All I can say is... hold onto your hats!
THIS CHAPTER IS RATED M.
*I don't own HSM. I simply play the what-if game with the characters*
Gentle laughter echoed in the warmly lit room. They had been going on for several minutes now, about everything and nothing. It was simply two friends catching up. And it warmed the older gentleman's rugged heart to see the young man before him so happy. He deserved to be happy.
Dr. Turley studied the former marine closely, marveling at the peculiarity of Troy Bolton. He had helped dozens upon dozens of veterans and seen miraculous recoveries from the abyss that was PTSD. It was in those moments that all the pain and frustration over his patients worth it. But in the twenty plus years Mark Turley had been a psychologist, he had never met a man quite like Troy.
"Troy," Dr. Turley spoke through his smile, "I'm so proud of you. I'll tell you son, I've never, in all my years, seen so much progress in such a short time. It's like night and day. I honestly think you don't need me anymore."
Troy, while thrilled at his shrink's words, was unsure of what to do next, "So… what does that mean, exactly, Doc?"
Dr. Turley pulled his glasses off, setting them down on the unused legal pad and dark mahogany end table, before looking up into the face of the man before him, "It means, Troy, that I am making this your last appointment with me."
"Are you serious," Troy couldn't contain the enthusiasm that was dripping off his words."
Dr. Turley smiled again, nodding his head. His expression grew serious for a moment, commanding Troy's attention to the doctor's next few words, "Listen, Troy. PTSD is something that you never really get over. There will still be days that are harder than others. Some days the guilt will become difficult, and on those days, you need to let the people around you, the people that love you, you need to let them help. Can you do that, Son?"
"Yes, sir," was his simple, powerful reply.
"Well, good. Then, if you don't have anything left that we need to discuss, you're free to go my friend."
Troy smiled again, the joyous atmosphere contagious, as he scratched the back of his neck. His hair was getting longer. It was by no means the length it was in high school, but more of a casual, short straight. It suits you, Gabriella had said one day. And he couldn't help but agree.
At the thought of Gabriella, another smile sneaked its way onto his glowing face, "I actually wanted to talk to you about, Gabriella."
Dr. Turley's fuzzy, blonde and gray eyebrows shot up in interest. Gabriella, while mentioned frequently in conversation, had never been a topic open for advice. She was simply a staple of Troy's life and that was that. And from what he had heard about the young woman, Dr. Turley liked her a great deal.
"What about, Gabriella, Troy?"
Troy's smile turned into something of a mischievous, excited and all consuming cock-eyed grin. The young man pulled out a black ring box from the pocket of his black dress pants. Troy's fingers fumbled with opening the flap for a moment, before revealing a beautiful round cut diamond ring with accented diamonds encrusted around the band.
"It's beautiful, Son."
A light breath passed through Troy's lips as he turned the Tiffany ring box around to look at the ring for himself. He knew that a small part of Gabriella would probably be a little angry about the fact that he spent 6,000 dollars on a ring. He also knew that Gabriella had dreamed of a Tiffany engagement ring from the moment she was old enough to think about those kinds of things.
"Did you know that I started saving for her engagement ring in high school?"
Dr. Turley's eyes opened wide and Troy could help but chuckle at the man's shocked expression, "Really?"
"I know, I know. It sounds crazy, but…" Troy paused for a moment as he closed the ring box and pushed it back into his pants pocket, "I knew that she was the only girl I was ever gonna love, Doc. I was young, sure, but I figured, why wait to save up when I knew that I was gonna have to start eventually."
Dr. Turley nodded his head, understanding all too well, "When do you think you're going to propose?"
Troy locked down at the ground for a moment as he scratched his neck again. It was a small tick he had, "Well, the glee club made it to regionals."
"I heard about that," Dr. Turley interrupted, "congratulations."
A quick smile formed on Troy's lips, "Thanks, Doc… Anyway, regionals are in a few weeks and they're in Sante Fe. I was hoping to do it before then. But I have to plan it out. I'm not just gonna get down on one knee at home one night and ask."
"You're really a romantic aren't you son," the older man teased the younger softly.
A quick laughed escaped them both, "Yes, sir. Through and through."
"Well, Troy," Dr. Turley began sweetly, "I'm happy for you. Good luck, Son."
The two men stood up, sizing the other up for a moment before pulling one another into a half handshake, half hug.
