A/N: I just decided to try something completely different
A/N: I just decided to try something completely different. This story is LOOSELY based off the book "Someone Dies, Someone Lives" by Lurlene McDaniel.
Many thanks to Horse Jumper whose idea appears in this chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own and/or am affiliated with any of the characters, the movie, music, etc.
April 30th, 2006 2:31 pm
"Quit stalling Gabi. Let's go." Troy hollered up the stairs that Sunday afternoon. He had told Gabi to be ready at exactly 2:30 but taking a glance at his watch, he saw it was 2:31 all ready.
"I don't know what to wear!" Her shrill voice floated down the stairs in the direction he was.
"Just put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Hell I don't care at this moment." Getting frustrated, he turned and saw Elena smirking at him.
"Is she done yet?" Giving his girlfriend's mom a look, Troy shook his head.
Rolling his eyes, he directed his next comment up the stairs. "She doesn't know what to wear."
"What are you two going to do?"
Putting his hands in his pocket, he turned to Elena. "We're going out to the country to hang out." Dropping his voice to a whisper, he whispered what they were doing that afternoon to Elena.
"Are you sure Troy?"
His grin was evident of his confidence. "Oh I'm sure. If your daughter isn't down here in two minutes, I'm leaving without her!!"
"Hold your horses, I'm almost done." Came the frustrated reply from up the stairs.
And true to his words, when two minutes rolled around, Troy opened the front door and walked out without another word.
Coming down the stairs, the brunette looked around the living room before her eyes fell on her mom. "Where did the little rat go?"
"He said if you weren't down here in two minutes, he was leaving." Elena shrugged. "He just walked out the door."
"Troy Connor Bolton . . ." Opening the front door, she saw him relaxing on their porch swing grinning like a maniac.
"What were you saying sweetheart?"
"I was about to cuss you for leaving me." Looking at him with fire in her eyes, he got up and kissed her lips before smiling brightly.
"Good afternoon."
Pointing a finger up at him, she sighed. "Don't try to change my mind when I'm angry at you. First you don't tell me what we're doing today . . ."
Tossing her a bored look, Troy smiled. "It's called a surprise for a reason Gabs."
"And second of all, you threaten to leave me alone on a bright, sunny Sunday afternoon."
Pulling her close to him, he quickly kissed her lips. "I'm sorry but it was the only way I could think of to get you to hurry up."
"You're still not forgiven but you're getting there." Bouncing from foot to foot, Gabi smiled. "Where are we going?"
"You're just going to have to wait." Looking around the porch, Troy looked to his girlfriend. "Ready to go?"
"Let me tell my mom and then we'll go." Opening the front door, she yelled for her mom before closing it again.
"Lead the way!"
And they walked over to his white beat up truck before getting in. Troy started on the interstate leading out of Albuquerque while Gabi has the biggest look of confusion on her face.
"Where are we going?"
"Patience my dear. We're almost there."
Pulling off the interstate, Troy took a back road before turning into a dirt driveway. Gabi bounced around the cab of the truck as Troy drove up the driveway.
Looking ahead, Gabi saw an old farmhouse with white fencing around. A truck and a SUV sat in the driveway as Troy pulled the truck to a stop. "Come on."
Getting out of the truck, Troy led Gabi up to the house before walking through the door. The slamming of it caused a voice to yell. "Hello?"
"Hey!" Troy hollered back as a lady glanced through the door before smiling.
"Hey Troy! What brings you out here?"
"I wanted to used the back part of your land for a little bit." Looking at Gabi, Troy smiled. "Gabi do you remember my aunt Lily?"
Nodding her head, Gabi smiled. "I sure do. It's good to see you again."
"You too pumpkin." Turning her attention to Troy, Lily smiled. "Your uncle Bryan is out in the pasture with Zoë. She's riding her horse."
Nodding his head, Troy smiled. "All right, we'll go out there."
Once they were out of the house, Gabi smacked Troy. "Why didn't you tell me we were coming out to a farm?"
"Because it would have given part of my plan away." Lacing fingers with her, he smiled. "Besides we're not riding horses or anything like that even thought that'd be a trip!"
"I'm going to hurt you Bolton." Gabi muttered which caused Troy to chuckle loudly.
Walking out to the pasture, Troy and Gabi saw his uncle and cousin laughing loudly about something.
"Uncle Bryan!" Troy called as the man turned around and smiled.
"Hey Troy! What brings you out here?"
"Just visiting and hoping to use the back 40 acres for a little bit."
Looking confused at his nephew, Bryan smiled before nodding. "As long as you're careful . . . you know how your aunt is."
