Author's Note: I will be posting the Chapter 11 and 12 today. I really enjoyed writing them over the weekend. I know it can be pretty lengthy, but I couldn't cut any of the conversations between the characters. Enjoy and happy reading!


Chapter Eleven

Troy thought he was imagining the words coming out of Julia's mouth. So he cleared his throat and asked her one more time to repeat what she had just told him.

Julia gave Troy another look and said, "I'm pregnant."

"But how?" Troy asked with confusion.

"How do you think, Troy?" She asked with sarcasm.

"That's not what I meant. What I mean is, how could this happen? We always used protection. I though you were on the pill, too."

This time, Julia looked away sheepishly. "I kind of stopped taking the pill a few months ago."

"What?" Troy exclaimed. "Don't you think I should have known about this?"

"The pills were giving me the worst side effects I've ever had. Also, like you said, you always use a condom so I thought we were safe."

"Yet, you still end up pregnant." Troy felt like punching the wall or something. This wasn't the kind of news anyone was ready to hear. "But I'm still confused; I don't remember the condom breaking or anything."

"Um," Julia said quietly, "there was that one time a couple of months ago, remember?"

Troy tried to remember what happened two months ago. Oh, shit, he thought. He remembered it now. They both had been a little drunk after a night of fajitas, many shots, and margaritas. "Damn it," he muttered. He groaned and put his head in his hands.

"Yeah," Julia agreed, looking down at the table.

"This couldn't have happened at the worst time." He said more to himself than to her.

"I'm sorry, Troy, I should've said something sooner, but then you came over a couple of nights ago and dumped me. I wasn't even sure then, I just thought my period was late or something. But I took a pregnancy test yesterday and it came back positive."

Troy stopped himself from asking if she was sure the baby was his. It would be a jerk of a thing for him to ask that. He knew that even though they were dating casually, he hadn't been with anyone else, and he assumed Julia was the same way. "I don't know what to do here." He said as honest as he could. "What do you want us to do?"

"Well," Julia said, "I'm not even sure I'm ready to have a baby yet. But at the same time, maybe this is a blessing." She paused before going on. "Look, Troy, I don't expect anything from you. I just thought you should know. Besides, most people these days have babies and the parents aren't together."

"I'm not sure if I can just accept that, Julia." Troy put a hand on top of hers on the table. "If you want this baby, then we'll do it together. I don't want any child of mine growing up with one parent."

Julia's eyes started to tear up. She gave Troy a small smile. "Thanks Troy, I always knew you're a really good guy. What about you and Gabriella?"

Troy gritted his teeth at the mention of Brie. "Damn it," he said a second time. He had been so wrapped up in what Julia told him that he forgot about how this would affect his and Gabriella's newly found reunion. "I don't know. All I know is that I was raised to do the right thing. I'll be there for you and support you no matter what. It's my child in there. I just hope Gabriella will be able to take the news."

"Troy, I feel so awful. I know you had all these hopes of being with Gabriella again."

Troy gave Julia a confused look, "Wait a minute, here," he said "I'm not giving up anything with Gabriella."

This time Julia gave him a confused look. "But you just said you'd be by my side because you didn't want our baby growing up with one parent."

"That's exactly what I said. I'll support you, be there for you and the baby, but I still want to be with Gabriella."

"Oh," Julia said, tersely. "I thought you meant we'd be together."

"No," Troy told her sympathetically. "I'm sorry. Was that what you were expecting here?"

"Not exactly," she told him. "But, it's not a bad idea either."

"What?" Troy asked, giving Julia another confused look.

"Well, how do you think it's going to look around the school and to your parents once I start showing?"

"I don't care what people think, as long as we know the truth and are honest with each other and our loved ones about it. But, I was serious when I said I'm not going to lose Gabriella."

Troy saw Julia's eye hardened a bit. "It's always about Gabriella, isn't it?" she said with sigh.

Troy shrugged his shoulders and slightly nodded. "I'm sorry if I'm not giving you the answers you want. I'm just being honest here."

Julia looked at Troy's face and saw that he was obviously hurting from all of this. "I know, Troy, that's why I said you're a really good guy. Most guys wouldn't be able to take the news."

"Yeah," was all Troy could mutter. All he wanted right now was to be left alone so that he could evaluate everything that happened in the last 12 hours. How could everything change so quickly? One minute, Gabriella was in his arms and they were making love, the next Julia was telling him that he would be a father. I mean, I should be overjoyed about this, Troy thought. But in his heart, he knew that it was Gabriella who he wanted to have children with. Troy knew himself and he would be true to his word and help support Julia and be there for his child. There was no doubt about that.

Julia noticed that Troy was really quiet and decided now was the best time to leave him. Let him think about the news. "Alright, Troy, I'm going to get going now. I'm sure you have stuff you need to do before the reunion tonight."

"Sure," he said. He walked her over to the door. "Thanks for coming by and telling me everything."

"Yeah," Julia said. "Talk to you soon."

"Okay. See you." Troy was about to shut the door when Julia turned and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Oh, Troy," she gushed. "We're going to have a baby."

