Disclaimer: I do not own the HSM characters!
Chapter 25 - Confrontation
It had been a week since Christmas and Keegan would be going back to school the following Monday. Which meant he had three days left of his winter vacation. Today Gabriella had told Troy to take Keegan out somewhere, just them to for some father-son bonding. All Keegan could talk about since a few days ago was his holiday to Disney.
Since Troy booked the holiday to Disney Land before Gabriella announced her pregnancy they have changed the tickets for the next vacation Keegan has off so that Gabriella is still comfortable enough to fly without a big bump and stuff. They were supposed to be going later than that but Troy didn't want Gabriella to be uncomfortable.
When Troy asked why she was so eager for them to leave and not spend time with her as well she answered that they needed just time for them two and she needed to get some house work done and that it would be much easier to do without Keegan running around. He saw the point and agreed to it, only if she would let him take her out that night for a romantic meal, just the two of them. She agreed and he kissed her smiling brightly.
So here she was, at 11:00am cleaning the family room before going out for a while. She hadn't told him the whole truth as to why she wanted to be alone, because she knew he wouldn't agree to it knowing she could get stressed. That is the one mood he doesn't want her to be in, for both her and the baby's sake.
Gabriella knew though that in the long run this could possibly turn out to be a good thing for Troy. She knew also that it could turn out worse and she prayed that didn't happen because she knew this could be the one thing to make him truly happy. He says he is truly happy but there is one factor in his life that she knew he was slightly hurt and upset, maybe even angry about. That factor?
His Mother, Lucille Bolton.
Gabriella was going around to her house today and she wasn't leaving until they spoke. Even if that meant she told Lucille a few home truths about her attitude right now. All she knew was Jack would probably be as hurt by her behaviour as Troy was. In the few days she knew Troy's dad they became quite close and she had started to love him as a father too. Lucille used to be like a mother to Gabriella. She could easily remember the days she would spend time with Lucille and Michelle shopping and having girlie days and she enjoyed them so much. So to be treated this way, for one little mistake that a lot of people may have made in her situation, she was kind of angry. As well as upset and hurt also.
So, she put on her jacket and checked her bag for all her things then left the house. She got in her car and drove the short drive to Lucille's house. It was quite close really and she could have walked but she knew Troy would panic if he came home and the car was there but she wasn't as there were no shops in walking distance really.
After driving for five minutes she pulled up outside Lucille's house and took a breath before shutting off the engine and going up to the door. She knocked and then heard feet shuffling behind the wood. When the door opened to say Lucille looked shocked would be an understatement.
"What?" She said rudely.
"We need to talk" Gabriella stated.
"I have nothing to say to you" she went to close the door but Gabriella stopped it.
"Then you can damn well listen to me Lucille because I am not leaving until you do!" She snapped. Lucille reluctantly let Gabriella in and obviously was hoping to get this out of the way because she didn't offer her a drink or anything. They sat n the family room and Gabriella took a breath again. "What have I done?" She sighed.
"You broke my son's heart" Lucille told her.
"You think I don't know that?" She asked in disbelief. "It kills me everyday to know the pain I caused him when I left but I had to do it, I couldn't be here" Lucille shook her head.
"I get that part ok? But you never telling him about Keegan was wrong" Gabriella shook her head.
"No, I had to do that, I was scared, I didn't tell him through the pregnancy because I thought that way if the same tragic thing had of happened again Troy wouldn't be suffering with me" she defended her actions. "And as of not telling him once Keegan was born I just didn't know how to say it, I was terrified he would hate me, that doesn't mean Keegan didn't know him though, I told him about his daddy everyday and he loved him so much without even meeting him"
"It doesn't excuse it though Gabriella, I saw how empty Troy was in the years you were gone, and maybe if you had of told him that would have made him alive again" Gabriella stood up.
"Look Lucille, I have tried to explain things calmly to you but it isn't going through is it?! I can spend the rest of my life apologizing to your son about this but it won't be able to rewind time to change it!" She shouted. "I love Troy more than ever, he feels the same and I am not asking for us to be as close as we were ok? I get maybe I lost your trust in that sense but I am just asking that we be civil with each other" Lucille stood up.
