DISCLAIMER: Certain characters, themes, and ideas have been taken from the world of High School Musical created by Disney and subsidiaries. No copyright infringement is intended and I claim no ownership of anything you recognize.
A/N: It's a miracle, but here's another chapter in less than a month! It's because of all my wonderful reviews that I want to keep going to get this typed up for you to enjoy. You all are amazingly wonderful and I am so grateful to have readers like you. Thank you for your patience with me…now on with the next chapter!
Chapter Five: Countdown
Less than two weeks after telling their friends, word started going around school that Gabriella Montez was knocked up by Troy Bolton – basketball superstar. Their friends did was they could to diffuse the situation, but there were a lot of people who were less than happy for the expecting couple.
Most people gave them looks of pity (teachers especially). Some of the more outspoken conservatives voiced their disappointment with the couple "that had such potential.' Some students were genuinely happy for Troy and Gabriella.
"Gabriella, I admire the fact that you didn't run out and get an abortion. You're so much stronger than most of those girls," one younger student had confided in her, nodding her head toward a group of sophomore girls who were clearly talking about her. Gabriella and Troy were prepared for such a reaction, and they could have cared less. Those who mattered most to them were on their side, and for that they couldn't be more grateful.
The doctor's appointment the previous month had revealed that Baby Bolton was a 'she.' Troy was ecstatic. Whenever he saw Gabriella throughout the school day he would ask how "his girls" were doing – to which Gabriella generally replied, "tired."
At seven months, pregnancy had begun to take a big toll on Gabriella Montez. She still tutored and worked in the library after school, but by the time weekends rolled around she didn't want to do much of anything other than sleep and relax. Troy was supportive of her doing so whenever possible, and had picked up extra lessons to bring in more money for their savings so that Gabriella could take the time she needed to recover after B-squared was born.
Still, even with their crazy schedules, Troy & Gabriella spent time together. The Bolton's seemed to see less and less of their son while Mrs. Montez regularly saw him at her breakfast table. Troy had all but moved in to Gabriella's room, especially as they were setting up the nursery – a corner of Gabriella's room that had become a delicate purple hue in anticipation of their little girl.
One Saturday afternoon late into Gabriella's seventh month of pregnancy, she found herself standing in front of the most beautiful red dress she had ever seen, hanging on her bedroom door.
"Mom?" Gabriella called into the hallway. She had no idea where this dress had come from, and she didn't want to make assumptions. Her mom came up the stairs a minute later.
"Do you like it?" she asked, smiling.
"Is it for me?" Gabriella gasped, touching the shimmering fabric.
"Of course, silly. Unless you know someone else who lives here who needs a dress for Prom…"
"Prom? Mom, Troy and I said we weren't going. We're saving the money…"
"Well Donna, Jack and I see how the two of you have been working nonstop to get ready for the baby. And we talked and decided that you shouldn't miss your Senior Prom – it's a once-in-a-lifetime night, honey," Luisa said, stroking her daughter's long brown curls. Gabriella looked up at her mother, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Mom…I…thanks…" Gabriella said, hugging her mom tightly. Luisa continued stroking Gabriella's hair as she held her close. She would be graduating high school in two weeks, then a month later her granddaughter would be brought into the world. It was a lot for any young woman to deal with, but Gabriella had remained her usual cheerful self through it all – never giving into self pity or depression. Though her pregnancy was certainly unexpected, Gabriella carried it beautifully. Luisa's little girl was no more – without either of them truly realizing it, she had become a young woman. Luisa wiped the tears off her cheeks.
"Alright mi hija, time to get ready. Troy will be here in two hours to pick you up. Hop in the shower and I'll set the curlers to warm," Luisa said, looking down at her daughter. Gabriella smiled and kissed her on the cheek.
"Thanks, Mom."
Troy had been very surprised to come home from his last lesson of the day to find his best suit laid on his bed, freshly pressed. He too asked his parents what the occasion was, and was deeply grateful for their thoughtfulness. His dad had even picked up a corsage for Gabriella. As Troy approached his girlfriend's house – tickets in his pocket and corsage resting on the front seat beside him – he couldn't wait to see Gabriella.
"Good evening, Ms. Montez," Troy greeted Luisa as she answered the door.
"Hello, Troy. Come in. Gabriella should be down in a minute or two."
