Chapter 11 – Take Care of Her

"I'm thinking the beginning of June," Troy looked up at Dr. Roads, "Is something wrong with Gabi?" he looked over at me concerned because he was going out of town tomorrow and he was freaking out.

"Not at all, I mean, nothing more than the cancer itself but it's not growing at an alarming rate. We just need to let her body be ready for this. If she is not then it could be bad to start Chemo too soon. So I am thinking June 1st."

I felt a gush run through my body, I couldn't decide if it was good or bad. It was May 19th, so June 1st was just around the corner. "So next week, we going to do an echo, insert the port-o-cath and a couple of other tests. We will probably do another MRI and CT scan while you are here to make sure it has progressed that far. We can do this all in one day or we can do this over two days,"

"We can just do one day?"

"Most likely," I nodded as I looked at Troy, "Are you sure, you'll be exhausted."

"I'd rather do it in one day then have to do it two days. That will just be more exhausting,"

"I guess either way it will be exhausting," Troy agreed, I nodded, "Let's just do it one day," I told him, "Okay," he moved towards the computer, "Monday,"

"No," Troy said quickly, "I'm leaving town tomorrow and not returning until Monday night. Is there any other day?" Dr. Roads nodded, "I have Tuesday,"

"Perfect." Troy said, "So we are going to have your MRI at 7 in the morning, followed by a quick CT scan." He began to plug them in and he sighed, "Then you'll do a Doppler Echo test at noon, that should only take about fifteen minutes, then you'll have your port-o-cath put into place. You can't eat for six hours before that and I would stay you with that but I don't want to be in discomfort or anything while you are doing the other tests."

"So eat like at midnight," he laughed, "Something like that, we just need you not to eat six hours before. You will have to be under a local anesthetic." Troy rubbed his face as he hated when I went under but he would be okay. "So she would be able to leave the hospital probably a little after four or five."

"Fabulous," Troy looked over at me and I smiled, "I think we'll be fine,"

"So Tuesday, I need you here at six thirty at the radiology. Okay?"

"Yup, sounds good,"

Liam's POV

I stuck out my tongue as I tried to not let all of my books begin to tumble out of my locker. I inched my English book out further and further but once it was free my history and math book came tumbling out after it.

I groaned as I put my books to the side and I heard her laugh, "It's not funny," I muttered, "You do this everyday, why don't you just clean your locker?" I looked over at her cool green eyes, "Because, that would be letting the locker mess win. We only have a couple of days left,"

"Speaking of that," she said with a sigh, "Speaking of what?"

"Only a couple of days left of school," she mentioned, "I didn't know if you wanted to study together tomorrow?" I shrugged, "I don't see why not, my dad is leaving town tomorrow so we might have to do it at my house so I can be around to help my mom."

"Yea, I'll come over after my mom goes to bed." I smiled as her mom was at the hospital still but Rayne would go there after school and I would normally pick her up, "Rayne, I have a question," I shoved my books into my locker and then I shut it as I began to walk to my English class. "Where is your dad?"

She tensed at the question, "You don't have to answer if you don't want too, I just, you never say."

"My dad is an asshole. Once my mom was diagnosed he wanted nothing to do with her, so I was always there for her. So now he is in and out of the house, it's whatever. Once she dies I'll probably see him more."

Her face went blank as I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, "Well, I'll be there for you okay?"

"I know I'm glad you are around or I don't know what I would do."

"Has it really been a month since we have met?"

"Something like that,"

"I actually believe it's been three weeks," she corrected but it has felt a lot longer than that. "We talk everyday and I feel like I just know you now," she continued, I stopped at my class and I nodded, "It honestly does, so tomorrow right? Study?"

She smiled, "Yea, tomorrow,"

Gabi's POV

Lo and I sat on the bed as Troy packed, Troy would lie something down, I would fold it and Lo would place it into the bag where I told her too. It was a fine system we had going and Troy laughed every time, "You two," he said shaking his head, I smiled as he was just going to Colorado for a couple of day but it still felt like the beginning of a season when we would pack his stuff up or when he went on road trips.

One of the kids and I normally did this, not always, but sometimes. Lo giggled as we stuffed a pair of socks into the corner. Troy sighed as he looked at me, his eyes full of concern to the point that I have never seen before. I put on a smile as Lo wrapped her arms around my arm, "Mommy, what's for dinner?"

"Food," I replied, she laughed thinking that was the funniest thing she had ever heard. Troy chuckled as he laid down on his back, his eyes staring back up on mine, I smiled with a soft smile, "What's up sexy?" he broke out in an amused grin, "Nothing gorgeous," I laughed as he reached up and I lowered to kiss him softly. He smiled as Lo made a noise, "Ew!" she cried, I smiled, "Lo, it's just a kiss,"

"That's yucky."

Troy picked her up with ease as he began to kiss her cheeks and forehead, she began to laugh loudly as Troy smiled with a laugh, "you think this is gross huh?" she shook her head as she giggled more, I laughed as Troy pinned her down as he then began to tickle her endlessly. I was afraid she was going to pee the bed. It was concerning as she was almost in tears from laughing.

Troy stopped as he was crying from laughing so hard, she breathed hard as she looked at Troy.

"I love you daddy, I don't like it when you leave," I watched Troy's face change and I rested my hand on his shoulder, he let out a long breath, "I hate when I leave too Lo, I love you," she smiled as Troy looked at her, Troy was quiet for a moment as he then looked at me, I smiled, I reached over as I ran my fingers through his hair, "I love you," I mouthed to him, he grabbed my hand as he held it tight. My hand capturing the warmth of his body, we both were quiet, as we knew the kids would all be stomping through the house soon.

