A/N: I am so sorry this has taken ages for me to write with HSMandChelseaFCfan because my sister's laptop died so I have to use my dad's computer and I don't like it that much :( anyway, one more chapter and then the epilogue :(

Don't own HSM

Chapter 28 –

Gabriella paced back and fore on the auditorium stage nervously, making Troy roll his eyes. "Don't roll your eyes at me!" She snapped.

"Bella, no one's forcing you to do this." He said softly from the other side of the stage. He was lying on his stomach, flipping through a sports magazine. "They'll understand if you want to keep one thing from them."

"But…" She trailed off as she sank down in front of him. "I want to but I don't know how."

Troy took her hand as he sat up. "Baby, it'll be fine. Just tell them everything." He ran his fingers over her cheek and kissed her. "Think of it this way: now they won't threaten to murder me because they think I've upset you."

She giggled and leaned over to kiss the nape of his neck. "We're still going to California tomorrow, right?"

Troy nodded, curling some hair behind her ear. "Of course. I really want to now."

She smiled proudly and placed a hand on his chest. "Troy, I'm so proud of you. Like I said when we had our first kiss."

He smiled at the memory of it. "I've never been so terrified in my life."

She giggled and ran her hand down his arm. "And to think…we've gone from best friends to a promise ring couple in less than three weeks."

He chuckled and kissed her temple. "Yeah. You're right."

"I always am, right?" She said cheekily.

"Just wait until tonight." He murmured in her ear.

The two stared at each other, their lips moving closer but before they touched, they were interrupted. "Break it up, Lovebirds."

Chad and the rest of the gang had entered the auditorium and Troy pulled Gabriella closer to him whilst glaring at Chad for interrupting. Couldn't they have come a few seconds later? Gabriella nudged Troy seeing his playful glare, smiling as their friends came closer to them. She sat on the edge of the stage with Troy next to her while the others sat next to her or in the case of some of the guys – well, Chad – on the front row soft chairs.

"What's up?" Sharpay asked. "You've been down all day and I need to know whether or not I've got a job in killing Bolton."

Gabriella smiled and shook her head at the eager blonde. "Shar, it's got nothing to do with Troy with what's been bothering me. Troy's the reason I've gotten through it." Smiling down at his girlfriend, Troy placed a kiss on top of her head as the other's waited patiently for her to speak knowing they shouldn't push her to talk.

"Remember, it's up to you if you want to tell them and they're not going to think any less of you if you're not ready." Troy whispered.

Gabriella took a deep breath before starting, somehow gaining the courage just from hearing Troy's words. "I need you to all hear me out before you say anything." Everyone nodded. "Not long after Troy got here, about two weeks later, I found out Aidan was having an affair." Everyone's jaws dropped open in shock. No one would have suspected Aidan would do such a thing to his family; they were the perfect family. She continued explaining about the phone call and what had happened. "And Saturday, I just snapped. I couldn't stay there anymore and just needed to get away from everything. The guilt was just getting too much; the lies becoming harder and harder to keep up. If it hadn't of been for Troy, I don't know if I would still be standing here today. I was ready to give up."

Sharpay and Taylor let out small gasps knowing that their best friend had been going through so much and they weren't there for her. "Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Taylor demanded.

Gabriella shrugged as she turned to Taylor. "I guess I hadn't fully accepted it, and besides I had Troy."

"I'm sorry I blamed you, Bolton." Sharpay muttered.

Troy smiled and wrapped an arm around the blonde on his left. "You're forgiven, Evans. We all make mistakes sometimes."

Sharpay glared at him as Gabriella and Taylor shook their heads at the pair. "How's your mom doing now, Gabs?" Chad asked softly.

Turning back towards the others, Gabriella nodded at Chad's question. "She's doing okay now. She wasn't when she found out and for a few days but she's doing a lot better now."

"Wait." Everyone turned to Sharpay. "You said Aidan. Not Dad. Why?"

Gabriella looked at Troy who gave her a reassuring smile and pulled her closer to him again. "Aidan's not my biological dad. Do you remember my mom's friend from the hospital, who Devon and I called Uncle Lucas?" Sharpay nodded. "He's not just a family friend; turns out he's my real dad. I'd found out a while ago but the other day, the morning after Aidan was thrown out, he came around and it finally felt nice to know I could acknowledge him as my dad."

