Chapter 12 – Week 1

"I love summer," I looked over at Emma who plopped down, I then looked over at the clock in the kitchen that was pushing past ten. "Uh huh," I said with a shake of a head, Emma grinned, "Come on Mom! Don't you remember summer,"

"Oh I remember summer," Troy said as he walked into the kitchen, a devil smirk crossed his lips as he came over and slipped an arm around my waist. "Summers were the best when you came around," Troy teased, I snorted, "Dad that is so gross,"

"It's the truth!" Troy said raising his hands above his head, "It was beyond the truth really, every summer since has been pretty fantastic," I shook my head to look over at Emma, "We are all sitting down in a little bit to talk about this coming summer," I said to her, "Yea, yea, we do this every year,"

"I have to send the finalized camp forms in,"

"I know mom," I shook my head as Emma disappeared into the living room as Troy kissed the back of my neck. "Five days," Troy whispered, "Troy, about that, we need to talk about something,"

"What about babe," I turned around to face those blue eyes, "Dr. Roads called about my tests," I said softly, Troy looked at me as he swallowed, "And?"

"It's spread a little," Troy's eyes looked at me alarmed, "Brie, what do you mean it's spread?" he asked me, I pressed my fingers behind his head as I tried to keep him relaxed. "All of my lymph nodes have been affected and some tissue around my rib cage,"

"Brie," he murmured, his eyes connected to mine, "We should have started chemo earlier,"

"Dr. Roads that it's not that far but we need to get started right away,"

Troy pressed his forehead against mine, "Oh Gabs," he whispered, I smiled up to him, "It's okay,"

"Are you sure? You are down playing it quite a bit,"

"Troy, I'm honestly fine."

"How long have you known?"

I frowned, "A couple of days,"

"You have kept this from me for a couple of days?"

"I'm sorry, I just, and I didn't know how to tell you,"

Troy pulled me close to him; his heart beat underneath of my chest as he kissed the top of my head. "It's all going to be okay,"

"Alright, so I am about to confirm everybody's summer plans." I said as I began to lay out papers, "I don't know if I want to do it," Liam said, Troy looked over at him, "What do you mean? You love going to camp,"

"Mom will be doing chemo and I don't want to leave her, or Rayne for that matter." Troy shook his head, "Let's at least send it in and if you don't want to go when it comes up then we can talk about it then okay?" Liam sighed and nodded, "When is it again?"

"July 19th through August 2nd," I said as I glanced over the paper, "In Denver this year,"

"I'll think about it," Liam said quietly, "That's all we ask," Liam nodded as he stood up to go, "Liam, can you wait?" I asked him, "We have something to talk about after the camp stuff,"

"Okay, I'm just going to get a drink,"

"Okay," Troy said with a nod, "Emma, camp El Moca, or party camp as I like to refer it," Troy said with a laugh, "I'm not cool enough to go to Wildcat Dreams," Troy smiled, "No you aren't."

I shoved Troy, "June 16th through July 7th," I told her with a smile, "That one is on the border so we will work that out later," Emma grinned, "I'm so excited, I think all of my friends from California are going again, it's going to be so much fun,"

Troy rubbed my back as we both laughed, "Wes, you have a bunch of different basketball and baseball camps in the area so you can just go with the flow if you want to still go."

"Yes please!" I smiled, as he was our little baseball stud, he loved it and was just starting to play games. "Finally, Ms. Alli you have dance camp everyday starting next week until the end of July, sound like fun?"

"Yes!"

I smiled as I gave her a high five, "Alright so now that we have talked about that, we need to talk about Tuesday,"

Emma and Liam both gave an alert look; they all knew Tuesday was chemo day. "Your dad and I will be out of here by nine thirty and probably won't be back until late late afternoon, I'm not sure how it is going to go this time and it will be new to all of us and how I react. We will have a better understanding next time but Grandma Lucille will be here along with Jack, your dad and I may not be able to talk but hopefully I'll be up for it."

"Mommy," Alli looked over at us, "Are you still sick?"

I nodded, "Yea, I am,"

She sighed as she grabbed me in a hug, "Will you be sick?"

"Probably," I said, I looked at the group in front of me, and "I'm not sure how anything is going to play out so please bare with us okay?"

They all nodded and they began to stand up and move around, once they were all off doing there thing Troy squeezed my knee, "You alright?" he asked me, "Yea, I'm just not looking forward to Tuesday,"

"How about a date night Sunday night," Troy mused quietly, "Tomorrow?" I asked him, "Yea, tomorrow if we have to be technical," I smiled as I ran my fingers through his hair, "Why not? Have your mom come over and watch the kids,"

"I think I want to take you out onto the town, maybe get a hotel for the night or something."

"I kind of like the sound of that," I said with a grin, I pulled him close as I kissed him, he smiled into the kiss as he kissed me back, I wrapped my legs around his waist, "I really like the sound of that,"

Troy laughed, "Sounds like a plan," he kissed me softly and I rested my head on his shoulder. "I'm scared Troy,"

"Me too baby girl but we are going to do this together,"

"I'm glad I have you Troy,"

He sighed as he hugged me tighter, "I'm happy that I have you Brie,"

Troy's POV

Taking a step outside I looked out at the basketball court to see Liam and Wes playing basketball. Jogging down the steps, I looked over again as they were passing the ball back and forth.

Wes passed the ball wild as I caught it before it bounced off court, "What are you two doing," I said, I bounced the ball once and then shot it up for it to roll around the net and fall in. "Old Troy Bolton makes the shot," Liam joked, I shook my head as I looked at my two boys, everything I could have asked for in a boy I was granted with these two.

