Chapter 5 – Birthday & Preparation

"Happy Birthday dad!" Troy laughed as he entered the kitchen as he rubbed his eyes, "Thanks guys," all of the kids swarmed him with hugs and more Happy Birthdays, "Whew, one more year until I'm forty!" he cheered, I couldn't help but laugh as Troy shook his head at me, a small smile coming over his lips.

"Naughty Mrs. Bolton," he whispered into my ear, I felt the heat rise over my cheeks as Troy and I had sex last night. It was good, great, sex that got our minds off of everything. Troy wasn't sure at first but we rolled with it and it was fine.

"Happy Birthday Troy," I said as I kissed him softly, "Good morning to you too," he whispered, I smile as our forehead's met in the middle. "Is there anything you want to do today?" I asked him, his eyes balanced mine, "How about a pure family day? Eat breakfast, take a hike into the beautiful nature, have a picnic before coming back to chill and dinner with my parents and Jenni,"

"Sounds like a blast," I told him. He smiled and he leaned forward to kiss me, "I think I can give you your present tonight," I whispered, Troy smiled against my lips, "That sounds like fun,"

I nodded as I planted my hand against his chest, we all ate breakfast together as everybody decided that today's plans were fun and they all went off to get ready. Troy and I made lunches and packed the bags as I stored them in the back of the car along with the stroller.

Troy and I changed into shorts and a t-shirt, as we made sure all of the kids were changed, had everything, and we packed them into the car.

Let the birthday celebrations begin.

My head rested against Troy's shoulder as he stroked my arm, the hike was good and fun. The kids were all laughing and Troy couldn't help but smile. It was a fun afternoon and now we were all back resting.

Troy had given me a piggyback ride on the way back, down as I was growing increasingly tired and Troy couldn't resist having me against him. Emma pushed Lo around and we had a ball of a time.

Next was dinner with Troy's parents and Jenni as it was going to be uneventful like every other time, preparing for my surgery that was up and coming, there wasn't a date but that was what our appointments were about this week.

Troy softly snored next to me, as he didn't want to make any big celebration, as thirty-nine was just that, thirty-nine. I turned as I faced him, his jaw still set and strong, his nose perfect, and his eyes, those beautiful eyes.

He still didn't have a single gray hair or anything like that, still stuck being young.

Twenty-two years of being with each other seemed slightly daunting. I sighed as I kissed his chin, he stirred as he opened his eyes to look at me, "What's up beautiful," he asked, his eyes still shut. "Just looking at my handsome thirty nine year old husband," Troy breathed out a laugh, "Are you going to keep pointing out that you are still thirty eight?" he asked, I nodded with a laugh as he opened an eye.

"Alright then," Troy then straddled my lap as I looked up at him with wide eyes. His fingers then gazed my stomach as he tickled me, I laughed as I tried to move away from Troy, his fingers keeping me close and his knees locking in my side.

I couldn't help but laugh, my laugh growing as Troy shook his head. "God you are beautiful," he said, I caught my breath, as he looked at me, I then pulled on his shirt as I brought him down to my lips. He stretched his body out and brought his hand up to hold my face. His palm warm against my cheek as my tongue slipped into his mouth.

He moaned softly as I let my hands glide up his shirt. He pushed my shirt up as he broke our kiss to drop small kisses onto my belly. His fingers working magic as I took in a deep breath. Troy then brought his lips back to mine as my fingers ran through his hair.

"Gross!"

Troy snapped away from me as Emma and Allison were standing in the doorway, Troy licked his lips as he took a breath, "Uhm, guys," he commented, "I just came to ask when we are going to grandma's," Emma said quickly, closing her eyes, "Six," Troy stated, "Alright, bye!" she closed the door as I busted out into laughter, Troy shook his head as I laughed, he leaned himself down as our lips were inches apart.

"I'm glad you found that funny,"

"I did," I said wrapping my arms around his neck, "I sure did," he kissed me again as I pressed my face into his neck. "I love you Troy,"

"I love you too Gabs,"

"Troy, I think I just want to go a double mastectomy," Troy's eye's found mine and he searched them, "Are you positive, I mean they could just remove the tumors and,"

"Troy," he looked at me, "That gives cancer a fighting returning, I want to get rid of it all, I don't want to even have them anymore. I just want them both gone," Troy took a deep breath as he came over to me, "Okay," he brushed my hair back, "Fine,"

"I was doing research and they can just to the reconstruction surgery after they do the mastectomy, that saves a surgery and I will just have to go through it all once." Troy's eyes went into the depths of mine and he nodded, "Okay,"

We were waiting in the plastic surgeon and my surgeons office, Dr. Mills would be preforming the mastectomy while, Dr. Johnny Willows, preformed the reconstructive surgery, if we liked him.

Troy's hand spread over my knee as tomorrow we had an appointment with an oncologist and an oncologist radiation, to discuss those plans. I sighed as Troy rubbed my lower back, the kids all did fine over the weekend as we hung out and had fun.

Taylor, Sharpay, Zeke, and Chad were all over on Saturday as we hung out. Everybody still rocked from the news, my email to my mom went un-responded but I wasn't even sure if she had seen it yet.

"Gabi," I stood up as my fingers grasped Troy's, we walked back into a room as they did height and weight. Dr. Mills was quickly in our room as she took my hand in a warm handshake, "Gabi, welcome back, how did your weekend go?"

"It was okay," I responded quietly, "That's good, how are you feeling?"

"Exhausted," I replied, "Mentally drained,"

"That's very much understood," Troy grabbed my hand as I took a shaky breath; "I want to discuss options with you guys that I think will be appropriate." I nodded as she shared, she told me she could just remove the tumors to the best of her ability and leave what she can or she can do a mastectomy. I licked my lips as I took a big breath, "Uhm, I think I just want to do a double mastectomy," I told her, my eyes looking at her.

