Chapter 17 - Trust

Friday, June 25th, 2021

Troy's POV

Lucas, Hanson, Reni and Reggie were all seated around the table in my apartment as we were playing cards together all laughing and enjoying some of our final times of the summer before training camp was set to resume – just two weeks after Claire was slated to start her BMT process. My heart ached that I couldn't be there for her but I knew she was going to be in good hands. Gabi was going to be there as much as possible for her and Eve was going to be there. I would be there every single moment that I could.

Gabi was out with her best friend Wren and Claire was feeling good enough to spend time with Eve and Jackson tonight. She was staying the night and she was excited to spend time with mommy and Jackson. I was excited because when I kicked all of these guys out – I had the place to myself with Gabi. We hadn't done anything with each other besides kiss or make-out as she worked a few days this week and did her yoga training. I was busy with Claire soaking up as much time while she felt good.

She stayed in her bed. I stayed in my bed but I was fucking over that shit. "Troy, how's that single life?" Reni asked, I tried my damn hardest to keep a straight face but I couldn't contain my smirk. I couldn't contain it at all. Lucas sucked in a breath, "Shut the fuck up, since when?" I glanced over at him and Hanson scrunched his eyebrows together as I played my card before letting my eyes shift to Reni again. "I uh…" I scratched the back of my neck before tilting my head to the side with a smile. "My single life didn't last long but…"

Lucas just laughed and Hanson let his jaw drop, "Shut up, since when?" he repeated the same line as my brother. "We had a date last Monday and well…" I just let the shit eating grin cross my face as Reni and Reggie shared a confused look. "Wait wait wait…who are you fucking already? QB1 doesn't mess around," Reggie asked. I shook my head as looked at Lucas, "So here is a bit of a story that stays at the poker table boys," I introduced the story and laid my cards down before taking a drink of my whiskey.

"Have you all met Gabi?" I asked over towards Reni and Reggie. They both nodded. "I dated her in high school." Both of their eyebrows shot up to their hairline. "We broke up when I went to Alabama, I knew I was going to marry her in high school but she loved North Carolina and I got my offer yanked from UNC at the last minute. Alabama called and I went. I didn't give her any choices and just broke up with her. I didn't see her for eight years until she walked into the hospital conference room to be the one to take care of our daughter in our home."

"Holy shit," Reni said and I laughed, "Yea, that was my reaction exactly. I didn't know she was in Boston. She avoided me at all cost. This is not why Eve and I got divorced. I pretty much told Eve up front, at Gabi's request, that I tell her about our past. Did I go into deep detail about that I thought I was going to marry her – uh no but she was my first true love. I never stopped loving her and when the whole wrong baby daddy thing happened and the divorce and she was here."

I sighed with a shake of my head, "She walked into that room because that was my second chance. This is my second chance at her. I had to wait and be patient but I scored that date. I explained how everything went down. I told her that I never stopped loving her and well…we're taking it slow." I said with a glance towards Lucas who couldn't stop his growing smile. "You and Gabi back together – Gianna and mom are going to flip the fuck out."

I shook my head as Hanson shot me a grin, "No wonder you were in such a good mood on Tuesday. You had just gotten laid." I chuckled, "That was the first and only time since our date but yea, it was finally good sex, scratch that, fan-fucking-tastic sex for the first time in like five years. I won't deny that Eve and I had something at the beginning but that was the last of it. Sex with Gabi is…" I couldn't describe it. "The girl who took your virginity. The girl who caused you to lose your mind your freshman year of college. The reason behind the tattoo." Lucas said with a knowing smile on his face.

"Whoa, the one on your chest?" Reggie asked me and I nodded as we resumed our card game. "Yup, she drew it our senior year and tucked it into my pocket. I found it in my truck at Alabama and had them tattoo it on my chest." Reni shook his head, "That's wild. I can't believe it was her that they picked to be your home nurse." I chuckled, "Yea, I was just as shocked. She hated me at the beginning and I think she is still terrified but I'm going to marry her."

All four guys shared a look with each other, "You are barely divorced."

"Yea well, I'm not in a rush," that was a lie, I would marry her tomorrow if she would let me, "but I said it back in high school and I said it now. She was my girl. Like I said, Claire doesn't know yet. I told Eve but that's all of the people who know. She doesn't want a lot of people knowing." I tugged on my lip with my teeth as I looked at the clock wondering when she was going to be home. Our card game ended with Reni pulling all the money towards him as we rolled our eyes. I finished off my whiskey and went for a refill when Lucas came over and squeezed my shoulder.

"I'm happy that you are both giving this a shot." Lucas said and I laughed, "It took some convincing but once she heard what happened with UNC…I think she understood a little bit more. She was pissed that I just didn't tell her about Alabama and give her a choice but…I told her it all worked out like it was supposed to work out. It's hard to think about that now because I would have done anything to stay with her at UNC but then I wouldn't have Claire and fuck Lucas…I couldn't imagine my fucking life without her."

Lucas nodded, "I get it. Life happened."

