Chapter 11- Fourth of July from Hell

"Liam," Liam turned his attention away as I sighed, I crossed my feet underneath of me as I leaned back against the couch. "Come on, you must do this," I murmured, he still looked away from me. His eyes were focused on the outside. "Momma?" he asked, his head turning to me. I raised my eyebrow, "Yea?"

"Pay…" he pointed outside, "Liam, if you want to go play outside then we have to do this first." I told him, he puffed out a breath as he pointed again. "pay…" he said once more, I closed my eyes as I was trying to grow patience. To be a mother, you had to have patience and mine did not exist yet. "Liam, bud," I picked him up and I placed him in my lap.

"You gotta focus. I just need you to do one thing." He sighed as he looked at me, "It will be fun if you will do it."

"We are trying to make shirts for tomorrow," I told him patiently, "And I want to put your hand on them." We did this last year too; it was a whim idea I found on pinterest. I painted his hands blue and red and press them on to a white shirt; you then kept the shirt forever. Then year-by-year, you have their handprints. I should have kept doing it on his birthday but half birthdays are good to I guess.

"Pay," he repeated, "Baby, I promise, we can go out and play. Then we have to go to the grocery store." I explained to him, Troy was out golfing with his dad and Uncle Shawn and Uncle Logan. The day was hot and Fourth of July was tomorrow. Fireworks had been booming for the past few days, Liam cried the first time but slowly got used to it.

Once I finally got him to cooperate, I painted his hands and I pressed them down gently on the paper. He cried as he wanted the stuff off of his hands, "Hang on buddy, just a few more seconds." I explained as he tried to squirm away but I had a grip on him. Once I was done counting, I pulled his hands back. "Come on, lets go wash up."

He whined as I washed his hands, once I was done, he looked at the windows and pointed. "One minute," I picked up his shirt and hung it up to dry. It had My 2nd Fourth of July written on top and then his hands underneath.

I then grabbed my sandals and his as I sat him down to put them on. I then grabbed my house keys before I let him run to the door. I opened it up as he went running down the hall and began to push the button for the elevator. "That's enough," I told him, I grabbed his hands as he jumped in excitement for the door to open. Once it did he ran in. he pointed as I showed him which one as he squealed in delight. Once it opened up again, he went running for the door as I called him back.

He stopped and waited for my pregnant self to catch up. He was impatient as we walked outside. Our apartment complex had a playground, an area to just rest or run around, tennis courts, basketball courts and a swimming pool. Liam went straight for the swings, as he wanted on. "Mommy!" he shouted, I walked over to him, "Patient buddy," I said as I lifted him up and into the swing with a strap.

I pushed him a little higher and he squealed and laughed. He kept trying to say higher and higher but it didn't come out right. A smile spread across my lips as I glanced at my watch. I loved spending my mornings with Liam I enjoyed it. He was always cuddly in the morning but once he ate he wanted to play and play some more. I had made a shirt for me, with tiny tiny fingers on it, for the new baby.

I had wrote coming soon on the shirt as I would wear it tomorrow, firework explosions on it and everything. Liam squealed as I pushed him once more, I couldn't wait for baby number two; it was going to be fun and challenging at the same time. The thought of having two kids excited me, Liam finally wanted down as I let him out. He ran around, up and down the slide, playing in the dirt and then back to the slide. I took in a deep breath as I was enjoying myself.

"Liam, bud, you want to go to the store?" I asked him, he turned his head to face me, as he was growing tired. His face showed that he should probably nap first. He had been playing for a good hour and half. He came walking over as he plopped down into my lap. He was dirty and smelled of sweat, "You ready to go inside and have some lunch?"

He nodded as I picked him up and rested him on my hip. I walked up the stairs and then onto the elevator. My ankles and feet were swollen. Once we got back to the room, I let him down as he walked into the room. He then went to grab one of his toys as I went to start him some lunch. I made some mac and cheese with a hot dog.

I cut up his hot dog as I went to set it down at the table; I then went over to grab him. He was playing with a stuffed basketball and some of his action figures as I picked him up. "Come on buddy, let's go eat." I took him over to the table and strapped him in as he picked up his fork and began to slowly eat. He was never a fast eater, unlike his father.

I did the dishes and ate bowl of Mac and cheese myself. Once Liam was done, he looked at me with his blue eyes. I walked over as I picked him and he hid his face in my neck. I kissed his temple as I went to his room; I kissed his temple as I swayed him softly. "Why don't you take a small nap?" I suggested, "Mommy too?" he asked, his voice sleepy. "You want mommy to nap too?"

He rubbed his eyes and nodded, I couldn't have agreed more. I went down to my room as I laid him down and then lay next to me. He curled up beside me as he rested his head. If this was a free nap opportunity, I was surely going to take it. I had slept with my pillow that past several nights, getting a lot better of sleep. I still needed the nightmares to disappear and then I would probably get full nights sleep.

I stroked Liam's head softly as I kissed him gently, his eyes bugging open before he closed them once more. I couldn't help but look at the beauty of him, he was a perfect child and I couldn't ask for me.


Troy's POV

I unlocked the door; I slipped the golf bag off my shoulder as I put it down. I shoved the door open and then I almost called out the names but I stopped at the sudden silence. My stomach creped as I wondered why it was so quiet, I rubbed my eyes as I set down my stuff. The keys spilling across the counter and my wallet sliding further than intended, I noticed a pot of mac and cheese finished.

