Chapter 13 – Midnight Cries

"Fuck cancer," Troy laughed as he turned to look over at me, "You alright?"

"These mouth sores are fucking stupid," Troy chuckled again, "You are a nut," I shot him a glance as I lay back in bed; it had been eight days since my chemo. Everyday after the fourth day was a hell of a lot better. Each day grew a bit better and better but as we hit day seven, yesterday, my mouth was full of these stupid mouth sores. They were a pain in the ass and they hurt like cell.

"Do you need anything for them?" Troy asked as he ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't know, can I have anything for them?" Troy shrugged, "I can call Jenni and ask her,"

I sighed, "Maybe," Troy nodded as he went into the bathroom, and he shut the door. I rolled out of bed; I went downstairs as Rayne and Liam were sitting in the kitchen laughing about something. "What are you two doing?" I asked, "Talking about how much we love you Mrs. Bolton," I smiled at Rayne, "How sweet," Liam smiled and he stirred around his cereal he was eating.

"Are you getting ready to go up to see your mom?"

"Uh huh," Rayne said quietly, "Tell your mom I said hi,"

"I will," Rayne slipped out of her chair as Liam followed. Troy had been talking to Rayne a lot more since everything had happened, he was talking with Liam more and everything seemed to be going okay right now. Allison was already at her dance camp, Wes with a friend this morning and Emma was hanging with Alexa. Trying to keep everything straight with chemo was becoming harder with this chemo brain as they called it.

"Do we have the house to ourselves?"

"I think you forget about Lauren,"

"Oh yea," I laughed as Troy rubbed my stomach. "Troy how was Rayne when you talked to her last night?"

"She was okay, why?"

"I don't know, she seemed off today,"

"Jenni was telling me how bad her mom is getting," I put my hand over my heart, "Poor baby," I whispered, "I can not even imagine that, I want my death to be quick. I don't want to put my kids or you through that,"

"Yea, we are not talking about this," Troy whispered against my head, "If we one day have to talk about it Troy,"

"We won't though,"

I sighed as I rubbed his hand and Troy began to pick through the pantry. "I sure hope not," I whispered.

Troy's POV

I bounced the basketball around as I took a shot, "Whoa," Liam caught the ball as I looked at him, "Care if I join?" he asked, "It is a better game with two," he nodded as he shot the ball up, "You doing alright Liam?"

"Why would you ask?"

"Everything going on with Rayne's mom, everything going on with your mom, I mean life isn't easy right now."

"When is it easy," I nodded, "True that,"

"Rayne's mom doesn't have much longer, they aren't even sure if she has two days left,"

"I feel so bad for Rayne," Liam said after a couple of minutes, "Just be there for her,"

"Dad, were you with mom when her dad died?"

"With her as in?"

"Dating,"

I nodded my head, "Yea, we had just started well, I mean, a couple of months but yea."

"How did you help her through that?"

"I was just there." I told him, he nodded as he worked with the ball, he shot it and it circled around. "Don't tell her to stop crying, don't tell her to let go, you just have to tell her you'll be there for her and you'll sit there even when she is having a rough day because she will have a lot of them for a long time. "How long has it taken mom to start feeling better?"

"She hasn't," I told him, "Twenty years later and she still wants him here with her and it doesn't take much for her to fall apart about it. Is it better than when it had just happened? Yes, by a long shot. It's still there though and every time, I'm there for her."

Liam bounced the ball once, "Yea well, I can't let any of my girlfriends meet you and mom because I will be broken up with," I laughed, "I can down play it if I need too," Liam laughed, "Nah, no need to let mom down,"

I smirked as I stole the ball from his hands and went up for the shot. "Oh I'm playing!" Chad reached up for the ball and went in for a fast dunk. Liam laughed, "Let's play, pros on Liam,"

"Are you really wanting to do that to yourself? Why not make your dad work harder,"

"Oh yes!" I laughed, "Alright, let's go,"

Gabi's POV

"Are you getting Rayne tonight?" I asked Liam, he shook his head and sat down at the dinner table. "No, not tonight. She is staying with her mom for the evening and then hanging out with her dad or something."

I nodded and I put more plates on the table. "Mommy! Mommy!" Allison came running into the kitchen in her tutu. I smiled as I picked her up, "What's up pretty girl?"

"I did twirls and a dance today!" I gasped, "That's amazing Alli girl!" I kissed her cheek and I set her down, I was literally so tired I could fall over. My mouth hurt like hell and I had no appetite. Troy walked into the kitchen setting Alli's lunch box down and he came over to kiss the top of my head.

"I'm going to go lie down,"

"What?" he looked at the dinner table, Lauren was strapped in, Liam and Emma were close fighting over something, Allison was sitting and Wes was scooping food on his plate. "Yea, I am pretty tired, I just want some sleep,"

"You need to eat, have you eaten anything?"

"I ate some toast this morning, honestly though, Troy, I just want to lie down." He sighed, "Okay," he kissed the top of my head and I went upstairs to lie down on my bed. I rolled onto my side as I sent an email to my mom and to my brother updating them on how I was doing. I rolled onto my side as I felt like my body was hit by a bus, the throwing up had slowed but my body just hurt which was another nasty side effect.

Closing my eyes, I fell into a semi sleep. I was aware of things going on around me but I felt like I slipped in and out.

"You feeling okay?" Troy's hand slipped over my back and I opened my eyes to look at him. "Yea, I'm just sleepy,"

"How about a bath and then you can go to bed while I do bed rounds,"

"Okay, don't twist my arm," Troy laughed as he helped me up out of the bed. He went and started my bath water as I stripped off my clothes. Troy kissed me softly, "I love you baby girl,"

"I love you more,"

"Mhm, if that's what you want to say."

I smiled and Troy helped me in because I had been unsteady on my feet. "I'll come check on you in a bit okay?"

