Hi everybody

Hi everybody. I'm sorry for not updating. Stressed out and all. I hope you're all still reading. I'm going to update a 'Love Never Ends' chapter for tomorrow if any of you would like to know. I know many of my reviewers read that story also.

Furthermore, I'm thinking about writing a three shot. I'm not so sure when I'm going to write it but I'd just like to know how many of you would be interested. Let me know what you think.

By the way don't think Gabriella and Troy have broken up…Anyway, here's the story my friends, sorry for the long wait.

DISNEY CHANNEL OWNS HSM! SNIFFLES!

Chapter 29 – All Alone

"Oh that's wonderful, 'Gabriella said happily, "And I can't start at home until after the baby is born?" She asked the man on the end of the phone. (Confused? Don't be, it'll all come out.)

"Of course, we welcome all. You'll be sent a starter pack of course telling you what to do and not to do. It'll arrive no longer than a few days."

"Thank you, 'Gabriella wheedled in, thrilled, "Thank you so much."

"No problem." Came the reply.

Gabriella giggled gleefully, "Thanks again. Goodbye." She placed the phone down and turned in her chair feeling so happy, she ran a hand through her ruffled hair and sighed contently.

Everything, even without Troy, she thought suddenly feeling dejected, would be alright. She could manage on her own. Sure she'd be a single mother but of course Troy would want to get involved with the little one. It was only natural; he was still very eager about their baby.

Gabriella touched her bump and took a deep, well needed breath. Would she ever be free?

TAYLOR Mckessie held her arms around her Mother for a moment holding her close and taking in her sweet apricot scent. The fruity scent her Mother always seemed to let off relaxed her, Taylor always remembered as a child, when being scared, cuddling up to Mrs Mckessie and feeling somewhat eased by her rich, overwhelming fragrance.

"My darling, I haven't seen you in ages. How are you? Where's Chad?" Mrs Mckessie asked tenderly.

Taylor had told her Mother of the engagement the last time she had gone to visit her. They had spent hours fawning over the sparkling engagement ring on her finger, giggling like two over excited school girls.

"I'm okay Mom, thanks, 'Taylor replied softly pulling away from her Mother's embrace, "Chad's busy. He told me to apologise for not being able to make it."

"Oh that's alright, 'Mrs Mckessie chuckled, "So…thought of a date yet? I'm so happy for you."

Taylor sighed, "Not really. Chad suggested we wait a couple of months. I'm ready but he's a little stressed about it I think."

Mrs Mckessie frowned.

"Yes, I suppose he would be. Men are always slightly terrified when it comes to weddings. Don't you worry though; when he see's you in your wedding dress he'll barely be able to keep his hands off you. Gosh, all this talk about weddings reminds me of my own wedding to your father." Mrs Mckessie's eyes fogged over as if she was reminiscing, Taylor had to tap her shoulder to break her free of her reverie.

"I'm a little nervous myself." Taylor admitted when her Mother's attention was back to her.

Mrs Mckessie seemed to be locked in a thought, Taylor wondered whether she had gone back to her memories but suddenly Mrs Mckessie's face broke into a delighted, triumphant smile and she turned to her daughter grinning.

"Come on, I need to show you something." She said and taking Taylor's hand she began to lead her upstairs.

They eased their way up the stairs quickly, Mrs Mckessie seemed excited and Taylor smirked. Her Mother truly was like a child.

They rushed into Mrs Mckessie's bedroom and Taylor watched as her Mother rooted around under her bed. She found what she was looking for apparently; she pulled out a small black box and handed it to Taylor proudly.

"I want you to have this, if you would." She exclaimed gently.

Taylor smiled. She placed the black box onto the bed and opened it. It revealed a beautiful white dress sparkling with tiny cubic zirconia's. Taylor's heart leapt. She glanced at Mrs Mckessie who was wearing the same breathless expression. Taylor hiccupped a helpless tear, Chad could afford a dress for her that was far more extravagant with real diamonds but having her Mother present her with such a glorious, wonderful dress made her feel tingly inside. There was no other dress for her…but this one.

