I haven't updated in forever! I know! But I'm off of school for 2 weeks and I'm ready to post as many chapters as I can! For those of you reading Coming Back to You, it will be up soon! Thanks for sticking with me! Let me know what you think of it.

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Story: The Road Not Taken

Chapter: Coming Home

Rating: T (a few swear words)

Summary: Troy and Gabriella have been married for three years, when one day Gabriella ends up in a car crash. What happens when she wakes up and has no idea who Troy is?

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the plot. I thought of this story idea, and if it is like yours, that is extremely coincidental. I have not read another story like this.

Troy slouched in his chair, glancing at his son who was impatiently bouncing up and down. Jack, Carmen, and Lucille all watched the boy as well with amused faces. Caleb suddenly stopped, and stood still. Troy raised an eyebrow, knowing that the toddler had an idea.

Suddenly, Caleb took off, running through the doors of the waiting room. Troy's eyes followed for a few seconds before he realized what his son was doing.

"Shit." He muttered, and got out of his chair, running after his son.

"Caleb! Caleb, stop. Come here." Troy yelled to the toddler who was struggling to run faster than his father. The blue-eyed man easily caught up to the boy, but decided to slow down and play his son's game.

"Can't catch me daddy!" Caleb squeaked and started to laugh. Troy smiled, slowly trailing after the running boy. Suddenly, when Caleb wasn't looking, Troy scooped him up into his arms.

"Daddy! That's not fair!" Caleb complained with a frown on his face. Troy smiled at the toddler and ruffled his hair.

"Come on, buddy. We shouldn't be here." Troy said, and started to turn around. But, before he could fully do so, his son screeched with joy.

"MOMMY!" he yelled. Troy whipped around to find Gabriella being wheeled past the corner of the nurse's station. Caleb struggled in his arms, fighting to be set down.

Gabriella looked up at the screeching sound to find Troy holding a little boy in his arms. Both of the guys were looking at her. The toddler with an eager expression and Troy with wide eyes.

Then it clicked. The way the little boy looked like a younger version of Troy, except for the big brown eyes.

It was her son.

"Caleb?" she asked, remembering the name that her mother had told her.

Troy nodded and set the toddler down on the ground, watching as the boy ran over to his mother. He was trying not to break down right on the spot as he watched Gabriella interact with their son.

Caleb climbed on Gabriella's lap and gave her a big hug. The young brunette was shocked at first, but then her motherly instincts took over and she hugged the young boy back. Tears started to pour out of her eyes as she looked at her husband. He watched with a sad expression on his face.

"Mommy, I missed you lots. Are you coming home now?" the toddler questioned, looking up at his mother after he pulled away from the hug.

Gabriella had a chance to really look at her son. He was very handsome for such a young age. She smiled at his questioning face, and how he plopped down in her lap and started a conversation with her.

This was her little boy. Her son. Her child. It seemed strange, but Gabriella loved this child more than anything, even though she had only met him less than a minute ago.

"Yes, sweetie. Mommy's coming home." She cooed, gently cupping his chubby face in her hands. He giggled and gave her another hug.

The tears had stopped flowing now, and Gabriella closed her eyes. She heard a clearing of a throat and opened them immediately.

Troy stood awkwardly with his hands in his pockets. When Gabriella looked at him, he averted his gaze. She sighed, returning her attention to the little boy on her lap.

"So, should we go see Grandma Carmen?" She asked the toddler, and he nodded furiously. She laughed, pulling him closer to her. The brunette glanced up at the nurse who had been wheeling her to the waiting room and nodded for her to keep going.

Troy watched as Gabriella and Caleb were steered toward the waiting room. He had wanted to discuss how she would meet their son before they did anything, but he figured that now was as good of time as ever.

She had been so open with the child. He saw it in her eyes. She loved him. Sure, that was great. It was her son after all. But, Troy couldn't help but feel saddened. She didn't love him yet.

Troy shook off the thought, knowing that it was selfish to think that way. As the young man opened the door to the waiting room, he heard a squeal from his mother, who had just seen Gabriella and Caleb.

