Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to any hsm characters!

Chapter 2 - Confusion

Gabriella hesitantly opened her eyes and sighed. She really just wanted to stay in bed and hide under her covers. She didn't want to face yet another day without her husband. She sighed again and threw the covers back as she got out of bed. She walked to the girls bedroom door and frowned; where were they? They never went downstairs or anything in a morning until either she or Troy got them. She heard Esme's familiar giggle as the t.v played in the background. She then went wide eyed at a voice that she heard.

"What you laughing at princess?" Gabriella frowned.

"Troy" she whispered and raced downstairs. She froze on the spot at the doorway of the family room. Her husband was sat with their daughters watching cartoons. "Tr-Troy?" She said a little louder. He turned his head and smiled.

"Good morning baby" he said as he stood up.

"Oh my god!" She raced over and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Its really you" she whispered; admiring his face.

"What?" He laughed slightly. "Gabs are you ok?" He frowned.

"Y-yeah" she nodded before connecting her lips with his. She held him close as they kissed and smiled.

"Woah" he breathed when she pulled back. "What was that for?" He smiled.

"I just missed your kisses ok?" She grinned.

"Well feel free to do that whenever you want babe" he chuckled.

"I love you" she murmured before kissing him; softer this time.

"I love you too beautiful" he smiled.

Gabriella sighed as she rested her head against his chest and held him tightly. She felt Troy kiss the top of her head and she held him tighter. It was all a dream. A terrible nightmare. She gripped him even tighter and felt him shift. She looked up and he frowned.

"Girls why don't you go get ready for school" Troy told Macey and Esme and they rushed off and up the stairs. "Gabs what is with you this morning?" He asked as they sat on the sofa.

"Nothing" she smiled. "Everything is perfect" she held his hand.

"No, I mean why are you so touchy-feely?" He asked.

"I just want to hold you; I want you to know how much I love you" she said desperately.

"Baby I know that" he assured her.

"Okay; as long as you always remember that" she said as she looked in his eyes.

"I do" he kissed her. "How about we take the girls to school together and then spend the morning; just us?" He suggested.

"What about work?" She asked.

"I don't need to go in until this afternoon" he smiled.

"Okay then that plan sounds great" she smiled.

"Good" he kissed her again. "Lets go get dressed then" he stated and she nodded.


"Have a good day at school baby" Gabriella hugged Esme then Macey. "You got your spelling Mace?" She checked.

"Yeah mommy" she smiled.

"Good girl; Mommy will pick you up ok?" She said.

"Okay mommy" both girls said in unison.

"Bye daddy" Esme waved.

"Bye princess" he kissed her.

"Love you daddy" Macey hugged him.

"Love you too baby" he smiled and then the two ran up to the school doors as Gabriella climbed back into the passenger seat.

"Do you wanna go out for breakfast babe?" Gabriella suggested.

"Hmmm... We could do" he smiled.

"Unless you had something else in mind?" She smiled back.

"Well I did..." He trailed off.

"Such as...?" She giggled.

"It can wait" he smirked.

"Ah I get you" she winked.

"Glad we're on the same page baby" he leant over to kiss her as they stopped at a redlight. "Where'd you wanna go for breakfast?" He then asked.

"How about we just go to Starbucks?" She smiled happily.

"Sure beautiful... Anything for you" he murmured.

"I love you" she beamed happily at her husband.

"Love you too Gabs" he smiled.

The two then drove in a comfortable silence to the local Starbucks. When they arrived Troy got out of the car and opened Gabriella's door for her before taking her hand. Gabriella smiled up at him and rested her head against his shoulder as that was as high as she could reach. Troy then in turn wrapped his arm around her shoulders causing hers to go around his waist. She loved being this close to him. Especially after her nightmare was so believable and she thought she'd lost him.

When the young married couple entered Starbucks Troy told Gabriella to go sit whilst he went to order their usuals. She smiled and after stretching up to kiss his lips softly she went to sit at their usual table. They came to Starbucks a lot when they were just friends. They'd sit in the booth by the window for hours just talking, laughing and people watching. Gabriella smiled at the memory; her smile getting bigger when her gorgeous husband sat across from her.

"What you smiling at?" He asked.

