Chapter 26 – Grind

Sunday, January 9th, 2022

19 Weeks Pregnant

Gabi's POV

All of the family was bustling around the house as we were hosting the twins second birthday party today. They were both running around like crazy as Troy was out back cooking as it wasn't too bad of a day outside. We had been so busy over the last ten days, and it felt like the twins shouldn't be two, but they felt bigger somehow. My belly also decided to really appear with the little flutters of kicks that I was feeling lately. Troy couldn't feel anything yet, but I could feel our baby moving around. Next week was our anatomy scan. I was nervous but Troy gently reminded me that he would be there and that we would handle anything together.

Beth came into the room, and she wrapped her arms around me as her belly rubbed against mine. "Miss you so much all the time," Beth said, and I laughed, "You've been here since Friday." She shrugged with a smile. "Just needed to tell you." I gave her a smile as Troy came in with another plate of food. The twins were eating as somebody had made them a plate already. I let my hand fall to my belly as I rubbed it. Troy looked over at me and shot me a wink as football was on TV and the whole place was full of people we loved.

Including Kaden and Jacy.

They were becoming a regular fixture in our house and Jacy was only a handful of weeks ahead of me in pregnancy. They found out they were having a girl not too long ago and Kaden was scared already but I think Saylor gave him comfort. My dad came over and gave me a hug, "How are you feeling?" he asked, and I nodded, "Good. I forget sometimes." He laughed, "Good. You deserve it." I gave a smile as Troy made his plate and his eyes were searching for me. I walked over and he smiled watching me approach. "Hey, did you make a plate?" I shook my head. "I wasn't too hungry," he gave a tiny smile before leaning in, "Don't eat too much if you do. We have plans tonight."

I arched my eyebrow, "We do?" he nodded, "Date night, no ifs, ands, or buts," I couldn't stop the grin that spread across my face. "I figured since we had all of this family in town it would be the best time to steal my wife for a night. We're doing our own dinner and whatever else I figure out between now and then." I gave a smile as I reached over to hug him. "I can't wait,"

"Same, it feels like it's been too long without a date." I couldn't disagree as I made a small plate, and I went to sit next to the twins. They were both munching down on their food while I let my eyes take in my husband who was laughing with his best friends. His t-shirt was clinging to his skin and a backwards hat on the top of his head. Without thinking he ran over and gripped my knee gently before his hand moved to my belly. His hand spanned my entire belly as he rubbed it as if he was trying to feel the baby. All the motions were unconscious as he barely was focusing on what he was doing.

I took a few bites of food as I leaned into his shoulder. "Gabi, how does it feel that they are two all of a sudden?" Brady asked and I laughed, "It makes me sad but so happy at the same time." I glanced at the twins who looked more like toddlers and so much less like babies all of a sudden. They were speaking more, laughing, and learning so much so fast. I felt like every single day they knew something different. "I love watching them get big and learn so much but sometimes I wish they were tiny again." Troy chuckled as did Brady. "Good thing you're pregnant."

I laughed, "You're right. I would have gotten pregnant tonight if I wasn't." I said wiggling my eyebrows as Troy choked on his drink with a laugh. "Is that a promise for later?" Brady groaned as I just laughed with a shake of my head. "Play your cards right," Troy smirked, "I always play my cards right." I pinched his side, and he laughed as he pulled me into his body. "Don't let him bully you," Lennon spoke as her hand rested on her belly. I just smiled with a shake of my head while we both finished our small plate of food before we let the twins do their presents.

There wasn't a lot as we mostly asked to add to their education fund because they had way too many toys. A few toys from the grandparents and Kaden and Jacy. A pink and a blue basketball were from Kaden and Jacy which caused a big reaction from both of them. Troy grinned as he grabbed their little hoop they got for Christmas. Kaden got down to play with them as I smiled watching. Sara sat next to me with Stella on her lap and a smile on her face, "I can't believe she is going to be that big one day," I just gave a tiny laugh. "Right? It's hard to imagine that they get that big."

Sage plopped down as Noah ran over to play with them as he was becoming so big as well. "This whole house is going to be full of kids one day," Sage mentioned, and I just laughed, "Right? Between all of the families the kids are just going to go from house to house."

"Do you think they will stay here that long or seek other opportunities? I feel like this just opened up a big door for them." I shrugged because I wasn't sure what the long-term plan here was. If they succeeded, they very much could be on the move again or they could start to separate and do their own coaching gigs. I think it would take a head coaching position to get them to separate but they honestly worked better as a unit. "I hope we stay for a little bit," Lennon spoke as she rubbed her stomach, "I want to settle into life and not constantly be moving."

