Ok, so I know some of you will be angry about another story being uploaded without finishing the others but they will get finished as I am working on them now. But I half of this yesterday and half of this today and I really wanted to share this with you. This story will be about three chapters more maybe and then after an odd chapter or two here or there as extended epilogues.
I hope you enjoy it and it would be amazing if you could tell me what you think by reviewing. Thank you.
It was an extremely warm Saturday in early June and a twenty-six year old Gabriella Montez was very excited because for the first time since she had moved to the Californian coast, she would be meeting up with her best friend since high school, Sharpay Evans, who had moved out here for college.
Gabriella was currently pulling on a pair of light wash, denim shorts and a loose, grey, v neck tee shirt over a black bikini which was a little smaller than she would have liked but Sharpay demanded her to wear it as apparently she needed to get back onto the market. Her black, naturally curly hair was pulled up into a ponytail. Of course, before all of this she had applied sun screen. A pair of flip flops were packed away into her bag and a pair of low top converse donning her feet, showing off how tan her slender yet strong legs were.
"Xav!" Gabriella called as she walked out of her bedroom that she was planning to redecorate after the boy's rooms were finished, "Xavier!" She shouted again.
"In my room!" He shouted back.
Gabriella walked into his open room, "Very handsome," Gabriella smiled, sweeping his dirty blonde locks away from his forehead as she crouched down in front of him while he attempted to tie his shoe laces, "Can you do it?" She asked.
Xavier's eyebrows were crinkled together in concentration, "Kinda," He mumbled, as he moved the laces but was not successfully making the bow.
Gabriella sat on the floor and tapped her knee for him to place his foot to make it easier, "That's it," She encouraged, "And around and pull that bit through here," She pointed and watched as he pulled and the bow stayed. She smiled widely as his little head shot up and a huge grin spread across his face, "Well done. Now let's go or Shar will be going crazy."
Xavier laughed as he now understand how bold his mother's best friend could be, "Mom?" He asked, looking up at her as they walked out of his room.
"Yeah baby?" She said, her hand running over his head gently, looking down at him.
"Will me and Noah see dad again?" He asked, his face now looking toward the floor.
Gabriella again squatted in front of him, "I'd love him to come visit you guys. Do you remember me telling you that he moved to New York a couple of weeks after we got here?"
Xavier nodded.
"That's all the way across the country so I hope when he's free he'll see you," Gabriella said with a half smile, running her thumb across his cheek, "But for now, I think us three can make it work," She playfully pulled him towards her and pretended to fall backwards causing him to laugh as she tickled.
"Mom," Xavier laughed.
Gabriella kissed his forehead before sitting them both up, "We'll fine," She promised.
Xavier nodded with a smile, "I know."
Gabriella stood up, "Go see if your baseball hat is in the bag I put outside my room while I'll go see if your brother is ready."
"Ok," Xavier nodded.
Gabriella walked down the hall a little more to her youngest son's room: Noah, "Noah, my little pumpkin, are you ready to go?" She said in an excited voice.
Noah was curled up on his bed looked up at his mother and smiled cutely, "Yeah," He answered, sitting up.
Gabriella had chosen to put him in a pair of striped swim shorts and a blue tee shirt with a darker blue baseball cap and a pair of sneakers, "Let's go then handsome," She walked over and scooped him up dramatically, releasing a laugh from his little body.
Gabriella and Xavier walked down the street of their new house which they had been in for three weeks now. Gabriella held Noah as they walked the twenty minute walk to the beach as it was such a nice day. Gabriella was also carrying a bag full of towels and necessities and she was beginning to regret the idea of walking.
Gabriella shifted Noah on her hip slightly, "How's school Xav? Have you made any more friends?"
Xavier shrugged, "People are nice there. They're not mean and I've made a few friends. We play superhero's," He said with a grin, "And soccer and basketball."
Gabriella smiled down at him with her sunglasses on, "Good," She answered simply, "Basketball? I bet you're the tallest guy playing," She teased.
Xavier laughed, "No, I'm small compared to others."
Gabriella laughed and gently pulled him closer to her, "What are your friend's names?" She asked.
"Same ones since I started: Harry and Cole."
"We'll have to have them for dinner one night and you can play some soccer or basketball together," Gabriella suggested.
"Really?" He asked in an excited voice.
"Really," She laughed.
The rest of the walk was filled with talks about school and the weekend and Xavier's new friends. Once at the beach, Gabriella took hold of Xavier's hand as it was reasonably busy as she suspected it to be however, it was only noon and there was plenty of comfortable space to relax and for Xavier and Noah to play close by without being too close and getting irritated.
"It's busy so if you let go then stay close, ok?" Gabriella said to Xavier which he nodded at, "Can you boys see Sharpay?" She asked, kissing Noah's forehead.
"No," Xavier answered.
Gabriella continued to scan the beach but couldn't see any sign of the blonde woman. She decided to set up camp quite close to the sea where the soft sand was but also with the damp sand a couple of feet away to build sand castles but not too close to the sea where there dry clothing would get wet.
The black-haired beauty quickly made sure Xavier had sunscreen on before he went quickly to start building sand castles. Gabriella placed his tee-shirt in the bag. She awkwardly reached for a beach towel from the bag to lay it down and place Noah on, where she cuddled up again.
"You ok, bubba?" Gabriella asked from above him as she peeled off her tee shirt and shorts to leave her slim, toned body on show. Her shoes and clothing were placed in the bag also. She sat back down, cross legged and moved so her head was blocking the sun to block it from Noah who she placed in her lap and he leant against her. Gabriella looked up to see Xavier patting sand together in different shapes.
"Noah," Gabriella cooed, "Are you sleepy?"
