Gabriella smiled as she watched her boyfriend of 8 years mess nervously as he paced around the kitchen in their small home. At 25, the two had been living together for 2 years after graduating from university. Ever since the day they had met, their relationship had seemed to get stronger and stronger and it seemed to everyone else that there was nothing that would ever be able to tear the two apart because what they had was a true love that everyone longed to have.

"Troy, if you pace around that kitchen much longer there won't be a floor left." Gabriella scolded him playfully.

"Sorry."

"It's ok but what are you so nervous about? You haven't been able to stop all afternoon and you have barely said two words to me." Gabriella asked as Troy sensed the worry in her voice and walked over to her and sat down next to her and wrapped her in his arms.

"It's nothing. I'm just expecting an important phone call soon and they said they would call 10 minutes ago and the waiting is doing my head in." Gabriella leaned her head into the crook of his neck as she rubbed his other arm softly trying to relax him.

"You need to relax more and stop stressing over work."

"I know and after tonight I will. I promise." Gabriella smiled and kissed him softly before settling down in his arms. "I hope so." Troy whispered to himself knowing that tonight was one of the most important nights in his life. Just as he got comfy, he jumped hearing his cell finally ring.

"Are you sure you're ok because you don't normally jump like that." Gabriella commented.

"I'm sure. I'll be back in a bit." Troy grabbed his cell off the table before disappearing to their room.

"Ok."

"Did you do it?"

"..."

"Good. Thanks dude. I owe you."

"..."

"Thanks I'll call you tomorrow and let you know how it goes."

"..."

"Chad I'll call you tomorrow no matter what happens."

"..."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence bro."

"..."

"Just go." Troy hung up and smiled before frowning, worried that after tonight, if he screwed this up it could ruin the rest of his life. "Gabi!"

"What's the matter now? Who called?" Troy smiled as he rubbed his neck, a nervous habit that Gabriella had picked up on from the first few days of them dating.

"I was wondering if you would let me take you out tonight."

"Why? Where are we going?" Gabriella asked.

"There is somewhere I wanted to go and it won't feel right going there again without you." Gabriella had a confused look on her face. "Just trust me."

"Ok. Give me a few minutes to change."

"Make sure it's something casual and wear comfy shoes because otherwise both you and I will regret it since you will make me carry you back." Gabriella rolled her eyes as Troy kissed her lips before leaving her to change.

Gabriella smiled seeing that Troy was leading her into the park but was still confused as to what was going on and what he was up to since he had still said anything else to her since they left making her mind go into overdrive with stupid questions like was he going to break up with her? Was he going to tell her something bad? Was he going to say he'd found someone else that he loved more than her? Was that what he was waiting for with the call earlier, her reassuring him he was doing the right thing? Was he-

"Gabriella!"

"What?"

"You ok? You seemed to be deep in thought and didn't even realize we had stopped."

"Oh. Sorry. I'm fine just thinking about some stuff."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No it's nothing really just silly things." Troy nodded as Gabriella turned to look around and noticed she was at the old building in the park that Troy had taken her to all those years ago but still felt like yesterday to Gabriella.

"Remember this place?" Troy asked wrapping his arms around her.

"How could I not? What are we doing here again? We haven't been here since we graduated and wanted some time to ourselves before everything got all crazy again."

"If you follow me I'll show you."

"You mean I have to climb all those steps again? Lucky me!" Troy shook his head and took her hand leading her into the building and the long way up the steps to the top. "I swear if this isn't for a good reason you are sleeping on the couch tonight mister."

"I promise you will like this or at least I hope you do because otherwise I might die if you hate me for this."

"I'm sure whatever it is then I will love. Even if I don't I'm sure I won't hate you for it either." Troy nodded as he felt her suddenly stop and gasp as they reached their destination. "Oh my..."

"Is that a good reaction or a bad reaction?"

"Good reaction. Wow Troy I can't believe you have done all of this." The whole place had been decorated with white fairy lights, red roses and white lilies scattered over the floor with a few candles set up around.

"Technically I didn't do all of it, I had Chad help me out since I didn't want to make you suspicious and wanted to make sure it stayed a surprise."

"Is that the phone call you were waiting for earlier?"