"Mhm,"

Troy's POV

"I want mommy,"

I rocked Lauren, "Mommy is resting,"

"No! I want mommy,"

Lauren tried to break free from my grip as she began to cry. He sobs becoming louder as she was tired but Gabi was what she wanted. I stood up and I walked to the bedroom, I pushed the door open with my hip as I scanned the room, Gabi was laying on her back, she was wrapped in her robe and when Lo cried she turned her head. "Somebody wants you,"

Gabi stood up and she walked over as Lo jumped out of my arms and attached herself to Gabi. "Dad!" I felt my eyes go wide at the sound of Emma calling me. Gabi smiled, "I have her," I went down to Emma's room and I looked in, she was standing on her bed, clutching a shoe. "Kill it!" she screamed, "Kill what?" I asked looking around the room, "The spider! It's huge!"

"It must not be that huge because I can't see it," she screamed and I moved closer as it was by her bed. "Emma, are you serious," I shook my head and I stepped on the tiny spider, "Is it dead?"

"Yes Em, it's dead,"

She let out a sigh of relief, "Good," I helped her down off her bed and she sat down, "Anything else?"

"No! Thanks Daddy!" I rolled my eyes as I backed out of the room, Liam was standing there and he started laughing, "Really Emma?"

"It was a big spider!" she argued, I Shook my head, "Was not," I mouthed, Liam snorted and he moved out of the doorway. "I'm going to go to the park and play a night game, is that okay?"

"Yea, be home by eleven,"

"Thanks,"

I found Wes playing video games and Alli was watching him. "Alli, it's time for bed."

"No!"

"Allison,"

"No,"

Wes looked over at me, "It's fine dad,"

"No, she needs to go to bed,"

"I want mommy!" I sucked in a deep breath, "Am I only good for killing bugs around here?"

Wes laughed as I turned out of the room, I found Gabi standing in Lauren's room tucking her in. "I'll see you in the morning pretty girl," she smiled as Gabi kissed her forehead. She was in a pair of sweats with a tank top. "Alli wants you," I murmured, "Apparently it is a mommy night,"

"Oh, how was the bug killing,"

I laughed, "That's all I am good for this evening,"

"Well, you did give me a nice bath so I think you are good for a lot more,"

I smiled as I kissed her forehead and shut the door to Laurens room. I went back into my room and I fell back against the bed, my arms covering my eyes. Oh the life of being a parent.

Liam's POV

I passed the basketball off as the two teams that had formed played with each other. The ball flying around the court with ease as we did this about once a week. We bribed somebody to turn the park lights on and we played for what felt like hours but most of us had to be home by eleven or midnight.

I drew in a large breath and I moved my body to become open. They passed the ball to me and it circled around the top and it dropped down into the bottom, it fell through and it was picked up by a couple of other people.

"No Rayne tonight?" Jace asked me, he was slowly becoming better about her. Liking her even more and she was becoming apart of our group. She was talking to them more and she was laughing with them.

"No, she is staying with her mom."

"It's not good,"

"No," I said quietly, "I didn't tell my parents though because I swear my dad flips out every time and then my mom says something about how she just wants to die fast and then I think my dad like stops breathing and flips out even more."

"Wow, I think you need to shove your dad in the whipped category,"

"Just love," I murmured, "You and your parents have some sort of relationship,"

"I like my parents," I said giving him a look, "I enjoy being with my parents, love it actually."

"Such a mommas boy,"

"Okay," I said with a shrug, "It's okay with me really, I want a good relationship with my parents, and I hate arguing with them."

"Yea, Yea," I shot the ball and it sank into the hoop, "Did you grow up attached to your mom?"

"Pretty much and my dad,"

"Hmmm…" I shook my head with a laugh as the guys continued playing, "I like your family Liam, jealous of it really,"

"I would be too," I said as I received the ball, "I would too,"

Stirring out of my sleep, I looked at the ceiling what the hell was buzzing. It then hit me and I knew whom it was before I even picked up the phone. 4:12am. I slid the green button across the screen.

"Rayne," I whispered softly, "Can you come get me?" her sobs echoed through the phone. "I'm so sorry Rayne," I whispered, she cried harder as I could feel her chest hurting from here. "Hey, I will come get you in a bit. I have to go tell my parents, I will be there soon,"

"No, please, please don't hang up," she cried, "Don't leave me alone," I pushed the blankets back, "Okay, I'm going to stay on the phone okay? I'm not going anywhere. I'm not going anywhere," I whispered too her, she cried harder as I crept upstairs quietly. I moved to the top floors passing the girls rooms. "I'm so scared Liam,"

"I know Rayne, I'm here though," I said quietly, I moved to push open my parents door as they were both fast asleep. My mom was lying right next to my dad, his arm was wrapped around my arm her head on his shoulder. She was having a hell of a time with all of the chemo she was going through. Something new each day and I hated to see her hurt like that.

Suddenly imagines of this happening to us came flooding towards me. "Rayne, where is your dad?" I asked softly, my eyes focused on my parents, as I wanted to make sure they didn't, not yet.

"Off drunk, I don't know, he disappeared when it was close and I haven't seen him since, I don't know," she began to cry, "Hey it's okay, it's okay." I whispered. I looked at my dad, as I knew that would not be him. My dad wouldn't leave her side until her last breath was gone and probably for many hours after that. We would have to pry him away from her and I couldn't even imagine him after that. I didn't want to imagine that.

The girls would all hurt. Emma wouldn't know how the hell to move, Lo would be crazy, Alli, I shook my head as Wes would hurt but not nearly as much as the girls. I walked into the room and I looked at the clock. 4:17. The amount of time that had passed had been short.

I went over to the side of my dad's bed and I looked at him for a minute before I pressed my hand against his shoulder. I shook him for a second before his eyes flew open; he searched around, looked at mom, and then looked at me again. "Is everything okay?" I shook my head, "Rayne," I mouthed, my dad looked at me and his eyes went wide.

