You guys are good. I think you know me better than I know myself. : )

Chapter 26 – Fight the Fight

Monday, February 17th, 2025

The driver pulled up to the complex and I gave him his cash and tip as I slipped out of the car. I thanked him and then ventured inside the Spring Training complex. It was quiet as most everybody wouldn't report until the end of the week. I took a deep breath and I smiled at the security guard.

"Mrs. Bolton! We didn't know you were going to be here today," I jumped onto the golf cart as I held my bag, "I didn't know either, and do you know where Troy is?"

"He was in the clubhouse with the trainers a little while ago."

"Can you take me to him?" they nodded and I locked my fingers together as I played with my ring, they pulled up to the front of the clubhouse and I thanked them. "We confirmed that he is in the trainers room."

"Thank you," I walked inside and the cold blast of air was so different than the Arizona heat. I went around the corner when I heard his voice. I knew when he saw me he was going to freak out because I gave him no warning. I stepped through and I rounded the corner as Troy laughed with the trainer as he was doing a workout of some sort for his elbow. Somebody cleared their throat and Troy glanced up to the doorway.

"No, no," he said sitting up, his eyes locked onto mine and I felt my heart pound a little bit I saw the blood drain from his face as he saw me standing there. I could see the tears fill his eyes looking at me, "Uh…can we talk?" he slipped off the table without looking at his trainers, he quickly wrapped me in his arms so tightly I could barely breathe, "Brie," I grabbed his hand and I reached up to stroked his face. "We just need to talk okay?" he looked at me and he nodded his head slowly, I lead out of the area and Troy followed me, "Gabi, baby," tears filled my eyes and I went into a small office as I turned to look at him. "Why didn't you call me? Are you okay? I'm sorry," I shook my head as I grabbed a bag and I handed it to him.

He looked at me confused and I just nodded my head in understanding.

"Gabi? What is going on?" he asked me, "You are scaring me, how did your appointment go this morning? If you are here," a small laugh bubbled from my throat, "Troy, just open the package." I said as I wiped away tears. Troy sighed as he opened the package and he pulled out an onsie and he smiled, "Does this mean?" I shook my head, "Troy, there is more! I know you know we are having a baby," Troy looked confused as he reached down to grab another onsie.

He frowned and he laid them both down and he looked at it.

INTW

"Flip them," I instructed, Troy did so and he gasped, he turned to look at me with his blue eyes so big that I thought you could read the future in them, and I smiled as I pressed play on my phone. The heartbeats filled the room and Troy came over and he picked me up with a laugh. "Oh my god Brie," I started to cry as I pressed my head into his neck. "Oh my god we are having twins?" I nodded my head as I pulled away from him, "Some serious double trouble is coming our way," I told him, Troy laughed as he wiped my tears away.

"Oh my god, I was so scared," Troy said, "Once I saw you," I nodded my head and I took a deep breath, "They are both healthy and have a strong heartbeat," I reported to him, Troy smiled as he kissed me softly. "Oh my god," I pulled out the ultrasound scans and Troy sat on the table as I pointed both of them out. Troy's thumb traced the sonograms and he laughed.

Troy smiled at me, "Happy Birthday," he whispered to me, I smiled and he pulled me in close to him. "Twins, Gabi," I nodded my head, "I know, it's crazy."

"We have to feel good about this. Your parents had twins after many miscarriages,"

"My mom did fertility treatment though."

"And? It is still amazing." He put his hands on my belly and I pulled my shirt up, "Look, I am already a little swollen," Troy couldn't wipe the smile off his face and Troy smiled, "You're already beautiful, and you will only get more beautiful." I walked into his arms and he hugged me tightly. "Oh my god," I laughed and Troy pulled back to kiss me. "I want to hear their heartbeats again," he said, I agreed as I played it on my phone again. I closed my eyes to listen to the two heartbeats.

I felt tears on my cheeks as the recording ended, "What's wrong?"

"I'm happy I just…" Troy nodded his head in understanding, "Now you have two heartbeats to worry about," I nodded and he wiped away my tears. Troy kissed my forehead and he sighed pulling me between his legs and he tucked my hair behind my ear. "We are going to do this, tomorrow, you'll be eight weeks along and we have four weeks to go for the worst part to be over, will we have to worry from there on out, yes but Brie, you know that is unlikely."

