Chapter 17 – Separation & Reunions

It had been two weeks since my previous chemo. I was feeling back to myself a little bit and I was moving around more, being more of myself. Liam and Wes were hanging out a bunch, Allison was doing a lot of dance, and Lo was being Lo. Actually, that was wrong. Lo was not being Lo. The past couple of days she had been sluggish and tired.

My eyes watched her sit in front of the TV, not really moving or doing anything else. I walked into the living room as she looked up from her spot and then back to the TV. "You okay Lo baby?" she shrugged her shoulders and I sat down next to her, my body sore from who knows what. I leaned over and I kissed on her gently. She moved away from me as I moved closer.

"No," she whined, "Lo, baby, what's wrong?" I asked her. She shook her head as she cried. "Hey," she shook her head and cried as I sighed, I picked her up and settled her into my lap before she turned into me. "Everything okay in here?" Troy who was downstairs watching film came up, "She is tired, and I think I am going to put her down for a nap."

"Oh okay, call me if you need me," he kissed the top of my head and then disappeared again. I picked up Lo as I took her to her bedroom. I took Lo upstairs and I had her go to the bathroom and then I took her into the room.

She cried as I laid her down, her eyes exhausted. I kissed her forehead and she squirmed, "Get some rest baby," she cried and clung on to me. I let out a sigh as I finally lay down next to her as she cuddled close to me, not wanting anything more than to be close to me. She had some labored breathing that concerned me slightly; a whimper left her mouth as I stroked her arm.

"It's okay," I whispered, she finally began to rest as her breathing evened out. I rubbed her back gently and she gripped my shirt. My eyes closed slowly as I was fighting off sleep. Emma was finally coming home Sunday and I couldn't be more excited. I was so ready to hug her and spend the Sunday evening with her. Liam left the following Saturday for his intense basketball camp that he loved every single year. I sighed as I loved them so much and they interacted so well together. Liam and Emma had the best bond out of the entire family I felt like.

My eyes closed again and Lauren's soft breathing slowly had me drifting into my own sleep.

Troy's POV

After not hearing from Gabi in the last hour or two I began to wonder. I stood up from my chair as I shut off the video I was watching. I ventured upstairs and into the living room. She hadn't appeared to be in the living room as the TV screen was back on the main screen of the movie Lo had been watching. They were not in the kitchen or the backyard. Going back to the stairs, I took them two at a time only to regret them in the end. My knee began to burn like fire. I shook my head and I went into Lo's room.

I peeking my head in to see Gabi cuddling with Lauren. I smiled and I walked in and I leaned over to kiss Gabi's forehead. I then leaned over towards Lauren kissing her forehead. My lips felt the burn of her forehead, as it was really warm. I pulled away and I pressed my lips against it again to feel how warm it really was. I pulled away as I looked at Gabi and panic set in.

Her immune system is complete shit. She could not get sick because any sickness should get could be worse. I easily picked her up as she turned her head into my shoulder as I left Lauren's room.

"Wait…what?"

"Go back to sleep,"

"Why are you moving me?" she asked confused, "Lauren has a fever and I do not need you getting sick. You basically have no immune system."

"Troy put me down."

"No way in hell Gabi am I letting you take care of her right now. Not until I get her checked out. I am not letting you get sick." She struggled in my grip as I set her down in the bedroom. I blocked the doorway as she tried to leave the room. "No," I stated simply, she gave me that really upset look that twisted my gut into every other direction.

"Troy, you can not keep me away from my daughter!"

"Gabi, this isn't up for debate. You do not need a hospital stay because you have strep throat that attacks your entire body because you do not have a strong enough immune system. I'm sorry okay but let me go and take her to the clinic and we will go from there okay?" she sat down and rested her head into her hands.

"Cancer can not keep me from being a mother," she declared, "Of course not Brie," I went and squatted in front of her. "But right now your health is more important to me than Lo's fever okay?" she nodded as I reached up and I kissed her. "I'll be back in a bit," she nodded as I squeezed her hand. I slipped on a pair of Nikes and walked out of the bedroom. Going back to Lo's room I went in as I kissed her forehead gently. It was still hot. I picked her up as she woke up and started to cry. "Momma," she cried, "I know, I know." I whispered into her ear.

