Chapter 10 – World Series
Tuesday, October 21st, 2025
I bit down on my lip as I paced the hallway nervously, it may be three oh clock in the morning. It may be in-between feedings of the twins but I couldn't sleep, and Troy didn't deserve to be awoken right now. He had a big game tomorrow. Tomorrow would be hell but I didn't care. I turned to pace the hallway again while my stomach tightened in anticipation. Troy was the starting pitcher tomorrow and he couldn't have been looser.
He played with Logan all night long while I tended towards the twins. He went out for a couple of drinks with Cody and an old high school buddy that I couldn't quite remember. Once he came back, he helped me get the twins ready for bed and we let them sleep in the nursery while we did adult activities. I walked back into the nursery as I peered in at Makenli first who was laying on her back, her arms suspended above her head as she came loose of her swaddle.
My eyes then glanced over towards Adalyn who looked identical to her sister. I smiled at them because they were not going to the game tomorrow night. We were going to have Andy come tend to them for the evening while I took Logan to the stadium. I walked back out of the room easing the door closed behind me to a slim crack, I then walked the hallway a couple more times. "What are you doing?" his words sounded like he was half asleep still, I spun around to our room. Troy was leaning against the frame of the door.
"I can't sleep," I stressed, Troy chuckled, "You, a mother, who is always breastfeeding can't…sleep?" I bit down on my lip while shaking my head, "I am so nervous for tomorrow." I bargained with him, he laughed, "Why are you nervous?" he asked coming over to wrap me up in his arms. "Because, you're my husband." Troy smiled as he pulled me into his body a little tighter, "One of us needs sleep," he whispered into my ear; I shook my head as I turned my head to kiss him.
"Oh," he mumbled against my lips, "This is also acceptable," his hands slid up the front of my shirt, they pressed against my cool skin, and my body temperature skyrocketed against his touch. I lifted my body and let my legs wrap around his torso, his strong arms grabbed me tightly as our kiss deepened. My hands reached down to his cut off t-shirt he was wearing but I wanted to be against his chest. Troy carried me back to our bedroom as he laid me down and threw his t-shirt to the floor.
"Mommy! MOMMY!" my body jerked against Troy as I rolled away from him as Logan's hysterics cried through the monitor. She let out a bloody murder scream as I hastily ran out of the room barely getting my footing underneath of me. My heart sped up as I could hear her clear away from my bedroom, away from the monitor. I slid down the stairs and threw open Logan's door as she was sitting in her bed screaming and scratching at her arms. I picked her up and her sobs grew louder.
"It's okay, it's okay," I held her tightly but that didn't stop the screams that fell out of her mouth, Troy appeared in the doorway as his eyes looked at Logan. He came over and pressed his chest into her back while wrapping his arms around the both of us. We found out many nightmares ago that Logan did better when we wrapped her tightly together. She was still shaking against us while sobbing, her fingers kept clawing against my shirt but I held her tighter and tighter.
I could hear Troy's soft whispers into her ear telling her that everything would be just fine, that we were both right here and it was only a bad dream. I repeated how much I loved her over and over again until her breathing began to slow down and hiccups escaped between her lips. Troy and I didn't stop until we knew that she was completely calmed down, Troy was the first to loosen his grip but this caused whimpers to fall from her mouth and another soft cry.
Troy pulled her back in and she quieted while I kissed her temple, "Lolo," she shook her head in my chest as I shared a concerned look with Troy. We both agreed silently as Troy let go again which caused Logan to freak out again, "It's okay, Lo" Troy said as he rested his hand on her back while I carried her though the house. Troy pushed open the bedroom door as we both climbed back into bed with Logan while she trembled between us.
I kissed her face while Troy pulled his fingers through her hair. "I love you." Troy whispered to her, she twisted and hung onto Troy as he closed her in tightly into his arms. I watched the two of them while they stayed close together. Troy gently rocked her in his arms while I just watched the two of them. Logan finally began to let her cries fade and then Troy let his arms relax a little bit more. My fingers ran down her back in the quiet night.
"That was one hell of a nightmare," Troy said as he let his arms open and she rolled gently to her back. Logan's fingers clutched her favorite blanket and Troy stared at her for a couple of moments, "I hate that she gets so scared." I reached over for his hand and I held It, "I know, she'll be okay though," Troy's eyes flickered to mine, "You always had nightmares when you were pregnant with her." I nodded my head and I leaned forward to kiss him.
I then kissed Logan softly on the forehead. Troy let out a large exhale as I thought about the girls needing to eat in the next room over. My eyes fluttered shut but minutes later a little crackle of a cry escaped the monitor.
Andy cooed in front of the twins as they squirmed on their mat that was placed in the middle of the living room. I glanced at my watch on my wrist as my stomach twisted, the twins weren't coming to the game tonight and this would be the first time that I would be going away for that long.
"Andy, do you have any questions?" I asked as I ran my hands down my jeans, Andy shook her head, "None," she answered with an honest smile, "Are you taking Logan to the game?" she asked and I hesitated because of the nightmare last night. She was really tired today.
"I don't think so. She probably needs to go to bed early tonight. She had a pretty bad nightmare last night." I told her honestly, Andy nodded as she sat back on her heels, and "Do you want Katy coming over tonight?" I thought about it and I knew Katy and Andy had formed a friendship over the past summer. They communicated what dates they wanted and what trips they wanted to go on. Logan had grown attached to both of them equally.
