Chapter 23 – Florida

Tuesday, July 23rd, 2019

Gabi's POV

I stretched my arms out to reach for Troy's side of the bed and when my hand came up empty – I pouted. I wouldn't even deny it. I blinked open my eyes in the beach house in Pompano, Florida as I glanced around to see if he was in the room or the adjoining bathroom – he was not. I closed my eyes again and breathed in the salty air as yesterday was a good day. I laughed with Blaine and Lucy who accepted Beth right back into their life without hesitation. I frankly think Blaine was jealous of Beth and Lucy was just excited.

We spent the day on the beach as a family and I couldn't have asked for a better day. Troy was there all day before going golfing with my dad as they needed some man time. They offered to take Blaine but he was content with staying at the beach with all of us. We all went out to dinner last night as a family and it made my heart warm. They all loved Troy, I loved Troy, and the Florida sun was good for all of us. Today, I already told my parents that I was treating Troy to a date tonight.

He didn't have any idea but I told them we wouldn't be around for dinner. We were going to go to dinner and then we were going to catch a boat ride to look at the sky during dusk. It was all bought and purchased and I was excited. I pushed back the covers before crawling out of bed as I went to change my clothes in a pair of shorts with a t-shirt that was becoming almost a little too snug. I was afraid we were going to have to tell the kids on this trip. Yesterday, Blaine kept giving me weird glances as to why I never took my t-shirt off on the beach. He knew something was up.

It also ruined my tan.

I brushed my teeth and braided my hair before I went downstairs where I heard Troy's laugh and my mom's voice. It was still fairly early when I approached the kitchen to see the backdoor cracked open and the two of them sitting in the rockers on the deck. It was screened in with a big fan circling the air. Each of them was drinking coffee and I smiled as I pushed the door open and both of their heads turned towards me. "Good morning," I said with a smile and Troy's white grin nearly knocked me over.

"Morning, baby," I smiled as I bent over to kiss him on the lips before I settled in his lap. He had changed into his swim trunks already with a cut-off t-shirt. I stole his coffee cup and took a sip of it as he just shook his head with a smile on his face. "How are you feeling sweetie? Okay? I know we can't talk about it much with the kids around." My mom grimaced and I just smiled, "I'm feeling good actually. A few headaches here and there, exhaustion, and a little sick but nothing that I can't handle. I think I want to at least tell Blaine today. I don't want to ruin my tan because I have to hide this," I said with a laugh as I pushed my shirt up. My mom couldn't stop her own laugh, "Twins, I still can't believe it."

Troy chuckled, "Neither can I. I'm going to have to go back for my masters to get that pay increase to pay for those little ones," I laughed, "Good thing I took that promotion at work and I already have my masters," I teased him and Troy just rolled his eyes but had a smile on his face. "The dance coach wants to know if you still want to help with dances this year. I of course didn't tell her you were pregnant but I wasn't sure what to say."

"I want too, I think it would be good for me as long as she knows that I might not be able to demonstrate very well." Troy smiled as his hand rested on my belly, "I think she'll understand. She wants the brain from Duke's dancing team more than anything." I just smiled as I leaned back into Troy. "I think we're just doing another beach day today after breakfast." My mom said and I nodded my head, "Sounds good. I think I will pull Blaine aside this morning."

"Good, I think he'll be excited." My mom encouraged as Troy kissed my shoulder. "Oh, T, I have some plans for us tonight." I said as I took another sip of his coffee and Troy raised a single eyebrow towards me. "We do?" I nodded my head as I circled my arms around his neck. "Yup. Be ready to go at 6," I said kissing his cheek. I stood up and Troy grabbed my hand, "Wait…what are we doing?" he questioned as his fingers squeezed mine and I just grinned. "You'll find out," I sent him a wink as I walked inside and I heard my mom laugh.

It only took about two seconds before I was pinned against a wall, I couldn't stop my laugh as I tilted my head back to look at my boyfriend who had intense blue eyes as he stared down at me. "You think you can just say that and wink and walk away?" I innocently nodded my head and Troy shook his head with a smile as he dropped his mouth to my ear. "You little tease," he whispered into my ear causing chills to run down my body.

He bit my lip gently and then backed away with a smile on his face as he sent me his own wink and went to refill his coffee as if he didn't send me into a small puddle of need from that. I inhaled deeply before I moved my Jell-O legs and went to get my own cup of coffee. I reached up but Troy shook his head as he handed me another cup. "Thank you," I smiled up at him and he reached over and brushed his finger over my jaw. "You're welcome,"

"Good morning, Aunt Gabi, Troy," I turned to see Blaine coming down the stairs rubbing his eyes and in a pair of swim trunks already with a t-shirt. I smiled over at him, "Hi Blaine, did you sleep well?" he nodded as he walked into the kitchen to grab the orange juice. "Do you want to play some basketball later?" Troy asked him and Blaine light up, "Yea, I do. Is your knee ready for it?" Blaine asked and Troy grinned, "Just go easy on me, alright?" Blaine laughed as I reached for Troy's hand and he looked down at me. He just nodded with a smile on his face.