"Oh God, is she okay?"

"She wants me to come pick her up,"

"Go," my dad said, "I'll be up when you get back okay?" I nodded as I thanked him and I backed out of the room. "Rayne, you still there?" I heard somebody else talking and then I heard somebody else's voice. "Hello?" a women, "Yes?"

"Who is this?"

"Liam Bolton,"

"Are you coming to get Rayne?"

"Yes," I said softly, "She is up on the oncology ward,"

I hesitated, "Is Jenni working?"

"Uhh…" she paused, "Yes, she is,"

"Can you put her with Rayne for a bit, at the request of her favorite nephew," I grabbed my keys and threw on a sweatshirt. "Can you give Rayne her phone back? I promised I wouldn't hang up," I said quietly, "Sure thing, she is crying pretty heavily though."

"That's okay, it's the fact that I am on the other end that she needs,"

"Very sweet,"

The phone was given back and she was crying very hard. I went and got into my truck as I backed out of the driveway, I drove for a while only listening to Rayne's sobs filled the phone. I heard my Aunt Jenni come into the room and talk to her for a few minutes as I pulled through the empty streets. The clock pushed back to four thirty, as everything seemed to be moving so much more slowly.

I made it too the hospital, "Rayne,"

"Yea?" she said trying not to cry, "I'm here okay, can I hang up now?"

"No," she said loudly, "Please,"

"Okay, I will, I will stay on the phone okay?"

"Thank you,"

I slipped out of my truck and into the hospital; I had to go through security. Once I hit the elevator I pushed the buttons and got on and then I lost connection. "Shit," I muttered, I tried to dial back but nothing would go through. I knew she was probably freaking out and I walked out as I ran up to the nursing station. "I'm looking for Rayne," the nurse gave me a sad look and she then waved me behind the nursing station.

"He hung up, he hung up,"

"Liam wouldn't do that sweetie," Jenni's voice was calm as I stood in the doorway, "Rayne," I said quietly, she looked up and she was a mess. Her hair was going every other direction; her face was red and puffy. She looked tired and she broke apart when she saw me. I came over and she stood up as I hugged her tight. "I'm so sorry Rayne, I'm sorry," she pulled her arms towards her chest as she just wanted to curl up in a ball.

Jenni touched my back softly, "Are you going to get her home okay?"

"She is coming back to our house," I told her, Jenni nodded, "Good," she looked at Rayne, "I can give you a sedative for her, get her to sleep for a while. She has been pretty hysterical."

"Yea, go ahead,"

"I'll get it and then help you out,"

"Thank you,"

Jenni left as Rayne cried into my chest, "It happened so fast," she whispered, "One minute she was okay and then she was gone,"

"Oh Ray," I whispered, I kissed the top of her head as I just held her closer. "I can't be alone Liam, I can't,"

"You don't have to be alone," I told her quietly, "I'm not going anywhere,"

"You hung up,"

"I lost connection in the elevator." I told her quietly, "I tried to call you back,"

Jenni walked back with a pharmacy bag, I stuffed it into my shorts as I looked at Rayne and I knew she wasn't walking. I picked her up and she pressed her head against my chest. "Guys, I'll be right back. I'm going to make sure my nephew gets out okay,"

"Alright," Jenni pressed the elevator button as I rubbed her back gently. "God, you look so much like your dad," I smiled as I looked at Rayne, "Is that a bad thing?"

"Not at all,"

Once the elevator stopped, I walked out and Jenni stood at the door. "One pill whenever she just becomes hysterical or she needs some sleep. I would probably try to get her to have one when you get back to the house."

"Thank you Aunt Jenni,"

"No problem, I'll see you later okay?"

"Yea,"

Walking out of the hospital, I unlocked my car door with some difficulty but once I got the door open, I set Rayne inside the door. I buckled her in but she didn't want to let go, "Ray, I have to drive home," I said quietly, "I'll hold your hand, I'm not going anywhere." I said quietly, she let go attentively as I shut her door and ran around the other side. I put in my keys and plugged in my phone to start some music.

She was shaking and crying I grabbed her hand as I drove back to the house. She took off her seatbelt and scooted closer to me. Shoving the middle part of my truck up. "Rayne, you need your seatbelt on," I said quietly, "No, I-I can't,"

I sighed as I let her lay on me; I took it slow as I drove through my neighborhood. I pulled into the garage as I saw a light on in a living room. I stopped my car as I turned my keys off, "It's okay," I told her as she began to shake with tears. I opened the door and I pulled her closer to me. I walked up the stairs and I pushed the door open, my dad was sitting on the couch and he looked up.

I set her down as she just stood there for a minute, my dad got up as Rayne and him have been talking more. She liked talking to my dad but who didn't. He came over as he hugged Rayne, "I'll be back in a second," I said holding up my finger. My dad nodded as Rayne held onto him tighter.

Going into the kitchen, I grabbed a small thing of water and I looked at the pills. I shook one out as I went into the living room. "Rayne, hey, take this," I said quietly, she looked at it and agreed. "It's going to help you relax," she nodded as my dad let her go and she took the pill willing. "Do you want to go down to my room?" I asked her, she nodded her head as I hugged her. "I'll come check on you in a bit," my dad said with a nod, "What were those pills though?"

"Sedative. Aunt Jenni gave them too me,"

"I knew I loved her," I smiled as I took Rayne downstairs. She was in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt from the warm June day. I looked around my room and I let her sit down on the bed. I went over to my drawers and pulled out a pair of Wildcat sweat pants. I went over as I handed them too her.

"Hey," she looked up at me and I looked at her face, "Where some sweats, it will be more comfortable." She only nodded her head and she stood up, I lead her to the bathroom as she went inside and she came back out drowning in my sweatpants.

Her strawberry blonde hair was matted down as I lead her back to my room where I laid down and she curled up next to me. I pulled the blankets over top of me, "Don't be scared to wake me up if I fall asleep okay?"

