Chapter 1 – Nurse Gabi

Prologue

Gabi's POV

August19th, 2013

Wilmington, NC

I twirled my pen around in a circle as I settled into my seat in my new home-room. My teacher last-year retired and since the census of students dropped a little bit, they just put us in different homerooms through the extra-large high school. I chewed on my lip thoroughly as I was nervous, first day of junior year and I was separated from all my friends. Lilly was in a whole different wing of the school; Riley was in office aid instead of a home room and then I was here.

Our little three-some was tight and quiet. We kept our heads down and our noses in our books. We didn't cause trouble and we didn't want too either. No sports, just study, and hanging out. I leaned back in my chair as the warning bell rang and a filter of students walked in. My eyes looked up to see his blue eyes, our eyes connected and I was shocked at how blue they were. My whole body was suddenly off kilter, my heart raced, my fingers were sweaty. What was happening? This never happens. I'm sweating. Oh my god, I'm sweating. Why do I even care? He was beautiful. My own eyes dropped to his gorgeous mouth that was curved into a smile.

His eyes squinted in confusion at me before he found the seat right next to me, "Are you new?" he asked with a hint of confusion in his voice. A true Carolina boy just by his voice alone, I laughed shaking my head. "To this homeroom? Yes. To this high school? Nope. I've been in the same school district since Kindergarten." I said with a shrug. He frowned deeper, "How have I never seen you before then?" he asked leaning forward in his seat. Those blue eyes were searching every single inch of my face, the confusion wrinkling his forehead. The final bell rang but the teacher was too busy trying to figure something out on the computer to notice.

"I don't know. It's a pretty large school and I don't do much in high school. Just fly under the radar." I said with a shrug, the man nodded his head as he surveyed my outfit, for the second time, and his eyes locked on mine. He reached across the aisle from his desk with his hand, "Troy," he said with a smile coming across his face. I rolled my eyes with a smile tugging onto my own face, "Gabi," I said reaching across to take his hand when a spark shot through my arm, my fingers tingling, and I knew he felt it too because his eyes jumped in surprise.

Our eyes caught again and I felt my own cheeks blush with a deep heat. "So…you've never been to a football game?" he questioned back and I shook my head. "Nope. Sorry. Do you play?" Troy let out a breathy laugh and nodded, as he went to speak, a tall man walked through the door, "QB1!" he screeched, Troy let his head whip around before laughing. "WR1," he said with a salute back, the teacher finally looked up shaking her head at the antics that she most likely has had to put up with since these kids were freshman.

"QB1?" I asked in confusion, Troy turned to me with a flicker of confusion and then disappointment – an amused disappointment though. "Quarterback, you don't watch football, do you?" my cheeks flushed as I shook my head. "No." I admitted with a laugh. "I have three sisters and my dad was never a big sports guy. He's definitely a nerd." Troy chuckled under his breath, "I guess I'll just have to teach you, then, huh?" I rose my eyebrow, "Oh, are you?" he nodded his head up and down as if he was certain. A small smile playing on the edge of his lips. Okay, Troy. Two can play at this game.

"Absolutely. Every home-room. Mrs. Laney doesn't give two shits what we do in here."

I just let a smile cross my face, "Alright, Troy. Teach me all about football."

Gabi's POV

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021

Boston, Massachusetts

I laughed as Natalie giggled as her mom distracted her while I tried to push some IV medicine into her port. She hated having her port accessed but her mom and I had easily found a routine that made it just a little bit easier. The less tears that were shed on this floor, the better. It was already hard enough having to cope with the constant cancer riddled bodies of children. "Good job, Natalie." I told her as I took the syringe away and tossed it into the bin. She smiled up at me and I brushed my fingers over her bald head.

"Thanks Gabi!" she giggled and I smiled at her. "You are amazing," I whispered, "You're amazing," she whispered back in her flimsy five-year-old voice. Her mom smiled at me with relief as I checked her IV bags and then nodded towards mom, "Hopefully you'll be discharged today. I will talk to Dr. Morris and see if we can get him to push the papers a little faster. She already looks a lot better than she did when she came in." I reassured.

Her mom got up and she wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug, "We're so lucky to have you as our nurse, Gabi." I smiled as I hugged her back, "I love her, so much." I told her, "I'm going to keep fighting for you guys." Her mom, Bev, nodded her head relieved as she went back to entertaining her baby girl. I took off my gloves and went back to the nurse's station as I began to chart. I knew I have to give meds in the next ten minutes but I just needed to finish this.

"Gabi," I looked over at a co-worker and she smiled, "How is your day going?" she asked, "Good. It's been going pretty smoothly. Hopefully that doesn't change." I told her; Josie laughed with a nod. "Yea, I agree. I won't even say the words." She told me with a wink. I stood up as I grabbed the meds, I needed to hang for my two other patients. The floor had a heavy presence of guards on the other side – I was unsure as to why but it had yet to affect me. Good.

