Living in a place that is warm all year round, when Christmas comes around you don't think its Christmas. When you think Christmas you think cold, snow, hot chocolate. Not warm, sticky, muggy, and ice tea. This is how Christmas has always been for them though. Every year its the same thing. Troy saw snow every year on his family's yearly Colorado ski trip. Even though that yearly thing stopped once he went to college. He had gotten so busy that now his parents go up and meet his mothers family. Troy never goes. But this year that was going to change. Gabriella has never seen snow and Troy wanted to introduce her to it. So this year as a Christmas gift to her and his family, they were going to Colorado. Although that was not the only gift Troy had gotten Gabriella. He hasn't gotten it yet, but he knows that once she opens it, well, you will just have to wait and see.

When Troy was a kid he would jump out of bed first thing on Christmas morning. He wouldn't even bother Brady laying in the bed right next to his, but he would fly down the stairs and bolt straight for the tree. It was quiet, the sun not even awake. He would see all of the presents that were under the tree. They were all tightly wrapped in the holiday wrapping paper and resting underneath the tree just waiting to be opened. He would sit and drool over every single one wanting to open it. He would tip toe around the tree to get a great view of everyone presents. Then he would back away and just look at the perfect family tree and all the perfect presents and smile. He was able to take it all in. Then he would jet upstairs to wake everyone up. He has been doing this for as long as he can remember. So why stop now.

This year his gift was underneath the big Christmas tree, that barely fit in their living room. His gift was laying in bed next to him. He was rolled over on his side and was watching her breathe in slowly. He loved watching her sleep. Her hair fanned out on the pillow, her eyes closed softly, the blankets sunk into her curves. It was magic to him. She looked so happy when she was sleeping. It was something Troy missed. This past month has not been the happiest for both of them, but he knew this Christmas was going to change that. He was going to make her very happy once again.

He smiled as he watched her stir awake. She rolled onto her back, sighed, and rubbed her eyes. She felt like she was being watched so she turned right away. What she found staring back at her was her adorable boyfriend, smiling.

"How long have you been awake?" She asked him.

"About a half hour." He told her. Gabriella giggled and placed her hand on his cheek softly.

"You know how much I hate you watching me sleep." She said playfully smacking his cheek.

"Ouch woman. Watch it now. You are being so mean you might now get your present." Troy teased her.

With talk of presents Gabriella bolted. She straddled her legs across his body and clapped her hands. Her long curly brown hair flowed down her chest. Her black lace camisole brushed against Troys bare skin. Her hands slid up his chest and she grabbed the tiny hairs on the back of his head.

"I love presents." She whispered to him. He giggled as he pulled her down closer to him. He gently hand his hands down her thigh and looked into her beautiful brown eyes.

"I know you do. Trust me you are going to love this one." Troy teased her some more.

Gabriella pushed her legs out so her entire body was laying on top of Troys. "Do I get a hint?" She asked seductively.

Troy shook his head no. "I wont give you a hint, but I will give you," He rolled her onto her back making her giggle. He gently kissed her neck and then came back up to look at her. "Morning sex."

Gabriella's hands ran up his chest once more and looped around his neck. "Wow, we haven't had morning sex in a long time."

Troy moaned into her neck as he began to suck on it gently. "I know." He said when he came up. "And I think we are over due."

"Oh really." Gabriella said biting her bottom lip as she felt his teeth sink into her flesh.

He heard another moan come from her neck and then he popped up to look at her. "Oh yeah." He said kissing her soft lips. Gabriella moved her way into his mouth giving him the okay to seal the deal on morning sex. Troys hands slid up Gabriella black camisole and gently grabbed her breast. Gabriella moaned into his mouth as he started to knead her breast. Gabriella's legs wrapped around Troys thighs as he felt himself bulge. Gabriella felt this against her lower part and quickly started to pull at her matching black underwear. Troy felt her hands there and grabbed them to stop.

"Baby, let me get it." He told her and then plunged his tongue back into her mouth.

Troy felt his hair being pulled as he slowly pulled down Gabriella's underwear. Once she felt them at her ankles she quickly kicked them off. Troy grabbed them from the bottom of the bed and pulled them up to show her.

