Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

Chapter 18 – Surprise!

Two Years Later

Gabriella was at home today by herself while Troy was at work. Caleb was down for a nap while Annabelle was sitting in the living room floor playing with some toys. Gabriella was putting some new pictures in photo albums for the kids when she heard a knock at the door.

When she opened the door, she gasped at who it was. "W-what are you doing here?"

"Gabi, I came to see you. I need to talk to you."

"David, I don't think we have anything to talk about and we haven't for a long time. I think it would just be best if you left."

"Please. I really need to talk to you."

"Ok." She let him in and led him to the living room so she could keep an eye on Annabelle while they talked.

David sat down and watched Annabelle play. "How did you know where I lived?"

"I still had your mom's number and I called her. I told her that I really just needed to talk to you while I was in town and she gave me your address."

"Oh. Yeah, she still doesn't know how or why we actually broke up so she probably doesn't have any hard feelings against you."

"Well, I'm glad because I really wanted to see you. Is this your daughter?"

"Yeah, this is Annabelle."

"She's a beautiful little girl. She looks just like you."

"Yeah, thankfully. That is what everyone says. So what did you need to talk to me about?"

"Gabi," David said, as he reached over and grabbed Gabriella's right hand. "I made a mistake. I was an asshole when you broke up with me. It isn't your fault that you got pregnant or ended up in any of those situations. I should have treated you with more decency than I did. I was just scared because I didn't think I was ready to become a father. Plus, you deserved more. I was on the road all the time and we hardly ever saw each other. So I want to apologize for everything. For walking out on you when you needed someone the most. For not ever answering your phone calls or returning your calls when you left a voicemail. I'm sorry for all of that and more."

"David, it's ok. I forgave you a long time ago. You know, not long after you walked out on me I was beginning to think that all men were the same. That every time I tried to let a guy get close to me, its like he realized what was going on and the next thing I knew he was walking out of my life. When Annabelle was born, Troy also walked out on me. I was so devastated. It seemed like every time I was trying to handle a difficult situation and needed someone there to help me through it, the person I tried to lean on the most decided to leave me."

David began rubbing circles on Gabriella's hand. "Well one of the things that I wanted to tell you was that I have quit my music career. I am going to try to find something music related to do but I want it to be a local thing. I'm done with traveling and being away from home all the time. I want to be closer to family. I want to be able to start my own family. Gabi, I'm ready to be a father, and if you'll have me I want to be your husband and the father of your children. I still love you so much." David leaned in and kissed Gabriella, giving her no time to respond.

Gabriella sat there in shock. Just as she was about to push David away and explain everything to him, the front door opened and Troy walked in.

"Brie, I'm…WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!?!"

Gabriella shoved David off of her and ran towards Troy. "Troy, I can explain. It really wasn't what it looked like."

"Well it looks to me like you were making out with your ex-boyfriend. You know what? I don't care. If this is what you want, take it. I'm out of here." Troy stormed out the door, not giving Gabriella a second glance or time to explain anything.

David stepped next to Gabriella. "Gabi, what was that all about? Does Troy live here? Are you two involved?"

Gabriella sighed as tears came to her eyes. "David, I'm married to Troy. I was going to explain that to you after you got done talking, but you didn't give me time. I've screwed everything up! What if Troy doesn't come back? What am I supposed to do? I can't live without him!"

David hugged Gabriella as she cried. "You know what? I'm going to fix this for you. I screwed it up and I'm going to take care of it. Stay here with Annabelle and I'll go talk to Troy and explain everything."

"Thanks, but if I know him, he's not going to want to talk to you let alone even listen to anything you have to say."

"I can at least try." David left Gabriella standing there. Gabriella went to sit down and sat on the couch crying, hoping that Troy would come back to her.

David didn't have to go far to find Troy. David drove about 3 blocks before he saw Troy's car pulled over on the side of the street. He pulled up behind Troy and got out. When David reached Troy's window, Troy had his head laid on the steering wheel and he was crying. David knocked on the window and Troy sat up and looked at him with red, puffy eyes.

"What do you want?"

"Can you get out of the car for a minute so I can talk to you? Please?"

Troy thought about it for a minute before he finally got out of the car.

"If you could just let me explain everything before you jump down my throat that would be great." Troy nodded. "I know I am probably the last person you want to see right now and you may not believe anything I am about to tell you, but I just want you to know that you have a wife back at home who loves you more than anything in this world."

Troy snorted, not believing that. If she loved me so much, she wouldn't have been kissing another man, especially her ex-boyfriend.

"I didn't realize you guys were married until after you left. I came back looking for Gabi, hoping that she hadn't gotten into a relationship. She was very hesitant in even letting me in your house. But she finally did and I did most of the talking. I was trying to get her back and after I told her how I felt, I just leaned in and kissed her. I didn't give her time to explain that she was in a relationship or that she didn't feel that way for me anymore. But I can tell she doesn't have feelings for me anymore. If it makes you feel any better, she didn't kiss back."

