Chapter 41 – Christmas!

"Are you ready to go see Grandma?" Liam cooed as I bent down to kiss his forehead. In the end Liam's little virus only lasted mostly until the next morning when he began to act like himself a little bit more. I had gotten some food into him while his fever broke later that morning.

He began to show his true colors but his coughing would keep him up more then usual but he was slowly going back to normal. Finishing off my knee length black dress with the red buckle around the middle, I picked up Liam as we both posed for a picture together.

We were getting ready to go visit my mom and her whole family which wasn't much. I had two cousins and my aunt. She invited my dad's mom and siblings but nothing much had been mentioned if they were coming. I hadn't seen them since in maybe three years, since I had left for college or a little bit later.

I think most of them knew I had a baby but none of them called. My dad had a brother and two sisters, his dad had died five years before him and his mom was still alive, having to still deal with the painful loss of my dad and her husband.

I picked up Liam's diaper bag and as I stuffed my stuff inside. I had rented Jenni's car for the night since she was staying in with Carson or going on a date with Carson, either one. Making sure I had all of the gifts, I walked downstairs and then stood in front of them all.

"Liam and I are leaving," Liam played with my hair as he sat on my hip. "Be safe and call if anything happens," Jack said coming over to take Liam from my arms. He tossed him up into the air and Liam grinned. "Have fun," Lucas said waving, "I will be watching your husband kick ass!" Lucas said pumping his fist.

"Good. Cheer him on; hopefully my mom will let me turn the game on."

"When does his flight leave for Colorado?" Michelle asked, I shrugged, "I have no idea."

"There is a huge snowstorm coming there way. I don't know if he is going to even play,"

"Some how they always manage to get there, even when I think there is a fucking, oops, freaking hurricane." Jenni looked at me with widened eyes as she began to laugh.

"I forget where I am, leave me alone." I said blushing, I took Liam back from Jack as I grabbed for Jenni's keys. Walking towards the front door I yelled bye at everybody again.

Fastening Liam into his car seat, I kissed the top of his head. It had been a while since I had seen my brother or Sam and I was excited to see my mom's sister and my two cousins Grace and Alex. Grace was seventeen while Alex was fourteen; I hadn't seen them since two Christmas' ago.

I cracked the engine and then backed out of the driveway smoothly without hitting any cars. I tapped my finger nails against the steering wheel, hoping that my dad's mom and siblings would show up this time. There was talk that they might but it was always hard for them as it was usually hard for us.

My Uncle Mark looked identical to my dad, for the first few months after my dad's death, when that brought us closer; I never wanted to see him. He always made me upset and Troy finally told him why, which made him want to comfort me more.

Fighting it to the point, he stopped trying. We had talked some after that but not a bunch, my aunts had pulled away from us. They were both younger than my dad, they were both were married and had two kids. I knew my aunt Hallie was married to Richard and had two kids, Aubrey who was ten and Kelsey who was six. My mom had been informing me as she was hoping they would show up.

My dad's other sister, Megan, was married to Bryce, who had a five year old son, Ethan. I pulled into my mom's driveway to notice more cars than just my aunt.

My heart began to fly as this would be so different without Troy here. I took an even breath as I cleared my throat. I pushed open the car door. Getting Liam out of his carrier, I would send Kyle to get all of the gifts. Slinging Liam's diaperbag around my shoulder, I carefully walked towards the door.

My heels clicked against the ground as I let out an uneven breath. Liam squirmed in my arms as I pressed my lips against his temple. He coughed, pulling his fingers towards my hair. Carefully knocking on the door, I balanced Liam on my hip, shuffling around for my phone.

The door swung open as my eyes looked up. Kyle stared back at me as he let a small smile form on his face, then he cleared his throat. "Hey, look at my big guy!" Kyle bent over as he leaned forward picking him up. He took him from my arms as I stepped through the door way.

"Oh my God," my eyes were at floor level as I kicked off my heels, my eyes glanced up to see my Grandma Montez sitting on the couch, Uncle Mark was sitting on the edge of the couch as he still looked just like my dad. Three years and he still couldn't shake the image of my dad. That's what I get for my dad being a twin.

My throat began to squeeze, as I blinked back tears that were forming in my eyes. "It's my little Gabi," my grandma said, I cleared my throat as I could feel my mom's eyes looking at me. Clearing my throat again, I walked forward as I embraced my grandma in a hug.

"Hi grandma,"

"Gabriella! Your mom was informing us that you had a baby and gotten married to that dreamy boy Troy!" I pulled back and relaxed my hand against my face, "Oh yea! He is getting ready to play basketball in a little while if you want to uhm watch him."

"Maria! You should turn on the damn basketball game!" I giggled as Kyle handed me Liam, "Grandma, this is my son, Liam," her eyes scanned him before she smiled. "I am a great grandma that is crazy!"

I looked around again to notice all three of my aunts, "Gabriella, I never really got to talk to you at your wedding," my Aunt Hallie said coming up to give me a hug. "Thanks for coming though."

