Author's Note- I do not own anything related to High School Musical. This is my plot.
Chapter Eleven-
It was quiet. Some may have thought it was too quiet. The sound of the wind blowing outside and making the tree leaves gently hit the window was being heard around the room. The sound of neighbours cars passing by could be heard. The hand on the clock, alerting everyone of how many seconds were passing by, sounded loud and obnoxious. So many sounds could be heard and yet, the two people standing across from each other, could not hear a single one of them.
Troy had been feeling nervous and worried about Gabriella's presence ever since she got there. And the quiet half hour since her arrival had not helped him calm his nerves. He wanted to say something, anything, but he had no words coming to mind. No complete or full sentences to speak to fill the silent awkwardness.
As he stood across from her, he took in her appearance. He could see the small, but obvious bags under her eyes. She was tired, exhausted even, but why? Her flowing white dress clung to her figure nicely. Her baby bump proudly showing. Once he saw the slight bulge of her stomach, he couldn't help but smile. Smile, because she was carrying his child. Their child.
It felt like she was standing so far away from him. So far that he couldn't reach her or hold out for her. But in reality, she only stood a few feet away. He knew this was his punishment. Karma coming back to kick him in the ass. To see Gabriella so beautiful and for him not being able to tell her how much he loved and misses her or hold her. Not being able to have any claim over her. And as much as his heart didn't want to, his mind was slowly starting to realize that he may never be able to have her again. No matter how much he wanted or needed her.
Troy was pulled from his depressing thoughts when his eyes caught of her movement. Her small frame had finally moved to the couch. Troy watched as she sat herself down on his lounge and placed her entwined hands into her lap.
"We need to talk." Her voice was quiet and almost sounded fearful. Troy wanted to go to her and tell her she had nothing to be scared of. But every fibre in his body was telling him not to.
"Ok." Troy wasn't quite sure of what she was going to say, but he knew it wasn't going to be something he wanted to hear. Every fearful and worried scenario crossed his mind. Nightmarish flashes crossed his mind. What if something was wrong with her? With the baby? Suddenly, before Troy even knew what was happening, his body was kneeling in front of Gabriella's.
The shock and confusion was clear and apparent on her face. He hated how everything he did, she was now questioning or was wary of his actions, but he deserved it. He deserved every cruel and torturous act upon him.
"Are you ok? Are you hurt? Is it the baby? What's wrong Gabriella? Please, tell me what's wrong?"
Gabriella wasn't sure if she should question if he was ok. She replayed her actions over head and couldn't for the life of her recall her doing or saying anything that could have made him so anxious or fretful. Curiosity was plain on her face and suffering in her heart.
"Troy, calm down. I'm fine and the baby is perfectly healthy. I had a check-up the other day and we're both fine." Gabriella felt a little less tense when she saw that he listened to her and saw his body relax and soften. "I just need to talk to you about our…situation."
"Situation?" Confusion flashed through his mind. They were getting divorced. What more was there to it.
"Yes. About us and what's going to happen to the baby when it's born." Gabriella spoke slowly, as if she were talking to a child. What other kind of situation was he thinking about?
"Oh…right. That." Troy looked down sheepishly and nodded his head in agreement. "Well…what do you have to say about the matter. What do you want to happen? Do you want me in the child's life?" Troy wasn't sure why he was asking if he had a right. Of course he had a right. He was the Father of course. So why was asking?
"Of course I want you in it's life Troy. I'm not a bitch. I didn't come here to tell you that you couldn't ever see it or know it." Troy knew he had said the wrong this when he heard the annoyance and aggravation in her voice.
"I didn't mean it like that…I…well…I…I guess I'm not really sure what I meant. I just thought that…with everything…that…"
"That I was going to cut you out of the baby's life? I'm not heartless Troy. I'm not you." Gabriella was a little taken aback by her own words. She could see Troy was also. His head lowered towards the ground again and she felt her heart ache in guilt. Her intentions upon her arrival were to tell him of her idea and ask for his input or opinion. But once she arrived, everything flew out the window.
The place she once called home was different. It was darker and something about every inch of the surrounding four walls were screaming out 'incomplete' and 'imperfect'. A place that was once filled with love and happiness was now consumed in emptiness and hollowness. It was so hard to stand there and look at the place she once lived in and not call it home. Not call it their home.
"I'm sorry. That was uncalled for."
Troy lifted his head and shook it. "No. It wasn't. I deserve everything I get from now on. It's karma. Fate. Punishment. Call it whatever you will, but…this is what I deserve. Harsh words and blows to the face. Hell, I guess I deserve not getting that job yesterday." Troy didn't mean to say the last part. He didn't want everyone to know he was now unemployed and not receiving money. What if that made him look bad or unfit to be a parent? Not having a well paid job to support your family.
"What do you mean? Why would you need another job? The one you have is good enough. Great even." Gabriella was shocked to learn that Troy was looking for a job. What was the need of it?
Troy let out a heavy sigh and sat on his bottom, while crossing his legs. He ran a hand through his messy hair and looked deep into Gabriella's searching eyes. "Brie…I…was looking for another job because…I…well…because I quit my job at the firm. I quit from 'Donaldson and Andrews' a while ago."
