Chapter 29 – Five Years Later
"Gabi, the third and last installment of The Voice series movie is coming out this weekend, how does it feel for it to finally wrap up?" I smiled as I played with my hands. "It is bittersweet, the first one came out almost four and half years ago and the series blew up. I have loved all of the fans that I have gained and the love I have received from them. My book sales went through the roof and it keeps my motivation for writing going. I also will miss these characters and the love that I have for them. They were quite possible some of my favorite characters to write about. A lot of wonderful things happened while writing that series that make it one of my favorites."
The anchor smiled, "What wonderful things?" I laughed, "Well, I met my husband of five years while writing the second book. We got married during the third book. We fell in love while writing those and Chase kind of became Troy. It's one of the first people in my life I ever made a character after."
"This was after you had started the books though," I nodded my head, "Yes," I said with a laugh, "Chase changed!"
"What are you currently working on?"
I sighed with a smile, "Well, I took a little break from writing after my last book came out, Dangerous Territory,"
"I read it and loved it!"
"Thank you! Dangerous Territory was an inspiration from growing close to a very special lady and then losing her quickly there after to cancer. It was kind of a real story that I lived through but also changed in many different aspects of the book."
"Are you currently working on something?" my eyes lifted to the camera and then back over to the anchor, "I just started on a book called Unwritten and it is about the things in life that happen that you just never expect to happen."
"That sounds thrilling,"
"It is. Dangerous Territory will be made into a movie, so that is thrilling. Unwritten is in the early stages of drafting,"
"The name is for sure?"
I nodded my head, "Yes, nothing will change the titles name."
"Why is that?"
I smiled, "My husband and I decided that our love story was Unwritten. Nothing about it was normal and I would change nothing about it either."
"Thank you for coming on the show today, we just have one last question, why the long absence from writing? Dangerous Territory came out about a year and half ago and you are just now writing again?" I couldn't help but let a big grin cross my features. "On my last tour, I found out I was pregnant so I took the time off to enjoy my pregnancy with my husband and enjoy the first couple of months with my beautiful baby,"
"Oh how wonderful! I could never tell that you just had a baby!"
"Why thank you!"
The anchor went into something else and I got off the stage. I took my microphone off and I was greeted with a smiling Troy and our beautiful baby girl. Troy was holding our eight month old Princess in his grasp, "You did wonderful," he said as he kissed my forehead, I smiled, "Thank you," I reached over for our daughter, Madison Lucille. "Come see momma!" she giggled and stuck her fist in her mouth as I pressed my lips to her forehead.
"Maddie!" Marla said as she came over, I smiled as Marla grinned and Maddie giggled into my neck. Troy wrapped his arm around my torso as Troy somehow found a week in his schedule to travel with me on my last promo tour for The Voice series. All three books were best sellers and a great hit with all people. "Gabi, you did wonderful! I can't believe the tour is over!" I nodded my head with a nod, "I am ready to sleep in my own bed as Maddie is too."
"The movie comes out Friday,"
"I plan on sneaking into some theaters,"
Troy laughed and Marla then bid a good-bye as Troy smiled at me, Maddie pulled on my hair and I sighed, "I am so ready to go home."
"I have to go to the hospital when we get back." Troy said, his forehead tilting towards mine, I groaned, "I know you just took a week off but I just wish that we could have a night at our house together." Troy sighed, "I know,"
I frowned softly, "Troy, this has nothing to do with the time of year does it?" Troy groaned, "Brie,"
"I know, I know," Maddie started to squeal in my arms and I walked back towards the dressing room. "I am fine, it's been five years," I laid Maddie in her car seat and I let out a long breath. I turned around to face Troy and my hand traveled up the length of his arm. "Babe, I am sad about it." I answered, "It is still hard," I told him; he let his head fall gently as five years ago today his mom died. Lucille left us behind in a wake and Troy took it hard.
He fell into a dark hole for a couple of months until I dragged him out. He did take it the hardest out of all of the brothers but once he came out of it, he jumped back into the swing of things. It was a rough start to our marriage but it was a start. Troy pushed himself in his job and when he was home he drank. If he was on call he just sat and stared at a wall until it was over so he could drink. It was a nightmare for a couple of months and I never wanted to relive it again.
The past couple of years, he went quiet when this time came around again. Every year for a little while he fell back into it, pushing himself into work and going out to the bar one too many nights. It is so happened to fall on my book tour, I begged him to take the week off work to have a little family vacation. I was also hoping that with Maddie around he wouldn't do it as much but he was slowly leaving my grip that I had on him.
"I was gone for a week, I have to go make sure the department is still running smoothly."
"Troy, please, stay home once we get off that flight. Maddie loves when you put her to bed at night and I love cuddling with you at night. You can go tomorrow morning and come home at a decent hour to a home cooked meal." Troy sighed because he knew what I was doing; I just needed to get out of March. I needed him to get out of this month and then I don't have to worry about him for twelve more months. Troy snapped Maddie into her car seat and I rubbed my hand over his shoulder.
