Chapter 42 – Missin' You
Thursday, February 27th, 2020
Gabi's POV
"I don't have to leave," Troy said. "The guys can handle it." I glanced up at him as I was trying to feed Saylor but she wasn't having it. "Troy, you have to go. You are the head coach and it's almost your last week before post-season starts." He shook his head. "I really don't have, too. They will understand. The boys know that I have two babies are home that are so little still," Troy picked up Sutton as he snuggled him close.
Troy's bag was half packed on the bed as the team was leaving this morning for the Hilton Head tournament. He kept trying to get out of it because he didn't want to leave me and the babies. "Look, I understand that you feel bad leaving us but you really, really shouldn't. Beth is in town. She is going to come stay with me. My parents will be around. I am going to Blaine's game tomorrow night. You'll be back on Sunday. You'll miss barely anything."
"There two-month birthday," he whined. I laughed, "Troy, it's not like you are going to be gone months. You are going to be gone for three days. We will facetime every morning and every night. I'll send all the pictures. I'll send you hourly updates. You deserve to go. The team needs you. You've been preparing for all of these games. Go have a weekend. It's okay." His blue eyes looked at me before looking down at Sutton with a large sigh. "I'll miss them." I smiled as I pulled Saylor off and laid her on my shoulder. "They will miss you, too. It's just for a few days."
"You sure you don't want to come?" Troy asked. I laughed, "No. I'm good. Maybe next year." Troy smiled down at Sutton and stroked his cheek. Sutton was getting chunky and big. He was packing on the pounds as he was a big fan of the boob. Saylor wasn't as much but we still tried every day. She just seemed to prefer bottles, which was just fine. He had already eaten as we were all up before Troy's alarm even went off. Troy put Sutton down before coming over and he sat on the edge of the bed.
"Are you sure?" he asked me again. I reached forward and I stroked his face, "Yes, of course. I knew when I found out that I was having these babies and agreed to marry you that basketball came with it. I knew what I was walking into. Your team needs you. We will be all the same while you are gone. My sister will be here. You can at least catch up on some sleep." Troy grunted, "You should be the one catching up on sleep. Not me."
I kissed his cheek "Maybe next weekend you can do all night with them."
"Too bad you'd still have to pump," I groaned, "I need Saylor to get on board with the whole boob thing." Troy smiled as he looked down at Saylor. "I can warm her up a bottle and feed her." I just nodded and gave in to his request even though he still wasn't done packing. I stood up as I couldn't believe we almost had two-month-old babies. There two-month appointment was on Monday and I knew they were getting their first vaccines besides the one in the hospital. I was nervous.
Two babies with vaccines that make them feel icky?
Troy went downstairs as I hooked up my pump while I pulled Troy's bag close to finish packing it. Troy came back upstairs and he picked up Saylor. "Hi baby," he murmured as he fed her while I folded his clothes and tucked them all into the bag. His suits were already packed and stashed away. She guzzled her bottle down while Troy burped her. She nuzzled into his chest and gripped his shirt. Troy groaned, "No, no, don't do that or I won't leave."
"Troy," I said with a laugh. He just looked at me with a smile before laying her down in the bassinet next to the bed next to Sutton. Troy brushed his fingers of each of them before sitting on the bed next to me. "Are you positive? I will feel so guilty." I disconnected the breast pump for the time being and I pulled my shirt down. I crawled into his lap and he wrapped his arms around me. He buried his face into my hair and he breathed in.
"Yes, I am positive. Please, go, coach your team. This is what you signed up to do. In about a month it will all be over. Then you will be with us all the time." Troy didn't say anything but just pressed his lips into my hair over and over again. "Okay, okay, I love you, you know that right?" I nodded my head, "Yea, I do. I love you, too." I whispered into his ear. He looked at me as he kissed me softly and I wrapped my arms around his neck.
"I'll miss you but I know this is what needs to happen." I kissed him again and he just gave me a smile. "Promise to facetime me three times a day?" I just shook my head with a laugh. "I love you and I love how much you love those babies." He pushed me back down into the bed and his mouth captured mine. "I'm a lucky son of a bitch," he whispered. My eyes locked into his and those blue ones worshipped what he saw and I loved it. My fingers ran through his hair, "Have a good weekend with your friends and your team who adores you."
"I love you,"
I shook my head as he pushed off the bed as he started to grab his things and then kiss the babes. He finally looked at me again, "Are you sure?" I just laughed and nodded my head. "Yes, go," I told him with a shove of my foot. "I'll text you when we leave," I just smiled with a shake of my head as he walked out. I waited all of ten seconds before running downstairs and he was shutting his back door when I threw my arms around his waist. He grunted with my impact and I laughed, "I'll miss ya," I said squeezing him.
