Hello!!!! Whoa, you guys are absolutely great with the reviews. I'm really pleased! Hopefully this chapter will bring me just over 1400 reviews. :D
Ooooh, my fellow UK-IANS, the HSM3 DvD will be released on February 16th and I have to be honest I can't wait for it. I still can't believe it's finally all over. I sobbed my heart out in the last film, the final song "High School Musical" was enough to send me into a crying fest. It was utter perfection. Has anyone from out of the UK got the DvD yet???
I hope I have some "In Need Of A Saviour" fans reading this story. If so, there is a one-shot (not written by me) but written by GreyxFreak for you all. It's from Richard Sullivan's point of view, I read it myself and I've got to say I thought it was quite cleverly done. Please, go and read it. It's called "Suffocating Under Words Of Sorrow." You should read it! It might give you a more open look on Richard. GreyxFreak pretty much had his character to a "T."
By the way, it is snooooooowwwwwinnnngggg! :D YAY!
I'm not so sure how long this story is going to go on for, it's quite long lol but we'll just have to see won't we.
Anyway...
Chapter 32 – The Special Place
THE alarm clocks erratic jingling and clanking woke Gabriella from her restful sleep that bleak, almost darkened morning. She stretched and switched it off, relieving her ears of its irritating noise and turned on her side to snuggle into her husband's warm, naked body.
Troy had not stirred at the sound but obliviously, in his sleep, wrapped his arms around Gabriella and pulled her close.
Gabriella sighed, she'd have to get up soon and this she did not want to do. It was sometimes nice to just lie still and forget the world outside the bedroom door. It had been three days since she and Troy had expressed that they wished to try for another baby. Gabriella was delighted with the prospect, excited even.
Running a hand down his muscular torso she curled up deeper against him and mused dreamily, thinking of their love making, thinking how their actions had been repeated for the third night in a row. She couldn't seem to get enough of him. It was enough to send her head spinning.
Of course, there was always that doubt sitting in the back of Gabriella's mind. She'd been a poor excuse for a mother the first time round, she hoped to the highest heavens and back that history would not repeat itself. Gabriella regretted not being around for Katie and if she did catch for another baby she would make sure she loved him or her as much as she could. It was important to her and she supposed it was important to Troy too. She hadn't spoken to him about her fears. What was the point? They were just walls in her mind trying to prevent her from finding happiness. She wouldn't allow them to beat her. That had happened once before and where had that gotten her! No! She had to be brave, for her family.
Reluctantly, knowing they'd have to go back to reality at some point, Gabriella kissed Troy's firm shoulder blade, sat up and shifted out of bed.
She searched for her clothes intermingled with Troy's on the floor, wondering how they could've been discarded so thoughtlessly as she slipped them on as quickly as she could. Stretching a little more to relieve herself of any aches or pains she made her way over to the window, sighing in bliss.
"Troy, 'she yawned as she pulled aside the curtains. Vibrant bursts of light flew into the room extinguishing the darkness instantaneously, "Troy, come on. It's time to get up."
Troy groaned rolling onto his stomach, "No, 'he mumbled into his pillow, he was still half asleep "too tired."
"You need to get ready for school. You have freshman basketball tryouts today. You don't want to miss them do you?" She chuckled coming to sit beside him on the bed. She patiently kissed his neck, devoting her love to him with tenderness.
"Yes." He murmured.
"Look, I'm going to fix some breakfast, wake Katie and get her ready for school. When I come back upstairs you'd better be getting ready yourself or I'll get the bucket of water out on you." Gabriella said firmly but Troy's snoring signalled that he hadn't heard a thing she'd said. He was asleep again.
"Right. So be it." She smirked and she got up and left Troy to sleep knowing that the inevitable was going to happen.
KATIE and Gabriella had breakfast right on time that morning. Gabriella had fixed it simply, a bowl of porridge with sweet honey on top. It was a good change for them both and the warm creamy substance filled them and warmed their hearts.
"Where's Daddy?" Katie asked curiously shovelling another spoonful into her eager mouth.
"He's still sleeping, 'Gabriella answered smiling, "he's being very lazy today. Don't worry, I'll wake him soon."
"He's not always lazy, 'Katie said softly, "maybe he's just really tired." She offered.
"He sure is. So, how's school sweetie?"
"Okay I s'pose. We've got a maths test today. I don't want to do it. I don't like maths very much." The little one replied wrinkling her nose in displeasure.
