Chapter 42 – Part time mom

"Liam, come on," I grunted as he protested getting dressed. For ten months old he was stubborn, probably because he got it from Troy and me since we were both stubborn as can be. "We are going to miss the first quarter, please." My begging was not helping as he wouldn't budge.

"No," I looked at him as he looked at me. Was he already testing me at ten months old? I shook my head as I raised his arms up for him to cry. I then pulled the shirt over his head, and then I laid him down onto this back for him to cry. He squirmed around on the floor as I tried to keep myself in check as I was becoming frustrated.

"You are the one doing this," I told him; he kicked his legs as he didn't want to get ready. I don't know why he didn't want to go anywhere; we had played this game earlier when I just wanted to go to the grocery store. Once I pulled his little jeans on with a pair of socks, I placed him on my hip.

"We are going to be late." Liam didn't care as he moved his head to turn away from me. He didn't want to leave and that was final.

"No," he said to me as he tried to get down from my arms.

"I wish I could say no," hurrying down to the garage I put Oreo into her kennel followed by putting Liam into his car seat that was in the car. I kissed his forehead as he tried to pull his seat belt off. He cried as he pulled on his buckle trying to get away. My throat felt fuzzy, as it did all day but I put the blame on just morning grossness.

I didn't want to be late to the game; Troy wasn't really expecting us as I sat down in my car, I honestly didn't know what possessed me to go to a game when Liam didn't want to get ready to go to the grocery store. I blinked as I felt a little dizzy; I rested my head forward as I really wondered if it was going to be worth it to go to this game. Liam didn't want to go as he was still screaming in the back of the car and I was just light headed.

Pushing open my car door alerting Taylor I was no longer coming, getting Liam out of his car seat as I walked back upstairs, and reversing everything I just did. It may have just been easy to go but that would mean I would have to deal with a cranky Liam and the pounding headache in my skull, which would have not been easy.

Liam screeched as I turned the game on the TV to see they were ten minutes from tipoff. I would have missed most of the first half; this would be the only downside from moving. Liam pulled off his socks as I changed my clothes into something comfortable.

Troy and I had agreed that after New York we would go get a kitten. I had been looking but I wanted to go to a homeless shelter to get the cat. I wanted to save a life and protect the little kitties of the world.

We had talked about getting more than one, like a sibling to make it have a playmate so, Mo, Oreo's new name, would be left alone. I assumed Oreo's new name, came from the word no, which is Liam's favorite word no a days, but Mo.

It was still all in the works but I was excited. Liam crawled on the floor as he pulled himself up into a walking position. Oreo barked as Liam stood and it scared Liam enough for tears to appear. "Oreo!" I snapped I walked over shooing the dog away as Liam wanted to be picked up. His face turned red.

I sat down as I pulled him into my lap; I rubbed his back until he forgot everything that had happened. His tears drying faster than the tears had appeared. He wanted back down as I closed my eyes blinking. I yawned as I looked at the screen to see tip off just about to happen.

My throat was a little scratchy as Liam began to play with some of his new toys. My eyes drooped as I decided coffee may be what I need for tonight. Walking into the kitchen, Liam followed me as he tried to open the cabinet door. "Liam, no," Liam protested what I said as he banged the door open.

"Liam, I said no," Liam cried as I shut the door again. He plopped down onto the ground as I shook my head, "No," he cried some more as I glanced at the clock. It was almost eight, he was growing tired with all of the crying, and it meant he was tired.

Preparing a bottle for Liam, I fastened the lid on the bottle.

I picked him up swiftly as I carried him up the stairs. Oreo barked several times as I shushed her, the dull headache forming in my head. Liam whined as I grabbed his PJ's and a pacifier. I fed him in the rocking chair as his eyes were beginning to drop from the warm milk and dim lights.

Then I changed him in his crib I laid him down but his face crumpled. "No, its bed time, when you wake up daddy will be home." His face didn't change as all he wanted was to play and get into things, not realizing how tired he probably was.

I turned off a few lights as he didn't want to lie down. I wanted him to lie down and it was almost his bed time, nine o clock was his bedtime anymore since one of his naps fell at around four thirty.

I brushed back a strand of his hair as I kissed his forehead. I turned on his baby monitor as I walked out of the room. I blinked my eyes as I walked back down the stairs as I went for hot coco instead of the coffee.

Curling up on the couch with Oreo beside me; chills racked my body as I watched Troy play basketball. Troy threw it over head into the court as they bounced it around getting to play. Oreo fell asleep cuddling right next to me as I petted her occasionally.

Luke jumped up for a dunk as I yawned again. Setting down my hot chocolate, I slide the blanket up and over my shoulder, "Oreo, we should go upstairs to bed."

Oreo didn't move as I sat up rubbing my eyes. I turned off the TV but left the living room lamp on for Troy. I yawned as Oreo and I both made our way up the stairs, carrying the baby monitor with me.