My eyes drifted further to see toys in the living room. I untucked my shirt and slipped off my Nike shoes as I walked to Liam's room to see he wasn't in there. I then went to my bedroom; my eyes scanned the room before I smiled. Gabi and Liam were cuddled up in the bed, sleeping.

I shut the door quietly as I went to pick up his toys; I threw away the leftover mac and cheese and then made myself a sandwich. I relaxed on the couch, as it was quiet, very quiet.

The TV was on a low mum, a baseball game crossing the screen as I relaxed to watch. I texted Chad and Luke from basketball for a while, as I then stood up from the couch. I almost couldn't take the silence anymore. I went back to check on them as Liam as sitting up rubbing his eyes. Gabi had stirred some, her eyes blinked as she reached out for Liam. He smiled as he went crawling over to her.

"How many fingers?" she asked, her voice was laced with a tiredness that I wasn't used to. "Free," Liam said matching her, she smiled and nodded. "Good job," she kissed his forehead, he smiled and clapped his hands. Gabi leaned over as she reached for her phone. "I wonder if your daddy is home yet," she tucked one of his long strands of hair behind his ear.

"That would be a yes," I said making myself noticed; she gave a smile as she patted the bed. I walked forward as Liam stood up on the bed. He laughed as he jumped up and down as I picked him up mid bounce. "No bouncing on the bed!" I said with a voice, he smiled as I hugged him. "How long have you two been napping?"

"Oh God, I don't know. I feel like a truck hit me though. I have a bad headache and my mouth taste like cotton balls."

I laughed, "Nice description." She threw me a look as she got up slowly. She leaned back as I heard her back pop from a mile away. "My back needs to do that too…" I told her, she threw me her beautiful smile as I walked out into the living room with Liam.


Gabi's POV

Going to the store by myself anymore was rare. Maybe once every full moon. It just didn't happen. Liam loved going to the store but today I left without him knowing. Troy was going to take him out and play some more, since it seemed to burn all of his energy last time.

I pushed the cart along the rows and rows of food. Grabbing snacks, milk, sour cream, hot dogs, more mac and cheese and popsicles as a treat. I bit my lip as a sudden craving for ice cream took over. I went back down the aisles as I grabbed a big bucket of ice cream. As I pushed the cart along, I picked up things for tomorrow. I was making a potato salad, providing hot dogs, and a dessert of a chocolate cake.

I doubled checked all of my ingredients as I was heading to the checkout counter. "Gabi Montez?" I turned at the sound of my former name. Lilly Mack stood there, six years older than the last time I had seen her. "Hi Lilly!" she gave a big smile as she then took in my enlarged stomach. "Oh my God! You are pregnant! Are you married?" she asked coming closer, we exchanged a brief hug.

"Yea, I got married last September."

"To who? I always thought you and Troy would get married but I heard he became this big superstar at the Lakers." She began to ramble as I nodded my head, "Actually, Troy and I did get married." She stopped talking as she looked at me, her eyes trailed my body once more and then she gave a big smile. "No freaking way. That is just amazing! You guys were the cutest couple, so how is the married life?"

"Well we didn't have a normal one, we also have a one and half year old son." I picked up my phone as I found a picture of all three of us from the other day. "Oh my God!" she squealed, "You have the cutest little boy ever!" I thanked her as I got into a steady conversation with her; she was dating a guy for two years now, became a teacher and then asked about the gang.

"Taylor and Chad got married, she is going to have a baby in October. Sharpay had a baby last November and her and Zeke are about to get married, Kelsi and Ryan are still dating but we are waiting for the ring to come out."

"Wow. I envied you guys." She said shaking her head, "I really did."

I smiled as I glanced down at the melting ice cream, "Well I will talk to you later!" I said waving my hand as we exchanged new numbers and I went to check out, but not before I got a different tub of ice cream…and maybe a tub of Ben and Jerry's too.


As I pulled into our apartment complex with a box of pizza, I noticed Troy and Liam on the basketball court. I pulled up right in front of it; Troy had stripped his shirt off as Liam had done also. The scene made me laughed as I got my phone out to take a picture. I honked my horn as Troy turned to look as he waved, "Come help!" I yelled, Troy slipped Liam's shirt back on and then his own.

He then picked up Liam and came over to where I was. I grabbed a few bags from the back as Troy came over. "Ep!" Liam said looking at the bags; Troy had set him down as his forehead came to the bumper of the car. "Help?" Troy questioned, I reached in for the small bag, the one with the small container or Ben and Jerry's.

"You want to help? Can you carry this?" I asked he reached his arms out as I placed the small bag in his hands as he nodded. "Alright, come with mommy." I said reaching for his hand. I was carrying several bags as I kissed Troy's cheek. "Do you think you should be carrying all of those?" Troy asked as he picked up the last load. "Yes,"

Troy rolled his eyes as Liam and I entered the building. We then got onto the elevator and we climbed the floors, once it came Liam was almost dragging the bag but he was determined to help. I unlocked the door as I let him inside; once we got in he set it down on the floor right in front of the counter. "Good job!" I exclaimed Troy came in right behind us with the pizza and the last groceries.

Troy laid the pizza out, "I think you will deserve some ice cream for such hard work!" he giggled and then wanted to be lifted us. I picked him up as I hugged on him and kissed his cheek.

I set him on the counter as Troy and I moved around the kitchen trying to put stuff away. He touched my back softly as he gave me a glance, asking if I was okay, of course I was but Troy needed to know. He kissed my forehead softly as he hugged me gently as I then prepared Liam's dinner.

Placing his body into the high chair, he squirmed until I put the pizza down in front of him. "Do you want to give him a bath?" I asked Troy, "Or do you want me to?"