"Thank you," she whispered, "I'm here for you Rayne,"

Troy's POV

Sitting at the counter, I flipped through a magazine as I thought about Rayne. She looked devastated and totally confused. "What are you doing out of bed so early?" I glanced up to see Gabi standing in front of the room. She was in one of my shirts with a pair of shorts; she had her glasses on her face as she looked over at me.

"Rayne's mom died a couple of hours ago," I said quietly as I looked up at her, "Oh no," Gabi said looking at me, "Where is she?"

"Downstairs with Liam, that's about all I know. She must have called him because at about 4:15 he woke me up telling me Rayne needed him to pick him up. She came back here and was looking very distraught. Jenni gave her a sedative and they have both been sleeping since."

"Oh poor baby,"

Gabi came over and wrapped her arms around my waist, "I can not believe that,"

"I don't think she believes it either,"

"Liam went to get her?"

"Yea, Jenni called a little bit ago, asking how she was doing. I go and check on them every so often, I haven't seen either of them awake. Liam was one time but it was brief. They are just laying in his bed, I'm scared she is going to be a mess all day,"

My eyes scanned the clock, as it was a little past seven in the morning. "I'm going to start getting the kids up and out of the house. I don't need them getting any ideas," I whispered pushing off the counter.

"Ideas of what?" Gabi asked, I looked at her as I took in her imagine, how sick she looked right now. "Of not having you," I said quietly, she looked at me, her brown eyes going soft. "Oh Troy,"

"Gabs, really, I just don't want them upset. We already had a hell of a night."

"Troy," she said again, she reached out and grabbed my hand, "Talk to me," she said softly, "Talk about what Brie?"

"What are you feeling because I know you Troy, you are bottling it up right now. You are scared and you aren't telling me something. We have been a relationship for a long time."

I said as I walked back towards her, she pressed me back against the counter and she pressed her chin closer to my chest. "What's wrong?"

"You know what's wrong," I said, my voice tight, "I know a girl lost her mom last night from something I am fighting myself but,"

"But I can not lose you,"

"I love you Troy, I'm not done fighting yet. I may feel like complete shit but I'm not letting you go by yourself that often. You are my life Troy," I sighed as I let my headrest on the top of her head. "You better not,"

"How did she get to sleep? I remember not even being able to pretend to sleep," I tilted her head back, "Jenni gave us a bag of sedatives," Gabi smiled softly, "Where is her dad?"

"I'm not sure," I kissed her softly, "I am going to get the kids ready though,"

Liam's POV

Opening my eyes, I saw it was a little past nine. I looked at Rayne who was curled against me, I was sure as hell not going to wake her up but I needed to pee. I couldn't even believe I had slept that long, I can't believe she had slept this long.

My eyes scanned over her hair, as I couldn't believe how it had all played out last night. "Mommy?" I looked at Rayne, her voice slipping out and I felt my stomach twist, she moved and sat up slightly, "Oh, I thought I was in the hospital, I fell asleep," she shook her head, "When did you come pick me up?" I looked at her, as she didn't remember. I looked at her as my jaw slipped slightly.

"Rayne," I said quietly, she turned to look at me, "Hm?"

"Rayne, your mom died last night,"

Rayne looked at me and she shook her head, "That was only a nightmare," she said quietly, "Rayne," she looked at me, "You're lying to me," she got up off the bed as she went over to her jeans and began to dig through them. She found her cell phone as I sat up and I followed her. "It was just a bad dream" she said quietly, her voice began to shake and she dropped her phone.

"It was a bad dream," she began to cry, I stood up and she moved to the door. She tried to open it but it wouldn't. I went over as I touched her back, "Rayne, hey, I wish I was making this up."

"Stop lying!" she cried, I wrapped my arms around her as I pulled her close. She struggled against me but I only held her closer, she then burst into loud sobs as I rubbed her back. "I'm sorry Rayne,"

"It's a lie, she can't be gone." My door opened as my dad looked in, "Hey Rayne," she moved to look at my dad as she pulled away from me; she went over to him as my dad gave her a hug. I sat down on the bed as I rubbed my face "Why don't you guys come upstairs," my dad suggested, I nodded as she let go and I reached for her hand as we walked up the stairs.

"Where is everybody?"

"Emma is with Alexa, Wes is at a baseball camp, and Allison is at dance. Then Lo is with Grandma," We hit the top steps to the living room as I let her choose where she wanted to go. She stood looking at every option and then the front door, "My mom is still alive, I know she is," she said quietly walking towards the door. My dad walked over towards her, "Rayne, sweetie," he touched the back of her shoulders and I could see her whole body tense. "It was just a nightmare,"

I saw my mom in my side vision as she came over, "Rayne," she looked at my mom and she fell apart. "My mom can't be dead, it isn't possible. It can't be possible," my mom hugged her as my own chest hurt. My dad pulled my arm gently and I followed. "She doesn't remember?"

"She thinks it was all one big nightmare," my dad ran his hands over his face, "Where is her dad?"

"I don't know, she said that he left or something like that, every time she has been awake its full blown tears."

"Are you doing okay?"

"Yea, I mean, I just have never seen anybody this upset before,"

"Let's hope this is the only time you ever see somebody this upset,"

Gabi's POV

I held Rayne as I rubbed her arms as she cried, I was nausea with this god-awful headache but she was hurting. "She can't be dead," she whispered after a while, "She was my mommy, she was everything to me. My dad doesn't even know my birthday," my heart felt hallow as I ran my hands over her hair, "Rayne, can you tell me where your dad is?" I asked softly, "I don't know," her voice was lifeless, "Right after it happened he disappeared,"

She began to get worked up and I shut down the conversations, as she didn't really have anybody. I let her cry as my mind wondered; Troy would hold each of my children if this had happened or he better. I would kick his ass in my ghost self if he just left them. The girls would all take it the hardest and I could not even imagine what it would look like with three of them. I could not even imagine losing my mother, I still haven't and even though we were not on the best of terms for a while, she was still my mom and I still loved her.