"Mission accomplished." Gabriella praised making Troy laugh.

Troy felt Gabriella's body become hot, making his the same way. He was able to pull himself together to make the move. Just as he had made his way in, their land line began to ring. Troy didn't even get to have one full motion before the ring filled the entire apartment.

"You have got to be kidding." Troy moaned when he heard it.

Gabriella was to far gone at this point. She didn't care if the pope was calling, she was going to make sure nothing was disturbing them.

"Baby, let it go." She breathed hard as she pulled him back down to her mouth. As Troy continued to move his way in harder each time, it seemed the phone ringing grew louder. Troy dug his head into Gabriella's neck as he continued to pleasure her. Troy felt her long finger nails dig into his back once they were nearing the end. As the finger nails were piercing their way into his skin, the machine clicked on.

You reached Troy, and Gabriella, we are unable to answer the phone right now, leave a message.

And then came the beep. And then came a pissed off angry brother

Troy, its Brady.

As soon as Troy heard Brady s voice, his head came right up from Gabriella's neck.

"Shit!" Troy yelled.

We landed about a half hour ago and I'm pretty sure the plan was to meet us at the gate. Sara isn't feeling well so I would really appreciate it if you got your ass out of bed and came to pick us up!

Then came another beep.

"I forgot all about them." Troy sighed collapsing onto of Gabriella.

Gabriella sighed as Troy still laid on top of her. She felt a few kisses on her chest and then proceeded to push him off. Troy got out of bed and pulled on his underwear and jeans. He then threw on a sweatshirt and turned back to his gorgeous girlfriend.

"Do you realize what you are doing right now?" Gabriella asked him. "You are leaving your girlfriend, naked, in bed after just having sex. You may think I am tired and that I may fall back to sleep. You thought wrong. I am now wide awake and looking for another round." Gabriella said seductively towards him.

Troy threw his head back and moaned. "Honey I am so sorry. I completely forgot about Brady and Sara."

"You see, this is why I need to be sane again. I need to remind you of the big things, like go pick up your brother and his five month pregnant wife." Gabriella explained to him.

Troy knelt down at the side of the bed and kissed her hands.

"Baby, you are so much sexier being a crazy woman." Troy explained to her. Gabriella felt a smirk come across her face.

"Oh yeah." She moaned towards him.

Troy just nodded and plunged into a kiss. "I would say we would finish this later, but I'm bringing Brady and Sara back. I mean, we could be really quiet." Troy tried to propose.

"The way you make love Troy Bolton, there is no chance in hell." Gabriella kissed him once more and then pushed him away to go pick up his brother and wife. Gabriella laid back down on the bed satisfied with that mornings early workout.

That night the Bolton's and the Montez's gathered at Troy and Gabriella's for Christmas Eve. Everyone was so happy to be together. Gabriella hasn't been able to see much of her parents in the past few weeks. They knew about the falling down the stairs, but for her parents sake, she wanted them to believe that she just fainted. They didn't need to know all the other details of this past month's events. She forgot to make that very clear to Troy, so after they all said their hellos, she quickly pulled him back into their room.

She closed the door and Troy was fast to pin her up against the door.

"Round 2? With everyone out there. Damn, what has gotten into you?" He asked placing a kiss on her soft lips. Gabriella put her hands on Troys chest telling him to stop and he did. He looked back at her and he knew that this was serious. "Whats wrong?"

"I don't want you to tell our parents about Scott." She told him.

"Okay..."

"Lets just have them still believe I fainted. They are already suspicious of me being distant these past few weeks and for all they know work has been keeping me busy. Not this Scott nonsense." Gabriella stammered a little.

"Are you sure?" Troy asked her.

Gabriella slowly nodded and looked up at him. "I don't need my parents more freaked out then they are. And I don't want yours knowing because your mother will tell mine." Gabriella said starting to get a little worked up.

"Hey hey, come here." Troy pulled her in and held her until she was able to pull herself together.

"I'm not doing this today. I'm not going to let this bother me on Christmas. I have been doing so good these past two weeks." Gabriella whispered to him.

"I know you have baby." Troy said stroking her hair as she pulled her arms around his waist.

