Chapter 32 – One Year

Saturday, November 30th, 2019

Gabi's POV

I rubbed my belly as all of my friends had gathered at the placed Beth had rented and Troy was driving me. "I can stay if you want me to stay," he told me with a sideways look and I shook my head. "No. It's okay. The boys have something for you planned I believe." Troy smiled with a nod, "Only if you are sure," I just laughed. "Troy. All of my people will be here and nobody is going to let anything happen to me." Troy just let out a tiny grunt with his over papa bear mode.

Troy pulled into a cute little cottage on the beach and the outside had a balloon arch with ivory and sage green balloons. The theme was clementine for our two 'cuties' and I thought it was adorable. There were watercolor leaves hanging at the door with a sign in beautiful calligraphy welcoming everybody to the baby shower with little clementine underneath it with watercolor leaves. "Wow," I whispered and Troy parked the Jeep with a smile on his face.

"Macken couldn't shut up about it, I hope you have an amazing time. Okay? Do not hesitate to call." I just nodded as I turned to face him. He cupped my face and dropped in for a kiss. "You look stunning," I kissed him again as I popped open the door to the car. I stepped out in my brown sandal wedges that paired with my white high low dress that dipped to show my pregnancy boobs but also framed my stomach.

"Yea, I got gotta or you aren't making it inside," Troy said with a grin and I shook my head. "I love you, be good," Troy nodded his head, "I love you, too. I'll see you at five." I shut the door before putting my purse on my shoulder and walking in when the door swung open to reveal Beth and Macken. They both squealed, "You are stunning!" each of them gripped me into a tight hug. "You guys, this is beautiful," I whispered and they laughed, "You haven't seen the rest. C'mon,"

I walked inside and it was so beautiful with sage green and pops of little orange all around. Balloons and a beautiful sign that read two little cuties. Tears were overwhelming as my mom came around the corner, "Oh sweetie, you look beautiful," I smiled while I dabbed them away. "Thank you, but you guys, this is stunning." Beth grinned along with Macken. "It wasn't easy when Beth moved so far away but we made it work. We thought the cottage was just so cute and cozy." I nodded as I hugged each of them and I found Laura who I also gave a big hug, too.

"We are just so excited for you and Troy," I laughed as I wiped a few tears away. I took a few pictures with the four of them that were already there as they finished setting up the little snacks and drinks. People slowly started to filter into the little cottage. Lennon, Josie, and Sara all arrived within a few minutes of each other. Sage wasn't that fair behind either. Annie and a few other co-workers from work who I had grown closer to in the past few weeks.

Ada, Lucy, Brea, and Dana all walked through the door together all laughing and smiling. Troy's grandmother and two of his aunts along with a few of my aunts from my mom's side all showed up. The overwhelming lover and support I felt was almost too much. Jenna barreled through the door with Willa on her arm, "Sorry, sorry, you are 100% never going to be on time again and you are having two of them. Ha!" I couldn't stop my laugh as she was and always will be a hot mess. I went over and she hugged me tightly, "I was here this morning helping, do you like it?" I nodded my head, "I love it. Thank you,"

I stole Willa from her and I cooed at her as everybody got comfortable and started to chat. "Okay, okay, welcome everybody!" Beth stood in the front with a champagne flute in her hands. "Thank you all for joining us today to celebrate, Gabi, and the soon to be little cuties that will be arriving in February." Her eyes flickered over to me and I could already see the tears in her eyes which caused tears to fill my eyes just watching her. "Gabi, I am so excited to watch you and the absolute love of your life embark on this journey together. You two are going to be amazing parents and I know, I know, how much of an amazing mom you will be to those two sweet little babes. You deserve so much happiness,"

I walked over and I hugged Beth as we both were trying to stop the tears together but it was near impossible. "I love you," I just gave her a tight squeeze bidding my love back before she kicked off the show. People started to grab food and drinks as I mingled around with everybody. All the basketball coaches' girlfriends and wife took a picture together and I smiled staring at it on Lennon's phone. "I think this is the group of women to match those men," I joked with her and she laughed with a smile on her face.

"It's fun. I didn't realize how much I would love it." I laughed, "Right? I also typically get so turned on watching them." Lennon just laughed with her head tilted back, "Uhm yea, have you seen those men?" I just smiled with a shake of my head. I talked to just about everybody before Beth and Macken forced me to sit down and eat a few bites. Jenna sat with me with Willa on her lap. Annie was laughing and joking around. "Annie, how was your Thanksgiving?" I asked and she grinned, "Amazing, thanks for the day off Friday," she shot me a wink and I laughed.

"I didn't want to work." I threw back and she smiled as Beth took the front of the room again. "We're going to first do the diaper raffle. Since you all showed up, which thank you all, I know Gabi and Troy are going to enjoy double the diapers for double the trouble. If you brought two boxes, you got two tickets. If you brought four you got six tickets and it appears many of you brought four." The gratitude that I felt so deep in my bones caused tears to well in my eyes. I could see just piles and piles of boxes of diapers. Wipes, too.

