Chapter 27 – New Roads

Gabi's POV

Halloween approached, as the kids were a buzz about the upcoming holiday. I was finally feeling better, two weeks after chemo, to start to do things again. I was doing more around the house, more laundry, more of just about everything.

On Halloween I was going to get the pleasure of having all of my scans done. After that we would decide what was next in my road of recovery. Chemo was done. I wasn't having anymore or at least I didn't think I was. I didn't want to have anymore.

Folding the last piece of clothes I looked around seeing how much more I had left. Emma and Cooper had been hanging out a lot more on the weekends now that football season was over. Liam and Alexa were spending a lot of time with each other at both of our houses, they went out on a couple of dates and I knew Chad followed them around to make sure they were actually doing what they said they were doing.

So far so good, I sighed softly as I sat down on the laundry room floor. My head leaning back against the wall as I tried to hold in the deep yawn that was stirring in my throat. "What are you doing?" Troy's voice came around the corner as I tilted my head back to look at him, "I'm just tired," I said to him, "Oh yea?" I nodded as he sat down next to me, "It's been a long couple of months,"

"Can you believe that we started this in March?"

"And it's almost November," he said, his head titled towards me, "No wonder I'm exhausted, a major surgery, seven rounds of chemo, and more to go…" I whispered, he laid his hand over my lap and he massaged my knee. "Let's please not forget the almost dying on me part…"

"Actually," he said before I could speak, "Let's forget that," I laughed as I locked our fingers together. "Are you okay?" he asked, "I'm nervous," I told him, "We have scans in two days,"

Troy played with my wedding band, "And?" he asked, "What if it isn't gone?"

"Brie, your last scans were great! They just wanted to do one more powerful round and then we are going to kill the rest with radiation. Then we are done," I leaned in to him as he wrapped me tightly in his arms. "Then we don't have to deal with this cancer anymore, we don't have to go to the hospital all the time. We don't have to do any of that. WE can just be normal parents again."

"Two are two dating teens,"

He laughed, "So interesting," he said, I smiled as the washer dinged causing me to roll my head towards the machine. My eyes burned into it and Troy smiled, his lips kissing my forehead, "Go take a nap while we have quiet time,"

I looked at him, as his eyes were so blue, I smiled as I crawled into his lap, my legs pulled him closer to me as I pulled my lips towards him. My lips pulled at his as he kissed me harder. "We have time right?" I whispered, Troy kissed me and moved to kiss my neck. "Yea," he said as he kissed me harder, I let my hands wrap through his hair as he pushed up my shirt.

I broke our lips apart as my shirt was tossed into the dirty laundry, I lifted Troy's shirt up and he pulled me back closer as his lips worked over mine. His lips were broken as he trailed his lips down my shoulder and across my collarbone. I tilted my head back as I closed my eyes, I didn't want this to stop. I never wanted this to stop. Troy worked his way up my neck as I curled my arms closer to him.

"Come on," he breathed picking me up, "What," I was confused until my ass was on the washer. I laughed as I unbuckled his belt and I slipped his jeans off of his hips. It slid past them and he pressed his lips to mine, his hand resting on the back of my neck as he pulled my kiss in further. His fingers slid around the waistband of my sweat pants and he eased them away.

"God Damn, Brie," he whispered, his hands pressed into my hips as I slid forward. My underwear was throw away as positioned himself between me, his finger sliding inside of me as he dropped his head into my shoulder, "You turn me into a 18 year old so fast,"

I kissed him again as he pulled me up, his phone alarm went off and I looked at the floor where his jeans once were. "Better make this a bit fast, Lo will be waiting," I laughed as Troy buried himself inside of me and I couldn't think of anything else I would want to be.

"Hi mom!" Emma collapsed onto the bed as I turned my head to look at her, "How was your day at school?" I asked her, she smiled, "Good," she paused, "Can Cooper come over?"

"I don't care," I told her, "As long as you want him to come over and you are going to behave." She smiled, "We are just friends mom,"

"Just friends my butt," I told her, she laughed, "Yea, I didn't know if we were having a dinner tonight?"

"We are, your dad is making lasagna," she smiled, "My favorite,"

"It's everybody's favorite," I laughed as she snuggled into my side, "How are you feeling?"

"Better, I'm just tired,"

"Good, you have scans this week right?"

"Right," I confirmed for her, she sighed, "They are going to be good and then you will get your perfect hair back," I laughed as I looked at her, "You stole my perfect hair," I said smoothing her hand away. She smiled and she wrapped her arms around me, I hugged her back. "I love you mommy,"

"I love you too,"

Emma's POV

I went downstairs after texting Cooper he could come over to see my dad helping Allison and Wes both with homework. I looked at him as he looked up, "you alright?" he asked, "I just want a daddy hug," he rose an eyebrow, "Are you okay?" he got up as I nodded and I met him to let him circle me in his arms. "I'm fine, I just want a daddy hug," he kissed the top of my head as he held on to me.

"Cooper is coming over," I told to him, "I asked Mom and I invited him to stay for dinner,"

"Sounds good," he said, I released myself from his grip and he smiled softly. "How is school going?"

"It's going,"

"Good, do you have homework?"

"Cooper and I finished it during study hall."

"Got it," he kissed the top of my head as he returned back to Allison and Wes. I went to the living room as I waited to see when Cooper arrived. Our 'date' wasn't much of a date due to his friends ended up being there and we ended up sitting with them so we were just friends again. We had hung out a lot in the past two weeks though and it was fun.

He made me laugh constantly, his smile was so beautiful, and his green eyes were so green. I sighed as I saw his jeep pull into the driveway, as I hadn't learned much about him in the past two weeks, I just had been having fun. I jumped up as Liam yelled up the stairs that Cooper was here. I walked out the front door as I leaned over the railing, "Come on Cooper," I yelled with a wave, I jumped over the top of the railing as I went around back.

