Two days later, it was finally Christmas Eve. The two families were getting ready to go to Christmas Eve service at the town's church. Troy, Gabriella, Lucas, Jasmine, Lucille and Christina were in the Montez suburban while Bryan, Matthew, Linda and Michelle drove in their own cars as they were all coming from their own homes. So far, Lucille and Christina had helped out on the farm with the Montez family. They never complained or raised an eyebrow when they were given a certain chore. Christina helped Gabriella and Jasmine milk some of the cows and Lucille helped Gabriella exercise the horses. The two Bolton women enjoyed their time on the farm and stated that they wished to come back in the spring or fall.
When they got to the church, they walked inside and went to find a seat. Gabriella's grandparents were already there. Gabriella raced to both sets of her grandparents. Both her grandmothers hugged her tightly as her grandfathers greeted Troy with handshakes before Troy introduced his mother and sister to them. Soon after the others arrived, the service began. Gabriella entwined her fingers with Troy and rested her head on his shoulder throughout the service.
An hour later, the congregation began to light candles for the ending of service as they sang 'Silent Night'. Once the benediction was given the congregation began to file out of the church. Outside the sky was clear with thousands of stars twinkling in the night. Troy draped his arm around Gabriella's shoulder and kissed her head, thinking that in twelve hours she would be his fiancée. Earlier in the day, Sharpay and Zeke stopped by and the two couples exchanged gifts with one another. Now the family was getting ready to head back to the farmhouse for a late dinner before going to bed.
Close to midnight, Gabriella put her final gifts under the Christmas tree. She kissed her parents goodnight before going up to her old room. Lucas and Jasmine had not touched her room at all. The only thing that was added in there since her leaving for college were a couple pictures of Troy that Gabriella added when she returned home one time. Troy came into the room shortly after she did. Both began to get ready for bed. Gabriella crawled into bed and began to read out of her book. Troy got on his side and rested on his back before leaning over to kiss Gabriella's arm gently to get her attention.
"What was that for?" Gabriella asked as she looked over at him.
"I love you." Troy whispered.
"I love you, too."
Gabriella then put her book down and turned off her lamp while Troy turned his lamp off. They both settled down in bed. Gabriella instantly found her place in Troy's arms, he head resting on his chest. Troy ran his fingers through her hair and soon it lulled both of them to sleep.
The next morning, Troy woke up to Gabriella placing soft kisses along his jaw and neck. He slowly opened his eyes and gazed down at her. Gabriella smiled up and him and gently pulled him down for a kiss on the lips.
"Merry Christmas." Gabriella whispered against his lips.
"Merry Christmas." Troy whispered back. "Sleep well?"
"I always do when I'm with you."
Ten minutes later, the couple got up and headed downstairs. Their parents and siblings were up and getting breakfast ready. Every wished one another a Merry Christmas and began to sit down for a large family breakfast. Lucas and Jasmine's parents were coming over later in the morning to join the families to open Christmas gifts.
One hour later, everyone was gathering around the large Christmas tree in the living room. Troy and Gabriella took their spots on the floor near the large easy chair that Lucas was sitting. Troy had stated that he wanted Gabriella to open the gifts from him last out of everyone. So far they had gotten new items for their apartment and each got clothes and Gabriella got some picture frames for new photos she was certainly going to want to be seen her in the apartment. Troy had gotten a new sweater from his soon to be in-laws that Jasmine had knitted herself and both he and Gabriella got a new quilt that Jasmine made for their beach house. Troy had gotten a new watch from Gabriella with the day they met inscribed on the back of it. Finally, it was now time for Troy to give Gabriella her gift. Troy had left to go get her first gift out of Christina's room and then came back with a large hat box. Gabriella looked at it in surprise as he placed it in her lap.
"Merry Christmas, Baby." Troy said as he kissed her gently on the lips.
Gabriella carefully took the lid of the box off and peeked inside. She gasped and reached in and pulled out a dachshund puppy. It was a dark brown smooth haired girl. The little puppy began to place kisses all over Gabriella's face making the human to start giggling. Troy smiled at seeing her so happy. He reached over and rubbed the top of the puppy's head.
"Her name is Lily." Troy stated.
"You remembered the name I said I would choose if I had a dog?" Gabriella asked touched. "That was over a year ago."