She pressed her snotty face into my neck as I grimaced; Gabi was a lot better at this with the sick kids. I took her down to the car as I kissed the top of her head as I buckled her in. She cried and thrashed her arms as she cried. "Lo baby,"

"No!" she cried, "No," she sobbed and I finished buckling her in. I shut her door as I picked up my phone to call my mom. "Hello?"

"Hey momma,"

"Is Lo okay?"

"She has a fever."

"Oh no," my mom murmured, "Yea, well, the fight with Gabi has already started."

"Where are you?" Lo threw something from the back of the car as it hit the windshield, it wasn't even worth the fight. "In the car. I am taking her to a clinic; whatever this is it needs to be nipped in the bud. I can't fight this fight with Gabi for very long."

"She can come to my house for the night."

"I don't know Gabi will hate that, I mean hate."

"I know she will but it might be the best for everybody. Get the germs out of the house."

"I wish, I do not think I will win that fight with Gabi,"

"Talk to her,"

"I will once I know what I am dealing with."

"Call me after you know something, Lo is always welcome, even if it is for a couple of hours and back home at night."

"Okay, thanks Ma,"

"Yup, I will talk to you later. Love you,"

"Love you too,"

When I pulled into her pediatrician office or whatever it was, I got out as she was still crying. Good lord. She latched on to me as I walked into the walk in portion of the office. The secretary looked up at me with a warm smile, "Mr. Bolton," I smiled, "Hello,"

"Do we have Ms. Lauren?"

"We do, she has a high fever, I mean, I actually haven't checked it yet but," I shook my head as this wasn't the story to share here. "She is sick." I finished, "Sign her in here and we will call you back shortly."

I nodded as I shifted her and signed her in. After that, I went to sit down as she lay against me and she just wanted to sleep. I rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head, "I love you Lo," I whispered, she whimpered and cried.

She buried her face into my chest and I rubbed her back again. I wrapped my arms around her tightly just another thing in front of us. "Lauren Bolton," I looked up as I stood and walked back with the nurse. She smiled as we went into the weight room. "No," Lo cried as I tried to put her down, I gave a small smile towards the nurse as I tried to persuade Lauren away from my body.

"I'm cold," she cried, "Lauren, hi, my name is Sammy," the nurse smiled, "Do you like stickers?" Lauren looked at me and I smiled as I brushed a strand of hair away from her runny nose. She nodded her head, "If we stand here then you can pick out two stickers," Lauren shook her head as she pressed her face into my shoulder again. "Lo, Lo," I said shaking my head, "Come on baby girl,"

I peeled her away quickly as she screamed out as I placed her on the scale. She screamed as I took a step out of the room. I looked at my shirt as I looked at it; snot covered the front as I shook my head. "All done," the nurse said, Lauren screamed as I walked back in. She ran over to me as I picked her up, "It's okay, it's okay," she sobbed into my ear, as I knew she wasn't feeling good because this was not Lauren. She didn't sob like this.

They led us back to the room as they took her temperature as they nodded, "What is it?"

"102.2," I sighed, who gets sick in the summer? "Have you noticed anything else?" the nurse asked, I rubbed Laurens back and she began to clam down. "She isn't herself, Lauren doesn't sob like that and she doesn't want to be let go. Tired and just not herself."

"When did the symptoms start?"

"Fever? About an hour ago."

She looked at me with a curious look, "It could just be a random fever,"

"I need to know right now if it is a random fever. My wife has cancer and doing chemo and I can't have fevers flying through my house."

She nodded her head, "We can certainly do that,"

Lauren shook my grasp as I rubbed her back, as I knew she was probably cold. "Ah, the Bolton's," I smiled as our doctor walked in, "Lauren, you wanna come say hi?" she shook her head and wrapped her arm around my neck. "Totally not Lauren," the doctor agreed, I went to set her down on the bed and she cried reaching for me. I sat down next to her, "You can sit in my lap but you have to see Dr. Casey," I said rubbed her back, she nodded as I sat her in my lap as Dr. Casey smiled.

"Look at those pretty blue eyes,"

She began to check Lauren over, "I heard about Gabi, how is she?"

"Pretty exhausted, right now miserable because she wants to be with Lauren," Dr. Casey nodded, "You are doing the right thing. How long since she had chemo?"