I rested my head on his shoulder, "Are you almost done for the day?"

"Yea, I am just going through these exercises and stuff and then they are going to work on my arm for a little while." I nodded, "I just want to lay down. It has been a long day." Troy smiled, "Yea, it must have been. I want the full story out of you in a little bit okay?" I nodded my head, I put the two onsies back into the bag and Troy kissed the back of my head. "Two babies, man, my guys did good." I elbowed him in the gut and Troy laughed.

I shook my head with a smile and I turned to look at him, "Go back to work so I can go back to the apartment okay?" Troy nodded as he opened the door, "I'm excited." I agreed with a smile and when he stepped out I sat down with a smile as I rubbed my stomach. I was already swollen and I wasn't sure how we were going to conceal the pregnancy until twelve weeks. I grabbed the bag and I went back out and I pulled up a seat as I watched Troy workout.

"Gabi, this is a nice surprise for him," Troy's eyes flickered over to me and I smiled, "It was a good surprise." I said quietly as Troy let a small smile spread over his lips, "I figured I should only spend my birthday here."

"Troy said you are turning twenty-nine again,"

"Oh yes," I winked at Troy and he smiled as they messed with his elbow. "If we could move this session along guys, my wife and I have a birthday to celebrate." I smiled at Troy and he smiled back at me because really…we were both excited.

Troy lay on his stomach as he kissed me softly, "Is this why we are sicker than normal?"

"Dr. Jo thinks so," I said as my fingers wrapped with his, "It is also the reason why my belly is already showing at eight weeks,"

"Just more time for me to enjoy it." I smiled at him and he propped himself up, "So tell me…I just want to know everything." I smiled and nodded my head as I looked at him, "Well Troy, I can't even tell you how much of a nervous wreck I was. I was flipping out and I just didn't want to be there," Troy nodded as I took a deep breath, "So she took me back to the room and I was shaking and my mom was trying to calm me down but honestly I just wanted you so I closed my eyes and just thought about you there and went off into space."

"Brie," I shook my head as I stroked his fingers, "I didn't open my eyes until I heard the heartbeat in the room. I cried and I cried a lot when I heard the heartbeat because it made me feel better and I opened my eyes to listened to the heartbeat." I smiled thinking back to this morning.

I ignored everything as I just pictured Troy holding my hand and I felt Dr. Jo set up, I placed my legs into the stir-ups without much of a thought. She covered my legs and I heard her mumble words but I wasn't listening. I just wanted to hear the one thing that I needed to hear. I needed to hear the baby's heart beat and then I could listen to whatever she had to say to me. Until then, I was going to just shut down.

It took a couple of minutes of discomfort until the warm sound filled the room and tears started flying down my face. I opened my eyes and I knew my mom was doing her job. I relaxed on the bed and I wiped away my tears as I looked at Dr. Jo who was smiling. "That is such a beautiful sound," I said quietly, "Yes, yes it is."

My mom was smiling as I wiped away the tears as I listened to the strong heartbeat fill the room, "Oh Gabi," I looked at Dr. Jo as she had a smile on her face, I began to panic again, "What, Dr. Jo," she looked at me with a reassuring smile and she pointed to the screen. "There is a baby," she said pointing and she smiled and I fell in love with the picture on the screen and then she took her finger to the other side and my face fell a little because what was she pointing out.

"And there is another baby," I gasped as my hands covered my mouth, Dr. Jo smiled, "Twins," she said with a smile, "If you listen to the heartbeats I picked up the second one but this confirms it," I felt the tears again and my mom squeezed my hand, "Oh Gabi," I took a big breath and I wiped away my tears. "Congrats Gabi," she let me relax my legs and I sat up. "Let me go get the sonograms and then we can talk,"

Troy smiled at me, "Two babies," I took his hand and I put his palm over the first baby, "This is baby A," I said, Troy brushed his fingers over the baby and I then moved his hand to where Baby B was, "and there is baby B," Troy placed both of his hands on the appropriate spots and I breathed, "Just imagine four feet hitting you,"

"I can't wait," I whispered, Troy glanced up and he kissed me softly. "I am so happy that you are here celebrating the fact that we are having twins instead of what I first thought when you showed up at the door. I thought I was seeing a ghost and something god awful had happened," I let him talk while his eyes drifted away, "You hadn't called about the appointment and I just hadn't heard yet. So when you showed up in front of me I only thought that we were going to have to go through all of that again."

