Chapter 28 – Here comes the Rain…

"This should only be about fifteen minutes," the nurse said, "Okay,"

"If you need anything, you just speak and we will hear you." I swallowed and nodded my head, "Try not to move and we will be done before you know it, alright?"

"Got it,"

She walked out and the doors shut, my eyes looked up at the ceiling. I scanned the tiles and then my eyes went to the big machine. It had stickers, quotes, sayings, and words of encouragement for people going through this horrible process. We had gotten my tattoos on Friday, had figured out where I was going to need it and talk about the side effects which sounded about the best out of all of the ones I have experienced.

I could experience breast tenderness and then a sunburn type feeling. It could even peel but right now, I was just happy I wasn't going to be losing my hair. When they said my hair should start growing back I wanted to cry. I was so happy that I was going to get to let my hair grow back.

My eyes looked around again and I looked on the other side of the glass, I was so strapped down that I wasn't going anywhere but they didn't want me to move. My eyes focused on him. He was leaning back against the wall, watching, his arms were crossed in front of him. "How are you doing Gabi?"

"Okay," I replied back, the machine was humming as it was supposedly doing its job to make me officially cancer free. My mind raced back to Liam who had to go through this at the small age of one. He was so good and he did it like a champ. A smile formed over my lips just thinking about Liam and how amazing he is. How much of a young man he was turning into.

My mind couldn't wrap around that he was going to be a senior this year. A senior. The words were stuck in my brain because I felt like he was just in my arms as my little man. I believe he is the little boy who ran around and never stops. Basketball season is starting both of my kids playing on their respective teams. Troy turned as he stepped closer, I saw a smile on his face, "Gabs, you are one minute till done,"

I didn't responded, I just looked up, it didn't hurt, I wasn't being poisoned, okay, well just a little bit with radiation but that was a different story. "All done!" I shifted my arms and I heard Troy's laugh. The nurse came in and let me down; I smiled, "I'll see you tomorrow,"

"See you tomorrow Gabi," I walked out and Troy smiled when I walked through the door, "How was it?"

"Easy but I can't imagine Liam going through that," Troy smiled, "He did though and he is pretty normal,"

"Actually…"

I laughed; Troy tucked me underneath of his arms. "So what are we doing tonight?" he asked, we had the whole day in front of us but I was pretty tired. "I'm tired, can we head home and just lay around?"

"Yes, yes we can,"

"So how many appointments?"

"23," I marked off, Troy smiled, "23 appointments until we get to be like fuck you cancer," I squeezed Troy's hand, "Hey!"

"What?"

"Let's go have lunch with Allison,"

"What?" Troy asked thrown off by my question, "Let's go have lunch with Alli!"

"I thought you were tired!" he said with a laugh, "Well I haven't gotten to have lunch with her in so long, we can go pick up some pizza and take it up to her." Troy smiled, "Alright, let's do it,"

Climbing into the car, Troy buzzed around; we picked up pizza and zipped around to the school. We pulled into a parking space as her lunch was in five minutes. "We have some good timing,"

"We do,"

Troy and I got out, meeting in the middle to grab each other's hands. Walking into the school building, we were greeted. "Visiting Allison today?"

"Yes, we are going to have lunch with her." Troy signed both of us in, ID badges printed. Troy took mine and placed it on my shirt and he did the same with his. He took the pizza and we walked down to the café. We sat down at a table, Troy smiled as he was dying to get into the pizza.

"I think on Friday, we need to take Wes and Alli out,"

"Oh yea?" Troy said, "Yea, over the past few months they have been neglected of attention,"

"I have been thinking about taking Wes out to the batting cages, go-carts type of evening,"

"I'm pretty sure he would love that,"

Troy smiled, "What are you and Alli going to do then?"

"Well…I thought about taking her to do a little shopping and get our nails done,"

"I'm pretty sure Allison woul that."

"Oh I know we haven't gotten any quality time together. I feel like a bad mom,"

"Well you aren't,"

"Thanks for the confidence booster," he laughed, kids started to pour into the cafeteria. Troy looked as teachers walked in, they each walked in and Troy spotted Allison's teacher. He got up but she had already spotted us. She was begging her teacher to let her go but she wasn't sure what she was asking about. Allison pointed us out and she smiled with a nod.

Allison escaped and jumped into Troy's arms, he laughed taking her over to the table we were sitting at. "Hi mommy! Hi daddy!" she came over and wrapped her body around me, "How is your morning going?" I asked her, "Good!" she said with a giggle, "I didn't know you were coming!"

"Well Daddy and I thought we would surprise you with a good pizza for us to share." She smiled and giggled; she sat down next to me. Troy smiled picking up slices and handing them to each of us. He smiled taking a bite of his own, "Mommy,"

"Yes sweetie?"

"Can you come everyday and have lunch with me?"

