Chapter 28 – Till Death Do us Part

Lucille grinned as she helped me finish the centerpieces for our reception tables. She started chemo in four days and she was trying to live it up but the cancer was starting to take a toll. She had already started doing some things, had her port placed, and etc. She was moving along but Monday was going to be long and grueling.

I had promised her that I would be there for her since Jack had to work along with the rest of her kids. It was the least I could do for her after she helped me pull a wedding together in a month. "Gabi!" I turned to see Kennedy walk in, a tiny bump forming at her abdomen.

"Yes?"

"Have you been to your last fitting?"

"Yesterday,"

"Good, the cake and caters are good, I checked up with them, and the photographer is good, Uhh…"

"Tuxes delivered?"

"Yes," Lucille said, I nodded, "Rehearsal dinner tonight,"

"Did Troy actually confirm that he was going to be there?" I questioned, Lucille spun around to look at me, and "He has to be there?"

"Lucille, the man hasn't slept in this house in a week. He comes home sometimes, he has been busy,"

She whipped out her cell phone and Kennedy stifled a laugh, "My son will be here, if he isn't going on a honeymoon,"

"The honeymoon is not an issue. I have got to finish this damn book," Kennedy and Lucille smiled as Lucille answered the receiving end of the call, "Troy Bolton, you are demanded to be at the golf course tonight at six thirty for your rehearsal dinner, your blushing bride misses you." Kennedy and I both giggled as Troy responded to her and Lucille bit back as I giggled further. She hung up the phone, "He'll be there, when was the last time you saw him?"

"Three nights ago? No! It was Monday at lunch, we keep missing each other."

"You live in the same house…" Kennedy said, I laughed, "I know, but the night he came home to sleep I was at your house doing decorations and the other night I was staying with the kids at Amelia's because she and Jason had a date night and I crashed there."

"So the last time you saw him was Monday at lunch? It's Friday?" I shrugged my shoulders, "We're both busy."

Amelia and Cameron came in as they started to chat about how they were helping, I took a deep breath and I smiled, "Gabi, sweetie, go get ready for tonight. We will finish this." I thanked her as I stood up; I hugged each of the people that were helping me. My mom was already at the golf course setting up for the rehearsal dinner with Katie. I breathed going back into my bedroom, as I wasn't showering tonight because they wanted my hair slightly dirty. I planned to just leave it simple tonight as I slipped on a dress that fell to my knees.

It was a light pink color with a scoop neck; I laid my hair down my shoulders as I pulled on a white cardigan with a pair of black heels. I slipped on a couple pieces of jewelry, making sure I had my ring on my finger. A knock came at the door and I looked up to see my dad, I smiled, "What are you doing here? I thought you were helping mom."

"Well, I was but she kicked me out," I grinned, "You were always bad at following directions." He chuckled himself with a nod, "I wanted to give you something tonight. Tomorrow will be very busy for you so I am going to take this opportunity to myself," I felt tears in my eyes as I looked up at him, "You are my baby girl Ella, I walked Amelia down the aisle and I knew that I still at least had you but now I am going to walk you down the aisle tomorrow. I am so excited to see your new journey with Troy and I am so happy that you two stuck it."

I wiped away a couple of tears and he pulled me into his arms, "I love you Ella, I am so happy that you are happy." He handed me a case and I opened it slowly to reveal a diamond necklace. "Daddy," I breathed, "Save it. I got one for your mother on her wedding day, I got one for your sister on her wedding day, and now here I am, buying you one on your wedding day." He took it out of the case and he spun me around as he lay in my chest.

"Daddy, it's beautiful,"

"I'm glad you like it," he tapped my nose and I kissed his cheek, "I love you daddy,"

"I love you too Ella,"


I laughed as people started to show up, Taylor and Chad were mingling with the Bolton family as I was still looking for Troy. He was late. I kept biting my lip and nodding as people asked where my soon-to-be husband was. I knew how his hours worked and he had taken the next forty-eight hours to be with me so I couldn't complain as he was trying to get his things in order.

Kennedy came over with Adam, "Gabi, this is beautiful,"

"I know, I am excited," I announced, the only people here were the wedding party for the evening. Our families were also here but besides that none of our friends or extended family. "Where is he?" Kennedy mumbled, I only shrugged my shoulders and took a drink of the drink that was in my hand. Sadly, it was not strong enough for Troy's absents.

"I am so, so, so sorry," I turned around as Troy came flying into the room, he was trying to fix his tie, his shoe laces were untied, and his belt didn't seem tight enough to his suit. I arched my eyebrow at his appearance, "I know, I am in trouble," he grumbled, he kept tugging at his tie and I set down my drink. I reached up as I started to finish tying his tie for him, he relaxed, "Fix your belt," I whispered as people were watching us.

