Chapter 19 – Summer Time Hussle

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022

Gabi's POV

I scrubbed my hands thoroughly as I was getting ready to be a tech for Dr. Bryson's ACL surgery for one of Troy's players. He was running, tripped, and it snapped in half. They were on the road and Troy called to tell me about it as Dr. Bryson sent me a text to be at the OR on Wednesday morning. My internship with Dr. Bryson was amazing. The first two weeks I was trained to be a surgical tech so that I was able to assist through his surgeries and have a front-row seat.

I only worked with him in the OR and I learned a ton – I worked with athletes on the regular and I enjoyed every aspect of it. I was able to shadow him through clinic and learn his techniques for testing for injuries and how to read MRI's and X-rays. It was literally a dream come true for me. It reaffirmed what I wanted to do with my life. Troy was thriving successfully with his new position and after the all-star break was going to slowly back away and try to do most of his job from the office and home.

He would still work late when the team played at home but we were falling into the same bed every night and that's what mattered the most to me. I walked into the OR as the nurse helped me gown up and pull my gloves on as I waited for Dr. Bryson. He was in his mid-forties and had stories to tell from his med-school days and residency that made me excited for what was to come. "Gabriella," Dr. Bryson said as he entered the OR.

"Dr. Bryson," I greeted in return. My smiled hidden by my mask as we both did a time-out with the patient and talked about what was going to be done. The OR was bustling with people but was slowly calming down. "Gabi, I heard you and Troy are making a trip to Chicago this weekend," Amy, the CRNA, said from behind the patient. "Yea! His best friend and my best friend are living up there. They are getting married this weekend. I am the matron of honor and I should have probably been there last weekend but…" I drug it out as Lauren promised that everything was being handled and that she understood.

I called countless times to make sure she didn't need anything from me or what I could do to help. I could call people and organize things from here. I was flying in late tomorrow night after my shift with Dr. Bryson. "Wait both of your best friends are getting married together?" Amy questioned, I smiled as I fell into line with Dr. Bryson. "Yup, I've known Lauren since I was three or something like that and Troy met Grey when he moved to Duke. We kinda pushed them together and I had been trying well before Troy came into the picture."

Dr. Bryson laughed, "Sounds like you're going to have a fun-filled weekend in good old Chi-Town," I smiled, "It will be fun. It'll be nice for Troy and I to get away for a few days."

"So, they are from here and getting married there?" Amy questioned and I nodded, "She's a teacher and couldn't get back here to plan a wedding. Grey is technically from Virginia and is an assistant athletic trainer for the Chicago Bears. They found a beautiful location in Chicago. Most families are excited to travel. Our friends are traveling. It just worked out in everybody's favor."

"Mrs. Bolton over here got married in Costa Rica from what I hear," Dr. Bryson said as we seamlessly worked through the surgery together. I handed him tools, he guided me, and I learned – a lot. "We did," I finished off. "We knew we wanted to get married quickly, all of our families were going to have to travel, so we picked somewhere warm and fun and had a blast together." A shared look went among the group while we worked on this poor man's shredded ACL.

"Mrs. Bryson and I got married in a little church on a hill with our closest family and friends. Neither of us regrets it to this day." I rolled my lips together and a smile hid behind my mask. A phone buzzed and the circulating nurse picked it up. "Gabi, it's Troy." I smiled as I twisted my head to look at her. "You can go ahead and open it. He knows not to send anything dirty." Jennifer laughed as she opened my phone up. "He said what time are you doing lunch today? He misses you." My cheeks flushed and I couldn't stop the smile as I continued to work with Dr. Bryson.

"We don't have another case until two. Take lunch with your husband. I might even call Mrs. Bryson to come up and eat." I winked over at Jennifer as she typed out what time we would be done. I couldn't help but be thankful that he was home this week. His transition to his new job was a little stressful at first. It was hard because he was doing two jobs at once until they were able to find an adequate replacement. Once they found one and trained – it got better. He was starting to not travel as much and it was nice.

I couldn't wait to cuddle up in bed with him more often.

We continued the surgery and didn't get too off track as we did the repair in timely fashion. Once Dr. Bryson and I were done, we both scrubbed out and talked about the procedure as he sat down to start his notes. My phone buzzed again and it was Troy saying he was downstairs in the cafeteria. I smiled as Dr. Bryson gave a grin, "Go young love bird, I'll see you after lunch for our last case. Then you are out of here." I frowned. "I'm demanding you take tomorrow off. You are working hard this summer and I may have put a call into your boyfriend to move up your flight to go be with your best friend for her wedding. It's just a clinic day tomorrow."

I couldn't stop my smile, "Thank you, Dr. Bryson." He winked and I stood up and went down the stairs. I stopped short to see him standing and talking to an athletic trainer. Troy laughed as he was wearing a Durham Bulls t-shirt with a pair of jeans. His hair was standing up as if he was running his hand through it continuously and I couldn't help but watch him with a smile on my face. I walked down into the main area and I saw his head start to turn as if he sensed me approaching.