"If you want the help. The twins shouldn't be too much of a problem. Logan will want to play though…" I then laughed, "Yea, we can call Katy." Andy was on top of it as she called Katy.
My phone buzzed in the back of my pocket and I slipped it out to see Troy calling me. Strange.
"Hello?" I answered after I slid the bar over, "Hey do you think you can make it to the stadium in like thirty minutes, I need to talk to you." His voice was so deep but I could hear his nerves breaking the surface.
"Yea, of course, I decided not to bring Logan anyways, she needs to get rest tonight,"
"No," Troy quickly spoke, "I need her here. I want her here." I flashed my eyes up to the clock; I was taken back by the demand that he made. "Okay," I breathed, "I can't be there in thirty minutes then."
"I need you to come now alone and then I'll let you go grab Lo, I need you." I nodded my head concerned, "Okay, I'll be there soon." I hung up the phone and I looked at Andy. "Sounds like Troy wants Logan to come, he needs me first though, so I will go talk to him and let you get Logan off the bus. Is that okay?"
"Absolutely." I nodded and gave her a smile, "Is Katy coming?" she nodded, "Yes, she wants to spend time with the twins as well." I nodded while I went over and bent close to the babies. "I love you girls," I whispered as I kissed on their foreheads.
They both looked at me and squirmed, I brushed my fingers over their hair, "Call me if you need anything." I told her, "I'll probably feed them after I get home from seeing Troy," Andy nodded as is stood up and reached for my bag. I slipped it over my shoulder and grabbed my car keys.
"See you in a bit," I called as I walked out the door, I walked down the stairs and slipped into my car. I knew Troy was nervous, as he didn't say much this morning. After we all fell asleep, he stayed awake, mostly out of fear because of Logan. I woke up and he was holding her the exact same way that we fell asleep.
After twenty minutes, I pulled into Kauffman stadium where the tailgaters were already out in strong force. They directed me to player parking as I pulled in, I took the tunnel underneath the stadium as I came to the lobby. It was deserted in fear of fans wondering in, I pushed the button on the elevator to go down. It slid open to be empty; I stepped in and went down to the clubhouse floor. It opened and Tim was standing out front. He gave me a warm smile, "Mr. Bolton told me you were coming, let me grab him," I nodded crossing my arms, Tim disappeared inside and I turned my back to the door. My eyes flickered to the visiting clubhouse. The Chicago Cubs stood on the other side ready for the battle of the final two. My hands ran up my arm as a sigh escaped from my mouth. His arms then slipped around my shoulders pulling me back against him. His body was tense against mine but slowly relaxed as my fingers reached up to touch his hand.
He kissed my temple and pressed his smooth cheek against my temple. "Come on," he said dragging me down a hallway. He then found an empty room as we both walked in, after Troy shut the door he suffocated me with a tight hug. "I don't know if I have ever been this nervous." Troy admitted while he let me go, I grabbed his hand and locked our fingers together.
"And every single time you are nervous about anything, what do I tell you?" I told him, he smiled, "That it is just me and you looking at the sky," he replied, I reached up to brush my thumb across his cheek. "Exactly," He exhaled and his blue eyes flickered to mine. He kissed me and I kept my hand against his face. I slipped it back to his neck to pull him closer. "What if I don't pitch well?" he questioned as he put his forehead against mine, I shrugged, "Then you come home, you kiss your little girls, and then snuggle with me. You wake up tomorrow and you work harder." I told him, he exhaled and let go of me. He paced the room for a moment as his brain was turning, "I need this one Gabs,"
I nodded, "I know you do, but you also have to know that I don't care what happens on that mound tonight. Logan doesn't care. Makenli and Adalyn do not care what happens tonight. We love you, and that is what matters." His eyes flickered to mine and the pure panic behind them scared me.
"Troy, you have been one of the best for the longest time. You are fantastic at your job and don't doubt yourself. You are going to give up a hit. You are going to walk somebody. You might hit a batter. You might give up a run and that is okay." He sat on the table in the room and I walked over to stand between his legs.
"You just have to go and pitch seven innings Troy," his breathing was slowing down as his tongue swept across his lips, "Seven innings of strong pitching and you are putting your team in the right position. They have to hold their end of the deal as well Troy. You can't help them today. You know that." Troy nodded his head and he sighed, "Remember the deal we made when I was pregnant with the girls right? Every week we made it without labor until thirty-five weeks we would celebrate," Troy nodded, "Of course, it kept us going through that entire pregnancy," he said with a laugh, I nodded in agreement, "I know but maybe we do that here. Every inning you go out and pitch, is one day you can take me on a vacation without any of our kids," Troy's eyebrows raised at the proposition that I handed him, "Excuse me? Are you bribing me to pitch well?" he asked with an amused smile, I nodded my head as I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I sure as hell am,"
Troy grinned, "What's the limit?" he whispered into my ear as he brought me close, "If you wait till January or early February nine," I said back, Troy smirked back at me as he pulled me a bit closer, his lips dangerously close to my ear. "Will I get a preview of what that vacation will be like if we win?" My breath hitched in the back of my throat and I nodded very slowly. Troy let a smirk cross over his features and he nodded slowly. "This might be some of the best baseball I ever play," he said with big smile on his face. I shook my head and I could the see how the nerves drained from his body, his shoulders were lighter. "I love you," I whispered as I leaned in close to him, his eyes drastically changed from the playful blue to serious, "I love you too," the drastic change told me how sincere he was about his love for me. "Never doubt that," he said tapping my nose. I smiled and he wrapped me tightly in his arms, he inhaled and exhaled a couple of times before letting me go.