"Two weeks ago,"

"Yea, this is a good thing." She felt around for anything on Lauren, "Lo, can you stick your tongue out at me?" Lauren did it and then they asked her to open up wide. I wrapped my arm around Lauren as Dr. Casey then did a quick strep test. Lauren gaged and tried to squirm but I kept her tight and close to me. Once she was done Lauren lost all trust and turned towards me.

"Looks like strep," she said as she opened the door and handed the tube off to somebody else. "She will need to stay away from Gabi, as much as I know she will hate it. I would normally say just 24 but 48 hours after she starts medication."

I rubbed my forehead with my one hand, "Wow, okay,"

"Let's make sure but that's what it looks like and she looks to be pretty miserable,"

"Thank you,"

"Don't thank me, I'll be back in about five minutes to see if it is positive."

I nodded as she left, I swore under my breath, two days of Lauren being sick. Gabi was going to through a fit; this was not going to go well…at all. I walked around the room as I rubbed Lauren's back. She pressed her face into my shoulder and I kissed the top of her head.

The door burst open again, "Quickest positive that I have seen in a while," Dr. Casey came in, "She has strep throat, I am pretty sure you know the drill on strep throat."

"I am pretty sure everybody in my house has had strep five times."

"Most likely," she said with a smile, she wrote the prescription. "Tell Gabi I am sorry but it is better for her though,"

"Thanks, it will be a tough battle."

I walked out and I pressed my face close to her ear, she didn't fight me about the car seat as I strapped her in. She rolled her head to the side and I buckled her in. I got in as I called my mom, "How bad was it?"

"Strep throat," I said as I laid my head back, "They recommend Gabi keep her distance for 48 hours, I'll call Jenni and ask her too but I don't know. I can't even think right now. Gabi is going to be pissed."

"Yea, she will be. How about you get Lo to me for a couple of hours while you talk to Gabi. Bring Lo some stuff and we will go from there."

"Okay, I am going to go pick up her prescription at the pharmacy and then I will be over."

"Got it,"

Returning home, I got out of the car and I went upstairs. Liam was laying on the couch texting somebody and Wes was watching a baseball game. Allison wasn't anywhere in sight but that probably meant she was upstairs.

I went up to the room as Gabi was laying in bed on her laptop, she looked at me hopefully and turned away when she didn't see Lauren in my hands. "Where is she?"

"At my moms," I said with a look towards her, scared of the backlash I might receive. "Troy, no, I want to see her."

"Gabi, she has strep. I have talked to Jenni and to the doctors. I have talked to so many people and they all want you to keep your distance for a couple of days. She needs to get better and you not get worse okay? I don't know what you want me to,"

"I want my daughter back, I want to cuddle with her while she is sick. I want to be a mom,"

"Gabi," my voice cut her off as she shook her head, "You can't do this."

"I can,"

She reached for her stuff and I pressed my lips together, "Gabi,"

"No, Troy, I have to see my baby. She is sick, she needs her mom."

"She has her loving grandma right now and when I left she was sleeping. You do not need to get sick Gabi," she shook her head as she moved for the door again. I grabbed her elbow gently as she tried to break free from me. "No, Troy,"

"No, Gabi, listen to me." She looked at me as I wrapped my hand around her face gently, carefully washing my hands several times before this, "I know how much you want to be with Lauren but she and the rest of the kids will be sick again. They will all be sick again and you have got to understand that baby girl, right now, she is okay. She isn't asking for you and I can go and be with her. She can sleep in her bed tonight if that makes you feel better about her being in the house but you have got to keep your distance."

She pressed her lips together and turned away, she removed herself from my grasp and went to sit on the bed. "Brie,"

"I need some time alone okay?"

"No,"

"No, Troy, you don't get to tell me everything I need to do. You are already keeping my daughter from me," I felt like she had slapped me across the face with the small statement. I swallowed against the lump in my throat. "Gabi,"

"Mommy! Look!" Allison came through the room as I pressed my lips together, "I'll be back in a little bit," I said quietly, I walked out of the room as I went into Lauren's room as I picked out some clothes, I threw a couple of blankets in the bag, and just some other things as I was pissed off at Gabi. I just tried to get where she was coming from but her health. I leaned against the counter as I watched Allison go by.

Going to the bedroom, I went to open the door for it to only be locked. "Gabriella," I spoke, she didn't answer from the other side of the door. I hit the door as I walked away, God Damn it.