"No, I got it tonight. He wants you to read him a bedtime story though, he already asked me."

"His words are getting better," I encouraged, "They really are. I am starting to understand."

My eyes glanced over at Liam as he put another piece of pizza in his face. He chewed it as I leaned back against the counter, "Oh Troy," I said softly, "You will never guess who I ran into at the store."

"Darbus?" I laughed and shook my head, "No, Lilly Mack."

"Oh man, I haven't seen her since I think the after grad party,"

"Didn't you date her?"

Troy scrunched up his nose, "No…"

"Which Lilly did you date back in high school then?"

"Lilly Marcus,"

"I think you dated more than one," I teased, Troy mocked my face as I laughed, "That's not fair!" Troy said, "Just because I dated more people than you,"

"Got laid more than me," I corrected, Troy snorted as he then shook his head, "You play such an evil game," he walked closer as he wrapped me up into his arms, his lips pressing against my forehead. "How did I become this blessed?" Troy asked, his words soft and quiet. His eyes glanced to Liam as he then lowered his eyes down to me.

"What do you mean?" I asked him, "I have you, I have a beautiful son, and I have this amazing son or daughter on the way. I have my family, my sister, and I am doing what I love. How did I get so lucky?" he asked me once more, I shrugged as I kissed him slowly, "I don't know but I have the same thoughts." He kissed me once more before we separated.

I began to make the cake as Troy helped Liam finish. I gave him a small bowl of ice cream to give him as it took a lot of control to now eat it right then and there. I finished the cake as Liam began to whine. He held his head as he pushed away the ice cream. He cried as my eyes alertly went to him.

He clutched his head further as he began to sob. Thick tears ran down his face as Troy gave me a glance. I put down what I was doing as Troy and I both went over to him. I picked him up as he sobbed and sobbed, I didn't know what flipped but I kissed his forehead. He didn't seem to be running a fever but he was crying and I knew he was like this more but not like this.

"We are going to skip the bath tonight," I said as I rubbed his back, Troy nodded, "I'll finish up in here." He said motioning to the kitchen. I thanked him as I went to change Liam as he began to calm down as I gave him a dose of Tylenol, just incase he was in pain or had a fever I couldn't detect. We lay together in my bed as I stroked his back as he slept on his stomach.

He went down fast and easy, his body was tired and he didn't seem like his active self. Troy came into our room fifteen minutes later as he glanced at Liam, "Is he okay?"

"I don't know what was wrong with him." I said in a whisper, his little features were fast asleep. He twitched every now and then as I sighed. Troy changed in the bed as he then came to sit down next to us. "He kept clutching his head, it was strange."

"It's like he snapped, he was acting strange at the park. He was slower than normal, quiet, and seemed sleepy. How long did you guys nap today?"

"I don't know I felt like a long time."

"He has been like this for a few days," I began to recall everything over the past few days, "Just not himself."

My eyes swept over Liam as I looked at Troy, "Let's keep him in here tonight," I told Troy, "Yea, right there," he then looked up with a teasing look. "No pillow," he said with a laugh, "I don't think I am getting much sleep tonight anyways."


Fixing my sundress, I glanced at a sleeping Liam. He had woken up once more last night, complaining of pain so I gave him another dose of Tylenol and he went right back to bed.

He woke up this morning happy and seemed better but was still tired. He did have a slight headache when I asked if his head hurt but his Tylenol was still in effect. Then he crashed on the floor playing with one of his toys, Troy walked over as he wrapped his arms around me. "I hope he has some energy at the party."

"Poor kid, do you think he is sick again?" Troy asked his eyes lingered on Liam as he had the concerned look in his eyes. "I sure hope not. I mean its summer, who gets sick in the summer?" I asked him, I had Troy help me clasp my necklace as he touched the back of my neck softly.

"If he still isn't normal tomorrow, we are going to go to the ER."

"How about a doctor appointment first," my stomach twisted, my hand went as to protect the baby as I shook my head. "No, something is wrong with him if this lasts longer." I shook my head, "I can feel it."

Troy frowned at my answer, "Why do you mean you feel it?"

"Something isn't right."

Troy hugged me, "It's probably another virus he caught playing outside. We just need to be more careful."

"Okay," I nodded as I didn't want to argue but that didn't change my mind. I glanced at his little shirt he did yesterday as Troy picked it up and went to change him. He shook him gently as I heard the loud cry, the sobs followed as Troy poked his head out. "I'm coming," I said as I pushed off the counter as I picked up the Tylenol and picked up a dose.

I gave it to him as he changed his clothes then he climbed into my arms. Troy and I walked to the car as he had already loaded it with everything; people were abuzz as I noticed all of the fireworks sitting around.

"Did you go a little overboard this morning?" I asked as I let Liam go as I buckled him into his car seat. "No." Troy said with a giddy smile, "I did not." I rolled my eyes as I kissed Liam's forehead. I then went to the front as Liam had a smile back on his face, he kicked his legs around and rubbed his eyes. "Liam, do you want to see fireworks?" his eyes focused on mine as he nodded, "uh,"

A giggle escaped my mouth as we made our way to Troy's home. My mom's car was already here as Troy noticed to. "Uh oh…" I sighed as I got out of the car, as I didn't know how Lucille felt about my mom these days but the last time we talked, it wasn't hot. I went to pick up Liam but he wanted down to walk, I let him down as he went walking, strange, to the door.

