Chapter 19 – Refresh

Thursday, February 2nd, 2023

Claire's 6th Birthday

16 Weeks Pregnant

Troy's POV

This week stunk and I was going to turn it all around with today. It was Claire's sixth birthday, and I knew she was so excited to celebrate her birthday. She spent the night with Eve last night as I had her on the morning of her birthday last year. Gabi and I spent the week recovering from the game last weekend. My ribs were still sore as hell, but it would be for a while. Gabi was proud as our little Bee made their appearance and Gabi was obsessed. That was the highlight of this past week as she was getting closer to 17 weeks.

Once I got Claire around 2pm I was going to take her to do a daddy daughter movie and then we were going to be joined by the whole family, Eve included, for a birthday dinner. No big party this year but Claire mostly wanted to spend it with us. She was going back with Eve because starting next week we would start our two weeks stretches. On Sunday Eve would drop her off with me for two weeks as we were going on a family trip together and then just some quality together. After that Eve would have her for two weeks. It was hard on me, but I knew it was best because the moment the house was done in North Carolina we were back there.

We were going down there first on Monday for Gabi's doctor's appointment before we were off to Virgin Gorda as a family. It was going to be much, much needed for all of us to spend some time together. I also just wanted to get away from all things football for a bit after the ending last week. I tugged on a t-shirt and a sweater overhead and winced as they covered my bruised ribs, I pulled on a pair of jeans which was equally as painful. "Are you doing, okay?" I glanced over as I buttoned them and nodded, "Yea, just fucking hurts," I grumbled as my mood hasn't been stellar the past week.

Gabi nodded as I fussed with my sweater and Gabi came over to rest her hands against my torso. "It's hard to imagine that I've known Claire since she was four." Gabi was wearing one my Alabama crewnecks and leggings. I smiled, "Hard to believe that you came back into my life when she was four." She fixed my sweater, "You sure you don't want me to drive you? I know you just want time with Claire, but I don't want you to hurt any more than you are." Her brown eyes were concerned, and I almost said yes. Just almost. "I'll be okay. I promise," I kissed the top of her head as I tucked my wallet and phone into my jean pockets before putting on a pair of desert boots.

Gabi leaned into the doorway watching me, "Troy," I twisted my head to face her, "What?" she sighed softly with a shake of her head. "We can make it cool. I'll be your fancy chauffer and you two can sit in the back." I closed my eyes as I took a slow breath, and I again shook my head. "No, it's truly okay. I need to get on with it.

"Troy, would you say that to me or Claire?" I groaned because she had me there. "No, but you would also want to drive yourself. Gabs, I don't want Claire to know." She cocked her head to the side, her bun sliding around on her head, fuck she was beautiful. "Why? It makes you real, Troy." I bit down on my lip as I leaned against the bed. Gabi moved to tuck herself in-between my legs. "I will drop you off and then I will come back here to get ready myself. That way we can all ride home together." I shook my head, "She's going back to Eve's remember? The two weeks start on Sunday."

Gabi let her smile fall slightly and I nodded, "I know," I whispered to her. "How is that going to work next week when she's in school?" she asked me and I shrugged, "I don't know. I might have to do my two-weeks up here." That really got a frown out of Gabi, and I let my hands cradle her face. "Don't think too hard on it yet. We still have time to get there. It'll be for February, March, April, May."

"Yea, like our entire time down there." Gabi's voice caught and I just tugged her into me, "What did I say about now getting worked up about this yet? We'll figure it out," I soothed knowing that going back to North Carolina for off-season was important to Gabi. For a few reasons but I knew she wanted our kids to have memories there. The trickiest part would come when we have kids going to school. I didn't mention that as I kissed Gabi's neck and I eased up the crewneck to let my hand run over her tiny bump. "Hi Bee," I murmured as Gabi kissed my neck as I did it.

"Did you rent the theater out?" Gabi asked and I just laughed, "Maybe."

"It's better for both of you so you don't have to worry about other people." I nodded as I exhaled and grimaced again. Fucking ribs. "Fine, you can drive us." I said stubbornly and she just gave a tiny laugh, "Thank you, I love you and I know you could drive but I'd rather you enjoy your time with Claire." I kissed the side of Gabi's head as she pulled back from me. "I can't wait for dinner tonight and then to show her the cake." Gabi smiled as her cake was mermaid themed because she was obsessed currently. "She's going to love it. She might like her gift more." Gabi teased which caused me to smile.

In Virgin Gorda I organized a time for her to be a mermaid in the ocean. Apparently, this wasn't an oddball request because they had a whole thing for it. She was going to love it. I let Gabi go to the bathroom and she grabbed her Stanley cup before we headed for the door. I put Ember away as I rubbed her head and she licked my face, "Thanks Ember," I said with a laugh as I tossed her a few dog treats. I met Gabi in the car as she backed out of the garage, and I reached over to let my hand rest on her thigh. "What time are you leaving on Tuesday?" Gabi asked, "Early. Our flight leaves like at 6am. We have a direct flight to Miami before taking another charter to Virgin Gorda." Gabi nodded, "Okay, Scar and Layla wanted to get dinner on Monday night, but I told them I needed to see what time we were leaving on Tuesday first."

