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A week later, during the last week of June, Gabriella was lying on her bed, her head propped up on her favorite pillow, with a cell phone firmly attached to her ear, giggling here and there when Taylor would say something funny. It was too early in the morning for Tessa or Sharpay to join in like they sometimes did on these long distance calls of theirs but Taylor and Gabriella were enjoying themselves anyway.
"So how are the wedding plans coming?" asked Gabriella as she turned her head to make sure she still had a few minutes left to talk to one of her best friends. "Are you all nervous yet? You don't seem to be."
Taylor laughed. "If you were here, you would totally retract that statement Gab, I'm a complete mess!"
Gabriella rolled her eyes at this, giggling a little herself. "Somehow McKessie I find that hard to believe and trust me, I really do wish I could be there to help you prep longer than just a few days before the wedding. I reminded my grandparents of your wedding and they actually handled it better than I thought they would. I rehearsed this long speech about how you are my best friend and that I'd do anything short of taking my life to go, especially as I'm a bridesmaid. Thankfully they agreed, with of course the promise that I keep up with my rehearsals and make up my time volunteering at the shelters when I come back. Oh, and I apologize ahead of time for the huge group of security that will be there on your special weekend. At least they'll blend in their suits right?"
"Hey, if that's what it takes to get you here, that's fine with me. Did things really get that bad when you went back to Louvis then?" asked Taylor, knowing that now was the best time to really get the details from Gabriella.
The brunette sighed as she sat back up in her bed, swinging her legs over the side of her bed as she thought of what to tell Taylor. "I think things were bad when I left and they only got worse when I had that momentary special guest spot in the tabloids. Luckily, the paparazzi haven't been hounding me but Martin and Henry both told me openly that the price for my picture has gone up quite a bit since."
"Who is Henry and Martin? Guys you are dating?" questioned Taylor, trying to recall if Gabriella had ever talked about them.
Gabriella laughed. "No, definitely not. They'd certainly find that funny though. They are two men who are photographers here in Copanvy who are dedicated to just me and the other members of my family I think. Remember how I told you Paul and Curtis were more relaxed here? Well a lot of it has to do with the fact that it is only usually Henry and Martin who are after me for pictures and that is always done in a tasteful, respectful manner. I've never seen a picture published of me out and about where I looked terrible or that was misconstrued. They really do hold true to their word to me that they make sure they sell the pictures to only those magazines and newspapers who write the truth."
"Wow, it really does sound that much better over there and somehow I'm not surprised that you befriended these two gentlemen. So you smile for them every once in a while and they give you space. Sounds like the perfect deal to me," commented Taylor. "Speaking of my wedding though, did you get that bridesmaid dress fitted? I know when you took it back with you that it was all wrinkly and a bit big."
"Don't worry Bridezilla, it's fine," assured Gabriella, laughing a little at Taylor's own giggle at the nickname. "I have to say, you really are handling this all with grace. I know you are stressed but you aren't freaking out the way I thought you would, the way I probably will be, but for so many other reasons."
There was a pause on the line while Taylor tried to figure out what Gabriella meant just then, almost positive that Gabriella wasn't talking about some unknown future with some unknown groom. "Is this about Troy and him being engaged to Celeste?"
"No, why would you think that?" asked Gabriella, inwardly glad that Taylor guessed the wrong thing when her insightful friend picked up on a hidden meaning in her words. "Troy deserves to find happiness, to find love, and from the way Celeste was looking at him at the pizza place, she really does adore him and I can't ask for more. I just hope it's for Troy being Troy and not Troy the up and coming basketball pro. Knowing Troy, at least the Troy I knew back then, he wouldn't have proposed to this girl if he wasn't absolutely taken with her."
Taylor listened as Gabriella talked about Troy and his fiancé and couldn't help but find more respect grow for her best friend. 'Not many women out there can be big enough to want their ex, their first love, to be happy with some other woman if it isn't them, especially when they end on good terms. If not Troy, I hope that Gabriella meets her perfect match soon. She more than deserves it after all she has been through.'
