Chapter 12 – Wilmington, North Carolina

Thursday, May 29th, 2014

Gabi's POV

I laughed with Scarlett and Sophia as we were all laying out on the back patio catching up and talking after the past few weeks of finals and Scarlett coming home from school. "Gabi, how are you and Troy?" I smiled as I thought of my blue-eyed boy with that handsome smile. "He's good. He's away at a football camp this week but we're good. We're happy. We're…" I sighed heavily with my eyes lingering on the cloud above me. "We're in love."

"You're seventeen," Sophia said with a laugh and I shook my head, "I can't explain it." I said with a shake of my head, "He is…just constantly there and when we are together, we just feel as if the world is right. I try not to spend every single waking moment with him but it's all I want to do. I love watching games with him, I like watching him practice. I like being near him and…" I let my words fall off and I shook my head still trying to shake the conversation from our spring break.

"What's wrong?" Sophia asked sitting up and I tried to stop the well of tears in my eyes, "He wants to play football and I know that. He is going to be one of the best and I also know that deep in my soul but I don't know if I can leave you guys, I don't know if I can leave North Carolina, and I don't want to ever take that away from him." I scrubbed my face and I tried to breathe through the rush of emotion. "But I love him. I can't imagine not being with him either."

Scarlett sat up and she sighed, "Gabs, those are a lot of big feelings for you guys. I know you feel it deep in your bones, how much you know it's him who is connected to you but…it will never be the end of the world if something happens. Don't rush through it. You are young, baby girl. If you want to follow him…follow him. We will always be there. If you want to stay here and do long distance…go for it. If you want to break up…do it. It's not the end of the world. If you are meant to be you will find your way back to each other."

I didn't say anything as I just stared at the fence in front of me, "I wish…I wish I knew what was going to happen this year. I want to continue to make all of the memories but I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared. I am scared because the more we are the together, the more I fall in love and the more I know it will be hard to walk away from him." I exhaled and Scarlett hugged me from the side. "You are going to figure it out. Let Troy treat you to this year and whatever happens…we'll be right there with you."

"Is it normal to find love like that?" Sophia asked and I couldn't stop my smile on my face, "No."

Scarlett barked a laugh, "Sophia, it'll come one day. Don't rush it sister," she smiled as she got up to go do something else as Scarlett sat next to me. We were both quiet for the longest time and she rested her head on her knees. "He loves you just as much. I see it on his face every time he looks at you and baby girl…he chose you. Girls in my class threw themselves at him when he was a freshman in high school and he never gave them the time of day. Yet, one conversation with you and he is hooked. Don't take that for granted because he will do you right."

I smiled as I picked up my phone to see a text message from him sitting on my phone meaning he was done with camp for the day. "I'm going to call him," I said and she smiled as she got up and walked off as I dialed his phone number. "Missing me?" he questioned as he picked up the phone and I smiled, "Yea, I am. I don't know the last time we went this many days without seeing each other."

He chuckled, "I don't think we have. It'll be good though. When I get back, we can go to walk the dogs." He offered and I smiled, "How about just a good ol' fashion date?" I countered back and he paused and huffed a breath, "Yea, I think we can do that, too."

"Like a dinner and maybe we can play catch or something I don't know. I just want to be with you and just you." Troy didn't say anything for a moment and then he cleared his throat. "I think you have something on your mind." I breathed out forcefully and shrugged, "I love you," I just told him, "But I am scared with all of the football talk and just…our last conversation we had about it put me off. I love you and I think I know deep inside of me that you…you are somebody worth fighting for, Troy Bolton."

"El," his voice was faint and I couldn't stop the watery smile on my face, "I know. That was mushy and cheesy but…"

"No, no, I get it. There is just something there that isn't normal for 17."

"Yea,"

"I love you, too." He uttered back and I smiled, "I can't wait to see you."

Wednesday, May 12th, 2021

Troy's POV

"I am calling to tell you that I am going to take Claire to Wilmington. We'll leave on Thursday, fly with BPJ, and we'll come home late Sunday." I informed Eve over the phone as we were officially divorced as of last week and Eve had been compliant with everything – thankfully because I didn't have anything left to give towards it. The media storm around her was a shit show and she did lose most of her reps and sponsors but if she was smart – she was saving that money I gave her.

"Okay," Eve was hesitant, "Is she staying with her family?" she questioned. I rubbed the bridge of my nose and exhaled heavily. "Yes, Eve. She is staying with her family. I know you find it so fucking hard to believe but I'm not fucking her. She is not the reason behind this divorce. You having somebody else's baby was the reason for this divorce so stop with the petty comments." Eve didn't say anything for a beat as I stared at the locker in front of me.

I came in for an extra session on the grass while Claire slept and received her chemo for the day. Gabi said I was pacing and told me to get the hell out of the apartment. I called Hanson and Reni and here we were. "I'm sorry, I just…" she didn't say anything as Jackson started to scream in the background. "I gotta go," I said and I hung up before anything else could happen. I rubbed my face with my hands when Reni walked into the locker room. "Dude, how are you holding up?" I blew out a long breath of air.

