Chapter 8 – The Girl

Monday, April 5th, 2021

Gabi's POV

I poured a cup of coffee in the kitchen as my eyes were glazed over and I was exhausted but I was going to push through this day and crash tonight. It was really good thing that I wasn't around much this weekend. Troy broke my heart in half the night we shaved Claire's hair off. The tears he shed, more than Eve, and how hard he loved his daughter – that was the love I was used to seeing from him. It showed me, honestly, that he didn't love Eve and I almost wanted to ask him the story. I almost wanted to ask what happened and how he got here because he was a man of love. I knew he was destined for great things and love all of the people in his life.

I felt his eyes on me while I shaved her head. When I gave her the doll? When I put her first scarf on her head. I felt his eyes on me and I felt what I never wanted to feel again. I felt the pull, the need to get closer, and I had to remind myself that he was married – no matter what I saw in their relationship. Eve was a really good mom with Claire but her love didn't run as deep. I wasn't sure what she was thinking the entire time but every tear she wiped away quickly. Troy let Claire know it was okay to be sad.

I tried to talk about the process as much as I could with her and she took it really, really well. I took a long sip of coffee when I heard a door open and shut. I looked up to see Eve walk into the kitchen, "Oh, you're awake. Did your shifts go okay?" she asked, she smiled over at me and she was a beautiful woman. Her blonde hair was pretty, her face was natural, and her eyes were bright green. I understood why Troy fell for her initially. She was a natural sort of beauty that made you look again.

"Yea, my shifts went really well. It was good to be back on the floor. I love doing this with Claire and getting to really know her but it was nice to reconnect with some of my other patients." I said with a shrug of shoulders. Eve smiled as she went to get a water out of the fridge. "It's amazing what you do. How do you do it?" I shrugged my shoulders at her question, a question I received a lot, but I never had a good enough answer for anybody.

"I just do. It was a calling from the beginning." Eve smiled down into her drink for a minute. "What was Troy like back in high school?" she questioned with a look. I felt my throat constrict and I breathed out deeply, "Uh…he was a football obsessed boy. He loved being with his family, loved being on the football field, and we volunteered all the time together and tried to make change in our community." Eve narrowed her eyes for a moment and she frowned, "When did you guys break-up?" she questioned and I hesitated, "June, right before he went to Alabama. He uh…" I paused because I didn't know how much I should or Troy wanted me to tell her.

"We ended a long time ago," I finished a tight smile on my face. "He seems to be a wonderful husband and father," I offered to her and she gave me a tight smile. The door to the apartment opened and Troy stepped through. His eyes bounced between the two of us and he released a heavy breath of air. "Hey, everything okay?" I nodded my head. "Yea, I am just trying to wake up." I offered. Lucas stepped in behind Troy and a little girl danced at his feet. "Daddy! Can I go find Claire?" Lucas smiled, "Yes, baby, go find her."

The little girl darted off towards Claire's bedroom and I smiled, "Hey Luke," he grinned, "My brother hasn't scared you away, yet. Good. I want to talk to you anyways," I felt my eyebrows dip as did Troy's eyebrows rose upwards. A tug on my arm caused me to follow him and Luke gave me his Bolton smile, "I need a favor and Troy will kick my ass for even asking because this isn't your job but I am in a severe bind and I need help as does Troy," I slowly nodded my head as I tried to follow.

"Troy needs to show up to a charity event tonight. He is reluctant to go because of Claire and because they don't have a new nanny yet and all of this other bullshit, he keeps spewing me. Eve needs to go with him because this is a domestic violence charity event – a united front will go a long way. I have a meeting tonight but Bethany wants to stay with Claire…" I started to connect all of the dots and I smiled, "You guys need a babysitter," I said.

Luke grinned, "You got it, I knew you were my favorite. Would you mind? They should both be going to bed by the time they are even leaving. I'll order dinner, I'll pay you a hundred bucks outside of your other salary, and I'm getting my dumb as fuck brother out of your hair for the night. Sounds like a dream…right?" I couldn't stop my laugh as I shook my head, "That was a lot of buttering up there, Luke. I would have just said yes if you asked. I have nothing else to do tonight."

Lucas grabbed me into a tight hug, "Oh good, thank god," Luke walked back out, "Eve, you have your dress?" Lucas asked as he pulled out his cell phone. Troy grunted, "Stop, we don't have a sitter." Troy said and Lucas shook his finger. "Wrong, she's right there. My treat." I looked up to meet Troy's eyes and his jaw shifted back and forth in annoyance. "Lucas, I told you, that isn't her job. Gabi is only here to provide direct," Troy continued to spill out his speech before I held my hand up.

"I have nothing else to do," I interrupted. "I am more than happy to allow you to be a normal human tonight. You allowed that from me this weekend. Go do what you have to do. I'll take care of both Claire and Bethany." I said with a look between the two brothers. Troy was still shooting daggers towards Lucas and it amazed me how similar they both looked. They were both 6'4, same chestnut hair, same blue eyes, and their body structures were similar.

Lucas had scruff on his face though and it aged him a bit. He was also not nearly as muscular or built as Troy. Granted, Troy worked out for a living but their differences were there. "You aren't paying. I'm paying and we're lumping in Claire. I am in dire need of a babysitter tonight and well so are you so a two for one." Lucas cheered while shooting me a wink. I laughed as I shook my head going to the fridge. I dug out a water bottle and turned back around to see Troy watching me again. His eyes hovering and when he noticed I was looking – he turned away. I swallowed on the lump in my throat as Eve was watching him.

