Authors Note: OMG i am so sorry! This past month and a bit has been so hectic!! First i got attacked by my boyfriends new dog, had to undergo surgery for it, being kept in hospital for 8 days. After that, school started again, and i had two major exams the first week back that determine my overall score for the end of my school year in maths and science. So, my schedule for writing has been messed up bad, but it WILL get back to normal. I PROMISE.

Disclaimer:Do i look like Kenny Ortega? Jheeze.

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Recap

Chad looked down at Jordynn again. She was gorgeous. A splitting image of Taylor; her eyes, her smile. The nose was cuter, a bit smaller, but her hair was a picture. It was long and glossy, the deep brown colour high-lighting her light skin. It was also crazily curly, the ringlets small and close together, a bit like...His?! No, it couldn't be.

"Chad, you okay there?"

He looked up. Taylor was staring at him, her look a mixture between confusion and concern. Chad shook his head.

"Taylor, who's her dad?"

Taylor sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Why do you care so much Chad?"

"I need to know, Taylor,"

"But why?!"

Then, Chad snapped. "I need to know Taylor, is Jordynn my kid?!"

End of Recap

... ... ... ... ... ...

Taylor sat there, frozen in her seat. Had Chad just said what she thought he'd said? But, how? Taylor had given no hints or any instigation that Chad was JJ's father. She had skilfully dodged the question when it came up. Now, he seemed to know? How was that possible? And what was she to answer?

She could just say no, Jordynn wasn't his. Okay, it would shock him at first, and he'd get a little angry, but he wouldn't bring it up again. Then again, saying that, he had probably already worked out JJ's age, and would realise Taylor had fallen pregnant when she was still in Albuquerque 3 years back.

Or, she could say yes. Jordynn-Jazmine Gabriella Danforth was his. But, seriously, wouldn't that be worse than saying she wasn't? Theoretically, JJ was Chad's kid, and he had missed 3 years of her life due to Taylor's selfishness and inability to face her own problems. Chad had missed JJ's first steps, her first word (which was "ma", making Taylor feel on top of the world), and just his daughter in general.

He'd hate her, wouldn't he?

"Taylor?"

His stern, yet concerning voice made her turn her head in his direction. He still sat on the sofa across from her, JJ sitting content in his lap. Taylor couldn't help but smile at the resemblance she'd always imagined between the two, but now finally knew it was there. Her small hands were tugging at one of Chad's curls, though he seemed oblivious, his gaze burning through Taylor as she refused to meet his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Chad," She finally whispered, looking at Chad. He realised the watery glaze her brown eyes held. "So sorry,"

Chad's throat felt dry. She was sorry? For what? Then it hit him. She could be saying sorry for two things. One, that JJ was his, and she was sorry she wouldn't let him be there for her. Or, two, she wasn't his. All his fears culminated in the familiar feeling of dread and loneliness in his stomach. He swallowed loudly, and glanced back at Taylor.

She was crying now. Her silent tears cascading down her cheeks, dropping onto her cashmere jumper, though she didn't seem to care, or made an effort not too. She was staring into space, her head resting on her hands, her body rigid. Had he got this all wrong? Was JJ the result of Taylor's "fun" with another guy? Did she leave because she was ashamed, angry, upset?

Jordynn coughed slightly, injecting the tense air. She shifted a bit on Chad's lap, and cuddled closer to his chest, closing her eyes, and putting her thumb in her mouth. "Someone is getting a bit comfy, eh?" Chad said softly, to no-one in particular. To his surprise though, Taylor glanced up at him.

"Well, Chad, i guess i should start from the beginning..."

... ... ... ... ... ...

Gabriella and Troy were both breathing heavily, anger evident in both of their eyes. This was by far the biggest argument they'd had while they'd been together. Gabriella couldn't comprehend even screaming at Troy before Taylor had come back.

Troy, on the other hand, was way beyond pissed. He knew as soon as he had seen the young toddler at the airport, that something was too familiar about her. She wasn't an overall McKessie. Frustratingly, he couldn't put his hand on it. But now... Now, he could see and think a little bit clearer. After seeing Gabriella's hesitation when Chad mentioned JJ's father to her earlier, Troy had a gut feeling that Chad played a major part in this 'scandal'.

