A/N: Here's the next chapter! Thank you for all the feedback. I really appreciate it!!!
Thanks to HorseLover20693 for the idea in this chapter. Also thank you to MandySueeeee for her help in this chapter!!!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my own made up characters!
October 19, 2031 4:30 pm (Gabi's POV)
"Mr. Bolton, my name is Dr. Weaver. I'm the lead Cardiologist on your case. I have the results to your tests."
"What's wrong with my husband?" Trying not to let on how worried I was for Troy, I looked at the doctor hoping I could read his facial expression.
"Mr. Bolton had a mild heart attack but I'm afraid one of the majority arteries that take blood away from the heart is blocked." Dr. Weaver told us.
"Please call me Troy and what does that exactly mean?" Troy spoke up as I forgot he doesn't know the medical terms like I did.
"That means that the blockage is the reason the heart attack happened. We need to go in, through surgery, and place a stent in the artery to make it bigger so another blockage does not happen." Dr. Weaver told us.
"Will Troy have to change any other factors of his lifestyle?" As my background of a nurse, I knew other factors of Troy's lifestyle would have to change as well.
"I'm going to prescribe an anti-blocking medication for you to take once a day." The doctor nodded before a worried look crossed Troy's face.
"What about my training schedule?" My face fell knowing Troy wouldn't like the words that I knew would come out of the doctor's mouth.
"Training schedule?" The doctor's eyes came together in confusion.
"I'm training for the Albuquerque Marathon. I've got about a month left of training." I prepared for the worst that I knew could come out of the doctor's mouth.
"I'm sorry Troy but I can't let you continue your training. You're going to be taking it easy for the next couple of weeks until your body gets back to normal." Dr. Weaver looking at us with concern.
"You mean I can't continue training?" The devastated look on Troy's face shot a thousands needles through my heart.
I shook my head knowing how determined Troy was to run the Albuquerque Marathon. Troy's face fell before gripping my hand tightly.
"I'm sorry Troy but this year's marathon is out of the question. Possible next year." Dr. Weaver told him.
"What about surgery? When are you scheduling that?" I heard myself asking.
"Tomorrow morning first thing; 8 am sharp. We'll start prepping you at 7." Dr. Weaver looked at me as I nodded.
Troy looked at me with his big as I rubbed his arm. "I have one request."
Dr. Weaver looked up at him with a shock look on his face. "What's that?"
"Can Gabi be in the OR with me tomorrow?" Troy timidly asked while locking eyes with me.
"Troy," I gasped with a hint of a smile. "I haven't scrubbed in since Belle was a baby."
"I know but I would feel so much better with you in the OR. Will you please?" His eyes bore into mine as I smiled.
"If Dr. Weaver doesn't have a problem, I'll do it." Troy's smile brightened while we looked over at the doctor.
Dr. Weaver smiled before looking at me. "I remember you being the best nurse in this hospital 15 year ago and I'd be honored if you would accompany me in the operating room."
I grasped Troy's hand; the nerves had started floating in my stomach and worry about being by my husband's side during his surgery.
"If there are no other questions, I leave the two of you alone." Dr. Weaver smiled as we said our thanks.
Watching him leave the room and hearing the door quietly shut behind him made me turn to Troy. "What were you thinking?"
Troy's smile made me ten times more irritated. "You know you used to love the operating room so I figured I would feel much more secure with you in there with me."
"Troy you're nuts. Who is going to watch the kids? Once they find out you have surgery tomorrow, they're not going to want to be in school." I told him knowingly.
"My parents came come down and sit with them. Besides you'll be the one to tell them that the surgery is over with. Come on, Gabi, you know you want to scrub up and be in surgery." Troy's eyes shone as I shook my head.
"Yeah I do but I'm also worried about you." His eyes caught my attention as he laughed.
"Come on Gabi. It's the best. It'll calm my nerves and let you be a nurse for a day." I knew he was right but I'd never tell him that.
I shook my head as he held my hand tightly. "Go home and tell the kids what's going on. Call my parents and ask if they'll sit with them while you and I are in surgery."
