Sorry for the long delay, but I had some serious reservations about finishing this story. After some long thought I am going to finish this story because I promised myself that I would finish at least one of my stories. Leave me some reviews if possible! Without further ado…
Revelations
Taylor found herself walking up the front stairs of Troy's home early the next morning. Mrs. Danforth decided that the entire family should bring over some clothes and she would serve breakfast to help ease the pain of Gabriella and her mom losing everything they had in the fire. Sure Taylor was concerned about Gabriella but she couldn't help but think about Troy. She couldn't handle the fact that he was grounded and she felt completely at fault for it. Him being grounded meant they wouldn't be able to spend any alone time together which bothered her to no end.
"Taylor, are you okay?" asked Chad quietly.
"Yeah I'm good, just really concerned about Gabriella…you know" said Taylor.
"Yeah I'm worried about her too" said Chad, "I couldn't get much rest last night".
"Me either" responded Taylor as they settled in onto the porch.
Mr. Danforth walked up to the door and rang the bell. After a few minutes, a groggy Jack Bolton opened up the door and was clearly shocked about who was standing on the porch, "Wow guys you're here early" said Coach Bolton yawning.
"Yeah the Mrs. was really concerned, so was the young brood" said Mr. Danforth nodding his head back to Chad and Taylor and the bush twins.
Coach Bolton shook his head in understanding as he stood aside to let the Danforth family in, "Make yourselves at home, while I go wake up Troy, Gabriella and Rosa" he said.
Everyone situated themselves in the living room. The twins turned on the television to the cartoons while Chad laid himself out on one of the sofas. The oldest Danforth sat down as he began to massage his temples; he knew it was going to be a long day, while Taylor sat next to him and leaned back on the couch.
"Hey Jack, do you mind if I use your kitchen to start breakfast?" asked Mrs. Danforth.
"Of course not Debra, that place hasn't had a woman's touch in quite sometime" he responded. Taylor's ears perked up immediately and she begun taking an interest in a small string hanging out of the couch. "Sorry Taylor…I didn't mean anything by that" said Jack quickly.
"I know Coach" responded Taylor quietly, not looking in his direction.
"Hey Jack we bought some clothes over for Gabriella and Rosa" said Mr. Danforth breaking the awkwardness.
"Ah great, I didn't have much here for them here. I was just gonna ask your wife would she mind shopping for them if I gave her some money. I don't know much about the apparel of ladies" he chuckled.
"Yeah that should be cool Jack. I definitely will pitch in with some funds" said Mr. Danforth.
"Alrighty…Debra you know where the kitchen is, I'm gonna go up and wake everyone up" said Coach Bolton.
Taylor watched as Coach Bolton went upstairs. She instinctively started to shake her leg out of nervousness for both Troy and Gabriella.
"Hey baby girl…everything's going to be okay" said Mr. Danforth.
"I know dad…I'm still really worried though" she said continuing to play with the string.
"Dad?!" said Chad sitting up, "when did that happen?" he asked raising his eyebrow.
"Uh…last night son" said the older Danforth. "You don't have a problem with her calling me that do you?" he asked. Stephen noticed the twins turn around and look at the impending conversation.
Chad thought about what he said before speaking, "No…not really. It just sounds a little weird coming from Tay, you know she did use to be my ex dad" said Chad smirking.
"Yeah I know, but I think she's been more like a sister to you longer than she was your girlfriend" said Mr. Danforth smiling.
"True…so true" said Chad knowingly.
"What about you boys, you guys care if Taylor calls me dad, and mom, mom?" asked Mr. Danforth.
"Does this mean she gets in trouble just like we do?" asked Chauncey the oldest twin.
"Sure" said Taylor laughing sitting up.
"Then we're cool with it!" said Calvin the youngest twin turning his attention back to the cartoon. Mr. Danforth just laughed out loud, "So it's all settled…all we have to do is get your dad to sign those adoption papers and you can officially move on with you life baby girl" he said Mr. Danforth kissing Taylor on the forehead.
"Yeah that's easier said than done" she said getting up. "I'm gonna check to see if Mrs. Danforth…I mean mom needs some help in the kitchen" said Taylor quietly as she left the living room.