"The winner of the raffle is…" Macken withdrew a name on the card and grinned, "Sage!"

Sage grinned as they handed her a little gift bag, she pulled it open to see a gift card to Target. "We figured we would repay you," Macken said with a wink causing all of us to laugh. "Thank you," I said to everybody. "I know Troy and I are going to be very thankful for all of those diapers."

"Okay, now we are going the non-game route but we do have a few little activities. The first, if you all please would, we are going to make a little time capsule for these two littles one. We already did a little head start and got a letter from Troy, each grandfather, and the uncles." My snapped to Beth as she smiled softly, "They each wrote a letter to each of the babies and over the years Troy and Gabi are going to add birthday cards, any letters you want to share with them, etc. and then when they turn 18, they can go back through the boxes and read any unopened letters."

"Troy wrote one already?" I asked letting the words get choked up in my throat and she nodded, "Troy told us to leave it open so you can read it. He wants you to read it." I nodded, "Let me write mine first," she smiled and nodded as everybody got to work. I worked about ten minutes on each letter as there were a few tears drops on each paper.

Laura rubbed my back and I quickly read through each one.

S,

I didn't write your name because only your daddy and I know it. Sweet girl, I am so excited to meet you. I can feel you move and roll around inside of me and it just makes me so excited to finally see your little face and your sweet little tiny hands. Today is your baby shower and all of the people here today, I really hope you get to know all of them. I truly want them all in your life because they will each shape your differently. I don't know how the next 18 years will go but I do know that I will love you every single minute of them. I love you, S. Dream big, sweet girl. We are going to achieve all of your dreams together.

Mom

Little man,

Sweet boy. You don't quite have a name but I am leaning more and more towards one. Your dad and I really need to hash it out. Today is the day of the baby shower for you and your sister. To say I was surprised when they told me it was twins was an understatement but I am so excited for the two of you now. I can't wait to see your face, to learn your personality, and do all of the things with you. Each of your little kicks and each of your little punches has me growing anxious with need to see you. You are going to be so handsome little man and I just need you to know that I love you so much already. I really hope you meet all the people in this room with me today and they play a key part in your life. All of these women will make you a successful man one day. I love you baby boy. Shoot for the stars, sweet boy. I love you.

Mom

I wiped my tears away from my face as I sealed them up and I handed them to Beth. "This was actually Troy's idea. He mentioned that this was something you kind of wanted to do anyways and wondered if we get could a lot of letters from a lot of people." I closed my eyes tightly as I covered my face. "Oh Gabi," I shook my head as I couldn't stop the tears and Beth just hugged me tightly. "I love him so much,"

Beth wiped away my tears, "Here, read Troy's, okay? He said nobody else can read them." I smiled with a tiny nod as I went out back and sat down as I pulled out Troy's first letter.

Little dude,

Yea, we don't have a name quite yet for you but I know your mom and I will pick the most perfect name for you. I can't wait for you to go back and read this one day but I'm writing this as I stare at your mom. She's currently 28 weeks pregnant with you and your sister. She's taking a nap on the couch after work because she was tired today. She's beautiful little man. She is going to raise you to be the best man there is to be. Your mom will be the patience and the grace that you need in this life. She is going to love you fiercely and I love you fiercely and I haven't seen you quite yet. I love feeling you move, even though, it freaked me out at first. I love your mom and I love you. I hope the 18 years we have together are some of the best years. Who knows what will happen over the next 18 but I do know that I will be by your side for everything? I know I will be writing more of these but just looking at your mom and seeing her belly round knowing you are in there…it's incredible. I can't wait to meet you, hold you, and guide you. Teach you how to dribble, if you hate basketball, that's fine. You just have to tell me. I love you, little man.

Dad

I quickly put that one back as I pulled out the other one. I had no idea that he had done these that day. I nibbled on my lip as I began to read the next one.

Saylor,

I knew this was your name the moment I found it. I never told your mom this, until this letter anyways, but I just…knew. I didn't push it and I didn't tell her why I knew it was the name you would have but it was the name. She's sleeping on the couch with you in her belly with your brother. She's nearly smiling with her hand protectively on her belly. She is just… amazing. Saylor, you are going to be so much like your mother. I can feel it. She'll become one of your best friends and knowing that you'll read these one day probably when you were 18, if you're fighting…that's okay. It's normal. But she will always love you. I will always love you. You are going to rock my world and I can feel it deep in my bones. You are going to be…the light to my world. I hope you see how much I love your momma and know that you deserve the same treatment. I hope you love life and do everything you dream of doing. I am always in your corner, Saylor. I love you, sweet girl.