"Just let me know when ya'll are ready for me. I'm going to catch up on some stuff." I offered as I walked away. "Thanks Gabs, I knew I loved you for a reason." Lucas yelled and I didn't respond. I wasn't trying to become between their families. It was obvious that he didn't have the same relationship with Eve that he had with me. I picked up my phone and called Wren. I missed her.

"Gabi! I miss the fuck out of you. Please come back to work." I laughed as I collapsed back onto my bed. "I know, I miss you, too. Maybe we can grab coffee tomorrow?" Wren giggled, "Yes, please, Brecken is out of town." I chewed on my fingernail. "Do you want to come over tonight?" I interjected. I kicked myself because I didn't ask Troy and Eve if that was okay but I did live here. I couldn't be sheltered off from my people. "Wait…seriously?" Wren asked, I could hear the excitement in her voice. I squeezed my eyes shut and I nodded, "Yea, I'm babysitting actually. His brother asked me to watch his daughter, Bethany, and Troy technically needed a babysitter for Claire but he refuses to ask."

Wren giggled, "I can come to Troy Bolton's penthouse?" I snorted, "Yea, you can. He won't be here though." Wren gave off a dreamy sigh, "It's okay. I just want to sniff his shirts because I bet, he smells delicious. You probably know. Does he smell good? I bet he smells fantastic." I felt my gut tighten as I didn't want her to do that. I didn't want to talk about his smell or let somebody smell him. I wanted to keep him to myself. Fuck. I had to stop thinking like this. He is a married man. He destroyed my heart. This is too risky because I loved his smell and sadly, he smelled the same as he did in high school. It was intoxicating. "Oh stop," Wren said in the phone. "I am not going to steal him. He's married and I think you're second in line."

I didn't say anything for a beat, "He stares at me a lot," I finally blurted, "Not in a creepy way but…" I paused for a minute trying to think of the correct words. It wasn't anything creepy by any means it's just…curiosity. He wanted to know the difference from when I was 17 to now. He wanted to know all of my secrets and if anything changed. That's what he wanted to know. "He's curious and the look in his eye…I want to ask him so many questions but I can't. I can't ask him questions or he'll break through my guard on my heart that I took forever to build."

"Then you keep tough, baby girl. You deserve better anyways. You are going to go so far in your life while he's stuck with what he has. Yea, he might be a professional athlete but that doesn't mean he has a rewarding life. You keep doing all of your big things and somebody perfect will come along." I smiled at Wren's little speech, "I'll bring wine for after the boogers go to bed." Wren said and I laughed, "Okay, I miss you."

"I miss you, too. Breck is going to be so jealous." I laughed and shook my head, "You're crazy." Wren did her evil laugh, "But you love me."

Troy's POV

The car had so much tension you could slice it with a knife. I wasn't sure why she was upset again but I had a sneaking suspicion that she was about to unload on it. I took a glance over as she was wearing a light pink maturity dress for our domestic abuse campaign. It was a big fundraiser and Lucas wasn't wrong that I needed to be here tonight with my wife. I just never wanted to put Gabi in an awkward position. She isn't our nanny – she is our healthcare provider for our daughter.

"So…when you showed up to Alabama and all of my friends said to steer far away from you because you were grieving this said girl during our sophomore year…" I tried to keep my face neutral to her questions but I felt the grimace come across my face. The fear of the next words that were going to come out of her mouth, "That wasn't Gabi, right? You had another girlfriend in college that broke your heart?" I looked at Eve and I felt the sigh tumble out of my throat. How do I do this gently? My silence for a beat too long gave her the answer, though.

"IT was her?" she demanded, I closed my eyes and nodded my head. "Yea, it was Gabi." I finally admitted, I bit down on my tongue as I tried to keep everything toned down to what she was about to take this too. "Seriously, Troy? You were destroyed by losing her. You barely spoke to me for the first six weeks that I tried to talk to you because you were heartbroken. You told me it was because you had to go separate ways because of school. You told me that this girl was the love of your life and you were going to marry her." Eve glared at me with her last words before emphasizing on them, "Marry, Troy, you planned on marrying her. You barely had those thoughts for me."

I flinched, she wasn't wrong, but because I was in a valuable spot back then and I wasn't shy about communicating how I felt. I was broken but not because of her – because of me. I was broken because I made the mistake to let her go without a conversation. I was broken because I wanted her back. I was broken because she was the love of my life and the girl I was supposed to marry. I exhaled heavily, "Yes, Gabi was that girl but here we are eight years later and I wouldn't change anything." I said softly. I prayed that this car would swallow me whole at this point.

Eve huffed in the seat next to me with her face twisted in annoyance. "Seriously, Troy? You let the woman you were supposed to marry back in our house?" she accused, her voice rising in dramatics and I shifted in my seat uncomfortable. "Eve, I'm married to you. Clearly, I wasn't supposed to marry her. I have you and Claire plus little man on the way. I have all of the things I need in my life and yea; I was heartbroken in college. I lost her but it was my fault. I let her go. We shared something intense in high school but it's passed. We're older and moved on."

