The next day, Chad arrived at Gabriella's house and was greeted by Troy. "Hey Man, good to see you, how was the afterparty last night?"

"Hey Captain, it was good, you know how it is, everyone misses you there though."

He shrugged, "not my scene Chad, never really was."

"Yeah fair enough, so when did you get here?"

Troy rubbed the back of his neck. "Actually, Mom and I have been living here for a while, well since Jack's been gone."

Knowing it was a sore subject, Chad moved on. "So do I get to meet this special someone?"

Troy grinned but then sobered. "Chad, you can't tell anyone what you're about to find out, the last thing we want is for there to be rumours around the school." Chad nodded and he followed Troy out into the backyard.

"DADDY!" Isabella cheered and ran into his arms as soon as he crossed the threshold, leaving Chad shocked. Gabriella smiled and walked up to the group.

"Hey Baby Girl, are you having fun?"

The little girl nodded. "Mommy and me playing on the hammock."

"That's good Angel."

Chad seemed to break out of his shock and looked at Troy with wide eyes. "You - she - what?"

Troy laughed and wrapped an arm around Gabriella. "Yeah that's pretty much everyone's reaction." Chad glared at him in response. "Dude chill, this is Gabriella's daughter and no it's not what you think." He turned his attention to Isabella. "Bella, can you say hi to Chad."

The little girl timidly responded. "Hi Chad." Before leaning into her father's embrace. "Daddy, can we play ball?"

"Sure Baby Girl." He agreed knowing it would be best to allow Gabriella to explain, knowing what details she was fine with sharing.

"Gabs I - you have a kid? She's like two or three, that would've made you like 13 or 14."

She smiled sadly. "Yeah Chad, she's three meaning I was 13. It's not what you think, I wasn't sleeping around. I - I was raped by my ex boyfriend who was 16 at the time."

Chad pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry Gabster."

"It's fine, I've gotten over it now, I think. I just don't want this all around East High."

"That's understandable Gabs, your secret's safe with me." He looked over at Troy playing with Isabella. "She looks just like you."

"Yeah she's a mini me for sure, except -"

"Her eyes. That's why I thought she was Troy's, they have the same eyes."

She smiled, "yeah, I like to pretend she is his sometimes. It feels like she is. He's really good with her and to her."

Chad wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "My little Gabriella Montez is a mother."

She giggled. "Yeah yeah big shock Chad, come on, let's go play with her."

Later that afternoon, Gabriella checked her phone having turned it off and saw Troy's Instagram post. She felt the tears in her eyes and looked back to find a photo that her mother had taken of them in the backyard, the day after they got together. It was one of her favourite photos, minus the ones with Isabella, which she couldn't post yet.

She copied it to Instagram and thought of a caption, typing: My Wildcat, I'm so proud of everything you have accomplished and the amazing game you played last night. You are one of the strongest and kindest person I know and you mean more to me than I can ever express in a caption.

It's like catching lightning the chances of finding someone like you, it's one in a million the chances of feeling the way we do and with every step together, we just keep on getting better. These lyrics encompass you Troy Bolton and everything that you are.

You are everything to me Baby and I love you so much always and forever ❤️

She posted the photo and returned to Troy and Isabella.