Hi Readers: What do you guys think of that bombshell that I just dropped on you last chapter? Let me know in the comments. But let's just say that will not be the last of the chapters that I write about the bombshell, because this one is about it too. I hope that you guys like it, and please leave me some comments about what you guys think. Thanks again for reading, enjoy my dear readers.
Chapter One Hundred and Fifteen
Struggles
"I feel like he's pulling away from me." That phrase was something that broke the pregnant mother's heart, especially when she heard it coming out of her best friend's mouth; especially since she hasn't sensed that this entire time. She always thought that she would be able to tell if something was going on in between her best friend, as well as her husband; but now, she's really starting to doubt what's going on right now…and that's because she's missed all of the signs. Signs that she should've recognized, as she's dealt with this with her own husband before; but she's not going to concentrate on that right now, as she needs to concentrate on how her friend is doing right now. Taking a breath, Gabby looked at Stella as she went to grab her hand. "How are you doing right now?" Stella sighed as she wasn't sure at the moment. "I don't know to tell you the truth, because I just have a lot on my mind. I mean, we have the boys; and I am just worried about everything, and I don't want anything to change." Gabby was a bit taken aback as she heard Stella say that.
"Hey, I promise you that nothing is going to change between you and Kelly; girl, he loves you more than anything in the entire world. And that's something that you need to know, because of the way that he looks at you." Stella agreed with her best friend as he said that, well aware that was the case. I mean, of course she can see how her husband looks at her; because she looks at her dreamy husband all the time, and they just love each other. "Stella, I know that Kelly loves you; he has never looked at another woman the way he looks at you before." Stella agreed with Gabby when she said that, smiling as she was glad that her best friend was giving this reassurance that she needs right now; reassurance that she (actually) didn't know that she even needed. But it most definitely is making her feel better. "I hope you know that this is making me feel better already girl." Gabby agreed with Stella as she told her that, clearly able to see that she was already feeling better just by talking to her. "Good, because I want you to just relax girl."
Stella smiled as she heard Gabby say that, before grabbing her hand and looking at her best friend. "I swear, I am not worthy of having a best friend like you." Gabby laughed as she heard Stella say that because that wasn't the truth. "No, I am not worthy of a best friend like you; and that's because you moved here with me and continue to move around the country with me." Stella smirked when Gabby said that. "Okay, and that's because you're letting me live in great places; places that allow me and Kelly to just really have a nice life. I mean, Hawaii? California? Girl, that's just perfect; and I am so glad that this is the life we have, and we barely even work. I may not be wealthy, but I still feel like we're wealthy by extension." Gabby laughed as she heard Stella say that, as that most definitely is something that she wants her best friend to feel. "And there's a reason for that, and it's because we want you guys to feel like you have a life like ours; it's why we want you to live with us." Stella laughed as she heard Gabby say that. "Just for that reason?"
Gabby laughed. "Okay, maybe it's so that I can work at home too." Stella agreed with Gabby as she said that, well aware that was the case. "Oh, I am well aware that's the real reason why you like that I'm living with you; but still, I do like that we don't have Jay and Alex living with us." Gabby nodded. "Oh, that was all my decision. I told them that we will help them get a house, because I am not having two dogs in my house anymore; especially not when I'm pregnant." Stella smiled. "It still feels weird that you're pregnant, but I'm not pregnant." Gabby agreed with Stella when she said that, as she feels the same way. "I know. Then again, I am pregnant at the same time as somebody else." Stella was confused as she heard Gabby say that, unsure as to who she's pregnant with. "Wait, Eva?" Gabby was horrified as she heard Stella say that. "Do not ever let my brother hear you say that, because he will kill you at the sound of that." Stella laughed. "Let me guess, your brother doesn't like the idea of his daughter being pregnant right now?" Gabby agreed.
"Girl, she's in college right now; he's not ready to be a grandfather. Heck, he at least wants his kids to be out of college before he's a grandfather." Stella agreed with Gabby as she said that, before taking a breath as she thought about the word grandfather; and Gabby couldn't help but wonder if Stella was thinking about Benny right now. "Benny?" Looking up at her friend, Stella was shocked. "How did you know?" Gabby laughed. "Girl, I know that he misses his father, because Matt feels the same way. Each and every day, Matt can't help but wonder…even if he was abused as a kid, what type of grandfather his dad would've been. Whether it would've changed anything." Stella sighed as Gabby said that, well aware that Matt could most definitely wonder about that. "I get that." Gabby smiled. "But then I remind him that this life we have, it's because his dad is dead." Stella agreed with Gabby when she said that. "And because you guys won the lottery." Gabby smiled as she heard Stella say that, as that most definitely is something that she did.
