THE WINDOW
Part Three
One Week Left – Then There's Forever
Gabriella Montez could not believe how nervous she was.
Her entire body tingled with anticipating, but she also felt like going to the bathroom all the time, to either puke or pee, and it was simply because she was so nervous. She really didn't understand why she was so nervous – there was nothing to be nervous about, really. See, she had been dating Sharpay for approximately six months now and therefore they had been together a lot of times – she always flew to New York because Sharpay couldn't get off of work, but tonight Sharpay would be arriving at the Albuquerque airport, and Gabriella couldn't wait to see her again.
This long-distance relationship-thing was killing her. She wanted to go home every night and find Sharpay already there, or she wanted to be the one that came home first and therefore cooked dinner for the other woman. It was what she wanted and she knew that Sharpay did as well. Plus, it was expensive to fly back and forth. But they hadn't been ready to move in with each other yet, so this was how it had to be. However though, Gabriella was much more ready now, and she wanted to discuss this with Sharpay when she got there.
There were three reasons that it was now her turn to fly back home.
1 – It was precisely a year since they bumped into each other on that bus; therefore, naturally, it had to be in Albuquerque.
2 – Gabriella really wanted Sharpay to meet her mother before she told her that she was ready to move to New York.
3 – Sharpay's birthday was two weeks ago and her parents had invited her down to celebrate her.
Gabriella hadn't even told her mother that she was dating a girl yet, she had explained all those flights to New York with a boyfriend and she had no idea how she was going to fix that now. Sharpay would probably be a bit disappointed in her for not telling, and her mother would be disappointed and sad that she had turned gay – she had always wanted grandchildren.
But now was the time; if Gabriella really wanted to move in with Sharpay and create a life together, then she had to tell her mother. And she was going to do it now when Sharpay was in town. Sharpay had already told her parents that she was dating Gabriella, because it was no problem – they already knew she was a lesbian. And Gabriella had even met them at Kelsi and Ryan's for many birthdays and gatherings, so she was naturally invited by a phone call from Darby Evans herself to Sharpay's birthday dinner. But it was a totally different matter with Consuela, because Gabriella was not sure it was acceptable in her family to be gay. She was just going to have to cross her fingers.
But she was pretty nervous because of everything and that was why she had troubles holding down the black coffee she had for breakfast. Luckily enough she soon had to go pick up Sharpay in the airport. She couldn't wait to see her again. They wouldn't have any alone time together right now though, because they had to go straight to the Evans mansion. Tonight they would though, and tomorrow they were having dinner here (she had been living with her mother since she split with Troy; he got the apartment and... pretty much everything) with her mother – she had said that she would bring a 'friend'.
Gabriella grabbed her purse from the kitchen table where it had been sitting since she got out of bed this morning. Her mother had left early for work, she hadn't even said goodbye to her. Sharpay was going to stay at Ryan's tonight and she would go with her there after the dinner – she couldn't get home really late because then her mother would ask her what she had been doing.
Gabriella locked the small house behind her and went down the small path. Her mother had taken her bicycle to work which worked out very well for Gabriella because then she could drive to the airport. It was much easier. As she unlocked the car door, her phone started ringing and she reached into her purse to answer it.
"Hey Tay, it's me." she said and opened the door to sit behind the wheel. She knew she wasn't supposed to drive and talk on her cell at the same time, and normally she would never do so, but she had to get to the airport and who knew how long Taylor would keep her on the phone? They could talk for hours when they really wanted to. Plus, she didn't really mind because it would occupy her mind.
"Hi Gab!" Taylor cheered on the other end of the line, and Gabriella could tell that she was in a good mood today which was always nice, "What are you up to?"
Gabriella chuckled inwardly to herself as she placed the cell between her shoulder and ear and turned on the engine, "You seriously called me up to ask me that?"
"Yeah."
"Nothing more. Simply just that?" she continued to tease her best friend, because she knew why Taylor had called her up, and it was only because the other woman wanted to talk to her about Sharpay arriving. At first when Gabriella came home from New York after first being with Sharpay, she had had to have a long talk with Taylor about this; she was confused and didn't know what to think, but eventually, when Gabriella had been travelling back and forth a few times, Taylor had realized that Gabriella was serious about this, and they'd had another talk where they had really talked it out.
And now Taylor was really interested in their relationship; she was curious to know how Gabriella and Sharpay interacted with each other, she had told Gabriella so a bunch of times. Therefore the other woman probably hoped they'd spend some time together this weekend, but Gabriella wasn't sure if she'd be able to fit it in after she had told her mother. So even if Gabriella didn't tell her that many things, because she felt like it was private, Taylor was still the best friend she possibly could be.
