Chapter 12 – Super Weekend
Friday, February 5th, 2021
Troy's POV
It had been a collective agreement to cancel practice today and we had the girls move all of our flights up. It was early in the morning, and I couldn't wait to get to Tampa to spend it with my wife and my best friends. The kids went to my parents' house for the weekend as they were so excited to keep them for the weekend. I sipped my coffee as Gabi was curled up sleeping in the passenger seat as we dropped the kids off last night and we packed the car up, so I practically just deposited her in the seat next to me.
Ever since our team found out about us leaving it had rapidly spread around the school and among other high school coaches. Coach Sam's called me almost in surprise that I had gotten an offer. I told him I was just as surprised. All sorts of kids were seeking us out asking if it was true and it was hard to keep repeating over and over again that it was true. I pulled into airport parking as I found Jax and Cameron already here. We all agreed to meet here in this parking lot, and I pulled in right next to them. I glanced at Gabi as she was still sleeping, and I shut the car door quietly. "Good morning boys," I greeted as I grabbed our luggage out of the back. "Morning, Gabs in there?" I nodded.
"She's passed out. I was going to let her just continue to sleep until we were all here."
"Did you keep her up late last night?" Cameron asked, I couldn't stop my laugh. "Maybe. We didn't have any kids last night. I took advantage." Cam chuckled, "You are about to have no kids all weekend." He pointed out towards me. I just shook my head with a laugh. "Who knows how this weekend is going to unfold. I got lucky when I got lucky." Jax tossed his head back in a laugh. "I am not sure I am ready for that life."
"Ready or not here it comes," I poked.
"A daughter at that," Cameron teased him, and I chuckled. "He is going to love having a little girl. I love my little girl." Jax shrugged, "I am just excited to start this adventure. When are you and Gabs going to try for number three?" Jax asked and I just laughed, "I don't know. We haven't talked about it. We've talked about more kids, and we want another kid but that doesn't mean we are ready to plunge back into that yet. Those two just turned one." I couldn't stop the shake of my head because I didn't know how far apart Gabi wanted the kids from each other, but we had a lot on our plate right now.
"What about you?" I looked at Cameron and he held his hands up. "Look, I am not in this fight. I need to get married first."
"Way to go with the date. Literally two days before our due date." Cameron laughed, "Looked, it was you're doing. We had the date first." I shook my head with a laugh as Dylan pulled up with a nod towards us as all the girls remained in the car. Dylan hopped out as Jesse turned the corner. "Morning, fellas." I started to pull our bags out of the back as Gabi was moving around in the front of the car. "Gabs, you ready?" I called up front to her and she nodded as she ran her hands through her hair. She got out and picked up her backpack.
I got our one suitcase out and pulled my backpack on as I waited for her as went to wait for the bus to shuttle us to the airport. She came over and I wrapped her up in my arms. "Are you sleepy?" she laughed against my chest and nodded. "Yea, I am."
"Gabi, tell the fucker to go to bed and leave you alone next time." Jax said as he came over. I couldn't stop my laugh as Gabi laughed herself as she pulled out of my embrace and leaned into Jax. "Yea, yea, hard to say no when we don't have to wake up to needy toddlers." Jax chuckled as we all headed for the airport. I slipped my hand into her hand as she folded our fingers together. "So, Len, how exactly did this happen?" Dylan questioned as we got on the bus. "I know a friend of a friend who has a suite in Tampa for the regular season and they were given an opportunity to buy so many tickets and he had asked me because he knew my boyfriend loved football. So, I asked if I could get five."
"Who is this man exactly?" Jesse questioned. "A former boyfriend," she shrugged, and Cameron grumbled, I chuckled, "Cam, sounds like you won." I added and Lennon laughed. "Yea, he did. We dated in high school and our families were friends. Literally went to junior prom together and then we broke up because we were spending a summer apart. He's married but somebody is too macho to understand that." Jesse threw his head back in laughter. "Cam jealous? No…" we all couldn't stop laughing as we boarded the bus that shuttled us to the airport.
We fell into mindless chatter as we checked bags, got through security, and to our gate before the girls all went to grab coffee and breakfast. I took a seat as I shook my head, "I still can't believe we are going to the Super Bowl on Sunday."
"The boys were all jealous." We laughed as next weekend we were heading to Hilton Head. Gabi was coming this year and I couldn't wait to take our kids to one of our first destinations as a couple. "I'm glad they didn't hold a grudge for too long about all of us leaving." Jax said sliding his hands down his jeans and I nodded, "I hated that they found out that way. I also chewed into Mitchell for not telling me about Justin before."
"At least Justin wasn't choosing to go there." Jesse piped and I nodded in understanding. "Yes, but still. If that was his only offer? I would feel terrible." I shook my head as I adjusted the hat on my head as the girls came back with coffee and breakfast for all of us. Gabi slid into the chair next to me and I smiled as she handed me the iced vanilla latte. "Thank you," I reached over and kissed her temple. "Of course, what's the plan once we land?" Josie asked. "I think we hit up the pool and get some drinks. Tonight, we can get dinner before going to the beach tomorrow."
