Chapter 21 – Co-Parenting

Monday, March 27th, 2023

New York City, NY

24 Weeks Pregnant

Gabi's POV

The make-up artist touched up my face as I was going on tour this week. Yes, me, on tour for The Sunshine Pact. We were starting it with Good Morning America, and we were going all over – even heading to LA on Wednesday. Troy was sitting on the couch as he was leaned back and smiling watching me. I was in a pair of black palazzo pants with a white blouse and a black jacket. The pants were so snug today that I had to have Troy help me zip them. My heels were sitting next to Troy on the couch as they did my hair and make-up for me this morning.

The fact that I was going around to do press over The Sunshine Pact? An absolute dream. The nerves bundled in my stomach, but I had given talks in front of 1000s people before. I could do this. I also was doing a presentation at a child hem/onc conference in September in Salt Lake City. "Alright, I think I am all done. What do you think?" I glanced in the mirror as my make-up was soft and neutral while my hair was done in simple waves. "It's perfect, thank you," she nodded with a smile as I slid off the chair. I went over to the couch as Bee rolled in my stomach as I let my hand press to where it was moving.

"Bee on the move?" Troy asked as he reached, and I nodded as Troy had felt faint kicks but nothing too hard. He waited for a few moments, and he gently brought me down into his lap. "Hi beautiful," he murmured as he kissed my neck. "You look amazing." I laughed as he smiled at me. Once we were done with this week, we were all going to North Carolina – Eve and Christian included with Jackson. They were going to spend a month with us to cover two weeks each. I think it was going to be good, but it was going to be a full house for a bit. I had some things to do in Boston, Troy had some events and promos to shoot, and Christian had to go back and forth for work. He was mostly remote these days but still had to be back in Boston every now and then.

Troy grabbed my shoes as he slipped them on my feet and he rubbed my calves, "That feels damn good," Troy laughed as I wiggled in his lap as he shook his head, "Stop, or else, the audience will get a view." I just giggled as I reached over to kissed his cheek. "I am nervous," Troy blew out a breath of air, "No reason to be nervous. You are going to rock it. You've been prepping with Mandy for days now." I smiled as it came in handy to have a husband with a full PR team already. "You are also talking about one of your favorite things of all time. You are going to rock this."

"Plus, once you rock it? I will treat you." He whispered in my ear, and I raised an eyebrow, "Care to elaborate?" He smirked, "Wouldn't you like to know." He slid his hand between my thighs, and I smirked. "We have to go do the interview with The New York Times," I reminded him, and he laughed, "Okay after that,"

"Then I am meeting with Vanity Fair – that one is just for fun. Want to do a segment on Troy Bolton's new wife who had to go through IVF and has a kick ass non-profit." Troy just laughed as he shook his head, "Fine, dinner, and then I will treat you." I just laughed as they came to get me. I stood up as Troy grabbed my hand as we walked out together. Once we got to the stage Troy and I stood together as they were switching segments and then they nodded for me to join the stage. I was joining after a commercial break, so I had time.

I got the microphone put on, Troy squeezed my hand, "Go kick ass, yea?" I smiled with a nod as I took the stage and took my seat. They adjusted my hair and messed with my shirt before nodding as they were counting down. I took a few deep breaths as they had the camera panned on the person next to me before widening it. "We are so excited to welcome Gabriella Montez-Bolton who is the founder, CEO, and president of The Sunshine Pact. Welcome," I nodded with a grin, "Thank you, I am so excited to be here."

"We are excited to have you! Okay, let's talk about The Sunshine Pact first because we have so much, we want to talk to you about! How did the Sunshine Pact come about?"

"It mostly started because I was going back to school soon to become a nurse practitioner for pediatric oncology and hematology. My friends all really didn't understand it and I just kind of shrugged it off because I didn't know what to do next. I felt like I needed to do something, but I wasn't sure what that was. NP school kind of felt like the correct path. Well, my life got thrown a huge curveball. I was asked to become a nurse for a family to help take care of their daughter as she had Acute Myeloid leukemia – AML. I accepted but it came with an interesting situation. It was going to be for my ex-boyfriend from high school who was married, and it was his child." I paused as I hated this transition of the story.

"Let me be clear on one thing – I hated that man." The ladies laughed at the table, and I couldn't stop my smile. "I wanted nothing to do with him. I took care of his daughter and I mostly interacted with his wife and daughter. I did my job and I told him I was leaving August 19th for NP school and that was it. I would never see him again. Well. Life has a funny way of laughing at you, doesn't it?" I said with my own laugh. "Troy and his ex-wife Eve proceed to go through with their divorce and suddenly I am at this penthouse with his daughter and him all the time. I am taking care of her while he balances football and suddenly feelings start to come alive again. The memories are shared, and we lean into each other again. Which brought up NP school as it was going to be in Philly. Did we want to start another relationship while I was going to move for 18 months? Troy wanted me to stay but I needed to have something for me. My best friends told me to help the kids. It's all I wanted to do anyways was help the kids. Be there for the kids. The parents. The nurses. I just wanted to be somebody for them." I gave a smile and a look over towards Troy who was grinning. I loved him.