"Mommy?"

"Yea?"

"Can we have chicken for dinner?"

"We had chicken yesterday," I told her, "Pizza?" I smiled, "I think we can do pizza tonight,"

"Yay!" she cheered, she said up and she crawled off of the bed. Troy rolled onto his stomach so he was closer to me, "I hate when they say things like that,"

"You'll be fine,"

"I know but it makes me feel guilty,"

"Don't," I told him, I kissed the back of his head, "Just go out and do what you need to do and then come home, okay?"

"You say that,"

"Troy," he looked at me and I kissed him, "Just trust me, if I need anything, we will call your mom. I promise,"

"You have to know leaving you and the kids is the hardest thing I ever do,"

"That's why I love you,"

I kissed him softly and rubbed his back, "Come on, let's go find Lo before she gets in trouble,"

"Alli, can you grab that for me," she reached for the plate as I put food on it for Lo; Troy had left earlier this morning to go to Denver for a couple of days. I got her settled on the table as Liam came in laughing, I heard Rayne's voice not far behind as the past three weeks they had been pretty much together. It was normally later in the evenings and that would work with tonight because with Troy gone, dinner took longer to get onto the table.

"Mom?"

"Yes,"

"Can Rayne eat dinner with us?"

"Of course," I finished, Lo squealed as she had grown to like Rayne. "Hi Lo," she greeted, "Hi Rayne, how are you?"

"I'm okay, how are you Mrs. Bolton?"

"Fantastic, get some food, plenty to go around," I said with a small wave. She nodded as I fixed another plate of food, I accounted for all of the kids, and I sighed as I settled down for dinner almost too tired to even eat. The kids were full of chatter as I ate my food quietly. I was exhausted, so exhausted.

It was only day one of Troy being gone but tomorrow was Friday, so last school day, which seemed to be more exhausting than a weekend. The last day of school was Tuesday and the older kids were studying for finals most evenings while Wes and Alli were just watching movies in school because they were done.

Hell. Whatever floated a teachers boat?

"Rayne, what are you doing this summer?" I looked up as she played with her food on her plate, Lima looked at her with a concerned expression, "I'm not sure," she responded, "I may just be hanging out most of the summer and working,"

"I'm going to dance camp for a couple of weeks!"

"That sounds like a lot of fun! Will you show me how that goes when you get back?"

"Yea!"

I smiled as Liam shifted, as I knew what he was thinking, he was probably thinking the same thing I was thinking. Her mom was going to die soon, probably this summer. She was going to have to deal with that grief and I suddenly felt like I was going to get sick.

"I'll be back," I said quietly, I got up as I heard Liam and Emma both say something. They didn't know much about my dad, if anything really. It was still hard for me, twenty plus years later, to talk about. They knew when he died though, they knew we were close, and they knew he was my weak point.

I couldn't imagine losing my mom at that age. My gut punched as I thought of my kids, I couldn't think about this right now. I found my phone as I sank down to my butt and I called Troy.

"Hey," I heard whistles and people yelling, basketballs were bouncing up and down. "I need you to just talk," I told him, "Brie, are you okay? What's wrong?"

"Please, just, talk, about anything, something," I began to beg. "Okay, hey, uhm well this kid I am looking at," Troy began to talk a lot about basketball and it soothed me to the point I calmed down. Once he went quiet for a minute I knew what he was about to ask, "Mind telling me why I had to talk you out of a panic attack?"

"Rayne was over and somebody asked her what she was going to do this summer, she said that she was just going to hang out and work." I paused, "I felt sick to my stomach because all I could think about was my dad and how that's how I basically spent my summer after he died and then I thought of our kids and what if,"

"Hold on, you need to calm down. You are going to be fine Brie, completely fine. You have got to stop worrying yourself like this and I know your whole dad thing is still hard for you but you must put on a smile for them out there. That's the last thing they need to be thinking about,"

"I just needed to hear your voice," I told him, "I don't know why I get that way,"

"Because you're scared,"

"Maybe I am,"

Liam's POV

Rayne and I settled on the living room floor, Emma a section over as we were all studying. Allison and Wes were both taking showers and Lo was with my mom somewhere. "Liam," I looked over at Emma, "Yea?"

"Was mom okay at dinner? She seemed off,"

"Probably just tired Em,"

Rayne sighed as we began to go over history first, followed by a little chemistry. We talked back and forth, communicating about some vocab words and how to remember some things. Mom crept back down into the kitchen as I heard her cleaning up.

Emma pushed away and then she got up, "Em," I growled, she looked back down at me and I shook my head, "Just leave her alone,"

"I want to make sure she is okay,"

"She already called dad, she is fine,"

"Then why was she so funny during dinner?" I sighed as I looked at Rayne who was looking down at the paper studying whatever. "She was funny because she is upset about something," I sent her a glaring look and then a short nod that I would explain more later, she finally sat back down and pulled her books back into her lap.

I reached over as I looked at Emma, she was scared, "Emma,"

"I'm just going to go upstairs," she said picking up her book and snapping it shut, I looked at her and when she went upstairs, I rubbed my eyes, "I can go," Rayne said, "No, you're fine," I said with a sigh, I leaned my head back, "I'm just glad you don't have any siblings,"

"Why?" she asked, I turned my head to look at her, "Because Rayne," I swallowed, "The hardest thing is watching your siblings hurt because of how your mom hurts," Rayne looked over at me as I turned away, a lump forming in my throat.

