Chapter 45 – Road Trip

Stacking the charts together, I yawned as I tilted my head back against the chair. "You are leaving me tomorrow." Ali whined as we spun around in the chair. "Sorry."

"Where are you going?" Ali asked me again, "New Mexico, we are going down to see both of our families. Since Liam's birthday is in two weeks," Ali smiled as she looked at me, "Proud Momma is about to be a mommy to a one year old."

I yawned as I tipped my head back, "Oh yea," I whispered as I dropped my head into my hands. "I have to go pick Liam up from daycare. We are going to feed him dinner before we hit the road."

"Sounds like fun."

"Its going to be a twelve hour drive, so if we leave at seven, hopefully we can get there at seven thirtyish and then Troy can sleep for a few hours before he goes to play in this stupid game at our high school."

"Sounds like you are going to have a load of fun." I gave Ali a smile as we had become closer friends over the course. We had actually begun to do nursing things instead of watching. Leaving Rachel's wing, we had decided she was the only hardass here.

"Girls, you are off." One of the supervisors said coming over. I thanked him as I got up from the counter. Going back to the locker room, I grabbed all of my bags as Ali groaned. "I love this job but this on top of school, sucks."

I nodded my head, "Sucks."

Pulling into the driveway, I let out a yawn as I opened up the door. I retrieved Liam from the back as he babbled; he wasn't used to being at daycare that long yet. I kissed his forehead as he was going to be in the car for several hours.

Walking up the stairs with Liam on my hip, I kissed his temple as he squirmed to get down from me. Once I got up to the main floor, I let him down as I put him over the gate. He quickly moved away as Troy was coming down the stairs. "Big guy!" Troy was high on energy as he had probably slept all day today.

Troy got down onto the floor as Liam crawled over towards him. He giggled as Troy picked him up hugging on him. "If you are home, that means your beautiful mommy is home," Troy's eyes turned to look at me as I smiled, "Beautiful mommy," Troy murmured, Liam looked at me. "Mommaaaa,"

I giggled as I crawled on the floor to sit in Troy's lap. He made room for me when he kissed the back of my neck. "I am going to feed Liam then are you going to be ready to go?"

"I packed last night so I should be all set. Liam is all packed up and I just need to shower and load the car."

"Sounds good to me." I kissed him on the lips lightly as Troy rested his head on my shoulder, "How did you sleep?"

"Good. Since I stayed up most of the night last night, it wasn't the bad." Troy teased pinching my sides, I laughed moving away from him. "Not funny," I told him with a smile. "Liam I guess was really good at daycare today and got a cracker." I said to Troy with a smile, Troy laughed, "A cracker huh?" I nodded as Troy bent forward to let Liam go. He then rested back as he kissed my lips softly.

"I love you," Troy said running his fingers through my hair. I snuggled my head into his chest as I let Liam wonder around. "I love you too," I replied back to him as I let my fingers run up his chest.

Troy kissed me again before he sat up, "I am going to feed Liam, you go shower, and we can hit the road. My mom is expecting us about eight or nine tomorrow morning."

"Sounds good to me." I got up as Troy chased Liam around. Oreo barked as I bent down to rub her head. "Kitty's," I told Troy, Troy looked back at me, "I know, I know," I grinned as I hopped up the stairs. I dug around for a pair of sweatpants with a V-neck tshirt and a jacket.

My shower took me about ten minutes before I got out to put what I would like to call my PJ's on. I rounded up all of the stuff we would need for the car as I went downstairs to see Liam feeding himself and the door to the garage open as he was throwing stuff in the car.

I followed down the stairs as I tossed my blanket and pillow into the car. Troy looked up at me from the back, "Pretty lady," I turned to look at Troy with an amused smile. "Are you going to shower me with compliments all night?"

"No…" Troy said but then he smirked, "Yes," I laughed as I heard Liam from upstairs. "Can you grab my backpack from the couch for me while I change Liam and get him ready?"

Troy nodded as he moved from the back of the car. "I have Zeke coming over to check on Oreo throughout the weekend."

"Good." I went upstairs to retrieve Liam who was eating a few piece of cut up meat from yesterday's dinner with a side of water in a sippy cup, as Troy liked to call them.

I picked up Liam as I cradled him in my arms, I took him upstairs to clean him up and then put him into a pair of PJ's. Grabbing his favorite blanket, I then put his pacifier in his mouth. Taking him downstairs I put him down into the living room so he could roam around doing whatever he pleased.

Troy and I finished packing up the car, double checking we had everything for Liam. I then made sure I had all of my stuff, my charger, school work, Mac, iPad, and my phone. Troy grabbed all of his stuff while we finished stuffing the car.

Going upstairs, Troy finished shutting off all of the lights as I scooped up Liam who was curled up on the floor. "Awh, my poor baby is tired," I said as I kissed his cheek. He yawned as Troy came over. "I can not believe he will be one in two weeks."

"It went by really fast."

"Yea," Troy answered back, I gave Troy a smile as he leaned forward to kiss me. "Come on, at this rate we will be at my mom's house at eight thirty tomorrow."

"And since there will be no traffic, I think we will make it in record time." Troy nodded his head as we both moved to the garage. Troy put Oreo away as he met me in the garage. Letting Liam down into his car seat, I buckled him in before putting a blanket around him. He yawned as I found his pacifier to give it back to him.

