Chapter started: December 27, 2009.
Chapter finished: December 28, 2009.
Author's Note: Well, here's another new one for this story, I hope you all enjoy it! XOXO
P.S. Sorry for the small time jump…well, I guess it's not really a time jump when you don't know what day it was in my other chapter, honestly that's most likely why I "forget" to add the dates.
=HSM5: Happily Ever After=
-Chapter 13: 19 and Fabulous-
(December 14, 2009.)
Troy waited impatiently on the couch in the living room of his and Gabriella's apartment. Tonight was the culmination of months of planning and secrets kept from Gabriella, by not only him, but their parents, Gabriella's brother, their friends, and of course by the Lakers', who played a semi-major role in tonight.
He grinned slightly and looked at the brightly colored wrapped boxes sitting next to him on the couch. He would give her only a few of the fourteen of them now, the rest would just have to wait until they came back home to give her the rest.
After another fifteen minutes passed, Troy called down the hall towards their bedroom, "Brie, are you about ready? The care will be here anytime."
Gabriella sat with her clear lip gloss in hand as she listened to her fiancé's voice. Her hair was done, her dress was on, her heels were sitting on the floor next to her, and her make up was complete and flawless minus the red lipstick that she had yet to apply.
She had imagined all the other birthday's spent in L.A. when she was younger with her family and the Lakers', about the birthday's – two to be exact – spent in Albuquerque, New Mexico that Troy had all planned out, and she wondered how tonight was going to be different.
Well, for a couple of things she knew would be very different and upsetting…the rest of the Wildcats, her best friends, that were in New York couldn't make it because of studying for mid-terms; her brother and Christy had a major case that was tossed on their lap at last minute by one of their teachers, seeing as they were the best and the top students in their class; Jack couldn't make it up because he had the basketball team in practice over load because of the up-and-coming Christmas tournament that East High was invited too; her Grandma Lena Santiago and her Grandpa Juan Santiago, her mom's parents, and her dad's parent's, Grandma Sophie Montez and her Grandpa Adam Montez, couldn't make it up because her Montez grandparents were sick and her Santiago grandparents who lived right next to the U.S. – Mexico border, just didn't have time to because of work; and Troy's grandparent's on his mom's side, the Carter side, could make it because Grandma Annie had to work and Grandpa Jack (Senior) had to work also…and she had to face it, tonight was going to be a major bummer without everyone special.
It better be good, Bolton, or else, Gabriella thought as she looked in the mirror. She smiled, knowing that he would indeed come through for her, like always; she finished applying her Vanilla lip gloss before capping it and putting it into her silver metallic clutch.
"Hey, Beautiful, whatcha thinkin' about?" Troy asked her as he touched her delicate hair with his fingers.
She smiled at him before saying, "You."
"Good because I was thinking about you too," Troy told her causing her to softy smile at him before he caught her lips in a soft quick kiss. Pulling back he asked her, "You ready to go?"
"Only if you tell me where we're going," Gabriella told him, trying to compromise with him.
"Nuh-uh, nice try, Baby, but that won't work on me," Troy told her as he watched her slip the flimsy straps to her black Jimmy Choo's on that went perfectly with her black Lover Initiation Lace dress from Refinery29 and her hair that was curled and in a 50'ish-styled do with dark eye make up and clear lip gloss that made her lips pop. "You look beautiful, Baby."
"Thank you, Handsome," Gabriella replied with a soft smile as she took in his look of medium dark blue Diesel skinny jeans, black T-shirt, grey leather coat, and black boots.
Troy smiled at her before kissing her cheek and then offering her his arm as he led her out of their bedroom, down the hall, and towards where her black leather coat with white fur on it was hung up by in the hall closet.
Kissing the dogs goodbye and telling them to behave, they walked out of the apartment and locked the door after making sure every light was off, except for the one in the living room which was kept on for the dogs.
Troy carefully helped his girlfriend get into the back passenger side of the white Audi SUV that was parked at the curb in front of their apartment complex, as he admired her well-toned legs thanks to her grueling college volleyball practices from her first season of college volleyball and now from her grueling first year college basketball practices, and thanked God that the dress that fell mid-thigh showed what amazing legs his girlfriend had.
"Thank you, Wildcat, this is…amazing," Gabriella said simply.
Troy just smiled at her before nodding towards the driver to take off as soon as possible. As the car began to move, both sat in comfortable silence on either end of the backseat and watched the streetlights and city lights of Los Angeles pass.
"Brie, when you thanked me, you didn't have too. This is your night, I'm just the host who's put this all together with some help along the way," Troy honestly told her.
"Troy, do you ever miss Albuquerque?" Gabriella asked him right out of the blue.
