Chapter 7 – Chances
Tuesday, August 30th, 2022
Troy's Birthday
Troy's POV
I walked down the road with Claire as we were both licking ice cream cones as Gabi was at home resting after today. She was pretty out of it all morning from the sedation but was awake and ate this afternoon and we were able to sit at the table and eat dinner together as Claire demanded it for my birthday. "Daddy, why couldn't Gabi come? It's your birthday." Claire let her lower lip pout and I gave a soft smile, "She just doesn't feel good. She had to go to the doctor this morning and it made her extra, extra tired."
Claire paused and I stopped behind her as she turned to look at me with tears in her eyes, "Daddy, is Gabi sick like I was sick?" I blinked and I inhaled deeply as I never realized how this might look to Claire. Gabi was going to the doctor a lot and was sleeping a lot and didn't feel good. I cursed under my breath as I ditched my ice cream cone in a nearby trash can and I dropped to a squat to be eye-level with her. "Claire, baby, no. She isn't sick like you were." I told her as I cupped her face. The tears fell down her face and I wiped them away, "You promise? I really love Gabi," I chuckled as I nodded, "Yes, baby, I promise. Gabi is not sick like you were." She had her ice cream cone dripping as I gently took it out of her hands and threw it away as her arms wrapped around my neck.
"Is Gabi, okay?" Claire mumbled into my skin, and I nodded, "Yea, baby, she's okay. I promise, we'll tell you if something was wrong." Claire sniffled and I rubbed her back as I walked us back to the car. "Can we go hang out with Gabi?" I nodded with a smile as I put her in her car seat, "Yes, we can. That sounds like the best birthday. Spending it with you and Gabi." Claire nodded as she wiped her eyes, and it melted my heart that she was scared for Gabi. That she wanted Gabi to be healthy just as much as I needed her to be healthy.
It was a short drive back to the house as her parents were here hanging out with her as mine were coming up this weekend for the gala. I parked the car as Claire hopped out and went running inside presumably to find Gabi. I followed her inside as Ember was laying by the back door and I didn't see her mom anywhere, but Danny was in the living room on his phone. "Hey," I greeted, and he gave me a look as if he was going to tell me something when Claire was screaming. My eyes jumped as I jogged towards the scream as she met me halfway but was pushing my legs and hitting me. "You promised!" she was hysterically crying at this point, and I was thoroughly confused.
"Claire, baby, shh talk to me, what did I promise? What's wrong?" I bent down as I got on my knees, and she pushed me with her little arms. "You promised Gabi wasn't sick like me!" she screamed, and I wrapped her up in my arms as she tried to push away. "Claire, baby, deep breath, shh," I held her close to me and rocked her back and forth as she was sobbing against my chest. I looked up in utter confusion as Danny gave a grim smile, "She's been sick since you pretty much left. I'm assuming Claire saw her vomiting." It all clicked in my head as of course Claire would associate that with being sick with cancer.
I sat down and I pull her into my arms as I needed to find my wife as my worry for her was growing but I also knew Claire needed me for a moment. "Claire, I didn't lie. Gabi isn't sick with cancer. Gabi has been taking medicine this week that can make her sick, but she is going to get better from here. She had surgery today and sometimes this can happen. I promise, Gabi doesn't have cancer." I rocked her in my arms, and she sniffled, "But why is she sick? Daddy," her whimper broke my heart, and I picked her up as I went to sit her down in our bed. "Stay here. Let me go check on Gabi, okay?" she nodded as she wiped away her tears.
Danny sat down with her as I went off to our bathroom where Ruthie was sitting with Gabi as she didn't look good. "Baby, what's wrong?" I cupped her face, and she gave me a sad smile, "I'm just feeling terrible, honestly, I just need to go to bed but I can't stop puking." Unease rolled in my gut, and I stared at her, "Are you okay? Do you want me to talk to Dr. Monty?" Gabi shook her head, "I just need to go to sleep, I think." I brushed her hair away from her face and I exhaled, "El, you promise to tell me the moment you don't feel right? You know that I am already worried enough." Gabi reached out to rest her hand on my cheek and I felt the warmth in her touch.
"I promise, is Claire, okay? I heard her screaming." The worry between her eyebrows and I grimaced, "Physically, she's fine but she's worried about you." I hesitated but Gabi stared at me, and I nodded as she was waiting for me to continue. "She asked me if you were sick like she was sick. I tried to tell her you weren't and that you just didn't feel good. I got her to calm down and she wanted to come see you and I think she saw you getting sick and well…you know of all people what her mind probably went, too." Gabi had tears in her eyes. "Troy," her voice was a gasp as she tried to get up and I gently pushed her back down. "Hey, no, it's okay. I can talk to her. How about you freshen up with your mom and maybe…maybe we loop her into this."
The tears leaked and she nodded, "We'll keep it vague, but I think her knowing you have cancer is probably worse." Gabi nodded as I leaned forward and kissed her forehead. I stood up as I left her with Ruthie and went to Claire who was playing on Danny's phone. I was suddenly emotionally exhausted from this entire day but knew I had to calm the fears of my little girl. "Alright, Claire bear, let's go change our clothes and get ready for bed and then Gabi and I are going to talk to you." She nodded as she reached for my hand as I guided her upstairs as she found a set of pajamas, but you could tell how quiet she was. I helped her brush her teeth and brush her hair before she crawled into her bed.