"Just playing around," Wes said, answering my question after a few minutes, "Oh?" I said, "Mind if I join?"

"Sure," Liam said with a shrug, he bounced the ball, "Dad, is mom going to be okay on Tuesday?" I shrugged, "I hope so. I think it is going to be a hard day on her; you guys just have to be there. That is all she is going to want," I told them, they both were quiet for a while, "Dad, how did you and mom meet?" I laughed and then smiled, "That's a story you will never believe,"

"Tell us," Liam pressed, "I don't think I have ever heard it,"

"Well I mean you went to the same school,"

"That's not how we met though," I pointed out, "We met on a vacation in Colorado. My parents took it and her parents took it at the same time, we were at a New Years Eve party and the next thing I know we are both being picked to sing karaoke. I have never seen this girl a day in my life and I already know she is something special, she was reading at this party and she was in this blue sweater," I stopped to think about it all over again.

"We sang this song together and after that we are talking and switching numbers. The fireworks are exploding and she was gone, I had no idea where she lived, who the hell she was, shit, I was barely sixteen,"

"What?"

I looked at the two of them who were confused, "Well, I am not done yet, hold on."

They shook there heads and I picked up the basketball, "I went looking for her the next day but she was already gone, I went back to school and I was in and out of basketball and the next thing I know, this girl who looks very familiar walk into my homeroom class," Liam laughed, "Are you joking? You meet mom on vacation and then she shows up at your school because she moved there?"

I nodded, "Yup. We talked and became friends and then next thing I know we are dating and boom, after twenty years we have five wonderful kids." Liam and Wes shook their heads, "It was fate."

"It truly was," I said spinning the basketball between my fingers, I then looked up at them, "Do you have any questions about Tuesday?" Liam sighed, "Yea, how much longer until this is over?"

I smiled, "I sure hope it's soon enough,"

Gabi's POV

"You told me to dress comfortable," I told him as I looked at my jeans and t-shirt, "You're right, I did," Troy said as he pulled into East High school, "What are we doing here?"

"Come on Brie, I know you are smarter than that." I smiled, "Why are we going to the roof top?" I asked him, "Because, my two boys got me thinking about high school and now I want to make out with you at the roof top like we used to always do,"

Troy said with a grin towards me, "Oh of course, your horny teenage self would go there," Troy chuckled, "Duh, where else would it go?" Troy asked with a grin, I shook my head as he wrapped a arm around my shoulders, "Come on, give me a piggy back right," I begged, "Oh yes," Troy said, he slipped me onto his back and I giggled into his ear and I kissed the back of his neck.

"This is not fair," Troy said as I kissed him, "Mhm," I murmured as I kissed the back of his neck again, he shook his head as he got into the school with his dad's badge, he jogged through the hallways and up the stairs as I bounced on his back, I giggled as he opened the door and we both went up the steps quickly until we were back in high school.

"We would always skip Darbus's class to come here," Troy said with a laugh, I nodded as he released me from his back. He then pulled me around to face him as he kissed me; his lips were so pink and perfect as we kissed.

His hand crept up my shirt as I laughed, "So soon," I murmured into his ear, Troy laughed, "I couldn't help myself," Troy grinned as he took his hands to slip behind my neck, pulling me closer, Troy balanced himself and I laughed, "What are you laughing about?"

"That one time up here when you asked me to Prom,"

"Ohh," Troy laughed himself, "Yea, I wasn't very smooth,"

"It was cute," I said with a smile, "Mmm, let's dance." Troy whispered into my ear, "Do you have a plan for up here?" I asked him, "No, I just brought you here to let the memories of high school come flooding back," Troy teased, "Was that a yes or a no?" I asked biting my lip, Troy laughed, "That's a yes, and I have a plan." He grinned, "When do I not have a plan?"

"Good point," I said giggling, "So Can I have this Dance?"

"You may,"

Liam's POV

"That is so cute," Rayne said as we lay on the back porch watching the stars hover above the sky. "What?" I asked, "That your parents go on dates still,"

"God, the last time they went they made a fort in the living room and fell asleep in it." Rayne laughed, "I want that kind of love." I looked at Rayne, "Don't we wish we could have that? I think it only happens to lucky people, to people that least expect it, Y'know?"

"Do you know anybody else like that?" Rayne asked I shook my head, "Nope. I mean, my Uncle Chad and Aunt Taylor but they still aren't like my parents,"

"I like your parents," Rayne picked up her bottle of water and she played with it, "Liam, I'm scared," I looked over at her, "What do you mean?" I asked with a soft look, "I'm scared of the day after when suddenly I only have my dad,"

I scooted close to her as she looked at me; her eyes were big with curiosity. "You'll have me,"

"That's dandy and all but at night when it's dark and I don't have anybody."

"Call me,"

She rested her head on her pulled up knee, I rubbed her back and she leaned into me.

"Can you tell me how the first day of chemo goes?" I asked softly, "The first day isn't that bad, she will go in and they will give her all of this medication that she is going to take to prevent the nausea and all of the symptoms that she might have anyways. Once she is done, she will come home and probably fall asleep because of some of the sleepy drugs they give her to prevent things as well," Rayne sighed, "The second through the fifth day are the hardest on everybody."

"Oh,"

"She will be sick, exhausted, and she just won't look right to you any longer,"

"How long does it take for her to lose her hair?" I said quietly, Rayne let out a long breath, "It took my mom about a month but once it starts it doesn't stop." I wrapped my arm around her and she leaned back against me, "I'm scared too Rayne,"

"Aren't we all,"

Troy's POV

Gabi lay on her back as she pulled a blanket up and over her shoulders, I smiled softly as I moved closer to her, pressing my self against her body. I rested my head on her shoulder and she moved her head. It amazed me looking at her how much she still looked like her twenty something self. She took care of her body and she took care of herself and now one swoop of cancer could change all of that.