"I got together with two parents, Hannah and Bailey, who sadly lost their children to cancer. I wanted their perspective as I was close with their families and they both told me that I was the sunshine for their kids. Bailey said I was the sunshine. They said if they were coming on The Sunshine Pact was the name. It took off quickly after that and I kept Troy Bolton in the dark the entire time this was happening. I was working behind the scenes making my board of parents of survivors, Hannah and Bailey, and a teen who was close to Ginny, who passed, and we got her perspective. We made these baskets for the kids with really bright colored blankets to have during chemo, candy, games, cards, colors, etc. It just depends on the age, and we stocked the bags to be given on the second day of admission. The first day is a whirlwind but the second? Everything starts to set in. The time of the sunshine. To brighten the kids' days." I gave a tiny shrug as I blinked my eyes trying to rid of tears. "My parents but together a parent basket of notebooks and pens. Suggestions. Coffee gift cards, a water bottle, all sorts of things. It's all about being a support to these kids. We are starting a text line where parents can get in contact with a parent who's been there. That can help. To hear you out. We're starting every Tuesday Coffee for all of these parents get together while we do movie nights with the kids in the hospital who can attend. It's evolving and changing and expanding and I am so, so proud of it."

Gina laughed, "That is so amazing. I can tell how proud of it you are, and I know a young girl who received one of these baskets at Boston Children's and she really did love it a lot. She said it made her smile when everybody else was crying." I swallowed on the lump and nodded with a smile, "I am so glad. I love being able to do that. I have so much help now and I am so thankful for my board, my friends, my husband. Nothing is without effort with this, and I am so excited to watch it to continue to grow."

"When did Troy finally find out?" I laughed, "When everything was signed and dotted. Like two days before we went live. I wanted it to be mine. He thought I was going to NP school in Philly the entire time. It was a fun surprise, and I am so glad I made this choice. It changed my life for the better."

"I hear you and Troy are both kicking around ideas to do something for families of IVF as this has also impacted you recently?" I nodded as I subconsciously let my hand fall to my stomach. "Troy and I both found out we have our own issues with infertility and the best way to have a baby was going to be IVF. It was scary, it was hard, but I fell in love with my husband so much more during that time. We both knew how lucky we were to be able to afford it and all we could think about was – how do other people afford this? How can we help people afford this. Everybody should get their chance at having a baby if that is something they want. It was something we both wanted, and I am glad we had the means to make it happen. We want to help people afford it in the future. We are still working on the whole logistics of everything, but we have plans in the future to do something and we want to help as many families as we can."

We talked for a while longer before they were going to commercial and I exhaled, "You did amazing!" Gina said, "Thank you so much for sharing and what a beautiful story! I hope this gets across the whole country." I nodded and thanked them as they took my microphone off and I went over to Troy who was waiting with open arms. "I didn't know you were going to talk about Dare to Dream." I just shrugged, "It came up. I went with it. I made sure to know what I couldn't say about it with Mandy." Troy kissed the top of my head and he squeezed. "You did so good,"

"Thank you, thank you," he kissed me again and we went to thank everybody, and our car was waiting for us. "Off to the next," I said and Troy grinned, "Off to the next,"

Troy's POV

Gabi was sitting on a chair across from Danielle of Vanity Fair as she was now just in a pair of jeans with a blouse and chunky heels. The day had been full of press – for her. I loved it. I loved watching her chase her dream and watching her succeed. My legs were crossed at the ankle as Gabi laughed dragging my attention back to her as this has been the most fun and relaxed interview of the bunch. "You started The Sunshine Pact, got back together with your ex-boyfriend from high school who had a kid with another woman, got married, then went through IVF in like two years? That is a wild two years."

Gabi nodded with a laugh, "Yea it was an insane ride. I never thought my paths would cross with Troy Bolton again. He broke up with me and walked away. That was the last time I saw him, and I avoided everything Troy after that. I was heartbroken and gutted. Fast-forward to draft night and he was drafted to the city I had just moved and got comfortable in. I was angry. I knew though that our lives would not cross paths. I didn't talk football. I didn't let anybody talk to me about him. I just avoided it. Boy, was I SURPRISED when I walked into that room that day and it was him." Gabi let out a tiny laugh, "I was not expecting to see him, and I really wanted to be angry, but all the feelings came flooding back – which did make me angry. He was married. Had a child with cancer. I was staring and knew…knew that I would never get a chance."

"But you did."

"But I did. I am so thankful for that chance because our break-up had a lot of miscommunications involved and once, we talked about it – we both realized we still loved each other. Wanna know a secret?" Gabi offered and I felt my eyebrow rise as I watched the two of them. "Of course, I want to know a secret!" Gabi laughed, "Troy Bolton has a tattoo of a drawing that I drew in high school on his chest. He always would tell me Mozzafiato, which in Italian means breathtaking. So, in high school we had a spot on the beach in North Carolina and I drew that spot with the words looped in there and I tucked it in his truck. He found it once he got to Alabama and then tattooed it on his chest."

