Chapter 3

"I hate being pregnant." Gabriella stated as herself and Troy walked into their house an hour after taking off.

"I know you do." Troy sighed, watching as his still pregnant girlfriend flopped down on the sofa

"Stupid Braxton Hicks contractions," She continued to mumbled, playing with the edge of her loose white v-neck tee.

"I hate them as much as you. I swear there gonna give me a fucking heart attack." Troy said, lowly almost angry.

"There going to give you a heart attack, are you kidding me Troy? I'm the one who's being carrying you're child around for nine months. I'm the one that has to go through dull aches and pains and then a few hours of excruciating pain which no man will ever go through. And you're gonna have an heart attack?" Gabriella was beyond irritated with the man who was moaning about her still being pregnant.

Troy frowned, "Whoa! Why are you shouting at me? All I want is for that baby to be here as soon as possible. Plus I think I've been pretty damn good to you're hormonal, bitchy behaviour for months on end." Troy hissed.

Neither of them have had much sleep in the last month or so and because they were around each other much of the time, they took it out on each other and with Troy working nights and weird shifts plus picking up a few more hours here and there so they had enough money for supplies for the baby and to make sure it got everything it needed. Troy's and Gabriella's normal hours would of covered this but because Gabriella has just gone of maternity leave for a few months, he had to pick up a few more hours to grantee that they will live an comfortable life for the next few months.

"You don't think I want the baby out? I hate not being able to walk up the stairs without help or not being able to clean or anything because I feel worn out if I just do it for five minutes and even if I feel up to it, you yell at me because I'm being 'dangerous' and putting myself and the baby at risk if I fell. Then my boyfriend comes home from long work longs everyday pissed off and takes it out on the mother of his child. I'd trade places with you any day! Bitchy behaviour, Troy please. Get over yourself." Gabriella glared at him from her position on the couch.

"I'm not pissed off every time I get home and I do not tell you, you are at risk of hurting our child. I'd never say that! Plus I come home, clean the house, help you make dinner and I'm nothing but nice to you even when I'm tired and exhausted from doing twelve hour shifts and on top of that staying at the station to do some paper work. I get that you're hormonal, I do but why wait for me to come home to blow up on me?"

"You're full of bullshit. You once told me I was really going to hurt the baby or put myself through early labour because I was cleaning a fucking cabinet and when exactly have I ever waited for you to come home to blow up on you?" Gabriella asked with a fierce edge to her voice, standing up angrily.

"Oh my god, Gabriella and you say I'm full of bullshit. I told you to stop cleaning and rest because you're going to need all the energy you can get once the baby is born. Are you delusional? you shouted at me the minute I walked through the door like a couple of days ago for not making the bed and leaving the closet door open. It's so pathetic."

Gabriella forgot about the first part of his rant and ran her hands through her hair, quickly and giving it a tug, "When the baby arrives and it starts crawling about and hits its head on the door, you'll be sorry. I'm pathetic? I'm so sorry that I'm tired from carrying a heavy baby around, you fucking asshole." Gabriella screamed at her boyfriend.

"You are the least appreciative person I have ever met in my entire life! I've been pretty damn good to you throughout this pregnancy. Most guys would of jumped a mile if they found out their girlfriend was pregnant and it wasn't planned. The rest would of walked off, maybe disappearing for the night but what did I do? You were crying and scared you were gonna lose me, I held you the entire night while I tried to convince you that I wasn't going anywhere and I wanted the baby we both created." Troy shouted, rubbing at his eyes.

Gabriella glared at him, "Yeah, you were great that night, I admit that but I'm the least appreciative person you know? Really, Troy? I would of thought you of all people know how false that statement is. At least my baby will have a father, even though he's a dick." Gabriella hissed out in a dark voice.

"You could go to see you're father, Gabriella. You're just too fucking stubborn and self centred to see him. He never hurt you physically so you could see him!"

Gabriella's eyes darkened and her body tensed, "Get out." She whispered, darkly.

"No, it's my house too." Troy instantly felt guilty at what his previous comment did to the woman he loved.

"I said, get the fuck out, Troy!" Gabriella screamed.

"Whatever, Gabriella," Troy shook his head, walking out to the hallway, grabbing his jacket and walking out of the house- slamming the door behind him.

Gabriella and Troy had never argued like that in the entire pregnancy and ever though it wasn't their longest argument they'd ever had by a long shot but it was a scream fest and both said stuff they would later regret, for sure.

Gabriella fell backwards on the sofa, fiddling with the bottom of her t-shirt again while nibbling her bottom lip getting teary eyed as she thought back over the argument.

A couple of hours later…

Gabriella was walking along the side walk, wiping a tear which fell from her big brown eyes which were now blood shot from all the crying she had done inside their house and while walking along the side walk toward the park, in the dark. She knew it wasn't safe for a pregnant woman to look vulnerable and walking by herself in the dark next to the park but she didn't care. She wanted to get out of the house she shared with her so called great boyfriend. It was now deep into the night, Gabriella guessed it was around half eleven maybe midnight and she had felt her cell phone vibrate several times in her coat pocket but not once did she pick up the phone. She wanted to be alone.

"Stupid boyfriend," Gabriella mumbled as she walked through the gates which lead her into the empty park.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid." She grumbled before sitting down on the closest bench, feeling her feet starting to ache. She placed her hands on her huge stomach and rubbed softly, "You're daddy's a stupid man." She pouted.

Gabriella took out her phone and saw she had twenty two missed calls, eight voicemails and twenty text messages. She saw the missed calls were from Troy, Sharpay Evans (her best friend), Chad Danforth (her stupid boyfriend's best friend), her mother and Lucille. The voice mails were mainly from Troy and a couple from her mother. The text messages were again, mainly from Troy and a couple from everyone else. Gabriella listened to an older one of Troy's voicemails, listening carefully.

Baby, please text me back or call me. I'm so worried about you. I'm so sorry about everything I said, you know what we're like once we get into an argument. Please just call me back or text to let me know you're safe. Everyone is really worried about you and the baby. Please even if it's not me, just tell someone you're safe, okay? I'm so, so, sorry. I love you, I hope you know that.

His voice was rushed and husky which made Gabriella's lower lip quiver and she cuddled into her coat more as the next message came over her phone.

Gabriella, honey. It's Lucille. Listen my son can be an idiot, we all know that but please go home to him, kick him out for the night if you must but please don't be outside in the dark. You know what creeps are around. Look after yourself and the baby.

Gabriella bit her lip and moved to lay down on the bench, curling into a ball the best she could to keep the cold out.

Gabriella, sweetie. Troy told me about you're argument, he's a jerk but he loves you and is so worried. If you don't want to speak to him, ring me and I'll come to wherever you are. Just call me and we'll have a little catch up, yeah? I'm expecting a call from you, miss Montez. L-O-V-E U, Gab-gab.

Her best friend's voice was light but Gabriella knew she was worried so she pressed the dial button and her cell phone automatically rang Sharpay's phone and she answered with in a second.

"Gab!" Sharpay exclaimed down the phone.

"Hi." Gabriella sniffed.

"Babe, come to my house and we can talk, okay? It's cold outside." Sharpay cooed in a soft voice.

Gabriella closed her eyes, "No. You'll tell Troy if I'm there."

"I won't, I promise. Just please come to my house or let me come to you."

Gabriella let out a sob, "No, he's a stupid jerk. I hate him."

"No you don't. You had an argument but you guys love each other."

"He told me that I'm a bitch and I'm the least appreciative person he knows and that I'm too self centred to see my father." Gabriella almost shouted, her emotions going over board now.

"Gabs, please. Tell me where you are."

"No! Troy'll be angry at me for leaving and he'll leave me with the baby." Gabriella shouted and hung up the phone, switching it off before placing it back in her pocket and closing her eyes, letting sleep over come to exhausted body which had, had so much stress on throughout the day with families over, false labour and an argument with Troy.

FIREMEN'S BABY

"Gabriella, sweetheart." Gabriella heard her name being whispered by a man then a warm palm on the freezing cold skin of her cheeks.

"Gabi?" A woman's voice was then heard.

Gabriella tried to open her eyes but she couldn't find the energy to do so. She did reach out her index finger to let the people know she was okay. Their was a little light on her face so she knew that it was now morning.

"You're gonna be okay," The man's voice whispered, she sensed the man moving closer then she felt warm bare skin being placed to her cheeks.

Gabriella let herself relax again and fall back into her sleep, into the blackness.

FIREMEN'S BABY

Gabriella's eyes fluttered open to see white material pressing up against her and to a faint noise of a heartbeat. Closing her eyes again from the light, she rolled onto her back and licked her dry lips and again opened her eyes, I need a drink she thought.

"Gabi? Oh my god, thank god." A woman's voice spoke and suddenly light brown hair flooded her vision.

Gabriella soon recognised the woman as Sharpay and hugged her back.

"We were all so worried about you." Sharpay mumbled, digging her face into Gabriella's hair.

Gabriella smiled gently but didn't speak and Sharpay pulled back, quickly.

"Water," She mumbled and Sharpay quickly moved to the bedside table to pour a plastic cup full of water and passed it to her best friend which Gabriella took with a smile, "What's wrong?" Gabriella whispered once she gave her cup back to Sharpay

Sharpay's face relaxed, "You scared the shit out of me, just then. I thought you couldn't speak." She giggled.

Gabriella smiled, cuddling up in the thick blanket she was covered in, "Why am I in the hospital?" She whispered.

Sharpay sat on the bed and took one of her best friends hands, "You had severe hypothermia, Gabs."

"I did?" Gabriella frowned.

"Yeah," Sharpay nodded, "You were laying on a metal bench in a thin coat when me and Troy found you."

Gabriella frowned at Troy's name, "Where is he anyway? The jerk isn't even here when I'm in hospital. Some boyfriend." Gabriella mumbled, angrily.

Sharpay shook her head, "He's here."

Gabriella nodded, "What time is it?"

Sharpay looked at the clock above Gabriella's bed, "Four o'clock in the afternoon. We found you at six o'clock this morning and you had to have surgery so they put you to sleep."

"Surgery?" Gabriella gasped, wide eyed as worry over took her and placed her hands on her stomach to feel it was smaller than before, "My baby?" Gabriella's lip trembled before she burst out crying.

"Gabs." Sharpay tried.

"Get out, get out, get out." She repeated, turning away from her best friend.

"It's not what you think." Sharpay tried again.

"Get out!" Gabriella shouted just as two doctors came rushing in after hearing the shouting and crying.

"Can you step outside for a second?" The female doctor asked and Sharpay nodded, sadly.

"Miss Montez." The male doctor said, calmly.

"Go away." Gabriella sobbed.

"Gabriella," He tried, again.

Gabriella looked at the doctor with tears still streaming down her face, "Don't try to calm me down. I've killed my own child."

"You haven't." He said, firmly.

"Yes, I have!" Gabriella shouted.

The female doctor approached Gabriella, now Sharpay had exited the room, "Gabriella, listen. You had a C-Section, you're baby is fine."

Gabriella's tears slowed stopped as the information sunk in, slightly… "Why are you lying to me?" She asked in a dry, emotionless voice.

The two doctors looked at each other, slightly worried at the young women's reluctance of accepting that her baby was alive.

"Gabriella, no one's lying to you." The male doctor told her in a soft voice.

Gabriella got restless and she frowned at the doctors, "Get out."

"Let us take you to see your baby." The female doctor asked with a small smile.

Gabriella's frown got deeper, she just looked at the two doctors before the three heard the door open and close. She didn't tear her eyes away from the doctors as the young man rushed to her side and stroked her cheek, muttering something about being so sorry. Gabriella showed no emotion except for her frown that was deep in her forehead.

"Baby," The blue eyed man muttered, brushing the pad of his thumb under her left eye.

Gabriella didn't respond, not even looking at her long time boyfriend just staring at the doctors.

"What's wrong with her?" Troy asked the two doctors with a shaky voice, turning his head to look at the doctors.

"Come outside for a second, Mr Bolton." The male doctor gestured to the door.

Troy nodded, kissing Gabriella's temple, "Rest." He whispered. Taking another second to look at her before getting up and walking out of the room with the two doctors. The female doctor excused herself, telling the male doctor that she had to see another patient.

"I'm Dr Watson and I'll be Miss Montez's doctor." Dr Watson, introduced.

Troy nodded, licking his lips, "Troy Bolton."

"Ok, Mr Bolton. Gabriella seems to be showing signs of denial of some sort. She believes we are lying to her. She was under a lot of stress yesterday, I presume?" Dr Watson said as simply as possible.

Troy nodded, "Yeah, our families came to visit yesterday and Gabriella really wanted to make a good impression even through my family loves her." Troy smiled slightly, "We thought she was going into labour but they were just Braxton Hicks so yeah, we got home and had this big argument. I went to my parents hotel room for about an hour, came back to the house ready to apologize and she was gone and no one knew where she was. Everyone was looking for her and me and her best friend found her lying on a park bench." He bit the inside of his cheek, remembering how scared he had been a few hours ago. "What does she think people are lying to her about?"

"I'm not completely sure. She either believes that your son isn't alive or he isn't well. She seems to think, she's hurt him in some way."

"Why does think that? We had an argument before she ran off. Like you know, she was found with severe hypothermia, could that have effected her brain at all?"

"It wouldn't of effected her brain nor the baby but if she was out there much longer the baby could have been slightly affected. I need to talk to Miss Evans to find out what Gabriella was saying before we entered the room and then asked Gabriella a few questions to get a better in sight of what she's thinking but a lot of it could be to do with the stress she was under."

The back of Troy's head collided with the wall behind him and a sigh escaped his lips, "So what do I do now?"

"Continue to be with you're son and talk to Gabriella. Don't force her to see him though under any circumstances." The doctor told Troy, firmly.

Troy nodded, "Thanks." He gave Dr Watson a small smile before moving back into Gabriella's room where she was curled up into a ball. He knew he was slightly rude for not thanking the doctor properly but right now, he was more concerned about his family.

"Tell me the truth." Gabriella muttered just as Troy took a seat on the beige cushioned seat next to Gabriella's bed.

Troy leant forward, grasping one of her hands, "He's ok." Troy said, simply.

Gabriella sighed, "I know, he's up there now."

Troy frowned slightly but recovered before Gabriella could see, "No, he's here. He's alive and healthy." He moved his thumbs over the to top of her hand.

Gabriella's jaw clenched, "Why are you lying to me?"

"I'm not lying. I promise you." He brought her hand up to his mouth, kissing her knuckles.

The tired looking woman sat up more, "Then tell me how it went? Was it because of the surgery? Did they cut into the wrong place? Was it not big enough to survive?"

Troy's eye got slightly moist, "Our baby isn't an 'it'. Our baby is our son." He laced both hands through one of hers and held it to his stubbled cheek.

"I thought I could trust you." Gabriella sat up even more, slowly feeling a slight pain. She slowly tried to pull her hand back but Troy held it firmly.

"Gabriella, you can. Please, just come visit him." Troy knew he was going against Dr Watson's orders but he didn't care.

"It's not alive!" Gabriella shouted before letting out a loud sob, ripping her hand from his.

Troy moved the chair closer to the bed and brought her head into his chest, pressing a kiss to her ear as she cried into his chest, the top of her head was pressed against the centre of his chest.

"Just come see him." Troy whispered.

Gabriella shook her head quickly, "No, I can't. Why don't you understand?"

Troy stared at the wall in front of him as he held his broken girlfriend who thought their healthy baby was dead. For the first time in their relationship, Troy had no idea how to fix this situation and absolutely hated that.

FIREMEN'S BABY

"You just want to see mommy don't you?" Troy whispered, running his finger tips over the little boy's soft cheek with a smile on his face.

"He's so beautiful," A voice said quietly from in front of him.

Troy lifted his head to see that his mother was standing their in front of him, "Hey mama," He sighed.

"How's he doing?" Lucille asked.

"He's doing good. He's now ten hours old." Troy smiled softly, looking back down at his son.