Grace and Alex both came over to give me a hug, "Hey guys,"

"Can we play with Liam for a little bit later?" Grace asked, I nodded, "Sure,"

My throat still felt tight as I looked up into my Uncle's eyes. His brown eyes flickered towards mine as he offered me that smile; I blinked rapidly as I turned up. "I am going to get the gifts out of my car," I said pushing my finger towards the door. "Kyle, can you keep an eye out for Liam?"

"Oh! I got him honey!" my grandma said loudly, I nodded and smiled, "I know you do Grandma." I moved out of the room as my fingers traveled towards my phone. My fingers shook a little as I remember one of the last Christmases with my dad.

Flashback

Christmas of Gabi's Junior Year

"Gabi, come on you have to wake up," my dad poked my side as I groaned; I tried to roll over onto my stomach as he let out a little laugh. "Gabs come on!"

"Don't you think you are a little old to be this excited about Christmas?" I asked trying to keep my eyes closed. "No way! You can be as excited as you want about Christmas. You can sing Christmas carols all year, just like they say in Elf!" I finally let a smile appear over my lips.

"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear," I mumbled, my dad let out a long laugh. "That's my girl! Come on we have to make the coffee and you will love your presents this year, love!"

My laugh carried out as I let my eyes open up. "There are my brown eyed beauties," he leaned over to kiss my forehead. "You are crazy dad," he stood up from my bed, "I just love Christmas."

End of Flashback

Every since, Christmas had become my favorite holiday. My fingers shook as I hoped Troy wasn't out on the court yet as I just wanted to hear his voice.

"Brie, I am getting ready to go out on the court, make this very fast."

"I just needed to hear your voice," I paused as Troy waited for the why, "I saw my Uncle Mark, I mean I will have to spend most of the night with my Uncle Mark and it just brings back a lot of memories."

"You haven't seen him in a long time,"

"I know, it was kind of breathtaking, I," I began to feel very choked up, "I don't even know how to talk right now," my throat felt tight and my eyes were moist.

"I know Christmas can be hard sometimes baby, its not the best feeling in the world with you since I know that was your dads favorite, you try to play it up all of the time but you have to relax a little, I have to go, I will call you asap, okay, I love you."

"I love you too," I leaned against the car as I a tear did slip down my cheek. Once I heard the dial tone I dropped my phone as I picked up the gifts trying to take a deep breath. Not seeing my mom last year helped out with not being as upset but it hurt sometimes to come back, even after five years without my dad.

Hearing the door click, I turned around to see Mark. Turning away to just wipe my eyes, I smiled, "I came to see if you needed any help."

I sighed and shook my head, "Nope. I am just happy that I bought everybody gifts this year." Mark nodded as he let out a sigh, "I know how hard it is to see me Gabi, I know all you see is your dad and I can not imagine how hard that I on you. Your son, Liam, he looks a lot like you."

"He looks a lot like his dad," I mumbled quietly, my uncle only nodded as he then sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "I know how hard it is on you, to see me. That is why I backed off for so long. Your mom invited us to your wedding, your grandmother was sick so your aunt Aurbry stayed back to take care of her. I almost went but I didn't want to ruin such a special day for you."

"You would have not ruined it," I snapped back, I leaned back against the car. "Maybe having you there would have made it better; my husband's dad walked me down the aisle. I probably would have had you do it but since I could never get a hold of you."

"I was the one making you cry so often Gabi, I know how much your dad and I looked alike, God, we were twins. I know how upset you were I know how that feels."

"You have no idea how it feels to lose your favorite person in the world at seventeen!" my words hit his ears, a sour look running over his face before he walked forward. "I don't know how it is; I know how it is to lose a twin though. It doesn't feel good, losing the person you were born with,"

I turned away as tears pressed my eyes; he then wrapped his arms around me. I let my head fall against his shoulder while he held me for a minute. "Life is never perfect and I know that for a while, you didn't want me around. All you saw when you saw me, was why is he alive but my dad isn't. I know that is how you felt because my mom even said it. She didn't want me dead but how is two now one so young?"

I didn't respond to it but only nodded my head. "Yea," I choked out. His hand smoothed over my back as I felt like I was almost hugging my dad but it just wasn't.

"I am sorry about all of those lost years we have now, I feel like everybody lost touch after dad died."

"We need to stop that, I don't know what happened."

"Thanks for coming around for Christmas." He squeezed me tightly. "I heard Troy was drafted a while ago and I called your mom to ask if it was really true and if you were still dating him."

"We never really broke up for maybe once. We were very close and we still are." He picked up the gifts as we walked up towards the front door steps.

"I did not believe your mom when she said you had a baby. I was like huh? My little Gabi, then she told me she got into some serious trouble."

My face flushed, "I would rather forget that time. I am still trying to regain my trust with her."

Mark looked at me before he smiled, "It would have been different with your dad. He would have calmed her down and they would have both been there."

I glanced at my feet, "Yea, it would have been."

He opened the door as he slid the gifts in. Liam cried out as I smiled looking up at him, then he let out his angriest cry that said he wanted me to pick him up and hold him.

