Chapter 18 – Daddy's Gotta Girlfriend
Friday, July 2nd, 2021
Troy's POV
I carried Gabi's suitcase up to her apartment that made my eyebrows crunch together and my heart tick. I wasn't sure this was the safest neighborhood but of course – Gabi knew every single neighbor in her apartment complex. Sharing smiles and laughs with them as they all greeted her as they saw her. I kept my hat low and my sunglasses on most of the time to try my damn hardest to not be recognized. Nobody said anything and I mostly just carried her stuff up and didn't linger for the small talk. She wasn't ready for the media shit storm. I wasn't ready for the media shit storm. Mandy, Megan, Lucas, and I were going to need to have a serious sit-down conversation on how to handle it.
"That was the last one," Gabi said walking into her apartment and shutting the door. She locked it and I rose my eyebrow, "Stop, this apartment complex is safe. I just always lock my door. I'll never take a risk. My neighbors are all really sweet," she said as she went into the kitchen and dug through the piles of mail on the counter. My eyes watched her as she was in a pair of Nike shorts and a t-shirt that hugged her frame. "Yea, I gathered. Gabi the Saint was greeting all of her neighbors and they all knew Gabi." She let a smile grace her lips as our eyes connected. I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her waist.
"I'm going to miss you down the hall," I whispered into her hair and she hugged me back. Her arms squeezing me and her head resting right on my chest. "It will be weird to live here, again. It wasn't the same after Wren moved out but I have a sneaking suspicion that I won't be alone all that often." I chuckled as I kissed her head with a shake of my head. "No, you will not be alone that often. Show me the rest of the place." She nodded as she laced our fingers together and she pointed out the living room, kitchen, where Wren used to live, and pushed open her bedroom door. Her bed was sitting in the middle with a white comforter and pillows stacked on it.
A dresser along the wall with the TV hung over head and a make-up counter. I dropped her suitcase on her bed and she went into her bathroom, I unzipped it and pulled open the first drawer when I stopped. "What dinner are you going to treat me to tomorrow night?" she called from the bathroom and I pulled out the jersey that was sitting in the very back of her dresser. My heart pounding in my chest and I turned around as she came out of the bathroom.
Her eyes flickered to mine as I held my high school jersey in her hands that she had bought for a fundraiser. My name on the back. My number. She wore it to every single game once she received it. "You still have this?" I whispered and Gabi let her jaw drop for a moment and she just nodded her head. Not sure what to say or how to say it. "I couldn't ever part with it." She whispered and I felt my throat clog with emotion. "You still have this," I whispered and she nodded her head again.
I let my fingers run over the material before I walked over to her. Those brown eyes were looking at me closely and she held up a finger before returning to her closet and coming back. She then held up the gold chain with two letters dangling from the chain. "Before you ask, yes, I still have it. It sits in my jewelry box and I glanced it all the time. Right next to my nursing pin." I dropped the jersey and let my fingers brush against the necklace before I turned her around and hung it on her neck.
It was a cheap necklace, I'm pretty sure it turned her neck green, but she still always wore it. I chained it together and I pressed my lips to the back of her neck, "I cannot believe you still have these things," Gabi let out a little laugh and she turned around to face me. Her fingers running up and down my arms, "I have a whole box of photos at my parents' house. I really couldn't part with anything. You were too big in my life to just…let go."
"I love you," I murmured quietly and she kissed me, "I love you, too. I am happy to be back in your life and I cannot wait to see where this takes us." She smiled and I just hugged her tightly to my body. I never wanted to let her go because I simply couldn't believe she still had that gold chain and that jersey. I really, really had some fantasies with her in that jersey when I was younger. Fuck, I still do. I bent over and reached for it as I gently lifted her shirt off her body. I helped her put the jersey on and it fit like it did in high school.
"So, fucking beautiful," I whispered as I pressed my lips into her neck. She laughed, "I'm surprised it still fits." She said and I turned to face her as I took in the Nike shorts and jersey. "You are a damn wonder," I murmured as my lips planted to hers. "You need to go get Claire. She is probably really missing her daddy." I brushed her hair away from her face "Are you trying to get rid of me?" I murmured and she shook her head. "Nope. Not at all. Also, you have some big news to tell her and I think we should have that sleepover before her BMT. She's doing a lot better." I grumbled but nodded my head. "I love you," I brushed my nose into her skin and she smiled. "I love you, too."
I let my fingers brush against her skin and breathed in deeply, "I'll see you tomorrow for dinner with Claire and Eve." She nodded her head, "It will be perfect, I'll come over a little early to hang out with Claire."
"And?" I questioned looking down at her, "And who else?" she shot back and I just shook my head at my spit fire. "And who else," I muttered with a laugh as I kissed her again. "You are silly," she laughed and I backed away. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Dad, where is Gabi?" Claire asked walking back from Gabi's room. It was empty and there was very little sign that Gabi lived her at all. That made my chest ache just thinking about it but it was for the best. My eyes flickered from my phone to Claire as I sat it down and picked Claire up. "Gabi moved back to her apartment." I told her and Claire gasped, "Why? She was supposed to stay here with us!" she screeched at the top of her lungs causing me to wince. "Daddy she was supposed to stay with us because she made you smile," Claire had the big alligator tears in her eyes and I tried my hardest to smother my smile. She was really upset by this.
