If you have not read Nurse Montez – this is the sequel and picks up two months later. Go back and read that one first! I hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 1 – North Carolina
Thursday, July 7th, 2022
Gabi's POV
I took a sip of coffee as my eyes settled on the ocean waves rolling into the shore as Troy was coming back today from Boston with Claire in tow. This was our last weekend in North Carolina for the summer and I was so bummed about it, but I was also ready to be back in Boston for a little bit. My eyes glanced down at my wedding ring and my engagement ring on my left hand. I had my annual OBGYN appointment this afternoon and I already felt my belly stir with unease. On our two-month wedding anniversary non the less.
Troy and I started trying for a baby in February.
It's almost been six months and haunting conversations from past OBs echoed in my ears.
You might have infertility. You'll never know for sure until you start trying. I wouldn't panic until then.
It made me nauseated just thinking about it. I learned this after I left for college. It was never a known fact if it was true or not but everything inside of me told me it was true. The fact that Troy and I have sex like absolute bunnies, and we couldn't get pregnant? I shook my head as I took another sip of coffee. I relaxed my body as I thought about the negative pregnancy test last night. Troy never asked and I never told. It wasn't out of fact that he didn't think I wasn't doing it, or he wasn't naïve about it. I think he knew I would just surprise him.
I wanted to surprise him.
A sigh tumbled out of my lips as Ember was snoozing at my feet and I got up as she came with me. I walked inside and my eyes landed on the photo of Troy and I in Italy on our honeymoon. We were both grinning at the camera while we stood in front of the Vatican. I smiled as the entire month of May we were in Italy, and it truly was one of the best months of my life. Troy was ready to be home by the very end to spend it with Claire. He missed Claire.
We spent most of our days by the pool or by the beach unless Troy was traveling for work related things. Since winning the Super Bowl he had been in high demand. I was busy working overtime on The Sunshine Pact as we had expanded down the coast from Boston all the way to Wilmington. All of the big children's hospitals along the way. I went to the bedroom as I got ready pulling on a pair of shorts and a tank top. I patted Ember on the top of her head as I fed her a treat before locking up the house.
My phone pinged as Troy sent me a text message with a photo of him and Claire getting on the plane. I smiled as I hearted it, and I couldn't wait to see both of them. Troy had spent more time in Boston in late June than at the beach house, but every weekend was here. I wasn't ready to leave yet but I knew it was time. My phone buzzed again as I got a photo of Scarlett and Daxon who were holding their baby boy. They named him Auggie, and he was born in mid-June. I smiled thinking about that handsome little man.
It made my heart want a baby more though. I never told Troy about the conversation I had with my OB at 19 years old when she noticed something. I shoved in an IUD because I had terrible periods and that was probably a reason why. I swallowed because I read many stories where it wasn't a problem. I navigated my car to a specialist that I had seen once before back when I was getting ready to graduate college. I just wanted to make sure, and she agreed with the first diagnosis but squeezed my hand and said that to come to her when I was ready.
My painful periods did return, and Troy knew that I had them back in high school. He noticed that after I got my IUD out that they had returned. His eyes were always so panicked when he saw me struggling with them, but he was always the best about it. I inhaled as I luckily had really irregular periods and they typically didn't come around every month – good or bad. I pulled into the parking lot, and I locked the car as I ducked my head. Troy and I were a hot topic as he had gotten married so quickly after his divorce, but we didn't care. It just caused us to get more attention places.
I navigated to the top floor of the building and walked in when I came face to face with a pregnant woman. I swallowed and smiled as she gave a smile back. I signed in and handed over my insurance card as I knew I would have to tell Troy probably tonight before he got the EOB of my visit. They went to his email because it was his insurance. I also wanted to tell him. I didn't want to do this alone anymore, but I was hoping that it was just going to happen. The panic spread because I never thought about if he hated me because of this. I know how much Troy Bolton wants a child.
A child with me.
I shook my head of the thoughts, and it wasn't long before my name was called back. They took me back, weighed me, and settled me into a room where I stripped of my clothes, hid my underwear, and settled on the table with the blanket over my lap. I exhaled as I played with the ring on my finger as I had to fill out new paperwork and it always shocked me when I wrote Bolton. 17-year-old me knew that it was going to happen. 21-year-old me never thought it would.
A knock came at the door and Dr. Reagan Miller walked in with her hair pinned high and a smile on her face. "Hi Gabi, how are you?" I smiled with a nod, "I'm okay. I've been busy." She laughed as I came in about every two years, but we never spoke of the condition again since my IUD really controlled my symptoms. "I heard the news from the actual news – that you got married!" I nodded with a big smile, an authentic smile, on my face. "I did. The most amazing man," I said with a sigh, and she laughed. "One of the most famous men." She quirked an eyebrow and I grinned.
