AN: Thanks for the reviews guys! You have been great. I will write some more tomorrow but then I might not for a while because it is my birthday on Saturday and then it is Christmas shortly after. But you never know. And by the way MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Disclaimer-Still don't own HSM :-(


Chapter 8-Swings and Sunsets

'Gabi? Come on sweetie. The limo is here.' Anna stood at Gabriella's doorway as she sat at her dressing table looking into her mirror. She nodded and slowly got up. Anna walked over to her and pulled her into a massive hug. 'He will always be here with you' Anna whispered which made Gabi smile for the first time that day. They walked out of the house into the limo and sat in silence as they were driven to the church.


Troy was already there dressed in a dark suit when Gabriella and her mom arrived for the service. Gabi immediately saw him and he kissed the top of her head comfortingly and held her in his arms. 'Hi, Anna' he greeted Anna softly.

'Hi, Troy. Thanks for being here. This means a lot to me and especially Gabi.' Anna smiled.

'Ah, it is the least I could do. Carlos was family to me. Still is. As are you.' Troy said. Anna smiled and patted him on the shoulder and walked over to a group of people to welcome them.

'Suck up.' Gabi whispered as she lightly head butted him in the chest. He laughed softly.

'Nothing wrong with saying the truth,' he replied. 'How are you feeling?'

'Surprisingly calm. Just dazed, I guess.'

'You have been fantastic so far. And no doubt you will continue to be fantastic.' Troy grinned at her.

'Troy you know the party after the service?' Gabi croaked.

'Yeah.'

'Can we skip it? I don't want to be around when strangers come up to me telling me how sorry they are. I won't be able to stand it.' Tears were already forming and Gabi's eyes and Troy couldn't resist her plea.

'We will see. I would like that. But, I think your mom would appreciate you being there.' Gabi nodded understanding what he meant. She pulled away and the walked into the church, arms tightly around each other.


For both Gabi and Troy, the service was a blur. They sat at the front next to Anna and held each others hands as the minister spoke. While Anna was up there saying a few words Gabi buried her head in Troy's shoulder, quietly crying. This made Troy's heart break and he stroked her hair and whispered comforting things to her.

Gabi realized that it was her turn to speak. She stood up and walked to the front. She looked out at the sea of people who her father had touched in some way over the years. She couldn't believe how many people turned up. She smiled confidently as she started the speech. Troy looked at her proudly as she spoke, with such courage and pride for her father. He couldn't help but grin broadly at her and let a tear slip down his face.

Before they knew it, they were at the graveyard and they watched Carlos Montez's coffin slowly enter the ground and the soil cover the thick mahogany wood. Gabi wouldn't move from the grave once the service had finished. She was watching it intently, as if something was going to happen for it. Troy stayed with her, in silence, with his arm around her shoulders. Anna called him over.

'Troy, I want you to take Gabi away for the afternoon. I don't mind where. I don't think she can handle the party this afternoon.' Anna said, sounding teary.

'That was what she said when she arrived this morning. I'll take good care of her.' Troy replied softly. They hugged and Anna kissed his cheek and walked away towards the limo. Troy walked back to Gabi who was still in the same spot. He stayed behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. 'Let's get out of here,' he whispered into her hair.

'Please. Where are you taking me?' Gabi said, turning in his arms to face him.

'Where ever you want.'

'Can we go to the park?' Gabi said, with a smile as she remembered what happened the last time they were there together.


'I bet I can swing higher than you!' Gabi squealed.

'We will see about that!' He replied as Troy launched his swing higher and higher.

'Troy!' She screamed as they continued to swing.

'Let's jump!' Troy yelled.

'OK on three. One…two…THREE!' They laughed as they landed on a heap on the sand. Troy rolled over and moved himself over Gabi. He looked down at her deep brown eyes.

'I love you.' He told her.

'I love you too, Troy. You must know that.' She replied. His eyes shone a deep blue as he lowered his lips and softly brushed them against hers. She kissed him back wrapping her arms around his neck pulling him down on top of her so his whole weight was on her. He ran his tongue against her bottom lip asking for entrance which she quickly granted. They both felt fireworks in their stomachs as their tongues joined.

'You are beautiful.' He whispered and started kissing her neck. She moaned when he reached her sensitive spot. She rolled so she was on top of him. 'So are you. In everyway possible,' she smiled, 'and I could not be happier, which is quite ironic, but I don't care.' He laughed and she kissed him again, running her hands over his chest.

They continued exploring each other until they noticed the sun beginning to set. Troy sighed and looked at Gabi. 'Once the sun goes down, I am taking you home,' he said, kissing her again.

'Do you have to?' Gabi asked sweetly, kissing his neck seductively.

'Yes,' he moaned as she kissed a sensitive spot, 'or I you may drive me crazy from what you are doing to me.'

Gabi giggled, 'well, we have plenty of time later on, don't we?'

'Absolutely. I don't want to rush things with you, Brie. I don't want you to think I am taking advantage of you.' Troy said, being serious again.

'I know you aren't taking advantage of me. I trust you with my life.'

'I just don't want to screw things up with you.' Troy said quietly.

'You won't. Come on, Bolton, have some faith in yourself!' Gabi said with a smile.

He laughed and kissed her softly and they cuddled up to each other to watch the sunset, neither of them wanting the night to end.


AN: I hope you liked it! It may have been a bit fluffy, but it was fun to write, so whatever!