"Shit," he grumbled, once I finished his tie, I ran my fingers down his chest and he breathed, "Have I seen you this week?" I laughed shaking my head and he finally let a smile cross his face, "God, you look beautiful," he took back to observe me and I patted his chest, he kissed me gently, "Tie your shoes and then we can get the show on the road."

Troy cursed again and bent over to tie his shoes, "I had a patient and the operation took longer than expected. I'm sorry,"

"You're fine. I knew that you were working." He breathed again, I reached for his hand as I felt his heart racing but it was slowly, slowing down. "Are you ready?" he picked up my drink and finished it quickly, "Now I am,"

I smiled as I turned around with him and we walked into the crowd, his mom and dad greeted him and said something to him. My parents greeted him and then things started to happen. We walked through the ceremony and how things would unfold. All of our flower girls practiced what they would be doing. Once we were done with the ceremony part, we started to eat food but as people started lining up, Troy dragged me away.

He pulled me into a side hallway; he didn't wait for the doors to shut as his lips fell onto mine. I breathed in his intoxicating breath as he pushed me against the wall. "Dear God, I have missed the hell out of you." He breathed, I wrapped my arms around his neck and he eased me up against him. "You look beautiful too,"

"Shut the hell up," I grumbled as I kissed him more, he nodded and he held me against him. A knock came on the door that we entered from, "What?" Troy spat, his lips went down the side of my neck and I tried to not make a sound. "I know you guys uh…haven't seen each other in a week but having sex right now,"

"No sex," I called, my fingers ran through his hair, "Making out," Kennedy finished, "Isn't appropriate at this time."

"Appropriate is lame," I laughed from underneath Troy, "You guys can make out while we clean up dinner. We have some further business to attend too."

Troy groaned, his throat vibrating deeply, "Kennedy, I believe that I need five more minutes with her,"

"Jesus, you guys,"

"We aren't Jesus and he isn't here." Kennedy laughed, "Fine, you guys get to do the walk of shame," I laughed as I pressed my hand to Troy's chest. "We can continue this in a few hours," I whispered, he groaned and pressed his head into my shoulder. "No, I miss the hell out of you and my mom is making me stay at their house. I might go to Noah's." I bit down on my lip and I looked over my shoulder to see the door again.

"Maybe one more kiss," Troy agreed quickly as he pressed himself against me. His hand slid up my dress and I kicked his shin, he sucked in a breath but didn't stop kissing me, I pulled away laughing, "Troy, baby," he closed his eyes, "Fine,"

I kissed his cheek, "I love you baby," he tilted his head back with a smile, "I love you too sweet girl,"

He eased me into his grip and he kissed the top of my head, "Mmm…come on, I guess we should go,"

"I guess,"

He smiled as we walked back out, what walk of shame?


"Gabriella," I glanced up as Lucille eased into the booth at the coffee shop, "Yes?"

"Do you know that you are getting married today?"

"What, you mean this past month of craziness is meant for me?" she laughed, "Sweetie, what are you doing here?"

"I didn't sleep a lot last night and I got restless. I decided I wanted one more coffee as a single women." She sighed, "Well…I don't blame you. Today will be crazy." I took a drink of my coffee, "How is Troy,"

"Restless." She announced with a smile, she slid a package over to me, "He asked me to give this to you." I glanced up and she smiled, "Open it here." I glanced around, "Is it going to make me cry?"

She shrugged, "I was just told to give it to you."

I ripped open the letter and I pulled it out as I opened the white piece of paper to reveal the squirrely doctor handwriting.

Brie,

"Yet when you get in the real world, nothing is in our hands and we just have to pretend to be part of a script we haven't gotten to read yet." – Wave Crasher

Something about that line spoke to me and on our first date so many months ago, the way you looked at me surprised that I had taken time to read your book and then quote it back to you. I will never forget that face because I knew how much I was going to enjoy getting to know you just like I enjoyed reading your books and getting into your mind. The moments that we took so slow to make sure everything was pure. The way we kissed each other and breathed life into each other. You dug me out of the hospital and I dug you out of the books. We both grew into each other and fell in love with each other and nothing about that was written in my plans. I never planned to fall in love. I never planned to find such a beautiful woman to share my life with. I never planned you. Something that I learned from you is that we get to plan nothing. A greater power wrote our scripts for us and now we are getting to read them for ourselves and having you come into my life, I can't thank God for that, I can't thank enough people for letting you in my life.

The moment that you walked off the rooftop, was the moment my soul crushed into the ground. The voicemail that may haunt me forever echoes in my brain and marrying you might be the only thing to shut it up because I get to have you and always you. I get to love you forever. You are my forever. You, Gabriella, are my unwritten script that went off course into something so incredible that I will forever thank you for walking into my life Gabriella I love you.

Biting down on my lip gently, I wiped away the stream of tears, "I love that boy," I whispered, Lucille smiled, "He is a beautiful soul," I smiled as I opened the present and I opened the box gently as my breath was taken away.

