A/N I DON'T OWN ANYTHING!

The next morning Gabriella and Troy called in sick and headed to the foster care center. Gabriella was so nervous she couldn't even stomach breakfast without getting sick. Troy even had to drive because she couldn't think straight. She was a nervous wreck. Finally they got there and Gabriella gulped.

"What if she's gone?"

"I doubt anyone adopted her yet. She hasn't even been in the system for a full 24 hours."

"How can you be sure?"

"Because I feel it. Just like you do."

"Ok."

Troy parked the car and got out. Gabriella met him and they locked hands. They went into to the front desk.

"We'd like to see Ashley Green please." Troy said.

"Down the hall first door on the right."

"Thank you."

Gabriella and Troy walked down the hall till they reached the room they looked through the window and Gabriella's heart broke. Ashley was still crying hysterically as she curled up on her bed shaking. There were two trays of food on her desk one from dinner the last night and breakfast this morning but neither of them had been touched.

"Troy's she a wreck." Gabriella whispered.

"Go in there and help her calm down. I'll wait out here." Troy said.

Gabriella went inside. She went over to the crying child and pulled her into her arms.

"Oh baby girl shhhhh don't cry. It's all right now it's me I'm here shhhhh" she soothed rocking her gently side to side and rubbing her back. Ashley started to calm down.

"Mrs. Gabi!" she cried clinging to Gabriella.

"I'm here baby I'm here shhhhh."

Ashley calmed down to just sniffles.

"There we go all better. Why don't we get some food in your stomach?"

"Stay."

"I will sweetie. I'm not going anywhere without you."

Gabriella got up and grabbed the tray of food and brought it back over to the bed. She started to feed Ashley who took the food without question.

Troy watched on smiling. He heard footsteps and turned and saw none other than Claire McKnight walking over. She looked in and saw Gabriella was Ashley.

"She is not allowed near that child."

"Why not, Ashley feels comfortable with her? Ashley likes her. Ashley will open up to her."

"Ashley doesn't understand anything. She wants Gabriella because she is someone she knows and feels safe with. She doesn't understand Gabriella will turn on her just like her own father once did."

"What makes you so sure Gabriella will turn into her parents?"

"All kids do."

"No that's not true. My father was abused and he didn't hit me."

"Well you're very lucky."

"Oh stop acting like you care. I know you don't. I'd like to speak to your manager right now."

"He won't do anything."

"So go get him."

Claire walked off and Troy looked back at Gabriella. She and Ashley had cuddled up on the bed and were doing….math homework? Yep this girl was definitely a mini Gabriella. Just then he heard footsteps again. He looked and saw an older man tall with blond hair and green eyes.

"My name is Marcus is there a problem?"

"Yes your employee Claire McKnight is being very judgmental to my wife isn't thinking of Ashley or her well being."

"What makes you say that? Well take a look at Ashley. Does she seem happier to you?"

Marcus looked through the window and saw Ashley laughing at a stilly face another woman was making.

"Yes and she is eating which is great."

"Yeah well my wife she is in there with Ashley right now and she is the reason Ashley is acting all better. My wife and I would like to adopt her but because my wife was abused by her parents Claire seems to think Gabriella won't make a good mother."

"Well I can see why she would be concerned but as long as Gabriella doesn't have a records that she hit children in the past then I don't see why adopting her would be a problem."

"See." Troy said to Claire.

"There is paper work that needs feeling out but other than that I don't see why you can't take her home today."

"That's wonderful thank you."

Marcus walked away. Claire glared at Troy and walked away. Gabriella walked out.

"Hey what's going on?"

"The Manager went to get the papers then we can take Ashley home."

"Really oh my gosh Troy!" Gabriella squealed and hugged him. Then she pulled away. "But how? Claire wouldn't let me adopt an ant none the less and child."

"It's not up to Claire. It's up to the manager and he agrees to let us adopt her."

Gabriella squealed and hugged him one last time. "I have to go tell Ashley." Gabriella rushed back into the room. Troy laughed. It was all worth it to see his wife smile again. Marcus came back with the paper work. "Both your wife and you will have to sign it. Do you think you can pull her away for a minute?"

"I can try but I'm not sure."

Troy went into the room.

"We've got to sign some papers. Can you get away for a few minutes?"

"If I have to." Gabriella sighed. She looked at Ashley. "I'll be right back I just have to fill out some papers and then I'll take you to your new home ok?"

"Ok Mrs. Gabi."

Gabriella left with Troy. They went into an office and sat down.

"Now you will have Ashley for a week and then we will send someone over next week sometime without warning to check on you. I'll make sure it's not Claire McKnight. But that's the plan. If everything looks good she will have final paper work making Ashley legally yours if not she will be removed from your home."

"We understand."

"All right now just sign these forms and you'll be on your way."

Gabriella and Troy signed the papers and smiled at each as they finished.

"Can I go get Ashley now?" Gabriella asked.

"Sure go ahead."

Gabriella ran out of the room making Troy laugh.

"Thank you so much Sir you've just made my wife and I a whole lot happier."

"It's my job plus I can see how good Gabriella is just by watching her with Ashley. Enjoy her."

"Thank you we will."

Troy left the room and headed to meet up with Gabriella. He couldn't wait to get started on his new life with his new family. Everything was going to be perfect right? He, Ashley and Gabriella they were going to be the perfect little family weren't they? Suddenly he had a funny feeling things weren't going to be so perfect but why?

A/N Gabriella and Troy take Ashley home but find out she is more scared then they thought and it's Gabriella's and Ashley's first day back at school since the adoption how will things go? Why is Troy suddenly feeling paranoid? Find out in the next chapter.