"Do you want to take me home?" Rayne asked, "We can go the long way," I near this was her code of we can stop and talk. I nodded my head, "Please,"

"Let's go," she packed her bags and I got up to reach for my keys, I yelled that I was taking her home. I got to the bottom of the stairs and I reached for Rayne's hand. "Liam,"

"Shh," I commented, she only nodded and we climbed into my truck. I pulled out and when I did I finally felt my body just slump over the steering wheel. I got us to the corner of the street and turned into the park as I parked the car and just let my body fall over the steering wheel, too tired to hold it's self up any longer.

"I can't explain how to deal with the pain you are feeling because I do not understand the whole sibling thing and you have four of them," I nodded, "But I do know what it's like to see your mom hurt and it sucks a lot. You hurt because you just don't want to see it and I love how close you are to your mom Liam, I love everything about it,"

"Rayne," I shook my head, "I don't want to make you feel upset before I take you home. That's not fair, we don't have to talk about this."

She smiled, "Liam, I don't know what else to talk about, cancer is my life."

"It shouldn't have to be," I told her, she shrugged as I reached over and I pulled her closer to me. "I want to show you a life without cancer," I told her, her cheeks turned a shade darker, her green eyes full of life, and her hair falling around her face, "I want that too Liam but," she hesitated, "You are going full force into the cancer life."

"I need you to keep me away from that, I don't want to be sucked in,"

"It's hard,"

"My mom has my dad, my dad is going to try to keep us at an arms length. He is going to do everything to prevent us from having to see her like that,"

"I wish your dad was my dad,"

"I wish that too,"

She went quiet and I stroked her hand, "I don't want you to ever replace your mom Rayne but I'll share my parents with you because they are one hell of a good pair, I'm sixteen and I can tell you this. I'm overly blessed to have them as my parents," she pulled away and I pulled her back gently, "Liam, I can't get close to your mom,"

I felt my heart shatter, "You need to know what she is like Rayne, I want you to know her and to see her because she is the coolest person ever."

"I can't have my heart crushed again because I haven't had it the first time but I know it's coming, everyday it gets a little worse and I'm scared Liam, I'm so scared," I slid over in my truck and I pulled her against me. She cried as I held her close, "I can't lose anymore people,"

I let her cry for a while until she pulled away wiping her eyes, "Did you know as a baby, like one, I had a brain tumor?" she looked up at me and she shook her head, "I didn't,"

"My mom was a mess, I mean, all of the stories I have heard she was a terrible mess." I shook my head, "I obviously don't remember any of it, I barely remember any of it, I just know every other year I get to have an MRI on my brain even though they are 99% sure it won't come back but we still do the scans every year and my brain is the same old brain,"

"That's fabulous Liam, I don't even know how your family got so lucky,"

"Rayne,"

"Can you just take me home?"

I looked at her as she moved to buckle her seatbelt, "I want to make you feel better Rayne, I really do and I don't know how to do that when my mom is going through the same thing and if she lives I'm going to feel so guilty."

"Please," she begged, "Rayne, please talk to me,"

She pressed her hands against her face as she struggled with emotions, "If you want me to know your mom I want you to know my mom,"

"Okay,"

"Will you please meet her? She obviously won't be the same person but she'll be my person,"

"Rayne, I'll meet whomever you want me to meet. I know how hard this must be for you, I can't even imagine."

"I'm still going to be jealous,"

"I would be jealous of everybody who could keep their mom."

"I am,"

I hugged her close as I pressed my chin into her temple, "I'll be here okay?"

"Okay,"

Liam's POV

I tapped my knuckles gently against the door, "Em,"

"I'm fine Liam, you can leave,"

"I want to talk to you," I finished, she sighed and I looked into her room as I pushed the door open. She was lying across her bed as I could hear mom and Allison getting ready for bed in the room over.

"What?"

"Are you okay?"

"I'm just worried about mom,"

"Tonight wasn't about cancer,"

"Really? Are you moms mind whisper or does she just tell you?"

"She didn't tell me," I said calmly, "I just," I paused, "I know mom and tonight was not about cancer in any way shape or form,"

"Then what?"

"It was about her dad Em," Emma let it sink in and she looked up at me, "I guess this would be right about the same time huh?"

"Just a year difference or so,"

"Mom doesn't talk about him,"

"I don't think mom wants to talk about him, that would be like you losing dad Y'know? It hurts,"

"Don't say that,"

"Think about mom and Rayne, they don't want to think about that either because it was a reality."

"I don't want to ever lose mom,"

"I don't want to lose her either," I wrapped Emma up in a hug as I kept her close, "You won't leave me Liam will you?"

"I'm staying,"

"Even when you go to college?"

"I'm not leaving you Em,"

"Okay,"

Gabi's POV

"Gabi hon, take it easy," I sighed and I settled on my knees as I rubbed my eyes. "God, I'm tired,"

"Go sleep for a while,"

"I'll be fine," I waved Lucille off and she sighed, "If Troy saw you,"

"I don't need to be watched like a hawk, I know my limits," I told her, Lucille sat down as I finished the dishes, "Gabi, how are you feeling?" I shrugged, "I'm fine,"

"Sweetie," I looked at Lucille, "Luc, I just, I'm not in the mood to talk right now."

"I'm worried about you Gabs, your mom asked me to look out for you." I sighed, "Lucille, I appreciate it but I'm fine."

"You are starting chemo in a couple of weeks,"

"And so what?"

"So you have to be concerned,"

Shutting the dishwasher, I began to pull out food to begin cooking dinner. "I am concerned, I'm scared that the chemo won't work, I'm scared my kids are going to have to watch my suffer from it because God knows its going to be hard to watch Troy go through this having to just watch, I can't even imagine my kids having to watch me go through it."