"Let me see a picture of you and high school Gabi," Reni said. I pulled out my cell phone and I scrolled up to the very top as I found a picture of the two of us after state championship game. I showed the phone to him and he grinned as Reggie came up behind him to take a peek. "Damn, she aged like fine wine, Bolton. You lucky bastard," I couldn't stop my smile as I knew I was a lucky bastard. Rolling my lips together we got caught up in conversation about the upcoming football season and our workouts tomorrow morning.

The door opened and everybody paused as I twisted around to see her. God, she was fucking beautiful. She was just in a pair of leggings with a crop top, her hair falling to the middle of her back and a pair of Converse but she was fucking gorgeous. I rolled my lip together looking at her take survey of the scene in front of her. Her eyes flickered to Reggie, Lucas, Hanson and lingered a beat too long on Reni. Her eyes then found me as I wanted all of them gone like two seconds ago.

"Hey guys," she smiled and waved as she sat down her bag on the kitchen counter. "Hey Gabs, have fun with your friend?" Lucas asked hugging her from behind and she nodded her head. "Yea, it was good catching up with her. I saw her more this week than I have since the beginning of the year." I couldn't stop my smile looking at her. "Gabi, do you remember Reni and Reggie?" I asked her and she nodded her head. "Nice to see you all, again." She said with a tiny smile. "I am going to go change and get ready for bed. It was nice to see all of you."

My eyes lingered after her and her tight little ass in those leggings – I was dying. "Yea, buddy, we're going to leave. You have fun with that." I couldn't deny the smirk on my lips as Lucas patted my shoulder. "Be good," I just chuckled as I stalked down the hallway as I heard the apartment door shut. I took her on a date the other night and we laughed and flirted with each other all night long and when we got home, she kissed my lips and walked away.

She wasn't walking away this time. I knocked on the door to her room and she opened it up as she hadn't taken her clothes off yet. Just her shoes and jewelry but I didn't let her ask any questions. "Hey, did the guys already leave?" she questioned and I didn't answer her. I grabbed her face and kissed her roughly instead. She gasped in my grasp and I picked her up and pressed her back against the wall. My lips and body hungry for more. More. More.

I couldn't get enough of her.

And I didn't have to worry about my parents walking in the door. That was an added bonus of doing this at 25.

"You told them," she gasped pulling her lips away from mine. I nodded my head as I let my lips run down her neck, "Yea, they cornered me into it. Mostly Lucas." Gabi laughed and I squeezed her ass in my hands as she pressed her lips against mine again. Her fingers tugging on my hair and pulling at it, "I love when you taste like whiskey," she whispered and I groaned at her words. I didn't drink that often mostly because it didn't fit into the diet but I would drink a drop every night if she wanted me, too.

I took her to my bedroom as I couldn't stop, she didn't protest when I shut my bedroom door and planted her on her legs. I stripped her from the crop-top and I worked my lips from her collarbone, to her sternum, to her belly button as I began to strip her of the leggings. Her fingers tugged on my hair as I dropped to my knees and started to pull down her leggings as she stepped out of them and I groaned realizing she didn't have underwear on.

"El," I whispered as I placed a soft kiss right above where I wanted to dive into and she rasped out my name. I hooked her leg around my shoulder and she gasped when my tongue hit right there. Her fingers gripped my hair tightly as I ravished as if I was a starved man. I was a starved man. I was for her. She let out a near scream of pleasure as she tugged on my hair harder and I couldn't stop my grin as a flick of my tongue had her legs trembling and weakening as she pulsated. "Troy," her voice vibrated my body and I eased her leg off of my shoulder and gently pushed her back to the bed. I worked my way back up her body as I focused on her breasts that were still covered.

We both worked together to get her bra off as it was flung across the room and abandoned with the rest of her clothes. Her fingers skimmed under my t-shirt and I let her lift my shirt off and she threw it while her fingers skated over my skin. I pulled her back into a searing kiss as she flickered my jean button open and her fingers wiggled down the front and into my boxer briefs. I hissed when her fingers touched my dick.

She grinned and those brown eyes were full of ornery thoughts. God, those brown eyes. I slowed down everything as I dipped down and kissed her softly. Our hearts were beating rapidly and you could almost hear them echoing around the room. She pushed me backwards onto my back and pulled off my briefs before wrapping her mouth around my dick. I nearly lost my ever-loving mind with that move from her and I threaded my fingers into her hair this time.

"El, El," I chanted her name and tried to control my thrusts but couldn't contain myself. She knew what the fuck she was doing and I was suddenly insanely jealous to know where the fuck she learned half of these moves. I pulled her up and meshed my lips back with hers and took no mercy on her. Our bodies slick with sweat and our hearts racing with intoxication of each other. She slipped onto my lap and right onto me as we both groaned together. "I fucking love you," I groaned as she moved and ran her fingers through my hair.

"I love you, too," she kissed me and I nearly growled as I twisted her over and laid her on her stomach before pulling her hips up and back before thrusting into her. "Yes, Troy," her words were muffled by the pillow and I let my hand race up her back and into her hair as I continued to fuck her. Neither of us stopped until we were both panting and physically exhausted from the multiple orgasms for her and the one epic one for me. I collapsed next to her and dragged her body into my body.