"I agree with that," I spoke as I tipped my water glass towards her. The party went off without a hitch and after the birthday candles were blown out – the party started to wind down. Naps were needed and we started to bid our friends good-bye. Troy confirmed practice times tomorrow as I felt the baby roll in my belly. I smiled as I let my hand rest on it as it felt weird to only have one in there this time. They asked if I wanted to attempt a VBAC this time. Troy glanced at me, but I think I knew deep down I just wanted to do another c-section.

I didn't want to risk it for me or for our baby. The less stress the better when it came to having this little baby. Our family was the only people left as I took the twins upstairs for a short nap. They didn't take one earlier today and needed at least a little nap. I changed their diapers and then put each of them in their crib. Neither of them protested as I walked out shutting the lights down. I yawned myself as Troy came from the living room. "What time is our dinner?" I asked him and he smiled framing my face, "Six, you can go take a nap." I smiled as I reached up for a kiss.

"Glad you could read my mind," he laughed as he kissed me and then he reached down to kiss my belly. He was definitely way more affectioned this time around with my belly. I think knowing what we get afterwards made it more real for him this time around. "I love you," I smiled, "Love you more," Troy shook his head, "There is no way," I just laughed as I went off to our bedroom and it didn't take me that long either to fall asleep.


Troy's POV

My hand held hers as we went out of town for our dinner.

And by out of town – I meant Tybee Island and we were staying the night. She was shocked when I had two overnight bags packed in the car and I just gave her a sheepish smile. "We're staying the night?" she asked, and I nodded my head with a smile on my lips. "Yea, practice is tomorrow afternoon. The guys can handle tomorrow morning while I take you out on a little date night. We don't have family in town that much now that your parents are following Blaine around and checking in on Beth. I figured we should take the opportunity," I told her as I opened the restaurant door.

It was chilly down here, but it wasn't terrible. We walked in as I told the hostess our name and we were quickly taken back to our table. It overlooked the water and Gabi's eyes drifted out towards the ocean. Her eyes relaxed and her whole-body softening. I reached for her hand as I threaded our fingers together and she gave me a tiny smile. "Thank you," she whispered, and I gave a smile. "I am selfish here. I wanted some time with you. I know we'll have some time before the baby gets here after season, but I don't know how much more alone time we will get before we have three kids."

She squeezed my fingers, and I gave her a smile before we both looked at the menu. I ordered a beer while she ordered a mocktail. Her dress framed her belly to the point that I didn't want to do the plans that I had made afterwards. I would much rather take her back to the hotel room. "How are you doing?" I asked her softly because I felt like we hadn't checked in with each other in a long time. It was much needed. Her eyes lifted to meet mine, "In what way?"

"In every way," I told her. "I feel like we haven't got to just check in with each other recently. We might be two people just living together at this point." Gabi laughed as she leaned back, and her hand landed on her belly. "I mean…the farther we get out from Zoey's death the easier it has gotten. I do wish that she could see my life now though." She gave me a tiny smile, "I am proud of our life and the things we have done together." I smiled while I leaned forward, "I am proud of you. You…you are so…" I struggled to find the right words because from the girl that I met who was so broken to right now…she was so fucking amazing. "Every single day I realize the girl I initially met was a shell of who you really were and watching you become…you? It's so damn amazing, Brie,"

Her cheeks flushed, "It was because of you." I shook my head, "No, you did it all. You did all the work, but I am glad I got to watch every single minute of it." The waitress interrupted us, and we placed our order before I returned back to the conversation. "Do you think we're adjusting well to the move?" I asked her and she nodded, "I actually love it more than I thought it would. I mean, do I wish we were close to Zoey's? Yes, but at the same exact time I love the direction we took it as well. I don't mind driving up there and doing stuff and getting to raise our babies…" she gave a smile. "I am so happy watching them grow and this little baby," her fingers dropper to her belly as she smiled looking down at her belly. "It's moving," I smiled and couldn't wait to feel eventually.

"Are you ready for Tuesday?" I asked her and she dipped her eyebrows before giving me a smile, "Yea, do we just find out in the office? Or should we do something else?" she asked, and I thought about it for a moment, "What if we went somewhere and opened it together? Just the two of us. Nobody else. Like right afterwards." Gabi just smiled with the biggest nod of her head, "I love that idea."

"Do you want one over the other?" she asked me, and I thought about it for a few moments but shook my head. "No, not really. We have both which is so much fun that it doesn't matter what this one is. I mean, I love both of them so much so either way I am unbiased. I think about Brady and I and I think that would be so much fun for Sutton but then I see you and your sisters and know that it would be just as fun for Saylor. They all three are going to have so much fun together." A smile spread on her lips as she nodded in agreement. "I think I want another boy though," she admitted, and I laughed.