"I'm alive and my daughter is alive so good," I stood up as I slung a towel over my shoulder. I rubbed my lips together as Reni watched me, "Hanson said that you've been a fucking basket case." I rolled my eyes at Hanson's description. "I've been doing my damn best to hold my shit together. I'm angry." I told him and Reni gave me his smug smile. "Fuck dude, I wouldn't be standing. I'd be so fucking drunk every day." I just rolled my eyes.

"I don't have time for that." I grabbed a football as I headed out to our practice field. A few other players were milling around but I spotted Hanson talking to Williams, a defensive back, as they were laughing together. I walked over as Williams grinned, "Good to see you standing, golden boy." I rolled my eyes at his nickname. "Are you going to guard him or what?" I questioned as Reni ran out of the locker room. He was a tight end and loved to play catch.

"How's Gabi?" Hanson asked and I grimaced as Williams latched onto that. "Hi, uhm…who is Gabi? The ink on your divorce papers hasn't even dried yet." I scrawled at Hanson who grimaced as I sighed, "Gabi is the nanny/nurse taking care of Claire." I explained simply and I left out all of the parts that I knew her from high school, she was my first love, and maybe my only love. "Are you two close with each other? Are you fucking her?"

"Williams," I hissed out and he threw his hands up, "My apologizes. Apparently, she is a sensitive subject." Hanson chuckled underneath of his breath as my jaw worked back and forth. "C'mon, I need to throw a football." I warmed up and I worked my shoulder to make sure it was properly warmed up. We ran routes, targeted, and when I launched a hail Mary – it landed in the hands of Reni with a big grin on his face.

"God, I cannot wait for this season." Williams said as he wiped sweat off of his forehead. I smirked, "It will be a fun season." I commented but the stress and worry about Claire was sitting heavy on my shoulders. I was losing Gabi in August and I could never ask her to not go to NP school. If that was her dream – then that was her dream. "How is Claire Bear doing?" Reni asked as he took a long drink of Gatorade.

"Good, she's getting chemo right now. Gabi kicked me out of the apartment because I couldn't stop pacing back and forth. I hate watching it. I hate knowing that it's going to make her sick all night long." Hanson sighed heavily, "Sorry, man, I bet that has to be difficult." I just shrugged as we messed around for a while longer before we called it quits. I wiped the sweat off my face as I walked back into the locker room. Gabi had sent me a text that she was making dinner and I felt that weird warm feeling in my chest again.

Gabi…Gabi had been my saving grace the past several weeks. She was keeping Claire's spirits up, she was making sure she was eating meals, and when there weren't any nurse duties they were going around to parks and playing like she normally would. Eve was coming two to three times a week. Tomorrow, she would be here all day as I had to go shoot a commercial for Adidas and then a few interviews that they had set me up with just talk about the new life that I was living and to raise awareness about AML.

Gabi supervised all of them and said nothing but good things about the visit. The Claire loved holding Jackson, a sting to my fucking heart, and that Eve just watched her with sadness. I hated that it had to be this way for now but I needed some space for now. I needed…I needed to breathe. They still called each other every night before bed and I just let Claire have the fun while I did the dishes or something productive. Gabi had found a new schedule as she tried to work several times a month as Claire was handling treatments well.

"So how are you really doing?" Hanson questioned while sliding into the chair next to me. "Okay. Just trying to navigate all of it. I have that commercial tomorrow so Eve will be at the apartment all day." I shrugged as I knew Claire wasn't going to be up for much as she had her last day of chemo today. It was a bit of harder treatment but she was tolerating it pretty well. Gabi was hopefully that she would be okay to travel next week.

"Okay but with everything else…"

"I don't know Hanson, I just…I am trying my hardest to keep my head above water. This is the biggest season of my life and I have a daughter with cancer, no nanny come August, and if something happens to her during the season, I will lose my shit." Hanson sighed as he rubbed his hands together. "No way Gabi can stay longer?" I shook my head, "No. She's going back to NP school." I said looking up at him and Hanson turned his head.

"Have you asked her?"

"No, and I wouldn't ask her. I have known that August was the end for our contract. That is the end. She has dreams." Hanson didn't say anything as I stood up and pulled on my jeans with a Loyalist t-shirt before grabbing my gym bag. I could still feel Hanson's eyes on me as he shook his head, "Yea, okay, well in March you didn't really know that this was going to be your life." I didn't say anything back as I put my phone in my pocket. "Yea, well," I shrugged my shoulders, "I have to roll with the punches."

I didn't stay any longer as I walked out of the locker room and headed for my car. I slid into it while trying to just breathe. I had time. I had time. I had time.

Gabi's POV

I stirred the mac n cheese on the counter while I cooked Troy and I bit healthier of a meal – only because I was sick of mac n' cheese. It was the only thing I can get Claire to eat and only if I sprinkle extra cheese on it. Troy could get a sponsorship with Kraft at this point. "Gabi, when is daddy going to be home?" Claire asked as she was laying on the couch watching Tangled after her last chemo for this month. She only had one more month left of chemo as her bone marrow biopsy came back excellent.

"Soon, Claire. He texts me a few minutes ago that he was stopping to grab something from the store and then he would be here." I checked the oven where the roasted vegetables, turkey, and sweet potatoes were all baking. I licked my lower lip while I dished up the mac n cheese just as the door to the apartment opened. "She's on her IV pole," I yelled out and Troy chuckled as he knew how much she hated not being able to greet him.

