Chapter 9 – Transfer
Thursday, September 15th, 2022
Gabi's POV
I took my meds as I was on a shit ton in preparation for my transfer in the next couple of weeks. Troy was on the phone with somebody as tonight was our first night without Claire this week and I wanted Troy Bolton. I needed Troy Bolton in a way that he hadn't been able to fulfill in weeks. My period had started at the worst time and then we had Claire, he was busy with practice, and I needed him. Once I finished all of my meds, I finished recording, and I went over as I slipped my arm around his waist. His fingers gripped my wrist as we already ate dinner together.
My fingers slipped into the waistband of his joggers and his whole body clenched in response, but his voice never wavered. "Yea, we can talk about this tomorrow. Right?" my hand wrapped around him, and he bit down on his lip as he listened to whoever was on the other end of the line. "Coach, I will be ready for our meeting tomorrow. I have to go." Troy hung up the phone and it clattered against the counter. "El," he picked me up and I squealed with laughter as he put me on the counter and wedged between my legs. "What are you doing?" he murmured as he kissed on my neck, and I couldn't stop my giggle.
"I am telling my husband that he needs to fuck me before I combust." Troy groaned as he found my mouth and went to town. I wrapped my legs around his waist, and he picked me up and took me to our bedroom. He laid me flat against the bed as he broke the kiss as he moved down my body. He pushed up on my shirt and tossed it to the side. He wrapped his mouth around my nipples through my bra as I arched up into him. "Shh…I got you, baby." he whispered as he went to the other side. He reached behind me to pushed off the bralette before moving down my body. He pulled on my shorts and dragged my underwear with it.
"I missed you," he whispered into my skin as he spread my thighs. "I missed you, more." His 5'oclock shadow rubbed against my inner thighs. It felt so damn good, and I couldn't help but lift my hips in response with him. "As much as I want you to go down on me, I need you." Troy moved up to my mouth again, "I am going to take you several ways. You want to start that way?" I nodded my head and Troy kissed me again. He slowed it down and he started working my body. Once he felt like I was ready, he easily slipped inside, and I closed my eyes. "Troy," I whimpered his name, and he kissed the side of my neck.
He moved my leg to get a deeper position and I let him. I needed him to feel in control of something and this was the thing I could give him. He worked me in this position until he moved me. He sat back against the headboard, and I straddled his lap. His blue eyes dilated, and lust filled them as he watched every inch of him disappear into me with my control. His head hit the back of the headboard and he groaned, "Fuck, Gabi, it's been too long. I am going to lose it. It's been too long." I couldn't help but laugh as I kissed him to take his mind off of it. I moved my hips in a rhythmic motion as this connection was something I missed.
I missed this.
I missed these quiet times together.
I missed the connection that we both felt so deep.
He reached down and I gasped as my mouth opened against his as it took just two little flicks before I lost all control and Troy wasn't far behind. I let my body fall against his body and he wrapped me up against him. His mouth pressing onto my neck. "Hi, you beautiful girl, we should never go that long again." I couldn't stop my laugh as my eyes were already heavy, but I knew that Troy wanted to spend more time together. His hand stroked my hair as he easily slipped out of me and rolled out of bed to grab a washcloth. I pouted as he just laughed and gently cleaned me up. I got out of bed to go to the bathroom before I crawled back into bed with him.
My arms wrapped around his stomach as he closed his eyes, "We needed that."
"We did. Nothing is off limits until our transfer in a few weeks." I kissed the back of his shoulder where his quote tattoo was. "I know, then another two weeks, but hopefully after that…" I couldn't stop my smile as I kissed the back of his shoulder again. He turned over and his chin rested on my shoulder. His fingers brushing against my cheek as he smiled. "I love you," he whispered, and I shook my head, "I think you are sucking up." I told him and he chuckled, "You started this. I am just trying to keep you awake long enough so we can go round two."
I folded my fingers into his as I pulled his knuckles to my mouth to press a kiss against them. "How about tomorrow morning?" I whispered and those blue eyes gave a soft laugh. "I have to be at the facility at seven." I pouted at his words, and he dropped his mouth to mine. "No pouting. I'll be home by three since we are starting early."
"You leave Saturday."
"You leave Sunday."
"You won't be in my bed tomorrow."
He ghosted a smile over my mouth, "You're right. I have no rebuttal to that. I would much rather share a bed with you."
"Are you ready for this weekend?" Troy nodded his head as he laid next to me, and I curled into his body. "Always. I feel like I spend so much time on everything, but I am so prepared every weekend though." Our fingers interlocked together as he let them rest over my stomach. "You work so hard, I admire you." Troy laughed and he nodded, "The bank account for working that hard is helpful. "I smiled as my lips pressed over his shoulder. "How is that shoulder?" I murmured. "Good, why?" he asked peering at me, "I am just making sure you are 100% good to go for a long season."