"I'm better," he confirmed with a nod, "Thank you," I nodded my head as I tucked hair behind my ear. "Go kick ass Troy Bolton," he squeezed my hand with a bright smile, "Yes, ma'am,"
"He is fucking dealing," Cody said seated next to me, I smirked as my elbow rested on my knee, my hand holding my head as I watched Troy pitch better than he has all year.
The stadium screamed as he closed off the seventh inning with a strikeout – his fifteenth of the night. They had only managed a mere two hits off of Troy and only walked one. Logan walked over rubbing her eyes, "Come here," I said, she walked over and I pulled her into my lap. She rested her head on my shoulder as I kissed her forehead.
"Mommy, is daddy winning?" Cody laughed next to me and I nodded with a smile, "Daddy is certainly winning." My eyes glanced to the large jumbotron to see the 5-0 score posted proudly.
Cody leaned over to tickle Logan but she only turned her head into my body more. "Can you grab her blanket?" I asked, Cody nodded his head and reached over for the bag. He pulled out her blanket and she grabbed it. "She's tired," Cody, said with a glance, I nodded my head, "She had a pretty bad nightmare last night." His eyes looked at Logan with sympathy.
"Poor girl, she gets those so frequently." I nodded as the Royals went down in order and Troy back onto the field with a roar of applause. Jack came over while he adjusted his baseball cap. "I was extremely nervous for him all day today and look at him," we all watched Troy pop a batter up. "She's already asleep,"
Troy threw the ball over the plate and the batter swung and missed as the crowd erupted with the sixteenth strikeout for Troy. Logan curled closer as my eyes glanced down at her as she slept soundly against me. I reached for my cell phone to see a text from Andy; I slid it open to see that she was just sending me an update. I gave a smile looking at the picture of the two of them lying in their cribs. I put my phone down as Troy got the last batter to ground out to third.
The crowd chanted loudly as Troy yelled excited on the field as the crowd stood up chanting his name as he exited the field giving multiple high-fives. There was three outs left for Troy to grab and I knew he wanted them badly. Lucille came over and she was grinning from ear to ear, "Oh my god, he is trying to kill me!" I laughed as Luke walked past texting on his cell phone. Finn and Emily were both seated up front watching intently.
My eyes roamed around the room to see every person into the game separately. Everybody was anxious and excited to get the rest of this game over with, to get game one underneath our belt. My chest exhaled when my dad walked over, his eyes flickered down to Logan asleep against me. "Somebody must be really tired." I nodded as I glanced down at her again. "She had some wicked nightmares last night."
"Poor girl, did you get any sleep?" I shrugged, "Between the three feedings for the girls and then Logan's nightmare there wasn't a lot of sleep last night but we're good." My dad ran his hand down my back and sighed, "Your husband is killing it out there," I nodded with a tiny smile, "I know, he is killing it." I watched the Royals go down in order and the anticipation of Troy returning onto the field was running high through the stadium.
The team ran out and Troy was quick to follow with his glove in his hand. The crowd erupted loudly as he took the mound and focused on his task. My eyes went to the World Series logo along the side of field; the cheering fans as Kauffman was ecstatic about the possibility of another World Series win. My lips smiled as I watched Troy walk around the mound, he bent over the back, as I knew he was trying to find his last ounce of strength to finish this game.
His fingers drew across the back of the mound four letters G-L-M-A
Troy's POV
"Seventeen strikeouts, a career high?" I smiled and nodded my head as I twisted my cap on my head backwards as I squeezed the bottle between my hands, "Yea, I don't know, it was crazy out there." The reporters laughed, "Do you have any idea what happened out there?" I shrugged my shoulders, "It just happened. My fastball was alive, my change-up was deadly, and I could bury my slider down and away. It was some of the best pitching I have done all year."
"Better than the no-hitter?" I scoffed, "Yes, way better than the no-hitter." I waited for the next question, "Did you do anything different today?" I shook my head, "Not really. I mean my wife and I had a good talk before the game. I was pretty nervous and she can ground me pretty well."
"What did you guys talk about?"
"Nothing, really, I mean she is just able to remind me about where I started and that this is a game. If I pitched poorly tonight she was going to be there still with my three little girls. They still love me even if I strike out nobody. They love me if I strike out seventeen and I don't know, it might have helped that I was able to know that I have them. They will always be in my corner." I felt a smile pull to my lips, "So it gave me the confidence to go out there and just deal. It took worry off my shoulders."
The reporters began to talk again and I answered several more questions until I was excused. I stood up and thanked everybody as I walked down the hall and back towards the lucky room. "Bolton, go to the family room," I looked at Josh and nodded as I turned around heading to the family room. My ears picked up her laugh, I walked into the room and she was talking with another wife while holding a sleeping Logan.
Logan was curled up tight to Gabi while clutching her blanket closely. Gabi was rubbing her back and she laughed again which caused my heart to soar with happiness. I maneuvered into the room and she turned to look at me with a huge smile on her face. Fucking hell.
