Chapter 25: Renewal
"Babe come on!" I yelled to Gabriella.
Tonight is the night we're going to remarry. But Gabriella doesn't know it yet. I've spent three weeks planning it. It's something small like Gabriella like it. It's also the same anniversary that we got married the first time.
"Charley!" I called her to come over.
"Don't worry dad I have it all covered!" she said.
"Are you sure? Text me the second you get everything set up!" I said.
"dad chill! Geesh!"
"Ok...i'm just nervous"
"I know. But this is it. It's going to be perfect and amazing and she's going to love it..."
"Ok"
"i'm ready!" she said coming out. She was wearing a baby blue dress and had her hair down with little makeup and she was absoultley beautiful. She looked like an angel as always.
"You guys go out and have fun and be in loooove" Charley said.
"Ok well...make sure you stay by the phone in case anyone calls for dogs or something. Also keep up on my email...i'm expecting something from the adopters." Gabriella went through a list for her.
"Mom chill out, go out, and have fun!"
We finally got out the house. I was so nervous.
"So where are we going?" she asked.
"we are going out for a picnic..." I said. She looked at me weird.
I went to our old apartment and found out that the same landlord is there and the apartment is vacant so I got a favor.
"Troy what are we doing here?" she asked.
"Like I said...a picnic"
she looked confused. I unlocked the apartment and there was a blanket and a box of pizza
"The last time we were right here eating food with no furniture no tv just our clothes and a pizza and a coke...you were just a few weeks pregnant with Noah...we were these two kids not knowing what was going to happen to us. That was about 19 years ago..." I said. She started crying.
"Troy this is perfect" she said hugging me. Then she gave me this look and I knew what she was thinking. We walked to Noah's old room and looked on the closet and there it was...it was our initials in the corner.
"I can't believe it's still here"
"I know..." I said.
That night was perfect. We were in our old place laughing and talking about memories. When I looked at her she was like that 16 year old girl that was trying to make it all ok.
"I miss those times though..." she said.
"Yea me too..." I said.
She smiled. Then my phone buzzed and it was Charley.
"Oh that's our call..." I said. She looked confused again. I smiled.
"Come on" I said. We left and drove back home. Charley and Noelle, carter and noah were all waiting for us at the end of the driveway.
"What's going on?!" she asked. All of us smiled and I pulled the box out.
"Gabriella...will you remarry me...?" I asked. She stared at the box.
"Wow...you had that same look on your face when I first proposed..." I said. She looked at me.
"are you going to say yes?" Noelle asked. Gabriella blinked.
"Uh yes yes of course!" she said laughing. I smiled.
"Good...because if you said no this whole wedding would be for nothing" I said. She was speechless again.
"Wedding?" she asked.
"Dad planned a whole wedding for you...with our help though" Charley said.
"Right now!?"
"Yep"
"Oh my god. But i'm not ready...my makeup what about the families...how did you..."
"Babe calm down. Everything is done. Your dress is in your room the whole family is already there setting up, and Charley and Noelle will help you get ready..." I said.
"I love you"
"I love you too"
The time has come now that she will be walking down the aisle.
"It's not fair how Noah got to go to both weddings" Carter said.
"Charley was there too. Your mom was pregnant with her"
"No fair!"
All of us laughed. And then the music started. Her papi walked her down the aisle again and she looked amazing. It took me back to that day again
"The couple has some vows of there own" the minister said. Gabriella was already crying.
"Gabriella, it was 18 years ago today that I saw you walk down the aisle. I remember every detail of that whole or deal. I just got out of the hospital, you just found out you were pregnant with Charley, and Noah was in the front row crying for you. Your hair was down in your curls, and you were smiling and it was at the beach. We were away from each other for 16 years...but that memory and that picture of you in my head was what kept me going. Imagining you and your voice and your touch and your just overall personaility made me get through because I knew I had to get back to you. I needed to get back to you. Now we're in our thirties...and we have four kids. The day we met is still one of the happiest days of my life and I will never let you go again. You are my heart and my soul...and without you i'd be nothing. I swore to you that day...that I would always take care of you and Noah. But I change that swear...now I swear to you and Noah, Charley, Noelle and Carter...that I will take care of all of you and I love you guys" I said. Charley and Noelle were crying and so was Gabriella.
"Gabriella" the minister said.
"Ok...well this is a surprise to me...so I don't have anything planned. But Troy your an amazing guy. You took me back to our old apartment and I remember struggling with you. I remember when you would fight every other night, train every day, and also work. Than...i almost lost you forever. But a few months after that...we had Charley. Believe me i've already had my share of hospitals by that point. But you sat with us every day and then went home and took care of Noah. Then when we brought her home...you would sit and look at her to make sure she stayed safe and alive. Then we found out about the twins...and our world was turned upside down. But now we're back...and your still the most amazing sweet loving husband and father and I still can't imagine my life without you." she said sniffling. I smiled.
The minister went through the renewal vows and then he said what I have been waiting for.
"Troy you may kiss your bride" he said. I grabbed Gabriella in my arms and I kissed her.
"I give you, Mr and Mrs Bolton" he said.
I was the happiest guy in the world...the whole prison experience is done with, and now we're a family again and that's all that matters now.