Chapter 10 – Birthday Magic

"You know your birthday is coming up," Troy said gently as I lay on his chest and we were watching TV, "I know," I replied, not moving much more. "Well," I shrugged my shoulders and I looked at him. "I'm going to be twenty seven, I don't celebrate many birthdays." Troy rolled his eyes, "Try already being twenty seven, I mean, what do you wanna do? Get plastered drunk?"

"Not really," I looked up at him as he took my hand in his, "Then what?"

"How about," I straddled his lap and my fingers worked the buttons of his shirt. He smirked quietly as I pressed our lips together, he smiled, "Lock ourselves in a bedroom all day on your off day,"

"I think I can do that," he breathed as my fingers ran over his abs. Troy shifted from underneath of me as his phone began to blare. Troy pulled back and he looked at me with a groan, "Fuck," he swore as he reached over for his phone. "Bolton," he answered, his breathing heavy as his eyes connected with mine. "Yes," he mumbled, his lips frowning, "I'll be there in thirty minutes,"

I fell backwards and Troy sighed, "I'm sorry, I'm being called in, I guess a big accident happened and they need all hands on deck." I shook my head as I sat down, "No, no, come here," he pulled me back as he kissed me softly, "I said I would be their in thirty minutes, I'm twelve minutes away and my scrubs are in my locker." I raised an eyebrow.

"Aren't you sneaky," I whispered as we undressed quickly. Our kisses, quick and frantic as I felt like the whole exchange happened within two minutes but it was ten minute quickie, no teasing or much but it got the job done as Troy smiled at me, the kiss softer, "I'll see you tomorrow morning okay?" I nodded as he rolled off the bed, he got dressed and everything, gave me another kiss before he walked out of the door.

I rolled into my blankets and snuggled close as drew my legs up to my chest. That was about the best thing ever.

Troy's POV

Slipping on my scrub top, I went out to the massive mess of our ER.

"Bolton," I glanced at my attending as she rushed over, she put on a glove, "Seven pile up on the high way, and at least twenty people and most of them need some sort of surgery." She rushed as I followed her to the ER. She pulled her hair back and I gave her a glance, "Are they all bad?" I asked slipping on a gown over my scrubs. "Basically, lot of rolls overs," I nodded as the ER looked like a mess.

"You are becoming a doctor tonight, go,"

"Alright,"

I was on the top of the residents as I was almost finished. "Anna, Kelly," I pointed them over towards one bed as I grabbed a chart. Glancing through it, I went over to the bed as a young girl, was crying, I went over as I touched her shoulder gently, "Hi sweetie,"

"Mommy," she bellowed, I looked at her face as it was cut up in place and she was scared. "Hi, I'm doctor Bolton," I told her with a small smile, God, she looked familiar. She looked so god damn familiar. I wondered if she was a past patient or something. "Bolton, we need to move faster,"

I held up my hand, "Can you tell me your name?" I asked her, "Abby," she glanced at me and I nodded, "Was your mommy with you?" I began to touch and move things on her body as she trembled with fear. "No, daddy," she looked at me with the big brown eyes and I felt my eyes go large. "Sweetie, do you know your mommy's name?"

She shook her head, "Do you have any aunts?"

"Aunt Gabi!" she cried, I smiled, "That's good sweetie, very good," I reached for my phone in my scrub pocket as I pulled up a picture of Gabi on the beach. My heart raced, "Is this your Aunt Gabi?" I asked her, she looked at the phone and nodded with a smile. "Until I can find your daddy and mommy, I am going to call your aunt Gabi okay?"

She nodded her head as a nurse came running over, "Troy, we have an,"

"I have a case already," I explained swiftly, "You have a toddler who only needs a couple of stitches! We have bigger cases and we need you in the OR," I turned as I looked at her, "I have a case already."

She glanced at me before moving around; I picked up the phone as I took a deep breath. My eyes looked around the ER as I called Gabi. It rang for a couple of moments until I heard her voice, "Hello?"

"Gabs, hey,"

Gabi's POV

"Gabs, hey," I smiled, "Already missing me?"

"A little bit," he sounded off, "What's wrong Troy?"

"Gabi, I have Abby in my ER,"

"What?" I asked sitting up quickly, "She was part of the seven car pile up today," I began to breathe fast, "Is Amelia or Jason in there?" I began to stand as I found a pair of yoga pants, "I haven't found them yet but Abby is scared and she needs stitches, I figured it would be easier if you here for that. She is going to need an X-ray and a CT to clear out any head injuries, hurry okay?"

"Troy, take care of her please?"