I grabbed the bag as I went downstairs, Liam looked at me concerned, as they never really saw us fight. It was really rare to see us fight. "If your mom actually needs me, call me. Okay?"

Liam nodded as I went downstairs and I drove angered to my mom's house. I pulled into the driveway as I shut my car off, my eyes set onto the house and I grabbed the bag. Shaking my head I entered the house and I kicked off my shoes. "Let me take it that Gabi did not take that very well at all?"

"No, she is fucking pissed."

"You looked pissed."

"She won't talk to me,"

"Troy, she is a mom. A very passionate mom and I get where she is coming from. When you are sick at 39 I want to be at the house making sure you are okay."

"Mom,"

"It's a mom thing Troy,"

"I just don't get why she would sacrifice her own health,"

"Troy, nothing matters to a mom more than being with her child when they are sick. Nothing. They could die and they wouldn't care as long as they are with them. You have got to understand that."

"I guess, I just,"

"You don't and you are going to get know where with Gabi until you do."

"Even if I do what am I going to do about it?"

"I don't know Troy, but maybe it will make her feel a little bit better."

I sighed as I went upstairs and I lay down next to Lauren. I snuggled up next to her and she turned into me, I kissed the top of her head as I let her lay on the top of my chest. My hand rubbed her back as I sighed. This sucked.

Lo had long ago went to bed for the evening when I was leaving my parents house. I drove away and it was late. Liam went out to the movies again and I still hadn't heard from Gabi. I took it as a good sign that she wasn't at my parent's house. I slowly walked into the house and I ventured to see what she was doing if she was doing anything. Allison was probably already in bed and Wes would be in his room.

I went into Wes's room and he was playing video games, talking on his headset with friends. "Hey,"

"Mom is mad at you," he said with a concerned look, "I know she is,"

"You guys fight a lot more lately, is everything okay?"

I smiled, "Everything is fine," I shook my head, we really didn't fight that often anymore and it did freak our kids out. "We just are disagreeing on some things, it's okay though."

He nodded as I left his room after pushing his head slightly. He laughed and I went back upstairs. Going up to our room I opened the door, as it was unlocked. Allison was lying on my side of the bed and Gabi was lying on her side facing the wall.

"Brie," I said quietly, "What?" the anger had not disappeared, I sighed, "Let's talk,"

"I don't feel like talking," she whispered into the dark air, "I'm tired."

"I'm sorry," I offered, "I don't like doing this too you let alone knowing how much you want to be there for Lauren."

"Troy, I need to be there for her."

"And what about all of the other times when she is sick and you aren't around because you decided to be there this time and it turns out five times worse huh?" she didn't make a move to talk back to me as I pressed my lips together, "If you need me I'll be downstairs."

There weren't many nights in our marriage that I decided or she decided for me to sleep on the couch. I was going to take it at my own opportunity to just let Gabi cool off over night. I get it. She wants to be with Lauren, I do. I found a couple of pillows and tossed them onto the couch, a blanket as I lay down and flipped the TV on.

Liam's POV

I laughed as Alexa pretended to do something stupid, she grinned and then laughed herself. "Thank the Lord, Emma comes home Sunday." I frowned, "Yea, she does. These past couple of weeks though have been fun."

"They have," Alexa agreed, "We can still keeping seeing each other," Alexa offered, she then turned a deep red. "I didn't mean to make it sound like that at all." She began to blubber her speech together and I laughed. "Alexa, chill," she looked up and she laughed, "I'm sorry,"

"Don't be." I mused on the thought of Alexa and I but it simply couldn't happen…could it? She was basically a sister to me. Yet at the beach during spring break? "What if we were a something?" I asked her, she looked at me with a turned head. "Liam, you are sixteen. I am fourteen."

"So what, two years."

"We can't be together."

"Do you like me?" I posed, her eyes grew a little bit, "No, I mean, yes, I mean," She groaned frustrated, "I don't know how to answer this question without completely embarrassing myself."

I smirked, "Tell me, I won't laugh, I promise."

She pushed her hands into her face and mumbled into her hands, "What?"

She groaned and then she pulled her face away, "I have always liked you," she grumbled, "Like as a brother?"

"After 5th grade that would be a no," I felt a smile play at my lips as I bit back the small laugh, "Do not laugh," she said, "I'm not!"

"Good," I turned towards her with a smile, "You ready to go back home?"