I shook my head with a smile as Danielle looked over at me, "You did?" I just laughed, "Yea, I did. I never stopped loving that girl. Glad I could make her see that." Danielle blinked and nearly pouted, "That's the cutest damn story I've ever heard." We all laughed together as Gabi talked more about our IVF journey, becoming a stepmom, and then some about The Sunshine Pact. "How did your IVF TikTok start?" Gabi smiled, "It started because I felt really, really alone with it all at the beginning. Troy was there for me but that doesn't help those feelings. He was training and it was busy. He's a dad. Somebody mentioned it to me, and I knew that there were other people feeling just like me. Not many people with a platform speak about IVF – it can be a very hush hush conversation. I didn't want that. So, I started the TikTok's. I wanted people to know we are regular people and that we also face these issues. Nobody is alone in this."

"The hugs? The dancing? Who's idea?" Gabi just let the biggest grin take over her face. "That was all Troy Bolton. That man loves so hard, and it was the one thing I think he felt like he could do. After each injection – we would dance. Before each appointment he would hug me so tight. He never let me be alone in this process and he never missed an appointment. He only missed injections if he wasn't in town. He was constantly in my corner, and I don't think I would have survived that time without him. I couldn't imagine doing that with somebody else. I was lucky to do it with him. I was lucky to fall more in love with him. I know it can do a number on relationships but thankfully it strengthened ours."

"So, you knew Troy before he was a dad and you found him again as a dad – what was that like?" Gabi grinned at the question. "I didn't know I could love him more and it makes me that much more excited for our little babe to join us this summer. I cannot wait to see him snuggle up on a baby and love on it. He is so, so good with Claire. He is truly the best dad in the entire world, and I am so lucky to be in the seat next to him to watch. Claire just loves him and those two are best friends. Troy is doing everything right by her – he co-parents so well with Eve, and they make it all about Claire. He is in therapy for his own anxiety because he wants to show his daughter that it's okay to seek help. He shows her the proper way to be loved. He is an amazing dad, and I cannot wait to raise our baby together."

"Does he have a brother?" Gabi barked a laugh, "He does actually, he's single, want his phone number?" they both laughed together as I smiled with a shake of my head. They wrapped up the interview, but they had to shoot some photos for the article. They touched up her make-up and she changed into a Sunshine Pact t-shirt as she kicked off her shoes and they let her have fun on the floor. Her smile was radiating across the room and her hair was tossed back. You couldn't see her bump with the pictures which was a damn shame if you wanted my opinion.

"Troy, come over," Danielle waved me over and I shook my head, "This is 100% Gabi's moment." Gabi just smiled over at me, "No, c'mere." Gabi said waving and I wouldn't deny her. If she wanted me over there but only if it was her idea. I wasn't going to be click-bait. "You sure? This is about you."

"We are a team," Gabi said pressing up on her toes and kissing me. I smiled into the kiss as I wrapped my arms around her. "You look so good in this shirt," she tugged on my t-shirt as I laughed, "I hate that I can't see my bee," I tugged her shirt back which caused her to laugh. "Okay, no camera, promise, but can I see this tattoo? How has nobody seen this tattoo?" Danielle asked which made me laugh. "Airbrush. Don't take my shirt off in the locker room or on the field." I said with a shrug as I pulled my shirt up and over my head. Danielle grinned, "You drew that?"

"Oh yea, Gabi is insane with art. She used to run an arts and crafts room at a senior citizen community." Gabi's cheeks flushed as Danielle spun around, "Are you like the most perfect person?" Gabi laughed shaking her head, "I am not. I am just doing my best." I laughed pulling my shirt back on as I kissed her forehead and she leaned into me. "This was fun," Gabi whispered, and I smiled, "Yea? It was time for your time to shine. Wait until Claire sees these," we both shared a smile together as I let my hand find her belly and I smiled as I could feel little flutters. Just the faintest.

"Gabi, thank you, I will send over proofs before we publish anything." Gabi nodded as they signed a few things, and I gathered our stuff as we were done for the day. Gabi changed back to her original outfit, and we walked out to the car waiting. "Hotel with room service?" I asked her and she nodded as her head hit the headrest. "I am so tired; it was hard to get through that interview with high energy." I smiled as I rubbed her knee. "You can take a shower and then we will lay in bed for the rest of the night." She gave a faint smile towards me. We were both quiet as we scrolled our phones. I checked in on Claire with Eve and was excited to spend most of the next month together.

Eve and I ended up deciding that it was going to be a good thing for all of us to have a month together. A month where we didn't have to "share" our daughter. We just lived with her. We were putting Eve and Christian in the bedrooms downstairs below the main living area. Gabs and I were upstairs while Claire was on the main floor. It gave people space and a few of us were going to be in and out of the house during the month. We were planning on family dinners and beach days. Play games and doing all the things families do.

