Chapter 40 – Wedding Planning
Friday, March 25th, 2022
Gabi's POV
I inhaled the salty air as I was starting all of my mornings out on the deck watching the waves roll in with a cup of coffee in my hand. Ember slept underneath of my feet as she had already gone for a run with Troy. Today, I was going to find my wedding dress.
My sisters had been amazing help since I had gotten back contacting a photographer, DJ, officiant, cater, and cake – all who could help us by May 7th. I was looking for wedding dresses today and Sunday I would take Claire to find a flower girl dress for her. It was just going to be the two of us as I wanted Troy to be surprised when he saw her, too. This was a marriage between Troy and I but Claire was definitely just as important on this day.
Our family was becoming one.
Once we got back to Boston, we packed up our things, shipped a car, and flew back to North Carolina. It had been a dream honestly being back. I've spent so much time with Layla and Scarlett. I was getting to know Daxon and I was finding my love for North Carolina all over again with Troy Bolton by my side. I took a sip of my coffee as Troy's heart broke watching me through my last period as I was praying that they wouldn't be that bad again but…I knew they were going too. I nibbled on my lip but I pushed down the fear of the future and focused on now. Troy had flown to Boston to pick up Claire to start our first two weeks together here.
Ember stirred under my feet and she barked with a door shutting. I got up as I ushered her inside as my mom, three sisters, Sara, and Gianna all walked through the door as if they timed their walk in together. "Hi guys," Ember greeted all of them as I had my hair down in simple waves with a small amount of make-up on my face. "Hi sweetie!" My mom wrapped her arms around me in a hug, "I always knew you'd get married first to Troy," I couldn't stop my laugh as I kissed her cheek.
"We have to find a dress first," I was afraid this was going to be the hardest part. Finding a dress that I knew was the one. "Oh stop, my brother would happily marry you naked." Scarlett snorted, "I am pretty sure he would prefer that." I shot her a look with a shake of my head. "Stop, no more. How about a paper bag instead of naked? I'm not letting my father walk me down the aisle naked." The group laughed as we all gathered our things as we had a few appointments today.
Layla locked up Ember for me as I picked up my purse and we all piled into my mom's SUV. "What are we looking for?" Sara asked, "I think I just want light and airy but still pretty. I don't want big poufy dresses. We're going to be out on the beach and it really doesn't matter about what I'm wearing. Just want to marry him." I could see the look between my mom and his mom as I didn't honestly care that much. I did just want to get married but I did want to feel pretty.
For me and for him.
We all stopped at one of my favorite coffee shops and we grabbed coffees for all of us before heading to the first boutique. We were going easy with Troy as he was just going to wear navy pants with a white button up. We were going to stand on this make-shift deck that would run down the middle so that we could wear actual shoes. Stand on a platform to be seen better. We all piled inside the first place as I greeted our sales consult. "Gabi? It's nice to meet you! When is the wedding again?" she asked after I made introductions of all the girls around me.
"May 7th,"
"Next year?" she questioned and I shook my head. "This year."
The woman blinked a few times, "That's in like six weeks." I nodded, "We don't want to drag out our engagement," I told her with a shrug and she let her eyes wonder to my stomach and I just rolled my eyes as Scarlett snorted, "Is there a portion of the story where we can buy off the rack?" I asked her and she snapped out of it and took me to an area that they could quickly turn around the dresses. We started to poke through them and found a handful to try on.
I went back into the room as I took off my clothes and Jess, the sale consult, helped me into the first dress. It had sleeves and was too poufy but I went out to the group anyways. I stood on the pedestal in the middle of the mirrors as I stared at the dress. "No," my mom said with a shake of her head and if you didn't know her it would have been rude. "You don't sparkle. No." I agreed with a nod as we went through six dresses that we didn't even remotely like.
"We can see if there are any other," I shook my head. "I'm okay, thank you." I told her and Jess looked a bit defeated as we had another appointment across town for another try on. Layla sighed, "Who knew this would be so hard." I laughed, "I mean I liked the third one,"
"No," my mom said with a shake of her head. "You will not settle Gabi; I have a vision and I know your face. You will tell me the dress just by your body language and you were not comfortable in any of those." Sara agreed with a nod. "It's not necessarily how you look in it but how you feel in it. If you don't feel good you won't on your wedding. I know you and Troy both just want to be married and I know you are mostly doing this for the moms of the group but I am pretty sure you two would elope."
I gave a half smile, "Sounds better and better every single day." I told her. My mom laughed as she hugged me, "C'mon, let's try the next place." we all piled back into the car when my phone pinged with a text message. I grabbed it as it was from Troy and a grinning Claire as they were eating lunch in Boston before heading back. My heart warmed as I pressed call on the phone as I missed him. I shouldn't because we spent the last two weeks – kinda – together. He was doing a lot of meetings and promo stuff while I was working on The Sunshine Pact but we ended every night together.
