(A.N. sorry that the chapters have been so inconsistent, I finally have internet so I'll be able to upload more regularly. For this chapter, I really wanted to explore the relationship between Troy and Jasmine. As a kid in primary school, being around the older students was always a highlight and at that age, we look up to the teenagers so much so I wanted to explore it further. Hope you enjoy, let me know what you think :) )

They had spent the night watching movies and everyone had a great time. Troy woke later that night and noticed the dim light on from downstairs, he glanced at the clock: 11:42pm, no one should've been up at this time. He gently slid out from under Gabriella so she wouldn't wake up and went downstairs to find Jasmine sitting on the lounge. "Jas, are you ok? What are you doing awake?"

She gasped, unaware of his presence. "I'm sorry, I should've left the light off."

Troy sighed and sat beside her, pulling the little girl onto his lap. He smiled as she snuggled into his chest. "You did nothing wrong, I just want to know if you're ok. It's very late and I don't want you to be by yourself if you're upset."

"I just couldn't sleep."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Jasmine shook her head and Troy thought for a minute. "How about if you come lay with me and Ella?"

"Yes please Troy."

He smiled slightly. "Of course Jas, are you feeling better after today? You seemed upset when we were at the airport."

"I just missed you and Ella and I was scared that she would get hurt. Ella thinks I have separation anxiety because I don't like being away from her and you but she said that Mom and Austin can't hurt her anymore and that you protect her."

Troy hugged Jasmine closer. "We missed you too Jas and Ella's right, you don't have to worry about her getting hurt because I will always protect her, just like I'd protect you and Imi and your brothers if you needed me too."

"I love my brothers but if when I can't be with Ella, I like being with you. I love you Troy and I feel safe when I'm with you and Ella."

He scratched the little girl's back in hopes to make her tired, it was far too late for a girl her age to still be awake. "I'm glad Angel, we all love you very much."

The pair sat in silence for a few minutes before Jasmine shared an observation. "Summer is going to be here soon." She looked up at Troy and noticed the confused look on his face. "That man at the hospital said that Chad, Locky, Ella, Imi and I had to see him during the summer."

That thought made Troy sigh, remembering that Charlie had wanted all of his children to come visit him in Arizona and stay with his family for a week during the summer. He knew that they had to go, it was the condition for them to stay in Albuquerque and for his parents to have guardianship of the five siblings but that didn't mean he wanted them to go. A week without Chad, Locky and the twins felt odd to him but a week without Gabriella felt unbearable. He returned his attention back to the young girl. "Well he is your dad so I guess it's a good thing that he wants you all to visit."

Jasmine shrugged. "We don't have a daddy or a mommy even if we have to call them that... I don't have to call him, daddy do I Troy?"

Troy inwardly cringed, he didn't feel that it was his place to give his opinion or an answer to her question. "I think that's something that you're gonna have to ask Chad or Ella."

"Do you think I should?"

He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. "I think you should do what makes you feel comfortable Jas, you shouldn't feel pressured into calling him your dad if you don't know him yet." He noticed that the girl's eyes started drooping. "Ok Angel, how about we head up to bed and you can come cuddle with me and Ella." Jasmine nodded and Troy lifted her up in his arms, carrying her into his room. He kept her in his arms as he laid down and placed her on his opposite side so he was in the middle of the two sisters.

"Good night Troy, I love you."

He kissed her forehead. "I love you too Jas, good night." He felt that Jasmine fell asleep quite quickly and was relieved by that but his thoughts were interrupted by Gabriella, noticing that she was awake. "Baby, what are you doing up?"

"I woke up and you weren't here, is Jas ok?"

"She's ok, just couldn't sleep so I told her that she could come in here with us. Though she did ask one question that I couldn't answer, it was about your dad, she doesn't want to call him dad."

"Yeah we'll have to talk to them about that, I don't even know where to start. I don't want him angry that they aren't calling him dad but I also don't want to force them to because they barely know him." She leant up and gently connected their lips in a sweet kiss. "Thank you for taking care of her."

"She's your little sister Brie, I'd always take care of her."

"She loves you, you know?"

"Yeah she told me, I love her too, I love all your siblings but I love you the most." She giggled quietly which was cut off by a yawn, making Troy smile. "Sleep Baby, we'll talk more in the morning. I love you."

"I love you Troy, sweet dreams."

"Sweet dreams Brie."