"I love you," I told him; I kissed his forehead as I shut his car door lightly. I then got into the passenger side door as Troy got into the front seat. "I need to stop at a gas station, I am going to grab coffee and some snacks, also get some gas."

"Gas is always important." Troy nodded as I sat down. I let myself buckle in as Troy backed up; he closed the garage as we were on the road. He sent a text telling his mom as he pulled into the gas station right outside of the town.

He filled up, grabbed a coffee and then some snacks. I checked in the back with Liam to see he was out like a light bulb. This would probably be the easiest trip with him, we should have thought of this a long time ago.

"Alright, let's do this." Troy murmured as he reached out to the highway. "Yes, lets," Troy held onto the steering wheel as he plugged his phone in into the USB cord, pulling up his playlist. Luke Bryan drifted through the car as I turned it down. My eyes wondered back to Liam as Troy sighed.

"I remember that one road trip, we drove to LA to go the beach for the weekend and we drove through some of the night to get there, it was crazy because we were both up for I think forty eight hours until crashing. We drove there, played for a few hours straight, and then just crashed in the sand."

A smile tugged on my lips as I nodded, "I remember that. I woke up with a pile of sand down my shirt but you were holding me. The waves were crashing on the beach, it was beautiful."

"One of the best mornings we have had together in a long time." I yawned as I picked up my iPad, "Last time we drove down there was when I was pregnant."

"That was over a year ago."

"I know that is the crazy part because that is close to two years ago." Troy shook his head, "We were so with each other, so together." Troy murmured. "We were in love," I told Troy as I grabbed his empty hand.

"Now we are married, have a little boy who is about to be one, and my basketball career is going in the right direction." I smiled as I flipped through some of the screens until I yawned again. "I think I am going to try to crash for a few hours, I am exhausted." Troy nodded his head, "Fine by me, I will let you know if I need anything."

"Don't go too fast please, be careful."

"I am not going to risk our lives with Liam in the car."

"Good,"

I yawned as I sat up in the uncomfortable position I was in to see it was a little after five. I rubbed my eyes as Troy yawned himself, "Good morning," I nodded my head as we were in Arizona somewhere. "Has Liam waked up at all?" I asked as I sat my chair up.

"Once but he made a few noises and fell back asleep," I looked out at the empty road, the sun still hidden below the earth. "Good, how has the drive been?"

"Fantastic. Not many people out on the road to drive me crazy." I smiled as I rubbed my eyes some more, "Your eyes itchy?" Troy asked looking at me. "Yea, I forgot to take my contacts out last night." I said, I cursed lightly before I dug around for my contact stuff.

"Damn, I forgot all about that, I should have made you take them out." I shook my head, "I sort of just fell asleep, and I can not believe I slept as much as I did."

"Well you know, they say when you are tired that you sleep no matter where you are." I nodded as I took a deep breath before finding my contact case followed by my glasses. "I need to stop for gas again soon and probably coffee for both of us."

"Yes, I can't believe you are going to play in that thing again tonight." Troy nodded his head, "It's this afternoon and it will be fine. I will just crash afterwards."

"You are going to sleep when we get to your parents house right?"

"Of course," I yawned before nodding, "Good."

Troy yawned himself as Liam began to cry in the back, "Maybe a gas station is good," I said, Troy nodded, "I think I can do better than a gas station," he said pulling off the highway. As the clock ticked closer to six, I reached back to adjust Liam's blanket as he cried.

Once Troy pulled into a McDonald's parking lot, I felt rejoiced. "Grab my bag and Liam's so I can change my clothes and brush my teeth. Then grab Liam's stuff so I can change his diaper."

"Sounds good and I am assuming you are getting Liam," Troy said, I nodded and smiled, "Yup." I got out as I went over to get Liam from his car seat. He cried as I unbuckled him, this would be the earliest he has gotten up in a while but it was probably from the car ride.

I picked him up as he rested his head on my shoulder. "Well good morning," Liam yawned as he rested his forehead against my neck. Troy grabbed both of the bags and then I think his before we moved in towards the McDonalds. "Since I will probably be done first, I will get us some food. What would you like?"

"A large coffee you know how to do my sugar, an Egg McMuffin and then get some pancakes for Liam to snack on." Troy nodded as he handed me the two different bags. We went into the separate bathrooms as I chose the back stall. I sat Liam down on the changing table, buckling him in since that is where he was going to sit while I changed.

I found a pair of jeans with a long sleeve Laker tshirt. I pulled on the skinny jeans as I buttoned them in. I changed out of my sports bra into my regular Victoria Secrets bra while I picked up the white Laker long sleeve and pulled it on.

Pulling the shirt up to just below my elbows, I dug through Liam's bag to find him a clean diaper. I yawned as I stood back up. Liam looked around as I tickled his stomach. "Good morning baby boy," I bent down to kiss his forehead. He giggled as I changed him into a fresh diaper. I kept his PJ's on since he was going to be in a car for about three to four more hours. I went to the bathroom and then brushed my teeth before picking up all of our bags.

Placing Liam on my hip, I walked out into the lobby. Troy was sitting at the table with a large coffee in front of him with food. Troy was drinking his own coffee and then he spotted us. "Let me see him," Troy said as he held his hands out. I gave Liam over to Troy as Troy glanced back at the counter.

