Ch.5- Late Night Visit

Late that night, the wind howled mercilessly as Gabi bore holes into the ceiling above her bed. The tree limbs knocked against the window at a scary decibel, turning her stomach with each scratch and slap. Her daughter lay only feet away, safely cuddling her new bear from Taylor, Nicky.

Gabi lay thinking about how different she was compared to when Tony had first died. She had cried every night, missing his warmth or the light snore that he always seemed to put off. She hadn't thought she would live very much longer, considering death and many alternatives to take away the pain she was living through each day. That's when her grandmother, Katie Montez, stepped in. She began making her work at Serenity, her flower shop that she had been running since Gabi was a child. Katie wasn't her actual grandmother, unknown by most people, she was Tony's aunt who had been raising her since her parents died at the tender age of 6. She had been the one to introduce Tony and Gabi.

Gabi had loved Tony. Oh…how she had loved him. They were high school sweethearts ever since his Aunt Katie was being "stupid and completely crazy" about him 'accidentally' driving over a curb, into a trashcan and into the side of her flower shop. Gabi was there the day it happened and had watched Katie scold the young man with jet black hair and warm brown eyes. Katie called for Gabi to help Anthony clean us his "idiotic mess" before flouncing in her usual style to help a customer. They both laughed until they thought they would collapse and began talking again, ending with him asking her on a date.

Five years later, they got married. In this time span, Gabi had met and befriended Taylor and Sharpay, who were her bridesmaids along with her cousin, Anna, the maid of honor. She could still remember gliding down the aisle, steadily watching Tony's eyes that were filled with a love and devotion, something she had always seen through-out their marriage.

Knowing she wouldn't be falling asleep anytime soon, she silently threw her quilt back and tip-toed out into the hallway, careful not to wake up Lilly. Swiftly, she made her way down the hall into a pitch-black bedroom. The red, black and white striped comforter was in a jumbled mess, however she could make out a large lump in the linen mess. Like a mouse, she eased her way to the far side of the bed, just to witness Troy roll over, facing her. His jaw was set in a small smile, his lips curved upwards in that boyish grin Gab loved soo much. A clap of lightning boomed outside, making Gabi quickly jump in the bed next to Troy. The basketball player rustled awake and looked over at her.

"What's the matter?" His tone was groggy, but concerned. He sat up and scooted over where she had plenty of room to move about.

She took a slight inhale and replied, "I can't sleep during thunderstorms. My parents were killed…" She paused, beginning to cry, "..driving through a thunderstorm. They lost control of their car and swerved into the other lane. They were killed instantly." Her crying began to increase, causing her to shake and crumble, head in hand.

Troy pulled her into his lap, gently patting her hair and rocking up and down.

He felt her reliving this memory, felt her heart breaking…piece by piece.

Suddenly, she began telling him information from her life, " I was born and raised in Albuquerque. My birthday is August 13th , I'm 29 years old. I live in the outskirts of Albuquerque with my daughter, Lilly, and right next door to Katie Montez, my grandmother. My parents were both killed in a car crash and my former husband died in a car crash on his way to the NBA Finals. My grandmother owns Serenity, a flower shop, where I'm manager and my two best friends, Taylor and Sharpay, are florists. I believe in love at first sight, which may have happened with you." She looked him dead in the eye when she finished her speech.

"I was born and raised in Albuquerque as well. I just turned 30 and my birthday is April 24th. My mom and dad had me and my sister. My dad tried to kill me and my mom when my mom was still pregnant with Allie, my sister. The only reason I'm alive today is because my grandparent's were stopping by with some supper. I still have a scar on my leg from where he cut me with a knife. Years later, after I was grown, he was out on parole and found me at the park. I was a single father, Lana's mother had run out on us soon after she was born, so I was the only one there to watch her. She had just started walking and I had been pushing her on the swings when he came up and tried to apologize. I was soo furious I lost sight of Lana, long enough for her to wander into the street. A car hit her, breaking her neck. She was killed instantly." He stopped, unable to speak anymore because of the large lump and heavy tears in his eyes. Gabi hugged him, as he cried on her shoulder. Neither spoke, long after his tears stopped, long after her shirt dried, long after their thoughts wandered to each other.

"I think you're the girl for me, Gabi, and I'm promise to prove it to you." His voice was strong, yet tender.

"Promise me you won't leave. Promise me that even if we can't make it, you'll be there for my baby."

"I will." He slowly put a hand to her cheek and leaned down, kissing her with the fire and soul he felt in the pit of his stomach. They eventually pulled back, falling asleep in each others embrace.

TWO DAYS LATER….

The airport was overflowing and jam-packed with people and vehicles alike, as Shar, Tay, Gabi, Lilly, Chad, Ryan, and Troy all arrived in Ryan's large company vehicle. The girls were now being forced to return to Albuquerque, after their relaxing vacation in New York. Thankfully, Lilly's school had been out of session for a teacher conference the entire week.

Everyone sat stationary for a few moments, not ready to say goodbye at all. Lilly was taking it extremely hard, tears slowly forming in her eyes before they even stepped out of the vehicle. With her teary eyes, she gazed over at Troy and Chad,

"You'll come see me soon, right?"

Chad motioned her over into his lap, so she crawled over and snuggled up close to him.

"Your Uncle Troy and I promise that we will come see you the moment we have any spare time. You have to promise to be a really good girl though, alright?" She nodded her head, before hugging him and climbing into Troy's lap. She snuggled into him as he placed an arm around her.

"I love you, Uncle Troy" The air was stiff.

"I love you too Lilly. Can I ask you a question before you go?" He looked down at the fragile little girl.

She nodded her head, intently staring at him with big brown teddy bear eyes, just like her mom.

"Is Lana okay in heaven?" He whispered.

"She's fine. She says that she will always love you, but that you can move on. She's happy for you."

He nodded and smiled slightly. Angels, he thought, that's a blessing.

Everyone began to shuffle out of the car, pulling out all the luggage , trying to busy themselves so they wouldn't have to think of the goodbyes.

Now, most ordinary people wouldn't consider a week enough time to bond like all these people had done. They loved being with each other and hated the thought of this…separation.

Shar grabbed her bag and hugged each one of the guys, stopping to say some kind words to her brother, before she headed for the airport entrance.

Tay threw her bag over her shoulder, and hugged all the men. She lingered at Chad, who was now her boyfriend, so they shared some kisses and Tay started shedding tears as she began to head for the entrance as well.

Lilly's small bag easily fell to her knees from it's position on her shoulder, so she dropped it and got each man to pick her up and give her a big bear hug. She, then, made her way over where her aunts were standing, tears falling down her face.

Gabi was last, slowly rolling her suitcase behind her as she made her way to each man. The first two like new brothers, and then came Troy.

"I'll miss you." She gazed up with sad eyes.

"You'll be with me wherever I go…right here." He placed her hand over his heart. "I'll be right there, so you won't ever get lonely." He put his hand over her heart.

"I love you, Troy Bolton." Tears began to fall.

"I love you too, Gabriella Montez." They kissed several times, before embracing a final time, pouring their love into the final embrace, before she joined the others on her way back far away from where Troy's desired place for her was.

Right by his side.