A/N: Okay, hi everyone. As you probably know, this is my last chapter. I know, it's very sad... :( I just can't believe this is the last time I'll ever be writing this story. So, I broke 700 reviews! Woo Hoo! That is so cool! I want to thank everyone for reading. I mean, it's on 83 people's favorites list, and on 96 people's alerts! I feel so happy! Well, please read my authors note at the end. Here is... chapter 32!
The next morning was the last day of school. Troy was going to work, and his parents were coming to take care of Abby, Luke, Aiden, and Dylan. The babies were doing pretty good. They were still rather small, but had majorly improved over the past few months.
Gabriella woke up as soon as her eyes saw light. She was so nervous about the last day of school, which was today. She was wondering if Taylor was actually going to show at the park. Jerry hadn't said anything specifically about coming today, but it was open to all parents. It was like a buffet where people could bring anything they wanted.
She stretched her legs in bed, and then realized Troy was still sleeping beside her. Her bare foot brushed his. She smiled, watching him sleep. She pulled the covers off of her body and got up.
After pulling her hair in a loose ponytail full of curls, she slipped on a casual pair of jeans, and a light green tee shirt. She checked on the kids. Luke and Aiden were still asleep. She walked into the other room, and Dylan was crying.
She ended up changing all of their diapers, and then bringing them downstairs. She got out the baby food, and during feeding Abby; Troy came downstairs, scratching his head.
"Hey, sleepy head," she grinned.
He yawned, "Hi."
"You seem tired," she said, setting down the spoon she was feeding Abby with, and walked up to him putting her arms around his waist.
He grabbed onto her waist, "I am."
She stood on her tippy toes and kissed him softly, "I hope that wakes you up," she grinned.
He smiled, "It sure does."
She laughed, and then went back to feeding them.
"So, were you okay yesterday?"
"Hmm what?" She asked, hoping she wouldn't have to tell him about Jerry. I mean, she wanted to, but a part of her didn't feel like explaining it all.
"I don't know..." he sighed, leaning on the counter, "It just seemed like you were zoned off somewhere."
"Oh, I'm fine."
"Are you sure? Because Chad noticed it too..."
"What! So, you guys were talking about how I was acting that day in the backyard?" She asked, putting her hands on her hips.
"No, Gabi, it's not like that. We were just saying how you had been acting differently. It's not a big deal."
"Well..." she said, trailing off.
He looked at her, "What?"
She breathed a little more heavy, "Well, something did... kind of happen."
"What's going on?" He asked, becoming more serious.
"Yesterday," she took a deep breath, "After school. Well, you remember Jerry right?"
He nodded, "Your old boyfriend, right?"
"Yeah, and my students father," she added. He nodded again.
He let out a laugh, and got out a glass from the cabinet, "Oh yeah, I remember. I nearly beat his face in."
She let out a small smile and then became serious again, "He kind of... came onto me."
"What?" He slammed his glass on the counter.
She looked away, "He didn't do anything serious, but... he wouldn't stop."
Troy flared his nostrils in anger, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want you to take it as a big deal," she said, quietly.
"Gabriella, how exactly am I supposed to take it?"
"Well, don't yell at me!" She said, tears forming in her eyes. She put her head in her hands. "I'm sorry."
He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her, "Me too, but... you really need to tell me these kinds of things. We're married now, and do you know the most important thing in a marriage," he asked, holding her forehead to his.
"Love..." she muttered. "Honesty."
"Yes, exactly. Trust. I'm only doing this lecture thing because I care about you."
She nodded, "I know."
He kissed her forehead, "Are you going to be okay today?"
"Yeah, I think so," she wiped her eyes, trying to smile for him.
"Can I come?" He asked, obviously just for the Jerry reason.
"No, Troy, I would prefer you didn't. I mean, I want you to come, but... there's parents there, and if anything starts, knowing you, I don't want any of the parents or students knowing my personal life."
"I wouldn't do anything."
"I'm sure you wouldn't, and Taylor's coming anyway."
"Oh, so Taylor can come, and I can't?" He asked, sarcastically. He walked over and picked up Luke, cradling him back and forth.
"She asked."
"Oh, okay. Well, in that case, I was wondering if you wanted to go out to dinner tonight?" He asked.
"Dinner? Tonight?" She asked. He nodded. "I'd love to."
"Great, so, my parents can watch them until we get back. Sound like a plan?"
"Sounds like a plan," she smiled.