"I'm not gonna leave her side,"

"Thanks,"

Troy's POV

Sitting with Abby, I played with her as I kept switching her gauze, "Are you going to stitch it up or does your anesthesiologist ass need help?" I glanced up, "I'm waiting on her aunt so she will stay calm,"

"How do you know her aunt?" Robins fired at me, "She is my girlfriend, I figured, since I have no idea where her parents are, somebody should sit with her," Robins looked at me with a sigh, "I think they need somebody in the OR," she said looking at me, "I think they have plenty, I have seen my whole crew here,"

"Just get back to work soon okay?"

"I need Abby or Troy, I just," I glanced up to see a frantic Gabi. She was in a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt. Her hair swept back. "Brie," I called over the news, she glanced up and Abby screeched at the sighting of Gabi.

"Hi sweet girl," she looked at her and I moved away from my spot as Gabi hugged her. "Who were you with? Mommy or daddy?"

"Dada," she looked up at Gabi and Gabi swallowed. "You haven't seen him?" she asked me, I shook my head, I began to prepare the stitches. "Bolton, I can do that, they need somebody in your field in OR 3," I glanced at Gabi as she gave me a nervous look. "Get me Robins," I snapped, I went over as I kissed Gabi's forehead. "I'm gonna have our best doctor here do this okay?"

Gabi nodded, "I have to call Amelia,"

"I'm gonna check the OR's really fast for Jason okay," she nodded as Robin came over, "Stitches in the face and radiology." I announced, "I am requested in OR 3,"

"Be good Bolton,"

I moved as I looked at the OR board, my eyes scanned as I pointed to a board, I then grabbed a mask and moved into OR 1.

"Suction,"

"What is this?" I asked, the head surgeon looked up, Dr. Phil, "Bolton, what the hell?"

"What happened to this patient?" he glanced up at me and then down at the patient, "Blunt force to the abdomen, simple surgery, should be done in thirty minutes. Why?" I breathed out, "That's my girlfriends brother in law so please, make sure it stay simple." The doctor nodded as I went back out into the ER, after telling my OR I was coming, "He is going to be out of surgery soon and if they are not, page me, I put you down for contact," I said kissing her forehead before running off.

I scrubbed into the surgery as the doctors were prepping, I came in as I intubated and I began my process. My body began to produce sweat and the doctors were calling orders. I set up the heart rates and checked the levels.

"We need to get into the chest stat, I'm going to need bypass,"

Cursing, I began to set it up and I knew we were on a time clock. My heartbeat faster and my eyes blinked, I had just done a twelve-hour shift. "Bolton, I hope you are in for a long one," I looked up, "Good thing I got my time in with my girlfriend," I said with a smirk, "Uh oh, did we interrupt plans?"

"Little bit, I made sure I worked them in though." The side surgeon laughed as they began to work. The smell of the burning came back to my nose, my stomach twisted as I tapped thinking about Gabi, an hour into the surgery, it was becoming gruly.

"Stats?"

The numbers were yelled as I applied more as the lines began to beep faster. "What the hell is going on," I looked at the monitor, "Her heart rate bottomed out," I glanced over everything, my eyes scanning each bar as my fingers adjusted the knobs.

"We have a bleeder,"

My eyes scanned everything once more, "Damn it," I turned at the sound as the doctors were dropping tools and the monitor leveled out. "Artery is torn into shreds, we can't do anything,"

"Time of death, 22:30," I sighed as I shut off the machines; I unhooked the mask and took out the incubation. I pulled off my gloves as I tossed them into the trash and I washed me hands, "Damn it,"

I shook my head as I sat down at a computer as I wrote my notes on how the surgery went. Rubbing my forehead, I finished my notes as it was gaining closer to midnight. I left the OR as I pulled off my gown shoving it away. Going into the ER, everything had calmed in the simple minutes of the hour, "Bolton, we have a person in OR 5 that is waiting,"

"Can I have a ten minute break,"

"Non emergency, so go ahead," I thanked them as I looked in the computer for Jason's names or Abby's I found them both on the third floor. I took the elevator up and went to the room as Amelia was sitting on the bed, Abby in the crook of her arm. Gabi was resting against the back wall as I knocked softly. "Dr. Bolton!" Abby pointed to me and I smiled, "Hey Abs,"

Gabi came over as she stood in front of me, "Thank you," she said softly, I nodded as I kissed her forehead, "I'm gonna be here for the night," I told her with a sigh, "I am due in another surgery in ten minutes," Gabi gave me a soft smile, "Well if you need me, I'll be in the house," her words were soft as I wrapped her into a quick hug, "Well I am gonna go, I love you,"

"I love you too," I kissed her temple before I hugged Amelia and Abby. "How is Jason?" I asked as I picked up his chart, "He hasn't woken up from the surgery yet," Amelia asked, I frowned as I looked at the chart again, my eyes checking off everything. "How long ago," I asked with a quick look, "About an hour," I picked up his chart, "Alright,"