I opened it up for him as he then ran in like his normal self but it still seemed strange. He was quick into Jenni's arms as she was talking to Kyle. "Hey buddy!" he wanted up as he raised his arms above his head and she picked him up. Kyle greeted him as he gave him a high five. Troy smiled as he noticed, "Stop worrying," Troy fussed, his fingers slid underneath my back.

"He is going to be fine."

"Troy," I stressed, "He just isn't…normal."

"He is one and half! What the hell is normal?" I struggled to find an answer, as I didn't know how to tell Troy what I was feeling. I finally nodded with a sigh as he kissed me swiftly, "Now come on," he said taking my elbow, we both went into the kitchen as we put out food. I greeted my mom and Lucille as I went out to the deck, following Troy to say hi to Jack and Sam.

"My goodness. You look beautiful Gabi!" Sam said bring me into a hug, I thanked him as I sat down as more Bolton's began to filter in, Logan and Meg, Shawn and his wife.

I talked to each of them, I talked to all of them and then Jenni waved me over. I jumped up as I went to follow her. "He crashed playing with some of the stuff." She motioned, a sigh left my mouth, "He has been doing this lately. I think something is wrong with him but Troy doesn't think anything is wrong. He just doesn't feel good but something is wrong."

Tears welled in my eyes as emotions took over, "Oh God, Gabi, please don't cry." She begged, I fanned my face, "I don't want to, I don't know my emotions are crazy."

"Let me go get Troy okay?" she said, I didn't want to breakdown but she was gone before I could protest. I couldn't breakdown here; I needed to stay calm and collected. Troy was in the room in a few seconds as he set down his beer, "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, he came to sit next to me as I glanced at Liam who was still sleeping.

"Something is wrong with him." I declared, "And you aren't listening to me."

"You said we should give it a day or the rest of today unless something happens." I nodded as I tried to choke back the tears. "I didn't want to get upset, I don't know why I did,"

"Brie, oh baby," he said bringing me into a hug, "You are pregnant, your baby boy is sick and you are worried. It's fair, let me take him up to my room and then we can enjoy the party okay?"

"Yea," I said as I rubbed my eyes. I went to the bathroom to refresh as Troy came back down the stairs. "I'm sorry okay? I didn't mean to upset you or anything."

"You didn't upset me. My emotions are just wild, lets go enjoy the party okay?" Troy gave a smile as he kissed my forehead. "Yes, come on." He grabbed my hand as we headed to the kitchen to mingle with his family.


I laughed as I had pushed my plate away, done eating. "Troy," I said glancing at him, "Can you go check on Liam?" Troy nodded as he got up from the table and disappeared inside.

"He has been sleeping for a while,"

"Troy thinks he is growing,"

"He has a long way to go," Logan joked, "To catch Troy,"

I laughed as I nodded, "Yea, he has just been really tired and not that big of an appetite, just not himself." Lucille gave me a concerned look, "I think he might just have a virus or something." I pushed the subject away as we began another one, which wasn't hard to do in this family.

My mom sat next to me but chatted with Meg and Lucille most of the night. I glanced to see Troy coming out with a very tired Liam. He was crying again and let his head lay into Troy's shoulder. I quickly was out of my seat as I took him away from Troy. "Mommy's here?" I whispered as he cried, tears wetted my shirt as I went back inside with him. Troy was hot on my heels.

"He just woke up crying." Troy explained I bounced him softly as he cried. "Troy go and see if your mom has any Advil." I requested, it hadn't been long since I had given him the dose of Tylenol which seemed to be the only thing helping.

Lucille walked in as she took in a quick glance of the sobbing Liam, my helpless self and Troy running off to the bathroom that held all of the medication. "My goodness, is he okay?"

"I have no clue what's wrong." I said as I rubbed his back, the tears not stopping from his eyes as I was close to breaking down. "He wakes up screaming and crying, gripping his head and we can't get him to talk to us since he doesn't know what to say and then he gets frustrated," my words were tumbling out of my mouth as I tried to keep it together.

"I'll go help Troy, why don't you make him a small plate of food so he doesn't have an empty stomach."

I carried him around the kitchen as I tried to make a small plate, Kyle came in and I requested him to help. He obliged as I sat with Liam, I rubbed his back in even circles as Troy came back with car keys in his hand. "I am going to run to the store really fast to grab some okay?" he kissed the top of my head, "I wont be gone but for fifteen minutes."

"Okay, hurry," Kyle put the plate down in front of me as I tried to get Liam to relax. "It's okay," I kissed his forehead as he sat in my lap. Tears still dribbled down his cheeks as they slowed though. I handed him a small bit of the chicken Kyle had cut and pulled apart for me. "Thanks," I said looking up at Kyle, "No, it's the least I can do. I don't like seeing my little guy in pain."

I nodded as my lips stayed against his forehead as he then ate a few pieces here and there. He used his fingers and leaned against me, several people came in and out to see if he was okay, no honest answer coming out of my mouth as I leaned against the table. The side door to the house opened as Troy came in, his hair was tussled as he held a bag in his hand.

"Here," he said, he measured the amount out before I held him down and Troy gave it to him. He whined but then he stopped touching the small amount of food he ate. Troy and I forced him to eat a few more bites and then he wanted down.

He ran off into the living room where Jenni was with Carson who had just come over. I let my elbow lean against the table as Troy reached out to touch my arm. "Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes traveled to my belly as I nodded.

"Peachy."

He gave me a faint smile as he pulled me over into his lap. His fingers stroked my stomach for a moment, "I sometimes forget you are pregnant." He whispered into my ear, "I am just so crazy with Liam and then I look at you and see your amazing beauty, then the little stomach that is holding my child, I smile as I know you are being the best mom you can be. Liam is so young and you are still are his mom, you don't fret about the new baby that's on the way."