Noah nodded, closing his eyes and snuggled further into his mother's embrace which Gabriella willingly tightened. She hoped Sharpay would turn up soon as she was bringing the sun umbrella so she could put Noah under it to sleep comfortably.
"Noah! Come play!" Xavier shouted, looking up at his family with a large grin.
"He's tired, Xav," Gabriella answered.
Noah wiggled a little, "Play," He mumbled, seemingly pushing away his tiredness as he wanted to play with his older brother.
Gabriella laughed, "Ok," She knelt down in front of Noah and helped him take off his tee-shirt, she doubled checked his sunscreen before she let him run off to his brother.
/
"Man, its busy today," A muscular twenty-seven year old said in an enthusiastic voice.
The Afro-American man sitting down behind the wooden outside counter in the shade which a huge umbrella gave, "Yeah, have we hired all our stuff out?" He questioned.
"Yep," He grinned, standing out in the sun in a muscle tee and a pair of blue and white striped board shorts bare foot.
"Troy, isn't that Shar?" The shaded man asked.
Troy Bolton, looked over at where Chad Danforth, his best friend, was pointing, "Oh yeah," He reached up his arm in a large wave.
Chad laughed and joined in the wave too until she had stopped scanning the beach and noticed them. She grinned and waved back, walking towards them with an umbrella under her arm and a large light pink bag.
"Hey guys," Sharpay greeted, placing her things on the floor before hugging Troy and then Chad.
"Hey, what are you doing here on your own?" Troy asked.
"I'm meeting a friend actually. Gabriella, you know; the one I told you about who moved here last month," Sharpay corrected.
Troy and Chad nodded like two well-trained dogs which made Sharpay laugh a little, "Yeah, I'm meeting her here but I can't seem to find her anywhere," She pouted and looking around the beach.
"What does she look like?" Chad asked, looking around too.
"Dark hair, pretty, like 5'3. I only have photos from high school so they won't help," Sharpay murmured, narrowing her eyes beneath her large sunglasses, scanning away from the water and up a little, "Hey there she is!" She exclaimed with a wide smile.
"Where?" Chad asked.
Sharpay pointed to Gabriella who was leant back on her hands, her legs bent slightly and her toes digging into the sand while her hair hung loose and sunglasses covered her face.
"Nice," Chad coughed lightly after he received a slap on the arm for admiring the woman's petite, slim and toned frame.
Sharpay rolled her eyes as the two men watched her quickly stand up which resulted from a "fuck" from Chad as his eyes noted Gabriella's curvy hips and therefore curvy behind and slightly muscled thighs. She then watched their jaws drop as she ran down the beach and scooped up a running child and continuing to run as another little boy reached for her leg; all three of them laughing as the water splashed around them.
The three of them watched as she held Noah under his arms, just above the water so he could kick water at his brother who in turn started to splash water as the two while his head was turned away, laughing.
"Who are they?" Chad asked, looking at Sharpay.
"I'll introduce you, looks like they didn't set up camp far away either. I'll be back," Sharpay said as she began to walk down the beach while Gabriella who swung Noah by his hand between her legs was walking up the beach as was Xavier who was laughing hard as Noah's screwed up grinning face.
"Gabs!" Sharpay shouted.
Gabriella looked up at hearing her voice, smiling when she located Sharpay and waved. She gave her a puzzled look as she beckoned her over. Both Xavier and Noah noticed Sharpay and took off running towards her and Gabriella followed, not taking her belongings as it wasn't far away and she could easily see them from her position.
"Hey boys!" Sharpay said enthusiastically, crouching down to hug them both.
They two of them gave her a hug back, standing next to each other with big smiles on their faces. Noah looked behind him, wandering where his mother was.
Gabriella picked up Noah's baseball cap that had fallen off as she walked over. She leant down to push the hat on and pulling the front his face to make him giggle. Gabriella grinned before greeting Sharpay and giving her a hug.
"Hey," Gabriella smiled widely as her blonde friend hugged her.
"I haven't seen you in so long!" Sharpay exclaimed.
"I know, I'm so glad I'm here," Gabriella smiled, sharing her friend's excitement at seeing each other.
Sharpay nodded quickly, "Taylor lives literally a ten minute drive from you too," She grinned.
Gabriella eyes widened, "No way. The last time we spoke was to make up after that huge argument we had over…" She glanced down at her children before mouthing 'Jake' referring to her children's father and her ex-husband.
Sharpay's brows raised, "Wow. That was one crazy day."
Gabriella nodded, her full lips pressed together, "Mhm."
Gabriella looked down as she felt two little arms wrap around her calf and she saw Noah run in between her legs trying to run away from Xavier who was pretending to chase him.
"Mommy!" Noah squealed as Xavier faked a move and went the opposite way.
Gabriella shook her head while Xavier slipped in the sand causing Noah to laugh loudly. She looked up at Sharpay, "Boys," She simply commented.
"I can't believe they both turned out to be boys, I wanted at least one to be a girl," Sharpay pouted, faking a sad expression.
Gabriella laughed a little, "I'm happy I got these two."
"Even if their dad is a jackass?" Sharpay said bitterly.
Gabriella's eyes widened and she looked down to ensure they didn't hear Sharpay talking that way about their dad, "Shar, please don't say things like that in front of them."
Sharpay gave her a sad smile, "Sorry babe."
"Why did I have to come over here anyway?" Gabriella asked, adjusting her bikini top as it was showing slightly too much boob if her liking.
"Oh!" Sharpay said as if reminded, "Gabs, whose two are, like, Zeke's best friends," She said, moving to the side so Gabriella could turn a little and see who Sharpay was talking about. Sharpay walked them a little more towards the two men, Gabriella kept her eye on her children as they continued walking.