That was a first for a bit.
"Shouldn't you be dress shopping?" he answered the phone and I felt my own relief with his voice. "The first place was a bust," I told him. "Doubtful. You probably looked beautiful in each of them." I gave a half smile, "You are too sweet. I don't know if they were the dress, ya know? My mom said I didn't sparkle in them." Troy chuckled on the other end of the phone, "Baby, you sparkle regardless but I also know what she is saying. It's the confidence and the power behind it. That sparkle. I trust her."
"Daddy, Daddy, I want the phone." I laughed, "Somebody might have missed you more she missed me." I laughed as the phone was passed over and her little voice filled my ear. "Gabi! I missed you so much! I can't wait till I see you tonight." I smiled as we pulled up to the next dress shop. "I can't wait either. I think my family is coming over for dinner and Grandma Sara and Grandpa Marco."
"YAY!" I laughed as I told her had to go and to give the phone back to Troy. "I'll see you tonight," he spoke and I smiled, "I love you," I whispered as we started to get out of the car. "I love you, too. Go find your sparkle."
I hung up the phone as I tucked it away and turned it off as I followed my family inside.
"Guys, maybe there just isn't a dress," I said as I felt defeated after trying on so many dresses and none of them felt right. There was one that would work that we all liked but it wasn't it. We all knew that, too. My mom was browsing the rack and I honestly just wanted to go home. Troy was home with Claire. My dad and his dad were over there. Lucas flew back with him. I wanted to go home and I wanted to curl up in his arms.
"I beg to differ. Maybe we need to go to Boston or another big city." My mom was still piling through the racks, "Mom, seriously, I think we've looked at every dress here." I snapped and she ignored me while she tugged on a dress. "This one," I blinked as I looked at her. She had yet to pull a dress out all day today. "Try this one on and if it doesn't work, we can try again another day but this one. First." I just nodded as I stood up and our sales consult here, Bailey, walked me into the area.
"I don't know why we're doing this. Today has been hopeless. I'm exhausted of getting in and out of dresses," I grumbled as Bailey just laughed underneath of me. She pinned the dress to get it to fit. "I'd rather just wear shorts and a t-shirt at this point to get married. I get it. Mom's want the big day and the big dress but I just…" I sighed heavily as I was probably just tired and getting in a bad mood. Bailey got the dress to fit, "Okay, your good." She had a smirk on her lips and I frowned as I turned around to go out.
"I seriously don't know why we are doing anymore. This is getting to the point I think I'd rather do it naked – even with my dad walking me down the aisle." I stood up on the podium and I sighed heavily and flopped my arms to the side. "This feels so hopeless and dumb and I just…can we please just go home? I want to go home to Troy and I am sad that this isn't working." I couldn't stop the overwhelming presence of emotions when I finally looked up at my mom who had her own tears in her eyes. I then felt all of their eyes on me and I looked at each of them before going back to my mom. They all had their jaws hinged.
"Why are you crying?" I started to cry and she walked over and softly nudged my head to look in the mirror. I paused as I took in the fit-to-flare dress with a V-neck with straps on the side. "Oh my god," I whispered as I stared at my reflection in a dress that fit me like a glove. It grabbed at each curve appropriately and gave a little sneak peek at my cleavage. It showed hints of skin and I just…it was stunning. It was absolutely stunning. I looked in the mirror behind me as it was backless and the train was just big enough to give it a presence but it wouldn't get in the way. It was absolutely stunning.
"She wouldn't shut up before she looked in the mirror and now, she's speechless," Layla said and I looked over at my mom and Sara who were both crying together. I couldn't stop my own tears, "This is it." I told them and they both nodded their heads. "That's it. You sparkle – even when you are absolutely pissed off." My mom joked and I got down as I went over to wrap my arms around her in a tight hug. "Thank you for always searching."
"I'll never let you dull your sunshine, Gabriella. You deserve the best and you are absolutely stunning. Thank you for trying it on. I know how exhausting these days can be." I hugged her a little tighter. We pulled back as Bailey smiled, "That dress will need only minor adjustments on you. It really does fit you well. We can have it done in three weeks and do a final dress fitting after that?" I nodded as my mom took pictures of it and I just marveled at the beauty of the dress.
My fingers ran down the lace and I couldn't help but love the feel of it against my skin. I went to get changed as now everything felt like it was falling back into place again and maybe I was a little hangry. "I'm sorry for the melt down," I told Brooke as she was taking all my measurements. "It happens to most brides. It takes until the right one and it can be exhausting. I am always questioning the people who find it with the first dress."
