Chapter 29 - Basketball Season

Monday, October 7th, 2019

21 Weeks pregnant

Troy's POV

"Boys, we have made it," I announced as I walked into school as I found Cameron and Jax in the hallway. Cameron took a sip of his coffee as he eyed me curiously, "You are very upbeat today," Jax joked and I just grinned. "Basketball season starts today. Yes, I know. It's just the pre-workouts for our tryouts in two weeks but I have basketball on my schedule nearly daily and god bless," Cameron chuckled as I just shot a grin.

"Plus, Gabi has been in a very great mood since Beth left. I was a little scared that was going to be rocky but she is so happy for her. They Facetime nearly daily and the twins are growing and healthy like they are supposed to be." I took in a deep breath as I just smiled, "Life is good fellas," Jax just shook his head as we all started the trek to our classrooms. "Did you get sex this morning?" Jax asked with a raised eyebrow and I just smirked.

"Maybe." Cameron chuckled with a shake of his head as we all stopped outside of Cameron's classroom. "You lucky dick," Jax mumbled and I just smiled as I rocked on my heels. "We went to dinner on the 3rd to celebrate that we would be getting married one year from that date and I am just I can't wait to call her my wife."

Cameron and Jax both rolled their eyes together with a shake of their head. "Who would have thought ten months ago that you would have found your girl," I chuckled with a smirk as I shrugged my shoulders. "We all really did in the last two years besides Jesse," Cameron smirked, "God, I love Len. I cannot wait for her to finally just fully move in with me this December when her lease is up." Jax clapped his back, "And then you'll be showing up to work like Bolton here who is glowing,"

I nudged him with a laugh as kids started to filter into the hallways. "Do you have big plans for tonight's first open gym?" I shook my head as I grabbed my coffee from my backpack as I took a drink. "No. I don't. Mostly just some drills and then maybe a scrimmage." I said with a shrug when a student stopped at Cameron's door asking a question over their American lit paper they had to write. Cameron walked in the door with her as I shook my head, "Could you imagine having to grade all of those papers?" I whispered to Jax.

He laughed as we walked towards my classroom which was on the way to his. "Coach Bolton!" I turned around to see Andy and Elliott approaching, "Can we push back thirty minutes? We want to go grab before open gym," Elliot asked and I shook my head. "No can-do boys, I have somewhere to be around six." Andy frowned, "Wait, you always say yes,"

"That was before he got engaged," Jax tipped as both boys turned around with open mouths. "Coach B! You got ENGAGED?" I cringed as I shot Jax a look before nodding, "Yes, over the summer. We have plans tonight so…open gym starts at 3. Make it work." Andy just grinned, "Oh the whole team is going to love this. Is it the same," I raised my eyebrows towards him, "Careful there Andy," he just grinned from ear to ear. "I'll take that as a yes,"

They both skipped off to their first class as I shot a look towards Jax again as he chuckled. "C'mon man, they are going to find out. Might as well tell them now. Let them spread the gossip. Wait till they figure out she's pregnant." I smiled with a shake of my head as I walked into my classroom to see kids already finding their seats. Jax nodded as he went over towards his classroom down the hall. I walked to my desk to check my phone. Gabi was working with the dance team tonight. She wasn't able to show off much but she was able to help with sequence. The best part? She was here after school in the other gym.

It wouldn't take long for everybody to connect the dots that she was my fiancé and we were having babies. I just wasn't advertising it to anybody. The first bell rang as more kids began to filter into my classroom. I sat my phone on my desk to see a text from Gabi. I just smiled as I opened it up to see a picture of her wearing a black dress and her hands over the bump. My heart warmed at the sight and I was so damn lucky.

"Coach Bolton, can I ask a question about the paper?" I nodded my head as I tucked my phone away and I stood up to talk to my students until the final bell rang. First hour and then I could finally start my official basketball season.


Gabi's POV

I walked in the back door of the school a little late as I already heard the dance music. I text Dana earlier letting her know my last meeting ran long. The girls all loved that I went to Duke University and was a dancer there. I told them next year I would be able to dance a lot better for them. None of them had put the connections together yet that Troy was my fiancé. It was kinda funny. Dana and the other assistant coach, Brea, obviously knew but Troy and I were pretty good about keeping our paws off here.

I watched the girls dance to their pom dance from behind as I counted off the steps and smiled at how much progress they had made in the past month of working with them. Rubbing my lips together I sat my bag down as Dana smiled over at me. The music stopped and the girls stopped dancing as they were catching their breaths. "Drink break," Brea called out and I walked over to join the two of them. "They look good," I encouraged.

"We need to work on our turns but so far so good,"

"Sorry about being late," I told them and they shook their heads, "We're just thankful that we have you on our side." I laughed as I heard a whistle blow and I turned my head towards the other gym. "He peeked in looking for you earlier, go say hi," I just nodded with a smile as I walked towards the other gym to see him crouched down watching the scrimmage unfold. Cameron and Jax were on the line with extra basketballs while Jesse was taking notes. Troy's eyes flickered up and he caught me as a smile crossed his lips in probably the biggest smile ever.