"I'm fine,"
"Are you?"
He nodded as he pulled me into a kiss, "I am."
I hugged him tightly as he placed another kiss on the top of my head. "I love you,"
"I love you too," he sighed heavily and I rubbed his face gently, "Are you ready to go? I so miss my beach house," Troy smiled with a nod as he picked up Maddie's car seat, we looped our arms together as I picked up the diaper bag and carried it along. We got into our rental car and sliding into the front, Troy picked up my hand gently and he squeezed it. "Can we swing by my moms grave?" I looked at him with a nod, "After we land,"
"Good," he answered, I rubbed his shoulder gently and he smiled, as he did seem a little bit better today. I glanced over at him, content with him in my life. Content with the beautiful daughter in the back seat.
I juggled Maddie as I made coffee, I poured a little milk in and she babbled in my arms. Troy came dashing down the stairs, his tie not tied and his shoes in his hands. Maddie squealed at the sight of Troy and she reached over for him. Troy smiled as he dropped his shoes on the counter and he grabbed her from my arms.
"Hi princess," he kissed on her and she buried her face into Troy's neck. "You make it so hard for daddy to leave," he whispered to her, Maddie leaned back and giggled. I took a sip of my coffee and leaned against the counter. Maddie placed her hands on Troy's face with a smile. She was still in her footie PJ's and her hair was messed up. She stilled had some sleep in her eyes and I still needed to feed her. "Troy, you have a meeting this morning."
Troy nodded his head as he bounced Maddie in the air. "Are you going to come see daddy at lunch?" Maddie stuffed her hand in her mouth, a signal that she was hungry. "I don't know I need to get some writing done today."
Troy glanced at me, "I don't know when I'll be home," I frowned at him, "Please, come home tonight." I laid my hand on his shoulder and he sighed, "Brie,"
"I know you want to bury yourself in work right now but I need you at home with us. Okay?"
Troy bit on his lip and nodded his head, "I'll try. I have a full load today."
I took Maddie from his arms and I went to put her in her high chair. Troy picked up his stuff and he came over to wrap his arms around my waist. "I love you,"
"I love you too," I said quietly, "Please don't be upset,"
"I'm not, I just want you to come home. I don't want you falling into this black hole." Troy nodded his head, "I told you I will try." I nodded and I turned around to press my lips to his. "Have a good day?"
"Try to come to lunch?"
"Maybe,"
He nodded and he squeezed me and then he kissed the top of Maddie's head. He walked out the door bidding a good-bye as I fed Maddie a little bit of oatmeal and blueberries before I settled on the couch with her to breastfeed her the rest of the meal.
Her bold brown eyes scanned the area as she ate when I heard somebody come in the front door. "Gabs?"
"In the living room," I called back to Tanner; I heard little footsteps and Gabe came flying into the living room. "Aunt Gabi!" I smiled as Tanner came into the room, "Watch out bud, she is trying to feed Maddie." Gabe sighed and settled back onto his butt. "What are you guys up too?"
"I saw you on TV!"
I smiled, "Did you?" he nodded, "Mommy and I watched you together." Tanner pulled the blanket back a little to see Maddie, my glanced up at him and he smiled. She pulled away from my breast and I reached up, I leaned her against my shoulder to burp her. "Give me,"
I handed her over to Tanner and he put Maddie against his shoulder to burp her. Gabe climbed into my lap and wrapped his arms around me, "I missed you Aunt Gabi,"
"I missed you too sweet boy,"
Maddie burped and then giggled. I smiled softly tilting my head back to look at them, "How is Troy?"
I shrugged, "He isn't talking much."
"Where is Uncle Troy?"
"Working, he wanted to go last night."
"He isn't,"
"Not yet. I may need you to watch Maddie tonight if he doesn't come home."
"Like after she goes to bed?"
"Yea, I'll probably give him until ten or so and then I will go hunt him down."
"Sounds good. I'll get Gabe and make sure Casey is good with Seth before I leave." I nodded as Casey had another boy about three months after I had Maddie. Amelia hasn't had any other kids and I don't think she was planning on it either. Carson and Abby were a hand full, Tanner sat down next too me and Gabe peered over at Maddie. Maddie was looking at him, I smiled, "How was the past week?"
"All the same,"
I got up as I went to clean up the kitchen; Gabe followed me telling me a story from his pre-school days. I blew out a breath listening to him when Tanner appeared, "Where do you want her?"
"You can put her down by her toys. Lake is coming over to take care of her later this afternoon so I can do some writing." Tanner nodded his head, "How is the writing coming?"
