The following morning everyone slept in except for Zaida who always woke up before everyone and silently woke up her mother.

"Mama…." Zaida called her softly.

"Mama….wake up!" She tried again.

Gabi just stirred and turned to the other side of the bed. Zaida gave up as she knew that her mother was very tired so she went to wake Troy up.

"Troy…..wake up!" Zaida said softly.

"What wrong baby?" Troy said sleepiness evident in his voice.

"Well, I'm hungry and mama wouldn't wake up!" Zai said softly as Troy rubbed sleep form his eyes.

"Just give me a second and I'll fix you something to eat, ok?" Troy asked as he got out of his bed in his b-ball shorts and no shirt although it was November.

"Thank you!" Zai said smiling.

After Troy fixed something for Zaida, The boys and Zel woke up. Zel ran her way to her dad and he picked her up.

"Hey munchkin! Slept well?" Troy said as he put a kiss on her forehead.

"Yeah Dad! I love you!" She whispered.

And that's when Troy's heart soared. It was the first time that she said that to him and he couldn't be anymore happy.

"I love you too, munchkin! You want breakfast?" Troy asked his daughter.

"Uh-huh!" She said as she nodded. She was still shy about being around Troy but she was happy that he was her dad and she loved him just as if she had known him her entire life.

As the kids ate and Troy was washing the dishes and the kids were watching some cartoons, Zaida went to Troy.

"Troy, can I wake mummy up?" She asked as she tugged on his shorts.

"I was planning something for her!" Troy said.

"What?" She asked innocently.

"How about you and I we go and give mummy a breakfast in bed, huh?" Troy asked as he kneeled in front Zai to be eye-level with her.

Zai's eyes were shining. "Ok!" She replied happily.

As Troy prepared Gabi's breakfast, Zai promised Troy not to tell anyone or else it would not be a surprise anymore. He sent her to watch T.V. and he would call her when everything was ready.

After 15 minutes, Troy and Zai were on their way to Gabi's room with a tray full of pancakes and waffles, a glass of orange juice, a napkin with a fork and knife on it and a single rose in a small vas. Zai made her way silently to the bed and silently waked her mother up. Gabi stirred and started to open her eyes and as she did, she saw Zai smiling and Troy with a tray in his hands. She then noticed what the tray was for and she grinned happily.

"Aaaawwww, guys!" was the only thing that left her mouth that morning.

"Do you like it mummy?" Zai said innocently.

"I don't like but I certainly love it!" She said as she was in a sitting position. She put Zai on her as she hugged her tightly while taking in her scent. Then Zai rolled of off her and Gabi looked intently at Troy.

"Thank you so much! I wasn't prepared for anything like this today!" She said smiling.

Troy put the tray on her bedside table and sat down on the bed and leaned down to kiss her not noticing that Zai had left the room. They kissed a short but filled with love kiss and said good morning.

"You're welcome! Well, to say the least your daughter inspired me to do this and she was an accomplice!" Troy said jokingly.

"You really shocked me! And Troy?" Gabi said looking him straight in the eyes.

"Yeah, Gab?"

"Thank you for yesterday!" Gab smiled as Troy leaned down to kiss her forehead.

The rest of the morning was spent family time. Gab and Troy took the kids out to the park and to say the least they were ecstatic. Troy was really bonding with his daughter and Gabi just sat down on a bench watching them and snapping photos. Until……

Gabriella, are you dating Troy Bolton?

Is that kid your child form the past with Troy Bolton?

How long have you been dating?

"Hey, leave her alone!" Troy shouted from behind them and to say the least Gabi was relieved.

The paparazzi saw an angry Troy and didn't want to get on his bad side so they just left but still taking pictures.

"Are you ok?" Troy asked as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and her putting her head on his chest.

"Yeah I'm fine! They just gave me a sudden shock for a second!" She replied as troy kissed her head. "You seem to be having a great time with Zel!" Gabi continued while smiling a soft smile while looking at him.

