Chapter 15 – Home

AN: Hey guys. Thank you so much for the reviews that you gave me last chapter. I'm going to post this chapter earlier in honor of that. They were wonderful reviews, and so I wanted to get the next chapter out for you guys as soon as possible. Just to inform you, after this chapter, there will only be four more chapters, then an epilogue, and then a final chapter dedicated to thank yous and information on my next story that's coming out!

The picture of Zanessa and Ashley in Australia promoting for High School Musical 3 are just amazing! I especially love the picture where Gabriella is with a pelican! Well, more like staring at it. It's hilarious! So adorable. Then of course there are all those pictures of Mr. Hottie Efron walking around, dazzling people. Sigh

Anyway, here's the next chapter!

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Troy's P.O.V

For a little while, I was doubtful that it would happen.

Okay, maybe a little more then doubtful.

Or a lot.

The sight in front of me was a true miracle. My heart leapt with joy at the scene that I was witnessing.

Gabriella was walking.

And not just slowly, step-by-step taking little walks, but actually normal walks. Sure they were slower than normal, and they did contain a limp, but she was doing it.

Let me just backtrack a couple of weeks.

After Gabriella's and my midnight conversation, her motivation levels went through the roof. Together, we attended every single therapy lesson, not to mention Gabriella would strengthen her leg muscles using weights almost twice a day. Soon enough, Gabriella was getting better and better at walking.

And we couldn't be more proud.

But today, not only was she walking the best that she had even been walking, but also we got the best news we had ever gotten since she was admitted into the hospital all those months ago.

Gabriella was allowed to go home.

So here we were, me sitting on her bed while she was attempting to tie her right shoe.

"You know it could have been so much easier if my mom had brought me my slip-on shoes." Gabriella complained to me. I laughed.

"True, but then you wouldn't be following doctors orders."

"Screw the doctors. This is frustrating me." I raised my hand to my mouth in mock horror.

"Did Gabriella Montez, innocent little Gabriella Montez just… swear?" I said, adding in a little gulp for dramatic effect.

"Yes I did. Live with it." Man, she was cranky today.

"Brie, why so glum? You're leaving today. Finally, you get to go home. It's dream come true!" She looked at me, and then smiled.

"Yeah. You're right. I get to go home!" She said. "I'M GOING HOME!" She yelled. I ran up to her and spun her around in a circle.

"You sure are." I whispered in her ear, and then gently kissed her on the lips. She immediately melted into the kiss. Soon enough, we broke for air.

"Thanks Troy."

"For what?"

"You stuck by me. Even when it got tough, you still stuck by me." I smiled.

"Brie, you have to remember. I will always be there for you. And if you don't remember, just look at the necklace around neck and the ring around your finger." Upon instinct, Gabriella's hand reached up to grab the 'T' necklace around her neck.

"Yeah." She leaned up and kissed me once more, before heading over to the bed and grabbing her purse.

"Are we all ready to go, Miss Montez?" I asked.

"Indeed we are, Mr. Bolton." She responded. I wrapped by arm around her shoulder, and together we walked out of the hospital that had been our home for the last couple of months. As we walked through the hallways, Gabriella said by to all of the nurses and friends she had made while staying here. Finally, when we arrived at the front lobby, there was Mrs. Montez and the Doctor waiting for us.

"Well Miss Gabriella it seems like you're finally leaving us." The doctor joked.

"Yup. No matter how much I love you guys, it's time to go home."

"And I couldn't have it any other way." He responded. They shared a smile, before she walked forward and gave him a hug.

"Thanks doc."

"You're welcome Gabriella. Honestly, but don't tell anybody here, you were one of the best patients that I have ever had.

"And you were the best doctor." I smiled at the sight. Gabriella was back to her bright, bubbly self. And it as a sighed that made my heart flutter. She was back. Our Gabriella was back.

"You make sure you come and visit, alright?"

"Promise." She said.

"Alright then. Best leave you and your family to get you home safely. Best of luck to all of you. Unfortunately, I now have to run off to a patient. Not all of them could have been as patient as Miss Gabriella here." She blushed. Always the modest one, our Gabriella.

