Hey people, well this is the last chapter for this story, I will post a poll for the next story :)
Thank you for your support everyone!
CHAPTER 10
"Oh, wow…this is chilli," Gabi enthused.
"I'm surprised you're still hungry after eating a double beef burger," Troy admitted as he watched her enjoy his cuisine with a smile.
She tilted her head. "Now I know why you're single…"
"Well, I'm dating actually…sorta…" He added with a twinkle.
"Don't tell me- its complicated," she teased.
"No, not complicated…just long-distance…"
"So I'm a fill-in?" She wondered.
Troy offered her some cheese and she sprinkled some on her meal.
"A worthy replacement," he agreed.
"You know, when we first met, I'm sure you weren't so…" She searched for a word.
"Attractive?" He offered.
"No…"
"Adorable?"
"No!"
"Charming," he grinned.
"Definitely not," she derided with an eye roll.
"So, I've changed?" He summarised from her statement.
She nodded slowly, savouring her food.
"In a good way or a bad way?" He ventured nervously.
She shrugged. "You've not changed in a like…really obvious way," she assured quickly. "Just now…we're much more at ease."
"I should hope so," he mused of their kisses.
"Look, thank you for dinner, it's really lovely," she held up her glass in a toast. "To Troy, for all his culinary skills," she toasted.
"To Gabriella, the most beautiful woman I know," he toasted back.
She avoided his keen gaze expertly.
"So, what's dessert?" She put her fork down, seemingly not filled by his heavy meal.
He held her gaze. "If you can eat a dessert after that, I'll give you a medal…"
"I just wondered what you made, that's all…"
"Cheesecake," he shared.
"Oh, my favourite." She smiled happily.
"Always a hit with the ladies," he nodded.
"I see," she mused at his statement.
"Not that I would know," he added quickly.
"Uh-huh…"
"I read it somewhere…"
"Troy, is there something you're not telling me?" Gabi wondered then.
He sighed. "Yeah, I'm a serial bigamist…"
She giggled and swiped him. "That's not funny!"
"What! You looked so serious!" He teased.
"You sounded like you ran a club or something," she pouted.
"I do- the 'Feed Women Cheesecake Club', it has 150 members…"
"You were definitely not this cheeky before!" she accused affectionately of his teasing nature.
"What can I say? Having you here made me so insanely happy…"
She squinted at him, not assured.
"Hm, if you say so…"
"Hey," he got up and came over, helping her up. "Dance with me?"
She nodded with a soft smile and he turned on his stereo system to play some soft, rhythmic music as he brought her close; the kitchen their dance floor.
# When we're together
Touchin' each other
And our bodies do what we feel
When we´re dancin'
Smoochin' and swayin'
Tender love song softly playin'
Move closer
Move your body real close
Until we
Feel like we're really makin' love..#
"Nice song choice, Troy," Gabi commended with a hidden giggle as they swayed.
"I think so," he mused in return, slightly awkward at the song that chose to come on from his romance album.
Gabi lay her cheek against his chest and relaxed into his body; feeling the strength of his support but no pressure to do anything but dance and share this time close, together, alone.
#So when I say sugar and I whisper I love vou There's much room for passion, ooh-no-no
Well I know you´re gonna answer in the sweetest voice
Sayin' my pretty lady
I love you too ooh well
There's no room for fears
When, the love flows smoothly between us, baby
my dear…#
"What does your mom like to eat?" Troy murmured against her hair.
Gabi smiled at the fact he was worrying about impressing her mother.
"Anything," she assured.
"She must have a favourite…"
"Well, who doesn't love pastries?" Gabi wondered.
"I can't cook that!" Troy denied and she settled him by running a hand down his neck, then letting her fingers stretch up into his hair.
She pulled back and blinked at him. "Why don't we go out to eat, instead?"
"I want to impress you both," he admitted softly. "How about pancakes?"
She smiled. "Perfect."
"You have yours sweet or savoury?"
"However you make them," she replied.
"That's not an answer…" He teased.
"It is…"
"What do you prefer?" He prompted.
"Sweet," she tilted up her face. "Like your cheesecake…"
He smirked, pausing from kissing her. "Are you obsessed with my dessert?"
"I might just be," she nodded sadly.
"Then I think we should eat it and end the obsession…"
"Wait, the song isn't over…" She paused him from leaving her and he nodded dutifully. #Move closer Woh-oh-oh, move closer
Move your body real close
Until we feel like we're really makin' love
Move your body real close
Until we feel like we're really makin' love..#
As Gabi gazed into Troy's intent blue eyes, she almost did feel like making love, too. As it was, she lifted her mouth to kiss him and received his tender kiss against her lips; taking everything he offered and giving it back in equal measure.
