with Melissa? Right now? I do not trust her at all. I don't know if I ever can trust her Gabi." I sighed, "You may never be able to trust her again Josh but you are going to have to trust her with your child."

"If it is his…" he laughed aloud, "Why didn't Troy let me punch the living shit out of him?" he asked looking at me, I wish I would have let Josh punch the shit out him because he would feel better but it was the wrong thing to do. Logan was there and several other younger children in the clubhouse when Josh came to hunt him down.

Flashback

Troy and I laughed as Logan did this dance with Alyson that they had come up with during the game. A crash was heard outside of the locker room and Troy turned around as Josh came flying in. Troy looked alarmed while Josh went straight to Aaron Matthew, a rookie this year that played right field.

"Are you fucking my wife," Alyson slide her hands around Logan's ears as Josh was heated. Several guys moved closer as Aaron who is not as strong as Josh, not as big as Josh, and younger than Josh was under matched. He swallowed hard as everybody was waiting for a response; Josh took a step closer and grabbed his shirt.

"Are. You. Fucking. My. Wife." He said slowly with anger seethed into each word. Aaron croaked out a yes, and Josh let go but he reached back. Troy quickly grabbed him from around the neck and he pulled him backwards. "Not today buddy, not today,"

"My own fucking teammate screwed my wife! He slept with her! What a fucking joke!" Josh was angry, "Troy, fucking let me go I need to beat the living shit out him." Josh struggled against Troy and Josh was under matched against Troy. Troy pulled tighter as he seethed with anger and kicked like a bucking bronco. They pushed Aaron out of the locker room and Troy pushed Josh down into the couch as I looked around to see Alyson had disappeared with Logan. The clubhouse was quiet as people began to quickly grab their things as Troy stood watch over Josh to make sure he didn't bolt.

Once the club began to empty he sat down across from him. "Dude, what the hell," Josh ran his fingers through his hair and he laughed but his laugh was sad. His laugh made my heart ache in a way I never wanted it too.

"She fucking cheated on me man,"

"I got that, so I am also going to assume with Aaron?" he nodded as he looked up, "I want to beat the living shit out of him."

Troy patted his back and they both sat there, soon enough Josh was reduced to tears over the whole thing and I stepped out of the room as Zach entered. Troy and Zach could handle it.

End Flashback

"You didn't need that. The Royals already took care of you and traded him to the NL so you don't ever have to deal with him again." I said, Josh laughed, "Yea, until the damn baby is his." I looked at him, "Do you want it to be yours?"

He shrugged, "I'll never speak to her again if it is his." He mumbled that is what I was afraid of, "Josh, she doesn't love him."

"Apparently she doesn't love me enough either."

"You know that isn't true. You have talked about it."

"Why are you taking her side?" Josh asked, "You told me you were on my side."

"I am. I just…" I paused as I looked down at my own breakfast. "You just what Gabi? You just feel bad because she is pregnant and you want to be?" I snapped up to look at him, "That was uncalled for," I mumbled, I got up and I walked to the sink to dump my breakfast into the sink. Troy and Logan were still tucked into bed sound asleep as Logan was up part of the night. "Gabi,"

"I just understand the heartbreak of what she is feeling okay? I know what it feels like and it is fucking horrible." I dumped my bowl into the sink and I left. I went down the hall and I breathed in and out while I began to switch the laundry around. Troy came out of the bedroom showered and changed as he glanced up at me. "Are you okay?" I nodded, "Fine."

"Uh huh…"

"How is Logan?"

"Still sleeping…"

"Troy, it is nothing."

"Nothing is something,"

His arms wrapped around my waist and he pulled me closer to him. I sighed as I dropped the towel I was trying to fold. "Really?" he smiled into the back of my neck, "You love it." I sighed and he picked me up to put my on the washer. I looked at him and he kissed me. "My parents for dinner tonight right?" I nodded, "Is Emily in town?" I asked Troy nodded his head as he kissed me again. His hand running over my thigh as I kissed him backs.

"What are you doing today?" I asked him, he shrugged, "I don't know, what do you want to do today?"