Those blue eyes had tears in them again, "Daddy, you promised, and I am mad at you." I tucked her in, and I exhaled, "Baby, I didn't lie to you. People can puke for other reasons besides being sick like you were." I crawled into bed on the other side of her as she rested against my body. Claire didn't say much of anything as I stroked her hair until the door opened and Gabi came in with one of my t-shirts on and a pair of leggings. I gave her a smile as she looked absolutely exhausted, but I could see the emotion on her face from knowing that she scared Claire.
"Gabi," Claire wiggled out of the bed and Gabi gently dropped to her knees to circle her arms around Claire. Gabi stroked her hair as Claire held onto her tightly and Gabi closed her eyes letting tears drip down her face. "Claire, baby, I am okay. I promise. I am not sick like you were sick. Daddy did not lie to you." Claire hiccupped as my own heart couldn't watch the two loves of my lives sitting here crying. I reached forward to wrap my hand around Gabi's and she looked up at me with a nod as we got Claire settled into bed. Gabi slid onto the bed as she held Claire's hand.
"Claire, I am sick because I am taking medicine to help your daddy and I have a baby." I watched Claire's eyes grow twice in size at the statement Gabi made. Her head swung towards me, and I watched her face carefully as her dirty blonde hair swung back over towards Gabi. Gabi and I shared a look waiting for something to come out of her mouth, but she threw herself back at Gabi instead. "You're going to have a baby!?" she screeched, and Gabi laughed hugging her, "Hopefully. There is no baby yet but hopefully soon. We promise, you'll be one of the very first people to know." Gabi told her with a tight hug before Claire turned to grab my face with her two hands.
"I want to be a big sister here," I chuckled, "I know you do; it's going to be a little while longer but that's why Gabi hasn't felt good recently. She's on a lot of medicine that makes her feel crummy. That's why we've had so many doctors' appointments. Gabi and I promise that we'll tell you once there is a baby, okay?" Claire nodded as she grinned and giggled, "I love Jackson and I want a baby here, too." Gabi laughed as she brushed Claire's hair out of her face. "Hopefully one day, yea?" Claire nodded and gave a smile as she settled back into bed.
"I love you, Gabi, I didn't want you to be sick." Gabi smiled as she leaned her forehead against Claire's forehead. "I don't want to be sick either. I am going to be here with you." Claire smiled as Gabi kissed her cheek and I could see on her face that she was feeling sick. I nodded as she bid Claire good-night and I rolled out from my spot next to Claire as I kissed her forehead. "Daddy, why didn't you tell me?" she asked as I shut off the light and I hesitated for a moment. "Because there is a chance, we don't have a baby, Claire. We don't want to get your hopes up."
Claire didn't say anything for a moment, "But mommy had a baby with Christian," I internally groaned because I was not having this talk with a 5-year-old. "I know but it's different for Gabi and me. It's really complicated to explain, and daddy doesn't fully understand it." Claire just sighed and wiggled underneath of her covers. "Thanks for telling me, daddy, happy birthday" I smiled as I kissed her head and shut the lights off for the final time before walking out and down the stairs to find Gabi in the bathroom. Ruthie was still sitting with her, and I nodded, "I got her, Ruthie."
She nodded as I sat behind her and she leaned into my body, "This is such a shitty birthday for you." I shook my head, "No, it's not. What was shitty was watching you both cry. What isn't shitty is getting both of you here with me and seeing how happy Claire was. Plus, The Hamptons was my birthday." Gabi curled into me, and I waited for her to fall asleep to move her. I carried her to bed as I tucked her in before I took a shower and crawled into bed with her. I let my head fall against her shoulder and the exhale I released caused her to move and find my hand.
"I'm okay," she whispered to me, and I nodded as I kissed the back of her neck. "Just emotionally exhausted," I whispered. She squeezed my hand again.
Wednesday, August 31st, 2022
Gabi's POV
I felt like shit.
Utter shit.
After getting sick most of last night, I was exhausted today.
Troy got up and took Claire to Eve's place and then went to practice. I was laying on the couch as Scarlett was making a handful of phone calls for me because the gala was in just a handful of days, and I needed to get my shit together. I closed my eyes willing the nausea away. I stopped puking but only because Troy made me call Dr. Monty's office this morning and they called in Zofran for me. They reported that they would call back this afternoon with how many of the eggs were mature and fertilized. They also told me that they wanted me to come in tomorrow for an ultrasound to make sure I didn't have too much fluid collecting.
Scarlett hung up and she crossed something off her list. "What else?" she asked me, and I nibbled on my lower lip, "I don't know. I probably need to call the party planner and make sure they were able to get into the event space okay." Scarlett shook her head, "I will take of it. Relax, or you are going to be miserable at your own gala." I groaned as I threw my body back as Troy and I didn't time this very well but also, I didn't expect so many different side effects. Ember curled up at my feet as I listened to all of Scarlett's phone calls, and I wrote down all the things that needed to get done.