I focused on my first patient who needed meds as I double checked all of the boxes that it was all correct. Once, I knew it was, I moved to the room as my 14-year-old patient was sleeping in his bed. I quietly walked into the room leaving the lights off and changed out the bags of meds. His dad was passed out in the corner and my heart broke for all of these families. They all were struggling with different types of cancers in their kids, they were trying to work and maintain their lives, and they were constantly in the hospital. I knew my callings was to oncology pediatrics as I wanted to be that person for these kids.

Somebody to smile and laugh with. I wanted to be silly with them. I wanted to help them, protect them, and show them that I am helping. Forming connections with parents and kids always made my heart warm. There were tough losses but even better success stories. I had been a nurse for four years now and it was nothing but the love of my life. I spent more time at work than I did anything else. My friends were all nurses and I rarely did anything outside of the hospital.

If I did, it was for a pediatric cancer organization. I was always trying to raise money and help all of these kids. I would support all of the fundraisers and help with all different activities. I helped throw Proms for our patients, I worked on different ways to get them home faster, and I was a part of the parent support group to help them understand their children's diagnosis. My life revolved around these kids and I was okay with that.

I was born and raised in North Carolina and when I finished college at UNC – I quickly moved to Boston for a job at Boston Children's. It was a dream job and I had zero plans on ever leaving. I was happy. There was no man in my life because the last one was nothing special. I didn't have the desire to date – mostly because there was only one man out there who had captured my heart but he thoroughly stomped on it and tossed it into the trash. How does one trust again after that? I loved him but I tried to tell myself it was just a 17-year-old lust but…I knew in my soul that I loved that boy. That he was the one. The only one.

Biting down onto my lip, I gathered my last set of meds as I blew out a breath of air. I walked into my last room where Ginny was sitting up but her eyes were blank, her body had sunken in, and she was just bones. She didn't have much longer and was being moved to hospice care tomorrow. Her parents were devastated but also knew their daughter was done fighting. She had been fighting for over five years now and there was nothing left. She was one of my very first patients when I was a new nurse. This May will be four years for me. Four years that I've watched Ginny fight cancer. Win the battle. Fall into remission. Rinse and repeat.

Her organs were too far gone and her body was just tired. "Hey Ginny," I greeted with a smile. I rubbed her hand gently as I changed her medication bags out and she looked over at me. "Thanks, Gabi." I smiled as my heart broke. A little piece as I had cared for Ginny a lot over the years. "No problem. You know how to get ahold of me," I told her quietly. "Will you sit with me?" she asked, her eyes focusing on me and I nodded my head.

"Yea," I settled into the chair next to her bed and I grabbed her hand. Her eyes closed for a moment before they opened again. She was exhausted and I wasn't sure if she was going to make it to hospice tonight. You could see it all over her features. "Where is mom and dad?" I asked her, leaning forward, "Getting my siblings. Dr. Rich doesn't think I'm making it," her breathing was shallow and slow as I bit down my lip. She was always aware of her surroundings, no matter how much pain she was in. Kids were too smart for their own good.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered to her. My eyes filling with tears as I looked at her. "I'm sorry that we couldn't fix this for you, I'm sorry that you aren't going home." Ginny gave a weak smile as she shook her head. "You did everything you could," she rasped and I nodded, "I tried. I just hope we did enough for you. You were always one of my favorites. Your smile and laugh were genuine and you keep fighting. I'm so proud of you."

Ginny closed her eyes as a tear slipped down her face. I brushed it away but all I felt were bones underneath. This poor girl. The door to the room bursts open and her family spilled through. I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand and then reached in for a hug. "Keep fighting until you're ready," I whispered into her ear. She nodded as I hugged her parents and squeezed her siblings' shoulders before I walked out. I leaned back against the wall and closed my eyes tightly.

"You okay?" I looked up at my charge nurse, Rynn, as her eyes were settling on me. "Yea, it's just Ginny." I said with a tiny smile. "I know, you had a good relationship with her. That's why I gave her to you today." I nodded as I brushed my hand over my cheek trying to get rid of all the tears. "You do amazing work, Gabi." I thanked her and she squeezed my shoulder. "I do have some news though. Nursing Director wants to speak with you."

I squinted, "Mr. Romano?"

She nodded, "He needs some help with some stuff." I nodded as I looked at all of my patients' rooms. "I'll look after them if you head upstairs." I nodded, "Thank you, Rynn." She nodded as I disappeared around the corner before pausing at the elevator. I counted to ten and I got my shit together because this job was rewarding – but so fucking hard.

Troy's POV

I scrubbed my hand over my face as I looked at my four-year-old daughter sleeping in a hospital bed. How in the world did I get here? Yesterday, I was doing an event for the Boston Loyalists NFL team as the young and upcoming quarterback who broke through the league two years ago. Last year, I lead the team to an AFC Conference Championship game to only lose to the Chiefs. Today, I was staring at my daughter who was sick.

Sicker than I could ever imagine.

Claire was the light of my life. She was always smiling and my biggest cheerleader. She might have been an accident towards the end of college before I was drafted but she had been nothing but a blessing to my wife, Evelyn, and I. Once Eve told me she was pregnant, I was quick to put a ring on her finger, and we said I do before we told a soul about her pregnancy. She was my college girlfriend and she made me happy.

