Troy waited outside of the exit door of the theater, playing with the velvet box he had decided to modify and give to Gabriella now as it had always been meant to be given to her, even now after all these years that had passed. Instead of flowers that would die in a week or more if he was lucky, Troy had decided to add something to the gift that was intended to be their one year anniversary gift and present it to her tonight, on opening night. While Troy continued to lean against a wall across from the pair of doors of the theater, Troy thought back to the performance tonight and couldn't help but feel his heart constrict again as he recalled the tears that flowed down Gabriella's cheeks, tears that were not there on the sneak peek night. He also recalled the almost suffocating feel of jealousy when he had looked up from his seat in the middle of the theater to see Patrick sitting with Gabriella's family in the royal box.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Troy pushed it all aside, forcing himself to realize again that no matter who else was present and what their intentions were, Gabriella and his relationship would only be as strong as they made it. 'I'd do anything for that woman.'
Moments later though, Troy wasn't so sure as the doors opened to reveal Gabriella leaving with her hand tucked into Patrick's arm as he escorted her out. Gone was the confidence that filled Troy moments before about his relationship and his love for Gabriella, only to be replaced with a green eyed monster called Envy and a deflated hope that he really stood a chance against someone like Patrick, who clearly had the approval of her family.
He continued to watch as Gabriella left with Patrick, followed closely by Paul and some other security team members. Troy's blue eyes were so trained on the couple that he didn't see Chris spot him and approach him after talking to Chris's own family and friends. Feeling a heavy yet comforting hand on his shoulder, Troy nearly jumped out of his skin until he saw Chris slightly smirking at him. "Hey man, great job tonight," Troy got out, trying to recover from his thoughts only moments before.
"Thanks but I sense my partner was more distressed about something else although her performance didn't suffer for it. Did you two have a fight or something?" asked Chris, also watching Gabriella get into Patrick's car with his assistance before Patrick got into the driver's side and drive off. "Ella seemed really heartbroken tonight over something."
Troy shook his head. "It wasn't me, at least that I know of. Everything was fine when she left the basketball lunch today with the team. Could she maybe be waiting to tell me she's decided on him, on Patrick?"
"I highly doubt that Troy. If nothing else, I have learned that Gabriella truly does love you and whoever and whatever is in her heart stays with her for the rest of her life. Whatever it is, Ella will tell us when she is ready. Hey, you wanna come out with me and some of my buddies?" offered Chris.
"Nah, thanks man. I just, I think I better just spend the night reflecting at home. I'd only bum you out if I went out with you," returned Troy, knowing that if he went out that he would for sure bring down the spirits of any people around him.
Chris shrugged his shoulders. "All right, your call. Have a good night Troy."
"Night and congratulations again!" replied Troy, a smile on his face that quickly dropped after Chris left. Troy sighed as he reached into his pocket and felt the velvet box, shoving it down further in while he grabbed his keys before heading to his car.
Troy awoke to sounds coming from his kitchen, puzzling him a great deal as he lived alone while it alarmed him only a little for some reason. After wiping some of the sleep out of his eyes, Troy swung his legs around and got up to his feet, slowly padding towards the noise, a grin forming on his face as he saw the girl of his dreams in the kitchen, hurriedly trying to prepare what looked like breakfast. Troy leaned his shoulder against the archway to the kitchen and smirked as Gabriella successfully flipped what looked like a buttermilk pancake over with just the use of the pan.
"You do realize that you could be just as effective using a spatula right?" asked Troy, instantly alerting Gabriella of his presence.
After closing her eyes momentarily to slow down her heart rate that jumped at his words, Gabriella opened them again, quickly surveyed the stovetop to make sure everything was still cooking and not burning, before she turned her attention at the smirking man sexily leaning against the wall with only his shoulder touching. 'And only in his boxers, oh my God!' exclaimed Gabriella in her head.
"Umm, good morning?" offered Gabriella, a smile on her lips as she allowed her eyes to connect with his before allowing herself the pleasure of skimming down his body, seeing the hardened muscles that had developed far more than what she had seen and felt years ago when they were in high school. Gabriella's gaze stopped as she spotted the pale white line that would forever scar Troy, a direct result from him defending her against Riley on the most horrible night of her life so far. She smirked a little as she saw his abdominal muscles quiver a little under her gaze, making Gabriella feel a little bit more powerful knowing that he had as much of a reaction to her as she did him.
Troy cleared his throat as he saw one of the pieces of bacon getting a bit too dark, on the verge of burning. "Brie, you may want to pay attention to your cooking or risk burning it all together."
Gabriella snapped her attention back to the stove and immediately took the first round of bacon out of the pan before adding the next round, putting the cooked bacon on a plate prepared with a white paper towel while she used the spatula to add the newly done pancakes to a batch she had finished earlier before pouring more batter into the pan.
