Chapter 22 – 1 Year

Friday, December 9th, 2022

Gabi's POV

17 weeks pregnant

My eyes scanned my work again as I sighed trying to make any sense of the data I had collected already – trying to box it all together but it just wasn't all clicking yet. I sighed with frustration as I shuffled through another handful of papers when the chair moved next to me. I glanced up to see Cassie who pulled out some of her own work. "Hey," I said pulling out one of my Air Pods from my ear. She gave me a half-smile, "Hey, how is your work going?" she asked me with a glance at my papers everywhere.

I laughed, "Yea, I don't know. I think I need my data before I can do anything concrete with my research." Cassie sighed as we had all been working hard lately on our projects before our winter break that was only about two weeks long. I chose to forgo my break mostly because I wanted to be done two weeks earlier at the end of the semester so I didn't have to worry about anything when the baby came. I reached down and let my hand rub over my belly.

"How is yours going?" I asked her as I began to collect my papers, "Fine. I just don't know…I know everybody keeps saying there will be a moment it all just clicks together but fuck would I love for that moment to just hit me right about now." I couldn't stop my laugh as I put everything into my binder and slid it into my backpack that was sitting next to me. "How is that baby?" she asked and I glanced down at my little baby bump that was slowly pushing out to be noticeable.

"Good. I have my big appointment on the 19th to find out the gender. Troy and I are so excited." I said with a tiny smile, "It's all working out too because his family will be here for Christmas and the gender reveal. Our first anniversary is fast approaching and everything is just falling into place." Cassie smiled as the entire group were so excited for me when I finally told them I was pregnant around 13 weeks. We still hadn't made an official announcement to the world yet and nobody really knew except for the people we wanted to know. "Any inklings on the sex?" she asked me with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

I laughed, "No. I don't know. I don't have any dreams; I don't think our it's a boy or oh it's a girl but Troy…" I laughed shaking my head. "He is dead set that we are having a boy. He always will ask me how my little man is or call him a he and I just look at him." Cassie laughed and I smiled with a shake of my head, "He just says he knows and I'm like how? Isn't it supposed to be the mom who knows? But he just smirks, says something to the baby, and won't tell me why he thinks that." Cassie shook her head, "God, he's cute. Too bad you found him first." She said with a wink and I laughed. "We were made for each other."

Cassie gave me another smile as she started to focus on her work.

I stood up from my spot and I ran a hand down my belly as I smiled as the past several weeks had been going well. All of my appointments were going smoothly and nothing to be concerned about yet. Troy was excited about becoming a dad but I knew there were times it wasn't real to him. He would offer me a beer and then forget that I was pregnant. It had gotten better since I started to really show in the past two or three weeks. There were other times he loved to talk to my belly and he was whispering secrets that I didn't know but one day I would force out of him.

"Anything big tonight?" she asked me as I slipped my backpack over my shoulders. "Nope. I hope I am going to cuddle up on the couch with my husband. It's been a long week and momma is tired." She sent me a smile, "You are going to be a good momma," she told me and I shrugged, "I hope. I know I am going to be so busy over the next several years but it's terrifying." Cassie sent me a little smile, "Troy Bolton will make sure that baby has it's momma – even if he has to wait between surgeries." She said with a wink causing me to laugh.

"I bet. I'll see you later," I said and she waved good-bye as I walked outside and walked to my car. The winter wind whipped through Durham as I unlocked my car door and slid inside when my phone rang. Troy's handsome face appeared on the front and I smiled as I answered it, "Hi,"

"Hey, are you still at school?" he questioned, "I just got into my car and heading home. I'm sleepy. Can we get Chinese and watch a movie on the couch?" I asked him and he chuckled from the other end of the phone. "You did work a lot more this week. Yes, I can make that happen but for clarification, Chinese food and I watch a movie while you sleep in my lap…right? Or did I mess that up?" I rolled my eyes but laughed, "Yea, yea, if you ever thought that would change with pregnancy, I don't know who led you to believe that." Troy let a deep chuckle sound through my ear. "Couldn't dream it any other way."

I smiled, "I love you; I'll see you in a little bit."

"I love you, too."

I hung up the phone as I navigated my way back home to our little townhouse. I smiled as I rubbed my belly while sitting at a red light. I was excited to become a mom – I just hope I didn't regret my career path in the future. I wanted to be a mom and a surgeon. I exhaled on the worry as I tried to not think about it too much. We were going to make it work like we always made it work. I pulled into the driveway and waited for the garage to lift. Once I was inside, I shut the door and climbed out of the car with utter exhaustion into my bones.

I walked into the house as I dropped my backpack with no claims to go back to it tonight and walked upstairs to change into one of Troy's t-shirts. My eyes caught on my belly in the mirror as I smiled looking at it. It was a tiny little bump but it was getting bigger and bigger as our baby grew. I couldn't wait to find out the gender, tell our families, and finally nail down a name. Troy and I were between a few but I felt like there were some that were clear front runners.

