Chapter 21 - Stress

Tuesday, October 1st, 2024

My fingers smoothed over my jeans and Troy reached over to squeeze my knee, "Everything will be okay," I looked up at him and then back down at the program in my lap. Logan was going to be in the school play and I was nervous for her. Troy kissed the top of my head as the lights dimmed. "Sorry, we're late," my mom slid in next to me and I smiled, "She'll be happy that you guys came,"

"This is so exciting. Are you going to let her act or does she have to play a sport?" my mom asked Troy, Troy couldn't contain a laugh, "Logan can do whatever she wants." My mom nodded as the thirteen-year-old twins looked bored as they sat next to my dad. Lilly pulled her cell phone out and my dad snatched it from her grasp. Lilly complained and my dad sent her a look. She frowned and I shook my head as I looked to see Luke and the Bolton's sitting on Troy's other side.

I squeezed his knee and he gave me a smile as the four year olds came out onto the stage and I quickly spotted Logan. I smiled, as she was beautiful on the stage as they were all singing together. Troy smiled as he watched her and his arm wrapped around my shoulder as I leaned into him. I took a video on my cell phone of her singing and dancing. I couldn't help but giggle aloud at her twirling but she had a big smile on her face.

I looked over at my mom who was sitting next to me and I smiled as she smiled at me, the show was wrapping up as the songs were ending and I clapped my hands once the lights turned back on. The kids all bowed on the stage and I smiled as the parents all stood up and clapped their hands. Troy laughed, "She did fantastic," I nodded my head in agreement as I picked up my purse that was sitting on the floor.

"Do you guys all want to go to dinner?" Troy offered, my family said yes and soon after so did Troy's family. I looked over the crowd for Logan and Troy squeezed my shoulders. "How about you go outside and find a spot and I'll grab our beautiful dancer," I nodded and he kissed my cheek as I started to walk out when Lilly came up to me, I hugged her as we walked out together, "How is school going?" I asked, she shrugged, "It's going."

"Yea?"

She nodded and I looked at her, "Is something wrong?"

"I miss you." I smiled, "Tomorrow night, maybe we can go get some dinner," I offered, she shook her head, "I have a bunch of stuff to do." She mumbled, I frowned as I came to a stop by some rocks, "Lilly, what is wrong?" I asked, she shook her head but I saw the tears in her eyes that she was trying so desperately trying to hide. "Hey, do we get to take pictures first?" my mom asked coming out, I looked at Lilly concerned and then back to my mom. I forced a smile, "yes,"

The family gathered around as Troy came out of the door with Logan in his arms, she was giggling with flowers in her hand that Troy had bought her earlier. I smiled as they came towards me, Logan grinned at me and she reached for me, "Look what daddy got me!" she cheered, I laughed, "You did a good job Lolo," she smiled and I kissed her cheek, "Alright, picture time," Lucille called, I leaned back as I smiled with Logan and Troy.

Once we all had our picture taken with Logan, the grandparents all took a turn, the aunts and uncles not caring as much. Logan hit the ground and she complained of being hungry, "We are going to eat," I looked at the group and we had decided on Olive Garden. I looked at Lilly again who recovered from whatever as I frowned. My mom then came up to me, "Hey, what are you doing tomorrow?" she asked, I took a deep breath, as nobody knew what Troy and I were doing tomorrow.

"I was actually going to ask you the same thing," I said, "I need somebody to pick Logan up from school tomorrow afternoon. I know dad is leaving tomorrow for a business trip," she nodded, "He is. I need somebody to pick up the twins." She frowned, "What are you doing?"

"What are you doing?" I asked her as we all walked to the car, "I have a meeting with Lilly's teachers," I stopped, "It is right after school and I don't want the twins to have to wait."

"Oh." I frowned, "Is something wrong with Lilly? She looked upset earlier."

"I don't know, her teachers want to have a meeting with me." I took in a deep breath as we were almost to the car. Troy had Logan in his arms and his parents had peeled off to their car. "Troy and I have an appointment with my OB to make sure nothing is wrong," my mom stopped, "Oh Gabs,"

"I'm fine, I just, I want to make sure that nothing is actually wrong preventing us from having a baby. We are planning on trying again in December or January," we stopped in the middle of our cars and she frowned, "Do you think that is a good idea? That tore your marriage apart,"

"And we figured out why it tore our marriage apart. We figured it out and it will be during the off-season if it happens, we aren't ready to give up yet." She sighed, "I get it." She looked over my shoulder, "If I would have given up I wouldn't have my other two babies," I smiled and I hugged her, "I'll be okay."

