Chapter 9 – Recovery

Saturday, November 23rd, 2013

Gabi's POV

The North Carolina air whipped around as I tried to keep my eyes open and watch Troy lead his team on the field. They were down by fourteen points but the other team was a really, really good team. Their defense was top notch and Troy landed on his back a few too many times for my liking tonight. I coughed into my elbow as my mom reached over and squeezed my shoulder. "You just tell us when you're ready to go, sweetie,"

"After the game," I grinded out and my mom sent me a look. It was pleading back and forth to even allow them to let me come to this game but I think when I broke down into exhaustion sobs from fighting with them all day yesterday – they gave in. They just made me promise that I would tell them when I was exhausted and needed to leave. I couldn't though. I hadn't seen Troy since he crawled into my bed. I had never felt warmer and safer this entire week.

"Gabi, he will understand." I looked over at Sara and I felt the tears well in my eyes, "But I won't understand. I am going to sit here and I am going to gladly watch my boyfriend play his favorite game, his biggest game of the season, all night. I'll live to tell the story tomorrow." My mom and Sara shared a look over my head as I tugged the blanket around me a little tighter. I broke my fever late last night but I still felt like death. I rocked back and forth gently as Troy threw a pass down the field to Liam but it was picked off. I saw the frustration on Troy's face as he dropped his head.

My stomach twisted with nerves and disappointment for him. I know how hard he worked this week – this whole season – to get right here. "Gabs, he'll be okay," I looked over at Lucas and I sighed, "I know. I just want him to do well. I know how much he wants this."

"He's a junior," Scarlett pointed out, "He has next season." My eyes flickered over to the clock that was running out. The time slowly going faster than it was a moment ago. I couldn't breathe with the pressure on my chest because I wanted to comfort him. I wanted to be there for him because I know how crushed her was going to be for not winning this game. The one he wanted the most. "But that doesn't help with this season. He was excited to try and win this."

My mom squeezed my knee as I let out a sigh with the exhaustion lacing into my features. I kept my eyes open as I watched the opposing team march down the field in slow, dramatic fashion. They put their team ahead by 17 points when our defense stopped them from getting an extra seven but held them to only three. There was less than a minute left in the game and they threw in the back-up quarterback but Troy was arguing with the coach.

"Oh, he's pissed," Sara whispered and Marco let out a bark of a laugh, "This is his team. He should be the one to end it." Marco agreed with his son, "But I agree with coach that they shouldn't risk an injury with one-minute left when they aren't going to win." My shoulders sagged as my mom was slowly cleaning up around us. My eyes peered at the student section as girls still wore my boyfriend's name on their back but I didn't care. They tried to talk to him but he only had eyes for me.

Most of them hated me because I wasn't popular, I wasn't a cheerleader, I wasn't anything. They didn't think I deserve him because I wasn't royalty but I didn't want to be. I wanted to be his girl and hide from the rest of the world. If I could stay tucked against him, I would love my life. The clock finally buzzed and the other side of the stadium screamed in elation. We stood and clapped for our boys but my entire body ached and had zero energy left. A few tears fell down my cheek as I watched Troy hang his head. A few seniors grabbed his shoulders and shook him out of it. His coaches tipped his head back and told him he did a good job.

"Gabi, sweets, you are exhausted. Let's go home," my dad said gently, "I have to say hi to him first and tell him that I am here for him." I explained and my parents shared a look with each other as if they needed to put their word above mine. I took in a deep breath of air as I smiled, "Just a hug and then we can go." My mom sighed and relucted as we began to walk down the stadium stairs and I waded in the crowd. Seniors were crying with their coaches and teammates; juniors were pissed they couldn't get this for their seniors. Sophomores were hungry for the next season so they could get their shot.

The cheerleaders were sobbing with the players that wanted their comfort but it only caused me to roll my eyes. I inhaled softly as I felt my skin vibrate and I only had to turn my head a fraction to the right to see those blue eyes. His eyes were sad but a tiny smile creeped up on the corners. I dropped my blanket as I took four steps while he took two before I was in his arms. He smelled like sweat, grass, and his cologne as my nose pressed into his neck.

"You need to go home and sleep. You look exhausted baby," I closed my eyes against the tears, "I'm so sorry," I whispered into his ear, my fingers tangling with his sweaty hair on the back of his head. "It wasn't meant to be. I am just going to work harder next season." He whispered into my ear, "I love you," he whispered into my ear, "But you need to go sleep. I'll come see you tomorrow, okay?" I couldn't stop my tears as I pulled back to face him.