To be fifteen and to just be left behind, Troy came into the living room as he looked at Rayne, "How is she?"

"Pretty upset,"

"I'm going to call social,"

"Troy," I looked at Rayne as I shook my head, "Can you get Liam?"

Troy looked at me and then called for Liam, I had him trade spots with me. "Call me if you need something. I'm going to be talking with your dad in the kitchen," He gave a simple nod and I pulled Troy into the kitchen.

"What the hell did you just say?"

"Gabi, we are not her parents,"

"Like hell we aren't but we are not going to send her with social services after her mom fucking dies," Troy looked at me surprised, "Last time I checked we have five kids, you are going through chemo, another thing,"

"Will not break this family." I said cutting him off, "If my mom would have left me when my dad died would your parents have just let me go?"

"No but we had been dating for a year,"

"She is a child Troy, one that just lost her mom and she is friends with our son for a couple of months." Troy looked at me, "No way," he said shaking his head, "I love Rayne and she is a great girl but she is not our responsibility. It's not our fault that her dad is a jackass,"

"And Mr. Saving Wildcats you are just going to throw her to social services when you pretend to be everybody's dad?" Troy looked over at me as if I slapped him. "That is not fair,"

"What is not fair?" I asked him, "That if it's under your terms,"

"No, I go and I try to give people a dad role model. I don't bring every god damn kid home,"

I gripped the counter as a wave of dizziness washed over me, the nausea becoming worse. "She isn't a random child Troy, she is a Liam's friend. She lost a mom to breast cancer and how the hell, are you going to disappear and just leave our kids behind and have somebody call social services?"

Troy really looked like I slapped him, "Do you think I would do that?" he asked softly, "I don't know Troy, would you?"

He shut his eyes and turned away, realizing everything I had said I felt like I could puke everywhere. "Oh Troy," I said quietly, "Save it," Troy walked away and I leaned towards the sink. My face grew hot as I shut my eyes tightly, "Troy," I spoke softer as my legs felt weak. "Gabi, I just,"

"Troy," my voice pleaded, I then puked into the sink, my body giving out underneath of me. "Brie, shit," Troy came over as he looked at me, "Are you okay?"

"Can you just help me up to our room, I just need to lay down for a while, you can be mad at me after that,"

"I'll never not help you Brie," we walked up the stairs and he led me to the room, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so mean to you Troy," He kissed my forehead, "It's okay,"

Troy's POV

"Sounds like you could use a beer," my dad came into the room as I laughed, "Yea, sounds a bit awesome right now."

"Daddy!" Lo came running into the room as I picked her up, "What's up sweet girl?"

"I played all day with grandma and grandpa!"

"Oh yea, we wore each other out!"

"Yea, maybe we will sleep through the night."

"Have we not been doing that lately?" my dad asked, "No, we haven't," I said looking at her, I pushed her hair away from her face. "She wakes up in the middle of the night screaming for Gabi,"

"Oh and how is that going?"

"Well Gabi feels like shit most of the time so it doesn't do well at all. She won't calm down for me and Gabi wants to sleep or puke."

"God and then this whole thing with Rayne,"

"Yea," I shook my head, "We have no clue where her dad is, what funeral plans there are, and I have no idea,"

"Have you called anybody?"

"I don't know who to call besides social services and Gabi through a hell of a fit about that."

"Well if that's your plan with Rayne she might as well think that is your plan with your kids,"

"How the hell could she think that?"

"Troy, everybody and their mother know that you will not do well without Gabi. You will become a different person and I can't even imagine what you may or may not do when and if something happens to her. It's going to be a period where your mom and I would have to take the kids out of the house."

"I'm not a terrible dad," I said looking at him, "Of course not Troy, but when you lose the love of your life then what do you expect could happen?" I pressed my face into my hands, "I do not want to even understand,"

"Don't understand." My dad went to the fridge and he looked around, he then pulled out water. "Go, run, and go do something, get your head out of here and go clear it. She needs you right now, Rayne and Liam need you right now, and your head is in a hundred different places."

I looked at him, "My knee,"

"Is fine, go, I will watch Liam and Rayne, I will look after Lauren and if Gabi wakes up I am here. You need some space it sounds like,"

"Maybe I do,"

"Then go,"

I looked at my dad and I didn't think about it twice. I knew everything going on right now was just that, it was right now but everything seemed to be so permeate. I knew Gabi was going to be okay or I hope she was going to be okay. I didn't understand why none of the meds she was taking were working. It was hard to watch and it made my mind blow. I was watching a girl be hurt because her dad wouldn't be there for her when she needs somebody the most. We knew Rayne but we didn't have this strong connection that made everything better.

I walked to put on my tennis shoes, I found my headphones and I began to walk to the outside. I looked in on Liam and Rayne, they were laying in his bed, both just looking up wondering how the hell they got here. Everything seemed so normal yesterday and then today it was all broken into pieces.

How did we get from one place to the next? Was it that simple or was it this long road we thought we lived but we didn't? The questions strung through my mind as I began to run. I hadn't hit the pavement since the day of chemo a week ago. The feeling hit my body and it felt good to hit the strides again. My long strides as the music filled my body. I wish I knew how to make it all better but instead my whole world was crumpling into different pieces.

I did not feel it was fair that I had to take care of a young girl when she had somebody but she chose Liam. Gabi chose me.

It still didn't make sense; I couldn't give her the care she needed. I have a sick wife, I have five children, I have this need to fix it all but I felt my stomach twist. Watching her call my mom when she knew her body was giving out, my mind flashed back to Gabi. The things she said would echo though my mind but the look she gave me when she needed my help. I knew she was going to stand her ground on this matter but I couldn't take care of her too. I can't go through this and have to do it all over again if something, which it won't, would happen to Brie.

