A/N: This chapter is quite a mix of emotions. I'd like to dedicate not only this chapter, but also this entire story, to my Aunt Susan who died almost two years ago from breast cancer. Sunflowers were her favorite flower, and they're the perfect symbol of her soul. She didn't hide from the world when she was diagnosed; she took it, went with it, and made the best out of it, and she's my hero. She showed me how to die gracefully and how to live every day like it's the last. It was hard to write this chapter, and even this story, because the Aunt Mia in this story is basically my Aunt Susan. So if you're reading this and you know someone who has been effected by cancer, or are yourself, just know that you're not alone in this world and that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless you all.

Disclaimer: Can I at least own the sunflowers please?

You, Me and the Stars

Chapter 10 – Sunflowers

There's something about how tall they grow... their strength of their vine holding up their massive heads and reaching for the sky. -Me

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Their hands were laced together comfortably and their feet were bare. The sun was shinning perfectly that day, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The air was a little too warm, but there was a cool breeze to balance it out.

Gabriella wanted to see the land and all of its features that day, so she enlisted Susan's help to show her everything. They had already been to their swimming pool that was in a secluded corner of the land. When Gabi asked why she didn't even know about the pool, Susan told her that there wasn't anyone to take care of it now that her Daddy wasn't home, so it was "too gross to even go near." Gabi couldn't help but laugh at the scrunched up face that Susan made when saying that.

"I'll send Troy out here to have a look at it some day; maybe he can figure it out and we can have a pool party!" suggested Gabi. Susan's face immediately lit up at the new idea.

"So, do you like to garden too Susan?"

The grip on Gabriella's hand tightened slightly and Gabi couldn't help but cringe at Susan's reaction.

"My Mom got me into it I guess. She's usually always out here, except for lately, she hasn't been feeling too well." There was a pause in Susan's words as she lifted her head up and allowed her eyes to wash over their surroundings. "She loves it, she really does. Sometimes I think she loves it more than Daddy, but don't tell him I said that." She whispered the last part to Gabriella in a way where she was totally serious, yet she still found humor in her thought. All Gabi could do was laugh at the little girls thoughts.

"I sure hope not, that wouldn't be too good," said Gabi.

"See those sunflowers over there?" questioned Susan as she lifted her free hand to point above all of the other flowers to their left. Sure enough there they were; standing as tall as ever. "Those are her favorites," whispered Susan to herself.

The hand that had been holding onto Gabriella's let go and Gabi watched as the little girl walked peacefully over to the field of sunflowers that were breathtaking.

From a distance, Gabriella stood still and mesmerized every move that Susan made, from the far away look in her eyes, to the gentle touch she had with the flowers, to her hair blowing in the refreshing breeze, to her feet kicking some rocks. It all amazed Gabriella, and greatly saddened her at the same time.

Susan ran through the rows of tall and beautiful sunflowers, causing Gabriella to giggle. It didn't take long for Gabi to follow suit though and chase after her. When the finally caught up together they were on the other side of the rows of sunflowers.

"Did you know that sunflowers are the state flower of Kansas too? Mommy tells me that's why we live in Kansas; because sunflowers are the state flower." Pride with her knowledge was shinning through Susan's eyes and all Gabi could do was smile at her. "Do you like sunflowers Gabi?" asked Susan.

Gabriella turned her face to the flowers that were stretching towards the sun. "I love them," she whispered. "I feel like when I see them I don't have to be afraid of anything; they show strength and a will to overcome all odds. They're different, not normal, yet they're still as beautiful as ever. Remember that Suzy," said Gabriella softly as she tapped the little girls nose.

"Don't they just look so happy?" questioned Susan.

"They look thrilled," agreed Gabriella. "I see why you mom loves them so much."

There was a few moments of silence as the two stared up at the tall flowers and let the wind blow through their hair, listening only to the sound of Mother Nature.

"Do you know when Mommy's coming home? I really miss her," said Susan softly.