But not the way she thinks. "I most definitely did win the lottery." Stella laughed. "Oh, no shit." Gabby shook her head. "Not the way you think. I mean when it comes to who my husband is, because he truly is the love of my life." Stella agreed with Gabby when she said that, as she most definitely knows that Matt is the love of Gabby's life. "I know that he's the love of your life, and that's because of the way you guys look at each other. Oh, and because you're pregnant with another one of his kids already." Gabby agreed with Stella as she said that, smiling due to the fact that she's really happy about that part of her life; the fact that she's pregnant with their child. "Oh, I really like that we're having another baby. I can't wait for Matt to meet our little girl, because I can already see him just cuddling up to her all the time; and they will just look so adorable with each other." Stella smiled as she heard Gabby say that, able to see the pure joy that comes with her being breakfast with a daughter. "I think I can tell that you are really happy to be having a daughter?"
Gabby agreed with Stella as she asked her whether she was happy to be having a daughter, as that most definitely is the act. "And that's why you need to make sure that you recover, because we need to get to work." Stella sighed when she heard Gabby say that. "I think that first, I need to get my husband to speak to me more, because I am starting to get worried. I thought that us having the boys would bring us closer together, but it seems like it's the opposite." That's when Gabby felt her phone vibrate, before looking down. She then saw that it was a text from Matt, which prompted her to read the text. 'Kelly pulling away from Stella?' Gabby was a bit shocked when she saw her husband text her that. "Okay, you're going to think this is crazy; but Matt just texted me asking whether Kelly is pulling away from you, so they much be talking about something." Stella agreed with Gabby as she said that. "Then what are you waiting for Gabby? Text your husband back so that we can get some answers!" Gabby agreed with Stella, before doing just that.
'Yeah, we're actually just talking about that now. Kelly?' She then waited a minute before she decided to look again, taking a breath as she looked up at her best friend. "Looks like you might be getting some answers today, all thanks to me and Matt." Stella laughed as she heard Gabby say that, before shaking her head. "I swear, we should just come to you guys whenever we're in a fight with each other. Then, you guys can just figure it out for us." Gabby shook her head when Stella said that, as that's not something that she's going to do for her. "Listen, I love you Stella; but I am not going to do that for you, especially not when I'm pregnant. And when we have a daughter, I am not going to have time to do it." Stella agreed with Gabby as she said that, well aware that was the case. "Yeah, I get that." Gabby just smiled at her best friend as she said that. "Still, I do want to help you as much as I can; because I hate it that you guys are having problems, especially when you just had your boys. But god, you look really nice for someone who just gave birth."
Stella laughed as she heard Gabby say that, well aware that was the case; however, that didn't mean that she was going to be working too soon. "I am not working yet; I want to take a break and just relax." Gabby agreed with Stella as she said that, definitely understanding that she wants to take it easy so shortly after giving birth. "Hey, of course girl. I understand why you want that, and ID am so glad that's the case." Stella smiled as she heard Gabby say that, until they heard her phone ding again. "Wow, seems like your husband is working fast." Gabby agreed with Stella when she said that. "What do you expect? He's Kelly's best friend; and the last thing that he wants is for his marriage to fall apart like ours did." Stella took a breath as she heard Gabby say that, hating that she didn't come to her. "By the way girl, I want to talk to you about that." Gabby then looked at her friend. "Why didn't you come to me?" Gabby sighed. "It was hard, and just…there was a lot of shame in how hard things were." Stella agreed with her best friend.
