(A.N. I'm so sorry that this took me so long to upload, I have a couple big things going on at the moment so I haven't had too much time, this will be one of the few last chapters for The Power Of Love, the story will conclude a couple chapters after the siblings return from Arizona. I hope you've been enjoying the story and let me know what you think :) )
The weeks passed faster than Troy and Gabriella would have liked and it was the night before the siblings would be leaving to stay with Charlie and his family for the week. The young couple laid in bed watching the end of a movie, snuggled up together. Gabriella looked up at her boyfriend and noticed his distracted expression as his fingers traced over her arm, not paying attention to the movie. "Baby?" He hummed his response, turning his attention to her. "What's wrong?"
He shook his head. "It's nothing, it doesn't matter."
She sat up from her place against him and gave him her full attention, cupping his cheek and smiling as he leant in her touch. "I can tell something's bothering you, you can talk to me."
Troy sighed. "It's just, you're leaving for Arizona tomorrow and I'm not going to see you for the week. I know it's stupid but it was weird to be without your brothers and sisters when we went to California but I - I don't want to be without you."
"It's not stupid Troy, I'm feeling the same way you are. You're one of the most important people to me and I love you, I hate the thought of being away from you but it's just for a week and we can call and facetime whenever you want since there's barely a time difference and I know that the girls are gonna want to talk to you too."
"Yeah you're right, I think it's just hard because we've barely spent any time apart since we've known each other."
She nodded her agreement. "Well how about we make the most of the time we have before I leave and this time next week, I'll be back here in your arms."
Her words made him smile and connect their lips in a sweet kiss. "Sounds like a plan, I love you Baby."
"I love you Wildcat."
The next morning saw Troy and the five siblings at the airport terminal. The boy fistbumped the two brothers in farewell before turning his attention to the two youngest girls. He gave the youngest twin a hug. "Have fun with your brothers and sisters and I'll be here to pick you guys up next week when you come home."
He inwardly smiled when the little girl rested her head against his shoulder, much the way Gabriella and Jasmine did but he inaudibly gasped as she whispered her response. "I'm going to miss you Troy, thank you looking after me like Chad and Locky do, I love you."
"I love you too Imi." He said, accompanied by a kiss on the little girl's forehead before he turned his attention to Jasmine who ran into his arms as soon as he held them open. "You're gonna have fun with your brothers and sisters ok? I'll be here to pick you ip next week." He felt her nod and looked up to see her lip quivering. "Don't cry Jas."
"Can you come with us?"
He smiled sadly. "Not this time Angel, but you've got Chad and Ella and Locky and Imi, you're going to have lots of fun." He leant down and whispered in her ear. "Remember no one's gonna hurt you or Ella, you're both safe even if I'm not there and you can ask Ella to call or facetime me anytime you want to ok?" Jasmine nodded. "Good girl, I'm going to miss you."
"Miss you too Troy, I love you."
"I love you too Jas." With one final hug, he released the little girl and smiled sadly as she stood next to her twin sister, holding each other's hands. He turned his attention to his girlfriend who threw herself into his arms, he held her tightly and buried his face into the crook of her neck, placing a kiss on the skin in front of him. "It's going to be fine Baby, we'll call and facetime all the time and you won't even know I'm not there."
"I'm going to miss you so much."
"Me too, but it's just a week and you'll be back here in my arms so for now, make the most of it and enjoy your time with your brothers and sisters and I promise that I'll be right here waiting when you get back."
She smiled and connected their lips. "I love you Troy."
"I love you Brie."
With a final wave, he watched wistfully as the five siblings walked through the terminal to board the plane and head off to Arizona, he knew they were going to be fine, he just wished that he didn't have to be without them. He watched until their plane took off before he headed home, the house so quiet without the girls playing or the boys having a game and so lonely without the five siblings, especially the love of his life.