"You guys don't want to go do the Super Bowl experience?" Sage asked and Cameron shrugged. "We can do that on Sunday all day. I know you ladies probably just want to lay by the pool all day so we can go do that." We all agreed, and Gabi smiled, "A beach date? I think we would all love that. We weren't sure if we were going to get one or not."
It wasn't long before we were all boarding our plane and I truly couldn't freak wait to get to Tampa.
Gabi's POV
The sun beat down as it was nearly eighty degrees today as the sun was high and it felt so good to be outside. The boys were all in the pool as us girls were lined up along the side on beach chairs. "Guys, this was the best idea we've ever had."
"Especially after the last month." I muttered. The group laughed as I could hear Troy's laugh from the pool as I sat up to look for him. He was leaning back against the pool with a beer in his hand. His hat turned backwards with a pair of sunglasses on his face. He looked really fucking good at the moment. His muscles defined and toned out from the working out with the boys at practice. Troy lifted his arms up and Dylan nudged him as he pushed back. I took a drink of the fruity cocktail I got before I stood up. I went over to be by the boys as Troy watched me from the moment I stood up.
I found a red bikini for him to enjoy this weekend as it did just that. "Mrs. Bolton," Jax greeted with a grin, and I couldn't stop my laugh as I sat on the ledge after putting down a towel. "Hi guys, what are all of you doing over here?" I asked as Troy came over and slid between my legs with his wet hands. Jesse grunted, "Bolton, I don't think she came over here to get attacked by her husband." His hands slid up my legs and I just smirked watching him. "What if she did?" Troy questioned as he leaned forward to kiss my cheek.
"Then she wouldn't have come over here." Dylan deadpanned. Troy laughed as he smirked before turning around. I locked my legs around his waist as I let my chin rest on his shoulder. "I needed a cool down and I could feel his eyes on me from over there." Cameron laughed, "That doesn't seem to work with Lennon. She goes the other way." The group laughed as I pressed my lips into Troy's shoulder, and he squeezed my hand. "Do you need another drink?" he asked me as he looked at my cup across the way. "I do. I can get them though. Do you need one?" I asked him and he nodded.
The other girls began to migrate our direction as I got up and went towards the bar. Josie and Sara joined me as the rest got in the pool. It wasn't too busy today, but I had a feeling that most of everybody here was here for the Super Bowl. We all got another round of drinks, and I went back as I slipped into the water next to Troy as he took his beer from my hand. Troy turned over and he kissed me, "Thank you, baby." he whispered. "Of course, are you all having fun?" I asked him and he nodded, "We are. This was much needed for all of us. Tonight, we all plan on going to dinner together, but we all have something different planned for after dinner. A date night of sorts." I couldn't stop my grin, "Yea?"
He smiled, "Yea, I am so fucking happy to be here with you." I let my nose brush his skin as I pulled him in for a kiss. "I love you."
"Okay, love birds, c'mon." Troy just rolled his eyes as I lifted back onto the pool deck and let my feet swing back and forth. "Okay, so, please tell me we are going to Clearwater tomorrow." Lennon said and Cameron slid up to sit next to her. "Is there where you ladies want to go?" Dylan had his arms wrapped around Josie as Troy leaned back to be between my legs again. I kissed his head as he threaded our fingers together. "I am fine with wherever." I said and Troy nodded, "I am down for whatever. As long as we have toys to play with." Troy said wiggling his eyebrows and the group laughed.
"A football enough?" Josie questioned and Troy smirked, "Yea, it is. And my wife in a bikini," I pinched his skin, and he chuckled as he ducked away from me. "How weird that we're all going to be married soon." Sara said with a big smile and Dylan paled, "I mean, once Dylan man's up," Jax added, and Dylan grunted as Josie flushed. "I mean – they are building a house together. I think Dylan has made it official in his head. He just had to work up the courage." Jesse poked fun at his friend as if he didn't know when Dylan was going to do it.
"I hate all of you fuckers," Dylan said as he chugged the rest of his beers. We all laughed together as we all caught up about the current house plans and the future plans. "I don't think I ever asked," Sage started. "Who won fantasy this year in your group?" the whole group groaned as Dylan had a shit eating grin on his face. "Yea, you fuckers, who won?" he asked as he kissed Josie on the side of her head. "Who else was in it with you?"
"Brady's football buddies," Troy responded. "Who took last?" Jesse grumbled his response as he must have been the one. "What is the punishment?" Lennon asked and Jesse rolled his eyes to the back of his head. "I have to pay for a day of golf for everybody." He grumbled and Sage gasped, "Jesse!"
"What? I didn't think I was actually going to lose." My eyes shifted to Troy, and he laughed, "I made sure I didn't lose. I took third, thank you very much," I shook my head as Troy laughed. "I would have removed myself from golf all summer long to pay for it." The guys razzed on Troy as I took his beer as they pushed him underneath the water. I laughed as he splashed the entire way down as it took almost all of them to get him to go under. I couldn't stop my laugh as Troy heard and was quickly coming back for me. "Oh, you think that's funny?" he tossed his hair to the side before he picked me up almost too easily. He took me underneath the water, and I couldn't stop laughing as he wrapped me up.
