Chapter 14 – Coming Home

Friday, September 12th, 2014

Gabi's POV

I laughed with Lucas and Gianna as we were all in the stands watching Troy as he was having one hell of a year. He was already getting more and more attention from scouts because of the numbers he was putting up every single Friday night. They were crawling to practice to watch him and he was going on a few visits in the weeks to come. My stomach was constantly in a flutter of nerves when he was talking to them because he didn't know what he was going to do and that made it hard for me.

I wanted to go with him but I wasn't sure how that was going to work. I didn't know how to narrow it down to the important ones that he was truly considering. I mean. I knew he liked the SEC because that was all football and he knew he would get exposure for the NFL there. I knew that was what he wanted but there was no SEC school around here besides South Carolina and Troy would never go there. He already said it.

That was like kissing his mom is what he said.

Rubbing my lips together I glanced down at the jersey that I had grabbed – it was from last year and it was Bolton across the back that I had put it on there. "Gabi, has Troy asked you to homecoming yet?" I shook my head, "Nope. Not yet. I think he will soon." I said with a smile, "We still have like three weeks until Homecoming." Gianna sighed heavily, "I just hope he does a good job," I couldn't stop my laugh as my eyes went back to him on the field.

He was currently on the sidelines with his helmet dangling from his fingers and his other hand tugging on the front of his jersey. His hair was standing up and he was laughing with Liam on his side. We had plans after the game today to go get pizza and then just spend time together. We tried to make it to some parties but we would rather just be with each other. There wasn't a desire for either of us besides maybe having somewhere else to have sex without getting caught.

"Gianna, you can't get so caught up in the girly stuff like that. Gabi probably could care less if Troy does something dramatic." I laughed, "Yea, I could care less. I just want to go with him and maybe I'll ask him." Gianna gasped, "No. You have to make him do it!" I giggled as I sent Lucas a look as he was back to watch his younger brother rule the field. I let my fingers trace a pattern over my bare legs as it was still warm out.

Troy took the field after the other team punted the ball and I was always so mesmerized when he was on the field. His strong voice carrying off the field and the purr of him calling plays. I knew he was a big deal and I knew he was going to become a big deal. It was the way he commanded himself on the field, the way his teammates respected him, and the undefeated record in a hard division. He was going to go somewhere big and bright – just like his personality.

My heart sped watching him drop back and launch the football down the field to Justin. Justin caught the ball and took off running as we all stood up and cheered. Troy ran down the field and took his team in the huddle and I smiled watching him. I loved watching him do what he loved and I couldn't wait to continue to watch him play.

Friday, June 4th, 2021

Troy's POV

Something had shifted in the past week in this apartment and I wasn't sure what did it but she smiled more, she laughed with me more, and we never talked about our conversation but something had changed since it. I wasn't going to push her in any capacity but I knew with the next chemo coming up, hopefully her last, it was going to be bigger. I just had a deep feeling that something was shifting in our relationship.

It was hard for me to believe that Gabi walked back into my life three months ago and so much had happened in those three months. Chemo, a divorce, and more chemo. I sat on the balcony with my morning coffee as Claire was still fast asleep as her next chemo was next week and I was nervous because we had another set of scans at the end of June to make sure the cancer was gone before we started to prep for her bone marrow transplant.

My feet were propped up on the table when the door slid open and I twisted my head to see Gabi stepping out in a pair of leggings with a tank-top. I smiled at her as she smiled back holding her own cup of coffee. "Morning," I said and she smiled, "Morning," she sat down next to me and she curled her legs underneath of her. "Did you sleep okay?" Gabi nodded her head as she took a long sip of her coffee. "Yea, I don't know where you got that bed but its damn comfortable." I chuckled as I shrugged, "I honestly don't know. Eve did all of the shopping."

"If it goes missing after I leave then well…" My stomach panged with sadness thinking about her leaving and I lifted my eyes up to look at her. "I won't even care. It would be the least I could do after you are spending however much longer here taking care of Claire. She loves you." I love you. I wanted to add it to the end but I refrained as she smiled, "She's an easy girl to love and I am pretty sure the thousands of dollars you paid me will be a fine payment to buy my own mattress."

I just smiled over at her and Gabi's eyes graced the city landscape, "I never pictured you to be in the middle of the city, I figured you would have some house in the suburbs or in the middle of nowhere," she said and I itched my jaw as I shrugged. "It's just easier to be here. I'm not far from the stadium and the drive is easy. Eve never wanted too either. She liked the city but yea, I would like land and to build a house. A retreat when I need away from this." Gabi tipped her coffee back, "That is more of what I pictured. Not that this isn't nice or anything but…not how I pictured you."