"I was just thinking about how often we used to come here before we started dating" she smiled.

"Ah yes; the many days of me chasing you and you being totally oblivious" he said dramatically.

"Awww I came round eventually though" she giggled.

"And I am so glad" he murmured as he leant across the table to kiss her softly.

"So am I" she sighed.

"So..." he trailed off.

"What?" She smiled.

"Are you gonna tell me what was wrong this morning?" He asked.

"I told you... Nothing" she reassured him.

"Babe; I have never seen you like that before" he frowned with concern.

"I just had a bad dream ok?" She sighed.

"That's all?" He asked.

"Yeah but Troy it felt so real" she muttered. "I really believed it had happened when I woke up this morning" she confessed.

"What was it about?" He asked. Gabriella was staring at her drink and when she finally looked up at Troy her tears were back. "Oh god baby" he rushed to sit by herside and hugged her close. "What's wrong?" He murmured.

"It just felt so real" she whispered.

"Well it wasn't ok?" she looked in his eyes and nodded. "Don't tell me what happened if its going to upset you but baby it was just a dream; Whatever you thought had happened hasn't" he reassured her.

"I know" she smiled. "Having you here in my arms is proof" she stated before kissing him sensually.

"Love you" he smiled.

"Love you" she repeated.

"So what do you wanna do after this?" Troy asked.

"As long as I'm with you I don't care" she smiled sweetly at him.

"You are so adorable" he said with adoration in his voice.

"Thanks baby" she giggled. "You're pretty cute yourself" she laughed when he groaned.

"Cute? Babe come on... I'm a 30 year old man!" He exclaimed.

"I don't care" she laughed. "You're my cute man" he grinned and kissed her.

"Alright, alright" he rolled his eyes.

The two continued to drink their coffees and talk for the next half an hour. Gabriella made sure she was always touching Troy in some way; running her hand through his hair, holding his hand, linking her arm through his, kissing him; anything to remind her why she loved and adored this man so much. He was her everything. Of course she had their daughters too but Troy was the one who made her see that she could trust someone; a man in particular and that not all men are going to break her heart in two and stomp on it. In a way he saved her.

"Wanna go for a walk babe?" Gabriella suggested.

"Sure gorgeous" he smiled and pecked her lips softly once before standing up and taking her hand in his.

"Shall we take the girls on holiday this year?" Gabriella asked.

"If you want to babe" Troy nodded.

"Where would you want to go?" She asked as they crossed the street.

"As long as I have you and our girls with me I will go anywhere" he said softly as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side.

"Awww you are so sweet Troy" she beamed up at him. "I love you" she murmured as she leant up to kiss him.

"Hmmm love you too" he grinned when she pulled away.

"Wanna go home?" She suggested.

"Hell yeah" he said before quickly pulling her towards the car which was still on Starbusks parking lot.


"Oh... My... God" Gabriella breathed heavily.

"I know" Troy laughed in his own breathy tone.

"That was... Amazing" she smiled dreamily; still working on getting oxygen into her lungs.

"It always is" Troy smirked as he turned on his side. He leant up in his right elbow and placed his hand on his wife's stomach; watching her focus on catching her breath.

"I love you" she told him.

"I know beautiful" he ducked down to kiss her softly. "Love you too" he smiled.

"You won't ever leave me will you Troy?" She asked.

"Of course not!" He exclaimed in shock. "Why would you even ask that?" He frowned.

"I was just saying..." she mumbled.

"Is it about that dream again?" He sighed.

"Yeah..." she whispered.

"Damn it Gabriella!" He exclaimed; getting off the bed and starting to get dressed.

"What are you doing?" She asked; sitting up and reaching for his arm.

"I need to go to the office" he said.

"Troy... Baby please dont go" she cried.

"I told you this morning that I needed to" he sighed and stood up as he put his t-shirt over his head.

"But... We just... I need you to stay with me!" She sobbed. Troy turned at the sound of his wife's voice and his heart broke.

"Gabs..." he sighed. "Babe please don't cry" he begged as he sat back down and wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm sorry" she cried. "I don't know what's wrong with me" she sniffled.

"I do... Its whatever stupid nightmare you had... Baby what was it about?" He tried asking again.

