EEK! Another chapter gone and over and another one just beginning! Its really exciting and I've got to tell you guys, there's plenty more Drama coming up! Does that make you nervous?

Chapter 18 – Telling Troy!

THAT night the snow fell thick on the Lodges and much to Gabriella's delight, Richard had phoned to say he would not be home. Troy took her 'home' as he called it and when they got there he had Henry make then dinner.

Taylor had told her friend gently to tell Troy about the baby but Gabriella couldn't do that. She was so scared, she was so nervous about even thinking about it.

"You're quiet again." Troy said as he watched Gabriella mix her mash with her carrots, an odd expression on her face and her nose scrunched up adorably.

"I'm sorry, 'Gabriella said and she sipped her orange juice, looking for something to do, "I'm just tired."

"I can't believe it, we're uncle and auntie again!" Troy said joyfully, now when Troy saw his life, he always saw Gabriella as part of it.

"Yeah it's great. Little Corbin will only have the best." Gabriella said smiling genuinely.

She stood taking her plate with her and emptied the contents into Rex's bowl who dived at it immediately. She put her glass in the sink and held on tight to the sink suddenly needing courage like never before.

Troy stood leaving his food, forgotten in front of him. He came and slipped his arms around her waist and the couple watched the snow falling heavily on the small village in front of them

"Do you want to come and meet my parents tomorrow?" Troy asked.

"Huh?" Gabriella asked turning in his arms.

"I…I…sure." Gabriella replied weakly.

She was going to have to tell her mother soon. It would be pretty hard to turn up in at least a year with a baby in her arms. If she made it that long with Richard's beatings. Suddenly, panic passed over her. Richard! She'd never survive with him much longer, and the baby definitely wouldn't!

"What's bothering you Gabi?" Troy asked touching her hair and brushing it aside. He saw the tears in her eyes and kissed her cheek softly.

"I can't tell you!" Gabriella whimpered.

"What's wrong? Something is really worrying you." Troy said.

"I'm pregnant!" Gabriella said she thrust herself out of his arms and sprinted upstairs and out of Troy's sight.

Troy chased his way upstairs unsure of what she had just said and if it was true. He tried to open his bedroom door but it was locked. He heard the snivels and cries of Gabriella from within side and he knocked on the door.

"Gabi, baby, let me in?" Troy asked.

She didn't reply but kind of thumped on the floor with her fists.

"Is…Am…Who's the father?" Troy asked trying to get something out of her, he too was eager to know what was going on.

There was silence for a moment, "You're the father. I think so. It dates back to the last night in Spain." Gabriella whimpered.

Troy punched the air and did a little dance. He was going to be a father!

"Troy…I really want…want to be…al…alone." Gabriella said tenderly.

"I suppose. I'll come and see you soon." He whispered and he walked downstairs with a beam of joy on his face and happiness that was boundless to the world.

He sat down beside Henry who smiled at him warmly. Henry held out his hand to and shook it.

"It great news!" He said beaming.

"Isn't it, I'm going to be a father! I'm going to be a dad!" Troy said it over and over again because it was just too good to be true. The thought of ever having a family had become so distant to Troy that now the actual thought of it coming true seemed astounding and completely unbelievable.

Troy suddenly stood taking Henry by surprise. He went and grabbed his coat and sought out his wallet, he was excited. He was so very, very excited.

"Where are you going?" Henry asked standing up.

"I'll be gone for a little while. I won't be too long, keep your eye on Gabriella, whatever she wants, it's hers!" Troy said.

Henry saluted him and laughed, "Yes sir, you're the boss!"

And Troy boomed out of the house as quick as a bullet from a gun and Henry watched him going, smiling at his employer's excitement.

GABRIELLA, at least an hour later unlocked the door suddenly wanting Troy's warm arms and gentle kisses, if he was happy with her, he hadn't exactly said he was happy about it and she hadn't seen his reactions to it.

She called out for Troy, the large lodge echoing, there was no reply. She called again and this time there was a reply but instead of Troy's handsome, warm loving voice, she was met with an older, weaker but still very warm voice.