His eyes turned and landed on me with a big smile on his face, he said something to the man next to him, and he met me in the middle. I grabbed him into a tight hug in the middle of the common area of the hospital as he lifted me off the ground. He squeezed tight and he buried his face into my hair. "Hi beautiful," he whispered into my ear. "Hi, I'm glad you called for lunch and also I have a bone to pick with you…"

"Oh yea?" he questioned with an eyebrow raise. "You moved my flight?" Troy let a small smile cross his lips, "Yea, when Dr. Bryson reaches out and tells me he is letting you off tomorrow. I'm making sure you are getting to Lauren ahead of time." I squeezed his hand as I led him to the cafeteria. He settled into a chair as I snuck a kiss as he pulled out a salad and a side of fries. "Oh God, you know me." Troy winked as he pulled out his own cheeseburger and French fries.

"I honestly didn't want to share." He teased and I couldn't stop my own laugh. "You don't want to share fries with me?" I questioned in shock and Troy sent me a look. "You eat them all."

"How was his surgery?" he questioned, "Good. It went smoothly. He's probably finally awake and not very happy." A chuckle escaped Troy's throat, "I remember waking up after my hand surgery. Hurt like a motherfucker." I smiled with a nod, "I remember."

Troy cringed and I smiled, "We were finally a couple during that time and I loved it. I loved sleeping over and staying close to you." I sighed on the thought of college together. "That was a fun year. I wasn't playing hard yet and you were – I'm glad I got that year to watch you play like I wanted too." Troy chuckled, "Do you want to go to the court tonight?" Troy questioned, "Before you leave tomorrow? I'll catch up with you Friday night." I pouted but Troy reached across and tapped my lips.

"Put those away."

I couldn't stop my laugh and Troy winked as we both ate our lunch together while we laughed and talked about life. "I'm sad we're not traveling together though." Troy chuckled, "I do enjoy traveling with you the most but we are flying home together."

"Good, that way I can sleep on your shoulder."

We both finished up our lunch and I happily walked over and slid into his lap. My arms wrapping around his neck and I buried my lips against his scruff on his face. "I love you," I whispered into his ear, "I'm glad you text to come have lunch." He slipped his hand into my hair and kissed me hard and fast but didn't put on a show. "You better get back to work. I have to get back to work. I'll see you tonight. We'll go to the court and fuck around for a bit before I take you to our bed and well…" I let my hand slip over his mouth and he chuckled from behind.

"I love you; I'll see you later."

I stood up and gave him one last hug and kiss before practically skipping back to the doctor's conference room.


Troy's POV

I checked the ball to her and she dribbled it a handful of times as she debated her next movement. I stayed low to the ground as I waited for her to make a step in a direction. Gabi took one step to the right and I took a step to the left as she tried to shoot around me but I jumped up and I grabbed the ball. She grunted as I never let her win and she never let me win. It was an actual competition between the two of us anymore. We kept a tally of who was winning and it was pretty even between each other.

She hated it.

I took the ball outside of the key as I waited for her to set up, "You know, if we went back to the very beginning, I schooled your ass every single time. My record is much higher and you are only winning now because I taught your all of my tricks to get Duke that championship." I stopped dribbling and balked with a laugh, "No, you didn't teach me everything." I directed towards her and she put her hands on her hips. "Troy Bolton, take it back."

Laughing I shook my head, "No. My momma taught me a lot, too. I won't deny that woman taught me everything about basketball but…" a laugh echoed from her mouth as she took a step forward. "I mean…I can't compete with your momma." I let a slow smile come over my lips as I held the basketball up and out of her reach. I didn't dare move my feet because she would call travel on me. I learned that trick a long time ago.

"Yea, my momma. I will not deny that you taught me a lot because you are one hell of a basketball player, Gabriella Bolton. You aren't getting this ball from me though." She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "Just because you are practically a foot taller than me doesn't mean you have to cheat."

I snorted, "Cheat? You cheat when you grab my dick."

She couldn't stop her giggle out of her mouth, "All is fair," I shook my head and threw up my hand, "Don't even finish that." She laughed again as she came closer to me and wrapped her arms around my waist. "I'm not moving my feet." She pouted, "Why not?" she questioned in response. "Because – that's too easy."

"Well I guess you've learned something on your own," she mused underneath of her breath. I laughed as I tossed the ball over her head, twisted around, and to grab it again as she laughed jumping onto my back. Her legs hooking around my waist and I dropped the ball to make sure she didn't fall off my back. "I see who the true winner is," she whispered into my ear, I laughed as I twisted her around to my front and she brushed her fingers through my hair.

"I did like the move though," Gabi told me and I chuckled, "I've been working on that one with Hanson." She tilted her head back in a laugh, "Trying out new tricks on your buddies before you execute them on me?" I blew out a breath, "Duh, I can't look like an idiot in front of you. If they don't work on Hanson, they clearly aren't going to work on you." She laughed while leaning forward to press her forehead against mine. "You're really, really cute."

