Back to the Dream Page
She's gotta do what she's gotta do
And I've gotta like it or not
She's got dreams too big for this town
And she needs to give 'em a shot
Whatever they are
"Hello?" Gabriella groggily answered the phone, barely grabbing it before Billy Ray Cyrus's "Ready, Set, Don't Go" ringtone she had set for her dad could get to the next verse.
"Happy 25th birthday sweetheart! Mom and I wanted to greet you properly on your big twenty-fifth birthday. Did we wake you?" greeted Stephen, chuckling silently as he heard his daughter's silence and knew that she was probably rubbing sleep out of her eyes. "We probably did huh?"
"Maybe," admitted Gabriella, finished rubbing her eyes and looking at the alarm clock on the nightstand, seeing the digital interface reading 9:14. "It is a Saturday Dad."
There was a shuffle heard on the phone before Annette's voice came on the line. "Sorry sweetie, your dad just wanted to be the first to greet you. Happy Birthday Gabriella! It's hard to believe that twenty-five years ago you were born. God, that was an incredible day."
"It sure was! Amazing day for me too, blessed with my two beautiful girls!" exclaimed Stephen in the background, making both Annette and Gabriella laugh.
"Anyway, we hope you have a wonderful twenty-fifth birthday today. Forget about all your worries back here, I promise nothing is going on today that you should stress about and don't deny that you are worried and stressed, I know you too well daughter," stated Annette, smiling as the silence only confirmed her suspicions. "We better let you go. No doubt your friends will want to spend all day with you."
Gabriella laughed, thinking of how Chris and Tessa were most likely sound asleep together in Tessa's room with Sharpay still in beauty sleep mode in her room. "Only ones up at this hour are Paul and Emma."
Annette laughed, silently agreeing with Gabriella's assessment. "In either case, we'll let you go. Have a wonderful birthday sweetie. Love you!"
"Love you too and thanks," returned Gabriella, smiling as ended the call and realized that she may as well get up.
Gabriella swung her legs over the side of the bed and gingerly stood up, raising her arms to stretch before she walked over to the drawers where she had placed some of her clothes with the rest hanging in the closet. She grabbed a pair of jeans and a nice dark blue sweater before heading into the bathroom to get ready for the day.
Once she was fully dressed, she walked back out to the bedroom and put on the charm bracelet on her right wrist before grabbing her cell phone and walking downstairs. Instantly, she smelled cooking bacon and some quiet laughter coming from the kitchen so Gabriella went to investigate, smiling as she saw Emma cooking with Paul lovingly standing behind her, his arms wrapped around her midsection as he nibbled at her neck.
"As adorable as you two are, I think your breakfast is going to get burned with that type of distraction Paul," teased Gabriella, smirking as Paul immediately turned around and gave her a guilty look before coming over and sweeping her in a big hug.
"First it is our breakfast, you get some too. Second, Happy Birthday Gabriella!" exclaimed Paul, releasing her so that Emma could hug her too.
"Happy Birthday," echoed Emma, kissing Gabriella on the cheek before returning to her cooking. "Thought we'd fix scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, bacon, and blueberry pancakes. That work?"
"More than works, thank you," replied Gabriella, taking a seat on a tall stool she saw in the kitchen. "You didn't have to."
"But she wanted to so just let her," stated Paul, knowing nothing ever changed Emma's mind when she wanted to do something. "So, what's planned for today?"
"No idea," admitted Gabriella, shrugging her shoulders. "I think there is a small dinner with the girls and then Chad and Chucky tonight but that's about it. Just the way I wanted it, nice and boring."
'Not likely, not with what is planned for today,' thought Paul, smirking a little as he thought about what the day would hold for her.
The three shared a nice breakfast, Gabriella savoring Emma's cooking, as they shared an easy conversation. The topic of Emma's pregnancy was also discussed a little, Emma seeming to pick up this glow whenever she talked about it, something Gabriella envied a little knowing how wonderful it must be to be with the man one loves and to be having his child without any drama.
