Mistakes
Hey everyone, I am so so so so sorry with the lack of updates on this story, it's been really really bad, but between work, school and being ill I've had like no spare time on my hands to do anything! I know I promised regular updates back in April, but hopefully now school has cooled down a little, I will be able to get this story finished, it only has a few more chapters to go anyway. Anyway on a more positive note, I want to say thanks so much to all of you that reviewed the last chapter, and I hope that you enjoy and review this one!
"I agree," Troy murmured, watching the brunette as she shuffled uncomfortably under his gaze, "But I think that you should stay here tonight Ella," Gabriella's head snapped up to look at him, and instantly, she could tell he was serious, and opened her mouth to say something, "Everyone else will be staying here, and I'm sure that Sassy won't mind sharing Lilly-Ella's room tonight, or vice versa," His eyes automatically slid over to the bush that the two young girls had disappeared behind, a slight shuffling and hushed whispering coming from it, before sliding his eyes back over to Gabriella's once more, "And I don't particularly want you driving home alone at this time, like you said, it's late, and umm, I don't want anything to happen to you," Troy blushed lightly, watching Gabriella's facial features soften as he admitted his last point for making her stay.
"Okay Bolton, you've got your wish," She sighed softly, and he turned, walking back towards the house, a triumphant smile on his face. Sighing softly once more, she turned to follow him, looking quickly at the bush as she did so, laughing quietly as she saw Sassy stood there, a massive grin on her face, one hand giving her a thumbs up, before the blonde girl was pulled backwards with a shriek once more, and Lilly-Ella's face appeared momentarily, smiling and waving sheepishly at her Mom, turning back once more to Sassy, as Gabriella chuckled softly and followed her old flame back into his house…
Eyes flickering open the following morning, Gabriella let loose a small shriek as two ice blue eyes stared into her own chocolate ones. A tiny giggling noise from the doorway distracted the brunette momentarily, and she lifted her head to gaze at the figure stood there. Letting her eyes focus slightly, Gabriella couldn't help the smile that tweaked at the corners of her mouth as she watched her daughter, doubled over with laughter.
"Come on Oreo. Come here boy," Lilly-Ella called lightly, still laughing quietly. The husky puppy glanced once more at Gabriella, before bounding down from the bed to meet his owner. Bending down slightly, Lilly-Ella gently stroked the dogs' glossy fur. "Go find Matt, Oreo, he's going for a run, and he wants to take you with him," pausing for a minute, she took the dogs' face in her hands, laughing slightly as he let off an excited bark, "G-d alone knows why though, pup." Patting Oreo once more, she allowed him to sprint past her, pulling a skid around the corner, where he crashed into the table. Shaking it off quickly, Oreo dashed for the stairs, where Matt was now calling for him.
Chuckling, Lilly-Ella skipped across the room and fell onto the bed beside Gabriella. Quickly, she crawled up the duvet until Gabriella could wrap her arms around her daughter, pulling Lilly-Ella's back tightly against her chest.
"Sorry about Oreo," Lilly-Ella smiled, tilting her head backwards to look at her grinning mother. "He's just so used to waking me up by licking my face."
Laughing at Lilly-Ella's scrunched up face, Gabriella gently brushed the young girls' hair out of her eyes and studied her daughters' distinct features. "It's fine, Hollywood," Gabriella grinned, holding her daughter tightly to her. "You looked anymore into that drama school?"
Sighing gently, Lilly-Ella turned so that she was facing her mother. "I don't know Mom," she whispered timidly, terror shining in her eyes. "I mean, I love singing, dancing and acting, but I don't know whether or not I can do it in front of a big group of people." Glancing back up at Gabriella, her cyan orbs caught on Gabriella's loving chocolate brown ones. Smiling sympathetically at her daughter, Gabriella gently reached out and cupped Lilly-Ella's cheek. Her smile widened as the teenager's eyes fluttered closed at the contact and she leaned into Gabriella's hand.
"Honey, I used to have the same fear, but do you know what got me over it?" Lilly-Ella's eyes shot open to look at Gabriella once more, slowly, she shook her head, eyes wide. "Your Dad," Gabriella muttered simply, still watching Lilly-Ella closely.
"Daddy performed in front of people?" Lilly-Ella questioned softly, confusion flickering in her sapphire eyes, her sweat pants rolling up at the side and her curls falling further from their bun.
Gabriella's amusement grew as a mischievous twinkle grew in her eye, "He's never showed you the DVD has he?"