"Come here big guy," I bent down to pick him up. He latched his arms around my neck as I boosted him to the side. He didn't budge since he wanted to stay on my chest. "I can not believe he will be one in two months," Kyle said coming up behide me. Walking over to the couch I planted down, crossing my ankles.

"I know! I am just thinking that he is getting so big," He grabbed a piece of my hair as he played with the strings. The Lakers game appeared on TV as Troy was one of the first pictures shown. "Is that your dreamy boy?" my grandma asked, I giggled and nodded, "Yes,"

"Damn! He is fine!"

"Mom," Mark said laying a hand on her shoulder; she looked up at him with her dark brown eyes. "Can I not cheer for my granddaughter husband?"

Mark looked up at me as I smiled, my mom called me from the kitchen as my Aunt Brogan, my moms sister, took Liam from me. My Aunt Brogan had met Liam once, but that is all at my wedding.

I clicked up the stairs as my mom stood behide the oven. She stirred something before turning to see me enter the kitchen. Wiping her hands off on the apron, she gave me a smile. "I meant to call you to tell you they were coming. It got away from me; I know how hard it is for you to see your Uncle Mark."

"I am fine with it. It was a bit at first since Christmas was dad's favorite holiday but it will be fine."

My mom looked at me before she brought me into a hug. "Thank you for coming. I really missed you last year."

"I missed you at a lot of things last year."

My mom squeezed me tightly as she gave off a smile. "I want you to know that if you ever want to stay here instead of Troy's parents house, just tell me. Your room is empty but I can fix that."

"I will probably always stay with Lucille mom. I know you don't want that but right now, Troy is more comfortable with me over at his parent's house."

My mom gave me a soft smile and nodded, "I understand."

She cleared her throat before wiping her fingers on the apron again. "Dinner is ready!"

"Liam who is that?" Liam was sitting on my lap as Troy was approached on TV. They had lost but wanted to know why they had lost.

"Dada!"

I smiled as Troy listened closely to whoever was talking. It was late Christmas Eve as I was sitting in Troy's room. Dinner and everything at my moms house went very smoothly afterwards. Liam had gotten a few things but most didn't know what to get but they were going to get closer with Liam.

"Troy, do you know what happened out there today?"

"No, we just kind of lost our game for a bit. We won the first, lost the second; we are still in good shape. Looking forward to the playoffs even if we are behide two games yet there is still a lot of basketball to be played,"

"Good to hear you are in such postive light, Christmas on the Road, can't be very fun."

Troy shook his head, "No. Not when you have a ten month old son at home, his first Christmas but we are going to chat in the morning so I can some what be there."

The conversation carried on for a few more minutes as I cuddled with Liam underneath the covers. ESPN flipped to the next story as I yawned. Troy had yet to call me but they were supposed to be traveling tonight, to get to Colorado before Christmas morning.

I then felt my phone buzz next to me, my fingers searched for the phone as the TV flickered again. Liam's eyes darted around as I found my phone buried in the pillows. Troy and Liam's picture showing up on my phone.

"Hi," I said, trying to keep a yawn from leaving my mouth. "Thought you would be on a plane right now."

"Delayed until tomorrow morning, a flipping blizzard in Colorado, shutting down all airports. I don't know if I will be able to chat tomorrow morning."

I sighed, "It will all be okay. So you are stuck in an airport?"

"Yup. The Lakers basketball team is stuck in the airport. I thought I would call you to just see if you were awake. I wanted know how your dinner went with your mom."

"Good. My Uncle Mark came to talk to me for a little bit. I won't say we worked things out because there wasn't anything to work out but we talked."

"Good. I am glad you guys talked. I am a little jealous. All I am getting is Phoenix airport food for my Christmas Eve."

"I'm sorry."

Troy laughed; I could see him pulling down his basketball shorts. "Is Liam still awake?"

"Yea, he is laying in bed with me. I have been too lazy to get up and put him in his crib."

"He can not be one of those babies who wants to sleep in our bed all the time." Troy said quickly, "I know, we have sex a little too often for that but he is so cute and cuddle."

"You can never ask a mom to do that," Troy finally mumbled, I let out a long yawn as my eyes closed briefly. "You should put Liam into his bed and then get some sleep." Troy said, "Christmas is tomorrow morning."

"When am I going to get my present from you?" I asked calmly, "You will see,"

Liam cried out from his crib as I groggily opened my eyes as I looked at Liam. He was standing up in his crib as his direction was turned to something else. Rolling over some, I realized it was still very dark in my room. Pulling my hand out of underneath the pillow, I rubbed my eyes, squinting at the clock.

It was only three thirty, Liam screeched again as I turned slightly to see Troy standing there. I jumped as he laughed quietly, "What in the hell are you doing here?" I asked, "Are you lying about all of this traveling?"

Troy shook his head, "No, they cancelled our series in Denver. Bad snowstorm, they are driving out of Colorado to make it to there next game. Coach let us go be with our families for Christmas."

Troy went over to pick up Liam as he kissed his temple. "Good. I am glad you ended up getting the day off."