I looked at Lucille as she was trying not to smile, "What?" I asked her, "I just told you,"

"You did and I'm glad you did but you were not concerned about how it was going to effect you, you are scared of how it is going to effect your kids and your husband." I shrugged, "That's all I really care about, they are my life. I am nothing without those six,"

"That's why I am so happy Troy married you,"

I felt tears rush my eyes, "I'm so happy he married me," Lucille came over to hug me as she held me tight, "Come on, ill cook dinner and do some laundry while you get some rest okay?"

"Luc, it's fine,"

"You deserve some rest so when those kids come home you can be with them,"

"I think they are all staying home tonight, first time in a while we have all been home on a Friday." Lucille smiled, "Even more the reason that you should get some rest now. An evening with your kids will be just what you need,"

I let a sweet smile spread over my lips as I went upstairs and I crawled into my bed, picking up my phone to see if Troy was doing something. I sent him a message and my phone rang seconds later.

"Hey," I answered, "What's up beautiful?"

"Nothing much, resting, lo is napping, and the kids are at their last Friday of school."

"Oh fabulous," Troy said, "Man, I could totally be in my bed with you…" I giggled, "chill over there,"

Troy chuckled, "I miss you,"

"I miss you too, I'm not used to nobody suffocating me,"

"Ha ha very funny," Troy said, I shook my head, "I know, I can breathe again,"

"Oh Brie," I smiled, "Well I'm going to take a nap, I was just checking in on you,"

"Yea, I'm getting ready to attend a basketball game so yay,"

"College tournament?"

"Uh huh,"

"Have fun, don't look at those cheerleaders."

"God, I was never into cheerleaders."

"I know," I said with a laugh, "I love you,"

"I love you too Brie,"

Lucille's POV

"Hey Luc," I turned to see Jack walking into our son's house. "Yea?"

"Nothing really, I was going to go up to Colorado and watch some basketball with Troy if that's okay with you. I figured you would be busy all weekend here with the kids and Gabi," I nodded, "Yea, you haven't gotten away for a while and you and Troy could probably use some bonding time."

"I figured I would talk to him and make sure he is okay with all of this going on around him, it has to be so hard for him." Jack leaned against the counter and I nodded with a sigh, "It is, I can see how he hurts just looking at her go through this. I can not even imagine those chemo days,"

"It will be rough,"

Jack pushed back, "Liam should almost be home, I left straight from school and I'm heading to Denver now, so,"

"You're driving,"

"Yea, road trip. I thought about seeing if Sammy wanted to go with me to get some time with her but Jenni shot me down." I smiled, "Too bad. I think Jenni is coming to hang out tomorrow evening."

"Mom?"

"Sleeping," I called back, Liam and Emma both appeared in the doorway to the kitchen as Jack pushed away, "Liam, maybe you would want to go with me," Liam's eyes looked up at Jacks and he looked hopeful, "I'm going to up to Colorado to go watch some basketball with your dad, you wanna come,"

Liam was going to jump on the opportunity but then his shoulders fell backwards, "I can't. I promised Rayne I would go meet her mom tomorrow,"

"Rayne," Jack said the word a couple of times, "Rayne Thompson?"

Liam nodded, "We are friends,"

"Huh, isn't her mom…" he let the sentence drag on and I was completely out of the loop. "Yea, she is," Liam stiffened, "She doesn't have many days left so it's kind of something I have to do this weekend, tell dad I wish I could have come. It would have been fun."

"Next time okay," Liam nodded as he disappeared to the rooms downstairs as Emma stood in the doorway, "Can I go?" I looked at Emma as I smiled, Troy loves Emma, and I know that she is his baby girl right along with Lo. Alli tested Troy constantly and he loved the ease of the other two girls. Not that he didn't love Alli just as much but the other two he just has this bond that I wish I had with Jenni.

"Why not, you have to ask your mom though,"

Emma darted up the stores and I got visions of Jenni begging to go see Troy on the weekends when he was in college. I smiled as Jack wrapped his arms around my waist, "God, I love our grandkids," I smiled as he kissed my temple, "They are the best,"

"I know, they are."

"She said yes!" Emma yelled, "Then pack young one!" Jack yelled back,

Gabi's POV

I laughed as Wes and I were playing cards, Liam and Alli were doing some sort of game and Lo was coloring next to me. "Go fish," Lo muttered, I looked down at her as Wes laughed, "So silly," I said shaking my head, "Mommy when is daddy coming home again?" I looked at Alli as I put down a card and Wes surveyed it. "Monday night, why?"

"I miss him!"

"Do you?" she nodded as she got up from her game as Liam was texting somebody. "Yea, I miss him reading me a bedtime story and even though he yells at me sometimes I miss him." I shook my head, "I miss him too," Troy was impatient with Allison, I never understood why but Allison and Troy were going to butt heads for a very long time. It was just that mix between the two personalities that didn't mix right.

Troy and the rest of the kids meshed pretty well and my head butting was normally with Liam yet Troy always sided with Liam. "Can he come home tomorrow?"

"No, I'm sorry. He is busy," I replied, "Is he playing basketball?" I smiled, "No, he is watching basketball,"

"Oh," she no longer cared and walked away from me as Wes smiled and I returned back to the game. A knock came at the door when Taylor and Chad with the kids following entered the room. "Hi!" I said with a wave, "Hi doll!" Taylor greeted, Matt, Alexa, and Austin all followed into the household.

