Chapter 8 – Special Moments

AN: Sorry it has been a long time, but as I have said earlier I have been really busy. I am trying to get these chapters out to you as fast as possible, so please bear with me.

Anyway… MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I hope you all are having an amazing holiday and that you got everything you asked for. Unfortunately, I didn't get Zac Efron under the tree, but a girl can still dream, right?

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Two months had passed and unfortunately Gabriella's condition still hadn't improved. Following the doctors recommendations, I put Gabriella in the finest nursing home you could find, and continued to visit Gabriella with Isabella as often as possible.

It was Christmas Eve, and I was just wrapping things up at the restaurant. This night in particular was the second busiest night of the year, the first being New Year's Eve. Decorations covered many of the walls in the restaurant, and laughter was heard throughout the restaurant.

The family environment of Christmas was always my favourite sight in the world. It was one of the reasons that I opened a restaurant in the first place; to create a place where families could come and have a relaxing evening filled with great food and a warm, friendly environment.

Probably a dream place where I wished I could take a family if I had one.

I finished up my paperwork, placing the papers gently on my oak desk, and quickly grabbed my black coat. It was almost midnight, and so I was closing down the restaurant for the night. I turned the light out of the office and headed out the door, and a smile graced my face at the sight I saw.

Isabella was no longer sleeping like when I last left her, but was instead pulling on James' hair as he rocked her back and forth. It was touching to see how they had bonded so quickly, and that he cared for her deeply, so much so that he called himself 'Uncle James' around her.

But he wouldn't admit it out loud, in fear of ruining his 'manly' reputation.

I chuckled at the thought.

I walked up towards them. When Isabella saw me, she smiled her toothless grin and reached her arms out towards me. I grabbed her into my arms and began rocking her, then turned towards James.

"I see she woke up from her sleep." I said, raising my eyebrow at him. His hands shot up in defense.

"Hey! She got up totally on her own. I had nothing to do with it!"

"I didn't say anything."

"But you implied it."

"I just think that it's a strange coincidence that Isabella always seems to wake up right when you're watching her."

"Yup… strange coincidence." James said, and began fiddling with his fingers. I laughed.

"Aww, I'm just messing with you, man. You know she loves seeing you anyway." James looked up and playfully glared at me.

"One day, Bolton! One day I'll get you back!" Isabella had slowly drifted off to sleep in my arms, so I gently placed her back in her tiny carrier.

"I'm still waiting for that day, James." He glared again, and then straightened his face.

"So… going off to see her again?" I couldn't help the grin that spread on my face.

"Yup."

"Now? It's late. I mean, shouldn't Isabella be in her crib by now?"

"It's Christmas Eve, she should visit her mother today. I didn't get a chance earlier because of all this paperwork, but I really just want to go. It's nice to know you care, though."

"I just don't want you to get pummeled by that pop princess. She can be pretty scary!" I chuckled. Sharpay had come to the restaurant with her husband to, yet again, check on Isabella. Secretly, I think that Zeke only tagged along in hopes of catching a glimpse of the kitchen and meeting the chefs, with I let him do of course. The memory always makes me laugh.

Begin Flashback

I was sitting in my office, typing in financial information to the computer, all while gently rocking a sleeping Isabella in her carrier.


Turns out I had become a pro at multi-tasking.

"Uh… Bolton." I looked up to see a slightly frightened James staring at me from the doorway.

"Hey James, what's up?"

"You, uh, have a guest."

"I'M STILL WAITING OUT HERE! HOW LONG CAN IT TAKE TO LOCATE YOUR BOSS?" I smirked as James jumped almost a foot in the air.

"Right in here, Mrs. Baylor." He called. Sure enough, I heard the click-clack of Sharpay's stiletto heels approaching.

"Uhh!! Such horrible service here. I swear Bolton, it's these kinds of imbeciles that you hire?" I got up and greeted Sharpay. James had probably already made a dash for it, seeing as he was nowhere in sight.