Neither of us spoke for a long time as we were just trying to catch our breaths and come down from that high. She twisted back and her brown eyes flickered up to my face, "What are you thinking, El?" I questioned with a tiny smile on my face and she just smiled. "Just sometimes can't believe I am right here – doing this with you – again." I felt a smirk break over my lips, "We don't have Claire until tomorrow afternoon. I want to fuck you as much as possible between now and then." I said pulling her into my lap and kissing her. She laughed, "You are practically insatiable." She whispered, her hair brushing against my skin causing my dick to harden as if I just didn't finish fifteen minutes ago.

"Yea, with you right here, I am insatiable. I realized that you've learned some shit and that makes me a jealous asshole," Gabi laughed and I pulled her lips back to mine. "As long as I am the last…I don't give a damn but I better be the last." Gabi shook her head as she ran her fingers through my hair. "You are so sure that we are going to last," I grunted. "I know we are because I am not letting you go again – I am never letting you go again."

"What's the tattoo on your shoulder?" she asked me and I twisted around to my back so she could see it. "That was my latest one, I got it about a year and half ago. I was in need of some inspiration, I guess. I saw the words online and they struck a chord. I just came off an okay season for my rookie year and wanted to do better – be better. So, I got it tattooed on my skin for a daily reminder. This one was featured in a magazine in the middle of last year."

I felt her fingers trace over the letters. Work hard in silence, let success be your noise. It was tastefully done the back of my left shoulder. The letters curved together with a dark shade around them. It wasn't very big but big enough for that daily reminder. Work harder. Be better. Have success. "I like it. I've always wanted a tattoo," she whispered. "But I never knew what I wanted." I turned to face her and gave her a smile. "You'll know one day,"

Saturday, June 26th, 2021

Gabi's POV

Waking up with solid mass underneath of me, a warm body against mine, and just that comfort was one of the best feelings. Troy was on his back and my body was curled into his side as the apartment was chilled this morning with the AC low but Troy told me at one point, he turned it down so that we needed to keep each other warm. I pulled the blankets over and pressed my lips into his chest as we stayed up most of the night together. He already promised me a date Sunday night and then we thought about just telling Claire.

Troy was struggling to remain self-restrained around the house and to be honest – it was the only place that we were able to just be without the public finding out. I definitely was not ready for that yet. I wanted that part of our relationship under wraps for many months to come. Troy groaned and squeezed his large arm around me before nuzzling his face into my hair. "Morning, El," he murmured and I felt my heart flutter with the sound. His morning gruff voice that was laced with sleep and exhaustion but so damn sexy.

"Morning, T," he squeezed me against and I just rested against him. Basking in the feeling of this again. I took in a deep breath of air as I gently sat up and Troy let go but his blue eyes popped open and watched me. The hazy sleep in his eyes as my fingers reached to trace the tattoo on his chest. "Do you still have it?" I questioned and he turned his head, "What?" he questioned and I nudged my head towards the tattoo on his chest.

A small smile graced his lips as he nodded, "Yea, I do. It's buried in a box though." I crossed my legs and then looked at the tattoo for Claire. "You are a really good dad," I spoke and Troy chuckled, "Yea? Did you ever think I would be a good dad?" I laughed with a shrug my shoulders, "When I was 17, I never really thought about us being parents." I confessed and Troy let his fingers slid over my bare skin. "I never thought I would be a dad after we broke up. Never really saw it and then…it happened." He shrugged his shoulders. "She's one of the best things that have ever happened to me."

I swallowed on his confession and I nodded, "She looks at you as if you are the sun. She is going to be one of the best little girls," Troy let a lazy smile cross his finger while he laced our fingers together. "I told Eve that I was moving on from whatever I was pissed about. I think in all honesty – I was just mad because the baby wasn't mine and I felt betrayed but I had no feelings left for Eve by that point and I just looked at Eve when I told her about us that I want to be civil for Claire. I don't want her growing up with parents who hate each other."

I lifted onto my knees and I slid onto his lap while peppering kisses onto his neck. "That makes you another great dad," I whispered and he let his hands drift down my back. "Tell me what season is like for you," I murmured into his skin and he grunted. "Do we have to talk about that?" he questioned and I felt a smile tug on my lips as I nodded before lifting my gaze to meet those piercing blue eyes. His eyes were heavy again as I wiggled off of his lap and he groaned trying to pull me back but I sat cross-legged next to him.

"I'll start training camp around July 19th and that'll go until our first game with a few pre-season games peppered in there. Monday we typically watch film, have meetings, and a short practice. Tuesday is our off day, Wednesday is our big practice day of the week with meetings, Thursday and Friday are typically about the same. Saturday is walk-through and Sunday is of course game day. Obviously – that isn't if we play on Monday or Thursday. Our weeks start to look the same, typically if I am here, I am watching film. Hell, Claire knows how to watch film by this point. I'm damn good because I do a lot of homework." I cracked a smile, "You barely did homework in high school,"

"Last time I checked high schools didn't pay me 2 million a year to do it." He deadpanned and I couldn't stop my laugh. "2 mil huh? Did they low ball you?" I questioned with a wiggle of my eyebrow and he chuckled, "I'm still in my rookie contract. I'm up for my big boy contract next season,"

"So, you are hardly here during season?" I asked him and he shrugged, "Depends on the week. It's not like high school though – I will warn you of that." I swallowed on the lump in my throat because he was coming up on season, Claire BMT, and if I left? The pit in my stomach grew. "Is this a good idea?" I questioned twisting my head to look at him and his eyes narrowed in on my face. "Is what a good idea?" he questioned with heat behind his voice.

