Four years later, Robert or to Gabriella and Troy, Rob, was four years old. He was the spitting image of Troy. But had dark brown hair and olive skin. A lot had happened in the last four years. Troy had gone back to work managing his company in different locations. He would spend a lot of time away. But, he always made sure that he would talk to Gabriella and Rob every night before Rob went to bed. Robert loved basketball. When Troy would be home, he, Rob, Chad, and Eli would play two on two games. Just like Troy and Chad had pictured that they would. One night, Troy was on his way home after being away for three days on a business trip to his La Cruces location. He parked his car in the driveway. Troy had asked Gabriella to keep Rob up so that he could spend a little time with him. He unlocked the door and walked into the house.
"Hello?" Troy called.
"Daddy!" Robert yelled and came running into the entry way from the living room.
Troy kneeled down and caught his son in his arms.
"Hey champ, how's it going?" Troy asked.
"I missed you" Robert said.
"I missed you too, bud" Troy said.
He walked into the living room and saw Gabriella sitting on the couch.
"Hi baby" Troy said kissing Gabriella's lips.
"Hi" Gabriella said.
"What did you do while I was gone?" Troy asked sitting next to Gabriella.
"Uncle Chad came over with Eli and we played basketball" Robert said.
Troy smiled.
"Maybe we can play tomorrow" Troy said.
"Yeah" Robert said.
Gabriella smiled.
"Buddy, it's time for bed. Go upstairs and brush your teeth" Gabriella said.
Robert went upstairs. Troy looked at Gabriella.
"You can put him to bed tonight" Gabriella said.
"Okay" Troy said.
Troy walked upstairs and saw Robert getting into his bed. He walked into his son's bedroom and lied down next to him.
"Daddy?" Robert asked.
"Yeah buddy?" Troy asked.
"Will you be here all day tomorrow?" Robert asked.
Troy felt his heart break a little. He felt guilty for traveling to his different business locations while his wife and son were at home.
"Yeah, why?" Troy asked.
"Because you are always working and sometimes, I don't get to see you" Robert said.
Troy looked at his son.
"Rob, remember when I talked to you about how to make money?" Troy asked.
"Yeah" Robert said.
"What do we need to do to make money?" Troy asked.
"Work hard" Robert said.
"Exactly. That's what daddy is doing" Troy said looking at his son.
"You must be working really hard" Robert said.
Troy smiled and nodded.
"Yeah. Now, it's time for you to go to sleep" Troy said.
Robert snuggled into his bed. Troy got off the bed. He walked over to the side.
"I love you Rob" Troy said kissing his forehead.
"I love you daddy" Robert said.
Troy shut the light off and closed the door slightly. He then walked into his and Gabriella's bedroom.
"Is he asleep?" Gabriella asked.
"Yeah" Troy said.
Troy unbuttoned his shirt and took it off. He then took his pants off. Troy put his clothes in the hamper and got into bed. Gabriella snuggled into Troy's chest.
"I missed you" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled.
"I missed you too, baby. Rob said that too when I was putting him to bed" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded.
"He's understanding that you are gone a lot" Gabriella said.
"I don't do it on purpose. We've tried to do this a lot of different ways" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded.
"And I appreciate the effort that you have put in" Gabriella said.
Troy had quit his job when Rob was two years old. But then the couple realized that Troy needed to continue in order to maintain their current lifestyle. So he re-joined his company.
"We will figure it out" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded tiredly.
"Go to sleep, baby" Troy said.
Gabriella smiled. She leaned in and kissed Troy's lips softly.
"I love you" Gabriella said.
"I love you too" Troy said.
The next day, Troy had gotten up early. He went to the gym and got his workout in. Troy came home and took a shower. After his shower, Troy looked at the clock and saw that it read eight AM. He walked down the hall to Rob's room and opened the door. Troy saw his son sleeping. He walked over to the bed and sat on the edge.
"Rob, time to wake up" Troy said rubbing his son's back.
Robert whined in his sleep and turned over. Troy chuckled.
"You are exactly like me it's scary" Troy mumbled.
Troy walked to Robert's closet and pulled out his wildcat jersey that Jack had given him for Christmas. He set it on the bed. Troy then went to grab a pair of joggers and placed them on the bed. He then walked back to Robert.
"Rob, I guess I will have to leave you here and go play basketball with Uncle Chad and Grandpa Jack alone" Troy said.
Robert sat up excitedly.
"Let's go, daddy!" Robert squealed.
Troy laughed.
"You need to get dressed first, bud" Troy said pointing to his clothes on the bed.
Robert got out of bed. He changed into the clothes that Troy set out for him.
"Alright, let's go downstairs and see mommy" Troy said.
Troy and Robert walked downstairs to the kitchen. Gabriella was drinking her coffee.
"Hi baby. Are you going to go play with Eli and Grandpa today?" Gabriella asked.
"Yeah mommy" Robert said.
Gabriella smiled. She looked at the clock on the wall and smiled sadly.