"Are you worried about me?" he teased as he tickled my side. "Yes, I am worried that you are going to be a one hit wonder." Troy let out a laugh as he rolled me onto my back and kissed me, "Gabriella," I couldn't stop my laugh as I tilted my head back and tried to wiggle away from him. "Troy," he gripped me and tickled me harder as I couldn't stop my laugh. "Only worried about that money," he teased me, and I couldn't stop my laugh as I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I am teasing!" I laughed as I wiggled further and further away from him, but he had my body pinned to the mattress.
"Teasing? I'll remember that." We both laughed as his mouth found mine again and I let my fingers run through his hair as I tried to catch my breath. "I love you," I murmured, "I was seriously just asking after how you felt a little rough earlier this summer," Troy tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and smiled shaking his head. "I love you," he tickled me again and I laughed as I kicked him which only caused him to laugh harder as I rolled away this time, but those large paws were too fast and wrapped me up. "No, no, Mrs. Bolton. Get back here." His lips pressed below my ear as he rolled in behind me and his arms circled my body. "No more tickling," he just chuckled as he kissed my temple. "Fine, but I win."
I gasped as I looked back at him, "You cheated!"
"How?" he asked with a laugh, "You used your body weight! You are like twice my size!" Troy just laughed shaking his head, "I am not twice your size." I shot him a glare and he just chuckled, "Fine, I had an advantage. We'll split the point." I just shook my head with a laugh as I felt his smile against my skin. "Fine," I whispered back as if I could ever argue with him. His chuckle vibrated my back and I held onto him. Tonight, was good.
Troy's POV
Saturday, September 17th, 2022
The plane was humming beneath us as I was focusing on my notes for this weekend. The chair next to me moved and I glanced over to see Hanson, "Hey, how is Gabi?" he asked, "Good, really good. We're both doing better right now as we're just waiting for the next thing. She's on a bunch of medications and we have some appointments coming up, but it's been relaxed. Not as stressful as the retrieval." Hanson smiled, "Good, I am glad things are going well at the moment. Do you know when you are going to be able to do a transfer?"
Bless Hanson, he has listened to me talk about this so much recently that he was picking up on all the lingo. "Hopefully by the end of the month," I spoke honestly. "It's the hope as long as everything continues to look good." Hanson smiled, "You both deserve it. It's been a battle." I laughed as I shut my notebook, "Our whole relationship has been a battle from the very beginning." Hanson just laughed as he leaned back in the seat, "Do you know what you are going to have? Boy? Girl?" I shook my head, "No, she doesn't want to know the entire pregnancy. She told me we aren't allowed to have anything like a normal couple. We know the exact day that we will be pregnant and there will be no surprise. She wants one surprise."
Hanson smiled, "I like that. You guys are going to be amazing parents. You are already amazing to Claire," I smiled thinking of my little girl as I tapped my iPhone screen and her and a picture of Gabi as they were wrapped up together popped up. My heart always warmed at that picture as they were both grinning at the camera. "She's going to be an amazing mother; I have zero doubts about it." Hanson chuckled as we started to run through some plays and talk through different scenarios of the game tomorrow. "Is Claire coming?" he asked after a bit, "Yes, she is riding with Gabi."
"From two years ago to now your life is so damn different." I shot him a grin, "For the better." Hanson just laughed, "You were so miserable. I just wonder what you would have been like in college if it wasn't for Eve." Hanson said and I shrugged as I took a breath, "I probably would have done a lot better a lot faster. I probably would have been more relaxed. I probably would have won an extra Naty," Hanson laughed with a shake of his head, and he nodded, "Gabi does relax you, how are your panic attacks and anxiety?" I shifted as I was trying to be more open about it, but it wasn't my favorite thing to talk about.
"It's been okay. My anxiety has been a bit up there recently with all of the stuff going on with Gabi. I am trying to keep it at bay, talk to my psychologist, and work through it every day. It's been better recently though. I haven't had a bad panic attack since Claire."
"Do you have scans again soon?" I grumbled and nodded my head, "Yea, I am dreading it. I am dreading every single minute of it. Plus, I feel so shitty with everything with Gabi. I can do nothing but be there right next to her. I would love to do more. To take some of this load from her but I can't. It pisses me off and it gives me anxiety that I can't do more." Hanson frowned as he looked at me, "Troy, you are doing absolutely everything you can for her. You are probably doing more than most husbands. You don't let her do anything alone and you by her side? That's what she needs from you." I looked out the plane window as my jaw worked back and forth as I lifted my hat off my head and brushed my hand through my hair. "I just want to take the burden off of her. I am so scared that she is going to put so much pressure on herself with this first transfer that it's going to go sideways, and I have no idea how she is going to handle that."
