Chapter 20- Talk&Love

"Peek-a-boo!" I covered my eyes as Liam squirmed in my lap; I smiled down at him as he smiled a little pushing his legs around. "Hey there beautiful," Troy said looking at his iPhone, I looked up at Troy, "Hey babe,"

"You know we are cooking dinner tonight right?" he asked, I frowned, "I completely forgot." I told him as I laid Liam down on my chest. "Oh well, since we arrived first we cook the last meal." I sighed, Troy was right, tonight was our last night here in South Carolina. I would say it was always going to be one of my favorite vacations.

"Well, I think we should go grocery shopping." I told him, he shook his head, "Logan and Jillian have to go grocery shopping remember?" I nodded my head, "Oh yea, you should really give me a massage tonight." I said eyeing him, he started to laugh, and "You think you are so funny don't you." I nodded my head.

"Yup because I am," I winked at him as I cradled Liam in my arms. "Ha-ha," I giggled as I walked into his open arms. I squeezed Liam in-between us for a hug. "Oh family love!" Jenni called running towards us, I giggled as she latched onto us.

My phone began to ring across the room detaching me from the hug. "Here, Liam seems to be enjoying it." I said giggling; Jenni took Liam from me as I picked up my phone.

"Hello?"

"Gabs!" Kyle's voice flooded through the phone, "Kyle! What the hell, why havent you called me back? I have been calling you for like a week straight!"

"Calm down would you?" I shook my head, "No, you havent called me in almost a month. Jenni said you moved back in with mom and that you were not going to college?"

"She said that? God, I am to going to college. I just do not think I am going after high school. I want to travel the world."

"Then do it after college."

"And going straight into debt, no thanks." He replied, "Kyle, what does mom think of this?"

"Mom doesn't like it just like you but it is my money I am spending."

"Where did you get all of this money?" I fired at him, "Babysitting, mowing, Christmas, and Birthday." I bite on my lip, "So you really moved in with mom." I asked him, "Yea, she is like that way she was before your dad died." I cringed as he said this; the difference for the weird age difference is that my mom had cheated on my dad. She was drunk one night and it happened so we got Kyle. My dad never got upset over the whole thing, he did not talk to her for a few days but they worked it out.

"Well, I havent seen her like that in a long time," I murmured quietly, I looked over my shoulder to see Jenni and Troy playing with Liam. "So what happened with you and Jenni?" I asked him, "We just see things differently." I rolled my eyes, "I still think you should go to college."

"I might." He started, "But I don't want to do it hear. I want to learn whatever the hell is going on in other countries. I am bored here; I am ready to start seeing the world."

"Please finish high school,"

"If I want to get into college I sure as hell better finish high school." He said laughing; I smiled softly as I heard my mom's voice in the background. "You can not tell her you are talking to me. I don't care if she has changed, I can not talk to her yet." I said to him, "You got it boss but I gotta go." He said before hanging up. I rolled my eyes as I hung up the phone. I sighed, as I knew that my mom and I were going to have to talk once we got to New Mexico.

"Troy, I'm going for a walk." I said as I reached for a lightweight jacket, as it was still earlier in the morning. "Hey, are you okay? Why don't I come with you?" Troy stated as he took two steps closer to me. "You don't have to; I just need some time to clear my head." I said

Troy gave off a concerned look before grabbing my hand. "That means I am coming with you. We can leave Liam with Jenni for a little bit," He said pushing a few strands of hair out of my eyes. I tried to give off a smile but all I could think about was what if. Troy and I started to walk out of the door.

The wind blew through the air as I tried to place together what I was going to do. I felt like we have been walking for miles when I could not go on anymore. My battle was starting to get tiring, I was ready to quit and lie on the floor and just quit.

As we walked down a sidewalk, I felt Troy slip his hand into mine. He squeezed it every now and then. More questions flew through my head as the wind blew my hair around. "You havent talk at all." Troy said, I almost missed what he said but I got it.

"I know." I said quietly, I pulled back my hand to stuff them into my jacket. "Any idea what you are thinking in that scientific brain of yours?" he asked pulling me close to him with his arms.

"No." I replied, "Ahh…" Troy said, "Nothing huh? I thought you needed to clear your head."

"My head is clear." I knew the short answers were bugging him as he tried to not to say anything. "Alright then." We kept walking, as I did not really want to stop. It was quiet, the seagulls were quiet, and everything was finally quiet. I did not have people breathing down my neck to do something or yelling across a house.

Troy never really said anything else until I finally let a tear fall off my cheek. "Hey," he said catching the tear fall, "What is that about?" he asked stopping us in our tracks. I really had not cried since winning but I did not count that, it was probably a happy moment in my life.

"I don't know," I finally admitted as I looked into those blue eyes. "All I can think about right now is my mom and my family. Everybody is saying your mom has changed, she is doing better." I looked away from Troy as I tried to hide the water pooling in my eyes. "I just," I paused to collect everything I wanted to say.

"I just want everything to rewind. For me not to tell her like that, to blindside her then maybe nothing would have happened. Maybe if I prepared her or something, me do not I know but I just do not know if I can trust her. It scares me. It scares me that I cannot trust my mom. I just want to but I have this whole other person now that depends on me for everything." Troy listened intently before he pulled me into his arms. I felt my lips quiver, "I just want to lie down and quit sometimes. I just want to quit and cry." Troy just held onto me tighter as if he was not going to let me go.