"Well good luck tomorrow,"

"Thank you,"

"I'll see you at the restaurant,"

I nodded as I went to the car, Troy had buckled Lo into the chair and I took in a deep breath as I buckled my seatbelt, "Something is wrong with Lil," I said as Troy started the car, "What do you mean?" I shrugged, "I don't know, she was walking out with me and I asked how school was going, she said it was going, you know how middle school can be but then she was upset over something. She said she wished we spent more time together but she was upset."

Troy glanced over at me as he left the parking lot, "Did you ask her?"

"I did and then your mom came over,"

"Oh,"

"Yea, so I didn't press her further."

Troy nodded, "Maybe as we walk in you can pull her aside and talk to her."

"Maybe,"

I was quiet the rest of the way as Lo would hum her songs as we drove. Troy at one point reached over and held my knee with his hand. His thumb rubbed it and I put my hand on top of his, which caused a smile to form on his lips. We pulled into Olive Garden a few moments later and when we parked, I looked at him, "I just want water," he nodded as he leaned over to kiss my cheek.

"Lolo, I'll be inside in a few moments okay?" she nodded as I slipped out of the car as Cam and Lilly were walking across the parking lot. I moved quickly, "Lilly, can we talk for a minute?" my dad turned around to look at me and I looked at him, he narrowed his eyes and I moved my eyes back to Lilly, "Why?"

"Because, I just…I need to tell you something." She slowly nodded her head, "Is everything okay?" I nodded to my dad, "Nothing much," Troy said, "I'll fill you in," Troy walked past me, holding Logan's hand as they walked into the restaurant. I smiled at Luke and Lucille as they walked in with Jack.

Lilly then turned to me, "What?" she asked; her voice was quiet, "What is wrong?" I asked her, she looked up at me, "Nothing Gabi, I am fine," her voice broke apart towards the end, "You are not fine, why is mom having a meeting with your teachers?"

She turned away from me, "Why do you care? Don't you have a marriage and daughter to worry about?" I sighed, "Lilly, something is bothering you and if you aren't telling mom and dad then you should at least tell me."

She looked at me and turned her eyes away from me but I saw the tears run down her cheeks, "You can't say anything to them," I walked over to the bench as I sat down and she sat down next to me, "After practice one day, mom and dad were late getting me," she wiped her eyes but the tears kept coming, I laid my hand on her shoulder and rubbed gently as she spoke, "this older guy in the high school part of the school came over and started talking to me, he was nice and cute, he was older so the first couple of times we would just talk, he would somehow always around when mom and dad were late," I frowned because I didn't like where this story was going.

"Then last week, he came over and we talked but then he started to touch me," she started to cry harder, "He kissed me and put his hands down my pants," I felt tears in my own eyes as she stopped talking and just cried. I pulled her into my arms and I held her tightly against my chest, "Oh Lil," I whispered, "I finally pushed him off of me and luckily, dad was there in the next couple of minutes," her sobs shook my chest as I rocked her in my arms.

"I am so sorry Lil,"

She pulled away, "I haven't been able to focus in school and I keep having these dreams," I tucked her hair away from her face, "Lilly, you have to tell mom and dad,"

"No, I don't want to make a big deal out of this,"

"Lilly, you are thirteen," she looked at me and she started to cry again, "I don't want to do it alone,"

"Oh sweetie," I hugged her again, I then took a deep breath, I pulled her back and I looked in her eyes, "The same thing happened to me," I told her quietly, "I was your age actually, wow, God, it is so funny how history repeats itself," I stopped to look at her, "We dated for a while though and I spent a lot of time with him. Like you, I thought it was cool that an older boy was into me and I let him be into me. He made me feel special and I don't know, I never understood his end game."

My eyes looked into hers, "He made me feel like I was in love and he had this special thing over me, he was so amazing with me and Dad even liked him for being an older guy. He was nice and we had a lot of fun together. Soon after, we found out dad was being traded to Kansas City. He got mad about it, he was angry and he hit me a few times and he tried to do inappropriate things to me right before our move but his dad came home and I never saw him again but it hurt me emotionally."

"What did dad and mom do?" she asked, I took a deep breath, "I never told them and I regret it," I told her quietly, "I went through it alone and I struggled a lot. I never let anybody get that close to me and when I met Troy, I almost broke up with him again after our first big one because I was scared because I had serious feelings for him. I loved Troy and I was scared that things like that would happen again so I finally told him. The only people that know are Troy, Mallory, and Ellie. I have never told mom and dad,"

"So why are you asking me too?"