"I still think you should be in North Carolina in the rolling hills. It's what got me through hard days was knowing that you were happy in North Carolina." Gabi bit down on her lip and breathed out as she turned her head away. I didn't say anything further than that but she smiled softly, "I mean, I really love Boston and I branched out and did something I never thought I would do. It worked out." I swallowed as I shifted to sit up and I glanced at her.

"What are your plans for when Claire does her BMT?" I questioned trying to change the subject. Gabi sighed as she stretched one of her legs out as she continued to look forward. "What do you want me to do? If I go back to work, I'll probably work with other patients and I can't work every day but on the days that I don't work at the hospital I can be there and just help where I am needed with Claire. I can move back into my own apartment until she comes home, too."

"You don't have, too." I interjected and her eyes flipped over to mine and she studied me for a beat. "There isn't a reason for me to stay here and I doubt I come back anyways. If nothing happens and I start NP school in August…" she paused and didn't finish her sentence. I roughed my hand through my hair and turned my attention to the Boston sky. I rolled my lips together and just nodded my head, "I would like you to be there every day. If you want to work some of those days – that's fine. I just would like you there as much as possible." I stood up from my spot knowing that I had to leave before I did anything stupid or said anything stupid.

"Yea, I can do that." She said and I stopped in my tracks as I glanced down at her. Her brown eyes hit mine with a tiny sigh coming from her lips. "I'll make sure you have a good replacement," she said quietly and I sucked in my lower lip and took in a deep breath. "I don't want another replacement," I mumbled as I walked inside and shut the door. I sat the coffee cup down and brushed my hands through my hair and I shook my head. Get a damn grip, Troy. She had big things in front of her. I tugged on my hair and took in a deep breath.

"You don't get to do that," I twisted to see her walk in the door and I stared at her for a minute. "You don't get to say that to me because I don't want to find you a replacement. I don't want leave her but I have to do this for me because this is what I am supposed to do next. I can't help that I only had a short amount of time before I had to go to the next thing." She breathed out heavily and I saw the tears forming in her eyes. "In such a short amount of time I have fallen in love with that little girl and you can't do that to me,"

A tear slipped down her cheek and it was everything I could do to not reach forward and wipe it away. I swallowed on the emotion clawing in my throat and I reached up to frame her face with my large hand and she stiffened for a brief moment before relaxing into the grasp. "I'm sorry," I breathed as the sparks between our bodies were flickering and about to burst when Gabi pulled away from me. She wiped away one of her tears and breathed out.

"I see how much you love her, Gabi. I see it and that's why I don't want a replacement because I know you are the only person who could do that. Who can give that much and still smile at the end of the day and love her like that?" Gabi closed her eyes and I gently reached up to tuck hair behind her hair. "I am proud of you and I would never ask you to not do what is next in line for you but just know that I know how much you love your kids and your patients and…it's inspiring and to say that I am willingly going to let you go is something I can't say." I cupped her face again and the electricity and the pull were intense as our eyes clashed.

A few more tears fell and I gently wiped them away with the pad of my thumb. Our bodies got closer together and our fronts aligned, I still towered over her but my head dipped down to feel her breath on my face, her scent filled the air, and I couldn't stop myself if I tried. My entire body was humming and she hiccupped underneath of me when Claire's door hit the wall. Both of us jumped away from each other and Gabi ran her fingers through her hair as I turned around to greet Claire.

"Daddy!" she screeched and then rounded the corner before smiling, "Morning, Claire-Bear," I reached down and I gently picked her up as she wrapped her entire body around me. I hugged her tightly to my chest as she giggled. I rubbed my scruff against her bald head and she giggled with it. "Daddy! That scratches!" I smiled as I kissed on her face. "Does it now? I think I should continue to grow it." Claire shook her head, "No daddy!" she exclaimed.

"I know some people who like it," I teased her and I shot a look to Gabi as her cheeks flushed red – her thoughts going back in time to the last time I really grew one out. "No, I think you should be soft," she patted my cheek and I chuckled as I kissed her soft head. "I do like your soft head," I murmured and she hugged me tightly and then wiggled down my body before she went over and slammed into Gabi. Gabi laughed with surprise as she got on her knees and greeted Claire with a big smile on her face.

"Good morning beautiful girl," Claire giggled as she wrapped her arms around Gabi, "Good morning Gabi," I watched Gabi kiss her forehead and hugged her tightly. "Did you sleep okay?" she murmured into my daughters' ear and Claire nodded her head, "I did. I had a dream about a unicorn," I couldn't stop my smile as Gabi gasped in surprise, "A unicorn? What did it do?" Claire smiled wide, "It was singing and dancing with me on a stage,"

"Oh yea? What song were you singing?" Claire spun around and looked at me, "The one daddy sang to me last night before bed!" I felt my eyes go wide and I coughed into my hand. "What was the song daddy?" Claire asked as she looked at me with those big blue eyes and I pushed my hand into my hair for a second, uhm, wow, this was about to be awkward. I coughed again and looked up to see Gabi staring at me, "Daddy! What song was it?" Claire stomped on her feet as I flickered my gaze to Gabi and then to Claire.