He laughed while turning around to tip my head back, "I'll miss you, too. Needed another hug?" I nodded as he easily picked me up and pressed me back against the car. His lips on mine again. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he just held me as I cuddled into his body. His arms held me snuggly against him. "I'll be back Sunday,"
"I'll have the babies ready to be held." He chuckled and he dropped my feet to the ground. "Have a good weekend with, Beth."
"Win it for me," I whispered to him and he laughed with a smile.
Troy's POV
"I feel guilty," I said at the front of the bus. We were half way to Hilton Head and I couldn't shake how guilty I felt leaving. "I'm nervous that Sage is going to go into labor while we are here." Jesse piped up and I groaned as I rubbed my face. "Wow, is this what the engaged life is like?"
"No, dad life," Cameron spoke up. Jesse and I hit knuckles as I shook my head. "They are just so little still and require a lot of attention. It's a lot. Plus, I miss them."
"You've been gone two hours!" Dylan cried sitting up. "No, we cannot turn into these people." I rolled my eyes as I looked over at Jesse who was trying to not let a smile pull onto his lips. "Just wait, Dylan. Just you wait, you are telling me that you don't miss Josie?"
Dylan hesitated but he nodded, "I do but a little separation is never a bad thing for the sex life," he said with a wiggle of his eyebrows. I just shook my head with a laugh. "Cameron, please tell me you don't miss Lennon this bad…" Dylan asked him. Cameron just slid down in his seat and Dylan just groaned. "What happened to us? Two years ago, minus Jesse of course, we were all single and kid free and now…" Dylan ran his fingers through his hair with a shake of his head. Jax just chuckled underneath of his breath.
"We're also almost 30. It was time to get our shit together." Cameron said squeezing Dylan's shoulder. "Yea, clearly, because I fell in love." We all laughed as I got up to make sure all the boys were behaving in the back and if they needed anything. I gave most of them shit as I made it back to the front. I slid into the chair when my phone buzzed on the bench. I grabbed it and it was a picture of the babies in their swings sleeping.
See? You are missing nothing. Enjoy your time. X
I shook my head as I zoomed in on their faces and couldn't help but count down the days until summer when I can be with them every single day all day. I just wished Gabi could also stay home the entire time. We would be spending lots of time at the office with mommy. I nibbled on my lip as Jesse peaked over my shoulder to look at my phone. "Gabi doing, okay?" I nodded my head as I chewed on my lip. "I think she feels physically better after her c-section. Emotionally I think she struggles a little bit with the whole ordeal. She has been back seeing her therapist every other week to help cope with the birth and the NICU."
"She's an amazing woman," Jesse said with a smile and I nodded, "She really is. I'm glad she is getting to enjoy 12 weeks at home with them. Very thankful her work didn't count those first six weeks since she still technically worked."
"She deserves it. Sage is looking forward to those 12 weeks."
"I bet she is. Gabi loves it. I wish I had 12 weeks with them besides summer time. Next time, when Gabi and I actually try to have another kid, I want my whole summer off. We need a May baby," Jesse laughed, "Good luck with that."
"Do you want more kids?" Dylan asked and I nodded, "I do. I don't know personally about Gabi but I already love the whole thing. I love every single part of it and I know there will be hard days and not as fun days but man just one or two more would be amazing. They are amazing."
"Four kids? Jesus, Bolton, might as well go for a basketball team." I smirked, "I have to convince Gabi first. She might say two is it and I would be okay with that as well. It's mostly her call. She has to carry them."
We moved on to talk about the first game that we were playing in tonight and what our game plan was. Once we got to the hotel, we were dropping our stuff off, changing for shoot around, and then heading back to the hotel for film and a light dinner. I took a deep breath as I ran over my notes. I knew this was the right move coming but it didn't mean I didn't miss my family any less. Last year, Gabi came on this trip with us. I think I spent more time locked in the room with her than focusing on basketball.
Man, what I wish I knew would happen in the next year because I sometimes still don't believe it.
Gabi's POV
Beth and I were laying on the couch together with Sutton on Beth and Saylor on top of me. They were both passed out as we had already done bath time and feeding but neither of us wanted to go upstairs and put them down. "How is mom life going? I'm glad I can spend the next several days with you." I smiled over at her as I let my fingers rub against Saylor's head. "Good. I love it. I love having them." Beth looked at Sutton and she smiled, "I do love the thought of having babies with Colt."
"Easy does it now," I said with a laugh. "Spend time with him, have the two of you time. I mean, yes, I absolutely love these babies but if I could have had another year with Troy? Just the two of us? That would have been nice. The first six months of our relationship was turmoil with grieving Zoey and then trying to find who I was without her in my life and how to fit Blaine and Lucy into the picture and navigating a whole new relationship…it was so overwhelming."
Beth smiled over at me, "Luckily, I am mostly past that part. It was hard and I can't imagine doing it while juggling everything else and finally finding somebody who loves you properly." I gave a half smile and I looked down at Saylor. She was fast asleep with her little fists close to her face. "Then we took a break so I could figure out my life and then we got back together and then we were pregnant and now we have twins and…it's just been a lot. I'm glad I know I love him and I'm glad I know he's already an amazing father but…we never got the time."