"This is why they cant know." Gabriella blubbered.

Troy nodded and then pulled her out of his grip. "I told Brady and Sara. They asked me in the car how you were doing and I told them everything." Troy explained to her. "I will tell them not to tell either of the parents." Gabriella nodded and then Troy gave her one last kiss. "You okay?" He asked her. Gabriella nodded with a smile. "That's my girl."

The rest of the night went over successfully. The families were having a wonderful time together. Dinner was delicious as always, thanks to the wonder Maria Montez. Over all the families got along really well. That's the way it should be.

Troy found the perfect time to pull George away from the crowd and out into the hallway to talk. Gabriella was talking to Sara in the kitchen, so Troy quickly asked George to step out with him. Once out in the hallway, George could tell that Troy was nervous. He wasn't sure why.

"Whats wrong Troy?" George asked him. Troy looked over at him and sighed. He figured there was no way around it and to just spit out whatever he was going to say.

"Mr. Montez." Troy stammered.

"Troy, for the one hundredth time, call me George." He corrected. Troy found himself smiling and then he said.

"George. I have kinda a big question to ask you." Troy said to him. George nodded and Troy went ahead. "Me and Gabriella, well, I love her sir."

George Montez didn't blink. He knew this was the moment. The moment where his daughters boyfriend was going to ask him for permission to marry his daughter. He had been waiting his entire life for this moment. He had hoped it would be Scott, but Troy, he was a million times better.

"Really." George lead him on. Troy just nodded.

"And well...George. I wanted to ask you if I could have permission to marry your daughter." Troy asked.

George just nodded. He knew that he should play this out and make Troy nervous. It was half the fun. He knew the answer to this question right away, but he wanted to see Troy squirm a little.

"What are you going to do for her? Are you going to support her?" George asked him.

"Yes sir."

"How stable is your job?" He challenged.

"Its solid as a rock sir."

"Are you going to have her live in this small apartment the rest of your lives? Where are the grandchildren going to live? In your tiny little bathroom?"

Troy shook his head profusely. "Absolutely not sir. Once we get married I want to find a bigger place. A house even."

"Are you going to care for my daughter? Make her feel good?" George asked.

Troy nodded. "I will guard and protect her."

George looked and Troy and could tell that he wanted him to say yes. George knew that this was the man for her daughter. He has known since the first day she brought him home. He watched him with Gabriella in the hospital and how he waited on her hand and foot. He knew that he was giving his daughter to a good, caring, honest man.

George breathed in deep and said, "You go and marry my daughter."

Troy let out a huge sigh of relief and then a huge laugh. "Thank you sir. Thank you so much." He said putting his hand out to shake. George shook his hand right back, but not before he got in his last few words.

"If you ever hurt her, I will kill you." Then he finished out that last sentence with a wink.

"You have my permission sir." Troy joked back.

That night after the parents went home, Gabriella fixed up the pull out sofa for Brady and Sara. Gabriella felt terrible, but as always Brady and Sara didnt mind at all. They wanted to stay with Troy and Gabriella anyway. Staying with the parents all of those years gets old. The two couples said their goodbyes to one another and Troy and Gabriella retreated back to their bedroom.

The next morning Troy and Gabriella woke up to the smell of pancakes. They both walked out and found Brady and Sara cooking Christmas breakfast for them.

"You guys." Gabriella smiled once she saw what they had done.

"This is the least we can do for you guys." Sara said hugging her and wishing her a merry Christmas.

"This is wonderful." Gabriella said when she sat down at the table with the other three.

"Just think Sara, this time next year, your baby will be eating with us." Troy said shoving a waffle down his mouth. Brady always made a mean waffle. He made sure he was going to eat as much as he can.

Sara looked over at Brady and Brady nodded. Gabriella watched the exchange between the two and questioned them. "What was that?" Gabriella teased.

Sara smiled and said. "Your nephew will be eating breakfast with us next year!" She announced. Gabriella quickly got up and hugged her. Troy high five his brother from across the table.

"Dude, I'm totally calling godfather on that kid!" Troy said still eating. Gabriella smacked him upside the head.

"Don't listen to him. This is so exciting!"

