AN: This author's note might be lengthy because I have to address quite a few things. If you're not interested in an explanation of sorts regarding the characterizations of Troy and Gabriella, feel free to skip this AN and go straight to the story, haha.

First off, sorry for being a few days late on posting this one. The last two weeks have been super crazy since its getting down to graduation. But I hope you enjoy MSS's last chapter.

In regards to some comments/emails I've gotten, it was never my intention to portray Gabriella or her actions as selfish. I do understand why it would seem that way but for me, as I was writing her, I tried to make it come across to the readers that after the miscarriage, Gabriella didn't know how to deal with losing her child. Instead of seeking comfort and grieving with Troy, she essentially just pushed every one away. In some cases, it's a gut reaction. For when you do get hurt, there are times where, in the desire to not get hurt in the future, you build up walls around yourself. Also, Gabriella never really got past the depression stage so that only compounded to what drove Troy away. I hope that shed some light into the characterization of my Gabriella in this story.

Also, as Holden so wonderfully put it, had Troy stayed, it would have still been a broken marriage. What I tried to show was the lack of communication between the two of them. Gabriella retreated within herself. Troy never really pushed hard enough to knock down the walls Gabriella built around her. They both made mistakes. The marriage didn't end because their child died. Their marriage ended because there was no communication.

Yes, Troy did have the intention to make it work with Gabriella when he came back to their house. However, these two haven't actually talked about their problems. Like I've mentioned, there was no communication between them. The only way they could move on was to talk about why their relationship ended the way it did. I tried to stress that there has been no contact ever since Troy moved and in the three years that passed, Troy and Gabriella never really did get the chance to explain themselves or have this healthy dialogue that discusses their problems. This is where Chapter 3 comes in…

I apologize for any grammatical mistakes or changes in tenses.

Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Gabriella's seen all about in movies, read about it in books she had read during highschool - that scene where the main character reached a point in his or her life where it gets too much. Like every reason for going on – for not giving up and just surrendering to the will of the powers-that-be, had been knocked right out of him or her. She'd been that character once, giving up and wallowing in her pain, pushing everyone who loved her away. She'd reached that point where she did surrender and let the loneliness and grief consume her, driving even her husband away.

But there's also that scene, that moment where the main character feels this push, something that pulled him or her back into sanity – this surge of strength or faith that allowed you to keep from giving up. There's that one single moment before the breaking point, when you're at the edge of a precipice and you know that one step was all it took to irrevocably change it all. The point where you either walk away or stay and fight for what you want. Gabriella has had that moment too. After she gave up and threw away possibly the best thing that has happened to her, she – by luck or chance, was given another go at love.

That was the point where she stayed. And fought for her heart's desire.

It was pure chaos leading up to this moment, but wonderful, Gabriella thought to herself as she walked, one hand tightly gripping Jack's arm. She wondered why she was so nervous. She's done this before, she recalled, with more people staring at her too.

This time, there was no big hoopla. No elaborate and extravagant celebration like the last time. Hundreds of people were replaced with only a handful of individuals – the ones dearest to their heart, the ones that would always be there if push came to shove. There were no abundance of flowers or satins and tulle bows that adorn the seats. Instead of a small orchestra, Ryan and Kelsi provided the music.

This time, she didn't have a big dress, covered in lace and intricately adorned with pearls and crystals.

This time around, it was just him and her. And as she walked slowly in between the makeshift aisle in their backyard, she thought of how utterly wonderful it was, how utterly amazing he was.

Troy.

She looked up and finally saw him. He stood earnestly before her, underneath the simple white arch. She glanced at his semi-casual attire, taking in how handsome he looked in a plain button-down shirt and a pair of khakis. Her eyes moved upward until she eventually met his gaze.

Gabriella paused at the edge of the platform, memorizing the sight of him in the waning light. She smiled at Troy's father, squeezing his arm in thanks. And then, she was taking several steps forward until she was by his side, where she was always meant to be. He smiled at her, and she couldn't help but smile right back.