Troy was shocked and confused by her sudden gesture. "Yeah, it's good news." He said quietly, patting her lightly on the back.

She leaned back and looked at him. "It is good news. Even if we aren't together, I'm just glad to know that this baby will have a wonderful father."

Troy nodded, all of a sudden feeling very uncomfortable and finding it hard to breathe. He smiled politely at Julia and tried to say good-bye again. "Alright, Julia, we'll talk some more later. I need to get ready."

"Okay," she nodded a look of disappointment on her face. "Later then. See ya."

He watched as Julia walked away. Once she was out of sight, Troy closed the door and leaned against it. He banged the back of his head three time on the door. "Damn it," he said. He wanted to do nothing but crawl into his bed and never come out. How was he supposed to face Gabriella, Chad, and everyone at the reunion tonight with something as big as this? And how would Gabriella feel about him once she learned the truth?


Gabriella quietly walked up the stairs and tried to sneak back into the guest room. She hadn't seen anyone else in the house except for the maids, so she didn't want Sharpay to know that she had been out all night. Gabriella smiled as she reached the door and was reaching to turn the doorknob when a voice behind her said "Well, well, well, if it isn't our little night owl."

Gabriella turned around to find both Sharpay and Taylor looking at her, both with big smiles on their face. Gabriella could feel her face heating up and without a word to them opened the door and walked in. Her friends immediately followed her inside.

Sharpay took her shoulders and gave a gentle shake. "We want details."

Taylor laughed and agreed, "Right away."

Gabriella tried to hide her amusement. She would make them wait for it. "I really do need to shower first and get some food in me." She drawled slowly.

"The shower can wait. Olga is bringing up breakfast for us." Sharpay cut in. "Alright, now, the details. Spill it, Montez."

"Well," Gabriella said, "If you must know, Troy and I had a really good talk last night."

Taylor smiled, "Wow, it must have been some talk, since you're just coming back here, and it's about 8:30 am."

"We started talking about the whole karaoke performance and Troy told me he loves me. You guys were right. He's never stopped loving me." Gabriella said, her voice filled with sadness. Then she looked Taylor and Sharpay in the face, "He's never stopped loving me." She said thoughtfully this time. Gabriella couldn't help but feel delighted at the words. It warmed her to know that Troy still felt so strongly about her.

"And how do you feel?" Sharpay asked.

"I'm just so confused about it all. I mean, I have Eric. He's a great guy and all,"

Gabriella started.

"But?" Taylor interjected.

"How'd you know I was going say that?" Gabriella asked with a little amusement.

"Just a little intuition," Taylor offered.

Gabriella gave a small smile, "But," she continued, "the way that Troy makes me feel is far from what I feel with Eric. I admitted to Troy that I missed him, too and that I liked his singing."

"Of course you would. Who wouldn't love to be serenaded?" Sharpay said.

"I know. He was apologizing for overdoing his performance and I told him I had enjoyed it."

"So? When are you going to give us the juicy parts?" Taylor squealed.

"What juicy parts?" Gabriella asked, pretending she didn't understand what Taylor was alluding to.

"Gabs!" Sharpay exclaimed. "Give us the details. We know so much more went on than just talking."

"Well, I told Troy that I was very confused by everything – his romantic gestures, his words, and Eric. He told me he wasn't letting me go again."

"Awww," Taylor said, "That's so sweet. How did you respond?"

"As honest as I could. I just told him to give me some time. I really need to think about everything and evaluate what I really want and who I want."

"That's a good answer. How did Troy take it?" Sharpay asked.

"Unbelievably well. He was being so sweet. He said he would wait for me no matter what." Gabriella looked at her friends again and went on, "So, after the serious talk, we're just being friendly. Then he leaned over and kissed me." Gabriella started to blush.

Both Sharpay and Taylor screamed. Gabriella couldn't help but giggle at her friends' reaction.

"Oh my God, how was it?" Sharpay asked, grabbing Gabriella's hand.

"It was amazing. But then I realized what I was doing and I felt so guilty about Eric. So I pushed him away and apologized and told him I had to leave and I walked out of there."

"What?" Taylor gasped. "Then where have you been all night?"

Gabriella gave them a mischievous smile. "Well," she continued, "the story's not over."

The girls heard a knock at the door. "Come in," Sharpay said. The Evans' head maid, Olga, came in carrying a tray stacked with delicious food – there were some strawberries, a stack of French toast, sausage links, and scrambled eggs. It smelled delightful and Gabriella could feel her mouth watering. Another maid came in with another tray, stacked with plates, silverware, and a coffee pot.

"Thank you, Olga," Gabriella told her. "We appreciate all of this." Olga smiled at them and left the room. The girls took the interruption to fill their plates with some food.

Taylor looked at Gabriella, "Okay, Gabi, back to the story."

Gabriella nodded and took a sip of her coffee. "Okay, so I walked out of there and made my back to the car when something inside of me told me it wasn't over between us. So I went back and knocked on his door."

Taylor and Sharpay grasped hands and squealed. "So, what next?" Sharpay urged.

"As soon as Troy opened the door, I did the only thing that I really wanted to do. I threw my arms around him and kissed him."