"There's a DVD of Dad singing and acting?" Lilly-Ella grinned, automatically loving where this conversation was heading.
"And dancing," Gabriella smirked, her smirk only growing as Lilly-Ella started laughing. "Actually, I think that it's still in my bag, I only got a copy back from Sharpay a few days ago."
Gabriella watched on in delight as Lilly-Ella vaulted from the bed. Sprinting across the room, the sixteen year old instantly picked up her mother's bag and started routing through it.
"This one?" Lilly-Ella questioned, holding up a white case. A triumphant grin spread across her face, and she leapt over the sofa to put the DVD in the player. Glancing over her shoulder at Gabriella, she grinned softly, hitting the play button, before diving back onto the bed and snuggling into her mother.
Partway through the final song in the show, 'Breaking Free', the door to the bedroom swung open to reveal Troy, his happy face turning to a look of horror as he watched the final notes of the song. "Please tell me that you two didn't just watch that musical," He managed to squeak out, one glance at a smirking Lilly-Ella confirming his suspicions instantly. Glancing between the DVD player and his daughter, the plate of pancakes in his hand was suddenly forgotten, as both of them lunging for the DVD player, Gabriella laughing hysterically on the bed.
"No, no, Daddy!" Lilly-Ella screamed, Troy catching her around the waist and starting to tickle her before throwing his still squirming daughter over his shoulder, grabbing the DVD from the player. Swiftly, he spun around to find Gabriella now stood in the corner of the room. "This is so all your fault, Ella!" He grinned, laughing slightly.
"I'm quite sure that I don't have a clue what you're talking about, Mr. Bolton," Gabriella replied, an innocent beam smothering her face. Troy's face scrunched up at her use of 'Mr. Bolton', and Lilly-Ella had swivelled her body slightly, so that she could watch the interaction between her parents, a smile lodged across her face. "Oh, and I also wouldn't destroy that, because I have like five other copies anyway." Sending Troy a final smile, Gabriella turned and skipped from the room.
Chuckling slightly, Troy shook his head, "Right Ella, after all of the years of knowing you, do you really think I'm going to let you get away that easily? Hold on tight Lila," he directed quickly to his daughter, started the sprint out of the teenagers' bedroom.
Both Lilly-Ella and Gabriella screeched as Troy tore down the stairs after his ex-girlfriend, both of them giggling through their screams. Heads started to pop out of doors all along the corridor Troy was currently chasing Gabriella along. With one look at them, the girls immediately started squealing, whereas Chad and Ryan only laughed, rolling their eyes and shaking their heads.
Catching up to Gabriella in the kitchen, Troy found her stood on the other side of the island, holding onto a can of whipped cream. "You wouldn't dare," He muttered, his eyes narrowing as he watched the brunette that he longed so much for.
"Wouldn't dare what? What's she got?" An enquiring voice asked as Lilly-Ella thrashed around in Troy's arms, desperately trying to find out what was going on behind her back. Looking up, she saw the smirking faces of all of the gang and Sassy stood in the doorway, only increasing to her panic as she started to thrash once more.
"Just try me Bolton!" Gabriella threatened, her own eyes narrowing as she took in how good her ex-boyfriend still looked, eyes twinkling and a smirk curved up onto his lips, there was no doubt at all in her heart, she was falling for him. All over again. Hard.
"No, no, let's not try anything! Nothing at all, I'm warning you two!" Lilly-Ella screamed, an instant role reversal happening between her and her parents, although she still couldn't see what was going on. "Mom, Dad, I mean it! Don't make me have to yell some more." The gang were still stood in the doorway, laughter flowing through the house as Troy and Gabriella continued to tease each other, with Lilly-Ella screaming all along. Suddenly, Troy started to move around the edge of the island, causing an instant reaction from Gabriella as she squirted the cream. Troy, however, was too fast for her and the cream missed him, instead hitting Lilly-Ella on the leg. "Oh my G-d, that was flipping cold. What the hell was that?"
"Lilly-Ella!" Both Troy and Gabriella scolded at the same time, looking at each other in surprise and laughing. Troy tried to use the distraction to once more advance towards Gabriella, she however had other ideas. Flinging the back door open, Gabriella hurtled into the garden, her bare feet hitting the cushioned grass and allowing her to fly through the garden, Troy, still with Lilly-Ella, hot on her heels.
Within minutes, Troy had caught up to Gabriella, and almost without thinking, he grabbed her around the waist, spinning the two girls around as they screamed with laughter. Seeing his next target, Troy ran straight through the sprinklers and dived into the pool, both girls cursing him as he jumped in.