"I'm coming, Claire," Troy called to her as I poured cheese on top. I found her smoothie that I made and took it into the living room as Claire was snuggling into Troy's lap and he was loving on her. "Daddy, where did you go?" she questioned and Troy smiled, "I went to play football with Hanson and Reni,"

"Wait…Remington Hayes?" I questioned coming in and Troy let his eyes float over to me. One of his signature smirks coming over his face and he turned his head, "I thought you didn't watch Loyalist football?" he questioned and I rolled my eyes, "You don't have to watch to know who Remington Hayes. Biggest," I paused as I emphasized with my eyebrows causing Troy to chuckle. "In Boston. He has come to the floor many times before." Troy chuckled and nodded, "His sister had cancer when she was younger. It was his mission."

I dropped down a plate of food to Claire and she sighed, "No, I don't want to eat, Gabi." She said with those blue eyes looking right at me. "Claire Bear, you have to eat, baby. Remember? The more you eat the less medicine we have to do." I smiled as Troy tried to get her to eat. "Just eat half," I said sticking my pinky out to her and she sighed while lifting her head to look at me. "My tummy hurts," I gave her a look and got down on my knees in front of her.

"Where?" I questioned and she pointed to her belly to the right and I twisted my head to look at her. "Right there?" I asked poking it gently and she nodded her head and I pressed a little harder with zero reaction. "I think it's okay," I whispered to her. "The food might help it. I made sure to give you your sick tummy medicine already." Claire sighed as Troy chuckled underneath of his breath. "I think I am going to make something else; I don't think I can have mac n' cheese again," Troy said as he planted Claire on the other side of the couch.

"Why wouldn't you want mac n' cheese daddy? It's the best!" Claire said with a grin and Troy chuckled, "I do like a good bowl of it but Daddy needs veggies." Claire stuck her tongue out and took a long drink of her smoothie as I smothered my laugh as Troy fought back a grin as that smoothie was stuffed full of veggies and fruits. What she claimed she hated but loved those smoothies. "I think mac n' cheese should be veggies." Claire argued and Troy laughed, "I am not going to argue that. I gotta go make dinner, baby," he kissed her head before he got up.

"I already made dinner," I blurted. Troy blinked at me for a moment and those blue eyes focused on my face. "I know, she's…" I shook my head back and forth. "No, I made us actual dinner. I uh…I didn't want mac n' cheese either and I figured something with substance might be good for the both of us and I just…" I stopped babbling as Troy let a smile come over the corner of his lips. "You didn't have to do that." I swallowed and shrugged. "I was already making it for me. Might as well make it for you. That's what a nanny does right?"

Troy let his jaw drop for a moment and those blue eyes laser focused on me. His lips turning into a frown as he thought about the words that I had just spoken. His lips set in a firm line and he exhaled hard and rubbed his face. "What's for dinner?" his voice was gruff and tense as he made a move for the kitchen. I felt my eyes scrunch in confusion as I followed him. "I made turkey with veggies and two sweet potatoes,"

"Sounds amazing," he pulled it out of the oven as I peered over it. Troy grabbed two plates as I sat back and watched, "Do you want a glass of wine?" I shook my head, "No. Claire has one last bag of chemo and I don't want to be impaired. I don't need you suing me for the little pennies that I have." Troy swung around to look at me and those blue eyes were intense. So intense. "I would never sue you." I tried not to laugh but just nodded my head as he plated the food for the both of us.

"You'd be surprised. Nurses are the scapegoat if anything goes wrong. It doesn't matter that I have triple checked everything but…shit happens." Troy just shook his head and sighed, "That's shitty." Troy tilted his head to the side as he grabbed his water bottle and sat down at the bar. I followed suit as I watched him for a few moments. "You, okay?" I questioned as I took a bite and Troy closed his eyes and nodded his head, "Yea, I'm just…breathing."

I turned my head to look at him for a moment and didn't add anything to it as I let him just breathe. His life was nothing but overwhelming currently and I was just here to make it easier. Troy ate his entire plate of food before going back for seconds. I barely finished my first plate as I knew something was bothering him. It was the energy that was rolling off of him and I wasn't sure what it was but I was in no place to grill him.

I didn't have that right to grill him any longer. I finished my dinner as I got up and I went over to start the dishes when Troy turned the water off. "You are not a housekeeper." He practically growled. I let my eyes flash up to him and I felt my entire body lock up with how he looked at me. His blue eyes dark, his jaw twitching, and his entire body humming with activity. "You are here for Claire. You don't have to cook me dinner. You aren't the maid. You aren't that nanny that does everything for the family. I don't want that for you."

My eyes went wide with shock at his spit fire of words as he took my plate and practically picked me up and moved me from the sink. I blinked my eyes a few times and rolled my lips together. "Wow, okay, I didn't know that comment stung. I didn't mean anything by that. I just…I am here to help you and cooking both of us dinner wasn't anything wild." Troy closed his eyes tightly and bit down on his lip. "I didn't mean to sound angry. I just…I knew this life wasn't for you so I kinda of hate myself for making you do this." His words were very frustrated and annoyed I was stared at him in awh.