A soft smile crossed his face as he kissed me quick and softly, "I love you, too." I whispered back to him and he winked. "Be good, El. I'll bring a movie and chocolate tomorrow." I couldn't stop my slow grin. "The best recovery meal." He chuckled lightly, "Hi Danny, Ruthie," he flashed my parents a grin as he then said hi to all of my siblings. He squeezed my hand before tipping into my ear again, "I'll see you tomorrow," I smiled back and he turned to head to the locker room.

"C'mon, Gabs," I hooked my arm with my dad as he tugged the blanket back over me and I smiled with content settling in my body. Yea, I felt better now.

Saturday, April 10th, 2021

Troy's POV

I watched the antibiotic drip into her veins as I felt unsettled into my body sitting here in the hospital. My legs were aching to run further and further from here. My ache to throw a football down an entire field in front of a thousand people was burning in my blood but I watching an antibiotic drip into her veins. Eve had come up yesterday to be with her for most of the day but she was close to having the baby and she didn't need to be here.

Gabi kept true to her word and never left here either. She caught a few hours of sleep in the breakroom last night but she never let another nurse take our case. I found her a few times talking with other parents, laughing seeing other kids, and telling jokes with nurses. It was refreshing to see her in this setting with a smile on her face. I couldn't stop the smile on my face just thinking about it, or yesterday when we made our promise to each other as if there was little time that had passed since the last one. The look she gave me yesterday, with the promise that she would do everything for my daughter, was the most reassured I had felt in months. The look in her eyes and the comfort I felt with her.

I knew Claire was in good hands and I trusted Gabi to my very core. Claire rolled in her sleep as they were going to keep her one more night for observation to make sure the fluid in lungs doesn't get worse and her fever was under control. I rubbed my eyes as I had sent Hanson a text message to keep him updated. I rolled my lips together as I went over to brush my fingers over Claire's head before I stepped out into the hallway.

Gabi was standing at the desk and she was laughing with a girl, I recognized her, she was the one that was my apartment that night. Wren? I was in a mood because of Eve when I had met her. I exhaled as I approached the desk but a lot of heads turned in my direction. I was still trying to get used to it but I kept my eyes straight and right on Gabi. She twisted around and an easy smile fell over her lips, "Is Claire, okay?" I nodded, "Yea, she's okay. Sleeping," I stuck my hands in my jogger pockets as I rocked back and forth on my heels.

"You, okay?" she asked with a laugh and I nodded, "yea, I am just getting…" I brushed my fingers through my hair with the anxiety that was building with being inside of the hospital. I rubbed my bicep and I couldn't breathe, "I need a ten-minute break. Anywhere I can throw a football?" I finally asked and she tried, tried being the operative word, to hide her growing smile. She sent a look to the girl who was grinning like a cat. "Yea, I do. I don't know how private it is though."

"I just need ten minutes. I have this anxiety of being here and her struggling to breath and I just to throw a football for a minute." I felt the stress building into my shoulders and Gabi reached forward and grabbed my wrist again. My eyes locked onto the contact as she dragged my attention to her face. "Yea, do you have a ball with you or are you going to need to go to your car?" she asked and I breathed, "I have one in my backpack."

She let off a little laugh, "Should have known." She started to walk but turned back around, "Wren, will you watch Claire? She's sleeping, her antibiotic is running but I should be back before the bag needs to be changed. Her vital signs have held strong over the past twelve hours. Just shoot me a text if she needs anything." Wren grinned, "You got it." Her brown eyes floated to me and I nodded as I went back to the room to grab the ball from my bag that Eve brought me and I glanced at Claire. She was still passed out on the bed with no signs of waking up.

I turned to follow Gabi out of the room and we walked to the elevator. "Glad to see that you still throw a football when you don't know what else to do," she said as we walked into the elevator. I paused and I let my eyes hang on her for a moment. Eight years might have passed but I still felt like I was seventeen when I stood right here. She always knew. I exhaled as I gave a grim look, "I hate not knowing what to do for her. I feel utterly helpless sitting here and watching her. She's so sick and I can't…" I closed my eyes and grimaced.

"It's a normal reaction, Troy. I know you want to move mountains and dig out the cure from the desert sands for her but you have to trust what we are doing. She's already doing better – one more night of oxygen and early tomorrow we'll take it off and see how she does. We'll be home hopefully by noon tomorrow and we should still be on track for her chemo in a week or so." I rubbed my eyes and I just nodded because I didn't have a conversation inside of me right now.

The doors opened and Gabi got off as I followed her to a back door and we pushed out. A courtyard opened in front of us and it was basically empty which I was kinda of surprised about. "It's the employee courtyard. I can promise you that the kids' courtyard is packed." I let out a breathy laugh as I gripped the football tightly in my hands, I tossed it up in the air and I let out a breath. "You know I haven't watched a single game of yours since high school,"

My eyes popped open as we didn't have these discussions. She swore them off but there she was…I cleared my throat, "Really?" I questioned in a bit of surprise. I don't want to sound like I have a big ego but I was good in college. I lead Alabama to two different National Football Championships and the two other times we were in the final four. My TV time wasn't short at all and then getting drafted by the Loyalists – I was in damn near prime time constantly.