"So you can get help." I reached over to wipe tears away, "I don't want you to go through what I did and what happened to you was even worse. A male you didn't know, Lilly, that isn't okay and that can't happen again. It can be much worse next time," she wiped her eyes and I hugged her, "I don't want to go eat dinner," she whispered, I looked at my phone and I nodded, "Okay, how about I go get the keys from Troy and I'll take you home. His mom can help him get home with Lo,"

She nodded as I stood up and went inside, I quickly found our table as they were all laughing. I went over to Troy and I leaned down close to him. "Is she okay?" I swallowed on the lump in my throat, "Uhm no, I," I took a deep breath, "I am going to take her home and then stay with her until my parents get home." Troy turned around to face me, his face concerned, "What's wrong?"

I shook my head, "Not here."

He fished his keys out of the pocket and I leaned down to kiss the top of Logan's head. "I love you, I'll see you at home."

I then glanced at my mom and dad, "I'm taking Lilly home, when you get home, then we all need to talk," my dad's face paled, "Gabi,"

"Eat dinner and then we will talk when you guys get home."

My dad nodded and my mom looked at me as I fled the restaurant.

Lilly laid on the couch as the door burst open, my dad was the first through the door as he looked at me, Cam was behind as he looked for Lilly. "Cam, it might be better if you go upstairs." I said quietly, he looked at me, "She is my sister,"

"Yea and you are my brother," his eyes connected with mine and my dad looked at me, "Gabi, what is wrong," my dad asked, I looked at Lilly who was just laying on the couch and I frowned, "I wish it was simple to what is wrong dad but you have to promise me that you will just listen to her because she is scared out of her mind. She is scared and just needs you to be okay,"

"What did she do," my dad accused, "She did nothing,"

My dad didn't know Lilly as well as he knows me and I think it was because she wasn't as warm to him. I took in a deep breath and I saw Cam talk to Lilly for a moment and then Lilly looked at me. "Lil, let's sit at the table,"

She stood up and walked to the table as I sat down next to her, my dad reached to touch her hand. "Lil, baby, we are worried about you,"

"Why do your teachers want to talk?"

Lilly took a deep breath, "It's okay Lilly, I am right here," she looked over at me, "Just tell them everything that you told me," I said soothingly, my parents shared a look and then Lilly started to tell them everything that she told me. I watched my dad mostly as his face went from worried, to angry, to pissed up, to upset as Lilly started to cry. I rubbed her back as I took a deep breath, once she was finished; my dad got up and grabbed her into a big hug.

"Oh Lilly," he said as he held her tightly, "Why didn't you tell us?" She mumbled and cried into his chest as he just held her close. My mom looked at me and she narrowed her eyes, "Gabi, what do you need to tell us?" my dad looked up at me and I shook my head, "I think I want to go to my room," Lilly said, "No, Lilly we need," my dad started to list things off and I stood up, "Dad, let her go to her room and rest, it is nine at night."

My dad held my eyes and he let Lilly go but my mom followed her up the stairs to make sure she was okay. My dad slumped in a chair defeated, "Why didn't she tell us? We could have helped her and things wouldn't have happened, she wouldn't be this upset, we could have put a stop to it," he began to raddle things off and I looked at him, "She wouldn't be as scared and it all makes sense. She would be anxious when we would be late the past several times and if I would have just taken a moment,"

"Dad," I said softly, he kept talking, "Dad," I said louder, he looked at me and his eyes found mine as he was upset and defeated, "What?" I bit down on my lip, "It happened to me when I was exactly the same age, with that guy I was dating who was older than me," he looked at me and I dug my fingers into my thighs, "It was right before we left for Kansas City from LA," my dad's face fell and he looked at me, "What?"

I nodded my head as I ran my fingers through my hair, "Why did you never tell me?" his voice rose above any normal level as I looked at him, "Did you not trust me enough? What? I am your dad Gabriella! Those are things you are supposed to tell me!"

I stood up, "I was fourteen and freaked out dad! I was getting ready to move for the tenth time and I had nobody but my parents in my life. I didn't want you to be mad at me," he stared at me blankly after I raised my voice and I gathered my things, "Don't be hard on her, she is already struggling enough with all of this." I then pushed out of the front door. I bit down on my lip as I got into my car. I drove the fifteen minutes from the house as I was shaking the entire time.

My dad and I don't yell at each other. We don't get angry at each other.