"Not very funny now," Troy said, and I laughed as I came up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. I let my arms slid around his neck and I kissed him. "It was actually pretty funny. Regardless of the punishment," I told him, and he just laughed as Jesse wanted to play chicken. Troy lifted me up onto his shoulders as I wobbled as Sage got on his shoulders. "No fair! I'm too pregnant to play."
"We wouldn't lose," Jax bargained, and she just threw a glare towards Jax. Troy chuckled as I ran my fingers through Troy's hair, and I pulled it up. "That feels good," he murmured, and I couldn't stop my smile. Sage reached for me as we were all laughing as Sage, and I struggled but Jesse and Troy were trying to take each other out more than Sage was trying to take me out. "You two aren't supposed to fight!" Sage screamed and we all laughed as Sage went tumbling down as Troy had a chokehold on my body. "C'mon, Jo, we aren't going to lose to Bolton."
"You boys are too competitive," Sara said as her hand laid on her belly. "Just like you ladies are," Jesse popped back with. We all laughed as Dylan got Josie on his shoulders and we fought again but Troy wasn't letting go of my body. He nearly slipped and laughed in the pool, but my body never moved as Josie took the plunge. "You guys, we challenged the wrong people. Troy will not be letting his precious bride hit the water." Troy just chuckled as he unclasped his hands for just a moment from my legs as I couldn't stop my laugh. "Just making sure I don't leave bruises on your legs."
"Wouldn't be the first time," I tossed back, and the group howled with laughter as I reached down to kiss his cheek. He grumbled, "I hope you know in what way she has bruises." Lennon rolled her eyes to the sky, "As if you would touch a hair on her head in a way that wasn't love. C'mon Bolton, we would never assume that. She's the love of your fucking life." I kissed his chin and he turned to look at me. "That's for damn sure," Troy helped me off of his back as I wrapped my body around his and I kissed him squarely on the mouth. "I love you,"
He smiled, "I love you, more."
Troy's POV
I slipped my hand with Gabi's as we all had dinner together, but it was time for each of us to go our own way. Everybody had their own plan for tonight and mine was simple. A bottle of wine, a blanket, and watching the sunset with my girl. Some of the guys were going to a bar, mini-golf, or just going back to the room. Gabi smiled as we walked down the beach as a handful of people were already out, but I picked a spot as I threw the blanket down. Gabi sat down as I followed as we pulled the wine bottle open, and I poured each of us a glass.
We clinked them together as I exhaled heavily from the long day. Gabi moved to sit between my legs, and I pressed my lips into her hair. "This is really nice," she whispered, and I smiled, "Yea? I'm glad you enjoy it. I didn't want to do a ton because I figured you were tired from our long day today." Gabi smiled as she linked one of our hands together. She linked both of our left hands together as our wedding rings slid against each other. "It's only been a handful of months, but it's been fucking crazy." I said as I stared at the two things that tied us together on our wedding day.
Gabi just laughed, "You aren't wrong. It has been a crazy couple of months. I wouldn't trade them for the world though." Gabi tilted her head back and I nodded in understanding. Both of our eyes went back to the sun as I took a sip of the wine while my hand ran down her leg. "The best part about this? We are able to relax for the first time in months. Between the wedding, the dance studio, the new job, the kids – we haven't had a moment to just breathe. This is our moment to breathe." I whispered and she just gave a smile with a nod.
"Can we take the twins somewhere this summer?" she asked. I popped an eyebrow, "I mean, of course, where do you want to go?" I questioned and she shrugged, "I don't know. What about like Colorado? We can always take them to the beach for a quick easy weekend, but the mountains and Colorado would be fun."
"Or we could go see your sister."
Gabi thought about it for a moment, "I mean…could we not stay with them? Wyoming could be fun as well. We could do fun things and we could see them."
"Of course, we can do our own thing. I would love to go to Colorado in the winter, but I think our winters are forever booked." Gabi laughed as I exhaled on the thought. "If you all don't do the best in championship round – we can go for Spring Break? I want you all to do well but we could get out of here for a long weekend. I bet you would love to snowboard." I hummed a laugh with a smile. "The guys and I do love a good snowboarding trip. We'll see. Would you want to take the twins?" she nodded against my chest. "Yes, I would. I want them to go on so many adventures in life."
I dropped a kiss into her hair as I took a picture of the two of us while the sun was setting. Our legs tangled together and the pink, orange, and yellow blazing across the sky. "Speaking of adventures and our kids…we already established you want to have more but when do you want to have more? Again, we can wait eight years if you want but I guess we just need to think about this with basketball. God willing, we can have our babies in the off-season so we can be there together and do the first few months together." Gabi exhaled while she took another sip of her wine. "I can tell you one thing – we aren't waiting eight years between kids." I couldn't stop my laugh and she tilted her head back to look at me.