Shaking my head, I picked up my pace. My thoughts began to turn into a faster pace; trying to make it all disappear so my head could clear up. I wanted my head to be clear so when I went back to the house I knew how to make people begin to feel better.

I stopped at the park as I pulled my cell phone out, after a couple of rings Jenni's voice was on the other end. "Hey," she said quietly, "Hi,"

"I need you to tell me how everything went down last night."

Jenni was quiet for a second, "We knew things were turning for the worse when she was sleeping most of the day, not doing well in general, we gave her a couple of more hours and we were honest with the family. The dad got very upset and began to yell at the mom, about how she was a fucking bitch for leaving him here with their daughter who would just end up dying and all of this shit, it shook Rayne up as she was standing there. I pulled her out of the room as I had security take the father out. I comforted Rayne for a couple of minutes as I told her that there wasn't much time left."

Jenni paused during her story, "He wasn't there?"

"No." Jenni said quietly, "After he left she began to slow down her breathing and everything became slow. Rayne sat with her and talked with her until her last breath left. I could hear her mom utter the words that she loved her over and over again. I knew that Rayne was trying to make everything happy about it. She was telling her how she would be happy after a while and that she would be okay. She would take care of herself and that she loved it. It was one of the saddest things Troy,"

"Yea, she is pretty beat up today,"

"Have you heard from her dad?"

"No, I don't know who to call,"

"Here, I'll give you her sisters phone number."

"Thanks Jen, and hey, Gabi is having a hell of a day,"

"It's probably stress, take it easy on everybody in that house okay? Do you need me to take a couple of kids for the night?"

"Can I do that?"

"Troy, you can do what you want. It's not like they are moving in with me, I am giving them a space for them to have their normal lives for a couple of hours. You have a lot going on in your life."

"Yea, I guess I do,"

"I'll send you her sisters number. She lives in Oregon. I called her last night to tell her that her sister had passed. She was pretty shaken but I bet she will help you,"

"Thanks Jenni,"

"Uh huh, what time can I pick up my favorite children?"

"Six?"

"Sounds good, I'll take them. Do you want to keep any of them?"

"I'll keep Lo, she is having a rough time anyways right now."

"Got it, I get the middle children,"

"I think Em is staying at Alexa's house."

"Oh okay! Alli and Wes, sounds good,"

"Thanks again,"

"Hey, is Gabi still throwing up and stuff?"

"Mhm, she is still having a blast."

"Hm, okay, keep an eye on her."

"Always do,"

"Troy,"

"Yea?"

"I love you and you are doing the best you can right now."

"Thanks Jen,"

"No problem big bro,"

Liam's POV

Rayne had passed out after gave her another pill. I went upstairs as my grandpa was watching Lo and Alli. Alli was dancing around and Wes was lying on the couch in his dirty baseball pants.

"Mom is going to get mad at you," I said looking at him, he turned his head to face me, "She is sleeping,"

"Mom always knows,"

Wes shrugged his shoulders and slid off the couch, Alli came running over as she was still in her dance stuff. "Liam! Liam! I want to show you my new dance."

"Not now okay?" she frowned, "But I learned it today and I really want to show you, I want to show mommy but she is sleeping and daddy went on a run. I want to show somebody,"

"Alli, I'm back, you can show me your dance," my dad walked into the living room, he was sweating as he cracked up a bottle of water. My grandpa looked at him as he smirked and walked over towards him, "Yay!" Alli cheered as she went running over to my dad. He caught he hugged her. "What's up beautiful?"

"Can I show you? Can I show you?"

He laughed, "Yea, come on, let's go show me." Emma bust through the door as she laughed with Alexa right behind her, "Liam! Hey, you want to go out tonight?" I looked at her for a long minute, "You don't know what happened last night did you?"

She looked at me, "no, is mom okay?"

"Do you really think you wouldn't know by now?"

"You are freaking me out,"

"Rayne's mom died last night,"

"Oh my God," Emma whispered, "Is she okay?"

"Sleeping right now, when she is awake she is hysterical."

"Poor thing,"

"Alli it was very good but I have to make a phone call,"

"Can I show mommy?"

"Mommy is sleeping,"

Emma looked at my dad, "No! I want to show mommy!"

'Mommy?" Lo caught on as my dad pressed his fingers against his temple. "Alli, you are going to have a sleep over with Aunt Jenni tonight, you can show her and Aunt Carson all about your dance."

"Yay! I still want to show mommy," my grandpa snorted as my dad gave a tired smile, "You just don't give up huh."

Gabi's POV

I could hear all of the chatter downstairs but my body was like no way. You are not standing up and going to the chaos. I knew I needed to get up and to help out. I did have five kids running around the house, God, Wes was turning thirteen next week. I rubbed my hand over my face as my door propped open. Liam poked his head in and I smiled, "What's up? Rayne sleeping?"

He nodded as he came in and he crawled into my bed with me. He laid next to me as I wrapped my arms around him, "You okay?" he nodded into my chest slowly as he held on, "It's hard," he said softly, "To watch her go through all of this, to not believe it because I'm scared." I felt tears rise in my throat, when Troy and I talked about this I seemed to have the upper strength. I didn't just cry on the spot but Liam pulling it up.

"I know you are going to fight and beat it but knowing that you guys had the same exact thing. It scares me that one day that is going to be me," I kissed the top of his head, "I hope it's not until you are fifty years old Liam,"

"That would only make you seventy something," he said quietly, "I need you longer than that," I laughed quietly, "Do you?" he wrapped his strong arms around me, "Yea, I need you forever."

"Alright Troy," he laughed as he looked at me, "I'm sorry this is all happening," I told him, "Not really how you want to spend your summer." He shook his head, "But I'll be okay,"

"I know you'll be okay Liam, I just hope they are all going to be okay," he rolled onto his back and looked up at the ceiling. "Don't leave me okay?" I swallowed the already growing lump in my throat, "I'm not, and it's going to be okay. Maybe not for a couple of months but it will be okay. It's going to be tough getting there but once we do we will be smiling and throwing a big party."