Cooper laughed as he ran after me, I laughed as I entered the gate and I climbed up the swing set. Cooper laugh echoed through the backyard as I stood up, he looked up at me, "What are you doing?" he asked, I laughed as I sat down, "Come up here!"

"We are going to break that and I believe your younger sisters will be very upset if that happens." I smiled as I shook my head, "We can fit all five of us in here," I spoke, "Just get up here!" he smiled as he dropped his backpack and he climbed up the side, his black hair was the first thing I saw, his beanie was hanging off of his head as he swung his legs around and landed.

"Wow, it's bigger than it looks," he said, I nodded as I scooted over and he sat down. "So what's for dinner?" he asked, "Lasagna,"

"Yum, my favorite,"

"It's everybody's favorite," I said echoing my mom's words, he laughed and nodded, "True," I laid on my back as Cooper rolled on to his side, "So should I be concerned about video cameras or?" I giggled and I shook my head, "Last I checked there wasn't any video cameras but I would be scared about Allison or Lauren crawling up here." Cooper smiles and nodded, "On purpose?"

"Most likely," Cooper laughed as he found my hand and he traced it with his finger. I smiled as he took a long breath, "What's wrong Cooper?" he shook his head, "Nothing,"

"Something is wrong," I said, "You aren't acting right," he laughed, "You have known me for two weeks,"

"And in those two weeks you have never been this quiet," Cooper rolled on to his side, "Just a stupid fight with my parents, that's it," my fingers locked with his as he smiled, "Cooper, you have never talked about your parents." He looked up at the ceiling of the tree house and he sighed, "Because I technically don't live with my parents," I raised an eyebrow as I looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"I live with my Aunt and Uncle because my parents are in the middle of a horrible divorce," he shook his head with a sigh, "They sent me and my brother out here to my Aunts house to keep us away so we didn't have to see them constantly fighting."

"I'm sorry Cooper,"

"Nah, it's alright. I would rather them get a divorce than them keep fighting."

"So you are okay with this?"

He paused, "I'm okay until I have to move back to California," I sat up as I looked at him, "What?" he sighed, "It probably won't be for a couple of more months,"

"Cooper, you talk to me and you know that you are about to leave,"

"I'm trying to stay," he said, "I don't want to leave right now,"

I looked at him as I felt tears well up in my eyes, "Hey, no crying," He said with a laugh, "I'm not going anywhere, that's why I was fighting with my parents. My mom is going to gain sole custody of my brother and I. I am trying to talk her into moving out here. My brother, Ethan, has made good friends here and we are having fun. We also wouldn't have to deal with my obsessive dad,"

"So you don't get along with your dad?" I asked, "We get along just fine, he just is an obsessive guy with my mom and I don't like seeing it. He doesn't want to have the divorce so he decides he is going to go and take us away from my mom but my mom is going to win. He has a job that requires him to travel a lot," he shrugged his shoulder, "It's interesting to see what a real family looks like when I look at you guys,"

I snorted, "A real family…" I spoke, "Well yea, I mean, your dad loves your mom and your mom loves him back. You have four siblings who like each other. I mean Ethan and I get along but it's whatever. I don't know," he sighed as his chin rested on my shoulder. "Well…you are more than welcome to experience my real family during dinner and you might just change your mind."

Cooper laughed as he looked up, "How is your mom doing?" he asked, "She is looking better and she will probably actually eat food tonight."

"Oh yea?"

"Yes!" I cheered, Cooper laughed, "You are something else,"

"So are you going to Denver's Halloween party?" I asked, Cooper shook his head, "No, I wasn't invited. Evan wants me to come over though," I scrunched my nose, "Hmm…well I think we should do something together."

"Oh yea?"

"Yes…" I paused, "I just don't know what we should do," Cooper sat up and he leaned back against the wall. "Well we could go to Denver's party…I don't even know who Denver is though," I laughed and nodded for him to continue, "Or we could go hang out with Evan which would basically just being hanging around his house and doing nothing good or…" he paused to think of one more idea because the other two were not very appealing.

"Or we could go trick-or-treating," I rose my eyebrow as he smiled, "What? Don't have a costume?"

"No I just…don't trick or treat," I said with a laugh, "And why not?" he asked, he leaned closer to me as his face was closer to mine, "I don't know, when I ring the doorbell the people give me a look of what the hell are you doing here,"

Cooper smirked, "Why not prove them wrong?"

"Are you going to get me a costume in two days?"

"You could make one," he offered, "Make one?" I laughed, "Funny," Cooper laughed, "Fine, let's not do anything," my stomach sank, "Wait, fine, we can," Cooper smirked, "Good,"

Gabi's POV

We all sat down around the table as we began to pass food around. Troy sat down another thing of drinks onto the table for Lauren and Allison. He kissed the top of Allison's head as he smiled. Cooper was sitting next to Emma and Liam. Liam leaned over as he laughed with Cooper over something.

Emma talked with Wes who was sitting next to her as I put a couple of pieces of food onto my plate, as I wasn't that hungry but I was hungry enough to eat. Plus, I most likely wouldn't throw it up in the process. Troy reached over to squeeze my knee, as I liked the feel right now.

I smiled, as my eyes bounced to Emma, "So how was school?" I asked everybody, they grumbled as they talked about how much they didn't want to go. "I had a great day at school," Cooper said, Emma looked at him as Cooper smiled. "I couldn't ask for a better day at school really, I was living right? It was a good day." Troy and I shared a look as Emma smiled looking down at her plate.

"I second that," I said with a smile, "I'm alive, it was a good day."