"Can I have your keys?" I asked I had put my glasses on instead of my contacts. "Yea, are you going to take the bags out to the car?" I nodded as he pulled out my lanyard and handed me my keys. "Thanks," I said as I began to skip away. Liam cried out as Troy comforted him.

I opened up the trunk as I put all of our bags inside. I kept Liam's by his car seat so if we needed anything it wasn't in the back. My hair, which I had cut just recently, was hanging by my shoulders. The natural curls flowing around my back. Going back into the McDonalds, I locked the car as Troy was feeding Liam a small bite of pancakes.

"It must be nice to get to do this almost everyday," Troy said looking up at me, "It gets old after a while and you have been doing it a lot more than me lately."

I sat down as I took a large sip of the coffee. I unwrapped my egg McMuffin before taking a large bite out of it. "So are you going to be in the back with Liam for the rest of the ride?"

"Probably, I can spread out a bit more and do my homework."

"Or you are going to watch a movie with him," Troy joked as he took a drink of his coffee. Liam was perched on his lap with his eyes wondering around.

"So what are we going to do?" Troy asked I looked at him, "What are you talking about?"

"For Liam's birthday? The whole Laker's are asking and then we have the gang that is all in California."

"I was thinking we just host a birthday party at the park for Liam. We could do it later so we can go to SeaWorld or we can do it the day after. We can still invite the families up since your mom will probably want to come. Your whole family won't be there so if they even want to come."

"I think we should do it the day before. His birthday is on a Sunday this year." I nodded my head as I turned to look at Troy. "Your mom is already planning such a big one for him here though."

"Let her have her fun, plus, she will have to fly half the toys back to LA."

"You should tell her that we are going to do one for him in California too, we can still do the one there but I want her to know. Then you need to invite your whole family out. All the Lakers can come and we can decorate it and let him have fun."

"He is still in the danger zone,"

"Yea, we will have to do it after his second nap."

"Sounds good to me. It should be a lot of fun," I nodded as I leaned across the table to kiss Troy. "Thanks for driving."

"Thanks for coming."

"It's required now, don't you know. Being the wife means you have to go everywhere."

"I could have made it a quick trip, flew out last night and flew back tonight."

"Your mom would have been pissed since Liam wouldn't have been there."

"Funny."

"She probably would have been very upset with you." I rolled my eyes as Troy kissed me again, "I love you," Troy whispered to me, "I love you too," our eyes connected as Liam made a noise before sticking his whole hand in the syrup. Fantastic.

Troy pulled into his moms drive way, just after eight. I yawned as Liam squealed, he was ready to play. I hope Lucille was up for that since Jenni was at school.

Troy yawned as he rested his head against the back of the seat. Troy's eyes closed tightly before he stretched his arms out before he smiled. "I think I am going to say hi to my mom and then go to bed for a few hours. Make sure I am up before noon."

"Okay," Troy pushed open the door as I went to pick up Liam. I unbuckled him as I put him on my hip, "I may run over to my mom's house later," I told Troy as I opened up the house door. "Okay, be good." Troy mumbled as we stumbled into the house.

"Gabi! Troy!" Lucille came walking around the corner as Liam spotted her, Liam dug his fingers into my shirt as he turned his head to face Troy. Troy laughed as he went over to smooth his fingers over Liam's head. "He is in that stranger danger phase, leaving him at daycare hasn't been fun for him."

Lucille smiled as she came over to me side, "Liam, its just grandma." Liam turned to bury his head in my neck. "Awh," I said as I rubbed his back. "Well since my grandson thinks I am a stranger, how was your trip down?"

"Long." Troy said to her honestly, "So I am going to take a nap for a little while."

"Go for it, what time do you need to be up?"

"Twelve thirty," I looked at him and he smiled, "I forgot it didn't start until one thirty," I rolled my eyes as Troy leaned over to kiss me. "I will let your mom wake you up; I will spend some time here before I go to my mom's house."

"Good deal, I will meet you at East high." I nodded my head as he kissed me again before disappearing upstairs to his room. Liam began to look around as he squirmed in my arms. "I can not believe he is almost one."

"Tell me about it," I whispered as he crawled across the floor until he reached the couch where he gripped on to stand up. He took a few careful steps before falling to the ground. "So I want to talk about his birthday party tomorrow. I invited you mom, brother, and Sam. Your mom asked if she could ask your dads family to come and of course I said yes."

I nodded my head as I followed her to the kitchen. She poured us both a cup of coffee as we went to the living room to sit down on the couch. "I invited the whole Bolton Clan but Mason said he would see him on his birthday probably because you guys talked about going to Sea World," I nodded, "Yea, Liam is really into Finding Nemo right now. He is like in love with that movie."

"That is so cute!" I nodded my head, "So that is why we are going to take him there for the day, we are thinking the day before we are going to host a small party at the park or something for the Lakers, the gang, and Mason will probably come for that but if you want to come you are more than welcome."

"I will talk about it with Jack but hopefully we will get in all of our birthday fun this weekend while you guys are here." I smiled as Liam stood up again right in front of Lucille. "Hey big boy," Liam smiled as he looked at me; I nodded my head as Liam looked to Lucille.

"I think its great that he is so in love with his parents," I smiled as Lucille picked him up. "We are going to host the party at two thirty," I cringed as that was Liam's nap time.