Eve laughed, "So that's why you are constantly watching her?" I pulled up to the venue and I parked the car. I waited a beat as I tried to gain my composure to do this with her. I didn't want to fight before going into the fundraiser. I didn't want to do this when I had no fight left in me. I twisted in my seat and I faced her, "Eve, we can't be fighting when we go in there. I know it's literally all we do anymore but listen to me say that Gabi wants nothing to do with me. If you thought I was broken hearted? I could only imagine her because I blind-sided her. She didn't know I was going to Alabama until the day before I left. I hurt her. She isn't coming back to me and we have both moved on."

"Has she though?" Eve asked while inspecting her nails. I bit down on my lip as I stared at her for a few seconds and I slowly nodded my head, "Yea, she's dating, isn't she? She doesn't look at me. She doesn't care what I do – I don't know why this is all of a sudden, an issue for you. I told you up front that she was my last girlfriend."

"The girlfriend you bought an entire nursing home for?" I felt my face pale and the blood drain all the way to my feet. My mouth became paper dry as I looked at her, I tried to form words but I couldn't. I was trying to figure out how she knew about that. Nobody knew that except a hand full of people. The panic swirled in my belly as I never wanted Gabi to find out because I bought it two years ago with my signing bonus. It was the first thing I did and that would mean that I haven't stopped thinking about her – because I haven't but nobody needed to know that. "How do you know about that?" I finally questioned, my voice was soft and not accusing because I didn't want her to think I was mad at her for knowing. "The day we went there to volunteer for a while to get some good pictures I overheard a conversation that you were having with the owner and you gave them complete control over the building – you wanted to be a silent owner but then the nurses were gushing because you bought it for a girlfriend who loved to volunteer there. That you wanted to protect the place that you both volunteered at together. Yet, the story I received was that your grandparents went there and that's why we were there."

"They did," I interjected and Eve shot me a look, "It was her. You volunteered there with her all the time. You bought it because you couldn't see it go under. You did all of that because you still loved her even though we had a kid and were married." I swallowed hard on the bile rising in my throat because she wasn't wrong and I couldn't fight my way out of this one. My eyes connected with Eve and I tried to find something, some emotion, to help convey that we were okay and that I loved her but I truly couldn't.

I didn't love her – not like I loved Gabi then. It wasn't even close to comparing.

I love her because she's the mother of my child. I love her because she's carrying my next child. I love her because she does a lot of ground work for my charities. I don't love her to the point of wanting to fuck her into oblivion because of this need to possess her and be inside of her and want to feel closer to her. I don't love her with the all-consuming butterfly type of love that made my stomach act as if it was 12 again. I didn't love her for the soft smiles or the twinkling eyes or just the bat of the eyelashes when she wanted something.

"Eve," I whispered quietly and she swallowed and turned her head away from mine. Her eyes looking out the window as I think we both came to a similar conclusion. "No," she grounded out with a shake of her head, "No. If we're going to separate it's going to be after she's out of our lives again. It's going to be when Claire is cancer free. It's going to be not right now. I know we've had issues a lot longer than her being around but it's her bringing it up to you. It's her showing you that you're missing out on something and we have that something, Troy. We did." She corrected again.

I didn't say anything as I turned my car off and I breathed out. The building standing in front of us. "Okay," I agreed. "We'll wait and see how this year goes and we'll talk about it later but Eve…" I looked at her with her full pregnancy cheeks, her round belly, and long legs that were waxed perfectly. "I do love you and I don't want you thinking that I am sneaking around with her because I'm not. You can ask her. She doesn't want anything to do with me so…maybe I am realizing that we're missing something but it doesn't mean that I'm going to find it with her."

Eve swallowed hard and she turned to look at me with tears in her eyes, "Okay, now, we have to go in there after this conversation. How do you expect me to do this?" I squeezed my eyes closed and I breathed, "We're going to do it, Eve. This isn't the first time we've made a public appearance after a fight." I pushed open my car door and got out waiting for her to gather herself. Once she came around to the front, I locked the car, and we walked in with her arm looped through mine. I kissed the top of her head and breathed – praying we made it through this night.

Saturday, November 16th, 2013

Gabi's POV

Troy and I held hands on the sand dune as we again spent a lot of this week apart. He was busy getting ready for the championship game next week in Charlotte next weekend. Next week was going to be another busy week for him and I couldn't wait for it all to just slow down. I rolled into him and he grunted with the added pressure but I heard the laugh underneath. I smiled, "I'm glad we are doing this tonight. I miss you." I murmured. We were laying underneath the stars in our little spot in the dunes.

Troy let out a laugh as he pulled me closer to him, "I miss you, too. Thank you for keeping up with my crazy schedule. I promise, it will all eventually die down." He stroked my cheek and I leaned into his touch. The warm butterflies in my tummy erupted and my need to be closer to him got worse. I leaned up and I kissed his jaw before working my way to his lips. My skin vibrated with energy and the need to just touch him everywhere.

"I have the craziest feelings for you," I whispered and Troy's blue eyes looked around for a moment and then settled on me. "Yea? What kind of crazy?" he asked me. I blinked and sat up afraid of this conversation. I didn't want to scare him away. I didn't want him to think that I was crazy but I felt a little crazy when I was with him. I had this sheer need to be close and touch him. I had this need to talk to him daily. I had this desire and pull. The feeling of walking away and feeling empty inside because he wasn't standing right next to me. This hole developed until we were next to each other, again.

