Taking Chances: Ch.1

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I do not own high school musical.

She groaned and tightly shut her eyes, rolling over under the sheets.

A soft touch made her smile. Slowly, she lifted her head.

Her eyes landed on a pair of bright blue ones.

“Good morning.” She mumbled, pushing her lips onto Troy’s.

“Hello there.” Troy grinned as the two pulled apart; “I hope you didn’t lose too much sleep because of-” He pressed his lips to hers, “Last night’s activities?” he finished with a whisper.

Gabriella giggled as they kissed once more.

“Of course not.”

Troy grinned as he watched Gabriella slip out of the bed sheets and pull a white robe over her naked body.

Gabriella turned and winked at Troy before disappearing into the joined bathroom.

Gabriella turned the shower on, the hot nozzle twisted all the way to the opposite side.

She allowed the steam to fill the room.

Gabriella’s mind flooded with thoughts. She couldn’t help but think of her and Troy’s relationship, and how since she’d given herself to him, how often they slept together.

Gabriella cleared off a spot of the steam covered mirror.

“Two more months” She told herself, “two more months and you’ll be Mrs. Bolton.”

Gabriella smiled; it had a nice ring to it.

She sighed as she stepped into the shower, the hot water hitting her body.

Moments later, Gabriella heard Troy come into the room, humming.

Gabriella giggled, all negative thoughts vanishing, “Yes?” She replied as she ran her hands through her wet hair.

When Troy didn’t reply, Gabriella wiped her eyes under the water; she opened them once she turned around.

Troy abruptly opened the shower curtain and allowed himself inside.

He bumped straight into her.

“Oh,” he looked at her innocently, “I didn’t know you were in here…” He smirked.

“Troy.” Gabriella said sternly, “We have to be leaving for work in two hours.” She reminded him, however a small smile played her lips.

Troy nodded as he did a once over on her body, “Did you not want some company?” He asked, taking a step closer.

Gabriella sighed as Troy continued closer; their chests were now pressed together. She moaned softly as he ran a hand up her thigh.

“Troy…” She groaned, feeling his hands pulling her closer.

“Gabriella…” Troy mocked, tilting her chin up towards him.

Gabriella tried to look upset, but she was doing a horrible job.

“All you have to say is no.” Troy said loosening his grip.

Gabriella rolled her eyes as she slid her arms around his neck, “Ten minutes.” She told him sternly.

Troy grinned, “We’ve been faster…”

“Shut up.” Gabriella laughed as her lips found his.

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Gabriella raced into her office; she’d never been late before.

“Ms. Montez!” A young blonde appeared at her side, passing her a mocha latte.

“Good morning Marcy.” Gabriella replied, gratefully accepting the coffee.

“Mr. Lawrence is in your office…”She said slowly.

Gabriella stopped abruptly and gave her a sharp look, “Why.” She harshly questioned; reassuming her quickened pace.

Marcy shrugged, “Something about a meeting…” she replied, dismissing it with a wave of her hand.

Gabriella mentally cursed herself, “That had to be this morning…” She mumbled.

Marcy remained quiet as the two continued walking.

“I…um…I left your new case files on your desk.” Marcy said finally.

Gabriella nodded as she took a sip of her mocha.

Marcy stopped walking as she reached her cubicle, “Call me if you need anything else Gabriella.”

“I will thanks!” Gabriella replied, jogging to her door. Outside the oak door, she paused. Inhaling, and then exhaling, Gabriella patted down her rushed hair. She closed her eyes and took in a refreshing deep breath.

She reached forward and twisted the doorknob.

“Sorry I’m late Robb, I-” Gabriella stopped talking.

That’s when she noticed that it wasn’t just her boss, Robb Lawrence, standing before her. There was a dark woman as well. She wore a warm smile across her face. However, in her arms, was a small infant girl.

Gabriella must have shown confusion, because immediately, her boss spoke.

“Uh, Gabriella.” He paused, “This is Meredith Young…”

Gabriella nodded.

“She’s a social worker…”

“Okay…why is she in my office? Pediatrics are in the other building…”

Gabriella scrunched her brow.

“Um, Miss Montez…” Ms. Young spoke softly.

Gabriella listened.

“Are you the cousin of a…Veronica Hernandez?”

Gabriella nodded, “Yes. Veronica is my father’s half-sister’s daughter…I hardly knew her…” Gabriella noted.

Ms. Young nodded, “Well…whether you did or not, Ms. Hernandez died two days ago…”

Gabriella’s eyes widened as a hand flew to her mouth; she gasped.

“No, I had no idea.”

Ms. Young nodded again, her eyes holding sympathy, “And…you are in her will…”

Gabriella’s expression changed once again, “I am?”

