Chapter 30 – All Done

Gabi's POV

Thanksgiving had come and went, the family had all gotten together and we had a huge meal. It was nice and we had all got caught up with each other lives. I sighed and I looked at Troy who was packing. "I wish I could go,"

"I know you wish you could go," Troy sat his last thing on top and his eyes looked into mine, "Two weeks," I smiled and he brought my face closer to his, his lips pressing against mine, "Two weeks and we are released from the cancer world." He whispered, I smiled and he kissed my forehead. "Emma and you are going to have a blast this week,"

"I hope so," I rubbed his shoulder as Emma turned fifteen last week, December 9th, and she had gotten her permit. We had two teenagers driving and I sighed. "Are you going to be okay this week with all four of them?" Troy asked he put a pair of shorts and a long sleeve shirt in his bag.

"We will be fine,"

"Good," he grabbed his other bag full of tolitaries. Troy wouldn't be home until Sunday with Emma, she was going to surf and have plenty of fun out in California. Troy had a couple of things planned and I knew she would be full of smiles when she gets back. Cooper had been around a lot more and they were really hitting it off. I liked Cooper and I knew Troy did as well.

We had met Coopers mom when she was here and she was a very nice lady. We enjoyed having dinner with her one night and Cooper seemed to get along with her. The first semester of school was winding down to nothing and it was becoming thrilling for all of them. Allison and Wes were ready for some days off, Emma and Liam wanted more time with their boyfriends and girlfriends. It was interesting to see them all interact with one another.

Lauren was getting tired of school and she had been throwing more fits lately. Troy zipped the suitcase shut and he shoved it onto the floor. He crawled onto the bed and he pushed me backwards slightly and he kissed my lips softly. He straddled me and his lips met my neck and he pulled me closer to him. "You're a rock star,"

"Oh?" I said with a smile, "Oh yea," he whispered, he pulled back with a grin, "and you get your port out on The 3rd of January, your final scans are on the 29th of December, and I have booked Peru for February right in the beginning," I grinned and he pulled me down into another kiss. "Where are we going to go for our anniversary?" I asked him, Troy sighed, "and I don't know Brie, where should we go?"

I sighed, my hand found his, "We could always go to Cape Town, French Polynesian, Iceland, Indonesia, Berlin, I don't know Troy, and the world is the limit." He smiled and leaned over to kiss my temple, "That is beyond the truth,"

"Allison, sit down," she crossed her arms and then turned away from me, Lucille laughed, "I bet you are just having fun without Troy," I shook my head and pulled her down again, "Troy and Emma landed earlier and she has already hit the water. Troy keeps sending me videos and damn, she looks good."

Lauren dropped her popcorn she was holding and busted into loud tears. Liam looked up from the bench to where we were sitting. I sighed and pulled her into my lap, "Lo, calm down," she kicked me legs and I sighed, "I'll be back," I carried Lauren out of the gym and out into the hallway. She cried and tried to kick away from me, I didn't know what all of the fits were about lately but they were getting old.

"Lauren," I said, my hands pulling on hers. She looked at me with her big blue eyes, she sniffled and I pushed back her hair. "Are you okay?" I asked her, "I want daddy," she said trying to pull away from me. "Lo, you know Daddy isn't home,"

"I don't want you," she cried pulling away, I held on to her tighter though and she cried. I was too tired to deal with this right now, "Lo, come on," she broke away from me and I chased her down, "Awh, where do you think you are going?" Chad picked her up and she cried trying to get away from him. "Someone wants daddy,"

"Somebody wants daddy?" Chad exclaimed, Lo nodded her head and Chad smiled, "Well Daddy isn't here tonight so how about I take you, we can get a fresh thing of popcorn, and watch Liam play basketball, with Uncle Chad, how does that sound?" Lo gave a faint smile and she nodded, I mouthed a thank you and Chad waved his hand. He took her to the concession stand and she was already giggling.

Matt and Austin were already seven and twelve so Chad loved hanging out with Lauren. She was the youngest of the entire bunch and she loved the attention she always got. I went back into the gym and Liam was on the floor, he was passing the ball around just like I remember Troy doing. I sat down and my eyes scanned the gym, I found Carissa sitting with Alexa.

Cooper sat on the bench next to Jack, his uniform undone a little bit and then Alexa's new guy also was on the bench. His name was Warren and he seemed nice enough. Chad came back with Lauren and he sat a couple of rows back to seem that Lauren was far away from me. Troy text me asking for a score update, I sent him one back and he sent back an explicit word.

I smiled and leaned backwards; I wanted to crawl into my bed because my kids had worn me out. Today, I was up at the crack of dawn waving off Troy and Emma. I then had to get all of the kids ready for school and it was just chaos. Lauren is home on Tuesdays so I had to take her to radiation with me, she sat with a nurse and colored while I had my appointment.