The rest passed by in a blur for Gabriella, she spoke when required, answering questions asked and speaking promises. In a sense, the words mattered very little to her, she thought. What mattered to her, right here, right now, as the last of the sun's rays faded from the skies, was Troy looking at her with love in his eyes. Words weren't needed. Not when he looked at her like that – a man in love. It was a sight she'll treasure until the day she died.

She smiled at Troy and his mouth quirked to one side, smirking back at her when they heard the older man.

"… and I now pronounce you man and wife."

~.~.~

Maybe, Someday Soon

~.~.~

Head in his hands, Troy sat on the couch and stared at the fireplace. The sound of the crackling fire did not help to soothe his nerves as he had hoped. Plainly speaking, he was furious, and he doubted the feeling was going to go away anytime soon.

His meeting with Gabriella did not exactly go as he had planned. Not that he had much of a plan to begin with, but storming out and practically telling her to sign the divorce papers were definitely not it. He wondered how they got to this point, how they went from being completely in love to barely speaking to each other at all. Maybe that was their problem. After the miscarriage, communication between them all but existed.

He can't deny that he had missed her though. One look, just one look was all he needed and the memories from their past instantly came back to him, from the best to the worst ones. At some point, he heard his phone ringing but ignored it, instead focusing on his pain. Oh god, he thought to himself, was it normal to hurt this much?

Troy felt so damn lost and helpless. Would he ever feel normal? Feel happy again, he asked himself. A part of him had wished – hoped, even, that going on with the divorce proceedings could actually make it better. It was time to stop pretending that eventually, they'll get back together. It was time for him to start hoping that he'll get a second chance at life – maybe even one that didn't include her. After all, after three years, they were barely acquaintances. He didn't know what her life was like now. He didn't know where she was working. Truth be told, he knew nothing about her. In his head, he rationalized that the divorce was the next logical step to finally moving on. But the feelings he had for her remained after all these years. And he certainly did not expect to ache when the divorce papers were finally handed to him by his lawyer. Said lawyer also offered to hand deliver it to Gabriella but he balked at that thought of a stranger handing his wife (or soon-to-be ex-wife) those papers. So he said he would do it. He figured that on some level, he owed it to her to see if there was really nothing they could do before it was too late.

And judging by what happened back in their house less than hour ago, maybe getting a divorce was for the best. There's already too much hurt, too much pain festering between the two of them. Maybe what they needed was not a fresh start at starting over but a fresh start completely – but this time, separately. Heck, they've been doing it for so long now; it wouldn't have mattered either way.

But even as Troy justified it in his head, he knew that no matter what, she was it for him. His forever and always.

~.~.~

"Chad, I just want to know where he's staying," Gabriella said exasperatedly. She had only been talking to Chad for less than a minute and she already had a headache coming on. She knew that she wasn't Chad's favorite person at the moment but she had no one else to call. Getting a hold of Troy's parents would have been a mistake. As much as they adored her while she was still married to their son, she doubted that they would be friendly towards her, especially after what happened. Ryan had been her first choice, knowing that the two still kept in contact even when their friend moved to New York with Kelsi after high school. Unfortunately for her, neither Ryan nor Kelsi knew where Troy was staying. Gabriella even contemplated trying to get a hold of Troy's office in hopes that he told him where he was staying but it was a Sunday.

Sighing, she finally made the call to Chad before what was left of her courage deserted her. Two minutes later, he was already biting her head off. Not that she could blame the guy.

Chad had been Troy's longest friend, ever since birth. They considered each other as brothers and after the miscarriage and the separation, Chad didn't take to kindly towards her. Again, not that she could blame him.

"Why?" he scoffed loudly. "So you can break his heart all over again. Isn't once enough?"

"Chad, please," she said, desperation seeping in her voice.

Chad, however, was having none of it. "Did you even know what you did to him? He did nothing wrong, Gabriella. All he ever did was love you. But that wasn't enough for you. He was a broken man when he got back here to Albuquerque."

At that, Gabriella erupted. "And you think I wasn't? I lost my son."