My phone buzzed and I quickly reached for it as it was the fertility clinic. I looked at Scarlett who quickly hung up and pressed record as I answered it on speaker. "Hello?" I answered, "Hi, is this Gabi?" Indy spoke through the phone, and I smiled, "Yes, hi Indy,"
"Hi Gabi, I have your first day results. Are you ready for them?" she asked, and I nodded my head, "Yes, I am," my eyes connected with Scarlett as she reached over to squeeze my leg. "Out of the 32 eggs, 27 were mature and 26 fertilized." I gasped at the number and instantly felt the tears. "26?" I asked and she laughed, "Yes, it's very good so far. They will check again on day 3 and we will call you that day to report those numbers back to you which will be on Friday. You won't get your final update until Monday though." I nodded as I wiped away tears, "Of course, of course, thank you Indy."
"How are you feeling?" she asked, and I grimaced, "I'm okay. I am still really bloated, and the Zofran seems to be helping but I just feel horrible." Indy went quiet for a moment, and she nodded, "We'll see you tomorrow morning unless you have any symptoms of shortness of breath, or you cannot keep any fluids down. We might still run fluids tomorrow while you are here. You need to take it easy until next week." I balked but didn't make anything of it because I will get checked out tomorrow and then we can clear the air. "Okay, thank you Indy. I will see you tomorrow."
I hung up the phone as Scarlett squealed and launched herself at me as she wrapped me up in her arms. "Gabi! That is such good news!" I nodded as I wiped away the tears, "It is good news. I just want like 10. That's the number I want because if I can avoid this part of the process then I would love, too." Scar laughed as Auggie was upstairs sleeping in Claire's room as she peeked up at the door and then picked up the baby monitor. We finished up all of our tasks and I trudged down the hall to go take a nap. I curled up with a blanket as I scrolled on my phone as we were delaying all of our egg retrieval updates by a few days. Tomorrow, I would release that whole video of the process.
Troy and I weren't sure how we were going to handle the whole transfer process as I did want to wait until we were actually securely pregnant to announce but we had taken all of these followers on this journey with us. I felt like I had just fallen asleep when a pair of arms slipped around my waist to pull me backwards. His lips pressed to my neck, and I smiled as I rolled over to look at him. His own features were exhausted, and I reached up to play with his hair on the back of his neck. "Go back to sleep," he whispered as he knew that I didn't get any sleep last night but neither did he honestly.
"They called a little bit ago," those blue eyes popped open, and he smiled, "Yea? How many chances left?" I blinked as the tears were already happening and his face fell, "El, baby, it's okay whatever it is." I shook my head, "No, we have 26. 26 chances still," I blubbered, and Troy laughed as he dragged me into his body and his lips descended down onto mine in a hurry. "26?" I nodded my head as I couldn't stop my tears. "26," I whispered to him, and he grinned as he kissed me again. "I love you so much,"
"They want me to come in for an ultrasound tomorrow morning to make sure there isn't too much fluid building in my abdomen." I told him and he frowned, "Fuck, I have to be at the facility at 8." I shook my head, "I'll be okay. Scar can take me or my mom." Troy grunted and shook his head, "No, baby, I said you aren't doing this alone. We are doing this together." I pushed on his chest for a moment and shook my head, "I won't be going alone, Troy. You have practice and a job. You haven't missed anything yet and I will never hold that against you."
He exhaled and stared at me for a few moments but shook his head again. "I just want to be there for you and to let everybody know that you aren't doing this alone."
"I know that and everybody else knows that. One ultrasound to check fluid in my abdomen? It's not like it has anything to do with a baby." I argued and he firmly gripped my chin as he made me stare at him. "That statement makes it worse because I am more worried about you. Are you feeling worse than you are actually telling me? Because those are the ones I can't miss when it's about you and your personal health." His voice was firm but there was a softness under tone to it as well. I blinked away the tears and he brushed away the few that dropped. "What time tomorrow?" he asked me.
"Ten," I whispered to him, and he nodded, "I'll figure it out." I swallowed as I nodded my head in return as I wasn't going to argue with him. This was something he felt passionate about and probably eased his own anxiety. "Can your mom or sister drive you though?" I nodded my head, and he kissed me softly, "I am not doing this to only get the cute times of pregnancy with you. I'm in this with the ugly and beautiful." I nodded as I curled into his body, and he wrapped me up. I wouldn't trade this man for the world. His fingers massaged my lower back and I arched into him. "Mmm…you are going to make this a dangerous game."
"Soon," I whispered to him, and he smiled softly, "Soon,"
Thursday, September 1st, 2022
Troy's POV
"Bed rest?" Gabi's voice came out much higher than I think she intended it as Dr. Monty nodded her head, "Yes, bed rest. You need to take it easy throughout the weekend. Your ultrasound isn't reassuring, and your symptoms aren't either for OHSS. You have it and we tried to avoid it, but we couldn't and the best thing you can do to not make this worse is bed rest." I watched her battle each emotion on her face as I reached over to thread my fingers with her. I was still in my practice clothes as we had meetings this morning and I was only leaving for an hour to be here with her.
"I have a gala that I am hosting this weekend," there was some anger behind her words, and I gently squeezed her hand, "Gabi, everything is already done. Everything is being taken care of."
"I have to be there on the day of. I have to coordinate and help greet everybody and I have put blood, sweat, and tears into making this happen this year. I am not going to miss it." My headstrong girl shined through at this moment as Dr. Monty pressed her lips together for a moment as I sighed looking up at her. "Gabi," Dr. Monty started as she slipped off her glasses. "I know this wasn't what anybody wanted but you will be putting your health at risk." My alarm bells went off as Gabi inhaled deeply as she was trying to manage her emotions. "What if I do nothing today and tomorrow? I won't leave my bed once I get home today." She spoke and her chin wobbled as she was trying her damn best.
