Hey everyone!! Well this is my 9th chapter! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed or read my story or added it to their favorites!!! Sorry it took longer for me to update!!
This chapter is dedicated to 2 people-zanessaforever207 and cutiebear89 they gave me great gift ideas!
Well this is the Christmas chapter however I'm still playing it by ere so it may carry on for another chapter. This chapter has a bit of Gabriella sadness but never fear Troy is there to help her!
Well enjoy…
Part of the Family
"When are you coming home?"
"Soon sweetie all I have to do is go to a meeting at the towers and I'll be on my way home okay?"
"Can't you get an early flight please, I miss you."
"I already changed my meeting from the afternoon to this morning. I will be in and out of it by 11. Then I will be on the plane home."
"What time is it over there?"
"It's 9am. Which means it's only 6 in the morning for you. Why are you up so early?"
"I wanted to talk to you before you get home."
"Well I gotta go sweetie but I'll see you tonight. OK?"
"Ok daddy. I love you."
"Love you too precious."
"In breaking news the Twin Towers have being attacked by 2 passenger planes. The buildings are collapsing and are burning quickly. We urge everyone to stay calm as more on this tragic event is released. The Pentagon has also being attacked by 1 passenger plane"
Gabriella shot up, sweating. She was breathing heavily after dreaming about the day that changed her life whether it was for better or worse Gabriella never actually figured out. Looking around the pitch black room, Gabriella felt herself feeling as though she was alone, something she had felt for years after her dad's death. She looked down at the sleeping body of her boyfriend and noticed that he must have rolled over in the middle of the night since he didn't know she was awake. Gabriella saw the clock beeping 2:05 am and decided that she needed to clear her head. Slipping on her jacket and sneakers Gabriella crept out of Troy's room although picking up her phone on the way knowing full well if she didn't Troy would suspect the worst.
Gabriella made her way downstairs as quietly as possible although she did figure that all the Bolton's were heavy sleepers due to the fact they had no idea what Troy and her did the night before. Picking up her keys Gabriella walked out the front door, and started doing the only thing she could possibly comprehend. She ran. Not to any particular place but to wherever her legs wanted to take her.
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Troy wasn't having a good night sleep, although been Christmas Eve he highly doubted anyone was getting a good sleep, to excited for the day ahead. Rolling over, (to cuddle with Gabby and hopefully have a better nights sleep with her in his arms) he stretched out his arm to pull her closer but when his hand only touched his mattress he immediately woke up. Troy frantically looked around his room to find any signs of his girlfriend. Noticing her phone was no longer sitting on the bedside table and the fact the time red 2:20am, Troy jumped out of bed, changed into some jeans and a top, picked up his phone and quietly ran down stairs slipping on the nearest sneakers and jacket before running out the door.
He headed to the only place he could think Gabriella would go to at that time of the morning. The park.
Troy ran the entire way, worried that something might happen to Gabriella in the dark of the night. As he got closer to his destination he heard quiet sobs slowing down his pace he quietly walked down to the playground to find the girl he loved in hysterics on the mini merry-go-round (that thing Vanessa and Zac sat on in the Say Ok video). Seeing this broke his heart into pieces.
"Oh, gabby." Troy sighed to himself, getting the attention of Gabriella.
"W-what are y-you doing out so late?" Gabriella managed to ask through her sobs.
Instead of answering, Troy sat down next to Gabriella and pulled her into a tight but comfortable hug. No words were spoken; Troy knew that once Gabriella was ready she would talk to him.
"It was my fault." Gabriella finally said after about 5 minutes of silence. She regrettably pulled away from Troy's embrace and returned to the position she was originally in- sitting with her legs brought up to her chest, arms wrapped around her legs and a blank stare straight ahead with tears streaming down her face.
"What do you mean Brie?" Troy asked confused at his girlfriend's words and actions.
"I shouldn't have told him to come home earlier. If I could have just waited a few more hours it wouldn't have happened he wouldn't have died. But nooo I had to be selfish and ask him to get an earlier meeting which evidently killed him. God what type of daughter am I? I killed my own father. Sure I may not have physically killed him but I was the reason he died because of my stupid selfishness." Gabriella finished speaking although instead of her voice been sad and croaking it had changed completely to anger which Troy could only guess was directed at herself. Soon Gabriella broke into tears again and started rambling again.
"And then my mum. I mean I could have been stronger for her or helped her more. I could have taken time off school to take care of her or I don't know do something for her. I was going well in school the chances are they would have just given me my homework which I could have easily done while she was sleeping. And the worst thing about the whole situation was that when she died I was happy not depressed or sad about the fact that my mum had just died but happy! What type of person am I to be happy after their mum dies?" Gabriella was now walking back and forth in front of Troy as if she was trying to rationalize her actions.
