The next morning, Troy woke up and smiled when he saw Gabriella wrapped in a sheet, sleeping soundly with her hand protectively on her bump. He grabbed his boxers and slid them on and kissed Gabriella's cheek softly and pulled the covers up to cover her body more. Troy walked out of the room and saw Grace walking out of her room and smiled.
"Morning. How did you sleep?" Troy asked kneeling down to Grace's level.
"Good. Where's mommy?" Grace asked.
"Mommy is still sleeping. Baby sister kept her up late" Troy said.
"Oh" Grace said.
Troy smiled slightly. After their activities last night, Gabriella had felt their unborn daughter move around all night and finally fell asleep at around four in the morning.
"Come on, let's go get Logan and go downstairs" Troy said.
Troy and Grace woke Logan up and went downstairs. A couple hours later, Gabriella came downstairs dressed and smiled when she saw the kids watching a movie and Troy on his computer. She walked over to her husband, who was sitting at the kitchen island. Troy wrapped his arm around Gabriella's waist.
"How did you sleep baby? Did she finally settle down?" Troy asked placing his hand on Gabriella's expanding bump.
"Yeah, at four. I'm exhausted" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled sympathetically.
"I didn't hurt you did I?" Troy asked.
Gabriella smiled and shook her head.
"No. I've missed that" Gabriella said.
Troy smiled. Gabriella leaned down and kissed Troy's lips.
"Me too. What are we doing today?" Troy asked.
"Just hang out" Gabriella said.
Troy nodded. A couple weeks later, Gabriella was six months pregnant. She was in the bathroom getting ready for her appointment with Dr. Brand. Troy walked into the bathroom and kissed Gabriella's cheek.
"Feeling okay?" Troy asked.
Gabriella had been getting backaches and cramps for the last week and a half. She had been taking baths before bed so she could try and get as much sleep as she could. But it still didn't take away all of the discomfort that she was feeling.
"Tired" Gabriella said.
"Does your back hurt?" Troy asked carefully placing his hand on the small of her back.
"Yeah" Gabriella said.
"When we get home, I will rub it for you honey" Troy said.
Gabriella took a deep breath and released it. The couple got ready to leave. The kids spent the night at Maria's so that they didn't have to worry about rushing and driving them over to her house in the morning.
"Come on" Troy said taking her hand in his.
The couple drove to Dr. Brand's and walked into the office. Gabriella signed herself in and sat down next to Troy. She leaned her head against Troy's shoulder and closed her eyes. Troy entwined their fingers and kissed Gabriella's thumb. A nurse came into the waiting room with a file.
"Gabriella?" the nurse called.
Troy smiled. He looked at Gabriella, who still had her eyes closed and her head was on his shoulder.
"Baby, we are going to go to a room now" Troy said softly.
Gabriella opened her eyes and Troy smiled. He stood up and offered his hands to Gabriella, who took them gratefully. Troy helped Gabriella to a standing position and the couple followed the nurse to a room where Gabriella's vital signs were taken and then escorted to an exam room.
"Gabriella, please change into a gown and Dr. Brand will be in shortly" the nurse said handing Gabriella a gown.
The nurse left the room. Troy looked at his wife and smiled.
"You okay?" Troy asked.
Gabriella nodded.
"Just really tired" Gabriella said.
Troy nodded. Gabriella changed into the gown and sat on the exam table. A couple minutes later, there was a knock on the door and Dr. Brand came into the room.
"Hi guys. How are you feeling Gabi?" Dr. Brand asked.
"Tired. I've been having really bad back aches and cramps all week" Gabriella said.
"I'm sorry to hear that. Are they usually at night?" Dr. Brand asked seeing the dark circles under Gabriella's eyes.
Gabriella nodded.
"All night long" Gabriella said putting her hand on her bump.
"Has she started kicking yet?" Dr. Brand asked opening Gabriella's chart.
"Not yet" Gabriella said.
"Are Grace and Logan getting excited?" Dr. Brand asked as she washed her hands.
"Yeah. But they are like me, they always think about everything and analyze it" Gabriella said.
"They are still young. I think they will get used to the idea once she comes" Dr. Brand said.
Gabriella nodded.
"Can you lie back for me?" Dr. Brand asked as she put a pair of fresh gloves on.