"Speaking of exciting..." Troy stood up from the table and left the room. Gabriella turned to the other Mr. and Mrs. Bolton and asked them what he was doing. Both of them played dumb and just shrugged. Troy came back in the room with a ski hat. It had the ear flaps and everything. He handed the hat to Gabriella and she just looked up at him dumbfounded.

"Whats this for?" She asked. Then Troy pulled two plane tickets from behind his back. Gabriella took them in her hands and knew they were going somewhere, she just had no idea where.

"How do you feel about New Years in Colorado?" Troy asked her. "Four days, skiing and all the hot tub you can get."

He watched as Gabriella's haw dropped and she jumped up in his arms. "Are you serious?" She squealed. Troy nodded and Gabriella kissed him. "Oh baby, this is too much. We weren't even exchanging gifts this year."

"Its a gift for the both of us...And the last party for some other people." He said pointing eyes over to the old married couple at the breakfast table. Gabriella turned to see them and they gave her a wave. This was the best Christmas surprise she had ever received.

The room in Colorado was made for a couple like Troy and Gabriella. It had a jacuzzi that was built into the floor, its very own living room with fireplace. A huge bathroom with a shower and a bedroom that had a king size bed and another fireplace. There was a door in the bedroom that lead to the deck that had a small, but decent size hot tub waiting to be used. The entire room was decorated with the forest. The bed post were tree trunks, there were pictures of homes covered with snow and deer everywhere. It was all hardwood floor and it was only covered by a few throw rugs. Over all this place was amazing.

Gabriella fell onto the bed in their room and just giggled. This was a dream. Their vacation just started and she already wanted to pinch herself. She sat up in bed and saw that Troy was leaning up in the door frame.

"You know, you look really sexy with your sweaters." Gabriella flirted. She never saw Troy in flannel. and she has never seen him wear a sweater. She loved it. He looked amazing in it.

"You just look really sexy." Troy flirted back.

Gabriella pushed herself up on her knees and told him to come to her. He walked over and Gabriella threw her arms around his neck. "This place is unbelievable. Thank you so much for bringing me here." She said to him.

"Anything for my baby." He kissed her softly. "Look at this vacation as a new start to our lives. We need that."

Troy felt Gabriella's soft hands brush his hair on the back of his head. He watched her soft eyes look at him. He became very good at reading Gabriella, and right now, he knew that something was not necessarily right with her. Troy pushed his head to the left as he looked at her. Gabriella's face didn't change expressions.

"Whats wrong?" He asked her softly. Gabriella just sighed and closed her eyes. When she reopened them, she saw Troy looking right back into her big brown eyes looking for answers.

"This place, you and me, its all so beautiful. And I just cant believe that I still have you. You're all mine." She said with a small smile.

She felt Troy pull away from her and she then sat back down on the bed.

"Why do you say that. You cant believe you still have me?" Troy asked a little hurt. "Gabriella I feel like we have the same conversation all the time! Scott may have left you in the past, but that's not me. I will never leave you hurt and upset. I don't know what else you want me to say. I love you. I love you so much. I brought you here so we can get back to the way things used to be. I want to be with my drop dead gorgeous girlfriend in this romantic place. I want to be with you every second I can. I don't know what else you want me to say. I really don't." Troy pleaded more.

Gabriella leaped from the bed and threw her arms around him. She felt his embrace back and she came back to look at him with soft tears forming in her eyes.

"I wanted just that Troy Bolton. And I know you have told me the same speech a million times, but this time I feel it. I do, I feel it. I love you so much." She planted a kiss on his lips. "I love you. And I'm sorry. I'm sorry." She blubbered into his chest.

He kissed her head softly and then brought her back to look at him in the eyes. "No more fighting, understood?" He asked her. She nodded and he placed a finger under her chin and lifted her lips to his. This vacation was going to be a change. Its will change their lives forever. Some people just didn't know it yet.

Sara and Gabriella spent the morning in the lodge relaxing while the two Bolton brothers went snowboarding. They asked them if they wanted to go with them, but both of the women opted out. They would rather sit in the lodge, drink hot chocolate, and talk about them while they went snowboarding. And that is exactly what they did.