"I don't know. Two or three years of an age gap is what I would think but that means…" she let her words draw out for a moment as if to get between those ages that was sooner than later. "I guess the better question is do you want it to be after they are two or after they are three?" Gabi hesitated as she thought about it. "I want our kids to be closer in age with their sibling and if we are going to have another after the third then…" she drifted off as we both knew we didn't want to be older when we finished having kids because we wanted to raise them and have plenty of time for us and us not be old yet. "That means we have to think about having another baby soon. The timing of it, etc. If it doesn't happen this window, we can try again the next one. We aren't in a rush per say."
Gabi was quiet for a moment, and I kissed her head, "If you change your mind and you want to wait? We wait. We do whatever you want. I just bring it up because we do need to think about it." Gabi only nodded and finished off her wine before turning around to face me. "You're right. We did need to talk about it, and it will be much better for all to have a planned baby this time." I chuckled as I pulled her flush against me. She dropped her mouth to mine, and she exhaled, "I'll be a basket case. Especially with potentially having another premature birth and NICU time, and what not. It will be scary, and I might be a basket of nerves."
I cupped her face with my two hands and those brown eyes looked at me, "And we'll do every step together. We still have plenty of time to change our minds. You have to be ready for this in whatever way. I'll tell you over and over again – we can have kids another way. I am not going to put you through something you don't want to do. I love you and we can have a family in whatever ways we see fit." Gabi just smiled as she brushed her mouth to mine. "I can do it and I want to do it. I loved being pregnant and I will most likely love it a fuck ton more with just one baby in there. I want to get a better birth experience than my last one. I want to hold my baby. I want to do so many things differently and the only way I can is to do it again."
My fingers fisted her hair, and I pulled her to my mouth in an urgent kiss. The sun gone and dipped below the ocean as she tasted of the wine on her lips. "Not tonight," she pushed, and I couldn't stop my laugh as we both laughed together. "Not tonight. We can try this summer." Gabi just smiled and kissed me again, "But we can practice." I just let out a laugh as I tucked her in my arms and held her close. "We can for sure practice. Do you think I'd ever say no?" we both fell into a fit of laughter as I fused our mouths back together.
"We've been married four months; we've made it a quarter of the way through our first year of marriage. Is there anything that we could change or do better? I want to make sure our relationship is so strong, Troy." I looked at Gabi as I exhaled thinking of a way that our relationship was weak. "No, I think it's only going to get more challenging this year. Between moving, a new job, you traveling to be at Zoey's every few weekends, our two kids. It's going to be an adjustment – that's for sure. I think we just need to keep doing what we're doing. I put us in the rocky patch that we had."
"It wasn't even rocky," Gabi claimed quickly. "It was just…hard. I didn't know how to make that choice and make both of us happy. It was never fair to either of us or I know you didn't go looking for that position but that is your dream. I know that's your dream. I could never say no but I was trying to get the best for both of us. If it had been six months ago or hell next year – it would have been easier. Regardless, it was easy to know what the right choice was, but it was hard to pull the trigger. I am scared. I am worried. I am nervous about doing all of it, but I know that I am doing this with you." I swallowed on her words as I couldn't tear my eyes away from her brown ones. "And knowing that I am doing this with you, I know everything is going to be okay."
I exhaled heavily and I blinked my eyes a few times, "Fuck, Gabs," she wrapped her arms around my neck, and I just held her against me. "I trust you. I know you are never going to steer our family wrong. You are my home, and everything will work out like it is supposed to work out. I know you are only going to do everything to make me happy along with our kids." I just squeezed her tighter to me and closed my eyes. "Thank you, I promise to always take care of you and our family, Gabs. I only want to make you the fucking happiest woman alive. You are my life."
I gently tugged on her hair to pull her face so I could see it and our eyes connected, "I love you," she whispered while she brushed her hand across my cheek. "I love you, more." She shook her head back and forth. "Not a chance," she grinned as our mouths clashed together again as I groaned. "Are you ready to go back to our hotel because I need to be inside of you," I whispered into her ear, and she flushed and kissed me. "Show me the way."
Troy's POV
Saturday, February 6th, 2021
Cameron, Jesse, Jax, and Dylan all walked along side on the beach with lunch and coffee in hands. The girls were all laying out on the beach as we had breakfast together this morning and the smirks that went across the room is that everybody had a good night last night. I still couldn't get over what Gabi said to me last night as I loved her. She made everything feel better and I wanted to make sure I did right by her. "Are you guys afraid that this is a mistake, and we are going to fail?" I asked as we were almost back, but we stopped.
Dylan glanced at me, "Where is this coming from? I mean – we won't know unless we take the risk." I hesitated as I looked at the cup of coffees in hand. "Gabi last night was just talking about how hard the decision was for her and that she knew she made the right choice because she trusts me, and she knows that I would never do something that would hurt our family." I rocked on my heels in the sand as I looked at each of them. "Gabs had all of the same information you had. She trusted you to make that decision and she knows that it might not work."
"We all know it might not work," Cameron pointed out. "There is risk and reward with any decision that was made. We made the best one." Jax added to the group, and I nodded, "I think it was just her talking about the full amount of trust she has within me. I wanted to make sure that I am not going to regret that one day."