My mind feared what anything could become suddenly, how chemo could weaken her to the point of anything. How she was going to be poisoned, her beautiful hair was going to fall out, her eyes would dull, and she would become somebody I was scared to see. I did not want to see her suffer for even a minute, I didn't want to see her cry when she hurt, and I didn't want to see any of that.

Pressing my lips to her forehead, I cradled her closer. Tuesday was going to scare the hell out of me and I knew she was scared, I knew the kids were scared; we were all scared for what these next few months could bring. Ever day we moved forward the move scared I became, taking a large breath I thought of her telling me it had spread more through her last scans.

I kissed her collarbone and she stirred again, "What?" she muttered, "I think you should wake up," I whispered, she pressed her palms against her eyes, I smiled at she rolled onto her side and looked at me. Her brown eyes were swimming for days and I kissed her forehead, "Good morning,"

"Good morning baby," I wrapped my arms around her and I pulled her close, "Do you think we should be heading home?" Gabi asked, "Nah,"

She smiled and laughed, "Alright, I guess we will just stay in bed longer,"

"There is my girl," Gabi wrapped her arms around my neck and she leaned forward to kiss me. "Can we please just lay here forever?" I whispered into her ear, "Please," I closed my eyes as I breathed in her sweet scent. "Will you work with me this week or are you going to be a pain in my ass?" I asked, she laughed, "I'll probably be that pain in the ass,"

"Just making sure,"

She hesitated and then pulled back to look at me, "I keep hearing that the second day is the worst," I nodded and she fidgeted, "Can we have the kids out of the house, please,"

"Where would you like them to go?"

"Maybe to Chad's or something, I don't know, I just don't think I want them around,"

"Well Alli will already be dancing and Wes will be at a baseball camp with his team for the day." I told her quietly, "That only leaves Emma, Liam, and Lo,"

"Liam will probably go hang out with Rayne," I told him, "Yea and I can take Emma and Lo to Chad's house in the morning so they can hang out."

"Thanks,"

"If it makes you feel better,"

She curled against me and I pulled her tighter to me, "I love you Brie,"

"I love you too Troy,"

Gabi's POV

"Date night was good," I told Lucille, we were standing in the kitchen as it was Monday night, the night before chemo and I was becoming scared. "That's good," I nodded my head and I looked at the kids running around in the backyard. "How are the kids doing?"

"Good," I said with a nod, I stirred the corn in the pot as she moved around me, "How are you holding up?" she asked, I looked at her, "I'm scared,"

"I bet you are, is Troy going with you tomorrow?" I sent her a look and she laughed, "Okay, stupid question," I smiled as I wrapped my arms around my stomach. "The kids are all becoming more quiet and it's all becoming too much,"

"I'm sorry," I shrugged, "Rayne seems like a sweet girl," My eyes found her and Liam playing with the kids, running around, "Yea, her mom is dying,"

"We are all dying," Lucille, teased, I looked at Lucille, "Her mom is dying of breast cancer,"

"Oh goodness," I nodded, "She has become a frequent face in our house lately, she spends a lot of her days with her mom and then the nights at our house until she has to return home."

"That's so terrible,"

"Yea, it honestly is and I think Liam is just scared for her and scared of everything,"

"Hey mom!" Jenni came rounding the corner in a pair of scrubs, her hair pinned back as she had a smile on her face. "Good day at work?"

"We had two cancer patients exit the ward today because they are cancer free, it's possible the best thing ever." I smiled as Jenni hugged me; "I saw somebody's name on the list tomorrow for chemo,"

I nodded, "Yea, scary isn't it?"

"You'll be okay," Jenni, said with a smile, "It will all be okay,"

Troy's POV

Bouncing the basketball a couple of times, I looked over to see the kids still playing and I keep bouncing the ball. "What's up big brother," I turned to see Jenni, "Nothing, are you okay?"

Jenni smiled, "I am pretty sure that is the question I am supposed to be asking you." I nodded as I bounced the ball, "I'm fine Jenni,"

"Come on Troy, Gabi is going through chemo tomorrow." I felt my body tense at the words, "Can we not talk about it?"

"And there it is, Troy,"

"Jenni, I'm honestly fine,"

"You are not fine," she grabbed the basketball as I bounced it again, she took it into hold, "The love of your life, the one you basically flipped out over when she ran into a door and had to get stitches you were a mess and now this?"

I ran my fingers through my hair and I sat down on the court that I played on for years when I was younger, "I'm freaking out alright? I don't want to see her suffer," Jenni sat next to me, "Just be there for her,"

"Of course I will be there for her,"

"You have no idea what I see in the oncology ward Troy, I see these husbands come in for the first one and be there and I might see them the second time," she shook her head, "But the third one and on I see less of them and I see the females start to suffer because they just want somebody there,"

"I'm not going anywhere," I protested, "I know that but I just, they need you more than she will voice."

I rubbed my forehead, "Jenni how bad could this be?"

"TAC is aggressive," she said quietly, "It's not going to be good is it?"

"Probably not," Pressing my palms against my eyes, Jenni leaned against me, "She will be okay though,"

"Will she?"

"She will, Gabi is strong."

