Chapter 4 – Aloha

Thursday, November 30th, 2023

Troy played outside with Logan and Luke as they were running in circles playing baseball in the freezing cold. I wrapped my sweater around my body as we were leaving for Hawaii in just a couple of days and I was thrilled to get out of this miserable cold.

Lucille came up behind me and she smiled, "Look at those three,"

"They are something else."

"How is Logan doing?"

"Good. She is doing well."

"How are you and Troy? He mentioned a while ago that we were having some issues." I glanced her and I shrugged, "We are fine." I said quietly, "We are just…getting by."

"Getting by?"

"I don't know, we haven't fought in a while or anything and I have been better."

"He hasn't said what it is about…" she dragged out. She was always noising about in our relationship quite often but I normally didn't mind. I took a drink of my wine as we had dinner with my parents earlier in the afternoon. "We are having trouble getting pregnant again." I said quietly, I swirled my wine around in a circle. "We have been trying for a little over a year now and we just stopped not that long ago so we are doing much better."

Lucille looked at me as I took a longer sip of my wine. I went over to pour myself more, "Oh Gabi, I am so sorry." I shrugged as I took a deep breath, "It's okay. We have Logan and we might try again at a better time. We are having to wait because we really don't want a baby during baseball season."

"I'm sorry I brought it up," I shook my head, "Not an issue,"

"So can you catch me up to speed on this whole Josh and Melissa thing?" I looked at her and I laughed, "Uh well…they are having a baby together but are also in the process of getting legally separated."

"Not divorced?"

"Not yet. He just can't trust her yet but he wants to be apart of the baby's life. He moved out two weeks ago into his own apartment and they are seeing a marriage counselor but I am just not sure if he can ever trust her again."

"Did he catch him?"

"He overheard him talking about and he then confronted Melissa and then went to the park to beat the shit out of Aaron." Lucille smiled and Emily came into the kitchen. Her hands on her hips, "Those three,"

"Love it." I said with a bright smile, I sat down on the counter as my eyes went back to the two loves of my life. Logan wrapped her arms around Troy's waist and Troy glanced down at her with a big smile on her face. "That man just adores her," Lucille smiled as we both watched her oldest child with his child. I glanced at her as she had tears in her eyes and they were blurred by how happy her smile was. She blinked a couple of times, "I can't believe how big my babies are getting,"

Luke headed for the backdoor with Logan hot on his heels. I could hear her giggle from a mile away as they broke through the backdoor and across the yard. Troy was close behind and his eyes flickered over to me and he headed for me and left the two young ones by themselves. He folded his hands into mine and he kissed me. His sweaty lips something I was used to from the hot summer days that he spent in the sun. "What are you lovely ladies doing in here?"

"Finishing up, is there something you need?" his mom asked, Troy raised an eyebrow to her and then back down to me. I shrugged and he smiled into the top of my hair. "I just wanted to see my beautiful wife."

"I'm so happy that you guys are on good terms."

"We are leaving for Hawaii on Saturday," Troy mentioned casually, he had not told his mom yet because she would be mad that they weren't invited. "What?" she turned around and I smiled as I buried my head into his arm as Troy laughed, "We are going to Hawaii on Saturday,"

"Like we?"

"No, us three. A family vacation."

"I want to go to Hawaii,"

"Maybe next time." Troy offered, "We will be gone for ten days." Troy addressed, "We will be back for all of the fun festivities of Christmas and everything." Troy smoothed his hands out over the counter and I looked at Lucille who had a hump in her expression. Troy cringed and Logan came running to me. "Momma,"

"Yes?"

She rubbed her eyes and let out a slow yawn, "Can I go play with Uncle Luke downstairs?" I picked her up and she protested but ended up laying her head down onto my shoulder. It was another down with no naps involved and she looked exhausted. "Can I?" she asked, her voice drowsy, I glanced at the clock and I nodded, "In five minutes but for those five minutes you have to sit very still and be with me," she agreed with another yawn and Troy smirked at me.

"We better get ready to go," Troy mouthed as Logan was trying to fight the sleep but the sleep was winning easily. "Yea, she won't like riding in her car seat sleeping." Lucille nodded as Troy started to gather all of her things and mine while I kept her in a quiet area. Jack came around the corner with two beers in his hand, "Troy, do you want one?"

"Sorry Dad, we are out of here,"

"Oh, Lolo crash and burn?"