"Nah, you won't regret it. Gabi trusts you as she should." Dylan said slapping my back and I nodded as we continued our walk back to the girls. "I can't lose her," I finally finished on our final approach and Dylan stopped and nodded. "You aren't. You know that if something happens and our families are threatened? We aren't staying. Our families are number one and all of us know that. Family, friends, basketball. That's it." I just nodded and we made it back to the girls as I felt the questioning eyes of Gabi. We handed out the food and coffee. I sat back down next to Gabi, and she glanced over at me.
"What was that conversation about?" she questioned, and I shook my head. "Just making sure none of us were making a mistake. I know it's too late but everything you said to me last night, I needed confirmation that I am not leading you down a path that is going to backfire. You are my everything and if I hurt you along the way? I would hate myself." Gabi reached for her sandwich but put it in her bag before turning to face me. "Troy, I know you aren't sending me down a bad path. I would talk to you if I had any reservations. We had so many conversations and we answered all of them. We are doing the right thing."
I gave her a smile and she gripped my cheeks with her sandy hands, "We're going to do this and we're going to do this as a family." I just nodded as I relaxed as she nodded, "Together."
"Yea, she isn't wrong, Bolton. We are doing this together."
"Speaking of – you all need to choose your roles for this. I am supposed to tell them next week who is taking what title." I dug into my sandwich and opened my bag of chips as I glanced around the group. "I also need to state that it doesn't matter about titles. You are all my best friends. We are all doing this together. There is no I'm better. You are all making the same money and we can divide and conquer the work together." My eyes looked at Dylan and Cameron as they stared at each other. "If you all hate your role, we can redo it the next year."
"What are the roles?" Lennon asked.
"Associate Head coach – the number two guy, two assistant head coaches, one of who will be in charge or recruiting and development and the other will be in charge of strength and conditioning, and a director of player operation." The group all looked around each other as if they were trying to figure out who was going to take which position as if we hadn't discussed it a handful of times. I just needed them to make the final decision. "Dylan should be the strength and conditioning coach, his masters is in physical education. He has his personal training certificate." Cameron spoke up and it was pretty agreed upon that Dylan should do that. "I can do recruiting and player development. I've been helping these kids get recruited for a while now."
"Alright, you two, which one?" I asked looking over at Jax and Jesse.
"I'll do Director of Operations. I am the best planner of the group, I have the most patience, and the players will love me the most." Jesse said and we all laughed as I looked over at Jax. "You want to be number 2?" I asked him and he smirked, "Why the hell not?" we bumped fists as I laughed, "That was easier than I thought it was going to be." The group laughed as we all ate our food. "I figured you would all want the two spots." Josie said drawing her legs up and most of them shook their heads. "Too much responsibility could fall there. Something happens to Troy. Gabi? The kids? We are suddenly in charge. No thanks," we all laughed as the boys broke into an argument over who was watching film for the next game.
My eyes swung to Gabi as she smiled over at me, "What's the smile for?" I asked her and she shrugged, "I am just proud of you."
"Proud of me?" she nodded as she took a sip of her coffee. "Yea, you are going to be a great college coach." I smiled as both of our phones dinged. I reached for mine as she reached for hers and I saw a big smile spread over her lips. "My babies!" I watched her as she looked at the photos that were sent. "Gabi, I haven't seen you pump." Jesse said and Gabi smirked, "I am weaning them this weekend and myself. I wasn't going to force myself to pump unless I felt like I needed it. I am hoping since they aren't nursing all weekend that they will just not want to do it."
"Oohh…this was well timed." Josie said and I laughed as Sage smirked, "You did think of that one. Honey, where are we going without Noah?" Sage asked and Jesse smiled. "Anywhere you want, baby," he scooped her closer. The group laughed as it was her idea to help wean them off this weekend. We were trying to get them to mostly food with the leftover breast milk from pumping the past year for their milk mixed with regular milk. Our parents haven't said anything yet about them refusing milk from and were going straight to bed when laid down. They weren't crying or whining for more.
I reached over to let my hand run down her leg as she shivered against my touch. We all finished our lunches as the girls laid back in the sun while Jesse, Jax, and Cameron started throwing around the football. Dylan was talking with Josie as they were laughing together as I laid on my belly next to Gabi. "I love time away from our kids, but I miss them. They would have so much fun." Gabi looked over at me and I nodded, "They would. Until they rubbed sand in their eyes." I couldn't stop my laugh and I agreed as I let my hand run down her belly. "Are you excited for tomorrow?"
"I am. It's going to be fun for all of us. What are you ladies going to do tomorrow? Any big plans?" Gabi shook her head as she propped herself up. "No. I think we are going to go get breakfast, go shop for a bit, and then come back and hang out at the pool and bar." I laid my head down as Gabi moved and she straddled my back as her hands pressed into my muscles. I groaned from the feeling as my back was tense and taunt. "If you would have asked me three years ago if I was going to be on a beach with my husband, all of my best friends, and his best friends, I would have laughed so hard because I never would have imagined this. Not even in my wildest dreams."