"Gabi, you need more than two days." Dr. Monty told her softly and I saw the break on her face as she inhaled again. Her hands left mine and she covered her face with both of them. My hand rubbed her back as she stood up and walked out of the office – gingerly because she was still bloated and had lost all of her food overnight with more vomiting. It concerned all of us. I ran my fingers through my hair as I looked up at both of them. "If I can keep her in a chair and only there for a few hours – can I get her to the gala for a little while? This is her baby, and she has put her blood sweat and tears into it. Honestly, I think it's the only thing that got her through all those injections."
Dr. Monty and Indy shared a look and she hesitated, "If she pukes again like she has been then I am afraid she needs to stay home. If she can keep food and water down over the next forty-eight hours? Two to three hours at the gala is fine as long as she is sitting and not overdoing it."
"She'll want to give a speech." I fought for her to have a few things here. "Short. A minute or two. If she gets short of breath it needs to end and she needs to go home." I nodded as I thanked both of them as I wasn't telling Gabi shit because I didn't want to get her hopes, but I had a few things up my sleeve. I walked out of the room as I looked around the waiting room to see she had disappeared. I tugged my hat down lower as I walked out of the office and found her hugging her mom. I exhaled softly as I went over, and Ruthie gave me a smile before I pulled her into my arms.
Her head rested against my chest, and I rubbed her back up and down gently, "I'm sorry," I murmured into her ear. She didn't say anything as I cupped her face with my hands, and I peered down at her. "I know that is nothing that you wanted to hear but I need you. You know this. There will be more gala's,"
"Not the first one," she interjected, and I gave her a quick look and she tried to pull away from me as I instead held on and kissed her forehead. "El, baby, I want nothing more than to take you but if you make all of this worse? Then we are going to be battling a lot more than the gala. I will make it up to you. We'll figure out a way for you to be a part of everything. I promise." I let her go as she turned around from me. "Please, go home, lay down and rest. I have somebody coming your way anyways." She just nodded as she headed to the car, and I jogged to catch up with her.
"El,"
"Troy, you don't fucking understand what this is doing to me."
I gently tugged on her elbow to make her face me. "You don't think I don't understand? I understand that this is killing you – figuratively and literally. I know how hard you have worked on this gala, and you are still going to take full credit because you organized the whole damn thing. I understand that you are disappointed in this decision that was made today. I understand that you want nothing more than to not have to do any of this fucking bullshit and that you wish you were just pregnant. I understand." My chest rose with anguish as I looked at her. "Do you understand that watching this…has been the hardest fucking thing I have ever done besides watch my daughter go through cancer?"
"I am constantly standing by watching the woman I love the most fight a battle that I cannot help with besides hold your hands and tell you both how much I love you. So don't tell me I don't understand because I understand that this is fucking hard, and nothing is going as planned but nothing in our lives ever has. Nothing new there, El. Nothing new. You are the beginning and the end of everything I love, and I will never go back on that." My voice cracked and the tears leaked out of the corner of my eye as she grabbed me in a hug.
"I love you, Troy," she whispered, and she exhaled, "You are right. I am just disappointed. We'll just…figure this out." She pulled back to look at me and I nodded as she pressed up to give me a kiss. "Go home and rest," I told her, and she nodded her head as she went to her car, and I let her go. She got into the passenger side as I went back to my car as I let my forehead hit the steering wheel. I wasn't lying – I was over watching the people I loved the most fight battles that I couldn't help fight. It wasn't fair to either of them or I wanted to make all of this…better.
I rubbed my face as I made a beeline back to practice as we had actual workouts on the field this afternoon and I barely made it back in time. Hanson gave me one look and cocked his head to the side, "What's wrong?" he asked, and I shook my head. "Just more bad news for Gabi today. They want her on bed rest all weekend." Hanson gapped with his mouth open, and he shook his head, "Seriously? The gala is Saturday!" I nodded, "I know, she knows, and it's just…she has a lot of side effects from all the hormones, and they just want her to take it easy."
"There has to be something," I nodded, "There is, and I need your wife's help."
Friday, September 2nd, 2022
Gabi's POV
I stared at Troy as he was sleeping next to me still. He was on his belly with his arm tucked up under the pillow. His back muscles taunting me as I had almost gone 24 hours without vomiting and I almost felt human again. I also felt terrible for accusing Troy to not understanding what I was going through and listening to him? It broke me in half. I sobbed half the way home because I felt terrible. I felt terrible that I didn't see it from his point of view and that he was trying his damn hardest to keep everybody happy. I swore we weren't going to fight but when Troy got home, he was quiet and spent most of his night watching film preparing for next week.
He had an IV hydration person from the team come and visit me yesterday and I swear that alone made me feel human again. Troy turned his head as if he could hear my mind churning in the background as he didn't have his first meetings until ten today and I had ordered breakfast to the house. I planned on spending today in bed in hopes that Troy would see that I didn't do anything today and let me go tomorrow. I needed to go. I wanted to see this thing come to life. I exhaled as I had been in constant contact with Eve, Bailey, and Hannah as they had been running with this while I had been down.
My sisters were all there today stepping in for me.