"You will handle it as it comes." Hanson reminded me, "Gabi is going to handle everything like a champ that she is. She is going to surprise you most likely. She wants to give you a baby. She wants to have a baby. I think she is going to do what she needs to do for it, and she just needs you by her side." I swallowed as I glanced over at him. "I just hope that I get to be there for her when she needs it. That football doesn't take me away. I love my job, I love my family, but sometimes they don't allow for both." Hanson rubbed my shoulder and nodded, "You will figure it out. You made it work when she needed you during training camp and pre-season."
"I just hope that the timing works out like that." Hanson nodded in agreement as I blinked my eyes a few times and exhaled. I scrubbed my face before Hanson dragged me into a different conversation and it wasn't long before we were landing. I was itching to call Gabi and talked to her. We got on the bus in Pittsburg as I climbed towards my typical seat as I dug out my cell phone and I shot Gabi a text message.
Troy: Miss you.
The sun was still shining as we pulled into the hotel as we had a meeting in an hour over dinner. I climbed off the bus and pulled my backpack over my shoulder while also carrying my expensive duffel bag that I was sponsored to carry. I walked in as I got my key card and headed to my room when the phone buzzed. "What room?" Hanson asked as we got off the elevator and I pointed to one of the first ones off the elevator. "I'm right next door," he said with a grin, and I gave a smile. I tapped into my room before I dropped my bags and grabbed my phone.
Gabi: Miss you more.
I laid back on my bed and pressed Facetime as I rolled over onto my stomach in my suit. It rang a few times before Gabi picked up, "Hi baby, you must miss me a lot." I laughed as she was sitting at her computer with her glasses on. "Getting work done?" I asked and she nodded her head up and down. "I sure am. It's easier when you aren't here," she teased, and I just gave a laugh. "I get more work done when you aren't here, too. Are you coming down onto the field tomorrow with Claire?" I asked her and she smiled with a nod, "Yea, we are. I know you like to see us both before the game."
My eyes settled on her, and I pulled my lip into my mouth before releasing it, "I do enjoy seeing both of you. It calms me. You calm me." She gave a faint smile as I sat up and she shook her head, "You are getting your suit all crumpled up," I gave her a tiny laugh, "I will send it to the dry cleaners. I need to change anyways. We have a meeting and dinner." I unclasped my designer watch and put it on the nightstand and Gabi followed my movements as I took my suit jacket off and untucked my shirt. Gabi whistled through the phone, "Strip for me," she teased, and I chuckled as I peered into the camera that was propped up on the desk. "You wish, Montez."
"Who's Montez?" I rolled my eyes with a laugh. I kicked off my pants and grabbed my shorts with a Loyalist t-shirt and hoodie before climbing back on the bed. Gabi smiled shaking her head, "We fly out early since you play at one." I nodded, "Text me when your flight leaves. Is Amber getting on the flight with you?" she nodded, "A few of the wives." I nodded my head as I put on my Apple watch and Gabi, and I chatted for a bit. "I have scans this week to see how everything is coming along." She mentioned as she chewed on her lip. "Yea? What day?"
"Tuesday." She told me and I smiled, "Good. You do know I would have been there regardless." Gabi rolled her eyes, and I just shook my head with a laugh, "It's the one thing I can do for you, El. I can be there for you. I am no good besides that." Gabi glanced at me and rolled her eyes, "Troy. You are so much to me. You do so much more for me than just that. Yes, I love that you go to every appointment with me, but I would never be mad if you had to miss one for your very important job. You dance with me. You do anything I need. You are in my corner and support me in every avenue of life. Trust me, I am on the winning end of this deal."
I shook my head, "No way, I am on the winning end to see how strong you are. I feel so worthless sometimes during this whole process," Gabi gave a tiny smile, "Without your swimmers we wouldn't have all those chances waiting for us." She told me and I gave her a smile and she just smiled back, "I promise, Troy, you are doing so much more than you realize. Taking my mind off of it, doing the injections, holding my hand, kissing my bruises, dancing with me, hugging me, talking to me, fucking me," I couldn't help but laugh at her list and she smiled in return. "You are doing so much." She whispered to me, and I rubbed my chest and exhaled, "I love you, El."
"I love you, Troy. Beyond words. I can't wait to watch you in action tomorrow."
We chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up and I grabbed my stuff before heading to the conference room that we were holding our meeting in. The quarterbacks all sat together, and I flipped my mind into what mattered right now: the game against the Steelers.