"El?" his voice was soft as she sat up next to me. I felt the fear deep in my bones as I blinked back tears, "I don't want you to think I'm crazy," I whispered and Troy let a tiny smile slip onto his face, "I already think you are a little crazy." He whispered and I couldn't stop my laugh, "Troy, the feelings that I have for you run so deep. The run straight into my bones and when you aren't around me it aches. When we have to go separate ways, my soul is looking for you. This void that I can't fill unless I'm with you. Nothing is aligned until we are together again, my heart gets fast and rapid with just a look from you, and my hands are always so clammy I just…I look at you and I know you are it for me. You are the one person who my soul has been looking for."

Troy's eyes watched my face as I turned my head away with my cheeks turning red, "And I know we're only sixteen and seventeen but…" I breathed out heavily as Troy gently moved my jaw to face him. My tears were shining in my eyes, my cheeks red with embarrassment, and the nerves riddled my body. "You are the first person I think of every single morning and the last person I think of every single night. When I'm on the football field – I'm nervous for the very first time because I want to do well for you. I look for you. I constantly want to be closer to you. You filled a void in my life I didn't realize I had until you walked into it. The first day I saw you? You spoke to me before your mouth even opened."

I blinked away the tears but a few slipped, his fingers gently wiped them away, "And just the thought of losing you? Not, having you? Not calling you mine? It freaks me out. It scares me. It makes football feel irrelevant compared to this…whatever this is or will end up being…I know you have to be in my future. We're meant to be together and I know we're young but…I don't think it matters. I think we were lucky. You're the girl." His fingers stroked my face and I was full of emotion from his words.

"And I think the best way to sum up all of those words?" Troy whispered, "Is that am in love with you. I love your smile, your laugh, I love how you learned football because I played, I love that you come hang out with my family and treat Gianna as a sister. I love that in just three months you wormed your way into my heart and have a death grip on it. I don't want anybody else to have it. I love you, El." I choked back the sobs as I buried my face into his neck.

"I love you, too." I whispered into his ear. "I love you so much," I gripped his hair and I pulled back as I let our lips lock together. The kiss advanced quickly and fast as I rolled my hips against his hips. His groan vibrated the entire area around us and I wanted too so badly. I wanted connect with him on that level but in the sand on the beach? It sounds like sand in places I don't want it. Troy's hands went up the back of my shirt and squeezed me gently.

"I want too," I murmured against his lips, he pulled back and his eyes hovered over me. Those blue eyes watching me carefully and he breathed out, "But not in the sand." I admitted to him and he nodded slowly. He rolled his lips together as he thought about it for a moment and he breathed out, "Listen all the way through, okay?" I nodded my head as he stroked my hair, "We're not going to go all the way tonight, yes, I want too, badly, but I agree. This spot right here isn't it. My parents are going out of town soon. I'm not going and my aunt is staying with us. She's a nurse – we'll work around her schedule." I felt a smile tilt on my lips and Troy claimed my lips again.

"But right here? I'm going to take care of you. I want to take care of you." He whispered and I felt my body still as I slowly nodded my head. Troy groaned at my response as his lips clashed with mine, the nip and poke against my lips. His tongue going soft and slow and then faster and rushed. I couldn't breathe with the excitement in my body. The wetness in my jeans was hard to ignore as he easily undid the button on my jeans and slipped his hand inside. Troy gently rolled me onto my back on the blanket as he kissed me harder. The slip of his finger, the delicate touch, and I already felt my hips rising. Troy groaned when his finger slipped inside of me.

"El, El," he shook his head and kissed down my neck. "You are so wet for me," he literally groaned the words as he slid his finger in and out and then he added a second causing a gasp to leave my lips. I couldn't breathe as the pleasure and the pain mixed together causing such bliss. My fingers found his hair as Troy slowed down before going for it. I gasped and gripped his hair tighter as his thumb rubbed back and forth. Fast and slow, slow then fast before my legs were shaking underneath of me. The spasms taking over my entire body as it came on fast and quick and I barely knew what I felt. Troy kissed me while removing his hand and he slowly moved up my body.

"Are you okay?" he questioned and I nodded my head, "That was amazing," I whispered, Troy smiled softly while kissing the side of my head. "I love you, El," I smiled at the words and I kissed him quickly back, "I love you, too."

Gabi's POV

Wren and I laughed over a glass of wine together as the girls went to bed easily and now, we were both just catching up. I gave her a quick tour of the apartment and she was in awh – just like I was. We then settled into the couch with a glass of wine. Troy was happy that I was inviting somebody over to come hang out and when he left, he bid me a good time with a bottle of wine. I rubbed my lips together as I tucked my legs underneath of me.

"I broke it off with Jace," I said, Wren glanced up at me with zero surprise on her face, "That took longer than I figured it would." I rolled my eyes and I took a long gulp of my wine. "It wasn't fair. It isn't fair to me or to him." I said with a tiny shrug, "I know what that deep gritty love feels like and that doesn't come close to anything I was feeling with Jace. He made me happy but…that was about it. He didn't get me excited; I wasn't counting down the minutes to be with him, I didn't care to go days between seeing him. My work is too important right now and I just…I have to be ready."

