Full disclaimer: I own nothing regarding High School Musical. Also, sincere apologies for the wait, and let me warn you this chapter skips around a lot so I'm sorry if it gets confusing!

…

"Everything is so different than I thought it would be," Sharpay said to her mother. The two of them sat in Sharpay's dark bedroom, after getting Celeste back to sleep.

"I'm serious. I didn't things could ever be this good. Troy's exactly who I always thought he was. He's kind and loving. He's such a great father," she sighed.

They went out as a family this night, the three of them. An evening picnic on the lawn of Lava Springs; the night air was calm and silent. No cars, no loud voices, only the sounds of nature. It was perfect.

Troy brought turkey sandwiches for them, and cold applesauce for the teething Celeste. She was seven months old, and every time Sharpay looked into her eyes she saw Troy. Troy always said the same about Sharpay.

"I thought at first already having Celeste things would go fast but they really haven't. He's been so patient, at first with the depression and now with school. I didn't think he'd be here like he is."

"Well you two should have equal responsibility as far as school and activities. The theatre isn't any less important than basketball. That's how both of you are getting into college."

"We know, Mom," Sharpay said hearing the judgment in her mother's voice. She wasn't mad, she knew her mother was only trying to defend her but she didn't need to.

"It worked out really well though. I mean I'm not ready to leave Celeste right now any more than I have to. I can wait for the spring musical, I don't mind."

The arrangement was practical and actually simple. Sharpay would take care of Celeste after school during basketball season and Troy would take care of Celeste in the spring so that Sharpay could do her senior show. Celeste would always be with one of her parents and both of them could still do what they loved.

"I just want it to be fair," her mother said. "I don't like seeing you up here in your room all the time while Troy still gets to go out and play with his friends."

"And next semester I'll get to go out and play with my friends, it is fair. Mom, this is my life now and I don't regret any of it."

"I know me either, I'm sorry," she said quickly. "It's just that…well, you're still a kid to me. And you've lost a lot and sacrificed a lot."

"But I'm happy," Sharpay smiled thinking about the baby sleeping in the room next to hers. And she hadn't sacrificed much she felt. Did her mom not realize how blessed she was? With an amazing boyfriend and the most beautiful and perfect daughter? She didn't have to worry about money or someone to watch Celeste during school. So she missed out on the fall musical, big deal.

"I love you," Darby said getting up and kissing Sharpay's forehead, something she never used to do. Becoming a mom made them so much closer. They never talked before, they never acknowledged each other's presence. They barely knew each other and now they talked every day. Another wonderful thing Celeste was responsible for. She was nothing but a blessing.

"Good night," they said to each other. Just as she left the room Sharpay's phone vibrated.

I love you. Thank you for being the best mother to my child and I can't wait to see your beautiful face tomorrow morning.

Troy's corny texts. He was so romantic and she just wasn't anymore.

Love you too. I'm going to bed. You should too. I gave Sissy a kiss good night for you.

She rolled the covers down and climbed into bed. Yes, she was very blessed and no, she didn't deserve it. How did she end up with both of them? How could a mean girl like her make such an angel of a baby? One thing was for sure, Celeste was changing her. She was much softer and more compassionate, to everyone-even the freshmen. Kelsi…good grief Kelsi. On the first day of school Kelsi's timid eyes squinted when Sharpay greeted her friendly. It was like she thought it was a trap. But when Sharpay was nice all throughout home room and lunch, she finally realized that it was a completely different Sharpay.

And sure people talked. They talked about what had happened earlier that year but Sharpay didn't care. She forgave them, she would've done the same thing. She had Troy, he stood up to his friends when the whole thing first happened.

"I told them that if they wouldn't accept you then I couldn't be their friend anymore." And they all accepted her. When she went back to school she expected to hear something rude or hurtful, but she never did. They were as nice to her as if she was their friend all of those years.

Things were going well. She was happy. Not because she was rich and had stuff other people couldn't afford, she was happy because she had friends and family. For the first time.