"Well…we do need to find something for Logan's birthday. She could go over to your parents house early and we could go shopping with each other." I said, my fingers playing his shirt. "We can do that." Troy said with a smile, "Lunch and shopping," he cringed, "I have no idea what we are going to get her."

"I was either thinking a car or…" Troy looked at me and I laughed, "I'm kidding."

"Four, she will be four," he repeated, I laughed, "I know but she acts a hell of a lot older than four." Troy nodded in agreement, "She does tend to act older. Crazy little girl." I smiled and I patted Troy's chest. "I need to finish this."

"Yea, yea,"

"This looks…interesting." Troy said as he played with a pink toy, I rolled my eyes and I kept walking. Troy continued to play with the toy as I thought about Logan. Troy and I were trying really hard not to spoil her endlessly. She rarely ever got new toys besides her birthday and Christmas time. Sometimes when we would go out of town she would get something new then if she was having a rough day and we made it through.

It was rare for us to just hand out toys to her though. We had asked our parents to agree with us on this because Logan got to do a lot of other things and would grow up privileged. We didn't want her having ever toy and demanding the toy factory.

"We could do a swing-set," Troy said, I shrugged, "I don't know. She wouldn't be able to use it until March and we aren't even home."

"True…" Troy said, he scratched his head and I walked around the other end as I spotted a Bolton t-shirt. I groaned and turned around, Troy ran into me but I pushed him the other direction. "What?"

"A couple of fans," I mumbled, Troy made an O shape with his mouth as we walked in the opposite direction. Troy laced his fingers through mine and he sighed, "I don't know what to get her. She changes her mind on everything every day. One day she likes princesses and the next day she likes cars and the next day it's fish. I can't keep up." Troy said, I laughed, "I know but you know the one thing she always loves?"

"What?"

"Us," Troy grinned, "This is true. She does love the both of us."

"What about an American Doll? Isn't this the age?" Troy asked me, I looked at him with a raised eyebrow and he laughed, "What? I have a sister."

"Who is like 22,"

"21," he corrected, I rolled my eyes, "She loved it. Come on Brie, I think she would love that. After she gets it we can take her to the store and let her pick out a new outfit. You know she would love it." I toyed with the idea in my head, "But most…"

"But most parents do buy that for their children. She is going to grow up with a little bit more than everybody else." Troy said, I shrugged, and "I don't know Troy I just…"

"You don't want her to be you. I get it."

"Do you?"

"I do. I do indeed."

"Do you think she would love it?"

"Adore it."

"Then let's go."

"Troy Bolton," Troy turned around to see two younger girls looking at him, I sighed as I stared forward at one of the many American Girl dolls. "Hello," he greeted, "Why are you in an American Girl doll store?" Troy laughed, "I have daughter who is getting ready to turn four,"

"So the rumors are true,"

I gasped with laughter as I felt their stares on me. I couldn't help but lean forward because they obviously don't follow him on Twitter or actually listen to any of the games but it wasn't a secret that Troy and I were married with a four-year-old daughter.

Troy redirected their attention to him, "Rumors are very much true, may I help you guys?" he asked, I browsed through the tiny clothes and my fingers brushed over them. They asked for his autograph and a picture but I refused to turn around and to take it. I had become that wife with my husband in public. This was my time with him and girls loved to interrupt us and it drove me fucking crazy.

Once they were done Troy laughed, "They were dumb," he whispered into my ear, I nodded, "Yes, I know." Troy looked at what I was fingering and I sighed. "I miss small clothes." I said quietly, Troy looked at me and I knew he knew what I was thinking. "Brie," he whispered into my ear, tears filled my eyes but I blinked them away easily. It was something I had learned to do over this subject. "I'm okay,"

He kissed my temple sweetly but I turned around and pressed my face into his chest. He wrapped his arms around me as my fingers slipped into his shirt. My hands curled up into a ball as I tried to keep it together for a couple of minutes. His hand rubbed my lower back gently, his lips buried into my hair as I took a deep breath. "I love you," he echoed slightly into my ear. "I love you too," I said, I looked back at him and he looked down at me.