"I want to get it all away and I don't want to give it much of a chance for coming back." Dr. Mills smiled, "That is what I was hoping to hear. You will be going through chemo most likely and quite possibly radiation therapy." I closed my eyes, I took a breath as I relaxed, "Is there a chance we can do breast reconstruction right after my double mastectomy?"

"Most certainly, let me grab Dr. Willows and we can talk about it alright?" I nodded my head as she disappeared down the hallway. I looked at Troy who rubbed my knee; "My mom wants us to come over for some lunch afterwards, only if you are up for it,"

I cleared my throat, "That's fine,"

The door opened again and a handsome young man, who couldn't be much younger than me walked in. His hair buzzed off and his eyes a rich brown, "Dr. Willows, this is Gabi Bolton,"

He smiled as he shook my hand, "Dr. Johnny is fine," he assured, "Willows sounds so wimpy," I couldn't help but laugh and put a smile over my face, he then turned to Troy, "Troy Bolton, now it all makes sense," Troy laughed as he shook his hand, "I'm defiantly a big fan, I mean spent half of my college years watching you tear up that court,"

Troy laughed, "Yea, I defiantly miss it,"

"Man, how is the knee?"

"Good, back to normal,"

Dr. Johnny nodded, "Good, now we have to take care of your very pretty wife here," Troy smiled as Dr. Johnny looked over the my scans and he took a breath, "Dr. Mills informed me you want to do reconstruction after she is done, all in one surgery," I nodded as he smiled, "Good, I can make that happen. If you go through radiation treatment, we might have to keep an eye on things to make sure everything is fine but it should be fine,"

My stomach grew a pit as he smiled, "I have done this a lot, so there isn't any need to worry," he said with a smile, "It's not that, I just, are they going to be safe and okay?"

"Well we have two options for you, we can do what you probably know as the saline ones," I nodded as that is what I was expecting, "Or we can do a flap surgery where we take skin, fat, blood vessels, and a little bit of fat from you and reconstruct the breast, so it's your own skin and fat and everything, it feels more real." He explained, "There is a downside if you end up needing radiation but they will not know that answer to that until after the surgery and they do a complete pathology report."

I took a deep breath as I nodded, "Where would you take skin from?"

"Either your abdomen," he raised his eyes as he surveyed, "Do you mind if I take a look at your stomach?" I shrugged as I laid down, I lifted my shirt up as he touched my scar, "What is this?" he asked, "From my internal bleeding after a car accident,"

"Yea, well, we probably won't be able to take from your stomach, one it's pretty damn flat, and two I'm not sure how the skin and muscles are already like so I would most like go for your thigh or your butt,"

I smiled and I looked at Troy, "Are there any drawbacks to the flap?" Troy asked, "Longer surgery, more recovery time, delaying chemo a little bit, besides that you will never have to come back unless something off happens to get them replaced like with a saline. Radiation could hurt both of them and it's a risk we can take, if I use the butt, I can re-preform the surgery if something goes wrong in radiation, it wouldn't be a huge deal."

"I think I like the flap," I commented, "If you want to research it more and come up with some questions, you can always email me and I'll email you back the answers I have. I am positive you make a good candidate," I nodded as Dr. Mills stepped in, "I think we need to do the surgery soon, next week or the following week."

"How about next week? Let's get the ball rolling," I mentioned, Dr. Mills smiled, "Good," she went over as she looked at her computer, "We can do Wednesday morning," she looked at us as I grabbed my phone, I looked at the calendar as Liam had another basketball game on Tuesday, "What about Thursday?" I asked, she looked and nodded, "I can do Thursday too,"

"Thursday please, my oldest has a basketball game Tuesday night and I would like to have a family dinner before our world starts falling apart at the seams,"

"Fair enough,"

"How many kids do you have?" I looked at Dr. Johnny, "Five," I told him, "Ranging from sixteen to two,"

"Liam is your oldest one right? He was at a lot of games and got lots of attention when he was younger,"

"Yes,"

He smiled, "Well I will see you on Thursday morning, Dr. Mills, can you put that in my schedule for me?" She nodded as he shook our hands again, "It was very nice meeting you both, I am going to get a few papers on both producers and let you look them over. Email me all of the questions you have for each other and then we will go from there. Do you mind coming in a week to talk more about it?"

"Sure,"

"Good,"

"I'll meet with you then too,"

I gave a nod as I took a big breath, "Okay, Thursday March 25th, we will need you here at the hospital at 6 in the morning, your surgery should start around seven fifteen or seven thirty. If you go Flap which I think you are leaning towards, it will be a seven to nine hour surgery." Troy froze next to me and I rubbed my fingers over his.

"Expect four to five nights in the hospital, depending on how well you recover. Probably a night in ICU, a couple of nights in a middle ground of a room and a ICU, and then a night in a normal room."

I swallowed as she gave instructions, "On Monday, we will talk more about everything about the surgery and what will happen afterwards. Okay?" I nodded my head as she smiled, a nurse walked in as she smiled, "Dr. Willows told me to give these to you," I looked down to see a smiley face and his email. I shook my head as I nodded, "Thank you,"

"Mhm," she walked out as Dr. Mills escorted us out, Troy gave me a look and I smiled, "Are you alright?" he asked, his arm going around my back as I leaned into him. "I'm okay," I told him with a sigh. "Alright," he kissed the top of my head and he rested his head against mine.

