The next morning, Gabriella woke up in her bed Faline. She smiled when Faline nuzzled against her leg. Suddenly realization hit her when she realized what day it was.
"I have to give a speech today." Gabriella announced to the empty room.
Two hours later, Gabriella was wearing a black pant suit. Ms. Montez was sitting on her bed. She stood up and placed Gabriella's tiara on top of Gabriella's head. Gabriella locked eyes with her through the mirror.
"I don't know if I can do this." Gabriella said suddenly.
"You've given speeches before and you're fine." Ms. Montez told her daughter.
"But I've never spoken about Daddy before in public. I don't want to get too emotional."
"If you do, they'll understand."
Twenty minutes later, Gabriella's car pulled up to the palace. Gabriella climbed in and began to review her speech. The driver took her to the town square. He then got out and opened her door. Gabriella stepped out admits cheers from her people. She smiled and waved to everyone as she walked over to join her mother and grandparents in front of the draped covered statue. Ms. Montez took her hand and squeezed it gently. The others were sitting in the front row. The Genovian Prime Minister approached the podium.
"Thank you all for coming." he stated. "We all remember where we were on May 15, 1999. The day our Prince Edward was assassinated. Nobody will be able to get the image of our then nine year old princess being lifted into the arms of two security guards as they rushed her out of harm's way. Our country went into mourning. None of us will ever be able to get the image of seeing Princess Gabriella trying to comfort her widowed mother at the funeral. Prince Edourd was father first and then heir to the throne second. We will never know where Prince Edward would have taken our country. He was a wonderful humanitarian, always joining causes that would help keep homeless people off the street, orphanages kept warm during the winter.
"We're always seeing some of him in his daughter. Her highness is already the head of her late father's charity foundation and is even the chairperson of her own. If her father were here today, he would be very proud of the woman she has become. She has surrounded herself with friends who are a positive atmosphere. Gabriella has kept herself distant from all royal offspring who use their title to get anything they want. Now, here to explain how a daughter saw her own father. Please help me welcome, Her Highness Princess Gabriella Montez."
Everyone cheered loudly. They stood up in respect to their princess. Gabriella smiled as she approached the podium. The Prime Minister bowed slightly to her. He held her hand as she stepped up to the podium.
"Thank you. Please be seated. I would like to thank you all for coming today. My father would be deeply touched to know that you all loved him so dearly. This is the first time I've spoken about my father in public, so please bear with me because I'm afraid I'm going to be emotional at times. My father was the most lovable man I had ever known. My favorite memories of being with both my mother and my father, are very simples ones. One is how whenever I was sick, I would sleep in between my parents so they could comfort me during the night. Or how I would run and greet him just as soon as he stepped off his plane after a long trip."
"A favorite story of my grandparents is when I was five and I ran into a session of parliament. My mother and I had spent almost a month and a half in the United States visiting my American family. As soon as we returned, I ran straight into Parliament, I couldn't wait to see my father."
Gabriella suddenly stopped as she tried to hold back a sob. Gerard saw his granddaughter's distress. He stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Gabriella took a deep breath as she composed herself.
"Dad knew the importance of me just being a regular girl and that's why I went to school in the United States. No matter how busy he was, dinner was always a family affair. Dad was a true Genovian. Even though we lived in America, our house was covered in artwork from Genovia; our garden had Genovian vegetables and flowers. You could take the boy out of Genovia but you couldn't take Genovia out of the boy. That saying never rang more true than it did with my father. My father left behind a journal that held all of his hopes and dreams for this country. I hope to make all of them a reality. Dad is probably having a field day up in heaven watching all of us down here today. Thank you all for showing me, my family and my friends how much my father was loved by all of you. Thank you."
Everyone cheered and stood up. Gabriella turned around to face her grandfather. Gerard hugged her tightly. He whispered comforting words to his granddaughter. Gabriella pulled back and nodded her head tearfully. The two of them stepped off to the side next to Clarisse and Ms. Montez. Ms, Montez held her daughter tightly. The two then joined the king and queen on either side of the statue. The four of them pulled the velvet drape off. Gabriella and her mother burst into tears. The statue's likeness of their husband and father was directly on target. Ms. Montez looked over at her daughter and saw that she was very close to breaking down. She looked over to Gerard and her former father in law nodded. Ms. Montez escorted her tearful daughter to the cars. She wrapped an arm around Gabriella shoulder and clutched her hand trying to comfort her. A security guard opened the car door and the two climbed in. Troy joined them a few minutes later. With the flashes of their cameras, paparazzi were able to catch glimpses of Troy trying to comfort his girlfriend.
"It's ok." Troy whispered.
"I just miss him so much." Gabriella cried.
"I know, but he would be so proud of you, just like I am."