It seemed like Taylor didn't want to banter with her, she just said, "Are you going to the airport soon?"
Gabriella focused her attention at backing out of the driveway before answering, "I'm actually driving there right now." she replied with a strained voice. She felt horrible about driving when she was not supposed to, but there was really nothing she could do right now.
Taylor hummed, "While talking on the phone? Gabriella Montez, I'm appalled by you." she teased her with a guffaw.
Gabriella rolled her eyes even if Taylor couldn't see her, before she said, "Stop teasing me, alright? Why did you call me, surely not to just make fun of me!" she whined.
"Excited to pick up your lady?" Taylor then asked her, changing the subject of talk completely, which was very nice because if she hadn't, Gabriella might have purposely crashed her car to avoid the former subject.
She smiled into the phone now though, because the thought of Sharpay made her fussy, "Yes!" she chipped and felt the need to dance around in joy, though that wouldn't be good because she was behind a wheel in her mother's car, "I can't wait to see her again. I'm wearing the new outfit I bought, I hope she notices, and... urgh, I just can't wait to see her again."
"That's because you're in loooove." Taylor chanted.
"I'm nervous though." Gabriella quickly chipped in, remembered how she felt about this entire thing she wanted to talk to Sharpay about; it was huge, wanting to move in together, but she couldn't help but wish it. It was the next thing for them to do in their relationship and she wanted to spend her life with Sharpay – they wouldn't get any closer if they kept living so far apart and saw each other only on weekends. They didn't know if they would be able to make a usual day work, just... getting up, cleaning, working, sharing the same bed, being together 24/7.
There was a brief silence on the other end, before Taylor said, "Nervous? Why are you nervous? It's just your girlfriend."
"I'm gonna ask her if I can move into her flat." Gabriella promptly told her best friend as she turned a corner on the road and hit the speeder. "I'm just... not sure about it," she continued to reveal, happy that Taylor was listening now, and not saying anything, "because – because it's so far away, I'd have to quit my job, y'know? And it's such a huge thing to do. I'm just not sure if it's the right thing for us, Tay, but... I just really miss her when she's all away in the big city. I don't see her so often, and I really want to get serious, y'know?"
It took a while before Taylor answered, it seemed like she was thinking about what Gabriella had just told her, but she finally said, "It is a big step, Gabs, I'm not gonna lie to you..." she softly begun and Gabriella felt her heart sink, because it didn't sound good in her ears, "But, I've gotta ask you a thing, since, y'know, you don't tell me too much about your relationship – I don't know why, maybe you think I don't wanna hear it – but, anyway, as I was saying, I've gotta ask you; do you... really love her, Gab?"
It didn't take Gabriella one second to answer that truthfully, "Yes."
Taylor continued then, with her questions, "Can you see yourself spending the rest of your life with her?" she wanted to know next, and Gabriella smiled because this was what a real friend would do; this was real friendship in her eyes.
"I can, Taylor..." she whispered, truthfully again, and she didn't have to think about it this time either. She could see herself spending her life with Sharpay. She didn't know how it would end up, but the past six months when she had been with Sharpay during weekends, they had had fun, they had spent time with Denise and Valerie, they had been to plenty of Broadway shows and often to McDonald's. It was a life Gabriella could see herself living, it was just a shame that it was so far away from her mother and her friends, "I can. I'm not sure where it would go, but.. I know I'll be happy with her."
There was another pause and Gabriella could tell that Taylor was contemplating, trying to think of another question. Eventually, she did say, "...and you don't mind, you don't mind what other people will think? The things they'll say to you, especially if you get married and get kids, and-"
Gabriella cut her off, "It wouldn't be with her now if I cared." she whispered.
There was a beat, and then Taylor concluded, "Then I don't see why not, Gabs." she said, and Gabriella smiled in relief, because support was exactly what she needed at this moment, "I mean, if this is really what you want, then I say go for it! Do it, this is your moment, your window, this is... your chance. Ask her."
Gabriella felt her body tense down because she was so relieved, and she smiled like a goof as she turned the car and drove into the parking lot at the airport. Turning off the engine, she said, "You're right Tay, you're absolutely right." she paused, "Thank you. I love you so much."
"You too." Taylor replied, and Gabriella could hear her smile into the phone, "Anyway, talk to you later, bye."
"Bye." Gabriella softly said as she clapped her phone shut and leaned back in her seat.
She felt so much better now. Taylor had really managed to make her feel much surer about this entire thing. It was still a huge step for them to take, but she was certain now that it was the right thing to do next for them. She loved Sharpay and she could see herself being with her all the time. It would make her happy, even if she had to be away from her family and friends. She would be happy, and she wanted to make Sharpay happy as well.
So she was going to do it. She was going to ask her. And she was going to do it right in front of Sharpay's family.