"Troy, I would say no if I didn't want to do something." I said softly. Our eyes connected as he knew that about me. He knew that I would say no. "I want to do this to help you. You are paying me an absurd amount of money to sit with Claire. Cooking dinner and cleaning up is something I would do in my home. I clean up after myself." I encouraged him and Troy turned the water off and brushed his hands against the towel to dry them off. "I understand that but you have to understand how guilty I feel to just have you here all the time. I know you have always wanted to spread your wings and do big things and this isn't big things. This is practically a house wife."

I felt my head turning in circles with his little speech and the frustrating that was rolling off his body. "I said yes, Troy. You are not forcing me to do anything. Where is this coming from?" Troy shrugged his shoulders and ran his hands over his face. "I don't know." I narrowed my eyes and just nodded, "Well, I guess I will go take a shower and get ready for bed before I start her final bag of chemo." I started to walk away from him.

"Wait, Gabi, "

I turned to face him and I breathed in deeply as I watched him contemplate his words. "Dinner was delicious and so much better than mac n' cheese. Thank you. Thank you for doing all of this. I am just...trying to figure everything out and you doing this was never in my life what I wanted for you." I felt puzzled by his words as he went into the living room to spend the rest of the evening with Claire. I tried to think of our whole conversation. He never envisioned this life for me? Why would he be picturing my life?

Or was he talking about our break-up and he knew this was the life he was heading for? My eyebrows wrinkled together with the thought because he never said that. He just said that he didn't want to do long distance when we broke up. That he had picked Alabama, he wanted me to go to North Carolina, and that he wished me the best. God, I wish there was more than that but it was the end for our relationship. My thoughts raced with wonder about what that comment meant to me. I had a feeling well before him dropping that bomb that something was coming. He was pulling away, quiet, and constantly communicating with somebody. Stop. Our break-up about killed me and I couldn't pull those feelings back out. I couldn't do it again. I was the nurse. I was here to help Claire. I shook my head as I took a quick shower, washed my face, and went back out to see Troy and Claire laughing about something on Claire's iPad.

I watched them for a few moments as the kitchen was cleaned up, the lights were turned down, and Troy was preparing her for bed. He was a fantastic dad to her and that was something I learned from him. He was natural and so good at it but he was so worried about everything. I breathed in deeply as I went to grab her chemo and I went over to change the bag hanging there. I primed a new line and I hooked it up to her port as she whined.

"Claire, Gabi is just doing her job to keep you safe." Claire only sighed and rubbed her eyes, "How about we go lay in bed and read a few books before you go to bed?" Troy questioned and she just nodded as it took both of us to move her into the room as I took the pole and wires while he carried her down the hallway. "Gabi, you should sit and listen to the stories." I smiled, "I will listen while I make sure your medicine is running smoothly."

Troy settled her into bed and I messed with all of her wires, set the pump, and gave her the nighttime meds. Troy picked a few different books to read to her and after the first I tried to step out when Claire stopped me. "No, please," she whined and I paused as I turned to come back. "Okay, I'll stay for one more story." I told her as I curled up at the bottom of her bed. I felt those blue eyes on me but I was too confused tonight to look back at him.

My head rested against the wall as I listened to Troy's voice read her to sleep as I tucked my legs up and wrapped my arms around myself. My eyes growing heavier and heavier. "Gabi," I flinched at his touch to my shoulder and I opened my eyes. "Hey, you both fell asleep on me. Am I that boring?" he joked and I fought off a smile as he pulled me off the bed. That familiar tingle shot through my entire body as I pulled my arm back. Troy just pressed his lips together and his eyes looked down.

He still felt it.

"No," I broke the silence. "You aren't boring. I think Claire and I are both just tired." Troy gave me a small smile before nodding his head, "Thank you for tonight, Gabi. I appreciate it. I appreciate you." I just gave him a smile and brushed past him and into my room before either of us made a bad decision.

Friday, July 4th, 2014

Troy's POV

Gabi reclined back in my grasp as the fireworks boomed around us both. Her family was having a BBQ on the beach and watching all of the fireworks light up the evening sky. Our summer was flying by as I was busy with football workouts, meetings, and several different campus visits for college. Gabi liked to avoid the subject because she wasn't sure what she was doing and I sure as hell didn't know where I was going. I think it stressed her out and I tried to avoid it.

Our love for each other scared us mostly. It was too big. Too much. My finger twirled her hair and she took in a deep breath of air the salty air filling her lungs. "I love this holiday." She whispered, "I think it has something to do with summer, the beach, the family all being in good spirits and just – not about gift giving or forced meals with sweaters. Just laughs, summer meals, and happiness. Everybody is happy." Gabi sat up and she nestled into my thighs.

"I think I like that take on it. Christmas is full of happiness but the pressure of giving the perfect gift and making sure everybody is happy – it does seem like a lot. 4th of July is just celebrating our country. Coming together even when the country seems to be falling apart. We may have disagreements and opinions but we are lucky to live here and to celebrate it." Gabi smiled and tilted her head back so I could see her eyes with a pretty smile on her face. "I am glad we can see eye to eye on that one." I laughed before dropping a quick kiss to her lips.