"Tomorrow we meet with the oncologist," I whispered, "At noon,"

"It's going to be fine," he whispered, "Just fine,"

"So surgery is a week from Thursday?" I nodded as I brushed my fingers through my hair, "Do you mind coming and stay with us for a couple of days? I know where Troy wants to be and I know I'll need Troy,"

Lucille looked at me, "Sweetie, I am ready to be there everyday until this is over." I took a big shaky breath, "Yea, I know," I nodded as I pressed my arms out, "I'm nervous," I declared. "I don't know what to expect or see, I don't know how I will feel,"

"Of course not but what we can do is take it by day. Day by day until we are at the end, nothing is going to be planned or normal anymore."

"I know Liam and Emma are going to want to see me that day and I can probably handle them but I don't think I can handle the younger ones, not the day of," Lucille nodded as she was taking notes of what I was telling her.

"They younger kids can come up Friday after school and visit, hopefully I'm better." Lucille smiled and nodded, "They said to expect six weeks of recovery,"

"I can help with grocery shopping, lunches, all of those little things." I nodded as I pressed my hands against my face. Troy went out to the high school with his dad to talk about whatever as I tried to keep in all of the emotion.

"How are you Gabi?" I dropped my hands and I looked at Lucille, "I'm tired, I'm scared, and I feel like I have to put on this ultra brave face for all of my kids to let them know it's going to be okay,"

Lucille hugged me and she smiled, "It's going to be a rough scary road and you are by far one of they strongest people I know," she told me, a faint smile working over her face. "I have always been amazed watching you grow the person you have flourish into. Your kids are going to believe you when you say it's going to be okay and you're in tears. It's good for them to know that you are also scared,"

"Liam and Emma," I concerned, "I don't know what to do about them. I feel like they are just hiding everything. They do everything together right now and it's weird seeing them separated. I have found Emma in Liam's room more than once or vice versa."

"It's good that they can go to each other, that means they are at least talking." My fingers ran through my hair as I took a deep breath, "Some days are perfectly normal around our house and then the next day everybody is quiet and doesn't know how to move on with life."

"Mom!" Jenni's voice entered the kitchen, Miles was on her hip and she noticed us. "Gabs, hey," she smiled, "How was your doctors appointment this morning?" I sucked in a deep breath, "It was good, I have a surgery date,"

"I want to take that day off work, I want to be there with Troy,"

"It's Thursday morning, rather early,"

She smiled, "Do you think I care? All Carson has to do is dress my kids and drop them off at school and daycare." I smiled as I hugged her, "I haven't gotten to talk to you since that day, how are you?"

"I'm good, I'm better than that day. I can tell you that much." She gave me a smile, "So Troy texted me saying your plastic surgeon is hot," I laughed, "He texted you that?" she shook her head with a laugh, "No, he just asked me to look him up for creditability in my nurse data base and well, Dr. Johnny Willows is hot."

Lucille looked at me as I nodded, "He is attractive but I mean he will be giving me new breasts, I don't think I will be able to look at him the same," Lucille and Jenni laughed, "Very well, mom, I came over because little Miles here has a small fever, daycare won't keep him and Carson has a meeting this afternoon so, can you watch him while I return to work to finish my shift?"

"Of course Jenni," she took Miles and she smiled, "Back to the nursing world, bye lovers!" she called, I shook my head as I looked at Lucille, "You'll talk to Troy right? I don't know how he is feeling,"

"That's what Jack is doing sweetie,"

Troy's POV

Licking my lips, I let the basketball spin through the air. "I heard that you were going to be a Laker scout in our area," I nodded my head, "I am," I responded, towards my dad, "I mean, I at least was until the whole cancer bullshit,"

I closed my eyes as I retrieved the basketball, "Do it Troy, you will probably be able to control your own schedule a little bit more and it's going to be fine if you tell them what's up. You passed up the broadcasting to stay close to your family, I think they can understand the importance of you being close to your wife during her breast cancer treatment."

The words, Breast Cancer, echoed through my ears, making me nauseated, I moved the basketball from one hand to the other, as I had to sit down on a bench. "Are you alright Troy?" I bit on the inside of my lip, "How am I supposed to sit through seven to nine hours of her being in surgery? How am I supposed to watch a drug invade her body while she gets sick and worse condition? How am I supposed to comfort her when I tell her it's okay but I have no idea it's okay? How am I supposed to face my kids everyday knowing that I am not being the best dad I can be to them?"

My dad looked at me. "You will sit through it, you will watch, and you will be there Troy. It will be hard to watch as it happens but as her husband, it's your job to be there for her and to protect her."

"But protecting her would be not letting any of this happen," I complained, "No, this is a force of nature that we can't control, we have to roll with the punches." I ran my fingers through my hair and I looked at him. "I have rolled with so many damn punches in my life and so has Gabi, how the hell am I supposed to just roll with one that we won't know the outcome?"

My dad shrugged, "Like any other time, you married her and you didn't know what the outcome was going to be did you?" I gave my dad a blank stare, he shook his head, "Alright, bad one, how about you dated her not knowing if it was going to work out or not?"

I sucked in my breath, "You did the basketball thing, you went to practice, you fell, you blew out your knee and went through the process and you didn't know the outcome of that now did you? Troy we never know the outcome of things but this one, this one you have to be there every step of the way, help her, help the kids, right now, you have all of the pressure on your shoulders,"

"We didn't ask for this,"

"Who does?" my dad's posed question lingered for another minute as I tried to not get worked up. "It makes me so angry that Liam had the fucking brain tumor and now Gabi, who I basically see as my everything, get breast cancer? Why is it always them that has to go through the pain but I'm here, why not me?"