"We weren't even playing tomorrow or I mean today but when he said I jumped on the next flight here."

I smiled softly, "I was not planning on coming out here by the way. It was not planned at all, just a little luck. I have to leave before you leave though."

"I will probably just leave with you Troy; I have to get ready for school,"

"Aw, yes, school. Gotta love school."

"You should really finish school,"

"I know I should really finish school, I am only a credit shy."

I wiggled my eyebrows as Troy had quickly failed his first year of college, only keeping his grades up for basketball season. So he had been held back but had ended up qualifying for the draft.

I was never to sure how it all worked out but it happened. I smiled softly as Troy put Liam back into his crib after gently kissing him goodnight.

He then stripped off his shirt before crawling into bed next to me. "Two straight nights with my Brie," his arms circled around me, pulling me as close as he could to me.

His nose buried in my hair as I pressed my body against his. Troy took even breaths as he kissed my temple softly. He then rested his chin against my ear, "I love you," he whispered quietly.

"I love you too."

"Ahh!" I bolted up right as my eyes looked frantically around. Jenni was, I mean, no longer standing in the doorway as she pounced on Troy. She missed him entirely during the trip when he was here, only getting maybe a minute with him. Troy grunted as he tried to roll, reburying his face into his pillow.

"Jenni, go away." My heart race began to slow down as I took in a deep breath. Looking over at Liam he was still asleep, "Mom told me to go get Gabi and Liam up then I saw you in the bed, what are you doing here?"

"Our series was cancelled due to a blizzard in Colorado. Our plane wouldn't take off and go there, they thought about moving them to our stadium but then they said screw it since its Christmas, just let everybody have a break then meet back in LA."

Jenni hugged on him some more as I yawned pulling the covers over my head. "Gabi! Come on its Christmas!" Jenni yelled pulling the blankets back, I smiled as I couldn't deny that I really wanted to get up but it was hard since Liam was still sleeping, past his normal time.

"Jenni, relax, we will be down in a few minutes."

"Should I tell mom you are here?"

"I don't care; I really don't give a fuck."

Jenni was surprised as Troy rolled over, letting his face hit the pillow. I giggled as Jenni walked slowly out of the room; my eyes glanced to Liam as I then snuggled up with Troy.

"I don't wanna get up."

"I think we should just lie up here,"

"I think we should nap later," I told him as I pulled on his shirt, Troy kept his eyes close but kept me very close. His thumb running down my arm, stroking me gently as he would place a little kiss on me every now and then.

"Liam should experience his first Christmas."

"Oh fun," Troy said sitting up, he rubbed his eyes multiply times before he rested his face against his hand. "I am so tired."

Crawling into his lap, I kissed his jaw before I kissed his lips. "We can both nap as Jenni can watch your son. She woke us up, she can watch the baby."

Troy smirked as he pulled my hair away from my face, "I like how you think," he pressed a gently kiss against my lips, his small smile forming over his face. "Last year, you were running around the house so excited."

"I am excited, I really am but I would be even more excited if it was like two hours later."

"Me too,"

"Troy?" I heard Lucille's voice as I rolled off Troy's lap, I walked over to Liam's crib bending over to pick him up, and he began to whine as his fist went to his eyes to rub his eyes. I grabbed his blanket followed that was lying underneath him. I pressed it against his body as Troy came up behide me.

"Is he still trying to fight off what he had?"

I nodded my head, "The fever is gone but he still has his cough, he will hack in the middle of the night which freaks me out."

Troy pulled back some of my hair as he placed a soft kiss on my shoulder. Liam cried his cry from being awoken. He rubbed his eyes some more as Troy took him from my arms gently. "Liam, its Christmas." Troy said but Liam only cried more. Troy sighed, as I let him give him back to me.

Pressing my lips against his temple, I put the blanket back over his back as we both walked out the bedroom door. "I will go make him a bottle," Troy said as he walked closely behide me. "Okay,"

Walking downstairs I realized it was just Jack who was barely awake and Jenni, "Does Lucas and them come up here?"

"No, they stay down in the basement to do there own gifts. We will do gifts with them and the whole family later tonight." I nodded my head as I walked downstairs. "Troy, you really should just tell us you are coming." His dad said standing up, "I didn't know I was coming until about one."

Jack looked at him, "What time did you get in?"

"Late." I sat down on the couch as I felt Liam slowly falling asleep on my shoulder again. Troy walked off into the kitchen as I heard Lucille say something, Troy then laughed before Jenni pounced in.

"He can't be asleep!" she protested walking over to look at Liam, "Somebody woke him up last night." Troy shook his head as he walked into the living room with a warm bottle. "I did no such thing."

"Sure…" he handed me the bottle as he sat down next to me. I leaned against him as I got Liam to wake up and eat. "Jenni, you can pass out all of the presents."

Jenni rolled her eyes as Liam began to eat, perking up as people were walking around. Something steamed from the kitchen as Troy stood up and walked off. I watched him go as Lucille stood up to follow him, I yawned as I sat Liam up on my lap, letting him still drink his bottle.