I was glad we could give Claire that. Especially before Gabi and I had another kid. Once we pulled up to the hotel Gabi and I shuffled out as I held her hand and we made it up to our room. She kicked off her shoes and immediately just laid back on the bed. Her body rolling to the side, and I crawled on the bed next to her. "Go take a shower," I said tucking a piece of hair behind her hair. She shook her head and I laughed, "Let me feed you first. You only had breakfast today. Chicken fingers?" I asked wiggling my eyebrows and she grinned, "Yea,"

I laughed as I ordered our food and a milkshake to dip fries in. I went to the bathroom as I grabbed a washcloth and got it wet before taking it to her. "Take your make up off at least," I told her as I handed it to her. "Wow, this is service." I laughed as she took it wiping down her face. She finally got up to go finish her skin care routine and changed into one of my t-shirts while pulling her hair up and off her neck. She sat down in bed as I went over and kissed the back of her head. "You were amazing today. I am so proud of you." She smiled twisting over to face me as I let my hand run over her belly.

"I am glad we got to do this together."

I kissed her but didn't get carried away as there was a knock on our door with food, We spent the rest of the night laughing, eating chicken tenders, and catching up over the day.

Wednesday, April 5th, 2023

25 Weeks Pregnant

Wilmington, NC

Gabi's POV

Claire went zooming by with Jackson hot on her heels. I laughed watching them as Claire was thriving with her mom, Christian, and Jackson here. The backdoor opened as Christian, and Troy walked through as they intercepted their kids. Claire giggled loudly as Troy laughed with Christian as he tickled Jackson. The dads laughed together as they dropped the kids again. Things have been going really well with the incorporations of Eve, Christian, and Jackson into the beach house. Everybody has their corners and date nights were scheduled for everybody this weekend to give some alone time with Claire.

Claire? She was all grins and so happy to have both of her parents in the same house. She loved having Jackson here as well and kept telling Jackson all about the baby in my belly. Not that Jackson really cared all that much. Troy came up behind me as he pressed a kiss to my cheek before reaching for his protein powder and afternoon smoothie. "Good work out?" I asked as Christian volunteered to put him through some workouts to help expand Christian's business but also give Troy a personal trainer which he was currently searching for.

"Yea, Christian put me through the wringer. I may not be able to get out of bed tomorrow." I laughed as I pinched his side, "Shush, you better. I have our date planned." I said looking up at him with a smile. He grinned down at me, "You? I thought I was planning." I shook my head as I pulled my lip into my mouth. "No, it was my turn. You plan all of our dates." Troy chuckled as he nodded, "Alright, you plan our date." My mouth stretched out wide and he picked me up and I laughed wrapping my legs around his waist. "You are sweaty," I said as my hands were damp from the back of his shirt.

"Wanna shower with me?" he asked kissing my neck and then down to my collarbone. "No, I have things to do." I squealed as he tickled my side. "Jesus, I wish I would have seen you two together before agreeing to date him." Eve said and Troy just chuckled into my neck as I dropped off his waist. "I do believe I tried to tell you I wasn't ready to date," Troy said cocking an eyebrow over at Eve. She waved her hand, "Yea, yea, but I would have quickly realized you would never be like that with me." Troy just shrugged, "Thought I was the same. My bad my people," Troy saluted as he finished his smoothie before heading upstairs to take a shower.

I laughed shaking my head as I watched him as I cleaned up the powder off the counter, "I truly do not think he ever kissed me in the kitchen like that," I felt my cheeks heat as I didn't know what to say in that situation. She seemed more in awh of the situation. "I never stood a chance," I just laughed at that because she truly didn't. "We are a bit of a magnet." I told her as she was leaned back against the counter. "Apparently. I'm happy for him. For you. I should have listened to him more in college about his lack of wanting to date but I pushed, and I pushed hard."

"We live and learn," I told her. "Troy and I lived and learned a ton." My hand rested on my stomach as Bee twisted around in there. "Why are you also glowing in pregnancy? I was a cow, my acne was out of control, and my feet were sausages." I giggled, "Shush, you were not. I met you pregnant. You looked amazing." Eve just rolled her eyes, but she smiled in response. We both cleaned up the kitchen, "Can you believe it's been almost two years since you two got back together and our divorce?" I shook my head, "It's been a wild two years. How has it been for you?"

"If you would have asked me two years ago, I would have told you my world was ending. Everything I knew was just ripped away. Social media was a nightmare and people were relentless. I was scared, I had a newborn, my daughter had cancer, and my ex-husband absolutely hated me as he had the right to do." Eve shrugged as she leaned back on the counter as if she was lost in thought with it all. "But I am really happy with how everything unfolded afterwards. Claire getting better, Christian and I feel very right and sometimes look like you two," I laughed, and she smiled, "Jackson is amazing, and I love him, The Sunshine Project gave me another avenue, and I get along really, really well with my ex-husband and his wife. I truly couldn't have asked for it to play out any better."