After that, we played all afternoon and once three of my kids were home we ate dinner and then we were off to the basketball court to watch Liam, Cooper, Bentley, and Jack all take down Northwest High school. I had yet to stop today and I was ready to fall over and sleep. Taylor reached down and she smiled, "What's up?" I looked at her and I sighed, "I'm ready for bed Tay,"

"You look like you are about to pass out,"

"Lauren had me going all day today and I had trouble keeping up. Normally on Tuesday and Thursdays Troy and I take shifts with her but wow," she laughed and rubbed my back, "Chad would love to take her for an afternoon most likely. He wants another kid badly."

"Misses the little ones?"

"Yes, he misses playing with him. Matt is at this stage of leave me alone because I am this big bad kid and Austin has his friends so,"

"Well he can borrow Lauren on Thursday,"

"I'll let him know," I turned around to see Chad playing with Lauren, a big smile on his face, she was giggling and I looked at Allison. She was tired as well because she kept rubbing her eyes, I ran my fingers through her hair and she turned to look at me. She stood up and came over to sit on my lap. I kissed her temple and pulled her closer to me. "I'm sleepy mommy,"

"Me too,"

"Can we go home?" I looked to see it was just a little bit into the third quarter. I yawned and I wanted to say yes but Liam would be upset, I turned to see Lauren almost asleep in Chad's lap and I hesitated looking back at Allison. "Gabi, Liam of all of your kids will understand." My eyes looked over at Wes and he smiled, "Can I just go home with Liam?" I turned to Taylor, "Can you make sure,"

"Yes ma'am," I smiled and I stood up, "Allison grab Lauren's bag," she nodded and grabbed the bag. I went up the bleachers and I sat down next to Chad, Lauren turned her head away from me and I laughed. "Lo," I rubbed her back, "How about if we go home, we can call daddy," she turned towards me again and I smiled, "Do you want to cuddle in the big bed?"

She nodded into Chad's shoulder and I reached out for her. "Come here baby girl," Chad gave her to me and the tears started again I grimaced, "I'll see you later Chad, and thank you," he nodded and I got up to leave. Going down, I waved to Wes and he smiled. I followed Allison out and Jack had called a time-out. I lead the girls to the car and buckled both of them into their car seats. Lauren was still in tears and I sighed.

"Lauren, you wont be able to cuddle tonight if you keep crying," she sobbed instead of doing what I wanted her to do. I rubbed my forehead and shut the car door. Allison leaned her head against the window while I drove home. Lauren's tears never subsiding. When I pulled into the driveway, I picked her up and I took her up to her room. "Alli, can you put your PJ's on? I'll be in your room in a few minutes,"

She nodded and walked off to her room. I sat Lauren down on the floor; I grabbed some clothes for her. Her screams wouldn't stop making my head wince. I pulled out my phone and I facetimed Troy. He answered and he was lounging in the hotel room it looked like.

He winced once he heard the sobs of Lauren, "Bad night?" he asked, and I grunted, "Something like that,"

"I'm sorry,"

"She wants daddy," I told him; he closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Lo," he said, she wouldn't stop crying and when she saw him on the phone the tears only grew worse. "I want daddy," she cried, "I'm right here Lo," she shook her head and reached forward to press end. I looked at Lauren and I knew I was in for my head. "Lauren, I am going to put Allison to bed," she shook her head and reached for me.

"I'll be right back,"

She cried and got up from the floor and kept coming for me. I picked her up and she cried, I pressed my lips to her forehead but I got a normal forehead in return. "Come here," I took her to my room and I put her onto my bed, I kissed her forehead and I picked up the remote turning on the TV. She didn't quite but she also didn't follow me. I went back to Allison and she was sitting on her floor.

"Did you brush your teeth?" I asked, she nodded her head and I went over giving her a big hug, "I'm sorry that I can't spend more time with you tonight before bed."

"It's okay, I can still hear Lo crying,"

"I know, I wanted to come tell you good night though," she nodded, "I love you mommy," she got up and she wrapped her arms around me. "I love you too sweetie," I kissed the top of her head and she climbed into her bed. I tucked her in and kissed the top of her head once more, shut out the lights, and walked out. I shut the door and I went back to Lo who was still just crying.

I picked her up and she pressed her face into my neck, I took her downstairs and I sat in the living room. She cried, she cried some more, and some more after that. I got up and tried to get her to calm down, I paced with her but nothing was working. I heard the garage door open and the boys enter the house. "Ma?" Liam appeared at the top of the stairs and he hesitated looking at Lauren.

"Is she okay?"

"Liam, I need to pee, badly, can you take her for a couple of minutes?" he nodded and I went over and I shifted her to him. She yelled and I cringed, "I'll be right back Lo," I left and I used the restroom. I could still hear her crying but it was softer. I washed my hands and I walked out to see Liam had calmed her down. I smiled and walked into the living room. "You got her to calm down,"

He shrugged, "I don't know," he said, Lo was shaking and I reached out to touch her. "Are you okay?" she shook her head and buried her face into Liam's shoulder. "Do you want to come see mommy?"