Dad

I couldn't stop the sob as I stuffed it into the envelope. I couldn't describe my love for him but every single day it gets deeper and deeper. I through we hit the bottom several times but he always goes one more step to do it again. I wiped away my tears before I went inside as I went over to Laura and gave her such a big hug. "Thank you for raising such an amazing man," Laura looked a little surprised but hug me back tightly. "He loves you so much," she whispered and I just nodded my head. "I love him so much."

"He is going to be an amazing dad," I told her and she had tears in her eyes, "I hope so."

"He will." I was sure of it.


"Gabi, I am going to take you home." Beth said as we loaded the cars up and I felt myself deflate slightly, "Oh? Is Troy not coming?" she gave a tiny smile, "No. He got tied up with the boys. He asked me to bring you home." I swallowed with a tiny nod as I hadn't been able to talk to him since I opened the letter. I wanted to tell him how much that meant to me. We finished packing up the cars and taking down the decorations as we couldn't have been more overwhelmed with all of the things that we had gotten.

We got two Snoo bassinets, two mamaroo swings, and all of the clothes and little practical gifts. Each of our parents bought a car seat and they both went in on a double stroller. I was seriously overwhelmed with the love. I nibbled on my lip as I slipped into Beth's car. I was also extremely exhausted and only wanted my fiancé. I was looking forward to him picking me up. "Hey, turn that frown upside down. If he knew he put that look on your face he would feel bad. I promise, he just got caught up finishing up with his friends." She told me with a squeeze of my hand. "I am just really tired and I want to be with him."

"He'll be happy to hear that." I just smiled, "Thank you. For all of this. It was…too much. The gifts were too big and too much." I said with a shake of my head. "Sweetie, all of those women? They love you to pieces. You make them happy in every sort of way and you are carrying two of their family members. They all wanted to do something big for you and to make sure you got the big stuff that you wanted. They all talked to me or Macken about it. They wanted to love on you and you deserve it."

I just gave a smile with a tiny nod as I rested my head on the rest of the drive back to the house. The babies kicked around inside of me and I smiled pressing my hands to my abdomen. "How is the wedding planning going?" she asked me and I shrugged, "On hold. I am using a lot of the vendors through the venue so that took off a lot of stress. I am not wedding dress shopping until I semi have my body back and I am trying to figure out who all of my bridesmaids will be."

"You don't have to have the same number as Troy," she told me and I nodded with a tiny smile, "I know. I just…I want to make sure the people I chose are the right people. Ya' know?" she nodded in understanding as she knew she was my maid of honor already. She pulled into the house as I noticed all of the boys' cars were here. "I didn't know they were coming over here." I mentioned as we pulled into the driveway.

"Huh, they must have just hung out here today." Beth had not even put the car in park yet when Dylan, Jesse, Jax, Cameron, and Colt all came out. "We're here to carry everything in, Gabi, Troy is waiting inside for you." I scrunched up my eyebrows and Dylan just nudged his head. "Just go, he's waiting, he might piss his pants if you make him wait any longer." I just laughed with a nod as I walked inside to see Troy sitting at the counter. His eyes lifted and he grinned at me, "How was it?"

I didn't say anything, I just went over and I wrapped my arms around him tightly. "Brie, are you okay?" he asked and I nodded but I couldn't stop the tiny cry in my throat that escaped. "Your letters and your idea for everybody to write them a letter…it was too much. I was…I am so thankful for you and your idea. I was practically sobbing over them." Troy just let out a tiny laugh before pressing his lips into my hair. "I'm glad you liked the idea," I just nodded my head. "It was amazing and I just…you are an amazing man."

"C'mon, I have something to show you." His fingers looped through mine and he gently tugged towards the stairs. We walked up before he stopped at the first door on the right, which would be the future nursery. He cleared his throat before turning around to face me, "Just…open the door." I looked at him for a moment before I gently pulled the handle and pushed into the room. I gasped and I covered my lips with my hands.

"Troy," I whispered quietly as I took in the nearly completed nursery. It was nearly identical to a random one that I had showed him I loved one day. It was just a random show and I thought it was gorgeous for a boy and a girl. "Troy," I whispered again as I took in the light gray shiplap on the back wall with two modern white cribs pressed against the back. A black and white rug below it with a dark wood dresser on the opposite wall.

A sign hung above it reading: of all things my hands have held, the best by far is you. The grey chair with an ottoman nestled in the corner with a green tree in the opposite corner. A boho light fixture hung from the ceiling as I soaked in every single ounce of this room. "You did this all today?" I asked with a whisper and he shook his head. "No. We started a few weeks ago but quietly. I built the cribs over at Jesse's place, Colt picked up the rocker today with the dresser, we hung the light fixture last week and I prayed to God that you wouldn't try to open the door because it was locked. It was a team effort to get the shiplap done by the time you got here and all the things placed inside."

