Chapter 14 – Rings

Saturday, March 27th, 2021

Troy's POV

Saylor bounced on my lap as I watched Blaine run down the court as I was nervous. Almost as nervous as I was last year at this time. Blaine was in the State Championship game, and it was so damn close. Saylor ripped out her binky and cried tossing her head back against me as I glanced down at her. "What?" I asked her and Gabi laughed next to me as they called a timeout as they were in the third quarter. Saylor stood up on my thighs and she reached for my hat, and I chuckled as she gave me a gummy smile and put her hands on my face.

"Daddy loves you," I murmured into her ear as I brought her into a hug. She laid her head on my shoulder as I looked down at James who was letting his elbows hit his knee. My heart thought about the thoughts he could be having because I know I would be having them in his position. His wife should be sitting next to him cheering on their son. Instead, he's alone. Lucy was sitting with Gina and Andy as the entire family was here. Beth even flew in and was holding Sutton. Colt was sitting next to her with his hand inside of her hand.

Gabi chewed on her lip as Saylor reached over for her and Gabi took her from me as her curls were bouncing on her head and I reached over for Gabi's thigh. She gave me a smile, "Are there a few days coming up that you can at least take a day off?" I asked her as my eyes went back to the game in front of us as Blaine took the court. He was playing so well today, and I couldn't be prouder of him. He was going to rock it in Tennessee. "I mean, probably, why?" I shrugged, "I have a handful of vacation days I need to take, and I would rather find a day that I can spend all day with just you and then another day with our family doing something together. A beach day, a day at the zoo, or just a lazy day at the house with the four of us."

Gabi gave a side look to me, and a tiny smile lifted onto her face, "I think I can make that work."

"I might take another day to just spend with them. I feel like basketball just…I hate when I'm not home and I know that's only going to get so much fucking worse." Gabi laughed and nodded, "It is but there are going to be so many good opportunities. Let me look at my calendar when I get home and we can see a few good dates that we can take time together." I squeezed her thigh. I texted our group chat to update the guys on how the game was going when Saylor was climbing back in my lap. She snuggled into my chest, and I rubbed her back and rocked her as she must have been tired. Saylor was the girl to run around full speed until she was tired.

"She just loves her daddy," Gabi said, and I looked over at her with a smile on my face. "I love them both, I love you, too." I gave her a kiss as I turned my attention back to the game as they were winding down on the fourth quarter. They were up by seven as the buzzer went off as Blaine threw up a shot from the half court and hit the rim. "Damn, I can't believe he almost made that." I stood up with Saylor as I rocked her, and she fisted my shirt while I exhaled as I looked over at James. "You doing, okay?" James huffed out a breath as Lucy moved to Gabi's lap as they were talking about something.

"Yea, just nervous for him. I want this for him." I nodded in agreement, "If he was going to beat me, he had to go win the whole thing." James tossed his head back in a laugh as I smiled knowing that a handful of years ago, he wasn't laughing like that. I sat back down at play resumed as Gabi peeked over at Saylor, "Oh, somebody fell asleep." I nodded as I knew because of her breathing pattern that she fell asleep on me. I held my breath as the other team kept inching back and forth as it was too close. I watched Coach Sam's as he controlled his players and called effective time-outs.

Blaine didn't leave the court as he was working his ass off the entire time as he ran around and made sure the plays were made. There were only minutes left of his high school career. Blaine held the ball as he looked for his teammates down the court and passed the ball overhead before working back to the outside of the three-point range. He received the ball back as the kid on the other team has had a hell of a time defending him – so now he had two, but he didn't hesitate and shot up the ball as it circled in, and it dropped in as I yelled with excitement as it put them ahead.

Saylor cried out and I laughed, "I'm sorry baby," I rubbed her back as Gabi laughed. Gabi let her hand fall on my thigh as I gave her a smile. My phone buzzed next to me, and I nudged it towards Gabi, "Will you answer that. It's the guys wanting an update." Gabi nodded as she picked up my phone and put in my passcode before answering with the score. "Has Dylan proposed yet?" Gabi asked and I chuckled, "Tomorrow, they were down there all weekend, and he recruited some help from Jax. He is setting it up in the house while they get breakfast and they are going to check out the house one more time and he's going, too." Gabi gave me a grin, "I am so happy for them. I remember Dylan the bachelor," I chuckled as I let my eyes scan over the court again as they were down to thirty and were up by one as the other team took the ball and got a quick two to go down by one.

"Shit," I cursed underneath my breath as I watched Blaine as he didn't panic. Good.

Coach Sam's called a time out as they were down to ten seconds as they had the ball. They had to get it to Blaine's hands quickly. He was by far the best shooter tonight and the best shooter overall. The broke from their final timeout and the other team had none so they could hold the ball until the last shot. They inbounded the ball and quickly got it down court as Blaine was in the receiving hand as they pretty much had Blaine triple guarded but he took one step back and let the shot air as the buzzer went off. I stood up as the whole arena did as the ball hit the rim, bounced, and fell in.