"Really?" she nodded her head up and down. "Saylor is going to be a handful, god love her, but a handful." I just laughed as Gabi laughed herself. "She is going to be a handful but maybe the second one will be more chill?" Gabi shrugged but laughed, "No way," we both just laughed as we placed our dinner order as our drinks showed up. We chatted and caught up on life with each other. I remember people telling us at our wedding that it was going to get harder. That there would be days we would just live life in parallel instead of living it together and recently – it felt like that. That we were just doing the motions and I wasn't sure how either of us stood. Life was just chaotic, and I already knew that my girl needed treated the moment I was done with season.

"What about a family vacation in March or April?" I asked her after a lull in conversation. She raised an eyebrow, "Yea? To where?" I shrugged, "I don't know. Somewhere just the four of us. We could go hiking in Arizona. We could go to California. We could head to a tropical resort…" Gabi thought about it for a few moments before reaching for her phone, "I think we should go to Wyoming first and then take a vacation after that in like May. I know that's a month before baby but what if we went to Florida and just drove?"

I hesitated because it wasn't exactly what I was going for, but I knew that Gabi would want to go see her sister when she had the baby. I just nodded in my head, "Where in Florida?" she shrugged, "We could go down to Clearwater and just…lounge. Momma will be a whale, so I'll fit in." I chuckled with a shake of my head. "I'm glad you aren't stressing too much that you could have a baby around then." Gabi exhaled, "I'm scared we could, but Dr. Johnson believes I will carry to full-term. I hope so because I need to get to Wyoming in April. I'll be like 32 weeks pregnant," Gabi paled thinking about it.

"What if I can't go up there and meet my nephew?" I felt the panic rise in her and I grabbed her hand, "We will talk to Dr. Johnson at your next appointment. We'll figure something out. We can drive if we have, too." Gabi just blinked a few times, and I knew she was trying to push back tears out of her eyes. "That sounds miserable," I couldn't stop my laugh as I squeezed her hand. "I bet we can figure it out with Dr. Johnson. Let's not stress too much." Gabi inhaled as she gave a tiny smile, "I just want this little baby to be okay and cook for as long as possible."

"Same, I think the NICU took years off my life." Gabi smiled as our food arrived in front of us. We both ate and once we were done, I paid the bill, and I scooped her up in a tight hug. My lips pressing into her neck, and I held onto her. "We're going to figure it out and we will figure out how to get you to your sister and nephew." She pressed up on her tiptoes and kissed me, "I love you," she whispered, "Thank you for this," I squeezed her sides, "Always. I have another thing first,"


Gabi's POV

Tuesday, January 11th, 2022

I sat on the floor playing with the twins as Sutton raced a car over my legs and Saylor was leaning against me while playing with her toy. I let my fingers run through her hair and she looked up at me, "Mama," I smiled, "Yea, baby?" she patted my belly and I smiled, "Is that your baby brother or sister?" I asked her and she gave a tiny grin. We were trying to prepare them that there would be a baby around but we both knew they wouldn't understand until then. Sutton raced his car over my belly, and I laughed watching him. He then crashed into me and hugged me around my neck.

"Hi buddy," I kissed on him as Jesse was coming over with Noah to watch them while Troy and I went to our appointment. I pressed my lips together as I kissed on both of them. "Mommy loves you both so much," I whispered into their ears as I rocked them both in my arms back and forth.

"Wove you," Saylor shouted, and I laughed when the door to the garage opened, "Dada!" Sutton and Saylor went running towards the door. There little feet stomping as I pushed off the floor and headed towards my husband as he scooped up both kids. He was kissing on their cheeks and necks as they were both squirming and laughing. Troy laughed holding them, "How are my sweet babes?" he sat them on the counter as they both babbled at him as he lifted his eyes to look at me. A smile stretching over his mouth as he shot me a wink. "I heard that Noah is going to come over and play." Sutton grinned and wiggled down as he took off for the front door. Saylor wanted to check it out with him as she followed. Troy grinned before pulling me into his body and his mouth covering mine.

"Hi," he whispered to me, and I smiled as I kissed him back. "Hi right back," his arms circled around me, and I melted into his embrace. "I cannot wait to find out what we are having." I whispered to him, and he gave a smile, "Me neither, any guesses?" he asked me as he let me go but I burrowed into his body instead. He only chuckled in response and sat on a bar stool. I thought about it for a moment, "I have no idea honestly, I feel so good, but I really think that's just from carrying one of them instead of two of them." A laugh belted from his mouth and his chest vibrated. I gave a small laugh myself as he tilted my head back. "Fair, I don't know. Some of the time I think it's a girl and other times I think it's a boy." Troy mentioned and I nodded, "Same, I think it's really nice having one of each because either will be so much fun."