"What time do they want to get dinner?" Gabi shrugged, "Six? I just figured we need to make sure Claire gets plenty of rest because it will be a long day." I shrugged, "She'll probably sleep on the flight if I know her." Gabi drummed her fingers on the steering wheel, "Do you care? I would love to get dinner with them." I shook my head, "No, let's get dinner with them. I love your sisters and Claire loves Auggie." Gabi smiled with a tiny nod, "Do you know we have to pick two baby names?" I rolled my eyes at her, "Gabs, we have the girl one picked out." Gabi laughed, "Okay, fine, we have one picked out, but we do need a boy name."

"Troy Jr, duh," I teased her, and Gabi scrunched his nose, "No. I love you and your name but no." I just let out a laugh as I locked our fingers together as I kissed her hand. "Alright, maybe you driving wasn't that big of a deal. I love this," I murmured, and she gave me a tiny smile as we were getting closer to Eve's "Okay, how about we just start a list, and we can just run them by each other." Gabi chewed on her lip and gave me a smile, "You need to start a list. I have a list." I raised my eyebrows towards her. "You have a list?" she scoffed. "All females have a list."

I blinked.

"I even have a girls list. Our number one is the first one but I have a list of other names." I grabbed her cell phone that was sitting in the cupholder as I scrolled through her notes before I came across the list. "Whoa," it probably had thirty names for both girls and boys on there. I smiled seeing our number one girl's name at the top but as I scrolled down through the girls to get to the boys, I read through almost all of them but stopped towards the bottom. "Twenty-two, on the boys list," I told her, and she scrunched her eyebrows.

"Troy,"

"No, I really like it."

Gabi waited for a stoplight to pick up her phone as I was typing away on my phone to find the meaning of the name. "Wait…really?" she asked me, and I nodded my head as I grinned at the meaning, "Perfect. It has ties to the ocean. Even better." Gabi blinked a few times and laughed, "I thought it was supposed to be hard to agree on names." I chuckled as I leaned over to kiss her cheek. "You have plenty of options for me there. I liked that one. A lot. I actually liked a lot of them. Keep adding to it through the years and we can keep going back to it." Gabi swallowed, "Do…do we know the name? At just 16 weeks?" I clucked my tongue at her. "You're nearly 17 weeks and yea, we do. So what?" Gabi just laughed as I liked it.

"We need middle names for both of them."

"I think we try to do a family name. I wanted too for Claire, and we did. Eve's mom middle name is Rose, and we went with it."

"Was it this easy for you both with both kids?" Gabi questioned and I nodded, "I think I did the same thing with Eve. She had a list, but it was much shorter. I asked her to find a few more and I just peered through it and found one that seemed right. I don't know. It fits. It works. I could see them as those names." I shrugged my shoulders as Gabi just let out a laugh. "Alright, I guess…I guess we figured it out." Gabi pulled up to Eve's house they were renting, and I grabbed the flowers I had bought earlier to take upstairs with me.

Gabi waited as I walked up and knocked on the door. I put the flowers down because I knew I wanted to hug her first. I waited just a moment for Claire to come bounding to the door. "Dad!" she flung it open, and I bent down to pick her up. Each movement hurt like a bitch, but I just clung to her. "Is that my six-year-old?" I asked her and she giggled into my ear. "I'm six!" I chuckled as I kissed on her cheek, "Happy birthday, baby girl," she smiled wide as I kissed her cheek. Eve came to the door with a smile on her face watching the two of us.

"Have fun," she said with a wave, and I nodded, "See you at seven?" she nodded as I put Claire down. I turned to grab the flowers and she gave me the world's biggest grin. I felt like dad of the year with that grin. "Thank you, daddy! You look handsome," I chuckled as I went to open the car door for her. She slid into her booster seat, and I buckled her in. "Thank you, you are awful pretty yourself." I kissed her cheek and she giggled at Gabi, "Gabi! I thought it was just daddy and I!" Gabi grinned back at her, "I am the driver for the day." She shot me a wink before spinning around to tickle Claire.

"Happy birthday!" she just grinned, and I smiled with a shake of my head. I would do anything to keep that smile right there.

Gabi's POV

Claire was a giggling mess as all of her little friends were here, both parents, and all of her grandparents. Bethany, Lulu, and Camilla sat with Claire as they were all eating their dessert. Troy had his arm slung over my chair as I knew he didn't want to say good-bye to Claire tonight, but we would get her next year. I squeezed his fingers, and he turned his head to look at me, "You good?" I asked and he nodded his head, "I am. I just trying to make sure I commit her sixth birthday to memory." I smiled as I leaned into his shoulder while I grabbed his free hand to put on my belly.