"Yes," I answered, Troy started for the car and I followed him as the Kansas City wind blew all of the leaves that were still scattered on the ground around. Troy opened up the back door and I eased in with Logan as I buckled her in tightly. She let her head hit the other side of the car seat before waking up. I cringed and I kissed her forehead, "We can go home and cuddle," I promised, she smiled, "Okay,"

I squeezed her hand gently and backed out of the area. Troy was starting the car and I hugged his family goodbye. Emily smiled, "Have fun in Hawaii,"

"I will, next time,"

"Next time," she agreed, I hugged Lucille and Jack, Luke was bummed that Troy was leaving but he got used to it. I climbed into the car and Troy started to slowly back out. We waved once more and our car disappeared into the black of night.

Saturday, December 2nd, 2023

Dallas Airport

Logan kicked her legs out and I was fighting sleep as Troy had wondered off to stretch his legs before the long haul of a flight over the ocean. Logan giggled at the show on her iPad and I smiled watching her as she was unaffected by the 6 am flight that we had this morning but Troy and I were zombies.

Logan rolled onto her belly and she looked at me, I looked back at her and she smiled, "Momma?"

"Yes?"

"Where are we going?" she asked, "Uncle Sal and Uncle Hos aren't with us," she pouted, I laughed as she spent a lot of the flight with Salvy because he wanted her and that made our jobs trying to keep her quiet a lot easier. Salvy loved her.

"They aren't coming with us sweetie, we are going to Hawaii," I said, "Hawaii?" she muttered, the words foreign to her lips and I nodded my head, "There are lots of palm trees and the big ocean like we see in California and Florida," I told her with a smile, she seemed to take the bait because the kid loved to swim. She loved to swim in pools, lakes, oceans, hell even the bathtub. "You get to swim in the big beautiful ocean," I told her, I scrolled through my pictures and I pulled up one of Hawaii.

"Like this,"

"Pretty," she said, I agreed, "Very pretty," I said with a nod of my head, "We are going to spend about nine days there and then you have to go back to pre-school,"

"No," she huffed, I giggled and I rolled back onto my stomach as I kissed her temple. "I love you momma,"

"I love you too Lo girl,"

"What are my girls doing," Troy sat down on top of my back and I laughed, "Daddy!" Logan screeched, "You are hurting momma!" Troy laughed causing me to vibrate, I couldn't help but laugh at Logan's screeches. "You can't hurt mommy!" She got up and came over to Troy to push him off. Troy couldn't help but laugh harder as Logan tried to budge him from my back. She grunted trying to push him off but he held firm.

She started to cry as she couldn't get Troy off of me and I stopped laughing, "Troy,"

"Shit," he mumbled, he rolled off and he picked up Logan on his way down. "Lolo, I wasn't hurting momma," he kissed her temple as she held on to his shirt, "I love momma," she whimpered, I sat up and I couldn't help but crack a full smile and a small laugh. Troy laughed as well, "I love momma as well," Logan came over and she wrapped her arms around my neck to pull me close. I hugged her tightly, "I'm okay, Daddy was just playing around," I told her, I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and she sighed.

"I know momma,"

"You know?" I arched an eyebrow and she nodded and proceeded to go back to coloring. I died. I died of laughing as I looked over at Troy who was confused as hell, "Your daughter, your four year old daughter just played you." He huffed and looked at Logan, "Are you kidding?"

"Not an ounce," I said, "She is going to be an actor, I swear," I crawled over and I sat down on Troy's lap. "You are hurting me," he whined into my ear, I laughed, "She won't save you." Troy rolled his eyes and he locked me in his arms. Logan continued to color and they started to assemble our boarding group. Troy started to put her things away and I coaxed her away from her coloring book long enough for Troy to stash it and put it away.

We were one of the first on the plane and I took the window seat, Troy put Logan between us, and then it was Troy to carry the end. I missed sitting next to Troy on planes and sometimes I would switch seats with Logan so I could be next to Troy and she liked to stare out of the window. Troy and I buckled her in together and his hand grazed mine. The similar spark that went through our bodies the first day I met him still went through my body after five years of marriage and many more years of dating.

Troy glanced over at me and I glanced over at him. He winked and then he leaned back and I followed suit. I let out a long sigh as I still wanted to be next to him but our daughter didn't like being on the end. I looked at Troy who was talking to somebody with a laugh and he nodded. He was wearing a KC hat today and that made him a bit more recognizable. He turned to look back over at me and he reached over to grab my hand.

"Gross," Logan muttered as she was playing on the iPad while everybody was still loading the plane. She always got upset when she had to turn everything off when we were flying and that was normally the only time that she would get upset. The flight attendants started to move around and help people get their bags into place and everybody get settled. "Logi, do you want to sit next to the window," I asked, she looked over at me, her eyes temporary leaving the iPad.