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When Gabriella arrived at her classroom, her students were lounging around at each other's desks, talking, and getting excited, for it was the last day of school. She wasn't a harsh teacher, or a very strict one for that matter. She was disciplinary enough, so that they learned their lesson, but she wasn't about to yell at them to take their own seats.
Many of her students gave her gifts for being a great teacher for this year, even though she was gone for most of it. They all loved her and were going to miss her, since they were going into another grade higher.
"Thank you very much, Jenna," Gabriella said, hugging her, and then putting the green plant in a maroon pot on her desk, that she just received.
"You're welcome," she smiled, "I'll miss you."
"Oh, I'll miss you too," she returned the smile, "But you will only be across the hall. You may come in and visit whenever you like."
"Thanks!" She walked back to her friends.
Gabriella sat back at her desk. She was trying to gather papers together. She entered the grades about a day ago; so she didn't need to worry abut that.
She then got up to take attendance. After she was done, and marked every single student on the list present, she asked them a question, "All right, everyone. I need to know whose parents are coming, so I can make a list of it."
About 3/4 of them said their parents were coming. When she asked Chelsea, which she was dreading to ask, she said that her dad might come. He wasn't sure. Gabriella hoped he wouldn't come.
After a long walk to the park, trying to make sure no kids wandered off, they made it. Gabriella got out the basketballs, and other sports equipment. They were quickly occupied by the kids. She smiled and thought about her kids.
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"Wow, four," Mrs. Donavan said to Gabriella, after Gabriella telling her why she was absent for those number of months.
"Yes, it's been hard. You know, I'm very young, so I'm new to this whole parenting thing. I'm not even thirty yet!" She laughed.
"Well, my husband and I had Jimmy (Gabriella's student) in our thirties, so we were prepared for a little more."
"Yeah, well, my husband is great. He's just so helpful," she smiled, thinking about Troy. She couldn't wait to go out to dinner with him tonight. They haven't had alone time for a while.
Just then, she saw a car pull up, and the person getting out was Jerry. Gabriella took a deep breath, and continued talking with the parents. She didn't want to face Jerry. What was he doing here anyway? He should be ashamed of what happened yesterday!
One of the dads was grilling hot dogs, and everyone was talking. Suddenly, another car pulled up, and Taylor came out. Gabriella jumped with excitement, mentally. Taylor walked up to her, waving.
"Hey," she said.
"Hi!" Gabriella ran up and hugged her.
She let out a laugh, "Woah, slow down there, Tiger."
"Sorry," she brushed a piece of hair out of her face, "it's just... he's here."
"What?" Where?"
"Just come with me," she grabbed her hand and brought her over to the food tables and the rest of the parents.
"Everyone, this is my friend, Taylor," she said to the parents.
They said hi and shook hands.
As Gabriella talked more with the people, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. Every time she looked, Jerry was stealing glances at her. She just wanted to hide under the table like one of the kids.
"So, where is he?" Taylor asked, coming up to her, with a plate in her hands.
"Hmm?"
"Jerry. Where is he?" She asked. "You know, your old boyfriend that like, sexually assaulted you."
"Shut up!" She hissed.
"Oh right, sorry," she whispered. "So... where is he?"
Gabriella sighed and pointed to him, looking away, "Over there."
"Him? The guy in the blue shirt?" She asked.
Gabriella nodded and set her plate down. She walked over to an empty lawn chair and sat in it. Taylor sat next to her.
"Can I talk to him?" She asked, impatiently.
"No!" She said, and then chuckled.
She sighed and leaned back, "Why not?"
"Because I don't want anything to start."
"What's going to start?"
"Something," she looked back at Jerry, who was by the grill. "This is exactly why I told Troy not to come."
"So, you told him... about yesterday?"
"Yeah, I had to. How can I not?"
"Did he want to come?"
"Yeah, and probably give Jerry a few good punches."
"Well, he deserves it."
"Listen, I know you, Taylor..."
Taylor just rolled her eyes, "You really think I'm going to go like, knock him out or something?"
Gabriella just looked at her with a 'duh' look.
"Okay, maybe just a little slap, but nothing drastic-"
"No! Don't do anything here! I have a reputation at this school. One false move, and I could get fired."
She sighed, "Okay."
They both sat in the chairs, watching the kids and all the people. They were both looking at Jerry and every move. Finally, Taylor broke the silence.
"Can I please just go talk to him?"
"No," she said, playing with her hands.
"Please!" She begged.
"Taylor, no. It'll probably result in the hospital."
"No, it won't. I promise. I just want to ask him a few things."
She sighed and took a deep breath, "Fine."
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah, but only for a few minutes," she said quickly, before Taylor got up. Gabriella started playing with her hands and fidgeting.