"Good,"
"Dangerous Territory is becoming something I see at every corner," I smiled as Tanner put Maddie down on the carpet with her toys. Maddie quickly reached over to grab one and started to chew on it. I smiled as Tanner came over to give me a hug. "How are you?" he asked, I shrugged, "I miss her."
"I bet you do. Mom talked about coming over later to see you."
"Oh good, I miss her."
"She misses you."
After Lucille died, I got a lot closer with my mom and we spent a lot more time together. She loved Maddie dearly and we ate lunch together once a week and had our weekly dinners together as well. Troy's family hadn't exactly done as well in the past five years. They got together for the holidays but he rarely spoke with his brothers and his dad was in bad shape since the passing of Lucille. The whole family was waiting for something to pull them out of the funk. The family wasn't the same without Lucille and when going over there, you could feel the missing presence.
"I gotta go. My appointments start at noon."
"Have fun. I'll text you if I need you tonight."
"Sounds good, come on Gabe,"
I hugged him good-bye and I leaned back against the counter. I thought more of Troy's family and decided I would go pay Jack a visit today. He was still working at the high school but he didn't work Fridays. I picked up Maddie and I changed her.
Jack loved Maddie and I knew Maddie made him feel a little bit better. He had gotten better in the past couple of years but it was still difficult and I could only imagine how he was doing right now. I changed her into a pair of leggings with a dress; I then put on some sandals with a bow in her hair. I then placed her in her bouncy so I could get ready.
I knocked on the door gently, I held Maddie on my hip and when the door swung up, Jack faced me. His eyes tired and his hair thinning. Maddie giggled at the sight of her Grandpa, "Gabi,"
"Hi Jack," I said gently, "What are you doing here?" he asked, I stepped through the door and Jack took a step back. "Maddie and I thought we were pay Grandpa a visit," he smiled and Maddie reached over for him. Jack took her happily and I smiled, "How are you Jack?"
"I'm okay. Yesterday was hard, Noah came by and then Will but I don't know, it just isn't the same." I nodded in understanding, "You guys have struggled a lot,"
"I was hoping we could stick together but really…we have done quite the opposite."
"I know for Troy, it's hard being over here."
"He visits the least."
"I'm sorry, I try,"
"No, no, Troy was the closest with Lucille and I understand his struggle. I have actually thought about selling the house but Noah and Will protest every time I think about it."
"I don't think Troy would protest too much."
"I don't really bring it up with Troy,"
Maddie grabbed Jack's face and she giggled, Jack smiled, "How is he doing?"
"Struggling."
Maddie giggled, "I think Maddie is helping though,"
"How could she not?" I smiled, "I think the week away from Florida might have helped as well,"
"You did well!"
"Thank you! I am sad that this is the last one."
"I finally read Dangerous Territory," I smiled, "How did you like it?" he smiled, "It was beautiful, Gabi."
"Thank you," I said quietly, "I miss her too Jack,"
"I know you do,"
I hugged him and Maddie pulled my hair but he hugged me tighter. "I don't want Maddie to ever feel like that,"
"You are going to be just fine and Maddie will never feel like that. You are too strong for any of that cancer nonsense," I smiled as I wiped away tears and I let out a long breath. "I am thinking that you guys should have a family dinner soon. Grill something out back and have all of the kids over. I haven't seen Noah's kids since Christmas,"
He sighed, "Maybe."
"Jack, this family is in a dark hole."
He didn't say anything and I knew not to push it, not yet. It was too raw.
"I'll think about it." He promised, "Thank you."
I rocked Maddie back and forth after a very long day of a lack of writing and her being upset with teething. She whimpered and rubbed her eyes, it was almost nine-thirty and I hadn't heard much from Troy today. I sent him a text a while ago but I got no response back. I then texted Tanner saying I would need his help tonight.
Once Maddie started to fall asleep, I put her down in her crib and I covered her with a blanket to keep her asleep. I sighed softly as I shut off the light and went to start picking things up. "Gabs?" I put some of Maddie's toys away as Tanner came in. "Hey," I said, "Haven't heard from him?"
"No," I said with a frown, "I haven't."
The house phone started to ring and I walked over to answer it, "Hello?"
"Gabi?"
I squinted, as it was one of Troy's favorite nurses, "Annie?"
"Yes, I uhm, I was going downstairs to the café and while I was passing the ER, I noticed a bunch of doctors scrambling and people were yelling, so I went to see and it was Troy they were working on. They were working on Troy. I don't know what happened but it wasn't good Gabi, I don't know what happened." She started to cry and I felt my breath leave my body. "I'll be there in a minute okay? My brother is here with Maddie; I was going to go find him. I'll be there soon."
"Okay, I will wait down here,"
"It will be okay," I reassured, I hung up and Tanner was looking at me, I was scrambling to find my keys and my purse. I then was looking for my cell phone, I ran through the house trying to find my cell phone "Gabi, what is going on?"