His hands ran down her curves, her body pressed to his and their tongues wrapped together as they fought for more skin, more touch, more kissing, just not getting enough of anything as they battled for control.
Neither submitted, they both clung on for dear life as they rode the rapids together; parting only as Gabi whimpered in need when Troy's hand cupped her backside and hauled her closer.
"Damn…sorry…" He misread her sound of pleasure for something else and slew in breaths of precious oxygen.
Gabi touched her palms to his chest, her fingers leaving his hair.
"Don't be," she whispered.
He met her gaze and held it, both silently accepting the moment.
"I guess its time to feed you again," he eventually offered.
"I'm like a big mogwai," she smiled softly as he stepped back and took a breath for control.
"Good job I have a fridge full of food, then," he led the way.
/
Cheesecake had been consumed.
Troy's lips twitched as he looked at his dinner guest, still surprised to find Gabi here with him to start with and secondly still adjusting to the fact his perfect woman also happened to be his singing idol.
"Do you want to chill out for a bit?" He asked as she leaned back with a sigh; rubbing her full belly.
She gave him a smile. "Since I came all this way, I guess it would be rude not to…"
He smirked at her. "Will your mom be missing you?"
She pulled out her cell. "I'll call her and let her know I'm staying awhile if that's okay?" She checked.
"Of course," he assured easily as he cleared their plates away and Gabi wandered towards his open-plan living room while she dialled her mother's number.
"Mom, it's Gabi," she introduced to her mother.
"Hey, sweetie," Maya Montez greeted.
"Have you had a good day?" Gabi asked. "Are you back at the hotel?"
"I'm at the hotel but I'm actually getting ready to go to a late dinner with a friend," Maya shared. "I hope you don't mind…"
Gabi lifted her brows.
"I guessed you would be busy with Troy," Maya added when Gabi didn't speak.
"Well, we had dinner and we're going to hang out a while," she conceded. "I just wanted to be sure you weren't alone."
"I'm not," Maya assured. "Where is your young man?" She asked.
Gabi looked around, finding Troy mooching about his kitchen awkwardly waiting for her to finish her call before joining her.
"He's next door," she answered.
"Put him on," Maya instructed.
"What?" Gabi frowned confusedly.
"I want to talk to him…" Maya explained.
"Mom," Gabi complained. "That's just embarrassing!"
"You don't know what I'm going to say to him yet…" She mused. "Hand me over…"
Gabi sighed and licked her lips, looking to Troy across the room. She joined him in the kitchen again, holding forth her phone.
"My mom wants to say 'hi'," she explained awkwardly. "I'm really sorry…" She added with a wince.
Troy actually grinned, taking the phone from her.
"Hello?" He greeted. "Mrs. Montez?"
"Hello Troy," Maya greeted. "It's nice to finally 'meet' you," she teased.
Troy smiled into the phone. "You too," he charmed.
"Did Gabi invite you to breakfast?" She checked.
"I'm cooking for you," he recounted his understanding. "Perhaps you'd like to come to my place to relax and enjoy the balcony?"
"That sounds great," Maya enthused. "Is Gabi staying the night?"
Troy swallowed. "Uh…I'm not sure…we hadn't planned-" He replied nervously.
"Just promise me you'll look after her," Maya asked and Troy was intrigued by her words, flicking a look at Gabi as he considered them.
"I will," he husked genuinely.
"I like the sound of you, Troy," Maya decided. "I think I'm getting to see what my daughter sees in you."
Troy chuckled. "I hardly said two words," he discounted bashfully.
"Well the two words you did say were enough," Maya soothed.
"Well, thank you," Troy blushed, clearing his throat. "And you don't have to worry about Gabi, Mrs. Montez," he added. "She'll be well cared-for on my watch."
Gabi o'd her mouth at the conversation Troy was conducting with her mother awkwardly.
"See you tomorrow for breakfast," Maya signed off.
"Until then," Troy parted, handing Gabi her cell phone back.
"What did she say?" She demanded right off.
Troy pursed his lips, debating whether to tell the truth.
"She's coming here for breakfast…" He offered.
Gabi rolled her eyes. "I heard that part."
"She just said she wanted to hear my voice, that's all," he relayed.
"And?" She followed him as he led her back to his living space and offered her a seat on his large, comfy-looking sofa.