Eve was leaning next to the bed and my eyes could only focus on her seven-month pregnant belly. We found out right at the beginning of football season that we would be welcoming our second child. We were both excited but I then focused in on football leaving my wife to deal with a pregnancy alone while I tried to keep up with football and my daughter. "Troy, are you going to say anything?" I looked at Eve who had tears running down her face. She had since she called me last night screaming that something was wrong with Claire.

I agreed to take her to the doctor together this morning – and here we were. In the Oncology ward. Fuck this, I didn't have anything to say because we had to figure something out. I didn't want our daughter constantly in a hospital. She was four and I had a lot of money to spend to hire an in-home health aid. A nurse, somebody who could do a lot for my girl. "Eve, what if we hired a nurse to live with us? Help keep her out of the hospital as much as possible." I offered; I couldn't look at her though. My eyes stayed on my hands as I picked at the callus. Years of football – I've developed a ton of calluses.

"What? Troy, what are you talking about? We just found out our daughter has cancer and that's what you think of?" I looked up at her finally and right at her, "Seriously, Eve, you want to keep her in the hospital all the time? What happens when I start playing ball again?" I questioned back. Eve balked, "You can't be serious." I arched my eyebrow, "About what? Getting an in-home health aid or when I start playing football again?"

"Playing ball!" she screeched, "Eve," I ran my hands through my hair as I shook my head, "We have months before that discussion." I told her. "I'm pregnant, our daughter has cancer, and you are thinking about just hiring somebody to talk care of her."

"Medically," I told her, my eyes shooting fire over to her. Eve and I had not been in the best of places the past few months, hell, probably the last year. This baby wasn't planned either but we always said we wanted Claire to be a big sister. "I'm not asking for somebody to bathe her or watch her play…I'm just talking about making sure she has the best care. She's my baby girl." I argued. Eve blew out a breath of air while rubbing Claire's hand.

"I know how much you love her, Troy. That was never the thing I was questioning." I didn't say anything back to that because when all of her tests results came back wonky and they brought a doctor to speak to us – they told us they didn't have all the answers yet but everything pointed towards a type of leukemia. My gut sank to the ground, my heart hurt, and I wanted to excuse him from the room so I could protect her from everything. Eve wailed and screamed but all I could do was hold her close to me. Shield her from the harm that she was going to have to experience.

"I'm going to see what I can do." I whispered quietly, I pushed off the chair because I couldn't sit idle. It was never in my blood to just sit and do nothing. I moved towards the nurse's station as a girl looked up at me. Her eyes grew big with recognition as we asked to keep our presence here under wraps until we made an official announcement. Until I could tell all of my damn family. "Is there somebody who I could talk to about care for my daughter? We are looking for a bit more home care." I told her.

The nurse just nodded before calling somebody. Ten minutes later, a man in a suit appeared. "Mr. Bolton, Tony Romano, big fan." I tried to give a smile but I was out of energy and effort. "I have an unusual request and am willing to pay just about anything to make it happen. Our doctors keep talking about weeks in the hospital getting chemo and constantly getting blood checks and…I just…she's four. I want to protect her from all of this as much as I can. Is there any way to get homecare?"

Romano frowned for a moment and went to speak but he paused before he nodded his head, "I think we can make something work. We can probably do her chemo at home but I bet her doctors will want her here the first time it is given so they can see her reaction." I nodded in understanding as I crossed my arms over my chest. "She'll have to come for the occasional check-up but I think there is something we can do to get an in-home aid."

"A female, preferably." I told him. "I would love for them to live with us, free of charge, and we will provide everything they need. I just want the best possible care for my daughter and my wife, she's seven months pregnant. We're going to have another baby and it's going to be difficult for all of us to adjust to all of this. I'll pay double her salary now along with compensating for whatever needs to be done." Tony Romano just looked at me and I knew he was only thinking about all the money I had to waste on this. The money I wouldn't even realize disappeared from my bank account. Anything for my baby girl.

It was definitely worth every single penny.

"I have a nurse in mind who will do a wonderful job. She's amazing with the kids, compassionate, and very, very good at her job. She's even going to start NP school in the fall to allow her to expand her practice among our oncology ward. She's very well-known to all the families and they all love Nurse Gabi." My heart beat a little faster with that name, my hands sweating, and the tingles that I felt throughout my body. Just the mere thought brought her back in full force into my mind. The girl I pushed to the back of my brain to avoid the heartbreak that followed. It's just a name.

There was no way it was the same Gabi from North Carolina all those years ago. I broke her heart, I walked away to go to a different college. We had our plans to go to North Carolina together. I had a football scholarship and she was on academics. She was undecided on her future at that point but when I had one hell of a senior year – I ended up at Alabama. The top program in all of the programs. I didn't tell her until she had committed to North Carolina and told her to continue her dreams. I let her go because I knew that we wouldn't survive the long distance – I loved her, so hard. I just…didn't want her to lose her dreams. She always had big dreams, too. A wife, a mother, and she wanted to be successful. She wanted all of her kids to grow up in the rolling hills of the Carolina's. Spending the weekends on the beach and just being happy. That was my girl, my free bird. I knew what I was destined for once I went to Alabama and it all happened. Here I was in…Boston. No rolling hills, no beaches, and no beautiful brown-eyed girls. God, I missed those brown eyes.