"Your son? What about him, Gabriella? Alexander was his son too. And the time that he needed you the most, you pushed him away."

Gabriella did not answer, knowing fully well that nothing she could say could refute the truth in his words. Both were silent for a long time, their breathing the only thing heard over the phone.

Then, Chad sighed and Gabriella could imagine him massaging his temples, a trait he always did when he was either annoyed or frustrated. "Fuck, Gabi. You and Troy were it, you know. Even back in high school, everyone knew you guys were it. But then he got back to Albuquerque a different man. And for the longest time, I hated you," he confessed, stressing the last words. "I hated you for hurting my best friend. My brother. I used to talk shit about you. And you know what Troy did, whenever I bad mouthed you, he got so angry at me. Even after everything, he still defended you."

A tiny flicker of hope flowed within her at hearing Chad's words but she immediately tried to suppress it, focusing instead on trying to find where Troy was. After he had left their house, she just sat there, crying by herself. She didn't know how long she sat and wallowed, hating herself for what happened between her and Troy. And not just with their latest fight but for everything that happened after the miscarriage. As the suffocating silence enveloped her, she realized how alone she felt. How just seeing him once was enough to rekindle the feelings she'd longed hoped had faded but didn't.

She can deny it all she wanted, until she's blue in the face but Troy Bolton was it – he had been since they were just a couple of sixteen year olds. There will never be anyone for her but him. And in that moment of clarity, she realized that she had to do something, she owed it to him and herself to see if there was anything they can do to make it work between them. She knew it wouldn't be easy. But like her mother had always told her, life and love wasn't worth living unless she was willing to take a leap of faith. So after she pulled herself up from the hallway floor, she immediately grabbed her phone and dialed his number by heart. She was not surprised when he didn't answer. But that's okay, she told herself, as dialed Ryan's number. When that was also in vain, she found herself dialing Chad's number and here they were now, with him reproaching her for all that she'd done.

"Chad, I just really need to talk to him," Gabriella pleaded after his tirade.

"You certainly did a number on him. You're the one who completely broke him," Chad said, accusing her, before amending, "But you're also the only one who can fix him."

Gabriella opened her mouth to defend herself but he continued, "Don't make me regret giving you his hotel, Gabriella."

"He's been through too much already," Chad said before she heard the incessant dial tone, signaling that he has already hung up on her.

A moment later, her cellphone beeped. Grabbing it, she couldn't help but smile.

Sir Francis Drake, Rm. 3264. Don't fuck it up – or else.

~.~.~

"I need to talk to you," were the first words out of her mouth as soon as the hotel door opened. She was surprised that her voice sounded calm, composed when inside, she was trembling.

"I don't think there's anything left to say," he said, turning and walking away from her.

Gabriella pushed opened the door and hesitantly entered his hotel room. He sat dejectedly by the fireplace and for a moment, she didn't know if she should sit across from him. Deciding against the idea, she finally stood behind the couch opposite him, idly picking the strands of the throw pillow within her reach.

"What more do you want from me, Gabriella? Do you want to hear how I left you again?" Troy asked without once glancing her way. "I left you. There, you happy now?"

Her grip on the pillow tightened at hearing the pain laden in his voice. He sounded so wounded – so broken. His words did not have any bite to them, but more a plea, a sense of desperation that was trying to claw within her. Her heart ached knowing fully well that it was largely her fault that all this was happening.

She didn't know where to begin. How to start. Three years came and went, and as each day passed, the problems and issues that tore their marriage apart only grew. They lived their lives separately, making do and pretending that everything was fine, that they've moved on. But underneath the façade laid two people who were hurting, hoping to get by each day but not knowing how to even start.

"After it happened," Troy found himself saying, startling both himself and Gabriella, "after Alexander died, I never really knew what I was doing. I didn't know if I was doing the right thing by you. I didn't know how to react. I didn't know to move on. I didn't know if it was okay to start living my life again when my son just died."

He lifted his face and finally looked at her. "But you know what? At least I tried, Gabriella. I tried. You just… you just completely shut me down. Every. Single. Day."

