Author Note: I know it's been forever and I am very sorry about that! Hopefully you guys will still read the story and enjoy the chapter! :-)

Disclaimer: I don't own HSM or B4-4 lyrics.

"Now that you're right in front of me,
There's something that I would like to say to you.
I made up my mind,
And If you feel the same,
I swear that I will be there,
Everyday."

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO.
SEPTEMBER 01, 2008.

Kate Bolton knew two things as she woke up that Monday and made her way to Gabriella's tattoo shop: one, the anger she was feeling towards her only son for not telling her sooner about having a kid had disappeared completely during the weekend; as much as Troy since he was a little boy took her to the edge of her reason, she'd never managed to get mad at him for too long. He was her only son and her baby and knew exactly the right words and smile to use to make his way back to her heart. Sunday night he had called her again and explained everything about Emerson, her granddaughter... news that, as shocking as it was when he first announced to her, made her completely ecstatic now.

Would she ever think she'd be a grandmother so young? Never. Could she imagine her son would be so happy and proud to be a father? Never, but the fact was, and that led her to the second thing she was certain about as she stepped at the Skin Deep tattoo shop that first day of the month, she already loved her granddaughter even if she still needed to take a good look at the little girl. She loved the baby for making Troy Bolton smile truthfully again and she loved Gabriella for giving him the gift of being a father.

It wasn't because Troy Bolton was her son, but she knew how handsome her boy was and she thanked herself for bringing him to the world. She never really saw Gabriella Montez in person, just once in a picture of Troy's yearbook that he kept under his pillow and she found as she organized his room, but the girl had an unique beauty. She was positive the baby wouldn't be only precious and adorable, but breathtaking like her parents were.

She knocked on the door incessantly, impatiently, her heart beating faster with each new second that passed. She was feeling as nervous and anxious as a teenager and couldn't wait to have a good look on her son's baby girl. As she waited, she repeated the name of the baby to herself a few times, making sure she wouldn't call the little girl Emma in front of her mother. She knew herself how mad she got when people confused Troy's name when he was little.

Kate smiled as she considered that Emerson was such a beautiful name to a baby, her mind already wandering far with thoughts of what she could do to bond with her granddaughter, the places she could take and how spoiled the baby would be by her and Jack. She would need every second possible to enjoy the two years she had missed.

Gabriella ran one hand through her hair as she made her way to the shop's front door, frowning as she realized it still wasn't time to open for clients and she already had someone knocking on the door. She had to interrupt her breakfast with Emerson and she had to admit that she was not a fan of breaking routines, not the ones that concerned her daughter at least. As she opened the door, her heart accelerated immediately, not because the middle aged woman was someone she knew already, on the contrary, the blond unknown lady standing in front of her, dressed in a red t-shirt and dark jeans could be just an ordinary client, but she swore she had seen her before, because she looked extremely familiar. Being in front of her felt like deja vu. But how was that possible if she had never seen the woman before?

So weird, she thought to herself, shaking her head slightly to send her questions away.

"I'm sorry" she said softly, her eyes scanning the woman in front of her, trying her best to think of someone she looked like. Maybe an actress? A singer? "We're not open yet"

"I don't want a tattoo..." Kate explained slowly, stepping inside the shop without Gabriella's consent, her eyes wandering around the cozy place with sympathy. "I'm Kate... Kate Bolton," she added, turning around and smiling at her granddaughter's mother, "Troy's mom...."

It was such a funny thing to have a daughter from a guy she never really met the family of, to have drowned so deeply into a relationship without doing the basic first and sometimes it forced her to laugh about it. She'd probably tell Kelsi later about her ex boyfriend's mom visit, the fact that she had no idea the lady was at first and how embarrassed she had felt. Embarrassed and stupid, because it was only necessary to take a good look at Kate Bolton to see Troy in her. She had the same shape of eyes, the ones that belonged to her daughter Emerson as well and the same chin as his. Kate was definitely a beautiful woman and although she was smiling as she waited for Gabriella to process her information, she felt apprehensive the woman had just appeared to lecture her about not telling her son about Emmy earlier. Oh boy, great way to start a day.