Once I pulled into the driveway, I parked my car and walked quickly through the garage and up the stairs. I was hoping to avoid Troy because I just needed a minute. Instead of choosing to go upstairs, I chose the kitchen but I chose wrong. Troy was sitting on the barstool looking through his phone and drinking a beer. He looked up at me and I covered my mouth because the tears started almost right away. "Brie?" Troy got up quickly and he came over as my shoulders shook.

"Gabi, baby, what happened?" I didn't respond as I just laid my head down on his chest and cried. He seemed to know that I wasn't ready to speak yet as he wrapped his arms tightly around me. He pressed his lips into the top of my hair and I took a deep breath as I wiped away my tears, "Some guy friended her and then decided to sexual touch her when she was waiting for my dad to pick her up." Troy's face fell, "and I could only imagine all of the thoughts running through her head because I was there, I was the same exact way,"

Troy didn't talk; he just pulled me into his arms again because this was a subject we never brought up. He hated that it happened to me and it upset him, "And then I told my dad what happened to me because he was mad at Lilly for not telling him after a month and then he flipped out on me," Troy kissed the top of my head and his chest shook underneath of mine. I knew he was upset but I didn't know how upset, "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice shaking underneath as he took a deep breath.

"He yelled at me and you know my dad never yells at me, he didn't even ask me everything, he just flipped out," Troy pulled me down into his lap and he rubbed my back. "I love you Brie," he whispered, "I am so sorry," I wrapped my body into his and he just held me tightly, my head resting on his chest as I felt the tears fall down my cheek. "It's going to be okay, we'll figure it out."

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024

"We ran all of the tests that we needed today, we might have you come back in for more testing but we should have the results back by Friday. I'll set you up an appointment to talk about everything," Troy squeezed my knee but my mind wasn't even here. My mind wasn't on the lady in front of me telling me that they ran a bunch of tests on my uterus and reproductive system. I stared at her and just blinked because I wasn't feeling well.

"Are you okay Gabi?"

I nodded, "yea, I just…I don't feel well." I mumbled, Troy squeezed my knee and I smiled, "Thank you, Friday?"

"Friday at ten?"

"Perfect," I said and I stood up, Troy glanced at me and he followed me out, "Gabi,"

"I really don't feel good," I told him, he looked at me and he reached forward to press his lips to my forehead. "You feel warm," he whispered into my ear, I pressed my self against his body, "Can you just take me home?"

"Of course." Troy drove to the house and when we got there, I went inside and didn't say much of anything. Troy followed me slowly up the stairs into the house. I put my jacket down on the couch and Troy kissed the back of my head gently. "I think I am going to lay down for a bit, you can get Logan right?" Troy nodded his head gently, he then kissed my forehead, "Go lay down, I'll hold down the fort," I smiled and then went upstairs.

I sat down on the bed and lay back on the bed. I wasn't sure what was going on from here.

Troy's POV

I flipped through the TV channels when our garage door to the house opened. I twisted away and looked to see Alex coming up into the house. "Alex," I breathed, "I need to talk to her,"

"Alex, you probably should just let her be. She isn't feel so hot today and then after everything that happened today…"

"What happened today?"

I paused to look at him; "I figured she would have told you before yesterday."

Alex looked at me, "She had a lot of tests run today to see if anything is wrong to the reason she keeps having a miscarriage,"

"Hell,"

"And she is really upset about how last night went down," Alex rung the back of his neck as he sat down, "I didn't mean to get mad at her, it just came out. Did you know?" I shifted uncomfortably, "She told me the summer after we got back together," I told him quietly, "She has only ever told three people about this. She was upset with herself for it ever getting as bad as it got. She was young and scared. She buried it in her past and doesn't really ever want it brought up."

"I don't get it happening to Lilly, I have failed them both. They are my girls," I could see how stressed Alex was over this and I could only imagine the last twenty-four hours for him. I sighed as I sat down next to him, "I imagine myself with Logan in this situation and Alex, I would be fucking pissed if some male did that to her but I feel like I would also need to just be there for them. I would need to push the anger aside and just be there for Logan and maybe that is hard to do and I am glad I am not in this situation, I was pissed enough when Gabi told me."

"She didn't want my help,"

I laughed, "I think Gabi has this pride of never wanting to be seen weak and she doesn't want help. I mean our marriage problems steamed from that. She didn't come to me when she needed help the most and I honestly believe that Gabi didn't want help. Gabi figures she got herself into the mess, she can get herself out."

