Chapter 26 – New York Crazy

"Brie, hey, we gotta go." I opened my eyes hazily and Troy was hovering over top of me. I don't even remember him coming home. Troy helped me up and I stood on my two feet. I tittered and Troy held onto my waist. "Are you ready?"

"We got the bags into the car last night."

"I know,"

Emma was already tucked away in her car seat. "I was going to grab Liam on the way down. Can you take Emma or are you a bit too unstable?" I shook my head, "I got it. Can you grab my North face?" Troy nodded, he reached over and he handed it to me. He helped me put it on and he gave me my purse and the diaper bag before giving me Emma. I looked around before I walked downstairs and to the car.

I was half asleep on my way down, it was three in the morning and we were boarding a private flight at four. I buckled her car seat in and I shut the door tightly. Troy walked down with Liam and buckled him in. When he climbed into the car, he ran his fingers through his hair. "I feel like we are running away because we murdered somebody."

Troy laughed and he took my hand, "After this, I hope its going to go back to normal."

"Me too."

Troy drove the quiet streets and we pulled up to LAX. He got all of the bags out and talked with a few people, he nodded and got back in. He gave me a badge and he held two others in his hands. One was clipped to his shirt.

I put mine on and slipped the other two away from his hand. Emma's newborn picture and a recent one of Liam, "You have been really plotting."

"This was all done in twenty four hours. The deal is going down while we are in the air. I have a hotel lined up for us for a week. It's a nice hotel, close to Madison Square Gardens where we will be spending a lot more time."

"Good,"

He parked the car and he took the keys. He took the one key; the spare and he slid it underneath the mat. "I am going to have Mason come pick it up tomorrow so it isn't sitting here."

"Okay." We both got out; somebody met us to take the luggage. They put the bands on and I grabbed all of our carry on. Aaron came out of nowhere and he breathed in. "Gabi, hi," I smiled softly and I grabbed her car seat. I grabbed both bags, Troy pulled my hood up, and his eyes were scanning the property. He then covered up Emma's sleeping face and he tucked Liam's head into his shoulder.

I walked with my head down and we were in the building pretty quick. We still had to go through security. They just let Emma through after giving a little look through. I didn't have to take her out of her car seat or anything. Liam woke up in the process and he cried. His head looked up and I looked behind him. "Liam, hey buddy, im right here." He cried and reached out for me.

Troy glanced back, "Hang on buddy, you can have her in a minute," Troy slipped his shoes back on and we were lead out of a door and onto the tarmac, the plane door was open, we both got onto it, the engine was started already and Emma then began to cry. She was probably ready to eat. Oh man, this was going to be a fun flight. Liam was crying for me and when we got on, I made sure I had everything to get me to New York.

Troy looked at me, "Are you good?" I nodded, "yea,"

"Alright," Troy nodded and he looked between our two crying children. He gave me a big smile and we both started laughing. Our lives had turned for some odd angle. "Oh God," I muttered, "This is so strange. I think the last thing we were running from was your dad in the high school gym when we were laying on the floor making out."

"That was good."

Liam came crawling over into my lap and I soothed him. I gave Emma a pacifier. She quieted until we were fully in the air. Troy relaxed back and I took Liam over and settled him onto Troy's chest. Troy looked up at me and smiled, his arm wrapped around Liam and I laid a blanket around them.

I sat down and picked up Emma. Aaron sat across and was typing on his phone. "I'm going to breastfeed her, I hope you don't mind now." Aaron looked up, "Go ahead. I'm doing damage control here for a bit."

"Did you already release it?"

"Not yet."

I fed Emma for about the first whole part of our flight. I glanced at Liam and Troy who were both sleeping together. I smiled, "Three…two…one." Aaron muttered. He pressed something on his phone and then threw his head back. "Let's hope this doesn't end his career."

"What do you mean?"

"This could end him. New York might not want him for ruining this coaches career and the fact that," Aaron shook his head, "It's going to be a mess for a few days but he will probably be fine."

"I don't know why he didn't tell me. He looks so exhausted."

"He probably is. He is doing everything to make your life easier and to do the right thing. He better be exhausted because I sure as hell am." Aaron loosened his tie; I suddenly appreciated Troy a little bit more. He was doing so much work.

Emma lay in my lap, moving around and almost blowing bubbles. My eyes were amazed just looking at her, her beautiful face. I tried to think about everything that had happened in the past two week and I could only come up with a few things. Her birth, low sleep, Christmas, and fights with Troy. That was it. Not the special moments with Emma or Liam.