"Oh trust me I do." Motioning to his girlfriend, Troy smiled. "You remember Gabi?"
"I sure do. It's hard to forget a pretty girl like you." Blushing, Gabi dropped her head. "How's it going?"
"Not too bad." Looking behind him, they saw Zoë sitting pretty on a brown and white spotted horse.
"She's two and she's riding?" Troy shook his head in amazement.
Bryan chuckled. "We couldn't keep her off."
Carefully, Zoë brought the horse over to the side of the fence. "Zoë did you see who's here?"
Giggling like the two year old she is, she nodded. "Hi!"
Bryan took her off the horse as Gabi nuzzled the horse's nose. Petting the horse softly, Gabi vaguely listened to them talking.
"What's your horse named, Zoë?" Gabi asked.
Looking at her daddy, Zoë giggled. "Her name's Beauty."
"She's definitely fits into her name."
Talking a few minutes more, Troy led Gabi back up to the house. After promising to stop by before leaving, Gabi and Troy headed back into the truck before going back down the driveway.
"Now where?"
Troy smiled. "Back to the 40 acres. You and I are going to have a little adventure."
Not liking how that sounded, Gabi side glanced at Troy. "Are you going to leave me stranded there?"
Chuckling, Troy shrugged. "The thought crossed my mind a few times . . ."
Reaching over her hand landed on his chest with a slap. "Geez woman . . . trying to kill me?"
"Nah just trying to whip you into shape."
Pulling up to the gate, Troy parked the truck before getting out and opening the gate. "Will you get out and close the gate after I drive through?"
Nodding, she did what he asked before hopping back into the truck. Driving a little more, Troy parked the truck on flat land before getting out. Following his actions, Gabi got out as well.
Troy came behind her before tossing the keys in her direction. "Your turn."
Catching the keys, Gabi looked at him like he was nuts. "You do realize I've never driven a car in my life?"
"Oh I'm well aware of that. That's why we're out here." Motioning around him, Troy chuckled. "You're not going to be able to hit anything out here."
"I'm scared Troy!"
Shaking his head, Troy wrapped his arms around her. "I hope so. Now you're going to do great. Let's see what you got."
And climbing back into the truck, Gabi tentatively put the keys into the ignition before turning it on. "Now put your right foot on the brake pedal and put the truck into drive."
Doing exactly what he said, pretty soon Gabi found herself driving across the flat land. "I'm doing it Troy!"
"I can see that sweetheart. Now how about you give this puppy some gas and let's cruise."
Turning the volume up on the radio, an old 70's song came on as the two sang loudly to the radio.
Watching the land, Gabi suddenly slammed on the breaks causing Troy to fly forward before crashing hard into the seat. "What did you do that for?"
"I almost hit a rabbit . . ." Looking at her boyfriend, she smirked.
"Don't slam on the breaks too hard, all right?"
Nodding her head, she went through the motions again and in a matter of minutes they were driving again. "This is all driving is about?"
"Piece of cake isn't it?"
Nodding her head, she took her eyes off the 'road' ahead and smiled at Troy. "Thanks for teaching me."
"It's not a problem baby. I always keep my promises." Squeezing her hand, he smiled in her direction. "You ready to head back up to the house?"
Thinking about it, Gabi smiled. "Can I drive back up to the house?"
Chuckling, Troy shook his head. "No because we're going on the road and you don't have a license."
"We're out in the middle of nowhere Troy! No one is going to see us." She tried as Troy turned and looked at her with shock written on his face.
"Gabriella Alena Montez wants to do something illegal? Call the press and let them know!"
"Shut up Troy!" Shaking her head, Gabi stopped the car before getting out and switching seats with him.
And in no time the two were parked in front of the house again. Helping her out of the car, Troy and Gabi headed back into the house.
"Did you two kids have fun?" Lily asked once they were situated in the kitchen.
Grins came over their faces as they both nodded. "Sure did. Gabi learned how to drive."
Bryan and Lily both laughed before nodding. "That's good. How's everything going with your heart, Gabi?"
"Earlier this month I had a check up and everything looks good." Gabi smiled. "I don't know what I'd do without Troy being there everyday."
"My nephew has always been the charmer, even when he was Zoë's age." Bryan started as Troy's face turned red. "And he's never lost it . . ."
"Leave Troy alone Bryan." Lily hit her husband as Gabi giggled.
The rest of the afternoon was spent at the house letting Gabi get a chance to know Troy's aunt, uncle, and cousin. Leaving the house, Gabi had managed to fall in love again with Troy all over again.
There you guys go! I hope you enjoy it and feedback would be most wonderful. Thank you to all my readers and reviewers!!