She sat, looking at him expectantly as he dropped beside her, turning on the TV.
"That was all," he assured.
"I doubt it," Gabi muttered to herself.
"So," Troy posed. "Tell me something…"
"Tell you what?" She wondered.
"Anything. Just tell me something…"
She gave him a bemused look. "I never expected to meet someone," she offered. "Someone like you," she added.
"What am I?" He curved a smile.
"You're just…" She looked for words in her mind. "Different."
"Different, how?"
"You're not bothered that I'm…me," she posed of her fame. "Despite being a fan…you're not just interested in getting me into bed or being part of my crowd…"
He nodded lightly along.
"And you really helped me when I needed help," she admitted lastly. "When I had that meltdown…you were the only person who I would listen to and that still freaks me out," she admitted.
Troy frowned as she touched upon the subject of her break down.
"Why did you melt down in the first place?" He wondered.
She flicked her eyes to his.
"I can't lie to you, you can tell when I do," she mused.
"Then don't," he offered. "Don't lie to me…"
She sighed.
"Sometimes they just expect so much of me…I honestly wanted to do the fan experience thing but then there's press and promotion and I know we had time alone but…sometimes it just feels like its all too much. I just want to sing, without the circus, but I know that's part of the job…"
Troy reached forward and took one of her hands that she was gesturing with and she startled, then settled to let him cup her hand between his.
"I'm here, you know, if you ever need me…any time, day or night…"
She swallowed, touched.
"I just don't know that I can give you as much in return," she worried, looking at him as she twisted on the seat.
He sucked his lower lip, then met her gaze.
"What if I'm not asking for anything in return?" He posed.
"Troy, that's not fair…it would never work. You need something back…"
"What if just knowing you were coming home to me was enough?" He asked, serious.
"I…I don't…?" She stuttered, flummoxed.
He pulled her gently towards him and into his arms; into his lap almost as he embraced her.
"This is enough for me," he rested his chin against her head.
She pulled back and studied his face.
"Can I stay here tonight?" She asked, with a nervous swallow.
He smiled and traced her cheek with gentle fingers. "I was about to ask the same thing."
She relaxed against him as he went long-ways on the sofa, comforting them both.
"Just tell your mom that we didn't have sex," Troy commented as they settled down to watch a TV Movie.
Gabi giggled at his request. "I will…"
/
One year later…
"Pancakes for two…" Troy served up the breakfast orders of the two Latina ladies in his restaurant.
They were the only two customers- after all; it wasn't every day that Gabi and her Mom were in town together so shutting his place for the morning shift was a treat for them all.
He looked around the empty place and took a moment to reflect on his achievement. He'd opened 'Alexander's' a few months after meeting Gabi; inspired to follow his dream the way she had. Being apart from her while she toured and did promotion gave him time to pour into his new business but having her home again was always a pleasure- a sweet kind of pleasure that he couldn't describe.
"Are you joining us?" Gabi asked, reaching up to tug on his hand.
Troy came-to and smiled down on her. "Sure, I was just reflecting," he soothed her as he sat beside her, affording Maya with a smile.
"I still remember the first time I tried your pancakes," Maya smiled back.
"And I still remember you helping me to get this place open," Troy returned as he twined his fingers through Gabi's and she ate one-handed.
Maya watched their tenderness and smiled softly. "Well, you put in the work," she bounced back.
Troy nodded, again feeling pride in his successful business.
"So what's the plan today ladies?" He wondered of Maya's visit.
Gabi looked to him. "Mom has booked a spa day so we can do whatever we like…"
Troy lifted his brows, looking to Maya. "Are you sure you don't want to spend the day with us, Mrs. Montez?"
She nodded. "I'll let you two kids have your freedom," she smiled.
Troy frowned. He and Gabi were used to catching up on 'alone time' whenever their schedules allowed.
"It's really no problem…" He offered to Maya.
She gave a knowing look. "It's very sweet of you to include me in your plans, but really, I'm okay."
Troy nodded, pursing his lips as he rose to clear away their plates.
"Maya, can you help me?" Troy requested of Gabi's mother.
"Of course," Maya followed Troy through to the restaurant kitchen.
"Is everything okay?" Maya checked with the Troy as she put her plate into the large industrial sink for cleaning.
Troy swallowed and turned to lean on the sink so he could face her.
"I've been thinking about Gabi and me for a while now…" he began, nervously. "About being more serious…making a commitment," he added by way of explanation.
"Oh," Maya's brows rose in surprise at his subject matter.
