Gabriella whirled around on him, her eyes emotionless and cold. The fear and heartache of her daughter being taken away drowned by the anger she felt towards him. She shoved his arms away from her. "Don't touch me."

He tried to come closer but she stepped back. "Stay away from me."

"Brie I -"

"No don't call me that, don't talk to me." She started hitting his chest. "You promised. You promised that she wouldn't get taken away. You just handed her over."

She stopped hitting him and glared at him. "I hate you." She took off running out the door and by the time his mind caught up, she was gone. He sighed and decided that he'd give some time to cool off then she'd come back.

A few hours later, Troy found himself looking through Isabella's scrapbook with tears in his eyes. He had tried to find Gabriella but she wasn't anywhere to be found. He looked through all the photos: a 13 year old Gabriella with her new born baby, Gabriella and Isabella throughout the years, some with Maria and Isabella and the recent additions of him, Gabriella and Isabella. As he turned to last page, he found a piece of paper - a letter - dated a few days after Isabella was born.

To my Baby Girl Isabella,

I'm writing this to you from the hospital, you were born three days ago and I love you more than I've ever loved anything in my life. You are the most beautiful little girl and I'm so excited to raise you and watch you grow up, but I hope it doesn't go too fast.

When I found out that I was having you, it was the one good thing to come out of this terrible year. You gave me hope my angel and as I held you in my arms the very first time and every time after that, I thank the stars that they brought me you.

When you're old enough to read this, I know you will understand how you were conceived and I know you will be upset, but please don't be baby. You are the best thing to ever happen to me Isabella Claire and I love you more than anything in the world. The whole experience may have been terrible but as soon as I knew that you were in my tummy and I heard your little heart beat, I fell in love with you and it didn't hurt as bad anymore. You saved me baby girl.

You're the most beautiful baby girl and I know that you are going to grow up to be a beautiful girl. I'm going to do everything I can to give you the life you deserve and I hope that one day, you'll have a father that can love you the way I do. But whether or not there is eventually someone in the picture, I will be the best mother I can to you.

You are the light of my life, my baby girl, my little angel and I love you more than words can express my beautiful daughter.

Love always,

Your Mommy

Troy's felt the tears fall as he finished the letter but quickly wiped them away as he heard the front door closed. He was disappointed to find that it was Maria. "Troy, where is Gabriella and Isabella?"

He went to speak but the lump in his throat stopped him. Seeing this, Maria walked over to him and sat beside him, rubbing his back. "What happened Troy? Where are my girls?"

"We-we were at the park and my cousin came to visit, we didn't know he was meeting us there. I was pushing Bella on the swing and Gabriella came over begging to leave but I saw my cousin, I - I didn't listen to her. My cousin was bringing a friend from back home and - and it was Ashton."

Maria's hand froze and she looked at him with wide eyes. "You don't mean -"

He nodded. "I realised too late why she was desperate to leave but I hadn't listened and then he knew it was her. He - he found out about Bella, that was what she was afraid of."

He ran his hands through his hair. "She didn't talk at all since the park, only to Bella. After a few hours, someone knocks at the door, an officer. He comes in saying he has to take Bella and there's a trial for who gets custody."

Maria didn't know what to say. "Where's Isabella? Where's my daughter?"

"Isabella is with child services, she'll be with them 'til the trial. I don't know where Gabriella went, she ran out and I've looked everywhere but I can't find her."

Maria sighed and looked out the window, seeing the pouring rain she had driven home in. "Troy, I have one more place I want you to check, if she isn't there, then we'll start to call the police."

Troy parked his truck outside the beach area that Maria was talking about. The rain was so heavy that he could barely see but he zipped up his jacket and grabbed the other before looking for Gabriella. He walked the 50 metres along the shore line to where Maria had told him. He saw the large rocks she had described and on the top one laid Gabriella curled up and shivering in only a singlet and shorts.

He ran over to her and pulled her into his arms, looking down into her pale face; her lips were turning blue. He quickly wrapped her in the second jacket and lifted her into his arms, running back to the truck. He pulled them both inside, keeping Gabriella in his lap.

She struggled for a bit before collapsing into his chest sobbing. He cradled her head and rubbed her back, whispering reassurances to her. Once she was calmer, he placed her into her seat and drove home so he could get her into warmer clothes.

When he arrived back at the house, he yelled out for Maria to warm up a bath, the woman complying as she saw the state of her daughter. He carried her upstairs to the bathroom and tried to place her on her feet to give her some privacy but she refused, tightening her grip. He sighed and just held her there until the water filled the tub. He took the jacket off her, leaving her in her singlet and shorts and placed her into the tub, kneeling beside her and cupping her cheek. He used the container they usually used to wash Isabella's hair to scoop up the warm water and cover Gabriella's upper body.

When the colour returned to her face, he grabbed a towel and lifted her out of the tub, wrapping it around her. They walked into her room and he went to leave to give her privacy to change but she gripped him tightly. He sighed, "Brie, you have to get changed." She looked down and she was still shivering. "Baby do you need help?"

She nodded and he tipped her chin up. "Are you sure you're ok with me seeing you?"

She nodded and he repeated the action, he went over to his bag and grabbed her favourite hoodie of his and a pair of her sweat pants. He turned away while she changed her underwear then helped her put the sweat pants on. He held her eyes as he lifted her shirt and unclipped her bra before putting his hoodie over her, taking her into his arms. He grabbed her discarded towel and dried her hair as best he could before pulling her onto his chest after he laid on her bed.

"Please don't leave me." She whimpered.

He caressed her hair. "I'm not going to leave you Angel, I'm not going anywhere I promise."

"I'm sorry I yelled at you, I'm sorry I blamed you. I don't hate you Troy, I love you, please."

He held her tightly. "It's ok Baby, there's nothing to be sorry for, you were angry and upset, it's ok. I'm not going anywhere, we're going to get our daughter back Brie, I promise."

She nodded before closing her eyes from exhaustion. He held her close, relieved to finally have her back in his arms. Now all that was left to do was get Isabella back into their arms.