Chapter 5 – A Day with Bella

AN: Hey guys. Glad you're enjoying the story. I've been getting some good personal messages.

WOW! The reviews have been amazing!! Like really! Totally amazing! I can't believe it! WOW. Please, keep up the great work, and you will get updates quicker... hopefully!

ALSO: This chapter is being updated today in honor of the most wonderful person who's birthday it is today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY VANESSA HUDGENS!!! I am posting this chapted in honor of her! Also, i have posted a Happy Birthday video for Vanessa on my youtube, so would you please check it out? The link is in my profile. Anyway... this chapter is dedicated to you Vanessa! Have a great day!

Anyway, here's the next chapter.

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I was lying on the floor on my stomach, Isabella lying on her back in front of me. Her head was looking up at mine.

"Hey baby girl." She giggled. "Are you in a cheerful mood today?" She giggled again. I laughed, blowing a raspberry kiss on her stomach and then tickling her. The laugh that emitted from her mouth brought joy to my ears. How my heart wished that Gabriella would be able to hear the same laugh soon.

Isabella and I had gone to visit Gabriella earlier today. Unfortunately, nothing has changed. She still stays in the statuesque position, her pale face looking like it was becoming more and more a part of the pillow her delicate head rested on. I laid Isabella down beside her, and I talked to her for a couple of hours, but then Isabella became restless due to hunger, and so we had to come home. After that, I decided to spend the rest of the day with Isabella.

"Sweetie, what are you up to?" I asked as I saw Isabella attempting to stick her foot in her mouth. It seemed she was so tiny and flexible that she was able to get it almost the entire way, but I didn't want her injuring herself. I gently pulled her foot back in position. She giggled.

"Silly baby girl. What do you want to do, huh?" I asked her. She smiled up at me with her tiny, toothless smile. "Want to go to the park?"

She was silent.

And then I remembered, she was a baby! She couldn't answer me!

Gathering her back in my arms, I carried her to the nursery, where I put a tiny pink sweater on her. Another memory we have had together…shopping for baby clothes.

It was, and interesting experience…

Begin Flashback

I stood in front of the rows and rows of baby clothing, completely dumbfounded.

I didn't know what to do.

Footies, Premie, Extra-Large, Sweaters, Jeans, Little Converse… there was just too much to choose from. What kind of clothing do you get a tiny little girl? A little girl who was currently fussing in my arms, impatient and wanting to leave.

"Hello, sir?" I turned around and saw a young girl standing there in a uniform. She must work at the store. When she recognized who I was, I could see her eyes widen and her body begin to shake.

"Hello."

"Umm… uh… would you…l…like help?" She stuttered.

"Yes please." The young teenager calmed down, happy that I hadn't yelled at her probably. She informed me on everything there was to know about little girl's clothing, even helping me select outfits that look good on Isabella. She was a great help. Finally, I had an entire cart full of clothing for Isabella. Just as I was about to pay, she quietly called my name.

"Mr. Bolton?"

"Yes?"

"I was wondering…could I have your autograph?"

End Flashback

Isabella now had a fully stocked closet; complete with all of the latest style's in baby fashion. That was courtesy of Mrs. Sharpay Baylor herself, who came to visit Isabella and brought with her Gucci baby shoes and Prada baby sunglasses. When asked when exactly Isabella would need all those designer labels, she responded,

"Any niece of my mine needs to be well dressed, and if you, Mr. I'm-rich-but-won't-spend-any-of-it-on-designer-labels, won't buy anything, I need to do it."

I didn't fight her, partly because of the fact that she intimidated me, and let her bring over bags and bags of clothing for Isabella.

Isabella was quickly becoming the most spoiled girl in all of New Mexico.

But of course, I didn't mind spoiling her. She was just, perfect.

"Well baby girl, let's get you strapped in and ready to go." Carrying her to the front door, I settled her in her custom-made pink baby carriage (I wonder if you can guess who gave it to me) and headed off for the park. Luckily, paparazzi were rarely a problem in New Mexico, so I had the luxury of spending days out peacefully. Finally, I arrived at the park and settled down on a bench in front of a pond, lifting Isabella carefully in my arms. I began rocking her, my paternal side taking over, and she was gently lulled into a sleep. I stared down at her tiny little face.

It was so beautiful. She must have been the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen.

I sat there with her in my arms for hours, watching the swans swim around the pond, young children throwing bread to them, and the many passing families. Many times I felt left out, watching all of the fathers running around with their children, longing to experience that for myself. However, now I blended in, looking like a father myself.