I just blinked several times as I tried to process all of this in front of me. "You did the nursery like the one picture I showed you?" I whispered again and a smile tugged on the corner of his lips as he nodded. "Yea, you said how much you loved it and the sparkle in your eye told me that this was the one. Beth told me that we can order name signs for the both of them and hang them above their crib once we have the final, final names picked out."

I broke down into a fit of sobs after that as his arms wrapped around me. "Oh, please tell me that these are happy tears," I could only nod my head as his warm hands moved up and down my back with comfort. "Good, because I was worried you were going to hate it."

"I just can't believe you did all of this," I pulled back as he swiped a handful of my tears away. "I didn't want you to stress about it and it all just kinda came together." I pressed my forehead against his chest and he kissed my head. "I don't deserve you,"

He chuckled, "I don't deserve you. You are carrying these two little ones. You are doing the hard part. I just put together the nursery,"

"And love me beyond my wildest years,"

"That too," he said with a big smile. "This is amazing," I whispered as I walked around the room while my fingers touched the crib with the mattress inside that were each fitted with a sheet already. One was a light blue strip and the other was a light pink stripped sheet. My eyes focused on the pictures that were already placed on the dresser. I walked over to the sonogram while my fingers rubbed against it before picking up another that was of Troy and I from Savannah. I smiled looking at it as we were both grinning at the camera together. The last one was a picture of Troy's hand on my belly.

"I love these," I whispered. Troy let his arms wrap around my neck and he gently pulled me back, "Thank you, for this," I whispered. "I was upset when you couldn't come pick me up but I understand now. I just...I am so shocked by this whole day." Troy kissed my cheek softly and he nuzzled my cheek with his. "Sorry I didn't come pick you up. We were literally putting the final touches on the room as Beth was texting me that you guys were just down the street."

I smiled with a tiny shake of my head, "I love all of the people in my life. I was writing that in my letters to the babies. That I hope every single woman who was in that room today is a part of their life for a long time to come and for the men who helped here today. Those are the people I want in my kid's life. Forever."

"I think they will be,"

"I really, really hope so."


Sunday, December 15th, 2019

1 Year Anniversary

31 Weeks pregnant

Troy's POV

"Man, this is the first Sunday you've cancelled in years." Jax said on the phone as I was downstairs cooking breakfast, "It's our one-year anniversary. It's our only anniversary without kids. I am going to make it special for her."

"Technically, wasn't your anniversary last week?" I laughed, "Yea, I mean, we met on the 6th but that day doesn't need to have anything else associated with it. We agreed that the day of our first date was going to be our first anniversary." I inhaled the scent of pancakes and fruit. She was on a strange no meat kick recently because it made her feel sick and I wasn't one to argue with what she wanted. She was 31 weeks pregnant and was feeling it with twins. She looked uncomfortable; I couldn't imagine how she truly felt.

"I'm just giving you shit, are you ready for the game tomorrow?"

Tomorrow was the first game against West Ashley. The nerves riddled my stomach for that game only because I wanted to win and because I couldn't wait to watch Blaine. I have only been able to catch a game and I was excited. "Yes, I am. I just…I am nervous." Jax laughed, "It'll be good. The boys are excited. We're going to put on a show." I grinned, "I sure hope so." I flipped the last pancake and smiled, "I gotta go man, I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Have fun today,"

"We will. I'll see you in the morning." I hung up as Luna was laying at the backdoor panting after I played ball with her for a little bit before I started breakfast. I quietly took coffee upstairs first as I was going to have us go sit out back together. I tossed around the idea of waking her up and doing our first date all over again but she was in serious need of sleep. I quietly pushed the door open and I gently sat the coffee down next to her as I crawled in bed with her. She was resting on her side and I slid up right behind her.

"Happy anniversary," I murmured in her ear. Her body moved and twisted as those eyes fluttered open. I couldn't help but stare at her knowing that a year ago I wasn't sure what are relationship would be but I knew how much I wanted her back then. I didn't except anything that the year became nor did I expect to become a dad in the next several weeks either. "Happy anniversary," her lips whispered and I pushed up to press my lips against hers.

"Can you believe you completely won me over a year ago today?" she asked while her fingers reached up and brushed through my hair. My eyes just watched her as she smiled, "I was nervous for our date. My last relationship was a disaster and my sister had just died. I was nervous." She rolled her lips into a smile as her fingers gripped my neck gently. "Thanks for showing me true love and for being my love," I smiled as I dipped down and kissed her. It was innocent at first but it grew in demand quickly. "No, we have a hot breakfast waiting for us. I brought you coffee. Take your time but I am going to make sure everything is ready for breakfast."

