Okay here we go again…be ready for some twist and turns in the upcoming chapters. I hope you guys are still with me on this one. This chapter can also go along with my one shot Zekepay, called "Final Goodbye or See You Later".

New Start

Taylor closed her book enthusiastically, "Finally I'm done, no more papers!" she squealed.

"Lucky you" moaned Zeke, "I still have one more assignment to turn in after this one" he said looking at his book bag in disgust.

Graduation was suddenly upon them, faster than either Zeke or Taylor expected. Nothing had changed between Taylor and the rest of the graduating Wildcats; they all just ignored one another, or more like ignored her and Zeke. Gabriella barely looked at her and Troy acted as if she was non existent. Some how Chad and Troy were talking but their friendship had definitely taken a hit, and Sharpay still gave Taylor the evil eye whenever she could. But Zeke stood by her through it all, and with him by her said, she really didn't care about the hate that was being spewed her way, she noticed it alright but she didn't care anymore. Anyway East High and Albuquerque was about to be a distant memory.

"You'll be done soon enough Zeke" said Taylor encouragingly while smiling.

"Why are you so happy?" he asked.

"Because high school is almost over, and I won't have to see these people on an everyday basis anymore. I can just concentrate on the baby and myself" she said confidently while rubbing her stomach. She was officially in her second trimester and her belly was starting to take that round shape.

"Uh huh" said Zeke quietly. He bent down and looked right at Taylor's slightly protruding stomach, "When is your mama gonna tell me she planned on high tailing it out of Albuquerque as soon as the graduation ended" he said innocently talking to Taylor's stomach.

Taylor's mouth dropped open in shock. She thought she had kept her plans to herself, "How the hell did you find out?" she said narrowing her eyes at Zeke.

"Ah ah, Uncle Zeke is talking to the baby right now" he said smartly, "You know your mom is a slight genius" he said continuing to talk to the baby, "but sometimes she lacks common sense". Taylor gasped at his insult and hit him upside of his head, "Zeke stop playing…how did you find out?" she asked impatiently.

"See she failed to realize" he continued, "that she left brochures for the apartment building she's moving into out on her desk" he said still ignoring her and talking to his future niece or nephew, "so I called and noticed that she has leased an apartment in her name, and planned on moving in the day after graduation". Taylor sighed heavily and rolled her eyes to the side, "Damn it…I'm not leaving right after graduation, I'm leaving the following day" she said smartly.

"Yeah damn it" said Zeke seriously, "you weren't gonna tell anybody! Just move clear across the country…to Maryland! What were you thinking?!" he said looking at Taylor.

Taylor clicked her tongue in annoyance, "I was thinking that I wanted to start over, to get away. Just me and my baby, a new and fresh start" she said quietly.

"Sounds more like you're running away to me" said Zeke harshly. He was clearly upset at Taylor for not telling him her plans.

"Zeke!" she said offended, "That's not it at all and you know that…It's just time for me to move on from everything. I can't stand the tension anymore and frankly I don't care about those people, I'm over the whole thing" she said.

"Well I know that not to be true, it's clear you still care about Troy and Gabriella, you just don't want to deal with them because they don't want anything to deal with you at the moment. Besides we're about to graduate Taylor, you won't have to see those people anymore until you're ready!" he said, trying to convince her to stay.

"It's not just Troy and them, it's here too" she said pointing around her room, "This doesn't feel like home to me, I'm clearly not welcomed or wanted here…I just don't want to feel this way anymore Zeke, and I definitely don't want my baby to feel what I'm feeling now. He or she deserves better than that…and a fresh start is the only thing I can think of to make sure my baby gets the love and caring it deserves" she said quietly.

Zeke looked around her room quietly before responding, "I understand that Taylor, I really do. I guess I'm just pissed because you didn't tell me and I don't understand why" he said putting his eyes back on Taylor.

"Because Zeke…I know you" she sighed, "you would drop everything and come with me…and I ruined your life enough. You and Sharpay are at odds, and your parents think you're irresponsible. I just want you to go to college and do what makes you happy and not worry about me and my many mistakes" she said softly while holding her head down.

