Julian had known about Ella's condition for days now. It was all over the news. He had known she was hurt, clinging to life, but he couldn't bring himself to see her that way, to know she wasn't okay. After their break up, things had been ugly. He didn't remember it all to clearly, because he had been drunk at the time, but he knew he hadn't been particularly nice to her when she had come to return her ring that day after she and Bolton had gotten back together. To say the least, De Aquila was pissed, and he couldn't see past his own anger.
And to top it off, they even had a daughter nobody knew about. Not even him, her fiance, the man she had promised forever to. She lied. But that didn't mean he hated her. No, he hated Bolton. He hated him for stealing her from him. She wasn't his precious Lily anymore, and yet he still swooped in and took what wasn't his and what did that get her? A bullet to the head. That's what. He got her a possible life sentence in a bed, all because he was a selfish bastard.
De Aquila had been in Anger Management for a few months now and he was actually back playing. Coincidentally, his first game back was Troy's first game he missed because he was taking Family Medical Leave to be with Gabriella. Julian was doing his best to keep his anger in check as he walked into the hospital. He had to stay calm if he wanted to see Ella.
He came up to the front desk, asking for Ella Leigh. They told him nobody was allowed to see her, outside family, so he lied. He swore up and down he was a family member and somehow they fell for it. They told him her room number and he headed there. When he got there, he was stopped again, this time by Ella's personal guard, which didn't surprise Julian, considering Ella had always been important and in need of guards. Dominick knew who Julian was, and because of that wouldn't budge.
Julian wasn't going to just leave though. And then Troy opened the door, hearing arguing outside it. Julian wanted to beat his smug face in, but he remained calm and was even surprised when he told the guard to stand down.
"He can come in."
Troy didn't say anything else before walking back into the room to sit with her. Julian folded his arms over his chest, nodding to the guard with his own smug satisfaction before walking into the room and toward the bed. She looked so small in a sea of white blankets. She was small. She had always been small, but she was extra small. And weak... she looked weak. And Ella Leigh never looked weak before.
"How did..." Julian started slowly, even though he knew how it happened.
"She and I fought... argued... and she left and she went to a store and a man shot her without even thinking twice."
Julian was surprised by how honest he was, especially to him. "Oh," Julian said, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. "I see." He knew what the argument had been about, and he wasn't going to press the issue.
"What have the doctors said?"
Troy looked back at Julian, firm resolution on his face. "That she's getting better everyday. They've never seen someone recover so well from a gun shot to the head this fast."
Julian found himself cracking a smile. "Ella has always been strong."
Troy had started to look back at Gabriella, but quickly turned his back to Julian, glaring at him. "Gabriella." He looked back down at her slowly, softly rubbing her hand. "That stage name isn't needed."
Julian rolled his eyes. "I've always called her Ella and I won't stop now."
Troy looked back at Julian. "Why are you here? To argue with me? If so, don't, because Gabriella would love to know you're here but I don't want to upset her."
Julian stared at him oddly, wondering how a person in her condition could possibly get upset? She was basically dead to the world, as awful as that sounded, she was.
"I'm not here to argue. I still love Ella and I wanted to make sure she'd pull through. I could never turn my back completely on her. Not when something like this happens to her, especially when she's suppose to be in your care."
Troy took in a sharp breath. He wanted to kick him so hard in the face he'd feel it from here till next year, but he refrained because he didn't want Gabriella to have any of that type of negative energy around her.
"I suppose you have the right. I'm not the only man who loves her. I suppose it's only fair that you get to see her." Troy stood, facing De Aquila directly. "But it's been months. No calls. No visits. Nothing and now when things aren't perfect you show up, why?"
Julian glared back at Troy. He could tell he wasn't happy with him. "Well, I am here because my corazon needs my support and I'm here to give it."
Troy wanted to snap at him that she wasn't his anything but held back.
"I also wanted to let you know I'm going to the commission and suggesting they put you on suspension."
Troy took a step forward. "What?"
"Suspension for missing practices and games. You're our coach, and there is no reason to miss any of them."
"No reason?" Troy asked, venom raising in his throat. "No REASON? What do you mean no reason! The mother of my child is in the hospital fighting for her life! The woman I love and I have no fucking reason?"
Julian shrugged his shoulders. He knew he wasn't in any position to suggest that to the board, but Troy's position as player/coach was only a trial and if he could prove to them they made a mistake, then maybe they would fire him and De Aquila wouldn't have to see his sorry ass every fucking day.
"Rules state that unless a family member is sick or you yourself are sick then there is no reason for you to miss a game or practice. And nobody in your legal family is sick."
Troy stepped toward again, coming up face to face with him. "You know she's my family! You know this!"
Julian let a slow smile cross his face. "I know nothing except my ex fiancée is sick. Now if you'll excuse me, I wanna wish her my best."
Troy grabbed his arm as he stepped forward. "Not a chance. Get the fuck out."
"Excuse me?" Julian bit back, his eyes staring him down and tugging his arm out of his grasp. "Didn't you just say I had a right to be here?"
Troy stepped directly in front of Julian, preventing him from getting past him. "That's before I knew you were still on your revenge kick. You can turn around and walk out because Gabriella doesn't need this stress and all you'll do is stress."
Julian sighed. "She can't hear a God damn thing, Bolton!"
Julian didn't see it coming. In fact, he wish he had so he could have ducked some because it hurt. Troy had punched him squarely in the jaw.
"Don't you dare speak about her like that. Get out!"
Julian grabbed his jaw, growling in anger and lifting his hand to hit him when he felt the guard from outside grab me.
"Get him out of here." Troy demanded.
"You can't keep me away! I'll be back!"
Julian growled as the guard tugged him out of the room and shut the door. He struggled with the guard for a moment before pulling away.
"Keep your hands off me! I can leave myself!"
Julian turned, got on the elevator and left. He was going to get Bolton back if it was the last thing he did. No matter what.
Troy let go of a heavy breath when the door was closed again. He couldn't believe Julian was really that petty. Really that low. That job was Troy's whole life without Gabriella. It was the only thing that got him out of bed everyday. The only thing that made him fight to be alive when he had been dead inside and Julian was trying to take it from him.
He turned slowly, walking back over to Gabriella's bed, taking her hand. "Don't you worry, beautiful. I'm going to make sure he doesn't take away what I love... neither of the things I love. You're my family. Paper or no paper. You're mine and that job is mine. I don't care what he says."
He leaned in, kissing her forehead before laying down next to her. The nursing staff had got use to Troy sleeping in that exact spot and didn't much mind it anymore. "I love you, Lily. Come back to me, beautiful." He kissed her hand and held it against his chest as he stared at the closed door. He wasn't going to let him take what belonged to him. I'd kill him first. Closing his eyes, he held on to Gabriella's and sighed heavily.