(This is the next chapter, I thought the first part was a cute idea so I really wanted to include it, hope you enjoy and please let me know what you're thinking of the story x)
Lucille, Jack and Troy were sitting at the presentation the next day, watching as all the children in Jacob and Lilliana's class gave their speeches.
Jacob was the next one to speak, walking up to the microphone. "Good morning, my name is Jacob Bolton and today, I will be talking about why I love my family. Starting with my Mommy. I love my Mom because she is kind and she lets me cook with her in the kitchen and she takes care of me when I'm sick. She comes to all of my games and my school events and she always makes me happy. Then there's my Daddy. I love my Dad because he is strong and brave and he teaches me how to play sport. I love playing basketball with my Dad and my big brother. I love Troy because he is nice and he plays with me. He helps me with my homework and he helps me be better at basketball. He is fun and I want to be just like him when I grow up. Then there's my sister Lilliana. I love my sister because she's my twin and I think that's really cool. I love having Lilly at my school and in my class and getting to play with her and Troy and Gabriella. Last is Gabriella, my big sister. Gabi isn't really my sister but Troy always tells us that we don't need the same mom and dad for her to be our sister. I love Gabi because she is nice and caring. I love when Gabi gives me a hug every morning before I go to school and she always plays with me, Lilly and Troy. I love my family for lots of reasons but the best one is I love them because they love me."
The Bolton family clapped loudly, cheering for Jacob, making him grin. Lucille had tears in her eyes and Troy and Jack were beaming with pride at the little boy. They calmed down once the next child began speaking.
After a few more children, it was Lilliana's turn to speak, Troy decided to record her speech as he'd done Jacob's, knowing that Gabriella would want to hear them. "Good morning everyone um my name is Lilliana Bolton and today I'll be talking about my favourite person, my sister Gabriella. I love my sister because she is my best friend. She reads with me and helps me with my homework, we sing and dance and she'll always be silly with me. I love having fun with my sister and I love playing with Bria and my brothers. Bria taught me lots of things like how to draw and write and read tricky words. She showed me cool songs and read me big books. But mostly, she showed me how to be brave and kind and to always be the bigger person. Regardless of what she was doing, she always helps me if I am upset or if I need help or want to play. I love being with my Gabriella and I love our special things. My big sister is the strongest person I know and I want to be just like Bria when I grow up. But the best reason I love Gabriella is because she loves me and I love my sister to the end of the universe. Thank you."
When she finished, she looked down to the audience at Troy for reassurance – knowing Gabriella wasn't there – and the boy smiled assuringly in response, beaming with pride.
After the final few speeches, the children were dismissed to their families and the twins came running to them, Jacob running to his parents and Lilliana to Troy's side. After Jacob hugged his parents and was congratulated by them, he turned to Troy, looking around. "Is Gabi here?"
The junior smiled sadly. "I'm afraid not Kiddo but I recorded both yours and Lilly's speeches so she can watch them when she's back. She's going to love hearing both of your speeches and she'll be really proud of yous. Just like we are."
Jacob hugged his brother and Lilliana spoke up as she held Troy's hand. "I wish Bria was here."
"I know you do Lil, I know she wishes she was here too."
"I think it's kinda nice," Jack interjected. "We finally got to do something as a family."
Troy felt Lilliana stiffen and rubbed her back as he looked at Jack. "Don't say that. We'll discuss what's going on but don't talk like that in front of the twins."
When they got back home, Troy sent the twins upstairs to play so they wouldn't overhear the conversation, not wanting to get them into trouble. "Look, I didn't tell you this yesterday but I went to the police about Gabriella."
"Why would you do that, it seems unnecessary for -"
He held up his hand to interrupt his father. "If you'd let me finish, you'd find out." He continued at his parents' nod. "Alright, Gabriella wouldn't answer my calls but she was responding to texts but it doesn't sound like her. So I went down to the police yesterday to see if they could help. They tracked her phone, she's not in California like the messages say, she's in Denver so they're looking into it more and finding out what's happening."
Lucille frowned at her son. "Troy Alexander, don't tell me that's where you went when you were supposed to take the twins to the park, if I find out they were at that police station, I will -"
"No Mom, I didn't take the twins there. I did it before I came home... Look all I want to say is be careful around the subject of Gabriella, especially when it comes to Lilly, she adores her and you know that from her speech today. Just be light with her ok? She's struggling with this whole situation."
"Does Lilliana know what's going on, have you told her?"
"Not exactly, but she does know something's wrong, she knew that off her own accord."
Lucille sighed. "Fine but don't tell the twins what you know, it's best if they're aware of as little as possible, they're too young to deal with something like this."
Troy finally understood what Lilliana meant during their conversation the previous afternoon and had to bite his tongue, responding "Sure Mom, whatever you'd like." He exited the room and sent a message to 'Gabriella:' Lil and Jakie missed you at the presentation today.
The response he got back answered his thoughts as it would never be something his girlfriend would say in regards to the twins. Oh well.
Troy walked upstairs and found the twins waiting for him, Lilliana speaking first. "Did you get in trouble?"
"No Lil, but you cannot tell Mommy and Daddy you know anything about what's happening or I'll be in big trouble." They promised and Troy kneeled down to hug them both. "We'll find her guys, I promise."