I twisted my head to face her as she had a soft smile on her face and those brown eyes were even softer. I flipped over as she blocked the sun as I let my hands run up her legs. "If you would have asked me three years ago if I would be right here with the sexiest woman alive and two kids and with all my best friends? I would have been committed from thinking somebody was insane. Especially if you told me all of us were either married or soon to be married." Gabi laughed as her eyes sparkled. "I am so glad I found you." I pulled her down as her mouth found mine. "I love you," I whispered to her. "Thanks for not thinking I was a creepy guy."
Gabi laughed as she pressed her face into my neck, "I love you, and you were a little creepy, but your badge helped you." I couldn't stop my laugh as I just circled my arms around her and tucked her close to me. "My badge?" I couldn't stop the laughter as it rumbled through my chest and Gabi laughed. "You could have been some serial killer stalker, but your badge told me you weren't lying about who you were and that if a school district trusted you I could." I shook my head as I pressed my lips into her hair. "What if it was fake?" I questioned.
She rolled her eyes and pushed off my chest, "Then well…guess we wouldn't be here." I chuckled as a football hit my head. "Bolton, c'mon, let's throw this sucker around." I shook my head as I looked at Gabi and she rolled off. "Go play with your friends." I kissed her again and I hopped up and went running down the beach as I chucked the football at Jax.
Gabi's POV
"Hi Sutty, what are you doing baby?" I crossed my legs as I sat on the hotel bed as Troy was in the shower. Sutton and Saylor were playing in front of me as my mom held the phone. Sutton screeched and giggled as he tried to reach for the phone. My heart soared into my throat as we were getting ready for bed as the boys were leaving early tomorrow so we were all calling it a night. "Saylor," I sang her name and she looked at the phone and grinned as her chubby hands reached for it. "Hi baby," I murmured, and she smacked her lips.
"Mom, are they honestly being good? They haven't been too much trouble?" I asked as I nibbled on my lip. "Sweetie, they have been angels. We love these sweet babies so much. Especially seeing your smile on your face when you talk to them. I wasn't sure if I was ever going to see that smile again." I blinked my eyes trying to blink away any tears. This trip for some reason had brought out more emotions than I wanted it, too. I think it came from thinking about how lucky I was to be in this life, but that guilt crawled in that Zo was missing out.
"Thanks mom," my voice cracked at the end, and I clamped my mouth shut. "Gabi, sweetie, are you okay?" the camera flipped to my mom, and I nodded as I smiled at her. "I am. I promise. I just…I am so thankful for everything right now." I told her. "Oh sweetie, I know. You have so much to be thankful for." Saylor screeched out and my mom laughed as she turned the camera back to her as Troy came out of the bathroom. His eyes laser focused on me, and those eyes blinked before he caught sight of his kids on the camera.
"Sutty! Say-Say!" Troy sat down next to me as they both were clapping their hands as Troy did it back. They both laughed and I smiled watching them. Troy let his hand run over my leg. Pretty much telling me I wasn't getting away from the conversation that he wanted to have with me. "Oh babies! Is that daddy?" my mom's voice echoed on the other end of the line as Troy chuckled as the babies smacked their lips and reached for the phone. "Dadada!" Saylor yelled and I couldn't stop my own laugh. "I will let you get them to bed. I don't want them to be too cranky." I spoke.
"Of course, I know you wanted to talk to them though so if you need more time."
"Troy, do you want more?" Troy shook his head. "No, just seeing them is good for me. If I was there, I would be snuggling them." My mom laughed as we waved and blew kisses to them. "I love you Sutty, I love you Saylor," I blew them each a kiss as Troy did the same before, we hung up the phone. "What's wrong?" came out of his mouth the moment the phone hit the bed. "Troy, I'm okay. I think this trip just keeps showing me that I am so fucking lucky to have all of this stuff. I have an amazing husband, two beautiful kids, a new friend group, and I'm on a beach, and then it just lingers in the background that Zoey isn't getting to do these things and it's so…" I paused as I blinked away the tears and I tried to find the right words. "Unfair," Troy whispered for me, and I nodded my head as I wiped my tears away.
"It's so unfair," I whispered, and Troy pulled me into his arms, and he rubbed my back up and down as I hiccupped, "And I hate that I am crying because I am having so much fun this week, but it was just this sudden wave of grief that came out of nowhere." Troy pressed his lips into my hair as he didn't say anything but just held me. "I just hate that she doesn't get to do these things with her friends anymore, she doesn't get to Facetime her kids, she won't see Blaine play basketball. I can't share all about my weekend with you and how much I love you."
He let me cry for a moment and he cupped my face to look at me as he swiped away the few tears remaining. "I thought I was past this part except for the big days." I whispered and he cupped my head. "Grief isn't a timetable, you know that. These are the small things that come back and just show you how much you miss her. There is no other side of grief, there just is. Day by day it gets smaller but it's always there. These emotions are valid and yea, I would want to call my brother and tell him all about how much I love this girl. I couldn't imagine not being able to do that. Never apologize for feeling this. For feeling and grieving your sister."