Sliding it over onto my nightstand, Oreo crawled up into the bed, burying herself into the pillows. "Daddy is going to get mad at you,"

She looked at me as I slide underneath the covers; I turned on the game at a mum as the room only glowed from the TV. My head rested against the pillow as I tossed over onto my side, my head began to thump louder as I shut my eyes tightly. I only wanted to sleep.

My mind raced for a while as I tried to let all noise out. Finally I shut off the TV as I flipped onto my stomach.

Troy's POV

"Great game man," I slapped hands with a rookie as he walked by. I packed my bag as I dialed Gabi's phone number for it only to reach voicemail. I frowned as she must have fallen asleep; I stripped my uniform off as I replaced it with the clothes I had worn there.

The light khaki pants with a light blue collard top; I slipped my feet into a pair of vans as I tossed my clothes in the ben. "Taylor wanted me to tell you that Gabi was going to come tonight but I guess Liam was really cranky and tired, so she decided not to come."

I frowned as I slipped my backpack over my shoulders, "her phone went straight to voicemail when I just tried to call her. She must be asleep then."

Chad shrugged, "I don't know but I have a question for you," Chad's brown eyes looked into mine as he let out a long breath, "Taylor already wants to try for another baby. Should we rush it?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "That is all up to Taylor's emotional status. What does her doctor say?"

"She said to wait one monthly visit and Taylor did."

"I guess if Taylor is ready, the doctor thinks you are ready, I think you should voice your opinion to Taylor if you aren't ready. I think if it was me, I wouldn't quiet be ready yet because I wouldn't want it to happen so soon again, especially for Gabi's sake but Taylor is watching all of her friends have and enjoy baby's."

Chad listened for a moment as he smiled, "Bentley came over yesterday, I swear, that kid is going to be funny. He will make this face that makes you laugh which makes him happy, it's cute."

"I have seen Bentley a few too many times. Sharpay comes over at every different thing, she can not call, she comes over, God, I swear," Chad began to laugh as he clapped my back, "I love being in LA," Troy laughed and nodded, "Oh yea, and Sharpay is the one who followed me."

Making sure I had everything, I scrolled through my phone as I picked up my car keys. "I will see you tomorrow," I said to Chad as I began to walk out. "Bye hoops," I waved as my eyes focused on my phone.

Updating my twitter account, I smiled as some fans had been constantly tweeting me through out the game. Glancing through the updates, I saw Gabi's. "Liam being a little crabby tonight, nasty headache. Good night world! Xx"

I smiled as since she had a twitter longer than I had she loved twitter but then I got one which made everybody follow me and then everybody followed her. She would post some pictures of Liam, a few of us, but mostly kept it to her or simple business.

Jenni had something back to her but she never responded back to that. Opening my car door, I threw my bag into my car as I started my car engine. I glanced around as more Lakers began to walk out and they went to sign autographs for the people waiting.

I reluctantly walked over to sign a few through the gate; some offered me thanks on the game tonight as I signed five before waving goodnight.

"Thanks guys,"

I then got into my car before peeling away, so nobody would follow me. Driving a steady beat on the road so I could reach the house at a speedy time, driving on the highway at night was always one of my favorite things to do, this summer, we were going to take a road trip to somewhere.

Leaning back into the chair, I yawned as I watched the road in front of me. Before I knew it, I was coming to my off-ramp exit. Pulling down the ramp I drove towards the house that was hidden behide the valley.

They say it takes an hour to come off a high like winning, right now it was only taking thirty minutes as I grew tired. Opening the garage door as I bumped over the curb, I noticed most of the lights were off in the house, if there were any on, it was in the back of the house.

I swiftly pulled my Audi right up next to Gabi's car before shutting off the engine; I pulled my keys out as I grabbed my bags walking up the long set of stairs into the first level of the house.

Walking into the house, I tossed my keys onto the kitchen table. Moving past into the living room, I turned off the one lamp that Gabi must have left on. I folded up a blanket that was laying on the couch before walking up the stairs.

Fumbling for a light switch on the wall, I stumbled over a shoe as I braced myself against the wall to Liam's room. I cringed as I hoped it wouldn't wake him up.

Not moving for several seconds worked as I moved past his room cracking open the door to our room. Gabi was cuddled into the bed as Oreo lay next to her. Once she saw me her eyes light up and her tail wagged.

"Oreo, shh…" she huffed a breath before letting her head lower again. I backed out of the room as I grabbed a towel and a pair of basketball shorts to wear to bed after I showered.

Taking time to relax my body, letting all strain go, I noticed a new formed bruise on my thigh from tonight's game. My fingers traced over it as I rolled my eyes, no longer a rookie, captain, I get the beating. No wonder Kobe no longer wanted to be a captain.

Finishing off in the shower, I pulled on my boxers with the basketball shorts, brushing through my hair, I let another yawn go. Glancing at the clock I realized it was after one in the morning. I scratched my nose as I turned off the bathroom lights as I went to check on Liam.