Troy would only talk about boy names but I would throw out girl names to him and he'd just roll his eyes and go along with it. The man was 100% certain it was a little boy in there and we would know soon enough. I walked downstairs as the door to the garage opened and Troy stepped through on his phone but juggling bags of food. I walked over and grabbed one of the bags and he looked up at me with a smile growing over his face.

"Mom, we have plenty of room. You can all stay here." Troy said as I went over to grab paper plates out of the cabinet. His arm hooked around my body and his nose buried into my neck. "I swear mom," he mumbled and I couldn't stop my giggle as his hand stroked my belly once before disappearing to finish his conversation with his mom. I dumped my food onto a plate as Troy bid his mom his love before hanging up.

"Hi baby," he said kissing my cheek, "Hi,"

"No pants?" he asked with a raised eyebrow and I couldn't stop my laugh. "Pants aren't comfortable anymore." I pouted and Troy gave me a smile, "Then no pants unless you leave the house. That cute ass of yours is all mine." I laughed as I went over and I hugged him. My body fitting into his as he stopped what he was doing to receive it. "You okay?" he asked and I nodded, "I'm just tired." He planted a kiss on my head. "Go get comfy on the couch." He said and I nodded as I grabbed my plate of food while leaving him behind.

I settled in my spot to eat as Troy came in with my water, his water, and a plate of food. "Thank you," I said with a smile as I took my water from him. "What movie do you want to watch?" I asked him and he laughed, "Uh you can just turn on Friends for now, I'll pick something in a little bit." I nodded as I turned it on and put a bite of Orange Chicken in my mouth. "How was work?" I asked him and he sighed, "Busy but good. Trying to get everything packed and settled for next year."

"Are they going to be okay with you taking time off in May?" I asked with concern over how the transition was going to be. "Yes, of course." I poked at my rice as I thought about it. "Good, I'm glad. I hope everything works out on my end," the wariness set in and I took a deep breath. Troy reached over to my thigh, "It will, B. It will. It might be a little tricky but it will work itself out." He reminded me and I took another bite as I tried to repress the sudden surge of emotion.

My eyes were cast down as I heard Troy set his plate down and he reached for me. I willingly went and snuggled into his lap. "What if I'm a terrible mother because I am working too much," I whispered, "What if our baby hates me because I have a surgery or I miss a game or…" I worked myself up and Troy just kissed the top of my head and let me ramble for a few minutes while I panicked. "I don't think that will happen. I think our little man,"

"Or girl," I tried to interject and he hummed a laugh and shook his head, "Our little man is going to love you." He whispered, "He's going to think you have the coolest job in the world and we both at some point will miss a game or a concert or a something. It will happen and as long as you make an effort Gabs, he is going to love you. We will be a family. A good family and it might take planning, work, and a lot of cafeteria eating but we will do things together."

"I hate that I can't just trust that. I just feel like…I'm going to be such a big disappointment." Troy tilted my chin back to make me look at those blue eyes, "Who are you going to disappoint? Because it will never be me. It will never be our little man. Yea, will somebody out there judge you? Probably. They don't matter though, B. I matter. He matters. That's it." He dropped a kiss to my lips and I kissed him right back as his hands skimmed over my bare legs.

"I promise, baby, we are going to make it work." I just nodded knowing that Troy would never lie to me. "Okay,"

"Okay," he said back as he kissed me one more time. We both ate our food and we watched TV together but I slowly fell into his lap. His hands running through my hair as I couldn't even attempt to keep my eyes open.

Troy's POV

My fingers brushed through her hair as I watched a college basketball game that was on TV. I hated that she was feeling everything recently. I would have to say that was the worst part about her pregnancy was how hormonal she was – I wasn't complaining but man did it make it hard on me sometimes to make sure I didn't say the wrong thing. She needed love and support and her break downs about being a bad mom were often.

She was under a lot of pressure with everything at school and starting to look into programs that she wants to go interview at next year. I knew she wasn't going to be a bad mom and I knew because watching her - her hand was protectively on her belly and she other was resting on my thigh. She was going to do everything possible to be the best doctor and the best mom. It wasn't going to be easy but I was hoping that once she becomes a mom it will all work itself out.

I twisted my wedding ring around my finger as I couldn't believe we were coming up on a year already. The year had moved quickly and I wanted it to slow down. I wanted our life to slow down just a little bit. My phone buzzed on the table as I reached over for it to see Grey calling me. "Hey," I said quietly as my eyes watched her sleep making sure she didn't stir. "Hey, Gabi sleeping? That sounds like your Gabi is sleeping voice." I laughed and nodded, "Yea, she is."

"Damn, I was hoping I could share the news with the both of you." I smiled as I tugged my fingers back through her hair, "Sorry man, I'm not waking her up. That is a rule when they are pregnant. Don't you dare wake up a sleeping pregnant woman." Grey cracked up on the other end of the phone. "Yea, no, that sounds terrible. You need to write me a book mmkay?" I laughed and nodded, "I will. What's up though?"