I needed to sleep; I needed to become a better mom. My eyes embraced Emma and her beauty. How much she did look like me. I sighed and placed her into her car seat. Aaron's phone began to blow up. I looked at him, "This is getting ugly quick." He muttered, "Let him sleep," I said quickly, "Just please let him sleep."

"I will there is nothing we can do. They are going to be a crowd at the New York airport."

My phone buzzed, Jack was calling me. I looked at Aaron, "His dad is calling."

"Answer if before he hears more of the rumors than what actually happened."

I answered it, rocking Emma with my foot. "Hello?"

"NEW YORK?"

I cringed, "Jack, listen, its way more complicated than it should be."

"Are you already there?"

"No, we are flying high in the sky."

"Can I talk to my son?"

"No, he is sleeping."

"Wake his ass up! He told his fucking uncle and not me?"

"Jack, Mason is the one who conducted this whole thing!"

"Gabi, did he really take steroids?"

"Once."

"Is he fucking stupid?"

"Jack, he was tired of this coach riding his ass about it. Then for it to be turned around on him."

"Gabi, I need to talk to him."

"Jack, he will call you later okay? I think we just need some down time."

"Gabi, you are taking my grand kids across country,"

"Jack, we will call you later." I hung up the phone. I ran my fingers through my hair. "He will straighten it out." Aaron muttered, "Don't worry. That's the last thing he wants you to do."

My eyes traveled over Troy, his sleeping body, protecting Liam against his chest. "I know."

"Dad, listen to me, I did what I did to protect you. Don't go outside, okay? There are probably people camped outside the house. Just, I will call you when everything settles down tonight. I have to do a press interview later, I promise dad, I am doing everything to make it right."

"Troy, the NBA wants to talk to you."

We were still sitting on the plane, still having thirty minutes left in our flight to New York. I curled up with Liam Emma was lying with us. Troy had a twenty-minute conversation with his dad and a few others to make everything right with them before rumors fled. People had called Aaron asking for comments and what not. It had been crazy.

Troy turned and looked at us, his eyes were tired and worn but he managed a smile. "You guys are adorable."

He stopped for his moment and he came over. He bent over and he kissed my forehead. Liam giggled and Troy smiled, "I love you guys so much. I'm sorry about all of this, I am so stupid." Both of my arms were trapped by the kids, I lifted my head and Troy turned his. "I support you Troy, through thick and thin. I just wish we didn't have a two week old." He smiled weakly, "I know bad timing."

He kissed me softly, "Yucky!" I smiled and laughed, "Tomorrow, family day, I don't care what Aaron says. It's a family day."

Aaron began to protest, "Come on Aaron, we spent Christmas not paying enough attention to our kids and that is what matters in life. Can we just have nothing tomorrow? I will do whatever the hell you want today and the days after tomorrow but tomorrow, I want to spend the time with my family."

Aaron sighed, "Fine, you don't start playing, if you get to play, until a week from now. So fine," Troy smiled, "Thank you Aaron,"

The captain of the plane, told us to buckle our seat belts. I had Troy Liam as I was going to feed Emma again on the way down to hopefully soothe her ears. I adjusted and she began to feed. I closed my eyes and listened to the plane.

Sitting up a little taller, I kissed the top of Emma's head. Troy was watching both of us with his intently eyes. I smiled at him and he winked, it had been a crazy week. When you have a baby you expect the first two weeks to be crazy, I feel like these past two weeks flew by and now I am on a plane to somewhere else when two weeks ago I had no clue it was going to happen.

Our lives changed for the better or for the worse and there are things you can't change about them. The Laker saga was over and if it didn't go down well, Troy's basketball career was over and I sort of hoped it wasn't. Even if the past week was crazy, I was glad and happy to watch him play.

"What are you thinking about?"

"How one door closes and another opens. We need to stop worrying about there and think about now. This is a whole new opportunity now. We have to smile through it and make the most of it. The past two weeks, I am not going to remember Emma crying all night, I am not going to remember my small breakdowns. I am going to remember her birth, you being there and this move. I wish I was remembering Emma more but taking all of us to New York? It's just going to have a fun point to it. We are going to remember all of the things we need and right now, I think we just need to be happy about everything that is happening. Liam is going to love Central park and Emma is going to love the bright lights on the city streets, all of the noises. I am going to love the big city of it all; you are going to be happy seeing all of us happy. It's going to be okay."

Troy smiled and looked at Aaron, "Do you see why I married her? I mean look at her! She is so beautiful and God, some people would have been divorced." Aaron smiled, "She is good Troy, keep her."

