"Troy, wait!" Gabriella called, hurrying after the blond boy who was walking away. He turned around and she ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. He smiled and hugged her back tightly.
"I'm only going for two days" he reminded her with a chuckle. She sniffed.
"I know, but I'll miss you a lot." She whimpered. Troy brushed a stray curl off of her forehead and smiled again.
"Brie, we've been through this. Remember you can call me any time and Chad and Taylor are looking forward to having you over. I told Chad to keep your days busy so you won't have time to miss me." She sighed and buried her face in his sweater.
"Fine, but I'm not happy about it." She muttered. He stroked her hair, amused.
"I know you're not, and believe me, as soon as this conference is over I'm back with you." He admitted. She nodded, brushing her tears away.
"Have a good strip Troy." She mumbled, pulling him close once more.
"I will, I love you." He answered.
"I love you too." She replied and kissed him quickly.
" I really have to go now Gabi." He said, pulling away from her. She nodded and handed him a small package.
"Don't open it now." She mumbled. "After." He nodded and kissed her once more, before walking away to the security gates. She watched him go with tearfilled eyes. She hated saying goodbye.
Flashback
"Daddy!" 8 year old Gabriella sobbed. "Don't go!" Tony Montez knelt down in front of his daughter.
"I have to baby, but I promise that I'll be back soon. I'm only gone for 1 short week ok?"
"B-but…" the little girl stuttered. "Who's gonna come and watch me in the play at school! I get to be Dorothy!" Tony put his hand on her shoulder.
"I know sweetie, and I'm sorry I can't go, but make sure you tell mommy to tape it and we'll watch it together when I get back alright? How does that sound?" Gabriella smiled, a hole where one of her front teeth should be.
"Promise you'll come back?"
"Promise. I love you Bella." He whispered, using his special nickname for her.
"I love you too." Gabriella mumbled and then waved from the window as he got into a taxi.
One week passed and Gabirella waited eagerly by the window, anxious for her father's return. She clutched a black tape in her hand and kept glancing at it, as if scared it would dissappear. Suddenly a car pulled into the driveway and a tall man got out. He walked briskly to the steps and rang the doorbell. Maria Montez hurried over to the door and opened it, Gabriella clinging to her shirt.
"Can I help you?" she asked pleasantly, resting her hand on her daughters' head.
"Are you Maria Montez?" the man asked.
"Yes." She answered.
"Mommy, where's daddy?" Gabriella asked.
"Hush Gabriella." Maria scolded.
"I'm very sorry to have to tell you this but the plane that your husband was on crashed and he was killed on the site." The man announced. Maria gasped, putting her arm around Gabriella.
"Oh my goodness!" she cried, clapping a hand over her mouth.
"I'm very sorry ma'am." The man repeated. Gabriella looked back and forth between Maria and the man, confused. Her little face darkened and she pointed a finger at the stranger on the step.
"You're a meanie, you lie and make my mommy cry. Go away!" she screamed and ran off into the house.
End of Flashback
Gabriella sighed and walked out of the airport and to her car. After driving to the apartment that she and Troy shared, she called Taylor and Chad, telling them she'd be there shortly. As she loaded her bag into the car she remembered the envelope that had been on the bed from Troy. She dashed back inside and tore it open, unfolding it carefully.
My Dearest Brie,
I'm so sorry that I have to go away, but I know you'll' be strong and tough it out. You know Chad and Taylor love having you around and besides, after this is done I won't have to go away for a while and when I get back we can be a family again. I love you very much and I know you love me. Make sure you have some fun for me ok Gabi?
Love,
Troy xox
Gabriella smiled and tucked the note into her pocket for safe-keeping. Troy was so sweet sometimes, and she couldn't figure out why she had been so lucky as to end up with someone as caring as him. After locking up the apartment she got in her car and drove to her Chad and Taylors' house, a small smile fixed on her face. Taylor ran out to greet her when she arrived and after they had brought her things in the three of them sat in the living room and caught up on things.
"So are you and Troy still as stong as ever?" Chad asked. Gabriella nodded.
"Yes, if not stronger. How about you two?" Taylor and Chad looked at each other and Chad nodded to his wife.
"Well actually Gabs, we have some news." Taylor said slowly. Gabriella sat up straighter, interested. "We're…going to have a baby." She stammered out. Gabriella shot out of her chair and hugged her best friend.
"Oh my goodness! Congradulations!" she cried, hugging Chad too.
The couple laughed at her excitement and smiled at each other. Gabriella beamed and thought to herself that even though Troy was gone, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. He was right, she just had to relax and have some fun. Later on that night Gabriella and Taylor were folding laundry and talking.
"I'm so happy for you Tay." Gabriella said, still quite bubbly.
"I am too. I can't believe I have someone growing inside me. It's so different." She admitted.
"So have you and Troy discussed having a baby yet?" Gabriella smiled and shook her head.
"No we're happy the way we are. For now anyway."
"That's good." Taylor replied.
"Well I'm tired, I think I'm going to turn in for the night." Gabriella lied. Taylor nodded and bid her goodnight. Once in her room Gabriella changed into her pajamas and got into bed, staring out the window into the night. The truth was that she did want to start a family but she wanted Troy to want it too. With a sigh she stared at the moon and couldn't help but wonder if Troy was seeing the same moon from somewhere else. "Goonight Troy." She muttered to the moon and rolled over, asleep in an instant.