"Troy," Gabi looked at me, her eyes concerned, "It's fine," I told her with reassured smile, "I'll be right back," Going to the nursing station, I leaned across, "Can you call Dr. Rebecca,"

"Urgent,"

"Yes," I replied, I looked over the chart as it had been over an hour. The chart seemed normal to me but something was off, chewing on the edge of my fingernail, Becca entered the room, "Bolton this better be good,"

"One hour post op, normal medications during surgery, and has yet to come out of it." She frowned, "Why the hell is in here then? Should he not still be in post op?" she asked, her eyes scanned it over, "Not my case,"

"Then why are you asking me?" she snapped, "My girlfriends brother in law, they are freaking out, well they aren't because they think this is normal." Becca sighed, "Are you not requested in OR 5,"

"I am but I need to make sure they are getting help."

"I will help them myself, I am going to do a couple of tests and maybe a scan of the brain. It's probably fine but they shouldn't have him up here."

"That's what I thought, love you Bec's!" I kissed her cheek as I went back into the room, "Gabs," I waved her out and I glanced at her, "Jason should be awake. Everything was normal about his surgery and if he wasn't awake yet, he should be in post op, not here, something went wrong and it's crazy right now but my attending Rebecca Ewing is going to help you okay?"

Gabi looked scared as I grabbed her hand, "He is going to be fine," I assured, I kissed her softly, "I just want you to know, I have to get back to the ER, I love you,"

"I love you too,"

I moved frantically back down to the OR, scrubbing in, as the kid was awake. "Broken leg, re-break and a cast," I nodded, "Alright," I sat down in front of the little guy, "Hey bud, I'm Doctor Bolton," he gave me a scared look as I was gowned and had a mask on, "It's alright," I pulled my mask down, giving him a smile, "I'm going to give you some funny smelling stuff for you to sleep for a little bit but my best friends over here have an important question," he glanced at me with a curious look, "What is your all time favorite color?"

"Green," I smiled, "Awesome little man," I grabbed the mask and I pulled it around. "I'll be right here when you wake up alright bud?" he nodded as I pressed the mask to his face. "Can you count?" he nodded, "Count to ten for me,"

He began and after four, he was passed out, "Let the work begin,"

Troy's POV

Lying on the bench, a loud bang and crash as I opened my eyes. "I'm tired," Anna slid down the locker as I nodded in agreement. My eyes tired, "I don't even have the energy to drive home," I said sitting up, "You live a bit away from here,"

"I think I'm going to crash at my girlfriends place," Sitting back up, I slipped off my scrub top and I tossed it into the dirty laundry in the residents lounge. I slipped on my t-shirt and my jeans from last night.

I slipped my feet into a pair of Vans, standing up, I yawned, "I'll see you tomorrow,"

"Only benefit to being called in, you get the next day off," I smiled and nodded, "I get Wednesday off too," I proclaimed, "Lucky bastard," I smirked, "I'll see you Thursday."

Leaving, I put my arms through my backpack. I went up to the third floor as a simple dose of medication was missed in waking Jason up, after Becca caught it, it took two minutes for him to wake up.

Gabi had left around two with Abby and Amelia in tow. I glanced at Jason, he was awake, "Hey man," he looked over a bum smiling crossing his face, "You worked the night huh?"

I let a blow of air leave my mouth, "Unfortunately," he laughed, "Good thing you did, and Abby was talking about you."

I smiled, "I'm going to go home and get some rest, I bet my girlfriend will be up here shortly,"

"Probably," I smiled as I left, climbing into my car, I started it up and I left the hospital. Pulling into Gabi's driveway, I entered the house as a very pregnant looking Amelia glanced up, Abby on her hip, "Dr. Bolton!" she cried, I laughed, "I'm going to forever be Dr. Bolton," Amelia smiled as I gave Abby a high five. "I'm off to bed, Jason was up when I stopped by this morning, and he is doing well,"

Amelia gave me a smile, "Thanks,"

"No problem,"

I moved out as I dropped my backpack by Gabi's office door and I peeked in to see she hadn't been in here. Pushing open the bedroom door, the room was dark as there was a lump of something in the bed. Slipping off my jeans and my t-shirt, I pulled back the covers as Gabi was sleeping.

I pulled her towards me as I kissed her forehead as I cuddled into her. "Mmm, finally," she moaned, "I love you,"

"I love you too,"

Gabi's POV

Troy was still sleeping when I got home from dropping Amelia and Jason off at home for their quiet evening at home. Pulling into my driveway, I saw my mom's car sitting there, I sighed softly as I needed to talk to her.