"We have to take things a step at a time." Troy smiled and he shook his head, I smiled and winked. "I love you Troy,"

"I love you too baby girl,"

Our plane landed and I burped Emma before putting her into the car seat. I then buckled her up, Troy was standing next to me and he handed me her blanket. I zipped up the top cover and I made sure Liam was bundled up. It was cold in New York City in December that was going to take getting used to. I kissed his forehead and Troy handed me my jacket, "Put it on,"

I thanked him and slipped my jacket on, he put up my hood and then he gave me a pair of sunglasses. Troy put a hat on Liam and he looked at him, "Keep your head in my shoulder okay? People are going to be taking pictures and talking really loud, so just keep your head down okay?" Liam nodded and he picked Liam up. I picked up Emma's car seat and our bags. Our car was waiting just through the airport.

They had already taken our bags there. Troy took a step off the plane and it was quiet. Once we hit the inside, people began to snap away with pictures and saying things. Liam cried and I took a step closer to Troy and I put my hand on Liam's shoulder, His blue eyes peered into mine and I gave him a small smile.

Getting into the car was fun since we had to get Emma's car seat in. I slide her car seat into the spot and Troy locked it in place. Liam was buckled in and Troy pulled the door shut. Liam cried and reached for me.

I took him into my arms, "Can we take them to the hotel?"

"Yes sir,"

The road was quiet; Troy watched Emma and he glanced at me. He leaned over and kissed my temple. "I love you."

"I love you too."

We pulled into the Hilton hotel on 53rd street. Troy hopped out and grabbed Emma's car seat. I kept Liam in my arms and we walked into the hotel. Troy went up to the front and he told them the reservations. The lady nodded with a smile and handed a key over. Troy must have already paid. He looked around before taking us to the correct elevator since there were three separate ones all going to a different set of floors.

We got off and we were all the way down the hallway, the very last room on the right. Troy slipped in the card and we were greeted with two beds and a delightful view of the city. I smiled and I went in and laid Liam onto the bed. I kissed his forehead and I sat down. Troy looked at Aaron who followed us in. "Change into this and lets go." He handed Troy a bag and I let out a small sigh.

"When do you think you'll be back?"

"Late." Aaron muttered, "We have to do a lot of press, sign with the Knicks if they will let us and some other stuff. I'll have somebody order pizza for you guys."

"Okay." Emma began to cry and Troy came out with his tie around his neck but not tied. Emma's cries turned to screams. I picked her up and I gave her to Troy. He looked at me to protest but he did his quick roll to daddy. I tied his tie for him and he quieted Emma. I kissed his cheek, "We love you." He looked at Emma and he smiled, "I love you too." He kissed me softly and he gave Emma back to me.

Liam wrapped around Troy's leg. He bent over and picked him up, "I'll be back late tonight okay bud?" Liam nodded and he kissed Troy's cheek. "Bye daddy," Troy smiled and he set him down, Troy turned to grab his phone and turned away. Him and Aaron began to talk. I called room service to grab some lunch. Emma rolled her head towards me and I smiled. "Mama, can I hold Emma?"

"One second," I found the diaper bag and I laid a blanket down. I changed Emma into a pair of sweats with a long sleeve shirt. She cried when I lifted it over her head and Liam looked around for something and handed her a pacifier. "Thank you Liam," he grinned and nodded, I soothed her crying before I settled Liam in the middle of the bed. I put a few pillows around him and he reached out. I settled Emma into his arms as the door was knocked on.

"I'll be right back. Don't move." Liam was in aw just looking at her. I almost stopped to take a picture; I grabbed my phone and did. I then walked to the door and grabbed the food I had ordered. I thanked them and paid a tip. I set the food down and posted a picture on Twitter.

My babies. 3

I put the photo out there and I smiled, "Liam do you want some chicken strips?"

He nodded, "I need to feed Emma too,"

"Can I feed her?"

"Maybe later."

I took Emma from him and she looked over at Liam. "Emma! Fry?"

"No fries for Emma. She doesn't have any teeth yet!" Liam licked over his teeth and then he looked at Emma, "Really?" I nodded with a laugh; "You didn't have teeth at one point either."

"I didn't?"

"No."

Liam nodded before he dug in. I settled with Emma in my lap and I let her latch onto my breast. I covered her with a blanket and I ate some of the salad I ordered. I flipped the TV over to ESPN and breaking news in the corner was that Troy Bolton had gone to the Knicks and exposed Coach about steroid use.

It then flipped to Troy and Aaron sitting at a table.