Troy then walked back into the room with two cups of coffee. His snug Laker tshirt shaping his biceps with his purple basketball shorts lowing below his knees. His black Nike socks scrunched down.

"You checking me out missy?" he asked handing me the warm cup of coffee. "I sure am," I said winking at him; he smiled collapsing down onto the couch again. His coffee splashed a little into but he wrapped one arm around me keeping me close. Liam pulled the bottle out of his mouth

Jenni passed the gifts around the room as my head leaned onto Troy's shoulder. Liam began to lean forward on my lap as I pulled him back. "Hey," he whined as I kissed on him, "Where do you think you are going?"

He whined as Troy laughed setting his coffee on the other table. Troy pulled him up into the air as he began to laugh. I smiled softly at them as I pulled off the blanket from the back of the couch.

"Troy you didn't get Gabi much this year, same for you Gabi,"

"It's a married thing."

"Or that Troy showers you with gifts all year?" Jenni questioned sliding another gift towards our pile. "No, I do not shower her with gifts."

Jack snorted out loud and then laughed. "Troy, what the hell are you talking about, that girl has you at beck and call." I blushed deeply as I blinked my eyes trying to stop the growing smile.

"Jack and Lucille, you guys can go first. Since Liam has twice the amount of all of our gifts combined, I think we can wait."

Jack bent over and grabbed a gift sitting at his feet, same with Lucille. Jack opened up a golf membership that Troy had bought for him. Lucille opening up a shirt with a pair of shorts that Jenni must of have gotten her.

Lucille picked up the next package, pulling back the paper as Jack was talking to Troy about the membership card. She unwrapped the paper that I took a long time to wrap, okay, I only say a long time because Liam kept trying to help.

She pulled open the box and she smiled, "That is so cute."

She pulled it out and showed it around the room. It was her and Liam sitting at our wedding together; it had a thin quote about grandmas on the top as she smiled. "Thank you."

They both finished opening there gifts ending with more clothes, spa gift cards, a new phone, and a kindle for Lucille that Jack had gotten her.

Jenni smiled as she looked at Troy, "I loved last year's gift, do you think you could top it this year?" Troy snorted, "No, you are already on your second car."

"Because of an idiot."

Troy laughed and nodded, "Because of an idiot,"

"There are a lot of idiots in this town, two of them happened to hit my own children and grandchildren while in the car." Troy rolled his eyes while Liam sat down in between us as he pulled me back over towards him.

Jenni opened up her gifts, clothes from Jack and Lucille, money, a new Laker lanyard, Liam got her a thing for a mani and pedi, then it came down to Troy's gift to her and from me.

She looked at the rectangle box, her eyes scanning it back and forth. Blinking my eyes I watched her unfold the pieces firmly.

"Just so you know dad and mom helped a little bit since they wanted to but mostly me." Jenni turned her head backwards a bit to look at him, I then laughed a little bit.

Once she opened the box her face fell a little as only a few things of nail polish was underneath, a package of headbands with a long sleeve volleyball tshirt with Bolton scripted on the back, plus a picture of Liam and her.

"Its fantastic," she tried to say with a big smile but she failed. Troy couldn't help but laugh. "Jenni, you have another one." Her eyes perked up as she reached for the next box. Peeling back the wrapping paper, she unfolded the sides to reveal a phone case for her iPhone 4.

"A phone case for my phone…" Troy looked up at the ceiling to keep from suspending the laugh that was building in his throat. A grin slipped on my face as Jack was trying to hide his growing smirk. Troy then removed his arm from around me grabbing a bit bigger of a box to hand it to her.

Her eyes lite up, her fingers unwrapping the present as she pulled it back to reveal her new Mac book pro. A screech left her mouth as she jumped up effulging Troy into a hug. "Did my nagging pay off?"

Troy laughed as he hugged her back, "Yes, it did. Mom and I talked about it and split it up. It's also my graduation present, sort of, I will get you something else but it will also go towards your graduation present."

Jenni glanced around for a few moments before she looked at Lucille and Jack. "I know you have been nagging me for months to pick my top school. I have sent in all of my applications and everything but I chose."

Jack perked up as he leaned forward, he had talked to Troy about this many times because he was frustrated that Troy had picked quickly what school he wanted to go to but ended up changing because of me.

"I chose UCLA because Troy went there, Gabi went and is going back there, plus it's close to Troy. I can see Liam all the time and my brother who I miss having around here. Troy and I are so close and just seeing him every once and awhile isn't cutting it. I know that you, dad, wanted me to go to U of A, you wanted Troy also but things change."

Jack didn't talk for a moment, "I understand. It's hard not having siblings around."

Jenni relaxed as Lucille looked at her again, "I don't know what I will do without any of my babies here." Jenni got up as she sat down on Jenni's lap. "Mom, I don't want to leave you guys, I will miss you."

"Your dad and I have been wondering if we should move up to California after you graduated because we had a feeling you would go up to be with Troy." Troy inched forward, "Mom, we love you but we are branching off, away from our parents. Jenni doesn't want to live with you any longer."