"Can I help you Gabriella?" Henry asked appearing at the stairs.

"Whe…where's Troy?" Gabriella asked hugging herself.

"He's gone out, he'll be back soon. Do you want anything, a drink, some of my homemade sponge cake?" Henry asked smiling up at her.

"No, I'm fine. I'm just going to take a shower and then I think I'm going to go to sleep." Gabriella replied gently.

"Okay, goodnight." The old man said softly and he went back into the living room and left her to herself.

While she showered she heard footsteps up the stairs, she turned her head gently.

"Who's there?" She called.

"It's just me Gabi, 'Troy called out and she felt her body relax, "I'm back."

"Okay, I won't be long." Gabriella replied.

She pulled herself out of the shower and dried her hair inside the bathroom. She slipped on her pyjamas. She heard movement from inside Troy's room and she opened the door and Troy froze on the spot. He was holding a large box of chocolates and looking like a rabbit that had been caught under a light. Gabriella's eyes darted around the rest of the room. Sitting on the bed was a massive, humungous white bear with a large red bow around his neck. There were balloons attached the outside of the bed with 'My Sweetheart' on the front and Troy moved to the cupboard and picked up a bouquet of red roses.

"Hmm, I guess you caught me." Troy laughed.

"Oh my, 'Gabriella gasped, "It's beautiful."

Troy handed Gabriella the roses and kissed her softly on the lips, "I love you." He whispered and then he bent down and kissed her flat – soon to be – huge belly and nuzzled his nose into it, "And I love you too."

"You've made me so happy Gabriella." Troy whispered.

"But what about –"

"You don't have to go back! I'm not letting you go back." Troy said suddenly turning serious.

They stood looking at each other in silence.

"I need to go back." Gabriella said.

Troy turned looking furious.

"I need to go back to get my things." She continued and suddenly Troy turned beaming and he threw his arms around her and spun her around until she was laughing giddily.

"Its alright, I'll go back to get your things. I don't want you to go there." He told Gabriella gently.

They embraced tightly and kissed softly, their tongues met gently and Gabriella sighed into Troy's mouth as he caressed her stomach. When they pulled apart Troy pulled Gabriella closer and nestled his nose into her hair. They swayed a little as they held onto each other, the closeness of their relationship…the tenderness of their new found discovery was so new to them both and they both embraced it openly and warmly.

"Can we go to sleep? I'm tired." Gabriella said.

"Sure." Troy said, he picked up the large teddy bear and put it on the floor, he put the flowers in an empty vase on the cupboard and put the chocolates to one side.

Gabriella climbed into her side of the bed and lay down feeling safe and happy again. She watched Troy get changed and afterwards he came and slip in beside her. He leaned across to kiss her and Gabriella smiled and returned the kiss.

She moved closer and closer to him until she was resting her head on his bear chest. He ran his hands down her arm, softly lulling her asleep.

"I love you." He told her.

"I love you too." Gabriella said kissing his chest before closing her eyes and relaxing tiredly into his loving hold.

They fell asleep, perhaps dreaming of that new life they could have together.

TROY smiled gently as he rolled over, wide awake. He went to put his arm around Gabriella to pull her closer to him but he was met with sheets and not her frail elegant body.

He opened his eyes and looked around, the bedroom door was open and he quickly threw on his clothes and went into the bathroom. She was probably downstairs having breakfast.

He cleaned his teeth quickly and made his way downstairs and went through to the kitchen, there Henry stood but still…no Gabriella.

"Where's Gabriella?" He asked Henry.

"She's gone, she said she'd be back as soon as possible and not for you to worry about her." Henry exclaimed.

"WHAT!" Troy screamed.

Troy grabbed his jacket and shoved his shoes on. She was going to Richard's, she was either staying there or she was going to get her things but instant panic coursed through his body…if Richard was there before Gabriella expected then she was in for it and he had to do something.

OMG! I bet you're all gob smacked, I know it's not the biggest chapter ever but I bet you want to know what happens next. Review and tell me what you think and keep looking out for the next chapter 'I Can't Let You Go!'