Chapter 38 – Birthday Celebrations

I bit my tongue and I looked over the letters. My eyes watered and I pushed back my head, "I can't do this." My dad laughed, he sat next to me, "You got accepted into three colleges…what do you mean you can't do this?" I pushed my foot on the ground as I looked over the three letters.

LSU, NYU, and South Carolina all responded, wanting me to be in their programs. I suddenly felt stressed. "Does Troy know?"

"Dad, I have been putting off these choices for over a month…"

"So I take that as a yes, Troy knows…" it was the beginning of February and I had to make my choices. Missouri and Cal both had put me on a waiting list so I just took myself off. "What has Troy said,"

"To do what I want. I think he chose to go to LSU or South Carolina…"

"Do you want to go there?" my dad questioned, I pursed my lips as I chewed on my lip. "I don't know, I don't know,"

"They need a response…"

"I don't know, I don't know," I repeated, Lillian giggled as she sat in my dad's lap. "Lilly, where do you want Gabi to go?" he asked, she grumbled and dribbled up spit. The twins were eight months old, eating baby food and clapping, smiling and they look like humans. "So what do you think I should do?" I asked my dad, my eyes looking into his.

"Well, if it was me I would eliminate LSU, I just, I don't want you in Louisiana for some reason."

"Fair enough," I said pushing it away, my dad took the letter and ripped it up. So now that LSU was out of the question my dad sighed, "I can't believe you are turning eighteen this month."

"Dad" I whined, "Are you going to throw another huge party for me?" my dad laughed, "No, I had another idea actually, since its your 18th birthday party, we are going to do something special." I rose my eyebrow as he shuffled around for a moment before he pulled out an envelope, "You have been under a lot of stress since you are having to choose a school, taking the SATs and ACTs. I figured we could go somewhere as a family."

The envelope slid over to the white blank letters, nothing on it. "We would do this when you are out of school but that isn't going to work, like Spring Break but yea, so just open it."

I peeled back the envelope as I stuck in my hand; I chewed on my lip and I pulled out what felt like tickets. Once I pulled them out, my heart began to race and I glanced at it.

My eyes read over the label as I then screeched. I jumped up and I effulged my dad and Lilly into a hug. "Ahh! Thank you thank you thank you!" I said repeatedly, he laughed, "We leave Friday night so you have to pick your college by then." I jumped up and down as my mom came in, I then picked up the tickets as I counted, one, two, three, four, five, six…. my mind raced as my eyes locked with my dad.

"I can take Troy to the Bahamas with us?" I yelled, my dad laughed as he threw back his head. "We haven't told him yet either. I talked to his coaches on the high school team and he already has a spot locked in, they aren't going to not let him play, its only two days of baseball he will miss. I talked to his parents and we are letting you tell him."

I ran around looking for my keys as I then shoved on a pair of shoes onto my feet. I pulled on a clean shirt, I heard my parents laughing. "Gabi, slow down, we leave in four days…" I counted in my head as I screeched, "I am going to miss practices,"

"Your coaches know, everybody knows but you and Troy. We were going to do it without Troy but then we thought the next few months could be hell for the both of you. So you have to choose your college and then here is the other thing," my dad walked up as he circled me into his arms. "I have to report on your birthday…again."

My body stiffened, "But I don't have to leave until that night. So we are going to be just fine, we can do breakfast, a movie or whatever and then we can hang out before I have to leave okay?" I nodded stiffly in my dad's hands. "So are we going to be there during Valentines Day?" I questioned, as I was about to walk out the door.

"It's the Thursday we are down there. We leave the 8th and come home on the 16th."

I nodded as I squealed before I ran out the door, I kind of realized that that probably helped him soften the blow of telling me that he was leaving again on my birthday, whatever, I was going to the Bahamas and I was taking Troy with me.

My car raced over to his house. I parked the car crooked and I ran up to the house. I flew through the door without even knocking as I ran into the living room. Troy was lying on the couch, his head propped up on the pillow, his eyes closed after a workout probably. He had been working a lot lately on the baseball fields.

Jack noticed me as he grinned, "I see somebody found out her birthday present." I couldn't help but giggle and I ran over to the couch and I jumped onto Troy as we both went tumbling to the floor, he was only half on. He hit the ground and took most of the fall as I landed on top of him. "Emily, Jesus, what did you do?" he groaned, I laughed and I shook my head.

