Chapter 9 – New Friends

"I want to wait a little bit longer," Troy looked alarmed as I looked at the doctor. "Won't that let the cancer spread?" Troy asked, "Maybe a little bit but waiting is going to give Gabi a little bit more freedom. It has only been four weeks since her surgery and she is just healing slower. I want to give her more time to gain strength and a bit more power to her before we start chemo."

"I guess I see where you are coming from but how much longer?" Dr. Roads sighed as he rubbed his chin, "Four weeks maybe," he shrugged, "I'll have you come in, in two weeks to see where you are at and then I will set the first date." I nodded as Troy rubbed my knee.

"How is it going to work?"

"Well we are going to do TAC," he paused to bring out the information. "Taxotere, Doxorubicin which was formally known as Adriamycin, and Cyclophosphamide. It's three different drugs, we will do six rounds of it every three weeks which is pretty aggressive treatment." I swallowed hard as it didn't sound fun.

"About two weeks before your first chemo appointment you will get a port a cath to do blood transfusions and give chemo. We will talk more about that when you come in here next time, it's a quick producer so it's nothing big." He flipped through his papers again, "You will have your blood drawn before every chemo. You can either come in the day before or the day of you do it. If you do it the day of then you just have to be here long. If your numbers don't reach a certain point then you can't have chemo that week."

"Will that be bad if she has to be pushed back?" Troy asked, Dr. Roads shook his head, "It just means she needs more rest. If it's every week though that's when it can get bad."

"An Echo test will need to be done and a couple of other tests before we start chemo." He wrote something down as he then looked up, "You are going to start feeling like you own a pharmacy for a while. You are going to have to take things before chemo, a day after chemo, three hours before chemo and etc, it's going to be crazy and necessary that you take all of them."

"Also, you will have to get a shot called Neulasta the day after chemo to help with your white cell count, it helps reduce the risk of infection. Again, we will talk about that more later. Do you have any other questions?"

I shook my head, "While in Chemo, if you ever have a fever above 100.4 then you will need to be monitored and all of that fun stuff. I will give you the cancer handbook with everything at your next appointment. I hope I haven't scared you too much." I laughed as Troy shook his head, "It's just a lot of information."

"It is. I believe that Gabi is going to be fine though. She is already presenting well and looking better everyday. The chemo is going to take a lot out of you though."

"Fantastic," I said with a sly look, Dr. Road's laughed, "I believe everything will be fine. The oncology floor might become your best friend though," he winked as I smiled and Troy rubbed my thigh.

"Let's set up our appointment for two weeks and then we will see where we are but I am thinking end of May is when we will be looking to start chemo though. A lot has to be done between now and then though,"

Exhausted from the appointment, I laid on the bed as Troy crawled in next to me. "How are you feeling?"

"Exhausted."

"Get some rest then," Troy reached up to press his lips to my temple as I looked at him, "Where is Lo?"

"Playing."

"Come have her watch a movie with me,"

"How is your pain today?"

"Better,"

"Do you want to go out tonight?" My eyes looked to Troy as I shook my head, "No, Emma has her dance tomorrow night and,"

"Brie, what does that have to do with us going out tonight? It's been a while since it's just been you and I." I sighed as looked at him, "I just don't want to leave the house okay?"

Troy's eyes looked into mine as he leaned forward to press his lips against my temple. "Okay,"

Liam's POV

I tapped my pencil against my book, as I wasn't really in the mood to take notes. A ball hit me in the back of the head as turned to see Jace laughing, I shook my head as I laughed and the bell rang. I got up out of my seat and gathered my stuff as I entered the hallway.

It was a flurry of chaos as I walked to my locker. The hallway was jammed pack with freshman to seniors. I reached my locker as I traded out my books and reached in for the ones I would need for my next class. As I stepped back, a girl tripped over my foot and she went diving to the floor.

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry," I offered, I bent down to pick up her papers as she hid her face. "I'm really sorry," I offered the papers to her as she looked up, her face was stained with tears and her green eyes were swollen.

"Are you okay? I didn't mean to hurt you." She stared for a moment too long before she blinked, "Yea, I'm just, I'm just having a bad day." She offered I helped her up, as I made sure she had all of her papers. "I'm sorry, can I help you with anything?" she blushed and shook her head, "No, I just want to leave school really." I smiled, "That makes two of us,"

"You're Liam right? Point guard?" her eyes met mine as I nodded, "I am, I'm sorry, I don't know your name." she shook her head, "It's okay, not many people do. Rayne," I smiled, "I like it, Rayne,"

"Thanks," she motioned, "For helping me, it's just been a stressful day."