…

Troy looked down through the glass frame in the jewelry department. He was totally out of his mind, she would never say yes to him, not when they hadn't even graduated. Besides, he couldn't afford anything that was good enough for Sharpay. The ring she would want would probably cost as much as his car. He honestly couldn't tell a difference between a $500 ring and a $5,000 ring, but good lord Sharpay definitely would, and he wanted it to be perfect.

"Looking for something special, son?" the older jewelry clerk asked smiling.

"Yes, but I don't know if she will like what I pick out."

"Well here," she said bending down and pulling out her keys to unlock. Her arm reached into a hidden compartment behind the counter and she pulled out a display of rings. They were all beautiful.

"This is my personal collection of favorites. Do you know her ring size?"

He reached into his pocket and laid a ring of Sharpay's on the counter. "I swiped this when she wasn't looking."

"That's a six, okay well if you pick out one you like, we can order it for you and it'll arrive sometime within the next two weeks."

"Okay he said," beginning to inspect each one. Many had square cut diamonds, he liked those. Then there were some that were circle cut with little crystals all around.

Then there was one that caught his eye.

It was the most beautiful one. It screamed "Sharpay." He picked it up and rotated it in every direction. The little diamonds around the band were truly beautiful, but what he thought was cool was the way the band looked like it had been braided. And the braids wrapped up into the top where the large diamond sat.

This was it.

"I think this is the one," he said laying it down in front of the lady. She nodded and picked it up.

"This is my favorite," she said beginning to work on the computer. Troy watched her type in the information as he gave it to her.

"And you know you can make payments on this?"

"No I didn't, but that's a relief," he said. He had very little money put away, the last thing he could afford was a ring like this.

"So how long have you been with your lady?"

"Not long, less than a year." He expected the lady to sigh or make some kind of gesture at the quick engagement.

"That's not too bad, I've met people here who have known each other for days. Or less…"

"We have a baby together, also," Troy added. The lady smiled while still concentrating on the computer.

"You got a little boy or a little girl?"

"A little girl. We're pretty young but she's the best thing that's ever happened to us. I don't know what I would do without her or her mom." Talking about them almost brought Troy to tears, they were his whole life. The lady continued to listen through nods and smiles.

"I hope it stays this way for you forever, young man," she said finishing up the order.

"I do too," he said.

Sharpay was in a deep slumber. Her eyelids barely moved even though she could hear the voice saying her name.

"Sharpay," she felt something tapping on her arm. Her eyes opened to Lucille leaning over her, she was in Celeste's bed.

"What time is it?" she shot out of bed quickly. "I've got to get Celeste to school!"

"Grandpa already took her, it's alright. We knew how tired you were."

"I don't even remember leaving Troy's room last night."

Lucille sat down next to the awake Sharpay. Both ladies leaned in toward each other for a hug.

"You've done a really good job with her. We're all so proud of you." Sharpay squeezed the woman who was almost her mother, and in her heart, she was. God they were good grandparents. They were so good to both of them. Whenever she needed them, it didn't matter the hour or the day. They were always there and they would put the entire world on hold for them.

"There's no way I could do it without any of you." Sharpay hid her face in her hands. She heard Lucille ask, "I'm going to pick up some lunch, do you want me to bring you back something?"

She looked at the clock, it was eleven. She needed to go home and shower. Or clean, or do something.

"I need to go home. I should clean before it's time to pick up Celeste, you know her, you can't get the house done with a six year old." The older woman smiled sadly. Sharpay walked right past Troy's room on her way out, not looking in for anything. She couldn't handle it right now.

"Thank you," she told her as she stepped out of the beautiful family home. Celeste's father's home.

"I love you, sweetie," Lucille said grabbing her and kissing her cheek.

"I love you, too," Sharpay whispered over her shoulder.

Was Celeste lucky to have her as a mother? Like she was with Darby? Like Troy was with Lucille? Did Celeste get screwed on this one? She often wondered about how much she deserved Celeste. It was a joke, she didn't. She didn't deserve one bit of her and yet, she came from her…from both of them? How in the world could an angel like Celeste come out of all of that?

She often wondered.

"Sissy? Where's Sissy?" Troy giggled behind the corner of the chair. Sharpay recorded the event on her camera.