Troy kissed me when Sutton came running back over as Troy really let go this time to pick him up. He kissed on him and loved on him as I went in search of Saylor. She was playing in the living room as it wasn't long before Noah and Jesse were here. "Jesse, we appreciate you." Troy said as Noah laughed with hugging on Sutton. Troy smiled watching, "No problem, enjoy, are you going to tell me first?" Troy chuckled, "I'm not sure what we are doing." His attention drug to me as I had picked up a blue and a pink onesie.

"I think we're just going to shoot a text out to everybody. Nothing crazy." Troy winked at me as we gathered our stuff. I was a little nervous for our anatomy scan, but I knew I could only control my thoughts. Troy grabbed my hand as we waved bye-bye to the babies and headed out. I buckled my seat belt as Troy reversed my car out of the driveway. His fingers threaded with mine, "How was practice?" I asked him, "Good. The boys are focused. The guys and I all agreed if we can maintain five hundred this year – it would be a win."

"I would agree. You are getting to know these players while learning college ball. I think you are allowed to just learn and maintain five hundred." Troy nodded as he stopped at a light, "Besides that, things are going well. The AD is happy with how we are doing. The guys are finally all gelling together and we are getting the work done that we need to get done. I am…" he paused for a moment, "I'm loving it, Brie." That made my insides squishy as I glanced over at him, "Good. I love that you love it. You wanna know a secret? I love it down here." I saw the visible exhale from him. "Good," he whispered, "I am so scared that you hate it here." I laughed, "No, I actually really like it. Do I wish I was closer to Zoey's? Of course, but what we are doing right now works."

He squeezed my hand as we pulled up to the hospital. The baby pressed against my abdomen as it started kicking more recently and I smiled feeling it. I let my hand rest on my bump as Troy held my hand walking in. We checked in at the front desk and we waited for a bit before we were called back. I lifted my shirt up and Troy smiled as he stole a kiss before the tech squirted jelly on it. "Are you wanting me to write the sex of the baby down or tell you? Or is it a secret?" she asked after she started and I shared a look with Troy and he smiled, "Write it down for us."

We watched our baby on the screen as it was moving around frantically inside as she laughed, "That baby is happy in there." She scrolled a few times as I couldn't take my eyes off of it. Troy pressed his lips to my hand as we both watched and then it got quiet. The nerves pooled in my stomach as she had been chatty with us most of the time. She pressed her lips together while staring and my eyes turned to Troy who must have noticed the same thing because he was staring at her. Tears welled in my eyes, and I felt myself just think of the worst. "Brie," his voice was soft, I shook my head because I knew she couldn't say anything, but I knew, I knew something was wrong.

"I am going to grab the doctor really quick, okay?" I just nodded as the door opened and shut when those big hands framed my face. "Brie, look at me. What's wrong?" he whispered, and I inhaled, "Somethings wrong. She got really quiet and is getting the doctor. Something is wrong." He stroked my cheek with his thumb and brushed all of the tears away. "Shh baby let's not panic yet, okay? Let's talk to the doctor." I could only nod as the door popped open with Dr. Johnson coming in with the ultrasound tech. Dr. Johnson gave a smile, "Penny just wanted me to take a look at something," Dr. Johnson squeezed my hand, and it wasn't long before Penny left while Dr. Johnson looked. My lip trembled as Troy squeezed my hand.

"Dr. Johnson," she looked up, "I am almost done. She told me she was writing down the gender. Any fun plans on finding out?" I shook my head, "We were just going to find out together." I whispered as my voice shook and Dr. Johnson heard it. "Oh, that's fun. A private moment for the two of you." Troy nodded as Dr. Johnson nodded before she wiped my belly off and turned off the machine before pushing it back. She grabbed a stool as I sat up and wiped away tears. Dr. Johnson grabbed my hand and I looked at her as she gave a smile. "Penny had one concern of your anatomy scan and while I see her concern – I am not overly concerned. Your baby's heart, lungs, belly, and limbs all look amazing. The brain is forming correctly, and the spine looks good. She was concerned with the left ureter as it is dilated but it's not that dilated, and the right side looks good – which is reassuring. Even if there is something wrong with the left – the right looks great. All this means is extra pictures of that baby and if something drastically changes, we will get more advanced imaging." Dr. Johnson paused as I felt some relief flood my system.

"It can be normal for some dilation, and it can go away. If it doesn't go away but doesn't get worse – at best, we'll have a kidney ultrasound post-birth in the hospital before you go home with follow-ups. If things get worse, which I don't really think they will, we will send you to a specialist before your baby is born, okay?" I nodded my head as I wiped away my tears with a nod of my head. "We'll follow-up in about four weeks and see what that kidney is doing. But I am very reassured, it's mild." I thanked her profusely for the conversation as I appreciated her laying it out there for me. She wrote a few things down and handed it to me, "You can look up this, but I want to caution you there are very many levels to this and I am seeing nothing but mild dilation." I nodded in understanding as she checked with Troy about any questions. "No, thank you for giving it straight with the possible forward options. I know that helps the both of us to not second guess."