Troy shook his head, staring back at the fireplace again. With a whisper, he asked, "Do you know how much that hurt?"

She held her breath, her now tear-filled eyes intently staring at him while holding back her sobs. "Troy, I'm sor-"

"Don't," he bit out. "I don't want to hear your apologies. I just want to move on, find some sort of resolution, some closure. Because all this nothing, it hurts, Gabriella. And I desperately want to start living again. With or without you. I just," his voice rasped, "I just want to be happy again, Gabi."

"I, um -" Her breath caught, and she paused to steady her voice. Taking a breath, she tried again, "Do you remember when I told you I was pregnant?"

Troy remembered the day vividly like it was yesterday. He had just come home from work and all he wanted to do was sink into the couch with one hand on the remote and a beer in another. He called out to her, telling her he was home. And from their bedroom, she shouted, "Dinner's in the oven. Do you mind checking it?"

He recalled turning the television on as he passed by the family den, the sounds of ESPN filling in the silence. He opened the oven and was perplexed at what the dinner she was talking about. Seeing the commercial play, he closed the oven door and made his way into the bedroom and started changing. Seeing her shadow from the bathroom curtain, he said, "Babe, it's just a bun in the oven."

Her head peered from the bathroom door and she smiled brilliantly at him. "Yeah, just a bun in the oven."

Tugging his socks off, he stared at her quizzically. "You're in a good mood."

"You would be too," the twenty-three year old Gabriella replied, "It's a pretty amazing bun. In the oven."

"Please tell me we're having more than just a bun because I'm starving babe. And a bun just -"

She could tell when he finally figured it out. His blue eyes widened and immediately watered. "Bun in the oven? Are not – I mean, you're not – you're pregnant?"

A nod was the only thing she could do before he ran up to her and kissed her senseless. Troy recalled that memory well. It wasn't something that was easily forgotten. Pushing erect, he turned to her and watched as she trembled in her spot a few feet away behind the hotel couch. Her arms locked around her, shoulders hunched. He resisted the urge to comfort her.

"I was so scared to tell you that I was pregnant back then," Gabriella went on shakily. "We had just gotten married. Our careers were barely taking off. We had student loans to pay. Mortgages and bills. And it scared the shit out of me. And when I finally told you… you were so happy. No hesitation. No fear. Just… just pure happiness."

She turned away from Troy, shame bright in her hazel eyes. "I never told anyone this but when I saw that two lines in that pregnancy stick, I wasn't even happy. I was so damn scared," then she added hastily, "Not because I didn't think you'd be happy but because, I didn't think I was ready for it. I didn't want to be pregnant. I didn't know how to be a mother, not when I didn't have a mother myself. I didn't know how I could take care of someone else."

Barely a whisper, she continued, "The first thought that came in my mind was, I didn't want it. After the miscarriage, I couldn't look you. I couldn't even look at myself." Sobs now raked her body until she crumpled down the floor, sliding against the back of the couch. Troy appeared in front of her, trying to bring her into this embrace.

"Don't," she practically shouted, pushing him away. "You see, it was my fault. Alexander died because of me. He knew, Troy. Our baby knew. Alexander knew I didn't want him."

"But you did," Troy uttered softy but with much conviction. Sitting beside her, he gently brushed her tears away. "You might have second-guessed yourself - you panicked for a second. But I saw you then. There was nothing forced about how happy you were. You already loved that kid. You were already making plans for him. What preschool we should pick. How to baby-proof the house. You wanted Alexander as much as I did. Our baby knew that he had loving parents. Don't doubt, even for a second, that he knew you loved him. Because you did."

"And it didn't matter that your mom was already gone. You would have been an amazing mother – and Maria would have been proud of you."

She glanced at him, then back into her hands, folded into her lap. "I'm sorry," Gabriella faintly stated. If Troy was sitting but a few feet away, he doubted he could have heard her. "I should have been there for you. I should have grieved with you. I should never have pushed you away. Can – do you think you could ever forgive me?"