"Blaine, we have some news to share," I told him and Blaine flickered his eyes to me and then over to Troy. "You're getting married?" he questioned and Troy laughed, "Not yet, I'm working on it though," I elbowed him in the gut and Blaine just laughed. "Blaine, I'm pregnant," I told him and Blaine's eyes grew twice the size. "Seriously?" Blaine's eyes went from Troy to me and then back to Troy and back to me again. Troy just nodded his head, "With twins," I piped and I wasn't sure how it was possible but his eyes got even bigger.

Troy couldn't help but laugh, "Yea, I am pretty sure that was my reaction, too." I just laughed and Blaine blinked once and then twice before his mouth moved. "Wow, I am just…that is crazy." He walked over and he grabbed me into a tight hug. "I am so happy for you," Blaine picked me up and I couldn't stop my laugh as he squeezed me tighter. "You deserve it,"

"Thank you, Blaine," I told him and he hugged Troy, "You guys are going to be great parents. I can't wait to finally have a cousin," I couldn't stop the giggle that escaped my lips. "Tell your grandparents that you don't appreciate there being a 12-year age gap between your mom and me." Blaine just smirked, "Grandpa wouldn't want to have that conversation with me." I shook my head as Blaine blinked, "That's why you wore a t-shirt yesterday."

I nodded my head, I lifted up my current shirt to show him and he blinked, "How far along are you?" he squeaked and I laughed, "Ten weeks. It's because there are two of them. We aren't going to tell Lucy until I am out of the first trimester but it was getting harder to hide it from you. Just know that I am not quite in the clear yet." Blaine just nodded his head and he sighed, "Thank you for waiting to tell Lucy. She doesn't need that right now." I nodded my head, "I know. I don't want to hurt either of you."

Blaine just grabbed me in a hug again and he breathed into my neck. "Thank you for everything you've done for us, Aunt Gabi." I blinked away the tears because I didn't want to cry but it was the sweetest gesture. "I will always be there for you," Blaine just gave me a smile and he went to hang with my mom as Troy pulled me back against his chest. "You are going to be one hell of a mother," he whispered into my ear and I just blinked and smiled up at him. "Yea?"

Troy nodded, "Yea, you are. I am so happy that I have the front row seat." I reached up and kissed him softly and he circled his arms around me. "I love you and I am so lucky to be doing this whole thing with you." Troy just shook his head, "I'm the lucky bastard."

I giggled against his lips, "Where are we going tonight?"

I just laughed.

"Nice try, Bolton." I smacked his ass and then walked away.


Troy's POV

I took a drink of my beer as I was waiting for Gabi to join me downstairs as she had a date planned for us and that alone made my heart happy. I knew she felt like she wasn't doing enough in the relationship but she was doing just what she needed to do. I wouldn't turn down the date though because just having her to myself…after she spent the entire day flaunting around in a bikini in front of me? Yea? I need some time without her family around.

"Where are you guys going tonight?" Blaine asked as he sat snacking on chips, "I have zero idea. She planned it." Blaine raised an eyebrow with a smile, "She loves you. She was never like this with Brad. We made a pact to break up with both of our significant others at the same time after my mom died because we were both so over them." I chuckled, "She told me that story." Blaine smiled, "I really don't know what I would have done without her the past ten months."

"I'm glad she was there for you," Blaine just nodded his head as he sighed, "I miss her," I finished my beer and I went over to squeeze his shoulder. "I think you will always miss her and that's okay. She's your mom. Just know that she loves you and probably misses you." Blaine looked down at his hands and nodded, "I just feel like I can't look at those schools looking at me unless they are close by. I mean what if I wanted to go to Kansas, Creighton, Baylor…I mean if I worked hard enough, I could go there and…I feel like I can't because I can't leave Lucy."

I sighed as I sat down next to him on the stool as I thought about my answer because I understood all too well. If something happened in our family and then I was asked to even go to South Carolina – I probably wouldn't because I couldn't leave my family either. "I think you should go into that with an open heart and I know your AAU season is going much better than your previous season in high school. I know scouts are looking at you. I know you have some big schools looking at you and I think you should listen. You never know – your dad might just be ready for a fresh start and come with you or he will encourage you to reach for the stars and Lucy will be okay."

Blaine struggled with the thought of that, "You will graduate and Lucy will be eight and you'll be at school for four, maybe five years, she'll be 13 at the latest by the time you are back and you know, that is when she is going to need you the most. Gabi will be here, Beth is back, your grandparents, we're about to have two kids, she is going to make more friends the older she gets…there is Facetime and all of that stuff. We'll take her to visit you when we can…I just don't think you should hold yourself back because of Lucy. Lucy would be mad if she truly understood."

Blaine just looked at me and he blinked, "I get why you're a coach because that was a hell of a speech," I just laughed with my head tilting back and I nodded. "I have to motivate them somehow and look you better work hard because I am determined to beat West Ashley's ass this year." Blaine just laughed as I squeezed his shoulder. "You are going to do big things." Blaine smiled and I got up as I turned to see my girl standing in the kitchen entry with the almost too short sun dress that made her boobs look even bigger than normal, her hair down around her shoulders, and she was nearly supporting the cutest little bump in the front.