"How are you feeling?" she asked as she sat down, and I let out a long exhale of air and my eyes teared up because I knew what she was asking. "We've been trying since February." I told her honestly and she gave me that sympathetic smile and she squeezed my knee gently. "I'm sorry," her words were above a whisper, and I swiped at my tears that were leaking from my eyes. "I haven't told him yet. I haven't told him that I might not be able to have kids." I choked on the words as Dr. Miller handed me a tissue.
"Now, we never said you couldn't have kids. It's just going to be harder than most. You have PCOS. This isn't a death sentence on having babies. You just are going to need medication – especially with how severe yours is. Your ovaries have cysts lining them up and down. How many periods have you had since we took out the IUD? You had that done in Boston?" I nodded my head as I regained control of myself. "Yea, I've had two and each of them are absolutely terrible."
"Did your IUD help?" I nodded my head, "A lot." She smiled with a nod as she looked at me. "You are going to have a child. We just have to do a bunch of tests and a lab will be involved and you might want to tell that beautiful husband of yours." I laughed as she smiled at the sound. She had me lean back and did my exam. "All of that looks good. We are going to do an ultrasound of your ovaries. I will then be back, and we can talk about further options." I agreed as she walked out, and I stared at the ceiling as I tried to relax as they had to do a transvaginal ultrasound. The sonographer came in and it only took about ten minutes before she gave me a patient smile and walked back out.
Once the sonographer left I pulled on my shorts and settled back on the table with my legs dangling off.
I waited fifteen more minutes before Dr. Miller walked in. "Your ovaries are still filled with cysts," she told me with a light sigh, and I nodded because I know. "Your uterus looks good. Did you have a recent period? Your lining is on the thinner side," I nodded my head towards her. "Two weeks ago. It was…it was bad." I told her honestly as I swallowed on the vomit just thinking about it. "I'm so sorry, Gabi. I wish I had all the answers, but you have a clean diet, you have a healthy weight, and we know it's the cysts that are causing a lot of problems." I just nodded in understanding as she pulled out a notepad that was already full of notes.
"I have a couple of things. First, we can just go straight to IVF." I swallowed on that thought because it wasn't money that was a problem. Just not how I wanted to have a baby. Yet, if it came down to it that would be the way I would go to have a baby with him. She stared at me for a moment and when I didn't say anything she continued on. "We could do medication. Clomid could help induce ovulation and you can do it the old fashion way. The problem with this – we have to wait for your period to come back again. We could put you back on the pill birth control to induce your period or try and induce your period." I nodded in understanding as that would give a timeline.
"We could also do surgery to help get rid of some of the cysts. This could restore some of your fertility." I hesitated because I knew that surgery came with risks. "If we go in there and see something I don't love then I will not continue further. I will not put your life at risk or further worsen the situation. I've done this before, and I've specialized in this surgery." I nodded as I inhaled deeply. "Or we can combine some things here. We can do the surgery and once you are recovered, we can put you on birth control to help induce a period. You do Clomid and then go from there." I just nodded as she explained everything in further detail about how it would work.
She probably noticed I was beginning to get overwhelmed, and she put her hand on my hand. "Go home and talk to your husband. See what he thinks. This is a big step in your relationship, and we will get you that baby, Gabi. I can promise you that much." I thanked her as she gave me the folder with all the notes. My phone buzzed again, and I knew Troy must have landed. It wasn't a long private flight. I walked out of the building as I nibbled on my finger.
My phone rang and I picked it up as I answered, "Hi," I greeted with some cheer as I didn't want him to pick up that something was wrong. "What's wrong?" was the first words out of his mouth and I sighed because I should have known it was useless. I hesitated because I didn't want to start something. "I'm fine, I am just…" I swallowed and took a deep breath while I rubbed my eyes. "El," his voice was soft. "I just need to have a conversation tonight with a glass of wine." I told him.
"This doesn't sound good. Gabi, you are making me anxious." I gave a brief smile and I nodded, "I am physically fine. I am just…deep in thought but I want to enjoy the evening with my husband and my stepdaughter. Once my favorite stepdaughter goes to bed I want to curl up on the outdoor bed with my husband with a glass of wine." Troy sighed and I knew he was going to give it up for now, but I would not be going to bed without telling him everything.
"Okay, we'll be home in about thirty minutes."
"I'll see you then."
"El, I love you,"
"I love you, too." I whispered to him, and I hung up the phone as I called my mom. She was truly one of the only people who knew. "Hey sweetie, are you and Troy still bringing Claire over for dinner tomorrow?" I smiled, "Yea, we are."
"What's wrong? Are you okay?" I smiled with a tiny nod, "Yea, I just…I left my OB." My mom didn't say anything for a moment. "Oh sweetie, I'm sorry. I wondered if you and Troy were starting to try or not. I'm assuming it's not going well." I shook my head, "He doesn't even know." I told my mom honestly. She paused, "Gabriella, you haven't even told him you have a condition that could cause and sound like it is causing infertility?" I didn't say anything.