"I will. You get some sleep. You have a big day ahead of you." I bent over and briefly kissed his lips.
"Will you be here so I can see you before surgery?" Troy's question broke my heart.
"I will. I'll be here at 5 to help you out. I'll tell the kids to come later in the day." I told him.
"No I want to see them before I go into surgery." Troy's determination caught my attention.
"Troy . . . Dr. Weaver is the best cardiologist in this hospital." My fear caught his attention.
"I know that; I wanna tell the kids I'm going to be fine." Troy rubbed his thumb over my knuckles soothingly.
"Ok . . .get some rest and I'll be here bright and early." Kissing him again caused the biggest smile to cross his face.
"I love you Gabi and thanks." Leaning forward, I captured him in a kiss before pulling back and smiling. He kissed me again before a grin crossed my face.
"I love you too. And it'll be fun being back in the OR for a day." I smiled knowing it would ease my fears.
Watching him close his eyes, I turned and left the hospital room without another word. My feet led me out of the hospital and down to where the car was parked.
The entire way home my mind was asking God to make sure Troy was going to be all right. I asked Him to help guide the surgeons hands and for nothing to go wrong.
Too wrapped up in my thoughts I was surprised when I pulled into the driveway. I sat in the car trying to pull my thoughts together before getting out and walking into the house.
I dropped my purse on the kids' cubbies before wandering into the eerie quiet house. Looking in the living room and the dining room, I didn't see the kids until I heard noises coming from outside.
Walking through the messy kitchen and a smile on my face, I gazed outside and saw a heated basketball game going on. Aidan, Brandon, Josh, and Josh Danforth were playing against Miranda, Carly, Mack, and Belle. The younger kids were rooting on their favorite sibling.
Opening the back door slowly, I walked onto the porch and watched the talent all eight kids hand. I frowned knowing Troy would loved teaching his kids how to play his favorite sport. Remembering how much time Troy and the kids spent on the court caused tears to rush to my eyes.
"Mom you're home!" Cassie and Lily called before rushing up the stairs and into my arms.
"Hi you two. Were you good for your siblings?" I asked looking between the two.
"The best. We had pizza for dinner." Smiling at Lily's missing teeth, she wrapped her arms around my neck.
"That's good. How about you two go get your brothers and clean up? I've got something to tell you guys." I told them.
"All right. Jake, J.J. you heard momma!" Cassie yelled before throwing open the back door and running inside.
I stood up and looked at the eight concerned faces standing on the basketball court. Mack's hand found Brandon's while all the other couples found each other's hands.
"It's going to be all right guys. Come clean up and find a spot in the living room."
They followed me into the house. I walked into the kitchen while they headed for the nearest bathroom. I glanced down at the family picture that was sitting near the coffee pot. I ran my hand over Troy and I in the picture and smiled at how young we were.
"Momma come on; we're all here." Jake hollered as I smiled.
I kicked off my tennis shoes before walking into the living room. All 12 kids had managed to find somewhere to sit in the living room. They all looked at me with worried looks on their faces.
"What's wrong momma? How's daddy?" J.J. asked as I pushed forward a smile I knew they could see through.
"Your daddy is fine. He's resting right now." I started but quit not having the heart to tell them what would happen tomorrow.
"But . . .? What aren't you telling us?" Aidan looked at me with a weak smile. Carly squeezed his hand telling him to calm down.
"This is the hardest thing I'm ever going to have to tell you guys." I paused trying to find the courage to tell them. "Your dad has to have surgery in the morning."
"What? When did this come about?" Belle cried as Josh soothingly rubbed her back.
"When I went back up to see him, his doctor told us the news. He's got to have a stent inserted into one of his arteries." I told them.
"Wait daddy is having surgery? Where?" Cassie's eyes filled with worry as I shook my head.
"He's having surgery on his heart, Cass." I explained hoping I wouldn't scare the younger kids.
"What time tomorrow?" Josh asked locking eyes with me.
"Eight am. You guys aren't going to school tomorrow. I'll call you guys in tomorrow." I knew that would be the next question out of their mouths.
