(A.N. I just want to say a quick thank you to Pumpkinking5, Slimey01, Kaymenace and LabyrinthDavidBowieWildcats32 for your reviews / feedback on this story. Tomorrow's Another Day will slowly be coming to an end so I hope you've enjoyed / are enjoying the story and please feel free to let me know what you think :) )
The next afternoon, Jack was chopping up some salad for afternoon tea. They had all returned home from school and whilst Jack was busy with the task, the juniors were outside on the basketball court playing with the twins. He couldn't help the smile that came to his face each time he looked up as he watched the interactions between the four. He always loved seeing his oldest son on the court, a burst of pride watching him play the sport they both loved. He felt a similar feeling when watching his youngest son, knowing he was following in the footsteps of them both. His eyes moved to Lilliana, he couldn't contain his joy at being able to see his daughter and watch her grow up, there wasn't a better feeling than to see his little girl playing with her big brothers. Then there was Gabriella, since getting to know the girl better and learning of the relationship between her and Troy, Jack had grown very fond of the sixteen-year-old, comfortable enough to say he viewed her like a daughter.
Jack was unaware of Lucille's presence until he heard her scoff. "That is not appropriate in front of the twins." He looked up to find Gabriella clutching the ball to her chest as Troy gripped her waist, spinning her around whilst the twins laughed at the scene. "Troy and Gabriella should know better."
"It's fine Lucille."
"No it's not, what is that teaching Jacob and Lilliana. Neither of us would behave like that with our friends and it is especially not appropriate because she is their foster sister."
Jack shook his head absentmindedly. "Well that's because they're -" His eyes widened as he realised the information he was about to reveal. "Look, I think we should all just go into the living room and have a talk, I think there's something we need to discuss." Lucille looked at him sceptically but Jack kissed her forehead. "Head into the living room and I'll grab Troy and Gabriella." Lucille nodded and Jack placed the food he was preparing into the fridge before heading outside. He smiled at the picture before interrupting. "Hey guys, just a second." The children gave him their attention. "Jakie, Lilly, can I get you two to go up to your rooms and play or finish any homework you have. Mom and I need to talk to Troy and Gabriella."
The twins nodded, following the instruction while the juniors looked at him curiously, the boy asking. "Is everything ok Dad?"
"Your mom's getting suspicious, I think it's time to tell her." He heard both of the teenagers' intake of breath. "Is that ok with you guys?"
Gabriella looked to Troy, who took her hand in his and she shook her head. "I can't, your mom's gonna hate me."
Troy pulled her into a hug. "It'll be ok Brie, I promise nothing bad will happen."
"You can't promise that Troy. What happens if she doesn't agree with it? I can't lose you all, I have no one."
Jack spoke up. "None of that will happen Gabi, that I can promise you. Whether Lucille agrees with your relationship or not, nothing will change about our arrangement, you'll still be here with us and you won't lose anyone." Gabriella nodded slightly. "Ok, are you ready to go in?"
"Well we have to tell her eventually, I guess there's no time like the present."
The trio walked into the living room – joining Lucille – and they all sat down. Jack turned to the juniors, asking. "So how would you like to start this?"
Troy sighed. "I guess I may as well just come out and say it." He looked to Gabriella, who nodded, before turning to his mother. "Mom, we didn't really know how to tell you this but Gabriella and I are together." He saw his mother was in disbelief so he added. "We didn't plan on this to happen and I'm sorry we didn't tell you but," He looked over at Gabriella with a smile. "I love her and I want to be with her."
Lucille sighed and shook her head. "No, it's not appropriate in front of the twins and it's not right while you two are living together. How are we supposed to explain that to Jakie and Lilly? That's not behaviour I want them seeing."
Troy and Gabriella looked at each other hesitantly, the latter responding. "I think they understand more than you think, they're quite mature for their age."
"No I don't want them seeing this behaviour and they are not to know. It's not a good idea for you two to be together and I'm sorry but I do not support it."