My breath caught in my throat as I couldn't tear my eyes away from her watery ones. I knew she had overheard nearly everything based on that reaction. "Brie, you look stunning." A smile wrapped on her face and I walked forward to wrap her into a hug. My nose burying deep into her hair as she squeezed me. "You look pretty handsome yourself," she murmured into my chest. I wore a pair of khakis with a plain black t-shirt and a pair of white shoes.

"C'mon, sir, we have a date." She collapsed our fingers together and I laughed, "Alright, let's go, you've twisted my arm about it." She turned and shot me a look with a smile on her face and my entire chest tightened with love looking at her. A smile that was big on her lips and I stopped in my tracks. She was absolutely my everything. From the top my head to my pinky toe. She was my everything. She was my reason. My love. I woke up in the morning and my world isn't complete without just one look at her. I can't breathe without her and I was going to make sure she knew that I wouldn't be able to breathe without her. "Wait, I forgot something," I told her and she squinted her eyes. "What did you forget?" she asked and I patted my pockets pretending that my wallet wasn't there even thought it was.

"My wallet," I told her with a grin. "You might be taking me out and surprising me but I am paying," I clarified and Gabi rolled her eyes. "Troy, I am very capable of paying for our date. You don't need your wallet and they won't ID you." I faked the hurt as I rub my chest. "Ouch Gabi, I know I am 28 but that was hurtful." She just sent me a wicked smile, "I am going to get my wallet and this isn't up for debate." I turned and jogged up the stairs as I went to our room and I dug around my backpack. I brought it with me just in case an opportunity struck and it was here.

I had to lock her down and I could care fucking less that it had been under a year. She was mine. She was always going to be mine. I pulled out the box and I flipped it open to look at the ring and I smiled before closing it and I turned to see Andy walking down the hallway. He turned just in time to see me and I tossed him the box. He just gave me a gentle smile and flipped it up with tears lining the corner of his eyes. "She'll love it." He said and I swallowed, "Are you okay with it?"

"Of course, son. You make her happy. You make her so happy and I am scared to know what would have happened if she wouldn't have found you." I hugged him and I thanked him as I darted back down the stairs after making sure you couldn't see the outline of the ring box in my pocket. Gabi was laughing with Blaine and Lucy in that goddamn dress. I might have to also rent a hotel room tonight because I didn't want to have to censor myself tonight.

"Damn, Bolton, it took you long enough." I just smiled, "Look, it was buried in my bag. I haven't needed it since the airport." I dropped a kiss to her neck. "C'mon,"


Gabi's POV

Troy sat across from me at dinner with a beer and a smile on his face as if there were zero cares in the world. His fingers brushed my hand and we were in our own little world together. "What do you want to do for your birthday?" Troy questioned as he took a sip of his drink. An appetizer of edamame sat between us as we were at an outdoor deck that served all seafood. Troy had ordered fish plate and I had ordered Cod fish and chips as it was on the safer side for pregnancy.

"I don't know. Spend the day with you and my family. Maybe have Jenna over. I'm not too picky about my birthday."

"No fun traditions?" I smiled, "Always a chocolate cake with your age on the top. My mom has a photo from every single year. She will insist that it gets done. It may not be the day of my birthday but it will be my birthday week." Troy smiled, "Do you want any traditions for the babies?" Troy questioned and I felt my cheeks crack. "I am so excited to start traditions with them. I want to do that one but I want to make their birthday a fun day. Skip school, play hooky, go do something fun – an experience. Balloons in the morning with a fun breakfast. I don't know. There are so many ideas but there aren't enough ideas either. I want them to feel so much love."

"With you as their mom…there is no way they won't feel that love but I am all on board. My mom would ask us one thing we wanted and one experience we wanted and…it gave us the best of both worlds. I think we will have the best first birthday." I smiled as I brushed my fingers over his and locked our fingers together. "They are going to be little basketball babies." Troy smiled, "Are you still going to try and come to games?"

"While Blaine is in school, I will fairly rotate the basketball games that I attend but once Blaine graduates' baby you will have to stop me from coming." A wicked grin crossed his features, "I love watching you coach, I love seeing you with your team, and I just…I want our kids to grow up in that atmosphere and get to watch their daddy do his favorite thing." Troy blinked once and then twice before biting down on his lip. "I really am a lucky bastard," I couldn't stop my laugh as he squeezed my hand.

"I cannot wait for you to get a full season underneath of your belt." I smiled over at him, "I promise I will not be a distraction this year. Open communication," Troy grinned, "I think I am going to be a lot worried about you this year because of two little babes but…I think it's going to be fun this year. I already told the guys that I am going to take at least two full weeks off from basketball after the babies are here. I might take longer off work but I'll at least come help the basketball team."