"I wished a lot when you were gone that I could just call me mom. I needed her advice so often but I couldn't." I said shaking my head, "I couldn't." Troy did not say a word after I that. We just stood in the middle of the sidewalk, him holding me together.

"Everybody says she has changed." I stood quiet for a moment before I turned my head away from Troy. "But what if she hasn't? What if she is just pulling everybody's leg so she can get her hands closer to Liam?" Troy shook his head, "Don't." He told me.

"Do not play the what if because you know that will just get you know where. When we go to New Mexico, we can go talk to her. Just you and I. If we think, we can trust her with Liam maybe we will take him over there. If the environment is safe enough." I swallowed hard as I felt something else wash over my features.

"Maybe," I said, Troy tilted my head back so we were looking eye to eye. "You are not going to be your mom." He told me quickly as if he knew it was running through my mind. "I know you. You were never like your mom expect for in the kitchen." I let a small smile appear over my lips.

"Hey, I finally got that smile on your face." He said winking, "But seriously. You have always been like your dad in everyway. I know you will always support Liam and his decisions."

"Unless it's like the one my idiot brother is making," I grumbled, "Traveling the world instead of college."

"Yea, well I wouldn't like that either. You are a fantastic mom that has to deal with a lot more than a normal mom. I think you are qualifying for super mom." I turned my head away as if to not agree but Troy faced me again.

"Smile," he demanded, "Troy,"

"No seriously, smile!" I could not help it, I let the smile creep over my face and a laugh escapes my throat. "There's my Brie." He said tapping my chin. "You know, I don't know what would have happened if you didn't come on this walk with me."

"You would probably be half way back to California." I rolled my eyes, as I knew we were going south. "More like Florida dummy." He threw his hands up, "Well I am sorry that I don't know my directions!"

"Come on Mr. Bolton, we need to figure out what we are going to feed all of these crazy people." I said as we turned back around, "Hmm…how about we do something like…" he scratched his chin, "Wait." I said stopping, "We have basically been here two weeks and I don't think we have hamburgers or cheeseburgers." I frowned

"That's so simple, we will get ragged for it!" he said, "no, it doesn't have to be simple. I can make a potato salad from scratch. Whip together a pasta salad, buy chips and all the condiments make is almost a picnic if you wanted to filter outside. Have some music going and we can make a cake or two for dessert."

"You my love are amazing! How could have thought of something so perfect for the last night here? We all won't be together again until Thanksgiving which could be a little since maybe I won't even be there."

"But you will." I protested him as we began to walk back to the house. He only nodded his head, "Okay." I tried to give him a smile but I really did not want to think about basketball when it just ended.

"So I can grill out back, supply lots of beer. We can bake the cake together and all of that good stuff as soon as Logan and them go to the grocery store."

"Seriously, I think we should go to the store. Liam does not really have to leave this location. I think we should go out with him for a little bit." Troy gave a glance towards me, "Alright, well that means we are basically giving in to the whole thing."

"Yea but I won so I get to overrule it." I said enlacing our hands together, "Oh well, you know but." He did not have anything to say back, he was at a lose for words. "Fine, if that's what you wish." He finally said to me, I giggled.

"So you do know I want more than one kid right?" Troy added, "Liam is barely three months old! Why is this being brought up?" I asked him with a quick look. "I just want you to know I am not settling on one."

"Neither was I." I started to laugh, "Damn. You propose to me and you are ready to have another kid!"

"I want another in three years, at the latest." I pushed his shoulder, "Calm down cowboy. It will happen when it happens but I know it ain't happening anytime soon." Troy nodded his head, "Alright, I thought I would just get that out because I had the feeling that I should say it."

I eyed him for several minutes, "Alrighty then," I said trying not to laugh even harder. "Ok, I know that was horrible. I should not have brought that up." He started to crack up along with me. "You are insane! I swear," Troy pulled me into a hug, "I think you are the only one that could stand my insanity." I nodded my head, "That's probably what happened to all of those girls and you blamed Mason."

"Yea well, I had to blame somebody." He said winking, "Come on buddy, lets go." I said starting to pull him down the street.

"Liam," I said, he grunted as he kicked his leg. "Liam," I said again and his blue eyes found mine. "Hi," I tickled his stomach as I pushed the cart through the grocery store.

He cooed as he brought his hands up to his nose. He was buckled into his car seat and his car seat buckled on top of the grocery cart. "I got the meat, lettuce…" Troy started, when he noticed I was not listening he looked towards Liam.

"What are you two doing?" he asked peaking over the side. Troy was in a pair of Khaki shorts with a vintage Giants shirt on. "You are going to get made fun of for your shirt." I said trying not to giggle.

"That is number one of my things to do when we get back. Go watch them play, take Liam up for a day."

"Troy, that's more of a series thing. You are basically up there for the weekend with the six hour drive. Its some expensive shit for those tickets I bought you."