"Why should I?"
"Because you love your son" Gabriella stated. "I don't want him to have to go through life without you but if you carry on this hatred towards me you will lose him forever" Lucille laughed.
"This won't last long, he will come back home he always does" Gabriella shook her head.
"Then maybe you don't know your son as well as you think because I know for sure that if you don't start being reasonable he won't come home, he loves me and Keegan so will always put us first" she then touched her stomach. "He wants you there, your first grandchild will be here before you know it and he wants you there I know he does"
"That baby will not be my first Grandchild, Esme was or have you forgotten about her already because of your perfect little boy?" Gabriella slapped her cheek.
"How dare you!?" She shouted. "Of course I haven't forgotten about her, but I have to deal with it and try my best to move on for Keegan, you know how heartbroken I was when Esme died so for you to stand there and say that..." she trailed off and went to leave.
"Gabriella..." she cut her off.
"No Lucille, that was the final straw, when I tell Troy what you said..." Lucille looked panicked.
"No, please don't tell him" she begged.
"Why shouldn't I?"
"Because I will have no chance at getting him back" Gabriella looked blankly at her.
"Should have thought about that before shouldn't you" she said before leaving.
Once she got home and safely into the house she slid down the door and sobbed. For Lucille to say something like that is just hurtful. She always knew how much it killed Gabriella, it was the reason she left! Ok, she gets that she isn't her biggest fan now but for her to stoop that low is just wrong. Gabriella stood up and went to their bedroom. She got out a small box from the back of her section in the closet and she took out it's contents. It was her 'Esme Box'.
It had the locket she never used to take off, the pictures they took at the hospital and her hand prints. She gripped the locket tightly in her hand and cried as she kissed it. She then heard Troy and Keegan come in downstairs. Troy couldn't see her like this, she wasn't really going to tell him, she just wanted to scare Lucille into realising what she had done to her son and what this revelation could do. She shut the door quickly and locked it before hearing footsteps on the stairs.
"Brie?" Troy knocked on the door.
"O-one sec" she sniffled.
"Are you ok?" He sounded worried.
"Y-yeah, I'll be down in a sec" she didn't hear him move.
"Babe, open the door" he sighed. "Come on, I know your upset please open up" she sighed and opened the door. Troy immediately pulled her into his embrace and whispered soothing words in her ear. "What happened?" He asked when she had calmed down.
"I don't want to tell you" she said quietly.
"Why?" He asked slowly.
"Because you'll be mad" he smiled softly.
"I can never be mad at you" she shook her head.
"It won't be me your mad at" he frowned.
"Babe, just tell me" at that moment there was a knock on the door downstairs. Gabriella walked past him and downstairs to see Keegan by the door.
She opened it and saw Lucille standing there.
"Please say you haven't told him?" She pleaded.
"Tell who what?" Troy came up behind Gabriella and frowned as he saw his mom. "What are you doing here?"
"You haven't told him?" Gabriella shook her head.
"Told me what?" He sounded worried.
"Keegan, let's go play with your cars" Gabriella picked him up and went into the play room.
Gabriella closed the door to the room and sat on the floor with him. He handed her the green car and the orange one whilst he played with his red ones. They pretended to race them through the garage and she made sure he was having fun not thinking about Lucille at the door. Ever since the day he witnessed her shouting at Gabriella he hadn't been a big fan. He was about to speak when Troy's voice was heard.
"You said what?!" He sounded beyond angry.
"Baby, you stay here ok?" Keegan nodded slowly. Gabriella left the room and went to the family room. "Troy, babe calm down, Keegan is scared" he took a breath.
"Is that why you were crying?" He asked her.
"What?"
"Gabriella, please don't treat me like an idiot, what my mom said to you?" She nodded.
"I'm sure she didn't mean it though" Gabriella did kind of feel sorry for Lucille now, even though she had every right not to.