Grasping her chin, he delicately forced her to look at him. He smiled, hoping that it somehow assured her. "I can if you can forgive me for leaving you."

Her grimace slowly turned into a rueful smile. "You got yourself a deal, Bolton."

They sat on the ground for a long time, barely speaking. The silence helped healed the wounds from three years past. The neglect and the pain, the heartache and anguish, the walls they built around themselves that cultivated inside during the years they were apart slowly crumbled away.

"I still hear it, you know," Gabriella voiced, misery in her tone – but this time, there was a hint of hope, of recovery. "His heartbeat, I mean. I don't think I'll ever be able to unhear it."

Troy gathered her in his arms and this time, she didn't fight back. "There is a universe out there, where the three of us - you, me and Alexander - are together and happy," he stated.

"You think so?" she asked as she gazed up at him.

He beamed and Troy knew that they finally got their closure. It might have taken them three long years but they are finally on their road to recovery – and this time, together. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, he fervently said, "I know so."

His told was mild, but the intensity of his gaze told Gabriella all she needed to know.

~.~.~

The room was quiet now, except for their soft breathing. Sometime in the afternoon, they found themselves lying on the hotel couch that was too small to hold two people; legs jumbled together, bodies pressed against each other.

"Why did you move back to Albuquerque?" she asked, breaking the silence. "Even after you moved out, I didn't really think that you'll permanently leave. You stayed in San Francisco for close to six months and then boom, you were gone."

"Because it hurt too much," was his brutally honest response. "I couldn't move on from you; so I just moved."

Moving slightly away, she positioned herself on top of him and relaxed within his arms. "And have you? Moved on, I mean?" Her cheeks reddened and she looked back down on his chest instead. "Is that why you came back after three years with divorce papers in tow?"

Idly, he traced patterns on her back where her shirt had ridden up. Truthfully, he began, "I see pieces of you everywhere. I left San Francisco because I couldn't deal with being in the same place as you. I thought being in Albuquerque could help, you know. I think, at times, it just made it worst."

His other hand – the one not wreaking havoc in her back, caressed her cheek. "Sometimes, missing you comes out of nowhere and it just stops me in my tracks. A smell, a touch, a memory. It makes it really, really hard to breathe, Gabi. We haven't had contact for such a long time. It was pathetic really. Three years and I swore I was over you – at least that's what I kept telling myself. But seeing you yesterday, I guess I wasn't. I thought maybe, if we finally made things final with the divorce, I could possibly start to move on." She felt him shrug his shoulders, "I guess I was just kidding myself."

Softly, she rubbed her cheek against his skin before Gabriella placed a light kiss upon his neck. "I still sleep on the left side of bed. Even after three years, I just couldn't bring myself to sleep in the middle."

The movement of his hand behind her back stopped for a second before it resumed. Then she continued with her own confession, "I miss the post-its you left everywhere for me to find."

At that he laughed. "I have drawer filled with notes to you I knew you'll never read. But I just couldn't resist writing whatever it is down."

"The forehead kisses," she whispered, a blush staining her cheeks. "That's one of the things I miss the most."

A surge of emotion swept through him. As Troy stared at the woman in his arms, and he realized how lucky he was at his moment. Something inside him called out to her – only her. It was irresistible and he wondered how they spent so many years apart when all he wanted to do was be with her, hold her, love her. Troy cupped her cheek with his free hand and then kissed her forehead. "I missed it too."

"You know that promise of yours?" her breathy voice asked, "Forever and always?"

A flash of pain crossed his eyes. But he nodded.

"Do you think, maybe, we could still have that?"

His love was her was furious in its intensity, and an overwhelming desire to just cherish her forever crashed through him. Grasping her gently, he slightly pulled away to stare deep into her hazel eyes. Their breathing ragged in the stillness, which only lent the illusion of the world fading away and all that left was the two of them.

"Maybe. Someday. Soon. We just have to take it day by day." He answered.

