Chapter 38 – One Step Closer

Relaxing against Troy he rubbed my shoulder gently. "Hey," he whispered into my ear. I cuddled into his chest as Troy wrapped his arms around my waist strapping me against his chest.

"Liam just went down for his second nap of the day."

"Mmm…sounds like a lot of fun." Troy said as he kissed the back of my neck gently. "Don't you have somewhere to be so I can nap?" Troy laughed as he kissed my ear and then he traveled down my neck towards my back. "Troy," I whimpered, "I am too tired," I whispered.

Troy sighed as he relaxed into the bed as he muted the TV in front of him. We both slide down on the bed as he pulled me against his chest. "So, I know this kind of sucks but I am thinking we shouldn't buy each other anything for Christmas but maybe one or two things."

"Why?" I asked, "Well you would have to find out that part at Christmas but seriously, it's for both of us and Liam. I just don't want to spend more money than nessccsary plus I don't need anything. I know you struggle."

"I do not struggle."

"You do too." I rolled my eyes as Troy played with the hem of my shirt. "We can just focus on Liam this year. Liam can be the only on we have to worry about this year. Spoil him with gifts."

"Then we need to go shopping together,"

"Together?"

"Yes, most people Christmas shop for there children together."

"Who is going to watch Liam?"

"Oh! Never mind that, do you know what we can do today?" I asked bouncing up looking at Troy. "What can we do today?"

"Go find a Christmas tree!" I exclaimed, "Let's go right now!" I cheered as I jumped off the bed. "I thought you were too tired for sex?" Troy asked me as I bounced into the bathroom.

"I want to find a Christmas tree! We only have about thirty days left!" Stripping off my shirt Troy glanced at me for a long moment and he slowly got up from the bed.

"What do you think you are doing teasing me?" he asked me, his pushed his lips up against mine before creeping up my face. "Christmas tree," I bounced, Troy rolled his eyes. "Fine, let's get ready and then we can go get Liam ready to do his first Christmas tree shopping."

"Do you think we should get a real or a fake tree?"

"I think a fake Troy will last a lot longer." Troy added, "And you won't have to clean up everything, plus Liam is putting everything in his mouth, I don't want him to choke on a real pine needle."

"Good point, we can pick out some new decorations and…" Troy chuckled as he hugged me, "I love when you get all excited about Christmas."

"This will be Liam's first Christmas!"

"Do you think he will be excited?"

"He will only be ten months old, so I don't know if he will be excited but he will be interested."

"All of the bright paper, every ten month old dream." I snorted as I pulled on a sweatshirt with a pair of jeans as it was a chilly day in California.

Troy changed into something as I walked into Liam's room. He yawned as I picked him up. "Do you want to go find a Christmas tree?" he rubbed the back of his eyes and then gripped onto my shirt. "I will take that as a yes."

"I really like this one," I mentioned pointing it out. Troy was playing with Liam while he only looked up for a moment. "Whatever you want Brie."

I huffed as I turned to look at him, "Troy, can you please give some input?"

"Gabs, I don't care which one you get. I promise you I don't care, Liam doesn't care. Only you care." Troy finished, I rolled my eyes as I looked at him. Troy stepped from around the cart to pull me into his arms. "Whatever you pick out will be perfect, I trust you."

"I am so happy that you trust me to pick out a Christmas tree." I mumbled Troy chuckled as he kissed the top of my head. "I trust you with everything."

"Well that's good." Liam looked at us as I positioned my head to face Hm and tickle his toes. "Troy, I think we should just get this tree and be done with it."

"You really like this one?" I turned and looked at the big large tree. It was nine feet tall and it would look good in the living room. "Yea, I really do like this one."

Troy nodded before letting go to grab a box from underneath. He slid it on to the flat as he dusted his hands off. "What else do we need?"

"We should probably grab some lights or something."

"Good, good." Troy pushed the flat out towards the lights as I walked right behide him. "My mom talked about coming up next week." I mentioned carefully, "Like when I am away," Troy's shoulders tensed heavily. "You will only be gone for two days out of the five she is here. It's not like a million."

"Brie, I don't know how comfortable I am with that."

"She didn't get to see Liam over Thanksgiving because I was with your family. I know that it's not ideal and everything but I want to see her and Liam is getting so big."

"You will see her on Christmas," Troy offered struggling with the concept of my mom coming here. "Is Sam coming with her?" Troy asked as he played with Liam's toes.

"No." I frowned as I stopped in my tracks to look at Troy. "Do you really have an issue with her staying here with me?"

"I don't want her to hurt you or Liam while I am away." Rolling my eyes I sighed, "She is fine Troy, nothing is going to happen. Why are you freaking out? She is my mom for God Sake,"

Troy's jaw tightened as it flickered near his ear, shivers ran down my back as that was hot. "I know she is your mom but your mom said a lot of things just last year, I am just not comfortable yet."