"Do the same for this one – yea?" Troy really grinned as he nodded, "Yea, I will. It's going to be part you so…" I laughed at him, and he gave me a quick kiss. "What did you think six years ago?" Troy chuckled, "I was scared out of my mind. I was suddenly a dad and…I had zero idea what I was doing."

"And yet…you are one of the best." Troy barked a laugh, "I still have zero idea what I am doing but I love her something fierce. I think I knew I was going to be okay once I held her and looked at her. I just felt…calm afterwards." I smiled as I stroked my thumb over his hand. "You're gonna teach me, right?" I asked with a tilt of my head as I faced him and he just chuckled, "Gabriella, you will need zero teaching. You are going to be such a natural. I can just feel it in my bones. You are with Claire." I gave him a smile as his thumb ran over my stomach.

"Watching you hold a baby? It's going to be everything and more."

"What are you love birds doing over here?" Hanson slid into the chair next to Troy and he smiled, "Just talking about our baby. I told her I can't wait for all of these parties with her." Hanson grinned, "Bolton is going to have a hoard of kids if you aren't careful. I fear he loves them." I giggled as I shrugged, "We have a hoard of eggs, so we'll see what he gets out of it." I winked over at Hanson as he just chuckled. "Are you and Amber done after this one?" Troy asked him and Hanson shrugged. "Haven't really talked about it. Might go for another one if things go well with this one."

"How much longer?"

"Two weeks," Hanson gave a grin, and I smiled watching him. "I am hoping Gabi goes a little early…" I swatted at his hand. "This baby will come when it's time." Troy just held his hands up in a laugh, "I know, I want that baby to come on its own time, but I also would like time with our newborn before the season starts." I shrugged, "We'll figure it out. We always do," Troy just gave a smile as Hanson smirked with a shake of his head. "When do you leave for Virgin Gorda?" I grinned, "Tuesday and I am so excited to be on a beach in the warm weather."

"Can't wait to see my wife in a bikini is more like it," he wiggled his eyebrows and I just laughed, "Your daughter will be there. Do not forget that little fact." Troy just gave a smile, "We better get used to it," he teased, and Hanson groaned, "You two are almost disgustingly cute." Amber approached and laughed, "Are these two being the newlyweds still?"

"Hey, we're approaching a year!" Troy argued with that smile on his face. The easy, content, and full of life smile. I wasn't sure after this past week when I would get to see it again, but I was seeing it again. Thankfully. "Yea but you act like teenagers, still." Troy rolled his eyes, but the smile stayed. Claire came running over and threw herself at Troy. "Hi baby," she just smiled up at him, "Thank you, daddy, mommy says we have to get ready to go." Troy grimaced but ease her up into his lap. Her arms automatically went around his neck, and he just held her for the longest time.

I snapped a picture of the two of them, "I love you," Troy murmured to her, and she was too quiet for me to hear her response. "Sunday?" she asked him, and he nodded, "Sunday. Then we have two long weeks together," he rubbed her back and she sighed, "Promise?" Troy chuckled, "I promise, baby girl. We have our trip planned, remember?" Claire pulled back excited, "Yea! The beach!" Troy nodded tucking hair behind her ear. "Yea, the beach. We're going to spend a week there and then to North Carolina to spend time with Grandma Sara and Papa Marco."

She just wiggled with excitement before she hopped off Troy's lap and came over to give me a hug. "Bye Gabi!" I laughed, "Bye sweet girl, I'll see you on Sunday, yea?" she nodded with a big grin on her face and then she patted my stomach. "Bye baby bee!" Troy was grinning so wide watching Claire as she went running back over to Eve. "Yup, a whole hoard Gabi, a whole fucking hoard." Hanson muttered and I busted out into laughter because if Troy Bolton looked at all of our kids that way? We probably would have a hoard.

Monday, February 6th, 2023

Gabi's POV

17 Weeks Pregnant

I nervously tapped on my leg when Troy grabbed my hand, "Relax," he murmured into my ear. "What…" Troy shot me a look before I could even finish the sentence. "Gabi…what reason do you have to worry?" he asked softly as we were quickly pulled back into a room to wait due to well Troy. I shot him a look, "You know I don't like when the tables are turned here." Troy chuckled with a shake of his head, "I just know that nothing has changed. You and bee are healthy." I exhaled as he squeezed my hand. "Do you think we'll have an ultrasound today?"

Troy shrugged as I knew we probably weren't, but I wanted it. I wanted to see how big our baby was and how our baby was doing. This in-between was so hard. We had so much surveillance at the beginning and now we were just waiting. I hadn't felt the baby move and that was starting to make me nervous. "Do you think I should be feeling Bee move?" Troy gave me a look, "No, Gabs, I don't. I don't think Eve felt Claire move until closer to twenty weeks." I just sighed heavily, and Troy squeezed my knee gently as the door opened.