I pressed my lips together, "Do you want to go out after school? Get ice cream or something? Those usually help my stressful days." She shrugged, "I don't know, I-I," she stuttered and then she turned away. "My mom is really sick so I'm not sure," she offered.

"Well," the warning bell rang as I looked up as the scatter began. I pulled out a piece of paper and a sharpie as I wrote my phone number down, "Rayne, if you ever need that ice cream, just let me know." I slipped it over to her, "Whenever."

Her cheeks turned red again and I slipped by her and disappeared to class.

Troy's POV

Opening the door, I peeked in to see Gabi asleep with Lo next to her. The house was about to be buzzing with activity with all of the kids returning home. Tomorrow Emma and Alexa were going to be here to prepare for tomorrow night, doing each other's nails and shit after soccer tonight.

Liam would be home since basketball season is over and would be hanging out, causing trouble as he does so well. Allison and Wes would be here but Wes had baseball practice and Allison would want to go play in the park.

And all I wanted to do was spend the evening with my wife who didn't want to leave the house unless for a doctors appointment.

It had been almost two months since our world came crashing down around us. Some days I wondered what went through her mind and why she never wanted to leave. She would go to sports events and then return cold shoulders.

Taylor and Sharpay tried to get her to leave but she just wasn't budging. I didn't understand why.

Lo stirred in the bed as she then curled into Gabi on her chest. I winced as Gabi jumped, still pretty sensitive, "Lo," Gabi's tone wasn't friendly. "Brie, hey, chill, she is sleeping,"

"It hurt,"

I picked up Lo, Gabi turned stiff away from me, "What is your deal?"

"What do you mean is my deal?" Lo stirred in my arms as I stepped back, "Think of your answer while I go put Lo in the room."

I took Lo to her room where she rolled back over to go back to sleep. I then returned to our room as I shut the door. "What the hell Gabi, what is wrong with you?" she shot me a dark look as she then turned away, "I don't want to talk about,"

"Here is the thing Gabi, you don't get to do that. You don't get to just ignore your children and me. It does not work like that. Ever." Gabi got out of the bed as she took a sleepy step forward. "Troy, I get to do what I want. I am a grown person." She moved past me as my chest tore with the words. "You can not shut me out Brie," she stopped as I looked at the back of her head.

"It isn't fair to me. It's not fair to Lo that she accidently curled against her mom because that's her favorite thing to do and her mom gets mad about it. It's not fair and all I want to know is why my wife hates leaving the house. Why does she resent me right now," my voice broke as she shook her head, "I don't resent you Troy,"

"You sure as hell don't want to leave the house with me."

"It's not you Troy," her voice rose, "I know, you leave for soccer games and baseball games but you hide. I don't understand,"

She turned around, as her eyes were big with tears, "Would you like to know Troy?"

"That's all I want,"

"I feel ugly. I look ugly. I don't look like my old self. I don't want you looking at me because I don't look good, ever." Her voice ran high as she began to cry, the tears falling down her cheeks, "I find myself looking away from mirrors and not wanting to look at myself because I don't feel…pretty." I walked over and she turned her head away from me.

"Brie, what on earth are you talking about?" I asked, "I knew you wouldn't understand," her voice rose as I gently pulled her hand towards me. "No, I understood what you said but I don't know if you could be any more beautiful."

"Stop lying to me,"

"Brie, you are lying to yourself."

"My breasts,"

"Your breasts are beautiful,"

"They aren't mine,"

"They are yours," I took her hands as I squeezed both of them; her tears didn't stop as I fought my own emotions. "Brie, I will always find you attractive. I don't care what you look like because it's just not your looks that I find attractive Brie, it's you personally. It's how you laugh at the smallest things, it's the way you move and take care of our children, it's how you say my name, it's how you look at life, it's how I know you will look beautiful no matter what because I think you are beautiful no matter what."

She cried harder as I turned around and I wrapped my arms around her neck pulling her closer to me. "I wouldn't care if you had no breasts or the biggest breasts, fake or not, I don't care Brie. After twenty plus years, I don't care." She held on to me as I pressed my lips into her temple, I gently picked her up and lowered her onto the bed. I crawled up next to her as she laid on me.