"What if what makes me happy is taking care of one of my best friends" said Zeke just as softly, looking at Taylor. She snapped her head up quickly and looked at the man in front of her, "You consider me one of your best friends" she asked questioningly, raising her eyebrows.

"Well yeah…we've gotten really close of these last couple of months. I mean the only person I've ever been this close to was Sharpay. Taylor you're not this mean person that people keep trying to make you out to be. You're a human being who made some mistakes, that's no reason to treat you with such disrespect. You need and want a friend…and I'm that guy" he said quietly, "besides I've been packed for the past couple of weeks" he said nonchalantly.

"Zeke you are not going with me!" said Taylor emphatically, "Not gonna happen!" she said shaking her head, "You're gonna stay here and go to school and be with your family and Sharpay…okay" she said.

"Taylor please…you can't tell me what I can and cannot do. I already told my parents…my dad gave me two grand, and I already let Sharpay know" he said irritably.

Taylor's mouth hung open, "Zeke…I…you can't go okay…and that's final!" she said trying her best to sound authoritative.

"Taylor I'm going and you can't stop me" said Zeke calmly.

"Zeke! Don't disregard my feelings about this…I don't feel comfortable about you leaving your family and running across the country with me!" said Taylor.

"Taylor!" was Zeke's only response. Somehow Taylor knew that the conversation was over and she shouldn't press the issue…for now. Zeke had a way of letting you know that once his mind was made up, there was nothing you could do to change it, and he had a way of doing that by saying one word…usually your name…and in such a tone, that you had to look at him twice to make sure it came from him.

Taylor got up and walked to her desk to put her final paper and her textbook in her back pack, "So when did you tell Sharpay?" asked Taylor quietly.

"The night of the prom" he responded, looking down at his paper he needed to finish.

All of the senior activities they had missed out on by choice…especially prom. Instead Zeke took Taylor out to a nice Italian restaurant and took her back to his place where they slow danced in the middle of his living room for most of the night. After their impromptu dancing he dropped her back off at her place because he wanted to go see Sharpay for the rest of the evening. Needless to say she didn't hear back from Zeke until the following afternoon where he looked a little anguished but she didn't press the issue.

"I'm guessing she didn't take it to well" said Taylor.

"Nope…not at all" he said, "Neither did my parents…but somehow my mom convinced my dad to give me some money. He used the money he had saved up for college for me…only gave me two grand, and said I was on my own for the rest" said Zeke shutting his book, he had enough of school work for the day. "How did you end up getting the money for the apartment?" asked Zeke curiously.

"Believe or not my dad" said Taylor sitting back down on the bed.

"Seriously" said Zeke arching his eyebrow.

"Yeah…I told my mom about me moving and she obviously told him. He walked in early one morning and handed me an envelope and walked out without saying one word. I opened it and it was a bank account with my name on it. It had about seventeen grand in the account…I'm guessing it was the money they had saved up for me to go to college also. Not to mention I still had money left over from what I earned at Lava Springs…so I'm pretty set, just gotta get this graduation over with" she said.

"Don't you mean we're set" said Zeke smirking.

Taylor chuckled lightly. It wasn't gonna be possible to get rid of Zeke anytime soon…and secretly she was grateful for it, "Yeah I guess we're set to go" she said smiling back at him.

The last week of school for seniors went by very hastily. Before Zeke and Taylor knew it they were seated with their graduating class in the middle of the graduation ceremony. Taylor fit her graduation robe nicely; you could barely notice the little person growing inside of her. To her amazement both her parents showed up and cheered her on as she walked across the stage. Between Zeke and her parents they were the only ones clapping that she really noticed. Gabriella had beaten her out for valedictorian only by a couple of points, but she was happy none the less. She didn't have to worry about speeches…all she had to worry about was her new start with her baby, and her pretend baby's daddy Zeke.