My own smirk popped out and I couldn't stop lips as they found hers. "I don't think this basketball game has been decided yet. Was this a media timeout?" she questioned hopping off my body and quickly grabbing the basketball. I balked, "SEE! That's is cheating!" I chased after her as she squealed with laughter. I tried to reach for her but she slipped through my fingers causing her to bark out another laugh as my fingers skimmed her stomach.

I chased her around the court and I finally snagged her as my fingers gripped onto her hips and I tugged her back against my body. She squealed with surprise as I lowered my lips to her neck and laughed, "Evil," I whispered into her ear. She bent in half in my arms and I laughed as I pressed my lips to hers in a rough kiss causing her to laugh again. "I love playing basketball with you." I told her and she grinned, "I wonder why – it often ends a lot like this,"

I felt a smirk rise over my lips, "Grey and I did this a couple of times, too." I mused and she giggled while she tilted her head back to look at the stars starting to shine in the sky. Her breathing evened out and I couldn't stop staring at her. "I love you," I whispered nipping at her ear. "I love you, too." She said back as her eyes redirected towards me. "I can't wait for our weekend in Chicago. What are you going to do Sunday?"

We weren't flying back until Monday to allow us a few days of extra time together. It was sacred during this time of the year and we could both afford an extra day. "I think we just explore Chicago if I'm being honest. I don't want any plans. I just want you." I couldn't stop my slow smile as I kissed her hard and then soft, "C'mon, we need to get out of here before the police show up."


Saturday, June 25th, 2022

Gabi's POV

I pulled on the back of Lauren's dress to make sure it was fully extended and she gushed in the mirror, "If you would have told me 6 years ago that I was going to marry Grey I would have laughed my ass off." She mused and I couldn't stop my smile, "You can thank me later," I teased with a wink. Lauren eyed my navy-blue maid of honor dress with a satisfied smirk on her face. "Troy Bolton is going to rip that off of you later and you're going to have the cute freaking babies."

My cheeks flushed, "I've been thinking about those more and more recently." I mused and Lauren nearly pushed me over with her rapid turnaround to face me. "Seriously? You and Troy are talking about babies already? I didn't think you'd do it in the first year," she screeched and I couldn't stop my slow smile. "We haven't really talked about it. I need to decide the best time to have a baby and go from there but I'm thinking – next summer would be the best bet. I would be pregnant during my research year and then my fourth year is a lot of traveling to find the best residency program with a few different clinical rotations."

Lauren smirked, "Sounds like it might be a better time to have a baby." I shrugged with a smile on my face, "I think so, too. I'm just nervous. I'm scared that abortion is going to scar me or something. I don't know. I haven't even talked to Troy about it but I did make a tentative plan to get my IUD removed soon." She squealed with delight at my news and threw her arms around me in a tight hug. Her mom and bridesmaids were finishing getting ready in the room over giving us a moment to talk.

"Grey is going to drop dead himself," I told her as I fixed her dress after the long hug, "I think so myself. I bet him that he would cry and he said he wouldn't. I'll be ten bucks richer by the end of this ceremony." I couldn't stop my laugh as there was a swift knock at the door and I turned to see my handsome husband in a suit with the same color bowtie.

"Troy," I breathed out and his eyes surveyed the bottom of my dress all the way to the top before a little smirk planted on his lips as he was thinking all of the dirty thoughts in his head. "Aren't you stunning," he said as he walked across the room and pulled me into his grasp. He dropped a quick kiss to my lips and then turned to Lauren as he let out a low whistle. "Grey is going to die." Lauren couldn't stop the satisfied smile on her face. Troy leaned in and kissed her cheek, "You're stunning, Lauren."

"Thanks, Bolton, how is my groom?" she questioned with a bit of curiosity. We spent all of Thursday and Friday night together with little Grey involved. We had to finish all of the last-minute details and we spent all night last night setting up the venue and then doing the rehearsal dinner. They have not had a moment alone since I arrived and I felt bad about that. I knew how much I hated being separated from Troy before our wedding.

"He's getting anxious. I think he's ready to walk down the aisle and praying you don't change your mind." Lauren giggled, "I should to fuck with him," Troy barked out a laugh and couldn't stop the smirk on his face, "That would be fucking funny and I won't even discourage it unless you really are running away." Lauren snorted, "No, we are stuck together at this point." Lauren turned to survey herself in the mirror again and then her eyes went up to the clock in the corner.

"Almost time babe, I promise. Is there anything else we can help you with?" I questioned my husband and he sent me a smile, "No. I just missed you. Lauren stole you last night and I hate a cold bed." I rolled my eyes and Troy chuckled as he pulled me in for another quick kiss. "I promised Grey I would lay eyes on her so that his fear of her running away would go away." Lauren smiled and shook her head, she grabbed her cell phone and opened up Snapchat.