"So?" Troy continued to probe, "Is he?"

Gabriella pursed her lips and looked up at him. She wanted to keep up this charade forever, but knew deep down she couldn't. At least now she could take the weight of Taylor's secret off her shoulders.

And Troy? She was engaged to him, for Christ's sake. She could trust him.

"Troy, i have to swear you to secrecy, m'kay?"

Troy nodded. "Baby, that's fine,"

Gabriella took a deep intake of breath. "It all started when..."

... ... ... ... ... ...

It was the day after Taylor had found out for certain she was carrying Chad's child. Gabriella had offered to stay the night, but Taylor politely refused, telling her she'd be better off alone. Not all true in this particular case, as Taylor had cried herself to sleep.

She didn't even remember getting up that morning. She couldn't even remember leaving the house. But, here she was, standing at her locker, wearing Chad's Wildcat hoody, zipped right up to the neck. She put in her code, and opened her locker, pulling out her chemistry and physics textbooks, and placing her lunch into her locker. She felt disgusting, yet couldn't quite put her hands on it.

She felt a presence behind her and tensed up. "You see, when you wear that, it makes me glad to be number 8," The familiar, yet low, seductive voice whispered into her ear. Normally, she'd shiver with pleasure, but this time she felt herself force a smile and turn around.

"I only do things to please you, Chad," She replied, in a low effort voice, giving him a soft peck on the lips. Chad tried to deepen it, but she pulled away. "Not here, Chad. School rules, remember?"

Chad laughed slightly. He leant forward to whisper in her ear again. "So, you're just a naughty girl when i get your clothes off then, eh?" Taylor felt her stomach heave. She nodded, and put on what she hoped was a coy smile, and turned back around to her locker. Chad smiled, and pressed his body up against her back, kissing her neck. This made her giggle.

"Chad, stop!" She managed to laugh out, showing her first genuine smile in ages. Chad kissed up to her jaw line, placing his hands on her stomach. Taylor smiled and leaned back into him.

Then, her smile dropped. Wait, what was he doing? There was a child, correction, HIS child growing in her stomach, and he was touching it. What if he could feel it growing already? He'd know for certain.

"Chad, STOP!" She screamed suddenly, causing the hallway to turn and look at the couple. Chad backed away, a look of confusion on his face. "I...I don't feel very well...Just don't touch me, okay?" She slammed her locker shut and sped off to the girl's bathroom, leaving Chad standing there in shock.

Taylor shook her head to get the flashbacks out of her head. Chad was looking at her expectantly, their daughter still asleep in his arms. She had told Chad the whole story, from the bathroom scenario with Gabriella, to the familiar stint of the next morning at her locker. The only thing she had missed out was the fact that Chad was indeed the father.

"So, that's why you got all jumpy at me? You were pregnant?" Chad asked, finally breaking the silence. Taylor nodded slowly. "Tay, you could've just said. It would have saved me a lot of paranoia,"

Taylor almost snorted. "Well, i could've, but i...." She trailed off, glancing at Denise's carpet. Chad looked down at JJ; sleeping in his lap, then back up at his estranged ex-girlfriend. "But, what, Tay?"

"I...Had to go,"

... ... ... ... ... ...

Gabriella called Taylors cell for the 8th time that night. Again, she got the same thing she had got every time she had called that night. Taylor's peppy, almost care-free voice flooded her ears from the handset.

"Hiya, this is Taylor. Obviously I'm busy right now, so leave a message, and i might get back to you later. Buh-Bii!!"

Gabriella sighed and turned her phone off. She really hoped Taylor was alright. Sighing profusely, she replayed that day's events in her head and winced. Taylor Annabelle McKessie was pregnant. Taylor McKessie, Chem. Club president and Scholastic Decathlon member was pregnant. At 18. To say she would never had expected this would be an understatement.

