Escape to Love Chapter 29

SUMMARY: Gabriella Montez finds her unexpectedly single self traveling alone to Italy, a country known for its love and romance possibilities. Troy Bolton finds himself bamboozled by his mother and reluctantly leading one of her lengthy vacation tours. Neither is expecting to encounter any attractions not listed on the tour itinerary. M for adult situations/subject matter and sexual references/depictions.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own these wonderful characters...I just love them like the rest of you. I don't own anything Disney or otherwise...except a good bit of HSM memorabilia. ;-)

TOUR INFO: Days 27, 28, & 29 (Thurs., Fri., & Sat.)

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay, here's another one I might have made longer, but am continuing on with the updates as I'm able. Baby boy is apparently too comfy where he is...grrr. Enjoy!


Having fallen back to sleep for a little while out there on their balcony, Troy and Gabriella eventually awoke and got ready to start another day. They moved on to the small town of Tremezzo on Lago di Como, where their group visited the Villa Carlotta, with its fantastic garden, fountains, waterfall, and marble works, such as Mars and Venus by Luigi Acquisti. They also visited the River of Milk south of Varenna and took in the quaint lakeside charms of other nearby towns such as Bellagio and Lenno.

In the late afternoon, having taken some time to help some of his group members finalize their travel plans for the coming days, Troy found Gabriella seated at a small table out on one of the hotel's patios by the water, her laptop in front of her. She continued typing as he approached her.

"How's the story coming?" he asked, coming to stand in front of her.

Gabriella looked up with a smile. "It's pretty much done I think. Would you like to read it now?"

Troy paused for a moment. "Only if you want me to. I know what I said when you first asked to include Nonna's story but I trust you, Gabriella, so if it's more of a writer's prerogative not to share, then I understand."

"I appreciate that, Troy. But I want to share it with you."

Troy grinned and sat down in the chair next to her. Gabriella slid the laptop over in front of him. He surprised her by pulling her up and over onto his lap. "Will you read it to me?" Gabriella considered and then nodded.

"Of course there'll be the whole descriptive mini-blurb before it launches into my article. You know, 'Gabriella Montez recently took on an assignment to take a one-month tour of Italy...yada, yada, yada,' that kind of thing."

"And it will credit our tour company? And the best tour guide ever?"

Gabriella laughed. "Yes."

"Good. Mom'll love that."

Gabriella smiled. "I hope so."

Troy gave her a sweet squeeze and kissed her temple.

Taking a breath, she looked at the screen in front of them and began reading aloud.

"Arriving in Italy, I knew I was in for a memorable experience, one way or another. I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. I felt blessed but also lost. My boss, my friends, and my own uncertain self had sent me on a journey...and a journey is exactly what I experienced.

Italy is known for much...great food, passionate people, rich history and culture, and love. I was fortunate enough to enjoy all of these during my month abroad.

The food. What can one say about the food to possibly do it justice? As one dish I enjoyed, Saltimbocca, translates to in English, it literally 'jumps in the mouth.' The Napoli pizza is worth every new inch on my waistline. And dessert, I have learned, is not to be missed.

The people. They are indeed passionate...about their food, their beautiful country, their families, their hopes, dreams, ambitions, and loves (short or long term) and their driving. Being in the midst of it all leaves one feeling more passionate about living in general. Thank you for that, Italia.

History and culture. It's true-this country has art that can make you weep. It's everywhere...not just in large churches and museums but on simple corners in simple towns. It's preserved here like nowhere else I've seen and it can be appreciated by all, male or female, young or old, devout or unbelieving. I could tell you that you must see David in Florence and The Pieta in Rome and the remains of Pompeii (and you must!) but the overriding point is that you must see for yourself what you must see...walk the streets, explore the towns, let Italy speak to you. The beauty is overwhelming and inspiring and life-changing.

And now, this sentimental writer must move on to love. Who doesn't associate Italy with thoughts of love and romance? This common link is not unfounded. I was surrounded by varying experiences of love, by very real stories from very real people. Love growing from and overcoming heartache, love when you least expect it, love still going strong after many years, love after one is gone, and love that knows no geographical bounds. Love worth sharing with others...and so I shall share these stories with you in the coming pages...with a bit of food, the Italian people, history and culture mixed in."

Gabriella paused and looked back at Troy, who was smiling warmly. "That is a pretty strong opening there, Montez. I guess I see why they pay you the big bucks," he teased.