"Mrs. Bolton," she forced a smile, nodding her head once, "Nice to meet you" she cleared her throat, thinking of best ways to talk to the woman without it turning into a mess and agitating the baby that had just woken up. Only she knew how terrible it would be if Emerson was grumpy. Shaking her head again, she focused her attention on her daughter's grandmother and sighed, decided to explain it wasn't a good time to show up.

"Call me Kate, darling" Kate interrupted, stepping closer to Gabriella to close the gap between the two and embracing her into a maternal hug. Gabriella stiffed as she frowned, but as the woman didn't let go of her, she relaxed completely and hugged her in return, even though she had no clue of the reason Kate was being so affectionate towards her. "Thank you"

"What for?" She asked in complete shock, her tone of voice curious as the woman rubbed her back up and down, as if she was not only Troy's mother, but hers as well.

"For telling him the truth, for letting my boy get to know his daughter" she pulled away, the Bolton smile already decorating her nice features. God, she missed Troy. "I know it must have been hard for you, to go through all that alone..." she whispered the words as though it was a secret, "For getting over your fears of being near Troy again, but thank you. He is so happy and I don't see him acting like this since you two broke up three years ago"

"Aren't you mad at me then?" Gabriella asked in utterly relief, the corners of her mouth curling up in happiness as Kate shook her head furiously, a soft laugh escaping her slightly parted lips, "oh, I'm glad..."

Kate smirked and her heart accelerated as she could imagine Troy doing the same, "I came here for two reasons. One," she raised a hand, her finger pointing to the ceiling of the shop playfully, "My adorable son forgot to get your phone number. So I'm on a mission on his behalf... Second," she placed both of her hands on top of her chest, right where her heart beat anxiously, "I'd love to meet Emerson"

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO.
SEPTEMBER 02, 2008.

Gabriella's heart skip a beat at the possibility of Troy calling her, since it's been a day since his mother had showed up to meet Emerson and get her phone number. Her mouth was dry and she forced her tongue to rub against her lips as she rapidly figured out the best way to answer the phone and fake surprise for his calling. Her hand was trembling at the time she got closer to the phone, and as it wrapped around the mobile, she breathed deeply through her mouth, an involuntary grin on her face, "Hello?"

She frowned as no one spoke, her finger wrapping around a lock of her hair impatiently, "Um... hello?" she sat down on the couch, her foot tapping the floor rhythmically, "Hey?"

Shrugging when no one replied, she ended up the call, leaning against the couch and covering her eyes with the palms of her hands. How many days she'd have to wait to speak to him again?

Damn, she was never a patient woman.

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO.
SEPTEMBER 03, 2008.

"Gaaabiiiii" Kelsi yelled over her shoulder as she tried to reach her friend that was on the back of the store, her attention all focused on the nice yellow and orange phoenix she was tattooing on her client's back. Gabriella bit her bottom lip, narrowing her eyes as she studied the picture that contrasted perfectly against the gold skin of the muscular college boy. It looked phenomenal, but there was still something missing.

"What Kelse?" she asked lazily, her fingertips tapping nosily against the tattoo bed as she thought about what else to do to decorate his back. Maybe a hint of blue? Did phoenixes had blue eyes? Yeah, maybe they had.

"Phooone"

Gabriella smirked as she nodded her head, the idea of what to do next popping into her mind as a miracle from God, "Working here, Kelsi. Can't right now"

Kelsi touched the phone to her ear again, the words rolling quickly off her tongue, "You will have to call later honey, she's in the middle of a tattoo right now"

The man scoffed and cleared his throat, "Fine... honey"

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO.
SEPTEMBER 04, 2008.

Gabriella rubbed her hand against the blurry mirror in the middle of her bathroom, the fog from the hot water creeping on top of her head as if she was in Alaska. Her reflex greeted her pleasurably, her nude body filling her eyes as she let it wander over herself as she rubbed the red towel on her long hair, drying it. She smiled as she had a glimpse of her tattoo on the side of her body and she realized that, for the first time in a long time it didn't bother her that much anymore, on the contrary, she was feeling proud again for having Troy's name on her body.