"I Don't Dance by Lee Brice," I told Claire with a sigh and Gabi let out a wheeze of a gasp but maintained her composure, "Yea, that song." Claire spun around and she danced on her feet. "That's a good song," Gabi whispered to her and Claire grinned, "Daddy can't dance – or so he says." I swallowed as Gabi let her gaze flicker to meet mine. "I beg to differ," Gabi whispered back to her.

Gabi's POV

Saturday, June 5th, 2021

Eve was sitting with Claire as Claire was going to stay with Eve tonight in hopes of a normal night before we start chemo on Monday. Troy agreed as he had football stuff today and tomorrow and I was going to hang out with Wren. I needed girls time because everything with Troy was becoming too much. The spark was stronger than ever and yesterday if Claire hadn't busted out of her room – we would have kissed and I would have let him.

I was struggling to maintain my composure around him and when he said he didn't want a replacement? I didn't want to find my replacement because I didn't want to leave but I wasn't welcomed here after her cancer was gone and I couldn't not move on with my life. My life started in August and I couldn't pass it up because Troy Bolton had entered it again and was going to destroy it again more likely than not.

I was attached to Claire and I was…doing something with Troy Bolton. I missed his kisses and I knew once our lips touched the explosion would occur. He was my kryptonite and I needed that to stay away because I was already dragging my feet about returning to my other life. The life that I was perfectly happy in until he came back into it. I breathed out heavily as Eve picked up Claire's bag and I smiled at the both of them. "Gabi, are you sure you don't want to come?" Claire asked hopping around underneath of my feet and I gave her a smile.

"No, you go spend time with your momma, okay?" she pouted for a brief moment. "But Daddy says that your almost done here," I narrowed my eyes slightly and laughed, "I will be around for two more months, Claire. I'm not going anywhere, yet." Claire crashed into me with another hug and I smiled. "You better go snuggle baby Jackson," I reminded her and she gasped before hopping up and running towards her mom. I gave Eve a half smile as she ushered Claire out of the door.

I locked it and then I went to my bathroom as I got ready for my night out with Wren. I showered, shaved, and wrapped a towel around me before I turned on some music in my bedroom. I did my make-up lightly with just some mascara, eye shadow, and covered up some spots on my face before adding a lipstick. I then blow dried my hair until my curls were manageable before finding a pair of high-waisted skinny jeans with a cute crop top. I then slipped on a pair of black mules before adding jewelry.

My phone buzzed on the counter and I went to make sure it wasn't Wren calling me to only see Sophia calling me. I smiled as I answered my younger sister, "Soph?" I questioned and she sighed, "Hi, what's up?" she asked me and I looked in the mirror at my reflection as I felt good and looked good. "Nothing much, going to get happy hour and dinner with Wren before we gossip the night away." I found my bag as I dumped my lipstick, card, ID, and some cash into it.

"Oh, that sounds like fun, I'm jealous." I laughed, "What are you doing?" I questioned as I sat on the edge of my bed and listened to her. "Just laying around the house. I need to make a trip up to Boston," I smiled as I picked at my jeans. "After I move out of Troy's place." I told her and she didn't say anything for a beat. "How is that going?" she questioned and I released a sigh. "It's fine. Really, we're just…in a weird spot. Once I move out it'll be better."

"Are you going to stay friends?" she questioned and I shook my head, "No, I mean, it's just not in the cards for us. I am here doing my job." I repeated to her and myself. Sophia grunted, "Gianna said that Troy is really into you still,"

"Well…that sucks for him, I guess," I mumbled as I needed to go. "Soph, I have to go but I will talk to you soon, okay?" she just sighed, "Love you, Gabs." I smiled, "I love you, too." I hung up the phone as I stood up grabbing my bag and heading down the hallway when I spotted Troy at the kitchen counter. He heard my shoes hit the floor as he twisted and his eyes surveyed my entire body from head to toe. Those blue eyes flickering from one spot to the next as he got stuck on my bare stomach that was exposed.

His Adams apple bobbed in his throat and he ran his fingers through his hair, "You look beautiful," he finally said and I felt my cheeks rush with heat and I glanced over at him. "Thank you," he blinked a few times before his eyes landed on me, again. "It must be weird to see me in something other than leggings and a t-shirt," I joked with him and Troy cracked a smile and a nod, "Yea, it kinda is but I like it. Where are you off, too?"