"I really am so happy for you both," stated Gabriella, smiling as Paul reached over and rubbed Emma's barely visible baby bump. "Boy or girl, that child is going to be well loved and spoiled rotten by his or her Aunty Gabriella."
"Well, we were actually thinking Godmother Gabriella, that is if you agree," returned Paul, chuckling as a wide grin spread across Gabriella's face.
"Are you kidding? That would be such an honor, of course!" exclaimed Gabriella, immediately standing up from her finished breakfast to hug both Paul and Emma, excited over the idea of being a godmother.
Emma beamed at the younger woman. "Well we're glad you accepted."
"Absolutely, I can't think of why I wouldn't," said Gabriella, grabbing her plate and juice glass with the used silverware.
Before she could turn to go back into the kitchen though, Paul stood up quickly and took the items from her grasp, shaking his head. "No you don't. We'll take care of this."
Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Come on Paul, you know I do normal everyday things like washing dishes and brushing my teeth, right?"
Smirking a little, Paul nodded his head. "True but today is your birthday. Besides, there's something on the table that came for you this morning, something I think you better open now."
For the first time, Gabriella saw the express carrier flat envelope resting on the long dining table, picking it up gingerly and noting that only her name was on it, clearly not actually mailed. Gabriella gave Paul a questioning look, which he just ignored before he went into the kitchen, leaving Emma to watch Gabriella open the envelope. Beyond curious, Gabriella tore open the top flap, reaching in with her right hand to pull out a smaller envelope with something hard in it. Putting the flat envelope back down on the table, Gabriella opened the envelope and pulled out the note card, barely catching a key ring with both a key and alarm remote as it tumbled out. More than puzzled, Gabriella opened the card, scanning its contents more than three times before she understood that her boring day wasn't going to be quite so boring after all.
"What is it?" asked Emma, knowing already what the contents were.
"A birthday treasure hunt evidently," answered Gabriella, wondering exactly who was responsible for it as the note was computer printed. "I guess I'm supposed to start by checking out my favorite book. Must mean going to a library but which one?"
"Which favorite book?" questioned Emma.
"No, I know that one but there's a few libraries I can think of in Albuquerque," said Gabriella, her mind thinking of all the ones she had been to while here.
"Guess you better get moving," remarked Paul, standing now behind Emma's chair with his hands resting on her shoulders. "Sounds like you have a full day ahead. The team will be following you, just a heads up."
Gabriella nodded her head, not expecting anything different. "Guess I better. Thanks for the lovely birthday breakfast and let the girls know I'll be back later but have my cell."
"Will do," said Emma, exchanging smiles with Paul as Gabriella quickly left the room, a look of concentration on her face as she exited to grab her purse before heading out the front door.
Slowing her pace, Gabriella eventually stopped as she pressed the remote to disarm the car she would be driving, pushing it twice to see lights flash in response out on the street. As Gabriella walked closer, she recognized the car to be a close to dark blue Toyota Prius hybrid. Smiling at the opportunity to drive a hybrid for the first time, Gabriella got into the car and put the key in, starting the engine and letting it warm up before starting her quest to find the right library where she suspected she'd find her next clue in a copy of Little Women.
After six libraries with no luck of finding the next clue, Gabriella parked her car outside of the Cherry Hills Library, staring at it with blank eyes, wondering if it could possibly be the last library she needed to drive to or if she had nine more to go. Or was it ten? Gabriella had lost count after using the GPS in the car to reveal that there were more than a dozen libraries in the Albuquerque area. She laid her head back against the headrest, wanting nothing more than to just go back to Sharpay's house and forget all about this treasure hunt. After a few moments of peace, Gabriella cracked open her eyes as she heard a distant beep, knowing she had a text of some kind.
From: 505-222-1792
Don't give up. You're closer than you think.