Dr. Johnson smiled, "Of course. Dr. Willis sent good notes about her patients, and she wasn't wrong." She gave me a wink and I laughed as I felt our baby move and kick. I grabbed Troy's hand as it was kicking harder and he smiled, "I feel it." I gave him a smile as Penny came back in with the envelope of sonogram pictures and what it was. Troy and I scheduled our follow-up ultrasound on a day that he could come as I went to the bathroom to wipe my face and take a deep breath. Everything was okay. Our baby was okay.

Troy was waiting for me as he scooped me up into a big hug, "Our baby is okay," he whispered, and I nodded as I kissed his jaw and then kissed him. "C'mon, I wanna find out."


Troy's POV

I took Gabi on a little date as we grabbed dinner and then we found a cute little cozy coffee shop that was also a bar at night. I grabbed a drink while she got a mocktail while the envelope sat in front of us. I gave her a smile and she smiled back, the anatomy scan – was scary and I hated that this was causing more pregnancy trauma for her, but she was handling it with stride. She promptly placed the paper with the things to look up in the glove box and said she would further investigate if things were worse at our next ultrasound. I squeezed her hand as we laughed over dinner and now, we were giddy.

"Are you ready?" she nodded as she handed me the envelope. "I want you to tell me." I laughed with a nod as I took the envelope as I glanced at her. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes a little red from crying earlier but her smile was authentic. Her shoulders relaxed and anticipation was written all over her face. "Final guess." I told her and she laughed and her eyes light up, "I don't know. Girl." It was a fast guess from her mouth, and I smiled, "I was thinking the same thing." I opened the envelope and I slowly pulled out all of the pictures as I handed them to Gabi before I found the sheet with the gender on it. I made eye contact with her before I opened it. I scanned the sheet and my eyes bounced around before I found it. My heart squeezed with happiness.

A grin spread wide over my lips as I laughed before dropping the paper and I gently grabbed her face with a kiss. "It's a boy," I whispered to her lips, and she gasped pulling away from me reaching for the paper, "Are you serious?" she asked, and I nodded as we both had tears in our eyes as she grabbed the paper to read the same words I did. "A boy," Gabi gasped on the words as I saw it. I saw the moment where she felt that connection to him. That deep connection that made it all real to her especially with him moving now. "I get another baby boy," I laughed with a nod as I pulled her in for a kiss. "I truly couldn't be more excited either way but knowing that we are getting another boy? I just…fuck." Gabi laughed as she wiped at her face. Her hand framing her belly, "Hi sweet boy,"

God, she was beautiful. Watching her? She was stunning as she let her hand run over her bump. The smile and the happiness that radiated off of her was contagious.

"Now we get to fight about boy names again," we both laughed as Gabi reached up for a kiss and I hugged her to my chest afterwards. My arms wrapping tightly around her as if I could put the two of us into a bubble together. "We're not being that family that does all the same letter." A grin tugged onto the corners of my mouth as I couldn't disagree, "Okay, fair enough. No S names." Gabi nodded her head as we both just smiled as she pulled my hand to her abdomen again and I felt him move. Him. He. Our son.

It was so weird to know that it was a little boy after all these weeks.

"Beth is also having a boy, we're both having boys," the tears were in her eyes, and I kissed her face. "They are going to be best farm buddies," Gabi laughed as she grabbed a onesie from her bag, and it read Little Brother on the front. We both laughed together as we laid it on the table with the ultrasounds to take a picture. Gabi sent it in the family group chat while I sent it in the friend group chat.

"Do you think he is going to be okay?" Gabi whispered and I pulled her into my side as I kissed the top of her head, "Yes, I do. She isn't worried and we will see what the next ultrasound shows, okay? You deserve an easy pregnancy and a normal postpartum with this little guy." She curled into my side as our phones began to blow up with excitement. Neither of us picked up our phones while we just enjoyed each other's company. I honestly meant what I told Gabi – she deserved a good one this go around. "Are you going to try and do a vaginal birth?" I asked her as there was a lull between our conversations.

"No, I don't love all the risks and I just…" Gabi let out a breath of air, "I just want to know what to expect. I want to set a day and I want to go in knowing that I am going to have my baby. I want him to lay on my chest after he is born. I want to hear him cry and I just…I don't want him leaving my side unless I can see him." She paused while our fingers interlocked. "Obviously, if something is wrong with him. I want them to treat him but in a perfect, perfect world. I just want that time with him. I want skin-to-skin and I want to feel him."

