CHAPTER 15

((hey so the reviews that I got were all unanimous…they wanted me to keep writing…so I decided to fast forward to Christmas…so yes…this is a Christmas chapter…Christmas in February I know…I hope you've liked everything so far…here goes…R&R please…XOXO, Christine))

Christmas Squealing

Troy was walking around inside the jewelry store looking at all the choices. While looking around, his eyes fell on the diamond rings. He wanted to give one to Gabriella, but he planned on waiting until there senior year, at least. They were too young as juniors. He laid his eyes on a silver heart necklace. He liked it, so he bought it, even though it was expensive. He shrunk a picture of the three of them, Gabriella, Troy, and Haven taken just after Haven got out of the hospital, and put it in there. He took it back to his parents' house and hid it in his room so Gabriella wouldn't find it. He was to the point where he spent every night at Gabriella's house.

He walked into the door to a quiet, peaceful house, something to cherish as it wouldn't stay that way for long. Gabriella was eating lunch in the kitchen.

"Hi honey," Troy said giving her a kiss. "Haven asleep?"

"Yeah," replied Gabriella, "I just fed her."

Troy grabbed some sandwich meat and bread out of the refrigerator and prepared himself a sandwich. "How long has she been asleep?" he asked.

"About fifteen minutes."

He sat down next to her at the table. She was reading a magazine on parenting. Troy took a bite out of his sandwich. The bell rang. "Well, don't all jump at once," he said to Gabriella who couldn't care less. He got up and walked to the door. It was Chad and Taylor. "Hey," he said, "what's up?"

"Nothing really," replied Chad, "we were in the area and we decided to drop by."

"Come on in," said Troy.

"Ah, peace and quiet," said Taylor clearly enjoying it.

"Gabby put her down about fifteen minutes ago."

They walked into the kitchen and Troy resumed eating his sandwich.

"Hey, you two," said Gabriella. "Help yourself to the fridge."

"Thanks, Gabby," said Chad and he dug in.

Taylor rolled her eyes. "Chad we came here to visit them, not eat their food."

"An added bonus," replied Chad with his mouth full. "Hey Troy, come with me. I wanna talk to you about something."

"K," said Troy. He followed Chad out. Chad pulled out a jewelry box. "For me?" Troy joked. "I'm so touched." He pretended to cry.

Chad slapped him. "For Taylor, you idiot." He opened up the box and revealed the same necklace that Troy had bought for Gabriella. Troy just stared. "What?" asked Chad.

"You'll never believe this," said Troy, "but I bought the same necklace for Gabriella like a half hour ago."

"Really?" asked Chad. "How ironic is that?"

"Completely," replied Troy.

School was on Christmas break, so Troy and Gabriella had visitors daily. They would occasionally take Haven to other members of the Gang's houses, and other times, they would leave Haven with Ms. Montez and go out with friends or go out just the two of them. On that particular night, they went to Sharpay and Ryan's house. They were all watching Friday the 13th. Taylor would occasionally scream and jump on top of Chad, while all the other couples followed their lead except for Troy and Gabriella.

"Geez," said Sharpay at one point, "you guys are boring now that you have a kid. You're like my parents."

"Well we are parents," Troy pointed out.

"Your also juniors in high school," Chad pointed out. Troy and Gabby rolled their eyes.

When the rest of the group decided to play I Never with beer, Troy and Gabby were hesitant. "We're going home to Haven, tonight," Gabby pointed out. "We can't be drunk."

"You won't be," said Kelsi, "how about five drinks and you're out?"

"Boring," the rest of the group said.

"I'll pass," Troy said.

"Me too," replied Gabriella. "It was fun, guys. I think we should go."

The group begged them to stay. Troy and Gabriella were persistent, and they left.

"So," said Gabby as they got into the car, "it's only eight. Mom doesn't expect us until 11. Wanna do something until then?"

"Sure," said Troy. "Wanna grab some dinner? We didn't really get any."

"Sounds good to me." They went to a small restaurant and ate dinner, then they went to the park. They watched the stars and lost track of time. Troy looked at his watch. It was 11:15.

"Oops," he said. "We'd better go. It's 11:15. They went home."

On Christmas Day, they had agreed that Troy and Gabriella would stay at the Montez's, then they would go to Troy's house for one big dinner. Gabriella's house had a Christmas tree in there family room just like Troy's family does. Troy got gifts from Gabriella, Karen, and even Haven though he suspected it really was from Gabriella. Gabriella fell in love with the heart necklace and had Troy put it on her. She wore it to Christmas dinner at Troy's where Troy got gifts from his parents. Gabriella got a small gift from Mr. and Mrs. Bolton, much smaller than what Mrs. Montez gave Troy. If she cared, she didn't show it. Troy's dad brought up the subject of basketball at dinner, much to Troy's dismay.

"So Troy,' he said. "The team can't wait until you're back to play with us again. We need you. We've been doing okay without you. Better than expected, but if you were there, wow, we'd be unstoppable."

"Let's not talk about this now," said Troy. "It's Christmas."

"Exactly," said Mr. Bolton, "and one of my presents to you is the starting position on the team. Most coaches wouldn't play you, but me, well I'm gonna play you as if you never took time off in the first place."

"Dad," said Troy, "I decided a long time ago that I'm quitting basketball for good. I can't take the stress of a family and basketball."

"Then how are you gonna play for the Lakers?" asked Jack Bolton, his voice rising slightly.

"I'm only sixteen," replied Troy, "I've got time to think."

"No!" shouted Coach Bolton, "you don't. College."

"I already got a scholarship from Duke!" Troy was raising his voice just as much. Haven began to cry. Gabriella picked her up out of the high chair.

"Boys?" asked Mrs. Bolton. "Can you discuss this later? Like tomorrow, or something. It's Christmas. We all should get along."

"Fine," Mr. Bolton pouted. He seemed a lot less warm towards Troy after that.

After dinner and dessert, everybody sat around talking. Troy and his dad avoided each other. Mr. Bolton helped with ladies with the dishes while Troy and Gabriella sat on the couch in the living room with Haven.

"Troy," said Gabriella, "if quitting what you love it because of me…"

"It's not," said Troy. "I want to spend time with my family. Basketball is just not important right now. You and Haven are what I love, not basketball." He gave her a kiss. Haven made a laughed noise.

"Is mommy and daddy kissing funny?" Troy asked Haven tickling her. Haven squealed with excitement. "Yes it is, yes it is." Haven continued to have the time of her life. Gabriella watched the two of them smiling. She liked how Troy himself daddy and Gabriella, mommy.

((Howdja like it? Troy and his dad now have tension between each other…remember that…please review and give me ideas I have some of my own but its always great to hear from all of you…next chapter coming soon…probably in the next couple of hours…review please…XOXO, Christine))