"We'll we aren't," I sighed, "Not yet." Troy turned his eyes to mine, "You scared me the night you called me. You were so upset." My fingers slid through his hair, "I know, I read some stuff and I just…I know I am not alone and I am blessed to know that I have a daughter. She was very upset by the way that I was coming and she was not." Troy smiled, "I can't wait until we can tell her. She is going to get two babies." I kissed Troy, "What are you hoping for?"

"Two boys," he said automatically, I laughed, "Really?" he nodded, and "The score would finally be even!"

"No…" I said shaking my head, "You would win," Troy shot me a look, "C'mon, you girls will always hold an extra vote with that damn pout." I laughed and I kissed him, "I want one of each," I said, "I know I want a boy,"

"You just want a momma's boy,"

"Just like his daddy is,"

"Hey, don't make fun," I kissed him again and Troy smiled, "I love seeing you this way,"

"My mood can flip quickly." I whispered, "I had horrible nausea on the plane here, it was awful," Troy pulled back with a worried look on his face, "Okay, so, your due date is still September 29th?" I nodded my head and Troy sighed, "Gabs, twins come early," I sighed, "I know, we kind of hit on that today but we didn't go deep," Troy sighed, "So much for an off season baby,"

"My luck your ass will go to the World Series," Troy smiled, "Maybe but still…" I nodded, "I know, as soon as I get through thirteen weeks I will tell Joel and we will talk about that but Dr. Jo already want is warning me that my travel will be limited."

"That's good," I nodded, "I want to travel until I am at least thirty to thirty-two weeks pregnant."

"Brie, you could be having the babies at that point."

"I'll have frequent check-ups before road trips and we will play it by ear but I want to work." Troy nodded, "I'll work home games or I hope I'll work home games."

"You have to take it easy,"

"She said I am going to be pretty tired and that working out is not needed besides stretching and yoga," Troy sighed, "This is going to be a lot more work," I nodded, "Let's not think about that yet. Let's get through the first trimester and then we can tackle all of the scary things about carrying two babies." Troy kissed me again, "How is that sex drive going to be effected again?" he whispered against my lips, "Extra hormones," I breathed and Troy kissed me harder.

"That's what I like to hear," Troy didn't have any clothes to strip from our earlier activities as I pushed him onto his back. He arched an eyebrow at me because I quickly eased on top of him and he moaned while his fingers dug into my hips. "This escalated quickly," he breathed, "It's easy to get a pregnant women in the mood,"

Troy laughed, "No damn joke,"

Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 – 8 weeks pregnant

Troy massaged my shoulders while lying in bed as he kissed on my neck, "Happy Birthday baby girl," I smiled as I twisted around and Troy wrapped his arms around me, "Do you know what makes this birthday special?" Troy shook his head and I smiled weaving my legs through his.

"This birthday is special because I am laying here and I feel sick and in all reality I probably need to puke. I should honestly be sitting in the bathroom because I could puke everywhere," Troy laughed and I smiled, "but that feeling makes me so much happier because that means I have not one but two thriving babies inside of me as they are growing and growing. That means they still have beating heartbeats and that makes me so happy. That makes this birthday special."

Troy kissed my forehead, "It's hard to believe a year ago I was laying in our bed mourning the loss of another baby." Troy pulled me close and he sighed, "Let's not talk about that," I agreed so I didn't say anything more as Troy pulled the blankets down and he pushed my shirt up exposing everything but my breasts. Troy circled his finger around my swollen stomach and he smiled, "I can't believe I can already tell you are pregnant."

"Do you think other people can?"

"No, they look at you and probably think they wish they were as beautiful as you," I laughed, "Cheesy," I said to him, Troy nodded while he kissed my stomach again. Troy then slipped his hand up further to my breasts and I tried to slow my breathing down but he made it escalate quickly. His thumb circled my areola and then he played with my nipple it causing me to squirm. "Troy," I groaned, "It's your birthday," he whispered, my legs squeezed together and Troy shook his head, "No, no,"

He eased them apart with his other hand and I whimpered from the lack of control that I had when Troy Bolton touched my body. "I kind of just want to kiss you," I said as I opened my eyes to look at him. Troy let a smirk cross his lips, "Of course you do," he reached down to kiss me and I wrapped my arms around him to kiss the hell out of him. He groaned into the kiss as I sat up and sat in his lap to kiss more and faster.