"And play twenty questions with my parents?" I laughed out loud, "Yea, my mom and dad were fighting when I left." I said pushing around a fry on the plate. "Oh no, what about?"

"Lauren is sick and my dad doesn't want my mom around Lauren because my dad doesn't want my mom to get sick."

"Makes sense,"

"Yea well my mom doesn't see it that way so she is pretty pissy. Has been all day, it's whatever. They will both be making out by tomorrow afternoon."

"That is so gross,"

"It's how I grew up, I see nothing wrong with it."

"You make it sound like you watch your parents have sex and are entertained by it." I snorted, "That is nasty."

"I'm just saying. That was completely how you just sounded."

"Do your mom and dad not show affection?" I asked, "They do, just, I don't watch them make out."

"I never said I watch them make out. I said they would be."

"Whatever, same thing,"

"No,"

"Yes,"

I rolled my eyes, "Maybe I am glad Emma will be back,"

"Hmm…maybe,"

"What would you have done if Emma and I were both gone the same weeks huh?"

"That's right, your basketball camp."

"Uh huh,"

"What if we did get together?" I looked at her, as I shrugged, "I don't,"

"Aren't you and Rayne something?"

"No," I said quickly, I looked at the clock, "I better be getting you home." I said as I got off the stool, "Wait, Liam,"

"Come on Alexa," she nodded her head as we threw out trash away and we out to my truck. We both climbed in and she smiled. "I had a lot of fun. Next week, again, just with Emma."

"It won't be the same,"

"I guess it won't."

"I should probably just leave you and Emma to catch up."

"No," she spoke quickly, I looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "You'll be leaving for a couple of weeks, and I think we should hang out too. I mean, yea,"

"Alexa, I'll come if you want me too," she smiled, "Yea, I do."

Gabi's POV

I knew where Troy was coming from but it didn't make my anger any less. It wasn't towards him really either I was really angry at the cancer. I was angry because I knew they were right, I was angry because I couldn't be with my daughter. I was angry because cancer did all of this to me. If I didn't have cancer Troy would be laying in bed with me, Lauren in-between us, as I didn't sleep to make sure she was okay. Doing my mom things.

Now, I had Allison only as Troy didn't come on back to bed even though it was well past three. I knew I could go find him on the couch because he thought I was mad at him and I made it look like I was mad at him. I felt bad, I just, I just wanted to hug my baby girl and make sure she was okay. The insomnia that was coming with chemo was killing me. I was so exhausted but I couldn't sleep.

It annoyed me.

I slipped out of the bed as I decided that a midnight talk with Troy might be good. Going downstairs, I glanced around the living room but I didn't see him. There was a pillow and blanket on the couch but Troy wasn't around. I sighed, as I wasn't going to go hunt him down, I guess we could just talk in the morning.

I crawled back into my bed as I watched Allison sleep. She was content and cuddled up in Troy's spot. I smiled as I reached closer to her and swiped her hair away from her face. I heard Liam come home right around midnight after another night with Alexa. Taylor and Chad were becoming very concerned as I was becoming concerned too. I wasn't sure what Liam was doing.

Wes had another baseball game tomorrow that I needed to remember to attend. My mind was becoming forgetful lately and my head pounded. Damn chemo. I yawned deeply and I rested on my stomach, I flipped to my back, I was restless.

I was trapped in a sick body that was too weak to fight against things. I was trapped in myself and I just wanted to get out and I wanted to be me.

Troy's POV

My mom's midnight call had me rushing back to her house. Lo was restless and screaming for Gabi, my mom making every attempt to do something but she wasn't having it. I was hoping I would work.

I shut off my car as I ran up to the door, it was unlocked as I heard her cries from a while away. I took the stairs several steps at a time until I came to my old room, which still looked like my room besides the pictures mostly taken down and my bed was a different spread. Lauren screamed as both of my parents were trying to console her. "I'm here,"

My mom turned around as I went over and I picked Lo up, she whimpered but decided to just bury her face into my chest. "Thank the lord," my dad muttered, "I am trying to get some sleep,"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I spoke, "Don't be. Your dad is just a grumpy old man." My dad sent her a look, "Thank you guys, I'll stay with her for the rest of the night."