I closed my eyes as he pressed his lips to my cheek, and I shook my head. "I just hate when it hits. It's like a wave just takes you under and reminds you with every single hit of it that she isn't here. She isn't doing it. She won't experience that. I can't tell her." I shook my head and Troy laid down as he intertwined our bodies together. He held me so close, and he just rocked me as I let the tears slide down my face. "I miss her," I murmured after a while. "I know, baby, I know how much you miss her."
"Sometimes I think it hurts worse because she never got to see this. Happy me. The woman who smiles and laughs and loves her life."
"She's watching you." He murmured.
I just gripped his t-shirt, and I kissed his chest as he brushed my hair. "I love you; you can always take me under with you, Gabi. I am going to be your anchor on these days to keep you from drifting too far. I'll hold you because you get to have these moments. You're right, this weekend has been amazing, and we haven't even gotten to the best part yet." Troy paused on his words for a moment and shook his head, "As much as I am going to enjoy this super bowl with my best friends – nothing has been better than spending these last couple of days with you."
I just hugged him tighter as he was my safe place, my person, my home. There wasn't anybody else that could bring this comfort over me. "Grief is stupid," I whispered, and Troy just chuckled as he kissed me. "It is stupid but we're in this together."
Sunday, February 7th, 2021
Troy's POV
I twisted my hat backwards as we were all wearing different jerseys of our favorite players in the NFL as we navigated the Super Bowl Sunday scene. "Guys, we are the luckiest men alive." Jesse said as we watched a concert and were taking in the scene around here as it was packed with people. "We have the best wives and girlfriends around." I added as this morning I woke up with Gabi still snuggled in my arms with her cheeks and eyes still swollen from the tears she had shed. I hardly wanted to leave her but one look from her told me she would be upset if I didn't go. The tickets were expensive, and she wanted me to go with her friends.
I also knew it would make her feel worse if I didn't go. Somebody at some point told me that grief was not linear and would come up at the oddest times. To never be surprised when it catches her off guard. It caught me off guard last night, but I knew deep down those were the moments she thought of her sister the most. She probably would have left the twins with her. I shook my head as I focused on the group in front of me as there was activities everywhere on the lawn. Dylan got us into a group photo and sent it to the girls as we found the stage where they were talking up the game.
The Bucs were the home team in their stadium against the Chiefs. "This might be the coolest thing we have ever done." Jax said with a grin. "Even better than our San Francisco trip?" I asked him and he laughed, "Yea, better than that. I think we still need to do a trip for us, soon."
"I don't know when we'll have time," I said as I ran my hands through my hair. "Gabi wants to take the kids to Wyoming to see her sister, we all move in July, basketball stuff will start in August. Unless we all sneak away for a weekend in early August before school starts." I said which caused the group to look around. "We don't have to prepare for classes this year," Cameron said as he pumped his fist and we all laughed. I don't think any of us were going to miss teaching that much. It was a part of who we were, but it wasn't who we were. We were basketball coaches and that was our goal.
"Gabi is already talking about going back to school there and getting her MBA."
"That will be so nice. Think we can convince our children to go there?" I snorted, "Would you want to go to school where your parents worked?" I questioned. We all laughed because none of us would have. "Also, who knows where we will be in 18 years."
"Jaxy, are you ready to be a dad?" Jesse asked and Jax shot him a look with a shake of his head. "I am nervous to become a dad. I am excited but nervous. Jesse and Troy made it look almost too easy." Jax shot each of us a look as I chuckled, "It was not easy, but it is a lot of fun. Especially with two of them and they are so much fun and watching them grow and learn…it's amazing. I don't care how much work and how difficult it is. I'd do it again. Twins be damned,"
"Are you nervous if you try for another kid, it will be another set of twins?" Dylan asked and I snorted, "It would be a miracle within itself but no. It was just an odd chance of it happening but if it was then it would just be another adventure for Gabi and I." the group laughed as it was always an adventure between the two of us pretty much always. "Okay, but what is the best part?" Jax asked. I shared a look with Jesse as I smiled. "It's hard to pick one best but I think my favorite is when they see you after work or when you get home or when they wake up and they just grin at you." I said as I took a drink of my water. I smiled just at the thought of it.
"Oh man, that is one of the best parts. Noah will just grin when I get him after work. I think just watching them and seeing how they interact with the world around them. They are learning and trying to figure out the world in front of them. It's fascinating to watch." Jesse added. Jax smiled as he ran his hand down his face, "I can't wait to watch and hold our baby in May."
"Only for you to move in July," Dylan added and Jax groaned, "I know. Sara was a little bummed because she wanted to do the big grand nursery and feels like she should just wait."
"They don't sleep in there for a while anyways." I spoke. "The twins slept next to Gabi for a long time. Just made everything easier."
The conversation drifted away from fatherhood and towards college basketball, the team, and the game coming up tonight. We were planning our first golf outing soon when we got back home. We decided to start heading into the game as we knew it was going to take a while to get through all of the security. "Cam, I'm glad you are marrying Lennon or else we would have made her a sister wife." Dylan said and Cameron rolled his eyes with a laugh. "Okay, whatever, but yes, this sealed the deal." We all laughed as we made our way inside, grabbed beers, and navigated towards our seat in the upper deck.
