American Cinderella

Thanks for the reviews. The next chapter is the one everyone's been waiting for. But before that, I hope you enjoy this one.

It was now the Monday before Thanksgiving. The wedding was now only two weeks away. Gabriella had flown back to San Antonio to spend Thanksgiving with her family. Last year when she flew back, she paid for a ticket and flew commercial. This time she and her security were on a private plane. She was driven to her parents' home in a SUV instead of being picked up by her parents.

"So, is everything set for the wedding?" Alexander asked as the family sat in the family room.

"Everything's done. My final dress fitting was yesterday, Troy's uniform is pressed. Everything's done." Gabriella answered.

"Now, when you go to Saint Matthews, are you in the carriage that you leave with Troy in?" Justin asked.

"No, I asked to be in a car, I felt that I would be too nervous if everyone saw me, plus I didn't want everyone to see me in my dress before Troy."

"With the exception of the wedding planning, what else is going on?" Elaine asked.

"Well, the queen surprised me by showing me my finished office." Gabriella answered. "They did an incredible job. Like other royal offices it is made to show Ronaldian price but mine has some subtle American pride."

"Like what?"

"A few glasses have the American flag on them as well as the United States Air Force seal."

"Anything else new?"

"I had my first portrait sitting the other day."

"I bet it's going to be beautiful." Alexander said smiling proudly.

"When is Troy's graduation?"

"Three days after the wedding."

"So, short honeymoon." Juanita commented.

"We're only going to the summer palace for a couple of days." Gabriella explained. "The real honeymoon isn't going to be until after the holidays."

"Where are you going?" Carmen asked.

"I have no idea. Troy won't tell me."

"That's so sweet, he wants to surprise you."

The next few days, Gabriella enjoyed spending time with her family. Sharpay had also flown back so spend Thanksgiving with her family. The two girls, plus their mothers, went out to San Marcos to shop some at the outlets. Thanksgiving was spent by preparing the meal, watching football and later 'White Christmas', eating and being together one last time before the wedding. Sharpay and Gabriella had one last sleep over in Gabriella's bedroom Thursday night. The girls stayed up all night talking about favorite childhood memories as they laid in Gabriella's bed.

Friday was usually spent decorating the house for Christmas but this year everyone was going to celebrate it in Ronaldi. Instead, Gabriella, Sharpay, Elaine and Derby went to pick up Troy's wedding gift from Gabriella and last minute things the two families were going to need for the trip to Ronaldi. Gabriella had stepped out with her hair French braided and in Saturday's newspapers, it was stating that the soon to be princess was setting off a trend set.

Saturday evening found everyone getting ready for the Air Force Band Christmas concert. In case of an emergency, security was making Gabriella go in her SUV. Her two grandmothers climbed into the vehicle with her.

"Is this how you travel now?" Carmen asked her youngest granddaughter.

"Since the engagement was announced." Gabriella answered. "I use to only ride in this when I was with Troy and we would leave our car in a very crowded area unattended, but now I have my own car as well."

The driver pulled them up to as close to building as he could. Security got out and guarded Gabriella as she helped her grandmothers out. The group walked into the concert hall. They arrived thirty minutes before the concert was due to begin so Alexander and Elaine could mingle with some of the other commanding officers and their wives. Justin, Gabriella, Ryan and Sharpay stayed with Gabriella and Justin's grandparents while their parents mingled. Security was scattered across the building in order to protect the future princess. Gabriella was laughing at something her brother joked about with their friends when a small group of children approached her nervously.

"Hello." Gabriella greeted kindly.

"Are you really going to marry a prince?" a girl asked.

"I am."

"So, you're going to be a real princess?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Do you get to wear a really pretty crown?"

"I'll get to wear a pretty tiara sometimes."

"Pretty dresses?"

"I'll get to wear pretty dresses to fancy parties."

"Do you like to wear the pretty dresses?"

"I do, but I like wearing my regular clothes, too."

"Why are you marrying a prince?"

"Because I fell in love with him." Gabriella said. "But I'd marry Troy even if he wasn't a prince."

"The wedding is a week from today." Alexander told a friend as they watched Gabriella interact with the children

"You must be very proud."

"We are, she's getting many responsibilities but she's going to be able to handle it. Troy will definitely take care of her, he's a great young man."

"Will you and Elaine still be able to see her?"

"Oh, yeah, the royal family told us that we won't lose her."

"Are you going to be able to let her go?"

"It will be, probably, the hardest thing I will ever have to do." Alexander admitted. "But I think I'll be able to do it."

The next morning, the Montez and the Evans family got up early and caught their private plane back to Ronaldi. This would be the last time Gabriella would in the United States as a commoner. She had to admit that she was sad about goodbye to her home but was still exited about her new life ahead of her.

"You sure do know how to travel now." Justin said to his sister.

"This actually isn't the one Troy and I will travel in, Eugenia let me borrow this one."

"Have you and Troy thought about kids yet?" Sharpay asked,

"Yeah, we want to start a family pretty soon."

"Do you have to have a boy first?"

"A boy would be a preferred heir but it doesn't have to be the first born."

"What if a son isn't born?" Ryan asked.

"Then Troy has the option of choosing our eldest daughter or if Eugenia has a boy as his heir."

"Have you and Troy talked about that?" Justin asked.

"Yes and he's promised me that if that is our situation, our daughter will be his heir." Gabriella stated.

"I can't believe that we're actually talking about this." Justin said with a chuckle. "What will your official title be?"

