Set Back
"Barney if you jump in that lake you are not coming back in the house with us." Barney turned to Gabriella and whined; he wanted his ball back, how was he supposed to get it back from the lake if he couldn't jump in and get it.
"Stop your whining and I'll get it for you; I did tell you not to go near the lake but you didn't listen, did you?" This time he barked in response and watched intently as Gabriella used a net to retrieve his ball. "Next time I'm not getting it back for you mister." She handed him the tennis ball and he rubbed himself against her in thanks before dropping the ball at her feet and sitting down next to it. Gabriella picked up the ball and threw it across the yard, laughing as Barney caught up to it before it had even stopped moving. "It's a good job you don't really like fetch Luna, I don't think you'd get a look in anyway." Luna simply stretched and stayed at Gabriella's side as she started walking back towards the house; pausing to fish her phone out of her pocket when it started to ring.
"Hey Tay." Her voice was hesitant, Taylor was at work today; Taylor rarely called when she was at work.
"Hey Gabs, listen I need you to stay calm when I tell you this...Troy just got brought in by ambulance." She did as Taylor had asked and stayed calm, however she was immediately worried; Troy was at work today.
"What happened? Is he okay?"
"I don't know all of the details yet other than he got hit by falling debris while they were on their first call of the day; he's conscious but his left leg is causing him a lot of pain."
"Was anyone else hurt?" Gabriella had made her way into the house and settled herself onto one of the island stools as she listened to her friend talk.
"No, just him. Listen Gabs, I know what I'm about to ask you is massive but he's here on his own, the others had to stay and deal with the remains of the fire and I can't stay with him all the time, is there any chance you could come and sit with him?" Taylor knew that what she was asking Gabriella to do wouldn't be easy, her friend hadn't been anywhere near the hospital since her own time there fours years agobut she was hoping her friend would be able to put her fears aside considering the circumstances.
"Tay I don't know, you know I haven't been there since that night, there's so many horrible memories there."
"I know Gabs, but listen Troy is in a completely different part of the department to where you were and I'll make sure reception page me as soon as you get here and I'll take you straight to him."
"Every part of me is screaming no but the idea of Troy there on his own hurt and probably worrying about how it will effect the girls tells me that I have to be there."
"Thank you Gabi, I didn't tell him I was calling you because I knew he'd tell me not to but I know he'll appreciate you being here; even big strong firefighters need someone to hold their hand when they're hurt."
TGTGTGTG
Troy's whole body hurt and despite the painkillers they'd given him his left leg was still throbbing painfully. He's been hurt on the job before but never this bad and not since he'd become the girls' guardian. They needed him, they relied on him; how was he supposed to look after them now.
He'd briefly seen Taylor when he'd first arrived but she'd been busy with another patient, she only stopped at his side long enough to tell him she'd come and see him when she got a moment. He'd been dozing on and off, the painkillers may not be totally taking away the pain but they were making him sleepy and so he rested his head back and let his eyes slip close. He wasn't sure how much time had passed until he heard Taylor's voice but he forced his eyes open as she pulled back his cubicle curtain and revealed not only herself but Gabriella too.
"'Brie?"
"Hi." She greeted him quietly but was immediately at his right hand side; picking up his hand and placing a soft kiss there. "Taylor thought you might need some company, please don't get annoyed with her for calling me."
"I'm not annoyed, I thought about asking them to call you but I didn't think you would come."
"You know this isn't exactly my favourite place but Tay said you were on your own and I knew that would mean you worrying about telling the girls." Troy ducked his head knowing Gabriella was right and turned to look at Taylor as she stood at the end of his bed.
"Thank you for calling her, I appreciate it. Do you know when my test results will be back?"
"They're just going over them now; there's a good chance they'll keep you in for monitoring over night Troy, I know you didn't hit your head and you had your gear on but that's quite a hit you took, they'll just wanna keep an eye on you to make sure nothing gets worse or has been missed."
"The girls..."
"Can stay with me." Gabriella told him immediately. "Don't worry about them for now; let's just worry about you." Troy sighed in defeat and shifted on the bed to try and find a more comfortable position.
"I'm going to chase up the doctors for you Troy and see about getting your pain med dosage increased." Troy thanked Taylor as she left his cubicle and then turned his attention to his girlfriend as she pulled a chair up to his bedside and held his hand between both of hers.
