A/N: Thank you for all the feedback! I really appreciate it! I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to update this. I've had major writer's block. So without any further blabbing, here it is!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the HSM characters. This story is pure fiction!


December 31st, 2015 10:40 pm

Troy and I sat curled up next to a rolling fire just enjoying each other's company. I curled deeper into Troy's embrace as he leaned over and kissed the skin between my hair line and my shoulder.

I turned around so I could wrap my arms around his shoulder. "You're playing with fire, Bolton."

Troy nudged my head up with his neck and continued to kiss that sensitive spot. "You love every minute, Gabi; don't complain."

I put my finger under his chin and titled his head up so I could access his lips. We sat there by the cozy fire and made out until the doorbell pulled us apart.

Troy groaned and held his head as I giggled. I started to get up but Troy held my hand and gave me a pleading look. "Don't answer it. Maybe they'll go away."

"Troy you're nuts. They're going to keep ringing the doorbell." I said looking at him.

He shook his head before pulling me closer to him. He kissed my lips with passion before I totally gave in and kissed him back. He nibbled on my lips as I groaned. "That's not fair."

"All is fair in love and war." Troy mumbled before kissing me again.

The doorbell rang before Troy broke the kiss and looked towards the entry way. "What's your plan now, Bolton?" I grinned.

He kissed me again before I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. "Ignore them."

We sat there and made out while the doorbell continued to ring. I heard a cry from upstairs before sighing loudly. "Real life is calling." I mumbled.

"Go see who is crying and I'm going to yell at the door." Troy said as we both stood up and walked our separate ways.

I started up the stairs just as I heard Troy grumble while opening the door. I heard the door fly open before I walked into Gracie's room and heard the little girl fussing.

I picked her up and held her in my arms before going and sitting in the rocking chair. "Shh little girl. You're safe now."

Gracie looked up at me with her big watery eyes as I wiped her tears away. I put her on my shoulder before putting a kiss on her forehead. I just sat there and rocked our 6 month old back to sleep. "She back to sleep?" a quiet voice asked from the door.

"I think so. Who was at the door?" I asked standing up and walking over to the crib before laying Gracie down.

I walked over to his side before we walked from the room, leaving the little girl sleep in peace. "Just a bunch of teenagers doing a scavenger's hunt."

Troy led me back downstairs in front of the fire as I yawned tiredly. He looked at me with amusement before kissing me. "Am I going to have to put you to bed early?"

I shook my head before allowing him to kiss me again. "Not if you keep me entertained."

"Well prepare yourself, Gabi. I have a few surprises up my sleeve." He grinned as I raised my eyebrows at him.

He kissed me again before pulling me closer to his side. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders before putting my forehead to his. We continued to kiss. Troy teased me by nibbling on my lips before passionately kissing me. I grinned against his lips before kissing him myself.

I pulled away as he gave me a strange look. I held his hands in mine and just continued to stare at him. "What are you doing, Gabi?"

"Putting this moment to memory." I said looking at the shadows that the fire created on his face.

He squeezed my hand before looking at me. He stared into my warm brown eyes before kissing my cheek. "Why?"

His question was so simple but at the same time so loaded. I grinned before thinking about his question. "I want to remember this for the rest of my life. We haven't had a night where just the two of us can make out like we did when we were in high school or just sit in complete silence."

"Then you are going to love this next surprise." He said standing up before holding out his hand for me to grasp.

I took it and he led me through the dining room before throwing open the back door. My breath was caught in my throat as I looked into our backyard. Along the fence someone had strung white Christmas icicle lights. A path of red and white rose petals led the way to the patio, our very own dance floor. Someone had set up a boom box that had a soft music playing from it.

I looked at Troy who just had the biggest grin on his face. I threw my arms around his shoulders before kissing him. "You have some explaining to do. This wasn't here earlier."

He picked me up and spun me around before touching his hand to my cheek. "The people at the door weren't teenagers. I had Sharpay, Taylor, Michelle, and Kelsi come decorate this."

Tears clogged my eyes as I hugged him close to me. "I love you. This is so sweet."

Troy put his finger under my chin before lifting it up. He kissed the tears that had managed to fall before looking into my eyes. "You deserve this and so much more. I know we haven't spent much time together since we've been busy with the kids but I wanted to give tonight where we could just enjoy ourselves."

I shook my head wishing the waterworks would just stop. Troy saw my smile and kissed me again. "Thank you. This is exactly what we needed."

"You are more than welcome. Now may I have this dance?" He held his hand out for me to grasp before leading me out onto the makeshift dance floor.

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders before laying my head against his shoulder. We danced slowly as the music floated around us.

11:30 pm

Troy and I had moved our little party inside and were now sitting in front of the television with a bottle of champagne between us. I was sitting in between his legs with my back against his chest. His hand was laced with mine as our eyes were glued to the television.

"We should do that one year." I said breaking the silence that hung between us.

He gave me a look which I had to laugh at. "We should do what?"

"Go to Time Square one year for New Years. I've always wanted to witness the craziness of ringing in the New Year in New York City." I said looking at him.

He kissed my neck before leaning close to my ear. His breath tickled against it as he leaned over and kissed my cheek. "How about Paris or London?"

My eyes went wide as I turned around and looked at him. "Are you serious?"

His eyes twinkled as he slowly nodded his head. My shocked face caused him to laugh. "I'm serious, Gabi. I was thinking that you and me should spend New Years next year somewhere far away from here. You've always wanted to go to Paris or London so I thought we could visit those two places."

