A/N: Well, I tried my best to update faster, and this is what I came up with. So I'm sorry if I still took so long. I just really had a lot on my head. But on the brightside, school's out and I can focus on my stories more! Yay! Oh, thanks for the reviews! Glad to know some people didn't give up on my story.

-Millie Keane-: Thanks! I hope you're still reading!

thunderyoshi: Thanks so much! Aw... you still have school. Yeah, exams are always a bummer. Anyway, hope you did great on your exams! And thanks for reading!

Corbin's My Man: Thanks! I hope I updated fast enough for you!

Queen Desvel: Thanks!

NASCARFan4Life: Thanks! I really hope I updated fast enough! I hope you enjoy this chapter too!

lol925: Well, I tried to make it as sweet as I could. Yeah, going to funerals are not cool, yo. I went to my grandfather's funeral three years ago and it was the worst thing I've been to. Really. Yeah, I kinda made Gabriella sound too much like a greedy brat. But yeah, as Ryan said, 'it's crazy!'

you go girl: Thanks! What are you confused about? I can help!

TheFabMax: It's all cool. Happy belated birthday! How old are you now?

ILuvLucasGrabeel: Thanks! I'm glad you found it again! I hope you enjoy this next installment!

Well, that's it! I hope you all like this next chapter. I had fun writing it. It has a little bit more fluff than I'm used to, so it might not sound right at some parts, but I hope you still like it!

This Is War

Chapter 31: Wishes Come True

Two weeks after Leslie's funeral, there was really no reason for anybody to stay in Albuquerque. Mrs. Montez's leg was replaced with a prosthetic one, Sharpay and Gabriella's injuries have healed and so has Ryan's arm, and everybody just seemed to want to go home and get away from the drama for a while.

Everybody was packing their belongings and booking flights bound for New York, New York.

"Isn't it funny?" Ryan told his sister as he crossed his arms across his chest and leaned on her doorpost watching her pack her fourth suitcase.

"What's funny?"

"That everything significant in my life seems to happen here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Well, except for when the girls were born in New York."

Sharpay zipped up her final suitcase and sat on the bed. She smoothed her skirt and patted the spot on the bed next to her, inviting Ryan to sit down.

"Something on your mind?" She asked as he sat down next to her. He turned to her with hope in his eyes.

"Yeah, everything significant in my life happens here. I don't know how, and I don't know why, but it does. I think fate is trying to tell me something." He told his sister and she nodded understandingly. She knew exactly where this conversation was headed.

"So, I've been thinking…" Ryan continued. "If everything happens here, why not add another significant memory to last a lifetime?"

Sharpay looked at her younger brother knowingly. "Are you thinking what I think you're thinking?"

"Depends. What do you think I'm thinking?"

"I'm thinking you're going to ask Gabriella to marry you. Am I correct?"

Ryan looked at her for a while with raised eyebrows. He closed his eyes for a few moments. He reached in his back pocket and pulled out a red velvet case. He opened it up to reveal a beautiful diamond engagement ring.

"Sometimes I hate that our twin telepathy makes you a know-it-all." He told Sharpay. Sharpay squealed in delight when she saw the ring. She took it out of the case and put it on her own finger. She squealed even more.

"Oh my goodness, Ryan!" She screamed. "If Gabriella declines, not saying that she would, can I please have it? It's gorgeous!"

Ryan laughed at his sister. Diamonds really are a girl's best friends. Well, at least Sharpay's best friends. "Sure thing sis." He said, knowing there was a very slim chance of Gabriella declining.

Sharpay took the ring off of her finger and slid it back in its case. She gave it back to Ryan and he put it securely in his back pocket.

"I am so proud of you!" Sharpay screamed as she hugged Ryan tightly. "When are you gonna ask her? And where are you two getting married? Where's the reception? Have you made honeymoon plans yet?"

"Whoa, slow down Shar. I haven't even asked her yet!"

"Well hurry up would you? We're leaving tomorrow!"

"I know, don't worry, I have it all planned out."

That evening, the whole gang met up at a fancy restaurant in downtown Albuquerque. It was their last dinner in Albuquerque together before going back to New York. They wanted to make the most out of it.

The girls were wearing semi-elegant dresses and the guys were wearing nicely pressed shirts and pants. They sat at a big round table so that everybody could see everybody else. They sat with their respective partners. Sharpay with Zeke, Kelsi with Jason, Taylor with Chad, and Ryan with Gabriella. Troy, having no partner, sat in between Chad and Gabriella. The children and the infant were left with the parents, who were having a little party of their own at Mrs. Montez's house.