Wren gave me a tiny look and she slowly nodded her head, "Will you tell me more about your relationship with Troy?" she questioned, I hesitated for a moment because I didn't want to drag up all of the feelings but the moment, I stepped within fifteen feet of him all of those feelings came rushing back. All of those memories and little moments…they were present and a force to be reckoned with. I rubbed my lips together as I thought about it for a few beats and nodded slowly, "We started dating when I was sixteen all the way till June after we graduated. We fell in love. I never watched a snap of football until I met him and I quickly fell head over heels in love with him and the game."

I smiled thinking back to all of our dates in his truck while he shoved down food and answered all of my questions – followed by the making out before he would take me home. "If I had a question after the game I would sit in his truck and he would explain everything to me. By the end of his junior season, I was following along just fine. I would watch film with him and he would point out different things then too. I'd watch NFL RedZone at his house on Sunday's and he would explain all the different things. It was what our dating surrounded and I loved it. I loved watching him do everything he loved." I smiled just thinking about cuddling on his basement couch while the Panthers played.

"When we weren't watching football, we were volunteering everywhere together or finding new things to do together. We would go to the beach and try all the beach activities in the summer and we'd go hiking on the weekends in different mountains – God, we had such a whirlwind romance. We did almost everything together. The only regret I had with that was that I lost my two good friends because I became absorbed into his circle. I became friends with the other girlfriends and his friends."

Wren gave me an encouraging smile as I tried to push away the memories of the last time we went to the dunes and just sat. The mere thought caused panic to swell in my chest. "He seemed like he was crazy about you," I gave a tiny smile, "He was. He made sure that I was always taken care of and when I lost my virginity to him…God, I never knew he could be so gentle and caring but in that moment. The hard part was that it was his virginity, too. Yet, he cared more about me. He only wanted to make sure I was okay. Most 17-year-olds don't give two shits."

Wren's mouth dropped open, "Wait, you took Troy Bolton's virginity?" I laughed with a nod, "Yea, it was surprising to me as well. He didn't want it to be meaningless." Wren laughed and shook his head with a big smile on her face. "I wish I could have seen it. Not the virgin sex. The relationship." I laughed and cracked a smiled rubbing my fingers over the rim of my wine glass. "I wish it was still a thing. I could only imagine what we would be with eight extra years underneath of our belt."

"I wouldn't have met you then and you wouldn't be a nurse and…" she paused, "I can't get over the fact that I might not have met you. No, thank you." I smiled with a shake of my head. "Wren, we would have met eventually. He came to Boston." We both shared a smile as Wren threw her arms around my neck. The front door swung open and Lucas stepped through the door on the phone. He rolled his eyes but when we made eye contact, he grinned.

"Who is that?" Wren whispered into my ear. "Lucas, his brother." She grunted, "I wish I wasn't married." She whispered and I laughed as I stood up. I pulled up my leggings and my t-shirt were all bunched up. I pulled that down while I walked over to refill my wine glass. "Look, Ryan, I understand you want a better contract but…" he didn't let his sentence finish off. "Sign the short deal, get your stats up, and I'll work you a much better deal. You're still young." I smiled sharing a look over my shoulder with Wren who followed me.

"I'll see if I can squeeze a couple more out," Lucas planted his elbows on the counter and rubbed his nose. "Ryan, I have to pick up my daughter. I'll call you tomorrow. Okay?" the other end was quiet for a few moments before Lucas nodded and hung up. He grunted, "Athletes," he grumbled underneath of his breath. I laughed, "Your brother is one of the best," I reminded him.

"Yea, and a fuck ton easier to work with." His fingers roped through his hair while his eyes turned in my direction. "How was Beth?" he asked pushing off his hands and staring at me. Those blue eyes were just like his brothers but they held me differently – brotherly. "Good. They both fell asleep right after Troy left." Lucas smiled before his eyes focused over my shoulder. A bright smile light his face. "Who do we have the pleasure of meeting?"

"This is my best friend, Wren. Wren, this is Troy's brother, Lucas." Wren grinned, "If I wasn't married, I would be interested," a laugh echoed out of Lucas's mouth, "Damn, Gabs, you always know how to find the spitfires." I rolled my eyes and he smirked, "Wren, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am going to pick up Bethany and get out of here before Troy gets home. Sounds like they fought all night and I don't want him blaming me for making both of them go." I winced, "Do they always fight?" I questioned after a beat. Lucas paused and he debated what should come out of his mouth next before slowly nodding.

"Yea, basically since the beginning. They were mostly this on again off again in college until well…she was knocked up. He did the right thing." Lucas shrugged his shoulders and I didn't say anything as my belly burned with the stress. "Gabs, if I'm going to be honest…he never got over you. He can't love anybody else again." I shook my head back and forth, "Stop, Luke, he ended it." I reminded him. Lucas shrugged, "I know. I didn't say he was smart. I'm just being honest."

I turned my head away from him as I felt Wren looking at me, Lucas went down the hallway to get Bethany as I chugged the wine from the bottle. Wren crackled behind me. "Stop," I murmured, "He is still married. I don't care. I can never trust him again anyways." I rubbed my lips together when Lucas came down the hallway. "Have fun, Gabs. Claire Bear is still asleep." I smiled thankful and he walked out the door.

"I wish people wouldn't do that." I whispered quietly. "I don't want to know his past. I don't want to know that he struggles. It was his fault that we aren't together right now. I didn't do anything." Wren squeezed my shoulder. "I think they just see it and are just being honest. I don't think anybody is blaming you." I smiled at Wren when the front door swung open again. Eve stormed through the front and went straight to the bedroom in her fast waddle.