Gabriella's eyes left the symbolism of strength and happiness and they fell to the dirty ground beneath her. She felt guilty, more than guilty, and there was nothing that she could do about it. She was torn between two different worlds; lying to the little girl next to her holding on to everything that she said and doing "what was best" for her by sticking with her Uncle Ken's plans of keeping the truth hidden or setting the truth free. It was a hard battle, but at this point in time she knew it wasn't her place to divulge the life changing information to Susan. It just wasn't her place.

"Come here Susan," said Gabriella as she motioned for the standing girl admiring the flowers to come and sit on Gabriella's lap. "We all love your Mommy very much, and we want the best for her. Troy and I are here to stay with you guys to take care of you while your Daddy and a lot of doctors take care of you Mommy. I don't know sweetie when your Mommy will be coming back..." she took a deep breath to keep herself strong. "I just know that your Mommy loves you and Cooper more than she loves life and she wants nothing but the best for you two and she wouldn't want to ruin your summer by having you see her sick." A tear leaked out of Gabriella's eye and Susan quickly brushed it away.

"Why are you crying?" asked Susan.

Gabriella sighed. Lying to this little girl who was staring directly up at her was killing her and she didn't know how much more of it she could handle. "I miss Cooper, how about we go find him and bake some cookies. How does that sound?"

Susan jumped up off of Gabriella's lap excitedly. "That sounds awesome! I'll race you back!" And with that the little girls feet picked up speed and she was long gone and out of Gabriella's sight.

Whipping the dirt off of her butt as she stood up, Gabriella stretched her arms high over her head and let out a deep breath. That was a lot harder than she thought it was going to be and she needed to have a chat with her Uncle Ken soon to reconsider his plans. She felt completely guilty staring into those gorgeous brown eyes and lying straight to her face.

The sun was almost directly above her by this point in the day, and it was so bright that it hurt her eyes so she looked away. Her mother use to tell her that the sun was like the truth; it blinds you as you look away.

Well that was certainly words to live for this summer.

Taking one last look at the gorgeous mass of sunflowers, Gabriella turned on her bare heel and headed back to the house that she could see way off in the distance. It would be a long walk all by herself, but she could fill the time by letting her mind wander to other events and drama in her life: Troy.

She wasn't sure how to handle their new actions and level of friendship. It was so complicated and confusing, but at least she knew that Troy had some type of feelings for her and it wasn't completely one sided. While trying to get to sleep last night and after feeling his lips on her cheek one more time last night, she had come to the conclusion that going to a different level would Troy wouldn't be a bad thing, but rather something that could make her really happy.

He had always been there for her in the past and throughout all of the years that they grew up together, why would now be any different?

But whatever happened and where ever life took them over the next two months she was sure about one thing: she was going to have fun with all of this. She wanted to enjoy being a teenager as much as she could, and she hoped that she could help those two kids have fun being kids too. If things were going to be awkward between her and Troy, then so be it, but she knew that she was going to try hard not to let that happen. She'd just have to wait until tonight before they talked about what had happened.

The house was finally coming back into her view when she spotted Cooper running towards her. She opened her arms and immediately the boy jumped into them and latched on to her neck. The speed that he had had caused her to tip backwards and they went tumbling down to the ground in a fit of laughter.

"Cooper! What's got you so excited?"

"Oh nothing, just wanted to say hello!"

Gabriella just laughed before she pulled them both up and placed Cooper back on the ground. "Did Susan tell you we're going to make cookies?"

"Oh yeah, you should have seen Troy's face light up! It was so funny! I think him and Susan are looking for batter now, come on!" Cooper took a hold of her wrist and pulled her in the direction of the house.

They made it to the steps still running but Gabi tripped on a step and Cooper's hand left hers as he kept going inside. She just shook her head at the boys eagerness and went to take a look at her foot. She had hit her toe on one of the stairs pretty hard and had a small cut in the side. After cursing to herself she turned her body around and sat down on the steps to examine it some more.

