Disclaimer: This story is intended for entertainment purposes. No money or sexual favors have been exchanged. Copyright Infringement is in no way intended.

Albuquerque was peaceful. Summer air became cooler still deciding whether autumn would be permitted to begin. The neighborhood prepared for nighttime. Streetlights flickered on, humming to the remaining stragglers to point their skateboards home. Car alarms beeped relaying to the owners their readiness for the approaching watch. The light in the tree house dimmed as the stars traded places with the sun. Crickets provided a soothing song. The man and woman lay bundled together in a sleeping bag.

Troy was grateful. She was the best present ever received. He often thought to himself how lucky he was. Gabriella Montez had come to him in a blizzard on a ski trip he had been dragged to. One karaoke machine, her voice, and a little magic changed everything. When fate dropped the brown eyed beauty in his hometown he saw the message loud and clear; never let her go. The road to forever, however, had not been easily traveled; along the way where stumps named Sharpay, ego, and distance. College brought about a brief break up, but knowledge that she had begun seeing a lab partner had Troy at her doorstep working out their issues. There was no way they could be apart.

Now, six years later they were graduates of college. She'd received a degree in law at the top of her class at Stanford University. He had attended Berkley on a dual scholarship of drama and basketball; a combination unheard of by anyone. A torn ACL destroyed his dreams of playing professionally. It was Gabriella who reminded him that he could still coach and that there was always his drama degree. Knowing she believed in him was the final piece in the puzzle. In deciding where to go she readily agreed to return to his hometown. She considered it the only place she had ever been able to call home. He had made the decision.

"Hi," Gabriella said pulling Troy out of his trance. Her voice still made his heart race. Looking down at the woman in his arms, he couldn't help smiling. Her smile was absolutely contagious.

"I love you," he replied. Those Hershey brown eyes melted. She was always going on about his piercing blue stare, but Troy thought, her eyes could solve wars. Who would be able to resist such warmth? He was sure she was well aware of her powers. She'd sprinkled tears on those puddles of brown a time or two, and sent him into frenzy.

"What are you thinking about?" she prodded. Any other woman asking that question would make Troy cringe. When Gabi asked though, he knew she was genuinely wondering. He was happy to share.

"I'm thinking that I am so lucky, babe," he started. "I will never know what God I charmed into letting me have you. You are the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen.

You are the smartest person I have ever met, and though you could, you never make me feel like I am less than you. Not one day can I claim to have been mislead or unloved by you. You have given me all of you," he continued fighting back the tears forming. "There were times when I was so unkind to you; times I allowed my ego to take over. Still, you have never made a move to punish me."

The tears fell freely now.

"I want you to know that I will always protect you. Never again will you wake or sleep without me. Ask of me whatever you will, honey, and I swear to you nothing can stop me from getting it to you. My heart has always been yours to have. No other woman can ever take your place. And I'll never leave you searching for anyone other than me."

"Oh, Baby…,"Gabriella choked out. Troy stopped her. If she started he would never make it through, and this was something he could not hold back.

"I know this is normally done on one knee. I planned roses, dinner, and candles, but I just cannot wait another day. I need you, Gabi. I need you to breathe. Please, say you will be mine. Will you marry me?"He concluded pulling a box from the jeans he'd discarded earlier. He had been too nervous to place it anywhere out of his sight.

"Yes…Troy, Yes...yes, yes, a thousand times, yes," she replied sniffling.

Relief rolled off his shoulders. He'd finally asked. She'd said yes.

"I only need it once, Baby," chuckled Troy. His heart was jumping out his chest. Gabriella reached up wiping his tears with her thumbs. Troy grabbed her hands placing them above her head and smashed his lips to hers. "Together, baby, we'll always be together."

This time when he tasted her lips he moved slowly wanting to savor the feel. He ran his hands down her body until the tightened on her hips. His kisses rained over her throat, licking and nipping as he went. "I need you, Please," he begged. "I want to make love to you."

"I belong to you, Troy," she hissed as his hands found themselves under the shirt. She raised her arms for him to remove it. Her body hummed all over wherever his hands trailed. Wherever his hand traveled his mouth followed. When he finally placed himself inside of her Gabriella had lost all inhibition. Fingernails scraped his back. Hair leapt from his head. More tears fell from his eyes. It was perfect. Long after Gabriella found sleep, Troy's eyes stayed open watching for the last star to disappear not wanting to give up any of the night.

Parents reached outside for the newspapers on the lawn. Children ran down the sidewalk. The sun began to rise. Autumn entered Albuquerque. And the man and woman slept in the tree house.