His eyes sprang open with a lazy grin crossing his features. His arms wrapped around my waist as he pulled me closer to him. "Well, well, well," he said with a big smile, "Whom do we have here?" I laughed. I kissed him lightly and then I broke out into huge grins.

"So do you have any plans for next week?" I asked with a smile, "Baseball tryouts for high school…why?" he asked, I couldn't contain my giddiness anymore, "Nope. You now have different plans."

"Gabs, I love you and all but I kind of have to go to tryouts to make the team." I shook my head as I felt like I was going to burst into tears with how big my smile was. "Brie, you are freaking me out,"

"I got my birthday present today," I said. I sounded like I was changing the subject. "Did you get another diamond necklace?" he questioned, my hand flew to my neck as I touched the diamonds before shaking my head. "So what is your ass on fire about?"

"Well on Friday, after school, I have these tickets for six people." Troy mentally did the math in his head as he nodded, "We are going to take this big machine and go somewhere." Troy sat up as he glared at me, "Whom is all going to where?"

I smiled as I gripped his shoulders, "My mom, my dad, Lilly, Cameron, myself and…. you are going to…" I stopped as he leaned in my smile grew bigger. "We are going to the Bahamas." Troy's eyes flipped out, "You are messing with me, I know you are messing with me." He said shaking his head and laughing, "There is no way that I am going to the Bahamas on Friday with you."

"Oh but you are!" I said laughing, "You and I are going to the Bahamas together for my birthday. We leave on the 8th and we get back the 16th. My dad talked to your coaches, your parents, Troy, we are going." I said, as I looked him into the eye. He began to laugh, "On Friday?" he questioned, I groaned, he didn't believe me. I grabbed the envelope as I stuffed the tickets into my purse as I then shoved it into his hand.

He opened it up as he read the tickets; he then broke out into smiles as he tackled me with a hug. I laughed and he kissed me on the lips, "Oh God, I love you." He whispered into my ear. "I think it was my dad's way of softening the blow that he has to leave on my birthday again."

He frowned as he then kissed my forehead, "Either way we get to go to the Bahamas." I laughed as I pushed some of his hair out of the way, "Our first year as a couple," I whispered, "Our first Valentines day together, on a beach, in the Bahamas." He smiled as he kissed me softly, "I see our son found out about his little vacation. How come he gets to go on all of these cool vacations?"

"Because I have the best girlfriend in the entire world." He squeezed my hand as his eyes shined over to mine. A smile flipped over my features, "I better get home, I have packing to do."

Troy stood up as he pulled me up, "Make that decision yet?" he asked me, and I groaned. I shook my head, "No, I eliminated LSU." I told him, "Well," we walked out the front door as he sighed, "South Carolina is good but what does it really have to offer?"

"A new experience."

"NYU isn't going to offer that?"

"I have lived there before,"

"With your dad and you didn't have the best experience, time to start over." I groaned and I leaned back against my car, my arms crossed over my chest, "It's your choice, I just, I want you to be happy and not to regret that choices you make."

"Either school seems fantastic but one just sticks out a little bit more to me than the other." Troy stuffed his hands into his pockets as he leaned forward, "Really and which one is that?"

I pursed my lips together as I looked up into his eyes, "NYU," Troy nodded, "Then go with your gut choice. Don't look back and just do it." I smiled as I wrapped my arms around his waist and tucked my head into his shoulder. My body dwarfed his, "I don't know what I would do without you."

"I don't know who would you take to the Bahamas?" I laughed as I kissed him lightly, "I'll see you at school tomorrow." He nodded. He kissed my forehead and we separated.

"Welcome to the Bahamas, Georgetown airport, everybody! It's a fantastic evening of 72 degrees and a perfect black sky, I hope you all have a safe and wonderful visit."

I stretched after our long flight as it was dark outside, Troy got up as well as we both shuffled out of the aisles, Troy and I got to fly first class while my dad and mom were in the back. I slipped my backpack over my shoulder as Troy's baseball hat covered most of my face. My curls framed my face and I slipped my hand into Troy's. My sweatpants framed my legs and my flip-flops flopped on the ground.

A tank top covered my stomach and I leaned my head over onto his shoulder. He had his black backpack on his back. We also held hands. We walked hand in hand as we got out the door. I rubbed my eyes tiredly; it had been a long day of school and then a long flight. The twins did well and Troy slept most of the way.