It was the med tech as she did my vitals and weight before she took the doppler to my stomach. She searched around for the heartrate, and it didn't take long for the whooshing to come through the monitor. Relief filled everything inside of me as Troy squeezed my hand, "See?" he murmured as he kissed my temple. "Everything looks really good." The tech said with a smile, and I thanked her. "Any ultrasounds today?" she shook her head, "Not today, but you should have your anatomy scan in a few weeks." I just nodded as I swallowed hard on the emotion.

"El," his words were quiet, and I glanced over at him. "It's okay," he soothed as I nodded, "I heard its heartbeat. That's good," I declared, and Troy just gave a nervous smile as I felt like I was on the edge. Dr. Miller came in and she grinned, "Everything is looking good! How are you feeling?" she asked, and I nodded, "Okay. Symptoms wise I feel the best I've felt in a while. Nothing crazy. I have energy, no sickness, etc." Dr. Miller nodded, "Good, any questions?"

"When should I feel the baby move? I feel like this gap in-between is so hard," I told her honestly and she nodded, "It is. You typically start to feel movement anywhere between 16-23 weeks. Up to 25 weeks can be normal. Especially for first time moms it can be on the longer side. I wouldn't be too concerned. I know it can be so hard waiting for that reassurance." I nodded as Dr. Reagan gave a tiny nod, "I have no concerns. I think you are experiencing a very, very healthy pregnancy. Enjoy it. It was a lot of work to get here." I nodded as Troy smiled at Dr. Miller.

"Thank you," I watched him mouth to her and she nodded before she did a quick exam. "My belly comes and goes," I said with a pout and Dr. Miller laughed. "Before too long it'll be there to stay." I thanked her as we went to schedule our anatomy scan at twenty weeks with a follow-up with her. "Gabi," Dr. Miller came back, "Did you schedule your fetal echo with MFM?" I nodded, "It's at 22 weeks," I told her, and she nodded, "Perfect. I know it can take a while to get in there and I just wanted to make sure you did." I nodded and thanked her.

Troy was on his phone and his brows were busy as he was typing away on it. I put the appointments in our family calendar to make sure Lucas and Troy both knew I needed him on those days. Lucas was filling his schedule already on his off weeks with Claire and I hated it. He had promos, shoots, interviews, etc. Troy gently reminded me that it was going to be busy until we had our baby and then it was freedom for a bit. Just the three of us. Troy and I walked to the car as we kept our heads down and when Troy slid into the front seat he glanced at me, "We have one more stop,"

I frowned, "Where?" I asked him and he just shrugged, "We're going to pick up Claire first," we stopped by his parents' house and picked up Claire before we got back in the car. "Are we going to lunch?" I asked him and he shook his head, "After," I again frowned as we drove for a bit before coming to a strip mall. "Daddy, where are we?" Troy got Claire out as he reached for my hand as he carried her and held my hand. "A surprise for both of my girls." I walked with him when we came to a sign that read sweet babies. I blinked as Troy didn't stop moving and then we were inside.

"Ah, Troy," I blinked as the girl greeted my husband, "Gabs, I don't know if you remember Jane from school?" I shook my head and she grinned, "I was your sisters age, but I knew Troy because well," I just laughed because everybody knew Troy. "She owns a baby sonogram boutique and well…" I just blinked a few times as Claire watched us both. "We get to see the baby?" Troy nodded as he let his thumb brush over my lip. "We get to see the baby so that Gabi's worry will ease and so she can enjoy vacation." I felt the tears pool in my eyes as Jane distracted Claire as Troy tucked me into his arms.

"You…"

"I did. I could see it all over your face. Just like you got Claire more bloodwork when I am worried – I can do this for you. Jane will take care of us." I just nodded as I wiped at my tears we went back to the little room. Troy had her sign an NDA just for protection, "We don't want to know the gender. I don't know if you can tell at 17 weeks, but we don't want to know." I told her and Jane smiled powering on the machine. "Perfect. We love a good surprise." She winked as Troy had Claire on his lap as we got situated before she was rolling the wand over my belly.

It wasn't long before our baby was on the screen and moving. My eyes filled with tears watching as it was looking more and more like a baby these days. "Somebody is quite active," Troy chuckled as his thumb brushed over my knuckles. "That's my baby brother or sister!" Claire said and Jane laughed, "Yea that is. The baby looks really good." The waterworks fell as I can't believe Troy put this together in the matter of a few hours. We watched our baby honeybee bounce around for a bit longer before she took pictures and then printed them out.

"Congrats," Jane mentioned, and I just gave a smile while I wiped at my cheeks. "Thank you, I appreciate this." Jane smiled, "Your sister was always so kind to me. Troy was also very nice to me. I was a very shy kid," I laughed as I thanked her again as did Troy and Troy tucked me in for another hug. "Thank you," I murmured into his chest. "Anything to ease your mind, baby. If you can't make it to week 20, we'll do another one. This is easy to help ease some of that worry." I reached up to kiss him. "This is how I know you'll be a good mom. Worrying so much before that baby even gets here."

It hit me then.

Troy always wanting labs for Claire?

This was the same feeling. To get that anxiety to claw away.

