J O U R N E Y

Chapter 10: You Were Right

Written by: BeneathTheSurface

Summary: Sequel to E X T R A H E L P. Twenty nine year old Gabriella Montez and her girlfriend twenty two year old Sharpay Evans are making a new chapter in their lives. Gabpay; femslash; GabriellaxSharpay


--

Within the last few days, Sharpay and Gabriella were becoming closer again, even though they knew they'd never be the same; not now anyway. Gabriella saw a totally different Sharpay after Lilly pasted. That girl brightened up Sharpay's life, even hers too, but she knew that little girl was out of her pain. The times she visited her were hard, especially hearing how much sicker she was getting; with the intense chemo making her more and more sick; it just was a lot for a six year old to go through.

It was early in the morning and Sharpay and she were at the cemetery, visiting Lilly's grave. They buried her last weekend and it was very emotional, to say the least. Both of them were crying as Chad, Mark, Ryan, and even Martin were there. They heard a lot about her and knew how close both women were getting to the little girl and they were devastated when they heard she had past away so unexpectedly.

It was the morning of Chad's court date with the NBA officials and they were going to see the verdict. They prayed that he could play again; basketball was his life and it was hard to see him have to go through this.

Sharpay and Gabriella stood in front of Lilly's grave, with Gabriella holding Sharpay in her arms as she stood in front of the brunette. Sharpay felt tears in her eyes and threaten to spill over, but she held them in.

"How can someone so small and so young die so suddenly?" she whispered. Gabriella looked down for a second, kissing her lightly on her temple.

"I don't know. There has to be a reason, but who knows what is planned for us and for her," Gabriella replied trying to find the right words to say.

"I guess so; I just can't believe she's gone. One moment she's laughing and happy the next–," she didn't even finish, but Gabriella knew what she meant.

"I know," she told her softly, tightening her grip around the blonde's waist slightly, just standing there in silence for a few more minutes before they had to leave for the court.

"We should go, we'll come back later," Sharpay said, getting out of Gabriella's grasp before walking towards the tombstone to run her hand over it slowly, then finally walked back to the brunette, grabbing her hand to walk back to the car.

--

Sharpay and Gabriella sat in the second row on Chad's side in the courthouse as everyone got situated for the decision that could change Chad and Ryan's lives; for the better or the worse. Chad sat with Mark in front of the judge as the NBA officials sat on the other side. Chad was beyond nervous about the whole thing. He wasn't sure if even coming out and defending himself was a good idea. He was sure he did the right thing about telling the world he was with a man and that he was gay, but he just wished that people would understand that there isn't anything wrong with being gay.

"Mr. Danforth, do you have any last words for the jury before they make their decision?" Judge Michaels asked the young black man. He turned to Ryan who offered him a small smile as he returned it. He turned back to the front and sighed, standing up straight out of his seat in his tux.

"Yes your honor. Basketball is my life. It has been my lifelong dream to play in the NBA and when I finally do, I'm not saying this to be cocky, but I'm good at it. My free throws are insanely good and I'm also a great point guard, but benching me; pulling me out of this for my sexuality is discrimination and I feel that it's wrong against every moral possible. I love basketball, but I also love a man and that shouldn't matter to anyone. I keep my personal life off the court and that's where it stays; off the court," he told the jury and everyone in the courtroom.

Ryan, Gabriella, and Sharpay smiled as he turned around and looked at them. They were proud that he was taking a stand for what was right. Sharpay was scared about telling the world about her and Gabriella though. Sure it isn't such a big deal when she's a singer; look at Melissa Etheridge; gay but sings amazing songs.

"I'd like to come to the stand really quickly, if I may," They heard behind them, causing them to turn and see a big black man walking forward to the judge.

"Be my guest," the judge said, making a hand gesture. He looked over at Chad, giving him a smile and a nod as Chad returned it. "State your name for the court, please,"

"Kobe Bryant," he said.

"Proceed,"

"Thank you," he replied. He cleared his throat, then continued "Your honor, I'm retiring this season and my last season as been worth it and I don't think it would have been without my boy Chad. He's got my back on the court and personally. He doesn't show any signs of being gay when we play and he never has; like he said, he keeps it off the court. The team loves him and we think it's morally wrong that the officials have decided to pull him because of his sexuality, which is why…

Kobe pulls out a folded piece of paper from inside his jacket and began unfolding it to show the judge and the rest of the court what it was.

"This is a petition signed by the entire team, including our coaches that states we want Chad. Gay or not, we're a team and that won't change," he concluded looking over at the younger black man who smiled at him gratefully. He just nodded giving him a smile in return, then stepped back and behind the gate as the jury went into the back to deliberate.

--

An hour later, everyone sat in the courtroom after lunch and such, a waiting the decision. Everyone was now on their toes as they watched the jury file into the room and sit down. Gabriella and Sharpay held hands as Ryan held Sharpay's other one tightly. They knew that Chad had to get back into the NBA and he deserved all the rights that came with it.