/
"Fuck, she's so sexy," Troy grumbled, licking his lips as his eyes which were behind his shades grazed her body.
"Yes," Chad eagerly nodded.
"I wonder who the kids are," Troy asked, looking at the woman's perfectly slim and toned body, especially her stomach.
"Guess we'll find out," Chad shrugged.
Sharpay smirked at the two men who were practically gawking at Gabriella however, as Gabriella had been in a relationship for 8 years and had barely slept with more than three men, Sharpay guessed that she wouldn't notice especially when she kept checking back on her playing children.
"Hey," Sharpay greeted again as they came to a stop in front of the two men, "So this was who I was looking for earlier, this is Gabriella and Gabs these are two of Zeke's best friends, Troy and Chad."
"Hi, it's nice to meet you," Gabriella smiled beautifully.
"Yeah, you too. We probably would have met you at the wedding but we hear you moved here?" Chad asked.
Gabriella nodded, "About a month ago from New Mexico."
"Wise choice," Troy grinned.
Gabriella giggled, "Yeah, it got too hot in Alberquerque in summer. I practically had to keep Xav and Noah inside or permanently in the pool," She shook her head, "Which Jake hated cause he'd have to be in the pool when they wanted to go in-" Gabriella stopped, "Erm, sorry," She cringed.
Sharpay laughed, "Xavier and Noah are her kids and Jake is her ex," She clarified.
"Mom!" Gabriella heard Xavier's voice shouted.
Gabriella frowned and quickly jogged off to wear Xavier was kneeling next to Noah who was curled on his side crying, "Hey," She soothed as she sat in the sand and pulled Noah onto her lap while he held his hands up on his face, "Baby, what's wrong?" She asked worriedly.
"We were playing and my knee hit his head. Mom, I didn't mean too. I'm sorry," Xavier quickly apologised, kneeling next to Noah, touching his leg gently.
That brought a small smile to Gabriella's face, Xavier was so protective over Noah and she loved it, "It's ok, baby. It was an accident," She puckered her lips and kissed Noah's head as she held him like she did when has a baby.
"I'm sorry," Xavier mumbled with a frown.
Gabriella looked up and touched her hand to his face, "Xav, its fine. Don't worry," She smiled, bringing him into her side to cuddle as Noah's cries calm down and his face was pressed against her chest.
"Dad would be shouting right now," Xavier mumbled.
Gabriella tilted her head to lay on the top of Xavier's, "I know baby," She rubbed his arm.
Noah wiggled in Gabriella's grasp so she could see his face.
"Ah, there's my other boy. I was wondering where he went," Gabriella joked, tickling his stomach.
Noah giggled, holding his hands to his belly.
Xavier smiled as he watched his mom tickle his brother gently, "I'm sorry Noah."
Noah smiled up at Xavier in forgiveness.
"That's my boy," Gabriella mumbled into Xavier's ear before she kissed his head, "And you, have you stopped crying now?" She teased, blowing a kiss to his forehead.
Noah nodded and giggled. Gabriella wiped his cheeks softly to rid them of his salty tears.
/
"So, the two boys are Gabriella's kids?" Chad asked to confirm.
Sharpay nodded, "Yep, Xavier is six and Noah is three, sweetest kids you'll ever meet," She raved.
Troy smiled gently, "They're cute. How old is Gabriella?" He asked.
Sharpay smirked, "Yes, she is a young mom Troy. She's 26, she had Xavier a month before she turned 20."
"Holy shit," Chad murmured, "She look so good for having two kids."
"Mhm," Troy hummed as he watched her with her children, "So this ex of hers?"
"Is totally out of the picture. I think they were together for about eight years and married for five," Sharpay informed.
"Whoa," Chad mumbled.
"What a lucky guy to have her for eight years," Troy said, looking back at Sharpay.
Sharpay nodded, "She's the kindest woman I've ever met like seriously she's the nicest, sweetest person. Shame he couldn't appreciative her because she loved him a lot especially when they had Noah, she worshipped the ground he walked on. I just want someone to do that to her," She shrugged.
"Maybe she'll find some Californian dude to appreciate the sand she walks on," Chad grinned.
Sharpay and Troy laughed, "We're going for an hour lunch soon, wanna come with? Bring Gabriella and her kids too if you want."
/
Around a large round table sat Gabriella with Noah on her lap, Xavier, Sharpay, Chad and then Troy. They had ordered and the waiter was handing out the food, with a thank you he dispersed.
"Will you eat something for me?" Gabriella muttered against Noah's head and he shook it firmly.
Gabriella turned him around to face her, "I know you're sleepy but just eat a little something because then you won't wake up grouchy and hungry," She said to him, brushing his salt dried hair back.
"No," He mumbled, pushing forward to lay against her chest that was now covered in a tee-shirt.
Gabriella stopped trying, letting him rest against her while reaching to gather some food on her fork to eat.
Troy touched Noah's arm gently and Noah turned his head to face him, not once did his head leave his mother, "Hey dude, I'm Troy. You're mom told me you like boats. Now how about if you eat whatever your mom wants you too then you, me, your brother and your mom can head out and row a little? Or just you, your mom and Xavier can go if you prefer," He said in a fake whisper as if it was an agreement between just the two of them.
Noah smiled a little at Noah, "Red boat?"
"Oh whoa, you like red boats? Dude, the red boat we have is our best one," Troy grinned, speaking with enthusiasm to the little boy.
Noah's head perked up a little.
"We used to live near a lake and whenever he wouldn't stop crying and if it was sunny, we used to take him out on this old red boat and just paddle and he'd settle so fast. I think he's a water bug," Gabriella told him with a small smile.
Troy smiled back softly before looking back at Noah, "What do you say, boat or no boat?" He asked.
