Hey guys I know I said that these won't happen a lot, but I just wanted to let you know why I am updating this today and not on Sunday. My cousin's baby shower is tomorrow so I won't have time to do it tomorrow and on Sunday I am visiting my friend who had shoulder surgery. It is her 21st birthday on Monday and I won't be able to see her because I have school so I don't want to rush through the day to get back home and update this story so I am giving it to you guys early. I hope you enjoy and appreciate all the support!

Gabriella was right. The next day was just as bad as the first. But the next couple days seemed to be getting better. She wasn't sure if it was because it was easier or she was getting used to having eight patients a day. Today was Friday and she is finally able to visit Lilly. Lilly's operation was on Monday and there ended up being a slight infection that they found on Wednesday morning. When Dr. Bolton told Gabriella, she felt horrible, but he let her know that it was under control he just wanted her to know.

Gabriella was now heading up to the ninth floor to see Lilly. As she stepped on to the elevator she saw Dr. Bolton in there with another doctor. "Hello, Dr. Montez. How are you doing today?"

"Dr. Bolton, I am doing well today. How are you doing?"

"I am doing great, oh; by the way this is Dr. DeSantis, she was in charge of Lilly's surgery. We were just discussing how she is doing since we discovered the infectio…"

"You mean since I discovered the infection," Dr. DeSantis said cutting him off.

Dr. Bolton stopped and gave a look of annoyance, "You're right doctor, when you discovered the infection. I am sorry I misspoke." He turned to Dr. Montez, "So Dr. Montez where are you heading?"

"I am heading up to the ninth floor," she answered with a smile.

The elevator stopped at the seventh floor and Dr. DeSantis turned to Gabriella and Dr. Bolton, "Well this is my stop. I will see both of you later. Have a wonderful day residents."

As soon as the doors closed Dr. Bolton clinched his fists and shook them at the door as if it were Dr. DeSantis. Gabriella chuckled, "I am going to go with you're not a fan."

He turned to her and pointed at the door, "That woman is the equivalent to Dr. Warner. She is the reason that Lilly got the infection. At least Dr. Warner is good at what he does. I still wonder how she got a doctoral degree," he started pacing the elevator. "I mean I am not trying to sound like arrogant or anything but I was the one who discovered the infection."

The doors opened on the ninth floor and other doctors got on, "Dr. Bolton this is our stop." Gabriella said while grabbing his arm and pulling him off the elevator while smiling at the other doctors. She dragged him into the break room that was right across from the elevator. "Dr. Bolton."

"I mean if she had just paid closer attention to what she was,"

"Dr. Bolton,"

"Doing then the infection would have never have happened."

"Dr. Bolton!"

"I told her while we were in there that she didn't close the incision correctly, and she just said that she knows what she is doing and to not question her, bu…"

"Troy!"

He stopped pacing and looked at her. "I'm sorry. I don't usually lose it like that. I mean I am usually pretty level headed when it comes to dealing with arrogant surgeons and doctors, but it's just when it comes to preventable things like that infection. Man it just, it drives me insane,"

Gabriella grabbed his arms, "Troy, I understand I do. I just think that you need to take a deep breath and relax. If you let her get to you, it's going to be your downfall."

He took a deep breath, "I am sorry. I try so hard to not let people like her get to me but then the way she says residents, it's like we are so far beneath her. I mean I have one year left and then I am going to be an official surgeon."

"I get it. I wasn't a fan of the way she said it either but there are going to people out there who are just going to try to put you down, and you can't let them. Lilly is going fine, and that's because of you, no matter what Dr. Desantis says. You know the truth and I am sure that whoever else was there when the infection was discovered they know the truth as well. But in Dr. DeSantis' mind she discovered. Let her live in her own world where she sees things her way. You aren't going to be able to change that because that's what she believes to be true."

"Do you watch Dr. Phil?"

Gabriella laughed, "No I do not, but my mom does and I might have seen an episode or two."

Dr. Bolton seemed to relax, "Thank you Gabriella, it is okay that I call you that right, it's not unprofessional is it?"

Gabriella smiled, "No you can call me Gabriella if you like."

"As long you call me Troy," Dr. Bolton said while smiling.

Gabriella hesitated, "Okay I'll call you Troy unless it is in a professional situation and then we address each other as Dr. Bolton and Dr. Montez."