Surfacing, both Gabriella and Lilly-Ella spat the water out of their mouths and turned to glare at Troy, who just grinned impishly. "Oops," He smiled, shrugging slightly, "I'll go get you guys some towels." Hopping out the water, he instantly dashed for the house, eager to avoid a scolding from his daughter and ex-girlfriend.
Looking at each other, the girls laughed slightly, "Yeah, like towels are going to help right now," Lilly-Ella chuckled, heaving herself out of the water and ringing out her dripping hair. "I swear if these clothes are ruined, I will kill him."
"Yeah but then you won't have a Dad," Gabriella grinned, standing next to her daughter and repeating her actions as they moved to sit on the sun lounger's placed beside the pool.
"Yeah, but I got a Mommy now," Lilly-Ella beamed, batting her eyelids as Troy returned with the navy blue towels, handing them to the two sat down before standing a safe distance back.
"Nice to see that I've been replaced so easily," Troy muttered dryly, folding his arms across his now dry chest in his fresh t-shirt and pouting slightly.
"Aww, Daddy, no one could ever, ever replace you, you'll always be my number one, you know that right?" Lilly-Ella smiled, tilting her head slightly as she watched Troy nod. Standing up, she glanced at Gabriella, who caught on quickly and covered her mouth, disguising a laugh with a cough. Wrapping her arms around Troy in a hug, he sighed when he realised that he was instantly wet once more, figuring that his daughter had had her revenge though, Troy ruffled her hair once and took a step back. "Perfect," Lilly-Ella grinned coyly, the look of confusion on Troy's face setting the girls' off once more, "Now!" She yelled and she and Gabriella lunged forwards, directly pushing Troy back into the pool, before running away giggling towards the house.
Climbing out of the pool laughing, Troy followed the pair of them back to house, preparing to get changed once more and swearing that he would get his revenge against them soon enough.
"Well, I'm going to have to go home and get a spare change of clothes now," Gabriella announced as Troy entered the front room in yet another fresh set of clothes, laughing.
"Can I come too Mom?" Lilly-Ella questioned, "Ooh, and can we get you a few changes of clothes so that you can stay a few days, please, please, please," Lilly-Ella pleaded tearing her eyes away from the Wii game that Chad and Sassy were playing long enough to give both of her parents a puppy dog look, complete with quivering lip.
"I think that sound like a great idea," Troy chuckled, noticing Gabriella's wide eyed stare, "It'll give the two of you a chance to get to know each other better, and we can reconnect Ella," Troy grinned, his eyes twinkling again, dazzling Gabriella into agreeing instantaneously.
"Alright then Hollywood, let's go," Gabriella laughed, grabbing Troy's car keys and heading out of the house before he had a chance to protest, Lilly-Ella following rapidly after her.
"This is where you live?" Lilly-Ella whispered in awe as they pulled up to a quaint little cottage with a red door and brightly coloured flowers littering the garden and the windowpanes.
"Yeah," Gabriella smiled softly, "It's not much really, but it is most definitely home." She shrugged slightly, walking up the little pathway to the front door, digging a small golden key from her pocket and inserting it into the lock.
Behind her, Lilly-Ella shook her head vigorously, "Not much? I absolutely love it! Truthfully, I wish that Dad would sometimes want a smaller house, don't get me wrong, I mean I love ours and our old one always made for a great game of hide and seek when I was a kid, but at the same time, big houses can be scary at night. Especially when there's only two of you and a puppy that doesn't provide much of a guard dog."
Chuckling slightly, Gabriella let Lilly-Ella take in her surroundings, her eyes flickering over all of the pictures hanging on the wall, taking in pictures of Gabriella as a child, intimate portraits of Troy and Gabriella, often when they didn't know they were being taken, right up to present day. Closing the day softly, Gabriella walked over to look at the picture that had her daughter entranced.
Troy was sat on the edge of a pier, dangling Gabriella over as she screamed with laughter, the picture obviously having been taken by someone on the lake, the looks on both of their faces showing pure enjoyment and fun. Troy was watching Gabriella with great love and adoration as he held over the edge, obviously never going to have dropped her in a million years, neither of them looking at the camera.
"I've never seen that look on Dad's face before," Lilly-Ella whispered, her fingers slowly tracing the happy faces of both of her parents, Gabriella watching her curiously. "I mean I have, but not until today. He still loves you, you know, he still loves you more than anything in this world Gabriella, and that includes me, one of the reasons he loves me so much is because I basically am you." Wiping her eyes gently, Lilly-Ella looked away from her Mom, only to have her face gently guided back to look at Gabriella.
