Dreams and Desire

"Dada!!!" Two year old Natalia exclaimed happily as Troy walked into the kitchen after practice. As she usually did when she saw her father, she extended her arms, and he immediately scooped her up into his arms.

"Hey princess," he replied playfully, before making his way to his wife.

"How was practice?" Gabriella asked before they gave one another a quick kiss.

"Good. Intense, but good." She nodded and he made his way to the four year old who was drawing at the kitchen table.

"Hey sweetie," he greeted kissing the top of her head. "What'cha drawing?"

"It's a supwise!" Daniela exclaimed, covering up the piece of paper.

"Ok, well I can't wait to see it," he replied with a smile. It was definitely safe to say that many things had changed in the Bolton household over the past four years. No longer did video game consoles lie on the living room floor, dolls and toys that could amuse a toddler for hours. The shelf where many video games once rested now held every animated Barbie and Disney princess movie that existed. Little gates were at the top of every staircase, glasses had been replaced with sippy cups, stools replaced with high chairs. And Troy wouldn't have it any other way. To this day he didn't know how he reacted the way he did when Gabriella told him that she was pregnant with Daniela.

Troy walked through the concourse of the Staples Center aimlessly, practically kicking himself. His girlfriend of 4 years had informed him that she was pregnant, only a few hours prior. It was safe to say that his reaction wasn't exactly an ideal one. He wasn't angry, just shocked. It was completely unexpected, considering Gabriella was on birth control, but as it turned out, the antibiotics Gabriella had been on for a case of strep throat, made the birth control ineffective. And although Gabriella was the love of his life, his everything, and didn't want any other woman to have his children, he had never thought of having a child out of wedlock. Not that there was anything wrong with it, he had just always imagined it happening after at least a couple years of marriage. The worst part about the whole thing was the fact that his reaction had hurt Gabriella. She didn't show it, but he knew. He finally stopped walking and leaned against the wall, before groaning and threw his head back. After a few moments of repeatedly telling himself that we was a complete idiot, he took a deep breath and opened his eyes. As he did, he realized that he was in front of the store that carried merchandise for every team that played in the Staples Center, and it was only a few seconds before a specific item caught his eye. He didn't think they made jerseys with his number that were smaller than the one that Gabriella had worn to multiple charity events during her time as a Laker Girl, but it turned out they did. For infants. At the sight of the jersey, all Troy could do was smile. He finally took his eyes off of the miniscule jersey to see a Staples Center employee walking down the hall.

"Hey Brian…"

"Yes, Mr. Bolton?"

"Is there anyway someone can open the store for me?"

"Of course."

A Few Hours Later

"He didn't really know what to say," Gabriella told her best friend. "He kind of rushed out."

"Well at least he wasn't angry. I mean of course he was in shock, it's not like you guys planned this," Sharpay replied through the phone.

"Yeah I guess, it's just…" Gabriella started, but was cut off when Troy walked into their bedroom. "Shar? Can I call you back…ok…love you bye." She hung up the phone and looked at Troy nervously. "Troy…"

"I have a surprise," he interrupted with a smile on his face and she looked at him confused.

"What?"

"Well as it turns out, they make my jersey smaller than the little one you used to wear," he replied, revealing the miniscule jersey that was made for infants. Her eyes immediately lit up.

"You mean…"

"Yes baby, and I'm so sorry I reacted the way I did before, I was just surprised," he explained as he sat down on the side of the bed.

"It's okay," she smiled, leading him to smile back, before kissing her lightly. Before anything else could happen, Troy pulled away, and climbed all the way onto the bed. He moved down so he was lying on top of her legs and his head was at her stomach. She giggled as he lifted her shirt up and stroked her stomach lightly.

"So from what I remember when my mom was pregnant with Mikey, for the next 9 months saying no to you is a death wish, and I must cure every single craving you have, no matter how gross it is." Gabriella shot him a cheeky smile.

"Yep."

The two girls were his princesses and without a doubt his biggest weakness. Gabriella had hoped that he wouldn't spoil the girls rotten like he did her, but after Troy came home with a custom made one hundred dollar teddy bear during her first pregnancy, she knew that there was no chance of that happening. And even though Gabriella narrowed her eyes at Troy every time he gave one of the girls something they didn't need, she knew that the only time he would probably say no to him was when they would finally ask him if they could go on a date. Daniela was already figuring out that if she wanted something, she should go to her Dad.

"So what's for dinner?" Troy asked as wife as he put his gym bag away, without putting down Natalia, knowing that she wouldn't be happy about that, considering she was a definite daddy's girl.

"I was thinking spaghetti and meatballs," she replied.

"Sounds perfect." Between the 21 million dollar salary, the Beverly Hills mansion, the five luxury cars, Gabriella's designer clothes, and the 5-carat canary diamond that rested on her finger, many would think that they would have a fully staffed household, however besides one housekeeper, it was the complete opposite. Considering Gabriella was a stay at home mom, it was not necessary. She got pregnant with Daniela her second semester of her second year of med school, and just planned to take the next fall semester off. However, considering she was fortunate enough to have a significant other who made enough money to support a small third world country, let alone a family, she decided to be a stay at home mom, and she never regretted that decision.

--

"So you said practice was intense. What happened?" Gabriella asked her husband as they got ready for bed that night.

"You know, just getting ready for playoffs. You know how it is."

"Yes, and I don't miss it," she replied and he chuckled.