"I feel like I am going to give all my attention to the baby and not Liam," I feared, "I don't think that will happen. Liam is very pushy." He said with a laugh, I nodded in agreement. "That would be your son." He laughed as people came inside, the sky growing dark. "Troy! Can we start fireworks?" Emily and Max came up, Troy nodded as they cheered and ran back outside. "I am on firework duty," Troy said as his hands rub the end of my back.

"Have fun. Liam and I will be watching safely from the deck." He kissed my temple as I got up and walked over to the living room. He was playing with Jenni, a smile on his face but he still looked tired. He still wasn't the same as he missed the ball flying right past him, something he would have stopped. I chewed on my lower lip as he noticed me. A grin placed on his face the size of Texas, "pay! Pay!" he encouraged, I smiled as I got down onto the floor to play with him.

"Daddy is going to start fireworks, do you want to go watch?" I asked he shrugged as he played with a car. "Come on, everybody is outside." He finally nodded as I picked him up, at his request, which was strange. He loved to walk and run to everywhere. I went out to the back deck as Lucille got up for me, "It's fine," I said waving my hand, "No, you are pregnant, Liam wants you to hold him, you need to sit."

I sighed as I did; Troy was out in the middle of the field. He may be twenty-four but he acted as a kid. Getting to blow something up, that's what excited him. He laughed as Aiden shoved him. Kyle was out there too, getting along perfectly with all of them. I loved seeing our families interact with one another. The little kids were playing with sparklers and waving them around. Liam tried to lie back against me but my pregnant belly prevented it, which made him upset.

I readjusted him as his head laid on my shoulder and his body across my legs. I stroked his hair as the fireworks began to blow up in the sky. Liam watched in amazement but didn't want to get up when Troy called him. He shook his head as I frowned deeper. My arms shivered and Liam turned his head into my body.

"Mama," he whined, his fingers gripped my t-shirt as a big explosion went off. He whined deeper as I got up, I took him inside as I sat him down on the couch, "You okay buddy?" I asked he shook his head as he pointed to his head.

"Owie." He whispered his eyes looked into mine as he looked like he hurt. The beauty in his eyes weren't there and the playfulness of Troy was gone. "Oh baby," I pulled him into my chest as he laid smooshed against me. "He okay?" I turned around to see a very sweaty Troy, his hair was spiked in a way, he had stripped down to a t-shirt and a bandana pulled back his hair.

I released a breath, "No." I stated, "He isn't."

"What do you think is wrong with him?" Troy asked I shook my head as tears formed in my eyes. "Troy, I am clueless." I said as the tears fell. "I don't know why he is so much pain, I don't know why he is sleeping all the time, and I don't know why he isn't acting like himself. I don't know." Tears poured off my cheeks as Troy pulled me into his arms. "Okay, its okay," he whispered, "We won't always know."

"I need to know. Troy we have given him so much medication and he is still in pain." He wiped a few of my tears away. "We will take him to the doc," Troy couldn't even get the sentence out of his mouth as Liam began to vomit. Everywhere.

He wouldn't stop either. Troy picked him up to get him off the carpet and into the bathroom. I followed them as Troy was covered in puke and Liam was too. He was crying and screaming as he almost balled up on the floor. I couldn't speak, as I didn't want to witness this anymore. I wanted to get away from here; I didn't want to be here.

Liam then threw up again and again. I tried to sooth him but he was restless. He was in pain. My eyes glanced up at Troy, "I am going to change me shirt and then we are leaving okay?"

I nodded as held onto Liam, his shirt that we made ruined by the massive amounts of puke. Lucille came in as she leaned next to me, "We are taking him to the hospital," I said shaking my head, "This poor kid, I don't know what's wrong with him?" I said as he was curled up in my lap, tears streaming down both of our faces, as puke was everywhere.

"I'm sorry about the mess,"

"Please, don't worry about it okay?" she rubbed my shoulder as Troy came back. A few towels in hand as he picked up Liam. "I will call once we know something okay?" Troy said he was staying calm unlike me. He had his focus and I was just a big mess.

My stomach twisted as Troy took him out to the car. He was crying and I tried to keep myself calm. I didn't know what to do, as I have never seen that much vomit from such a little kid.

I rested my head on my belly as I climbed in next to Liam. He tossed his head around, as he didn't want to be in car seat. I felt sick looking at him, I then dug through the bags, as I wanted to salvage that shirt.

I found him an old dirty plain white one as I switched them out. He fussed as we made it to the emergency room in record time, Troy must have here often because he knew where he was going. He pulled the car up and into a parking spot as we both climbed out and were basically running into the ER. Liam's cries didn't stop as he then cried out for me.

We had come to the emergency room, they stopped us to check in as Troy had to run back out to the car to get my id as I had left it in there. I'm pretty sure he cussed the whole way and was still cussing when he came back in.

He handed them over and we got printed badges. Of course the ER was packed. Idiots from the holiday, blowing up fingers or stupid shut like that. Liam's screaming caused people to turn as we went up to the front desk. "Name?" the nurse asked, "kid or mine?" Troy asked, his annoyance level rising. "The babies."

"Liam Troy Bolton," Troy then rattled off his birthday, our home address, and our cell phones and then they finally asked what was wrong. That's when I stepped in, "I don't know what's wrong. The past week or so he hasn't been himself and then these past few days he has woken up screaming and clutching his head. Telling us it hurts, he wants to be carried everywhere and sleeping like crazy. Then earlier, I think he puked for a good ten minutes."