"I like that idea,"

"I think I am going to take at least 12 weeks off. They said I could take more if I wanted without worrying about my job but I think 12 is good unless there are complications." I told him and Troy glanced up at me with a look and a nod, "I like when we talked about not starting them in daycare until at least August. If you can take those 12 weeks off and maybe our parents can help bridge it if you go early but if you make it to your due date then it should be perfect." I rolled my eyes, "I highly doubt that will happen but we will figure it out. The longer we can go without paying for daycare the better."

"I meant to ask you…for the following school you do you want me to sign them up for our school district daycare that is for teachers? I get a bit of a discount and then I would be close to them at least – if you want to look somewhere else too that's fine, I just need to make sure because they typically have a waiting list."

"Can we look at it first? I am all for putting them there because I do like that you are close by and if you do get a discount two of them is going to be freaking expensive." Troy smiled over at me with a nod of his head. "Yea, I'll talk to the director and set something up." Our food arrived as we released hands from each other and took our time digging through our food as the warm day started to end. "I am excited for Dan and Shay when we get back," I was nearly giddy for the experience.

"I want to pack as much as we can in these next however many months that we have as just the two of us. I won't deny that I am a little sad that we are missing out on that time together but at the same time I would never change it either. This was all meant to happen for a reason and we are going to make the best of it. I do want another vacation with just the two of us but maybe a little farther. Maybe in October?" Troy asked and I couldn't stop my smile because I knew where he was coming from.

"Yea, I really do like all of those ideas. "It would have to be in the beginning of October because of basketball but just for a long weekend would be good." I finished my food and Troy finished his as he paid, even though, we fought about it. "Thank you, I really hope you know, that I want to be equals in this relationship." I told him as I linked our fingers together. "We are equals but I am treating my girl and you do so much for me that…paying for our meal isn't hard for me to do."

"What do I do for you besides cry and have mental breakdowns?" I asked with a joke and Troy just shook his head. "So much more than that – you help take care of Luna. You have been the one taking her for runs and walks. You keep the house organized. You help with laundry and you make me smile. You make me laugh. You do so much, Gabriella." I just smiled with a shake of my head. "This next adventure is my treat – mostly because I already paid." I said as I tugged on his arm.

"Wait what there is more?" Troy asked and I bit down on my lip trying to contain my growing grin. "Of course, it may not be as good as our 12-hour date but it is a good date." Troy just gave me a devil smirk as he pulled me closer to him. His hands framed my face before he dropped one hell of a kiss on my lips. The sheer power and love that was in one single kiss had me in a puddle. "No, we have another part of our date first." I murmured and he just chuckled.

"We're going on a boat ride to enjoy this dusk and the stars on the way back," I told him with a tip of my lips and his eyes light up and he just smiled, "I can't wait, lead the way, "


Troy and I were nestled on the back of the boat as the captain and crew were up front with a handful of other guests but Troy took me back into a quiet little area towards the back. We were enjoying the fresh air off the ocean as the boat cruised through the water. "I'm sad that I have to go back to work next week," I said as I nestled in closer to Troy and he chuckled. "That is like a week away."

"I would spend every single day with you – all day every day." My chin rested on his shoulder and Troy glanced down at me with a serious look in those blue eyes. He lifted his eyes up and his fingers rubbed my shoulder. The boat was in the middle of the ocean with little around us at this point. I could hear laughter from up front but we were just content right here. "Do you know the first thing I thought when I saw you?" Troy questioned. I shook my head.

Troy just smiled, "I thought – damn. She is stunning. You had this aura about you that caused me to pause. I was writing a note in my notebook for scouting and I can pinpoint exactly where you showed up because my pen literally went off the paper." I couldn't stop my laugh and Troy just smiled, "I was drawn to you immediately. You had just walked in the gym door and my eyes were locked on you. You stopped to talk to Blaine, James, and Lucy along the way and I wondered how you were related and then by God, you somehow ended up right next to me." Troy laughed quietly and his eyes looked down at me. "I wasn't going to let you walk away without some sort of interaction and…I am so glad I did."

"Because from that moment to right here – I've learned so much more about you besides that you are stunning. You have the biggest and warmest heart. You want to take care of absolutely everybody and do the best job you can do. You love all of your friends and family fiercely. You don't like putting yourself in front of others, you love dogs, and I've learned that you will do anything for the people you love. I know you would walk in front of a moving car for Lucy and Blaine. You would do anything to help James grieve. I know you would take those kids in as your own. I know you would do anything to protect your parents. I know that you would do anything to protect me."

Holding back tears was pointless at this point as I wiped them off my face and Troy tilted my chin back to let our eyes lock. "Those are just some of the things I love the most about you. You waking up in my bed and doing your little stretch and yawn with those sleepy brown eyes is my favorite look of yours, how you talk to Luna as if she was your first baby, and when you are cooking in the kitchen by yourself and start to sing to yourself. God, you are so fucking cute when you do that." I couldn't speak as he professed his undoing for me.