"Gabriella, it is so good to see you out of the hospital gown! Are you feeling better?" his mother asked politely as Troy sat down in the seat he had occupied moments before.

"Yes, Mrs. Bolton. Thank you for asking." Gabriella answered politely, sneaking a glance at Troy.

Jack stared at his daughter-in-law. She looked exactly the same, but her smile and the happiness in her eyes were gone. This was the girl who made his son's life worth living. It was the girl that he loved like a daughter.

"That's good dear. Gabriella, this is my husband, and Troy's father, Jack." Lucille introduced.

"Hello sir. Nice to meet you Mr. Bolton." Gabriella reached out from her wheelchair to shake the elder man's hand.

"Please, call me Jack. I'm glad that you're okay." He added.

"Thank you, Jack." Gabriella answered, suddenly blushing as she felt Troy's gaze on her. She glanced at him and gave a small smile. He returned the same one.

"So, sweetheart. I see that you've met your son." Carmen said, smiling at the toddler still holding on to his mother.

Gabriella looked down at her son and smiled. "Yeah. Isn't he adorable?" Gabriella gently kissed the little boy's forehead.

"They hit it off pretty well." Troy commented, receiving the attention of the family. A nurse hurried over with a clipboard.

"Excuse me, but I just need Mr. Bolton to sign this release form, and Ms. Montez can be on her way." The nurse smiled.

Troy ignored the way the nurse called Gabriella 'Ms. Montez', and stood up, grabbing the clipboard and pen. After signing his name and having the nurse help Gabriella out of the wheelchair and into the car, the family was on their way to the restaurant.

Jack drove while Lucille sat next to him in the passenger seat. Troy and Gabriella were in the back with Caleb in the car chair between them. Carmen was driving her own rental car.

Gabriella felt very awkward. Why did her mom leave her with the four people she didn't remember? The brunette shifted in her seat uncomfortably. She didn't mind these people, but she did mind the way they were treating her. Sure, Mr. and Mrs. Bolton were very warm, and Troy was gentle with her, but they treated her like a new student in a kindergarten class. Everything they said seemed well thought out, and almost… rehearsed. She hated all the small talk.

Nevertheless, it was Troy who she was timid around. Every time he was near, she had this weird feeling in her stomach. She recognized it to be guilt. She felt guilty for causing Troy this emotional pain.

It's not like he deserved it. Troy seemed like a nice guy. He was gentle with her, and sounded like he loved her. In fact, she could see it in his eyes when he looked at her. He truly cared.

But what was she going to do in a house with him? All alone?

If she told her mother about this, the woman would laugh. Carmen didn't understand how uncomfortable Gabriella felt around people she didn't know. But…maybe Taylor would.

"Troy?" Gabriella turned her attention to the young man sitting next to her. She immediately felt his parents' eyes glance at her through the mirror.

See – this is what she was talking about. Being the center of attention was not something she particularly liked.

Troy looked at Gabriella with a worried expression. "What's wrong?" he asked politely.

She smiled softly. "Are Taylor and Chad coming to dinner tonight?"

"Uh… yeah." Troy said, returning his attention to the window. Why the hell was it this difficult to talk to his wife? He just wanted this to end. To be able to wake up tomorrow morning and have it all be a dream.

Truthfully, Troy had never gone more than a week without seeing Gabriella and being able to hold her. Sure, there were times when he would have several away games in a row, but Troy would always make sure that he flew back to see his wife and son, if only for one night.

Troy was positive that this time he would have to go more than a week without holding Gabriella.

Therefore, Troy was positive that the upcoming week was going to be hell.

"That's good." Gabriella answered.

Caleb looked at both of his parents, without a clue that their relationship had changed at all.

It's not like the restaurant was any better. In fact, it was probably even more awkward. Sure, Chad and Taylor were able to keep the couple conversing, but unfortunately, not with each other.

"So, man. Coach said that he's moving preseason practice up a week. So we only have a month and a half left of vacation." Chad said, taking a spoonful of spaghetti of his plate.