"Claire," I said gently as I sat her on the counter. "I need to tell you a story." I told her quietly and Claire looked at me as tears dripped down her cheeks. I gently wiped them away with the pad of my thumb as her chin trembled. "A story?" she hiccupped on the words and I nodded my head. "A very important story. Gabi is still going to be your nurse. She'll come over tomorrow and see you, again. We can talk to her tonight on the phone." Claire nodded her head in understanding. "But I wanted her to stay here." I nodded in understanding because same, I wanted her to stay here too. "Claire, listen baby," I soothed and she just nodded that bald little head.
Those big blue eyes looked up at me and her lips were still in a large frown. She didn't believe that this was going to be okay.
"Do you remember when you asked me if I ever found my Cinderella? And I told you a long time ago?" she nodded her head up and down. "You told me when you told me that you and mommy weren't going to be together anymore." I just nodded hoping to skip over that part. "That was Gabi. I knew Gabi a long, long time ago. Before I met your mommy. She was my Cinderella and I let her go because I didn't think she needed me anymore. She showed up to be your nurse and I know that our fairy godmother sent her to help us and when daddy and mommy got separated…she became my Cinderella again."
Claire scrunched her nose up and her blue eyes bounced around my face, "You like Gabi?" she whispered and I chuckled, "I love Gabi," I whispered back to her and she gasped. "Like you love me?" she asked and I nodded my head up and down. "Like I love you. She is going to be my girlfriend. Is that okay?" I asked her and she just grinned from ear to ear. That damn Bolton grin that got everybody. "YES!" she cheered while standing up on the counter and throwing her body at me. "Why didn't she stay?" Claire pouted and I shook my head with a smile. "Because we have to take things slow. She went back to her apartment but we will see her all the time. We can call her." I told her and she nodded her head.
"I just want to clarify something though baby, she isn't here to be your mom. Mommy is still your mommy. You will still be with her all the time. You will live with her and with me. Okay? I don't want you to think that Gabi is going to change any of that." Claire just bobbed her up and down again. "I know. You are happy with Gabi daddy. You weren't happy with mommy." I just blinked looking at her. I turned my head and narrowed my eyes towards her, "How did you know I wasn't happy with mommy?"
Why was I seeking this answer from a 4-year-old?
"Because you and mommy didn't smile and laugh. Mommy didn't like going to your games. Sometimes Christian would come over and he would make mommy happy. She laughed a lot with him and was happy." I reared backwards as I stared at her and I blinked slowly as Claire just stared at me with those big blue eyes. "Christian?" I questioned and she nodded, "When you had away games he would come over," she said with a shrug and then squirmed down from the counter before walking to her room. I blinked my eyes several times watching her go as the anger built in my system. Fucking, Eve.
I picked up my cell phone and pressed on Eve's name. It rang twice before she picked up, "It's not really a great time," Eve started as Jackson was screaming in the background. I rubbed the bridge of my nose and exhaled, "I don't actually give a damn at the moment. You told me that Claire and Christian had never met before." I barked into the phone as I walked to my room on the other side of the apartment. Eve grunted a noise, "Never as my boyfriend," she clarified and I wanted to shove something in her eyeballs.
"Well, I didn't realize that he would come over on the weekends that I was away," I hissed. "Why are you asking our daughter these things?" she threw back and I pulled my phone away wanting to hang up but I didn't. "I didn't ask her anything. I was telling her that Gabi and I were dating. She mentioned that she was happy because Gabi made me happy. I asked her how she knew and she told me because I smile and laugh a lot with her. Just like Christian and mommy." I quoted for her and Eve didn't say anything. Jackson continued to wail in the background and I rubbed my chest at the noise. Fuck. I hated that he wasn't mine.
"Yea, he would come over on the weekends you weren't around. Clearly, you know I was cheating."
"You didn't need to bring him in front of our daughter," I deadpanned towards her. "He was just a friend." I snorted a laugh, "Just a friend, huh, well look how that turned out." My sarcastic remark his and Eve sighed heavily, "Look, my apologizes. It was only a handful of times and always around bedtime." I scrunched my face, "You literally brought him over here around bedtime and that's supposed to make me feel better?"
"Don't you have something better to be doing besides harassing me?" she asked and I chuckled, "Be careful, Eve. I've been really fucking nice so far with everything. I don't have to be nice."
"You can't keep her from me,"
"I would never keep her from you but I would make your life a living hell. She is not a pawn to me and she never will be but I don't have to be nice about anything. I am choosing to be because I want our lives to be good for her. I asked you a question and you lied to me. You told me she had never met him. I trusted you with that and now she already knows his name and that he makes you happy. She is really freaking observant so next time think about that." I told her and Eve just huffed.
"I'll see you tomorrow night for dinner." I said and I then hung up the phone as I pushed it across the counter as I brushed my hands through my hair. Christian was keeping Jackson a lot during the BMT process so that Claire was never alone in the hospital. I was mostly pissed that he was in our apartment, in my house, with my wife and that she lied to me about it. I didn't really care that Claire met him but that I asked her and she lied.
I missed Gabi.
I picked up my cell phone and I facetimed her. It went to voicemail though and I hung my head. My phone buzzed and I picked it up.
Gabi: Heading into yoga. I'll call you later. There is no way you miss me yet.
I just smiled with a shake of my head as I typed my message back out to her.
Troy: Yea, I miss you. Badly. Claire is sad you aren't here. I am sad you aren't here. How many puppy dog faces does it take to get you to come over?