I didn't respond to Troy's last talk as we grabbed lights and then some other decorations. "Are you just not going to talk to me now? Why are you so pissed off?"

"I am not pissed off!" Troy laughed, "Whatever, you are pissed." Finishing checking out Troy pushed the cart out to the car as he stopped it and put Liam back into his car seat. "I don't understand why you are pissed off. You know everything I said was legit."

"I know it was Troy but can you not push it back and forget about it." Troys face turned red before he opened the trunk. He looked around before he closed his lips. "Get into the car. Paps all around," Troy lowly mumbled before pushing the Christmas tree into the car.

After throwing the two little bags in, he slammed the truck. I placed the sunglasses over my eyes as I was becoming pissed off. Troy opened the car door as he started the car. "Why are you being so god damn stubborn, you think I should have a right to not like your mom anymore…or not trust her." Troy tried not to yell but it came out in frustration.

"You can think or do whatever the hell you want Troy but you can not say what I can or can not do." Snapping back at him Troy rubbed his face. "Brie, I know how much you just want to push the past behide you with your mom. I know it can be a lot easier for you but you have to understand, I want to protect you. I promised your dad I would protect you."

Looking up to the top of the car I blinked my eyes. "I know you promised my dad Troy, I know that is may be dangerous. I will keep Liam in my sight. If it makes you feel better I will have him sleep in my room." Troy's blue eyes held concern as he picked up my hand. "Brie, I know how much this hurts you." Troy paused and then he bowed his head for a moment and then looked up at me again.

Troy's fingers slowly rubbed mine, "I can never lose you though." Tears threated but I kept my cool. "I never want to lose you Troy but you can't always be there for me. I know its going to be hard because I don't trust her just yet. Trusting her is all I want to do; I just want to trust her."

Troy leaned forward as he cupped his fingers around my face. He pressed his lips against mine. "She can come over but I want a lot of updates."

"We can work around it Troy, it will only be two days, one game."

Troy's eyes closed as Liam made his first noise from the back. "I love you, I promise I wasn't pissed off, I just don't want to,"

"I know," I reassured Troy. "I know."

"It looks good." I commented as I stood back to see the tree light up waiting for ornaments to be hung up. Liam was crawling around on the floor playing.

"Good. I do not want to redo any of it." Troy grunted I smirked as I went over to slip my arms around his waist. Troy paused as he decided on his next move but he flickered with the lights instead. "You know what?"

"What?" I asked gently as I pressed my face into his back. Liam pulled up onto Troy's leg and Troy laughed. "What am I? A tree." Troy asked with a laugh.

"My pillow."

"Maybe we shouldn't have gone Christmas tree shopping," Troy teased me, pulling off his back Troy bent over to pick up Liam. I began to grab things to put onto the tree. Elf was dancing on the TV screen as it was a tradition since we had moved out. We watched Elf as we put up the Christmas tree.

As I hung a bulb onto the tree I could feel Troy's stare at me. "Gabi, do you want to be a stay at home mom?" Troy asked me, this was clearly out of the blue. "Uhm, what do you mean?" I asked him simply, "I mean do you want to stay home every single day. Even if this goob is so cute," Troy tickled Liam's stomach and I grinned looking back at him.

"I don't know, right now I am pretty content with everything going on. What brought this up?" I asked him, "Somebody asked me if you were every going to work or were you going to be a basketball wife." I scrunched my eyebrows together. "What does that mean?"

"I'm not sure what it's supposed to mean. I know I don't care if you work; it was just playing on my mind. They said you shouldn't waste your amazing IQ."

"Well, I was mostly concerned with Liam being so young. I don't want to leave him; I keep saying I am going to finish school." I looked at Liam who was now trying to escape Troy's arms. "Liam just keeps getting bigger and new things keep happening. I mean one day I might like to work or do something just to get out of the house but right now, I am perfectly content."

Troy smirked as he pulled me over to the couch. "You are smart but I kind of wondered if you were every going to work. You were never one to enjoy sitting around the house." I toyed with the idea, "A teacher always speaks out since Liam will be in school some day and I would work and be off the same days as him."

"You always said teacher or nurse or something like that, you have done a year of both."

"I did do one year of nursing school before falling in love with teaching and switched majors, dropping out of nursing school."

"If that's what you want to do Gabi, do it."

"I wonder how many classes I would need to take. I kind of wonder if I would be able to student teach this winter, I then again don't know if I will be ready to leave Liam."

Troy nodded his head slowly, "You can think about it Brie, like I said earlier. You don't even have to work, I just, I don't want to see you waste away you career just because you had Liam at twenty two."

"Maybe I will call my guidance counselor later and talk to her or something. I will see."

Troy gently pushed me backwards on the couch as he pressed his lips against mine. "I think you would make one sexy ass teacher. You would be really hot."