Gabriella laughed. "The bucks aren't that big."

"Well, they should be. I'm completely drawn in."

"Well, thank you," she said sincerely, leaning down to place a kiss on his lips before turning back to continue reading.

Troy listened as she told the stories not only of his grandparents but also of the Blakes and of John and his late wife. She also hinted at the beautiful familial love of his friends Zio and Anna and their two girls. But what naturally stood out the most were the interspersed revelations of her own experiences with love, both heartbreaking and promising. She didn't share overtly but did let the reader know that she'd gone to Italy feeling hurt and unsure and that she had found in Italy something she hadn't expected to find, love…that she had found someone else who had been hurt and didn't expect to find love with her either, but had…and that they had both also found hope through the process.

"The journey every woman should take isn't to Italy necessarily, though I can't recommend it enough. It isn't even necessarily to Europe. The journey doesn't need to be geographical; it just needs to be about you. It's about being open to experiences and emotions, change and challenges, friendship and love, and most importantly, happiness. I went to Italy to escape…I thought I was escaping from something…I didn't know I was escaping to something. Yes, I was on the Escape to Italy tour, but I did more than escape to Italy. I escaped to love. And I know how cliche that sounds. I wouldn't have foreseen this ending, or rather, beginning, to this story either, but it is how it has turned out for me…and I am very pleased. I hope you will all find your own journey or escape if you have not done so already. And I just want you to know that, for this escapee, Italy is love."

The tone of Gabriella's voice was soft but content as she read the final words of her article. Troy felt a mix of emotions. He was extremely proud of her and he felt reassured of her feelings for him. He felt his own feelings for her renewed and further strengthened. He wanted to both keep her selfishly to himself and to share her beauty and inspiration with the world. Mostly, he just wanted to keep loving her as intensely as he did right then.

He placed his fingers gently against her opposite cheek and turned her to face him. "You…are love," he said quietly and sincerely, looking into her big, dark eyes before kissing her.

It was a long and sweet kiss, affirming all Gabriella had written and shared with him, affirming the hope within what she'd written. Her arms around him, she returned his kiss and felt at peace with the moment. She felt a closure with what had been and an excitement for what could be in the future.


Having spent a blissful remainder of time at the lake, Gabriella and Troy found themselves spending a final day with their group members. Their final Friday all together had come and with it, some final sightseeing in Parma, followed by Greve in Chianti, where Troy and Gabriella said their goodbyes to the others, as the official tour had come to an end and everyone had plans to either head to the airport or see a bit more on their own before leaving Italy within the next day or two.

Saying goodbye to the Ericksons was naturally the hardest, but they promised to stay in touch with Troy and Gabriella and to continue their friendship beyond this experience. Saying goodbye to Ivan was even a bit sad. Troy and Gabriella were glad to see that he and Jo had grown closer and closer during the trip and seemed to be considering their future together as much as the two of them were. Over the weeks, Ivan and Troy had even found some things they had in common and had been able to relate to each other on a non-antagonistic, near friendship level. And so it was on good terms that they all parted.

Troy and Gabriella headed from Greve on to Montalcino, where Nonna was delighted to have them back. Their plan was to stay the night on the vineyard and help in setting up for the party the following evening.

After a very nice dinner, Troy and Gabriella had offered to clean up and, following their time spent doing so between the dining room and the kitchen, they found themselves out on the back patio looking out over the pool and the land beyond.

"Will I be meeting Katherine's parents tomorrow too?" Gabriella asked softly, biting her lip slightly.

Troy breathed in the night air for a moment. "I think so. At least, I'm pretty sure they were invited."

Gabriella nodded, accepting this.

"They're nice, honest people, Gabriella. They're not like her."

"I believe you, Troy. It's just...I mean, what can they think of me?"

"What I think of you...that you're this wonderful, sweet, beautiful woman who is making me very happy."

She couldn't help smiling up at him for that description. "They don't hold any hopes of reconciliation for you and their daughter?"

"No. I think they hope she'll come home to them one day, but they know that what she and I had...well, they know that's in the past."

"Okay."

Troy stared down at Gabriella silently for a few moments, a grin forming on his face.

"Wha-at?" she asked uncertainly.

"Nothing, I'm just...I'm really excited to introduce you tomorrow…to Vittorio and Agnese, but mainly to my parents."

"No pressure or anything," she tried to joke back, nervously.