"What's wrong?" Taylor squatted down beside her.
"I'm just nervous."
"Why?"
"I don't want Jerry getting mad..."
"He won't get mad, because I won't do anything. Just calm down," she said, calmly.
"Okay," she breathed in and out.
Leaving behind a nervous Gabriella, Taylor walked confidently over to Jerry. He was standing and talking to another dad. She tapped him on the shoulder.
He spun around, "Hi," he said, confused.
She shook his hand, "Hi, my name is Taylor Danforth. You are... Jerry, right?"
"...Yes," he said, cautiously. He took a step back, obviously afraid of this woman. "Can I help you?"
"Yes, you can. My friend, Gabriella Montez, would appreciate if you would back off! She's sick of your little..." she lowered her voice, "your little... things that you do. Okay, she is happily married and has beautiful children. I'm sorry your life didn't turn out perfect, but please don't drag Gabriella into it," she said, putting her hands on her hips.
He seemed appalled that she would send somebody over here to talk to him.
"Okay?" She asked once more. He nodded, slowly, eyeing Gabriella in her chair.
"Alright, so we're clear," she said, walking away. She sat back down next to Gabriella, whom was still looking over at Jerry. "See, that was fast wasn't it?"
She nodded, "What did you say to him?"
"Oh you know, the typical. Just to back off and stuff," she smiled.
"Thanks Tay," she hugged her.
"No problem."
"Do you think he's mad?"
"What? No. If anything, he's scared," she giggled.
Gabriella giggled as well, "Okay."
For the next few hours, everyone was talking, eating, discussing next year for their children, and more. Pretty much every parent was asking about Gabriella's babies and how hard it must have been for her.
Gabriella couldn't help but look over at Jerry. He was over by the grill still with some of the other dads. He had a sad look on his face, and she almost felt sympathetic, but then remembered everything he did to turn moments of her life into hell.
She saw him glance over and then she whipped her head back to the group of people talking.
When everyone got up, to go see how their kids were doing and talk more, Gabriella was clearing plates from the table. After all, she hosted it, so she had to clean it up.
"G-Gabriella?" A voice asked, coming up behind her.
She turned around to face Jerry. She rolled her eyes, turned her back to him, and continued cleaning up. What did Taylor say to him?
"What are you doing here?" Taylor asked, coming up to them. "I thought I told you to stay away!"
"I just came to tell Gabriella that I'm sor-"
"We don't care," Taylor shot back.
Gabriella intervened, "Just... let him explain," she said to Taylor. I mean, there are people around so it's not like he could do anything.
"Fine, but if anything starts, I'm here," she said, walking away.
She turned back to Jerry, "Okay, what do you want?"
"Why did you tell your friend?" He said, his voice getting lower. She leaned in.
"Because she's my best friend. You really expect me to not tell anybody. I even told my husband," she said. He looked at her pleadingly. "And no, he's not coming." He let out a sigh of relief.
"Gabriella, I'm sorry. I know I've been carrying this grudge thing for a long time," he said, looking down. She nodded. "I just don't know how to tell you how much of an idiot I feel like."
"Well, you should feel like one."
"I know, and I do. Chelsea is going into fourth grade next year, so you don't have to be worried. I was way out of line yesterday... and all those other times. I'm sorry."
"Okay," she said. After he left, she told Taylor what he said. When it was the end of the school, her students hugged her and said thank you's for being such a great teacher. She was happy it was finally summer, and she got to spend time with her babies.
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Gabriella unlocked her front door, eager to go inside, since she had to stay for about an hour longer, clearing the classroom. She set her stuff down and walked in the living room. Mr. Bolton was on the couch, reading the paper, and Mrs. Bolton was playing with the babies.
"Hey," Gabriella said, kneeling beside her mother-n-law. "How did things go today?"
"They went well," she smiled. "How was yours? You know, it being the last day of school and all."
"It went pretty good. Most of the parents came, and so did Taylor."
"Oh, well, that sounds fun. We took them for a walk around the block, fed them, changed them, and they even took naps."
"Sounds good. So... you guys are staying later, so Troy and I can go out right?"
"Yes, that's what Troy told us."
"Awesome. I'm going to go get ready, if that's okay."
"Oh, yes, of course. We have the kids under control," she said, and then looked up at her husband on the couch, reading. "Or at least I do."
Gabriella laughed heading towards the staircase, "Okay. I won't be too long."
