Hello everyone. I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've had a terrible week. My Dog, my best friend, had to be put down Saturday because she's been ill for the past few days. I'm heart broken. I feel empty and I just couldn't bring myself to write a chapter. I'm sorry. :(

Also I think this will be the one but last chapter. The story is telling me to come to an end and I'm not going to argue. After this chapter there will be one more, our usual 'So many years later' thing and then…Husband And Wife is over! Thank you for your unwavering loyalty guys, you're fantastic!

Anyway, lets not babble, this chapter is dedicated to scr1bbles9, as I promised. :) Thanks again chick!

Chapter 37 – The Most Precious Gift In The World

AFTER spending a few hours at the hospital so Tyler could get a proper check up, Gabriella and Troy were allowed to bring him home officially. Gabriella and Troy instantly loved Tyler, Gabriella had taken to kissing him and holding him whenever she could and Troy kept crooning over him, telling little Tyler that when he was old enough he'd teach him basketball and baseball and all other sports. It was a match made in heaven for the Bolton trio.

It was easy to see that Tyler had been spoilt rotten the moment he'd been brought into the world. Chad and Taylor went out and bought him a little suit with teddy bears on each pocket, Sharpay and Ryan had spent a fortune on cute little baby socks and bibs. Kelsi and Jason had bought him a little cuddly blue bear to sleep beside him at night so he'd never feel alone. All this made Gabriella and Troy very happy.

"Hush now for Mommy, 'Gabriella said softly as she fixed Tyler's nappy, (or diaper if you prefer) the little one wailed at being woken and was shaking his legs in protest, "I know, I know. Hush now."

"Is he okay?" Troy queried peering over her shoulder anxiously.

"He's fine. He's a little soldier." Gabriella crooned kissing Tyler's forehead as she lifted him up to rest him on her shoulder.

"Do you want me to take him?" Troy asked her.

Gabriella smiled, "yes please. I'm exhausted." She answered for Tyler had kept Troy and Gabriella up all night, crying and grizzling.

"Come here little guy, 'Troy said gently as Gabriella handed Tyler over, the little baby whimpered at the exchange but settled down in his Father's arms reasonably quick, Troy's heart melted faster, "hi buddy."

Tyler gurgled at the sound of his Father's voice. It was beautiful to hear his son and Troy couldn't believe Tyler had actually been embedded in Gabriella's stomach for the past nine months. It was uncanny and it was all the more uncanny that he and Gabriella had actually created Tyler. He was so handsome.

"What's with the smile?" Gabriella asked smiling, she touched Troy's arm and rested her head on his shoulder, nuzzling her nose into his neck.

"I still can't get over him, 'Troy said leaning in closer to Gabriella, "thank you for giving me him Gabi. Thank you so much, 'he whispered, "I love you."

Gabriella giggled, "I love you too."

"ARE you happy Gabriella? That you married Troy after all?" Taylor asked as she leaned over Tyler's crib, grinning proudly like any Godmother would. Gabriella had named Taylor and Chad Godparents. They were going to christen Tyler in two weeks.

Gabriella sighed and nodded, sitting back in her chairs.

"More than you'll ever know Tay." She whispered brightly, "I love him so much, more than I thought I would."

Taylor looked hesitant, licking her lips slowly, "And…what about little Tyler? Did it hurt when you gave birth? As much as it seemed?"

Gabriella could see Taylor eyeing the baby anxiously, chuckling she said, "why don't you pick him up. Give him a cuddle? 'Taylor didn't need to be told twice, she slowly lifted Tyler into her arms and having being disturbed from his sleep, he opened his eye's and squealed in protest, Gabriella could see the tenderness in Taylor's dark brown eyes, Gabriella continued, "it did hurt, like hell actually. I've never felt pain like it before. I thought I was being torn in two…but…but you kind of forget that pain once your baby is placed in your arms. It all fades away. Now, looking at Tyler, seeing how wonderfully healthy and beautiful he is, it all seems a mere memory."

"I can see how much you love him. He shares so many characteristics that you and Troy have. It's amazing." Taylor exclaimed rocking Tyler.

"I may be young but I promise to be a good mother." Gabriella said firmly, she came and stood beside Taylor and looked down on Tyler. He was chewing on his little fist, his bold blue eye's gazing around at the room with intrigue. The women smiled.

"He's a little angel." Taylor nodded in approval.

"He's a little terror!" Gabriella joked.

"Can I tell you something?" Taylor suddenly asked.

Gabriella blinked in confusion but nodded. Taylor looked distraught and nervous. Gabriella had noticed before but there were faint marks under her eyes, perhaps signs that she had not been sleeping very well.

"Well…I'm…I'm pregnant." Taylor stammered.

Gabriella's mouth dropped. Taylor settled Tyler back down in his crib and turned to look at her directly, she was apprehensive, Gabriella could tell by the fear in her eyes.

"Tay! 'She exclaimed in astonishment, "that's amazing!"

She threw her arms around her best friend who stood immobile, "Congratulations! It's wonderful news. We'll be mothers together."

"I don't know whether it's a good thing, 'Taylor sighed, "I…I won't know how to be a mother. I'm…frightened."

Gabriella pulled away from her friend and kissed her forehead maternally, she pitied Taylor for her lack of enthusiasm. Having a baby was perfect. It had brought her and Troy closer together. Why couldn't it do the same for Taylor and Chad who had fallen in love by fate not by arrangement? It was obviously meant to be otherwise it would never have happened in the first place.

"Don't be frightened. Consider the baby a blessing not a curse. You're getting the chance to be a mother. This is special Tay, 'Gabriella told her softly, she touched her flat stomach, "how far along are you?"