This is it, Gabriella whispered to herself as she got out of the car and locked it behind her, this is my window, I've – I've gotta do this.
The Latina crossed the parking lot and entered the huge airport that was filled with luggage and people and even a few run-away luggage carts. She checked her wristwatch and was happy to see that if Sharpay's flight was on time it would already have landed. She turned in search for the big screen and read through the lines to find the one from New York. She smiled hugely to herself when it said that it had just landed. That meant that she'd just have time to meet Sharpay at the gate like a real girlfriend should. She knew that Sharpay wouldn't have to go to baggage claim because it was only a three-day visit – she had everything in her carry-on, it was much faster when it was only for weekend-stays, Gabriella had learned that after three flights and told Sharpay about her wise 'revelation'.
There weren't too many people waiting at the gate because it was only a flight from New York and people flew back and forth like she walked to work, so it wasn't even a big deal. But she wanted to be the perfect girlfriend and not make her loved one take a cab home from the airport.
She only had to wait around five minutes (but those five minutes were some horrible, heart-beating, foot-tripping five minutes) until Sharpay's blonde hair was spotted between lots of other people. Gabriella felt her face light up and when Sharpay came all the way into sight, she squealed loudly and met the actress in a deep hug.
"I've missed you so much!" she whispered into her ear, and even if she wanted to kiss her, she didn't, because flaunting their gayness probably wasn't the best idea in an airport; people could still be so close minded.
Sharpay kissed her cheek briefly though as they moved off to the side to let other people pass, "I've really missed you too." she said and gave her a once-over, to get a better look at her. That was something she always did. At first Gabriella used to question it every time, but since then she had learned that Sharpay liked to make sure that everything was as it was used to, and after about a week, the blonde woman said, the image in her head had faded slightly and she'd like to update it to a newer version. "You got a new outfit!" she smiled when she was done.
Gabriella couldn't help but chuckle loudly – she knew Sharpay would notice something like that. She was so attentive and just plain amazing, "I did!" she said and hugged her once more.
"What do you say?" Sharpay questioned when they pulled away from each other, "Wanna go have dinner with my wacky family?"
Gabriella nodded happily at her and they locked their hands as they went for the revolving doors in the other end of the airport, "You sure do associate with a lot of wacky people." she mumbled, thinking with happy thoughts of Valerie and Denise back in New York.
Sharpay gave her a smirk as she rolled her pink suitcase around a group of French-talking people, "Yeah, I do – you included!" she teased her, and Gabriella couldn't help but laugh as they finally came into the fresh air outside. When she was with Sharpay like this, she was sure that moving to New York was the right decision.
How could anyone else, ever, make her this happy?
–
Gabriella was so glad that she had Sharpay on one side, squeezing her her reassuringly, and Kelsi on the other side, whispering words of support into her ear.
She had never felt more out of place in her entire life. Sure, she had known that the Evans family was a rich, fancy family, but she had never really felt so when being around either Ryan or Sharpay, but sitting in their huge dining room with a waitress bringing them food, she could suddenly see that this family was important, and that she was nothing compared to Vance and Darby Evans who sat across from her.
Kelsi leaned in closer, lowly whispering, "Don't worry. I felt weird the first time I was here too... They're just checking you. After dinner they'll loosen up slightly." she leaned away again, but two seconds after she was back, "Why am I whispering this to you? You know that, you've met them before."
And then she leaned away again and turned to her other side to tend to Matthew. Ryan had Denise by his side, so he was making sure that she sat nicely while eating.
Gabriella turned her head slightly to the other side and offered Sharpay a big smile. It didn't matter that they were not alone, it was just so nice to see her again. She always knew she missed her when they weren't together, but once she was finally with her, she knew she had missed her much more than she thought.
"They're good people, Bri," Sharpay mumbled in her direction while she reached for her glass of wine, "you know that. Mother called you herself, didn't she?"
And it was true. Darby Evans had asked her to come herself over the phone and maybe Gabriella was making this worse because she was so nervous. She should just loosen up and be herself. It was much more fun, and it would make a much better impression on them, than if she sat there like a statue.
Vance then perked his head up in Gabriella's direction after having focused on talking to Denise for a few minutes, "So Gabriella? Sharpay tells me you work at a law firm?"
Gabriella gave a short nod and took in a deep breath, Make a good impression, make a good impression, make a good impression, she chanted to herself, before saying, "Yeah I do. Right here in Albuquerque actually." she replied, and applauded herself for giving an actually okay answer.
Vance shot her a stern look, "Michael Woods or Porter & Humphrey?"