I giggled as it wasn't too much longer before we were heading back to the house. I was buzzing in my seat with anticipation of seeing Claire and Troy. Everybody was staying for dinner as the boys grilled. I knew Claire was probably begging to get into the pool. It was still a little too cool for that though. "Thank you, I don't think I would have gone that long and I would have just resorted to a white sundress," Scarlett grunted, "She totally would have," Sophie mentioned and I laughed.
"I would have. So, thank you, sorry for the meltdown."
"Oh no, don't apologize. You were funny. Standing up there while we all couldn't stop staring at the dress. It was gorgeous." Gigi mentioned and I shot her a look as we pulled back into the house. I was the first out of the car as I bolted inside where I heard Lucas laughing with my dad. Troy was leaning against the wall as he had a beer in his hand and I went over towards him but I was intercepted. "GABI!" I laughed as I grabbed Claire in the tightest hug.
"Hi sweet girl! How are you?" I kissed her temple as she told me all about her flight from Boston and hanging out with Grandpa Marco and Grandpa Danny. I just let her talk a mile a minute as my sisters and the moms joined. "Troy, your fiancé almost had to marry you naked because she was being stubborn." Troy let a lazy smirk cross his face and his eyes darted to my dad who had his own eyebrow peaked. "Be careful with what you say next." My dad spoke and Troy just grinned like a cat as he looked over at me.
"I wouldn't be complaining," he said with a smirk which caused the girls to laugh. I reminded Claire of my sister's names and my mom's name as she went and talked to each of them. Troy gave me a hand to help me up and his arms wrapped around my body and his lips fell in my hair. "You found a dress?" I nodded my head, "I almost quit right before the final dress but my mom insisted on one more and it was it. I was honestly in tears because I thought I was never going to find one."
Troy chuckled as I gently tugged on his hand, "Dad, will you check the meat on the grill?" he asked over his shoulder as I took him to the bedroom. I pulled him in and shut the door as I pulled his mouth down to mine in a frenzied kiss. I could feel his humor and laugh behind my lips but I didn't care as he easily lifted me up and pressed me back against the wall. "Marrying you is going to be the best day of my life," I whispered to him.
Those eyes twinkled in response and he kisses me again. "I don't know, I think you coming into my life back when I was 17 was the best day of my life."
Sunday, March 27th, 2022
My fingers slipped into Claire's grasp as we crossed the street to the same dress shop that I was getting my own dress from. I saw a white dress here that I thought was going to be perfect for Claire. "I get to be the flower girl?" she asked looking up at me and I smiled with a nod, "You get to be the only other person in our wedding because this day is just as much for you as it is us." I told her with a tap on her nose. "When your daddy and I get married you are just as important to us."
Claire smiled happily up towards me, "I am glad you are marrying my daddy."
"Me too," I told her as I winked before pulling open the door for her. "This must be the sweetest flower girl, Claire!" Bailey greeted and Claire blushed while holding onto my arm. "This is my soon-to-be stepdaughter, Claire. I saw a dress that I thought could be perfect for her and it would match me fairly well." Bailey smiled, "I think I know which one you are talking about." I held Claire's hand as we walked through the store and towards the back where I spotted the dress.
"This is where I bought my dress." I told her and she gave me a smile, "How many days until the wedding?" she asked me with a bit of impatience and I couldn't stop my laugh. "Not soon enough, huh?" she nodded in agreement as we came to the dress and Bailey grinned. "I think it's perfect. Let's get her changed into it. Claire, do you want to surprise, Gabi or do you want Gabi to help you?" she pulled her lip into her mouth and she paused for a moment looking at the dress.
Her lips turned into a frown and I could see the worry on her face. "Claire, what's wrong? I can go with you." She shook her head as her blue eyes looked at me. "Will this cover my booboo?" her fingers fell to where her former port site was on her chest. It had a thick scar where it once was and I felt my heart fall in my chest as I got down on my knees in front of her. "I think so. Are you nervous for other people to see it?" she shrugged, "Daddy doesn't like it," she whispered to me and I brushed back her hair that was a little below her ears at this point. It was in the hard stage of reshaping to get back to her former length.
"Claire, your daddy doesn't not like it. He knows that because of that scar you are here with him. He is proud of you. He thinks all of your scars are beautiful but he hates that you have to have them." I let my hands rub her arms. "But how about we try the dress on and if you do not feel beautiful then we can find a new one, okay? I just want you to know that the scar on your chest is beautiful. It's beautiful because it shows that you fought so hard to beat cancer."
She sniffled and wiped at her eyes, "I don't like cancer." My heart broke for her as I pulled her into a tight hug. "Nobody does sweet girl but you did the best thing ever and you beat it. Now we get to celebrate every day." She nodded as I kissed her temple and she took a big breath before turning around. "I'll surprise Gabi," Bailey had her own tears in her eyes as she gave a big smile to her, "Of course. I think she will love it. C'mon, Gabi will wait right outside."
