A couple weeks later, Gabriella was six months pregnant. Troy had tried to make Gabriella comfortable but everything he did just made her upset. He was also stressed out because a couple of his employees had quit. Troy was really overwhelmed, and he didn't know what to do. One day, Troy was at his office. He was trying to hire new employees for his Santa Fe office. There was a knock on the door.
"Come in" Troy said.
Chad opened the door with Robert following him. Troy smiled.
"Gabi told me that you would be here" Chad said.
Troy nodded. Robert walked over to his father. Troy lifted him up and set him on his lap.
"What are you guys up to?" Troy asked looking down at his son.
"I played with Eli" Robert said.
"Oh. Did you have fun, bud?" Troy asked.
Robert nodded. Chad smiled.
"Gabi said that she would pick him up but didn't answer when I called" Chad said.
"Sorry. She's been really tired and not feeling well" Troy said.
"Mommy has been having tummy aches" Robert said.
Troy smiled.
"Tummy aches? Is she okay, Troy?" Chad asked.
"Yeah, she's uncomfortable. The baby has been growing a lot and the weight is kind of getting to Brie" Troy said.
"Is that normal with twins?" Chad asked.
Troy shrugged.
"Gabi has been talking to her doctor and keeping her in the loop. The doctor is talking about inducing her when she gets closer to her due date" Troy said.
"How do you feel about that?" Chad asked as he sat down.
Troy took a deep breath and released it.
"Mommy will be okay" Robert said.
Troy smiled and chuckled.
"Yeah, she will buddy. All I can do is support her and be there for her. I'm trying, Chad" Troy said.
Chad smiled slightly.
"I know you are. She's just really going through it" Chad said.
Troy nodded.
"If you need us to take Rob off your hands for a couple of hours, you know we would do it in a heartbeat" Chad said.
Troy smiled slightly.
"Thanks. That means a lot" Troy said.
Chad left a couple minutes later. Troy finished writing a couple emails and then looked at Rob, who was still sitting on his lap.
"Ready to go home and see mommy?" Troy asked.
"Daddy, are you upset with mommy?" Robert asked.
Troy smiled. He lifted Robert off his lap and stood up. Troy then placed his son in his seat at his desk. He then kneeled in front of Robert.
"No Rob. Your baby brother and sister are just making mommy feel sick. That is why I'm upset bud. I'm not mad or upset with your brother and sister or at mommy. I just wish that I could help mommy feel better and I can't" Troy said.
"That makes me mad" Robert said crossing his arms.
Troy chuckled.
"I know. It makes me mad sometimes too. But, in a couple of months, it won't matter anymore because your sister and brother will come out of mommy's tummy" Troy said.
"Will mommy feel better when my brother and sister come out?" Robert asked.
Troy smiled and nodded.
"Yeah" Troy said.
"I want them out, daddy" Robert said.
Troy chuckled.
"Soon, Rob. They will come out soon" Troy said.
"Daddy" Robert said.
"Yeah, bud?" Troy said looking at his son.
"I want to help mommy feel better" Robert said.
Troy smiled.
"You know what would make her really happy?" Troy asked.
"What?" Robert asked.
"Your hugs and kisses are mommy's favorite. That would make her feel better" Troy said.
"I want to go give them to mommy right now, daddy" Robert said.
"Okay. Let's go" Troy said.
Troy stood up. Robert slid off the chair. Troy held his hand out and Robert took it. The father-son duo walked out of the office and drove home. Once they arrived home, Troy opened the door.
"Mommy?" Robert called.
"Kitchen" Gabriella said.
Troy and Robert walked in the house and went into the kitchen.
"Mommy?" Robert called.
Gabriella looked at her son and saw him open his arms. She smiled. Gabriella motioned for Robert to follow her. She walked to the living room and sat on the couch. Robert walked over to Gabriella and hugged and kissed her. Gabriella kissed Robert's head softly.
"I love you" Gabriella said.