I noticed a particular elderly couple watching me from a few feet away. In their hands was a tourist book, so they must have been new to New Mexico. After much whispering, they approached me.

"Hello?" I asked curiously.

"Hello. We were watching you and just wanted to tell you what a beautiful daughter you have. She must be the cutest thing I've ever seen." I was about to tell them that she wasn't my daughter, but I held my tongue. In a way, she was like my daughter, at least until Gabriella finally awoke.

"Thank You," was all I could say. They smiled at me, cooed over Isabella one last time, and walked off on their own. The smile that was gracing my face was radiant, just as the feeling in my body. I realized that this was what I had been longing for.

All of my mothers nagging to get a wife, and then to give her grandkids, there was a reason why I wanted that as well. Why I longed for the things that would complete my life.

A wife that I could love and take care of for the rest of my life, spoiling her and treating her like a princess, and just providing her with the best life possible.

Children, that I could teach everything I know, pass on the many traditions of my family, and help build a future for.

Neighbours whom were kind, always sneaking money to my kids when me and my wife weren't looking, helping babysit them whenever we needed a night alone, and being there for any birthday party, sporting event and school play.

I just wanted a family.

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After spending a couple more hours at the park, I finally decided it was time to take Isabella home. She had slept through most of the time there, and I was sure that she would soon be waking up, crying for food. Fortunately for me, Isabella rarely cried, slept through the entire night, and rarely fussed. She was the ideal child.

Once in the house, I took Isabella to the kitchen, bouncing her gently with one arm as I heated her bottle with the other. Sure enough, just as the bottle was a warm-enough temperature, Isabella woke up. I carried her to the living room where I sat on a couch, and began feeding her the bottle. I was staring down at Isabella, mesmerized by the way she curled her tiny fingers over the bottle and closed her eyes in contentment as she drank.

A phone ringing broke my thoughts.

I grabbed the portable phone beside me, and answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey big brother." Ah. My sister.

"Hi April. What's up?"

"Oh, nothing much. I just missed my big brother." She never missed me. We always used to compete as children, fighting all the time. I loved her more than anything, and I would do anything for her, but I also knew her like the back of my hand. And she was up to something.

"Just spill it April." She sighed.

"Fine." She paused for a second, before continuing. "Well, you see, mom called me and told me about your little, guest… and I really, really want to see her. Could you bring her to mom and dad's place? Uncle Charlie and Aunt Veronica, oh and Cousin Greg and Cousin Harry are there! It could be like one big family reunion!" Darn mom. Why did I need to ask her about babies? Couldn't I have googled it?

Stupid Chad and his ideas.

"What if I don't want to come?"

"Too bad. I already promised them you were coming."

"You told them about Isabella?"

"No…I just told them you were coming. Isabella can be a surprise." I sighed. There was no way I was getting out of this.

"Fine." April squealed.

"Thank big brother. I owe you. Oh, and can't wait to see Isabella. I bet she's cute. Is she cute? Oh and…"

"Bye April." I said, cutting her off. She could ramble for hours.

"Bye! Love you."

"Love you too."

After hanging up the phone, I realized that Isabella was done with her bottle, and staring up at me curiously.

"Hey baby girl. What are you looking at?" I said, tickling her stomach. She began giggling, flailing her arms and legs in the air.

"Careful. Come on, I'll take you upstairs." I quickly deposited the bottle in the kitchen, leaving the maid to clean it up, and took Isabella to her nursery. After changing her into an appropriate pair of pyjamas, I laid her down in her crib. Slowly, I began humming a song to her, and watched as her eyes slowly began to close. I finally heard her steady breaths, and I knew she was asleep. Tip-toeing out of the nursery, I took a long shower before headed off to bed myself. I began to think of what was going to happen.

Tomorrow, we were going to visit my family. My crazy family, most likely from Mars instead of Earth.

What an experience that was going to be. I tried to mentally brace myself for what was to come.

For my over-neurotic, scatter-brained mother.

For my tough, basketball crazy father.

For my obsessive, insane, alien of a sister.

And who could forget, my cousins.

Oh what a day that was going to be.

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AN: Well, what do you think. I really wanted Troy to have a big family, complete with sister and cousins, so that it would just be more entertaining. I will try to make the next chapter humorous. Ok?

Anyway, please review if you want to find out what happens at the family reunion.

Xoxo,

Lar