I giggled and wrapped my arms around his neck, "I know. The other thing is, when we have more kids. I don't know if I would want to teach anymore. Liam and then another baby, I loved being home with him for the first nine months of his life. I didn't miss anything."

"Do you plan on having a second kid anytime soon?" Troy questioned, I stopped to think about it. "Yes." I replied, "Really? This is some serious news to me." I laughed as I collapsed onto his chest. "That's why I kind of kept talking about nursing school. I can do part-time which could be about a two days a week. Nothing big and I already have a year out of the way."

Troy chuckled, "I think you have been thinking about this lately." I wiggled my eyebrows, "Yea, I have been thinking about. Liam is becoming older and I am pretty sure he needs to be around other kids, daycare or something would be great for him. He needs to become social."

Glancing up at the screen and then to the tree, "Maybe we should finish this." I mentioned, "And then I think we should get little Liam off to bed. He is beginning to look tired."

"Yea, maybe we should." Troy said neither of us moved from the couch as I lay on top of him and he played with one of my stands of hair.

"Troy, I will be back in a little while. I am going to go talk to this lady and then maybe do a little Christmas shopping with Taylor." Troy looked at me as he held Liam in his arms.

"Okay. You know that I am leaving tomorrow morning right?" Troy asked, I nodded my head, "Yes, I don't forget these things Troy." He cracked a smile before going back to watching a college basketball game.

I wiggled my toes in my sandals as I escaped the house and into my Audi. I had gotten a hold of my Admin later at UCLA for when I was at school. She was quick to invite me in to talk. It was Monday afternoon in early December. I was hoping that if I do end up going back to school, I can restart before the next semester.

Not having driven to UCLA in a long while, it took me probably longer than it should have. Pulling into the UCLA parking lot I noticed lots of students lingering around and walking in-between classes and dorm rooms. Making sure my hair was still in place I got out as I pulled on my tshirt.

Pushing open the car door, I fixed my sunglasses slinging my purse over my shoulder. Walking to the Admin building, I pushed open the door to feel a rush of air follow me in.

"I am here to see Blaine Moore," I said quickly, "I will call her up,"

I took a seat in the waiting area as I let out a long breath. Five minutes later a tall lean lady I have seen many times before, when I dropped out of my classes smiled at me. "Gabi," I got up from my chair as I grinned. "Blaine,"

"Come on back to my office," I followed closely behide her as we both took a seat into her office. "So what brings you back into my office? Last time you were here, you had a one month old?" she asked, "Yea, he is nine months old now. I don't know how he got so much bigger on me but he did."

Blaine Moore laughed as she leaned across, "They do that don't they?" I smirked and nodded, "yea, he did."

"So what else can I help you with?"

"I am thinking about finishing school," Blaine picked up my file that was sitting on her desk. She slipped on her glasses before nodding her head. "Teaching still or are we thinking something else with your long break away?" I bit my lip as I tried to come up with an answer.

"I don't know what I want to do."

"You have one more year of teaching classes. I know that once you have a baby things begin to change." She said looking at me, I raised my eyebrows. "Defiantly. The only reason I could think of still teaching is so Liam and I can have the same schedule."

"Which is understandable but what else are you thinking?"

"A RN or just a nurse, I have that one year down already, Troy and I were talking about it the other night and it just kind of came up. He asked me what I wanted to do with my life but I just never knew. Before I had Liam I was undecided on becoming a teacher for high school students but then he came. I thought a lot about nursing for my senior year through my sophomore year." I paused and looked at her, "With being a nurse I feel like I can work two days a week for twelve hours and be done with work. Still be there for Liam when he needs me."

"That is a great idea Gabi but that would be almost another year to a year and half of school." I licked my lips, "Could you pull that up and see how many classes I would need?"

"You would need to be accepted into a nursing program, again, which the deadline was last week." I frowned as I knew this wouldn't be able to be set into motion. "But, I may be able to pull a few strings at UCLA." My ears perked up.

"I think it may only take you and year or so. You have a lot of the credits from your previous year in nursing school, God; you took a lot of credits that year. You would mostly need the training and stuff like that. It may only be a year; I kind of forgot how much you already did."

"I could never really decide on my major so I did a lot my freshman and sophomore year. I did my year of nursing before I found teaching which I began to love but then Liam changed everything again."

"You should have your nursing license by next year at this time if I can pull these strings." I glanced at her from across the desk. "Would I have to be at these classes or are some of these online that I could take."

"How fast do you want this to be done?" she asked me, slipping her glasses off of her face. "As fast as possible, Troy and I are ready to keep our family going since we got married back in September."

"Then I suggest going back to a full time student."

Taking a deep breath I felt my body light up. "With Troy playing and Liam, I don't know how well that could work."