"Liam will be napping during that time period; I mean probably not the entire time but the first part. I can not change his nap time." Lucille nodded, "That is perfectly fine. We can pass beers around and just talk while he is napping." I nodded, "Sounds fine to me."

"I can make up a fast Finding Nemo theme," she said with a smile, I shook my head, "I am going to do that for him, for his actual birthday. I already have a cake design and everything."

"Good. All I kind of did for a theme was one." I smiled as Liam looked at me; he showed me his toothy grin while he squirmed to crawl over the couch. Lucille watched carefully until he made it over to me. "I only got him a few gifts since you do have to go home through car."

"He will probably love to play with them on the way home Sunday."

"I wish you guys could stay longer for such a long drive!"

"Yea, it kind of sucks but I have class on Monday."

"How is school going?" Liam played in my lap as I nodded, "It's a lot tougher with a little one. I think if I would have just finished it would have been easier but that means I would probably be a teacher and I like my path of the nurse right now."

"I understand that. You are going to make a great nurse."

"It was more of I know I could work five days a week or work part time and only work twelve hour days. I basically won't miss anything once he is in school."

"The only time it is going to be tough on us is when Troy is on the road." Lucille nodded as she looked at me, "I don't want you to rush or anything but when do you think the next baby is going to be here?" she asked me, she bit down on her lip as I laughed. "I don't know whenever we are ready for baby number two. Liam will be one in a few weeks and I just want us to take our time."

"Those questions stink, after I had Troy nobody stopped and then I told them about Jenni, I told them this was it." I laughed and nodded as I helped Liam back down to the floor. "I don't know how many kids I want yet, we are going to play it by ear…and by baby."

Lucille laughed as she crossed her feet over her lap. "Yea, I can understand that. After Liam you probably want about six more kids," I laughed and shook my head, "Oh no."

"That's good, I am glad you don't want that many but I do know that you and Troy are better first parents than Jack and I were."

"Are you sure?" I asked, my eyes wondered over to Liam as he put a block into his mouth. "Liam." I said, his eyes turned to me and then he dropped the block. "Postive, again I was a lot younger than you were but, God; I am so glad both of my kids got through high school and most of college without having a kid."

"It runs in the family."

"That, indeed, it does."

"If I knew about the Bolton history, I may have backed off."

"I am glad Jenni knows,"

I stretched out as Liam crawled towards the kitchen; I put my coffee on to the table as I got down crawling after him. He giggled when he saw me as I chased him into the kitchen before rolling over onto his back. Leaning over the top of his, I bent down to kiss him on the stomach.

He laughed before I tossed my head back, he giggled again while I blew on his stomach. Picking him up, I fell backwards as he lay on my stomach. "Hey pretty boy," he turned as Lucille was standing above us. "He is one of the cutest kids in the entire world. You are such a great mom to him."

"He is so easy to take care of." I mentioned as I let him go, "You're even at the difficult age too,"

"I mean, of course he throws his fits every now and then, he cries when I leave him at daycare, and when its bedtime he likes to challenge us but seriously, he is not going to be a perfect baby. There is no such thing, I know he will probably become more difficult but right now it's perfect."

"Troy was no way easy like this, Troy was always screaming about something. Liam is probably so much more like you than Troy."

I smiled as Liam stood up with the help of the chair before cursing forward. "I will have to ask my mom if I acted like this."

"Probably. You still somewhat act like that besides throwing the fits. I know you challenge Troy, which I find very amusing." I blushed as I turned my head to look at Liam. "You hate when people leave you somewhere and you are just like him."

I smiled before I reached up to the counter to pull myself up. "So with Liam's birthday in a few weeks, Troy and I were thinking about redoing his room with fish but do you think it's too early to pick something he likes right now?"

"Probably, I would wait until he is like getting his big boy bed before choosing a theme. His new obsession could change within less than twenty four hours."

"Well, all I know is that he likes fish."

My eyes watched Liam move back to the living room as he sat down on the floor. He turned his head before he stretched his arms out and then picked up a toy nearby. He tossed it before I looked at my watch. "Liam," Liam's eyes turned to me as I smiled.

"You wanna go change into some big boy clothes?" Liam let his toothy smile grin as he looked at me with a big wide smile. "Come on lover boy, let's go." Lucille laughed as Liam began to crawl towards me.

"So how was your drive?" my mom asked as she picked up Liam, "Okay, I slept most of the way while Troy drove. Liam slept so he is probably going to be ready for a long nap some time very soon."

"Did he get up earlier?" I nodded my head, "Yup. He got up way earlier than usually. I blamed it on the car which is why I got up earlier but that is all okay. What have you and Sam been up too?"

"This and That, getting Kyle to apply to college is like pulling teeth because all he wants to do is travel." I smiled as I twirled the tea in my hands. "I am sorry I was so easy." My mom shrugged her shoulders. "I don't blame him for wanting to be done with school but I want him to be done with it,"

"I understand that also. I think maybe he should just go to school somewhere else. Don't make him go somewhere here; he hasn't had the easiest life mom."

"Yes, I know, he was the child that I had with another guy because I cheated on your father but we stayed together so he was the odd one out. Then his dad came and wanted to be with him so we fought over custody for him only to become a drunk. Then your dad died so he moved in officially with his dad for a while, I married Sam, you moved to college, then you had a baby and his life is probably hell."

I sucked in a breath as I tapped my finger against the desk. "Do you know that Kyle and I never had that strong bond? I mean when he moved out we lost touch?"

