Sigh. Jeez, already part three. I can't believe that just over like three months, I went through like six years of Gabriella's life. The six most important years of her life.

Anyway, emotional time is up. Now, to work. I think you guys are going to like the turn of events. Maybe. Maybe not. So, here goes:

Disclaimer: Eh, I own nothing. I live life of complex simplicity and Disney would never go for that.

Part Three

As promised, I left. Troy and I came back from our trip a week later after cruising all over the California coast. We spent it blindly and selfishly. And, when we finally we made it back home I said my final goodbye to Troy.

"As long as you let go of me" Troy said the night before my flight back to New York. "I'll pick up treatment again" he promises.

So, I gave him a long kiss goodbye that night and flew back home the next morning. Separating from Troy a second time was just as hard as the first time. Except this time, I was the one who ran away back to New York. I cried all the way home and collapsed on my bed for a full day when I reached my apartment again. I don't know what got me up the next morning. I guess my body was already accustomed to living without Troy so now it could just pick that up right away and go straight to whatever I was doing before Troy was back in my life. There was one thing I was sure about; there is no regretting that I left after I know that Troy's making an effort to cure his cancer. And that made up for everything.

A full four months flew past me. I was trying to forget Troy as much as I could so it wouldn't hurt as much. I didn't call Lucille or Jack either in a long time. But I did call my mother She was the only one I talked with from Albuquerque in the last three months. At first she was updating me on everything that was going on in the hospital but I decided that wouldn't be the healthiest way of letting go of Troy. Not anywhere in my consciousness insanity did I realize that I was actually going to land back in Albuquerque so soon.

My mothe invited me over for Thanksgiving. I told her I couldn't and I was too busy with work. That's how it all started. No one else knew about my compromise with Troy. So, we agreed that my mother would come here for an early Thanksgiving break and she would go home in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Boltons. I stand at Baggage Claim literally on the tips of my toes looking over the business people for my mother. When I spot her, I squirm over to her, taking her into my arms.

" My lovely daughter!" my mother cooed as I hugged her tightly. It felt so nice to have someone in my arms again. Someone that loved me. I pulled back and held onto her arms for some time to let my mother scan me down.

"Sweetheart, have you gained weight?" she asked. I roll my eyes.

"Mom, really? That's the last thing anyone would want to hear"

"I'm sorry. It just surprised me. You're always so uptight about staying fit" I laughed it off tiredly. I guess you could say that in the last four months, I've changed quite a bit. I work nonstop, giving myself no time to rest in between my shifts at the hospital and I eat limitedly but I see myself gaining weight like I'm sick. When I come home, I'm exhausted and I can't do anything but crash on my bed.

I lead my mother to the car and lift her bags into my car. We pile into the car and head out for lunch. In the car my mother holds my left hand as I drive with the other.

"You look tired" she says.

I sigh. "Mom!" I complain.

"What?"

"Do you have to say all the things you observe now?" I ask.

"I'm sorry" she pauses looking forward and around. "Where are we going to eat?" she says.

"A favorite place of mine" I say with a smile.

When we reach the restaurant, we are seated at our table. Fifteen minutes later, we ordered. My stomach turned, suddenly right in the middle of a conversation between my mother. I clenched my teeth, keeping myself from my rolling my eyes from nausea. A waiter approached our table with his arms full of plates.

Once he set my pasta right in from of me a whiff of spaghetti sauce entered my nose. I could literally see the vapors enter my nose. Something inside me moved. I gasped.

"Excuse me!" I yelped, jumping out from my seat and rushed to the bathroom one hand on my stomach and the other on my mouth. I dodge about three people, almost knocking over another waiter with food. I can hear my mother behind me, trying to walk fast enough to catch up with me. I swing the door open to the bathroom and rush to the nearest stall. I duck down and hurl.

As soon as I'm down, I feel a rush of relief as I exhale. My breathing is heavy. I close my eyes. God, what's wrong with me? And instantly my mother walked into the bathroom as well, stopping short at the door and giving me my answer.

