Chapter 18 – Surprise

AN: Thank you very much for those people who reviewed my last chapter… I promise that I tried to incorporate everything you said. I am glad that none of you want drama, because I really didn't want any drama in this story. This is officially my drama-free story. I'll save all of the drama for "Love Doesn't Come Smoothly" (which, let me tell you, is having a lot of drama going on right now!)

I also hope that you guys don't think that I am rushing the story too much. Don't worry though; I really do not plan on stopping the story now. I know how much you guys are enjoying it and honestly, I don't want to see it go yet! There will still be a good number of chapters before I finally say good bye to this story. When that happens, I have a good story up my sleeve that I hope you guys will enjoy.

Well I have my last exam tomorrow (well today...i'm posting this at 12:22am right now), which is a good thing. Thank you for the people who reviewed my chapters while I had my exams; it really gave me something to look forward to when I came home after spending three hours in a desk. I love you guys so much for the support, and thank you again for the smiles you put on my face when I read what you said.

Well, enough of my blabbing. Here the next chapter. I think it's one of my longest yet!

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Three months passed since Gabriella and I took our relationship to the next step. Isabella was now 11 months old, crawling all around the house. I never thought I would say it, but my house was officially baby proofed.

Gabriella's and my relationship has grown closer and closer in that time. Though it was hard to find time to be alone, with Isabella needing constant watching and April around practically every spare moment she had, but we finally came to a conclusion. Saturday was our day. Gabriella and I spent the entire day and night together, and April would bring Isabella over the next morning.

I was sitting in my office, tired and stressed because it was time to pay the bills, and math was always something that I hated doing. I wasn't going to be home until late today.

"Hey boss." I looked up to see James standing in the doorway.

"Hey."

"Can I come in?" Without even waiting for a response, he just walked into the room.

"Yes, of course you can come in James." I said sarcastically.

"Ah suck it up Bolton. You know you secretly love having me around because it helps distract you from the work that you have on your desk."

"I would rather you work yourself than bother me. I am paying you, but that can change." James glared.

"You're no fun." He walked towards my desk. "What are you looking at?" I sighed, and pointing to one of the objects that sat on my desk. James looked closer, picking it up in his hands and observing it.

"No way."

"Yup." I replied.

"But… are you sure that you're ready for this?"

"Yes I am. Gabriella already lives with me, her daughter already considers me her father…" James interrupted me.

"And you have already consummated the relationship." My mouth dropped open, and I stared at James in confusion.

"What…when…who…how…" I stuttered, still shocked that James knew that I had slept with Gabriella.

"What? Well, you 'made love' with Gabriella. And yes Bolton, I did just say make love. When? Too many times to count." I groaned. "Who? You kind sister did the honor of telling me what went on and how? Well come on Bolton we all know how we do it." I glared at him.

"You are evil."

"What? I mean, you have had no sex life for like, ever, and it just seemed appropriate to want to know everything that's going on."

"My sister?"

"She's cool. Keeps me informed on the happenings of the Bolton household. Well, soon to be officially Bolton household." He said, winking at me. I rolled my eyes.

"Note to self; kill April when I get home."

"But why? Then you'd have nobody to watch Isabella on 'your night'."

"James, if you value your job, I would shut it."

"Fine, be a kill-joy. We'll talk about work." He sat down in the seat opposite me, handing back what he had been holding, and looked at the other papers on my desk.

"Bills. Fun times."

"James? What am I paying you to do exactly? I don't think that I ever see you working anymore." It was his turn to roll his eyes.

"You know what Bolton. You're no fun. I'm going to go work now. Are you happy?"

"Yes."

"You know the second that I walk out of this room that you're going to regret shooing me away."

"Bye James."

"Fine! But I won't come back now. Even if you get on your knees and beg."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"I'm Leaving."

"Okay."

"Bye Bolton." James walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. I sighed, resting back in my leather chair holding up the papers in one hand and a small box in the other.

Was I really ready for this?

I had been waiting a long time to find someone perfect for me. Fate led me to Gabriella. Now, I have someone who I love with all my heart, and who loves me back.

Yes.

I am ready.

"Miss me yet?" James' voice said from behind the door.

"Go work!"

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I drove through the dark, exhausted from the long day at the restaurant. When I stopped at a red light, I looked down at the watch on my wrist, groaning when I saw it was already ten thirty.

Gabriella was likely already asleep.

I would have been home earlier, but a last minute bill was forgotten and had to be looked over. I called Gabriella and told her not to wait up; because I didn't know what time I would be home. Seeing as she liked to get to bed by ten o'clock (Bella is usually up at the crack of dawn), I was almost positive that she would be asleep.

I drove down the silent road leading home.

I guess my plan would have to wait until tomorrow.

I fingered the tiny box in my pocket, and I knew that the envelope was in my briefcase. I would have to quietly sneak into the closet and find a suitable hiding spot until tomorrow. Hopefully Gabriella wouldn't go looking for a sweater and find it accidentally.

Finally, I drove through the gates that led to the house. When I parked in the driveway, I was surprised to see that a dim light was on in the living room. Gabriella probably left the light on for me so the house wasn't pitch black when I got home.

When I opened the door, the aroma of tomato sauce and herbs filled my nostrils. I hung up my coat and put away my keys. The sight before me shocked me.

In the living room a small table had been set with two place settings, complete with candles that were already lit. A bottle of wine sat in the center. I walked up to it, tracing the edges of the plates delicately, as if not believing that it was really there.

"You like it?" I turned to see Gabriella's elegant figure standing in the doorway of the kitchen. She was wearing little black dress, completing the look with her famous blue slippers and an apron.