"Questions will now be taken…"

"Troy did you do steroids at one point?"

"Yes, only once though."

"Did Sean Gibson force you to?"

Troy hesitated and nodded, "He did. He rode on four of us since the beginning of training. He wanted us to take them so bad and we finally all four made a pack to do it once and to get it over with. Just to get him off our backs, that day, after he supplied them, he turned around and was getting ready to call the league office to report us." Troy's eyes looked torn, like if he should include the next part. "We got out of it because my wife went into labor and kind of saved us. He was furious and once I came back, he kept asking me to do it again even though I knew he was trying to get rid of me so I gave him the out, trade me."

"Who were the other guys?"

"I'm not at liberty to say."

"Why New York?"

"It's was number two after my Lakers, I love the city and my wife does too."

"Troy, it was reported you got to pick and your first was Denver, can you explain that?"

"Denver was somewhere Sean wanted a player from. I was trying to keep him quiet but it wasn't working. So I dealt it to him. I said I would go but I didn't want anything to happen until after Christmas. I mean I have two young kids and a wife. We were trying to enjoy the holidays with our son and our newborn daughter but it was chaos because of this man. So my uncle knocked sense into me, we went to my agent Aarons house and I told him what I wanted. I don't want this man to get away with this, forcing players to do this, so I wanted out anyway."

"What happens if you don't play basketball again?"

"Then I focus on my family."

Troy didn't even have to blink for that question. "How is your family handling all of this?"

"The best they can. It's been a rough two weeks on my wife but I haven't made it an easier with all of this."

"If you could change something what would you change?"

"The fact that I did it. I was stupid and it was stupid."

"Word is that Coach Sean Gibson is denying everything."

Troy shrugged, "Probably. Would you just say yes? I have proof and many witnesses. I'm not worried at all."

"So the fear of never playing again is there?"

"I hope the Knicks would take me, I might be a little upset but my life won't be ruined. I have to beautiful children and a loving wife who are supporting me 100% and my whole family base. I will not be alone through this journey and I hope the Knicks see that I will be a good addition to the team."

"Are you meeting with them today?" Troy nodded, "Yes,"

"Are you planning on living in New York full time?"

"We are going to keep the house in California. We will see how it goes."

"One last question,"

"Troy, Coach Sean Gibson is a great coach. You are trying to take that reputation away from him and ruin his career; did he really do what you said he did to you? Try to ruin your career because you were an idiot and took steroids to boost your game?"

Something snapped in Troy, his facial expression changed and Aaron put his hand on Troy's shoulder. Troy nodded, "I have played serious basketball since I was nine and started bouncing one around before I could barely walk. I love this game and I frown upon any use of banned substances. I am not a cheater and I love this game for what it is. I work so much harder than most of those guys and I am labeled as a drug user and I am not. I did it to get his ass off my back because he kept guilt tripping me. He hated me and he was trying to get rid of me. I am better than him, that's why he doesn't like me. I corrected him and told him when he was doing things wrong. I proved myself in front of my peers and he hated that I knew the game of basketball so well. He doubted me sometimes and the only reason I was still on that court because of my teammates. They supported me and always had my back. They voted the captain on my jersey and I put in twice the work because of it. He is trying to ruin by doing that and I beat him to the punch of this game. I wasn't going down without a fight and if you asked anybody in the Lakers locker room, then you would know I am telling the truth to you right now. He was jealous that I was better than him. We had countless one on one games in the gym, him and me and I had a standing record of 10-2. Beating me drove him and he has sunk to this level. So to answer your question I did not take steroids to boost my game. I took them to make him go away so I could enjoy the game I love, not enhance it. He is a bad man and he needs to get out before he ruins the sport."

The room was silent after Troy's long speech, Aaron and Troy stood up and walked out. I was in shock from the words and I looked at Liam who was staring at the TV too. I flipped the channel and he turned towards me. I attended to Emma and I felt my head spin.

"Mommy?"

"Yea?"

"Go home?"

I turned towards him, "This is going to be our new home buddy."

Troy frowned and then he got up to come sit by me. "Forever?"

"I don't know buddy, I don't know,"

I hugged him towards my side and I looked at Emma. It will all be over soon enough.

A sharp knock on the door woke me up with a gasp. I sat up and looked at Emma in her pack n play and Liam was sleeping next to me. It had grown dark outside and the lights of the city had turned on.