"No," she responded, Troy sucked in a small laugh, "You don't want to see all of the clouds in the sky? You can switch back when we get the colors out. I need to talk to daddy about something." She paused her game, her finger hovering over the resume button. "You just want to kiss daddy," I looked up at the ceiling while Troy chuckled with laughter, I shot him a look and he shrugged his shoulder. I got up and I unbuckled Logan's seatbelt and I moved her to the window seat where one day she would fight me over.

She didn't really throw a fit, I just buckled her in and she continued on with her game but her eyes kept flickering to the outside world. I settled into the middle seat and Troy looked at me, "Everything okay?" he asked, I rested my head on his shoulder, "I don't know, I just wanted to be close to you." Troy kissed the top of my head and I wished this were a Logan free trip and not a family one. I loved her but she put a wrench in the love life department.

"How is this hotel again?" I asked, "Are you asking how far apart our rooms are from Lo's?" I nodded my head with guilt running in my stomach but then again she was just down the hall most likely.

"A whole set of stairs," he whispered into my ear, I looked at him as he must have rented a house. Something he did when he wanted a little bit more privacy. "Is it right on the beach?"

"We never have to leave if we never want to." I grinned and I reached up to kiss him. "Gross," Logan, muttered, Troy couldn't help but laugh. "Lo, has anybody told you that you are sassy?" Troy asked, "You tell me all the time daddy," she never looked up at him and Troy just rolled his eyes.

"Sassy," I said tapping his nose, "Oh no, she learned those traits from you,"

"Wrong."

Troy kissed me again and I let my hand rest on his neck, the warmth from his body causing chills to run over my covered arms. I could not wait to land in Hawaii and plant Logan in a bed.

Troy laid Logan down into the bed as she was passed out while clutching her blanket. The long flight had made her crazy, as that was the longest flight she had ever been on. Normally, in KC our flights t either side of the country was only three hours tops. We rarely ever went from one coast to the next without making a pit stop in KC first. She didn't sleep a wink on the flight but she got bored and was reduced to tears more than once on the flight over from boredom.

When we landed she curled in my lap while Troy retrieved luggage and passed out. I carried her around the airport while Troy had help with the luggage he got the rental car and helped install the car seat that had to be brought with us.

Once the car seat was in I went to put Logan in but she clutched my shirt, Troy helped me undo her from my body and she rested peacefully in the car the entire way after wards until we got to the house. It was still mid afternoon here as we gained a lot of time from flying. Once Troy left the room he smiled like the devil, "I say we have about thirty to forty-five minutes before she wakes up wondering where the hell we are."

I tried to stifle a yawn that wanted to escape my mouth because I was exhausted. "I was actually thinking about joining Logan," I confessed, "I am tired," Troy frowned a little but then recovered because this would not be our only opportunity the entire trip. His arms wound around my body and he kissed the top of my head. "You do look tired and I am not one to mess with that beauty sleep," I patted his chest gently, "Don't let either of us sleep long okay? She will never go to bed tonight if we let her sleep all night."

"Will you?" he asked with a grin, I waved my finger, "Mr. Bolton, I think you have the trips confused," a bubble of a laugh escaped his throat. It made my skin crawl and I looked at him, his perfect smile and blue eyes looking at me. I almost, almost, changed my mind but I knew if Logan woke up in here alone she would get scared and be in a panic. Somebody always had to sleep with Logan the first night away to understand that this was a temporary place to sleep.

If there were just two beds in a room she did better as Troy and I laid in the bed next to hers and she would just come crawl into our bed, much to Troy's disappointment.

I crawled into the bed next to her and I pulled her close to me while I was already falling asleep.

Troy's POV

Leaning in the doorway, I watched Logan and Gabi sleep. Logan was beyond exhausted and I was pretty sure she could sleep until tomorrow morning but I wasn't taking the chance. I never had issues waking Logan up from sleep but waking Gabi up was a lot harder. She didn't sleep as often and was constantly doing or worrying about something else. Biting on my lip I eased onto the bed and I kissed the back of Logan's head.

"Lolo, do you want to go see the beach?" I asked her, she started to stir and I moved her away from Gabi. She turned her head to look at me and then over at Gabi, she only nodded her head as she rubbed her eyes that were full of sleep. I was restless with my two girls sleeping. I couldn't sleep because I had somehow slept most of the flight over here while Gabi handled Logan, which wasn't fair, but she normally could never sleep on flights.

I picked Logan up as I wasn't going to change her for us to just come back in and Gabi change her for dinner. I carried her out the backdoor and her little eyes went about two times bigger as she looked at the beach. The waves were higher right now and she gasped, "Daddy! Swimmy!" she yelled, I laughed as I clutched on to her tighter, "We can't go swimming tonight baby girl but first thing tomorrow after breakfast you can swim your heart out." I told her, "We also have a pool," I told her directing her attention to the pool.