She cleared her throat, "Uh…yea. I just couldn't. It physically pained me to watch." She stopped speaking and her eyes landed on me as I grimaced, she shook her head as if she knew what words I was going to say next. "Don't apologize," she said quietly, "I didn't tell you that to make you feel bad but just sitting here and watching you grip the ball – I miss watching you play. Fuck, I miss watching football in general. I only got two years of it."

I couldn't stop a small smile that creeped around the corner of my lips, "Are you going to watch this season?" I asked turning my head to the side. She let out a little laugh, "I think I'll be in NP school by the time your season rolls around." I frowned, "You should come to a game. The Loyalists are a little different compared to high school." She barked a laugh and nodded, "I bet. I was pissed when they drafted you because I had already moved here and I was finally starting fresh and over and…" she shook her head with a tiny laugh as she dug her hands into her scrub pant pocket. "And here you came to take over my world again."

My eyes leveled with her as I had a question on the tip of my tongue and I wasn't sure how it was going to go over. Gabi was the one who started this conversation and I was going to take the risk. "Why did you leave North Carolina?" I questioned and she dropped her eyes and I felt her struggling to find the right words. I wanted to step closer to her but I refrained and I stayed right where I was. I gripped the football tighter and she finally cleared her throat. Her face was torn if she wanted to say anything to me or not. If she should speak the words on her mind or not.

"Uh…North Carolina was never the same after you left. I wasn't the same. Wilmington…" she stopped as if she was scared to say the next words. She looked up and those brown eyes pierced me with a look that caused my heart to ache. My chest tightened and I took in a deep breath preparing to be physically pained by her next words. "It's okay," I whispered and she swallowed hard before nodding, "Wilmington basically gives me a panic attack. I left for Chapel Hill and basically only went home for Christmas day."

I closed my eyes painfully, I did that to her, I broke her because…fuck. "Gabi," the words were pained out of my mouth. My entire body clenched, my muscles shortened and I hated myself.

"No, I've come to peace with it. I'm okay with it. I just…I couldn't go back to Wilmington. I didn't care for Chapel Hill so I basically looked for a city that had a good children's hospital and I landed in Boston. I was excited and thrilled it start over and…then you came here and it hurt and I had to tell people why I didn't watch the Loyalist play and why I didn't want to go to games and…" she breathed, "It might have been 8 years, Troy, but," she stopped and shook her head. My eyes watching every single move. I came down here to chuck a football but not I felt like I needed more. This conversation was something I never expected, I didn't plan, I never wanted this for her. The emotion got caught in my throat as my entire body was a live wire of energy.

"Gabs," her face crumpled but she straightens it out with a nod of her head and her brown eyes came back to life. She was digging through personal memories, hell, everything that I put her through.

"Troy, seriously, it's in the past and we're adults now. It hurt. You have a beautiful family." She encouraged with a smile, "I never wanted you to hate North Carolina, you love North Carolina," she gave a grim smile and swallowed hard, "I loved North Carolina but sometimes when we love things, we have to let them go because they bring back too many painful memories."

The door to the court yard popped open and a doctor walked out and slid onto the picnic table. Gabi turned her back to me and I couldn't help but stare at her and then down at the football in my hand. I clearly wasn't going to feel any better after throwing this. I needed a full-on fucking game and somebody to tackle my ass to the ground at this point. I needed to tackle somebody. The frustration and the need to just…yell.

I took a deep breath because I broke up with her because I didn't want to take her away from North Carolina but instead I made her hate North Carolina. I made her hate Wilmington which is where she was born and raised. I did that and I felt nothing but a rock of guilt in my chest. I never wanted to take her away from her family, her friends, and from the beach but…instead I drove her away. I caused her all of this pain. I squeezed my eyes closed and just launched the football across the courtyard.

I fucking hated myself.

Gabi's POV

Sunday, April 11th, 2021

Eve was the one at the hospital for the rest of Claire's stay. I could only assume Troy needed something a little stronger than a football after our conversation or this was the plan all along – I don't know. I never wanted to have that conversation with him but it just flowed there. The pain in his eyes – it hurt me. Because either one of us spoke up about what we truly wanted back then. He thought he was doing what was best for me because I did love North Carolina but once he left – I didn't recognize it anymore.