"I didn't know they were coming!" Allison said with a shriek, I laughed and I stood up, "Movie night!" I announced, the kids all grew excited and the Danforth's were coming over too in just a little while. "Is that why you made that cake during dinner?"

"Yes," I answered, everybody began to pick up all of the games we had been playing since our grilled cheese dinner with tomato soup. I had given Lucille the night off since she had been with us since Wednesday. I'm really excited about movie night because it was an excuse to get with my best friends, have a glass of wine, be with my kids, and just have a great night.

We did these often at the house and it was about the most fun thing ever.

I smiled as I heard the Danforth's arrive. Bentley and Liam were pulling beanbags into their normal spots. Carissa and Alexa were teaming up and finding blankets, then Brooklyn, Matt, and Alli were all getting comfortable with their favorite siblings. We were setting up the dessert bar when Sharpay slammed down the wine.

"Where is your oldest daughter?" I raised my eyebrows and looked at Sharpay, "Why?"

"Carissa has been dying to tell her something ALL day."

I smiled, "She is with Jack, they are driving up to spend the weekend watching basketball with Troy."

"Fabulous," she muttered, I laughed as we finished cutting up cake and scooping ice cream, the kids came stomping in as the next thing was voting on the movie,"

"Alright, we have four choices tonight, you get one vote!" Chad yelled, "We have Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., Toy Story, and Cars,"

Liam and Bentley grew excited as those were childhood favorites, "Could you guys could have picked older movies?"

"These are classics!" Liam argued, Matt shot him a look, "We have so much better movies now!"

"Do not, they are crap."

"All right, enough," Chad said waving his hands, Taylor snorted as she poured the wine. Sharpay set out beers for the two males in the house and the vote was on.

"Okay, Cars,"

Four people raised their hands.

"Finding Nemo?"

Six people raised their hands, which sent Cars to another time pile.

"Toy Story?"

Two hands went up which only left three so Finding Nemo was a clear winner, "Mom, do you remember Bubbles and Nemo?" I smiled, as the two cats were a big part of our family, as the kids grew older, the cats became more loved.

It was very sad days in the house when Bubbles got out of the house and never returned, at the time Liam was eleven, Emma was nine, Wes was seven and Alli was just a baby. Liam and Emma were heart broken for days, we still had Nemo but it just wasn't the same.

Nemo wasn't the same after that either, he was slow and quiet, didn't really want to be around and within six months she had died in her sleep crushing Liam and Emma even more. They had lost some of their best friends.

"Yea, I remember them," I smiled as Liam came over and squeezed my shoulder as he went over and back into the living room. Oreo, my baby, she had bad hips and as she got older went blind and was just old and one day she had a seizure. Another sad day in the house but it was okay, we had avoided pets since then just because we were so busy but suddenly I almost longed for one.

We cleaned up the kitchen pretty quickly as we all settled out into the living room, popping in Finding Nemo and within five minute, Liam and Bentley were quoting it word for word.

Troy's POV

Drawing a doodle on my notebook, I glanced back up to see a couple minutes left in the halftime break. I should have moved courts but I was exhausted and there were a lot of courts to watch, plus, I liked the kid I saw on this court.

I wrote his stats, checked his stats, and then looked up to see that time had passed. They were warming up again, I doodled my name and Gabi's name as I looked up again. When I looked up I thought I had seen Gabi walk onto the court but I had been texting her about movie night. They were watching Finding Nemo for probably the billionth time ever. It was a good movie but after so many times it was exhausting.

Rubbing my temple, I realized how late it was actually getting. It was almost past eleven at night, one of those basketball tournaments that go forever. The whistles blew and people were taking the court, "Daddy!" I let my head waver up as I looked around, I was so used to my kids calling out to me like that it was instinct to look up and around. "You have kids?" I turned to my right to see an older man who was probably hear watching a grandson, "Yea," I said with a small, "Five of them actually,"

"No wonder you looked," I laughed, "Yea, I don't know how all moms don't come running when they hear the word mom," the old man laughed as I straightened up. "Are you here for a player?" I asked as I pointed out to the court, "No, just watching. I had nothing to better to do tonight, one of your five out there?" he paused, "No you can't have a kid over fifteen,"

I laughed, "Sixteen is my oldest, three is the youngest,"

"I was close. What are you doing at the college tournament?"

"Scout," I pronounced to the old man, "Number five, Lucas Mark,"

"Damn good player,"

"I know, the Lakers are very interested,"

"That's where I know you from!" he exclaimed, "Troy Bolton, Laker guard for many years," I nodded, "Yes,"

"Fantastic to meet you, you were hell of a ball player, I'm Jimmy,"

"Thank you,"

"Dad!" hearing it again, I turned my head but this time I felt like it had a pull, I looked over to see Emma as she was walking over with my dad. Her hair on the side of her head and her jacket draped over her arm, I laughed as I stood up and set my clipboard down.

I hopped off the bleachers as I went over and wrapped Emma up in my arms. She laughed as I hugged her close, "What are you doing here?" I asked, she smiled big as my dad came up close behind her, "Grandpa was coming up to watch some basketball this weekend and I asked if I could come," I grinned even bigger as I took her over to the bleacher with me.

They all followed as I patted my dad's shoulder as I went back to see Jimmy watching the game again, "Jimmy, I would like you to meet my eldest daughter, Emma, Emma meet Jimmy,"

"Hi!" she greeted, I sat down as my dad sat down next to me, Emma in front as she leaned back against me, "Nice to meet you,"

"Jimmy, this is my dad Jack, Dad meet Jimmy," they shook hands as we all talked for a while, mostly through the second half of the game. I was leaning back against the wall, as I was growing tired. It had been a long while, unless you count Gabi and I's date night, since I had been out this late. "Your dad is getting old over there," I rolled my eyes and sat back up as I was pretty sold on Lucas, until one point.

