A/N: My first attempt at a story. This is not going to be a super long, ten chapters is what I have planned out right now, i'm just kind of testing the waters. Any input would be much appreciated. Hope you enjoy!

Inspired by the article 'How I Knew I Wanted To Marry Her'

Chapter One
She Could Pull Off A Surprise

"Ella our reservations are in thirty minutes, if we're not there on time they will give away our table." Troy Bolton paced the living room waiting for his girlfriend of two years Gabriella Montez to finally make her way out of the bedroom.

"I'm almost ready Troy, I just want to look perfect, tonight is important."

Troy couldn't help but smile, tonight was their two year anniversary.

He, Troy Bolton, had been dating the same girl exclusively for two years; nobody ever thought they would see the day when Troy would finally begin to settle down. He had never dated a girl during high school or college for more then a month and even then the relationships never developed outside of the bedroom, but that was before Gabriella came into his life.

The two had met at a mutual friend's barbeque when they both reached for the last can of soda in the cooler. Gabriella walked away with the drink, but Troy walked away with her number. Their first date followed shortly after; dinner at Troy's favorite restaurant, which happened to be a sports grill, while the Lakers' game was on. While most girls would have complained it wasn't fancy enough, Gabriella immediately began gushing about how good their barbeque chicken pizza was. It wasn't though he needed more convincing but Troy knew she was something special when the two had a lively discussion about basketball during their meal.

"Now you see you're biased because you were born and raised in California."

Gabriella laughed, "geography has nothing to do with it Troy, Magic Johnson was an unbelievable player, not to mention the fact I got to meet him after a game and he was super sweet to me, he even signed my jersey, plus his stats aren't too shabby either, 5 NBA championships, 3 MVP awards, and the all- time leader in assists, he's pretty remarkable." Troy grinned; damn this girl knew her stuff.

"Well you see I'm more of a Bulls man myself."

"Hm, and let me guess who your favorite player is…"

Now it was Troy's turn to chuckle, "Yes it's Michael Jordan but can you blame me? Man I wish I got to see him play in real life. I can't even imagine the energy in that arena. I had his jersey when I was a kid and I would run around my basketball court in the backyard, pretending I could fly like him."

"You know 'His Airness' couldn't actually fly right?" Gabriella asked cheekily, making Troy roll his eyes.

"Yes Gabriella but that's not the point, there was something magical about him when I was a kid, kind of like Magic Johnson for you, only I don't have some awesome story about watching him play, let alone meeting him and getting an autograph."

Their conversation was interrupted as their food arrived at the table.

"Earth to Troy." Troy shook his head lightly as Gabriella's voice broke into his thoughts. "Welcome back space cadet, you ready to go?"

Troy nodded and stepped back so he could take in the whole picture that was his girlfriend. Her long hair was left in loose curls that pooled down her back. Her dark blue dress hugged every curve and he was seriously considering blowing off dinner and dragging her back to the bedroom.

"You look gorgeous Ella," Troy whispered softly causing Gabriella to blush slightly. "Thanks Troy, you're looking pretty handsome yourself." Troy did a quick spin, opening his jacket a bit making Gabriella giggle, "I did spend a whole minute on my hair, I was hoping you'd notice, like you said, tonight is special." Their lips met in a quick peck then Gabriella turned and grabbed her clutch off the back of the couch.

"Alright let's get going, I didn't have lunch today and I am starving."

Troy couldn't help but smile. That was his girl.

Dinner was delicious, but Troy was much more interested in Gabriella who seemed a bit more animated tonight then usual.

"You okay babe?" he asked, taking her free hand that laid across the table in his, as the waiter came over to clear their plates.

"I'm fine Troy, why do you ask?" He shrugged lacing their fingers together, "I don't know you just seem kind of antsy about something, you're practically bouncing out of your seat."

Gabriella smiled, "you know me too well." "Is that really a bad thing?" Gabriella shook her head and bit her lip slightly, "no, it's one of the things I love most about you." With that Troy leaned across the table to place his lips on hers, "I love you too," he whispered as they pulled apart. A slight cough caused the two to sit back in their seats as they turned to face the waiter. "Would you still like your dessert to go?" Troy went to answer but Gabriella spoke before he could. "Yes please and the check." The waiter nodded and left to fulfill the requests.

"To go? Gabriella Montez wants to wait to eat her dessert? I never thought I would see the day."

"I just want to get back to our apartment, I have a surprise for you and I can't wait any longer to see your face when you open it."

Troy smiled, "baby I will love anything you get me, especially if it's my favorite kind of surprise." He wagged his eyebrows in a teasing manner making Gabriella glare slightly before breaking out into a smirk. "Keep up the comments like that and you won't be getting one of those surprises for a long time."

Troy leaned in once again, placing his lips on hers, "yeah we'll see about that Montez."

"Okay go sit on the couch and wait while I go and get your gift." Gabriella said, practically dragging Troy into their apartment.

"Whoa Ella slow down, I have to go get your present too." Gabriella pouted slightly, making Troy chuckle holding his hands up in defeat, "alright, alright, I'll sit down." Gabriella smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss.

"You're going to love it, I'll be right back." Troy watched her as she basically skipped to their spare bedroom making him smile at her adorableness. He took a seat on the couch just as she reentered the room holding the gift, an eager yet apprehensive smile covering her face.

"Happy anniversary baby," she said, handing him the gift. It was definitely something in a frame; that he could tell immediately. As he began to pull away the paper his breath hitched in his throat. It was a photograph, but just not any photograph; there was Michael Jordan, in the midst of a gravity defying dunk, his signature in silver sharpie glittering slightly in the light.

They sat in silence for a moment, Troy taking the gift and the meaning behind it all in. He couldn't believe the consideration that Gabriella had put into this gift for him, his mind going back to their first date for the second time that evening.

"Do you like it?" Gabriella questioned timidly, his silence making her slightly anxious. "I know you didn't meet him or anything but there's his autograph and he's "'flying.'"

"I can't believe you remember that," he whispered, Gabriella breathing a slight sigh of relief at his voice.

"I remember everything you tell me Troy. I actually wanted to get this for you last year, but I couldn't afford it." She said as she watched him further examine the picture.

"I can't believe this… Gabriella… you're just… I can't even find the right words," he looked over at his girlfriend who was biting her lip and looking down at her lap, "This is amazing, thank you."

Gabriella finally made eye contact with him and smiled, "I'm glad you like it." Troy leaned over, placing his hand on the back of her neck and pulling her in for a deep kiss that conveyed more then his words ever could.

"I love you so much," he whispered, fearing speaking louder then that would spoil the intimate moment they were sharing.

"I love you too," she whispered back.

"As much as I love your present," Troy said, as he carefully placed the frame on the table, "I don't think we'll have much use for it for what I have in mind." Gabriella giggled as she stood up, "hey what about my gift?" she jokingly asked, placing her hand on her hip. Troy stood up, sweeping Gabriella off her feet carrying her back into their bedroom. "We'll get to it I promise but I still haven't properly thanked you for my gift." Smiling, Gabriella kissed Troy fervently, "hmm, no you haven't Bolton, you should rectify that immediately."

Troy smirked, "oh believe me baby, i'm planning on it."

A/N: Thoughts? Suggestions? I actually would like to have a beta reader for this story, if you are interested let me know. Thanks for reading!