I walked to the door and peered through to see pizza man waiting. Thank God, I was hungry. I opened it, "Gabi Bolton?" the man asked, I nodded, and "I just need you to sign for it." I thanked him and signed the paper. I took the pizza and bread sticks from the man. I then gently woke Liam. "Liam," he turned and rolled over, his eyes opening up. "Do you want to watch a movie and eat pizza?"

Liam rubbed his eyes, "Is daddy back yet?"

"Not yet but hopefully soon."

I made him a small plate and turned on the Lion King, his new favorite. He watched for a while and I tended to Emma as I ate. I changed her diaper and fed her once more while I ate pizza. It was almost eight o clock, we had been here all day.

"Liam, do you want to go on a walk?" I asked he looked back towards me, "To where?"

"To find some ice cream." Liam jumped up excited, "Yes please!"

I cleaned up a little and found Emma's stroller before buckling her in to her car seat. I found a cute hat and put it on her head with a pair of socks before covering her up with three blankets. I slipped on a clean pair of yoga pants and a long sleeve t-shirt, followed by my Uggs. I put Liam's jacket on and his tennis shoes, "You can walk until we get out of the hotel okay?" he nodded and I made sure I had money. I slipped on my North face and we both headed out.

He ran down the hallway and pushed the button on the elevator multiply times. "That's good baby." I told him, he turned towards me in excitement. We got onto the elevator and it went down pretty fast, Emma awoke and she cried, I uncovered her face and I leaned over. I gave her a pacifier.

When we got off the elevator, I checked out the lobby before stopping. I buckled Liam into the front and I went to the front desk to ask about the nearest ice cream place. I stuffed my hands in my pocket and I walked up to the desk. "Hi, I was wondering the closet ice cream place,"

"There is one just down the street, very good."

I thanked her and she gave me more detailed instructions on where it was. I then pushed the stroller to see Troy and Aaron stepping through the doors talking. Troy glanced up and then back down before glancing back up at me, he smiled and broke free from Aaron. "Hey, where are you going?" his cold hands slid over my neck and I laughed breaking away from him. "Stop,"

He smiled and kissed my forehead; Liam screeched and tried to kick free. Troy smiled and bent in front of Liam, "Where were you three going?"

"To grab some ice cream, we were bored."

"Daddy! Ice cream?"

Troy pursed his lips; he looked up at me and then over at Aaron. "Let me go upstairs and change. Will you wait for me?" Troy looked exhausted and I could hear Aaron's protest. "Of course." He stood up and he peered in at Emma. Her eyes were open and he talked to her for a moment. He then kissed me softly.

"I'll be ten minutes."

"I'll be calling if you take longer." Troy smiled and he walked up to the elevator, he was loosing his tie and talking with Aaron. They disappeared together. I found a seat and I played with Liam in the front. We played patty cake together and I snuck a kiss onto his cheek. He giggled and I ran my fingers through my hair before tying it back.

My phone rang and I dug for it. "Hello?"

"Honey! I waited all day to call you but is everything okay?"

"We are all perfectly fine. Maybe a little tired but we are fine."

"What makes you think you can just leave?"

I laughed, "Mom, I'm twenty four,"

"Yea, only twenty four. Maybe you should,"

"I have two kids and my husband needed to be here today, we all go."

Troy came out of the elevator with a water bottle in his hands, a pair of sweats on his hips and a hoodie over his frame. His hair messed up, he was on the phone with somebody and he caught my eyes. "I gotta go mom. I'll call you tomorrow and we can talk more okay?"

"Okay." She said with a sigh. I hung up after saying I love you and Troy was standing behind the stroller and talking to Emma. I stood up and Troy stretched his hand out, "Come on," he took my hand and he pushed the stroller, we walked out and I leaned into Troy. "How did today go?"

"Good. I am a New York Knick, Sean has been suspended until further review and the other three guys plus more are supporting me and helping with this." I smiled up at him, "So your day went well."

"It did. Now I have to report to the Knicks early tomorrow morning."

"I'll take care of Emma tonight."

"Brie, I can't ask you to do that, I can help out."

I glanced down at her, "No, it's okay. Really. You need some sleep Troy," he smiled and he kissed the top of my head. "Tomorrow afternoon, I'll take the kids out for lunch of something. You can get some rest."

"Okay."

"Then we need to hunt for an apartment till we can get this all figured out."

I sighed, my head rested on his shoulder and we made it to the ice cream place. "What do you want Liam?"

