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Chapter Twenty-Nine: Roots Before Branches

So many things to do and say, but I can't seem to find my way

But I wanna know how

I know I'm meant for something else, but first I gotta find myself

But I don't know how

Oh why do I reach for the stars

When I don't have wings to carry me that far

I gotta have roots before branches

To know who I am before I know who I wanna be

And faith to take chances to live like I see

A place in this world for me

- "Roots Before Branches" Room For Two


Four Months Later

"So you'll have Allie," Gabriella fussed.

"Honestly," Mrs. Hernandez smiled, "we're fine. And we'll be sitting next to the Boltons so there's no need to worry. We'll find you afterwards. I promise."

Gabriella pressed a kiss to Allie's forehead, "Thank you." She whispered.

"Gabriella, we need to go." Troy came out of the bedroom and placed a kiss on Allie's head, "We'll see you after, baby girl."

"Dada."

The room stilled. "Did she just?" Troy asked.

"Dada." Allie repeated. "Bye."

"Holy shit." Gabriella murmured. Her eyes flew to Troy and then to Allie. She prepared herself for a panic attack.

Instead, Troy walked back up to her, "That's right, baby girl. Dada bye. But Dada will see you soon." He kissed her again, "El, we've got to go now. We're picking up Emma, Jason, Chad and Taylor. And Chad will not be ready so we'll have to hustle him out the door."

Gabriella nodded wide-eyed as she let Troy lead her out the door. "Troy, why aren't you freaking out?" Gabriella whispered once they settled in the car.

Turning the engine over, Troy frowned, "About what?"

"She called you 'dada'. You're an eighteen year old guy and your girlfriend's little sister who she's raising called you 'dada', shouldn't you be like running for the hills at this point?"

"El, I knew this would happen. We both knew this would happen. I mean come on, we've been raising her for the past, wow, almost a year. You can't honestly believe that she doesn't think of us as mom and dad. And if I were going to run, I would've done it a long time ago." Troy continued as he stopped at a stop sign, "Wait, are you not okay with this?"

"I just don't understand how you're not freaking out more." Gabriella mumbled, "I mean, it's just so much to take on and,"

He leaned over and pressed his lips to hers, "I'm okay with what I've taken on, okay? I'm not going anywhere. I promise. We're going to New York together. We're going to be fine. We're going to be better than fine. And we've got a whole family of crazies behind us to help screw her up."

Gabriella laughed and leaned back, "Okay, Wildcat, I'm alright now."

Reaching over to squeeze her hand lightly he stated surely, "It's okay, everything is going to be just fine. I promise."

HSMHSMHSM

"Okay everyone," Jack Bolton grinned, "smile big!"

"Just a couple of more," Sharpay whined, "I want to get out of this robe. It's uncomfortable and hot and not flattering on my figure." She muttered.

"Come on, Pay, it's graduation. Our high school graduation only happens once." Gabriella reminded her brightly.

"Fine, more pictures. Can I have Allie?" Sharpay held out her hands and wiggled her fingers until Mrs. Hernandez placed the child in her arms. "Smile big, Miss Allie."

Allie wiggled on Sharpay's hip and whacked her in the nose, "Pay." She giggled, "Pay."

"Oh my God," Gabriella smiled, "she said you're name. She said her first three real words today, 'dada', 'bye', and 'Pay'."

"Suck it losers I'm more important than all of you." Sharpay stuck out her tongue at her friends.

"Real mature Aunt Pay." Taylor rolled her eyes playfully. Frowning she said, "Where's Chad?"

As if on cue, Chad appeared, "Did you know there are snacks?" He asked, shoving a brownie in his mouth, "Oh my God these are as good as yours." He pointed to Gabriella.

"That's because I brought them. Most people brought food." Gabriella rolled her eyes.

"Oh my God, Cora these taste like your meatballs." Scott Danforth appeared with a plate of meatballs, shoving them in his mouth just like his son.

Cora Danforth, Chad's mother, rolled her eyes, "They are my meatballs." She sighed, "Like father like son."

"He's going to eat us out of house and home in New York." Troy muttered as he took a crying Allie from Sharpay.

"If Jason doesn't burn our kitchen down first." Gabriella shot back cheekily.

"See, a bunch of crazies to screw up our first daughter." Troy winked at her.

"First daughter? Are you insinuating that you want more children with me, Mr. Bolton?" Gabriella asked with an arched eyebrow.

Pulling her close to him, he whispered in her ear, "One day."

HSMHSMHSM

XOXO

MAS