"No," I said with a laugh, "No we can't be we can sometimes,"

"Oh,"

"Tell me what you have done this morning at school,"

"We have counted and read a book. I got to read this book about a mouse and it was funny!" Troy watched in amusement, his eyes filled with joy just watching Allison talk about her great morning of school. She ate two pieces of pizza when the teachers came back to start collecting the kids. "Mommy! Daddy! Come to the classroom,"

"No, we are going to go home. You need to have a normal rest of the day,"

"Okay," she said with a sigh, "I love you mommy, I love you daddy," she said after hugging each of us, "Thank you for coming," Troy and I bid our love for her back, she disappeared around the corner with a smile. Troy laughed, "I love her,"

"I do too," he sighed, "Now can we go home in nap?"

I laughed, "Yes, we can go home and nap."

Troy's POV

I leaned into Wes's bedroom; the week had flown by causing one week of radiation to go by. Gabi wasn't having many side effects, which was fabulous. "Hey, Wes," he looked up from his homework, god bless this kid, doing his homework on a Friday. "Do you want to go out?"

"Where he asked?"

"I was thinking…batting cages and some go-carts?" Wes jumped up, "I'm ready!" I laughed, "We will leave in five minutes," he began to dig in his closet looking for whatever he needed for the activities that were planned. Emma and Cooper were hanging out with Alexa and Liam. Lo was going to Jenni's house for the evening causing a nice evening for Gabi and I to take our other two children out.

I slipped on my tennis shoes and a jacket. "Wes, are you ready?"

"Yes!" he said, he was patiently waiting at the door, a laughed bubbled out of my throat, "Are you excited?"

"Duh,"

I shook my head, thirteen years since he had entered our life almost seemed unbelievable. He was the most planned baby out of all five of our kids. I looked at him climb into the front seat thinking that he was my last boy and he spent most of his time on the baseball field. He played some basketball but didn't have the talent that Liam was gifted with. Wes was great on the baseball diamond though and I supported everything he did.

Backing out of the driveway, I looked over at Wes, "How was school today?"

"Boring," he announced with a sigh, "Yea?"

"Yea, because we took tests in a lot of my classes so we couldn't talk with our friends. It was annoying." I shook my head with a laugh, "Anything else interesting happening?"

"Well no,"

"Nothing exciting?"

"No, has coach emailed you about winter practices?"

"No, he hasn't,"

"Oh,"

"Sorry bud,"

"Dad?"

"Yea,"

"Mom is better right?"

My eyes turned to him and then back to the road, "Yes, she is much better,"

"She isn't going to die right?"

"Right, she is not going to die anytime soon,"

"Good, I would be scared without mom,"

"Me too bud,"

"Alli!" she popped up, "What?"

"Do you want to go out and shop? Maybe get a pedicure?" Allison grinned bouncing up on her feet, "Please! Please!" I laughed, "Yes! Go put your jacket and shoes on then we can go."

She grinned and giggled, I grabbed my purse and keys slipping on my flip-flops. Allison giggled and bounced down the stairs next to me. "Mommy, I love you,"

"I love you too Alli,"

She slipped her hand through mine and we went downstairs. She climbed into the back and buckled herself into the car seat. "Let's get our nails done first and then we can go find a couple of new outfits okay?"

"Okay!" she giggled as I ran through Starbucks; I got her frozen lemonade that she loved so much. She giggled drinking it while I got myself a Caramel Flan. "What do you want to listen to?" I asked her, "Taylor!"

"Your sister has poisoned your little ears, how about Snow Patrol?"

"No! Taylor!"

I laughed, "Fine, Taylor it is,"

I put on Taylor Swift's recent CD, the first track came on and Alli burst out into the lyrics. I laughed looking at her; I pulled into the parking lot. I turned around to watch her dance and sing in her car seat. I pulled my phone out to take a video of her, she giggled and I laughed looking at her. Her innocent blue eyes looked at her, so beautiful and so young. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes please!"

I smiled and we both got out of the car taking our drinks, her hand folded into mine crossing the street. When I walked in, I looked at Allison and I decided to splurge. "How may we help you?"

"I need a pedi and a mani for both of us," I said, the older lady smiled, "Let's do your feet first, pick a color," I took Allison over to the wall of colors, "What color do you want?" I asked her, she looked up at the wall, her fingers on her chin as she looked at each and every color.

"I want purple!"

"Purple huh?"

"Yea!" I looked at the three different shades of purple and I showed them to her, "Which one?" I asked, she pressed her lips together, pondering the very hard choice. "I like this one," she pointed to the darker shade and I smiled, "Good choice,"

I then picked up a black color for my toes. I followed Allison over as we both sat down and dipped our feet into the hot water. She giggled, "Is this your first time?" the lady asked Allison, "No," she giggled, "But it's been a long time,"

"It has been a very long time," I said watching her, Allison looked at me with a big smile, "What is the occasion for this one?" my lady asked sitting in front of me, "Mommy is better!" Allison piped up, "Better?" the lady asked, I laughed, "It's nothing,"

"No! Mommy! Daddy said you don't have cancer anymore!"

The two ladies looked at me, I felt my cheeks warm, and "I'm still in radiation Alli,"

"But Daddy said it's just a precaution,"

I laughed, "Your dad talks too much,"

"What kind of cancer?" the lady asked, "Breast cancer, stage four,"

"Well congrats, that is very impressive."