I pressed send and I ran my fingers through my hair. I went down the hall and checked on Claire who was playing with her toys on the floor. I sat down next to her and she smiled up at me. "If you love Gabi, why did she move out? Did you make her mad?" Claire asked and I chuckled with a shake of my head. "No. Gabi wanted to make sure that we were both dating which is a fancy word for living in different houses for a little bit."
Claire scrunched her eyebrows, "That sounds silly." I laughed with a shrug, "Gabi might have to move away in August." I told Claire honestly and she looked up at me closely. "Why?" I smiled, "To become a better nurse." Claire really scrunched her face up this time. "Gabi is the best nurse," she said while putting her hands on her hips. I chuckled, "I know. She just wants to be the best of the best." Claire rolled her eyes but continued to play with her toys. "Do you think I could be a nurse like Gabi?" she asked me and I nodded. "You can be whatever you want, Claire Bear."
"I can't be a mermaid," she rattled back and I just chuckled, "I mean…we could figure it out." Claire shook her head, "Daddy, I don't have a tail. I can't be a mermaid." I smiled looking at her. I was lucky to have her. I was lucky that she wasn't having that hard of a time battling cancer. I was lucky. Those blue eyes looked at me, "Can we get Alex's for dinner?" she asked and I nodded, "Yea, let me call it in. I'll check to make sure Gabi isn't coming over."
Thursday, March 19th, 2015
Gabi's POV
The sun baked into my skin as we were in Florida on vacation. Our parents surprised both of us with a trip to Florida for our last spring break and before Troy had to report to UNC for football. He moved in in just three months and we weren't going to be able to go after graduation. Ever since he committed life had been good…like extra good. He was relaxed because college was figured out, he was basking in the post state championship, and we were spending a lot of time together.
He was trying to figure out his major. I kept bouncing between four different ones. We volunteered every weekend. We hung out at the nursing home and played games with them. We were madly in love and nothing could break the two of us right now. His fingers landed on my thigh as our dads were golfing and our moms went to grab lunch. My sisters were all scattered across the beach as Gianna was hanging with Sophia and Lucas couldn't come because his spring break didn't align.
"You look really happy," Troy commented. I turned to face him and I smiled looking up at his shirtless body. He sat on the edge of my seat and his fingers looped through mine. "I am really happy. I am just…I'm ready for the next step for the both of us." Troy gave me his megawatt smile before dipping down to press his lips against mine. "College…no parents…sounds like a fucking dream." He muttered against my lips and I just laughed looping my arms around his neck.
"It does sound nice, promise, you won't forget me in college." I said to him and he scrunched his eyebrows, "Why would I forget you? You are going to have to kick me out of your dorm room most of the time." She grinned with a shake of her head. "No, sir, I am going to have a roommate who is not going to want a stinky boy in her room." Troy laughed as he nibbled on my lower lip. "I'll shower before I come."
"I just know that when we get there – you will see all of these college girls and be so busy with football and class. I just want to make sure that I am in your brain somewhere." Those words really got him to scrunch his nose and he turned his head. "Excuse me? College girls? You are the only college girl I will want to be attached to. The end." I gave him a doubtful look. "You say that now…" Troy's eyes tilted down and he shook his head back and forth. "No…I say that now because I love you and only you and…I don't need a "college" girl. I need you."
My eyes looked into his blue eyes and he reached up to stroke my face, "It's you, you are my everything,"
I pulled him into my body and just held onto him, "I love you," he whispered into my ear and I just squeezed him. "I love you, too."
We let go of each other and he pulled me forward before sitting behind me and pulling me back against his chest under the umbrella. "You are always the number one girl and thing on my mind. Throw a football, think about Gabi, run a play, think about Gabi, do a math problem…think about Gabi. My thoughts always come right back to you. Always." I let my head tilt back to rest on his chest and just inhaled softly. "I won't lie that I am scared of how it's going to play out but I'm ready to tackle it together."
He inhaled softly against my skin and his lips pressed to my neck. "It won't be easy but I am pretty sure that it will be worth it."
I gave him a soft smile and just enjoyed the sun, him, and the time we had together.
Gabi's POV
Claire blew me a kiss through the phone and I smiled with a shake of my head as Claire and Troy, both begged me endlessly to come over tonight to eat dinner. It didn't work. I was trying my hardest to set boundaries. I just wanted to make a solid relationship. "Good night, Claire. I'll see you tomorrow for dinner." I told her and she gave me a wide grin. "Gabi," she whispered into the phone while leaning forward. She blocked Troy from the camera and I smiled at her, "Yes, Claire?"
She looked over her shoulder and then grinned at the camera, "Daddy says that you're his girlfriend," she whispered quietly into the phone and I laughed at her and Troy barked his own laugh that made my heart sing. "Yes, I am daddy's girlfriend. Did he tell you that we used to date a long, long time ago?" She nodded her head up and down quickly. "He showed me a picture of you and him. He said you were both 17." She recited and I smiled, "That was a long, long time ago."
"Claire, baby, go get ready for bed and then I will come tuck you in. Okay?" Claire sighed, "Good night, Gabi, I can't wait to see you tomorrow." I blew her a kiss as she went running off. Troy's eyes followed her and a smile tugged on his lips. My heart pounded in my chest and I shook my head with a tiny smile. "You are such an amazing dad," I whispered. His eyes swung back to me and he smiled. "She makes it easy. I love her."