I winked over towards him as I backed out of the gym and back towards the dance team. Troy was excited that basketball season was back in full swing. Next week would start try-outs and they would be finalized the next week before full blown practice start prior to the season starting. I couldn't wait to take these babies to the games. An arm circled around my waist and he pulled me backwards. I just laughed as he kissed my temple. "Where do you think you are going?" I just grinned as I twisted around to face him.

"Back to my other job," I told him and he grinned before pulling me away from both gyms and then dropping a kiss to my lips. "Work run late?" I nodded my head, "Sure did, I heard you were looking for me," he grinned, "I'm always looking for you." I shook my head as I kissed him really quick again. "I love you but go get back to work. Do you want to go grab dinner after this?" Troy nodded his head, "Sounds good, I'll see you after."

We went our separate ways and I made it back to the girls as he went back to the boys in the gym. I helped work the dancers through their turns and better ways to achieve their rotations. "Gabi, do you know what you are having yet?" Ginny asked, one of the dancers, I nodded my head with a smile. "I do. I just found out a few weeks ago. It's a girl and a boy."

"Any names?" I shook my head. "My fiancé and I haven't really talked about it too much yet." A few of the girls looked around and one cleared her throat, "So you said you are having boy and a girl? Well…so is Coach Bolton…is he your fiancé?" I just cracked a smile with a nod of my head, "Yea, he is." The girls all squealed together as I laughed sharing a look with Dana and Brea. "He is literally the cutest teacher in our school," one of the girls gushed causing the coaches to laugh.

"He is a pretty good guy all around," I told them causing them to just giggle amongst themselves. We did one more run through of our dance before we released all of them. I went to grab my bags when I noticed Troy lingering in the hallway talking to Cameron and Jesse. He caught my eye and I winked at him, "Busted," I mouthed towards him and he just laughed as he nodded while he said something to the guys before coming into the gym.

The girls all caught his attention as he walked over to me, "Busted huh?" I nodded my head with a smile, "They figured it out." Troy chuckled as he glanced around the room for a moment, "Annie, how was dance?" he questioned and she smirked, "Great Coach B, think you can handle twins?" Troy chuckled and shook his head, "Probably not."

"Coach Bolton, how did you snag Gabi?" Troy chuckled as he let his arm rest on my shoulders, "Not sure. Thankful I did though."

"When is the wedding?" Mackenzie asked. "Next October, almost to the day. We're counting down the days." Troy answered in response. I shook my head as I leaned into his body. "It was nice seeing all you ladies, I am going to take my girl on a date though." I shook my head with a smile as I linked my fingers with his as we started towards the exit. I bid goodbye to the other coaches and we walked out to the parking lot. I parked right next to Troy and he opened my car door for me. "Here ya go my lady, where would you like to go?"

"I think I just want a salad. I'm not that hungry." Troy tipped my chin backwards and surveyed my eyes for a second. "Okay, how about I go pick up some salads from our local deli and meet you at home? Luna would probably appreciate it." I nodded and agreed, "That sounds actually amazing." He dropped a quick kiss before opening my car door. I got inside and he smiled, "I'll see you at home, okay?" I nodded as I started my car and Troy shut the door.

I drove home while Troy went the other direction to get the both of us food. It was a short drive from the high school and when I got inside, I called Jenna to check on her and my little girl. "Hi," she answered in a sleepy voice. I smiled, "Willa kicking ass?" I questioned as I opened Luna's cage and I took her outside. "Yes, the girl has forgotten how to sleep. I swear she is awake 24/7." I chuckled, "Oh just you wait until you have two of these evil spawns,"

"Jenna!" I laughed and she laughed, "I love her but she is sucking the life out of me…literally. She is literally at my boob. That is where she is right now and it's the only reason, she is being remotely quiet." I shook my head with a laugh, "I love you and miss you. Maybe we can do dinner tomorrow? Troy has open gym every night this week."

"Do you have dance practice?"

"Not on Tuesday and Thursday. They have them during the day at school. I am there Monday, Wednesday, and Friday." Jenna sighed, "I am so glad you are doing more things you love." I kicked the grass underneath of my feet as I looked forward. "I've been thinking more and more about opening that dance studio," Jenna was really quiet for a minute, "You haven't mentioned that since prior to you and Brad dating."

"He always told me the idea was terrible."

"Fucking idiot," Jenna muttered. "Have you talked to Troy about it?" I shook my head, "No. It's just been a recent thought. Mostly since I have been thrown back into the dancing world. I loved competition dance and just opening my studio…it would be so much fun. I just…we're about to have twins and a wedding and…I can't afford to do that and quit my job."

