A/N: Thank you for all the feedback! I really appreciate it!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the HSM characters. This story is pure fiction!
Friday, August 16th, 2024 5:30 pm
"So where are we going?" I asked Troy as he grinned at me.
"You're going to have to wait." Troy told me grabbing my hand and leading me to the car.
"Come on Troy give me a little hint." I complained as he smiled at me.
"You're going to have to wait. This took a long time for me to plan and I want to keep it a secret until the very last second." Troy told me smiling.
"Fine when you put it that way, I guess I have to be patience huh?" I asked him looking over at him as he backed out of the driveway.
"Oh yeah you do. You're going to love this." Troy told me as I smiled at him.
"Any time you try to surprise me, I always love it. You shouldn't have any worries about me being surprised or loving it." I told him.
I remained silent until Troy pulled up to a local park. I looked over at my husband strangely as we got out of the car. He took my hand, grinning and led me into the park.
"No questions, Gabi." Troy reminded me as we walked further into the park.
We walked hand in hand through the trails of the park before we came across a little clearance. My eyes went wide when I saw what was set up in the clearance. I stole a look at Troy before walking over to the set up table. On the table was a red table cloth with two lit candles. There were two paper plates with nothing on them. A card was next to one of the plates. I smiled at Troy as he came up behind me.
"Do you like it?" Troy asked me quietly as he held his breath.
"I love it. It's so pretty. So this is stop one?" I asked him as he quickly nodded his head.
"This is the first of many stops on our date tonight. Now let me help you have a seat." Troy said pulling my chair out so I could sit down. He pushed it in as I sat down.
"Thank you kind sir." I said looking at him. The candle light reflected on Troy's face as I looked at him.
"This is gorgeous, Troy. Thank you." I told him.
"It's not a problem. I wanted to make it special tonight since you and I haven't had a night alone in a while." Troy told me picking up my hand and kissing the back of it.
"Even if you didn't do this, it would have still been special. But thank you anyway." Troy told me.
I stayed quiet for a few minutes just soaking everything in. I looked at Troy when he cleared his throat.
"Aren't you going to open your card?" Troy asked nodding to the white envelope sitting next to my plate.
"Is this from you?" I asked him picking the envelope up and sliding my finger under the flap.
"Why don't you open it to find out?" Troy asked me as I pulled the card out.
On the front, Why We Love Our Mommy, was written in Troy's bold writing. I opened it up and saw that the kids had written messages inside. I covered my mouth with my hand as I read over the messages. I tried to control the tears but was unsuccessful as I read what the kids had to say.
I love my mom because she's fair and caring. She can be strict at times but other times acts like a kid rather than a mom. She makes you want to do stuff even though it's not very fun. She's my mommy and I love her. -- Mack
She is the best woman I know. She's fair but she'll punish you if you need it. She's my mommy; she's patience, willing to listen, and caring. She'll play basketball with me and Mack even though it's not her favorite sport. She's a great person and I love her. -- Aidan
She's my mommy. She'll play with us kids and willing to take us out to dinner once in a while. She's busy with seven kids but still makes time for her and dad to have time alone. She'll play games and act like a kid so sometimes she's not my mom but a playmate. I love her a lot. -- Belle
She makes a great goalie! Even though she doesn't like basketball or soccer, she's a mom and is willing to play with us. She helps us with homework and problems that we have. She's always available for listening when we have a problem. I love you, mommy! -- Josh
Even though, J.J., Cassie, and Lily can't talk or write yet, I have a feeling they love when you take care of them. You dance around the kitchen with them and include them in the family activities that they can't participate in yet. They love that they got a caring, loving, and smart woman as their mommy. -- J.J., Cassie, and Lily
Now it's my turn and even though you're not my mom, you're our children's mom, so I'm going to write some things in here. When I first met you, I instantly fell in love with your caring heart and lovingness. I loved, and still love, that you put everyone before you put yourself. Sometimes I get frustrated that you don't care for yourself, but then I have to remember that that is who you are as a person. I love you!!! -- Troy
I looked over at Troy but he wasn't sitting there. I felt a hand on my shoulder as I looked to right. Troy was crouched down, running his hand down my cheek. He dried the tears that had streamed down my face.
"I'm sorry I made you cry." Troy whispered as I looked at his lit face from the candle light.
"It's fine. It just took me by surprise. Was this part of your surprise?" I asked him.
"Yeah. The other day, while you were shopping, the kids and I were talking and I asked them what they liked about you. My mom gave me the idea to make it into a card for you." Troy told me.
"I love it. And it's fine that you made me cry. They're happy tears." I told him smiling.
"Good I was worried about it. I didn't want you to be too sad." Troy told me.
"Don't worry about it. What's for dinner?" I asked pushing a strand of hair off my face as Troy stood up and looked at me.
"Are you sure you want dinner? We could skip it and move on to faze two." Troy told me as I grinned at him.
"I'm hungry. Let's eat and then we can move onto faze two." I told him.
He stood up and walked over to his seat before taking out all the bowls from the cooler at his feet. My eyes grew as he continued taking out bowls.
"You could feed a small army." I said stating the very obvious of the scene.