Walking into his room I looked down into his crib as he was holding his hand close to his head, his pacifier still in his mouth. I bent over to give him a quick kiss on the forehead but his eyes opened quickly. I reached for the baby monitor to turn it off hopefully so he wouldn't cry.

Picking him up, I held him against my chest. "Hey big guy," I sat down in the rocking chair as I rocked him back and forth. He released a long breath as he didn't even murmur a word.

He fell back asleep rather quickly before I tucked him back into his bed. Turning on the baby monitor again, I walked back to our room. I stifled a yawn as I walked into the bedroom, shutting the door gently, Oreo perked up before she headed to the end of the bed.

I pulled back a blanket as Gabi was curled underneath them all. I sat down pulling them over my body as I wrapped her up into my arms; I kissed the side of her neck then her forehead before resting my head gently on the pillow.

She moaned quietly as she turned over in my arms, her face was then facing me as she opened her eyes groggily. "Finally, I was cold," she murmured rubbing up against me. I kissed her forehead for it to feel a little warm. I kept my body close to hers as she began to shiver as she was underneath the blankets wrapped in my arms.

Hell, usually she kicks off a blanket or two when I hold her like this.

Gabi's POV

Shivering, I pulled out of Troy's arms getting up since I could hear Liam awake. I was going to take a shower and start my day again. Standing up I felt my head spin as I let out a wispy cough. Troy turned in the bed as I gripped the bed post.

"Brie, what are you doing up?" I closed my eyes as my stomach launched with nausea. "Liam's awake," I said after a moment, "I don't feel so good," I finally murmured lying back down in the bed. Troy sat up as he rubbed his eyes before looking at me. "Gabs, you are pale, very pale."

Resting my head against the pillow, my eyes shut hoping to get rid of what was going on in my stomach. Troy leaned over as he kissed my forehead gently. "Brie, you are burning up. You have a fever," Troy declared as he got up from the bed. "How do you feel?"

"Like pure shit," I said tossing over to face him. His blue eyes were soft as he brushed back strands of hair. Troy kissed my forehead again as he winced, "You defiantly have a fever, I am going to grab you some medication."

I gripped his hand as he sighed softly, "Does anything else hurt?"

"My throat," I finally squeaked "My head, my ears, God, then my damn throat." Troy bent over as he looked me into the eye, "How about if I call somebody to watch Liam for a few hours while I just lay in bed with you."

I groaned softly as I pulled the covers up and over my shoulders. "More blankets," Troy noted as he walked away. I reclosed my eyes as I heard Troy enter Liam's bedroom. "I think you gave mommy what you had, hopefully its only twenty-four hours." Liam made a few noises as they left the room.

I turned off the baby monitor as he let out a yawn; my throat felt like somebody had stuck a knife through it. I sure hope Liam didn't have this.

Hearing my door crack open, "No, Chad, I will be at practice, yes, I will, I am bring Liam with me. Do you think he could have a slumber party at your house?"

I winced as Troy talked, "Chad, I will be there in two hours, yes, bye." Troy tossed the phone onto the bed as I opened my eyes slowly. Liam was dangling from Troy's arms as he gave me a toothy grin. His top tooth emerged a while ago followed by his other one.

"Come here," my voice was horsed as Troy gently handed me a few pills with a glance of water. I swallowed each of them, wincing at the pain in my throat, "Let me see him," I choked out; Troy hesitated for a moment before he gave me Liam.

"I am going to pack a little bag for him; he is going to stay the night with Taylor." I nodded as I cuddled Liam next to me. He pulled on my hair as I closed my eyes. I could hear Troy rummaging through Liam's room, shutting and opening the doors.

Liam squirmed in my arms as Troy came back into the room. He stuck Liam's thermometer into my ear before I could react. Once it beeped Troy took it back.

"103.4," Troy spoke with shock in his face, "You need to go to the doctor, and I don't think you can wait." I whimpered as I buried my head into my pillow. "If Chad could meet me half way, I could have him take Liam. I would call Coach to tell him I will be there for the shoot around before the game tonight."

Troy began to mumble things as I stopped listening. I didn't want to go to the doctor, I sometimes hated going to the doctor. Troy then was kissing my forehead gently, "I will be back in about thirty minutes okay? Do you want anything?"

Shaking my head Troy got up to leave with Liam. I kissed him on top of the head before Troy left with Liam. Blinking my eyes several times I yawned, I shivered under the blankets as Troy had laid a few more over me.

Oreo curled up next to me as her tongue licked my face. "Thanks for the love," I grumbled trying to get away. She licked me once more before she lay down. I yawned once more before I rested my eyes.

Hearing the garage door open, I startled as I turned in the bed. My eyes felt crusted, my throat on fire, my body not as cold but still chilly. Oreo jumped up barking which sparked the raging pain in-between my ears.

Troy then gently opened the door as he gave me a small smile. "I have about three hours," Troy finally said as he kicked off his shoes. I closed my eyes pulling the blankets around me.

Troy crawled underneath the blankets as he pressed his lips against my forehead gently. "You are still running that fever," I didn't move as he rubbed my lower back. His fingers running back and forth, "I think we need to get you to like Walgreens or to a doctor's office."