She sat up and looked out at the waves rolling on the beach with her eyes full of something inside of them. "I know you don't know anything about your future but give me one promise that you'll keep me in the loop. I don't care if we go to the same college, Troy. I just…I want to know where your head is at during this whole process. I finally found you and I am not ready to give you up yet. You make me happy and full and so full of hope for the future."

I hesitated and I took in a deep breath of air and nodded, "Okay," I whispered. "I don't know, Gabi. I am getting offers from all over the country. Small schools. Bigger schools. Everything in-between. I just…I am listening." She turned around and smiled as she let her eyes hold mine. "I love you, T. I just want you to know that." I smiled brushing my finger over her face. "I love you, El." I kissed her a little harder this time and I wished her dad wasn't around or her mom lingering just a few chairs away because the need I felt for her was so deep.

"Let's sneak out of here," she whispered against my lips, I closed my eyes and breathed out, "I want too but I want to do this, too." I whispered back. Her brown eyes lingered on mine for just a beat and her forehead dropped to mine. "Gabi, Troy," Danny's voice hit my ears and I tilted my head back to give him a smile, "Nothing to see here, sir," he raised his eyebrows in suspicious but Gabi rolled her eyes before sliding down and sitting in my lap again.

"Better keep it that way, Bolton."

"Daddy," Gabi interjected and he gave her a smile. "Just protecting you, sweet girl." Gabi just rolled her eyes at her dad again before looking up at the fireworks. "Troy, how is pre-season going?" Danny settled down into the chair next to us and I pushed out my own breath of air. "Good. We had today off but we are back in the weight room Monday morning."

"Gabi said you have morning workouts at 6am." I grunted but nodded, "Yea, we get in early and then do non-contact football drills. I get in extra work + including talking to scouts." Danny chuckled, "I never thought my daughter would date an athlete who would be talking to scouts." I chuckled as Gabi shook her dad, "Dad, stop harassing him." She whined and I chuckled before pressing my lips into her hair. "Look, I'm lucky to have snagged her."

"It's a good thing to give people chances," Gabi spoke. I laughed, "I just would like a before and after meeting me quiz on football." I joked and she laughed herself as Danny grinned. "I do like the football talk around the house more. It is a little different and I learned a lot, too." I grinned, "Glad I could help the family." Danny slapped my shoulder before going to harass Scarlett and her boyfriend who was about thirty feet from us. Gabi turned and wrapped her arms around my neck and buried her face in my neck. I chuckled as I clasped her into my arms. The fireworks boomed overhead and her scent wafted into my noise. A memory that I forever wanted to commit to memory. "Mozzafiato," I whispered into her ear and she squeezed me tightly.

Thursday, May 20th, 2021

Gabi's POV

Claire giggled in her seat in the plane as she was talking on Facetime with her mom as Troy was scrolling on his own phone as we waited for our clearance to take off. I on the other hand was still staring at the private jet that Troy was escorting us in back to Wilmington. My stomach was a flurry of activity just thinking of being back in Wilmington with Troy. I swallowed hard on the rock in my throat as I rarely went back to Wilmington.

The last time was around Thanksgiving as we went away for Christmas this year as a family.

Troy and I did everything in Wilmington together leaving very little without memories of the both of us. We integrated into each other's lives and it was almost too hard to face. I was hoping now that I was in a better place and that I felt like there was most closure that it would be better. I breathed in when the plane started to slowly move underneath of me. I adjusted in my seat when I felt a pair of eyes on me. "I don't remember you being nervous on planes,"

"We've never rode in a plane together," I corrected him quickly. Troy chuckled to himself, "Fair, but you've never mentioned that planes freak you out."

"They don't," I snapped and that tone caught Troy's attention as he twisted his head to look at me. "It sounds like they do," he threw back and I finally looked at him. His blue eyes staring at me and I felt myself take a deep breath while twisting my head away from Troy and looking out of the window. The plane picked up speed and it picked up off the ground and into the air as Claire was unaffected and I could see feel his stare.

When the seat moved next to me, I didn't have to twist to know that Troy sat down. His cologne, the same damn one from high school, and just the way my body reacted told me who it was. "Gabi," he said quietly and I finally sighed and fell back into my seat. "It's not flying that has me nervous. It's Wilmington and you that has me nervous. I don't go to Wilmington. I come for a holiday and I'm right back out. This will be my longest stay here since high school." I admitted to him and Troy snapped his mouth shut. Those blue eyes zeroed in tight on me with a hint of anger wrestling behind them.

He ran a hand over his face, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come." He said, his voice gruff, "No, it wouldn't have mattered. I am hoping this time is better than last time. I just – I hate it." I turned to look out of the window and I didn't turn my head again until I felt his presence next to me. "Every corner, every restaurant, every beach, every store…we have memories at all of them. I can look at all of them and think back to a time you made me laugh, a time I fell in love, or a time that I just…" I shook my head as I reached up to wipe a tear away from my face.

Troy didn't say anything as I rubbed my face free from tears and took a deep breath, "Sorry, I just…Wilmington was special to me because it was full of love. The moment you walked away from me…it felt dark and dirty and…" I breathed out. "Gabi," I couldn't look at him as my chin trembled. "Gabi, please," I couldn't breathe as the air stuck in my lungs and I squeezed my eyes shut so tight. He gently touched my arm and I jerked away.