When Zeke name was called out, Taylor stood up and clapped and cheered along with Zeke's parents. She was so proud of her new best friend and the sacrifices he was making for her and her offspring. Before long the final Pomp and Circumstance was played and the graduates officially had a high school diploma; Taylor was standing in a circle with her parents and Zeke's parents, Taylor's mom was trying to convince her and Zeke to eat something as a family before they headed to the airport, and Mrs. Baylor had just informed them that she made a huge dinner for both her and Zeke and she wasn't going to let her grandchild starve to death on an airplane heading for the east coast. What they didn't know was that weren't actually leaving until the next day and had gotten a hotel, so they could enjoy their last night in Albuquerque together…but in style.

Zeke was conceding defeat, much to Taylor's annoyance, when he noticed Sharpay heading towards them from the corner of his eye, "Um…Zeke can I talk to you in private" said Sharpay softly once she had finally reached their self made circle. Zeke sighed, "Sure" he responded quietly as he turned and walked with Sharpay to a nearby tree. They stood still in an awkward silence for sometime, "So what's up Sharpay?" asked Zeke quietly.

"So today's the day you leave?" said Sharpay suddenly.

"Ah…actually its tomorrow, we just wanted to get away from everything today" replied Zeke.

Sharpay looked away from him and starred into the distance, "So you're definitely going to leave?" asked Sharpay as her eyes started to tear.

"Yes" he said strongly, "if this is all you're going to ask Sharpay, than I'm about to leave. I've got some last minute packing to finish and Taylor and I need to get to the hotel…." said Zeke about to walk away.

"I just wanted to say goodbye is all…you haven't said two words to me since prom and I just wanted to spend sometime with you before you left" said Sharpay angrily.

"Why didn't you just say that?" asked Zeke quietly.

"Because…it's hard for me…to just let you go. And you were gonna leave without saying anything" she said quietly obviously hurt by Zeke's lack of attention.

"I honestly didn't think you wanted me around Sharpay, we haven't exactly been on good terms, and that was way before prom night" he said quietly. "Look Sharpay I have a lot to do before we get on the plane so…I guess this is goodbye for now" he said softly as his eyes started to pool with water. He reached out and pulled her into a tight hug, while he nuzzled his face into her hair.

Sharpay fought back tears as she pulled away, "Unacceptable Zeke…I'm having a party, and it would mean so much to me if you showed up there for a proper goodbye" she said quietly.

Zeke sighed heavily, "I'll try my best" he said quietly.

"That's all I'll ask of you" she said, as she walked away abruptly. If she didn't leave she would turn into a babbling mess of emotions and nobody needs to see that on the day you're supposed to celebrate.

Taylor sat in the bed at the hotel room she and Zeke had reserved for themselves, rubbing her stomach contently. The dinner at Mrs. Baylor was actually really good, and now she knew where Zeke had acquired his good cooking skills. Zeke had left some time ago, stating he had to run an 'errand' but she knew that he went to talk to Sharpay. Taylor had said her goodbyes to her parents, her mom showed her affection for the first time in weeks by hugging her for a really long time and giving her well wishes. Her dad even got slightly emotional as he embraced her once Taylor and Zeke were ready to leave. Zeke's dad gave him some advice and a pat on the back. Mr. Baylor didn't say anything to Taylor…he was obviously suspicious of her and she knew it…she smartly kept her distance from him.

Even though she was about to leave New Mexico for good, she still thought of Troy often…not only Troy but Gabriella. But more often than not her thoughts were always about Troy and his baby that was growing inside of her. She thought about if she was making the right decision, or if she would be a good parent, or even if her baby would love her. It was hard to let Troy go, even though he was being a complete ass she truly loved him…maybe even more than Gabriella…and that scared her completely.

She heard the door unlock and she knew Zeke was back from his 'errand'. Zeke walked in and plopped down on the bed, resting his head in Taylor's lap, "So…how was Sharpay?" she asked knowingly. Zeke just grunted while Taylor rubbed his head softly, "You know you're going to miss her…so stop frontin" she said.