"I know and that's why I plan on using them the weekend after Taylor's wedding. Sharpay and you can start planning the wedding while relaxing without a baby." I gave him a smile, "You would really do that?" Troy nodded his head, "Of course, I had it planned for a little bit but I wasn't going to tell you."

"You are too sweet." I thought for a minute before I really looked at him, he looked at me ready for the question. "Never mind." I said starting to push Liam away in the shopping cart.

"What?" I shook my head, "No, it's probably not the time or place to be talking about this." I told him as I picked up a cake box. "Gabi." He asked with a whining tone, "Troy seriously, this is a huge conversation I want to have with you and I don't think it should take place in a supermarket."

"How about as soon as we get back?" he asked, I shook my head again. "We have to start preparing this meal. It's going to take longer than I want but we can talk about it on the plane ride to New Mexico." Troy huffed as he picked up a few cases of beer for the night.

"Get a variety. All I've had to drink the past few nights is Logan's shots or Coors Light." I told him as I scanned over the many selections of beer. "Your women are all so picky. Why can you not just be happy with beer?" I rolled my eyes as I played with Liam's baby foot.

"When we get back we need to take engagement pictures to send out on our save the dates plus Liam needs a new set of pictures taken. His newborn ones were gorgeous but he is starting to look older."

"That's the point of growing up." Troy explained tossing a bag of Fritos in the cart. "Well, I think we should do them like every three months until his first birthday. After that he has to only go once a year."

"Why do that to him? Have him go at six months then again at a year." Troy shrugged his shoulder as if it was no big deal. "You can take the rest with your camera."

"Fine but that just means you have to take more pictures with me." I told him as I pushed the cart away. Troy's mouth gapped open as I turned down another aisle to grab sodas for the younger kids who could not have beer. I picked up a few bottles of this and that before I looked to see Troy behide me.

"Fine, you can tutor me all you want but you can not to me son." I smiled as I gave him a huge hug, "Thank you so much!" I said as I squeezed him. Liam looked dazed as he watched us in the embrace. "Oh I know you wish to be here too." I said giving him a cute smile.

He smiled before waving his hands in the air and reaching for my finger that was lying near him. I gave it to him but he tried to bring it up to his mouth. "Somebody is getting hungry. I suggest we hurry up," I told Troy, he glanced over the cart, "It looks like we are ready to go. I also think he needs a diaper change." Troy said leaning over the cart trying not to gag.

"Oh joy! How about mommy goes and tries to change you in the bathroom while daddy starts to checkout?" Liam looked at us as if we were crazy. "Ok, it's a deal!" I said as I picked up his diaper bag and the car seat. "I'll meet you at the front doors." I said waving at him.

"Alright, have fun with that!" Troy shot up his thumb for good luck. I nodded, "Thanks!" I told him. He laughed as I walked to the front of the store looking for the bathroom. Liam began to cry with sobs as we came closer to the bathroom. "Oh I know little guy, it must suck to have poop in your diaper." I pushed through the bathroom door as I went to the back stall where it had a changing table.

I set his car seat down on the ground after I locked the door. I grabbed the diaper, wipes from the bag, and set them on top of the changing table. Liam began to cry more as I unbuckled him and tried to move him. "Shh..." I said to him quietly but he kept fussing as I set him down. I kept one hand on his chest to keep him from moving as I undid his onsie.

Once I pulled back the tabs on the diaper, I saw what all of his fussing was about. His legs were a red color with little bumps over the side. "Oh buddy," I said as I let my finger trace over the side.

He let out a piercing cry from his spot on the table. I quickly removed his diaper to place the clean one underneath him. He did not yet have a diaper rash until today. This would be a first for Troy and I. At least we were going to a house full of parents.

I wiped him clean from his mess as I buttoned him back up trying to avoid all sensitive spots. I cradled him to my chest as I try and calm him down. "It's alright boo," I said into his ear as he whaled. I held him as I cleaned up the mess and tossed the trash. I sent Troy a text saying I would meet him outside.

I scooped up his bag and the car seat before quickly making my way out of the door. I balanced Liam in my arms as I readjusted all of the bags.

"I'm sorry buddy," I said trying to calm him down but it really was not working. When I changed his diaper this morning it was not like this, he had his soft smooth baby skin that I loved.

"Hey," Troy said coming up next to us. He grabbed the car seat off of the ground as I let Liam bury his head into my neck. "Is he okay?"

"No, he has a diaper rash. At least I hope it's a diaper rash." Troy put his hand on the back of Liam's back. "Oh man, I'm sorry buddy lets get him home." Troy said as he pushed the cart full of groceries towards the car. I rubbed Liam's back hoping he would go to sleep yet he did not.

"I feel like I should have noticed it when I changed his diaper a few hours ago." Troy said popping the back of the trunk open. Liam started to stop crying as I grabbed his pacifier from his car seat. He quickly began to suck on it and his eyes began to drop. "There you go little guy, just go to sleep." I said I kissed his forehead. Troy locked the car seat into place as I got in to place him inside. I laid him down as he curled up into a ball.

"Oh no," I said as I tried to straighten his feet out but he began to cry again. I quickly buckled him into place before placing a blanket over him and zipping the top of the car seat cover up. I gently pushed his pacifier into his mouth again before getting out.