"Thank you, it was a very long couple of months."

"I bet, is this your only kid?"

I laughed, "No, I have five kids total,"

"Oh so a special night?"

"Something like that,"

Allison smiled, the lady washed her feet and scrubbed, she laughed when they scrubbed the bottom of her feet. Her giggles were so rich sounding, I laughed just watching her, and "It tickles mommy,"

"Does it?"

"Yes,"

I laughed shaking my head, I sent the two videos, the one of her singing and dancing and the one of her laughing to Troy. I put them on Twitter as well. Troy responded with a smiley face. I looked at Allison again and I couldn't keep a smile off my face watching her so excited.

Emma's POV

"Cooper…"

"What?" he asked swaying in the hammock, "My dad hasn't told me if I could do it this summer or not which scares me because I really want too,"

"It will be fine Em," Cooper said, he sounded like he was going to fall asleep. "Cooper?"

"Yes Emma?"

"Are you sleeping?"

"Huh?" I got off the grassy ground and looked at him, his eyes were shut, his arms crossed over his body. "Don't lie,"

"I'm not, I'm talking aren't I?"

"Doesn't mean you aren't trying to sleep,"

His eyes fluttered open and he blushed, "Oops,"

He scooted over in the hammock and I crawled in next to him. He smiled wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "I bet your dad is just really thinking about it. It wasn't a quick no which is good but since the first competition this year isn't until August,"

"Wait what?"

"They start in August…"

"Nothing before then?"

"Well local tournaments that I get warmed up with,"

"Oh…"

"You aren't staying here next year are you?"

"What makes you say that?"

"You aren't surfing this year,"

"Because my mom banned me from the state of California," he said with a laugh, "Emma, stop worrying about all of that okay? I don't know what's going to happen,"

He found my hand and linked our fingers together, "Are you still up for surfing tomorrow morning?"

"Please, this week was a killer," he laughed and nodded, "Okay,"

"Cooper?"

"Yes Emma,"

I rested my chin on his shoulders as I looked at him. His eyes were down casted towards my mouth to watch me speak. "Tell me about your childhood,"

"What?" he said with a sputter of a laugh, "I love hearing you talk and I want to know everything about you. So get to talking,"
"You love hearing me talk?" he asked with a doubtful look crossing his face, "Yes, I do. It's easy to listen to."

"Fine, but I am telling you everything,"
"Good," I remarked, I laid my head on his chest while he thought of a place to start. "I live in Poway area, my dad is a Sports Manager and my mom is a lawyer. So currently she is winning the custody battle." I laughed, "The day after they released me from the hospital, after I was born, I was on the beach. My parents loved the beach and it was my backyard."

He paused, "I don't remember a time where I didn't go to a beach to let out emotions or to think. The beach was just my place. I took up surfing when I was four. I was out in the water with my dad." He laughed, "One time, we were out in the water and this crazy waved came, I dropped in on it and my dad couldn't believe I rode it, he was amazed at it. That's when he knew I was going to be good."

"So is he your manager?" he laughed, "Something like that, if I do well this year in the WSA I am going to go to the juniors section of the PSA,"

"That's pretty awesome,"

"Yea, and I think you would only need one year in the WSA, we could go together,"

"What is the PSA?"

"Professional Surfing Academy, this year they are going all over the world. Africa is one of the main spots,"

"Wow, I don't know if my parents would ever go for that,"

"They might," he said with a smile, "Not right now anyways,"

"Well probably not, you are having trouble convincing him to do the one that is up and down the coast of California. He will come around Emma and if not you can do it when you are in college."

"Still, travel the world,"

"It will be amazing," he commented, I sighed, "Keep going on about your life,"

He laughed, "What else do you want to know?" he asked, "I don't know, I want to know the stupid things about you."

"The stupid things?"

"Yea," I pushed up off the hammock and looked at him, "The things that nobody really knows about you that you wouldn't normally tell a person,"

"I have only known you for a month,"

A laugh bubbled out of me, "So? I just want to know everything I can about you,"

"Hmm…"

I stayed quiet and looked up at the sky, "I love thunderstorms," he said, I groaned, "Why?"

"You don't like them?" he asked me, "No! They are horrible,"

"I have heard that before,"

"It used to be that Liam and I would crawl into my parents bed together and now that we are teenagers I just go to his room because neither of us like them."

"Such special children," he said with a laugh, I slapped his shoulder and he wrapped me in his arms. I smiled pressing my face into his neck, "Emma?"

"Yea?"

"Tell me the stupid things about you,"

I gasped and then laughed, he broke into a grin, "You're crazy," I whispered, "Me?" he asked with a laugh, "You asked me to tell you all of the stupid things."

"Whatever, I just don't like the rain. It keeps me off the beach,"

"You don't have a beach," He remarked, "So?"

