Like I said before, there is only at least two chapters left of this story, three chapters tops and I hope you've all enjoyed 'When You're In Love' I want to wish you all a fantastic 'Merry Christmas' and I hope you got everything you wanted! You're like my extended family and you all deserve the very best Christmas ever.

If you haven't read it all ready then another chapter of 'Husband And Wife' is up and I hope it makes you smile. I loved writing it. :)

Chapter 19 – How Things Are

THINGS most certainly changed for Troy and Gabriella. Seven years had passed, they were happily married. Yes, seven years of the perfect marriage of their lives. It was filled with love and pleasure and both Troy and Gabriella were more than delighted with the way things had turned out.

They also had children, three angelic little darlings. Their first child, a daughter Phoebe was born a year into their marriage. Troy had said that she had rounded up the precision of their marriage. She was beautiful too, she harboured Gabriella's features though Gabriella had warned Troy that all the children would, being part Selkie. Troy was thrilled, he was a fine father. He doted on his little ones and they worshipped him as equally. Phoebe was exceedingly intelligent too and that's what set her apart from her siblings.

Now, their second child, a son was born two years after Phoebe. Troy and Gabriella christened him Kalem like they had planned all along and once again, his features were pure Selkie. Kalem loved Phoebe; he followed her around like a faithful puppy, loving as ever. He was a good little one and had developed a love for basketball like his father and once done. He too was intelligent though he didn't use it as well as Phoebe did.

Their final child was born during the past year. A son again named Lucas. He was the most adorable of their children so they were told. Being the youngest and the most accident prone Gabriella often traipsed after him worrying about him. She had real, wondrous maternal instincts and for that Troy loved her all the more.

Yes, all the children were Selkie. Glittering brown eyes and dark hair. They all took after their Mother except sometimes, though it was strange and very magical, Kalem's eyes, when he was angry or upset would sparkle ultramarine like his Father's. Both parents were fascinated by their children and would never stop loving them so passionately. Life was very, very good.

"MAMA! Phoebe won't stop singing. She keeps complaining, she wants to go to the sea." Kalem groaned pathetically.

Gabriella sighed lifting her head from Troy's chest. She looked at Kalem whose eyes were glimmering deep with brown and smiled, "That's enough arguing. I told you, we're not going to the sea today. That means you too Phoebe." Gabriella ordered sternly.

It was one of those days, one of those yearning days. Gabriella and Troy, when they had first got married had decided they needed some sort of compromise. Gabriella, ever since she had ripped up her seal skin would get this horrible need for the ocean, usually once every week. She would have one single day when she would ache terribly for the sea and when she did she was kept by Troy's side or she locked herself in the bedroom and refused to see anyone. Afterwards, when the need subsided she would be lively again and often couldn't keep her hands off Troy. It had been one of those days that Lucas had been conceived.

"But Mama, we want to go." Phoebe moaned.

Troy stood and walked over to his daughter. He picked her up and she glared at him rather harshly.

"Now Phoebe, 'Troy said softly, "It's Mama's 'sick' day today. You know Mama doesn't like the ocean when it's her sick day don't you?"

"I guess so." Phoebe nodded, she looked downhearted but Troy tickled her tummy and she started to laugh wildly. Gabriella watched and smiled warmly.

"Now if you're all good Mama and Daddy will take you to the beach tomorrow and we'll have a picnic there too. Okay?" Troy asked.

Kalem and Phoebe exchanged hopeful glances. Lucas was nuzzled into Gabriella's side asleep. Kalem and Phoebe nodded happily.

"Okay. Thanks Daddy." Kalem said joyously.

Troy walked over to Gabriella and kissed her forehead lovingly, she touched his face feeling the bristles where he had not shaved. It was still early in the morning and the children were lively and jumpy. It was nice to see the little ones so happy but when Gabriella was weak and in need of her home it was hard to calm them all. The children all had Selkie features yes, they had soft barely visible fur growing all over their bodies except for their faces, hands and feet. They all could speak 'Selkish' which came in handy for when they met up with their Selkie family. It was a nice when the family all joined together. Once for Christmas, there had been an entire household of human's and Selkies. It was fantastic. There was Socorro, Opeen, Samaka, Rancha, two other Selkie women, Aran and Fetonie, Taylor, Chad, their son, Max, Sharpay, Zeke and their twins. Ryan and his partner, Kelsi and Jason and Martha Cox, a friend of Ryan's. Even though the room was filled with creatures that had nothing whatsoever in common, it had been a worthy, wonderful Christmas and it felt like a real family environment.