"I can't lose her Jenni," she sighed as she hooked her arm around mine, "I know, Troy," I rested my head on top of hers, "I'll be there for you Troy, I'll be there for the kids, I'll just be here,"

"Thanks Jenni,"

"I love you Troy,"

"I love you Jenni,"

Gabi's POV

Rolling around for what felt like the tenth million time, I finally sat up giving in to my restless sleep. I found a jacket and slipped it on as I moved out into the hallway. I quietly walked down the halls and peering into the rooms of my sleeping children. Lauren was passed out in her bed, her stuffed animals surrounding her to make her feel warm she told me the other night.

Looking into Emma's room I found Emma and Allison. They were snuggled up to each other as they had fallen asleep watching a movie last night together. A smile spread over my face as I gently shut the door again. Going downstairs, I looked in to see Wes neatly tucked into his bed. His phone glowed for a moment and then dimmed down again. A message or an alert passing through his phone telling him somebody wanted him.

His blankets were still around his shoulders and his soft brown hair fell across his face. I couldn't believe he was going to be 13 in just a couple of weeks. I couldn't even imagine that day when he would be a teenager.

Softly moving to Liam's room, I poked my head in. His blankets were tossed across the floor; his phone lay on his chest, his hand falling off his bed. He looked exhausted but I knew he had been up late talking to Rayne. He kept saying her mom was getting worse and worse by the day. I knew Rayne was becoming more upset each day, as Liam would sometimes leave and not coming home until late. Troy sometimes went with him but other times it was just Liam. He would always say he was with Rayne and I knew by the exhausted look he had that he always was.

Stepping into his space, I went over and put his phone on his charger. I picked up the blanket that I had made him a couple of years back. I draped it over top of him and I took a lot of control not to kiss his forehead. I smiled as he was so much like Troy it was honestly scary.

When I made it back to the main level, I went into the kitchen and I began to make coffee. The machine brewed softly in the early morning hours. I was due to be at the hospital in-patient area at nine thirty this morning. Not that many more hours from this four o clock hour that I was currently standing in. The machine ticked again and I reached up to grab a mug. The one with the kids names painted on was the one that screamed at me to take.

I filled it a little more than half way and I poured milk and a tad of sugar into my coffee. I stirred it together and I then reached for a blanket on the couch. Taking it out back, I found a chair and I sat down. I pulled my mug of coffee close and my blanket tighter around me. As the kids were babies, when they woke me up during the night I would sit outside and I would find the sun. I would watch it rise overhead and smile because the world was beginning to wake around me. The birds would stir and the cars would start turning on. My day had already started but I got to see everybody else's too.

Wes was the one who loved to be outside too. We would stay there for hours if it wasn't for Liam and Emma. We would watch the colors dance across the sky, alert the world that it's time to start over again, to start a new day and to love again. A sigh trickled out of my mouth, as questions would rise in my head during this period of silence.

How would I react? How were the kids going to do with this? Was it going to be hard on all of us? How was Rayne going to be when her mom died, would Liam be okay? It was a cycle of questions that I wouldn't have answers to until I lived it. I wish I could live it so it would just be over. So I knew how to tell my kids that life was going to be okay.

A brisk chill swept over my body and I pulled everything tighter to me. "You know, I think I should be concerned you don't even notice when I touch you anymore," I leaned back as Troy was standing over me. His blue eyes still tired with sleep, his brown hair pointing in every direction, his face still set in a mind of youth. Curiosity pinned over his features as I studied him.

"I was deep in thought," I confessed, Troy smiled softly as he rubbed my shoulders. "The bed was cold," he remarked, "Why did you leave? You only made it colder," Troy laughed, "Funny, I think you left first,"

"Maybe I did," I teased with a small smile, Troy kissed the top of my head, "You thinking about anything good out here?"

"Nah,"

"I didn't think so, nobody can think at this hour," I nodded with a laugh, "True,"

Troy was quiet for a minute. "Do you want to go for a run?" Troy asked, I paused, and stunned he had even asked such a thing. "Troy, I have chemo today and I'm not sure how my breasts would tolerate it."

"Only one way to find out right?"

"Do you think I can?"

"Why not?" Troy asked with a goofy grin, "Let's go!" I said with a smile, Troy chuckled as he followed my inside. My blanket and coffee left out on the porch. Troy and I both quietly got ready, as we would do this. Go on midnight runs, only after making sure the house was locked up tight, and just run. We would be with each other and it was fun. Obviously we didn't go far and we had monitors on the house but we had fun.

Now that the kids were all older and Liam was sixteen, it was easier to just go.

Troy and I hit the pavement out front, "Tell me when you are ready to turn around," I nodded, "Sounds good,"

"I'll give you a piggy back ride if you need one okay?"

"Okay,"

Troy and I kept up with each other, a single stride side by side. It was a while later that I looked up and the colors were dancing in the sky. It was a beautiful thing to watch and with your husband by your side it was even better.

"You sure you are okay?" Troy asked after a while, I nodded and kept up with the pace into my music until I felt like I could collapse. I slowed down to a stop and Troy passed me a little and then came back to catch up to me. His hands were on his hips and the sweat lined the front of his shirt.

"You ready to head home?" I nodded as my breathing was fast, "Yea," Troy smiled as he circled me for a moment, "Let's walk," I breathed out too afraid if I breathed too big I would never breath again.

"Okay," Troy and I slowly made our way back to the house. "That was six miles,"

"You mean three and three back?" I asked, Troy shook his head laughing, "We ran six miles, it's like you haven't stopped running,"

"I'll probably regret it later,"

"Nah, I think it will make you feel better."