"Swim!" she argued, I laughed kissing the top of her head. "Logi, we can't go swimming yet. We have to have dinner. Aren't you hungry?" I asked her, she shook her head and she looked at the beach again. The sun was dwindling down and the colors were making splashes across the beach. Logan rested against my chest and she sighed, "Dadda?"

"Yea?" I answered, she turned her head to look at me and I pulled her around to face me. "Are you playing baseball down here?" she asked, I laughed, "No, we are just here to spend time as a family." I said, she sighed, "Okay,"

I shook my head and she squirmed to get down, I let her down and she ran forward and I turned around to see her running to Gabi. The girl loved her momma as she wrapped her arms around her legs. Gabi smiled softly as she looked up at me. I smiled at her and she smiled back, "I thought you were supposed to wake both of us?" she asked, "I have such a hard time waking you up,"

"I know you do," she kissed me gently and she smelled so good. God damn it, Logan.

"Logan, do you want to swim?" I asked, my eyes never really left Gabi's and she raised an eyebrow, "Yes!"

"Go through all of the suitcases until you find your swimsuit, we'll order pizza," I changed my mind as she skipped away with glee. Once she was out of sight I pushed Gabi against the wall and my lips crashed onto hers. My hands went below her butt to support her thighs as I lifted her up, her legs circling me in and she pulled back to breath. "Nice Mr. Bolton," she said, I laughed, "You smell and look perfect,"

"I look like I was on a plane all day,"

"And that is fucking beautiful,"

"What do you think Logan would have thought of that?"

"Don't hurt mommy," I whined as I kissed her again, this time the kiss went deeper and I wanted so much more than this right now but Logan came running back. "I found it!" she shouted, I rolled my eyes as I gently dropped Gabi back to the floor and she was waving her swimsuit around. "You need to start hiding it in different spots,"

Gabi smiled picking Logan up, "This way I don't have to clean a whole mess, plus, she'll wear herself out swimming." Gabi winked and my knees weakened, "Let's swim!" I yelled, I went to put my board shorts on and Logan ran with Gabi to put her swimsuit on.

Gabi's POV

I watched Troy and Logan splash in the water together as we had eaten dinner and Logan had only wanted to get back in the pool. She was starting to run out of steam and it was time to start having her get to bed as she was well past her bedtime at him. I couldn't help but laugh because the girl had no bedtime at home. Especially during baseball season she went to bed after the game. That was her bedtime.

"Logi," I called, she turned to look at me, "We need to go take a shower baby girl," she groaned, "No mama," I rolled my eyes and I went over to the edge of the pool. "Logan, the sun went to bed a long time ago. It is time for you to go to bed too."

She tried to stop her yawn but it didn't work, I picked up a towel and Troy handed me Logan. I wrapped her up tightly as she started to shiver. I carried her back into the house while I turned on the shower for her; something that we learned a lot earlier was the shower. A lot of hotels we stayed in didn't have a bathtub so at two the girl could shower without a problem. I opened the nozzle and water start coming out as I stripped her of her swimsuit.

"I got it," she said, I laughed, as she was sassy as hell. We were in for it when she got older. "Call me if you need me," I told her, she nodded as she grabbed her shampoo and I watched her for another moment while she showered. She was maturing yet silly. She was four and she acted like she was twelve. I sighed as I went out and Troy had already changed into a dry changed of clothes.

He came over to circle his arms in mine again, "She kicked you out again?" I nodded, "I'll go back in and wash her hair again." Troy kissed my jaw and then under my ear before his tongue slid across my ear, my fingers balled into fists as I pushed him away gently. Troy smirked because he knew how much that affected me. "Mom! Cold!" I pointed to Logan as I tried to regain my breathing pattern. "I'm coming!" I called, Troy slipped his finger into the waistband of my shorts and my breathing escalated as I pushed him off of my gently. "Troy,"

"Mom!" Logan screeched, I backed up as Troy chuckled, I walked into Logan's bathroom and she had shampoo all over her head and wasn't standing anywhere near the water. I shook my head as I walked over to her and I turned the water a little hotter and I started to wash her hair. She protested but also gave in as I massaged her head gently. I smiled gently while I rubbed her head even more. She rinsed and then we did it again with the conditioner. I knew this was causing her to fall asleep slowly.

Biting down on my lip I helped her rinse the hair and I then bundled her up tightly in a towel. She rested her head onto my chest and I kissed her cheek softly as I helped her dress. She slipped into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and I helped her crawl into bed. Troy came into the room as he smiled, he kissed Logan on the forehead and we both bid her a good night before her eyes fell close completely.