"I know how much he means to you. Both of them but if you want a career; I think this would be best. We have a daycare here for when Troy is out of town or you don't have a sitter. You were a very patience, wonderful, student that all teachers would love to have. I am pretty sure they would let you in by your college GPA and that you are almost done."

I blushed as I did have one of the highest in my class until I dropped out. "Let me go make a fast phone call and then I will let you know." She got up from her seat and left me alone. I was going to make my own phone call at the time.

Dialing Troy's number, he answered on the third ring. "How is everything going?" he asked, "Good. I mean, I really didn't know what to expect but for being a RN, but since I have one year down, it would only be about another year. I would have to study like crazy to pass my exam but…"

"Brie, you can do whatever you want. If you think you want to do this, and then do it."

"It would basically mean I am a full time student. I just…I don't know how well that would work."

"Brie, stop worrying about that please, it will all work out. If there is some busy time coming up,"

"I would probably go all summer, the faster I can get this done the better."

"Good. Liam is trying to chase Oreo; I will talk to you later." Troy finished before hanging up. I smiled and then hung up the phone and then tapped the chair. This was really too good to be true. I know it is too good to be true.

Biting down hard on my lip, the door cracked open before Blaine walked back through. "Good news, they are willing to make a late addition to the class. They were hesitant but then one of them remembered you and promised you were a very good student."

"Would summer classes spread up any of my progress?" I asked her, "Probably by three months. This last year is a lot more hands on stuff, you would in the hospital twice a week with a RN showing you around. You begin to work on internship, once you start classes they will probably test you to see how much you remember."

"Great." I said with a smile, "Also, once you complete a year of the interning, you are free." I tapped my fingers gently against my leg as I looked at her.

"I am hoping this doesn't happen, or I can make it until my year is up but what if another kid comes along between now and then? Liam was not planned but I am just curious."

"It might set you back because well you want to stay home with a new baby, everybody does. I would just try to avoid it. You will be working in that hospital by February on top of classes on whatever days."

Taking a deep breath, I nodded, "Let's do this then, I just want to do it before I change my mind."

Blaine Moore smiled, "Good, I want to see you succeed here."

Biting down on my lip, I took a long breath. "Good."

"I just can't believe I am going back to college. I never thought I would do such a thing," I mumbled as I walked through the mall. Taylor was standing by my side looking better and stronger since the last time I had saw her.

"For nursing too, I am impressed." I smiled as I picked up a tshirt as I looked it over. "What if I made a mistake? I really love being home with Liam and now I am going to be a full time student? What if I never see him anymore and then Troy is gone all of the time."

"Gabi, he will be fine. He is nine months old and getting older." Biting on my lip I walked further into the store, "I think that he will be left alone too much. His parents never around."

"He will barely be two when you finish. He will never remember you need to get your college degree. Your mom will be very happy with that. Plus, I don't think I will ever be able to stay at home even if Chad was around. I go back to student teaching on Wednesday."

"Good. I am happy for you Taylor." She smiled as she picked up a tshirt looking at it for Chad. "When I have my first kid, I think I will stay home for three months or so and then go back to work. I don't know how you just laid around the house with Liam."

"I never just lay around the house for the first three months. After the first three months, I needed the next three months to recuperate." Taylor smiled at me before setting the shirt back down. "Troy said he didn't want to exchange many gifts this year, he wants to but not many."

"Is there something else he wants to do?"

"I don't know. He said he has a family thing but he kind of wants to keep it a surprise."

"Is that not a gift giving?"

"We are parents now, its all about Liam." Taylor snorted and then she sighed, "I have to admit, seeing my mom and dad really helped me move on."

"Taylor, we knew you would be okay. We also knew you needed time to grieve. I am just glad you are better now, back to being my best friend." We hugged each other and then she smiled. "I am pretty sure we are way over due for a lunch date in the sometime future."

"Yes! We will have to go to Zeke's place and have some food."

"When do you start class?"

"January. I will have class on Monday, Tuesday for the first month and then after that on Wednesday and Friday, I will be at the hospital."

"Well, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday are fully open, which is great."

"Probably homework days but it will all be good."

Taylor smirked as we went into the toy department. "I can not believe I am shopping for my little guy, for Christmas."

"It's unreal," Taylor agreed, "I remember when he was born, it was just past Christmas." I nodded as I smiled, "I love my life, I love that you are in it too, I am just…ready."

"Ready for what?"

"I don't know, I am just ready, I remember when we talked about school awhile back I was not sure. I thought maybe I could go back to teaching which would be a lot more in school. Then Troy brought it up and it just made sense."

"It sometimes does. I think that at that time, Liam was a lot younger that he was now. You know he is growing up and then you decide to go now. It sometimes just makes sense at different times."

"I told Troy if I feel overwhelmed I am dropping school. I want to be with Liam a lot but I have to pass school easily too. I have to balance, it would just been so much easier when Liam was younger maybe."