"Yeah it was and knowing it was Chad who was finishing all of this off and then was late ringing made me worry because I had something planned."

"Really? What have you got planned?" Troy took a deep breath before looking Gabriella straight in the eye.

"Eight years ago my life changed but for most definitely the better. I didn't think that at just 17 I would find the love of my life because if it hadn't of been for my mom dragging me out that day I would have had to have spent longer without you and now I just can't imagine going even a few hours without you. You are the light of my world Gabriella and you are what makes me want to get up each morning knowing I will get to see your smile." Troy saw Gabriella trying to hold back the tears. "Gabriella over these past few years with you, I have learned so much about you as well as who I am and want to be and now I'm hoping you will do me the biggest honour in my life and make me even happier and agree to be my wife. Will you marry me?" Troy asked taking out the box in his jacket and opening it to reveal a stunning diamond ring that was sparkling under the moonlight.

"Yes." Gabriella answered tearfully as Troy slipped the ring on her left ring finger before Gabriella threw her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately as he swung them her around as she giggled in his arms.

"I love you Gabriella Montez soon to be Bolton."

"I love you too Troy Bolton." She leaned in and kissed him again.

"Are you happy?"

"More than you know." The two stood there in each other's arms overlooking all of Albuquerque, Gabriella resting her head on Troy's shoulder while leaning her back against his chest. "I can't believe you thought I wouldn't like this."

"Well proposing to the love of your life is tough when you know you can't bear the thought of being without them so if you screw it all up then my life would have been over."

"That thought can now go because I am going to have to fill your brain with wedding stuff because I can't wait to marry you and for us to settle down good and proper." Troy kissed the side of her head affectionately as he rubbed her arms with his hands.

"I can't wait to officially make you mine either."

"Can I ask you a question Troy?"

"Sure."

"Why did you bring me here to propose? Not that I'm complaining I was just wondering."

"It's ok. When I first started thinking about it, I couldn't think of anywhere that was good enough to propose to you because you have no idea how many times I had planned on proposing to you when I took you out but then things happened and I just knew it wasn't special enough for you which is when I started thinking it needed to be a special place that meant something to the two of us. I tried thinking of the school, the bridge where we shared our first kiss but this place stood out to me because it is the place we always came when we needed to get away from the world and just admire what we have in front of us which is why I chose here." Gabriella grinned as she turned around, her eyes watery, as she kissed her new fiancée.

"I'm so lucky to have you."

"I'm the one who is lucky to have you because you made me a better man." Gabriella buried her head in his chest and held onto him close as they spent the rest of the evening watching over Albuquerque and enjoying the peace and quiet to themselves before heading home with Gabriella already thinking about the arrangements that she needed to make for their wedding.

8 months later

Gabriella woke up to the sun shining and birds chirping outside her window. Something heavy was across her stomach, at first she was worried something was wrong but then she realised it was Troy's arm draped across her. She giggled and he moaned sleepily.

Then suddenly he jumped up onto his knees, like a kid at Christmas.

'WE'RE GETTING MARRIED TODAY!' he yelled, kissing her.

The two had decided not to be traditional and spend the night before the wedding apart, they were vowing to spend the rest of their lives together so why should they be apart?

'I'm going to go make you breakfast!' he said, and rushed out, still only wearing his boxers.

Gabriella felt a weird feeling in her tummy, not because of Troy's arm, but because of something else, something she knew shouldn't be happening.

She wasn't excited. It was her wedding day and she wasn't scared or nervous or happy, she just felt like it was any other day. She knew this was wrong and tears came to her eyes, why couldn't she be like everyone else? Why couldn't she just be happy?

Gabriella knew she loved Troy, which made it even worse, but surely, marrying someone you don't feel excited to marry is wrong? Surely she should just tell him. This thought repulsed Gabriella, she knew Troy would be crushed, and she shook her head violently.

'Hey, what you doing?' Troy asked walking into the room with the breakfast tray.

'Nothing, I just have a bit of a head-ache' she replied, lying smoothly.

You shouldn't be lying to him, a voice in her head said.

'Well, I made your favourite, croissants absolutely coated in melted chocolate. How does that sound?'

'Thanks Troy, but I don't feel like it right now'

Troy's face fell just as Sharpay sauntered in.