I had plenty of Facetime opportunities today with all of them and I was waiting for Troy to head to the field. Troy reached over for his phone as he could barely open his eyes as he checked the time before letting his head hit the pillow again. I reached over and rubbed his shoulder as my hands traced his tattoo along his shoulder. "Why are you awake?" he mumbled into his pillow as it was seven-thirty. "I went to bed at eight," I reminded him, and he rolled his eyes and head to look at me. Those blue eyes full of sleep as he rolled onto his side to face me, and I grabbed his hand.
"I'm sorry about yesterday, I didn't think about it from your point of view. I feel terrible." I whispered to him, and he easily dragged me into his grasp. "I promised myself that we weren't going to fight during this and I didn't like yesterday. I didn't like that we were fighting about this, and I don't want to do that again." Troy dragged his fingers through my hair and gently tugged as he pulled my head to look up at him. "If that is our fighting then I'll take it." I laughed because remember those knock-out drag fights he would have with Eve.
"I listened and I heard you yesterday." I told him. "Thank you, did you sleep better last night? I didn't hear you get up." I nodded, "I slept all night and I actually feel better this morning. I ordered breakfast from our favorite little restaurant, and it will be delivered soon." Troy smiled as he brushed his fingers through my hair as I laid on his shoulder. "Good. I am glad you feel better and feel up to eating. Carissa is coming back today to do another IV to help with your hydration."
"You don't have to do that."
"I do. I am trying to get my wife back up and on her feet." He kissed my forehead as it had felt like a long time since we had been together, but we were sworn off for two weeks. I started to get up and Troy gently pressed me back in bed. "Stay, I am going to get our breakfast." I just nodded as he stood up and was still in his shorts, he was wearing last night. He went to the bathroom before heading downstairs as Ember went running with him. I shot off several texts to everybody at the hall as I nibbled on my fingernail.
Troy came back about ten minutes later with both of our breakfasts and a coffee for each of us. I smiled as I scooted up in bed. Troy grinned, "This is going to be so good." I giggled as we both settled into our spots and dug into breakfast. It was the first time I had been hungry in days. "How long is practice?" I asked him and he grunted, "Too long today, I have to stay late as my shoulder is bothering me." I sent him a look, "What? Since when? Troy, I know life has been crazy, but you can tell me these things." He chuckled, "It's just been in the past few days. It's nothing serious. It typically always happens in the beginning of the season."
"Look, I need you at full strength in 10 days." Troy scrunched his eyebrows and then they shot up with a laugh echoing out of his mouth. "Oh, trust me, I will be at full strength for that night. I'm already thinking it through – a date, a night to ourselves, and absolutely no fucking sleep because we have lost time to make-up for." I giggled and Troy smirked as we chatted about the upcoming season and the first game as he was in a good mood today and I was in a good mood today. We both spent the morning laughing in bed together and I felt better about a lot of things.
"Have I told you how proud of you I am?" Troy asked after a beat. His thumb stroking my hand. "Only a few times," I told him, and he gave a smile, "Well, here is a few more times…I am proud of you. I know nothing has gone right but you have handled all of this with stride. You make me so fucking proud of you." I flushed with his words, and he pulled me into his lap. "How about a ten-minute break from bed rest for a make-out session? Hmm?" I giggled as our mouths attached together and neither of us let go. It wasn't until my phone rang on the nightstand and I gave Troy a look and he raised an eyebrow. I reached for my phone as I put it on speaker as it was the fertility clinic. This was an early phone call.
"Hello?"
"Gabi? It's Indy, I am first checking in to see how you are feeling?"
"A lot better. I actually am hungry and haven't puked since yesterday morning."
"Good. Keep up with the bed rest. I do also have your day three results," I blinked as I looked up at Troy as he held my hand and gave it a squeeze. "Yea?" I whispered and she laughed, "Yea, it's been good news and it still is. You went from 26 to 20." I gasped with the news and Troy laughed as I threw my arms around his neck. "This is really good news, and we will call you Monday morning with your final results and how many you want to send off for testing. If you have any increase in symptoms, please go to the hospital."
"Yes, I will. Indy, I also want to note even if we do send them off for genetic testing, we don't want to find out the genders – ever. We want to be surprised."
"Really?" she asked, and I made eye contact with Troy as he nodded, "Yea, this is the one thing that I want from this. The surprise and the little thing that I can get from a normal pregnancy." Indy laughed, "I'll note it in your chart just about everywhere. We'll talk Monday." I nodded thanking her as I wrapped my arms around Troy's neck tightly and he grinned, "20 chances," he whispered.
Saturday, September 3rd, 2022
Troy's POV
Gabi was a whole new woman.
She looked and felt better but I knew the team wanted her on bed rest all weekend. I felt comfortably allowing her to go for a bit tonight and she still didn't know. Carissa came back early this morning to do another bag of fluids with her and she was on the couch as any minute all the ladies were going to be here getting ready. Hanson and I found plenty of people to help with hair and make-up while also doing manicures and pedicures for all of them right here in the house. It allowed Gabi to rest longer and stay off her feet but also be in all the festivities.
Her sisters would be here. Amber, Bianca, Wren, Val, Massie, and Allie were all going to be here, and I hoped it would be a fun day for her regardless of how long we could stay tonight. She was laughing with Carissa about something. Claire was even going to come over and get ready with all the girls. Gabi told me last night she was fine not going because she probably wasn't going to fit into her dress. I tried to reminder her otherwise. There was a knock at the door, and I smiled as Gabi turned to look at me, "Who's here?" I shrugged as I walked back her with a shit eating grin on my face.