"No," she whimpered, "Come on, you have to let Liam go,"

She started to cry again and Liam stroked her back, he sat down on the couch and I sat down next to him. "Liam, I can take her," I said, "I can handle her,"

"You have school in the morning, I can take her,"

He hesitated but she had calmed down again, He gave her over to me and she reached out for him, "Hey, how about we get a cookie and go cuddle in bed huh?" Liam slipped away when I mouthed another thank you. He nodded and went downstairs; I went upstairs with Lauren with my cookie in hand. I laid her down on the bed and she curled up next to me.

My lips pressed against the top of her head and I reached for my phone, I had a couple of text messages from Troy with concern. I called him and it rang twice before he answered. "Hey," he answered, "Everything okay?"

"I don't know Troy, Lauren is just not having it. I am thinking about keeping her home from school tomorrow because the littlest things will set her off and they last forever." Troy sighed, "I'm sorry I'm not there to help,"

"It's okay, Liam got her to calm down tonight."

"Good, how did he play tonight?"

"I never heard the final score,"

"My dad text me that, I wanted to know how you thought Liam played tonight."

"I don't know Troy, I am exhausted, I had to keep my eyes on my other three kids, I am just exhausted,"

"Go get some rest," he said quietly, "I'll talk to you in the morning?"

"Okay," I said softly, already falling asleep.

Troy's POV

I sipped on my coffee while I sat on the cold beach. It was a gray morning and the waves were even grey. The wind was blowing and the waves were good and Emma was out in them. She was a little rusty yesterday but she was looking better today. I pulled my legs closer to me while I took another drink of my coffee. The sun had just started to come up.

Leaning back I wondered what was going on at home, Liam and Wes were probably eating breakfast. Allison was getting ready for another day of first grade and well…I wasn't sure what Lauren was doing today. Gabi was exhausted last night with her so I wasn't sure why she wanted to keep her home but if she was getting upset over little things then they would just call Gabi to come and get her.

I pulled out my phone to text Liam, he responded, I then asked what mom was doing.

Liam: Sleeping.

Me: Sleeping?

I waited a couple of minutes and then he called me, "Hey,"

"Good morning,"

"Morning," I answered, "Mind telling me why your mom isn't awake?"

"I don't know, I mean, Wes and I got up and came to eat breakfast. Mom wasn't here so I went up to check on her. Lauren and her were both sleeping still and after last night I didn't really want to disrupt them."

My lips turned into a frown, "What happened last night?" I asked, Liam sighed, "Well mom left my game early because Lauren and Allison were both getting tired. She took them home and I don't know what happened but when I got home Lauren was crying and she had been crying for some time. I got her to relax and calm down. Mom took her up to the bedroom and I don't know…" he paused, "I think Lauren cried three or four different times last night. I heard mom downstairs several times and Lauren's cries, they have been asleep for a while."

"Good God," I muttered, "Yea, I figured I shouldn't wake them up."

"No, don't," I paused, "Can you make sure Allison gets to school?"

"I already called Uncle Chad, he is on his way over," I smirked, "You rock,"

"Thanks Dad, I will love a raise in my allowance," I snorted, "In your dreams,"

"Yea, yea, is Emma having fun?" I looked up to see her wipe out, I winced, "Well…she was having fun until that wipe out," Liam laughed, "She is still having fun,"

"How was basketball last night?"

"Good, we won."

"How did you feel?"

"Good, good,"

"You get to school once Chad gets there okay?"

"You got,"

"Bye Liam,"

"Bye,"

I hung up and I looked out at Emma again, even after a nasty wipe out, she was ready to go at it again. I took another sip of my coffee and let out a long sigh. The December air was bitter and I wanted to curl but up into a bed. My eyes closed and opened when I noticed Emma coming back up to the sand. She walked up and I smiled, "Done already?" I asked, she laughed, "What time is it?"

"A little after seven,"

"I was out there for over an hour!" she exclaimed, "You were, you look good,"

"Are we still searching for a Coach,"

'Mhm," I took another sip of my coffee and Emma stole it from my hands. I protested and she took a drink. "Can we go get some solid breakfast? I loved my smoothie and all but I need some food,"

"Let's get you in a shower and then we can go,"

"Sounds good to me,"

We got up and started walking back to the hotel that was just across the street from the water. "We are going to have dinner with Uncle Mason tonight,"

"Mkay,"

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I was just thinking about being out here this summer."

I nodded while we walked back to the hotel, "Are you excited?"

"Yes," she breathed, "So excited," I smiled, "I picked San Diego because of Cooper," her cheeked blushed, "His mom talked to during Thanksgiving and she says how much Cooper likes you,"

"Dad," she whined, I laughed, "I'm just saying, you need to be smart this summer. I see how much you like Cooper and I just want you to be really smart this summer when you are out here with him. Don't do anything you wouldn't want me to know about, understood?" she nodded her head, "Dad,"

"Hmm?"

"Did you and Mom ever do something like this?" I looked at her, "Do what?"