"Wow, Baby, that was kind of random, but um…yeah, sometimes. I mean yeah, I miss my parents and I'll admit it, East High too, but being here with you and some of our friends while taking on the City of Angels without parents, well minus yours of course, is kind of our way of starting something new and I wouldn't have it any other way. You?"
"I guess, I miss Albuquerque, it was like another home to me, but so is L.A. I mean I was born and raised here until the middle of Junior Year so, it really doesn't matter where I am because no matter if I'm here or in Albuquerque, I'll be home, but only as long as you, my parents, the dogs, and my friends are with me."
"I'll always be with you, Gabriella, always," Troy told her using her full name to tell her that he was serious.
"Ditto, Baby, ditto," Gabriella replied before she decided to change the subject so with a hopeful smile and look in her eyes she asked, "So where are we heading?"
"I wish I had kept track of how many times you've asked that same question over the last week and not just to me, but to our friends, my mom, your parents, even Sharpay's parents," Troy told her.
"I can't help it, Wildcat, I'm curious," Gabriella told him before asking, "And why if we're going some where's fancy then why are you not dressed up? Because if we aren't going to no place fancy, which I would totally be okay with because I'm with you might I add, then why did I put on this fancy dress?"
"Okay, number one, Baby, haven't you ever heard that curiosity killed the cat and you being a former Wildcat…well, that would be very bad. And number two, I'm the host; I get to wear what ever I want." Seeing, that she was opening her mouth to find a quick retort, he told her, "And tell me which one of us, you or me, enjoys getting dressed up to go out? Sharpay has turned you into a mini-her with about wanting and enjoying to get dressed up to go out, but I will give her the credit she deserves for picking out that wonderful and simply sexy dress choice for you."
"So you like it, then?" Gabriella asked as she tugged softly at the hem of the black dress as she waited for Troy's honest and true approval.
"Yes, I do, it's very sexy and so you. Your legs are just amazing by the way, have I ever told you that because they are," Troy told her causing her to giggle before he closed his eyes and breathed in. "Caramel or vanilla or Love Spell…no wait, that's like the Love Spell lotion from Victoria's Secret Secret Garden collection, isn't it?"
Gabriella gave him an impressed expression before asking him, "Okay, I'm impressed. How'd you know?"
"I just like to know everything about you. I'll make you a bet right now," he licked his lips and stared at hers. "I'll bet you when we get married I'll be able to tell you what kind of perfume you're wearing at the wedding."
Gabriella shot him a look through the corner of her eyes as she stared out at the street lights and said, "If we get married…"
"Excuse me?" Troy interrupted; shocked she would say something like that.
"Well, you haven't told me where we're going so why should I marry you, huh?" Gabriella said, pretending that she was serious while she was trying to hold in a giggle.
"Because you love me, I love you, you already agreed and the wedding's in like one week," Troy told her, knowing that purposely messing up on his number of weeks would instantly get her to admit that she was going to marry him because she counted down to their wedding day.
"Two week and half weeks," Gabriella instantly corrected him just like he predicted and she groaned as smirk appeared on his face so, coming up with her own mini-way of payback she said, "When we have our wedding day, you'll be so lost that you'll barely remember your own name."
"Nuh-uh, I promise you I'll remember every moment of it," Troy told her, knowing she wasn't referring to him getting drunk, but lost and bombarded in the crowd of old friends, class mates and team mates along with the whole Santiago-Montez family and Bolton family coming along with most of the East High teachers.
The serious look he gave her with his eyes was almost enough to make Gabriella cross the seat of the vehicle, ruin her make up and hair, and wrinkle her new dress.
Troy saw the look on her face and instantly blinked his eyelids again forcing shadows over his electric blue eyes, "This is exactly why I got an SUV and not a limo tonight especially, after what happened our last time in a limo when you gave me that look before pouncing on me."
"Sneaky, Bolton, real sneaky and you know one of these day's I'll get back at you right," Gabriella told him and giggled as she saw him nod his head.
"Hey all I knew is that I wouldn't be able to keep my hands off of you otherwise. We have some where's to be and you, my Brie, are the guest of honor, I'm just the host," Troy told her before he took the chance to lean over and give her a kiss as the SUV came to a stop.
"We're here Sweetheart," Troy said as he looked out the window to see that they had arrived in the back parking lot of the East Restaurant.
Gabriella trying to be sneaky, ducked her head to look around, but she couldn't because one of her fiancé's hands came to gently claps over her eyes so, she could see anything and she shivered as she felt him whisper in her ear, "You're surprise…date awaits, my lady, and I hope you have a Happy 19th Birthday, Gabriella. I love you so much, Baby. I just want you to have fun tonight, but to please keep in mind you're going home with me."