This caught Gabriella's attention, straightening her upper body as she quickly scanned the area, seeing no sign of anyone she recognized. She kept running the number in her head, frowning when she realized she had no idea whose phone number that was and figured that was part of the plan. Shrugging, Gabriella decided to give it one last shot and got out of the car, making sure to throw her scarf around her neck more as a chilly winter breeze passed her. Giving herself some time to warm up in the heated library, Gabriella looked around the library before walking in the direction she thought Little Women would be found.
Scanning the shelves, Gabriella spied several copies on the top shelf and looked around for a stool. After spotting one, she dragged it over and climbed up, flipping open the first three copies to scan for her next clue. When those yielded nothing, Gabriella opened the oldest looking one after admiring the book's cover, sighing with relief as a note card with her name on it was revealed in her favorite part of the story. Unable to resist, Gabriella read the passage, smiling as she imagined it playing out in her head, as she always did, before putting the book back and stepping up off the stool. Quickly, she opened the envelope and drew the card out that read:
Very good sleuthing for your favorite story but can you remember your favorite drink that could also be a dessert? When you do, ask for Cynthia, she'll have the next clue.
'My favorite drink? Depends on the season. Right now, it would be spiced apple cider. Wait, could also be a dessert… I got it!' screamed Gabriella in her head, barely suppressing the need to do a happy dance.
After making the trip back to downtown Albuquerque to the boba tea shop she loved to go to while living here and asking for Cynthia, Gabriella was awarded with the large strawberry milk tea with extra boba, otherwise known as tapioca balls, along with the next clue that brought her to the pizza place she loved to eat at when she was here but just hadn't had the chance to yet. There, she was instantly recognized by the owner, who gave her the next clue, but only after making sure Gabriella enjoyed a fresh garlic chicken pizza slice cut New York style. He wouldn't take her money, despite her insistence, but asked for a picture, which Gabriella more than willingly obliged with the promise she would be back later.
Now, Gabriella was walking down Greek Row at University of Albuquerque, getting goose bumps over how quiet it was. It was now a little bit after 3 PM and it was almost like a ghost town. She glanced down at the clue on the note card, curious if it was right.
Time to go back to your college days, even if you didn't attend U of A. It'll be Greek to you but home nonetheless.
"Home? Here on Greek Row?" wondered Gabriella out loud, glad to see at least some college students walking along the sidewalk with her now, easing some of the nerves she was feeling. It wasn't until Gabriella reached the middle that she instantly recognized the one house out of all the others that looked really familiar.
Memories washed over her, starting with the memory of coming back years ago to this very frat house only to see Troy with another girl, as was his right, but remembering the sting of seeing him so happy, so hormonally occupied with another female. She pushed past that though and instead focused on the night that Troy received the scar above and through his right eyebrow, recalling with scary clarity how it all went down. It was the moment they shared in a bathroom upstairs though that brought a smile to Gabriella's chilled lips.
"I'm so going to get it for this, I so am going to get it," mumbled Paul to himself but just loud enough for Gabriella to hear him.
"No you aren't relax. You did your thing of trying to protect me but just as I've told Troy, you can't protect me from everything," said Gabriella, patting Paul's shoulder. "I won't let you get in trouble, all right?"
Paul gave her a grateful smile before Gabriella turned her attention back on Troy. Seeing the blood trickling down his face reminded Gabriella that they both needed cleaning up so she took Troy's hand in hers and dragged him to the bathroom upstairs one of the sober brothers directed her to. Once there, she winced briefly when she spied her own image in the mirror above the sink but refocused immediately on cleaning up Troy's face. While Troy winced as he washed his hands, Gabriella took a paper towel and dabbed at the cut after washing away the blood that had trickled down from the cut above his eyebrow. Once satisfied that it was pretty clean, Gabriella softly wiped at the injury at the corner of his mouth, smiling and wincing herself as she saw his attempted smile form on his lips.
"Hey now, no derailing the nurse's attentions here," complained Gabriella, looking briefly up into his eyes before refocusing on washing away the dried blood.