The entire West Ashley side lost it as Blaine fell to his knees as his friends mobbed him in the middle. Gabi was jumping up and down with Beth as they were hugging, and I couldn't stop my grin as I watched James clap his hands for his son and all of his achievements. Fuck, I was so damn proud of him. They helped Blaine off the floor as they started the ceremony and Gabi reached over to hug me. "You, okay?" I whispered into her ear as I kissed right below it. She just nodded as I felt her tears, "I am so proud of him and I really fucking hope Zoey is watching him right now." I gripped her with my free her and kissed her head. "She is, baby, she is."

Saylor perked up on my shoulder with all the commotion as I pointed Blaine to her as he was shaking hands with his team. He turned around and he found his dad as James was already moving and Blaine was halfway across the court as James embraced him in a tight hug once they met in the middle. Blaine's shoulders were shaking, and I felt Gabi suck in a breath of air next to me. "He's okay," I whispered, "It's a big moment," I said to her, and she just nodded as they finished the hug as Blaine pulled back pulling his jersey up to wipe his face. James squeezed his shoulder and returned back to the bleachers as he was wiping his own eyes. "Daddy! I want to hug Blaine!" Lucy climbed into his lap, "Let them do the award ceremony and then we will all go see Blaine."

Gabi reached forward and hugged James and he hugged her right back, "He wouldn't be here without you," James told her, and Gabi just closed her eyes to the words and inhaled as she tried to keep it all at bay. I passed Saylor off to Andy as Gabi let go of Blaine and nodded as she covered her mouth, and I pulled her closer to me. I put her into my lap, and I kissed her head. "You are amazing, Gabriella Bolton." She flushed as the words, and I kissed her softly. "This moment is just as much yours as it is his. You helped him get to here and if you hadn't been there…" Gabi just nodded as she wiped away her tears and we turned our attention back to the ceremony.

West Ashley was lined up and when they announced Blaine as MVP? The whole crowd applauded with excitement. Once it was all over and the photos were taken of the team, parents were invited down along with family. We all headed that direction as we made our way towards Blaine. Lucy ran as Andy and Gina held Saylor and Sutton's hands as we walked across the court. Blaine bent down to catch Lucy in a hug, and I heard them both laugh together. I smiled watching as he looked up and made eye contact with Gabi and he stood up before grabbing her in a hug.

"Thank you, Aunt Gabi, I couldn't have done these last two and half years without you." Gabi just nodded knowing that if she spoke, she would lose it. The feeling of everything she had to go through to give him this moment was probably on the forefront of her mind at the moment. Beth collided in on the hug and Blaine laughed hugging both of his aunts as they took a picture together. Lucy and James joined in along with Gina and Andy. Finally – Colt, Saylor, Sutton, and I joined in on the picture as we had another family take it.

Once the group broke up, he took a picture with just our family as he held Saylor and Sutton in his arms. Once it was over, Gabi hugged him again and he sat the twins down as I turned to watch him and he met my eye with a smile, "That was amazing," I chuckled as I brought him into a hug. "You were amazing, I am so proud of you." Blaine hugged me tighter, "Thank you for being there for all of us. This has been amazing."

"I am so damn proud of you, and I cannot wait to see what you do with your life from here. You have so much to look forward to and don't let this be the top. Keep climbing," Blaine nodded, and he gave me a smile, "Let's climb to the top together," I just nodded with a grin as we bumped fists as I scooped up the twins who were running away and they were both screaming and tired as I looked over at Gabi. "I am going to take them back to the hotel. Do you want to stay with your family?" I asked her and she hesitated, "Do you mind? I know they need to go to bed."

"No, stay with your family. You deserve time with them. If they weren't cranky and tired, I would stay, too." She just nodded and I gave her a quick kiss. We had a few cars down here, so I knew she had a ride as I went back to put the twins in their car seats in the back of my Jeep. Both of them crying and overly tired as I buckled them up. I shot a text of photos to the group of the trophy presentation as I exhaled with a smile. Yea, this was good.


Sunday, March 28th, 2021

Gabi's POV

We all admired Josie's engagement ring as the boys had planned a family dinner tonight to celebrate Dylan and Josie's engagement. Saylor, Sutton, and Noah were all playing together as Josie was flushed and riding on a high from the moment that he proposed today, and she was so excited. "I cannot wait to plan a wedding," she gushed. "It is so much fun," Lennon grinned wide as she was going to have probably one of the most gorgeous weddings. "I am almost glad I am the last one because all of you can give me the best tips." We all laughed as Dylan had a hand on her shoulder as he grinned, "Guys, thought I would be single forever." Troy shifted behind me with a laugh.

"I mean, I thought we all were except for Jesse. The sap," I elbowed Troy and he grunted with a laugh. "Be nice to your one stable friend," the group laughed as Troy tangled his hand through my hair. "Thanks, Gabs," I nodded with a smile at Jesse as Troy kissed the back of my head. We were lazy tonight and just ordered pizza and made the kids an easy dinner because we were all tired. Jax, Sara, Josie, and Dylan all came from Georgia today after the proposal while we drove from the state tournament. Everybody was tired and I couldn't wait to crawl into bed tonight, but it was fun celebrating our friends first.