"Maybe but we will never know."

"Well I can get through Christmas and New Years."

"I can help you study, since after February, I will be done with student teaching." I paused as I thought about it. "I know that you might not be up for it but when you are done with ST, do you think you will want to watch Liam? I can pay you."

"Don't even think about paying me." Taylor mentioned, "Taylor, it would be for whatever my class schedule is."

"We will get there when we get there, for now, I don't have an issue with it since I love Liam." I smirked as I walked through the toy aisles. "I can not wait for him to walk and talk and be Liam."

"What does be Liam mean?"

"It means to become his self, someone I don't always have to carry around." Taylor nodded and smiled, "To have his own personality."

"Yes, plus to talk to me. I want to hear him say mommy. Its like when you get to hear the heartbeat for the first time, then you want to hear his cry, then you want to hear the laugh, followed by the mumbled of words and then for him to say it. I just want him to say it."

Taylor smiled softly, "I remember when my mom told me about the time when I was born. She said I scared her half to death because I didn't cry right away. I was quiet and the doctors had to get me to cry. I was a very quiet baby."

"I could see why you would scream though coming out. The doctor described it to me that it's like being in your very warm house and then being shoved out into the snow with little to no clothes on. I think I would scream."

Taylor snorted, "I would scream."

I motioned towards on of the toys, "Do you think he would like that?"

"I think Troy would like that," Taylor said snorting, I rolled my eyes again. "Yes, I know Troy would love it. Troy is just an immature adult, I mean look at his best friend." Taylor giggled, "I think they would all have fun together." I grinned, "I think they would."

"Daddy has to go soon," Troy said lifting Liam into the air. Liam giggled as he hung on to the end of Troy's long sleeve shirt. Troy blew on his stomach before rocking him in his arms.

"Well, well, what do we have?" I said coming up behide them. Troy smiled as he leaned over to kiss my temple. "So I have to leave in thirty minutes, I really thought about a quick pick up game of basketball with you. It's been a long time since we have played with each other."

"The beach house was probably the last time." I answered, "When I beat you."

"You blind sided me, plus all I really wanted as that damn ass kiss you were with holding from me all day." Troy replied, "Well, how about a little rematch?" I asked him, Liam looked between us as we talked. "How bout it?"

Racing out to the court, Liam bounced in Troy's arms. I laughed as I unlocked the gate and flew through. A basketball sat in the middle of the court as I went over to scoop it up in my arms.

Troy gently sat Liam down onto the court as he pulled his long sleeve shirt off, up and over his head. I felt my jaw clinch as he came up shirtless. I licked my lips as I looked over at Liam again. He was in his crawling stance before his blue eyes looked up into mine. I smiled at him before he turned his head away.

Troy bounced in front of me as he stole the ball from my hands, "Hey! I was looking at your son!" I snipped as I tried to reach for the ball again. Troy laughed, "Uh nuh, nope. You did this to me too." I threw my hands on my hips as he went up for a layup. The ball sailed through the net as I picked it up.

"Check," I remarked as I bounced the ball to him. Troy glanced in Liam's direction before sending the ball back to me. I bounced it twice before I faked left and went right, only Troy didn't fall for it. "Your dad taught you well."

I bounced the ball again as I tried to shove Troy away but he was so much heavier. I pressed against him as I could feel his hot breath on my neck. I cringed as goose bumps traveled down my spine. His breath husked into my ear as I could barely focus to keep the ball bouncing.

"I think I am getting to you." Troy murmured tightly into my ear, trying to suspense the groan growing in my mouth, I turned away from Troy and shot from the free throw line. It sank through the hoop as I drew my hand over my forehead. "Siked yourself out over there Bolton."

"Did not," my eyes scanned over the area as Liam was playing with a small basketball. Troy bounced the ball again as I guarded him, throwing my hands in front of him I tried to side swipe the ball from him. His hands moved faster than mine as I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"Foul!" Troy cried, "Foul?" I said smirking; I placed my lips upon his. I moved them across his lips while I felt the ball drop to the ground. His hands carefully held my face as he continued the kiss.

Once oxygen became nessccsary he pulled back, that is when I slipped down to grab the ball. "Oh no! You played me…again!"

"Sometimes you have to give what the other wants before you can get what you want." I bounced the ball before Troy snipped it away from me. I laughed as I reached for it again but he instead went for a shot.

I stood underneath the basket as it fell through into my hands. "I am going to win this one Mrs. Bolton." I smirked back at him, my eyes gazed towards Liam as he had crawled a few feet towards the court as Troy looked at me taking a long breath in. "Are we going to get this game moving again or are you going to stare at our son for the entire hour."

"Don't get sippy with me Bolton," Troy's eyes bounced in amusement, "I mean I only have about twenty minutes left before I have to be leaving for the arena."