"Good job mom," Troy teased shutting the car door, "Thanks," I said as I leaned forward to give him a quick kiss on the lips. "I can not wait to get to New Mexico." Troy stated

"Why?" I asked

"Because, I will finally be in the privacy of a hotel." He said pushing back strands of my hair, "Hey! Aren't you Troy Bolton?" some guy came up to us as Troy let his sunglasses fall over his eyes. "The one who plays for the Lakers?" the guy asked again, "Mhm," Troy responded as he opened the car door for me.

"You are amazing. Can I get your autograph?"

"Sorry, I'm a little busy." Troy said making his way around the car, "I have family issues to tend to." The guy frowned as Troy got into the car and locked it. I glanced back at Liam before Troy peeled out of the parking lot.

"God, why does everybody on plant earth want my autograph. Go bug some other star,"

"That's just the thing," I told Troy, "There is nobody else to bug in South Carolina."

"Then go to California, hell I don't care. I want to be left alone on my vacation with my family." He found my hand, "You know we have to announce our engagement right?" I bit down on my lip as I felt like we should keep it private.

"Why?" I asked him, "People are going to see your ring and keep bugging us about it." I sighed greatly, "Well they are all jerks. I think they should just mind there own business and leave us alone." Troy chuckled as I said what he had.

"Well, I know how you feel about that now." He ran his fingers through his hair, "I was thinking at a press conference down in New Mexico, one of the many I am doing doing down there. I feel like I am going there more for Wildcat Dreams than family."

"That is why you are going down there." I reminded him as he drove through the streets. "I know but we are also doing family things. Going to see your mom is on the top of the list."

"I think we should just surprise her. That why she can't play to murder us." I glanced over my shoulder to look quickly at Liam. "Gabi," Troy said in a low tone, "I'm sorry, I was only making a joke." I responded Troy just nodded his head before he turned quiet. I reached for the radio but Troy knocked my hand away.

"What?"

"I like just listening to the waves," he said as we drove along the beach. I rolled my eyes as I sat back and I looked back at Liam again. I think I was jealous he was sleeping. "I didn't mean to make you mad." Troy said, "I just didn't think it was the right thing to say."

I licked my lips, "I'm not mad." I quietly told him, "Bullshit," he said changing lanes. "You are pissed."

"Maybe I am pissed Troy, I feel like I can't make this situation any easier for me. I make a joke and you are like Gabi," Troy let out a deep sigh before just turning up the radio. It did not take away all of tension but it felt like it was melting away.

I should have just sat in the back with Liam. Troy and I would not be all pissy with each other and things could carry on as normal. I rubbed my eyes as Troy pulled into the neighborhood. I looked at it closely deciding we needed to have that talk sooner than later.

Troy turned off the car but neither of us moved. "We can either talk about this right here or walk into that house bitching at each other. You can make a choice,"

"Right here," I told him, "I am not some immature adult Troy. I can handle things like adults but can you?" I accused, "Really?" Troy asked

"Whatever, lets argue over one thing before we start the other."

"I seriously don't even know why we are fighting." Troy admitted, "You made a comment, I said you name,"

"With a tone! It wasn't like your normal Gabi," I protested, "Okay, I'm sorry." He finally said, sometimes just hearing those words made me feel a whole lot better. "I think both of us were just a little annoyed at the fan." We both did not speak after that. I let out a long breath before I opened my door.

"I'm going to take Liam upstairs." I told him quietly, "Can we stop being mad at each other for nothing? Can we forget about it?" Troy asked as he opened his door, "Whatever," I mumbled lightly as I reached in to grab Liam's car seat.

"Well I guess I can take that as a no," Troy grumbled. Unbelievable! Can I say anything around him? I slammed the car door shut before heading up the stairs. I turned my head slightly to see Troy shaking his head. I pushed open the door to hear nobody really around; I walked to the kitchen to see a note lying on the table.

Went out for a little bit. Everybody doing his or her own thing. See you guys at dinner. –Bolton Clan

I crumpled up the note before tossing it into a trashcan. I went up the stairs, I was happy I did not have to keep up the act anymore of being happy with Troy. I was tired, Troy was on my nerves and I did not want to smile.

Placing Liam's car seat on the queen sized bed. I unzipped the top and I thought I had just seen the most amazing thing ever. Liam's feet were curled around and his blue pacifier was in his mouth. He had on a blue little hat that made him look like a newborn again.

"You are too cute." I said to him as I started to unbuckle his car seat. I brought him up to my chest for him to bury his head into my neck. He started to suck on his pacifier again before letting a small cry run through his body. I pulled out his blanket before laying it over him again.

"Mommy loves you," I whispered into his ear as I rubbed his back. I stood there humming a little before I let myself sing just a little. I was careful using my voice since I did not know how people would really react.

As Liam was falling asleep, I placed him back in his crib. I kissed his forehead before drifting a blanket over his body. I smiled as I locked the crib into place before backing up. I turned to see Troy standing in the doorway with his arms cross leaning against the doorpost.

I looked awkwardly to the ground but Troy shook his head. "Every time your sang back in high school or even last year when you sang I got butterflies or this feeling that you were simply amazing." He looked down before letting a grin slip over his face. "It never fails either," he said, "I get those feelings every single time."