"We're coming back to North Carolina," he basically squeaked and I grinned, "Seriously?"

"Yes, sir, I got a job with the Carolina Panthers starting in February. I will be an assistant athletic trainer and help with work-out plans and shit. Basically, the dream job after being the grunt at Chicago for the past two seasons." I couldn't stop my smile from growing. "That's freaking amazing, Grey. So you all moving to Charlotte?" I questioned and he laughed, "No. Lauren made me promise if I got the job, we could split the distance between Durham and Charlotte. It'll be about an hour's drive for each of us but that way Lauren is close to Gabi and the baby and her family and I'm only an hour from work."

I smirked, "Good. That makes it easier for all of us. Gabi will be excited. I'll let Lauren tell her." Grey laughed, "She will probably scream," I chuckled as I couldn't wait for Gabi's best friend and my best friend to be back in the state. "Lauren is very excited to come in for the gender reveal,"

I rolled my eyes, "I don't know why we are having one – I told Gabs it is a boy." A laugh bubbled from his throat, "You are so damn certain,"

"I'm right," I said and he laughed, "Whatever you say man, I don't remember it working quite like that." I couldn't stop my laugh this time as I did sound ridiculous but I was 100% sure it was a boy in there. Only a few more weeks and we would know. She isn't flying in until the 19th correct? I have big plans for the 17th and 18th,"

Grey groaned, "Yes, for crying out loud. I wouldn't even let her schedule her flight sooner. I thought she was going to lose it." I smirked, "Good. It's our one-year anniversary. I don't need any interruptions. We aren't doing the reveal till Wednesday anyways when my family is here. Gabi was pissed that Audrey couldn't get out of school sooner." Grey barked a laugh, "You guys aren't going to find out ahead of time?"

"No, Lauren won't let her. The only person who will know is the bakery."

"Oh fuck, she'll be clawing into that cake."

"Literally, I was surprised she didn't want to do something different but she just wanted plain and simple." Gabi stirred in my lap and her head lifted for a moment before nestling back in. "I'm going to take my beautiful girl to bed. I'll talk to you tomorrow,"

"Have fun with that, I'm going to go fuck my wife." I laughed as my head hit the back of the couch, "Advice for pregnancy – let her lead. A good amount of times she wants to but there are definitely nights she does not want to be touched."

Grey sighed, "Yea, I figured. That's why we're waiting a while."

I smiled, "Don't wait too long. Our little man is going to need a friend."

"Can we just stick to all boys? That way neither of us has to deal with a daughter? Could you imagine? A little Gabi and Lauren running around?" he shivered on the other end and I couldn't stop my laugh, "That sounds like a handful. Especially together."

"Exactly,"

"Grey," I heard Lauren from the other end and I smiled, "I'll talk to you tomorrow,"

I hung up the phone as I turned the TV off and I gently pulled her into my arms and started for the stairs. "Already?" she whispered rolling her head into my chest. I chuckled, "Yes, baby, you've been asleep for a little bit." She didn't say anything back and I kissed the top of her head. I easily pulled the blankets back and put her onto the bed. I tucked her in and I kissed her forehead, "I love you," I murmured against her ear. I let my hand slide onto her belly and kissed her belly.

"Night little man, can't wait to chase all your dreams together," I whispered quietly.

Friday, December 16th, 2022

18 weeks pregnant

Gabi's POV

I walked downstairs with my phone in one hand and my laptop balancing on my forearms. My glasses were falling down my face as I had been on the computer all day working on my research. I stepped into the living room and stopped short when I saw my husband standing there. My eyes glanced at the corner of my laptop to see that it was a little after three-way too soon for him to be home. "Hi?" he questioned and I looked at him confused.

"Hi?" I questioned back, "What are you doing home?" I asked putting down my laptop and phone. He smiled, "I am home because it's our anniversary weekend and we're going to go away for the weekend." I felt my eyes widen and I looked at him with surprise, "Seriously?" I questioned and he nodded his head up and down. "Seriously. Go pack a quick bag. We won't be leaving much so if you only want my t-shirts then so be it. Oh – but make sure you have one nice outfit and something to wear to the sonogram. We're going straight there on Monday."

I blinked my eyes, once, twice, and then a third time as his smile only grew. "Go," he said with a tiny shove and I laughed and smiled at him, "Are you serious? We're going away this weekend?" I questioned and he laughed, "Yes. It's just a drive so nothing fancy but we are going to spend the weekend together. Leave that laptop behind, too." I hesitated but then I closed my eyes and thought about it. I could spend a weekend away. It wasn't going to push me behind.

"Okay," I said and he walked over and framed my face in a kiss, "Good girl, now go pack,"

I started for the stairs and I turned back to look at him again and he just rolled his eyes with a smile on his face. I walked up the stairs and I quickly went in search of my bag. I tossed more of Troy's t-shirts than anything into it. I grabbed a nice dress that would flatter the bump and then leggings with a t-shirt for Monday. I could hardly contain my excitement as I tossed underwear, socks, shoes, toiletries, and my prenatal vitamins in the bag.