Once I shut the door, Troy picked me up and took me up the stairs several at a time. I couldn't help but laugh. We got into the bedroom and Troy shut the door and locked it, something he only did when he didn't want to be disrupted. I locked my arms around him and I started to kiss anywhere my lips could reach. Troy put me down onto the bed and he was quickly ridding all of my clothes off of my body. I could barely breath, as he wasn't messing around.

His finger slipped inside of me and I felt my body tighten already, I moaned as my fingers grabbed the bed sheets that had yet to actually be used. Troy leaned forward as he started to kiss me, his lips sucking on my neck gently and then he moved to the top of my breasts where he placed kisses. He took his other hand as he took my tank top off and he reached behind to get rid of the bra. I helped him, "Please," I begged, my voice whimpered and Troy groaned with satisfaction.

He lowered his lips down onto my breasts and he tugged on them gently causing me to throb. "So wet," he groaned, I wrapped my legs around him as I pulled him closer to me. His crotch pressed against me so that I could feel the blood thumping through his body. I quivered from underneath of him as he pressed sweet kisses into my neck, "Are you going to undress or what?" I panted and he laughed, "Patience my dear," he whispered into my hair, I groaned, "I don't have patience," I wiggled away from him and he tried to stop me but I was too strong at this moment.

I shoved him down and he went limp as I took my turn, I ditched his shirt and I slid the basketball shorts away from his hips and the underwear right along with it. My tongue teased him as I let it run across, he groaned and he picked me up. He slid to the edge of the bed as he planted his feet onto he floor and I placed myself on top of him. I eased on and Troy moaned my name loudly, his hands helped me steady myself against him.

"Aloha," Troy mumbled into my lips, I giggled in response.

Sunday, December 3rd, 2023

I sipped my coffee curled up with a blanket as I watched the high tide wave into the beach. I was wearing Troy's shirt while he was still lying in bed, his face buried in a pillow after a very long night. I couldn't sleep after he fell asleep so I spent most of the night tossing and turning hoping that sleep would wash over my body but it never happened. Troy grunted from behind me and I looked behind me to see him rubbing his eyes.

"Why in the hell are you out of bed?" he grumbled, we didn't go to bed until well after two in the morning, I mean, he went to bed well after two in the morning. "Couldn't sleep," I responded, my eyes went back to the waves and he groaned getting out of bed. His body popping in several places as the years on the mound were starting to catch up to him. His back popped and I took another drink of my coffee. His fingers smoothed over my shoulders gently and he rubbed them.

"Are you feeling okay this morning?" he asked, I nodded my head and he kissed the top of my head. "Good, I can't believe Logan isn't up here yet." Troy mumbled, he looked out at the waves himself and I reached up to grab his hand. Troy slipped my coffee out of my hands and he took a long sip of it. "Hey,"

"Did you get any sleep last night?" Troy asked, I shrugged, "Not really but when was the last time I got any sleep?" Troy sighed as he gave my coffee back, he came around and he eased me out of the chair and planted himself underneath of me. I held onto my coffee tight and Troy put his arms around me. I rested my head on his shoulder while I watched the waves. We were both extra quiet, as we didn't get a lot of quiet time in our lives.

"What do you want to do today?" Troy asked I chewed down on my lip, "Lay on the beach." I told him, "I think Logan will agree to that." Troy rubbed the inner part of my thigh as he had brushed his t-shirt back. My skin broke out in goosebumps and that made him happy. "I was thinking that I could take Logan out today, I don't know about you but I think you could use some TLC,"

"I want to be with you guys. I get lonely and I think too much when I am lone," I told him, "I am happy with you and I would rather be with you guys. I don't want to be away from you guys," I tucked my fingers over his neck, Troy nodded his head gently, "Of course,"

Troy put a circle over my knee and I knew he was thinking about something, "What?"

"Nothing," he assured, I looked at him and he sighed, "How come you can look at me and just know?"

"How come you can look at me and just know?" I asked back, he sighed, "Touché," I laughed quietly, "What is it Troy?"

"I don't know, I have been thinking about babies and I didn't want to talk about this with you because I don't want to upset you."

"Troy, I am doing a lot better. It has been two months since I have actually really thought about getting pregnant. We have been using protection and I am okay with this right now. I am okay."

"I want to try again next month," he blurted, I looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "I have a feeling Gabs, I just, I do. If we wait then maybe we will have another baby around October." I loved how hopefully Troy was but I had lost a lot of hope. "Troy, try not to be so hopefully for me okay." Troy looked at me with disappointment, "Babe, I know the last year was hard on you for that reason but if we just one night don't use a condom then I don't know, I don't want you or me to stress about it."

"So you are saying I should stop taking birth control and just let you handle the other part. You decide." Troy nodded, "I love how you read my mind. I mean if you just stop taking it and we get caught up in the moment without a condom then no stress. It happens or it doesn't."