"Have you seen my cell phone?"
"No,"
"I need my cell phone,"
"You need to tell me what is going on." He grabbed me by the shoulders to stop me, "Slow down, what is going on?"
"Troy is hurt. I have to go, where is my cell phone?" Tanner looked at me and he released me, "I don't know." He dug in his pocket, "Take my phone. I will continue to look for your phone okay?" I nodded as he slipped the phone into my hand. "0202," he told me, I nodded and he took me to the car. "Call me when you know something okay?" I nodded when I spotted my phone in the car. I sighed of relief, "Here, my phone is right here."
"Good," I picked it up to see a text from Troy.
I'm on my way home? Pizza for dinner?
"He was coming home, he was doing what I asked him to do," I felt tears pool in my eyes but I let it go and I started my car, "Call me,"
"Watch her, she is teething,"
"I'll be fine. Go."
I thanked him and I speed to the hospital, he was working on a pediatric floor at the hospital and loved his job. He loved working with kids but we also got the benefits of him working at a normal hospital and not just a child's.
When I got to the ER, I parked and I ran inside to find Annie talking with another nurse. "Annie," she looked up at me with relief, "Gabi, I found out that he was in a car accident, they took him to surgery but he is in critical condition." I felt my stomach sink, "He was on his way home, he was texting me. I was scared that because his mom's death anniversary was yesterday that he would throw him self into work like he normally does but this year he actually is coming home and he offered to pick up pizza," Annie pressed her hands into my shoulders, "Gabi, breathe,"
I let out a staggered breath, "He is going to be okay."
"I know, I just, he can't leave me."
Annie took me behind the nurses station, "How is Maddie?" I looked at her confused at the switch of subject, but I realized she was trying to get my mind off of Troy. "She is good. Teething."
"Was she asleep,"
"Yes," I answered, Annie sighed, "I didn't see much but it didn't look good."
A knock came at the door and a police officer came over, "Are your Mrs. Bolton?" I stood up and I shook his hand, "Yes,"
"I was the first responder to your husbands accident. He was driving north on Boulevard when a man cut out into traffic and hit him from the side." I listened with a nod, "It hit his side of the car and we got him help ASAP. He told us he was a doctor here so we brought him here, he also provided his name and your name. He was awake for most of the transport here but was in a lot of pain. I believe he started to zone out towards the end."
"So he was okay when you left him?"
"Losing a lot of blood but okay,"
"She said he is in critical condition,"
"I wouldn't be surprised but ma'am, I would hold faith in these doctors. We have the guy in questioning and if anything happens,"
"Nothing will happen." I said firmly, he nodded, as he didn't say anything more. He excused himself and Annie handed me a water, "Sit Gabi, I was told it won't be a short surgery." I frowned and she wrapped me in a hug, I had yet to let tears fall down my cheeks and I wasn't going too. Troy was going to be fine. I knew he was.
Many hours later, a surgeon came in to talk to me. If somebody asked me to repeat what he said to me, I couldn't. All I remember was Troy was out of surgery but not out of the woods. He was in a rough condition and they weren't sure. He had to make it through the night before he could make any promises, which left a crippling fear inside.
Those were the only words that I could recall so when I made a phone call to Amelia, she was yelling at me to get more information but I just told her what I know. I then called his dad, he promised to be there soon and after that I texted Noah and Will.
It was a little after three in the morning when the allowed me to see him. I was numb and I didn't know what to do. I had yet to cry, I had yet to freak out, I was calm. Annie took me up to his room and he was in the ICU. I could already hear the constant beeping, "Annie, I am not leaving."
"You don't have too." She told me quietly, she pushed the door open wider as she pulled me through, when I saw him, and I felt my stomach drop. His face was pale but he was breathing on his own, which was good. I knew that much. His hands were firmly at his side but his wedding ring gone from his hand. I walked over to him and I picked up his hand, it was warm and I kissed it gently. "Troy Bolton, I am going to be so angry with you if you decide to leave me with our daughter. I am going to be pissed," this is when the tears started to flow; this is when I let my wall down. Troy took me to another place and with him; I was too be what I wanted to be.
"He could wake up from surgery," I turned to see his doctor and I wiped away my tears, "We aren't keeping him sedated but he will be groggy when he is ready to wake up." I nodded my head as I wiped away more of my tears. The doctor left and I climbed onto the bed with Troy, I grabbed his hand and I curled into his body. "I can't lose you Troy, I can't." I said quietly, "We haven't had enough time with each other yet."
I was quiet for a while and I smiled, "Maddie was a pain to put down, I think her teeth are bothering her. She was just restless but she finally rested. She was giggly all day until later in the evening. Can you believe she is almost nine months old? It is crazy how fast our time with her is flying." I stroked his hand and I sighed, "I wanted to cry when I heard what happened but I didn't, I held myself together. I also wanted to cry when I got here. I wanted to cry while talking to the police. I only cried when I saw you but dear god Troy; I need to see those eyes again. Maddie needs to see your eyes again. Maddie needs her dad."