"Where is daddy taking us?" I whispered down to my belly as I grabbed Troy's present from the closet and stashed it into my bag. I turned to make sure I had everything when I grabbed my chargers for just my watch and phone. Troy appeared in the bedroom and leaned against the door jamb; he was in a pair of jeans with just a t-shirt causing my mouth to the water looking at him. "You about ready?" he asked and I nodded as I zipped up my bag. "I sure am." I walked over to him and let my hands slide up his chest and he smiled, "Not right now." I pouted, "You just surprised me and say not right now? How rude." He chuckled and kissed me lips in a deep kiss. "You know I would get dirty any time but we got to beat traffic, c'mon," he kissed me again before going around me to grab my bag.

"Sir, yes, sir." Troy just chuckled as he walked past me and I followed him. He stashed the bag in the car with a cooler in the back and his own bag. I didn't even bring my backpack – just my phone and I sat down in the passenger seat of Troy's car. I buckled my seat belt as he gave me his megawatt grin and plugged in his phone. He started his favorite playlist as he backed out of the driveway. "Where are we going?" I asked him and he rolled his eyes, "Like I would ever actually just tell you."

"Do you think it's weird that I can't feel the baby move?" I asked with a bit of worry building in my throat, Troy shot me a look and shook his head. "No. Didn't Viv tell you she didn't feel Wy move until she was closer to 20 weeks? I know you are approaching that but I wouldn't worry, baby." I sighed as Troy reached over and rubbed my leg with his large hands. "Lauren will be here Monday afternoon and my parents will be here Wednesday afternoon. They are taking off super early in Oregon though."

"I'm going to be so happy to have all of my people here. Lauren wants me to go look for houses with her on Thursday." A grin morphed over Troy's face, "That will be fun for the both of you. I am excited to have Grey back in North Carolina and somebody who can come over when I am gone at work this summer." His hand reached over and rubbed my belly for a moment before going back to my leg. To say Troy wasn't a little bit freaked out about the whole growing belly thing – would be an understatement but it was growing on him…slowly.

"Are we going back to the place you took me for Christmas?" I questioned and he laughed shaking his head, "No. We have been there together before though." I squinted and tried to figure it out but I wasn't sure. "Do you know how excited I am to have you for an entire weekend and not have to share you with anybody?" Troy questioned and I couldn't stop my smile. "Same, I mean, I have to share you with work."

Troy shot me a grin, "Well I mean somebody has got to pay for the house," I slapped his chest and he cackled with laughter on the other side. "Just wait – one day I will be your sugar momma," Troy smirked, "I can't wait. I'll take you for my baby momma for now though,"

I shook my head as Troy took an exit and I smirked as I looked over at him, "We're going to the beach house," Troy gave me a grin, "I asked your dad for the keys and made sure it had been cleaned since the basketball team had been there. He was very happy that I was getting you away and he promised the cleaning service went over it twice." I smirked wide, "That was where I started to fall in love with you." I murmured as I never went back after that year. Troy and I were dating and my dad always knew I went but he was never going to allow me to go while my boyfriend was there. We haven't been back together since then.

"Wow, good thinking husband," Troy laughed, "I knew we couldn't fly because of Christmas and everybody coming in and etc. but I wanted to go somewhere and that seemed like a logical choice."

"I love it," I said clasping my hand with his. He pulled my hand up for a kiss and I melted into him. Thankful, that he was here with me.

Sunday, December 18th, 2022

1st Anniversary

Troy's POV

I flipped the pancakes on the stove and I happily finished making her coffee and cut up some fruit as she was still passed out upstairs. I had big plans to take her out tonight for a big date to celebrate our first year of marriage. It wasn't nearly as hard as I expected it to be – it was busy and wild and chaotic but it was fun. Throw in a pregnancy and it was just about everything that could have been imagined. I smiled as I put the pancakes on a plate and prayed that she stayed asleep for a few more minutes.

My plan had worked pretty flawlessly this weekend. I dumped our phones for the most part and we spent time talking, playing games, watching TV, and messing around on the basketball court. I was more hesitant on the court because I didn't want to accidentally hurt her. She, of course, wanted to play balls to the wall the entire time. God, I loved her for it though. She was a match made for me and I was excited to spend our day together.

Going upstairs, I pushed open the door as the beach house was quite massive. It did hold an entire basketball team here every summer but we enjoyed it. I wanted to make this more of a tradition with the two of us. I already talked to Trevor and we were planning on bringing our girls and little ones here this summer for a family weekend. We would talk to Eli and Brooklyn and hopefully just spend time with her family.

Gabi was still curled up on her side all tucked up. I couldn't stop the slow smile as I walked over and gently kissed her on the forehead. I gently put down the food tray before climbing into bed to coax her awake. "Mmm…" she mumbled and I reached for her as I kissed her forehead, her nose, and then hovered over her lips. "Morning," she whispered and I smiled, "Happy anniversary, baby," her eyes sprung open and she grinned. "Happy anniversary."