Gabi's POV
Sunday, September 18th, 2022
Claire was bouncing at my feet as we were waiting for Troy to finish warming up to come say hi to the both of us. We were going to see him after the game before we caught our own flight back to Boston. My fingers squeezed her shoulders as we waited, and I watched him work on the field. He was laughing as he ripped his helmet off and Claire visibly started shaking with excitement. "Gabi! Daddy is coming over here!" I laughed as she tried to sneak underneath of the rope, but I pulled her back, "We have to stay here, remember?" she sighed but nodded and it wasn't long before Troy was jogging over towards us. "My girls," he squatted down to be face to face with Claire as those blue eyes were striking as he smiled at his daughter. She ignored the rope this time and threw her arms around his neck.
"I missed you," she blubbered, and I realized she was crying. She hadn't been able to see Troy since Tuesday. He closed his eyes and held her close. "I know, Claire bear, I missed you just as much." He kissed her temple, "You and me on tomorrow morning?" he asked her, and she nodded her head as he gently wiped away her tears. "I love you," he told her, and she smiled as he put her back on this side of the rope and I shook my head with a smile. "You look amazing," I whispered to him, and he gave me a big smile. He quickly kissed me and leaned in, "Is she good?" I nodded my head, "She was just really excited to see you. I can only assume the emotions caught up with her." Troy nodded before giving me another kiss and tucked my hair behind my ear, "You look fucking beautiful,"
My cheeks blushed a deep red and I took in my tight navy pants that clung to my skin and I tucked in a cream spaghetti strap tank top while wearing a red jacket over top. "I gotta go but I love you both so much and I will see you after the game." I picked up Claire, "Bye daddy!" I waved good-bye to him as he jogged off the field. I escorted Claire upstairs as we got into our suite full of family and friends alike. Lucas was sitting with Bethany on his lap which caused Claire to screech with excitement. "Gabi! Bethy is here!"
She ran over and Lucas looked back and gave me a smile, "Hey, didn't know Bethany was coming." I told him as I plopped into a seat next to him. "Last minute. Her mom had a family emergency and I told her I would take her to the game today. Claire was going to be here and what not." He sat forward as he dressed more like a dad today and less like an agent. He was just in a pair of jeans with a Loyalist crew neck. "This looks good on you," I said waving my hands around him and he just shot me a look. "Did your sister say to say that shit?" I laughed, "No, Sophie didn't tell me that. How are you two?" he shrugged, "Fine. We don't see each other as much anymore and we both kind of talked about just being friends. It was fun but it wasn't my person ya know?" I gave him a side eye for a moment.
"She broke up with you." He laughed and groaned, "Yea, pretty much. She wants to focus on school and isn't she what she wants for her future. I agree that she should live a life she wants because I am tied down to a demanding career and I have a kid already. That's a lot to ask your younger sister to do. I don't think she was ever in deep feelings for me." I nodded as I watched as the team ran out on the floor, "I think you both had fun." I told him honestly, "And I would have assumed it would have been you getting feelings before Sophie would be getting feelings." Lucas just hummed and I squeezed his leg. "You are going to find your person one day, Lucas Bolton. You might need to be more like this and less…stuffy in a suit." He just laughed as I gave him a smile.
They did the coin toss and I watched Troy on the sidelines, and I felt those butterflies in my stomach. "Did Sophie give you those butterflies?" I asked and Lucas shook his head, "No, she didn't but she was fun and just refreshing to be around." Claire came running over to perch to look for her dad as she pointed out Uncle Troy to Bethany. I smiled watching the two of them as I shot a picture of the two of them. I leaned back as we were on defense first and I watched intently for a few moments before Lucas nudged my knee. "How are you? Not everything going on but you." Lucas looked over at me and I sighed, "I am okay. I am ready for the transfer, but we are looking towards the end of the month. I am just…ready."
"Okay but like mentally, I just, I hope people are checking on you and not just asking about the whole process. I know this has to be so tough." I nodded as I looked over at the game as the Steelers punted and Troy jogged onto the field. "Mentally it's really fucking hard some days and I try my best to remind myself that this is all temporary and that we will one day have a baby." I blinked away tears and exhaled as Troy threw a perfect pass down the field to Hanson. "But there are days that I am so mad that this is our story and I just try to distract myself. I don't want Troy to feel any worse than he already does about everything but sometimes I just…I just hate this."
Lucas reached over and he tugged me against him as we both paused to watch Troy hand the ball off and he sighed, "You G-baby are going to be an amazing mother one day and you know Troy will be pissed if you don't share those things with him. He just wants the best for you. He wants to be there for you, and I know he feels helpless with this. He feels helpless with Claire. He just…he just wants to be useful and talking to him will give him some of that." I nodded and we both watched the game in silence. "Thank you for asking me, Lucas." He gave me a tiny smile with a nod. "Thanks for being the coolest sister-in-law ever," I choked on a laugh, "I am your only one." He smirked, "I know."
"Gigi isn't going to marry a girl so," I just laughed, and we watched the game until Claire needed to go to the bathroom, and she wanted to eat, and I missed a touchdown. I saw his next three though and I just smiled because he was playing absolute lights out today.