I slipped out the beautiful notebook with Unwritten on the front of it in cursive print; I opened it as the tears started again. Somehow the man transferred all of my ideas from my binder into this beautiful notebook for more to be added. A little slip of paper was in the back and I opened it gently as I looked at it. It had a list of all of the dates that were major events to us and his thoughts on them, I laughed at some of them and felt the anguish of the others.

My fingers ran down the page as underneath it read, Our Story.

I closed the book and I closed to my chest tightly, "Can I go see him please?" Lucille laughed, "Soon enough sweetie, I can give you a hug for now though." I let go of my book in one arm and then hugged her with another. "Did you help him with this?"

"No," she answered, "He did this all on his own. I don't know how but that is what hung him up yesterday. He wasn't done yet and he needed it finished." I pressed my lips out and I looked back down at it, "Did you give him his gift,"

"He loved it," she confirmed, I smiled thinking about the letter I had wrote and the first gift to him. I smirked thinking about it as Lucille squeezed my arm, "Come on, you need to get ready,"


Troy's POV

I rubbed my hands together and Chad ringed my shoulders, I smiled, "I wasn't sure if this day was ever going to happen, unless, marrying your job then I knew that was going to happen." Noah snickered from the back and I turned to shoot him a look. Will took a drink from his water as he finished tying his shoes.

"You are going to be in some serious trouble when you see her," I turned around to see my mom, "Does she look good?" my voice desperate, Noah laughed aloud, "Good God, you are a freak." I ignored him as my mom smiled, "She looks stunning, you will love it,"

"Are we sure that we can't do a sneak peek?"

"No," she stressed, "You can not see her,"

I pulled a smile, "These past twenty-four hours have been hell."

"You guys went like a week without seeing each other!" Will mentioned, "But I could and she could have if she wasn't drowning in wedding stuff. We were both just really busy."

"You just want to take the wedding dress off," Chad whispered into my ear, I smacked his arm and he smiled at me, "I just want her."

"Well…it is almost time. Are you ready?"

"Beyond."

We all began to line up and I made sure that I had everything that I needed to have. Chad had the rings so that was good, "To calm the nerves," Will said handing me a glass, I eyed it before quickly pouring it down my throat hoping to avoid the horrible bite at the end.

We got set up outside, on a beautiful day in January, the place not crowded with people but only our close family and friends. I stood up top at the alter as my mom fussed with my shirt, "Mom," I groaned, she smiled, "I just want you looking your best."

"How are you feeling?" I questioned, she shook her head, "It's not about me today, and it's about you." I frowned at her, "Mom,"

"No frowning, you look beautiful, I am trying to remember where my middle guy went," I smiled as I kissed her cheek as I then escorted her to her seat. My dad smiled, "Good Luck," I shook my head as I walked over to Gabi's mom.

"Good evening Mrs. Montez,"

"Troy, you look handsome,"

"Thank you,"

"Just wait till you see her," I smiled, "I can only wait."

I went back up the top as the guys were escorting the girls down, suddenly everybody was sitting and I was a nervous wreck, I just needed to see her. I didn't really care about anything else; I just needed to lay eyes on her. To make sure she is okay.

Amelia and Chad came down the aisle first, they separated at the time, followed by Will and Katie and then Kennedy and Noah. The four flower girls came down throwing soft rose petals into the wind and then the wedding march started. My stomach tightened in my gut as I looked down for a moment, and then my eyes lifted up to see her rounding the corner. My jaw tightened, as she was beautiful, her dress was simple and beautiful. It was a V-neck and it just flowed.

The ivory color made me smile as she caught my eye and I didn't let my eyes leave hers. She held her dad's arms tightly as they walked down and I couldn't stop grinning at her, I took a step towards her like we practiced yesterday and I reached my hand out to her, she kissed her dad's cheek, whispered something into his ear and then she turned to me as she gave me her hand, I closed my fingers around it as I breathed a sigh of relief that she was in my grasp.

I eased her forward and I leaned into her ear, "You look stunning,"

Her eyes were already glistening with tears, "I love you,"

"I love you too, you ready?" she nodded as we faced the minister, ready, to start our new lives.


Gabi's POV

Troy closed his hand around mine tightly as he led me to a different space; we officially sealed the deal about an hour ago with the kiss that entered us into marriage. Since then, we had been giving hugs and thanking people left and right. Our reception was in an hour and we still had to do a flurry of pictures. We were both exhausted already as he slipped into a back room.

"Oh my god, why didn't we just elope?" He asked, I laughed as I leaned into him, I slid onto his lap and he wrapped his arms around me. "I just need five minutes with you." His chin rested on my shoulder and I breathed in his clean scent. "Have I told you how beautiful you look?" his fingers ran down my long ivory dress and I kissed his temple, "Thank you,"

He looked up at me and I stroked his hair gently, "Troy, your gift this morning," a smile flickered onto his face, "You liked that?" I nodded my head, "I loved it, and saying I loved it isn't right because it was beyond that. It was so thoughtful."