"It will happen…"

"I know, I know," I said quietly, "I just…I miss little clothes."

"Well Melissa is about to need little clothes." Troy echoed, "Josh accused me of taking her side because I couldn't get pregnant." I said quietly as I looked at a doll. "What?" Troy asked I nodded my head while I bit down on my lip while I looked at the doll on the other side. "Why?"

"Because I apparently don't support Josh anymore,"

"You are friends with Melissa too."

"I know, he knows that but because she is pregnant I am taking her side. That I think he should just trust her and I never said that to him. I never asked him to trust her again because if you did that to me I wouldn't trust you. Not for a long time anyways. I just said he is going to have to be able to be friends with her because of the baby."

"But he really said that to you?" Troy asked, upset by the comment that was made to me. "Yes, he said that to me." I said looking at him. His eyes looked into mine and my eyes looked back at him, and we stared at each other for several minutes until I blinked turning away from him. "I think this doll is the best for Logan. I also think this is a good idea so during baseball season she has somebody else. She has a friend besides Alyson and oh my god, what are we going to do when we have to find a new nanny Troy? Alyson was her buddy. That is all she knows."

"He said that to you?" Troy repeated, I groaned, "Can we move off of this subject? Really?"

October 31st, 2023

I snapped a picture of Logan dancing around in her princess costume that she would dance around in all evening. Troy and I would only do four streets with her before we ditched to go to our Halloween party that we still successfully hosted every single year.

She came up and looked up at me, "Am I pretty momma?" I smiled and kissed her forehead, "Beautiful," She went running over to Troy, "Daddy! Look at me!" Troy squatted down to be face to face with her. "Aren't you a beautiful girl," he said, he twirled her around and Logan giggled, Troy kissed her cheek and she threw her arms around his neck. Her head pressed into his chest and I smiled watching them.

I took a picture of the two of them while he backed up. Troy glanced up to me and I smiled at him, "Are you guys about ready to go?" he asked, I nodded my head, "Just about."

I gathered Logan's bag and we walked out the door. Troy's dad met up with us and he smiled with Lucille trailing behind. "What are you two going as this year?" he asked, I looked at Troy as Troy laughed. "Mickey and Minnie Mouse," Troy said, I smiled as he rubbed my shoulder. "So original."

"And yet it has not been done yet." Gabi said Logan ran up to the house as the Newman crew caught up with us. "Hey guys,"

"Hey," we greeted, it had become a new tradition for all of the kids to trick-or-treat together and crash at our house with all of the grandparents around until we got back. Our friends crashed at the house as well and the girls got up the next morning and cooked breakfast while the boys all had to do dishes and get the kids out of bed. It had become a thing and it was most likely my favorite part of the whole Halloween event.

"We are here!" Mallory called, she had her hand firmly clasped in Audrey's and Colin was carrying Drew along with him. Drew was dressed up in a tiger costume while Audrey was a butterfly. I smiled and waved as they caught up. Audrey went running up to Logan when Ellie arrived with Emerson tucked in her arm. She was dressed up as a cat with Chase mulling behind talking to Zach with Hanson in his arms while wearing a Mario costume.

Most of our friends had arrived and I grinned. I waved and Ben came over to wrap his arms around my legs. "Hi Ben!" he giggled and I pulled his hat up from his face. He smiled at me and I grinned at him, "What are you today?"

"I am Ben!"

"No…you don't look like Ben!"

He giggled, "I forgot. I am Uncle Troy!" I smiled, "You do look an awful lot like him," he giggled and I smiled as he went running to catch up with Audrey and Logan. Troy slipped his hand into mine and I smiled looking up at him. "Ben is being Uncle Troy for the third year a row,"

"What can I say? I have a lasting impression."

I shook my head while the kids ran from house to house begging for candy. Once we wrapped around the street a couple of times and that the most of the grandparents had shown up to help control the growing bunch of kids the adults took off. I hugged Logan tightly as I kissed her forehead, "Be good for Grandma and Grandpa okay?" she nodded and Troy came over to kiss her cheek. "I'll see you in the morning okay?" she nodded her head and Troy and I turned to leave.