"You alright there?"

The sudden sound of his voice caused her head to shoot up and her heartbeat to speed up to an uncontrollable pace. She could hear herself breathing heavily and she could hear his footsteps become closer. Soon enough he was crouched down in front of her and had her foot in his hand.

Immediately, her body flinched at the new contact but after a soft look from him and his eyes she rested assured. He examined the cut and told her he'd be right back.

A funny feeling erupted in Gabriella's stomach and she couldn't help but wonder if they were butterflies. Before she could think about it for too much longer Troy had returned to her and her foot. His strong and delicate hands cleaned up her toe and placed a bandage on it before looking up into her eyes and offering her a sweet smile.

"You coming to make some cookies?" questioned Troy.

"Um... yeah, I just have to make a phone call first and then I'll meet you all in there, okay?"

Troy just smiled at her again and whispered a soft sure before standing up again, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead and returning inside to the kids and cookies.

A huge sigh escaped her mouth and shivers ran down her arms at the close contact between the two again. Trying not to think about it too much, Gabi stood up and walked around the porch to the French doors that led to their bedroom where her cell phone sat. She picked it up and made her way back outside again. Skipping down the steps, her feet brought her on a path that led to a small gazebo with a swinging bench inside. After making herself comfortable, Gabriella paid attention to her phone again and hit one of the speed dial numbers.

After a few rings Gabriella's best friend welcomed her with a screeching hello.

"Hey Tay! How are you?"

"Oh my gosh, I'm great! We'll besides the fact that I miss you so unbelievably much and life without you here just isn't the same."

"I could say the exact same Tay. It's crazy out here, everything is just so... different."

"How are the kids treating you two?"

"They're actually being great! There so much fun to be around too, our days are never slow and boring. And Troy has really surprised me with his interactions with Susan and Cooper; he's such a sweetheart," said Gabriella with small stars in her eyes. A content sigh even left her mouth.

"Um... Gabi? Care to explain what that was all about?" asked Taylor with a small smirk on her face.

Gabi had to clear her throat before continuing. "What?"

"Has... has something like...happened...between you and Troy?"

"Well, you see. That's kind of why I'm calling you. Plus I really wanted to hear your voice again," said Gabriella smoothly.

"Oh my gosh! What happened? Spill!"

"He um... we um..."

"No um's, just tell me!"

"We kissed," confessed Gabriella in a rushed voice.

Silence.

"You what?!" screamed Taylor from the other end of the call.

"Exactly. I don't know how it happened, or where it came from, or what it means, but I... I think I might have liked it." A blush rose to Gabriella's cheeks just thinking abut her feelings for Troy. They were all so new, yet so exciting at the very same time.

"Well, I could tell you how it happened if you'd like, I've done it quite a few times in my days. But in all seriousness, you and Troy?!"

"Yes Tay, me and Troy." Just saying their names together brought a smile to her face. It was as if all of a sudden things were becoming so much more clearer for Gabi. The idea of her and Troy wasn't so bad after all.

"So how do you feel about all of this Gabs?" questioned Taylor truly interested.

Gabriella took a moment to breath before continuing. "I'm not exactly sure Tay; this is all so new and so... so different. I mean, one minute we're best buddies, talking about anything that comes to mind, and the next we're kissing and my heart beat is out of control and butterflies are roaming around in my stomach! It's just... I don't know. I was hoping you could give me some advice," said Gabriella, whispering the last part.

"Oh Gabi, my little precious Gabi. I have three simple words for you: Go. For. It. This is your life, and you only have one, and for the next few weeks you'll be sharing it with Troy so why not go and make the best of it? As friends, you and Troy have always had a connection unlike any other. I've always loved watching you two together because you bring out the best in one another. I know you're use to the buddy-buddy feelings you've always had with him, but it won't kill you to go for something more. Especially if what you're feeling is butterflies. That's some serious stuff."