"You wanted a dirty make-out session," I didn't answer as he pulled his lips away and he pulled my shirt down to reveal my collarbone as he pressed his lips to it. I tried to remind my body to breath but it wasn't happening. I couldn't breath.

God Damn it Troy Bolton.

"Happy Birthday mommy!" I smiled as I put the phone between my shoulder and ear while I crossed my legs. Troy was throwing off the mound when my dad called me. "Thank you baby girl," I picked a fluff ball off my yoga pants and I smiled. "How is pre-school?"

"Boring, can I come to Spring Training?" I sighed, "I wish you could baby. I'll be home tomorrow,"

"Will daddy be home?" I pressed my lips together, "No, I'm sorry baby but we are coming down in a few days." I could hear her pout from the other end, "We will start a fun countdown at home until we get to see him okay?"

"Okay," her voice was quiet and I smiled, "Lolo, I love you."

"I love you too mommy, can we cuddle tomorrow?"

"Of course. Are you checking your blood sugar?"

"Uh huh,"

"Good,"

"Can I talk to Grandpa?"

"Okay,"

"Happy Birthday,"

"Thanks dad,"

"How are you?"

"Good,"

"Your mom said you went down there but she wouldn't tell my what happened," I laughed, "Double trouble is what happened dad," he didn't say anything for a minute, "Wait, you're having twins?" I looked over at Troy, "Apparently,"

"Gabi, that is amazing!"

"Let's just hope it ends amazing,"

"It will," I stayed quiet and my dad sighed, "Was Troy excited?"

"Thrilled,"

"Good, you guys deserve it and then the twins will have another set,"

"Isn't that funny? It's not like they run in our family with fraternal and you guys used treatment,"

"Yea, it is kind of crazy. I honestly can't believe it."

I smiled as Troy looked over at me as he tossed a ball, "Troy doing well in Spring Training?"

"Perfect."

Troy and I sat on the back of his rental truck while I tucked my legs closer to me, I wouldn't be able to do this very long before I had a bigger baby bump than normal. The owls howled around us and I leaned my head against Troy. "What are you thinking about?"

"I am thinking about Logan," Troy admitted, I arched an eyebrow, "I miss her." He said looking over at me, "After I got over the shock that you were here I was hoping you had Logan as well. I don't think I have ever gone this long without seeing her and that hurts." I rubbed his knee and I nodded, "I'm sorry," he shrugged while taking a drink of his beer. "I chose the career right?" I only nodded, "Troy, I mean honestly we could find somebody to homeschool her and be her nanny type situation."

Troy shook his head, "I want her to go to school and make friends besides Audrey and Ben. I want her to have more experience than inside a clubhouse." I smiled, "That might not be a good thing." I said with a laugh, "She learns too much from a clubhouse,"

Troy let a small smile cover his lips and he then frowned as his mind wondered, "I then think that I will never get that those Spring Training days with these babies because you'll be back in Kansas City with Logan." He took a drink and he shrugged, "I don't know, I just don't like being away from my kids. It was bad when I had to stay away from the girl I loved for months on end but now my kids? What if they resent me?"

"They won't resent you," I soothed, "Troy, I still have to work. I am going to be down in Arizona in two weeks for two weeks. I think we need to figure out what to do with Logan because she shouldn't be spending this much time away from either of us. I know what you are saying but there has to be a compromise." I said as I let my legs dangle in front of me. Troy let out a sigh; "Maybe we can take her out for short amounts of time from school? I mean it is only spring training we are battling with. We are never gone longer than ten days on the road most of the time and we can fly her up on weekends."

"I agree, we just need to figure out the months of February and March,"

"Half of February."

"Did you ever do anything?" Troy asked me, I shook my head, "My mom also didn't work in the organization, and there was never a reason to figure things out like this." Troy rubbed his jaw, "This is what we didn't think about when having kids." He whispered, "We didn't think about the impact that it would have with both of us wanting to work and both of us having to be down in Spring Training while they go to school."

