Disclaimer: I own no rights to the characters in this story unless they are o.c's.
A/N: Okay, so I am back... I deleted my 'All You Need Is Love' story because I just couldn't think of a way to continue so I may try and do that again one day but for now I have had this idea. I was watching a film the other night that gave me an idea to write this. It won't be exactly the same it is just what has inspired me to write. I haven't really done something like this before so please give me your feedback!:) I hope I havent lost any readers xxx
Chapter 1 - Tragedy
Gabriella Bolton yawned and smiled as she woke up from her peaceful slumber. She heard talking from a neighbouring bedroom and her smile got wider. She climbed out of bed and walked out of her marital bedroom. She walked down the hall and peered into the bedroom. She watched the scene in front of her for a few minutes before clearing her throat. Two pairs of eyes looked up and two little faces beamed up at her.
"Mommy!" The two little girls squealed and ran over to her.
"Hey babies" she giggled as she stroked their hair and kissed their heads.
"Mommy, when is daddy coming home?" Her youngest child, Esme asked.
"Tonight baby" Gabriella smiled.
"Yay!" Esme cheered.
"Mommy?" Gabriella looked at her oldest daughter's face.
"Yes sweetie?" She smiled.
"Can I have chocolate cereal for breakfast?" Macey asked.
"Course Mace" Gabriella smiled. "Why don't you get dressed and help your sister and mommy will go make it?" She suggested.
"Okay" Macey smiled and rushed over to her closet to get ready for school.
Gabriella then left the room and walked downstairs. She smiled as she saw the photograph of her and her husband on their wedding day. It was on the wall by the side of the stairs in the hallway. She stood looking at it for a few minutes; just admiring her husband's gorgeous face. She had been married for 6 years. She was pregnant with Macey at the time; not that they knew. They only found out after the honeymoon when Gabriella suddenly started feeling sick. They had Esme a year and a half later. Neither where planned babies but Gabriella and her husband, Troy loved them both regardless.
Gabriella and Troy met on a night out. Gabriella's best friend Natasha had pleaded with her to come on a night out. She had been getting to know someone and he had asked her to come out for a few drinks but Natasha was nervous. So reluctantly Gabriella agreed and told her best friend she owed her big time. Turns out that the guy was also just as nervous and brought his friend along with him. Of course his friend turned out to be Troy. It took a while for things to progress. Gabriella had been hurt before and found it hard to trust people so Troy had to work hard to gain her trust. They became close friends and for a year they went out to the movies; went out for drinks; went to the mall shopping; but just as friends. Eventually Gabriella took a chance. One night whilst they sat in a club talking she leant forward and placed her lips against his gently. Troy smiled as he kissed her back and from there on they became an item.
They dated for three years before Troy proposed. They were then engaged for another year before they got married. Gabriella was now 28 and Troy was 30. Gabriella couldn't have been happier. She adored her children and was completely head over heels in love with her husband.
Gabriella walked over to the kitchen counter and began to make her daughters' their breakfast. As she poured the milk into the bowls of cereal Macey came skipping into the room followed by Esme. Gabriella smiled at her beautiful girls before setting their cereal on the breakfast bar.
"Eat up girls and then we need to head out to school" Gabriella told them.
"Okay mummy" Macey smiled.
Macey was almost 6 years old. She had long brown curly hair, chocolate brown eyes and had naturally tanned skin just like her mother. Esme was 4 and was a mix of both her parents. She had Gabriella's skin tone but had Troy's cobalt blue eyes and sandy blonde hair. Both of them were absolutely gorgeous.
Once they had finished their cereal Gabriella collected their school bags and lunch bags together and ushered the girls out of the door and to the car. She then climbed in the driver's seat and started the engine as she clipped her seatbelt shut. She reversed from their driveway and started the ten minute drive to school. She glanced in the rearview mirror at Macey and Esme and smiled. She still found it sureal at times that she was a mom but she wouldnt change it for the world. Macey was such a good big sister to Esme and you could clearly see how fond they were of each other. Yes they bickered as all siblings did but the love they felt for each other was clear too.
"Have you got your homework Mace?" Gabriella asked as she pulled up to the school.
"Yes mommy" Macey said as she jumped out of the car.
"Okay baby... Have a good day girls..." she smiled. "Don't forget your lunch!" She exclaimed reaching into the back seat and passing them their lunch bags.
"Love you mommy" Esme said.
"Love you too baby girl" Gabriella smiled as Macey shut the door and dragged Esme up to the school doors.
Gabriella then indicated and pulled away from the sidewalk. She drove back home to do some cleaning and see what she needed to get from the grocery store. She didn't work since having the girls as both she and Troy agreed it would be better for them if they had at least one of their parents at home with them whenever they were. Troy's job sometimes meant he had to go away on business trips. He worked in finance and had to attend meetings and conferences; like today for example. He went away yesterday morning and was due back tonight.
As Gabriella entered the house she saw the light on the answer machine flashing. She placed her keys and the mail she had picked up from the mail box by the phone as she hit play. She smiled when she heard her husband's voice.