Troy's POV
I walked out of the shower and slipped back into my pre-game outfit which was a suit. I was disappointed that it was a suit and I peeked in my backpack to see that I had joggers and a t-shirt to change into once we got on the flight. It was a fantastic win tonight, press was easy, and I was dying to get my hands on my girls. Claire's tears pre-game about ended me.
Hanson walked out of the door, and I followed him as we went to the family area, and I heard Gabi's voice before I saw her, and I had tiny arms wrapping around my leg before I saw her. I laughed as I bent over and picked her up but grunted as my ribs were screaming after a hard hit. "Daddy! You won!" I smiled and kissed her cheek, "I did. It was a really good game. Did you have fun watching with Gabs?" she nodded her head as Gabi was smiling at the both of us. I walked over to her, and I tugged her into my side and buried my lips into her hair.
"Daddy," Claire chastised, and I couldn't stop a laugh, "I love you both and I would give anything to fly home with you." Gabi smiled, "I would love it, too. You need to celebrate with your teammates though. You really do," I sighed, and I cupped her face and gave her a quick kiss. "Claire, I have to get treatment tomorrow morning and watch film. After that we can do whatever, you want. Okay?" she nodded her head against my shoulder as she yawned. "How did you feel after that hit? I was worried you weren't going to get back up." I shook my head, "It hurt, and I already have a massive bruise on my ribs that stretches down my hip."
Gabi grimaced, "I hate your bruises." I tipped her chin backwards, "I hate yours more." She blinked once and I saw the tears behind her eyes, and I wanted to know why. She just pressed her face into my shirt, and I held her against me. "Dad," Claire whispered, and I peered down at her on my other side. "Is Gabi sad?" she whispered but not so quietly and it caused Gabi to laugh, "Just a little bit, Claire." Gabi said and I really frowned this time as I looked at Gabi as she looked at Claire. Claire smiled and brushed her fingers over her face before reaching for Gabi and wrapping her little arms around her neck and squeezing her. "Daddy said it's okay to be sad,"
My heart clutched for two reasons: the first one is that my five-year-old is listening to me. The second was my wife is sad and I don't really know why besides the obvious that she is just going through a lot right now. "You are right, Claire it is okay to be sad." Claire smiled and just hugged her, "I love you, Gabi,"
"I love you, too, Claire,"
Gabi held onto Claire for a few more seconds before putting her down and she went off with Bethany. "We can talk about it when you get home." She said as I pulled her into my arms. My lips pressed into her hair, and I inhaled, "Are you okay? Physically?" I questioned and she nodded her head, "Yea, physically. It's just a lot of emotions. Lucas and I were just talking, and he was just checking in on me and me just…I forget how hard this is sometimes. I don't want this to be hard." I tipped her chin backwards and I kissed her softly. "I know, I wish I could fix it all."
"I know," she responded and then Gabi's name was being yelled that they needed to get out of here to catch their flight. Gabi squeezed me and headed out and I watched her as I just…I wanted our first transfer to be here and be over so that we can put this behind us for now. This waiting and limbo is the worst. I went back to the locker room to collect my stuff and headed towards the bus where I grabbed a water before sitting down. I found my phone and sent Gabi a text message.
Troy: I love you. Have a safe flight.
She sent her own similar message back and I let my head rest against the seat in front of me.
I walked through the door as it was dark in the entire house. Ember wasn't anywhere around so I assumed she was either sleeping with Claire or Gabi. I dropped my bag, and I dropped a glass on the counter and filled it with bourbon as I had a few drinks on the plane ride back as we celebrated our win. I took it upstairs with me as I was in the joggers and t-shirt that I changed into on the plane. I walked upstairs as I peeked into Claire's room to see Ember curled up at the end of Claire's bed. I smiled as I walked in to give her a few pats on the head before I kissed Claire.
I went downstairs to our room as I popped open the door and Gabi was sitting up reading a book. "Hi," I said, and she smiled as her eyes dropped to the bourbon in my hand. "Hi, I was waiting for you." She put a bookmark in her book and rose up onto her knees. I finished off the rest of my drink and put the glass on the dresser. I walked over to her, and she wrapped her arms around my neck, and I buried my face into her neck. I breathed in Gabi, and she held onto me tightly. "I love you," she whispered, and I pressed my lips to her skin again, "I love you, too. Tell me your thoughts." She exhaled and looked back at me, "I told Lucas that I sometimes am really just wondering how this our life and why are we going through this. Why the two of us and I hate it sometimes. I hate it." Gabi paused and she pulled back to look at me.
