November 21, 2012
It was the night before Thanksgiving when Gabriella and Troy flew into Albuquerque International. Troy had been acting a little stand-offish since they slept together on Halloween. It was unnerving to Gabriella but she had bigger things to worry about, like getting all her work done before the semester ended. She was going to be out of school and her Graduation date was going to be pushed back because of the baby.
She was going to be 19 weeks on Saturday. She was almost half way through her pregnancy and she was barely showing. Troy and her friends were getting a little curious about why. The doctor said it was normal. The baby was probably going to be small. That didn't surprise her because she was a small baby herself.
Gabriella knew she was going to learn way more about Bolton than she ever planned to know during this trip home. Jack and Mark had already made sure that their families were having Thanksgiving dinner together. Maria and Troy's fathers and them would be hitting up Babies-R-Us for black Friday shopping. She was planning to use the pregnancy card to get out of it before they went completely bat-shit-baby crazy.
She felt herself getting pulled over to the baggage claim. She was exhausted from working and being pregnant. Collecting her bags and driving home felt like such a hard task for her changing body. She just wanted to curl up with a bag of salt and vinegar chips and cry herself to sleep.
Gabriella tried not to breathe as she passed through the rush of people that were on her plane. They smelled like various strong perfumes and recycled fart air. Her face was in an airsick bag for half the flight, dry-heaving. "I should have brought a gas mask." She mumbled out loud for the first time. She thought it the whole flight.
"It's just the hormones." Troy reminded her blandly.
She only sighed, gripping his hand. "Who is picking us up?"
"Nobody. My dad left the truck. You're the one who booked the flight for nine at night." Troy said shortly.
"Well sorry for being cautious with my money since we have to save up for a fucking baby." Gabriella snapped at him, pulling her hand out of his.
"Just come on." Troy said after he sighed.
Gabriella stood with her arms across her chest. "I wish our parents didn't plan this stupid together Thanksgiving bullshit. I'm so tired of you."
"Thanks Gab. You've been a real gem yourself." Troy mumbled sarcastically, pulling their luggage from the turn-style.
She scoffed at him. "Please, I'm not the one who decided to change all of the sudden."
"What are you even talking about?" He asked, looking at her.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." She said, poking his chest.
"What? After we slept together? We do it all the time. We were horny, I was doing a service." He said, pulling the second suitcase from the cold metal machine.
"A service?" She said, laughing sarcastically. "Fuck you, Bolton." She took a few steps away from him.
"Aren't you going to help me?"
"Oh baby, I'm not going to help you with anything anymore. I'm not going to offer my services to you." She sneered sarcastically. "You can carry that and do a lot of things yourself from now on." She turned again, walking out the doors, leaving Troy to the suitcases.
Troy sighed, squeezing his eyes shut. He hated hurting her but it was what was best for the both of them. She'll get over it in the morning and they'll be back to normal. They were best friends and they fought about stupid things all the time. By the morning, everything would be just fine. He ran his hand down his face before carrying the bags out the door.
He found the truck and Gabi standing next to it impatiently. "Could you hurry up? I'm about to piss my pants."
"Sorry." He mumbled, throwing the bags into the back. He unlocked the truck and they both got in. Once they were buckled up he turned the key to start the truck. The truck wouldn't start so he turned it again.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me." She said, smacking her forehead gently. "Seriously?"
"It's not my fault." Troy defended, trying to turn it on again, using his usual tricks when his truck acted up.
"Please get it to run. I'm going back inside because my bladder is about to explode." Gabi slid out the truck and raced back towards the building.
Troy tried the truck one more time before he hit his head against the steering wheel. "Come on!" He groaned, smacking the steering wheel. He hopped out and checked everything under the hood. Everything seemed fine. He tried the truck one more time and it didn't even make noise.
He pulled out his phone and called AAA. They said they'd get there as soon as possible. He saw Gabi walk back and get into the car. "Please tell me you got it to turn on." She said, climbing into the truck.
Troy shook his head sadly. "No, I called roadside service. They're on their way."
Gabriella groaned, leaning her head against Troy. "We have the worst luck ever."
"Don't I know it." He murmured dejectedly.