"Yes…I know. He came over one day asking for your phone number. Then when I told him about our fallout, he really wanted to see you and I bought him a ticket. When he told me he was dating a Jenni, I never figured that it was that Jenni, God, our lives were a mess."

I laughed out loud, "Yes, it was a very big mess."

Liam came over as he rested his head on the floor. "I think somebody is ready for that nap." My mom looked at us as she nodded, "He can go rest in your old room, and I kind of put it back together since your last visit."

"You didn't have to mom."

"Yes, I did." I took a deep breath as I followed her back. She opened the door as the room as the same color and the bed was back in place. I grabbed pillow as I let Liam lay in the middle. Pushing pillows all around him, I then rested more on the floor as my mom left the door open.

"So are you coming down for graduation in May?"

"Mom, of course. Jenni is graduating plus Kyle, so of course we would come down. We will probably be down here for as long as possible. It depends on the playoff situation."

"Basketball," my mom muttered lightly, "Yes, I know, basketball takes over our lives. I kind of wish sometimes that Troy won't make the Playoffs but they probably will."

"Well if that's what Troy wants to do with the rest of his life, so be it."

"Thanks for the support mom," I said rolling my eyes, "I am just saying, you are going to have to live with it. Then you going back to school, how is that all going?"

"Great. Liam is having fun at daycare, hanging out with other kids his age. Working at the hospital is fun and I just, love being back at school for some reason."

"I am glad to hear."

Sitting down on the couch, I rested my head on the couch as my mom sighed. "So Troy is playing in that student faculty game?"

"Yea, I think he is playing with the staff now, the students all wanted them but the students are state champs. So they gave Troy over to the faculty."

My mom smiled as she sat down herself. I let a yawn leave my mouth as I rubbed my eyes. "Are you going to watch?" I asked her, "Nah, I have to go shopping for a certain one year old."

"Just not too much since we do have to travel home on Sunday,"

"Leaving so soon?"

"School on Monday,"

"Oh, I wish you were here more often."

"Me too mom,"

Shifted Liam onto my hip, I yawned. I had accidently fell asleep at my mom's house while Liam slept and it was almost thirty minutes past when the game was supposed to start.

Troy had sent me a few text messages asking me where I was at but I didn't get them until I woke up. I hurried inside, checked in at the office as I moved towards the gym. Clicking my flats against the ground as I pulled open the gym door as I looked to see Troy sitting on the ground, his legs out flat as sweat was formed on his forehead.

I glanced at him with my eyes as I leaned back up against the wall. They were handing out some awards of something as I assumed it was halftime. Troy found us as Troy winked at me. Liam noticed him and he cried out, reaching his hands out for him. Troy looked over at his dad who smiled. He waved us over as I walked down the back of the gym, hoping not to be noticed by all of these people.

Once I got over to Troy, I handed Liam down to him as I slide down the wall next to him. "Hey beautiful, where were you?"

"Sleeping, did you get some sleep?" Troy rubbed his face as Liam sat down in his lap. "A little." I leaned my head against his shoulder as I let a yawn escape my throat. "So playing with the staff?"

"Both. Every quarter I switch, I get to play with the staff this next one."

"Fun, how is Carson? Beating your ass?" Troy snorted, "Sure."

We watched the rest of the awards as once they began to start up again, I stood from my spot taking Liam from Troy as Troy stood on the court. Troy leaned over to kiss me as he pointed to a corner. "You can go stand over there; I think Jenni has spotted you so you might have her come over."

"Okay, go kick some ass."

Liam and I moved off the court as I sat down in a corner. Jenni came bouncing over as she picked up Liam from my arms. "Hi!"

"Hey, how are you?"

"Fantastic, can I take him over there? Please, we will be good with him. Madison is already over there."

"Be good." I said she ran off with Liam as she squirmed back into the bleachers. I stretched my arms out as I watched the game play out back and forth; Troy dominated on sides, joking around with the students and then taunting the older ones.

He was taller than all of them, it was close between some of the other basketball player but Troy will always be the tallest. I yawned as I stood back up. "Is that the little Bolton I see over there," I turned to see Mrs. Darbus, I laughed and nodded. "Yup,"

"He has those striking blue eyes, just like his lovely father."

"I could have sworn you hated Troy in high school." I told her, she smiled before fixing the colorful scarf wrapped around her neck. "Oh, I did but he has grown." I laughed and then I officially said hi to her. "So how are all the kids at East?"

"Great, nothing like your class. Your class was very special but they are kids."

I nodded as I rubbed my eyes before putting my glasses back over my face. "So is it true that your little one is turning one? Jack was talking about how you were coming down for his first birthday."

"He doesn't officially turn one until the twenty-sixth."

"Ah, just down for the weekend?"

"Yup."

Troy collapsed down onto the bed as I rolled over into the bed, "I am exhausted," I murmured as I pulled out the covers. "Yea, me too. I am glad Liam went down easy."

"I know, I think he is just as tired as us."

I nodded my head as Troy pulled me close into his arms. I rested my head onto his chest as I blinked my eyes open and then close. "Mmm…" Troy rubbed my back with his thumb as then he took a deep breath. "What do you think tomorrow will be like?"

"Crazy." Troy said, "Liam will be the hot topic and then you will want to go to bed early since we are going to have an early start on Sunday."