Troy shook his head at her. "Well, if you're stressing about it, I might have ways to relax you," he purred, leaning forward, pulling her to him and starting to nibble lightly and playfully on her neck.

Gabriella giggled, her hands against his chest. Pushing him away was definitely not what she was of a mind to do though and as his mouth stopped tickling so much as kissing, she closed her eyes and held to his shirt, enjoying the sensation.

And then they heard the sound of a throat clearing from somewhere nearby. Troy chuckled into her neck and then pulled away, his eyes twinkling as they met hers before he turned to acknowledge his grandmother. Gabriella felt like her cheeks must now be a shade of crimson not unlike the shade of the wine they'd drunk with dinner.

"Troy, could you be a dear and go make up the bed in the third floor room with the bedding I've left by the stairs?"

"Sure thing."

"Though I'm quite sure you won't end up staying up there when there are other more appealing options…"

"No idea what you're talking about, Nonna," he replied, giving her a devilish look and shooting one last humored glance his girlfriend's way before disappearing back into the house.

Gabriella bit her lip and then turned to face Troy's grandmother, offering her a small smile.

"Not so concerned about my delicate sensibilities now, are you?" Francesca said slyly, seeing the resulting blush on Gabriella's cheeks.

"Um, well, yes, but...we are just..."

"In love?"

Gabriella cleared her throat slightly and smiled, recognizing she was being teased by the older woman. "Yes."

Francesca smiled warmly at the young woman in front of her. "Good."

"Francesca," Gabriella began a moment later, "I have a bit of a confession to make."

The older woman raised an eyebrow at her curiously.

"When we visited you the first time, Troy and I weren't really dating then. We were just friends, but we didn't want to disappoint you."

Francesca's smile widened slightly. "I know, dear."

Gabriella's eyes widened in surprise. "You do?"

"Mmmhmm."

"But how?"

"I knew that day."

"But you said..."

"I said that I was happy you two had found each other and that you were both on your way and that you looked good together. I said that you were a Godsend and I said that you two had been looking at each other like you'd been wanting to kiss. I said it was fine for you two to take things slowly or not to."

Gabriella stared at her blankly, confused and a bit stunned.

"What? This old lady has a pretty sharp memory actually...and none of those things I said were wrong. But I never explicitly said you two were dating or a couple at that very point in time. Your heart and mind just filled in the blanks the way they'd been wanting to."

"But then you got us the couples' massage..."

"After you both came back in and started putting on your show of being a couple. Then, it just seemed like such a fun idea."

"Francesca!"

"What, my dear? You are currently in love with my grandson, are you not?"

"Well, yes, but..."

"But what? You don't really have anything to be upset with me for, then do you?"

"I...well..." Gabriella sputtered for a moment before shutting her mouth. And then she let it all run through her mind, her memories of that day, how much she had wanted to kiss Troy, what exactly Francesca had said, how easily Troy had gone along with the supposed ruse too, and how they'd then both enjoyed their spa gift from Nonna despite the tension of the situation. And then she thought over the weeks of happiness they'd had since they'd acknowledged their feelings for each other. Finally, she thought about the conversation she and Troy had had on their way to the vineyard that first time. And she started to laugh. Still staring at the amused woman in front of her, she continued to laugh, and her laughter echoed off the back of the house and into the surrounding night air as Francesca joined her with her own melodious laugh.

Finally, wiping a tear from her eye from laughing so much, Gabriella found her voice again. "Troy told me that day I met you that you couldn't be ambushed, that you were cleverer than most, and that you were always right."

A pleased smile graced Troy's grandmother's lips. "Well, that was sweet of him. Smart boy."

"I should have taken heed."

"In a way, you did."

"I guess so. But how did you know...what you did know that day anyway?"

"Because you let me see it...and because I am a woman who has known a fierce love, a true love, the best kind of love, and it makes it easy for me to see the potential for that for others. The sparkle was there for both of you. And then you both confirmed it with your willingness to do what you deemed as acting. But you both knew it wasn't. And so did I. Now, I didn't know if once you left me, you'd both let your past hurts or stubbornness get in the way. I just hoped you wouldn't. I had faith. And you haven't disappointed."

Gabriella nodded, taking this all in. She looked out to the surrounding darkness and then looked back at Francesca once more. "And you still have faith?" she asked, her tone more somber now.

"Yes, I do."

Gabriella's lips twitched upward slightly. "And what do you see for us? For our future?"

