Three months later….
Troy had just returned from his trip to Los Angeles. There was no sign of Gabriella. Troy was very disappointed, but, he did not show it at all. Jack thought that he had got over Gabriella and was thrilled. He went on making plans for the wedding. Troy had no idea about this.
One morning, Troy heard someone knock on his hotel room door. Although, he had a house, he did not want to move into it without Gabriella. Troy got up and went to open the door. Jack stood there holding a brand new tux.
"What do you want, dad?" Troy asked rubbing his eye.
"You're invited to a wedding," Jack said. "The invitation came to our house. You have to be there by ten tomorrow morning. It's at the beach."
"Fine," Troy said taking the tux from Jack. "Whose wedding is this?"
"You won't know her," Jack said. "It's an old family friend. You haven't met them since you were just a little kid."
"Okay, okay," Troy grumbled. He did not want to talk to Jack. "Now, will you please leave?"
At ten the next morning, Troy met Chad and Taylor at the beach.
"What are you guys doing here?" Troy asked.
"We got an anonymous invitation to a beach party," Chad explained. "We decided to check it out.
Troy shrugged and the three of them walked towards a group of people.
"What's going on?" Troy asked when he saw Jack.
"You're getting married," Jack said.
"What?" Troy yelled angrily.
"Relax," Jack said. "You're marrying Gabriella."
"Huh?" Troy looked confused.
"Just stand there," Jack said pointing to the end of the aisle. "Chad can be your best man."
A few minutes later, everyone was seated and the bride appeared. Troy frowned when he saw who it was.
"Jessica?" he asked softly anger boiling within him.
"Fuck!" Chad exclaimed realizing that it was Jessica.
"Stop all of this shit, dad!" Troy yelled angrily and the music stopped.
"Troy –" Jack began.
"You lied to me!" Troy yelled.
"Troy, just listen to me!" Jack said.
"No, you can listen to me. I'm not going to marry…" his voice trailed away when he saw a familiar brunette walking down the shore. "Gabriella."
"Well, if you're not going to marry Gabriella, you might as well marry Jessica," Jack said.
"No, dad," Troy said as his whole face lit up. "Gabriella!"
"Huh?" Jack looked confused as Troy started running towards Gabriella.
"Jack!" Chad said pointing out the brunette to Jack.
"Gabriella!" Troy yelled again.
Gabriella looked up and her face broke into a smile. Troy thought she looked beautiful in the white sundress she was wearing. The dress showed off her bump.
Troy reached Gabriella and without a second's hesitation he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her, holding her close to him.
"Why'd you leave?" Troy asked. "I missed you."
"I didn't want to come between you and your parents," Gabriella said. "And, I missed you, too."
"Troy, we're sorry," Jack said realizing just how much his son loved Gabriella.
"Does this mean he is not going to marry my daughter anymore?" Steve, Jessica's father, asked.
"That is exactly what this means," Jack confirmed.
"But, I need the damn money!" Steve exclaimed.
"You were going to marry me for my money?" Troy asked in surprise.
"How else am I going to pay off my debts?" Steve yelled.
"Well, I'm not marrying anyone when Gabriella's right here," Troy said.
"Then we'll just have to get rid of her!" Steve exclaimed pulling out a knife.
"Steve, don't!" Amanda, Jessica's mother, exclaimed as everyone else gasped. "She's pregnant."
Steve ignored everyone and threw the knife at Gabriella. Troy threw himself in front of Gabriella and the knife went into his waist. Lucille, Taylor and Gabriella screamed as Troy fell to the ground. His shirt was covered in blood. Jack flew at Steve and punched him.
"That's my son, you bastard!" he yelled.
"And, my best friend," Chad yelled as he punched Steve as well.
Taylor called the ambulance as Gabriella knelt down next to Troy, crying.
"Troy, don't leave me," Gabriella sobbed. "We need you."
"I love you," Troy said placing his hand against her cheek.
Gabriella took Troy's hand and placed it against her bump. Troy smiled as the baby kicked.
"That's daddy's boy," Troy whispered, smiling as he tried to ignore the pain.
"It could be a girl," Gabriella said.
"Nope," Troy said. "It's definitely a boy."
"I think you're right," Gabriella said. "There's one more thing."
"Yeah?" Troy gasped for air just as the ambulance arrived.
"We'll talk later," Gabriella promised. "You're going to be alright."
The paramedics rushed over.
"Who's going with him?" one of them asked.