Okay, so it wasn't really a shock to Gabriella. Gabriella had been the first person to know when Chad and Taylor had proceeded to the next level in their relationship. Gabriella, concerned as she was, was assured by Taylor that of course her and Chad would use protection, adding that she wasn't entirely stupid. Bah, how wrong she didn't know she was.

Gabriella imagined being in Taylor's shoes. She shuddered, catching herself the complete terror Taylor must feel. It was awful just imagining it; let alone having to go through it for real.

Gabriella wouldn't have too though. She promised herself that she'd save herself for when she was ready, and Troy respected that. They were content in each other's company, and their love was strong anyway. They didn't need intense passion and rustling of bed sheets to show each other they cared. And neither did Taylor and Chad, come to that. Taylor swears their first time was an accident, but admits she'd been hooked on Chad ever since. Now look where she was.

Gabriella pulled back the covers of her bed and climbed in, pulling the covers right up to her neck, cocooning herself in. What made the situation 10 times worse, was that, sometime in the near months, Taylor would leave.

And never come back.

Gabriella wiped a tear as she recalled the events of her senior year. Troy had his arm around her, rubbing her left shoulder soothingly. She had told him everything she had known to that point, but of course missed out the part that involves Chad, it was too early in the saga to tell Troy. There was so much to come.

"I was her best friend, and she bottled up to me, for the next few weeks," Gabriella cried into her hands, "Her schoolwork went downhill too,"

Troy nodded. He had noticed that too, as soon as Taylor had slipped down to a B- in chemistry. He put it down to stress though. Now he knew the real reason.

"That's why she became withdrawn too, isn't it?" He asked.

Gabriella nodded. "She was ashamed. I mean, 18 and pregnant? Not something you'd expect from an A*, A student,"

"I suppose," Troy mused, before turning back to Gabriella. "Wait, is that she left Albuquerque?"

Gabi smiled softly. "She moved to California. Her Aunty Zaizee took her in; let her bring up the baby there. I got a picture message the day JJ was born. A picture of Tay holding JJ in her arms, yet the message underneath read 'Introducing Jordynn-Jazmine Gabriella Da -," Gabriella stopped herself before she said Chad's surname. Luckily, Troy didn't notice her little slip-up.

"Tay named the baby after you? That's really nice," Troy smiled, kissing the top of Gabi's head. "So, she took on Tay's surname? McKessie?"

Gabriella gulped. "No...Not exactly," She replied hesitantly.

Troy looked perplexed. "Then she took on the father's surname?" Wow, this guy must have been really special to Taylor if she used his surname on her child.

"Umm...Yeah," Gabriella nodded slowly, "The dad,"

"Who is... ?" Troy probed, his face turning serious as he looked at his fiancé. He saw her squirm in discomfort, and took hold of her hand. She looked him in the eyes, and then glanced away.

"It's not important right now, Troy," Gabriella replied in a small voice, finding her shoes more interesting than Troy. "Really, it's not,"

"Gabriella..." Troy started softly, placing one finger under her chin and gently forcing her to look up, "I just want to know, is JJ Chad's daughter?"

... ... ... ... ... ...

"Had to go?" Chad shook his head, "Yeah, I'm pretty much grasping that fact,"

Taylor sighed, and licked her bottom lip nervously. "I´m sorry, Chad. It was selfish of me, but at that time, i admit i was pretty much self-absorbent,"

Chad nodded slightly, and thought for a moment, before glancing back up at Taylor. "Were you...Y´know...Happy in California?"

Smiling slightly, Taylor shook her head. "God, no. If my life hadn´t been so messed up at that point, i would definitely have stayed in Albuquerque with you, Gabi, Troy, everyone. I was at a crossroads Chad, and i picked the easy way out. If i wasn't as selfish and self-absorbent, then of course, i wouldn't have had to have gone all the way over there,"

Chad nodded. "But, your Aunty, she treated you well, yes?"

"Taylor, chile, come sit. I haven't seen you since you were dis high!" Taylor's aunt held her hands around a metre in the air and smiled, her bright white teeth contrasting her extremely dark skin. Taylor smiled, and went to sit on one of the four large chairs littering her aunt's front room.

