American Cinderella

Thanks for the great reviews. Sorry this is up a bit late. I have been rather busy these past few days.

The next morning, Gabriella was having breakfast while she was given a summary of her day. She was going to start off the day visiting two schools, then afterwards she was going to lay a wreath at ground zero, then she would visit children patients in a well known hospital before ending her day at a women and children's shelter. Troy had left already he was starting his day by giving a speech at the United Nations before spending the rest of the day at West Point.

"How are you feeling, Your Highness?" Emily Andrews, Gabriella's secretary asked.

"Good, I think I'll be better today." Gabriella answered as she took a sip of orange juice. "The long flight really threw me for a loop yesterday."

"We need to be leaving in about twenty minutes, Ma'am."

"I'll be ready."

Gabriella finished her breakfast and was then led to the suite's sitting room where she was to meet Gloria who would be going with her. As she waited, she watched a few minutes of the morning news. She also checked her phone and smiled when she got a text message from Troy saying that his UN speech went over well and that he was on his way to West Point and that he'd see her that night for dinner.

"Ma'am, Mrs. Montera is here." Emily said.

"Thank you." Gabriella said kindly as she stood up.

Gabriella got her coat on and then grabbed her clutch purse. She and Gloria were led downstairs and out to Gabriella's motorcade. As they walked outside, tourists and paparazzi took pictures of the young princess as she walked to her SUV. She got in first and Gloria got in behind her. Once both were in, the police leading the motorcade turned their lights on and the motorcade was on its way.

"Is this how you travel everywhere?" Gloria asked.

"Just on official business or if we're going somewhere were safety is an issue." Gabriella answered. "When Troy and I go out to dinner or to spend free time, we drive our own vehicles."

Ten minutes later, the motorcade pulled up to a public school. The mayor's wife had tried to persuade Gabriella to visit two private schools but Gabriella was adamant that she was to visit two of the public schools who do not get much funding. Most of the students in the two schools came from low income families. Gabriella climbed out and was greeted by cheers from the students that had gathered outside to welcome her. Even parents came to watch the historic moment that their school was a part of.

Gabriella smiled happily at seeing the children. The school had originally planned on everyone to be in the cafeteria but Gabriella came up with the idea for her to visit each class room individually in addition to meeting with everyone in the cafeteria. The principle and the superintendent were going to take her on the tour. The media had asked to be allowed access into the school but Gabriella banned them saying that the children did not need to be exposed to them.

"Your Highness, thank you for visiting us today." Principle Mark Gibbs stated as he and Gabriella shook hands.

"Thank you for having me." Gabriella replied smiling.

"Our students have prepared a little performance in honor of your visit with us." Gibbs said as he led Gabriella and the children into the school building.

The large group of people made their way inside. Teachers led their classes into the cafeteria. Half of Gabriella's security team stayed outside to guard the two entrances of the school and the other half followed her inside. Gabriella walked into the cafeteria where chairs were lined up to make it look like an auditorium. Half the students went backstage while the other half sat on the floor before the stage to watch the show.

For the next twenty minutes, Gabriella and the rest of the audience was entertained by the children. They sang songs, including Ronaldi's national anthem, which Gabriella stood up for, as did everyone else did following her lead, performed little skits and funny little poems. Gabriella was the first one to stand when they finished. She had a very big smile on her face as she did.

"Teachers, students and parents, please welcome to the stage, Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Kellia." Gibbs said as everyone clapped and Gabriella approached the stage.

"Thank you all for that wonderful performance and my warm welcome here." Gabriella said. "I'm very honored to be here among this group of talented children and their proud teachers and parents. As an education graduate, I know the importance of education to any child. I also know that it is incredibly hard when you are not given the provisions or the learning tools for an education environment. I do not want to hear about any child falling through the cracks of education, especially in child from this school. And with that said, I have a gift for everyone who attends this school. On behalf of Ronaldi, I am honored to present this school a cheque for $100,000 to help make it the most state of the art public school."