"I wouldn't and would never want to go with anybody else. You and me forever and eternity, right?"
"Forever and eternity," Troy told her as he kissed her before opening the door for her, letting her walk in first, but making sure that he quickly caught up with her so he could still cover her curious chocolate brown eyes.
Gabriella tried not to cry, but that was impossible as she estimated over a hundred people were here to celebrated her birthday. The other thing she thought impossible at the very moment was to let go of Troy's arm so, with tears beginning to drip from her eyes she reached up with her right hand, the one clutching the clutch, and wiped just a couple of the wet droplets away. That's when she decided to, right there and then, to bury here face against her fiancé's jacket with the hope her make up wouldn't be ruined.
Troy turned his handsome face toward her, smiling, knowing this was exactly what she wanted and how she would react. He knew her so well so, well sometimes that a tiny sliver had to admit scared him the death. He bent his head down to place loving kisses in her hair. "Happy Birthday, Brie." He didn't have to raise his voice, but he couldn't whisper. "Is this okay?" he smiled as she lifted her face from his arm and gleamed up at him.
"Okay?" she said, struggling to return his question, "Troy, Babe, this is perfect. Only one other thing could make this even more perfect…but right now, that certain thing might make me faint so, I'm glad that's happening on New Year's Eve."
Troy just smiled at her and connected their lips in a passionate kiss, pulling her against him, as they continued to kiss passionately as flashes went off, cat calls, suggestive hollers from guys, and romantic 'aw's' from the women had all began to disappear only leaving them and no one outside their world, Troy and Gabriella's world.
----
"Karaoke, Brie?" Troy asked her with a smirk as they sat at the family table which she had found out consisted of her surprises…well, the family surprises of the Bolton's both parents and the grandparents, her parents, her Santiago grandparents, and her Montez grandparents, but also Sharpay and Zeke.
"Um…how about later," Gabriella told him causing the table to laugh as he pouted.
"Okay, but only because I've got to give a mini-speech, one that you didn't write may I add," Troy told her before swiftly placing a kiss on her lips while the people around the table laughed and then quieted down as he began to talk onstage, "Hey everyone! Just to make sure, we're all here for Gabriella's birthday, right? 'Cause if not, I'm not sure how you got past the security, but get the hell out…this is a private part believe it or not…and yes mom you smack me later for swearing," everyone laughed as Lucille gave him a look that told him she would do it before he continued his speech, "Okay, first I want to say, sorry we're a tad late. Gabriella didn't believe there was really a party so once I finally convinced her that we had to come out tonight she took her time getting dressed and all dolled up," he grinned and winked at his girlfriend as everyone laughed and watching closely he say her gently hold up her left hand and then gently tapped on her middle finger. Troy's grin spread as he realized she was flipping him off in her own special way, "Okay, okay, I get it Brie, I do. Seriously everyone, I hope you're having a good time so far. I just want to take a minute to thank you all for coming out here for Gabriella's party when I know the holiday's right around the corner as is Gabriella's and my wedding so, this defiantly means a lot. I know, we know, how much each of you love Brie. And it really means a lot for you to celebrate this special night with her," his face lost the joking smirk and turned into a simple, gentle smile, as he asked, "Brie, Baby, can you come up here please?"
Gabriella gently shook her head 'no', and protested when Chad and Brett got a look from Troy telling them to "help" her get onstage so, that's just what they did. Everyone laughed as Brett picked his little sister up around her waist, making sure her dress didn't ride up and then smiled as Chad held Gabriella's legs together so she couldn't kick them, or hurt herself, or show any one what was underneath the dress.
"Thanks, guys," Troy told them before saying, "Let's give it up for Gabriella's big brother, Brett Montez, and my best friend and Gabriella's other brother…"
"FROM ANOTHER MOTHER…AND FATHER!" Chad yelled out causing everyone to laugh and then laugh harder as Taylor whacked him on the back of his head.
"Anyways, Gabriella's other brother, Chad Danforth, for bringing the stubborn birthday girl up here," Troy chuckled as Gabriella just huffed at him before trying to walk off stage. Smiling, he reached for her hand and gently said in front of all the party-goers, "Gabriella, Brie, Baby, I love you. We all do, and we want you to enjoy this night. I want you to know as well, as everyone else in this room that you're my everything, I love you, and I can't wait to marry you in two and half weeks. I love you Gabriella so much. Happy 19th Birthday, Baby!"
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABRIELLA!" The rest of the room yelled too as they cheered and watched as the couple kissed on stage with Gabriella's tears falling down her cheeks.
