First off, happy holidays to everyone! I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas, and, for the upcoming date, happy new years! Here is my gift to you (even if it might not be a good one).

Warning that there IS a small section near the end of this chapter that implies sexual content. It is NOT explicit, but you have been warned.

Before Happily Ever After

Chapter 4: Promises

Gabriella sat at the backseat of Ryan's car, her hands on her lap, fingers clenched together as her heart pounded in her chest. She didn't have the mind to register the smooth feeling of the leather interior of Ryan's car, or Troy's warm arms around her shoulders in an attempt to comfort her. She focused her attention on Sean, who continued to sleep. His closed eyes, his little hands clenched softly together, the little sucking sound he made when he sucked on his pacifier…his breathing…in…out…in…out…

"In and out…breathe Gabriella," her mind told her. She found it hard to breathe even with the spacious area around her. The air in the car was dead silent save for the soft rumbling of the engine as it ran through the streets, and the sound of the air passing by them outside. Her heart continued to pound against her chest, she felt like she had just finished running a marathon, and hadn't had the time to calm down. The green roof of the hospital was drawing nearer as Ryan drove past another street light.

"Brie," Troy's warm hands encased the one she had around Sean's stomach, taking it off their baby, and putting it on his lap, "Breathe," Gabriella smiled, he always knew what to tell her,

"What if I can't?" Gabriella asked quietly,

"Then I'll breathe for you,"

"I haven't seen them in over two years Troy...I don't…I don't think I'm ready,"

"You said you weren't ready to be a mother either," Troy said softly, pulling Gabriella against him, resting his chin on her forehead, "And now we have a beautiful baby boy on your lap who's fast asleep, waiting to meet his grandparents,"

"I don't want them to hurt him, or you…"

"They won't," Troy said, and he had a protective tone in his voice, a voice Gabriella recognized well; it was the tone he used when he first spoke to her in high school. Ryan recognized it as well, it was the tone he had used with him the last time they had spoken at his and Gabriella's wedding,

"Gabriella I promise you I will never let them hurt you or Sean, I swear on my life." Troy dropped a long kiss on the top of her head as he cradled her to him, and she cradled Sean. The last leg of the trip to the hospital went by in mere seconds, and the couple broke apart when Ryan cleared his throat,

"We're here,"

Isabella Santos (formerly Montez and born Herrera) feigned sleep in the silent hospital room. Isabella never liked hospitals, never did, never will. The hospital bore bittersweet memories; she had lost her first husband in a hospital to a car crash that should've never happened. Isabella also gave birth to her first daughter in the hospital…only now her daughter no longer wanted her in her life. Just recently, Isabella gave birth to a son with her new husband…yet her son wouldn't be able to get acquainted with his half sister, just like her daughter wouldn't know her half brother.

Now call Isabella crazy, but if there was one thing she would never allow to happen…that was it. Without the consent or knowledge of her husband, Isabella called the one friend of Gabriella she still had connections with. Ryan Evans sounded surprised, and shocked to be receiving a call from her, but none the less the eldest Evans son agreed to her request, but not promising results. That was all Isabella could hope for.

"'Bella…sweetheart," Greg's voice echoed in her ears, and Isabella rose from her fake sleep, "I'm going to get a grab to eat, and check on our son," there was a glow of pride in his voice, "Do you want anything?"

"No…go and take care of yourself first," Isabella said quietly. Greg smiled, and dropped a kiss to her forehead before leaving, letting Isabella to the silence. Her eyes trailed to the clock mounted on the white beige coloured walls, next to the TV and across from the window that overlooked a beautiful decorated lawn; Greg Santos had chose the best private room his money could buy. It had been just over an hour since Isabella had made the call to Ryan, and each second that went by made Isabella's heart jump, her ears could acutely pick up every tick the minute hand made as every sixty seconds pass by. She was getting use to the silence, when the door gave a knock. She called for the person to enter, assuming it was her husband returning. Her eyes widened in hope as Ryan walked in cautiously,

"Hello Mrs Santos," Ryan said softly, Isabella nodded her reply, her throat to tight to say anything. She braced herself for his announcement of failing to bring Gabriella to her, "There's…I brought someone to see you." And Isabella's heart froze. If she had been plugged into a heart monitor, it would've flat lined, and then jumped back into life faster than the doctors could've responded. Isabella's eyes began to tear as Ryan moved aside and her baby girl…no her daughter who had turned into a woman, walked through the door.