My knees went slack in response and my stomach churned with happiness...and need. I reached over for Logan but she shook her head, "I'll let you have her but the bag of ice on your shoulder needs to go and you need to be completely changed. I don't want to bounce her around." I could only nod my head in response and she gave me a funny look, "What's wrong with you?" she asked me, I smiled and leaned in close to her ear, "My need for you is through the damn roof," I could see her raise her eyebrows from the corner of my eye, "And I think I need clarification do I get seventeen days or nine?" she laughed and smiled, "Funny Mr. Bolton, you get nine." He shook his head, "How about seventeen hours?"
Her laugh escaped again, the fucking laugh, "We'll see," she responded and nudged me, "Hurry, if you want to see her," I nodded and turned to leave. I rushed through my ending routine as the guys were lingering and talking well into the evening. Jace came up and patted my back, "Dude, you killed it." I smiled as I pulled my shirt back on, "Thanks man,"
"Please tell me you are going out to celebrate tonight?" I bit on my lip, "Dude, I don't know if you have seen my wife tonight but I literally can't get out of here fast enough." Jace pulled a huge smirk over his face, "I see," he said with a laugh, "You know what, I don't blame you," I smiled as I pulled my backpack on and made sure I had everything, I threw my keys in my pocket, "Tomorrow night on our flight I'll have a couple of drinks. Maybe go out in Chicago with you guys."
Jace smirked, "I'll hold it to you man."
I turned waving to Zach and Josh on my way out the door. They waved back as I found my way into the family room again. "You ready?" I asked, she handed me Logan and it felt so good to grab her. She barely woke up but she grabbed my shirt and tugged it closer. I kissed the top of her head as Gabi grabbed her bag from the couch. "Yea, I'm ready. Are we walking it?" I looked at the clock and I shrugged, "Sure,"
Gabs and I headed for the door as she pulled out her keys, "I am going to go home and feed the girls…do you think you can wait forty-five minutes?" she asked me with a teasing smile, "If I can have you from feeding to feeding I think my dick can wait," she shook her head with a small laugh, we pushed out the doors together and Logan woke up for a second at the cold breeze. She let out a whimper and I wrapped my arms tighter around her.
Only a handful of fans were lingering outside player parking, a few called my name and yelled that I played well. I gave them a smile and waved but couldn't sign because of Logan – and they understood that. We slipped into the gates and she managed to park right next to me. "Do you have a car seat?" Gabi asked I nodded as we mainly used Gabi's car for transportation so I only had Logan's car seat. I opened the door and set her into her car seat, which caused her to wake-up.
She released a cry trying to hold onto me, "Logi," I said kissing her temple, "We'll cuddle in your bed." I told her quietly, "We have to go home though," she still didn't want to let go, as I made sure she had her blanket. She rubbed her eyes and cried again, I shut the door gently only to see Gabi leaning against the car. She wiggled her finger for me to come closer, I stood in front of her as her arms wrapped around my neck to pull me down.
She pressed her lips against mine with such a passion, it took all control not to throw her in the back seat of her car and do everything I wanted to do. "You're teasing," I said pulling away breathless, "Just a preview," she whispered. I felt my eyes roll into the back of my head at those words and my dick twitched with happiness.
"Let's go," I declared.
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025
Gabi's POV
His fingers wove through my hair as we laid together early in the morning, "You've never made me prouder," I told him as I squeezed his bicep, he gave me a curious glance and I nodded, "You made me so proud Troy," he smiled at me while giving me a sweet kiss. We both knew that Logan was going to be awake soon, that the twins would be looking for another meal in the next twenty minutes and that our day would begin.
We also had to pack to get ready to leave tonight. "I don't think I am going to come to the game until later tonight." Troy nodded his head when one of the twins cried out from the room across the hallway. Troy slumped over as playtime for us was over, "I'll be back," I told him sitting up, Troy shook his head and gently pressed me back onto the bed. "I'll go get the girls." He rolled out of bed and reached for his shorts.
My eyes were so heavy from our long night together but I wouldn't have changed a thing. Troy came back moments later with Adalyn. "Mac was still sleeping," I nodded my head and he gave me Adalyn who I couldn't believe was almost two months old. I moved my tank top around until I exposed my breast to her to latch on, she soothed quickly as I relaxed against the back of the bed. "Where are we going to go for nine days Mrs. Bolton?"
I turned to look at him and sighed, "I don't know where do you want to go?" Troy found my hand and smiled, "As much as I love what you did, the motivation, I think I only want to leave my girls for five days," I exhaled loudly with a laugh, "Thank god, I didn't want to leave them for nine days." Troy smiled rubbing my shoulder with his thumb. "Somewhere warm though," he said pressing his lip to my temple.
"Let's go to the Caribbean," Troy said spreading his fingers over mine, "Okay…where?" I questioned after that, he looked up at the ceiling and thought about the locations he could take me. He then reached for his cell phone on the nightstand as he scrolled; he began to rattle off different locations that we could adventure to without the kids for a couple of days. "Turks and Caicos?" Troy said, "Yes," I automatically said, Troy smirked, "Done,"
"Still end of January, beginning of February?" I questioned, "I want the girls to be a bit older, hopefully not waking up nearly as much in the middle of the night." Troy nodded his head, "That's fine, how about the end of January?" I calculated how old the girls would be in January and nodded, "Okay, that's fine, they will be about five months old." Troy nodded as he looked at the dates. "I would feel bad in February because Logan won't see me much until April."