While she was back to concentrating, Troy couldn't help but walk up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist that was covered by a white flowery top with her brown flowing skirt that sat right on her hip bone. He felt a shiver race through her body and smiled, forgetting all about the previous night. 'All that matters is that she's here with me now, voluntarily, and is in my arms.'
She fought hard to ignore the sparks his hands on her stomach were creating, trying to focus on the breakfast she was almost done making for him in celebration of his special day. "Troy, as much as I enjoy this closeness, if you don't let me concentrate, your breakfast for sure will be burned," whined Gabriella, turning her head to kiss him quickly on the cheek, causing him to grin. "Please Wildcat? I want this to be perfect."
Troy sighed, unwrapping his arms from around her. Instead, he jumped up on the free counter space nearby, content to just watch her focus on finishing up the rest of the breakfast she was cooking. When she was done putting the scrambled eggs with Swiss cheese in a bowl, Troy finally dared to speak again. "So, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure of having a genuine princess cooking for me?"
Gabriella rolled her eyes, showing him how silly she really thought he was. "Umm, isn't it someone's big twenty-fifth birthday today? I had to do something special for you and since I can't get you courtside tickets to the best team in the country, I had to settle with something I could make."
'Wow, I really did almost forget it was my birthday today. Too much going on I guess,' he thought while he just grinned back at her. "Well this was very sweet of you. I guess we'll see how good of a cook you are huh?"
"Shut up!" Gabriella exclaimed, playfully hitting his naked chest, allowing her palm to linger there over his beating heart. Troy ceased the moment and held her right hand there with his left, tugging gently to bring her towards him and now between his legs that hung over the counter's edge. Slowly, her smile dropped as the moment changed from playful to sensually serious as their eyes stayed connected up until their lips finally met, connecting in the most genuine kiss they had shared recently. When Gabriella was about to pull away, Troy pulled her back, not ready to let her go, addicted to her taste that he had missed last night.
After a few more moments, Gabriella successfully pulled herself away, despite her desire to stay connected to those lips that always caused high voltage electricity to run through her body. "Troy, breakfast is ready and I am not about to let you think I can't cook just because the food is cold. You may also want to throw a t-shirt on or something," she suggested, going against her instincts that wanted him to remain almost naked in front of her. 'Since when did you become so sexually driven Gabriella?'
"I agree to the breakfast being eaten now but I'm comfortable in my boxers, unless you really aren't. In fact, maybe you could lose some clothing for breakfast, since it is my birthday and all," Troy answered, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
"Ugh, you are incorrigible!" exclaimed Gabriella, playfully swatting at Troy again before ducking out of his hold and grabbing the bowl of eggs, the plate of pancakes, and the plate of bacon. "Can you bring in the coffee and orange juice Wildcat?"
Troy sighed and nodded his head. "Guess that's the least I can do."
Gabriella giggled as she set what she was carrying down on his dining room table, glancing back to see the shocked expression on his face just then. "You like?"
He gazed around the room, mindful to put the coffee and orange juice down on the table as he looked around and saw the mix of latex and Mylar balloons, all sporting "Happy Birthday" on them, chuckling at the large Mylar balloons that were in the shape of "25". Among those though were also streamers and a banner that also read "Happy 25th Birthday Troy!" hung in the corner of his living room. Troy just shook his head, completely floored by Gabriella's thoughtfulness and how much effort she had put into this morning already for him. "Wow Brie, I don't know what to say."
"Just say thank you, that's all I need Wildcat. It's worth it just to see that look of awe on your face," replied Gabriella, smiling back at him.
"Thank you," Troy managed to simply say, seating Gabriella before he sat down and dug into the breakfast right away. He was relieved when, with the first bite of his pancakes currently on his plate, Troy learned that he would not have to fake the food being delicious as it really was! 'Not that I have so little faith in her but after years of being served readymade food, anything could be possible when someone returns to the kitchen.'
Troy and Gabriella continued to eat between their easy going conversation, both feeling like this was so normal, being alone, having a meal together, and just really feeling connected to each other. Neither even thought about what had happened the previous day and night as both were just caught up in the present moment and the sense of belonging they both experienced, to each other and to this very moment.
When it came time to doing the dishes, Gabriella jumped up and grabbed the plates and started running the sink before Troy even knew what happened. He picked up the remaining dishes on the table and brought them into the kitchen, leaving them on the counter before he watched Gabriella pour some soap into the left side of the divided sink. "You know, I can do the dishes. In fact, since you cooked, it's only right if I do the dishes," stated Troy, bumping Gabriella's hip with his own a little to try to get her to move.
Gabriella though adamantly shook her head. "No way, it's your birthday. I am so not letting you do dishes on your birthday. Go do something you like to do like play video games or watch some action movie. Today is your day to enjoy Troy!"