"No, I honestly didn't think too much of it. All of the OBs I've seen said I could still probably have kids, but it might take medication and what not. I just…I didn't want him to reject me because of my ovaries." My mom just laughed, "Are you serious? That man would love you if you lost both of your ovaries and your uterus. Gabi. He doesn't care and you should have told him sooner." I knew that but I also never wanted too. I wanted to see without him worrying all the time.
That was my bad, but I didn't worry either. I'm honestly still not worried but probably because I've had years to know that I probably will need help getting pregnant. Troy will worry and Troy will stress about it when it was the last thing I wanted to do. "I know, I am going to tell him tonight. If I show up at the house don't be surprised."
"Gabi," her voice was sharp. "That man loves you. Do not doubt that for a second. He will take you to bed and love you." I sighed because she was right, and I knew that. Again, I wasn't worried. "He is heading back to the house, and I was presented options. I have a better picture and we can do another appointment before the season starts and make decisions."
"Do not be surprised if he is mad at you but he won't let you walk away."
"I know," I told her. "I am just scared he is going to go overboard with all of this. We both agreed we were going to try and then he's never really said anything again. We both said what happens, happens. I wanted to surprise him with a positive test." I couldn't stop the tears at what I was probably giving up. I was giving up the idea of the surprise. "Gabi, just talk to him." I nodded as I ended the phone conversation as I pulled into the driveway.
Troy and Claire were pulling in right behind me as I flipped the folder over and put my sweatshirt on top as I climbed out. Claire with a head full of long hair threw herself at my legs and I smiled bending over to hug her right back. "Hi Claire, how was Boston with mommy?" I asked her and she grinned. "Good! We did so many things!" I ran my hand over her head as she was so healthy and perfect. All of her recent scans were clear, and her bone marrow was still amazing.
"Ember is waiting for you," she ran up the stairs and Troy was leaning against the car as those eyes looked at me. He could read me like a fucking book, and he walked forward in his grey golf shorts and an Adidas polo. "I don't think I can wait for tonight to know what that sad face is about because you can lie to me all you want but something is bothering you." His big hands cupped my face, and he stared down at me. "Honestly – I am okay, and I am just…missing you and Claire and yes there is something we need to talk about, but I want to spend the evening with my two favorite people first."
Troy didn't buy a damn thing from my mouth, but he kissed me softly. "I love you," he whispered to mouth. I smiled back towards him, "I love you, too. How was golf with the boys this morning?" he smiled, "Good. I won. Per normal." I shook my head with a laugh as we locked hands. We walked inside where Ember jumped on Troy, and he greeted her as I found Claire pulling on her swimsuit and making a dash for the pool.
"Pool day?" I asked with a smile.
Troy smirked, "You know I can watch you in a bikini all day."
Troy poured two glasses of wine as we did spend all night in the pool with Claire. Troy grilled for us, and we barely made it out of the pool to eat. Claire was exhausted and fell asleep right after her shower which I think was Troy's plan. I was curled up in his Alabama sweatshirt and just underwear because I got out of the shower after she was asleep. Troy had on a t-shirt with a pair of basketball shorts as he handed me a glass of wine and his eyes drifted to my pants-less legs. He climbed in behind me and I settled between his thighs.
My eyes looked up at the stars above us and I looked up at him as his eyes were down on me. "Don't torture me any longer,"
I just nodded as I took a deep breath, "When I was 19 years old – I finally looked into why my periods were so terrible. Why I had such terrible cramps and why I was miserable every time I had my period. I was over it and I was over the answers that it was just my period." Troy let his fingers touch my thigh. "The grief of losing you and my periods was too much. Mostly because you used to help so much with them and now, I was struggling on my own. It was a lot in college."
My wine glass touched my lips as I took another sip as Troy took a deep breath and I grimaced, "The OB I saw listened to me and we did a handful of tests before she sat me down and explained to me that I have polycystic ovarian syndrome." Troy shifted behind me, and I tried to avoid his gaze, but he shifted my head to look at him. "Gabi, look at me." I looked up at him and those blue eyes looked at me with a soft look. "Why haven't you told me this?" I gave a shrug, "I don't know – to be honest. After I got my IUD it helped – a ton. It helped regulate my hormones and the periods slowly went away. I don't have a ton of the symptoms you think of when it comes to PCOS. It can typically cause a lot of hair, insulin resistance, and being overweight. I don't have any of those. I do have some of the hair problems but it's mostly the cysts on my ovaries and my lack of regular periods and my hormones are out of whack."
Our eyes connected and Troy slowly nodded his head, "What are you saying, Gabi? I feel like there is a reason you are telling me today." I inhaled as I kissed his jaw. "I've had two periods since we took my IUD out."