He pulled me in close and I lowered my head to his shoulder, "You are my wife." He whispered, a full-blown grin wiped over my face, "Say it again,"

"You. Are. My. Wife." The slow stopped speech caused goosebumps to fly down my spine, "Is it bad to just have sex now," my lips pressed to his temple and then down his cheek, he breathed, "my brain says yes, my male body says fuck no." I found his lips and he devoured me, he pressed his lips harder onto mine and then slipped his tongue into my mouth. I breathed when a rap came at the door. "Fuck them all, it's our wedding,"

I laughed, "We have to go take pictures before you give me a hickey," Troy pouted, "I do not give you hickeys,"

"Whatever," I said, I got off his lap and I pulled Troy up gently, "Come on husband," Troy stopped with a smile on his face, "Say it again,"

"Husband."

He just smiled and slung his arm around my shoulder.


"Mr. and Mrs. Troy Bolton,"

Troy and I just finished dancing to our first dance as then the floor opened up to the rest of the guests. I smiled softly as Troy tugged me close, his lips pressing just above my ear, another thank you, another kiss, another moment I just wanted this over to be with him.

Lucille was thoroughly enjoying this night and I was happy that we pulled it all together as it was beautiful. "What's left?" Troy asked as we collapsed down in our chairs, "Cake, Toast, and I then think we are done for the night and we can get drunk."

"I don't think we want to get drunk," he whispered into my ear, "Because then having sex all night is hard with a soon coming hangover." I felt my cheeks heat looking up at him, he grinned, satisfied from the reaction I provided. "You two look like you are going to jump each other," Troy and I looked at a drunken Katie as we both laughed, "Katie, how is the open bar?"

"Oh my goodness, fantastic." She took another drink of whatever she was drinking, "You guys are adorable though,"

"Thank you," Troy eased, I reached over for his hand and he rubbed it gently, I took a drink of my wine that I had as Troy drank a beer, his eyes filled mine and I the dance floor was flowing and people were dancing away. Songs beat out of the speakers and I went over to sit on Troy's lap. His arms circled around me and his chin rested on my shoulder. We surveyed the crowd to see our favorite people celebrating our marriage together.

The music then stopped after a song and Lucille had the microphone, "Good evening everybody! I would just like to thank everybody who help make this wedding come together in the past month and also to all of the guest in attendance tonight to make this night special for Troy and Gabi." Lucille grinned, "I am kicking off the toasts for the evening and I just need to thank Gabi for coming into Troy's life because I was never sure if he was going to not love work enough to find a girl but he found you. You are such a lovely person and never think about yourself first. This wedding was for me, and I thank her for every minute for taking her special day and letting me put myself in front of it. She did this to let me enjoy my son's special day and she let me help plan every step of the way."

I had tears in my eyes as she spoke, "And I know through these next several months that she will be there for me as I was there for her during this time. Troy, thank you for being such a wonderful son. Thank you for taking care of me but it is now time to take care of her. You are going to be a great husband and I know one day, a great father. I love you both to the moon and back."

Troy squeezed my knee as I wiped away my own tears; Chad got on the stage next and talked all about his childhood with Troy. Finally, Kennedy spoke with her little baby belly poking out. I smiled, as I loved everybody, Troy then escorted me down to our cake, his hand collapsed over mine as I felt the flash around me. We cut the cake together and I smiled, my hair was pinned on the top of my head to keep out and when we both had a piece, Troy picked one up and I picked one up, we both eyed each other with a smirk on our faces.

I shook my head and Troy laughed, "You can't avoid it,"

"On three,"

"One,"

"Two," I said back.

"Three," we said together, Troy went for my mouth but I dodged it and smashed it right in his nose, Troy gazed my cheek and ear with his as we were both laughing. It was caked near Troy's eyes so when I leaned in to kiss him, he laughed causing my chest to vibrate with his laughter. I licked my lips when we were handed towels to wipe our faces. Troy leaned over to kiss my cheek first and I laughed pushing him away.

He winked at me and I smiled back at him, as our duties for the night were pretty much over. I let out a long sigh of the relief as I went and finished off my wine as cake was passed out and dancing was resumed. I started to say a lot of thank you to a lot of people; Troy joined me as he kept his arm around me to tug me close.

Husband and Wife.

Wife and Husband.

There was nothing better.


Troy pulled the blankets up and around us as he started to kiss me again, it was well into the night – the party long gone as we had been locked in a hotel room for a long time now. We went from talking to kissing to talking and back to kissing. His lips pressed to my collarbone gentle, "Troy, I am so tired." I said gently, he only nodded his head, "I know, I am too but I can't stop because I actually have to work tomorrow and I don't want to stop."