"What if -"

Lowering his head, he brushed a kiss along her jaw. "You trusted me to take care of you when we were just sixteen. His hands slowly worked the buttons of her shirt, as he trailed kissed down her neck. "Trust me now," he whispered, his mouth only a few inches away for her lips, "when I say that we'll be okay."

His whispered words sent a surge of desire through her. She heard the truth in his voice, the feel of his conviction in his touch as his grip on her tightened. Gabriella snuggled closer to him, and for the first time in three years, allowed herself to imagine a future with him – one that consisted of forever and always.

~.~.~

"We're ready for you now, miss."

Nodding at the older lady, she eased out of the chair and playfully rolled her eyes when a hand extended towards her. She smiled up at him, accepting his help as she stood up and moved into tiny bed. A moment later, an elderly man entered the room, greeting the both of them. Once the pleasantries were out of the way, he started asking the usual questions. She was too nervous – or maybe it was too much excitement, but either way, he ended up answering the doctor for her.

The procedure was all very routine to her and soon, it was a blur, until she felt a slight tinge of coldness settle over her bare stomach. The doctor was still speaking but she just ignored him, concentrating. Gabriella closed her eyes for a second, and that's when she heard it. A heartbeat.

Her daughter's heartbeat.

Her eyes immediately sought out her husband, unconsciously tightening her hold on his hand, squeezing it as if it became her lifeline. She didn't even realize that she'd been crying until he brushed the tears away, replacing his fingers with his mouth, and giving her soft kisses. They did not notice when the doctor left to give them more privacy, too wrapped up in each other and the life they created together.

After the excitement settled down, she placed both their hands over the gentle swell of her stomach. "Hello there, little one," she murmured. "Your daddy and I cannot wait until we finally meet you."

Beside her, Troy smiled before giving her tummy a gentle kiss. Then, a small flutter came from under her skin – a gentle kick, and both of them gasped softly.

"I love you, baby girl," her husband whispered affectionately into her stomach. Standing upright, he looked at her, "And I love you. I really, really love you, Gabriella Bolton."

Gabriella beamed but said nothing in response because at this perfect moment, words had completely abandoned her. She reached for him, holding on tightly for fear that it would all fade away. Like always, he understood, tightening his hold on the two of them, murmuring soft nothings in her ear and assuring her that finally, after all obstacles they've been through, this was their moment – the three of them and the future that lay before them. This was their second chance at happiness.

Caressing her cheek, Troy smiled comfortingly at her. He then rested his forehead against her, "No more tears, Gabi. We've wasted too much time wallowing already."

"I love you and our child more than anything in this world. Forever," she swore.

Looking deeply into her hazel eyes, with one had idly stroking her head and the other placed atop her stomach, he avowed, "Always."

~.~.~

'Why would I want to see you now?
To fix it up, make it up somehow

Baby I'll try again, try again
Baby I die every night, every time

What I was isn't what I am
I'd change back but I don't know if I can

But I was made the way I am
I'm not a stone; I'm just a man
Lay down your arms and I will lay down mine
Rip back the time that we've been wasting

God I wish you could see me now
You'd pick me up and you'd sort me out

Still I'll try, try again, try again'

Try Again, Keane

Yes, the scenes in italics are a flash forward (future scenes, an epilogue of sorts) this time and not a flash back. Just in case it was confusing for anyone.

I hope you enjoyed this little story of mine.

Reviews are very much appreciated.

Link to Maybe, Someday Soon's playlist found at www. playlist. com/playlist/21667154699

Oh, and one last thing, I'm currently starting another 3-chapter story that will accompany Maybe, Someday Soon. It's a prequel/sequel-ish story to this one – and that's the best description I could come up with without giving too much away, although the synopsis will certainly give you enough clues, haha. So look out for the tentatively titled Falling Apart. I'm graduating college in less than three weeks and trying to find a job so it might not be posted until late June/early July but the writing bug has definitely bit me so Falling Apart is a definite go.

Synopsis: Memories are wonderful things - if you don't have to deal with the consequences of the past. For Troy Bolton, running away was his only option. But what if he gets a second chance with the one that got away? A continuation of sorts to Maybe, Someday Soon.