"How long until the kids are home?" she asked, I rolled onto my back as I looked at the clock, "Probably thirty minutes or so,"

"I want to have sex," I looked at her surprised because of how much pain she was still in four weeks later, they said it was normal to still be in pain but I didn't think she would want sex.

"Brie," she shook her head, "No, Troy, I want to have sex with you but," she paused, "I want my shirt on," I hesitated, "Brie, this is something,"

"I have thought about it Troy, I haven't felt good enough and well enough but after everything you just said, damn it, I miss you Troy. I miss feeling you inside me. I miss everything about you." I brushed my fingers over the tears that fell as I brushed my lips to her forehead.

"Are you sure?" she nodded her head, I glanced at the twenty minutes we had and I certainly didn't want to rush anything. "Do you want to do it now in the twenty minutes we have or do you want to wait until later after they all go to bed?"

"Isn't it just Liam?" she asked, I nodded, "Emma has soccer and Wes and them aren't due home for another hour or so,"

Gabi reached for her phone and she smiled, "Looks like we have time, Liam is going to play basketball with Jace."

I smiled as I propped myself up, "Do you want to do this any certain way?" I asked, my fingers curving over her belly, goose bumps stood on her skin as she tilted her head backwards. "Just avoid my breasts, please," I nodded my head as I pulled her close to me, I propped my body up and I pressed my lips against her neck, my chest caught her breast as she winced from underneath me.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I whispered backing off; I licked my lower lip as I rested on my knee. She turned her head away and I thought about how we could do this. "You wanna be on top?" I suggested, she gave me a sideways glance and she shrugged. "We can try,"

"Brie, baby, we do not have to this right now. If you aren't comfortable then we certainly do not have to."

"I want to so badly but I hurt,"

I sat her up as I pulled her into my lip, her legs wrapping around my waist as I leaned back against the headboard. I then pulled her lips close to mine, they weren't smooth but chapped but I hardly noticed as she deepened the kiss.

Her warm tongue sliding over my teeth as a chill ran down my body. Her hand slid up my shirt, as I wanted to do it as much as she did. I felt myself go hard as she let her hand creep up further. I ran my fingers over her back as she smiled into the kiss, a real smile I haven't seen in a while.

I just wanted to press her against me to hold her close but I didn't.

She let her fingers run through my hair as I broke the kiss apart, my lips pressing against her cheek and jaw. She took in a deep breath as a soft moan escaped her lips, my fingers went up her shirt as she tensed but I only let my finger draw a small circle around her belly button.

Her fingers unsnapped my jeans as I gently rested her back against the propped up pillows. She slid my jeans off my hips as I broke away from her to get them all the way off.

"So beautiful," I murmured, she stopped as she took a long breath. "Are you okay?" I asked her, she nodded, "I forgot how much I missed you," I kissed her forehead, "Is that words to take your shorts off?" she smiled softly and nodded, it only took about five seconds for her shorts to be tossed from the bed. My fingers slipped underneath of her underwear as she gasped as I touched her in ever spot she dreamed of being touched.

I gently spread her legs apart as she moaned I kissed her between the thighs as she grabbed my shoulders. I went back up and I pressed her lips against mine, her mouth feeling mine. Her fingers ran through my hair as I kissed her lips again.

"Troy? Gabi?" Taylor's voice carried through the house as I pulled away taking a deep breath, Gabi smiled, "It was a good start," she said, "I'm glad, I'll take care of Taylor," I rolled off the bed as I grabbed my shorts and slipped them over my waist.

Gabi got up to retrieve her own shorts.

Oh it was fun while it lasted.

Liam's POV

Jace laughed as he bounced me the basketball, "Dude, why were you late to last hour?" I shot the ball as I landed on my feet, "Oh, it was nothing."

"Is that what you are going to tell your parents when they see you have a tardy?" I laughed and shook my head, "It was only my first and only tardy. They aren't going to freak too much."

"Says the kid whose parents flipped about the drinking."

"That was different. I was drinking and I understood where they were coming from." Jace smirked, "So if I offered you one right now you would decline it."