That corner over there, he kissed me into a puddle, the other corner, he asked me to homecoming or the football field or going to the beach to sit in the dunes where we did things we probably shouldn't have or a thousand memories flooded that town and I never stopped loving him. I know our relationship is over but it still hurt to stand there and look at those spots and think – what if we would have just talked it out?

I could have told him I would have gone anywhere with him.

He could have told me he was going to Alabama.

Yet, neither one of us spoke those words. I was hell bent on staying in North Carolina and Troy was hell bent on playing football. I never blamed him for not telling me sooner but yet, I did. I did blame him because I would have followed him in a heartbeat if that was what he wanted to do. I breathed in through my nose as I was curled up in the on-call room as we were going to discharge Claire this morning. Eve was really freaking pregnant and I knew Claire's little world was about to change – again.

I sat up as I tidied up the area and then walked to the nurse's desk, "Do I have discharge orders yet?" I questioned and the charge shook her head, "No, but soon." I thanked her before I stepped into the room to check on Claire. Her lungs were already looking better and she was back to her normal self. Eve was sitting on the bed with her as they played with a toy. "Hey, how are you guys doing?" Claire jumped up with a smile on her face, one that resembled her fathers.

"Gabi!" she squealed and wrapped her arms around my neck. I laughed as I hugged her back tightly, "I see somebody is feeling much, much better." I said with a laugh, Eve gave a smile and a nod, "She really is. I'm impressed by her turn around myself."

"Gabi, look at my cool toy. Mommy said Daddy picked it out for me before he went to work out with the boys." I laughed as she waved around her Elsa toy and I smiled, "He did a good job didn't he?" she smiled wide and nodded her head, "I really like my American Doll too," she whispered as her eyes glanced to the doll laying in the bed next to her. "Good. I'm glad you like it. Do you want to go home today?" I asked her and she grinned, "Yes! I miss Daddy," she ambled on about Troy as Eve watched her with her own content smile on her face.

"I'm glad she's doing better. Thank you for taking good care of her." I smiled, "It's my job. I wouldn't want to do anything else." I went over to check the computer and chart her vital signs. They were keeping Troy's family in the back corner and away from the entrance to the hospital. We tried to keep their presence on the down low but it was hard when a towering 6'4 Greek God was floating around the floor. He was hard to miss and everybody's eyes drew instantly to him.

"I know you said you had to do a good job but Gabi, if I were you…I would have turned right out of that room and never looked back." Eve's words took me by surprise and I had to suppress a reaction as I blinked and finally turned to face her. "I uh…it was really hard to turn down. I love making connections with families and the money made it even harder. Troy…" I blanked as I shrugged my shoulders, "Troy said he knew it was a sign when it was me that walked in the room and he said he felt comfortable for the first time since her diagnosis." I cleared my throat as her eyes watched me intently.

"It was hard to turn it down after that. I want to make patients and family feel safe during this time and…" I shrugged, "I told him that I could make this work if he could. The past is far in the past. I went to college, I've had a life, and it's been eight years." I smiled, "It made it a little easier knowing him before I walked through the door. You are an amazing mother Eve and she adores both of you." Eve let out a hum of laugh, "She definitely is a daddy's girl,"

"Most of us are," I winked and she smiled as we didn't continue our conversation. I finally got the discharge orders and I did the final things before I smiled, "We're good to go." I told them and Eve gave a grateful smile and Claire giggled, "I can't wait to go home and see daddy!" she squealed and I went over to disconnect her from the IV pole. "Yes, I bet he will be very excited to see you at home too." I said tapping her nose causing her to giggle.

"Gabi you're coming back home, right?" she asked, I smiled, "Yes, I am. I am going to finish up some stuff here and then head to your house."

"Our house," she corrected with her defiant little tone. I laughed with a shake of my head, "I am just living there right now. I will move out once you are strong and healthy." I reminded her which caused her to huff. "I like having another friend at home, I miss preschool," my heart ached for her and I felt Eve's eyes on me the entire time. I gave a hesitant smile before nodding, "I know sweet girl, you will be back in pre-school soon enough."

Eve pulled her into a hug but Claire pulled away from her before starting to play with her toys again. "You are free to go," I said as they already signed the papers earlier this morning. They didn't bring much to the hospital with them as they knew it was going to be short. I had to get the rest of her antibiotics and more IV fluids that she was going to need over the rest of the week. I also couldn't wait to go sleep in that bed because sleeping in the on-call room while on 24-hour duty of Claire was exhausting.

I helped Claire and Eve out to the car before I went back upstairs and to sign out and grab my supplies. "Please, drop ALL of the gossip," Brittani said as she cornered me in the supplies closet. I rolled my eyes and I shook my head. "I can't, I signed an NDA," I told her and her eyes widened, "That's actually kind of cool," she said with a turn of her head. I gave her a look and shrugged, "It's my job. He is just another person."