"Boat," Noah's small voice spoke.
"With me or without?" He asked again.
A large smile took over his face, "With."
"Awesome," Troy grinned, holding out his large pal for a high five and Noah slapped his tiny hand onto Troy's and Troy faked a wince which made him laugh.
Gabriella watched them with a smile, and then Noah looked up at her and spoke, "Mommy, food," He wriggled around so he was facing his face and shuffled forward to begin eating.
Gabriella looked over at Troy, "Thank you," She whispered.
Troy shook his head lightly, reaching over to gently rub just below the base of her neck before pulling back and beginning to eat.
/
Gabriella knew she should not be watching Troy's muscled body flex and stretch as she paddled on a nice and still area of water which was blocked from waves by the sea by one large rock. She should be paying attention to her sleeping son in the boat with them or wondering if Xavier was ok with Sharpay and Chad but at that moment all Gabriella was focused on was Troy's biceps flexed and stretching and his chest and back working to create a delicious picture in front of her.
"Want a go?" Troy asked.
Gabriella crinkled her nose, "I'll pass."
Troy chuckled quietly, "So you let me bring you all the way out here and you get to sit there and watch," He joked with a playful smirk.
Gabriella bit down on her lower lip and looked away from the blue eyed, extremely bulked up and defined man in front of her.
Troy grinned at the reaction he got from this beautiful woman. He made him laugh a little because she seemed embarrassed to admit that she, a straight woman, was checking out a single guy who was openly flexing in front of her and everyone knew that she was no longer innocent as she had two children but still admitting that she found a guy remotely attraction was a no-no.
"Your kids are awesome," Troy said, "Big props to you and their dad," He praised.
Gabriella smiled softly, seemingly reaching an area of comfort for her, "Thank you. We were young when we had Xavier but I was determined to not let him turn out to be rude or ungrateful and I always have told them to admit when they were wrong and apologise and use their manners because nobody likes a bratty kid," She ranted.
"You were 19 right?" Troy asked.
"Mhm," Gabriella nodded, "Sharpay?"
"Yeah," He chuckled.
Gabriella shook her head, "19 when Xavier was born and 23 when Noah was born."
"Wow. You are supermom," Troy grinned.
Gabriella smiled softly, closed her eyes briefly, "Sometimes when I just stop and do something like this, I feel how tired I am," She admitted quietly, her head tilted back to face the sun's rays.
Troy slowed his rowing and looked at the woman in front of him, she was seriously beautiful and incredibly sexy and she didn't even have to try, "Maybe that's a sign telling you to have a break and relax every now and again," He suggested.
Gabriella opened her eyes and they quickly met his, "Maybe but I relax when they go to sleep, maybe have a bath, a glass of wine, watch some TV or read."
"Alone?" Troy asked softly.
Gabriella's right hand went to her left and gently stroked over her ring finger and looked down; remembering when two pretty rings adorned there, "For the past two and a half years yeah," She said quietly, looking down at her hand.
Troy's eyes lowered to her hand and then down at Noah who was lay flat on his back and head rolled to the side to face his mother, "Noah was young then?" He asked.
Gabriella's head snapped up as if suddenly being brought out of a trance, "Yeah, he was about eight months old," She answered, looking down at Noah, "I hate that he is going to grow up in the next few years differently to Xavier did. He had us both around, Noah won't have his dad hardly ever, he lives in New York now with his new girlfriend. They don't know that he has someone else."
Troy frowned slightly, "I mean I've only met you guys today but he seems happy, they both do. Isn't that all that matters?"
Gabriella licked her lips, nodding slowly, "Yeah, it is. I'd do anything to make them happy. I do anything to make them happy."
"I see that, you're a good mom," Troy admired, "Are you happy though?" He asked.
Gabriella's eyes raised to meet his, not once since she had divorced her husband had anybody asked her if she was happy, sure people asked if she was ok but never did anyone ask if she was happy, "I don't know," She admitted with a pathetic laugh, "I mean, of course, my boys make me incredibly happy, they make me laugh and they are so kind to me and to each other and I couldn't ask for anything more. They are my pride and joy, I love them so much. They really do make me laugh every day, make me go crazy sometimes but mostly they make me happy," She giggled.
Troy tilted his head with a small smile, "But what about when you're not with them? When you're alone at night?" He questioned.
Gabriella looked away briefly, "I'm normally too exhausted to even think about if I'm happy in my person life, away from the kids."
"Ok, what about when you and your husband took time out from them and it was just you two?" Troy had completely stopped paddling now, just letting the three of them bob in the still water.
Gabriella shrugged, "We used to do so much together in high school and then Xavier was born and it was hard for a while but when he started to get older, my brother would have him or his parents would have him and we'd go out to dinner or have a night in relaxing. But after I fell pregnant with Noah, things changed, I knew he wasn't just mine anymore and that I wasn't his only woman," She said, nodding slowly as she pushed down on her lips.
"Mommy?" A little voice said from below.
Gabriella quickly sniffled and cleared her throat, "What's up baby?" She asked, running her hand along his little side.
"I like this red boat," He said sleepily with a smile but falling straight back to sleep causing a small laugh to erupt from Gabriella's mouth.
Gabriella looked up from Noah a minute later to find Troy looking at her with a sad smile. Gabriella simply shook her head.
"I'm sorry," Troy mumbled.
Gabriella shrugged, "It is what it is," She sighed.
"Why did you stay with him for more than a year after?" Troy asked, "You carried his two children and gave birth to them and he did that all of you. I don't like little boys like that," He said quite bitterly.
Gabriella smiled at his behaviour, "He didn't confirm these thoughts and gut instincts until New Year's eve, exactly five years after he asked me to marry him. He had to 'work' and I surprised him with Noah and Xavier. Noah obviously no idea what was going on and Xavier had an idea, he didn't speak to him for about 5 months."