"I'm sorry, 'Gabriella gasped breathlessly, when she was in need of the ocean she was truly weak and useless to her husband and children but they forgave her because they loved her. In reason, Gabriella was a good mother; she was caring and good to her family. She fended for them and loved them. She was faithful and doting to Troy and was sweet to her little ones, tucking them in to sleep and reading them stories as they slowly dropped off to sleep, "I really am. I feel so helpless and I'm so tired. The waves, they call to me."

"Shush now, ignore the waves, 'Troy said kissing her warmly on the lips, "It's alright. It's not your fault. Look what you've done for your family and…and we can put up with one day where you're tired and a little moody. Can't we?"

Gabriella mumbled and smiled, "I know but…but…I feel terrible about what I do. I want to be with my children. I don't want them to hate me."

She felt Troy's strong hands running through her hair kissing her cheeks and nuzzling his nose into her thick dark brown locks of hair. Gabriella couldn't deny how he comforted her, he was a loving husband and she was always aware of his kindness to her.

"They don't hate you, you know that." Troy told her.

Gabriella sighed softly and getting up she made her way upstairs, hoping to escape the way the sea called her so viciously.

THE evening had fallen deep upon the family and a soothing rhythmic hushing lingered over the Bolton's house. Gabriella peeked in on Kalem who was sleeping peacefully in his own bed. She had already checked on Phoebe and the little girl was cuddled up with her teddy, Snoopers. She was just putting Lucas to bed for the night when she heard a knock on the door. She settled Lucas down in his crib and turned facing her loving, handsome husband.

"Are you okay?" Troy queried.

"Fine, I feel much better." Gabriella whispered as he came up behind her and enveloped her waist in a big hug.

"Good, 'He hesitated for a moment, "You wouldn't…regret marrying me or something would you?"

Gabriella chuckled, "You know I wouldn't. I love you and only you."

"I'm glad. I've never told you this but sometimes…I get these…nightmares." Troy stammered awkwardly, Gabriella was sure his arms tightened around her waist, she could sense his distress.

"What nightmares?" Gabriella queried.

"Well, I keep having these nightmares…where you leave me and you're off in the ocean with some Selkie man. Their…their the worst." Troy said breathlessly.

The young woman sighed, his half Selkie, half human wife turned in his arms and kissed him resolutely. It was soft, warm and comforting in every way. Troy nearly melted against Gabriella's lips.

When they pulled apart Gabriella turned around and touched little Lucas's cheek as he slept. She could feel the soft, Selkie skin against his cheek; it was warm and perhaps not as ferocious as other Selkies. You couldn't see it, not unless you looked close enough.

"You're my husband and I chose you, not some worthless Selkie male. I love you Troy. You must understand that. You must believe me. If I didn't want to marry you then I would've returned to the sea seven years ago but instead I stayed. I gave birth to three children, our children, mine and yours, we made them! I love you and that's all you've got to believe." Gabriella proclaimed boldly.

She looked up at him with a tender, satisfied smile on her face and chuckled, "I'm with you until we're gone. Not even death will separate us." She promised and Troy smiled.

"I'm glad; I'm stuck with you for eternity. Just the way I want it." He said and he kissed her with worship, just as they should be.

HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM HSM

"It's over, isn't it Dad?" Amy questions softly, I look up from my book and nod gently.

"Yes sweetheart, it is." I reply.

"It's not real is it Dad? I mean, its fake isn't. The story?" Amy asks unsurely, she looks up at me with wondrous glimmering eyes and I know she is confused.

"It is real Amy. Everything." I whisper.

"Then…who are Troy and Gabriella? How come I've heard of them before…I mean…it's…oh no…Dad…I know who it is…" Amy says her face full of shock.

"Who?" I question smirking inwardly.

"It's…It's…"

And that's where I end this chapter. The next chapter, I'm sorry to say, is the last of all. :( 'When You're In Love' is over after the next chapter. I'm so happy that you've all read it. I've never been more pleased over a story, this chapter kind of disappointed me but it doesn't matter. It's done now. The next chapter is about Amy's discovery of who Troy and Gabriella are and how she reacts to it. I hope you enjoy the final chapter. Thanks guys, you've been awesome.

Hope you had an awesome Christmas. Loving you all, Si xxx/ xoxMusicalxox