"Hey champ…you sure you're okay with this?" asked Mr. Danforth looking at his son's laying figure.
"Yeah dad, I'm totally cool with it…it was just a little unexpected is all, but I'm happy that she's finally settling down with us, she needs the stability…just like Gabriella and her mom now" said Chad.
"You're right about that one son, you're so right" said Mr. Danforth looking at the stairs.
Jack Bolton was in front of his only son's door waiting for him to answer it after several knocks. Troy finally opened it up still half asleep with his hair all over his head, "What's up dad?" asked Troy yawing and scratching the back of his head.
"The Danforths are downstairs. They're here to see Rosa and Gabriella…how bout you wake Gabriella up, you know from your bed" said Jack knowingly.
"Dad, I can explain…" started Troy.
"Don't worry about it" he said cutting him off, "just know you added an extra week to your punishment". Jack turned around and walked down the hall to go and wake up Rosa. Troy starred at the back at his fathers head and had a strong sudden urge to go and kick him in the back of it, but he thought better of it. He turned back to his room and looked at a sleeping Gabriella. She actually looked really peaceful but he knew he had to wake her up and get her downstairs with the Danforths. A bright smile suddenly spread across his face as he realized that Taylor would be downstairs…and he knew in that instant that spending the night with Taylor was worth being grounded for three weeks.
Troy walked over and lightly shook Gabriella so she could wake up. She stirred in her sleep slightly but turned back over and cuddled deeper into the bed.
Troy walked over to his window and opened the curtains widely. "Gaby…c'mon you have to wake up" said Troy shaking her again. He heard her moan aloud, and saw as she blinked her eyes open. She sat straight up while breathing hard, "Where am I?" she stammered out.
"You're at my house…remember" said Troy quietly.
Realization crept onto her face as she remembered running out of her burning house and watching everything go up in flames, "Oh my goodness…the fire" she said as tears started to form in her eyes. "Where is my mom?" she questioned concernedly.
"Don't worry Gabriella" responded Troy as he took to rubbing her back, "she's in the guest room. I only woke you up so early because the Danforths are here…you know Taylor and Chad are really worried about you" said Troy quietly. "How about you shower and get dressed, you can wear some of my clothes until we get you some new ones" he said.
Gabriella just looked out of the window as she was still trying to accept the situation she found herself in.
"Gaby?" said Troy quietly.
"I heard you Troy…I'm gonna get ready right now" she said standing up and heading towards his bathroom. She turned around and grabbed Troy into a big hug, "Thanks for everything" she whispered.
"No problem, don't worry about anything." said Troy giving her a tight squeeze. The former couple stayed hugging in the middle of the floor for sometime; unbeknownst to them they had a visitor a Troy's door.
"Troy…Gabriella?" they both heard someone say, breaking up their little hug session. "Taylor" squealed Gabriella as she ran over to give Taylor a hug, "Thank you so much for coming here" said Gabriella squeezing her best friend tightly.
"Yeah no problem" replied Taylor returning the hug. She eyed Troy in clear confusion, searching for some type of answer to explain what she just saw. Troy just shook his head trying to come up with a way to explain everything to Taylor without letting Gabriella know that they're dating.
"I just bought some clothes up…my mom said you didn't have anything so I bought some of my stuff over" said Taylor quietly pulling away from Gabriella, "I checked the guest room but nobody was in there so I came in here" said Taylor quietly.
"Aww thanks Tay, I was just about to shower and get dressed in some of Troy's really big clothes. This is a life saver, I swear if it hasn't been for Troy or you I don't know what I would do right now" said Gabriella quietly while she tried to choke down some tears.
"Don't worry about it, I'm just glad you're safe" said Taylor quietly hugging Gabriella again.
"Yeah me too, but I just feel so lost right now" responded Gabriella.
"Well you have your friends here Gaby" said Troy, "you're not alone in this" he said hoping Taylor would catch onto his subtle hint.
"Yeah Troy's right" said Taylor letting Gabriella go again, "how bout you go get ready…my mom is downstairs cooking breakfast for everyone" said Taylor.
"You're mom?!" said Gabriella smiling.
"Not my biologic mom…Mrs. Danforth. They're adopting me so I figure I get into the habit of calling them mom and dad" said Taylor smirking.