She smiled and nodded, I pushed off the bed as she sat up and rubbed her fingers through her hair. She was only in a sports bra with a pair of shorts. "Do you need help for anything?" she shook her head and I just nodded before I went downstairs. I took all of our breakfast to the deck as I poured myself another cup of coffee. Luna planted herself in the shade as the door opened and she appeared with her hair on the top of her head and one of my t-shirts.

I smiled over at her, "You are stunning." She just laughed while settling into a chair, "Whatever, Bolton."

She took a big gulp of her coffee and closed her eyes, "What time are we going to Jax's place?" she questioned and I shook my head, "We aren't. It's our anniversary. I have some other things planned for us." She rose an eyebrow, "Oh yea? Like what plans?" I winked, "You'll just have to wait and see." Gabi just grumbled but smiled. "I have a hard time believing that we have been together a year and I say that because I feel like we've been together for ten."

A laugh escaped me, "I know exactly what you are talking about. Maybe because this year was long and short all in one year." Gabi agreed as she dug into her breakfast. "My appointment is tomorrow morning," she mentioned and I nodded, "I'll be there. I took the first two hours off work tomorrow."

Once Gabi was full and I was finished she got up and sat in my lap. Her coffee cup was curled in her hands while her head rested on my shoulder. I ran my fingers down her leg and then over her belly. "You feeling okay today? I can reschedule." Gabi smiled and nodded her head, "I'm okay. Just never imagined this day, y'know? Full of love. Really fucking pregnant, with the most amazing man who takes such great care of me. That is what I never imagined for one year ago."

"I'm thankful for this past year. I know it was a long year and there was a lot of ups and downs but I wouldn't trade it for the entire world." I told her as my fingers played with a loose strand of her hair. Gabi smiled, "So, I've been thinking and since we're having twins I kind of want their names to play off each other a little bit." I raised my eyebrow, "Like how? Like Saylor and Baylor?" I questioned and she shook her head. "No, that's too much for me."

"Then which one are you thinking about?" she smiled, "It's always been one of my favorite ones out of the bunch and it's still in there and I just…I really think Saylor and Sutton would be the perfect combination." I let it settle in my mind for a moment as I thought about it. It was cute that they would both have an S name but it was an identical S name like Saylor and Baylor. Sutton was a good southern little boy name and as he got older it was a strong name.

"You haven't said anything. Do you hate it?" I saw the nerves play at her face and I just smiled, "No, I'm thinking how much I love it." I told her as I rolled my lips together. "I think Sutton is a really good name. Sutton Bolton is a really damn cute little kid name but as he gets older it will be a really strong name. I think it plays well with Saylor and I love that we each had one off of our lists. How did you come to find that name?" I asked her and she took a sip of her coffee, "I actually read a book not that long after Zoey died and it was the first thing that took my mind off Zoey's death and the main characters name was Sutton. I kinda fell in love with it there and added it to the list of baby names for my future kids, ya know, every woman has one."

I rested my hand on her belly and I smiled, "Saylor and Sutton," she just grinned and nodded, "Saylor and Sutton." She repeated before her lips landed on mine. "How should we tell all of our family and friends?"

"What about a Christmas gift?" I suggested. "We could wrap up a gift to our parents, siblings, and our friends and they can open it to reveal their name. What should we put in the box though?" We both thought about it for a few minutes until Troy smiled, "What about blocks and we have to make them figure it out?" I grinned, "That would be fun, like a game, we wouldn't have to do a Christmas present."

"Or we can gift the grandparents something and we put from Saylor and Sutton." She suggested and I shook my head, "I think we make them work for it." I said as I rested my palm on her belly and she hugged my neck. "I love their names so much," I whispered to her and she just pressed her lips to mine. I removed the coffee cup from her hand as I pulled her whole body against mine as our lips connected. Her fingers brushed through my hair and I let my own hands slid up the back of her shirt. "If I could have elected to end our first date this way, I would have," I told her and she just laughed as I easily picked her up and took her inside where I had my way with her.


Gabi's POV

I played with the edge of my dress as I was waiting for Troy to come downstairs, I was going to give him his gift here before we left. I nervously held it when he came down the stairs in a pair of dress pants with a button up shirt that was tucked in. His hair was styled but I could tell her already ran his fingers through it. He took me to several of the stops we made on our first date last year and it was fun relieving the day but we also just spent time with each other. We laughed and had fun with each other.

"God damn, you are beautiful," I smiled as he came over and tipped my chin back to drop a kiss on my painted lips. "I want to give you your gift now." I told him and he turned to stare at me for a moment and nodded, "Okay," I sat down and Troy sat next to me as he grabbed the box in front of me as it had a couple of different things inside of it. He popped open the top and he grinned at the first thing on top as he pulled out a sketch of Luna on top.