"It's a good idea, the sex has been better since we stopped trying,"

"And it needs to stay fantastic while we are trying. So you need to stop stressing for me okay?"

"Mama?" I turned in the chair, "Out here baby girl," I heard her little feet pad across the floor and then she was standing in front of me clutching her blanket. I helped ease her up onto my lap and she pressed her head into my chest. She faced Troy and Troy smiled at her, "Did you sleep well?" Troy asked she nodded her head still clutching her blanket.

Troy moved one of his arms from around me and he pulled Logan in close as well. Troy took a deep breath and Logan kind of went back to sleep on his chest. "My whole body is going to sleep," Troy said, I smiled and I reached up to kiss his cheek. "I love you," I whispered into his ear, "I love you too baby girl,"

Tuesday, December 5th, 2023

Logan giggled as her and Troy built a sand castle, Troy sculpted it while I lounged in the soft chair. The sun beat into my body and Troy glanced up, his baseball hat from high school perched on his head. He squinted at me and I squinted back at him causing him to break into a smile.

"What?"

"Nothing, I just like looking at you."

"I think you said that in high school…"

Troy smiled as he brushed his hands off on his shorts. Logan looked at him and Troy popped up, "Gabriella," he growled, I laughed, "Troy," he reached down for me and I screamed with laughter, Logan yelled something but I couldn't hear her. Troy went running to the ocean and I screeched trying to get away from him. I squirmed and I heard Logan again but nothing stopped Troy until I was drenched with very salty water.

Troy laughed as he walked away and went to join Logan, I pulled myself up and I stomped back to the chair with an annoyed look towards Troy. He was laughing still while I dripped wet, "Was that necessary?"

"Completely,"

"I didn't like it," Logan stated, "Good thing I didn't care you into the ocean," Troy said tapping her nose, Logan scrunched her face and I laughed as I wiped my face off and I rubbed my eyes with a dry towel. I pulled my cell phone out to see Melissa had called me and Mallory had as well. I decided to call Mallory back vs. Melissa, as she was still a touchy subject still with Troy. Josh still wasn't sure what he was going to do and he was still pissed off at Melissa.

"I swear to god if you brag about Hawaii I will kick your ass." I stifled a laugh, "Hello to you too,"

"Drew is sick, Audrey is even sicker," Mallory ignored my hello greeting as she went on to ramble about her miserable morning. I sighed, "I'm sorry. What is wrong with them?" I brushed sand off of my leg while Troy cocked his head at me. I waved him off and I rolled off the chair to go get more to drink. "I don't know, Drew is just coughing and oozing with something." I could see her shudder in my mind and I smiled to myself, "Audrey has a really high fever and Colin is coming home to take her to the doctor soon."

"Good, did you just call to vent?"

"No, I actually needed to tell you something and I also needed to have an adult conversation," I giggled as I understood, adult conversations were always good, "What's up?" I pressed my cup into the fridge to receive ice. "Colin wants to go out of town for some reason, I don't know, I don't understand how we can afford to do such a thing but whatever, clearly we can go into debt but anyways, I didn't know if you could watch the kids? Don't be afraid to say no but I was offering to you first since you don't have a lot going on."

"When?"

"The weekend before Christmas,"

"I shouldn't be too busy nor should Troy. Logan would love to have Audrey around because the poor girl is lonely." Mallory sighed, "Still nothing?"

"We stopped," I told her, I almost told her about us starting again soon but I didn't need to stress and if I didn't talk about it then I wouldn't stress as much. I just nodded my head and Mallory groaned, "Drew, Gabs, I gotta go. Thank you so much, I'll talk to you more when you get back. I love you, thank you,"

"Love you too and good luck!"

She grunted, "I'll need it."

She hung up and I took my lemonade back down to the beach where Logan and Troy were now playing in the waves. Troy was carrying Logan on his shoulders as they wafted down into the water. I settled back into my seat as I took this opportunity to call Melissa.

"Hi," she said quickly, "You okay?" I asked her, "Yea, I just…Josh came to me this morning and he wants to be legally separated." I could hear the pain in her voice but yet she chose the actions that brought them here. "I don't know what you expected Melissa,"

"I don't know I expected that maybe this baby would make him think a little. How can we bring a baby into the world without the core to the relationship here? We are starting the baby off wrong without parents and showing them the wrong way of how to do this. I still love Josh and I know underneath all of his hate he still loves me as well. He doesn't look at me with anger anymore, he just looks at me with sadness."

"Josh doesn't want me budding in." I told her, "He got mad at me because since you are pregnant that I am going to defend you."