Lucille shot him a look as Jenni shook her head, "Mom, you and dad have jobs and live here. You can come visit us all the time mom, you will have a big excuse. Troy, your grandson, your daughter in law, and me."

"Yea and if you want you can come live with us all summer." Troy offered, "Then when you retire you can do whatever you want." Liam bounced in my lap as I watched the conversation unfold.

"Fine. I just, I already miss Troy all the time."

Troy smiled as Jenni turned towards Troy, "I do love my new Mac, so thank you." Troy nodded as he rested back against me. He pressed his lips against my temple as I yawned. "Gabi, you are next," I raised my eyebrow as I gave Liam over to Troy. He screeched and I let him have my hand.

Bending over I grabbed on of the first gifts sitting on the floor to see it was from Jenni. I smiled as I glanced at her, "It really isn't anything much, I promise." I smiled, "Anything from you is special."

Troy snorted as I shoved him gently since he had Liam in his lap. I unpeeled the wrapping paper as it was a box of t-shirts and a pair of shorts.

"These are all really cute," I said with a smile, "You have another one from me in the pile," she mentioned digging around for it. She handed it to me as I opened it to reveal Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw concert tickets, a total of three. I screeched as I pulled Jenni into a hug.

"These had to be a fortune!"

"Not really, I know a friend and they are in Anaheim Cali, so I was going to fly up and go with you guys in July." I smirked as I hugged her again, "Thanks, you know how much I love them both."

"Yes, I know." Troy stole one of my tickets from me as he smiled, "Good, this is my ticket." I smiled as I snapped it back, "I could take Taylor for all I want, and they are my tickets." Troy frowned as I slipped them under a costar.

I touched his shoulder as I grabbed another gift. The next one was from Lucille and Jack; it was a gift cards to Babies 'R' Us. The next was a couple of clothes that I had pointed out to them then they got me a pedicure from my favorite salon plus a haircut.

"Thanks guys," Troy kissed my temple softly as Jenni handed me another gift. "From little guy," I read aloud. Troy smiled as I peeled back the paper. The ripping sound waiting to see what Liam got me. "He begged hard for me to get this for you. I think he really wanted it." I shot Troy a look at he smirked.

I ran my finger underneath the sides of the box, opening it up to revealing a simple piece of paper. I picked it up as my eyes scanned over top of it.

"One ticket to turn in for a kitten." My eyes grew as I turned to look at Troy as if he was serious. Troy was not much a cat guy, hence us not having one at the moment.

"I told you, Liam begged." I tossed my head as I leaned forward to give him a simple kiss on his lips. "I am excited; you know that is what we are doing as soon as we get home."

"I figured." Troy squeezed my waist as Jenni gave me my last gift sitting on the floor. It was more of a tall bag, I pulled back the tissue paper as I pulled out a large picture of Troy and I on our wedding day. We were dancing to our first song together while it had words scribbled over top.

"I, Troy Anthony Bolton; I vow…" I stopped reading as I glanced up, "You had your vows printed over our," Troy tapped the bag as I reached into to grab the large frame. It was another picture of us but this time we were captured in a kiss, standing on a ledge above the lake. Troy's arms were wrapped tightly around me as my arms rested on his shoulder, clasping my fingers together holding on to him.

"I, Gabriella Anna Montez; I vow to…" I didn't have to read the rest as I knew the words by heart. "You had our vows printed on pictures…" Troy nodded his head as I reached over to bring him into a tight hug. Jenni had Liam as Troy kept me close to his chest. "I have one more for you and Liam but I will give that to you later." I nodded as he kissed my lips. "Thank you,"

"I thought you would like that," Troy said with a small smile, I twisted my wedding band around my finger as I leaned back into the couch. "Jack, why couldn't you do such a thing?" Jack glared at Troy, "I had to learn from someone." Troy winked back at his dad.

Jack thanked him as Troy reached over for one of his gifts. It was one from Lucille and Jack; they had got him a few American Eagle t-shirts, a Giants baseball jacket, a Saints t-shirt with Drew Brees number on the front. They got him a new pair of jeans and a new pair of Nike tennis shoes.

"Thanks mom and dad," Troy said wadding up one of the last things of wrapping paper. "Well since we buy Jenni stuff all the time, we thought we could buy a lot of stuff for you."

Troy rolled his eyes, "Aren't you still paying off that last bit of college?" he asked, "Oh right, I got a full ride scholarship." Troy teased, Jenni shot him a look. "At least one of my kids did."

Troy grabbed a gift with hot pink wrapping paper wrapped around. "Well, this must be from Jenni." She cracked a smile, "Of course."

Troy unwrapped it as he also had three tickets to the Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw concert. Troy was shocked as he looked at Jenni, "Where did you get all of this money?" Troy asked him, "I told you, I have a friend." Jenni said standing up but she snatched a ticket from him.

"This ticket has a name on the back," she flashed it in front of his eyes. "Carson…" he drew out the name and she nodded, "Yes, I am giving Carson a ticket to, from your three. I could only get six and two for you, two for the other people you chose, then Carson and I."