Pulling into my garage, she got out of her car and I walked up to her. "So I heard we need to talk," she said softly, I nodded, "We do,"

"Gabi, I didn't realize how it made you feel,"

"Mom, Troy and I are going to move in together soon," my mom almost looked surprised as I nodded my head, "Yea, at the end of October. His lease is about to come up, he is applying for fellowships throughout the country and it doesn't make sense for him to have an empty apartment when I love him enough for him to just move in with me." She looked stunned as I sighed, "But," she looked at me, "I was wrong, you don't always push the guys away…I do and I finally found the one who isn't going to let me push him away."

My mom blinked as she looked at me, "Gabi, Troy isn't the guy for you," I felt my heart shatter hearing my mom say this because I value my mother's opinion some what. I did and hearing he say this without even getting to know Troy hurt like hell.

"How would you know mom? You have met him once at a dinner where I ended up blowing up from anger. I don't think that qualifies. Maybe, Troy and I can invite you and dad over for a civil dinner for you to get to know Troy, not ask him a million questions that aren't any of your business. Dad likes him, I love him, Amelia loves him, and Tanner likes him even after the short meeting. Why are you being so stubborn about this?"

"Because you deserve better?"

"Better what mom?"

She looked at me, "You are my baby Gabi, you deserve the world and you met a guy who has the highest mal practice insurance in the world, you found the guy who takes you for granted, you found a guy only because of his money and," I laughed as I stopped her, "Mom! Why can't you see I love Troy for Troy? I love Troy for trying to attempt to teach me to cook. I love Troy because he is patient with me and when I have my writer moods, he doesn't stop talking to me, he comes back to make sure I am okay. He loves his nieces and nephews; Abby loved him as he took care of Jason this week because that was his job. He called me when Abby was by herself, I don't know what he has to do to prove that he loves me for me and I love him for him. I don't know what else because I am trying to give you the benefit of the doubt that I am wrong. I push people away but maybe I learned that from the best."

She looked at me, "Gabi, this isn't fair,"

"You know what's not fair mom, it's not fair for you to judge. I know I don't do your ideal job, I know I'm not Amelia or Tanner but I am I. I'm not changing."

"Gabi, what happened to you? The girl who ran around the house wanting to be a princess and wanted to strive for the highest goal,"

"That is when I was seven mom, I'm twenty six, twenty seven in a couple of days. I learned that I can make my own princesses, that I can please people, and make people readers with my books and that's what I want to do. That is what I love to do and I do strive for the highest goal. I strive to be a writer with awards and to have movies produced off my book."

My mom went quiet, "Did you know I have movie company's that want to buy the rights to Silent?" she gave me a look, "I have been talking with them, nobody knows, just I and I am so proud of myself. That means that I have inspired somebody. That means they like it. That means I am doing something right mom. I just wish you could accept me for me. Stop blaming the people I date because I'm done blaming them too."

Once I was finished I turned around as I walked into the house, my fingers hitting the garage door. I stumbled in the house as I let my headrest in my hands, as I then smelled food. I sniffed as I looked up and I saw Troy looking at me, "Hey, are you alright?" he asked me, I looked at him as I sucked in a breath, "Yea, I'm fine," he set something down and shook his head, "No you are lying to me,"

I chewed down on my teeth as I tried to decide if I should tell him. "Just tell me," he whispered, he read my mind as I sighed, and "It was my mom again," Troy nodded, "Did she go see Jason?" I nodded, "Yea and then I said I would meet her at the house after I was done dropping them off to talk to her because I needed to tell her," Troy nodded as he took my hands.

"She then got all upset with me after I told her, she said you weren't right for me because you have high mal-practice insurance and I was only in for it for the money, which I am not Troy, I make plenty of my own money, I mean do you see where I am standing but my mom doesn't understand that!" Troy looked at me as I bit my lip, "She doesn't want to see I am fine on my own and that I don't need a guy for money or support, I just need a guy to love and for him to love me forever and I found him,"

"I'm glad that you see me that way but it's going to be alright, I promise," I looked at him as I struggled with emotions, "I made some fantastic dinner for us tonight and guess who doesn't have to work tomorrow either?"

Gabi smiled as I kissed her forehead, "Exactly, let's get up tomorrow and go get some coffee then spend the afternoon together, how does that sound?"

"Sounds perfect."

The next two weeks flew by, Troy in and out of work. He was also trying to box up most of his apartment, which wasn't a lot of stuff. The deadline for accepting fellow-ships was coming, as Troy and I still needed to discuss all of that.

I got another three chapters done with my book as after my date with Troy on Wednesday, I had so much inspiration. Troy took me back to South Beach as we spent most of the afternoon having fun in the waves and being together.