"Taking time to make sure you were completely in it for me – was the hardest thing that either of us had to do but it was the best for both of us. You came back to me as a girl I barely recognized but that I loved even more. That smile. That laugh. The happiness that you started to radiate again. It was beautiful, baby," I swallowed on the knot in my throat and Troy shifted away from me as he twisted and suddenly was on one knee in front me.

"Troy," I whispered but it was choked off by the sob in my throat as he shook his head. "I'm not done. The other day, I was just looking at you, and your smile caused my chest to get tight and my heart raced with happiness and I knew you were it for me. There is no other girl. There will never be another girl that can cause me to just stop. To just stop and look at you. You are the first girl who I constantly think about. The one that I knew immediately from our first conversation that I was going to marry. After our first date, I told all of the guys at Jesse's house that; I'm going to marry that one. You take my breath away on a daily basis, Brie. You are my girl, my only girl, the one I want to spend every single day with and every single hour with. I don't care that it's been seven months. It could have been two weeks, two days, or two hours and I knew I wanted you as mine forever. I love you, Gabriella. I have from the first moment I met you to right now. I'm not asking, I'm begging, please marry me?"

He slipped a ring out of his pocket and I couldn't control the cry that escaped my mouth as he looked up at me. "I've had this ring since the day you walked out of my door for our month apart because I knew you would come back and I knew that I was never letting you walk away from me again. I know you don't like promises but listen to this one – I promise you that every single day I will love you. I will love the babies. I will love our life together because I have you. This has nothing to do with you being pregnant and so help me God if you say anything about that I will kiss you until you forget I impregnated you." I released a snotty laugh and Troy smiled, "You are the only girl for me, baby, so please marry me," he whispered and I could only nod my head because the tears were just so thick.

"Yes," I finally squeaked and Troy grinned from ear to fucking ear with my words and he slipped on the simple oval engagement ring onto my left hand. He gently pulled me up and he smashed our lips together causing both of our tears to mix together. "I love you so much," I whispered against his mouth and he just grinned into the kiss and devoured more of my mouth. "I love you something fierce, Gabriella Montez." I squeezed his neck when a ring of cheers came from the front of the boat. I felt my cheeks turn bright red as we both turned our attention to the crew and guests all clapping and smiling.

Troy gave me a big smile and he dropped another kiss to my lips, "Thanks for planning the perfect date for our proposal," he whispered into my ear and I just laughed. I had a woman take our picture together in the back of the boat. "Was this planned?" the crew member asked and Troy laughed. "No, just waiting for the perfect moment and this was it."

"So, nobody told you about today?" I questioned and Troy shook his head. "Like I said – I've had the ring since March. I've just been waiting for the right moment and when I looked at you in the kitchen earlier today. I knew I had to do it today because I couldn't go another day without making sure you were mine forever." I cleared my throat and I just shook my head as I reached up on my tiptoes to press my mouth to his. "Congrats, we are happy to be a part of your love story." Troy just shook his head with a wink as we enjoyed the rest of our boat ride. I had Troy take a picture of him holding my hand with the ring on full display and my smiling face in the background.

"Wait," I twisted to face him as the shore was coming back into view. "You told me when you proposed after we found out I was pregnant that you didn't have a ring." Troy just laughed nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Yea, well, I lied. I did have a ring and I would have proposed right then and there but I understood why you said no. In that moment it was about the babies. In this moment…it was about us. It was about how you make me feel. It was about I could never in my life live without you."

"Does my family know you were going to do it today? This trip?" Troy shook his head no. "I wasn't sure I was even going to do it on this trip. I just grabbed it just in case. I had no plan. Your dad does know because he caught me grabbing the ring. I had already asked him for permission once and then I showed it to him before we left. It was the "I forgot my wallet" moment because I really did look at you when you came downstairs and I told myself that I was going to be a stupid fucking fool if I didn't do it today. So, I ran upstairs and I grabbed the ring and…I just waited for the opportunity. When you told me, we were going to do this – I knew this was the moment."

"We are also going to go get a hotel room tonight because there are about one thousand different things, I want to do to you tonight and none of them involve your family hearing or being in the house – especially Blaine and your dad." I couldn't stop my giggle as he captured my lips. "You are going to be Gabriella Bolton one day and I cannot wait." The boat docked and we got off thanking all of them and they congratulated us again.

A couple sent us a video after they figured out what was happening and Troy thanked them, a few pictures were sent as well, and it was almost too perfect to be true. Troy and I picked up some milkshakes – since we couldn't celebrate with champagne and then Troy found a hotel one the beach and requested a room with a view if they had one. They agreed and he didn't let me see the receipt as he paid with his credit care for the night.

We didn't have any other clothes or any other plans but to have each other for the night. I couldn't stop my giggles as he pinned me in the elevator and his lips attacked mine. "I love you; I cannot wait to undress you from this fucking dress, and I cannot wait to call you my wife."

"Don't get ahead of yourself – we're having these babies first."

Troy brushed his thumb over my lips and smiled, "I don't care when we get married. As long as the world knows that you are mine."

Mine.

Mine.

Mine.

That was all the echoed in my head as he continued to kiss me like he owned me because well…his heart did own me. Every single part of me.