Troy walked in the door behind her with a strained look on his face, those blue eyes gray and cloudy, and he watched his wife disappear into their bedroom. He yanked off his tie and he finally looked up to witness Wren and I staring at him. Wren's eyes were about four times the size and her jaw were near the ground but I just gave him the look of…pity. He wasn't happy and I hated seeing it. I hated seeing how unhappy he was. My gut burned watching him, tears burned my eyes, and I just…I turned away.

"Gabi, hi," Troy ran his fingers through his hair and I turned to look at Wren. "Troy, this is my best friend Wren. Wren, this is Troy Bolton even though he doesn't really need an introduction." Troy pulled on his infamous smile but I saw the edges turn down, I saw how he tried to pull it higher. I saw it.

"Wren, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm glad you could come over tonight and hang with Gabi." Wren laughed nervously as she shook his hand. "Thank you for allowing me to come over. I know how big privacy probably is for you." Wren stumbled over her words and I couldn't help but laugh. Troy shared a look with me and he smiled softly, "It's okay. I'd rather E…" he stopped biting down on his lip. "Gabi, I'd rather Gabi feel at home." Troy gave a comforting smile, "I am going to go to bed though. I am exhausted. It was a long night."

"Good night, Troy." I offered, "Claire went to sleep right after you left by the way. Her baby monitor is on the table." Troy nodded before walking off into the living room to grab it. His strides long and powerful, his suit pants snug on his waist and he dropped his jacket on the chair before swiping up the baby monitor. He took a big deep breath before walking into the room. I swallowed watching him and Wren turned to look at me. "Holy shit," she squealed and I laughed quietly.

"That's not normal Troy, you'll have to catch him on another night. It looks like his night didn't go well." Wren looked over her shoulder and then back to me with confusion. "How do you know that?" I looked down, finished off my wine, and put the glass in the sink. "I just know." I said with a shrug. Wren let out a loud laugh, "Oh God, you are in trouble."

Friday, April 9th, 2021

Gabi's POV

I heard Claire's wail in the dead of my sleep. My eyes flew open and I waited for a beat. It wasn't her normal cry though. She sounded like she was in pain. I quickly got up and out of bed as I pulled on a sweatshirt over my tank-top. I yanked the door open as Troy was already pushing into her room. She was sitting up in bed and her tears rolled down her face, "Claire," Troy picked her up but she cried out with the movement.

"Baby, what's wrong?" Troy whispered into her ear as I turned to look at her face. She was flushed, shivering, and I instantly knew she had a fever. My gut bottomed out, "Troy, let me check her temperature." I said quietly, he spun around as if he was seeing me for the first time. His blue eyes were wild with fear and he was terrified. I coaxed the thermometer into her mouth, "Stay still, baby girl," Troy rubbed her head and when it alerted back with 102.8, I cursed underneath of my breath. Fuck, no, this wasn't supposed to happen. We were so careful with her.

"Troy, we have to take her to the hospital." I said quietly, Troy's eyes bored into mine, his eyes alarmed and the anger rising quickly. "What do you mean? You're here to avoid that." I hesitated and I shook my head, "I'm here to administer chemo and make sure that this doesn't happen. I can't prevent everything and this is happening Troy." I tried to remain calm with him but he was a parent to a girl with no immune system with a high fever – I'd be panicking too.

"Then why in the fuck is it happening?" his patience had been extra thin lately and I was in the wrong side of it. I took in a calm breath, "Troy, we have to get her out of here. We have to get a bunch of tests run, she needs strong antibiotics that we don't have here, and we need to clean this apartment from top to bottom. She isn't safe here and I think you want me to keep her safe, correct?" Troy didn't hesitate but nodded his head. "Yea, I want her safe. Please," his voice cracked at the end and I swallowed hard on the knot in my throat.

"Then let's get her to the hospital. I'll be there the entire time. I'll still be her nurse and hopefully we'll be home tonight." I encouraged. I saw the panic on Troy's face as he looked at Claire. "Her fever is dangerous high, she is immunocompromised, and I don't know what's causing it. It's better." Troy just nodded this time, "I'm going to change, okay?" Troy nodded again and I went across the hall to grab my grey scrub bottoms and a Boston Children's t-shirt. I pulled my hair up into a messy bun while I quickly brushed my teeth.

I went back to gently take Claire from Troy, "Go change, tell Eve but I wouldn't recommend her coming. She's too far into her pregnancy and she can't catch anything. I really hope that we're only there to identify the problem. Once we know and this place is cleaned – we should be able to come back and I will take care of her here." Troy's blue eyes flickered everywhere and settled on Claire. "Okay," he said and he kissed the back of Claire's head before going back to his room.

Claire whimpered and whined in my arms as I picked up my phone and called the floor. It rang twice before somebody picked up, "This is Vanessa,"

"Vanessa, it's Gabi," the charge nurse on the other end laughed, "Why are you calling in the dead of night?" she questioned, "I'm with the Bolton family tonight and Claire spiked a dangerously high fever. Are the beds all full upstairs?" I questioned. "Dammnit, yes, we're full tonight. I can make an accommodation though. I'll pair up a room." I swallowed, "I know we hate doing that but they need privacy." Vanessa laughed, "I know. I'll call Dr. Reynolds – he's on call tonight and get him ready."