"Happy hour with Wren and then maybe off to her house? I don't know." Troy smiled and looked down at what he was doing and then turned away. "Have fun, call me if you need any transportation or anything," I laughed with a tiny nod, "I don't get wild but I'll keep it in mind."

I took a long sip of my Moscow Mule as Wren was giving me that look. "Spill, what is happening in that apartment!" she squealed as I had been trying to avoid this conversation but here, I was finishing my happy hour mule in the copper cup. "Nothing is happening," I directed her and she shot me a look, "Your body language says otherwise," she directed and I sighed as I closed my eyes for a moment and then focused on her.

"He may or may not have almost kissed me yesterday…" Wren's eyes popped out of her head as she looked at me with those wide green eyes, "Shut the front door! He almost kissed you? The…" I reached over and planted my hand on her mouth and shot her a look. "Shut up," I hissed and she laughed with a big smile on her face. "And you better have a good reason for it not happening…" she exclaimed and I shook my head as I finished my Mule.

"Claire," I said and Wren grunted, "Fine, that is a good one but I just want you to know that you should at least make-out with him again and maybe ride him again, I don't know," I couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes at her. She was absolutely ridiculous. "You are supposed to talk me out of doing anything with him. I am only going to be in his life for two more months." Wren wrinkled her eyebrows as she took a drink of her margarita. "Can I ask why you can't see each other after that two month is up?"

I frowned, "I'll be in NP school, he'll be in the thick of football season, and why would we hang out?" Wren made a gesture with her fingers popping in and out of a hole, I could only roll my eyes, again, and look for the bartender for two more drinks…for me. "I can't be in a relationship with him, Wren. I can't do it. If I have to walk away from him again it has to be a clean break. I can't walk away from him after getting attached to him."

"Then don't walk away. God, you two would have the prettiest babies. Not that Claire isn't adorable but she would become the ugly stepsister," Wren whispered and I shot her a quick look, "You are on a whole other level today," I whispered back to her and she just let her lip's part into a wide grin. "I just think that this is your second chance and if the love was real back when you were in high school and you can still feel it simmering underneath then maybe this is what is supposed to happen."

I swallowed on the lump in my throat, "But NP school and…" I let my words falter and Wren narrowed her eyes, "Why do you want to become an NP anyways? Because that's next on a list? I mean, damn, Gabi, you are one of the best floor nurses and becoming an NP will change all of that. You can do NP school whenever but this?" she waved her hands around, "Life is going to pass you by and you might hate yourself for not giving him another chance."

I turned my head away when the waiter finally stopped by, I ordered two drinks from him before happy hour ended and he walked away. I swallowed down on the lump again as I looked out at the trees behind us. "I'm not saying you have to go and marry him but I just think you should hear him out."

"Troy said the same thing – that everything that has happened in his life has happened to give us a second chance. I didn't just show up in his life to dangle here and walk away." Wren smiled as she reached across for my hand, "Exactly. Life works in mysterious ways – that baby not being his? That only happened because you were coming back into his life. His daughter getting cancer? Because it was the path back to you."

"That's not fair to Claire," I argued back and Wren shrugged her shoulders, "I guess you should have been an adult oncology nurse," I shot her a look and she sighed heavily, "Okay, all joking aside, I want you to be happy and since I have known you, I haven't seen it. I haven't seen that glow and that big smile that your mom loves to tell me about. Yet, when you tell me stories about Troy and Claire…I think I start to see it. I think I start to see the edges of that smile but you are holding yourself back from that happiness and I don't know why."

"Because Wren, you didn't see me afterwards." I argued back as a Mule was placed in front of me. I took a long sip and Wren sighed before finishing off her own drink. "I think you're making a mistake by at least not listening to him. Maybe all he wants to do is clear the air as well. Explain what happened. From the bits and pieces that you told me – it sounds like he dropped a bomb on you and walked away. Maybe he had a reason."

My mouth thinned into a fine line as I just closed my eyes for a brief moment trying to collect myself because in a nut shell – that is what happened. There wasn't any reason too. I would have gone anywhere. I rolled my lips together and I breathed out before I looked at her, "What if he breaks my heart, again? I won't survive it, Wren." She reached over and squeezed my hand. "I don't think that man will let you go again,"

Saturday, September 20th, 2014

Troy's POV

I paced nervously as I waited for Gabi at the animal shelter as we were going to walk dogs today but I was also going to ask her to Homecoming. I meant to do it last week but with the game Friday, our date Friday night, and then I was swept into getting ready for yesterday's game and after winning yesterday with some of the biggest scouts I've ever played in front of there. I had a couple of visits coming up and I was nervous and I knew I had to tell Gabi about my upcoming visits but when I was with her…I didn't want too.