"Follow your dreams," she said, I looked down at my fifteen-year-old daughter who was wise beyond her years. "I did marry your mom so that was following my dream,"

"You are so cheesy," she said laughing, "I also played in the NBA, another dream, so yea, I followed my dreams,"

"Did mom?"

I hesitated and I thought about the question for a moment, did Gabi actually chase her dreams? Did she do what she dreamed of doing? I frowned thinking of the question; I got everything I wanted…did she? "You don't know if mom followed her dreams?" Emma asked me slowly, "I mean…I don't know. After her dad died, a lot of her dreams died with him and she didn't know what she wanted to do. Then we were thrown in separate directions because she went to her dream school," I stopped because Emma didn't know much of this.

"Wait…I thought you and mom both went to UCLA,"

"We did,"

"But…"

"She went to Stanford first," her eyes widened at the words, "Mom got into Stanford?" I nodded my head and we walked into the hotel, "She got into the honors program and well I didn't get into any school near there, at least not with basketball scholarships like UCLA gave me. So we went our separate ways and those were some of our hardest months. She ended up giving up her dream of being at Stanford because she wanted to be with me and I couldn't leave schools like she could."

"Oh…"

"And then after my first three years, I was drafted into the NBA and then Liam came along and well…the rest is history."

"So Mom followed your dreams…"

"I guess so," I sighed, "Now you make me feel guilty," Emma, laughed, "I didn't mean too. It was just a question,"

"With a really long answer,"

"It was but I enjoyed it,"

I smiled and rubbed her shoulders, "Go change, I'm starved,"

Gabi's POV

Waking up, I rolled over to see Lauren was still sleeping and I felt like I had been hit by a bus with exhaustion, she was hysterical last night and I couldn't figure out why. She wasn't feeling sick and she was complaining of anything hurting so I was at a loss for why she was this upset all of the time.

I reached for my phone wondering how much time I had until I had to get all of the kids up in the morning. Pulling my phone to my face, I looked at the time; I blinked, and then shot out of bed.

I ran to Allison's room and she was gone, I panicked and I ran downstairs. "Whoa, slow down," I stopped and I turned towards Chad, he laughed looking at me, "Little late on the wake up call,"

"Did they all get to school okay?"

"They all got to school on time, luckily you have an amazing 16 year old son who called me this morning and he told me what went down all evening," I cringed, I knew Liam was awake. I thought I heard his door open.

"Jesus, I love that kid sometimes," Chad nodded and he sat down next to me, "Then Troy called me and told me to hang around here today if you liked it or not." I laughed and I looked at Chad, "I have no idea," I paused, "Holy shit," I bounced up and I grabbed a phone.

I called the hospital because I completely missed my radiation appointment. It was well after ten and I waited, once I got a nurse they put me on hold. I picked up my cell phone and I saw the text message from Troy.

Radiation is at two. I love you – T

I wanted so badly to burst into tears right there on the spot, I hung up the house phone and Chad laughed. "You do know how much that man loves you right?" I laughed and nodded my head, "I know how much he loves me,"

"I'm taking Lo when she wakes up, crying or not, she is mine. You get the afternoon off after the night you had with her, okay?"

I sighed and nodded, "I'm not even going to argue that," Chad laughed, "So we have no idea what's wrong with her?" I shrugged, "None, this has been how she has acted for the last week."

"Huh, when Austin was about Lo's age he did that and it was because he wasn't sleeping well. He was a sleep deprived child,"

"She goes to bed at night," I said, "And she still has a baby monitor in her room so we hear when she gets out of bed," Chad shrugged, "What if she is having nightmares causing her to just lay awake in her bed?" I sighed and I looked at him, "I don't know Chad, she woke up like three times last night just in tears. Once she asked for me, another time it was Troy, and the third time good god, I think she wanted God," Chad snorted and I reached for my phone.

"I'm going to call Troy, check on Lauren, and I'll be back,"

"Sounds good,"

I went upstairs and I looked in to see Lauren was still sleeping; I then went into the bathroom and sat down to call Troy. It rang twice and then he answered, "Hey," he said, "Hi," I smiled and leaned back, "Thank you for moving my appointment,"

"Sounded like you needed some sleep," he told me, I sighed, "I did,"

"Is Lauren still acting out?"

"She is still sleeping but I know you heard how my night went so I am not even going to go into detail about it and relive it." Troy chuckled, "I'm sorry I wasn't there to help,"

"It's okay," I told him, "I handled it and you helped me out by letting me sleep,"

"How is Emma?"

"Good, she did well in the water this morning. We are looking at houses to rent," he said, "Oh yea?"

"Mhm…I am going to send you a couple of pictures later but they are all on the beach so you don't have to get up at the crack of dawn to take her surfing. You need to relax this summer,"

"Do I?"