"I'm sorry," his words were so quiet I barely heard them and when I turned to finally face him, the tears broke free down my face and his face cracked. "I never wanted that for you. I never wanted to turn what we had into darkness. I…I never wanted to hurt you." I sucked up my tears and gently wiped them away. "Well, Troy, you did. Now it's the hardest city for me to step in."

Claire called to Troy and he gave me another glance but I turned my head to look out the window. Troy got up and went over to be with Claire while I tried to compose myself. My stomach rolled upside down with the mere thought of being in the same town as him again. The nursing home, the animal shelter, the football field, the gym…all of it haunted my dreams. I rubbed my lips together when I got up to go to the bathroom.

My eyes caught my reflection and I took in a deep breath, I gripped the sink and breathed out. "You are going to be okay, Gabi. You are going to celebrate your sister. You are going to help Troy if he needs help. You can do this." I whispered to myself and I pushed away from the sink in the overly big bathroom for a plane, wiped my face, and made my way back out to the seating area. Troy was glancing at me and he got up again.

"Look, if this is too much for you because of me then we don't have to do this."

"I have to be here for Layla, it was going to be this way if you were here or not. At least I don't have to worry about Claire." Troy nodded his head and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I think I could say it a thousand times over…I hate it." I just nodded my head because I was not getting into this with him. "I don't think you realized just how much I loved you back then Troy Bolton." His eyes focused on me and I slipped past him…not wanting to talk about word about this.

Scarlett wrapped me in her arms the moment I walked through the door, Layla right behind followed by Sophia. It was no secret how it was hard for me. "Gabi, we've missed you." Layla breathed and I smiled as I squeezed them all a little tighter. "I've missed all of you. You guys need to come to Boston this summer. I might even be able to hook you up in the penthouse."

"Yea, uh we all need to talk about that." Sophia said with a pointed look as if she wanted to know what was happening in the Bolton penthouse. "There isn't anything to talk about." I reassured all of them as I stepped away from them and kicked my shoes off. Troy was staying with his family, only two miles away, He confirmed to me that he would call if any problems raised but those eyes were worried every time, he looked at me.

"Uhm, I beg to differ." Scarlett said as she followed me into the house. Our parents still at work apparently. "The man is already divorced from his wife and here you are in Wilmington with him. Living with him." Sophia nudged me and I shook my head. "No. Troy Bolton shattered my heart. I cannot do it again." Scarlett groaned as I moved inside the house dropping my bag. "He was the man made for you. I always thought you two would end back up together."

I shot her a look and she shrugged her shoulders as I collapsed in the couch. Layla bounced down next to me, "C'mon, nothing juicy? You've lived with him for months and witnessed his divorce first hand. There has to be something to share." I laughed with a shake of my head. "No. There is nothing juicy to share. He is very similar to the same Troy Bolton that we all knew in high school. He got married because he got a girl pregnant and it didn't work out." I shrugged my shoulders and all three of my sisters were looking at me.

"Gabi, you are telling me there is nothing going on between the two of you?"

I glared at Scarlett, "No, Scar. I would never allow him to cheat on his wife for the first part. For the second part, I barely talked to him the first several weeks. I took care of his daughter. My job. Yea, we've had a couple of conversation but…" I didn't finish my sentence as I sighed. "He doesn't love me anymore." Scarlett just nodded her head and sighed, "Okay, fine, how is his daughter? Is the wife an evil devil?" I smiled at her questions.

"Claire is literally the cutest thing on planet earth. She is so sweet and a very good patient. Eve is not an evil devil. She just isn't the women for Troy. She takes great care of her daughter and made some bad decisions but I think it was actually for the best. They both seem happier apart from each other already. A lot less fighting which was awkward." Layla pouted next to me, "I was hoping you two were back to your old making out self."

"No, guys, I don't think you understand. He shattered me."

"We know, Gabi. We watched you. It wasn't pretty but you still haven't stopped loving him. When mom told us who you were working for…all of us looked at each other. Because we knew that you still loved him." I inhaled sharply as I got up and I went upstairs to my room. "Gabi," Layla called after me but I didn't want to talk to them. I didn't know what to say. Yea, okay, I still loved him but he didn't love me. He got over me. He had a kid with somebody else. Married them.

"I got this," I heard Scar's voice as she entered the room and I shook my head. "I don't want to talk about it. Yea, okay, I love him but I don't think I will ever not love him either. He was my first love. There will be somebody else out there for me and I just haven't found it yet. You know how hard it is for me to be here." Scarlett just sat down next to me and I leaned against her. She was always my big sister, my role model, my best friend growing up.

"I think you were close to finally moving on when he was thrusted into your life again. I don't know why he was suddenly placed right back into your path but he was, Gabi. I think it's okay to acknowledge that shit happens for many reasons and maybe you never trust him with your heart again but I think it's being held together by duct tape and it won't be hard for him to wiggle his way back in." I swallowed on the nausea filling my throat. "Watching him with his daughter, listening to them laugh and talk with each other…"

Scarlett took a deep breath and squeezed me, "See…he's already loosening that tape. I don't think you should completely shut him out. I understand your hesitation but…if I know the Troy Bolton from high school…he regrets letting you go." I didn't say anything as Scarlett just hugged me and let me be for a few minutes. I inhaled deeply and shut my eye; I wasn't going to start another relationship with Troy Bolton. I had NP school, I had my patients, I had so much in my future.