"Oh, you loved those intense rehearsals where Kelly worked you so hard that I would practically have to carry you up the stairs," he said in a teasing manner.

"Trust me, I was there yesterday. I don't," she replied seriously. "I mean I love Kelly, but that woman is one crazy bitch." Troy just laughed.

Gabriella ran her fingers over the locker that had held her Laker Girl uniform for two years, as she began to get flashbacks of the day where she stood in front of it for the first time, exactly 3 years earlier.

"Having second thoughts?" Gabriella whipped her head around to see Kelly walking into the room. She immediately froze.

"Kelly…I'm sorry…I was just…" Kelly shook her head, cutting her off.

"Don't worry about it." Gabriella just nodded. "So?"

"No, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it and that it wasn't hard spending Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights sitting at home." It was Kelly's turn to nod as she approached Gabriella.

"You know Gabriella, this past summer, I spent a lot of time thinking about what happened. And I owe you an apology." Gabriella's eyes widened, however Kelly didn't react to it, she just continued. "But first there is something you should know."

"What?" Gabriella asked confused. Kelly sighed and sat down on one of the benches, leading Gabriella to sit on one that was a few feet away from her. Kelly took a deep breath.

"When I was a cheerleader we didn't have the rule. Dating them definitely wasn't encouraged, but you couldn't get in trouble for it. Anyway, in my fourth year a guy named TJ Griffin joined the team. He had been traded. Was a superstar. When he joined everyone said the Lakers would finally have a chance to win a championship." Although extremely shocked, knowing where Kelly was going with this, she couldn't help but smile at the dreamy look on Kelly's face. "I knew I wanted him the second I saw him. It wasn't until our first charity event that I actually got to talk to him, but as it turned out it was worth the wait. It was a complete whirlwind romance. He was sweet, romantic, funny. I had never been so happy. He would smile at me after he made a big shot, and I remember feeling so special. I had the guy that all the girls wanted. We were together for almost five months, until he pulled me aside before a game and broke up with me." Gabriella's heart sank at the sad tone of her former boss.

"Why?" she asked softly.

"He had met some supermodel at a club one night. I found out later that he had been cheating on me with her for almost a month. She ended up finding out about me and made him choose. Anyway, I was absolutely heartbroken. It hurt so much to look at him that I actually faked sick so I wouldn't have to go to the games and see him." Gabriella's eyes widened at this, knowing that if there was one person that loved being a Laker Girl it was Kelly. "So when the season came to an end I decided I was done being a Laker Girl. Just because it hurt too much."

"Do you regret it?"

"More than anything. Which is why I made the rule. I knew if I didn't, there was a chance that what happened to me could happen to my girls. I couldn't let them make the same mistake I did."

"Wow…" Gabriella said in shock, not knowing how else to respond.

"Yeah," Kelly sighed. "So I'm sorry for getting so upset with you. Truthfully, I think part of me was a little jealous."

"It's okay," Gabriella replied with a slight smile and Kelly nodded.

"And if it means everything, I went back and forth on whether I should let you audition again, but in the end you broke the rules and…"

"I know, and it does mean something. It means a lot." Kelly couldn't help but smile.

"You were a great performer Gabriella, and if you ever want to come help out or anything just give me a call." Gabriella smiled widely.

"I'd like that."

Ever since then Gabriella had still been involved with the program. At the beginning she went to many rehearsals, helping the girls perfect their moves and with choreography, but because of Daniela and Natalia she only went occasionally.

"Whatever you say babe, whatever you say."

--

"Timeout!" Stan Van Gundy, the coach of the Orlando Magic exclaimed. The ref blew his whistle, and both teams began to make their way to the benches. Troy at down, wanting to take a breather as his coach talked to a few other players.

"Hey." He looked to Jordan who had just nudged him. "Daddy for MVP." Troy turned around to see his wife and two daughters. Gabriella and Daniela were both holding decorated yellow signs that read 'Daddy for MVP'. He smiled widely.

"Who cares if you get it. It seems like you already have."

"Thats for sure."

Gabriella smiled at we husband as he blew her a kiss. She was about to do the same to him, but music began to blast through the arena's speakers. The Laker Girls ran onto the court, before taking their spots. As they began to dance Gabriella felt a small tug on her heart. As much as she tried to convince herself otherwise, she did miss the feeling of dancing on that court.

"Mommy!" Gabriella snapped out of we thoughts and looked down at her daughter. "Are we winning?"

"Yes!" she smiled.

"Yay!" Gabriella couldn't help but laugh. She then looked at Natalia, who was in Sharpay's arms, before looking down at her wedding ring. At that moment she knew that no matter what the future held, she had made the right decision.

The End!!! I hope you liked it!! Thanks for all the great reviews and to my loyal readers. Because you are so amazing, not only will I be doing a sequel to I Know What It's Like, but I am also starting a new story. I'm not positive as to what the title will be, but here is a preview so you will recognize it when you see it. It is definitely the darkest story I've ever written.

He thought things would be easy. She was just that perfect. And he was head over heels for her. He felt for her things that he had never felt for his ex-girlfriend, whom he had dated for almost four years. However, behind the beauty, talent, sweetness, and modesty, Gabriella Montez was not the girl Troy Bolton thought she was. What happens when he discovers this? Will it ruin everything or just make them closer?

I hope you like it!! If you have any title ideas let me know!