"I know," I said as I rubbed Adalyn's back while she continued to nurse, I laughed leaning my head back, "What the hell am I going to do without you," Troy smiled rubbing my knee, "Good thing that you don't have to worry about that for a while." He kissed my forehead, "Remember that we are also going down to New Mexico the week after Christmas." I nodded my head because I knew how excited Troy was for that.
"Did you book all of the tickets for that flight?" Troy rolled onto his side and nodded, "Yea, Cody booked his for the same flight too."
"That is going to be a crazy flight," we both shared a look and laughed, Addy pulled away as her brown eyes looked around the room. "Do you want to burp her?" Troy nodded his head and took her from me. He cooed at her as she smiled and moved her hands around. "You are getting way to big," Troy whispered, "Troy she is barely seven pounds," I said with a laugh, Troy still pouted as he held her. "I know I just want her to stay little forever."
I got up and ventured across the hallway to see Makenli was awake but contently laying in her crib. "Good morning sweet girl," she had broken free from her swaddle, probably what woke her up, and her arms moved in the air. A coo left her mouth and I couldn't help but feel content. I picked her up and placed her against my shoulder. I walked back into the room and Troy was still playing with Addy on the bed.
I settled back down and Makenli looked over at Troy with a smile forming on her face. Troy smiled back reaching over to tickle her tummy. "Good morning Mac," she moved in her footie pajamas, kicking those legs out, "I couldn't leave these girls for that long," Troy said with a smile looking at me, "And it kills me to know that I will."
"We have time. Let's get through the World Series first," Troy nodded and he then laughed, "We're playing in the World Series," I laughed with him this time, "You sure are,"
Friday, October 24th, 2025
2-0 Royals
Chicago, Illinois
"Mommy, where is daddy?" Logan asked as she scanned the field as they were introducing players, I scanned the line myself until I spotted him stuck between number 12 and number 15. I pointed it out to Logan and she grinned, "Daddy!" she squealed and clapped her hands excited that she could see her dad on the field. Jack and Luke were seated on the other side of me, as they were the only other family members to make the ride up here for game three.
If they didn't sweep, Troy would start game five and I knew a lot of our friends and family were coming up for that start. I bit on my fingernail as Melissa sat two rows in front of me with Brooke perched on her lap as the Cubs took the field. Josh took several steps back into the dugout and I could see Melissa watching him closely. "Mel," she turned to look at me, "Hey! Where are those babies?" she asked with a smile, "Inside sleeping," I told her, "If I have any luck they will sleep for half of the game."
Melissa picked up Brooke and moved to the row right in front of us. "Lolo, are you missing school?" Melissa asked, Logan giggled and nodded her head, "Yea! Mommy is letting me!"
"How nice of her," Melissa winked at me and she smiled pushing her sunglasses back into her hair, "How is Josh?" I asked her, a weary smile crossed her face as if she didn't know how to answer that question. "I wish I knew a solid answer to that question. He is really enjoying right now but I know he is still worrying about what this off season will bring." Troy had mentioned to me a couple weeks ago about Josh's impending free agency and he wasn't sure if Josh would want to stay.
"Troy is a saint for taking care of that before his stuff comes up. It levels my stress." Melissa laughed and nodded, "We all know Josh, the slacker," I smiled and nodded as the first pitch was thrown and we both paid attention for a while. Both teams had a strong pitcher on the mound creating it hard to get a hit. Troy was laughing in the dugout leaning over the railing while the Royals batted. I loved to just watch him during the game when he wasn't pitching.
Logan messed around with Luke during the game, "Gabi," I tilted my head back to see Jace's current girlfriend, "Are they awake?" I asked as I stood up, Julia nodded her head tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yea, Makenli woke up first," I thanked her as I walked by as a couple of wives were standing around the stroller. I smiled as I stepped in front and they all parted. Makenli looked at me with panic as I eased her out of the buckles.
She rested her head on my chest as I rubbed her back until she calmed down; I kissed her head as I turned to continue watching the game. I bounced her gently as I lured her back to sleep as the Cubs managed to get two players on the base path. I let out a long yawn as the week was growing long and my eyes were getting a lack of rest. I was hoping I would get some sort of sleep tonight. Breastfeeding sucked.
I sighed when Casen's wife stood next to me with a smile, "Look at those girls," I smiled over at her, Brittney had grown on me over the year since we had signed Casen. They were slowly worming their way into our friend group and I loved it. "Hey, are you coming to the Halloween party?" I asked her, she nodded her head with a smile. "Casen is pretty excited. I guess Zach told him about how you and Troy are always coming up with the best costumes. He wants to top you guys."
I laughed, "Yes, we have done some pretty decent costumes before. I will not spill what our upcoming one is though," I said with a wiggle of the eyebrows, Brittney laughed and crossed her arms over her chest. "We are having a get together once the season is over, it isn't at our house but I didn't know if you and Casen would want to come? Josh and Zach go along with their wives. Troy's best friend from his childhood, I bet you have met him, Cody." She nodded, "Yea, that sounds amazing. Is there anybody else?"
"My best friends from college. Ellie and Mallory. They are pretty fun to be around." Brittney smiled, "I'll run it by Casen but I would love to join. With us being new this year we are trying to find a group of people to become friends with and just make friends. Casen always does well. I think that had to do with him being a military kid and then major league baseball he is always bouncing around. He knows how to make friends fast."