But why did my stomach turn at the thought of leaving his life again?

Troy's POV

Friday, May 21st, 2021

I couldn't stop thinking about what she said in the plane. It was eating at me all day. I played with Claire but I was distracted. "Troy," I glanced up at my mom and she squinted her eyes. "Hmm?" I questioned as Claire crawled all over me. "You seem off," I just shrugged my shoulders as I didn't know what to say. "How is everything going on with Eve?"

"Good. I mean…our schedule seems to be working. When Claire is done with treatment, she'll spend more time over there but it's more convenient for her to just stay with me because of Gabi." My mom rose a single eyebrow up at that name. "How is that situation going?" she questioned again and this time I didn't do anything. I made no face, my no look towards her, I just…felt defeated. I knew she didn't want anything to do with me but it was still hard to be around her all the time.

"So that's what is bothering you," my mom took a sip of her coffee as I didn't say a damn that to that either. "She hates Wilmington because of me." I finally told my mom and my mom gave me a pointed look. "I told you to talk to her before you just broke up with her." I sighed while brushing my hands through my hair and sitting up as Claire was occupied with a toy. "Yea, but she would have done anything to go with me. She would have given up all of her dreams to watch me play football and what if we would have taken the same path as Eve and I? Had a kid too early, fought our entire marriage, and end up right here?"

My mom sat her coffee down as she came to sit next to me, "I don't think any of that would have happened. Maybe she would have followed you but I think you would have been much happier. I don't think you would have asked Gabi to marry you just because you got her pregnant because you knew she was there for the long haul. I think you would have done it so much more differently. I think you and Gabi had a kind of love that doesn't come around often and it hurt me that you found it so young."

My fingers brushed through my hair. "She cried on the plane because she can't handle being here anymore. She hates all of the memories and the little things that remind her of us. I live for those things. Fu-," I paused my language as my eyes bounced over to Claire. "Frick, I bought an entire nursing home for the memories." My mom laughed at that and she shrugged her shoulders. "You both are handling the grief differently and I hate to break it to the both of you but you are both still grieving. You never got over her. She never got over you."

"She has," I argued. My mom just laughed. "She hasn't. You can tell yourself over and over again that she has but she hasn't. That woman is madly in love with you still and if you want to continue to deny it then go ahead but don't waste this opportunity, Troy. She walked back into your life for a reason. She was the nurse because somebody made sure that your stories connected, again. It's the reason she chose Boston, it's the reason you went to Boston. You didn't know it at the time but it's there. You reconnected. Your wife cheated on you and it suddenly made you available. All of this is happening for a reason and just maybe that reason has brown eyes and curly hair."

I gave her a look as I digested all of the information, she just threw at me. "I don't want to force you into anything but I think you need to realize what has been put right in front of you. I've never seen you happier than with that girl. Troy, you weren't that happy on draft night because she wasn't right there next to you. You had Eve but it wasn't her and I think you have a second chance."

"What if she doesn't want that second chance?"

"Prove to her that you are worthy of a second chance. You did shatter her. You broke her heart. She didn't see that coming at all and you just ended it and walked away as if you didn't spend all of that time together. She is going to have a very hard time trusting you, again. Trusting that you won't just walk away."

"I walked away for her."

My mom turned her head, "Did you ever ask her if she wanted you to walk away?"

"She would have followed me."

"Maybe she wanted to follow you, Troy. Maybe she loved you so much you became her dream instead of a silly college. Did you ever think that?" My stomach bottomed out and my entire body felt like it was on fire from her words. I never asked her but I knew what she would say. "She dreamed about North Carolina," my mom gave me a slight smile as she looked over at Claire for a beat and then her eyes turned back to face me.

"I'm pretty sure she dreams about you more." My mom walked out of the room on that note and my jaw was still currently on the floor. Gabi made is perfectly clear where I stood in her life. I wasn't to be a part of her future. I was only her past. I tried to push that through my brain but what if my mom was right? What if it was just a front? I couldn't deny that the attraction, the chemistry, the everything was still there between us.

I just shook my head as I looked over at Claire.

Claire. Football. That's it. That's all I needed.

Saturday, August 16th, 2014

Troy's POV

My arms curled around her as she snuggled into my lap as the fire crackled in front of us. The roar of the waves rolling onto the shore while some of my good friends, and hers, were gathered around. Riley and Lilly were both here as they were slowly coming around my crowd more often. They were very quiet and definitely not into sports and didn't understand our relationship but Gabi still loved them. She hung out with him about once a week anymore to make sure we spent time apart.

Time I never wanted to spend apart.

She snuggled down again and I pressed my lips into her hair. "Our last weekend of freedom," she murmured into my ear and I chuckled. "You got that right, I have football every single weekend for months after this. Are you ready?" I asked as I laced our fingers together. "Yea, I'm ready. I'm ready to watch you, support you, love you…I love watching you do what you love. Remember?" I couldn't stop the smug smile from pulling up onto my lips.

