Sharpay Bolton wrapped her casmere robe around her body, and quietly exited her shared master suite, where her husband was still sound asleep. She needed to have a few moments to herself to go through the thoughts that have been bothering her since Gabriella's brief visit with their family. She glanced at all the family photos that hung perfect along the walls through the second floor. She only hung their photos upstairs. Downstairs was for actual designing. There was only two large family portraits downstairs. One in the living room and another in the kitchen.
It had been a total of five hours since Gabriella had left. Although she and Troy made love less than three hours ago, she couldn't help but wonder what happened after she heard Gabriella's confession. She didn't want a divorce. She did not want anyone else. She wanted her husband. The father of their three children.
"Mrs. Bolton?" she heard their family wife call out from the kitchen. Sharpay continued down the back staircase that lead straight into the kitchen and found the small Colombian woman sitting on a bar stool having a cup of tea.
"Berta? I'm sorry I woke you," Sharpay apologized and glanced at the back doors to make sure they were locked even though she knew they'd for sure be locked. Berta always remembered to do the small things like close the garage door, and lock the doors. Or even remember to place their car keys on the key rack in the garage. "I was just coming down to, um, have a cup of milk."
"I think something's bothering you, Mrs. Bolton," her voice was quiet but clear. "Ever since the dinner guest left you haven't been all here. You seem a bit distant from your husband."
"I am not distant," Sharpay was about to snap, but didn't want to get upset at her housekeeper/nanny. "I just have something on my mind."
"I heard you and your husband earlier, Sharpay," Berta gave a soft smile, her teeth being lit by the refridgerator, which was still open. "But I'll mind my business. Goodnight, mi amor."
Sharpay shared a brief hug with Berta, wanting to savor every moment of it. "Goodnight."
"Babe?" Troy rushed down the stairs, rubbing his toned abs under his white shirt. He realized Sharpay wasn't laying beside him in bed a little over ten minutes ago. He was wondering what she was doing at almost one in the morning.
"I'm in here." He heard Sharpay's faint voice coming from the living room. He followed it and found the blonde sitting on the couch, tea on the coffee table and arms wrapped around her legs.
"What's wrong?" He asked while he took a seat next to her. "How come you're not in bed?"
Sharpay sighed and reached over for her tea, taking a sip. "It's nothing."
"Something's wrong. Come on," Troy reached over and took her hand. "Just tell me."
"Gabriella," Sharpay simply said, Troy immediately rubbed his eyes in distress. "What?"
"There's nothing going on between us," Troy assured his wife. "Nothing will ever go on. I told her I didn't want anything to do with her."
Sharpay felt her chest tighten. She wanted that woman to leave this state again so bad. She wanted William to be her biological son. She wanted to be sure that Troy will continue to be with her. She needed him.
"I want to believe that a lot." Sharpay sighed.
"I don't see why you can't," Troy stared at her. "What have I done to make you not trust me?"
"This isn't about trust. You guys have a child together. She was supposed to be me. She was supposed to marry you, and give birth to your children." Sharpay felt tears fall from her eyes.
"Baby," Troy got down on his knee and took his wife's hands in his. "That's the thing. It wasn't her. It was you. It was you I put a ring on. It was you I have cherished all these years. You are the mother of my children. I wouldn't change anything."
Sharpay looked down at their hands and back at her husband. "Promise me you won't get involved with her."
"Promise," Troy held out his pinky to which Sharpay entwined her own with. "I want to ask you something."
"Anything." Sharpay licked her lips.
"I think we need some time-" Sharpay didn't want to hear it. She knew what it would lead to. Time apart. From time apart will come divorce.
"No," She immediately tried getting up, before Troy made her sit. "I'm not giving up on this marriage."
"What are you talking about?" Troy was confused. "I was going to tell you we needed some time apart from the kids."
"So like a vacation?" Sharpay asked.
"Just the two of us. A little city getaway to perhaps," Troy's mind lead to Vancouver, one of Sharpay's most favorite cities. "Vancouver."
"Really?" Sharpay's eyes lit up.
"Anything for you, love." Troy looked her in the eyes. "Never forget."
Gabriella walked through the front hall of the firm she was reccommended to by an advocate. She was dressed casuallly. Sporting a pair of black activewear leggings, and a black sweater. On her feet she a pair of pink Nike runners. She came here on her way to the gym. She needed to talk to someone about her rights as William's mother.
"Madam, may I help you?" A man approached Gabriella.
"I'm looking for a T. Arce," she told him while she glanced at the business card in her hand. "I'm Gabriella Montez."
"Garrett Bowman," Garrett held his hand out to shake her hand. After she shook it, he told her where to find T. Arce. "She's an amazing lawyer. Her office is on the fourteenth floor. Turn right when you get off the elevator and go straight. It's the last door right at the end."
"Thanks so much, Garrett." Gabriella smiled and made her way to the elevator and pressed the button.
Moments later, the elevator came and she got in. She pressed the floor and enjoyed the twenty second ride, the music taking her out of her thoughts. It was Lana Del Rey. She would know that song the second she heard the first beat. It was the instrumental to Young and Beautiful. Her favorite song. The song that was playing throughout the restaurant when Troy proposed.
It finally reached the floor and Gabriella made her way down the long hallway. She opened the door that was marked 'Arce Law Firm'. She was greeted by the secretary.
"Do you have an appointment with anyone?" she asked.
"I have a consultation or an appointment if that is what you would like to call it," Gabriella began. "with T. Arce. Whoever that is."
"Oh. Well, let me tell her you have arrived. Walk down that hallway. She'll be right out" the secretary picked up the phone and pressed a number.