"I don't think any of that is unreasonable." I whispered to her. "I think we tell Dr. Johnson that and hopefully she can make all of that happen for you." Gabi wiped away a few tears as she thought about all of it. I finally picked up my phone as there was so many unread messages. I shook my head with a smile as I just checked in on Jesse who said all was well. I squeezed Gabi's hand, "You wanna head home?" I asked her and she nodded, "Yea, I do. Thank you. This was perfect." I kissed her as I put my hand behind her head to cradle her head. "I love you and I cannot wait to raise another son with you."

"I hope they are as close as you and Brady."

"Hopefully," I mused as we paid our tab and headed out. Gabi slid into the car as I shut her door before heading to my door. I found her hand as I blew out a breath, "I'm sorry that we're about to get really busy again. A week of road trips and," Gabi shushed me with a smile. "Never apologize for doing your job." She reminded me. "We have plenty going on the weeks ahead. I have two very busy two-year-old's and it's going to fly. Basketball is going to be wrapping up before we know it and this little boy is going to be here." I smiled as once we got home the kids both ran to Gabi as Jesse smirked at me.

"Another boy, huh?" I nodded as I scooped up Noah into a hug. "Yea, he has a little kidney issue going on, but the doctor isn't too worried." My eyes peered at Gabi who listened to Sutton while Saylor pressed her head into Gabi's shoulder. "Oh man, really?" I nodded as my hand ran through my hair. "We have another ultrasound in about a month to check up on it, but Dr. Johnson wasn't worried, so Gabi is trying to not worry about it." Jesse squeezed my shoulder, "You know we will step in to help," I smiled, "I know. Hopefully it's nothing." Jesse agreed as he hugged Gabi before taking Noah and heading home.

Gabi and I got into the thick of bedtime routine as once both of the kids were down. She was in my lap. Her mouth on mine. Her arms locked around my neck as she rolled her hips against mine on the couch. "Yea?" I whispered and she nodded, "Yea,"


Saturday, January 22nd, 2022

21 Weeks pregnant

Gabi's POV

The bed shifted and moved next to me as Troy must finally be home. I pried my eyes open and rolled over to face him as he was rubbing his face. Troy and I hadn't seen each other in nearly a week and a half. We slept in the same bed – sometimes. We passed each other in the kitchen, and we handed the twins back and forth for each of us to do our jobs. It hadn't been fun, and I missed him. I rolled into his arms, and he groaned, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up." The baby bouncing in my belly pressed up onto my abdomen as I found his hand to put it there.

"Don't worry. It wasn't you waking me up. It was your son." Troy laughed as he felt him kick around in there. "Hi buddy," Troy ran his hand over my belly, and he sighed, "I'm sorry, I know you say not to apologize for working but I really am sorry. This has been such a whirlwind of ten days. Three road trips and a few home games. Fuck, I miss you." His nose pressed into my skin, and I laughed, "We miss you, too. We only have a handful of weeks left. You are doing it, baby." Troy nodded as Troy inhaled softly and closed his eyes for the moment.

"How was the game tonight?"

"Good, the boys played well but we lost again. I already watched the film from the game. We need to clean everything up if we are going to go five hundred." I rubbed his shoulder as they hit a rough patch in their schedule. "I watched most of it, but Sutton was throwing a tantrum and needed all of my attention. I fell asleep in their room holding him for a while." Troy chuckled as that had been an occurrence more recently. "Sutty was mad?" I nodded my head into his arm, "Yea, he was. I don't know what about. What time do you have to be at the gym tomorrow?"

"Eight. Early practice so we can watch the playoff games. I think Len is hosting," I nodded as the baby kicked hard and Troy laughed, "Hi buddy, you ready to watch football?" I smiled watching Troy as he let his other hand tangle in my hair while he kissed on my temple. "Monday I will be out of the house most of the day. Tuesday should be our off day. I can take the twins to daycare and then bring them home," I nodded as I felt my eyes luring shut as Troy wrapped me up in his arms. "Okay," I whispered to him, and he chuckled.

"Get some rest," he told me and then it was screaming. I groaned as Troy closed his eyes, "I'll go," I rolled off Troy as he got up and went to their nursery. I heard him enter the room, "Sutton," his voice was soft as Sutton continued to cry and it moved out of the nursery. I knew it was coming this direction as Sutton was gripping onto Troy. He sat down in bed with him as he saw me and reached for me. "What's wrong baby?" I whispered as I rocked him in my arms as Troy glanced at him. "I didn't want him to wake up Saylor." I agreed as Sutton took the binky Troy offered as he started to calm down. His breathing still stuttered every now and then. "Wonder what's wrong." I said quietly and Troy shrugged, "Does he feel warm?" I shook my head. "No, he doesn't. I don't know if it's teeth or what."