"I never liked it that much either when I was in school. My favourite subjects were physics and English." Gabriella told her scooping up the final spoonfuls into her mouth.
"I like English too, 'Katie said with surprise, looking delighted, "it's my absolute favourite! We read all these brilliant books and get to write loads and loads of stories and make pictures to go with them and everything. My teacher says I'm one of the best in my class."
"Well that's great! What books do you read with your class?" Gabriella asked.
"Everything. We're reading 'Fantastic Mr Fox' right now. I like it a lot." Katie enthused.
"How about I search for some more books for you. You sound like your running out." Gabriella queried.
"Yes please. Can you get me an animal book?" Katie implored beaming brightly.
Gabriella nodded, "sure. I'm going shopping today so I'll take a look then, 'seeing that they were both finished she added, "why don't you go and get changed while I try and convince your father to wake up."
"Okay!" Katie nodded and she leapt up from the table, dashed through the living room and disappeared around the corner, Gabriella could hear her scurrying footsteps as she hurried to get ready for school.
GABRIELLA honestly wasn't surprised to see Troy still nestled up in bed when she came to check on him. His snoring was light, relaxed and the sight of him made her want to crawl in beside him and go back to sleep herself but she knew that wasn't possible. She flicked on the light hoping it would bring him out of his dream, her attempt was pointless.
"Troy, 'she said a little impatiently, "Troy. Get up."
When there was no reply she decided it was time to take action. She left the bedroom and made her way through to the bathroom. On the side of the bathtub there was a large bowl that held all the conditioners, shampoos, soaps etc. She emptied it of its contents quickly and filled it up with icy cold water.
"This'll wake him." She giggled to herself.
She carried the large bowl through to the bedroom being careful not to tip any of the water that was sloshing up and down and round and round the rim.
"Troy, last chance, wake up." She said firmly.
"Not now." Troy groaned.
"Fine, you leave me no choice." She said and with that she turned the bowl upside down and the water went tumbling down over Troy like a great big waterfall.
Troy shrieked as the icy wave came into contact with his body. He leapt out of bed, his face a mixture of shock and confusion. Frowning, he paused and slipped on his pyjama bottoms. His wife was howling with laughter, leaning against the wall to support herself. He smirked.
"You think it's funny huh?" He challenged.
"I sure do. That was the best fun I've had all week." Gabriella laughed wiping tears from her eyes.
His teeth was chattering as he took a step towards her, "let me give you a hug." He said teasingly.
"Oh no, 'Gabriella protested holding up her hands and backing away, "no you don't. If you had gotten up when I told you to this wouldn't have happened in the first place would it?"
"It's a bit late now Gabriella, 'Troy chuckled, "besides I want a big good morning hug."
"Troy, 'Gabriella squealed as he darted at her and swept her up into a wet embrace, they slipped to the floor, drenched together, "Troy, 'Gabriella laughed batting him playfully as he continued to rest against her, soaking her deeper and deeper, "you loser!"
"But I'm your loser." Troy whispered resting his forehead with hers.
They stared at each other, mesmerized. Brown eyes and blue eyes, absorbed in each other. Troy lifted his hand and caressed Gabriella's face lovingly.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." She murmured her breath soft and enticing, tickling his skin. Troy leaned down and kissed her. He swelled with pride as she moaned with pleasure, her mouth opening to accept his tongue, inviting him.
"How late am I for getting ready?" He asked.
"Late enough." Gabriella replied.
Troy closed his eyes, elating in Gabriella running her fingers through his hair; she nuzzled into him, loving, passionate and beautiful.
"You know what?" Troy whispered.
"What?" Came Gabriella's hushed reply.
"I'm freezing here and very wet." He answered.'
Gabriella laughed and pushed him off of her, "right, it's time to get ready, 'she said sternly as she lifted herself up and exited the bedroom to let him compose himself, "or do I have to get the bucket out again?"
IT was during recess that Katie, Hallie and Monique gathered to talk more about what they might've exposed of Troy and Gabriella's plight. All three girls were rather disappointed with their measly discoveries though all tried to conceal it beneath smiles and eagerness.
"So, your parents haven't said anything?" Katie asked, her voice reigning with a strange authority as she look towards her two comrades.
"Not really." Hallie said shaking her head.
"Monique?" Katie asked.
"Nothing, 'the little girl answered, "Katie...maybe...maybe we made a mistake. Maybe there was nothing going on."
Katie frowned biting down hard on her bottom lip. Maybe Monique was right. Her father had once told her that she was a very curious child and that if there was something out there worth knowing then she wanted to know it.