I shook my head as I continued to look at him. "You really want to do this?"

"Gabi contrary to popular belief we are getting older. You and I both want to travel the world. This could be the start of it." Troy said grasping both of my hands.

"We're also parents to three kids, all of which need our undivided attention." I grinned thinking about the kids.

He gave me a look which I giggled at. "Gabi we're going to be 27 this year. How about this be both of our birthday presents?"

"How about we wait until we're 30 to do this? It will be our big present to each other." He shook his head as I groaned.

"This is a huge opportunity for us. At least think about it." Giving my hands a squeeze, Troy gave me his famous puppy dog face.

I thought about it before looking at his pouting face. "I'll think about it, all right?"

His face broke out into a grin as he pulled me closer before kissing me again. "I knew you would. I love you."

"I love you too. I guess it would be kinda of fun being out of the country for New Years." I shrugged as he laughed.

"Now you're thinking. We have to book the tickets by April or so. And I'll even let you pick what city we're in for New Years." He said raising his eyebrows.

I laughed before kissing him again. "A girl can feel really special around you."

"You are the most important woman to me. I want you to feel special every single day. You're my special person." Gazing into my eyes, Tory put his forehead to mine before leaning forward and gazing my lips with his.

I smiled against his lips and thought about all the happy times Troy and I had had together before speaking. "You're my special person too. So we have 15 minutes until the New Year arrives. Any ideas?"

Before I knew it, he had picked me up bridal style and started up the stairs. "I have a few." Troy dropped a kissing on my lip before depositing me on our bed and kicking the door shut.

January 1st, 2016 5:30 am

I stirred feeling eyes watching my every move. I cracked my eyes open before finding myself staring into a pair of crystal blue eyes.

I looked at him as he propped his head on his open palm. A calm, relaxed look crossed his face as I grinned. "Good morning sleeping beauty."

I curled up against his side before his hand found mine and started playing with my silver wedding band. "How long have you been up?"

He smiled down at me before I looked up at him and ran my hand along his chiseled jaw line. My hand felt the rough hair that was along his jaw. "Not long. Anna was fussy so I calmed her down and instead of going back to sleep, I started watching you sleep."

I smiled feeling safe in his arms. He kissed my jaw before I rolled over and faced him. He put up his left hand for me to look at before my fingers found his silver wedding band. I twirled it around his finger as his eyes bore into me. "What's on your mind, sweet girl?"

I shook my head before looking up at him in the darkness. "Just thinking."

"You had a pretty serious look on your face for just thinking. What's on your mind, Gabi?"

I debated whether to tell him or not. I started chewing my lip which caused him to pull my head up and him to kiss my lips. "Talk to me Gabi." He softy said as I smiled. Tears clogged my eyes which I held them in check.

"You always knew what was going on with me before I knew. I was just thinking about all the good times we've had together, you and I. We were high school sweethearts and eventually got married, and had the three kids we've been blessed with." I started as Troy motioned me to go.

"What's wrong Gabi?" Troy's concerned voice asked as I shook my head again.

"I'm just . . ." I trailed off as a wave of concern crossed Troy's face.

"Gabi what's wrong? What's going on in your pretty mind?"

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly before looking up at Troy's blue eyes. Just by looking in them I knew he would understand even if I didn't.

"I was watching a TV show the other day. A woman was on the show and she was telling her story. She was 27 years old and she lost her husband at that young. She had three kids and . . ." I trailed off looking at Troy.

"And it got you thinking about how you could possible lose me." Troy finished as I nodded.

The tears that I had held finally let loose and I sobbed into Troy's chest. He held me close while I cried my emotions out. "Shh Gabi it's going to be all right." He kissed my forehead before taking his finger and wiping away my tears.

"Gabi I want you to listen good to me." Troy waited until I looked up at him with my brown watery eyes.

"Are you listening?" He waited until I physically nodded my head before continuing. "You are never going to be alone, even if something does happen to me. You have my parents, our friends, and most importantly, you have our three children."

"It's not the same." I whispered looking up at him.

"I'm not saying it's going to be easy. But listen to me, I'm healthy and I'm in good shape. Nothing is going to happen to me for a long time." Troy said looking at me.

"I love you. I debated about whether to tell you or not but I figured you have ever reason to know why I've been off these past few days." I said as he nodded.

He kissed me with so much passion that I temporarily lost all sense of time and where I was. "That's how much I love you. I'm not going anywhere for a long time. You're stuck with me babe." He said which caused me to smile.

"I wanna be stuck with you and only you. I love you, so much." I said tracing the outline of his lips before he kissed my finger.

We laid there in silence before a yawn caught my attention. I saw Troy sheepishly grin before sighing deeply. "We should probably get some more sleep." He suggested while I nodded.

"Three little ones are going to be running around here before we know it." I told him.

"Are you better now?" Troy asked looking over at me with concern still laced in his eyes.

I smiled at his question and concern. "I think I'm going to be just fine. Just continue to be by my side and support me in whatever I decide to do and I'll be excellent."

"I love you Gabriella." Troy said before kissing me.

"I love you too Troy. Sweet dreams." I said kissing his cheek before rolling over and putting my back against his chest.

I closed my eyes with the feeling of his arms safely around my waist. His hand played with my wedding band as I fell into a soundless sleep.


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