"You two are amazing for each other. He loves you and worships the ground you walk on."
"I know, trust me, I know how much that man loves me. I don't take that for granted for a second but sometimes I just wish that I had a little more time of just him but I wouldn't trade this time at all. I love them." I leaned forward to kiss Saylor's face and I smiled just watching her. "Two years ago…if I told you that you would have all of this but you had to lose Zoey? Would you still choose this path?" I swallowed down on thickness in my throat. "I love Troy, I love my kids, and I absolutely miss and love Zoey. I want all of them."
"I wish you got all of them because you deserve all of them but I also think the life you have now is amazing. It sucks but I think good things are happening for both of us and I get more baby snuggles." She rested Sutton on her shoulder. I smiled watching, "I think it's all good now, too." Beth squeezed my leg and my phone buzzed next to me. I smiled with a shake of my head as Troy's face was bright on my screen with that big smile.
"He's obsessed," I laughed with a nod as I answered his facetime call. His blue eyes popped up when my face appeared on his screen and he smiled. "Hi," he voiced and I smiled right back, "Hi, how did the game go?" I asked him. He was laying on his stomach in the hotel room freshly showered. "It went well. We won by ten. Enough about that – how are my babies?" I flipped the camera to show off Saylor in my lap. "Oh, there is my baby girl," he cooed and she wiggled in my lap. "They should be upstairs in their beds already but Beth and I are giving them extra snuggles tonight."
"They deserve all the extra snuggles." Troy stared at Saylor as I then put the video on Sutton. "Hi buddy! How cute are you?" Beth couldn't stop her laugh and Troy smiled back. "Yea, yea, Beth. I'm obsessed with them." I flipped the camera back to me and his smile grew again. "I'm also obsessed with you." I shook my head with a smile on my face. "Can we go back to basketball?" I questioned and he shook his head. "No. He can't. He isn't joking that he's obsessed Gabi," I heard Cameron and I couldn't stop my laugh.
"Fine, I'll ask you. How was basketball?" I questioned. Cameron laughed, "It was really good. I have a good feeling about this team. They are something special and I think they are going to make a good run for state." Troy looked over at Cameron, "You think?" a laugh echoed from Cameron, "It might take a lot of work but yea, you don't?" Troy let a smile play on his lips. "I was thinking about it myself but I wasn't going to jinx it." They both laughed together as I shared a smile with Beth.
"Gabi, we nominated Troy for the middle of the night stuff for a while. He has to watch film anyways," I rolled my eyes with a huff, "I am not ready for all of that again." Troy cringed, "It'll be worse this year. We have a better team and more time to prepare as a higher seed. Means all of the film," Troy explained and I just looked down at Saylor. "Sounds like you're going to be busy Say," Beth just laughed, "I'm going to get them ready for bed. You enjoy your time," I told him.
"Call me later," he protested. "Troy, spend time with your friends. I'll call you in the morning. I love you." he sighed heavily, "I love you, too. Give Saylor and Sutton a kiss for me." I just nodded as I blew him a kiss before hanging up the phone. Beth just broke out into hysterics. "Oh my god, he is obsessed."
Friday, February 28th, 2020
Gabi's POV
My mom, dad, Beth, Blaine, and Lucy were all in the kitchen eating pizza after we watched Blaine get another W tonight. James went to grab some dessert for all of us as the babies were being passed around and loved on. Jenna was on her way over as she was leaving Ethan with Willa tonight. It was going to be a girl's night minus Sutton.
My mom was holding Saylor as she was talking and staring at her. Blaine was holding Sutton as we were all just laughing and talking. For the first time in forever this felt normal and comfortable. It felt right. I was only missing Troy and he was currently in the middle of the game. I didn't imagine going 24 hours without him would be hard but it had been. I woke up wanting to roll into his body but instead I got Beth.
Which was just one status underneath Troy.
I hugged my Dad as he hugged me right back, "I love seeing that smile on your face," he told me. I just smiled up at him, "I'm feeling better dad, all around. Pregnancy was hard mentally but I think I'm finally pulling out of the cloud that I was under." My dad kissed the top of my head. Wrapping my arms around him tightly and savoring the moment. It didn't last long because Sutton cried out and he was probably getting tired and hungry.
"I'm going to feed Sutton and put him to bed before I repeat with Saylor. Nobody leave. I'm not done hanging out." The group laughed as I took Sutton upstairs to do his bedtime routine and it wasn't long before Jenna was joining me. She flopped in the bed and giggled, "I feel like I haven't seen you in forever but it truly hasn't been that long." I smiled as Sutton nursed and got mad when I laughed. I consoled him and put him back to my chest.
"How is Willa?"