I finally relaxed against him and I stopped talking. I just felt him breath like I did at home.
"Brie," I heard the raspy voice and I finally opened my eyes after the second call of my name. I felt dazed and confused but then I remembered Troy, the accident, and the whole night that brought me to lying on the hospital bed with Troy.
"Brie," he said again, I sat up quickly, almost falling off the bed as I turned to see Troy looking at me. His eyes glazed over and he looked tired. He looked to be in pain but I fell off the bed, "Brie," his voice a little more urgent but I stood up quickly as I looked at his face. I then felt the tears, the hot, fat tears running down my cheeks. "Oh my god, you are okay, you are awake," I touched his face and ran my fingers down his chest.
"I'm okay, I promise," he said, he pulled me close to him and I felt my chest cave with sobs. "I was scared Troy," he gently wrapped his arms around me, "I'm sorry," his voice was quiet but I only held on tighter. I wiped away my tears as I pulled back to look at him, "How are you feeling?" I asked he reached up to wipe some tears away, "My stomach feels like somebody ripped it apart, my ribs hurt a bit but besides that I am okay."
I ran my fingers through his hair and I kissed his forehead. A doctor came in to check him over and a flurry of people from his floor. Troy looked over at me, "You should go home. Maddie will be awake soon and you know how she doesn't like not waking up to her mom." I smiled as I leaned over to kiss him softly, "I will go wake her up and bring her up here. I assume you will be on a normal floor soon?"
"Yes," he said, "I really am feeling okay."
"Thank you," I kissed him softly again and I breathed. I exited the room with my stuff as I called Tanner, "How is Troy?"
"Troy is awake, breathing, and I am going back to the house to get Maddie. They are getting ready to move Troy,"
"Fantastic,"
"I know, he cracked a few ribs and a lot of internal bleeding but he is in the clear. Did Maddie do well last night?"
"She had a rough night but I think it was her teeth and when I went in to sooth her she didn't really want me."
"I'm sorry Tanner,"
"No, you would do the same for me."
"I'll be there in about fifteen minutes."
"Don't rush, I'll start a pot of coffee."
"Thank you Tanner,"
"He just fell asleep," I nodded towards the nurse as I placed Maddie's car seat on the ground, I leaned over to pick her up out of it and she babbled. I went home and slept for about two more hours until Maddie woke up and then I took a shower and got Maddie ready to go.
I sat down in the recliner next to Troy as I let Maddie curl into my chest. I kissed her forehead as I wanted to sleep some more, I didn't want to tend to Maddie right now but she squealed louder. I opened my eyes to look at her and I heard Troy's laugh, "Is that my sweet girl?" Maddie perked up and looked over at Troy, he opened his eyes and he closed them again to breath. I got up and went over to him, Troy reached over for her.
"You got her?" I questioned, Troy nodded as I let go and Maddie balanced her legs on Troy's chest. Maddie giggled and Troy smiled up at her, "Daddy loves you," she squealed and I rubbed his shoulder gently, Maddie settled on his chest and he breathed, "Okay, I can't do this right now." I smiled as I picked her up and I settled closer to Troy. "You know you scared me right?" Troy turned his head and then he scooted over a bit, "Come here,"
Standing up, I scooted onto the bed and he leaned into me. "I'm sorry,"
"Don't be sorry. It wasn't your fault but a day post your mom's anniversary,"
Troy sighed, "I know."
"I wasn't upset about what happened until I saw you. I heard you were in a car accident and I was okay. I came here to find Annie in tears and I was okay I didn't cry until…I saw you." I was quiet as I held Maddie closer to me. "You reminded me of your mom about two months before she died."
"Brie,"
"And it scared the hell out of me,"
Troy leaned over to kiss me on the top of my head gently, "I'm sorry baby, I'm sorry,"
"It's okay," I said as I let out a shaky breath, "I saw your dad yesterday," I told him, "Oh? How is he?"
"Okay, he is actually really worried about you."
Troy laughed but then cringed from pain, "I asked him if we could have a get together soon,"
"No,"
"Troy, we can have it at our house. You and your family need to mend this bridge. You guys are…" Troy shook his head, "I don't want to talk about this Gabi, I just am fine with the family I have now. I have you and Maddie. That is all I need in my life."
"Troy, you loved your nieces and nephews,"
"I still love them,"
"Then you need to mend the bridge that was broken five years ago. Let me host the BBQ, it can be for you when you get home. Your dad can grill at our house and your whole family can get together, please,"
Troy took Maddie's hand gently in his, "You haven't had a good time with your brothers since Will's wedding," Troy rolled his eyes, "And we fought half that night until we got drunk."