Gabriella closed her eyes and nodded. Troy took her hands in his and leaned their heads together. The car then began to make its way to the hospital. Gabriella was trying to compose herself and retouched her make-up. The head of the hospital opened the door to the car and helped Gabriella out of the car.
"Welcome your highness." he greeted bowing.
"Thank you, Dr. Johan." Gabriella said. "You remember my mother?"
"My easiest expectant mother."
"And this is my boyfriend Troy Bolton."
"It is an honor to meet the young man who has made our princess so happy. Princess Gabriella was the most beautiful baby I have ever had born at my hospital."
"Well, she is a very beautiful young woman." Troy said pulling Gabriella closer to him.
"Well, let's make our way to the dedication."
He led everyone into the hospital. Dr. Johan was giving Gabriella information about the hospital as they got onto the elevator. The doors opened as they were greeted with photographers, patients, hospital staff and reporters. The administrator led everyone to their reserved seats while Gabriella moved to stand in front of everyone.
"Thank you for joining me here today. Almost sixteen years ago to this day, my grandparents were waiting out here when they became grandparents. They along with my mother waited as I had my tonsils taken out two years ago. While in my plain hospital room, I saw how really scary they were for me and could not imagine how it must feel for a small child. Each room now has a different theme decorating it and closet full of games. I'm also proud to announce that our pediatrics has an inclusive partnership with St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in the United States. We will be the European chain of St. Jude and welcome cancer stricken children from all over Europe and Asia. I can honestly say that my father would be very proud. At this time I would like all the children in the audience to come help dedicate the new wing."
The children rushed up to join her. Gabriella knelt down to their level for a couple of photographs. Someone handed her a pair of scissors. Gabriella stood back up and took a hold of the center of the ribbon. A few of the children wrapped themselves around her legs.
"I now dedicate the Gabriella Chantel Elizabeth Montez Pediatric Ward." Gabriella announced cutting the ribbon.
Everyone clapped as the ribbon was cut. Dr. Johan led Gabriella into the ward. Children and their families were already in some of the rooms. Gabriella walked into the first room. A young boy was in the bed. His parents looked up and quickly began to stand up.
"Please stay seated." Gabriella said. "What's his name?"
"William, you're highness." the mother answered as Gabriella caressed his son's cheek.
"Hello, William."
"Hello, Princess Gabriella."
"Do you need anything?"
"I want ice cream." he answered as everyone chuckled.
"I think I can do something about that." Gabriella said as she wrote something down. "You just show this to whoever brings your food."
"What is it?"
"This is a written note from me that says you can have as much ice cream as your parents say you can have.
"Thank you, Princess."
"I'm going to give you my email address so you can reach me if you need anything."
"Thank you, you're Highness." William's father said kissing Gabriella's hand.
"Please update me with his progress."
"Of course."
"Can we get a picture of you with our son?" his mother asked.
"Of course."
Three hours later, the cars pulled back up to the palace. Everyone got out of the cars. Palace guards opened the doors for everyone. The teenagers made their way up to Gabriella's private chambers. Gabriella opened the door and quickly took her shoes off.
"My feet are killing me." She exclaimed tossing them into her closet.
"So what's going down with your birthday celebration tomorrow?" Chad asked.
"It's another black tie event. There's going to be a lot of other royals there." Gabriella explained walking into her closet. "Tomorrow my grandmother and I are taking you girls out to find your dresses."
"So what do we do now?" Jason asked.
"Can we go horse back riding?" Sharpay asked excitedly.
"Yeah, let me change really fast."
A few minutes later, Gabriella walked out of her closet in jeans and a sweater. Everyone headed out to the stables. Two members of Gabriella's security detail followed them. One of them did not like horses.
"I'm sorry, Daniel." Gabriella said kindly.
"It's alright, Princess." Daniel said.
Thirty minutes later, the group was all on horses. The two body guards were riding behind them slightly. Gabriella would point out some historical landmarks or tell stories about her past.
"So how did your parents meet?" Kelsi asked her.
"They actually first met when they were still children. My mother's maiden name is Miller. She and my father met at my great-grandfather's theme park," Gabriella explained.
"Your grandfather owns a theme park?" Zeke asked.
"He did. My Paw-Paw died in 1966. My great grandfather was Walt Disney."
"What?" everyone except Sharpay exclaimed.
"Aren't you surprised?" Zeke asked his girlfriend.
"Sharpay kind of already knew. She saw some pictures of my mom and him when she spent the night a couple of months ago."
"How could you not tell me?" Ryan asked his sister. "I'm your brother."
"Gabby swore me to secrecy." Sharpay explained. "And the reason why she didn't tell anyone was because of the same reason she didn't tell us about her being a Princess and she didn't want people to ask her for free trips to the Disney Parks."
"I guess we understand." Taylor said as everyone agreed.