"Well we are more than happy to welcome you. I believe it is at Troy's best friends house."
"I have met Cody, he is pretty nice."
"Cody is awesome. He'll be here if there is a game five." She nodded and Brittney looked down at the twin girls, "Casen and I got married a little over two years ago and a year ago we started trying for a baby," she told me as she rubbed her eyes, "It has not been easy and is putting a strain on our marriage." I gave her a look and I didn't know what to say because she was upset, "I've had four miscarriages and spent a good nine months trying to get pregnant," I told her, Brittney looked at me with a flicker of hope, "Troy and I were probably days away from a divorce until we just talked to each other."
"Was this before or after Logan?"
"Both." I told her with a shrug, "I had two miscarriages before Logan, before we were married, and then when we started to try again we had the biggest trouble getting pregnant and then we did and we had two more miscarriages. We fought a lot and once we finally just listened we fixed us and were blessed with two beautiful babies," Brittney grinned, "They are very beautiful," she stroked Adalyn's cheek. The crowd roared as two players crossed the plate as the Royals looked a bit defeated at the moment.
Brittney sighed as she looked at Casen over at second base, "Brittney, would you like to come to breakfast tomorrow morning with us? I think Melissa might go with Josh. Casen is more than welcome as Zach will also be there."
"That will be lovely. I'll have to see if Casen wants to get out of bed that early," I laughed, "Sometimes I don't want to be but we enjoy the time." Brittney nodded; I put Makenli back in her car seat and buckled her in as I pushed the stroller trying to keep both of them asleep. "Momma!" Logan ran across the room and she threw her arms up. I picked her up and she yawned, "I want to go home." I rubbed her back soothingly, "Why?" I asked her.
"I'm sleepy,"
"Don't you want to wait for daddy?" she shook her head and Brittney smiled at her, I brushed my fingers through her long hair and kissed her temple. "How about we stay for two more innings?" I asked her with a pinch to her belly. She giggled and conceded to the idea. "She doesn't seem to want to stay very long,"
"She's pretty tired. I'm pretty tired." I said with a laugh, Brittney laughed, "I'd have to agree."
"I don't mind leaving early when Troy isn't pitching. Especially when she is exhausted. She is much easier to handle when she is happy." I looked at her climbing on Jack's lap as the Royals stranded two runners on the corners. I began to slowly pack things up as the game entered the seventh inning. They were taking Wilson out of the game; his spot to bat was coming up. I wondered back out to the patio as Jack was talking to Luke.
"Do you think they will pinch-hit Troy?" Luke asked me, I thought about it for a second and I shrugged. You didn't necessarily want your power bats to come up to bat with nobody on base. I shrugged because Troy was a good hitter. He was outstanding at hitting still; he still took batting practice in the cages religiously.
We waited as our eyes were trained on the stoop of the dugout. Troy was gone from his spot earlier and then he was spotted grabbing the pine tar right outside the dugout. Luke busted out laughing as he reached his cell phone. Jack smirked while Logan came running over to me, "Mommy! Is that daddy?" I nodded my head as Troy stood in the on deck circle, looking like he belonged.
His arms flexed gripping the bat in his hands and I giggled looking at him. I pulled my phone out and I took a picture sending it to Cody.
C: HOLY SHIT! They gave him a bat in the world series?!
I smirked as I sent back a text message as Josh struck out. Troy squeezed the bat in his hands as he walked up to the batters box. They introduced him into the line up as he went through the same ritual as he did in high school. His bat touched each corner of the plate while he took plate. It made me laugh as the Cubs fans were entertained with them sending another pitcher up to bat. The Cubs pitcher was even amused with the thought but I knew Troy Bolton.
He leaned back with his bat, his stance familiar to high school but improved. The first pitch came on the outside corner and Troy flexed but didn't attempt to swing as the umpire called a ball. The pitcher retrieved the ball and then set up again. Troy watched him and then the pitcher released the ball, Troy liked what he saw as he swung and made solid contact with the ball. I gasped as I watched the ball sail through the air and hit the gap in right center.
Troy rounded first and then took an easy slide into second, he bounced back up and sent a gesture back to the dugout as they were all laughing and pointing at Troy. I shook my head at him as his dad was laughing, "He still has it."
"He'll always have it."
Troy's POV
"A hit?" the reporters asked, I smirked, "I still hit in the cages religiously, and it is a great stress reliever that doesn't involve straining my new ligament." The reporters laughed, "I love to hit and I pretty much get a hit every interleague game that I play in."
"Would you consider switching to the national league?" I shook my head, "Nope. I am perfectly happy where I am." The presser ended and I was begging to get the hell out of here. Gabi sent me a text telling me that Lolo was tired and ready to leave. I had to wait on the team though, which caused anxiety to build.
"Bolton, you going out tonight?"
After a loss, I could use the de-stresser, as I now had to pitch the fifth game. "I don't know guys, can I check on my girls first?"
"Yea, we want to change anyways," Casen came up towards me as he smiled, "I really appreciate Gabi talking to Britt," I gave him a strange look and he laughed, "Sorry, Britt just called me and excitedly told me that Gabi was inviting her to breakfast and maybe a hangout or something. I'm not sure." I smiled over at him, "Gabi really likes Brittney." Casen looked down and nodded his head, "We've had a rough go of it with me signing here, moving from our old friends, and she is not good at making friends."