"Are you thinking about dragging this out or quickly?" Lennon asked, Josie gave a look towards Dylan with a smile, "We're thinking next May. Give us about a year, after basketball season, and we will probably have it here since all of our families and friends besides you guys will be here."

"A visit back will be good." Cameron nodded as we all agreed. "Gabi are your parents still moving?" I nodded, "They are. They are going to come a few months after us. A slow move-in process but we're excited to have them down there with us. They are going to find a retirement community after we all get settled down there that is maintenance free and they can easily pick up and go see Beth whenever they want, too. Or go see Blaine, James, and Lucy."

"How do they feel about being the neighborhood babysitter?" Jesse asked and I laughed. "They would probably love it, but they can handle like four of them."

"Ope, looks like we're all locked in." Sara said rubbing her stomach causing all of us to laugh. "Len, how is the wedding coming along?" I asked and she grinned, "I cannot wait to celebrate that day. I cannot wait to see it all come together. It is going to be so nice and finally getting to marry him." Lennon grinned over at Cameron who was smiling right back at her. My eyes found Troy and he gave me a smile, too. "I replay our wedding day over and over." He said to the group but mostly back to me. "It was only six months ago," Jax said, and Troy hit his gut, "And? It's been a long damn six months with everything that's been happening."

The group grunted in agreement as Sutton cried out, Troy turned to look at him and he chuckled, "Sutty, is Say picking on you?" Troy moved to pick him up as Sutton laid his head on Troy's shoulder. "Are you getting sleepy buddy?" Saylor screeched as Sutton was in Troy's arms and Jax laughed as he reached down for her. She whined and tried to reach for Troy as Jax laughed. "Saylor, are you jealous?" I nodded, "That's her daddy." I proclaimed as the group laughed as Saylor had the big alligator tears roll down her cheeks as Troy laughed and reached out to wipe them off her face. "Saylor, I'm right here."

She threw her arms out towards Troy as he shook his head as Dylan took Sutton and Troy took Saylor from Jax. "Hi baby, I think you are all getting tired." Saylor whined as Troy handed her, her pacifier and she took it happily from Troy. "Do you think they are going to enjoy the new house?" I nodded, "I do think they are going to love it. The backyard, the soon to be pool, and the play area we're doing in the house." A grin spread across Troy's face. "I love that they are going to be upstairs and we're going to be downstairs." Troy wiggled his eyebrows and I just laughed.

"Shut up, it's not like them being next door stops anything." Troy tossed his head back in a laugh. "You aren't wrong there." He shot me a grin and I shook my head as Josie laughed, "Dylan, I truly never thought there would be any one hornier than you." All of the guys laughed, "Just imagine our college house back in the day," Jax spoke, and Sage grunted, "It was disgusting. You were all lucky to not know them then." Sage said which caused all of us laughed. "We were just college boys. We weren't that bad." Cameron tried to defend, and Jesse scratched the back of his neck.

"As the innocent bystander? You were all terrible." The boys groaned and I couldn't help but laugh. "We figured it out." Troy said with a shrug, "College was college. I wouldn't change anything now though." Troy let those blue eyes sit on me and I gave him a smile back as we chatted for a few more moments before we all agreed we needed to get home, and everybody needed to go to bed as Noah was half asleep on the ground. We got the kids in the car as Troy looked over at me with a tiny smile as he peered in the back to see the kids half asleep.

"Want to take a little trip?" I raised an eyebrow, "What are you thinking? The kids are asleep." Troy nodded, "I know. I figured just a few minutes with the two of us with them in the car." I gave a half smile towards him and a nod, "I trust you." He smiled over at me as he drove, and he rolled up to one of our favorite ice cream places. "I'll be right back." He parked the car and popped out as I couldn't help but smile wider as he jogged towards the door. This is one of the biggest things I appreciated about him. His desire to continue to date and continue to make sure we get time together. My eyes peered in the back of the car as both of the babies were passed out. I had a sneak suspicion that Troy took tomorrow off work since he wasn't rushing to get home and get ready for work tomorrow.

I shot a text to Brea telling her I wouldn't be in tomorrow morning and to let me know if they needed me. I had a class tomorrow evening but even just a lazy morning with my family on a Monday sounded better than going to work on finance stuff in the office. Troy came back with two different sundaes and a smile on his face as he had twisted his hat around before navigating the car towards the ocean. "What brought this on?" I asked him and he gave a tiny shrug, "I just feel like life is going to finally slow down for just a few weeks and I want to capitalize on what we do get for these few weeks before it's full-on moving mode and then diving into a whole new world."