"I really do appreciate you being here 'Brie, just know that if you need to go and get some air at any point, you can, you don't need to be at my side the whole time, I'm just so thankful that you're here." Gabriella smiled at Troy and reached up to run a hand through his hair as his eye lids started to get heavy.
"Just get some rest now sweetheart; don't worry about me or the girls for now, just rest."
TGTGTGTG
"Yeah thanks Shar, you're both amazing...yeah I'll call you once I've got him settled tomorrow...thanks again, bye." Gabriella shoved her phone back into her pocket and leant against her car as she waited for the girls' buses to arrive.
Troy had been admitted to a ward for observation overnight and was in for at least eight weeks off work; potentially more. He'd broken a couple of bones in his foot, they weren't big breaks and so rather than a solid cast he'd been fitted with a boot but the doctors were more concerned about his knee. He had a tiny break to his knee cap but the main damage was to the muscles that surrounded his knee; he would need intense physical therapy to help him recover but the breaks to his foot meant that couldn't start properly until those were healed. His doctors thought those would only take about two weeks to heal, while his knee was given a six to eight week recovery time although there was no guarantee that his knee would regain it's original strength; only time would tell.
Gabriella had stayed by Troy's side the whole time, only leaving him to use the bathroom and get them both some food but even then Taylor had accompanied her to the canteen at Troy's request. She then told him how she would pick up the girls from the bus stop, explain to them what had happened and then take them home to collect they're belongings.
With Troy on crutches for the next couple of months they would all be staying at The Ranch; Gabriella giving up her bedroom so that he wouldn't have to do a daily battle with the stairs. She'd also spoken to Sharpay who'd just phoned her back to tell her that she and Zeke had picked up Zeus and Troy's car from the fire house and dropped them off at The Ranch, where they'd let Zeus into the back yard with Barney and Luna and left Troy's keys in a safe spot on the back porch.
Maddison's bus arrived first and she braced herself for the questions she knew the teen would have. "Gabi? Why are you here? Has something happened? It's Uncle Troy isn't it? He got hurt didn't he?"
"Mads calm down, yes Troy did get hurt today and he's at the hospital right now but he's okay; let's just wait for the others to arrive and I'll explain everything properly okay?" Maddie nodded and allowed Gabriella to wrap an arm around her shoulders as they waited for her sisters to arrive. They didn't have to wait long and with all three girls now safely in her car she turned in her seat to make sure they could all see her.
"So on their first shout of the day Uncle Troy got hit by falling debris in a house while they were trying to put out a fire. He's got some broken bones in his left foot and has done some quite serious damage to his left knee; they're keeping him in hospital overnight, just to keep an eye on him but he should be able to come home tomorrow."
"Was he scared?"
"I think he probably was a little bit Amelia but his colleagues got him out pretty quickly and then Taylor called me and I went and sat with him."
"How long will he be off work? If he's hurt his leg then he's gonna be on crutches right?"
"He's going to be off work for at least eight weeks Summer, it depends how long it takes the bones in his foot to heal as to how quickly he can start physio on his knee and yes he will be on crutches, that's why I've come to pick you guys up because you're all going to be staying with me while he recovers."
"Because he can't manage the stairs?" Gabriella could tell Maddie had more questions than that but knew she wouldn't ask them in front of her sisters.
"Yeah stairs aren't easy on crutches and so I figured he could have my room and I'd take the one he usually stays in. So we are going to go back to yours and you're all going to pack as many clothes as you can for now, we can always come back for more but at least make sure you bring everything you'll need for school. We'll also need to pack things for Troy, mainly comfy things he can be in while he rests; he's supposed to do as little as possible for the first couple of days while he's sore from the impact and fall he took when it hit him. That does mean he'll miss the game tomorrow Mads but Sharpay and Zeke have said they'll bring your sisters and if Troy is okay on his own I'll try my best to come too." Tomorrow the Wildcats were in the championships and the cheerleaders had their final display of the season during half time.
"It's okay, he's as okay as he can be and that's all that matters, thanks for being there for him."
"Don't mention it, now let's go and pack up your things and then we'll give him a call; he's desperate to hear your voices."
TGTGTGTG
The next day and Gabriella watched as Troy gingerly lowered himself onto the bed; he'd been discharged first thing and was more than happy to escape the confines of the hospital, he wanted proper food and a shower.
"No flowers this time?" She chuckled at him as she walked over to sit next to him; she'd changed the covers before picking him up making sure to give him the yellow and grey checked set over the flowery ones.