'Of course she does Troy, don't mind her, now out, we have a big day ahead of us, go on, shoo!'

Sharpay bundled Troy out of the room before he could say anything but not before Gabriella could see the hurt look on his face.

Instantly she pushed Sharpay aside, flung the door open and ran in front of him before he could get to the stairs. She took a huge bite of the food before pressing her mouth on his, smearing chocolate all over his face in the process.

She felt him smile and pulled away.

'I guess you were hungry' he said.

'Mhmm' she said, her mouth still full.

She kissed him again once she'd swallowed and when they broke apart he said,

'You taste nice mixed with chocolate'

She laughed and walked back in the bedroom to find Sharpay, her best friend for years, with her hands on her hips.

'Umm, morning?' Gabriella tried.

'It won't be in 4 hours! It will be noon! And did you also know that your wedding is at one? We must get a move on!'

'Jeezums Shar, I'm here now aren't I?' Gabriella said, throwing the food into the bin.

'You, wait here, I'm going to get Troy started then we'll begin getting you ready. DON'T MOVE!'

She left and Gabriella sat down heavily onto the bed with a sigh. She hadn't even enjoyed the breakfast treat Troy had made. She knew for certain something was really wrong, but what could she do? Stop the wedding? Of course not! The whole family and all their friends had contributed to the planning, she couldn't do that! She'd just have to grin and bear it, everything would be back to normal after the wedding right?

Sharpay returned and the countdown began, literally, Sharpay had brought along a timer!

Almost Noon

Gabriella was all dressed in her wedding gown, strapped in, Gabriella felt. (pictures in profile)

'Darling, are you ready?' Arlene asked her daughter.

'Yes, yes I'm ready' she responded, taking one last look at their house, before stepping in the wedding car.

'Ooh, this is so exciting!' Sharpay squealed, with a glass of champagne in her hand.

'My daughter's finally becoming a woman!'

'Mom, I became a woman years ago' Gabriella moaned.

'I know sweetie, but you're getting married! I'm allowed to embarrass you'

'You should see Chad's speech' Taylor added.

Sharpay choked on her rose champagne.

'I KNEW HE'D CHANGE IT!' she yelled.

'Oops' Taylor said, smiling.

'WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?' Sharpay screamed. 'I'M THE WEDDING PLANNER! IF THIS GOES WRONG EVERYONE WILL LOOK AT ME!'

'SHARPAY!' Gabriella yelled, above the racket.

'WHAT?' came the yelled response.

Everyone collapsed into laughter, even Sharpay, and then there was a silence, a nice silence, not an awkward one.

Gabriella leant her forehead on the window, she felt too hot but she knew it was because the dress was so heavy, not because she was nervous.

'I'm not doing the right thing,' she thought. 'But how can I do this to Troy? I couldn't hurt him like that, it would destroy him, and I love him, I know I do, then why can't I feel happy? Like I did when he asked me to marry him? Why not?'

The car pulled up outside the church and everyone piled out. Troy was already waiting at the front, along with Ryan, Jason, Zeke and of course Chad, who was the main best man.

The girls and Arlene led Gabriella through into the back room, and wished her well, promising they'd see her later.

Then she was on her own. She looked out of the window and saw a pigeon, just a normal pigeon, one you'd kick at to make it fly off if you were walking down the street. Then a man walked past and did kick at it. So the pigeon flew away.

Gabriella watched it soar high up then disappear.

'I want to be like that, I want to be free, to be who I really am, what I want' she thought.

'I can't do this' she said out loud, 'It's not fair on me or Troy'

She began to write down on a sheet of paper a note for Troy.

Dear Troy,

The path that I'm walking
I must go alone
I must take the baby steps 'til I'm full grown,
Fairytales don't always have a happy ending, do they?
And I foresee the dark ahead if I stay

I hope you know,
That this has nothing to do with you
It's personal, myself and I
We've got some straightenin' out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
It's time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry

Always loving and never forgetting you,

Gabriella

Tears had been running down her cheeks as she wrote and some had dripped on to the page but she didn't have time to write it again, her mom would be coming soon to walk her down the aisle. She weighed the note down with the necklace he gave her, the one with a 'T', for Troy. She couldn't think about it otherwise she'd break down.

