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Troy and Gabriella decided not to make a big announcement. They simply let things happen naturally. They spent that first afternoon with his parents just being them, giving each other little looks and smiles; being flirtatious and cute, until Jack and Lucille had to ask. They waited until Ethan ran off to get something to show his grandparents.
"Okay, you two", Lucille demanded. "What's going on?"
They didn't say anything at first causing Jack to step in. "Answer your mother, son", he ordered his son.
Troy just laughed. He found it funny that even in his own home, he kind of got a little intimidated by his father. "Alright", he said putting up his hand to stop them. "It's not like we're hiding it anyway. We're just not making a big deal out of it." He looked up at his parents and then gave Gabriella a goofy grin making her laugh. "I asked Gabriella to be my girlfriend last night", he finally said the words out loud, his smile getting bigger as he finished, "and she said yes."
Jack and Lucille smiled. It gave them great joy to see their son, their pride and joy, so happy. It had been a long time since they saw him so happy. They were happy to see Shelby go when Troy divorced her, but it killed them to see him so broken. They hated hearing him question himself and wonder what he'd done so wrong. It took him a long time to get back to a new normal, but they knew he wasn't truly happy. Until recently. Gabriella Montez seemed to have given them back their happy, carefree son. He was their Troy again.
They hugged both Troy and Gabriella offering congratuations. Meanwhile, Jack and Lucille were thanking God that He had brought this woman into their precious son's life.
When Ethan came back he proudly showed Jack and Lucille his new baseball uniform.
"Daddy and Uncle Chad are gonna be my coaches", Ethan announced excitedly.
"Oh my", Lucille said with a smile toward her son. Then she looked at her husband. "Maybe you and Charlie should go to practice too", she suggested barely covering a laugh. "To make sure they don't teach the boys how to plan the perfect prank."
Instead of being insulted, Troy just grinned. "First", he defended himself and his best friend. "It was the perfect prank, and, second, Rocketman and Donny deserved it." He said all of this calmly without busting out in laughter, even as the memory played in his head. When he looked over at his girlfriend he could hold his laughter no longer as she smirked at him.
"You'll have to tell me that story one day", she said going up on her toes to kiss his cheek. She went back down on her feet and started to pull away, but she met resistance. She looked at Troy and smiled.
He shook his head and bent down for a proper kiss. When he pulled away he smiled lovingly and stroked her chin softly. "Rule number one, Beautiful. Never walk away from me without a proper kiss." His smile got bigger as he watched her blush beautifully. "You look beautiful today, by the way."
"Shut up", she said smiling as she pushed him away. He chuckled as he walked away to watch Ethan as he was practicing his baseball swing with Jack. Gabriella sat down next to Lucille as they watched the guys both smiling at the fun they were having.
"Thank you", Lucille said out of the blue as she watched her guys. She laughed at her huband as he picked up Ethan running in a circle like he hit a homerun.
Gabriella looked over at her confused. "For what", she asked curiously.
Lucille looke d over at the younger woman with a smile. "For making my boy smile." Gabriella turned a light shade of red as Lucille looked over at her. "You've made him happier than he's been in a long time, Gabriella."
Gabriella smiled, thrilled that her boyfriend's mother attributed Troy's happiness to her. "It goes both ways, Mrs. Bolton", was all she would say as she went back to watching the guys.
Later on in the the evening, after round two of cook out food and more fun the Boltons left and Troy sent Ethan to get ready for his bath. He stood by the island in his kitchen watching his beautiful girlfriend and steadily washed dishes. Not able to keep his distance, he went to her kissing the side of her head sweetly.
"You don't have to do my dishes, Babe", he reminded her.
Gabriella smiled. She loved hearing that. "I know I don't but you were saying goodbye to your parents and talking to Ethan, so I thought I'd get them started for you."
This time, Troy kissed her lips softly. "Well, thank you."
Gabriella grinned. She loved all of this affection she was getting, and it was only day one. "You are more than welcome."
They smiled at each other and Gabriella's smile got bigger when Troy took the towel away from her and led her to the living room. He bent down to leave a soft, sweet kiss on her lips. Gabriella was grinning now with a silly look on her face. "Would you like a glass of tea", he asked loving the look on her face.
