Disclaimer: I do not own High School Musical or any other such thing involved! It belongs to Disney.
(May 26th) (A/N: I know, I skipped an entire month, but not much would have happened anyway... Just saying.)
11:00am
Troy's POV
I stood up next to mirror in front of Gabriella as she fixed the tie on my shirt and played with my hair. Today would be the day that Gabriella and I were graduating from East High. Unfortunately, I didn't think hard before volunteering to give a speech after row call when everyone received their diplomas. I had spent the last month trying to memorize my speech but it was almost impossible to remember having written basically a story from what I was seeing on my cards.
"Babe, hold still" Gabriella said adjusting my tie.
"Gabs, even if I don't hold still, the tie would still look decent" I whined.
"No it wont, now please stand still" she said. I sighed and looked up. I was extremely nervous about giving my speech during graduation.
"Babe" I whined looking at Gabriella with puppy eyes.
"Troy, I know you're nervous about speaking at graduation but I think it will be a really good way to end senior year" Gabriella said straitening out my shirt and adjusting my tie so that it was perfect.
"I thought the musical we did was the best way to round up senior year?" I asked.
"Yeah, but I think it would be nice for you to speak for us this year" Gabi smiled.
"I don't know if I'm ready to just yet though" I said looking at my note cards.
"Troy, Mrs. Darbus gave you a whole month to prepare a speech!" Gabriella said.
"I know but, I wouldn't have volunteered to do the speaking if I had known how hard it was to come up with a speech that should only take me three whole minutes to revise" I sighed.
"Baby, you just need to relax. I already know you're gonna do great. And I'm sure it will be the best speech any East High graduate has ever heard of" she said stroking my hair. I smiled weakly and kissed her on her cheek. I tried harder to memorize my note cards until my mom walked in the room with my now five-month-old daughter.
"Look who just got a new dress!" my mom exclaimed showing me and Gabriella a dress that she had bought for Aspen to wear to our graduation ceremony. It was a pink frilly dress that was decorated with glitter on the ruffles of the dress, giving it a frilly look. Aspen giggled at my mom's high pitched voice, in response to Mom talking to her. My little girl was so precious, her beauty was unreal. She was growing to look much like Gabriella in every way. She had dark little curls, and the most beautiful brown eyes. She had Gabi's sweet smile, and her bubbly attitude. Almost anything I would say whether it was gibberish, she would always laugh. The way her eyes would squint whenever she would give a big smile was the most adorable thing I had seen in my life. Aspen was so full of life and always made my day better. I loved my little girl more than anything. I couldn't let anything hurt her.
"Lucille, it's gorgeous!" Gabriella squealed taking Aspen from my mom. Gabi and Mom gave Aspen a lot of kisses on her cheeks, causing her to giggle even more. I smiled at the three of them.
"I just picked it up today. I figured I would surprise the two" Mom said.
"Well, it's a beautiful dress" Gabi smiled.
"She looks very beautiful" I said in a soft voice caressing my baby's little face.
"Did you say thank you to Grandma?" I said in a baby voice tickling her tummy. She giggled softly and babbled staring blankly at me. Mom, Gabi and I laughed. After a moment, Mom took Aspen downstairs to change her into a different outfit until the ceremony began. It was only 11:15 and the ceremony didn't start until twelve noon. Mom didn't want Aspen to splash, spill, or get the dress dirty before then. After the millionth time I couldn't hold still while Gabi fixed me up, she gave up and we decided to take a break. I was still stressing about my speech that I had to give.
"Troy, don't just sit around, we have to be at the school in thirty minutes!" Gabi said buttoning up the top part of her dress.
"Gabs, just give me a minute!" I said looking over my note cards. Gabriella saw the expression on my face and then sighed. I could also tell she was anxious to get up to the school to take our places for the ceremony. But we would only arrive at the school within ten minutes because I lived so close. I took another deep breath trying to calm down. I kept staring down at my watch checking the time. I had exactly twenty minutes to review my speech before Gabi and I went down to the school for the row call rehearsal. I felt like very second I read a sentence, I was wasting time. But I wasn't. I was trying very hard to remember. With Gabriella, Mom, Dad, and Aspen distracting me, it was even more difficult to concentrate. I just couldn't focus.
Fifteen minutes later;
I felt like a complete failure. Everyone had just finished rehearsing the walk for the ceremony for when Mrs. Darbus called out our names and handed us our diplomas and sadly, I hadn't put a dent into my speech. What was I going to do now? I was about to stand up in front of the entire my entire class and other seniors, including mine and every one else parents to give a speech I hadn't even prepared for. What was my family going to think? And worst of all, what was East High going to think? It was too late to back down now. I could have said something earlier when I had the chance but like always, I was so sure I could wing it. But about now, I wasn't sure. My heart was racing in my chest. I couldn't stop sweating either. I hadn't remembered being this nervous since my daughter was being born.
"Are you ready, Troy?" Gabi whispered.
"For what?" I asked nervously.
Gabriella frowned. "To graduate, silly" she said.
I mentally slapped myself on the back of my head. "As I'll ever be, Gabs" I sighed. I looked up and down from my watch and saw everyone lining up to walk out side. I removed my cap to wipe the sweat from my fore head and placed it carefully back on my head. Gabriella walked in front of me and held my hand as the band for the ceremony played 'Pomp and Circumstance' for the march. I, with the rest of my class, marched outside into the hot May sun beaming on my face. It made me sweat more. My stomach started to form a knot. I was nervous beyond belief. I saw my mom, dad, and Gabriella's mom waving at the two of us from afar with Aspen sitting on Maria's lap. