Chapter 3 – Let me Get This Straight

AN: Here's the third chapter. WOW! The response has been amazing! The amounts of reviews that i have gotten have made me feel so happy! I think that this is my most popular story yet! I am so glad that you guys are really enjoying this, and i will try to make it a long story. Okay?

Also, i just found out that my laptop, with all my stories on it, has a virus. It had been taken in to get fixed, and until then i need to write on the main computer in the basement. If it takes longer, sorry. But, it probably won't.

So, here's the third chapter.

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"Ok, let me get this straight." Chad was at my house, well… mansion, and we were setting up a baby nursery. The walls had already been painted a light pink, and I was now setting up the crib, while Chad was proving to be completely useless by standing against the doorframe, eating my food.

"What isn't there to get?" I countered.

"Ok. You are taking some random chick's child, while she is unconscious in the hospital, and you are going to take care of it. Why?"

"Because… she can't do it. I was there, I saw the accident, and I just have to do something to help." Chad still looked confused.

"Ok. And they're going to just let you walk out of there with the baby?" I rolled my eyes.

"Of course not. What kind of hospital would that be?"

"Well, how are you planning to get this kid out of there?" I smiled.

"Being Troy Bolton has its upsides." Chad looked at me for a couple of seconds. Then, he sighed and gave up.

"So, what's this woman like?" He asked. I couldn't help the smile that spread on my face.

"She's amazing. She had the most beautiful brown eyes, and has dark brown hair that's naturally curly. She has such a big heart, and she has wanted her little girl for who knows how long. She's…perfect." Again, Chad looked confused

"You got all this from looking at her?"

"No. I did my research."

"Ah, and what would this research consist of?" Before I could answer, the doorbell rang.

"That." I got up and headed for the front door.

"That? The doorbell? Hey, tell me!" Chad complained as he followed me. He really could be so dense at times.

When I opened the door, a bleach blonde woman wearing bright pink clothing stood in front of me. Her posture was snobbish, and the vibe I was getting from her was one of a spoiled, rich, snobby, heiress. Her stiletto heels looked like they must be painful, her Prada purse held by her side, and her Chanel designer sunglasses covering her eyes. She was the type of woman that you never got on the badside of, or else there would be consequences to pay. All in all, you could tell that this woman had money, and loads of it.

"Ah, you must be Sharpay Baylor. I'm pleased to meet you…" I extended my hand in her direction. She looked at it, as if considering if she really wanted to touch my hand or not, and finally gave in. Her French manicured nails began digging into my hand, and my hand instinctively shrunk back. She smirked; pleased she had won the little dispute.

"And you must be the famous Troy Bolton, bachelor extraordinaire, only man in Albuquerque richer than my daddy, and for some strange reason, man wanting to take care of dear Gabriella's daughter." She lifted up her glasses to rest on the top of her head, her brown eyes boring into mine.

So all the brand-name clothing was daddy's doing.

"This? This is your research?" Chad said behind me.

"Who's he?" Sharpay asked curiously.

"Nobody." I smirked.

"Don't you dare call me a nobody, Bolton." Chad said, pushing me to the side and looking at Sharpay. "The name's Chad Danforth. Best Basketball Player in Albuquerque, minus Mr. 'I'm better of managing a restaurant then perusing my passion' over here. Also, Bolton's best and most loyal friend." I rolled my eyes, and I could swear that by the look on Sharpay's face, she was restraining herself from doing the same.

"Anyway…" I interrupted, "it's time we got down to business. Mrs. Baylor, would you please come in." I said. She nodded, and I lead her to the living room, Chad following right behind us. When we were all seated, the real discussions began.

"Alright, Mr. Bolton…"

"Troy." I corrected.

"Right, Troy. Anyway, why is it exactly you are doing this?" I sighed.

"It's just something I have to do, okay?" I said, a hint of frustration clearly evident in my voice. She must have taken notice of this, because she didn't push any farther.

"Okay. Are you prepared to take care of Gabriella once she wakes up."

"Yup."

"And you'll bring Isabella to visit her every day." Clearly, Gabriella had discussed the name of her daughter with this woman.

"Sometimes even twice a day." She smiled.

"Good to hear. I'll have all of Gabriella's things shipped over today, ok?"

"You have a key?" Sharpay laughed.