I let my eyes drift away from him and I took in the dusty morning Boston sky, the overwhelming feeling in my chest hurt. I did want him but this was so new again and so…unknown. Troy gently turned my chin to face him as he grasped my face. Both of his hands gripping my face, "Are you talking about us?" my shoulders just shrugged as my eyes blurred. "You are going to be in an important season, your daughter is having a bone marrow transplant, and I might have to go to Philly. How does this make sense?" I questioned as a few tears slipped and he shook his head. "We make sense and that is all that matters. All of the rest of that is just shit in the way of us and I won't let it control us. Maybe it doesn't make sense in here," he tapped my brain but his hand drifted to my head as he pressed his hand to my chest where it was thundering. "But it makes all the damn sense right here."

My lip rolled between my teeth, "I wasn't fucking lying last night or every other time I've said it. I am not letting you go, Gabriella. You are my girl and you have always been my girl. I don't care about your excuses because this is just a moment in our life and guess what – there will be more moments and more things and more stuff after this phase. You are too important to me. Fuck football and fuck Philly – we will make whatever we need to do work."

Our eyes connected and he palmed the back of my head before pulling my lips to his. "You are so fucking important to me," he whispered into my lips. "Claire and you are competing for the number one spot and I am so fucking thankful that it will be a constant tie." I tilted my forehead to meet his, "I want to be there for you." He tugged on my hair gently while he focused on my face. Taking in every single aspect of my face, "I want to be there for you but you have to give me an ounce of trust in this process. Tuesday nights – I'll spend the day with Claire and after she goes to bed, we will always spend time with each other. I want you in the box on Sunday, I want you snuggled up on the couch with me as I watch film, I want you in my bed. I want you in my life. I want you to be my daughters' step-mom one day." I just buried my face into his neck and his arms wrapped around me tightly.

"I love you and will it be hard and rocky – yea. It will be. We will have to figure it out but I want to figure it out. I need to know if you want this though, El, if you don't want this? Then I can't do it with you because I am already head over in heels with you. It won't ever stop but I have to stop myself from burying myself inside of you if you don't want this. I was a grinning fool this past week so I need to know now if this isn't it for you." My eyes flickered over his facial features to know that he was serious and I just nodded my head.

He was right. None of it made sense in my head but it all made sense in my heart. It all made sense in my heart because he was my heart. I compared every man that walked into my life after Troy – to Troy. He was it for me and I knew that I was going to have to make this work because there would never be anybody else that made me feel this way.

"I want this." I whispered and his lips crashed to mine without second thoughts. "Good, because I wasn't going to be able to let you go without throwing myself at the fucking door." He turned me over in bed and I gasped as he wedged himself between my legs.

Monday, February 2nd, 2015

Gabi's POV

I smiled as I sat in the bleachers as the fanfare around Troy's table was growing and increasing as he finally made his decision. The whole school was buzzing to figure out where the star quarterback was going to land after going on five college visits. A lot of schools had interest but he only listened to five. I smiled as he had three hats displayed in front of him – UNC, Alabama, Georgia were all displayed and I rolled my lips together as we had many discussions about what he wanted to do and what he felt was best – then he would ask my opinion.

I made him swear that he wasn't picking a place because of me.

I didn't want it to be because of me. This was his life. His career. His everything. We were 18. There was no point dictating our lives together because we were in love. The bench moved next to me and Liam grinned, "Are you excited?" I shrugged. "I just hope that he is making the right decision. I don't want this to be about me. I know he loves and cares about me but this is his career." I said with a shrug and Liam smiled as he looked at his best friend with his parents flanked by his side.

"Troy Bolton could go to a no name school and still get noticed. He is a really fucking good quarterback. It doesn't matter that he chose UNC over two SEC schools. UNC is still a big university and he will get noticed and he might take UNC to a bowl game for the first time in a long time. He is still going to do big things – and he'll have you by his side." I just gave a tiny smile as his blue eyes flickered around before landing on me. He shot me a wink and I smiled back at him.

"You're right. He'll probably be more grounded, too." Liam nudged me, "He'll just be happy to have you in his corner. He is fucking happy with you and you are the first girl that I have ever seen him like that with. I'm not saying that your future won't be rocky and hard but I see it. I see you two at the end of it." I felt my tummy twist with those words and my eyes looked at all of the girls that were gathering around. My fingers reached up to play with the El necklace.

"You don't think he'll go for a college girl?" I questioned and Liam chuckled, "You will be a college girl." The assembly was growing larger with more people, the press was scattered around awaiting the news on the best quarterback in the Carolina's. "Yea, but I won't be new and fun and exciting – I'll be Gabi from high school." I told him with a shrug and Liam just chuckled underneath of his breath. "I promise, that man only has eyes for you."

I didn't say anything to Liam after that because there were no guarantees that I stayed that way in his eyes but I also understood what he was saying – Troy Bolton loved me but we had a lot of hurdles to overcome still. I watched as the athletic trainer and the football coach both talked about Troy and all of the awards that he had accepted over the years – in just high school alone. The state championship trophy sat on his table as his mom said something to him and he smiled with a nod before his eyes twisted around to find me again.