Reaching over I squeezed her arm, "Good, I'm glad it turned out. You can make mistakes you just have to grow with them." Eve smiled with a nod, "If you would have told me two years ago, we would be sharing a house all four adults plus two kids and one on the way…I would have laughed at you. I never thought Troy was going to be able to look at me again." I sighed, "He was angry, but I also think he knows how important Claire is to the both of you. This is about Claire. If you didn't have her? You wouldn't be here, and he would probably hold a grudge but what does that do for Claire? Absolutely nothing." Eve nodded her head, "I always said when I was younger that if I did have a kid before I got married and it didn't work out, I just wanted them to be a good day and I got so damn lucky there. He is such a good dad tot her. He loves her so damn hard."

I nodded, "He really does. I have like mild worries he won't love ours nearly as much," I said with a pathetic laugh because I didn't really believe myself, but it was a background thought. He loved Claire so much. Was there room for two? Eve just gave me a look with a laugh, "I sometimes wonder once you two have this baby if Claire becomes an afterthought for him. Finally has a kid with the girl he loves the most," I shook my head, "Okay, neither of these are that plausible. Let's tell our anxiety to chill out." Eve and I both laughed together over it.

My hand ran over my stomach as it was slowly becoming noticeable that I was truly pregnant. "Christian is also a great dad. I guess I got lucky twice." I smiled, "Good. You do deserve that." Troy and Claire came back down the stairs together as Claire was asking him something. Eve and I watched as Troy had changed into jeans and a t-shirt as he stopped and turned to face her. "Claire, it's way too cold outside to get into the ocean. Soon. The summer will be here soon, and you can go swimming in the ocean. Is the warm pool not enough for you?" he asked as he bent over and picked her up. Her face held a pout as she pressed her face into his neck.

"I wanna swim with the fish," she mumbled which I had to stifle a laugh as Eve just smiled at her. "The fish aren't even out there. It's too cold…remember?" Troy looked at the two of us with wide eyes hoping she believed him. "Really dad? The fish don't swim near the beach when it's cold?" She pulled back to face him and Troy schooled his features over as he nodded. "Yea, they go towards the middle more. It's warmer." Claire twisted to face us, "Is that true, Mommy?" Eve rolled her lips together to keep in a laugh, "Yes, love bug. It's too cold."

Claire let out a dramatic sigh as she shrugged, "Fine but the first warm day!" Troy nodded while keeping his cool. "You got it baby girl," he kissed her temple before putting her down. She went running off again and Troy ran a hand over his face. "I think I said somewhere where I would never lie to my kids but man…the pout came out." I laughed as I shook my head. "You did good. It's not a complete lie. Just a fib." Troy shook his head as he looked between the two of us. "Do we want to grill dinner tonight?" I nodded, "Sounds good to me. Sounds like you are the one cooking." Eve smirked, "That's what I heard."

"Yea, yea, Christian and I will tackle dinner. I need to run to the grocery store. El, you need anything?" I shook my head, "No, but I might go with you." He grinned, "The only benefit of being home is everybody leaves us the hell alone." He grabbed his car keys and I started to collect my things. Troy waved bye to Eve and Christian who were chilling on the couch with the kids playing in front of them. Troy and I hadn't had a ton of alone time yet except after bed and I was typically asleep before he made it there. Both of our doors shut, Troy turned on the car to back out, and he laughed.

My eyes looked over at him and he shook his head, "Is this going too well? Should this be going worse?" I gave him a shake of my head. "No, because you two are doing this for your daughter. Claire literally has not stopped smiling since everybody got here. I think setting time away for each couple and just co-existing with doing dinners and games – it's going to work. Eve is really happy with how everything is going, too." Troy raised an eyebrow. "Did you both talk while I was upstairs?" I nodded my head, "Yea, we did. We were just talking about how two years ago so much had changed for her and how it changed for you. We both laughed that none of could have pictured this scenario two years ago."

Troy chuckled, "Correct. I would have laughed in everybody's faces if they suggested it, but it is about Claire. Not about us anymore." I squeezed his hand, "That's what I told her."

"It is weird the two of you being friends though. I just…another scenario I never pictured but again better for Claire."

"You and Christian seem to be hitting it off pretty well," Troy nodded, "He's a great athletic trainer. I might suggest him to join The Loyalist staff. He knows how to put me through some grueling freaking workouts."

"Not for yourself in the off-season?" Troy shook his head, "No. I need to find somebody who lives here and wants to come up to Boston, too. He's great for the interim but they leave before Jackson's birthday and then I am stuck with myself again." I nodded in understanding to it. "I'm glad Eve and I get along for Claire. I want all of us to be a family. I want Claire to know she has four adults who would do anything for her and will be together." I smiled as I twisted to glance at him. His fingers flexing over the steering wheel, and he relaxed back against the seat. "Good. That's what you should want for your child."

He smiled as he looked over and then let his hand rest on my belly trying to find some sort of movement. "C'mon, Little Bee," Troy whispered as I just laughed watching him. Once Bee moved around and kicked Troy grinned, "There bee is," I shook my head with a giggle as I let my hand go over his hand. "I told Eve that I was scared you'd never love this baby as much as you love Claire," Troy frowned as his head whipped around as we pulled into the parking lot. Those blue eyes wide as he entered denial mode and I giggled, "Shush. I know you will, but I watch you with Claire and I wonder how you ever could, but Eve's response was that she was scared that Claire would become an afterthought."