The coffee in the morning was the top off. Troy was even able to get the whole weekend off as I had another dinner with his family and I even dragged him to one of mine, my mom and I were still giving the cold shoulder but we had fun despite that.

"Will you please tell me what you want to do for your birthday?" Troy asked, my birthday was this coming Wednesday, "You figure it out," I said with a arch of my eyebrow, "Perfect boyfriend,"

Troy sighed, "I don't want to let you down,"

"I'll be fine, I promise,"

"Fine, we won't do anything, you party pooper,"

"Oh please," Troy shook his head as he had to work nights the following week besides Wednesday…his day off and when he was moving in with me. I smiled as I pulled him closer; we spent most nights apart only because of us having so many coming up.

"Fine,"

Taylor and Chad came for their last weekend in Tampa for a couple of weeks since the baby was going to be due anytime. Troy and I were going to wait for the baby to be born for us to go out on a weekend. We didn't want to drive down one weekend and then drive back the next because the baby came.

If you asked Troy, he was just as excited as the rest of them for this baby. He was also really excited for Lauren.

I looked outside of my office windows; the sun was gone from the view. The black night surrounding us making the ocean invisible, you could only really hear it. My book was finally shaping up because I learned how to balance Troy and my job. Having no set times put a dent in how I worked but I started to set times for when I needed to write. If I had inspiration it wasn't that hard. If I didn't though it was torture but I still sat through that time trying to put my thoughts down.

Troy was doing something in the house as I worked in my office, I was trying to get some extra writing done, "Come on, get ready," I looked at him as it was nearly ten, "What? Where are we going?" I asked him, "Just come on," he said, I rolled my eyes as I pulled on my shoes and jacket as he dragged me out of the door. "What?" I asked him again, he opened his car door and I followed on the opposite side.

Troy slid behind the drivers seat and he started the car. "Troy,"

"You'll see!" he said with a smile, "I kind of forgot that it was tonight so it's last minute. Just be patient okay?"

"I'm nervous," he laughed, "Don't be nervous."

He drove for a bit before he came to a parking lot; he got out and came over for me. He grabbed my hand and I smiled as I heard the crash of the waves, "Why did you take me to a beach if I live at one?" I asked them, "I want you to meet some of my other friends,"

"Wait…you have friends besides Chad?" Troy laughed, his lopsided grin making an appearance. "Clever Ms. Montez," he whispered, he pushed me back against the car and kissed me softly. "Very cleaver." I laughed and I looked at him, "No, most of these friends are from the hospital because I either am with you or at the hospital so yes, I have friends."

I looked down at my jeans and baggy t-shirt, "Trust me, you'll fit in," Troy said as if he had read my thoughts.

He grabbed my hand as we walked; I then saw the big bonfire and plenty of people around. Shorts and long sleeve t-shirts, scrubs, and I suddenly felt out of place because I wasn't one to fit into the doctor world. "Bolton!" Troy waved as he slid his hand through mine. He squeezed my hand gently to reassure me that he was here. I smiled thinking how good it felt to just know you had somebody.

Red plastic cups were placed in our hands, as I smelled the beer that was filled with. "Finally! Bolton has emerged! It's been a while," Troy shrugged as he tossed a glance at me, "Somebody over here is keeping me awful busy."

The guy stuck his hand out, "Tom,"

"Gabi,"

"Whoa, this is the author girlfriend?" he asked, I looked at Troy, "My only girlfriend?" Troy bounced back, "Well I referenced Anna as your Accountant girlfriend so she might as well be your author girlfriend," Troy laughed, "Anna was like three to four years ago,"

"And that's what I called her!"

Troy rolled his eyes as he took a sip of his drink, "No, Troy talks about you often. Guess you seem to be keeping him busy," I smiled, "He keeps himself plenty busy."

"That he does,"

Pushing against my bottom lip, I looked around as the place was filled with doctors. "Do you guys do this often?" I asked, "Every so often, being residents isn't easy and letting loose every once and a while is good. It takes us a lot to get Troy to come though," my eyes traveled over Troy as Taylor's words came back about how he once was in high school. Party, self absorbed, different.

Troy pushed a smile on his face, "I have a lot of other things to be doing," Troy said, "I come at least every other month,"

"Yea when we have like three a month,"

"You always pick the nights I work!"

"Okay, so maybe that is true but not always,"

"Bolton," Troy shook hands with somebody else, female, "Gabs, this is Miranda, she is an attending."

"You join these?" I asked, "It's my first year being an attending, I'm friends with most of these people. Troy is on my service a lot," Troy took another drink as I nodded, "Yea, I think he has mentioned you a few times."

"I'm in Peds fellowship and Troy likes doing Peds, he is really good at it too,"

"Hey, I can't ignore a calling."