November 22, 2012
Gabriella watched her phone clock hit midnight. The tow company wasn't here and it had been over an hour. She was tired and uncomfortable. She already went pee twice. She just wanted to be in her own bed back in California. Maybe coming home for Thanksgiving was a bad idea. Troy and her were barely even talking and when they did it just turned into an argument. She couldn't blame him for the truck breaking down but, boy, did she want to.
Gabriella drifted in and out of sleep while Troy let her sleep on him, staring at the rear view. He saw lights flash and he shifted her so she laid on the seat. He slid out of the truck and watched as the tow truck pulled up. Troy watched as a bulky man slide out of the truck and yawn.
"Sorry for being late. We have had a crazy amount calls from highway patrol and they always come first." The man explained. He took off his cap and scratched his head. "How'd y'all get stuck here?"
"My friend and I just flew in from California for the holidays. My trucks always been a little iffy. My dad left it." Troy explained. "We got to get home. It's late, it's getting cold and she's pregnant and grumpy."
The man chuckled. "Say no more. I'll get y'all out of here and back home in no time. You're going to have to get her up in my truck though so I can hook it up."
Troy sighed. "I'll try."
"Hang in there brother." The man said. "Let me just back in here then you can get your girl." Troy stood out of the way as he watched the driver back himself up towards the truck. He hooked everything up.
Troy walked over to the cab of the truck. "Gabsy. Wake up." He murmured dropping a kiss to the side of her head.
"What?" She grumbled tiredly.
"You have to get out. We're getting the truck towed." Troy said, moving her hair back carefully.
She groaned as she sat up. "My back is killing me." She slid out of the truck with her purse. Troy shut the door behind her and locked the truck up. He helped her into the tow truck cab and watched him pull the truck onto the bigger one. The driver secured the truck safely and Troy pulled himself into the tow truck.
"I've never been in a tow truck before." He told Gabriella who was less than amused. She looked exhausted. The driver climbed into the cab and started the truck. Gabriella felt a little uncomfortable next to a man she didn't know.
"I'm going to lay on you and you're going to shut up." She murmured, placing her head on his shoulder.
The driver chuckled. "Typical. My wife hated me when she was pregnant too. We have three kids so she don't hate me that much. How much longer?"
"Five months." She said with an annoyed sigh. "I'm almost half way done."
"It'll go by quick. Next thing you know, you're going to be going into labor and you'll have a baby to take care of." The drive spoke as he drove. "But the good stuff will outweigh the bad. I mean, the first time you hold your baby. Man, nothin' beats that. Nothin'. Not all the money in the world."
Gabriella smiled as the man talked. "I can't wait for that." She said softly.
Troy grinned, stroking her hair slowly. He nodded in agreement, resting his head on hers. He gave directions to the driver to get back to their parents houses. When he pulled up in the court, Troy reached over for his wallet. "This is just a little thanks for not keeping us out there all night."
"You're welcome. Take care of the girl and the baby." He said, shifting his ball cap. "You want me to just leave the truck here?"
"If you could, please. I'll have to figure out what's wrong when I want to get away from my family." Troy partially joked. "Thank you again, man."
"You're welcome." The driver repeated with a smile. He slid out the truck and started his work.
"Gabsy, we're here babe." Troy said, shaking her gently. "Wake up."
"I'm up." She said, clearing her throat. "I'm up." She covered her mouth, stifling a yawn. "Can you carry me?" Gabriella asked with a sleepy smile.
How could he say no to that? He wondered. "Sure thing. You have to get out first babe." He told her, sliding out the truck himself. He helped her out and took their things up to the Montez house. He checked the door and it was unlocked. He put the bags just inside the door before he walked back for Gabriella.
Gabriella was tiredly giggling about something the driver was saying when Troy walked up. "You have a good night Chris."
"You too, Gabriella. Take care of that little one, okay?"
"Will do." She said, looking at Troy when he stood beside her.
"Goodnight, thank you for all the help." Troy said, waving him off. "Ready?"
"Yes." She said with a sigh. He scooped her up and she held her arms around his neck tightly. Troy took her back to the house, closing the door behind him. He carried her up the stairs and to her childhood room. He placed her on her bed softly, pulling off her shoes and tucking her in.
He took a seat on her bed as she just looked up at him tiredly. "I'm sorry."