"Porter & Humphrey, of course." Gabriella quickly said back, knowing that that was the answer he wanted to hear. Her firm had had a case with him, done by Patrick Humphrey himself, and they had won and therefore he naturally appreciated that law firm more than the other, because they had represented his opponent.
Vance then turned to his daughter and shot her a huge smile, "She's a keeper, this one." he said to her, and Gabriella felt happiness burst through every fibre of her body – it was something to be called a keeper by Vance Evans.
Sharpay placed a chaste kiss on Gabriella's cheek and told her father, "I know Daddy, I wouldn't be kissing on her if she wasn't. I know how to pick 'em."
Gabriella turned her head to the side and gave Sharpay a huge smile – she simply couldn't help herself.
"But it must be hard then," Darby Evans chipped in, deciding to participate in this conversation – so far she hadn't said a word, "with you two living so far apart? How often do you see each other?"
"Gabriella flies in all the weekends she can." Sharpay replied in a flat voice. She probably hated discussing this with her parents, because Gabriella also knew that she felt bad about not being able to fly back at least half the times. She helped pay for the tickets though, which was nice because Gabriella didn't make as much money as she did, "I can't really get off of work, so Gabriella is the one who has to do it."
Darby gave her daughter a stern look, "Well, that's not very nice of you, Sharpay." she told her in a light voice, as if that was something that had to be changed immediately, "And what? Does she stay at a hotel too?"
Sharpay squeezed Gabriella's hand tight, and Gabriella had to bite her lip from saying anything, "No Mother, she stays at my apartment. What do you think I am?"
"Well Sharpay darling, if you make your girlfriend fly back and forth all the time, then I'm not really sure what to think of you." Darby replied.
Sharpay was about to open her mouth to say something back, but Vance did it before she could, "Calm down Darby, I'm sure Sharpay feels really bad about it, but she's a big star on Broadway, she has obligations." he told her and placed a hand on top of hers, and Gabriella didn't know why, but she got a feeling that this was something that happened often – perhaps Sharpay and her mother didn't really get along, while Sharpay also was a Daddy's girl?
Sharpay shot her father a smile and loosened her angry grip on Gabriella's hand, "Yes. Thank you, Daddy."
Vance didn't seem to be finished though, he merely continued, while the rest of the table was watching, holding their breaths. The kids weren't even talking, Kelsi kept feeding Matthew small bites of food which seemed to effectively shut him up, and Denise seemed rather off in her own world, doing her princess things, "And Darling, I'm sure Gabriella wouldn't be flying back and forth unless she really wanted to."
Suddenly all attention was on Gabriella and she felt like a deer caught in the headlights, "No, I..." and now she felt the need to squeeze Sharpay's hand with as much strength as she could muster, "I really want to. I don't mind. I like going to New York. I watch Sharpay perform and then we just... spend time together."
Darby didn't seem happy with that explanation, for she continued, "But wouldn't it be much nicer if you lived in the same city, Gabriella darling?"
Gabriella felt like this was a bit too close to what she actually had in mind to ask Sharpay, and if she didn't come out and say it right now, it was going to seem weird once she did. So she took in a deep breath and kept in mind what Taylor had told her, "It would, it would..." she said and then turned to face Sharpay, "And that's actually why I planned to ask you this tonight, sweetie, I – I was gonna ask you if I can move into your flat?"
For a second there Gabriella couldn't tell what Sharpay was thinking. She didn't move at first, she just stared at Gabriella as if she didn't really know what to say, but then she cracked a huge smile and squealed loudly, "Get the fuck outta town!" she said and pulled Gabriella in for a hug, "You mean that?" she continued when she pulled back and stared Gabriella deeply in the eye.
The Latina couldn't help but smile because the blonde's happiness was exactly what she had wished for, "Yeah, yeah, I do," she said and nodded her head frantically, "I'll try to find a job once I get there, I just... I just wanna be with you and see where it goes."
Sharpay smiled warmly back at her and kissed her several times on the lips, "Me too!" she said and grabbed both Gabriella's hands tightly, "I was beginning to wonder if I should ask you myself, but I didn't know and I ..." she paused and kissed Gabriella again, this time a bit longer, "I can't wait to have you come live with me, Bri."
"So we're gonna move in together?" Gabriella questioned. She almost couldn't contain her happiness. This had gone better than she had thought it would – Taylor had been right, it was her chance and she was so glad she took it.
"Yeah, I guess." Sharpay replied, and the two of them leaned closer and kissed each other yet again.
After a few seconds, Darby interrupted them, "So, no more kissing at the table, Sharpay."
The two girls pulled apart and Sharpay turned to Darby, "Sorry Mother." she replied.
There was a brief silence but luckily enough Ryan decided to break it, "So I believe a congratulation is in order." he stated, with a huge smile on his face; it reached all the way into his eyes.