"You" she whispered.

"What about me?" He rubbed her back softly.

"You... You..." she took a breath. "You were in a car accident and you..." she closed her eyes and shook her head.

"I what?" He pushed.

"D-died" she whispered.

"Oh baby" he held her tighter. "I am fine; look I am right here" he made her look at him.

"I know" she nodded. "But it felt so real" she stated.

"Well it wasn't" he kissed her. "I am not going anywhere; I promise" he whispered in her hair.

"I love you" she whispered.

"I love you too" he told her. "But I really do need to go to the office" he placed a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked at him.

"Please be careful" she told him.

"I will be" he told her.

"Just don't go too fast" she said. "And just be cautious" he chuckled.

"Why don't you come with me?" He smiled.

"I need to pick the girls up" she said as she began to get dressed.

"We can both get them" he stated. "That way I get to spend more time with my gorgeous wife; I get to check up on some work that won't take too long and I get to see my babies" he smiled.

"Okay" she smiled.

"Good... Now get dressed and I'll wait downstairs ok?" She nodded.

"Love you" she smiled.

"Love you" he kissed her then headed for the door.

"Oh and Troy?" He looked over his shoulder.

"Yeah?" He asked.

"I am sorry about before... Ruining the moment and all..." she apologised.

"Don't be silly babe" he smiled.

"Still..." she shrugged.

"Let's just forget it happened beautiful" he said.

"Okay babe" she smiled and he nodded before leaving the room.

Gabriella sighed as she slipped her jeans back on. She knew she was over-reacting about this dream but just the thought of losing her husband was too much to bear. She hated the feelings she felt when she thought he was gone and the relief she felt when she heard his voice this morning was immense. She shook her head to rid of the thoughts. As Troy said before it was only a dream so she could stop thinking about it. She smiled to herself and left the room to go find her husband.

"You ready babe?" Troy asked from the bottom of the stairs.

"Yeah" she smiled.

"Let's go then" he smiled back.

"What do you need to go to the office for?" Gabriella asked as she locked up the house then walked over to the car.

"I just need to sign some papers and check a few things" he answered as he started up the engine.

"Won't the boss mind me coming?" She checked.

"Nah babe; Jerry loves you" he teased and she giggled. "Besides I'm pretty high ranked in the company remember?" He glanced at her.

"Oh yeah; there is that" she grinned.

"How you feeling now?" He asked.

"Great" she smiled. "Just wish I hadn't have ruined the moment back there; which again I apologise for" she told him.

"Babe seriously you didn't ruin anything; I understand why you were freaked out ok? God just the thought of something happening to you makes me feel sick" he shuddered.

"Well nothing is going to happen to me" she took his hand and he lifted hers to his lips to kiss the back of it. "Its just been so long since we've had chance to do that I kind of would've liked to just lay with you for hours" she admitted with a blush.

"Well maybe we can do it again when the girls are in bed" he winked.

"Hmmm... Sounds like a plan handsome" she giggled.

"A very good one too" he chuckled.

"You're an idiot" she laughed.

"No... I am your idiot" he told her.

"Damn right baby" she winked.

"You are so cute" he declared and laughed when she blushed.

"Ok, quit sweet talking me" she giggled as they arrived at the office building.

"Alright" he smiled and leant over to kiss her softly. "Come on lets get this over with" he said and she laughed.

"You love your job" she stated as they got out of the car.

"I know but I love spending time with my sexy wife more" he winked and slapped her butt softly.

"Troy!" She scolded him.

"Sorry babe; couldn't resist" he smirked.

"Hmmm just you wait mister" she warned.

"For what?" He wiggled his eyebrows.

"You'll see" she winked and he laughed and enlaced his fingers with hers.

The two then walked into the office building and towards the elevators. Troy said a brief hello to the receptionist on the ground floor before stopping at the elevators. He pressed the send button and when the doors opened the two stepped inside. Gabriella looked up at Troy and he noticed this; glancing back at her.

"You ok?" He checked.

"Course I am" she smiled and leant up to kiss him softly once.

"Good" he stated before the doors opened and they left the elevator.