"Good I don't think I could sit through and worry about dad the entire day." Mack crossed her arms over her chest.
"Grandma and grandpa are going to be in the waiting room with you guys." I knew the questions would really start to fly.
"And where are you going to be?" Aidan's head snapped up at my comment.
"In the Operating Room with your father." I heard the gasps fly which caused me to giggle a little.
"You're going to be in the OR with dad while he's having surgery? Are you nuts?" Belle questioned as I nodded my head.
"Your dad requested it so I'm doing it for him. I used to be a nurse at the hospital." I reminded them.
"I remember but I didn't think you would be scrubbed up with dad." Josh wrinkled his nose up in disgust.
"Dr. Weaver is allowing it so I'm doing it for dad. I've got to be up at the hospital at 5 tomorrow morning so you guys can come up with me or wait until closer to 7 when they're prepping him." I looked at them.
Mack looked between her siblings and me before shaking her head. "We'll come up at 5. We want to spend as much time with him as we can."
"You guys have to be up at 4:15 . . . J.J., Jake, Cassie, and Lily, do you guys want to come up that early or wait and have grandma and grandpa pick you up?"
"Go with you." Lily's little voice said before the rest of her siblings agreed.
"All right. Go get into bed and I'll wake you guys up tomorrow morning." I told them.
The younger four came and gave me hugs before rushing upstairs. I promised them I would come tuck them in later on.
I turned and looked at the eight kids who remained in the living room. The fear in Carly, Miranda, Mack, and Belle's eyes scared me.
"Is he going to be all right after the surgery?" Mack's question brought me out of my daydream.
"He can't continue training for the marathon but other than that yes." I assured her.
"What else is going to change mom?" I watched Josh rub his thumb over Belle's knuckles.
"He's got to take a couple more meds and take some time to rest but other that he'll be fine." I tried to convince the kids.
I watched the kids remained quiet while getting comforted by their boyfriend or girlfriend.
"Miranda, Carly, Brandon, and Josh, if you guys want to be at the hospital, I'll call your parents and talk with them." I spoke up knowing Mack and Belle would especially want them there.
"Will you?" Mack's voice quivered emotion.
"I will. Why don't you guys go get some rest while I start the phone calls?" I looked at the tired faces.
"I don't think I can sleep mom." Aidan shook his head while looking between his siblings.
"You need sleep. As soon as I make the phone calls I'm going to sleep. 4:15 is going to come a lot sooner than you realize." Thinking back on my nursing experience I spoke the truth.
"I'll take Carly and Miranda home and then I'll be back. Josh you coming?" Aidan looked over at his younger brother who just shook his head.
"Don't linger." I warned before watching the four stand. Aidan and Josh came over and gave me hugs and kisses on the cheek. "Stay strong mom."
I smiled watching the four of them walk out of the living room and towards the door. After hearing the door shut quietly behind them, I turned my attention to the four still remaining in the living room.
"What are you four doing?" Belle and Mack held hands while getting comforted by their boyfriends.
"I'm scared mom." Belle whispered before Mack nodded her head.
"I know you girls are but you two are going to have to be there for your younger siblings. They're going to need you tomorrow." I looked between the two oldest girls.
"We know mom. We're just worried about dad." Mack voiced the concern.
"He's in good hands. I'll be in the OR with him as well as the best surgeon in Albuquerque." I patted both of their hands.
They stayed quiet before I watched Josh and Brandon interact with them. I pushed off the couch and walked into the kitchen. Picking up the phone, I dialed the seven digit number knowing this would be the second hardest conversation I would have to make tonight.
"Hello?" I heard the out of breath voice come over the phone. Hearing his voice instantly sent chills down my arm.
"Jack? It's Gabi." Taking a seat, I relished in the fact that just this morning Troy was laughing with the kids in this very room.
"Gabi hey! How's it going? How are the kids?" Jack spoke eagerly as I sighed.
"They're good. Is Amanda there?" Taking a deep breath, I knew the next part would be the hardest.
"Yeah she is. Let me get her on the other line." Hearing the phone being placed down and the hushed voices, I waited patiently for the two of them to pick up.