Troy frowned, "That's disgusting."
"No, apparently what is disgusting is a woman's body after having two children. I don't look the way I once did he said. I couldn't blame him, the other woman was gorgeous and skinny and leggy," Gabriella said, shaking her head and letting out a breath, "I'm sorry, I'm not making this boat trip fun."
Troy smiled gently, "It's fine. I want to know more about you," He confessed, "But Gabriella, this may seem very male and may slap me but when me and Chad saw you after Sharpay pointed you out, we were like whoa, that woman is hot," He smirked as she giggled, shaking her head, "Seriously, no one would guess that two kids came from you and grew in you, like you're just beautiful," He husked out.
Gabriella gave him a small smile, "Thanks," She giggled shyly, leaning back against the cushioned seat, softly bringing Noah onto her chest so they could relax together in the sun.
"Plus, you're a good mom which makes you more attractive," Troy chuckled.
Gabriella laughed quietly, "Anyway, enough about my pathetic life story, what about you? Kids? Girlfriend? I'm assuming no wife," She nodded at his hand.
Troy smirked, "Already checked that, huh?" He teased.
Gabriella grinned at him but stayed silent.
"No wife, no girlfriend, no kids. Just me," Troy listed off, "Well I have family but no partner in life just yet," He joked.
Gabriella laughed softly, "What's your type? Maybe Shar can set you up,"
"Believe me she's tried many times but it's never worked out," He commented, "But I don't think I have a type but Shar, Zeke and Chad seem to think I do. Apparently I go for more… I don't know, erm darker complexion, dark hair, dark eyes, things like that."
Gabriella nodded, "Well if I see anybody like that, I'll let you know."
"Please do," He smirked, "Every time I visit my mom and dad, they are always asking me if I have a girlfriend yet and when am I going to settle down and have a family because apparently by now I should at least be in a long term relationship," He rolled his eyes, "My dad is more chilled about it and they don't directly say these things but my mom definitely hints."
"That's cute," She grinned, "How old are you?"
"27."
"Oh, only a year older than me."
Troy raised an eyebrow, "Only a year? Do I look old to you or something?" He teased.
Gabriella rolled her eyes mockingly, "Sure," She giggled.
Troy raised both brows, "You're lucky you're holding your kid or you'd be overboard right now."
Gabriella laughed a little more, trying to be careful of the sleeping boy in her arms. Troy smiled as he watched her laugh, licking his lips a little. To a few people on the beach who saw them and smiled, they did look like a little family. That unnerved Troy a little but he felt a male pride within him as he made the woman opposite him laugh.
"So tell me more, any siblings?" Gabriella prompted, running her hand over Noah's head.
Troy nodded, "One brother, he's a couple years younger, his name is Dylan. He's in his final year at college. Erm, my mom and dad, Lucille and Jack live a couple of hours away, still in California though and I think they've been together since they were 17 and had me when they were 18 and they got married when I was four and then Dylan was born."
"Wow," Gabriella murmured.
"I believe will be together for the rest of their lives, they love each other a lot, I can tell," Troy smiled.
Gabriella smiled at him, "They are definitely my goals in life," She giggled, "Two boys? Rings a bell."
Troy chuckled, "True. Me and my brother are really close and Noah and Xavier will be too."
"I hope so," She said happily.
"Shall we head back?" Troy asked, "It's getting a little rough," He said, watching the waved beyond the rock, where he would have to paddle too.
"Yeah," She agreed simply, "Troy, I'm sorry for telling you my life, I," She shook her head.
"Don't be embarrassed, like learning about people. Especially cute ones," He charmed with a chuckle as he started to move them back to shore.
Gabriella didn't reply with words, just with a simple smile as she closed her eyes and held Noah close to her.
/
Sharpay watched as Troy put away their equipment and life vests and Xavier ran away from her and Chad, down to his mom and a now more awake Noah, now he had his nap. She watched as Gabriella swung Xavier around before placing him down, nodding and getting down onto her knees. The three of them began to make sandcastles. Troy looked at them briefly before leaving the little family alone and walking up to Chad and Sharpay who were sitting at a beach bar, nursing two cold drinks.
"Hey," Sharpay greeted, "Did Noah enjoy his boat trip?"
Troy nodded, "Yeah, he fell asleep so fast and Gabriella's ex is a dick," He sat down next to Chad.
Sharpay laughed briefly at the bluntness of his statement, "Yeah, he's a jackass."
"Why?" Chad asked.
"He cheated on her," Sharpay said simply.
Chad's brows shot up, "Shut up. Why would he cheat on her? She's smoking and she seems really nice."
"She is," Troy agreed, "Some men don't appreciate what they have."
"So other men then swoop in and appreciate it for them?" Chad asked Troy with a smirk.
Troy chuckle, shaking his head, "Dude, shut up. She said some things that I, like, had an urge to make better. I don't know how to describe it and I don't want to tell you guys the ins and outs of what we talked about but I don't know whether to act on it or not?"
Sharpay frowned as did Chad, "What?"
Troy let out a sigh, "We were talking about her being happy and she kind of implied that she is but sometimes she feels lonely. Which is understandable if you were with someone for as long as she was with that dude but I don't want her to be sad or lonely," His brows crunched together momentarily.
"That is such a booty call," Chad chuckled, "I'm lonely come over," He joked.
Troy and Sharpay rolled their eyes, "But she mentioned something and I just thought I could join her," He told them fleetingly.
"Do what you think is right Troy," Sharpay shrugged honestly, "Just remember you will never be number one in her eyes, that place is for Xavier and Noah only."
"I know," Troy nodded, "I probably respect her more for that."