"Seriously?" Troy questioned. Gabriella gauged his reaction. He looked distressed, putting his head in his hands.

Gabriella suddenly felt terrible as well. She wondered why he was so upset. Since he was sitting next to her, Gabriella reached over to him and took his hand. He immediately looked up at her.

"Are you okay?" she asked. He sighed and glanced over her face before rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Don't worry about it." He gave her a small smile and released her hand. She returned the smile and went back to her conversation with Taylor, still worried about him.

"So, Taylor. Do I have a job? Do they know what happened?" Gabriella asked her friend who was sitting across from her. Taylor looked up after she finished chewing the food that was in her mouth.

"Yeah. I don't know if they're aware of the events, though. You were on your way to work when the accident happened."

Gabriella suddenly felt Troy's eyes on her; she turned her head to look at him.

"You work for an accounting firm as their public relations director. I called to let them know what happened. Your boss, Steven, feels terrible and said that you can take as much time off as you need." Troy said.

Gabriella had to try very hard to concentrate on what the young man was saying, rather than his eyes. She never noticed how… blue they were.

"Oh. Thank you." Gabriella quietly answered. She felt the entire table's eyes on her and suddenly felt very uncomfortable for what seemed like the hundredth time that day.

"May I be excused?" Gabriella asked her mother. She saw the older woman raise and eyebrow and mentally slapped herself. She wasn't sixteen anymore. She didn't need to ask permission to leave the table.

Gabriella got up and hurried to the courtyard of the restaurant. She needed time to be alone. Time to think about what was going on. Time to decide what her next move was going to be.

"Gabriella?" the young brunette heard her name and looked up to find blue eyes staring at her.

Troy walked over to the bench where his wife was and sat down next to her, clasping his hands together in his lap. He didn't know what propelled him to come after her, but he felt that it was his responsibility to take care of her. Just like it had been when she knew who he was.

Of course, it could have had something to do with the feeling in the pit of his stomach as he watched her walk outside, moments before. Troy couldn't help but feel responsible for making her uncomfortable. She was really having a hard time adjusting to the situation, and he wanted to make it better.

After all, he still loved her.

Troy took a deep breath and glanced at Gabriella. She was staring down at her hands.

"I know this must be really hard for you. I understand, and I want to make sure that you can be as comfortable as possible. If I'm doing anything wrong, please tell me." Troy said quietly, not looking at the woman sitting next to him.

Gabriella felt her heart crack under the weight of her husband's words. Did he really think that he was making her uncomfortable?

Well, he kind of was. But it wasn't his fault. It was hers.

"Troy, it's not you. It's just… the situation. I promise." The brunette answered. Troy looked at her and their eyes connected. She could see an emotion brewing behind them, but couldn't identify it.

"I'm really sorry about all of this. Especially my parents being at the hospital. I was an idiot not to realize introducing you to more people you didn't know would make you uncomfortable. You were…" Troy trailed off, averting his gaze again.

"I was what?" Gabriella asked gently.

"You were always like that." Troy said quietly. Gabriella nodded.

"I didn't mind your parents being there, Troy. You needed someone to watch Caleb while you talked to the doctor, and…probably someone to talk to." Gabriella sighed, knowing that she was blubbering like an idiot.

"I'm sorry Troy. You're not the one who should be feeling guilty. I have completely ruined your anniversary, and everything else. I feel terrible." Gabriella confessed. "I'm so sorry." She added, standing up and making her way towards the restaurant door.

She felt a hand pull her back, and realized that Troy was standing too.

"Don't ever be sorry, Gabriella. It's not your fault. Please don't feel that way." Troy said, and Gabriella nodded. He smiled gently at her and released her hand.

"Come on. I think that everyone's getting ready to leave." Troy said, opening the door for her.

Gabriella sat back down in her seat. She noticed the curious glance of Taylor, but chose to ignore it.

A sense of security washed over her when she heard the murmur of Troy's voice as he talked with his father. At least someone understood what she was going through.