I kissed her slowly as I let my fingers thread through her hair gently. "Mmm…yup, good morning," I whispered against her lips and she giggled as I rolled onto my side and sat up to grab breakfast. "Do I smell pancakes?" she whispered and I laughed, "You sure do," I put the plate between us and she grinned up at me. "Wow, this is quite amazing." I laughed as she took a bite of the pancake and moaned. Shaking my head, I smiled at her as I took my own bite as they were pretty damn good.

"Thank you, this is amazing," she said as she took a large sip of her coffee and downed an entire pancake with the fruit. We both polished off the plate as we laughed over memories from the past year. We talked about our wedding and how we both couldn't believe it had been a full year already. I moved the tray from between us and I pulled her into my grasps as I couldn't keep my hands off of her anymore. She was only wearing my t-shirt that she must have put on when she got up to go to the bathroom at some point last night because I know we both fell asleep naked.

I pushed up the t-shirt as I let my lips slowly trace over her skin and she giggled, "I figured after last night you wouldn't want to do this again," she teased and I smirked into her skin. "With you? Never. I want to do it over and over and over again." I told her as I tugged on her ear. "It's even better not having to worry about condoms or birth control or anything because well…" my hand slid over her belly as it took getting used to having sex with her knowing our child was in there. It was weird and kind of disturbing but after reassurance from Hanson – I knew I couldn't hold out on her knowing that a bigger hold out would come.

"Yea, that is nice," she twisted and I claimed her lips with mine. She tasted like the pancakes and fruit we just ate together and I needed to fuck her this morning so I could allow us to enjoy today. "Are you feeling okay?" I mumbled against her lips.

"Yea," she breathed and I put her down on the bed as she ditched my t-shirt and I threw off my shorts as I sat back and pulled her back into my lap. Our lips locked and I held her close to me while making sure she was ready for me. Her body rolled against mine and I growled against her lips as I tried to still her but she refused. Gabi's fingers tugged on my hair and I kissed her harder. A year ago, we were separated and getting dressed for our big day.

I would take this any day over that.

Waking up to her in my bed, laughing over breakfast, and then this? It's perfect. My hands crept up and I framed her fame and I pulled my lips apart from hers to brush against her skin. "Troy," she whimpered my name and I wanted to flip her onto her back but I knew she didn't like it and it wasn't comfortable for her. "I love you," she whispered quietly into my ear and I easily pulled her onto my dick and she gasped with the angle.

"You okay?" I asked her as I stilled and she nodded her head against my shoulder. "Yes, don't stop," her fingers gripped my arm probably near bruising it as she started to slowly move on me. "Fuck, baby," I ground my teeth together and I breathed out heavily because yea, this morning couldn't get much better.

I leaned over and grabbed the bag from the floor as Gabi was curled up on me, "Here," I said and she lifted her head up with that complete sated look on her face. "What is this?" she asked taking the bag, "Your first-anniversary present." She gave me a look and I smiled, "Open it," I nudged her and she sat up before opening the gift bag.

The nerves pooled in my stomach as she pulled out the tissue paper before pulling out the big binder. Her eyes flashed to mine before quickly opening it up to the letter on the front. Her breath hitched and she bit down on her lip before her lips slowly started to read it out loud.

B,

It's been one year since we said I Do and baby…I've loved every single minute since the moment we did. The moment you became my wife was the best day. The moment you claimed Mrs. Bolton. The day that we started our lives together for the very first time. Every moment since – I have been a lucky and so grateful for every single day. The love I have for you baby is so big. I am so happy that this year we've gotten promotions, passed tests, made new friends, and grown closer with our families. We've watched our best friends get married and we're getting closer to finding out our next steps. You've picked your path and finally, …you made me the happiest man alive knowing that I am going to be a dad this year. You're doing big things, B. I'm so thankful that I get to be by you every single step of the way. I love you, baby, I love you so much.

Troy

Her voice shook with the words and when she finished the tears were streaming down her face. She hiccupped and I reached for her and I gently pulled her into my lap as she kissed me. "I love you, baby," she whispered into my ear. "I love you, too." She flipped the first page and she couldn't stop a giggle from escaping her lips. "These are all of the pictures that I loved the most from the day after we got married to yesterday," I explained to her as the first one was her sleeping in the big bed in the hotel after we got married.

Our honeymoon pictures, coming back to her studying, my working, pictures of all of our adventures and hikes, beach days, Chicago, Oregon, studying, the picture of her gift telling me she was pregnant, a picture of her sleeping over and over again, and just pictures that I had randomly taken of her over the year. "Troy, I – I never see you take half of these." I chuckled and kissed her on the temple, "Because baby…I take them when you aren't paying attention. One because you are awful about letting me take your picture, two because those moments are the moments that I think how lucky I am to have you in my life." I let out a deep breath and smiled, "documenting your pregnancy this way has been fun,"

I showed her the pictures after she told me and how her belly has slowly grown over time, watching the circles under my eyes, the sleeping extra, and just so many different things that I noticed that maybe she didn't notice. "Troy, I just…I love it. I love it so much." She hugged the book to her chest and I kissed her hair again. "I love you and I can't wait to document this next year with our little man." She laughed and rolled her eyes but didn't say anything as she got up and went to her bag.