With that, Gabriella put her attention on the dishes now on the counter and started working on washing them, cleaning off all residual food particles before putting them in the dishwasher. She hadn't gotten past her second plate when she felt Troy's muscular arms slip around her waist again. It wasn't long until Gabriella shivered, not from any cold water as the water was warm and she had gloves on, but from the feeling of Troy's lips pressed firmly on the right side of her neck before ghosting over the length of her neck and up to her chin.
"Troy, what are you doing?" asked Gabriella, closing her eyes momentarily before opening them again and trying to ignore the warmth of his lips now on the left side of her neck.
"Well you said to do something I enjoy, that I like to do. It just so happens that kissing you and making you melt like you are right now is one of my favorite things to do," replied Troy rather simply, grinning at her as she turned her face towards him. He seized the opportunity to slide his lips over hers, grinning into the kiss as he felt her tremble a little more before Gabriella returned his kiss in full. Troy realized Gabriella was trying to take the gloves off her hands and used his own to help her with the task while never removing his lips from hers. Once she was free of the gloves, Troy's hands were placed on her hips as he turned her around, both adjusting their kiss with their different positions now.
After a few moments, Gabriella felt herself being lifted effortlessly onto the counter on the opposite side that was clear while she sighed into the kiss Troy just deepened, his tongue now playing with hers in her mouth. Troy broke away only to give them both some space to breathe, leaning his forehead against hers while blue stared back at brown, passion and a bit of something else evident in both sets of eyes. "God, how I love you Gabriella."
She smiled back at him, leaning in to place a soft kiss on his lips again before pulling away again. "I love you too Troy. That was quite a kiss though Wildcat."
"That's what happens when I have to suppress my need to kiss you, touch you, and hold you for so long. We need to do this more often, you need to use that key I gave you," replied Troy, grinning as he kissed her one last time before letting Gabriella go. He helped her down, letting his hands linger there on her waist for a few moments before Troy allowed Gabriella to return back to washing the dishes and the pans she used.
As he leaned up against the same counter Gabriella had just sat on, Troy took satisfaction in just being able to watch her work, unable to get rid of the smile on his face as he thought about what she really did mean to him and how sweet she was to have even remembered his birthday let alone do all of this. Not wanting to ever forget this memory, Troy slipped away to his bedroom and grabbed a t-shirt to slip over his head and then his cell phone. He returned to the kitchen and flipped open his phone, seeing the image of Gabriella up to her elbows in soapy water as she worked on the last of the pans on his screen after he activated the camera mode. Troy grinned as he snapped a few, the last one being of Gabriella looking right into the camera part of his cell phone.
"Troy! What are you doing? I look terrible!" complained Gabriella.
"Relax! I promise, all for my own keeping, nothing more. I won't be turning these beauties over to the paparazzi or anything, honest!" assured Troy. "Not even Henry and Martin will see these, just me, whenever I miss you or want to remember the best birthday morning ever."
"Aww, Troy, you're so cute," replied Gabriella. "Actually, why don't you open your present? It's not something huge but I thought it was something you would like and I don't think you have."
Troy gave her a confused look. "I thought this breakfast with the decorations and you just being here were the presents."
Gabriella shook her head and smiled. "Nope, I lied. There's a present for you sitting on your couch. Why don't you go get it while I finish up?"
"Sure," returned Troy, leaving the kitchen and going to the living room to find the wrapped present on the couch. He grabbed it and returned to the kitchen just in time to see Gabriella placing the last item she washed in the draining board before she released the water from the sink. When she was done rinsing the sink out, she shut off the water and gave Troy her full attention. "Should I open this now?"
"Unless you like the paper and would rather have it as a paperweight," teased Gabriella.
Troy chuckled. "I get it, I get it. Let's see what you deemed appropriate for me."
Gabriella watched Troy this time, watching as he grinned while he read the birthday card before opening the present itself. Troy's blue eyes lit up with excitement as he pulled out a box from the paper and then opened it to reveal a new customized digital camera, the best in Europe, that was white with red trimming with "TB" in the lower right corner of the front in blue.
"I realized after I had it ordered and customized that it was all USA pride but I wanted to give you a gift from our past but also for the future. The colors I think you'll realize are Wildcat colors except for the blue lettering which is your favorite color. I even loaded the camera with its first picture," explained Gabriella, getting anxious for Troy to turn it on.
Troy looked at Gabriella curiously before he switched the camera on. His grin widened as he saw Gabriella sitting on what he was guessing her bed in her bedroom at the palace with the white teddy bear with a red heart he had given her during high school on Valentine's day. "I love it, the camera but more so the picture. This is so sweet Brie!"
"I'm glad you like it!" exclaimed Gabriella, returning the hug Troy gave her, enjoying the following kiss before her cell phone alarm went off.