The lady typed it all in as Liam cried into my shirt, I tried to calm him as people were giving looks as she thanked us and we would be called back as soon as possible. "I hate hospitals," Troy admitted, "They aren't fast enough and its because we didn't get here before this person." He rambled on as we sat there.

Liam finally fell asleep, the tears stopped as he slept and slept. We waited and waited, an hour and half had passed and we were still sitting there. Troy was growing pissed by the minute as he stood up and walked over to the front desk. "How long is this going to take? Something is seriously wrong with my kid and I am sitting in these plastic chairs."

"Sir, its on a,"

"I don't give a fuck on what you do. My kid needs to be seen, he vomited everywhere and wont stop crying when he is awake." I cringed as the nurses looked at Troy, they then made some noise and suddenly a doctor was out in the waiting room. "Troy?" Troy glanced up to see an older looking lady, "Good God, Maggie," he said, "Thank God!"

"Are you the one causing the commotion?" she asked, her hands went to her hips. "Yes, my wife and I have been waiting with our one and half year old, he isn't acting right, he screams when he is awake of pain, he threw up whatever the hell was in his stomach and we still aren't seen."

She took a step closer as I observed their rare conversation, Troy looked defeated as he rubbed his hand over his chin. She then patted his arm as he gave me a glance and then women looked at me. Troy followed by nodding his head and she nodded, "Gabs, come on," people around us groaned as my cheeks flamed, Troy had gotten what he wanted by throwing a fit but I think it was needed.

Once we taken back to a room, we did his weight and height as they sat us down. "So throwing up, screaming of pain, not acting right, sleeping all the time," she rattled off the symptoms, "Anything else?"

"Well I just want to make this a bit more detailed," I said as I kept Liam in my lap. "The past week or so he just doesn't have energy. He will play and then nap for hours. I mean hours. He doesn't eat as much and he always eats. He wants to be carried everywhere and that is just not like a one and half year old." I mentioned, "Then a few times in the past twenty four hours, he wakes up and screams. He screams and cries and holds his head."

"Did he ever fall and hit his head hard?" she asked, her eyes flashing to the paper and then me. "I mean all toddlers fall but I don't notice that one time that made me think that was a hard fall." I told her, "Then you said he vomited a lot,"

"Oh God, yes," I said, "I have never seen so much puke in so little time from such a little person."

"I am going to go talk to the doctor, I am betting a CT scan will be done just to look at his head. If he fell then we will be able to see a concussion or not, he will probably need to have something to keep him still so you will probably be in the hospital for most of the night but let me go talk to the doctor first okay?"

"Thanks Maggie,"

She gave him a smile as I looked at her, "How do you know her?"

"Old family friend."

I nodded as I let my head rest on Troy's shoulder, "This is not good for you," Troy declared, "Troy," I said shaking my head, "Can we please worry on one thing right now?" I asked, "I don't need what happened last time to happen this time."

"I promise, the baby is fine, I am fine, I am just worried about my other baby." I brushed Liam bangs out of his forehead as I kissed him softly. A knock came at our door as a tall man with small glasses walked in. His eyes were a dark green and he had slicked back hair. He was in a pair of scrubs and a pen stashed in his pocket.

"Hi, I am Dr. Campbell,"

"Troy," Troy shook his hand and I then removed my free one from Liam, "Gabi," he nodded as he glanced at Liam's chart, even though he had probably read it three times by now.

"We want to check for any damage in his head, we are going to probably do a CT scan and an MRI. He will probably need to be sedated so we are going to admit him into the hospital for an overnight stay. We will hope to have the results in the morning but we are going to put a rush on them to get them back as soon as possible. So we are going to take you to radiology and get that all started." I nodded as Troy pulled out his cell phone.

"Sounds good," Troy stood up first as he took Liam from me. I gaped at him; his eyes were stern as I shook my head. I didn't need to fight ever battle. We followed the DR as he grabbed Liam a wristband with everything on it. Troy and I both got one as well as we were taken up to radiology.

Troy gently woke up Liam so he would know what's going on, he looked around as he then caught sight of me. "I'm right here bud," I gripped his hand as we walked, he didn't cry when he woke but they had given him some stronger medication as we went into a small room, they hooked him up to an IV as he cried, he laid on the bed as we made sure he wasn't wearing any metal so he could stay in his close but he was.

Troy had run down to the car as we had a pair of sweatpants for him. I sat with him, my hand holding his as he kept sending me frantic looks. "It's okay," I whispered into his ear, "Mommy isn't going anywhere okay?" he cried as Troy back with the whole diaper bag this time.

We changed him into a pair of sweats, plus a new diaper and then kept his dirty shirt on. The anesthesiologist came in as he made us sign a few papers, Troy read them over briefly as he sighed them. Liam became more upset as I held his hand. "It's okay," I whispered to him, "Mommy will be right here."

He nodded his head as they had him start the anesthesia. His little hand kept its grip on mine until he was fully asleep. The grip loosened as I felt myself get upset.

"The MRI is going to take the longest." Kyle, the anesthesiologist, told us as he kept it there. "It will be about an hour for that and then for the CT just a few minutes. So we hope to have him back in your sight in about an hour and half."

Troy nodded as he stroked Liam's head, "After that they will take you up to a room for observation. Do you want a crib?"

"If we don't get a crib, can we lay with him in the bed?" I asked, my eyes never breaking from Liam. "Yes,"

"Then I want a bed."

"Sounds good, we will put that in and hopefully once we are done you can take him there."