"Can we start planning this party?"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

"It's going to be a big party," Liam said quietly, "I know,"

"Gabi, hey," Troy came into the room as he looked at the bed to see Liam, "Everything okay?"

"Yea," we both said together, "Just talking,"

"Liam, I know you may not want to right now but can you help me out with the dishwasher?" Liam slowly nodded as he got up from his spot on the bed. "Come back if you need me okay?"

"Yea,"

"I love you Liam,"

"I love you too mom,"

He walked out as Troy looked at me, "Are you feeling okay?"

"Are you still mad about earlier?"

"No, I'm not," he said quietly, "I just found another thing to try. She has an aunt that I will call when the house settles down."

"That's better, I can handle that."

"It's the best I can do,"

I patted the spot next to me, he came over to sit down as I let my head fall in his lap. "He was scared because he hated watching her hurt fearing that it could be him in a couple of months,"

My voice caught on tears that had wanting to spill, "I hate seeing that in him,"

Troy rubbed my arm, "It's okay,"

"I wish I could him all better, I wish I could make everybody better."

"I wish I could make you better," Troy said quietly, "Because when you are better this world goes in a perfect circle." He kissed me softly and I sat up and he pulled me into his lap, "Only if you feel up for it, Alli has a new dance she wants to show you, Wes wants to talk with you because he misses you and Lauren is just being her I want mommy self," I smiled, "I guess I can make an appearance in my house."

"I can send them up too you,"

"I can snuggle up on the couch with Lo, watch Alli dance, and then Wes can tell me everything he wants to tell me." Troy smiled, "I love how even though you feel like complete shit you can work three kids in at one time," I laughed, "It's a mom talent,"

"Can you tell me how you are feeling Gabi? Pushing everything a side for a minute, how do you feel?"

I closed my eyes, "I'm tired, I'm still nausea and my head has a pounding headache. My mouth is killing me, anything else?"

"I'm supposed to ask you that,"

"My muscles hurt,"

Troy pulled me into him as he pressed his nose into my hair, "I love you Brie,"

"I love you too,"

I followed Troy downstairs as the kids all grew excited seeing me which made a pit form in my stomach. They shouldn't be excited to see me, they should be sick of seeing me. Instead, I was constantly cooped up in my bed. I sat down on the couch as Troy handed me a blanket and then Lo. Lo grinned as she curled into me, I kissed on her as I looked at Alli who was bouncing up and down.

I giggled, "A little bird told me you learned a new dance." Alli squealed, "Can I show you mommy?"

"Of course! I really want to see!"

She grinned as she began to dance around the living room, doing all these different move that I didn't have names for. She looked so happy as she danced around in her little costume. My eyes watched her, as her hair was pulled back sloppy, her face was red from the sun she must have gotten today. I made a mental note to put more sunscreen on her face as my eyes glanced up to see Troy watching me.

He smiled as he was called away by Emma; I smiled as Alli finished with a kick in the air. "Done!" she cried, "It was perfect Alli! I loved it!" she grinned, "I am going to show Aunt Jenni later."

"She'll love it, I can already tell," she grinned as she came over and I hugged her, giving her a kiss on the forehead. "I love you Alli Cat," she smiled, "I love you too mommy, are you feeling better?"

"A little bit everyday," I said, a lie through my teeth. "Good, maybe tomorrow you can dance with me,"

"Maybe," I said quietly, she smiled as she went running off as I looked at Wes, "I heard you missed me," he nodded as he came over and sat down next to me. "Truth is, I miss you too," he smiled as he went into my quiet Wes, not sure what to say but he laid his head on my shoulder. "Is Rayne okay?"

"Her mommy died,"

"Oh," he paused, "From the cancer right?"

"Yea," I told him quietly, he nodded, "That's not going to happen to you right?" I felt my breath fall in my chest as I pulled him close, Lo scooted over as I kissed the top of his head, "I hope not bud, I want to see you grow old and have kids,"

"I want that too,"

"Yea," he nodded, "What do you want for your birthday?" I asked him, he shrugged, "To spend the day with you," that was it, the final thing any of my kids could say to me today because that one pushed me over the edge. Tears filled my eyes, "Oh buddy," I moved Lo gently as I hugged him tight. "I feel so bad lately,"

"It's okay mom, you have to get better,"

The tears seemed to only come faster as I tried to shield him from the small amount of hurt. The one that made me feel like a terrible mom, for missing things that he just wanted. He wanted simple attention and to be held. He wanted to be watched and to be supported and I was busy with the girls and then Rayne sometimes. "I love you Wes man,"

"I love you too mom," he paused as he pulled back, "Can we watch a TV show together?"

"Yea, which one?"

"I don't know, what about one of those cop shows?" I smiled, "If that's what you want."

He ran off as I tried to wipe all of the tears away, "Don't you just love him," Troy said, I looked up, "The kids turned me into a puddle," Troy smiled, "He is good at that, do you want to take those two upstairs and watch?"

"Yea, sounds good,"

I carried Lo and Troy made sure we had everything and got us three comfortable upstairs. "I'm going to go make that phone call,"

"Good luck," I offered, he smiled as he kissed me softly, kissed Lo's forehead and gave Wes a high five.

Troy's POV

Sitting down in my office, I pulled out my phone and I called the number Jenni had offered to me. It rang a couple of times, "If this is another condolence," the women on the other end sounded upset.

I cleared my throat, "Kind of," I said to her, "My name is Troy Bolton, Rayne, Amanda's daughter, has ben staying with us since Amanda past the other night,"

"Oh my God, Rayne," she said quietly, "How is she?"

"Pretty upset," I told her quietly, "I didn't know if you had any way I could contact her father,"

"Oh Rick," she stayed quiet, "Have you seen him?"