I stepped to my left awkwardly before I looked at him. "Yea, well we did fall in love with us both singing." He gave a short smile before stepping closer to me in the room.

"I love you Brie, I didn't mean to snap like I did." I knew we both felt defeated at that moment. We neither wanted to fight but it felt like we both had our grounds.

"We will come to disagreements a lot when we become married. Probably more than we will believe." I folded my arms across my chest trying to keep the protective feeling around me. "I hate arguing with you." I said trying to make conversation but I felt at a loss for words.

"Yet, I know we will have different points of view on things but I feel like we shouldn't. We have known each other since 10th grade, been dating since 11th. I have no idea how we would not know each other like that." I turned to face Liam, as I did not want Troy to see the only tear that was going to fall off my cheek.

I heard him move from the door and I knew he was coming closer to me. I quickly swiped at my cheek as I reached down to fix the hat on Liam's head.

Troy's arms slipped around my stomach as he brought me closer to him. "I know when you are upset. I know you try to avoid me seeing those painful tears. I know when you are happy. I know when you are laughing so hard that you will pee your pants. I know you so well." I did not move. "All normal relationships fight, if they don't they fight." He paused before carrying on.

"I probably know half of your thoughts but sometimes we just don't see eye to eye. This one was probably stupid. We are both low on the sleep side so that could totally be an odd moment that pissed us both off."

I finally turned around to face him and I tried not cry but a smile slipped onto my face. "How the hell do you know exactly what to say and when to say it?" I asked letting a tear fall down my cheek. "Because I know you. I am not that dorky high school kid anymore who was scared to admit a fault. I know when to speak up; I know when you just need to laugh."

I hugged him as he pressed his lips on the top of my head. "You are such an amazing mom with Liam. I had to sit here and watch you sing to him. I just, I know I can trust you twenty four seven."

I shook my head, "Like you wouldn't?" I asked, he chuckled, "Yea, I know." Troy held on to me for another minute. "Come on we need to get started on dinner." We locked hands before we made our way down the stairs.

It had been two hours since the makeup and every minute that went by, I knew it was even more stupid. We fought over one or two simple words.

We were in the kitchen baking cakes. The hamburger patties had been made. Everything was cut up from tomatoes from onions. All of the pasta salad and potato salad made with all the chips in nice bowls. Beers were chilling in the freezer while I got sodas in the fridge. Troy and I were in the middle of baking two cakes.

One was a chocolate butter cake while the other was plain white cake just for the plain eaters. I made three bottles stuffing them in the fridge earlier because I did not really want to make them later yet I knew he would go through more than three bottles in the night.

"Troy pass me the flour!" I yelled over the pounding music, Lady Gaga, Born This Way. Liam had woken up and was lying in the playpen in the living room playing with the few toys he could. Troy and I were in the kitchen making the two cakes. I turned around wondering where the powder was.

Then I was hit with the powder I was waiting for. I closed my eyes to protect them as white powder came flying at my face. "Oh Troy," I said wiping it away from my eyes. Troy laughed as I heard him set the flour down, the clunk against the counter, I opened one eye as I pretended to whip away some of the flour.

"I wish I had a camera! Your face was priceless!" he bent over laughing. I glanced up into the cabinet to see whole two things of flour just waiting to be used. I then grabbed the bucket full of flour and tipped it over his head, knowing that I could get this in a great place. He stopped for a moment as if to figure out what the hell just happened.

I took off running, flour flying off of my face as I ran around the kitchen table trying to stay on hard words. "Oh, I am going to get you." He said as he stood on the opposite side of the table just drenched in flour. I giggled as he tried shaking his hair out.

"You are…" I started laughing harder, "You are going to have to clean that up!" I said laughing trying not fall on the floor. Troy laughed as he looked at our huge mess. "Wow," we both said and that is when I took off running. Get them distracted and run. I hopped through the living room ditching my phone behide on the couch. I stripped off my shirt as I escaped the backdoor.

I fumbled with my button on my shorts before letting them slip off my legs. I hopped down the stairs before I made a quick dive into the pool. I rose to the surface as I unclipped my bra. I tossed it to Troy's feet as he raised an eyebrow, "Come on, andlet's wash off." I said winking at him. I thought Troy felt a shock wave run through him. "Let me grab a few towels." He stammered, "No need." I said diving back under the water as I kicked off my underwear and tossed it onto the grass.

He gave a fast shrug before stripping off of his clothes. I dove under the water again before popping up to see Troy pulling off the last of his clothes. "Check the time," I mumbled, "Your family is due back soon." Everything was ready to go but the cakes, which could take just the time to cook.

"It was almost four. That means we have very little time." He said jumping in, I quickly swamped to him. He could touch easily in the six-foot area. My body clung to his as his lips found mine, "I am so hoping Liam doesn't start to cry." He said letting his fingers run through my wet hair.

"A little self soothing wouldn't hurt."

"We need to change his diaper soon," he panted, I pulled back and gave him that really looks. "Right now we are going to talk about diapers?" I asked he nodded laughing, "Fair enough."