"She is so damn stubborn," I laughed, "I know, I know, she is also just fine. She isn't letting it get to her because she knows how to do it. She told me when it got in the way of our relationship. It passed and it's over. Just support her."

"Then there is Lilly,"

"Lilly is a lot alike Gabi but she does need the help, she told you guys, don't get angry, just be there when she needs you." Alex rubbed his face and I glanced down the hallway towards our bedroom. "I never yell at her,"

"Mostly what she was upset about,"

Alex cracked a smile, my eyes glanced at the clock, and "Do you want to pick Logan up from school Get a breather?" Alex thought about it for a minute and nodded, "Yea, that would be great actually," I nodded my head and he stood up, "Thanks Troy, Lilly obviously won't tell me the name of the guy,"

"Just worry about Lilly,"

"You sound like the older guy,"

"You would tell me the same thing if you had a clear mine and it wasn't your daughter."

"True, I'll be back with Lo, care if I take her out for ice cream?"

"Go ahead,"

Alex went down the stairs and I nodded as I called the school to let them know Alex would be picking her up. I then went upstairs and I crawled onto the bed with Gabi. She shifted and I pressed my lips into her hair, she opened her eyes and looked at me, "Hi,"

"Hi," she said back, she closed her eyes again and I pulled her into my arms. "Are you okay?"

"I'm just tired," she responded, "After this morning and last night,"

"I know, I know," I rubbed her arm gently and she looked at the clock, "Uhm, aren't you supposed to be getting Logan?" I kissed her forehead, "Your dad stopped by,"

"Oh,"

"I'm letting him think while he gets her,"

"I should talk to him,"

"I know, I am just making sure you are ready,"

She leaned up to kiss me and wrapped her arms around me, "Can we go somewhere as a family soon? I think I just want to get away from here,"

I smiled as I played with her t-shirt, "What about Disney World? Logan is at the perfect age and she would absolutely love it." She smiled, "That would be a lot of fun," she said quietly, "She would love that and I just love seeing her so happy. After everything with her this year," I stroked the side of her face, "When do you want to go?"

"Her school has a fall break coming up, the end of October. It starts on Thursday and they go back the next Monday but we can take her out a little longer. It is just nice when we don't have to take her out for very long."

"Is it around Halloween?"

"The week before,"

"Good, I am not ready to give up my Halloween party,"

She smiled and I tugged her close to me, "I'll make sure we get two rooms because…I still want to kiss you and do other things with you that our daughter should never see," she laughed and wrapped her arms around me tightly. She kissed my jaw and I kissed her again, "Your dad is also taking her for ice cream," I whispered into her ear, she didn't say anything else but her hands quickly went down to my jeans. She slipped them off my waist and I pulled her onto my chest.

Our lips went into a tight deep kiss and I tried to refrain but I couldn't, I flipped her onto her back because who knew how much time we had and I was not wasting this opportunity with my wife. I took off her shorts and underwear as my slipped off soon after. "Are we in a rush?" she mumbled, I pulled her up and I nodded, "I don't want to rush this part," I told her, she giggled and I grinned.

Gabi's POV

I wrapped my arms around Troy after we finished; he took a deep breath and kissed the top of my head. "That was awesome," he said quietly, I nodded in agreement and I traced a pattern on his chest. "Do you want to go out to eat tonight?"

"Sure, I think I am going to run by Swings afterwards,"

"Back to our normal routine huh?"

He laughed and nodded, "Yup,"

"Brie, what is on your mind after that doctors appointment today?" Troy's phone buzzed and he reached over to grab it. He looked at it and then he looked back at me. "I am really nervous for Friday," I answered back to him. He stroked my hair gently, "I think that are going to have another baby soon," he told me, "I would say we should stop using birth control but if we conceived a baby right now…in July which is an awful time."

I laughed, "Yea, I don't know if I am quite ready yet or not,"

"Ready for what?"

I was quiet as I turned to face the ceiling. My eyes watched the fan turn in circles and I took a deep breath, "I am scared of it happening again, and I am not upset by this. I am just…nervous." He kissed the top of my head and he squeezed me tightly. "Our daughter will be home soon."

"Where do you want to go to dinner?"

"Joe's or Bryant's?"

"Joe's," I answered, he kissed the top of my head and he held me tightly against his skin. I breathed in his scent, as I didn't want to let go. I never wanted to let go.

I crossed my arms over my chest as I glanced at my dad, Logan came running over and I gave her a big hug. "How is my princess?" I whispered into her ear, she giggled and I kissed her forehead.