"Who is it?" asked Troy as Gabriella returned with her cell phone in her hands.
"Oh, just my alarm I set. I hate to leave you on your birthday but I have to make it to the homeless shelter in about an hour," said Gabriella, clearing the alarm and putting it aside. "I'm sorry, I can't skip out."
"Then don't, I'll come with you," returned Troy. "I just need to get dressed."
"You'd come with me?" asked Gabriella.
"Of course, why not? Time to spend with you and help out with a great cause all at the same time? It'll be my birthday present to myself," explained Troy.
Gabriella couldn't help but shake her head in disbelief at the amazing guy in front of her. "I'd love it if you came with me. Go get dressed Wildcat. Oh, and another thing? Happy Birthday Troy!"
Troy backed Gabriella into the counter behind her gently as he leaned down and slanted his lips over hers, kissing her deeply yet sweetly, before he pulled back and kissed the tip of her nose. "Thank you Brie, for everything. I'll be bringing my new high tech toy with us too. I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?"
Gabriella nodded, sharing in one last kiss with Troy, before she let him go get changed. While she was waiting, Gabriella gathered her things together in her bag and made sure any mess she created was cleaned up, leaving the decorations up for Troy to enjoy later. She was surprised for sure though when Troy entered the living room dressed to go out but also with a box in his hands.
"So I thought it was only appropriate for me to give this to you. It's long overdue and I know we don't have much time but I want you to have this now, before I lose my courage to give this to you so late. It's something I meant to give you on our one year anniversary," stated Troy, extending his right arm to hand Gabriella the black velvet box that had been hiding in his drawers, no matter where he lived, until that moment.
Gabriella eyed the black velvet box resting on Troy's palm, curious yet a bit nervous. "Troy, this is your birthday, not mine."
"True but I want you to have this. I've sort of modified it too since its original creation. Please, take it Brie. I want you to have this," he explained, walking closer to Gabriella until they were only inches apart. "Please?"
She nibbled on her lip before taking it, giving him the best smile she could. Gabriella lifted the lid and gasped as she saw the silver charm bracelet resting in the box, with a few charms on it. Gabriella lifted it closer to her face and smiled as she saw the different charms on it. "Troy, I love it. Was this really what you were going to give me on our one year?"
Troy nodded his head in confirmation. "It was this bracelet with the heart charm there, to represent our love, and the microphone there, to represent the night we met at the ski lodge," he replied, indicating to each silver charm with his finger. "The Pointe shoes, for the ballerina you are today, and the cute little angel to represent you, the way I see you, as my sweet angel."
Gabriella felt a blush appear on her cheeks as she listened to Troy, hearing the sincerity in his voice before she saw it in his gaze. "I absolutely adore it Troy, thank you so much. It means so much to me."
"Will you wear it?" asked Troy, knowing it was hopeful as Gabriella was used to more expensive, flashier things since she was royalty after all.
"Of course, duh!" replied Gabriella, grinning as she extended the box back to him but also with her right arm. "Put it on for me?"
Troy anxiously took the box back and took the charm bracelet out, quickly putting it on her offered arm, thrilled that it looked perfect against her tanned skin. His eyes shot up to hers and he grinned back at her, instantly pulling Gabriella to him in a tight hug, allowing Gabriella to wrap her arms around him as well, her hands overlapping as they rested on his lower back.
Gabriella froze as she felt the charm bracelet clank against her diamond bracelet on her left wrist, a reminder of Patrick and everything she had to keep a secret from Troy. She could practically feel her skin pale as the torment she experienced last night, laying in her bed, just thinking about how much she was betraying Troy, came back to her in a rush. 'I thought I made the right choice yesterday to keep him here in Copanvy with me but maybe I'm wrong. This bracelet, the look in his eyes, his actions, and especially Troy's own words shows how much he cares and loves me, just as I do him. I owe it to him to be honest right? But what if it comes out somehow that you told? Can you really risk losing Troy for the sake of the country?'
He felt Gabriella shake her head against his shoulder and wondered what she was reacting to. "Everything okay Brie? Is there something wrong with the bracelet?"
"No, absolutely not, I love it," she replied, assuring Troy with her best smile. "I love you though more."
"I love you too Brie, I really do," answered Troy, dropping a kiss on her lips before pulling away. "Now, should we get going? I can follow you with my car if you want, that way we can be seen separately if need be."
Thinking back to the discussion with her family the day before, Gabriella decided Troy's suggestion would be best considering the circumstances of not wanting to aggravate her grandparents any further. "Sure, that works. I'll make sure not to speed, oh wait, that's you," she joked, relieved when he chuckled.
The two walked out of Troy's apartment hand in hand and got into their separate cars, heading to the homeless shelter to spend time together there while serving the Louvis community, all before spending the afternoon together again at Troy's apartment before Gabriella had to leave for her performance that night.