"Thanks, Doc," Troy was surprised by the emotions welling up inside him, "for everything."
"My pleasure, Troy. It's been an honor to get to know you."
"Are you ready for this?" Troy asked teasingly as he gripped both of her dainty hands.
Gabriella took a deep breath, "Absolutely."
A quick grin flitted across Troy's excited face as he pulled her left hand up, kissing her ring finger sweetly. A grin pranced onto her luscious lips as Gabriella's eyes lit up knowingly. Troy wrapped his knuckles across the front door of his childhood home. Within a few seconds, it opened to reveal a pleasant Jack Bolton.
"We were beginning to wonder when you two would get here," his tone was light and teasing.
"Sorry, Jack," Gabriella began sweetly, her tone turning sarcastic, "You know how it is. Troy takes an hour to get ready and there is nothing to do but wait."
Troy feigned hurt as he gripped his chest, "Hey… I'll have you know it only took forty-five minutes to get looking this good."
Jack, Troy and Gabriella couldn't continue the ruse and proceeded to chuckle at the couple's antics. It warmed Jack's heart to see his son's so light. This is how should have always been, he pondered flippantly. Troy and Gabriella walking through the front door, together and happier than ever, for a dinner at the Bolton household. A moment of pain and grief flashed across Jack's face at the thought of Lucy. She had always hoped and prayed that Troy and Gabriella would find their way back together. And now here they were and she wasn't there to witness it.
Gabriella must have picked up on Jack's melancholy mood and decided to change the subject, "So did my mom beat us here?"
Jack was pulled out of his revere, "Oh, yes. She got here about five minutes ago. In fact, she should be – "
"I'm right here," The trio looked over Jack's shoulder and acknowledged Maria's entrance into the foyer.
Troy gave Maria a warm smile and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in for a quick bear hug. The elder Montez woman chuckled kindly as she returned the embrace, "It's so good to see you again, Troy."
"You too, Maria," Troy replied as he pulled back, looking Maria in the eye, "It's been too long."
Maria's smile faltered slightly as she noticed the young woman over Troy's shoulder. Gabriella had a contented grin painted on her face at the sight of her mother and boyfriend's genuine affection for one another. Their eyes caught and Gabriella's arms fell to her sides, her smile just a little wider, "Hi, Mama."
Maria's face began to glow as she drew near to her daughter. They embraced quickly, holding onto each other for a few seconds. A sudden rush of forgiveness and love rushed between them and Gabriella released a breath she didn't she'd been holding in.
Troy and Jack smiled knowingly, "I'm gonna go help, Dad, in the kitchen. See how salvageable dinner is," Troy broke the moment of silence with the silly comment.
The small party laughed as Jack feigned hurt, shoving his son in the shoulder before the two walked towards the kitchen, teasing and taunting one another. Gabriella and Maria enjoyed the comfortable silence that surrounded them before making their way into the pleasantly lit dining room just to their left. The simple, yet beautiful china set out on the cherry wood table complimented the room and the entire house so beautifully. Gabriella had always loved the simplistic decorations and designs of the Bolton house. It created a sense of warmth and belonging that each of its members carried out into the rest of the world.
Dinner had gone splendidly. Conversations were filled with stories from the countless embarrassing moments of Troy and Gabriella's lives, as it was accustom. One story in particular had them laughing, although for what reason, Gabriella couldn't understand.
"You will when you're a mother, Gabriella," was Maria's simple reasoning.
"And how would you feel about that," Gabriella's voice dropped slightly, her breathing was shallow and her hands began to shake. She was suddenly grateful for the fact that Troy was sitting right next to her. His mere presence and soothing smile was helping calm her rampant nerves.
"About what, honey," Maria's eyes were currently fixed on the plate in front of her as she picked at the root vegetables on her plate.
"About me being a mom."
Jack and Maria both looked up this time, identical puzzled expressions on their faces, giving way to wide-eyed stares. Troy placed his hand in Gabriella's lap, lacing his fingers between hers and Gabriella glanced over to smile at him before continuing, "How would you feel about me being a mother?"
"And me being a father?" Troy tacked his question on, calmly, at the end of hers.
"Well," Jack placed his fork down, hands shaking, as he dared peak a look at Maria's face, trying to gauge her reaction, because he wasn't sure he couldn't contain the excitement that had suddenly bubbled up inside him, "That depends. Is there a reason to be thinking about that?"