Gabriella lied down carefully. Troy took Gabriella's hand in his. Gabriella looked at Troy and smiled. Troy smiled back. Dr. Brand turned on the ultrasound and waited for it to heat up. She put a blanket over Gabriella's legs and raised her gown above her bump. Once the ultrasound heated, Dr. Brand took a bottle of gel and squeezed some of the product onto Gabriella's expanding bump. She then took a wand and moved the gel around her stomach and looked at the monitor.
"There's your baby girl" Dr. Brand said pointing to the screen.
Gabriella looked at the screen and smiled. Tears ran down her cheeks and Troy wiped them away before she even had time to think. Gabriella looked away from the screen at Troy and smiled. Troy smiled and kissed Gabriella's lips softly and looked at the screen.
"Is she healthy?" Gabriella asked.
"She looks like it and she's at the right size. She's still in the same position though. So we need to have a talk about the delivery" Dr. Brand said.
Gabriella looked at Troy nervously, who smoothed her hair back. Gabriella then looked back at Dr. Brand.
"What do we need to talk about?" Gabriella asked.
"Have the two of you talked about the delivery?" Dr. Brand asked.
The couple nodded.
"Several times" Troy said.
"I think we need to have a plan B in case the original plan doesn't work out" Dr. Brand said.
"What do you mean by if the original plan doesn't work out?" Gabriella asked.
"If you start pushing the baby out and there's no progress or you get tired, we need to have a plan B in case that happens" Dr. Brand explained.
Gabriella looked at Troy nervously. Troy squeezed her hand in support.
"Like have a c-section?" Troy asked.
Dr. Brand nodded.
"She's breech still and I don't want to put stress on Gabriella or the baby if the baby doesn't come out" Dr. Brand said.
Troy nodded understanding Dr. Brand's point. He looked at Gabriella.
"Baby, we've talked about this" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded.
"This is the worst case scenario, Gabi. We just want to prepared in case something happens. We aren't saying something will. Just to be prepared" Dr. Brand said assuring Gabriella.
"If she can't come out, I'll do it" Gabriella said.
Troy nodded. Gabriella looked at Troy, who smiled at her.
"Alright. Let me go print these pictures for you and I will be back" Dr. Brand said.
Dr. Brand left the room. Troy looked at Gabriella.
"Honey, are you okay?" Troy asked.
Gabriella nodded.
"It's the worst case scenario, Brie. If she won't come out or she gets stuck or something, then we have to do it" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded. Silent tears ran down Gabriella's cheeks. Troy wiped her tears away.
"Everything is going to be okay. You try it and see. That's what you will have to do" Troy said.
"It's just too much and it really upsets me" Gabriella cried closing her eyes and putting her hand over them.
Troy looked at Gabriella sympathetically. He knew that this wasn't a mood swing and that reality was starting to set in now that they were getting closer to Gabriella's due date.
"Babe, look at me" Troy said softly.
Gabriella looked at Troy with tears running down her face.
"We want to do what's best for her right?" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded.
"Then if something happens, we need to do what's best for her and you" Troy said softly.
Gabriella looked down at her bump.
"If she won't come out for whatever reason, we need to find a way to get her out and the way to that is by c-section" Troy explained.
Gabriella nodded.
"I know you are scared baby. I know it's scary to think about. But, we have to come up with an alternative plan" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded. Troy leaned in and kissed Gabriella's lips.
"I love you" Troy said.
"I love you too" Gabriella said.
Dr. Brand knocked on the door and came in and shut it behind her. She handed Troy the sonogram and put her hand on Gabriella's leg.
"Let me examine you and then we will get you out of here" Dr. Brand said.
Gabriella nodded. She spread her legs apart while Dr. Brand washed her hands and put on a pair of gloves. Dr. Brand sat at the foot of the bed. Troy took Gabriella's hand and kissed it. Dr. Brand looked at Gabriella and smiled sympathetically.
"Take a deep breath for me, Gabi" Dr. Brand said.
Gabriella took a deep breath and felt Dr. Brand start to examine her and squeezed Troy's hand. Troy took his free hand and smoothed Gabriella's hair back.
"Just breathe honey" Troy said.
Dr. Brand looked up and smiled at Gabriella.
"Everything looks okay, Gabi. Just take it easy" Dr. Brand said.
Gabriella nodded.
"We'll talk more about the delivery and everything later. But for right now, relax and don't stress out about it" Dr. Brand said.