"Already passed out that little bitch. She always stays up late when I put her to bed but Ethan does? She passes out immediately." Jenna rolled her eyes and we both just laughed together as I stared at Sutton. "How is life without Troy?"
"I miss him," I told her, "I didn't think I would but I do. I sometimes like my space but I miss him." Jenna smiled, "He's your person. He makes everything better." I smiled as I sighed, "I feel like I am letting him down sometimes." Jenna wrinkled her brow together, "What the fuck do you mean?"
"We haven't had sex yet the day the twins were born and he hasn't asked, pressured, or anything but I know he wants, too." I picked at a piece of cotton on my leggings. "Gabs, it took like three months before I felt ready to have sex again. You had twins. Stop thinking that. Troy Bolton loves you and will wait for you. If he couldn't? Then he isn't the damn man for you. You had his babies. That's enough." I smiled, "He said the same thing practically. I think I'm mostly nervous."
"For what?"
"That it's different. We had great sex before but things have changed,"
Jenna just shook her head, "No, they didn't. Nothing changed but that you love each other more which should be enough and make it better. I would laugh in your face if you told me that you didn't love him more now than you did on December 29th." She raised her eyebrow while she stared at me and I just laughed as I looked at Sutton who had fallen asleep. "You're right,"
"It's scary because nobody talks about it. Yea, it's different the first time but you had babies. Two of them. Your body is different but Troy knows that already. He has no expectations but that you love him just as fiercely back. Plus, Ethan said for a while he was even too tired to have sex. But we started slow and we worked our way back to what we think is better for us. Just talk to him and from the sounds of it – you have."
I nodded, "Yea, we have. The longer he is away the closer I want to be to him – like I want to crawl into his lap and just stay there." Jenna smiled, "You have nothing to worry about. Take the time you think you need. End of story." I put Sutton in his bassinet and I hugged Jenna. "Thanks for coming over," she nodded her head, "I'm happy I could be here. I miss you,"
We went downstairs as I grabbed Saylor but she was already asleep. I enjoyed pizza and my family for the first time in forever. "Gabi, when do you go back to work?" I groaned, "Too soon. I believe I go back in the middle of April. We are going to try and keep the kids out of daycare until August though." A smile was shared between my parents. "You just let us know if you need any help. We could probably help out a few times a week."
"That would be amazing. It would just be from when I go back to work until Troy's summer break. He would be home by like three-thirty every day." A smile reached over Beth's face. "I'm trying to get Colt to think about living here so I can help." I laughed as I looked at her. "I think Wyoming looks good on you," Beth shook her head with a smile as she popped her crust in her mouth. "Blaine, you should come play basketball up there."
James grunted, "No. That is so far away. I would like him to be within a few states of here." Blaine just smiled as Lucy pouted, "I don't want Blaine to leave at all." She looked up at Blaine and he easily picked her up. "I'm not going anywhere yet," Blaine said. Lucy just sighed while resting her head against him. "Are you positive?" Blaine just laughed, "Yea, I'm positive." I smiled as Saylor woke up. "I think we're going to bug out of here. Gabi, thank you for the company." James said. I nodded, "Of course."
I hugged Blaine, Lucy, and James's good-bye as they each loved on Saylor. My parents weren't far behind as I settled in on the couch with Saylor. "Gabi, Troy is calling you." I smiled as Beth handed me the phone and I answered the Facetime request.
"Hi," I answered. He was at a restaurant with people screaming in the background, I laughed, "You can call me later," I offered. He shook his head as he held up a finger. He yelled something out to Jax before he was outside. "You really didn't have to call me. I am just feeding Saylor." I told him as I showed her eating and a smile tugged on his face. "I just wanted to say hi and ask how Blaine's game went." I looked at his twinkling blue eyes. "Blaine won, you probably already know that and hi back. We all came back to the house to eat pizza and dessert. Sutton is already asleep,"
Troy sighed and he looked up at the sky for a minute, "Was the game tonight stressful?" I asked. He shrugged, "Our refs were awful. I nearly got a technical but Cameron intervened. We won but it was sloppy and not a good game."
"You look like you could use a hug," I smiled at him and Troy chuckled, "I could use a hug. Instead, I have to share a room with Cameron." We both laughed together as Jenna and Beth cleaned up the kitchen. "Go back to your team, I love you."
"I love you, too."
Troy's POV
Cameron, Jax, Dylan, and I were all seated in the conference room watching film together as we were holding one more team meeting tonight before they all went to bed. I was still frustrated over our game tonight but it was nothing I could change now. One of my players, Justin, hurt his ankle and luckily our trainer was with us tonight.
"Earth to Troy," I glanced up at Dylan who was waving a water in front of my face. "Are you still thinking about that game? Let it go. We won." Dylan said. I just shook my head. "I'm pissed off that the ref thought it was a good idea to just allow that kid to plow over Justin. He's hurt because of it." Jax grunted, "It was a rough game but nothing we can do about it now. We won." I ran my fingers through my hair as I rubbed the bridge of my nose.
