"Hi, Mrs. Peters!" Gabriella smiled at the grey haired, plump woman behind the counter in My Chicago, one of her favorite trinket shops. Gabriella looks up at one of her photos as it was currently hanging behind the cash register. There were shelves and shelves of beach knickknacks, jewelry, and other artwork. It was a fun place to wander around in.
"Gabriella," the woman came out from around the counter. "I see you have a delivery for me."
"Sure do," turning around Gabriella smiled at Troy who was holding all of her framed art work. "I hope you can use them."
"Of course I can, I'm just about out of the others you brought in last week." Mrs. Peters gushed as she came over to Troy. "She's becoming quite the popular artist."
Troy nodded as he motioned to the counter, "Should I just put this up here?"
"Would you please?" Mrs. Peters says as she puts on her glasses, "Who is this strapping young man, he's delicious."
"A friend, who volunteered to help me out today," Gabriella smirked as Troy set the artwork out on the counter. This morning she had every intention of getting rid of him but when she woke up he was standing in her kitchen making breakfast.
After four pancakes and a nibble of bacon she hurled it all back up as usual and he been right there at her side with a glass of water and towel. It was like waking up with puppy she hadn't asked for. He was cute to look at, adorable when he comforted her and annoying as hell when he wouldn't leave her alone.
Gabriella smiled as Mrs. Peters starts oohing and aahing at her recent work and sense of pride exploded in her chest when she turned around and said she'd take them all. They chatted at the counter while Mrs. Peters wrote out a check for last week's sales.
"How much money does this bring in?" Troy asked looking at the framed photos stacked on the counter top.
"Anywhere from three hundred to a grand," Gabriella tossed out as she folded her check so it could fit in her back pocket. "I have three stores on Michigan Ave. that sell my work, and I have some stores on State Street that I do custom orders for."
"Custom orders?"
Gabriella led their way out of the shop and onto the sidewalk outside, "You know if they want one of my pictures on mugs, cups, key-chains. That's where I make a little more money, but I also spend a little more money in materials. Mind you this is separate from my clients who come into the studio or book me for their weddings."
"Wow," Troy tucked his hands in his pockets. "I never really thought about what you did."
"Well don't feel bad, it runs in my family. Everyone just thinks I'm an idiot with a camera."
Troy frowned as he followed her back to his rental car. She was wearing a pair of short shorts that showed off her long tan legs and white tang top that hung so loosely on her that her bright pink bra showed from underneath. He was still shocked by all the tattoos and impressed by how little she could wear and still not show them off. "I don't think that."
Gabriella laughed came up to the car and tapped on the trunk. "Oh please," she sighed as she picked up her sunglasses and propped them in her messy up do. "Don't start lying to me now, you boys always made fun of my cameras, my degree, my job, hell even my clients are a joke to guys." Gabriella crossed her arms. "Are we forgetting what dinner table we were at last night?"
Troy let out a sigh as he hit the button, "I've never once said what you do is stupid."
Gabriella pulled the trunk open and pulled out some more framed art work. "But you've also never asked about it, taken up interest or looked at my work."
"Of course I have," Troy defended as he took the framed pieces from her. He had, hadn't he?
"Whatever helps you sleep at night," she said closing the trunk.
"After this," he said carrying the frames behind her, "want to go out for a drink, maybe try a new herbal tea or something?"
"Nope."
Troy frowned, "Why not?"
"Troy don't you have something to do?" Gabriella said turning around to face him. "A job, friends, anything?"
"I start next week, and I'll be damn if I let you go riding around on that thing anymore."
"It's called a vespa, and it's a perfectly safe way to get around." Gabriella frowned, another thing that pregnancy would soon make her give up. "And let's be clear, just because you're going to be my husband does not mean you're my keeper."
"Look you can do all sorts of things but you're not putting our child's life at risk by continuing to ride around on a vespa in the streets of Chicago."
"That's exactly what I mean. I don't need you to tell me the drivers here all approach the road like maniacs, I live here. I might not have a penis between my legs but my brain and rationality work just as well as yours."
"I never said they didn't," he said trying to keep his tone even. "But that's my child you're carrying around and if you think I not going to have concerns you're crazy."
