Love Overcomes it All

Chapter: Five

Send it On.

Summary: Love: Strong affection, unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for others. An emotion so strong, that when put to the test can overcome anything.

Disclaimer: This is simply my imagination at work. I do not own the characters, Disney, or any lyrics.

A word's, just a word

'Til you mean what you say

And love, isn't love

'Til you give it away.

…

Her mother had went back home on Saturday. It was now Monday, and Rachel had been discharged the night before. She was feeling rather ill, and Gabriella was up with her the whole night. As promised Maria had hired a nurse, who was currently at home with Rachel, while Gabriella tried to convince the hospital board to hire her. It seemed that not much convincing had to be done. She was starting tomorrow, that was great.

A nurse who was on break showed Gabriella around the hospital. Gabriella was pretty familiar with everything since she'd been there everyday for a week. The nurse just showed her the staff only areas, and they were done.

After waving goodbye Gabriella quickly drove home. She was having her car driven over by Sharpay next month. They Baylor's would drive it there, and then take a plane back to Lindon. So for now she was driving a rental.

She tapped her nails against the dashboard as she willed the traffic to disappear. She wanted to get home and share her good news.

"Come on...." She murmured, bobbing her head to the beat of her nails.

Gabriella had finally beat the afternoon traffic and arrived home. She glanced around the apartment as she slipped her gray sweater off her arms. After turning and placing the sweater on it's place on the coat hanger she began to walk father into the room. She heard a faint groaning sound from one of the bedrooms, and quickened her pace. Her right foot caught on one of the boxes that had yet to be unpacked and she stumbled into the hallway. Her right arm flailing out, slamming against the wall to steady herself. More groaning was coming from the room, and the walls seemed to close in on Gabriella as she made her way to the door. The nervousness was seeping in and her breath was coming in quick gasps. He hand reached out and she grasped on the scorching knob, her sweaty palms opening the door to reveal Rachel's contorted body heaving over a trash can. She could make out Rebecca's figure knelt down by Rachel, rubbing her back and whispering soothing words to the teenager.

"Becca! What happened?" Gabriella heard a frantic voice questioning Rebecca and it took her a moment to realize it was her own.

"Another bout of sickness. She was doing so good, even felt up to eating something, but it came right back up."

Rebecca Hamilton was thirty years old. She had been working with LAMHfor five years. She was approximately five foot five, five inches taller than Gabriella, with medium length dirty blonde hair. She had a kind face, and sparkling green eyes, She was the nurse Maria had hired to look after her granddaughter. So far she was doing a great job. She was easy going and fit right in with Gabriella and Rachel. The age difference between the two was not big, Rebecca being only four years younger than Gabriella. Rebecca was there for Rachel, helping Gabriella take care of her. Her role would change when Gabriella started work. She would have to step up and take care of Rachel even more, Gabriella had not on once of doubt in her. Gabriella was not worried about telling Rebecca that she had a new job, her attention was on her daughter.

"How long has she been like this?"

"Not long, maybe...ten minutes."

Gabriella eyes went back to Rachel as she sat up against her headboard, a miserable look decorating her clammy face. She looked terrible. Dark purple bags under her eyes, red blotches on her cheeks. Her normally tan skin was pale.

"Hey mom." Her pain filled voice croaked.

Gabriella managed a small smile. It was just like Rachel to try and pick herself up when life went bad. No matter what condition she was in, she would not dwell on it. Instead of moaning about life she would just move on. One step at a time until she reached her goal. Her goal was to beat the cancer, her goal was also to make sure her life remained as normal as possible. So she turned the attention to her mother, asking her about her day. Gabriella and Rebecca would go along with it, but the two girls knew that Rachel was their first priority.

Rachel cleared her throat, he speech now more audible, "How'd the job hunting go?"

A look of confusion spread across Gabriella's face. She had forgotten about the Job. Rachel had taken over all her thoughts. It took a moment for the question to sink in before Gabriella answered her daughter. "It went good. I got a job at the hospital."