I gave him a bright smile and he smiled right back. I had to have faith that everything was going to work out like it was supposed to work out. They let Troy speak for a moment and I let my eyes settle on him as he spoke to the crowd.

"I started throwing a football at five years old, played flag, tackle, and junior, and finally high school ball. I've been to camp after camp, I watch film to get better at it. Football is my pride and passion. Going to practice is one of my favorite things to do as it only makes me better. Making a decision on where to further my career, on where to put my name and make the most of it was hard. It was hard to make sure I was still getting everything I needed but also getting a good education. I visited a lot of schools, I met with a lot of famous coaches, and I said no to a handful as well because the fit wasn't right but I think I found my fit," he paused as he reached for the UNC hat. The crowd actually gasped in surprise as he tugged it onto his head. "I decided sticking to my roots and reminding in North Carolina was important to me. I'll make that name for myself and I will help the Tarheels achieve a championship,"

The crowd was muttering and talking loudly as this was a shock to most of them. A lot of people figured he was going to Georgia. He hated Georgia. He didn't care for the coach and didn't care for the area. It was really between Alabama and UNC. He took pictures with the UNC coach, his parents, and his siblings. He finally searched around and nudged his head for me to come over. I stood up and walked over as people were milling around. "Mom, take a picture of Gabi and I," Troy was dressed in a pair of jeans with a black Nike shirt. I tucked my arm around his waist and smiled, "You sure?" I questioned one more time and he chuckled as he pressed his lips into my head.

"Yea, El, I'm sure."

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

Gabi's POV

I sat on the floor with Claire as I tucked my legs up to my chin. Troy was out throwing with his receivers and Eve had spent majority of the day here. "Gabi, daddy said that I will be in the hospital a lot in a little bit," she frowned at the words and I smiled, "Yea, for a little while. I'll be there as much as possible. Just like Mommy and Daddy."

The four-year-old Claire looked up at me with infinite wisdom in those blue eyes, "You would be a good mommy," she declared and I laughed quietly and shrugged, "Maybe one day. I have to find my prince charming…remember?" I teased her and she just grinned. "Daddy smiles at you. He can be your prince charming." I sobered up with those words and shook my head. I didn't want to give her an answer because I didn't want to lie to her but I also didn't want to tell her.

"Your daddy will find somebody very special," I finally found and Claire frowned while she went back to playing with her toys. "Daddy is busy during football, are you going to go to his games with me? I like watching him." I smiled, "I will try my hardest to be there. I might be moving in August." I told her as I rocked back on my butt. Claire dropped her toy and looked up at me. "You can't leave," she shook her head and then threw herself at me. "I like you here. I want you to live here forever."

I laughed, "Claire, I have to work and go back to school." I reminded her and she shook her head. "No," she murmured and I shook my head as I hugged her back. "I love you, Claire. I promise we will always be friends." She sighed dramatically and went back to playing with her toys but not nearly as happy as she was prior. "I am going to go make dinner, okay?" she nodded her head as I exited the room. I turned the corner and gasped from surprise as Troy was standing there leaning against the wall. He was dressed in a pair of Adidas shorts with a cut off loyalist t-shirt that was still wet with sweat. His hat on backwards as his blue eyes pinned me back against the wall.

"You scared the shit out of me," I whispered and Troy only cracked a half smile. "You really shouldn't ease drop on conversations." I said pushing his shoulder and he just chuckled. "She's four," he drawled in his Carolina accent. I walked in front of him into the kitchen when his arm slipped around my waist before putting me on the counter in the corner. His body wedged between my legs and his lips ghosted over mine. "I won't be afraid to use her," he murmured against my lips.

I groaned and pulled away from him, "That's dirty. She's four. She will forget about me if I ever leave." Troy grunted, "I will never forget. I never did forget." I just shook my head as he snacked his hand through my hair and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was quick and fast before Claire came out of her room but he smiled. "I love that she loves you. I want to tell her." I squeezed my eyes closed and prayed for the mental clarity.

"Before her BMT," he countered and I groaned as we were 10 days out from her BMT. I pried my eyes open and I looked at him closely, "There is no going back after we tell her."

"Yea, and then you can sleep in my bedroom every damn night." His smile grew on his face and I just shook my head with a half-smile on my face. I turned away from him as I began to get things out of the fridge to start making dinner, "One more date and you better wow the hell out of me, Bolton." He just smirked, "Tomorrow night," he taunted with a grin on his face. I pinned my eyes on those blue ones. "Tomorrow night,"

I began to make dinner as Troy went to greet and hang out with Claire for a little bit. I prepared rice, chicken, and broccoli for Troy and I while I whipped together some mac n' cheese with chicken nuggets for Claire. I turned on the speakers in the apartment and listened to the soft music in the background trying to not let myself panic too much. I had grown to find myself independent and not needing a man in my life – mostly because I couldn't have the one, I wanted.

But I could have him again.

I didn't want to change who I was though.