Claire and Bailey went off together as I held back my own emotions because cancer never really leaves your lives. It lingers there in the background and it just sticks its foot in when it is least wanted. It broke my heart that she felt that way about her port scar. Troy does let his eyes linger on it when she's taking a bath or doing something when you can see it. I know it bothers him only because it was a constant reminder.
If I was able, I would take her to get a tattoo to cover it.
Probably frowned upon with a 5-year-old though.
I could hear her and Bailey talking on the other side of the wall as they were both laughing about something. I smiled just listening when the curtain flung open and Claire came prancing out of the room with the biggest grin on her face. She raced to the mirror as I followed her because I didn't even get a good look. I couldn't stop my own tears looking at her though. She was beautiful in her own white dress that had lace along the top and over her shoulders while it was poufy along the bottom and it showed her little feet. "Can I wear little heels?" she asked with her big blue eyes. I laughed with a nod, "Do you like this dress?" I asked her as I looked at her in the mirror as she grinned, "I love it, Gabi."
She threw her arms around my neck as I just hugged her so tight. My own tears leaking down my face as I held onto her. "I am so glad that you love it." Bailey took a picture of her on the phone and then one of the two of us as she took Claire to do the pinning and measurements. We were meeting Troy at the park as we wanted to spend the afternoon together. It wasn't long before we were done as I held Claire's head and we walked across to my car.
"Did you feel beautiful in the dress?" I asked her as I made sure she was buckled in to her booster. She nodded, "I did. Can I do my nails before the wedding?" I smiled, "Yea, we can go get our nails done together. The morning of we'll have somebody come do our hair and if we ask your daddy maybe you can get a little bit of make-up done." She gasped, "Really? I can?" I smiled, "We have to ask your dad. It will be up to him, okay?" she nodded her head with a big smile as we pulled up to the park.
I saw Troy on the phone but Ember was underneath of his feet staring at the ball in his hand. We got out of the car and Claire headed for Troy with a big grin on her face. I followed behind as Ember caught sight of us first as she barked and pranced around. Troy turned around and he smiled as he finished his phone call and greeted Claire in a big hug. I wasn't far behind, "Daddy! I found the prettiest dress today and I am going to look like a princess!"
Troy chuckled as he kissed her cheek, "I know. Both of my girls are going to look like princesses," He reached for me and pulled me in to kiss my cheek. "Daddy, Gabi said if you said okay, I could have some make-up on the wedding day!" Troy raised an eyebrow, "I said your dad had to say yes." I reminded her and she sighed heavily while giving her dad a look. Troy smiled, "I'll talk to Gabi about it, okay? Maybe we can work something out to do just a little something," Claire grinned, "Yes, daddy please!" Troy smiled with a shake of his head.
Ember barked and Troy put Claire down as Claire chased after her. Troy pulled me into his body and he pressed his lips into my hair. "I can't wait to see both of you in those dresses." I just gave him a sly smile as I looked up at him. "We both cried at the dress shop," Troy blinked before his eyes looked down at me. "Excuse me? Why?" I rested my head on his chest as I let my eyes watch Claire run happily with Ember. It was amazing She looked so good and so happy.
Troy let his mouth press against my head, "Gabs," his voice was soft and I just tilted my head to look at him. "She asked if you were going to be able to see her scar in her dress because she knows you don't like it." Troy cursed under his breath as his eyes looked for Claire. "I never said that."
"You don't have to say it. She sees you linger on it. She knows it bothers you. I know it bothers you. She didn't want it to ruin the day or your mood." His fingers threaded through my hair as he kissed the top of my head and I knew he was trying to think of the correct thing to say. "Then she came out and she was so beautiful Troy with the biggest smile on her face. She looked the dress and I think she loved the little girl she saw in the mirror. I think she finally saw a little girl who wasn't sick anymore."
"Fuck, I hate how smart she is." He whispered as I knew he was watching her. "I know. She is very smart. It will fade with time." I reminded him softly and he sighed as Ember and Claire came running over. We started a game of tag as we ran around the park together as a family. Claire was full of life and giggles and it made me so happy to hear. Troy tossed her up at one point when he caught her, she gave a big smile towards him.
"Daddy, can we go get ice cream?" Troy smiled as he brushed his nose against her neck and he nodded with a smile. "Yea, let's go get some ice cream."
Troy's POV
I tucked Claire into bed as she wiggled down into the sheets as she let out a big yawn. We hung out as a family all day today. The park, ice cream, we ran around on the beach, and then we cooked dinner as a family together. It was a good day and it was a day that I needed. "Okay, Claire, a few things to discuss before we read our books." She looked up at me with her hair still wet from bath time. She nodded up at me as I was trying to prepare her for the next several weeks.