"So, dude. What happened with you and Gabriella back there?" Chad asked his friend as the two made their way home in Troy's car. There were three cars in which all of the family and friends were split up in.

Troy and Chad, along with Caleb, had taken Troy's car, leaving Taylor and Gabriella to drive home in Chad's car. Carmen, Jack, and Lucille were in Carmen's rental. All of the family was headed back to Troy's house.

"It was nothing." Troy said, quickly glancing behind him to check on his sleeping toddler. Caleb was wiped out from the day's events. "I just wanted to make sure that she is comfortable."

"Well, man. I know it's been hard. She seems like a different person, to me at least. She looks like Gabriella, but doesn't really act like her, you know? She's so shy." Chad commented.

Troy kept his eyes on the road, suddenly feeling torn.

"She's always a little shy around people she doesn't know." Troy said.

"I'm so sorry, dude. It must be really hard on you." Chad patted his friend's back quickly.

"I just. God, I have no idea. My life is out of control. I can't believe Gabriella had that significant of an impact on me!" Troy let out a frustrated sigh.

"You're acting like she's dead. Gabriella survived, Troy. You have a lot to be thankful for."

"You're right. I would rather deal with this the rest of my life than to not be able to see her everyday."

"There you go, man. Think positive. Deep down inside, your wife loves you. She just doesn't know it." Chad began fumbling with the radio.

"Yeah, whatever." Troy shook his head and continued to drive.

"Okay, if I ask you a question, can you give me your complete and honest advice without being judgmental?" Gabriella asked Taylor, the girl whom she now considered her best friend.

Taylor took her eyes off the road and looked at the brunette sitting beside her. She nodded slightly.

"Anything you want to tell me, Gabs. I promise I won't judge you." Taylor encouraged.

Gabriella took a deep breath. "Okay, well. I know this sounds really weird and all, because you are friends with Troy and so is Chad, but… is it really weird of me to be worried about what is going to happen to Troy and I, tonight? We're going to be all alone, Caleb will be asleep, and we are barely talking to each other. And…I'm really not comfortable sharing a bed with him, you know? I kind of just want to be alone."

Taylor nodded, still keeping her eyes on the road. She refused to let Gabriella know how hurt Troy would've been if he heard that. He was trying so hard to make her feel comfortable.

"Are we just going to like, stare at each other? I mean, it's going to be so awkward." Gabriella let out a frustrated sigh and sunk low in her seat.

"Do you… want something more to happen?" Taylor questioned, hearing the tone of voice her friend spoke in.

Gabriella was surprised at her friend's question. Did she want something else to happen?

"No. I just don't want things to be more awkward than they already are." The brunette explained, glancing over at Taylor. "Why?"

"Do you find Troy… attractive? At all?" Taylor asked, knowing that she would be getting somewhere with the conversation.

"Well…" Gabriella didn't know what the right answer was to that question. Sure, she thought he was attractive. His blue eyes and his muscular body were very appealing, but it was his personality that she liked more than anything. Troy was strong, but gentle with her.

"Yeah. He's good looking." Gabriella confessed. She could have sworn that a small smile crossed Taylor's face. "Again, why do you ask?"

"No reason. Just…give him a chance. He really loves you. Even though you don't remember him, he still does." Taylor said, pulling into the driveway of Troy's house behind his car. "Well, this is your house. Don't make me explain why it isn't a mansion, please." Taylor joked.

"I don't care." Gabriella said in a mesmerized tone. "I love it!" she squealed, suddenly excited to see the inside.

Taylor grinned at her friend's reaction. "Well, we should get going. They're already here."

Both girls got out of the car and walked inside the house.

"Well, we'll see you tomorrow." Lucille said, giving her son a hug. "Be strong." She whispered in Troy's ear. He nodded.

Why was it freaking him out so much? Everyone was making this situation – being alone with Gabriella – seem like it was a death match where someone was going to die.

"Alright, and you too Carmen?" Troy turned his attention to his mother-in-law.

"Of course. Around… noon. Sound good?" she asked.