Lucille smiled at the adoring expression Troy had on his face while gazing down at his flesh and blood, "How are you doing with everything?"

Troy nodded slowly, "Good. About half an hour ago, the doctors convinced her to see our baby and half way there she had a panic attack and started screaming at me, wanting to go back to her room so the doctors are with her now, calming her down."

"I know that but that wasn't my question. How are you doing and I want more than a 'good'"

Troy shrugged carefully, lifting his son up so he rested against his chest while Troy slouched in the chair, "Alright. Gabriella hasn't even seen our child yet and I'm not allowed to let anyone but me and the doctors hold him so he gets used to me. They said that he will know -when Gabriella holds him I mean- that she's his mother so that's pretty much what's stopping me from breaking down." He let out a dry chuckle.

"It'll be amazing, I'm sure. Have you slept?" Lucille asked, moving to stand next to him and her own son tilted his head, laying his head on her chest needing his mother more than ever.

"No, not since I went to you're hotel room after the argument."

Lucille ran her fingers through his hair, "That was only for half an hour. You haven't slept for what, a day and a half?"

"More or less." Troy shrugged, "I don't care. I feel peaceful when I'm with my baby and I can't being to think if this whole thing with Gabriella runs deeper than just a little denial." He turned his head to kiss the back of the little boys head.

Lucille nodded, knowing that her own son needed something else other than deep questions, "So what you thinking of naming him?"

Troy let out a small smile while he stood up once he smelt something horrible and told his mom to come with him while they went into a small room away from all the other babies in there where a few couples were cooing over their children.

Troy lay him down on the changing table, "Me and Gabriella have no idea."

"Have you thought of any?" Lucille nudged him with her elbow.

"A few but I don't know." Troy let out a breath, unbuttoning the tiny buttons running down his front before gently pulling it away. He kept one day on his baby's side while he reached to the side for the wipes and diapers. Troy wiped his baby and made sure he was all dry with some powder before placing the diaper on him- checking afterward that it was on securely and then reached for a fresh, soft all in one and pulling a small blue hat on his head.

"Like a pro." Lucille teased.

Troy chuckled, lifting his son with one hand behind his neck and brought him against his chest, "Hardly. I've done it a couple of times and each time the nurses had to correct it."

Lucille let out a small laugh, quietly, "So what are you doing for Thanksgiving in a weeks time?" Lucille questioned as he sat back down on the chair.

"I completely forgot that it's Thanksgiving soon." Troy rubbed at his tired eyes, bouncing the quiet baby.

"If Gabriella's better and you're all up to it, would you three like to come down for a couple of days? Let your baby meet everyone?" Lucille asked, rubbing Troy's back soothingly.

Troy nodded slowly, "Yeah, that would be nice. Maybe it'll help Gabriella if she's no better. Just getting away for a couple of days."

"You're more than welcome." Lucille whispered as Troy slouched down again in the rocking chair which seemed to have made little Bolton/Montez fall asleep.

Lucille stood up and went to fetch a carer to put the little boy in his crib in the correct way so he was warm and safe and brought Troy a pillow and blanket, placing them behind his head and over his worn out body.

Lucille who had a deep red/ginger coloured hair rang into her son's work telling them he couldn't come in for a couple of days and explained the whole situation and the station manager completely understood and gave him a couple of days of leave. Lucille thanked the man and hung up, slipping her phone back into her pocket, pressing a kiss to Troy's head before walking out of the room and down the corridor toward the sleepy man's girlfriend.

She knocked on the door, hearing a small come in. She older woman walked into the younger woman's room and moved to sit on the chair next to her.

"Hey sweetheart, how are you feeling?" Lucille questioned, reaching forward to brush her messy hair away from her face.

Gabriella shrugged, "Why can't I see my baby?"

Lucille gave her a small smile at least she was taking a step further and now she actually believed she had a child which the doctors didn't think she would do for a few more days so she was quickly progressing, "You can, sweetie."

"The doctors aren't stopping me but I bring myself to see him. I'm that messed up I can't see my own child. What does that say about me? I'm that baby's mother and the only parent who can willingly see him is Troy." Gabriella sobbed, curling into a ball again, hiding her blotchy face away from her boyfriend's mother who was like her second mom.