"And even after my mum died I couldn't live out her wishes of staying with my aunt. I mean I tried I really did but little a problem with the fact that we reminded each other way to much of my mother which led us to have horrible fights that ended us both in tears although we both were to stubborn to apologize. How ashamed of me would my parents be? Like a lot. I'm like a tornado everywhere I go, boom, something goes wrong. Because you see right now I'm pretty sure I have just ruined your Christmas with my excessive rambling and you're now thinking about why on earth you are with someone who is a total wreck and obviously has something seriously wrong with her. I have let down so many people in my life. First my dad then my mum, then my friends, then my mum again and now I've let you down." Gabriella then dropped down to the ground and started crying again while repeating "I'm sorry" over and over again.
Troy's heart broke into a million and one pieces watching Gabriella shatter although he knew he had to be strong for her. He had often talked to Christine about how he was slightly worried that Gabriella never actually dealt with the death of her parents. Christine had told him that eventually it will all catch up to her and she would have a mental, emotional and physical breakdown because of it. This worried Troy although Christine had also reassured him that as long as he was there to catch Gabriella once she falls she would be okay.
Remembering Christine's words Troy scooped Gabriella up into his arms and held her close whispering comforting words in her ear while she continued to cry and say sorry. Troy slowly stood up with Gabriella still in his arms and started walking home. Gabriella clung to Troy as if he was her life-support system, her reason for living.
While making their journey home, Troy every so often would place loving kisses to Gabriella's forehead while her sobs turned into silent tears.
Once they reached home Troy, while still holding Gabriella in his arms, opened the door he had left unlock and quietly closed it behind him. Creeping upstairs, Troy finally made it back to his room. He was extremely thankful that Gabriella was a clean person otherwise he would have had a harder time making it to his bed without tripping a shirt that he carelessly threw on the ground. Troy placed Gabriella down on his bed pulling the sheets back over her body although he did take off her shoes before doing so. Changing back into his pajamas Troy also crawled back into bed and pulled Gabriella closer to him, wrapping his arms around her. Gabriella and Troy were now lying face to face.
"I'm sorry Troy." Gabriella whispered sincerely.
"I forgive you." Troy kissed Gabriella on the head affectionately and watched her fall asleep with a smile on her face before he too dozed off.
Those three words Troy had just spoke seemed to comfort Gabriella in so many ways, she didn't understand why but hearing him say them made her believe that everything was going to be okay.
(No I'm not going to end the chapter there although the last line was like a sum off line. Lol. That's where the sad part ends by the way. Oh and read the a/n at the en of the chapter.)
"It's Christmas!!!!" The entire Bolton household was woken up by 3 little children under the age of 5 yelling at the top of their lungs while running around the house and jumping on the beds of everyone trying to wake them up.
Both Troy and Gabriella woke up at the same time after hearing the footsteps banging on floor. Troy looked at Gabriella and smiled, caressing her face he spoke gently and softly.
"Merry Christmas Brie."
"Merry Christmas Troy." Gabriella replied kissing him on the lips passionately. Pulling away she smiled silently thanking him with her eyes.
They both lay together just staring affectionately at each other although the sweet moment was soon broken by an over excited 3 year old jumping on their bed.
"Wake up uncle Troy, Ella, its Christmas!!!!!" Justin yelled jumping up and down right next to their legs.
"We're up Justin." Troy said propping himself up on his elbows smiling at his nephew.
"Get out of bed!! I want presents!!!" Justine yelled at Gabriella while shaking her thinking she was still sleeping.
"Now munchkin, do you want me to bring out the tickle monster?" Gabriella asked smiling at the 3 year-old who immediately stopped jumping and had a look of fear on his face.
"Pwease don't Elwa. I'll be gwod." Justin said fully turning up the baby talk and puppy dog face.
"Well why don't you go downstairs and make sure everyone's awake while me and Troy get changed?" Gabriella smiled at Justin who was now sitting in her lap.
"Ok." Justin jumped up and ran out of the room closing the door behind him.
Gabriella smiled to herself and looked towards Troy who was now grinning like an idiot at her.
"You're going to make a great mother." Troy said with a dreamy look on his face. "Wait did I just say that out loud?" Troy frantically said after noticing what he had said.
Gabriella blushed and giggled.
"You're so cute." Gabriella kissed Troy on the cheek before leaning back against the pillows. Troy smiled down at her and leaned into give her a soft, slow, lingering kiss.
"I love you Gabby."