"And I hate every single one of them." Troy interrupted and I gave a soft smile with a nod, "Same, I mean, they are less than ideal. We want a baby though so we can't have birth control messing with it." Troy nodded in understand and then it hit him as his eyes flared to mine. "Can it cause infertility?" I opened my mouth to give him an actual answer but the only thing that happened was tears formed in my eyes and my jaw clamped shut as I just nodded instead.
Those blue eyes filled with something that I couldn't name, and he took the drink out of my hand, and he pulled me into his body. "I went to my OB today because I just…I needed to know and yes; it's only been six months, but my OB says that based on the cysts that I have it will be unlikely that I ever ovulate appropriately. We could keep trying naturally but we probably wouldn't get anywhere." I didn't dare look him in the eye as I continued on speaking. "She mentioned that we could do a medicated cycle. Put me on birth control and the moment I get my period we stop it and switch to a different medication to help stimulate ovulation."
Troy stroked my skin as he didn't say anything but stare forward. "She offered that we could do a surgery. Go in and try and take off some cysts from my ovaries. It could help induce ovulation and a regular cycle." Troy tensed at the mention of surgery, and I wouldn't go further into detail about it unless it was something we were considering. "Or we could do IVF," I mentioned the last one softly and Troy exhaled as I knew he was simmering on all of this. "Why didn't you tell me?" he whispered, and I rested my head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. I listened to the waves, and I rolled my lips together trying to control my emotions. "Because I was afraid that if I couldn't have your kids, it would be the end of us." I whispered and Troy practically yanked the hair out of my head as he made me look at him.
"You're fucking joking, right?" the heat behind his eyes and the anger that simmered underneath just off of that one statement? I fucked up.
I hesitated but shook my head no, "Troy, you love Claire, and it is all you can talk about is having more kids with me. I also didn't think about it too much until you starting mentioning kids. I mean…I wondered in the back of my mind sometimes, but it might not affect everybody. It might just be certain people. Y'know? I didn't think it would be me." Troy gently gripped my face to make me look right at him. "Gabriella, you are the love of my life, and it doesn't fucking matter if we can have kids or not have kids. Yes, I want them with you. I want a lot of them with you. You matter more though." I bit down on my lip as the tears slipped down my face and Troy just wrapped me up in his arms tightly.
"I love you," he murmured into my ear. "I wish you would have told me sooner,"
I shook my head, "Honestly, when we were dating, and you were in the middle of season – I didn't think about it. I wasn't getting periods because of my IUD, and you were adamant that we were waiting until marriage. I also thought it could be possible for me to have kids. It's why I didn't say anything over the past six months, and I guess I wanted confirmation before we had this conversation. What if everything was better?"
Neither of us said anything for a while as his fingers stroked my skin. "What are you thinking?" I whispered to him after a while. He let his fingers fold into mine as my head rested back against his shoulder. My eyes peered up to look at his eyes as I could see him thinking. "If you had surgery – would this help your periods? Gabi, you break my fucking heart with every single one. I would lean that direction first to see if that could help. I'm not opposed to any of the things. This is your body that you have to put everything through. I am your number one supporter."
"It is our baby. You have a say in this. I know how much you want more kids." Troy didn't say anything because we both knew it was true. He wanted kids. My kids. "The surgery has risks. It could cause early menopause, or it could make things worse. It isn't really a first line option." I told him honestly and he huffed a bit. "I know, I know, how much you hate my periods. Once we're all done having kids, we can do a hysterectomy." Troy kissed the top of my head, and he breathed in my hair.
"Let's do medications and just induce your period and see what happens. Let's go small to big here." I turned around to face him so I could see into those eyes. "We can meet with my doctor together next time. She is based here because I found her in college. We can see if she has recommendations in Boston. This is the first time I've seen her in years." I told him honestly. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and I took a deep breath. "How mad are you at me?" I whispered to him, and he gently let his hand rub my back.
"I'm not mad. I'm just a little shocked. I don't know. I just figured this was something you would have told me a long time ago. I also understand that it wasn't a top priority especially if it was being well controlled by birth control. I am mad that you even remotely think that I wouldn't want you because of it though." I lowered my lips to his and kissed him. "I was scared. Especially when we haven't gotten pregnant yet."
"Don't you think it was something that should have been talked about before we got married?" he asked me as he pulled away so I wouldn't kiss him again. I didn't say anything because he was right. I should have. I couldn't stop the tears and he just gently wiped them away as they fell. "That's why I'm mad. I thought there was zero secrets between us?" I tried to rack my brain for any other secrets, and I couldn't deny that it was one. I went to get up, but he held onto my hips to keep me in place. "I have no other secrets." I whispered to him.
He brought our foreheads together and he let out a soft sigh as his hand went to my neck. "You didn't know in high school?" I shook my head. "It wasn't until I was 19. It is really well controlled with my IUD and seriously – when we were dating and not having kids it wasn't something I thought about. Ever."