Lucille looked down at her in sympathy, stroking back her long, black hair, "You will in time. Troy's doing great." She told her as an afterthought as if it would distract her for a couple of minutes from the pain mentally and physically.

"Is he?" Gabriella looked up, laying her head on the pillow instead of her arm and tucking her hand under the side of her face.

Lucille nodded, "Yeah. He can change a diaper." This made Gabriella giggle, "He's doing really well with your baby, you should see how he holds him and kisses his head. It's the sweetest thing." Lucille carried on while Gabriella looked at her, smiling softly.

"How is he though?" Gabriella asked, quietly.

Lucille ran her hand over Gabriella's thick hair, "You want the truth?" Gabriella nodded, "He's tired, worried and really wants you to meet your son. He looks exactly like Troy, he really is a chip off the old block."

Gabriella gave her a watery smile, "He's so good with everything. With me. With the baby. With you and Jack. With his whole family."

Lucille nodded, "He is. I'm very proud of him… but I'm proud of too and I know your own mom is and your siblings."

"Where is my mom?" Gabriella asked, cuddling into her blanket more.

"She was here when you came out of surgery so was everybody but the doctor told them to go home and let you rest and think about everything. Troy wanted me to stay for him, for support." Lucille told her, still stroking her hair.

Gabriella's lip quivered, "Thank you."

The forty six year old woman smiled, "I had Dale when I was eighteen, Troy when I was twenty-two and Dylan when I was twenty-six. When I had Dale there was a point where I went into depression- Dale was about a year old then and I just thought of everything I could of done if me and his father were more careful but I never resented Dale, not one bit or Jack. My point is, you may feel like the world's against you just like I did but if you go and see your child, you'll feel a lot better. I always felt better when I had Dale in my arms." Lucille looked her straight in the eyes the whole time.

Another salty tear escaped Gabriella's eye while she nodded, "I can't, not yet." She shook her head quickly, "I feel like such a bad mother and a bitch for saying that but I just can't."

"No one is pressuring you into anything. Everything is done in your own time." Lucille told the trembling woman.

Gabriella nodded but hid her face in her pillow so she didn't register her room door opening and closing until their were a few muffled voices then a weight on the bed next to her and that same person tugged her into their arms. She felt lips pressing continuously on her forehead, holding her body flush against theirs.

"Please don't cry."

Gabriella took a deep breath and let it out shakily before looking up. She looked up at the worried face of her boyfriend and he did exactly what he had done the last time he had seen her: run the pad of his thumb under her eye.

"I'm sorry." She croaked out.

Troy's lips curved up into a smile, "That's the first thing you've said to me since you told me to get out of the house." He told her, running his hand down her back.

Realization hit her and a deep frown covered her forehead, "I'm so sorry about the argument and running off and our baby and everything."

Troy licked his lips, "It's forgotten but I'm sorry too. He's gorgeous, Gabs." He whispered his last sentence while brushing his finger tips on the skin of her lower back, under her fleece button up.

A small smile lit up Gabriella's face, "Your mom said he looks just like you."

Troy nodded enthusiastically, "I was holding him a couple of minutes ago and this couple were in the room as well and we spoke for a few minutes and they were telling me how much our son looks like me. I said that he's gorgeous so he must take after his mommy." He told her, holding her close to him, belly against belly.

Gabriella hands were playing with the v-neck of his dark blue, 'army' t-shirt, "I wanted to give birth to him normally. Me screaming at you and you encouraging me. I wanted to hold him straight away but it's my own fault that I couldn't do that, you know?"

Troy grasped her chin and tilted her face up, "Do not even being to think like that." He told her, firmly, "Don't."

Gabriella swallowed and shuffled closer to him, pressing her lips to his desperately and he returned the kiss just as needy as her. The kiss wasn't smooth at all, teeth and lips were used, pressing quick kisses to each others lips or longer ones which were slightly mess but neither cared, they just needed each other right now.

I hope you enjoyed it. Sorry this took a while for me to write.