My dad's cool blue eyes searched the depth of mine, looking for the right thing to say. "Because you have to be the strongest of them all," my dad spoke, "Gabi is one hell of a lady, strong as could be and this isn't going to end her, that will not." He sat down next to me, "Liam with his tumor, Gabi was a mess, you had to be strong for her then and I bet now, Gabi is a mess, she may be strong and determined but good Lord, how can you not be a mess?"

We were both quiet for a moment, our minds drifting to other spots, "You guys are going to be fine," my dad said with glance towards me, "It's gonna suck but you'll manage, she'll become more of herself again and everybody is here to help. Don't push people away, accept it and do some work so you can take your mind off things for a bit. I bet Gabi doesn't want you breathing down her neck every minute of everyday."

"Yea," I played with the basketball in my hands for a couple of minutes, "Dad?"

"Mhm,"

"What if I do lose her?"

My dad held my gaze as for the first time in a long time, he hugged me, and "She isn't going anywhere."

Gabi's POV

"My mom was good to you right?" I nodded my head as Troy pulled into the driveway. "Good,"

That's when I noticed the rental car. My stomach churned as Troy pulled into the garage.

My door flipped open and I went up the stairs of the garage as I burst into the main floor of the house. "Gabs,"

My eyes looked around as Kyle, my mom, and Sam was sitting there. "Mom?" I asked, Troy was right behind me, "Maria, Sam, Kyle," Troy took count of everybody in the room. My mom got up as she came over and wrapped me tight into her arms.

"Oh Gabi," I wrapped my arms around her as I buried my nose into her shoulder. "What are you doing here?" I asked looking at her, "I got your email and the only thing I could think about was getting on a plane here to see you," she grabbed my arm softly and squeezed it. "I didn't even want to talk to you over a phone or another email. I just, I needed to see you,"

I gave a tough smile, as Lo came in the room, Lo freaked out as she went running to Troy who picked her up easily. "Lo, I know you probably don't remember but this is your grandma, mommies mom," Lo hid her face into Troy's neck as my mom came out a couple of months after she was born.

"Aren't you the most beautiful thing," my mom said, Lo shook her head and buried her head into Troy's shoulder. "I'm going to take her upstairs. I'll be back," I nodded as Troy kissed the back of my head. "Sis," I hugged Kyle as he took a big breath, "How are you holding up?"

"I'm okay, I'm having my surgery a week from Thursday. Bright and early in the morning," I said softly, I gave Sam a hug as I sat down, "Do they know how bad or far?" I shook my head, "They won't know until after the surgery,"

"Why didn't you call us?" my mom asked, I took a deep breath, "It's been a hard few days around here and I just didn't have the strength to call you, the email took me hours as it did,"

Troy came back down the stairs and he sat down in the chair next to the couch. "How did the kids take it?" my mom asked softly, "Hard," I replied, "Liam and Emma really, I mean, Wes knows about it all but he doesn't know how everything is supposed to work,"

My mom nodded, "Allison and Lo don't really understand do they?" I shook my head, "No and I think I like it better that way, it already hurts watching two to three kids suffer, let alone all five."

My mom shook her head, "I don't know anybody in our family that has breast cancer, I don't understand," I grabbed my mom's hand and I swallowed against the lump, "I don't either but I'm going to be fine, I have amazing people around me and all of my doctors are simply fantastic, we are going to fight it and win, I have such a good feeling," my mom looked skeptical.

"It's okay, I know how the word cancer stops everybody, it scares everybody but I have to look at it positivity or it will suck going through." I took a big breath and I squeezed their hands, "Happiness is an attitude, I read it the other day on a breast cancer support page and I can't let a thing get in front of me and my family. It's not fair. Life isn't fair. We just have to be strong and positive about it all."

My mom let out a small sob as she pulled my tight into her arms, "Where did my little baby go?" I wrapped my arms around her, "She grew up,"

I pulled back as Kyle leaned against me; I looked over to see Troy had disappeared. Biting on my lower lip, I excused myself as I went to look for Troy. I poked into the kitchen and he wasn't there, I then went up the stairs and I looked in Lo's room where he was sitting on the floor with her.

She giggled as she pressed something against Troy, he gave her a smile and he looked around the room before he landed on me, "Hey, why aren't you with your mom and brother?" he asked, I looked at him, "I wondered where my husband went," Troy swallowed, "I just needed a minute, that's all,"

I went over as I sat next to him; Lo smiled as she got up, tottered for a minute and then wrapped her arms around my neck. "Hi mommy,"

"Hi sweetie," I kissed her cheek and she smiled, I tickled her stomach and she giggled. "What do you want to do for dinner tonight with extra guests?"

"How about we order pizza?" I requested, Troy gave me a small smile, "Okay,"

His fingers massaged my shoulders, "I guess I should go play house," I whispered, "Stay here for a moment," he requested, "Just a minute," he said, I felt a small nod fill my body as I breathed in Troy's scent.

Lauren played around, as she was oblivious to the world. My head rested against Troy's shoulder as I watched her play, so happy, so excited, and so beautiful.

"Grandma? Grandpa Sam?" Emma's voice rang out as I opened my eyes to see I was lying in bed. How the hell? I sat up and rubbed my eyes, I slowly slipped out of the bed and down the stairs.

"Aw my Emma!" my mom said hugging her tightly; I looked around as Troy found my eyes. He gave a soft smile and Emma came over to me, "Mom! I completely forgot to ask you about something last week, can we go up to my room and talk?"

I felt the surprise run through my system, "Sure," I replied, she went up to her room as I followed. She sat down on her bed and she crossed her legs, "Do you remember me asking about dress shopping," I closed my eyes as I slapped my forehead, "I completely forgot Em,"

"It's okay, you have a lot on your plate right now," I gave a soft nod as she smiled, "Well, this guy wants to go with me and it's not a he is my boyfriend, it's just a guy in our circle of friends type of thing, I just want to go with him. Taylor is letting Alexa go with somebody," I felt a broad smile cross my lips as I reached out to hug her, "Of course Em," she smiled as she hugged me back.