I smiled as I leaned up to kiss him gentle, "Well…we have to check out at noon to go home, so how about we sleep until then and then we can do whatever you want at home." I was almost begging him to let me sleep, he pulled me close as he placed a gentle kiss to my forehead. "That sounds like a good plan," I let my eyes close and he rubbed my back gently as he breathed my scent in. "I love you so much Brie,"

"I love you too," I was fighting sleep, "I can't believe I finally got to marry you," I hugged him closer, burying my head into his chest.


Troy's POV

She drifted off to sleep not too long after I said sounds like a good plan, her body lightened and she gave in to the pressure from her eyelids. I kissed her forehead again; the day was a whirlwind but a good one. She was so damn beautiful that getting through the day was difficult.

My phone vibrated on the nightstand and I reached over to grab it, it was Noah calling me. I frowned deeply as I removed myself from Gabi gently and I answered the phone. "Noah?"

"I didn't wake you or interrupt?"

"No, no, she is asleep, I was just thinking. Is everything okay?"

He was quiet, "Mom's in the hospital,"

My stomach sank, "It's not good."

"She was,"

"She was faking and on some heavy meds, when we were cleaning up she could barely stand." I wanted to vomit, "Where is she,"

"It's your wedding night Troy,"

"Where is she," my voice grew louder, fear running through my blood, "She is at the hospital, Mount Sa," he didn't finish as I told him I would there soon, I opened the suitcase that somebody had brought us as I dug through until I found a pair of sweat pants. I then pulled on my Duke crew neck sweatshirt, "Troy," my neck tightened as she would be devastated, "Brie," I breathed, I turned around to face her and she frowned.

"What's wrong?"

I bit on my lip as I tilted my head back trying not to panic or cry or get upset because she has grown so close to my mom and if this doesn't end up good, I don't know how she will handle it. "It's my mom," my voice cracked as she gasped, "What's wrong with her?"

"I don't know, Noah said it wasn't good. That she is in the hospital." Gabi got up, "Brie, baby, you don't have to get up."

"I'm going," her voice didn't leave a matter to argue as she got up and found underwear and a bra. She took one of my sweatshirts out of the bag and a pair of yoga pants; she then turned to me with tears in her eyes. "She's okay right?"

"I hope so baby," I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tightly into my chest.


Getting to the hospital, I went up to the front desk, Gabi clutching my hand tightly. "Lucille Bolton," the nurse looked up, "Relation?"

"I'm her son,"

She nodded, "You?" her eyes lingered on Gabi, tears in her eyes, "I'm her daughter-in-law."

She just nodded as Gabi and I shared a look, as of today, I mean, yesterday.

The nurse led us back, Noah, Will, and my dad were sitting next to my mom and as I finally looked at her, she didn't look good. Her body had thinned and her eyes were exhausted. "Noah," her voice growled, "Mom," his eyes were tired and I let go of Gabi's hands but she beat me to my mom. "Sweetie, you are supposed to be sleeping."

"You are supposed to be sleeping," she countered, my dad was pressed against the wall, his own tears in his eyes and I had a gut feeling that nothing was going to be okay. Her voice was weak as she talked to Gabi softly about something and I went over to hug her next. "Mom," I stressed, "Oh shush," she instructed, I pulled back from her and I then turned around as I went to the nurses station, "Can you call Miranda," I asked, my voice exhausted, the nurse looked at me, "I used to be an intern here, I need Miranda,"

"Troy," Will came out to look at me, "I need to know what's wrong and mom isn't going to tell me,"

Will looked at his feet, "Just ask her,"

My face fell and I canceled the call to Miranda as I went over to Gabi, she was holding my mom's hand, "Mom, what's going on?" she sighed, "My cancer was in very advanced stages when I found out," she spoke, her words delicate and tired as she spoke them. "I thought you said it wasn't bad," Gabi's eyes held fear as she looked at my mom, I hated to see how close she had grown to the women that I loved from the day I was born and to know my mom had a cancer that was difficult to treat.

"I lied." She said softly, "You guys had just gotten engaged and I didn't want to ruin it. I wanted to spend happy month with my family," my eyes swung to my mom as I realized what she was saying, "You were never going to fight it." Tears appeared in my mom's eyes as Gabi sucked in a breath realizing everything she was hearing. My mom shook her head with tears in her eyes, "I didn't want to put you guys through that again and I didn't want to put my body through that again. It was going to be hard to fight from the beginning and I wanted my last moments on earth to be with you guys and not spent in a hospital."

My mom was crying, I was crying, Gabi was trying hard to not let a sob creep out of her throat. "Mom, you have to fight this,"

"It's too late Troy,"

Gabi escaped my grip and left the hospital room in a bolt. "Gabi," the words left my mouth and I looked at my mom, "She loves you mom," my mom let out a little gasp as she nodded in understanding, "I grew so close to her and I can never thank her for the past month she gave me with her and you."