"We're gonna miss you around here." Kelsi smiled and reached an arm around Gabriella to give her a sideways hug, "But I guess we have an even better reason to fly out to New York now."
Sharpay faked a gasp, "I'm not a good enough reason?" she teased them. And for a second Kelsi seemed to think that she was serious, but when the blonde cracked a smile, so did the pianist, and the entire table started laughing. Gabriella let her hand wander to the side and gently placed it at Sharpay's thigh, before she leaned in closer and whispered in her ear,
"I love you, you know that right?"
A hand was placed on top of hers, and then the other woman said, "I do. I hope you know I love you too." she whispered lowly, her breath tickling Gabriella's skin slightly. "Because... I've never been better."
"Me neither." Gabriella replied, as she glanced around the table again. She saw that this was pretty good. She could be a part of this family, couldn't she? She could be exactly wacky like that, yes?
-
"Gabriella honey?"
Gabriella poked her head into the kitchen. She was still in her nightgown and it wasn't all good, because it was a few minutes to ten and Sharpay would be there for brunch very soon. "Yes Ma?" she questioned, and felt her stomach grumble slightly by the smell of all the well-cooked food. She normally didn't have breakfast, and now she knew why – it was so she would appreciate moments like these so much more when they occurred.
Consuela Montez gave her daughter a huge smile, "Are you almost ready? I can't wait to meet your amiga. She'll be here at ten, right?"
Gabriella gave her a short nod, "Yes Mamá, she will be." she replied, before she turned and went down the hall to get into a skirt and a top – just to look somewhat alright, even if it really didn't matter much. Sharpay wouldn't care how she looked; she'd just be happy to see her.
Gabriella was really nervous though. She had no idea how she was going to tell her mother about this. And how was she going to explain to Sharpay that she had to stay away from her until they had broken it gently to her mother? Sharpay was going to hate her for not telling her mother, especially because Gabriella had told Sharpay that she had already done so.
Gabriella quickly pulled on a plain jeans skirt and a white top. She pulled her hair into a buckle and looked out the window, when she heard a car stop. And there was Sharpay, getting out of a taxi. Gabriella's eyes widened slightly and she hurried out of the room and down the hallway. She ignored her mother and rushed out the front door to greet Sharpay in a deep hug.
"Don't kiss me." she whispered into her ear, and when they pulled back, Sharpay shot her a very questionable look. Gabriella quickly elaborated, "I know I said I told her, but I really didn't, and don't hate me, please don't hate me, but I just couldn't." she rambled off as they went up the small path to the front door, which was still open all the way.
Sharpay hissed at her, "You didn't tell her? Why? Why not!?"
Gabriella could see that she was angry and very disappointed and she understood why, but there wasn't anything they could do about it now – they'd just have to swing this brunch and somehow tell her mother what she had planned to do with her life.
Gabriella didn't answer as they were entering the house, in stead she called for her mother, "Ma! We have company." she poked her head into the kitchen and smiled at her mother, who was already on her way into the hallway. Sharpay was leaning against the wall, slipping out of her high heels. Gabriella closed the front door behind her and smiled at the tow of them, "Ma, this is Sharpay. Sharpay, this is my mother." she introduced them with a huge smile.
Sharpay scolded at her, but offered Consuela a huge smile, "Hi, it's so nice to meet you." she said and Gabriella watched her with happy eyes, because this was why she loved her – she would do anything to be friends with her mother, because she knew it was so important to Gabriella that Consuela was okay with this. Sharpay was always so kind and she would have never lied about being gay. Realizing this made Gabriella feel like such an inconsiderate jerk.
Consuela smiled at Sharpay as well and let her into the kitchen, letting Gabriella follow as the third wheel, "It's nice to meet you as well, Sharpay. Gabby has told me so much about you – you're an actress right?"
Gabriella felt the need to make nice now because she needed Sharpay to know that she wasn't an entirely awful person, so she said, "She's not just an actress, Mamá, she's on Broadway – she's America's Royalty like that."
It seemed to work slightly, even if Sharpay wasn't easily bought with flattery, because she offered Gabriella a small smile, "Thank you, Bri, but not quite, Ms. Montez, I always wanted to do theatre. If it wasn't that, it was no acting for me. But I'm actually releasing my first record soon."
The two of them sat down next to each other by the table that was nicely done and had all Consuela's specialities on it. Gabriella felt her stomach grumble yet again as she reached forward and poured coffee for all three of them, "I heard some of the songs, Ma, and they're good. Sharpay has an amazing singing voice."
Consuela smiled warmly at Sharpay and there was genuine interest in her brown eyes, "Really? I'd like to hear them someday as well."