"Troy," I breathed, "They are going to be fine and guess what…we can pull a lot of strings because of who we are. I know that sounds awful but if we want to pull our kid out for two weeks because we want to take them to Arizona then hell, I will. We will smooth it out with the school and attendance only really matters when they get to high school. Do you honestly believe you'll still be playing when Logan is in high school?"

"I sure as hell plan on it." I smiled at Troy lack of admitting that one day he will have to lay the bat down, "and if I am not playing I am coaching somewhere or doing exactly what you are doing. Gabs, you know that this is a huge part of my life."

"Okay, I get it. I won't ever make you not do what you don't want to do but I am just saying…you could take a couple of years off."

"Or not."

"Okay," I wasn't pushing the issue thirteen years in advance, "If you played for thirteen more years you would be forty-three with twenty-two years in the big leagues. That would be a hell of a career," Troy smiled, "It scares me that I might only have six years left because I have done almost nine years and nine isn't enough so what makes six more? I don't know, I just…I have a passion for this game and I never want it to be over."

"It never will be over for you Troy," he sighed and he kissed the top of my head, "I just don't know what to do."

"Well we are still in pre-school so I will get everything Logan needs to know over the two weeks I am pulling her out. We will go over them together and learn them with her for this pre-school stuff. Next year when we hopefully have two babies and she is in kindergarten then well…we are going to have to come up with another plan. We will figure it out and once we find something that works we will use for the months of February and March. Also, we are looking at a month and half of being away from our school age kids because when the babies are young they stay with us."

Troy nodded in understanding; "Logan will spend all summer with us on the road and at the stadium. She will spend weekends with us and teachers will be understanding of the extreme set of circumstances that we are dealing with."

Troy grabbed my hand, "If you are here with me then I think we can do any of it." I smiled as I leaned my head onto his shoulder, "We can do this together Troy,"

"Good, I only want to do it together anyways,"

Friday, February 21st, 2025

"Logan, eat," I instructed, I heard her babbling as I moved around upstairs when I heard a knock at the door. I cursed because I was running behind already this morning and I needed to be at Kauffman as soon as I dropped Logan off at school. "Coming," I called, I moved through the rooms and I opened the door for Lucille to be standing on the other side. "Hi!" I greeted with a smile, she smiled, "I know, I am showing up unannounced and I didn't mean too but Troy sent me a cryptic text message last night."

I raised my eyebrow as she came in; Logan came bouncing around the corner. "Grandma Lucy!" she hugged Lucille and I smiled as I ran my fingers through my hair, "Logan, did you finish eating your waffles?" she shook her head no and I pointed at the kitchen so she went running back into the kitchen while I looked at Lucille. "He sent me a text saying something about a surprise and to come ask you about it?" I laughed and nodded, "I had my eight week appointment and everything is looking good so far,"

"Oh Gabi that is wonderful!" she said, I nodded as I turned around to grab the bag that I was going to tell them. I handed it to her and she rose her eyebrow, "It is too soon to tell the sex," I just nudged the bag into her hand and she pulled out a frame with the sonogram. I had copies of it made while I wrote on it. She gasped looking up at me and I smiled, "Twins?" she whispered, I nodded my head and she hugged me. "Gabi that is fantastic!"

"I know Troy and I are pretty excited." She shared a smile with me and she gushed, "Two of them?" I nodded and I looked at the clock, "Lucille, I would love to have dinner one night and talk but I have a meeting at nine and Logan has to be at school at eight-forty five." She looked at the clock and I nodded, "I am very much running late." She nodded her head in understanding; "I can take Logan to school if you want me too?"

I glanced at the clock again and I nodded, "Lo, do you want to go to school with Grandma?"

"Yea!"

I smiled, "Thank you, I have to finish getting ready." I grabbed her backpack and coat. I helped her slip it on and zip it up. "Mommy loves you, I will come get you after school and we will have a girls night okay?" she nodded and I kissed her forehead, "How many days until you get to see daddy," I whispered, she smiled and held up ten fingers. I nodded and kissed her forehead, "Ten days and we will both see daddy." She smiled and I hugged her, "Have a great day baby girl, I love you,"

"I love you too,"

She grabbed Lucille's hand and I smiled as I stood up and went running up the stairs. Nausea ran through my body but I continued to get ready with a pair of jeans and a loose t-shirt and scarf. I slipped on a brown jacket and then a pair of combat boots when I had to puke.