The players all started to filter into the conference room. Justin was one of the only few missing but he was probably still with the athletic trainer and Jesse. I stood up in front of the room as mostly everybody went silence. "Tonight, was a tough night, you all worked hard and played hard. You didn't have help from the refs and it wasn't a clean game. For that, I apologize. I wish I could have done more but you all handled it well."
"Coach B, you can't control them. It was too close of a game to have you get a technical." Mason added. I nodded my head in understanding, "I know. I never want to act like that in front of you." Quinton just grinned like a cat. "Coach B, you can scream and yell all you want on the basketball court." I just laughed with a shake of my head. "Tomorrow, we have our semi-final game. I know we watched the first half of the game but we are playing the winner which was the Bobcats." The team groaned knowing it was going to be a hard game.
We started working through film that we had quickly clipped. We showed plays that they consistently used and their quick variations. It wasn't detailed film but it was going to get better. We started clipping yesterday but it was older film. Dylan did a segment as I downed my water bottle and tossed it into the trash. I got a picture from Gabi of the babies sleeping on her chest. My heart warmed and I rubbed my chest as I tucked my phone away.
"Any questions?" I asked as the lights flipped on. All of the guys glanced around and a few questions were asked but mostly they were probably ready for bed or staying up way too late and not getting enough sleep like I did in high school. "Okay, tomorrow, we will get up at 8, eat breakfast, do some stretching here before heading to the gym for our forty-five-minute shoot around. We'll come back to rest or do homework. Remember, if you aren't caught up by next Friday in all the classes you missed you will be benched for a week. I've already talked to all of the teachers."
The group groaned, "Kids in my class, you all know you have a paper to be writing." Cameron mentioned. More groans.
I just chuckled as I dismissed all of them after telling them the bus for the gym would leave at 5 to catch the end of the game before us. They all started to leave the room and I nodded towards Jax, "I'm going to go check on Justin. I'll be back and then we can finish talking about our game plan." They nodded as I went upstairs to our floor with the players as I razed most of them along the way. Andy was standing outside of his room and I rubbed his shoulder.
"Coach B, what if Justin can't play tomorrow?" Andy stressed as he was the replacement to Justin. "Andy, you can and will be able to fill his shoes. You did tonight. Stop doubting yourself. Go to your room and get ready for bed." I directed him as I knocked on Justin and Max's door. The door swung open to reveal Jesse who was laughing. "How's it going in here?" I looked at Mike working on Justin as he was laughing himself.
"It's not all that bad. Probably shouldn't play tomorrow but could play on Sunday." Mike said with a look. I just nodded my head in understanding, "Coach B, I could play tomorrow." Justin bargained and I shook my head. "No, I'd much rather you play on Sunday. That is more important. Andy can fill your shoes tomorrow. Help him." I told Justin. "You are going to sit." Justin groaned falling back. "Did you talk to your parents?" Justin just nodded.
"I'll give them a call once I'm done."
I thanked Mike and nodded towards Jesse, "We'll be in the conference room. We have energy drinks." Jesse laughed as I went to Andy's room and I knocked on the door. Antonio swung the door open, "Where's Andy?" I asked. He pointed to the bed as I walked into the room. "You are starting tomorrow. If you want to go through some stuff, come back to the conference room. We'll be there watching film. Okay?" he nodded his head with the deer in the headlight look.
"Thank you, Coach B," I nodded as I pivoted to leave. I made it back downstairs as Jax threw me a Monster as I popped it up. I settled in front of my computer, "Andy is starting tomorrow, he will most likely be down here any minute. Let's find some plays to show him and we can work through some stuff," everybody began to move as Andy walked in with two of our other starters. "We'll help walk him through some plays," I grinned, "Perfect."
Saturday, February 29th, 2020
Gabi's POV
"Saylor, what do you think? The pink or the purple pajamas?" I questioned as Troy came home tomorrow evening and I couldn't wait. I was tired. He has been so much help over the past several weeks even if it felt like I did a lot I didn't realize how much Troy did. Especially with Luna. We were bundling up to take Luna for a walk with Beth. "Purple, I already see purple being her color." Beth said as she dressed Sutton in an olive green one.
Luna was circling around and whimpering because she really hadn't had the time since Troy left. He was so good about getting her up in the morning and going for a run before work. I swear, I wasn't sure how he had been doing all of it. He was a magician.
I dressed her in the purple one and we got them all bundled in the car seats before putting them in the stroller. Luna was bouncing around and jumping as Beth laughed, "She has so much energy." I sighed, "I know. Troy is the best with her. Constantly making sure that she is played with and going on walks. I feel like between the three of them I don't have any time." Beth laughed, "Thankfully, you will mostly always have Troy around." I smiled with a nod as I put a blanket over each of the babies while Beth hooked a leash around Luna.
