LWTB2

Sorry for the wait!:) Plz review..

PLZZ leave more reviews. I checked out my traffic for this story and there's like over 100 people that read this in a day, so why am I only getting 2 reviews per chapter? I mean, I guess I don't mind as long as i get one and people do read it, but still. It would be really nice. =)

"That cake was absolutely delicious!" Gabriella sighed and leaned back into her chair. "Well, maybe not so great." She giggled as she looked over at her son, who was covered in a sticky, chocolate mess that she would have to clean sooner or later.

Troy chuckled and glanced over at his dad, who was watching the two teenagers skeptically.

"Present time." Isabella smiled. Jack stood up and brought over a medium sized square package, which was wrapped in a sparkly, blue wrapping paper.

"You guys seriously didn't have to." She shook her head and laughed. "But thank you."

She tore the paper off and stared at the contents.

"A photo album?" She asked. Isabella nodded.

"I noticed that you only brought one picture of your mom with you; I don't know if you knew I had these photos or not, but she sent them to me when you were just a little girl."

Gabriella opened up the album and gazed at the first picture. It was of her and her mother. Gabriella was only about two years old and they were at the beach. Gabriella felt her insides ache and turn to mush.

Another photo was beside it. It was when Gabriella was first born; they were still in the hospital and Gabriella's mother held her close, while a strange man sat close to both of them. He had an amazing, caring, loving smile for both of the Filipinas.

"Is that….is that my father?" Gabriella whispered.

"Yes," Isabella nodded.

"Why did he leave us? Did he leave us??" Gabriella looked up at Isabella with a look of hope ; hope for the real and final answer.

"I don't know." Izzy sighed. "I'm sorry, but even I don't know the answer to that. Your mother never said what happened to him, whether he died or left."

Gabriella looked back down at the beach photo.

"We were happy then." She smiled and closed the memory filled book. "Thank you so much. I appreciate it, but I just can't stand to look through it right now. I'm sure I will someday, though." Gabriella's throat felt tight and her eyes burned.

"Jake's turn." Troy desperately tried to change the subject. "Here you go."

"Aww." Gabriella cooed. "Jakey, did you make this for mommy?"

Her son nodded and blushed.

A small hand-made card was in her hands. It was no work of art, of course. Just scribbles and colors that said 'hapi burthbay moma.' But to Gabriella it was a masterpiece.

"Thank you, sweetheart." She kissed his forehead and hugged him lightly.

" And last but not least, my present." Troy chuckled and handed her a small box, wrapped in gold paper.

"Hmm..what's in here? Dog crap, or possibly something that will jump out and scare the heck out of me?" She taunted, knowing Troy all to well, but when she opened the box, she was shocked. Maybe she didn't know him at all.

"Like it?" He asked. Gabriella nodded, for she knew her mouth would not utter any words if she tried. Inside the box was a diamond and blue sapphire necklace.

"T-Troy, this-this had to be ex-expensive." She stammered and stared at the beautiful piece of jewelry in front of her. He took the box easily from her fingers and pulled the necklace from it.

He went behind her and wrapped it around her neck. It hugged it perfectly, showing just how slender her neck was.

"Thank you." She breathed and turned to hug him tightly. "I love you." She whispered into his ear.

"Ditto." He chuckled.

The day had flew by fast and before Gabriella knew it, it was time for Jacob to go to sleep. She went upstairs and tucked him, got into her own pajamas, and was about to lay down when a knock on her door startled her.

"Come in." She whispered, not wanting to wake Jacob.

"Hey," Troy smiled and peeked his head inside. "Just thought I would say 'happy birthday' one more time, before the day's completely over." He shrugged.

"Well," She smiled. "Thank you for that and the necklace. It's beautiful." She cooed.

"Yeah, about that," He started. "That wasn't really intended to be your real gift, but I couldn't give you your real gift in front of my parents." He smiled and pulled another small box out of his pocket.

"Troy.." She started.

"Shh.." He whispered. "Just let me give this to you without you fussing over 'presents' and 'expensive'."

He opened up the box and inside laid a small diamond ring with the imprint 'Gabriella. Forever & Always. Troy.'

Gabriella gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. "Troy," she began.

"Shh. It's a promise ring. I know that I've hurt you beyond belief, and I'm sorry. I'm not perfect and I've made many mistakes, but I want to change. If you let me, I promise to never leave you and to never stop loving you. I can't promise that we won't have bad days and that I won't accidently hurt you again, but I do promise I'll do my best to never let that happen again. You've been through enough." Their eyes connected and she smiled, pulling her hand away.

"Oh, Troy. Thank you so much." She whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I love you. Thank you, Thank you. This is one of the best birthdays ever." She pulled away and looked down at the ring in his hand. "I love it."

He nodded. "I know it's not a wedding ring or a marriage proposal, but I do hope that someday… someday this will possibly lead to that." He looked down and slid the ring onto her ring finger gently. "Cause, I do love you, Gabriella. Whether you believe it or not, I do."

She nodded. "Someday I hope it does lead to that, but… you just never know what life will bring. Lets hope for the best." She smiled and kissed his cheek softly. "I love you, too Wildcat."

He nodded and turned to walk out, but he felt her grab his arm and turn him around. Before he knew it, her lips were pressed to his and the pulsating heat radiated through their bodies. She pulled away for breath, but to find herself reconnecting her lips two seconds later. Her lips were soft, smooth, and moist moving against his. Her fingers tangled in his hair and found their way down to claw at his shoulders, causing a deep moan to escape his throat.

His hands roamed her body, gliding across her jaw, shoulders, back, and stomach until they found their way to the end of her summer dress. He began to lift it when she pulled away.

"Troy," She gasped, shaking her head. "No, not now. I'm sorry. I just can't." She felt angry at herself, and yet scared. She was scared, because every time it went too far she saw flashbacks of her rapes.

One minute his touch was pure pleasure and the next it's disgusting.

He pressed his forehead to hers and sighed. "It's not your fault. I got ahead of myself and I knew you weren't ready. I knew it was too soon."

"Yes, but I wanted it. I led you on, so I'm the one who's sorry."

"Haha." He chuckled, humor filling his eyes. "You know what? It was your fault."

"What?" Gabriella giggled. "You're the one coming in here and bribing me with this beautiful ring." She stuck out her hand. "Just cause you buy me diamonds doesn't mean you're getting in my pants."

He ruffled her hair. "It's getting late. Happy Birthday, kid." He kissed her forehead and walked out the door.

Gabriella sighed and pulled down the covers to hop into bed when his head popped back in the room.

"Oh, Gabriella," He smirked. She turned.

"Yeah?" She asked, furrowing her perfect eyebrows.

"Nice purple, lacy underwear by the way." He laughed and ran to his room as she looked down to see he had tucked the edge of her dress into her underwear, revealing all.

"Such an ass." She murmured with a smile.