"You do," he said quietly, "Momma?" I turned around and Lo was sitting up on the bed, she rubbed her eyes and she looked exhausted, "Do you want to talk to Daddy?" I asked her, "Lo awake?" Troy asked, "Yea,'

"Please," she said, I nodded and walked into the bedroom. I sat down on the bed and put Troy on speaker phone, "Hi Daddy,"

"Hi baby girl, how ya feeling?" he asked, "I sleepy daddy," I kissed the top of her head and she curled into my lap. "I'm sorry baby girl, why didn't you sleep last night?"

She shrugged her shoulders and the tears started, "Lo, baby girl," Troy's voice was worried because this was not Lo like. I picked her up and she buried her face into my neck.

"Hey Troy,"

"Brie, I can come home, Em will understand,"

"No, no, no," I told him, "We are going to be fine, I will see you Sunday,"

Troy hesitated with a sigh, "Brie,"

"I have Chad, I have Jack, I have Lucille, I have Jenni, I have Taylor, and I have Sharpay. We will be okay. Emma deserves this time in California right now. Okay?"

"Okay," Troy said with a sigh, "Okay,"

"I love you Troy and I will call you later tonight okay?"

"Call me after radiation," he replied, "Okay, I will, I love you,"

"I love you too,"

I hung up and Chad appeared in the doorway, "Let me see her,"

"No! I want mommy," she cried holding on to me, "I'm trying to decide if we need a doctors appointment."

"What will they do?"

"Hell, I don't know Chad, maybe she is sick and just isn't presenting it. I don't know but this crying is getting out of hand and I am getting concerned." Chad nodded his head, "Okay, how about we call her pediatrician and then we can make an appointment."

"Okay,"

"I'll stay with you,"

"Thanks Chad," he nodded and he reached out for Lauren but she stuck her nails into my skin. "Yea, she isn't going anywhere."

Chad laughed and we went downstairs with her, I tried to make her comfortable but she was having none of it. I kissed her forehead for it almost to feel warm. "Has she eaten anything?" I thought about it and I shook my head, "No, not since yesterday morning. She didn't want to eat then either. She picked at it and her teacher said she didn't eat anything at lunch and she didn't even stop crying for dinner last night."

"Vomiting?"

"No," I answered, Chad nodded and went to the phone; he called the pediatrician because we all had the same exact one. I kissed Lo's head and she held on to me, "It's okay sweet girl,"

Chad came back a couple of minutes later and he sighed, "They want to see her in an hour, they are concerned she is dehydrated,"

"She probably is, she is leaking all her water," I joked, Chad laughed, "Are you sure you don't want Troy to fly home, I am cool with flying to California to stay with Em,"

"No, Troy and Emma need some time, they have three more days left and Emma deserves those days."

Chad sighed, "Okay,"

After a while, I got Emma to calm down and I rubbed her back. She was watching TV but she was sucking on her blanket, her eyes glazed over, "Chad, can you see if she is running a fever?"

He nodded and reached over to touch her forehead, he nodded his head slowly, "Yea," I sighed, "Fantastic,"

"At least she is sick and she isn't crying for no reason,"

"True," I said, "I just wish she wasn't sick, this is the second time this year,"

"Well I mean Austin and Matt get sick like ten times a year…each." I laughed, "I have prided that my kids never get sick."

"Well lower your standards, she is in pre school," I sighed and Chad looked up at the clock, "Come on, we should get her into the car and ready to go." I agreed but I needed to change my clothes. "Can you take her while I put on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt?"

"Oh yea," he took her and she whimpered but I think she was too exhausted to really put up a fight. I sighed and I got up, dealing with sick children lately had been a bundle of fun. I changed into a pair of jeans with a Laker sweatshirt.

Going downstairs I grabbed my keys and purse. Chad had her buckled into her car seat, he scooted into the drivers seat and I smiled handing him the keys.

He backed out of the driveway and I smoothed my hand over the top of her head, her eyes looked into mine and I just wanted to cuddle up with her.

Troy's POV

I waited anxiously for Gabi to call me back. I wanted to know how Lauren was doing. They were going to run a series of tests on her and I had called to push back Gabi's radiation again.

Emma had decided that she wanted to go do a little shopping and looking around at stuff. We had already looked at a couple of houses and she was pretty happy with one of them.

Chewing on my lip, I looked at Emma pick up a shirt and then set it back down. Her eyes scanning the racks of clothing around her, my phone buzzed and I picked it up, "Hello?"

"Hey," Chad's voice was on the other end, "How is Lo?" I asked Emma walked towards me, her concern obvious for her younger sister. "She is doing okay, they are still waiting on a bunch of tests to come back, she is sleeping in Gabi's arms and Gabi is halfway asleep,"

"She can't miss radiation Chad,"

"We are working on it, actually, I am working on it but she will get there by four. It's fifteen minutes from here and we will make it." I rubbed my forehead, "They have no idea?"

"No, they think she could have a couple of things but they aren't really saying much, which is pissing Gabi off because she wants to know why they keep taking blood."