"Gabs has her back," I told him, "It's the happiest I have heard her sound since we left Boston."
"Good, and feel free to join us wherever. Josh and Zach also attend the hangouts, along with my best friend Cody. Gabi's two roommates from college. It's a blast." Casen nodded, "Sounds like a plan," I nudged his shoulder and he gave me a smile, "Thanks again though,"
"Gabi probably would have friended her sooner but with her working in the booth,"
"Makes it hard," I nodded my head, as he understands, we were told that the first bus was loading and I followed half of the team out. It still took us forty minutes to get back to the hotel. I skipped over to the elevator and went up to our floor. Most of the guys were heading to change, "Bolton, I will drag you out of this hotel if I have too." Jace said as he walked along in front of me, I shook my head as I slipped the car in the key hold and then walked into the room.
I quietly shut the door moving through the room as I poked my head in to see Logan was fast asleep in her bed. Gabi was curled up sleeping soundly as I knew she was exhausted from the past several weeks. I peeked over at the twins to see both of them sleeping as well. I wrote Gabi a quick note on the notepad by the bed and then kissed her temple softly. She stirred in the bed while I cringed. "Go to sleep," I whispered while I kissed her cheek.
She nodded her head curling back up, "I'm going out for a bit. I'll be home in a little bit." She nodded again but never opened her eyes. I stood up and quietly snuck out of the room. Casen and Jace were standing outside my hotel door and I laughed, "C'mon you lunatics,"
Sunday, October 26th, 2025
3-1 Royals
Gabi's POV
We all laughed around the breakfast table as the place was in good spirits after the win last night. Brittney was talking with Becca as they flew in yesterday morning. My dad was mingling with the players around at the group breakfast before the team went off to the stadium. My stomach was a tangle of nerves since Troy was starting tonight. He was skipping team breakfast and doing his normal pre-game routine.
Logan was running around with a group of children as Melissa came over to sit next to me. I crossed my arms over my chest and she smiled, "How are you feeling?" she asked me, I laughed nervously, "I am a nervous wreck. I want him to pitch well tonight but I also want him to enjoy this. He may never get this again Y'know?" Melissa nodded her head, "I know,"
'I also want him to be done tonight because I want to go home. I want to sleep for a couple of days and I want to celebrate a World Series win." Mel nodded her head as Cody came over to rub my shoulders, "Your husband is asking or you. Whatever the hell you did last time, do it again," I rolled my eyes standing up and I looked over at the twins. "I got them," he said nudging me forward. I walked across the room and then out the back doors.
Troy was sitting down on the steps looking out across the hotel property. I sat down next to him and then leaned against him, "There's my pretty girl," he kissed me on the forehead while I wrapped my arms around his bicep. "You okay?" he nodded his head while staring out and I slipped my fingers through his. "Do I need to give you another motivational pep talk? Bribe you with something?" Troy chuckled, "I'm good,"
I raised an eyebrow; "Really?" he nodded his head, "Really? I just wanted a couple quiet moments with you. Who knows what happens after tonight." We were both quiet after that, as he would continue to stroke my hand with his thumb. The birds would chirp around us and on the outskirts of the hotel you could hear the busy Chicago life in full action already. Troy rested his head against mine and he squeezed my hand.
"I have to go shower and stuff," he said quietly, "You good with the girls?" I nodded my head sitting up, "Yes, I have too much help today." Troy smiled kissing my temple, he stood up and then reached his hand down for mine. He pulled me up and I wrapped my arms around his waist. My head tilted back to look at him; his blue eyes stared back at me with a smile. "I'm going to make you a hell of a lot prouder tonight, is that cool?" I smiled and nodded, "Yea, I'll be okay with that."
"I'm going to find my Lolo, I'll see you later tonight." I smiled as I pulled him in for a deep kiss. His arms hooked around me, unwilling to let go any sooner than he has too. Once I pulled away for air Troy let go, "I gotta go before I find an empty room." I laughed and nodded my head as he turned walking away with a smile on his face. I crossed my arms, as I really wanted to call him a World Champion tonight.
My eyes gazed to my fingers as they were short and I couldn't keep myself from biting them. Logan was sitting with Cody right in front me while I held both of twins against me. Troy had pitched really well all the way into the 8th inning. He had two hits out of his three at-bats and was doing well tonight.
He was digging his foot into the dirt as I watched him closely; the Royals were winning 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth having only given up one run on a solo shot to center. It flew against the wind and still went way out of here. It was a shot to remember for Cub fans.
Troy didn't let another man on the base paths again though after that. He guarded them closely and if somebody did get on, Sal or him picked them off. It was amazing how fluid all of them were playing with each other. I wish they had a bigger lead than they did because my stomach was tied in knots.
My eyes focused on him as he got behind in the count 3-0. Troy turned around as he faced the set up of his defense while he relaxed his shoulders. He then turned to face the plate as Salvy was waiting on him to flash the signs. Troy nodded his head as he toed the slab and made a quick release of the ball from his fingertips. The batter swung and popped it up in the infield. Troy bailed from the mound and ran off as his teammates came to retrieve the ball.
Once it landed in the glove, Troy flashed a grin as they all jogged back to the dugout. Troy was high-fiving everybody along the way as they were all laughing and loose. They only needed three more outs of scoreless baseball. My heart pounded as I went back inside as I tried to remember how to properly breathe. Logan came running over to me, "I gotta go potty," I nodded as I pointed to the bathroom and walked there with her.