Groaning Troy laughed quietly, his lips near my ears. "I love you, but you need to go to the doctor."

"Why?" I asked, "To make sure you don't have strep and you also need to eat." I shook my head, "No, I am not hungry." My stomach rolled at the mention of food. Troy didn't protest the food issue but he did get up. He grabbed me a pair of Pink sweatpants with a Pink zip up jacket.

"Please, I want to play tonight knowing what is wrong with you. The sooner we find it the sooner you will feel better." I moaned as I all I wanted to do was sleep. Troy stood in front of the bed as he kissed me forehead and then my nose. "Please?"

Rolling over to look into Troy's blue eyes, he bent down to kiss me gently. Letting a long yawn drift out of my mouth, Troy helped me up. Handing me the sweats and the hoodie, he wrapped two arms around my waist. "Thank you," I leaned my head into his shoulder as he kissed my temple.

"I am just going to lean against you to change," I murmured as I wiggled trying to get my pants to fall off. "It would go quicker if you just did it."

"Asking you to do it would lead to something else," I could see a smirk playing at Troy's lips. "No, I know you don't feel well." I grunted as I sat down on the bed pulling the jacket on followed by the new pair of sweatpants.

"I am just making sure before we get to the doctors office, there is no way you are pregnant…right?" I shook my head, "No, I am on my period dummy, a heavy period." Troy gently circled around my back as he led me down the stairs. My head was groggy as Troy got us to the car. Troy buckled my seatbelt gently as I leaned my head against the door.

I was completely out if it. My head hurt, throat burned, body ached.

Closing my eyes my stomach felt seasick as we traveled down the road. My stomach twisted in a circle. Once the car finally stopped, I kept my eyes closed in a tight black hole. Troy stroked my hand gently before he got out of the car.

"You ready? The sooner this is over, the sooner I will take you home." I nodded my head as he helped me out of the car. "We are at the pharmacy so; we will be able to grab any needed medication." I coughed in response, the burning in my throat sucked.

The doors slide open as Troy and I headed towards the back where three other people were waiting. Troy sat me down into a chair as he went to check me in. Once he was done, he came over, pulling me onto his lap. "You are going to get sick." I grumbled as he let me rest my head onto his chest.

"I don't care if I get sick; i just want to make you comfortable." His words soft as I rested gently into his arms. They called a few people's names every few minutes as Troy texted a few people every now and then as I dozed off on his shoulder.

"Gabriella Bolton?"

"Come on Brie," Troy's voice moved down my spine as I shivered. Standing on to my feet, I shuffled towards the doctor, or nurse, or something, I was too tired to care.

Moving into the little room, I laid down onto the bed. Troy sat down in a nearby chair as he stretched one of his legs out. "Gabriella,"

"Gabi," I responded after I sniffled. "Gabi, nice to meet you, I am Dr. Gadly." I shook her hand gently as Troy introduced himself before sitting back again. "Can you tell me your symptoms?"

"Tired, headache, sore throat, nausea, high fever, coughs, and that's about it." She nodded as she got up to listen to my heartbeat and then she looked down my throat.

"Your throat doesn't look inflamed, just irritated probably from mucus. Your fever was 103 earlier?" I nodded my head, "I want to test you for strep and the flu just to make sure of everything. My best bet is the flu, you are a young couple, and do you have any kids?"

"We have a ten month old son," Troy stated as I leaned my head back against the wall. She nodded as she walked out to grab everything. Troy leaned forward to rub my knee back and forth, "You okay? You look very pale right now." I shook my head as I just wanted to go back to sleep.

Once the doctor came back, she preformed both tests on me saying she would be one second to start the tests. I coughed roughly as my chest began to hurt. Troy's blue eyes looked concerned as he got up to let me lay my head on his chest. Once the door opened he hopped up to let me stay that way.

"Okay, good news and bad news," she stopped as I made eye contact, "Good news or not so good news, I don't know but you have the record for the fastest flu test to come back postive, bad news, you have the flu." I groaned softly as Troy just chuckled.

"Is there anything we can do?" Troy asked, "To make her more comfortable, I have to leave her for a few hours later to go play basketball,"

"Can you not go do that some other time?" I couldn't even play the sick card; I had to smile as Troy just shook her head. "I play for the Lakers, I am the captain of the Lakers, but that is not the point. What can I do to make her more comfortable while I am not there?"

The doctor looked shocked for a second, and then recovered nicely. "Well, there is nothing to make her more comfortable expect simple medication. You can get her Tamiflu which could shorten the symptoms but for the next few days, she will be tired and exhausted, feverish."

"We are supposed to go to New York in two days, will that be frowned upon."

"No, just be careful, take it easy. Your fever should have broken before then, you don't want to get on a plane sick, and that's just not fun but with the little guy at home, just keeps everything clean. Don't separate mother and child because that can sometimes make things worse."