Troy smiled, "Of course we don't people to think that we could possibly become friends right."

Gabriella narrowed her eyes at him, "Are you mocking me?"

Troy laughed, "No not all."

"Yes you are. You are totally mocking me! You know what I came up here to visit Lilly anyways so if you are going mock me I am just going to leave," she said in a joking way.

"Oh come on, I was just joking. I about this I have to bring Lilly her pudding anyways so I will go with you."

Gabriella was already at the door, "Oh joy. Lucky me."

Troy laughed and followed her out to the hallway, after grabbing the pudding from the fridge. "You're right you are lucky."

"How much of that pudding did you make?"

"I made some more last night for her, because she liked it so much," Troy said while opening the door to Lilly's room. "Miss Lilly, look who I brought to come and see you."

Gabriella stepped in the room with a smile, "Gabby!" Lilly sat up with a huge smile.

"Hi Lilly! How are you going?" Gabriella went and sat down in the chair.

"I am so happy that you came to see me. Troy given me pudding and it was so good."

Troy smiled, "I brought you some more pudding today."

Lilly's eyes went wide and her mouth opened wide, "Really? You gotteded me more pudding?"

Gabriella smiled, "I think you mean 'got', sweetie."

Lilly smiled a big, adorable smile, "Yeah!" She turned to Troy, "Can I have the pudding now?"

Troy smiled, "We'll have to wait and ask your mom."

Lilly frowned, "But she had to talk to the doctor, and that could take forever."

Gabriella smiled, "I am sure that it won't take forever."

Gabriella and Troy stayed and talked to Lilly until her mom came back in and then they all had some pudding until Gabriella's pager went off. "I guess that means our time is up for today, but I promise to come and see you before go home okay?"

Lilly smiled, "Okay Gabby! I am here till next week."

Gabriella noticed that the smile that was on Lilly's mother face faded slightly, "Okay well I will see you on Monday okay?"

Gabriella and Troy got up and left but Gabriella stopped as soon as she walked out, "She isn't going home next week is she?"

Troy took a deep breath, "No, we aren't sure when she is going to be able to go home."

"That's what I thought," Gabriella headed towards the elevator. "I have to meet Dr. Warner and the other interns on the third floor."

"Okay well I will see you later, Gabriella." Troy said while heading the opposite way.

The rest of Gabriella's day went just like four before. When it came to six o'clock Gabriella was so happy that this was her shortest day of the week: only 11 hours. She was also happy that she had tomorrow off so that she could catch up on some sleep. As she was waiting for the train she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Troy there smiling. She took her headphones out and smiled at him, "You got off at six as well?"

Troy smiled, "Yeah it's my grandmother's birthday so I am going to go and have dinner with her."

"Oh so cute," Gabriella said smiling.

"Oh so you're going mock me now? I see how it is."

Gabriella laughed, "No, but seriously that is cute. Where does she live?"

"She lives in Southie as well, near the heights."

Gabriella looked at him before stepping into the crowded train, "Really? I live the near the heights. I live on National Street."

Troy looked at her, "Really, my grandmother lives on Atlantic Street. She has for like sixty something years."

"Wow that's a long time. To be honest I don't really know anyone besides the people live above me. And the only reason I know them is because they're my landlords."

Troy smiled, "Yeah this job will do that."

They continued to talk on their way to Broadway. Gabriella was a little surprised how easily she found talking to him was. "Wait so you were born here?"

"Well in Dorchester, but yeah. My parents wanted to get me and my siblings away from the 'dangers of Boston.'"

"How many siblings do you have?"

"Well technically four, but I also have my brother Nicky, who isn't really my brother but my parents have had him since he was three days old."

"How old is Nicky?" Gabriella asked while they were heading up the hill to her home.

"He is three. His parents were my aunt and uncle. My mom's youngest sister. They were killed in car accident on their way home from the hospital. My mom was going to be his godmother, but now she's the only mother he knows."

"I am so sorry Troy that must have been hard."

He smiled a little, "It was but to be honest my aunt and uncle weren't the greatest people. My aunt did a lot of drugs even when pregnant with Nicky and they only got married because of the baby. The hardest part was having to see Nicky go the withdrawals as an infant."

Gabriella stopped in front of her apartment, "That must have been so hard to see."

Troy smiled, "Yeah I think that's why I want to focus on children, you know, help them. They are so helpless, you know. I mean I have had some kids come in that have been abused and I just don't understand how a parent or anyone for that matter, can look at a baby or a young child and want to hurt them."