"Tay, you still there?" asked Gabriella as she got up and walked to her bathroom, turning her cell phone on speaker mode so she could freely work on getting her makeup and hair ready for the charity concert she, Chris, and a few other members of the company were participating in. "Taylor?"
"Sorry," mumbled Taylor, realizing she spaced on Gabriella. "Too many things on the mind."
Gabriella laughed. "I hear you on that. I'm just glad that Chris and I chose a routine for today's performance that we could do in our sleep! All the other rehearsals have been kicking our behinds but it's good as it really makes sure we know our stuff."
"You know, you never told me what role you got for this performance," returned Taylor as she went into the kitchen to start the coffee pot.
Gabriella was about to tell Taylor when there was a knock on the open bathroom door. She spun around with a bobby pin in her mouth and smiled at Pip, who was standing there. "Hey Pip!"
"Afternoon Princess. Paul sent me in to check on how long you would be to get ready to leave," stated Philippa. "You know how he is with his strict schedules when it comes to the public events. A bit overprotective still and fresh off his close to suspension and all."
"HEY! I can hear you out here!" complained Paul, laughing as he heard Gabriella's laughter float out to the hall as the doors were open.
"Then you know it's true!" called out Gabriella, grinning more as she stuck the bobby pin into her half completed bun. "I'll be fifteen minutes, twenty minutes max."
"Fine, High Maintenance Princess!" complained Paul, smirking to himself as he saw the grins on the other security members' faces.
Philippa just shook her head at the familiar banter. "Honestly, the man has no respect for who you are and your station in life."
"And that's the way I like it Pip, you know that," returned Gabriella. "Just as I like you that much more when you let yourself let your guard down around me. You have to admit, we have fun without all these stupid restrictions."
"True but I don't dare risk seeming disrespectful. My superiors would have a fit. Speaking of, shouldn't I be doing your hair?" asked Philippa as she advanced towards Gabriella.
"No, I've got it, honestly Pip. You do wonders for my hair but this is a simple bun and I'm almost done. Can you go and keep Paul company so he doesn't rush me though? I really need to make sure I get everything done before we leave for the charity concert," said Gabriella, turning her attention back to the mirror and her conversation with Taylor. "Sorry Tay!"
"No problem Gab, just a slice of the royal life. Glad to see Paul is even cheekier than he allows himself to be around us. He and Emma have really been good for you," commented Taylor.
Gabriella couldn't help but agree. "I know, they have been. Everyone thinks it's weird because Emma is my therapist and Paul is my bodyguard of sorts but to me it's no different than being close friends with Chris who is my dance partner. Nothing should ever bar people from being friends if they want to be."
"Or lovers or married or lots of other things," agreed Taylor.
"Exactly, which is why I am again very happy for Troy, that he is marrying the woman of his choice, and living his dreams the way he wants to. Just by having the choice to choose who he marries I'm envious of Tay. I'm jealous of you and Chad too. Just promise me that you'll always cherish your freedom Taylor," pleaded Gabriella as she placed the last pin necessary to keep her hairstyle in place.
"You make it sound like you're a captive bird who is being held hostage to sing or get your feathers plucked," responded Taylor, getting a bit uncomfortable as silence was heard on the other end of the phone. "Gab, you all right?"
Gabriella forced herself to spray her hairspray on her hair before picking up her foundation and other makeup items she used for performances as she began applying them. "Sorry, I was busy putting some makeup on," lied Gabriella. 'You were really on the spot there Tay but I don't have the time to really explain this now, especially when I know there are half a dozen pairs of ears outside in the hall within hearing distance.
"Oh, well I should let you go then. Will you email me pictures of the performance today? It's at an outdoor theater right?" questioned Taylor.
"Yup and I'll ask Pip to do it as she's coming today," replied Gabriella. "I'll make sure to send them out tonight."
"Good, sounds like a plan. Break a leg Gab and I'll talk to you later," returned Taylor.
Gabriella smiled, despite the great sense of longing she had to reach out and hug Taylor. "Thanks Tay, bye!"