Closing my eyes, Troy and the doctor caring on a conversation, "You will be getting a lot of this, tired, fatigue; hopefully she will be doing better. The cough will probably last."

Troy nodded his head as we both got up, she had handed him a bag of medicine before I was back into the car heading home. Troy rubbed my knee softly, "I havent seen you this sick in a long time," Troy murmured, I coughed as I tried to respond.

"I think it was your sophomore year of college when you had mono," I smiled, "I am trying to figure how you never got mono, I swear you never stopped kissing me," I sniffled as Troy smirked, "Lots of mouthwash," he said winking, I shook my head as I leaned against the window.

"I have two hours until I have to be at the gym, or leaving for the gym. That means I will be holding you for as long as I can." I closed my eyes, "Good."

Once we got home I was fast into bed as I curled my arms under the blankets. Troy climbed into the bed with me as he wrapped his arms around me, pushing my hair back with his rough fingers; he adjusted so I was resting against his chest. His arms keeping the tight hold, made me fall asleep, much quicker knowing he was there.

Troy's POV

Waking up to a small alarm that I had set, I looked down at Gabi in my arms. I don't know what was up with everybody being sick anymore. I hated seeing Liam and her sick, kissing her forehead gently, I unwrapped her arms from around me as I backed up from the bed.

She slept through the entire thing, changing my clothes before picking up my gym bag and letting Oreo outside. Stepping back up the stairs, I walked in to the room to kiss Gabi's forehead after grabbing my jacket.

She stirred in the bed before whimpering slightly, I cursed lightly under my breath as I squatted down to smooth back her hair. "Go back to sleep," She rolled her head towards me as I gave her a little smile. "I will be home after the game okay? If you need anything, call Sharpay, please, she is the closest to you."

Gabi groaned as she nodded her head, I sighed quietly before I got up. Rubbing her forehead for a moment, I pushed some more of her hair away. Leaving the room I jogged down the stairs and into the car. Backing out of the driveway, I quickly called Sharpay.

A loud wail was greeted with the answering of the phone, "Troy, its not the best time in the world right now," Sharpay grumbled, "Shar, I just need like five minutes to talk to you."

"Well get going, Bentley," Sharpay warned, "Gabi is home sick, she has the flu, she is resting but she is going to call you if she needs something, I just need your help or Zeke's help."

"I can try my best but Bentley is not being easy today, God, you guys made this look easy."

"It was never easy."

"You made it look easy," Sharpay groaned after a moment as I then laughed, "Okay, I know it wasn't easy for you guys, but seriously, he is a little mess."

"I can't believe it's almost been two months since you had him."

"It's only been a month; we are not even close to two months." I rolled my eyes, "You people take these things so seriously."

"I don't want my baby growing up! It's like saying Liam is one,"

"Touché,"

"If Gabi calls me, I will see what I can do. I promise that I will try it."

"Thank you, you are the best Pay, I owe you."

"Good, I know you owe me but anyways, play hard."

"Thanks,"

Setting down my phone, I plugged it into the plug as I turned up the bass of the car. It vibrated Eminem as I pulled into the stadium, showing my credential they let me down into player parking. Squirming into the parking spot I grabbed my stuff shutting off my engine.

Running into the locker room, I changed into my jersey as I brushed my fingers through my hair. Slipping on my shoes I pulled the laces together as I ran out the door, through the tunnels and into the gym.

"Bolton, glad you could show up!" I turned to see Coach looking at me, "Sorry, I really am!" I walked up to him as Chad glanced at me, "Do I need to do anything for you?"

"Just an extra run in New York, hopefully your beautiful wife will be feeling better for the trip."

"I hope so, she feels like pure crap right now."

"Go work hard then, I expect a great game out of you." I nodded as I glanced over at Chad. He gave me a grin and I shook my head, "How is she?"

"Sick, she hasn't eaten a single thing, I really don't want to force the issue with her either, and I don't want her stressing out because I am pushing her to eat something."

Chad passed me the ball as I did the quick warm ups. "Yea, trust me; don't force the issue of eating." Chad grumbled, I rolled my eyes as I then proceeded to finish my warm up.

Toweling off as I stepped out of the locker room shower, as I gripped the towel around my waist. A comfortable win made my stomach twist with pride. "Dude, you look stressed out." Rubbing my fingers over my chin I nodded. "Sick wife, ten month old baby, lots of basketball."

"Well, I think I do have something that will cheer you up a little bit." A giggle I would recognize anywhere came from behide me, I turned around as Taylor was standing there holding Liam.

A grin spread across my face as Taylor handed him to me. "Little guy," he grinned as I held him in my arms. "Were you here the entire game?"

"Yes, I didn't want to distract you from the beginning of the game. How is Gabi doing though?" Setting Liam down into my little chair, I picked up a shirt to slip it on before finishing getting dressed. "I don't know, I am going to call her in a little bit, she won't eat, or hasn't eaten."