Gabriella nodded and walked towards the door marked 'Mrs. T. Arce, Family Law.'
Before she could knock, the door swung open. "Darian, don't walk away from me." the lawyer yelled after a man who muttered back. "See you at home." From what Gabriella could tell, she looked frustrated, and so did the man.
"I'm Taylor Arce," the chocolate colored woman held her door open wider for Gabriella. "You must be Mariella? I haven't had a chance to go through your file yet. I apologize."
Gabriella walked in the office and stared in disbelief at who she was staring at. There she was. Taylor Anne McKessie. Big name lawyer. Dressed in head to business wear. "Taylor?"
"Um, yes?" she looked confused. "I'm Taylor Arce, for the second time."
"It's me." Gabriella looked at her. After a few seconds, Taylor was still looking confused. "Gabriella. Gabriella Montez."
"Gabby?" Taylor immediately cupped Gabriella's face in her hands. "Oh my goodness, I thought I'd never see you again."
"Well, here I am." Gabriella gave a small smile.
Taylor lead Gabriella to the desk, and Gabriella sat beside it while Taylor went to it on her side. "So, what can I help you with?"
"My son," Gabriella simply said, causing Taylor to flinch. "I want custody."
"I don't think custody can happen at this point, Gabriella," Taylor admitted. "You have rights as a mother but you threw those away after you left the child. I've been working in this field for about five years as of this coming month, and in the state of New Mexico, after leaving a child without contact for fifteen months, you automatically lose custody rights."
"So what are you saying?" Gabriella made herself ask. She needed to be in her son's life. She wanted him to know his sister. She wanted to be a part of William's life. "I can't go to court or anything like that?"
"You can but the judge will bring up the fact you've been out of Willy's life for over ten years. That'll look bad on your part. He'll ask what kept you away and if you want to be taken seriously, you have the tell nothing but the truth. You have to have a reason for being out of his life," Taylor explained while she sipped her coffee. "I don't think you should spend the money on a lawyer to hear that visitation is all you can do. I just told you what will happen."
Gabriella looked down at her feet. No idea what to say. "Can you help me do something? Please?" Taylor glanced at Gabriella. "Anything, Taylor. I need to do something."
"I'll help," Taylor reluctantly told her. "but I need to know something."
"What is it?"
"Why did you leave Troy and that little guy?" Taylor asked, shocking her.
Gabriella glanced at Taylor and back down. After a few moments of silence, she got up and made her way to the door. She didn't need to explain herself to Taylor. She didn't need to look at those judgy brown eyes.
"Gabriella! I've had one person walk away from me today and I refuse to let another walk away!" Taylor said firmly while blocking the door. "Sit down."
"Speaking of which, who was that?" Gabriella asked.
"I'll tell you about myself once you decide to tell me why the hell you left." Taylor showed no emotion.
Troy Bolton shoved his keys in his pocket while slamming his car door. He opened the back door and grabbed Logan, William getting out right after. The trio made their way towards the ice cream parlor.
It was their usual Wednesday ice cream date. Sharpay was waiting inside with their other daughter and son. Only this time, they were telling the kids they were going away for a couple of days. Troy thought they really needed this. Time away. Time to focus on themselves and their marriage.
"So why are we making such a big deal out of this, Dad?" Will asked while glancing up from his cell phone. "Robert and me were going to go to a movie. I don't get why I couldn't miss one family date."
"You can go to a movie after this, son," Troy told him. "Only this time, I'll pay for both you and Rob, and why not throw in some tokens?"
"Really?" William grinned. "Cool."
They entered the air-conditioned parlour and made their way to the usual table. Sharpay was typing furiously on her cell phone, Dylan was playing Stella Stella Ola with Graham. Once the boys reached the table, Sharpay shut her phone off and shoved it in her bag. "My guys are finally here."
"Hey, babe." Troy gave her a soft kiss while placing Logan in the high chair, earning giggles from Dylan and Graham.
"Gloria!" Sharpay called to the owner. "Get the kids the usual. Thanks so much!"
Troy sat down and joined hands with Sharpay. The kids got situated around the table. When their ice cream was in front of them, they decided to tell them about their vacation.
"So, you mother and I are going away til Sunday," Troy began. "We're going to Vancouver."
"When you leaving?" Willi asked.
"Tonight." Sharpay answered. "And don't worry, we have everything under control for my munchkins. Danielle isn't coming in to help Berta because your uncle is gonna be looking after you."
"Yay! Uncle Ry!" Graham giggled.
"We're gonna have so much fun!" Dylan smiled. "Do you think uncle's gonna bring his dog again? That'd be fun!"
The Bolton family spent the next hour together. Talking about their days, and what would be happening for the next few. It was their favorite thing to do. Just sit and spend time together. Family was first for both Sharpay and Troy. Whether they were arguing or not, they were a family while with their children.
"Have fun, sis!" Ryan hugged his sister. "We'll try our hardest to make sure the house doesn't burn down while you're gone."
"We will," Troy grinned while Sharpay looked at their kids, sitting on the staircase waiting for them to leave.
"I love you, my munchkins." Sharpay blew a kiss.
"Love you, guys." William blew a kiss back.
"Love you, Mommy." Graham blew one.
"I love you, too. So does Logan." Dylan was holding her brother, who blew a kiss as well.
Sharpay gave one last kiss before heading out the door with Troy behind her. They got into the taxicab to drive to the airport, watching as they drove away from their large home, hoping it wouldn't be burnt down when they got back.
AN: Sorry for the late update. I've had more than a lot going on. I was also concerned about the lack of reviews. Keep them coming, and I'll update more quickly. Leave your reviews! Ten and I'll update ASAP, since I already have it done.