My eyes looked back at Liam as a bird flew high over head and Liam's gaze went up. His fingers pointing towards the sky, I bounced the ball to Troy as my gaze didn't leave Liam.

His butt was leaning forward, his legs were underneath him. "Troy," I said as he bounced me the ball, his eyes raised as he turned to look at Liam. "He isn't going to do what I think he is going to do right?" Troy asked a light breeze picked up through the area.

"I don't know but get your phone out or something." I murmured Liam rocked on his butt for a moment as Troy pulled out his cell phone. I inched closer to Liam, "Liam, come here!" I cheered. His face looked up to mine and he grinned as he pushed up off of his arms getting into the standing position.

I felt pride well up inside my body as Troy grinned. Sitting down onto the ground I inched forward trying to get closer to him. Liam was unsteady as he threw his arms out to balance himself. A grin slipping onto his face he took careful steps forward as I squealed. He giggled as he stopped to catch his balance.

I was about two steps from his reach when he took one more I lifted him into my arms. I laughed as I hugged him to my chest, he squealed with pride himself as I stood up. Troy came over to embrace us in a hug, "Oh my God, I can not believe he just did that!"

"He can walk, oh my God," I said, Liam was grinning at the both of us. I tickled his stomach as Troy ruffled his hair. "Look at my little guy go!"

A large smile played over my face as Troy took Liam from my arms, "That was so sweet," I smiled as I looked down, "Troy, do you know where your child took his first steps?" I asked him, "Uhm, yes…right here."

"I know right here but where." Troy looked around and then a booming laugh left his chest. "On the basketball court," I walked over to Troy as I pressed my lips against Liam's temple. "Troy, it was destiny."

"He is a Bolton," Troy smiled; I took Liam back from his arms as I leaned into Troy. "I think we are going to have to take a rain check with this basketball game."

"I think I can do that." Troy agreed he pulled my hand into his. "I can not believe he just walked!" I cheered, "I know! I mean, it was only like five steps but he walked!"

"Troy, it was perfect." I murmured, "So perfect," my mind flashed back to Liam taking a step. The breeze was light and all of the palm trees and plain trees were golden with color, the sky beautiful and the clouds high in the sky.

"I just, I never thought, it would happen. You know you imagine these things but when they happen…it's so unreal." Troy gripped me tighter as we moved towards the house. "I even got to see it." Troy murmured quietly, "You were so scared to not see it." I told him, "I really was. Gabi, I just, I didn't think it would happen. I swear I am on the road more than I am at home."

"I think it might just feel like it," Troy popped open the door as we entered the house. "I know, I just, and I feel like I am missing everything."

"You were there for his birth, you were there for the first week, you were there when he crawled and talked. You were there when he was colicky; you were not missing from his life. You just act like you were."

"I wasn't there when he was sick," I rolled my eyes as I set Liam down onto the floor. "Troy, just because you weren't there for that one moment, I was freaked but I think you are fine. He isn't going to remember you not being there when he was sick."

Troy's thumb traced down my side, "You promise me to be good okay?" I laughed, "What are you talking about?"

"Your mom is coming into town tomorrow morning. I just, I don't want anything to happen." Troy confirmed, "I know Troy, we have been over this before."

Troy rolled his eyes as his eyes looked down at Liam. Liam pushed off again as he got up to walk once more. Not steady as he fell after two steps. He landed on his diaper before giving off a grin. I giggled as Troy went over and crawled on the floor to kiss on him.

I laughed as Liam giggled from underneath Troy. Troy was smiling as his phone began to ring. I answered it for him, "Hello?"

"Has Troy left yet?" Chad asked, "He is saying bye to Liam then he is leaving."

"Okay, tell him to call me when he is done."

"Will do."

I hung up the phone as Troy got up from the floor. He came over and pressed his lips against mine before I could process what was going on. "I love you," Troy murmured, "I love you too; I will see you in two days."

"I know," Troy whispered as he let his finger trace his lower stomach. "Please, please call me after your mom gets here."

"I promise Troy, nothing will happen. Will you please just relax?" Troy chewed on his lip before he kissed me again. "I will try."

"You worry too much."

Troy let out a chuckle, "That is because I have you in my life."

Looking down at my outfit, I fluffed it before I glanced at the clock. My mom was going to be here in any second. Liam had just gone down for a nap so I was hoping I could distract her a little.

Letting Oreo out into the open backyard, I went over to grab a glass of ice tea that I had made before I let my hand guide through my hair. Troy had called late last night after he had landed in New Jersey.

Tapping my nails against the table, I glanced at them as I needed to go get a manicure. Before I had become a mom, I felt like I had a scheduled appointment every two months.