"You should fly with Gabriella to New York sometime and come visit me." Sharpay immediately offered, and now Gabriella, if it was possible, felt even worse about not telling her mother that Sharpay was, in fact, her girlfriend. Why hadn't she done that, again? Why had she made up a lie about some boyfriend that would never even measure up to Sharpay anyway? It was stupid, it was wrong, and she was... weak. If she loved Sharpay as much as she had told Taylor this morning, then it shouldn't be a problem, should it? She'd just have to do it.
How about... now?
Now's good, Montez, now is unbelievably perfect, she pep-talked herself and reached for a piece of bread and an egg. There were pancakes as well, so she shouldn't eat too much bread. It was a shame to waste all those lovely pancakes.
Consuela sipped her coffee slightly before she answered Sharpay, "Well, if I did fly out, maybe I could meet that boyfriend of hers too. She never tells me anything about him, I don't even know what he works with."
Sharpay flinched and Gabriella knew that she had to do something with this. It was too painful for her to see Sharpay react like this. And this brunch was even supposed to get her and her mom to connect and get to know each other – under true circumstances. Gabriella knew for a fact that her mother wouldn't be talking like this to Sharpay if she knew that she was the one doing her daughter.
"Mom actually!" she exclaimed and Sharpay raised her one eyebrow and had questions floating deep within her brown pools; Gabriella returned those questions with a slight nod – this was now, this was it. Consuela looked at Gabriella as well, but she was slightly startled by the sudden outburst from her daughter, "Actually..." Gabriella continued, this time much softer, "There's something very important I need to tell you."
"What is it?" Consuela asked her as she reached for a pancake and some jam.
Gabriella took in a deep breath before she pulled herself together and got it done, "There is no boyfriend." she said and watched as her mother's eyes turned very confused. She felt so stupid, like such an idiot. She could have avoided this entire mess if she had never lied in the first place. She'd never lie again, she secretly vowed to herself – even if it would be impossible not to do so.
"There's not?"
"There's not." Gabriella confirmed and shook her head, "I've – I've been flying off to New York to see Sharpay every time. She's... my girlfriend."
It felt so nice to finally get it said, it really did. Sharpay's face erupted into a smile and suddenly it felt as if something heavy was lifted off of Gabriella's own shoulders. Consuela though, she didn't look happy. She seemed confused, but when the words really dawned on her, she pulled her chair slightly away from Sharpay and turned to Gabriella, "What? Eh, what, Gabby?"
Gabriella took in a deep breath and looked her mother deeply in the eye; it was time to get serious, "You heard me, Ma. It's what I said." she paused slightly and watched as her mother glanced softly to the side to look at Sharpay, who nodded shortly, letting Consuela know that this was not a lie – or a really off-season April's Fool, "I broke up with Troy because I fell in love with Sharpay." the Latina finished with a huge swallow.
Consuela had thinking-lines across her old face, but she wasn't freaking out the way Gabriella had feared she would be, she seemed genuinely interested in hearing what it was the two women had decided to share with her, "But... I don't understand, Gabby, did you... Did you just meet her and decided that you like – women?"
Gabriella shrugged lamely but reached a hand across the table and grabbed her mother's to reassure. It was so weird to see her mother like this; she seemed all fragile – almost like a five-year-old child. And Gabriella wanted to take care of her, explain it to her and make sure that everything was good between them. She glanced briefly and Sharpay who offered her a supportive smile, "I don't know, Mom..." she honestly said, "I just – I just like Sharpay, and I really wanna give us a try. It doesn't matter if she's a man or a woman, does it? What matters is that I love her – and she loves me. And that we're very happy together."
"I suppose so..." Consuela whispered, but she still didn't seem entirely sure about this situation she had somehow ended up in.
Sharpay then took over, trying to help Gabriella to the best of her abilities, "Like me, Ms. Montez, I've known I was gay for a very long time. Gabriella didn't know so." the blonde woman explained in the sweetest way possible, "But sometimes.. it just happens. We see that a lot in the gay community, and I just hope that-" she paused in search for the right way to phrase herself, and continued when she seemed to have found it, "I just hope that you'll approve of Gabriella becoming a part of that."
Gabriella felt the need to add a whole bunch of things, but she just said, "If you don't approve, it doesn't mean I won't do it Mom –" it was hard to say so, but Gabriella believed that was how she would react. It would be horrible if she had to lose her mother because of this, but she couldn't lie to herself when she knew that this was who she was, "I wanna do this for me. I wanna do this because it makes me happy. I just hope you won't shut me out." she finished.