Troy kissed my temple, "What's on your pretty mind baby girl?" I sighed, "Just wondering how today is going to go,"

"Uh huh,"

"And how the kids are going to be, how Rayne is going to be once her mom passes,"

Troy chuckled as he stopped and circled around to face me, "There is my favorite wife,"

"Huh?"

"You always are so worried about everybody else,"

"I will always worry about my kids," I proclaimed, "I will always worry about you," Troy laughed, "Brie, you don't have to worry about me,"

I brought my hands up to cup his cheeks, "Yes, I do. I worry because you are my husband and I will forever and always worry about you. I love you," Troy smiled as he kissed me softly, "I love you too Brie,"

Tapping my fingers against the counter, I looked outside as the sun was way up in the sky. "Good luck today mom, I'll be rooting for you." I smiled as I turned to Liam and gave him a big hug. "Thanks Liam," he smiled as I tried to find the scent of my baby boy but it was long gone. I just got the smell of teenager.

"Brie, come on we have to go," I turned to see Troy and I let go of Liam, "Please be extra eyeful of your siblings today, mostly Emma and Lo okay?" Liam nodded, "Of course,"

"Thank you," I turned to Troy as he was dressed in a pair of jeans with a Lakers t-shirt. I on the other hand was in yoga pants with a long sleeve shirt. Picking up my bag, I went to grab Troy's hand. "Text me if you need anything Liam," Troy said, Liam nodded and we went down into the garage. Troy lifted the door and I opened up mine to get into the car. Nerves ran through my body and Troy rested his hand on my knee.

"It's going to be okay," Troy said as he smoothed his hand over mine, "I hope," I whispered. Troy drove down the quiet streets of the summer. Some kids were still sleeping, most parents were already in the office, and anybody going anywhere might have been the tourist. Troy gave a sideways look towards me and he squeezed my hand gently. When Troy pulled into the hospital, I turned my head away as nerves grew over my stomach. I had taken a couple different medications yesterday and this morning to relieve anxiety, nausea, and etc.

Troy parked the car and he climbed out of the car and opened the door. I slipped out but Troy stopped me, my legs hung out of the car as he tilted my head backwards. "I'll be here," Troy, said softly, "I'm not going anywhere, not this time or the next five." I pressed my face into Troy's chest and he kissed the top of my head as he hugged me closer to him. "After this, we can go home and just lay in bed all day. Watch whatever movie you want to watch, we can do it."

I turned my head to listen to his heartbeat, "Thank you,"

"I'll always be here baby girl, I'll always be there."

Troy grabbed his backpack and I reached for my purse as we walked towards the hospital doors. Troy pressed the buttons to the elevator. A chill swept over me and goosebumps rose over my skin. Troy noticed as he slipped his jacket off, "Here," I smiled, as even with my long sleeve shirt I was cold. Troy helped me put it on as we stepped onto the elevator. Going up to the fourth floor, Troy stepped off first.

I followed as we went to sign in, I scrolled down my name and went to go take a sit next to Troy. Troy pulled me into his lap and pressed his face against my shoulder blades. "Gabi, we are going to have you fill out this paper of symptoms you have. You will do this before every chemo appointment." I smiled at the nurse as Troy peaked over my shoulder as I filled it out. I wasn't really having any pain or symptoms they wanted to know of so it was pretty easy.

Once I was done, I turned it in and she stopped me from going back to sit down, "Come on back, we are going to draw blood and send it in to the lab to check your levels but everything should be good since you haven't received chemo yet,"

"When is it not good?" I asked, "White blood cell count is the one we are really looking at and if it falls below 750 we get concerned. We might delay chemo for a week to let it rise again." I nodded as Troy caught up with me and she came into this big open room, a bunch of chairs that were seats. Some were already taken, a couple of people sleeping. All sorts of people were here, men and women.

I settled into the chair as Troy grabbed one next to me even though I knew once we got started he would probably sit next to me in the chair. The chair was big enough and it made me feel a hell of a lot better. "Has anybody ever accessed your port before?" I shook my head, "No," she nodded, "It's going to hurt a little bit, it is not the most comfortable feeling in the world,"

My stomach dropped and Troy reached over and rubbed my arm. "Okay," I pulled the shirt down easy as the nurse was preparing everything. Troy smiled, "So I was thinking I could make dinner tonight, something easy, easy to digest." The nurse laughed, "Don't mind me she said," I giggled as I began to ease down softly, "Alright Gabi, this is going to hurt a little bit. If it is too much this time then we will prescribe you some cream to rub over it for the next time okay?"

I nodded as Troy rubbed the top of my hand; his fingers rough from the many years of basketball but were almost smooth to me. I braced myself as she went in and it hurt like hell. I bit down on my lower lip as she sighed, "Damn it," she pulled the large needle back, "I have to do it again sorry," I felt my body tense, "Hey, it's okay," Troy leaned towards me, I let my chin rest against his shoulder, "Alright, we will get it this time,"

Once the pain speared me again I felt tears brush my eyes. Troy moved his hand on the other side of my head as he held me closer but I was still straight as he was more coming towards me. "All done,"

"When can I have that cream again?" the nurse laughed, "Next time, I'll write it up for you," she started drawing the blood as Troy still kept me close. "Can I sit with her?" Troy asked looking up at the nurse, the nurse looked surprised for a minute and then nodded. "All but one part and it is the very last part, we have to physically insert the last part of chemo because if it leaks one drop then we have to know as quickly as possible."

I looked at her nervous, "It's bad?"

"It's just something we need to make sure all gets in," Gabi nodded, "Alright, I'm going to send this off to the lab, get your chemo processed and once the results come back we can party it up!" I laughed quietly as Troy stood up and I stood up as he sat underneath of me. He wrapped his arms around my stomach as he pulled me close. I turned my face into him as I dug my arms further into his jacket.