She yelled at me, screamed at me, and told me to go to hell when I finally told her. She was the love of my life, the girl that I would throw my body in front of a bullet for. I knew I was going to marry her in high school and have babies with her. I just…I didn't want her throwing away her life to follow me to Alabama. I was going to be focused on football and she wouldn't be around her family who was her everything. I knew it wasn't my Gabi because she wouldn't leave North Carolina. Never.

I shook it away as I nodded reaching my hand out to shake his hand. "Thank you, sir. If we could have her moved to our case while Claire's in the hospital to get acquainted to her and then she can move in right before we go home." Tony nodded as we parted ways after agreeing on a number for her salary with us. I went back to the room as Claire was sitting up sobbing on the bed. Eve was trying to settle her but Claire shoved her away.

Claire caught sight of me and her big blue eyes begged, her arms reaching out and I swiftly picked her up. Her little head and nose pressed into my neck as I whispered into her ear. My strong arms holding her tightly, "I love you," I whispered into her ear. She squeezed my neck and I could feel Eve's glare on my back. Nothing new with that either. I released a long sigh as I just held her, praying, that everything was going to be okay.

Gabi's POV

I reported to Mr. Romano's room as I knocked on his door lightly, "Come in," I pushed open the door as I brushed my scrubs with my hands. "Rynn told me you needed to see me?" I told him with a question rising in my voice. He nodded his head, "I do. I have…a bit of a strange assignment for you." He told me. "Have a seat." I just nodded as I sat down while I felt my body start to sweat. What strange assignment? I felt dizzy with confusion already but I just looked right at him.

"We have a VIP patient," I let my eyebrow raise, "Is that why we have so much security on the floor?" Tony nodded his head, "Yup, that's why but…her dad wants her to have the best care possible and to spend as little of time in the hospital as possible. He asked if he could have an in-home nurse to take care of her, to give her chemo at home, to monitor her at home, and to just be present in case anything goes wrong." A deep frown came over my face.

"Excuse me?" I questioned back, "That's not how it works." I said with a little laugh. Tony grimaced, "Money talks. He's promising a lot of money, Gabi. To the hospital, to you," I held up my hand, "Wait…me?" I asked with a deeper frown coming over my lips. "Yes, you are the best nurse on this floor. You are the best with the patients, you handle crisis very well, and are very charismatic. You also don't have a family here in Boston nor do you have any extra obligations."

"I have yoga class! A cat! I have…I have things. I can't just move." I argued with him. Tony brushed his fingers through his hair, "He's offering double your yearly salary + compensation." This time, I didn't say anything. That was a lot of money. "To be that rich," I muttered under my breath. Tony nodded his head, "Exactly. He's going to get his way with this situation. You would move into the house and care for their four-year-old daughter."

I swallowed on the lump growing in my throat before just nodding my head, "Okay." I told him. Tony let out a huge sigh of relief before his eyes pierced me. "They are going to stay here through their first chemo. Every time she needs chemo, you'll come pick it up, take it back, and deliver it. Doctors will make a few house calls and you'll have all the equipment you need just in case of an emergency. You will have free reign to pretty much do whatever you need to do."

"I won't get in trouble if I have to bag her?"

"No," Tony grimaced, "Just make sure you do the proper steps, call 911, and wait as long as you can." I nodded my head as most people won't get upset as long as you save their kid. I was trained on it for just in case of emergency type situations. "How long?" I questioned, Tony wouldn't meet my eye and I knew that it was going to be a lot longer than I wanted to do it.

"I start NP school in the fall." I reminded him. Tony nodded, "I know. I know. Hopefully, she'll be doing better. Doctors have discussed a bone marrow transplant eventually for her so she'll have to come to the hospital for that. They do want you to be her nurse though, while she's here." I just nodded my head because I knew that was probably going to happen. "They are still running tests to diagnosis her but they should have one within the next few days. I'm assuming it'll be a quick transition to chemo."

I just nodded again, not sure what to say. "I can't work?" I questioned back. Tony chuckled, "You'll be working 24/7." I shook my head, "That's not the same. I have connections with patients already going through cancer. You can't just take me away from them." I said with frustration. "Maybe we can work something out with the family." He proposed. "We'll all have a big sit-down meeting in the next couple of days to talk about expectations."

"Okay," Tony nodded, "Thank you, Gabi. I think you'll be pleased with the skills and the work. If something happens and you just can't do it anymore…please let me know. We'll figure something out." I nodded my head again and I went to stand-up, "I'll take you off Ginny's case and move you to Claire's." he said, I paused and shook my head. "No. Ginny isn't going to make it out of here tonight. Probably won't be here in the next few hours." I pleaded with him. "Don't make this switch yet. Let me finish Ginny."

Tony looked right at me, probably surprised, because most nurses didn't want to do the after care. They didn't want to handle the parents. They didn't want to be there for all of that but I wanted to do it for most of the patients I have been with for a long time. I wanted to hug them, console them, and promise to take care of their little girl. Help give them their final bath and let them have one last moment with her body.