"I am," Jack said.
"He's asking for someone named Chad," another one called.
"What's up, man?" Chad asked hurrying over to Troy.
"Don't let Gabriella get hurt," Troy said, gasping for air.
"I won't," Chad promised as Jack got into the ambulance.
"I need to get to the hospital!" Lucille cried as the ambulance pulled away.
"Come on, Gabs," Chad said putting an arm around Gabriella's shoulders as he took Taylor's hand. He began to walk towards the car with them when Gabriella stopped and turned.
"Mrs. Bolton," Gabriella said. "Come on."
Lucille managed a smile as she hurried after the three.
"What were you going to tell Troy just now?" Taylor asked Gabriella as Chad started driving.
"She wants to tell Troy, Tay," Chad said.
"Is it something to do with the baby?" Taylor asked ignoring Chad.
"Yes," Gabriella said slowly looking down at her growing bump.
"Is something wrong?" Lucille asked.
"No," Gabriella replied.
"Then, what is it?" Taylor asked
"I'd rather tell Troy first, if you guys don't mind," Gabriella said.
And, finally, Taylor dropped the subject.
The four met Jack in the waiting room.
"He didn't even look at me," Jack sighed as Amanda sat down next to him.
"Well, can you blame him?" Chad glared as Gabriella went to get a glass of water. "You were going to ruin his whole life."
"I guess I don't blame him," Jack said. "I've been horrible to him."
"Guys," Chad sighed. "Troy will come around. I know him and he loves you guys. Now that Gabi is back, everything will be back to normal, if you can accept Gabriella. Otherwise, I can pretty much guarantee that Troy will never speak to you again."
"Thank you," Jack said, softly as Gabriella returned.
"Gabriella," Lucille said. "Can we talk to you?"
"Um…sure," Gabriella said.
Gabriella followed Lucille and Jack to a less crowded area in the waiting room.
"What's up?" Gabriella asked.
"We want to apologize," Jack said. "We were pretty horrible forcing Troy to marry someone else and that must have hurt you a lot and we're sorry."
"It's okay," Gabriella said, softly.
"Troy deserves you," Lucille said. "But, I'm not sure if we deserve you as our daughter-in-law. You're far too good for us."
Gabriella did not say anything. She was feeling quite uncomfortable. It was like the baby could sense it, too, because it started to kick, again and Gabriella sighed as she leaned back against the seat.
"Are you okay?" Jack asked.
"I'm fine, thanks," Gabriella smiled at him.
"What's going on?" Chad asked walking over to them.
"Nothing," Jack replied.
"Can I talk to you, Chad?" Gabriella asked.
"Sure," Chad shrugged.
Gabriella made to get up, but, Jack stopped her.
"You're pregnant," he reminded her. "You two stay here. We'll go."
Gabriella smiled as the two Boltons walked towards Taylor. Chad sat down next to her.
"What's wrong, Gabi?" he asked.
"I need a hug," Gabriella said wrapping her arms around Chad's waist.
"You want to tell me why you're so upset?" Chad asked as he hugged his 'little sister'.
"People always leave!" she whispered.
"Gabi!" Chad said, alarmed. "What are you talking about?"
"My mom left," Gabriella cried. "My dad left, too. And, Lucas left. And, now, Troy's going to leave me, too."
"Gabi," he said comfortingly rubbing her back as she started to cry. "Your mom and dad left because it was the time for them to go. Who's Lucas?"
"My cousin," Gabriella sobbed. "I was staying with him all these days and he died of leukemia two days ago."
"I'm sorry, Gabi," Chad said, softly. "You don't deserve this."
"What about Troy, Chad?" Gabriella cried. "I don't want him to leave me, but, everybody leaves. Everybody I get close to end up dead. They leave; they never come back!"
"Gabi, you're forgetting one very important thing," Chad told her. "None of those people are Troy. Troy would fight to be with you. He wouldn't leave you on purpose. He loves you."
Gabriella nodded as she wiped away her tears.
"Chad!" Jack called sharply.
Gabriella and Chad turned to see Jack and Lucille kneeling down next to Taylor. The color in Chad's face disappeared. He jumped up and rushed to Taylor's side as Lucille hurried to find a doctor.
"What's going on?" Gabriella asked Jack.
"She's having her baby, now," Jack explained.
"But, that can't happen," Chad said, frantically. "The room's not ready. We haven't got our bag. It's still under the stairs at our house. The baby can't come, now!"