Gabriella sat quiet for a few minutes. Registering what was being said. Comprehending why Troy would do such a thing? Why he would give up such a fantastic job? "But…you loved it there. Why would you do that?"
Troy was sitting before his soon to be ex-wife and for some reason a part of him was scared to tell her what was going through his mind. What he was thinking and why his actions were out of the blue. "Because my job there put our marriage on the line. Because of my stupidity and infidelity, I gave up the best thing in my life. Because…I still would have had to work with…her…if I continued to stay there."
Gabriella could feel her eyebrows narrow together. She feel her face scrunch up in slight anger and confusion. "So…you left for…Delysia?"
"What? No…I mean…partly." Troy picked himself off the ground and took a seat beside Gabriella on the small lounge. He could feel his heart beat faster and blood rush. "Look Brie…I know what you're thinking. I didn't leave for her. I left because of her and because of me. I left for you." Troy quickly licked his lips and tried to think of what to say without Gabriella getting hurt or confused. "Brie…I love you. I do…that, will never stop. And don't think for a second, that just because I was stupid enough to fall for another woman that I fell out of love with you. I didn't and never could."
Again it was quiet. Too many thoughts and too many questions were running through her head. She wanted to voice every single one them. Wanted to scream at him for answers. But why should she? As much as she wanted to hear them, she didn't need to. "I just…don't understand you anymore Troy. You're not…you're not the man I fell in love with."
"Don't say that Brie. Please, don't say that." Troy moved an inch closer to her and was relieved to see she didn't move away or glare in his direction. "I know that I made the biggest mistake of my life and I know that I hurt you so bad and I wish that I could go back in time to the night of our fight and…stayed with you. Sorted through it and not gone off and gotten drunk. I really wish I go do all that but I can't. And I'm sorry Brie. I'm sorry."
"Troy…no matter how many times you say you're sorry…I'll never be able to truly believe it. It's just too…hard. I mean…you say you love me and yet…you fell in love with another woman. I just don't understand how that works. We were happy Troy and because of one fight…you go off and fuck the next girl you see and fall in love with her?" Gabriella looked at him with an incredulous look. "It's just…too hard to believe anything you say anymore. I really don't know who you are."
Troy didn't want to hear the words coming out of her mouth, but he knew they were true. He wished that they weren't, but they were. He had made them come true. He had made her believe in that. Made her think that he wasn't trustworthy anymore. That he didn't love her anymore. But he did, oh so much.
"Like I said before Brie, I do love you. And I will never stop. I can't. You're the best thing that walked into my life and…I regretfully let you go. I broke us and I destroyed what we had." Troy kept his gaze on Gabriella and she felt so pulled to him. She felt so connected to him. She had always felt it. The moment they met, they had a connection. One that neither could ignore and it was lead to what they had. What was once a happy marriage.
"Please Troy. Let's just…talk about the baby and drop everything else. I can't…keep doing this. I just want to sort this out and then…move on with my life." Gabriella couldn't say 'move on from you'. She just couldn't. And a huge part of her didn't want to. Her mind was screaming at her to cut him loose and never look back, but her heart was yearning to have him take her and hold her again.
"Ok. If that's what you want. Then I'll…do it. For you." Troy knew he couldn't push her. Not now. Probably not ever. He would continue everyday for the rest of his life to make it up to her. To gain her trust and love back. Without her, his life was dark and dull. Everyday he had her, no matter what, he loved her and thanked God she was in his life. Why did he have to ruin that?
Three hours later, after many tense discussions, Troy and Gabriella were able to come to some sort of agreement. They were both on the same page and were able to find some common ground together.
Their arrangement wasn't full proof and it probably would change within the future due to other commitments, holidays, jobs or other unknown future planning, but both came to the settlement that when the child would be born, its time would mostly be spent with Gabriella as it needed to be able to be close to its Mother and feed off of her. Troy was able to come and visit at anytime, if it was suitable and run by Gabriella first, and he would have custody of the child on every second weekend.
Although the time plan wasn't big for Troy's part, they both agreed that when the child was older and was able to understand it a lot more, they could figure something else out. Both knew they would have to compromise with each other and help each other when needed. Both also knew that the other was never going to be able to be without the other. This child was bringing them closer to each other whether they liked it or not.
"So I guess that's everything then. I'll have to run this by with Richard, but I don't think we need to have a whole custody battle arrangement. We're both adults here and we've come to a satisfying agreement. I don't think there is any need for papers to be drawn up…unless you want to?" Gabriella wasn't really sure how the whole legal system worked, she never really took a major interest into it. Yes it was Troy's job and career, but it wasn't hers. When he talked about work, she would listen and help him, and he would do the same for her, but it wasn't her calling. It was his.
"I agree. This is between us and like we stated before, the arrangement will probably change in time and that would just lead to more papers and unneeded meetings and wasted money. I won't back out of this or change my mind. I promise you Brie." Troy watched as she slowly nodded her head in agreement. She was so beautiful and she didn't even know it. How could one woman make him feel so much?