"Troy, please,"
"Why are you begging?"
"Because I really want us to do this. I really want your family to be happy again. Jack needs his son's together."
"Fine, but can I just hold my daughter again? And can we please stop talking about this."
I frowned as I handed Maddie over again and I watched them interact with one another. Troy was happy between the two of us but I wasn't happy and it had been five years so now was never.
"You okay?" Troy rested in the bed and he nodded, "I'm good." He said I crawled up next to him, "Look, we can finally fit." Troy smiled as I kissed his cheek, "I love you Troy,"
"Thanks for being there in the hospital for me,"
"Troy, I'm your wife. I wouldn't want to be any where else."
"You have been busy with the release and Maddie,"
"Troy," he rubbed his hand down my leg, "I had a dream about my mom the other night and she was telling me exactly what you said, about how my dad needs us to get together again and for us to be a family again."
"Your dad is talking about selling the house."
"Noah told me a while back, he was angry about it. I told him that I think it would be good. I don't like going and thinking about the bad memories there."
"What bad memories?"
"Every moment after my mom died in that house has been a bad moment. The morning after when we walked in there, it was terrifying. The house wasn't warm or inviting. I just don't want to be there anymore. The good memories are deep inside of me but that house just taunts me. It isn't the same without her."
He rubbed my arm and I kissed his shoulder, "I understand,"
Troy let out a long sigh, "So when are we having my family over?"
"Next week," I told him with a smile, "Your dad is going to come over and help me grill and I still have to invite Noah and Will over but I am hoping that they will come." Troy smiled as Maddie was waking up from her nap. I straddled his lap gently as I kissed him firmly, he kissed me back but then pulled away, "Breathing hurts like hell,"
Maddie began to wail, "I'm sorry,"
He smiled, "It would have been nice though,"
"Still Troy Bolton,"
He smirked, "Always, bring me my daughter."
"Yes master,"
Troy grinned, I walked out of the room as I went to Maddie's nursery, my eyes lifted to a quote on the wall and I smiled. "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." Troy had painted it up on the wall as a surprise for me as it had been one of our trademarks with each other.
I lifted Maddie out of her crib and I rocked her in my arms gently. "Do you want to go see Daddy?" she nodded her head and rested her against my shoulder, her eyes still tired. I grabbed her blanket and pacifier as I went back into our room as Troy was watching TV, "When are you going to attempt work again?"
"They said I have to stay off my feet for about three weeks and we will go from there," I smiled, "Maddie, did you hear that? Daddy gets a grand three weeks of paid leave!" Maddie smiled but still tired as I gave her to Troy. She whined but once she was in Troy's embrace, she settled her head on his chest and he breathed out in a painful matter but then relaxed as she fisted his shirt. I drifted her blanket over her and handed him the pacifier. "Call if you need me? I'll be in my office for a bit."
"Will do," he kissed Maddie's head as I went into my office. I sat down on the chair as I pulled out my cell phone and I called Noah. "Hello?"
"Noah," I said quietly, "Hey, how is uh Troy?"
"Good, home, resting,"
"Good, good, how are you?"
"Good now that Troy is home,"
Noah and I felt the line go to an awkward spot, "Noah,"
"Gabi,"
We both sighed, "Noah, we want to have your whole family over here. Jack will be coming over and hopefully Will and Cameron,"
"I don't know, things have been…"
"Off," I answered, "I understand. I have been there and maybe with a change of scenery at our house and just the stress-free part of it, I don't know, I miss having the Bolton family together. You guys barely know Maddie,"
Noah went quiet, "I'll talk to Lauren,"
"Noah, this family needs to be repaired. This family has been drowning for five years now and we need to learn to swim again. I know that you guys lost a mother but I lost a friend as well. My kid lost a grandmother. We are all missing her but I believe that we need to have fun. I want Maddie to know her Uncles and cousins,"
"Fine, when?"
"Saturday evening,"
"Thank you Noah,"
He paused and went quiet, "I just hope this isn't for nothing."
Troy lay on the floor with Maddie and I smiled drinking my coffee, I spent all day yesterday preparing food for this evening. Noah was my hard sell and Will was much easier. He was relieved to find out that I wanted to fix this and that the family should be fixed.
It was Noah and Troy that had their doubts and Troy did take it the hardest but the second next was Noah. Noah took it hard to a point he fell into a hole and took him a while to dig himself out. The boys all needed their mother and Jack was just as lost to fix it.
"When do you think we should have another kid?" I finished my coffee and I smiled, "Troy, I think Maddie is good for now." He sat up, "We are getting pretty old here Gabs,"
"We are not. I want to at least wait until Maddie is potty trained."
"Brie, that won't be for like another year."