After our time in the pool, we both climbed out giggling running for our clothes. Once we collapsed inside the house giggling Troy rolled over on top of me. "You are amazing and I felt like I knew you." He teased brushing my hair back away from my face. "Well, I thought since you knew me so well you would have seen it coming all along."

He laughed as he kissed my fingers that we touching his cheek. He kissed each one before kissing the top of my breast, then my chin before coming on top of my lips. "You're too sweet." He mumbled, I laughed, "More like flowery." He nodded, "That's all in the pool by now but you still have a little one your lips." He said touching them.

"Really?" I asked bring my hand up to my mouth in shock, "I thought you got all of that when you seemed to have you're…"

"Hey baby ears." He said pointing to Liam in his playpen; we were both naked in front of our child. "Oh well, I am thinking…" then we heard car doors slam. Our faces both held shock as we stumbled to get up. There was a huge mess everywhere with flour and cakes. We flew up the stairs making sure we both had every article of clothing we stripped off. We slammed the bedroom door shut before we fell to the ground in laughter.

"Oh lord, I think we were both just about caught. Will you be a dear and go clean up downstairs while I shower please?" I begged batting my eyelashes. He laughed nodding his head, "Yea, I think they will know once they see Liam by himself and no us."

"No," I said pushing his shoulder off of my breast. "Well, I need to get dressed. I'll see you in a little while." He brushed his lips against mine once more before bouncing up to put some clean clothes on.

My feet padded into the bathroom where I clicked on the shower hoping they would never notice. "Gabi? Troy?" Lucille's voice carried through the bathroom.

"Yea?" Troy asked I heard him run down the stairs as I stepped into the shower. It was a quicker shower since I had to be downstairs helping Troy finish the cakes.

I was quick to put my undergarments on as I pondered on what to wear tonight. It had to be something sexy, yet good for young eyes, the yelled great host. I dug through my suitcase for a moment before picking up my lightweight pink boyfriend cut shirt. I slipped it on over my bra before buttoning it until I reached the third button from the top.

I pushed the through suitcase more until I picked up the black jeans that would go along with them. I slipped them on pushing the belt through the loops. A brown skinny belt that brought out a little something else that was hard to describe. I walked back to the bathroom to finish my hair, make-up and a few squirts of perfume.

Glossing my lips once more before I shut off the bathroom lights, I flickered my hair before I walked to grab the pair of black pumps to wear with it.

I smiled satisfied with my cute little outfit I had put together. I would make Troy go insane yet nobody would notice. I pulled open the door to see a single flower lying on the ground. I knelled down to pick it up; I brushed it against my nose before letting a small grin slip over my face.

I tossed it on to the bed before shutting the door making my way back down to the kitchen. It was as new as if the flour did not happen. Fresh cakes were drifting through the air and people were milling around eating the few appetizers sitting out.

"There is my lovely princess," Troy said slipping his arm around my waist, "My hot amazing princess," he added biting the end of my ear. "Did I mention I could not wait to be in New Mexico when your mom will have Liam for a few nights?" I whispered playing with the button on his shirt.

"Please stop," Troy, moaned quietly, "Wow, those are stunning. How did you lose baby weight so fast?" Jillian asked. I turned around to see her holding a beer in her hands.

"Well," I bit on my lip, "I have no clue." I said shaking my head. She laughed as she gave a slightly nod, "You guys are doing great hosting your first Bolton dinner at the reunion. When I did mine last year, I was a nervous wreck."

Troy laughed quietly before slipping his arm around my waist and pulling me close to him. "Well, we are going to finish up in the kitchen." Troy guided me that was as he passed by several family members.

"What did they ask you?" I asked with a quick smile by Chris and Sarah. "Why in hell was there flour all over my god damn floor?" Troy nodded his head at his dad, "Those were Mason's words," Troy added.

"That's why I thought," I said as Lucille came up to us. "Liam was crying so I picked him but he cried harder. I laid him back down and he finally calmed." Lucille said, I sighed, "I'll go get him. Thanks," I said giving her a smile. I brushed my fingers through my hair as I turned to Troy.

"Go get little guy. I am going to start the grill."

"I'll meet you out back. Grab Liam a bottle will you? He probably needs to eat and one of us needs to get up about every hour to change his diaper." Troy groaned, "We already have an early flight out of here. That is going to make this a whole lot more fun."

I nodded as I walked away to grab little guy yet Tish met me half way with his crying squirming body. I gave her a quick smile before scooping him up and I felt his cold skin.

"Oh bud," I said as I buried him into my chest. "Yea, I bent over to say hi and he started to cry. His skin was a little cold. So I thought I would bring him to you since you are so busy." I suddenly had the pang of bad mom feeling.

"Don't feel bad." She said waving her hand, "It has happened to all of us. You put them down and time flies." She laughed before patting Liam's small belly. My eyes wondered to the deck to see Troy pushing out the sliding door. I carried Liam back upstairs to change him.

I laid him down in the middle of the bed as I grabbed his duck pajamas, a new diapers, a cute yellow hat that had a duck on the front and two blankets to swaddle him.

Once I started to change him the cries started. I grabbed the blue pacifier and gave it to him. He took it but he was not happy for long, once I started to review his diaper he began to cry a little harder.

"Alright buddy, mommy will be quick. I promise." I said patting his area dry. He cried as I did but the diaper change was over quicker than usual.