"Okay, first, after daddy and Gabi get married, we're going on a long vacation. We'll be gone for almost a month, Claire bear." She blinked her eyes and wrinkled her nose, "A month?" her voice was quiet and I nodded as I tucked her short hair behind her ears. "I know it seems like a long time but while we're gone you are going to go on a trip with mommy and Christian to Florida to the beach, again. You'll spend some time with Uncle Lucas in Boston with Bethany. We'll talk almost every single day on facetime but it will be a long time for the two of us."
She rolled her lips together as if she was a grown adult. "I will miss you," she whispered to me and I gave her a tiny smile, "I'll miss you more," I whispered back. "Once we get back, we're flying straight to Boston to get you to come back to the beach house. Mommy said I could keep you for a bit longer to catch up on time with you."
"You promise to call every day?" she asked and I nodded, "I will. We have a lot of time together before that though. I just want you to be prepared for it. Okay?" she nodded as she wiggled in bed and grabbed a book. "One more thing,"
She looked at me again and I pulled down her shirt just a little bit to show off her scar. I let the pad of my thumb brush against it and her lips turned upside down. "Gabi told me about what you said today at the dress shop." Claire wiggled under my touch as I pulled back. "I want you to know something. I think you are beautiful, Claire. I know what that scar represents and to me – it represents that it saved your life. Do I love it? No. I don't like that something had to save your life but any days I get with you are my favorite days. I look at it and I remember how strong you are. This is nothing to hide."
Claire wiggled out of bed and she wrapped her arms around my body. "I love you, daddy." I kissed the top of her head and I breathed in her shampoo. "I love you, too Claire. I never want you to think otherwise about your body. Do you understand?" she nodded her head against me and I kissed her temple. "C'mon, let's read some books so you can get some rest. Grandma is going to watch you for a little bit tomorrow. I have a surprise for her."
"Can I know what it is?" I shook my head with a smile, "No, we'll tell you about it tomorrow." We both shared a smile as I read her the three books that she had chosen before she was falling asleep. I kissed her forehead and I watched her for a few moments before I went downstairs. The deck door was open and I could see Gabi sitting in a chair. I went out as she was on a video chat. "Soph, I promise. You are not missing out on much. We're fine down here."
"I just feel bad that everybody else is helping."
"And you are getting your education. I know you will be here for the big day. That is all that matters." She took a drink of wine as I fell into the seat next to her. Her eyes shifted to me, "Soph, I am going to spend the rest of the day with my fiancée. I promise, I am fine. I am so, so lucky that you were able to come down to help with dresses." Sophie laughed, "Even if you were dramatic about the whole thing." They both laughed as she hung up the phone after saying good-bye. "Did she go down okay?" I nodded, "I told her about Italy."
Gabi gave me a small smile, "We don't have to go that long." I told her.
"When else will we get the chance?" I asked her. She nodded in understanding as our hands clasped together as we both listened to the waves crash on the beach. "I have a date for us tomorrow morning. My mom is going to come over and watch Claire." Gabi rose an eyebrow towards me, "You planned a morning date?" I just nodded my head as I reached over and kissed her cheek. "I also talked to her about her scar." She squeezed my hand in response. "I debated if I should or not because I want her to be able to confide in you without feeling as if you're going to tell me everything but I don't want any doubt in her head."
"You're a good dad," she whispered to me. I looked over and I exhaled, "Some days it is easy. Some days it isn't."
"Well, I think you are a good dad regardless. You make sure she feels heard and understood. You just want her to be loved and that is all that matters." I tugged on her hand because I wanted her closer to me. She settled in my lap as her head rested on my chest. "How is The Sunshine Pact?" I asked her and she gave me a grin. "It's so good. We've handed out over 150 baskets already. We're planning on doing a gala next year, maybe, right before football season?"
"Next year or this year?" I asked her and she thought about it for a minute, "Probably next year. I don't think we can get one planned by August. I know we are planning our wedding quick but maybe only one big event this year. Next year, in August, we'll do an event in Boston. We'll host an event designed for kids with cancer with all of our favorite Loyalists and whoever else we can get to attend the event." I smiled as I kissed her head. "I'm proud of you," she looked up at me and smiled, "Thanks for all of the inspiration." A laugh echoed through my mouth, "What did I do?"
"Come back into my life," she whispered to me and I just smiled as I pulled her mouth to mine. It was a slow kiss, passionate, and everything to remind me of how much I loved this girl. "Sometimes, I need to pinch myself to remind me all of this is real." I stroked her cheek and she laughed, "I can remind you how real it is." I shook my head with a laugh as I kissed her harder this time. My fingers grasping her hair and pulling her mouth upwards so I could get a better advantage.
"Yea, this is real." She whispered.