I nodded as they took Liam back. Troy and I watched him go as I kissed his forehead once more as Troy took his hand. They then took us to a waiting room. Troy sat down as he pulled me into his lap. I didn't cry, for once, I didn't. "What's wrong with him Troy?" my voice was rare, "I don't know Brie," he whispered, "I wish I knew." His phone buzzed as he then answered it.

"No, we are in the hospital for the night." Troy responded to whom ever he was talking to. "Yea, that would be great. I just need a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Brie what clothes do you want?" I snapped out of my trace as I looked up at him, "I just want a pair of sweats and a t-shirt with a hoodie."

Troy told all that information to the other end. "Yea, those items would be great." Troy then ended the call, "My parents are going to bring us some stuff, and your mom and Sam are going to clean up the house and said they would be here tomorrow morning or meet us at the house."

"Okay," Troy rubbed my arm softly, his thumb tracing my skin as minutes passed, each of them slowly as I could only think of what my little boy was going through. "What if its something serious?" I asked, my words being choked on, "Brie, we are going to take care of him, we will all be fine."

"What if he dies Troy?" Troy's body stiffens as the words left my mouth, "Brie, don't talk like that. We don't know anything yet. It could just be a concussion and he will be fine." Troy's fingers shook as he said the words. I held his hand as I held onto him as he held onto me. He also stroked my belly, his fingers painting little lines as if he was talking to it.

We stayed like this for a while longer as the door opened, another set of parents walked in as they set down. The mom was a mess and the dad was trying to keep her calm. "How did you stay so calm?" I asked Troy, "I had to be strong for both of you. I couldn't let you see me fall apart; it's just my job. I was upset but I had to get everything taken care of before I would let my guard down."

"You know you don't have to hide from me."

"Of course not. You have seen me at my moments as I have seen you are yours. I am always willing to be open with you but right now, I can't. I need to know what's wrong before I can fear." Troy's jaw flinched as I squeezed his hand, "and this is why I married you." I kissed his lips softly as the next fifteen minutes dragged but the door finally opened, Kyle looking at us.

"He is back in recovery," he said, I got up from Troy's lap as he took us down the hall and through a few doors before bringing us over to Liam. He was breathing on his own as the IV dripped into his body. "He did great in there, we are putting a rush order on the MRI and CT scans so we are going to take you to his room when he wakes up. He may be out of it and upset, he might be in some pain and we are going to control that once he wakes."

"Thanks," Troy said shaking his hand and then he walked down as a nurse was staying with us. I sat next to Liam on the huge bed, the one that made him look tiny. I crawled up next to him as I stroked his skin lightly, Troy sat down in the chair next to his bed, and he was texting somebody but kept looking at both of us. Once he moved his head, I caught the nurse's attention as Liam squirmed before I saw his big blue eyes. Tears welled up in them fast as the nurse was quick to do something. Liam tried to get a grip on me as he cried, I then buddle him up in my arms.

Troy stood up and came over to my side as he stroked Liam's skin. "We have a ICU room ready for you," Troy shook his head, "What do you mean ICU?" Troy asked, "I thought we were just here now to make a medical observation."

The nurse scanned over the chart once more before shaking her head, "Let me call to double check okay?" Troy rubbed his forehead with his fingers as Liam fell back asleep quickly. His body wormed its way around my bump, as he didn't let go of my shirt.

"Mr. Bolton, they told me to take you to the Oncology ward this time." My head snapped up as Troy and our eyes connected, "What do you mean the oncology ward?"

"I am not allowed to tell you anything. They said a Dr. is going to meet you up there." Tears welled up in my eyes as I thought of my son having cancer. The sudden though made tears form in my eyes, "Brie, come on," Troy grabbed my hand as I sat up. Liam stirred but I gripped his hand, the tears pushed back as I walked with him. "He can't have cancer Troy," Troy rubbed my back as we walked quickly with the doctors.

"He doesn't have cancer Brie,"

"They are taking us to oncology Troy!"

"It could be cautions."

I shook my head; "I told you it was something bad, I told you." The nurse glanced at us as she then took us up to the floor and into awaiting room. They got Liam hooked up as Dr. Campbell was waiting for us as he was leaning against the counter. "Gabi, Troy, can I have you follow me for a second?" I was reluctant to let go of Liam's hand but I did.

"We got these back faster than we anticipated," he said sitting us down into the little office he had. "Will you please tell us, does he have cancer?" I asked he shook his head, "Not exactly." My body felt relived, "While you are in here, they are running blood tests on him." He said softly, "We did notice something in his scans though that does concern us."

I began to sweat as Troy grabbed my hand, "He has a tumor in his brain," tears filled my eyes as he put up the pictures. We are going to run tests but what this looks like to me, but tests will further verify, but it does look like ependymomas tumor, which isn't very common in his age."

Troy final said the question I needed to know, "Is he going to die?"

"Thankful, we caught it early enough. We will probably have him in surgery tomorrow or the next day to get as much out as possible. If we get it all out, he will probably only need six weeks of radiation treatments and then just close monitoring and lots of appointments. If it has spread farther than we have thought and we can't get it all, it will require chemo and radiation."

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I thought of my baby being poisoned, "I don't think it has gone that far though. If we can get the whole tumor out, then he is good to go with probably radiation and then monitoring."

Troy was silent, his body stiff, "How did this happen?" I asked, "There is no thing you did wrong, it's just the body being the body. Sometimes things just don't work like they should but I will know more tomorrow morning. We are then going to probably transfer you to New Mexico Cancer treatment, which, I am not calling this cancer yet. If this has progressed further, then we will diagnosis the cancer."