"You think that makes me feel better?! I'll show you what makes me feel better!" Suddenly, Troy punched David in the face. David lifted his hand to his nose where he had received the blow. He pulled his hand away and looked at it. It was covered in blood, and his nose was probably broken. He just looked at Troy. How can Gabi be married to a man like this?

Troy looked at David. "Aren't you even going to stand up for yourself?"

"What, and hit you back? What's that going to prove? How is that going to solve the problem? Listen, dude, you have a real problem. Your wife is at home, and if I know her well enough, she is sitting there probably trying to take care of Annabelle, crying her eyes out because one more person walked out on her. Why don't you think about that for a while?"

Troy was mad now. "You don't know her. You haven't been around for nearly four years. But I'm sure that by what I saw she still needs you more." Troy jumped back in his car and sped down the street.

David got back in his car and drove back to Gabriella's. When he got there and Gabriella saw the blood, she immediately pulled him inside.

"Oh my god! What happened?"

"Well I talked to Troy, but I don't think anything I said mattered. I tried to explain everything and he heard me out but I don't think he actually listened to anything I said. But after I got done talking he just punched me. I didn't want to start a fight so I just stood there. I didn't even hit back. He actually wanted me to I think because he asked me if I was going to defend myself. But after that he just drove off. Gabi, I don't know where he's going or when he'll be back, but give him some time. I'm sure he'll come around."

"I don't know, David. The last time I pushed him away he actually packed his bags. I know that was before we were married, but still. If I hadn't gone to his apartment that day, he would be gone. Here, let me get some ice for you." Gabriella got up and went to get an ice pack. After she left the room, David noticed another child in the room besides Annabelle, a little boy quietly playing with some building blocks. When Gabriella came back a minute later, David looked up at her slightly confused.

"You have two kids?"

"Yeah, Annabelle and Caleb. Caleb is two years old."

"Where was he earlier when I was here?"

"He was taking a nap. Here put this on your nose. It's starting to swell."

David did as he was told but still stared at Gabriella. I have to help her get Troy to understand. I can't stand to see their marriage break apart just because of me, especially with these two kids involved.

"Momma, where's daddy?" Annabelle asked.

"Daddy was upset and went to think for a while. He'll be back later."

"Oh, ok. I want Daddy."

"I know, Sweetie, but we'll have to wait until he gets back. Why don't you take Caleb and go play in your room until he gets here so Mommy can talk to her friend David, ok?"

"Ok."

David was heartbroken at the sight of this sad little girl. Gabriella turned to David and that is when he noticed that she had tears in her eyes. He scooted closer to her on the couch and put his arms around her and hugged her.

"David, what if he doesn't come back? I don't want to live without him. I can't live without him. I have two kids to think about now, too."

"Yeah, but so does he. If he is a decent man, he will think about his kids above himself."

"But what if he doesn't love me anymore? I don't want to live the rest of my live in a loveless marriage, and I can't make him love me again."

"I'm sure he still loves you, just give him time. Listen, I better go before he comes back, that way we don't have a repeat of earlier. But give him time, don't push him. He'll come home when he's ready. If you need anything, though, let me know. I'll be here for you."

"Thank you, David. I'm glad you are back in town."

"You're welcome. See you later."

"Bye."

David left Gabriella sitting on the couch. Later that night, when it was time for the kids to go to bed, Gabriella put Caleb to bed, and then went to read a bedtime story to Annabelle. After Annabelle fell asleep, Gabriella turned out the light and walked back into the living room. She grabbed a picture of her and Troy and sat down on the couch and thought about how the day had turned out as she stared at the picture. If I had known how bad the day was going to be, I wouldn't have gotten out of bed this morning. Troy, please come home. I need you so much! Gabriella began crying again, as she had several times that day, and cried herself to sleep, holding the picture close to her.

That is where Troy found her when he finally came home halfway through the night. He had gone into their bedroom and when he hadn't found her in their bed, he had panicked, thinking that she had actually left him for David. When he went back into the living room, though, he saw her fast asleep on the couch. He knelt down beside her and just watched her sleep. He saw all of the tear stains on her cheeks. He had finally thought about what David had told him. David didn't know that they were married. She hadn't kissed him back. David didn't give her time to respond. Troy finally saw the picture that Gabriella was holding against her and smiled. She really does still love me.

Troy leaned over and softly kissed Gabriella's cheek, then down her jaw, then finally her lips. He kept kissing her lips until she finally shoved him away and sat up. He looked at her confused, then she saw who was sitting in front of her. She grabbed Troy and hugged him as close to her as she could. She began crying again. Troy scooped her up in his arms and sat on the couch as he pulled her on his lap. She laid her head on his shoulder as she continued to cry. Troy rubbed her back until she finally went back to sleep. We'll talk in the morning. I think we have both had enough for one night. Troy repositioned them both on the couch so they were laying side by side, her securely in his arms as he drifted off to sleep.