Gabriella smiled, "That's a question that I don't think we will ever be able to find the answer to."

Troy smiled at her, "Yeah your right." They both were quite for a second, "Hey what are you doing tonight?"

Gabriella's eyes widened slightly, "Um, nothing. I'm probably just going to order some take out and watch some lifetime."

Troy laughed, "How about you join me and my grandmother for a nice home cooked meal."

"Oh, no I couldn't impose like that."

"Gabriella, when was the last time you had a home cooked meal?"

Gabriella looked at him and sighed, "It's been awhile."

"Exactly. If you don't really want to go, that's fine, but I have a feeling my grandmother is going to love you. And you will be able to say that you know someone else in the neighborhood other than your landlords," Troy smiled a winning smile that made it impossible for Gabriella to say no.

"You know it's not fair when you smile like that. I'm going to guess you got your way a lot has a child?"

Troy laughed, "Well yeah but I was also the youngest until three years ago. Now Nicky gets everything that he wants."

"Let me guess you taught him that smile of yours?" Gabriella said smiling.

"I might have, but that's not the point. So what do you say?"

Gabriella looked at him, "Alright let me just go in and put my stuff away, okay?"

Troy smiled, "Great! My grandmother is going to love you!"

"Easy, Troy. Why don't you come in wait for me," Gabriella said while unlocking her door.

Troy entered behind her and looked around at the apartment, "It's pretty nice in here."

Gabriella headed into her bedroom and put her bag next her dresser, "Yeah it's pretty simple, and I like it this way."

When Gabriella was done, they left and headed to his grandmother's house, which was only a street over.

Troy walked right into his grandmother's house, "Hello, grandma, you home?"

"Oh Troy! Of course I am in the kitchen!" a sweet voice said from the back of the first floor.

Troy turned to Gabriella, "Come on." He headed towards the kitchen with Gabriella in tow. "Grandma I want to introduce to you my friend, Gabriella. She is a new resident at the hospital and lives on National so I thought I would introduce you two, so she knows someone else in the neighborhood."

Troy's grandmother turned and smiled, "Oh hi sweetheart, I am Mary, it is nice to meet you." She came over and hugged Gabriella, "Welcome to the neighborhood."

Gabriella didn't know what to do so she hugged her back, "Thank you it's a nice neighborhood."

Troy laughed, "Oh, grandma you're scaring her."

Gabriella looked at him, "She is not."

"Oh I am sorry dear; I'm hugger and sometimes forget that not everyone is one. Don't mind me. Dinner is almost done, its roast beef, mashed potatoes, carrots, and corn. With some rolls and butter, I hope that's okay." She said while looking at Gabriella, "It's Troy's favorite and I didn't know he was bring a female friend."

"Grandma she is just a friend. And it was last minute," Troy said correcting his grandmother before she scared Gabriella again.

Gabriella added, "It's fine, I love roast beef and mashed potatoes. It was my favorite meal as a child." She smile, "It's a thousand times better then the take out I would have ordered anyways."

Troy's grandmother smiled and looked at Troy, "She's beautiful too Troy."

Troy's eyes widened and in a hushed voice said, "Grandma, stop."

Gabriella blushed and decided to change the topic, "So, Mary, Troy didn't tell me if you were is paternal grandmother or maternal grandmother."

Mary smiled and turned back to the stove while Troy and Gabriella sat at the table, "I am his mother's mother."

"I am sorry about your daughter; Troy told me about Nicky it must have been hard for you."

Mary turned towards them with a little smile, "It was hard, but to be honest I sat up every night waiting for the call that she had overdosed or got caught up with the wrong people and that they needed me to go and identify her body. The way I see is that she is no longer in pain and is finally at peace. Something she was unable to find here on Earth."

Gabriella smiled, "I can't imagine having your strength."

Mary took a deep breath, "Well when you see your child in pain everyday knowing that she isn't happy with the life that she lives, in a weird way I sleep better at night knowing that I no longer have to worry about her." She hesitated for a second, "That sounds bad doesn't? I don't mean to sound like I don't miss my Kerri, I do, I just am happy that she is no longer in pain."

Gabriella smiled again, "No I understand what you mean. It's painful but a peaceful pain."