I sighed as I drained the pasta and Troy came out of Claire's room with her on his shoulders causing her to giggle loudly in appreciation. Her head rested on his head and Troy smiled up at her. I was already on the schedule for three days with her every single week as her primary nurse while also taking care of another patient. I wanted to go back to my job for the time I had left. I missed it. I missed the floor, doing assessments, and being there for the patients. I missed all of the things that I thought I wouldn't miss when I became an NP.

"Gabi, what's for dinner?" Claire asked and I smiled. "For you? Mac n cheese with chicken nuggets. Would you like broccoli?" I asked her and she nodded her head as Troy sat her down at the table. "Claire, do you want to stay the night with mommy tomorrow?" Troy asked and Claire nodded her head up and down. "Yea! Mommy said that when I'm in the hospital she'll stay with me a lot." Troy frowned at her words. "Why won't you?"

Troy brushed his hand over her bald head and sat down next to her, "I have to start football practice again. I will come see you every single day though, okay? I'll stay the night when I can. Gabi will be there, mommy will be there, and I'm sure Grandpa and Grandma will come when they can. Maybe even Gigi?" Troy threw out and Claire giggled at her aunt's name. "Okay, you promise with everything to come every single day?"

Troy grimaced as she wrapped her pinky around his pinky, "I will be there as much as I can, Claire. If I can't be there, we'll facetime, remember, sometimes Daddy has to travel." Claire really threw out the pout this time and I dished up her food and took it to her. "With everything," she demanded from him and Troy sighed softly, "With everything, Claire Bear," he whispered and my heart lurched at the words. Troy's eyes looked over at me as I made my own plate before grabbing a drink and sitting next to Claire.

"You are going to meet lots and lots of my friends," I told Claire. "All of my friends are excited to meet you. I can only work three or four days a week at the hospital but I am going to make sure you have my best friends," I told her and she grinned, "Okay, will you come on the other days?" I nodded as I can. I would just come visit. "Daddy and I make promises with everything, so that if he breaks them then he really broke it," Claire explained and my heart cracked with her words. I swallowed against the lump in my throat, "It's really cute," I pushed out and Claire grinned. "Mommy thought so too," Claire grinned up at me. "So, we always promise with everything."

The chair next to me moved and I looked over as Troy slid his hand over my knee as Claire went to town on her food. His blue eyes were intense as I just inhaled deeply and gave him my best smile. It wasn't the first time I had heard it but it was the first time that it struck a chord with me. The promises that Troy and I made each other. The broken promises. Troy ate his food but his eyes remained on me the entire time as I finished my plate and gave Claire seconds.

"I'm going to go take a shower, Claire, sleep tight, okay?" I said and I pressed a kiss to her head and she grinned. "I will. I am going to make my daddy read three books to me tonight!" I just gave her a smile before I walked out of the kitchen and to my bedroom. I sat down on the bed and it wasn't sixty seconds later that my door was opening and he was sitting next to me. "Just give it to me straight, I want to know what made you upset because you look really fucking upset."

I shook my head back and forth as I tried to fight off the tears. "I'm not upset as in mad. I am just…so sad that she isn't ours and that we spent the last eight years living a broken promise. The promises we made and the with everything – I just wanted all of our promises to hold the same meaning. I want you to be able to promise me something and me not freak out that you might break that promise because you once did. You broke me. You broke our promises. You broke my future. I know, our split was for reasons that neither of us could have imagined but…" I exhaled and I closed my eyes as his fingers laid over top of mine. "It just hurts to think about it. All of it. I want to trust you and love you whole heartedly but I am so scared at the same time. I promised, with everything, to be there by your side and you didn't let me."

My eyes finally lifted to see his face as two tears rolled down my face and Troy exhaled forcefully. Troy stroked my face with his big hand that was callused from constant throwing of a football. I leaned into his touch. "I wish I could make that instantly better; I wish I could snap my fingers and tell you that I will never break a promise to you again. I wish I could tell you that our future will be smooth sailing and easy but I can't promise you those things and I wish I could just make it better but I think the first part is trusting that I don't want to hurt you again. I know it's hard for you. I know I hurt you. I know if we would have just had a conversation it would have been different but you are right – our futures were destined for us. It all happened for a reason but it doesn't hurt any less."

He wiped away the few other tears, "You have to trust me, El." I just nodded because I didn't have anything else to say. This was my own personal battle and one that he was going to have to prove to me over time. "It's going to take time but I want to prove to you that this is what I want." I reached up and pressed a kiss to his lips and gave him a smile, "Your daughter wants to read three books with you. I suggest you start that process early." He gave a faint smile as he looked at me closely. "She loves that little promise and every time we did it, I got to think of you."

I shook my head as I kissed him again before standing up and getting ready for my shower. By the time I turned back around – he was gone.

Thursday, July 1st, 2021

Troy's POV

I navigated my Range Rover through the traffic and outside of the city as I had something, I wanted to show Gabi anyways today and it made for a perfect non-public date. She was quiet as she had been since last night. I wasn't pushing it because we had time. I wasn't in a rush. We were still really young and I wasn't concerned. It was probably really freaking hard to come back into a relationship when you were destroyed by it.