Perhaps she'd looked at things the wrong way. Perhaps her mother and father had just argued and then were friends again. It happened and not just with her parents but with everyone's.
"I don't know. I just think I'm missing something important." Katie muttered her rich ultramarine eyes glowing hopefully.
"Like what?" Hallie queried.
Katie shook her head, "I don't know. It's there in the back of my mind all the time. I just know I'm right."
Hallie and Monique glanced at one another apprehensively, "have you found Auntie Gabi's dictionary yet?"
"Nope, but I will." Katie replied.
"You could ask Auntie Gabi where it is!" Monique offered.
"Yeah. Tell her you need it to find a word for a school project or something." Hallie agreed nodding.
Katie smiled, "I suppose that would work, 'she turned to watch her peers play, blinking with concentration, "it might help us learn what happened quicker. Yes. I'm going to do that."
"And then we'll leave it won't we?" Monique asked her.
Katie sighed and didn't answer. She didn't know whether she could leave it. She didn't understand her parent's strange ways. She'd inherited her mother's sharp intelligence and like Gabriella she was always enthusiastic to learn more things.
"We'll just have to wait and see."
TROY was pleased to see he had a free period after lunch that afternoon. His mind was at ease, no one screaming "Hey coach, hey coach!" or fighting over silly basketball matches or any of the other things that sometimes tended to bring him down during a usual day at East High.
He sat back in a comfortable chair in the empty teacher's staff room and put his feet up. Yawning, he closed his eyes, wanting to sleep. His late night activities with Gabriella were beginning to exhaust him but he was not going to complain. In his opinion what would or could be better than making love to the woman of your dreams every night and waking up in the morning knowing she was just as happy as you were. Troy loved Gabriella and he honestly believed that their performances of love were bringing them closer; giving them that intimacy that he felt he'd lacked over the years after she'd left him and Katie alone to fend for themselves.
Yawning once more, Troy's body slumped into complete relaxation and he began to drift into the unconscious...
...............Dream...............
It was like standing in an infinite mist. Troy could not see nor spy a thing in sight, it was cold and dark and his body shivered unnaturally as if he would never be warm again.
Was it possible to feel so artificial? Was it possible to feel so unreal? He gazed around, blinking away the icy wetness from his eyes, deep in a reverie he could not escape from. Where was everyone? Where was the world? Was it just him?
"Hello?" He called out his voice quaking in worry.
He took one step forward and there was a loud crash like thunder breaking the earth's atmosphere. Another step came after and the process was repeated again. Troy frowned anxiously. What was going on? Where was he?
"Hello? Is anyone there?" He bellowed.
There was no reply. Troy's mind was working overtime. Where were Gabriella and Katie? His heart ached for Katie especially; this strange storm would frighten her. He had to find her. She'd be so scared, his little darling, his precious angel. Determined to start his search he strode through the mysterious mist ignoring the mystical crashes and clatters as he searched helplessly for his wife and his little girl.
"Katie? Gabriella? Katie, 'he cried, "don't be afraid. I'm on my way. Wait for me."
His voice echoed through and through the mist and came bouncing back to him, hitting him with an unbreakable violence.
Another voice carried back to him, a sensual, erotic voice that for a moment, Troy barely recognised, "Troy, 'it crooned soothingly, "Troy. I'm here. I'm here Troy."
"Gabriella?" He called out frantically.
"Yes. Troy. I'm here." Her voice came back.
"I'm coming, wait there. Gabriella, Gabi...where are you?" Troy was beginning to feel panicked and clamped in. He could hear Gabriella but he couldn't see her and all the while his mind was screaming out.
"Come to me Troy."
Then, quite suddenly, the mist cleared and Troy gazed around blinking with confusion. He hadn't known it but he'd been in his own home all along. He was standing at the top of the stairs, staring down at the front door and Gabriella who stood in the doorway.
"Look Troy, 'she whispered tenderly, beaming up at him, "it's our baby."
In her arms was a small sleeping baby. Troy's heart leapt with excitement. He hurried down the stairs breathing heavily in his anticipation.
"Let me see." Troy said, eager.
From nowhere, Katie appeared grinning just as widely as Gabriella.
"You can't see her Daddy." Katie answered.
"Her?"
"She's our baby. Not yours." Gabriella and Katie said together, their voices robotic.
Troy couldn't move, no matter how he tried it was as if his legs were glued to the floor. He groaned with frustration, yanking and pulling but it was fruitless.