"Yea…it probably won't happen. At least everybody will let Liam go to bed." I whispered as Troy let his fingers drift through my hair, "Sunday, should be a lot of fun."

"Oh yea, Liam will be awake for most of the trip. It is going to take us so much longer because we will have to stop and let him play some where," I nodded as I pulled on his shirt. "You played great out there today," I said as I held onto a fist full of shirt. "Yea, I had to play high school basketball again. I made sure I didn't take too many shots."

"I noticed, except you were still the best one out there." Troy rolled his eyes, "I play in the NBA Gabs, and I am going to be the best out there."

I laughed as I leaned up to kiss him. "I do love you, but you are cocky." Troy snorted, "You are the one that said I was the best."

"You didn't deny it," I teased as Troy pressed his lips against mine. Troy let his hands fold onto my stomach as I yawned, "I am ready for bed."

"Me too," Troy said as we both slide down into the bed. My legs entangled with Troy's as he kept me close, "Mmm…I love you."

"I love you too,"

"Here, you are going to need this," Troy handed me a cool beer as he slide up behide me. People were filling into the house as Liam's first birthday party was underway. So far Troy's family was the only one here; Rob and Tish, Logan and Meg were all here. I stretched out as Jack was talking on the back deck.

"So where is the famous boy," Troy kept one arm around me as he answered the question. "Sleeping, he is getting his afternoon nap in."

"Sounds like a lot of fun," Tish added, "I can not believe the baby of the family is going to be one." I have gotten this comment a lot lately. I just nodded as I took a small sip of the beer Troy had given me. I walked out of Troy's arms as I went over to check the baby monitor.

"Gabi," I turned to see my Uncle Mark, "Hi!" I said setting down my beer; I went to give him a hug as he hugged me back. "How are you?" I asked him as I smoothed my fingers down his arm. "Great and you?"

"Good, I went back to school and playing with my little guy." He glanced around before he landed on the baby monitor. "Sleeping during his party?" I nodded as my eyes glanced back to it. "Yea, he is tired." Liam shifted in his bed before he stretched his arms out.

"Uh no, I think somebody is waking up though." I moved forward as I grabbed Mark's hand. "Come with me," I told him as I bounced up to the second floor. I opened the door to Troy's room as Liam began to cry. My Uncle Mark stood back into the doorway as I picked Liam up.

He cried as he gripped my shirt, his fingers grasping the corners as I kissed his forehead. Liam was in a pair of little jean shorts with a button up shirt to make him look fancy. Liam buried his head into my shoulder as I moved out of the room. "He is so cute; he acts a lot like you."

"Really? Lucille, Troy's mom and I were talking about that yesterday."

"He does, he defiantly is attached to his parents." I rubbed Liam's back as we headed back down the stairs. I left my beer at the coffee table as I traveled to see my mom and my aunts had all shown up. People were running around as I came out the back deck with Liam on my shoulder.

"The birthday boy is here!"

I smiled as Troy noticed; his blue eyes glanced at Liam before he looked down, talking back to his aunt. "Can I see him?" Aunt Meg asked, "Sure," I said as I tried to detach him from me. I handed Liam over to Meg as his face crumpled, his eyes found mine as he broke down into tears. "Oh no, the left alone stage." My face softened as Meg tried to calm Liam down but he wailed moving his arms around.

Troy set his beer down on the railing before walking over, "Liam," Troy said soothingly, I stepped back as I watched Liam look at Troy with his wide blue eyes. "It's okay," Troy said as he rested his hand on the top of his head. Liam turned to find me as the family laughed.

"Already getting moms approval, doesn't trust Troy," Jenni said laughing, I giggled myself as Troy frowned. "I should say, go ask mom," Troy said throwing a look at Jack. Lucille busted out into laughter as Jack threw his hands up. "I did no such thing," Jack claimed.

"Oh, sure…" Lucille said as she moved around, Troy finally backed away from Liam as he was comfortable now. Troy grabbed his beer before walking over to me. He slipped his arms around my waist as he pulled me close. I watched as Meg passed Liam on to Jenni who played with him.

"So my dad is going to cook out later, everybody is staying for that." I nodded, "Sounds like fun,"

"You sure?" Troy asked me, I nodded, "Yea, I mean its dinner right? Liam is having fun now that I approve of his new friends," Troy grinned as a smile tugged at the corner of my lips. "It was cute," Troy said with a smile.

"I know," I sighed as I let my head rest on Troy's chest. My eyes rested on Liam as the family talked about all kinds of things. Troy rubbed my lower stomach gently as Troy then looked forward. "Mom," Lucille looked over at him and then Troy moved his head to come closer to us.

Lucille moved as she had Liam in her arms, Troy then smirked as Troy then stuck his arms out. "Come on, I want to see my kid." Lucille rolled her eyes before passing Liam to Troy. Liam squealed as Troy let go of me to hold Liam. Troy laughed as Troy walked back into the house as people lingered between inside and out.

"Are you getting Liam anything special for his first birthday?" I turned to see Logan standing next to me, "Troy and I have talked about a few different things but then we decided that we are going to get two cats. One cat for me, my Christmas present, and then one for him, a birthday present."

"Sounds like fun,"

"Something that will be around for a long time," Logan nodded as he then ventured off to talk to somebody else. I walked back inside to find my beer when I saw Liam and Troy, playing with a few of his cousins. "Liam," Troy said resting on his knees; Liam sat on his butt while Austin and Max laughed.