"No, although that is the only non flowery set I own so you're gonna end up sleeping in flowers again at some point during your stay. Now let me show you the shower set up I've got for you and then I'll leave you to it and make you some proper food." He followed her into the en suite and found a plastic garden chair sat in her large walk in shower. "I figured you wouldn't be able to stand up and shower so I cleaned that chair down and now you can shower sitting down." The boot on Troy's foot could come off whenever he wasn't moving but the brace on his knee could only come off for showers; he could loosen it to keep it comfortable but otherwise it needed to stay in place to keep his knee supported.
"Thank you 'Brie, I'm sorry I've caused so much trouble and made you give up your room."
"Don't be silly, what kind of girlfriend would I be I left you to fend for yourself? Besides I miss the girls when they're at home with you, it'll be nice for us to all be together. Although I should point out that this bath is the best in the house." She gestured to the jacuzzi style tub in the corner. "So I will be kicking you out of my room once a week so I can have a relaxing soak."
"If that's all you want in return for letting me and the girls stay here then I can definitely make sure that happens." He hated that just as their relationship had started moving forward he'd gotten injured and now spending time together wouldn't be as easy but he would get to see her everyday for the next couple of months; it wasn't under the best circumstances but the idea of getting a Gabriella hug everyday did give him that warm fuzzy feeling inside.
TGTGTGTG
Over at East High and Chad had just finished the last practise the team would have before the big game that night. They were playing at an amazing standard and whatever the outcome of the game he was more than proud of how far the team had come. Now that the boys had all showered he was giving them one last pep talk, although he was very aware that one particular Sophomore wasn't listening to a word he was saying; thanks to a very off her game cheerleader at the other end of the gym.
"So I'll see you all back here at four thirty, have a good rest of the day and stay out of trouble. Luke can I talk to you for a sec?" The rest of the boys filed out of the gym while Luke and Matt held back.
"I'm sorry Coach, I know I wasn't paying proper attention to you but I'm worried about Maddie; she never misses her tumbles like that." Chad looked over to where Maddie was sat on the bleachers with her Coach getting a pep talk, all of the staff knew what had happened to Troy because Gabriella had called to let them know but it occurred to Chad that Maddie quite probably hadn't told her friends.
"Coach D do you know what's going on with Maddie?" Sophie walked over to Chad and the boys and immediately linked hands with Matt.
"She hasn't told you has she?"
"Told us what?"
"Troy got injured at work yesterday; he's messed his left foot and knee up pretty bad."
"Why wouldn't she tell us that? I told her she can contact me anytime if she needs to talk." Sophie hated that her best friend had been suffering in silence.
"I don't know why she hasn't told you guys, I think she's probably upset that he can't make the game tonight but I think she's mainly just worried about him. They kept him in hospital overnight and so she hasn't seen him for herself yet to see that he really is okay. They're all going to be staying with Gabriella while Troy recovers; the girls stayed there last night and from what Gabi said in our group chat this morning I don't think Maddie slept much last night. Maybe you guys can let her know you're here for her; you know she's stubborn and won't let on she's hurting." The three teens nodded and headed over to where Maddison now sat alone on the bleachers.
"You're an idiot." Sophie told her friend as she and Matt took a seat on one side of her and Luke sat on the other. "Why didn't you tell us what happened to Troy?"
"I didn't know how to."
"With words." Matt answered earning him a wack from Sophie.
"I didn't know which words to use, you boys were so pumped about the game when I got here this morning I didn't know how to fit into the conversation that my Uncle was in hospital because he'd been hit by falling debris while trying to put out a house that was on fire."
"Coach said you hadn't seen him yet, have you spoken to him?" Maddie nodded at Luke and couldn't help but notice the concern in his eyes so she reached over and loosely linked their hands; ignoring the butterflies that appeared in her stomach when he tightened his grip.
"Yeah we phoned him last night but he was pretty tired so he didn't talk for long, I won't get to see him until after the game now, there won't be enough time to get to The Ranch and back between school ending and our last run through before the game starts."
"Why don't you find somewhere quiet at lunch to phone Gabi and see if Troy's up for a chat; he's probably just as worried about you girls as you are about him." Maddie looked at Sophie and the pair had a silent best friend conversation.
"Matt you're gonna come with me and get us all some lunch while Luke goes with Maddie so she's not on her own when she speaks to Troy; you boys are about to learn all about our roof top hiding place."