"Of course. Who do you think I am, a stranger? We're best friends." I nodded.

"Alright. So it's a plan." Sharpay stood up, grabbing her purse, and came to stand in front of me.

"It's a plan."

We shook on it.

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Finally, after all of Gabriella's things had been moved in, I was on my way to the hospital to visit her. It seemed that Gabriella was not very rich, because most of her main things consisted of a jewelry box, clothing, some small trinkets, a couple of picture albums, a laptop, and her box full of books. She either sold the rest, of just didn't have anymore things.

Pulling into the hospital parking lot, I locked the car door and headed inside. Once I finally reached her room, I took a steady breath before I opened the door. The scene in front of me didn't change a bit. Gabriella's ghostly white body was still covered with multi-coloured wires, and her ebony hair was scattered all over the bed. I sat down beside her, gently taking her hand.

"Hey Gabriella. You may not know exactly who I am, but my name is Troy Bolton. I know I visited you yesterday, but it's time you got to know who I really was. I am the man that will be taking care of Isabella, and later on, you, for the next little while…" I continued talking to her for almost four hours, telling about my life, her daughter's new room, the restaurant, everything. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to be happening. Finally, our conversation was cut short when the doctor came into the room.

"Ah, Mr. Bolton. Good to see you here." I smiled.

"Hello."

"I just want to tell you that the arrangements are all in order. Little Isabella Montez will be able to leave the hospital tomorrow evening. Unfortunately, we have no clue as to when Ms. Montez will be able to leave, seeing as she hadn't woken up yet."

"No problem." The doctor nodded.

"Would you like to see her?" Instantly, I knew he was referring to Isabella. For the first time in my adult life, I was nervous, and I had no clue why. It was a little girl who had no clue who I was...there was no reason as to why my palms had become sweaty, and I could feel sweat starting to build on my forehead. I slowly nodded, gave Gabriella a quick kiss on the forehead, and followed the doctor out of the room. He led me down the winding hallways until we finally arrived at the newborn ward. I looked inside the room, and saw tiny bundles lying in the many cribs. I tried to spot Isabella, but there were to many little girls to tell.

"Which one is she?" I asked.

"Farthest right, at the top." I looked in that general direction, and I finally spotted the small pink blanket amidst the blue ones. I smiled.

"Would you like to hold her?" he asked. Again, I nodded. He led me into the room, got me scrubbed up and changed into the proper hospital attire (we were still in the infant ward, so all precautions had to be taken) and I was finally led over to her. As I neared her, I finally saw what she looked like.

Isabella was sleeping. There was a tiny amount of hair on her head, and right away I could tell she had gotten that from her mother. She also had a tiny button nose, pronounced cheekbones (AN: You know, kind of like Vanessa has) and the tiniest little hands, that were currently in little fists. The doctor gently lifted her out of the crib, before placing her in my arms. Immediately, the feeling that surrounded me was unexplainable.

I looked down at Isabella, and sat down in the chair beside her crib. Deciding to leave us alone, the doctor left us for the time being, promising to be back soon and but Isabella back. I couldn't believe I was there, holding a little girl that was going to be my "daughter" for the next little while.

"Hey, sweetie. How are you baby girl?" I cooed. Isabella, who had been sleeping, stirred awake before opening her eyes. Instantly, I noticed how deep chocolate they were, and that she had inherited them from her mother as well. She looked up at me with those innocent eyes.

"Hi Isabella. I'm going to be your adopted daddy? How do you feel about that?" I felt ridiculous, asking her a question but, to my surprise, I got a response. Isabella blew a little bubble from her mouth, and when it popped, she gurgled.

"Is that a yes?" She gurgled again. I laughed, tickling her gently underneath the chin.

And it was then that I knew, that what I was doing was right.

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AN: Aw, so I didn't leave it in a cliffhanger. I gave you guys some "Father/Daughter" bonding time. This story is starting to get into full swing, and I just want to tell you guys that Gabriella may not be waking up for a little while, and I hope you are okay with that. It's just, as the trailer said, months later Gabriella wakes up, and so I want Troy having time getting to know Isabella, and getting into a routine before I finally turn his life around with Gabriella. I have a feeling this story will be longer than my other ones!

Please review!

Xoxo,

Vfanforlife