My fingers pulled back my hair and I breathed afterwards trying to push out the horrible things. I brushed my teeth for the second time that morning and continued to get ready. I lifted my shirt a little and I still couldn't believe how quick my bump was growing. It wasn't noticeable to anybody but probably me and maybe Troy when I was naked. I moved around and then finished getting ready. I went downstairs to grab my water and bag when my phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered, "Hi, are you coming today?"

"On my way," I replied, "I will be there soon."

"Okay, I grabbed you a coffee,"

"Oh thank you, I already got one though. You can give it to somebody," I lied, I had cut caffeine from my diet and it was hard to keep this a secret. "Oh, okay," I smiled, "Thank you Danni,"

"Of course, I'll see you soon."

I drove to Kauffman stadium and I pulled into the parking lot. We had a staff meeting before reporting down to Spring Training next week. I walked inside and I went upstairs to our offices. I heard the chatter from down the hall and when I walked in a smile of people turned my way. "Hi," I said with a wave, I hugged Danni and Joel hugged me back. I sat down at the table and I picked up my bottle of water to take a drink.

"Good morning everybody," I smiled at our producer and he looked over at me, "We are adding another play-by-play for radio and TV this year," I glanced up at Joel and he looked at me as I cleared my throat, "Why?" I wondered, our producer Ted looked at me, "Well your impromptu vacation last year left us short handed," I felt the blow against my face, "Okay, that isn't fair, I had a rough year last year with my family."

"Understood and we are being prepared this year."

"So you are hiring another play-by-play for a just in case," nobody answered me as I cleared my throat, "I get it, I am the youngest here, I am the first female to be a broadcaster in the Royals organization, and I am unstable with my life. I have a five-year old daughter who has type one diabetes and my husband plays on the field. I came back after two weeks with each of the two cases, I care about my work and I feel like this is punishment for me, are you telling me I'm fired basically?"

Joel glanced over at the producer and I sat back in my chair as nobody said anything. "So you aren't even going to deny it?"

"You aren't fired," Ted said looking at me, "People love you."

I didn't say anything back as they continued the meeting. I barely listened to anything they had to say and once it was over I stood up with whatever papers they handed me and went straight to my office. My head buzzed with the thoughts of them not trusting me and thinking I was unstable. I sat on my desk and I tried to keep any tears at bay but the nausea came back again and I took a deep breath and I realized my hand was shaking.

A knock came at the door and I glanced up to see Joel, "Can I help you?" my voice tried to be kind but it came out in a nasty tone that I am sure Ted would have loved to hear. Joel sighed, "Gabi," I nodded as tears filled my eyes, "I am unstable and have no right to be in this office," my voice shook and Joel came over, "Gabi, this choice had nothing to do with you."

"Oh really? I didn't feel that way during the meeting." Joel came in to the room and he sat down, "Casey has some stuff going on this year and Denny is getting to the point that he can't move around as much and maybe Gabi last year didn't go as planned with you."

"This was the first year out of five Joel and through all of that shit I still did my job!" Joel nodded, "I know, you are not fired, you are not being demoted,"

"Then why did I feel attacked during the meeting?" he looked at me and I knew he didn't want to say something and I bit on my lip, "Tell me," Joel shut the office door and I looked at him. "Gabi, Ted is looking for a way to get you out. I don't know what his deal is this year but you have to be on your best game. No comments or things that could be turned against you," I looked at him with disbelief, "Joel, people rave about me,"

"I know I don't get it. I think he wants this new hire to be in your spot."

"Is it because I am a girl?"

"I think that is has something to do with that and Gabi, I don't back him up. I love working with you and I feel like you are better than a lot of other co-workers. I don't get it." I breathed and I looked at him, "Joel, I'm pregnant." He looked at me and I looked at the ceiling, "I'll be nine weeks on Tuesday so I wasn't going to tell anybody anything until I was in the clear," Joel wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. "He can't fire you over that,"

"I'm due in September," I said and I swallowed against the lump in my throat, "with twins," Joel sighed, "So I am not completely against this hire unless they are trying to give my job away. I am fine with it because I will be missing almost all of September and maybe some of August. I just feel like I am not going to have a job next year." Joel nodded, "I understand." I ran my fingers through my hair and I shook my head.