Gabriella and Troy both let out a nervous giggle, leaning closer together. Gabriella couldn't contain the grin that glowed brightly on her face and Troy didn't even try to wipe the cock-eyed smirk that was etched onto his. Gabriella's eyes wandered over to the silent woman sitting in front of her, trying desperately to read the expression plastered on her mother's face.
"Well," Troy started, his tone teasing and elated and nervous all at once, "Gabriella and I are going to have a baby."
"I'm pregnant," Gabriella exhaled on the last word, joyous at finally saying the words aloud.
Maria's heart stopped beating for a moment. Her baby… having a baby? The thought, while not far fetched in light of recent events, boggled her mind. It was clichéd, to hear a mother say that their children, no matter how grown up, would always be their baby. And Maria had never given the saying much thought… until this moment.
"Mama," Gabriella's elation began to fizzle out in fear of her mother's disappointment.
Maria's eyes met Gabriella's, flickering over to Troy's every now and again. Her expression was blank and the entire room waited, silently, for Maria's reaction. And then she smiled, "I'm so happy for you, mía… I'm so happy for you."
Gabriella's heart ached with happiness as Troy placed a loving kiss on her temple, his warm breath dancing across her forehead. She laughed and a few tears escaped her toffee irises as Maria and Jack rose from their seats and began to hug the young couple.
"How far along are you," Maria then went into mommy mode, full of questions, "When did you find out? Troy you better be taking excellent care of her."
Troy laughed at Maria's words, "If I'm not, you have my permission to beat me senseless, Maria."
"I'm about one month along and we found out two days ago, Mama. And Troy is taking wonderful care of me," Gabriella placed her hand on Troy's clean-shaven cheek. (He never liked to have too much stubble on his face and every three or four days, he'd start fresh). Troy lowered his head to brush his lips against hers in a light, loving kiss...
Troy and Maria washed and dried the dishes in an odd rhythm. Laughter echoed in the dining room and danced into the brightly lit kitchen, mixing in with the light snickers and chuckles of its occupants. Maria was on the brink of tears as she attempted to get her laughter under control.
Troy's gentle laughter at the sight of the woman next to him egged on Maria's laughter and the two couldn't help but stop their simple task. A gentle hand touched his powerful bicep as Maria gripped onto his arm in an attempt to get her breathing under control again.
"Oh… oh my… that story never gets old," Maria gasped.
Troy placed the now dry plate onto the counter. His breath grew still and his hands began to shake, "Maria, I have something I need to ask you."
Caught off guard by the emotion in his voice, Maria's head shot up, all her attention focused on the man beside her. Troy stood tall and strong, but there was a tension in his frame and she couldn't help but feel afraid for him.
She had been given some pretty shocking news today and Maria knew that Troy had to have been nervous to tell her and Jack that they would be grandparents. But if their reaction was anything to go by, Troy had to know that they were thrilled with the news. The parents had watched, in pain for the their children, as Troy and Gabriella suffered through the long separation that threatened to tear them apart. To see them together again and so happy, nothing could make Maria happier.
"What is it, Troy?"
"Well…" he let out a deep breath, lifted his head up and stared into Maria's eyes, "You know that I love your daughter… more than anything."
Maria nodded her head, unsure of where this was going. She watched as Troy struggled to pull something out of his pants pocket. An expression of shock and excitement was plastered on Maria's face and joy threatened to overwhelm her senses as Troy opened the black ring box. Her eyes widened at the words Tiffany and Company printed on the inside.
It was absolutely beautiful. The platinum ring glittered ever so slightly as the accent diamonds circling the band caught the fluorescent light. The half-carat round cut diamond in the center was beautiful without being flashy. It was absolutely perfect for its future owner.
"Ms. Montez, I need you to know that I love your daughter… more than my own life. She is amazing and quirky and smart and beautiful and funny and I don't deserve her. But I want to spend every day for the rest of my life trying to be the man she deserves. I promise that I will do everything in my power to give her the life she's always dreamed of."
"Troy," Maria cut him off with a dazzling smile, identical to her daughter's, "I would love it if you asked Gabriella to marry you."
Before she knew what was happening, Maria Montez was engulfed in a pair of impossibly strong arms, squeezing her tightly, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Maria laughed lightly as she wrapped her arms around her future son – in – law.
"HEY!"