"Hell of a party!" somebody slurred as they walked by us. The parties were growing bigger and bigger every single year. I kept a tight hold on Troy's hand while he guided me through the party. It was well after midnight and the place was still surely alive.

The DJ at the front was playing a song that had recently become popular making everybody come running to the dance floor but Troy was pulling me in the opposite direction. Troy passed through a door and they banged shut. We were both past tipsy and I was slightly stumbling over my feet. Troy took a sudden stop and I laughed. He pressed his fingers to his lips as a sloppy smile came over his face. He pressed his nose into my cheek and then he pressed a sloppy kiss to my face.

"Sex?" he mumbled into my ear, his voice was full of mumble of words and I couldn't understand him. I laughed as I pressed my head back against the wall, "No sex," I told him, "But if you want to take me home." Troy laughed into my ear, "But I am not drunk enough yet…" he whispered into my ear. "You are pretty drunk," I said back, "I am pretty drunk." He said with a laugh.

"The one night a year that we are allowed to get drunk."

I smiled and I kissed him again to shut him up. His arm wrapped around my waist and he dropped his beer onto the floor. I felt the cold liquid around me but I continued to kiss him anyway. Somebody took the microphone as the music had stopped and I heard Josh's voice. I pulled away from Troy and I looked out the door as he was on the stage. I pulled away from Troy and he pulled my hand back to me. "Brie," he whined, "Come on, it must be close to two because Josh is on the stage."

Troy looked down at his watch and he squinted hard at his watch on his wrist but it was hard for him. "Brie," he whispered, "I can't read my watch." I laughed and I walked out the door and he followed me through the crowd. Josh was mumbling about something and everybody was drunk off their ass. The whole city had to have been here as they were giving away prizes but people were too drunk to care.

Salvy had flown in for the party along with Hosmer as they had promised Logan to stick around for her birthday. I went to the backroom where we kept all of the stuff because after this I was getting in our taxi and going home because I was drunk and horny.

"There you are." I turned to grin at Troy, "I am drunk…and horny." I said with a laugh, Troy raised an eyebrow with a smile, "I am drunk…and horny too."

He helped me slip on my jacket as more of our friends filtered in. They started grabbing things and most of us were giddy and we couldn't keep our hands off of each other. My eyes glanced over at Josh and he was still drinking at the bar. I felt sad for him because he didn't have Melissa. He didn't have somebody to wrap his arms around tonight. I gripped Troy's hand tighter because I never wanted to be in that situation.

Gabi's POV

November 1st, 2023

My head had a dull ache as I opened my eyes slowly and I wondered how Logan had broken into the room yet. I looked over at Troy who had his face buried underneath of the pillow as we both naked. I barely remember last night.

I eased out of the bed and my head began to ache. I closed my eyes and I tried to gain control of the pulsing in my head. I got up and slipped a pair of shorts on with a t-shirt. I grabbed one of Troy's crew neck sweatshirts and slipped on a pair of socks. Opening the door to the bathroom I fumbled around for a bottle of Advil and a drink of water. I took the four red pills with a gulp of water then I proceeded to brush my teeth and pull my hair back.

Easing my way down the hall I noticed Josh never made it off the couch. I eased downstairs to see if any of the other girls were awake. My eyes looked at the basement floor where many children were littered. My eyes quickly found Logan's dark hair that was lying all over a pillow. Her princess costume still on. The only child not in here was Drew. That meant Mallory was probably awake with him. Going into the room Mallory was sitting in the dark as she was holding Drew close to her. "Hey," I whispered, "Too loud," she hissed, I could only agree as I walked in and handed her a bottle of Advil. "Here," I mumbled, my eyes flickered over to Colin having his head tucked underneath of the pillow.

"What time is it?"

"Ten,"

"Those kids slept till ten?"

"You know Logan sleeps until we drag her out of bed."

"But the rest of them? Especially Hanson…"

"Yea that kind of surprised me too. I think they kept them up late last night."

"I'm going to drag Alex and Ellie out of bed."