Troy grinned as he stared at it, "I figured you need a good picture of your first baby," Troy laughed as he smiled, "It's perfect. What else is in here?" he dipped down to the next item as it was a framed photo of us from our very first date that I had somebody take. Troy grinned, "Wow, it's amazing to think of how much has happened since this day." Troy said as he glanced at it. "The last time I was at school there was no pictures of us. I figured I should change that." I told him with a wink and he smiled with a nod as he went for the next one as it was a more updated picture of us for his desk from the maternity shoot that we did with Beth.

The sun was setting and Troy and I had our eyes locked together as his hand rested on my belly. "Damn, this is beautiful. I think I like this one more," I smiled as there was one last thing in the bottom as he reached for the full book as my stomach grew nervous for this. "I wasn't going to do this since I was pregnant but Beth told me back into it because she said I was beautiful and I should do it," I couldn't stop talking as Troy glanced at the book and then me.

"Hey, let me be the judge of whatever this is." I blinked and nodded as he flipped the book open as it was first a little note from me.

Troy,

You are one of the first men besides my dad to show me that I am beautiful in all different ways. You showed me how beautiful my body, my soul, and my heart are from the first day we met all those years ago. You showed me how to love myself, stand up for myself, but also be able to depend on other people at the same time. Our relationship from day one to now has been everything to me and I am so lucky to call you mine. Every day, I wake up, so thankful that it is you lying next to me. I love you, Troy Bolton. Thank you so much for showing me how to love myself – no matter what my body looks like. Happy 1 year, baby. I can't wait for so many more. Enjoy these x

Troy smiled as his fingers traced the words before he flipped to the next page and he groaned from just the first picture, "Gabriella," he whispered as his eyes lifted to mine and I felt my cheeks rush with heat. "Look, if they are awful, we can burn the whole book," I offered and he just laughed and flipped to the next page. "No, Gabi, these are…" he shook his head as he continued to flip through them.

His eyes took in all of the photos from the bedroom maternity boudoir shoot that Beth and I did while Troy was doing a gym session with the team. "These are fucking stunning," he said looking up at me and I couldn't stop the tears in my eyes. "Yea? You think so?" I asked him and he laughed with a nod, "Yea, I'm trying to figure out if I really want to eat dinner tonight. You are beyond gorgeous in these photos and so seductive and…perfect." I just laughed and he continued to look at all of them.

My favorite one was one of the last ones as I was completely naked in the silhouette of the window with one hand cradling my bump and the other hand coming across my breasts with my head tilted back letting my hair flow down. "I wish I could put this on my desk." I couldn't stop my laugh as the very last photo was probably the most seductive as I was on my knees on the bed, my bump on full display with a white see throw robe around my shoulders, my breasts on full display with my hair running down my body. I had no clothes on and Troy had to just shut the book.

"Fucking hell, Gabi," he shook his head, "Those are amazing and beautiful and I don't think I would want them any other way. You carrying our children in those makes you so much sexier, I swear," I dabbed at the tears and he put the book aside and pulled me up as I could feel how aroused he was just from the pictures. "You are stunning and don't you dare ever think otherwise, I'm glad your sister made you do that because…those are pictures we can both look back on and see just how beautiful you were carrying our children."

He tipped my head backwards and kissed me harder this time than last. His lips probing mine open and his fingers squeezing my ass. "We have to leave or we aren't going to ever leave," I couldn't stop my laugh as I just rested my head on his chest. "I'm really glad you liked those. Talk about pushing outside of my comfort zone." Troy kissed my head, "I'm just glad it was your sister who took them." I laughed as he hugged me and then dropped to kiss my belly.

"I thought about her doing one of us over Christmas while she's back here. In our bed, with my belly, etc." Troy's eyes light up, "It would have to be short because she would have to leave," I couldn't stop my laugh as we linked hands walking out the door together. I slipped into the car where my present was sitting and Troy nudged it, "You can open it on our way." I gave him a curious look and he just smiled as he started the car. "You don't want me to wait?"

"Nah, you can go ahead."

I just nodded as he started our drive towards the restaurant and I picked up his card first.

Happy 1-year anniversary baby!

I know we both think that it's been a lot longer than that and it really does feel like it but I feel like this year was truly one of the best of my life. Getting to know you, love you, cherish you, wake up next to you, become parents with you…I couldn't have picked anybody better for this. One year of this and I can't wait for so many more.

Only 292 days until you are officially Mrs. Bolton

I love you, Brie. I can't wait for this next year.

Troy

I smiled at him and he squeezed my knee as I pulled up the book that was sitting there and opened the first page to see it was an actual story but as I flipped through the pages it was our love story that was illustrated and detailed. I couldn't stop the tears that were leaking down my face as I flipped through the entire thing of our first year together – including the ups and downs. "Troy," I whispered over to him and he gave me a soft smile, "I had a team meeting with the guys to discuss what I should get you and somebody talked about how fun it would be to have like our own love story since it was so rapid and I reached out to a girl on Esty and she made it come to life."