He shook his head, I kissed his cheek and he squeezed me tighter. "When are your parent's going to be home?" I asked, "I don't know, they are in California," I rolled my eyes and he laughed, "I mean your aunt and uncle,"

"In a little bit," he said swaying the thing again, "Cooper!" His brother Ethan appeared on the deck, "Yea?" Cooper said sitting up, "Aunt Lola and Uncle Tim will be home soon," Cooper sighed, "Okay,"

Ethan disappeared inside and he turned over to give me a smile, "Ready to go home mate?"

"Mate?"

"Yes, mate,"

I laughed, "Yes, I am. I have an early morning tomorrow."

"Mmm…I think I do too. I can't remember," he teased, I rolled my eyes; we each got out of the hammock. His hands folding into mine as we walked around and into the house. "Ethan, let's go! We are taking Emma home!"

Ethan sighed, he was a mini Cooper, just with a different eye color and his hair was a shade lighter. "Why? Why can't I just stay home?"

"Because you are 11, that's why," Cooper grabbed his keys and he put on his beanie. "I bet Emma's 11 year old sibling gets to stay home alone,"

"I don't have an 11 year old sibling." I remarked, "You have every other age,"

Cooper laughed shoving us both out of the door, "She has Liam who is 16, Emma is 14, Wes is 13, Allison is 7, and Lo is 3," Cooper said opening the door, I looked at him in amazement and he shrugged, "The things Google does for you."

I rolled my eyes getting into the Jeep as he laughed, "I'm kidding,"

"Sure you are,"

"Wait…you and Emma are two years apart?"

"I'll be 15 in a couple of weeks," I told him, "I'm a freshman,"

"Cooper must really like you,"

"Why?" I asked Ethan, "Ethan!" Cooper said, Ethan laughed, I turned to face him, "Why do you say that?"

"Emma," Cooper said, his voice holding a different tone, "Because, Cooper,"

"Ethan,"

"What?"

"Cooper, what?"

Cooper rolled his eyes, "It's nothing Emma,"

"It's obviously something,"

Cooper laughed leaning back, "It is nothing, it's honestly stupid,"

"Then you will have no trouble telling me,"

He pulled into my driveway and put his car into park. "I have never dated a girl younger than me, that's it,"

"He likes his women older," Ethan said from the back, I looked at Cooper and then at Ethan, Cooper released his door handle and I did the same as we slipped out. "Emma," he said sighing, he grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him. "I have dated two girls, both of which were older than me. One was by a whole twenty-four hours so my dad made a joke that I would only date girls who were older. It's stupid."

"So you do like me?"

Cooper tossed his head backwards in laughter, "Yes, I like you."

I kissed his cheek, "Good," I whispered into his ear; he smiled, "Tomorrow, five forty five,"

"Aye Captain,"

"Good night Em,"

"Night Cooper,"

Troy's POV

I watched Wes lap around the trail again; this was his tenth time going around. He was having a blast; I had done the first couple of laps with him. It was fun and we tried to beat each other but I was getting dizzy so I sidelined and watched him whip around the course.

We went to two different places and he was having a blast. I rubbed my forehead trying to think of how to please Emma this summer because for the past two weeks she gets up every Saturday morning and surfs until noon and I haven't seen her happier.

There was a bunch of local tournaments and then it turned into WSA, Western Surf Association, or we could go to the East coast but she wanted California. I scratched my jaw thinking about it again. We could go out to California for the summer and let her surf and then come home for the school year. I rubbed my head because she wanted to be in that water at all times.

She was attracted to the water the first time we took her to the beach. She just was at ease, when she would have crying fits, I would take her to the beach and bam, and she was better. We would lie out there until she was calm and ready to go back home. Emma and I were always at the beach. When she discovered surfing, we were in the water every morning and I would do a lot for us to do that again but she needed to stay here with us.

Mason still lived in San Diego and I could bet he would let us stay there. I smiled watching Wes come out, he ran over to me, "I'm hungry," he said, "Yea?" he nodded, "Let's see what mom is up too and then we can meet her and Allison for dinner,"

"Okay!" we quietly walked back to the car while I texted Gabi. She responded that they too were looking for food. "Any place you want to eat?" I asked him, "Uhh…cheeseburgers sound good."

"How about Teds?"

"Sure!"

I text Gabi back telling her a place to eat and she agreed. We climbed into my car, "Did you have fun?" I asked him, he had hit about five-dozen balls at the cages and was even more thrilled each time he got to do it again. Then he lasted at the go-carts for about an hour.