"Then I had a great day!" Lo said standing up in her chair, "Lo, sit," I said, she did as she folded her legs underneath of her as she gave a big grin, "Mommy! Guess what I got to do in preschool today!"

"What did you get to do?" I asked she shifted as she wanted to stand up again but she knew better than that. She itched as Troy laughed watching her, "I got to feed the bunny!" "Wait…Mr. Snuggles is still alive?" Liam asked, I laughed, "Mr. Snuggles died many years ago," I finished as I looked at Lo, "What is your bunny's name?" I asked, "Mr. Bunny," she said, we laughed as Cooper leaned across, "I had a cat named kitty once,"

"We had Nemo and Bubbles," Emma said with a laugh, I smiled as they had wanted another cat or even a dog but Troy and I were not convinced and then the whole cancer thing came but maybe…maybe for Christmas or something.

Cooper was telling a story as the whole table was listening, I didn't but I would have Emma fill me in later. Troy laughed as I looked at him, his age was catching up to him as he had more lines around his face, and his eyes were still that powerful blue that made me lose my breath every single time. He shoulders were still that rock hard, his back slim along with his chest. Still dedicated to working out four times a week.

His lips curved into a smiled as he talked to Allison, her hair was sticking up in many directions as she was giggling over something that had happened in her first grade class today. Lo had gotten down as she ran over to Emma, Emma pulled her into her lap as Liam pushed Wes as who knew what they were talking about.

I loved my family and nothing would ever change that.

I fidgeted as Troy scrolled through his cell phone, it rang and he looked at the screen before standing up, "Troy," he answered, Lakers. I let my foot sway from side to side as I was waiting to be taken back. I was having a series of tests today and I wasn't sure what to except. We would be getting our results at the end of the day after all of the scans and they older kids were expecting answers.

"Yea, no, I'm not sure. Can I let you know in a couple of days if I am able to go?" Troy listened for a couple of minutes, "We said that I would stay in this area," Troy shoved his hand into his jean pocket, "Jeff, I understand but I have family things that need to keep me in this area. Let alone sending me to Spain," I looked up at him as he twisted around to apologize, he hadn't told me something.

"Jeff, no, I…" the door propped open as somebody walked in, "I have to go. I will call you back later," Troy hung up the phone as he slid it back into his back pocket as I looked at him. He pressed his lips together and came over to me; he kissed the top of my head as the nurse was writing something out. "We will talk about it later," he whispered, "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"It wasn't necessary," Troy told me, "We are ready for you Gabi," I took a deep breath as I slipped off the table. Troy let go of my hand as I turned to look at him, "I'll be waiting,"

"Good,"

Troy's POV

I hated waiting.

I'm pretty sure waiting was the worst part about hospitals. You came to a hospital and you waited. You waited for a baby to be born, you waited for the surgery to be over, you waited for somebody to wake up, and you waited for the doctor to come talk to you. You waited. You waited for every thing.

Leaning back against the wall, I rubbed my eye as Gabi was in her MRI right now, a bone scan was after that, and then she was going to have another test to make sure it wasn't in her bone marrow. To make it hadn't spread.

I flipped my arm over my eyes as if all went well, we would do radiation for six weeks, four times a week, and be fucking done with this bullshit. Twisting in my seat, I watched a women came in and she fiddled with her fingers just wondering why she was waiting was enough to write a story.

Could it be her kid? Maybe even her husband.

Everything in me never wanted to put Gabi into this position. It wasn't something I wanted to do and it was something I didn't want her to have to do alone. Crossing my legs over top of my knee, I twisted my fingers together, I moved, I was fidgety today.

Standing up, I alerted the desk that I was going up to the oncology ward. They looked at me as I smiled, "My sister works up there,"

They nodded as I went to the elevator and up to the oncology ward. The one ward I hated the most.

Stepping off, I spotted Jenni quickly as she was sitting at the desk laughing, she had her glasses on and she was definitely pregnant. I smiled as I went to lean against the desk, "Hey baby sister," she turned and she smiled, "Hey! What are you doing here? Gabi okay?"

"Oh yea," I said with a nod, "She is downstairs having a bunch of scans run and I can't sit for much longer so I was going to come and see you," she smiled as she walked to the other edge of the nursing station. "Is she doing better?"

"Much better," I said with a nod, "She is awake a bit longer and eating again so all is good,"

"Good,"

"How is my niece of nephew?" I asked leaning over to touch her stomach, she laughed, I felt the baby kick as she smiled, "How come all of my children are attracted to you?" I smirked, "All of my children loved me too,"

"Carson gets pissed because he will do anything to get," she stopped and smirked, "the baby to kick," I frowned realizing she wasn't going to tell me. "And he can't the baby to kick and it pisses him off."

"That was never my problem," I said as I looked at her, "Gabi wouldn't let me touch her half the time because they would always kick,"

"Well aren't you the baby whisperer," I smirked and nodded, "Yes, yes, I am."

"How are the kids? I haven't seen them in a while," Jenni asked, she sat at the computer as I sighed, "Crazy. Liam is deep into basketball right now, Emma is playing as well and she has a boyfriend or a friend who is a boy who she is talking to," Jenni raised an eyebrow as she looked at me, "How does Daddy Bolton feel about this?" I laughed, "You and Gabs said the same thing,"

"But really, how do you feel about this?"

"Fine, I mean, do I want her to be hanging out with a boy…no, yet I trust her, I met him and he had dinner with us and he is super nice. So I semi-trust him." Jenni smiled, "Wes is doing a basketball too, Allison is being Allison chasing butterflies," Jenni laughed as I smiled, "And Lo is growing up on me,"

"I could so see you and Gabi having another kid," I snorted, "No…thank…you," I answered. Jenni smiled, "I think this is our last too," she answered, "I can barely handle Sam and Miles,"

"I miss them, how are they?"