"Thank you, Vanessa, I'll still be her nurse."

"Perfect. See you in a bit," Troy came back into the room with a pair of sweats and a t-shirt on with his hair standing up in five different directions. "She's pissed." Troy stared blankly, "She's livid but I agree and I really don't want her to go because she is so close to having this baby," Troy was rambling and I reached forward to touch his shoulder. "Troy," I said with a calm, stern voice, "Let's go to the hospital and get her settled. Run some basic labs – and then we'll bring Eve up. I would be livid, too." Troy brushed his fingers through his hair again causing it to be a mess. He picked up Claire with ease and she snuggled into her dad's chest with a whimper.

"I'll drive." Troy said shortly as I followed him to the garage. I made sure I had everything I needed, including my badge, and Troy walked up to his Range Rover. "You always dreamed about driving a Range Rover," the words popped out my mouth before I could contain them. Troy looked over at me with a bit of shock but nodded, "Yea, it was my first big purchase." He said as he put Claire into her car seat. I climbed in next to her as I helped fastener her in and Troy hopped into the front seat.

His car roared to life as he peeled out of the garage. My fingers graced the leather in the back as it was pretty clean for a man. The floors were vacuumed recently, only two water bottles, and just a couple of snacks that Claire must have left behind. My eyes watched Troy's shoulders tense and relax several different times over the course of the few minutes' drive to Boston Children's. "Troy," his eyes lifted in the rearview mirror.

"I'm going to take care of her. Okay? Please don't worry too much. I just need more resources." Troy's jaw tightened but he nodded his head in understanding. I could understand why he didn't want to be at the hospital because it was a nightmare for the floor, a nightmare for him, and no privacy for his daughter. I exhaled heavily as he pulled into Boston Children's and I directed him to employee parking that had a back elevator.

Troy and I got out of the car and he grabbed Claire as I put on my work badge and pulled my bag onto my shoulder. I guided the two of them into the back elevators and waved my badge to take us to the floor. Troy's body was twisting impatiently and trying to comfort Claire on his shoulder. "Daddy," she whined into his shoulder, her fingers gripping his t-shirt as he quietly whispered into her ear. The doors opened and Vanessa was standing there waiting for me.

"Room 22," I nodded as I quietly guided Troy to the back-corner room that allowed the most privacy. Dr. Reynolds was waiting as I gave him a nod as Troy laid her down on the bed. She cried out reaching for him but I gently pressed her backwards on the bed, "Claire," I whispered and she cried reaching for Troy again, Troy brushed his hands through his hair and he blew out a frustrated breath. "Troy, do you want to step outside for a minute?"

"No, Gabi, absolutely not. I'm not leaving her." Dr. Reynolds and I shared a look as he took over with Claire and I gently went over to Troy. "Troy, please, just let us do a quick assessment, draw labs, and then we will bring you back in. She needs to calm down so we can draw from her port. Okay? Just stay right outside the room." His jaw clenched harder and he finally just nodded and walked out. The frustration clearly evident on his face.

I went over as Dr. Reynolds and I tag-teamed the assessment process together. I drew her labs that they wanted, followed by accessing her to fluids that Vanessa had pulled into the room. "Gabi," Claire cried and I gave her a tiny smile, "I know sweet girl, we're almost done. I promise."

"I want daddy,"

"He's right outside. As soon as we are done, we will bring him right back, sweetie."

"Her lungs sound wet, Gabs, has she been breathing, okay?" I nodded my head, "Yea, I haven't noticed anything. Her Sp02 is 95%," I frowned, "Let's order a chest x-ray," Reynolds said and I nodded while I pulled up the side rails to the bed. "I'll put the order in," I thanked him as he walked out and Troy was walking right back in. His eyes landing on Claire as he took two steps before he was on his knees by the bed. "I'm here, baby, I'm here," he soothed as she curled closer to his hand.

"We're going to order a chest x-ray," I leaned down to listen to her lungs as well. I did hear the crackles in her lungs and I took in a breath, "We hear fluid in her lungs. It could just be a side effect from her chemo, she's holding fluid," I explained softly. Troy's eyes were wild with panic, "Is she okay?" he asked, the fear building in his voice and I nodded, "We're going to figure it out. Okay?" That didn't ease any of his concerns as I saw him reading my face, I didn't know what it was, I just knew it was probably going to be at least a night in the hospital. "I'm not going to let anything happen to her Troy, okay?" he finally just nodded his head. I charted in the system while I continued to watch her pulse ox. I started oxygen on her and that seemed to help.

Troy crawled into bed with her and she curled into his body. My heart lurched at the sight as he wrapped his big arms around her and cocooned her against his body. "I've got you, baby, I've got you." I felt the bile rush up my throat as a vivid flashback came rustling back into memory. I squeezed my eyes closed, and willed it away, I was here to do a job. One job. I was taking care of that little girl and I was going to do a damn fine job at it.

X-Ray showed up and I had to pry Troy away from her as she screamed out for him again, "Daddy," she cried and my heart broke for him. "I'm going to be right here, baby, they need a picture of your chest." She whimpered and I reached for her hand, "Claire, look at me," her eyes were round and scared. I tried to give her a reassuring smile, "Just one quick picture. You have to hold extra still though and then Daddy can sit in the bed with you, okay?" she nodded and I smiled, "Good girl,"

She breathed out as the x-ray team positioned her and quickly got the picture we needed. I looked at it on the screen with them as I cursed under my breath. "Gabi," Troy's voice wasn't steady and I swallowed as I turned around, "It's nothing awful," I said quickly, "We won't be leaving the hospital today though. It looks like pneumonia. I can't be for sure but the doctor and radiologist will look at it and tell you the final answer but I am not allowed to tell you 100% if you get what I am saying," Troy just nodded his head that I gave him an answer that was outside of my scope of practice.

