A/N I DON'T OWN ANYTHING!

Gabriella screamed and hugged Troy. They finished signing the last few papers and Sharpay left. Just then the power went back on and the storm stopped. Everyone just hugged happy to finally have what they all always wanted….a family.

Then Ashley stopped cheering and frowned. "Mr. Troy, Mrs. Gabi?"

They both stopped cheering and looked at her. "What sweetie?" Gabriella asked.

"Well…is it ok um….I um…."

"You can ask us anything sweetie it's all right."

"Would you be mad if…if I didn't call you mommy and daddy…."

"No sweetie of course not."

Gabriella picked up Ashley and sat down on the couch with Ashley on her lap.

"Listen sweetie when I was your age my daddy treated me the same way. I've been in your shoes before and when I first got adopted into another family I didn't want to call them mommy and daddy either. Just because you live with us and we are taking care of you doesn't mean you have to call us mommy and daddy. You can call us anything you want."

"Ok."

"I say we celebrate who wants ice cream?" Troy asked.

"I DO I DO!" Ashley cheered.

"I don't know hyper kids can't have sugar." Troy teased.

"I'm not hyper Mr. Troy I promise."

"Ok then I guess it will be all right."

"Thank you."

They three went into the kitchen and started to have their ice cream. The rest of the night was spent together as a family just the way Gabriella wanted it.

That Friday Troy was on the phone when Gabriella walked in with Ashley.

"Yeah that sounds like a plan Mom. Ok I'll see you soon."

Troy looked at his wife and daughter and smiled at them blowing them both a kiss he held up one finger.

"I love you too bye."

He hung up and grabbed Ashley spinning her around causing lots of squeals and giggles.

"Hey guys. How was school?"

"It was good. I got an A+ on my math test."

"Kissing up to the teacher again?" Troy teased.

"No I'm just really smart."

Troy laughed and looked at Gabriella.

"What about you Angel, how was your day?"

"It was fine. The kids have gotten used to the idea of Ashley living with us and know that I won't give her special treatment so they have mellowed out a lot."

"Good anymore flashbacks?"

"Not really anymore no and the dreams have stopped."

"Wonderful I knew things would work out."

Gabriella smiled at him. "Who was on the phone?"

"Mom. She wants to meet Ashley so we are going over there for lunch tomorrow."

Troy watched as Gabriella went stiff as stone and all the color left her body. He set Ashley down.

"Ashley go on and start your homework."

"Ok Mr. Troy."

Ashley let the room. Troy went over and pulled his wife into his arms taking her face facing her to look at him.

"What's wrong? Why the strange reaction?"

"I've failed your mom. I was going to help Ashley like Mom did for me and she is still scared of water and of strangers. What good have I done for her?"

"Gabriella Ashley has friends she is happier and she isn't scared of me. You've done a lot to help her. You did the biggest thing in the world and got her away from her father. You didn't wait till she was sixteen and withdrawn. You saved her before it was too late. You have helped that girl more than you know and mom would be so proud of you. I know I'm proud of you."

"You're just saying that because you're my husband."

"No I'm saying that because it's the truth. I've never lied to you before and I'm not going to start now."

"Ok fine we can go. I'm sorry I'm being paranoid."

"No, you're being you."

Troy kissed her head. "I love you."

"I love you too."

The next morning everyone stood outside the Bolton household waiting for someone to answer the door. Jack opened the door but he didn't look happy.

"Dad what's wrong?"

"We have a visitor."

"Ok who is it?"

"I think you guys should go home. You won't want to see him."

"Who is 'him'?" Gabriella asked.

Before Jack could answer another man walked in behind Jack.

"Who's at the door Jack….Gabriella good to see you again." The man said.

Gabriella gasped and took a step back clutching Ashley tighter to her chest. "Oh my gosh….dad?"

The man laughed. "No I'm not your father. I'm his twin brother Carlos."

"My father never mentioned you." Gabriella said.

"He and I never spoke after he left home."

"How can I be sure you're telling the truth?"

"I have a copy of your birth certificate. When your parents died all their stuff went to me."

Troy stopped in front of Gabriella. "They can be forged. Who are you and what do you want with Gabriella?"

"Troy he's…he's telling the truth. He is her Uncle." Jack said.

"So why he is coming around now? Where was he when Gabriella was alone and scared?"

"I had no idea Gabriella was in such a bad place."

"I wouldn't have been in a bad place if your parents hadn't kicked him out of the house." Gabriella said standing next to Troy.

She wasn't the same shy girl she used to be.

"It wasn't my fault. I didn't kick him out."

"What do you want with me?"

"I want you in my life."

"Good luck." Troy laughed.

"I'm married with a life of my own what good would it be having me in your life?" Gabriella asked.