"I know." She said softly, fighting her drooping eyelids. "I am too. We have more impor-" She was cut off with a yawn. "Things to worry about." She finished, shaking her head. "Come on, cuddle me." She murmured, opening her blankets to him.
"Back where it all started." He said, kicking off his shoes and laying with her.
"Shut up." She said with irritation evident in her voice. "Don't ruin this and go to sleep."
Troy chuckled, kissing her forehead. "Goodnight."
Gabriella rolled onto her back, letting her hand fling over. She smacked Troy's face accidentally. He didn't even stir. She ran her fingers through her hair before she pushed herself up. The sudden urge to pee motivated her quick escape to the restroom. After she was finished she made her way down stairs.
"You're up!" Her mother rushed over to her, wrapping her in a hug. "Let me look at you!" She pulled away and studied her daughter. "You're barely even showing. Lucky you! How are you feeling? Are you hungry?"
"Mom, relax." Gabriella croaked tiredly. "I can barely even walk, I don't know how you expect me to have complete sentence answers to your questions."
Her mother just brushed her off. "What time did you get in last? I tried to wait up but I fell asleep."
"Troy's truck wouldn't start and we had to wait for a tow truck driver." She explained. "I fell asleep too, multiple times."
"Why didn't you call me? I could have picked you up."
"We didn't want to bother you. It was fine. We didn't get in too late anyway. Troy's sleeping up stairs, by the way." Gabriella informed. "Can we go to IHOP?"
Gabriella's Mother laughed. "Cravings are just the worst."
"I like everything I don't like normally." Gabriella said, resting a hand on her stomach. "I inhale potato chips. Troy makes me eat healthy but I have a stash in my room."
"He's just being protective."
"More like annoying if you ask me." She said. "But seriously, IHOP?"
"Honey we have to cook all day for dinner next door. I have to make a turkey. Do you know how long it takes to make a turkey?" Her mother asked.
Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'll go wake Troy up. He'll take me."
"Take you where?" Troy asked as he walked down the stairs.
"Troy! Look at you. You can't get more handsome." Maria rushed over to him, giving him a kiss on each cheek.
"Good morning, Ms. Montez, Gabsy, baby." He rubbed her bump lightly. She smacked his hand away. "Where am I supposed to take you?"
"IHOP. I'm starving." Gabriella looked at him with puppy dog eyes.
He sighed, looking away. They knew he would give in. "Okay, fine."
"You're too easy on her." Ms. Montez said with a knowing smile.
"How can I resist her beautiful face?" Troy asked, squishing her cheeks together to make Gabriella look like a fish. "Did you get the pictures of the crib we sent you? It's all set up."
Ms. Montez smiled. "It looks so good, you guys have great taste. It's in your room right?"
"Until I get a chance to move stuff around for the baby. I'll have the bassinette in my room." Gabriella explained, licking her dry lips. "I'm going to go take a shower, then IHOP!" She grinned excitedly rushing up the stairs.
Her mother and Troy chuckled as they watched her rush up. Ms. Montez smiled at the young boy in front of her. "I'm glad that you're the father, Troy. I know I can trust you to take care of her and the baby. You don't find that in many young men these days."
"I would never let her do it alone. I love Gabi. It's not going to be easy but we'll work it out."
"I have faith in you both." Ms. Montez kissed the boys cheek once again. "You can use my shower if you need to. I have to start cooking."
"Thank you." He said, walking toward his and Gabriella's luggage. He picked them up and brought them up stairs. He knocked before entering her room. He saw her standing in front of a mirror without a shirt on. "What are you doing?" He asked wearily.
"Look." She said softly, waving him over.
"Look at what?" He asked slowly.
She turned to the side, looking at herself in the mirror. "You can see it." She said softly. Troy stood behind her and she found one of his hands placing it against her more noticeable baby bump. His fingers sprawled against her warm skin, running along her accentuated bump.
"You can feel it." He murmured, amazed. "Can you feel anything?"
"Not yet." She breathed out. "The book said it can happen between 18 to 22 weeks. So it'll probably be soon."
Troy grinned, placing a lingering kiss on her cheek. She shifted her body to get a better look at his face. She looked at his lips. He poked his tongue out, licking his bottom lip as he watched her look at him. His hand still caressed her belly protectively. He instinctively brushed his lips against hers.