"I'm sleepy,"

"Sleep," Troy whispered, "I won't let them hurt you," I smiled as I rubbed Troy's fingers.

Troy and I were quiet for a very long time and once the nurse came back towards me she smiled, "All is good!" she began to hook something up, "We are going to start you with a bag of fluids and then after that we are going to give you Aloxi, Decadron, Dex, and Benadryl." Troy kind of looked over at her with all of the names she just shot in there.

"What do they all do?"

The nurse, Sam, gave Troy a patient smile. "Dex helps prevent nausea and can increase your appetite." I nodded, "Aloxi is another to prevent nausea and vomiting. Decadron is an anti inflammatory, and Benadryl for more anti nausea." My stomach rolled, "That's a lot to prevent nausea,"

"Oh yea, we try to make this as comfortable as possible for you." I nodded and she let the IV fluids go through, once the machine beeped she put several things through a syringe into my port and she gave a soft smile.

"We are going to do another bag of fluids to make sure your line is completely clear." I nodded and once she began that, I turned to look at Troy and he smiled, "I love you Brie,"

"I love you too,"

Troy's POV

My eyes searched the length of her body as she curled into me as she was sleeping. She fell asleep during her first thing of chemo and I wasn't about to let any of them wake her up. They thought it was funny that she fell asleep during chemo because many patients were too anxious. I was pretty sure the Benadryl took effect and some of the other ones as she was out.

My phone buzzed next to me as we were in stage two of the chemo. We had already been here for a good three hours and had probably another hour or so to go. I gave a slight look towards my phone as I picked it up.

How is mom? – Everybody

I smiled softly as I went to reply with my one free hand, good. Sleeping right now. We should be home in about an hour and a half or so. Kids being good?

The nurse walked over again as she checked a couple of things, "It's probably good she is sleeping, some of these drugs can make it hard to sleep, the nausea, which hopefully we are completely avoiding with all of the drugs we give her but sometimes the stuff is just too much." I stroked her thigh, as I didn't really want to look away. "Yea, hopefully she can miss the side effects,"

"She'll do great,"

"There is my Troy boy!" I looked up to see Jenni, I laughed, "Hey Jenni," Sam turned around, "You know him?" Sam asked Jenni, Jenni laughed, "Uh yea," she said with a nod, I grinned, "She is my annoying little sister, I have known her every day since she was born,"

Sam looked surprised, "You two are really siblings?" Jenni nodded with a smile, "Yup, proud…actually." I laughed and Gabi stirred, I looked down at her and Jenni smiled. "Still loves to sleep,"

"She is tired," I said with a flickering look, "I bet she is, how is she holding up?"

"Okay for now,"

"I'm not surprised at all this is how they are," Jenni said motioning towards us, "This is how they are all of the time," Sam smiled, "That's awesome, how long have you guys been married?"

"Sixteen years in September."

"Oh God," Jenni smacked his forehead, "What the hell are you going to do? You always take her somewhere," I shrugged, "I don't know, I'm not sure yet, even if she can go somewhere."

"She loves it too…"

"Where have you been?" Sam asked, "Where haven't we been is a question that is more like it," I said with a laugh, "We have been everywhere and anywhere." I shook my head just thinking about the memories. My phone buzzed and I reached over to pick it up.

Yea. Grandma came over and she is still here.

"We are almost done with this one, then we will do the last chemo, do one more bag of fluids and you guys can be on your way." I nodded as Jenni and Sam both went to the nurse's station. I sent Liam a text back and I then leaned backwards a bit more, Gabi stirred a little bit and she rested her chin on my chest, "You feeling okay?" I asked her, she nodded her face into my chest, as I knew she was already starting to feel like crap.

I held her a little closer as the machine beeped, I looked at Sam who was getting up, she told me as long as she knew I could shut it off, showing me how. I reached over and pressed a button to stop the annoying sound. Sam came over as she unhooked the one attached as I ran my fingers through Gabi's hair. She came back with a red, like devil red, liquid and some other supplies as she pulled up a stool.

Gabi moved to face her as Sam connected the two together. "This is Adromycin, we had to hand push it into your IV slowly to know if there is any leakage, this is the part Troy is going to have to move, Gabi only slowly nodded her head, "You feeling okay Gabs?" I asked again, worry rolling over my entire body. "I'm just tired," she said softly, I kissed the back of her head as I slowly got up.

Once she was settled back into the bed, I stretched my limbs out. "I'm going to use the restroom unless you want me to stay," she shook her head and I went to find the restroom. Once I walked in, I felt like this whole day was exhausting. My body was ready to give out and I shook my head, I was dreading the night and tomorrow to come. Everybody had a place to go tomorrow and the kids all understood why so they were not pushing anything.

I washed my hands and exited the bathroom, Gabi had her head turned the other way. "Troy," I looked over at Jenni as she waved me over. "Call me if you need me tonight. It could be bad or it could be fine. Just know I am here," I nodded, "Okay,"

"She looks like she isn't really having much of it right now," I nodded as I rubbed my jaw, "Yea, she looks exhausted."

"Call me," Jenni repeated, "I will Jenni,"

Walking by over to Gabi, I sat down in the chair next to her bed. She turned to look at me, as it was slow pushing that medication in. They had a bit more than half left. I kissed her forehead, "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I just want to go home," I sighed, "I know baby girl,"

After another twenty minutes they were finally done with the first round of chemo. "Alrighty, we are going to do one more bag of fluids and then you are done for the day Mrs. Gabi," she gave a weak smile and I leaned over to stroke her hand, "Do you want me to sit with you again,"

"It's okay, it won't be much longer." I kissed her softly and she grabbed ahold of my hand. We sat there for another thirty minutes as the last of her fluids went through. Once the machine beeped Sam walked over as she began to unhook Gabi from the machine. Once Gabi was free of the machine, I helped her stand up on her own two feet and she swayed for a moment.