"But I hate telling you because I understand how hard this is for you that you can't do anything for me." I exhaled heavily and I cupped her chin and nodded, "You're right – I do hate that I can't do anything but what I hate more is that you don't want to burden me any further when you are the one who is being burdened. This isn't easy and I know we've talked to death about this, but all of your feelings are valid. You get to be upset and angry. You get to share your emotions. You get to be sad, it's okay to be sad." Her mouth tipped up in a smile and I smiled back as I stroked her face with my thumb. "I am happier knowing that I can hold some of the burden for you and I will do anything to make this easier for you, baby."
She locked her arms around my neck, and I held her close to me. I picked her up as she wrapped her legs around my waist. I kissed her temple before sitting on the bed with her. "I love you, baby, and we are going to do our transfer soon and you'll be pregnant, and it will be one of our best days." I felt her smile against my skin as she pulled her mouth back to mine. She groaned and I couldn't stop my laugh, "You know my weaknesses, "she mumbled, and I laughed, "That I do," I pushed her back into the bed and I kissed on her. I worked my shirt off her body.
I pressed my lips to every corner.
I showed her how much I loved her.
Gabi's POV
Thursday, September 29th, 2022
I tried my hardest to focus on The Sunshine Pact.
I was trying so damn hard.
But I was so distracted.
Our transfer was tomorrow.
Tomorrow I would be pregnant.
Our testing had come back, and we had 4 genetically normal embryos. Dr. Monty explained that the three embryos that didn't test well she only recommended keeping one of them as last case scenario. The other two she was confident would never stick and only result in a loss. Troy and I had agreed to let those two-go leaving our chances down to 13. Which was still a ton of chances and better off than most people get. I told her that I didn't really want to know the grades or the genders. I just wanted her to pick the one that she thought was best.
I groaned frustrated as I let my head fall against the countertop as I heard his chuckle behind me, "What's wrong, El?" he came over and pressed his lips to my neck. "I am trying to work but I just keep thinking about tomorrow. When I leave there tomorrow, I will be pregnant until proven otherwise." I chewed on my lip, and I looked over at Troy, "Do you think I should test every day? I watch some of the girls I follow test and I don't know how much I will hyper fixate on that." I chewed on my lip and Troy just chuckled softly and squeezed my shoulder.
"Baby, you need to do what you want to do. Do you think it will make you feel better or worse?" he asked, and I exhaled, "Worse. Especially if there are no signs of a positive. I feel like I will just let that dictate everything." Troy leaned back against the counter to face me, "Then don't do it. I have planned out the next ten days for you." I raised a single eyebrow towards him, and he just smirked, "You stewing isn't going to do well for either of us. You are going to ramp up your anxiety which in return will ramp up mine and I already have to handle Claire's scans next week."
My face softened and he nipped at my chin, "It's okay, we'll make it through, but I planned some stuff out."
"Like?"
"You're flying to Green Bay the same night as me. Claire isn't going to go this week. I worked it out with Eve to keep her until we get back on Sunday. Even if she has to put her to bed here." I nodded, "I cleared it with coach for you to stay with me and I can distract you in any way that I can." I smiled as I ran my fingers through his hair, and he tugged me between his legs. "So, Saturday and Sunday are booked. Tomorrow we are going to celebrate that we made it this far and next week you are just going to have to wait and see what I have in store but on Tuesday we are all flying to North Carolina because we need to check in at the house. Figured we could fly down early on Tuesday and fly back late."
"That big rich money just chartering flights." Troy chuckled and he kissed me softly, "I am doing everything I can to distract the shit out of you all week." I hugged him, "Thank you," I whispered to him, and he smiled, "You're welcome. I made sure you didn't have any commitments with The Sunshine Pact. Or I scheduled you with The Sunshine Pact board." I giggled and he hugged me tight to his chest. "I talked to coach, and I am good to be a little late to practice. I am going to go with you, drive you home, and then go to practice. I'll only be about an hour late."
"Thank you," I whispered, and he brushed my hair away, "I cannot not be there when you get pregnant." I laughed tossing my head back and he smiled watching me. "It would be an entertaining story. Hey, your dad wasn't even there when mom got pregnant." Troy chuckled and I couldn't stop my giggle. "We are going on a date tonight," he declared, and I raised an eyebrow, "No film to watch?" I asked him and he shook his head. "Not tonight. Tonight, I am going to take care of my girl. Take her mind off what is to come. I will watch film while you sleep and rest tomorrow." I gave him a smile and I hugged him. "I love you so damn much,"
"I love you, more." I shook my head back and forth and he just laughed as he smiled, "I am going to go get ready. You need to get ready. We are going to have fun tonight." I smiled as he pulled my hand towards our bedroom. "How fancy?" I asked him and he shook his head. "Not fancy. Under the radar," I nodded as I went to find a pair of skinny jeans with a chunky burnt orange sweater and a pair of booties. I tied my hair up and did minimal make-up as I added my rings and some bracelets before finding Troy on the bed in a pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, and a plaid shirt with the forearms folded up.