She touched her thumb on top of the flower, letting it linger on his name for a few seconds before she heard the phone ringing loudly in the living room. Gabriella smiled just one more time at the tattoo, wrapping the red towel around her petite body as the phone rang for the second time. Her hand closed around the doorknob and she pushed the door open, walking decidedly to the living room just to realize the loud ring tone of her cell phone had stopped. She started searching around for her phone in an attempt to see who the missed call was, frowning as she heard her daughter's giggle coming from the apartment's master bedroom.

"What the heck..." she murmured quietly, wondering if her baby had an imaginary friend and she never realized that. Gabriella turned around and walked to her room, towel still wrapped around her securely, even as her body trembled slightly with curiosity. Emerson was giggling loud, so loud that it was as if someone was telling her a joke or playing with her personally. She shuddered, how to explain to the baby that seeing invisible people was never a good thing? How to calm her body if she was one that was always afraid of ghosts or whatever imaginary friends were.

"Em... who you're talking to?" she stopped on her doorway as she saw her two-year-old daughter sitting on top of her bed, her robot cat Troy had given her in the middle of her slightly spread legs, the stuffed cat Ryan had bought her when she was born under her arm, her beautiful head tilted to the side as she had Gabriella's phone squeezed between her shoulder and ear, one hand caressing lazily Mo's ear as she giggled her sweet baby laugh, "Emerson?"

"Mo sleep in my bed..." the little girl was saying contently, not even bothering to look up to see her mother staring at her in disbelief, her hands placed on her hips as she watched the two year old conversing with someone on the phone for the first time. How the heck she knew how to answer a phone? Was she supposed to be talking to a stranger without her consent? "Mo... cat, my... Mo like milk" she patted her own tummy a couple of times, "Emmy like milk too"

Emerson giggled again as Mo moved his head and meowed and she copied the cat's sound, meowing on the phone for the person to hear. Gabriella frowned deeply and sat beside her, her hand resting under her daughter's chin to force her face up gently, "Baby, can mommy have her phone back?"

"Momma talk" she said calmly, handing Gabriella the phone as if the toy was no longer fun, "I nap Mo" she informed, laying down on her mom's bed and hugging the cat to her body, yawning furiously as she lowered her head and batted her eyelashes adorably at her mom, "Momma, talk" she waved her hand rapidly, "talk"

Gabriella was still shocked with her daughter's intelligence as she nodded and raised the mobile to her ear, a sly smile forming on her lips as Emerson crawled to her leg and laid her little head on her lap, "Hello?"

A shockwave ran down her spine as she heard the husky, low masculine laugh over the phone. She held her breath and her heart started with the familiar and always so loud thump thump that drummed painfully inside her ears. Her stomach filled with butterflies and her brain seemed to stop for a few seconds. God, it was him. He was on the phone and she couldn't be more happier.

"Ellie..." he whispered her name and it swirled around in the air as a caress. Gabriella bit the inside of her cheek to avoid releasing a moan at how intimate her nickname sounded. She gulped, her whole body shivering, "You there?"

"I'm here" she said slowly, swallowing her nervousness, "How are you Troy?"

She heard him laugh again. How could he be so calm when she was only a step away of having a heart attack, "I'm fine, what about you?"

"G-good" Gabriella breathed through her nostrils, decided to calm down and not make a fool of herself. Not when she had missed him so much, "We saw your game, congratulations"

"Thank you, El" she could picture him smiling that gorgeous smile of his and that made her stomach twist pleasurably, "I was wondering if you and Emerson were up to visit me in the city... for a little celebration"

"New York?" she whispered her question and he just hummed his answer on the phone calmly, "I don't know Troy, I have so much to do here..."

"Please Gabriella, it's just a weekend..." he pleaded with her, his husky voice making her weak in the knees, "I just want to spend time with Emmy... with you two," he sighed and she shivered again, "Please... we are a family after all"

Low, that was so low, she said to herself, smacking her forehead gently. Gabriella closed her eyes, pondering the possibility of going and having a great weekend with Troy, letting her daughter bond with him and enjoy a nice little trip or stay in Albuquerque, working the whole Saturday, sitting alone at home watching re-runs of SNL. She didn't have to think much because not only her heart wanted her to go, but her mind was threatening to accuse her of being stupid if she said no, "Alright... sounds like a good idea"

"Sweet" he clicked his tongue and she sighed her defeat, her mind flashing his hand running through his soft hair like he always did when he was happy with something, "I'll e-mail you the plane tickets tomorrow"

"Troy, I can buy it" she protested, but he interrupted her quickly, "Don't" he growled lowly, "Don't even think about offering to pay"

She sighed, "Okay... okay"

"Good" he breathed rhythmically on the phone and she found herself stroking her baby's hair at the same rhythm as him, as if they were connected even from afar. "I can't wait to see you two..."