"Don't make excuses for her" he then turned to his mother. "I cannot believe you" he exclaimed. "What possessed you to even think something like that never mind actually express that opinion?"
"It isn't what I think, you know that I just got angry..."
"Why the hell were you angry?!" He shouted. "Gabriella should be the fucking angry one!" He shouted then they heard a whimper. Gabriella ran over and lifted Keegan into her arms.
"Why is d-daddy sh-shouting?" He cried.
"It's alright baby, daddy is just a little angry but he promises not to shout anymore, right Troy?" She turned to him and sent him a warning look.
"Right, I am so sorry buddy, come here..." Gabriella handed him to Troy who kissed his head and apologized.
"Troy..." Lucille spoke up.
"No" he said sternly. "Just go" he told her.
"Please..." she pleaded.
"Mom, please just leave" he said through gritted teeth as he walked out of the room with a much calmer Keegan.
"Gabriella I..." she started.
"Lucille, I think it's best you leave, I will talk to him" she sighed.
"Why would you?" She asked harshly.
"Because, unlike you I want this sorted" she snapped. "I don't think Keegan can be apart of your life yet though" Lucille nodded.
"I understand" Gabriella nodded. "I really am sorry about what I said" Gabriella shrugged.
"You still said it though" Lucille went over and hugged her.
"I am sorry for the way I have treated you, I am just scared this thing you have won't work out and he will be left heartbroken again" Gabriella pulled away.
"I was heartbroken too, as well as being a single parent with nobody, Troy had you and Michelle, and all our friends, I had no one but myself and my son" she confessed. "I knew I had to be strong though which is why I put on this hard front to hide my feelings from Keegan, you can't just assume that because I left I wasn't hurting too" Lucille nodded.
"I know, I get it now, I just really hope you can forgive me" Gabriella went to speak.
"Are you still here?" Gabriella winced.
"Troy..." Lucille touched her arm.
"It's ok, I am going" she left and quietly shut the front door.
"Why didn't you tell me she said that to you?" He asked Gabriella.
"Because, I knew it would make you angry and I don't want to be the reason you and your mother aren't speaking, Troy she didn't mean it, she has apologized for everything, I think seeing you like that knocked it into her, I am not saying we become close to her just get back on speaking terms and see where it goes" he pulled her into his arms.
"Baby steps?" He asked through a sigh.
"Baby steps" she nodded. "No matter what you say I know your not 100% happy Troy" he sighed.
"99.9% happy" she giggled.
"Wouldn't you like that extra .1%?"
"I guess" he shrugged.
"Then text her, tell her what she said and has done since I got back is wrong but that you are willing to slowly let her back in" he looked hesitant. "Please?" She pouted. "For me?" She gave a slight smile knowing he couldn't resist her.
"Fine, for you" he sighed and kissed her forehead.
"Good boy" she kissed his lips softly. "Now text her while I go make dinner" he nodded and Gabriella left him to it.
After a few minutes she was stirring the pasta in the pan of hot water when Troy entered the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and placed gentle kisses along her neck and shoulders.
"I thought I was taking you out?" He mumbled against her skin.
"Can we do it tomorrow night?" She asked. "I just want to chill with Keegan tonight" he sighed.
"Fine" he went to leave. She gripped his wrist and pulled him to her.
"Now don't be like that baby" she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Like what?"
"All moody and upset, I just don't want to leave him ok?"
"He is a big boy now Gabriella, you know he would happily go to Chad and Tay's for the night" he told her.
"I just don't want to leave him after he got upset" she unwrapped her arms from around him.
"Fine whatever" he left the kitchen and she groaned.
Half an hour later dinner was ready and they were all seated at the table. Troy played with his food, in a bit of a mood whilst Gabriella just sat there not knowing what to say. It was silent for a few more minutes until Keegan broke it.
"Why are you not talking?" He asked his parents.
"Daddy is just tired buddy" Troy smiled at his son and ruffled his hair.
"Are you tired to mommy?" He looked at Gabriella.
"A little bit baby" she smiled.