I took in a deep breath and smiled at him, "I hope you two enjoyed your evening together," I said and Troy smiled, "We did. It's weird being just the two of us. We haven't had that…ever." I propped my chin up while I looked at him. "Good. You two need that time together before transplant." Troy painfully closed his eyes and rubbed his face. "I'm terrified for transplant. I hate that I can't be there for her constantly."
My fingers itched to be next to him in this moment to comfort him. "I'll be there as much as I can and I know that doesn't help completely but…I'll be there." He gave me a smile and a nod of his head, "Yea, that does make me feel better but I just hate that I can't protect her." I blinked my eyes and I just nodded, "I am going to see you both tomorrow afternoon, I love you." I whispered to him and Troy turned his head, "Yea, I'm calling you again after I read her to sleep."
I laughed, "You are not. Wren is on her way over with a bottle of wine with both of our names on it. I'm flattered that you miss me though." Troy pouted his lips, "Fuck, I hate that you aren't here right now. Whose idea was this?" I laughed with a shake of my head. "Both of ours. Give her an extra kiss for me."
"I love you, El."
"I love you, too."
I hung up the phone as I brushed my fingers through my hair before going to grab wine glasses. Wren and our other mutual friend from work, Val, were coming over to enjoy wine because they both thought that I was released from my assignment sooner. Little did they both know…
I was terrified of how this relationship was going to play out but I couldn't be happier that I was with Troy. That tomorrow I could show up to his apartment and he was going to wrap his arms around me. That I could smile when I thought about him. Love was scary in every single aspect of the word. This could end in a disaster but this may also be the time for us. I only had this one life and he was my life back then and I wanted him to be a part of it now.
A knock on my door had me walking over to swing it open as Val and Wren were standing there with big grins on their faces wanting to know all of the details. I just laughed with a shake of my head, "I brought three bottles of wine," Wren said. "One for each of us. More if you need liquid encouragement to spill all the details." I hugged Val and then Wren as we all went to grab the classes that I had sat out already.
"How was it working for Troy Bolton? I've heard he's one of the nicest people alive," Val said and I lifted my eyes to meet Wren's glance. "You never told her?" she nearly screamed and I sighed as I looked at Val straight on. "Told me what?" she had her blonde hair pulled into a messy bun with a t-shirt with a pair of leggings. Her eyes bouncing between Wren and myself. Wren shoved wine into everybody's hands and drug us to the couch.
"Start spilling," Wren demanded and Val was seriously confused now. I just sighed as I looked at Val while curling up on the end of the couch. "Troy and I dated in high school," I said slowly and Val nearly tipped over her wine glass. "Shut the fuck up, you dated him?" I just nodded my head up and down as Wren groaned dramatically. "Oh my god, that doesn't even top half of the story. They took each other's virginities, they were high school sweethearts, and he only broke up with her because he knew she wanted to stay in North Carolina and he in the end broke her heart."
Val's mouth was on the couch and I just blinked a few times watching her. "You've had sex with Troy Bolton?" she whispered and I just laughed with a tiny nod of my head. "At the age of 17…and 25," I spilled and Wren screeched loudly as her wine spilled over the edge. "Shut the fuck up! You two had sex with each other?" Wren yelled and I just laughed with another nod, "We may or may not be back in a relationship…which is why my time with them just ended. Troy and I decided that we needed to actually date and get to know each other again and not live under the same roof."
"Holy shit," Val whispered. "You aren't the reason for their divorce, right?" Wren rolled her eyes dramatically, "The half black baby is the reason for their divorce." I shook my head back and forth. "Troy and I didn't even start talking again until after they were divorced and I started helping him more. Yea, I never got over him but I was more than ready to walk away and move on. I would have handled the pain but I would have been happy for him with his beautiful girl and his wife. They weren't happy though and that made me sad. Sad for Troy because…I knew he wasn't happy in his marriage. He wasn't happy with the love that he was receiving or giving. It was killing him. He loves his daughter so whole heartedly and with Eve…" I just shook my head because it wasn't there.
Val just blinked again, "You've fucked Troy Bolton?" I just busted out laughing, "Yea, many times. He's by far the best I've ever been with. It's big. Do you need anything else?" Wren just snickered and took a large gulp of wine. "How did he do it? How did he get you to listen?" I smiled, "He took me on a date, in his apartment, and explained everything that had happened. Apparently, the UNC coached called him a month before he was supposed to leave and told him that they were bringing in a better quarterback and he wouldn't start for a while. They offered to let him out of his contract and when Alabama called a week later, he just said yes. He never wanted to leave me. He had to leave me. He figured it was just better to make it a clean break but I definitely would have followed him and loved him and done it but…"
I pulled at my leggings that I was wearing as I blinked away tears, "As much as I hate that I didn't spend the last eight years with him. What if I hadn't ended up here? As a pediatric nurse helping kids with cancer and doing what I absolutely love. If I had followed him…I probably wouldn't know you guys and he wouldn't have Claire who is the light of his life at this point. He's such an amazing father but I want those eight years back. I want those memories and love and time back." I couldn't stop the sob and I covered my mouth as Wren stole my glass and she wrapped her arms around me. "I love my life as is but what I wouldn't give to just…have both."