"I love you. Do you feel better, mommy?" Robert asked.
Gabriella smiled. She looked up at Troy, who smiled and nodded. Gabriella looked back at her son.
"I feel a lot better. Thank you, baby. Go play upstairs, okay? Mommy will come up there in a little bit" Gabriella said.
"Okay" Robert said.
Gabriella kissed Robert's head one last time. Robert then walked upstairs. Gabriella looked up at Troy.
"What was that all about?" Gabriella asked.
"Chad tried to call you and ask you when you were going to pick Rob up. But you didn't answer. Chad brought Rob to my office and we talked for a while about you and the babies. Rob was there and heard the conversation that Chad and I were having. He asked me after Chad left if I was upset at you. I told him no. I told him that I was upset about you being uncomfortable and not being able to help you feel better. He and I talked about it for a while and Rob said that he wanted to help make you feel better. I told him that his hugs and kisses really make you happy and feel better. So that's why he came in the way he did" Troy said.
Gabriella's eyes filled with tears. Robert reminded Gabriella of Troy so much.
"He got worried because I was worried" Troy said.
Gabriella patted a space on the couch. Troy walked over to the couch and sat down next to his wife.
"You both know how to make me feel better. You guys take care of me and the babies so well. I'm so blessed to have you, Troy" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled. Gabriella leaned in and kissed Troy's lips sweetly. Troy pulled away slowly.
"I'm also grateful and blessed to have our son be as loving and caring like his daddy" Gabriella continued.
Troy smiled.
"It was like looking in the mirror a little bit" Troy said.
Gabriella smiled.
"Our sons and daughter are so blessed to have you. We appreciate you too. I know that I have been a witch lately- "Gabriella started.
Troy shook his head. He placed his hand on Gabriella's thigh.
"You have a right to feel that way, baby" Troy said.
"No, I don't. Yeah, I am trying to grow two human beings at the same time. But I don't need to act like the queen of the world that needs everything done a certain way. I'm sorry, Troy" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled. He leaned in and kissed Gabriella's lips passionately. Gabriella smiled into the kiss. Troy pulled away. He placed his hand on Gabriella's bump.
"I know that you are really uncomfortable. I am just trying to figure out to help" Troy said.
Gabriella moved closer to Troy. She curled up into his chest as close as she could get.
"You are doing fine. You've been there for me and these babies every step of the way" Gabriella said.
Troy kissed Gabriella's head softly and leaned his head against hers. He felt a flutter underneath his hand, and he smiled. Gabriella felt it too.
"Troy?" Gabriella asked.
"Yes, Brie?" Troy asked.
"Did you feel that?" Gabriella asked.
"Yeah. I think that was a kick" Troy said.
Gabriella's eyes filled with tears. Troy then felt another kick and smiled.
"Both of our babies are kicking" Gabriella said as tears ran down her cheeks.
Troy leaned in and kissed his wife's lips.
"I love you so much" Troy said.
"I love you too" Gabriella said.
A couple weeks later, Troy and Chad had taken their sons to East High to meet up with Jack. They were going to watch the wildcats play a game. Once the boys got to Jack's office, Troy knocked on the door. Jack opened the door and smiled.
"Hi guys. Gabi didn't want to come?" Jack asked.
Troy shook his head.
"The babies are getting bigger and she was going to be sitting for a while. We thought it was better if she rests. Plus, she has the house to herself for a couple of hours" Troy said.
"What about Taylor?" Jack asked looking at Chad.
Chad shook his head.
"Are we talking about the same person here? Tay is not into basketball" Chad said.
Troy chuckled.
"Alright, alright. What about you two? Are you ready to see the game?" Jack asked as he kneeled to talk to the boys.
"Yeah" Robert and Eli said.
Troy and Chad smiled.
"You may need to recruit those two after this game if we win" Chad said.
"I have ideas already" Jack said standing up.
Troy smiled.
"We will go find our seats. Game on, dad" Troy said.