He pulled me to the hotel room and I was flat on the bed before I could blink. His lips devouring mine. Our bodies connecting. Our emotions bleeding together.

He was mine.

All.

Mine.

Forever.


Wednesday, July 24th, 2019

Troy's POV

I woke up the next morning with her curled into my body, her hair floating over the pillows and her body still naked against me. It was a sight I never wanted to leave my brain as I almost felt like last night was an absolute dream. My eyes glanced to her left hand where that ring still sat and I felt a smile tug onto my lips as it wasn't a dream. I knew I caught her off guard and I knew she probably had about 1500 different questions but last night – it was just the two of us. Her and me.

I pressed my lips into her shoulder before I pushed off the bed and pulled on the same pair of shorts from last night before ordering up room service and a few toothbrushes. I scrolled through my phone before finding the picture of me holding Gabi's hand with the ring being showed up with her in the background. I had already made it my background picture because she was stunning. I sent it in our group chat and waited approximately 0.05 seconds for it to blow up.

Cameron: SHUT THE FUCK UP

Jax: BOLTON what the hell dude!

Jesse: Holy shit! Congrats dude!

Cameron: WHAT THE HELL I DIDN'T KNOW YOU EVEN HAD A RING

Dylan: Smug son of a bitch. I should have known it was coming. Mr. I am going to marry her after the very first date.

Jax: That's awesome dude, congrats, I'm really happy for the both of you

Cameron: How long have you had that rock? Congrats btw

I shook my head at the messages that came across my screen faster than I could read them.

Troy: I've had the ring since she left in March to do her soul-searching. I knew she wasn't ever walking out of my life again. I did the damn thing last night on a boat because I had to or I was going to be a fucking fool for not locking her down sooner. It wasn't planned. It was spontaneous and fuck did it feel good. She. Is. Going. To. Be. My. Wife.

I couldn't wipe the wide smile off my face with that thought alone. My eyes peeked up over my phone as she rolled to her other side. Her back showing to me and her hair caught underneath of her. I just smiled looking at her. She was going to be my wife. My phone continued to buzz as I glanced back down trying to tear my eyes away from her.

Dylan: I'm happy for you, T. You deserve it. Dad and husband within a year – that is impressive for you. I always thought we would be the bachelors together.

I chuckled at his text message because I caught the second most amount of shit for being a bachelor. I just never had that much interest in any one girl until…her. She changed all of that about me because it was all her. I wanted her to be my everything.

Jax: Cameron, stop being so shocked, we all knew it was coming. It was just a matter of time before it happened.

Cameron: I am just shocked that none of us knew that he went and bought a ring!

Troy: I bought it after three months of dating and she had just walked out – I wasn't going to share that news with anybody unless she didn't come back. It worked out in my favor.

Jesse: You just hate being behind. Trying to catch up to me.

Troy: Lol, okay, sure. She doesn't want to do anything with the marriage until after the babies are here. I don't really care. She's mine.

Dylan: I mean…she broke off one engagement already. That means she has the balls to do it.

I chewed my lip nervously because she had been engaged before and I didn't know what to make of that either. I kinda wanted to ask her about it but not today. Not until later. I wanted this day to be about celebrating us. Her family was going to be so excited and my mom's head might pop off that both of her sons were getting married soon and I was going to give her two grandchildren.

Jesse: Shut the fuck up, Dylan. Clearly, they have something different.

Jax: Low blow Dylan, Gabs loves him. We love her. If we thought anything was wrong, we would have brought it up to her and him.

Troy: Thank you guys. Of course – it goes without saying you will all be by my side on the day of the wedding. Just keep it on the DL because you are the first people we've told. We'll tell my parents when we get back and then we can share it with the world because the whole world will know that Gabriella Montez is off the market for good.

My chest was almost too tight, my smile too big, I had the best group of friends and the best girlfriend – fiancée – ever. I was lucky. So lucky. There was a knock on the door and I tossed my phone away from me and I went to answer it. I thanked the guy as I shut the door and took the tray over to the bed. I set it on my nightstand and I gently woke Gabi up with my lips running down her face, across her collarbone, and right to her bare breast before she started to twist and shift in the sheets.

"Morning, baby," I whispered as I planted my lips back to her lips and she let those brown eyes peek out from her eyelashes and a smile came over her face. "good morning," she whispered as she wrapped her arms around my neck. "I got us breakfast," I said before this morning got carried away. My dick didn't receive the memo that breakfast was first – apparently, he wanted her as breakfast. I couldn't blame him.

"You did?" she pushed up in the bed causing the sheet to shift down. Her round belly poked out and I dipped down and pressed my lips to it. "Of course, I did, I have to feed my girl and my babies." I planted another kiss over both sides. "I love you," I whispered against her skin and her hands brushed through my hair as I looked up at her. Her brown eyes focused on me for a beat and then she pulled me up to really kiss her. I groaned as I twisted and pulled her into my lap.