Those blue eyes only got bigger, and he shook his head which caused more laughter from me. "Then we both agreed we're absolutely ridiculous."

Troy finally let out a sigh as he shook his head turning the car off, "I about had a heart attack that either of you could ever think that." I got out of the car as I went around to join him as he tucked me against his side. "Claire will absolutely never be an afterthought and this baby? I will love just as fucking much. I love being a dad. Something I never thought I would say but I do. I also really love being your husband," I shook my head at him sucking up. "You better," I said pinching his side. "We have a whole lotta babies to have." Troy chuckled as he kissed my head as we entered. For the most part – Troy was left alone at home. People didn't bother him too much, but we still kept to ourselves. Hats low and trying to blend in with the crowd. We went through the story as I turned to look at the cupcakes.

"A cupcake sounds so freaking good," I said, and Troy arched an eyebrow, "Then get one." I shook my head, "One from the little bakery by Boston Children's," my mouth salivated over it, but I just shook my head. "I'll just have to get it when I go back home." Troy glanced at me as I rubbed my lips together thinking about it. We finished our grocery shopping as I sighed, "El…" I shook my head, "It's fine. I think it's something the baby wants because I can't stop thinking about it." Troy kissed the back of my head as we checked out together. Once we were back in the car I researched if they delivered out of state.

I just shook my head and put my phone back down. Troy held my hand as he navigated back home but parked halfway down the street, "C'mere," I shook my head, "Troy, my belly," he scooted his seat back and then he patted his lap. "You've been asleep every single night when I got to bed this week. I just want a minute all clothes on." I laughed as I scooted over the console and settle in Troy's lap. My knees against the back of the chair and he pulled my mouth to his. The kiss was needy, and his hands drifted to pull me closer to him. "I love you, sorry your first food craving this pregnancy was something from Boston."

I giggled, "It's okay, I don't think it's going anywhere. It sounds so freaking good," Troy just laughed as he kissed me again and his hands creeping into my hair. "I think we need time together tonight." I shook my head, "I think we will see how after dinner time goes." Troy pouted and then kissed me once more before helping me back into the passenger seat.

Troy's POV

Claire smacked down her Uno card as we were all five playing Uno since Jackson already went to bed. Gabi giggled next to me as I had to suddenly draw four. I rolled my eyes as I took the cards while Claire laughed at me. "Yea, yea, Claire. Just remember this," I warned her, and she stopped laughing and gave me the biggest look. Christian laughed as Gabi went after me as my phone buzzed on the counter as Lucas shot me a text.

Lucas: Thank God Soph and I are not together anymore. If this was the standard, you set for the Montez relationships? I was doomed from the fucking start

I laughed with the attached picture of a half-dozen of cupcakes in his passenger seat from the little bakery in Boston. He was coming down tomorrow anyways, so I begged him to fly out earlier, on my dime, and bring six cupcakes with him. It wasn't hard as I was suddenly paying for his private flight. The game of Uno went around the table one more time before Eve ended up winning. "Time to get ready for bed, baby girl." I said kissing her head. She sighed as we were flipping bedtimes and tonight was Eve. Tomorrow Gabs and I were going on a date, but we should be back by the time bedtime rolls around.

A knock came at the door, and I stood up as I went the front door as Lucas was leaning against the door. "About time," he walked in, passed me the cupcakes, "Hi Uncle Lucas!" Claire wrapped up around him as I followed him, and Gabi's back was to me as she asked about the cupcakes about three more times today and I was glad I pulled the strings. I slid the box in front of her as she paused and then spun around to face me. "Shut up, you did not," tears filled her eyes, and I couldn't stop the laugh as I cupped her face. "I pulled a few strings,"

"You…" she paused as she closed her eyes for a moment as two tears slipped out the side of her eyes. "El, don't cry." She shook her head before pressing her face against my chest. "I can't believe you had Lucas fly all the way down here with the cupcakes I really wanted." I kissed her head, "Of course I did. I wasn't messing up the first craving, El. You and baby both need to know that I am there for you." Gabi shook her head before turning around and grabbing a cupcake. The groan she let out taking a bite had me shifting uncomfortably which caused Lucas to laugh. His own eyes full of amusement at the situation.

"That was worth it I guess," Gabi looked up at Lucas and threw herself at him in a hug. "Thank you so much, Lucas." He laughed hugging her. "Anything for you G-baby. And my niece or nephew. Must keep them happy, too." I smiled watching my brother with Gabi as Gabi ate two before she looked relieved. Her eyes came back to mine with more tears, and I knew the hormones were taking over with this one. "El, if you're going to cry when I do this stuff I'm going to have to stop." She laughed with that as I pulled her back into my chest. "I am so thankful for you," she whispered into my chest.