It had all the details up until our first anniversary that had the 292 days until our wedding date and I just couldn't stop shaking my head as I clutched it to my chest. "This is amazing," I whispered as he pulled into the parking lot and he parked the car before twisting to face me. "I figured we can read it to our kids and one day tell them that it was our love story." I swallowed on the lump and I kissed him as I shook my head, "This is amazing,"

"I'm glad you love it," I let my fingers over the cover as it was a cartoon version of Troy and I on the front holding hands with just the simple title of our love story. "I knew you were the one," I whispered to him and he just laughed before kissing me again.


Monday, December 16th, 2019

Troy's POV

Gabi laid on the table as they did a non-stress test earlier to make sure they were both doing okay in there and now we were doing an ultrasound to check on the two of them. I held Gabi's hand as we waited patiently for Dr. Willis to come see us. They already did the ultrasound and just getting to see how much bigger they are now and how much more active they are in there was amazing. I couldn't stop staring and it was even better when they both had a name now.

Gabi twisted her head to look at me, "I hope everything is okay. She typically doesn't take this long." I brushed her hair away from her face and nodded, "It's okay. Maybe somebody is having a baby. They said your non-stress test went well." Gabi slipped her hand into mine and she squeezed it as I stared at the ring on her finger. The door opened and Dr. Willis walked in with a tiny smile on her face. "Good morning," she greeted as she pulled up a stool as Gabi and I greeted her back in return.

"Gabi your non-stress test went really well this morning. Those babies seem to be doing okay in there. I only have a few concerns with your ultrasound though," her eyes went blank and she loosened her grip on my hand but I squeezed it back in return. A knot formed in my chest as Dr. Willis scooted forward, "The first is that they are both breech. We would like for baby A, your baby boy, to be head down if we were going to attempt a vaginal birth in any capacity but he is definitely breech in there. Baby B, your little girl, is the same position. It makes it very, very risk to have any sort of vaginal delivery."

Gabi exhaled and nodded but I saw the tears in the corner of her eyes, "They can still flip and we have a handful of weeks left until we have to make any official decisions but I really need you to put it on your brain that you might need a c-section. There is nothing wrong with that either. You can't do much of anything to get them to flip and it is what it is. A c-section doesn't make you a bad mom and it is what is safest for your baby if that's what it comes down too." I pressed my lips together as I watched her and she just nodded her head as a few tears leaked. I just squeezed her hand and she gave me a tiny smile.

"The second thing, they are both on the smaller side for growth. We are going to have weekly growth scans from here on out and if they start to really stop gaining weight, I going to suggest we go earlier than expecting. Okay? Just because it could show placenta insufficiency and it could be more harm for them to be in there." Gabi nodded her head, "How small?" she asked and squeezed her knee, "Less than 10% of a normal baby at 32 weeks. Okay? Don't worry about it though, just keep doing what you are doing. Again, this is nothing you are doing wrong. This is just…pregnancy."

Gabi nodded as she brushed her tears away, "It could very well mean NICU time for these babies and I need you both to be prepared for that. We are going to take care of these babies and make sure we get them here safely which means weekly growth scans to check on them and weekly non-stress tests starting now." Gabi nodded and Dr. Willis gave her a smile. "You are doing everything right. You are going to have these beautiful babies. I'll see you next week, okay?" Gabi nodded and I thanked her as she stepped out. I stood up and I cupped her face, "It's okay," I said quietly and she blinked her eyes while she nodded.

"I just want them to be okay,"

"We are going to do everything we can and Dr. Willis has a really good plan. We're going to be okay and these two babies are going to be okay." I kissed her cheek and she smiled softly as I squeezed her hand. "We are going to get them here safely, we can handle NICU time, we can do a c-section, we can handle all of that if it gets them here safely. We might just need to buy some preemie clothes." Gabi laughed and we both smiled together.

"I love you baby; I love Sutton and Saylor and we are going to be a family soon."


Friday, December 20th, 2019

32 Weeks pregnant

Gabi's POV

I waited for Troy as we were having all of his friends over tonight along with our families for a late dinner after the big West Ashely and James Island game. It got postponed due to a malfunction at West Ashley's gym but it was the perfect time because everybody was in town for this one. The game went into double overtime and West Ashley stole it by a basket, by Blaine, but the embrace of Troy and Blaine at the end with both of them laughing was warm to my heart. It was a well fought game on both ends and they would duel again in February.

We were revealing the babies' names tonight in a group fashion over pizza and beer. Sage was rubbing her belly and I couldn't stop my smile, "How is that little boy?" I asked her and she grinned, "Rolling all over the place. I can't imagine having two of them." I laughed with a nod, "Yea, it isn't all fun and games but I know double the snuggles will be great." I let my hands rest against my belly as I watched for the door to open as the players slowly started to trinkle out of the gym.