"Are you happy he'll be back tomorrow and get rid of me?" I laughed, "No, I wish you could stay. Honestly but I also know Colt probably wants you back. I am very happy for Troy to be coming home though. Maybe this is what we really needed. Just a reminder of how much I love him and how much he has been doing for me."
"Did you think he wasn't?" I shook my head. "I knew he was but this put it into perspective. It put into perspective that he was doing so much more than I was realizing. I think I want to treat him to dinner on night and plan a date. When do you go back?" I asked her. "Thursday. I am staying with mom and dad for a few days mostly to catch a few more of Blaine's games. Plus, I am pretty sure James is getting close to selling the house. He is touring some houses tomorrow with Blaine. I told him I would keep Lucy."
"You guys can come over here. Troy isn't supposed to be home until 5-6." Beth nodded as we started our walk together. "Lucy would probably love that. She loves those baby cousins." Luna wanted to run and leap but she was trying to maintain some grace with her walking. "If I felt better, I would leave you alone with the twins and take her on a run. She probably will want to run miles with Troy on Monday."
"Sorry, sis, I don't run," I giggled as Beth looked over at me, "Do you still want a date night?" I nodded, "Maybe Tuesday night? Like late? We can put the babies to bed if you will just come sit with them. We will just grab some dinner or maybe dessert. I don't know. Just some Troy and I time. A thank you,"
"You don't have to thank him really; he donated his sperm. He should be doing all of this."
"Yea, but a thank you sometimes goes a long way." I told Beth with a shrug, "I don't want him to assume I am taking him for granted. Saying thank you and just spending time with him without our kids. I have to remember that our relationship was young when we got pregnant. We are still dating practically, we need time for the two of us, too."
"I think that is smart to remember. He will appreciate that," I smiled as we continued on our walk. "A year ago, I was about to break up with him for over a month. I needed to find myself away from him. I was leaning on him and constantly using him as a crutch. I hadn't grieved Zoey at all and I needed time. It was the scariest thing I did but the best thing I could have ever done for our relationship."
"You're a strong woman, Gabs. I envy you for handling all of that by yourself. I love you and I'm sorry that I wasn't here to support you. I added to your grief." I just squeezed her hand as we walked, "It's what you needed, Beth. I can never be upset about it." She just shared a smile with me and paused as she reached in for a hug. I hugged her right back as Luna cried to keep going. We both wiped our tears and laughed as we kept walking.
"I'm just glad you are back now,"
Troy's POV
"My god, I missed that fucking face. I miss you," I voiced as Gabi's face popped up on my phone. It was late but Cameron was in our room talking to Lennon and I stayed in the lobby to talk to her. She lights up my screen with a smile. "Sorry, the babies are already in bed." I shook my head, "That was the facetime call before the game. This one? I just want to see that pretty face." I sent her a wink and she just laughed in response.
"I'm glad you miss me and the babies. For a while I thought it was just the babies." I shot her a look, "Seriously? You don't think I miss you? I really fucking miss you. Those brown eyes. That crazy hair, that laugh, your beautiful smile. Take a pick. I miss every single aspect of it." Gabi shook her head but her cheeks turned pink. "You're my girl, don't forget it."
"Are you sure Saylor isn't beating me out?" I huffed a breath and rolled my eyes with a smile on my face. "Gabi, I will always love Saylor and she is one of my girls but you are the girl. Saylor will grow old on me one day and leave the house and I will have you still. That's the girl that matters to me." She smiled at the answer, "Luna also can't wait for you to be home. She wants to run like the wind. Our walks are not doing it for her."
I chuckled under my breath, "That girl is something else. I will try and run her Monday morning before work. She probably desperately needs it." Gabi agreed with a nod of her head and she looked at me for a moment as if she was thinking about something. "I know you have practiced every night and you want to spend time with the babies but Beth is only here till Thursday and I would like a night with you. Whether it be a night cap or ice cream or dinner – I don't care. But she offered to watch them Tuesday night after they go to bed."
I tried to stop my mouth from twitching into a smile but I just nodded, "I also want time with you. We can play what we do by ear but I am game for Tuesday night." We shared a smile together. "How was the game tonight?" she asked. "It was good. We had to start a sophomore tonight because Justin hurt his ankle yesterday and he played freaking amazing. The team really rallied around him to make sure he was ready for the start and he did fucking awesome. I was so proud of him."
Gabi had that content smile on her face, "I love watching you talk about your team. You are so proud of them and it makes me proud of you." My body warmed with her words of encouragement. "You are something to be proud of Troy, this team is doing something amazing. Be proud of that and spend time on it." I ran my fingers through my hair while I stared at her. "Thank you, I know it couldn't have been easy to let me leave right now."
"Troy, I wanted you to go. Look at what happened? You are in the championship game. You are working towards state."