"I am so glad that Troy took Brady with him." Sara let out as they took two seats in front of the warm fireplace that the lodge. Gabriella let out a quick scoff and then asked why. "Lately he is always all over me. And its not even sexual. He doesn't want me to lift anything. He hates when I go driving. I wasn't even allowed to unload my suite case last night. Im self sufficient, and Its killing me that hes not letting me lift a finger." Sara complained.

"Troy was the same way when I was bed ridden. I would try to do something and he was quick to jump up and do it for me. I found it extremely annoying some days, and other days...I loved it." Gabriella told her.

"Well, it was different. You were hurt. I'm not hurt I'm just pregnant. You think Troy was bad when you were hurt, just wait until you two decide to have children and you get pregnant. He will be all over you 24/7. Those Bolton boys, they are loving, but you want to smack them sometimes." Sara explained.

"I understand your pain." The two women laughed. "Troy and I ended up in a few arguments over it."

"How are you two? I mean these past few weeks," Sara didn't know what to say next. Gabriella knew what she was trying to say so she stepped in and took the reigns.

"We're okay." Gabriella told her. "I mean," Gabriella thought she would be able to get out how she was feeling, but she couldn't. Even though it was over, she knew she still had a ton of healing to do. Gabriella just looked down and then looked up at Sara with a small nervous smile. She gave a little shrug and then Sara put her hand on her leg.

"If you ever want to talk about it, you know I am here for you. And I will not tell Troy anything less you want me too." Sara explained to her. Gabriella nodded and then sighed.

"I hate not telling him things from my past Sara. It kills me because I know one day when I face that same situation, it will all come flooding back. And I don't want him to see or know anything that happened. I want to protect him from all of that." Gabriella explained to her.

She didn't want to throw all of this out on the table. Not on this vacation. She was so tired of talking about it. She was tired of hearing the sound of her voice as she told it. But whenever she did talk about it, it helped her.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Sara asked her. Gabriella didn't move for a few seconds, but then she gave Sara the head nod for approval. "Okay, lets talk."

The two brothers were gasping for air when they came down on their 12th run down the mountain. They both decided it was time to call it a day. They had been at this for hours, they were beat. As they walked to returned their rented boards, Troy reached in his pocket and pulled out a black box.

"I have something to show you." Troy told his older brother.

Brady was confused on what his brother had to show him. Growing up, Troy was always showing Brady something weird. Some of the those things Brady didn't want to speak of ever again.

"Dude, what ever it is, it better already be in your hand!" He told him. Troy smiled and shook his head.

"No man, listen Im going to give Gabriella this tonight." He handed the black box over to his brother.

Brady took the box in his hands and then opened it. Laying inside was something that looked like a engagement ring. It was beautiful. It was a silver band with a 3 carat square diamond with little diamonds around the band. It was a ring made for a princess.

"Wow man." Was all Brady could muster out. He had to hand it to his brother. He did a good job.

"Do you think she will say yes?" Troy asked hopeful.

Brady looked back at his brother. He knew how he felt about Gabriella. Those two are head over heels for each other. Sure it might be a little too soon, but the one thing Brady respects most about his brother is his judgment. And if he thought that this was the right time, and he was ready, then he approved.

"She would be stupid not to man. Congratulations." Brady patted him on the back. Troy smiled at his brother.

"Don't congratulate me yet. She hasn't even said yes." Troy told him.

"You know she will." Brady assured him.

The two headed back up to the lobby to see if the two women were still there. It was a little past one o'clock. They could still make a quick lunch. Sure enough there they were. Troy smiled when he saw his future bride to be. But when he saw the expression on his face, he grew concerned. She was crying. He zoomed right up to his sister in-law and his girlfriend. He knelt down in front of Gabriella and quickly tried to figure out what was wrong.

"Gabriella, sweetie, whats wrong?" Troy asked her. Gabriella couldn't even look at him. She just shook her head and ran up to their room. Troy stood up and looked at Sara.

"What happened?" He demanded. Sara slowly stood up and looked at Troy.

"You two need to talk." Sara told her.

Troy shook his head confused. "Sara, you need to tell me what I'm going into here. Why is she so upset?" Troy asked her.

