Chapter 22

"Oh, I can't believe you're getting married!" Taylor exclaimed.

Gabriella grinned and blushed as she looked at herself in the mirror. Her wedding gown was white and strapless with a silver strip running across her chest (picture in profile). Her veil was long and flowing with a tiara holding it on her head (picture in profile).

Taylor readjusted the veil.

Suddenly, Ryan burst in.

"Thanks for inviting me, Gabi," Ryan said. "I'm sorry for what Shapay did to you in high school..."

"It's not your fault, Ryan," Taylor said. Gabriella was too distracted with the thought of becoming Mrs. Bolton.

Mrs. Troy Bolton , Gabriella thought as she stared at herself in the mirror. Mrs. Gabriella Troy Bolton... Mrs. Montez Bolton... Mrs. Troy Montez Bolton...Mrs. Gabriella Bolton...Troy's wife...

"Gabriella invited your whole family, didn't she?" Taylor said. She smiled with amusement as she watched Gabriella stare at the mirror.

Ryan's smile faded. "Too bad only half of my family wanted to come."

Gabriella snapped back. "What do you mean 'half'"?

"Well, you see...Dad and Sharpay..." he paused. "Never mind."

Taylor narrowed her eyes. "Mr. Evans doesn't Gabriella to get married to Troy?"

Ryan nodded.

Gabriella's eyes started to fill up with tears. "Why does everyone disapprove me and Troy's relationship? Maybe we're not meant to be together."

Taylor said, "No, Gabi. Don't think that way. Troy loves you and nothing's gonna stop him from doing so. Besides, not everyone thinks you and Troy shouldn't be together. In fact, most people think you and Troy are perfect for each other."

"Yeah," Ryan agreed. "Like me and Taylor. There's my mom and your mom and Taylor's parents..."

"Chad and his parents, Kelsi, Hannah," Taylor added. "Even most of East High thought you and Troy should be together. A lot of people got mad when they heard that Troy and Sharpay had sex, actually. Remember, Ryan?"

Ryan nodded. "Yeah, a lot of kids hated Sharpay. A group of kids from the yearbook committee even wanted tp kill my sister."

Gabriella smiled. "Thanks, guys, I feel so much better."

Ryan walked out. A few seconds later, Mr. Mckessie walked in. He had offered to give Gabriella away, since Mr. Montez was dead.

"Bye, Gabi," Taylor said. She kissed her father's cheek and walked out to the alter to take her place as the Maid of Honor.

Gabriella started to cry again. But these were tears of happiness.

Troy waited at the alter. When he saw Taylor come out, he knew it was almost time for the wedding. He smiled, but he was nervous.

He turned to Chad, his Best Man.

"What if Gabi has second thoughts about this?" Troy said. "What if Gabi doesn't love me anymore?"

Chad patted Troy's back. "Enough what if's. You and Gabi are getting married. Besides, if Gabi was having second thoughts, do you really think she would be standing at the end of the aisle right now?"

Sure enough, Gabriella and Mr. Mckessie were standing at the end of the aisle. Kelsie started playing the organ and Gabriella and Mr. Mckessie walked down the aisle. Troy stared at Gabriella. Even with her oversized stomach, she still looked beautiful in her white dress.

Gabriella stood next to Troy and smiled as the minister said the wedding speech. Then Troy and Gabi said their wedding vows and waited for objections. Troy and Gabriella half expected for an objection, but none came. After the rings were exchanged, the minister turned to Troy and said, "You may now kiss the bride."

Troy and Gabriella locked lips and shared a passionate kiss.

When they pulled apart, the minister announced, "I pronounce you husband and wife. Ladies and gentleman, Mr. and Mrs. Troy Bolton."

The room was filled with cheers. There were some exceptions, but most of the guest were screaming with joy.

"I can't believe I'm married!" Gabriella exclaimed.

"I can't believe I'm gonna get married!" Taylor exclaimed. Chad had proposed to her after cake was served and Taylor had gladly accepted. But, unlike Troy and Gabriella, they were waiting until after college to get married.

"You better catch my bouquet," Gabriella said.

"I will," Taylor promised.

Chad sat next to Taylor, muttering, "Poor kid."

"Who?" Gabriella asked.

"Sharpay," Zeke answered, sitting down at the table. "She's crying her eyes out."

"Is she mad at me?" Gabriella asked, already knowing the answer.

Zeke and Chad glanced at each other, then they nodded.

Gabriella put her fork down. "Maybe Troy and I shouldn't have gotten married. It's causing Sharpay so much grief."

Troy sat next to her and took hold of her hand.

"Don't ever think that way," Troy said. "I love you, no matter what happens."

Gabriella grinned and blushed.

After a few pictures and a dance, the wedding was over. Before Gabriella and Troy climbed into their limo, Gabriella threw the bouquet. Taylor, keeping her promise, caught it and kissed Chad.

Sharpay watched with sadness as Troy and Gabriella's limo disappeared. Then Sharpay was washed over with anger.

Why did Troy choose Gabriella over her? What did Gabriella have that Sharpay didn't? Sharpay was rich, pretty, well-connected, and her father was a landlord of half of Alburquerque. Gabriella didn't even have a father.

Sharpay was very angry and so was Mr. Evans and Mr. Bolton.

But instead of showing it, the two men were discussing a plan.

A very risky plan...

Bum-bum-bum-bum! Very risky indeed! Read the next chapter to find out what it is.