"That is in no way, shape or form true Lilly-Ella," Gabriella whispered, lightly stroking her daughters' cheek, drying away her tears, "Your Dad loves you because you are you, not because you are me, yes we are very similar, but you have so much of your Dad in you too baby girl, never forget that, and on top of that, you have these little, amazing quirks of your own, which G-d knows where you got them from and where exactly did Mom go to, Missy?" Gabriella laughed softly.
"I love you Mommy," Lilly-Ella whispered softly, hugging Gabriella tightly.
Placing a soft kiss on Lilly-Ella's head, Gabriella gently rubbed her back, "I love you too Hollywood, always." Pulling back, Gabriella gazed at her almost fully grown daughter, carefully taking the picture frame from her and taking the photo from it, handing the photograph back to her wide eyed, stammering daughter, "Keep it Hollywood, but you better keep it safe, because it is one of my favourites and I know where you live if it gets damaged."
Lilly-Ella glanced quickly once more at the photogrpah, she then looked back to Gabriella, beaming, "Thank you Mom."
"No problemo Angel," Gabriella grinned, "But we better get moving before they send out a search party for us." Both women laughed, starting to climb the stairs, Lilly-Ella continuously asking about the various pictures on the way passed them. Halfway up the stairs, a ringing sounded throughout the house, signalling a visitor. Smiling at Lilly-Ella, Gabriella turned back around, "Just go get out what you think I'll need Hollywood, and I'll join you once I've seen who this is, my duffle bag is under my bed." Nodding, Lilly-Ella ran up the rest of the stairs, entering the only room at the top of the stairs, as Gabriella headed for the door.
"Gabriella dear, I can't believe it's been so long, darling," Maria Montez stormed into her daughters' house, immediately pulling the stunned Gabriella into her arms. Struggling against the death grip that Maria held, Gabriella eventually pulled away, glaring at her mother. "Well, it's evident that I've been away for a long time," Maria frowned, surveying Gabriella up and down and gently tugging on her cheek, "You're starting to get wrinkles my dear, well no worries, I have an excellent surgeon that I will book you an appointment for, a.s.a.p." Patting Gabriella's cheek, she crashed down into the nearest chair, before thinking better of it and pulling her bag tightly onto her lap once more, her lip curling in disgust at Gabriella's simple home.
"What are you doing here, Mother?" Gabriella questioned frostily, still glaring at the woman who had abandoned her sixteen years before, when she needed her mother the most.
"Oh, sweetheart, it was horrible!" Maria cried out hysterically, instantly on her feet, pacing, once more. Gabriella rubbed her temples gently, a headache beginning to form. "He left me, Gabriella, he left me!" She screamed grabbing hold of her daughter once more.
"Who are you talking about Mother, I haven't seen you in around sixteen years," Gabriella sighed, taking her turn to survey her mother, grimacing when she noted the jewels that decked Maria's extravagant outfit, along with the obvious plastic surgery that had taken place over the years.
"Miguel, Gabriella, Miguel left me!" She wailed, Gabriella's hands instinctively touching her ears. "He said that he had his visa and that…that he didn't need…need me anymore," Maria screeched, causing Gabriella to once more wince, "But all of that was only after he took everything from me. I have nothing left, I bought him everything that he owns, the most expensive clothes, a car, everything that he could have ever wanted!"
"Well, it serves you right then doesn't it?" Gabriella asked sharply, her glare returning.
Maria pulled back from her daughter and raised her hand, harshly slapping Gabriella across the face. Raising a hand to her stinging cheek, Gabriella looked up to her Mother, tears forming in her eyes as the fire returned to Maria's. "Don't you ever dare speak to me that way Gabriella Anne Montez! After everything that I have sacrificed for you over the years, everything that I have ever done for you!" Maria roared.
Gabriella nodded swiftly, quick to agree with her Mother, once more becoming subjective to the thoughts of her Mother. Sat on the stairs just outside of the door, the youngest brunette had her hand covering her mouth in shock, horrified that Gabriella would ever let Maria talk to her and treat her with so little respect. Standing, Lilly-Ella steeled herself against the onslaught that she knew was about to happen and raised her hand, striding into the room currently containing her Mom and Grandmother.
Again, I'm really sorry for the wait in this chapter, but I swear the next one will be up within the next week at the latest. I hope that you liked this chapter and please review!