A/N: Since Sweethearts was such a big hit, I decided to continue it and start this one. It's going to take place three years in the future when they're graduating college.

Disclaimer: I don't own and/or am affiliated with any of the characters, the movie, music, etc.

May 15th, 2010 2:00 pm

Gabriella was crying.

Troy watched his wife cry out in pain and there was nothing he could do.

He was standing in the corner of their living room, with a cup of coffee in his hand that he wasn't really drinking; after all, he never liked the taste of the stuff. His silver satin tie was loosened around his neck and his white dress sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He had a headache that made it seem like his skull was cracking into two. But none of these things bothered him. Instead the only thing he saw and felt was his wife wiping the side of her cheek with her gloved hand.

He had only seen Gabriella cry twice before and it was never like this.

With every tear she shed a piece of his heart broke. At this very moment, Troy didn't know how much he had left until he would be completely empty; completely numb…

He sat the cup of coffee down on the fireplace mantle and walked in her direction. They had not spoken since the arrived home from the hospital which only made the whole situation much, much worse. She had been sleeping in the nursery, only to leave to go to the bathroom or get a fresh box of Kleenex. His mother-in-law would occasionally intrude and take her a plate of food, but in the morning he just found that plates stacked up outside the doorway in the hall with the food untouched.

It made him sick to see her like this.

There was nothing that could have been done, the doctor had said.

Cases like this happen, he had tried to convince them, and that miscarriages are painful but recoverable. It didn't seem likely that he and Gabriella would ever recover from this.

They had decided to have a memorial session. It wasn't his idea; he thought that it was almost creepy to bury their unborn son. But when he saw the peace that it gave Gabriella knowing that their child would be resting under that big oak tree, it seemed to make all the sense in the world.

In Troy's opinion, Gabriella had always been the strongest. She had always known exactly what to say and do to fix things. Sometimes he felt like such a mess on the inside but she would just walk into his life and make him feel whole. Now, as he watched her in her black dress, puffy eyes and tired body he didn't know what to do. He had never had to be strong before.

It took several minutes for Troy to reach his wife's side. He had to stop quite a few times to shake people's hands and receive several awkward hugs. He didn't know what to say to people he hardly knew when they offered his condolences.

Gabriella flinched when he reached out and grabbed her arm. Gently, he tugged her elbow and led her down the hallway away from the crowd of people. She send to momentarily resent his invitation but soon she followed.

"Troy… I don't want to do this right now. We have guests…"

"Gabriella, just listen." It was so dark in the bedroom that he could barely see the shadow of her figured outlined in against the window. The rain beat harder on the roof.

"Troy , please…" Even though he couldn't see the tears, he knew that they were there. He could hear her breath stagger. His heart was racing and hard lumps began to develop in his throat.

"No, just listen Gabriella. I can't take this anymore. I can't keep standing in the corner watching you cry and fall apart. I don't know how to fix this, alright? I've never had to be strong for anyone before. I'm just a playmaker, not the coach. But I can't stand back anymore and watch your heart break. You are my sunshine, remember? I understand that you're sad, because I'm sad to. It kills me that there wasn't something I could have done. I could have stopped you from going on that trip, I could have gone with you, I don't know. But it happened and now we have to accept it and move forward. Gabriella, I love you, remember? I promised in front of God that I would love you and protect you everyday of my life so now, please, let me protect you. I can't do that if you lock yourself in a bedroom or won't even look at me."

"Troy, you don't understand."

"What don't I understand? He was my son too! He was supposed to be my little champ. I was supposed to teach him how to play basketball, golf, you name it! I lost my partner for guy's nights when we watch silly cartoon and eat junk food. I lost all of the days we would have played outside in the mud, made forts or gone to amusement parks and rode roller coasters until we puked."

"Troy, stop it." Gabriella covered her face in her hands and collapsed against the wall. Troy stopped her, and wrapped his strong arms around her tiny frame.

