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Chapter 24 – Separation

As the weeks went on, Gabriella avoided Troy, also keeping the kids away from the house when she knew he was going to be there, and only coming to the house when she absolutely had to. She had packed up most of her stuff and moved in temporarily with her mom. It was hard on the kids because they didn't know what was going on to make mommy dislike daddy so much. They also didn't understand why she wouldn't let them see him anymore.

It was also hard on her as she was now nearly five months pregnant with her and Troy's third baby. This fact also made it harder for her when she went to see a lawyer about filing for divorce. Her lawyer was able to make the process quick and painless. There were some problems at first with Troy refusing to sign the papers, wanting to sit down and talk to Gabriella first before they made any permanent decisions. Troy was heartbroken. He still loved Gabriella so much and couldn't imagine how life would be without her by his side.

Gabriella had also went back to teaching, but had found a teaching job at West High so she could avoid see Troy at work also. She and David had become closer through the whole process and were beginning to date again. David had promised to support Gabriella and the kids if she didn't want to go back to work, but Gabriella had told David that it would be best for everyone if she went back to work because she would have a better case to present when they went before the judge to determine custody of the kids.

When they went to court for the custody hearing, Troy became even more devastated. Gabriella had presented her side of the case very well, convincing the judge that Troy wanted nothing to do with Annabelle or Caleb anymore. She explained to the judge that when Troy found out he had another son, he had all but completely abandoned her and the kids in order to spend enough time with Alex to get to know him and make up for lost time. By the end of the hearing, the judge and decided that it was in the best interest of the kids that they stay together with Gabriella, at least temporarily, while Troy got his life straightened out.

Troy let Gabriella have the house so the kids would have a familiar place to go to. He moved into a small apartment by himself. Every night, he lay in bed and cried himself to sleep, mourning over the loss of everything that was good in his life.

He still spent time with Alex, just not as much. Stacy was there for him however, after the divorce. She had apologized for what had happened, sorry that it had cost him his marriage. Her and Troy were still good friends.

David and Gabriella's relationship had begun to become stronger. David treated both kids like they were his own and made sure he was there for Gabriella every step of the way through her pregnancy. He made sure he was there for every doctor's appointment and treated Gabriella through her pregnancy like she was carrying his child.

Eight-months-pregnant Gabriella sat on David's couch while the kids were spending the day with their Grandma, the two just spending time with each other.

"How has this become my life, David?"

"What, Gabi?"

"This…divorce…raising two, almost three kids alone…wondering why we ever broke up in the first place…"

"Well the divorce happened because you had a bastard for a husband. And you aren't raising these almost three kids by yourself. I'm here for you. I told you that. I don't want you to feel alone anymore. I want to be here for you and the kids. You have done an amazing job raising these two kids. I couldn't ask for better kids to have in my life. And I want to be involved in raising this child that is growing inside of you. And maybe one day I'll be able to support you as a little David grows inside of you. I love you so much. I never stopped. And if I could go back to when we broke up, there are so many things that I would do differently about that whole situation. We would be married right now. Did you know that I was going to propose to you? But you broke up with me too soon. But I was being a jerk and I didn't feel that I deserved you. I was putting you through so much heartache that I couldn't even live with myself."

"You were going to propose?"

"Yeah, but I guess it wasn't meant to be….that is until now…hopefully."

Gabriella looked up at David with confusion in her eyes.

"I love you Gabriella, so much. And I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you, if you'll have me. Will you be my wife?"

Gabriella began to cry. "Oh David, I would love to. But I need to talk to the kids first. They are still touchy about the divorce and I don't want to upset them anymore."

"Don't worry. I already did. Caleb actually picked out the ring." David pulled a red velvet box from his pocket and opened it to reveal a large princess cut diamond surrounded by several smaller diamonds embedded in a while gold band.

"It's beautiful, David." She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "Yes, David, I will marry you!"

David slipped the ring on Gabriella's finger and kissed her passionately. When David pulled back, he just stared at Gabriella with all the love in his eyes as he watched her inspect her ring. She looked up at him again and smiled, leaning back in for another kiss.