"Can you Uhm…" she paused, "Break the news to dad for me?" I felt a laugh bubble out of my throat and I nodded, "I defiantly can, now, I know with everything with me is about to happen, I"

"Did you get a date for your surgery today?" she asked softly, I nodded, "A week from Thursday," I replied, she looked and I smiled, "So how about I call Taylor up and we go dress shopping this weekend? Just us four this Saturday,"

A big smile flipped over Emma's features, "Really?" I nodded, "Of course sweetie," she grinned and laughed, "Thanks mom!"

"Can I tell Alexa?"

"I don't care, I'll still call Taylor,"

"Thank you!"

"Come socialize with your grandparents alright?"

"All right mom," she followed me out as I saw Troy went missing again, Lo was playing with Kyle and I went into the kitchen. Troy was washing something off as I smiled, "What was that about?"

"Nothing," I said, my smile working into a smirk, "That was not nothing," Troy said looking at me, a grin coming over his face. "But it was nothing," Troy eyed me, "What?"

"Daddy is in trouble," I sang, Troy's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Tell me," I shook my head, "I'll tell you after dinner Mr. Bolton," Troy closed his jaw, "Why can't I know now?"

"You'll make a big scene out of it and piss your daughter off so how about you just do as I tell," Troy raised his eyebrows as I walked around the counter and I grabbed his ass. He basically flew off the floor as he turned around to face me.

"Mrs. Bolton," he fired looking at me, amusement rising in his cheeks. I shrugged my shoulders as Troy bellowed in laughter; I walked into the living room trying not to snort. Emma eyed me with concern and I shook my head, "Your dad is an ass," I said laughing, my mom and Kyle both laughed as Troy came in. "I think your mom is wrong, I think she meant to say I just scared your dad by grabbing his ass,"

I started to laugh harder as Troy shook his head standing in the doorway, Emma looked between us as I was suddenly crying from laughing. My chest spasm with laughter, I sat up as I looked at how amused Troy was.

"What is going on between you two?" Emma asked staring at us, my laughter died down as Troy shook his head, his own laughter breaking out. "Your mom is a nut case, that's it," Troy said shaking his head, he came over as he stood above me, "Are you going to be okay?" I shook my head as I started to laugh again, Troy laughed again as we were both suddenly just laughing.

Once we both calmed down to just deep breathing, Emma raised an eyebrow at us. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it, I haven't laughed like that in a while," Troy locked eyes with me as I grinned.

"First I catch you two making out," my cheeks fired up as Kyle busted out into laughter. "Then you two are laughing to the point of no end," Troy laid on the floor as Lo crawled over to him, "I'm sorry," I spoke, "We thought everyone was resting,"

Kyle laughed again, "It was about damn time,"

"Oh Liam has caught us on more than one occasion, mostly after he started going to school earlier than everybody else and came home earlier, Troy and I would forget what time he came home and bam,"

Kyle laughed, "Oh God,"

Emma shook her head, "I think I have had plenty of this conversation," I smiled and Troy stood up, "Wes and Alli are home," I sat up as the bus was indeed sitting in front of the house. Since Alli was in kindergarten somebody had to be there when she got on and off the bus.

He opened the door as Troy said something and the kids came running into the house. "Grandma!" they both ran to hug my mom as Troy came over to me, he shook his head as I stifled a laugh, I sat up as he sat down and I leaned back against him.

He pulled me into his lap as Allison came to show me the work she got back from her art teacher, "It's beautiful," I told her, she smiled, "Can I go hang it on the fridge?" I nodded as she went running off to the kitchen. Wes came over and I hugged him, "How was school buddy?"

"Fun," he replied, "We got to do an experiment in science class and it exploded but it smelled really bad!" I smiled, "Did it now?" he nodded, "It was cool!"

"I'm glad," he sat down as I looked at the clock to see that practice would be over. I picked up my phone to ask where he was, waiting for a response, I got one, going to matt's house, from basketball.

I raised my eyebrow as I showed Troy, "A senior," I licked my lips, "Alrighty then,"

I sent him a text back saying his grandparents were here. Be back by curfew.

I raised my eyes as I looked at Troy, "Just let him be, he will be fine,"

"Alright,"

The rest of the night carried as Troy ordered five different pizzas from the growing number of guests, "Allison, Wes," they both looked at me as I sat down in front of them as we were waiting for the pizza.

"Next week, on Thursday, I am going to have a surgery that will be extra long and I will have to stay in the hospital for many nights," they both gave me a look of worry as I pressed my hands against their legs. "I'll be okay but it's the start of making mom better alright? The day after my surgery you can come and visit me and I'll show you that I am getting better."

Wes smiled, "You'll be fine after that?" Wes asked, I shook my head, "Not completely, I will have to go to the hospital every few weeks to been given special medicine that will make me sicker than I look now, I might look different but I am still mommy okay?" Wes gave me a look that I was talking to him like a baby but he took note of Allison and took a big breath.

"Will that make you better?" Allison asked, I gave her a big smile, "It will make me very better,"

"Good!"

I sighed as she went off to play again, "Any questions bud?"

"Are you going to lose your hair?" he asked me, taking a short breath I nodded, "Probably,"

"One of my friends at school, his mom lost all of her hair and a few months later she had died," I swallowed as I shook my head, Wes began to get upset as I pulled him towards me, "I don't plan on doing that Wes, I can't promise that to you but I am going to do everything in my power to prevent that from happening." He cried as this was the first time I had seen this from Wes.