Mary smiled, "Exactly." She turned towards Troy, "I like her." She turned back to the stove, "Troy be a good grandson and set the table please."

Troy smiled and got up to get the plates, "Of course grandma." He kissed her on the cheek before saying, "Happy Birthday Grandma."

Gabriella smiled, "Can I help with anything?"

Mary smiled, "How about you help with cutting the roast beef?"

Troy stopped what he was doing and stared at his grandmother, "Grandma, you don't let anyone cut the roast beef."

Gabriella stopped, "If it's a problem I can do something else."

Troy looked at her, "Oh no it's not a problem, it's just she has never willingly let someone else cut the roast beef willingly before."

Mary looked at Troy, "Troy you are making something out of nothing, so stop." She turned to a confused looking Gabriella, "Come on dear, and let's cut the meat so we can all eat."

Troy just shook his head and got the plates. The rest of the dinner went well. The three just talked about random things and shared stories and a cake that Mary made earlier in the day. Gabriella had really good time and was happy that she had agreed to join Troy and his grandmother.

"I should probably head home. It's getting late, and I have been up since six this morning." Gabriella said standing up.

Mary got up and gave her a hug, "Well than you are free to stop by whenever you want to or are in need for a home cooked meal. Those take out dinners are not good for you."

Gabriella smiled, "Thank you very much, Mary."

Troy got up as well, "I am going to head home as well, so I will walk you home Gabriella."

Gabriella looked at him, "You don't have to do that Troy. It's only one street over."

Mary smiled and looked at Gabriella, "Please let him. It will make me feel better knowing that my grandson made sure that you got home safely."

Troy ended up walking Gabriella home and waiting for her to enter before walking away. When Gabriella took her shoes and jacket off, she noticed that she had a message on her machine. She went over and pressed play while she got a beer out of her fridge, "Hello darling, it's your mother," Something in her mother's voice made her stop what she was doing. "I just wanted to call and let you know that I received a wedding invitation for you from Sean." Gabriella spit out the beer in her mouth, "I know you two get along but I also know that this might seem weird to you, so I wanted to check in and see how you feel about this. I figured you would be home already, I know you got out at six today. Call me back when you get home, I am going to be up with the twins."

Gabriella looked at the clock and saw that it was 8:32, so she grabbed her phone and dialed her mother's number and waited.

"Hello?" her mother answered.

"Hey mom it's Gabriella."

"Oh, hello honey, I am still not used to your new number."

"Yeah, I forget that I have a new house number too."

"Well, what were up to tonight? I thought you would have been home when I called."

"Yeah I would have been but I had dinner with that guy that I told you about and his grandmother."

"That is a little soon don't you think?"

Gabriella took a deep breath and sat down on her couch, "Mom it's just because she lives one street over and I don't know anyone here. We are just friends and neither one of us are looking for anything."

"I am not trying to discourage you from dating, Gabby. I am just saying that meeting someone's grandmother is a big step."

"Not when she lives in your neighborhood and is the only person that I now know besides my crazy landlord and his even crazier wife."

"Okay you're right. Now about this Sean thing, how do you feel about it?"

"Honestly, I don't know. I mean I knew he was dating that Brittany again, the one he dated before me, but I never thought that they were going to get married. When is the wedding?"

"Hold on one second," her mom replied. "It is in July. At St. Joe's."

"Wait, he is having is wedding in Wakefield? They're both from Quincy, why would they have their wedding in Wakefield?"

"I am not sure baby. I think I heard that they moved to Wakefield, but I am not sure."

Gabriella groaned, "Sean doesn't bother me but Brittany is a bitch."

"Gabriella Maria! Watch your language!"

Gabriella winced, "Sorry mom, but she is. I mean she made my life hell when me and Sean first started dating. What else does the invitation say?"

"It says that you can bring a plus one. Maybe you can see if that Troy can go with you."

Gabriella groaned, "Mom he is just a friend. And who knows what will happen when July comes around. He might have a girlfriend by then and I might have a boyfriend."

"Maybe he'll be your boyfriend."

"Okay you know what mom, this conversation is over. Enjoy watching the twins give them my love and a hug and kiss to them both. I love you and dad and I will talk to you later."

Her mother laughed, "Alright I love you too sweetie."

Gabriella hung up and dumped the rest of her beer in the sink. She headed towards her room hoping to sleep for the next eighteen hours. However she wasn't that lucky.