"Fuck breakfast, I want you," she whispered to my lips and I groaned from her words. Her hands ran down my sides and through my hair as our lips couldn't disconnect from each other. Her ring slid down my bare back and that caused goosebumps to explode over my body as she pushed me backwards and my head landed against the headboard. Her lips went down my body and she tugged off the shorts that I had put on before her hand circled around my shaft. I nearly came from the contact alone and I most certainly almost lost it when those lips wrapped around me.

Her hair fanned her face and she did her dirty tricks to bring me to the edge – I tried to refrain from bucking into her mouth but it was almost impossible. "Fuck, Gabi," my words were strangled as I pulled her off of me and she gave me that smile that slayed me. "Did you like that?" she asked as her lips dipped to my neck and I just twisted her to her back before I gave her the same exact attention. Her pleas and cries echoing the hotel room walls as I pushed her over the edge.

Her fingers grasped my hair and her pants were so damn sexy as my name tumbled from her lips again. I slid into her and she cried out with relief as I pinned her hands above her head as I controlled the pace. Fast and furious to almost slow to nothing causing her to whimper as if she was in physical pain. "Troy," she choked on the words and I kissed her. My mouth covering hers and nibbling on her bottom lip before I drove into her quickly again and that pushed both of us into oblivion.

I rolled off of her panting and trying to catch my breath as she did the same next to me. "Good morning," I said with a big grin and she just laughed and pressed her lips to mine. "Good morning," she echoed back and then reached over for the breakfast sitting on the other side of me. "I told the guys," I told her and she just smiled as if she wasn't at all surprised. "Were they happy for you?"

"A little shocked they didn't know about the ring." Gabi laughed, "They didn't know?" I shook my head. "No, because I bought it and I wasn't sure what was happening next. I had it because I was ready because like I told you last night. I was absolutely never letting you walk away from me again after that moment. You are it for me, the only girl for me, so I bought it and I was ready." Gabi ate a piece of bacon and took in a deep breath.

"It's a beautiful ring," she said with her eyes sparkling and I smiled, "I'm glad you like it, you seemed simple to me. Especially with jewelry." Gabi smiled, "It's stunning and just me. Thank you," she reached over and kissed me again and I palmed the back of her head to keep her right there as I smiled. "No, thank you," I whispered as I kissed her again and she kissed my cheek. "My mom is going to be so excited," she giggled and I couldn't stop the warmth and the happiness that radiated…everywhere.


Gabi's POV

I walked into the house with Troy on my tail as we were coming back fresh and clean but with the same exact clothes that we left in and of course my family chose today to have lunch inside the house. All of their heads turned in our direction as Troy and I both had the largest smiles on our faces. We turned and gave each other a look as I turned back towards my family. "That was one hell of a date," Beth said with a laugh.

"We had probably too much fun," Troy said and I just laughed as Lucy was standing on the chair, "Gabi! I wanted you to tuck me in last night."

"Sorry, Lucy. Tonight?" she just nodded her head up and down with a big smile on her face as I walked over to the table and I couldn't hold it in. I just couldn't.

"We're engaged!" I said throwing my hand up in the air and the whole table combusted into action with laughing, smiling, high fives, and I think a handful of tears were shed by my parents as there was a ton of hugs going around the group. My dad grabbed me into a tight grasp and he just hugged me. "I'm so, so happy for you, Elle. You deserve him. You deserve to be happy. I love seeing that smile on your face and I know you are going to be such a good mother and a wife. I love you." He whispered into my ear and I couldn't stop the tears that were running down my face. "I love you, too." I whispered to him and he just squeezed me again before my mom had her arms around me.

"I am so happy for you baby!" she planted a kiss to my cheek and I wiped away the tears. "Congrats Aunt Gabi and Troy," Blaine hugged each of us and Lucy was just a giggling and squealing mess underneath of our feet as I hugged her tightly to my chest. "I love him, can I call him Uncle Troy?" I just laughed, "You'd have to ask him that." I said nudging her and she ran over to Troy and she threw her arms up and Troy happily obliged her.

"Can I call you Uncle Troy?" she asked as soon as they were face to face. "Like right now. I don't want to wait until you really marry Aunt Gabi," Troy just chuckled, "Of course, Lucy." She giggled and threw her arms around his neck. "Thanks Uncle Troy, you better take care of my Aunt Gabi." Troy just stifled a laugh and hugged her back. "Of course, I will, Lucy,"

My eyes glanced over to Beth and she had her own tears in her eyes and I gave her a soft smile as she got up and wrapped her arms around my neck. "I am so happy that I am here for this. I am so lucky to have you as my sister." I closed my eyes and I just hugged her. "Thank you for coming back, I want you here for this and he's about to have five groomsmen and I have like two friends." I whispered and that caused a loud laugh and she pulled away before picking up my hand to look at the ring.

"That's one hell of a rock, Bolton." Troy grinned, "Only the best for my girl," He hooked his arm around my neck and buried his face into my hair. I saw the glowing eyes of both of my parents and I knew how much they approved.