"How about we can start trying a little after she turns one? I plan on potty training around 18 months anyways,"
I smiled at Troy and Troy smiled back at me, "I really want a boy,"
"I know you do, you wanted Maddie to be a boy,"
Maddie turned to look at me and she grinned, I got down onto the floor and started to kiss her wildly. She giggled and smiled as I hugged her to my chest. "I love you," I whispered into her ear, she pulled on my hair when Troy's arms slipped around my waist. He was starting to feel a lot better and he was looking a lot better.
He pressed his lips to mine and I kissed him harder back, "I am in love with you," he whispered into my ear, "You have been saying that for about six years now,"
I rested my head on his shoulder and my eyes surveyed Maddie, "How do you think she is going to handle tonight or do you think I should take her to my mom's house?"
Troy peered back at Maddie as she started to crawl, "I think maybe taking her to Amelia, Tanner, or your mom would be good for tonight. I kind of thought about just having it as an adult only dinner."
"Can you text your brothers that?"
"Fine,"
"I'll call Amelia, Tanner has his hands full and I don't want to give my mom last notice." Troy pulled me tighter into his grasp, "She loves Uncle T,"
"Uncle T?"
"Tanner wants to be called that? I don't know, he didn't make sense the other day."
I laughed and he wrapped his arms around me, "I want you in my life forever,"
"Good because I am not going anywhere,"
I giggled with Jack as we were both having a beer and talking as I set up the rest of the food. Troy had taken Maddie over to Amelia's house when he pushed through the back door, "Dad,"
"Hi son,"
Troy smiled and then Jack said something else, "How are you Troy? I haven't seen you in a while,"
"I'm good dad, besides the car accident, I'm good."
"How is life with Maddie?" a real, authentic smile spread over his face as the subject of Maddie came up. "She is the best dad, maybe next week I can come over when Gabi is writing with her so we can hang out with each other," I perked up at that because Troy hadn't offered to do that in a long time. Jack turned to glance at him and smiled, "I would really like that, and I have a real estate agent coming over so we can get the house on the market. I found a smaller house that needs some work, I figured I could focus on that for a while."
"That sounds like a good idea dad, I might be able to help. I probably won't be working for a couple of weeks."
I smiled silently at the interaction when I heard more people come through the house, we told everybody to stop knocking when we were having people over. "Hello?" I turned to see Noah and Lauren, "Hello!" I said with a smile, Lauren gave me a hesitant look and I looked at Noah who seemed like he didn't want to be here any longer than he had to be. "Noah," I offered, Troy and Noah glanced at each other and I got up.
"Lauren, Noah, would either of you like a beer?"
"Please," Noah stressed, I nodded, "I'll get it," Troy said. I nodded as I sat back down and my eyes surveyed Lauren, "How are you?"
"I'm tired,"
The shortness of her comment caught me off guard, she was normally pleasant over Christmas and other holidays but she was bitter today. I leaned back as I heard Will and Cameron come up the stairs, "Hey!" I smiled and Will came over to give me a giant hug, "Thank you,"
I smiled and I hugged him back, "Please tell Noah and Lauren that," Will smirked, "He will get over himself eventually."
He went over and he greeted Troy with a gentle brother hug but we all knew that Will wanted to hug him tightly to break his ribs again. Pressing my beer into my hands, I looked at Jack who was frowning at Noah, we started to put the rest of the food out and Troy came over to wrap his arms around my waist. "You okay?" he nodded his head and I leaned back to kiss his hand, "Thank you for being patient with me and doing this."
"Anything for you."
I smiled and people began to load plates and we sat down, the table conversation was stiff and hard to bare at times but we managed. Once the plates were beginning to clear, I cleared my throat trying to get everybody's attention on to me.
"I know that the past few weeks, months, and years have been hard on this family and I know all of you knew Lucille was expecting this. You had to know Lucille was expecting it and she trusted me to know when it was time to bring you back together and it is. It is time to bring this family back together,"
Noah started to scoot away, "I am not staying here."
"Noah, please," Jack looked at him, "Please stay."
"Dad, mom is dead. She has been dead for five years,"
"And this family has been dead for five years!" Will cried out, my eyes looked over at Troy who was listening, "We do holidays together and what else do you want?"
"What happened to our family that got together twice a month just because? What happened to that family?" I had broken a time bomb, this was the point, and they needed to just work this out. I wrapped my arms around my waist as I watched the family that was so broken start to fix itself.
"Mom did that,"
"And now Gabi is trying and you are shooting it down,"
"She isn't mom!"
"Nobody will be mom again," Troy finally let his voice out and the table turned to look at him, "Nobody will ever replace mom. Mom will forever be our mom and yes, she did all of these things but that doesn't mean you just shoot the family down, we don't just leave each other because the center of our lives died." The room fell silent, "We all died a little the day mom left us, I get that, I do and it still hurts like hell. It hurts like hell every fucking day."