Jack smiled.
"Don't make us jump onto that court" Chad said.
Jack shook his head. Troy, Chad, and their sons went out to the gym and found their seats. The game started. Troy and Chad were standing half of the game coaching from the stands. Jack saw them from a distance while Robert and Eli calmly watched the game. Jack laughed.
"Once a wildcat, always a wildcat. Let's go" Jack said as his players ran through the game.
A couple of hours later, the game ended. The wildcats had won. Troy, Chad, Robert, and Eli went to the locker room to see Jack.
"So?" Jack asked looking at Troy and Chad.
"They were good. We were better" Chad said.
Troy smiled.
"They played a good game. I think we will be those parents that are on the court while our sons are playing" Troy said.
"Yeah, and grandpa in the background yelling with you guys" Jack said.
The five boys talked for a while. An hour later, Troy and Robert walked into the house and didn't hear Gabriella.
"Where's mommy?" Robert asked.
"I don't know. Maybe she's upstairs" Troy said.
Troy and Robert walked upstairs. Troy poked his head into their bedroom and saw that the light was on in the bathroom. He smiled.
"Mommy is in the bathroom. Go play" Troy said.
"Okay" Robert said.
Robert left the bedroom. Troy walked to the bathroom door and knocked on it gently.
"Brie? You okay?" Troy asked through the door.
"Taking a bath. You can come in" Gabriella said.
Troy opened the door and walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind him. He smiled when he saw Gabriella in the bathtub with candles surrounding it. Troy walked over to the tub and kneeled. He kissed Gabriella's cheek.
"How are you feeling?" Troy asked.
"Achy and tired" Gabriella said.
"What did you do when we were gone?" Troy asked.
"I cleaned the kitchen and the bathrooms" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled.
"I could have helped you with all that, babe" Troy said.
"I wanted to do. I just feel like there is a lot that we need to do. I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed" Gabriella said.
"Overwhelmed about doing stuff around the house?" Troy asked.
Gabriella shook her head.
"Overwhelmed by all the stuff that is coming" Gabriella said.
"Like what?" Troy asked.
"The babies. Staying up all hours of the night. Breastfeeding. Diapers. Trying to be a good mother to Rob" Gabriella said.
Troy's face softened.
"Brie look at me baby" Troy said.
Gabriella looked at Troy with her eyes filled with tears.
"You are an amazing mom to Rob. The best. Don't ever question that" Troy said.
Gabriella let her tears run down her face.
"I don't know how it will be possible to take care of two babies at the same time" Gabriella said.
"There are two of us. It can't be that hard. Plus, I know that Rob wants to help take care of the babies too. We have family and friends that would help us too. Where is this coming from, babe?" Troy asked.
Gabriella shook her head.
"It's just what I think about" Gabriella said.
"Did someone say something to you?" Troy asked.
Gabriella shook her head.
"No. It's just me" Gabriella said.
"You will be the best mom to Rob and these babies" Troy said placing his hand in the warm water and putting it on her expanding stomach.
Gabriella smiled slightly. Troy kissed Gabriella's lips softly.
"I love you" Troy said.
"I love you too" Gabriella said.
A week later, Gabriella still had the same thoughts that were running through her head when she spoke to Troy. Troy wanted to talk to Dr. A and ask if this was normal. Gabriella had her appointment with Dr. A. After Gabriella's ultrasound and exam, Troy spoke up.
"Dr. A can I have a word?" Troy asked.
Gabriella looked at Troy. Troy smiled at Gabriella.
"Baby go sit in the waiting room for a minute. I need to talk to Dr. A" Troy said.
"Okay" Gabriella said.
Gabriella left the room.
"What can I do for you, Troy?" Dr. A asked.
"Gabriella has been really sad. Her whole mood has changed. It's not like her usual mood swings though. I am starting to get worried. Is that normal?" Troy asked anxiously.