"Mmm, if that's what you want to call it. I still don't understand the pain management part. I have never seen you that way," Troy shrugged, "It gets me out of the OR, I get to do more things and it keeps me on my toes."

"But the poor man can't decide between Peds and PM," Troy nodded as he pressed his lips together, "That would be accurate statement. That's why I want to do a little bit of both."

"Well I don't know what hospital will offer you a part time this and a part time that,"

"Don't Peds need PMs?" Troy asked, "Well not that many of them, Boston, I mean I can't think of anywhere else." Troy shot me a soft look as I smiled, "Boston is gorgeous during the summer."

Miranda looked me with an awkward smile, "I lived there for a while,"

"Oh, I have gone on a couple of book tours there."

She shifted, "Right the author, I haven't seen Troy ever read so much until you came around. It's weird but I love how people give him shit about it in the OR."

"He doesn't that often," I said softly, "It's okay though, I don't need somebody who likes to read."

"But," Troy interjected, "I have read many of Gabi's books and they are good!" He encouraged, "I really enjoy reading Gabi's books."

"Uh huh," Miranda smiled, "I'll come back around later, I think I see Marissa showing up," Troy nodded as Miranda walking away, "Yea, I'm sorry about her. She doesn't think I should do PM and I don't know what to do,"

"She likes you," I observed, Troy raised an eyebrow, "I don't like her," Troy automatically shot back, I laughed, "I didn't say you did. I'm just saying she likes you. I can read people pretty well and she either likes you or she enjoys having you around. She cares for you," Troy slid his arm across the back of my neck. "Yea, I think I got that now."

I smiled as I pressed my face into his arm, "Why did you bring me here again?"

"To show you off,"

I laughed, "Really?" Troy smirked and nodded, "Free beer too,"

I rolled my eyes, as Troy laughed, "We were doing nothing else,"

"I was working,"

"You are off the clock!" Troy said as he picked me up. I laughed as I grabbed his shoulders as he hovered me above him. I laughed as he smiled, "You're beautiful, you know that right?"

I smirked as I balanced my beer in my hand, "Why are you sucking up?" I asked him, he shrugged, "No reason,"

"PDA," Troy rolled his eyes, "Nice Brad,"

Brad laughed as he came over, "This must be the girlfriend Miranda is ranting about," Troy shot him a look and then to me, "No, she says you're nice and everything," he said, "Ranting in a good way,"

"Mhm," Troy looked skeptical and I felt skeptical if it was really a good rant or not. I realized that Troy was very attractive. He had the eyes of the bluest ocean in the world, he was well toned, his hair just made me want to run my fingers through it constantly."

"So how is that next book coming along? I thought you killed me wife," I choked back a thing of laughter, "It's coming,"

"It's fantastic," Troy, corrected, he had read over the section I had given him. "What? He got a sneak peak!"

"No," I interjected, Troy gave me a sly look, "He reads over my shoulder which I told him to stop doing," Troy laughed as he squeezed my side. "Well my wife is killing me,"

I shook my head, "Sorry!"

"I think Silent is the first book she read by you and now all I see is your name around my house." I giggled, "I'm glad, it's really my mission to hook you with one book to make you read every single one of my books."

Troy looked at his watch, "I have the early shift tomorrow dude, I gotta get out of here to get some sleep,"

"What time are you tomorrow?"

"I have my twelve hour shift starting at five and then I have to be on call till five in the morning,"

"Because it's the third week and you have Wednesday off,"

"Exactly,"

"I thought I knew you were on call," I said with a glance, "It's not every month that I have to be on call, this one just magically landed like that."

"Wait, you have two Wednesday off in a row?"

Troy raised an eyebrow, "What are you talking about?"

"I thought you had my birthday off and the day you are moving in off? That's back to back Wednesdays?"

"Uh, no, just next week." I felt my stomach plummet, "Hey, I thought," Troy looked at me, and his voice filled my ears "I thought you knew?" I shook my head, "It's fine though,"

"I'll be able to do stuff that night,"

"I know, are you ready to go?" I asked him, Troy licked his lower lip, "Yea, come on,"

Blindly reaching for my phone, I looked at it to see a million text messages and Facebook plus Twitter messages. Oh the joys of Birthdays.

Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes as I scanned through and none from Troy. I sighed as my phone then rang; I looked to see Amelia, "Good morning," I answered, "Happy birthday baby sister!"

I smiled, "Thanks Mel,"

"Mhm, what are you doing today?"

I sighed, "I don't know, Troy worked all last night and is at home sleeping probably. So I'm not sure. Surf a little," I responded, "Work like a normal adult would, maybe dinner?" I yawned, "I'm not sure," I stepped out of my room as I adjusted the thermostat and wrapped my arms around my chest.