"So they think something is wrong?" I readjusted the phone and Emma mouthed an okay, I held up my finger and I moved around in the store. "I mean she has a fever and is crying like somebody is killing her. I feel like something should be wrong with this normal child."

I pressed my fingers to my temple, "Are you sure I don't need to come home?"

"Gabi would kill us both,"

"What if it requires surgery or hospital stays?"

"Then Gabi will discuss that with you when it comes up but right now it could be as simple as the flu,"

"Wait that test doesn't take long, you have been there for an hour,"

"They did all of the tests and won't tell us anything until they get the results to all of them,"

"What a bunch of bull shit,"
"I know, you picked it though,"

I sighed, "Call me when you have an update okay?"

"Yes sir,"

"Thank you Chad,"

"No problem,"

I hung up and I looked at Emma, "They don't know much yet,"

My hands went around and I squeezed the back of my neck, stress forming over my body, "Dad, if we need to go home we can,"

"No, no, we are here until Sunday, we have three days left." I stopped and I smiled to reassure her, "Is there anything in here that you want?" I asked her, she shook her head, "No, not really. Can we go to Coach?"

"The lunch spot?" I asked, she turned and looked at me, "What lunch spot?" I laughed, "I forgot, you don't know there was such a place called Coach's,"

"No…I want to go to the purse store," she said with a laugh, "Are you sure? I mean a burger and fries sounds much better than some purse,"

Emma laughed, "Come on Daddy, please,"

"Are you going to make me a broke person?"

"Dad, I don't think you will ever be broke."

"After I put five kids through college I will be."

Emma went quiet as she went around the store; we made it outside, "Are you alright?" I asked, "What if I didn't go to college dad?"

I gave her a puzzled look, "What would you do?"

"If surfing goes well…" she stopped to look at me, "What if I could surf with the pros. I really want too,"

"You could go to a college on the coast and get more practice,"

"But Dad,"

I took a breath before this got too far out of hand, "Alright, you are a freshman Em, we have three years to think about this. We will let you surf in this league until you graduate and then we will go from there okay? Right now just keep your mind open, I will never be upset with what you choose but you have to make sure it's going to be the right choice."

Emma looked at me and sighed, "This is why you are the best dad," I arched an eyebrow and looked at her, "Huh?"

"You don't always just say no, you always think about it first and you let us try. You don't just say no and never give us a chance," I nodded my head, "If my parents wouldn't have let me go to UCLA then I wouldn't have the person I am today."

"Were they not going to let you?"

"They thought it was a bad idea and I fought them on it for a long time."

"I'm glad they let you go,"

"I'm glad they did too so I will always keep an open mind about what you want to do because you know what's best. Unless you decide to do something totally crazy and then I may be interjecting,"

"I love you Dad,"

"I love you too Em,"

Gabi's POV

"So we got some test results back," I looked up at the doctor entering the room, "Is she okay?" I asked, "She will be just fine," she said with a smile, "Lauren here is presenting some odd symptoms, fever, irritable, not eating, not drinking much, and we ran several test and we got several results. I can't believe she isn't presenting worse." I raised an eyebrow because this was pretty bad.

"Lauren has a UTI, Sinus infection, and tested positive for type A flu,"

"Holy Shit, Lo got it all,"

I held Lauren closer to me and she trembled in my grasps "She is fairly dehydrated and we might want to give her some drugs, so we are recommending you take her to the ER to get some fluids and then be released to go home tonight. She will feel like crap for about a week. She will most likely get worse before she gets better." I kissed the top of her head and she cried.

"So you are saying her head hurts like hell,"

"And just about everything else. Since her fever just started I am assuming the flu part is going to be the part to get worse. She will most likely vomit and run a higher fever." I sighed and Chad nodded, "We can take her to your hospital and you can do radiation while she gets settled," I grumbled, "We will let them know you are on your way." We thanked them and we shuttled to the car. I had radiation in an hour and I sighed.

I picked up my phone and I called Troy. The man answered I am pretty sure before the phone rang, "So?"

"We have a winner in the group of getting sick,"

"Hell, what does she have? And you still win in the getting sick category," I laughed, "Somebody has and don't interrupt me,"

"Fuck," Troy said with a laugh, "a UTI, a sinus infection and wait for it…type a flu,"

"Holy hell," Troy mumbled, "Poor girl,"

"They want us to take her to get some fluids at the hospital, I will send Chad to pick up the mound of medications, and we will all be home in our beds tonight."

"Are you,"

"I am 100% positive Troy,"

Troy blew out a sigh, "Okay,"

"I have done this before, I know how to take care of a sick kid,"

"But that is so much,"

"She'll be okay, I'm just glad she isn't going to be dying or something. It's just a couple of days of tears,"

"She sounds quiet right now,"

"She is partially asleep,"

Troy didn't say something and then the phone was being tossed around, "Mom?"

"Hey Em!"

"I think I found the house I want to stay in!"

"Oh yea?"

"Did Dad send you pictures?"