Gabriella could only nod as she sighed. She put her elbow on her knee and her chin in her hand as she watched her loving, attentive boyfriend walk away.
She still couldn't believe how wonderful he was. She got a glimpse of it before, but it seemed like he stepped up his game now that they were official. Not that she was complaining, because she wasn't. She loved his attentiveness.
He came back less than a minute later, handed her a glass of tea and kissed her lips sweetly. "I'll be back", he promised before he went off toward the stairs to check on Ethan.
Gabriella watched him leave and then sat back into his big, comfortable sectional sofa, with a sigh of contentment to think about the day she'd just had with him.
Shopping with Troy was an adventure. She loved how he seemed to want to buy his son the world. His excitement was so real as he bought all the things he knew his little boy would love, but he also refered back to her, asking if she thought it was too much.
Of course, Ethan was his son, so if he thought he deserved all that they'd bought then he should do it. Still, it was sweet that he wanted her opinion on a child welfare level and she assured him that he was doing all of the right things.
Then, she thought back to last night when he asked her formally to be his girlfriend. She had been taken aback by the question at first. No one had ever asked her to be his girlfriend before. All of the other men in her life had simply made it clear in their actions that she was theirs, but Troy had used his words, making it abundantly clear that he wanted her to be his. As a result, she felt secure in their new relationship, but Troy went beyond that when he sat at the table in the restaurant this morning and ignored the advances of Zeke's waitress.
She smiled at the memory of him keeping his eyes on her as he told the waitress what she wanted for breakfast. She knew he was doing it to prove a point, but she had always found it attractive when a man took the initiative to pay attention and know what she likes. It showed that he wanted to take care of her and, although she was a very capable woman, she liked the idea of being taken care of.
Then she thought about their cook out. The food got done, but when Lucille got up to get her plate Jack stopped her. He placed a plate down in front of her and Lucille smiled up at him. "Thank you, Love", she had said. Gabriella had watched all of this loving the sweet affection the older couple displayed so naturally, but she was brought out of her thoughts when Troy came over with a plate for her rendering the Latina beauty speechless. She had looked up at him with a surprised look to which Troy only smiled and kissed her lips before going back to the grill for Ethan's plate. She wasn't really all that surprised when, after everyone had their plates, and Jack called time to say the blessing, Troy took her hand as they all bowed their heads to pray. Ethan said a sweet little prayer as his father stroked the skin of her hand softly, but when everyone opened their eyes and began to eat Troy kept her hand clutched within his own.
Troy came back from checking on Ethan pulling his girlfriend from her thoughts. "Would you like it if Ethan and I came over to pick you up for church in the morning", he asked not even entertaining the idea that she wouldn't be there. "Then, I thought, we could have a private picnic tomorrow afternnon at this garden that I thought you would like."
Gabriella smiled at the thought of another day spent with Troy, but she also remembered he had a son and parents that also needed his attention. "What about lunch with your parents and Ethan", she made herself ask.
Troy smiled at how considerate she was. "I spend every Sunday with my parents", he started. "And I feel like the only time Ethan gets to spend with my parents is weekends. They'd love to have him to themselves for a day."
Troy smiled broadly. "Good. I'll pick you up around eight."
"Church starts at 8:45, Troy", she reminded him.
Troy almost laughed. "The band gets there early so we can practice before everyone gets there."
Gabriella giggled softly. "Sounds good", she agreed. Then she moved on to their plans for after church. "Do you want me to make us a picnic lunch?"
"No", he declined having decided that he had asked so he would put their lunch together. "You just bring yourself."
That awarded him another soft giggle that he was quickly becoming addicted to. He promised himself once more that he would do whatever it took to hear that sound again. He leaned over into her space for another soft kiss.
"Sounds like a perfect day", she said by way of agreement.
Troy only grinned. "Any day spent with you is perfect, Babe", he flirted. His grin got bigger when she blushed beautifully. He kissed her red cheek and whispered around a laugh, "you're so beautiful, Sweetheart."
Gabriella bit her lip to keep from laughing. "Shut up", she said as he pulled away slightly only to come back for a kiss to her lips. They sat there for a few minutes softly kissing, not letting it get out of control, just soft kisses and little smiles. Troy swiped his nose against her perfect face and smiled just before he dove in for another kiss when they both heard Ethan call from upstairs.