"Okay. We can start fresh tomorrow." I thanked him before I left the office. Rynn came flying around the corner and I knew the moment I met her eyes. I just nodded as I straightened my shoulders, looked up at her, and put an appropriate smile on my face. "Thanks, Rynn." She just squeezed my shoulder and I went to Ginny's room. Her heart rate low, her breathing so shallow it was a gasp for air. Her mom sobbing over her as she held her, her dad holding her hand, her brother and sister each close by to be there for her.

I stood quietly in the back as I gave her more pain medication, I added an extra blanket for her shivering, and I stayed out of the way as the family lost their little girl. Ginny was one of the strongest 13-year-olds I will ever know and I was blessed to have been a part of her care. I stepped out to give the family a few more peaceful moments, I stayed right outside though and when I heard the monitor flatline and her mom let out one of those piecing wails, I held back the tears before entering the room to shut off the monitor, Dr. Rich came in and pronounce time of death, before hugging the family.

Oncology was always different. We knew our patients. We had connections. I finally let a tear spill as her older siblings let their tears run down their faces. I hugged each of them before hugging her mom. "Thank you so much," she sobbed into my ear and I just hugged her tightly back. "I'm sorry," I whispered to her, "I'm so sorry, Ginny was truly amazing and so strong. I was lucky to know her." Her mom lost it again and I quietly exited the room with Dr. Rich to give them privacy for a few minutes.

Dr. Rich squeezed my shoulder, "Good work, Gabi." I thanked him as he walked away to his next patient. I just closed my eyes because this…this was always the most difficult part of the job. It was difficult, but I did it well and I was going to continue doing it well.

Troy's POV

I heard a scream of agony down the hallway and I knew deep in my gut what that scream was. Eve looked up at the same time and her eyes instantly filled with tears. A mother knew the call of losing her child. I gently picked up her hand and eased her into my lap. She laid her head on my shoulder as I brushed her hair down her back, it was long, blonde, and streaked with honey. Her eyes green as the grass and we both were easily put together in college.

She was a lead dancer for Alabama and I was the star quarterback for four years after red-shirting my first-year spending five years there. "That can't be our girl." She whispered to me. I rubbed her shoulder and shook my head, "I won't let it be our girl. We're going to get her the best of best care. You know this is one of the best hospitals for her." I said and Eve brushed her fingers over my wedding band. "Promise me, if something bad is happening during football season you'll step back." I felt her eyes on me but I could only stare at Claire across the room fast asleep.

Her new nurse couldn't start yet because she was handling some patients but would be her nurse tomorrow. Nurse Gabi. The name nagged at me and I felt unsettled in my soul with just those words. It will almost eight years since I have seen my Gabi this June when I told her. I couldn't believe it had been that long since I laid eyes on her. I could have seen my Gabi as a nurse. She was compassionate, had a big heart, and just loved to help people. She was the girl to take fresh meals to the homeless along the beach, she would provide jugs of water in the summer, and I knew she was destined for great things.

Not a trophy wife.

"Troy," she said and I finally looked at her and nodded my head, "Okay." I spoke. She shook her head and pushed off of me, "Troy, seriously? You can't even act a little bit more concerned?" I bit my tongue as I didn't want to say the wrong thing here. I only played once a week; coach would work with me about practice schedules if something was going on. I wasn't going to promise too much yet. I would be there for Claire, no doubt. "I'll be there for her and you," I told her as I rubbed her hand.

"I can't do this alone Troy," I nodded as I looked at my little girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. The little girl who was the first to call me daddy and wrap herself around my fingers. I had yet to call anybody about this. We haven't even told our parents because I wanted answers. Claire was put through a battery of tests this morning and afternoon causing the exhaustion deep in my bones. "I won't let you do this alone; I'll be there for you two and this little guy," I said letting my large hand spread across her belly. Little kicks hitting my palms as I hoped my next football buddy was sitting in here.

"You say that but once football starts that's all you think about." I didn't respond to that because I knew she was emotional and upset. It had been a long day. "Do you want to go home and sleep?" I asked while brushing my hands over my face. She acted surprised that I even offered, "I'm not leaving her," she balked and I just nodded, letting it go. "Okay. I just offering. You can't sleep without your pillow so I was offering."

Eve blew out a long breath of air and buried her face into her hands. "I'm sorry, I just…I don't know what's happening, Troy." I nodded rubbing her back, "I know, baby, I know. After this chemo hopefully we won't be in the hospital, too much." Eve rubbed her eyes and I pulled her against me. She finally let her eyes close and I just held her like this for a while until I dug my phone out. I pulled up Instagram and quickly typed in her name.

Gabriella Montez

It searched on the hospital Wi-Fi for a minute before pulling up a private page and I felt my heart pang against my chest. That dark brown hair that has never been dyed once, her brown eyes, and such a big smile on her face. I winced because I was glad, she was happy, that's all I wanted for her. I wanted her to be happy. My thumb hovered over the request to follow as we still had a handful of mutual friends from high school. People I never really talked to anymore. I shook it off though and exited from the app, wishing that I could see more. Know what she was up to, how she was doing, if she had kids. I shook my head trying to get all of the thoughts out but they were running wild.