She found a filter that disguised her face pretty well and I couldn't stop my laugh as she recorded a video for Grey and then sent it off. Troy surveyed my dress again and then his eyes landed on the back, "You must know I have a thing for an opened back dress," he mused and I couldn't stop a laugh, "Everybody does. Everybody knows that you love touching my skin and you go crazy for an open-backed dress." Troy smirked, "Good. I'm glad it's known. That way I can always touch it."

I shook my head with a smile, "Go be with Grey, we have to finish getting everything ready." Troy nodded as he kissed my forehead, bid Lauren good luck, and escaped out of the room. "Your children are going to be freaking beautiful," Lauren sang from behind me and I shot her a look but I couldn't disagree. If they looked anything like their daddy, they were going to be heartbreakers.


Troy's POV

My eyes watched Grey hover at the alter with the nerves clear in his posture. I couldn't blame the man; I was the same exact way six months ago. How had it been six months since I married my girl? That alone didn't feel right. We were just waiting on the girls to show up to start the whole show and I couldn't wait to have my hands on my girl again.

She was stunning in that blue dress and I couldn't wait to rip it off of her – I also couldn't wait to ask about the conversation I walked in on initially. Kids. I didn't think she would want kids anytime soon. I figured after medical school and sometime later. I didn't have a timeline and I didn't care. Whenever she was ready and wanted to do this because it was going to be hard on her. She had a very demanding job and it was going to be hard on her.

So, I was a bit surprised to listen to the conversation but it made something in my belly stir with excitement thinking about having kids with her. Sooner than later. She was going to be a wonderful mom and I knew she was going to be a natural at it. I exhaled heavily as I spotted my mom, dad, and siblings in the groom's side of the church. Gabi's family was on the other side for Lauren and I smiled thinking about how they were just like this at our wedding.

My parents had grown to love Grey through our years at Duke and were so excited to see them get married. They were flying in for a quick in and out visit. We were set to all have breakfast tomorrow morning before they flew home. Gabi and I were going to spend the day around Chicago before flying home early Monday morning. "Hey hotshot," her arm wiggled into mine and I felt my entire body relax with her next to me.

"Hi beautiful," I dropped a kiss into her made-up hair and I hated how much it smelled of hairspray and product. I wanted my B's hair to smell like B again. Shower sex tonight it was. "Is she ready?" I questioned and Gabi grinned, "She is. I think she just wants to see him to feel better."

"He appreciated the Snapchat," I told her, Gabi's eyes were searching in the crowd before she stumbled on Audrey and Jake. She waved to them as they waved back to her with smiles on their faces. "I can't wait for breakfast with your family tomorrow. I feel like we haven't gotten to talk to them in some time. We should try to take a trip to Oregon in like October." She suggested with a shrug, "See if I can find a long weekend to sneak out of here."

A smile spread over my face as I nodded, "I think we'd all love that." I kissed her hair again as I shook my head, "you need to shower," she gasped and looked up at me, "No way! This took forever."

"Gabi, you stink. I want my girl and her natural smell back." Gabi let out a laugh and I smiled as we all fell into order and I turned to look at Lauren and her dad. "You are going to rock it. Make him cry his eyes out. I have 10 bucks on it," I told her and she tipped her head back in a laugh, "So do I," my own laugh filtered out of my mouth. "Oh, he will. He's such a sap." Gabi laughed next to me, "I believe you cried."

"Oh, and I admitted it before it ever happened. I told Grey I was going, too. He just rolled his eyes at me but that emotion is something else when you are standing there and seeing you for the very first time was something I could have never imagined." She leaned into my body as the songs began to play and the whole line went silent. The ring bear and flower girl were in front of us as each pair went down the aisle, then the kids, and then followed by the two of us.

When we broke off at the center of the aisle, I leaned over and pressed a kiss to her temple before I walked to my spot. I tapped my pocket to make sure both of the rings were securely in my possession. I exhaled as I looked at Grey shifting his weight from side to side as the doors opened and the music changed to reveal Lauren. Grey sucked in a gust of air and then his eyes filled with tears before she even stepped down the aisle.

He was too busy to notice though as he watched her walk down the aisle with a big smile on her face, her dad next to her, and her eyes focused on Grey. My eyes lingered towards Gabi who was watching Grey as well and I wondered what she was thinking. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions when I saw her for the first time and knowing that when the ceremony was over – she was going to be my wife. That feeling alone got me every single time.

The fact that we were husband and wife. My fingers rolled with my wedding ring and I smiled as I felt her eyes back on me. I winked as we both paid attention to the ceremony in front of us.


Gabi's POV

"Pay up," Troy edged up to Grey at the table causing Lauren to burst out into a fit of laughter. "I didn't cry!" he shot out and Lauren and Troy both laughed shaking their heads. "You are an idiot. You had tears streaming down your face during your vows. Lauren held it together better than you." Grey grumbled underneath of his breath as we had done most of the festivities tonight. We had given speeches, danced, ate cake, and celebrated Mr. and Mrs. Lewis.