"Whoa, babe, slow down. You know you can do whatever you want in this world. Who cares about your job? If you want to do it, then talk to Troy and go from there." I nibbled on my lip, "Save your money, open your business. You would be such an amazing dance instructor. You used to do it all the time a guest instructor. You deserve to do what you love. I know you love marketing but do you know what your business degree in your own dance studio would do? You would rule the town, Gabs."

I didn't say anything for a minute as I watched Luna run around the backyard. "Do you think Troy would think I am crazy?" Jenna just laughed, "No. He would run with the idea and make it the best for you. He loves you." I smiled as I rubbed my belly, "Do you think it would be successful?"

"If you put your heart in soul into it? Yea, it would."

Jenna and I wrapped up our conversation as I went back inside to see Troy walking in the other door. He gave me a smile, "Hey beautiful," I walked over and I went onto my tiptoes to kiss his lips. "Hi," I whispered back to him. He smiled as he dropped another kiss before squeezing my side. "I have two salads, a big soup, and a sandwich. Wasn't sure what you would want with it so I just guessed and got one of each."

"Thank you," I rubbed my lips together as I sat on one of the stools. "I have a question," I said and Troy's eyes lifted to mine as he hands me the salad, "Would you think I am absolutely crazy for wanting to open up my own dance studio?" Troy blinked once and then twice before he shook his head no. "No, I would not think you are crazy. I think it's smart actually – have you always wanted to do this?" he asked me.

I nodded my head and then hesitated, "Kinda, as a young girl and a Duke dancer in my early years that was always my goal. Hence, management and business classes but then in my junior year when I met Brad, he told me the idea was stupid and would never work. Especially for the housewife that he was working for. I was young and impressionable and…I changed my courses to be more marketing."

Troy's nostrils flared and his jaw locked as he shook his head, "Have I ever told you I hate that guy?" I gave a little laugh with a nod, "Yea, a few different times." Troy sat down next to me, "Okay, tell me, what do you want to do? What are your thoughts?" he asked sitting next to me and I couldn't stop my smile. "I just want to run a dance studio for girls and boys to come to that love to dance. They don't have to be good, they just have to love it, and I want it to be affordable but at the same time competitive. I want a place for kids to make friendships and for little girls to find their passion. I want our daughter to grow up in a community who loves dance or even our son. I want either of them have that opportunity that I had growing up."

"Okay, first things first, how do you get this off the ground?" I rubbed my lips together and I shrugged. "I don't know. I know we aren't rich by any means and I know this would be investing everything together and this could burn badly. This could cause us to lose everything if we invest everything," I started to ramble and Troy pressed his finger against my lips. "Hey, slow down. If this is a dream – we will figure it out together. The first year or two might be really rocky but I know you. I know you will make it successful. The fact that anybody put into your head that you wouldn't be is a loser."

"It could mean really long hours. I'll probably have to still work the first year and then go to the studio. It could be not enough time together during basketball season." Troy gripped my hands and caused my thoughts to stop spilling out. "Gabi, baby, we will make it work. I'll come to the studio to see you. You'll come to games. We will have our Saturday nights. If this is what you want in life…then we are going to do it."

I looked at him as tears welled in my eyes, "Really?" I questioned and he nodded his head. "Yes, really. It might take a while to get it up and going but if we save our money that is extra after the wedding and the kids…then I don't know why we can't do it. We can find investors."

"Do you think people would believe in me?" Troy just chuckled and nodded his head, "Yea, really. I think they would get rewarded in the long run. We are going to figure this out if this is something you want to do." I nodded my head, "It really is. I like my job and I think it's amazing but…I don't love it like I love dancing. Getting to work with those dance girls and coming up with routines and cutting music again. It makes me so happy. I look forward to every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday."

"Then we're going to do it,"


Saturday, October 12th, 2019

22 weeks pregnant

Troy's POV

My fingers hooked with Gabi's as we walked along the beach together. We made a day of our date and we have spent all day at the beach laughing and just talking about life together. We vision of her dance studio was thriving inside of her. She talked about it almost nightly to the point that I was growing excited with her. The other night we looked over our budgets. What we had allocated towards the wedding, what we were saving for the babies just to make sure we could provide for them, and then finally our monthly stuff that we had to pay for. If we dropped a few dinners out, used all of our food, and just made practical decisions – we would be able to save little by little each month to get it going by next summer.

I told the guys I was only going to be able to golf once a week. We were finding cheap dates to do. Gabi told her family her big plans and they were all supportive of her idea. Her parents pledged to help her. They were also already helping pay for half of our wedding while my parents were also helping. We knew we could have everything – it was just going to have to be budget friendly with it. Gabi was resourcing all things breastfeeding so that we didn't have to pay for formula but had already stated if we had to – we had too.

"So…have you thought of any baby names?" I asked her and she gave a smile with a nod, "Yea, I have a running list. Of boys and girls."