"Yeah, she's a great kid! I can't believe that she is mine!" Troy said happily.

"Yeah, she is! Whenever she stays at my house, I wouldn't know if she is really there because she is so quite and behaves! I treat her like my daughter, you know? I mean, I practically raised her since her mum put her in that home!" Gabi said looking at the children.

"Yeah….....I'm sorry Gab! If I knew before, I wouldn't et you take the responsibility to raise my daughter…" Troy was cut off.

"Hey, I had the best time with her. If her mother wasn't so selfish, she should have given Zel to you but I don't mind that I raised her and she practically calls me mum!" Gabi said smiling.

"Well that's good because your kids already called me dad!" Toy said chuckling.

After that day every one went to bed smiling knowing that each and every one of them had someone to love them.

At the middle of the night, Gabriella hears someone coughing and was wakened up by the sound. She realized that it was one of the boys and went running to their room to find Johann coughing violently.

"Baby, wake up!" She said as she shakes Johann and noticing that he is finding it hard to breathe. By the noise, Miguel woke up and looked around.

"Miguel, go wake up Troy now!" She demanded and Miguel didn't lose another chance.

As Troy stepped in the room, he found Gabi crying while trying to wake Johann up.

"Gabi, I'm taking him to hospital, ok? You get the kids ready and I'll be back for you!" and as he said that he picked up Johann and raced to the car.

Once at hospital, Johann got all the attention needed and Troy went back to Gabi and the kids.

"Oh my god, Troy how is he?" Gabi said as soon as she saw him.

"He's fine Gab! There are doctors and nurses taking care of him!" He said calmly as he hugged her.

"Thank you so much Troy!" She said as she started to cry and he did everything to comfort her.

The kids climbed in the car and Troy drove to the hospital. Gabi was still shaking and crying silently and Troy put his free hand on her knee and she just looked at him with a half smile.

As soon as in hospital, Gabi ran to his room and saw a doctor taking some info he needed.

"Hi, you must be Johann's mother!" The doctor said politely.

"Yes, I am! Gabriella Montez!" She said shaking hands with him.

"I'm doctor Carlson and I am taking care of your son's case. We need to take some tests to see exactly what there is because I can assure you that it is not a high fever!" Dr. Carlson said as Troy grabbed Gabi's hand and started caressing with his thumb.

"Do you have any idea to what might be wrong?" Gabi said tearfully.

"Not until further tests. Right now he is in an unconscious state but after some tests and medications, he will wake up." The doctor informed them.

"Please doctor, I give you my consent to do anything possible that might help my boy!" Gabi said as tears started rolling down her face as Troy pulled her closer to him.

"Thank you doctor!" Troy said, shaking hands and he left. "Gab, why don't you go to sleep and if anything occurs, I'll wake you up, k?" Troy said gently and she just nodded and drifted off to sleep.

After 2 hours and 45 minutes the doctor came in again and told Troy what is wrong. Troy was shocked and knew that Gabi will not take it easy. After 15 minutes that the doctor left, Gabi woke up.

"Has the doctor told you anything?" She asked as she woke up.

"Yeah he has!" Troy said worried knowing that after he told her she would have an emotional breakdown. "Johann has leukemia!" Troy said softly.

"Noooo, not my baby boy!" She said as she started sobbing and he pulled her closer to his chest as he too started crying with her but made a promise to stay strong for her and the children's sake.

After a good 30 minutes, she stopped crying and looked up at Troy with her sad, worried, brown chocolaty eyes. He just kissed her forehead and in came the doctor and told them he just woke up and knows nothing so it was up to them to tell him.

"Kids, why don't you go to the games room while we check on Johann?" Troy told them as they nodded and were off to the games room. "Come on, babe!" Troy stood up and hugged Gabi tightly as she clanged on him. "Listen, I don't want you crying in front of him because it would be more depressing. I know it's hard but we have to be strong for him, he's still young and fragile, k?" he told her gently and softly but serious.