"C'mon, baby, I thought it was adorable," Lauren encouraged and Grey grumbled again before digging his wallet out of his suit pants and pulling out two ten-dollar bills. He shoved one into Troy's hand and then stuffed the other down the middle of Lauren's dress. She giggled and took it out before pulling him back into a kiss. I shook my head as Troy held up his money and then stuffed it into his pocket. "Any big plans with that, Mr. Bolton?" I questioned

"Coffee tomorrow morning," he said with certainty. I shook my head with a smile on my face as a slow song switched on as the place was starting to empty but enough people still lingered to allow the music to continue. "C'mon, Mrs. Bolton," Troy said as he intertwined our fingers together with a smile on his face. He dragged me out to the dance floor and I couldn't stop the content smile as I cozied up to my husband and danced on the floor together.

We were both quiet for the first part of the song as he just held my back and I held onto him. His body warming mine as we both had plenty to drink tonight and both of us couldn't wait to strip from our dresses and take pleasure with each other. "I heard your conversation with Lauren earlier," I paused as I tried to think of what conversation that he might have heard between the two of us and I felt my breath stop and I almost stopped dancing but he continued on.

"No, don't panic. I don't care. I just – I need you to know I heard you. I don't want you to think I was eavesdropping or whatever but I just heard you talking and I waited a moment before I entered the room. You can talk to me whenever you are ready about this." He clarified and I didn't say anything for few beats as we swayed on the dance floor. "Do you?" I questioned and his eyes down at me with a flare of surprise on his face.

"Do I what?"

"Want kids sooner than later?" I questioned in response as Troy slowed our dancing down but we were still on the dance floor as other couples had joined. This moment felt so closed off though and quiet – as if we were the only two on the dance floor. "I mean it's whatever you want, B. If you want to wait until after med school then we wait until after med school. If you want to wait until after residency then that's okay too. We'll be older but…" I put my hand over his mouth to shut him up.

"Stop, I'm not waiting that long. My residency and fellowship are going to take forever. I want to finish my family before I'm done." I corrected him and that little smile pulled onto the corner of his mouth. "I was thinking that maybe next summer would be a good time to welcome a baby. I don't have a long, long summer but it's like eight weeks and if we timed it right – we could have eight weeks with our baby. My fourth year isn't going to be as crazy as this year or the next year but a little wild in it's our light."

The song stopped and Troy gently tugged me to a quiet, dark corner as he faced each other in the chairs. "I didn't expect to have this talk here." I said with a look at him and he gave me a small grin, "I didn't either. It was eating at me that I knew about the conversation and you didn't know I knew about the conversation. I just want you to know I support anything you decide." I gave a faint smile as I had a few other things but I didn't want to bring it up tonight. Tonight, was good, sacred and beautiful. Our best friends got married and we were able to do it with them.

"Let's start cleaning up so we can go back to the hotel – I think we should practice," I said with a wink in his direction and Troy paused as he searched my face for something. "What else?" he questioned and I held my breath because I hated that he knew me so well. I mean, I shouldn't be surprised anymore, the man could read what coffee I wanted by my mood, I shouldn't be surprised about any of his weird reading abilities.

"It's nothing that needs to be discussed tonight. Today has been good. I want today to finish well." Troy narrowed his eyes and reached forward to brush my hair away from my face. "I love you," he whispered to me. "I don't know what exactly you want to talk about but just know that I love you – no matter what." I swallowed back on the sudden rush of emotion and I reached up to kiss his hand. He pulled me into his grasp and he kissed my head again and grunted.

"Shower," he said

"Sex," I responded

"Shower sex," he clarified with a mischievous smile and I giggled into his chest. "I'm glad that your hair was more natural for our day."

"Anything for you," I whispered to him and that caused him a little laugh. "You do know me well."


Sunday, June 26th, 2022

Gabi's POV

I sat across from Audrey as we were writing on the placemats playing a game of tick tack toe while we waited for our breakfast to be served to us. Everybody was chatting and in a really good mood this morning. Troy and I were floating on a sex-filled night while his parents were just happy to be in the same room as us. "Any big plans for the rest of your summer, Gabi?" Audrey asked and I shook my head. "Nope. I am going to work a lot more and then go from there. I start school back up in early August."

Audrey smiled, "I think I want to be a doctor like you."

"It's a lot of work but you can do it."

She sent me a smile as we continued to play the game back and forth. "Is Troy being a good husband?" Jake asked from the spot next to his sister. "Yes, of course," I said as I looked over at him as he was tipping his coffee backward. "I would sure hope he is," Jessie said with a sharp look towards her oldest son. Troy acted offended, "excuse me, what have I done to deserve that? I treat her with the uttermost respect."