She went upstairs, quickly, excited to get out with her husband for some alone time. She slipped into a short black dress. She then curled her long dark hair, and pinned some of it up with bobby pins. After getting her hair perfect, she put on her makeup and her diamond earrings. She slipped on her black high heels, and made her way downstairs.
She walked into the living room, to see Troy sitting on the couch, wearing a nice outfit as well.
"We told him you were getting ready," Mr. Bolton smiled.
"Thank you," she grinned at how handsome Troy was.
Troy got up and held out his hand, "You ready to go?"
She grabbed onto his arm, "Yes."
"Okay. We'll be back around ten or so," he said to his parents.
"Have a good time you two," his mom said.
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When they got there and were seated, they looked over at the menu. She was too busy looking at the menu to notice that Troy was staring at her.
"You're amazing," he said, still looking at her.
She giggled and then looked up, "What?"
"You're amazing."
"Really?" She asked.
"Yes, really. Everything about you. We've just been through so much together."
She smiled, "I know. A lot of stuff."
"And we've been able to stay strong through it all. You never gave up. I love you so much," he grabbed her hand across the table.
"Oh Troy, I feel the same. You're like my hero," she laughed. He laughed too. "I'm serious, though. I mean, now that I think about it and how many doubts I had… about the wedding and the babies and everything, I can't believe I did that. I should have known that with you, everything would turn out alright."
After dinner, they took a walk in the park. It was late out and they haven't had a chance to walk in the park like they used to at least once a week.
"So... how did today go?" He asked, slipping his hand with hers.
"Pretty good."
"Did... he cause any trouble?"
"No, Troy, he didn't. He actually apologized."
"So, he talked to you?" He asked, becoming defensive. She nodded. "I'm going to kil-"
"No, it's okay. He was sorry."
"And he's been sorry for what? A couple years now?"
"Well, he really realized how much of a jerk he was. I won't be seeing him anymore."
"Is he moving to Ireland?"
"No," she chuckled. "His daughter is going into fourth grade."
"Oh yeah, right."
"Ah, Troy, what am I going to do with you?" She joked.
"You could do this," he leaned and pressed his lips on hers. She smiled and kissed him again, deeper. They broke apart, grinning.
For another fifteen minutes, they just walked around, hand in hand, without speaking. Suddenly, Troy broke the silence.
"You know, this is a completely different life then I imagined."
She looked up at him, "How?"
He smiled, looking up at the sky, "Well, if I looked back in high school, before you came that is, I would have pictured myself as a basketball player. I was almost certain that was my future, especially with my dad encouraging that life choice. But then you came... and changed everything."
She laughed. "I did, didn't I?"
"Yes, and I didn't think of basketball nearly as much as I used to, or was supposed to, I guess. That's when I realized there was so much to live more in life to live for," he gripped her hand tighter, and looked down at her.
She blushed, "And how do you view life now?"
"I view it with no one but you."
A/N: OMG! IT'S OVER! There you go: the ending that I've been working really hard on. I really hope you all liked it. I just want to say you all have been amazing. You were all awesome in E-Love, which led me to this one. Let me tell you, I never ever would have imagined it being this long. It probably wouldn't have been without all of your kind words and ideas. I want to thank xo.Broken Promises for helping me with the end. Okay, and another thing. Who wants a sequel? If I were to do one, I need title ideas. That would help kind of a lot. LOL Again, thank you!
Special thanks to:
goldhilaryfan, chrissy08, xo.Broken Promises, dancerlittle, newsiefreak172, highsmusicalrox, nadia2008, GGfan00, purplebutterflies, x-breaking-free-x, SVU101, nneessssaa, Lissical, trumpetrulez (you were my first review for this story ever! thanks!), xGabriellaxBoltonx, fictionfrek101, Zanessa Fan, sballLuvr5, rlmont91, TheFlash017, luckycharm04, nikkitan89, LuvinLucas28, RocklifeDude, vintagepnkdaisy, Iluvhsm, MissZacEfron, s, IloveJoeL., Dangerous Combonation, BronzeRavenRavenclaw, AlbinoMonkeyC, disneygrl, lovetoread17, Mrs. Radcliffe-Efron, hsmluver31436, phatbeachbum78, I Need More Cowbell, StregnthToBelieve, PotterandEfronLover, Gir-Zac Efron-CrossCountryLuva, HorseLover20693, funky-monky-93, mylifeismine, thepoweroflove, and SparrowFan4life!
Okay, if I didn't say your name, I'm sorry! It was just so hard to look back and keep track. You can tell me if I didn't, and I'll send you an apology. lol Again, thanks to everyone. I really mean it. Please review! Love you guys!
-Lipshake :)