"Daddy", the boy called. "I'm ready for my story."
Troy's head fell to her shoulder as he groaned causing Gabriella to giggle. "Duty calls", he said as he got up. "Don't leave", he instructed. "This shouldn't take long. He played hard today."
Gabriella watched him go off upstairs again and when he was out of her sight, she got up to refill her glass of tea.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Troy went to Ethan's book shelf to pick up the first book in The Chronicles of Narina. He pulled over Ethan's desk chair and opened to where they left off, but before he could start reading Ethan had a question.
"Daddy, how come it's okay for Mommy to live with Michael, but you and Gabi don't?"
That question stopped Troy in his tracks. He put the book on the end of Ethan's bed before moving to sit on the side of the bed so that he could look into his son's eyes. "Buddy, you know how it says in the Bible that we only marry one person and we stay with and love that one person forever?" Ethan nodded. "Well, Daddy believes that that is the truth and I loved Mommy. I would have loved her forever, but she fell out of love with me. I guess she loves Michael now. She loves him so much that they made Sara."
Troy could read the confusion on Ethan's little face. "But that's bad. She was supposed to make Sara with you."
Troy chuckled a little. His boy was way too clever for his own good. "You're right. That was bad, but you can still love Sara, because I know Sara must love you."
Ethan smiled at that. "She liked to laugh when I made faces at her." Then he asked, "what about you and Gabi?"
That made Troy smile. "Gabi and I like each other, but we're taking our time. We want to make sure it's what God wants for all of us before we do anything."
Ethan smiled and nodded at that. "I like Gabi", he said making Troy smile. Then he settled himself in bed, ready to listen to the story. Troy tucked him in and then, they prayed before storytime, and just like he thought, it didn't take long for Ethan to fall asleep. It only took a few pages. Closing the book and putting it away, Troy escaped back to his Brie. Again, he found her scrolling through emails and sipping tea, but this time, instead of announcing his presence, Troy simply walked over to the couch, sat down and picked her up. Gabriella was caught off guard and froze for a second until she realized it was Troy picking her up. He settled her on his lap and smiled up at her.
"Hi", Gabriella said quietly with a smile.
"Hi", Troy returned her gesture with his own smile. Not able to go long without kissing her, he brought her face toward his waiting lips for a soft, sweet greeting. "Are you saving innocent children again, Baby?"
Gabriella smiled. "Simply doing my job", she said brushing off his compliment.
Troy only shook his head. Her modesty was only one of the many things about her that he was falling in with. "It's more than that, Brie. You took Ethan from a woman that was only using him to punish me. Shelby may not have physically harmed him, but she has left emotional scars. I mean just now", he pointed upstairs toeard Ethan's bedroom. "Before he fell asleep he asked me why his mommy lives with Michael, but we don't live together."
Gabriella had been sipping her tea as she listened. She almost spit it out all over Troy's beautiful furniture. "What did you say", she asked after she recover from the shock and almost choking.
"I told him that I believe that we're only supposed to marry one person and be with them forever, but that Shelby fell out of love with me, and her love for Michael made Sara." Troy smiled at this part. "To which my son told me that was bad and Shelby was supposed to make Sara with me."
Gabriella could only cover her mouth with her hand as it hung open. On one had it was adorable and funny that a five year old would say such things, but, on the other hand, it was heartbreaking to know that Ethan knew all of this at his age. Kids his age were supposed to be cute and innocent. Ethan was cute and innocent, but way too smart for his own good.
"You know what though", Troy broke into her thoughts.
"What", she asked burrowing into his side.
"I'm done looking back", he declared. "From here on out things can only get better." His arm brought her close and he smiled as he whispered in her ear. "They are getting better", he told her. "Because of you."
That made Gabriella smile. She sat up to look at him and leaned toward him for a soft kiss. When she pulled away she laid her head on his shoulder and looked at him. "I better get going", she made herself say. "I gotta get up early if you're picking me up at eight."
Troy kissed her once more before he let her get up. Then, he got up and gave her a hand up. They walked to the door kissing one more time. "See you in the morning", he said pressing his lips to her cheek and finally letting her walk out the door.
