In the days following Britton's surgery, everyone's life started to return to normal. One by one, everyone started returning to work. Sharon and Miguel headed back to L.A. and New York, respectively. Slowly, I started returning to work, too, helping Teagan with clients here and there. Life was beginning to pick back up again, and with each passing day, Britton was making little strides of her own. We were all hopeful she'd be home soon.

Teagan and I were taking full advantage of a quiet afternoon while Melody napped to make some real headway in our work when there was a knock at the door. We pulled our attention away from our work, and I gave her a pleading look.

She stood with a sigh, giving in. Instantly, I perked up, thanking her. Grabbing the trash on the table, she tossed it on the way out.

"Delivery," Teagan chirped when she returned with stuffed animals, flowers, and chocolate in hand. "And these flowers and chocolates look really expensive."

I barely looked over from the work I was doing on the computer. "Oh, those are probably a gift for Rosy from Javy. You can just set it on the kitchen counter. She'll see it when she comes home."

Teagan set the chocolates and stuffed animals down on the desk. "Huh, it doesn't look like Javy's handwriting. Plus, why would he send you flowers, chocolates, and 'I love you, stuffed animals?"

I finally turned my attention away from my work. "What?"

Teagan showed me the card. "See for yourself."

I took the envelope from her.

The envelope read: To: Gabby

But there was nothing else. No address or sender's name. Not even a postage stamp. Nothing.

My eyes darted from the card to the flowers and back again. It wasn't too hard to figure out who sent it.

Sighing, I tossed the card into the desk drawer and moved on. "it's nothing. Why don't you keep the chocolates, and I'll just toss the flowers."

Teagan asked. "Are you sure?"

I nodded and dropped the bouquet of flowers into the trash. "Let's get back to work. We still have tons of stuff to do."

Teagan didn't move, and I wondered for a long moment if she would press on the matter. I breathed an enormous sigh of relief when she finally shrugged, and we could really move on.

The next afternoon, I arrived at the main house with Melody for another weekly family gathering. Everyone was looking forward to it and started talking about it days in advance. It was the perfect way to kick-start the weekend.

I found Mom in the kitchen after letting Melody loose in the backyard. "Need any help, Mom," I offered, washing my hands at the sink.

Mom looked up from the sandwiches she was slicing. "Love some. Are you sure you don't want to be out there with Melody?"

I took a plate from the cupboard and began placing the cut-up sandwiches. "Yeah, I'll just collect some Mommy and Me time from her after I've had some with my Mom."

Mom pulled me into a side hug. "I can never say no to a little Mommy and me time with any of my kids."

The timer went off, and I pulled away. "OK, so how about you finish the sandwiches while I pull the apple crisps from the oven and start on the salad?"

Mom agreed, handing me an apron. I felt like a little girl again, helping my Mom in the kitchen as I used to as a little girl. "So, what are your plans?"

"My plans," I asked, not sure what she was asking me.

Mom nodded. "Yeah, your plans for the upcoming holidays, not to mention Melodys' birthday, is in less than three weeks."

I stopped tossing the salad. "I haven't thought about it that much."

Mom stopped cutting the sandwiches and turned to me. "That's not like you."

I shrugged. "Yeah, a lot has happened lately. I figured we could all use a break and just keep it all simple and low-key. Maybe a trip to the local petting zoo, plus a family dinner for Melody's birthday and a simple family dinner for Thanksgiving."

Mom nodded. "And the Boltons, have you talked to them about Melody spending the Holidays here?"

I shook my head. "Nope. They actually haven't asked about Melody since before Troy lost his memory. I mean, Troy had asked about her on occasion, but that's about it."

Mom frowned in disapproval. "Didn't they nearly start a war trying to get equal time with Melody?"

"They did," I confirmed with a nod. "Now they're not asking about Melody, much less fighting for her."

Mom shook her head and shrugged. "I'm not sure I want to even know why."

"I think they're worried about whatever problem they're having affecting Melody," I guessed.

"I guess that's possible," Mom thought aloud.