Troy then led Gabriella to the right of the elevator and down a long corridor. They stopped outside a door that read 'Troy Bolton' on a plaque and Gabriella smiled with pride. Troy opened the door and they stepped inside. Troy walked over to his desk and looked through a pile of papers. He got a pen and read through certain sheets before signing the appropriate parts.

"I'm so proud of you babe" Gabriella said randomly after a few minutes silence.

"What?" Troy laughed as he looked up. "Where did that come from?" He asked.

"I just realised watching you and seeing you in your own office that you do so much and that is for us and our family and I am so proud of you" she walked around his desk and slipped onto his lap. "And I am so grateful and lucky to have you" she murmured before kissing him softly.

"Well I would happily do this times ten if it meant you and our daughters were happy" he stated.

"You already do enough" she smiled.

"Love you" he said softly.

"Love you" she repeated; kissing him again.


"Daddy!" Esme squealed as she ran out of school.

"Hey baby girl" he scooped her up in his arms. "Where's your sister?" He asked.

"I don't know daddy" she shrugged. Troy was about to speak when he spotted his oldest daughter running over.

"Daddy" Macey smiled. "Why are you not at work?" She hugged his legs.

"I finished early to see you two" he explained as they got in the car.

"And mommy too?" Esme smiled.

"Of course mommy too" he grinned in the rear view mirror at them.

"Where is mommy?" Macey asked.

"She is at home sweetheart; We were both going to pick you up but mommy said it'd be nice for me to do it as I haven't for a long time" he told his oldest daughter who was quite clever for her age.

"Oh..." she nodded.

"Did you have a good day at school Mace?" Troy asked her.

"Yep" she nodded.

"How about you Esme?" He asked his youngest daughter.

"It was fun daddy! We played on the slide at recess!" She squealed.

"Wow cool baby" he smiled.

"Are we going to see mommy now?" She asked.

"Yeah we sure are baby" he nodded.

"Good" she smiled.

"Why?" He chuckled.

"Because I miss her" she sighed dramatically.

"Baby its only been a few hours" he laughed; pride in his eyes.

"But a few hours is a really long time daddy!" Esme exclaimed.

"Alright well you'll see your mommy soon" he stated.

"Yay!" She clapped.

Troy chuckled and shook his head as he drove the short drive home. The girls chatted away in the back and he just happily listened. He loved his girls more than life itself. He would give up anything for them. As he parked on their driveway Esme had her seatbelt off and was fidgeting. Troy chuckled and opened her door as she flew out and ran to the door. She opened it and raced through to the family room where Gabriella was.

"Mommy!" She squealed and jumped on her to hug her.

"Hey baby" Gabriella giggled.

"I missed you" Esme did her little pout; an expression she got off her mother.

"Awwww I missed you too sweetie" Gabriella smiled. "Where are daddy and Mace?" She asked.

"Getting out of the car" Esme said from her place in her mother's lap.

At that moment Troy walked in holding Macey's hand and smiled at his wife. She smiled back before kissing Esme's head and holding her tighter to her body. Troy walked over and sat down with his wife and Macey rushed over to sit on his lap.

"Daddy?" She asked.

"Yeah baby?" He smiled.

"Can we go to the park?"

"It's going to get late soon baby; how about we go for a picnic in the park on Saturday?" He suggested as a compromise.

"Okay daddy" she smiled and hugged him. "You're the best I love you" she told him.

"I love you too" he told her softly.

"Girls why dont you go play in the play room until dinner?" Gabriella suggested.

"Okay mommy" Esme smiled and ran off. Macey got up and followed after her sister.

"You okay beautiful?" Troy asked his wife.

"Yep" she smiled. "Never better" she murmured before kissing him softly.

"You know I love you right?" He said with a questioning tone.

"Of course baby I love you too" she smiled.

"I know; I just want you to always remember that ok?" He told her seriously.

"Babe what is with you?" She frowned.

"Nothing; I just want you to always know that no matter what I will always love you" he said as he gazed into her eyes.

"I know" she smiled and kissed him again. "Ditto" she said and he smiled.

"I am the luckiest man alive" he said.

"And why is that ?" She asked as she straddled him.