Troy decided to give Gabriella the same care and wet a towel to dab at Gabriella's cut at her lip at the same time, causing her brown eyes to meet his again before refocusing. When both were finally cleaned up as best as they could, they threw out the paper towels and walked out of the bathroom with their hands tightly intertwined with each other's, neither caring now who saw them as their secret was out for the world to see after what just went on.
Chucky smirked at them as he waited a few feet away, a square bandage, medical tape, and some ointment being waved their way. "Figured you would need this for that cut. It's not going to stop bleeding unless you put something like this to help put pressure," explained Chucky, who indicated for the two to walk back to the bathroom, this time with Chucky behind them.
Troy continued to hold Gabriella's hand as Chucky cleaned the cut again, this time putting the ointment on with a q-tip and then slapping the bandage over the injury, causing Troy to jump in pain. "OWWW!"
"Oh stop being a baby, your girlfriend is here," replied Chucky with another grin. "You are just lucky that I was here to help bail you out and that Tom is actually a nice guy and actually gave his brother an ear lashing for the fight, I heard it. I didn't realize that his little brother is the same guy that Chad has spat nasty things about in the past though. What a small world."
Gabriella's and Troy's eyes connected at this and both of them found it within themselves to grin. "You don't have to tell us that," murmured Troy, not taking his eyes off his girlfriend for a fraction of a second. "We already found that out months ago."
"Well if it isn't little Gabriella," greeted Chucky, grinning ear to ear from the now open door of the frat house. "Are you going to come on inside, give me a big hug, and get your next clue or spend all day out here in the cold?"
Gabriella blinked a few times before grinning herself, running towards Chucky and throwing her arms around him, giggling as he spun her around. "Hey Chucky!"
"Happy Birthday Gabs!" exclaimed Chucky, putting her back down on her feet. "Glad you figured this clue out cause I'd hate to be the one to call your organizer and tell them that you never made it this far."
"Hey, giving the birthday girl a little bit too little credit here. Wait, you know who is in charge of this whole thing?" questioned Gabriella.
Chucky nodded his head. "Of course. I wouldn't volunteer my services to just anyone. But time is short so I'm cutting the chatter here and will leave you to continue on your journey in peace," said Chucky, kissing Gabriella's forehead before giving her one last hug, letting her go and handing her another envelope.
Gabriella ripped this one open with ease, making Chucky chuckle out of amusement as she anxiously scanned the card. Saying a quick good-bye, Gabriella was off to the nearest Blockbuster, the big tip off being Tessa's membership card, thinking about which of her favorite movies that were special to her would summarize both her high school days as well as her days now as an adult. Once there, Gabriella began to look at several movies, trying to figure out which one she was supposed to check out. She thought of Princess Diaries but realized that was too cliché and wasn't a favorite, although it was good. Other titles floated through her head, so quickly that she began to form a headache.
Figuring it could be from the lack of water she had today with all this running around in cold weather, Gabriella paid for a bottled water and took a few sips of it as she tried to think of what movie she should be checking out to get the next clue. Her phone beeped again, causing Gabriella to whip her head around the store before pulling it out, seeing a new text from the same number.
From: 505-222-1792
Here's a hint as the day is growing old while you are only getting younger. Wildcat grew up living and breathing the third word in the title but never realized the first was within his reach until he met you.
Like lightning, Gabriella realized in that moment what movie it was and wanted to hit herself over the head for missing it and wasting so much time. "Of course, Love and Basketball, two elements in my life now as I'm in love with him and go to whatever games I can to support him while in high school I was falling in love with him while he was cherished as the basketball god in the halls of East."
'Maybe it is Troy that's behind all this,' she thought as she sought out the DVD case and brought it up to the counter, giving them Tessa's card.
The guy there looked at her a little funny before scanning the membership card, taking her cash, and handing her the rented DVD back past the security barrier with an envelope with her name on it. 'That's it, it has to be Troy.'