My eyes drifted to my actual wife and I wish she stirred the same feelings. The sweaty palms, the rapid heartbeat, and the feeling of need the moment you heard her name. Eve and I were just together – I never really intended on marrying her until she came back with a pregnancy test saying she was having my child. I balked, freaked out, and had to dig myself out of a hole but I quickly did the right thing and married her.

We made it work. We were never deeply in love, nothing like I was with Gabi all those years ago. She didn't make me anxious and nervous, not like Gabi did. I always felt stupid and naïve in front of her. I was the powerhouse of our high school and she made me look stupid in front of my friends. She would laugh, kiss me, and I would fall deeper in love with her in those moments. I sighed trying to push those thoughts away for another time but I just couldn't.

Eve was a good wife to the biggest NFL star, she was a great mother, and she made me happy enough. Even though are fighting had increased dramatically over the past few months. I kissed her forehead and I gently laid her down on the couch in the room while I went and looked out over Boston. The city that made me famous. I was happy here, I signed a long contract already, and I planned to win a Super Bowl with this team.

I definitely didn't see this though.

Gabi's POV

I collapsed in my bed as I allowed the tears to finally fall. The strong rush of them for the sweet, sweet Ginny. She was such a strong soul and her mother was going to be so lost without her for some time but they were going to make it through. I hugged them all again and again until we escorted Ginny to the morgue and they left with only a bag of belongings. My heart ached with the image in my head. I held myself together the rest of the shift before I got into my car, drove home to my little apartment, and lost it.

I hiccupped through the tears before I sat up and I called my mom. She typically could always make me feel a little bit better. It rang twice and she picked up, "Gabi, baby, are you okay?" I tried to suppress the tears but the leaked anyways. "Oh honey, did you have a rough day?" I blew out a big breath of air as I tried to gain composure. "Yea, it was…different. I lost a patient who I have known since the beginning of my career." I started with, "And some crazy rich person is plucking me from my unit to become an in-home health aid for his daughter."

"What? Don't they already have that kind of service?" she asked, Ruthie Montez, was sharp as a whip and nothing got past her. I blame the fact that she had four daughters and we were constantly lying so she picked up on other clues to let her in on things. She was one of the best and I could always count on her. I was the second oldest at twenty-five with my youngest sister getting ready to graduate in May. "Yea, but I am literally moving in with them and am doing everything. The doctors all trust me enough and so does Tony."

"Tony who has a crush on you Tony?" I rolled my eyes with a little laugh. "Yes, that Tony but I am pretty sure he's engaged." My mom made a noise somewhere between a laugh and a so what as I shook my head with a smile already playing on my lips. Ruthie Montez was my life saver. I could always count on her to make me smile and laugh after a long day. "You will do amazing things." She told me, "You will help that little girl and her parents will be happy with their care."

"They are paying me a lot of money." I mused. "Oh really?"

"Double my salary, paying my apartment rent, and any money that I spend commuting their daughter around." My mom didn't say anything for a moment, "No wonder you couldn't turn it down." She said with a laugh herself, "Will you still be able to go to Layla's graduation in May?" she questioned, "Yea, I think so. I'll have to put that into my contract with them that I need that weekend off. They can't hold me hostage."

My mom hummed an answer as I sighed, "Have you been on a date lately?" I groaned loudly into the phone, "Mom," I complained, she chuckled from the other end. "Honey, I am just worried about you. You haven't really dated since…"

"Mom," I interrupted, not in any mood to have this conversation. "I dated in college." I defended. My mom laughed at that one, and it was fair, I didn't date in college. I moped around the first two years and then threw myself into nursing for two years before throwing myself into work. I had to get the fuck out of Carolina because he ruined it for me. All of our little spots, all of our hang-outs, and dates. All of the days at the beach and the sunrise watches from the top of a hill.

He was the love of my life and now he was one of the most famous people in this whole country. Troy Bolton was everywhere in this city, on buses, buildings, and all over the TV. He went to Alabama and destroyed the SEC for four years after his red-shirt year. I had already transplanted myself to Boston when I watched the draft, I didn't want too, but I had too. I never followed his life; I didn't want too. I unfollowed him on all social media and never googled his name but I couldn't get away from everybody talking about the Carolina boy who was just that good. I had to know where he ended up and when he landed in Boston of all places? I sobbed in my bed.

This was my home and he was quickly invading it. He quickly became a starter and was just as good as I remember. I refused to talk about it though. I didn't go to the games. I didn't participate in anything with it for work. I don't talk about my previous relationship with him. It didn't happen. I tried to erase him from my mind. He broke my heart, shattered it, and then just left. He never returned back to Wilmington, North Carolina and I was thankful for that.

"Honey, I'm just worried about you. That's it."

"I dated Jared last year." I reminded her. "Oh, he was silly,"

I rolled my eyes, "He was nice." I corrected.