"Because..." He kissed her neck. "I have a sexy wife..." He kissed her again. "Two beautiful children..." Another kiss was placed on Gabriella's soft spot. "And I good job that I enjoy..." he connected their lips in a passionate kiss.

"Hmmmm..." Gabriella moaned into his mouth. "B-baby" she gasped when they pulled apart and Troy started to kiss her neck again.

"Hmmmm?" He murmured.

"St-stop" she breathed.

"Why?" He asked looking at her.

"Two little bodies are in the next room playing" she stated. Troy groaned. "Later I promise" she giggled and kissed him once before getting off his lap.


"Daddy look at my duck" Esme squealed as she splashed in the bath.

"Oh its swimming" he smiled.

"Can we go swimming daddy?" She asked as he washed her long brown locks.

"Course we can baby" he told her.

"Tomorrow?" She smiled.

"Maybe not tomorrow baby daddy is working" she pouted. "God you look so much like your mommy when you do that" he laughed.

"Looks like me when she does what?" Gabriella said from the doorway.

"That adorable pout you both do so well" he smirked at his wife.

"Oh right" she giggled.

"Where's Mace?" Troy frowned.

"She's reading her words for homework before I test her" Gabriella stated.

"Oh okay" he kissed his wife.

"You ok princess?" Gabriella spoke to her daughter.

"Yeah mommy... Daddy said we can go swimming!" She squealed.

"Thats cool baby girl" Gabriella smiled.

"But not tomorrow" Esme pouted again. Gabriella grinned at Troy as their daughter pulled that face.

"We'll go soon sweetheart" Gabriella told her.

"Okay mommy" Esme smiled happily.

"Now you finish your bath whilst I go help your sister ok?" Esme nodded. Gabriella kissed her youngest daughter and husband before going to find Macey.


A couple of hours later Troy and Gabriella were watching tv together. Both daughters were tucked up in bed and the married couple were now enjoying some alone time. Gabriella snuggled deeper into his embrace and Troy kissed her head. She sighed blissfully and kissed his chest.

"You ok baby?" Troy murmured softly.

"Hmmmm... I'm great" she answered as she looked up.

"Good" he kissed her.

"What time are you working tomorrow baby?" Gabriella asked.

"9:30am... Want me to drop the girls off at school?" He offered.

"It would be nice to have a sleep in" she smiled.

"Okay well you stay in bed and I'll sort the two monsters out" he grinned.

"Hey! They are not monsters" she defended their daughters.

"I was joking; you know I'd die for them" he said. Gabriella frowned and sat up. "What?" He asked sitting up also.

"Don't ever say that" she mumbled.

"Say what?" He asked.

"That you would die for anyone" she answered.

"Babe..." he started.

"No, I know that was your way of saying how much you love our girls but we; the girls and I could not live without you" she told him.

"I know" he pulled her to him. "I'm sorry; I shouldn't have said that" he apologised.

"Its ok" she said before yawning.

"Wanna go bed baby?" He whispered.

"Yeah, that sounds good" she smiled and stood up; taking her husband's hand as she did so. The two then shut the t.v and lights off before making their way upstairs. They both crept into the girls' bedroom and smiled. Macey had the top bunk and Esme had the bottom. Both were sleeping soundly with identical smiles on their faces.

Gabriella leant down to kiss Esme and then tiptoed to kiss Macey. Troy then took his turn to kiss the two goodnight before the proud parents left the room. They then walked to their bedroom and began to undress and get ready for bed. Gabriella put on one of her night gowns and Troy slipped on his plaid pants. They then slipped under the covers and held each other close.

"I know we said we'd make love again tonight but can we just cuddle?" Gabriella asked her husband.

"Gabs, I am fine with just holding you" he said. "We have the rest of forever to be with each other like that" she gazed up in his eyes.

"I love you handsome" she whispered.

"I love you too sexy" he said before kissing her softly and lovingly.

"Night baby" she said through a yawn.

"Night beautiful... Sweet dreams" he murmured as she drifted off into her dreamland. He held her closer and slipped into his own; hoping her dreams were sweet; knowing his would be full of one thing... Her.

So how was that? I know it took a while but I have been busy the past week... I passed my driving test last Saturday!:D

Please review!

xxx Paige xxx