As Gabriella sat in the rented car, opening the next clue, her cell phone rang this time, her face brightening as she realized it was Troy. "Thank you so much for all the thought you put into this treasure hunt Troy! Definitely is a great way to spend my birthday!"
There was silence on the other line before Troy said, "Babe, what are you talking about? What treasure hunt? I just called to wish you a happy 25th and to make sure that the girls aren't shopping you to death or anything."
Gabriella's forehead scrunched up as she looked around, wondering if Troy was maybe hiding somewhere and snickering at trying to fool her or if he was telling the truth, the sincerity in his voice sounding like it was the latter. "Oh, thank you. That's right, you had that meeting today. How'd it go with the representative panel?"
"It went all right. I could tell that I was already at a disadvantage with them but most of them seemed to be open-minded, asking me about Copanvy, about you, about life in general. Kind of made me feel like how I felt when I was interviewing for colleges," remarked Troy. "So, what is this about a treasure hunt?"
"Well this morning, I got the first clue after breakfast with Paul and Emma, getting a security remote and key to a rented hybrid. Oh my God Troy, I think I've found my new car for when I get back to Louvis. I really like how green the hybrid is and am impressed with how it handles," confessed Gabriella, running her hand over the steering wheel.
"Poor little old compact car you have will miss you but it sounds like you found your calling, good for you. Hang on a second Brie," said Troy before sounds of him moving or covering the phone were heard for several long moments before he returned. "Sorry, Tomas is driving me nuts right now. Here, he wants to say something to you."
Moments later, Tomas's voice came over the line loud and clear. "Happy Birthday Princess Gabriella! Oww, oh, sorry… Meant to say, Happy Birthday Gabriella! Sorry, forgot to drop the Princess bit. Kind of habit."
Gabriella laughed and replied, "No worries Tomas. You have fun with Troy over there all right?"
"Sure thing," returned Tomas before handing off the phone again.
"Sorry, I better go. Whatever it is you are doing, have fun. I miss you Brie, I really do. Love you," murmured Troy, giving her enough time to return the feelings before the call was disconnected.
Putting her phone down, Gabriella hurriedly opened the latest clue, relieved when the instructions were simply to return back to Sharpay's house, hoping that would be it as she was definitely getting tired. When Gabriella pulled up to Sharpay's house, she instantly got a weird feeling as she walked towards the front door, noting that the house, even from the outside, seemed very still. Gabriella felt a pair of eyes watching her and quickly turned around, relieved to see it was just Curtis watching from across the street, waving her hand at him before turning back and going towards the front door. Once unlocked, Gabriella locked it behind her and turned off the alarm with the guest code Sharpay had given her, noting that it was set to "Away."
'Guess no one is home then,' thought Gabriella, dropping the keys on the entryway table and kicking off her shoes. She walked up the stairs to her bedroom, pulling up short on the threshold as she saw another envelope with her name on it resting on a black, short dress that looked simple from afar. As Gabriella got closer though, she noticed that the halter was actually made of sequined straps and had a sequined trim around the empire waist. Having a feeling she already knew what was in the envelope, Gabriella picked it up and opened it, seeing yet another computer generated message:
Your little birthday quest is almost over. Put this on and be at Vivace at exactly 6:30.
'Well, not really a clue as more a directive but that'll do,' Gabriella said to herself before realizing she had very little time to make herself presentable for a surprise party she had a feeling was waiting for her at the small Italian restaurant and make it there on time.
After jumping in and taking a quick shower, Gabriella spent time blow-drying out her hair, deciding on figuring out her hair after she had the dress on. She hurried into the bedroom after applying her favorite lotion, slipping the black dress over her head, knowing she already liked the design as the skirt under the empire waist flared out while the sequins proved to not bite into her skin as she was afraid they would. Gabriella then went back into the bathroom and toyed with her hair both up and down, deciding to sweep most of her wavy hair in an updo with a few strands on each side of her face hanging down, framing her face. Once she was done, she applied light makeup and grabbed a black evening jacket she had brought with her, thanking the stars above for over packing again. Before she left her room, she slipped on her favorite black heels and quickly transferred her wallet, camera, and cell phone, along with Kleenex and the tube of lipstick she used into a black evening purse she was also grateful she brought.