"I love you, thank you for this,"

"You are so welcome, and I love you more."

Wednesday, February 8th, 2023

Troy's POV

Virgin Gorda

Claire ran through the ocean as we were on a private beach as I rented a house for us to allow privacy. I didn't have to worry about vacationers interfering with Claire. Gabi was able to relax as she was reading a book with a big hat on her head and her hand resting on her belly. I gave a smile watching her as tomorrow was Claire's day to be a mermaid. Tonight, I was having a date night in with Gabi after Claire went to bed. Yesterday was a decently long day of travel but we had dinner, watched the sunset, and then we did a movie night.

"Daddy! Build a sandcastle with me," I smiled as I got up to go join her on the beach. I sat down in the sand as she started packing the bucket full of sand. I grabbed a different bucket to help, and she gave me a grin, "Daddy,"

"hmm?" I asked her and she gave a smile, "I love the beach,"

"Me, too," I told her honestly. "Gabi and I used to spend a lot of our time at the beach when we were in high school." Claire giggled, "Did you and mommy?" I shook my head, "No, we didn't." Claire pressed her lips together. "Will you and mommy take vacations together with me?" she asked. I shrugged, "We can. Is that something you like to do?" she didn't speak for a few moments as she tilted her head as if she was thinking. "You and mommy are both close and I can see both of you at the same time." I gave a tiny smile, "That is nice, isn't it? When Daddy and Gabi build the house in Boston then we'll be really close to mom." I pointed out and those blue eyes looked at me for a moment and she sighed as if that wasn't the answer she was looking for. Her hands went right back to work at the sandcastle, and she got quiet on me. "But…it's okay," her voice was tiny, and I think I hated myself just a little bit. I stopped her busy hands to get her attention. "Claire, baby, what's wrong? Is something bothering you?" I asked her gently and she shrugged. Those blue eyes avoiding mine.

"Claire,"

"I liked Disney last year because you and mommy didn't fight, and I got to see you both every single day." Her voice wavered just the tiniest bit as those blue eyes finally landed on me. My heart broke for her, and I hated myself that I would never be able to give her that. To give her total access to her mom and I again. That I was never in love with her mom. The guilt stung just a bit as I tried to find the best solution for the both of us.

"What if after we move back into the beach house I ask mommy, Christian, and Jackson to come stay for a few weeks? We have plenty of room and we can see each other every single day." Claire sniffled and nodded her head, "Claire, is that all that is bothering you?" I asked her and she nodded, "I love you both," she murmured, and I pulled her in and kissed her head. "I love you so much, baby girl. Just because your mom and I aren't married doesn't mean we can do things together. Maybe once we're all back in Boston we can try to have dinners together more often and do things together – would you like that?" Claire nodded her head up and down. "It can't be all the time because I'll be playing football, Gabi will have just had the baby, and mommy is also busy. So just know that maybe once a month,"

"But mommy can come to the beach house?"

"Yes, I'll call her when we get back and find some time. Maybe they can stay for a few weeks and then you can go back with mommy," Claire pouted with that statement which I knew she would. I just held her in my lap for a while as we watched the water roll up onto the beach. "I love you," I told her again. Claire's blue eyes were looking at the waves, "I love you, too, daddy, sorry I was sad." I softly pressed on her head to make her look at me, "We don't apologize for being sad." I reminded her gently. "You get to be sad. Mommy and daddy not living together can be hard."

Claire just snuggled up to me as the sun was beating down. She fell asleep at some point, and I picked her up and walked back to sit with Gabi. She was watching the two of us with curiosity in her eyes. "She, okay?" I nodded as I tucked myself back under the umbrella as she rested on my chest. "How do you feel about Eve coming to stay with us at the beach house for a few weeks?" I asked her nervously, Gabi twisted her head, "I mean…I don't care but…" she paused, and her eyes landed on Claire, and she nodded in understanding. "She misses seeing both of you every single day."

I nodded, "It might be good for her for us to spend some time together for a few weeks. We can still do our own thing but…I don't know. I think she wants some where she can run the house and see both her dad and her mom. I don't know. She just wanted to go on vacation together. I mentioned just her coming to stay with us for a bit. I need to talk to Eve about it, but it made Claire a little happier." Gabi just gave a laugh. "I'm still waiting for the extra house addition." I laughed with a shake of my head. "No, that isn't happening, but I do want Claire to know that her mom and I get along."

"You do," Gabi pressed, "And if she comes to stay with us for a few weeks that's nothing I haven't lived through before." I just gave a laugh as Gabi rubbed my shoulder. "I support your relationship with the both of them and whatever they need to make things feel okay. Claire is the top priority." I gave a cheeky smile before I let my hand reach over for the tiny baby bump. "Until we have this little bee and then I have two top priorities." Gabi let her fingers slide into mine, "Yea, but Claire is going to have to adjust. She's the one going back and forth between parents."

"Thank you for always…" I paused and I just released a breath, "For just being understanding."