"Good, good, Miles is sick but Carson stayed home with him."

"We should have a family night soon,"

"Please, I miss you guys and you hog mom," I laughed, "I do not. She doesn't leave me alone."

Jenni smiled as she was clicking away at the keyboard, I tapped my fingers against the wood as the phone rang. Jenni reached over to pick it up as she answered it, she talked for a minute and nodded, "Gabs is done," I smiled, "Thanks,"

"No problem, hopefully she is feeling okay,"

"Me too," I stepped away from the desk as I went back downstairs and nurse waved me back as I went back, Gabi was sitting up drinking water as she gave me a groggy smile telling me she had fallen asleep during all of her scans most likely. "How is my trooper doing?" I asked as I kissed her temple, she smiled, "Tired,"

"I bet you are,"

"Dr. Roads will come get you when he is ready,"

I sat on a stool as Gabi scooted over; I smiled as I sat down on the bed as she rested her head on my shoulder. "Have I ever told you how much I hate MRI's?" I smiled as I kissed the top of her head, "Did you listen to music?"

"Yes," she said, I found her hand as I laced my fingers through hers, "So did Emma show you her costume?" Gabi laughed and nodded, "Her duck?" I laughed and nodded, "I loved it,"

"She put it together quickly,"

"She did,"

"She really likes him,"

"I like him," I said, Gabi looked up at me as is smiled, "It is possible,"

"Until you walk in on them making out," I cringed, "Can we not talk about that?" Gabi laughed as I squeezed her hand, "It's not funny,"

"It kind of is,"

Gabi shifted as she sat up, "I need to use the restroom,"

"Are you okay?" I asked, "Yes, I'll be fine,"

She stood up and I reached out to make sure she didn't fall but she did well as she walked to the bathroom. She disappeared into the bathroom as I sent a text to Liam and Emma that we were waiting for the results.

I smiled as she came walking back, her scarf gone from her head revealing her bald head, her brown eyes were so soft still as I remembered seeing those eyes for the first time and how much I fell in love with them in that time. I remember falling in love with everything about her. It happened so quickly that I was blind-sided. I smiled as she sat back down on the bed as she scratched the top of her head.

"I can not wait for my hair to grow back,"

"You look beautiful without it,"

"Thanks but I really love my hair,"

I laughed as she curled back into my side; her sweatshirt was wrapped around her hands as I kissed her forehead. Dr. Roads appeared as he smiled, "You two ready?" I felt my gut sink as I wasn't sure if I was ready or not.

Gabi nodded as she picked up my hand as we followed each other to his office on an opposite floor. We settled into the chair as I had fast flashbacks of being told she had cancer and every emotion I never wanted to felt again happened. I stroked her hand as she smiled, "How are you feeling Gabi?"

"I'm anxious," she responded, "I want to know what you know," Dr. Roads laughed, "Do you?"

"Yea, I do,"

He couldn't hide his grin as I felt relief flood through my body, "I have never wanted to deliver such great news before. I was nervous as I got the reports because I couldn't come in here and give you a bad report because I would probably fall apart but I'm not giving you a bad report," Gabi looked at him as he smiled, "Gabi, you are 99.9% cancer free," she lowered her head as she started to cry, I felt tears in my throat as I reached over to rub her shoulder.

"The only reason I'm not giving you that .1% is because I can't see all of the cancer cells so…6 weeks of radiation on both breasts and lymph nods to make sure it is gone but everything is so clean," Gabi looked at him as she cried, her hand covering her mouth as I looked at her, she nodded as he said a couple of other things, he then reached across to hug her, saying something as he shook my hand giving us a minute.

She turned to look at me as she started to cry with a smile, I felt my lip quiver and my chest burst with a sense of pride. "You did it,"

"I'm not finished," she said as she wiped her eyes, "You did the hard part," she broke down again as I reached over and pulled her into my lap, I pressed my head into her shoulder as I cried with her. I have never felt a sense of relief so big as I held on to her tighter. She ran her hands through my hair as I kissed her cheek, "I have never been so proud of you," I whispered, "I am so proud of you and I am so in love with you," she wiped away tears as I kissed her, "I'm so in love with you," I whispered, "I love you so much Troy,"

Dr. Roads walked back in as he smiled and he set up appointments for radiation. Gabi would get her tattoos on the November 10th and she would start radiation on November 15th. She would be completely finished before the New Year causing excitement. We talked about a couple of other things…hormone therapy would be after that but that was just a pill.

Gabi and I got up and left after another congrats from Dr. Roads and when we walked into the hallway I picked up Gabi and hugged her tightly. "I think we need to celebrate tonight," I whispered into her ear, "Let my mom take the kids trick-or-treating and we can just have time to ourselves."

Gabi smiled as I felt like she was going to turn me down but she just nodded her head instead, "Yes, yes, yes," she whispered, I laughed as I kissed her again, "Come on, we have some awesome news to tell our kids,"

Gabi's POV

I couldn't wipe the smile off my face as Troy and I walked into the house. I squeezed Troy's hand as we walked into the door of the house and Liam and Emma were quick. "Everybody in the living room!" Troy said the kids were quick as Liam and Emma were both talking a hundred miles per hour ask a million questions.

I looked at each of them as I remember sitting in front of them telling them. Having no idea what the road in front of us was and I know. I now know. Everybody was sitting as Troy smiled, "So we got the scans and the results back,"

"Please, please tell me they were good," Liam said, I smiled, "They were beyond good," I said, "I'm 99.9% cancer free and after radiation it should be all gone, everything," Liam and Emma grinned as they both attacked me with a hug. I wrapped them tightly into my arms as I started to cry holding on to them. They held me so tightly as I didn't ever want to let go.