A bright replaced the pain filled wince on Rachel's face, "Really? So you'll be close by when I'm getting chemo?"

"Yup, and even though I'm not really a nurse, you'll always be my number one patient."

Gabriella was very happy with her job. She wanted to be as close to Rachel as possible. Especially when she in the hospital. LAMHwas not far from the house. Despise what that all that traffic lead you to believe. It was only about a five minute drive. It had taken Gabriella an extra ten because of traffic and a car accident that had occurred earlier in the day. Police officers were directing Traffic, so it took while for her to arrive home. In case of an emergency she would only be down the hall from Rachel, or a five minute drive away. A five minutes that with a little extra speed could be turned into two. She would always feel uncomfortable with leaving Rachel, but the idea was not as scary now that she had Rebecca. She truly trusted her and so did Maria. She was an all over great person, and she really clicked with Rachel. Yesterday Gabriella arrived home to find the two girls giggling while watching re-runs of Friends. It warmed her heart to know that her little girl was happy, that she was keeping a positive outlook of life. With all the shit happening she needed to keep her head held high, she had people that loved her surrounding her, and that was all that mattered.

"That's good, and it's only a few minutes away, right?"

"Yup, so I'll never be far."

The look of relief that crossed Rachel's face, warmed Gabriella's heart. Being a mother of a teenager, it was always nice to know your little girl still needs you. Gabriella continued to study Rachel's face as she let out a long yawn. She had so much of her father's traits. Her nose would scrunch up cutely, just like his did when he yawned.

"You should get some more sleep Rach,"

She nodded her head, showing her agreement to her mother's statement. "Yeah," Gabriella lent down and kissed her forehead, "Feel better," With one last glance over her shoulder she walked out of the room.

She took another sip of her coffee as she contemplated the question. "In a way, but then again it just makes it scarier...... More real then it already was," Gabriella was at the kitchen table with Rebecca, the girls were drinking coffee and discussing Rachel's cancer.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. All these symptoms that she has shows that the chemo is doing it's job. But you don't want it too, you don't want her to have to undergo chemo period. It all comes down to the fact that you don't want the cancer."

"Exactly, I know it's a good sign, I want what's best, but seeing her like this will always hurt. No person can stand to see someone they love go through this. I can't imagine how you feel."

As a child, Rebecca had lost her sister to brain cancer. It was one of the reasons she chose this occupation. She felt that she owed it to help others, and their families. Sometimes people found it easier to confide in someone who went through the same thing. Gabriella appreciated the fact that she could share her thoughts with Becca and have her understand exactly where she was coming from. They connected on so many different levels. It was easy for her to confide in Rebecca. She was only human, there were times when her thoughts turned completely negative. Rebecca helped her turn it into positive energy, she helped her get through her days.

"Everyday....everyday I wake up, wishing I could take it all away." The moment was so powerful, in almost slow motion Gabriella lifted her head up, the power in her gaze was shocking. "Everyday, I wish it was me."

Rebecca immediately stood and engulfed her new friend in a hug. "You can't play the 'what if' game Gabi. She'll get through this. You know how strong she is. I know it hurts, but you can't wish it on yourself, trust me, it doesn't help."

Her eyes were watering. She was cracking. "I know, and god, I-." She closed her eyes and took a calming breath. "I feel so selfish, here I am thinking how would I live if something happened to her, when it's her that is going through this hell."

She abruptly stood, apologized to Rebecca and proceeded to her room. Laying in her bed she felt like a teenager again. Her mind drifted back to the days when there was only one way to ease her worries. It was so hard, and she had to be strong. She couldn't break, and at the same time that was exactly what she was doing. She whimpered and clutched onto her pillow tighter. She couldn't do this alone. She needed reassurance from someone else, that it would all be okay. As the tears ran faster, and faster down her cheeks, she spoke the one syllable word she promised she'd forget.

"...Troy..."