"I can't," I shook my head as I followed Gabi out of the room, the nurse pointed one direction and I followed until I found her crumpled over against the wall, her shoulders shaking violently. I went over and I slid down the wall next to her, my eyes flickered to the clock to let me know that it was almost five in the morning and I hadn't slept since yesterday. She hadn't slept since yesterday.

My arm wrapped around her shoulder as I pulled her into my body. "I shouldn't be crying, this is your mom," her voice shook with every word but I just eased her into my lap as her wedding day make-up washed down her face. "You love her," I whispered into her ear, my body in shock, "So do you,"

"I know," I buried my face into her hair that were crunched from the up-do it was in earlier this evening. When we smiled and laughed. When I kissed her all night. I was glad that we got the call the next day, because nothing could taint the 17th of January. It was safe from harm as it will forever be the day that I said I do to Gabi.

"Why isn't she fighting it?" she whimpered, "I want her to meet our kids and be there for them," I tilted my head to look at the ceiling, "I wish I knew baby,"

I just held her tight to my chest and I rubbed her back until she started to calm down, "Troy, are you okay?" I couldn't really form a thought in my head as my eyes looked off into the distance, "We'll be with me right?" she pulled her hand into mine, "Till death do us apart,"


Gabi's POV

Troy and I walked back to her hospital room and Lucille had fallen asleep. Troy and I were both in shock from the news that we had heard. Lucille wasn't going to fight her cancer. The words spun in my brain as Will and Noah were quietly talking and Jack was just watching Lucille.

He looked up when Troy and I walked in; he moved away from the wall and then grabbed his middle son in a tight hug. Troy accepted it as Jack kept the secret for a month. Jack had to deal with these emotions by himself that he would lose his wife. That his wife was slowly dying.

He let go of Troy and he looked at me, "Gabi," I reached for Jack as I hugged him tightly, "I'm so sorry Jack,"

"I'm sorry too, I know how close you and Lucille got and I know she is going to thank you later but I have to thank you for letting her do that the past month. She was getting ready to tell you her game plan and then you brought up the wedding so she decided to wait. She decided to let the wedding happen because she knew she had at least that long. The wedding gave her a lot of motivation to get out of bed on her bad days and to do things that she has forever wanted to do. Thank you for doing that," I was reduced to tears but I didn't want to wake Lucille up as I swallowed hard. Troy wrapped me in his arms and I held on to him.

I felt bad that I was this upset and I know I shouldn't be because this was Troy's mom but Lucille and I had grown so close since Troy and I's engagement. Troy kissed the top of my head, "I know you guys have had a really long day so how about you guys go back to the hotel and get some rest," Jack said quietly to the both of us, "Lucille will be going home tomorrow on hospice," he said quietly, the words bitter against his tongue. "How much longer does she have?"

"A month or two," he said, "Tonight was just an overdoing most likely. This past month has been a lot for her but hopefully taking it easy will help." I let out a long breath and nodded, "We'll come by tomorrow afternoon to see her," Troy said, "She'll love it."

Troy and I bid good-byes as we headed for the exit almost two hours after arriving. Troy and I quietly went back to our cars and eased away from the hospital. Troy and I both too numb to speak over the situation. "Are you okay?" I asked, the words wrong but the only thing I could think of.

"I don't know," the words were honest as neither of us said anything, when we pulled back into our hotel the imagines of our wedding came flying back and I smiled because nothing will ruin those twelve hours of my life.

Troy and I made it back to the room and my eyes suddenly became too heavy. I rubbed my eyes heavily and Troy dropped his keys and wallet onto the table. We both crawled into the bed and I wrapped my arms around him and he wrapped his arms around me and we just held each other. Numb.


A week after the shocking news from Lucille, I was cooking in the kitchen with her. A week after my wedding, and she was doing much better than the night in the hospital and it was easy to forget everything that happened in the hospital. I spent everyday at some point with Lucille and I had asked her to help me cook everything Troy loves. We haven't talked about what happened in the hospital or her choices that she made.

We baked chocolate chip cookies together as I was seriously neglecting my book but I wasn't doing too well with that either. "You are awful quiet today," Lucille said quietly, I bit on my lip and shrugged as I put more cookie dough down on the tray. I was getting hang of everything in the kitchen and Lucille was mostly watching. "I guess I'm talked out,"

"Are you? Or are you just nervous to approach the subject you don't want to hear?" a bob appeared in my throat as I swallowed on it, afraid of what could happen if I let it go. I just shook my head gently and I placed the cookies in the oven. "I don't want to make you upset."