I watched him as nobody was really moving, "Nobody is going to replace mom but I miss my brothers, I miss hanging out with my dad, I miss just being a family and will it be the same? Of course not but goddamn, Gabi is trying to help us put us back together. Gabi is trying to help this family breathe again. Maddie doesn't even know you guys and I don't want my daughter growing up without some of the greatest people, I want her to know my family and not be so distant relative."
Troy shook his head, "I just want my family back again,"
I got up from the table and I went over to my laptop as I opened it up and I placed it in front of the boys, "She asked me to wait until I knew I really needed this so I have and I have had enough of this. I have had enough of this. Before Maddie, maybe it was different but now that I have a daughter, I want her to know her cousins and her aunts and her uncles, so please,"
I pressed play and Lucille's face popped up; none of them knew about this video that I had only seen once…when we recorded it.
"Boys, I have no idea how long it has been and I honestly hope you never have to see this. I hope that you don't fall apart and have to be pulled back together when it gets terrible. I want you to live and to be happy once I past because I don't want to just leave you, I never wanted to leave you because I know how hard that will be on all of you. All of you are going to be hurting in some way but I think this video is to tell you to move on in a way."
Troy had his hand covering his mouth as I saw the tears in the corner of his eyes, Noah was barely breathing and Will was smiling along with Jack, "I love you boys, I love you more than you will ever know. Will, I hope you finally got married at some point to poor Cameron, you put her through so much," this caused a shutter of a laughter throughout the room, "Troy, baby, do I have a grandchild yet from you? I bet he or she is beautiful because you and Gabi are beautiful with each other."
Troy's eyes lifted to mine and I shrugged as he looked back at the screen, "Noah, sweetie, you are amazing. I know you are struggling with a lot right now or maybe not anymore but I want you to let go. Let go of whatever is holding you down. I just want you to let go of the stress and the lack of happiness because what Gabi is doing right now is my wish. I want I need her to bring this family back together because your dad needs you boys. I want to be able to know that your dad is still happy and has you. So please, all of you, let go of the past that is keeping you under water."
Lucille smiled on the camera, "I love you boys, to the moon and back and never forget that. Be kind to what Gabi is doing right now because I asked her too. I asked her to fix my family as she already did once. She is a fixer and she came into this family at the perfect time, so listen, be patient, and be nice. Three things I taught you many years ago."
The screen went black and I went over to wrap my arms around Troy's neck. He pressed his face into my arm as I kissed the back of his head, "She wants you to be a family again and I should have done this sooner because you all deserve to be happy again, you do."
Troy laid in bed while I finished getting ready, "I think tonight went well," I turned around and I smiled, "I think it did too." I walked over to him and I straddled his lap gently, his arms hooked around my waist as he pulled me into him. "Mr. Bolton, no breaking doctors orders,"
"I am a doctor,"
I smiled as I dipped down to kiss him gently and his hand worked up the back of my tank-top, "Thank you," he said pulling away, "For becoming close friends with my mom and doing what she asked you to do. It means a lot to me. It meant a lot to the family,"
"Thank you for letting me do it,"
Troy smiled as he tilted his head back gently, "I am so happy that I found you,"
"Stalked me," I replied, "You stalked me."
"Did not! On my Wednesday's off, I went to that coffee shop and you so happened went there on Wednesday's yourself," I smiled, "Fate," I answered, Troy smiled, "I used to never believe in fate but then you came along."
"Then I came along," I reached up to kiss him again, an idea then sparked through me, "I am going to write," Troy looked at my strange, "What?"
"I need to write, I have an idea,"
Troy smiled, "Some things just never change!" I slipped on his sweatshirt and I kissed him again, "Get some rest,"
"I love you,"
I smiled and squeezed his wrist, "I love you too,"
I walked out of the room and I went past Maddie's room, I peered inside to see that she was fast asleep in her crib. I smiled as I went into my office where pictures of Maddie and Troy were everywhere; my life had become something that I didn't even realize. My love for Troy changed my life and then my love for Maddie changed it even more. My life was so scripted, I did the same things on these days and I did the same activities. I never veered from my path…until Troy Bolton walked into it.
Troy Bolton told me how to have fun and to be a bit more spontaneous with the activities that I choose. Now, I have no idea what the next day holds. My life is now Unwritten and different than it had ever been before and I didn't want that to ever change…ever again.
And that's a wrap! I know MANY of you want a sequel but I want this story to stay just like this. I don't want to alter it or change it in any way and this is a good ending point. This will forever be one of my favorite stories that I have ever wrote and I know many of you loved it so thank you for supporting me!
Now – the next story is a little sad but it is also really fun. I hope you all stick around to read that as well because you guys rock and I love writing for you! Thank you for all of the reviews and I hope you enjoyed the last chapter!
Have a GREAT weekend and continue to be awesome!
Please Review!