"So your ex-boyfriend is now your brother" laughed Gabriella, "weird" she said turning towards the bathroom. "I guess I'll see you guys downstairs" said Gabriella closing the bathroom door.
"Sure" said Troy quietly. There was an awkward silence between Taylor and Troy, "Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes" said Taylor turning around to leave. Troy ran over to her in a few steps and grabbed her into a big hug from behind, which Taylor tried to fight but couldn't.
"Nothing happened" said Troy holding her tightly, "She was upset last night and I was just being a friend. She couldn't get to sleep Taylor…I didn't want her to stay in my room but she was so upset last night, I didn't have the heart to turn her away" spoke Troy quickly.
Taylor turned and starred at Troy searching his eyes for the truth…but she saw nothing but sincerity in them, and she couldn't stay mad. Every time she looked into his baby blue eyes her heart always melted. She sighed heavily and lowered her head; "You can't blame me for being mad" said Taylor quietly looking down as Troy still held her.
"I don't Tay, and I'm sorry…I never want you to be upset because of something I did, but Gabriella is my past…you can't hold that against me. You're my future and all I think about. I don't hold the fact that you dated Chad against you" said Troy.
"You're right I shouldn't be mad because you were trying to be a good friend…but I can't help but be a little jealous when I see you with her Troy, this is something I'm going to have to work through okay. Like what if I was in the same circumstance with Chad, you wouldn't be a little jealous?" asked Taylor laying her head on his shoulder.
"Of course I would Tay, but you have to know I was just being a friend just like if I saw the same with you and Chad" said Troy softly, tightening his grip, "You have to trust me McKessie" he said softly.
"I'm trying Troy…I really am but my trust in the human race has been shattered this past year" said Taylor holding on to him. Troy felt himself breath with a sigh of relief. He was happy that Taylor understood that nothing happened but he was also happy that she could finally say what she was feeling with out probing or prodding it out of her. He realized that her fears were also his fears because they both been through the ringer this year.
A cough at the door tore both of them out of their self made comfort zone, "Taylor! Mrs. Danforth is looking for you downstairs. She wants you to help set up for breakfast" said Coach Bolton sternly not looking at either one of them. Taylor immediately broke away from Troy and turned quickly towards the door. Her mouth hung ajar as she looked at an aggravated Coach Bolton. Troy just started to fume in the spot he was standing in, the back of his neck turning red.
"Coach Bolton, Troy and I…" started Taylor before she saw Coach Bolton's hand in the air.
"Save it Taylor. All three of us will discuss this on Monday. Right now you both need to be downstairs helping set up for breakfast" he said walking away from the door, anger clearly written all over his face.
Taylor looked at Troy in disbelief, she couldn't believe that their secret was known by Troy's father and it showed on her face. Troy just shook his head, his father was being a total jerk and it felt like he couldn't do anything about it. "Troy what are we gonna do?" asked Taylor.
"I don't know Tay" said Troy shrugging his shoulders, "He's been a total jerk since last night. I guess the only thing we can do is just meet with him and try to explain our side…our love" said Troy quietly as he reached up and rubbed Taylor's back soothingly.
Taylor shook her head in understanding as she made her way to the door, "I guess I better help or he's gonna be back up here again" said Taylor quietly as she headed out of Troy's room. "I love you Taylor" said Troy quietly.
"I love you too Troy" she said as she smirked slightly and walked out of the door. Troy turned immediately and fell back on his bed. He knew the rest of the day was going to be very long and he was hoping that it wouldn't be as stressful as the night before and this morning.
Troy found himself sitting around the crowded breakfast table stuffing his face full of good food prepared by Mrs. Danforth. He hadn't had good cooking like this since his mom made her untimely exit…come to think of it; the house hadn't been this full since his mother's absence. He could tell his father was enjoying the food as much as he was. He glanced at Taylor who was sitting next to her newly "coined" father and she was having a conversation with one of the twins.
He looked at Gabriella who was braving a slight smile at Mrs. Danforth but he knew she was in a lot of pain. He could see it in her eyes, Ms. Rosa's as well.
