Chapter 9 – Phone Call

AN: Thank you all for the brilliant reviews! I am so pleased with the feedback for last chapter! I promise I will be taking everything you said into consideration and it has already been applied to the story. For those of you who decoded this message, you know what's to come. For those of you that haven't, you'll find out real soon what I mean!

Anyway, here's the next chapter! OMG I have over 100 reviews for this story. You don't know how honored I am to have that! I seriously love you guys so much!

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Three months passed, and still Gabriella hadn't woken up. The doctors kept on telling me that it would be any day now, but I was starting to lose hope. Her vitals were perfectly fine, there was brain activity being detected, it was all just a matter of Gabriella waking up.

Whenever that would be.

On a positive note, Isabella was growing bigger and bigger every day. Ever since that day she said 'mama' that seemed to be her favourite word. Though she had come to learn a whole set of words that were used almost daily.

Yes.

Ya.

Milk.

Food.

And her favourite one?

No.

She had also called me 'dada'. I had cried when that happened. Even though I knew she wasn't my daughter; when she said those words I felt as if I was really part of a family. I felt like a father hearing his daughter say that for the first time.

It was a blissful feeling.

"Dada" Isabella said.

"Hey Bella, what are you up to?" Isabella was also able to stand up by herself, as long as she was supported by something. Usually that something was my leg.

I was still waiting for the day that she would take that first step.

"Mik." This was her pronunciation for milk.

"You want some milk?" She nodded. "Alright baby girl, let's get you some milk." I said. I lifted her in my arms and carried her to the kitchen. I placed her in her highchair, and went to the fridge to get her milk. As it was slowly warming up on the stove, I turned back towards her.

"Hey Honey." I turned to see my mom standing in the doorway.

I knew I would come to regret giving her a copy of my house key.

"Hey mom. What are you doing here?"

"Just thought I would come and pay a visit to my favourite son and his little girl."

"Mom… I'm your only son."

"True. But you can still be my favourite." I gave up, knowing it was a lost cause. "So son, what are you up to?"

"Just heating up some milk for Bella." My mom walked towards the high chair and crouched down.

"Hey Bella, how are you?" Bella giggled in reply.

"Mik!" She exclaimed, pointing to the pot of the stove. I felt it and noticed it was the right temperature, and placed it in a small cup for her. The second I handed it to her she eagerly placed it to her mouth and began drinking. I looked up to see my mom's stern face watching me.

"What?"

"Isn't she a tad old to be drinking milk?" I sighed.

"It's just a treat for her. It calms her down, ma. Besides, she eats food all the time. It's fun to give her a little milk with honey once in a while?"

"Honey?"

"It sooths her." My mother looked like she was thinking about it, then suddenly began beaming.

"I never told you that."

"I know. I figured it out on my own." Was I really that bad? My mother continued beaming at me.

"Oh, my little boy is learning on his own. He's truly a daddy!" She said and engulfed me in a hug.

"Mom… I… can't… breathe…" I chocked out. She let go.

"Sorry!"

"Dada?" I looked to see Isabella had already finished the milk and had tossed the cup onto the floor.

"Bella, how many times have I told you not to throw the cup on the ground." She looked up at me with her innocent brown eyes, and I couldn't help but give in. "Uhh! How can I stay mad at such an adorable face?" I asked, and lifted her out of the highchair and into my arms. She wrapped her tiny arms around my neck, and rested her head on my shoulder.

Click.

My mother had grabbed my digital camera off the table, and taken a picture of the moment.

"Such an adorable picture."

"Yeah." That reminded me. I had to go and fix something up. I ran into the living room, my mother on my tail.

"What's up honey?" I ignored her and sat down on the floor, Isabella on my lap. My mother came and sat down beside me. Surrounding us were tons of papers, notebook, pictures, and picture albums.

"What's all this?"

"I have made a picture album for every month Isabella was alive. I take one picture a day of her, to show Gabriella how she's growing, and I recorded all the important facts. Since Isabella just turned 7 months, I want to finish up the album." My mom smiled.

"So if Gabriella wakes up, it will be ready."

"That's the plan."

"You're a good man, Troy." I smiled.

"Thanks mom."

Carefully, my mother and I assembled the photo album. It seemed like it as a two-person job now, seeing as Isabella found it a fun game to try and put all the papers in her mouth.

The family bonding continued on for hours.

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My father had come over four hours after my mom had arrived, and the family was now settling down for dinner. It was a tradition that I had my parents over every Wednesday night, to spent time with Isabella. It seemed people booked my entire week.

Monday was the day I spent at work going over finances, checking how things were running, and running the place.

Tuesday was officially dubbed "Sharpay Day". Chad was warned not to ever dare drop by on that day. Sharpay spent the full day with Isabella and me, sometime dragging Zeke with her.

Wednesday was of course the day my parents came over.

Thursday was "Chad Day", which was very much like Sharpay Day.

Friday was another Workday.

Saturday was when James came over and spent the day. His Saturday was now spent with Isabella, who had already seemed to get a special place in his heart.

Sunday was the day that Isabella and I had to us. Nobody came over that day, and we spend the entire day together.

"So son how's the restaurant."

"It's good dad. Really running well."

"That's good."

"Yeah, it's really – " the phone ringing cut me off.

"Aren't you going to get that?" My mother asked.

"Nah. The housekeeper will get it." I had a housekeeper who came in the evening to help clean up, and she also answered the phone whenever she was around.

After a few minutes, she came into the room.

"Mr. Bolton, I'm sorry to disturb your dinner, but the phone is for you."

"Tell them I'll call them back – "

"Sir… it's the nursing home. They say it's urgent." I flew out of my chair and ran to the nearest phone.

"Hello?"

"Yes, this is he."

"Mhm."

"Mhm."

"I'll be down right away." I hung up and ran for my coat.

"What is it son?" My dad asked.

"It's Gabriella. They won't tell me what happened, but they said for me to get down to the nursing home urgent. Please, watch over Isabella for me." They nodded.

I ran quickly to my car, and sped down the highway.

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As soon as I got to the nursing home, ran to Gabriella's room. Standing outside waiting for me was Gabriella's official doctor.

"Ah, Mr. Bolton. Glad you made it."

"What happened? Is it bad? Is Gabriella hurt?"

"No sir. Nothing like that. Calm down."

"What is it?" I asked nervously.

"Well sir. It's good news!" There was a pause. Finally, I heard the words I had been waiting to hear for a long time. I had to pinch myself just to make sure it wasn't a dream and actual reality.

"Mr. Bolton, Gabriella just woke up."

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AN: OH! Cliffhanger. I know some of you wanted Gabriella to wake up right after Isabella said 'mama', but I just wanted Isabella to be a bit older when Gabriella woke up. Sorry to disappoint anybody.

Please, tell me what you think. I hope all of you are happy that Gabriella has finally woken up!

Review if you want the next chapter!

Luv you all!

Xoxo,

Lar