Now Consuela finally had peace to open her mouth and say something. She had a nervous look in her eyes, but Gabriella felt alright, because there was also a smile on that face, "I'd never shut you out, Gabby, you're my baby." she quickly explained, and turned Gabriella's hand over, so she was stroking it with her thumb, "However, I am very shocked by all this, and I will need time..." she swallowed loudly, but then her smile got bigger, "But eventually I will come to visit in New York – assuming I'm invited, of course!"
Gabriella had never been more relieved in her entire life. She squeezed her mother's hand tight, "Thank you, Ma." she whispered, felling that nothing would make her unhappy now. She liked to think of Sharpay as someone who would never hurt her, and the two of them could create something really special together – they'd be able to create an entire life with all its ups and downs and the imperfections. It would be hard at times, but it would be so worth it, she knew that.
Sharpay gave Consuela a huge smile too; Gabriella could see how relieved she was as well, and the quarrel from earlier was completely gone and forgotten, "Ms. Montez, you'll always be welcome, you don't have to worry!"
"Thank you Sharpay dear," Consuela said and pulled the blonde woman in for a sideways hug, "and no more Ms. Montez then - you're my daughter-in-law, I'll expect you to call me Consuela."
Sharpay's smile just got even bigger, "Consuela, of course." she said with a nod of her head.
"Now," Consuela continued as she pushed her chair back and stood up. She went to her shelf and picked up the brand-new digital camera Gabriella had given her for her last birthday, and turned back to them, "I'm gonna need a picture of you two to show off to my friends."
Sharpay looked quite shocked, but Gabriella immediately went around the table and sat down on Sharpay's lap. She placed a kiss on her girlfriend's cheek and turned to her mother with a huge smile, "Ma, you shouldn't brag about us like that."
"There's no bragging." Consuela said, and Gabriella could tell that she was doing this because she needed proof; she needed this to remind herself that her daughter was now a lesbian, and if Gabriella ever wanted her to be okay with it, she knew she'd have to let her have her time, even if she acted like she was just fine – but that would only be in front of Sharpay, "You two look good together." the oldest Latina finished in a low voice as she snapped a picture for her laptop – forever remembering this moment.
-
"So you're seriously moving away?" Taylor asked her as she reached for the pitcher to pour herself another cup of coffee. "It's gonna be so lonely without you."
"It so is." Kelsi added with a shake of her head, all her curls bounced and she looked incredibly cute – Gabriella just had to hug her.
Sharpay bit her chocolate chip cookie and didn't mind talking with her mouth full, "I'm sorry for stealing her away guys." she mumbled, and then she stuffed the rest of her cookie into her mouth.
Gabriella gave her an awkward look but decided not to comment on it, "There's no stealing." she told her friends, but felt happy that they were going to miss her so much; she'd miss them too, no doubt about it, "I'm moving because I want to."
"No kidnapping!" Sharpay chipped in, before she reached for her cup of cacao with whipped cream in it. That was supposed to be for Denise and Matthew while the grown-ups had coffee here at Taylor's, but Sharpay was like a child at heart and had immediately poured herself cacao.
Gabriella reached for a cookie as well and took a small nip of it, "I'll miss you guys, you'll have to come visit us often."
Sharpay gave the two of them a nod before she sunk to the floor and crawled around the coffee table to join Denise on the floor where she was playing with her dolls. Denise loved her aunt so much, and Gabriella loved to see them together – Sharpay was so good at entertaining the young girl; whatever they did, Denise just looked up to her father's sister.
Taylor raised an eyebrow in Gabriella's direction when she saw the look on her face, "You know it's gonna be tough to swing that one now that you're gay, right?" she lowly told her, just to make sure that Sharpay wouldn't hear her.
Gabriella didn't like talking about this subject that much. It was painful for her to admit that Taylor was right. It would be hard to get kids because usually one needs a man for that, and she was disappointing her mother too, who had always wanted grandchildren. It had always been a dream of Gabriella's own to have kids and be a happy family, so it was a blow to her, but she still didn't want to lose Sharpay, "Tough yes..." she whispered back to Taylor with a small smile, "but not completely out of the question."
Kelsi smiled warmly from her seat in the couch – she seemed to agree with Gabriella on this one, "Sharpay's good with kids." she simply said.
Taylor held her cup to her lip and seemed to get a whiff of her coffee, before she said, "Sure... But it's just a lot more trouble with all that adoption stuff or insemination, or whatever it is that it's called these days."
Gabriella decided not to answer that as she gazed down at Sharpay whose Barbie was having a wild conversation with Denise's Barbie. It would be nice to have kids with her... They would be great parents, Gabriella could just feel that. In stead of answering Taylor, she decided to change the subject, "But just so you know," she said, "I'll be moving already next weekend."
This, Sharpay seemed to hear. Her head popped up from what she was doing, and she looked at Gabriella with wide eyes, "What? Next weekend?"
