This story has gone quick but I can tell you guys, it's not even near finishing! You know, I hate it when someone say's 'Gabriella's pregnant' or 'Taylor's pregnant' and they had like two chapters of their pregnancy and then they have a baby. I actually do want to go through Gabriella's pregnancy with you all. Not like every single day of the pregnancy but I do want you guys to see her changing. I might not be able to do a great job of it but…I'll try!
Chapter 20 – You'll Always Have A Family
TROY watched completely, mesmerised as Gabriella sat in front of the mirror brushing her hair. Every single movement was pure agony for Troy. He loved having her so close; he loved having her with him. He was sure, without a shadow of a doubt, that Gabriella would never leave him. He was very intent on spending the rest of his life with her and help her raise their beautiful child.
He had gone to the shop previously that day and had seen a flyer for an 'Abused Women's' group. He wanted to take her; there was still so much awkwardness there and indefinite fear. Every now and then he would try and touch her and she would flinch. He didn't like that; she had been tainted by Richard. He had weakened her, made her believe that all men were going to hurt her and that just wasn't true!
Gabriella turned around smiling and looked at Troy, he was watching her. He was standing in the doorway and watching her, a gentle smile playing on his face.
"Are you alright?" Troy asked coming to sit beside her.
"Yeah, I'm excited to see all the gang! I really miss them when their not around." Gabriella replied.
"Me too! Well, we'll get to see them anyway." Troy said shrugging his shoulders.
The young brunette chuckled and put her hand on her flat stomach, she was so connected with her little one, she could sense the little ones presence inside her and it gave her comfort and a sense of hope.
"Are you ready to go?" Troy asked her.
Gabriella nodded and she stood and Troy took her hand and led her downstairs. Henry was waiting for them; he had their coats ready and was holding the keys for the car.
"Thanks Henry." Troy said taking the keys from the servant.
Troy helped Gabriella get her coat on and he opened the door for her. They were both anxious to see their friends. When they got into Troy's car they both felt the thrill and excitement of knowing they were going to be with the people they cared about most!
WHEN they arrived outside the Cross's there was a mass of people standing in the window. They were in Albuquerque again and they were thrilled to see the beaming occupants of house 24 all beaming out at them. Gabriella got out of the car quickly as the door swung open and a group of people pounced on her. Troy was pulling out two gifts and when he drew closer he too was engulfed with hugs.
"Hey everyone!" Troy said cheerfully, Taylor, Kelsi and Sharpay were already leading Gabriella into the house, eagerly talking to her.
Everyone went inside and sat down. Kelsi was already handing out glasses of wine. Gabriella refused.
"No wine?" Taylor said smirking.
"Have you got any orange juice? I'm not much of a drinker." Gabriella said smiling, it wasn't the right time to tell them yet, she had caught Troy's eye and he too was smiling.
"Where's Chad and the baby?" Gabriella queried.
"Their in the conservatory, 'Taylor replied standing, "Come and see." She took Gabriella's hand and led her through to the conservatory. They peered around and found Chad asleep and snoring very loudly in one of the chairs. Little Corbin lay wide awake looking around the room; he was nestled in his father's arms.
"Oh, they looks so adorable together, he's definitely got his father's hair coming." Gabriella giggled.
"I know, Chad's exhausted too. He won't leave the baby alone. The other night I caught him lying in front of the babies' door with a baseball bat. He was asleep." Taylor sniggered.
"Can I take him?" Gabriella asked hesitantly, she motioned to Corbin.
"Sure, take him on in." Taylor whispered and Gabriella picked up the little baby and carried him on in to the friends.
Taylor came and sat beside Chad who was still snoring in the chair, unaware that his child was gone.
Taylor tapped his shoulder.
"Chad…Chad wake up!" Taylor said.
He didn't stir but continued to snore terribly.
"Chad! Come on, wake up." She said a little more impatiently and once again her husband didn't wake.
"OI! CHAD DANFORTH! WAKE UP!" Taylor screamed and Chad shot up out of his dreams screaming.
"Where's the baby!" He asked looking around worriedly.