"Yeah I know…but I made a promise and I'm sticking to it" he said quietly as his eyes closed in enjoyment to Taylor's caressing, "You won't believe what she gave me as a going away present" he said.

"What…some lovin" she said laughing, "that's not a surprise at all".

"Ha ha, very funny McKessie…but no, even though that would have been nice, but she gave me this" he said digging down into his leg pocket. He grabbed the envelope and handed it to Taylor. "Oh my goodness Zeke, there's nothing but fresh hundreds in here" said Taylor in shock, "How much is it?" she questioned.

"Nine thousand" he said nonchalantly.

"Nine…nine thousand dollars Zeke! She just handed it to you!" shouted Taylor.

"Yeah…I tried to give it back but she wasn't having it. I'm just gonna open up an account when we get there and put half of the money in, and keep the other half for getting the apartment set-up and expenses" said Zeke, "C'mon Tay, you stopped rubbing my temple…I feel a headache coming on".

"Urgh…I spoil you too much Baylor" said Taylor rubbing her hands through his hair and then rubbing his temples, "You need a hair cut also" she said.

"I'll get one when we get to Maryland" he said yawning. "I'm guessing Sharpay use to do this for you" said Taylor continuing her massage.

"Yeah…she did, now it's your job" he said laughing, "I think it's a fair trade".

"I think so too" said Taylor laughing.

They both showered and got ready for bed Zeke suggested they watch a movie and just relax on their last night in New Mexico. Zeke ordered some movie snacks, and started the movie. Zeke decided he would lye in Taylor's bed until she fell asleep, which he knew would be soon because she had an exhausting day. The movie started and within ten minutes Taylor's eyes were almost completely shut, when a sudden knock appeared at the door, freighting Taylor out of her slumber and confusing Zeke.

"Did anybody know where we would be staying?" asked Zeke getting up to answer the door.

"Not to my knowledge" replied Taylor sitting up on the bed.

Zeke opened the door and was completely surprised, "Gabriella" he said shocked.

"Hey Zeke…I was wandering if Taylor was here" she said softly.

"Uh yeah" he said opening the door wider and standing to the side, "Um how did you find out we were here?" he asked as she walked into the hotel room.

"Sharpay told me, she actually bought me here" she said.

"Sharpay is here?!" said Zeke loudly.

"Uh yeah, she's actually waiting in the car…she said she already said her goodbye to you" said Gabriella quietly, as she looked Taylor directly in the eyes, "I just wanted my chance" she said while sitting on the bed next to Taylor.

Taylor broke eye contact with Gabriella and glanced at Zeke, who hunched his shoulders in confusion, "How did Sharpay find out where we were staying?" asked Taylor.

"It's Sharpay…she does her homework" said Gabriella.

Zeke shook his head in understanding and went and sat down on the empty bed. There was complete silence as each person was trying to gather thoughts, "Uh Zeke, would you mind giving us some privacy" said Gabriella quietly. Zeke stood up to leave but Taylor stopped him suddenly.

"No…" said Taylor loudly, "I want him to stay, whatever you have to say to me you can say it in front of him" she said assuredly. She motioned with her eyes for Zeke to sit back down, which he did quickly.

"Okay then" started Gabriella, "Um, I'm kinda upset that you didn't tell me you were leaving…"

"Gabrielle look…" said Taylor.

"Please let me finish uninterrupted" said Gabriella seriously. Taylor closed her mouth as she looked at her former lover, she could tell Gabriella was very serious and she knew just by looking her in the eyes how much she had hurt her.

"You know before we started sleeping with one another…we were best friends. And I'm mad because my best friend didn't have the decency to tell me she was leaving. No matter what happened between us and how angry we were with one another, I still expected you to tell me something as important as this and at least to give me a proper goodbye" she said breathing heavily, while fighting back tears. "Did you ever even love me?" she questioned quietly, looking down at her hands.

Taylor sighed, "Of course I love you Gaby".