"Oh honey" she said, mixed emotions all over her face. "You're pregnant"

That's how my story leads me here, back in the Albuquerque International Airport, waiting for my mother at the drop off zone. I sighed heavily as I spotted my mother's silver van driving up toward me. I never thought this day would come. I remember after my mother left a week later, there was one night I came home early. It was a long day at work and all I wanted was to come home. My mother had decidedly become my doctor a few days ago. She ran all the tests with me and sat there and hugged me while I sat dumbstruck, staring at the little plus sign on the white tube in my hands. So, that day when I came home I got into the bathtub, filling it to the brim with water and bubbles. Just before I got in however I looked down and saw a small but prominent bump at my center. I placed my hand there, on that small bump, and caressed it gently. I moaned softly as if it was not me that loved that caress but the little guy inside. That's when I was certain that this baby was what I wanted. Before, I wasn't sure about it, I didn't know what to think, but looking down now at that swollen part of my womb I can't help but feel such happiness. The fact that it was Troy's little guy made me love the baby so much more. I stepped into the tub then and took a relaxing bath for the two of us.

I called my mother again the next day and told her I was coming down. I took pregnancy leave with my work and came down to live with my mother, my family, for the next six months. And deep inside I knew that I was not only coming to live with my family but I came to make a family of my own. With Troy, me and this baby.

"Hi!" My mother greeted from the window of her car. I grinned at her with my tired face and dragged my bag over to the trunk. I heaved it into the van and got in next to her.

"How are you doing, baby?" she asked.

"Pregnant" I say. She laughs. She tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear.

"I guess you came for Thanksgiving after all" She tells me and I smile back at her. Thanksgiving was in three days and I was going to join my mother and the Boltons "So, I'm going to take you home. Everyone's there already waiting for you. Then, later tonight we'll go to the hospital" I nod.

"He's still there?" I ask.

"Well, yeah, where do you think they would keep him?"

"I don't know. I would've thought they moved him home by now" I guess but she doesn't say anything.

When we get home, I'm bombarded by hugs. By Lucille first.

"Oh, Gabriella!" she says before attacking me. "You're mother told me. Congratulations, sweetheart!" I glance up at my mother from Lucy's shoulders and she gives me a guilty look.

Jack was next. "Thank you, Gabi" he whispered in my ear when he hugged me. I knew why. I guess Troy was taking treatment again after all. When I pulled back from the embrace, I glanced at the person behind him at gawked.

"Jessie!" I squealed. She grinned at me, all of her straight, white teeth showing.

"Gabi!" she yells back as she takes me in her arms and we jump around.

"Careful, Jessie. You're going to knock the thing out of her" another voice says. I pull back from Jessie's hug suddenly and stare at the pretty brunette girl next to her with my mouth wide open.

"Rachel!" I screech and take her in my arms. I remember the last time I saw her she was still a four year old, thinking boys had cooties and wearing pig tails. Now, she was four feet taller, well-shaped and so beautiful. I give her a kiss on the forehead.

"Easy, Gabriella" Jessie says. "She was four the last time you saw her. I doubt she remembers you" I pull back and hold her hand.

"Of course I remember her. And, I don't think I'll forget her if mom and dad keep talking about her!" I laugh.

"Where were you the last time I came?" I asked.

"Summer camp, honey" she exclaims. "Can't escape" She winked at me.

"Oh my Gosh, it's so nice to see you guys again" I take them both in my arms again.

"Come on, let's go up. We have much to discuss" I follow them upstairs. Rachel leads me to her room. Five minutes later, I find my elf lifting my shirt up for them to show them that small baby bump that amazed me so much.

"Whoa" Rachel said.

"Can you believe something is actually in here?" Jessie said, getting up from off my knees now.

"Yeah" I sing to myself, thinking about that baby again.

"I can't believe Troy actually managed to knock you up" Rachel says now. Jessie pushes her slightly.

"Raich!" she scolds.

"What?" she complains, rubbing her shoulder a little bit. "It is Troy's right?" They both stare at me anticipating. I give them a small smile, shying away as I think about our 'honeymoon' back on that boat the night Troy actually gave me what I wanted.

"Yes" I tell them. They give out a relieved sigh. I give them a look.

"What did you guys think?"

"Well, we know that you were engaged before…"Jessie suggested.

"Oh!" I exclaim. "Oh, no! Dear God, no"

They laugh. I sit on the bed , right in the middle of them.

Rachel rests her shoulder on my head. "It's so nice to have you here, Ella" Ella. She says. The name sounds so different coming out of her voice."Maybe you can bring Troy back home"

"What?" I dive in for more.