"Forget it." I pushed off my desk and I went down the hall and I knocked on Ted's door. "Come in," I opened the door and I crossed my arms over my chest. "I want it straight Ted, this will be my sixth year in the booth with Casey and we do a damn fine job. Did my family have issues last year? Yes. I did what I had to do to make sure my family was okay to get through it to save Troy's career and my career. We fixed our problems and are a lot better now. That isn't an issue any longer. I'm sorry if that through a wrench in your plans and I'm sorry I took time off. I have never taken time off like that though and I love my job."

Ted looked at me and I took a deep breath, "I haven't hid anything from you. I have always been up front with what is going on in my life and I just want to know what I did to piss you off because I don't want to fear that I am going to say the wrong thing and you are going to fire me."

Ted tapped his fingers against the desk and he nodded, "I like you Gabi, you have a passion for the job but people are starting to complain,"

"Who," I argued, "People who want the chance that you have right now. Men who feel like they should be doing your job,"

"Bullshit Ted, it is 2025 and we have equal pay and I have proven myself. If I was messing up,"

"They are saying that your family is pushing in front of your work,"

"You know what, family is very important to me and they are number one. My work is number two and that should be the same for everybody in this office Ted, that should be the same for people below me who want my damn job."

"They are single Gabi, this is there life."

"That isn't fair to me and it is clearly stated in my contract that I can not be fired for being a mother," Ted nodded, "So you are putting pressure on me and hoping that I crack under pressure and that you'll be able to fire me at the end of the season for messing up and saying the wrong thing." Ted didn't say anything and I nodded, "I'm pregnant Ted, I'm nine weeks pregnant with twins and I am due in September." Ted looked up at me and I breathed.

"Was it bad timing? Yea, maybe, and I do not have a great history with pregnancy so maybe it is a non-issue so was your hire a good idea? Yea but for the wrong reasons." Ted bit on his lip while he looked at me, "Gabi, this will be three kids,"

"Yup, I am glad you can count." I answered, "If you have an issue with me Ted, I would rather you bring it up to me." Ted stood up and he sat on the edge of his desk, "You have a lot of fight Gabi and you have three more years on your contract."

"Ted," I turned to see Joel and Casey standing in the doorway, Ted looked at them, "We support Gabi, we know that she isn't out and you know that people love her. They love having the inside on Troy Bolton's life and being able to get to know the wife that is behind the cancer organizations and type one-diabetes organizations. She is a player's wife and her dad was a big star. She deserves her job and she shouldn't have to worry about you."

Ted ran his hands over his head, "I have people breathing down my neck," Ted announced, "I don't like you breathing on mine." I replied, "I'm sorry that I am a female and that your second year here that you some how feel threated by me but you know what, I don't feel threated by you." I paused as I composed myself, "I have been here longer and you feel like I could actually do your job but I love my job. I want my job. So don't mess with my job and we will get along great and I am happy that we have another person to help us so we can have more family time."

Ted didn't say anything as I walked out with Joel and Casey. "Damn girl," I shook my head while went into my office while I let my body calm down. "I never liked him,"

"You have a job Gabi,"

"I know, I just…I'm pregnant and that means I will be missing more time and with twins, they won't let me fly after like thirty weeks," Casey rubbed my shoulders, "We got your back, the fans have your back. The city has your back. You just do your job and love your family like you did. We'll talk to Ted and we'll talk to the top."

"Thanks guys and the pregnancy is on the down low. You guys know how horrible my track record is with them." They nodded, "We're happy for you Gabi," they each hugged me and I breathed as I collapsed in my chair. What a damn morning.

Saturday, February 22nd, 2025

"How long have you known?" Cody looked at me with a surprise look on his face, "What?" I laughed, "Cody, you come over like every other day to spend time with Logan, you text me more than usual to check on me and it is just strange."

Cody shook his head with a laugh, "I am terrible at being your second husband," I smiled at him and he took a drink of his coffee he brought with him, "Troy told me before he left," I nodded my head, "I figured he told you,"

"He is worried about you, he needs a soundboard." I nodded my head, "Did he tell you?" I asked, Cody looked up at me and he shook his head, "No, I don't know what you are talking about." I laughed, "Call him, I want him to tell you." Cody narrowed his eyes at me and he pulled out his cell phone. He called Troy and he laid it on the counter as he put it on speakerphone. "Hey man, what's up?" Troy said, I poured myself a glass of lemon water.