Zaizee McKessie was a 38 year old divorcee. She had no children, as her husband, Taylor's Uncle, had died quite early into their relationship, and Zaizee never found another man like him. She devoted her life to children in need though, becoming a well respected social worker. It was her aura that made her so appealing to kids.

She was quite a short woman, and slightly over-weight. Her skin was much darker than Taylor's, on account of the fact that there was more sun in Cali. Her big brown eyes were always smiling, and her lips always curved upwards. She wore bright colours, never once choosing to wear black or white solitarily. She had the motto: look happy on the outside, feel it on the inside.

Taylor had only met her twice. At her Uncle Trevor's funeral when she was 1 and a half months, and at the wedding of Taylor's half-cousin, Marcus, when she was four. Other than that, the occasional picture was sent down to complete the family album, and Taylor shared phone conversations with her. But now, Taylor was planning on living with her. This woman would be there, holding her hand, at the baby's birth. Would become 'daddy' to the child.

"So," Zaizee boomed, "Your wit chile?"

Taylor smiled at her Aunt's Bahamian accent. Sure, she lived in California, but her accent was really strong. Taylor now knew why her mother's Bahamian accent came out when she was angry. It was a bit overpowering. "Yes, Aunty, i am,"

"Aunty?!" Zaizee laughed, "Chile, you needn't call meh dat. Its Zaizee, or Zee, ohka?" She waited for Taylor to nod. "Ah, chile, what you doin'? 18 and wit baby?"

Taylor nodded with her head hung low, clearly ashamed. "It wasn't meant to happen Aunt—Zaizee, it was an accident. Im sorry," She repeated the lines she had used on her mom 4 nights ago. To her surprise, Zaizee laughed.

"Sorry? Taylor, don't be sorry! I ain't angry! I want you in meh house. Just tell meh, does the chile's father know?"

Taylor's breath caught in her throat and tears threatened to fall from her eyes. "No, he doesn't. That's kinda why I'm here, Zaizee,"

Zaizee nodded. "I see. Dats fine. Just choose ah room, and we'll make dis pregnancy a good one, yes?"

Taylor smiled, wiping underneath her eyes. "Thanks, Zee. You're the best,"

"It's what family is here for, chile. Memba dat,"

Taylor snapped out of her flashback by Chad's slight laugh. "Your Aunt sounds so cool, Tay. I can understand why you waited 3 years to come back,"

Taylor giggled. "Yeah, life with Zaizee McKessie had its advantages,"

The air turned to a comfortable silence as both ex-lovers smiled. All awkwardness gone, Taylor felt genuinely happy for the first time in an hour. But what she realised, and so had Chad, so far she'd ignored the answer of the question, choosing to ignore it by reminiscing about her experience. Before Chad could ask again though, JJ stirred in his lap, causing both Chad and Taylor's eyes to fall on her.

JJ's eyelids fluttered open, and she moaned softly in her breathing. Chad smiled and pushed a few curls that had strayed in her eyes back. "Well, Good afternoon, sleepy head,"

JJ smiled slightly, and muttered, quietly but loudly, "Dada,"

Both Chad and Taylor's eyes widened. Taylor prayed that Chad hadn't heard, or misheard it, but she already knew that he had. Why did she show Jordynn that damn picture?

Calmly, Chad looked up at Taylor, shock still etched across his perfect features. "Taylor, I'll ask again. Am i Jordynn's father?"

Taylor closed her eyes. The game was up.

... ... ... ... ... ...

There is a myth that real best friends can finish each other's sentences. They know each other so well; that it becomes obvious what their best friend is about to say, and when they're going to say it. Sometimes, they even speak in sync. Gabriella and Taylor never thought they were that type of best friend.

Even though they were around 7 miles from one another, Gabriella and Taylor looked into the boys eyes and whispered one single, solitary word.

"Yes,"

... ... ... ... ... ...

Authors Note: There. Like i said earlier, i am REALLY sorry!! I think it's a reasonably good chapter, i mean; it's not overally crap, is it?

Review, if i haven't lost any of you! ):

-EmilyGrace x x x