"I might lose my hair but I will still be the same person." I brushed his hair away as I closed my eyes, resting against him, "Okay," he said softly, I kissed the top of his head and I let my lips linger there, "Okay," I said softly, he held on to me and I held onto him for a couple of more moments. "Dinner!" Troy called as he shut the front door.

Wes and I didn't more as Troy came in search of us, "Hey, everything okay here?" Wes wiped his eyes and he nodded, "Yea," he broke away and I watched him walk into the kitchen. I took a couple of deep breaths to control my emotions, "He asked me if I was going to lose my hair," I said to him as I battled through emotions, "I told him probably and he got the saddest look in his eyes and he told me that his friends mom at school, lost all of her hair, and then a couple of months later she died."

Troy sat next to me as I buried my face into my hands, "He then started to cry, he got so upset about that and I didn't know how to even answer the question." Troy pressed his lips to my temple. "I forgot about the part of me losing my hair," I sniffled, "Is that why you are upset?" Troy asked me, I shook my head as he held me in his arms. "It's gonna be a battle Gabs but I'm not letting you go so there is that,"

I laughed as he rubbed his hand down my back, "Wes will be fine, Emma will be fine, all of those questions will soon fad because what people hear about are people dying of cancer…everyday, it's just the talk of our nation. They don't hear about the stories about the survivors, about the people who over came and preserved that power. Who did it and are strong and beautiful to this day. They don't hear about that. They hear statistics and things that scare them and when we gave them that word, they think of the statistics and you'll be part of them but you are gonna be a winner Gabi Bolton, you are gonna be a winner."

I smiled as I rested my head against Troy's temple, "Good."

My fingers tapped the top of my knuckles as I glanced at the clock. Ten thirty.

Curfew was thirty minutes ago, Troy came down the stairs as he looked at me, and "He isn't home yet?" I shook my head as I grabbed my phone to call him again but it went to voicemail. "I don't know where he is Troy, I haven't heard from him since after dinner and I don't know,"

"Hey, take a deep breath," he had me hold his attention as I heard the garage door opening. A sigh of relief fluxed through my body as Troy set his jaw and he moved past me. I pushed past Troy as Liam went straight for his room, missing both of us and into his room. His door shut as he turned on his music, I went to knock on his door as Troy followed me. "Liam Troy,"

He didn't answer and Troy grabbed the handle and jerked it to let himself in, I moved around Troy as I went over to hug Liam, he was on his way to the bathroom. "Where were you?" I asked pulling away, my nose twitched as I looked at him, "Have you been smoking and or drinking?" I asked him, "What? I didn't smoke," he said, my eyes flashed to Troy's and Troy stood in front of him.

"Liam what did you exactly do tonight?" Liam's eyes moved from one to another, "What?" Troy raised a fast eyebrow, "Liam, I don't know what the hell you did but you reek of beer and smoke,"

"I didn't smoke," he said again, "Why were you with Matt tonight?" I asked, "Is he not a senior?" he raised his eyebrow, "He is a friend of mine mom, we happen to play on the same basketball team together,"

"Hey," Troy said, "I want to know why you were with him,"

Liam focused on Troy, Troy was still six inchers taller, which made Liam shrink, "I had a couple of beers, and it wasn't a big deal,"

"Liam, you sure as hell should not be drinking and to be drinking and driving? Liam, we taught you so much better than that," Troy said, my chest deflated in disappointment, "They told me to relax and I couldn't relax, I have been under so much stress and then they gave me a beer. I liked it. So I had a couple more, it wasn't a big deal. I can still focus,"

"No, it's a big deal," I finished, Troy looked at me as both of the boys looked at me. "You aren't supposed to drink under age for a reason Liam, you are supposed to be a student, in school, you are supposed to be good. You are a sophomore, not a senior, you don't have these rights,"

"Why do you get to yell at me?" he asked, "Liam, that's plenty," Troy said, he pushed him slightly as Troy shoved the towel in his hand, "Go take a shower and get your ass in bed. We will have an extra long talk to morning, is that understood?"

Troy's eyes were hard, mean, a look I only see every now and then. "Fine, whatever," Troy turned as he grabbed my hand, "Come on Brie,"

I followed him out as Troy ran a hand over his face, "Did you do this as a sophomore?" I asked Troy turned to me, "Once," Troy spoke, "And I learned my lesson and didn't do it again until my senior year." I raised my eyebrows, "Alright, fine, end of our junior year, happy?"

I laughed and nodded, "Sure,"

"Let's go to bed, I'll handle him tomorrow morning."

"What are you going to do?" I asked, "The same thing my dad did to me,"

Troy's POV

"Get up," Liam moaned as he rolled into his pillow, "Get up," I said louder, he sighed and sat up, he rubbed his eyes and he looked at me, wincing, "Get out of bed, let's go, we are going for a run,"

Liam groaned, "Dad it's like four thirty in the morning,"

"Get up," I responded, "I'll be waiting out the door,"

Liam closed his eyes and then he got up as I stood outside his door, I waited patiently and then he came out of the room. "I have a raging headache dad," I shoved a granola bar at him, "Welcome to the hangover world," I mentioned, "Let's go,"

"Dad," Liam called, "Come on Liam,"

He sighed as he tossed the granola bar off to the side. Biting on my lip, I stopped myself from saying he was going to need that as I lead him outside. "Come on, four miles," I told him, "What? Dad, I just got up,"

"I know, you got in pretty late last night too," I mentioned, "Damn," Liam grunted and we both started, the dark sky filling in around us as I moved right along side of him. Slowly the sun came up, in our faces, Liam stopped as he shook his head, "Let's go,"

"Can we at least go the opposite directions?" he asked me, "No," I told him, he stood up and faced me, "Why are we running straight into it? Does it not hurt your eyes either?"