I popped open the door and the first people through the door were her sisters. Layla had Claire on her hip as Gabi sat up quickly at the sight of her sisters followed by all of her friends and our friends. "Oh my god, what are you all doing here?" the girls dragged in their dresses as Wren spoke up with a grin, "Your husband doesn't want you missing out on this day. The pampering and getting ready is coming to you." Gabi swung her eyes to me, and I gave her a tiny smile, "I can't go guys, I came to terms with that," Sophia looked over at me with questions in her eyes as I went over to Gabi as I sat on the side of the couch, and I pulled her hand into mine.
"You can go. I asked Dr. Monty and Indy after you walked out if there is any way I could get you there and for you to enjoy tonight. They both agreed if you were improving and you didn't vomit again, which you haven't, then you could go for a little while. You have to take it easy there and you are not running the show by any means, but you can be there and experience all of it." Gabi looked at me with tears in her eyes, "Really?" she whispered, and I nodded, "Really," I tucked hair behind her ear. "I wanted this for you just as much, baby. I didn't want to tell you just in case nothing went right but this time it did. It went right and you can go."
She stood up and wrapped her arms around my neck and I looped her in against my body, "thank you so much, I was so distraught I didn't think, I just left," I shook my head. "No, no, it's okay. I am glad you didn't stress about it. Why do you think I was pushing hydration so hard?" Gabi laughed as she brushed her tears away and Claire climbed up and wrapped her arms around Gabi. "Let's get ready!" Gabi laughed with a nod as I shot her a wink and I kissed Claire's head, "Hi baby," she grinned, "Hi daddy!" she reached for me in a hug, and I hugged her back as Wren and Val were all over Gabi as they were all laughing together.
Hanson, Lucas, Reggie, Reni, and Kellen all walked through as I nodded out to the kitchen as they followed. Hanson smirked, "Good work, Bolton. You just made your wife extra happy." I laughed as our house quickly turned into hair and make-up festivities along with manicures and pedicures. The guys and I went downstairs to the theater room to watch film for later this week as I looked over at Lucas halfway through the day, "what's going on with you and Soph?" he shrugged, "I don't know. We haven't spent much time together recently because of her schooling and I've been busy with all of you. It's nothing serious, I've told you all that from the beginning."
"But Bethany is in her life?"
"Barely. Bethany is spending more time with her mom during the week,"
I just nodded as I trusted Lucas and his decisions. "How is IVF going? I miss Gabi's updates." I laughed as everything had been delayed, "There are still 20 of them growing, which is huge numbers for IVF. We've only lost 12. We'll get the final count on Monday." Lucas gave a smile, "I am happy for both of you. I know this has been so hard for the both of you, but I am happy that you are doing this together. Can you imagine doing this with Eve?" I shook my head, "We wouldn't have." I told him honestly and Lucas sucked in a breath as Reni pointed something out catching my attention.
We played on Thursday this week.
Only a handful of days away since we were the champions, we kicked off the season on Thursday night. It was just days away and I couldn't wait to put on the pads and get back on the field. Once we wrapped up the film we walked upstairs together, and the girls were all laughing and there were drinks being passed around as Bethany had joined the mix. She was sitting with Claire as they were both getting their hair done which made me smile watching them together. I found Gabi as she was drinking water out of her Stanley and laughing with Wren about something. You couldn't even tell Wren was pregnant yet, but they were but staring at her stomach.
All the guys were going to shower here as I felt like we were all getting ready for prom. I was wearing a tux that was nicer than what I wore for my wedding. "Are you feeling, okay?" I asked her and she nodded her head, "Thank you," she whispered, and I smiled as her hair was already done in a simple up-do that let curls fall around her face. "Of course, seeing you not get to be there for this was going to kill me. I was willing to do anything to get you there. You just have to promise to stay off your feet as much as possible." She nodded, "Can I give my speech?"
"Dr. Monty asked to keep it short, but yes."
"Wait, you asked about that, too?" I nodded, "You act as if I don't know you. Just being there was important, but I know you want to stand up there and be proud of all your work and thank all the people." Those brown eyes were just in awh of me, and I chuckled as I gave her a quick kiss. "I love you; I hope you are having fun." She nodded and I squeezed her hand, "I am going to get ready myself. Let me know if you need me to help Claire get ready."
"I love you, too." I winked as I headed upstairs with the rest of the guys and I smiled, mission accomplished.
Gabi's POV
My husband.
He was everything I could have ever asked for.
Troy also looked damn fine in a tux. I was in a black dress, and he was in a black suit with a yellow bowtie to support childhood cancer. Claire was all dolled up with her hair done and make-up on her face and was wearing a soft orange dress in support of AML. Troy held her hand tightly as we walked down the red carpet into the gala together that had been full of star-studded athletes all night long. "Troy, Gabi, Claire, stop for a picture," Troy nodded as he gently pulled Claire back and then folded his arm around my waist.
My dress barely fit but with a little wiggle and shake – we were able to get it zipped due to my bloating. I felt self-conscious but Troy reminded me several times how beautiful I was and luckily, my dress wasn't form fitting to my belly. I swallowed down roughly as I gave smiles to all of the cameras and Troy nodded to them as he ushered us inside like a natural. The venue was in downtown Boston, and it overlooked the city with stunning glass windows. Troy escorted the two of us up the stairs as we made our way to the room as I couldn't help but let tears fill my eyes.