The following week had passed with not much improvement in Gabriella's mood. She hid her feeling from Rachel rather well, but Rebecca was a different story. She was closing her out. Rebecca was mature enough to know that it was nothing against her, she went through the same thing. All she could do was let Gabriella know that she was there for her. The two were becoming close friends, they would talk about everything and anything, except for what was eating Gabriella up inside. It was Monday morning, and Rachel would be admitted for her second round of chemo. Rebecca's main job was to stay with Rachel while she was at home, but since the three girls had quickly formed a tight bond, she would visit her at the hospital too. Rebecca turned her head to see Rachel walking out of her room. "Got everything Rach?"

"Yeah, all set,"

They turned to walk outside and meet Gabriella, who was waiting by the car. Since she was working that morning it was easier to sign Rachel in before she started her shift. The sun was just beginning to come up as they drove off toward LAMH.

Anyone could tell that Gabriella wasn't completely there. She had a far away look on her face, she was looking at the road but not really seeing it. Rebecca was switching between watching Gabriella, and looking ahead at the road. Not feeling completely safe with Gabriella behind the wheel. There was this sinking feeling in the pit of Rebecca's stomach. It all happened in slow motion. One minute she was staring cautiously at Gabriella, the next she looked up to see a black van speeding right at them. Her ears began to ring, she could hear the frantic beeping of the van and the shrieks of Rachel. She heard another shriek and did not even register that it was her calling Gabriella's name. She quickly grabbed onto the wheel, turning it, causing the car to spin out of the way of the van and onto the deserted side of the street. It was like an excerpt from a horror movie. The car haphazardly parked in the middle of the road as she watched the van zoom by.

There was a fog clouding her brain. The world was beautiful, the trees green the sun shining. Pretty blue birds flying happily in the California sky. People talking with each other, blissful expressions adorning their faces. So why couldn't she escape this hell? Her body was on auto pilot, he hands holding the wheel, but not really feeling. Eyes focused ahead on the road, but not seeing. One second she was on the right side of the street, driving along, but in her dream like state she managed to steer the car onto the opposite side of the road. The blaring of the car horn was not audible to her. She could not tell you where the terrified shrieks came from. Her eyes glazed over and her mouth widened, an ear piercing scream producing from her mouth. The wheel scorched her hands and she ripped them away. Another set of hands came from out of no where and grasped onto the wheel. Her small body was jerked to side. Her head colliding with the side of the door as the car spun out of dangers way.

Her eyes were shooting around the car frantically. 'Rachel!, where was she'. Her locks whipped around as her gaze shifted to the back seat like lightning. The young girl was in the back seat, blue eyes wide, frantically gasping for air. Something clicked in her brain, and the striking eyes met the brown in almost slow motion.

"Mom!" Despite her fogged and tired brain, she smiled. Rachel needed reassurance and she would give it to her.

"I'm okay, everything is fine, I'm sorry, really, I didn't mean to scare you,"

"But mom, the car-"

"Rachel," It was now Rebecca's soothing voice speaking out for the first time in so long. When in reality it had only been two minutes. "It's fine, I'll drive the rest of the way." She knew there was much more, more than she could comprehend. Her mother and father and had been each others support system through her sisters sickness. Gabriella was a single mother, raising her daughter. The father having no clue about Rachel. Rebecca used to love watching the Lakers game, she still did. But now she saw Troy Bolton differently. If only he knew. But she knew that right now Gabriella needed help. So she would help her, in any way she could. She would step up and drive the rest of the way to the hospital. Help her achieve her goal in keeping things normal, even thought they clearly were not. Things would never be the same again.

To put it bluntly; her day had been shitty. A litter of awful feelings. Arrogant hospital guest and their family members. She was able to comprehend that when in an emergency the average person wanted to get straight to their loved on, not attempt at being courteous to workers. She did not reckon they would sit and make small talk with her, but the barking and rude hand gestures were a little too much. Some people seemed to have sticks shoved up their asses. I mean just because she did not have the information on the certain person they'd been seeking.......