I just wanted to spend time with her. I just wanted to laugh and forget about football and having to choose a school. She made me forget all of that and I hated having those conversations because I could see the sadness in her eyes. I could see how much she was struggling this and I just…I didn't want that for her. I wanted to see her smile. The door to the shelter popped open and I looked at my girl walk into the building. She smiled and waved to one of the workers as she stopped and laughed at something she said. I couldn't stop the butterflies in my stomach and the love I saw in her.

She was in a pair of jeans with a t-shirt and then I noticed it was one of my old t-shirts and I shook my head as she twisted around to find me. Her honey eyes found mine and she smiled wide before taking long steps to get in front of me before she wrapped her arms around my neck and pressed her lips to my lips. "Hi," she whispered to me and I smiled, "Hi," I hugged her tightly to my body and she kissed me one more time. "I am so happy to see you without a football jersey on." I laughed as I kissed the top of her head before lacing my fingers through hers. "I am glad to see you too."

She tilted her head back and smiled as we walked back into the dog's area as I lead her back to the three dogs we were going to walk together. "How was the party last night?" Gabi questioned as she had a test on Monday and wanted to go home and study after our game. I went to a party with Liam but I hated it. I knew I should have gone with Gabi to just watch her. I grunted and looped a leash around the first dog and Gabi did the second one too when she stopped and grabbed the paper.

I held my breath as she looked up at me and then back to the note before unpeeling it and a smile grew on her face as her eyes scanned it. She walked forward and pressed her body flush against my body, "Yes, always, I will be your homecoming date." I couldn't stop my smile as I wrapped her back up into my body and kissed her. My lips opening hers and I couldn't stop as the dogs whined underneath of us and pawing to go on their walk.

I separated ourselves and I couldn't stop the smile as I pulled away from her, "You know I can't dance though," I said tapping her nose and she laughed, "We went to homecoming together last year." I laughed, "Yea, but I don't think I ever danced with you. It was new to our relationship and we both spent time with our friends." She pressed her lips together in serious thought and I couldn't stop my smile, "Promise me one dance this year, though," Gabi said reaching out for my pinky and I turned my head.

"Gabs…"

"Please, Troy," she pouted and I couldn't help but shake my head with a smile on my lips. I reached over and I wrapped my pinky arounds her as I tugged it up for a kiss, "For you."

"With everything?" she murmured and I couldn't resist as I let my forehead rest against hers. "With everything."

Monday, June 7th, 2021

Troy's POV

Gabi and Claire giggled from Claire's room as they were playing with dolls together and doing a tea party – one of Gabi's many tricks to keep her eating. It wasn't that hard right now as she was in the upswing from her last chemo but we were preparing her for this next one. They prepared all of us that it was going to be brutal as it was a higher power chemo to hopefully blast the last of it before we start the process for her BMT.

I rubbed my forehead as Gabi avoided me the rest of the weekend and it was easy because I was busy with football. Training camp started in about five weeks and Claire was going to be in the thick of her preparation for her BMT. There was concern that I wouldn't be able to come and go to see her because of football but I couldn't. I couldn't do a month without seeing her tiny face and her little lips. I already knew that Eve was going to be there more than me but I was going to see her every single day.

I still couldn't get over Gabi on Saturday as she was fucking mind-blowing gorgeous. I nearly groaned in my seat when she stepped out because she was torturing me and when she came home late in the night – I left her alone. The next morning, I was gone before she was awake doing a fundraiser with kids and helping start my campaign for kids with cancer. I was going to be a voice for them – for all of the voices that couldn't be heard.

I walked down the hallway as Gabi was on the floor in a pair of leggings and a t-shirt as her tiny feet were bare. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her but I was spotted quickly by Claire. "Dad! This is a girl only tea party," Claire protested and I held my hands up. "Sorry, sorry, I was just checking on you and Gabi." I admitted as I squatted down and she put her hands on her hips. "Dad!" I chuckled as I tugged on her hands and pulled her to me. "I missed you all weekend," I murmured into her ear.

She sighed and twisted her attention to Gabi, "Gabi do you care if daddy joins us? He said he missed me all weekend." Gabi couldn't stop her laugh and she nodded her head, "He can join us. Should I go make him a cup?" she asked and Claire tapped her chin and shook her head, "No. I think I have enough." She turned and wiggled her tea pot that had absolutely nothing in it but poured me a cup. I couldn't stop my smile as she handed me the cup. "Pinky out," she instructed with a dead straight face and I couldn't do it anymore. I lost it. I laughed.

My laugh echoed from my mouth and I couldn't stop it either. I had tears welling in my eyes as I was laughing so hard. Claire sent me a look and I tried to zip my lips but I couldn't do it. I continued to laugh as Gabi started to laugh and Claire crossed her arms over her chest as she kicked her feet. "Why are you laughing?" she protested and I wiped my eyes as I grabbed her into my arms. "Because you are so cute and it was funny." I told her honestly and Claire twisted her head to the side, "What was funny?"