"And it's my life," she countered. "If you think I'm going to let you tell me how to live it you're crazy."
"I'm not telling you how to do anything," how he held onto his patience, he did not know. "All I'm saying is that having a baby changes some things."
"You think I don't know that?" she said propping a hand on her hip. "You think I'm not aware of the responsibility I have to bring our child safety into this world? Do you think I'm not capable?"
"Gabriella," he took a breath. "Will you stop putting words in my mouth."
"Then stop putting doubts in mine," Gabriella walked past him and onto the sidewalk.
Half an hour later they were seated at the Bandera. One of her favorite places for a southwestern take on her American favorites over looking Michigan Avenue with live jazz nightly.
"So you like this place," Troy said looking around the restaurant at the décor.
"Sure do," Gabriella nodded as she leaned back in her seat, "You'll love the nachos."
Troy nodded as he watched her cautiously. "Can I ask you something?"
"Seriously," Gabriella said sitting up a little as she reached for her water, "I feel like you've been asking me something since you found out I was pregnant."
"Right," Troy said with smirk as he watched the waitress come over.
"What would ya'll like this afternoon?"
"We'll both have a grilled chicken salad," Gabriella answered as she handed over her menu.
"Any beer or wine you guys?"
"Water is fine," Troy interjected.
When the woman was gone Troy looked back at Gabriella curiously. "Why the different languages?"
Gabriella shrugged as she looked down at the table, "I don't want anyone to know what they say unless I tell them."
"That must make for some interesting bed play," he teased.
Gabriella shook her head, "No one's ever really asked about them before."
Troy narrowed his eyes, "Seriously?"
Gabriella shrugged her shoulders, "You're the only one." Gabriella bit her bottom lip before leaning back in her chair, "And so we're clear my brothers are to never find out about those."
"Why not?" he smiled.
"Because their mine, just for me. They have nothing to do with anybody else and I don't need their opinions or permission to have them."
Troy held up his hands, "Alright," he chuckled.
Gabriella laughed, "Hey I mean it, you'll find out soon enough. My brothers can be very vocal."
"Oh I know they can," Troy mumbled, "Which is why I think we need to go talk to Nick today."
Gabriella frowned as she let out a sigh. The mention of her brother's name hit her like a blow: the metaphorical elephant in the room spoken aloud.
"We will talk to him together," Troy reach out a hand to hers.
"It will probably be best if I spoke to him alone. He is my brother."
"And he's one of my closest friends. He's not going to be happy about this."
"Do we lie?"
"About the baby?" Troy frowned. He didn't want to lie to Nick, didn't think he could.
"In a month there's going to be no hiding the fact that I'm pregnant," Gabriella said quietly as she chew on her bottom lip. "But I don't want them to know that's the only reason were getting married."
"What do you want them to think?" Troy raised a brow.
Gabriella shrugged her shoulders, "If we do this," she said sitting up a little straighter. "I want them to think that we're head over heels with each other. We have to pretend this is a whirlwind romance."
Troy let out a low breath. "Fine, but you might want to start wearing this if we want people to believe this is real." Troy pulled out the ring box from last night and slid it across the table.
Her eyes opened the box and looked down at the trio of princess-cut diamonds with the largest one at an impressive 1-1/2 ct., set in perfect alignment atop the baguette-cut diamond-lined shank. This was it. This was her life now.
When Sharpay opened the door Troy was flooded emotions he didn't know how to explain. He expected to feel odd coming to see Nick with their news. He knew believing that this visit would end in celebration was asking for too much.
"Hey," Sharpay brushed her blond hair back over her shoulder, "What do we owe the pleasure?"
Troy let out a breath, "I wouldn't call it a pleasure just yet," he said looking past her and into the house. "Is Nick home?"
"Should be any minute," Sharpay moved aside from the doorway, she was still wearing a set of pink scrubs from her morning shift at children's memorial. "He texted not too long ago, you're dad had him making the bread today."
"Did you just get off work?" Gabriella asked as she walked inside behind Troy.
"Yeah," Sharpay shrugged her shoulders as she led them into the kitchen, "I actually came home early because I wasn't feeling well."