She grabbed a big package and she padded over to me and settled it into my lap, "Before you open that…I need you to know that I love my gift and would want absolutely nothing different from you." I arched an eyebrow in her direction before she nudged me to open the gift. I felt the confusion set in as I began to unravel the paper and my jaw hinged open before I realized why she said what she said.

She spent a fuck ton of money on this.

And I didn't.

But I knew nothing would get a reaction like the pictures of her and that was okay by me but looking at the brand-new camera sitting in my lap, I felt the well of emotion sting my throat. "Gabs," I breathed out as I looked at her and her cheeks were red, "I've been saving a while for it. I actually wanted to get it for you for our wedding. I couldn't get the one I wanted so I waited. I figured our first anniversary would be perfect and it's even better because we have a baby coming and I want you to take all of the pictures of our baby. I want more of these. I want one for me. One for the baby." She couldn't stop the tears and I eased the camera from my lap and I pulled her into my grasp.

"Always. I want all of the pictures of you, too." She sniffled, "I figured you were going to go all out as well so I was like well I might as well but I don't want a lavish gift. I absolutely love what you got me, T." she whispered and I kissed her lips and I tilted my forehead against hers. "I love you and I love the camera. You are going to have to be a model for me though," I told her and she giggled as I kissed her again. "I was thinking about a new camera anyways because of our little man,"

"Troy," she said with a laugh, "What are you going to do tomorrow when it's a girl?" she questioned and I smirked, "It's not." She didn't say anything but shake her head and I reached for her belly and kissed her neck at the same time. "This is always part of your Christmas present so…" I laughed, "I definitely got you something good for Christmas. It'll all even out baby…I love it. I love you. I love how much thought you put into it."

"I just know how much you love it."

"I do," I kissed her again and she smiled, "C'mon, I wanna go for a walk and maybe play some basketball." I just nodded as I squeezed her hand before we both rolled out of bed. I looked at the camera again as it was high quality, expensive, camera that she had bought. I couldn't wait to get it out of the box and I loved it. I love that she saved for it and wanted for us. It was going to make those yearly books all the more special.

Wednesday, December 21st, 2022

19 weeks

Gabi's POV

I nervously paced the house as I finished cleaning, I walked up and down to make sure everything was put away, and that all of the rooms were made up. Troy's family was going to be here any minute as Troy went to pick them up and the cake as my parents were coming over, Lauren was in town, and a few of our other friends were coming over for a dinner and to do our gender reveal. I couldn't wait for Christmas and I didn't want to wait for Christmas.

I wanted to know.

Now.

Our anatomy scan went really well on Monday as the technician spent an ample amount of time letting us see our baby and made sure we didn't see any parts that would identify the gender. The heartbeat was recorded on my phone for our families to hear and I loved it. I would play it just randomly to feel closer to our baby. My hand rounded over my stomach and I breathed out as I was nervous but excited to finally know. Troy kept just rolling his eye and calling our baby he but I wasn't sure.

"Gabs?" I went downstairs to see Lauren coming in with balloons and I laughed, "Hi," I said as I helped her through the door. "Okay, I got the balloons, I will take pictures for the both of you, your mom volunteered to do video, and then I have two different colored confetti since I knew you wanted to announce that you were pregnant soon on social media. God, all of the Troy and Gabi lovers are going to freak the fuck out." I couldn't stop my laugh as she smirked at me.

"Troy told me to just grab blue but…"

"The asshole thinks he is right. I will laugh in his face when it's a girl." Lauren laughed herself as I helped her settle. We were going to look at houses together tomorrow to help find her future home with Grey. I was thrilled she was moving closer to home and I couldn't wait to have her in my life. "We have so much to plan and we can have your baby shower during my spring break yes?" she questioned and I nodded my head as I helped set up the balloons around the house.

"Yes, we can." I told her as her spring break was early in March and I was more than willing to do it then. It would give me about two more months after that to prepare for our baby. I breathed a sigh as I fell back onto my butt and Lauren came over and rubbed my belly. "Anything yet?" she questioned, "I think so. I feel these little movements but nothing that Troy or anybody can feel. They said my placenta is more anterior causing me to not feel the baby's movements as well."

"Damn, I want to feel it kick." I smiled, "Maybe during my baby shower." I told her as I heard the garage door lift and I smiled as it didn't take long for 17-year-old Audrey to come barreling through the door. I laughed, "Hi Audge,"

"Oh my god, look at how big your belly is getting!" she cheered and I couldn't stop my laugh, "Audge, do not say that." Troy said as he followed in with his parents and Jake as they all had luggage in their hands. I hugged Audrey and then I was hugging Sam and Jessie before I elbowed Jake and he hugged me. "Hi everybody," I said, "How was the long flight?" I questioned as they had a non-stop flight today and I couldn't imagine how long that felt.