"Is she drinking anything?" I shook my head, "Her throat is killing her and she is sleeping, a lot." Liam peered over as I pushed him back gently against the chair. "If you don't want to keep him for the night, I can take him now. I will be home and Gabi is just in bed, I don't want to ruin your lovely night together."

Taylor looked over at Chad, "If you want to take him home, I know he has been very fussy already today." I glanced down at Liam as he pulled his foot up into the air. "Liam, knock it off." His eyes looked at me and I looked back at him.

"I can take him back to the house, the doctor said keeping Liam and Gabi away could cause more stress on her. I just do not need him sick again, that is a nightmare." I mumbled as I pulled on my jeans.

Picking Liam up, I rested him on my lap as I bent over to grab my shoes. "Chad, if you could bring the rest of his stuff tomorrow to practice that will be amazing."

"He doesn't need anything from the house?" Taylor asked I shook my head, "Nope. Thanks for watching him for a few hours." Taylor grinned as she came over to pick him up. "Not a problem, we had some fun." She came over to pick him up as I finished stuffing my shoelaces into my shoes so I didn't have to tie them.

"I am just glad Gabi is coming to New York with me,"

"Taylor, arent you excited for New York?" Chad asked wrapping one arm around her waist. Liam sat back down on my lap as Kobe walked over. "My God, he is getting big."

Sitting back in the chair, I yawned, "So Troy became mom for the week? I rolled my eyes as I nodded my head, "Yes, I am becoming mom for however long Gabi needs to rest. I can never get her to rest for long."

"That is very much a mom in her, Vanessa was like that." I smiled as Liam tried to climb up my lap onto my shoulder. I supported his waist as I let a yawn escape my mouth. "I can not believe he is still awake, usually he is passed out by this time."

"He slept a lot of the game," bouncing him up and down on my lap, "Fantastic." I smiled as he smiled back at me.

"Chad, when we become parents, you will be that great of a father right?" I smiled up at Taylor who gave me a smile back, "I don't know Taylor, he is setting the limit high, I mean seriously high." I smirked as Kobe smacked my shoulder. "Bolton here is a better dad than I was."

"Hey, everybody, I still have seventeen years to go, I don't think we can make any decisions off the first year."

"True, I give him only five more months," Luke snapped, I turned in my chair to look at him, "I think first, you should become a father to judge!"

He laughed loudly as I stood up with Liam in my arms; he kicked his legs as I grabbed my gym bag. "I will see you guys later, I have to get him home, I am thinking of a way for the baby monitor to not wake her up tonight."

Liam pulled on my shirt as I detached his hand from my shirt. Running my fingers through my hair I waved, "I will see you guys tomorrow," I waved as I walked out of the locker room.

Walking into the player parking I waved goodbye to a few guys as I opened up the back door to put Liam into his car seat. Slinging my bag in, I buckled him up as he looked up me. "You have to let mommy sleep, yes, you have to let mommy sleep."

Liam squeaked as I ran my hand over his head, "I know, now the drive home. Feel free to fall asleep."

Shutting his car door, Chad and Taylor emerged from the locker room holding hands keeping close. I kept one hand on top of the car as I studied the two of them. Chad kept her close, protective. I smiled as I got into the car waving a quick goodbye.

Pulling out of the parking lot I let a long yawn go. I checked my phone after a moment before pushing it against my ear. "Hey,"

"Zeke, hey, are you home?"

"I am still at the restaurant, why?"

"I didn't know if Sharpay was sleeping or not, I didn't want to call and wake her up." Zeke made a noise before he answered, "I can text her or you could just text her, why do you need to talk to her?" Zeke asked, "I had her on Gabi watch, Gabi is sick with the flu so if she needed anything I wanted her to call Sharpay."

"Oh…fun, I have to get home to help with Bentley anyways."

"I was just going to call to see if Gabi needed anything and she had to go out with Bentley."

"I can let you know, I am closing up shop as we speak."

"How is everything going?"

"Great, I mean we made an income in the last two months, a large income. Sharpay and I arent really taking the money yet but its there and we are already thinking about making another location since its doing so well here."

"Give it a few more months before you make a big move, I learned that the hard way but I am excited for you Zeke."

"Thanks Bolton, I will text you once I know if Gabi needed anything."

"Thanks,"

Hanging up I dropped my phone into the cup holder. Easing off the highway, I wiped my face with my hands as I drove the next ten minutes to our house. Once I got home, Liam was out and probably ready for bed.

Getting out of the car, I went to the back to carefully unbuckle Liam from his car seat as I rested his head onto my shoulder. Forgetting my bag until tomorrow, I walked up the stairs to drop the diaper bag off. Going into Liam's room, I laid him gently down into his crib.

Checking his diaper, I made sure it was dry before I turned on the monitor as I walked out of the room. Brushing my fingers through my hair I walked into our room. Gabi was in a ball wrapped around the blankets, her nose was stuffed, and you could hear the congestion in her breathing.

Peeling off my tshirt, I crawled into the bed next to her to see her body trembling with chills. Her Tylenol had worn off since she had last taken it. Pressing my lips to her forehead again as I realized her fever had spiked again.