"In and out…in and out…in and out…" that was the mantra that she kept in her mind as Gabriella slowly walked into the private room. As soon as she stepped in, she felt as thought she was being smothered by the very air in the room, and her mantra was failing. She froze; ready to take a step back, had it not been Troy's tall and broad form behind her,

"Go in Brie, it'll be alright, I promise," Troy bent down to ear level, whispering in her ears, his warm breath attacking her cheeks. She nodded ever so slightly, and he snuck a kiss to her cheek before straightening up. He nodded to Ryan, who nodded back in understanding, and the two males walked out of the room, closing the door silently, and left the mother and daughter.

"Ga…Gabriella," Isabella said weakly, straightening up against the headboard of her bed. Gabriella barely nodded, only looking down, fidgeting with her hold on Sean, "How have you been?"

"Good,"

"I see…"

Silence… pure and awkward silence.

"Greg is downstairs…he's checking up on Gabriel…your…brother," Isabella continued slowly, allowing the news to sink in. Gabriella froze as soon as the name escaped from Isabella's mouth,

"Gabriel?" Gabriella inquired softly. Isabella nodded, swallowing,

"We named him that…Gabriel James Santos. Greg wanted to name him James, after his father, but I wanted to name him Gabriel after…after you."

"Sean's middle name is Gabriel," Gabriella said slowly, rising her head to meet her mother's eyes. She wanted to see how Isabella reacted. Her reaction was not unexpected for Gabriella; it was a look of shocked understanding. Isabella's eyes immediately looked to the toddler in her arms,

"Sean?" Isabella breathed,

"Sean Gabriel Bolton," Gabriella said softly, "He's a year old…and he's my-our son." At that moment, Sean began come to from his nap, his little arms stretching in his coat, and his little mouth widening in a yawn, a barely audible sigh and squeak coming from his throat. Both Gabriella and Isabella's attention were drawn to the tiny motion, as Sean slowly opened his charming blue eyes, and smiled a sweet smile,

"Ma," Sean squeaked happily, clapping his gloved hands. Gabriella's face split into a smile, and Isabella felt the tears she had been holding in leak out of her eyes. Sean turned his attention to the stranger on the bed, confusion etched in his baby features, his blue eyes calculating and his lips in a line of baby concentration, trying to place the unfamiliar face. He started to whimper when he couldn't find a name; Isabella's heart nearly broke when her grandson-her grandson-began to cry because he was unfamiliar with her…because she had not been a part of his life until now.

"Shh…" Gabriella hushed, gently rocking the toddler, "Shh it's ok Sean, she's your grandma, its ok," Gabriella cooed softly. Taking a second, Gabriella turned to the door, where her husband and Ryan no doubt stood at attention, "Troy," Gabriella called. It took less than a second for Troy to open the door and come at Gabriella's beckoning. Troy immediately went to Gabriella's side, his eyes flickering to Isabella's for a few seconds, offering a soft smile of acknowledgement. Neither mother nor son-in-law left on good terms.

"Sean just woke up," Gabriella said quietly, "He's not hungry, and his diaper's fine, I think he's just not use to the environment," Gabriella handed her son to Troy, who scooped the toddler into his arms, and rocking him on his shoulder. Sean babbled something indistinguishable to Troy, and Troy nodded as if comprehending what Sean was talking about. Meanwhile, Gabriella had dug into her baby bag and picked up one of Sean's rubber rings, handing it to Troy. Troy teased her by opening his mouth, pretending that he wanted it, and Gabriella glared mockingly at him before Troy took it in his free hand. The father and son left to side where a coach sat, and sat down with Sean on his lap playing with his ring. Troy focused his attention on his son, but his kept a subtle eye on his wife.