"Let...let me...see...let me see her!" He demanded.
"She's our baby!" Gabriella said and she turned, one arm around Katie, one arm supporting the little one and together they left, the door slamming shut forcefully behind them.
"GABRIELLA! KATIE, 'he screamed in agony, "GABRIELLA! GABRIELLA...come back...
...............End Of Dream...............
"HEY! Troy, are you feeling alright?"
Troy was practically heaving. His chest was wheezy and his heart was racing. He looked around; searching for Gabriella and Katie but the only face he was met with was Larry Richardson, the Science teacher.
"Are you okay?" Larry asked him, he appeared concerned.
"I'm...I'm fine, 'Troy gasped, "I'm just fine. Nightmare that's all."
"You look terrible. Do you want me to get somebody?" Larry queried.
Troy could barely hear him, his mind was on Gabriella and Katie and his keen desperation to be home with them, to see Katie playing in front of the television, to feel Gabriella in his arms, sleeping. He just didn't feel safe. Maybe he would phone them just to check they were alright.
He shook his head, "no, it's fine, 'glancing at the clock on the wall his eyes grew wide, "end of school already. Wow. I slept the hour away. I'm going to head off if that's alright."
"Troy, maybe you should just sit back for a while. You've got plenty of time to get home. I think I'll just call the nurse to come and have a look at you. You're sweating really bad and I've never seen you look so pale."
"I have to get home. Gabriella's waiting for me." Troy answered in a panic.
"Yes but –"
Before Larry could protest any further Troy had snatched up his jacket and was gone like a shot through the door, he could just about hear his rasping call, "Bye Larry!"
THE car ride home with Katie that day was proving to be a rather awkward one though Gabriella had no idea why. She'd picked Katie up right on time, had stopped at the store to buy her some sweets and had told her all about the books she had bought for her earlier that morning and yet Katie seemed utterly oblivious to her mother as if she wasn't even there. The little one simply stared out the window, her mind in another world almost.
Due to bad traffic Gabriella decided to drive the long way around to their house. She didn't mind really but she wished that Katie would perhaps be a little more enthusiastic to talk. It wasn't like her at all.
"Is everything alright at school?" She asked.
"Uh huh." Came Katie's reply.
"How did your maths test go?"
"Okay I guess." Katie shrugged her shoulders.
"Is something bothering you Katie? Are you having any trouble at school?" Gabriella asked slightly concerned now. She checked her re-view mirror, sighing tiredly. If only they didn't have to come the long way around. The time was dragging.
"Mommy, can you help me find your dictionary later?" Katie asked.
"Dictionary? What for?" They rounded another two corners before Katie answered her.
"I have an English project for school and I want to do well but I need the dictionary." She explained playing with her hands.
"I think Taylor has it but we can search later if you want. If we can't find it I'll get Taylor to bring it round for me tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay Mommy." Katie nodded.
At that moment, Gabriella's cell phone began to buzz at the bottom of the car. Cursing under her breath, Gabriella pulled over towards a nearby park and picked up the phone. She watched the other cars fly passed her, somehow wishing she could be back home, in the warmth, watching television or reading with Katie.
"Gabriella?" Troy's voice rang down the phone, frantic and raspy.
"Troy? Is that you? What's the matter with your voice?" She questioned frowning.
"We've had some intense work outs today, 'Troy lied, "I'm exhausted."
"Oh. Well Katie and I are on our way home. Have you got your key? Just in case you get there before us." Gabriella asked him.
"Yeah, okay. Listen...Gabriella...is everything alright with you?" Troy sounded worried and Gabriella could tell by the sound of his voice that he was biting his lip in anxiety.
"Yeah, why?"
"Nothing really, 'Troy said, "I just wanted to check on you that's all."
From beside her, Katie was gazing out the window curiously, "Mommy, 'she said quietly, "what's this place right here?"
"Hang on a second, 'Gabriella said to Troy and she turned to answer Katie. She gasped with surprise at the sight before her. A large park filled with trees and shrubs and wildlife stood proudly in front of them. Gabriella could hardly believe it. The sign in front read "Pontwyn Park, "oh my lord."
"What is it?" Troy and Katie said in unison.
"Troy, I'll call you in about fifteen minutes. I'm going to take Katie to the park." She exclaimed.
"Um...okay. Love you. Bye."
"Bye." Gabriella whispered and she flipped her cell phone down and continued to stare with surprise up at the beautiful sight known as Pontwyn Park.