"Mhm," I responded, he bounced the ball and then he shook his head. "I would hate having hard ass parents," I snorted, "They aren't hard ass but they aren't going to let me ruin my future with beer."

"I bet it is hard with your dad being The Troy Bolton,"

"He is just my dad."

"I bet he is."

"Jace what the hell?" he shrugged, "If my dad was The Troy Bolton I would hate to disappoint."

"Yea, it's a lot more different than you think. He tells me to do what I want, to play what I want. He never pushed me into anything, if I wanted to drop basketball and go be a cheerleader he would support me."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Ask him and tell me his answer."

"Jace, just because my dad is a superstar doesn't mean I have to be."

"My dad would not feel that way."

"Your dad isn't my dad."

"Your mom is hot,"

"Jace, seriously?"

He shrugged and tossed the basketball "I would,"

"Don't finish that sentence, that is my mom."

"No wonder you have four siblings."

"Oh my God, Jace,"

He laughed, "Sorry,"

My phone rang and I pulled it out of my pocket to see a random number, I squinted and answered, "Hello?"

A sniffle greeted me, "Liam?"

"Rayne?" I asked, Jace looked at me with an eyebrow, "Can I take you up on that offer?"

I glanced at my watch, "Sure, are you okay?"

"I just need to get away,"

"Alright, where do you want to meet?"

"Uhm…can you actually pick me up from the hospital by the downtown area, do you know where it is?"

"Memorial?" I asked her, my body tightening, as that was where my mom had her surgery. "Yea,"

"Yes, I'll be there in fifteen minutes okay?"

"Okay,"

I hung up as I picked up my stuff, "I gotta go,"

"Was that Rayne Thompson?"

I shrugged, "What if it was?"

"Dude, she is weird."

"I don't care."

"Liam, you are the God of high school, you could have any girl."

"Damn it, Jace, just shut up okay? I'll see you tomorrow."

Running to the front, I opened up my car door as I sent a text to my dad.

Be home by curfew.

Getting to the hospital, I pulled up to see Rayne sitting out front on a bench. Her legs drawn up, I pulled my car up and I slid down my window, "Rayne," she looked up, I motioned my head and she got up and climbed into my car.

"Are you alright?" I asked her again, she had glasses on that she didn't have on earlier. "I'm okay,"

I drove quietly until I came to my all time favorite ice cream place that my mom and I go to frequently. "Come on," I said gently, we both got out and we went in and ordered.

She got the vanilla bean with strawberries in it. I paid for both and then we went for a walk around the little place as we both quietly ate them. "You probably think I am a freak,"

I chuckled, "No, not a freak. I am concerned though…I don't catch too many people crying."

She tensed up and took another small bite, "My mom…" she paused, and "She is dying."

"Rayne, I am so sorry,"

"I really wasn't expecting it and my dad doesn't care that much, ever since she was diagnosed with it." She began to tear up again. Her ice cream was finished as we both tossed them and then I gave her a hug. "I'm sorry,"

"She doesn't have many days left and I'm scared for that day."

"I'm so sorry, I don't even know what to say,"

"It's hard," she pulled away and crossed her arms over herself, "She is barely awake most of the time I see her. Today, I just couldn't do it."

"My mom just had a big surgery, I can't even imagine losing her."

"I don't know what I am going to do without her."

"You're going to be even stronger because she will always be with you."

"But I won't have her, I wont be able to hug her and tell her I love her and she love me back." She swallowed, "I shouldn't be telling you all of this, this isn't even your problem,"

"I care," I responded faster than my mind could think, I barely knew this girl, "Not many people care about me these days…" she said quietly. "They all couldn't take my mom having cancer and me always wanting to be with her." My gut dropped as I looked at her, "Cancer?" I asked softly, she nodded, "Breast cancer, it's killing my mom and I cant do anything."

Gabi's POV

I laughed with Allison as we colored together. "Look!" she pointed and I nodded with a smile, we both colored some more then I heard Liam return, two hours before curfew. The garage door opened and shut, then a loud bang of the door shut, his feet hurried up the stairs and then he appeared in the living room, looking…upset.

"Liam, sweetie, are you okay?"

"Can we talk?"

I nodded as I got up and I followed him into the kitchen, "Mom, you can't leave me." I looked at Liam as he was on edge, "You can't die," his words ran together as he was really upset over this. "Liam what ever made you think I was?"