"Do you want to use Zoey's name for a girl?" I asked her and she paused on our walk along the beach. It was an unseasonably warm day for October and the beach was packed in response to that. The ocean was mostly empty but the sand was packed. She turned to face me with a curious expression on her face but she shook her head. "No. I don't." I rose my eyebrow in response to that answer. "Really?" I questioned and she nodded her head. "Yea, I don't want too. Zoey was just that. Zoey. She was one of a kind and I don't want to constantly be calling out to Zoey and wanting to see my sister."

I nodded in her understanding, "I do think I could use her middle name for our daughters middle name though." She countered, "What is her middle name?" I questioned while we resumed our walk. "Claire."

A smile lifted on my lips, "I think I do like that for our daughters middle name."

"Even though we have no idea what her first name is going to be?" she asked and I nodded my head, "Yea, because we can just match with her middle name. We know that already then we can go from there."

"This feels backwards choosing their middle names and then their first name." Gabi just shrugged with a smile. "Do you have a family member that you want to use our sons middle name for?" I grinned, "We can either use Brady's middle name or my mom's maiden name." Gabi laughed, "What's wrong with your dad's middle name?" I chuckled. "He doesn't have one. His parents opted for no middle name." her face scrunched up in confusion, "Really?" I just nodded my head. "Wow, what a fun fact." She laughed a little and then gave me a smile.

"Okay what is Brady's middle name?"

"Owen," I told her and she smiled, "That's cute, what about your mom's maiden name?"

"Tate," I responded and she stopped in her tracks and looked at me, "That's really fucking cute, that might have to be his first name." I laughed with a shake of my head. "No, no, family names remain middle names. I want unique first names for them with no ties to our families." Gabi sighed dramatically as she turned and we started to walk back towards our stuff. "Okay, well, what a productive walk. We have decided our kids' middle names,"

"Now the hard part," I told her with a smile.

"How about we both make a list of our top five favorite names of each gender and then we can talk about each of them." Gabi suggested and I nodded, "I like that. When do we want them by?"

"November 2nd, it's the first Saturday in November. We can talk about it and maybe decide what we want these two to be named. I am also not opposed to waiting and seeing them to decide." I gave her a smile and I nodded. "You know I can't wait to meet them, right?" Gabi smiled, "Yea, I really can't wait either. We need to discuss the nursery, too." I stopped her as I pulled her into my body as I dropped my lips to hers.

"I trust you with that. You just tell me what I need to do." She smiled and then reached for my hand to place over her belly. I raised my eyebrow as one of the babies was repeatedly kicking her. "God, that's amazing. Does that get old?" I asked her and she shook her head, "Not yet. I think it will but not yet."

"Do you want to go get some burgers?" I asked her and she nodded her head, "That sounds good. Mostly your fries." I rolled my eyes but felt my lips upturn. "Speaking of names…any ideas for the dance studio?" she pressed her lips together in thought for a few moments. "I haven't thought about it too much but I do have one thought. I think I have to get a few peoples permission though and for this ball to be really rolling before I ask them."

"Yea, what are you thinking?"

She paused and her attention held mine as she exhaled, "Zoey's Dance Studio," I paused at the name and I just smiled, "I think everybody will love it." Gabi smiled as she stared out at the ocean for a moment, "I think she embodies a lot of what I want inside of the dance studio. Laughter, smiles, and pure happiness. She was that person for everybody and she was my biggest role model. She's the person I want this place to guide and to use her photo to show…" she exhaled with a watery smile, "I would just love for everybody to have Zoey's attitude about life. I want to instill that into people and I think it's appropriate. She would be my biggest cheerleader in this next part of my life. She would help in whatever capacity. I just think that's where I want her namesake. I can tell her story."

I reached up to cup her face and I tilted my forehead to hers, "I think that's beautiful and I have zero doubt that everybody will love it just as much as I do." Her arms wrapped around my body and she buried her face into my chest. "Thank you for always believing in me." I closed my eyes while I pressed my lips into her hair. "I will always believe in you. I love you. Those two go together. I know you are going to do big things and I see how happy you are around those girls. You will do amazing things,"

She breathed out and just held on for a while longer and I just held her back.


Gabi POV

Sunday, October 13th, 2019

Troy's hand was firmly around my belly as we laid next to each other in bed. It's taken him quite some time to get used to the whole belly thing. Last night, after we got home last night Troy undressed me and thoroughly took care of everything I needed and some more. We were lazily lying-in bed together. I was pretty sure he was still asleep but I had to get up and pee before too long.

We had football Sunday today and we were hosting which I typically preferred because we were here and we didn't have to leave. Troy planned on grilling today and we were going to move the TV outside because it was really nice outside. Troy moved his hand over my belly again and I felt the butterflies inside of me knowing that he was my person forever. I had these little moments every now and then and it just made me…so happy.