"Good," she said with a smile, "Good, did you learn lots?" she nodded and then her attention went to Troy. She brushed by me and I looked up at my dad, "Can we talk for a minute?"

I only nodded my head and I followed him out the front door, "I'm sorry," he said quietly, "I didn't mean to get so upset with you yesterday,"

"Dad, in all of my thirty years, you haven't ever yelled at me like that. You have never gotten angry and never asked me why." He rubbed his face, "I just…imagine hearing that Gabi after how many years,"

I bit on my lip, "I get it but I am way over that. I told you because I wanted you to know Lilly will be just fine."

"Fine? Gabi," he ran his hands down his face as he let out a long breath, "I can't even imagine,"

I looked away, "How is Lilly?"

"She stayed home with your mom today. Your mom set an appointment with a counselor,"

"Don't pressure her,"

"Gabs,"

"Just don't,"

I started to turn and my dad pulled on my shoulder gently, "How did everything go this morning?" I tilted my head back, "I don't know Dad, I won't know until Friday,"

"Gabs,"

"Dad, what?" I turned around to face him and he sighed, "I am sorry, I shouldn't have reacted like that and you didn't deserve that."

"It was more the fact that you think that I don't trust you," my frustration came out between my teeth as tears built in my eyes, "Because I trust you the most dad,"

He didn't say anything, he just wrapped his arms around me tightly, "I also trust you dad, I just…I was scared and I didn't want to make a big deal of it. I just wanted to let it go."

"Oh Gabi,"

He hugged me tightly, "I trust you," I breathed, "I trust you too," he responded, "I was just angry,"

"I know Dad, I was angry too,"

He smiled at me, "Are you okay?"

"Dad, I have been okay over this for a long time. The only thing I was upset about is how you yelled at me. I don't handle that well," he smiled and stroked my cheek gently, "I love you Gabi,"

"I love you too Dad,"

He smiled again and he laughed, "Lilly got mad at me this morning," I frowned, "Why?"

"She was mad that I have such a close relationship with you and she doesn't have that relationship with her." I gave a tiny smile, "She just doesn't know how special you are to me."

I smiled at him and I took a big breath, "I need to go, Troy and I are going to take Logan out tonight."

"How fun,"

"I'll see you later dad,"

"Bye Ella,"

I waved as I went back inside; Troy and Logan were sitting on the floor watching a Disney show as she ate an afternoon snack. I went to sit next to Troy and I laid my head on his shoulder.

"Did you guys figure it out?"

"Of course,"

"He loves you,"

"I know,"

"I love you,"

I grinned, "I know."

"Logi, eat your food," Troy said as he took a bite of his own BBQ that he was eating. She looked up at us with a grin and then made a smiley face in her sauce. "Logan," Troy warned, "We don't play in our food like that,"

She giggled and then looked at me, "Mom,"

"Yes?"

"Alyssa said that she is done being my nanny,"

"For now," I told her quietly, "We are going to find you a new one,"

"I like Alyssa,"

"Me too,"

She sighed and plopped down next to Troy. "Logan, stay seated,"

"No,"

"Logan,"

She laughed and Troy shook his head, "Logan, we will put you in timeout once we get home," she shook her head and then jumped down, Troy looked at me and I sighed, "Logan Brielle, right here,"

She looked at me and I shook my head as she slid into the chair next to me, she stayed quietly while Troy and I finished eating. We threw everything into the trashcan and Troy then grabbed her hand.

"Daddy, can we go to get ice cream,"

"No,"

"Why?" she pouted, "Because, you aren't being a good girl," she pulled away from Troy and into traffic. "Logan," I shouted, she ran back towards me and I picked up her hand as she started to cry.

"No, I don't want too," I picked her up and Troy opened his car door as I slid Logan into her car seat.

She kicked her legs in protest and once I successfully had her buckled, I went to sit next to Troy. "No, no, no,"

Troy and I simply ignored her as we drove back to our house about twenty minutes away. My eyes watched her as she kept fidgeting and moving around. When Troy pulled into the house, I got out and I went over to Logan.

She started to cry and I picked her up, "I don't feel good mommy," my senses heightened, "Troy, when did we last check her blood sugar?"

"Before dinner,"

"What was it?"

"102," he responded, "Pretty steady, I then gave her two units of insulin for dinner," I nodded my head, "We should check it again,"

Troy grabbed her kit and I sat her down onto the table as we quickly checked. Logan leaned into me as I kissed her temple. "60," he responded, "Hell, do you think this is why she acted this way?"