"So we are done after the radiation?" Liam asked I nodded as Wes came over to give me a hug as I smiled. I looked at Troy who was holding back his own tears as he watched the kids react. I wiped me own away as I buried my face into Wes's shoulder, Allison came over and Lo stood in front of me as I never felt so relieved for something as I looked at all of my kids and knowing I had a shot to see all of their futures. I had a chance to see all of my babies get married and have kids. To see them all graduate.

Troy and I looked at each other as I smiled; he smiled shaking his head as he stood up, "So who is ready for Halloween?" Troy asked, the kids all jumped as they began to talk a mile a minute, "This is quite possibly the best day," Troy said as he sat down next to me, I smiled with a nod as he kissed my temple. "Yes,"

Troy laughed as I rolled into his side, "I have never been more in love with you," he whispered as he stroked my arm, "Whatever, you say that constantly," I said to him, he propped himself up, "Because it is constantly true," Troy said, "Ever day I fall even more in love with you. Today, when I heard you didn't have any cancer left in you, that you had been through hell and back and it worked? I couldn't have been more proud,"

I looked at the ceiling, "I thought about the day we found out what was terribly wrong with you and I remember thinking how the hell are we going to get through this? But we did. We got through very many hard months. We got through stupid illness that basically killed you. You were brought back to life and I have never been more scared and then today when we got the news we had been hoping for I have never been more in love with you."

My fingers touched the corners of my eyes as I looked at him, "You were a mom through," he paused, "And you were my best friend still, you were my wife still, you were everything still and you still kicked cancers ass,"

"We aren't done yet,"

"Six weeks," Troy said as he laced our fingers together, "I know radiation isn't going to be fun, I remember it with Liam but, I am still here for you," I smiled as I leaned up to kiss him, "Thank you Troy,"

"For what?"

I stopped as I sat up, Troy looked at me as I reached over to grab my shirt as I looked at Troy. I sat chris-crossed with the blankets wrapped around me as my eyes looked into his. "Troy, I knew how much I loved you from the moment I knew I loved you. I knew how much you meant to me the moment you were there for me when I needed you the most. You are so important to me and over the past sixteen years I have watched you do what you love,"

He sat up a little bit as he reached for my hand, "I loved watching you on the basketball court and I loved watching you with every single one of our kids. I loved telling you I was pregnant, I loved seeing you with our newborn child, I love watching you with your family, I love just watching you do anything you love doing. I realized how much I loved you and I never thought it was possible to love you more."

He smiled as I shook my head, "Then that fateful day happened, I called you and you stayed calm. You held me and took care of me. You never left me, you were always by my side and not once did I think you were going to get up and leave. Not once did you decide something else was important. Not once did you put you in front of me. You took care of our kids and you made sure I was okay at all times. You went to every chemo appointment, every clinic visit, you waited hours through my surgery, you wait through scans, and let's not mention my hospital stay that lasted almost a month because you only left when I told you to leave. You never left me alone and you were always there for me and I realized I loved you so much that I could never repay you for everything you did. I know the next six weeks you will also be there for me; I know you will be there twenty years from now. I know you will always be there for me."

Troy looked at me as I wiped away a couple of tears, "I will be forever thanking you for being with me Troy and never leaving me alone," he grabbed me gently and pulled me into his lap as I wrapped my legs around his waist and my arm wrapped around his neck as I buried my face into his shoulder. "You are the love of my life Brie and I would have not changed one thing," he whispered as he hugged me tightly, "I love you so much," he whispered into my ear.

"I love you too," I said, he held me close as he stroked my back, "So tomorrow night I think we should get the family together,"

"What if it is too soon,"

Troy pressed his lips against my lips, "Shh…" he said, "We are doing more to make sure it is all gone. It is gone Gabi, it is gone," I pulled me hands up to my face as Troy kissed my face. "I don't deserve you," I whispered, "I don't deserve you," Troy said, "Making us both willing of each others deservedness." I laughed as I kissed his cheek, "I just know I am the one for you,"

Troy squeezed my hand with a smile, "Yes, you are the one for me."

Emma's POV

I laughed as Alexa and I hooked arms as we walked through the streets. We were not really trick or treating, more walking around until we found a house that was deserving enough for us to go to. I smiled as Cooper raced up behind me taking me up off my feet.

I screamed as Cooper laughed, "Scared?"

"It is Halloween," I mentioned, "A chainsaw could come bouncing out of know where," Cooper laughed as he laced my fingers through his, he had been doing that a lot lately and I certainly didn't mind it. Liam and Alexa were holding hands as Liam was telling her something.

"You seem to be in a great mood," he said to me, I grinned as I leaned against him, "My mom is basically cancer free," I announced, he looked at me with a grin, "Are you serious?" I nodded my head, "Yes, she is going to do radiation to make sure it is all gone but then that's it. It will forever be gone or I hope,"

"It will," Cooper said squeezing my hand, "That is great news,"

"I know, I couldn't be more excited for her,"

"You have to be relieved,"

"I am, I am happy knowing I will have my mom when I have boy issues," I said shooting him a glance, he laughed as he wrapped his arms around my neck, "I hope you don't have any of those."

"Oh really Mr. Cooper?" he shook his head with a grin, "Really," he took my hand as he squeezed my hand gently, we hadn't kissed anything yet. We had squeezed hands, we had hugged but Cooper was taking it slow or maybe it was I taking it slow? I wasn't sure but I also didn't want to rush anything. I just wanted to have fun and that was the only thing that was important to me.

Cooper smiled as we were coming back up on my house. Alexa and Liam had tagged along after hearing of our plans, which was fine, but I also wanted time alone with Cooper. "So do you want to go out this weekend?" Cooper asked I looked at him, "Like Saturday?"