It was another reason it was probably better to be me than anybody else. I wasn't going to fan girl over him. I wasn't going to do anything inappropriate or ask him questions that didn't matter. I was all about my job and he wasn't a famous person to me…he was just Troy. "You are acting like this isn't a big deal." Brittani told me and I actually couldn't stand her but she was a good nurse. Her personality was just too much for me.

"It's not a big deal. Claire is just another little girl I am taking care of." I told her as I finished grabbing my supplies and her mouth hit the ground. "It's Troy Bolton's daughter," she told me with a serious look and I laughed, "Yea, I know and he's just another guy."

She grumbled underneath of her breath and I tried to refrain from laughing if only she knew how many times Troy Bolton and I have had sex. That would have blown her right off the edge.

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013

Troy's POV

I anxiously pushed off both feet as I craned my head to see if Gabi was here yet. Tomorrow was her 17th birthday and I couldn't wait to celebrate her. My parents were out of town with Lucas for the rest of the weekend and Gianna was at a friend's house doing homework while my aunt was working. We had the house to ourselves till almost nine tonight. I had many plans and none of them involved the homework I had promised to do with her.

My head peeked out again and I finally saw her car pull up to the edge of the street. She parked and I smiled as I watched her sit there for a minute and then getting out, grabbing her backpack, and moving towards the front door. I swung it open and a smile etched across her face. She was already doing so much better from the flu and I was thankful. I didn't like seeing her like that. "Hey Troy," I smiled as I pulled her into my grasp and kissed her hard on the mouth.

"Hi baby," I whispered and she laughed, "C'mon," I tugged her hand inside and she gasped from behind me as I had hung a happy birthday sign with her present sitting underneath and a thing of flowers. "Troy, you didn't have too," she said quietly and I turned around with my eyes narrowing, "I love you, El. Of course, I was going to spoil you for your birthday." Her eyes filled with tears and she hugged me tightly. The overwhelming sense of I did something right sat in my chest as she buried her head against my chest. "I love you, too." She whispered quietly into my chest.

"I also will prepare us some dinner," I told her and she giggled, "Mac n cheese?" she questioned with a laugh bubbling from her throat at the end. I raised an eyebrow, "Is there something wrong with that?" I asked her in return and she rolled her eyes but a smile tugged on the corner of her lips because it was her favorite and okay maybe it was one of the only things I knew how to cook. I sat her down on the couch and her hair was down today with her curls going just about everywhere, her brown eyes sparkling with happiness, and a smile etched onto those lips.

A pair of jeans and a sweater that hugged all of the right spots on her body. "Okay, here," I handed her the present and I felt the nerves roll in my stomach hoping that she would like it. I was stupidly nervous to give her this because we had only been dating for four months but that didn't matter to me. I felt our connection deep. The wire that ran from me to her was buzzing with electricity constantly and I couldn't get enough of it.

She pulled out the tissue paper and pulled up the long rectangular box as her eyes flashed to mine, "Troy, seriously, this is already too much. I would have loved a night of mac n cheese and watching a movie on TV." I couldn't stop the growing smile on my face, "C'mon El, just open it." She hesitated but her fingers lifted the box open and she gaped for a moment. Her eyes staring at the gold chain with just two letters on it. E-L.

It was a thin chain and small letters but it will sit right there all the time if she chose to wear it. "Troy, this is beautiful," I smiled as I reached for it and I gently moved her hair and laid it across her neck before clasping it together. Her fingers went up to smooth it over and she swallowed hard, "I love it." She twisted to kiss me and I kissed her right back. We groaned and kissed harder as I twisted her around easily onto the back of the couch.

The make-out session got hot and heavy – quick. Her hips rose trying to find that friction and I had to pull away from her. "Troy," she basically cried my name out and I squeezed my eyes shut, "I don't want to pressure you or anything, El." My voice was quiet and she closed her eyes painfully, her chest moving up and down as she grew really quiet. I was nervous about how quiet she was currently and she let herself calm down before sitting up and she pulled her shirt over her head.

My eyes immediately went to her breasts that were covered with a sports bra but nonetheless my mouth watered with need to touch her…everywhere. I wanted to feel that wire explode with how close we were about to get. "I want this," her eyes zeroed in on me and she rose to her knees before leaning forward. "I know your parents are out of town, I'm assuming Gianna isn't here, and your aunt is a nurse," she murmured back against my lips as she started to kiss me.

"But I don't want – "

"Stop talking, please," she whispered, "I want to do this. You are in no way shape or form making me do this. I don't feel like I owe you anything. I want to give myself to you, Troy. I love you and if you aren't ready then that's fine but I want this…together." My eyes held onto hers for a few moments my brain running with every single scenario. I had condoms upstairs, I had an empty house, I had a yes from her lips – nothing could go wrong.