“Yes…she left you a few things that held importance to her. She made it very clear that these…” Ms. Young searched for the right words, “Items, be given to you immediately. And since Ms. Hernandez lived in Chicago, this was as soon as we could reach you.”

Ms. Young paused.

As she did, Gabriella felt a tension building in the room. Her suspicion began growing, “What exactly did my cousin leave me?”

Ms. Young cleared her throat, “Ms. Montez, this is Jade…Veronica’s daughter.”

Gabriella felt a stir of emotions erupt inside her. That poor baby girl would probably never know her mother. What a tragic beginning to a life.

“She was at a local daycare the day of the accident…”

Gabriella nodded, tears forming in her eyes. She looked at the dark haired infant. A sharp pain tugged at her heart.

Ms. Young paused, “Ms. Montez, according to the will Ms. Hernandez wrote…you are the sole guardian of Jade Evelyn Hernandez.”

Gabriella’s eyes flashed directly to Ms. Young, the color slowly draining away from her cheeks, “I’m what?” She asked, not believing what the woman told her.

“Jade is now under your guardianship…” Ms. Young repeated.

Gabriella looked back at Jade, the small, helpless baby, who’d just lost the most important person in her life, and would probably never even remember.

Gabriella bit her lip; she and Troy had never discussed children. Sure, she figured they’d have them in their own time, but this, this she wasn’t sure about.

“Ms. Montez,” Meredith Young began, “I understand that this is such a shock but…” Her eyes were troubled, “I knew Veronica on a personal level and…” She looked back to Gabriella, her eyes pleading, “You have to take her. You were the only name she put on the paper…”

Gabriella felt herself beginning to tear up.

True, she never knew Veronica, but she was family none the less. And this baby, Jade, Gabriella was her only hope.

Gabriella shut her eyes, “Okay.” She said simply. Her eyes re opened and she looked at Meredith, “I’ll take the baby.”

Meredith smiled. She stood as she held the baby to her chest.

Gabriella walked to her and lightly hugged the woman.

Meredith exhaled, and looked down at Jade. “She’s a good baby.” She nodded.

Gabriella looked down at her, Jade’s peculiar green eyes staring back at her.

“Her eyes!” Gabriella exclaimed.

Ms. Young gave a small laugh, “Yes…from her father…” Her eyes drifted towards the ground.

“What happened to him?” Gabriella asked softly.

Ms. Young shook her head, “He isn’t…wasn’t, a part of Veronica’s life…”

Gabriella nodded; she placed a loving hand on Meredith’s arm.

Meredith smiled, “Well, here…” She said, passing Jade into Gabriella’s arms.

Gabriella re adjusted, she brushed a finger over the girl’s cheek.

Ms. Young nodded, “I’m not worried about her anymore. For some reason, I have a good feeling about you Ms. Montez, I think Jade will be just fine.” She smiled and began walking to the door.

Suddenly, she stopped. She patted her pockets, then as she felt something; Ms. Young turned back to Gabriella.

“Oh, this is yours, before I forget…” Meredith outstretched her hand, holding a folded up piece of paper.

Gabriella reached her free hand out and grasped it; she looked at Ms. Young, a questioning look upon her face.

“I think she wanted you to read it…” Meredith said unsurely, allowing a shrug to come across her formal body.

Gabriella nodded, shoving it into her suit pocket.

“My number is in her file. At the end of the month, I will be sending you her biological papers, and then, we can sign your name as her lawful caregiver.” Meredith turned and stuck her hand out. Gabriella completed the motion hers, the two shook hands.

“Until then Ms. Montez.” Ms. Young said finally.

Gabriella nodded, and Meredith Young vanished from the office.

Gabriella was distraught; so many things came to her mind. How would she take care of this baby! She didn’t even know the slightest things about babies, let alone being a mother.

“Since you haven’t used any of your vacation days…” Mr. Lawrence cut in, “I’m giving them to you now, so you can fit her into your lifestyle.” He said, somewhat forcefully.

“But I do hope to see you back in a few weeks.”

Gabriella nodded as she began to sway, “Of course.”

Mr. Lawrence smiled, “Good. You can work from home. I’ll expect nothing but perfect from you Gabriella.”

Gabriella nodded again, “I wouldn’t give you any less.”

“Good.” Mr. Lawrence said again, before walking out of her office.

Gabriella sighed as she looked down at the baby in her arms.

“Where do I even begin?”

A/N: NEW STORY!!

yay!

lol, i decided to post this now...because when people review, it makes me want to type the next chapter faster...so, therefore, i'm posting it now!

this is a completely new idea, so i'm hoping you guys will enjoy it!!

review!?