A/N: Since everyone was so nice to the last chapter. I decided to start writing the next one as soon as I got home from school. Now if your reading my other stories, I'm going to update even slower, since I really want to get this one finished. I say, at least 3 more chapters, and a epilogue maybe...so once this is done, I'll probably start updating faster and things, also since school is almost over, I can catch up on my writing during the summer. Who says you lose knowledge over the summer? Also, nows the moment you've all been waiting for...THE COURT TRIAL!! Dun, Dun, DUN!!!
Troy paced his bedroom, again and again. He was wearing his tuxedo, and was ready for the big day ahead of him. Today was his court hearing. He was nervous. Extremely nervous. What if he lost custody of Alex? What if he had to have joint custody? What if his promise was broken? Would Alex talk to him ever again? All of these questions were traveling through his mind. He couldn't afford to lose her. Not Alex. Not his only daughter. He needed her. He paced the room some more. Taking a deep breath, when someone knocked on his door. "Come in." He said loud enough for them to hear it. The door opened revealing Gabriella. She smiled slightly. "Hey." Troy looked at her, not saying a thing. He walked to his bed, sitting on it. She sat next to him, taking his hand in hers. "Everything is going to be okay. Don't worry, everything is gonna be just fine."
"No its not. Since when was losing her...'okay'?"
"Your only going to lose her id you keep thinking like that. Troy, you have to have faith, and hope for the best. Its whats best. For you, for Alex, for her future."
"If only you could be apart of it."
"Troy...I will be apart of it, I'm here for you. For both of you. Not only as your girlfriend, but as your best friend."
"Alex, doesn't want you with us, I don't understand why. She loves you. I know she does. The only thing is she doesn't know." he looked up into her eyes, he thought he saw hurt. "You okay Gabs?"
"I'm fine. I kinda expected Alex to not like me. I knew it was going to be hard for her. Knowing that her daddy has a girlfriend. Its a lot on a kid. Especially Alex, I mean she has to worry about who's house she's going to be staying at. She shouldn't have to go through this."
"I know, and it sucks knowing that she has to put up with this. She's only five! A five year old can only take so much. You know?"
"Yeah, I do. But isn't it best that she goes through it now? When she doesn't understand whats going on? So she doesn't really care as much? Instead of going through it when it can screw up her life..."
"Her life is already screwed." Troy said surprising Gabriella. "If I wouldn't of made that mistake back in college, she wouldn't have to go through it. She wouldn't have to suffer. If I would've drunk so much, and was able to keep my damn hands off of Summer, Alex wouldn't be here. In this mess. On top of that, she lives in the spotlight. Were people are constantly judging her. Which is bullshit, since she's only five. I screwed up Alex's life. Its all my fault she's in this mess. Its my mistake, and I can't fix it..." Troy was cut off by the sound of something breaking. Troy quickly left the room, and walked into Alex's room to see what the noise was about. "Alex are you...what did you do?!" he demanded, looking at the trashed room. It had clothes everywhere, and the lamp was pushed off of her bedside table. "Are you mad at me?" she asked, innocently.
"A little. Why did you push it off the table."
"I didn't push it, I tried to pack it up, in my suitcase, and it was to big for me."
"Al, why are you packing?"
"To live with Summer, silly."
"Your not living with Summer."
"Why? You don't want me here!"
"Yes I do Allie."
"No you don't. I was a mistake! I don't know what it means, but it doesn't sound good!"
"Who ever said you were a mistake?!"
"You did!"
"You were listening to me and Gabi's conversation, weren't you?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I wanted to tell you something, but you were busy."
"Al, I can't believe you right now. Go and get in the car. Its time to go."
"Mommy was right! You don't love me!" She said running down the stairs and to the car, climbing in, and covering her face with her hands. Troy sighed. This was going to be harder than he thought. Gabriella looked at him. "This isn't good."
"I know."
"Come on, maybe the car ride won't be as bad."
In The Car
Troy looked at Alex through the rear view mirror. "Alex, you won't be able to sit with me and Gabi. You'll have to be in a special room, okay?" She didn't answer. (btw, i'm not sure about that, but in this story its gonna happen.) Troy looked at her, and she saw his eyes in the mirror, she quickly turned her head. Troy frowned. Gabriella giggled, "She's just as stubborn as you were." she whispered, so only Troy could hear. He smiled slightly.