A swift knock came at the door as I stood up straighter. I walked forward as I unlocked the door, letting out a long breath I pulled open the door. My mom stood behide it with her suitcase wheeling behide her. Her wavy hair was pulled back into a pony tail and she was in a pair of jeans with a button down shirt.

"Gabi!" she said, I smiled as I gripped her into a hug. "Hi mom," I said, "Come on in," she walked into the house as she looked around in Awh. "This is a very beautiful house. I can't believe you live in the middle of nowhere though. It doesn't seem like you." She said setting her suitcase to the side.

"Oh, well with Troy, he likes it better plus we get a lot more privacy." I explained as I pushed a piece of hair behide my ear. The sweet tea that I had was burning in my mouth. "So where is Liam?" she asked me glancing around. "Napping. He just went down, I promise once he is up he will be for hours."

"Did you say Troy wasn't going to be here until tomorrow?" she asked, "Uhm, kind of. He will be home very late tomorrow night. Somewhere around midnight."

"Oh! That is very late! Does that not bother you?" I frowned for a minute as I sat down on the couch, "No…as long as he gets home safely, I don't care when he gets home."

"That's nice of you to say," she said, my mom took a seat on the couch as she sat in front of me. An awkward silence fell over the both of us. I could feel the area around us grow very tense. "Mom," I started, she held up her hand.

"Troy called," I let out a long groan, "He is very concerned for you Gabi, very concerned." I bit down on my lip, "He doesn't trust me and I can understand why he doesn't trust me Gabi, he loves you." I bit down on my lip as I felt tears flash in my eyes. "I want to trust you with my baby mom. I want to leave you alone with Liam but I can still hear what you said to me when I was pregnant."

"I thought we have been over this before," my mom said, "I know, I know we have been over this plenty before mom. Just, Troy was always there for those meetings."

"So is that what you need? Do you need Troy here to protect you?"

"Mom, please, don't, don't talk like that because I don't need Troy here to do shit for me. I just know I feel safer with him hear because you are my mom. I have loved you and will always love you. I want Liam to be around his grandmother more often, I want all of that."

"Then why can't we have it?" my mom asked frustrated, biting down hard on my lip I stood from the couch. I went to slide into the seat next to my mom. "When you walked in here, we didn't squeal and begin to chat like mother and daughter. I know this feels a lot more forced. I want to be normal again, I know we will become normal again but I need that to happen sooner."

My mom looked up as she tipped her head backwards. "God, you have no idea how much I was looking forward to coming up here. I was ready to spend quality time with my daughter, to hang out with you again, for you to be my daughter." Biting down on my tongue I nodded my head.

"I want to be your daughter, so can we please, please start this moment over? I shouldn't have been so blunt about any of this." My mom glanced at me as she wrapped her arms around me. I hugged my mom back as I took in her sweet scent. I loved the smell of her normal perfume. "Thank you."

We stayed like this for a few moments and then we got up. I made us both some lunch when Liam's cry left his bedroom. My mom looked at me and then I looked towards Liam's room. "You can go get him if you want." I offered, "Really?" I nodded my head as she got off the barstool and hurried up the stairs.

Taking a few deep breaths I heard her talking and then a screeching Liam. Liam's cry only grew louder before my mom appeared back into the kitchen. Liam's face was red and his fist was crumpled around his blanket that he must have picked up with him.

"He wasn't too happy to see me," my mom said, a blush creped across her face. I smiled as I reached out for him. "They say he is at that age where he only knows who he sees." My mom laughed, "You were that way. Once we left you at daycare they claimed you cried forever."

I giggled as I gasped, "Liam, do you want to show mommy your new trick?" my mom raised her eyebrows, "Really?"

Walking into the living room, I sat Liam down as I sat down in front of him. Liam crawled over to his little table that he pulled himself up on. I was scared he was going to hurt himself but so far nothing. He tottered as he put one of his hands into his mouth. "Did he…?" my mom questioned, I grinned as Liam did take a step before he fell onto his butt.

"Goodness, he is getting so much bigger! Walking?" I laughed as I gripped him into my arms. I sat him down into my lap as he played with the strings on my jacket. "I know it has been pretty surreal lately. He took his first steps on the basketball court out front."

A smile played on my moms lips, "Troy must have been ecstatic."

"He was Troy was just happy that he was here when it happened."

"Your dad was the only one there for yours." My mom explained, "Really?"

"Yea, he had just picked you up from daycare. I was working late and when he brought you home, he set you down and you basically followed him. Of course you were falling mostly but you finally were able to get up and make it there."

I giggled as I set Liam up in his highchair. "Do you want to feed him?" I asked as I grabbed his food and then some yogurt bites. "Sure!"

My mom pulled a chair up as she grabbed the spoon from them. I picked up my sandwich when my phone buzzed. I picked it up as I rolled my eyes in a full circle. "Hi," I mumbled as I tried to swallow the food that was stuffing my mouth. "How is everything going?" I could hear the nervousness in his voice.