Cooper nodded his head, "I have a place I want to show you," I raised an eyebrow as he smiled, "It's a good thing, I promise,"

"Fine, what time Saturday?"

"Early, like six in the morning,"

I looked at him as he laughed, "I promise you'll love it!"

"Will you feed me?"

"Promise," he stuck his pinky out as I smiled, "Fine, I'm sold,"

"Good."

He smiled as he had something wormed deep into his sleeve as I looked at him as he grinned, "I can't wait for Saturday,"

"It's only two days away,"

"I know but I have had this planned for like three weeks," I raised an eyebrow as he smirked, "Kind of had it planned,"

"Oh I see,"

"Yea, you are going to love it,"

Gabi's POV

Troy touched my back as he walked by and down to the office. I smiled as I followed him, "You never told me about Spain," I said as he turned around, "It was nothing. They wanted me to go to Spain and I said no," Troy said with a simple shrug, "It wasn't a big deal,"

"They didn't sound very happy with you," I said as I leaned against the wall, Troy picked something up as he sighed, "Yea they weren't happy with me because they want me to go but they wrote in my contract that I was to stay in the surrounding area. That is out of the country." Troy said with a pointed fact, "We have too much going on to just up and leave,"

"Good, I don't want you to leave," Troy smiled as he sat down; he spun around in the chair as he took a big breath. "What's on your mind?" I asked, "Nothing," he said, I looked at him again as his eyes met mine, "and I really don't have anything on my mind,"

"You have something on your mind."

"I'm bored Gabs," I raised an eyebrow as he nodded, "I'm not used to this sitting around shit, this is my first year of retirement and so far it has been busy as hell with you. Now that we are hitting a dull…I am bored as hell."

"I know," I said with a nod, "I'm bored too, with all of the kids in school I mean what the hell do we do?" Troy smiled, "I have been thinking about going to work at East," he said sitting up, "Sub until a spot comes open, I could help my dad with the basketball team and keep an eye on all of my kids,"

"I always thought about putting my nursing licenses to use," Troy smiled, "Well I need you to be a 100% better before I release you into the wild."

"It is your choice Troy, you have the degree,"

"Knock my dad off and become the PE teacher,"

I laughed as I sat down on his lap, "You aren't used to being bored huh?"

"Nah," he said as he wrapped his arms around me, "I am not used to being so bored I want to shoot my eyes out." I laughed as I kissed him, "I could keep you entertained," Troy smirked as he kissed me, "Oh yea?" I nodded as I ran my hand over the back of his head. I pulled him closer into a kiss as he smiled and kissed me harder. "If this is how you are going to entertain me every day then I think I can do this," he whispered, "Troy!"

Chad's voice entered the house as Troy groaned and let his head fall into my shoulder. I smiled, as Chad appeared in the doorway, "Good God," he muttered, "Are you two ever not having sex?"

"We were not having sex, we were making out." Troy said as he glanced over at him, "How may I help you?"

"Do either of you have your phones on?" Troy and I looked at each other as I searched for mine but it was in the bedroom, Troy pulled his out of his pocket and tried to turn it on but it was dead.

"Good God you two, the school has been trying to call you," I turned to look at him, "What? Which school? Which kid?" I stood up as Chad sighed, "Allison, I guess she is running a fever,"

"I'll handle it," Troy said, "You better bring her back here," I said, "Of course," he kissed my forehead, "You just had your counts checked…I'm good with a sick child being here."

"Take my phone please while I charge yours,"

"Got it,"

Troy slipped past Chad as I shook my head, "You two,"

"What? I haven't been in my room for the past fifteen minutes!"

"You were making out instead," Chad, said, I rolled my eyes, "Whatever,"

Troy's POV

Pulling into the elementary school I shut off the car and hopped out, she wasn't complaining earlier this morning of not feeling well but I wasn't on kid duty this morning either. I walked into the office as the secretary noticed me, she smiled, "I'm presuming Mr. Danforth got a hold of you,"

I smiled, "Yea, my phone was dead and Gabi wasn't around her phone when you called. I'm sorry,"

"No, it's okay! You are here now,"

They lead me around the corner to the nurse's office where Allison looked sick. She was curled into a ball and resting her face on the hard bed that the nurses provided. "Alli," the nurse and Allison both looked at me as Allison smiled, "Hi daddy,"

I went over to squat in front of her as she was battling sleep, I kissed her forehead to sure enough feel a fever. "You aren't feeling so hot huh?" she shook her head as I looked at the nurse, "What was her fever?"

"102.3," I cringed, "That's high, did you tell mommy this morning your weren't feeling good?"

"No, I didn't want to worry mommy," I smiled softly as I played with her hair, "Well you can't come to school when you feel like this," she nodded, "And you can worry mommy because that is mommy's job," the nurse laughed as I picked up her back pack slinging it over my shoulder almost too small to fit around.

"I'm going to sign you out and then we can go okay?"

She started to sit up, "Just lay down, I'll be right back," she did as told and laid back down as I went to sign her out. I sighed as a teacher walked in, "Good Lord Bolton, can't even get a backpack big enough?" I turned as Jason was standing in front of me, I laughed as I slapped hands with him. "Y'know how it goes, I was never into carrying books anyways,"

Jason laughed, "I see Allison walking around here, is that who you are picking up?"

"Yea, she has a fever,"

"How is Gabi?"

I grinned, "Chemo is done and it looks to be cancer free but we are doing radiation to be safe."

"That's awesome, tell her I said feel better, to both of your pretty ladies," I smiled as Jason walked back into the teachers room. I went back into the nurse's room as Allison sat up, I smiled as I gently picked her up, her arms folded around my neck and her legs around my waist.