"No, Liam, I am not hung-over like you," I mentioned, "I had maybe four beers! How could I be hung-over?" he asked, I raised my eyebrow, "Are you an expert on this Liam?"

"No, I just," he struggled, "I needed to escape for a while, I thought I was doing fine,"

"Liam, you came home drunk last night. How are you going to explain that?"

"I was fine!"

"You were not fine Liam!"

He swallowed as he turned and faced the sun, "What's going on?" I asked him, he shook his head as he started to walk forward and gained in a slow run. I followed him as his slow pace began to pick up, I picked up with him as we looped around, the sun still drifting in our eyes, the house was coming back into view as I stopped, he did too as I trailed him for a little bit, our breathing pattern coming back into a normal pace.

"Talk to me Liam,"

"There is so much pressure," his voice cracked, "The teachers expect me to be a perfect straight A student because of my mom, I'm supposed to lead this basketball team into the championships because of my dad. My mom was just diagnosed with fucking breast cancer and nobody knows! Emma keeps coming to me when she is upset over it because she doesn't want to worry mom any more and," he paused as he stopped walking; his eyes fell onto our house.

"They offered to loosen me up after I had a tough practice. Grandpa worked us extra hard yesterday for some reason and I just had a bad practice. He chewed my ass about it and I snapped, I couldn't do it right there and I walked out of the gym. I needed a minute. The next thing I know, practice is over, Matt asks me to hang out and I'm drinking. After a beer, I had another while we played video games with his older brother, it was stupid but I started having fun so I had a couple more."

I shook my head as I looked at him, "I'm sorry about everything you have to live up at school, I'm am, I know how hard that can truly be from me having to follow in my dad's footsteps, I know, it can't be easy at all with having it on two sides but Liam, drinking? I understand snapping at some point but drinking isn't the fix, smoking,"

"I didn't smoke, I know when to draw a line,"

"You should have drawn your line a step faster Liam,"

He battled his head for a moment, "Okay,"

"You are to go to school and straight home, dropping off Emma at her school doesn't count. I will have my dad text me when you get out of practice and when you leave, I know the drive Liam, I will know when you are bullshitting with me. I will just take your keys away all together,"

Liam didn't speak as I went on, "Three weeks,"

"Fine," he said, "You know you can come and talk to us,"

"Maybe I don't want to talk to you about it," I looked at Liam, "What?" I asked him, "It's nothing dad,"

"Apparently it's not nothing if you go and drink over the ordeal,"

"That was a combination but I," he paused, as I knew this had everything to do with Gabi. "Liam, I know this is a tough world to be in. Things happen we don't expect and people expect things the person isn't sure they can give but they wouldn't expect them if you didn't show that you had it."

Liam showed me a face of doubt as I shrugged, "Emma trusts you and if she goes to talk to you, I'm glad you let her but you have to blow off steam somewhere. I don't care if you come and talk to me and ask me not to tell mom about it, I will, I can keep it between us unless I feel like she really needs to know. You have to open up to somebody about how you are feeling about this, I know your mom and I keep saying it but it needs to stay out there. We don't want to push you into anything or to talk but you can't do what you did last night again, ever or there will be worse to come, do you understand me?"

"Yes, dad, I understand you,"

"Good,"

Liam walked off into the house as I reached for my phone that was in my pocket. I leaned against the car sitting outside as the phone rang for a couple of moments. "It's pretty early Troy,"

"Why did I not know my son walked out of practice yesterday?"

"Oh, I just,"

"Dad, I need to know these things! Right now, I need to know these things, any other time I would think he is just being an ass or rude to you but right now, I see so much more. I need to know when he is reaching that breaking point because he hit it dad,"

"Alright, I'm sorry, I should have called you but I thought it was mostly my fault as I went off on him for messing a drill up for the fiftieth time, he locked his jaw the way you do and just walked out. I knew we both needed to cool off for a minute so I let him, practice was almost over anyways, I didn't think anything more of it,"

I massaged my forehead, "He came home drunk last night," I stated, "Thirty minutes past curfew,"

"Oh this sounds awful familiar,"

"Yea, well, I did the same thing and I need you to do the same thing on your end."

"Troy, the post season,"

"If I remember right, this is around the same time I did it,"

My dad sighed over the phone, "Fine,"

"Thank you," I responded, "He needs to know what you taught me."

"I understand, I'll pull him in during free period,"

"Thanks,"

"Troy, did he puke?" I rolled my eyes, "No but then again, I think I had a few more beers than he did. Liam might be a lightweight," I said laughing, "With you and Gabi as parents? Hell no,"

I laughed, "Maybe it's the age, I don't know, or he is in better shape."

"How many miles?"

"Four,"

"I took you on six,"

"It got the job done and I didn't have to run as much," my dad laughed, "Whatever, I'll talk to you after I do it,"

"Thanks, oh and can you text me for the next couple of weeks when he leaves practice? I need to know when he should be home,"

"Yup,"

"Thanks, again,"

"No problem,"

I sighed as I walked back into the house, Liam's shower was running as I went up the stairs, I made sure Emma was up and I then went into the bedroom. Gabi was still sleeping as I lay down next to her.

Taking a few deep breaths, I felt my body relax a little bit as I gently woke Gabi up. She murmured something and I smiled, my lips pressing against her forehead. "Go get in the shower," I whispered, "Why?" she grumbled, "Because we have to be at the oncologist office in about an hour and half." She groaned into the pillow, "Can I just stay in bed?"