"Vanilla with chocolate!" I smiled and nodded; I walked up to the counter. "Hi, I need," I paused, "A small vanilla bowl with chocolate syrup." She nodded, "I am going to need a medium mint chocolate bowl and then,"

Troy wrapped his arm around my waist, "She is going to want a chocolate chip shake with an extra swirl of whip cream." I smiled and I leaned back into him. The lady smiled and nodded before she began to make all of them. Troy found a spot while I paid. He unzipped the car seat cover, "Emma!"

He smiled at her and he took most of her blankets off and took her out of her car seat. Her body crumpled up and her head rolled forward. Troy rested her on his shoulder and covered her up with a few blankets. He talked to her and I got Liam's ice cream.

I set it in front of him and I mixed it together for him. "Thank you mama!" I smiled and I kissed his forehead. I then grabbed Troy's and my own. I sat down and he took a bite out of his ice cream. He yawned and Emma turned her head into Troy's neck. Her baby face, I smiled and took a picture with my phone. Troy made a face for the second picture and then he turned towards her.

I grinned and I pulled Liam out of the stroller. I set him down into my lap and he had ice cream all over his chin. I laughed and Troy grabbed my phone, he took pictures of Liam and I. We all ate our ice cream and talked a few times about different oddball topics. Liam began to fall back asleep on us and Emma was becoming ready to eat. I kissed the top of Liam's head and put him back into the stroller covering him up with a few blankets.

Troy put Emma back, buckling her up and covering her up with her blankets. Troy laced our hands together and we walked the New York streets together. He kissed the top of my head and he kept me close. "Did you watch the press interview today?"

I nodded into his arm, "Yea, I did. That interviewer was an ass."

Troy kissed my temple. "Aaron got pissed at me for answering it but then he was joyed by my response. He wanted to game plan tonight and I told him I needed you guys for a bit and for a while, I completely forgot about everything that was going on. Emma sleeping on my chest and you and Liam giggling, it's a therapy."

"I'm glad you came."

"We might go for a beer for a little bit. I probably won't be gone longer than an hour. I'm pretty tired."

"You look tired. There is a bar in the hotel, just stay here."

Troy squeezed my hand, "I just might."

"Shh…" I rolled over onto my side and Troy was walking in with Liam on his hip and the stroller in front of him. "Liam, come on, don't wake up mom." Liam was doing his endless chatter. I opened my eyes and Troy set Liam down onto the empty bed. "Hang on, let me change your sister and then we can go grab some food." Troy was quiet and he moved around. Emma began to cry and I sat up, "Oh God, I didn't mean to wake you, I ran out of diapers…"

I shook my head, "It's okay," my voice was rough and Liam crawled over to my bed. He wormed his way into my lap and I wrapped my arms around his body. Kissing his temple and rocking him, "Do you want to join us?"

I nodded, "Sure. I am awake now after a nice long nap." Troy smiled, "Then come on, we were going to go to the little café down the street." I stood up and I walked over to the bathroom. I found a pair of jeans that fit since I had not lost much of the baby weight yet. I muttered and zipped them up. I then slipped on my new, New York Knicks long sleeve shirt. Troy reported for practice tomorrow and played his first game the day after.

Troy followed me into the bathroom and he shut the door quietly. "What are you doing?" He put his fingers to my lips and he gently pushed me up against the wall. His lips met mine and I melted into his body. "Two kids makes it very hard to get any of this with you." He whispered. I pulled his head closer to mine and I kissed him again. "Mama!" I sighed and Troy kissed my neck. "We have nobody to watch the kids up here."

"We are going to find Liam a daycare."

"I know, I'll talk to the guys tomorrow about a good one around here."

We both exited the bathroom and Liam was waiting to show me something. "What did you and daddy do?"

"We went to this big park and played basketball with other people for a little bit but it got cold so we had to go somewhere else so we went to do this thing I think dad," his vocabulary was becoming so much better as I listened to the long sentence he had running on. It amazed me he had so many words in his small head. How much knowledge he held in his head already.

"Bowling." Troy finished, "I took him bowling,"

"How did that go?" I asked, "Fun!"

Troy smiled, "Let's just say, pushing the ball down is hard."

"Hey, something new right?"

Troy nodded and I checked on Emma, "Do you think I should feed her before we leave?"

"Uh, I fed her about an hour and half ago."

"I'll wait until we get to the diner then."

Troy squeezed my side and we bundled up and walked out. Troy slipped his hand into mine and Liam wanted to push the stroller down to the lobby. Troy helped guide it and when we got to the lobby, Troy picked him up and settled him into the stroller. Liam protested but we didn't want him walking the New York streets, not when we had to push a stroller anyways.