"Thank you," I said to the nurse, she nodded as I carried Allison out to the car. I opened the door and eased her into the backseat. "I'm tired Daddy,"

"You can take a nap," I said, I buckled her in as I set her backpack on the floor in front of her. "I love you," she said, I kissed her cheek, "I love you too Alli," she smiled as I shut the door and got into the drivers seat.

Driving through the town, I pulled back into the house as I shut the car off. Allison was basically asleep as I picked her up and carried her inside. "Brie," I said, she appeared at the top of the stairs, "Meds and bed…both of you." She rolled her eyes as she went back into the kitchen. I carried her up to our bedroom as I gently laid her down on the mattress. Gabi came in as she was holding a cup of water with medications in the other hands. My hand reached around to take off Allison's shoes.

"Daddy," she whimpered, Gabi looked up at me as I shrugged, "What's up?" I asked her, she held her arms up, as she wanted to be held. I sighed, "Take some medicine from mommy and then we can all lay in bed together and watch a movie okay?"

She nodded as I went to change into a pair of shorts and grabbed her a pair of sweat pants from her room. Allison changed her clothes as I crawled into my big bed, Alli curled into me as I kissed the top of her head, "What movie do you want to watch?" I asked, "Princess,"

"Princess it is," Gabi found it and popped it into the DVD player as she crawled into the bed next to me. Alli squirmed as she then crawled over top of me to get in the middle of Gabi and I. Gabi smiled as she kissed Allison's forehead, she frowned after that but Allison watched part of the movie as I was becoming increasingly tired. I reached over setting an alarm on my phone to make sure Lauren was picked up.

Gabi was half asleep when I rested my head against the pillows trying to watch Princesses.

The alarm jolted me awake as I reached over to silence it. "Is that a reminder about Lo?" Gabi asked, I nodded my head as I closed my eyes again, "I'll go," Gabi said, "No, I can,"

"You have a leech," I looked down to see that I did have a leech; Allison had wormed her way on to my chest and was sleeping on me. I nodded as my eyes closed again, "Sometimes people want their daddies," Gabi whispered into my ear; I smiled as I turned so she could kiss me. She didn't.

I frowned as she giggled, "I'll get you back for that,"

"I'm sure you will!" she called as she left the bedroom.

I will.

Emma's POV

Dragging my body out of the house at six in the morning was difficult. Cooper was sitting in his Jeep as I dragged my body to his car; my fingers pulled open his door as I yawned deeply pulling myself inside. "Good Morning!" Cooper chirped I looked over at him with scowl as he laughed, "Oh are we not a morning person?"

"No," I gripped, he laughed, "How about some coffee?"

"Where is my breakfast," I announced, "Oh yea," he turned as he dug in his Jeep until he tossed me a bar of some sort, "What the hell is this?"

"Just eat it and shut up," he said with a laugh, he zipped through a Starbucks coffee window as I was holding a steaming fresh cup of coffee. I took a sip as Cooper got onto the highway. "Where are you taking me?" I asked, "It's a surprise," he told me, as he twisted the level of music up more. "Oh yea?"

"Yea," He tapped his fingers against the steering wheel and he sang along to the music, I listened, as I had never heard of them before. I didn't know who it was to be completely honest. "Who is this?" I asked, Cooper looked at me and then back to the road, "It's a band from San Diego," he said, "They are really good,"

"You like this kind of music?" he asked, referring to the alternative rock type of music, I nodded, "Love it, I grew up to Snow Patrol,"

"Most people haven't even heard of Snow Patrol!" he said with a laugh, "Your parents like them?"

"Love them, Chasing Cars is their favorite song. Run is mine,"

"Chasing Cars is awesome,"

"I can't believe you have heard of them,"

"I like this music,"

"Imagine Dragons?" I questioned, "God, I loved Night Visions, such a great album,"

"Coldplay?"

"Couldn't get enough of it,"

I smirked, "I think we can go to many concerts together,"

"Yes please!" he smiled as he pulled off the high way and I tried to figure out where we were but I couldn't come up with anything. He drove down a couple of streets and he then pulled into a parking lot. A couple of other cars were here as I looked at him, "Where are we?"

"You'll see, come on,"

He jumped out of the Jeep as I opened my door and I got out, he met me in the middle as he grabbed my hand, our fingers lacing together. He smiled as he took me inside, we walked around a couple of corner, "Cooper!" somebody yelled, he waved as we kept walking, "You frequent this place?"

"Every Saturday," he said, I nodded as he stopped in a room, "What size?" I raised an eyebrow, "What size what?"

"Wetsuit," I raised an eyebrow, "Small," he nodded as he dug around for a minute and tossed it to me, "Here you go," he then disappeared telling me to put it on. I declothed and found a bikini that I slipped on underneath and then the wetsuit over top. I tried to zip it but I couldn't get it, I walked into the hallway as I looked around, "Cooper?"

"Yea?" he looked out from the room next to mine, "I can't zip the back, can you help me?" he nodded as he came over, his fingers brushed my back as I held my breath for a moment, the zipper went up and I let out a long breath. "Can you zip mine?" he asked, I nodded my head as I turned around and I zipped the back of his. He smiled, "Come on," he grabbed my hand again as he took me down the hall and pressed a buzzer as it let him in.

A sudden nostalgic sound washed over as the roar of waves, I felt my chest grow as I looked around. A huge ass pool was generating waves, Cooper let go of my hand as he smiled, "Which board do you want?"

I turned around to face him as I saw the line of surfboards and then back to the water, I couldn't speak as I kept turning back and forth. "Cooper," he smiled, "What?"