"Hey Gabi. What's up?" Amanda's cheery voice came over the phone as I smiled.
"I need to tell you something." I paused getting the courage to tell Troy's parents.
"What's wrong Gabi? Just tell us." Jack insisted as I nodded even though they couldn't see me.
"Troy had a mild heart attack earlier today." I waited for the reaction I knew would be coming.
"He what? Why didn't you call us?" Amanda asked as I tapped my nails on the hard wood table.
"I'm sorry but there was so much going on. But that's not the only part. He's having a stent inserted into an artery tomorrow morning and I'd like it if you could come sit with the kids." I waited knowing they would want more information.
"Wait surgery tomorrow morning? How serious is it? And why can't you sit with the kids?" Jack questioned as I rolled my eyes upward.
"Tomorrow morning at 8 am Troy will be having surgery. I'm going to be in the OR with him and the kids don't want to sit out there alone." I insisted.
"Wait you're going to scrub in?" Amanda asked with a little bitterness in her voice.
"Yes I am. Troy requested it and the surgeons don't have a problem with it." The butterflies flared up again in my stomach.
"Of course Gabi we'll be there to sit with the kids. What time are you going up there?" Jack asked.
"We're leaving here at 4:30 so we can get there. Troy wants to spend some time with the kids before the surgery so I'm going to let him have that time." I told them.
"If you need us to do anything, don't hesitate to call." Amanda piped up as I smiled.
"Thanks again you guys. I've got to make some other phone calls before going to be so I'll see you tomorrow in the waiting room." I ended the phone call quickly before moving onto the next one.
Throwing the phone down, grateful the phone calls were done, my eyes caught glance at the time. I groaned seeing it was all ready 8:30. I pushed back from the table and walked upstairs.
Hearing the quietness of the upstairs caused me to worry a little before remembering the kids had been put to bed. I peaked into Cassie and Lily's room and saw the two girls lying in bed quietly talking.
"You two are supposed to be sleeping." I whispered walking closer to their beds.
"We're scared momma. We want daddy." Lily propped her head up in her open palm.
"I know sweetheart. I want daddy home too." I sat on the edge of her bed as Cassie slid out of bed and joined us on her sister's bed.
"When's daddy coming home?" Cassie looked at me with a frown on her face.
"He'll be home soon. It depends on how it goes tomorrow morning." I kissed their foreheads.
"Momma?" Lily called as I met eyes with her.
"Yes Lily pad?" I called her by her old nickname and a smile crept across her face.
"Will you keep daddy safe?" Noticing the worry in her eyes, my heart beat quickened.
I knew I couldn't promise her but pushing the doubt aside, I slowly nodded my head. "I'll do everything I can, girls. I'll make sure daddy's safe."
Both girls seemed relieved as I pushed off the bed. "Now you two are going to have a long day tomorrow so how about you get some sleep and I'll come wake you up in the morning."
I quickly tucked them into bed before pausing at the door. I looked at the two girls who were settling down for the night. Flashbacks flashed through my mind remembering back when the girls were babies. A smile crossed my thinking back to how happy Troy and I were when J.J., Cassie, and Lily were babies.
I closed the door slowly and headed down the hallway towards the boys' room. I creaked the door open and crept over to stand between the two beds. I smiled watching their chests rise and fall with every breath they took.
I ran my hand through J.J.'s hair while keeping my eyes on Jake. I frowned wishing Troy was standing in the doorway watching my every move.
I leaned over and kissed their foreheads before walking from the room. I walked into mine and Troy's room and sat on the side of the bed. I brought a pillow to my chest as I smiled and remembering all the memories Troy and I shared in this bedroom.
I knew four am would come earlier than I planned so I quickly changed into my pajamas before slipping between the sheets and turning out the lights. I prayed hoping everything would go all right in the morning and Troy would be all right in the end.
Feedback would be great. The next chapter will have Troy's surgery and the aftermath. How will Gabi like being back in the OR? Will she want to get back in the hospital routine or no? Ideas would be helpful and accepted. Thank you for all your feedback and ideas! I love them all!