"I know but I didn't know what you would be in the mood for." Troy told me as I laughed.
"I think you said that when we were still dating in high school." I pointed out to him as he looked at me.
"My dear, I think you're right." Troy told me smiling and started putting stuff on our plates.
Our dinner was pretty quiet. I smiled at him while I was eating as he grinned at me.
"Before I forget to say anything, you look very beautiful tonight." Troy said taking my hand in his.
"Why thank you. You know how to clean up too." I told him shaking my head.
"You taught me how to clean up for our dates." Troy told me smiling.
"Now where does faze two take us to?" I asked him looking around the park.
"You and I are going to take a little walk before we head to our next destination." Troy said leading me on the path.
"Can I make small talk or do I have to be quiet?" I asked him looking up at him.
"You can talk all you want." Troy told me as we continued down the path.
"Our kids are growing up too fast." I told him looking at him.
"I know they are. It's a little scary. When Aidan told me that he didn't need to hear about what goes on behind doors, I was shocked. It's hard to believe that he'll be 9 in November." I admitted to him.
"They're kids; we have them as babies and then they grow up. We just have to accept the fact that they're not our babies anymore." Troy pointed out to me.
"But they'll always be my babies." I told him smiling.
"Of course they'll always be our babies. It's just time for them to grow up and experience the world on their own." Troy told me.
"So where are we going?" I asked him grinning.
"You're going to put me to death with your constant questioning. It's a surprise." Troy told me softly.
"Well don't you want your wife of many years to know this surprise?" I whispered back.
"Well not really." Troy said as I looked at him, my back towards the lack I knew was behind me.
"Well I want to know." I told him pouting a little.
"If you turn around, you'll see the surprise." Troy whispered in my ear.
I carefully turned around and my mouth dropped in shock. Troy had managed to float about 80 small white candles in the pond. They were all lit and floating around the small pond.
"It's gorgeous Troy. What gave you the idea?" I asked him falling into his arms.
"Taylor and Kelsi were talking at the restaurant and I overheard them. They were talking about how cool it would have been to have white candles floating in their pool. So I saved the idea and decided to save it for a much bigger pool." Troy told me.
"It's pretty and I love it." I told him smiling.
"I'm glad you like it. Now I was thinking we could do one of two things. Either we could slow dance for a little while here or we could head to faze number three." Troy told me as I wrapped my arms around his shoulder.
"I think slow dancing is a great idea right now." I told him as he put his hand on my waist as we started to sway back and forth.
"Great idea, my darlin'." Troy told me as I laid my head on his chest. I listened to his heartbeat as we continued to sway.
"This night has been perfect. Thank you." I told him picking my head up and looking at him.
"I'm glad you like it. I was worried a little bit." Troy told me.
"Did everyone know your plan or did you keep it a secret?" I asked him.
"My parents knew about it. But none of our friends did. I figured if I told the girls they would run and tell you. So I was very closed lip about it." Troy told me.
We continued to slow dance to a song only the two of us could hear. I sighed in contentment as Troy grinned at me.
"Are you ready to head off to the next destination?" Troy asked me as I looked up at him.
"I suppose so. Let's go." I told him taking my hand in his. I started to walk back to the truck but Troy pulled me in another direction. I gave him a look before he explained.
"We don't need to go back to the truck. We can walk from here." Troy told me smiling.
"Ok I'm following your directions tonight." I told him as we started to walk out of the park and down the road.
The road was deserted as we walked hand in hand. My heels clicked against the sidewalk as we walked. Troy looked at me as I laughed.
"What are you looking at him?" I asked him as he pulled me closer to him.
"Just how beautiful you are. And how much I'm in love with you." Troy told me smiling.
"Well I happen to love you too." I told him pulling him closer so I could give him a kiss.
"Why don't you guys get a room instead of making out in the middle of the sidewalk?" A guy told us as we pulled away and laughed.
"Sorry about that." Troy said quickly as we continued walking down the sidewalk.
"I can't believe he just told us that. We're 34 years old; not teenagers." I told him laughing.
"Even though some times we do act like teenagers." Troy pointed out to me.
"I'll have to remember that. So where are we going?" I asked him smiling.
"And there goes the questions again. We're going right here." Troy said stopping in front of a bakery.
"Why are we going here?" I asked him as he held open the door for me.
"If you have some patience, I'll tell you the story." Troy told me as we walked up to the counter to order.
"Order anything you want." Troy told me smiling.
"Ooh you're a big spender." I told him as he grinned.
"Anything for my love." Troy told me as I picked a chocolate cupcake filled with white frosting. Troy got a regular cupcake with red frosting.
Troy paid before we walked over to the chair and took a seat. I took a bite of cupcake before Troy started talking.
"When we were in Providence for college, you and I would visit the local bakeries and try their famous treats. I just wanted to recreate that for you tonight." Troy told me as I smiled.
"I love it. Thank you. College seems so long ago." I told him sighing a little.
"But think how grand our life has gotten since college. We have 7 wonderful kids and we've got a great life. I don't think I have anything to complain about." Troy told me as I smiled at him.
"I don't think so either. We're pretty lucky aren't we?" I asked him as he smiled at me. We threw our trash away and walked outside.