He took a breath, "Is there any questions you have for us?"

"Can we just do everything here?" I asked, "Why do we have to transfer."

"You can stay here if you want but there is more technology, more research done." He said, his face frowning a bit. "Will they do the surgery?"

"Yes."

My fingers trembled as I let my head nod, "Okay," I whispered, "Okay, I am going to let you go back to Liam. They were going to draw blood and you are here for the night. Tomorrow, we will work everything out."

Troy and I both sat numb. Not quiet sure what to do. Once we both stood, we both walked back to Liam's room. My emotions running high, I began to sob. Tears were choking in my throat as I thought about him fighting to survive.

I walked over as I sat down and cuddled up with him. My sobs echo throughout the room as I held onto him, I began to pray; I began to pray a lot.


Troy's POV

Watching Gabi breakdown had to be the worst part of the whole thing. Watching her begin to cry and then just hold onto Liam, who was a lot sicker than I believed him to be?

I had to exit the room, as I couldn't stay there. I went down several flights of stairs before I stopped, trying to catch my breath. My chest hurt, as I couldn't feel myself anymore. Pain was suffocating inside of me as I felt my phone vibrate. My heart raced as I tried to keep myself together. My mom was here and I didn't know how to face her, how to tell her, how to tell her that he favorite grandson had a brain tumor.

The words seemed strange. Dangerous even. Knowing my son had a great survival rate didn't help. It's the fact that he was going to have brain surgery at eighteen months old. My wife was pregnant and suddenly it all became too much. Tears were streaming down my own cheek as I began to go find my mom. I wiped them away as I knew this was going to be hard enough.

Once I walked down to the front entrance, I saw both my parents arguing with the guard. It was past visitor hours, the hand on the clock almost to midnight. "There is he," my mom said pointing, and then she caught a glimpse of my face. Her face dropped, "Troy what's wrong? What happened?" she asked, I couldn't find words, and I couldn't find anything to say. It was like my voice quit working.

My dad took a step closer as the guard was witnessing all of this. I closed my eyes tightly as I tried to form the words but I only shook my head as I began to cry again. My twenty four year old self couldn't keep the tears from falling. My mom was quick to hug me, her tiny frame so close to mine as I was a foot taller almost. She hugged me as I let my head fall to her shoulder.

"Troy, what's wrong with Liam?" she asked, her voice was concerned as I really couldn't find the right words. I finally cleared my throat, "Mom, I don't know how it happened, I don't know," I began to repeat over and over, "Troy," my mom made me look her in the eye, "He isn't dead right?" I shook my head as I let myself catch my breath.

"Mom, he has a brain tumor." I felt my body weaken as the word left my mouth. I felt my whole body almost collapse as my mom gave me a speechless look. Her eyes filled with water as the guard finally let them through. My dad looked away as he tried to keep it together.

"Will he be okay?" my dad asked, "They say he should be fine. They say it should only be a surgery and radiation but that's hoping for the best. If they don't get all of the tumor out then he has to do chemo and radiation."

"Oh God, how is Gabi?" my mom asked, "She just broke down. She is still crying and is so upset, she is just holding him."

"Let's go on up, I think you need to call Gabi's mom."

"Can you, I couldn't even get the words out of my mouth to tell you."

"Of course," my mom then hugged me again, "Everything will be okay." She told me, "Everything will be just fine."

I wanted to believe her. I wanted to tell her I know. I wanted to keep strong for everybody but I couldn't. Once we made it to Liam's room, I quickly noticed the quiet. The sobs were echoing from my wife's mouth. Liam was sleeping, as was Gabi. Her body drained after today but she held him as close as she could. Her baby bump as was there, bold.

I felt tears roll into my eyes as I thought about what I had just said yesterday. About how blessed we were.

"I think we should just let them sleep," my dad said, I couldn't take my eyes off of them, the two were like two peas in a pod and I suddenly could only imagine the worst. My fingers messed with my wedding band. The gold swirling around my finger, as I thought of the moments of happiness we had. My lips formed a small smile as I turned to my mom.

"I think I am going to stay in here. Thanks for bring us the stuff," I grabbed it from them as I ran my fingers through my hair. "I will call you tomorrow to update you. Can you call Gabi's mom and just let her know that I will call her too?"

"Sure thing Troy," my mom gave me a hug, "Stay strong okay?" she kissed my forehead after making me lower to her height. My dad and I then hugged; we were closer in height as he gripped me like his son.

"If there is anybody who can do this, its you." I thanked both of them as my dad patted my back as they walked away. My eyes glanced at Gabi and Liam once more as I slid down the wall, my body defeated. Drained of all energy.

I closed my eyes as I pinched the bridge of my nose. This was the Fourth of July from Hell and nobody would ever realize how horrible it truly was. No parent should ever have to face the fact that cancer cells could be traveling his body.

I got up as I went over to Liam's other side. An IV dripping fluids into his body as I pulled up the chair next to his bed, my head rested on the bed as I held his tiny hand, we were going to get through this as a family and nothing was going to change that.


*Protecting Face* Don't hurt me…please. I know, I know, but they cant be a perfect family and I needed something to make this story interesting, it was beginning to get boring and tough for me to write so this is what we get. So please, go along with it. I beg of you. Oh and if I get something wrong, im sorry. I am not an exact expert but I have done some research and got my basics. But if I am wrong about something, tell me…please. This is something I want to get right.

Baseball Lovers will be updated tomorrow! Love you all!

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