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Someone asked how many chapters left, there's a couple more to go…

Chapter18

Gabi sat on the plane next to a pensive Troy, who was staring out of the window and she reached across to lay her hand palm up on his thigh, indicating he should take it.

He looked at her and smiled, instantly linking his fingers through hers and leaning over to kiss her quickly.

He'd already been approached five times for an autograph and he was sick of seeing pictures of him and Gabi caught in a private moment so he didn't linger on the PDA.

"How's your back?" she asked and he knew she was worrying about him again.

"It's okay. Your massage this morning was amazing" he pointed his head toward her as his intense eyes met hers.

Gabi smiled secretly, remembering how she had straddled his backside as she had rubbed and kneaded his gorgeously muscled back. When she had run her hands over the dimples just above his ass, he had giggled ticklishly and she had kissed him there too.

"You're welcome" she said, squeezing his hand.

"Life's going to be hectic when we get back" he sighed

"I know" she said, leaning into his shoulder and his head tipped so it rested on top of hers and they sat like that, enjoying their time together.

---

It was in the arrivals lounge that Gabi turned her phone on and found she had a voicemail. She listened intently, recognizing Bea's voice and her eyes widened as she realized that Bea had called her to say she was going into labour.

She checked the time. She had left the message an hour ago so she could be a mum by now.

"Oh my god, Bea's having the baby" she said as they walked out, being met by photographers and Greg simultaneously.

Gabi shrugged in behind Troy's shoulder as she put her phone away.

"You okay babe?" he checked and Gabi latched onto his arm

"I'm okay" she said, following him until they reached the car and he let her get in first, sitting next to her in the back seat, moving slowly but still wincing at the movement.

"Right, Troy" Greg said as soon as they pulled away from the airport "You have to come with me I'm afraid, we have a hell of a lot to catch up on"

Troy leaned his head back against the seat with a sigh "Okay" he said, looking to Gabi "We'll drop you off first, is that okay?"

She nodded "I'm going to go and see Bea at the hospital later but text me when you're free?" she asked

He nodded, thinking that it wasn't likely he'd have any free time in the next few days let alone hours. He was reminded how unfair it was to Gabi that he couldn't be like a normal boyfriend.

He took her hand and stroked her fingers gently as her eyes met his in surprise.

"You know how I feel about you right?" he checked nervously

Gabi smiled a little smile "Of course" she said, stroking his face

"I might not be the best boyfriend for the next few days while I'm working" he warned

Gabi hugged him gently, moving to kiss his cheek. "It's okay" she assured him

He nodded, fingering the bracelet on her wrist and then linked his hand through hers again, looking out of the window thoughtfully.

Gabi leaned on his shoulder, until they reached her flat and she kissed him goodbye, tired and drained from their flight as she lugged her suitcase into the flat and Troy was driven away to attend to his work commitments.

--

"Bea, I can't believe how beautiful she is" Gabi said

"You've already said that a hundred times Gabi" Bea smiled

"I know!" Gabi felt teary

"And you've been here every day since Dakota was born" she added

"How could I not? She's gorgeous" she enthused, smiling at the tiny bundle in her arms

"Is Superstar gracing us with his presence?" she asked gently

Gabi shifted her wrist to look at her watch "He should be here soon" she said, worried about the hectic schedule he was keeping to. It was the Sunday after New Years now and she hadn't seen him in four days. She could cope with being apart, but she ached for his touch, to see his smile, to be held in his arms again.

She was singing gently to Dakota, cradling her in her arms and rocking her from side to side.

Troy stood at the door to Bea's room and watched Gabi with Bea's baby, tears welling in his eyes at the sight. She looked beautiful, her short hair around her shoulders, shiny and straight, she had on some slouchy sweat pants and a zipped up hoodie and her smile was about the most incredible thing he had ever witnessed.

"There are my favourite ladies" he said warmly from the doorway and Bea and Gabi both turned to him.

He grinned, moving into the room, firstly handing a bouquet of flowers to Bea, a mixed bunch with colourful blooms. He kissed her on the cheek "Hey momma" he smiled "Your daughter looks beautiful" he smiled, coming around the bed toward Gabi and all Gabi could do was watch him, noticing the bags under his eyes from lack of sleep and the sleepy look clouding his usually crystal clear eyes.

She could tell he was hurting too, as he walked a little stiffly and she worried about his back.

When he reached her, he hugged her, minding the baby, leaning over to kiss her on the lips briefly. Gabi smiled "Wanna hold Dakota?" she asked

Troy looked nervous "Err, no, it's okay. You're doing such a great job" he said

"She doesn't bite" Gabi admonished gently "Cradle your arms" she instructed and he did so, sweat beading his upper lip at the thought of being in charge of the tiny bundle that Gabi was preciously guarding.

She laid the baby in his arms, making sure her head was supported, and cocked her head at him as he stared at the infant, awed.

Gabi smiled affectionately, thinking what a great dad he would make.

He smiled at the baby then, murmuring to her gently. "Hey Dakota, pretty lady" he said "I'm your uncle Troy. Wanna little song to help you sleep?" he asked and then he began to sing 'Wanderlust" by Paul McCartney.

"#Light Out Wanderlust
Head Us Out To Sea
Captain Says There'll Be A Bust
This One's Not For Me

Take Us From The Dark
Out Where We Can See
Captain's Out To Make His Mark
This One's Not For Me

Light Out Wanderlust
Help Us To Be Free
Light Out Wanderlust
Do It Just For Me
Wanderlust

Oh Where Did I Go Wrong My Love?
What Petty Grime Was I Found Guilty Of?
What Better Time To Find A Brand New Day?
Oh - Wanderlust Away#"

Gabi watched as Troy sang to Dakota and felt her whole insides turn with desire and longing as his voice reached the core of her soul.

Troy caught Gabi's look and gazed at her with love. He wanted this with her, he realized as Dakota fidgeted in his arms. He wanted to see her body swelling with his child, he wanted to go to ante-natal classes with her and raise a child together. Maybe not now, maybe not for a few years, but he wanted it. And he knew without a doubt he wanted Gabi in his future.

He studied her, wondering if she felt the same.

Gabi looked at Troy and ached to have what Bea had with Dylan and Dakota. She knew she didn't have a great history of staying put and she was hardly secure in her job or home, but she wanted to be. In fact she'd love to be, but wondered if it would be too much for her, was it too much to expect that she could have this life with Troy? Did he even want the same thing?

He was a young man with his whole life ahead of him and she didn't doubt his love, but they were both barely adults. A lot could change in the years to come.

It scared her that they could both become different people and ultimately be torn apart. She looked at Troy with fear in her eyes, but instead of running, she moved over to him to take Dakota gently and handed her back to Bea "Here, mommy" she murmured gently and Bea smiled as Gabi took Troy's hand, leading him from the room into the quiet hallway, instantly looping her arms around his waist to hug him tightly and he smiled, half chuckling in surprise as he let his arms bear hug her in return, his chin resting on her head.

"Mmm, how I love to be squashed by you" he joked with a husky voice

"You're all husky and sexy" she accused against his t-shirted chest.

"I've been doing interviews again" he explained "But if you think it's sexy, I can do some more…" he smiled into her hair, loving the feel of her against him, snuggling into him.

"Nooo" she complained "Not more?" she asked as she leaned back to look into his gorgeous eyes.

"Not today" he smiled "Would you like to come over?"

"Okay. Let's say goodbye to Bea" she said, linking hands with him as they headed back in to say farewell to Mother and baby before heading out again.