"Gabi, Colt and I are going to head there and order the pizza." Beth said and I nodded in agreement as they both took off as nobody knew we were revealing the names tonight to everybody. Troy and I kept testing them out since we had decided and it felt solid. The door finally opened as Jax, Cameron, and Dylan all walked out but Jesse and Troy were still missing. Lennon, Sara, and Josie all greeted their men who had undone the first couple buttons on their shirts and ditched the ties.

"Where's my fiancé?" I questioned, "Brandon twinged his ankle. He's with him and the trainer." I sighed as I was tired and we already had a full evening ahead of us still. Blaine exited from the other side and I smiled at him, "Nice winning shot," I said hugging him and he laughed with a smile. "I had to apologize to Troy,"

"He was probably just happy it was you."

"He was. It was a really tough battle. I don't expect our February match up will be any easier." He went through the family as Lucy latched onto him as finally my fiancé stepped through the doors talking with Jesse together about something along with the trainer. I waited for a beat and his eyes lifted to meet mine with a quick wink in my direction before finishing his discussion. I grabbed my keys as I walked over and Troy reached his arm out and pulled me into his body.

"Hey, I just wanted to kinda say I was sorry but not really and I am going to go home so I can get everything ready for tonight." Troy nodded as he tipped my head back and dropped a kiss, "Of course, it was a really good game." I nodded, "You coached well," I let my fingers reach for his hair and he just laughed as he kissed me again. "I'll see you at home," I agreed as I walked away as we all began to file into cars and back to our house.

It didn't take long for our house to fill up with all of our favorite people as the pizza showed up, beers were passed around, and Troy finally emerged as he was the last to arrive. "Sorry, I got caught up talking to some parents," he dropped a kiss to my head as he grabbed a slice of pizza. I yawned and Troy nudged, "Let's do it," I nodded as I went and I grabbed the bag and I approached the table that most people were sitting around. "Hi, so, Troy and I have a little bit of a surprise." I said as Troy came to stand behind me. Beth glanced up at me, "We have officially named these two little ones and we are here to let you figure out what their names are."

Beth, Macken, and Jenna all squealed together as I set the 12 blocks on the table. "I will give two hints." I started with them. "The first is both of their names start with the letter S and they are both six letters long." I dumped them on the table as the whole group went to work to figure out the names together. I yawned as Troy pulled me gently back against his chest as our friends and family tried to piece the names together with all of the letters that we gave them.

"Oh, what if this goes there?" I watched as Lennon pieced together Saylor's name as she had the first three letters right already. "Oh, try this," Beth added the last three letters and they all snapped up to look at us for confirmation. I smiled with a nod, "Saylor Claire," Beth literally had tears in her eyes as did both of our moms, "You guys, those that is a freaking beautiful name." my mom just blinked her eyes, "That's Zoey's middle name," I just nodded and my mom grabbed me in a tight hug.

"It's beautiful and just the right way to honor her," I squeezed my eyes closed as I hugged her tightly. "I think I figured out the other one," Cameron said and Troy laughed with a nod as they had spelled out Sutton with the remining letters. "Sutton Tate," Troy announced as he looked at his mom who just blinked at us. "You guys, these names are absolutely beautiful and work so well with each other." Laura came around and wrapped her arms around Troy in a tight hug as she then hugged me.

Beth raced over and pressed her lips to my belly, "Hi Sutton, Hi Saylor, this is your auntie Beth," I couldn't stop my laugh as everybody gushed about their names. "How did you decide on these names?" Sage asked as I knew they were still working on the name for their little boy. "Saylor means little dancer," Troy started as his eyes looked over towards me. "I thought it was perfect. Claire was Zoey's middle name to honor Zoey."

"I read about Sutton in a book right after Zoey died and I fell in love with the name and Tate is Troy's mom's maiden name. I tried hard to get his first name to be Tate but we had decided that we weren't doing family names for their first name. Just their middle name."

"I can't wait to meet them," my dad said as he hugged me and I smiled, "Hopefully we have several more weeks." The group all agreed as we talked about the names and we just celebrated a good basketball game tonight. Troy wrapped his arms around me and kissed my head as we surveyed the people around us. "I'm so thankful that everybody loves their names. Not that I would change them if they didn't but it feels good knowing that it was a good pick." Troy pressed his lips to my forehead and smiled.

"Sutton and Saylor, I can't wait to freaking meet you two," he whispered and I smiled softly.


Hey guys! Thank you so much for the well wishes! I was hoping that this chapter would be done before surgery but I worked a TON before surgery and then surgery completely knocked me on my ass from Thursday-Sunday and finishing the chapter took some time SO here it is! I hope you love their names! I love them so much! I appreciate the patience! You for sure will have the chapter on the next date!

Let me know all of your thoughts and feelings!

PLEASE REVIEW!

Next Update: August 29th