We waited for my parents outside of the gate as my stomach growled, I was hungry. "I am thinking food sounds freaking awesome right now." Troy mumbled he was in a pair of khaki shorts with a black t-shirt. "We are supposed to find somewhere to tell my mom we are safe."

"You can call her from the resort." My eyes began to fall, as all I wanted to do was sleep. My mom and dad both exited, both twins were at a hip. A smile crossed my features as Lilly was sleeping on my dad's shoulder. Cameron was still awake and playing with my mom's hair. "Ready?" my dad asked, "I have a car waiting for us after we pick up our luggage."

We all shuffled through the airport as we were a few hours behind them but the travel and the late night already was making me exhausted. "Alex, I don't think our oldest daughter is going to make it to baggage claim," Troy laughed quietly next to me as he gripped onto me. We made it to baggage claim it was small. The bags began to shuffle out as people began to pick them up.

Our bags came around. Troy and my dad grabbed them. My dad grabbed a cart to throw them on as I ditched my backpack and Troy did too. "Come here," he said, I walked over as he hugged me and then he kissed my temple. "Do you want to climb onto my back?" I nodded sleepily after our long layover in Florida I was ready for bed.

My head rested on Troy's shoulder as we walked through the airport. "We aren't going to be leaving the resort a lot, so we don't need a car." My dad said to my mom. "We have unlimited golf, a spa, food, and the beach with a pool. What more do you need?"

"Childcare."

"Ahh…I do have some of that hooked up for you on certain days." My mom gave my dad a smile, as this was a mini vacation for her. My dad said he would have left the twins behind but he was leaving for months so he wasn't going to leave them behind.

I yawned as we came outside as a man was waiting with our name on a sign. "Just think, I might be able to treat you like this one day." Troy whispered I smiled as I buried my head into his neck. He squeezed me tighter to his body as we came to a SUV. My dad set up the twin's car seats and then we all climbed in. I rested my head onto Troy's chest as he wrapped me up in his arms.

He stroked my arm as we traveled through the dark night. I blinked my eyes and we were suddenly pulling in for a stop. My dad got out as he was gone for about fifteen minutes until he came back. "Alright, we are going to go down here," he gave directions as he then the car stopped.

Troy stroked my arm and then he kissed my forehead, "Hey, we are at the hotel room or if you want to call it that, more like a huge beach house." I laughed quietly. I sat up and I looked at the small little pod in front of us. It was a bunch of different areas; the doors were all spread out, as it was a big place. We all climbed out as we grabbed our luggage and hoofed it up to the door as she slipped the key into the door.

Cameron was passed out, as was Lillian. We quietly shuffled in and I looked at the palm trees and I could hear the ocean roaring from here. A smile flipped on my face as my dad took the twins to a room as he then pointed to our room. His lips were set into a straight line, "No funny business, understood or you will both be on a flight home."

Troy and I nodded as we walked into the room. I fell onto the bed face first as Troy collapsed beside me. "Wake me up in the morning, move my body to the beach, and lets sleep all day…" he murmured, I laughed. I pulled down the blankets and then I curled up next to Troy. "Okay."

My eyes flew open the next morning to a crash and then a laugh. I turned over to see Troy still sleeping next to me, his face peaceful. I snuggled back into his chest as I my eyes closed again and another laugh and the bright sunlight made me want to get out of bed. I slipped out of Troy's arms. I tiptoed out. I was still in the same clothes from last night as I took a step out.

A smile crossed my face as the rooms were big, the living room huge and the bathroom connecting to my room. My eyes then noticed a balcony as I took a step towards the door and opened it. My eyes were blown away. I looked at the crystal blue water. The sun pouring into it, the pool was right below us as kids were already splashing away. A golf course was to my right. I was in aw.

"Beautiful isn't it?" I turned around to see my dad coming, I nodded my head, and "I can't wait to go down to the beach." He smiled, "I brought up some breakfast."

"Good. I am starved."

"I got you some pancakes and I assume Troy will eat anything I put in front of him." I rolled my eyes as I nodded; I left the deck after taking a picture and keeping it safe in my phone. I walked into my bedroom and I gently woke Troy up. He moaned as I then said something about breakfast. He opened his eyes, "What kind?"