"You okay?" I asked her, my eyes sweeping over her. She nodded weakly, "I need to use the restroom,"

"I'll go with you Gabs," Jenni appeared, "You look a little unsteady on your feet,"

"I'm okay," Gabi insisted, "Brie, please," I said softly, "I have to use the restroom anyways," Jenni, said, "Come on," she took Gabi's hand and they walked off together, I sighed as I shook my head.

"Here are all the symptoms she could experience with everything we gave her today," my eyes grew as I looked at the long list of symptoms, "Holy shit,"

"Yea, it's a lot. Hopefully she doesn't have many of them but she could have two to three or all of them just some, it really depends."

I rubbed the back of my neck, "Alright, I'm going to pull our car around front."

"Did they tell you she needs to come in tomorrow?"

"For what?" I asked, "The Neulasta shot." I gave her a questioning look, "I remember something vaguely but I don't remember an appointment,"

She walked around the desk and she pulled up a calendar. "You don't have one but how about around noon tomorrow? It's a shot to help boost her white blood cell count which is what fights of infection,"

"Yea, I trust you," I pulled out my phone as I nodded, "Noon tomorrow is fine,"

"It will be quick, maybe ten minutes tops,"

"Sounds good,"

"I'll let them know where you disappeared too,"

"Thank you,"

Gabi's POV

Sitting in the car I felt like complete shit. I didn't expect it to take effect so quickly, my eyes could barely open and I felt like I was going to lose my entire lunch I ate, well breakfast. It had been that long ago that I had ate and I just felt sick. Troy kept giving me worried glances on the way home and I didn't want to even encounter the kids, I just wanted to go to bed and I wanted Troy to stay with me.

"Brie," Troy said softly, "You aren't looking so hot,"

"I don't want the kids to see me like this, I can't," my voice began to break apart as Troy gave an even quicker panicked look. "Brie, baby, hey," Troy looked at the road, "The kids aren't going to care,"

"I don't want to talk to them, I feel like I'm going to just be sick." I could see Troy's face breaking as he pulled into our neighborhood. He pulled around a couple of blocks and then pulled our car into the garage. He shut the car off and he looked at me, he then got out coming over to my side. My door opened and Troy leaned in as he pressed his nose against my cheek.

"I'm sorry baby, I wish I could make it all better." I nodded as I could hear the kid's feet stumbling across the ground. Troy helped me out of the car and into the house. I walked up the set of stairs, "Just keep going, I'll block the kids off,"

"Will you come up?" I asked, "I'll be right behind you," Troy promised, "Okay,"

When we got into the main level I could hear Alli's laugh. I felt sick as I walked up the stairs, Troy was behind me and when we got to our set of stairs he was right behind me. I went and I lay down on the bed as I closed my eyes. "Get some rest," he said as he brushed my hair away, "Okay," I said, I rolled onto my side and I wrapped my arms around Troy. "Hold me please," my voice felt like it was going to break.

"Oh Brie," he whispered, he buried his nose into my hair, "I want to make all of this go away,"

"Please," I begged, Troy only pulled me closer in response.

Troy's POV

After Gabi fell asleep, I snuck out of the room and went downstairs. The kids were all sitting around the table doing something, "What are you guys up too?"

"Is mom okay?"

"She isn't feeling too hot right now, which is expected." I said softly, I leaned over the back of Allison's chair. "What are you guys up too?"

"A sign to make mom feel better!" Alli said, I smiled, "I bet it will make her a lot better." I told her, she giggled, "I hope so!" I looked over at Liam as he moved, I followed him, "How is she really,"

"She is fine right now," I told him, he looked at me as he looked like he could be sick. "Liam, your mom is going to be fine."

"Then how come you look worried," I looked at Liam closer, "Don't you need to go hang out with Rayne or Jace?" Liam dropped his head, "Rayne's mom is getting worse every day, and they don't think it is going to be much longer." I ran my hand down my face as I took in a deep breath. "Liam,"

"Dad, I didn't go well,"

"It went fine," I corrected, "I just don't think she is going to tolerate it well."

"Dad! Dad! Dad!" I spun on my heels as Allison came towards me, "Mommy is sick," I moved past Alli as I went up the stairs a couple at a time until I got to our room. When I got into the room, I could hear her from my spot in the doorway.

I moved to the bathroom and I pulled Gabi's hair away from her face. She moved backwards as I rubbed her back, "Where did you go?" she asked me leaning against the toilet. "I went to check on the kids," she vomited again, "mommy?" I turned to see Alli and Lo both followed me, "Shit," I whispered, I reached up to grab a hair tie as I pulled her hair back, "I'll be right back okay?"

I shut the door as Allison and Lauren were both crying. "Hey, hey," I gathered both of them up as I could hear Gabi, Lauren and Allison's cries only grew louder and my head was spinning in about five different directions.

"Hey," I picked each of them up and took them out of the room; they both began to cry for Gabi as I took them down to their room. "Hey, girls,"

"I want mommy!" Lo yelled as she tried to squirm out of my arms, I sat down as I sat them both in front of me, "Mommy," Allison got back up, "Hey, hey," I tried to get them both to relax and when they wouldn't I just hugged them closer until they both began to stop crying. "Why is mommy sick?"