"Em," she began, but shook her head fervently, knowing that if she said Emerson missed him it wouldn't be a complete true. The baby was not the only person that missed Troy. She was missing him as well, she had been waiting impatiently for his call since his mother showed up. Gabriella had been the one dreaming with him every night and wishing he'd be there on the bed with her every time she opened her eyes to start a new day. She was freaking missing him. Missing like crazy.

Tell him the truth, her mind warned her and she rubbed one hand across her face, the idea of Troy having her wrapped around his finger sounding very pleasing, "We can't wait to see you too, Troy"

NEW YORK CITY, NY.
SEPTEMBER 05, 2008.

Was it possible to fall in love again with a person you already loved? Was it possible that even after three years, you'd still feel new sensations when you were about to see that particular person? Was it normal that your knees would weaken so strongly you had to be helped out of the plane by a passenger? And the way the heart was beating so fast, a loud thump, thump, thump that strangely sounded so much like his name... Troy, Troy, Troy. She never stopped to notice it before, but she was positive that ever since she met Troy at the supermarket her heart developed a new sound, and it was his name. Because her heart would only beat that way for him. She had tried feeling the same way about Greg, but it pounded surprisingly slow and... bored.

With Troy she never knew what to do, what to expected, what would come next and she liked the feeling of adventure. That was one of the reasons that attracted her to him. She was looking for trouble and she found it in him. If someone told her a few months ago that she'd like the word trouble again after everything that she went through, she'd laugh hysterically. But yes, here she was again, emotions spinning out and turning herself into a Jello. She would attempt it again, she promised herself to believe he'd never hurt Emerson and she would let him have her heart in his hands again. Because her daughter was her heart now, a heart that was just starting to heal. Truthfully, it healed faster every time he was around. As if he was her medicine, her cure. The solution to all her problems and insecurities.

The funny thing was that even though she had agreed to visit Troy with Emerson, even though she could have used an excuse and change her mind about the encounter, as soon as the tickets arrived, she was out of the tattoo shop and on her way to the airport. What was hilarious was the fact that even if she already had a daughter with him, she felt like she was knowing him all over again. She felt like she was 17 and that Troy Bolton was still the mysterious and confident guy that invaded her party without being invited. It was as though she was getting to know him for the first time, as if she was beginning to like him again.

So many memories rushed through Gabriella's mind as she swung her daughter's tiny backpack over her little shoulders and clasped their hands together after retrieving their suitcases. That was it, it was a fresh start, everything that happened before would stay in the past, all that mattered was Emerson, Troy and the love she felt for both of them. She was dropping to her knees so quickly and for the first time in a long time, she was looking forward for what this new chapter in her life would bring. She hoped for better things, but at the same time, she was ready for some obstacles if necessary. Gabriella was decided not to let go of this pleasurable sensation that was filling her heart and soul, and if that sensation came from Troy, she'd clung to him like there was no tomorrow. She would let herself be happy again, enough with punishing him, enough of punishing herself.

Gabriella looked down at her precious two year old daughter and an involuntary smile adorned her beautiful face. She bent down in front of the little girl and brushed her bangs out of her eyes lovingly, touching her index finger to Emerson's nose, "You're ready baby girl? You're ready to see your daddy?"

Daddy, she smiled to herself. Who would have thought Gabriella Montez would pronounce the word daddy so easily? For so long, even if she never said it out loud, the word was travelling on her mind bitterly, as if she ending up pregnant with Troy's baby was a sin, as though she had to do everything on her power to keep her daughter away from that man. And now she was here, smiling as her baby nodded vigorously and hugged her cat to her body tightly, and she was ready to take her to him, to give her all to him. She was fearless and she loved that Emerson was so eager to see Troy again, because that was how she always felt too. It was his effect on people, even if they only knew him for a short time, they already fell in love with him. As if he didn't ask to be loved, it was like he demanded love and you couldn't resist him, you just loved him.