I smiled as I kissed her cheek, "Just telling me that this was a girl only party and to hold my pinky up." Claire sighed and she rubbed her eyes for a moment before releasing a dramatic sigh, "Daddy, you are distracting us." I just closed my eyes and tried to hold my laughter in but when Gabi released a burst of laughter I couldn't hold back. "Oh Claire, I love you," I whispered as I kissed her cheek again but the laughter was vibrating my chest still.

My eyes flickered to Gabi and her cheeks were flushed, her eyes amused, and a smile on her face as she tucked her legs up underneath of her. My eyes caught the necklace around her neck that spelled Gabi in gold letters that hung around her neck. She was stunning. "Claire, your daddy thinks you are very funny." Gabi said standing up as she picked up the food that Claire didn't eat. Claire climbed in my lap and she snuggled in, "Daddy, can we watch a movie?"

"What movie do you want to watch?" I asked her, she tapped her chin for a moment, "What about Princess and the Frog?" she asked and I smiled with a nod, "Yea, go get on the couch. I'll be out in a minute." She ran out into the living room as I helped clean up her bedroom as Gabi walked back in. "She wants to watch a movie. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to break up the tea party." Gabi laughed and shrugged, "It was fun but I think I am going to go take a nap."

"Jealous," I proclaimed and she sent me a smile as she finished cleaning up in her room as I went out to help start the movie. I grabbed her a water and settled into the couch next to her as she crawled into my lap. I started the movie as her chemo was going to start later tonight while she was sleeping. "Daddy," Claire whispered my name as I glanced down at her, my eyes drifting away from the movie. "Yea?" I asked her and she shifted in my lap for a moment and her blue eyes glanced at me.

"Do you like Gabi?" I raised an eyebrow in her direction, "What do you mean?" I asked her. "Like do you like her like Anna likes Kristoff?" I nearly choked on my spit, "What?" I was baffled as my four-year-old could pick up on that but I was in the deny, deny, deny mode. "You stare at her a lot and you smile when you look at her. You didn't smile at mommy like that." She let her eyes wonder back to the TV and I wondered if I could get away without answering this question.

I brushed my finger over her knee when she tilted her head back, "Yes or no?" she asked me and I couldn't stop my laugh, "I don't know baby, Gabi is your nurse and is taking care of you. That's what I love about her. She's taking care of my baby girl." Claire rolled her eyes and looked at the TV for the longest time. I tried to sort my thoughts when it came to Gabi. If it wasn't for Claire the other day we would have kissed and I had zero doubts about that. I wanted to really talk to her – try and convince her to go out on a date with me but I didn't want to push too hard.

"It's okay if you do like her daddy, I like her too." I narrowed my eyes at my daughter and I didn't say anything this time because I was truly speechless. She fell asleep at some point during the movie and I didn't move. I just laid there and thought about what she had said to me. Was it too soon? Should I play the field?

No. I screwed up my first shot with Gabi and now here was my second. I couldn't fuck this one up and clearly Claire agreed with me.

I watched her tuck Claire into bed as she adjusted her settings on her chemo pump for the first night and she kissed her cheek. I watched every single movement when Claire glanced up at me. "Night daddy," I smiled as I walked into the room and leaned forward to press my lips onto her forehead. "G'night baby girl," she giggled as I planted kisses all over her face. My fingers ran over her bald head and I grimaced knowing that the drugs dripping into her were the result of it. It was going to be worth it.

"I'll be in later to check on you, Claire." Gabi smiled at her and I squeezed her hand. Gabi and I walked out together as I walked into the kitchen. Gabi shut the door behind her and followed me into the kitchen. "Wine?" I turned and asked her. Gabi shook her head, "No, I'm technically working and she's getting chemo right now. I'd prefer to not have alcohol in my system." I watched as she turned an alarm on in her phone. Her eyes glancing at the clock and then back at her phone to make sure. She chewed on her lower lip and I felt my body gravitate towards her. Her hair was high on her head and parts of it were falling out.

"Hey Gabi…" she looked up at me and those brown eyes were so full of life. She nibbled on her thumb nail and looked at me waiting for whatever else was next in my statement. I opened my mouth to respond but I snapped it shut again as I tried to find the appropriate words. "You alright?" Gabi finally asked as she stepped forward. The last month, two months, had been a lot of give and take with emotions. She had been there every single step of the way. From the moment my life had spun upside down to right now – she had been there.