"Try Tony," I laughed, "Mom, he's engaged." I reminded her. She sighed, "Mmm…maybe try one of those apps?" I laughed shaking my head, "No." I didn't tell her that I already had and none of them caught my eye. Nobody remotely caught my eye like him. I have had plenty of one-night stands, I tried to date, I tried to move on but I would always go back to him. I fucking hated him.

Troy's POV

August 22nd, 2013

I couldn't stop staring at her. She was beautiful, funny, and so naïve with football. It made me chuckle because she really didn't have a clue but she was learning quick. I settled in next to her while I brushed my lips together. "Are you ready for another lesson?" I asked her. Those bold brown eyes looked up at me as her hair was thrown up into a messy bun with a Wilmington High School t-shirt on with a pair of skinny jeans. Simple, but so damn hot. My dick was always in need around her.

I was sixteen…I couldn't be helped at this point.

She smiled from ear to ear and nodded her head, "I am really intrigued to learn more about the offense. I was reading about some stuff last night," a little smile crossed my lips as I watched her pull out her notebook of notes. She was my little nerd and I fucking loved it. My heart sang with her in my view the moment our eyes connected the first day of homeroom – I felt off. I felt the need to be around her and talk to her. To get to know her and I wasn't sure why. "You're so damn cute," I whispered and her eyes quickly swung to mine. Oh fuck, I said that out loud. Her cheeks blushed a violent shade of red and I knew I had two choices here.

I could man up and tell her that I thought she was beautiful, funny, and I wanted to take her on a date or I could play it off. I weighed it in my head for two more seconds before I leaned forward looking at her. "You heard me, you're so damn cute. Your deep brown eyes, your sexy as sin smile, and how you looked up more on football last night? Gabi…" she couldn't stop the redness from taking over her entire face and body at this point. I was pretty sure her toes were red.

"You think I'm cute? Couldn't you date anybody in this high school?" I chuckled looking at her and nodded, "Maybe. I could. I don't want to date anybody though. I would really like to take you on a date though. Saturday night." I offered to her and she looked down at her hands and then back up to me with a big smile on her face. I just wanted to crush my lips against hers. She made me struggle to control the hormones surging through my body straight for my dick.

"You want to take me on a date?" I laughed and nodded, "Pretty badly. You make me feel a lot of things I look forward to this every single day. Seeing you understand all of these things and wanting to learn more?" she bit down on her lip and I suddenly wanted to do it as well. "To be honest? I would probably care less about football still unless it was you. I go home and I think about what you taught me that day and then I think about you and then I google more football things to understand more. I want to go to the games and understand everything."

That was it. My heart was out of my chest and laying at her feet. I was done, gone for, vanished. She had just ruined me.

"Okay, Troy Bolton, we will go on a date on Saturday night. My first date." She said with a bit of giddiness behind her voice. I pulled backwards and shook my head, "No, no, wait a minute. You've never been on a date before?" I questioned and she shook her head. "No. Not too many people like girls who are smart. I don't do sports and I am usually busy reading or doing something." I frowned deeply as I let my eyes scan her body again. She didn't have a lot of boob, but more than enough. Her body was slim and petite with a cute little ass. I should know, I spend the entire walk back to my locker after this class looking at it. She was soft and beautiful and…down right gorgeous.

"Wow, well, I will really have to set the bar high then." I paused as I had other questions and she smiled wide again, "You're just going to have to wait and find out on our date," she said with a wink. I groaned, fuck me, fuck me, fuck me.

Yup. I was a goner. 100%.

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021

Gabi's POV

I pulled on my scrub top and tied my scrub bottoms before I scrubbed Beans head. "I'll be back later, buddy." He purred against me before I slung my backpack over my shoulders. I checked to make sure I had my badge, lunch, and water before I ventured back out to my car. I was unsure of how today was going to go. I was meeting the people I was going to be living with for the next several months while their daughter battles cancer.

My phone buzzed and I looked to see Scarlett calling me. I picked it up and pressed it to my ear, "Hey Scar," I said into the phone. "Hey babe! Mom said she called you last night and you were having a rough time." I sighed. "Yea, it was just a rough day. Nothing I haven't done before." Scarlett sighed, "I'm proud of you little sister, how is Boston?"

"Hasn't snowed in a week. We're making progress." I said with a smile. "Good, I'm glad. Mom also said you're still refusing to date?" I grunted. "You know I'm not refusing to date. I just haven't found anybody that I want to date. There is a difference." Scarlett let out a breath as she had the biggest and best seat to my heart break down as we went to UNC together. She was the one to drag me out of bed and force me to do things.

She was the one who helped delete him from my life and try and move on. Scarlett has been there for me since the first day and she knew why I was resistant. My last boyfriend after Troy, Ryder, was a good guy and we got along great. He was a whole lot more into it than me though. We dated for two years on and off and I knew he was shopping around for a ring but I couldn't picture myself with him in the future. He was picturing marriage, babies, and a happy life together but I couldn't get there. It caused a few fights before I finally let him go.

"I'll find somebody, I promise. I am trying. I'm not closed off." I said with a shrug. "Good. I love you, sis. Go save some lives today." I smiled, "I will. Have fun teaching those first graders." She smiled, "I will. Love you."