I could tell she wasn't totally convinced. It didn't surprise me. One of the first things our parents ever taught us, and my siblings and I are trying to teach our kids now, is the importance of family. Nothing in my parents' books made it OK to turn your back on family.

This probably felt like they were turning their back on Melody in Mom's book. Not visiting was one thing, but to not even call or ask about her for months was probably where my parents would draw the line.

"Whatever the reason, I'm happy for the peace over the Holidays," I pointed out.

"I'm definitely not complaining," Mom agreed, plating the last of the cut-up sandwiches.

The alarm announced the front door opening, and Bridgette found us in the kitchen. "Hi, Mom, what aren't you complaining about."

"Not going to war with the Boltons over who gets Melody when over the holidays," Mom replied, hugging Bridgette. "Are the boys right behind you?"

Bridgette nodded. "Yeah, they had an emergency at the last minute. They shouldn't be long."

"Great, you girls can finish in here," Mom picked up the plate of cut-up sandwiches. "There's lemonade and juice in the fridge. You can bring it out with you along with the rest of the food."

"OK," We simultaneously agreed as Mom turned to leave.

Bridgette snuck an apple crisp when Mom was out the door. "So what can I do?"

I looked around. There wasn't much that needed to be done. Mom had pretty much already done everything when I offered to help.

"Why don't you grab the drinks," I suggested. "We can head out with the rest of the stuff once I give the salad a few more tosses."

Bridgette handed me a letter after grabbing the drinks. I froze for a moment, staring at the letter. "He begged me for a long time to give this to you."

A feeling of hesitation and dread crept in me as I reached for it. Suddenly, a scream from outside caused us both to jump. I grabbed the letter from Bridgette as Cruz came racing in.

"Bridge, Rosie's bleeding a lot," Cruz huffed out, trying to catch her breath.

I could see the instant fear in Bridgette's eyes. "Gabby, first aid kit," She instructed me, racing for the backdoor while she pulled out her phone.

Grabbing the first aid kit, I raced out behind Bridgette and Cruz. Everyone was gathered around Rowan while Bridgette quickly checked her over. I dropped to my knee beside Bridgette and placed the first aid kit beside me. Grabbing Rowan's arm, I checked for a pulse.

"Her pulse is weak," I told Bridgette as I noticed the amount of blood. My face went pale as one word came to mind. "Miscarriage."

"That's not our only problem," Bridgette stated when Antonio finally picked up.

"Babe, we just finished. I'm meeting Javy now," Antonio answered with a chirp in his voice. "We'll be there in about half an hour."

Bridgette didn't pull her attention away from Rowan. "No, don't come over. Rosie suddenly started bleeding out; send an ambulance with six packs of O- blood and three saline. Have a theater ready for an emergency cesarian and surgery in case her uterus ruptures. Or if she needs more than stitches from her head injury."

"What injuries to her head," Antonio asked, concern in his voice.

Bridgette showed me where to hold the gauze as she tied the cloth tightly around Rowan's head like a bandana. "The injuries from when she fell and hit her head."

"OK, the ambulance is on the way. I'll tell Javy, and we'll meet you out front. Keep us posted."

I kept talking to Rowan, hoping to keep her focused and calm. It seemed like a lifetime before we finally heard sirens. Bridgette worked quickly with the EMTs to stabilize Rowan and transport her to the hospital. We quickly piled into several cars and headed to the hospital behind the ambulance.

A short while later, Rowan was admitted to the maternity ward for observation. Later, we were all hanging out in Rowan's room. After a few hours, early evening was rolling around when we started to leave for the night.

I dropped by the PICU to peek in on Britton on my way out. There hadn't been much change since morning, but seeing my little girl felt good.

"Hi," A familiar voice greeted behind me.

I turned to find Troy standing there with a heart-stopping, goofy smile. I returned his smile with one of my own and a slight nod.

Shoving my hand in my pocket, I approached him. "Hi, what are you doing here?"

"I was visiting Sky," Troy said. "But after being cooped up in a room all day, I decided to walk around and stretch my legs. What about you?"

I nodded toward the babies in the PICU. "Visiting my daughter."

Troy glanced at the babies through the window for a quiet moment. "Can we maybe grab a bite together and talk?"

