Hi everyone! Sorry it's took me so long to write this chapter. I had to consider all your guys reviews and then try and decide where I was going to go with the story and how I was going to make all the characters work from now on in because things are starting to take their own courses in this story. Hmm??
So I suppose this is just a fill in chapter. I hope that's alright??
Oh, by the way, in the previous chapter some of you found it hard to review and so had to message me your reviews. There is a reason behind that. The Author notes I had left concerning Sassy (I'm sure you all remember her, grr) were beginning to bother me so I deleted them and that caused the story to go all over the place making it difficult for you guys to review. It might do it again when you try and review but please don't let that stop you. I love your guys reviews so keep trying. This will not be a permanent change. :D xxx
Anyway, I've babbled enough I think…let's get on with it…I don't own HSM1, HSM2 or HSM3 and never will…sadly…blah, blah and blah!
Chapter 19 – Reassurance
IT was one of those lazy days where the sun was shining, the heat was burning and the sound of frantic happiness was lingering amongst the people of Albuquerque.
Gabriella and Taylor were standing at the kitchen sink in the Danforth's washing and drying the dishes after dinner that evening. Troy and Gabriella had brought Katie around to play with Monique and they had been invited to stay for dinner. The evening had gone by splendidly and whilst Chad and Troy took the kids out to the back garden to play some basketball, Taylor and Gabriella had retired to the sink, to talk and wash up.
"Look at them, 'Taylor said sighing with happiness, she was looking out at Katie and Monique who were trying to steal the basketball from Chad who was teasing them by holding it above his head, "their so beautiful. Our future."
Gabriella smiled removing a plate from Taylor's hands and drying it with a dishcloth, "I know and you'd never believe we made them. Katie and Monique I mean."
"Are you happy the way things turned out?" Taylor queried and when Gabriella frowned she continued, "the way our lives have changed…sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse?"
"Oh, 'Gabriella smiled softly, she thought for a moment and then nodded, "well yes, I suppose I am happy. I mean I'm with the man I love, I have a ever- adoring, beautiful daughter and I'm with my family again, 'she nudged Taylor in the ribs, "what about you? You're pregnant!"
Taylor dried her hands and touched her slightly swollen stomach, a tender sort of expression playing on her charming face, "I am happy too, in fact I'm more than happy…but do you ever wonder what things would've been like if we hadn't met Troy or Chad…if we'd travelled different paths?"
"I don't doubt fate if that's what you mean, 'Gabriella exclaimed, "we were obviously meant to meet Troy and Chad and get married and have children."
"Yes, I suppose your right." Taylor answered nodding in understanding.
"How far gone are you in your pregnancy?" Gabriella asked Taylor, changing the subject.
"I'm nearly two months. I'm just surprised that I've already got a bump coming along, 'Taylor chuckled, "I know I shouldn't have one just yet."
"Maybe you're having twins." Gabriella teased.
Taylor smacked Gabriella's arm playfully, "please don't let Chad hear you say that, he'll be over the moon if he thinks I'm having twins."
Taylor turned back to the sink and picked up another plate, scrubbing it as she gazed back out the window. Her eyes were soft as she surveyed her husband and daughter. Chad was scooping Monique up in his arms and she was giggling joyfully, completely at ease with her father. He kissed her nose affectionately and Taylor laughed, her voice filled with an undying love for her family.
"You love them so much don't?" Gabriella said.
Taylor nodded, "their my world. To be without them would be torture. I can't imagine being away from Monique and Chad." She whispered.
Gabriella turned to look at Troy and Katie and smiled sadly. What had she done when things had turned treacherous in her life, she had fled and here Taylor stood, brave and strong. Proud to be a mother and wife. She made Gabriella feel ashamed!
"YOU'VE been terribly quiet today." Troy said during the ride home to Gabriella. He had noticed the change in her when Taylor had called them all back in from the garden for some desert. Gabriella had picked at her ice cream silently until Chad had asked her if he could have it.
"Not feeling too good actually, 'Gabriella lied cradling a sleep Katie in her arms, "I think I might go to bed when we get home."
"What's wrong?" Troy asked thoughtfully.
"I've got a headache. Don't worry, it calm once we get home. I'm sure of it." Gabriella said reassuringly.
Troy didn't look convinced but smiled and shrugged his shoulders, not wanting to frustrate Gabriella, "Alright, if you say so." He nodded.
Gabriella's arms tightened around Katie protectively, the little girls head was resting just under her breast. Gabriella felt her maternal instincts kick into her place, she could feel Katie's heart beating rapidly against her and Gabriella herself knew that Katie had been lulled to sleep by her own heartbeat. It brought Gabriella some kind of comfort, knowing that Katie loved her so. Gabriella liked Katie having to rely on her and she adored the want that flashed in Troy's eyes every time he looked at her. It made Gabriella feel needed.
THE night had passed on slowly and Troy was beginning to get rather tired. Gabriella and Katie were already in bed, asleep. Gabriella had retired to the bedroom as soon as they had arrived home and Troy had not heard a peep out of her all evening. Troy had settled Katie an hour ago after a mug of hot chocolate and a bedtime story before he had returned downstairs to sit alone.