"I am thankful for you. You are doing the hard part. This?" I waved my hand to the cupcakes, "That was easy, El. That was the easy part." I let my thumb trace her bottom lip as I brushed off a little bit of frosting before licking it off my finger. "Good picks," I said over to Lucas without taking my eyes off Gabi. She was smiling again, and no tears were being shed. "That was the best cupcake of my life I am pretty sure," I just hugged her to my chest for a while as Lucas was on the phone with Bethany. "Thank you, again," I smiled with a nod, "Of course, El. He was already coming down tomorrow. I just made it happen a little faster."

She let go as she yawned, "I am going to get ready for bed." She pushed off my chest as I let her hand go and she headed to our bedroom in the back. I smiled watching her go as Lucas shook his head, "You are in so much trouble with her." I just laughed, "I think we knew that when we were 17. I am going to follow her. The guest room is ready for you by Claire." He nodded thanking me as I grabbed my water and made sure the kitchen was cleaned up before heading upstairs. Gabi was talking to somebody on the phone, "He brought me cupcakes from BOSTON, Wren. He…he blows my mind a lot and I am just so thankful. I really wanted one of those cupcakes." I quietly shut the door and then locked it hoping to not catch attention.

Wren laughed on the phone, "You got a lucky one there, Montez. I feel pretty smug forcing you two back together." Gabi scoffed, "You did not force us together. You just helped knock some sense into me." Wren laughed, "Yea, well, I am taking some credit." I chuckled at that as Gabi snapped her head over in my direction. "Thanks, Wren, I'll buy you dinner next time for that." I spoke as I let my hand run around her waist. My palm flat against her growing belly as I waiting for lil Bee to kick. "Oh hell, we're busted Gabs. Sorry for gloating but I'll take all the free dinners."

Gabi laughed, "I bet you will. Thanks for the chat, Wren. Miss you,"

"Miss you more!" Gabi hung up and she looked at me in the mirror as I watched her eyes as I let my hand wand down to the front of her sweatpants and those brown eyes found mine in the mirror. "Any other cravings?" I asked pressing my lips into her neck as I passed the top of her underwear as she hummed underneath of my touch. "Are we including those?" she asked, and I nodded, "I'm here to satisfy anything for you, El." Our eyes connected in the mirror as her chest moved a touch faster and those eyes watched my hand as I slipped two fingers across her as she arched back into my touch. Her fingers reaching for the counter as she took a deep breath.

"Troy," her voice was desperate for more as I obliged as I kissed her cheek, her neck, and then sucked on her skin by her collarbone. She tried to find more friction, but I didn't allow it which only caused her to groan frustrated. "Not enough," I just laughed softly as I spun her around and put my hands on her hips before letting my mouth devour her mouth. I picked her up and then took her to our bed as I laid her across it. My fingers pulling off sweats and taking my time with her because I would only ever take my time with her.

Thursday, April 6th, 2023

Troy's POV

Eve came into the kitchen as I was making breakfast for Claire. "Morning," I said with a nod as Claire grinned, "Hi mommy! Good morning!" Eve laughed, "Good morning, baby. Did you sleep well?" Claire nodded her head as I smiled watching her. "I did, I slept so good and then daddy said he would make me yummy eggs and a pancake!"

"That was very nice of dad," she kissed her head as she stretched and yawned, "Where is Gabi? Are you both still going out on your date today?" I nodded, "We are. She went for a walk with her sister Scarlett and her nephew Auggie." Eve nodded, "I think we might go to the park or something."

"There are a few good ones around. If you want any recommendations,"

"I want to stay with Dad," Eve frowned behind Claire as I looked over as I finished Claire's breakfast, "Why?" I asked Claire, "Plus, it's mom's day with you. Gabi and I are going to go on a date." I told her as I cut up her pancake and then slid the plate over to her. I gave her a bit of syrup, "Troy, she doesn't need that." Eve said and I rolled my lips together, "Eve, it's literally like two tablespoons. It'll be fine." I said looking up at her. Our eyes leveled with each other as she took a breath as Claire looked at the both of us. "You said no fighting," Claire said sticking her bottom lip out.

"We aren't fighting, baby," I told her with a reassuring look. "I want to stay with daddy because we do fun things," Eve blinked once and she huffed a bit, "Claire, you do a lot of fun things with mom all the time. Today is the day for you, mom, Jackson, and Christian to hang out. I will be back for bedtime." I reminded her and she sighed before turning to Eve. "How do you feel about the park?" Eve asked rubbing her hand over her hair. "Can Jackson come?" Eve nodded, "He will come with us." Claire smiled and gave a nod, "Okay, but you promise to come say good-night dad?"

"Yea, Claire. I promise." I cleaned up breakfast while Claire ate. Eve came closer with a sigh, "Sorry, I was just annoyed that she wanted to stay with you. I give her syrup, too. I just…" she wrapped her arms around her chest and shrugged, "It's hard not being the favorite sometimes," she said with a shrug, "Eve, what do you mean the favorite? She's always so excited to go with you and do things with you." Eve just gave me a blank stare and then laughed, "That girl would…" she paused and shook her head. "If somebody made Claire choose about what household she had to live in? She would choose you faster than I could protest."