"Gabriella?"

She was hauled away from her contemplation and back into the real world. Her head rose to see her co-worker Kelly Harris standing above her. She was a bit confused as to why Kelly was there.

"Oh, hello."

Kelly smiled down at her, white teeth gleaming and rose colored hair falling down her back. "Robert just wanted me to let you know that you can take your break now."

Her brows knitted together as her eyes searched the room for a clock, her mouth forming into and 'o' shape when she spotted one and realized it was indeed her break time. Time had flew by and she had not realized how revered her break time was to her. Her day had been rather insipid besides the rude occupants ofthe hospitaland she was very much so looking forward to seeing her daughter. She stood from the desk chair and collected the extraneous items around her. All the papers that were now filled with her doodles, and tossed them into the garbage can. Her brown head came up again to thank Kelly then proceed to Rachel's room. She walked into the room to find Rachel conversing with one of the nurses. That was Rachel and her gregarious personality for you. With meticulous care, Gabriella stepped around the machinery and approached her daughter.

"How you doin'?"

Rachel's tired ultramarine eyes lifted to meet her those of her mother's. "Okay, I was in a lot of pain earlier but I feel a little better now.

Gabriella's eyes narrowed as she witnessed the wince on her face when she adjusted her body on the bed. "You sure?"

Another wince, "Yeah, pain meds haven't kicked in yet I guess."

"How long ago did you take them?"

"hmm, two hours...?" Rachel spoke thoughtfully as she looked to Rebecca for confirmation.

"Yes, about that." Becca's voice spoke

The confusion was evident on Gabriella's face, "I'm going to get a nurse, You might need a stronger dosage."

"Mom, it's fine. Really." The annoyed teenager made its appearance despite the pain.

"Rach, when you're in pain you take medication for it."

"No! And here I was thinking you did the hokey pokey!"

Normally Gabriella would say something about her daughter's attitude, but she was just happy to have normal sarcastic Rachel back.

Rebecca just laughed at the interaction whilst shaking her head. She found Rachel's antics to be quite amusing. Her lifted up to look at Gabriella and her brows bunched at the look on Gabriella's face. Her eyes darted to Rachel and she took some comfort in the closed eyes of the girl. She had not witnessed whatever just happened to her mother. When she looked back toward the door, Gabriella was no longer standing there.

"What the hell?" She whispered.

Gabriella Marie Montez had been through shock many times times in her life. Not the kind a high-school-er experiences when he or she fails their trigonometry test. But the life altering kind.

When she was four and her sick kitty "ran away" she was surprised, that information was enough to shock her at her young, innocent age. How could her kitty run when she was so sick? When she was seven and doctors no longer had the medicine to make her daddy better, and her mother cried, she was confused. A few months later, when his casket was lowered into the ground, she was shocked. When she was eleven and a little girl in her class was ridiculed because of looks, she was shocked, what did that matter? When she was twelve and her mother announced that they were to move again, she was shocked, again? They had just moved into their house six months prior. When she was fifteen and a freshmen, and colleges were looking at her unbelievably high grades she was shocked. She was a whole three years until college. When she was seventeen and she met Troy Bolton, she was shocked. He was gorgeous. He blue eyes and body absolutley striking. She was teenaged girl with raging hormones, and would be lying if she denied the wet that soaked her panties with one look. She loved him, the boy she met, the man he was becoming, and those eyes got her through the difficult nights. When they made love for the first time, she was shocked at his size, he was huge, and oh so good. When her freshmen year of college rolled around she was shocked at the news of her pregnancy. She was even more shock at the fight she had shared later that night with Troy, and the nasty break-up that soon followed. But through everything, those blue eyes were still there. Captured in memories and old worn photos. In her daughter. She would always love those eyes, that she knew. She was in shock now. Her body automatically leaned against the wall to support her shaking form.

Staring up into the blue eyes now, they were as beautiful and striking as ever.