The Court Room
Troy walked in, sitting on his side of the courtroom, with his lawyer...Taylor McKessie. He smiled at her, more comfortable with the fact that she was his lawyer than some other attorney. He looked on the other side, glancing at Summer and her attorney. Tom Nick. Taylor told Troy that Tom had never lost a case before. Troy was hoping today would be his first. The judge, Meredith Adams, came in. The bailiff said "All rise for Judge Adams." Everyone stood, as the Judge sat. "You may be seated." her voice said calmly. "The case of Watson vs Bolton for custody of Alexandra Bolton is now in session." she banged her gavel. "Mr. Nick" Mrs. Adams gestured. "Good evening your honor, and ladies and gentlemen of the jury, my client..."
"Mr. Nick, skip the opening please, I'll ask you to do the same Ms. McKessie." Taylor nodded her head. "Okay, your honor. I will like to call my client Ms. Summer Watson to the stand." Summer stood up walking to the stand to be sworn in. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? So help you god?" the bailiff said loud and clear. "I do." Summer said taking a seat. "Ms. Watson, you have had a previous relationship with Mr. Bolton, am I correct?"
Nick asked walking closer to the stand. "Yes, I did."
"Was it a good one?"
"Yes."
"Were you two in love with one another?"
"Yes." Troy frowned. How could he ever think he was in love with her?
"So when Alexandra was born, you both we're very happy, am I right?"
"Yes."
"Okay, did you do your share in taking care of Alex?"
"Yes."
"Why did Troy end up with her then?"
"Something came up, and I was forced to abandon my family."
"Did you ever try to go back to them, when that something was resolved?"
"Yes, but Troy had moved to L.A and taken on a new career."
"What do you mean 'taken on a new career'?"
"As in, he didn't always want to be a professional basketball player. He wanted to be a doctor."
"Why do you think he didn't pursue that career?"
"He had a kid. And maybe having a child stopped him, from as you say it, pursuing his career."
"Nothing further your honor." Nick said motioning Summer to step down, but Taylor stood up. "Your honor, I would like to ask Ms. Watson some questions."
"Go ahead." Taylor nodded her head. "Ms. Watson, in your testimony you stated that 'you were forced to abandon your family', right?" Taylor asked emphasizing the word forced. "Yes, yes I did."
"Would you like to elaborate on that, the fact that you were forced to abandon your child and boyfriend?"
"Its too emotional."
"Right, too emotional. And we wouldn't possibly want you to be uncomfortable in this situation."
"Ms. McKessie..." Judge Adams began. "Sorry, your honor. So you think, Ms. Watson, that my client decided not to be a doctor anymore because he had a child?"
"Yes."
"Nothing further." Summer stepped down from the stand. "Your honor I would like to call my client Mr. Troy Bolton to the stand." Taylor announced. She looked at Troy. The worry written all over his face. He stood to the stand, getting sworn in. "Do you sear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? So help you god?" "I do." Troy took a seat, worried. "Mr. Bolton, how do you feel on the matter?"
"Worried, I might lose my daughter."
"Do you agree with Ms. Watson, that you both very happy when Alexandra was born?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Do you also agree that taking care of Alexandra was a shared effort?"
"No."
"Do you care to explain?"
"I feel that I put most of that effort in."
"Thank you Mr. Bolton. Now do you agree about Ms. Watson's answer to the question 'Did you ever try to go back to them, when that something was resolved'?"
"Again, no I do not."
"Was your career choice changed due to the fact that you were a father? Or another purpose? If so, please explain."
"My choice to become a professional basketball player was finalized due to the fact that I got drafted. Not because I had a child. Plus my doctor dream was over, once Summer came into my life."
"Thank you, nothing further." Troy nodded his head, stepping down from the stage, proud that Nick didn't have anything to ask him. Taylor stood up, holding a letter in her hand. "Your honor, this in my hand, is exhibit A. Its a letter written to Troy, in Ms. Watson's handwriting, stating that she was leaving him, and their child." Taylor handed it to the bailiff, who gave it to the judge. Judge Adams glanced at the letter. "Mrs. Watson do you mind reading it to the courtroom?" Summer stood up walking to the stand. She took the paper and began to read.