"I'm with your wife and she is smarter than both of us," Troy laughed, "Well I could have told you that." I smiled, "She said that you have something that you should tell me, I thought we told each other everything." Cody fake pained and I smiled leaning against the counter. "Man, I was going too but I figured something should be a surprise for you,"

"I don't like surprises,"

"Neither do I but I sure as hell got one," I rolled my eyes and I could hear the smile in his voice, "Gabi and I are going from one kid to three pretty fast," Cody glanced up at me, "And I am so freaking excited about it,"

"Dude, you guys are having twins?"

"We gotta catch up with you dude," Cody came over and wrapped his arms around me, I laughed and Cody set me down, "Dude, was I on speaker?"

"Yes Mr. Bolton, I love knowing that you are excited," I answered, "You guys, that is amazing." I nodded my head while taking a drink, "We are excited." Troy said, "Brie, how are you feeling?"

"Good, I don't like being spied on though," Troy laughed, "You know I had too,"

"I know," I answered, "I love that about you,"

"Dude, I'm going to continue to check on your wife, I'll see you soon Bolton,"

Cody hung up and he sent me a sly grin, "Twins huh?" I nodded my head, "Two babies," I confirmed, "And we can already tell the difference between pregnancies,"

"Are you doing okay?" Cody asked, "I have my days," I answered, "Today has been a good one but yesterday I was just upset and concerned."

"Feel free to call me if you ever need your own soundboard that isn't Troy Bolton,"

"I will,"

"Cody!" Logan came running from the playroom and she wrapped her arms around him. "Hey big girl, do you want to go play with Ben today?" she nodded and I smiled, "Cody, I get to see daddy in nine days!" I smiled and Cody grinned, "Do you?" she nodded and I smiled at them, Cody smiled over at me and I crossed my arms over my chest. "We have been counting down since I got home and she is very excited."

"I miss your dad too and I know he misses you a lot." She smiled, "Go get your coat and shoes on for me okay," she nodded and ran to her room to finish getting ready for her play date. "He doesn't really talk about that with me." I said to Cody, he nodded, "He misses her, I mean, it is just as bad when you guys went three months apart bad," a giggle slipped through my lips because Cody took the brunt of those calls.

"I don't miss that,"

"Yea, I didn't either and some how those calls are back." I laughed and Logan came back, "He'll be happy to see her."

I ran my fingers through her hair, "Have fun with Ben and listen to Becca and Cody okay?" she nodded and I kissed the top of her head. "I'll pick you up from Cody's and we'll go out to eat together okay?" she nodded and I gave her a high five, "Nine days right?"

She nodded, "Nine days until I get to hug daddy!"

As I said above almost 75% of you who reviewed guessed they were having twins which made me laugh a lot and I loved it. I love pleasing you guys and I am so happy that you are excited about this story and the next! At the beginning of this story I wasn't sure you guys liked it but WOW you proved me wrong with these later chapters.

YES! There is going to be ANOTHER story! The story is going to be called Ace and I am 75% sure it will be the last story in this set. I could always change my mind with another idea and there is one that I have thought about but I don't know if I have enough to write a whole story about it. I am just not sure and we'll see how this next story goes and if readers are still interested so we'll see. MOW will be finished at 29 chapters and then Ace will begin the next week!

I'll give you more details about Ace when I have the summary written and a plot worked through my head. I do have it started a little bit but a lot changed in the final chapters of this story that I wasn't expecting. I am not lying when I say this story has been keeping me up at night. Like ideas are just rolling through my head constantly and I just have so many things to research and do and learn. I am pretty sure if somebody went through my history on my computer they would think I was pregnant with twins at 18 and yikes that is the furthest from the truth. LOL. I just want the story to be accurate so I have been doing a lot of research because I have not had twins or any babies for that matter…haha

Wow, okay, long authors note! I will for sure update on Sunday!

Please Review and throw in your guesses of the sex of the babies! (Later in the story there is a pot running between the friends…so you can play along but no pot. LOL)

Have a great day!