"Always, Troy. I want our family to be big and blended. I want everybody to know that we're all important and it's full of love. That's it." I kissed her hand and smiled. I was lucky.

Gabi's POV

Troy came down the hall from putting Claire to bed as he had planned a date night for the two of us. A chef was preparing dinner and I was in a long dress as it hugged my skin. I was already a little tanner already just from the day in the sun today. Troy was in a pair of khaki shorts and a button up short sleeve shirt. He was so fucking handsome while he came right over to me. He pressed a kiss to my cheek and then he dropped to kiss my belly that was showing just a tiny bit with the hugging dress. "You look beautiful," I gave him a smile as he kissed me.

"I think our dinner is close to done," Troy smiled as he tucked me into his body as we went back to the kitchen. Troy talked to the chef as he grabbed a mocktail for me and then a whiskey for him. I followed him out to the patio where the moon was over the ocean and the pool was glowing with different colors. The wind was just enough to make it nice but not enough to be annoying. Troy pulled out my chair and I thanked him. "Here, enjoy," I smiled at him as he checked his phone which had the baby monitor on it to check on Claire.

"She asleep?" he nodded, "She was tired. Even with her nap on the beach." I grabbed his hand as we ate the appetizer together while laughing about the travel day yesterday and today. "Another spot where the ocean is as blue as your eyes," I teased and he gave a tiny smile, "My mission is to take you to all of the places I can think of." I smirked shaking my head at him. "Yea?" he nodded his head back at me. "Put in the category of I owe you." I tilted my head with a shake of it. "Whatever, Bolton," he grinned back at me, "Your name, too."

"Montez-Bolton," I clarified, and Troy just chuckled. "I love it," Troy scooted his chair closer to me as we finished the appetizer as I sipped on the mocktail. The chef wasn't long with the main entrée and we both dove in. Groaning about how good it was. "Good idea," I told him, and he nodded, "Right? I should have thought of this sooner. No need for a babysitter." We both just shared a look as this was our future. Sneaking in late night dates. Spending the days with our kids. "Right, no need for a babysitter. We should probably consider the idea of a nanny for our kids." I told him and he arched an eyebrow.

"Really? You want a nanny?"

"Not in the sense I need them all the time, but I do have to focus on The Sunshine Pact. I do want date nights with you. I do want to be able to run errands without our baby. There are going to be times that we need help. I highly doubt we could make it work without somebody. I would like to have one full-time or a few part-time people who can help us. Especially with football season." Troy swallowed as he thought about it. "I guess you make a point. We should start looking then if you want somebody back in Boston." I nodded, "I do. I think they wouldn't need to start until September, though. I plan on taking all summer off besides helping with the gala." I explained as I squeezed his hand.

"I don't want other people raising our kids,"

"No, I understand that, but I also think we need to have adult time. Adult dinners. We'll have galas and social functions, Mr. Quarterback. We need people to watch our kids and sometimes our parents or siblings won't be around to do it. I need to trust whomever." Troy nodded as it was going to be harder than most to find a nanny. "I wonder if Gigi would want to do it." I glanced at Troy, "She works at the studio and loves it." I reminded him. "I know but that's a lot of afternoons. She could at least help you in the morning and we could work with her schedule."

"How about we look around first before going to your sister. I don't want to put her in an awkward position." Troy sighed, "You've had nannies in the past – how did you find them?" Troy shrugged taking another bite of dinner. "Eve mostly did it. I tried to stay out of it to not have nearly as much influence in the matter."

"I'll ask her, but I want you involved."

Troy just gave me a smile, "Okay,"

Dessert came next as the chef went to clean the kitchen. Troy and I both moaned over the chocolate cake that he had made from scratch. He said there was more in the fridge, and I couldn't wait to share with Claire tomorrow. I could hear the waves rolling onto the beach as we both devoured the dessert. "That was so good," I nodded, "It really was," we both picked up all of the plates and dishes before taking them to the kitchen. Troy thanked the chef and guided him out before locking up the front of the house. I made another mocktail for me while Troy came back in grabbing some more whiskey.

"C'mon," I smiled as I took his hand as he guided me down towards the infinity pool where we stuck our feet in the water. He had grabbed towels to sit on and we both kicked our feet around. The salty air felt good, but the quietness was even better. No responsibilities this week. I took a drink when a naughty thought entered my head. "Wanna be a twenty-something?" I asked him and he looked over at me as I just grinned. I stood up before completely pulling my dress off. My bra was the only thing left as I may have not put on underwear. I slipped that off and just grinned at him.

"Jesus Christ, Gabriella," Troy spoke as those blue eyes took in my body as I quickly jumped in the pool. "Skinny dipping?" he asked with a smirk on his face as he scooted back and stood up, I just nodded as I waded in the water. It felt so good on my skin as Troy ditched his clothes and was quickly jumping in behind me. He swam up behind me and then kissed on my neck. "We've never been naked in our pool," he murmured, and I just laughed, "We have in the hot tub," I pointed out to him. He smirked with a shake of his head. "Not the same," he hoisted me up around his waist as I rubbed my center over his abdomen. He groaned, "Gabs, you make me a weak man," I just laughed as I found his mouth to kiss him. The kiss was long and deep. Passionate and I couldn't get enough of him as my fingers ran through his hair.