"But when we talked about kids?"
"It was in the back of my mind, but it was never for sure thing. Yes, I should have told you. I am sorry I just…" I didn't have a good enough excuse and I never would. "I'm sorry and I understand if…" Troy covered my mouth with his hand. "Do not finish that sentence because then I'm really going to start questioning this relationship. This changes nothing for me. Nothing." Those blue eyes were steel as he wouldn't let me go. "Do you understand? Do I wish you would have told me sooner? Yes. Do I understand? Also, yes."
I exhaled deeply and I just let my head rest on his chest. His big arms held me close to him. "Nothing will stop this relationship. Plus, if I got another divorce, it would be humiliating." I couldn't stop my laugh and I felt Troy relax with the noise. I pulled back to look at him and he pulled me in for a kiss. "I love you, El. I'm sorry if you ever thought that our love hinged on us having kids. Yes, I want kids. I want to have kids with you more importantly. We will figure something out." His thumb stroked my cheek, and I kissed him softly. "Sometimes it felt like the conversations we had about kids made it felt like that, but I also know how much you love me."
"And for that I am sorry." Our eyes connected as we slowly kissed after that. Our fingers combined together. "I will always love you. We're doing this together. Medications. Testing. Surgeries. IVF. I don't care, Gabs. You and I together. Okay?" I nodded as I let my hands frame his face. "I love you," I whispered to him as I kissed him. "I love you, too. Now, what do you have Monday?" I asked him. He shook his head, "Nothing. Figured we would be heading back on Monday."
"How about we head home on Tuesday? I scheduled an appointment with my OB here and we can talk about the next steps. Plus, we see if she knows anybody in Boston that we can see there." Troy smiled with a nod as I pulled him to me again. "I love you," I whispered to him, and he just smiled before easily picking me up and taking me to the bedroom.
Friday, July 8th, 2022
Troy's POV
Claire stirred her cereal around in the bowl as she released a heavy sigh with her eyes looking up at me. "I like the beach house," she said with a pout, and I smiled, "I know. I do, too. We have to go back to Boston because it's almost time for football season." Claire just gave me that look again, and I reached across to kiss her forehead. Gabi was still asleep as I kept her up late last night. I honestly still couldn't believe she didn't tell me earlier, but I also knew Gabi worried about my mental health a lot. I also knew there was a part of her that if she didn't speak it out loud that maybe it wouldn't be true. That we would just get pregnant.
It was fair and if she truly wanted to try before intervening it was honestly probably better, I didn't know because I would constantly wonder if she was pregnant. I didn't ask about it when we were just trying, and I knew she didn't get her period every month. I saw a lot of signs. I also didn't want to stress her out and we have had a lot of fun this summer. It was more than I could ask for but probably because she was my wife.
"Do I get to travel this year?" she questioned, and I nodded my head. "Yes, you do. You'll be with Gabi most of the time." I told her as Eve, and I had worked out a pretty good schedule for this upcoming year. We were constantly making changes to ours last year but now that Claire could travel this year would be more consistent. Depending on where we traveled to, she would just be mine starting Sunday morning. If it was a long flight, I would have her Saturday night so Gabi and her could fly out on Saturday. There was only two of those games.
I would have her Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and every other week I would have her on Wednesday. It was a rotating schedule, but it should work the best. I just knew I wanted her on Sunday and Tuesday. If we played on Thursday, I was willing to forfeit that one game since we rarely played on it. Maybe once a year. We agreed with it and our holiday schedule. I would take Gabi out of town again for the bye week and Eve said she was going to take Claire out of town which made me happy for them. Claire was also going to wait another year before starting school. She was going to do a half day program for pre-school to get back in the swing of being with her peers. Eve and I sat down together and knew this were probably the absolute best option for her.
"I like going to the games with Gabi," I smiled as we finished our breakfast together as Claire wanted to go down to the beach today. Gabi's family was coming over for dinner tonight and I knew she was going to want to clean. I hated that we were leaving the beach so early but OTAs had been going on for the past couple of months and I was just flying there and back frequently and training camp started soon. I had some stuff to fly out for next week for ads and photoshoots. Gabi was going to stay here but we were meeting back up in Boston.
Now we needed to meet with fertility doctors. I hated that we couldn't do this the fun way, but I needed to find a way to make this fun. I don't want to ruin our sex life. I only did some googling after she fell asleep last night and then again when I got up this morning. She was right. She didn't have any of the classic symptoms but the painful periods. Her last one I wanted to take her to the hospital. I wanted to do more for her as she was curled up in our bed in tears.