"Ready or not, here it comes!" Taylor screamed clutching Chad's hair.
"Not my hair!" Chad exclaimed.
Taylor glared at him so fiercely that Chad sat quietly next to her. Lucille arrived with a doctor and Taylor was wheeled away with Chad following. Gabriella stared after them for a while.
"Gabi, are you okay?" Lucille asked.
"I'm fine," Gabriella said, quickly.
"You shouldn't be standing," Jack told her. "Come and sit down."
Gabriella went and sat down next to Jack. She felt the baby kick and she placed her hands over her bump.
"The baby's kicking?" Lucille asked.
"Yeah," Gabriella smiled.
"When I was pregnant with Troy and once he started kicking, Jack wouldn't leave me," Lucille told Gabriella. "He would stay with me with his hands on my stomach waiting for Troy to kick. I expect Troy will be like that, too."
Gabriella laughed. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She was tired. She had not slept at all since Lucas had died.
"Gabriella, why don't you go and get some rest?" Jack asked. "Troy has a room at the hotel."
"I…I can't," Gabriella said. "I can't just go and stay at a hotel not knowing whether Troy's alright or not."
"You love him a lot, don't you?" Lucille said.
"More than life itself," Gabriella whispered.
"Troy's lucky to have found someone like you," Jack said.
"Thanks," Gabriella said, softly.
A few minutes later, Chad came back. He took Gabriella to see Taylor where she was settled into a private room. Gabriella was quiet and Chad knew that she was worrying.
"Gabi, don't worry," he told her gently as he sat down next to her. "Troy's a fighter. He'll be alright. All this worrying can't be good for the baby."
"I don't want to loose Troy," Gabriella said, softly. "I won't my baby to have a father."
"You won't loose Troy," Chad said. "And, your baby will have an amazing father. I mean, have you heard of a guy who can play basketball like he does and carry a tune?"
"Your baby is going to have two amazing parents," Taylor said from the bed. "I mean, the mother's beautiful and smart and funny and the father is handsome and talented and a bit stupid at times."
"Hey, Troy isn't half as stupid as Chad so stop talking, Tay," Gabriella said, smiling.
"Hey!" Chad exclaimed. "I'm right here and you're insulting me."
Gabriella laughed.
"Thank you," she told her friends softly. "I'm going to see how Troy's doing."
Chad nodded and helped her up.
"Do you want me to go with you?" he asked.
"No, you stay here," Gabriella said. "Taylor needs you. You're about to become a daddy."
Chad smiled at Gabriella as she left the room. She did not deserve all that was happening to her.
An hour later, the doctor finally arrived.
"Troy Bolton?" he asked and Jack and Lucille stood up along with Gabriella.
"Is he alright?" Lucille asked.
"The surgery went well," the doctor explained. "He's fine. He's bound to wake up in the next hour or so."
"Can we see him?" Jack asked.
"Of course," the doctor said. "He is in room 109. And, there is some paperwork to be done, so, if you could just come and find me afterwards..."
"Of course," Jack said. "We'll be with you in a while."
Jack and Lucille went to see Troy. Gabriella stayed behind to let the two have some time alone with Troy. When Jack and Lucille left the room, Gabriella entered. Her eyes filled with tears when she saw Troy lying on the bed with his eyes closed.
"Wake up, Troy," she whispered sitting down on the chair next to his bed.
She took his hand and squeezed it, hoping to feel some movement from him as well, but, was unlucky. All of a sudden, she wanted to be as near to Troy as possible. She got into the bed next to Troy and took his arm. She put it around her and held onto him. She wanted to feel like Troy was holding her, but, it was not the same. Troy's hand was limp around her body. She let go of his hand and it slid off her and fell onto the bed. She started crying as she clutched Troy's hospital gown.
"Troy, don't leave me," she cried. "Please, don't leave me. I love you."
After a while, Gabriella's sobs ceased to a stop. She lay on the bed next to him hugging him.
Gabriella was almost drifting off to sleep when Troy's hand moved. It slipped onto her body and stopped on her growing bump. Gabriella moved her head to look up at Troy. His eyes were closed.
"Troy," she whispered.
"I love you, too, Ella," he said, softly as he opened his eyes slowly. "And, I always will. Will you marry me?"
Gabriella gasped.
"I don't know," she said, softly.
"Okay, that was not the answer I was expecting," Troy said.
Before she could say anything else, the door opened and Chad burst into the room.
"It's a girl!" he exclaimed.