Sara sighed and looked back at her brother in-law. "Troy, I promised Gabriella. You need to hear it from her and not me."

Troy was wasting time here. He didn't bother taking the elevator up to their room. He ran up the three flights of stairs to their room.

When Troy entered their room, he heard Gabriella's soft sobs. He peered around the one wall to where the bedroom led. There he found Gabriella curled up in a ball on their bed. Troy knew that flying into the room and demanding things out of her was not going to help. Instead he slowly walked into the room and laid down on the bed next to her. There they laid face to face. Both of them waiting for the other one to say the first word. Troy knew that she was waiting for him, so he went ahead and opened his mouth.

"What were you and Sara talking about?" Troy asked her. "The attack?" Gabriella shook her head no. Troy decided to try another thing. "The fight we had yesterday?" Gabriella shook her head again. "Scott?"

Just that name gave Gabriella a nauseating feeling in the pit of her stomach. She slowly nodded her head. She felt the bed shift as Troy scooted closer to her and he pulled her in with him. His right arm was draped around her small body.

"What about Scott?" Troy asked softly. "Baby, you have to talk to me."

Gabriella sat up slowly and took a few deep breaths before she continued. Troy sat up beside her waiting for an answer.

"Charlie was the first person I told his story to a while back. And ever since then I find it haunting me. Today me and Sara were talking and it somehow came up. I needed to talk to her about it because I knew when that day came for us, it was going to come flooding back. I never wanted to tell you this, but you do have a right to know." Gabriella explained softly.

She felt his strong arm snake around the small of her back and she felt comfort. That was all she needed at that moment.

"When Scott and I were in college, we had a drunken night. Neither of us knew our surroundings and neither of us bothered to use protection that night. That resulted in me becoming pregnant." As soon as she said pregnant, Gabriella could feel all the air being sucked out of the room. She stopped and pulled herself together. "I was of course nervous to tell Scott. But I always thought they were were going to get married and have kids anyway. This was just doing it a little backwards. Well needless to say when I told him, he was not happy at all. He started to scream at me about how Im ruining his life and how he wont stand by and watch that happen. He told me that if I wanted to be with him, I needed to get rid of it." Gabriella started to choke up. "I was afraid of him. I knew he would leave me. And then what? What would I do with my life? He was my life. So I listened to him and had it taken care of." Gabriella cried. "And you know, it never once bothered me until all of this crap starting happening and now I feel guilty all the time. And I never want to tell you because I didnt want you to get upset." she cried.

Troy just pulled her into his arms and held her as she cried softly. He kept placing kisses on her head and telling her that he loved her. When Gabriella pushed out of his grip, she smiled at him softly.

"So there you go, that's the last story that you haven't heard. I never wanted you to know it, but there is no way I'm going to get past it without you." Gabriella explained.

"I want you to know that I will never put you through that kind of hurt and pain. Never in your life will you have to face that again. The day I come home and you tell me your pregnant will be one of the most happiest moments of my life." Troy explained to her.

"Really?" Gabriella asked him. Troy nodded and pushed the hair in front of her face behind her ear.

"Really. Because we would have created something amazing. It would be a part of me and you and that will be the greatest feeling in the world." Troy explained to her. Gabriella laughed through her tears and then hugged him once more.

"Will I ever be myself again?" She asked him. Troy held her tighter and then kissed her cheek.

"Of course you will."

"When ever I feel like Im getting back to myself, a memory, or something happens that brings it all back. I just want to be myself again." Gabriella told him.

"You will. I promise that day will come soon."

The rest of the afternoon was spent in bed. The two just sat and held each other. Gabriella fell asleep in his arms for a little while Troy sat back and thought about the day when he learns he will be a dad. He couldn't help but smile. It will be one of the greatest days of their lives. And he couldn't believe that one person could take all that happiness away from Gabriella before. He was proud of her for sharing that story with him because that story made him fall in love with her even more.

Sucky ending. I am so sorry. I wanted to get this out fast so Im keeping the actual engagement for another chapter :) Thank you all once again for the outpouring support for this story. It means so so so if there are any mistakes!

PLEASE UPDATE FOR A NEW CHAPTER! I PROMISE NOT TO DISAPPOINT.