He made me so happy.

The fact that he was so excited for me to find a new path for myself…it was more than I could ask for. I kept realizing the older I got and the more of our relationship continued to grow it put into respective about how awful my relationship was with Brad. Troy wanted me to grow and thrive in every single aspect in my life while Brad tried to tear me down in every single corner.

I wiggled against his body and I rolled onto my other side to face him. His blue eyes lazily opened and he gave a tiny smile, "Did you sleep well?" he whispered and I nodded my head. "I did. I have to get up to pee though so don't you think I am abandoning you." Troy chuckled and nodded as I slowly got up out of bed. My belly was quickly expanding and I felt like I was greatly large for my first pregnancy.

I stared in the mirror at my big belly as I let my fingers run over it in amazement. I just smiled as I couldn't believe I was growing two babies that were going to be my children. I shook my head while I went to the bathroom and made it back to bed as Troy just pulled me back against him. "Are you going to be able to make it to my appointment tomorrow?" I asked him and he cursed under his breath.

"I should be able too but I have to double check with the guys that they don't care that I skip out on the last hour of practice." My fingers reached up to brush his hair away from his eyes. "You do not have to come with me. It's just a quick check-up." Troy let his eyes linger on me for a quick second, "No sonogram?" I shook my head. "Nope. Just a quick check-up to check on them."

Troy didn't respond for a minute, "How mad will you be if I do not show up?" he questioned and I just laughed, "I just told you that I don't care if you can make this one. There is no sonogram and there is nothing that is going to happen. I know this is a big week for basketball. I took your schedule for games and made my appointments around that from here on out." Troy chuckled and he smirked, "You are a saint. You know that right?" I nodded my head and he dropped a kiss to my lips. "I know Saturday is our date but how about a brunch date? My family wants to get together."

"Perfect, I love a brunch date. How about we cook brunch together and eat outside?" Troy questioned and I loved that he was finding fun ways to still date but also save our money. I kissed his chest while he sighed, "I do not want to get out of bed but I know my friends will be barging in before too long." I just laughed, "It will be fun though. I love hanging out with your friends." Troy glanced down at me with a look before relaxing backwards. "Do you know that was one of my biggest fears while I was looking for a relationship? That my girlfriend wouldn't understand my friendship with my best friends. Or she wouldn't like them. Or she would try to say I couldn't hang out with them. It was literally my biggest fear because they are more like my brothers than my best friends."

I sat up and I crossed my legs, "Did some girl ever do that?" Troy shook his head, "But I was never that serious with anybody to give a shit but trying to find you that was who I was worried about and then I did find you and…you have blown everything out of the water. You have just been everything I wanted and the fact that you love my friends and understand my relationship with them…it makes me happy." I smiled while playing with the sheet. "Honestly, in the beginning I was really jealous. I was jealous that I didn't have friends like that. I wanted somebody to do weekly activities with. I was really jealous but then I embraced them as my own too and their girlfriends are amazing. I made a lot of friends with your friends and…I'm thankful now."

Troy sat up and pulled me into his lap and our lips met in the middle. "I love you," I smiled, "I love you, too."

We both rolled out of bed as we changed into our clothes as I pulled on a pair of maternity leggings with a t-shirt that barely covered my bump. Troy and I went downstairs as we began to prepare for today's festivities. Brady and Ada were also coming over today and Jenna might make a short appearance so I can see Willa again. I made two dips for the group and then made tea and lemonade as Troy gathered all of the stuff for the grill and cut all of the vegetables and fruit up.

The front door popped open causing Luna to bark and run to greet whoever it was. "Luna," Jesse yelled and I just laughed as Troy chuckled under his breath, "Luna, c'mon girl," Troy called her name and she came running into the kitchen panting as Troy gave her a treat. Sage and Jesse entered the kitchen with their alcohol and dessert. "Hi guys," Sage said as you couldn't even tell that she was pregnant. I was mostly jealous as she was only four weeks behind me but she was just carrying the one. Jesse slapped Troy on the back as Sage gave me a side hug. "How are these two babies?" she asked while laying her hand on my stomach.

"Fantastic. Just chilling in there right now. They were bouncing around last night." Sage grinned, "I just started to feel this little one move," she rubbed her own belly and I shook my head, "Are you sure you're pregnant? You don't compare," I teased. Sage laughed, "The benefit of carrying one babe," I grinned, "When are you two finding out the gender?" I asked her and she smirked, "Next week and we are planning a little basketball to find out,"

"Oh, that will be so fun! Any inklings?" I asked her and she shook her head. "Not really. At first, I thought girl and then I thought boy and now I just don't know. I had two different dreams last night and it was one of each." I smiled, "I had no inkling but apparently for good reason. I am having both." Sage laughed, "I loved your guy's pictures. They were amazing. He just loves you so much," I looked over at Troy who was grinning at Jesse about something.