Troy nodded and entered the foyer, corsage in hand. He and Gabriella had always gone to Homecoming with a group of friends, so this would be both their first and last high school dance with just the two of them. Troy sighed softly, thinking of all the good times they'd shared the past few months. Sure circumstances weren't ideal, but Gabriella never stopped smiling. And because of her, Troy hadn't either.
Troy heard footsteps on the stairs and looked up to find himself staring at the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. His radiant girlfriend – nearly eight months pregnant with their little girl – was a vision in crimson red. Gabriella's curls were piled loosely on her head, ringlets cascading over her shoulders and down her back. Troy was at a loss for words.
"See something you like?" Gabriella asked coyly, sharing a glance with her mom and grinning. Troy nodded silently for a moment before clearing his throat and finding his voice.
"Gabi, you look…incredible…" he whispered softly in awe. She placed her arms around his waist and pulled him close to her belly.
"You look pretty good yourself," Gabriella replied, brushing a strand of hair out of his eyes. "See, Mom, I told you he cleaned up nicely," Gabriella said to her mother in an exaggerated whisper. Both Troy and Luisa laughed.
"Alright you two, it wouldn't be Prom without some pre-fun parental pictures," Luisa said as she pulled out her camera. Troy and Gabriella pretended to grumble even as they moved to pose by the door.
Luisa snapped away while Troy placed the corsage onto Gabriella's wrist and she placed a red rose from their garden in the pocket of his jacket. They posed together for another five minutes worth of pictures before Luisa ushered them out the door to get to the dinner-dance.
Troy opened the car door for Gabriella and helped her get in before getting in the driver's seat and heading to the Doubletree downtown where the event was taking place.
"I may have forgotten to mention this back at the house, but my goodness you look good in red," Troy gushed as he drove them toward the hotel. Gabriella giggled.
"Double vision," she quipped, rubbing her stomach. Troy reached for her hand and smiled at her quickly before returning his eyes to the road.
"A million times more beautiful than any other girl I've ever seen."
It took them about twenty minutes to reach their destination. All their friends were surprised and ecstatic to see them walk through the "Paradise"-themed arch, and all eyes turned as they entered the room. Troy lead Gabriella to a table near the front where Chad, Taylor, Kelsi, Martha, Ryan and Jason were already seated.
'Oh my God, you came!" Taylor squealed, hugging Gabriella. "Oh, wow, look at this dress! Troy, you let her out in public like this where other men can ogle?"
"Tay, I can't believe you just used the word 'ogle' in reference to me. Besides, somehow I think Troy's marked his territory," Gabriella replied, patting her rotund stomach. Everyone at the table laughed as Troy blushed, grinning.
"Hey, can't be too obvious," Troy joked, pulling out Gabriella's chair and helping her sit. Taylor nudged Chad in the arm and he did the same for her.
"Such control," Gabriella whispered to Kelsi, nodding toward Chad and Taylor as he now sat himself. Kelsi giggled.
"I always knew with a little direction these boys could clean up nicely," she whispered back.
Dinner was a lovely affair as the eight friends reminisced on the last four years, reliving stories and cracking inside jokes. After all the plates had been taken away the floor was cleared for dancing, and slowly couples and friends made their way to the dance floor.
Gabriella and Troy stated seated at their table for the first few songs chatting with Kelsi and Jason, but when the strains of John Mayer floated through the speakers, Troy stood up and led Gabriella onto the dance floor.
I know a girl
She puts the color inside of my world…
They danced, holding each other close as Troy sang along quietly in Gabriella's ear. Anyone who looked at them could tell that in that moment they may as well have been the only two that existed in their world. Troy was standing behind Gabriella with his arms wrapped around her stomach as she leaned back against his chest, swaying in time with the music. Once the song ended they left the dance floor and resumed their seats at the table.
"I'm afraid slow songs are about all I'm good for at the moment," Gabriella said, smiling tiredly.
"I'm sure Troy won't hold that against you," Jason replied with a grin.
"I second that," Troy said, taking the seat next to Gabriella.
Throughout the evening couples commuted between their tables and the dance floor. Troy and Gabriella ventured out a few more times for the slow songs, and Gabriella hit the floor a couple times with the girls. Chad and Troy had also switched partners for one of the slow songs so that they had a chance to dance with their other best girl friends as well. Mostly, Troy and Gabriella stayed at the table and enjoyed the company and conversation of their friends. Several of their classmates stopped by to compliment Gabriella on her dress. ("You wear red like I wear pink – beautifully," Sharpay had said when she and Zeke stopped by.)