"You are going to be the best basketball coach wife,"
She laughed with a roll of her eyes, "I'm more than that,"
"Correct, you truly are. You are your own person but you are a supportive basketball coach wife."
"Sage is so pregnant; she can't wait to have their baby. I can't wait for Sutton and Saylor to have another friend. We're going to be hosting play dates before too long." I smiled, "I think I can handle that as long as you don't take away the beer." Gabi looked over her shoulder and I watched her for a moment. Her side profile with her eyes focused on whatever she heard. "The babies, okay?" she nodded her head. "I thought I heard one of them cry."
"Oh, I can't wait to hold them. I can't wait to cuddle you."
"I can't wait to kiss you." Gabi told me. "I miss us."
"I miss us, too, we'll get back there soon enough. I think our lives were upended enough with the early labor, NICU, etc.," I rolled my lips together as I watched her. "I love you, Troy. I can't wait to see you tomorrow." I smiled right back at her. "I love you, too, Brie."
Troy's POV
Sunday, March 1st, 2020
I pulled into the driveway after winning the whole damn thing. I was exhausted but it was a good weekend. Gabi promised me that she wasn't going to put the kids to bed before I got here because I needed to see them. I needed to hold them and love on them.
Then I planned on loving on her.
I didn't realize how much I was going to miss her.
I missed her before when we were apart but man this was something different. I missed all three of them. I would lay awake at night thinking about what they were doing. I swear I had more midnight texts to Gabi because she was either feeding, pumping, or changing diapers. I pushed open the door to my car as I hopped out and grabbed my backpack and bag before heading inside. Luna was the first to greet me as I rubbed her head back and forth. "Hi Luna girl, hi," she cried and jumped underneath my feet. I heard one of the babies crying as I looked up to see Gabi with her hair on very top of her head and her glasses on her face.
They were actually both crying. I smiled as I missed it. I walked to the living room and I scooped Sutton out of her arms. She looked up at me with exhaustion in her eyes but a smile climbed on her face. "They are both exhausted," she said over their cries. I just nodded as I bounced Sutton gently in my arms as I stared at him. "Hi buddy, I missed you." I murmured as he rested on my chest. I rubbed his back and it didn't take long for both of them to calm down.
"Let me see her," I said as I stole Saylor from Gabi. Gabi collapsed into the couch as I sat down next to her with both of those babies curled up on my chest. "You got home just in time. I was about to just put them to bed." Gabi rested her head in my lap and I felt at home. This felt right. Gabi right here, my babies on my chest, and Luna circling around my feet. I let Sutton rest on my chest as I removed my hand and I reached down to run my fingers through Gabi's hair.
"This is what I have been thinking about all day," I whispered and Gabi twisted her head to look up, "Yea?" I nodded, "Yea, I missed you guys. I didn't think I could physically miss anybody more. I missed you all the time but it's more now." A smile pulled on her lips as she looked up at the babies in my arms. "You are such an amazing dad," she told me. I laughed, "You are an amazing mother. Doing this alone all weekend? That's amazing. I still feel slightly guilty." Gabi just laughed and sat up to look at me. "You won the thing and it's a part of your job. Stop feeling guilty." We shared another smile together as I let the two little ones fall asleep fully. Gabi filled me in on all the little things that I had missed but nothing major.
"Let's put them to bed, I think I want a minute with you." I couldn't disagree with that statement. I took the two upstairs as I put them in their bassinets and turned on the sound machine. I stared at each of them and kissed their foreheads. They were everything to me and I couldn't imagine leaving them for anything other than a long weekend. "Good night, babies," I whispered.
I jogged back downstairs as Gabi was sitting up on the couch. I didn't waste time to connect my lips with hers. I was hungry for her but for only what she wanted. Her legs wrapped around my body and he buried herself against me as I picked her up before sitting back down with her in my lap. My fingers getting caught in her hair, her body rolled against mine and I couldn't stop as I twisted to pin her to the couch below me.
"I'll stop if you want me to stop," I said pulling back. She gripped my neck and pulled me back to her lips. "I don't know if I want to go all the way but I want this. I miss this." I didn't stop to overthink her statement so I just dropped my lips to her. I let my lips press over her jaw and down her neck. Her head arching back to allow me better access. "So beautiful," I whispered. I focused back on her mouth as her fingers worked up my shirt against my bare skin.
"You really missed me," I said as I pulled back. Those brown eyes were full of love and happiness tonight. "I did really miss you. I also realized I really missed this. Your touch. Your warmth." I nearly groaned as I sat up but Gabi took the opportunity to get into my lap. "Gabi, baby, if this isn't going anywhere then you are going to have to get off my lap. This will only cause the problem to get worse." She giggled and her lips hovered over mine.