TGTGTGTG
Taylor and Gabriella kept a tight hold on Summer as the crowds around them rushed down the bleachers and onto the court; the Wildcats had done it, they'd won the championship game.
"I'm okay you guys, thanks for keeping hold of me but I am okay." Summer was no where near as pale as the last game she'd been too and so she was released from their embrace to join in with the excitement.
Troy had been insistent that he would behave himself if he was left on his own; he wanted as many people as possible to be at the game to support Chad and the boys but he'd also asked Gabriella to film the cheerleaders half time display, he couldn't be there to see Maddie do her thing but that didn't mean he had to miss it completely.
"Alright Miss Amelia, why don't you ask Zeke if you can go up on his shoulders so we don't lose you and then we can head down to the court; we've got some people we need to congratulate." Amelia smiled up at Zeke and she was soon on his shoulders, giving her the perfect viewing point to find her sister amongst the crowd.
"I see her Zeke she's that way." Zeke followed Amelia's directions and only put her down when Maddie was in his sights.
"Maddie! I'm super proud of you." Maddie picked Amelia up and spun her round before turning to accept the hug Summer was offering her.
"Thanks 'Lia although I didn't win anything, did I? The boys just won the championships, that's pretty special you know."
"I know but your tumbles were so cool, yours too Sophie."
"Thanks Amelia, I'm glad you guys could all make it, how's Troy Gabi?"
"He's sore but he's okay, I recorded your display to show him when I get back. Congratulations boys, you deserved that win, you played amazingly." The gym had started to clear out now and Chad had finally made his way over to his friends, making his presence known by wrapping his arms around Taylor from behind.
"Congratulations Coach, does this mean you'll actually be coming to bed at a sensible time? No more staying up until the early hours figuring out plays."
"No, no more staying up late, although it does mean that I'm going to the diner with the boys; I owe them all a milkshake."
"About the diner." Maddie said turning to her friends. "I don't think I'm gonna come tonight; I wanna get back and see Uncle Troy."
"Maddie are you sure? He told you to go, he's given me money so you can get yourselves a treat."
"I know Gabi but I just wanna see for myself that he's okay, that and I'm pretty tired too."
"I know you're tired Mads but the boys just won the championships, please at least come for a little while." Maddie was torn and Sophie knew it; she didn't want to force her to come but she also didn't want her to miss out on the buzz of winning such a big game.
"How about this," Luke started as he came over and placed a hand on the small of Maddie's back. "Come to the diner with us, have one milkshake and enjoy the after game buzz and then as soon as you want to leave, tell me and I promise I'll take you back to The Ranch straight away."
"I guess a little bit wouldn't hurt, is that okay Gabi?"
"Of course it is, take this money and bring us all back some milkshakes okay? Text me as you leave the diner and I'll make sure your Uncle is awake enough to chat with you; I know he'll want to hear all about it."
TGTGTGTG
Troy ran a hand through his hair as he tried his best to stay awake; Gabriella had woken him up about half an hour ago to say that Maddie and Luke were on their way and so he'd forced himself up and into a sitting position. When he'd spoken to Maddie at lunch time he could hear the worry in her voice and he needed to prove to her that despite how bad his leg looked; he really was okay.
He could hear a lot of commotion out in the kitchen and a few minutes later there was a knock at the door and Maddie popped her head in. "Can I come in?"
"Of course you can silly; come here and give me a hug." He wrapped her up in the best hug he could considering his soreness and kept hold of her hands as they pulled apart. "I'm okay Mads; yes my leg is messed up and I've got a long road of recovery ahead but I really am okay."
"I can see that now; I just didn't like knowing you were hurt in a building that was still on fire."
"I wasn't trapped though Mads; I was just the unlucky one out of the people I was with who walked into that room first, right as the beams of the ceiling started coming down. There was enough people with me that one of them could drag me out of there while the other two kept fighting the fire, I was never in any danger of the fire getting to me."
"Can I see?" She gestured to his leg and he flipped back the covers. "Are you in pain?"
"A little bit yeah but they've given me painkillers which are doing their job and while I'm resting like this it isn't so bad; the bruising on my foot makes it look worse than it is, it's my knee that's going to need the physio."
"Well I can't guarantee that I won't worry about you while you're recovering but at least I know Gabi will kick your butt if you try to over do it." Troy chuckled at what Maddie had said as she pulled the covers back over his leg and then leant herself against the bedside table.