"Ok!" she whispered as she took his hand and made the small walk to the room. Before they entered, Troy placed a kiss on her lips and said those three words anyone would want to hear. "I love you!" Troy said as she looked up at him and smiled slightly and nodded and opened the door.

"Hey buddie! How are you feeling?" Troy asked confidently.

"Well, I'm feeling very tired! Hey mum!" He said with a groggy voice.

"Hey baby!" She whispered as she remembered Troy's words not to cry. "Everything's gonna be ok! I love you!" She said as she leaned down to hug him.

"Love you too, mama!" he whispered. "So, Troy, have the doctor told you anything?" he asked.

Troy looked at Gabi and she nodded. "Yeah buddy!" He said as he sat down on the other side of the bed. "Johann, you have cancer and it is leukemia!" He said gently as the boy made no reaction to it.

"So this thing can kill you?" Johann asked innocently.

"Yeah, hon but there is cure to it only every case was a positive case and there were people that died!" Gabi said painfully not physically but emotionally.

"All you gotta do is stay strong and fight it and knowing you you'll live. You just have to be positive and optimistic. Think of the nice things you had, like meeting me!" Troy tried to joke and he succeeded because he heard the sweet giggle coming form Gabi's mouth and the groggy chuckle coming from the boy.

"So all I have to do is be positive and strong and I'll live?" He asked again.

"Yeah, baby, that's all you have to do!" Gabi said smiling at her son, knowing that it wasn't as difficult as she thought.

After 2 days in hospital, Johann was released and about a month later he was going to start chemo at his hometown hospital. (Don't forget they are still in New York).

As soon as they arrived in Cali, Troy asked Gabi and her kids to move in with him so Gabi put the house up for sale and the money made from it was going to help Johann through his days for hospital and stuff.

"Hey, good lookin', what's cookin'?" Troy said as he entered the kitchen.

"Garlic bread and spaghetti with meat balls!" She said giggling as he grabbed her waist and turning her around and kissed her straight on the lips, although simple and loving, it was what Gabi needed right now. They pulled away and smiled as Gabi turned around to turn off the stove.

"Guys, dinner's ready!" Gabi hollered as she heard several pairs of feet running to the kitchen.

"Who thought you could shout like this! Jeez, I think I might have to change the window glasses!" Troy said sarcastically.

"You try and raise 3 kids alone and you'll know why, don't worry!" She joked as the kids found their place round the table.

Gabi sat the garlic bread on the table and started preparing the plates with spaghetti and meat balls and when she was ready; Troy got to help her serving the plates.

As it was Friday, the 'family' curled up on the couches and watched a movie this time being the girls' choice along with Gabi.

"What is the movie, girlies?" Gabi asked smiling.

"Mary Poppins!" Zel shouted.

"Baby, everyone hears in this room, k?" Troy said gently to his daughter.

"You're boring, daddy!" She said and giggled as he picked her up at tickled her.

"Really? Well, if I'm that boring, why are you laughing?" Troy said smiling and the others watching the father – daughter bonding, not noticing that Zaida left the room.

"Daddy, you're tickling me!" She said as she laughed loudly.

"Say 'You're the best daddy in the world' and I'll put you down!" Troy said.

"Daddy, you're the greatest daddy in the world and I love you so much!" Zel said breathing deeply.

"Love you too munchkin!" He said as he noticed Zaida missing. "I'll be right back!" He said as Gabi put the DVD in the player and sat down, relaxing.

With Troy

"Baby, what are you doing in the room alone?" He said soothingly as he heard her sniffing and notice she was crying.

"Why are you crying, sweetie pie?" Troy asked gently as he pulled her to his lap.

"I don't have a daddy!" She whispered and still crying.

"Oh baby! I know you don't but you have me!" Troy said gently.

"But you're Zel's daddy not mine or my brothers!" She said looking at him with her red puffy yes.