"Says the hickey on her collarbone!" Jake pipped; Troy hissed his disapproval as my hand automatically went up to rub it. "To be fair, I yelled at him for it," I said causing a smile to come across Sam's face. "I bet you did." Troy rolled his eyes while taking another drink of his coffee. "You see, this is why I keep all of your separate. You all gang up on me." Jessie sent her son a look again and Troy couldn't stop his laugh. "I love all of you together but man I get so bullied."

"Oh, you poor thing," I teased and Troy chuckled, "I can only imagine what will happen when we add kids to this mix. Imagine all of the attitudes that I will receive?" Sam barked a laugh, "Yea, buddy, good luck." His dad said with a pat on his shoulder. "Gabi when are you guys going to have kids?" Audrey asked, her eyes curious, I couldn't believe how much older she was compared to when I first met her. Starting high school and finding out who she is – even if we were playing tick-tack-toe in a diner together.

"Uh…I don't know. Troy and I haven't really talked about it." I said with a shrug of my shoulders. Audrey sighed, "Audrey," Jessie snapped, "That isn't any of our business," Troy sucked in a breath of air, "As if you didn't want to ask the same question," Jessie shot both of us a look. "I think it's smart to wait until you are ready. Gabi is in med school, Troy you just are now figuring out this promotion, and you haven't been married a year. There is no rush to the process." Jessie clarified.

"I'm sorry," Audrey said and I shook my head with a smile, "You were not the first person to ask me that this weekend. It's okay. We're not in a rush and we are going to try and figure out where in my schedule it allows best but…we are not in a rush." I felt Troy's eyes on me and I didn't dare turn to look at him because the thought of it being sooner than later was really hard to hide. I didn't want to stress about it and I didn't want our families to know. It wasn't their business in that aspect but the question was fair from them.

I loved Jessie and her response though because I am glad, she didn't feel the need for us to start popping out grandchildren, yet. We were still young. My biological clock wasn't ticking, yet. "Gabi, Troy mentioned that you are loving your internship with Dr. Bryson." I grinned, "Yes, I absolutely love it. It affirms absolutely everything I want to do. I will probably do an extra rotation in my fourth year but yes, this is what I want. I just hope I can stick to this path."

Troy grunted from the other end of the table, "What makes you think that you aren't going to do this?" he asked me, I shrugged, "I'm not the smartest and the most talented and I don't know…" I let my words drag off and Troy shook his head, his jaw ticked, "You are dedicated and hardworking and compassionate. You are going to make a fantastic surgeon and an incredible doctor. Don't doubt yourself, B."

Jessie and Sam shared a look with each other as I let my eyes linger on him for a beat and Audrey leaned over and punched his shoulder. "Be nice," Troy frowned, "That was nice,"

"You sound angry," she chastised causing a laugh to bubble from my throat, "No, he's right. I have to trust myself but the doubt likes to creep in." Troy pointed towards me, "See?" Jake chuckled, "I still can't believe that I will ever actually get married. It seems like too much." Troy laughed, "Oh just you wait for Jake, just you wait," Troy mumbled into his coffee. The waitress came over and gave him more while our breakfast was delivered. We all dove into our plates as the table quieted while we ate.

"Mom," Troy lifted his gaze to meet his mother, "I think we are going to try and find a weekend in October to come to see ya'll. We have to wait until her internship is done and my season is over but think we can make it happen?" Jessie tried to hide her big smile but she failed, "Of course, baby. You can just show up at my front door and we'll make it work. Always." Troy smiled and I felt a flutter in my belly of excitement that we would be going to Seaside soon.

I rolled my lips together as we ate, had the conversation, and caught up with his family. Jake and Audrey were in rare form and were causing a scene in the restaurant but we were all laughing and having a good time. Troy was relaxed as he looked at his siblings and he shot me a look. I knew that look – the look that this will be us one day. Having breakfast with our kids around the table. I got up as I went over and wrapped my arms around his neck. His hand reached up and gently squeezed, "You good?" he asked, I nodded, "Yea, I'm great."

"Smile," I looked up at Jessie who pointed her camera towards the two of us. Troy easily lifted a smile on his face and I followed suit as I stared at her. Troy squeezed my hand again as Jessie grinned, "You two are so adorable," she flashed the phone in our direction and we both smiled at the picture. "Will you send that to us?" Troy asked she nodded her head as Audrey came over and planted herself in her big brother's lap.

"Troy, I hate missing you." He let go of me and wrapped his arms around her. "I know squirt, we'll still facetime. Maybe when it's time for you to decide on the school we'll be settled in our new town if we move. You can come to us." Troy said with a wiggle of his eyebrows, "No," Jessie claimed, "You can't steal my children," Troy laughed, "C'mon, it would be easier on you to visit if there was two of us in one town. Jake chose Texas."