I also needed her like I needed air.

My lips crashed onto hers with a fury behind them. A squeak of surprise came out of her but she recovered quickly as she helped me ditch my shirt, our lips only separating long enough to toss it onto the couch. "My room," I said as I easily picked her up. She slid her legs around my waist and rubbed her against my lower stomach causing a growl to come from my throat. I took the stairs four at a time before I pressed her to the wall in the hallway to kiss the hell out of her.

Once I was ready to pull away, I moved to my bedroom and shut the door and pressed lock – just in case. I sat her down on my bed as I started to work her bra off and I tossed it to the floor. I gently eased her back onto the bed as I wrapped my lips around her nipple and sucked on it as her entire body lifted and arched against my body. I laced my hand with her hand as her other hand ran through my hair over and over again.

I moved to her other breast with her cry of need before trailing a kiss up to her mouth and locked there for a few moments. Our chests were pressed together and it was better than I could have ever imagined our skin-to-skin contact would be. My entire body felt like it was on fire with need and desire, my skin burning, my body searching hers. "I don't want to hurt you," I whispered into her ear and she rubbed her body against mine looking for that friction.

"You won't…I promise. I'll tell you if it hurts." I breathed out a heavy breath of air as I looked at her. Those brown eyes scanning my face when she brought her hand to my face. "I love you and I know how much you love and care about me. I know you are going to do everything to make it better and I know this won't be the best sex since well…either of us have done this before but I couldn't imagine doing this with anybody else."

I swallowed back on that and I before I moved to unbutton her jeans and slowly start to ease them down. Her legs were long and so beautiful as I eased them past her knees and off her feet as she was only in a pair of underwear. I felt my dick trying to escape my jeans but I had to wait. I had to make this good for her. My hands shook as I crawled back over her and pushed her knees apart a little farther to nestle in the gap. I slowed down kissing her, running my fingers over her bare skin, and slowly working my way down her body. Her little gasps and moans were causing me to get harder and harder as I had to control this.

I finally hooked my finger into her underwear and gently pulled them down and tossed them to the side. "Are you sure?" I questioned her again and she cried out a yes and I eased in one finger to find her soaking wet…for me. "Fuck, Gabi," I groaned as I gently pumped her with my fingers and I could feel how close she was to the edge. Her walls closing in on my fingers and I brushed my thumb over her clit causing her to cry out. I circled it slowly over and over again as she tried to find anything and everything to hold onto until she came all over my hand. Her chest rising and falling with each one and I knew she was ready for me and at least felt good right now.

"Oh my god, you haven't even entered me and I feel amazing. I can't imagine," she looked at me with lust in her eyes and smiled at her as I was nervous as fuck. She slowly sat up and unbuttoned my jeans and I sucked in a breath of air as she eased my jeans down around my knees before I kicked them off. The only thing separating us was my boxer briefs and the moment those were gone I was going to have to be inside of her because it wasn't going to last long.

"Gabs, I…fuck, this isn't going to last long. I want to do all of it with you but just being inside of you is going to set me off alone. I have been…" I shook my head as I slowly kissed her again and she gripped my neck gently, "I just want you." I kissed her again as I reached over for a condom in my drawer as she did the honor of pushing my boxers down and my dick sprang free. "Fuck," she mumbled under her breath and I couldn't help but laugh as my flesh was stretched and ready for a release.

"Troy, I don't know, is that going to fit?" she bit her lip with worry and I barked out a laugh, "Only one way to find out," I rolled on the condom as I positioned myself above her and my eyes met hers again, a bit of fear sprinkled on her face and I gripped her hand lacing our fingers together. "I'll go slow but tell me if it's too much." She nodded her head and I spread her a little wider before I watched my dick slowly enter her and a cry of relief came from my throat while she squeezed my hand. I focused on slowly entering her and I watched her face.

She winced once I was about halfway in and I stopped to let her get used to it but I wanted to just plunge deep inside of her. "Can we just rip it off?" she asked, her brown eyes opening and I saw the shed of pain behind them and I cursed. "Are you sure? I don't want to hurt you too much," she nodded, "Yea, just rip it off." I closed my eyes and with one thrust I was inside of her and she cried out from pain or pleasure I wasn't sure but I held tight for just a minute as my entire body was on the edge of exploding.

The feeling of being inside of her, her body surrounding mine, our hearts beating rapidly, our bodies connected, I couldn't focus on anything but that. "I'm okay," she breathed and I looked down at her to make sure before I slowly started to move and pulled back out before repeating the rhythm. My body rubbed up against hers and she slowly started to relax underneath of me and she brought her legs up around me to keep me going. She was so tight around me I could barely breathe.