"Sweetie, it was my choice. I know all of you are having troubling understanding and I am happy to explain everything to you," the tears pulled in my eyes as I leaned forward and pressed my forehead against my hands. "I don't understand why you don't want to fight it." My voice was rock hard and she sighed, "Gabi sweetie, look at me," it counted to three as I looked up at her, she smiled gently at me, "Come here," I walked over to her and she pulled me into a hug.

"I know out of all of you, you are struggling a lot with this," she said quietly, "I know Troy is struggling too."

I wiped my tears away and she took a deep breath, "I fought cancer once and it kicked my ass until I finally kicked its ass. It took a lot out of me and I have never felt the same since. When they told me how bad this cancer was, I was already tired. I was already exhausted. I didn't have the fight in me this time and with that, I knew that I wasn't going to beat this. So I thought that chemo and radiation would do no good and I didn't want to be put through that."

"I just got close to you Lucille, I finally got to know you and love you."

She smiled sadly, "And I am so glad that I got to do that. I am so happy that I know Troy found his person that will help him through this because like I told you, he will take this the hardest. He is taking this the hardest right there with you. He always loved me and protected me like no other. He was the one to crawl into my bed when I was sick to just be with me. When chemo got rough years ago he would bring movies and do the same thing. I know that this is killing him. I know how hard this will be for him and I thought about him. I did. I thought about you."

I tilted my head backwards, "You won't get to know our kids or see your other grandkids grow up. I want you around to see that Lucille. I want you to see Troy and I's kids." I was taken over with tears and Lucille just hugged me after that tightly. "I wish that I didn't have to make any choices Gabi but deep down, I know I wasn't going to survive more chemo and radiation. No matter how hard I fought it. It was going to be too much for me. I want happy memories with you in the end, not sad ones."

My arms just hugged her tighter, "I know Jack already said something but now it is my turn, I was getting ready to tell the family that my diagnosis was not good. I was going to tell you guys that I chose not to fight it. You and Troy came in and said that you wanted to throw a quick wedding for me and I was so happy. I wanted to see Troy get married but I was never going to voice that. I wanted to see you guys plan and get married. I wanted to see you guys have kids with each other but I knew it wasn't going to happen. I was never going to rush you into it but when you came to me, I knew I had to keep it quiet. I made Jack promise me to not tell you or anybody. I started some stuff to keep me comfortable and I got to help you plan a dream wedding. You let me buy your dress and I will never be able to repay you for that moment," I wiped away tears.

"It brought me complete happiness to know that I was helping you have the best wedding possible. It brought me closer to you. I loved it. I loved every moment of last month and I love every memory we made together. I am so happy for you and Troy. I am so happy I got to witness it. I am so happy you let me be apart of everything. You can never repay me for that but I know one thing that you can do, just be there for him because there is one thing that I am scared of is causing him to fall off the deep end."

She was falling apart as tears were running down both of our faces. Once she brought Troy into this, we both became a puddle. "This will hurt him a lot and I know that the only person who could keep him sane during this time will be you. You will be his rock and this is why I am so glad that you guys got back together. Thank you for everything Gabi, thank you for being you. Thank you for loving Troy and learning to cook everything my family loves. Thank you,"

I couldn't breath with the tears and we both cried together.

I hated that she was right in her choices. I hated it.


I submitted my document to Marla as I shut my laptop and pushed it away from me. I heard the door open and close and then Troy appeared in the bedroom. His body worn from the long week, his eyes lifted to mine, "Hey," he said softly, "Hi,"

He took off his shirt and slacks, changing into a worn t-shirt and shorts. "How was my mom?" he asked softly, "We had a long talk today," his eyes swung to mine, "Yea?" I nodded as I pulled my legs up to my chest, "Yea,"

He climbed onto the bed, "How did it go?" I lay my head down as I looked over at him, "I understand why she wants too not fight it," Troy frowned, "Because I would make the same choice," Troy shook his head, "No, you wouldn't. I wouldn't let you,"

"Troy, this isn't the point. Your mom is going to die in the next few months and you need to be okay with that for her, I know it is going to be hard but you need to be okay for her. She is sad about what she is giving up but she firmly believes that she won't make it through chemo and if she feels that you can't argue you. At least she is going out on her own terms and not feeling like shit," Troy rubbed his eyes, "Gabs,"

I looked at the ceiling, "I know how hard it is Troy, I know because I am sad. I know I can't possibly feel as sad as you are right now but just try to be happy for her because she knows how you are taking this."

"She is my mom," his voice was raw and I nodded, "I know," I let my body unravel and I went over to wrap my arms around his body, my head laying on his shoulder as I just held him in my arms, "I know," I whispered into his ear as he finally broke down, "How do I just let her go?"

"You don't have to let her go." I said to him quietly, "You don't. She'll always be with you Troy she isn't leaving you. She is just moving on."