"Bye" we all said, waving. As soon as the doctor disappeared from sight, Mrs. Montez turned towards us.

"So, ready to go home?"

"Absolutely." Gabriella replied.

Together, the three of us walked to Mrs. Montez's waiting car, and then we drove out of the hospital parking lot.

Not ever wanting to go back.

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"Gabby, we're home." Mrs. Montez said. Gabriella had been resting on my shoulder the entire car ride home, and I could swear that she had fallen asleep.

"Hm?" She mumbled. I laughed.

"She said to wake up sweetheart, because we're finally home." Her eyes then shot open.

"Really?"

"Would I lie to you?" She sat up in the car, and looked around. She proceeded to stare out of the car window at her house.

"Wanna go in?" I asked. She nodded her head. Together we got out of the car, and walked up the driveway to the front steps.

"Ready?" I asked as I had a firm grip on the doorknob?"

"Yeah." I smiled.

"Let's go." I grabbed her hand, interlaced her fingers with mine, and we stepped into the house. As soon as we got in she looked all around, taking in everything around her; from the pictures that adorned the walls to the furniture that filled up the many rooms. The house wasn't abnormally large, but reasonable sized. The best part, it was Gabriella's home.

"Am I really here?" She asked.

"Yeah. You are"

"I did it. Troy, I did it. I finally made it home."

"You did do it, and we are all so proud of you Gabs." We continued to walk through the house, Gabriella taking in every part of it, memorizing every intricate detail. This home was one of the most important things for her in Albuquerque, and she was finally back.

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After settling in, and finishing the tour of the house, Gabriella and I went up to her bedroom, where we were lying together on her bed. Her head was gently resting against my chest as I rubbed her arm, occasionally kissing her forehead.

"SO, how does it feel to be home?"

"Amazing! Just, perfect. It feels like this is where I belong. You understand?"

"Yes." Gabriella tilted her head so she was looking up at me.

"Troy, will you stay here with me?"

"Why?"

"Well, I got so used to staying with you at…camp. And then you stayed with me almost every night in the hospital, I'm just used to sleeping in your arms." I smiled.

"You wish is my command. You just have to ask your mom first."

"Already done." I laughed.

"Boy, when you want things done, you get them done. Don't you Miss Bella?"

"Yup."

"And that's what I love about you." We stayed quiet for a moment.

"Troy?"

"Yes."

"I still can't thank you enough for everything that happened this summer. I mean, you came to look for me, you figured out where I was; you stayed with me every day in the hospital. I don't know what I did to deserve such a perfect boyfriend like you."

"I'll tell you what you did. You just were Gabriella. Perfect Gabriella; who makes me smile whenever I look into your eyes. You make me happy by just looking at you. Your bubbly personality can bring anybody into a cheerful mood. I tell you what it is Brie, it's magic. It's the magic that comes along with you. You're just a magical perfect, and I just can't help but be mesmerized by you. Let's face it, you have me wrapped around your finger, and I'm never coming off." She laughed.

"Nice analogy."

"Hey, your English tutoring came to some help, didn't it?"

"Well, you won't get my help in university. We're taking different courses."

"I though you said science can be incorporated into everything."

"Except possibly business."

"Dang. The one thing I pick to major in."

"You'll survive."

"No." She looked up at me confused. "We'll Survive."

And then I saw her smile, and it made my day.

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AN: Hey guys. I'm really sad that this story is coming to a close, but seeing as some stories can't last forever, and I am still trying to master the art of being able to write 7-8 pages chapters and still manage to make the stories last for 50 chapters. If anyone has any tips, please feel free to share. One day, I will be able to write that well. I think my chapters are getting a bit longer than before, so at least it's a start, right?

Anyway, talk to you guys soon! Oh, and tell me what you thought of the Australian Premiere pictures. Is it just me or does Zac rarely smile anymore? Either way, we still love him!

Please review! Helps me stay on track!

Xoxo,

Lar