She pulled away with a small gasp. "What?" Troy asked worriedly.
She looked down at her belly and frowned. "I swore I felt it move and it just stopped."
"She likes when you're close to her daddy. Huh, baby?" He said softly, towards her bump. "Kiss me again. Maybe she likes when we kiss."
"Oh stop." Gabriella rolled her eyes.
"What? It doesn't hurt to try."
"Fine." She muttered, annoyed. She kissed him fully on the lips, feeling more light movements in her belly. "That's not funny baby." She said, frowning at her belly.
Troy grinned. "Told you she likes when her daddy is around."
"It's not a girl!" Gabriella grumbled.
Troy got to his knees and kissed her bump. "I love you too little baby. Sorry for calling you a girl if you're a boy. We still have five more months to wait."
"I need to get in the shower." Gabi stated with her arms crossed over her chest. "I still want Denny's."
"I thought you wanted IHOP?" Troy said, rising to his feet.
"Whatever!" Gabriella snapped. Troy chuckled, watching her disappear into the hallway. Troy took a quick shower and got dressed. He texted his friends to ask if they wanted to do breakfast. They agreed and Troy waited patiently for Gabriella to be done.
He waited outside, where he met up with Chad and Taylor. They stood in front of the broken down truck in the court. Troy sighed. "What's on your mind?" Chad asked.
"Gabi felt the baby move this morning."
"Really?! You could you feel it too?" Taylor asked, excitedly.
Troy shook his head. "Nah, it's too early. I don't know how to not love her." He looked at his friends. They were happily together. They were just as close and he and Gabriella were. "Why can't we be like you guys?"
Taylor and Chad let out a surprised breath. They looked at each other before they looked back at Troy. "You're making it so hard, Troy." Chad said with a shrug.
"How am I making it hard? I'm supposed to make it easier. I tried to stay away but I miss her. I try to get close but I can't help but feel guilty that I'm holding her down. I literally can't win." Troy grumbled frustrated.
Taylor swallowed before turning to him. "You're making decisions for Gabriella without even knowing it. You know if she realized this is what you're doing, you're going you get your ass beaten by a pregnant woman." Chad chuckled, nodding in agreement. "You have to let her figure out what she wants with you for herself. You have to ask her what she wants, let her make the decision."
"Don't be dumb, you have to talk about it." Chad added. "Just sit her down and let her tell you how she feels."
"If she doesn't want to be with you, you have to get over it Troy. You have to move on and if she wants to be with you then great." Taylor said, glancing back at the Montez house. "If she makes you wait. You wait. Don't fuck it up or you're going to be the reason this whole group doesn't talk to each other and you'll never see your baby."
"Harsh Tay." Chad said frowning.
She shrugged. "I'm just saying."
Troy hit his head against the window of the truck. He groaned. He felt this whole talk didn't help him any. "Okay, I'm ready." Gabriella said breathlessly, walking out the door. "I need me some Pancakes."
"I need a drink." Troy said, putting a smile on his face. "Pancakes, let's go."
"Yes, lets." Taylor said with an amused smirk.
Just an hour later they were seated at the local IHOP, eating their food, talking about the upcoming hours. Sharpay and Ryan were having their usual holidays at Lava Springs with the staff. Troy and Gabriella's families were combining their celebration as were Chad and Taylor's family. Zeke couldn't make it because he was cooking a feast for his family and Kelsi was serving the local homeless shelter, giving out free meals to the less fortunate.
They were all amused to see Gabriella devour her three plates of all you can eat pancakes. She was a very happy pregnant lady when she was finished. "I need a nap." She declared, putting her napkin on her plate.
"Another round?" The waitress asked.
"No." The table replied for Gabriella. She was leaned against Troy's shoulder, switching over to Chad's.
"We'll take the check." Taylor said.
"Here you go, y'all have a nice day." She said, putting the receipt on the table.
"You too." Gabi replied, with a small wave.
Sorry for taking so long. I've been sick then baby sitting then getting ready for school then being sick again. It never stops. SO yeah, i'm going back to school tomorrow. I don't know what to think about it right now. I'll probably rant on about how much it sucks next time I update. Hope y'all are well. Don't forget to review!