"How? What?" he smiled, "I love to surf and well I want to go to college to surf so I have to keep up with my peers out in California. This summer I'll travel and surf in competitions like I do every summer. So here is where I train,"

"And you brought me…"

"Because Ms. Emma Bolton, I YouTubed your name and you are kick ass," he picked up a board as he handed it to me, "And just maybe you could convince your parents to let you travel this summer and let you surf,"

I felt a gush of wind exhale out of me as I felt the board in my hand, "I'm going to be terrible, I haven't been in the water since Spring Break,"

"You're body will remember quickly," he said, he went around as he got into the pool and I followed him. We went over basic rules and he went first catching a fake wave, I was suddenly dying to get up on my board as he finished the wave off and jumping off his board.

"Go Emma!"

I felt a smile tug onto my face as I went out and it all came so naturally, I stood up on the board and the water splashed me as my feet moved into the right spots, I felt a surge of energy as I laughed trying to hold back all of my tears as I dropped off the wave, Cooper was grinning from ear to ear as I shook my head, "Cooper,"

"No talking…just riding,"

We both switched taking turns in the water, as with each ride I felt even more confident. There wasn't space to do some of the other stuff but we were surfing. We went on like this for what felt like hours until we heard other people's voices. Cooper looked at the wall and his smile faded slightly, I looked at him as he went to the edge to talk to somebody, I walked across the bottom as he turned to see me coming.

He smiled as I don't know where the rush of courage came from, maybe it was the sound of the beach or the thrill of being on the surfboard again but I pulled Cooper towards me and I kissed him. He stood shocked for a minute but he recovered as he kissed me back, my arm wrapped around his neck as I breathed in the salt that was on his skin. I pulled away, "Cooper," he opened his eyes as he took a long breath. "Thank you,"

"Breakfast?" he asked, I felt my stomach shrink thinking I made the wrong move but I nodded anyways, Cooper smiled as he leaned forward, his lips close to my ear, "Does this mean you'll be my girlfriend?"

A rush of emotion passed through me as I smiled, I nodded as Cooper smiled, and his lips touched my cheek. "Go change and we will find you some food, I think I can hear your stomach growling," I laughed and nodded as I climbed out of the water.

Cooper took care of the surfboards and my legs were jello. A good kind of jello though, a kind that I never wanted to go away.

Gabi's POV

I laughed as Troy tickled my stomach, "What are you laughing about?" he asked, I laughed again as he smiled, "How are you feeling?"

"Good," I replied, "Really well," he nodded with a smile as the front door burst open. "Dad! Mom!" Emma came running through the kitchen, she was bright eyed, big smile, she had done something this morning. Troy looked at her surprised and he looked at her, "Em, what did you do this morning?"

"I went surfing," she said, Troy and I shared a look as Emma laughed, "I honestly didn't leave New Mexico and went surfing. There is this place in Santa Fe and it's this huge pool that generates waves and Cooper took me there to surf, we surfed for like two hours and I have never been so happy." An ease of a grin slipped over Troy's face, "You had fun I take it?"

"Dad, I had a blast, just, I want to ask you guys something." I shared another look with Troy as Troy leaned against the counter, "And please hear me out, you don't even have to say yes but Cooper was telling me how he trains here every Saturday morning and during the summer he is going to travel to surf in competitions," I bit on my lip as Troy frowned, "Cooper hasn't lived here during the summer,"

"No, he travels around the country surfing. Hawaii and California, Oregon, and a couple of other places but I want to do that. He has seen my videos, I would train during the weekends and then during the summer I would spend a week some where in the real waves to get my feel back and that's what I would do all summer, I know, it's a long stretch but you are letting Liam go do these college things. I want to surf. You guys know how much I love surfing and Cooper shared with me his place and I had so much fun,"

"We'll talk about it," Troy said as he looked at Emma, "We will talk about it and think about it."

Emma smiled as she ran up and hugged Troy, "That is so much better than a no right now,"

Troy nodded as he hugged her and released her to hug me, "I'm glad you had fun," I told her, she looked completely relaxed and her eyes were so bright with life. I smiled as she bit her lip; "Cooper is also now my boyfriend so," Troy raised an eyebrow as I laughed, "Sounds like you had a great morning,"

"It was fantastic," she gushed, Troy turned towards the sink as Emma went downstairs to replay her entire morning to him. I went over as I wrapped my arm around Troy's waist, "No," he said flatly, "We have five kids we can't be parading around the damn country,"

I went over to the opposite side of the bar as I looked at him, "Troy," he looked up, "No, I am not comfortable with this,"

"Not comfortable with what, the fact that your daughter has a boyfriend or because she wants to do something different? Troy sighed as he stopped doing what he was doing, "You know how much she loves surfing, and you got up at the crack of dawn to take her all of the time. She loves the water Troy, just like you love the court. Liam loves the court, Wes loves the baseball field, if either of them came up to you and asked you to go around the country playing what would you say?"

"That's different,"

"It isn't any different," I said to him, "But we would never be home in the summer,"

"So what? What if we moved out to California for the summer?" Troy looked at me as I shrugged, "Emma misses it and well I don't blame her. That is what she wants to do Troy, it's her dream, we preach to our kids to follow their dreams and we took her away from the ocean…" Troy turned the water on, signal for I had gone too far. "The boyfriend," Troy shook his head, "I think this is all way too much,"

"Maybe it is," I said, "That's why you need to think about it, look into it, and then we can talk to her about it."

"Okay," he said softly, I smiled, "She just wants you to listen to her. She is so happy doing what she is doing right now and after the past several months,"

Troy nodded his head, "I'll look into it,"

"Good,"

I walked off as Allison was lying on the couch, still not feeling well. I sighed as I sat down next to her and rubbed her hair away from her face. She looked at me as I smiled; it was going to be a long couple of weeks.

Happy Easter everybody! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! It was fun to write & what to you think of Gabi and being cancer free? Ehhh!

Have a great week guys!

Please Review!