Monday, March 28th, 2022
Gabi laughed in the seat next to me, "Troy, why am I blindfolded?" her laugh vibrated off of the roof of the car and I just shook my head with a smile. "That is because this is a surprise." I told her as I let my hand fall to her knee. I had blind folded her before we left the house because I knew the moment, she saw the path she knew where we would be going. "Are we almost there?" she asked as she wiggled under my hand. "Be patient. You are worse than Claire,"
Gabi just laughed again as I knew we were only about three minutes away. "I love that we are doing a morning date. I like morning dates. Getting to start the day with you is always my favorite." I looked over at her. "I would say the same but honestly just getting to spend time with you. Getting to start my day with you to myself is a bonus but also ending my night with you is the best." Gabi smiled as I pulled into the parking lot.
I shut off the car and I smiled as I looked up. "Okay, wait here,"
She huffed as I got out of the car and I went to her side as I helped her out of the car. She planted her feet as I stood behind her as I let my hands touch her arms. "Are you ready?" I asked her. She nodded her head as her fingers reached up to grip mine. I reached for the tie of her blindfold and I gently tugged it as it fell from her eyes and she gasped. "Troy," her voice was already shaking and I could hear the tears as we stood in front of the nursing home.
The same nursing home we spent all the time in.
Fell in love in.
The one I invested in.
"I figured it was time for the two of us to come back here together. They are having a breakfast in the main room and I try to come to one when I am home. Today, I am bringing you back." She turned around and pressed her face into my chest as she couldn't control her own sobs. I wrapped my arms around her and I pressed my lips into her hair. "I have always wanted to bring you back here. If I knew it was going to cause this big of a reaction, I would have done it sooner."
She laughed as she let out another cry as well. She pulled back and I wiped away her tears "Thank you," she whispered as I dropped a kiss to her lips. "For what?" I asked her as she checked her face in the car window as she wiped away her tears. "For always remembering." I hooked our hands together as we headed inside and the first person who greeted us was none other than Janie. Gabi gasped when they made eye contact as I made sure Janie had a healthy raise over the years as I am pretty sure she schemed half of our relationship over the years.
"Gabi? Darling? Is that you?" she was eight years older and was standing up as Gabi nodded and walked over to wrap her arms around Janie in a hug. "That man of yours over there has done wonders for this place of the past couple of years." I heard Janie say and Gabi laughed and cried again as she covered her mouth. "I can't believe you still work here." She whispered and Janie laughed as she shot me a wink, "I think your fiancée of yours had something to do with that over the years."
Gabi laughed as she wiped away tears, "I think this was his plan to win me back." Janie laughed, "I told him he was really dumb for breaking up with you." Gabi snorted and I rolled my eyes, "Yes, yes, we are all well aware that I am very dumb but I think it's working out in my favor." Gabi gave me a smile as she wiped her face again. "So, breakfast?" Gabi mentioned and I smiled as I held my hand out. "Okay, c'mon," She slipped her fingers in mine as we headed for the main room where breakfast was taking place.
"Wow, it looks so good in here."
"Last year I had somebody come in and paint it. To feel homey and less old people – ya know? We took the wallpaper down and the residents all got an updated room. Got better beds for all of them and upgraded the food. The ratings are great. Staff is happier. I am trying to make this the place my fiancé fondly remembers." She smiled as we walked in and the residents were all eating. "Troy! Welcome back, son!" I grinned as I waved and nodded my head towards the group of guys. A lot of them knew me from my visits last year.
"Troy! Who is that fine young lady?" I chuckled, "Good morning, everybody, I would like to introduce you to the reason that I bought this place a couple years back. I grew up in Wilmington and when I was a junior in high school, I met a girl named Gabi. Gabi loved to volunteer and this was one of her absolutely favorite places to volunteer. We got to know the residents and they even helped me ask her to prom our senior year. We both loved coming here and learning from all of you. We broke up when I went to Alabama to play football. Yet, our paths were destined to intertwine again because she appeared back in my life and we're back – here – together for the first time since we were 18. Everybody, meet my fiancée, Gabi."
The room cheered and greeted Gabi as we went around talking to the residents. Gabi was throwing her head back in laughter as she talked to a handful of old ladies. It warmed my heart to be back in this space with her again. We both finally got our own breakfast as we sat down at a table and continued to talk. The flush in Gabi's cheeks and the smile on her lips told me how much this meant to her.
"You really bought a nursing home for your former girlfriend?" Jack, one of the residents, asked me. I laughed, "Yea, I mean, we fell in love her and I always loved her. It was a no brainer. If I saw this place go under, how would I have this moment?" Gabi was giggling with a bunch of older ladies while they looked over at me. I shook my head as the two men grinned, "You are a really, really smart man."