"He's an amazing man," Sage squeezed my hand, "He's going to be a great father." I squeezed her hand back and smiled when the door opened for Cameron, Lennon, Josie, and Dylan all walk through the door. "Hey everybody!" I smiled as I went over to greet everybody and hug each of them. The boys started to grab their beers and head to the living room while the woman continued to hang in the kitchen. Jax and Sara were the last to arrive but Jax flopped on the couch next to Troy.

"Gabi, any thoughts on the nursery for a boy and a girl?" Sara asked while crossing her legs at the bar stool. I popped a grape in my mouth and I shrugged. "I've looked at some things. It's mostly been a lot of neutral colors. I like the green plants, light wood, white cribs, maybe a wall paper wall?" I said with a shrug. "I don't want pink or blue in the nursery. I want it to be a calm peaceful place for all of us. Minimal things. I don't want to over-do anything. I was thinking their wall paper on the wall their cribs sit on and then fun signs of their dresser."

Sage grinned, "That sounds absolutely stunning. Does Troy actually have any care?" I shook my head. "No. He really doesn't. He just said that he will go along with whatever I want. I also want to do name signs but I don't know. I don't want to overdo it so I might need help."

"Hmm…maybe do classy signs over the cribs on a not too busy wallpaper? Then on the other wall you can have something above the dresser?" I smiled, "That sounds amazing, we already have the middle names picked out." I wiggled my eyebrows and the girls gasped. "Stop it! What about the first names?" I shook my head. "We have until November 1st to come up with our top five for each gender. Their middle names are Claire and Tate though,"

Each of them gushed, "Those are so cute. How did you come up with them?" Lennon asked. "Claire is Zoey's middle name. I didn't want to use Zoey because Zoey was uniquely herself and I never want my child to live up to that. Tate is Troy's mom's maiden name. I nearly begged him to use it for his first name but he shot me down that we weren't going to use family names for first names." Sara pressed her heart. "Those are so precious. Are you going to announce their names before they are born?" she asked.

"I don't know. I think it will mostly depend on if Troy either quickly agree or hem-haw about what names we really like. We said that if we weren't sure, we could wait until they were here to see their faces. I'm not opposed to announcing them early. I don't really care what other people think."

"I got your invitation for the baby shower! Are you excited?" I nodded my head, "I can't believe it'll be in just five weeks. I feel like my pregnancy is flying by." I smiled as one of the babies rolled in my belly. The boys all cheered in the living room as we peeked in to see them clapping together as the Panthers were the first game today. We all made a plate of food together while we walked into the living room. I went to sit on the floor when all of the boys yelled together. "What?" I asked and Troy threw me a murderous look. "Are you joking, Gabs? Get your ass over here." Troy stood up, "I am perfectly capable of sitting on the floor."

"No," Troy said without much else. I rolled my eyes as he gave me his spot on the couch and they gave Sara another spot. Troy sat on the corner next to me, "I really could have sat on the floor." I mumbled to him and he shot me a look up. "Gabi, you are 22 weeks pregnant with twins. No." I ate my food quietly as he reached up to rub my knee. "I am more the capable of sitting on the floor." He whispered up to me. "All of these guys would give me shit if I let you sit down here."

"I know, I just don't want to be a burden." Troy frowned at that statement and when Jax got up to go get a beer he took advantage and stole his spot. "You are not a burden. You are carrying two babies. You deserve a comfy spot. Okay?" I just nodded my head. Troy scooted closer to me and stole a piece of my fruit before wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I leaned into him as he kissed my head. I put my half-eaten food to the side as Troy just pulled me into his lap and he rubbed his hand over my belly.

We continued to watch the game but I felt my eyes growing heavy, "Brie," I opened my eyes up and blinked, "I have to go grill. Do you want to go lay down for a little bit?" I shook my head as I rubbed my eyes. "I'll just go work in the kitchen." I told him. His fingers locked with mine, "Gabi, if you need to rest, rest, Sage is passed out as well." I blinked over to Sage curled up in the oversized loveseat with Jesse.

"Okay," I yawned and he kissed my temple, "I'll come get you when the food is ready," I nodded my head as I ventured up the stairs for a little snooze.


Monday, October 14th, 2019

Gabi's POV

I waited patiently in the exam room as we were only going to hear the heartbeats and then just an overall check-up. The nurse came back into the room and she smiled, "Everything looks good with your urine sample," she gave an encouraging smile as she grabbed the doppler and pressed it to my belly. "Have you been feeling them move regularly?" she asked and I nodded. "Pretty much every hour I feel at least one of them move. If not both of them. I think they like to fight in there."

The nurse laughed, "Sounds about right. They like to start early," I just smiled as one of the heartbeats filled the room. "I love that sound," I whispered as it whooshed throughout the room. "It is a beautiful sound, that's baby A."