"Fair enough, as long as you don't do anything…you arent supposed to do."

"We won't!" Jenni whined, "Carson and I are dating, not in a sexual relationship." Troy shook his head, "You better not be."

Troy moved to the next one as this one was from Liam as I recognized the wrapping paper. Once he pulled it back, a small smile formed over Troy's lips.

It was a large story book of his favorite children stories. Lucille had told me all about his favorite books she would read over and over to him as a child. "God, are these all mine?" Troy asked flipping through one of them.

"Some, some are newer versions but yea, your mom read them to you. So I thought we could read them to Liam."

"I love it,"

There was one gift left for Troy to open, a fun little thing since we decided we were not going to do much. Once he opened it up, it revealed the pair of new Ray-Bans he had wanted plus a little card that he read, blushed, and put back away. Jack began to laugh as he wanted to read the card.

"No thanks, I will keep that in here but check out these awesome sunglasses that I prayed I would get." I smiled as I reached for his arm. I rested my head gently against his shoulder.

"Guess whose turn it is!" Liam babbled a few different words as Jenni sat a gift in front of him. This was going to take a long time.

Liam had gotten toys, toys, and more toys. He would pull the paper off some of them but never really cared enough, and then he only became tired so Troy held him while I opened the rest of them. Let's just say he was spoiled.

Once we had finished Jenni popped open the new Mac Book, Troy and I began to open some of Liam's toys, and then Jack and Lucille went to make breakfast in the kitchen.

"Brie," Troy grunted as he rested onto his elbow. I looked into his blue eyes as I handed Liam a block. Troy rolled over onto his back as he found the last gift sitting by the TV, hidden. "Here is the last gift. It was a family thing; I just wanted to keep it a surprise." My eyes glanced over at Jenni as she was focused on her computer.

My fingers slide underneath the wrapping paper as I opened the lid to the box. I dug through the tissue paper as Troy watched me intently, then he grabbed Liam's foot.

Liam looked up at him as I finally found a small flyer. "Come with me to watch the ball drop at midnight in Time Square," I read and then I broke out into a large grin. My eyes found his, "No way! New York?" Troy grinned, "Yea, we are playing there on New Years Eve, are game is at five, we can go to Time Square and watch the ball drop. We will be there for four days."

"But basketball is only two…"

"I know, we have a day off before and then after."

I reached forward as I grabbed him into a large hug. "Yay!" he hugged me back as he fell onto his back. I lay on top of his stomach as he stroked my back. He leaned up to peck my lips, his moist lips pressing against mine. "I love you; I love everything you gave me."

"So do I, it was all good."

"I feel like I should have gotten you more," Troy shook his head, "I think you give me plenty. You keep the house running, raise Liam, and deal with me gone all the time. I love you Brie, as long as you are with me, you will always be my present."

"That was cheesy."

He shrugged as he kissed me again, "I will forever be cheesy." I shook my head as I rested my head against his chest. Liam stood up as he took a wobbly step with his big grin. "Ten months tomorrow," Troy said rubbing his hand on my back. He took another step as he reached Jenni.

"Big guy!" he grinned and became so happy he fell. Jenni laughed as she picked him up sitting him on her lap. "Liam do you want to take pictures," Troy kept his arms tightly around me as I felt my eyes begin to close.

Troy played with the hem of my tshirt as he pressed his lips against my temple.

Lucille's POV

"Jenni, Troy, Gabi," I walked into the living room looking around. My eyes glanced to Jenni and Liam who were playing on her new laptop and then I looked over towards the tree. A simple smile crossing over my face, Troy and Gabi were both fast asleep but they were adorable.

Troy was lying on his back while Gabi lay on top of him. His arms were wrapped tightly around her waist as her face was snuggled into his chest. "Jenni, have you seen them?" she looked up at me and then over to Troy and Gabi. "I want that someday."

Jack walked in as Lucas and Michelle with the rest of the family came upstairs.

"Are they sleeping?" I nodded my head, "Yes, they are sleeping. I guess Troy got in really late since they cancelled there games."

"Snowstorm, I told Gabi it was possible." Michelle said with a smile, I went over to retrieve Liam as he stuck his fingers into his mouth. "You wanna eat?"

"Momma?"

"Mommy and daddy are sleeping, we will eat though." Liam's face fell as I said the few words he probably didn't want to hear. "I know you want mommy and daddy."

He cried as I sat him down in his highchair. He squirmed as I walked over to grab him some breakfast. "Wow, somebody is a great grandma."

"Those two do a lot, it's the least I could do."

Gabi's POV

Fixing my jeans, I yawned as Troy walked over wrapping his arms around my waist. "I love you," Troy purred into my ear, I smiled as I leaned back against him. "I am so tired, I don't know if I am ready for all of this."

"It's just my family Brie,"

"I know it's your family but your mom's family is here tonight. I have met them like twice, three years ago."

"Brie, I promise everything will be fine. Liam is ready to play all night after his two hour nap."