"Yeah we are. I love you." Troy told me as I smiled at him.
"I love you too." Troy said leaning over and giving me a kiss on the lips.
"Hm . . . is this night slowly coming to a close?" I asked him looking at him.
"I'm sad to say but yes it is." Troy told me as I looked at him.
"Well it's been a great night, Mr. Bolton. We should attempt to do this at least once a month. Just a night with us and no kids." I told him wrapping my arms around his shoulders.
"We say that after every date and somehow life gets in the way and we never have a night per month with just the two of us." Troy whispered to me.
"But the kids are growing up and so are we; we should do this once a month. And besides, my love, I love you to death so it shouldn't be that hard to do." I told him looking up and kissing him before falling deeper into his blue eyes.
"And, my darlin', I love you too. If I could, I would tie a rope to the moon and bring it right down here for you." Troy told me as I smiled.
"I don't need the moon." I told him standing on my tiptoes so I could kiss his nose.
"If you don't need the moon, then what do you need?" Troy asked me as I cocked my head to one side.
"I only need you, the kids, our family, and friends. I don't need much in life. I have my soul mate and my family and friends. I'm pretty content." I told him.
"You're the only thing I want currently." Troy told me giving me an earth shattering kiss.
"Hm . . . I love the feeling I get after you give me one of those kisses." I said gently closing my eyes.
"Well I love the feeling I get after I kiss you." Troy told me taking my hand in his.
"Well I just love you. What are we doing now?" I asked him as he grinned at me.
"Follow me and you'll see." Troy told me stepping out into the deserted street.
"Troy we're in the middle of the street. What are we doing?" I asked him looking quickly to make sure no cars were coming.
"Do you trust me?" Troy asked me looking into my chocolate eyes.
"What does trust-" I started but Troy put his finger over my mouth.
"Do you trust me?" Troy asked me again as I sighed.
"With my life? Completely." I told him as he took my hand and twirled me around.
"Didn't you always say you wanted to dance in the streets? Well there's no cars around so we're going to dance in the street." Troy told me smiling.
"But what--" I started as he kissed my lips.
"What happened to your sense of spontaneous?" Troy asked me as I laughed.
"It went out the door when I turned 30." I told him smiling.
"Well it's about to come back. Come on, Montez dance with me." Troy said calling me by my maiden name.
"Bolton you've got it all wrong." I said calling him by his last name.
"And how do I have it all wrong?" Troy asked pulling me closer to him.
"It's Bolton and it has been for 15 years. I haven't been Montez in all those years." I told him smiling.
"I'm deeply sorry, Mrs. Bolton for my mistake. I'll try harder next time." Troy told me bowing over.
"It's quite all right, sir." I told him curtsying as he pulled me closer to him.
"What song is in your head right now?" Troy asked me as we started to slow dance in the street again.
"I don't know why this one is in my head but for some reason it is. "Missing You" by Tyler Hilton." I told him as he looked at me.
"So who are you currently missing?" Troy asked me grinning.
"I heard it on the radio today and it just got stuck in my head." I told him as he quietly started singing it to me.
Every time I think of you I hear your name in certain circles But its my heart that's beggin down this long distance line tonight And I ain't missin' you at all
I always catch my breath
I'm still standing here
And your miles away
And I wonder why you left me
And there's a storm that's raging through my frozen heart tonight
And it always makes me smile
I spent my time just thinkin about you
And its almost driving me wild
Since you've been gone... Away
I ain't missin' you
No matter what I might say
"You've still got it after all of these years." I told him looking up at him as we started walking again.
"Still have what?" Troy asked me as he gently started swing out hands back and forth.
"You've still that that voice that sends goose bumps up and down my arms every time you open your mouth to sing." I told him as he leaned over and kissed me.
"I haven't heard you sing in a while." Troy told me as I quickly diverted my eyes to the ground.
"I'm sorry. I haven't had the itching to sing lately. I used to sing when the kids were babies." I told him.
"I know. I use to stand outside of the nursery and listen to you sing the kids to sleep." Troy told me.
"Really? I never knew that." I told him as he smiled.
"You weren't supposed to. I still get captivated by your voice. I loose all sense of time and what I was doing when you sing." Troy told me.
"Then I guess I'm going to have to start singing again." I told him as he laughed.
"We can't do that. You'll be a hazard to my well-being." Troy told me laughing.
"We can't have that can we?" I asked him smiling.
"Oh no we can't. Ready to head home?" Troy asked me as I quickly shook my head.
"Sure let's go. Hopefully the kids are in bed so you and I can have some more alone time." I told him smiling.
"I'm starting to like your mind, Mrs. Bolton." Troy said stressing the Bolton part.
We got in the car and headed home to relieve Jack and Amanda. They reported back to us that the kids were good and well behaved. We bid them goodnight before heading upstairs to check on the sleeping little ones. After making sure they were all fast asleep dreaming their little heads off, Troy and I headed into our bedroom to finish up our date night.
There you guys go. Exams in a week so I don't know how much updating will be done! Look for tons of updates the week of Dec. 11-16. Feedback would be most appreciated!!!