I reached over and let my fingers clasp with her hands as I stroked her skin. "Where are we going?" she questioned and I smiled over at her. "I just want to show you something and we're going to have dinner there." She nodded her head and gave a smile. "How was football today?" she asked and I shot her a grin. "Good. This morning I did an ad campaign for Gatorade and then another one for Adidas. Practice this afternoon and then started to collect my game film for my iPad."

Turning into a side road I drove a while longer before I pulled to the drive way and into the little drive area. Gabi released my hand and scrunched her eyebrows. "Who lives here? Hanson?" I shook my head back and forth. "Uh no, I uh, I bought this place." Her eyes bugged out of her head and she pushed open the car door and began to look around. It was fairly secluded property and my nearest neighbor was a few acres away.

I got out of the car to follow her as she spun around in her jeans and short sleeve t-shirt. "You bought this place?" I nodded my head as I shoved my keys in my shorts. "I wanted to get out of the city. Eve wanted to live in that place and it was convenient for football but…" I shrugged my shoulders. Gabi just blinked and turned to face the large house. A house I saw with a big family inside, a pool in the backyard, and plenty of friends and family filling it with memories.

"This is thirty minutes from Boston," I nodded my head slowly, "I know. I would rather have more privacy as I am getting to be a bit bigger of a name than be closer to the stadium. I want room for Claire to run around in the backyard and I want a fucking dog. I've always wanted a dog. I want a place to grow and build memories and I am ready to get rid of the memories I have of that apartment. Yea, is the view great of course but this…this is the grass, the trees, and a fresh of breath air. Plus, a girl once told me she didn't see me in the city."

She blinked once, twice, and then a third time before taking in the gray-blue house with big wood double doors. "I would move in while Claire is getting treatment and this would-be home. I moved fast because it was a good house in the right area and what I was looking for. I promised Eve that I would always meet her half way because it's not fair that I am moving this far from the city unless she wanted to bring Jackson out here or something. There is a pool in the backyard with a hot tub which I would uh…I would like to use with you." I gave a shit eating grin.

She just blinked a few more times. Her lips rubbed together and she faced me. "The outside is stunning," she said quietly. "The big yard is almost what I pictured for you – no hills." She shot me a tiny grin and I smiled back. "C'mon, I want to show you the inside." I grabbed her hand and she followed me inside. "I close in two weeks and I am going to have a few things changed. It's a bit too…modern for me. I'll explain what I plan on changing."

I unlocked the lock box as I organized with my relator for a little – private showing. I pushed open the door and I felt Gabi stop in the doorway. "Holy shit," she muttered. The entry was white with dark wood stairs that went downstairs and upstairs. Down the middle of the stairs was a long light fixture. "Please tell me the lights are staying," she breathed and I laughed turning to face her. "You like that?" she nodded her head. "It's gorgeous." Her eyes were scanning every single feature that she could find.

I guided her into the living room that was empty. "I am going to change the fire place; I am going to put in stone around the fire place to make it homier. The tile seems so sterile." Gabi just nodded as we moved into the kitchen where most of the work was going to happen. "I am going to change the cabinets to the dark wood to match the front area with white backsplash and white counters. We're going to throw some cosmetic beams in here on the ceilings," I pointed to where I wanted them and her eyes just followed.

"It's going to be absolutely stunning," she remarked and I gave her a tiny smile. "I'll show you the master. All the other bedrooms are going to get a gray paint and decorated by my lovely designer. Claire is going to pick her room color. I suspect pink." Gabi laughed as I took her down the hallway where the master was off the back. The room was big and open with white paint around with the ceiling boxed. It had patio access off the back which led to the hot tub. She filtered into the bathroom and gasped loudly. "Holy mother of closets and bathrooms," I chuckled underneath of my breath.

I leaned against the bathroom door as she let her fingers run over the sink and her eyes took in the large shower. "I'm assuming you have ideas for that shower," she deadpanned and I let out a loud laugh. "Yea, I do. Might have been a selling point," I said with a wink and Gabi laughed with a shake of her head. "It's beautiful, Troy. You and Claire are going to be really happy here." I watched her eyes avoid mine as she said the words. I walked closer to her and I wrapped my arm around her waist.

"What about you? Will you be happy here?" I questioned. She didn't move or say anything but she did lean back into me. "What if I moved back to my place until I got back from Philly?" she questioned and I frowned deeply, I didn't say anything because I wanted her to clarify. "I think our relationship is moving quickly and I do want to do this with you but I want to date again. I feel like we are going from zero to one hundred." Her voice was soft and I pressed my lips into her hair.

"I would move into my place once Claire is in the hospital. I will still come over at night and hang out with you. You can come to my place. We can do dates. We can figure this out until I leave but I think for at least for the 6 weeks of time that will be the best. I want to do this whole life with you but we have to be stable before we start." I turned her around to face me as I tipped her chin backwards. "Okay," I whispered. She blinked her eyes, "You aren't mad? I figured you would be all fight to keep me at your apartment."

A smile pulled onto my mouth, "No, I want you in the long run. If you feel like that is the best for our relationship and makes you happier – then let's do it. I just…" I exhaled and brushed my fingers over her lips. "I want to make sure we have enough time. Between Claire and football and making sure I get Gabi time…I won't have a spare minute in my day but damn I won't regret it." She smiled as I let my lips cover hers. "Thank you, I'll stay till Claire goes into the hospital."