"About seven weeks I think." Taylor replied.

"Don't be afraid Taylor, 'Gabriella said, she motioned to Tyler, "Look at my family and think of what yours will be like. You and Chad are getting married too. This is good news."

"I guess so." Taylor smiled a little but still looked a little uneasy.

"Does Chad know?" Gabriella asked her.

Taylor nodded, "I told him last night."

"And?" Tyler grizzled a little in his crib and Gabriella leant down and lifted him up. She kissed his cheek and whispered comforting words to him. He simply lay there, resting against her shoulder, his head set against her neck.

"He's over the moon. Woke me up this morning with breakfast in bed and a bouquet of white roses. I've never seen him so excited." Taylor answered shaking her head and smiling to herself.

"Well that's a good thing." Gabriella sighed with relief.

Taylor nodded, "I suppose it is Gabriella. I suppose it is."

NIGHT fell fast over Albuquerque. Both Troy and Gabriella were exhausted by the evening and were more than ready to settle Tyler down for the night. Tyler was rather content; he liked to snuggle up against Gabriella, feeling the heat of her body. The Midwife in the hospital had told Gabriella that babies liked the warmth of their mother's body. He also liked to be winded by Troy after having a feed and would sit quietly as Troy rubbed and patted his little back.

"How are we doing?" Troy asked as he stepped into the bedroom, Gabriella was sitting on the bed feeding Tyler, the little one lay resting against his Mother's breast, his eye's closed, gurgling and gulping at her milk. Gabriella was watching him with her worshipping eyes, a pensive smile set on her striking face.

"Good, 'she replied, "It doesn't hurt so much to breastfeed anymore either." She answered.

"I still can't believe he's ours, 'Troy said sitting beside his wife and putting an arm around her waist, cooping his family up in his arms, keep them safe, "I'm still spellbound."

"Well believe it Troy. We're stuck with Tyler for a long time and vice versa." Gabriella told him soothingly.

"Did you hear the good news for Taylor and Chad?" Troy asked, Tyler seemed to have had enough. He pulled away from Gabriella who tucked away her chest and handed him to Troy who began to wind him.

"Yes, Taylor told me this morning. It's fantastic. Taylor was a little worried but I think they'll actually make pretty good parents. How did you know anyway?" Gabriella asked.

"Chad told me. Gosh I've never seen him so happy." Troy enthused.

"Let's just hope Taylor and Chad decide to get married way before their baby is born or we might have a replay of our wedding and I assure you that they wouldn't want that."

"I know exactly what you mean." Troy said and Tyler burped.

"Aww, good boy." Gabriella crooned and she took him from Troy's arms and kissed his tiny nose, "I think it's time for someone to sleep."

"I think we all need a good nights sleep." Troy agreed.

"I'll go settled him then." Gabriella answered and Troy watched her leave, beaming to himself and thanking the Lord that he had been blessed with such a perfect little family.

TYLER slept through most of the night, Gabriella and Troy lay in their bed, hardly able to sleep, worried that they would drift off and not hear him if he cried. They sat, hands entwined, Troy resting his head on Gabriella's stomach as she stroked his hair, talking to one another.

"We'll move out of here soon. Get a bigger house." Troy whispered to her darkness.

"Why?" Gabriella frowned.

"Well…um…you see…I thought you wanted…more…more children." He stuttered fretfully.

Gabriella smiled, "Of course I do. As many as you want." She replied.

Troy kissed her arm gently and allowed her to continue playing with his hair, "So how many would you say you wanted?"

"A fair few. Maybe another two or three, 'Gabriella exclaimed sighing in contentment, "but let's wait a year or two. Tyler exhausted me and in my opinion we were too young to get married and too young to have a baby."

Troy lifted himself up, resting his elbows on either side of Gabriella so he was looking down on her, encaging her. Even in the darkness he could make out her bold eye's staring up at him intently, lovingly.

"We were young weren't we?" He said quietly.

"A little, 'she nodded, "but we had foolish, selfish parents, 'Gabriella looked away from him, closing her eyes, "they didn't see the damage they were making."

Troy touched her chin bringing her back to him; he guided her gaze to his. His other hand caressed the skin on her stomach, "You don't regret us do you?" He queried.

"Never Troy, 'Gabriella reached for Troy's face with trembling hands, she brought his lips to her's, kissing him tenderly, "how could I regret the greatest thing that's ever happened to me? You gave me love and a child. You're given me everything and for that I'll always be grateful."

"Good. I'm glad. For a moment I thought…I thought maybe…you'd been…unhappy." Troy mumbled.

Gabriella harrumphed loudly, "if I'd been unhappy Troy I'd never have carried your son around for nine months let alone let you put him there. I'd have never let you touch me or kiss me or show me affection of any kind. How could you think I'd be unhappy? You're my husband. I love you." She promised kissing him ardently, she felt Troy's lips turn upwards as he returned her kiss, he was smiling.

"Thank you Gabriella." Troy said as they pulled away from each other, "Thank you for loving me."

Gabriella wound her arms around Troy's waist and allowed him to snuggle up closer to her.

"Well I'm glad we got married Gabi, 'Troy said, "the two days I married you were the best days of my life."

"You gave me the most precious gift in the world Troy, 'Gabriella whispered, "thank you.

Together they settled down to sleep, knowing that their lives were finally worth living.

I was greatly disappointed with this chapter. I'm sorry it wasn't up to scratch guys. I'm just not feeling myself :( I hope you can understand. Right now I'm just so sick of reading, writing, singing, dancing! Everything I love. I'll get better, it's just depression of my dog running it's course.

Anyway, review and tell me what you thought. It wasn't bad in length. Six pages! :( xoxMusicalxox/Si xxx