"Maybe,"

Troy handed her a juice box and she sucked it down without hesitation. I rubbed her back and she buried her head into my shoulder. "I heard back from the insulin pump companies and Dexcom. Medtronic you can sync both but I have heard that most people don't like the Medtronic sensor."

"Do you like Medtronic? I haven't even looked at the stuff you gave me." I said with defeat, Troy nodded, "I do. The Omni pod is also a good one because it is wireless but…I feel like we would lose it all the time and it would be in so many hands. We would just have to teach her that we always have to take it off for water."

"That sounds like a plan, Dexcom?"

"The CGM, it would provide us blood sugars every five minutes and it would go to our phone. She would have to have a receiver within 20 feet of her though."

"It would make me feel better,"

"I know,"

"Momma, cuddle,"

"Let's go shower and change into our PJ's then we can cuddle, okay?"

"Okay," she said, I hugged her and kissed the top of her head as she went running down the hall to the bathroom. Troy kissed the side of my head, "I'll do bath if you want to do bedtime,"

"Okay,"

Friday, October 4th, 2024

I fidgeted in my seat and Troy rested his hand on my knee, "Brie, everything is going to be okay," he said quietly, I was anxious and I didn't sleep an ounce last night. I just wanted this over with.

"What if nothing is wrong?"

"Then we will have a normal baby," Troy told me quietly, "then we don't have to worry about all of these other things."

"That doesn't explain four miscarriages Troy,"

He rubbed my shoulder gently, "I know baby, we will be okay though and I am here for you." He leaned over to kiss my temple and I let out a long sigh. "I love you," he whispered into my ear.

I sighed and I leaned into him, "Do you remember when we had that conversation about not being able to have kids?" I asked him, "Like back in college?"

"Yea," I told him, "You told me you wouldn't leave me because I couldn't have kids,"

"That still stands Gabi, I mean, we have a beautiful daughter. We have a child together." I nodded while he kissed the top of my head, "You are it,"

"Gabriella Bolton?"

I stood up from my spot and Troy grabbed my hand. We walked back into the office area and then were lead to Dr. Jo's office. She was sitting down looking at papers when we walked in.

"Gabi, Troy," I shook her hand as did Troy, "How are you guys this morning?" Troy and I shared a look but then nodded our heads, "Okay," I ventured because I just wanted to know, I wanted to know right now. "I was just going over your test results and everything looks normal,"

My gut dropped into my stomach and I bit on my lip, "Normal?" she frowned and nodded, "Yes, I mean, we ruled you out for PCOS, you don't have any diseases that are uncontrolled," Dr. Jo almost seemed as frustrated as me. "That does not explain four miscarriages though. You had two before Logan correct?"

I nodded, "I felt like those were partially stress induced. The first miscarriage was right after my friend died and I had this whole episode in the hospital. The second was during work and stuff while trying to plan a wedding,"

Dr. Jo nodded, "Then the last two…"

"The third one was the only one that everything was going great. Everything was good and nothing was wrong in my life, then the fourth one was when Troy and I were fighting."

Dr. Jo nodded her head, "Maybe you just need to lower your stress pile a bit. Is the marriage back on tracks?"

Troy nodded, "A lot better."

"How is Logan?"

"Minus, the diabetes, good,"

"Off season?"

Troy and I both nodded, "Pretty low stress right now?" Troy smiled and nodded as he turned to look at me, "Maybe this is the time to try, if you are ready Gabi, and see. I mean…you are trying to have a baby in the off-season?"

"That would be the best but if you think I could carry a baby now because my life is a little less…crazy."

"I mean...when did you find out about Logan?" she asked me, I thought back and I smiled, "February, and I did great with her."

"You could repeat like Logan and just try that again. Maybe a little bit early because I think stress is your biggest issue and I think the third miscarriage was the only odd one of the group after we talked about all of them."

Troy squeezed my knee, "What happens if we have another one?" Troy asked her, I shot him a look because that was something I didn't want to discuss but Troy just stared at Dr. Jo.

"If it happens again…we'll test to see what is wrong and if something else but Gabi, I don't think it is going to happen again. You have to believe you'll have a healthy pregnancy or that could cause stress,"

"I feel like now when she gets pregnant, it just causes more stress on her because she wants to carry the baby,"

"You just have to be…relaxed about it. If you aren't relaxed than it could happen again. I would also not try so hard to have a baby, just let it happen. Don't force it." Troy tried not to let a grin slip on his lips but it did as I kicked his shin causing Dr. Jo to laugh.