"I just wanted to say thank you." I whispered to her; her eyes opened in shock but she just nodded her head. "I don't know how I would have survived the last two months without your help. Between getting Claire to all of her appointments with her doctors or supervising visits with Eve…you've been tremendous help. I don't know how to thank you." Gabi let her gaze fall onto me and she swallowed hard. "It's my job," she whispered and I shook my head, "No. You stepped outside of your job a long time ago. I asked you to come be her in-home nurse but you've become so much more. She loves you so much and constantly is asking me how I can keep you." Gabi laughed and I smiled at her. "You are doing so much for us and I can never thank you enough,"

She turned her head away as I don't know how we could ignore the electricity between us anymore. We had been in each other's lives for almost three months and I couldn't fucking do it anymore. This was definitely something I needed to do since the moment she walked into that hospital conference room. I've needed to do this since she walked away from me in North Carolina. My feet finished the distance between us and I felt her intake of air and I reached forward to let my finger run over her jaw. The electricity between the two of us was a strong current and the tiny gasp that escaped her lips told me that she felt it, too. I knew she did because it was always there.

Gabi didn't pull away or lean into it, "Gabs," I whispered quietly. Her eyes looked up at me as they were hooded with desire and want with just one look, she had me coming unglued. My dick was hard before I could even touch my full body to hers. The air was electric and both of us were breathing quietly while staring into each other's eyes. I knew what I was going to do and there was no stopping me. "I'm going to kiss you," I whispered to her and her eyes jumped in complete surprise. She opened her mouth but I didn't wait to hear what her response was. I let my lips crash onto hers and a sigh and moan of relief filled the both of us.

Her lips were so familiar but felt so new against mine. She leaned into the kiss and I took my hands as I pulled at her waist and pulled her soft body against my hard body. Her mouth opened to mine and I let my tongue run over her lips. She moaned and her hands grabbed my neck and slid against the back of my hair. Her sweet taste brought me back to seventeen and I couldn't ever let go – never again. I easily picked her up by the waist and planted my hands on her ass as I backed her up to my kitchen counter. Once I had her planted firmly down on the counter, I couldn't resist letting my hands cherish her bare skin underneath of her shirt causing her to whimper.

We both pulled apart panting and her eyes looked right into mine. Her sweet smell assaulted me and I couldn't breathe staring at her. "What are we doing?" she whispered and I shook my head, "I have wanted to do this since you walked into that room in March. You're all I think about. Watching you with my daughter? Watching you walk around my apartment? Thinking about all of the memories that we have together? Knowing what we are like together? It's been a challenge not to do this sooner but I can't do this anymore." My fingers framed her face and I just stared at her beautiful face. A tiny smile pulled at her lips, her eyes flickering away, "I don't know if I can do this again," she said quietly. My eyes found hers and I inhaled softly, "You're goddamn beautiful, Gabi. I know we have a lot to talk about and things that need to be hashed out but I can't keep my hands off of you anymore. I can't watch you and not touch you. I can't. I will if you tell me no but I just…I can't" I dipped my lips to hers again and she accepted the kiss. It was slower and gentle as I took my time exploring her mouth again.

Her legs hooked around my waist as I wanted to take her to my bed but I wasn't going to push her. I tore my lips away from hers as I dropped them along her neck and down to her collarbone when her fingers slipped through my hair and tugged gently. "One date," I whispered into her ear. She stilled as I pulled back and focused on her face. "Give me one date and if you don't want me to touch you ever again then I won't and we will go back to what we are doing but I want one date."

Her teeth began to nibble on her lower lip and the fear built in her eyes. "I want to explain everything, I want to have an honest conversation, I want to just show you that nothing has changed for me. My feelings for you never stopped, Gabi." She swallowed and nodded her head slowly, "Okay, one date," I released a heavy breath in my chest and I kissed her hard. The kiss aggressive and passionate as both of us were trying to get closer and closer to each other.

I pulled away from her as we were both breathing so heavily and our eyes connected, "Kissing you is like coming home, those lips, that smell, it's all so familiar and I've missed it so much." I whispered into her ear as I went back in for another kiss. She looked at me and she let her hand rest on my cheek, "I'll see if Eve wants her this weekend unless she is doing terribly, then we'll wait but we'll figure it out. Okay?" I tucked her hair behind her ear as she had flushed cheeks and her lips were swollen from the kisses that I have stolen. Her eyes were timid and I let my fingers reach up to tilt her chin to face me. "I'm not going to break you again, with everything in my power, I am not letting you walk away."

She bit on her lip, "Don't make promises you can't keep, Troy."

I hooked my pinky around hers as I pulled her pinky to my lips, "With everything, Gabi." I whispered.

Saturday, October 4th, 2014

Gabi's POV

Troy laughed with his friend as we had gotten dinner and had made it back to the high school for our homecoming dance. He had won another game and with the final games of the season coming up he was getting more and more attention. His eyes twisted around until he found me and gave me a wide smile. He hadn't been able to stop staring at me all night long. My dress was short, until about mid-thigh, and was sparkly silver up around my boobs until my belly button where it flared out into a dark blue.