She teased and kissed me as I let my own hands ease up her sheet to find her braless breasts. This was my first time feeling them since she started breastfeeding and she nearly whimpered in my hand from it alone. "What do you want?" I whispered into her ear. "I don't want to do anything that you aren't ready for but I need a direction." She pulled up her arms and I easily lifted her shift off. My lips pressed to each of them before I let my tongue circle her areola. Her head tilted back on the couch and I groaned as she slipped her hand into my underwear.
"Can we start with this? Then work our way up?" she nearly whimpered and I just nodded as I tried to catch my breath. "Whatever you want Brie," I picked her up as we weren't doing this on the couch. "Troy, the babies are in our room." I didn't say anything as I just carried her to the guest bedroom. I easily dropped her onto the bed as I pulled off her leggings and went for her shirt but I felt her withdrawing so I just went back in for the kiss. I eased her back into this part when she unbuttoned my jeans.
She pulled them down easily as she gently pushed me back onto the bed as she took the lead on the situation. She kissed my neck, my chest, and then down to my belly button. Her fingers wrapped around me and I bucked into her hand as she let her eyes hold onto me while her lips wrapped around. "Gabi," I nearly groaned. I vibrated with it and she just took her time but I was on a short leash with her. I pulled back from her and she let those hooded eyes open.
I took my time with her and I made sure she felt good. That this felt good. My touch was gentle, my lips pressed softly against her body, my fingers brushing over each and every square inch. Her fingers were grasping at my skin and it took all my control not to slide inside of her. I focused my lips back to her lips and she gripped my neck, "Just do it," she whispered in my ear. I pulled back and I looked at her with a heavy breath. "Baby, we don't have too." I propped up on my arm and she shook her head. "No, I want you. I need you in the worst of ways."
My fingers and hand pressed against her cheek, "I can do all the other things I know how to do. I don't have to have all of this," I told her and she shook her head again. "No, I need you inside of me. Please," she please came out as a whimper and I just nodded my head, "Do I need a condom?" I asked her and she hesitated but shook her head no. "My IUD should have been effective after a week. It's always a risk though," I closed my eyes and thought about it for five seconds as we couldn't be able to handle another kid right now but I also didn't want to ruin this experience for her. I slid inside of her and propped her leg up to get a different angle. She gasped from the impact and her fingers scratched at my back.
"Tell me to stop if you need me to stop, I will," I told her. "Please don't," she tried to breathe and I started slow. I was only going to start slow with her. I watched her face as I waited for any sign of discomfort. To say this was my favorite experience wouldn't be the truth but I had to make sure this was good for her. That was my only concern. She deserved this.
Gabi's POV
My head rested on Troy's shoulder as we were wrapped up together in the spare bedroom. It was kind of nice not being right next to the babies and they shockingly slept the entire time that Troy and I had sex together. It wasn't fun at first but the more Troy took his time and the more he focused on me the better it got. He took his time, he loved on me, and he made sure it was good. His fingers stroked my skin as I let my chin rest on his shoulder as I looked at him.
"I love you," I whispered to him. His blue eyes flickered down to face me, "I love you, too. You feeling, okay?" I nodded my head as I sat up. "Thank you, not just for this whole experience but for everything you've done since they got here. I guess I didn't realize how much you had been doing until I had to do all of it." His lips pressed into my forehead, "This is a team effort. I grew up playing a team sport. Just because you are the mom doesn't mean you do it all alone. Understood? Team effort."
I locked our fingers together and I pressed my lips to his palm. His eyes were focused on me as I looked over at the clock knowing those babies were going to be hungry soon. "Do you want to feed Saylor? She still needs one of her bottles today." Troy nodded his head and I sat up to wiggle into his lap. "But the moment they are back in their bassinet we are back to cuddling. I missed this body pressed against mine."
"I would say they could start sleeping in their room but they still wake up three times a night." My fingers brushed through that hair again and his bottom lip brushed against my face before kissing me again. "I'm not ready for that either. I like having them close. This bed is nice, though," we both laughed together as I wrapped my arms around his neck. We didn't mess with my bra because I honestly wasn't sure what would happen with breastfeeding and sex.
My boobs were definitely full though.
Troy easily picked me up from the bed and he walked across the floor with me in his arms. He easily deposited me in bed, "Are you breastfeeding Sutton?" I nodded my head as he picked him up and rocked him in his arms while staring at him. Those were the moments I wish I could capture forever. That look in his eye as he stared at his son. The awh on his face and the love that was so deeply imbedded in him already. Troy kissed his forehead before handing him to me.
"Saylor is still asleep; I am going to get her bottle." He kissed the top of my head before going downstairs. I looked down at Sutton and I smiled, "We missed him, didn't we?"
Happy Sunday! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Two chapters left of this story before we start the next one! There will be probably 6-8 week gap between stories! I've only been able to write a few snippets for the new one and I want to have a few chapters written beforehand! I'll release a teaser in the next chapter!
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Next Update: Sunday January 30th