Around 11pm Troy could see that Gabriella was exhausted and they began the long procession towards the exit, saying goodbye to friends and classmates as they passed. They arrived back at Gabriella's house at quarter to midnight, Gabriella dozing quietly in the passenger seat. Troy didn't want to wake her, but he knew she'd sleep best in her own bed and he didn't want to chance carrying her up the stairs in her pregnant state.
Luisa saw them pull in the driveway and opened the door as they came up the walk, Gabriella leaning heavily against Troy with her eyes half closed.
"I'll take her upstairs," Troy said quietly as they crossed the threshold.
"Are you planning to spend the night?" Luisa asked casually. Over the past several months, she had gotten used to Troy staying overnight to be there with Gabriella as she went through her pregnancy.
"Yeah, I called my mom and dad after we left Prom to let them know," Troy replied. Luisa smiled and leaned over, kissing Gabriella's forehead.
"Goodnight," she whispered, first looking at Gabriella then nodding at Troy. Gabriella mumbled something that sounded like 'goodnight' as she and Troy headed upstairs.
The next morning Gabriella awoke to find herself lying in her bed, a familiar arm draped comfortably over her side and across her stomach. She saw the beautiful red dress hung neatly on the bathroom door and couldn't help but think (and not for the first time) that she had a wonderful boyfriend. She rolled over to face Troy, softly brushing the hairs across his forehead.
A familiar, gentle touch was pulling Troy away from his dream of cradling a beautiful little girl in his arms. When he opened his eyes to find Gabriella's staring back at him, he smiled.
"I was just dreaming about you," he said quietly, his voice rough with the morning. "And Baby B."
"Good things, I hope," Gabriella replied. Troy smiled, recalling his dream.
"Incredible things," he answered, leaning in to kiss her soundly on the mouth. She snuggled in closer as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
"You know, at some point we are going to have to come up with a proper name for this little girl," Gabriella said, rubbing a spot on her stomach where the baby was currently kicking. "I don't think 'B-Squared' or 'Soccer Star' is going to fly when she's older." Troy chuckled.
"I fully intend to further develop that athletic talent once she's walking, by the way," he commented. Gabriella moved his hand over to the current site of motion in her womb.
"I don't think you'll have any problems with that," she agreed. "So, what do you think?"
"How about Troy Jr.?" Troy joked.
"Troy…"
"I know, I know, that's a boy's name. So how about Troyella? We'll have to leave off the Jr., of course…" Troy babbled. Gabriella playfully smacked his chest.
"Troy, I'm serious."
"Ok, I was just kidding."
"How about Sarah?" Gabriella suggested. Troy shook his head.
"No, too plain. Our little girl needs a name with a cool nickname, like Julia becoming Jules or something."
"Ok, but not Julia. Bad associations from a past school," Gabriella replied.
"Ok, so what other names do you like?"
"How about Samantha? Sam for short."
"Meh…how about Alexandra and Lexi for short?" Troy said. Gabriella wrinkled her nose.
"I like Lexi, but not Alexandra. What about Cassandra and we call her Cassie for short?"
"Cassandra sounds so hoity toity," Troy replied. Gabriella giggled at his choice of words and he grinned at her. "You know what I mean."
"I know. I'm trying to think of something with significance to us. I don't think we should name her after either of our mothers….what's your Grandma's name?"
"Gertrude. She goes by Gerty…" Troy answered, shaking his head no.
"Alright, forget that. And I thought my Abuela Bernardita had it bad…so what else? Maybe a place or something?"
"Wildcat Bolton. I like it," Troy joked. Gabriella laughed.
"I vote 'no' on that. And before you suggest it, I also vote 'no' to Snowboard Bolton."
"Darn and that was my next suggestion…" Troy replied in jest, before his eyes started to light up. "But now that I'm thinking about it…what about Maddy? Short for Madison. The ski lodge we met at was in Wisconsin."
"Maddy Bolton. Madison Anne Bolton," Gabriella said, inserting the name of her favorite literary character to serve as a middle name. "I think I like it."
"Madison Anne…it's perfect. So agreed?" Troy asked. Gabriella nodded, smiling. Troy scooted down on the bed to put his head near Gabriella's stomach.
"I love you, Maddy Anne. Your mommy and I can't wait to meet you."
Gabriella couldn't have stopped the tears if she tried.
A/N: Only one more chapter and the epilogue from here. :) Thanks for reading, and please review!