"Such a different scene than when Brad proposed," Beth joked and I snapped my neck to look at her. "Beth," I strained and my parents gave off a nervous chuckle. "We never liked him dear, we 100% love Troy here and I probably would have protested if you all ever actually got married." My dad said and I felt my jaw drop but the laugh that came out of my lips. I just couldn't stop it. I laughed. I laughed so hard and Troy chuckled next to me.

"I bet you would have," I mused and my dad just grinned, "He wasn't the one for you."

"And Troy is?" I questioned and my dad grinned like a cat. "Yea, he is."


Thursday, July 25th, 2019

Gabi's POV

11 Weeks pregnant

The sun baked into my skin as Troy, Blaine, and my dad were all golfing leaving it to be a girl's day. I had texted James yesterday of the big news and I never received a response back from him. I knew that it was probably the hardest seeing me fall madly in love right after he lost his greatest love. My mom reassured that she and the kids talked to him yesterday evening and Lucy wouldn't stop talking about my pretty ring.

I sat up as I crossed my legs and I Facetimed Jenna. The phone rang only twice before her face appeared before mine. "Hi beautiful, how is the beach?" she questioned and I smiled. "Really good. It's been…a much-needed vacation." My eyes searched for Beth and Lucy in the waves and my mom was back at the house getting everything ready for dinner. "Troy getting along with the family? How is Beth handling all of it?"

Jenna had been shocked when I told her Beth had shown up at Troy's house that Friday night. "Really well, Troy loves them all and they all love Troy. Beth is doing well too. I think the trip was actually just as beneficial for her as it was me to have her here." I told her and Jenna smiled, "Good. I am so glad that you are all reconnecting and doing well." I gave her a supportive smile, "How are you? How is my princess?" Jenna laughed before showing me her round belly.

"She's good. Doing somersaults inside there but she is doing good. I can't imagine having two in there." I groaned as I let my own hand fall to my already expanding belly. "Don't remind me. I am thankful that I have two beautiful babies growing inside of me but I am not ready for that. I already feel massive." Jenna just grinned, "Oh you are going to have it so bad," I just laughed and I let a slow smile peek over my cheeks.

"What are you hiding you little witch? I see it all over your face." I just giggled before pulling my hand up to the phone and she gasped. "SHUTTHEFUCKUPHEPROPOSED!" she screeched through the line and I couldn't stop the laugh and the wide smile on my lips. "That he did. He caught me completely off guard and he made me feel so…loved with this little speech and fuck he said he had to do it right then and there because he looked at me and knew that if something happened, he would hate himself for never doing it that day." I shook my head with a big grin on my lip and Jenna squealed.

"Jen, you okay?" I heard Ethan's voice and I couldn't stop my smile. "GABI IS ENGAGED!" she screamed and I shook my head as Ethan came into the picture. "Really? Congrats Gabs! I am happy for you. I bet Troy is an excited man." I laughed with a nod. "I think he is. When I said yes – I had never seen a bigger smile on his lips. I think he would elope tomorrow if I would let him." Jenna laughed, "That boy loves you so hard."

"I am going to wait until after we have the babies. Maybe next fall or something," I said and Jenna grinned, "I cannot wait to party plan," she squeaked. Ethan and I shared a smile together. "I love you, Jenna. Thank you for always being in my corner." I told her and she just gave me a wide smile back. "I am always here for you babe, I love you, too. I am so glad we are getting to do this mom thing and this wife thing together." I shook my head with a smile when a pair of big feet came into my view. I tipped my head back to see my handsome man in front of me. He was in a polo t-shirt with a pair of khakis. His sunglasses covering those blue, blue eyes and a big ol smile on his face.

"Jen, I love ya, but I gotta go." She bid me a quick good-bye as I hung up before getting up onto my knees. "How was golf?" I asked as I circled my arms around his neck. Troy smiled, "It was good. I think Blaine had a lot of fun, too." I pressed my lips to his chin and then his cheek, "Yea?" Troy nodded before I planted my lips on his lips. "What if we got married like next August or September?" I whispered into his ear because I did want to get married to him. I just knew I was going to need plenty of time between having twins and getting it ready.

"Baby, I'd marry you tomorrow or in 10 years. As long as we get married," he whispered and the grin couldn't be wiped from my face. I kissed him square on the mouth and I just held onto him because I wasn't sure I was ever going to get this lucky again in my lifetime. Finding him – it was my lucky break. Troy easily picked me up and I circled my legs around his waist. "What are we doing?" I questioned as he kicked off his shoes.

"Nothing," he said casually and I squealed, "Troy, what are we doing?" I tried to wiggle away and he shook his head with a smile on his face as he ran into the ocean with my attached to him. I couldn't even be mad as the waves jumped and splashed on my warm body. Troy laughed as I was laughing while the waves cooled both of our bodies and he pressed his lips to mine when we were both covered from the waist down.

"Uncle Troy! Stop kissing Aunt Gabi!" Lucy yelled and it caused all of us to laugh. Troy tilted his head to my forehead and he just shook his head. "How in the hell did I get this lucky?" he whispered.

I swallowed down on the knot growing in my throat.

"I have no idea but I am so lucky too."


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