"Yes, thanks for taking my out Dad,"

"No problem bud, I'm sorry the past few months haven't been to normal,"

"It's okay, mom needed you,"

"You know you could always come to us when you want something,"

"You come to all of my baseball games, you take me out, and do everything a parent is supposed too. I'm okay," he said, I laughed, "You are something else Wes,"

"I guess I'm used to it," he said with a shrug, "I mean Liam and Emma will always be in front of me and then you have Allison and Lo who need a lot of attention. I'm okay, it's not like you ignore me,"

"True," I said with a laugh, "We will do this more often, I promise,"

"I had fun tonight,"

"Good,"

I pulled into the restaurant, Gabi and Allison were getting out of their car and I smiled. Wes jumped out and Allison laughed, she went running up to him and she showed him her nails. Gabi looked up from locking her car, a smile pressing over her lips, I wrapped my arm around her shoulder following the kids in. "Wes looks pretty happy," she said, "He is,"

"Daddy! Daddy!" Allison turned around, "Look at my nails!" I smiled and picked her up, she showed me her purple fingernails, and "Those are awesome!" I exclaimed, she giggled, "My toes are the same color,"

"Let me see," I said, I twisted her in my arms and hung her upside down, her giggles were loud, Gabi watched in amusement while I twirled her around. Allison laughed, "Daddy," I twisted her again and pulled her back up, Wes had grabbed Gabi's hand and was telling her all about his evening. Allison smiled and tucked her head into my neck. Rubbing her back, we walked into the calm restaurant.

They lead us to a booth, Wes got in first and Gabi followed him in. I sat down on my side with Allison, I sat her down next to me but she leaned against me with a yawn. "Are you tired?" I asked, my fingers tickling her skin. She nodded, "Very tired,"

"Do you want chicken fingers?" I asked her, she thought about it for a couple of moments and then nodded her head, "Yea,"

Wes and Gabi were discussing options, my feet found Gabi's, and she looked up and gave me a questioning look. I shrugged and she laughed, I smiled while looking back at my menu.

After we ordered Gabi, Wes, and I talked about the day while Allison had ended up in my lap. She was tired from her day's events but was beyond thrilled with her nails and her outfits as she had told me about. I rubbed her back, Gabi smiled looking at her, "She loves her daddy," I laughed, "She does,"

Our food came and Allison really didn't care, we could save it and have it for lunch tomorrow.

We finished our food and even Wes was rubbing his eyes from the long day. Gabi paid with her card and I shuffled out of the booth. Allison hooked around me, "Wes, can you grab my car keys?"

He reached into my pocket and pulled out my keys, "You can go ahead and get into the car. I'm going to take Allison to mom's car,"

"Okay,"

I followed Gabi to the car; she unlocked it and opened the door for me. I got Allison in and kissed her forehead. I buckled her in and then shut the door; Gabi smiled, "This was a good idea,"

"It was," I pulled her into my arms and kissed the top of her head, she breathed me in. "I'm so ready for bed,"

"Allison found her bed,"

"I'm kind of jealous,"

I laughed, "I'll meet you at home," I kissed her and jogged over to my car.

Liam's POV

I laughed as Alexa tried to beat me in video games for the third time but it just wasn't working. I laughed shaking my head while she tried again and again. Each attempted failed.

"I hate you," Alexa said sitting down on the beanbag; she threw the remote across the room. I set mine down and crawled over to her. "You do not," I protested, "Do too,"

"Mmm…lies," I whispered, my lips getting closer and closer to hers. "If you think you can kiss me and make this all better, you can't,"

"Oh?" I said, my lips pressed on her jaw, then her cheek, and then I hovered over her lips. "Liam,"

"Alexa," I mocked, she turned her head and I backed up, "What?"

"What was Emma doing tonight?"

"She went to Coopers house,"

"So they are serious?"

"I guess, every Saturday she goes to this surf place with him, for the past three weeks she had gone to this place. She is pretty much on top of the world."

"She tells me all about it and she sounds happy,"

"She seems happy,"

Alexa nodded her head, her eyes looking at the TV, "Are we happy?" I started to say yes when my lips fumbled and Alexa looked at me. "Yes," I finally sputtered out, "I mean if you are happy. If you aren't happy,"

"I'm happy," she said, "Good, I mean,"

"Yea," she finished with a nod, "Lex,"

"Mmm?"

"Can I kiss you now?"

She laughed, "Please," I pressed my lips onto hers when she wrapped her arms around my neck. Our lips moved together but something just wasn't right between us. We persisted though; her hand touched the back of my neck, causing no emotion from it at all. I broke our lips apart while Alexa breathed. "What on God's name," I squeezed my eyes shut and rolled over onto my back, landing on to the floor.

"Dad, we weren't doing anything," Alexa said, "Oh really? So Liam was just on top of you,"

"To kiss me at my request; so get mad at me, not Liam,"

"Liam, I think it's time for you to go home,"

"Yea," I agreed sitting up, I found my bag and Alexa sent me a look, I shrugged my shoulders and passed by Chad, "Night Lex,"

"Night Liam,"

Chad squeezed my shoulder on the way out, "Sorry Uncle Chad,"

"Mm…yea, just go,"

"Yea, yea," I said, "I'll see you later,"

"How is basketball going?" he asked me, "Fantastic, can't wait to get out on the court."

"Can't wait to watch you, is it true your dad is going to help coach?"

I groaned, "Yea, he is,"

Chad laughed, "You'll be fine, your dad will leave it to your grandpa to coach you, he won't do much with you."