Gabriella adored the way she seemed so happy and so surprised at the very same time, so she lovingly answered her with a giggle, "Yes, I'm sending the movers off next week with the things I've got stored in Mom's garage. I'll be there to greet them with you."
"Really?" Sharpay questioned in an aw-tone, "I can't wait to live with you, Bri."
Gabriella was about to answer, but a loud outburst coming from the hallway got the entire room's attention and everyone went quiet. It was Chad talking, that was clear, but what he was saying was not so certain. Taylor was about to get up and go take a look at whatever Chad had screwed up now, but she paused half up, when someone else's voice was in the mess, too.
Troy.
All of them knew who that voice belonged to, and Sharpay got off the floor, clearly scared about what would happen if Chad didn't get him to leave. Gabriella understood what the fuss in the hallway was about now - Chad was telling Troy to leave, but apparently Troy didn't seem to want to do so, because he was objecting loudly. Sharpay almost flew across the floor and sat down next to Gabriella on the couch. She probably felt the need to hold her hand, for she immediately found Gabriella's and squeezed it tight.
"..don't have time right now, man." Chad said, as his voice came closer and they were coming down the hallway – their footsteps were getting closer and Gabriella wasn't quite sure if she was ready for this or not. But she really didn't have a choice because a few seconds later, Troy was standing in the entrance to the living room, and he looked very surprised.
Everyone seemed to hold their breaths – scared to see what would happen and how everyone would react around here. Taylor was half way out of her chair, but she moved neither up nor down, and Chad stood behind Troy with a hand on his curly head.
"What are you doing here?" Troy harshly asked, his blue eyes pointed right to the couch where Gabriella and Sharpay were sitting.
Gabriella felt bad about how they ended, she really did. She had never wished to hurt Troy, and she had told him so many times when she told him that she had met someone else. And this wasn't good, they weren't supposed to run into each other like this, especially not with Sharpay involved, "Troy, I didn't know that you were gonna be here." Gabriella truthfully said. They were just here to have an afternoon with the girls.
Troy brushed her off, clearly not interested in what Gabriella had to say, "I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to Sharpay." he firmly said, and shook his shaggy brown hair at her, "You have some nerve coming back to Albuquerque after you broke my heart in high school and now – now you've stolen my fiancée."
Sharpay took in a deep breath and Gabriella turned her head to the side to watch Sharpay as she talked to Troy, "I'm sorry about that, Troy," she said with a sigh, "truly... sorry about that." she let go of Gabriella's hand and stood up to be more at level with him, "Sorry about the high school thing, the Gabriella thing and... about being here?" she went around the coffee table and stopped in front of him, "I'm not gonna get into this with you because it's useless. So I'll just be – I'll just be going now, alright?"
And then she pushed pass him and they heard her heels click down the hallway until she reached the front door and they heard it smack close.
Gabriella shot Taylor a confused look, but the other woman moved her head slightly and urged her to follow. Gabriella stood up and stopped in front of Troy like Sharpay had just done, "I'm sorry too, Troy." she whispered, before she went around him too and rushed after her girlfriend.
She didn't have to rush too long because Sharpay was waiting right outside on the bench in Taylor's garden. Gabriella was glad that she had decided to follow her, because that was clearly what Sharpay had expected. "Hi." she whispered as she sat down next to her. "Are you alright?"
Sharpay glanced up at her softly, before she bent her head and placed it on her shoulder, "I'm alright. I just didn't wanna talk to him. He's a part of the past, and I just wanna look into the future with you."
Gabriella felt herself smile warmly, because she couldn't agree more. Troy was her past – Sharpay was her future. And she was going to create something so beautiful with her that everyone would look at them and go 'Wow, they're really happy'. That was what she wanted and even if the way she had treated Troy made her feel slightly guilty... it didn't matter because her and Sharpay had each other and that was the most important thing.
"Ah, I love you." she said to the blonde and kissed her on the top of her head.
Sharpay looked up at her again with love shining through her brown eyes, "Me too." she lowly mumbled, "...roomie."
Thank you so much for being so patient with the update for this one. It took me longer to write than reckoned. I hope you liked it anyway and that it was worth the wait.
Anyway... I've also been really stupid. See? The Denise, the lesbian Denise, is portrayed after a brilliant girl I know, she's a lot like the Denise in my story and that's why I decided to name her Denise, of course. But what had I done two chapters before that? I had named Ryan's daughter Denise as well and I didn't realize that before I had to write this chapter. Now, my question to you guys if is I should change the girl's name? I could name her something else, because I just think it's unbelievably stupid to have two original characters named the same in a fic? Does it bother you, or should I just let it be?
Anyway, please drop me off a review?
Disclaimer; I don't own HSM.