"Sexy," he said with those eyes roving over my body. "You look handsome," I told him with a soft smile as I circled my arms around his neck and his arms went around my waist. "C'mon, we're meeting people."
I scrunched my eyebrows, and he just shot me a smile. "You trust me." I nodded with a smile, "I do."
He reached his hand out and I took it happily.
The Loyalist rented out a pumpkin patch for all the families. Eve and Claire met us out here and she was having a blast with all of the other kids. Troy held my hand as we walked hand in hand down the path and we were both smiling. Nobody knew our transfer was tomorrow and I had put our TikTok's on a six-week delay. They were seeing stuff from six weeks ago and I had thoroughly explained why we were doing it and what we were doing. I still filled in with other content along the way, but my TikTok had taken off recently and it was actually a lot of fun.
I even started a The Sunshine Pact page. The kids were all running around and playing among the activities that were chosen. "This was nice," I told him, and he smiled down at me. "It was. I was happy Eve agreed to come along." Eve was talking to a few of the wives that she was good friends with, and Jackson was on her hip. I watched Troy stare a little longingly as if he hoped it had been his son sometimes. He snapped out of it, and he dropped my hand to go and find Claire. I took my phone out as I captured the moment and smiled as Troy grinned at his daughter. "How are you doing?" Amber slide next to me and I smiled, "Okay," I told her with a smile.
"Yea? You both look a little lost today." I laughed as I nodded, and my eyes turned back towards Troy and Claire. "We are transferring tomorrow." I told her and she gasped, "Really? I can't believe you are here!" I just laughed, "I didn't know this was occurring today, but I really did need a distraction. Troy knew it, too. I was trying to get work done and I was getting nothing done." I nervously picked at my sweatshirt, and she gave a smile, "You are going to rock it tomorrow. Is there anything I can do for you tomorrow? I know the guys have a long practice. They travel this weekend. Are you going?"
"I am. Claire isn't going though so I am leaving on Saturday, and I guess he cleared it with coach that I can stay in his room. He doesn't want me alone with my thoughts and honestly, I don't know if he should be alone with his. We come back from that trip, and we turn around to have Claire's scans. Between the maybe pregnancy and Claire's scans it could absolutely flare up his anxiety to an uncontrollable level." She squeezed my arm, "He is going to be okay. Do you want me to travel with you? I don't want you to be alone." My eyes peered at her rounding belly, and I couldn't wait for that to be me soon.
"If you want! Are the kids going?" she shook her head, "No, I wanted a weekend that I didn't have to chase them around." I laughed in agreement as we made plans to leave together. "I can't wait to celebrate with you but if you don't want to talk about it until you tell the world." I shook my head, "We will keep our inner circle updated. We just…we are both so anxious going into tomorrow. He is going to be a little late to practice and it eats at my guilt, but he won't even let me discuss it with him." She smiled, "He's a good man." I nodded as I watched him race his daughter through the maze. "I just want him to have at least another one. Y'know?" she nodded, "Yea, I would want more, too. I do want more because I love watching Han with our kids."
Her eyes drifted to Camilla and Lulu as he was holding Lulu while Camilla dragged him through the park. Her hand folded onto her belly with a smile watching them. "We found out it's a boy," I gasped as I turned to look at her. "Seriously? I bet Hanson was so excited! I bet you were excited!" she nodded with a smile as she bit on her lip, "I am excited to have a little boy. It's going to be so much fun and so different compared to our two girls." I laughed softly as Hanson started carrying both of them and Amber shook her head. "He is so smitten with his girls though."
"He is a great girl dad; Troy also would be such a great girl dad." She nodded as he had picked up Claire and was talking to Hanson before taking the girls to a slide before putting the two oldest down to run together. Troy took Lulu who was almost two and she grabbed his cheeks. Amber and I both laughed before we walked over to join our husbands. I wrapped my arm around Troy's waist, "Hi Lulu," I kissed her chubby hand as she reached for me, and I happily took her. She snuggled into my chest, and I felt those blue eyes on me. A smile on his face, "Lulu, do you have a thing for Gabi?" Amber laughed, "I am glad she has a thing for somebody. She only wants me half the time until she sees Gabi." I laughed as I rocked her in my arms.
"Han, I am going to fly with Gabi on Saturday." Troy's eyes popped over to me and I nodded, "You told her?" I nodded again. "What?" he asked, and Troy gave a half sigh with a smile, "We are transferring tomorrow," Hanson light up and grinned, "Seriously? Yea, Amber you need to be with her on Saturday." Troy chuckled as he kissed the top of my head. "Yea, make sure she doesn't do anything besides walk up the plane steps. She is supposed to be taking it easy. No pacing during the football game either." I gave a half laugh and he shook his head, "I'm serious, Gabi."