"I'm not tired" he said happily. "Does that mean I can stay up later?" Both Troy and Gabriella laughed.
"Hmmm, I don't know, you'll have to ask daddy" Keegan gave Troy his baby face.
"I guess you can stay up for an extra hour or so bud"
"Yes!" He pumped his fist in the air.
"Now who taught you that?" Gabriella giggled.
"Uncle Chad always does it mommy" Troy chuckled and his eyes locked with Gabriella's.
"I'm sorry" he mouthed to Gabriella. She smiled and shrugged, her way of saying don't worry.
The rest of dinner was as it always was, the little family of three talking and laughing as they ate. Gabriella gave Keegan his dessert once he was done and then cleared away the plates. As she was loading the dishwasher she sensed Troy behind her.
"You should be watching him" she said as she stood up and turned to Troy.
"Why?" He frowned.
"Troy, he is the messiest eater ever when it comes to chocolate, you know that" they both laughed.
"I just wanted to say sorry properly, I didn't mean to get all moody, I just really miss 'us' time" he pulled her to him and they hugged each other close.
"I know babe, but having kids does kill that time" he sighed.
"I know, I just always thought we could work something out" they looked in each others eyes.
"I swear I will call Tay later and ask if she and Chad can watch Keegan ok?" Troy smiled.
"We don't have to go out babe" she smiled.
"I know, I want to" she leant up and kissed him softly on the lips once. They were about to kiss again when they heard a crash in the lounge. They both ran into the room and saw Keegan standing over a broken bowl. "Baby what happened? Are you ok?" She rushed over when he started to cry.
"I w-was only tr-tr-trying to h-help mommy" he sobbed into her shoulder.
"Shhh, oh baby it's ok" she rubbed his back softly as Troy picked up the broken pieces.
"It's alright buddy, you were only trying to help mommy" he rubbed his back too.
"I b-br-broke it though" he looked at both his parents and looked confused that they weren't mad.
"Because you were trying to help sweetie, it is alright it was an accident" he smiled.
"I love you mommy" he hugged her again.
"I love you too sweetie, now how about you and daddy go and have a bath whilst I finish cleaning this up?"
"Ok" he nodded then ran off for the stairs.
"You not want me to do this?" Troy asked.
"Nah, you go get him in the bath, I'll be up soon" he nodded, kissed her softly then chased Keegan up the stairs. Gabriella smiled at his squeals of delight when Troy caught him then went to finish cleaning up. Once the kitchen was all clean again and the mess from the lounge was cleaned up she went for the stairs to see her boys.
As Gabriella got to the bathroom door she listened for a while to Troy and Keegan interacting.
"Daddy?" Came Keegan's voice.
"Yeah mate?" Troy asked as he washed Keegan's hair.
"Will the baby look like us or mommy?" Gabriella smiled.
"I don't know, why bud?" Troy sat on the closed toilet lid.
"Because I look like you and I don't think it is fair on mommy if this baby does too" Troy smiled.
"Well, we can't really do anything about it if the baby does look like us buddy" Gabriella chose this moment to enter.
"Hey you two" she smiled. "What you talking about?" She asked as she sat in Troy's lap.
"Nothing mommy" Keegan gave her a fully toothed grin then went back to playing.
"You heard didn't you?" Troy whispered in her ear, causing her to shiver and he to smirk.
"Yes" she said quietly then turned to Keegan. "Shall we watch a movie tonight baby?" Keegan nodded.
"Can we watch a Disney film?" His parents laughed.
"Why a Disney film buddy?" Troy knew what was coming next.
"Because it means we will know more stuff when we go on holiday" he splashed excitedly.
"Ok, which one baby?" Gabriella giggled as Troy dried her face with the towel after the water got her.
"Ummm..." he looked up in thought. "Aladdin!" He clapped.
"Aladdin it is" Troy laughed.