My lips pressed below her ear and I smiled against her skin, "I remember," she turned her head just enough for me to kiss her. "Do you think you'll have time to celebrate your birthday?" she questioned as my birthday was fast approaching next month but I didn't know how much time I was going to have to celebrate it. "It is a Sunday," I told her and she smiled, "Good. We can do something you want to do."

I chuckled and she elbowed me because she knew exactly what I was thinking. "Not that. I mean," she blushed. "I wouldn't be upset if we did that but we have to find an empty house or something. We almost got caught last time."

"Yea, because you are so loud."

The elbow came back into my gut again as I grunted but I also laughed. "I love it," I whispered into her ear and she shook her head but her neck, ears, and cheeks all turned bright pink. "Would you two stop talking dirty to each other?" Liam tossed as he glared at us. I couldn't help but laugh as he had a think for Riley but he was too nervous to even talk to her. She was pretty out of his league but so was Gabi to me. My eyes watched Gabi as her fingers lingered on the EL necklace around her neck. I loved that she wore it all the time. It made me so fucking happy to see.

"Troy, you ready for senior year? We're finally the top dogs," Liam said and Jamie sent all of us a look. He showed up uninvited per normal but we mostly ignored him. "Yea, I am. I think it's going to be my favorite year, yet." I kissed her cheek and she laughed. My stomach still full of butterflies when I'm with her but coming up on a year together – it was my favorite thing in the world. To hear her laugh. To see her smile.

It kept me going and having her by myside for my senior year? It doesn't get much better than that.

Saturday, May 22nd, 2021

Gabi's POV

I settled in on the beach as the sun was rising up overhead. I went for a run this morning and landed here. Layla graduated last night and had her big party today. I was so proud of her as she was going to go off to Duke in the fall and do pre-med. She was a strong girl and I knew she was going to go so far in life. I took in a deep breath as I thought about returning to Boston with Troy. My sisters had filled my brain with so many different thoughts but I had to remember that I was there to take care of Claire.

That was it.

My job was to make sure Claire lived a whole happy life and I know we only had one more month of chemo to go before we would start the process for a bone marrow transplant where I would transfer back to the hospital. She wouldn't be my only patient anymore and I wouldn't be living with Troy. It didn't make sense, too. Maybe once she was done if it wasn't August by that point. My gut twisted thinking about leaving Troy, again.

I don't know why either because he was in my past. Troy Bolton only got one shot with me and he ruined it. He ruined it.

The orange, yellow, and pink light up the sky as the sun started to peek through the clouds. I loved being with my family and this visit had been better than previous visits. Maybe because I have different memories with Troy Bolton now. Maybe because I understand what his life is like now. That he has a kid, an ex-wife, and a big career. That he really hasn't changed at all. The memories were still assaulting me – like when I looked to my left, I saw us laughing while throwing the football on this very beach. Or the bonfire we had our last week of summer before our senior year.

All of those memories that made me smile, made me laugh, or made me cry because I didn't have that anymore. "I never thought I would see you here." I jumped as Troy settled into the spot next to me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." He held two cups of coffee and I squinted my eyebrows as I turned to face him. "What are you doing here?" I felt my words crack against my tongue and Troy gave a soft smile as his eyes refocused on the shoreline.

"I don't know. I couldn't sleep. I pulled up and saw your mom's car, I can't believe she is still driving the same thing," he said with a chuckle, "But I knew it was you that was here. I went and got our favorite coffee and figured…" he let his voice drift off and shrugged his shoulders. "I figured I owed you a new memory here." I tried to hide my pained smile but took a grateful sip of my coffee. "Thank you," I whispered quietly and he just nodded his head as we both stared forward.

"I never thought I would sit here again with you." Troy said quietly. "You don't come back to Wilmington and neither do I. My family comes to me, mostly because of football, but it's always been that way. I avoid here just as much as you." He took a deep breath and I didn't say anything back because there wasn't anything to say. "How is Claire?" I asked after a few beats and he smiled thinking of his cute little daughter. "She's having a blast. Beach time, time with grandpa and grandma, no medicine, no chemo, no hospital…I don't think she wants to leave."

"I'm glad she has those memories," I whispered back and Troy smiled, "I sometimes wish she grew up here instead but it just makes sense to keep her in Boston." I nodded in understanding. "How was Layla's graduation? I honestly can't believe she is graduating." I laughed, "I know. It makes me feel old. It was good though, eerily similar to ours." I felt a ghost of a smile cross my face because that night was the last night, we ever had sex.

I swallowed down on that memory as I knew in the moment it felt like good-bye sex, there was just too much raw emotion attached to it. Troy's mind must have gone there as well because it was only one week later that he told me he pulled his offer from UNC and was going to Alabama. "I'm so sorry," he whispered and I just looked forward and nodded my head because…that's all I could handle. The memories. The apologizes. The future.

It was all too much so I just took his apology and tucked it away in my heart because it was cracking under the pressure. I loved the man sitting next to me and I don't think I'll ever stop but I also don't think I can ever go down that road again. It breaks my fucking heart.

Happy Sunday! I hope you all enjoyed the update! Can you feel the tension brewing?! I really love sharing and writing this story. It's by far one of my favorites!

Thanks for the love and patience!

J

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Next Update: August 22nd