"I will tie her to the chair if I need, too." Amber offered and Troy eyed me and then we all laughed. "I will try my hardest, but Dr. Monty said that I can go back to life as normal besides pelvic rest and just no intense anything." Troy sighed, "I know, I know," Hanson grinned, "I am so happy for you both. You both deserve this to be good." I thanked Hanson, "Troy, I can check on her tomorrow, too." He nodded, "Please, I hate that I have to leave her to go to practice. She will have a little valium in her system so I suspect she will sleep but you know how Friday practices go." She nodded in understanding and Troy rubbed my lower back as we watched the older girls play as Lulu fell asleep against me. I cherished the sweet toddler chubby girl as I knew one day, I would get this same experience.
I felt it so deep in my gut.
I just wish it could be 11 days from now.
That I would know.
I need to know.
Troy must have saw me slip into my head because he lifted the chubby girl out of my arms and then I was in his arms. "We got this," he murmured, and I exhaled heavily and nodded, "We got this," I whispered back.
Friday, September 30th, 2022
Troy's POV
I sat by her head as they were preparing everything, and she had valium coursing through her system to help her relax. I was all gowned up with a hat and all as my thumb stroked her cheek and those brown eyes lifted to me as they were doing the final things. She was in the stir-ups already and I could see the nerves but also the excitement on her face. I gave her a smile, "You doing, okay?" I asked her and she nodded her head, "Yea, I just really need to pee." Dr. Monty laughed as did I as she nodded, "We're almost ready. Just making sure everything is perfect."
The tears were sitting in her eyes, and I knew they were happy tears.
She left here today pregnant until proven otherwise.
"Okay, Gabi, we are going to get started. I am going to talk you through everything, alright?" she nodded as our fingers interlocked with each other's. Dr. Monty pointed to the screen behind her where our embryo was being checked and the tears really flowed from Gabi, "There is your embryo that we are going to transfer. I picked the best one," she winked at us, and I couldn't stop my own tears as I stared at it. It was something that was the two of us mixed together. We were sitting in a petri dish, and I wish we had a more romantic story, but this was romantic.
The tears shed, the agony, the waiting, the patience…this was a stronger love. I wiped a few of my tears away as Gabi squeezed my hand, "That is going to be our baby," she whispered to me and I gave her a smile, "It is, I cannot wait to do this with you." Gabi brushed her tears away with her other hand as Dr. Monty started and she did talk Gabi through ever single step. Gabi asked if the nurse would film it and they agreed so it was being filmed with consent from everybody. We watched the screen as Dr. Monty pointed things out and told us what she was looking for with the ultrasound.
Gabi was relaxed against the table as they brought the embryo over to Dr. Monty when she started to transfer it. I held my breath as she took her time and went slow through the entire process. There was no rush and Gabi, and I were glued to the screen in front of us as we watched the fluid fill in Gabi's uterus. "Okay, we are going to make sure that little stinker didn't stay in the tube and if it's all clear we are all done." Gabi nodded as I kissed her forehead and she held onto my neck. "I love you," I whispered to her, and she blinked her eyes. "You are the strongest, most badass wife there is. I couldn't be prouder of you." She shook her head and I smiled, "All clear," we heard among the room and Gabi closed her eyes. "Congrats, you two are pregnant." Dr. Monty smiled and Gabi lost it.
I couldn't stop my soft laugh as I brushed them away, "I don't know why I am crying, I just never thought that I would hear those words, I guess," she wiped at her face as she was still flat on the table, and they were repositioning her as they wanted her to lay flat for a little bit to give it time before she went to the bathroom. "We will find out for sure in ten days. You'll come in for a lab draw and we will call you in the afternoon. Okay?" Gabi nodded as I kissed her forehead and wiped a few more tears away. "Can you call us late in the afternoon? I want Troy to be there when you call." She squeezed my hand and she nodded, "We can make a note. Just tell us a time."
Dr. Monty gave Gabi final instructions and the room started to clear out. Once her time was up, they let her get up to go to the bathroom before making sure she was feeling fine. Once we were finally alone so she could get dressed, I hauled her into my body. She broke down again and I just held her so tightly against me. I wasn't moving. I wasn't allowing her to move. "Our baby is inside of you," I murmured to her, and she laughed and cried. "I can't believe it. I can't believe we made it to this point." I laughed and kissed her. Hard and fierce and then soft and sweet.
"I love you, thank you for never letting go. I needed you." My gut tightened, "I will always be here to hold your hand."
She changed her clothes, and I walked out with her hand in hand as our next appointment was October 10th.
Ten days.
I had to distract her for ten days.
Pray for us all.
Happy Sunday! I hope you enjoyed! Thanks for all the patience with this chapter. Let me know your thoughts!
Next Update: November 12th
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