I smiled as Troy gripped my hand, "I could use a beer and some fresh air." Troy nodded as he grabbed my jacket, handing it to me and then he helped me put it on. He picked up Liam as we walked downstairs.

"Your mom said we could ship all of our stuff back instead of paying baggage fees."

"I think we can split it up. Buy a new suitcase and put all of our clothes and little things in there. Ship most of Liam's toys that my parents thought was nessccsary to buy."

I giggled as we walked downstairs. Chatter was already evident in the air as we made it down the stairs. We had woken up in the living room two hours after we had fallen asleep. Troy's back was sore but we both not in the most comfortable situation.

I pulled on the side of my tshirt as I blinked my eyes. Troy's family was milling around as I walked straight outside were some of his family was hanging out talking. I sat down in a chair as I smiled softly as people walked by.

"Hey, I heard you got some pretty awesome concert tickets today." Jillian said nudging me. I laughed, "Yea, I did."

"So…"

"So…" she shook her head and then sat down, "I saw Liam! I haven't seen him in a while, he is getting so big."

Mason walked out the back deck as he saw me and Jillian. "Gabs," I waved as Jillian did too. "Troy said he would be out in a couple of minutes. He got caught up talking to his grandma."

"Alright," I said softly, he handed me a beer as I smiled at him gratefully. "Yea, he said you might need one of those."

"Please, this family stuff wears me out, same with Liam. He took a two hour nap."

"I heard you took a two hour nap."

"I did."

Mason sat down in a chair as he lifted his own beer to his lips. Jillian sat down as somebody brought her Isabella. Isabella sat in her lap as her little hair was all curled and cute.

"She is adorable! I can not wait to have a girl," I said with a smile, "Troy can't wait either," my eyes flickered up to see Troy walking out with Liam in his arms.

I looked up as we caught eyes. "What if we only have boys?" I asked raising my eyebrow; he came over and pressed a simple kiss onto my lips. "Then we keep trying until we have one."

I smirked as Troy sat down across from me, placing Liam onto the table. He cried as he wanted down to run off. "Is dinner almost done?"

Troy shrugged, "I don't know, the person to ask is my dad."

People began to walk out the door as conversations picked up. I rested my feet on Troy's lap as he rubbed them gently with his hands. "Troy, Gabi, how was your first Christmas together as newlyweds?"

"Fun," Troy said glancing at me, "I am just glad I wasn't in Colorado for it."

Logan leaned against the back of the deck, "Liam is one what in two months?" I nodded my head trying not to frown. "When is the next one coming?" Troy choked on the beer he was drinking.

"I know we were just talking about having a girl but…" Troy kept coughing as he took a deep breath. "Wow," Troy's cheeks were flushed as he shook his head. "Wow, I uhm…was not expecting that."

I laughed slightly, "Troy are you not ready for another baby?" Michelle asked, Troy's face flushed, "I mean Liam isn't even one yet and I really would like him to reach one before the word another baby is mentioned, God, the last year hasn't been the best in the world."

Everybody looked at him as Troy groaned, "I love having Liam, don't get me wrong, but another baby so soon? Whats the rush, I am not even twenty four yet."

Jack laughed from behide him, "I still can get over him choking on his beer." I busted out laughing as everybody did around us. Liam looked around as I reached my arms out for him.

He came over to me as I sat him on my lap. "I know I want another baby soon. Not too soon, like Troy said, let Liam hit one."

Lucille looked at at Troy who then looked over at me. "I had no doubt that you too would have many kids," Troy rolled his eyes as he took another pull on his beer. I blushed as Logan laughed, "How come the conversation always lands on us?" I asked Troy, he shrugged his shoulders.

"I have no flipping clue." He muttered underneath his breath. Logan slapped his shoulder, "You are the first married couple with a kid. It is destined to happen."

"Sounds like Haley is going to be next," Meg mumbled, Logan tensed for a moment, "I guess her and Koli's relationship has taken off and they are becoming serious enough for her to introduce him to Anna and then moving in was quickly talked about afterwards."

"I think Koli is a great guy, if it helps." Troy said Haley nodded towards Troy as thanks. "I mean she is almost thirty, is she going to wait around forever to get married?"

"Pipe it Bolton, did anybody ask you?" Troy shrugged his shoulders, "It's what you get when you butt into Gabi and me relationship, especially our sex life."

Lucille and Jack both turned and walked away. "Christmas dinner will now be served!" Troy and I shared a glance as I smiled, "Merry Christmas," I said to him as people began to file around us.

"Merry Christmas Mrs. Bolton,"

Yay! Five more to go! :) Are you guys excited? I know I am! I am slowly figuring out that this will not be over before May 22nd. That is just not going to happen. My life is slowly becoming insane. Haha.

So I hope you all enjoyed the Bolton Christmas. The whole Troy coming again was truly not planned, like I knew he was going to be there but Troy didn't know in the story..haha. He wasn't going to surprise her like that, so I just wanted to clarify. Last chapter he did because Liam was sick. So yea, I hope you liked it.

Next chapter will be up soon!

Lets get to 800! Go!

PLEASE REVIEW!