I hated taking Emma out in the cold air but she was bundled up and buried underneath a bunch of blankets. I took in a long breath while I looked at the bustling street. I buried my head into his shoulder and he led us to the small café.

We settled in and we got Liam a high chair while Troy pushed the stroller next to me. "Can we just settle now? No more drama?"

"Defiantly."

"Good." I yawned and Troy rubbed my knee.

"I am here for at least two years."

"Okay,"

"With a big sign."

"Troy, it's not about the money."

"I know, I just am saying." I smiled and I squeezed his hand.

"Emma, girl, go to sleep."

"Mommy!"

I bolted up and I looked at Troy rocking Emma. "Mommy!" Liam's cry rang out and I got up from our bed and I slid over to his. "Hey," he woke up in tears and he buried his face into my side. "Mommy, I scared."

"It's okay sweetie, I am right here."

I held him and I looked at Troy, he shrugged and he ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm right here." I kissed his temple and I lay down with him. I held him in my arms and stroked his back until he was asleep again. "Brie, she is not going down."

"Just lay her down," I commended, Troy said something and I heard him lay her down. Her screams only grew louder. Liam stirred again and I moaned I sat up, "Switch me." Troy nodded and we switched.

I bounced Emma in my arms and I kissed her forehead but she only seemed to cry louder. "Okay, she doesn't want me." Troy sighed, two crying kids, two parents, and none of us could console the other. "Let me see her." We switched kids again and I took Liam into my arms. He relaxed against me and I rubbed his back. Emma's cries died down but were small whimpers.

She twisted her head in Troy's arms and he sat down on the bed. "Come on Emma, it's okay." Troy consoled her and I got Liam to fall back to sleep but he kept me close. I kissed the top of his head and I sat up, Troy looked at me and I glanced at her. "Do you think I should try to feed her?"

"Maybe." Troy offered. My eyes looked at Liam, he had gotten his cast off just after Christmas and he was getting so big. I pulled off my tank top and I undid my bra before Troy gave her back to me. She latched on but she only stayed latched for a few moments before she let go and cried louder. Troy and I sighed together; we were going to have people complaining soon.

I laid her down onto the bed and I unswaddled her, she quieted and I put my shirt back on. Her eyes glanced around and she landed on Troy. "That's what she was so upset about?" Troy asked monotone, "Apparently," I told him, "It's cold though, and can you grab her a pair of socks."

Troy rolled out of the bed and he grabbed them, I slipped them onto her feet before lifting her up and resting her onto my chest. I put my hand on her back and tried to get her to go back to sleep. Troy was propped up onto his side and he glanced at her, "She is so beautiful," I smiled and I turned my head towards Troy. "I bet the people around us love us."

"We are on a corner. There is only one side and if they have kids, they understand. Don't worry about."

I turned to look at him, "What is going through your mind?"

"How this happened," his eyes flickered to Liam and then down to Emma. "Well," he laughed, "I don't want the long explanation, I find myself an expert in that but I mean how did I get so lucky and I swear," Troy knocked on wood, "If I lost everything but you three tomorrow, I wouldn't be upset. If I have you three, I will love you so much." He leaned over and he kissed me softly. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Tomorrow, we need to go look at a few apartments."

"Okay,"

"I just have another press thing tomorrow and then we can."

"Sounds good," I pursed my lips, I didn't want to drag Emma out in this. "Troy, I really don't want to drag Emma around the city. I am already slightly freaking out because I don't need her getting RSV or something else, I need her to stay healthy and I just, I'm nervous."

"How about you find a few online that you like and then we can pick one or two, so we aren't dragging our kids all over the city."

"Yea," I let out a long sigh, "It's going to be tough without you here. To get around this large city."

"You'll do fine. Have you not challenged this city before?"

"Once, with you,"

"True," I laid my head down onto his shoulder and he stroked Emma's face. "You do know you will forever be my Laker Boy,"

"Well Duh, I will love the Lakers forever but I can't play for them anymore."

"That's fine." I smiled and I let him kiss my temple. "Let me put her up," he took her and I took a deep breath. "I think I am going to take the kids and pack a bit more stuff and just make sure I have everything and leave everything in order. I never had time to get everything in order. She still needs more shots and he needs his checkup, MRI and stuff, I think I just need another week out there."

"Okay," Troy said softly, "Let's get a little bit settled here and then we can have you three fly out. My mom can meet you there, give you hand. I understand what you mean but not getting to wrap your head around it. It happened so fast."

"I know," I breathed, "A good breather would be nice."