"Eve…that…that's not true. She wanted this because she wants us both together in the same house. She wants to be with both of us. She doesn't fight me about going back to your house. She's six." Eve just shrugged, "She loves you, Eve. She needs her mom in her life, and she is just saying whatever comes to her mind. You are going to have fun with her today and you are just as much a favorite as I am a favorite."

Eve shook her head and nodded, "Yea, you're right. I just…being here is a little weird. Co-parenting, co-living, co-existing has been easy but also so weird." I gave a smile with a nod, "I completely agree. It has been weird but we're going to do this for her." I heard a plop, and I looked over as Claire had wide blue eyes and Ember's tail was wagging as she was licking up the floor. "Claire," I warned, and she giggled, "oops, sorry, Dad,"

I just shook my head and Eve shook her head back, "Claire, we don't feed Ember. Remember telling Jackson yesterday?" Claire just pressed her lips together and then nodded before reaching to pet Ember. I laughed with a shake of my head, "Good job, co-parent," I gave her a high-five as Eve shook her head at me. "I am going to change and get ready."

"Thank you for cooking breakfast."

"Always,"

I ran upstairs as I changed into a pair of jeans with a sweater as I had no idea what Gabi had planned today. The bedroom door opened, and I looked over as Gabi was in leggings with a long crewneck. Her face was flushed, and she was smiling, "Hi," I reached over to kiss her. "Hi, the kids were leaving for the park with Eve and Christian." I nodded, "Yea, we were talking about it over breakfast. What are we doing?" I asked Gabi and she gave me a grin. "We are going to have some fun today." She wiggled her eyebrows and I just raised one back towards her.

Gabi's POV

Troy and I groaned as we were trying to match each other's shots on the mini basketball game. I realized one of our favorite high school date night spots was still open, so I took us back. It was an arcade house and it had just about everything you could imagine. Troy's sweater was rolled up to his elbows and I had lost my crewneck. I took another shot, and it sank in as the buzzer went off to break our tie. "You cheater," he said glaring over at me and I just laughed, "Whatever,"

He smirked with a smile on his face as he reached over to give me a kiss, "This has been fun and much needed."

"I figured. I love doing a lot of our old things together again." Troy nodded, "I know what you're saying. It's been fun to relieve and make new memories. I can't wait to make memories with lil bee," I nodded as my hand ran over my stomach as Bee was currently kicking me. I grabbed Troy's hand to feel, and he smiled at it. "Do you have any inklings? Boy or girl?" Troy asked me and I shook my head. "Honestly, no. I don't think about it that much though. Mostly because if I do, I will probably drive myself insane." Troy chuckled, "I think a part of mine is a want and part of it is a feeling,"

"Oh yea? What is your want?" I asked him and Troy shrugged, "I'd honestly love another little girl. I love Claire and she is so much fun. But a boy is honestly just as fun of a thought. Getting to have a little man to do football with? Not that Claire or if this baby was a girl couldn't but I don't know." I smiled as I looped my arms around his neck. "I just want a healthy baby, but I love that you want more girls."

"I do. They are fun and I might regret that when they are all teenagers." I laughed with a nod, "Just ask my dad how four girls went," Troy cupped my face with a smile, "I'd take all four of you. You Montez women do something to me," I groaned with a laugh, "That sounded so gross, Troy. You'd do all of us?" He sputtered a laugh, "No! I was mostly saying that you are all four amazing and who wouldn't want to have four?" I shook my head with another laugh as we both picked another game side by side as we focused on it for a bit.

We stayed for a bit longer and then we walked along the little shopping district nearby. There was a baby store and I popped in as Troy gripped my hand. "We need to get my registry together. You've done it all before we should do like next week for our date or something." Troy nodded, "That sounds like a fun date," we held hands as we looked at different outfits. We still had the one from when we went to The Hamptons. "Should we buy a boy and a girl outfit?" I asked him and he smiled, "Do you want too?" I nodded, "We have the gender neutral one but let's find one for a girl and a boy."

Both of us looked around as I finally found a little girl outfit, it was pink footie with pinks ruffles up and down the zipper on both sides. Troy picked up a blue PJ sleeper that had footballs all over it in Loyalist colors. "I know it's not the cutest but…" I just nodded with a smile, "Yes, that's the one. The cream one at home is the going home outfit but this…this is just because he would have needed a boy outfit." Troy just smiled as he held it in his hands. "Okay, maybe a boy wouldn't be so bad either." I just laughed as I found my hand on my belly again.

"Nah, a healthy baby. We've come so far for just this. Who cares what it is," Troy nodded with a smile as we shared a kiss with each other, bought the PJs, and then went to get some dinner together before going back home to put Claire to bed. Maybe this month wasn't going to be so bad after all.

Happy Sunday! Sorry for the late update but glad I could share today!

Please REVIEW! Any guesses on the gender?

Coach's Wife will most likely be updated on 11/18 (Monday next week)

Thank you!