"Our little boy," I whispered and she smiled. She moved the wand around and I watched the nurses face as she squinted a little, "Is everything okay?" I asked her and she continued to move it around. "I'm not finding baby B heart rate. Let me grab the ultrasound machine to get some eyes on them." Tears filled my eyes, "What do you mean you can't find it?" I whispered to her and she got wide eyed, "Nothing. She might have flipped or changed positions. I would rather the both of us see baby B, okay?"

"That's my little girl, she's okay, she has to be," the nurse squeezed my hand, "We're going to see her, okay?" I just nodded and she walked away as I couldn't control my sobs. I picked up my cell phone to call Troy but she was back in before that. "Okay, let's find her." She squirted the gel on my belly and was quickly waving the wand around. "There is baby A," I looked at our little man before she was on to our little girl.

She grinned, "There she is, somebody turned upside down," I looked at the screen and I could see her heart thumping in her chest. I completely lost it as the nurse squeezed my shoulder. "She's okay, she is annoying her brother, or trying too through her sac." I couldn't stop my laugh as she was kicking her legs and I felt her move inside of me. "Baby A is also breech," the nurse noted and I frowned, "What does all of that mean?" I questioned.

She smiled softly, "The doctor will explain everything, okay?" I nodded my head in understanding as I went to wipe away my tears. It didn't take too long for Dr. Willis to come into the room. "Hi Gabi, I see those babies are already being ornery." I gave a brief smile, "Apparently so. I am going to blame their dad." Dr. Willis laughed as she patted my knee gently. "They both look really well in there from the quick sonogram. They are both breech though. I know you are only 22 weeks but we are going to need to start thinking of your birth."

I rolled my lips together, "As in?" I questioned. "Vaginal or a c-section. If both babies are breech, we will need to do a c-section. If A isn't breech, then we can attempt a vaginal delivery. Do you have any strong opinions?" I bit on my lip and I sighed, "I would like to avoid a c-section but I don't want either of them to get hurt in the process. If a c-section is going to be safer for both of them then I will be okay with that. Do I have to make a decision today?"

"Oh no, I just want you to think about it. If they don't move from their current position, we will need to do a c-section. If A flips then we can talk about vaginal, okay?" I nodded my head in understanding as I rubbed my belly. "We're going to take good care of them and I know you just want them both." I gave a brief nod and smile as she squeezed my hand before finishing up my appointment. They confirmed my next appointment for two weeks from Tuesday.

I got into my car as I drove to the high school because I just needed to see Troy. I am thankful that both of them are okay but I never wanted Troy to miss an appointment again. I parked my car as I walked up to the building and I caught the door as somebody was going out. I thanked them while I ventured into the high school and down the hall until I came to the first gym. Troy was talking to a group of boys when his head lifted and he caught me.

He scrunched his eyebrows and he excused himself from the group before jogging over towards me. "Are you okay? Are they okay?" his voice was rushed as I just nodded my head but I buried myself into his shirt. His arms wrapped around me and I just inhaled his scent to calm everything in my body. "They couldn't find her heartbeat at first and I was just scared from there." I finally said and Troy didn't say anything, he just pressed his lips into my hair. "She's okay though?" I nodded my head. "She was trying to kick her brother when they got the sonogram machine out," Troy chuckled as he pulled back to look at my face.

"I really just needed to see you and hug you." Troy smiled, "Good, I'm sorry that you were alone. I'll make it to all the rest of them." I just nodded, "Apparently they are both facing the wrong direction which explains why I feel their kicks down here," I told him and Troy kissed my cheek. "I love you; do you need some more me time?" I shook my head. "No. I am okay; I am going to head home and cook dinner." Troy tapped my nose and he kissed me quickly. "I love you, too."

He winked before he walked back into the gym. He was quickly back in coach mode and I just smiled as I leaned against the door to watch him for a few moments. He joked with his players and laughed and I just couldn't wait for two little kids to be chasing him around as well.


Troy's POV

I toed off my shoes as I pushed into the back door as I heard Gabi singing and Luna panting. I couldn't stop my smile as I sat my backpack on the floor and my eyes soaked in Gabi in the kitchen at the stove with her belly showing as she was only wearing a sports bra with a pair of shorts. Luna was underneath of her feet but they must have just come inside because she was panting pretty heavily. I walked over and I slid my hands around her belly as she startled but quickly relaxed back into me.

"Mmm…this is what I love to see when I come home. You smiling." I pressed my lips into her neck and she smiled, "I thought you were going to say barefoot and pregnant," she eased while nudging her elbow into my stomach. I laughed, "I like that too but you are more than though. I love you smiling the most." Those brown eyes had a twinkle in them as I kissed her again when I felt that tiny baby foot against my palm.

I smiled as did she, "They told me that she is on the left and he is on the right."