It wasn't hard to see that something was bothering Gabriella. She had been dreadfully quiet all evening since dinner. Troy didn't like her being upset, it made him anxious which he couldn't be blamed for. The last time something had been up with Gabriella she had left him and her newborn baby alone in the world, even if it had been through an illness like post natal depression. Troy felt almost sick with worry.
He hoped that Gabriella would be better tomorrow. He was taking her out on their second date. The pair had planned it the day before last. They were going to the Movies and then they would take a nice stroll around one of the local parks. It was something they'd liked to do when they'd been younger so it would bring back memories for the two of them.
"Am I disturbing you?" A hushed whisper called, frightening Troy out of his reverie.
Troy stood nearly knocking over a stack of Katie's books as he went. There Gabriella stood in her pyjama's looking like a timid child; her eye's downcast, holding her hands carefully in front of her. Troy smiled at how beautiful she was. Was it possible to be so fanatical over someone?
"No, no, of course you weren't, 'Troy said quickly, he took in Gabriella's sad, soft look and grinned at her joyously, she was his and he was her's. Very slowly he held out his arms to her, "come here." He whispered.
Gabriella obliged immediately, walking into his embrace and enjoying the feel of Troy's arms weaving around her waist, tugging her closer to him. Troy began to sway them from side to side almost like they were dancing without any music. Gabriella buried her head into his chest and breathed a sigh of relief, liking what he did to her.
"It's nice to feel so carefree, isn't it?" Troy asked her.
Gabriella mumbled a half hearted reply.
"What's wrong?" Troy suddenly queried squeezing Gabriella's arms a little, trying to ease her.
"Nothing, 'Gabriella whispered, "nothing at all."
"Gabriella, 'Troy exclaimed seriously, "you've always been a terrible liar so why don't you tell me what's really bothering you?"
Gabriella sighed and pulled away to look up at Troy, "It's…it's just…it's something that bothered me today really. When I was with Taylor washing the dishes."
"What?" Troy pleaded with her.
Gabriella turned in Troy's arms and made to move away from him but his grip was firm on her waist and he would not let her go.
"Tell me." He said in a hushed voice.
"It's nothing serious, I'm making a big fuss over nothing really, 'Gabriella replied and when Troy nuzzled his nose into her neck she could not help but continue, "it was when I was talking to Taylor."
"What about it?" Troy questioned rubbing her back soothingly.
"We were talking about…about Chad and Monique, 'Gabriella stopped and hesitated, taking a gulp of air as if it were something she required at that moment in time to calm her nerves, "Taylor made a comment…about…about not being able to live without them. She said it would be torture."
"Yes and why is that upsetting you?" Troy queried.
Their eye's suddenly locked; Gabriella turned her head towards Troy and looked at him intently. Unconsciously Troy's hand slid down to her hips and then slid back up again. Gabriella shivered.
"It just made me think, 'Gabriella began, "about our family. Taylor would never leave Chad and Monique no matter what but I left you and Katie to fend for yourselves…I'm…I'm a horrible wife and mother." Her lip was quivering and her eye's seemed blank and unreadable.
"Is that what this is all about? 'Troy demanded in astonishment, Gabriella nodded, "then let me ask you a question?" He said pulling her closer to him.
"Sure."
Troy sighed, "Why are you even here? Now?"
"Because love never ends Troy…the way I feel about you doesn't anyway." Gabriella said offering Troy a small smile.
Troy suddenly pressed his lips against Gabriella's taking her by surprise. She moaned into his mouth and turned quickly in his arms, yanking his face nearer to her's.
"Exactly, 'Troy whispered when they pulled apart, he allowed his nose to trace against hers and smiled wider, "you may have left us Gabi, but you never forgot about us and we were always in your thoughts. You were ill and in a way you were right to leave, you did it to protect Katie and I, 'Troy's finger traced Gabriella's lips zealously, "and it kind of proves that somewhere in the back of your mind, even though you couldn't acknowledge it, you loved Katie just as much as I did because you did what needed to be done to protect her."
Gabriella fought back her tears, "You think so?"
"Yes, 'Troy promised, "I do."
Gabriella couldn't resist anymore, she pushed herself up against Troy and kissed him fervently, holding his face in between her fingers. Troy tugged Gabriella with him firmly pushing her between him and the wall. It was a nice feeling to be so close together and Troy and Gabriella could hardly contain the rush of their emotions, their tongues were tangled together passionately, each trying to find power over the other. Troy's hands went under Gabriella's shirt feeling the softness of her dark skin; she whimpered needing to feel him with her.
Then, "we can't, 'she groaned pushing him away from her, Troy frowned, confused, "Katie's upstairs and…it wouldn't be right." She gasped for breath.
Troy nodded, "your right I suppose."
Gabriella smiled touching his cheek feeling the tell tale sign of rough stubble, "Soon, 'she promised him, "very soon."
As you can all see guys, Gabriella and Troy are very serious now…or that's the way I see it. I hope I brought that last part across correctly so you all know what I'm talking about lol. Their relationship has taken a change…whether it's for the better or the worse you'll just have to see. Sorry if there's any mistakes, busy, busy!
I hope it was a good chapter, like I said it was a fill in, five pages long but still it was a chapter. :D xxxx Anyway, review and tell me what you think. xoxMusicalxox/Si xxx