"Hey, if it ever happens again…I don't want you to feel shame, because you can always talk to me; that's a fact, and I am never going to be okay with you not talking to me. Is that understood?" Gabby agreed with Stella when she said that, smiling at her before seeing that she just got another text message from Matt. 'Yeah, we are talking; and there's a reason why he's pulling away.' Gabby was a bit confused when she saw that, before going to text her husband back as she wants to know. 'And are you going to share that reason with me?' Seeing her best friend send another text, Stella was confused. "What'd Matt say?" Gabby sighed. "Matt just texted saying that Kelly has a reason why he's pulling away, and I asked him what he's talking about." Stella agreed with Gabby as she said that. "I swear, he better have a good reason why." That's when Gabby got another text message that explained a lot when it came to why Kelly was pulling away, especially since it made her think back to how things were a few months earlier. 'Kelly thinks he has PTSD re: Andy.'
And with those five words, Gabby knew that this was going to be a hard time for her best friend; as well as her husband, because she can still remember just how hard it was on her husband. The way that they had to figure it all out, and how they had to talk about it as husband and wife; she just knew that it was really hard. And now, their best friends are going to have to go through all of that. Taking a breath, Gabby looked at her best friend before going to grab her hand. "Stella, we need to talk." Stella was confused as she heard Gabby say that. "What are you talking about?" Gabby sighed as she looked at her best friend, before stroking her hand. "I know why Kelly is pulling away from you, and you're going to need to forgive him; because this is something that he's going to need your help with." Stella was just a bit confused when she heard Gabby say that. "What are you talking about?" Gabby sighed as she looked at her best friend. "Matt just texted me, because he and Kelly were just talking; and Kelly just said that he thinks he has PTSD."
Stella was just a bit shocked when she heard Gabby say that, before looking down. "What's it about? I mean…" Gabby then went to tell her what he thinks his PTSD is about, as Matt gave her that information. "About Andy." Stella sighed as Gabby said that, well aware that was something that he most definitely can be having some troubles with; and that was due to the fact that his friend died, and it still haunts him. "God, of course that make sense. And because of being a firefighter." Gabby agreed with Stella as she said that, before getting close to her so that she can hug her. "Do you want me to send him ups…" That's when Gabby and Stella both heard a knock on the door. Turning their heads, they saw Kelly there. "Uhm, do you…" Gabby agreed with Kelly when he said that. "Of course, I'll give you guys the room." Gabby then smiled at Stella. "Let him talk?" Stella agreed with Gabby. At the same time, Gabby got up and went to make her way over to Kelly. "Remember that you can always talk to us." Kelly agreed with Gabby as she said that.
"Matt said the same thing." Gabby smiled as she proceeded to hug him, glad that he was going to talk to him. "Just breathe." Kelly agreed with Gabby as she said that, before watching as she left their room (and closed the door); after which, he turned to look at his wife and just took a breath as he got ready to talk to her today.
He decided to take off his shirt so that he could get comfortable in bed with his wife, and due to the fact that he was sweating after coming in front outside; at the same time, Stella just laid down there in silence as she was unsure as to what she really had to say right now. This was a lot to talk about, and they needed to just talk. But before they were going to talk, Kelly decided to make his way over to their beautiful children. Putting his hand on Kyle's chest, Kelly smiled as he stroked it with his thumb. "Hi buddy." He then bent down and proceeded to kiss his forehead, after which he moved over to Stephen. Putting his hand on his chest too, Kelly repeated what he did with Kyle: stroking his chest before once again bending down to kiss his forehead. "I swear, you're such a great dad." Taking a breath, Kelly turned around to look at Stella. "But not the best of husband right now." Stella shook her head as the love of her life said that, as that most definitely isn't the truth. "Hey, I don't want you to ever feel that way Kelly. Come here." Kelly agreed with Stella as she told him to come join her in bed, which is most definitely something that he wants to do with the woman he loves.
After all, she is a beautiful woman; and she's also the love of his life, which is the reason why he needs to talk to her right now; because she already knows what he spoke to Matt about. "Are you mad that I spoke to matt about this before I spoke to you about it?" Stella shook her head as she heard Kelly ask her that question, as that most definitely isn't how she's feeling right now. Rather, she's more concerned due to the fact that he's going to be okay. That's what she's more concerned about, that he's okay at the end of the day. "All I want to know, is that you're okay. And I promise that's all that matters at the end of the day." Kelly agreed with his beautiful wife as she said that, glad that was the case. "I'm glad that you feel the way, because I was worried that you were going to be mad at me." Stella shook her head. "You don't need to worry about that right now. You just need to come join me in bed, and we need to hold each other close; that way, we can talk for a bit." Kelly agreed with his beautiful wife as she said that, as that most definitely is something that he wants to do with her right now. He wants to hold her in bed, as they talk to each other today; and figure it out.