Dr. A smiled. She motioned for Troy to sit down. Troy sat down and Dr. A sat across from him. Dr A and Troy talked for forty-five minutes. Troy walked out of the exam room feeling dizzy and overwhelmed. Gabriella was showing signs of postpartum depression. Although it was too early to completely diagnose, based on what Troy described to Dr. A, that was a possibility. He didn't know what to do. Troy walked out to the waiting room and smiled at Gabriella. The couple left the office.
"What did you need to talk about with Dr. A?" Gabriella asked.
"I just had a couple questions" Troy said.
"Questions that you can't talk to me about" Gabriella said.
Troy looked at Gabriella and shook his head.
"I'm just worried about you" Troy said.
The couple got in the car. Gabriella looked at Troy.
"What am I doing that is making you worry?" Gabriella asked.
"You are crying so much, baby. More than usual. Even when you have a mood swing. I didn't know if this is part of the pregnancy or something more" Troy said honestly.
"I'm under a lot of stress. Between work and being pregnant, it is a lot" Gabriella said.
"I know. But this is not you. I didn't know if this is a twin pregnancy thing or not. You didn't do anything wrong, sweetheart. It just makes me sad to see you that way. We have wanted these babies for so long. I just want you to be able to really enjoy being pregnant and being blessed enough to have twins" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded.
"Do you understand what I'm trying to say?" Troy asked.
"Yeah. Maybe there is something wrong" Gabriella said.
Troy sighed. He reached over and placed his hand on Gabriella's thigh.
"I just hope you know that I love you so much" Troy said.
Gabriella smiled slightly. She picked up Troy's hand and kissed it.
"I love you too" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled. The next couple days, Troy tried to stay close to home. He wanted to make sure that Gabriella was okay and that she felt supported. One day, there was a knock on Troy's office door. Sue, Troy's office manager opened it and smiled.
"Troy, Gabriella is in the lobby. Should I send her back?" Sue asked.
"Yes" Troy said logging off his computer.
Sue closed the door. A couple minutes later, there was another knock on the door.
"Come in, sweetheart" Troy said.
Gabriella opened the door and smiled. Troy smiled. He motioned for her to sit down. Gabriella carefully sat down on the chair in front of Troy's desk. Troy grabbed a pillow from his chair. He got up and placed the pillow in between Gabriella's back and the chair. Troy then closed the door so that they could have some privacy.
"Thanks" Gabriella said.
"No problem. What's going on?" Troy asked sitting back down at his desk.
"I just wanted to come see you" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled.
"That was nice of you. How are you feeling today?' Troy asked.
Gabriella shook her head. Troy sighed.
"What happened?" Troy asked.
"I cried over Rob's outfit today" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled.
"I think that is a mood swing" Troy said.
"As soon as I started crying, he started crying" Gabriella said.
Troy chuckled.
"Our son hates when you cry. Just like his daddy" Troy said.
"Troy, it was so cute" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled.
"You seem better" Troy said.
Gabriella shrugged.
"Maybe this is my freak out about having twins" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled.
"Maybe. Did you go in to the office today?" Troy asked.
Gabriella nodded.
"I don't fit at my desk anymore" Gabriella said.
"I'm sorry sweetheart" Troy said.
"Also, I wanted to thank you for holding down the fort during all of this emotional stuff. I really appreciate it" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled. He motioned for her to come close to him. Gabriella held onto Troy's desk and pulled herself up. She walked over to Troy, who offered his lap to her. Gabriella carefully sat on Troy's lap.
"I don't know exactly what you are going through. But I want to learn, and I want to help in any way I can to make it easier on you" Troy said.
Gabriella wrapped her arms around Troy. Troy wrapped his arms around Gabriella.
"I love you Troy" Gabriella said.
Troy kissed Gabriella's cheek.
"I love you too. We will figure this out, okay? Don't worry" Troy said.
Gabriella rested her head on Troy's shoulder. Troy and Gabriella talked about how Troy could support Gabriella in what she was going through.