The evening progressed very nicely. Nobody brought up the subject of Leslie or anything related to her. The night was quiet, happy, and perfect.

Right before dessert was brought out, Sharpay started tinkling her champagne glass.

"Before we have dessert, I think we should propose a toast." She said.

"To what?" Jason asked as he picked up his glass.

"To Ryan and Gabriella." Sharpay said loudly, interrupting Ryan and Gabriella's little moment staring at each other.

"This goes out to you two lovebirds. For being strong throughout this whole complicated ordeal." Sharpay said.

"For always trusting each other." Zeke added.

"For the sacrifices you give to be with each other." Chad added.

"For being there for your friends even through hard times." Taylor added.

"For being the cutest couple on this earth." Kelsi added teasingly.

"Well, next to us, that is." Jason said jokingly.

"And for loving each other every single day like there's no tomorrow." Troy added lastly, smiling at the happy couple.

"Cheers!" Troy shouted as he raised his champagne glass. Everybody followed suit and raised his or her own glass and shouted, "Cheers!"

Ryan and Gabriella blushed a deep crimson and thanked everybody. The desserts were finally served. Each person was presented a small cake shaped like a heart.

"I'm guessing the girls had this thing planned out." Chad said, digging into his chocolate heart-shaped cake.

"You know it." Taylor said as she also started eating her cake.

Once everybody was finished with his or her cake, they asked for the bill. As part of tradition, they would split the bill. Everybody handed in his or her part of the payment. They stood up and headed for the door.

"So, did everybody enjoy that?" Sharpay asked the gang as they walked outside. Everybody nodded and said praises and thanks.

Sharpay pulled Ryan to the side before he could enter his car.

"I thought you were gonna ask her during dessert!"

"Ask who what?"

"Ask Gabriella to marry you!"

"Oh, that. No, not yet. Not with everybody there to see us."

"So when are you planning on doing it?"

"When you finally let me go and let me get in my car and drive." He said sarcastically. Sharpay loosened her grip around her brother's wrist.

"Don't get smart with me boy. Make sure you do it!"

"I will! If you just stop nagging!"

"I'm supposed to nag, I'm your older sister!" Sharpay said as she let go of Ryan completely. "You better come home an engaged man!" Sharpay demanded.

Ryan sighed. "Goodbye Sharpay." He said, waving Sharpay off. As she walked off, he opened the door for Gabriella. She thanked him and got inside. He closed the door behind her, went over to the driver's side and got inside.

"Hey, do you mind if we stop somewhere before I take you home?"

"Sure, go for it. Where are we going?" Gabriella asked.

"It's a surprise." Ryan said with a smile plastered wide on his face.

Ryan drove for a few minutes, still smiling while humming his favorite tune.

"How come you're so happy?" Gabriella asked him, giggling at her boyfriend's strange behavior.

"Because I'm gonna take you someplace I used to go to everyday when I was a little boy. I'm sure you'll remember it too." Ryan said and smiled slyly.

"But I didn't live here when I was a little girl."

"I didn't say that I stopped going when I entered high school." Ryan said as he parked near a very familiar place. He got out of the car and escorted Gabriella out.

"Do you remember now?"

"A little, it looks really familiar but I still don't know where we are." Gabriella admitted. Ryan took Gabriella's hand in his and led her to a path. They started walking and Ryan squeezed Gabriella's hand.

"How about now?" Ryan asked.

"I think I remember, but I'm not sure. Did you bring me where I think you brought me?" Gabriella asked, confusing Ryan.

"Um… I don't know. Why don't you see for yourself?" Ryan asked as he released Gabriella's hand while they walked up to a grand water fountain.

"Oh my, God." Gabriella exclaimed as she ran up to the fountain. She sat on the side of the gigantic water fountain in the park that she loved from years ago. She touched the water and the coins that were tossed into it.

Different colored lights illuminated the scene. Red clashed with blue, green clashed with yellow, and orange clashed with purple. It was a pretty sight indeed.

"I never really saw the fountain at night before. It's so beautiful." Gabriella told Ryan as he smiled and walked up to the giddy Gabriella.

"Just like you." He said and sat next to her. "Which is part of the reason why I brought you here. I think this is the only place on this Earth which is as pretty as you." Ryan complimented, making Gabriella blush.

"What's the other part of the reason?" Gabriella asked curiously.

"That, my love, will have to wait until later. Right now, let's enjoy the nice fountain." Ryan said as he took his shoes and socks off, rolled his pant legs up, and put his feet in the water. "Well? Aren't you gonna join me?" He asked Gabriella. She didn't need to be asked twice. She smiled, took her killer heels off, pulled up her skirt and dipped her legs in the water.