Within moments, Gabriella was back out the front door after alarming the house, locking the front door behind her, before she drove to the designated restaurant. Luckily, when she arrived on the block where the restaurant was, a car was just pulling out near Vivace so she parked and got out of her car, putting her hand on the door just as she saw her watch read 6:30 exactly. 'Just in time. Sharpay won't kill me after all,' thought Gabriella with a smile, taking in a deep breath before opening the door again.
"Hello?" she called out, half expecting the word "Surprise" to be yelled out in every direction with the lights being thrown on. Nothing happened though so she cautiously made her way further into the restaurant, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness.
It was only when her eyes fully refocused to the dark and she could begin making out shapes that Gabriella heard it, the faint music coming from a back room.
I don't know what it is tonight,
Your smile,
Your eyes.
Yeah...
Even in the candle light,
You shine,
So bright.
You are so beautiful,
More beautiful,
Than you've ever been.
I catch my breath,
And fall in love again.
Yeah…
Focusing only on the music and the faint singing, she allowed it to draw her closer as she cautiously made her way down the hall, tears filling her brown orbs as her heart instantly recognized the voice of the singer when it got louder, more so when she saw what awaited her in the room that seemed to glow on its own thanks to all the little candles placed around it.
I can't imagine where I'd be
Without you, with me.
I need you more every day,
More than words can say.
A smile graced her lips as she looked around the room, seeing the mixture of long stemmed red roses and sunflowers scattered around the room, confused a bit as the owner of the voice wasn't there. Upon further search, she saw a boom box nearby and guessed that Troy had prerecorded it with the music, noting that just having him sing for her again made her all giddy, even if it wasn't live. She walked further into the room as she noticed several candles on the floor surrounding something in the opposite corner, gasping as she saw they outlined a heart made of more long stemmed red roses, with a single sunflower laid on top and something square sitting on top of that. Before she could reach for it though, the music turned off, causing her to immediately straighten as a grin spread across her face, unaware of the tears of happiness that rolled down her cheeks.
I want you in my life,
For all my life.
This night will never end.
You'll take my hand,
And I'll fall in love again.
Troy stopped his walk towards Gabriella as he continued to sing, taking her left hand in his right, putting her right hand on his shoulder with his left hand on her waist, pouring the truth of his love into the lyrics of the rest of the song while they began to sway to their shared beating heart.
And nothing short of a miracle
Could have brought you here to me.
When I'm with you,
Heaven's all I see,
All I see.
Caught up in every touch,
I feel the rush,
Of this moment that we're in.
Each time we kiss,
I fall in love again.
I can't resist,
I fall in love again
Before Gabriella could say anything, Troy's lips softly captured hers, savoring the feel of holding her, kissing her, once again, even if it had been only days since he was last able to. Pulling away, he chuckled a little as he saw more tears spill from her eyes, silently wiping away the joyful tears before kissing each of her cheeks. "Happy Birthday Brie."
"Thank you," she murmured, leaning up to kiss him once again.
After taking in his fill and knowing he still craved more of her, Troy reluctantly pulled away, knowing there was still a large part of the night planned. "Do you remember when I sang 'NSync's "This I Promise You" out under those heat lamps at the mansion? When I gave you something with my promise to never let you feel alone and unprotected again? To love you and care for you always? I know that a lot happened between then and now and my promise got a bit muddied but tonight, I present you with something much more dear, much more significant, that my vow tonight is only the start of my promise to you. I chose Nick Lachey's "Fall In Love Again" because the words just seemed so right, so much stronger and yet they still don't fully capture what I mean to say so I guess I have to do that myself."