"I think I'm just going to go with the flow Tay and see what happens. You've definitely helped me see some important things though, so thank you. I'll call you tomorrow to gossip about what happens!"

"Yay! I'm so happy for you Gabi, really. You and Troy deserve only the best and the best is each other. So good luck and I'll be waiting for you phone call! And tell Troy I said hello."

"Will do Tay, love you!"

"Love you too girl."

And with that both girls hung up their cell phone and got back to their separate worlds. After sitting and staring out into the yard for what felt like a century, Gabriella decided to get up and go see how the cooking was coming along.

When she stepped onto the porch of the house she stopped to listen to everyone inside but she heard nothing. Confused, she kept going inside and made her way to the kitchen. When she stepped inside the kitchen she saw plates, bowls, and cooking ingredients everywhere, but she saw no one.

"Troy?" Gabriella turned her head to the side looking for any sign of him or the kids. When she turned her head to the other side her sight became filled by a huge white cloud and she tasted flour all over her face. "TROY!"

Giggles erupted everywhere and Gabriella angrily whipped the flour off of her face. "Do you two think somethings funny? Huh?" questioned Gabi to Cooper and Susan with a fake seriousness in her voice. She moved over to the counter top and took two handfuls of flour in her palms and went back over to the laughing children. In seconds she poured the flour down their faces and ran away from them to get more ammunition.

Hiding behind the island and out of view of the kids she felt someone's hand on the her lower back and a screech erupted from her face. "And what do you think you're doing Mr? You think I forgot about you making my face white?" whispered Gabriella harshly. "Well let me remind you." She rustled her hand around above her on the counter top from her crouched position and grabbed the first thing that came into her grasp.

Unfortunately for Troy it was an egg.

Within seconds the egg was dripping down his face and the shell was in his hair. His mouth was open in shock and his eyes were squinted closed in anger. He laughed sarcastically with a hint of evil in it and Gabriella took that as a sign to run, and to run fast.

Gabriella burst up from her crouched position and went to make a run for it when she felt Troy's strong arms taking a hold of her legs and she went crashing to the floor along with the bag of flour that she had been holding on to. Next thing she knew Cooper had the sink hose directed at her face and with Troy holding her down, she became drenched in water. Susan even had the audacity to jump on top of Troy's back who was currently laying on top of Gabriella's stomach.

"I can't breath!" screamed Gabriella, trying her best to keep a serious tone, but soon burst out in laughter at the mess that they had all created.

"Alright, alright you two, lets get off of this mess of a girl and clean up the kitchen," suggested Troy with a sense of authority in his voice.

Both Susan and Cooper got up and started to clean the now destroyed kitchen and Gabriella was left staring up into Troy's dreamy eyes.

A small smile formed on Troy's face and he pecked Gabriella on the nose before easily pulling himself off of Gabriella's body. When he was up he bent back down and picked up Gabriella's shocked body in one swift motion. When she was set on her feet again she found herself holding on to his upper arms and trying to look anywhere but his eyes.

But then her conversation with Taylor came back into her mind and her feelings of awkwardness and shyness disappeared. She moved her body into Troy's and wrapped her arms around Troy's strong chest before quickly sliding around him and giving him one last look and going over to go help the kids clean up.

Troy just shook his head at the teenagers flirty actions. He turned his head around to watch her retreating back and followed her body as she went to help the kids clean up. Lately Troy couldn't help but keep his eyes on Gabriella. He was seeing her in a new light all of a sudden and it was a light that he never wanted to go out. It was indescribable how he felt and it was unlike anything else, but needless to say he loved it; he craved it; and he wanted more.

A/N: Tad da! There you have it! Hopefully you enjoyed the range of emotions in this chapter and you loved that last scene. Is 25 reviews too much to ask for? You'd make me so unbelievably happy.

Review!!

FiFi xoxo