"Then why are you treating me with such disregard…I mean Taylor you're moving across the country and you didn't even tell me. You haven't talked to me in weeks" said Gabriella with tears coming down her eyes, "You can't love somebody and continually treat them like this" she said trying to wipe the tears away from her face.

"Gabriella please give me a break…I love you and I always have and I always will. You're mad because I don't love you the way you want me to…you want us to be together…be girlfriends in the romantic sense and I can't give you that right now…I don't think I will ever be able to give you that again. I have to look out for more than just me…I have a baby now and my first priority will be my baby not my romantic life" rushed out Taylor.

Gabriella looked up at Taylor, "You never read my letter did you?" she asked.

"What?!" asked Taylor confused.

"The letter I gave you Tay…did you ever read it" said Gabriella annoyed.

"No I didn't…I've had other stuff to worry about" said Taylor honestly, "I don't know what you want from me Gabriella but this is getting old quick. I've said sorry I don't know how many times, it's up to you to forgive me and move on. Damn, this is part of the reason I'm leaving I can't handle all of this drama anymore" she said exasperated.

Gabriella looked at Taylor completely hurt. Tears rushed out of her eyes as she looked at the woman she loved more than anything, it was truly over and all she needed was the confirmation from Taylor herself. Tears started to fall out of Taylor's eyes unwillingly, "What do you want from me Gaby" she said quietly.

Gabriella stood up, "I just wanted to say goodbye and I was hoping you would say goodbye to me too" said Gabriella quietly as she walked towards the door. Taylor got up and rushed after her and turned Gabriella around, she pulled her into a tight hug and whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry Gaby but I have to do this for me and my baby. I love you and you will always be one of my best friends and one of my first loves. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner and if I hurt you more…that was never my intention. I guess I'm saying goodbye and thank you for everything you have ever done for me".

Gabriella pulled away from her and looked Taylor in the eyes, "Bye Tay, I hope your new life is everything you want it to be. Send me a pick of the baby when it gets here" sad Gabriella sadly. She walked up to Taylor and kissed her softly on the lips, Taylor deepened the kiss, against her better judgment; whenever it came to kissing Gabriella she was always weak. Gabriella pulled away and kissed her softly on the lips again before walking to the door to make her exit, "Bye Tay" she said softly and closed the door.

"Bye Gaby" she replied just as softly. She walked over and sat across from Zeke, "You're doing the right thing" said Zeke.

"Yeah I know…I just don't like hurting her" said Taylor rolling her eyes and lying down on her bed, "I can't wait until were out of here Zeke, tomorrow can't come fast enough".

"I hear ya" he said lying down on his bed also. "You know Taylor that kiss between you and Gabriella was pretty hot…I can see why she didn't want to let you go so easily" he said laughing. Taylor picked up her spare pillow and threw it directly at Zeke, to which he responded in laughter, "Hey you know I'm telling the truth".

"I hope that one day, I can catch you in the act with Sharpay" she said giggling. Taylor waited for the laughing to subside, "You think she told Troy?" she asked quietly.

"She probably will eventually, but not tonight" he responded quietly. "You didn't want to see Sharpay?" she asked.

"Naw…we made our peace for now" he said quietly. "It's sleepy time now Taylor, we've got a big day tomorrow. Get some rest" he said closing his eyes and getting comfortable.

"Alright….thanks" she said quietly yawning. Her new life was starting tomorrow but all she could think about was her old one. The same questions kept lingering and she was nervous about what the future held. Even though she was scared beyond belief she knew that moving on was the best thing for her and her new family. She listened to Zeke snoring lightly and watched as his chest moved up and down while she rubbed her stomach. She continued to stare at him and think about her past and future until she finally fell asleep.

8 Months Later

Zeke was in Taylor's room watching his nephew sleep; he was a little over a month old. To say he was the perfect mix of Troy and Taylor was an understatement. He had a head full of dark and large curled hair, a mix between the shape of Troy and Taylor's eyes, and the color of his eyes was a perfect shade of blue just like his fathers. He had Troy's smile and Taylor's cute button nose and dimples, and he had a light tan to him, but Taylor swore he would get a little darker as he got older.

