Chapter 10

'You're together? With your client?' Jack questioned carefully.

'That's not the only thing. Ow!' Troy rubbed the back of his calf where Gabriella had just kicked him. She glared at him and he soon got the message. 'I'm moving in with Gabriella.'

'Are you crazy?' Lucille exclaimed. 'This could ruin your career.'

'I don't care. I love Gabriella.' He squeezed her waist protectively.

Jack sighed. 'Have you thought about this?'

'We're way past thinking.' Gabriella muttered under her breath.

'What was that?' Jack asked sternly.

Gabriella jumped slightly. 'N-nothing.'

'Can't you just leave her alone? She's very stressed and the doctors said that she has to be relaxed.' Troy said, pulling Gabriella into his arms, Gabriella buried her face into his chest.

'Doctors? What have doctors got to do with anything?' Lucille asked, concerned.

Gabriella pulled back and wiped her tears, taking a deep breath. 'I had breast cancer. I had the growth removed a few days ago and the doctors said that I could possibly collapse if I'm in stressful situations.'

'Oh, honey.' Lucille exclaimed, hugging her. She pulled back and hit Jack over the head. 'Apologise!'

Jack rubbed the back of his head. 'I'm sorry Gabriella. I just worry about Troy.'

'Me too.' Gabriella wiped her eyes.

'Mummy, why are you crying?' Zack asked from the doorway.

Gabriella smiled. 'I need a hug. Come here.' Gabriella knelt on the ground and pulled Zack close to her.

'Has Daddy upset you? Because if so I'll find shaving cream and a baseball bat.' Zack exclaimed, pulling back.

'No! Troy did not upset me and I do not need a repeat of the Greg incident. That took me ages to clear up!' Gabriella stood up and rested Zack on her hip.

'Shaving cream and a baseball bat? Should I be scared?' Troy asked, ruffling Zack's hair.

'Only if you hurt Mummy.' Zack said sternly.

'That's not going to happen.' Troy said, kissing Gabriella's forehead.

Gabriella smiled and turned to Jack and Lucille. 'So are you guys okay?'

Jack nodded. 'Just be careful.'

Gabriella smiled. 'We will.'

Gabriella looked down at Zack who was in her arms. They had all had dinner and were now watching TV. 'Troy, I think we should go. This one's falling asleep.'

'Well, why don't we stay the night? You packed some clothes for Zack in the trunk of my car, right? And you can sleep in some of my clothes.' Troy offered.

Gabriella looked sceptical. 'I don't know, Troy.'

'Please?'

Gabriella shook her head and looked at Jack and Lucille. 'As long as it's okay with you guys, I don't want to intrude.'

'Nonsense. Troy, show her where the guest room is for Zack. I assume you guys can share?' Lucille asked.

Troy nodded and took Zack from Gabriella. She followed him up the stairs. 'Don't say that we're past sharing because I know.'

Gabriella held her hands up. 'Whatever.' She followed Troy into the guest room and tucked Zack in. 'Good night sweetie.' She kissed his head and Troy pulled her out of the room. 'Where are you taking me?'

'My room.' Troy stated simply, taking her to a room across the hall. 'Here we go. Now, come here.' He pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately, while resting one hand on her stomach and running the other through her hair.

Gabriella moaned quietly when he started to kiss her neck. 'Troy…Troy, I'm tired.'

Troy smiled at her. 'Okay. One second.' He rummaged through some drawers and brought out his old basketball jersey and shorts. He put them on the bed and turned to Gabriella who hugged him. 'What's that for?'

'Everything.' Gabriella whispered.

Troy smiled and slowly lifted her shirt over her head and replacing it with his jersey. 'It suits you.'

Gabriella dropped her jeans to the floor and Troy helped her into the shorts. 'Troy, could you bring my bag up from downstairs?'

Troy nodded. 'Fine. Make yourself comfortable.' He left the room.

Gabriella brought a hand full of the jersey up to her nose and smiled. It smelt just like Troy. She climbed into the bed and snuggled under the covers, closing her eyes in contentment. She felt two arms around her waist and rested on her stomach. 'Hi Troy.' She got her bag and removed her book, starting to read.

'Brie, I thought you were tired?' He started kissing up her arm to her neck.

'I am. Do you know how distracting that is?' Gabriella scolded.

Instead of replying, Troy simply kissed Gabriella. He pulled back and looked deeply into Gabriella's eyes. 'You need rest for baby Bolton.'

Gabriella opened her eyes the next morning but frowned when she realised she was the only one in the bed. She sat up and stretched. Then, she knew where Troy was. She heard the bouncing of a basketball as she looked out of the balcony doors. She saw Troy, Jack and Zack playing. She guessed Zack was on Jack's team and Troy was by himself.

She quickly changed back into her clothes and walked outside. 'The famous Troy Bolton getting beat by a three year old.' She called.

Troy looked over to her and smiled, running over. 'He's got some talent. Chad?'

'How'd you guess?' Gabriella joked, kissing him on the lips.

Troy put a hand on her tummy and whispered. 'Why don't you want them to know?'

'They don't like us being together. What would they say if they found out I'm already pregnant?' Gabriella whispered back.

'Good point.'

Jack walked over with Zack. 'So, when's it due?' He grinned.

Troy faked confusion. 'What?'

'Troy, don't play dumb. Gabriella's pregnant, isn't she?'

'How did you…'

'You've got your hand on her stomach.' Jack pointed out.

Troy removed his hand. 'Right. I really need to stop doing that. Are you mad?'

Jack shook his head. 'Well, I am that it's with your client but, I've been waiting twenty-two years for my only son to bring a girl home and I find out I'm going to be a grandfather. How could I be mad? Come here, Gabriella.' Jack opened his arms.

Gabriella hugged him but pulled back quickly to wipe her tears. 'You made me cry. Stupid hormones.' She turned to Troy. 'You did this to me!'

Troy looked to Jack for help. 'It's only the beginning. Wait until she goes into labour.' Was all Jack said.

Gabriella cried into Troy's chest. 'Troy, my Mum isn't here to help me this time.'

Troy pulled back and cupped her face. 'No, but I am. I won't leave you, I promise.' He went to kiss her forehead but she leaned up so he got her lips instead.

She pulled back when she felt a tug on her jeans. She picked Zack up. 'What's wrong?'

'Mummy, I'm hungry.' Zack said innocently.

'Has he had breakfast?' She asked Troy.

Troy nodded. 'He had toast and eggs.'

'That's quite a lot, mister. Let's see if Daddy has some crisps you can have. Come on.' Gabriella walked into the house.

Troy was about to follow but Jack caught his shoulder. 'Troy, I just want to say one thing.'

'I know, I know. We've got to be careful.' Troy said glumly.

'Well, yes, but you're smart and you knew that. I just want to say I'm proud of you.' Jack said sincerely.