"What?" Troy said, looking confused.
"That's great," Gabriella smiled.
"Tay and I want you two to be the godparents," Chad said.
"Okay, what is going on?" Troy demanded.
"Where's Tay?" Gabriella said. "I want to see her."
Without waiting for an answer, she got up and walked out of the door.
"Wait a second," Troy said. "Are you telling me that Tay had her baby?"
"Yeah," Chad grinned walking over to the bed. "I'm a dad."
"Congratulations buddy," Troy smiled.
"By the way, good to have you back, man," Chad said. "How're you feeling?"
"Great," Troy replied. "But, how long was I out?"
"Just a couple of hours," Chad said. "A lot has happened."
"Fill me in," Troy said, shifting on the bed, trying to become more comfortable.
"Okay," Chad said. "First, your parents apologized to Gabi and she forgave them. Then, she had a meltdown."
"What? Why? Did my dad do something?" Troy asked.
"No," Chad said. "Calm down. She was staying with her cousin Lucas all this time and he died because of leukemia two days ago. She's thinking that everybody she gets close to dies. She thinks that you're going to leave her."
"That's stupid," Troy said sitting up. "Ouch!"
"Troy!" Chad exclaimed. "Are you okay?"
"Fine," Troy grunted lying back down again.
"Should I get a doctor?" Chad asked.
"No," Troy said. "I'm fine. I just want to see Gabriella. I need to talk to her."
"I'll go and get her," Chad said.
"Thanks," Troy said. "And, tell Tay congratulations and good luck."
"Why 'good luck'?" Chad asked.
"She's going to need it," Troy said. "I mean, there's going to be another baby in the house."
"When you're better, you're so dead," Chad said before walking out of the room.
A few minutes later, Gabriella entered the room. She stood at the doorway unsure of what to do.
"Come here," Troy said holding out his hand.
Gabriella moved closer to Troy and took his hand. He pulled her down so that she was sitting on the bed.
"Chad told me about Lucas," he said. "I'm sorry, Ella. You don't deserve this."
"Why do people always leave, Troy?" Gabriella asked softly.
"Because it's their time to leave," Troy told her. "Is this the reason you don't want to marry me? Because you think I'm going to leave you?"
Gabriella nodded. Troy started to sit up, but, the pain in his waist stopped him from doing so. He winced and lay back down.
"Are you okay?" Gabriella asked worriedly.
"I'm fine," Troy said. "Ella, listen to me. I am not going to leave you. I am going to stay with you as long as I can. I'm not saying this just because I want to marry you, Ella. I'm going to stay with you."
"Can I ask you something?" she asked.
"Anything," Troy said.
At that moment, the door opened again and the doctor walked in followed by Lucille and Jack.
"Troy, it's good to see you awake," the doctor said. "How're you feeling?"
"I'm fine," Troy said. "Except for the pain in my waist whenever I try to sit up."
"That'll go in an hour or two," the doctor said. "I'll come back to check on you in a while."
"Thanks, doc," Troy said. "Does anyone else know about this?"
"There are reporters at every entrance of the hospital, if that is what you're asking," the doctor said.
"Great," Troy sighed.
"I don't know how it got out, but, I told every one of my co-workers to keep quiet when they brought you in," the doctor said.
"They probably saw him get stabbed at the beach," Jack said.
"Thank you," Troy told the doctor and he left.
"Troy, how are you?" Lucille asked moving closer to the bed.
"Fine," Troy said with no emotion in his voice.
"Troy, we're sorry," Jack said.
"Can I just talk to Gabriella alone for a few minutes?" Troy asked.
Lucille and Jack nodded and left the room. Troy turned his attention to Gabriella.
"So, what were you going to ask me earlier?" he asked, shifting on the bed.
"Answer me honestly," Gabriella said. "Do you want to be with me forever?"
"Ella," Troy said looking up at her. "I need to be with you forever."
Gabriella smiled and looked away. Troy turned her face so that she was looking at him.
"What else?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"You want to ask me something else," Troy said. "What is it?"
"You know me too well," she smiled.
"Well, then," Troy said.
"Are you going to let our babies grow up without knowing their grandparents?" she asked.
Troy sighed. He looked at her.
"I'm really mad at them right now," he said. "But, they're still my parents…so, I guess not."
"Good," Gabriella smiled. "They aren't getting any grandparents from my family so they might as well get a set of grandparents from your family."
"Wait a second," Troy said. "Why are you saying 'they'?"