"She is going to be better soon, I promise,"

"I want to go see mommy," Allison hiccupped, I rubbed her back softly, "I know, maybe in a little bit we can say good night okay? I just need to check on mommy,"

"Mommy," Lo cried, "Dad, I can help," Emma came in and sat down, "Thank you," I mouthed, she nodded as I gave her Allison and Liam came in close behind. After handing Lo off, I went back upstairs as Gabi was leaning back against the wall.

"Are they okay?"

"They want to see you," tears flooded her eyes as I sat down next to her, "Are you okay?" I asked, she shook her head as tears spilled out of her eyes, "No," I pulled her into my lap and pressed her face against me, just so she couldn't see my own tears.

Holding Allison, I rubbed here back as she woke up crying. "Is she okay?" I looked at the doorway to see Gabi. "Brie, go back to bed."

"I can't sleep," since she threw up earlier she has felt a little better but still tired and was nauseous. "You should still be resting,"

"I'm still a mom Troy," Allison shifted and looked up to see Gabi, she squirmed and tried to get away, "Hang on, hang on," I got up as I had Gabi come and sit. She complied and I then gave her Alli. Gabi smiled, "There is my girl," I grabbed a blanket and I set it over top of her. "Call me if you need anything okay?" Gabi nodded as I leaned over and I kissed her forehead.

"Go rest Troy,"

"Alright," I moved out of the room as I kept the door open, I rubbed my eyes underneath of my glasses. I debated about going upstairs I then went downstairs to grab something to drink. I called Jenni about the vomiting and the nausea. She sighed saying they would have to try a new cycle of anti nausea meds. I grabbed a thing of water out of the fridge and I opened the top.

Leaning against the counter, I rubbed my face and I heard the footsteps of somebody. "Troy?" I turned to see Gabi and I looked at her, "Alli fall asleep?" she nodded and I opened my arms. She walked into them and I wrapped my arms tightly around her. "Tell me,"

"Tired, nausea, my body hurts,"

I picked her up and I kissed the side of her head, I took her upstairs. I laid her down on the bed and she pulled me down with her. I pulled her towards me as I rubbed her back, "You would think all of those anti nausea meds would work,"

I smiled as I pressed my lips against her temple. "You are amazing,"

"I wish I didn't feel like shit,"

"It's perfectly normal,"

"I can't sleep," she whispered after a long time of silence, "Neither can I,"

Gabi's POV

Everything hurt. My whole body seemed to ache with any moment, I felt like I could vomit anything and everything. Curling up I could hear the shower running, Troy had dropped the kids all off in different directions.

My head was pounding, my stomach was nausea, and I was ready to just sleep for days. Troy came out of the bathroom as I faced him, a towel was wrapped around his waist tightly and he looked at me, "You feel okay?"

"No,"

Troy found underwear and a pair of shorts as he then came sliding next to me. "You have that shot in a couple of hours,"

"No," I protested, "I do not want to get out of bed."

"I love you baby but this shot should help,"

"It's only going to make me feel worse," I was turning away from him and I blinked away tears. "I just want to hide in a corner, I can't," I pushed off the bed as I moved to the bathroom, I could hear him following me and once everything came out of my stomach, Troy held my hair away from my face and rubbed my back.

Tears only rolled down my face. Troy stayed close by and when I was done, he sat back against the wall and I rested against him.

Troy's POV

I pulled into the Danforth's driveway and I put the car into park. I rested my forehead against the steering wheel, as the second day was cruel. She puked three or four times, had a constant headache, was tired but restless, and after she got the shot her entire body just hurt.

I finally got her to fall asleep and I left a note saying I would be back after picking up the kids from the Danforth's house. They were all here but Liam and Wes. They went to go do something together but all of the girls were here.

I slipped out of the car and I felt like my entire body hurt. It had been a rough day; she couldn't keep much of anything down. Nothing was working and I had called Jenni but there wasn't much she could do this time.

Walking up the porch steps, I knocked once before I entered the house. "Hello?"

"Daddy!" Lo came running from around the corner as I bent over to pick her up. "Hey beautiful," she smiled as I kissed her forehead. "Hey Troy, come here," I followed the sound of Chad's voice. He was standing in the kitchen doing something and then he looked over at me.

"Hey," I set Lo down as she went running, "How is Gabi?"

"Sick," I responded, "She just is not feeling well at all."

"Do you need a break?"

"Does she get a break?" I asked him, "Yea, I guess. How are the kids?" I leaned against the counter and rubbed my eyes, "Lo and Allison freaked out last night when they caught her getting sick. Liam is worried sick, Emma is quiet, and Wes is extra quiet."

"Wes is always quiet,"

"Wes is extra quiet," I corrected, "I don't know, I'm just not sure right now,"

"How are you doing?"

"It's hard to watch her suffer. It's hard to watch her cry because the pain is too much. It's just so hard." I rubbed my forehead and Chad patted my back, "Hopefully tomorrow will be a little bit better and every day after that will,"

"I hope,"

"Dad, can I stay the night?" Emma looked at me and I looked at Chad, "I don't care." I nodded at Emma as she came over to give me a hug, "Give mom a hug for me okay?"

"I will,"

She ran off and I gathered my two others. Once I got them into the car I waved to Chad as I backed out, ready to go to bed but I knew I was going to go home and have to battle fucking cancer some more.

One chemo done! Five to go! I hope you are all enjoying this story and if I get some parts wrong, I'm sorry. I don't mean to get them wrong but all of the information you read is so overwhelming! I hope I am doing justice!

Thanks for reading!

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