"You go, girl." Taylor said. "That's pretty bold of you."

"I know, right?" Gabriella said. "I was surprised myself. But it felt so good and so right being there with him. So, we continued kissing for a while and the next thing I know, we're in bed together."

"Gabs, you are such a seductress." Sharpay teased.

Gabriella knew she was blushing a lot at the moment, "I am not. It was just something very natural that happened between us."

"And?" Taylor asked, with an arched eyebrow.

"And it was amazing. I literally was blown away. I don't think anyone's ever made me feel the way he does."

"Then Gabi, what are you waiting for? That man is available for you. Don't you want him?" Taylor inquired.

Gabriella shrugged her shoulders. "A part of me wants him, but then a part of me wants Eric, too."

"Well, honey, news flash – you can't have them both. It's one or the other." Sharpay offered.

"I know. I wish it was that easy. Yes, with Troy, even after all the years that have passed between us, there are definitely still sparks there. I really feel close and safe with him." Gabriella told them.

"But?" Taylor said.

Gabriella gave a small smirk, "But then what I have with Eric is also good. He's a good guy and it wouldn't be fair to just dump him without giving him a chance."

"But Gabi, this is not some charity case here. This is your life we're talking about. Who ever said love was fair? You have to go with your gut instinct." Taylor told her.

"I know what you're saying Tay, but I just don't want to hurt anyone's feelings."

"Well, you better toughen up, cause someone's bound to get hurt, no matter what. Do you want the truth?" Sharpay said to her.

"The truth about what?" Gabriella asked, afraid to hear what her friend would say.

"You gave your heart to Troy Bolton a long time ago. And you honestly never got it back. You still love Troy. We see it. You can't even tell Eric you love him. And trust me, it doesn't take long to know if you love someone or not. You just do." Sharpay told her softly.

"I know," Gabriella said with a sigh. "I agree with you. Eric's a great guy and all, but he's not Troy." Gabriella said, nodding her head. "I don't know what I was so afraid of. Things are definitely getting clearer."

Taylor reached over and squeezed her hand. "You just have to follow your heart, Gabi."

"I know," She said quietly. "I think my heart already knows who it wants."

Sharpay and Taylor both looked at their friend, "And?" They said in unison.

Gabriella's face slowly broke out into a wide grin. "A certain Wildcat."

"You have to go and tell him right now." Sharpay urged.

"No, I want to wait until tonight at the reunion."

"Oh, Gabriella, this is so exciting. And so romantic." Taylor gushed.

Gabriella nodded. "I know. It's pretty bold of me. But up to this point, Troy's been so upfront about his feelings that it's time I tell him how I feel. But what do I do about Eric? I mean, I should call him and let him know, right?"

"You could call Eric and talk to him now, but why don't you wait until you get back to Boston. It'll probably be easier telling him face-to-face." Sharpay suggested.

"Yeah, I agree with you. It wouldn't do any good to call Eric and tell him over the phone. I'd rather do it in person. I just feel so awful about everything. I didn't expect to come to Albuquerque and fall in love with Troy Bolton."

"Again." Taylor said with a giggle.

"Ha ha, that's right. It is the second time I've come to Albuquerque and fallen for him. Who knows if I'm even making the right decision? All I know is that when I was with Troy yesterday, it just felt right."

"Then we're happy with the decision you're making. I'm sure, everyone else will, too." Sharpay said.

"Even though you spent the last eight years keeping us apart?" Gabriella joked.

"Yes, despite all of that. You and Troy are made for each other." Taylor responded.

Gabriella thought about what her friend just said and she smiled. "We are, aren't we?" The friends all looked at one another and smiled. She knew right then and there that the decision she made was the right one. "Anyway, enough talk about me. What is the plan for today besides the reunion tonight?"

"Well, I thought we'd go and get ourselves pampered – a little mani-pedi-facial session. I got us all appointments at," Sharpay looked at her watch, "Oh, in about an hour. We better get ready and head out."

"Sounds like a plan. I just need to take a quick shower and check my messages. Meet you both downstairs in about 40 minutes." Gabriella said.

"See ya then!" Taylor exclaimed. Gabriella closed the door after her friends left the bedroom. She went to the closet to see what she wanted to wear. She looked at all her clothes and decided on a denim skirt and a simple white v-neck short sleeved shirt. She was glad she brought some flip-flops, she would definitely need them for going to the salon. She grabbed her cell phone and saw that she had a missed call from Eric and a couple of text messages.

The first was from Eric and it said "Miss u, Hope ur having fun. Luv u." Seeing the message made Gabriella ill. She knew she was following what her heart was telling her, but she didn't like the fact that she had to hurt Eric while doing it. The next message was from an unfamiliar number – but she knew well enough, it had to be Troy's. The message said "Brie, last nite = amazing. Can't wait 2 C U 2nite. I love you." Troy's message made her smile. She knew she was making the right decision. She couldn't wait to see Troy's face when she told him she wanted to be with him, too and that she still loved him. There was going to be a lot of decisions both of them would need to make together. Gabriella knew in her heart that things would work out for them this time. There was no doubt about that.