Sutton laid with us until he was back asleep, and Troy offered to take him back. He smiled at Sutton as he rocked him, "I can't believe we're having another one of these." I laughed as Troy took him back to his crib while I curled back into bed. Troy came back and curled around me. His hand running over my belly. "Get some rest, baby,"


Sunday, January 23rd, 2022

Troy's POV

The boys were finishing their final drill as I watched intently. I was exhausted. Sutton was up half the night, and I took care of him so Gabi could get much needed rest. I was exhausted from the grind of the past several weeks and the only thing I wanted to do was go take a nap in my office. The only thing I wasn't going to do was just that. I inhaled as Cameron patted my back, "You doing, okay?" I nodded my head. "Yea, Sutty was up all night." I grumbled and Cameron laughed. "Oof and you are adding a third to the mix." I rolled my eyes.

"Don't remind me."

"You both chose this." I laughed as I knew he was excited for his own kid at the end of April. They hadn't found out the sex of the baby yet and I don't think they wanted, too. "Any name ideas?" he had asked me, and I laughed, "No. I have seen Gabi for maybe 20 minutes awake and with no screaming kids." Jesse laughed, "Yea, it's been a grind recently." Dylan joined as they were wrapping up their wedding planning for their wedding in June. We were doing a quick trip to Dallas for golf for his bachelor party right after the season was over.

I had planned a "babymoon" for Gabi and me to have an excuse to get away before baby number three showed up and we were going up to Wyoming once Beth had her baby. If there was an induction Gabi was going to go up for that to be with her sister during the labor as that was something Beth wanted but that was the only way, it was going to work if she was induced. Gabi was also going to be pushing travel as she was only six weeks behind Beth. Gabi said she would drive if she had, too. I knew she wanted to be there for her sister, and I wanted her to be there.

Colt had called me not too long ago that he wanted to precede with getting a beach house for a summer for the girls. That way they could spend a month together with their babies. We were thinking July as Colt said he could probably take almost three weeks off with summer help coming in and I wasn't nearly as busy in July. All of our friends and family would be invited to help divide out cost, but it was going to be home for a month for those two girls plus all the kids. It was a surprise for both of them until Beth's baby shower in early March.

We found a house in 30A and already had it rented. I blew my whistle as I gave their instructions before sending them to the showers. I grabbed a basketball as I dribbled around before Dylan was challenging me, "Please," I begged, and he chuckled as I worked around him before taking my shot. "Ohhh Coach B," Kaden called as I laughed. He shared with me earlier this week that they were also having a boy. I told him it must be in the water as we were having one. He was growing into that role slowly and I already knew I would be offering him a grad assistant position next year if he wanted it. It would provide tuition to any remaining school he had, and I would give him flexibility with any work.

My phone rang as I reached for it, "Hey Brady," I tucked it between my ears. "Hey, you busy?" I shook my head. "No. I am just getting ready to head to my office to look at some stuff before going home to get the kids and go to Len and Cam's house to watch the games." I waved at the guys as I headed to my office. "Good, we wanted to let you know we would join for a weekend at the beach house."

"Good. I want to spend time with Mav," Brady chuckled, "He needs his Uncle Troy. Macken is spoiling him rotten."

"As she should. Are you guys going to come the same week?" I shook my head, "I don't know. I have to work around the football schedule." I nodded in understanding as we caught up before I bid good-bye to finish what I was doing. I packed up as I checked with Gabi if I needed to get anything. She didn't and said she was already at Cam and Len's house. I rubbed my lips together as I got into my car, and I sighed. The grind was definitely different from high school. There was so much more pressure, and I knew the AD wasn't breathing down our necks. He knew we had to get adjusted but scouting was a whole different ballgame for the next group. We had secured two kids and I wanted two more.

Yet, we were a hard sell. I was browsing the transfer portal as well and trying to convince some JUCO kids to come here. That was taking up a lot of my time and it was exhausting. Now, I was worried about Gabi and the baby as we got further along in her pregnancy. We had our ultrasound in a little over two weeks and then she was flying out to Wyoming to be with Beth for the baby shower. I hoped that it was good news, and she could enjoy time with Beth. My mom was coming down to help with the kids and Luna as I wanted Gabi to take time to herself.

I didn't even go home as I pulled behind Dylan's car before heading inside. I could hear the squeal of Stella while Noah, Sutton, and Saylor were eating snacks on the floor. Gabi was lounging on the floor with a laugh as she had Saylor climbing over her and tried to sit on her belly. It was getting larger quickly, but I knew it would never be as big as it was with the twins. Saylor caught me first and she grinned, "Dada! Dada!" she ran over to me as I swept her up and I kissed on her face. "Hi sweet girl," I murmured as she wrapped her arms around my neck. Gabi smiled watching as Sutton ran over into my legs. I really hadn't spent much time with them recently and I hated it.

