"Hey baby…" Gabriella opened the door to Rosie's room after hearing her little steps the next morning.
"Hi Mommy." Rosie said meekly. Gabriella stood by the door and admired her daughter. She had Gabriellas long wavy hair and olive skin but had her father's hazel eyes and smile. Eventhough, Gabriella loathed James, he was glad that he had given Gabriella a purpose and drive in life; to be the best mother she could be for Rosie. Gabriella saw Rosie resort back to her bed and get under the covers. Gabriella decided to lahy next to Rosie and took her into her arms before leaving a small peck on the top of her head. Rosie snuggled into Gabriella's warmth letting out a tiny breath.
"How are you feeling baby?" Gabriella whispered while leaning back to look at Rosie who just had her head down.
"Will daddy ever come back Mommy?" Rosie muttered. This broke Gabriella's heart as she cursed James and his inability to be the parent Rosie needed. Gabriella couldn't blame Rosie for feeling the way she did about her father. At that exact moment, Gabriella couldn't find the words to reassure her daughter, but decided to tell her the ultimate truth.
"Daddy has to get all better before he can come back, baby." Gab
"Why isn't he trying harder, Mommy? I miss him." Rosie whimpered.
Tears started to spring into Gabriella's eyes. She hated herself for not being able to bring comfort to her daughter.
"I know you do baby, but I don't know what to say baby. I'm sorry that he isn't being the best daddy. And I'm really sorry that you had to see that yesterday."
Rosie just nodded and buried her head into her mother's hair. Gabriella felt wet spots running down her neck and realized Rosie was crying. Gabriella could only hold her as tight as she could until the tears passed.
It was then that she decided to possibly bring Rosie some exciting news.
"How about, we go to the park again. Mommy's friends are going to be there and they wanted to meet you." Gabriella pushed a little smile, hoping that Rosie would take the good news and accept the offer.
Of course Rosie lit up at this news. "Really Mommy?!"
Gabriella just nodded smiling at the change of Rosie's mood. "On one condition." Rosie just nodded vigurously.
Gabriella chnaged her face into a stern one. "You don't run away from me like that again."
"Deal." Rosie giggled putting her hand out for a shake that Gabriella returned. That deal was official. Gabriella couldn't help but chuckle and went in for a tickle attack which left Rosie to burst into a fit of giggles.
"Hey! You made it!" Gabriella was greeted by a smiling Troy who was-what Gabriella was assuming-holding Aiden.
"Aiden!" Rosie screamed running up to Troy who was putting Aiden back onto his feet. Rosie and Adrian ran into each other and wrapped their arms over each other for a hug and held on tight. Gabriella and Troy stared at the two little ones with wide eyes and shocked expressions. Well, it looked like Rosie had game at the start of toddlerhood, beating Gabriella by seventeen years.
"Is that Gabriella Montez, I see?" Chad stated playfully, loudly enough for Gabriella to hear. Gabriella smirked and turned to Chad.
"Chad Danforth?! I couldn't even recognize you without a basketball." Gabriella giggled while she moved to hug Chad, who returned the gesture kindly.
"So," Gabriella turned to point to her daughter and Chad's son, who you could see were smitten towards each other.
"Yeah, that's exactly what I am thinking right now. Does Rosie go to Caraylin Clark for daycare?" Chad suggested to find the only possible assumption. Gabriella raised her eyebrows to Chad and nodded. "Small world, huh?" Gabriella nodded in astonishment.
The three of them kept a careful eye on both children. However, after a while, Chad saw Troy's gaze withering aweay from the two children and landing on Gabriella. Chad took this opportunity to let his best friend talk to Gabriella.
"Hey, Gab. Is it cool if I take Rosie and Aiden to grab a bite at the shake shack?" Chad asked slyly.
"Oh, um sure! Here, lemme give you some money." Gabriella said, running through her purse.
"Don't sweat it." Chad replied, already leaving Troy and Gabriella to themselves.
Troy took this opportunity to lead him and Gabriella to the nearest bench. They looked out in front of them for a while, both still trying to accustom being near each other after so long. It was at that point where Troy decided to kill the silence.
"How are you doing?" Troy asked, glancing at her and leaving his stare on her. Gabriella was really hoping she could avoid thus, Gabriella took a deep breath before answering Troy. "I'm okay," Gabriella sighed, "This isn't the first time something like this has happened. I'm just upset that Rosie had to see it." Gabriella admitted.
"How is she doing?" Troy asked quietly.
"I think she still doesn't fully understand what's going on. She asked me why he wasn't trying harder to be with us. I feel like she thinks she's not good enough for him."
Both of their hearts broke in different ways when it came to not feeling good enough for other people. For Troy, it was never feeling good enough for his dad wanting his son to become an all-star basketball player. Of course, it must have beene even more difficult for the little girl. For Gabriella, it was feeling like she was never enough for the man sitting next to her. That question was what kept Gabriella up many nights. What was she missing? What was it that didn't make her worth fighting for?
"I'm sorry.". He could imagine the different thoughts running through Gabriella's mind, some of them being the cause of him and what he's made her feel in the past.
"Just so you know Gabriella, you were enough. You were more than enough." Troy whispered. The last thing he wanted Gabriella to think was that she wasn't worth having.
Gabriella took a while to let Troy's word process. However, those words were not enough. It was not even close. There were so many days spent barely getting out of bed, crying herself to sleep, not wanting to do anything. There were many dark days, days when she questioned if she should continue living a life where the one boy who made her feel alive and invincible didn't love her anymore.
"Well then," Gabriella paused. "What went wrong?" Gabriella asked Troy quietly. Her emotions rising through her throat, threatening to break free along with the tears that had gathered in her eyes.
Troy tensed for an explanation he needed Gabriella to hear. "I-"
"Mommy! Uncle Chad got me the unicorn cone!" Rose gushed with wonder.