"Gabs, I think that is a normal feeling. It sounds like you both had something special in high school and everything happened because it was supposed to happen but that doesn't take away from the loss you feel from those years. You get to feel sad about those lost years but you also get to capitalize on the future. You get a second chance. How many people get to say that?" Val spoke and I wiped away my tears. "I've loved him for so long. I never stopped and when I saw him again…those feelings came back even stronger than the last time." Val gave me a smile, "I always wondered why you didn't date more but…sounds like you couldn't find a guy who stood a chance against him." I laughed and shook my head, "Nobody could ever compare. Our love story in high school was...out of a romance novel."
"So…when can I meet him?" Val questioned and I just laughed as I took a big gulp of my wine finishing it off. "He'll be on the floor at lot in the coming weeks. Claire has her transplant coming up but he's also starting football season – so it'll be a juggling act for him." Wren squeezed my hand, "You are going to be the best nurse and football girlfriend." I laughed as I looked at my packed boxes. "I don't know if I should go to Philly."
Val scrunched her nose, "I always wondered why you wanted to take that next step. I mean, yea, the extra schooling and cash would be nice but…I don't think you need that anymore. I mean, if you and Troy don't work out then go then but I highly doubt you two fuck it up a second time. I still never understood though because you hate the paperwork portion and you love taking care of the patients. It never made sense to me as to why you were going." Val said with a shrug and I just shrugged back.
"Because it's the next step and I wasn't sure what my life is ever going to hold. Do I hold myself back? Do I go? Do I advance? Do I become an NP and just stay as a floor nurse? There are so many options but…Philly isn't here. Troy isn't in Philly. I love Troy and I love nursing."
"But hear me out," Wren said carefully, "Why not just continue being a nurse and doing your favorite passions in the world – like fundraising for the kids with a much bigger platform now. Go do big things in the community and still work on the floor. Hell, you could go part-time. You could go PRN. You don't have to be a full-time nurse anymore and what I see you as Gabi – is somebody serving and helping those kids in a much different way. Starting a non-profit and doing something. Yea, as an NP you can prescribe drugs. You aren't doing anything that will fulfill you."
I battled back the tears and Wren squeezed my shoulder, "Why not be a nurse, raise the money, and stay with the love of your life?" she whispered to me and I just laughed and wiped my tears away. "I really never saw you as an NP – not that you wouldn't be great but I just don't think that's what you want in life." Val told me and I just shook my head, "I'll have to give it a little bit more thought but you guys are right. I was never that sure but the hospital was paying for it and it sounded like a good idea."
"Maybe go back and get a degree in business or something along those lines to help you run a non-profit. I know if something were to happen to your relationship that you would still have that and that would still be your biggest motivation. You could do gift baskets or things like that to bring to kids when they need them the most in the hospital. Blankets. Toys. Christmas. Holidays. Anything. You can dream big here, Gabi. You have a ton of money and if you are moving in with that beautiful man – reach for the stars and build something."
"I don't want Troy's money to do it," I argued and Wren shook her head, "Use the money from helping him. From the money you saved not paying rent. Use that as startup money. I bet in no time you will have a business and you literally have the cutest reasons why and I bet you'll have a big sponsor." Wren winked at me and I just laughed. "It's a good idea but let me sleep on it and think on it. I don't want to get anybody's hopes up that I'm not going to Philly yet. I just…need some time to think."
"Think about it but follow your heart." Val told me and I just smiled because my heart would always lead me to one place – Troy Bolton.
Saturday, July 3rd, 2021
Troy's POV
"Claire, pick up your toys." I reminded her as she sat on the couch with a snack that she was thankfully eating. She was looking and doing a lot better recently and I hated that we were going to completely wipe her out but it was for the better. All the better. I needed my little girl for as long as I was around – she wasn't going before me. That was for damn sure. "Daddy, I want to finish my show." She said with a twist of her head.
"I know you do but Gabi is coming over and you need to clean up." She sighed heavily, "Gabi used to live here," she reminded me and I refrained from rolling my eyes as I picked up the kitchen. "Claire," I redirected her again and she just sighed dramatically before getting up and picking up her toys that were in the living room. "Daddy, what are we doing tomorrow?" she asked and I shrugged. "Not sure yet. Reni, Hanson, and Reggie were talking about hanging out on the lake but I think Mommy wants to spend some time with you."
Claire didn't say anything at that as she just sighed before going to put all of her things away. I wiped my hands as Eve wanted Claire tomorrow and I was okay with it. We could flip 4th of July every single year if that made it easier. A knock came at the door and I grinned as I took ten steps before the door flung open and she stood on the other side with a smile on her face. She was in a sun dress with her hair resting on her shoulders and her make-up lightly done.
My eyes dragged down her body and I groaned from the look of her. "Gabi," I said and she laughed while taking a step forward and wrapping her arms around my neck. "Hi handsome," she pressed onto her tip-toes and kissed my mouth gently. I locked her in place as my fingers gripped her hips. "You left me on the visitors list," she murmured and I belted out a laugh as I smirked. "You think your name was coming off of that? Negative." She smiled as we took a step into the apartment. The door collapsed behind her and it didn't take long for little feet to hit the ground.