Backing off the bed, I went to grab some more medication. I grabbed three more pills for her to take, grabbing some water; I walked over to her bedside as I sat down on the bed.

"Brie," I shook her gently as a small cry escape from her mouth. "Hey, its okay, it's just me." She folded her hands over her eyes as she tried to hold in whatever she was trying to hold in.

"Take these," I coaxed as I dropped them into her hand, she shook her head trying not to do anything. "Gabi, it will make you feel a little better, please, take these."

She cried as I sat down on the bed, putting the pills down onto the dresser I wrapped her up into my arms, pulling her between my legs as she laid her head on my chest.

Rubbing her arm, she cried and I knew she was in pain. Kissing her temple softly, I just held her for a few moments, "If you take these, you can go back to sleep."

Burying her head into my chest, she didn't want them and I didn't want to force her. "I-it hurts," she cried, "Then take the pills, it will help you sleep and the pain won't be as much."

She finally nodded her head as I gave her the three pills, she swallowed two and then one followed by a small amount of water. Her face cringed as I turned off the lamp sliding down into the bed.

Wrapping my body around her I kept pressing small kisses across her body; she fell asleep after about thirty minutes of this. I could feel her fever fading away as the pills took effect. Slowly letting the sleep take me over, I now understand what it feels like to be Gabi for a day

"Airplane," Liam smiled and laughed as I brought him back down to earth. Lying on my back, I laid Liam on my chest as I yawned. Gabi had woken up again at around four with another fever spike keeping me up till five then Liam woke up at seven thirty.

"Is it naptime yet?" I asked him yawning, he only giggled as I knew that was code for no, you stupid ass. I made myself smile as I shook my head. "Do you want to eat then?" his eyes looked into mine as I finally just shook my head. "You're a mess." He smiled at me again.

Glancing at the clock, I realized it was already ten thirty. Closing my eyes, I let Liam wonder around on the floor as I kept my eyes on him. He then came over to stand in front of me, showing off his toothy grin.

"You are too cute,"

He clapped his hands together as he walked off to grab a small ball. It amazed me that he was walking, I mean; you just don't see how it happens. He was very stubbly still, tripping over his feet, taking a few head dives but he had it down.

Picking Liam up hanging him above my head, his giggles escaping his mouth for me to laugh with him, "I think we need to do some dishes and some laundry, what do you think?" Liam raised his eyes to look at me and nodded, "Ok."

His small words that were grumbled into other things, the little things that always made me smile. Standing up, I picked Liam up as I wondered off to the kitchen. Sitting him down in his bumbo, I began to unload the dishwasher as I watched Liam carefully.

"What are you doing?" I jumped as I turned around to see Gabi, her face was still pale, and her body drowning in clothes as her body was cold. "What are you doing out of bed?" I asked her as I put Liam down onto the ground so he wouldn't fall out of his bumbo.

"I am cold and I am sick of lying in bed, I can only be tired for so long." I walked up to him as I kissed her forehead gently. "Do you want to lay with Liam on the couch? I just need to feed him and then it's about naptime."

She nodded her head into my chest, "Please," rubbing her back gently as I lead her off to the couch as Liam followed with curiosity. "How are you feeling?"

"Better than yesterday but my head still hurts, my throat is on fire," she coughed out; her cough was still nasty, very nasty. Grabbing a blanket from the closet I tucked her into the couch as I handed her the remote. "You are about due for more medication, so would you like to take it now so you don't have to feel your fever come back?"

"Please, I am already cold."

"I know, once you have Liam, you will not be any longer cold." I said winking at her; she smiled as she picked her head up again. "Can you grab me a pillow?"

"Sure thing baby girl," I pressed my lips against hers for a moment as we both kept our lips together. No hesitation came to pulling apart but Liam made a noise as I backed off.

"I will be back with a pillow and some ibuprofen," moving along picking up Liam I moved around the rooms to grab everything she needed. I knew she was becoming dehydrated but I didn't know what to do, she didn't like to drink anything when he throat hurt.

Grabbing a large cup of water with some ice chips, I walked back into the living room. Setting Liam down with his toys, I went over to Gabi. "Brie, I really need you to drink something, you can suck on ice chips. You are going too long without drinking anything plus not eating."

Her brown eyes glanced up into mine as I gave her the ibuprofen. "It hurts to drink anything,"

"Then suck on the ice chips, I am not going to make you eat but maybe we can eat some ice cream or something tonight." Her eyes said no but she nodded her head, "Okay," I gave her a smile before rubbing my fingers through her hair. "I am going to feed Liam and then you can lay down with him."

"Good." She smiled over at Liam while he played with some toys. "Just so you know, I am playing mom for however long you need to rest, so please, do not worry about anything."

"We leave for New York on Thursday."

"I know I will take care of it. I promise," smiling at her again, I picked up Liam zooming out of the room with him in the air.