She climbed up onto the table and slid through the window, astonishing a passer-by. She quickly ran round the corner and up the street, eventually coming to a cafe.

30 minutes later

Troy was getting seriously worried, Arlene had left to fetch Gabriella half an hour ago. Then had returned for Sharpay and he hadn't seen any of them since. He felt people getting restless and felt he owed it to himself to know what was going on.

He turned his back on the alter and walked down the aisle and through to the back room to find Arlene in tears and Sharpay furiously pressing buttons on her side-kick.

'What's going on? Where's Gabriella?' he asked, already knowing the answer.

'Troy' Arlene said, getting up.

'No, don't, don't say it' he told her, falling into the nearest chair.

'She-she left you this' Sharpay told him, handing him the note and the necklace.

Troy read the note and swallowed, she loved him, she told him she did in the note, then why did she leave him?

'Why?' he asked, tears running down his face.

'Oh sweetie' Tamsin, Troy's mom said, walking into the room and seeing the state he was in.

'She's gone mom, she's left' he wept, like a child, needing comfort from his mom.

'I've got her!' Sharpay exclaimed.

'Gabriella? Gabi?' she said into the phone.

'Yes' said a watery sounding Gabriella.

'Where are you hunny?'

'It doesn't matter, is Troy ok?'

'Well no, not really, he's just found out you left him Gabs'

'I'm not trying to hurt him Shar, I just need time'

'Here's here, speak to him, you need to sort this out' Sharpay told her, handing the phone to Troy.

'G-gabi?' he asked.

'Yes?' came the meek, quiet voice of Gabriella.

'Why El, why leave? We love each other! Come back to me baby, please' Troy pleaded.

'I just need time Troy, I just need time, please, let me have it, I'm sorry'

CLICK...

'She's cut me off' he said to no-one in particular.

'Maybe you should just leave her a while, let her breathe a bit' Arlene said.

'No-one pressured Gabi into marrying him! If she didn't want to she should just have said!' Tamsin said fiercely, defending her son.

'I never said they did! I'm saying if Ella's felt the need for some space we should give it her! She loves Troy, she'll be back' Arlene retorted, defending her daughter and herself.

'PLEASE! JUST LEAVE IT, BOTH OF YOU' Troy yelled, getting up and storming down the aisle.

He had a short word with the priest, ignoring everyone's questions, instead just telling Chad to go to the back room and find out.

The priest led him up the tower to the bell ringers, with him, was a microphone...

With Gabriella

Gabriella was sat in the middle of the cafe, the only available table, with people staring at her, all around. The elderly waitress brought her a coffee, smiling. Gabriella didn't look up, only stared at the table.

Had she done the right thing? She really did love him, but, then again, was she sure? Could it just be nerves?

Then, her head shot up, she could hear Troy's voice. At first she thought he had found her, but then she realised it was on a loudspeaker. Everyone in the cafe was silent. Time seemed to stop while his voice carried through to Gabriella.

It isn't a crime to want
A little space to breathe
But you will be fine,

The sun again will shine
On you
Whatever you do

Take your sweet, sweet time
Cause I'll be here, when you change your mind
Take your sweet, sweet time
I'll be here for you, baby
Anytime

I'm feeling you pull away
'Cause letting go isn't easy for me
But you'll never fly
With someone else's wings, I know
Wherever you go


Take your sweet, sweet time
I'll be here, when you change your mind
Take your sweet, sweet time
I'll be here for you, baby
Anytime

I will never stand in your way
Wherever your heart may lead you
I will love you the same
And I will be your comfort everyday
Do you hear the words I say?


Take your sweet, sweet time
I'll be here when you change your mind
Take your sweet, sweet time
I'll be here for you, baby
Take your sweet ,sweet time
I'll be here when you change your mind
Take your sweet, sweet time
I'll be here for you, baby
Anytime

'Go get him sweetheart' the waitress said.

Gabriella looked at her and smiled and stood up.

'I will, I'm going to get married!' she said.

The entire cafe stood up and cheered, as did everyone she ran past on her way to the church.

They all clapped and cheered, making her realise even more that this was the right thing to do.