Opening the covers for his beautiful wife, Kelly smiled as he proceeded to climb into bed with the woman he loves; getting close to her shortly afterwards, Kelly smiled as he proceeded to grab the covers. After which, he climbed into bed with the woman he loves. Getting close to her, Kelly smiled as he brought Stella against his chest (while also wrapping his arm around her); after which, Stella put her hand on his arm and smiled at the man she loves. Moving her hand to his cheek shortly afterwards, Stella smiled as they held each other close. "Hey." Kelly smiled as he heard Stella say that, hearing that she wasn't mad at him right now. "I can only assume that you aren't mad at me right now?" Stella shook her head as Kelly asked her whether she was mad right now, because that's not how she feels. "Mad? No. Concerned? Yes." Kelly agreed with Stella when she said that, continuing to get close to the woman he loves more than anything; after which, he put his hand on her hip and leaned in to kiss her softly. Taking things slow with her, Kelly smiled.
"I love you." Stella agreed with him when he said that, just smiling due to the fact that this is what she wants right now. She wants to hold the man she loves close to her, as they relax in bed together. After all, what's better than the feeling of the both of them just holding each other close. "So, you spoke to Matt about this before me?" Kelly sighed. "I just wanted to get information on how to do this." Stella agreed with Kelly when he said that, as that makes sense. "Yeah, that can make sense." Kelly sighed. "Matt already had to do it with Gabby, and all of us; so I just wanted to get some information, then I realized that I just need to do it." Stella agreed with Kelly as he said that. "Did you already get a diagnosis or…" Kelly shook his head. "Oh, no. I haven't gone that far. I have just been concentrating on you and the boys for now." Stella agreed with Kelly as he told her that, well aware that was the case. "I understand why that's the case though, because you needed to get advice; and because I just gave birth." Kelly agreed, smiling.
"Thanks for understanding. But I promise, I'm going to talk to you now that we're on the same page." Stella agreed with Kelly when he said that. "Good, because you're my husband; and you're also the father of our children. And that means that you need to just make sure that we're in this together." Kelly agreed with Stella as she said that, as that most definitely is the case. "And I promise that we will always talk about it, because we need to do it together." Stella smiled as she heard Kelly say that, before leaning in and kissing him softly; after which, she put her hand on his chest and just cuddled up to him. "God, I love you so much." Kelly agreed with Stella as she said that, before moving his hand to her hip; after which, he started to take things nice and slow with her. "I know that we need to talk right now. So I promise that we're going to stop." Stella agreed with Kelly as he said that, before running her hand down his chest; at the same time, Kelly put his hand on hers and just smiled as he stroked it with his thumb. "I love you." Stella agreed.
"I love you too, and I'm happy that we're here together right now. This is what I need right now, I need to have my wife with me as we speak about this." Stella agreed with Kelly as he said that, as that most definitely is something that he's going to get. "Hey, you have nothing to worry about. This is what you're always going to get because I love you Kelly." Kelly agreed with Stella as she said that. "So, you think you have PTSD?" Kelly sighed. "I want to at least get checked. I've been thinking about Andy a lot, and just some of the bad fights that I've dealt with in the past." Stella agreed with Kelly as he said that, most definitely understanding why he wants to do that. "Okay, but I am telling you this. I am not getting a dog, so you're going to have to deal with it some other way." Kelly laughed as he heard Stella say that, as that most definitely is something that they can both agree on. "Okay, I agree with you about that." Stella agreed with Kelly, before feeling him wrap his arm around her back; at the same time, Stella took things nice and slow with him.
"I thought that we were going to have supper with Matt and Gabby today?" Kelly sighed. "Can we just have supper together? Our first one as parents? I think we need to talk anyways." Stella agreed with Kelly as he said that, because she most definitely can agree to just spend some time with her boys. "I love that idea, as it will give us the time that we need to talk." Kelly agreed with Stella as she said that, before moving his hand to her neck; after which, he started to take things nice and slow with the woman he loves more than anything. "I love you." Stella agreed with Kelly as he said that because she loves him too. "I love you too." Continuing to kiss the woman he loves once again, Kelly smirked as this is really want he wants to do; ahead of them talking about him maybe having PTSD.