He turned away from me as I took a step behind him to lay my hand on his back, "I met this girl today, she was really upset at school and I offered to take her out for ice cream or something because she was upset but she didn't know if she could. When I was playing basketball with Jace she called me and I had to pick her up at the hospital. I didn't ask why but we went out and got ice cream and then she was telling me about how her mom was dying."

I knew where the end of this story was going. "She was telling me how her dad didn't want anything to do with her mom anymore and how she was only had a few days left because the cancer took over her body and she started crying telling me it was breast cancer and I can't lose you."

His shoulders rocked with emotion as I hugged him to the point where I was in pain but I would be in this pain for him to feel any better. "I'm not going anywhere Liam, I'm staying here."

"They said her mom would be fine, that she was going to beat it."

"Gabi? What's wrong with him?" Troy's voice entered as I just held Liam closer to me as he broke apart. "I'm staying here Liam, I'm not leaving you," he held me close to him as I remember him as my little boy. Running around.

"I'm staying here." I promised, "Right here."

He calmed down as his breathing became even his tears had stopped, the pain my chest was huge but I didn't care anymore. I just wanted my baby to know how much I loved him and any mother would go through any pain to show them that.

"Are you okay?" he nodded as he pressed his palms into his eyes, "Yea, I'm okay."

I ran my hand over his face, "Okay, do you need anything to eat?"

He shook his head, "No, I think I am going to go to bed."

"Alright, I'll come check on you in a bit."

He nodded as he walked away and once he left the room, I bent over, the pain doubling me over. "Whoa, are you okay?" Troy came over as I nodded, "I just remembered why I haven't give you that hug I am dying to give."

"I wondered how you were doing that."

"I would do it again though," Troy smiled, "Another point to the column of why I married you." I smiled at him and he gently took my hand.

"What was wrong?"

"He met a girl today that has a mom dying of breast cancer,"

"Oh lord,"

"Yea, that didn't exactly go over well in his head."

"Nope. It didn't."

I let the thought sink in as I suddenly felt bad, the poor girl, losing her mother. I would have been right around the same age when I lost my dad.

"Brie, what are you thinking?"

"That girl is going to lose her mom right when I lost my dad, right around the same time," Troy came up and rested his hands on my shoulders, "Brie, you can't force her into anything."

"I just understand how it feels." I whispered, "I'm just glad I didn't have to watch him die." I turned to look at Troy, as Troy shook his head, "No,"

"Troy, I don't want my kids to see me suffer if it ever comes to that."

"No."

"Troy,"

"Brie, we are not talking about this, not now, not ever."

His fingers wrapped around my wrist as he pressed his lips to my forehead. "Never."

I let it go because I didn't want to drag Troy into a conversation he wasn't ready to have. I ran my fingers over his neck and nodded, "I think I'm going to go and check on Liam then head to bed,"

"Sounds good."

Liam's POV

After a sleepless night, I made it through the morning and after dropping Emma off at school, I went to the high school and pulled into the parking lot.

Getting out of my car, I felt almost like a zombie when I saw Rayne being dropped off. "Rayne!" I called out; she turned and offered a small smile and a wave as I walked over to her. "How is your mom?" I asked softly, "She is better today. I think she will be awake when I see her after school."

"That's fantastic." She smiled as she moved her backpack, "You looked a little freaked out yesterday when I told you so I wasn't sure if you would ever talk to you again." I gave a faint smile, "The only reason I was freaked out was because…" I paused as I looked at her, "My mom was just diagnosed a couple of months ago with it, it freaked me out a little bit."

Rayne forced her mouth into a circle and she closed her eyes, "Is she going to be okay?" I shrugged, "I don't know, she is still recovering from her surgery. I guess its stage three though,"

Rayne nodded, "So you haven't had to watch her go through chemo, you haven't had to watch her puke her guts out, you haven't had to see any of that?" I shook my head, "I'm not looking forward to it though, scared, actually."

She gave me a tired look, "It sucks, it's hard, and I won't lie to you that it makes you want to just end her suffering because it's miserable." She paused, "But you'll always have somebody who understands."

"How can I complain to you when your mom is dying?" she shrugged her shoulders, "One day it could be yours Liam," she began to walk away and I looked at her, "Your mom was stage three too wasn't she?"

She nodded her head, "They told her she had every option and when it became too aggressive they said they couldn't do anything else."