"I have been busy, I'm not sure,"

Troy must have grabbed the phone back, "I did send you an email but it can wait, we are meeting with a couple of coaches tomorrow,"

"Have fun," I said, Chad pulled into the hospital and I sighed, "I'll talk to you later okay?"

"Okay, give Lo a kiss for me,"

"I will,"

Lauren was finally asleep. Getting an IV into her was hell, she cried and she screamed and she cried some more. Chad sat up and looked at his watch, "Go," he mouthed, I nodded and I slipped away from the bed. Lauren shifted and I cringed hoping she wouldn't wake up.

"I'll be back in fifteen minutes,"

"Go," he said, I nodded and I got onto the elevator and ran to my appointment. Bursting through the doors the nurses looked up at me, none of the normal like I was used too. "I'm sorry I'm late, my daughter is done in the ER receiving fluids,"

"Oh, you must be Gabi," she went behind the desk, "Your husband has been a frequent caller today," I blushed, "I'm sorry," I told them, "No, no, it's fine. Are you ready?"

"Please,"

They took me back and I was strapped down, the appointment was painless and they smiled, "We will see you next week," I thanked them and I rushed back to the ER. Slipping back in Chad looked at me, his eyes flickering to Lauren, "You didn't miss anything,"

"Good,"

"How did radiation go?"

"I went,"

Chad pushed off the wall, "Taylor is at home with the rest of your young children. I am going to call and check up on all of them,"

"Thank you Chad, tell Taylor I say thank you,"

"You and Troy would do it too," he said it as he walked out of the door, I sighed and thinking of Troy I picked up my cell phone to call him. "Hey, can I call you back?" Troy's voice was hushed, "Yea, sure,"

And poof…he was gone.

Troy's POV

"She is really good," I looked over at the Coach, who was watching her this evening in the swell of waves, "I mean to me she looks good but I don't know much about surfing,"

"You say you live in New Mexico?" he asked looking at me, "Yes,"

"Looks like she has been surfing for a while,"

"She learned here in California and when she was thirteen we moved to New Mexico. Her boyfriend recently showed her a spot in New Mexico where she can indoor surf,"

"I know a kid in New Mexico who surfs,"

"Oh yea?"

"He just moved out there, Cooper,"

"Please don't say Cooper Williams," the guy, Andy, looked at me with a shocked face, "How do you know Cooper?"

"That's my daughters boyfriend," the guy laughed, "I coach him and I am waiting for him to come back to train. Wow, small world."

"It really is,"

"This makes me like Emma a whole lot more because Cooper is dedicated. I really want to coach her,"

My eyes found Emma in the water, she tried to catch a wave but tipped, "So you said that you wouldn't be there this summer?"

"No, my wife will most likely be out here with her for the majority of the summer. My son's have teams at home they are dedicated too so we can't come as a family. I will be out here as much as possible though."

"Understood,"

"We are looking for a house right on the beach so my wife, who will be recovering from a very long year of breast cancer treatments, doesn't have to worry about getting up to take her. So if there is an area you want her in,"

"Cooper can always drive her. We will figure it out but they will be training together," I rolled my eyes, "Fabulous, just what I need," Andy laughed and Emma came in from the water. Her wet suit pressed against her body and I sighed, she picked up a towel and came further up to us. "So?" she asked, "You are good Emma, you have some need to improve but good. Lots of talent."

"Thank you,"

"Em," I asked, "Do you know who he is?" Emma shook her head and I laughed, "So…are you sure you want to spend the summer with Cooper?" Emma arched an eyebrow, "Huh?"

"I coach Cooper," Andy said with a laugh, "Wait what?" her eyes balanced back and forth between the two of us. "Call him," I nudged, she went for her phone and she called him, she put the phone on speaker, "Em!"

"Hey! You're on speaker phone,"

"Oh…Hi Mr. Bolton!"

"It's Troy Cooper,"

"God, Em, I can hear the waves. This is pure jealousy running through my veins right now,"

"Coop," Cooper shut up…for once, "How is that air reverse coming out there?"

"Oh my God, Em, how in the world did you find the coach with most ego on the west coast?" I laughed, "I like you Cooper," Emma looked up at me and then Andy, "If you want to Emma you can spend all of your time training with Cooper as well…if you want,"

Emma looked nervous for just a moment, "Yes, I mean, that's fantastic," I smiled softly and I took a deep breath. My eyes glanced over the big ocean and then back to Emma, she gave me a smile and Andy went in on Cooper. "Coop, but really…how is that air reverse coming?"

Cooper sighed, "I suck,"

"You do, I have told you this before,"

"Love you too Andy,"

Gabi's POV

I carried Lauren inside and I was greeted with a very quiet household and I hoped so. It was well past bedtimes in the house; Liam came out of his room though, "Is she okay?" I nodded, "Just a bunch of things, she will be okay though,"

"Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine. Thank you though,"

Wes came out of his room, his arms latched around my waist and he buried his head into my stomach. I bent over to kiss the top of his head, "I love you bud,"

"I love you too mom, is Lo okay?" he reached up to Lo and I nodded, "She is,"

"Good, I was worried,"

"No need to be worried."