Luckily, Claire wasn't around for either of them as she was with Eve. I was able to focus all of my attention on Gabi. I kissed Claire's cheek as I turned on the TV as I went upstairs to get Gabi or at least see what she wanted to do. I walked in the room as she was on her phone. I crawled across the bed, and she put her phone down and I smiled as she was still naked under that sheet. "Good morning," I whispered to her, and she gave a small smile. "Good morning," our lips connected as she held my head there.
"Claire wants to go down to the beach today. I know your family is coming over tonight but…" she shook her head. "I'll go to the beach. I can text my family and let them know that's what we're doing, and they can come over whenever. Claire is sad about leaving – isn't she?" I nodded my head. "That she is. I mean – I'm sad. I got to marry you here and we had a lot of good times here, but Boston is waiting for us." I stroked her skin and she sighed because I knew how much she loved being back. She worked really closely with our children's hospital in North Carolina and now The Sunshine Pact was in two locations. She had more business meetings than I had, and the non-profit was expanding. Quickly.
She still refused to accept any money from me personally and as much as it frustrates me, I respect her. I wanted her to feel like she was doing her own thing and she was. I kissed her cheek, then her lips, and then down to her sternum. I let my lips rest on her neck as she exhaled heavily. "Any more thoughts about what we talked about last night?" she asked, and I pulled back to look at her to see her chewing on that bottom lip. I took my thumb as I gently pulled it out before pressing a kiss there and pulling back to hover over top of her. "That you most likely were trying to keep my own anxiety from flaring up with worry about trying for a baby and quite possibly your own anxiety."
Those brown eyes went wide, and she started to deny it. "El, no. It's okay. The first six months change nothing because we probably still would have tried on our own and that way only one of us was anxious about it and we still had really good sex without any pressure." I pulled that bottom lip back out again and she sighed, "I wasn't even that anxious about it. I just kept it in the back of my mind as the months went by that it could be a possibility, but I tried not to stress about it. I just wanted to have a fun summer with you."
A smile pulled on my lips as I dropped my lips to hers again. "It was a fun summer." I murmured which caused her to laugh. "Did you ever take a pregnancy test?" I asked her with curiosity. "Every month when I missed my period. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't pregnant for clarity purpose. I was never upset about it. I just wanted to make sure." Those brown eyes stared at me as I let my thumb stroke her cheek.
Those teeth went back to her lip, and I pulled it out again, "Stop worrying. I'm not mad, El. I understand and I can't wait to do this with you. We are going to do this together and we'll be standing side by side through the whole thing – understand?" she nodded her head, and I kissed her again. "I love you; nothing changes that. Yea?" I whispered and she inhaled my words before kissing me back. "Yea,"
Gabi's POV
I sat in the shade underneath of the umbrella while I held little Auggie against my chest as he snoozed. My eyes looked up as my entire family was able to come here today along with Troy's family for one last shindig before Troy had to report back for training camp. Sophia was even off for the week from PA school as they didn't get very many breaks. My eyes watched as Lucas grinned over at her as they were splashing in the waves together as they had been a thing all summer long without ever putting a title on it. I don't care what either of them said – they liked each other. I watched how he looked at my sister and it was awful familiar to how his brother looked at me.
To say my dad was thrilled with the age gap between the two of them would be an understatement but my dad knew the Bolton family. He knew that if Luke Bolton loved my sister or even remotely had feelings for her my dad knew that she would be taken care of. That was about her only saving grace. I wasn't sure what would happen when the season came back into full swing, and she was in full-time school, but I knew if they liked each other it would last. Layla and Gianna were laughing with Gianna's boyfriend, Mick. Scarlett and Daxon were upstairs sleeping as they both looked like they were going to fall over which left me to take care of Auggie. Not that I was complaining.
My parents are inside starting dinner as Troy was firing up the grill. Troy's parents were playing with Claire and Bethany as they ran around on the beach giggling up a storm. Luke pulled at Sophia as he wrapped her up in his embrace. They had recently just started to share their relationship with Bethany, and I think they were both really grateful they could. I'm pretty sure their whole relationship started when we got engaged but they wouldn't say that. My eyes peered down at Auggie as he was only in a little onesie but curled against me as I felt my heart flutter because I did want a baby and I wanted one with Troy. I just hated that it was going to take so much more work.
Tears filled my eyes while I held him and kissed the top of his little head. "Gabi, dear, why the tears?" Sara Bolton settled next to me as she peered at my nephew with a smile. Probably wondering when she was going to get another grandchild. I wiped at my eyes as I inhaled, "Troy and I recently found out it's probably going to be not the easiest to have babies the normal way." I told her with a grim smile. "In college I was diagnosed with PCOS and I just…I never thought it would be us that had problems but after six months and no babies…"
Sara gently gripped my arm, and she squeezed it. "I'm so sorry, Gabi." I gave her a smile, "I want to have a baby with Troy and so just holding Auggie makes me long for it. Troy just found out about it yesterday so it's fresh."