"I know honey!" He said as he heard soft sniffing coming from the doorway and saw Gabi. "Hey, let me tell you something! From now onwards, you can call me daddy, how about that?" Troy said to her as he pulled her closer to his chest and Gabi made her way to the bed and sat down.

"Baby Zai, you don't have to worry about your daddy ok? He was a very bad daddy and now you have a new daddy because you have Troy, k?" Gabi said softly in her daughter's ear.

Zaida nodded and Troy stood up and gave Gabi his hand to stand up and they made their way to the living room where everyone was watching intently.

That night, Gabi couldn't sleep. In about 3 weeks, Johann would have his first chemo session and Zai had a little breakdown today, Miguel was being bullied at school and she couldn't handle it with all the paps running after them. Troy woke up when he felt Gabi tossing and turning around in the bed.

"Gab, what's wrong?" Troy said sleepily.

"Ugghh…..I can't sleep! I'm sorry!" She said getting out of the bed and was about to go out the door.

"And where do you think you're going?" Troy said putting a hand to block the door.

"I'm going downstairs to think! Go to sleep again!" Gabi said looking at the floor.

"I think I'm old enough to not take orders from people my age!" Troy said as he put a finger under her chin and lifted up her face so now she was looking at him.

"I'm sorry!" She whispered. "You know that I can't handle this anymore! A single parent with all these problems!" She said on the verge of tears.

"Hey baby! You know I'm always here to help you! You should never think …." Troy was cut off.

"Troy you have your own problems. You don't need mine to top it off!" Gabi said.

"Well that may be true but I want to help you and it is not because I have to but because I want to and you know that!" Troy said gently as he took her hand in his and gently started caressing it. He pulled her in a tight hug and felt her hot tears running down his neck. "Let's go have a cup of coffee!" Troy soothed.

They went down the stairs and Gabi got more quite then she was.

"Honey, never think that I am too busy for you or your children!" Troy said smoothing her hair softly.

"I know but I don't want to be a burden in your life and so you think that I am too clingy on you! I may be strong but everything is happening so fast……I don't think I am going to survive while watching my son be bullied, my other son in pain and my younger daughter crying over her dad!" Gabi said and by now she was starting to sob.

"Hey, I'm there throughout all the way! Tomorrow I'm taking you on a date whether you like it or not!" Troy said trying to light up the atmosphere.

"Now what would I'd do if it wasn't for you?" Gabi said smiling a little.

"You would be the strong woman that you are and I know is there but is afraid to come out! You would be the loving mother you are to your children and continue raising them well because you certainly did a great job with them. You would be the best mother and wife to whoever you marry!" Troy said lovingly as he now wiped her happy tears that came down her face.

"You are the best! And I love you so much!" Gabi whispered as she hugged him tight.

"I love you too baby!" He whispered as he rubbed her back and kissed her cheek.

They sat down and enjoyed a hot cup of coffee. Two more weeks and Christmas would be here.

That morning, Zaida and Zel came down jumping up and down.

"Trooooy!" Zaida said sweetly with her puppy dog face.

"Yeeess?" Troy mimicked her making her giggle her sweet giggle. (?)

"Can we start decorating?" She asked sweetly again making Troy wants to pick her and Zel up balancing each on his hips.

"For what?" Asked Troy faking not knowing about Christmas.

"For Christmas, silly!" Zaida jokingly shouted.

"Christmas!!! Of course baby! Let me go get the decorations and we'll make mummy help us! How does that sound?" Troy said laughing as he twirled them around.

"That sound fabulous daddy!" Zel shouted and he kissed them both on the cheeks.

"MAMA…….." Zaida shrieked as he saw her.

"What's wrong dud?" Gabi said coming next to Troy which was next to them also.

"You are going to help us decorate for Christmas!" Zaida said happily.

"Ok! I'll go make some cookies and get the boys down to help us!" Gabi said smiling as Troy leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. She pulled back and kissed the girls on the cheeks.