He nodded and Liam escorted him back to his room, I went upstairs and Taylor was lying on the couch. She looked up at me with a smile, "Poor girl,"

"I know," I kept going to my room and I laid her on my bed, she whimpered trying to pull me closer. "Hang on sweet girl," I backed off and Taylor looked at me, "Do you want me to help get the kids off to school tomorrow?"

The words no almost passed through my lips but instead I nodded my head, "Please," she smiled, "Okay, I'm glad you are taking my help,"

"I wanted to say no badly,"

She laughed and wrapped me into a hug, "That's my girl,"

Troy's POV

Emma finished eating her dinner and I leaned backwards in my chair, "Em,"

"Yea dad?"

"I'm sorry we moved to New Mexico and took you away from this,"

She shrugged, "I understand why you did it,"

"Yea but it was mostly selfish, I wanted my kids to experience the magic of East High,"

"East is okay…"

"I guess the state championships, the teachers, meeting your mom, my friends I am still friends with today, the musicals,"

"Wait what?"

I groaned, "I forgot you didn't know about those," she laughed, "Explain!"

My fingers grasped my drink; tonight was the last night in San Diego. I know Gabi was excited because she was becoming stressed with everything. Lo wasn't getting better, not yet anyways but they said this would happen though. Emma was upset because she didn't want to leave the ocean but she had one more surf in tomorrow. Andy was going to be her coach and she was excited.

I looked at Emma taking a drink, "So when your mom came into town, we some how were talking about the musical and well we both accidently ran into each other in the theater, we accidently tried out, and well…we accidently landed the part."

"Accidently?"

"We weren't technically trying out and let me tell you, Sharpay, was a bitch in high school. A complete bitch, she had this thing for me," I laughed, Emma gave me a look, "Aunt Sharpay was into you?" I scrunched my nose and nodded, "Oh yea,"

"Wow,"

"Well we beat Sharpay out for the part and she got really angry, your mom and I were in that play and well yea,"

"So you only did one?"

"Eh…no,"

"Oh really?"

"We did one our senior year too. It was all of us together; it was fun and probably my favorite memory of high school. I was actually offered a scholarship to Berkeley to play basketball and to act,"

"What?" Emma whipped her head around to face me, I nodded, "I really just wanted to do basketball but if I would have gone to Berkeley, I would have been really close to your mom and hell…she would have stayed at Stanford."

"Huh…how interesting. So much I don't know about you guys,"

"You aren't meant to know," I told her with a wink, she laughed, "Oh I see how it is,"

I played with Lo's hand while she breathed with her mouth open, her eyes glazed over. She had been sick the past three days and it was just getting worse. Troy and Emma would be home soon and I couldn't wait to trade spots with Troy.

I had not had much sleep in the past couple of days, Lo wasn't much of a sleeper right now and she was probably in some constant pain. My fingers trailed down her arm and she turned to face me. I leaned forward to see if she had a fever still…and she did.

The door pressed open and Troy stood in the doorway, his skin was golden and a little red. His blue eyes surveyed the bed and when they landed on Lauren he took a deep breath. "Lo," I nudged her softly and I pointed Troy out, she smiled and Troy came over. He picked her up and she buried her face into Troy's neck. "How is my sweet girl huh?" Troy kissed the top of her head and his eyes found mine.

"I'm going to take her else where, you get some sleep,"

"Can I have a kiss first?" I said softly, he smiled and nodded, he came over and he kissed me. "I love you," he mumbled against my lips, "I love you too,"

"That is a wrap!" I busted into tears while they unstrapped me from the table, Troy was in the room faster than I could blink, his arms held me tight while I tried not to cry. We had celebrated Christmas together just three days ago.

Everybody was beyond happy on Christmas and now three days later I had just completed radiation. "That's it, we are done," I cried into his shoulder and he held me so tight. "You just beat cancers ass,"

I laughed and he pulled me into a kiss, "You are my life," I whispered, he laughed and hugged me tighter, "We have so much celebration to do," I wiped away tears and Troy kissed my forehead. "We just beat cancer, one December 27th, 2027…you beat cancer," he whispered, I laughed and he wiped away my tears that were falling from my cheeks.

"I pray those are happy,"

"They are so happy,"

"I love you so much Gabs,"

"I love you too Troy, I love you too,"

Wow. So. There are two more chapters left. Two more chapters of a series that I started almost exactly 4 years ago, I honestly can't believe how well this series has gone and this chapter. But there are two more chapters left and I really hope you guys LOVE them. I am so excited to write them to you. So so so so excited! These Boltons will come full circle and it will be so much fun. So hold on to these next two chapters because this. Is. It.

I am STILL planning on doing the short little chapters but those are on a back burner right now. You will EVENTUALLY get them. Just not right now. So be looking for those in the future!

I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter!

Please Review!