He looked down on his wife who was watching him with an amused expression on her attractive face.
"Taylor, the baby…I…I lost the baby." He said, he was almost in tears but Taylor touched his hand bringing him back to her.
"Shush, Chad, honey, Corbin's fine. He's in the room with Gabriella." Taylor said softly and Chad fell back looking relieved and terrified all at once.
"I thought…I thought for a moment…oh Taylor, never do that again." Chad said and he took Taylor in his arms and held her to him, he was so scared that he had lost the baby.
"I won't, come on, lets go see the others." Taylor said and she took her husbands hand and took him through to the others.
She noted the relief on his face when he saw his son gently cuddled into Sharpay's arms, Kelsi and Gabriella leaning over her.
Taylor smiled, Chad may be an idiot on times but he was so loving and was the best thing that had ever happened to her.
EVERYBODY gathered around the table of the Cross's that day and were all excited to share their dinner together. The table was huge and it filled the entire group of friends.
Troy stood and held out the two presents, "We have gifts, one for little Corbin, 'Troy said and he handed Taylor and Chad their gift for the baby, "And one for Damien." Troy said and he handed the excited youngster his gift.
"Oh Troy, this is lovely." Taylor said, she pulled out a large set of bibs with all baby slogans on animals and a tiny blue teddy bear, "Thank you so much."
"Hey, it's from Gabi and me." Troy said shrugging his shoulders.
"Can I open my present now Uncle Troy?" Damien asked bouncing up and down impatiently.
"Sure, go ahead." The young man said.
Damien opened his present in a frenzied excitement. It was a small gift but there was no mistaking the little ones enthusiasm.
"Whoa! The DS games I wanted. Look Mummy, Yoshi's Island and New Super Mario Brothers!" Damien said showing Sharpay the two new games.
"Say thank you Damien, where are your manners!" Sharpay said smiling.
"Thanks Uncle Troy thanks Auntie Gabi!" Damien said looking delighted.
The young blonde mother looked pleased and stroked Damien's hair as he turned his attentions back to the games in front of him.
"Good boy, 'She said and she looked at the couple, "Thanks guys, you didn't have to."
"We wanted to. You know we love to spoil him." Troy said and he touched Gabriella's hand under the table and gave her a gentle reassuring look as if to say 'it was from both of us'
"Dinners nearly ready, 'Kelsi said appearing from the kitchen looking delighted with herself, Jason appeared beside her and kissed her cheek.
"She's a great cook my Kelsi!" Jason said smiling.
At the flattering comment Kelsi blushed and she returned to the kitchen looking foolish. Jason came and sat beside Chad who was crooning Corbin in his arms. The table fell silent as they watched the father and son.
"You're so cute, aren't you? Yes you are. One day you're going to be the greatest basketball player ever! Aren't you!" He said in a baby voice.
"Why did I have to have kids?" Taylor chuckled putting a hand to her forehead.
A moment later Kelsi walked in balancing a load of bowls. The men stood immediately to help her.
"Thanks guys." Kelsi said timorously, she was never really good with people; she was very innocent in her own way.
When everything was settled on the table the dinner began, everyone laughed and chatted and it did truly feel like a comfortable environment. Gabriella couldn't believe how laid back everyone was. She was so relaxed around everyone.
The voices that projected over the table brought Gabriella back to her childhood when her entire family would gather for Sunday dinner and the noises would echo although the afternoon.
"More gravy Troy!"
"Whoa, these potatoes are great Kelsi."
"Thanks, my grandmother's recipe."
"I could do with more wine."
She was brought out of her reverie by Troy nudging her gently.
"Are you alright Gabs?" He asked tenderly.
"Yeah, I'm great." Gabriella said beaming across at him.
She touched Troy's knee under the table and he rested his hand atop of hers. They smiled at each other and those around the table stopped and looked at the couple.
"What's up with you two then?" Sharpay asked raising one of her thin sleek, blonde eyebrows.
"Huh?" Troy said.
"Oh don't play dumb, you guys have been so lovey dovey today it's hard to get a word in." Jason laughed.