Isabella watched throughout the whole process, observing the interaction between her daughter, her son, and the man who had taken her daughter from her. They moved together like they had been married for years, yet when Isabella mentally calculated, they had probably only been married for two years. She watched how Gabriella entrusted her son to Troy with no hesitation, she observed how Troy knew exactly what his son needed, and knew exactly how to lessen the tension on Gabriella. She watched how they worked together as a couple, as a parent…as each other's confidant and best friend. And throughout it all, Isabella watched as the mistake she had made two years ago washed over her,

"He's beautiful," Isabella said to Gabriella, Gabriella nodded,

"He is…he's our pride and joy…I can't-I can't imagine life without him," Gabriella said full of conviction. Isabella couldn't tell whether or not the last part of the sentence was meant for Sean or Troy…perhaps it was for both. Mother and daughter watched as Troy brought Sean onto the floor, where the toddler wobbled around on unstable legs, keeping both hands latched onto Troy's finger. It got to the point where Sean became so eager to go further, that Troy stood up, and began waddling around the room with him. Sean squealed in delight.

"When's his birthday?" Isabella asked, she felt silly to be asking the question…what kind of grandmother didn't know the birthday of her own grandchild?

"June 14th," Gabriella replied, "He came right in the middle of my math finals, it's also exactly two months before my and Troy's anniversary," Isabella nodded, keeping both dates tucked safe in her mind, "Gabriel…he was the reason why you stopped coming right?" Gabriella broached the topic with her head down, Isabella gulped,

"Part of it…Greg found out…and he wasn't too happy about it. I tried…I tried so hard to bring you back…I wanted you back so badly, I still want you back."

"And yet even though you wanted me back so badly, one word from Greg stopped you," Gabriella said in a still voice. It was one simple sentence that hurt so much,

"I wanted to come back, but then Gabriel came…and you never wanted to see me,"

"You never wanted to accept us!" Gabriella said, "I waited mom, I waited every single day, I wanted to say yes to so badly, I wanted you back in my life."

"I do too!"

"No mom you wanted just me," Gabriella protested, "Just me, not Troy, not Sean, just me. You don't get it, Troy and Sean are my life now, they're a part of me, and if you want me back you have to accept them, too!"

"I will, we will!" Isabella promised, "Gabriella I promise on my life that I will, just to have you come home…come back to me,"

"Can you mom?" Gabriella asked, "Can you really? Will you accept all three of us? Can Greg? Can his reputation take the blow that his twenty-one year old step daughter got married at eighteen? That she had a child when she was twenty? Can the famous Greg Santos take that kind of blow to his reputation?" Gabriella scoffed.

"Gabriella, Greg didn't mean what he said before—"

"Yes I did," said a cold voice from the door. All three adults froze in position as Greg made his appearance, his arms wrapped protectively around the newborn enfant wrapped in blue. His cold eyes trailed from Gabriella to Troy, his lips twitching in distaste, "I thought I said if you walked out that door you are no longer a part of our family,"

"Greg, please," Isabella pleaded,

"Mr Santos we just came by to visit Isabella," Troy began softly, keeping his hold on Sean, "We heard about Gabriel and with all due respect, Gabriella is allowed to see her brother,"

"He doesn't have a sister," Greg said simply,

"His mother is Gabriella's mother, Gabriella has the right to see him, just as much as he has the right to know about her," Troy said firmly, set in protective mode.

"I'm going to give you two minutes to leave before I call security," Greg stated harshly. Troy made a move forward in an effort to continue his defence for Gabriella, when Sean escaped his grip. The one year old toddler wobble and waddled forward, interested at the tall man in front of his father, and even more interested in the bundle of blue in his arms. Like only a one year old can, Sean pulled on the leg of Greg's pants, and shouted a slew of nonsense in an effort of introduction. Greg, on instinct, took a step backwards, causing Sean to lose his grip on the material of his pants, and fell forward. Sean's cry of pain, and the tears that leaked from his eyes was the last straw for Troy and Gabriella,

"Sean!" Gabriella gasped, she shot up, rage bubbling inside her as she ran to pick up her crying son. Sean raised his hands and immediately latched them around Gabriella's neck, burying his face in the crook of her neck as his cries were muffled into sobs. Troy took two furious strides forward, pulling Gabriella and Sean behind him, his blue eyes raging in fire,

"I don't give a damn about your status, or your damn money. How can you be so god damn heartless, he's your grandson for god sakes!" Troy growled, "Its one thing to screw around with me, but if you ever put a damn finger on Gabriella or Sean, god forbid me to find you…I don't care if I have to go to jail for the rest of my life you will pay," Troy took Gabriella by her hand, and literally pulled her out. Isabella rushed to get out of bed, to catch up with her daughter, but winced at the soreness of her tired muscles. Greg went forward to help, only to have Isabella jerk out of his hold.