"Fantastic. She is feeding Liam right now." My mom turned towards me as I smiled, "Are you sure everything is going fine?" I groaned, "Yes. I promise you everything is going just fine."

"If you say so but also, our flight time was changed. I won't be back until earlier the next day."

"Oh, okay." I said as I took another bite of the sandwich. "I love you," I murmured, "I love you too, I gotta go."

"Bye,"

Sliding my phone against the counter, Liam smiled at my mom as she flew with the spoon into his mouth. Orange spilled over the side as he smirked at her. I giggled as I snapped a picture of them.

My mom laughed as I picked up a chip nearby. My phone vibrated again as I glanced down to see Taylor had texted me. I grinned as I sent her a text message back.

"So, what do you want to do tonight?"

Liam crawled over top of me as he made his usual back and forth sounds. I yawned as I curled my feet underneath my butt. My phone slipped from my hand as Troy was due back any minute.

Liam giggled as he made his way back over to me. He had tried to walk several times more but was very, very unstable. I picked up Liam as I kissed on his cheek. He had woken up about twenty minutes ago but I was way to lazy to even think about getting out of bed.

I closed my eyes as I felt Liam slipping from my arms. I blinked my eyes as I looked at him before I closed my eyes again. I rubbed my arms up and down before kissing on him again.

"Dada," my eyes flashed open, Liam was only playing with the blanket on the bed but Troy was frozen in the doorway. "Dada." Liam repeated quietly, Troy creped forward as he held shock written over his face. "Yes, that is daddy." I whispered to him, he got up to crawl as he moved across the bed. Troy greeted him at the bottom as Troy held him tightly to his chest.

Troy's face held shock as I sat up in bed. Troy's body climbed onto the bed as I looked at him, "Did he really just say?" Troy nodded his head, "He really just talked words we can understand."

"Liam, you should say mommy," Liam's eyes blinked in confusion before he continued to play. Troy laughed as he leaned down to kiss my forehead. "Hi," he murmured. "I can't believe he talked and walked within the same week. It all just…happened." Troy chuckled. "I think you are just amazed that your son is growing up."

I pushed him gently as I yawned again, "Take a nap or I mean go back to bed. I will take care of Liam for a little while." He said, "Are you sure?" I asked him, "Gabi, I am postive. You have spent the last three days with him, I am his dad." Troy joked; I smirked as I kissed him.

"Yea, I know," Troy smirked before he pressed his lips against mine again.

Troy's POV

Rubbing my chin I blinked as Liam pulled him up onto the couch. He said actual words.

Glancing up in the direction of our room, I smiled as Gabi's face held complete shock. I heard a bedroom door open and close; my lips frowned as I had just left Gabi about thirty minutes ago.

Liam's eyes looked up towards the stairs as he crawled towards the kitchen. I got up to follow him as I as I saw Gabi's mom descending down the stairs towards me.

"Troy! Glad to see you home." He said I smiled at her as I picked up Liam from the floor. "Troy, I think we should clear a few things up." Slipping Liam into his highchair, I just nodded my head. "I don't want to hurt my daughter; there is nothing I would do to hurt my daughter or Liam."

Licking my lips I turned to face her, "And I am here to protect her from every getting hurt again that you did. I know you guys have worked out your issues but I still have my guard up Maria." Her head nodded as she played with Liam. "Dadddaaa…" he screeched. I turned to look at him raising my eyebrow. "Somebody is impatient." I murmured.

"I know you didn't want to hurt her then…" I paused as I grabbed a spoon and some baby food. "But you did, I know that you have talked and are hopefully better, I just want you to know that I will always have my guard up."

"I respect that, I am glad my daughter is in very safe with you. It makes me feel better that you are going to take care of her no matter what happens." A smile grew on my face as I looked at her mom. "I am glad that you came," I finally told her, "Thanks for letting me come, even though you didn't exactly agree at first."

"Yea, I am sorry about that. I just, baby steps." I finally said, "Yea, baby steps. Speaking of which, Liam has taken his first of!"

"And he talked this morning! Did you hear him earlier?"

"Just a minute ago but what was his first word?"

"Dad," I soft grin placed over my lips as Maria gave me a smile. "Good, he deserves you as his father."

"He loves having you as his grandmother."

She smiled as she went to grab some cereal. Turning to Liam I slowly began to feed him; we were all one step closer.

Hey! I finally got this one out! Fantastic, so anyways, I hope you all liked it! The whole Gabi going back to school and getting a job thing has been planned for a long time, so I hope you enjoy that new part of this story. Only about eight chapters left! Yah!

I was not able to re-read this whole chapter simply because I wanted to get this out. I hope there wasn't too many mistakes but I am sorry if there was. No need to point them out. ;)

Thanks for all of the reviews!

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