He frowned shyly. "I know, sorry, this is weird but…well seeing as Gabi's father isn't around I wanted to see how you feel about us…about me," he added.
Maya smiled and grasped his forearm. "I see you almost as my son now, Troy," she assured.
He nodded. "Then if I ask Gabi to marry me, you'd be okay with that?" He checked.
Maya gasped, tears coming to her eyes.
"You're going to propose?!"
"With your blessing," he clarified.
"Oh you have it!" Maya assured quickly, hugging him. "I'm so happy!"
He grinned, abashed. "Really?"
"Yes," she gave him a smile. "Now where are you taking her to ask?"
He gave a boyish smile. "That's a secret…"
She nodded. "Good answer. I'll see you tomorrow for breakfast before I head home," she parted, quickly heading through to the restaurant as Troy followed once he had cleaned the plates and left them to dry.
"So…" Gabi looked expectantly at Troy as he came through. "What shall we do with ourselves?"
Her naughty smile gave away what she was thinking about doing and he felt the familiar rise of attraction as he dropped his gaze down her beautiful form.
"What about a trip to the aquarium?" He asked.
Gabi tried not to look too disappointed at his suggestion.
"The aquarium?" She repeated.
Troy bit into his lower lip, hiding his real reason for taking her there.
"I booked us on a private whale watching trip," he explained. "No fans, no interruptions, just us…"
She smiled at his touching gesture, even if it did mean waiting to be intimate with him.
She stepped up close and cupped his neck as she brought his head down for a long kiss hello. When they pulled away he blinked lazily at her.
"Are you trying to tell me you don't want to see the whales?" He wondered.
She giggled. "No, I'm just catching up," she assured. "Let's go see Willy…"
/
It was pretty cold out on the boat- the whales only came into the bay during the winter when it was warmer in the Pacific than their usual haunt south of Mexico.
Troy wrapped his arms around Gabi's waist as he stood behind her, watching the beautiful majestic creatures launch in and out of the water; a stunning sight to watch.
"This is perfect, Troy," Gabi grasped his hands as they locked at her belly.
"I'm glad you think so," he murmured in her ear, nuzzling there.
"I'm sorry if I was disappointed earlier," she turned to press her palms to his chest.
With just the two of them here, she could indulge in her urge to kiss him; their sweet, tender meeting of lips shared for a long moment.
"Hey, look," Troy pointed over her shoulder and she twisted her neck to catch a grey whale splashing onto his back in the water.
Gabi cuddled back into his body and Troy wrapped her close.
"I missed you," she told him softly with a happy sigh.
"I missed you too," he kissed her hair. "Are you warm enough?"
She nodded against his chest but he moved to unzip his coat and wrap it around her, his lips twitching with a smile.
"I love having you in my arms," he commented.
"I love being in them," she replied.
He took a deep breath in for courage. "I know it's only been a year, but you mean so much to me, Gabi," he confessed.
"I love you," she looked up and told him again how she felt. They had shared their first 'I love you's around the six month mark after a particularly long stretch apart and she could still remember how she felt when he had said it back.
"I love you, too," he crinkled, not finished with his speech. "And I want to make us more permanent," he hedged.
They had talked about being together, talked about a future, considered how it would feel to be married. There was no reason for him to feel nervous, but still, he did.
She cupped his cheek. "I pretty much live with you already," she mused.
"Yeah," he arched a brow, diving into his coat pocket, pulling out a box. "But I was thinking something more official…"
Gabi gasped at the sight of the ring box, wondering if this meant what she thought it meant.
Troy backed up with a wry smile, getting down onto his knee, resting his elbow on his knee.
"Gabriella Montez…will you marry me?" He posed, flipping the box open and lifting the simple diamond ring towards her for her perusal.
Gabi studied the beautiful stone with surprised delight and nodded with tears in her eyes.
Troy stood up and took the ring out of its cushion to push onto her finger.
"Your mom approved," he added with a tiny curve of his lips.
Gabi looked to him, her tears tumbling.
"You asked her?" She checked, feeling even more touched.
He shrugged. "You're dad isn't around to ask so…"
She wrapped her arms around his neck and he leaned down, to kiss her.
"I can't wait to marry you, Troy," she shared emotionally.
"Me either," he husked.
"Can we go home and celebrate?" She hinted; again recalling their first time together, how he made her feel when they made love and she would never fed of sharing those special moments with him.
He smiled at her suggestion. "Good idea," he conceded.
Damn good idea.