Zeke looked over at Taylor's sleeping frame and remembered back to the day his nephew was born. He shuddered as he remembered all the labor pains that Taylor was in the loud noises she made while giving birth. Once the baby was out they immediately handed him to Taylor, and Zeke cut the umbilical cord. Zeke watched as Taylor fell in love again for the third time…some how he knew this love was deeper than all the others combined. Taylor beckoned Zeke to her and she told him the baby's name.

"Zeke I already know what I'm gonna name him" she said as tears were streaming down her face.

"And what's that Tay" he said smiling down at the both of them like a proud papa.

She took a deep breath, "Tristan Gabriel Ezekiel McKessie" she said happily looking at her son and putting her pinky finger in his mouth. The baby started to suck her finger instantly as she giggled at his action, "I'm still confused on whether to hyphen his name as Baylor or Bolton" she said seriously.

"Good Lord Taylor, how many names is the boy gonna have" said Zeke laughing.

"Well I gave a name for each person in my life, Tristan for Troy and me, Gabriel for Gabriella, Ezekiel for you and McKessie for me again" she said innocently. Honestly I named them in order of the people I fell in love with.

"You fell in love with me Taylor" said Zeke nervously. His heart still belonged to Sharpay.

"Of course I did…as a brother silly" she said while laughing at him.

"Well in that case it should be Bolton…because like it or not that's his dad" said Zeke knowingly.

"But you're gonna help raise him" she said knowingly and earnestly.

"Yeah I am, but as Uncle Zeke…not daddy" he said quietly.

"Than in that case" she said looking down on her son, "you are officially named Tristan Gabriel Ezekiel McKessie-Bolton" she said smiling at him.

"Sounds good to me Tay" Zeke said smiling at them both.

Zeke looked at the small body of his nephew, he was wandering when he was gonna call Troy and tell him that his son had been born. Taylor was adamant that she wasn't ready to deal with Troy and his foolishness, from the emails Zeke had gotten from Sharpay…Troy was still be very immature about the whole situation. She wanted her son to feel love around him at all times, and not feel rejected. Zeke said he would hold off calling Troy but he didn't no how long he would wait…a father should know about their child no matter the circumstances.

Back in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Gabriella looked up as Troy walked into her hospital room. She didn't say anything to him, but Troy made his way over to her and sat down on the bed. Troy looked at Gabriella and genially smiled at her, "How you feeling Gabriella?" he asked.

"Very tired" she answered honestly, "Who knew it would be so hard" she said softly.

"Yeah who knew" said Troy. There was an awkward silence between the two, "Gabriella I'm sorry…I've been a total jerk to you. I just didn't know how to deal with everything…I was hurting and I wanted you to hurt too. I'm sorry for cheating on you and not being honest with you and myself" he said softly.

"I'm sorry too Troy and I understand…I really do but you owe a bigger apology to another person" she said quietly.

Troy sighed weakly, "Yeah I know" he said. He looked over to the right of the room and stared. Gabriella followed his eyes knowing immediately what he was looking at.

"What's his name?" he asked quietly.

"Jackson…I always knew you liked that name" she said quietly.

"His middle name?" he questioned.

"Taylor…self explanatory" she said, chuckling to herself. Troy instinctively laughed knowing exactly what she meant.

"And his last name?" he asked.

She sighed heavily and sat back in her bed, "Troy go meet your son" she said as tears started to come down her eyes.

Troy walked over to the crib on the right side of room and looked at his son. He was the spitting image of his mother, except for his eyes. They were blue like his; it was almost like looking into his own eyes. Tears slide down his face, 'How can something this beautiful come from a situation that was so messed up' he thought to himself. Troy Bolton had officially fallen in love, as he picked his son up. He didn't know why but Taylor popped into his head at that moment, as she often did, he knew she had her baby by now, but he started to wander if he had more than one child as Gabriella had been suggesting for months.