"Ah…" Gabriella sighed as she rested her head on Ryan's shoulder causing Ryan to wrap his arm around her shoulders. For a few moments, they watched the water dance and jump around them while the colored lights illuminated everything.

"Do you remember what we used to do on this very fountain?" Gabriella asked Ryan.

"Yeah, I sure do. It was really fun. Oh, remember that time when we still weren't going out, when I was gonna go back to New York for Broadway but we hung out the day before and we were sucking on suckers?" Ryan asked.

"Yeah. Then we were about to kiss but then a Frisbee hit your head and you fell in the fountain?" Gabriella added.

"Yup. Then I pulled you in with me because you laughed!" Ryan said and laughed. "Good times."

Gabriella suddenly perked up and took her head off of Ryan's shoulder. "Don't you even dare think about it!" She shouted. A grin creeped on Ryan's face.

"I wasn't. But now, I am." He said, grabbing her by the waist.

"Ryan Evans! Let go of me! I got a mani-pedi today! This is a new, not to mention expensive, dress! My makeup is going to run! And I just got my hair done!" Gabriella shouted.

Ryan laughed and released Gabriella. "Okay, okay, I was just teasing. But if you weren't in an expensive dress, I would've chucked you in." Ryan teased, earning himself a slap on the arm.

"But do you remember the other time we went here?" Gabriella asked.

"Which one? We've been here loads of times."

"You told me you were gonna tell me something important. We were walking home one day and you had something important to tell me and you brought me here. I went to the swings for a while to meet up with Troy then when I came back, you were sad. Then you left me. I got really confused that day. So, what were you going to tell me that was so important?"

Ryan pondered at this for a while. He had forgotten that moment. He pushed it back in his brain, hoping to never touch it again. But it's back. He sighed.

"Well, at that time you were still going out with Troy. I brought you here because I really had something important to say, but then Troy interrupted us. He told you to meet him by the swings, so you told me to wait and you waltzed on over and met him there. A few minutes passed and I was getting worried so I decided to follow you."

"You followed me?"

Ryan nodded. "I snuck a peek at what you and Troy were doing and-"

"Oh no." Gabriella said quietly. "You saw us didn't you?" Again, Ryan nodded.

"Even on the kiss?" Gabriella asked. Ryan nodded.

"I didn't mean to, really. I just went to make sure you were okay. But then, I walked in on you and Troy. I'm sorry for invading your privacy and spying on you like that. I shouldn't have done it." Ryan apologized for the mistake he made more than a decade ago. Gabriella just nodded in understanding.

"Anyway, I came back here, and decided that it was better if I just waited for you here, instead of continuing on watching you two. Then a few minutes later, you come back with a new necklace and matching gold bracelet. I guessed it was from Troy."

"Then I asked you what was wrong, but you said, 'nothing' and then you left me. Now I'm curious. What were you gonna tell me?"

"Well… that was a really long time ago, and I was going to tell you that I love you."

"Really?" Gabriella asked with glee.

Ryan nodded once again. "But you were going out with Troy, so it wouldn't be the right time to say it. I would look like a girl-stealing jerk if I said it. And I wasn't even sure if your feelings were mutual at that time."

"So you didn't tell me." Gabriella finished for him. Ryan just shrugged.

Gabriella unexpectedly punched Ryan on the arm. Ryan yelped in pain and grabbed it, trying to relieve it from the stinging.

"What was that for?" Ryan asked distressfully.

"For not telling me that you loved me. You know, things would've been a whole lot easier back then if you would've just told me."

"Sorry." Ryan apologized while rubbing his sore arm. "Don't blame me. Blame it on fate!" Ryan groaned in agony. "Now I'm gonna have a bruise!"

"Oh. Sorry! I forgot you bruise easily!"

After he had relieved his arm from the stinging pain, he turned to Gabriella. "So… it's a beautiful night, I'm out with a beautiful girl, in the middle of a beautiful park, sitting on a beautiful water fountain. What more can I ask for?" Ryan said, making Gabriella giggle.

"I know what's missing." Gabriella stated.

"What?"

"A beautiful song." Gabriella said, looking at Ryan with stars in her eyes. He couldn't resist but giving into them.

"That can be easily taken care of." He said as he cleared his throat.

Lately I've been thinking 'bout the things that we've been through

And I don't know if I'd be here, if not for you

I had to take a little time to try to work things out

At least you know that I had never meant to let you down

Gabriella recognized the tune and started singing along. This was her favorite song at the moment, and she thought it was sweet that Ryan remembered.