"Perfect." Gabriella spoke up. Taylor and Chad had already left and Gabriella hadn't spoken since. This was the part of the night that she had been dreading. Caleb shifted slightly in her arms and she smiled at the sleeping toddler.

"Well, goodbye sweetheart." Carmen said, gently hugging her daughter and giving her grandson a kiss on the forehead. "Relax." The older Montez reminded her daughter, and Gabriella let out a breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"Bye, Gabriella. I'm glad that you're okay. Goodnight you two!" Jack chimed in and Troy gently shut the door behind him and their mothers.

Gabriella could feel her heart beating frantically. She was so nervous to be alone in a house with Troy. What if she said something hurtful without knowing it?

"Well, you've seen the downstairs, let me show you around the second level." Troy said gently, motioning to the stairs behind him with his head.

Gabriella followed the young man upstairs to where he opened a door. The walls were painted blue and there was a racecar bed in the middle of the room. She smiled.

"This is Caleb's room. We should probably put him to bed." Troy mentioned, glancing at his sleeping son.

Gabriella nodded and placed her toddler in the middle of the racecar bed, covering him gently with covers. She kissed his forehead and stood back as Troy did the same, gently ruffling his hair.

After Troy closed the door, he walked across the hallway to open another one. Again, it was a bedroom, but not for a child.

"This is the guest bedroom." He commented, closing the door quickly, but not before Gabriella saw the black piece of luggage lying on the floor.

The last door was opened to reveal a rather spacey room with a balcony closed off by two glass doors. There was a table and chairs placed among it.

The bed was very large. Large enough to fit two people, Gabriella realized.

"Oh." She muttered, catching the attention of her husband. "The master bedroom." She said and he nodded his head.

"Yeah. This is where you're going to be sleeping. Here, let me show you the closet." He said, and walked across the room to another door.

Gabriella peeked inside to find that only half of it was filled with clothes. All were stuff she would wear.

"Where's your stuff?" she asked quietly, silently cursing as she saw a hurt look flash across his face and disappear just as quickly.

"I'm going to be staying in the guest bedroom. I thought it would be more comfortable for you if we were separated." He confessed, looking at his wife.

"Troy, I can sleep in the guest bedroom. You sleep in here all the time. I really don't mind. Please don't put yourself out just because of the situation." Gabriella reasoned.

"It's fine. I really don't mind." Troy said, glancing behind him toward the door. Gabriella realized that he was just as uncomfortable as she was.

"Well…" he started, scratching the back of his neck. "I should probably get to bed. Caleb usually wakes up around seven-thirty, so..." Troy took a small step backward. "If you need anything, let me know." He added, and turned around, only to feel a small hand slip into his.

"Troy." Gabriella started, slowly turning him around. "Thank you. For everything." She said, and wrapped her arms around him.

Troy, startled at first, returned the hug. It gave him a sense of happiness to know that she still was caring. Just like high school Troy thought.

"No problem. 'Night." Troy glanced into Gabriella's brown eyes and fought the growing urge to kiss her. Sure, it hurt that he couldn't be with her, but he was just going to have to give their relationship time.

The two adults got settled into their respective beds, each with a million different thoughts going through their head.

If only Troy and Gabriella knew how the next day's events were going to bring them just a little closer.

Yes, not many Troyella moments, but there will be in the next few chapters. Give them time! Lol.

Now that the whole hospital/accident situation is out of the way, and Gabriella is home, I can actually start writing now!

Those first few chapters were so boring to write, but now I'm so excited to get started on the next few!

Thanks for sticking with the story. Tell me what you thought about the whole meeting Caleb scene. I wasn't going to do it like that originally, but it came to me as soon as I typed the fist paragraph of the chapter.

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Wounded Sparrow

Preview of Next Chapter:

"I just…I didn't want to miss another one of Caleb's Christmases." Troy said.

…

Gabriella couldn't explain why, but she didn't mind hugging Troy. The way his arms wrapped around her was strangely comforting.

…

"So, flirting huh? Was it easy to flirt, or did you have to force it?" Taylor asked.