"How did he handle that?" she asked with curiosity. "Better than he probably should have. I've known since I was 19 that I had PCOS, but I was really hoping it wouldn't affect my abilities to have children. It was well controlled with my IUD and when it was removed it took a few months before my period came back and then when it did it came back with a vengeance. It drops Troy to his knees and I'm pretty sure he would forfeit kids if I could get rid of my period."
A laugh echoed out of Sara's mouth as she squeezed my arm gently. "That boy – he can't handle you in any sort of distress." I smiled as I looked down at Auggie who stretched out and wiggled against my chest. I kissed his little head and breathed in that fresh baby scent as Sara smiled. "You are going to be a good mama, just have faith, okay? Know that you have me in your corner. Always." I squeezed her hand. "Thank you, Sara."
"Thank you for loving my boy,"
"What in the world is your oldest son doing with my sister?" I asked her and Sara let out a loud laugh. "Honey, I never know what in the world Lucas is doing but he seems smitten with her." I shook my head with a smile on my face. "I told him to be careful, but I see that look in his eyes. I see the same look in his brothers' eyes towards me." She smiled, "I told him he was in trouble." We both shared a laugh as we sat and chatted for a while longer until we both decided to come back towards the house to help with dinner. Auggie was probably getting hungry, too.
Troy's POV
Claire rested on my lap as we were all around the fire after dinner, but she was nearly asleep from a long day running around the beach. Bethany was asleep on Lucas's lap as his hand was firmly in Sophia's hand as I really needed to question him about that relationship. He had talked to me about it, and I honestly didn't care but I didn't want there to be any more bad blood between our families caused by the two of us.
Gabi was cleaning up with Layla and Scarlett as Auggie was somewhere in the middle of the group. The chair shifted next to me, and my mom planted herself down with a smile on her face. "Hi sweetie, you ready to embark on another football season?" I nodded, "I am. I have a busy week next week in LA for a few days and I wanted Gabi to go but she has a full calendar in Boston." My mom laughed, "That girl is always so busy. I just love her passion for The Sunshine Pact."
A smile placed over my lips as I thought about her. "Yea, I love that girl." My mom peered over at Claire as she brushed her hair away from her face before squeezing my shoulder. "She told me about your conversation yesterday." I rolled my lips together as I nodded my head as I looked at my mom with a shrug. "Not the best of news I got yesterday but it is what it is. I hate it for her more than anything. I also feel bad because I did mention a ton about having kids together and if it isn't in the cards then I don't want her ever doubting that just having her is enough for me."
"Oh Troy Bolton, I should have known you weren't upset because of what this future could entail but about how she might feel. You get to have emotions about this." I looked over at my mom as I shrugged, "I don't know, right now. I was mad that she ever thought that I wouldn't love her because of it but I'm honestly glad she has a reason as to why her periods literally bring her to tears in the fetal position in our bed. That is what I am happy about because I couldn't handle if it was just because."
My mom kissed my head and she smiled, "You are a good husband,"
"I think Eve disagrees," a laugh echoed out of my mom's mouth, and she shook her head with a smile. "I think she would, too. I also think she would say she wasn't a very good wife to you as well. You are meant to be with the people you are meant to be with." I gave my mom a smile as she patted my cheek gently. "You can call me any time if you just need to talk, Troy. This road may not be the easiest for either of you."
I smiled, "I know. You know you will forever be my first phone call."
"I think she only told me because I caught her crying as she held Auggie on the beach. I asked her what was wrong, and she told me." My heart shattered in my chest because I should have known this was harder on her than she was letting on. I started to stand up when my mom gently pushed me back into the chair. "Leave her alone. I think it was just because it all kind of set in that this journey will not be easy for either of you or she was holding a baby that she wants to give you."
"No," my voice was hoarse with the words. "No, she can't think that. If we're doing this, it's because she wants to have a baby just as much for herself. She isn't doing this for me." My mom just smiled as she kissed Claire's head. "That is a conversation between the two of you, but she also wants you happy."
"I am happy." I told my mom and she smiled with a tiny nod, "I know you are. For the first time in nine years." We shared a smile as she got up to leave as she went to harass Gianna and Mick. She was happy that all of us seemed to be in somewhat in a relationship. I stood up with Claire as I took her upstairs and Lucas followed me as the girls were staying together tonight. We walked through the house as I always loved that my brother and I had girls a year apart from each other.
Neither were planned but both were loved.
We deposited both girls into Claire's bed as we tucked them in as Lucas smiled. "God, I love them." He dropped to kiss Bethany's head as I kissed Claire. We started to walk out, and he headed for the stairs when I pulled him back. "What's going on with you and Soph?" I asked and Lucas shrugged his shoulders. "We're having fun, does it matter beyond that?"