"No, my sister was a nurse on duty when it happened and she said he had to be escorted out for just being hostile."

"I can't believe I forgot about Rayne, we are making funeral plans and I just,"

"It's okay, we have been taking care of her. She became pretty good friends with my son and they are just chilling."

"I'm flying in Saturday,"

"Okay, how about you call me when you land and I can give you directions to my house."

"I'm so sorry, I can't even apologize enough. You are doing so much,"

"It's fine," I said softly, "I just needed to find somebody who could claim her,"

"Her dad, God, he, he isn't good for her."

"It's okay, I'll protect her from anything until you get here."

"Thank you so much, my name is Sam,"

"Sam, Troy, I'll see you in a couple of days and if you have any questions or want to talk to Rayne, call me and I can help you out okay?"

"Thank you Troy,"

"Not a problem Sam,"

I hung up as I ran my fingers through my hair, oh this shall be fun.

Everything seemed to have calmed down; Alli and Lo were playing in the living room. Wes and Emma were playing some game; Liam and Rayne were lying on the couch. Gabi was sitting in the kitchen as I looked at each of them.

Rayne looked pretty numb but when I said her Aunt Sam was coming, she burst into tears and it took a while for her to calm down. They were watching some TV show as they were laughing about something. A simple knock came on our front door as I looked at Gabi, "No idea,"

The Evans and Danforth's just walked in, my parents knocked once and walked in. I couldn't really think of anybody that would be coming over, I went up to the door as I unlocked the screen and then opened the door as a man shorter than me by a good seven inches took a step into the house, "Hello, who are you?" the man looked up at me, "Somebody said you had my daughter, I could call the cops,"

Alcohol reeked off his breath as I instantly knew this was Rayne's dad. "Sir, your daughter is staying with us because you left her a couple of nights ago," Rayne appeared in the doorway, "Dad?"

"Let's go Rayne," he barked, "Rayne, go back into the living room," I said, she looked between us as Liam moved a step closer. "You are not her father," he looked at me as I felt my blood boil underneath of my skin. "You need to get out of my house," I said pushing him backwards, he stumbled and he went to punch me but only missed because of his extreme drunk state.

"Rayne Thompson! I swear to God if you are not in that car,"

"Daddy!" Allison's voice distracted me as I turned for him to nail my chin. "Son of a bitch," I muttered, "You need to leave right now before I call the cops,"

"You stole my daughter!"

"You left her," I shoved him backwards gently as I could hear a lot of chaos behind me, "I need you to get out of my house, right now," he seethed as he tried to get past me and I pushed him harder towards the door. "Liam, take Rayne back into the house okay?"

"Yea,"

"Make sure all of your siblings are following you,"

"Troy," Gabi's voice rang out as I pinned him up against the wall, "I swear to God, if you come back and do anything, I will call the cops. I will report your sorry ass to them about how you have left your daughter when she needs you the most. I have already called her aunt; she stays in my care until she gets here. Do you understand me?" he looked at me as he struggled under my grip.

"I'm her father,"

"Do you understand me," I said pushing him up against the wall harder. "You son of a bitch," he remarked, "You can't do this,"

"I can and I will," I shoved him out of the house as he stood outside, I locked the doors and shut the curtains as Gabi looked at me. I suddenly felt my heart racing, "Daddy!" Lo was sitting behind the corner as I felt a rush of wind escape my mouth, "Oh Lo," I went to pick her up but she whimpered, "Hey, I'm not going to hurt you, I never will." She began to cry and Gabi came next to me.

"That was a bad guy baby, daddy was just protecting you," she looked at Gabi and I reached out for her again, "Come here, I'll give you a big hug," she finally came out as I hugged her, "I didn't want him to hurt you or Rayne, I just wanted him to leave. I won't hurt you or anybody else okay?" she nodded as she started to cry, I kissed her forehead, "I'm sorry I scared you baby girl," she tucked her head into my shoulder as I hugged her again.

"Go see mommy for a minute okay?" she nodded as I went in search of Liam and Rayne. I found them as Rayne was in deep sobs, "Rayne, hey, he is gone. I'm not going to let him hurt you or take you or do anything you don't want."

"I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean for him to come here and get mean. I didn't mean for him to scare Lo and Alli," I hugged her, "They are going to be okay, are you okay?"

"I'm scared,"

"I won't let him have you unless you want to go to him okay?"

"I don't even like him," she whispered, "Then you can stay with us okay? You don't have to go anywhere," she nodded as I let go and Liam took her back. Allison was sitting with Wes and I went to damage control with her.

After I was done, I found Emma shaken up in the kitchen. "You okay?"

"Yea, I'm just a little shaken, not by you but by him."

"I won't be him,"

"Good," I kissed the back of her head as I rubbed her shoulder, "Do you know where your mom is?"

"She went upstairs,"

"Thanks,"

I went up to the room as I shut the door. "Son of a bitch," I yelled, Gabi came out of the bathroom as she looked at me, "You okay?"

"I could have killed him, coming here drunk and scaring our kids let alone Rayne who is already traumatized."

"You have got to calm down," Gabi pressed her hand against my back and I let out a long breath. "I didn't mean to scare the kids,"

"You didn't punch him, you just did what you had to do to protect your family Troy. You did nothing wrong."

Pulling Gabi towards me, I pressed my chin on top of her hair, "I'm sorry,"

"It's okay,"

"So that's what you call social services huh?"

"I'm not letting her get hurt,"

"Where was this Troy a couple of days ago?"

"Fuck, I wish I knew."

Hey guys! Sorry for no update last week! I got sick and I just didn't have time to write! This chapter didn't turn out how I wanted it too but I hope you liked it! I promise that this will shift more back to Gabi and Troy soon, next chapter soon because that is the story you want. So, I'm making sure I'm giving you that!

Hopefully I'll be able to update next week!

Go Chiefs!

Please Review! :)