I hesitated again, "Rayne," she turned around to look at me, "If you want to hang out any time, I mean time with your mom is really important and I don't want to take away from that but…if you ever just want to talk about how unfair this cancer bullshit is, I'm always ears."

She smiled, "I might take you up on that."

"Good,"

Gabi's POV

Taylor laughed as we started setting up stuff to do the girls hair tonight and get them ready. They went out with a group of friends to grab last minute things and then were coming back and to get ready, go to dinner, and have a blast at the dance.

Then there was a sleepover at Taylor's house, as the parents didn't want to have it at my house, the cancer, I guess I wasn't allowed anymore. Allison was going off to a friend's house and Wes was having a friend over. I wasn't sure what Liam was doing and well…Lo didn't have a life.

"So Liam had a break down yesterday huh?"

I sighed, "Yea, it was over a girl he met that her mom is dying of breast cancer."

"How sad."

"I know," I sighed, "Troy doesn't even want to hear about any of it,"

"The girl? Or the dying mom of breast cancer,"

"The latter," I pounced, I set the wand down as I was having more energy today than I was having in a long time. Wes and his friend Ben came from upstairs as they were laughing and having fun. "We are going to go and play outside."

"Be good, we will have pizza tonight." Wes nodded, as Troy was close behind, "I'm going to go join them. Challenge them to a friendly game of whatever they want to play." I nodded as Troy kissed my temple and walked off.

The front door opened and Emma, Alexa, Jessica, and Casey walked in laughing with drinks from Starbucks and a few bags. "Are you girls ready?" I asked they all nodded with giddiness as I turned on music and I looked at Taylor as she was doing makeup, I was doing hair, and then we were doing pictures afterward with the boys that were going with them, Emma finding a replacement.

They giggled and laughed as I showed them hair designs and they picked. "Oh how jealous Aunt Sharpay would be."

"I almost had her come over for the fun but I didn't want to torture her." Alexa and Emma laughed as Jessica and Casey were looking at their phones talking about something. "Mom, are you okay?" I pulled away the wand as I nodded, "Sorry baby girl,"

Taylor sent me a look as I suddenly realized how tired I was. "Gabs, come sit," Taylor said with a small motion, I shook my head, "I'm really okay,"

"Gabs don't make me send a girl to get Troy."

I rolled my eyes at the notion and I finally did as told, "I'm just a little tired,"

"Yea, I don't need you passing out on me. Call Pay,"

I sighed and did as told as Emma gave me her wide brown eyes. "I'm fine Emma, I just have done a lot today."

Sharpay was giddy as all get out when I called and would be over within ten minutes. I laughed as Troy came inside, his eyes darting to mine. "Are you okay?"

"Don't have a panic attack. I'm just tired."

"Take it easy." His voice was at a hint of warning when Liam came up the steps. He laughed as he was texting somebody, "Liam, how was school?"

"Good," he replied, he glanced up, "Are you okay?"

I huffed as Emma and Taylor laughed. "Okay Troy," Liam smirked as Troy shrugged, "What more do you want from me." Liam shrugged as he went upstairs, he stopped and turned towards me, "Do you care if that girl comes over later?"

I raised an eyebrow towards him, "She wants to come over?"

"Visitation hours end at eight and she doesn't really want to go home and be by herself. I was just wondering if she could come over here."

I wore off the shock and I nodded, "Of course,"

"Thanks, I'm going to pick her up from the hospital," Troy and I exchanged a look as he ventured to the kitchen and Emma looked at me. "Liam has a girlfriend?"

"No!" Liam piped up, "She is just a friend, and I don't need a girlfriend, just a friend," Troy sent me a smirk as I frowned. That made Troy laugh out loud as Liam disappeared upstairs.

Sharpay burst through the doors as I laughed, "I'm here!"

I pressed my lips together as Emma looked…so beautiful. Her dress flattering against her dark skin tone and her smile perfect after two and half years of braces behind her. Her hair simply curled as Troy squeezed my shoulders softly, "Wow," he whispered, "I feel like I'm seeing you when I took you to our first dance together." I gave him a soft smile, "Em, you look beautiful," I said with a soft smile, I hugged her gently as she was shocked.

