That afternoon, Gabriella was released from the hospital. As they were getting ready to leave, she looked down at the hospital gown then to her boyfriend. "What am I gonna wear? My clothes are all dirty and... bloody."
Troy reached into his bag pulling out a hoodie and sweatpants. "I brought some extras just in case, they may be a little big."
She took the clothes hesitantly, looking down at them. "You want me to wear your clothes?"
He smiled slightly, tipping her chin up. "I'd love you to wear my clothes, I think you'll look adorable." He chuckled as she glared at him, the blush flooding her cheeks contradicting her expression. "Go get changed Baby and we'll get you home."
"I like the sound of that."
Gabriella got changed and they set off on their way, a six-and-a-half-hour drive back to Albuquerque.
They pulled up to the Bolton house at 8:45pm and as soon as the juniors walked through the door, they heard an excited scream "GABI!" Jacob tackled Gabriella into a hug and the girl winced slightly at the impact before bending down and hugging the boy.
"Hey Jakie, I missed you."
"I missed you too."
Troy watched as the boy squeezed her tighter and saw her face scrunch at the pain. "Just be a bit careful Bud, Gabriella's still hurt."
"I'm sorry Gabi." She dismissed the statement, silently telling him not to worry. He leant in and whispered to the girl. "Mom and Dad didn't tell us but Troy told us the truth, are you ok?"
She smiled slightly. "I'm alright, I'm sorry I missed your presentation though, I was really excited to see it but Troy said he recorded it so I'll get to watch your speech." The smile on the boy's face melted her heart and she quickly glanced up at the time before looking back at the six-year-old teasingly. "Isn't it a little late for you to still be up Mister?"
Lucille interrupted softly. "He was so excited for you two to come back so we let him stay up a little longer." She placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Welcome back Sweetheart, we're glad you're ok and so sorry you had to go through that."
"Thank you Lucille."
Gabriella looked around the room and Troy immediately saw her thought process, asking for her. "Where's Lil?"
The woman looked sadly at the teenagers, directing her speech to Gabriella. "She's in her room Sweetheart, I think she's gone to bed."
"Oh um t-that's ok."
"I know it's been a rough week and none of you have gotten much sleep so how about you go get some rest and we can talk more in the morning."
The children all nodded and walked upstairs. Troy and Gabriella stopped outside her and Lilliana's door. The boy wrapped his arms around his girlfriend's waist, feeling her lean against him. "I'll give you two some time alone and I'll see you in the morning. Sweet dreams Baby, I love you."
"I love you too Troy." She said, pecking his lips. "Good night." Opening the door to the bedroom, she found the lamp on with Lilliana curled up on her side, facing the wall. "Hey Sweet Girl." She said hesitantly, not knowing how to start the conversation. After getting no response, she sat down on the bed beside the little girl and placed a hand on her shoulder and was shocked when Lilliana shrugged her off. "Liv, what's wrong?"
Lilliana whirled around and Gabriella's heart broke seeing her sister's purple eye bags, red puffy eyes and tear-stained face as she started hitting her, the thought of the actions and her sister's hurt was more painful than the actions themselves. "You promised you wouldn't leave, you promised." Gabriella pulled the little girl into her arms, Lilliana fighting against her grip. The junior sighed as she felt the six-year-old surrender, fully breaking down and clinging to her, sobbing into her chest. "You scared me."
Gabriella closed her eyes in pain, hugging her sister closer. "I know Baby, I know. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for any of this to happen." She kissed the top of Lilliana's head. "But you don't have to be scared anymore, I've got you, I'm here." She helped wipe the tears from her cheeks. "I don't want you to be angry at me Livie."
Lilliana shook her head, using her forearms to wipe her tears. "I'm not angry, I just didn't like being away from you and I was scared you were hurt."
"It's ok, you don't have to worry anymore, ok?" Lilliana nodded, cuddling closer to her sister. "I missed you so much Baby, you have no idea."
"I missed you Bria."
Tracing the circles under the little girl's eyes, she whispered. "You look so tired little one."
"I didn't sleep good, it's not the same without you and I didn't get my special goodnight."
"I'm sorry, how about we talk more in the morning and we head to bed now?" Lilliana nodded and Gabriella got them under the covers, cuddled up close together. Running her fingers through her sister's hair, she whispered. "Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high. There's a land that I've heard of, once in a lullaby. Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true. Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me. Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops. That's where you'll find me." Gabriella kissed her sister's head, hugging her tighter. "Tomorrow's another day Sweet Girl and I love you every day to the end of the universe. Sweet dreams Livie."
"Sweet dreams Bria." She said sleepily. "Love you every day to the end of the universe."