* Italicized words are Gabriella's thoughts! Thank you for reading everyone and reviewing everyone! 3

After Rosie had been put to sleep, Gabriella went into her kitchen and reheated the lasagna she had made earlier, in case Troy had wanted some. She couldn't believe how odd of a day it had been. At first thought her daughter was getting abducted by a handsome stranger. Then that handsome stranger turned out to be the boy who broke her heart seven years earlier. It irked Gabriella that her heart strings still tugged whenever she thought of Troy. She had been put through hell by him, yet something inside her started to come alive. Lust? Love? Loneliness? Who knows? Before yesterday, her feelings towards Troy had been pushed back into her mind. Most of these days Rosie had taken up most of her attention. It was stressful being a single mother, but if Gabriella was being honest, she'd rather Rosie have one committed parent than a half ass parent who couldn't be there for Rosie with his heart and head sober.

It wasn't long after she took the lasagna out of the oven, that someone had rang the doorbell.

Here we go. Gabriella mentally tried to prepare herself as she opened the door. Hmm, he's early. He's always punctual, but never early. That had been at least one thing Gabriella could count on him for, but also drove her crazy. He was never a minute early, never a minute late, but always on time. As in the exact minute. When Gabriella had pointed that out to him, he shrugged and smiled. "What can I say? A man likes to be on time, not a minute before or after. The best things come according to plan." Well, the past 7 years can shit on that, Troy.

"Hey, your earl-" Gabriella's throat had closed up and her words became silenced.

"Hey, Gabriella." James smirked. James is Rosie's father. The one whose not committed to fully and caring his only daughter. Gabriella was a forgiving person, despite all who had done wrong to her in the past. However, Gabriella's patience can only be tested so far, especially when it comes to their daughter. Gabriella had definitely reached the limit when she found Rosie sitting at the bottom of the couch while her father and his friends were smoking god knows what. Gabriella had always cursed herself for bringing her daughter into a world where the man who was supposed to love her the most, didn't. He was too hooked on chasing the high, instead. Gabriella was not going to risk the safety of her daughter, and made an ultimatum. He was given the option to stay and get help and be apart of their lives or leave. He simply left, slamming the door shut leaving a shaken Gabriella trying to comfort

"Sebastian. Get the fuck out." Gabriella bit out.

"C'mon baby, don't be like that." James drawled.

"No, I'm not having this. I mean it. Get out."

"Gabriella! Look. Baby, please I just need some money. I'm trying to get help."

"Y'know even if I did believe that, how? How are you trying to get help?"

"I just have to pay Barry off and then I'm good, I promise. And, and we-I can come back and we can raise Rosie together Gabriella. Just how it's supposed to be. Because your selfish ass doesn't want my own daughter to see her own father. I mean, you just fucking took her from me!" James rambled but his emotions got a hold of her. She saw that he was upset and angry at her for kicking him out of their lives, but until he right his wrongs, on his own, he had no business being anywhere near them.

"I didn't take her from you James. You're not good to be around her like this and you know that. Not until your clean." Gabriella stated with defiance.

"BECAUSE YOU WON'T HELP ME." James roared.

"Daddy?" Rosie asked sleepily, hiding behind Gabriella's legs.

Gabriella jumped. Shit. The fighting must have woken Rosie up.
"Rosie, baby, hey." James' voice softened at the site of his daughter.

Gabriella held Rosie behind her as far back as possible shielding her from her father, who clearly was not sober. "Baby, go back to your room okay? Mommy will be right there." Gabriella whispered hurrily.

"Oh fuck no you don't, Rosie come here with Daddy." James started marching towards them.

"Mommy.." Rosie whimpered. She didn't like seeing her daddy like this or hearing him say bad words. Fuck, this is not supposed to be happening. He's supposed to be gone. Away. Away from me and Rosie.

"Rosie, go to your room. Now." Gabriella raised her voice, sternly. Rosie must have snapped out of it and ran to her room.

"NO!" James snarled and tried to push his way inside of the house. Gabriella refused and would fight with all her will before he even stepped foot into her home as she took her stance to block him from entering. James had managed to grab and start pulling her arms from the door.

"Gabriella?"

God, give me some fucking mercy. Now you bring Troy here?

"Whose this Gabi?" James snarled as he paused and looked at Troy.

"He's-" Gabriella gulped. She didn't know what to say without provoking James into causing an even bigger scene.

"I'm Troy." Troy answered looking into James' eyes and then shifting his stare into the seemingly tight grip he had on Gabriella's arm.

James seemed to sense the Gabriella's tense form and thought to make things a bit more fun for the girlfriend that had taken everything away from him. He turned Gabriella around, putting her into a headlock.

"Well, shit baby!" James exclaimed, kissing Gabriella's cheek sloppily. "Always had an idea you were whoring around, but bringing him home? Where Rosie sleeps?" James tsked. "That doesn't sound so responsible to me? Maybe I should take Rosie home." James bit out next to her ear.

Tears sprung into Gabriella's eyes. "James, stop. Please let me go." Gabriella whispered shutting her eyes. Shame rose in her cheeks. She couldn't stand the judgement that was coming from Troy.

"Now, why would I do that? I was the one who had dibs on your sweet, little-" James didn't get to finish that sentence as Troy yanked him away from Gabriella and threw him onto the pavement.