/
"Noah, are you going to say thank you to Troy for your boat ride?" Gabriella asked with a tilt of her head, as she held him on her waist and Xavier had his eyes closed resting against her leg and Gabriella's spare hand ran through his hair.
Noah nodded.
"Go on then," Gabriella giggled.
Noah hid his face in her neck which earned him a couple of kisses on his temple. He looked up again, "Fank you, Toy," He said tiredly before dig his face back in her neck.
Gabriella laughed, "Good boy," She grinned then looked at Troy, "Thank you," She said quietly.
"No problem," Troy smiled back before crouching down to Xavier's height, "Thanks for letting me take your mom and Noah out on that boat, dude," He said, holding out his fist to Xavier.
Xavier's eyes opened and he gave Troy the same tired smile that Noah did, "It's ok, they said they had fun."
Troy smiled at Xavier and looked up to wink at Gabriella, "I'm glad," He mumbled before standing up so Chad could say goodbye.
"Come on then guys, let's go home," Gabriella said, guide Xavier around, turned her head back to face the two men, "It was nice to meet you both, bye," She smiled and then continued to walk up the quiet beach toward Sharpay's car which would be giving them a lift back home.
/
Once Gabriella seated her two sons in the car, ensuring they were fastened in properly, she quickly announced to Sharpay that she would be right back. She took off in a jog back down the beach barefoot towards the small hut where Troy was standing shirtless, counting money.
"Yo dude, we made so much today," She heard Troy shout back to Chad who was empting the hut to move all their water sports gear down the beach to the secure shed which they kept their things in overnight.
"Yeah and we would have earned more if you didn't let Gabriella go for free," She heard Chad joke.
Troy laughed, his chest inflating momentarily, "I wasn't going to make her pay, I was the one who suggested it."
"Yeah, yeah, you old romantic," Chad teased.
Gabriella came to a stop once she rounded the large vehicle with a huge trailer on the back, "Hey," She breathed, tucking her long hair behind her ears.
Troy's head shot up and his brows rose slowly also, "Hi," He smiled, "Did you forget something?" He asked.
Gabriella's eyes dropped to his body but only for a second before she reconnected their eyes, "So," She breathed out, "Would you like to join me later… for some wine and TV, maybe?" She boldly suggested, biting down on her plump lower lip as she waited for his answer.
"Is there a bath included?" He said quietly with a smirk on his face.
Gabriella laughed, shaking her head, "Not yet," She ducked her head, realising he hadn't yet agreed or disagreed, "If you have other plans or just don't, that's fine."
Troy's eyebrows rose higher as her bold remark, "I'd love too. What time shall I come over?"
Gabriella asked for the time now, 6pm, "8?"
"Sounds perfect," He smiled.
"Ok," She said simply, smiling back at him with closed lips. She nervously moving about, nodding once before telling him her address and then taking off back up the beach to get into the car waiting for her.
Chad's head poked out of the hut and looked at Troy with wide eyes and consequently raised brows, "What was that?" He asked.
Troy went back to count the money, starting again after he had been interrupted, not that it wasn't a pleasant interruption, "I'm going over to Gabriella's tonight."
Chad simply let out a hum, a small smirk before heading back into the hut, not pressing the matter further but tomorrow at the beach he definitely will be pressing for details.
/
In the space of two hours, Gabriella had bathed Noah while Xavier got himself into the shower. This was a time where she appreciated having a separate bath and shower so she could get two tired boys into bed quicker. She let Noah relax in the bath while she checked Xavier had washed his hair properly and all sand and sea water was free from his body. She had shut off the water and had a soft towel waiting for him when he got out. She lifted Noah out of the bath once Xavier had the towel wrapped around him and put a small one around Noah.
"Aw, my two cute boys," Gabriella cooed, kissing them both of the head. She rubbed their arms over the towel to dry them. Xavier began to dry himself and she helped Noah dry off.
"Pyjamas and then bed time," Gabriella said which earned a smile from both of them.
Once dry and changed into soft pyjamas, they both walked into their separate bedrooms and as soon as they were tucked in, they were fast asleep, no need for a bed time story tonight. Gabriella kissed them both and murmured the same thing, "Sleep well, I love you."
She then took her own shower, revelling in the hot water running over her body and instead of changing into her pyjamas like she normally would. She pulled on some fresh underwear, a pair of pyjama looking shorts, a simple tee shirt and a large grey hoodie. Her chilly feet had a pair of little socks on before she set to blow dry her curly hair. Running some oil through the ends, she made work of her night time skin care regime then padded down the stairs, poking her head into each boy's room to check on them on the way. Once down stairs she passed through the living room to switch on the TV and then into the kitchen to grab two wine glasses and place them on the side, just in time for a knock on the door. She smiled at the fact that he didn't use the doorbell as her two boys were sound asleep.
Gabriella padded into the hall and open the door, "Hi," She smiled.
"Hey," Troy smiled back, "I brought us some wine. I got rose? I wasn't sure whether to get red or white so I got the middle," He chuckled as she opened the door wider so he could walk into her house.
"Wise choice," Gabriella commented, shutting the door and locking it.
Once Troy had slipped off his converse shoes, they walked through the kitchen to pick up the glasses before walking into the living room. He promptly poured a good amount of wine into each glass then taking a seat on the large couch, close enough to Gabriella to feel that they didn't have lots of room between them but not too close where it would feel awkward.
"Thank you," She spoke, lifting up the glass to clink their glasses together.
Troy had taken a quick shower, pulled on some comfier shorts, a grey tee shirt and a black zip up, "Are your two fast asleep?" He asked.
"Mhm, they were practically falling asleep when they were showering," She giggled, "I'm pretty wiped too, I think it's a mix of the heat and the food."