Nothing felt better than this moment right here. Losing my virginity to her and knowing that I loved her to the root of my soul. She was my girl. The one. My everything.

"Oh my god," she gasped as I reached between us and rubbed her clit causing her to wither underneath of me. It wasn't long before I was following her and I literally melted my body into her body. Both of us were breathing hard as we shared a smile with each other before I placed a slow kiss onto her lips. "I am so in love with you," I whispered in her ear and I watched the goosebumps trail down her skin and her fingers ran over my back. "I'm in love with you, too. Thank you for taking care of me," she whispered with a tilt of her head and I kissed her one more time before I pulled out and away from her.

I ditched the condom and grabbed a wash cloth to help clean her up. Once we were done, I curled her into my body, "Are you feeling, okay?" I questioned and she smiled, "I'm perfect. It hurt but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be. You took care of me, Troy." I breathed a sigh of relief and buried my lips into her hair.

Monday, April 12th, 2021

Gabi's POV

My eyes watched Troy rock Claire back and forth in the rocking chair as she was upset after I accessed her port to attach her antibiotics and all she wanted was her daddy. Bethany came over to see her this morning and that had lifted her spirits while Troy and Luke had a meeting. My eyes watched her closely as she was happy to be home but I hated that we were doing another round of chemo next week. I hated seeing them finally get to this point and then we had to start back over.

I finally moved away to head to my bedroom when my phone rang. I picked it up to see Scarlett calling me, "Hey," I said as I wedged the phone between my ear and shoulder. "Hey sis, how's life?" she questioned and I sighed as I threw myself back onto the bed. "Okay, Claire was in the hospital a lot this past week. I am exhausted from it but we're back in the apartment." I examined my nails as Scar sighed, "How's Troy?" she asked me.

I hesitated because I couldn't put into words what we were and what was going on. "We're okay, I mean, he's still married, I am his employee, and we still avoid the past." I told her and she laughed, "Figured." I hesitated, "I told him why I left North Carolina." Scarlett didn't say anything for a moment. I could see her trying to picture how this conversation went. "How did that go?" she finally asked. I sighed as I ran my fingers through my hair and tried to fight away the tears.

"He was apologetic and I told him to not apologize because I mean…it's been a long time. I am over it but I think it hurt him more than he realized. I think he is finally seeing how hurt I was from the whole thing and how Wilmington carries all of those hurts."

"I could have chopped off his balls alone for doing that to you." I snorted a tiny laugh and smiled, "It's okay. We're doing okay though but you are right. I never really got over him and I am not sure I ever will. He's just…" I blew out a hard breath. "It's just so hard because there is still that connection. It's hard to ignore as I feel like I know what he is thinking without him having to tell me and he calms me down with just his presence and he's married," I finally said out of frustration and that caused Scarlett to laugh.

"You're right but maybe this will give you the closure you need. You know he is off the market, that he's happy with his family, and you can move on with somebody who will make you happy." I rolled the sheet between my finger and sighed, "That's the thing. I don't think he is happy." I whispered. Scarlett was quiet for a beat and sighed, "What do you mean?"

"He doesn't love her. Not like how he loved me. He doesn't seek her out as soon as he gets home. He doesn't smile at her. He barely looks at her and the same goes for her. I don't know if that is because they've been together for a while and are married and have a kid or if they just are in this because of the kids."

I heard Scarlett get up and move around before she answered, "I think it has to be hard for the both of you because you know what that felt like. That connection. That soul baring effect that you each had on each other and…maybe they don't have it but you can't,"

"I won't." I reassured her, "I never would. He isn't the cheating type either." I reminded her and she laughed, "Yea, I know. He would do just about anything for you." I thought on that statement for a moment as she wasn't wrong. He would do literally anything for me whenever I asked him to do it. I think that's why he did what he did originally – he didn't want to see my happiness fade but he didn't know how connected my happiness was attached to him.

He made me happy.

Not North Carolina.

Not at that point.

I sighed, "Well I am starting NP school anyways. I don't have time for any relationship." I told her and she snorted, "Yea, okay, whatever, I have to go. I love you and I can't wait to see you soon." I smiled, "I love you, too."

I hung up the phone and said as I fell back onto my bed. My eyes were protesting but I had to wait out the antibiotic bag. I got up to double check it was running smoothly still and I gently knocked at the door to see Troy and Claire asleep. She was curled up on his chest with one of his big protective arms wrapped around her middle. His head was leaning towards her and my heart basically exploded in my chest. His strong hands securing her to his spot and the protectiveness that he held for her was strong. That little girl was so lucky to call him daddy and I knew that the love he had for me he showed to her. Earth moving in every aspect. I couldn't stop my small smile as I quietly checked the drip before I went back to my side and decided to take a bath.