Gabriella gasped loudly, falling onto the floor. She was stunned into shock.

"What the fuck man?!" James roared, getting up to charge at Troy. He didn't make much progress as Troy picked him up by the collar and in front of his face. It was clear that Troy had managed to grab the upper hand of the situation.

"I'd get out of here if I were you. And I wouldn't come back." Troy whispered threateningly.

"Yeah, and what are you gonna do about it, pretty boy?" James laughed, observing Troy's face, smirking. Troy just held a stoic expression that radiated danger.

Gabriella let out a sob as the scene that was unfolding right before her eyes. She felt powerless, but she knew she had to be strong.

"James. I will call the cops and then the lawyer. Get the fuck out of here, before I pick up the fucking phone." This piece of information had caught James' attention in which he pushed himself off of Troy. Troy just continued to stare him down.

"Fine, I'll leave. Thanks for nothing bitch." James looked at Gabriella once more, before gathering himself and leaving her property.

Gabriella let out a shaky breath and dropped to her knees, sliding against the door outside her porch.

"Shit. Gabriella." Troy rushed to her.

Gabriella snapped out of it and rose. "No-stop, I'm fine. I'm fine." Gabriella rushed out. She didn't need Troy thinking she was weak. She wasn't. Ever. She was the strong one.

"Okay, okay." Troy whispered softly and put his hands up surrendering.

Both of them stood still in silence, trying to digest what had just happened.

Once Gabriella had gathered herself, she managed to look up at Troy who was staring intently at her.

"I'm-I'm really sorry you had to see that." Gabriella offered quietly.

"No, no don't worry about it. I'm just glad that you're-" Troy paused. "Are you okay, Gabriella?" Troy asked quietly.

"Yeah, I'm good." Gabriella swallowed. "Thank you for helping, I appreciate it a lot." Gabriella admitted, albeit embarrassed.

Troy just nodded.

"I don't know if you still want to come in? If not, I completely understand. But I made some lasagna and I can pack it for you, if you want. Yeah, I can do that." Gabriella rambled shakingly. She couldn't stand looking at Troy's face and turned.

"Gabriella." Troy stated a bit loudly. "Is it okay if I can still come in?" Troy asked now a bit more quietly. "I bought apple cider. It's in my car." Troy offered a smile.

Gabriella couldn't help but put out a small smile. Apple cider was the way to her heart. She was surprised he still remembered.

"Yeah, okay." Gabriella smiled, finally being able to breathe.

Gabriella went to check in with Rosie after the altercation.

"Baby?" Gabriella asked softly, opening her door gently, as to not frighten her. She opened the door to find Rosie sleeping on her bed, clutching her stuffed dog that Grandma Maria had gotten her. Gabriella pulled a blanket over her and bent down to kiss her forehead. She would have a lot to explain in the morning. "I'm so sorry baby." Gabriella whispered, laying her forehead onto hers for just a second before kissing it once more and closing her bedroom door.

"Is she okay?" Troy asked with concern.

"I don't know." Gabriella sighed. "She's asleep right now, so I'll find out in the morning."

All Troy could do was nod. A part of him was very grateful that Rosie had not seen the fight between him and James.

Within an hour of the lasagna being served and the apple cider being poured, Gabriella and Troy had found themselves in a comfortable place, laughing and smiling as they caught up. Both were relieved that this seemed to be easier than they thought they would. They talked about work, their parents, their old friends, the recent "Flash" episode. It felt like old times. By the time they were ready to start cleaning up, it was already 12 AM. Troy had helped Gabriella wash their dishes, even as Gabriella refused to let him. He simply pushed her hip with his until she moved to make space for him so he could dry while she washed.

"Tonight was nice. Well, except for y'know.." Gabriella said contently with a bit of shyness at the end. She was putting up leftovers for Chad and his son to eat.

"Yeah, um about that. You don't mind me asking, he's?" Troy asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, no, he's um… he's Rosie's father."

"Oh."

"Yeah, and I'm assuming you can see why he's not around."

"Yeah, I'm glad. I mean, shit, sorry. I know it's not my place-" Troy stammered.

Gabriella giggled quietly. "It's okay. I get it. Me too." Gabriella smirked, closing the lid, and putting the container into a bag, before handing it to Troy.

"I'm sorry tonight got cut short." Gabriella admitted.

"No worries. Um, actually Gabriella, is it okay if I can give you my number? Just in case y'know anything that might…" He referenced tonight's altercation

"Oh, Troy it's not your responsibility. Don't worry about that." Gabriella replied as her face paled.

"I know it's not, but it would make me feel better. Please?" Troy pleaded softly.

"Okay." Gabriella hesitantly agreed, handing her phone to Troy.

"Also. I may or may not have made the mistake of telling Chad I saw you, and he may or may not really want to see you." Troy smirked.

"Oh, goodness. Chad Danforth?" Gabriella dramatically stated. "Well, how can I say no to him?" Gabriella chucked.

Troy chuckled along with her. "He's planning to bring Aiden tomorrow at the park. Maybe you and Rosie can meet us there?"

"Yeah, we can do that." Gabriella smiled.

"Well, good. I'll see you tomorrow." Troy said dismissing himself. "Tell Rosie I said, hi."

Gabriella just nodded before closing the door. The lower half of her face was hurting, mainly because she hadn't smiled that long and hard in a long time.