"Happiness. Lasting love."

"How? Where? Please, Francesca, if you have any advice or thoughts on what we should do..."

"You should be together."

"You know what I mean."

"Yes, I do. And my answer stands. But it's not for me to figure out your how or your where. That's for you and Troy to figure out. And I believe you will."


That night, after enjoying some more laughs with Troy when she'd filled him in on his Nonna's cleverness, Gabriella's dreams were filled with different possibilities: family gatherings at the vineyard, walking with Troy along the river back in Chicago, swimming with him in the California surf. They all made her feel happy and she awoke not feeling any closer to an answer than she'd been the night before. Shaking off that uncertainty, she threw herself into the day's preparations.

Things were set up for the party on the land adjacent to the pool. Tables and chairs were set out and strings of lights were hung up surrounding the area. Candle centerpieces were placed on each of the tables and decorative bows were tied on some of the chairs. Food tables were arranged and speakers were appropriately placed to provide the guests with a selection of Gail's favorite music. A present table was set out and signs were placed out on the road to help guests find their way. Gabriella and Troy helped with all of these efforts as well as helping Francesca in the kitchen as she prepared some of the delectable items for the evening. Others were delivered and, naturally, the libations for the evening were the vineyard's very own.

Gabriella had taken leave to go get freshened up and changed for the party. Francesca and Troy had preceded her in this and were now outside awaiting everyone. Having showered and done her hair and makeup, she heard voices outside and went to a window to take a peek. She saw a handsome couple embracing Francesca and Troy. The family resemblance was evident. She took a deep breath, watched another moment, and then turned to slip on her dress.


"So...leading another tour...worst thing ever, huh?" Gail teased, pulling back from embracing her son.

Troy smiled sheepishly at his mother and cleared his throat. "Um, about that. I'm really sorry for how I overreacted and I'm sorry for worrying you with my behavior for so long."

"I'm a mom. I wake up worrying and go to sleep worrying. It's kind of in the job description," Gail responded with a reassuring smile. "I am glad that you're in a better place now though."

"I am. I definitely am." Troy paused, glancing up toward the window of the room in which he knew his girlfriend was nervously getting ready. "Well, except that I can't seem to fall in love with someone concurrently living in the same country," he added wryly.

"You always did like a challenge," Jack chimed in good humoredly.

"Well, I think Gabriella presents the best kind of challenge," Francesca contributed.

"So, when do we get to meet the lovely Gabriella?" Gail asked curiously.

"She'll be down here in a few minutes, dear," Francesca answered her daughter. "She's been busy all day helping us get everything ready for the party, so we sent her off to have a bit of time to herself before it started."

Gail smiled approvingly, looking around and catching sight of some of the efforts that had been put in for her celebration. "You know, you guys didn't have to go to this much trouble for my birthday."

"Yes we did, hon. You're especially old this year and we had to make a big deal of that," Jack joked. Though his primary job that day had been getting his wife there, he had helped with all of the preparations prior to that day.

"Hey!" Gail protested, giving her husband a playful slap to the chest. "You are only two months younger. Shut it."

"Still younger…"

"Ooh…"

"Jack, I think if you want to make it to that next birthday, it might be wise to stop now," Francesca warned playfully, seeing her daughter nod in agreement.

"Yeah, and I don't really want you crashing on my couch, dad," Troy added with mirth. "No offense."

"Hmmph," Jack responded with false affront, "I hope I don't lose my sense of humor when I turn 50."

"If…" Gail warned with feigned menace.

From the doorway, Gabriella watched this give and take amongst Troy's family, smiling at their playful way with one another. Jack's next words though gave her pause.

"Speaking of your couch, son…where do you think it will be located going forward anyway?"

Troy looked back at his parents with uncertainty. "I don't know, honestly."

After a moment of tense silence, Gail placed her arm around Troy's waist and gave him a motherly squeeze. "You don't have to right now. Just know that we'll support you in whatever makes you happy, dear."

Troy looked warmly down into his mother's face. "Thanks, mom."

Francesca clapped her hands, breaking the mood slightly, and called for Gabriella to join them, having seen her lingering in her spot by the front doorway. Troy turned and beamed at the raven-haired beauty that met his loving smile with a shaky one of her own. She walked over to where they were standing and he pulled her into his side reassuringly. "Mom, dad, this is Gabriella Montez."


Author's Note: Up next - obviously, more vineyard time and...? ;-)