"Just tell them guys! I can't keep it in much longer." Taylor said looking excited.
Gabriella looked at Troy and nodded. They both stood holding hands and Troy felt Gabriella's hand flinch with nerves.
"Well…um…Gabriella has left Richard!" Troy said and the entire table cheered and whooped, even Damien who wasn't entirely sure what was going on.
"Come on guys, move onto the better news!" Taylor probed them on and the others looked around, now very much perplexed.
"Okay, we're getting to that, 'Troy said looking at Taylor pointedly, he let go of Gabriella's hand and moved it to her stomach, "We're going to be parents! Gabriella's pregnant."
There was a sudden uproar of cheers, everyone got out of their seats and threw their arms around the couple. The Cross's house was in complete celebration. The meal was left forgotten as everyone laughed and shook hands and hugged. Damien pushed his way through the adults and stood directly in front of his Auntie beaming.
"Am I going to have a new cousin?" He asked loudly.
The entire group of friends fell silent and everyone's eyes were on the Gabriella and little Damien. Gabriella leaned down and touched Damien's face.
"Yes sweetie, you're going to have a new cousin!" She said softly.
"YAY! I'm going to be a cousin!" Damien cheered and everyone started laughing again.
"And I am the father! Just to clear that!" Troy said and everyone slapped the young man on the back and hugged Gabriella.
THE hours passed and it was getting late. Kelsi and Jason had a big house, Jason's parents had been wealthy and when they passed in a car accident, they had left Jason quite a lot of money so they invited everyone to stay because of the darkness. They had a spare cot in the back of the room when Kelsi's little cousin stayed over so Corbin could have somewhere to sleep and everyone had a bed.
Everyone was sitting in the living room playing monopoly with Damien. Everyone teamed up. Taylor and Chad, Sharpay and Zeke Damien, Kelsi and Jason and Gabriella and Troy.
"Are they cheating? I'm sure their cheating." Chad said looking across at Sharpay and Zeke who had won most of the bank money and who were the biggest investors on the board.
"No! We're not cheating." Sharpay said coolly though when she looked at Zeke she had a devious smirk on her face.
"I knew it; it's the car, the cars lucky! Everyone knows the car is lucky!" Chad said folding his arms in a huff.
"Chad shut it before I shut you up myself." Taylor said and Chad glared at her.
"Stupid woman, she had to have the dog!" Chad grumbled.
"What was that?" Taylor demanded.
Chad looked up at his wife innocently, "I love you."
Everyone laughed and Damien rolled the dice, it was six.
"Can't we just leave the game out and we'll finish up tomorrow. I am so tired." Zeke suddenly said.
Damien looked downhearted.
"Just another go, please Daddy." He asked.
"No Damien, its way past your bedtime anyway, come on, lets get you ready for bed." Sharpay said standing and giving her son her best ice Queen glare, Damien, noting his mother's impatience got up desolately and took her hand allowing her to lead him off.
"Goodnight." Damien called.
"Goodnight Damien." Everyone replied.
Everyone slumped back on the sofa and sighed, "Finally, it's over, 'Jason chuckled, "I thought we were going to be here forever."
"You do know we are going to have to finish off here tomorrow don't you?" Troy said.
Gabriella giggled and put her arms around Troy, "You know, I love this."
"Love what?" Taylor asked.
"This family environment, it's so warm. It's been a while since I've felt this." Gabriella said contently.
Troy kissed her head and Kelsi smiled, "When you're here you'll always have family!"
Gabriella smiled and felt Troy touch her stomach, that sounded nice, a family!
See, that was an endearing chapter actually. I kill myself on how great I am! There's still plenty more drama to come guys, don't think its all smooth sailing from here on. Will you all review and tell me how you think of it! Also, another chapter has been updated on 'Humuhumunukunukuapua'a' so if any of my reviewers are reading it and haven't seen it, its up. Also, to those who haven't bothered to start reading, check it out, its comical, its romantic, it's got some fantasy in it. It's really a nice story, give it a chance. I try not to disappoint! xoxMusicalxox.