"Aw, well if you need any company, I'm pretty bored today."

"No court?" I asked, "Not tonight," she said, "I might be meeting with a client, I don't know,"

I nodded as Amelia worked with the state so clients were rare. I moved towards the kitchen to grab food when I felt my jaw drop. "Am, I'll call you in a bit," I fumbled with the phone as I set it down.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, Troy smirked, "Do you really think I worked last night?" He asked walking closer to me, his arms sliding around my waist, I felt my lips shift and try to make words but nothing formed. I was completely shocked that Troy was sitting in my kitchen. He was making me food. In my kitchen. I thought he was supposed to be working? My head did a three sixty.

"I just worked yesterday silly, I took today off," he said as he kissed me, I laughed, "You are so mean!" Troy chuckled, "I made you breakfast, I hope you'll forgive me!" I turned my head as he grabbed a bag and a coffee.

I smiled, "You didn't actually cook me anything?"

"Well, for my birthday, I am only assuming that this is what I'll get," I swatted Troy's shoulder as he laughed, "I'm kidding, I'm kidding but it's Wednesday. I would hate for you to break tradition."

Taking the coffee from him, I took a small sip, "I guess that's right," Troy shook his head as he kissed my forehead, "You're right, this isn't my Wednesday off but I can take days off,"

"I thought that was frowned upon," Troy laughed, "It is, I have to pull a double tomorrow," I frowned, "I thought I was going to get you to myself all night?" I whispered pulling him closer in a kiss, "Hey, I'm here now,"

"And you lead me to believe you were mine all night,"

Troy smirked, "Is that such a bad thing?" he asked me, I laughed, "Nope," I kissed him again as he smiled, "I thought maybe we would hit some waves, grab some lunch, then hang out for the afternoon."

"You are finally going to show me your surfing skills?" I asked, "Not exactly. I want to see your surfing skills,"

"That's not fair! Come out on the water with me!" I said picking up his hand, "Nah, I'd rather watch. I haven't got to see you surf but once and it was a bad day. The waves are supposed to be good today."

"Do you not know how to surf?" Troy looked over my shoulder and then down to me, "No, I do, not very well though and it's been years. I think I will just watch this time."

I sighed, as I didn't want to put up a fight, "Alright,"

"You were good," I dropped my board and I collapsed on the sand next to Troy. "Really? I felt like I couldn't catch a wave." My legs were still shaking, as it had been another long break from the ocean. After my first two waves I was at ease with the ocean again. The splash of the water and feeling against my legs, this already made my birthday a positive one.

"You caught a few good ones, they weren't as big as I have seen before though. It probably makes it tough."

"A little bit," I agreed, I looked over at him, as he was lying in his board shorts, "What?" he asked, and his blue eyes holding mine to his. "Why wouldn't you surf with me?"

"And make a complete ass of myself?"

I gave him a look, "I doubt it,"

"Mhm, whatever you say. What do you want to do next birthday girl?"

I sighed, "Surprise me,"

"Troy!" I yelled, he laughed, "Come on, we have to go!"

"Where are you taking me? I thought we were going to have a night for the two of us?"

"Sorry," Troy echoed, he pulled me into his car as I sighed. "First, here is this," Troy set a little gift in my hand; I raised my eyebrow as I looked at him. "It's barely been four months…"

"Yea and we are moving in together and I love you and that's the end of the story so open it,"

"I guess it truly isn't moving in since you are going to be leaving in March,"

"Will you open your damn present?" he asked with a laugh, "Somebody is awful impatient."

"I'm excited and I'm nervous because I'm not sure how well I did."

Pulling out a thing of tissue, I picked up an empty picture frame with a piece of white paper inside, a quote on the paper. 'Yet when you get in the real world, nothing is in our hands and we just have to pretend to be part of a script we haven't gotten to read yet.' I swallowed, as it was one of my quotes. "One of the first things I said to you on our date and it couldn't be more true," Troy pulled me out of the trace I was in. My eyes still sweeping over the paper.

Troy was watching me when I lifted my eyes, "It's fantastic Troy."

"There is one more thing," Troy said with a small smile, I looked down, as there was a small box. Opening it up, I looked at him, "Troy,"

"Shh," he grabbed the bracelet and he slipped it around my wrist. It had all of my books on there, a little circle piece with a different color with the title of all of my books. "I plan on adding to this," Troy said, "With every new book,"

I smiled, "I love you," I brought him close as I kissed him, "I love you too,"

Troy pulled into a little bar as I smiled, we walked in hand and hand when I saw Tanner, Casey, Amelia, Jason, Taylor, Chad, Kennedy, Adam, Noah, Will, Katie, and a couple of other people as I looked at Troy.