"Are you feeling better?" she asked, I nodded, "A lot better, I had to give you one of those hugs though," she smiled as Troy couldn't contain his smile, "You are beautiful. I can't believe my baby girl is going to her first school dance," Troy moaned, I laughed and we were not going to go do pictures with the entire group but with Troy, Emma, and myself here at the house with her date.

A couple with the girls before they went else where but I would get a copy of Taylor's which was fine. We ventured outside and posed for a couple of pictures with her, her friend, Daniel, was her date tonight but we all knew Daniel. A sweet kid but Emma didn't like him or at least that's what she told me.

Once a few more pictures were snapped, I hugged Emma once more; Troy did too and kissed her forehead. "Be good, don't be stupid,"

"I'm not Liam dad," Troy gave her a glance and I laughed, "Fair but be good and if you need anything call me,"

"Always,"

She walked away with Taylor as Troy sighed into my hair as he pulled me close. "I can't believe my little girl is going to her dance."

"Not like it's homecoming,"

"That's only next year,"

"You didn't have to remind me."

Troy laughed as he kissed the top of my head, "Come on, you need to get some rest." He led me inside as I almost protested but I was tired.

Troy's POV

After finishing my own dinner, a feed yourself night, I washed the dishes and plates as I stored them in the dishwasher. The garage lifted and opened as I went into the living room and to the garage door as I heard Liam's quiet voice and a girl's upset voice. Moving away from the door, I wiped my hands and tossed the towel into the kitchen.

"Dad? Mom?"

I entered the living room again as I looked at Liam, "Where is mom?" he asked, "Sleeping," I looked at the young girl, her hair wasn't blonde but it wasn't brunette either. It was almost a dirty blonde, bright green eyes, and her skin tanned from the New Mexico sun.

"Dad, I would love for you to meet Rayne Thompson," I smiled, "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Bolton," I laughed, "Call me Troy, Mr. Bolton is my grandfather," she laughed, "Aren't you supposed to say your dad?" Rayne asked, I couldn't resist the laugh; "My dad always says it was his dad so I mean…my dad isn't Mr. Bolton either." She laughed, "I like that."

"Do we have any food? Rayne wasn't really feeling fast food." She turned away, "I eat that a lot,"

"Well, our house is everywhere so we didn't have a made dinner but I bet I can whip up something for you."

She smiled, "You don't have to do that,"

"I will though," I insisted, thinking of what Liam told me, my stomach churning. If it happens to Gabi, remember to make homemade meals at least once a week.

"Can I go see if mom is up?" Liam asked, "I'll send her a text. I want her to sleep if she is sleeping,"

"Liam, let her sleep," Rayne said, "She needs all the rest she can get." I couldn't resist the smile as I pulled out some bread and cheese. "Rayne, do you like grilled cheese?" I asked her, she smiled, "Yes! I love it,"

"I want one too," Liam, requested, I shook my head as I began to make them, my years of cooking little kid food, my grilled cheeses had been perfected, "Rayne, do you do anything outside of school? Activities?" I asked her as I put the sandwiches on the griddle.

"Uhm," she hesitated, "I used to be part of Student council, the softball team, and the yearbook staff but recently I haven't been able to do much of it." I nodded, "Emma, does she know Emma?" I asked her, Rayne looked at him confused and then Liam shook his head. "Emma is my sister, she is in the 8th grade."

"Emma plays some softball, not much though," I added, "Maybe you two can hang out sometime,"

"Dad, Rayne probably doesn't want to hang out with Emma,"

"Emma is fun to be around, you and Emma are attached at the hip," Liam's cheeks turned red and Rayne laughed, "Okay, so maybe Em and I are close but that doesn't mean Rayne has to hang out with her."

"No, of course not." I added, I pulled the sandwiches off the griddle and I passed them each one. They laughed as I slipped from the room and went upstairs to check on Gabi. She was curled up in the bed with Lo as they were playing. I laughed quietly and caught their attention. "Daddy!"

"What are my two ladies talking about?"

"About how my baby will be three in two weeks," Gabi brushed hair away from her face, "Oh yea, May 5th," I answered, "I remember that day," Gabi snorted, "I bet you do,"

"I remember when all of my kids were born, thank you,"

"I'm just saying Lo was probably the most dramatic," I laughed, "Mmm…I would have to agree." I kissed her temple, "Liam brought over Rayne,"

Her eyes shot up to mine, "How is she?"