"Love you, too."

I hung up the phone before I pulled into work parking. I rolled my lips together and gathered up all of my stuff before getting out of the car. I hooked my badge to my scrubs and grabbed a jacket before making my way to the shuttle. A few nurses were already standing there as all the day-shifters were coming in. I waved to a few that I recognized when a screaming person wrapped their arms around my neck. "Wren," I said with a laugh.

"Hey best friend! I am so happy to see we are working the same shift again finally!" I laughed as we settled next to each other as the shuttle came trucking down the hill. "Any big plans after your day off?" I laughed with a nod, "Yea, uh…some shit happened yesterday." I told her as I climbed the bus. "Oh no, what happened?" she asked with panic on her face. Wren was one of the first people I met in Boston. She was in my orientation class and when we found out we were on the same unit…we were thrilled.

We lived together for two and half years but she went and decided to get married. We still had slumber parties on the regular. She was my best friend and I couldn't be happier with that. Beans, our mutually adopted cat, would probably go to her place when I had to move. "I got a promotion I guess," she squinted at me and I laughed, "A family is here that has a lot of money. They don't want their daughter to suffer in the hospital so they are hiring me to be an in-home nurse for them. I am going to take care of her every day and live with them."

Her jaw hung up, "Excuse me?"

I nodded slowly, "Yup. They are offering my double my salary and compensation for my rent since I won't be living there. I couldn't really turn it down. I will get the meds, hang them, and just be present for them. I don't know. I have a meeting today or next week when I am back on my shifts. Tony said she'll be in the hospital for a bit as they figure the cancer out and start treatment." Wren shook her head back and forth.

"You lucky bitch."

I smiled and shrugged, "I didn't ask for it. I probably would never ask for this. I like all my patients here." Wren sighed with a nod, "Yea, I feel that. I love all my patients. Did Ginny make it to hospice last night?" she asked as the bus pulled up to the hospital. I closed my lips and I looked at her. Wren's face fell, "Oh no, Gabi," I shook my head because I wasn't going to spill any tears over this today. Nope, I already have enough to deal with.

"I know, it was tough but she was too weak." Wren sighed as we made our venture to the oncology ward. "She was amazing. We'll have to go to the funeral." I nodded my head as we went through two different security points and another elevator before we made it to our floor. Tony was standing outside of the locker room and I rolled my eyes, "Can I have five minutes before my life is interrupted?" I questioned him.

"I need you to hurry, the family is getting ready to have their meeting with the doctor about the type of cancer." Tony had worry lines across his forehead, "I want you to constantly be on the same page as them, okay?" I just nodded pushing into the locker room. Wren shot me a look, "Okay, maybe I don't want this spot. Do you know who it is?" I shook my head no as Tony never told me and I never asked. It didn't matter.

I quickly put all my stuff away, stuffed my phone in my pocket and would come back for my water later. It sounded like I was going to just start with the little girl. I made sure I had my badge and tucked a pen into my pocket that stayed at work. Breathing out a sigh, I looked at Wren who had fifteen minutes to look up her patients. "You'll kill it but know that I want all the details later." I rolled my eyes, "HIPPA," I hollered to her.

She giggled as I pushed out the door as Tony roped his hands through my arm. "Tony, calm down. They won't start unless you tell them, too, plus it's seven in the morning." I complained. Tony glanced at me and released his hold before coming to the door. "Please, keep your reaction to a minimum with the family. They have always been good to the hospital and I don't need the nurses gawking, understood?" I frowned at this statement as I probably should have asked who it was. I haven't heard any of the other nurses talking about anybody though and they loved to gossip.

Tony opened the door and I felt the room in the air shift, my body pulsed, and my heart beat a lot faster than it had in a long time. My sweaty palms came back and I finally looked up to see the face of a man I had been avoiding for a very, very long time. A man I never wanted to see again in my life. He was unavoidable in this town and it was hard but I wasn't letting him take my city from me. He ruined Wilmington of memories for me but not here.

Nobody could ever forget those blue eyes though nor could he mask of shock and surprise on his face as I stepped into the room. Immediate recognition as he inhaled sharply and I felt my whole body stop. My breath was caught in my chest, my heart paused and then it was rapidly beating, and the anger came rushing back. My eyes round with shock. My blood boiling underneath.

No, this couldn't be happening. He couldn't be here. This was my space. The only space I had that wasn't entangled with him.

"Gabi, I want you to meet, Troy Bolton and his wife, Eve. Troy, and Eve, this is Gabriella Montez." I looked at Troy as neither of us moved. Eve glanced between the two of us with confusion lacing her features. Tony even glanced at me because Troy and I couldn't take our eyes off each other. Stunned into silence and shock. Troy finally cleared his throat, "Nurse Montez, it's good to meet you." He choked on the words and I wanted to choke him, scream at him, and how dare he call me Nurse Montez.

WELCOME! I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter to Nurse Montez! I am SO excited to share this story with all of you! It has been one of my favorites to write and there are so many twists and turns! I have never done a before and now story so it's been a lot of fun to write!

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Next Update: February 28th