"Dear Troy,
I know this is a bit surprising, but don't be too surprised. You should of known this day was going to come, I wasn't expecting to have a baby. I don't even know if going through with it was the best idea. Anyway, I'm moving to New York, to pursue my dancing career. I know what your thinking, but I think its best to leave Alexandra with you. I'm sorry.
Your Friend, Summer"
It stayed silent for a bit before the Judge interrupted the silence. "Ms. McKessie, by the looks of it you have something to say, go ahead." Taylor stood up and smiled at Mrs. Adams. "Ms. Watson, may I ask you a couple of questions before you step down from the stand?"
"Yes, you may."
"Did you break off the relationship with my client, Troy, prior to the letter being written?"
"Yes, I did."
"How long had it been?"
"One month."
"Okay, was the dance career the circumstance that was, 'too emotional' for you?"
"No, it was not."
"Nothing further."
"Mr. Nick, you may present your evidence." Judge Adams said as Nick stood up with something in hand. "Your honor, here in my hand is a piece of evidence that proves that the poor innocent child, Alexandra, does not need to live with her father, in the spotlight. Exhibit A." Troy's face grew pale. In Nick's hand, was a magazine, with a picture of Alexandra in Troy's arms, getting rushed to the emergency room. "Your honor, this man has let poor Alexandra suffer from an allergy attack, on top of that it triggered her asthma."
"Is this true, Mr. Bolton?" Troy nodded his head, "Unfortunately, yes your honor."
"As a father, aren't you supposed to watch what she eats since she has a peanut allergy?" Nick asked Troy, confidence getting the better of him. Troy could feel himself getting smaller, and smaller. "Yes."
"Then why weren't you?"
"I didn't give her the cookie."
"But you didn't bother to ask what kind it was?"
"No, I did not."
"So, you just let your child eat whatever someone offers her? Without asking what the ingredients are? You let your child suffer? You could of killed her!"
"That's enough, Mr. Nick!" the Judge said banging her gavel. "Bailiff, do you mind getting little Alexandra, please?" the bailiff nodded his head, walking out of the courtroom, and coming back minutes later. Alexandra stood in the middle of the courtroom, confused. "Hello darling. I'm Mrs. Adams, may I ask how old you are?"
"Five." Alex said shyly.
"Oh, and you are an adorable five year old too. Do you know why you are here?"
"Yes. To see who I'm going to live with."
"Who would you like to live with?"
"My...mommy." Troy frowned. He didn't have to worry about keeping his promise, anymore. It was officially broken. He turned slightly, looking at his friends surprised faces. "The jury and I would like to consult now. I'll be back with the verdict in five minutes." Those five minutes, seemed like five hours to Troy. He couldn't think straight. He was losing his baby girl. His reason to laugh. His reason to smile. The one person he lived for, before Gabriella came back into his life. Nothing seemed to matter anymore. He felt as if he just died. A tear ran down his cheek. Judge Adams came back in. "we have come up with verdict. In the case of Watson vs Bolton for custody of Alexandra Bolton, we would like to award...Ms. Watson full custody, and Mr. Bolton visitation rights, whenever felt necessary. Court would meet again in 30 days to check on the status. Courts adjourned." Troy stood up, walking towards Summer. "I told you" she said smiling. Troy nodded his head. "You were right." he replied depressed, "I'm not the right father for Alex. Can I say goodbye to her?" he asked, watching the little girl hug his friends, her 'uncles and aunts', goodbye. She walked to him, hugging him. "You didn't break your promise, daddy. Its just changed." she said kissing his cheek. "I'm gonna miss you, Al." he said as another tear came down. She wiped it away. "You can always visit me. I'm never too far away." he chuckled. "Look who's maturing so fast.
"You sure you'll be okay, you know, without me?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
"Kay. Bye daddy." he let go of her. "Bye Alex." she started to walk away following Summer. She then ran back. "Te amo con todo mi corazón."
"You said it perfectly. Te amo también." Alex smiled running back to her mother Summer. She held her hand, and waved at her daddy as they walked out. Leaving Troy in the courtroom with Gabriella. "She's gone." he said faking a smile. Gabriella hugged him. "Everything is going to be okay, Troy. Alex wants you to be happy. So be happy. For her"
A/N: Wow this is probably the longest chapter. Yeah, so did you like it? I know your all sad that Alex lives with Summer now. I know, it was hard to write this, but I pulled through. Hope you liked it.