"I love you too and thanks for well this morning it meant a lot that you were there for me." Troy, who was now lying on top of Gabriella with his arms holding his weight up as to not crush her, began kissing Gabriella's face, going from her forehead to behind her ear (which made her giggle), to tracing her jaw line and up to her mouth to passionately kiss her.
"Brie I am always here for you, no matter what."
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9:55am
After being told of the Bolton's family tradition of waiting till 10am to open their gifts from only the respective person's parents and waiting till after lunch to open the gifts from family, Gabriella went out saying that she had 'business' to attend to. Troy of course was worried that after being told of the tradition that she may be feeling a little lonely although when he tried to ask her if she was alright she had said to him that she had something she needed to do and that if she wasn't back by 10 then to unwrap presents without her.
Right now all the Bolton's were sitting around the Christmas Tree waiting for the clock to strike 10. No one really noticed that one of the group was actually missing except of course the main Bolton clan although Jack and Julie weren't worried. This worried Troy even more. Christine assured her brother that after the morning's happenings (which Troy had told her about in confidence) that Gabriella probably just needed some time for herself. While Lizzie noticed Gabriella's presence was missing she had made a second thought as it was Christmas and she wanted presents.
Once 10 finally came everyone knew they had to wait for the youngest to hand out the presents however in this case, the youngest were helped by some of the older. After everyone had received all they're gifts from their parents they found that Lizzie had received none. This did not go down well with her.
"Well this is awkward." Brendan spoke out trying to lighten the situation but failing miserably.
"Mum, Dad care to tell us why Lizzie hasn't got any gifts." Christine said trying to hold back her anger. Troy was now also death staring at his parents.
"Ummm, Ahh, well, we have a good explanation for this." Jack said backing away slightly.
"Care to tell us?" Troy muttered angrily who had no idea of what was actually going on.
"Well you see sweetie" Julie began but was interrupted by someone knocking on the door. Lizzie got up to go get it trying to get out of the situation that left her feeling extremely forgotten.
"Lizzie stay right here you ain't leaving this room in fact nobody is until we find out why your mother and father seem to have forgotten to get you a gift for Christmas." Alex joined in also standing up, along with all the uncle and aunts who were now death staring at the terrified couple. All the cousins remained seated unsure of what exactly to do. Silence filled the room while Jack and Julie tried to force down smiles and look as though they really were terrified. The knocking on the door continued which was starting to frustrate everyone.
The silence was soon broken by yelling.
"Oh for god's sake! Lizzie would you please come and open this dam door before me and your present freeze to death!!!"
Everyone looked at each other and back at Jack and Julie whose pretend terrified faces were now in smiles. Lizzie smiled and ran to the door which she opened straight away. Seeing the massive box in Gabriella's hands made her smile turn even wider. Opening the lip of the box, which was still situated in Gabriella's arms, she screamed. Everyone came running to the door wondering what the earth her present was.
From out of the box popped a puppy Border collie who was black all over the top of his body, white on his belly with white paws (black legs) and a black face with a light brown patch around his right eye. To complete the look he had on reindeer ears and a red collar with jingle bells.
Lizzie immediately pulled him out of the box hugging him close before pulling him away to nuzzle his face.
"Oh my Gosh. You got me a puppy?!" Lizzie half screamed at her parents who were smiling along with everyone else.
"Well we thought with Troy and Gabs going away for college after summer we thought you may want a bit of a companion to keep you company." Jack explained. Lizzie instantly ran up and hugged her parents.
"Not to kill the mood or anything but can we open our presents now?" Brendan asked gradually raising his voice. Laura rolled her eyes at her very immature son although she did nod which sent everyone charging back into the lounge room. Gabriella laughed and followed behind the adults after taking her jacket off and changing her shoes.
Everyone was overwhelmed with gifts whether it is because they received a lot of them or the price of one of the major gifts. Troy was especially happy with his gift.
"Thank you so much!" Troy gushed to his parents although never taking his eyes off his new video camera he had been waiting months for.
"It's ok. Although don't get angry with us but we did already take a picture to test it." Julie told her son smiling even though he couldn't see her doing it.
Troy turned on the camera to look at what exactly they had taken a photo of. Troy's face lit up into a huge smile after he saw the picture that his parents had taken.
Not really a cliffy but I have an idea on what I would like the picture to be of but I wanted you guys to decide on a picture you would like to see. So here are your choices-
Troy and Gabriella asleep on the sofa (like how they were in chapter 2)
Just Gabriella asleep
Gabriella playing her keyboard or guitar (choose which instrument)
Troy and Gabriella hugging or kissing
Other (you make your own creation although it has to have happened within 2 weeks from Christmas.
Review and tell me what you think otherwise I will go with the idea I like best!
Nikki