I placed his squirming feet into the holes in the PJ's. His arms followed and I buttoned it up. I knew we would be spending most of our time outside tonight and Liam I wanted to enjoy it with us. He started to cry even harder, knowing he was getting hungry I tried to hurry.

I swaddled him in a blue blanket and drifted another one of my shoulder. I let his headrest against my shoulder as his pacifier tumbled to the ground. "Shit," I muttered. I kneeled down to get it. I grabbed his yellow hat before making my way to the door. Mental reminder to wash the pacifier.

Making my way down the stairs and into the kitchen. Back out onto the deck Troy finally looked up at me. "Hey, I thought you got lost." Then he looked down at Liam.

"Tish brought him up to me and he felt like ice. He is crying like crazy," I said as if he could not notice but he probably did. I rested his head against my arm as I grabbed the bottle sitting on the table.

I grabbed it, checked the temp before I placed it in his mouth. The screaming stopped and I felt my breathing begin to happen again. "When you go back inside can you wash this?" I asked showing him the pacifier. "He was crying dropped from his mouth you know how it goes." Troy nodded, "Got it."

He grabbed it before leaning forward and kissing my forehead. "I'll be back. Do you want a beer?" he asked, I nodded my head letting a swift yawn escape from my mouth.

"There she is!" Michelle said coming towards me, she took a seat next to me as I fixed Liam's bottle. "I heard him crying. Is he doing okay?"

"Diaper rash. Of course we have not had anytime to go to a store and grab powder or cream so we are borrowing Jillian's." I said giving a smile before focusing on Liam.

"Well I don't miss those days." She said sitting in a chair next to mine. People began to filter out of the house and play in the yard. Troy started the music and it felt like a great little party.

"This is most relaxed Bolton dinner I think ever." Jack said clicking his glass with Rob's. Liam was being passed around from family member to family member. Some of them will not see him again until Thanksgiving since they all live in other states.

"So Jillian are you coming down to us so we can see baby Issy on her first birthday?" Lilly asked putting a quick pout onto her lips. "Of course mom, we need to plan her birthday."

"We should have done it here since they won't be able to come in." She pointed towards Lucas and Michelle who lived in Texas. "Well as you are speaking of this we did get Jillian a little something,"

"Yea so did we." Tish said standing up, "Do we all Bolton's think alike or what? I did too." Sarah mentioned standing up, "I was just going to give it to her tomorrow before you all left to open on her birthday."

"Why don't we make this her first birthday party? There are two cakes, we can probably find one candle, blow up some balloons." Shrugging my shoulders we all smiled, "Let's do it! And then on her birthday who ever want to come over can." Jillian decided, "Yea, we don't have a gift for her unless she wants Liam's dirty blanket." I said waving it in the air with some spit up on.

"Nah," Jillian said looking at Issy. "I think she can wait." I giggled softly as Liam was suddenly backed in my arms. I played with him until he began to close his eyes falling asleep. I looked at my watch to see it was seven on the nose.

I stood up from the chair as Troy flipped a burger on the grill. I stood behide him, "I'll be right back." I murmured, "I am going to change Liam and then put him into his crib until after we have eaten." I said Troy nodded before I walked away and up the stairs.

I did a fast diaper change on Liam, which he did not enjoy. After I was finished, he was screaming. I gave him back the pacifier before he settled down. I rocked him in my arms hoping he would fall back asleep and he did. I kissed his nose as I set him in the crib and walking back downstairs.

Liam was curled to my chest as the little kids played games on the beach. Troy was sitting next to me having his third beer of the night. I was letting him do whatever but not to complain when we had to get up the next morning.

I yawned as I glanced at my watch to see it was almost a little past nine. "I think I am going to go on up to bed." I mumbled to Troy as he turned his head from Dalton.

"Why?" He asked me letting a small frown cover his lips. "Because, I am tired. It's been a long day if you know what I mean." I said giving him that wink. He smiled, "I think we should go continue."

"No, stay down here with your family." I said touching his shoulder. "I am just going to get Liam ready for bed then myself. We have to get up early." I pushed my fingers through his dirty locks of hair. "Alright baby," he said before leaning forward to press his lips against my forehead.

"I'll be up in a few hours." He said as I stood, "Okay, just can you come up about every hour to change Liam if you are not to tipsy? I could get a few hours of sleep before and when you come to bed I can do it."

He nodded his head, "Alright."

"If you don't come up no big deal. I will just do it." He shook his head, "No, I will do it." He said, "Because I love you." I gave him a smile before Liam and I headed inside the house.

Once I was in the room, I slipped off my shoes to feel the giant sigh of relief fill my body. I placed Liam in the middle of the bed before I started to unbutton my shirt. I slipped it off before grabbing a t-shirt sitting by the bed. It was Troy's t-shirt.

I hugged my chest as a cold breeze swept through. I undid Liam's swaddle before I grabbed a diaper. We did a quick change and he seemed to out of it to care or the rash was just getting a little better.

Once finishing his diaper, I turned off the lights and crawled into bed. I placed him on my chest while he let out a soft whine. I pressed my lips towards his temple. "You're my baby boy." I whispered softly into his ear.