"That is why you have a spa day tomorrow or later today." I gave Troy a look; "I owe you for just picking up and leaving. So tomorrow, I will take the kids with," I held up a finger, "Can you move it to when I go back to California, I love the thought and I wish I could tomorrow but back to the I don't want to leave,"

Troy took a breath, I was testing his patience and I knew I was. "I'm sorry, I am Troy but she has barely had any of her shots and I don't need her coming down with chicken pox or something like that, I need her to stay safe. I need to find a doctor for them here and everything, it's stuff I need to take care of."

"Of course." He kissed my temple and I snuggled into him. "Thank you for being understanding."

I played with Liam on the floor and he stacked a few blocks. I researched a few apartments and fell in love with one. The Sessanta, they had a three-bedroom apartment that overlooked the city that I wanted. It had a full kitchen with a living room. I loved the NBA's money. The door clicked and opened, I turned around and put a finger to my lips and let my eyes fall on Emma's bassinet.

"Ah,"

Liam stood up and went running for Troy. Troy held him in a hug, "Any luck on the apartments?"

I nodded; I got up and grabbed my laptop to show him. "Oh man, I do like that." Troy looked at it, "Do you want me to go scoop it out and see what it's like before we do a final visit?" I nodded looking at him, "That would be awesome," he scribbled down the address and he kissed me lightly. "If you know I would like it, or even send me pictures, I want to get out of this hotel."

"Understood."

He stood up, his eyes looked at Liam and then to mine. I sighed and gave a nod, "Liam, do you want to go with me?" Liam looked up at Troy, "Yea!"

He ran over to Troy and Troy grabbed his jacket and shoes. He put on his shoes and zipped up his jacket. "Alright, tell momma we will be back soon." I gave him a high five and I collapsed back against the bed.

I closed my eyes, I then checked on Emma. She was sleeping peacefully, happy, her little face. My eyes gazed into her perfect body. She twitched and turned her head, her small delicate face. She was so pretty.

I grabbed my phone and took a few pictures of her; I then picked her up because I just wanted some Emma and mommy time. I lay down onto the bed and I just stared. I reflected over the past few days and how I just haven't had time with her, I mean, I made time with her but I didn't give her my full attention. The things you learn with your second child and how you have to really fine a balance time.

I unwrapped her from the tight swaddle; she cringed for a moment and then looked at me, her bold brown eyes staring back at me. "Hi princess, yes, you are going to be the princess because you already have your daddy ringed around your finger. I promise." I kissed her softly and she whined, her limbs so tiny. I took her little hand and I played with it. "You already have your brother too, you are going to be so loved." I kissed her forehead gently.

She stretched her little arm out; she was going to be three weeks old in two days. So fast things happen. I sighed softly and I put her onto my chest, "So baby girl, you are by far adorable and you are going to know your family and everybody in it, don't you doubt that." I kissed the top of her head and I rubbed her back softly, my phone buzzed next to me and a picture of Liam in a big room, well big in NYC standards. I grinned and Troy told me he loved it. I told him to take it and I looked at Emma.

"Oh baby girl, we are going to be living high in the big city." She uncurled her legs and she shuddered, her eyes drowsy and I sat up. I walked over to the window and I pointed out the big buildings and her eyes closed. Troy texted me saying he would be another hour or two as he filled out paperwork. I played with Emma's legs and I crossed my legs. "I love you Emma, I love you so much."

My mom texted me and I swaddled Emma back up. I talked to her on the phone for a little bit and rested with Emma. I fed her, changed her diaper, and I felt the stress around me falling apart. We weren't going to have much to move into the apartment.

After getting off of the phone with my mom, I called Troy, "Hi," he mumbled, "what's up?"

"I was thinking about furniture."

"Done."

"What?"

"This place is basically fully furnished. Think it's too early to start Liam on big boy bed would it?"

"Not how I imagined that going, a race car bed, not some other bed."

"Yea, true. But the only thing we have to provide or bring is baby stuff and matrasses and I wouldn't use those old matrasses."

"True, I mean we can buy another set. I don't want to drag ours here. I am just going to grab more clothes and shoes and stuff from home. Baby stuff. I think we can just get Liam a different crib, something cheap but good. It can become our crib for here. Baby girl will be fine with the bassinet."

"I can look into if some of the Knicks players if they have any cribs. I agree with just buying matrasses. We won't be able to move in at least Monday. Credit report and background checks, blah, blah,"

"Got it. Well I am going to go look up some plane tickets."

"You do that. Liam and I will bring home some Pizza. Sound good?"

"Yup, see you soon."

Well there you go! Hope you all have a great week! Happy Easter!

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