"I've got to get to the office" Gabriella said.
"Okay" Troy said.
Gabriella knelt down and opened her arms. Robert walked into them and hugged his mother.
"I'll be back in a little while. Have fun with daddy, Eli, and grandpa, Rob" Gabriella said.
"Okay mommy" Robert said.
Gabriella kissed Troy's lips and Robert's cheek and left the house. Troy poured Robert's favorite cereal into a bowl and put it in front of him. He then grabbed the milk from the refrigerator and poured some into his son's bowl. Troy handed Robert a spoon. Robert ate his cereal. He then got up and brought his bowl and spoon to the sink and placed it in.
"Daddy, I'm ready" Robert said.
Troy smiled.
"Let's go get your shoes on" Troy said.
Robert walked upstairs and got his shoes. He walked downstairs and handed them to Troy. Robert sat on the first step. Troy knelt down and helped Robert put on his shoes. He then tied them.
"Let me go get the ball and we will go" Troy said.
Troy walked upstairs and got his basketball. He walked downstairs.
"Let's go bud" Troy said.
Troy and Robert walked out of the house. They walked to the car. Troy opened the door and lifted Robert up so that he could get into the car.
"Seatbelt, Rob" Troy said as he watched his son sit down in his car seat.
Robert put his seatbelt on. Troy double checked it. He then closed the backseat door. Troy got into the drivers seat and placed the basketball into the passenger seat. He started driving to his parents house. Once they got to Troy's parents house, Troy parked the car in the driveway. Robert unbuckled his seatbelt. Troy got out of the car and shut the door. He walked to Robert's side and opened the backseat door. Troy helped Robert get out of the car. Troy closed the car door and locked it. The two boys walked to the front door. Robert pressed the doorbell. Jack opened the door and smiled.
"Boltons! On the court!" Jack said.
Robert jumped into Jack's arms. Troy smiled.
"Is Chad here already?" Troy asked.
"Not yet. But that gives us time to warm-up" Jack said setting Robert down.
Troy, Jack, and Robert walked to the backyard. Troy dribbled the ball that he brought and shot a three-pointer. Robert yelled in excitement. Troy and Jack laughed. Troy went and retrieved the ball. He then handed the ball to Robert. Troy watched his son dribble the ball as best as a four-year-old could. Robert grabbed the ball and then looked up at the basket. Troy lifted Robert up to the net. Robert threw the ball in.
"And Bolton makes the basket. The crowd goes wild" Troy said as he made sound effects of a crowd cheering.
Jack laughed.
"Bolton! You ready?" Chad asked coming into the backyard from the gate with Eli.
"Yeah" Robert yelled.
Troy laughed. He kneeled down next to Robert.
"What does daddy always say before we start a game?" Troy asked.
Robert stood and thought.
"Wildcats!" Robert said proudly.
"Get your head in the game" Troy, Chad, and Jack said loudly.
Troy smiled proudly. He got up. The three men and the two toddlers played basketball for a while. Lucille walked out to the backyard and smiled.
"Training a new generation of wildcats, guys?" Lucille asked jokingly.
"Grandma! Watch this. Daddy, can you help me?" Robert asked as he held the ball.
Robert dribbled the ball and looked up at the basket. Troy lifted Robert up and watched him throw the ball in the basket.
"Yay Rob! Good job honey" Lucille said cheered.
Troy set Robert down and watched him walk over to Lucille.
"I think Rob's out" Chad said.
Troy nodded.
"He did good" Troy said.
"He made his grandpa proud" Jack said.
The three men, the two toddlers, and Lucille talked for a while. Troy and Robert had gone home. Troy opened the front door and let Robert walk in first.
"Mommy" Robert called.
Gabriella walked into the entry way and smiled.
"Wow guys! You look like you had a crazy game. Who won?" Gabriella asked.
"Uncle Chad and Eli" Robert said.
"But, it's okay right?" Troy said.
Robert nodded.
"Yeah. Next game, we will win" Robert said.
Troy smiled. Gabriella shook her head.
"Your twin" Gabriella said.
Troy chuckled.
"Go upstairs and into the bathroom, bud. I'll be right there" Gabriella said.
Robert walked upstairs.
"How was the office?" Troy asked.
"Fine. I have a new case" Gabriella said.
"That's great, baby" Troy said kissing her lips.
"Yeah. It should be interesting" Gabriella said.
Gabriella walked upstairs and gave Robert a bath. A couple weeks later, Troy was working in his new office. His office was only ten minutes away from home. There was a knock on his office door.
"Troy, you have a visitor" Alice, the property manager said.
"Send them in" Troy said.
Troy saw the door open but didn't see anyone come in. He looked down and smiled.
"Daddy!" Robert said.
"Hey buddy. Where's mommy?" Troy asked.
"I'm here. He's just faster" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled.
"The office looks nice" Gabriella said looking around.
"Yeah. It's a lot more space than at home" Troy said.
Gabriella smiled.
"What are you guys doing?" Troy asked.