Troy nodded, "Definitely, I get so tired working outside sometimes but it feels good," He said.
Gabriella lay her head back against the couch and turned her face to face the crazily gorgeous and extremely male man next to her, "Working outside looks good on you."
Troy looked over at her with a grin on his face, "How many glasses of wine have you had before I came?" He teased.
Gabriella laughed quietly next to him, "None actually."
/
Hours had passed and many glasses of wine had been consumed between the two. It was around midnight and they had put on a movie but did not really watch it as they continued to talk and learn more about the other.
"You don't live far away from me, you know," Troy commented from his position of laying back against the arm of the couch, legs out in front of him.
"No? How far?" Gabriella questioned as she returned to the room after making a trip to the bathroom.
"About a ten maybe fifteen minute drive," He said, opening his arms toward her.
Gabriella raised an eyebrow and he just waved his arms around a little, beckoning her into them, "Do you live more on the coast or in land?" She queried as she sat next on the edge of the couch next to his waist.
Troy moved so he lay on his side, his strong arms wrapping around Gabriella's small waist, "On the coast. My house is kinda on a hill and my living room looks out on to the ocean," He murmured next to her, "And then I have a little balcony from bedroom above and then a big open outside space from the living room where you can see everything. It's my dream home."
Gabriella sent him a closed lipped smile, looking down and behind herself a little, "That sounds so nice."
Troy nodded, "I like it a lot, you should come see it some time," He smiled, leaning up and into her side a little as he tugged her down making her laugh.
"I'd love too," She said through a laugh.
Troy lifted one knee up and she slipped into the v his body created, his arms still around her, "Good," He smiled.
Gabriella continued her giggle, lazily blinking up at him, "I should go to bed," She said suddenly.
Troy looked down at her lips before raising to meet her eyes, licking his own lips subtly, "Yeah, I should get going," He pulled out his cell phone to shoot a quick text message.
"You can't drive," She exclaimed, sitting up quickly.
Troy smiled at her reaction, putting his cell phone away, "I've just text Chad, he said he's pick me up," He said, lifting his hand up to rake through her hair.
Gabriella turned her face away from him, his hand dropping from her hair as a consequence. Troy frowned at this, all night especially the last hour, she was revelling in his attention toward her. She had lay against his side and rested her head on his chest as he held her and stroked the small of her back under her clothing. Her feet softly stroked his calves and tangled their legs together; her fingers had outlined the neck of his tee shirt and had, even just for a mere ten seconds, reached up the hem of the shirt to softly graze his abdominal muscles which she had been appreciating with her eyes subtly, or so she thought, all day.
"Oh," She muttered.
"Is everything ok?" He asked, sitting up so he was sat beside her on the edge of the couch.
Gabriella breathed, "Yeah, I just… I think that's enough," She mumbled, looking down at the floor.
"What?" Troy asked, "I don't understand."
Gabriella adjusted her posture, "I think tonight needs to end now, we've both had a lot of wine and talked about sensitive things, I just can't," She shook her head, standing up to get some physical distance.
Troy frowned, "You can't what?" He questioned.
Gabriella swallowed, her small hands raising to her eyes, "I can't do this," She whispered, "I can't let it be just me and you again. I can't."
Troy stood up and walked closer to her, peeling her hands away from her eyes, "Why not?" He asked, softly running the pads of his thumbs along her wrists.
Gabriella tilted her head back, "Because… because I can't be with someone for eight years and for them to crush again. I won't let that happen to me or my kids," She said erratically, moving her hands from Troy's grasp.
Troy followed her and spun her around by her waist, "Gabriella, I'm not a bad guy. I'm not him. I'm not going to intentionally hurt you."
"But I just can't," She blurted out.
"Why are you thinking about this anyway? We met about thirteen hours ago, why are you jumping to eight years from now?" He questioned, his blue eyes dancing from each of her brown ones.
"Because I should have done this when I was sixteen, I should have stopped it all," She said, her eyes filling with tears, "I wouldn't be here struggling, I wouldn't be struggling to give my children what they deserve, I can't even ensure that they'll see their father again. What kind of mother am I if I can't keep my family together, if I can't make sure their dad is in the picture? If I just stopped it all before it began. I don't regret my children one bit but I wish I could give them more," She breathed and slowed down, "I'm 26 and divorced, I've been bringing up my two children for the past two years on my own, how pathetic and weak is that. I can't even force my ex-husband to see his children who so desperately want to see him," She looked up at him with dishevelled hair, her brown eyes sparkling with tears and looking so small.
Troy shook his head, "I don't know who you've described just now. The woman I've met today isn't weak, she isn't pathetic, she's strong. You're not struggling, you're coping just like the majority of the country. You're alive but you're not living, that's the only thing I'm sad about and I want to change. You are incredible and you need to believe it. But I'll ask you again, why are you thinking about us in eight years time? Why does it scare you or make you upset?" He said firmly.
Gabriella let out an annoyed and painful groan, before shaking his hands off her body, "Because you hold me and touch and talk to me like I wished he had done. Because how you have been tonight, how you have acted towards me, I wish with all my heart that that's how he could have been. How bad is it that my ex-husband of five years didn't make me feel the way you made me feel tonight, today even. Today you were just so perfect when you talking to Noah about the boat," She looked away from him, "I loved Jake what does that say about you and me?" She said rhetorically, walking away toward the kitchen as Troy stood quietly.
There was a knock on the door and Gabriella brushed away her the tears that he slipped down her face, letting out a short breath before pushing off the counter and walking to the door. She opened it and saw Chad who looked up and smile and then frowned concerned.
"Hey," Gabriella said in a fake cheerful voice, "Troy's in the living room, you can come in," She said with a false smile, pushing the door open wider before walking away, climbing the stairs of her home.