"If you don't want to wear it, 'Mrs Mckessie told her tenderly, "I'd understand…I mean it's pretty simple really and there's –"

Taylor cut her off engulfing her in a loving embrace. Mrs Mckessie melted into the cuddle immediately and both women were embracing tightly.

"Mom, it's beautiful. I'd be honoured to wear it."

"It was my wedding dress. I always wanted to pass it on to you. I hope one day you'll pass it on to your children, to your daughters…or to your son's…for their wives to be." Mrs Mckessie explained bashfully.

Taylor smiled. She swelled with pride and looking down on the dress she knew everything was going to be alright. Everything was going to be just fine.

TROY slumped down into his empty bed, lonely, tired and sick. Chad and Ryan were leaning against the door watching him hopelessly.

"Buddy, you've got to get out of the bed. It's one in the afternoon." Chad said rather impatiently.

It had been four days since Gabriella had left and Troy had sunk into a forlorn depression. She had phoned three times, the only time Troy appeared happy, Ryan and Chad noted, and Troy was beginning to grow dull and lifeless.

"Come on Troy, you said last week that you'd come and play basketball with us, 'Ryan exclaimed, "You've just got to keep your promise."

"Why are you grumbling for Ry, 'Troy growled looking up, "You can't even play basketball?"

Ryan fell silent and Chad glared at Troy. That was mean. Ryan who looked hurt by Troy's words left quickly as not to show how embarrassed he was. Chad however stayed.

"What the hell was all that about?" Chad demanded.

Troy got out of his bed and pulled aside the curtains in his room. He turned to the cupboard closest to him and looked at the photo before him. Gabriella. His beautiful Gabriella.

"Huh?" He suddenly asked wheeling around to look at Chad as if he had not really heard what he had said.

"Troy! You need to get Gabriella back. You're completely depressed. It needs to stop now." Chad ordered.

Troy smiled faintly, "Yeah I know but she doesn't want me right now. She needs a break. She needs to be away to think. That's what she told me."

Chad walked over to his friend and touched his shoulder. Troy didn't appear to even feel his best friend's touch. He seemed so blank and empty.

"Troy your not yourself anymore. I never thought that four days of being away from Gabriella could do this to you buddy but it has, 'Chad protested, "You're snapping at your friends, lying around all day…not caring about anything…but her. You have to do something."

Troy laughed, "What?"

"I don't know. Something." Chad said feeling rather stupid for although he thought he had the answers…he didn't. In fact, where was Taylor when you needed her?

Troy looked as if he had made his mind up, "Look I'll go to Gabriella's parents later. I'll have a talk with her but I'm not pushing her into anything. It's her choice whether she wants to be with me or not. I'm happy as long as she's happy."

"But you're not happy, you're miserable." Chad snapped.

Troy turned around and looked at Chad sadly before he allowed his gaze to go off into the window, daydreaming perhaps of his beautiful wife…whom he needed so dearly…

"GABRIELLA, 'Sojourner said softly knocking one her daughter's bedroom door, Gabriella had been sleeping in her childhood bedroom for the past four days and as Gabriella settled in Sojourner had noticed a change in her child, a sad, disturbing change, "Troy's on his way over. He wants to see you."

Sojourner saw Gabriella's eyes light up with joy. She nodded her head acting nonchalant but Sojourner was sure she saw a playful smirk work it's way onto Gabriella's face deviously.

"Thanks Mama." Gabriella said appreciatively.

Sojourner was about to downstairs but turned letting her conscious get the better of her. She came and sat beside Gabriella on her bed and touched her stomach feeling the baby quiver at her touch.

"You're so young." She said gently.

Gabriella rolled her eyes giggling, "It's a bit late for all that 'You're just a kid' talk Mom. I'm already pregnant." She said sarcastically.

"I know, I know, 'Sojourner chuckled, "But…it never really occurred to me. About the Marriage I mean. How much it would affect you. Apart from each other so early and you…pregnant."

Gabriella sighed, she touched her mother's hand, she wanted to make her see some kind of sense. What she was doing was for both her and Troy. It was for the baby too in a way. She needed space. She didn't want to be away from him for good. She just couldn't handle the thought of being too close to him whilst she was trying to figure out her feelings for him. Did she truly love him or had it been an illusion?