"Oh," Gabriella frowned as she pulled out a chair at the table to sit down. "We're so sorry to brother you, we can leave and come back when you're feeling better."
Sharpay let out a laugh, "Not unless you're planning on coming back in nine months."
Troy and Gabriella stopped what they were doing as Sharpay continued about her business in the kitchen.
"You're pregnant." Troy confirmed, a wave of unexpected sadness hit him and he tried to keep his tone even. Troy looked down at the kitchen table were Gabriella sat. Of course they should sit together. That what he agreed to. This image of a loving couple.
But he couldn't bring himself to sit.
"Honeymoon baby," Sharpay smiled. "I can't wait to tell Nick." She picked up a little gift bag from the kitchen counter. "I found the cutest onesie that says world's greatest daddy."
Troy tried to smile. Why do you care if she's pregnant with Nick's baby?
"Wow," Gabriella's voice cracked a little as she took the bag and held it in her hands. So this is what it's like when being knocked up is a good thing. Sharpay just found out about her baby and already the baby had a world greatest daddy onesie. Gabriella was seven weeks pregnant and all she had was marriage of convenience with someone who would never share a memory like this with her.
The news of their child was going to be forever remembered as this big mistake they had to clean up after. Everyone was going to welcome this baby with love and happy fondness because this baby was made from love. This baby had a family, people who had their lives together, who didn't fight all the time or accidentally have sex because they couldn't control their hormones. Suddenly without warning her eyes filled up with tears. What was everyone going to think of her baby?
"Oh," Sharpay's voice soften with concern, "I cried too."
"Right," Gabriella handed the bag back as she brought a hand up to cheek and wiped a tear away. "I have to use the restroom."
Troy watched as she left the kitchen and headed upstairs to the upstairs bathroom. His eyes landed on Sharpay who was smiling down at her tummy.
"We're so happy you stayed in Chicago, having you around for this pregnancy is like a sign that everything was meant to be."
Troy raised his brow. "You have no idea," he muttered as his nightmares unfolded before his eyes. He knew something like this would happen if he came back. He knew he'd end up having to watch Sharpay and Nick continue their life together, watch their family grow. He just hadn't expected it to happen this soon.
"Can you believe it? I'm going to be a mom."
"And Nick's going to be a dad," Troy said as he placed his hands on kitchen counter top. His eyes looked around the kitchen, around their house. The dishes in the sink, a fruit bowl on the counter. What he wouldn't give to have what they did.
His eye came back to Sharpay, her flushed cheeks, wavy hair in golden strands of silk. He remembered all the late nights as they stood up studying together. She loved medicine, loved nursing and he loved watching her read out of those biology books they use to pile up in the library. Those were some of the warmest memories he had of his undergrad years. Her.
"I'm home!" Nick came in through the front door and Troy watch with envy as he greeted his wife with kiss on the cheek.
A sharp pain twisted inside him and Troy looked away.
"Hey doc," Nick smiled as he reached for an apple from the bowl, "What are you doing here?"
Troy looked in the direction Gabriella disappeared to relived when he saw her coming down around the corner.
"We came here to see you."
"We?" Nick asked peeking down the hallway as he seen his sister enter the kitchen. "Hey sis,"
"Hey Nick," Gabriella said coming to stand by Troy. "Sharpay?" Gabriella tilted her head to the side as she motioned towards the bag, "Did you want to…"
"Oh," Sharpay jerked as she reached for her gift bag and put it away by the toaster for now. "It can wait."
"What can wait?" Nick said looking over at his wife then at Gabriella who holding Troy's hand. "What's going on?"
"Well," Gabriella began, "Troy and I have something we wanted to tell you first."
Immediately the light in her brother's eyes dimmed and became wary. "Tell me what?"
Troy shifted slightly and placed an arm around her waist. The gesture felt almost protective. "We're getting married," he said.
Sharpay's face fell and Nick let out a laugh. "Married?"
"Yes," Troy nodded, "We wanted you to be the first to know."
Gabriella inched her way in front Troy defensively. If they could make this look and sound as natural as possible, then they might have a fighting chance. At least that's what she told herself. "I love him Nick, and I want your blessing before I announce this to the rest of family."
"You two are getting married?"