"He didn't tell you?" I asked pulling my keys out of my backpack, "No, I haven't talked to him in a few days. I think Taylor and I, are going out with your parents tomorrow,"

"Yea, I am babysitting the little ones tomorrow."

"Good luck with that, I'll see you later Liam,"

"See ya,"

Going to my car, I let out a long sigh. Basketball was wearing me out.

Gabi's POV

I put an earring into my ear while Troy was putting on a pair of jeans with a button up top. He sighed laying back on the bed rubbing his eyes, "Are you okay?" I asked him, he nodded his head, "Are you positive?" I asked him again, he only nodded his head again, which only told me that something wasn't right. I pulled on my rings and then turned to face him.

I was in a pair of jeans with a sweater. It was a chilly evening and it was our night to spend with the Danforth's. The Baylor's were out of town visiting Zeke's family in California. "Troy Bolton, I have been married to you for a very long time, I have known you for even longer, when you don't say anything, something is wrong."

He didn't even move, so I climbed onto the bed and onto his body. He shifted, "I'm just tired," he said rubbing my lower back, his arms wrapping around me, "There is something more," I whispered into his ear, "I have been thinking about Emma and Cooper,"

"Uh no, daddy is thinking about his little girl and her boyfriend,"

"She really likes him Brie, it scares me because if something happens,"

"She will be heartbroken, you will be buying her ice cream, and assuring her that every damn guy isn't going to hurt her like that."

"But then this damn surfing,"

"You haven't talked about that in about two weeks," I said, "Because I don't know how to tell her no," I frowned sitting up, "Why are you telling her no?" I asked, "Because she doesn't realize how much she has to do. We would have to live in California in the summer so she could practice and then the competitions don't start until August, so we would have to fly to wherever once a weekend every month for her to surf, it's going to be a lot of money and a lot of travel for something that she wants to do because of a boy."

"You know she would have wanted to do this if we would have stayed in California, if it wasn't for a boy from California she wouldn't even know about it. So maybe it's because a boy showed her a new world but she wants this. You know she does. We could take turns taking her Troy, two plane tickets; it's a weekend to California. We could drive some of them also. It won't be terrible Troy, and you would make her so happy."

"Then why the hell did you even ask me?" he asked sitting up, "If you want her to do this so god damn bad," he stood up and reached for his wallet and keys, "Troy, hey," he stopped and turned to look at me, "This is a choice we have to make together. I'm not seeing your side of things right now and you aren't seeing mine. We are both trying to say something here and ignoring each other in the process."

He rubbed his face, "I don't know why you want her to do this so bad?"

"Because Troy, you are letting Liam play on a traveling basketball team this year!" he stopped and looked at me, his eyes against mine, "You didn't think twice about it. Who the hell knows where we will be this spring and summer with him. At least Emma will be on the West Coast somewhere. We have no idea with Liam so I don't get why both of our children can't."

"Surfing is dangerous," I stared at him, "And basketball isn't?" I asked, "No,"

"Oh so those several concussions you received over the years, the four knee surgeries you have had, a couple of broken ribs, basketball isn't dangerous?" I asked, "No, it's just as dangerous but this is Emma vs. Liam."

"Daughter vs. Son," I said looking at him, "You are treating Emma like she is two still Troy, she is a big girl and you know how good she is. You know how smart she is. You know she isn't stupid in the water. You know these things,"

"I don't want to talk about this anymore,"

"Troy,"

"No, can we just go?"

I closed my eyes, "Sure, let's go,"

Picking up my purse, I went down the stairs behind Troy. "Daddy! Where are you going?" Lauren asked him, "Out with mommy,"

"No,"

"Sorry baby girl,"

Liam was lying on the couch, "Liam, make sure they get dinner and are in bed at a decent hour,"

"Yes mom,"

"Be good," Troy said, "Love you guys," I told them when I walked out the door.

"Love you too," they responded, Troy and I got into the car and he was annoyed with me. "Okay, I will give you two reasons why I think it's a good idea, and you give me a good reason as for why you don't think it's a good idea, is this fair?"

"Whatever Gabi,"

"Troy, we need to listen to each other. We don't see eye to eye on this and Emma deserves an answer soon,"

"And the answer should be no,"

"Please, tell me why besides that it is dangerous and because you don't want to travel because those are not good reasons. If Liam is able to do basketball under those same reasons then she is able to do them so try again."

He rubbed his jaw; "Okay so you want to know the real damn reasons why I don't want to let her do this?"

"Yes, why Troy?"

"Because she is my daughter, I am supposed to protect her and make sure she is constantly okay and if I just start letting her travel to god damn California all the damn time she is going to grow up on me, she is going to suddenly be leaving me and I can't handle her leaving me yet, if she isn't here with me and I just want, I, I don't want to lose her yet."

I watched his jaw tighten and release with emotion, "Troy, I wish they didn't grow up on us, trust me, I really wish they didn't grow up on us. I don't want them leaving the house, I don't want them dating, I don't want them traveling to play basketball because that is just as hard on me as it will be with Emma and you. I get it. I get how hard it is to let go of them. It's so difficult."