"Please, let me help you. Let me pick you up and carry you upstairs and we can move on from this together. I'm begging you, Gabriella. Please…"

That was the first time he had cried in front of her. He had done everything in his power to bight back the tears the past few weeks but it was too much to handle now. So there, on the floor in the hallway, with his arms wrapped tightly around his broken wife; Troy Bolton cried.

Time can bring you down
Time can bend your knee
Time can break your heart
Have you begging please
Begging please

My dearest son Ethan,

That's the first time I've ever said your name a loud. Ethan. What a beautiful, strong name that is perfect for such a precious little boy. It is also gentle and loving, just as you are. Ethan Daniel Bolton. They all fit so perfectly. When your father and I were discussing names, as soon as I heard Ethan, I knew it was meant for you.

It rained here today and I know that you wouldn't have liked that. You would have wanted to go outside and play, run around in the yard and explore things. Now, there is just the hard rain pounding against the roof and the sides of the windows. It's almost like the tears that pour from my eyes onto the pages of this letter.

Your father is in the kitchen with grandma trying his best to make breakfast for our arriving guests. I can hear him clanging pots and pans together and every once in a while it sounds like my mother offers to help. Of course, your daddy being as stubborn as always, declines and continues on pretending to know what he's doing.

I haven't been sleeping very much lately, my little darling, but instead I've found myself sitting in your bedroom just staring out this very window. It wasn't until early this morning when I decided to write to you in an attempt to put my feelings on this piece of paper. This is the only way for me to really explain how I feel, how I hurt.

My son, I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you formally. I so badly wish that I could have starred into your eyes and kissed your little nose. I would have loved to run my fingers across your rosy cheeks and tickle your toes. But we were not allowed to meet and you left me far too soon.

My mind has been racing with thousands of questions about you and your few moments with me. Did you suffer? Were you in pain? I also wonder if you would have preferred basketball or singing or if you would have been the charmer like your father. I found myself digging through old photo albums a while ago and wonder whom you would have resembled most. Would you have those brilliant blue eyes that take my breath away? I know for a fact, though, that you would have been the most beautiful little boy.

Oh Ethan, how I cannot stand the idea that you will never experience a Christmas morning or first ride on a carousel or stepping onto the bus for your first day of school. Most of all, it breaks my heart that you will never know how much your father and I love you. You were the biggest blessing for us, Ethan. You were all we talked about. Oh how we couldn't wait to meet you. Daddy used to call you his 'little peanut' and would talk to you in my belly all night. He even sang to you once or twice. When we got your first picture, his eyes lit up so brightly. I knew that he would be the best father. He loved you so much.

I loved you long before I even met you. You were my son long before I even knew you were on the way. Ethan you are a piece of my soul, my heart, that was meant especially for you. Every tear I have cried is for all of the memories we've missed, every hug and kiss that I didn't get to give you and everyday that I will think you. My little boy, I will miss you every day for the rest of my life.

It hasn't stopped raining since yesterday afternoon. Your grandparents, Uncle Drew, Aunt Tess and their families all came to see you. They came to tell you how much they love you and are going to miss you. Grandma Meghan even brought you a teddy bear to watch over you as you lie beneath the big oak tree. He'll be there to protect you now, even when I cannot.

I want you to know that I will love you forever. Your daddy and I will always, always think about you and how wonderful you were. Ethan, you are a symbol of our love for each other. You are a piece of the best thing in my life. You are two hearts weaved into one. I love you and as I finish this letter to you, I hope you are peaceful and happy. That is all I pray for. That you are happy and loved. You are my baby, my son, my own. I will love you for all eternity.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. You'll never know dear, how much I love you...

I will always be with you.

Love, Mommy

The song is "Tears In Heaven" by Eric Clapton.

So I am sooooo sorry it's taken me this long to update this story. I've been in a roadblock, trying to figure out how to write this. I'm truly sorry. Hopefully the next chapter will come nice and easy. School started so that's another reason I haven't been updating. Thank you so much for all the feedback. I truly do have the greatest readers ever!!!