"When is the wedding?" one of the ladies asked, "May 7th," Gabi said with a tiny smile on her lips. "We want to do it before football season and unless we wait a whole year which sounds terrible honestly – we're going to do it this May." The girls all grinned, "We cannot wait to see pictures. Troy, she is stunning." Laura mentioned with a wave of her hand. It gave me a smile as I winked over at Gabi. She just gave me the biggest smile back and my heart fluttered.
Might have been my most expensive purchase ever but for this moment watching her in this moment – it was worth it. The smile on her face as she talked with all of the residents, the hugs she was giving, it was all everything I imagined.
Gabi's POV
I went out to the flower garden as some of the ladies were showing me around and the changes to this facility were amazing. Troy might not have all of the decisions made but he helped fund this place making it one of those places anybody would want their parents. The girls headed back inside as I couldn't help but feel these overwhelming feelings being back here. "What do you think?" I turned around on my heel to see Troy standing there with his hand in his pocket.
I couldn't stop the tears.
I wanted too but I couldn't.
He just smiled with a shake of his head and he came over to wrap his arms around my neck. "Thank you," I whispered as I let my fingers grip his bicep. "This morning has been amazing." My head rested on his chest and Troy kissed my head. "I loved seeing you back here. This place was missing something and it was you. I have something to show you." His fingers gripped mine as we headed back inside and he took me down a few hallways until I knew where we were going.
He stopped outside of the old arts and crafts room.
"Troy," the words died on my tongue as I read the plaque next to the door.
Gabi's Arts and Crafts room
I covered my face as he pulled me into his arms. "You have so many emotions," I couldn't stop my laugh as I looked up at him. "If there was ever anything to show that I never stopped loving you – this, was it. The first time I came back here I came here and I just sat here. I sat here and I just…I thought about you helping all of them making cards or painting or doing whatever. Wearing the apron with your hair down and the biggest smile on your face."
"Fuck you, Troy Bolton. I didn't think I could love you more." He chuckled as he tipped my chin back and he let his lips cover mine. He lifted me up and gently pressed me back against the wall. "Never forget," I whispered to him. He shook his head, "I never forgot," he whispered back. Those blue eyes filled mine and I wrapped my arms around him and let my head bury into his neck. "You are going to be the best husband."
He chuckled, "I hope so. I just want to love you in the best way possible. I mean I think Claire's future husband is going to have a lot to live up to." I laughed as I looked at his eyes. "I think we should bring Claire back here and show her some volunteering and maybe the animal shelter and can we take her on our old adventures? Make sure she volunteers and makes a difference in this world?" he stroked my cheek with a smile on his face.
"Yes, please, I want her to grow up in a world that she knows she is lucky. That other people don't have it nearly as easy. To remind her that you have to work hard to succeed in life." Our mouths fused in a kiss after that. "I am so thankful for our past because I think it sets us up for a ground breaking future."
"Thank you, for this, for today. It was amazing."
Troy winked and we smiled together as he dropped me another kiss. "C'mon, let's go say good-bye and go see our girl."
Monday, April 4th, 2022
Gabi's POV
I stared at the flowers in front of me and I tried to decide which ones I wanted but I honestly didn't know. I didn't have a flower preference. "What if I told you I trusted you?" I arched an eyebrow towards the florist. She blinked, "You don't like any of these?"
My shoulders shrugged, "I like all of them. I just don't care enough. This will be about the 10th decision I have made today and I am all decisioned out. I trust you. You see my colors, you know it's on the beach, I want a beautiful bouquet and three – I want one for the flower girl to hold. She will be my step daughter and I want her involved."
Destin, the florist, she just nodded her head. "Any price? We're only having about ten tables. Just a center piece on each one, three boutonniere, two corsages for each mother, and two bouquets." She nodded her head as she took notes of my needs. I showed her the color scheme, the beach, and the tables. She took all the notes and asked me to send some inspiration that I found on Pinterest. I did just that as my phone started to ring.
"Hi," I answered as my mother was on the other end. "Hi, what are you doing?"
"Florist. I've talked to the DJ, photographer, videographer, and the cater today. Troy and I are doing a cake tasting because we can't agree on a flavor." My mom chuckled in my ear as she sighed, "Do you need any help?" I shook my head. "No. I don't think so. After I go to the cake, I think we're done with finding everybody."
"This came together very well,"
"I know. Troy went to rent all of the tables and chairs today. Layla and Scar went to buy all the plates, napkins, cups, etc. Daxon found the bartenders and they are using stuff from The Sand Pit. Thank god for Dax knocking up Scar."
"Gabriella," my mom hissed and I just laughed in response as I thanked the florist and hitched my bag over my shoulder. "I think Claire is coming with us. I want her input on the cake. She is probably going to eat most of it." We both laughed as I headed for my car. "Are you and Troy doing a pre-nup?" I didn't speak for a minute because the last time I asked a few months ago he didn't love the idea. "I don't know. Do you think we should?"