He was being heavy guarded, I knew he was going through a lot of scouts and he knew we were here; he was trying to show off. Lucas had a wide-open pass as he went down the lane and refused to take it because he wanted the points on his side.

This was a kid who needed to learn teamwork, it wasn't about him, show off your other players. I didn't care who was here, it made me not want him to be part of the Lakers organization and if he was then he better not be a starter.

I gave a few remarks, "Em, you ready to go to the hotel?" she looked up with a tired look that I saw so often from her, I smiled, "I'll take that as a yes," I handed her the jacket she walked in with and we all shuffled towards the door, I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, "How is your mom?"

"She was upset over something the other day," I took a small breath, "I know, she called me,"

"Liam said she did,"

I laughed, "Yea, she did. It wasn't that big of a deal,"

"Liam said it had something to do with her dad,"

I hesitated before I nodded, "Yea, it was."

"Oh, I feel bad that she lost him because I don't know what ever I could do without you." I felt my heart stop as I looked at her, "I don't know what I would do without you Em,"

Liam's POV

The ring of my phone was really obnoxious on a Saturday morning. I reached over and grabbed my phone, "hello?"

"Liam?"

"Rayne, is everything okay?"

"Yea, I just, my mom is having a good morning which means a good day, I want you to meet her because I don't know how many good days she has left."

"Yea, I'll come." I opened my eyes to take in my surroundings of my room, Alli passed out next to me, as she was scared of something in the middle of the night, I hardly remember but I was used to one of the kids climbing into my beds at a certain point.

"Okay, good,"

"Rayne, don't be nervous okay?"

"I am nervous."

I smiled, "Don't be, I am just going to shower and grab some coffee. Do you want any besides the hospital shit, it's gross." She laughed, "Yes please,"

"Mocha?" I asked her, "Please!"

"I'll see you in a bit, okay?"

"Okay,"

I got through the shower pretty quick and when I came back out, Alli was sitting up in bed. She was rubbing her eyes with a sleepy look and I smiled, "What's up good looking?" she smiled as I went over and knelled in front of her, "Are you okay?" I asked her, she nodded, "I had a bad dream and daddy said we shouldn't wake mommy up anymore." I smiled as I tucked her hair away from her face. "Well you can always come down here okay?"

She nodded as I hugged her close, "Come on," I picked her up as I shut my door and light as I carried her upstairs. I heard mom in the kitchen as I walked in, "Morning," I cheered, my mom turned around and she caught sight of Alli, "Now there is my little booger!"

Alli smiled as I sat her down on the counter, "I'm going to the hospital to meet Rayne's mom,"

"Oh are you?" she asked with a curious look, "Apparently she is having a good morning and Rayne doesn't know how many more she has left so, unless you are protesting,"

"No go," she said with a wave of the hand, "Small family meeting tonight,"

"Mom,"

"Don't mom me, go,"

I shook my head as I grabbed a muffin and my car keys, I text Rayne that I was leaving my house and heading to get coffee.

Pulling through Starbucks, I grabbed our two drinks and drove with my windows down all of the way to the hospital. It was a beautiful day as the late May air was picking up in warmth everyday, the sun was shining and everything was fully bloomed.

When I pulled into the hospital, I called Rayne and I jumped out of my car. I shut the door tightly and locked my car. She called me as I was walking into the hospital, "Hey," I answered as I pushed through the doors. "I'm coming down,"

"Sounds good, I'm just at the entrance. I'll go through security and then I'll wait,"

"Okay, I'm on the elevator,"

"See you in a minute,"

After signing into the hospital, I waited just outside as I saw her dirty blonde hair come flying towards me, I smiled as she stopped in front of me, "Hi," she was happy, a happy I have never seen before. I gave her the cup of coffee and I wrapped my arms around her shoulder. She leaned into me as we both got back onto the elevator.

"Liam, I just," she paused, "I need you to know she is hard to see. It's hard to look at her and not just stare at her. She looks sick and she really is, she hasn't had a lot of morphine today so she is really here. She is here and happy, I haven't seen her smile so much and the doctors keep saying that this is like a last happiness thing, this last surge of energy before she dies." She was getting choked up as I stepped out of the elevator with her and set my cup of coffee down. I then pulled her into a hug, "Doctors are always wrong,"

"I know but they keep saying it,"

"I'm sorry, I wish they wouldn't."

"I wish they wouldn't either."

I smiled as I gave her a big grin, "Keep the smile on your face okay? It looks good there,"

She gave a smile and she led me to her mom's room, she stepped in first, "Momma, I brought my friend here."

"Oh fantastic Rayne! You never bring friends!" I smiled hearing that; I stepped in as I looked over Mrs. Thompson. She was sick looking, she was tiny as she lay in the bed, I looked at the monitor, as her heart was slow, everything looked slow.

She had no hair and her eyes looked hallow. She looked up at me and I gave her a big smile, "Hi Mrs. Thompson, I'm Liam, Liam Bolton," she grinned and looked over at Rayne, "You mean Troy Bolton's son? Rayne! You could have told me sooner!" I smiled as Rayne looked at her mom with the most affection,

"Momma, he is just a normal boy," I laughed, "Yea, I am completely normal. I play way too many video games, forget to shower, and love to do anything that involves a mess,"

Mrs. Thompson laughed, "Ray, I like him," she smiled, "Good, I like him too,"

She helped her mom sit up more and I felt sick to my stomach, "I'll be right back," I said with a tiny smile, I walked out as I went racing to the nearest bathroom. Pushing into a stall, I vomited everywhere. This was way too much, hitting too close to home. All I could see was mom and Em doing this with some guy, I could see mom this way, and I gripped the wall as I tried to gain more composure.