"BRIE-ELLA, YOU'RE NINETEEN AND FABULOUS GIRL! I LOVE YOU, FOREVER AND ALWAYS!" Sharpay screamed causing everyone to either laugh or smile, or it just caused Gabriella to pull away from Troy, get off the stage, and move to hug her best friend tightly.
-----
//This belly button dangle
Will probably be just one of those things
I won't be showing off too often at sixty-five
This butterfly tattoo
Might be something I tell my kids not too do
Spring break shouldn't last the rest of your life//
Troy smiled at how true the words were, his girlfriend did have a belly button dangle and she didn't have a tattoo. He smiled as he watched her dance with her Sharpay, Taylor, and her other three female college student surprises, Kelsi, Martha, and Christy as they danced and sung along to Bomshel's song "19 and Crazy" with the rest of the other females and the Wildcats' moms', even both of hers and his grandma's!
//There were things I should not have done
But then again, well I sure had fun//
Gabriella smiled as she caught her fiance's eyes on her as he watched her dance and sang along with the all the other females on the dance floor.
//Being free, being wild, being bulletproof
Back then we were rebels without a clue
Nothing in the world that we wouldn't do
Whoa oh, oh, oh, oh,
Didn't give a damn what people say
We were doing it, doing it our way
I wish that we could always stay
19 and crazy//
"She sure is something, huh?" Brett asked Troy as he sat beside him and smiled at Troy who was still staring at his sister, who he was so in-love with.
"Yeah, she is," Troy whispered just barely loud enough for Brett to hear.
//I fall in love with those guys
That keep my dad awake at night
Running his knife across a red stone
Maybe he hates their long hair
The tattoos or the chains they all wear
Mostly he hates your black camero//
"I'm glad you're not like that," Greg told Troy from his spot beside him.
"Well, you're welcome," Troy said with a chuckle causing them all to laugh before he asked, "What would have done if I was like that?"
"Either move or shot you, whichever one would have been more satisfying for me," Greg told him causing them all to chuckle harder.
//We were young, so in love
And we still haven't grown up//
Now, those words were true, him and Gabriella may be 19 years old, and both first year college students at UCLA in Los Angeles, California, and they were suppose to act mature…well, okay more mature than Chad, but in truth when all three of them got together, they all became five year olds again with pranks, jokes, stupid comments and movements, everything. But despite all of that they were still so in love, that it wasn't funny…
//Being free, being wild, being bulletproof
Back then we were rebels without a clue
Nothing in the world that we wouldn't do
Whoa oh, oh, oh, oh,
Didn't give a damn what people say
We were doing it, doing it our way
I wish that we could always stay
19 and crazy//
Troy continued to smile at her as he watched her through her head back and laugh at something that Chad said once he had joined their small group which in return made them all laugh. Oh yeah, her giggle was defiantly contagious, he thought.
//The only things that I regret are things that we didn't do
Those crazy days that I have left
Have led me here to you//
"You know what, I'll talk to you guys later," Troy told them as he set his and Gabriella's Pepsi down and went to answer the siren call he was getting from his fiancé.
When he reached the dance floor, he heard his mom tell him, "This is a girls, mom, and Chad only section. Sorry, Sweetie you're going to have to go back with the dad's and guys until this one's over."
"Mom," Troy whined causing them all to laugh.
"Would you like a little cheese with your whine, Superstar?" Causing them all to laugh as Troy playfully glared at her as she continued to dance with his fiancé to the rest of the song.
//Being free, being wild, being bulletproof
Back then we were rebels without a clue
Nothing in the world that we wouldn't do
Whoa oh, oh, oh, oh,
Didn't give a damn what people say
We were doing it, doing it our way
I wish that we could always stay
19 and crazy//
"Hey, Wildcat?" Gabriella said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and moved her hips softly with his as they continued to dance to the song's chords.
"Yeah, Brie," Troy replied.
"Promise me we will always stay 19 and crazy," Gabriella told him as she sung the last two lines of the song softly in his ear causing him to smile.
"I promise, Brie. I love you," Troy told her as he placed a kiss on her cheek while they danced to the next song, which thankfully was a slow song.
TBC…
Well, there's another one. I hope you all enjoyed it! I love you all so much! Thanks for sticking with me…that is if you still are. XOXO.
Toodles.
P.S. The reason that Gabriella's last line is italic and bolded is because it's the last part of the song.
Best of 2010 Zanessa/Troyella wishes!
I wanna see that Hawaiian wedding,
I wanna see that blissful 'Honeymoon' phase,
I wanna see her bearing their child,
I wanna see that sweet little angel with its father's eyes and mother's features,
I Want To See Them Have It All
But... I guess I will have to wait...
~Z&V~