"Has the jury reached a verdict?" Judge Michaels asked them. The head of the jury stood up with the verdict in hand.

"We have you're honor. We find the defendant..." They sat there watching the man read it with much nervousness. Chad's palms began to sweat as his eyes stayed closed, praying that it came back that he was…

"Reinstated into the NBA with all original perks and salary," They all cheered and clapped as Chad stood up, shaking Mark's hand then turned to Ryan and kissed him lightly, hugging both women as well.

He walked towards the judge and shook his hand to thank him as he smiled at the young man. Chad walked back towards his family, coming face to face with Kobe.

"Thanks a lot man," he told him, shaking his hand and hugging him.

"No problem dude. There was no way I was gonna let a good player like you pass," he replied with a smile, making Chad laugh.

"Well I'll keep you posted on the progress of this team old man," Chad said, making him laugh.

"I may be older then you, but I'll still kick your ass on the court any day,"

"Oh I'm lookin' forward to it," Chad replied, walking back to his family…

--

Gabriella sat in the OB/GYN office, without Sharpay by her side that afternoon. She told her that she was going to go out with Mark for a little while that she'd be back later; it was about work. She just didn't want her coming to find out the results when they may be negative again. Sharpay didn't need another devastating thing like that; not after Lilly.

Dr. Paige came in with a smile on her face "Hello, no Sharpay today?" she asked concerned; Gabriella shook her head.

"No, she has a lot going on now and I didn't want her coming if the results were negative. She doesn't need another heartbreak right now," Gabriella explained as the doctor nodded.

"I see, well I hope everything works out for her," she told the brunette as she got ready to turn the ultrasound on.

"Me too," she whispered as Dr. Paige grabbed the wand, lifting her shirt up to place the gel on her stomach, sending chills down her spine due to the temperature. The doctor placed the wand on her stomach, moving it over the gel as she stared at the screen a waiting any sounds or movement at all.

Gabriella gulped when she didn't hear anything. She knew that this was it; she can't try this anymore; not again. Gabriella felt warm tears in her eyes, threatening to spill over down her cheeks when Dr. Paige continued to search for anything. She shook her head when she still heard nothing.

The only thing she could think about was Sharpay and how much she wanted a child with her; how much Sharpay just wanted a baby. She needed this baby after Lilly. Yes Gabriella knew no one could replace the little six year old, but she knew that Sharpay could love a child like she did Lilly; a little girl even.

BOOMPBOOMP

Gabriella looked up at the screen when she heard something. She stared at it for a second, hoping she wasn't hallucinating. She continued to stare at it until…

BOOMPBOOMP

She looked at Dr. Paige who had a growing smile on her face

"Is that…?" Gabriella choked out as the woman just nodded.

"It is. Gabriella you are in fact pregnant,"

--

Sharpay sighed as she sat on the grass in front of Lilly's grave again. The wind blew through her blonde locks as she hugged her jacket close to her body.

"So Chad got his spot back in the NBA, which is really cool and we actually met Kobe Bryant today which was even cooler. Everyone is doing well; Ryan is still a dork and Gabriella…

She stopped short when she mentioned her lover's name. She knew that things weren't the strongest with them, but she knew they were getting better.

"Gabriella is doing well too. She is just really busy trying to be a lawyer, plus with us trying to have a kid it doesn't really make anything easier, but I know I want to get back to the way we were. The problems are being resolved thankfully, but the thought of not being with her forever just crushes me. I'm trying to stay positive, but you know me Lilly; always thinking the worst,"

Sharpay heard footsteps behind her, so she turned to see her brunette lover walking up the hill towards her "I figured you were here," Gabriella said with a smile.

"Yeah, just talking to her," Sharpay said with a small smile, then turned back towards the grave.

"She was always a good listener," Gabriella commented as Sharpay sighed, nodding. She got up from where she sat and turned to Gabriella.

"I miss her," she whispered.

"I know; I do too," Gabriella replied, pulling her into a hug. They didn't stay that way very long before Sharpay walked back to her car, leaving Gabriella with Lilly alone. Gabriella leaned down in front of the grave and touched it gently, running her hand over it as a smile formed on her lips.

"You were right," she whispered, before sighing. She got up and walked back down the large mound, back to her car to drive back home to be with her fiancée…


I'm sorry this took a little while, but let's just say I had no inspiration; I do now though.lol I'm leaving for New Hampshire in four days, so I may or may not update while I'm there. I know I won't update before I leave, but I'm going to be gone for two weeks and I'm going to be bored, so I may write.lol

Anyway, thank you so much for the reviews. I love you all so much for reading and reviewing and I hope you continue to read and review until the end. I have the trailer for my newest story up on Youtube, so go into my profile and to my TRAILER account; not the personal one but the one that says FanfictionHSMTrailer.

Let me know what you think of this chapter and the future story after this. Again, please review and thanks again :)