"GABI!" Claire screamed and she bolted into the entry and grabbed onto Gabi's legs tightly. "Hi sweet girl," Gabi dropped down to her knees and wrapped her into a tight hug. "How is my favorite little girl doing?" she asked causing Claire to grin. "Good! Will you come play with me? Daddy made me pick up all my toys because you were coming over and I told him you used to live here and I shouldn't have to pick up all of my toys but you will come play with me?" she gushed out in one breath and Gabi just laughed with a smile. "In a few minutes, okay?" she just nodded her head and went running back to her bedroom.
I reached down for her hand and she gladly accepted it. "She looks good," Gabi told me and I gave a small smile. "She really does, are we sure we have to do transplant?" Gabi just nodded before setting her bag down on the counter. "That way she stays healthy for a really long time." I picked her up and I placed her on the counter in the kitchen as I took her mouth with mine. Her lips curved into the kiss and she reached up to rest her palm on my face. "Are you ready to do this?" she asked. I just nodded my head, "I want you to be my girlfriend. I know we want to keep this quiet for a while so I got us a reservation at a little restaurant downtown. They have a private room."
"Thank you for keeping this private for a while, I know you probably want to show the world you got me back but I am not ready for that yet." I brushed my thumb over her lips as I stared at her big brown eyes that were tastefully done in soft make-up that highlighted her features. "I know. My life is a little too public and the whole Eve thing isn't that old yet. I want to make sure we introduce you correctly to the public so that there isn't any backlash or hate towards you. I want to meet with my team PR and my PR team."
She laughed with a tiny smile, "Who knew you would have a PR team," I laughed as I kissed her again. "I think Claire is going over to Eve's tonight. Please come over," Gabi just laughed and shook her head, "I'll come over but I am going to go back to my apartment." I pouted and that caused her to laugh. "You're supposed to date me…remember?" I gave her a smile, "That is me dating you, I want all of the time with you. I want to explore you." I paused as I kissed down the side of her face and along her chin. She gasped quietly as I continued. "I want to kiss you. I want to fuck you," I whispered into her ear as I brushed my lips against her.
"Troy," she whispered my name. "GABI!" Claire's voice echoed through the apartment and I groaned as Gabi quietly laughed. "I'm coming Claire," she slipped off the counter and I watched her walk away and I shook my head. I was in deep fucking trouble with her.
Friday, April 3rd, 2015
Troy's POV
I waited for her at the end of the hall as she walked out of the classroom with her friend, Riley. They were both smiling and laughing together as she was in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt as we were nearing the end of our senior year. I wanted to hold every moment with her as I moved into the dorms in June to prepare for football. It was going to be a lot more intense but I knew we could do it. Our relationship could handle it.
My eyes took her in as she finally looked up at me and a smile grew over those cheeks. Her lips were glossy and I only wanted to pull her back into an empty room. I rubbed my lips together as Riley rolled her eyes – I knew she wasn't the fondest of our relationship. Gabi tried to tell her that we were real and there wasn't much that could come between us but Riley thought we were stupid for thinking this was forever. Riley said something to Gabi before turning down the hallway and Gabi caught up to me as she stood in front of me. My back pressed against the locker and she grinned up at me. "What is that look for, Bolton? I could feel you watching me." I grinned as I reached down and clasped my fingers with her fingers.
"I have something for you, come with me?" she nodded, "Let me ditch my books in my locker," I agreed as we walked to her locker together. I said hi to several people along the way and tipped my head towards Liam who was talking with his current girlfriend, Monica, while he watched me knowing my entire plan. He shook his head as she stashed her books in her locker. "Where are we off, too? I thought we were going to go hang out with Gianna and Sophia?"
"Later," I told her. I pulled out my car keys from my backpack and she walked around to the passenger side. I started my car and she grinned, "Wait," I turned to face her and nearly fell over in surprise when I found her right there and her lips landed on mine. Her arms locked around my head and I grinned into the kiss as I let my hands grip her waist. "I've missed you; I feel like you've been busy this week." She whispered.
"Just a little bit, I promise, we'll have some alone time in a little bit but we have somewhere to be." She shot me a look of annoyance, "Where do we have to be? I thought we were just having a chill afternoon, you told me," I laughed as I reached over and squeezed her hand. "Just relax, El. I am treating you to something – just let me do this, okay?" she sighed with annoyance and then reached for my radio. I drove towards the nursing home and she finally sat up.
"Are we volunteering this afternoon?" she sounded excited and I just nodded my head, "Yea, with a little bit of a twist." I told her as we pulled into the lot. She scrunched her eyebrows, "A twist?" she questioned and I just nodded my head as I parked my truck. She hopped out of the side and I met up with her in the middle as I held her hand while we walked inside. The doors opened up and I lead her past the check in station. "Hi Nancy!" she yelled to the worker and she just shot me a wink with a smile on her face.
"Why did she wink at you? What is going on?" she asked me with her impatience kicking in. I pressed my back into the door and I looked at her face as I pushed it all the way open. Her eyes rounded in surprise and her mouth parted and dropped as tears filled her eyes. The residents behind me started to cheer and Gabi laughed as she brought her hands up to her face and then her eyes kicked to mine. "What do you say?" I whispered into her ear and she just laughed.
The residents behind me were all holding different signs asking her to go to Prom with me. One of them was holding a bouquet of roses and balloons that spelled PROM. "Troy," she whispered and I just gave her a wide smile, "I couldn't have asked for better help from some of your favorite people – they all told me how to do it. I basically let Betty plan the whole thing. She loved it." She couldn't stop her laugh as she threw her arms around my neck. "Yes, I'll go to Prom with you." She whispered into my ear and I just squeezed her tightly around her waist.
