They spent the afternoon on the couch cuddled up together. It was time for Isabella to go to bed but she turned to Gabriella. "Can i sleep Mommy and Daddy bed?"

Gabriella kissed her head, relieved by the question. "Of course you can Baby Girl. Let's head up to bed." Gabriella lifted her daughter up and Troy followed behind the girls only to be stopped by Lucille.

"Troy can I have a word?" He nodded and followed his mother into the living room as Gabriella took Isabella up to her room.

"What's up Mom?"

"I see Isabella's back."

"Yeah she is." Troy was confused by his mother's tone.

"Hmm."

"Is there a problem?"

"I just don't see why the court allowed a sixteen year old to keep a child."

He narrowed his eyes this time. "Gabriella is an amazing mother and there is no reason why Bella shouldn't be in her care. The only reason they had any chance of taking her away is because Jack was abusive to me." Lucille only huffed in response. "Mom what is going on? You've been trying to pick fights with me as soon as I got out of the hospital."

"I'm not trying to pick fights with you Troy."

"Then what is it because since that day, you haven't been the same and you've been quite short with Gabriella and Isabella." At her silence, he put the pieces together. "It's Brie and Bella isn't it?"

"Troy -"

"No you've been acting weird ever since they came into the picture. You said you liked Gabriella, you wanted me to ask her out."

"Yes I did Troy."

"So what changed?"

"She has a kid." Lucille yelled, Troy didn't respond, too shocked to say anything. "She is 16 and has a child, regardless of how Isabella was conceived, it is still irresponsible for a girl that age to have a child. And now you're stuck raising her, I never wanted that for you. I wanted you to have a normal high school and college life and go into a career you love, not get stuck looking after a child that isn't even yours."

Troy narrowed his eyes, the orbs turning a dark navy making them almost recognisable. "How dare you. You have no idea what Gabriella went through before she came here and for you to say those things about her is disgusting. You know I love you but I never want to hear you say those things about my girlfriend again. Sure raising a kid at this age wasn't apart of the plan, but regardless of whether she is biologically mine or not, Bella is my daughter and nothing will change that. I love that little girl to pieces and I know Brie is my forever."

He stood up and sighed. "I know it's been a rough time Mom, believe me. I can't imagine what it's like for you to lose the one you love and to find out he's abusive. But I won't let you take the only thing that got me through that part of my life away. You push them away, you push me away Mom."

With that, he left the room and went upstairs to his girls. He sat down on the bed next to his girlfriend and daughter, turning to Isabella. "Hey Angel, can Daddy have a hug?"

Isabella looked to Gabriella for approval, hugging Troy as her mother coaxed her. Troy felt the lump in his throat at the mistrust his daughter now had. He hugged her and kissed the top of her head.

When he released the girl, Gabriella saw the pleading look in his eyes. She took him into her arms and he buried his face in the crook of her neck, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. He let out all the built up emotion from the last few months: from his dad to Bella to his mom. Gabriella held him tight and rubbed the back of his head.

When his tears subsided, he looked up at her. She wiped his remaining tears and caressed his cheek. "I'm sorry." He whispered.

She shook her head. "Don't be sorry Baby, it's good for you to let it out. Do you want to tell me what happened?"

He shook his head. "I'll tell you later." She nodded and leant their foreheads together. "I love you Brie."

"I love you too Troy." Their moment was interrupted by a small sniffle. They turned to see Isabella with tears in her eyes. "What's wrong Baby Girl? Why are you crying?"

"I'm sorry I make Daddy cry." She whimpered.

Troy shook his head and pulled Isabella into his arms, holding her tightly. "No Angel, it's not your fault." She looked up at him with pleading eyes and he wiped her tears. "It's not your fault Bella, you make Daddy very happy."

"I love you Daddy."

He felt relief wash through him at her statement. "I love you too Baby Girl, Daddy loves you so much. It's you, Mommy and Daddy forever ok Angel?" She nodded and cuddled into his chest. Troy laid down with his daughter resting on his chest and he pulled Gabriella into his side.

Gabriella rested her head on his shoulder and placed her hand on her daughter's back, gently tracing designs. Isabella looked between the teens as she became sleepy. "Don't let go Daddy."

He smiled and kissed the top of her head. "I won't let go Angel, Daddy's got you. You're staying with Mommy and Daddy."

"Ni-night Mommy, Daddy, love you."

"We love you too Bella, sweet dreams."

Troy looked down at Gabriella and saw how exhausted she was, having had barely any sleep the night before. "Sleep Baby, you look exhausted."

"But we have to -"

He kissed her forehead. "It's ok Baby, we'll talk tomorrow ok? Just get some sleep."

She nodded against his shoulder. "Ok I love you Troy, good night."

"I love you too Brie, sweet dreams Baby."