Troy narrowed his eyes. "I'm not breaking up with Gabriella just because you don't think it's a good idea. This is the problem Mom, you want to control everything and sometimes it's not your decision. I know this is your house but I love Gabriella and I'm not going to change our relationship for anything else." He saw his mother about to interrupt but he stopped her, continuing. "No, see this is the issue, it's not just me. This is why the twins get frustrated 'cause you try to leave them in the dark about everything, I know you think they're too young but they've both grown up around adults so they're more mature, they actually like knowing what's going on."
"They may like it but they can't handle it, they don't know any better."
Troy shook his head. "I know you wanna keep them little but they can handle it. I know I'll get in trouble for this but they knew a lot about what was happening when Gabriella was kidnapped. Lilly was the one who knew something was wrong first and they knew a lot more about the situation than I ever told you, and -" He prepared himself for getting in trouble for his next statement. "The twins already know that we're together and they understand it all perfectly."
"YOU DID WHAT?"
Responding calmly, he said. "The twins wanted to know what was going on when Gabriella was gone so I told them what I thought they could handle and as you could tell, they were ok. And as for the twins knowing, Lilly has known a long time, for pretty much all of our relationship. Jakie only found out recently but still, they understand that I'm their brother and even though Gabriella lives with us, that she's not biologically related to us. They know that you're fostering her and they understand what's going on."
Lucille's eyes narrowed at her son. "You had no right telling them about this, especially without our knowledge." She turned her attention to Gabriella. "And you, you haven't said a word this whole time. You're just letting Troy take the fall for you."
Troy glared at his mother, coming to his girlfriend's defence. "You wanna know why she hasn't said anything? Because she's scared that if she does, you'll turn on her and she'll lose everything. Because if the outcome doesn't turn out in our favour, she's the one who loses out in all of this. Yes I'll definitely be hurt about our relationship but if this conversation turns out badly, it affects her the most. You's have already threatened her with Lilly before, how do we know you're not going to do that again?" He watched both of his parents pale at his last statement and he sighed. "Look, I'm not asking for you to be excited about this. I can understand why you'd be upset, especially since we live together. But Gabriella and I have done nothing to betray your trust and we've given you no reason to doubt us. All we're asking is that you respect our relationship and that we want to explore where this goes because we care about each other."
Lucille still didn't seem to want to agree so Jack placed his hand on her shoulder. "They're good kids Honey, we know that and they've given us no reason not to trust them. If the twins understand what's going on, I don't see any problem with it. They've been honest with us which I'd rather because they're not going behind our backs, I really think we should support them on this one."
She sighed, shaking her head slowly. "Alright fine." She looked to the juniors. "But I want this kept to a minimum around the twins, no kissing or outward displays around them. And you better not be having sex in this house, I don't want you two coming to me in a few months time telling me Gabriella's pregnant."
"Mom, we haven't done anything wrong and we're obviously not going to do anything in front of the twins, we're not stupid."
Lucille stood up, shaking her head. "I'm going out, I can't handle this right now and I need some time to think, I'll be back in about half an hour." With that, the woman walked out and the trio were left sitting there.
Jack stood up. "I'm going to check on the twins." He looked at them sympathetically. "I know that didn't turn out the way you wanted it to but she'll come around."
They nodded in response and Jack went upstairs. Troy leant back into the couch and brought Gabriella with him, the girl curling up into his side and laying against his chest. "Well there we go, at least we don't have to hide it anymore." Gabriella nodded against him. "Are you ok Baby?" Once again, she nodded so he tipped her chin up and the melancholy expression was clear on her face. "Hey what's up?"
She shook her head. "Nothing, it's just - I knew she wasn't going to be ecstatic with the idea but I was hoping she'd react a little better than that and I'm sorry I came between you, I didn't want you to have to argue with your mom."
"None of that's your fault, so Mom's not completely sold on the idea and we have to fight for it, that's ok. Dad's right, she'll come around eventually and we can deal with the rest of it together." He tucked a fallen strand behind her ear and smiled. "All I care about right now is that I get to be with you and we don't have to hide anymore, the rest we can figure out but we have each other."
She smiled. "Yeah we do."
"And hey, we've got Dad, Lilly and Jakie on our side. Everything will sort itself out, you'll see."
Gabriella leaned up to place a kiss on his jaw, smiling softly. "You're right, thanks Wildcat."
"No problem Baby, I love you and we're in this together."
"I love you too."