"So how was the after game buzz? I'm glad you went to enjoy it for a little while and Gabi showed me your display; you've improved so much Mads, I'm super proud of you."
"Thanks; the buzz was pretty cool, Chad brought everyone who came to the diner a milkshake, says he's the proudest coach ever. I kinda feel bad that Luke left early to bring me back but he was pretty insistent."
"He must like you a lot then; is he still here?"
"Yeah, I told him he could go back but he said he'd stay; Amelia started talking to him about how high he jumps when going for a basket."
"Well you should go and rescue him and bring him in here so I can talk ball with him." Maddie rolled her eyes but still left the room to find Luke; returning moments later with him right behind her and a chocolate milkshake in her hand.
"Congratulations Luke; I hear you played a pretty vital role in getting the Wildcats taking the win tonight." Luke shrugged as he stepped back from shaking Troy's hand.
"I made a couple of baskets but it was definitely a team effort; everyone played their part in getting us that trophy."
"Well you guys deserved it; thanks for leaving the party early to bring Maddie home." Troy took a couple of sips from the milkshake before placing it back on the bedside table; he didn't trust himself to hold it and not drop it if he nodded off.
"Don't mention it; it kinda works in my favour anyway because I wanted to ask you something actually." Troy looked at him questioningly and so he continued. "I know Maddie's birthday isn't until next Saturday but I'm pretty sure she wants to spend that with you guys and so I was wondering if I could take her out on a date the night before? I know she won't technically be sixteen yet but I was hoping one day won't make a difference." By the look on his niece's face Troy could tell she had no idea Luke had planned to ask him.
"I've got no problem with that Luke; Mads you look in shock."
"I...you wanna go on a date with me?" Luke smiled as he reached over to hold Maddie's hand.
"Only if you wanna go on one with me...I wanted to ask Troy if it was okay and I knew you wouldn't believe me if I told you he'd said yes so I figured you might as well be there when I ask."
"Of course I wanna go on a date with you; I just wasn't expecting it that's all."
"Walk me out to my car and we'll talk about it some more; it looks like your Uncle is ready to sleep anyway." Maddie looked over to Troy and his eyes were indeed beginning to droop.
"Get some rest Uncle Troy, I'll see you in the morning." She pressed a kiss to Troy's forehead and turned the light out as she quietly led Luke from the room.
TGTGTGTG
Maddie rubbed her hands up and down her arms as she sat on the swing seat on the front porch; she was only wearing her cheer uniform and now that it was dark outside the temperature had dropped quite significantly.
"Here put this on." She looked over to Luke as he slipped off his warm up jacket and slipped it around her shoulders. "Can't have you getting ill now that you've agreed to go on a date with me."
"Yeah about that; I didn't mean to sound rude inside I just didn't think you'd ask Uncle Troy, especially with me there, it just took me by surprise is all."
"I know this is a big deal for you and I hoped that by asking Troy with you there you'd see that if he's okay with it then you can be too. I know going on our first date will hold a lot of emotions for you Mads but I need you to know that I like you a lot, I want you to have the best first date possible."
"Have you got anything planned?" Maddie slipped Luke's jacket on properly so she could zip it up and then leant back against the seat as he put his arm along the back of it.
"No, I've got a few ideas but I wanted to know if there's anywhere you don't want to go? Anywhere that reminds you too much of your Mum."
"I've lived here my whole life, everywhere reminds me of Mum. You should go ahead and plan something and if it reminds me too much of Mum I'll try not to let the emotions get to me but if they do I know you'll look after me and being there with you I'll be making more fun memories just like I did with her." Luke smiled at Maddie as he wrapped his arm around her properly.
"We're going to make the best memories, I don't doubt that one bit. Now you should get back inside and get warm, I will see you at school on Monday." The pair stood up and Maddie walked down the steps with Luke to his car; starting to unzip his jacket as she did. "Keep it." He told her as he unlocked his car. "Give it back to me Monday." Luke gave her one last hug before getting into his car and driving off; waving at Maddie until he could no longer see her.
Maddison walked up the porch steps and after a quick check to make sure she was definitely alone she did a little happy dance; it had been a crazy twenty four hours and while she was still worried about Troy she couldn't help but let out the excitement that came with being asked out on your first date. She knew that when the day came the emotions of her Mum not being there for it would bubble to the surface but for now she was going to revel in the feeling of a budding young romance.
TGTGTGTG
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