We went with AML as our theme this year and every year we wanted to highlight a different cancer and group of patients. The orange glowed around the room as we let Claire pick the other part of our theme which was beach theme in similar of our time in the summer house. It was beautiful and had come together so well. I spun around in a few circles as I found our party planner, Tiffany. "Tiffany," I gushed as I approached her, and she squealed as she was dressed up but had an earpiece in her ear as she was listening to everything going on behind the scenes. "I am so glad you made it!" she hugged me, and I hugged her back, 'Thank you for making this so beautiful,"
"It was all your vision. I just made it come true." I thanked her again and she squeezed me before she ran off to take care of something else. I saw a ton of the doctors that I worked with as I waved and greeted most of them before my husband was steering me in the direction of our table. "Sit," he directed, and I grunted, and he chuckled, "Baby, I got you here. I need you to take what I can give you." I sighed as I understood but I wanted to be out there talking and mingling. My eyes peered at the silent auction, and I know there were raffle tickets being sold and everybody here, minus the nurses, paid a pretty penny to be here tonight.
Troy sat down next to me as he let his hand firmly plant on my knee as dozens and dozens of people came over to greet me and ask how I was. Troy made sure I constantly had water in front of me and we both were laughing and smiling the entire time. Between the Red Sox, Bruins, Loyalist, and Celtics players this place was booming with athletes. We had auctioned off tickets to people at the hospital and opened it up to outside donors who all decided to show up to mingle with the athletes. The band that was playing in the background was playing music that Claire loved and all the little kids that were here were dancing on the floor.
Scar came up behind me and hugged me, "This is amazing," she whispered, and I smiled, "I know. It turned out so well."
Everybody got into their seats for dinner as we were seated with our families and Troy hunted down Claire to plant her in her seat. Dinner was simple and easy as we catered a local Boston place for some of the most delicious comfort food – we all agreed no stuffy gross food and it was something we were willing to splurge on. There was going to be an ice cream bar and a local cookie company for dessert later after the speeches. I could feel the buzz of the night as there was still the band playing in the background and everybody was talking and laughing.
Tiffany came over and she smiled, "Do you want to introduce everything or somebody from the board?" she asked as she crouched down next to me. "Have Bailey do it," I told her. "I will get up there in a little bit to thank everybody," she nodded her head and went to find Bailey. It wasn't long before the music was cut, and Bailey was taking the stage.
"Good evening, everybody," the room clapped, and Bailey grinned, "I want to thank each and every one of you for joining us tonight. We did not think we were going to be able to pull this off this year, but we did and there are so many people to thank for that, but I am so glad that we were able to do it this year." The room clapped again, and Bailey looked down for a moment and she inhaled, "I want to thank you all for donating to The Sunshine Pact with all of your silent auctions, raffle purchases, and purchases of the tickets. All of this is going directly back to The Sunshine Pact to help branch us out to more children's hospitals and provide more sunshine into each oncology unit." The room grew noisy with cheers and Bailey smiled.
"The Sunshine Pact started because of one nurse who literally brought the sunshine into the Boston Children's Hospital." I felt myself already choking up as Bailey found me in the crowd. "She was one of the most passionate nurses when my daughter Ginny was diagnosed with cancer – Gabi was always there with a smiling face no matter how upset, rude, mean, or moody my daughter was for being there. Slowly, Ginny began to love Gabi and we accepted her as family. Gabi was with us the night Ginny died. She helped us bath her, hold her hand, and dress her one more time. Gabi even braided her wig that she loved so much." Bailey dabbed at her eyes as she made eye contact with me as my own tears were streaming down my face. "When she called and asked if I could help? It saved my life. I am able to help keep Ginny's spirit alive, and I get to keep my family close. So, as a mother, who could have benefited from this program – I thank you. This is going to change these kids' lives."
The room erupted with applause as I couldn't help but stand myself and Bailey came down and wrapped her arms around me, "Thank you," she whispered into my ears, and I couldn't stop my own cry as she squeezed me tight. We had a doctor speak and then another nurse on the floor speaks before Tiffany nodded towards me. I nodded as Tiffany smiled, "Next, I want to invite the sunshine herself, Gabriella Montez-Bolton up to the stage." Claire stood up on her chair and cheered as I couldn't stop my laugh towards her as I walked up, and I smiled taking the microphone. "I have been told by many people that I have to keep this short and sweet but first, I must say thank you. For your time. Your donations. And for everything you have done to make this possible. I appreciate you all."
The crowd cheered as I looked up at the screen dropping behind me, "I am going to let a video play and then I will do my own little speech." I grinned as the room went dark and a video montage of our first handful of months played behind me. My eyes spotted Troy and Claire sitting next to Eve as Claire had climbed in her dad's lap. His strong arms filling out the tux and his thighs probably trying to break open the pants. He must have felt my eyes on him because he turned his attention to me. He shot me a wink with a smile as the video was winding down with all the positives of the baskets from the kids and families.