"Yes," Gabriella confirmed.
"My little sister and my best friend?"
Sharpay placed a hand on Nick's shoulder, "Isn't that wonderful?"
"That's one way to describe it," Nick said taking a step forward. "When did all this happen?"
"Well we got to talking at your engagement party," Gabriella explained. They agreed to stay as close to the truth as possible. "Then we just started texting and calling each other. It wasn't until the wedding when we spent more time together that we realized we had feelings for one another."
"I see," Nick frowned, "and when exactly do you want to get married?"
"Well we haven't really thought about it too much," Gabriella said, "but I don't see the point in hanging around. I'm sure we can put a small wedding together in couple of weeks."
"That soon huh?"
Troy's hand grabbed Gabriella's as he pulled her from in front of him, bringing her back to his side so he was closer to Nick.
Neither man spoke.
Suddenly Gabriella became aware that the atmosphere in the kitchen wasn't the warm welcoming feeling she intended. This was cold.
As she looked from her fiancé to her brother, taking in the two sets of lips clamped firmly together, her heart sank.
Nick hadn't brought a single word of what she'd said. And Troy knew it.
"Are you pregnant?" Nick asked looking at her briefly, his tone causal.
Sharpay's gasp was the only sound in the kitchen as Gabriella swallowed, stupidly unprepared for the question. She placed her arm protectively across her waist.
This time he directed the same question to Troy. There was no denying the menace in his stance. "Did you get my little sister pregnant?"
Troy drew himself up to his full height. It was like watching two silverbacks square each other up. Both men were equal in stature, both topping six foot and in extremely good shape.
"Yes. Gabriella is pregnant with my baby and we have agreed to get married. We both want to do the right thing by our child."
"The right thing by your child?" Nick snarled, his face ablaze with fury. "What about my sister? What the hell were you doing messing with her in the first place?"
"I'm not going to lie to you," Troy tried to keep his tone calm even with the hint of steel underneath them. "Neither of us meant for this to happen. But it has happened, Gabriella is pregnant with my child and I am going to support them both every way I can."
"So she was a one-night stand?" Nick nostrils flared, "Is that what you're telling me? We invited you into our home, we treated you like family and this is the respect you show us?"
Troy didn't respond, he kept his gaze fixed evenly on Nick.
"Nick," Gabriella uttered.
Nick threw his hands up, "Well," he said his voice raising, "You said neither of you meant it to happen, so I'm going to ask this one more time." There was a dangerous tone in voice. "Was she just a one-night stand to you?"
"Yes."
If Troy had intended to elaborate on his one-syllable answer, his words went unsaid when Nick's arm shot out like a bullet.
"Nick no!" but her scream came too late to prevent her brother's fist connecting with Troy's nose, a loud crack bounced off the kitchen walls on impact.
Troy dropped to the floor and immediately Gabriella was at his side. Blood spilled from his nose.
"What did you do that for?" Gabriella shouted as she checked his pulse. Of all the scenarios that had played itself out in her head, this was not an outcome she had prepared for.
She should be getting used to that.
"I can't believe you would come here and think this would be okay," Nick said shaking his hand out.
Sharpay was at their side immediately with a washcloth wrapped around some ice for Troy's nose. "Here keep pressure on it. Have him sit up straight and lean forward slightly"
"He doesn't need help," Nick growled, "He needs a castration. You're my sister."
"You're such a hypocrite," she shot back, "The majority of the women you've slept with have been someone's sister. He's your best friend."
"Not anymore. And I'm not stupid about those other women being someone's sister the point here is that you're my sister. This should have never happened."
"No, I was your sister." Gabriella said helping Troy off the floor. "After what you've done you can't just forget that I exist. I don't even want you at my wedding."
"Good luck with that!"
"I don't need your luck."
Nick let out a laugh as he shoved the bowl of fruit off the table, "Go head, if you think the rest of the family is just gonna jump for joy about this you got another thing coming."
Through the ringing in his ears Troy could hear the sound of muffled talking and arguing. He could hear Gabriella yelling as they moved. Where were they going? Through the lacing pain he realized that Sharpay was also helping him walk towards the door.
Well, that had gone better than he'd anticipated.