Breathless, Gabriella arrived at the church, for a moment, she stood looking up at where Troy must have stood, before walking in.

'Gabriella!'

'Where have you been?'

'Are you ok?'

She ignored the questions fired at her, only searched for where Troy could be. She returned to where everyone was still stood and hadn't found him.

Troy walked down the stairs, slowly, miserably, his head down. Gabriella's heart jumped, there he was, her Romeo, her Prince Charming, her Troy.

Troy lifted his head to the silence and saw her. She was stood there, his Ella. She'd come back.

'El?' he asked.

'Yes?' she asked, a tear slipping out.

'Why did you go?'

Gabriella blushed, but knew she deserved it, he had a right to know.

'I didn't know if I was doing the right thing, and I couldn't put you through it if I wasn't, it wouldn't be fair'

'Surely that would be my decision to make, I love you Ella, you must know that'

'I do, I do know that, now more than ever' she responded, praying he'd take her in his arms and kiss her.

There was a silence as he walked down the remaining steps to her, everyone kept quiet, wondering what would happen.

'El?' he asked once more, standing directly in front of her.

'Yes Troy?'

'Will you marry me?' he asked.

'Of course' she said, flinging her arms around his neck.

There was applause as they kissed.

'I love you El' he told her, kissing her nose.

'I love you too Troy'

'Come on people! Let's get this wedding started!' Sharpay said, causing everyone to laugh.

'Ready?' he asked her, offering his arm.

'For what?' Gabriella asked.

'For the rest of our lives' he responded.

'In that case,' she said, taking his arm 'definitely.'

'Now that, is perfect' he told her.

Several Hours Later

After the wedding and reception, Troy and Gabriella left for their honeymoon. Troy had surprised Gabriella with tickets to Mauritius. It was somewhere some of their friends had recommended when Troy asked them for help deciding on a place.

Arriving at the luxurious 5 star hotel, Troy checked the two in as Gabriella rested for a few minutes. Gabriella smiled when she saw Troy walking back over and got to her feet and kissed him as he got to her.

"All done. Our room is waiting." Gabriella giggled against his lips as she kissed him again and allowed him to lead her towards the elevator where as soon as the doors closed, she kissed him harder. "You're really impatient you know that?" Gabriella shrugged.

"You got a problem with that Mr Bolton?"

"Absolutely not, Mrs Bolton." The elevator came to a stop as Troy pulled her out of the elevator, still carrying their two bags. Troy led her down to their room where as soon as the door was open and Troy had placed the bags down, he found himself caught up in another passionate kiss. Gabriella couldn't keep her hands off Troy as they kissed passionately and as soon as the door was closed, within minutes, Troy's shirt was already unbuttoned and had been tossed aside. He picked her up as she wrapped her legs around his torso and allowed him to carry her across the room. Right now Gabriella couldn't care less about the room and neither could Troy. All they could focus on was each other and finally getting to be alone for the first time since becoming a married couple.

"I love you Troy Bolton." Gabriella breathlessly whispered as he moved his lips down from her lips to her neck.

"I love you too, Gabriella Bolton." Gabriella grinned at the sound of her new name and how perfect it sounded before letting a moan out as Troy sucked on her sensitive spot. Gabriella could feel Troy's hand's slip under her tank top she had changed into before he slipped it off and left a trail of kisses down her chest and stomach before working back up again.

"Troy?" Troy stopped as blue eyes met brown.

"Yeah?"

"Make love to me." Gabriella told him softly as Troy smirked.

"My pleasure, Mrs Bolton." Troy winked at her and Gabriella moaned as Troy made his way up to her lips again as he gently pushed the straps down on her bra as all other clothing was removed one by one and the two made love long into the night for the first time as man and wife.

Gabriella sighed softly as she opened her eyes the next morning only to find Troy's arms were no longer wrapped around her and as she turned she found that he too had gone. Hearing the shower running, Gabriella smiled as she decided to stay in bed a little longer and catch up on some rest after all the excitement of yesterday and more so last night. Lifting her left hand up, Gabriella examined the two rings that now rested on her ring finger as she giggled in happiness.

"Good morning." Looking up, Troy was looking at her standing there in his shorts and with his t-shirt in his hand as he slipped it on with his hair still wet as Gabriella sat up making her think she must of been day dreaming about everything for a while.