He pulled up to one of our favorite docks and he peered back in the back seat as we would never be more than 10 feet from the car as there was a bench right in front of us. Troy got out with the two sundaes as he turned the car off, took the keys, and auto started his Jeep before we sat down together. He handed me my favorite ice cream as I tucked myself underneath of him. "Did you take tomorrow off?" I asked him as I peered up at him and he chuckled, "Was I that obvious?" I nodded with a laugh. "Yea, if you were going to work tomorrow, we would be heading home." Troy laughed with a nod, "Yea, I took tomorrow off. I know you have to go into the studio in the morning but at least maybe lunch?"

I shook my head, "I text Brea and told her I wasn't coming in tomorrow morning unless they needed me. I had the class at five so I might just go in early and work on the few things I needed to do but a morning with my family sounded a bit better." Troy dropped his spoon back into his sundae as he turned to face me. "Seriously?" he asked me, and I nodded my head, "You are right. We only have so much time left without it going up into craziness again and when is the last time we just laid in bed together with those two rascals crawling over us?"

Troy gave a smile as he took another bite of his ice cream, "I love you, thank you,"

"The moment I realized what we were doing was the moment I knew what I needed to do. We can have breakfast and drink coffee together as they play outside and do all the things, I wish we could do all the time." Troy shook his head as he tipped my head back and dropped his mouth to mine. A soft, gentle, kiss as he shook his head, "It sounds like a damn perfect day to me. This doesn't count against the other days that I want to take off. I have so many days I need to take." I smiled, "Just give a few that you want to take, and I can see what I can do at work."

Troy took a bite and smiled, "One of those days I am okay just spending the day with those two in there. One day I want all with you and no kids. The other day I want another family day. I do agree that I think we could both use a chill day but maybe like early May and we can go to the beach or something if it's nice out."

"I'll miss living this close to the beach,"

"We won't be too far. It's just a bit more of a drive and we can make more of a day of it." I rested my head on his shoulder after I finished my ice cream. "I am excited for our new adventure, and I am excited to do this together. I think it's going to be good for me in the end. We get to let go of everything that happened here and get to start all of our own new memories." Troy's fingers tangled in my hair gently as he kissed the top of my head. "This is still our home where we started our lives together and that will never change. Was it hard? Yea but it was so fucking worth it."

My eyes peered back at the car, and I nodded, "You're right. It has been worth it." Troy kissed the top of my head as he exhaled, and I knew the stress was falling off his shoulders at the moment. "I am so happy for Blaine," Troy finally said after a few beats of being quiet and just listening to the ocean. "I am, too. He needed that." Troy adjusted himself on the bench and nodded, "I am proud of him, too. That is such a big moment and I know that it had to be hard for him tonight, too." I swallowed and nodded my head. "James wasn't wrong. I know I gave you a hard time in the beginning of our relationship about doing too much for them, but you brought those kids back to life and you got them to this point. That is something you should be proud of."

His eyes peered back at me, and I swallowed with a nod, "It makes it all feel…worth it." I told him with tears in my eyes. "All that pain and heartache that I went through to help them. It was worth it, and it was even more worth it because I got you and those two cute kids in the car." Troy chuckled as he pulled me into his lap as he wrapped me up into his body. "I love you," he murmured into my ear. "I love you, more." I whispered back to him, and he kissed me, and I exhaled. "We should probably get those two babies' home. How about on Saturday I ask my mom to take them for a few hours and we can have a day date?"

Troy smiled, "I'd really like that."


Monday, March 29th, 2021

Troy's POV

My finger trailed down Gabi's arm as we were both still half asleep in bed as the twins were both still sleeping in their cribs across the hall. She curled up on my chest and I exhaled as I loved having her right here. "This reminds me of the days where we were just dating, and we just laid here for hours." Gabi smiled as she nodded, "I'm glad you chose today to not work. I think we both needed a lazy day." I laughed with a nod, "That we did need. Can we make a pact that we pull our kids out of school every now and then to let them have days off? I remember my mom always just wanting us to be at school and there were just days that I needed this or to just…go see a movie or do nothing at home but talk with my mom."

Gabi pushed up and looked at me, "Of course. I think mental health is important and I want them to feel safe to come to me and tell me what they need and if they need a day off. Give them three or four a school year and maybe they only choose two but know that they can ask for them. As they are younger maybe we just chose a few days – especially always after basketball season. I think once you are in the thick of college basketball season, once the season is officially over and you can take a week off? I think that's when we take family vacations. I don't give a flying fuck about taking them out of school. I think we need to just take our family out of here and reconnect after what I can only imagine will be a very long handful of months of daddy not being around."

I reached forward and brushed my fingers over her face, "Deal. Done. Pick the location every year and we will go."

My fingers gripped her hips as I pulled her into my lap, "What else?"

"I want to visit your family often."

"Always."

"I want our kids to know their grandparents. I loved mine and hate that I don't have them anymore."

I kissed her and she smiled, "Are you trying to quiet me?" I shook my head, "No, I just love you so fucking much because I want all of these things with you." She wrapped her arms around my neck as she deepened the kiss while rolling her body against mine. I groaned as she did it and my eyes peered over at the clock. "We do not have that much time before one of them is awake." Gabi ignored me as she continued the kiss and let her fingers drag through my hair which nearly dragged me down. "Fuck, Gabi," she smiled as our fingers locked together.