Troy waited for Gabriella to finish before he added his bit. "And while Lucas and I were hanging out, Bella and Maria were talking to Devon, Aidan called and it made it sweet telling him he weren't Bella's real dad."

Gabriella raised her eyebrows at him. "Wait. You told Aidan?"

Troy gave her an innocent look. "Technically it wasn't me who told him, Lucas did. He said it would hurt him just like he hurt you."

Shaking her head, she leaned up to place a kiss on her boyfriend's lips. "Don't worry. I'm not mad. It's one less job that has to be done."

"Well then you're welcome."

Gabriella shook her head grinning, thankful she had such an amazing person who loved her as much as she loved him.

***

After school, Gabriella climbed into Troy's car. Maria and Lucas were picking Devon up since he only had a half day that day and it gave Gabriella chance to do what she needed to do.

After getting the exact location from his girlfriend, Troy noticed she had gone very quiet. "You sure you still want to do this?" He whispered.

Nodding, she sent him a smile. "Yeah. I'm not giving you any excuse to back out of meeting my brother. Trust me, he's nowhere near as intimidating as my mom and Devon when they're determined to get something out of you."

Troy laughed knowing how right she was; the thoughts of how many times he'd been cornered by the pair filling his mind. "I guess you're right, they are pretty intimidating."

"What aren't you telling me?" She asked suspiciously.

Troy shook his head as he focused on the road ahead. "Let's just say they knew my true feelings before you did." Gabriella laughed as she saw the blush rise on his face. "Hey, it's not funny."

"Yeah it is. Just the thought of my Mom and Devon pestering you is enough to crack anyone up." She teased.

Troy could feel his heart swelling at the sound of her laughter. After everything she had gone through, it was nice to know she was starting to turn back into the old Gabriella who had that sparkle in her eyes once again. "Don't be mean to me. Remember I know a lot about you, Sweetheart."

Squirming in her seat, she started whining. "Troy…You promised you'd stop with that comment. You know how much it gets to me!"

Laughing at her whining, he placed his hand over hers that was lying on her thigh. "Alright, alright, I'll stop."

"Thank you. Plus, I don't think my brother would appreciate you talking to his sister like that."

Troy shrugged. "I'm sure he'd disapprove more if he knew what we got up to behind closed doors."

Gabriella carefully slapped his arm but not so he would lose his concentration. "Stop being so rude. Do a right turn here and there's a small car park on the left."

Troy brought the car to a halt and jumped out before running around to open the door for Gabriella. "There you are, Madam."

Gabriella giggled at his failure of pulling off an English accent. "Why thank you kind Sir."

Troy linked their fingers together. "Lead the way, Girlfriend."

Pulling Troy towards the many gravestones, she turned back, laughing. "Keep up, Boyfriend."

Troy shook his head. His girlfriend was certainly crazy. Following her as she dodged the muddy patches, he watched as she started slowing down before coming to a standstill. "Bella?"

"Troy, meet my brother, Cody." She whispered, smiling gently. She gestured to the grave in front of her and she bit her lip as she waited for Troy's reaction.

Looking down at the headstone, Troy couldn't help but feel lost for words. What exactly did he say to his girlfriend's dead brother? Troy shook his head at how harsh that question sounded. Cody had been a person just like his parents and knew they shouldn't be talked about like that. At the thought of his parents, he held back his emotions that suddenly were flowing into his head and heart, knowing this was about Gabriella.

Snapping from his thoughts, he heard Gabriella's melodic voice. "Sorry about this Cody, Troy's obviously decided to be an ass and lose his voice."

"Hey! Sorry to interrupt your conversation, Cody, but your sister is incorrect. I just needed a few seconds to let this sink in." He pulled her towards his chest and stared down at headstone in front of them.

Gabriella could see in his eyes the raw pain they portrayed but could also see that he didn't want to talk about it. She had forgotten the emotions that may be brought up within him being in a surrounding like this. Rubbing her hand up and down his arm, she leaned against him and wrapped her arm tighter around his torso. "It's hard, you know. Everyday it feels like I'm forgetting the little things about him more and more. But the one thing that is as clear as it was when he died is his eyes and his smile. I just remember how perfect they were and how just looking into his eyes or seeing his smile, I would instantly feel better." She took a shaky breath and closed her eyes.

Troy remained quiet as she talked but when she didn't say anything, he decided to speak up. "From what you've told me, I know we would've gotten on so well. We both wanted the same thing."