We all grinned when we got to the top and we took pictures as we sent them to the girls. "I love this,"
Gabi's POV
We were all drunk – well minus Sara. We were a giggling mess as we were at the hotel bar. We had spent the full day in the sun, and we had a fun day between the five of us. Sara was getting a kick out of all of us being this drunk together. We were all laughing about the stupidest things at this point. The bartender tried to cut us off a while ago, but we told him we were staying here at the hotel and our husbands were at the Super Bowl. He just smiled and poured us another drink. "I hope they had fun." Lennon said with a sigh as she sipped her cocktail.
"They had to have fun. They have been sending us pictures all night." Sage noted as I giggled into my drink. "Troy tried to tell me his favorite part of this weekend was getting to spend uninterrupted time with me, and I laughed and told him he was a liar because the Super Bowl would be his favorite part. How could it not?" I finished off my Sex on The Beach and the bartender, Joe, raised his eyebrow and I shook my head. We all had to fly home early tomorrow and it already wasn't going to be fun. I had to cut myself off.
"Right? Those boys think they can sweet talk us," Josie said, and we all busted out in laughter as I dropped my head. "What in the world is so funny?" a pair of arms slid around my waist as the bartender looked up as five men came up behind us and I just tilted my head back with the biggest smile. "You're back already? I figured it was going to take you forever to get out of there." Troy chuckled with a shake of his head. "No, it didn't take that long because we left with about seven minutes left in the last quarter. The Chiefs were getting blown out by Tom."
"I wish it would have been a better game," Cam pouted, and we all laughed. "I am assuming these are the husbands?" the bartender asked, and I nodded, "These are the husbands or well…some are soon to be and some need to man up." I shot a look towards Dylan, and he let his jaw open as the boys all started laughing. Joe laughed with us as he shook his head as he slid Dylan a beer. "Here ya go, buddy. Sounds like you need one." Dylan grumbled as Troy laughed pressing his lips into my hair. "I fucking love you," I couldn't stop my own laugh, "You better. You married me." He shook his head as he stole a kiss and he smirked at all of us.
"Did you five need a babysitter?" Jesse asked and all of us girls giggled, "No, Joe was our babysitter. The best kind." Sage retorted and I watched all of the guys look at Sara. "What? They are grown woman with hard lives. I let them drink as much as they want. Double actually, since I couldn't." the group laughed as Jax had Sara wrapped up against him. His hand resting on her baby bump. "Have you spilled the beans?" Jax asked her and all of us girls shot daggers at Sara. "What beans?" Lennon yelled and Cameron just raised an eyebrow over towards her.
"We found out the gender the day before we came here. I figured she would have blabbered it by now."
"Seriously, dude? You've known this whole weekend?" Sara couldn't stop the grin, "It's a girl!" she said throwing her hands up and we all gasped as we collected her in hugs as the guys patted Jax on the back. "A girl? Two of each now." Sage mentioned with a smile on her face. "My daughter has a husband, and my son has a wife. Perfect." Troy said wiping his hands clean and we all laughed. "They are all going to be such best friends. I love that we are all having children together." Sage said with another grin. The boys laughed as they all got a round of beers and we sat down at a table as we continued to talk. The girls started nursing waters and my eyes were becoming heavy.
"I think it's time all of them head to bed." I heard Troy murmur as I lifted my eyelids as I had my head resting on Troy's shoulder. The guys laughed as Troy scooped me up and I locked my arms around his neck. "I didn't mean to fall asleep," I murmured, and Troy just laughed as he kissed my forehead. "You girls had a lot to drink today. That tab was mighty." I just laughed as he carried me upstairs and into bed. "Thanks for this weekend," I whispered, and Troy chuckled. "I think you ladies planned it. We all had a blast today."
"We all love you boys,"
"I know," he smiled as I smiled back. "Go to sleep. We have an early flight tomorrow."
I did not argue.
Happy Early Update! Thank you for the patience in both this story and the release of Loyal (Yes! That's the name!). I know I said February, but you know how my life goes. Crazy. Ha! Speaking of – the reason you are getting this early as I am having hand surgery tomorrow. I do not know how my recovery is going to go yet and when I will be able to type. With that said – I am not going to give an next update yet. I will update my profile when I know of a date so you can be on the look-out for the story. Loyal is for sure going to make its debut April 23rd. I CANNOT wait for you to read what I have written so far. It takes Gabi and Troy's relationship to a whole new level in that one.
SO. I will update when I know how my hand is doing and when I can finish the chapter to Coach's Wife. I kinda keep forgetting about the hand surgery if you want my honest opinion haha
Lastly, I know some of you aren't getting my updates sent your email. You can either 1. Check my profile on the date that I say I am going to update or 2. You can go into your settings in your account and turn on email notifications. I don't know why FanFiction did that but that's why nobody is getting email updates any more haha BUT those are the two best options I have for you to stay up to date. I definitely miss the reviews and seeing who is reading!
PLEASE REVIEW!
Update: TBD