"No problem,"

They left the room and shut the door; I lay down on the bed as I crawled underneath the blankets with Lauren. She snuggled into my side as I kissed her forehead. The warmth still lingered to the touch as I stroked her forehead gently. "Momma," she said, she looked up at me as I shook my head. "Not tonight,"

"I want mommy," she cried, I sighed, "I want mommy too,"

She rubbed her eyes as I lay there for a long time, an hour had passed and she was still in and out of sleep. Not really falling asleep at all. My phone chimed, as it was a little after three thirty.

Where are you? – G

I sighed softly, my mom's. Lauren wasn't happy.

The message sent and I lay back against the pillows again.

Oh…I was hoping to talk.

My eyes read the words again as I smiled, she was always the one who wanted to talk in the middle of the night. She thought well in the middle of the night.

You were always the midnight thinker.

I smiled softly as I hated when we fought like we did. I hated when we fought period. It just wasn't us.

I'm just restless.

My phone glowed at my face as Lauren looked up, "Mommy?" I slapped my forehead as it wasn't quite the same but hell, it was a lot closer than we were getting. I pressed FaceTime and the phone rang as it connected with Gabi. I leaned over to turn on the lamp as the room glowed. Gabi accepted the call and she popped up on the screen, "Hey,"

I showed Lo as she squealed, "Mommy!"

"There is my pretty girl,"

Lo looked at me with a bright smile, "Hi mommy,"

"Hi pretty girl, how are you feeling?"

"Tired and bad,"

"Tired and bad huh? Is Daddy taking care of you?"

"Yea and Grammy,"

"I bet she is,"

"I love you mommy,"

"I love you too baby girl,"

Lo pressed her face into my side and I smiled, I took the camera back to me as she smiled. "Thanks,"

"I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner."

"She looks okay,"

"She is, she has a small fever still but I think it's about time for another dose of meds,"

"Good, I love you Troy, I'm sorry."

"Let's not do this over FaceTime okay? I'll come home later and we can talk,"

She nodded, "I love you,"

"I love you too,"

"That will never change," she whispered, I nodded, "It won't, you should probably get some sleep," I told her, "Yea, you can't sleep. Watch my baby,"

"I will, get some rest,"

"I'll talk to you tomorrow,"

"See you tomorrow,"

I stroked Lauren's hair as she slept; I leaned over and kissed her forehead as I rolled out of bed. I went to the bathroom and washed my hands. Going downstairs, I heard Jenni talking, as she must have been dropping off Miles and Sammy. I smiled as she saw me coming down from above, "Hey,"

"Uncle Troy!" Sammy came running up the stairs as I caught her in a hug. "Hey pretty girl," she smiled as I hugged her and let her go. "How is Lauren?"

"Sleeping, finally."

"Good, and Gabi?"

"Better, I need to go over and talk to her later."

"You should probably go while Lauren is sleeping."

"I will. I was just coming to see what was going on down here." Miles was being shifted in my mom's arms as he giggled looking at me. I smiled, "Come here," I took him as I tossed him up, "Easy there Troy,"

"Jenni, I have five kids."

"Yea well, those are my only two,"

"I can share," I said with as shrug, my mom laughed as Jenni shook her head. "No." she came over and kissed Miles head and called Sammy back. I set Miles down as he took off running, he had just turned two a couple of months ago, right around Lauren's birthday. I stretched my arms out over my head as I reached for my keys. "I'll be back in about an hour hopefully. If she wakes up and is restless, call me."

"Will do,"

I walked out and got into my car, we were having a family dinner Monday night after Emma came home to hang out. The car ride was silent as I was tired, another night of no sleep. The nights were starting to string together and I was exhausted.

Pulling into the driveway, I saw that Taylor was here mostly likely with the kids. I shut my car door and went inside, I went over to the sink and washed my hands thoroughly. "Troy, I am leaving the kids, they all wanted to hang out over here today and Gabi said it was fine."

"Oh yea, as long as she is okay with it. I'm going back over to my mom's house to take care of Lauren for the day most likely."

"She told me about that, is Lauren okay?"

"I think she is okay. She was a little restless last night."

"Well if you need help don't hesitate to call me,"

"Thanks Tay,"

She nodded as I wiped my hands off as I crept upstairs; I heard all of the kids except for Alexa. I raised an eyebrow as I don't know why Alexa would want to stay Emma wasn't around. I then hit a wall.

Fuck.