"Sorry pretty girl,"

I pushed off the bed as I went downstairs and started handing out breakfasts and lunch. I dress Lauren and took her downstairs for breakfast, Liam and Emma left as I gave a look towards Liam. "Have a good day," I said, "Bye," he called back; Emma hugged me before she disappeared with him.

I sighed as Allison and Wes joined the room, "Hey Wes, how are you bud?"

"I'm tired," he said, I nodded, "Did you go to bed when you were supposed to?"

"I couldn't sleep," he said with troubled eyes, "Oh is they're anything troubling you?"

"No, I'm just worried about mom,"

A half smile crossed my face, "Me too,"

"I heard you guys yelling at Liam last night, was he in trouble,"

"Very much so,"

"Oh,"

Allison and Wes finished breakfast as Gabi made her way into the kitchen, I smiled as I kissed her forehead, "I am going to go shower myself," I told her, "Okay,"

Gabi's POV

I smiled as we waited, "I never told you about my conversation with Emma last night," Troy's eyes returned to mine, "No, you sure didn't," he replied with a flip of a magazine, "You were too busy grabbing my ass," I laughed as I kissed his cheek, "Relax,"

Troy smiled as he kissed my forehead, "Emma just has a date to her upcoming dance."

"She has a what?" Troy asked looking at me, I put my hand against her shoulder, "A date, I didn't say a boyfriend, I said a date. They are going as friends," I told him, "I'm pretty sure you and I went to a dance as 'friends' and uhm we didn't act as friends,"

"We were also juniors," I pointed out, "This is just an eighth grade dance, it will be fine," I soothed, "Hell, Chad is even letting Alexa go with a guy. They are friends Troy and she is really excited so please, be happy for her okay?"

Troy sighed knocking his head against the back of the wall, "Why was I blessed with girls?"

I shook my head, "You do have two boys,"

"One isn't mine right now, he is surely yours,"

I snorted, "I don't think I was the one who got in trouble her sophomore year for drinking." Troy rolled his eyes; "He still isn't my son right now,"

"You never told me about this morning,"

"I'll tell you later, I'm still trying to calm myself down,"

"Okay,"

"Gabi?"

I grabbed Troy's hand as he pulled me through the room, we were escorted back and a doctor appeared.

"Dr. Charlie Roads,"

"Dr. Road, Troy Bolton, my wife Gabi," Troy introduced us and I smiled as I shook his hand politely, "Very nice to meet you both,"

"Jenni told me he was good looking," Taylor, whispered next to me, I laughed, "Which one? My plastic surgeon or my oncologist?" She raised her eyebrows, "I only heard about the plastic surgeon?" she eyed me, "Spill,"

"Dr. Roads is a…rough around the edges, brown eyes, stubble around his jaw and he is fit," Taylor raised her eyebrows, "And Dr. J?" I snorted, "Attractive,"

"Good," she spoke, "At least you can look at attractive people," I rolled my eyes as Emma came out of one of the rooms, her dress tight around her body and ruffled, I scrunched my nose, "I didn't like it either," she said with a sigh, "I'll try on the next one," I nodded as she shut the door again. "Good thing my husband will be there," Taylor shook her head, "That is three attractive men, Mhm," I busted out into laughter as I shook my head.

"I guess we need to find the good huh?" she gave me a smile, "No, but what did Dr. Roads talk about?"

I sighed, "Nothing much, we met him, went over the type that I have and some likely treatment options, he said he won't know exactly what one until after my surgery to grade the tumors and my effected lymph nodes," Taylor gave a small nod, "He wants to see me about three to four weeks post op from my mastectomy and reconstruction,"

"Well good, it looks like you had a solid plan forming,"

"Yea, now if only I could get my kids to cooperate," Taylor scrunched her nose up, "Alexa, I love the color, but sweetheart, the style just doesn't work," Alexa sighed, "This is hopeless!" I shook my head with a smile, Taylor then nodded, "and Chad told me about what happened with Liam, how did he take the basketball news?"

"You thought it was world war three," Emma came out with a beautiful dress, it was strapless but it was beautiful, it went to a point above her knee and it was ruffled around the bottom but smooth across her chest with one strap. The white bounced off her tanned skin as I nodded, "Emma,"

She smiled, "Do you love it?" I nodded as I blinked away the tears as I got up to look at it closer. "You look so beautiful in this dress, you have to get it,"

She smiled, "Thanks mom," I hugged her and she went back in as Taylor nodded, "That was a great one,"

"I know, she is growing up so fast on me,"

"Tell me about it,"

"So Liam wasn't too happy?" I shook my head, "He came home and was just off the walls annoyed, he threw back everything Troy had said to him earlier that morning and he had learned his lesson but not take him away from basketball for two games." I shook my head, "Troy didn't even say a word but once Liam stopped talking, he went to his room and Troy carried on."

Taylor gave me a look, "He told me and later told Liam that if the drinking kept up, this is exactly what would happen, he would lose basketball and never get to play like he wants, that was that. Liam shut up and he is having to sit out the next two games,"

I sucked in a small breath, "I just wanted to see him play before I went into surgery,"

"Oh," Taylor spoke, "Did you tell Troy this?" I nodded, "Troy made sense too, just because I won't be there at his other games, we can't let him win by not doing it right away. That means if he plans it right he will get away with it for a little bit. So I just nodded and kept going. I'll be okay and Liam will have to learn his mistakes even further," I said with a small shrug,

"You guys did good with that one," Taylor spoke, "It was all Troy,"

"I knew I loved that man,"

I smiled as I leaned against Taylor, "Yea, I love him,"

Well there you go. The next chapter. Troy's parenting and the other emotional break down by Wes. I hope you loved it because I liked this chapter! I hope everybody has a great Monday! No school! Haha

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