"She was my little girl and I don't know where she went,"

"She grew up on us and she is ready for this. She has had a really rough year and letting her have this, then she knows we trust her. We can make guidelines with her Troy, have to have good grades, good behavior, always eating, she has to keep it all balanced but we also have to balance it all. If it doesn't work it doesn't work."

"You wouldn't mind living in California with her?" he asked me, "Why just me?"

"We have Liam who will be playing basketball here, we forgot about that."

I sighed, "Troy, I will do anything to make our kids happy."

"And Wes will be playing baseball. I could keep the boys in New Mexico and you could take the girls out to California. Mason might even let us use his house so we don't have to do anything,"

"I get this is a lot of money Troy and you are still working with the Lakers, you are still getting money for scouting. We have millions in the back; we can afford to rent a house on the beach. I would rather stay out of Mason's hair,"

"Should we let her pick where she wants to go?"

"Probably San Diego," I said to him, "Why?"

"Because…that's where Cooper will be,"

"If they last that long,"

"Cooper likes her too Troy, it could last a while,"

"If he isn't stupid,"

"He will be at times but I could see them not getting mad at the little things."

"I guess,"

He pulled into the restaurant and he looked at me, "I'm sorry,"

"Don't be sorry," I whispered, I reached up and I kissed him, "Parenting isn't easy Mr. Bolton,"

He smiled looking at me, "It's easier with you,"

"Ready to start another week?" Debbie asked, her arms strapping me down, "Yea, I guess," I said with a sigh, "How are you feeling?" she asked me, "My boobs do hurt," I told her, "The sunburn type feel isn't that bad."

"Ahh…I see,"

She finished up and smiled, "I'll see you in fifteen minutes," she proclaimed, she turned and then walked out. We were going to tell Emma tonight that we were going to allow her to surf this summer. We would move into a small place in San Diego and we would find her a coach. Troy and I had decided on this and then we would go from there. "Troy?" I said aloud, "What?" his voice came over the intercom.

"Do you remember that time when we took Emma to the beach for the first time?"

"How can I forget it? It was a mess," he said with a laugh, "She was barely a week old and we needed out of the house," he said, "so we left and went to sit on the beach with her and Liam. The water was freezing, Liam got too close and the water covered him from head to toe. Emma sobbed as we left the beach and Liam was sobbing because he was freezing. It was a hot mess,"

I laughed, "It was, God, we were so young,"

"Hey, we are still young,"

"Says the man who is getting ready to turn forty,"

"Brie, I'm hurt,"

I tried not to shift but I wanted too so badly, "Brie, sit still," Troy voiced, I closed my eyes and thought of that day. The wind, the beach, the sun, it was a nice day. Until it all went down hill, I just remember Troy laughing, and then I laughed, and we were all a mess. I smiled thinking about that memory.

After a bit, the machines stopped and then the doors opened. Troy appeared over top of me and he smiled, "I got permission to release you today," I laughed while he unhooked me from every damn machine.

"There ya go," he said, "Come on, we have to get to clinics," he whispered, he hugged him and he kissed the top of my head because what else does a girl need on a rough day?

Liam's POV

I leaned back against my locker while Alexa talked to her friend, "Liam,"

"Hm?" I asked, I was still trying to wake up I was so exhausted. I didn't get much sleep last night because I couldn't think very well. "Are you okay?"

"Yea, I'm okay. I'm just so exhausted."

"Why?" she wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me, "I don't know," I said with a shrug, "I guess I'm just tired,"

I hugged her back when I heard some commotion down the hall. I looked over Alexa's shoulder when I saw her. I held my breath as she passed by me, Her eyes caught mine and then she took a breath and moved on. "I'll be back," I said, I escaped Alexa's grasp and I ran down the hall to catch up with her.

"Rayne!" I yelled, she spun around and saw me, "Replaced me huh?"

"You left," I reminded her, "I wasn't ever sure you were coming back."

"Well I did so go back to your girlfriend," she said, I grabbed her hand, "Why did you never answer my calls, my mom was going to die and I couldn't get ahold of you." She looked at me, "Is your mom okay?"

"She ended up pulling through but you said you would be there for me," I argued, Rayne sighed, "I couldn't do it because I like your family, I couldn't answer those phone calls because I knew what it was quite possibly about."

"Thanks," I answered, she sighed, "I'm sorry Liam, I am,"

"It's whatever," I sighed, "Why are you back?"

"Because I was ready to come back, I am living with my friend."

"For the rest?"

"For the rest of my junior and senior year, it took me a while to convenience my aunt but I was ready to come back."

"I'm glad you are doing better,"

"I miss her,"

"I bet you do,"

"How is your mom?"

"Finishing treatment. She is in her second week of radiation,"

"That's great,"

"Liam?" Alexa's voice appeared behind me and I sighed, "I'll see you around?" she nodded her head while I turned around to face Alexa, "Who is she?" she asked, "Rayne Thompson,"

"The girl who moved,"

"Yea," I responded, she picked up my hand and I let her hold it but I really wanted to turn around and talk to Rayne. "Liam,"

"Hm?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yea, I'm fine,"

"Are you sure,"

"Yup,"

Gabi's POV

My phone rang and I picked it up, "Hello?"