"You are the sweetest,"

"Yes, I know," I laughed as I let go of his hand as I hugged Amelia and Tanner first. "Happy Birthday baby sister!" they both said, "Thanks guys,"

Kennedy and Katie wrapped me in a hug as I laughed, "Taylor Chad! What are you two doing up here?"

"Celebrating your birthday, duh!"

I laughed, "Did you guys go home?"

"No," we laughed as I then talked to Noah and Will as Troy came over and slipped a drink into my hands, his lips pressing against my temple. "Thanks," I said looking at him, he smiled, "and you honestly thought I wasn't going to do anything for your birthday?"

"I thought you had to work!"

"You are so gullible," I shot him a look and he laughed, "I love you though," he kissed me softly, "Oh buddy, Troy is whipped," I laughed, "Am not,"

Will snorted, "Whatever,"

Troy rolled his eyes as he kissed my temple again, "So we need to talk," I looked at Amelia as I sighed, she looked at Troy, "Can I steal her for a minute?" Troy nodded as I followed her to the bar as we both sat down.

She rested her hand on her growing belly and looked at me. "What the hell is going on with you and mom?" I took a drink as I looked at the TV in front of me, a sigh left my mouth, "She doesn't support me Amelia, she never has, she never will. How do I live with that day in and day out? She won't be happy with me until I stop writing for a living and I'm not. I won't stop doing what I love for mom."

"You and mom can't fight like this," she said, her eyes pained that we had to have this conversation.

"Mel! I gave her an out! I said mom, I know I shouldn't have blamed you like I did, I know it's sometimes my fault and I'm sorry but she just threw down why Troy wasn't perfect for me. She basically called me a fucking gold digger." Amelia sighed, "I'm sorry Gabi," she paused, "I know you aren't doing anything for money. I know that you aren't going to stop. You and mom need to make a compromise though."

I took a long drink and I looked at her, "You try telling her that."

"I'll talk to her Gabs, I just,"

"I know how hard it probably is Amelia and I tried to make those amends. I tried and she pushed me away."

"Then it's not your fault."

"Maybe you should just do what you love right now okay?" I nodded as I looked at Troy who was talking to his two brothers. "He is going to be leaving for a year,"

Amelia looked at me surprised, "What?"

"He is going to do a fellowship somewhere around the country. He is still accepting them and then we are going to sit down and talk about it. That's another reason why he is moving in with me."

"Wait he is what?"

I cringed, "Did I forget to tell you that?"

"Little bit,"

"I think we talked about it,"

"We did but I never knew the final answer, congrats,"

"It just makes more sense."

"It does, he isn't going to get a lease for a couple of months."

I nodded, "Yea,"

My eyes looked over his body, the jeans formed to his hips and his nice button up shirt. I licked my lower lip as he laughed. "I didn't know you could fall in love so fast," I whispered to Amelia, "I have barely known this man for four months and he has contained my entire life. I never want to see him go."

"Welcome to the real world," she said, "You finally get something you want and life throws its huge body in front of you." My lips couldn't respond to her and I looked back at the group.

A sigh left my lips as Troy turned towards me. He smiled and I smiled back, he backed away from his brothers, as I should introduced Tanner and Amelia. Making a small mental note as Troy moved towards me.

"May I steal my girlfriend back now?" Troy asked Amelia, "She is all yours! I am going to go find my husband!" she slid off the stool as I wrapped my arms around Troy's neck. "Hi,"

"Hi," he said with a smile, he kissed me softly, "Did you have a good birthday?"

"Yea, of course," I responded, "It couldn't have gone much better,"

"I bet,"

Kissing Troy again, I slid my fingers through his and I then went over to talk to Will and Noah as I introduced them to Tanner and Amelia, plus Jason. Kennedy and Adam already made friends with them, as Katie seemed to only want to flirt with Will.

"Katie," she smiled, "Come on, he isn't married,"

I turned my head, "But he has a committed girlfriend with a kid," she sighed, "Fine, ruin it all for the separated one," I shook my head, "I love you Katie,"

"Uh huh,"

"Gabs!" I turned as Troy was suddenly standing on a chair, "Excuse me everybody," I felt my cheeks flame as I shook my head, he winked towards me, "I'm standing up here to wish my girlfriend a very happy birthday, it may only be four months but shit, it's been a long and fun four months. I love you!" I laughed as I shook my head; he jumped down as he came close to me.

"What was that?" I asked crossing my arms, he smiled big and he kissed me, "Me declaring my love for everybody to hear,"

I laughed as I kissed him, "It's the best birthday gift ever, I love you too,"

Troy smiled as he wrapped his arms around my waist, "I love you too,"

Happy Sunday! Enjoy your labor day weekend!

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