The two broke apart at the sound of Jack's bellowing voice, "YOU TWO FINISHED IN THERE!"
"Are we done here, Grandma?"
Maria's eyebrow arched at Troy's teasing, "You know, Troy. Just because I'm happy for you and Gabriella, and just because I gave you my blessing doesn't mean that I forgot that you got my daughter pregnant out of wedlock."
Troy visibly gulped and his jaw clenched. Maria's stern expression transformed into a light laugh as she patted the young man on his shoulder, "I'm just kidding, Troy. Let's go in and see what those two lazy bums are up to."
Troy smirked as he walked behind Maria as they entered the dining room once more….
Troy placed the ring box back into its Tiffany blue package, placing secretly underneath a few pairs of sock in his dresser drawer. He then emptied the rest of his pockets onto the bedside table. The shower had just shut off, signaling that Gabriella would be exiting the bathroom at any moment. Troy pulled of the grey sweater he had been wearing over his pale blue dress shirt, unfastening the first few of the buttons and rolled up the sleeves to his lower forearm.
He heard the door open and gaped at the sight of Gabriella, water covering her beautiful skin, in nothing more than a plush, white towel. His heart stopped at the sight and he barely registered the slight gasp of air that escaped from his girlfriend's lips. Troy's gaze was wreaking all kinds of havoc over Gabriella's body as he stood and made his way to stand directly in front of her. Without even thinking, Gabriella's hands began to run through Troy's short, silky hair.
Passion dripped from his groan as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her body flush against him. Troy bent down to touch his lips to hers, gently at first, then claiming with greedy insistence. Gabriella slid her arms around his neck, clinging to him as her mouth claimed his desperately. It was too many days away from each other, too much attraction, too much passion to contain.
For a moment they were back in high school; two teenagers who had only begun to experience the wonders of intimacy and were unable to quench their thirst. Troy skimmed his coarse, calloused hands on the side of her thigh, trailing up to her bare and perfectly rounded behind before setting a firm grip on her waist, lifting her up slightly as he kissed from her mouth to the smooth column of flesh that was her neck, the line of her slick shoulder and back to her swollen lips.
It didn't take long for Troy to carry Gabriella to their bed and rid her of the towel wrapped around her petite figure. He hazily registered Gabriella's fumble with the buttons of his shirt and belt buckle. Within a few minutes, they were bare before on another. His familiar hands and his warm mouth, skimmed over her body in ways that had her gasping and begging for more. And Gabriella did the same to Troy, showing him how much he meant, how much needed him and loved him, how happy she was to finally be there with him, forever.
When both their senses are at a height and neither could prolong the inevitable joining of bodies, Troy hovered over her, lifting her leg a little to align their bodies, looking deep into her eyes and whispered, "I love you."
Steadying her breathing and the pounding of her heart, Gabriella reached up a hand to his cheek loving the stubble that defined his jaw. They had done this so many times, in so many ways that at one point she began to fear it would become routine. But it didn't. Each time Troy so much as looked at her, touched her, Gabriella's heart stopped beating and then sped up. If anything, the lovers had grown closer, more attuned to the other's needs and feelings. Each time was comfortable, familiar. Yet each time seemed more passionate and intense, loving and exciting. They shamelessly craved each other and instead of lessening, that craving intensifies more and more at every touch.
Her love, like his own, showed in her dark stormy eyes. "I love you—" Her body suddenly arched towards him, meeting him as he swiftly entered her. "Oh God, Troy… baby."
Troy kissed her, groaning at the feeling of her surrounding him, pulling her even closer than he already was. Troy's hands gripped Gabriella's hips as she rolled him onto his back, sitting up slightly over his lap. She rolled her hips slowly, hands braced on his chest and Troy had no strength to fight the passionate groan that escaped his mouth. He rose up to sit with her. Gabriella's arms wrapped Troy's muscular shoulders, his breath hot and heavy against her silky soft neck, "I love you… oh Gabriella… God."
Gabriella felt her release rushing towards her. Lights exploded behind her eyes, and Gabriella couldn't help the lusty moan that escaped her bruised lips. Troy held and stroked her as her body shook with pleasure, and kept his thrusts slow and deep to prolong her orgasm. When he felt her muscles relaxing, he stilled his movements inside her, wanting to hold off his own release as long as possible. Gabriella's hand reached back to stroke his cheek.