"I want to get to know you. I want to get to know the daughter my brother raised."

"You brother beat her and let men touch her! My parents raised her. Your brother treated her like dirt. I'll die before I let you anywhere near her." Troy growled.

"Troy" Jack said.

"Mrs. Gabi!" Ashley cried.

"Let's take this inside so we can take Ashley out of here." Gabriella said.

Everyone moved inside. Ashley stayed in the living room while everyone else went into the kitchen.

"Look Gabriella if I had known my brother had gotten into the mob and started hitting you I would have done something. My brother and I lost contact after he left home. I swear I wouldn't have just sat back and let him hurt you." Carlos said.

"But how can I trust you are really his brother?"

"I look like him."

"Plastic surgery." Troy answered.

"Ok, how can I prove it to you?"

"When my father died he left me something. Something that didn't get sent back to you. What was it?"

"His and your mother's wedding rings."

Gabriella gasped. This guy really was her Uncle.

"Ok so you are her Uncle. Why did you wait till now to show up? Where have you been the past 24 years?" Troy asked.

"I've been looking for you since I found out your parents were killed. I was going to take you in but I couldn't find you. Social servers wouldn't tell me where you were. It's taken me this long to find you."

"But why were you even looking?"

"I thought you'd be alone after their death and I thought you could use someone to comfort you but I guess I was wrong."

"My parents have been dead since I was eighteen. I'm twenty four why haven't you given up looking for me?"

"You don't give up on family."

That didn't comfort Gabriella one bit. In fact it made her furious. She got up from her chair and rushed out of the room. Troy went after her.

"I think it would be best if you left. If Gabriella wants to keep contact with you she will call you but if not I don't want to see you back here again. Upsetting my child is not ok with me." Jack said.

"She isn't yours and if my brother had a say he wouldn't have picked you to look after his daughter." Carlos said.

"Leave now or I'm calling the police." Jack said.

Carlos left the house with a smirk on his face.

"Did you get the same funny feeling I did with that guy?" Jack asked.

"Yeah and he is up to something." Lucille nodded.

With Troy and Gabriella, Gabriella was crying into Troy chest as he held her and did the best to soothe her. She finally stopped crying and looked up at him, but then down at her hands.

"What are you thinking?" Troy asked.

She just shook her head.

"Yes you are. Everyone is thinking about something, so what's on your mind baby?"

"I was really starting to believe him. I really thought he was being honest."

"What changed your mind?"

"He said you never give up on family so if that's true why did they just give up on my father and kick him out? Why did they treat my father like that if you never give up on family?"

"I wish I knew what to tell you Brie but…but this is something you'll have to decide on your own. I'll support you whatever you decide to do."

"What did you think about him?"

"Honestly something didn't seem right about him. I got a weird vibe off him but don't let me influence you. If you want to give him a shot then do it."

"What if I end up hurt?"

"I'll be waiting here with open arms."

Gabriella sighed and nodded.

"Hey today was supposed to be fun and Ashley was supposed to meet her Grandparents so let's forget about Carlos and spend the day having fun? If you don't I'm going to tickle you."

Gabriella giggled at his threat and nodded. "You're right. Let's go."

They both went back downstairs and grabbed Ashley before walking into the kitchen.

"Mom dad this is Ashley. Ashley this is your grandma and grandpa." Gabriella said.

"Well Hi there cutie." Jack said tickling her sides making her giggles.

"It's nice to finally meet you. Gabriella has told us so much about you." Lucille said.

"It's nice to meet you too." Ashley said shyly before hiding her face in Gabriella's neck.

"Are you ok Gabriella?" Jack asked.

"I don't want to talk or think about Carlos tonight. Let's just have fun." Gabriella said.

"Ok. So Ashley, Troy tells me you play basketball. You up for a game?"

Ashley shook her head and clung to Gabriella tighter.

"Come on baby girl it will be fun." Troy said.

"No." Ashley whimpered.

"It's ok sweetie you're safe here." Gabriella said rubbing her back.

"No."

"What are you scared of?"

"That man. He was scary."

Gabriella sighed. Even Ashley had a bad feeling about this guy he may be her Uncle but he was a creepy one.

"That man is gone. He isn't coming back." Troy said to her.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"O…ok."

Gabriella set Ashley down and she followed the guys outside. Lucille put her hand on Gabriella's shoulder.

"You really ok?"

"I told you I don't want to talk about it."

Gabriella walked outside without even looking at Lucille. Lucille became worried. Gabriella was shutting down again and this time she wasn't sure anyone would be able to help her open up.

A/N next chapter Gabriella finds the trick to getting Ashley over her fear of water and Carlos comes back. Will Gabriella let him back into her life and is he a good guy or a bad guy? All will be answered in the next chapter.