"What does that mean?" he asked and I took in a deep breath, "It means she has an infection in her lungs – I don't know how it started but it might explain her the past few days. She has a weakened immune system and even though we are careful these things happen. You, Eve, or I could have brought it back to her and it manifested. She is going to get strong antibiotics, oxygen, and constant monitoring. I will be here day and night with her." I reached over and I squeezed his arm, those blue eyes flared with the sudden burst of energy through the both of us. "I am going to take care of her."

Those blue eyes dilated and then constricted as I lifted my hand away from him. "Promise, Gabi?" I swallowed back on the fear of making this promise but I nodded, "With everything," I finished for him and I saw the close of his eyes, the painful memories, and our past dancing in-between us.

Gabi's POV

Thursday, November 21st, 2013

I couldn't breathe without my entire body aching to the core. I woke up this morning with a fever, body aches, and so much fatigue I couldn't keep my eyes open. My sister had the flu last week and my parents are assuming that's exactly what I had. I had to get better though. I had, too. Troy's big game was Saturday and I was going to be in the stands cheering him on. It was not an option for me to miss it. I went to almost every single game this season and I was not starting now.

My body shivered underneath the blankets as I tried to bury in deeper. "Gabi, sweetie, are you doing, okay?" I tilted my head back to see my mom standing in my doorway. She entered and settled a bottle of water on my bedside table and her eyes scanned me from head to well the edge of the blanket. "I'm okay," I rasped as a deep cough echoed throughout my chest. My mom frowned at the noise and I whimpered with the pain it caused my body.

"Get some rest, baby, make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids." I only nodded my head because that's all the energy that I had. I closed my eyes and I was in and out of sleep for most of the morning. I finally fumbled for my phone because I knew Troy would be calling soon. I didn't show up to school today and he was about to notice. My phone buzzed in my hand as if he felt me thinking about him or he just walked into our first shared class – homeroom.

Troy: Where are you?

I sighed as I let my fingers dance across the screen.

Gabi: I'm home. My mom thinks I have the flu because I have all the same symptoms as Sophia.

My head ached with staring at my phone as I gently put it down and away as I curled into the blankets again. My phone rang this time and I cried out with the noise and I answered it but put it on speaker.

"Hello?" my voice cracked and Troy grunted from the other end of the line, "El, why didn't you call and tell me you were sick?" he questioned, I could feel him pacing in the bathroom as he talked to me. "Because I woke up like this. I feel like my whole body has been thrown into a boxing ring, somebody shoved me around for a while, and then ran me over with a car. My head is pounding," I started to cough and my whole body shook. I felt the tears slid out of my eyes.

"El," his voice was strained and I closed my eyes, "I'm okay," I forced out of my mouth and he grunted, "Like hell you are, I'm coming over after school."

"No," I gasped, "You have practice. I am going to be better by your championship game, okay? You can't be getting sick, okay? You have a game." I let the tears fall knowing I wasn't going to see him until his game. "Gabi," his voice was strained talking to me and I breathed out evenly, "I promise, baby, I promise," I whispered to him.

"With everything?" he asked back, "You promise with everything that you are, okay?" I exhaled and nodded my head, "Yea, I'm okay. I love you."

Troy grunted, "I love you, too."

I fell into a fit of sleep after that – my body sore, my fever keeping the chills coursing through, coughing up my entire set of lungs. My mom tried to feed me but I couldn't even stomach the thought of food. I just wanted to curl up in my bed and die or wake up when this was over. I felt my bed shift and I groaned, "Mom, I'm fine," I coughed again and his warm hand covered mine. "Troy," I gasped as I tried to pull away from him but he shook his head.

"No, I won't stay long but I had to see you. You sounded awful on the phone earlier, I had a horrible practice, my coaches basically tossed me to the wolves, and I have to see you. My day isn't complete unless I see you and knowing that you're sick? That doesn't help." My brown eyes lifted to see his blue and they were dimmed and as he looked at me. Tears welled in my eyes and he crawled into the bed and pulled me against his body.

"I've got you, El, I've got you," I couldn't stop the rush of emotion, the ache of my body, but I melted into him. "You can't blame me if you get sick before Saturday," I mumbled into his chest after my entire body calmed down. He hummed a laugh, "I'll be okay. I promise. I've played football puking my guts out before." His entire body covered mine and I curled up against him. The warmth that radiated off of him caused my body to tingle and finally stop shivering.

"I've got you, rest, I promise,"

I sighed as sleep was already pulling me back under, "With everything?" I mumbled.

"With everything."

Happy Monday! If you are in the US, Happy Memorial Day! Very thankful for our soldiers past and present for protecting our country. Thank you for being patient with the update! I forgot I was going to be out of town until today and I didn't take my laptop with me. It was a nice little break!

I love love this story and it's only going to get better from here. When I saw chapter 10 is THE chapter. Yall better be ready for it! Only one more chapter between now and then!

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Next Update: June 13th