"We're having twins, Troy," Gabriella said.
"Are you serious?" Troy exclaimed. "That's awesome."
Gabriella smiled. There was a knock on the door. Gabriella got up and opened it.
"Can we come in, now?" Jack asked.
Gabriella looked over at Troy who nodded. She let them in.
"Troy, we're sorry," Lucille said.
"I know," Troy said. "And…it's okay."
"Thank you," Jack said as Lucille rushed towards Troy and hugged him as she cried.
"Ouch!" Troy yelled.
Jack pulled Lucille off Troy. Troy doubled over in pain.
"Troy, what's wrong?" Gabriella asked alarmed hurrying over to him.
Troy did not say anything. He just bit his lower lip as the pain got worse.
"Can I get a doctor in here?" Jack roared angrily.
"What's going on?" the doctor exclaimed rushing into the room.
"Hurts," Troy groaned.
"Can I get some painkillers in here?" the doctor yelled.
A nurse arrived with a painkiller. Troy swallowed the painkillers and lay down as the pain came to a stop. His breathing was heavy.
"Are you okay?" the doctor asked.
Troy nodded.
"Is that normal?" Jack asked.
"Yes," the doctor replied. "It usually happens before the pain disappears altogether."
"Thanks, doc," Troy said as his breathing became more steady. "Will it be alright if I sit up?"
"You just had some painkillers so you should be alright," the doctor said.
Troy nodded as the doctor left the room. Jack helped Troy sit up on the bed. Troy glanced over at Gabriella who looked like she was about to cry.
"Hey, come here," he said holding out his hand.
Gabriella moved closer to him.
"I'm going to get some coffee," Jack said knowing that Troy wanted to be alone with Gabriella. "Come on, Lucille."
"I'm okay," he told her as his parents left the room. "I'm fine."
Gabriella nodded.
"Ella," he said, softly. "I'm fine."
"I know," she said. "I just got worried."
"Don't worry, Ella," he said. "I love you and I haven't kissed you in what felt like years so…"
Troy pulled Gabriella close to him and kissed her gently. Gabriella wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed back. They both felt a familiar glow flow through them. Gabriella pulled away for air and smiled.
"I missed you," Troy grinned.
"Okay, you're back to normal," Gabriella giggled.
She took his hand and placed it on her stomach. Troy looked down at her bump and smiled as he felt the babies kick.
"See, now, that is amazing," Troy said.
"Easy for you to say," Gabriella said. "They aren't keeping you up every night."
"It means they're healthy," Troy chuckled.
"Knock, knock," Chad said walking into the room with a small baby in his arms.
"Hey," Troy smiled.
"Since godfather Troy can't go and see little Natalie Danforth, she decided to come to you," he said.
Troy laughed as Chad placed the baby in his arms.
"She's beautiful," Troy said. "She looks like you."
"Really?" Gabriella said. "I thought she looked more like Tay."
"Oh, who cares?" Troy said. "She's gorgeous."
"He knows how to flatter a girl," Gabriella told Chad. "It doesn't matter what her age is."
Chad laughed.
"I should take her back," Chad said. "The nurse would be coming to check on her right about now."
"It was nice meeting you Natalie," Troy said as Chad took his daughter back into his arms.
"I'll see you later, Troy," Chad said walking out.
"Yes," Gabriella said.
"What?" Troy looked confused.
"The answer is 'yes', Troy," Gabriella said. "I would love to marry you."
"Are you serious?" Troy asked.
"Of course I am," Gabriella said and kissed him. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Troy said and kissed her again. "I'm doing this properly, by the way."
Gabriella laughed.
"You don't have to," she said.
"I want to," he told her. "So, when shall we get married? After or before our sons are born?"
"After," Gabriella decided. "I don't want to look fat."
"You won't look fat," Troy laughed.
"Yeah, well, you will say that," she said.
"Because, it's true," he said.
"I missed you so much," Gabriella said as she hugged him.
"I missed you, too," he said softly as he kissed her head. "By the way, what would you say if I asked you whether you want to move here to Albuquerque?"
"I'd love to," she said. "But what about your job?"
"Jake's moving here, too," Troy said. "We decided together. I already brought a house and it has a built-in studio. You'll love it."
"I'm sure I will," she smiled.
A/N Sorry for the late update guys. I'm really busy because I'm doing my O'Levels this year. I'll try and update. And thanks for all the reviews! =) Keep them coming;)