"Mama, we're not apart. We just need some space to think. Troy knows this." Gabriella whispered.

"My precious baby, 'Sojourner said reaching across and touching Gabriella's cheek lovingly, "If I could've stopped you marrying Troy…I would've. I wasn't so keen on the idea…when your father mentioned it. You were a baby of course. I just wish I had said no, I could've spared you thi –"

"No! No, don't ever regret it." Gabriella said swiftly.

Sojourner was surprised, Gabriella's eyes were swarming with tears but she looked happy.

"I don't regret marrying Troy. Never have. He makes me feel so wonderful…sometimes I lie awake and watch him sleep and count my blessings because he's so handsome and beautiful in every way possible. I couldn't wish for a better partner in my life. He's sweet, charming…he's my husband Mama and I'd never leave him. Not permanently." Gabriella mumbled.

Sojourner chuckled and reached for Gabriella's hands squeezing it comfortingly, "You are a brave woman Gabriella. A very brave woman."

TROY was invited up to Gabriella's room when he arrived at the Montez's. He felt rather nervous not being in his own home where he, Gabriella and the baby rightfully belonged but he was eager to see Gabriella.

He knocked on the bedroom door and Gabriella opened it revealing her beaming face. She looked happy and for this Troy was pleased. She allowed him to come in and when she had closed the door he had rushed towards her and held her tight, kissing her ever so gently.

"Gosh I've missed you." He said lovingly as he smothered her with pleasant kisses.

Gabriella giggled timorously, she allowed Troy to kiss her, to perform his act of adulation upon her and all the while her hands were everywhere, feeling and touching as if she were unsure whether he was there or not.

"I've missed you too." Gabriella murmured truthfully, she wasn't going to lie to him.

They pulled away from each other and their eyes locked. Troy's fingers grazed Gabriella's stomach and she shivered as she felt the baby move.

"How are you doing?" Troy asked her, concerned.

"Okay, I'm tired a lot lately but…I guess it's just hormones, right?" She replied.

"Yeah, 'He commented, "And the baby. When's your next ultrasound? I want to know so I can come."

Gabriella strained to remember, "I'm not sure. I promise though I'll phone when I check it out. We'll go together."

Troy appeared thankful, he led her to the bed and sat her down so they were both leaning against the wall clumsily, they both looked slightly bashful, feeling like thirteen year olds.

"Good." Troy whispered.

"So…you are doing okay?" Gabriella questioned.

"Yeah, 'Troy answered, his gaze fell completely on Gabriella, "But missing you."

Gabriella nodded, "I know. I feel it too."

"Then why don't you come home? Things can be as they were…I promise. We'll work on everything. I'll make it better." Troy pleaded frenetically.

"I know you will Troy, 'Gabriella said shaking her head, "But I can't. I still need time."

"I understand." Troy said sorrowfully.

"Troy, 'Gabriella exclaimed gently, when Troy muttered a reply Gabriella continued, "I phoned the college today. I...I'm going to college after the baby is born...I'm starting myself at home and then...when the little one is settled a little more...I'm going to go to college." (That was what was going on in the beginning, so you're not confused guys!)

Troy smiled. He had always wanted her to go to college.

"I'm glad, I'm proud of you Gabi." He whispered to her kissing her forehead.

Gabriella yawned, "I'm tired. Would you hold me?" She asked.

Troy nodded, she lay down on her side and closed her eyes feeling comfortable as Troy lay down with her, slipping his arms around her waist and weaving his hands up her shirt to touch her swollen stomach.

"I love you." Troy said kissing her neck softly.

"I love you too." Gabriella murmured and with that she dropped off to sleep peacefully.

Troy watched Gabriella with intrigue. His beautiful wife, he was alone…and so was she.

Whoa, I'm exhausted. Sorry if there's any spelling mistakes guys, it's kind of late and my Nan is telling me to get off the computer and go to bed because…yikes I have school in the morning. Yeah, if any of you are confused it because I have revision lessons for my exams so we've got to go in during the Easter Holidays. Horrible isn't it. Oh well. Review if you can. Thanks for your patience, hope you're all still reading.

xoxMusicalxox/Si xx