"I think he keeps forgetting you were my friends too,"

"I will never stand by your actions but I do want you guys to work it out. You cannot do that talking to me. You need to call and talk to him."

"I have tried!"

"Then give him space." I encouraged, "He just needs some space."

Logan and Troy started to come back up the beach, "I gotta go Mel, just…give him space okay?"

"Okay,"

We hung up and Troy put Logan down next to me and he shook over me like a dog, "Thanks," I said, he smiled, "You are more than welcome."

I rubbed lotion on my legs as Troy was doing bedtime tonight. I heard him come up the stairs, he came through the doorway and he pulled off his t-shirt with one fluid motion. I arched an eyebrow at him as he kicked his pants and boxers off as well. I stared at my naked husband with a longing look, "Come on," he said, he grabbed my hand and he dragged me out to the balcony where a hot tub sat in the corner.

I laughed as I ditched my tank top and shorts as I followed Troy in. "Do you remember Cancun?" Troy asked me, I couldn't help but giggle, "That was a fun trip." I wrapped my legs around his waist as I started to kiss him. My lips walked over his collarbone and he sucked in a tight breath as the bubbles popped up around us. Troy seemed on edge and I pulled back to look at him. "You okay?" I asked, Troy smiled, "Of course,"

"Nope, something is bugging you," I redirected, Troy laughed, "It's nothing,"

"It's something," I told him, Troy sighed, he moved to get out and I wonder what happened. He was the one to lead this one and now he was upset over something? I followed him out as I wrapped a towel around my body and Troy slipped on a pair of basketball shorts, "Troy?" I called, he looked at me, "What?"

"What happened? You were the one to start the sex and then you get all grumpy,"

"Grumpy?"

"I don't know, you seemed so excited for sex and then the next second you are distant."

Troy rubbed his forehead, "My elbow hurts." He mumbled, "It throbs pretty much all the time," my heart sank into my stomach as I looked at him, "What? When was the last time you threw a ball?" I asked him, "October but it started in October."

"Troy,"

"It never popped," he said sitting up, "It just hurts. I am hoping it is just sprained a little or something, I just," he rubbed his forehead and I looked at him with a broken heart. He was obviously upset over this and he had kept it from me since October. I had no idea. "Troy,"

"It's nothing Gabs,"

"It is something, you obviously are in pain to stop sex."

"It is just a bad day."

"Troy, if it is something then you need to start the process now."

"Nothing is wrong." Troy hissed, Troy had been pitching for over fifteen years, a lot longer than that most likely and one of these days his elbow wouldn't be able to take the stress any longer. I felt tears in my eyes because Troy wouldn't do anything until he knew he couldn't anymore. He would never just choose to do the surgery until he started throwing again and he found out that it wasn't going to be possible.

I walked out of the room because Troy seeing me like this, coming to the realization for him hurt. It hurt me and I wish he wouldn't do this to himself but he was going to drag it out. He wasn't going to go looking for help until he knew that it would affect his team. I sank into the couch, "Gabs,"

"Troy, I need a minute."

"It isn't as bad as I made it out to be. I am giving it the off season and if it doesn't get any better then I will talk to them at the start of Spring Training. For now, I am just giving it rest." I looked at Troy and he knelled in front of me. "It is doing better," he assured, "Much better,"

"Troy, you should just get it checked out now."

"And have them tell me to just get the surgery? I can probably push through next season,"

"And then miss half of one year and the beginning of another? Aren't you just better off getting the surgery now and being ready for next season?"

"If I wait till Spring Training it will be just the same and if it gets better then I can push through this season and then do it. We are at the crisp of getting somewhere." I only nodded my head because I couldn't talk him down from this one. I leaned forward and I put my forehead to his, "If you have it, it is not the end of the world. You'll sit out one season," Troy stroked my face, "I know, I just…" letting out a long breath I kissed him softly.

Troy deepened the kiss and his arms wrapped around me, he lifted me up and he took me upstairs. Our kisses were tender and sweet, the way her touched me made everything explode. Soft touches and quick kisses making this better than it would have been.

Thursday, December 7th, 2023

"Mommy," I looked at Logan and I instantly knew she had a fever. Her eyes were drowsy, her cheeks were flushed, and she sounded like she didn't just sleep twelve hours. I opened my arms and she crawled into them. Troy went on a run on the beach this morning for a double workout. Logan pressed her face into my chest and I felt her shaking against me. "What hurts sweet girl?" I whispered, "My throat," she whimpered, if this were strep then it would be her third round of it this year.

I kissed her forehead to feel her forehead hot, "Oh sweet girl," I said quietly, I pulled her into the bed as I hugged her close as she started to whimper. I picked up my phone and I dialed Troy, he answered, breathless. "What's up?" he asked, he panted, as the sun was already getting hot.