"I don't know my dad got you something though." He sat up. He ran his fingers through his hair. I kissed his lips lightly as I hadn't brushed my teeth yet. "I gotta pee," Troy mumbled. He got up and then went into the bathroom. I sighed, my mom poked her head in, "I am thinking after breakfast we hit up the beach for the day?" I nodded, "Please,"

"Tomorrow, your dad has us down for a spa day, the twins in child care and him and Troy are going to go golf."

"I assume they will golf at least once a day,"

"Well yes, they are going this afternoon."

"Troy, stop," I complained, he laughed as he stood in front of the bright sun. His body was somewhat pale but the sun was making him tan as could be already. His locks were away from his face and his Oakley's pushed onto his face. His red board shorts were sitting low on his waist as I leaned down. "Brie, come on," he whined.

I was reading my book and he wanted me to go play in the sand. "Troy, aren't you supposed to be getting ready to go golf." He sighed as he tossed me a look, "Yes but I want to spend a minute with you." My mom snorted next to me. The twins were sleeping in the hotel room right now. We had a baby monitor and all of the doors were locked.

My dad was lounging by the pool to be close but my mom was going to have to transport them this way or go sit by the pool, which honestly, the pool was almost as nice as the beach. "Fine, fine," I murmured. I got up, he grinned like a little boy as he took me over to the water. He crouched down and he pointed at the water.

"A starfish?" I asked, "I guess, I don't know, I saw it and it was cool looking." He picked up a stick as he poked it a few times and then I laughed, "What's it going to do? Eat the stick?"

Troy shrugged as he kissed my temple, "I guess I should go get ready for golf. I am excited," he said clapping his hands, "Four days of golf with your dad, oh yes,"

I shook my head and I kissed him gently, "Bye, be good." He smirked, "Be good, what?" I shook my head as I followed him up. I sat back down into the beach chair. I stretched and yawned, "I think we should go grab a snack." I said looking at my mom. "Mmm…a smoothie sounds fantastic right now." She said tilting her head back and soaking up the sun.

"Mmm…that really does." We both began to put some of our stuff away as I put on some clothes and then stretched. "So my baby girl is going to take on NYU huh?" I smiled, "Yea, I guess that's it. I turned in my acceptance letter and turned down the other schools."

"Oh I can not believe how much you are growing up." She said as she slid the bag over her shoulder. I smiled as we went back to our room, our rooms were fantastic, the food was great and I was in love. "Taking on the New York streets," I gave my mom another calm smile. She wasn't the biggest fan. "Troy decided LSU if he goes…"

"What did they give him?"

"A full ride," I told her as we entered the room. Troy and my dad were getting ready to walk out and they stopped. Both of the men were hatless, Troy had tucked in a blue shirt into his khaki. My dad was in a green shirt with a pair of khakis. Troy's Oakley's were on the back of his head as my dad's were in his hands. They looked freaky alike, except well, my boyfriend looked ten times hotter.

I shuddered as Troy gave me a smile, "I'll see you in a few hours," he winked as my dad and boyfriend walked out of the door together. I laughed as I shook my head, "Did they just look freaky alike or what?"

"I think dad is happy he brought Troy, a golf partner." My mom nodded, "I think its good for your dad. Being deprived of boys since Cam is only eight months old." She walked back into there room as she picked both babies up.

They cooed as I took Lilly off of her hands and we both changed them. We got them ready to go, applying sunscreen, hats, and some snacks before we put them into a double stroller.

"I think we should go sit by the pool after this with them," I nodded, "Tomorrow is our spa day right?"

"Yea, why?"

"I am thinking Monday, I want to snorkel or go out onto the water and do something."

"Your dad and I will talk about it." She said as we walked awhile until we came to a booth to grab smoothies. I got a strawberry smoothie and my mom got peach.

The twins babbled away up front as I stretched my arms out. "Gabi, I have a question," my mom said with a soft smile, "Yea?"

"You aren't going to NYU because your dad will be there sometimes,"

"No…"

"I just, I don't want you to miss out on something that could of happened."

"You know my love for New York, I just, I need a new start there. The kids at the high school weren't my style but I am going to stay in a dorm and make new friends."

"My baby girl traveling the streets of New York by herself." I rolled my eyes, "I have a few months before we have to worry about that and dad will be up there when I start, so no worries okay? You guys will also always have a place to stay."