Jake shrugged as Jessie rolled her eyes, "I hate that all of you are leaving me." Sam squeezed her shoulder, "Luckily, we have the restaurant to keep us very, very busy and the new coffee shop," Troy grinned as he had been working with his dad a lot on the coffee shop expansion. They would talk for countless hours on the phone on the best way to do it. He was probably going to have to go help train employees eventually on how to make the best coffee and the best recipes.

"I'm glad we got this time," Audrey said and Troy agreed with a smile, "Me, too,"


Thursday, June 30th, 2022

Gabi's POV

I pulled my knees up to my chest as I tried to figure out this case. Dr. Bryson gave me a case and told me to plan out each and every single step to present to him tomorrow morning. It was an unusual case of an ankle and how to reconstruct it properly. I heard the door open and shut and I twisted my head around to see Troy coming into the kitchen. He dropped his backpack on the kitchen counter and my eyes drifted to see it was after eight already.

"Hey baby," I called and he walked over and slid his hand over my shoulder. "Hi baby girl," he kissed my head gently and peeked at what I was doing but quickly turned when he knew he couldn't understand it. I pushed the paper away as I was mostly done but I was caught up at the end. I would just ask him for clarification tomorrow. "Do you want a glass of wine?" Troy called. "Please," I said as I pushed off the chair and walked into the kitchen.

"How was work?" I asked him while I slid onto the barstool. "Good, I got a lot done during the game." I smiled as they played a late afternoon game. "I'm glad." He lifted those blue eyes to look at me. "How was Dr. Bryson today?" he questioned, "Great. We had a clinic today. Just seeing a lot of patients and learning how to do the proper protocol. I was able to watch a PRP injection." Troy lifted his eyebrows, "That's interesting."

He slid me the glass of wine and I took a healthy sip, "Can I ask you something?" Troy questioned, his eyes leveling me for a moment and I felt like I was going to need more wine. I just nodded my head and he sighed, his forearms braced against the counter and his eyes leveled with me. "The night of the wedding – when you said you didn't want to talk about it then – what was it?" I blinked once and then again before I picked up my wine glass and finished the rest of it.

Troy raised an eyebrow before picking up the bottle and filling it up again.

I took a deep breath and faced him, "What if the abortion caused me to not be able to have kids? Or God will punish me because I got rid of the baby we made together and we won't be able to have another one," I rambled for a moment and I saw the surprise on his face. "Gabi," he said softly, his voice quiet, I shook my head, "No. I am terrified that I won't be able to give you children because I was selfish. Because I chose my career, because I chose basketball over having our baby and it might be irrational and it might be stupid but I can't shake it." The fear bubbled up my throat and the tears started to pool in my eyes.

Troy moved around the counter and pushed the chair to face him, he slipped between my legs and his large hands framed my face. "Baby girl," his voice was so soft and his thumb stroked my face gently as his eyes watched my reaction. "You are an amazing human. You are not selfish for picking yourself first when you were not ready to become a mom. People go on and have kids all the time afterward and I know that this is going to be hard for you. I know the emotions it is going to stir up but…I want you to know that I love you, that I think we are going to have a wonderful, big family, and we are going to get through this together."

I closed my eyes and let my head hit his hard-solid chest, "I wish I could shake it and I wish it didn't scare me. You are going to be such a good dad and I want to give that to you. I don't want to have wasted my one opportunity and…" my sobs grew out of control as it started to get harder to breathe.

"B…shh…" he comforted me and I wrapped my arms around him tightly. He picked me up and carried me to the couch as we sat down together. I straddled his lap and my face hid in the side of his neck while his large hands roamed up and down my back. "I think your fears are valid but I don't think you should be panicking yet. We were not ready to become parents when you first got pregnant, baby. We had more things to do. I needed to have this promotion, you needed to go to med school, you are going to change lives one day and I think God will overlook that one thing when you are changing lives. You got that championship and you are half way done with school."

I swallowed on the lump in my throat as I pulled back to look at him, "We are going to be parents and you know what – even if it isn't by the normal way. We could adopt or we can foster or we can have our own via IVF or we can do it the natural way because we clearly know that works without birth control or we could not have a family at all. It doesn't matter to me. It never will. I just want you in my life, B. That is and always will be a constant in my life."

His words soothed me as I kissed him softly and then rested my head on his shoulder. "I didn't mean to do this. I just…I get scared thinking about getting pregnant. I think I am ready. I think I want to have a baby sooner rather than later. I think this is what I want but I am very, very nervous and scared."

Troy exhaled softly and kissed my temple, "I think those are very valid and real emotions, baby. Nothing to be scared of because we have each other and we will get through this together." I pulled back and I looked him in the eye. Those blue eyes were full of concern, "I think I want to wait another month or so because I want to make sure we are around May or later to have a baby." I told him. Troy let a tiny smile cross his lips.

"Yea?"