"We have trouble in paradise," Taylor said, "Uh oh," I said, "Yea, uh oh,"

"What happened?"

"Apparently Rayne Thompson is back at school,"

"Really?"

"Yes, then Liam was very attentive to her for the rest of the day,"

"Oh hell,"

"Yea, Alexa doesn't know what to do about it,"

"I'm sorry Tay,"

"No, it was bound to happen, he is a junior Gabs,"

"He has always had a thing for Rayne and after her mom died and then she left."

"And then there was Alexa," Taylor said, "It will be okay,"

"I hope so,"

Taylor and I finished talking right as Liam walked through the door. He looked distracted, "Hey," I said, "Hi," he answered, he sat his backpack down and he then let his head fall onto the counter. "Are you okay?" I asked him, "Rayne is back,"

"Oh?"

"Yea,"

He didn't say anything else and I rubbed his back shoulders, "How was basketball practice?"

"Exhausting,"

"Go get some rest,"

Troy came down and looked at Liam, then he looked at me, "Hey,"

"I'm going to bed,"

Troy sighed, "It was a rough practice,"

"Lot of running?"

"Yea, just a tough day for the school I guess,"

"Yea,"

Emma came bounding downstairs and Troy glanced at me, "Em," Troy said, she looked at each of us and then came into the kitchen. "Yea?"

"How does San Diego, California sound for the summer?" her eyes light up and she looked between the two of us, "Really?"

"Really, all of the WSA competitions are on weekends during the year but we will make it work. You can compete in small tournaments in the summer and then during the school year we will go out for the tournaments but,"

"I hate buts,"

"You have to keep your grades up in school, great behavior," she gave us a deadpan look and I laughed, "and to do as told, we have authority to say no,"

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she grabbed us into a hug, "I can't wait,"

"Remember, grades,"

"I will," she hugged Troy for an extra long minute, "Thank you daddy,"

"Just remember all of the things,"

"I will, I promise,"

Liam's POV

I ran down the street and turned when I stumbled to a stop. I put my hands on my hips and I watched her, she was standing outside with her friend. They were sitting in the grass talking about something.

Amber was who she was talking too, Amber Jones, Rayne laughed and I smiled. She was way happier than when I saw her last. Amber must have noticed me because she pointed to me. Rayne shielded her eyes from the afternoon sun when she saw me. I walked over and Amber stood up and disappeared inside. "She could have stayed,"

"She didn't want too," Rayne, said, I nodded and looked at her, "Come sit," she patted the grass next to her. I went over and sat down next to her, "How is your mom?" she asked again, "How did chemo go?"

"It was rocky,"

"What happened?"

I sighed, "She got bacterial meningitis," I told her, "Her immune system was shit and she ended up in coma, her organs were failing her and it was a mess. My dad gave her 10 days to pull through and God, she kept getting worse. Then somehow by Gods acts, she started to breath on her own. We gave her more time and three days later she woke up. She spent another three weeks in the hospital after that."

"I'm sorry,"

"Nah, it's okay." I said, "She pulled through,"

"How was Washington?"

"Horrible," she said with a laugh, "It rains too much,"

Almost as she said it, the thunder cracked in the sky, I laughed, "Did you bring it with you?" she laughed shaking her head, "No,"

The skies were dark and the thunder boomed again, "I should probably run home,"

"Wait," she got up and ran inside, I got up and then she came back outside, "Here, I owe you," I picked up the bracelet and I smiled, "Thanks," she nodded with a smile, I hesitated while looking at her and she did too.

Before I could think about it, I was kissing her. Her lips moved with mine, her arms wrapping around my neck, just like Alexa and I the other day but it was so different. I felt something with Rayne.

I put my arms around her and lifted her up, she sat on the railing, her hands moved through my hair as our lips moved faster. The need to continue pulsed through me but she pulled away, our breathing labored, "Liam, you have a girlfriend," she whispered, I closed my eyes trying to gain composure. "Alexa," I said remembering her name, "Yea, her,"

I shook my head and I went to kiss her again, "Liam,"

"I missed you Rayne,"

"I missed you too but you need to go,"

I nodded, "Okay,"

"I'll see you later?"

"Yea,"

She slipped off the railing and I stepped back, she disappeared inside. My legs are Jell-O and it took me a minute to be able to walk again. I looked at the bracelet again. Red and white, East High colors, I smiled and slipped it onto my wrist.

Walking home, it hit me that I just cheated on Alexa.

Fuck.

Then it started to rain.

"Perfect," I muttered to myself, "Just perfect."

Happy Sunday! I hope everybody had a fabulous weekend! Mine was VERY long and I wasn't sure I would be able to update today. But I did! So happy happy Sunday!

What do you think of Rayne being back? How about Cooper and Emma? Gabi and Troy taking the kids out? I thought this was fun chapter! Hope you guys enjoyed it!

Please Review!