"And I promise to you that I won't back out of it either. You're word at the moment doesn't mean a lot, but this is about our baby…so I guess I have to believe that you won't…ruin this either." Gabriella knew she was being slightly harsh, but she couldn't bare it if Troy suddenly turned and claimed every right of the baby and started a new life with 'what's-her-face' and moved away. He could break her heart and stomp on it, but he couldn't take her baby away from her.
Gabriella started walking towards the front door and knew Troy was following her, making sure she was getting to her car safely. She had told him all about her new apartment. All about the drama she had the other night.
While the two were talking she could feel the pull towards him getting stronger. She wanted to push it away and ignore it, but she couldn't. The man she was talking to and making deals and plans with, that was her Troy. That was the man she married. Their time alone, not arguing, not yelling and screaming at each other, it was like what it once was. How he could make her laugh by doing and saying the simplest of things? Whenever he would smile she just smiled with him. Like a subconscious reaction. They were two halves making a whole. And now they were split in half and incomplete.
"Well…I guess this is it for a while." Gabriella had reached the door and had turned around to face her ex-husband. "The baby shower won't be for another few months, but everyone's going to be there. Sharpay's already organising it. You know how she gets." Troy and Gabriella shared a small laugh at their friends expense.
"Yeah, well, she wouldn't be Sharpay if she didn't." Gabriella gave a small laugh and an honest smile. Both knew how serious Sharpay could be on some of the smallest of things.
Gabriella and Troy stood in the doorway for what felt like ages. Time slowly passed around them, but to them it was like it was racing against them. No matter what she tried to do, Gabriella couldn't pull her eyes away from his intense and alluring cerulean ones. They were so magnetic and powerful. To Gabriella they were one of her favourite assets of him.
"Thank you." Gabriella tilted her head to side in confusion. What was he thanking her for? She hadn't done anything. "For doing this. For…being the bigger person than I am and…letting me be apart of the baby's life. And…still in your's. I don't deserve it, but…I just want you to know that…it means the world to me to know that…you're carrying my child and that we're going to be parents to him or her."
Gabriella was a lose for words. She knew Troy could be romantic and sincere when he needed to be, it just always made her fall more in love with him. But now, she wasn't sure what to do with the emotions she was feeling for him. "Troy, I know you're going to make a great Dad. And…this child is going to be really lucky to have you in it's life."
Troy's smile reached his eyes and Gabriella couldn't help but laugh at how happy he looked. It was as if he was a four year old boy opening his first present on Christmas Day.
She wasn't sure what compelled her to do it. She wasn't sure why she did it. But before she could find any control of her mouth or self, she was listening to herself speak out loud and voicing her thoughts out loud. "Troy, I have another ultrasound scan next week and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me and see for yourself that everything is going well."
Troy stood frozen. He was incomplete shock. He wasn't sure what was going to happen with the two of them between now and when the baby was born, and it killed him to think that he wouldn't see her until then. It pained to him to think he couldn't be there for the first kick or baby movement. He wanted to watch as the baby grew within her stomach. Watched as her cravings got more sickening and disgusting everyday. Wanted to be apart of the process of having and gaining a family.
"I…Gabriella…are you sure you want me there?" He felt uneasy, he felt insecure about himself. He felt…scared.
"Troy, I do mean it. This isn't easy on either of us. And…especially for me, but…I did always imagine that the two of us would be going through this together…and…well…I still want that. But now it's just…going to be in a different way."
Troy nodded his head and agreed with her. He was elated to know that she still wanted to be around him. That something within her was changing. That her feelings were no longer hate towards him. That she was putting the baby before their marital problems.
"Well then I would love to come. Just, uh, call me and let me know. I wouldn't miss it for the world." Troy's smile was infectious once again and Gabriella found herself returning the smile happily.
Gabriella stood in the same place and for some reason felt the need to hold him and hug him goodbye, like she wasn't going to see him ever again, but she refrained herself and said a quick goodbye and made her way towards her car. She could feel his eyes burning into the back of her head. She wanted to turn around and give him a look of pleading and want and hoped that he would run to her and grab ahold of her and take her in his arms and never let go.
Damn, why was she thinking like this? Why was she thinking that after everything they had gone through was being forgotten? That she was forgetting that he had been unfaithful for six months and was in love with another woman. Why was she feeling such a powerful pull to him? Hormones. Must be the hormones. She got herself settled into her car and saw him standing by the door checking that she drove off safely. He was leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed and his muscled biceps were bulging and making her feel weak in the knees. Yep, had to be the hormones.
As she drove off and gave a curt wave to a passing Troy, she couldn't help but think of only one thing. Troy bloody Bolton.
Hey guys. In this note, I was just wondering if anyone would be able to help me with a banner for my story. I have tried and tried to make one, but either they don't turn out well, look good or my program stuffs up. I don't really have a good one that will satisfy the job. If anyone could help me with this, I will...well...put it out there obviously and...something else great. Love you forever? Lol. I'll think of something. But it would mean the world. I hate not being able to create my own, and I think having a banner makes a story better. Just having the banner or a picture makes it more interesting. Well to me, anyway if you can help, please PM me. :) cheers guys.