"What are you guys doing?" Troy looked up with his beautiful smile before back down to Liam. "Playing," Troy said with a smug look, I raised an eyebrow as I moved into the area. I sat down on the floor as Jack came in. "I am starting the grill Troy,"

"Gotcha Dad," Troy said turning his head to face his dad. Austin looks at me before he sat down, "Troy is it fun to be married?" Troy's eyes grew for a moment and then he felt a smirk tug on his lips.

"It's a lot of fun being married," Troy said as his eyes looked at me; I smiled as I tickled Liam's stomach as he rolled over to get up on his hands and knees.

"Oh, Gabi, do you like being married to Troy?" I blushed as I nodded my head, "I love being married to Troy."

"Good, because I like you." I laughed as Troy sat down on his butt, "I like you too Austin,"

Liam crawled over to Max as Liam put his hands on Max's knees. "Look! Liam came over to me!" Troy smiled as he helped Max lift Liam into his lap. Liam sat as he stuffed one of his hands in his mouth. Troy pulled it out gently as Max smiled playing with Liam's hand. "Troy is it fun to play basketball?"

"It is a lot of fun to play basketball, why do you ask?"

"Well one of my teachers asked me if I was related to Troy Bolton, I said that is my cousin, and they asked if you played basketball because you liked it or if you had too." Troy raised his eyebrow, "It's because I want too." Troy said, "I love playing basketball."

"Good." Austin looked at me, "That is what I told my teacher."

I shared a look with Troy as Troy smiled; I smiled back as Liam played with Max.

"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Liam, happy birthday to you." People cheered as Liam looked at the glowing candles. I blew on them gently as Liam copied what I did. People cheered as the one little candle went out.

Liam clapped his hands with everybody else as Troy laughed. He set down the drink in his hand as I fastened Liam into a high chair. Troy got him a very small piece of cake.

We were going to do the one cake when he was really turning one, at that party. I smiled as Liam stuck his fingers into it as he played in the icing.

Lucille cut some of the cake before she passed it around, Jack scooped ice cream onto plates as I got a plate into my hand. Jack and Troy had cooked cheeseburgers together on the grills and after everybody ate we had opened his presents followed by eating of the cake.

It was almost five o clock when I sat down on the couch to eat the slice of cake. Troy came over sitting down next to me, wedging his beer in-between his legs.

"Your eyes look tired,"

"They are."

Troy smiled as he took a bite of his cake; I rested my head on Troy's shoulder as I let my fork drop onto my plate. Troy took my fork, taking my cake as he pressed the cake against my lips. I giggled as Troy smiled; he pressed his lips against my forehead gently. "It's yummy,"

"Well you have had my birthday cake before when I lived here, so yea, it's going to be yummy." I laughed gently as Troy squeezed my shoulders gently. I smiled as I finished off my cake and Troy and I talked in the living room. It was dark outside already as everybody was in the house.

My mom walked in with Liam on her hip, I looked at him as he had cake everywhere. "Mommy, somebody needs a bath." Liam grinned as he looked around. I smiled as I got up from the couch to take him from my moms arms.

"I am going to take him upstairs. Troy can you grab him a bottle? I am going to give him a bath followed by getting him ready to bed." Troy nodded as he kissed me. He walked into the kitchen as I walked upstairs.

Going into Troy's room, I turned on the bathtub as Liam wiped his hands everywhere. "Hold on," I told him as I undressed him carefully. I then set him down into the tub. I washed his face off with a wash cloth as the door opened and Troy snuck in.

"I have a bottle going but my mom wants you to take him back downstairs so everybody can see him once more before he goes to bed." I nodded as Troy leaned back against the sink. Liam splashed around in the water as Troy's fingers gripped my shoulders. My eyes closed as he rubbed them gently.

"Your shoulders are tense," Troy commented as he rubbed them, "I am stressed,"

"Don't be," Troy said as he bent over to kiss my neck. His soft lips pressing against my neck, I let a sigh roll out of my throat as I opened my eyes. Liam was even rubbing his eyes as I unplugged the drain after washing him up. I pulled him out with a towel as I pressed him into my body.

Troy lead us back to the room as it had been thirty minutes since either of us had been downstairs. Troy opened his door as I laid him down onto the bed. Troy grabbed a pair of blue PJ's. I yawned as I put a clean diaper on him with the zipper clothes. Liam reached for his blanket as he rubbed his eyes.

"I know we have to go say goodbye to everybody." I told him, Troy sat down to watch us as he yawned. "Come on, the faster we make this, the faster we can come upstairs."

"I will probably just feed him while we are down here," Troy nodded, "I can grab the bottle for you."

"Thanks," we went back down the stairs as Troy moved into the kitchen as I walked towards the dining room. "Oh! He looks so snuggle!"

I smiled as Troy gave me a heated bottle, I let Liam place the bottle in his mouth and feed himself as I somewhat held it. "Man his eyes are already dropping."

"You guys wore him out," I said as I took a seat in a chair that somebody had pulled out for me. Kyle came over and hugged my shoulders, "I gotta get out of here. I will see you later ok?"

"Sure thing and give mom a break please?" Kyle rolled his eyes before nodding, "Sure…" Troy shoved him gently before Kyle picked up his keys to leave. I watched him as he left. I really felt bad for him sometimes.