"The doctors say he's fine enough to come home and come to the hospital once every week or so. But he doesn't want to. He says he likes it in the hospital better" Jessie explains.

I sigh for the millionth time today. "It's going to be so much fun though, finally having someone new around the house" Rachel this time.

There's a knock at the door. "Gabi, sweetie? We're going to start to the hospital now" It's my mother. I nod at her. She turns away and I hear her until she reaches downstairs.

"Well, gotta tell Troy the big news" I say as I get up. The way I say it makes it sound so easy. But inside, I'm boiling.

Before I go downstairs, I pass Troy's bedroom and I can't help but be pulled in. I make my way into Troy's bedroom like a ghost. So many memories flood my mind. I scan the bedroom walls, noting down every single detail in my head. It doesn't feel like no one has lived here for a long time. On the table next to the bed there is a picture. It's of Troy and I at a lake the last summer we were together. It's a very sunny day and both of us were in our swim wear. I'm front and center in the picture, laughing at the camera while Troy is just smiling but instead of at the camera he's staring at me. I can imagine Troy looking at that picture just like I was looking at it now. I remember when the photo was taken. Troy was the one holding the camera backwards, so the lenses would face us and I just sat there listening to Troy joke up how it feels like to have sand in your shorts. I sit on Troy's bed and take the picture in my hands.

"You miss him don't you?" a voice said from behind me. I turn. It's Jessie. I look back at the photo to gaze at Troy who's gazing at me. She comes and sits next to me. I put my head on her shoulder.

"I do" I say, wincing as tears well in my eyes. She wraps her arms around me. "I really do"

"You know a year ago when Troy was admitted into the hospital again, he would never stop talking about you" she tells me. "He would just go on and on about you and sometimes he would forget that people are listening. He would cry, too"

She doesn't say anything for awhile. "Come on. Let's not be late"

It took half an hour for us to reach the hospital. I was nervous as hell as we made our way up to the floor. He was moved up two floors. Finally when we reach the door everyone stays behind as I go in solo.

I step in slowly, my hands settled over my little baby. When I look up, Troy is staring at me. I can't read the emotion in his eyes.

"Hey, Troy" I say.

"You came back" he replies. I smile.

"That's not the greatest way to answer but okay" I walk towards him. My hands on my belly are getting sweaty. I sit on the edge of his bed.

"How are you?" I ask.

"Getting better, I guess" he says softly. I reach out and cup his face.

"I'm glad"

"You should be" he says. I smile, scanning his face for any change. His cheek bones weren't as noticeable as last time. Troy leans in to my hand just slightly enough for my heart to swell up. I wonder then how Troy will react if I tell him. But I figured, there's only one way to find out.

"I'm pregnant, Troy"

He triples. Mouth drops. Gasp. Eyes widen. The whole surprise shabam.

"Oh, God!" he shrieks. I don't know if I should be happy or terrified by so far we've gotten into this reaction.

"Are you sure it's mine?" he asks.

"Yes, Troy"

"I mean, it could be Dylan's?"

"No-" he doesn't let me finish.

"Have you even told him yet?" he says. "Does he know? Do you still talk to him? It's probably Dylan's. I mean, we-"

"Dylan is sterile, Troy" I interrupt, annoyed by his outburst.

He freezes again, his mouth forming the shape of an 'o'. I wait patiently.

"We're having a baby" he says softly. The way he says 'we' throws me back to our simple wedding day on the boat.

"You're happy?" I croak. He looks at me and nods. He eases me into his arms, hugging me tight. And I just hold onto him. My mind goes blank and all I can think, all I could feel, is how much I want to stay like this forever.

"I'm staying here for it…. All of it" I tell him. His arms are still around me with my cheek on his chest. Troy doesn't say anything for awhile.

Finally, he speaks up. "Stay with me, won't you? Even after our baby is born. As long as I live. I can't do it anymore Ella"

"Forever?" I ask him, lifting my head. He looks into my eyes deeply and then nods again.

"Forever."

And in that very moment, I watch the happiest time of my life unravel itself right out in front of me. I don't know that this gut feeling of mine is really true. Maybe it's the baby inside there that's making me feel like this. Maybe it's Troy. Maybe it's both. I guess right now, what matters most is that I'm finally happy.

Awwwwhhhh! Did you like it? Thanks for reading!