"I kind of missed Melissa last night," Mallory said, "She was always the life of the party."

"Well…" she nodded, "I know, is Becca and them still here?"

"Yes, I forgot about her. Oops,"

"She is pregnant. Let the girl sleep,"

I nodded in agreement as I went down the hall, I quietly woke Alex and she groaned. "I know, I know, Hanson is going to be up soon though." I whispered to her, she nodded as I handed her the same pills that I had handed to Mallory.

"Thank. You."

Going down to the next door I opened to find the Newman's but I shut the door to let them sleep. Becca was exhausted last night and probably didn't much sleep. This pregnancy was rough on her this time around.

Opening the last door was where Ellie was snuggled up against Chase. "Ellie," I hissed, she glanced up and I smiled, "Time to get up. I think Emerson was stirring,"

"That is all Chase," she mumbled, "Breakfast,"

"Yes, food,"

I went back upstairs but as I was going up I was caught by my three year old. "Momma," she cheered, I smiled, "Morning sweet girl," she hugged me tighter around the legs and I picked her up. "Did you have fun last night?"

"Yes! Can we do that again?"

"Maybe some other time. You need to go wake daddy up,"

"Why?"

"Because he is getting you dressed this morning," Logan rolled her eyes, "I am almost four," she gave the dramatic effect as she held up her four little fingers. I nodded, "You are. Do you think you can dress yourself today?" she nodded and gave me those innocent eyes.

"Alright…let's see it." I put her down and she scattered up the stairs. I followed to wake Troy up myself because he was naked and we didn't need a repeat of a couple of weeks ago. I went upstairs and down the hall to our room. He was still buried underneath of the pillow.

I straddled him gently without waking him up and I took the pillow away from his eyes. I leaned forward as I pressed my lips against his, and then down his jaw up and over to his ear and back. Troy moaned and I rubbed his forehead before placing a small kiss there as well.

"Why," he mumbled, he tried to turn me over but I was too strong for that nonsense. He laughed and I smiled, "Logan is awake and she will be in here soon. I suggest you put some boxers on." Troy opened one eye and I ran my fingers through his hair. "You are pretty sexy,"

"You are pretty hung-over,"

"This is true,"

I got up off of Troy but he grabbed my ass and pulled me back down. I screeched and he laughed as he pulled me into a kiss. "I'd rather wake up this year Mrs. Bolton," I rolled my eyes and he smiled, a little twinkle in his eye.

"C'mon. You boys have work to do. Let Becca sleep though," Troy nodded as I rolled off and headed to the kitchen. Alex and Ellie were already working on food as Mallory was adjusting Drew in a high chair. He was throwing his hands down and Mallory gave him cheerios.

She then joined us in the kitchen as the house was becoming alive within seconds. Troy stumbled down the stairs with Logan who was still in her princess costume. Colin came upstairs with Audrey as she was throwing a fit and Colin begged to trade. I smiled over at Alex who shrugged her shoulders, this was what we all loved the most and nothing would change that.

I began to mix the pancake batter as I heard Hanson mumbling about something as Zach carried him into the kitchen. Alex smiled brightly at the two of them and I couldn't help but notice how much more love Zach and Alex had. Troy came back up the stairs with Anna in his arms and Logan in the other. Cody behind him with Ben who was talking about something from last night, Troy looked at me with wide eyes as they all corralled the children into the kitchen as teeth were being brushed and clothes and diapers were being changed. The boys scurried around while we all made breakfast.

Becca stumbled up the stairs minutes later and she looked exhausted. "Why didn't you guys wake me?"

"Because you are exhausted," Cody piped, Becca sent him a glare and Cody shrugged his shoulders as he continued to corner kids in the room. We all laughed and giggled as we watched them as I started to make a stack of pancakes sky high.

The men starts to ration out the portions to the kids and scrambled eggs were put on plates, milk was served and after a grand total of forty-five minutes we had accomplished mass chaos with massive hangovers.