I raced down the stairs and into Liam's room; the door was already open as they were both sitting in front of his TV playing video games. She laughed at something he said as I stood in the doorway,

"Oh hey Dad,"

I nodded as I survived the room again, "Hi, video games?"

"Yea, I'm trying to teach her,"

"Okay…" I hesitated to leave, as Chad would kill me with his bare hands if Liam did something with Rayne. I shook my head as I left the room and went back upstairs. Gabi was coming out of the laundry room as she looked up, no shine in her eyes and I didn't get a smile either.

"You're here," she said, "I didn't hear you,"

"Yea, I just got back. I talked to Taylor and moved on…"

She nodded as she loaded the laundry into the wash and I leaned against the back wall. "I'm sorry Troy, I was an ass." She said, she looked down and then back up to me. "You were right about everything you said to me I just, I was angry. I wasn't angry with you,"

"Sure seemed like it," I said, she sighed, "I know, it didn't mean to come across that way. I was angry wit the cancer with preventing me from doing something else. I would rather be around for the next one than this one." I nodded as I went over and I kissed the top of her baldhead. "I know that's why I did what I did."

"Thank you," I nodded as she turned to give me a hug. I wrapped my arms around here, "I love you,"

"I love you too," she said, I rubbed her lower back and she sighed, "How is my baby girl?"

"She was in and out of sleep all night, fussy,"

"She probably did just fine there with you."

"She was fine."

I let her go and she finished doing the laundry, "I am going to go take a shower,"

"Alrighty,"

Liam's POV

Alexa laughed as I shook my head, "It was not funny,"

"It was," she protested, I rolled my eyes and she swatted at my shoulder. I picked up the basketball as I dribbled it a couple of times, "I think I am going to try out for the girls basketball team this year," I looked up, "Oh really?"

"Yea, I haven't played in a few years and I know my dad wishes I still did,"

"Don't do it for your dad," I advised, "You shouldn't play basketball because your dad wants you too."

"That's not the only reason, I also miss it. I liked playing."

"Then play."

"You don't play because Uncle Troy makes you right?" I shook my head; "I play at my own risk, my dad tried to push me away from it." I said with a smile, "I just couldn't let go of the basketball though." I shot the ball as I circled the rim and bounced in. She retrieved the ball going outside the paint and letting the ball fly. I watched her body move as I swallowed. She was attractive and funny; I did like her, "Liam!" I blinked my eyes and I looked at her. Then the ball came and hit my shoulder.

"Got it," I said as it rolled off into the grass. I bent over to pick it up and Alexa sighed, "I bet my mom will be here soon to pick us up."

"Oh," I paused as I twisted the ball in my hand, "Yea, probably should be heading home."

"Not like I want to,"

"I know,"

"You okay Liam?" I scratched the back of my neck, "Yea, I'm cool. You?"

"Yea…you are acting funny," I waved my hand, "It's nothing."

"If you say so,"

"What if I did like you Alexa?" I blurted, she looked at me as she surveyed what I had just said to her. "I don't know Liam,"

"I don't know either but I do like you,"

"I think we should wait to see if it really is something or if it is just us looking for a replacement,"

I nodded licking my lips, "I guess we should."

Gabi's POV

"Mommy!" Lo ran up to me and wrapped her arms around me. I hugged her tight as Troy dropped her medication on the counter. He looked exhausted and I couldn't blame him. Sick kids did that to you.

"Go take a nap Troy, I can handle dinner." I said as I lifted Lauren up, he looked at me and he nodded. "Alright," he was tired if he was going to take this opportunity. He came over and kissed me softly, "Come and get me if you need me,"

"Yes boss,"

He walked off as I looked at Lauren; she rubbed her eyes as I kissed her forehead. No fever. Troy probably wouldn't have let her home if she still had a fever. "How are you feeling baby?"

"Tired,"

"Tired huh?" she nodded as I let her sit on the counter as I moved around the kitchen.

I looked around the airport as I tried to spot Emma. I was so excited to see her and Troy was peering over the top of everybody with his 6'6 frame. "That way," Troy directed, I moved through the crowd and I saw her. She was glancing around, her tan had deepened, her eyes were brown as brown could be.

She spotted us and she grinned, she dragged her luggage behind her as I ran halfway, she let go of the bag and I gathered her into a big hug. She laughed as she latched on to me, "There is my baby girl," I said as I hugged her tighter, "Hi mom,"

She let go of me and then she went over and wrapped her arms around Troy. "God, I missed you. Do we have to do these camps?" Troy asked, I reached to fix her hair and she laughed nodded, "Yes! I had so much fun these past three weeks."