He made another noise as a smile drifted over my face. I did not think I feel asleep because I kept making sure Liam was on my chest but when somebody began to pick him, I open my eyes urgently a gasp leaving my throat.

"Hey, hey it's just me." Troy said stopping what he was doing. I looked up to see his blue eyes and I nodded my head, "Go back to sleep babe," he whispered trying to grab Liam from me.

"What time is it?"

"A little after midnight. I kept coming up here but he was always on your chest and I didn't want to disturb you." He told me as he grabbed a diaper. I yawned as I curled up and let sleep drift over my face. "Thank you," I murmured as Troy placed Liam in the crib.

"For what?" he asked

"For being an amazing dad."

A yawn escaped Troy's lips as we were only an hour into our flight to New Mexico. Liam was sleeping on his chest while I curled up next to them, a magazine perched on my face.

We unfortunately had different flights from Troy's parents so we were not riding together but were going to meet up at the little Italian restaurant in town.

I knew I needed to bring up the conversation that could probably last the whole flight if we disagree. Even then, we really have to talk about it. I sighed as I adjusted my yoga pants. "Remember yesterday in the grocery store?" I asked as I sat down my magazine.

"Mhm," Troy mumbled, "Well when I said I would tell you about what I was thinking."

"Yea," he added before opening his eyes, "Well, I was talking about where we live." He raised an eyebrow, "Do you not like that house?" I bit on my lip, as I knew that question was coming.

"I love the house." I started as I sat up to look at him. "But I have to think about where we live Troy. We live in LA, probably the best city ever but I don't think that is where Liam should live."

Troy scratched his chin, "What's wrong with LA? It's not like we live in the bad part of the town," he said, I looked at him, "I know but he still has to go to those schools."

Troy looked at me for a minute, "What are you saying?"

"Do you really want Liam to go to a private school and not have the experience we had? I loved public school, my mom sent me to a private school for my middle school years and it was horrible. I hated it." I grabbed Liam's little foot before I carried on. "I also don't want him going to schools in LA."

Troy thought about it for a minute, "Where would we go then Brie? The Lakers are in LA,"

"Why do we have to be in LA?" I asked him, "Is there a certain reason we have to be in LA? Why can't we travel north a little to like Malibu or Santa Barbara?" Troy shook his head, "I would have to say no to Santa Barbara because that is almost a two hour commute from LA to there." He took a long breath.

"I get why you want to move but when?"

"After we get married? I do not know that would seem the most logical is to move when we get married. While you are playing basketball it will give me time to settle into a house."

"You do realize we only moved less than a year ago to the house we are in now?"

"I know. I love it there but I think we need something out of the public eye. If we go up to something like that, we will not always be there. I think that's what we both need and Liam can go outside and play without me freaking out."

Troy nodded his head, "Malibu wouldn't be bad. It's close to the airport and it's about only thirty to forty minutes from the stadium." I grinned, as I knew I was getting somewhere.

"So can we start looking at houses?" I asked giving him a long grin, he sighed, "I am not moving again." He warned I shook my head, "I know, I don't want to move but we need some where more stable than LA. If it doesn't work out then fine but can we atleast look?" Troy sighed before nodding his head.

I squealed quietly trying not to disrupt the people around us. "We can put our house up for sale once we know that we are moving and where we want to go. You are lucky I am not in some sticky contract with this house; just have to put it up and tada."

"All you have to advertise is Troy Bolton's old house." I teased as I curled back up next to him. "Then, I am thinking we can get a bigger dog. More space for all of the dogs to run around. Don't get me wrong, I love Oreo but a bigger dog would be awesome."

"I know. Maybe a lab? Or a golden retriever?"

"We have to make sure we aren't on the beach. I love this house on the beach but I want grass and trees. Not just palm trees, even though those are amazing."

"When the hell are we going to have time for this? Between planning a wedding, all of the camps, and basketball season coming up I have no clue." Troy ran his fingers through his hair, "Relax, we have to leave New Mexico a few days early so be it. Let us get what we came to do done. Then we can spend a day with your family before leaving."

"I'll think about it. It's not like I haven't spent any time with them." He rolled his eyes, "Think of all the places we can run with each other. We should find something more by its self."

Troy nodded his head, "That would be amazing. Let us not go overboard on the price. I know we have a little money in the bank but I seriously think we should keep it simple."

I nodded, "Please, I want Liam to live as normal of a life as possible." Troy nodded, "Agreed." I laid my head on Troy's shoulder. "Thank you for listening to me." I murmured

"No, it's a good idea. I loved the house but at the time, I really was not thinking. I had money and you were pregnant. I should have waited."

"It was an amazing surprise." I told him, "But now that we do have Liam and we are getting married I think we should be more reasonable."

"I love you babe," Troy said pressing his lips against my hair. I sighed, "I love you too."

Tada! This was one of my favorite chapters to write! I hope you all enjoyed it as I did writing. It was so easy and fun to write. The next chapter will be a little drama since they are going to be visiting Gabi's mom. But then I hope to make the rest of trip fun and exciting. I am happy to have two chapters out in like a week! Yay!

Thanks for the 16 of you that reviewed last chapter! Love you all!

Please Review!