Gabriella watched as Troy took a step back and bent down to pick up the small box resting on the sunflower, turning towards her before dropping down on his left knee, smiling as his love filled eyes never left hers as he presented her with a platinum ring with a single 1.5 carat canary yellow heart cut diamond in the center with small round cut diamonds surrounding it. Kissing the back of her left hand softly, Troy cleared his throat before saying the words he went over a million times before, knowing the nerves and excitement that was thrumming through his body is what it was supposed to feel like when someone proposed, something in the back of his head telling him that he already knew that when he didn't feel that way when he proposed to Celeste some time ago.
"Gabriella Felicia Anna Lauren Montez, my darling, sweet Brie, my better half, and my soul mate. Brie, will you please grant this humble man here before you the honor of your hand in a long shared lifetime together? Will you Gabriella allow me to love you, cherish you, safeguard you, and utterly adore you for the rest of our days on this plane and beyond? Will you agree to ceremoniously join our hearts forever to each other, as they already beat together now? Will you marry me Gabriella?" Troy asked, swallowing as he let the silence linger between them until he almost wanted to apologize for rushing things, thinking that maybe this was too fast considering they had really officially declared themselves exclusive not too long ago.
So many things ran through Gabriella's head in that moment. The joy, excitement, and love being the most positive feelings she had at the moment but they were sadly overshadowed with doubt, wondering if Troy did all this because he thought he had to. "Troy…"
Reading the fleeting traces of emotions that crossed Gabriella's face in the few moments they stared at one another before she said his name, Troy understood clearly what she was afraid of. "Brie, I'm asking you to marry me because I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Princess or not, arranged marriage or not, I would still be here, down on my knee, asking for you to forever join your hand with mine, creating the perfect fit, the external symbol of our already joined hearts that have beat as one for a long time now, even all those years we were apart. We'll make everything work, trust me, we will. I won't ever let you go so easily as I did when I was eighteen. I'm here to stay, right by your side, whatever may come, so long as you will have me. Gabriella, will you marry me?"
Knowing that Troy was right, had there been no royal blood running through her body, they would have still been here, committing themselves to each other, mind, heart, body, and soul for that is what they were, simply meant to be together. "Yes," she whispered, wiping away a few more stray tears, barely having time to smile back at Troy before he immediately stood up and gathered her in his arms, hugging her so tightly to him before framing her face with his hands and kissing her tenderly, both of them pulling away at the same time as they rested their foreheads together.
Looking down, Troy picked up Gabriella's left hand again and slid on the ring, grinning more as he saw how perfect it looked on her finger, noting that even the size was just right. "It's beautiful," he heard Gabriella murmur.
"Not nearly as beautiful as you," Troy replied, kissing her softly one more time. "I love you Gabriella."
"And I love you Troy. Thank you, for everything. Today, tonight, moving to Copanvy for me, defending me all those times in high school, supporting me when I didn't deserve it. Thank you for all of it," said Gabriella, seeing Troy's face glow almost at her words.
"Seeing that smile on your face, it's so very worth it," returned Troy, kissing her one last time before the spell in the room was broken with the lights being thrown on, Troy groaning as he knew their private time was over, even if he had planned it.
"Quit being all lovey dovey and let us see that ring!" exclaimed Tessa, being the first to bounce into the room followed by Sharpay and Taylor, leaving Chad, Chucky, Ryan, and Chris to follow in after them, each rolling their eyes over the squeals each of the four women now let out.
Amidst the excitement though, something made Gabriella look up, wondering if it was the squeeze Troy gave her with his left hand that was still holding her right, knowing in an instant that she would have looked anyway as both her mother and father stood in the doorway, grinning at her. 'They know and they are happy for me and oh my God they came all the way here for this!'
When Stephen and Annette came into the room, Troy's parents also appeared, followed shortly by Paul and Emma, everyone in the room sharing in the happiness of the moment and the hope that filled them all, each of them knowing that no matter what came, as Troy said, Troy and Gabriella would be together to fight through it, standing side by side, heart to heart.