'Cause I… I… wanna tell you that I'm sorry

And I… I…

Even when I'm not giving enough, and I'm taking too much

You're still there for me

Even when I got nothing at all, and I'm ready to fall

You're still there for me

There for me

There for me…

Even when I can't be there for you

You're always there for me

Their voices blended together in perfect harmony. It sounded like someone opened the golden gates to Heaven and angels can be heard singing. Heck… angels would be jealous by this melodious sound.

Sometimes I know I can be so hard to understand

Even when I'm lost you show me who I really am

Life with me hasn't always been an easy ride

But because of you I've learned to lose my selfish pride

They sang on and pretty soon, they were up on their feet slow-dancing to their own voices. No other sound can be heard other than their voices and the soft pats of their feet on the cold Albuquerque ground.

Even when I can't be there for you… when I can't be there

Even when I can't be there for you

You're always there… for me

They held the last note as well as they could. It was like a sweet lullaby. When they stopped singing, they also stopped dancing. They just stayed together in each other's arms, praying that that moment would never end.

"Has anyone ever told you that you have the voice of an angel?" Ryan asked Gabriella.

"Has anyone ever told you your voice makes the birds swoon?" Gabriella asked back. Ryan smiled and kissed her sweetly on the lips. He pulled apart and smiled at her.

"So that's what it feels like to kiss an angel." Ryan joked. He picked her up by her waist as she squeals. He kisses her on the lips again to cover her screams of delight as he spins her around and around.

He finally puts her down and they sit back down on the fountain, dizzy from their little game.

Gabriella sighed. "So what now?" She asked Ryan.

Ryan pulls a quarter out of his pocket and puts it in Gabriella's hand. "Here." He said.

"What's this for?" Gabriella asked, looking at the quarter.

"Well, we're by a huge water fountain, and you can see coins at the bottom of the fountain, so what does that tell you?"

"You want me to make a wish?"

"Any wish you want."

"Okay." Gabriella said while smiling. "I haven't done this in a really long time."

"You forgot how to make a wish with a water fountain?" Ryan asked in a surprised tone.

"Guilty as charged." Gabriella said bashfully.

"Oh wow… um… let me refresh your memory. First close your eyes…" Ryan instructed. Gabriella did as she was told.

"Make a wish, don't say it out loud…" Ryan said. He could see Gabriella smiling.

"Done?" He asked. Gabriella nodded. "Now, toss the coin in." He said. Gabriella tossed the coin all the way to the other side of the fountain, just missing the rim.

"Open your eyes." Ryan said. "Well?"

"That felt good." Gabriella said with a smile.

"Care to tell me your wish?" Ryan asked curiously.

"No, because then my wish might not come true. It was a very good wish too."

"Well okay. I guess there's only one thing left to do…" Ryan said as he reached for his back pocket.

"What?" Gabriella asked.

"Close your eyes." Ryan said. Gabriella closed her eyes.

"Is this another wish?"

"Kind of." Ryan replied. After a few seconds, Ryan asked Gabriella to open her eyes.

In front of Gabriella, in Ryan's hand, lay a beautiful diamond ring in a velvet case. Gabriella stared at it in awe. Then she looked at Ryan and put a hand over her agape mouth.

"Gabriella, I wish to be your loving husband. I wish for you to be my wife. I wish for you to accept this ring, and be mine for the rest of our lives."

Tears started welling up in Gabriella's eyes. They trickled down her cheek and reached her chin. As they fell from her face, it dropped on the ring. "And to think the first time you proposed to me was magical."

"So, Gabs, do you grant my wish?"

Gabriella smiled sweetly at him. "Of course I will." She said. Ryan took the ring out of the case and slipped it on Gabriella's finger. Before Ryan could even stand up, Gabriella lunged at him and attacked him with a very tight hug. They fell to the ground with Gabriella on top of Ryan. She also attacked him with kisses on his lips, his cheek, his forehead, his nose, anything she could possibly find on his face.

They broke away for a while and Gabriella looked intently at Ryan.

"Ryan, you want to know my wish?"

"Nah, I think it's better kept a secret."

"Okay. I just want to thank you."

"For what?"

"For making it come true."

So, how was that? I hope I did well. I'm not used to fluffiness so it would be great if you guys would tell me how I did. I simply adore "Still There For Me" by Corbin and Vanessa. And it fits the story very well! Thanks for reading! And this time, the next chapter will DEFINITELY be up in a week or less. I promise you that.