I watched as Liam slept on Gabi's chest, her arms wrapping around him gently. Glancing down at my watch, I knew I had to leave for the gym and Liam was coming with me.

Taylor was going to hold on to him during the game slash practice again so I didn't have to worry about any of that. Sitting at the edge of the sofa, I gently began to unlatch Liam from Gabi's strong motherly grip. Her eyes flew open as I stopped so I didn't scare her.

"It's just me," I said softly, she took a quick breath before nodding her head. "I am taking Liam to the game with me. Taylor is going to watch him so you don't have to worry."

"Thank you."

I gave her a soft smile before she handed me the sleeping Liam. "I will only be gone for three hours, it's just a scrimmage game, we don't play until tomorrow then we fly out to New York."

"Do you think I will be okay to go?"

"Brie, you are doing better now, I can tell a difference, you may not be a 100% but you will be better," she turned towards the couch as I lifted Liam onto my chest. "I can tell you that laundry is done, dishes are all clean, and Liam's toys are all picked up."

"I love you Troy,"

"I love you too Brie, I just want you to feel better."

Her smile made me smile back as I kissed her before leaving, "You are totally going to be sick."

"Nah,"

Stopping by the local ice cream shop, I got Gabi's favorite before grabbing some sort of flowers for her. Liam was babbling in the back of the car as I was pulling into the driveway. "Liam, dude, its time for bed."

He grumbled as I opened and shut the car door with my hip as I ran Liam upstairs before running back down to grab the ice cream and flowers.

Setting the flowers onto the kitchen counter, I then put the ice cream in the freezer until I got Liam down for bed. Giving him a long bath followed by a warm bottle would hopefully knock him out.

Once we finished the bath, I cuddled him up into the sleep jumper as I grabbed his blanket. I sat down in the rocking chair as I fed him a simple bottle. He ate it rather fast as I held him close as his eyes dropped closer and closer to finally being shut. I pulled the bottle out of his mouth to gently put him into bed.

He cried out but I shushed him quietly as I placed my fingers on top of his head. Placing a small blanket over his lower half, I shut off the few lights on and walked out of the room, clicking the door behide me.

Jogging back down the stairs, I switched the laundry out and put the clean dishes away. Then I changed into a tshirt with some basketball shorts.

Reaching for the flowers and ice cream with a spoon, I shut off all of the lights before going upstairs. Having more ibuprofen ready for her with some water, I glided into the room. Hitting my lamp gently it buzzed on as I gently woke up Gabi.

"Brie, hey, wake up," her eyes groggily opened as she turned her head away. "Can I just sleep?"

"No, you need to eat a little of this, just a little. You have not eaten in twenty four hours or more," she groaned as I hopped onto the bed, "I also got you these," holding the flowers out in front of her, a small smile crossed her face. "Your are wonderful," she chocked out. Her voice was getting worse as she kept coughing.

Setting the flowers away from her, I sat on the bed as I pulled her close next to me. Grabbing the ice cream, another smile crossed her face. "How come you just know me?"

"Gabi, we go to this place all the time and you get the same thing."

Giving her the spoon and ice cream she took small bites as I played with her hair. "I wanna bite," she held up a large bite, much larger than she had taken yet.

Forming my mouth around the large spoon, I sucked it off. "Now," I paused to taste the wedding cake ice cream. "You take that big of a bite,"

She ignored me as she took another small bite; we sat quietly as the TV hummed in the background. I would pull my fingers through her hair as I placed little kisses around her body.

"You do know that you spoil me?"

Her voice dropped to where I could barely hear her, it caught her by surprise as she tried to talk again. Her voice was stuck in her throat as she began another coughing fit. I rubbed her back soothingly as I knew she was now done.

Taking the ice cream from her hands, I took a few more bites before I stood up. "I am going to throw this away before climbing into bed with you."

Her face had turned sour before nodding her head. She had taken the pills before swallowing some water; I got something into her stomach and some water into her body.

Shutting off all the lights I climbed into bed, pulling her close to my body. "You would make a fantastic mom," Gabi said as she snuggled into my chest.

"Sounds like I am mom for the week."

"Are you going to take me job for an entire week?"

"As long as you are sick, I have your job."

"I think you make a pretty fantastic dad too,"

"I am playing double duty; it's a special job, y'know." She smiled as I shut the TV off before kissing her forehead gently. "I love you, I hate seeing you sick."

"I hate being sick yet I love being showered with your attention."

I laughed as her voice would come and go, the cough coming every minute or so, the nasal voice. "I just love you,"

"I just love you too."

So Gabi being sick was more of a planned thing, unlike Liams, because it was going to give Troy's POV for a little while. So that is why Gabi became sick.

Only a few more chapters left! Ahh! This summer will mainly be about My Laker Boys and Baseball Lovers, so yay! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter by the way, getting to see Troy's sweet side. Love. Love.

Oh and make sure you tell all the mothers in the world, Happy Mothers Day! They really deserve it! Go moms of the world, you are strong and amazing people. Truly respected by me! I love you mommyy,(:

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