"She seems fine, I mean, I have only met the girl for the first time."

She hopped out of bed and I picked up Lo, "Come on girl, we have to keep mom in check."

Gabi's POV

Entering the kitchen filled with voices, Liam laughed as the girl sitting next to him gave a weak smile. "Liam," he smiled, "Mom, hey, I want you to meet Rayne Thompson,"

"Rayne, it's a pleasure to meet you." She smiled, "It's lovely to meet your Mrs. Bolton,"

"Gabi will do," I announced, Troy laughed along with Liam as I gave them quizzing looks. She smiled but refocused on her sandwich. "Liam!" Lo's voice rang out and Liam shifted as he got out to reach for Lo.

"Rayne, meet my baby sister, well one of them, Lauren." Rayne grinned, "I have always wanted a sibling," she said, Liam snorted, "I have four, which would you like?"

"Hey!" I said, Liam smiled, "Kidding mom."

"Lo, this is Rayne,"

"Rain?" she said, "Rayne," Liam reproduced, Lo shrugged as she pulled her arms open to offer a hug to Rayne. She smiled and took the hug for only to Lauren to latch on. She laughed and Lo kissed her cheek, "Hi,"

"Hi," Rayne said with laughter, "You're pretty,"

A blush worked over Rayne's cheeks, "Thanks, you're pretty too,"

Lauren giggled and Liam helped her down as he looked at Rayne, "Well, what would you like to do now?" he offered, she smiled, "Do your parents mind you taking me home?"

"Mom?" Liam asked, I nodded, "Be safe."

He nodded; Rayne followed him out as Troy wrapped his arms around my waist. "I like her."

"They'll be dating soon,"

Troy chuckled into my hair, "I bet so,"

Liam's POV

Rayne was quiet for a while and she then spoke, "I like your family,"

"I'm glad, I like them too and you only met half of them tonight,"

"How many siblings?"

"Four, Emma, Wes, Alli, and Lo,"

"So I missed all of your siblings?"

"I think Wes was there but he has some friend over," Rayne nodded, "I think what I really liked is nobody mentioned my mom and how sorry they feel for me."

"My parents don't know that much,"

"I know they know though, you told them." I swallowed, "I'm sorry," I said, she shook her head, "I would rather them know than not know, I just, even though they knew they still didn't say anything."

"Maybe they understand what it feels like,"

"Maybe," she concluded, "I mean, doesn't everybody that walks through your house now always mention the C work?" I thought about it and nodded, "Yea, I guess so,"

"It's nice not having it come up," she whispered, "My mom's days are numbered," she said to me quietly, "And I want you to meet her, on a good day," I looked at her, "Are you sure?"

"Liam, I have known you for like three days and I already want you to meet my mom. I like talking to you and I want to make sure she gets a chance to meet you because once she is gone, I'm going to be alone in this world. I mean, I have my dad but my dad and I are not close." Her voice was catching on tears as I pulled into her driveway, "And I just want her to know somebody else is there for me you know?"

I nodded, "I understand, if that's what you want," I said softly, she nodded, I reached over and I hugged her. "Whenever okay? If you ever need to talk at three in the morning, call me I'm always going to be there for you. I sort of understand what you are going through, not everything because my mom isn't dying…yet, but I get how unfair this cancer is, so we can talk."

She pulled away, "I'm glad I ran into you Liam," I gave her a crooked smile, "I'm glad I ran into you too,"

Gabi's POV

Resting in bed, I glanced over as Troy was sleeping on his stomach. I rested forward and I kissed his cheek that had a little stubble, it was some time in the middle of the night but I wanted him to hold me close right now.

I already did my round on the kids, checking on all of them, now I just wanted love. Troy moved as his face turned towards me, I smiled as I rested my head on his shoulder, "Are you okay?" he mumbled, his voice tired, "I just want you to hold me,"

A smile tugged on his lips as he rolled onto his side, as I lay on my side too, my body pressing into his as he held me close. He breathed in my scent and pressed his nose into my hair. "You're so beautiful,"

I giggled as his chin rested on my temple; my eyes could only rest again because his comfort only made me happier.

Sorry for being late but I'm busy busy busy! I hope you all enjoyed it!

Also, I know you are all probably wondering about the back stories and they are coming! I'm still working hard on this story and The Show so please be patient! I'll have it out soon enough!

Please Review!