My mom smiled as she nodded, we parked the stroller poolside as we both lay down onto the chairs. This was paradise.

"Did you see that fish?" Troy asked as we stood in the water. "Yes! It was amazing and then that turtle," Troy laughed and he nodded, "You are so adorable," he said with a small smile, he pulled me into him as I snuggled up against him. Yesterday was amazing at the spa; my dad and Troy had gotten massages while my mom got a full package.

Today Troy and I were on our own for most of the day. We went snorkeling and later we were going to just walk around the beach, looking for things. "Do you want to grab some lunch?" Troy asked as he shook his head trying to get his wet hair from out of his face. I nodded as we both retreated from the water. Couples were walking down the beach hand and hand, my parents were lounging by the pool for most of the day and I think were going out to dinner tonight with the twins.

Tomorrow and Wednesday we would all be together again and then on Thursday, Valentines Day, the boys both had something up their sleeves but weren't sharing. Troy wrapped me up into his arms as he pressed his nose into my temple. "I love you," he whispered into my ear, "I love you so much," I couldn't help but smile as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"So what time are your parents going to dinner tonight?" he whispered, his body pressing against mine. "Six thirty, why?" he smiled as his eyes crinkled, his head turned, "It's been a while since we hadn't had parent supervision." I laughed and nodded, "Yea, I guess huh?"

"I think its crazy that I don't need to have that relationship with you, I mean, what's it been three weeks?" I laughed as I tucked my head underneath of his chin. "We can't be there when they leave or show up so they don't even suspect a thing." I said kissing him, my lips pressing against his as he moaned. "This place just gives me the chills,"

"Why?" I asked, "You are in my arms, you are kissing me, and we have a date set up for the night. I mean seriously," he said with a laugh, "I love this place," I murmured, "We are going to get married here," I said locking hands with Troy, "Really?"

"Yea because in all reality, we are going to be living in two or three different places."

Troy nodded with a laugh, "So we need to talk about this…"

"Talk about what?"

"Am I going to live with you in New York with you during off season or should I just live with my parents and work towards my degree at the community college?"

I frowned, "Are you saying you don't want to live with me?"

"You aren't going to be living in an apartment,"

"Yes I am," I complained, "With roommates!" Troy argued, I pursed my lips, "Troy, really, why are we talking about this right now?" I stopped in front of him, "We are here, in the Bahamas, living a teenage dream and you want to talk about living arrangements?"

"I just, I don't want to have to worry about it later. I also think that what if I go the college route?"

"Troy," I stressed, "Please, can we just not do this right now? When we get back, we can hash it out. We have to figure it out yes, but please, please, not now okay?"

He nodded as he sighed, "Okay."

"I just want this to be stress free. My dad told me he was okay with bring you because he knew these next few months were going to be hell. Now right now, I want to be free and just to be in your arms."

He nodded again as he hugged me, his lips pressing into my eye. "You are so damn cute, have I told you that?"

"Suck up," I whispered, he laughed and nodded, his hand glancing at his watch. "Come on, its almost six fifteen, we will camp out and wait for them to leave."

Valentines Day was supposed to be happy, fun, exciting, entertaining not dreadful and rainy. "This blows." Troy said as we stood at the window as the rain poured down onto the beautiful islands.

"Yea, it looks like it's all inside activities today." My dad said as he stood behind us, a coffee in his hands. He sighed. "I had such a great day planned but they have thunderstorms all day." I groaned as Troy took his hands and he rubbed my shoulders. "Relax, we can move our stuff to tomorrow."

"Our last day here?" I asked, "I thought we were just going to chill on the beach." I said to him, "Brie, my hands are tied. I mean do you see that it's raining cats and dogs outside?"

I groaned. I collapsed down onto the couch. Lilly and Cameron were lying on the ground as they played with there few toys they had with them. My first valentines day with Troy definitely wasn't going as planned. I mean there wasn't much to do inside on the island, it was small and we didn't have our own car.

"We could watch movies," my dad offered, I leaned my head back and my eyes caught Troy's. He threw his hands up, "I don't know what to do." I chewed on my lip as Troy sat down next to me. I laid my head down into his lap as he picked up my hand and stroked it gently. "Alright, I have an idea," Troy said, "Go get dressed into comfortable clothes and come on," he said as he pushed me off the couch.