"I just have never had an issue like this before and I don't know what to expect or anything. I'm scared" Gabriella confessed to her doctor.
"I understand and it's normal. We just need to take it day by day. She could still surprise us and turn" Dr. Brand said.
"I gave up on that idea" Gabriella said.
"Just take it day by day" Dr. Brand repeated.
Gabriella nodded. Dr. Brand smiled.
"Alright, I'll see you next month. Call if there's a problem" Dr. Brand said.
The couple nodded and Dr. Brand left the room. Troy looked at Gabriella.
"Come on, let's get you home" Troy said.
Gabriella changed back into her clothes and the couple left the office. They started driving home and Troy would occasionally look at Gabriella. He was worried about her. He knew that a lot was going through her head.
"You heard what she said, Brie. You need to take it easy and not stress about this" Troy said breaking the silence.
"It's hard for me, Troy. You don't have to push out a baby or have to have your body cut open so a baby could be taken out of it. You, physically, don't understand what it feels like. Emotionally and mentally, yes. I understand that you are scared like me. But, you don't have to physically go through it" Gabriella said as tears ran down her face.
Troy licked his lips before he responded. He understood what Gabriella was saying.
"Sweetheart, I know that I don't have to physically go through it and I know it's hard for you to wrap your head around it. But Brie, she is going to come whatever way she wants to whether we like it or not. We can't control that even though we want to" Troy said softly.
"Can you drop me off at my mom's?" Gabriella asked.
Troy looked at Gabriella and knew that she just needed some time to think and collect her thoughts. He nodded.
"Yeah" Troy said.
Troy drove to Maria's and parked his car. Gabriella looked at her husband. Troy looked at the steering wheel.
"I just need time to think and I want to talk to my mom about it. Not that you aren't helpful or anything like that, Troy. I just need to talk to someone that has had a baby" Gabriella said softly.
Troy nodded. Gabriella leaned over and put her hand on Troy's cheek and leaned in and kissed his lips.
"I'm not mad at you either if that's what you are thinking. I'm just trying to put everything together in my head and am frustrated. That's all" Gabriella continued.
"I know" Troy said quietly.
"I'll call you when I'm on my way home okay?" Gabriella said softly.
Troy nodded. Gabriella leaned in and kissed Troy's lips one last time.
"I love you" Troy said.
"I love you too. Like I said before, I just need time to think" Gabriella said.
Troy nodded. Gabriella got out of the car and closed the door. Troy watched Gabriella walk up the pathway to her mother's house and press the doorbell. He pulled out of the driveway and drove home. Two hours later and after taking a nap to try and calm herself down, Gabriella woke up in her childhood bedroom. When she had walked into the house a couple hours before, she barely said anything to her mother and just walked upstairs. Gabriella sat up and felt dried tears on her cheeks. She got up and walked out of the bedroom and went downstairs.
"So are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Maria asked sitting at the kitchen island.
"The baby is breech and I have been really afraid of the possibility that I may have a c-section. I've been really emotional and Troy has been trying so hard to help me feel okay about it. But, at the end of the day, I feel like it still could happen and I'm scared. I've talked to Troy about it and he keeps telling me that everything will be fine. But he's not a pregnant woman. He doesn't have to physically go through it" Gabriella said.
"You feel like he doesn't understand what you are going through physically" Maria said clarified.
Gabriella nodded.
"Gabi, he may not understand what you are going through physically. But mentally and emotionally, he does. He's worried about it too. Just because he won't physically go through it, doesn't mean he can't relate. He's trying to understand but you also have to let him in and open up to him" Maria said.
Gabriella put her hand on her bump.
"He wants to understand what you are feeling" Maria continued.
Gabriella nodded.
"Talk to him and explain it to him and he will have a better understanding of where you are coming from" Maria said.
Gabriella nodded. An hour later, Troy heard the front door open and saw a tearstained Gabriella come into the house. Gabriella looked at her husband and burst into tears. Troy walked over to Gabriella and took her into his arms. He wrapped his arm around her waist and put his other hand on her head.
"I'm scared" Gabriella cried.
Grace stood in the doorway and looked at her parents confused. Troy looked at Grace and smiled sympathetically.
"Gracie, go take Logan upstairs and play up there okay? We'll be up in a minute" Troy said.