"If you don't think we have that much time you better get to work." I grunted as I flipped her onto her back and went into overdrive of starting my morning in a way, I would have two years ago. I kissed her roughly before dragging my lips down her body and pushing her shirt up and over her body as I did only have so much time. She pushed my shorts down as she arched her body up to meet mine. "Are you already ready for me?" I asked as I reached down to move her underwear out of the way. "Fuck, Troy, I wake up ready for you."

A growl left my mouth as I slid right in, and I groaned because she wasn't wrong. She was ready for me. She always was. Her legs wrapped around my waist. I would kill to take my time with her and drag it out, but we were both racing the clock. I drug her to the edge, and she cried out, but I silenced her with my mouth. "Troy, please," the cry that left her mouth nearly made me fall apart as I sent her over the edge, and I fell right behind her as our bodies locked together. The bliss both of us felt together and the want to not leave our bed to continue that. Yes, fucking please. The moment my body hit the mattress Saylor's cry rang through the baby monitor. I grumbled as I was still trying to catch my breath.

Gabi laughed as she rolled over to stare at me, "I knew you would have great timing." I laughed as she kissed me and sat up. "I have to go pee; will you get her and just bring her back to bed?" I raised an eyebrow, "After that?" I questioned as I sat up and pulled on a pair of shorts. Gabi rolled her eyes with a laugh, "It isn't the first time." I chuckled as she went to the bathroom, and I went to get Saylor who was sitting down with her sleep sack still on and her brother dead asleep. She clapped and grinned when she saw me, "Dada!" I smiled as I picked her up, "Hi baby girl," I unzipped her sleep sack and quickly changed her diaper as I carried her back to our bedroom.

"Mama!" Gabi's face light up as she reached for Saylor. I smiled watching her as Saylor reached for Gabi. Her hair was growing out to past her ears, and she was slowly taking on the look of a little girl instead of a baby. I still couldn't forget the little girl who was intubated in a box in the hospital.

"Hi baby," Gabi said as Saylor nuzzled up to her as I smiled, "I am going to make a cup of coffee for both of us. I'll be right back." She nodded as Gabi couldn't tear her eyes away from Saylor as Saylor grabbed her hand and stood up on her thighs. Gabi laughed as I stood in the doorway just for a moment watching the two of them. Saylor let her chubby fingers grab Gabi's cheeks as Gabi laughed, "Say-Say, did you sleep well?" babbled and Gabi just gave a smile, "I love you, baby girl." I just gave a smile as I shook my head before going downstairs and making both of us coffee while grabbing a breakfast bar and cereal puffs for those two nuggets.

I carried the coffee back upstairs and back into the bedroom as Gabi was tickling Saylor. She giggled and Gabi just laughed back. "Here ya go," I told her, and she smiled as I handed her the coffee to her liking. "Thank you," she said with a smile tipping her head back to look at me. "Of course," I took a sip of my coffee as Saylor was playing with the remote in our bed. "I am going to check on Sutton and then I will be crawling back into bed," Gabi nodded as she pulled one of Saylor's books out of our nightstand to read with her.

Sutton was rubbing his eyes when I walked in and he smiled up at me, "Hi buddy, are you waking up?" a grin worked on his face as he stretched out. His arms went above his head, and I reached for him. "C'mon, buddy. Let's change our diaper and go see mom."

"Mama!" he cheered, and I laughed as I changed his diaper and put him on my hip, but he whined and wanted down. I obliged and I held his hand as he toddled across the hall and into our room. "There is my Sutty boy!" Saylor squealed at the sight of her brother as she wiggled down to crash into him. I chuckled as I scooped both of them up and tossed them both into bed causing both of them to squeal. "Dada, dada," Saylor crawled into my lap as I handed Gabi a cereal bar and I opened the other one was Sutton had crawled into Gabi's lap.

Saylor happily munched on the bar in my lap as I drank my coffee. Gabi reached over to curl her fingers through my hand, "Once we get up, let's change their clothes and let them play out back with Luna." I nodded, "Sounds perfect. Do you want to go grab some outfits?" I asked her and she nodded her head with a smile on her face. "Yea, I'll wait until they are done eating. If you would have asked younger me if I would let my kids eat in my bed, I would have laughed." I chuckled, "I know. I just don't want to get out of bed and these two are so content."

They were both eating cereal and playing with the book. Saylor screeched as Sutton pulled it away and Gabi gave a smile as she gently took the book away and put it under the pillow. Saylor stomped her foot and I just chuckled, "Fudge, we are in trouble." Gabi shot me a look with a laugh as she got up to grab clothes for them as I stayed in bed with the two of them. Sutton scooted back to be sitting in my lap as I kissed his head. We both got our hair cut last week as his was tucked back and out of his face. Gabi came back and we each changed on as Gabi pulled Saylor's hair in tiny little ponies. "God, she is looking too grown up. Stop," I kissed on Saylor, and she giggled pushing me away before we let her down and she took off running for the door, but Gabi shut the door before she could escape.