"El," he broke his lips away and dropped them to my collar bone as I rolled my hips looking for friction. He grunted as he went to sit on the stairs that covered us both so if Claire came down it only looked like I was sitting in his lap. I could feel his length between the two of us as his hands roamed over my back and squeezed my ass. "I love you, can't get enough of you," he murmured into my sternum. I found his mouth again to make him stop talking as we mostly just made out. Yet, I was dripping for him. I needed him. In ways I didn't understand sometimes.

He moved just enough underneath of me to slide in with ease as we both gasped together as I slowly rode him for a minute. My hips pulling off and sinking back into the water. "El, baby, you feel so fucking good." I squeezed him which had him cursing as I picked up the pace. Troy scooted back a step to bring us a bit more out of water. He reached between us to help get me there and I gasped and felt it start in my center. "Come for me, El," he murmured as it didn't take much for either of us before I was limp against him, and he was kissing my face. "Good girl," he whispered. I just smiled as I slid off his lap and back into the water.

Troy swam after me and I squealed as he grinned against my neck. "I love you," he whispered. "Let's be twenty-something forever." I smiled with a nod, "Let's,"

Thursday, February 9th, 2023

Gabi's POV

Claire was giddy.

We were at the little outside hut that was going to teach Claire how to be a mermaid and she couldn't be more excited. Troy was going to do it with her to show her that you could really do whatever you put your mind, too. They were going over instructions as they put on life jackets as I snapped pictures of them. The way Claire looked up at her dad made my heart soar. She trusted him, loved him, and knew that she was safe with him. They went to pick out their mermaid tails as they did in fact have some big enough for Troy.

The way he accepted the girl dad life.

I shook my head with a tiny smile watching them together as Troy picked a deep navy tail while Claire picked bright pink. Being pregnant eliminated me from this activity and I was more than happy to snap pictures and videos from the beach. Allowing those two to have time together. When Troy mentioned having Eve come stay with us for a couple of weeks at the beach house – it was a really good idea. Claire needed to see that united front in her parents. I got up and went a little bit closer as I snapped some pictures and sent it to the family group chat.

Lucas: I will need a picture of him IN the mermaid tail. For the record.

I just laughed as I would 100% deliver on that one.

Claire picked up her tail and she sat down as the girl helped her into it. I smiled as she wiggled in, and she flapped her little tail. God, she was so cute. Troy sat down and did the same and I couldn't stop my laugh. The 6'4 quarterback was wiggling on a mermaid tail to please his daughter. He finally got himself all the way into the tail as I took a video. A step up for Lucas. Troy flipped his tail and Claire busted into giggles. I shook my head with a smile watching as I sent the video off to the family group chat. It blew up.

Sara Bolton: Oh, my sweet child…

Lucas Bolton: Oh my God – you did a video. My favorite sister-in-law EVER

Gigi Bolton: HAHAHAHA

Marco Bolton: somebody please send it to ESPN

I giggled as I hearted Lucas's message as I watched as they got Claire in the ocean as they were standing right with her as she kicked her little fin. Troy was, god bless him, a saint as he went right along with her. I took more videos and more photos as I got closer to get better ones. "Gabi! Look!" I smiled as I watched Claire bounce in the water. "I'm a mermaid! Daddy said I could, and I did!" I grinned, "Good job! I am so jealous!" her giggle was infectious as Troy was working hard himself to keep that swim up. "Mermaids have abs of steal," Troy groaned as he battled it.

"Lucas loves this," I told him as I snapped another picture and Troy growled, "Gabriella,"

I just giggled as I facetimed Lucas and he was howling with laughter the moment he answered the phone. "Oh god, you just got promoted to favorite sister." I just giggled, "Do not tell him," Lucas shot me a look as he laughed again. "Especially not in front of Claire. She thinks Troy is the world's greatest thing since sliced bread." Lucas covered his face with a tiny laugh, "I won't in front of Claire, but I am blowing up one of these pictures of just him and hanging it in my office." I couldn't control my own laugh because that was funny.

"Ohhh…I could give it to Hanson and have him put in the locker room." I wiggled my eyebrows as Lucas blue eyes grew, "Okay, you just got promoted to something, but I don't know what goes above the best sister." I laughed as they pulled both of them back in as Claire rolled around on the beach with her tail and Troy got himself out of his. He looked exhausted as he threw himself back on the beach. Lucas and I both laughed as I walked over as Claire was thoroughly distracted. "Dad of the year," I said, and he tilted his head back but scowled the moment he saw my phone out.

"Merman of the year," Lucas corrected over the phone and Troy threw up his middle finger towards his older brother. "Him of all people?" I just giggled, "He's the most amused but I told him not in front of Claire. She thinks you are the coolest person alive to do that with her."