Ryan didn't know how to react when a boiling mad Troy, a crying Sean, and an angry Gabriella stormed out of the hospital.

-

-

"Hey, hey guys wait up!" Ryan shouted, causing several hospital staff to look at him weirdly. Doctors and nurses glared at him, telling him to be quiet. Ryan gave them a quick apology, running out the automatic doors where Troy and Gabriella were a few feet ahead of him.

Troy walked as fast as his legs could take him, stopping in front of Ryan's parked car. He stopped so abruptly, that Gabriella would've crashed into him, had he not turned around, and enveloped her in his arms, Sean's softly sobbing body tucked protectively between them,

"It's alright, it's ok, it's over," Troy said in a hushed tone, his body still shaking from anger. He didn't know if he was comforting Gabriella, Sean or himself,

"I don't want to see him again, ever," Gabriella said quietly,

"You won't, I promise,"

"Guys what's wrong? What happened? Gabs are you alright? Why's Sean crying?" Ryan caught up to them with a slew of questions.

"I want to go home, Ryan," Gabriella said quietly,

"What-what about your mom—"

"Ryan take me home please," Gabriella interrupted sharply, turning away, Troy met eyes with Ryan, and nodded slightly, Ryan didn't understand what was happening, but he wasn't going to further upset Gabriella. He ran to the driver's seat, unlocked his car, and the three adults plus toddler piled in.

As awkward as it was to think about it, Ryan would've preferred the silence on the way to the hospital, than the silence during the ride back.

Ryan dropped Troy, Gabriella and Sean at the entrance to their small apartment. He muttered something about not wanting to interrupt, and that he'll see them later. Gabriella and Troy understood it to be his way of giving the couple some privacy, as well as an attempt to let Gabriella have some space and breathe after the emotionally hectic visit to the hospital. Ryan was caught by surprise when Gabriella gave Sean over to Troy, and went around and hugged him,

"Thank you," she whispered, "I missed you,"

"I haven't gone anywhere," Ryan muttered,

"Yes you did…I missed my big brother," Gabriella said softly, she gave him a soft kiss on the cheek, "I'm glad you came back," Ryan tightened his hug on her, before releasing her,

"How can I leave poor Troy to handle a monster like you alone?" he smirked. Gabriella allowed it to pass this once, but didn't hesitate to slap him lightly on the arm. After that, Troy and Ryan shared a quick word, and a brief 'manly' hug, as Troy and Ryan would call it, Gabriella rolled her eyes; a hug was a hug.

Despite the joy Gabriella felt from having Ryan back into their lives, the day's event was not completely left forgotten. As soon as they entered their apartment, Gabriella's façade dropped. Troy, realizing that she needed her space, took Sean to his room, changed the toddler into a comfortable set of pyjamas, and rocked him to sleep, making a mental note to have a bottle of milk warmed up prior to him waking up. When Troy walked out again, Gabriella was pacing back and fourth in their small living room,

"Brie?" Troy called softly, she ignored him, "Gabby, babe," ignored again. Troy sighed, and walked up to her, intercepting her mid way through her pacing, "Gabriella, love, breathe, calm down," Gabriella looked up, her eyes in fury, her mouth in a tight line and her jaw tense,

"I can't…how can I-how can he­—I don't believe him!" Gabriella ranted, "Sean…Sean, he pushed his own grandson down!"

"Gabriella, he didn't mean to, he stepped back, Sean lost his balance," Troy said soothingly, "I'll admit it I was mad as hell when I saw it, yes he could've been more welcoming, but he's Greg Santos, I honestly wasn't expecting much," Gabriella flinched at those words, and Troy instantly regretted it. This was her step dad he was talking about, the man her mother had married, and the man that fathered her newborn half brother,

"Brie I'm sorry…I didn't mean it that way,"

"No you're right," Gabriella said, "he wouldn't be able to take that kind of blow to his reputation. He'll never accept you or Sean, and if he can't do that…then I can't see how I can be a part of his family,"

"Brie don't jump to conclusions, this is your mother you're talking about,"

"I did it once when I was eighteen, I'm sure as hell I can do it again now," Gabriella said, her voice shaking, but Troy had the tiniest inkling that it wasn't shaking because of determination…it was shaking because the dam that held the water, the tears and the pain out was about to break; to shatter and come crashing down in one despairing wave, and Troy was determined to be there to hold her,

"Brie," he said softly, he held her like the first night she had spent with him after leaving her family, he pulled her close to him, melding their bodies together, he bent down, and whispered in her ears, "Brie, let it go…stop being so strong and just be you. It's just you and me, nothing else,"

"Troy…"

"You and me,"

And the dam broke. Everything came crashing down, her petite frame shaking as she buried her face in his chest, tears soaking his shirt. Troy stroked her back in a soothing pattern, up and down, up and down, doing what he could to help soothe her pain. He held her like a fragile, porcelain doll, and she held him like he was her only life line.