We both changed, brushed our teeth, and once we were both ready, we took our coffee downstairs and guided both of them outside. Gabi gathered milk for them as they were more than happy to play in the backyard today. We had a little fenced in area for them as Gabi and I sat on the chairs behind them as they both were giggling and playing with their toys. I reached over for Gabi's hand as I slid my fingers through hers and I gave her a smile. "This is how I picture most of our mornings once we move." I told her and she gave me a sideways smile, "You won't have to be rushing off?" I shrugged, "Not sure but I make the rules now. My practice schedule, etc. I doubt there will ever be a morning that I have to be their earlier than 10."

"Or I will be gone before you all get up for weights but honestly – I'd rather do it in the afternoon. Make those ding dongs take morning classes with weights and practice in the afternoon. That sounds like a dream." Gabi laughed as Luna came up and nudged her head between my legs. "Hi baby, do you want to go for a run in a little bit?" she nudged my knee, and I rubbed her head. "We will. Let me enjoy this time with mom," Luna whined as we both laughed at her, and Saylor mimicked the noises she made which only made Gabi and I laugh harder.

"It would be nice to get a few hours in the morning with you." Gabi said and I gave her a smile, "It's my plan. Obviously, we'll take it by ear and see what happens once we get there but I want to make sure I carve out time in some point my day. Morning for my family and late nights for my girl." I shot her a grin and Gabi just laughed with her coffee cup against her lips. "I'll hate when you are on the road,"

"You should travel with us." I echoed and she laughed, "Troy, we have two toddlers. I don't know how much they are going to love traveling every single weekend." I gave her a half smile, "Okay, maybe not all weekends but maybe we find a few trips each year and take each other. I can promise you that is going to be the worst part. Being away from all of you." Gabi smiled as Sutton toppled over and he caught himself and Saylor helped him up but caused both of them to fall. "Oh my," Gabi said with a laugh as we tried not to react which only made them not react in response.

They just got up and continued to play as Luna nudged me again, "Okay, okay, I get it. I think somebody is ready to run." Gabi smiled, "Take her for a run so we can get everybody ready and go get some lunch together." I smiled, "I like that. C'mon, Luna, let's go get ready."


Saturday, April 3rd, 2021

Gabi's POV

I adjusted my dress as Troy went to drop the twins off at my mom's house because we had dinner reservations and one of our favorite local bands was playing at a little bar. We invited our friends to that part, and they all agreed to join besides Jesse and Sage as Noah was sick. I popped in my earrings and touched up my make-up as Luna was panting on the bench. After Monday, we had a typical week, and it was nice. It was nice to not be rushing everywhere as Troy was home right after work and the twins weren't stuck at daycare.

Troy was more present and wasn't worrying about the team. Now he was just enjoying his last few weeks as a high school teacher. The dance studio was thriving in the best of ways, and we were actually already making a profit which seemed insane to me. We just opened and everybody was loving the teachers and the staff. It made me feel good. I taught two classes this morning and it just put me in a better mood. I heard the door open and shut as Troy called my name out. "You ready, Brie?" I slipped on my mules and grabbed my purse.

Troy walked into the room and stopped dead in his tracks at the long sleeve dress that hugged my frame. Those eyes drug over every single inch of my body and he rolled his lips together, "You're beautiful," he came over to me and I smiled, "You think so? This mom bod hasn't taken over yet?" I peered in the full-length mirror and Troy growled, "Mom bod my ass, you are beautiful, gorgeous, and everything in between. If you talk bad about your body, we aren't leaving here tonight because I will be showing you how fucking beautiful you are."

Chills worked down my arm as I looked up at him, those blue eyes were serious, and I reached up to give him a kiss. "I love you, but I spent too much time on this. I think we should go eat dinner together before getting drinks with our friends." Troy chuckled but those eyes were heavy on me before he went to change really fast before coming out in khaki shorts with a collared golf shirt. He slipped on a pair of white and black Adidas before wrapping me up in his arms. "You smell so damn good," he murmured as he kissed below my ear. "You look damn good," I told him, and he turned over his shoulder and winked before leading Luna down the stairs.

We slipped into his Jeep, and he reached for my hand to lock our fingers together before pulling out of the garage. "What did the mechanic say about your Jeep?" I asked him and he grimaced, "She's going downhill. I bought her right after college, and she was used. She's ten. He told me at this point I need to think about buying a new car instead of putting more work into her and he isn't wrong. We can barely fit the babies in the back which is why we are constantly taking your car and if we ever have another kid? My car will never work. I love this car so damn much but…I think we need to think about buying a new, bigger car."