Once the phone was hung up, Gabriella quickly applied her heavier than normal makeup and packed it all up in her bag before running into her bedroom, grabbing her dance bag and costume, and making it to Paul's side just as he was about to enter her bedroom. "I'm here, I'm on time!"
"Barely," teased Paul as they started walking down the halls of the palace, got into the two cars they were taking, and made their journey to where the charity concert would be held.
"I so mean it, there's nothing like a high after an amazing performance," expressed Gabriella excitedly as she began to take her hair down backstage of the outdoor theater. "Chris, I'm so proud of you for nailing that spontaneous lift and not dropping me too!"
Chris chuckled from the seat next to her as he used some of her makeup remover to take his off. Both had changed out of their costumes immediately and changed into their street clothes, Chris in a pair of jeans and a plain white t-shirt while Gabriella had on a flowery knee length skirt and a light blue top. "Well, I have to make sure I keep you safe Ella otherwise I know a certain bodyguard who would kill me before I could be beheaded."
"Haha," got out Gabriella as she rolled her eyes, brushing out her hair a bit more until the waves flowed again. "Why am I dance partners with you again?"
"Because you need the best to bring out the best in you," teased Chris, a smirk on his face as he finished getting his makeup off.
Gabriella began to work on removing her own makeup, finishing a few minutes later after applying just a little bit of blush to her cheeks and some light lip gloss. She packed up her bags again and stood up, stopping as she realized Chris was silently laughing at her while shaking his head. "WHAT?" demanded Gabriella, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"Just, why take off the make up to put more on? I swear you girls, I mean women, are too high maintenance some times."
Gabriella let out a suppressed shriek of frustration as she glared back at Chris and now a laughing Paul. "What is it with you two and calling me high maintenance today? I am so not! Take it back!"
"Well I grant you that you aren't on Tessa's or say Sharpay's level but you have gotten more complex as the years have passed Gabriella," stated Paul. "You used to be happy with lip gloss and now it's lip gloss and blush."
"Ooo, I added blush. String me up and call the tabloids," returned Gabriella with her own smile. "But it's okay, go ahead and tease me, get it in now, because you both will get it later, trust me."
Chris gave her a quizzical look as they left backstage and started walking to their cars. "And that meant what Ella?"
"Oh just that as my date to my best friend's wedding in less than a month, you are going to have to behave and play nice Chris as I torture you with all our girly stuff that I know you so love. As for you Paul, well, Emma can take care of it for me," stated Gabriella, giving both men her own smile before hugging Chris good-bye and then getting into the waiting car.
Paul and Chris exchanged one look that said it all as they both were debating on whether or not Gabriella was serious on making their life hell for the day's teasing or if she was just kidding. "Guess it's about time huh?" asked Chris.
Paul nodded his head. "She's behaved too long without payback. She's due."
Chris chuckled. "This wedding weekend should be interesting then."
"And you only know a tenth of it," mumbled Paul before he got into the car with a wave just as the car started driving away.
Forty-five minutes later, Gabriella stepped out of the car only to see her mother worriedly walk her way as soon as she passed the main entry hall. "Mom, what is it? Is Dad okay?"
"He's fine but, there's someone here to see you," murmured Annette, giving her daughter a sympathetic look. "He's playing nice with your father right now in the library. Dinner will be ready in an hour and he will be joining us. I've been waiting here for you to return so I can warn you before your grandmother gets to you."
Gabriella let out a long sigh, which caused a suppressed chuckle from Paul who was standing nearby. She glared at him and shook her head before she turned her attention back to Annette. "They don't give up do they? Not even after the first two suitors this past week bombed?"
"Apparently not. At least you know what you are getting yourself into and your father and I will be there to pull the plug if things get really unbearable," promised Annette.
"That's the only thing that makes this doable Mom," replied Gabriella, giving the older woman a hug. "Thank you for still looking out for me as a mother and a best friend."
"Always," said Annette as she slipped her hand in Gabriella's while she directed one of the servants to take Gabriella's bags to her room as they continued on to the library.