Gabriella looked up with watery, wet eyes, her lips trembling. She looked at the face of the man who was willing to give up everything to be with her. She looked up at the face of the man who was the father of her son, the love of her life, the only life preserver in her sea of pain. He was her strength when she needed him; constantly present even when she was stubbornly independent. There was no hesitation in her thoughts that she knew she needed him. Badly.

Standing on her toes, Gabriella connected her lips with his. Troy could feel them trembling, and he kissed her tenderly, holding her gently. He wanted to mend her pain, and to help her recover. When he tried to pull away, Gabriella clutched onto his shirt, preventing him from moving any further to maintain lip contact. She pushed even further, working her lips against his,

"Brie," he said against her lips, the stirring feeling at the bottom of his gut made him instantly aware of what she wanted. His hands held onto her arms, dragging up and down, "Brie this isn't the time,"

"Yes it is," she said stubbornly, "I need you,"

"And I'm here for you, whenever you need me, but this isn't the right time, you're hurting,"

"And what better way to make me feel better?" she insisted. She silenced whatever he had to rebut her with, with her lips, the words dying at the tip of his tongue as she pulled herself closer to him, literally forcing any space between them out. They fit together like the perfect puzzle piece, not a single air molecule could've found a spot between their bodies. Troy responded just as passionately,

"Gabriella," he mumbled in a haze,

"Please," Gabriella whispered, "Troy," she pushed one more time, crashing her lips with his, working her way through him. That was all Troy needed. He responded fiercely, working his lips tirelessly against hers. Gabriella gasped ever so slightly at the sudden response, and he took advantage of that, cleverly slipping his tongue into her warm, moist cavern. Gabriella moaned softly at their contact, as their tongues danced together. She brushed her hand against the side of his cheeks. She squeaked when Troy lifted her into his arms, and bridal carried her into their room, careful close the door, but not firmly shut so they would still be aware of any sound Sean might make.

Troy had promised himself that he would do anything within his power to make Gabriella happy. In their two years together as a married couple, and four years when they were dating, Troy had learned to read Gabriella's body language carefully, noticing how she became rigid when uncomfortable, or stiff with balled fists when angry. When they made love, however, Troy had realized he could never read Gabriella at all. He didn't know why she would close her eyes at certain points, or why she insisted on making sure she saw him and he saw her, but Troy never questioned, because when they made love, it was them, just the two of them in their own world.

After making love and Gabriella had fallen asleep cuddling against his bare chest, Troy couldn't find the peace of sleep. He brushed odd strands of curls off of her face. Gabriella had been preoccupied, Troy could tell instantly. She was into it, but at the same time, her mind was wandering. She needed this, as an emotional distraction, Troy knew, and he willingly gave it to her, because with it, it offered her at least a couple hours of peace from the problems that never seemed to end. Usually, Troy would watch Gabriella after making love, and she would have a look of tranquility, pleasure, satisfaction and, most of all, happiness. Nothing troubled his brunette angel when she was asleep.

Today, it was different. Today, her brows furrowed, her teeth clenched, and her sleep was restless. Even as Troy sighed, and closed his eyes to try to get what was left of a few peaceful hours before Sean woke up, his mind continued to work tirelessly.

Troy could endure failure, but if there was one type of failure he would not allow, was the type that made Gabriella, even in sleep, miserable. And he promised himself that he would never allow that to happen again. He would be her guard, her stone wall against anything that could potentially hurt her…even if it meant protecting her against her own parents.

That was a promise Troy intended to keep.

A/N: I hope this was satisfactory at least. Again, the ratings for this story is higher than any of my previous stories for obvious reasons, again, Troy and Gabriella are married adults in this story. This is a short story, so chances are this will extend no further than 10 chapters at the most. Review!