"Logan is sick," I told him, "Hell," he muttered, "What's wrong?"

"Throat, fever,"

"This is the third time in like two months,"

"I know," I said, "I know, we need to see if we can get her into an emergency care doctor." I mumbled, Troy sighed, "I'll turn around."

"Thank you," I told him, "You're welcome, I'll be there soon." I hung up the phone as Logan was sobbing; I tucked her close to me as she was in pain. She acted slower and was exhausted yesterday but I just thought it was the sun and the playing she was doing. I rubbed her back and she stuffed her face into my chest. She seemed to get strep so easily and I knew the words of getting her tonsils out were coming.

"Momma, it hurts,"

"I know baby girl," I kissed her forehead and it was blazing. I heard the front door open and Troy come bouncing up the stairs; he came into the room, his shirt soaking wet with sweat and his shorts riding on his hips. His Nikes laced up tightly and he came into the room in quick strides. He reached over Logan to kiss the top of my head and Logan looked at him. She started to cry and reached over for Troy.

"Oh baby girl," he held her tight as he nodded towards the door, I agreed and as I slipped out of bed. I put on a pair of Nike shorts with a t-shirt. I slipped my flip-flops on as Troy was carrying her to a car. I put in an address for a clinic as Troy buckled her in tightly. She moaned and groaned from the back seat and then began to sob. I climbed into the back seat with her as I pressed my lips to her forehead. "I'm here baby girl, I'm here,"

When she got strep she normally got it pretty horrible. I always felt bad but it only lasted about forty-eight hours after we got medicine in her. Licking my lower lip, I held her hand as Troy tried to navigate the Hawaiian streets that we hadn't braved very often. He cursed underneath of his breath while he pulled around and did a U-turn.

Logan was finally starting to rest against the car seat as she just whimpered. I stroked her hand gently while I kissed her temple gently. "I love you,"

Her eyes were dead on the inside, the blue gone to a dark gray with pain buried beneath it. The look in her eyes, I never wanted to see in Logan's eyes ever again. It broke my heart a million in ten times over. Troy pulled into a CVS with a minute clinic. Troy got out as I unbuckled her and Troy took her.

I followed Troy in and I went to sign in…a routine that we found all too familiar.

Troy was curled up with Logan in her bed as he whispered to her quietly. I leaned against the door as she got very little relief since we left the doctors office this morning. Troy and I were taking turns holding her and trying to keep her calm. She refused to eat anything and Tylenol wasn't doing its job very well.

I walked away from the door and I grabbed my cell phone as I called my mom. "Gabi!"

"Hi momma,"

"How are you sweetie?"

"I would be better if my daughter didn't have strep." I said quietly, "Again?" I nodded my head even though she couldn't see, my throat tightened as I tried to breathe. "Yea, again and it is one of the worst ones that we have encountered."

"I'm sorry,"

"It's okay," I breathed, "I just hate seeing her in pain."

"Tell me about it. It hurts me that you are hurt," I sighed as I buried my face into my arm. "Mom, I don't know what to do."

"Just do what you always do. Love her." I sighed looking out at the ocean, "Have you had a pleasant vacation until today?"

"Fabulous," my mood perked up as I thought about all of the fun we were having until today. "Logan is having a grand of the time on the beach and being in and out of the pool. We haven't left the property much at all except to get groceries or go out to eat."

"When do you come home?"

"Tuesday," I told her, "Sounds like a fun vacation,"

"It is. Troy and I are having a good time."

"Good, good," I let out a long air of breath, "I have to go mom. Thank you for talking me off the ledge."

"Anytime sweet girl,"

Saturday, December 9th, 2023

Logan was sleeping on the couch while Troy and I had breakfast together. She was finally starting to get a little bit better and was getting back to normal activities. Troy and I were both exhausted but this is what we did. We did this as a team and we some how did it well.

Troy finished his eggs while he then rested his head onto the counter. "What a trip,"

"This makes me so excited for our trip, just me and you and not sick children." I couldn't help but laugh out loud with a nod. "St. John has never sounded better." I reached across to tug at Troy's hand and he smiled up at me, "I guess we should get her up so she will sleep tonight." My eyes looked at Logan and I grinned like the devil, "Or not," I whispered, I reached across the counter as I kissed him. He laughed, "I love the way you think."

His arms wrapped around me and I wrapped around him, "Gross," I broke away with laughter as we turned to look at Logan; her blue eyes were open and looking at us. Troy took three giant steps and had her in his arms. She giggled like crazy and I smiled shaking my head at the two of them.

Sorry – Lame chapter. It starts getting interesting next chapter. It really does.

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