I rolled my lips together as it was just another expense to add to our list of expenses lately. Luckily, the house was coming along well and within our budget. "You have your signing bonus," I told him with a shrug, "You'll be getting paid way more next year. Do you think we can wait until you start getting those paychecks?" I asked him and he nodded, "Probably. I just won't take the twins in this car because I don't want it breaking down or anything with them in it." I shook my head, "No, Troy, if it isn't safe for you to drive with the twins then it isn't safe for you."

He stopped at a light and turned his head to face me, "I will ask to see what small things we can do to make sure it remains safe to drive and not risking anything, but I don't know. I might have to look for a car sooner. I will call him on Monday and ask more questions." I just nodded as I let my thumb brush his hand as I smiled with a thought, "This car is just so you." I said looking over at him. "It's hard to picture you driving anything else." I told him and he gave a smile, "I know." He rolled his lip into his mouth and gave me a smile, "This was one of my dream cars, but do you know what actually is?" I looked over at him and he chuckled.

"It's so expensive and excessive but a G. Wagon."

I rolled my lips together as I thought about how truly expensive those cars were, "But, I think that might be a future thing for me, but we could start small, and they are much cheaper and something we could probably afford would just be a Wagoneer." Troy finished out as I nodded, "Black and black inside?" I questioned and he shrugged, "Maybe. Why?" I gestured to his Rubicon, "Because it's…you." Troy laughed, "I think you are having a harder time here than me." I shook my head as I ran my fingers over the leather. "I just…I think we spent so many hours in this car together and I will miss it, but you are right. If we can find a weekend soon, we can go look at new cars." Troy gave me a tiny smile as we pulled into our favorite restaurant.

Pulling open my door I got out and I followed Troy around as we slipped our hands together as the wind came off the ocean giving out the salty breeze. I smiled as I tucked myself against him as we walked inside, and he went to check us in. He talked and laughed about something before looking over his shoulder as our eyes connected. Sometimes, I swear, we were just starting our dating journey based on how he looked at me. The way his eyes devoured every inch of my body. I shifted on my feet and those blue eyes flamed with the look. I shook my head as he turned his attention back to the hostess as he nodded as he nudged his head as I followed up there. We followed the hostess back and to a small table on the back deck as it was a really nice night tonight.

"Thank you," Troy said with a nod and the hostess smiled as I shook my head, "Were you flirting with her to get us back here?" I asked and he just gave me a shit eating grin, "It worked, didn't it?" I just laughed as I shook my head, "You better be glad I am not a jealous wife." He smirked, "She saw my ring, don't worry and I only have eyes for you." I laughed, "I am well aware. You were stripping me back there." Troy wiggled his eyebrows with a grin on his face, "Damn straight I was, might cancel on my friends and take you home instead."

I giggled and shook my head, "No! I want to go listen to our favorite band." Troy smiled as he peered down at the menu acting as if he didn't know what he wanted. Our feet tangled under the table as I ordered wine, and he ordered a whiskey. I raised an eyebrow, "Who's driving home tonight?" I asked him. "Me, you can drink. I am going to have a whiskey here and then one there. I'll be done after that." I nodded as I knew this man would forever take care of me in the best of ways. "I took off the next three Friday's." Troy started and I raised an eyebrow. "Really?" he nodded.

"You pick which one that you want all to yourself and the family one and then the other day I am just going to take the kids for the day while you do whatever you need to do. Go to the studio, work in the office, etc."

"How do they feel about you taking off every Friday?" Troy laughed, "Can't really do much. I won state for them last year and I already quit so," I shook my head as I took a sip of my wine, and I exhaled as I stared out of the blue ocean. "Also, I need you to pick a week in June you want to go visit your sister." Troy took a sip of his whiskey, and I eyed him, "Yea? You want to go up to see Beth?" he nodded, "I think it's time we went to see her instead of the other way around. "The kids will have a blast up there and we will get to see their ranch and just let the kids get some fresh air. I talked to Colt, and they have a little guest house on their property they let friends and family stay in."

I raised an eyebrow, "You talked to Colt?"

Troy took another drink, "Uh yea, he called me," he scratched the back of his neck and I let my eyes laser focus on Troy's body language. "Oh my god, he wants to propose!" I squealed and Troy grimaced as he closed his eyes, "Yes, he does, and he wants you to be there. Your dad knows but he wanted me to find a week to bring you up there but clearly, I cannot keep a poker face to not clue you in as to why." He grumbled, I laughed, "I won't say anything. I promise. I loved that I had no idea when ours was coming, and I would want her to have that same happiness." Troy gave me a smile, "Thank you, I am not telling Colt you know because he scares me a little." I barked a laugh and shook my head, "I will look and see but off the top of my head I think the first or second full week of June might be the best ones."

"That's probably for the better because our closing date as of right now is July 1st."

"Perfect timing. She can come back out here and help us move." Troy chuckled as we carried our conversation through the night as we ate our favorite Italian dinner as I had another glass of wine as Troy switched to water. He had me laughing most of the night and once we paid the bill, he took my hand as we walked down the boardwalk nearby as the wind rushed through my hair and he pinned me back against the boards and dropped his mouth to mine. "I can't wait any longer," he murmured as our lips connected and I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Well, you can get your kisses but that's it," I teased, and he cupped my face and kissed me – hard.