Gabriella looked at him in confusion. "And what's that?"

Troy smiled. "We just want to protect you, your Mom and Devon from hurting. You're all that is, and ever will be, important."

***

Troy pulled the car to a stop and sighed as he looked over at his sleeping girlfriend. He un-clicked his seatbelt and leaned over to her. "Bella…" He sang as he ran he nose up and down her neck.

She groaned and pushed him away. She curled more into herself and whimpered. "Go away, Troy."

"Bella…" He sang again, dusting her jaw with kisses. "My parents don't want to meet you when you're asleep…"

She giggled sleepily and her eyes fluttered open. "Why do I always fall asleep?"

Troy chuckled and brushed some of her hair out of her eyes. "I don't know but I stopped by a store a mile or so back and picked up some lilies. I got twelve. Six each."

She nodded and leaned over to kiss his cheek. "Don't wake me up when we go back home."

He chuckled and nodded. "Deal. Come on." He reached into the back and brought out a bouquet of lilies. He hopped out of the car and dashed to Gabriella's side before she'd unstrapped her seatbelt. He opened her door and smiled broadly at her. "You've got to love me."

"Hmph." She pouted. "It's a good job I do." She whispered as she slid out of his car. She pulled his sports jacket tighter around her body and sighed. "I wouldn't be here right now if I didn't."

Troy wrapped an arm around her shoulders as he began leading her towards the beach. "Don't ever think like that, okay? Never."

Gabriella smiled against the side of his torso and nodded. "Never, ever." She promised. "But, that'll be you doing it."

"What?" Troy muttered in confusion, scratching the back of his head.

Gabriella stopped them just as sand began crunching under their feet. She turned to him and giggled at the cuteness of the confused pout which was making him look considerably younger than his actual seventeen years. She lifted her right hand, showing him the very familiar ring. "You promised you will never leave me. You know how you said that I'm the sole reason you're here? Did you mean it?" She whispered, tears gliding gracefully down her cheeks.

Troy nodded as he cupped her face. "I meant every word of it."

"Then you know how I feel." She mumbled. "I know I've got my mom and my dad and my Donny, but they can't make me feel better by showing me their arms."

He chuckled and shrugged. "I don't know. Big D's flexing the other day was pretty funny."

She hit his arm and laughed. "He did that because he walked into the lounge while you were posing for me. You know he wants to be just like you, right?"

Troy shrugged as they started walking towards the shore. "Well, I can see why."

Gabriella gasped in disbelief. "You know, I don't even know why I'm your girlfriend. You could go out with yourself and be perfectly happy."

Troy laughed and his arm once again went to her shoulders. "Nah. I love you more than myself."

"That's a lot." She whispered.

Troy kissed her temple and nodded. "I know. I'd run to the end of the universe and back for you."

Gabriella bit her lip as she fought the urge to say what was on her mind.

"Bella?" He asked carefully. "What do you want to say?"

They stopped about half a foot from the lapping waves and she looked up at him. "You know it's impossible, right? Space exploration hasn't gone that far and the universe keeps expanding every second. So, even if I wanted you to, you couldn't."

"The point is there." He muttered. He slowly raised the lilies up and looked out to the ocean. "Do you think they can see us?"

Gabriella wrapped her arms around his stomach and followed his gaze. "I know they can. They're proud of you."

Troy picked one lily out of the bouquet and threw it elegantly into the ocean. He watched as it slowly floated away from them. "Well, Bella, meet my parents." He whispered.

Gabriella took a lily from the bouquet, like Troy did, and broke from his arms. She walked towards the water until the water lapped at her feet. She crouched down and looked from the water to the lily. "You said I'd get my fairytale. You knew who it'd be with. I love your son no matter what." She kissed one of the petals before she laid it on the waves. She straightened up and watched it float away. She felt a hand on the small of her back and looked up at Troy.

"You know they wanted us together all along, right?" Troy asked.

Gabriella nodded. "Yeah. I do. Remember when we were little kids and we nearly threw up when they mentioned it."

Troy laughed and nodded, tightening his hold on her. "Yeah. We didn't believe them because we thought best friends couldn't get together."

"You're still my best friend." She mumbled.

He chuckled and threw another lily into the ocean. "That's lucky. Because you're still my best friend, too. Except I can do this," He leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. "Just remember, we've got three angels watching over us."

Gabriella threw another lily into the ocean and closed her eyes. "I love you, Cody."