"It was good. We're all exhausted but very excited to find out if we're having a grandson or daughter," Jessie practically cheered and I couldn't stop my laugh, "We're excited, too. Troy? Did you get the cake?" I questioned as I bounced on the balls of my feet. He shook his head, "No, I was running late but your mom is picking it up. She sent me proof that she was on her way." I eyed him and he smiled, "Stop. I made sure it was handled."

"I wanna see it," I pouted and Troy laughed scooping me into a hug, "You'd probably cut into it before we can cook everybody dinner." I sighed as he was probably right. He released me as I helped and showed everybody to their rooms while Troy started dinner. We were just doing spaghetti as it was too cold to grill outside. Lauren was helping Troy in the kitchen put together a salad and get the bread situated.

"Knock, knock," my mom and dad came through the front door and I squealed at the box in her hands. My dad chuckled, "She hasn't been that excited to see us since she was about five." I frowned at his statement as I took the cake from her hands. "I tried to peek but nothing." My mom said in a pout as I took it into the kitchen. I began to unbox it next to the cake stand I had bought. I felt the tears well in my eyes looking at the cutest little cake. It was white all around with drips of pink and blue along the edges with gold dust sprinkled around the top. Oh, baby sign on the top was beautiful as I put it on the cake stand.

"B, you alright?" I looked up at Troy as his eyes were zeroed in on me and I wiped my tears and nodded, "Yea," I hiccupped and he dropped what he was doing and came over to cup my face. "What's wrong?" he asked and I laughed with a little shake of my head. "I'm just really excited to find out and I don't know. It's beautiful." Troy kissed the top of my head and stayed until I collected myself before he went back to making dinner.

Hanson, Quinn, Kate, and Cassie all showed up and I laughed as I hugged each of them while we all began to pile our plates full of food. I settled in next to my mom and Troy as Viv, Trevor, Wy, and Clara all showed up in the middle of the dinner. "Sorry we're late," Trevor said as he began to help Vivian plate all of the kid's food. It felt good to have everybody here under our roof. I looked over at Troy and he smiled with a wink as he reached over and squeezed my knee gently.

"Any predictions?" I asked as everybody smiled, "I think it's a girl," Quinn stated and Troy chuckled under his breath and I shot him a look, "You don't get to say anything." I told him and he smirked at me, "Okay,"

"Boy," Trevor said and my dad nodded, "I agree. I think it's a boy." Sam smirked, "My son says it's a boy so I am going to have to go with him on this one." I rolled my eyes at all of the males in the room, "I think boy," Lauren said with a turn of her head, "Seriously?" Vivian asked, "She screams girl right now. She is literally glowing with beauty." I felt my cheeks rush with heat and Troy turned to look at me, "That she isn't wrong about."

I rolled my eyes as I stuffed more pasta in my mouth. "I think boy, sorry sweet girl," my mom said and I laughed with a shake of my head. "No, it's okay. I don't know what it is and I am going to be thrilled either way. A baby is special but I am just excited to know. I can't wait to pick out a name, decorate its nursery, and finally be halfway done with my pregnancy." Everybody finished picking as it was mostly boy but a few more girls thrown into the mix.

We let everybody finish eating dinner as Troy passed out a few beers to everybody and he smiled, "Thank you all for coming. Lauren, if you want to facetime Grey, we are probably about ready. We're thankful you all wanted to be here to find out with us. I know how excited we both are to find out officially what we are having. I have been team boy since the moment she told me and even if it is a girl, I am so happy to become a dad in May."

Tears welled in my eyes and Troy smiled, "C'mon baby," he picked up my hand as everybody began to gather around in the kitchen. "Hey everybody!" Grey's voice echoed throughout the kitchen and I smiled up at Troy. He was in a pair of jeans with a grey t-shirt as I was in a dress that framed my bump as we had agreed to post an announcement that I was pregnant so we didn't have to censor our stories anymore on social media.

"You ready?" he murmured into my ear and I smiled with a nod, "Yea, let's find out," I whispered back and he captured my lips in a quick kiss before grabbing a knife. "Mom, are you recording?" I asked her and she nodded her head and I looked at all of our family and friends that were here with us today to just celebrate. I rubbed my belly thinking how lucky this little babe was going to be. "Alright," Troy handed me the knife and we both lined up on two different angles to make the first cut, "Ready?" I nodded as we both made the cut and the excitement and nerves pooled in my belly as once we hit the bottom Troy slid the spatula under the cake.

"You guys ready?" Troy asked as he let me handle the spatula and I couldn't stop the tears as everybody murmured their excitement and Troy kissed my head. "Whenever you are ready, B." I took in a deep breath and I felt my hands shake as I slowly began to lift the piece of cake and gasped with a laugh and I felt his smirk grow wide behind me as the blue of the cake came to everybody's vision, "It's a boy!" I said with a laugh and couldn't stop the tears as all of our family cheered and yelled with excitement. I plated the cake and Troy tilted my mouth back as we shared a kiss.