"It's…wow. I though you would be asleep already?"

"I decided to wait up for you. Isabella fell fast asleep at around eight, so I decided to cook us a meal. A little thank you for everything that you've done for me. Besides, you deserve a break and a relaxing evening." I smiled, walking towards her and wrapping my arms around her.

"You're amazing. You know that?"

"No. I just wanted to do something special for you." I leaned forward and kissed her tenderly on the lips.

"It's perfect." She smiled.

"I just have to get the pasta and we can eat."

"I'll help."

"Really, it will only take two seconds. Go sit down and pour the wine. Tonight, it's your turn to be spoiled." I nodded, watching as she disappeared into the kitchen. As I was pouring the wine, I had a minor epiphany.

My plan would work perfectly tonight.

A smile graced my face as I thought about her reaction when she sees what I had planned for her.

"What's that smile about?" Gabriella asked as she walked back in the room, pasta bowl in hand, and sat down in the seat across from me.

"I'm thinking about how wonderful you are."

"Charmer." I laughed.

"No seriously. I think that this was exactly what I needed tonight. That you for setting this up for me. I really appreciate it." Gabriella smiled gently, grabbing my hand off the table and intertwining it with hers.

"Well, it's not all wonderful. I do have something I have to tell you, which was the main reason why I set up this dinner."

"Oh yeah? What is it?"

"Later. Right now, let's focus on one thing; enjoying the meal." Gabriella said, raising her wine glass.

"Deal." I said, clinking our glasses together. "You know you can tell me anything, and you don't need to set up a fancy meal for it to happen."

"I know. I just…wanted to."

The meal was delicious. Gabriella had even picked up some small pastries from the bakery down the street that I adored. After finishing the meal, we sat down on the couch, cuddling and just being in the moment.

"Who knew you could cook so well. You could probably give some of the chefs at the restaurant a run for their money."

"Oh stop it." Gabriella said embarrassed.

"Seriously. That meal was delicious."

"Well, with a man who opened up a restaurant because of his talent at cooking, I think it's natural I would pick up a few pointers."

"Point taken." I smiled, and then realized that now was the perfect time to start my plan. "Stay right here." I said, and ran quickly to my briefcase where I retrieved the envelope, the box already in my pocket.

"What is that?" Gabriella asked as I came back into the room.

"Surprise. But first, I just wanted to say something." I sat down beside Gabriella grabbing her hand.

"Brie, when I first saw you that day on the highway, I couldn't have guessed that we would be here today. Fortunately for me, fate intervened that day and brought you into my life. And now, I couldn't be happier." Tears began forming in Gabriella's eyes, and I quickly brushed them away with the pad of my thumb. "All my life, I have dreamed of finding somebody who I loved, and who loved me for me, and not the money that I came with. While all my friends were marrying off I was moping around, convinced that I would never find the perfect person. And then, I found you."

"Brie" I continued. "You are so important to me, you and Isabella, and I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you in my life. Though we have only known each other a short while, I feel a special connection with you. You are my other half, as was confirmed with the spark." Gabriella smiled at the memory. "And so, I would like to ask you a question." I got off the couch and bent down on one knee before Gabriella.

"Troy…" Gabriella whispered.

"Gabriella Montez, I love you with all of my heart, and will never stop loving you. And so, I would like to know; would you do me a great honor in becoming my wife?" I said, pulling out the box from my pocket and flipping it open. Tears streamed down Gabriella's face as she looked at my diamond ring before her.

"Yes."

"Really?" I said, almost surprised. Gabriella rushed into my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"Yes! I would love to be your wife." I smiled, and after we pulled back, I slipped the ring gently on her finger. Gabriella's eyes sparkled as she looked down at it.

"Troy, it's beautiful."

"Just like you." She looked up at me and smiled.

"Thank you Troy." She said.

"I love you Gabriella."

"I love you too." We sat in silence, before I suddenly remembered the second part of my plan. I grabbed the envelope off of the coffee table.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Open it." Gabriella nodded, taking the envelope and opening it carefully. When she took the papers out, her eyes widened.

"Are you serious?" she asked.

"Of course." I said, taking her hand.

"But how?"

"I talked to my lawyer. He got all of the paper work for me. Now, all you have to do is sign here." I said, pointing to a dotted line.

"And then…"

"And then, Isabella Montez is legally my adopted daughter." Tears were now freely streaming down Gabriella's face.

"Wow Troy, I don't know what to day. First, you ask me to marry you, and now this. I though I was supposed to spoil you tonight." She said laughing. I wrapped my arms around Gabriella, pulling her body close to mine.

"I just can't help but spoil you."

"You're too good for me."

"Nah. I just love you." She smiled, and rested her head against my shoulder. We sat in that comfortable position for a little while, before I remembered the whole reason that Gabriella had put together the dinner in the first place.

"Hey Brie."

"Yeah?"

"What was it that you said you had to tell me? You know, why you made the dinner." Gabriella gulped, before looking down at her fingers.

"Promise you won't get mad?"

"Of course not Brie. I could never be mad at you." She sight, a small smile forming on her face.

"Okay. Well, you see…"

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AN: OHH!!! What a cliffy! What is it that Gabriella has to tell Troy? Is it important? I guess you are going to have to review if you want to find out what's going on.

OMG Troyella are engaged. I just really wanted that to happen, and many of you told me that you wanted Gabriella and Troy to get married, so I listened! Thank you for everybody who gave their input, and I really tried to incorporate all of your ideas!

Anyway, REVIEW, REVIEW, and REVIEW if you want to know what Gabriella has to say!

Xoxo,

Lar