"Hi babies," I murmured as I rocked them both in my arms as I then blew raspberries on their bellies. They both squealed as I sat them down as they ran around as Gabi smiled. I poked Stella's belly as she sat on Josie's lap while I brushed Noah's hair. I waved to the girls before I sat next to my wife as my phone buzzed again. I groaned as Gabi just laughed. I pulled it out to see Kaden calling, "Hey," I answered as I put my head back into the couch. "Hi are you busy? I know you had plans." I shook my head, "What's up Kaden?"

"My parents just…" he paused as he cleared his throat. "They won't answer my phone calls. Finally, I called my uncle, and he said my parents don't want to speak to me." I could hear the choke in his voice, and I closed my eyes, "Kaden," I stood up as I saw Dylan, Jax, and Cameron all glance at me as I went outside. "What can I do for you?" he tried to speak but choked on his emotions. "I don't know. I don't know why they are so mad," my heart I think shattered in my chest as this 22-year-old was being shut out by the people he needed the most.

"Kaden, do you want to come hangs out with the coaches? We're watching football. Jacy can come. All the kids are here. If you just need some support at the moment and then we can tackle tomorrow. I'm so sorry, Kaden. You have me. You have the coaches. You have Gabi. You have all of us in your corner, I know we can't replace your parents, but we can be there for you." Kaden cried and I closed my eyes. "You don't care?" I shook my head, "No. I don't. I'll send you the address, okay?" he agreed, and we hung up with a promise to see each other soon. I called Coach Hamilton next as he answered.

"Everything okay?"

"Tell me everything you know about Kaden's parents."

Coach Hamilton grunted, "Farmers in Texas. They have strict beliefs and think their children should do as they say even after. I never met them until they moved him to college. They've never been to a game. I never saw them when I scouted him. He tries his damn hardest to impress them, so they care but…" Coach Ham sighed, "It doesn't work. I tried to be in his corner, and I knew my retirement would hurt him the most. What's going on?" I explained the situation and he grumbled from the other end of the phone. "I don't know how to help him. I don't know…" I swallowed on my own emotion. "You are doing it right. Just…be in his corner. Help set him up. I would do the same things you are doing." We chatted for a few more minutes as Jax came out.

"Everything okay?" I shook my head as I looked at him. "If I ever think it's okay to not speak to my kid because they make a fucking mistake – beat my ass." Jax cracked a half smile. "Kaden?" I nodded my head. "I just…fuck. How do you turn your back on your kids? If Sutton came to me and told me that he fucked up and got a girl pregnant at twenty-two? I don't think my first reaction would be to never talk to them again. My fucking," I ran my hand down my face. "He called me crying, Jax. Crying. Because his uncle told him his parents don't want to speak to him."

Jax rubbed my shoulder, "Then I guess we become his family."

I just shook my head as I went back inside, and Sutton was waiting for me. I scooped him up as I hugged him tight, my lips pressing into his little head. "I love you, buddy." I murmured as I knew. I knew I could never turn my back on him. There was nothing that he could do besides attempting to murder his mom that would make me turn my back on him. Gabi met my eyes and I just shrugged, and she just sent a soft smile back. The moment Kaden walked in the door – everybody engulfed him in hugs and love. Gabi wrapped her arms around his towering frame, and he broke down. I knew she would never turn her back to our kids and I knew we both were on the same page there.

I…I couldn't watch as I turned around to see all of the girls crying. I walked over after Gabi let go as she went to Jacy as her parents hadn't been much better either. I was still taller than Kaden as I gripped his shoulder, "Kaden, you are important to me, okay? I know I will never replace your parents, but I support you. I am in your corner. I care about you. This will be your home just as much anywhere else." Kaden nodded as I gripped him in a hug that he needed. I was quite sure this was the biggest difference of high school to college – these kids. The broken families they came from.

The guys got them into the living room as I stepped out front and Gabi followed. "Thank you," I whispered to her, and she gave a half smile. "We are going to throw them a baby shower and I think we are just going to adopt them as our children." We both shared a smile. "I just…I couldn't Gabi."

"I know, baby, I couldn't either."

She wrapped her arms around me, and I kissed the top of her head. There were many reasons why this job had presented itself to us, but I do believe Kaden was near the top of the people he needed to encounter in his life.


I'm BACK! I hope you enjoyed the MUCH-awaited chapter update in this story! Hopefully we can stay ahead of pace but no promises. Let me know your thoughts and love!

Loyal will be updated next week!

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Next Update (and this is for sure for sure!): August 4th (might be later in the day but will be updated!)