"I still want to tell Claire, that way, if we're at the hospital at the same time alone I can kiss you in her room." Gabi smiled and nodded, "Okay, I feel like that would be more appropriate anyways. To tell her as I am leaving, that way she can get used to the idea." I chuckled as I took her out the door of our room. "I think Claire is already team Troy and Gabi." Gabi laughed as her eyes took in the backyard. There was room to run for Claire, a big pool, and the hot tub in front of us. A table with food was set up and she smiled up at me, "For me?" I laughed, "Yea, for us."

We both sat down at the table as the night air was warm but comfortable tonight. We both grabbed food and I poured us two glasses of wine – her cheap favorite wine – and we began to eat when Gabi spoke. "I think the reason I need to live by myself for a little bit as I suddenly feel like my independence is slipping. I've been by myself for eight years with one semi-serious boyfriend since you. I never lived with him and when he approached the idea, I broke up with him. Mostly because it wasn't you. I haven't officially lived with anybody since Wren moved out and we rarely saw each other because of work. I am very independent now and I've learned to not need anybody so needing you again…it freaks me out. I feel like I need you to breathe. That scares me because as much as I trust that you won't hurt me again. That doesn't mean I won't lose you again."

Her fears were spilled onto the table and I shut my mouth because I really wasn't sure what to even say. I had nothing special to say. Nothing that could ease that fear. "I never want to take your independence from you." I told her slowly as I took a bite of my food. "I never want to make you feel less – which is why I am happy for you to continue your education if that's what you want to do." I spoke carefully to make sure I didn't say something that could be taken the wrong way. "I don't want to suffocate you either which is why I understand a little separation but I also understand – I need you to breathe and I forgot how to breathe for eight years. You were the breath of fresh air that I needed."

Her brown eyes flickered over my face and she slowly nodded, "You are right. I do not want to be an NFL wife and that's what I am good for. I love nursing. It's my passion and everything that makes me happy. I love being with those kids and I love getting to help them. I love getting to put a smile on their face and hug their families. I know once our relationship is public that my job will be infinitely harder but I don't want to stop it either." I reached across and let my fingers take her. "That's why baby, I never wanted that life for you and if you were drug into it from the beginning…you have your life and I love that you have your life and I have mine but I want to merge them together."

She gave me a smile and looked away for a second, "I'm just trying to figure out how to do it. We are both in such weird places in our lives." I shook my head as I stood up and I went to crotch down next to her. I pushed her chair before falling to my knees between her legs. I ran my fingers over her thighs before reaching up to her face. "We are going to make it work. Communication is going to be so big for us and I know that was our down fall in high school but we're eight years older and we've lived a life without each other. Why do you keep doubting us?" I asked her and she sighed while brushing her fingers through my hair.

"Because if I do this then I want this to be forever because I wanted forever last time. Our lives are crazy and I am scared to give you absolutely everything again to only end up shattered again. If it's between you or me or some outside force it will absolutely shatter me. I just am terrified that we're going to do this and I am already wanting to go full speed ahead but I am just…" she shook her head and a tear rolled down her cheek. I reached up and wiped it away as she sucked in a deep breath. "I love you, Troy. I have always loved you. I want to be with you. I just…I am trying to make sure that if something happens, I can move on with my life and not want to run away."

My heart broke for her and I reached up to her neck and I understood everything coming out of her mouth. "I know our future is not certain but I know that I want you in it. I get it – our lives aren't conventional and I know that if we didn't do this again and I let you go – I would regret it more than I did the first time. Our second chance. Our shot at making our lives right. You walked into the room and everything fell into align. The universe was spinning on the correct axis again and it felt right we were already right. Losing you in any capacity will kill me. I know what you are feeling. We are a unit. We are doing this together. Communication. Love. We're doing it."

A smile bloomed on her lips and she captured my lips with hers. "I love you; I'm not doubting us. I'm just…you are my everything." I smiled into the kiss as I kept her lips right there. "You are moving out tomorrow," I whispered to her lips and her eyes flew open. "What?" she questioned and I chuckled quietly, "I want to date you. You're right. We needed to do this the right way and that is the best way. You said your lease ends in August and no matter what – you are moving out. To Philly or to this house so we have six weeks."

Gabi smiled softly and I shook my head, "After I help you move back into your apartment – I will tell Claire. We will have dinner together with Claire – and Eve. Just because I asked her the same. Before I forget as I'm planning out these next few weeks. We're meeting with Eve and her baby daddy." My words flowed quickly as I was growing excited about all of the ideas growing through my head. Gabi's eyebrows scrunched together tightly. "His name is Christian and apparently him and Eve are getting serious – especially with Jackson. So – she promised that I could meet him before Claire."

A smile graced her lips as her hand cradled my face, "Yes, I will have dinner with you Claire and Eve – as your girlfriend. Yes, I will go to dinner and meet Christian with you. Yes, I want to date the hell out of you these next six weeks. Even though…we're super extra busy." I grinned as I kissed her again. "We're going to make it work," I whispered to her lips.

Happy Saturday (Or Sunday depending on what area of the world you are in…) I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I am busy all day tomorrow so I wanted to get this out tonight! Hope you all enjoyed it early!

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Next Update: October 31st