"We went and saw my mom. We were passing by and figured we stop and say hi to you" Gabriella said.
"That was nice of you" Troy said.
"We are going to go home and take a nap, right?" Gabriella said.
"Yeah" Robert said.
"Okay. Thanks for stopping by" Troy said kissing Gabriella's lips.
"Of course" Gabriella said.
Troy knelt. Robert walked over to Troy and into his arms.
"I'll see you in a little bit" Troy said.
"Okay daddy" Robert said.
Gabriella and Robert left Troy's office. That night, the couple had put Robert to bed. Gabriella went back downstairs to finish a piece that she was working on for her new case. An hour later, Troy walked downstairs. He smiled when he saw Gabriella sitting at the kitchen table typing on her laptop. Troy walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed Gabriella's shoulder.
"How's it going, baby?" Troy asked.
"Slow" Gabriella said.
"Do you want some help?" Troy asked.
Gabriella shook her head. She closed her laptop and looked at her husband.
"How was the office today?" Gabriella asked.
"Fine. We have a big project coming up" Troy said.
"Does that mean you are going to be travelling again?" Gabriella asked.
"A little. But, it will be quick" Troy said.
Gabriella looked at Troy. Troy looked at Gabriella. He placed his hand on top of Gabriella's.
"It will be fine" Gabriella said.
Troy nodded.
"Brie" Troy said.
Gabriella looked at Troy.
"I love you" Troy said.
Gabriella smiled.
"I love you too" Gabriella said.
The next day, Troy, Chad, and Robert were outside. They were playing basketball. Robert had the ball and was dribbling it and ran but fell on the concrete. Robert started crying. Troy and Chad walked over.
"You okay, bud?" Troy asked.
"My knee" Robert cried.
Troy looked at his son's knee that was now skinned and starting to bleed.
"Come on. Let's go get a band-aid" Troy said lifting Robert into his arms.
Troy and Chad walked into the house. Gabriella looked up from what she was doing.
"What happened?" Gabriella asked.
"He ran and fell. He skinned his knee" Troy said.
Troy set Robert on the counter. He grabbed a band-aid and antiseptic. Troy opened the antiseptic wipe and looked at his son.
"This is going to sting a little bit. But, it will help your knee heal okay, bud?" Troy said.
Robert nodded. Troy carefully wiped Robert's knee with the wipe, which made him cry more. Troy threw the wipe away. He then placed a band-aid onto his knee.
"There we go. All done" Troy said.
Gabriella smiled.
"You were really brave out there, bud" Chad said.
Troy smiled.
"I want to play some more" Robert said.
"We can play more tomorrow, Rob. Let your knee heal up a little bit" Troy said.
"Okay" Robert said.
Troy lifted Robert up and set him back onto the ground. Gabriella looked at her son. Robert went over to Gabriella and leaned his head on her shoulder. Chad shook Troy's hand. He then walked over and kneeled down and looked at Robert. Chad fist-bumped Robert. He stood up. Troy walked Chad out. A couple minutes later, Troy came back into the room.
"How did he do, coach?" Gabriella asked jokingly.
"He was killing it. I am so proud of you, Rob" Troy said.
Robert smiled.
"Thanks daddy" Robert said.
Gabriella smiled. She kissed Robert's head softly. The little family relaxed around the house the rest of the day. That night, Gabriella was in bed. Troy walked into the bedroom and took his pants off. He unbuttoned his shirt and took it off. Troy took his clothes and put them in the hamper. He then climbed into bed. Gabriella snuggled into Troy's arms and moaned in her sleep. Troy smiled.
"Are you sleeping or just closing your eyes?" Troy asked.
"Closing my eyes" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled. Gabriella opened her eyes and looked at Troy.
"Can I talk to you about something?" Gabriella asked slowly.
Troy turned on the light that was on his bedside table.
"Is this a serious conversation?" Troy asked.
Gabriella nodded. Troy walked over to their bedroom door and closed it. He walked back to the bed and got in. Troy looked at Gabriella.
"What's up?" Troy asked.
"I know that we've never talked about this and I don't know how to ask" Gabriella started.
"Babe, you know that you can talk to me about anything" Troy said.
"I know. I just don't know how to bring this up" Gabriella said.
"Just speak what's on your mind and I will do the rest" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded.
"When we got married, I asked you how many kids that you wanted. Remember that conversation?" Gabriella asked.
Troy smiled and nodded. He knew where this conversation was going.
"Yeah, I remember" Troy said.
Gabriella took a nervous breath. Troy put his hand on Gabriella's face.
"Brie, it's just me. I won't get mad. Just talk to me" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded.
"Would you be opposed to trying for another baby?" Gabriella asked turning red.
Troy smiled. Gabriella tried to hide her face because she was so embarrassed. Troy moved her face so that she was looking at him. Gabriella looked down.
"I would love to" Troy said lovingly.
Gabriella looked up and her eyes started watering.
"Really?" Gabriella asked softly.
Troy smiled and nodded.
"Really, baby" Troy said.