"Told ya," he whispered and I laughed as I couldn't believe that we were having a little boy. "How did you know?" I whispered back, he smiled as he pushed my hair away from my face, "Because – it's you. I know you. I have this weird sixth sense about you. It's like me knowing your coffee order and knowing your moods and…it's just another extension of you and everything about it screamed boy. I don't know, babe, it just was always right there in front of me." I couldn't stop the tears as I buried my face into his chest and he kissed the top of my head.

Lauren crashed into me with a hug as did everybody else. All of the excitement swimming around for the new baby born that was going to join our family in May. I couldn't wait for our little man to meet all of these people. Troy and I hugged our families, thanked our friends, and we talked to Grey for a moment before we had Lauren get a handful of pictures of us together celebrating the fact that we were having a baby boy.

"Gabi, you are going to be such an amazing mom," Lauren gushed as I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. She showed me pictures and after I found the one, I loved the most. I edited it and sent it to myself and found another for Troy to post.

The one I was going to post was against the wall with blue balloons around with the blue confetti at our feet. It was staged but the way Troy was looking at me with his big hand on my belly and my hand over the top of his…it was all so perfect. It was everything I wanted in a picture. Troy was the one of us holding the piece of blue cake as we smiled together. The tears were still evident on my face but I loved it even more because of it.

Our families mingled together as I sat with Troy on the couch, "You ready?" I questioned as we made sure all of the important people knew. "Yes," he said as I took to Instagram and added the picture.

Another Duke basketball legend in the making? Possibly. Baby Boy Bolton due May 2023.

I tagged Troy and I hit send as I looked at Troy's phone and capture.

Baby Boy Bolton hitting the basketball court in May 2023 – can't wait for this next adventure!

I smiled as I leaned over and I kissed him square on the mouth with a smile tugging on my mouth, "I can't wait to do this life with you." He smiled and kissed me harder, "I am loving every minute of it baby, I can't wait to meet him." We shared a big smile together and he kissed me one more time before hooking me into his lap and we sat around with our families, laughing, and enjoying each other company. Troy's hand slid onto my belly and I slid my hand over top. Yea, I couldn't wait.

Hey Guys! I hope you all loved the chapter! Baby Boy Bolton coming at you! I can't wait to share more with ya'll soon! This story is slowly wrapping up though. We have about five chapters left with this couple! I know how much you all love them but this is the end of their ride. I don't want to drag out their story to just do it. It will end nicely though. Promise! BUT you all have some voting to do! Three options will be left below and you guys let me know what you want to read next!

Coach

She just went through a major loss, her family is struggling, one sister is dead, one sister ran away, and she is the only one left to help sweep up all the pieces. After breaking off her engagement and becoming a mom to her sisters' kids to help her brother in law – she doesn't even recognize the life she is living anymore. Until she's sitting at her nephew's basketball game and her whole world is turned upside down when a scouting high school coach talks to her. Makes her laugh. Exchanges phone numbers. And is whisked into a romance she never saw coming. Yet, will it be able to last? All of the demands of her family, the sadness of losing her sisters, and the emotions of a whirlwind romance to a basketball coach. Will Troy Bolton be able to lock down the girl of his dreams and help her through the daunting thing called grief?

Nurse Montez

He broke her heart. He chopped it up and stomped on it and left her shattered when they graduated high school. They went their separate ways. He went to Alabama. She went to UNC. Yet, the moment she could get away from all of their memories she did. Landing a job at Boston Children's Hospital and it was safe from the memories, it was far away from him, it was the mental break she needed. Until it wasn't. Drafted by the Boston Loyalist to be their quarterback he returned to the same city she was in. She kept her distance until they were thrown into the same room. His blue eyes shocked. Her heart rocked. She couldn't say no to helping his daughter. That's how she found herself moving into a penthouse with her ex-boyfriend and his daughter…and wife.

Drunk Girl

Troy Bolton saw it happen to too many different girls. They got drunk. They didn't know what they were doing and were getting hurt by men who were taking advantage of them. He hated it so he tried to stop it. He would take them home, tuck them into a room, plug in their phone, leave a note with his name and number with Advil with a bottle of unopened water. He would lock the door and walk out to go sleep somewhere else. He did it to make sure none of those girls got hurt. He told them to call him again if they needed help. None of them did. Except for her. The one who rocked his world from the moment he rescued her. She was different. Her eyes held a story, her pleas for help, finally telling her that she mattered…he fell hard and fast for a girl could only destroy him in the end.

I hope you all are in love with one of them! They will all eventually be posted and debuted. Most of them have multiple chapters written and ready to roll. Maybe June we can debut? Please review and let me know which story tugs at your heartstrings the most to read! I love each of them in their own way!

Thank you for all of the love and support!

Please REVIEW! (PICK A STORY!)