Sunday morning Troy and Ethan picked Gabriella up. The three of them had pleasant ride and when they arrived at the church Gabriella and Ethan followed Troy in. They sat in the sanctuary and watched the Wildcats practice. Troy stood on the stage leading his friends and smiling out at his girlfriend every once in a while. He would wink at her from his microphone stand making her blush as they smiled brightly at one another.
The others noticed and sent questioning looks to Chad as if he knew, but he sent back a slight shake of his head letting everyone know he had no idea. It was no matter, they would get to the bottom of this mystery in Sunday School. When Jack and Lucille arrived they gave Gabriella and Ethan hugs mystifing the Wild ats further. Clearly, there was something up that the Boltons were all happy about, but Troy had left his friends out.
After the service, the congregation all left the sanctuary to had to their different classes. The Wildcats went upstairs to a room over looking the sanctuary. When Troy and Gabriella entered the room everyone looked at them expectantly.
"What", Troy asked ready to defend his girlfriend if need be.
"Nothing", Sharpay, the outspoken one, spoke for everyone. "We were just wondering what was going on."
Troy's eyebrows shot up. He had been prepared for the questions, but he didn't expect it to be hostile. He smiled to release the tension and looked down at Gabriella. "Well, y'all know that we went out Friday night."
Sharpay scoffed sarcastically. "Yeah, we know Troy. You couldn't stop smiling about it Wednesday."
Gabriella grinned at that.
"Well", Troy continued. "After our date I asked Gabriella to be my girlfriend, and she said yes." At that point, Troy and Gabriella couldn't help but smile at one another, and she happily laid her head on his shoulder, hugging his arm. Watching them, everyone smiled brightly and hugged the couple. "We just didn't want to make a big deal. I just thought we would act natural and let people figure it out", he explained.
"Unless they're flirty little waitresses, right", Gabriella asked smirking to hide a laugh.
Troy grinned. "Right", he agreed. "I'm a one woman man, Babe", he said. Then he looked at Zeke. "I had to set Marissa straight", he explained.
Zeke smiled. "No wonder Jake called me to ask who to call yesterday." Then he looked at Gabriella. "I'm sorry if she upset you", he apologized.
Gabriella shook her head. "It was our first outing as a couple, Zeke. She didn't know." She smiled a little. "I would have been more upset if we had made a big deal of it and she blantantly flirted with him knowing he had a girlfriend."
After that everyone sat down on the couches and comfortable, cushioned chairs around the room. Gabriella was surprised when Troy got up and opened his Bible. "Okay, everyone. Happy Palm Sunday", he began. "We're in the book of John chapter 12, the Triumphal Entry. Starting in verse 12." Then Troy began to read: The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming into Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: "Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! ' The King of Israel!"
Troy stopped there and looked up. "An entry fit for a king", he stated with a smile. "But Jesus knew that this was only the beginning of his week. He knew it was his last week."
Gabriella stopped him there. She hated to admit it, but she knew next to nothing about scripture. She really had no belief system. "So, wait", she looked as confused as she felt. "He knew He was about to die, and yet He went." That idea went against everything for her. She looked up at Troy. "Why would he do that", she asked mystified.
Troy smiled. He had a feeling that she wasn't understanding, but she had been coming to church, and he knew that these questions would come in God's time. Not wanting to make a big deal yet he gave her the most simple answer. "Because He loves us", he told her with a smile.
Gabriella was flabbergasted. Why would anyone love someone so much they would die for someone else? Yes, her father did that, he died for his family, his wife and children. He had faces to think about. Jesus saw those around him, but he never met anyone since his time. Would he still willingly die if he saw the sorry state the world is in now?
Then there was God. How could any father send his only son to die? To make it worse, Jesus died in the worst way possible and all the Father did was watch. That went against everything in her, as a lawyer and a child advocate, but she didn't question anymore.
Troy watched her thoughts run across her face, but she didn't say anything. He made a note to himself to revisit this conversation later, when they were alone.
The rest of the lesson went by in a blur as Gabriella's mind just would not rest. She didn't hear any of the lesson. Troy could tell she was distracted, but he let her be knowing she needed time to think.