"You are doing it in front of everybody. I just…our families are friends, and I don't need another family feud among us." I said which caused Lucas to roll his eyes. "Sophia is a big girl and can make her own choices. I know that we're forever family but we're having a lot of fun and maybe I like her more than I like most girls. We're not rushing anything." He said with a shrug, and I just nodded, "Just know that she's going to be the hardest one to let go."
"She isn't Gabi,"
"No, but they all love the same."
Lucas went to protest but I shook my head, "Don't argue. You know it. You know you have more feelings than you think you have for her." Lucas didn't say anything and smirked, "Yea, I wouldn't have let Bethany in on the secret if it wasn't for that part." I pushed him and he laughed as we headed back downstairs. I caught sight of Gabi, and I went to her next as I walked up behind her and kissed the top of her head. She leaned back into my body, and I gave a smile. "You need any help?"
She shook her head, "No. We're almost done. Want a drink?" I shook my head. "No, my mom told me that you were upset earlier today." Gabi cursed and turned to try and spot my mom in the crowd, but I pulled her attention back to me. I pulled her into the living room away from everybody as I cupped her face. "Gabi, together. We're in this together. All emotions, all moments, together. Understood? Are you okay?" she nodded her head. "I'm fine. I was just holding Auggie, and it all became…a lot. Just thinking about how our future is going to be…not exactly what we wanted."
"When has our future been exactly what we wanted? It's always been exactly the opposite. Nothing new here." I hugged her tightly as I kissed her forehead, and I dragged her outside. I pulled her down onto my lap as we all sat around the fire together. "Troy, are you all going to make another super bowl run?"
"Damn straight, best game of my life." I tugged Gabi closer to me and she just laughed as our fingers locked together. "Honestly, agreed." Luke said. "Are you guys looking forward to going back to Boston?" Layla asked and Gabi grunted in my lap as I laughed. "I think somebody fell back in love with North Carolina. I don't think either of my girls want to leave honestly." Gabi nodded against my chest as she sat up and looked at me. "It's been fun being out here. Probably because there has been a lot of good memories now."
"A proposal, a wedding, and a summer under the sun? What isn't there to enjoy?" Ruthie said with a wink as I squeezed Gabi's knee. "It's been fun but time to go back to the real world. I know Viv and Wren miss you." Gabi smiled with a grin, "I do have a ton of business meetings to get back to. The Sunshine Pact is probably expanding to another hospital within the next month."
"Which one?" Gabi smirked, "To be revealed, soon. Not all of the paperwork has been signed yet and I don't want to jinx it." The fire crackled around us as we all talked for a while longer and before I knew it, I had another girl asleep in my lap. Her head was on my shoulder as her dad chuckled, "She's exhausted." I said with a laugh. "She has been so busy lately. I try to get lunch with her all the time, and she tells me that she has a meeting here, Claire here, etc."
"I know. You should see me trying to get on that schedule." The group laughed as I kissed her hair and closed my eyes for a moment thankful that we had this. My eyes took in the rings on her finger, and I was glad we had this time together in North Carolina because I finally felt like we had our footing into the ground. I wasn't looking forward to Monday. I wasn't looking forward to a period of any kind for her again. They seriously brought me to my knees.
The parents all started to head out as I thanked all of them. Gigi and Mick were both heading for a spare room as I shot Mick a warning glare as he smirked as he wasn't scared of me anymore, but he was a good dude. Scarlett and Daxon left a while ago with a grumpy Auggie. Layla was heading out with her parents as that left Lucas, Sophie, and Gabi. I ran my fingers through her hair as I shot both of them a look. "Soph, I don't care that he's, my brother. If he ever fucks up, you tell me."
Sophie laughed, "I will. Gabi will be the first phone call. She knows how to handle you Bolton men," I rubbed my chest as if I was wounded, "Ouch, Soph, you make it sound like she is my handler."
"She is," she deadpanned, and we all laughed as I looked down at her again. "She can be whatever,"
"Ugh, fuck, Soph, we got to go before I get sick." We all laughed again as they headed for the other spare room as I lifted Gabi up and I took her upstairs. I laid her in bed, kissed her forehead, and then went downstairs to take care of the fire and finish cleaning up. North Carolina this summer had been everything and more, but I felt my stomach twist with the nerves of what was to come. I had a big season on my shoulders to make sure we didn't become a one-peat wonder, especially after the contract I signed. Gabi and I were going to dive into infertility world. Claire has one last year of no school, but she was going to have a pre-school three times a week at home to make sure she was ready for kindergarten next year.
It was going to be a crazy year, but I was ready.
WELL, HELLO Everybody! Welcome back! I sure hope all of you enjoyed this first chapter and seriously – I cannot wait for you to see this journey unfold for them. The love they have for each other? It's unmatched. I love them so much. I hope you all enjoyed! Let me know your thoughts and feelings. I am sliding this update in her earlier because I work all weekend and I couldn't wait to share this story anymore!
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Next Update: May 7th