"Please don't stop," she said softly, knowing that he was fighting against his urges to make the experience better for her. "I love you, Troy. Please don't stop."
Her words undid him, and he kissed her fiercely before rolling her onto her back, still inside her as he laid flat on top of her, his chest pressed up against hers, delicious friction created as skin rubbed against skin. Gabriella wrapped her slender legs around Troy's sharp, sturdy hips and her back arched slightly, driving him mad with desire. His thrusts resumed at a much faster pace as he sucked the delicate skin on her neck, and his hands roamed all over her body.
"Oh Troy, harder!" she moaned at the intimacy and depth of the position.
He pressed her hands to the bed above her head and thrust into her almost desperately, breathing her name over and over again as he moved inside her. Suddenly her inner walls squeezed him tightly, and he burst inside her with a shout, even as her release left her speechless. He held her and caressed her arms, shoulders, and back as they both rode out the blissful waves, and when their bodies finally relaxed, he slowly pulled out of her. Reflexively, Gabriella rolled over slightly, placing her head on his heaving chest, and Troy gathered her in his arms, raining soft kisses over her face.
Within minutes, the two lovers were lost in sleep, wrapped up in each other's arms. Peace settled in the room and a gentle smile graced both their mouths….
Blood covered the cold, hard tiles that lay underneath them. Breathing was nearly impossible as the red liquid threatened to spill out form his mouth. He gripped the gaping wound that marred his abdomen and raised his head slightly to assess the damage for himself. His eyes darted over to the body next to him, his eyes open wide but lifeless.
He lowered his head back down to the floor, his eyelids heavy with an uncontrollable fatigue and his muscles tense with adrenalin. The sounds of heavy footsteps and clacking boots and guns registered in his mind. His cobalt eyes opened slightly to see the S.W.A.T officers rushing towards him and the dead man next to him. And his eyes closed… happy to die….
Gabriella jolted upright in the bed, sweat pouring down her olive skin. Her eyes focused in on the dark room. Light had begun to slowly make its way into the room. Gentle rays of orange and golden yellow sunshine peaked through the wispy curtains covering the bay window of the bedroom.
She could feel the sweat dampened covers that were bundled up around her trim waist. Breath was coming in ragged gasps. Her heart was racing and Gabriella was certain that she would die from the terror that had ensnared her mind. The dreams weren't getting better.
"Hey, I was just about to wake you up," a voice that seemed so far away jarred Gabriella's senses and tears began to form in her eyes, "You've got about an hour before work, so –"
She turned to see Troy, dressed and ready for work. Joy depleted from his face the moment Troy could see the utter terror etched into every contour of hers. Tears were streaming down her face and gentle sobs began to wrack Gabriella's body. Without a second thought, Troy rushed over to his lover, pulling her close and whispering gentle words of love and care.
"Hey, baby… what's wrong?"
Gabriella clutched at Troy's back and shoulders, clinging as tight as possible, almost as if to convince herself that he was really there. She breathed in his heavenly scent and an overwhelming sense of peace flooded through her. Fresh tears welled up into her eyes and a knot formed in her chest.
"Oh…Troy… oh, God… it was so… so horrible."
Troy pulled her closer, peppering her hair with soothing, comforting kisses, "What happened?"
"I… it was a dream… it was a… a nightmare," her hands gripped him tighter and her lips kissed his neck after ever couple of words.
"What happened," Troy repeated, pulling her away slightly to stare into her coffee orbs and his heart broke at the fear he saw there, "Gabriella, baby, you need to tell me what happened."
Gabriella's face contorted in pain and agony, "It was… You and Somers were in a hallway. He was… he was dead and you were shot. Troy… oh, God… you were dying."
Troy pulled her back into his chest, rubbing her back in soothing circles, "I'm okay. Alright? I'm okay. And I'm here, and we're together. Everything's going to be okay."
"I don't understand, Troy… I keep… I keep having these dreams and I can't help but… but worry."
Troy gripped her tighter. I keep having these dreams.She had dreamt this before and he didn't even know. He scolded himself for that folly, pushing his self-punishment aside to comfort the woman in his arms, "It's gonna be okay. We're gonna be okay. I'm here. I'm here."
Okay! You know the drill people! Hit that lovely little review button and let me know what you think! More reviews make for a happier writer and a happier writer makes for a quicker update!
-shaganlovessoccer