Jenni and Carson were going to head out for a movie as Jenni kissed Liam's forehead. "I will see you soon big guy." Jenni hugged Troy while she hugged my neck. "See ya guys later."

Carson grabbed Jenni's hand before Troy looked at him with a warning look. Troy then walked over to some of his family as Liam's eyes were groggy after seventy five percent of the bottle was empty. I set it on the table as I put Liam's head on my shoulder. I rubbed his back softly as I leaned back in the chair.

"He is asleep," Meg said coming over, I looked back at him as his shoulders lifted and fell. "Thanks," I whispered as I stood up, I moved through the people as they all awed at him with his cute little face.

"Do you want me to take him up to bed?" Troy asked as he walked in front of me. I shook my head, "Nah, I got him."

Troy nodded as Lucille walked over, "Night sweetie," she said to him; I smiled as Liam opened his eyes for a second before closing his eyes again. Going up the stairs, I went into Troy's room as I laid him down into his crib. He rolled his head over before I let him grab his blanket and hold onto it.

I pressed my lips against his forehead as I tucked him in. I turned off all the lights as I shut the bedroom door. Troy met me at the top of the stairs, "Do you want to go to bed? You can if you want," he said to me, "I will probably go say goodnight to my mom and uncles."

"Alright, I am going to go take a shower and get ready for bed myself." I nodded as I moved past Troy to go downstairs. I mingled some more with the people downstairs as I hugged my mom goodbye along with Sam. My uncle and aunts left as mostly Troy's family was left.

"I am going to head up to bed. I have a long day tomorrow of playing with my little guy."

"I will probably see you guys in the morning," Lucille said, I nodded as I moved towards the stairs. Wishing everybody a good rest of the weekend and night.

"I am thinking," Troy said as he passed another car, it was midday and we weren't even half way home yet. "Liam is ready to get out a play for a little while," Liam whined as he kicked his legs around.

He had watched a movie, played with some of his new toys, and eaten food but we were losing his attention fast as he became cranky.

"Probably." I sighed as I was getting cramped up in the backseat. "I will want to dig out water when we stop," Troy nodded as he drove a little longer until he pulled off an exit.

We were somewhere in Arizona, driving past all the mountains and things. Troy then pulled into a park as Troy stopped the car. I began to unbuckle Liam as Troy tossed his head back. "Man, I might be taking a nap." Troy said with a long yawn. Liam fussed around as I put him into my lap. I shoved the car door open as I pushed all the blankets aside.

Not many people were at the park as I put Liam on my hip. I dug around for my flip-flops as Troy got out of the car. He came over to get Liam as Troy went running towards the park with him. I leaned forward to grab my half empty water. I unfastened the cap before taking a sip.

I shut the car door to walk over to Troy. He had set Liam down for him to let some energy out. Hopefully he would nap some more through the ride as he did for about an hour this morning. He was still in his PJ's but he was comfortable. I had fed him twice already along with a bottle.

I yawned as I stretched my legs out, getting all of the blood moving in my body. Liam got up with the help of Troy as Troy walked him around. Liam grasped Troy's big hand as he took small steps towards the playground. Troy laughed as Liam stopped to play with a rock.

"He has such your brain!" I called out; Troy sent a look over his shoulder as I laughed again. "You wish!"

"I do not!"

Troy laughed as I grabbed my phone; I sat down in the grass taking in the fresh air. I tapped a few text out to those who had texted me. I then checked Twitter and Facebook before I laid my phone on the ground. Troy turned around with Liam as Liam saw me.

A big smile spread over his face as he wanted to move faster. He began to crawl in his ninja mode. He moved across the grass as I scooted forward a little until he crawled right into my lap. "Hi!" he smiled as he rested his hand on my knee. I kissed on him as I let him down to the ground gently.

I kissed on him as he laughed; I sat back down on the ground as Liam looked up at me. I smiled as he gave me one of his smiles, "Good Lord, you two are my favorite people." Troy said, I giggled as I lay down on the ground next to Liam. Troy got onto of me as he tickled my side.

I laughed as Liam looked at us, "You want to play too?" Troy asked picking Liam up, he sat him down on my stomach as Troy showed him how to tickle. Liam's little hands hit my sides as I tried to squirm away without hurting him. Liam laughed as he tried to tickle me, Troy mostly doing all the work.

Troy began to laugh as I felt all of my hair come out of my ponytail. Troy finally leaned down, around Liam to kiss me as I couldn't stop laughing. "Mommy," Liam said as he rested his head on my chest. I let a deep breath out as I let my hand rest on top of Liam. Troy's eyes locked with mine as he was still straddling me.

One side of his lip curved up as I smiled back at him. This was perfect.

Whew. One Chapter Left! Oh my! I can not believe how much of this story I have left. It's crazy! I remember starting it last year, ahh. I hope there weren't many grammar mistakes! I wasn't able to read the chapter over again, so I am sorry for any mistakes. The last chapter will probably be read over again in the future and I will be embarrassed, oh well. I love you all and you all love me right? Mhmm…

Thanks for the reviews! They are kind of slacking so I hope you all will review this chapter! I am missing all of my reviewers! Can we get me to 845? Come on! I know you can do it! Just press the BIG review button! Go! Go! :D

PLEASE REVIEW!