I flushed the toilet and I walked out as I went to splash cold water on my face. Taking a couple of deep breaths, I walked out into the hallway as I looked over to see Aunt Jenni sitting at the nurse's station.

"Aunt Jenni?" she looked up and over at me, she then grinned, "What are you doing here?" she then quickly looked down and scanned the counter, looking for my mom's name most likely.

"My friend Rayne's mom is a cancer patient," I spoke quickly, she looked back up at me and her eyes turned, "Oh I'm so sorry,"

"I'm just meeting her, I didn't know you worked here,"

"Just started," she answered, "Are you okay?"

"Yea, I'm fine. Just a lot of scary things going on here,"

She smiled, "You'll be fine," she patted my shoulder, and I went back to the room, I smiled as I sat down in a chair next to Rayne. Rayne smiled as her mom looked at me, "Rayne tells me your mom was just diagnosed with the big C." I felt like my words were stuck in my throat and I nodded my head, "Are you close to her?"

"Extremely,"

"Liam and his mom are basically inseparable." Rayne said, "Kind of like us," Mrs. Thompson smiled, "Good, be close to your mom. She is going to need you,"

"She has my dad, my dad is," I shook my head, "My dad is her life."

"That's fantastic, I wish my husband was here but she just doesn't like the hospital, always scared him."

"Well you have Rayne and I know Rayne is fabulous company,"

"She is, she honestly is the best company I could have."

Rayne looked out the window as Jenni walked in, "Mrs. Thompson! Did you know this lunk head child is my nephew?" Mrs. Thompson's face glowed, "Now, Jenni, I didn't know you were any way related to my favorite NBA player," she laughed, "If you would have known me before I was married you might have known, I dropped Bolton though," I smiled as I sat back and Rayne was relaxed, I reached over and I touched her knee.

She looked over and I smiled, satisfied.

Liam's POV

It was getting late as I watched the sun begin to set and Mrs. Thompson was becoming a bit more upset, in pain and tired. I was just waiting to take Rayne home; she had changed over an amount of time of how happy she was until no longer okay. She had a bit of morphine to dull the pain and she was in and out of sleep.

"You could have left a while ago,"

"I was going to take you home,"

"Thank you,"

"It's not a problem,"

"I'm going to go to the restroom and then we can go okay?" I nodded as I stood up to stretch and she went out of the room to the bathroom, "Liam," I looked over to see Mrs. Thompson, I had learned that her name was Amanda in my short time here.

"Yea?" she waved her finger closer, "I don't have much time left on this earth and I am trying to do everything for Rayne to make sure she knows I am here with her, writing letters and notes but I need you to do something that I won't any longer be able to do,"

"Okay,"

"I need you to take care of her." She said, tears glowed in her eyes as I felt my stomach hallow out, "she is going to need somebody after I am gone and she hasn't brought any of her friends up here, she wants you to know me, you're special. I need you to make sure my husband doesn't neglect her, I need you to take care of her." I nodded, "I promise, I'll take care of her."

She cried as I hugged her, "I'll take care of her,"

"Thank you Liam,"

"No problem Mrs. Thompson,"

Gabi's POV

Liam was quiet since returning from the hospital. He told me the visit went well and she was a very nice lady. Now that it was Monday morning, I was taking it upon myself to go up and visit her myself. I needed her to know that I would be there for Rayne even if Rayne didn't want me to be there for Rayne.

I walked into the hospital as Troy was flying home today, Emma and Jack returned late last night after spending a lot of time with Troy at the basketball courts. Emma couldn't stop talking about how amazing her trip was. It was good to hear that and then when Troy slipped into my bed tonight after his late return, I knew that he would be there again. That my life would fall right back into place again, I walked through the hospital and up to the oncology floor.

Liam had told me that Jenni was working so I worked a number out of Jenni. Walking through the floor, I stepped into the room as I gently knocked on the door. I pushed it open as a very sick lady was on the other side. She was hooked up to a bunch of monitors; her hair was gone but covered by a black bandana. Looking over at the lady, I cleared my throat as she was watching the news.

"Hello," she looked over at me with a little twinkle left in her eyes. "Hello?" she looked at me with a question, her words were softly drawn out. "Hi, I'm Gabi Bolton, I'm Liam Bolton's mom and I have met your daughter Rayne several times. She is such a sweet girl,"

The women smiled softly, "I love my Ray,"

"I can see why,"

"Liam has told me you are fighting the same fight," I nodded, "I am, I'm starting chemo in two weeks," she smiled, "Good luck," she said with a short smile, "It's hell, I'm not going to lie,"

"Thank you for not lying, I keep getting that lately, a lot of lying." She smiled, "Yea, I did too,"

She went to sit up and she patted the chair next to her bed, I went over and took a seat, "Gabi, I'm Amanda,"

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Liam said you were just a delight." She smiled, "I had a pretty good day Saturday, not so much about today,"

"I'm very sorry to hear,"

"Oh it's old news by now, honestly,"

"Oh fabulous," I smiled, "I'm here to let you know that I will look out for Rayne, I know you have plenty of people probably telling you this but," I paused, "I lost my father about the same exact age and I loved having Troy there for me and his father, it was my life to have them also to help me through that time. I just, I would hate to not know if my daughter was here alone because I can see it and it upsets me greatly,"

"Thank you," she said with a polite look, "Thank you very much, I can't," she began to cry, "I'm so scared for her, she is my life and her dad has been in and out of our lives. We should have gotten divorced but I'm not sure if that would have been a good idea,"

I laid my hand on her shoulder, "I'll look out for her,"

"Thank you so much, I can't express that to you more that you, a complete stranger to me would do that for my daughter."