"I remember everything you've told me." Troy whispered. "Do you like her?"
"I love her."
"I already bought a carrier for her and there's dog food, her dishes and a couple of toys for her in the kitchen."
"Thank you, so much." Gabriella said as she kissed Troy gently.
"I have another gift for you." Troy said.
"Troy, I don't need another gift." Gabriella insisted as she nuzzled with Lily with her nose.
"Well, this is not entirely a Christmas gift." Troy admitted as he handed Gabriella a medium sized box.
Gabriella handed Lily over to her mother who was instantly covered in puppy kisses. Troy watched as she opened the box only to reveal a smaller box. She opened the new box to find a smaller box once again. After two more rounds of that, Gabriella finally came to a jewelry box. She took the wrapping paper off to reveal the black velvet of the box. Troy took the box from her grasp and moved to face her. Both could hear gasps as he moved to get on one knee. Gabriella had tears come to her eyes as she placed her hand over her mouth in shock. Troy found himself getting emotional as well.
"Ella, the past two years have been the happiest I've ever been and the reason for that is you. You have brightened up my whole life. You are the first thing I dream of when I wake up and I go to sleep dreaming of you each night. I love you with everything I have, I know that being with me has thrust you into the public eye, but I hope to make it worthwhile. I didn't know what true love really was until you came into my life. You are the reason God put me on earth; you are the one who I am supposed to spend the rest of my life with. Will you marry me?" Troy declared through his and Gabriella's sniffs.
"Yes, I will." Gabriella whispered tearfully.
Their families cheered loudly as Troy opened the box to reveal his grandmother's engagement ring. He took it out of the box and slid it on Gabriella's left ring finger. Gabriella wrapped her arms around his neck and the two kissed one another happily, but still mindful of their parents and her grandparents in the room. Troy cupped Gabriella's face once they pulled apart and wiped the tears from her eyes with his thumbs as they smiled at one another happily. They were then broken out of their gazes when they heard cheering from their family. Gabriella leaned into Troy as he turned around to look at everyone.
"She said yes." Troy announced.
"Congratulations." Lucille said as she hugged the two of them tightly.
"My baby is getting married." Jasmine said tearfully as she hugged her daughter and Troy shook hands with Bryan and Matthew.
"Let's see the ring." Michelle said as she grabbed Gabriella's hand.
"Oh my gosh, it's gorgeous." Linda exclaimed.
"This ring belonged to Jack's grandmother." Lucille stated. "She had put it in her will that the ring belonged to whoever Troy asked to marry him."
"Now the question is, when the wedding be?" Christina asked.
"I'd like to get married sooner rather than later." Troy stated honestly as he looked at his fiancé'.
"Me too." Gabriella agreed smiling happily.
"We will need at least six months to plan a wedding." Jasmine said.
"Do you want the wedding in New York or in Tennessee?" Linda asked.
"I don't know, we have some thinking to do." Gabriella answered.
"Yes we do." Troy agreed. "But we need to keep the location a secret or our wedding is going to broadcast live via paparazzi and tabloids."
"We want to be with you when you pick out your wedding dress." Michelle stated.
"Yes, please." Linda agreed.
"I will be there no matter what, you are my only daughter and every mother dreams of being there when her daughter picks out of her wedding dress." Jasmine stated.
"I will see to it that you, your daughters in law, and your mother and mother in law are there to help Gabriella find the perfect wedding dress." Troy promised his soon to be mother in law.
"Thank you." Jasmine told him. "That means the world to me."
"I'm glad I could help you in any way."
That evening, everyone was sitting down at the table for Christmas dinner. Troy and Gabriella had hardly left one another's side. They had left Lily in the kitchen with her own dinner and went to go join the others. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming as they all began to prepare to eat. Lucas and Jasmine sat either head of the table. Lucas raised his glass.
"A toast to the newly engaged couple, Troy and Gabriella." He announced as they others raised their drinks in the air. "May they know nothing of happiness and love in their new life together."
Everyone clinked their glasses together in their toast. Troy and Gabriella kissed each other gently enjoying their time of only their family knowing about their engagement. For in the next few days, the Bolton family spokesperson would make the announcement everyone was waiting to hear, America's Prince had found his Princess.