"Mommy –" Katie began but Gabriella merely cut her off by opening the door and walking around to Katie's.
"Come on. Let's go in." She said beaming.
"In the park?" Katie frowned.
"Sure. This is a very special place, 'Gabriella said accepting Katie's hand as they walked through the opening of the gates, "Pontwyn Park was the number one favourite place of mine and your fathers. We loved it."
"Really?" Katie asked gazing up at her mother with great curiosity.
"Yes. We'd come here all the time, just me and him and we'd spend hours just playing around." Gabriella told her.
It wasn't really a park but merely a long and fragrant garden open to the public. It wasn't really a place to take the children; there were no swings there or big red slides or giant colourful apparatus. It was just a park and yet to Troy and Gabriella, it was a park full of wondrous, sweet recollections.
Katie's eyes wandered in awe, searching for signs of her parent's old lives, imagining how they would've been, "Why did you come here?"
"Different reasons really. Just around the corner of these tree's is this grand old tree house that we built together when we were fifteen years old. On cold winter nights when it was too late to go home or when the weather was bad we'd sit inside the tree house, snuggle up and tell each other all kinds of stories and secrets, 'Gabriella smiled gently, "it was some of the best times of our lives...out here." Her mind wandered to more personal thoughts, more sensual thoughts even of her reminiscences with Troy in the tree house. It was a tremendously special place to her, the beginning of their relationship.
"Why did you stop coming here?" Katie asked.
"We came until up to the time that I left. I'm surprised your father hasn't brought you up here before. We shared so many wonderful memories here."
"Maybe the memories made him sad." Katie answered in a hushed voice.
"Yeah, maybe." Gabriella muttered.
They rounded the corner and Katie gave a squeal of joy. There it stood, the old, beautiful tree house, looking slightly battered but wonderful nonetheless.
"Mommy! Look, look! There it is. It's right there." She giggled jumping up and down in her enthusiasm.
"So you like the park honey?" Gabriella asked picking her up and balancing her on her hip.
Katie nodded, "it's perfect! You could probably get lost here forever. It's so big."
Gabriella chuckled lightly, "come on my poppet, let's go home. I suppose Daddy is waiting for us." She said.
Katie rested her head upon her mother's shoulder and closed her eyes feeling at ease and secure. She wound her arms around Gabriella's neck and nestled into her closer, everything seemed well...
LATER that evening after Katie was put to bed Gabriella and Troy stood at the kitchen washing and drying the dishes together.
"Hmm, Pontwyn Park. That's a place I haven't seen in...well over six years." Troy said thoughtfully as Gabriella handed over another plate for him to dry.
"It hasn't changed, not one bit." Gabriella exclaimed.
"It's like all the memories are flooding back to me. I loved that place. It was so...magical." He whispered, his eyes gleaming brightly.
Smiling, Gabriella nudged Troy and turned to look at him. Her smile was loving and her eyes were shining back at him.
"Do you remember why it's so special to us?" She queried.
Troy pulled himself away from her and took a moment to glance out the window. He took a deep breath, thinking, though he knew himself why Pontwyn Park was so endearing.
"Under the tallest tree in the entire park, we shared our first kiss. During that December when it snowed and snowed and all we could do was cuddle on that small green bench was the first time I told you I loved you and you, told me the same, 'Troy placed the cloth down and pulled Gabriella into his arms, caressing her waist with his fingers, "and Mrs Bolton, in that silly little tree house that we built with our very hands, I hope it's still there by the way, on the night of your eighteenth birthday was the first time we ever made love."
Gabriella giggled, "you remembered?" She shrieked with happiness launching herself into his arms and devouring him with her lips, smothering him with affectionate kisses.
"Of course I remembered. How could I forget something so important?" Troy reached up to stroke her face, nuzzling into him.
"Hmm, I love you so much Troy." Gabriella chuckled softly.
"And I love you. I think everything is going to be just fine, don't you agree?" Troy asked her.
Gabriella nodded and allowed him to carry her through to the living room, feeling happy, feeling like all was perfect.
Even though I went and corrected the entire chapter, something still doesn't seem right about it. I don't know, maybe it's just me but it just doesn't seem too right. What do you guys think about it??? Did you enjoy the chapter??? It was much longer this time, 11 pages!
Also, what did you think about Troy's nightmare??? I made it so that you could all see Troy's fears of Gabriella leaving are still there and not only just Gabriella leaving but Katie leaving too.
Anyway, review and tell me what you thought please. Reassure me. xoxMusicalxox/Si xxx