Everyone began to cheer. Gabriella handed the principle the cheque and shook is hand happily. She could even hear a few parents weeping with joy at the gift from someone who didn't really know them personally but knew they needed help. Once everyone had settled down, the students were taken back to their classes. Some of the parents came up and thanked her tearfully for generous gift to their children on behalf of Ronaldi.

For the next two hours, Gabriella spent time in all the school's classrooms. She answered questions, gave a quick lesson plan, took a class picture and even signed autographs. All the children had huge smiles on their faces as Gabriella bid everyone goodbye before she got back into her SUV to head off to the next school.

The rest of the day went by in a flash. Gabriella donated another cheque from the royal family to the second school and visited with the students and teachers there. After that she had lunch in a nice little bistro with Gloria and Emily. After lunch, she then made visits to a children's ward at a hospital and then finished up by visiting a women's shelter. By the time the motorcade pulled up to the hotel, Gabriella was exhausted.

"Thank you for accompanying me today, Mrs. Montera." Gabriella said when they stopped.

"Thank you for inviting me, I hope you have an enjoyable time tomorrow and I will see you at the gala."

Gabriella smiled as she got out and was led inside and went straight up to the suite. Emily was dismissed and given the rest of the day off, knowing that Gabriella and Troy had nothing planned for that evening. Gabriella walked in and took her shoes off. She smiled when her feet hit the soft carpet.

Troy's car pulled up to the hotel about half an hour later. He got out dressed in his BDU's after doing training exercises with students at West Point. It had been a long day, but a very exciting one. When he entered the suite, he was met with Gabriella who was relaxing on the couch, watching tv.

"Hey, how was it?" Gabriella asked smiling as Troy sat down next to her.

"I had a great time with them, I felt like they welcomed me into their brotherhood of American soldiers." Troy answered as began to take his boots off.

"Well, regardless of what country you're from, you're all brother and sister soldiers if you're fighting the war on terror." Gabriella answered.

"That's true, so how was your day?"

"Good, I really loved visiting the schools. They were so excited about me being there and they were absolutely thrilled with the donations we made."

"Good, I know you worked hard on getting those donations." Troy replied kissing her gently on the lips. "I'm proud of you."

"Thank you for all your encouragement." Gabriella whispered kissing him gently. "So, where do you want to go for dinner tonight?"

"I kind of just want to grab dinner down in the restaurant tonight, unless you have somewhere else you want to go to."

"No, that sounds great to me also."

"Alright, let me go shower and change and then we'll head down there."

"Ok."

Fifteen minutes later, Troy walked out of the bathroom with the towel wrapped snugly around his waist. The water from his shower still clung to his hair and his skin. Gabriella smirked to herself as she approached home from behind. Troy was looking in the closet when he felt his wife's arms wrap themselves around his waist from behind.

"What are you doing?" Troy asked smirking.

"I think I'm letting my pregnancy hormone get the best of me." Gabriella answered placing a kiss on his shoulder before Troy turned around to face her. "Do you mind going down to dinner a little bit later?"

"Not all." he answered swooping her up.

Sometime later, Troy's towel and Gabriella's clothes were pooled on the floor of the room. The two were currently on top of the bed. Troy was resting on his back while Gabriella was curled up next to him. The sweat glistened on their skin as they gasped for air. Troy chuckled as he placed his hand on top of Gabriella's head and kissed her gently.

"So, are you going to be jumping me for the next seven months?" Troy asked with a grin.

"I don't know, depends on how my hormones are going to be." Gabriella answered. "And I didn't jump you, I propositioned you."

"Well, whatever you want to call it, I am more than happy to help you out with any feelings you might have."

"I figured you wouldn't mind helping me." Gabriella said smiling. "I probably will want more help later, but now, I could really use some dinner."