"What are you going to do?" my dad asked, "I'll tell you," Troy said, "After Gabi goes to get dressed." He said kicking me again. I moaned, "Fine, I am going, I am going."

Troy laughed as he kicked me once more as if for good measure. I rolled my eyes as I stood up and walked off. I changed into a pair of jeans and then a long sleeve t-shirt. I threw my hair up into a messy bun and I then walked out into the living room where Troy was waiting. I smiled. He stood up and grabbed my hand, "Meet you guys up for dinner?" my dad smiled and nodded, "Have fun."

"Where are we going?" I asked. We stood outside in the pouring rain. Troy stuck his hand out as he gave me a smile, "Trust me okay?"

"Trust you?"

"Yes, please, just trust me." He said with a smile, "Your dad knows so come on."

I gave him my hand as we took one step down and we were wet. Troy began to run as I screeched as the rain began to pick up; Troy seemed to know where he was going when he stopped, we both glowed of smiles. "Get on my back," he called, his voice echoed over the thunder. I jumped on as we ran through the streets before we both stopped right in front of a building.

He dropped me down off of his back. We both went inside. He stepped up to the counter, "Pirate training?" he questioned, my eyes raised to look up at him as his tanned face glowed as he tried not to look at me.

"How old are you?" the lady questioned, "Is there an age limit on it?" he asked, "Well no,"

"It's Valentines day and its raining, can I just know where its at?" the lady sighed and then she pointed us towards a little room. We both then went inside. "Pirate training?"

He smirked, "You told me to come up with something, so I did."

We walked in as a bunch of parents and little kids were sitting around. A couple of teenagers and that were probably bored and somewhere with siblings. Troy and I took a seat near the middle somewhere. We both talked quietly. Then a group of adults, dressed as pirates walked out. The attention of kids squealed as I smiled.

Troy sat up and we were both drying off still from our run here. "Welcome little ones," they glanced around the crowd as they gave us a nod, "Funny how rainstorms can bring in some of the strangest little pirates,"

Troy and I laughed together as they went over some rules before they needed volunteers; "How about our two lovelies in the back?" the guy said pointing to us. Troy and I both got up as we hopped to the front and they instructed us. We played a game as Troy had to wear a hat and he winked at me. A smile lifted over my face as I got an eye patch.

We acted out a scene together, "What do all good pirates say?" they asked the crowd, "Rrrrr…." The kids responded with a yell. I laughed quietly as Troy and I rrrr'ed around the little stage as we acted as if we were dragging our legs.

"Aye captains," the adult gave us a smile and a thumb up and we continued. Our acting continued as we walked the plank and we cheered together, we high-fived as the tingles ran down my arm. A smile crossed my features. They finally clapped and let us go. We almost couldn't take the not touching any longer as we thanked them, getting to keep the hats and eye patches, we ran out of the room and we both collided into each other's arms. His lips caught mine as he kissed me easily, his lips smoothing over mine.

A smile was on my lips the entire time as I tucked my head underneath of his chin. "Guess what?" Troy whispered into my ear, "What?"

"That's what I had planned all along." I pulled back as I looked him into the eye, a gleam twitched as I smiled. "You are my favorite boyfriend ever," I said as I laughed, "That was so much fun!"

"It just helped me out that it was raining. I know how much you love the beach and everybody but I am becoming a lobster." He said, as he was turning red but his cheeks were red, his defined shoulders were a golden tan as he then slipped his hand into mine. He dragged me out outside, the rain had disappeared and the afternoon was crisp and warm.

"Now, I do have another plan but well," he smirked as he kissed me softly, his lips tender against mine as I felt my blood surge. "Oh the things you do to me," he whispered. "The thing you do to me," I said pulling him closer to me; he smiled as we crashed into an empty area. Troy fumbled for a moment and then he pushed the door open after he unlocked it.

He lowered me onto a bed as I looked at him, "its part of your present," he whispered as he kissed me softly. "I paid for an hour for this room, cost me fifty bucks." I laughed quietly as he kissed me. His fingers tracing over my jaw, as I couldn't be happier right now.

"Do we really have to go home tomorrow?" I asked the fire blazed in front of me as I sat between Troy's legs on the beach. The sun was setting and we had a fire blazing in front of us.