She walked into the door while Cody came in behind her, "I know you are having a mental breakdown." I nodded my head because my breathing as abnormal, Cody rubbed my shoulders and he smiled, "Have faith," he said quietly, "Troy has pitched great all game, he is dominant and ready to finish this off."
I spun around on my heels, "He is batting again?" Cody smirked, "Yea, he is in the on-deck circle. Would you remove him from the game?" I nodded my head, "Yes! I can't handle this," I leaned back against the wall, "Thank the lord I am not pregnant right now. I wouldn't be able to handle the stress." Cody busted out laughing at my worries as my eyes glanced down at the twins lying on my chest. Logan came out of the bathroom as we returned to our seats.
We watched Troy take the batters box for his fourth at-bat. Now that Troy had proven himself, people didn't laugh at him anymore when he came up to bat. They feared a bit as Troy had splattered the ball all over the ballpark.
My eyes watched Troy as he quickly struck out but probably by demand of the coaches to get focused back on finishing this game out. "Family, we're taking you down to the family room where you can watch the conclusion of the game,"
"I need to watch my husband pitch," I said spinning around, "We'll get you in the press," I nodded as I gathered our things as our group moved. We made it to the bottom of the stadium and they led us to a private area where we could get a glimpse of the game still. I was able to get a much closer view of Troy to see his facial expressions. He already had two strikes on the first batter and the crowd was trying to get back into the game. They were trying to will their team to the finish line, to get the run and tie the game.
It was proving unsuccessful as Troy struck out the first two batters. Tears brimmed my eyes as Troy inhaled as he stepped back off the mound. A couple of teammates ran up to the mound and they talked to him for a couple of seconds as Troy focused in on the final batter. Logan was holding my hand tightly as she was quietly watching Troy. He pulled on his hat and then finally put his toe against the slab. He inhaled again as Sal went through the signs.
Troy nodded his head and then went into the wind-up and vaulted the ball. It went to the high outside corner calling a ball. They did the whole routine again but this resulted in a foul ball. "Mommy, what happens if daddy wins?" I smiled leaning closer to her, "Then he will be a world champion." She gave me a funny look, "Is that good?" I laughed nodding my head, "It is sweetie."
She grinned and we watched as Troy worked the count to 2-2. I drew in a long breath as Troy let his eyes scan around for a moment. He then landed on the batter again as he wound up and hurled the ball; it was a curveball that didn't attract the bait of the batter. The count moved to full, 3-2, and my stomach couldn't be in any more knots. I couldn't feel my chest any longer as my eyes watched him. Troy wiped his sweat off his forehead while pulling his hat back down.
He scanned the area on more time, soaking in the moment, until he paused and returned his eyes to where Logan and I were standing. A flicker of a smile appeared over his face while looking back towards Salvy. He then threw the ball and it was as if the world stopped spinning for a moment.
My eyes watched the ball leave his hands and slowly, slowly move towards the batters back. My breath was stuck in the back of my throat while I watched as the batter flexed his arms and swing, the crowd stood still as we waited to hear the ball and bat connect.
But we didn't.
I gasped as air filled my lungs as screams were heard around the diamond as the final out was called of the 2025 World Series. Troy threw his glove in the air as he wrapped his body around Sal. The outfield came running in as the infield mob Troy and Salvy. Coaches came running out of the dugout as the spare players and bullpen sprinted in. Logan and I were screaming together as tears were flowing down my cheeks. The boys were bouncing up and down on the pitchers mound chanting and yelling with excitement.
We waited for us to be allowed onto the field; the twins had woken up in all of the commotion around us. Once they let us onto the field I walked with Logan's hand tightly in mine as Troy spotted us almost immediately. His eyes were brimmed with tears as he pointed at us and then held up a finger as ESPN pulled him over for an interview. Logan slipped away from my side though as she went running for Troy. I laughed as I followed her as she ran through the players and then found Troy.
Troy laughed picking her up and squeezing her closely, "Daddy! You're a WORLD CHAMPION!" Logan screeched with laughter in her voice, Troy couldn't help but laugh and nod his head, "We sure our baby girl," Troy kissed her temple as the continued the interview but he couldn't keep his eyes off of me. Once he was excused, he put Logan down onto the field as he took two steps and tightly embraced me into his arms. The twins pressed against his chest as I tightly held onto him.
"I am so proud of you," I whispered to him as I squeezed him tightly, "Thank you for constantly being by my side," he whispered back, "For supporting me, for loving me, and for constantly cheering for me." I pulled back for a moment as he wiped away the tears falling down my face. He kissed my forehead gently and then my lips, "Congrats World Champ," Troy laughed tilting his head to touch mine. His eyes filtered down to the girls on my chest.
He kissed both of them on the head, "Troy! Trophy! Locker room!" I squeezed his arm and smiled, "Go enjoy it," he nodded kissing me one more time while he kissed Logan's head. He whispered something to her and she gave him a big smile back. Troy then went running down to the locker room.
I smiled turning around to see the World Champions congrats on the board.
He did it.
We did it.
Happy Chapter Day! I hope you guys enjoyed it! World Champs! Yay!
Thanks for the patience! I just finished this chapter, I know I promised it yesterday but here it is! I am working on Rescue and maybe something will be ready by this weekend but no promises!
Thank you guys! You all rock!
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