Deeply, happily, eternally.

"Mo ready" Emerson stated wisely as she secured her cat under her right arm and smiled, "Go momma, go"

She nodded immediately and stood up, their hands never letting the other go as they began walking to a new life together. Their steps were in sync, their grins matched, both of the girls were holding something precious to them. To Gabriella, her daughter. To Emerson, the cat she considered her best friend already.

The airport was crowded, but Gabriella held her daughter's hand tightly for support as they strolled down the corridors, her hands getting sweaty and her lips turning slightly pale as she approached their destination where she knew Troy would be expecting them. She licked her lower lip and breathed through her mouth a few times as her eyes wandered around, looking for any sight of a beautiful tall guy with chestnut hair.

And there he was... he was facing the opposite way they were, and although she could only see his back, she was certain it was her Troy. His hands were shoved inside his pockets and he was dressed in dark jeans and a blue t-shirt. Her heart skip a bit as she noticed his basketball shoes... his trademark. Yes, he was really there.

She looked down at her daughter and the girl seemed to be in her own world, not noticing her mother's nervousness and anxiety. Gabriella slowly closed her eyes and opened her mouth, his perfect name rolling off her tongue and leaving a sweet taste on her lips. And then the world slowed down as his head perked up at the sound of her voice calling him. Troy looked over his shoulder quickly before turning completely around to let their eyes meet. Blue connected with brown with such intensity that her legs began trembling furiously. He smile understandingly, as though he was telling her he knew exactly how she felt, because he was feeling the same way. His glistening teeth showed when he chuckled quietly and she felt like a wave of emotions collapsed on top of her. Gabriella had no idea if she was already on the ground, if she was flying or if she was standing. She felt like she was over the moon.

Gabriella didn't know how long they were staring at the other with silly grins on their faces, but it was only when Emerson realized it was Troy in front of her and started squealing happily that she snapped out of her trance. The girl was yelling 'kitty cat' over and over again in her sweet tone of voice, trying unsuccessfully to get rid of Gabriella's hand to go and greet him. She quickly let go of the baby's hand and Emerson ran adorably fast to Troy. He bent down and opened his arms, waiting for her and as she closed the gap between them and his arms wrapped around Emmy's tiny back, Gabriella felt like she was watching her favorite movie. She wanted nothing more than to repeat this scene in slow motion for the rest of her life.

It was such a joy to watch them together. Troy looked like he was born to be a dad, the way he scooped their baby up and hugged her like she was his life, how easily Emerson had slipped her arms around his neck to let him kiss her hair and how well they seemed to get along after only a few times of seeing each other certified her that they were meant to be together, that they would always belong together and that she was making the right choice.

She observed as Emerson pointed to her and frowned, as though her baby knew the family wouldn't be complete without her. Gabriella smiled and did the only thing she could right now: she followed her heart. She walked towards them and, as Troy embraced both of his girls in his arms, she sighed happily, because that was where she belonged too. That was her favorite place in the world and she couldn't help but feel in peace.

Gabriella closed her eyes as she felt his heart beating strongly against her own body, two sounds that connected so right together, like the most beautiful melody in the universe. His lips traveled the side of her head, his nose caressing her hair ever so gently, as if she was the most precious thing alive.

"I missed you, baby" he whispered huskily against her earlobe and she shuddered. Gabriella looked up and his eyes met hers and although she felt like she was going to faint, she couldn't help but smile as she nodded her head furiously. Because she had missed him so much too, because she wanted nothing more than to let him love her again. Because she realized she was finally ready to love him too. She was healed.

"I missed you, too" she said softly.

Troy smirked and kissed the top of her head, his free hand stroking her cheek before he moved his attention to Emerson again, "Wanna go home, kitty cat?" he looked at her again and smiled adorably, "Ellie?"

She nodded truthfully and as her daughter giggled when her daddy tickled her stomach, her heart fluttered and filled with joy.

And it was all because of him.

Yes, she was certainly falling in love all over again.

And she was loving it.

"Everyday from now until I die,
I will spend my life with you,
I can only pray that we'll stay the same,
Everyday. "