"I think he should. The Sunshine Pact is very successful but I don't know if it will be $425 million dollars successful." I couldn't stop my laugh as it was true. I would never be that successful and that wasn't even counting all of his endorsement deals. "I will have to talk to him again about it. He shut it down the first time. I feel like it's safer for the both of us." My mom laughed, "I am not shocked he didn't like the idea. He doesn't think anything will happen to your marriage."
"That is very Troy," I told her and she laughed again as I started my car and hung up the phone. I sent Troy a text to make sure he was still meeting me as I was exhausted. It had been a whirlwind of the past couple of days and keeping Claire entertained when it wasn't quite warm enough to be on the beach yet. It was getting closer but she wanted to swim.
It was a twenty-minute drive to the bakery and I pulled in to see Troy and Claire sitting outside on a bench eating ice cream together. I smiled watching the two of them as Troy was talking to her about something and she just giggled in response to whatever her dad said. Troy smiled as those blue eyes stared at her with happiness. He lifted his eyes up to see me sitting in my car and he grinned as I slipped out.
I grabbed my purse as I went over and Troy opened his arms and I collapsed in his lap. "Gabi! Where have you been all day? Daddy and I have been running errands together and we went to target and he let me pick out new books!" I smiled as I kissed Troy's temple. "I have been doing my own errands. Making sure we have everything for our wedding."
Claire grinned, "Dad said we're going to try cake!"
"We sure are. What flavor are you wanting?" I asked her and she thought about it for a moment. "Chocolate!" Troy gave me a smug look, "Told you. Chocolate is superior." I shook my head with a tiny laugh as I knew those two would gang up on me. "I love a traditional wedding cake though." I said and Troy let his arm hook around me with a tug. His hand reaching under my shirt as I gently tugged on it.
"We can probably do both," Troy mentioned, "I don't want a huge cake with a ton of leftovers. That is over kill. We're only having like 40 people."
"I'll eat the leftovers!" Claire said raising her hand and Troy chuckled, "See, we have cake for everybody and extra for Claire." I gave a smile as I let my head fall against his. "You tired?" I nodded my head, "My fiancé kept me up late last night."
Troy let out a throaty chuckle, "Did not,"
"Did, too,"
I gave him a smile as I gave him a quick kiss. I checked the time to see we still had 15 minutes. "What are your thoughts on a pre-nup?" I asked him as I let our eyes connect. He wrinkled his eyes, "Why?" I just gave a laugh, "Troy, it's more for you and less for me. You are set to make over a half billion dollars over our marriage."
"And? Do you think I am letting you go? And if I, do it's probably something really fucking dumb that I did. I will owe you money and honestly, I owe you from the last one. There is zero reason in my mind that we need a pre-nup. I will gladly splint everything down the middle because you'll deserve that. Not only for marrying me and doing this life with me but being by my side continuously. I'll owe you that money anyways."
I hesitated as I looked over at Claire and Troy kissed my temple, "I knew without a doubt I needed one with Eve. I knew we weren't forever but you, Gabs? You are my forever. I do not need a pre-nup to marry you because I know you aren't after my money. You are only after me. If we have kids together, then I owe them that money. Trust me, baby, I'm not letting you go without a god damn fight."
My eyes held onto his and he brought me in for a kiss, "I love you; I don't need a piece of paper to tell me how to split everything if something were to happen and we got divorced. I owe you my whole life." I swallowed on his words and kissed him softly. "You'll have a different tune then, I'm assuming." Troy shook his head, "Back to the fact that we're never getting divorced," he sung.
I shook my head with a tiny laugh, "What if I can't have babies?" I whispered to him and he arched an eyebrow. "Do you know that for a fact?" I shook my head no but my gut churned with the shake and he laughed. "It wouldn't matter. Either way. You're my wife forever. The moment you say I do – we're locked and it will be a fight that I will not back down on. We're meant to be. I don't give a shit about the money. I just want you."
I cannot wait to write the wedding chapter! They might have my favorite wedding to date. Two more chapters of this story before the next one!
Also to clarify – I know some people are upset that I am pushing back the updates for these stories by a couple of weeks. I am about to work 7 shifts in 8 days. I can honestly tell you I'll probably touch my computer once during that time. I might be ahead on some of these stories (not this one btw) but I can EASILY get behind when I go days like this without writing. I feel like it's better to push off updating by a week or two while I have the chapters than make you go a month plus without an update because I don't have time to write. When I work I literally go to work for 12 hours, sleep for 10, and then return to work. I don't do anything else especially during these stretches where I work a ton. So I ask for kindness and patience. I do this as a hobby in my free time. I love writing for you guys and I thoroughly enjoy all of your reviews and I am just as disappointed when I cannot get a chapter out in time.
Thanks for all the support!
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J
Next Update: November 13th