Chad watched her walk away as he shut the front door and then heard a door upstairs close which he presumed was her bedroom, "Troy?" He called quietly. He hesitantly walked further into the house and finally finding his best friend on the couch with his head in his hands, "Hey man, I wasn't expecting to actually be picking you up," He joked.
Troy looked up at his friend, "Gabriella just told me that her ex has never made her feel the way I have today. What do I do with that? What did I do?" He asked in one tone, only the last two questioned were asked in a high pitch.
Chad's eyebrows shot up for a moment before shrugging his shoulders, "You were Troy. I believe everybody one person they are meant to be with. What if Gabriella is that for you?"
"But she has two kids."
"Does that bother you?"
Troy sighed, "No," He answered, truthfully. He's head hung low as he played with his fingers, "What do I do?" He asked, looking up.
"How do you feel about her?"
"I've known her a few hours man, I don't even know her properly," Troy exclaimed quietly.
Chad shook his head, "That's not my question."
Troy stayed quiet for a minute before answering, "I want to make her happy. We had a good time tonight, it was fun. I just want to be there for her and look after her," He sighed, "When I went to work this morning, I never thought this would be how my night would end."
Chad snorted with a laugh, "You know what they say, love comes to those who don't look for it."
"Dude, do not talk about love," Troy rolled his eyes.
"Gabriella loved her husband, right?" Troy nodded, "And tonight she told you that he never made her feel the way that she does about you, right?"
"Kind of," Troy answered.
"I think it's hard to distinguish between loving someone and being in love with them. Maybe Gabriella just loved him, but with you it's different," Chad shrugged.
Troy let out a breath, "You think she's in love with me? You are crazy," He chuckled, shaking his head.
"I'm not saying that but I think if you two continued to see each other after tonight and from what little you've told me, then yeah, maybe one day she could be in love with you," Chad said, seeing Troy's far off expression, "Just some food for thought."
Troy stood up and made his way up the stairs in attempt to find Gabriella's room while leaving Chad on his own down stairs. He saw two rooms with the doors cracked open with two boy's name on, on the right hand side and Gabriella's was the last door on the left. He knocked softly on the door before pushing it open to see Gabriella sat at her window seat, looking out at her backyard which the huge wall window offered.
"Hey," Troy whispered, shutting the door behind him and started to walk over.
"Hi," Gabriella muttered, picking at a blanket which she lay over her bare legs.
Troy knelt down next to her, reaching his arm over to rest across her thighs, "Look, you know more about relationships and how complex they can be more than I ever will. So maybe I don't understand what I think and feel right now but what I am sure about is that I don't want to stop seeing you after tonight, I don't want us to always be around other people, I want it to just be me and you sometimes, after Xavier and Noah have gone to bed for a few hours in your living room or an actual date. I don't want to stop seeing you. I don't want you to be scared, I want you to be happy and I want to be the person to make you happy and force you to realise her amazing you are," He gave her a half smile, "So please don't let what happened in your last relationship affect your future or your decisions today. You deserve happiness after all this time. Don't be scared of me or how I make you feel either," He blushed lightly, "For all you know, you might just be reacting to a bit of physical contact and a bit of sweet talking your son," He winked and turned serious again, "And don't compare it to him or your relationship, I'm not him and we will never be the same as you two were. Just enjoy it and relax, no pressure," Troy said, gently moving his fingertips against the blanket covering her thigh, "You with me?" He asked.
Gabriella let a smile take over her face and she nodded, "Yeah."
"Sweet," He grinned childishly, "Are you ready to start relaxing and being happy and enjoying life?"
She nodded soundlessly.
"Good," His smile never leaving his face, "Ok, I really have to go, I have to be up at half 8 to walk my dog before walk."
Gabriella straightened, "You having a dog?" She asked with a wide smile.
Troy chuckled at her child like response, "Yeah, a golden retriever, she's six, her name is milo. I wanted to call her Java but because I got her when she was a puppy from a dog rescue place, someone had already named her and she reacted to it so I thought it would be cruel to take that away."
Gabriella crinkled her nose affectionately, "That's really sweet," She cooed.
Troy shook his head, "Now I really, really need to go."
"Ok, I'll come down with you," Gabriella stood up and wrapped the blanket around her.
"Cute room by the way," He smirked at the pink flowery childish wallpaper.
"Shut up, I haven't finish the boy's rooms yet and then I'll move onto mine," Gabriella explained.
"Do I have an input if you're thinking about eight years?" He teased as he reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Again, shhh," Gabriella hushed, slapping his shoulder.
Troy laughed and opened the front door after seeing Chad wasn't around and then he saw him in his car waiting. He turned to her once he stepped out of her house, "I've had an amazing time today," He admitted, wanting to smirk at the height difference even if when she was standing on high ground than him.
"Me too," She smiled.
"Hug?" He opened his arms and Gabriella wrapped her arms around him while still holding the blanket. He kissed her cheek when they were pulling back, his gaze went to her lips.
"I don't kiss guys the day I meet them," She teased.
Troy glanced at his watch, "You're lucky that it's Sunday now then."
Gabriella laughed quietly, "Still no, now go," She demanded.
Troy saluted her before giving her a wink, "See you soon," He said as he turned and walked down the path.
Gabriella grinned as she watched him get into the car and waved, "Bye," She mouthed.
He smiled and sent her a simple nod as Chad started to pull away.
Gabriella kept the genuine smile on her face as she turned around, closed the door behind her and locked it securely before moving freely up the stairs to climb into her comfortable bed and shut her eyes, for once something other than her life-long friends or her children making her fall asleep with a smile on her face.
Thank you for reading, I'd love to know your thoughts. Please review.