Cody nursed his coffee as Troy had his face planted into the counter; Josh grimaced every time he turned his head to the window. Zach stood behind Alex who was talking about something in a soft whisper. Mallory sat on the counter eating bacon and arguing with Colin over something stupid. Becca was taking breaths to make the smell that was filling her nose disappear.

My eyes glanced to each one of them as Chase poured another cup and Troy glanced up at me. His blue eyes hidden behind the clouds of gray from the hangover he was suffering from.

He arched an eyebrow and I smiled at him, I took my coffee cup over and I looked at all of the kids around the table.

Logan, Ben, and Audrey the leaders of the group as they were the oldest, Anna came in as she followed Ben around like he was a god. Drew, Hanson, and Emerson all were still learning the basics of the group. Emerson smeared her hand in the syrup and Ellie groaned. "You're turn," Chase said with a smile, "It is not. I had to do it when she dumped it over her head at dinner the other night."

We all stifled a laugh, as Emerson liked to dump her stuff everywhere and that caused more than one bath a day. "Movie afternoon?" Zach asked, normally we watched a movie and rung in November together with an afternoon movie while we all rest and the kids chill after a late night.

"Agreed,"

Once everyone was done eating breakfast we left the boys with dishes while we cleaned the kids up. Logan wrapped her slimy hands around me and I gave a false smile to her.

"Momma,"

"Yes?"

"I'm sleepy,"

"We are going to go watch a movie downstairs because mommy is sleepy too." I cleaned her hands and sent her down the hall to grab her favorite blanket. I went downstairs as they were filtering down here. We dragged all of the blankets and pillows into the movie room and the kids slowly started to claim their spots on the floor.

Logan came back and settled into a spot beside Ben and Audrey. They giggled about something while I found my spot on the giant couch. Troy came down the stairs and he stepped over several kids, poked Logan in the belly, and then joined in his spot next to me.

He pulled me into his arms as Josh was starting a movie for the children and the rest of the adults took their spot on the couch. My eyes were already falling from the flurry of the morning and the dull ache of my head. Troy rubbed my lower back and as soon as I heard the cartoon voice I was out.

Sunday, November 5th, 2023

Troy laid next to me in bed as we both stared at the ceiling. "Do you remember this day four years ago?"

"The amount of pain or the scare of my life?" I asked, Troy smiled, "The best day of our lives." He corrected, I laid my head on his shoulder and I picked up his hand. "She is the light of my life, I can't believe it has been four years."

"She was spoiled last night," Troy said, "She got so much shit."

"She really did." I sat up and I got up out of bed, Troy got out as well but I left the room and walked down to Logan's room. I opened the door and she was still sleeping in her bed after a long party yesterday that went late into the night where she didn't want to let go of Salvy and Hosmer because she understood it would be awhile before she saw them again.

I crawled into her bed and I wrapped my arms around her. She stirred as Troy crawled onto the other side of her. I pulled her closer to me and I kissed her little forehead. "Logi," she opened her eyes and looked up at me with a smile. "Happy Birthday," I whispered into her ear. She giggled and I hugged her tightly. Troy kissed her forehead, "Happy birthday baby girl," she smiled up at Troy and held up four fingers.

"I am four years old now."

"Correct, you are four years old." She smiled, "I am a big girl!"

"You very much are, daddy and I remember when you were just a teeny tiny baby,"

"I was not!"

"Were too! You were a very small baby!"

"No, no," Troy laughed and he started to tickle her, "What do you want to do today?" she giggled and tried to come up with an answer but Troy continued to tickle her. His hands reached in and he started to tickle me as well. I laughed and squirmed but in reality this is what I loved. I loved being with my daughter and loving my daughter. I loved seeing Troy interact with the two of us and make us both laugh.

Happy update! I hope you guys enjoyed! It was a fun chapter to write!

UPDATE: Unwritten will be updated at the END of the day. I forgot that I have half of the chapter on one computer and another chapter on the this computer and I only have this computer with me. SO it will be updated TODAY but not till the end of the day. Thanks for the patience!

I will not update next week, as I will be lying on the beach! The following week you should have an update! I hope you guys can be patient enough!

Have a great two weeks!

Jo