They paused for a few moments outside the library to allow Gabriella to collect herself before they made their presence known to the two men in the library. "Aww, there's my beautiful daughter now. Gabriella, sweetie, please meet Patrick Lewount. Patrick, this is our daughter Gabriella."
Gabriella, who had found the carpet suddenly interesting, forced herself to curtsey before she slowly looked up and saw a charming smile and nice brown eyes staring back at her, surrounded by slicked back black hair. "Hello," she greeted shyly, laughing at herself inwardly at her sudden mood change.
"It's nice to finally meet you Princess," returned Patrick, discreetly looking Gabriella over from head to toe. "You look lovely tonight."
A blush crept onto Gabriella's cheeks as she smiled back at him. "Thank you for your kind words. Please, call me Gabriella though."
Patrick nodded his head. "I'd be honored."
Stephen and Annette exchanged a look as everyone got settled, both wondering if this meeting would at least go better than the first two they had to save Gabriella from, the first from boredom, the second from a rather forward young man.
"How was your performance Gabriella?" asked Patrick, choosing a topic he knew he could get Gabriella to talk on for at least a little while.
"It went really well, thank you for asking. I think the concert brought in quite a bit of money for the foundations participating and it was exhilarating to perform in front of a live audience like that again. I guess I tend to forget what it is like every once in a while after some time of not performing. There really isn't anything like it," confessed Gabriella, smiling more as she thought about it.
'She really is beautiful when she smiles like that,' thought Patrick as he grinned back at her. "I guess that must be similar to the thrill I get from racing cars. The adrenaline running, leaving you high after it's done?"
Gabriella thought for a moment before nodding her agreement. "Sounds to be rather close actually. I guess I never thought of the emotions one would feel from doing such a sport like racing."
"Maybe you'd like to come out with me one day then? To feel it first hand?" offered Patrick, actually finding himself hoping she would agree.
"Maybe, we'll have to see about that," agreed Gabriella, choosing to ignore the immediate disapproving face on her father's face just then. "So besides racing, what else do you do Patrick?"
The two continued to talk, getting to know each other, not needing Annette or Stephen to interject between the conversations to keep it going or to steer it in a more appropriate direction. This of course allowed both parents to better observe the two young people's interactions, giving them the best insight as to how Gabriella really felt about this particular eligible bachelor that her grandparents and their council had picked out.
"What do you think Stephen?" asked Annette quietly as they were now walking behind Gabriella and Patrick, who were walking to the formal dining room for dinner ahead of them.
"She seems happy enough. I haven't seen her laugh so freely with anyone other than our staff and maybe Chris in a while. That has to mean something right?" offered Stephen.
Annette thought about this and found that she had to agree. "I think it does but I haven't seen that laughter quite reach her eyes. It makes me wonder if Patrick really is making her laugh or if our daughter is pulling a royal card and just humoring him."
Stephen chuckled at this. "Somehow, I wouldn't put it past our intelligent daughter to think of some scheme that involves her looking happy to try to throw her grandparents off her trail, thinking they would back off if she showed she was interested in a suitor already. There is still time for these two to get to know each other better if Gabriella chooses to after all. If nothing else, it looks like they could be friends in the end."
"I just want her to be happy Stephen," confessed Annette as she heard Gabriella's light laughter drift back down the hall towards them again.
"As do I, and deep down, so do my parents. Come, let's stop worrying about our grown up daughter like she is four and is about to burn herself on the hot stove," said Stephen, hating to see his wife so worried. "She'll be fine, she's come out of worse before without more than a few scratches. Let's just enjoy dinner and let Gabriella handle this the way she best sees fit."
Annette laughed at this, rolling her eyes at her husband. "This, coming from a bigger protector of our daughter than Paul and Curtis combined? Why Stephen, I'm simply shocked."
Stephen had to chuckle at this himself. "What can I say? I know my baby is growing up and we have to let her fly."
"And fly she shall," agreed Annette as she kissed her husband briefly before they entered the formal dining room to share in a delicious dinner with actually good company.