"So that's her?" she nodded her head. I dropped down and pressed my lips to her belly. I felt honored that I was going to get a daughter and a son. A little girl and my little boy. "I was looking at some rental property," Gabi broached and I just smiled as I pulled away. I loved her idea of wanting to branch out into her own studio. My girl was a marketing wizard and was teaching me things for my class but her true passion – the one that made her eyes light up was dancing. I think it unlocked itself when she started coaching the high school team.

"Where?" I asked her and she smiled, "Close to James Island. It's a little stand-alone building near downtown James Island. Not too far from the high school but on the other side so it isn't too far for West Ashley people. It's cute. Would need a lot of work but it would be a greater starter building. I am going to keep looking though." She dried her hands off on a dish towel as she turned around to face me. I cupped her face and I kissed her softly, "I just don't know how we're going to make all of it work," she stressed towards me.

"We're going to figure it out," I soothed.

Her brown eyes were worried, "We got it. Okay?

She rested her head on my chest and I let my fingers wade through her hair. "What if try to just start living off of my salary?" I questioned. "Let's save all of yours in a savings account and only use it for wedding things if we need, too." She pulled back with worry in her eyes. "I was already self-sustained here. Yea, we are about to have two babies but if that's all my salary and we are saving yours – we will have money if we need it for something but let's save it. At least 80% of it. Then we can make a down payment on a building and start paying rent and go from there."

She nibbled on her bottom lip and I smiled, "How about this, I'll make my students do a budget with my salary. They have to use my figures – our mortgage, utilities, our average grocery shopping bill, etc. and I'll make them see if it would work." Gabi shook her head with a smile on her face, "I want you to have your dream and saving your salary will get us there a lot closer." She just nodded her and I took her bottom lip with my teeth and she laughed as I turned it into a deep kiss.

"The smile I see on your face during dance practice is the one I want all the time. Okay?" I whispered into her ear and she nodded again and I just pulled her into my body as I held her close to me. I lifted her onto the counter and I wedged my body between her legs. "Troy, I am getting too big for this," she said with a laugh and I frowned with a shake of my head. "No, you aren't. I have big muscles," I told her and she just laughed before pulling me in towards her. Her arms wrapped around neck and I kissed her again.

"I'll be doing this until your due date." I whispered against her lips and she shook her head, "No." I just laughed as I advanced the kiss further. I tugged her body closer to mine when my garage door opened. I groaned, "Macken, I can almost guarantee it," I mumbled which made Gabi smile. "She must need something from her big brother." She reminded me and I smiled as she pulled away and Macken came walking through the door. "Oh shit, sorry, I tried calling you Troy."

I laughed as Gabi slid off the counter and past me, "What can I help you with?" I asked and she sighed leaning up against the counter. "Schools been hard recently and I'm just really burnt out. I'm mostly just wanting to lay in bed all day and I'm over it. I don't know how to fix it." I frowned as I walked around and leaned on the counter next to her. "What's hard about school? Or is it just really overwhelming right now?"

Macken thought about it for a minute and she nodded, "I think that's a better word for it. I think I'm just really overwhelmed with all of my pre-PA classes and starting to apply for PA school and finding what school I want to go too and then just about making sure I am not too far from here because I'm about to have a niece and a nephew. I don't want to be that far away but there aren't that many places close to here though." The panic rose in her voice and I just pulled her into my body as I hugged her tightly.

"Mac, it will all come together like it is supposed to." She didn't say anything but just squeezed me tighter. "I know it all seems overwhelming and too much right now but just breaks it down day by day. Make a list of things that have to be done that day for the week and just do it as you go. It makes it seem less daunting and then once you cross it off you feel better that you are accomplishing something. You are going to do big things, Mac n cheese,"

She laughed at her nickname and I smiled at her reaction, "Do you want to eat dinner with Gabi and I?" I asked and she just nodded her head in my shirt. "You know you are able to come over any time, maybe with a little bit more warning, and just hang out. Especially after the babies are born. You are more than welcome to come at any time to hold them and let Gabi sleep." Macken laughed as I kissed her head and pulled back to look at her.

"Better?"

"For now," she whispered.

"Good," she wiped her face and looked around for a beat, "I'm going to go to the bathroom. Finish whatever you were doing with Gabi." She said with a wink and I chuckled. "I don't have enough time for that." She scrunched her nose and shook her head, "Never mind. I didn't say anything." I just laughed as she walked off to the bathroom and I felt a pair of arms slip around my waist two seconds after the door shut.

"You are going to be such a great dad," she whispered into my back. I let my hands fold on top of her as I looked at the bathroom door and I sighed, "I had a lot of good training."


Happy Saturday! I am updated early mostly because I work the next three nights in a row which means I sleep during the day I hope you enjoyed!

What are your thoughts about the middle name?! You also solidified their first names for me so thank you!

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Let me know what you are thinking? Any guesses at their names?

Next Update: July 4th (Ohhh my favorite holiday!)