"WELL? Son, I can't HEAR. What did she say?" Hank yelled and Gabi and I busted out laughing, "I said YES!" Gabi yelled and the residents all hooped and hollered. I laughed as Gabi went over and greeted all of them and hugged them all. Hank delivered the flowers and she just shook her head back and forth with a smile on her face. Yea, I didn't mess this one up.
Gabi's POV
Troy drove towards the restaurant as his hand was firmly placed on my knee while Claire talked in the back. "Any plans tomorrow?" Troy asked and I shook my head. "No. I thought about picking up a shift at the hospital." Troy frowned slightly at my words but he didn't say anything about it. "Well, if you don't. Reggie, Reni, and Hanson are all renting a boat and we're going to spend the day on it. Watch fireworks from it. You are invited if you want to go," Troy told me as he gave me a sideways glance. "Yea? You want me to go?" I questioned and Troy rolled his eyes.
"I don't want you ever leaving my side – yes, I want you to go." A laugh bubbled from my throat and I gave him a quick look and I nodded, "Yea, I'll go with you." His eyebrows shot up and a smile graced his lips. "Really? If you want to go to work that's fine but…" I shook my head. "No, I want to go with you. Is Claire going?" I asked him and he shook his head. "She is staying the night with Eve and they are spending the day with her friends. She asked me for her a while ago and I didn't care." I gave his hand a gentle squeeze and he smiled back. "What time?" I asked him and he looked over at me. "Noon, I'll pick you up at 11 so we can go pick up food and coffee plus alcohol."
"You actually go and pick up your own things?" I questioned and he chuckled, "Sometimes, I know a few places." I just shook my head as he turned right into the restaurant parking lot. Claire wiggled in her seat as Troy shut off the car. He pushed his sunglasses onto his face as I grabbed my purse. It was hard not to notice Troy. He was a massive human with broad shoulders and a towering height. He got Claire out of the back of the car as she tucked her head into his shoulder. She was wearing a scarf around her head as I followed behind him. He stopped and turned to face me, "You go in front," he said nudging his head. I smiled as I led the way into the restaurant with him behind me.
"Last name?" the hostess asked, "Luca," Troy responded and I scrunched up my eyebrows towards him as he chuckled at my face. She just nodded, "The other member of your party is already here. I'll take you back." We followed as he bent forward to whisper into my ear. "Not many people know my middle name or what was supposed to be more original name." I just smiled as they led us to a back corner and Eve was already sitting there with Jackson in her lap. I felt Troy stiffen behind me, "Mama!" Claire jumped from Troy's arms and went over to hug on Eve. "Hi sweet girl," Troy pulled out my chair and I settled into it as there was an awkwardness over the table.
"Mama, guess what," Claire whispered, well, tried to whisper towards Eve. "What baby?" she grinned, "Daddy has a new girlfriend and it's GABI!" she enthused causing me to shift uncomfortably. "Daddy said that they used to date a long, long, time ago in high school." Eve shifted and gave her a tight smile, "I know. That's why we are all having dinner. To show that mommy and daddy and Gabi can all be friends together for you."
Troy slipped his hand over my knee gently, "We're all in this together, mommy and daddy are still mommy and daddy." Troy explained and Claire just nodded her head up and down. "Yea, I know. Mommy is happy without daddy and daddy is happy with Gabi. I will be happy when I don't have to have medicine anymore." All three adults all shared a look around the table as Troy just cleared his throat and Jackson squirmed and let out a cry.
"Sweetie," Eve started as Claire colored on her sheet and she just shrugged, "I just like that you all don't fight anymore." I just shook my head at her wisdom beyond years as Troy took a long drink of his water and nodded his head, "Okay, well, as long as you are happy, Claire." Eve and Troy shared a look with each other. We all ordered food and once Claire was busy coloring and Jackson was falling asleep in Eve's lap. "Eve," I approached first and she let her eyes flicker over to mine.
"I just want make sure that I make it perfectly clear that I am not trying to step on any toes here. I want to be a helpful part to your family but I am not doing anything to take over by any means. Yes, I always have loved him but I was never going to step on any toes. I resisted for a really long time. I just want to be clear that I would never have gotten with him if you remained married. Hell, I barely was willing to listen to him a month and half after your divorce."
Eve just looked at me for a few moments before she nodded her head, "I am just glad that it's somebody like you. Who loves children and I know you as a person? Yes, it was really weird circumstances of how this all unfolded but Troy and I were in an unhappy marriage. Clearly, Claire saw it as well even though I tried to hide it from her. I don't know. It's weird, I won't lie. Troy and I both failed on our marriage and we aren't meant to be – but I see it between you two and I always have. I was jealous. From the start and I want to hate you and him but I can't."
Troy cleared his throat, "I don't think you have a right really, I mean…" Troy's eyes zeroed in on Jackson and Eve let out a nervous laugh. "Exactly, I call truce on this whole situation. I want Claire happy. That is all that matters. Her being happy."