I nodded my head, "Are you ready?" I asked him and Troy laughed, "Yea, I am. I know it will be hard and it will be an adjustment and I know I will have to be a lot of the parent role but I want this. I want to see you hold a baby and be their mom. I want to watch them grow-up and aspire to be a kick-ass doctor like their mom, I want all of that. I want to teach them to play basketball and show them the court and where I fell in love with their mom."

I grinned and I planted a rough kiss on his lips. He gripped my hips to keep me right where he wanted me and he groaned as I brushed my tongue over his bottom lip. "Practice is good though," I encouraged him and he growled underneath of me before pressing me onto my back. The couch sucked me down as his body pressed me further into it. I couldn't catch my breath as he pulled off my t-shirt, discarded my bra, and threw my shorts to the side.

His tongue ravished against my body, "Hold still," he commanded and I cried out, "I can't," I whimpered out the words and Troy pinned my arms above my head while he wedged himself between my legs. I let him work my body up and down. I dug my heels into his backside and he lifted his head to look at me, "I just want you to know, I will practice with you all the fucking time. There is no stopping that because you are fucking beautiful, Gabi. You are my girl and I will do anything and everything I can for you. Okay? We are going to do this together and you can tell me anything and everything, okay?"

"Shut up and kiss me."


Monday, July 4th, 2022

Troy's POV

The fireworks light up the sky as I sat on the rail next to Trevor. We watched Clara and Wyatt stumble around the yard together and they giggled with each other in a cute little relationship they had already developed. "I'm surprised you were able to make it," Trevor said, I nodded with a smile, "Yea, we had a day game. It made it easier to get here for this part." I told him. I was still in my jeans and polo but I was here with family.

Gabi was laughing with her mom as she enjoyed a beer while her dad was talking with his assistant coaches. The house was full of people as this was the big party the Montez's hosted every single year. "How is work?" Trevor asked, "Great. We are doing well, PR is going well, I am loving the new gig and starting after the all-star break I am going to work from Durham full time. My travel will be limited so I am thrilled about that."

"I bet Gabi is excited." My eyes drifted to her again, her cut-off shorts that were a little too short along with her tank-top that pressed her breasts together. It caused me to shift uncomfortably as she always made things hard – literally. "Yea, she is going to work for another month with Dr. Bryson and take a week off before her third year starts. I can't believe she's already in her third year." I shook my head as Trevor took a deep breath.

"You ready to find another job?"

I grunted, "No. I am hoping I just have formed good connections to make the switch smoothly." Trevor chuckled, "I bet. I can't believe my baby sister is going to be a surgeon. She can tell all of her female athletes all of her stories." I smiled in agreement as Clara stumbled over to her dad and Trevor easily picked her up. She giggled as she rested her head onto his shoulder. "You getting tired baby girl?" he mused and she nodded her head while rubbing her eyes with a chubby hand.

I smiled at her as Clara smiled right back at me, "You two talked about one of these yet?" Trevor asked and I smiled with a tiny nod, "Yea, we're playing it by ear at this point. Whatever she feels ready for," Trevor smiled, "You two are going to make great parents. Just don't do anything my parents did, okay?" I chuckled as I looked over at Brooklyn and Eli. "They aren't awful. I mean, yes, they made some dumb choices but don't all parents?"

Trevor nodded, "Yea, I think we learn though." I agreed with him as I couldn't imagine doing any of the things they did to Gabi. An arm hooked around my waist and her head pressed into my back. I reached down to connect our fingers, "Hi sweet girl," I felt her smile as Trevor grinned at his sister. "Clara," Gabi greeted her and she reached for Gabi. Gabi happily took her and Clara nuzzled up into her chest. "My favorite spot, too, Clara,"

Gabi hit me with a look and Trevor couldn't contain his laugh, "Aren't you supposed to beat him up for a comment like that?" Gabi questioned her brother and he laughed, "No, you are married. Can't do anything now. If he was some random boy then yea, I would beat his ass." Gabi rolled her eyes as I shared a look with Trevor. "Look, we also became like best friends so I doubt he will hit me." Gabi laughed as Trevor narrowed his eyes. "Hurt her? Break her heart? Yea, our friendship ends but I will not hit you for comments that make me laugh."

I chuckled underneath my breath as Gabi shook her head, "I love you both dearly," she said dryly. Trevor and I laughed together as she walked over to take a seat. My eyes watched her comfort and rock Clara to sleep. "Mmm…yea, I can't wait for that someday."

Trevor smiled, "Yea, you'll make great parents."


Hey hey! I don't think I've gotten an update out to you this fast in…a long time. Ha! I don't think you'll have to wait long for the next one either! With COVID-19 everything of mine has been canceled and we're doing it all online so I have more time at home which gives a little bit more time to write! I'm kinda happy about that aspect…not happy that COVID-19 is taking over like it is. I hope everybody is staying safe and healthy!

Let me know what ya'll think! I can't wait for you to read what's coming next (some of you already see it coming but I didn't hide it that well either…hahaha)

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Next update: SOON! (less than 2 weeks)