"I know, it won't be an issue with two thirty year olds," Troy laughed as he ducked his head and I shook my head at him. "Gabi, I know you'll have another baby but maybe we just need to approach it differently."

I slowly nodded my head and she smiled, "You'll do great and whenever you are ready you are healthy." I gave a soft smile as I looked down in my lap. Tears blurred my vision as I cleared my throat gently and nodded my head, "Okay,"

"Brie," his words were soft and I bit down hard on my lip because if a word came out of my mouth I would fall apart. I would dissolve into tears and not here. "I'll be back, I am going to grab some paperwork and then you guys can go." Dr. Jo got up and once the door shut, Troy reached over to touch me, "What's wrong?"

"That can't be fixed," the words came out and then a sob followed that as my chest shook and the tears poured out of my eyes. "Oh Brie," he whispered quietly.

He knelled in front of me and lifted my head to wipe my tears away from me face. "Hey, it's okay," he said softly, "We can fix it, we can do just as she said baby girl,"

I took a deep breath and I looked at the ceiling, his hand settled on my leg, "We are going to figure this out,"

I nodded my head when the door opened, Dr. Jo talked to Troy for a moment and then I stood up as I shook her hand. "Hopefully I'll see you sooner than later." Dr. Jo smiled with a nod and she hugged me. "You'll do great things Gabi, trust yourself."

I thanked her again and on the way out, Troy pulled me into the corner and then into his arms. I wrapped my arms around him as he rubbed my back, his lips pressed into my hair and I took a deep breath.

"I'm okay,"

"It's okay."

He tilted my head back gently as he kissed me, "Do you want to go to Starbucks and then go to the park to talk?"

"Sure,"

It was one of the things we learned in marriage counseling that we were attending and I honestly believed Troy was enjoying it more than me.

We had found out new ways to be a couple and to have time to talk like we were doing now. Now we knew that it was better to get out of the house and to talk by just finding a spot to sit and talk about whatever.

She also encouraged us to continue our game of truth that we played whenever we are bored and just want to play. I followed Troy to the car and then he pulled open my door for me before running around to the other side. I buckled my seat belt and Troy held my hand while he drove to the nearest Starbucks. I titled my head to look out the window and I wondered about everything passing us. He pulled into Starbucks and I turned to give him my order.

He nodded his head as he reported our orders and then grabbed them from the window after paying. I took my drink and Troy rubbed my knee, he let me be alone in my thoughts as he drove to the park not too far from our house. He pulled the car into the parking lot and I sighed, I got out and Troy came over as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder while we walked. "What if it doesn't work and we don't get pregnant,"

The words escaped my lips and Troy exhaled loudly, "Tough question,"

"Yea,"

"I think that whatever happens, happens,"

"I want another baby Troy,"

"We can always adopt Brie, plenty of babies need a loving home." I leaned into him and he kissed the top of my head, "But I believe her Brie, when we were trying last year, I think the first couple of times were like a normal couple and then the stress came. We started trying harder and we started having forced sex, we weren't having fun anymore and then I think she is right, stress could be leading to the miscarriages and we do have a lot of stress."

"So do you think we should wait a while?"

"I mean…I think she is right. We should try during the off-season when our lives are not that crazy. Logan worked out pretty well and now we can take the stress out of it. We can do what we did last time while trying. I'll pick when we start."

"Okay, I'll stop taking my birth control on November 1st, then you can decide from there what you think is best."

Troy smiled, "I think that is a good idea,"

"What about December 1st?" I said changing my mind, "December would be about September for a baby, I mean, September wouldn't be too bad if we had a baby." Troy looked at me and he smiled, "I think a baby no matter what is the best, I would take a July baby over no baby."

I smiled and took a drink of my drink, "You are beautiful Brie," he kissed the top of my head and I smiled, "I kind of want to practice though," I said turning around to walk backwards, Troy shot up an eyebrow and he took a big drink of his drink and then tossed it into a trashcan as he ran after me. I laughed as he circled his arms around my waist, "Do you?" I nodded my head as I pulled him into a deep kiss. He smiled and I tucked my head against him.

"I love you," he whispered into my ear, "I love you too,"

Happy Sunday! I somehow managed to pull a chapter out during Homecoming week (Not a good one but a chapter!) and here it is! I know it isn't my best but hopefully you guys enjoyed!

The next couple of chapters will be drama free! I am anticipating about 6-10 more chapters. Then, there will be one more story before wrapping this story up!

Have a great weekend!

Please Review!