"Unfortunately we do," I sighed as I leaned back against Troy. "I mean you do miss real food right?" Troy asked me quietly with a laugh, I shook my head as I looked at the fire, burning wild. Troy had gotten me a Pink gift card and some flowers, tropical ones. Today we had spent on the beach and hanging out all day as we were preparing to leave tomorrow morning really early.

A smile flickered over my face as I thought about the last week. A frown then replaced it. I thought of my dad and him leaving on Tuesday. That was something I didn't want to happen and I shuddered thinking about it. My dad and mom were across the fire as the twins were in bed already. They were sleeping and we were just ten feet away.

The fire gave me a blast of warmth, I rubbed my eyes and Troy kissed the top of my head. We had sex more this week then I think I ever have had with him. I was tired but I had enjoyed it…a lot more than I should have. It was crazy how much we could hide from our parents. We worked around the schedules and there fifty-dollar rooms that Troy paid cash with.

He kissed my temple as he stretched his legs out, my mouth watered and I then took a deep breath. "God, I love you." He whispered into my ear, "I had so much fun this week with you."

"I never want to leave because once we do leave, we do have to talk about everything that is going to happen. We do have to face the challenges of life and my dad leaving on my birthday…again. I just have to do all of this stuff and here, in this little bubble, I don't have to face it anymore."

He squeezed me a bit tighter, "I have baseball season, and you know this is it?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, "This is my senior year of baseball and Gabs, I keep getting calls and talks and offers, it's going to happen either way, I am getting something big and its going to start at the beginning of the summer." He rested his chin on my shoulder, "And I don't know how I am going to handle it."

"You are going to be fine just don't forget us little people." I told him with a small smile, "You are not a little person in my life."

"Promise me that you won't forget about me," I whispered to him, "Once you become a big person, I will always be your first phone call." He gave me a sad smile as he nodded, "Of course," he kissed me gently as he then hugged me tight. "You are already my number one fan."

I suddenly felt a sharp stab in my gut as I got up from Troy's lap. "I need some air," I said quietly, Troy sighed as he got up, "Gabs," he followed me as he walked behind me as he knew not to overwhelm me. "Gabi," he said again as he finally caught up with me. He laid a hand on my shoulder as I stopped, tears stopped in my eyes as I looked at him.

"I promise you, I promise you right now that nothing is going to change between us. We may not see each other everyday in person but now we have Skype, Face Time, cell phones, and everything to keep us together. It's not going to be easy no, I just, you have no idea how much I love you and need you in my life right now." He said as he pulled me into his arms. I collapsed as I cried.

"I don't want to leave," I cried quietly, "I just, I like our bubble together. I like being with my dad all day and knowing he is here." Troy put his hand on my shoulder as he rubbed my back softly. He kissed my temple softly and he held me tightly. "It's okay," he whispered, "It's okay."

"I hate this time of the year. I hate it and next year when you have to leave on my birthday, I will hate it even more." He closed his lips tightly as he just held me, "I love you and never forget that. We had one hell of a week together and when you feel upset, just think about this week okay? Now lets go back to the fire and hang before we get back into bed and cuddle with each other."

My face nodded stiffly into his neck, he pulled back as he kissed my forehead and we walked back. My dad came over as he then scooped me up into his arms, "Hey, I know this time of the year sucks but just think, in May, I will be here, watching you walk across the stage, getting that diploma and then if you want, you can spend all summer with me."

I struggled with the thought and I knew what I wanted to do this summer and my dad wasn't going to like it. We all gathered around the fire once more as I just settled into Troy, he gave me a soft smile and he kissed my temple. "We can make our bubble, I will always be right here with you." His hand smoothed over my heart as I let out a small smile.

"I love you," I whispered as he kissed my temple, "I love you too baby girl,"

Well, would you like to know about the random update? You do! Well IT'S CHRISTMAS BREAK BABYY! Finals are over and Christmas is four days away so I thought we should celebrate! So in the next five days, you are going to get this chapter, the normal chapter on Sunday and a present on Christmas will be this story! Then after that you will only have one more chapter left of this story! Nail bitter! Oh and man, this is one of my favorite chapters.

MLB should be up tonight or tomorrow. It's almost done but I have things to do. It's Christmas season, what more would you like?

Well I love you all and I have to finish MLB and go play 500 points of volleyball so wish me luck! Haha, Love you all!

PLEASE REVIEW!