My legs were on full display and the silver heels that I had chosen made me a few inches taller. Troy said something to his friends before he walked away and made his way towards me. It only took a handful of strides before his fingers slipped around my waist. We were both on the homecoming court and most people considered us a shoo-in to win. People only knew me though because of Troy but most people liked when a couple won it.

"Hi," he whispered into my ear as he kissed me softly. His fingers ran through my curls that were left down and I smiled up at him, "Hi, you still owe me that dance." I whispered to him and he looked over his shoulder at the DJ that was playing a fast beat song. "Yea? You think this is the song?" he asked nudging his shoulder and I laughed with a shake of my head. "No, you owe me a slow song." I told him as I surveyed his navy suit with his brown shoes and white and blue tie.

"I told you – I can't dance." He reminded me and I shook my head, "El," he told me quietly and he let our fingers interlace together. "Yea?" I whispered up to him. "Thank you for being my girl." I couldn't stop my laugh as I wrapped my arms around him. He took a picture of the two of us when our teachers got up on the stage, "Can we have homecoming court to come to the stage please?" Troy gave me a smile and tapped my nose, "You are going to win." Troy told me.

I scoffed, "No, you are going to win. Nobody knows who I am." Troy shot me a look, "Seriously, El? Nobody knows who you are? You are my girlfriend. The sweetest and most caring girl. The most beautiful as well." Troy reminded me as we walked to the stage together. Girls who hated me lined it already because I won the guy – not that I was ever competing but he made it very clear who his girl was and they hated it. Oh, did they hate it.

Troy gave me a quick kiss before he joined his friends on the other side. The girls and the boys all separated as the nerves twisted in my stomach. I really only wanted to dance with Troy at the end so he better win at the same time I win – if I win at all. I should have told him this didn't count as our dance either but I kept my mouth shut as they lined us all up. They began to reveal the underclassman. I snuck a peek at Troy who had his hands stuck in his pockets while he laughed with his teammates who were all on court.

"Fucking bitch, I don't know what he sees in you," I tried my hardest to not look at Jenny Williams as she was the head cheerleader and wanted Troy Bolton from day one but the comment stung. "You literally have nothing special about you and he wants…you? I think it's a show." I couldn't stop the tears welling in my eyes but I paid attention as they got to the senior court. I stood tall and forward as they did the second runner-up first, which was Quinn and then the runner-up which was Jenny. She walked past me and brushed me forcefully before going to join Liam.

"And for our homecoming king…"

The gym went quiet as I smiled over at Troy who was frowning over at me as he looked at my face

"Our quarterback who is going to lead us to a state championship – Troy Bolton!" Troy let his eyes drop from me before going to accept his crown and sash with a smile on his face. "Finally, our queen to get her dance with Troy…" there was a quiet drumroll throughout the crowd as Troy twisted and looked over at me again. The worry etched in deep on his face. "Gabriella Montez!" the crowd clapped and yelled as I stepped down with shock written on my face as they crowned me and put on my sash before I was holding Troy's hand again.

"What happened?" he whispered into my ear and I just gave him a smile. "I'm okay," I whispered back up to him and Troy shook his head back and forth. "Jenny opened her mouth. It's nothing. I am fine." I whispered as I let my hand rest on his chest as a song came on over the gym speakers. "Gabi, you don't have to take shit from her." I looked up at him as he gripped my hand gently and pulled me flush against him as I Don't Dance by Lee Brice came through the speakers.

A smile tugged on my lips as I couldn't stop my quiet laugh, "I have you. That's all I need; she can be the mean girl and I can be the girl who found her love in high school." Troy just stared at me for a beat as he continued to dance with me to a song that made my heart a puddle of gush. "I'm confused, I thought you couldn't dance Mr. Bolton." I whispered as we danced to the song with a lot of eyes on us. People were probably calling parents that the night was over but Troy and I – we were just getting started.

"I can't but doing anything with you – you make me look good." I let my head tip back in a laugh as Troy Bolton was a liar. He could dance and I would dance with him all night long. His fingers squeezed my side gently and he lowered his head to be closer to me as he whispered in my ear. "I watched a few YouTube videos," I couldn't stop the slow smile on my face as I looked up at him. "Yea?" I whispered to him and he nodded his head. "Yea,"

"I can't dance but here I am…spinning you round and around in circles," Troy whispered in my ear and the tears filled my eyes because I knew deep in my soul – that there was nothing better than this between the two of us. This was home.

Ohhhh what are you guys thinking?!

Let me know ALL of your thoughts! That big date is next! Will Troy blow it or will Gabi relent?

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Next Update: September 19th