"Alright, we'll get dressed, go eat downstairs and then come back up here." Troy replied smiling. "Sound like a plan?"

"Sounds good to me."

Ten minutes later, the two were in the restaurant sitting close to one another, just as any other couple would do. They talked quietly with one another as they shared highlights of their day and what their plans for tomorrow were. Gabriella just had one visit to Fort Drum to take part in a Family Readiness Group meeting and was given the rest of the day off. Troy only had a meeting with the Disney Company to go into further details about the pavilion and the new park in Ronaldi. He wasn't sure how long the meeting was going to last so he planned to have only that on the agenda for the day. He felt prepared for the meeting. Jack and Louis helped create a proposal to give the company that would benefit everyone.

"What can I get you this evening?" their waiter asked.

"I'll have the prime rib." Troy answered. "Medium well."

"Can I have the chicken scampi, please?" Gabriella asked.

"I'll get these orders in right away."

"Thank you." Gabriella replied.

"Tomorrow after your FRG meeting, I think you should do some shopping for yourself, maybe you and Emily could look in some baby stores and get an idea of how we're going to do the nursery."

"Ok, I might also look for some maternity clothes since I'll be growing out quicker than a woman who is expecting one or two babies." Gabriella agreed as she took a sip of her water.

"If my meeting doesn't take all day, I might come and join you."

The next morning, Troy and Gabriella left their suite together. Both kissed one another goodbye before they climbed into their different SUVs. Gabriella was on her way to Fort Drum while Troy went to his meeting. Gabriella had a bout of morning sickness that morning and Troy made sure she had crackers with her to help settle her stomach if another bout happen to hit her.

The spouses and families were incredibly happy to see and meet Gabriella. Despite her being a princess, she was another military spouse, just like them. They listened to stories about her attending functions at the Fort Gaston and some ideas that she gave them from her FRG back in Ronaldi. The reception lasted almost an hour longer than scheduled due to everyone enjoying talking to one another.

Two hours after leaving Fort Drum, Gabriella and Emily were walking in an upscale maternity and baby boutique. With her being pregnant through spring and summer, Gabriella knew she was going to need thinner material for her clothes. Already, she had tried on dresses, jeans, pajamas and even bathing suites. Most of them were already at the register ready to paid while Gabriella browsed some clothes for babies. The two girls smiled as they looked at the small clothing.

"Look at this one." Emily said as she held up a little yellow onesie with a duck's face on the front and a tail feather on the back.

"Oh my gosh." Gabriella said laughing. "I love that one."

"Do you want three of them?"

"Are there any other animals?"

"There is one of a puppy and a little bear cub."

"Get one of each."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Ten minutes later, the two walked out of the store finally. Gabriella carried most of her bags. She would have carried all of them but Emily insisted that she help her out. As the two continued to window shop, Gabriella's cell phone rang. She pulled it out and smiled when she saw who it was.

"How did the meeting go?" Gabriella asked as they stopped walking.

"Come back to the hotel and I'll tell you all about it." Troy said smiling.

"We're on our way."

"Good news?" Emily asked.

"I think it is." Gabriella agreed as they climbed into the SUV.

Ten minutes later, Gabriella rushed into the suite. She placed her bags on the floor and rushed to her husband who had a big smile on his face. Troy leaned down and kiss her gently.

"So?" Gabriella asked.

"We signed both contracts and the groundbreaking ceremonies will be held later this year." Troy told her.

"I'm so proud of you." Gabriella exclaimed happily as she began to place kisses all over his face. "Have you told your grandfather?"

"He and my dad were on a conference call as we signed the papers. I did it, Baby. I actually did it."

"I knew you could do it. You always underestimate yourself." Gabriella said before taking him by the hand and leading them to their bedroom. "Come on."

"What are we doing?"

"I was thinking of celebrating and what better way than to get one of the blue scraps you love so much?"

"I can't think of a better way." Troy replied as he closed the door behind them.