Troy nodded his head, "Yea, that's the only thing that matters to me as well. Claire's happiness," Troy reached over and brushed his fingers over her scarf and she tilted her head back and smiled. "Hi daddy," he tapped her nose and Troy laced our fingers together. "When do we want to have this dinner with Christian?" Troy asked and Eve hummed. "Soon,"
I washed and put a dish away as I had changed into shorts and one of Troy's t-shirts as I came home about two hours ago. Our lunch lasted about an hour and half and it was good – after the initial awkwardness it was fun and lighthearted. Troy and Eve were going to be good co-parents and honestly that was all that mattered. I left after he begged for about an hour and half for me to stay at his place but I placed a kiss on his lips and walked out of the door.
I got home, changed, did a load of laundry and dishes. I found the swim suit I was going to wear tomorrow to drive my boyfriend nuts and called Scarlett, I did not mention Troy and I's relationship, to catch up. I dropped back into the couch when there was a knock at my front door. I scrunched my eyebrows together as I pulled myself back out of the couch as I approached the door before pressing onto my tiptoes when I saw those blue eyes. I shook my head with a smile creeping on my face as I swung open the door. He leaned against the side and had his hands stuck in his pockets.
"Hi,"
I laughed, "Hi," he reached forward and slipped his hand around the back of my head. "I missed you, my apartment was empty without Claire, and I hated it." He kissed me and I just laughed as he picked me up. "I brought wine and figured we could chill on the couch…or do other things…I'm not biased." I just tilted my head back in laughter. "Oh yea?" I questioned with a rising smirk on my own face. "This is a very boyfriend thing to do by the way," he told me with a nod and I just shook my head as I backed up, "Get in here."
He grinned like a cat as he sat the bottle of wine on the counter. "Come here," he whispered and I shook my head, "Slow Troy Bolton," Troy just shook his head as he took a step towards me and I took a step backwards. "Gabs," he nearly purred my name and I was putty in his hands. He stepped forward and my fingers ran up his chest as I felt his muscles through the t-shirt. "If you don't want me here, I will leave but…"
I shook my head as I rested my head on his chest, "No, don't leave. If you are here now you have to stay." He chuckled as he took his big hands through my hair, "Go sit on the couch, I will pour each of us a glass of wine." I agreed as I went over to the couch and I sat on one end while wrapping myself in my blanket. Troy popped open the bottle of wine and poured two glasses before coming over and sitting in the middle. He handed me a glass and he patted his lap. "Rest,"
I just laughed as I stretched my legs out to settle in his lap, "How was the last two hours?" Troy asked with a growing grin and I smiled with a shake of my head. "Do you actually miss me?" I questioned. Troy tossed his head back with a grin and took a drink. "Yea, I do. I missed you when you were sitting next to me. I have a lot of time to catch up on here." I took a drink of my own wine while I circled it around. "Tomorrow is going to be fun," I told him and he grinned, "We have to be a little careful tomorrow. People will spot us out there and they will take pictures."
My lips turned upside down as I blinked carefully, "I don't know how I feel about this whole press thing." I told him honestly and Troy nodded his head slowly. "Yea, I am still not a big fan of them trying to dig into my personal life a little too deep and the moment they get ahold of your pretty face they will figure out that I am in over my head." I rolled my eyes with a laugh as Troy smirked. "I want to announce our relationship and we are going to have to figure out the whole nurse angle."
"Or when the time is right, we just release our little love story," I proposed to him and he looked at me for a few beats as he really frowned this time. "That's our story. Our love story. That isn't anybody else's."
"Okay, we don't have to dig deep into the details but we can say we met in high school, we went our separate ways when you went to Alabama, and then we just so happened to be paired together at Boston Children's and then your wife had a baby with another man and…"
"Yea, yea, okay, I get that. Are you ready for all of that though?"
"No, I want more time with you. I want all of the time with you first before everybody else gets in. I'm not ready for all of it." Troy nodded in understanding as he sat his wine glass done and removed mine from my hand. He gently sat it down before pulling me into his body. I curled up on his lap while he tucked me against his body. "I want to keep you to myself, too. That's why I said we have to be careful tomorrow."
"Well then I feel bad for you." I sent him a wicked smiled and he groaned as he tossed his head backwards. "How about you put on a full body suit? Hm? Spare me?" I shook my head as I couldn't stop my laugh. "Sorry, I have the perfect swim suit. Should I just give everybody on the boat a lap dance and pretend to be the stripper for the day?" Troy nearly growled from that statement before taking my wine from my hand and pressing me back into the couch. "You will not be giving anybody a lap dance besides me,"
"I don't remember you being this jealous in high school," I remarked as he shifted his weight off of my body but still had me caged in above him. "That was prior to missing out on eight years of being with you." He dipped down to kiss me and I let my arms snake around his neck. He slowed the kissing down after a few minutes before he dropped his lips to my cheek and then my neck. He pulled back with a hazy love lust look in his eyes. Our breathing was trying to catch up to one another as he twisted to lay next to me on the couch. "So, we have to be careful?" I questioned and he nodded his head slowly.
"Yea, I really don't want to share you with anybody yet. I don't want anybody digging into you. This is more out of protection for you than for me." I let my hand run over his chest and I pressed my lips into his arm. "I'm not ready either and I want us to be solid first. I want to make sure we still want each other,"
Troy just chuckled under his breath, "There hasn't been a day that has gone by that I haven't wanted you, Gabriella Montez."
Happy Sunday! Happy Halloween! I hope you all had a great day! Enjoy the update! Will Gabi go to Philly? Would Troy follow her? How is BMT going to go? SO MANY QUESTIONS.
Let me know ALL YOUR THOUGHTS!
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Next Update: November 14th