"Hey beautiful, I guess you are busy or something, just wanted to let you know I love you and the girls too, give my babies kisses and cuddles from their daddy" the machine then beeped and the message ended.
Gabriella smiled at the message. Troy did things like that often; called her up just to remind her he loved her or he left little notes around for her to find. He was such a romantic at heart; he just hid it well infront of others. As Gabriella opened the food cupboard to check what they needed from the grocery store her phone rang. She smiled at the caller ID and answered.
"Hey Tash" she greeted her best friend.
"Gabs! I need help!" Her best friend exclaimed.
"I could have told you that hun" Gabriella teased her friend.
"Ha! Not funny! I have this date tonight and I have zero ideas on what to wear!" She panicked.
"Woah chill babe!" Gabriella laughed. "You always look great no matter what you wear" she complimented her friend.
"Awww thanks... But seriously what shall I wear?" She asked again.
"Urm... Where is he taking you?" Gabriella wondered.
"To the movies and then out for a drink afterwards" Natasha answered.
"Well why dont you wear your black skinny jeans, a nice top and those killer pink heels with the matching clutch?" Gabriella suggested.
"Babe you are a genius!" Natasha squealed. "Casual for the movies but dressy enough for a club" she pondered.
"Exactly" Gabriella smiled.
"Thanks Hun" Natasha thanked her friend.
"Anytime" Gabriella giggled. "But I gotta go babes; need to go to the grocery store" she said.
"Okay babes" Natasha said.
"I'll call you later" Gabriella told her friend.
"Alright" Natasha agreed.
"Bye Hun" Gabriella finished.
"Bye" Natasha replied before they both hung up.
Gabriella got out a pad and pen and wrote a shopping list. She did this as she checked all the food cupboards in the kitchen and added the odd toiletry that they needed. Once she had all that done she opened her mail and left Troy's in a pile to one side. She then grabbed her purse, list and car keys as she got ready to leave. Just as she reached the door the doorbell rang. She opened it and frowned.
"Mrs. Bolton?"
"Yes..." she said slowly to the police officer standing before her.
"I'm afraid there has been an accident" he started.
"Oh god..." she breathed.
"Its your husband..." Gabriella gripped the doorframe.
"Wh-what?" She stuttered.
"I'm afraid he has been in an accident and..." the officer stoped for a moment. "I am sorry ma'am but your husband has died" he said sorrowfully.
"N-no" she frowned whilst shaking her head. She has just heard his message on the answer machine.
"Is there anything I can do miss?" He offered as Gabriella replayed his words in her mind.
"N-no" she shook her head.
"Anyone I can call?" He tried. Gabriella shook her head.
"I n-need to go" she said before closing the door and racing upstairs and into the bathroom. She threw up all she had in her. This could not be true; Troy had left a message on her answering machine! She raced downstairs to see when the message was left. It was from yesterday morning; meaning he had left it as she had a lie in as he wanted to take the girls to school that morning.
Gabriella slid down the side of the counter and placed her head on her knees. She then sobbed. She felt like screaming. Troy was her whole life; he and the kids were what made her get up every morning. He had her heart and now he was gone? She shook her head; no it couldn't be true; it had to be a mistake.
She then managed to pull herself up. She was shaking with shock but she still managed to pick up the home phone and after three attempts due to her shaking hands she managed to press a familiar number in. It rang three times before someone answered.
"Hello?"
"Mom..." Gabriella choked.
"Gabriella? Whats wrong? Whats happened? Is it the girls?" Ana Montez panicked.
"N-no... The girls are f-fine... Mom its Troy" she sobbed.
"What? What about Troy?" Ana asked.
"Hes... Hes..." Gabriella shook her head.
"Gabriella hes what?" Ana asked impatiently this time.
"Mom hes dead" she whispered the last word.
"Oh no" Ana gasped.
"Mom..." Gabriella sobbed.
"Ok, I am coming over right away" Ana insisted.
"Okay mami" Gabriella sniffled.
"You be strong baby" Ana told her daughter. "I will be over within the next half an hour ok?"
"Alright" Gabriella wiped her eyes on her sleeve and hung up after saying bye.
The young woman then walked to the stairs and looked at the photograph of her and Troy on their wedding day. She sighed as she remembered the day s perfectly as if it was yesterday. Troy was her other half. He knew her better than she knew herself sometimes. He always knew just what she needed to make her feel happy whether that be just a simple kiss or a long loving embrace. She suddenly went wide eyed. What would she tell the girls? How do you tell two little princesses that their daddy is gone and won't ever be coming back. This would crush Macey. Of course Esme would be devastated too but Macey was the proper daddy's girl.