I sunk into the warm bubbles and relaxed with my eyes closed – this would do.

Troy's POV

I nursed a beer on my patio as I woke up when Gabi came into the room with the beeping IV machine went off. She quietly disconnected Claire and I eased her into her bed. I realized it was only ten and I knew I wasn't going back to sleep anytime soon. Gabi only gave me a smile and then disappeared into her room. A knock at the glass had me turning my attention to see Hanson standing there. "Hey man, how did you get in?"

"Gabi answered the door." He said as he settled into the chair next to me. "Oh man, I didn't hear." He laughed, "I know. You look to be in your own little world out here." I didn't say anything because I was. I was in my own little world. "How is Claire?" he asked and I smiled, "Better. I just woke up with her a bit ago. We crashed together after reading a few books." A smile formed on Hanson's lips as he watched the skyline together.

"How are you and Eve?" he questioned with an eyebrow rise, I shot him a look because Eve and I were always the same. We were existing together. Hanson rubbed his jaw while he nodded his head slowly. "I get it, Claire has cancer and your world is turned upside down right now but man why are you in this relationship with her if you have that feeling towards her? You barely want to acknowledge her."

"I tried," I argued. "The night of the domestic abuse event I went to bring it up and she freaked out and told me no. That we weren't going to be getting a divorce right now. That we had to be strong for Claire and the baby we are getting ready to have. She shot me down because believe me, I am so close to pulling the trigger. I am so sick of the fighting, the cold shoulder, we only talk about Claire and even that is strained. I don't want our son growing up in that."

I rubbed my jaw and sighed, "I don't know." I finally muttered. Hanson sat back and nodded his head, "I also don't want this to be Gabi fueled either."

"So, you are still into her," he said with a rising smirk and I shot him another look, "Hanson, have you seen her? She's God damn beautiful and I'm pretty sure she was the one for me but I blew it. I hurt her. I ruined our relationship. I broke her in half to the point she can't even return to our home town. I did that. I have to live with that and I don't get her back. Our ship has sailed and I have to let her go. She's amazing at everything she does and has so many dreams. I never wanted an influencer life for her – I wanted her to spread her wings and fly and do what she is exactly doing."

Hanson turned his head and nodded slowly as if he was understanding my thought process back then. "Gabi wasn't meant to be just a wife and just a mom. Do you see what she is doing now? Helping kids with cancer. Fundraising for families. She helps educate nursing students. I mean fuck, she would have fell into line with everything and I would have watched her die a slow death from that. My girl is caring, she loves to help people, and he a need to do greater things."

Hanson smiled, "My girl?" he questioned with a bit of a laugh and I grunted as I threw back more of my beer. "Fuck off," Hanson let out a dry laugh, "Are you going to be ready for OTAs next week?" I just nodded my head and he nodded, "Camilla and Lulu want to come play with Claire soon." I sighed with a nod, "Okay. I will work a time out before her next chemo. Tomorrow or Wednesday?" Hanson nodded "Wednesday."

"Why did you come over?" I questioned and he shrugged leaning back, "After Saturday I knew I needed to check on you. You looked like you could have bulldozed somebody. I was making sure you hadn't bulldozed anything and had working hands." I laughed and nodded, "Yea, that was a hard day." Hanson nodded, "How much of that was due to Claire?" he questioned tipping his head and I struggled to give him an honest question.

"It started with Claire and not being able to do anything for her."

"And Gabi?"

My stomach ached thinking about it, "She definitely rocked my world." I said with honesty and Hanson nodded his head, "I'm married, Han," he laughed, "Yea, I know and I've been telling you for years to get out of this mess. I don't even know why you were trying for another baby when your relationship was a mess long before this." I snorted, "The best part? We weren't trying. Yea, we talked about it but I was still wearing condoms. It fucking broke. Just like with Claire."

He scrunched his eyebrows, "You were wearing condoms with her?" I laughed and nodded, "yea, because she didn't want to be on any sort of birth control. It would make her fat and hormonal. I really don't care that she doesn't want to take birth control but she refused any other method than condoms." Hanson couldn't stop his laugh but he smothered it with his bear paw of a hand. "Oh god, Bolton, you are living in a strange place right now." I just shook my head and released a laugh. "Yea, tell me about it."

HEYO

Happy Sunday! I hope you enjoyed the update! Yall were a little absent in the reviews last update! I love hearing your thoughts so share them! The next chapter is gonna be a big one and I can't wait to share it!

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Next Update: June 27th (Probably will be a later update. I'll be out of town with some of my best friends all weekend but it will be updated that day….or maybe….Friday