A peaceful silence broke around the table as the look of contentment fell upon mostly everyone but Chad who was still filling his plate up with his mom's cooking.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for everything" said Ms. Rosa. "My daughter and I will be forever grateful for your kindness…Jack, Stephen, and Debra I don't know when but I promise I will pay you back for everything; food, clothing and shelter…"
"Don't worry about any of that Rosa" said Mr. Danforth cutting her off. "You're like family and when something happens we all take care of family".
"Stephen's right Rosa" said Jack, "You and Gabriella don't have to worry about anything. You guys can stay here as long as you need to…there's no rush. Troy and I don't mind at all" said Coach Bolton seriously.
"That's right" interjected Troy, "This house feels like a home again…it's my dad's and my honor to have you guys here".
"Thank you so much…you don't know how much this means to Gabriella and me" said Rosa near tears.
"Some how I think we do" said Debra hugging Rosa. Taylor shook her head in agreement as she reached her hand across the table and grasped Gabriella's giving her a tight squeeze and reassurance.
"Well now that that's settled, I hear you basketball stars have a big week at school coming up" said Mr. Danforth.
"Yeah team pictures and two potential playoff teams this week" said Chad.
"Then winter break…finally" said Taylor smiling.
"I know you guys are happy about that" said Debra as she started to clear the table. Gabriella got up to help but Mrs. Danforth motioned her back into her seat.
"I know I am" said Troy, "it's been a hard year".
"Well it's gonna be a hard break for you too son" said Coach Bolton. Troy looked at his father quizzically.
"Your mother phoned and she informed me that she wanted your first visit to be during the holidays" said Coach Bolton quietly.
"What?!" yelled Troy standing up out of his chair, in clear shock. "I'm not going!" he said shaking his head furiously. The table became eerily quiet as Mr. Danforth ushered the twins back into the living room to watch some more television. Mrs. Danforth stop cleaning the table off as the intensity in the room rose a hundred degrees.
"You have no choice Troy; these are the demands of the divorce. Your mother wants to see you and I can't keep denying it and putting it off. I've done that for awhile now…if I keep it up, I'm going to be in court in front of a judge soon" said his father calmly.
Troy's breathing had intensified. He really wanted to tell his father that the only reason he was being sent away is because his father found out about him and Taylor and he was being a total prick about the entire situation. But he couldn't do that without outing their whole relationship to everyone in the house. He glanced at Taylor quickly and he could tell in her eyes that she wanted him to stay calm.
"This isn't fair…I shouldn't have to go if I don't want to" said Troy through gritted teeth.
"Life isn't fair son" said Coach Bolton getting out of his chair and walking over to Troy, "If it was my wife wouldn't have left me for another man and be pregnant right now but she is. And now she's taking my only child away from me for the holidays, but it's nothing I can do to change this…you have to go" he said quietly putting his hand on his son's shoulder. Troy quickly shrugged it off and moved away from his father. The way he was feeling right now he was liable to blow up at any minute.
"Troy I know you're upset but you might not be alone" said Mr. Danforth. Troy looked up at Chad's father in clear confusion. "Taylor, Kevin called yesterday and requested your presence for the holidays also".
"Oh hell no" said Taylor shaking her head. "Taylor watch your language" said Debra quickly.
"I'm sorry…but I can't ….I won't go there. I have nothing to say to that man" said Taylor angrily.
"Look Taylor, Troy's going to be there too. Maybe the both of you can help each other through this. Maybe this will help in your therapy sessions and to help you guys to finally move on" said Mr. Danforth soothingly to Taylor and Troy.
"How will being in the same room as the man who destroyed my whole life help anything?!" yelled Taylor. "I'm not like Troy…I don't have to go!"
It was apparent to Troy that neither one of them was thinking as a couple but like the two kids who had been damaged beyond belief in the beginning of the year.
"Taylor you can get him to sign the adoption papers by going" said Debra quietly rubbing Taylor's back. "I know you don't want to go honey but I think this is necessary for both you and Troy" she said as she watched tears fall down Taylor's face. Troy saw the tears also and it took everything in his system not to run over there and embrace Taylor in his arms.
Taylor couldn't understand how everyone saw this as a positive thing. All she felt was an impending doom coming in the horizon and it seemed to her that only she and Troy could see it.
AN: This chapter is kind of slow but necessary for the story. Hope you guys like it leave plenty of reviews or suggestions.