Once it was over the lights flickered back on halfway as we had one more video to play but I wanted to introduce it first. "That in a nutshell is The Sunshine Pact. This foundation has given me a life I didn't realize I needed. The Sunshine Pact came about in a very odd way but everything in my life always was like that. I was asked by my boss to help a little girl. Her dad had money and they wanted to keep her home and out of the hospital. I was reluctant but they were offering me quite a bit of money. I told him I would come to the meeting and see if it was a fit," my eyes swung to Troy and Claire as tears filled my eyes. "I walked in that room to a surprise of a lifetime. It was my ex-boyfriend, his wife, and his 4-year-old daughter who had AML cancer. It nearly broke me at my knees to see somebody that I had once loved so broken. I agreed and I moved in with him and his family."
I laughed as I looked around, "Yes, I know, you all know the ending to this story but here's the fun part. I absolutely hated his guts. He broke up with me before Alabama and I swore that man off for the rest of my life after that until that day. I ignored him for weeks while living with him. I took care of his daughter to the best of my abilities, and I watched her struggle through all the hardships of cancer, I got an up-close and personal view of what it does to families, and how it can be so much harder than it should be. After Troy and his wife divorced, it took me weeks to realize that y'know – maybe there is something still there." I paused as I laughed, "It took a lot for me to trust him again and there was a lot of miscommunications in our past. I knew quickly that this was it for me, but I also knew becoming an NFL players wife would not allow me to work in the same capacity that I loved to do prior."
I paused as I looked around, and I smiled, "I talked to my friends and the thoughts of the foundation blossomed and I knew in the back of my head I had all the people in my life that could help make them the most perfect baskets for these kids. We have parents whose children gained their angel wings, we have parents whose children are in remission, teenagers who are in remission, and a little girl named Claire." Claire squealed from her dad's lap causing the room to laugh as I couldn't stop my own laugh. "The little girl named Claire who fought AML and had a smile on her face through pretty much all of it. Who ate mermaid pudding and absolutely wormed her way into my heart. I arrived on that day in August with a basket made just for her and here is the video of the first little girl who was given The Sunshine Pact basket."
The room went back to dark, and the video played as I wiped my tears away. I was becoming exhausted, but I was going to finish this. The video was short as it was of Claire opening the basket and grinning the entire time. Once it was over, I dabbed at my eyes but paused when a force wrecked into my legs. I laughed as I squatted down and she wrapped her arms around my neck. "I love you, Gabi," she whispered into my ear. I laughed as I hugged her tightly, "I love you, too." I whispered back to her as I hoisted her up and I felt her dad's eyes zero in on my body. He shook his head, but I held up a finger, "Everybody, I would love for you to meet our guest of honor tonight – Claire Bolton who has been in full remission for a year now." The room was thunderous with applause as Claire pressed her face in my neck and I kissed her temple.
"Go Claire!" somebody yelled in the audience and Claire turned to wave to all of her new fans.
"It is children like Claire that is going to benefit from all of your donations, we thank you profusely." I nodded as we both stepped off the stage and I held her hand back to our table. Eve greeted her in a big hug, and I couldn't stop my own smile as Troy was beaming. "Thank you," I mouthed to him, and he smirked before he stood up. He got me comfortable in my chair before kissing my head, "Next, we have somebody who has requested to speak tonight. Our favorite quarterback, Troy Bolton." He stood up and slipped a button on his tux jacket before walking up the stage as Claire ran to catch up with him.
The crowd was supportive of Troy, and I could hear his teammates catcalling him as I felt the confusion run deep. Troy was never speaking tonight.
"Thank you, hello to all of my friends, family, and to all of the new faces I have met tonight. To see all of you come in supportive of my wife and her foundation that she lifted off on the ground on her own. It makes my heart so warm. It has been a hard week for the two of us as it is well known the journey we are going through now, and this event got her to right now. Watching all of you make it come to life has meant the world to me. As Gabi said, neither of us spoke for so long and once we got back together and she pitched this idea to me – she told me one thing. I was not allowed to donate." The room laughed and Troy grinned, "I am not joking. She told me I wasn't allowed, too. I made indirect payments – Reni's foundation, the Loyalist, etc. but I never made my own donation from my own money."
The room clapped and Troy looked directly at me, "And it's a shame because she saved my baby girl. She did everything in her power to heal her and make her smile and Bailey is right – she is the sunshine. She makes me smile every day and the radiance that she expels everyday…she's just one of the best. She put this whole foundation together and told me right before it went live because she wanted to do it on her own and I let her. I have supported her with helping her make blankets and supporting all of her moves with this foundation. Well, I am over this, and I think it's rightfully time to make my own donation. A donation from Claire and I to Gabi." I gasped as my eyes held his and he smiled, "El, come here,"
His voice was soft over the microphone, and I stood on my feet as I walked up and back onto the stage as Claire grinned up at me and she was holding a large check in her hands and Troy gave a soft smile towards me as Claire grinned up at me as the 500,000 check was in her hands. "Claire, did you keep a secret?" she just giggled, and I accepted the check as I hugged Claire before I looked at Troy with tears in my eyes. "See guys, she can't reject me in front of all of you." The crowd laughed as I shook my head, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he wrapped his arms around me. "Thank you," I whispered into his ear. "For making all of my dreams come true."
"Every day, El. With Everything."
Happy Sunday! I hope you enjoyed the update!
Next update: TBD, my whole family is getting ready to move and life has been a bit chaotic! I hope to update on the normal day but no promises!
Thanks for the love and patience!
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