After about 5 hours of non-stop laughing, decorating and eating cookies, the house was decorated and now everyone was tired.

"Guys, I'm going to make lunch, k?" Gabi said getting up from the couch.

"What are you going to cook mummy?" Miguel asked.

"Well, what do you want?" Gabi asked as the children all shouted their fav food.

Mac and Cheese

Chicken

Lasagna

Burgers

"Woo woo, guys! Calm down!" Troy shouted so everyone would shut up.

"I'm going to make Mac and Cheese. Tomorrow we'll do something different." Gabi said walking in the kitchen while the kids turned up the Wii to play the dancing game.

"Hey, you ok?" Troy asked.

"Do you know what Zel asked me the other day?" Gabi said turning around.

"What?"

"She asked me, 'Are mummy and daddy going to give me a brother or a sister' and to tell you the truth I was shocked." Gabi said looking intently at him.

"Oh god! So she wants a baby brother or sister?" Troy asked uncertain.

"Yep!"

"Well, we can always adopt!" Troy said sitting down.

"Troy, I've been thinking lately about this. I always wanted a child that would have their mother and father with them not like our children! I guess what I'm trying to say is that I would like to have a baby with you. I know it's shocking but please think about it!" Gabi said.

"What is there to think about? I always wanted one too!" Troy said grabbing her waist and kissed her square on the lips passionately. "And don't forget tonight…..eeeee! Your date with me!" Troy said smiling as he pulled back.

"Yeah….but what about the kids?" Gabi said getting worried.

"No worries, Sharpay and Zeke invited the kids to spend the night! So we're going to be all alone!" He whispered the last part in her ear as he pulled her close to him, if that was possible.

"Oh yeah? And who said that I wanted to be alone with you tonight?" She challenged.

"Do you want a baby and wake up all the kids in the process? I don't think so! So that's why I'm doing this tonight! And it will be good for the kids to get out of this crazy house!" Troy said lovingly.

"Oh! I guess you're right!" Gabi said giving up.

Troy responded, "And when am I not?" in the same time leaving the kitchen.

"You and your ego, I will never understand." Gabi said lowering her voice.

"I heard that!" Troy shouted from the living room.

"Well, good for you!" Gabi shouted back laughing.

After lunch all the kids went for a nap and Troy and Gabi settled for a movie.

"Troy?" Gabi asked.

"Mhmm…." That was Troy's response.

"Did you ever imagine what would it be like if we never met?" Gabi asked looking at him by turning her head that was lying on his chest during the movie.

"Well, I know for sure that you wouldn't have met this basketball superstar and you're kids wouldn't have come to one of my games!" Troy said jokingly.

"Ha-ha, very funny! And for your own information I was going to surprise them by taking them to New York for the game that you took us too because I know how much they love basket ball and your team, and not you in specifically!" Gabi joked as well.

"Oh really?" He said grabbing her sides and tickling her.

"Yeah really!" She said as they continued to watch the movie in silence.

"But, seriously Troy. What would have happened?" Gabi asked again with a serious face.

"Well, if we didn't meet, I wouldn't have the amazing woman in you, I wouldn't have found the wonderful and most sweet kids that you have and I would have been lonely on the trip to New York! Oh, and I defiantly wouldn't have found my daughter!" He whispered the last part looking her in the eyes as he started to lean down and she met him halfway. After sometime, they pulled away and continued watching the movie till Troy felt something falling on his shoulder to find Gabi sleeping. He took her to their room seeing that it was only half past 2 and the movie just ended.

At 4 the kids were all awake from their nap and were waiting for Gabriella to get up. When she did, the kids all got ready to go to Sharpay for the night and Troy and Gabi, after taking the kids to Sharpay's house, were all alone.

"So, we do have sometime to get ready. What do you want to do?" Troy asked seductively in her ear as he pulled her towards him and bit her ear.

"Let leave that for tonight, huh, babe?" She whispered flirting back.