"Right now?"

"If you're free," He replied.

I hesitated, debating if I should. "I guess it can't hurt."

"I got it," Troy offered, giving the vendor enough money to cover both of our meals.

"You didn't have to," I started, grabbing our drinks.

He grabbed some napkins. "I know, but I wanted to. There are some empty tables."

We headed in the direction of the tables. We situated ourselves and started digging in before we started talking again. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

He took a sip of his drink. "Melody and us."

I sigh. "Troy, if this is about Melody spending the Holidays and her birthday with your family, my nonnegotiable rules still stands."

"That's part of it," He admitted. "When is Melody's birthday?"

"The week before Thanksgiving. The 18th," I answered. "If your family is really OK with seeing me, then I guess the next thing to discuss is who gets Melody and when."

Troy gave me a sheepish look. "Actually, it's only going to be me. So if your family is OK with a plus one at whatever you all had planned, it could solve all our problems."

I paused a moment. "Wait, so your parents don't want equal time with Melody anymore?"

Troy shook his head. "No."

I frowned as a feeling of emotions flooded me. "Why? They were ready to go to war just months earlier."

Troy dropped his head, avoiding my eyes. "They think you cheated on me when we were together. Now they want a DNA test to prove Melody is my daughter."

My mouth fell open in shock. It took me a moment to find my voice. "And if I don't agree to it?"

Troy shrugged. "They refuse to believe that Melody is their granddaughter, and they don't want me or any of us talking to you."

I leaned back in my chair and folded my arm across my chest. "But you are talking to me."

Troy shrugged. "I'm my own grown person. I can make my own choices, and my parents will just have to deal with it. What are they going to do? Ground me like I'm a kid."

I raised a brow at him. "OK, grown man, your parents know we're talking now about your holiday plans?"

Troy chewed on his lip, and my stomach flipped. "No. But I'm back in L.A. during November anyway. They don't have to know I'm back in town early. I figured I'd come back for Melody's birthday and show myself the day before Thanksgiving. Then I'll leave first thing the day after Thanksgiving."

I stood to leave, rolling my eyes in disapproval. "If you're planning to come back for the Holidays. You should be spending it with your family."

I started to leave, but Troy pulled me to a stop. "You are my family, too, Gabby. You and Melody."

I turned around, and we were so close I could feel his hot breath on my skin. A feeling of warmth hit me, and I felt my anger melting away. "That's why I'm splitting my time between both my families."

My mouth opened a little as I searched his eyes. "You believe me, and not your parents about Melody? Why?"

"Because you've been nothing but kind to my family and our friends," He explained. "You gave a new meaning to the phrase killing someone with kindness. And your kindness and true concern for us showed through in everything you did. I'm choosing to believe that the kind of kindness you've shown my family and our friends is part of what makes you one of the most amazing people I know."

"And if you're wrong?"

He shook his head and pulled me closer to him until I was in his arms. For a moment, I struggled against his grip. I finally stopped, and our breath synced together.

Troy brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear and leaned closer to me until we were inches apart. "Not possible. I love you, Gabriella. The thing I love best about you is your kind nature."

My breath hitched in my throat, and my world stopped momentarily. "I have to go."

I tried making a quick escape, but Troy wouldn't let go. Struggling against his grip only made things worse. "Gabby, stop."

"Then you let go," I told him.

"I already let go once, and that was a mistake," He replied. "I'm not making the same mistake."

I could see the fire and determination in his eyes. "Your family will never approve of us being together."

"Give them some time," Troy replied. "They'll see the truth."

I sighed. "And if they don't?"

"Then we'll help them see," He replied. "Just like how you help me see true you."

I finally relaxed in his arms, and he leaned in and gently kissed my lips for the first time in three years. It felt like no time had passed between us.

Leaning my head against his, I whispered. "I love you, Wildcat."

He smiled at my words. "I love you more," He whispered, pulling me in for another kiss.

It was with much more passion this time, and neither of us pulled apart until we needed air. Our breaths were heavy as we rested our foreheads on each other with a bright smile. Looking into Troy's eyes filled with so much love, I knew this was where I wanted to be.