Grace and Logan went upstairs. Once they were out of earshot, Troy turned his attention back to Gabriella, who was still crying in his arms.
"Gabriella, talk to me. Tell me what's wrong" Troy said.
"I'm scared of what's going to happen. If I can't have her normally and have to have a c-section. I just am really scared and I feel like you are so patient with me and are always thereā¦I feel like you don't understand what I am going through because you aren't a woman, who has to give birth to a baby. I don't want to fight-" Gabriella said breathlessly.
"Hey, hey, hey. Babe, breathe" Troy said putting his hand on her cheek.
Gabriella coughed trying to catch her breath. She had started having a panic attack. Troy rubbed Gabriella's cheek with his thumb.
"Gabriella, you need to breathe" Troy said.
Gabriella started breathing and Troy nodded.
"Good. In and out. You are okay" Troy said as he helped her regulate her breathing.
Troy continued to breathe with Gabriella and help the panic attack pass. Fifteen minutes later, Gabriella started breathing normally and tears ran down her face. Troy brought her into the living room and helped her sit down on the couch. He sat in front of her.
"Honey, talk to me calmly" Troy said.
Gabriella repeated what she had said when the panic attack started calmly.
"First off, I don't want to fight with you either and we aren't. We are talking about it. You are right. I may not be a pregnant woman and not understand what's going on in there, but I want to try to understand it if you let me" Troy said putting his hand on Gabriella's expanding stomach.
Gabriella nodded. Troy smiled slightly.
"Baby, help me understand" Troy said.
"I'm young and yes, we have two kids. But, I've never been through something like this. I'm scared, Troy. I am really scared and I know that I can go come to you and talk. But I feel like since you haven't been through it physically, you don't understand how I feel" Gabriella said.
Troy nodded. He took Gabriella's hand in his own.
"I know you are scared, Brie. I know. You are right about me not understanding. I don't know how you feel about it because I haven't been pregnant before. But, I would like to try and understand how you feel and why" Troy said.
Gabriella nodded.
"When you have a c-section you have to be cut open while you are awake. You hear the doctors and other people in the room talking about you and your baby and if there is a problem. That is scary" Gabriella said.
Troy nodded.
"But babe, if you didn't have one, you would hear them talking about that in front of you too" Troy said.
"It just feels like there is a difference in my opinion" Gabriella said.
"Okay. What else? Tell me everything" Troy said.
The couple continued to talk. That night, Gabriella had went to bed early. She was emotionally drained from everything that had gone on that day. But she was woken up by a little hand on her belly. Gabriella looked to Troy's side of the bed and smiled when she saw Grace lying next to her.
"Hi baby" Gabriella said.
"Mommy, it's not bed time yet" Grace said.
Gabriella smiled and wrapped her arm around her daughter and kissed her cheek.
"I know it's not. But the baby is making me tired so I wanted to be in bed. What's wrong Grace?" Gabriella asked.
"Nothing. I didn't want you to get lonely" Grace said.
Gabriella smiled at her daughter's thoughtfulness.
"Thank you sweetheart. What are you guys doing downstairs?" Gabriella asked.
"Watching a movie" Grace said.
"Oh. You don't want to watch it?" Gabriella asked.
Grace shook her head.
"You shouldn't worry about me Grace, okay? I'm fine" Gabriella said.
"Daddy said that I'm like him because I will always make sure you are okay" Grace said.
Gabriella nodded.
"You are and you do. Would it make you feel better if I come downstairs and watch the movie with you?" Gabriella asked.
"If baby sister wants you to" Grace said holding her index finger up.
Gabriella giggled.
"I think she wants to get a snack so we have to go downstairs for that" Gabriella said.
Grace nodded. Gabriella got out of bed and stretched. She then walked to the door and held out her hand to Grace and the two girls walked downstairs. Troy heard movement coming from the stairs and saw Gabriella and Grace walk into the room and smiled. The two girls walked into the living room and sat down.
"What are you guys watching?" Gabriella asked as Grace curled up next to her mother.
"A movie, mommy" Logan said.
Gabriella smiled. Troy looked at Gabriella.
"You feeling okay?" Troy asked.
Gabriella nodded.
"Just a little emotionally drained from everything today" Gabriella said.
Troy nodded. They all watched the movie and spent time together as a family. Gabriella knew that being with the people that she loved the most was the ultimate cure for how she was feeling.