Keegan stayed in the bath for another ten minutes then Troy got him out and dried him as Gabriella went into his bedroom to get his Jammies and the film. Troy entered the room a few minutes later with a shivering Keegan. Gabriella laughed and got him dressed as quickly as she could. She then dried his hair a bit more so he wouldn't catch a cold and put on his dressing gown. He put his 'Power Rangers' slippers on then held his arms up so Troy could carry him.
Troy shook his head and lifted his son off the ground. Gabriella said she would be down in a minute, she just wanted to get ready for bed herself and Troy nodded before leaving her. Gabriella went to their bedroom and once she was in her comfy clothes she went downstairs to see Troy and Keegan having a thumb war. Troy clearly letting Keegan win to please him.
"Wow, baby, your getting good at that" Gabriella smiled at him.
"I know" he smiled wide.
Gabriella put the DVD in the DVD player, switched on the T.V and then went to sit next to Troy. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and she rested her head on him. Keegan shuffled a little so he was sat on Troy's lap but in the middle so he could cuddle up to Gabriella. He ended up with his head on Gabriella's lap and the rest of him on Troy.
Throughout the film Keegan commentated on what happened and Troy and Gabriella shot each other amused glances. He was so adorable when he got excited.
Keegan managed to stay awake through the whole film but admitted he was now tired. Troy carried him up to bed once Gabriella kissed him goodnight then left with him. Gabriella rested her head on the back of the sofa and yawned. She was tired. Troy came down a few minutes later and sat back down next to her.
"You ok baby?" He sounded worried.
"Course babe" she smiled at him. "Why?"
"You look a little pale" he felt her forehead.
"I just feel tired babe, it will be that" he frowned.
"Your kinda hot Brie" she smiled.
"I know" she joked.
"Ha-ha, very funny" he said sarcastically. "I mean as in burning up hot" she sighed.
"It won't be anything babe, just chill out" she told him.
"Fine, but I am keeping my eye on you missy" she saluted him.
"Yes sir" he shook his head as she giggled.
"You should take your health more seriously Gabriella" she frowned. He sounded like a dad telling off his naughty child.
"Why should I? You worry enough for the both of us" she snapped before standing up.
"Babe, I just want to protect you and look after you" he stood up and grabbed her waist, pulling her back to his chest and stomach.
"Ok, but when I tell you I feel fine please believe me" he kissed behind her ear softly and she moaned quietly. "Hmmm" her eyes fluttered shut.
"Shall we go to bed?" Troy murmured into her neck.
"Hmmm" she murmured back. Troy then turned her around, picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. She giggled as he kissed her. "We need to turn everything off babe" he groaned and quickly pressed the plug sockets off then walked quickly upstairs, quietly shutting their bedroom door behind him.
"Now, where were we?" Gabriella smirked.
"About here" she mumbled against his lips before kissing him hard and passionately.
The kisses and caresses got more heated until they were both on the bed, naked and moaning each others names. Troy was thrusting in and out of her body harder than usual, but she didn't mind, she loved it. She raked her nails down his bare back and he groaned and shivered beneath her touch.
"I'm nearly there Troy" Gabriella moaned as she arched her back up.
"Let it go baby" he whispered and she nodded. After a few more thrusts her walls tightened around his hard shaft and she collapsed onto the bed. Her walls milked him as he spilt his seed inside her. He rolled off her once they were both done and panted heavily. Gabriella breathed in the same way, neither speaking for ages.
"That was great" she breathed out eventually.
"It's always great babe" he smiled at her.
"Hmmm" she yawned.
"Get some rest" he pulled the comforter over them and she snuggled into him.
"I love you Troy Bolton" she whispered.
"I love you too baby" he kissed the top of her head and watched as she slowly drifted into her peaceful dreamland. It wasn't long until he followed her into his own, thinking of the day their baby would be born and he would become a daddy for the third time.
So there you go=] I hope you all liked it, Troyella fluff=] With a bit of drama from Lucille. How could she say that? :O Will they be able to get back to normal? How will the holiday to Disney go? Find out in the next installment of 'Should've Stayed'=]
Reviews make my day=] Please send me some=]
xxx Paige xxx