"Morning." Gabriella couldn't help but check him out as he moved closer.

"Checking me out Mon- Bolton."

"Almost caught yourself there Bolton. I'm no longer a Montez since I'm one of you now."

"And I can tell you I love that you finally are after so long." Troy leaned down and kissed her softly as he sat down on the bed next to her, neither caring how wet he was. "You'd best get some clothes on babe since we need to go down and get some breakfast soon before we miss it." Troy told her as the covers slip from around her revealing her naked body. Gabriella laughed softly before kissing him softly on the lips. It isn't long before the kiss intensifies and his arms wrap around her while her fingers find their way underneath his shirt and run up and down his athletic torso. Gabriella found herself lying under him again but suddenly looked confused as he pulled away.

"Come on we have to get up before this goes any further if you want food."

"It's a good job I'm hungry otherwise we wouldn't be leaving this room anytime soon."

"I'm sure we will be spending plenty of time in this room." Gabriella kissed Troy once more before wrapping the sheet around her as she disappeared into the bathroom to shower and get dressed.

After eating breakfast, the two decided to spend the day just lounging round the pool relaxing after everything that went on yesterday and taking dips in the pool together and just mess around like they did when they were younger. The two were right now lying on the same lounger with Gabriella half lying on Troy.

"I love you Gabi." Gabriella smiled hearing him whisper in her ear, making her heart flutter. She knew no matter how many times she heard him say that, she would never tire. "I'm glad we are finally getting chance to be alone without having anything else to worry about apart from us right now."Lifting her head off his shoulder, she looked at him with his eyes still closed as she traced the features of his beautiful face.

"I love you too." Feeling the urge come on, she suddenly shifted slightly and leaned up and kissed him softly, feeling him kiss back instantly.

"Mmm what was that for baby?" Troy asks breaking the kiss.

"I just had the urge to kiss my gorgeous husband."

"Well to let you know I could kiss my gorgeous wife all day." Troy told her leaning down to kiss her once more before she rested her head on his chest.

"It's amazing here isn't it?"

"Yeah it is. The guys did a good job helping me pick out this place. I wasn't sure whether to trust them or not."

"I still can't believe you guys managed to keep it a surprise so long. Taylor really did make me believe when I tried to pry it out of her we were only going to a hotel close by for a night."

"That's what she told you? Taylor really needs to work on her lies because that is pretty bad and I'm surprised you didn't see through that lie."

"Hey I was too busy with everything else to argue with her and arrange anything else."

"Well for the next two weeks you are doing no work what so ever, all you are required to do is relax and enjoy yourself with your gorgeous husband." Gabriella rolled her eyes as she closed her eyes and just listed to Troy's heart beat.

Later that evening, the two had decided after going out for a meal of the evening to come back to their room early. Now the two lay together wrapped in only the sheets as they lay in the others hold.

"Can you believe we're married?" Gabriella asked softly as she snuggled up to him in bed in his arms, wrapping her arm around his stomach. Troy ran his fingers up and down her arm, sending shivers down her spine as Gabriella lay there in his arms thinking about how he made her feel with his touch, his eyes, his lips, everything about him was perfect and he was all hers.

"No I can't but I can tell you right now you have made me so happy Ella." Troy heard Gabriella let out a sigh. "You don't regret getting married do you?"

"Of course not. It's what I've dreamt about since I met you. I know it sounds stupid but I knew not long after we got together you would be the one I wanted to marry and spend the rest of my life with. People may think it's stupid but I knew you were the one for me and you will be the only one for me." Gabriella reassured him, smiling.

"You know I seriously have to remind myself everyday how lucky I am to have you because I sometimes wonder where I would be now if I didn't have you. I think in a way when I look back now I was the same and knew exactly how I felt about you when we met. I can't wait now for us to finally settle down and start our own family." Gabriella tried to cover her yawn but Troy saw. "Go to sleep babe. I love you."

"I love you too and I can't wait till we do either, goodnight." Gabriella replied softly as she closed her eyes, falling into a peaceful slumber in Troy's arms knowing that the past few hours had been the best in her life and she knew it was only the beginning.