"Celeste, Celeste," Sharpay called. With her focus on the lens her hand still waved rapidly at the cheerful one year old who was stomping her chubby feet around the living room. She was giggling and squealing so loudly as her daddy peeked his head out from behind the furniture. Oh she was so happy.

She set the camera on the table where all three of them could be captured.

"Let her walk to me, Troy!" the young mother said, and Troy picked up the Pepsi and handed it to Sharpay while little bright eyes followed the exchange. She went straight to her mother, who was holding the Pepsi.

"One sip," Sharpay said and pulled the can away when she heard Celeste's lips smack. She passed the can of Pepsi back to Troy before Celeste could see.

"Mwah!" she said over exaggerating her kisses all over the baby girl. "Kiss, kiss, kiss because I love you so much," she said pulling her into her arms for the tickles that they both loved dearly. Celeste's laughs were so loud they were almost screams.

"Let's get Mommy," Troy said sneaking up on her. And he pinned Sharpay on the carpet and put Celeste on top of her chest. His fingers dug into the sides of her stomach and she squealed just as loudly as Celeste was.

"No, Troy, stop, I can't take it!" she screamed with the hugest smile on her face. "I give, I give!"

"What do you think Celeste do you think Mommy's had enough," he said with clenched teeth and trying not to laugh.

Sharpay struggled to breathe she was laughing so hard, "You'll be sorry, Troy!" she hollered. After what seemed like eternity Troy finally let her break free of his amusement as he was laughing too hard himself.

She sat up with Celeste who had resorted to pulling her long curly blonde hair.

"Yeah just you wait, Troy Bolton. Your time is coming soon…"

"I'm sorry, Shar," he smiled evilly. Sharpay took deep breaths in an attempt to catch her breath. Her stomach was so sore and if it weren't for the baby girl in her arms, she would've tackled Troy long ago. This was her favorite time. These moments were the best, and she knew that she would have to save them in her heart because one day Celeste would be all grown. It was depressing when she really thought about it. She took a moment to save this moment because one day it would be a memory.

But at this moment, there was only really one thing left to say. She pulled Celeste up to her face and kissed her flushed red cheeks,

"Let's get Daddy…"

…

That night they put Celeste to bed together.

And then they retreated to Sharpay's room. Their hands made their way to one another, his strong hands, and her soft grasp. Troy closed the door with his foot as Sharpay was pulling him to the bed.

Sharpay let her purse fall to the floor as soon as she walked through the door. She would have to go pick Celeste up from school in a few hours, she needed a shower. She didn't want to shower though, she just wanted to go back. If she could go back in time and talk to her teenage self, she would tell her to do so many things differently. Like, don't be afraid to let other people help. Don't argue about the stupid stuff. Say what you mean. Make hugs longer. Don't be afraid to love yourself.

Her lips parted, and instead of a scream or a cry coming out, something soft and delicate did.

"Suddenly I am center stage, suddenly I am not afraid, suddenly I believe again in the blink of an eye. My dreams begin to reign." The song came out of her so easily. It was strange because she never sang anymore, only when Celeste begged her to. She actually surprised herself.

"I want to say love me for me what's inside, I'm gonna be positive, not run away, so much for you, this is my life," she sang to herself as she looked for the video tape. She needed to see them together. She needed to hear Troy's voice right now like she needed the air.

She searched for half an hour before realizing that it was probably still at her parent's house. She didn't take much stuff from her high school years with her when she had moved. She had watched videos of them over and over and over. She hated basketball, and she had watched every game of Troy's a million times. It was when Celeste started to talk that she quit watching those videos, because she couldn't stand to hear Celeste scream "Daddy!" every time Troy's face appeared on the screen. It made her feel like a piece of shit mom.

She closed her eyes. Love yourself, she said inside. Love you because Celeste loves you.

Celeste, school. Go take a shower.

"Suddenly I am in front of the lights…"

...

Rubbish chapter, sorry it wasn't very long. Hopefully next time it won't take me as long to update! I also appreciate the reviews, extremely. P.S. I can't wait until this story is finished. XO!