"Bullshit,"

His outburst scared me and I pressed my hand to his face, "If you don't like that then be happy that she is still here right now. Spend time with her. Make more memories with her. Love her. Be her son. That is all she wants from you right now,"

He closed his eyes and he hugged me tightly as his shoulders shook, "I can't lose her, I can't," my heart broke for him and I held him tighter, "I know baby, I know,"


Troy's POV

I couldn't sleep, nothing I was doing was helping me sleep and Gabi was out. She has had a long week and I knew it was a hard one on her. I slipped out of bed and I put on a sweatshirt as I grabbed my keys and went for the door.

I got into my car and ended up in front of my parent's house. The front light was on like always and I wondered if she knew I was coming tonight. I put the car into park and I waited, my eyes looking at the front door wondering what my mom was doing. Suffering? Was she in pain? I cleared my throat and I got out of the car, the late January wind howling off the sea. I walked up to the door and I knocked gently, I heard feet padding to the door and my fingers twisted around the wedding ring that Gabi placed there only a week ago.

The door opened and my mom faced me, she sighed softly as she opened the door. I stepped through, "Troy, are you leaving that poor wife of yours alone?" I let out a little laugh, "Yea, she steals the covers on the bed." My mom smiled as she patted my back. "Do you want a glass of tea?" I nodded my head, "With,"

"Lemon," she finished softly, "I know what you like Troy, I have raised you the past thirty years." I cringed, "No need to bring my age into this." My mom laughed, "How do you think I feel?" I smiled as she slid me over some tea with a fresh lemon on top. "How are you feeling mom? No bullshit,"

She sighed as she drank a sip of tea, "I'm okay,"

"Mom,"

She looked up at me, "I have some pains here and there. I am mostly worried about you," my eyes held hers and I took a drink, "Gabi was upset when I got home,"

"We talked today."

"She told me,"

"What is this one am visit about Troy?"

I squeezed the back of my neck as I looked down, "I know what you told Gabi but you can't just leave me mom,"

Her arms wrapped around my waist gently, "I'm not going anywhere yet," she whispered, "We still have a couple of months with each other."

"You are my mom."

"You are my son and you have a very beautiful wife now. She is going to be there for you when I can't be but I am not just letting you go. I promise."

I pressed my face into her shoulder, "She isn't my mom though,"

"We have time Troy,"

"We don't know that,"

"I know that,"

I looked at her and she ran her finger down my cheek, "You are going to be okay." She told me, "Okay?"

Nodding my head, I grabbed her hand, "I love you mom,"

"I love you too Troy, don't ever forget that,"

Hugging her, I pressed my face into neck again and she squeezed my tightly, "Go home to that beautiful wife,"

"Thank you mom,"

"No, thank you Troy,"


Gabi's POV

Three Months Later

"No,"

I woke up to the sound of Troy's voice and I sat up, I looked at him clutching the phone, "No, no," Troy's voice caused my heart to break as I knew what happened. I knew why he was so upset as we knew it was coming. We knew this day was coming and we knew the time was coming. Last night when we saw Lucille, she was in bad condition. Troy and I told her we loved her multiple times as we left not sure if tonight would be the night or not.

"No, she can't be," I rubbed Troy's back as tears started running down his cheek, he dropped his phone as he was reduced to sobs. I picked up the phone, "Jack,"

"She passed," he said quietly, "About thirty minutes ago," I covered my mouth, "Was it just you and here?"

"As her wishes."

"Thank you, Troy and I will be over in the morning," he bid his good-bye and I hung up as I wrapped my arms around Troy. We both sobbed over the loss of his mother and I held him tightly, "We'll be okay," I whispered, "We'll be okay."

He rocked both of us as the tears seemed too much, the pain too much.

"I love you," I whispered into his ear, "I love you," I breathed, I pulled back and I wiped his tears away, "Your mom loves you. I love you. We are going to be okay." I tilted his head back gently and he just pulled me down onto his arms.

"Don't leave me."

"Till death do us part," I whispered, the famous line I had told him many times over the past three months. The promise that I will forever keep locked inside my heart for him.


Sad face. Such a bittersweet chapter. The next chapter is the last and I guess I owe you a sneak peak at the story that is following this one! I love how much you guys loved this story as it is one of my favorites! I will give you more sappiness next time but I just love you guys!

The next story will be called Rescue!

Young mother Gabriella Montez wanted to know why her beautiful young child was so sick. When she took him to the ER, a young doctor finally noticed her plea for help and sent her in the right direction…only for the child to become a patient of his own. Dr. Bolton finds out that Gabi has nobody. The father of the child isn't in the picture, her mom and dad are both dead and she has no siblings. All she had was her job, her son, and herself. Dr Bolton takes a special interest in the case and a special interest in a strong woman who sticks up for her son.

So tell me what you think! That doesn't really cover half the surface of this story so I hope you guys take interest because I am in love with all of the storylines and people involved in this story! So stick around to read more!

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