"That was a work-out. My abs hurt," Troy whined, and I couldn't stop my laugh as I sat down next to him. "You looked good out there, catch any fish?" Lucas asked and Troy huffed a heavy annoyed sigh. "I'm making Gabi hang up on you." He reached for my phone, but I rolled away from him. The sand coating my body, but it was worth it as Lucas chuckled, "Not if I hang up first, love you Gabs, I screen recorded all of that." And then he was gone, and Troy was groaning next to me. I couldn't stop my laugh again as I smile with a shake of my head. I sat up as Troy eyed me, but I just smiled, "Dad of the year,"

"Claire, did you have fun?" I asked her and she gave me the biggest grin. "Yes! I did! I loved it so much, daddy, you were a good merman!" I fell into hysterics as Claire laughed with me. Troy smiled watching the two of us with a shake of his head, "Only for you two," he murmured. "I'm going to take a dip in the ocean to rinse some of this sand off, who's coming with me?" I asked with a smile. I stood up as I reached for Troy and Claire as we all went into the water together. Splashing and laughing. Troy seemed at peace for the first time since the loss and I was thankful for that.

Saturday, February 11th, 2023

Troy's POV

Claire was playing in the pool as I watched her as Gabi went to a yoga class this morning allowing Claire and I to get breakfast together. We really didn't have any plans this week and we are going to find a boat day tomorrow but besides that it was pool, beach, and family time. We played games last night as it was rainy, and Claire fell asleep with the biggest smile on her face. She jumped into the pool again as I glanced down at my phone. The Super Bowl was tomorrow but I was trying to push that out of my mind. We couldn't win it every year and it only gave me something harder to strive for.

"Daddy! Watch!" I clapped as Claire did a cannonball, "Nine!" I yelled and she just giggled with her achievement as she swam around with her toys. I heard the front door close, and I glanced back at the house we rented to see Gabi coming forward. Her face was mixed with emotion, and I sat up to greet her. "Hey, El, how was yoga?" I asked her and she blinked before turning to face me. "Gabi! Watch!" Gabi turned her attention to watch Claire jump in with a starfish jump. Gabi cheered and clapped for her. "El?" I asked her and her eyes found mine again.

"I'm fine, yoga was fine, I think I pulled a muscle or something," she frowned as her hands went to her stomach. "A pulled muscle?" I asked for clarification as I pulled her onto my lounge chair. Her eyebrows dipped in as she nodded her head, her mind seemed so far away at the moment. "Yea, I just…" I could feel the emotions roll off of her as I turned to face her and then cupped her face. "Gabi, what's wrong?" I asked softly and she blinked as the tears collected. "I just keep feeling these…twinges in my stomach. I don't know how to describe it. Almost like popping or…" a tear spilled, and I tried, I really tried, to smother my smile. I couldn't though. Those brown eyes filled with anger and then more tears at my own reaction. I felt terrible for causing that, but it was slightly funny.

"Troy, this isn't funny, we aren't at home and what if…" I shook my head as I let my lips fall flat and I framed her face with my hands, "Gabi, El, look at me," I whispered to her. My eyes darted to make sure Claire was still doing fine as she was sitting on the side of the pool with her water dolls. "That's our honeybee moving around, you're feeling our baby kick." Gabi blinked a couple of times and stared at me. "That's our baby? It feels so…weird." I laughed softly but nodded, "I only know because that's exactly how Eve described it the first time. We were both freaked out, but the nurse reassured us it was just the baby. You can feel our little honeybee," my voice was just above a whisper and those eyelashes fluttered.

The real waterworks started as I just pulled her into my grasp, her legs falling on both sides of me and I rocked her gently in my arm. "I just thought it would feel so different." I laughed, "It will, eventually, those are just the first movements. I won't be able to feel for a bit longer, but they will get stronger and stronger." I kissed on her neck, and she wiped away her tears.

"They will?" I nodded my head, "They will. We can still call if that makes you feel better, but you literally said the same thing as Eve," I tucked hair behind her ear that had escaped her ponytail. She sniffed and shook her head, "No, I just…the reassurance of feeling our little bee move is…overwhelming." Gabi paused and gave a faint smile, "I also just love being pregnant," I chuckled as she laid in my lap while we both watched Claire swim. Her head rested on my shoulder as Claire jumped again while we both gave her a ten this time.

"What are we doing when we get back to North Carolina?"

"Moving back into our house for starts but I also have some obligations after football season is over. Trying to cram them all in before summer rolls around." She smiled with understanding when Claire giggled about something, "Gabi! Dad! Come swim," I nudged Gabi, "Wanna take a swim?" she nodded, "Yea, let me go change." I kissed her forehead before sending her on her way. I pulled off my shirt before I leapt into the pool. Claire's giggle greeted me, and I couldn't be convinced there was anything better.

Happy Monday! Sorry for the day late post but was just so busy yesterday! Appreciate the patience!

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Next Update: October 6th