"It's nice to see you too, Sharpay."

End Flashback

"I think you're the only one who gets scared of Sharpay. She had some kind of power over you, and it's very amusing to watch."

"Ha. Ha. Hilarious. Just you wait Bolton, and one day her Prada heels will wipe that smirk off your face." I tied my Burberry scarf around my neck (courtesy of Sharpay Baylor, of course) and grabbed Isabella's carrier.

"Bye James. Don't forget to lock up." I walked towards my black Audi TT Coupe and slid into the leather interior, safely securing Isabella's carrier into the back seat.

"Well Bella, you ready to visit mommy?"

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When we arrived at the nursing home, a warm atmosphere surrounded us. Decorations were covering all of the rooms, and all of the workers were wearing Santa hats as they walked around in their uniforms. The aroma of cinnamon filled the air, and Christmas carols were gently playing from the stereo system in the corner of the room.

"Hey Mr. Bolton!" Cassie, a teenager with a small obsession with me, called from behind the information counter. "What are you doing here so late?"

"Just visiting Gabriella."

"I see. Well, you can go on up!" I nodded, speed walking from her as fast as possible. Today had been a good day.

Usually, Cassie twirls her hair and asks me meaningless questions that I answer only to be polite. The one that seems to frighten me the most?

"Mr. Bolton! Boxers or Briefs?"

It was hard to believe she had a boyfriend.

I walked through the familiar hallway, up the countless stairs, Isabella's carrier held securely in my hand. Finally, I came to a stop when I got to the beige door I was looking for. I opened the door, and took in a deep breath.

Unfortunately, nothing had changed.

Yet again.

It was frustrating that it had been almost five months since the accident and Gabriella still hadn't woken up. I was beginning to lose hope that she would at all.

That Isabella would ever see her mother.

"Hey Gabriella." I came down and sat beside her, placing Isabella on her familiar place in Gabriella's unmoving arms. Isabella, being five months old, was now able to sit up on her own, and tended to do so countless times. She was also starting to say little sounds, and could also laugh. I was fortunate enough to catch her first laugh on video.

"Well, it's Christmas eve tonight. I can't believe that Isabella is five months now. She's starting to look more and more like you. She even has your signature brunette curls." As if on cue, Isabella sat up and giggled. "Yeah, she can giggle as well."

"Mmm" Isabella gurgled.

"What are you doing baby girl? Are you being silly?" I said, laughing as she turned her chocolate-brown eyes towards me. Her innocent face manages to wrap everybody she meets around her tiny finger.

"Mmm."

"Anyway Gabriella, I just want you to know that we are still here for you, and that we can't wait for you to wake up. Isabella misses her mommy. Right?"

"Mmm."

"I just take that as a yes." My laugh rang through the room.

Then it became quiet.

Soon, I started talking about everything. All the while, Isabella was being her cute little self and was still mumbling and giggling.

"Mmm."

"Yes baby girl, I know. Mmm."

"Mmm….Mmm…mmaa…" I looked at her seriously. Was she trying to speak?

"Ma? Baby girl what are you trying to say?"

"Mmm…Mmmaa…" I picked her up off Gabriella and placed her gently on my lap. She continued to mumble, clapping her hands and giggling.

"Ma…ma."

"Mama?" I asked, making sure I had heard correctly.

"Mama." She said, and began laughing. "Mama, Mama, MAMA!" She squealed.

Mama.

Her first word.

Tears sprang to my eyes as I sat Isabella back down beside Gabriella.

Her first word had been mama. And Gabriella had been in the room when she said it.

I just prayed that she could hear what happened.

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AN: Hey guys how are you? I'm really sorry it has taken a long time to update but I have been really busy. I will try to get a chapter of "Love Doesn't Come Smoothly" as soon as possible.

Guys, I have a serious question. When do you want Gabriella to wake up? Do you want her to wake up soon or in a couple of chapters? Please, tell me what you want.

Please, review and tell me what you want!

Luv you all!

Xoxo,

Lar