She began to rattle on about everything she did Troy grabbed the suitcase as we walked to the car. "Oh! Kelly and Amie say hi, they miss you guys and can't wait for all of us to go back to California to see all of them and I saw Amie's mom, she said something about wanting to make sure you were okay mom, they are wishing you luck with your last four chemo's,"

I smiled as I walked close to her as she told me every little detail she could think of. As we climbed into the car her chatter had yet to stop. Troy shared a look with me as I smiled, I looked back at Emma and she gasped thinking of something else. Her laughter rung through the car as she recalled memories, Troy and I hated that she went away for so long but we also never wanted to take it away from her because this was exactly what I loved. I loved hearing the excitement in her voice, the laughter of things she will never forget.

"Was the food any better this year?" Troy asked, "Yes! They had new people and the cabins were redone. It was really good."

"Good, I'm glad you didn't starve yourself at this camp."

Emma giggled and she went to town at her phone, most likely texting all of her old friend and all of her new friends. "We are having dinner at Grandma's tonight," I said to her, she nodded her head, "Okay, is Liam at home?" I nodded, "He is,"

"Oh man, how is Rayne?"

"She moved," Troy said with a simple look, "Oh, is Liam okay? He really liked her."

"He is fine,"

"How is Alli?"

"Fabulous, ready to have her big sister home. Same with Lauren, she asks about you more than once a day."

Emma laughed, "Wes busy with baseball?"

"As always."

Troy pulled into the driveway and Emma burst out of the car door, she rushed into the house and straight for Liam's room. "Emma!" he said with a laugh, she laughed as I went in to see them hugging. "Emma!" the calls of her name rang through the house as Allison came crashing down the stairs with Wes behind. They all group hugged as Lo whined. She then sat down and scooted down the stairs.

I laughed as I retrieved her so she could go say hi to Emma. "Em! Em!" Emma smiled as she picked her up, "How is my squirt," she giggled, "Good,"

"Good,"

"Thanks for the dinner Ma," Lucille smiled, "It was good to have a family dinner," the adults were all sat around the table having a drink. I was having water, as was Jenni. Troy had already had a couple of drinks through the evening. Liam and Emma were laying on the couch laughing; Wes, Allison, and Sammy were playing a game. Lauren and Miles were both already passed out.

There was no rush to return home, as tomorrow was Monday. I had chemo on Tuesday and the three weeks returned again. It was a cycle I was growing on, expecting my body to do the same thing on the same days.

Carson was talking with Troy about some basketball thing, Jenni was playing with her phone and Jack was talking with Lucille. I was quiet in my own little world. "So I have a little announcement to make," Jenni announced, Carson looked up at her with a tiny smile, as I knew it.

"You're pregnant." I blurted, she looked at me with wide eyes, "How did you know?" she asked, Lucille laughed and got up to hug Jenni as Jenni was still looking at me. "I was pregnant five times. Over the past couple of days I have noticed things. You were drinking more water, more tired, and tonight you passed on wine. Hello, screaming pregnant." Jenni laughed, "Yea, I am. I'm a little over eleven weeks." She said, Troy smiled, "Congrats Jenni,"

"Did I hear another baby?" Liam asked sitting up, Jenni nodded with a big grin, "Yea, I'm pregnant." Emma laughed as I went over and I hugged her, as we were all talking about babies, "Any more for you guys?" Carson asked with a smirk, Troy choked on coffee, "That would be a no," I clarified, "I think breast cancer is plenty."

"Yea, I would say so myself."

Troy gave me a small look as I smiled, he squeezed my knee, and "I think we should start rounding up our kids,"

"Probably,"

Troy leaned over to kiss my temple softly as he smiled, "You are the best,"

"Duh,"

HOLY COW I UPDATED TWO WEEKS IN A ROW! CAN WE JUST LIKE JUMP FOR JOY FOR LIKE AN HOUR? HOLY COW. It was a long week but I did get all of my writing done and I am pretty damn proud of myself. Wow. Okay. Now that I have celebrated the fact that I have updated two weeks in a row, what did you guys think? I hope you liked it!

Thanks for loving last week's chapter! Hope to have another one next week!

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