Gabriella hadn't realised how long she'd been stood staring at the photograph for but it must have been a while as the sound of the doorbell ringing broke her from her trance. She took a few steps to the door and opened it. Her mother, Ana Montez was standing there. Gabriella was like Ana's mini-me. She had her long brown hair, chocolate brown eyes, exotic skin tone and her smile. The smile wasn't evident now though. Neither smiled as they saw each other. Ana just stepped into the house and pulled her daughter into a motherly embrace. Gabriella clung to her mother as she sobbed and broke down. Ana managed to shuffle in a little more and close the door so fellow neighbours wouldn't see.
"Shh, Shh, Shh" Ana soothed her daughter. "It's going to be ok sweetheart" she soothed.
"How mom?" Gabriella sobbed. "I n-need him" she cried.
"I know baby" Ana whispered as she rocked her daughter in her arms.
Gabriella and Ana ended up sat on the sofa hugging for a long time. Gabriella was heatbroken. Ana didn't know what to do or say. They sat there in silence for what felt like forever. Gabriella then suddenly sat up straight.
"What time is it?" She asked.
"Its 12 sweetheart" Ana said softly.
"Oh... I need to go to the grocery store" she stated as she stood up.
"Sweetheart I think grocery shopping can wait" Ana frowned.
"No, the cupboards are really low and I need to buy things for the girls' lunches tomorrow" she insisted.
"Gabriella sit down" Ana ordered.
"Mom..." Gabriella started.
"No sit! You have just been told some tragic news and are not thinking straight" Ana urged her daughter to sit.
"Mom, I know what has happened is terrible but I need to live as normal as possible for Macey and Esme, their worlds are already gonna be flipped upside down and I need to make sure everything else stays the same" Gabriella explained.
"Well, I'll go do the grocery shopping ok? Why don't you go have a lie down and I'll nip to the store; buy the shopping and then I'll pick the girls up from school" Ana suggested.
"No I'll pick them up" Gabriella said.
"Baby you are in no fit state to go anywhere" Ana said softly.
"Go get some rest; I'll take the girls for ice-cream; I want to see my grand-daughters anyway" Ana smiled.
"Okay, but no ice-cream, I want them to come straight home, I need my babies with me" she said sadly.
"Okay sweetie; now go and get some rest" Ana said as she kissed her daughter's forehead.
"Alright, thanks mom" Gabriella smiled weakly. "I love you" she hugged her.
"Love you too sweetheart" Ana said before ushering for her daughter to go up to bed.
Gabriella walked up the stairs and as she reached the top she heard the front door close. She sighed and urged herself forward. She stood outside her bedroom and took a breath. She entered and was immediately gripped with sadness. This room screamed Troy. He was the one who decorated it; he chose the colours and the themes. There was a picture of them two and their girls on the main dresser; a picture of just Macey and Esme on his night stand and a picture of Troy and Gabriella on her night stand. Gabriella sat on the bed and picked up the picture of her and Troy. She gently stroked her finger tips over his face and a tear slipped down her cheek. It was hard to imagine a life without him. She couldn't see her future anymore. She always used to imagine them two sitting on the front porch; grey hair and wrinkles; watching their grandchildren play, but now she couldn't see. A future without Troy just wasn't worth seeing or imagining. Gabriella lay down on the bed and that is the last thing she remembered.
Gabriella heard her mom enter the house again sometime later. She also heard the squeals of delight coming from her daughters' mouths. She smiled slightly but it soon dropped again; she was going to have to tell them and sooner rather than later. She slowly got off the bed and placed the photograph she had fallen asleep holding back onto the nightstand. She then tied her hair up in a loose ponytail as she walked out of her bedroom and downstairs. She hovered by the family room doorway as she watched her daughters playing with their Grandma. Esme was the first to spot Gabriella and rushed over.
"Mommy!" She squealed.
"Hey baby" Gabriella picked her up and held her tightly as she kissed her head. "How was school?" She asked.
"It was great!" Esme squealed. "I drew daddy a picture for when he comes home tonight!" She announced and Gabriella's eyes filled with tears.
"Mommy? Whats wrong?" Macey frowned.
"Girls, mommy needs to talk to you" she sighed. "Come and sit Mace" she gestured to the sofa as she sat down herself with Esme in her lap.
"What is it mommy?" Macey asked.
"I have some sad news" Gabriella started.
"What about?" Esme frowned.
"Daddy..." Gabriella said as tears flowed down her cheeks.
"What about daddy?" Macey asked slowly.
"Baby he..." Gabriella took a breath. "He was in a car accident" she whispered.
"Is he in hospital?" Esme asked.
"No baby" Gabriella shook her head.
"So he is ok?" Esme again asked naively.
"No..." Gabriella trailed off as she saw realisation hit Macey.
"Is he... d-dead?" She asked. Gabriella just nodded and closed her eyes.
Macey started to cry and Esme looked confused. Ana sat with the girls and hugged Macey as Gabriella tried her best to explain it to her youngest daughter. Soon all four were crying and comforting each other. Ana was devastated; Troy was like a son to her and for him to be gone just made their family feel incomplete. All she knew was her daughter and grand-daughters were going to need her at this moment in time and she vowed she would be there.