Troy's POV

Gabi, Lennon, Sara, and Josie were all giggling and having fun on the dance floor together as my eyes couldn't drag away from Gabi and the happiness that was ebbing from her body. I sipped on my beer as I switched over hoping to have at least two before switching to water. My best friends were next to me talking about something as our favorite little band played behind us. Gabi let her head fall back in a laugh and I could feel it in my chest. "My god, you both are leaving early, aren't you?" I blinked as I turned my attention to Cameron.

"What?"

"You literally cannot stop staring at her." I shrugged, "I love her. I was just thinking how I would marry her over and over again." Jax snorted, "I never would have thought it would be you who was lovesick. Mr. bachelor," I shook my head, "I would never go back and she just…changed everything for me." She turned her head, and we caught eyes across the room, and I winked at her. Her face flushed with a smile, and she shook her head while she talked to Lennon about something. She was a few too many vodka waters deep tonight.

The songs switched and I smiled as it was my cue to get up and go dance with her. I polished off my beer and I walked across the room and leaned into the group, "Mind if I cut in here, Len?" Lennon smirked and shook her head. "Nope. You take your beautiful wife." Gabi smirked as it was one of our favorite songs to dance too. I pulled her closer to me until she was flush against my body. I pressed my lips into her hair, and I smiled, "This has been a good night," I whispered as the song was slow and most of my friends found their wives and fiancés.

"It's been a fun night. I miss nights like these sometimes. I would never change how our lives panned out, but these nights remind me of dating you all over again. Climbing in that Jeep and figure out where we were going too next. My feet tucked under me while you sang to me," Gabi smiled and looked at me, "Dating you was my favorite part," I cupped her chin with one hand, and I let my forehead rest on hers. "I will never stop dating you, Gabriella Bolton. You might be my wife, but I will forever be chasing you."

"I might be the one chasing you," I chuckled and shook my head. "I have to go down there in May for a press conference telling the world I am going to be a college coach. We all have to go sign paperwork and what not, but I figured we might be able to let the kids stay back with my parents and we can go down there and check out the town together this time. Check on the house. Meet with whoever we need to meet with." Gabi nodded, "Yea, I think that will be nice. They haven't been down there yet." Troy laughed, "I know. We can take them if you want."

Gabi tossed her head back and laughed, "No, I don't. Not if we are meeting with all of these people. Those two will not enjoy it." I smiled as I kissed her temple and wrapped her up as the song ended. Jax handed me a beer as I let Gabi go back to dancing with the girls as I went over with the guys. "Are we golfing tomorrow?" Dylan asked as he watched Josie but looked over at us. "We have a tee time at 8, did you not read any of the texts today?" Dylan shook his head. "I was busy," he said with a smirk as he looked over at Josie.

"Ew, stop," Cameron said shoving him and he laughed, "Eight? Why so early?"

"Because the girls are getting breakfast and taking the kids to the park at nine. That way by the time we get home the kids are getting up from nap." Dylan groaned, "Do you remember the days we golfed at noon?" Cameron chuckled, "Buddy, they have kids. You can't golf in the middle of the day."

"Josie like wants to have kids now." Dylan said and I chuckled, "Wait, Gabi and I were literally just talking about this on the dance floor. We miss the time we had together at home by ourselves. Not that we would change anything about our life but it's just one of those things we had more time for." Dylan threw his hands up and his beer sloshed everywhere, "Dylan," Cameron grumbled as the beer splashed on his shoulder. "That was literally what I was telling Josie the other day. She just feels like she is running out of time."

"She is one of the youngest out there," Cameron said with a nudge and Dylan shrugged, "I think she also loves Saylor, Sutton, and Noah." I chuckled, "They are really freaking cute." I grabbed my phone to check on them to already see a picture from Andy of both of my grinning kiddos on his lap. I showed the picture, and I couldn't stop the smile as I showed them off. "They are so fucking cute."

"Boys, I think you all should take a picture." Lennon approached. "We're missing Jesse, we can't take a picture without him."

"We should just photoshop him in. It would be funny," Sara mentioned, and her hand rubbed on her belly. We finally agreed but we were picking the picture and doing it. The group laughed as we took it knowing the exact photo we were going to use. Dylan quickly was able to edit it and put it together before sending it into the group chat.

It took about ten seconds for him to respond back as we were all laughing our asses off.

Jesse: Oh, fuck all of you

Gabi bent over laughing as she stared at the picture of Jesse mooning us back about five years ago that we all saved. "Fuck, you guys were wild." We all busted out laughing again.


Happy Monday! Sorry for the last update – the weekend was busy and today was busier than I thought it was going to be. I really hope you all had a great weekend and welcome to May!

I hope you all checked out Loyal – I am seriously so excited to share more and more of their story!

PLEASE REVIEW!

Next Update: May 14th (hopefully hehe)