"Her Royal Highness, Princess Kellia or sometimes just Gabriella, Princess of Kellia."

"I can't believe that my sister is going to be a princess in a week."

"But I am still going to be your sister."

"And even though you'll have a crown on your head, I'm still older than you." Justin commented making Gabriella laugh.

Several hours later, the plane landed int Ronaldi. Troy, his father, Charlotte, Eugenia and his grandparents were waiting for them, as well as the country's media. Troy grinned as he saw Gabriella appear as she helped Juanita down the stairs. Troy smiled even more at the thought of the next time Gabriella would leave the country would be on their honeymoon.

"I'm so glad you're home." Troy said kissing her when they met.

"I'm glad to be back." Gabriella agreed smiling.

"You know, I missed you so much that I think I'll marry you."

"That sounds incredible, when do you plan on this wedding?"

"How about this Saturday?"

"I think I can do that."

"Welcome back to Ronaldi." Jack greeted Alexander happily.

"Thank you." Alexander said as the two fathers shook hands.

"How was your flight?"

"No complaints, it was very easy going."

"Everything is all downhill now."

"How's Troy doing?"

"He's doing well, he couldn't wait for Gabriella to come home. How's our bride doing?"

"She's very calm, relaxed. Very different from me."

"I felt the same way when Eugenia got married."

For the next few days, guests began to arrive for the wedding. Gabriella and Troy were busy getting final preparations done. Gabriella's dress was under lock and key to ensure it was kept hidden until the wedding.

A couple of days before the wedding, the lighting of Mills Avenue's, the street that Morning Dawn Children's Hospital, Christmas lights. Lucille Bolton had been on the hospital's board of directors when she was alive and had turned on the lights every year before she passed away. Now, Troy turned the lights on as his mother instructed him in her will. This year, Gabriella was going to join him.

"Baby?" Troy asked as he walked into their bedroom "You ready to go?"

"Yes, I am." Gabriella agreed.

She was wearing a simple black long sleeve velvet dress and black shoes. Troy took her hand and led her out to their awaiting car. Gabriella had attended the lighting before but this was the first time she would be on the podium with Troy.

"Did you practice your speech?" Gabriella asked on the drive.

"A few times." Troy agreed. "It's not that long, I don't want all those people standing out in the cold for too long. Or you for that matter."

Gabriella smiled and kissed him gently. Their car stopped and a guard opened the car door. Troy got out and helped Gabriella out. People began to cheer loudly and flashes from cameras flooded the couple. Troy shook hands with the chairman of the board as they approached the podium.

"Thank you for coming out on this cold evening for the annual Christmas lighting. This hospital meant very much to my mother. She hated the idea of any child having to be in the hospital for any long period of time." Troy stated. 'Especially at this time of year. It was her favorite part of her job, to be able to see the faces of the children when these lights come on and I don't think we should wait any longer. Again, thank you for coming and Merry Christmas."

The audience cheered loudly as he and Gabriella were led to the light switch. Soon, the crowd began to yell out the countdown. Troy and Gabriella turned the Christmas lights on and the cheers grew louder. Troy leaned over and kissed Gabriella gently before they were led into the hospital for a small party with the kids.

Two evenings later, Gabriella was up in her post hotel suite. It was the night before the wedding. Gabriella, her family and Sharpay were staying at the hotel, which had cleared out an entire floor for Gabriella's safety. Stood there in her pajamas, Gabriella looked out at the city. People were already starting to line up along her route to Saint Matthews.

"Gabi?" Elaine asked coming over to her. "You should be getting to bed."

"I am, Mom." Gabriella said turning to face her. "How is everyone?"

"Well, Justin, Sharpay and your grandparents are sound asleep. Your father is in our room polishing his medals and shoes to make sure they're perfect."

Gabriella smiled as she crawled into her bed. Elaine pulled the covers over and tucked her only daughter into bed. Gabriella closed her eyes as Elaine placed a kissed on her forehead.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Mom."

Elaine reached over and turned the bedside lamp off before she got up and returned to her room. Gabriella looked over at the window. She got a perfect view of the palace. A smile graced her lips as she thought of her fiance.

"Good night, Troy." Gabriella whispered.

Trow was in his and Gabriella's room. After finishing pressing his uniform, he had moved to polishing the medals he had earned at the academy. He couldn't help but smile as he thought of what tomorrow would bring. Finally, Gabriella was going to be his wife.

"How's it coming?" Louis asked.

"Almost done." Troy answered.

"Your grandmother got a call from Elaine saying that Gabriella just went to sleep."

"Good, she deserves it." Troy stated. "She's been nonstop these past few days."

"A wedding can be very stressful on the bride. This wedding probably gave Gabriella more stress than the average bride." Louis said. "Your dad's pretty nervous."

"He's not walking down the aisle this time."

"No, but you're still his son and he loves you very much, regardless of everything. All he wants in life is for you and your sister to be happy. And I know your mother wanted the same thing."

"I wish she could be there tomorrow."

"I know you do and I would give anything to make that happen for you."

"I know you would."

"She'd be proud of you."

"Would she approve of Ella?"

"I have no doubt she would. You should get to sleep pretty soon, big day tomorrow."

"I will."

Louis smiled and patted his grandson on the shoulder before he walked out to go to bed himself. Troy smiled and placed his last medal on his jacket. He then went over to his window and looked over at the hotel.

"Good night, Ella."