"I would hope if this is reversed that you would do the same thing,"

"Oh yes, I would, I'm already going to miss out on so much of Rayne's life."

"I'll be here,"

"Please, I want somebody other than my damn husband to look out for her,"

"I will, I promise,"

Curled up in bed, I flipping through the TV, not being able to rest until Troy got home just so I could talk to him. I missed him more than I probably should. Giving a restless turn, I sat up and the door creaked open a moment later.

"What are you doing awake?" Troy's voice was refreshing as I sat up further, "What do you think?" I could see his smile through the dark room, his teeth glowed as he crawled across the bed and he worked his way up my body before his nose touched mine, "Hi," he whispered with a big grin, "Hi," I said with a laugh, he turned his head and he kissed me. I closed my eyes and melted into him.

"Are you going to be that easy tonight huh?" I pulled away as he smirked, "I'm just saying, you really missed me,"

"I did,"

"I love you Brie," he whispered as he ran his fingers over my sides, I smiled, "I love you too, I just need to talk to you about something," Troy pulled away as he looked at me, his fingers running down the side of my body. "About what? You seem serious?" I nodded, "I met Rayne's mom today, Liam met her yesterday," Troy shook his head, "How is she?"

"Very sick,"

"I can't believe she has to go through that,"

"I told her we would be there for Rayne, we have to be there for Rayne Troy. It sounds like Dad isn't very…in."

Troy stiffened because that was his pet peeve, he hated when Dad's didn't own up to being a dad. To at least trying to be a dad, you may not be very good but at least you are there.

"I'll talk to her the next time she is over."

"Troy, you have to do it without her knowing. We have to just be there for her," Troy smiled as he pressed his lips to my forehead, "We will adopt her into our lives, you have your sixth child,"

I rolled my eyes, "Fine," Troy chuckled, "I definitely missed you,"

"I missed you too,"

Troy's POV

Playing on my phone seemed to be all I am doing lately. I yawned as I shifted uncomfortably in the hospital chair. Stretching my legs out I leaned my head back against the wall as they were putting Gabi's port-o-cath, which required her to be a sleep.

I was supposed to be back there again when she came out of it but it was a minor producer compared to her last surgery. I sat up and leaned against my knees again, my eyes trying not to fall asleep.

"Troy," I looked up to see Dr. Roads, I stood up and my shorts fell above my knee as I walked back, "Nice scar," I laughed, "Thanks,"

He led me back into the area where she would wake up; when I came over she was still in her clothes as they only took her shirt off during the simple surgery. I sat next to her bed as I looked down at her arm as she had the port in her chest. It was sticking out of the hospital gown shirt. I leaned over to kiss her forehead. I seated in a chair as she slowly came out of it, she opened up her eyes and looked around, "What's up beautiful?" she looked over at me with a smile, "Hi,"

"Anything hurt?" I asked, "Just my head," she said with a soft sigh, I waved the doctor over. Gabi told him everything she felt, I knew she was tired after a long day of poking and probing, preparing for the worst possible thing in a couple of weeks.

"Your chest may hurt for a while after the pain medication wears off. I smiled as I stroked Gabi's hair; she was fighting off sleep as I looked up at Dr. Roads, "When can I take her home?"

Gabi's POV

Clutching my chest I felt like the air around me had razor blades in it, I looked over at Troy freaked out as he was sleeping with his arm draped over his eyes. I felt hot tears roll off my cheeks as the door to our room opened, "Mommy?"

Lo was standing at the door, "Yea baby?" I asked her as I tried not to let her see my tears, "I had a bad dream," she whimpered, Troy shifted as his arm fell off his head, I closed my eyes and I waved Lo over, "Brie?" Troy looked over at me and then he caught sight of Lo climbing into the bed.

"Brie, hey," he could see the tears even through his sleepy state. He fumbled for his glasses as Lo crawled into my lap as I pulled her close to me, "It was just a bad dream," I whispered as I kissed the top of her head, "You sound sad mommy,"

"I'm okay," I rubbed her back as she pressed against me, Troy looked over at me, I pointed to my chest like I couldn't even breath. "Lo, sweetie," Troy picked her up as I was going to protest but I needed some space to breath.

"No, I want to stay with mommy,"

"Not tonight sweet girl," Troy walked out of the room. I pressed my fingers against my eyes as I rolled onto my side, praying for sleep to take over me. Troy must have slipped back into the room because he was facing me.

"Gabi," his bright blue eyes looked at me, concern washing over his entire face. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"It's just my chest," I told him, Troy pushed my hair away from my face as he leaned forward and kissed my forehead. "Oh baby, I'm sorry,"

"Can you hold me," Troy smiled, "Do I want to do anything else?" I smiled softly as he climbed over top of me and then he was behind me, I rolled over to face him and he pulled me into his arms, "I love you Brie,"

"I love you too Troy,"

He drew circles on my back as I waited for sleep to overcome, after a while I was expecting the circles on my back to stop but they never did. They kept going in a slow circle, enough to know Troy was still there and he wasn't going anywhere.

Sorry for not posting last week! I was really busy and I didn't even have the chapter ready! Oops! I hope you liked this one though!

Have a good Halloween Week!

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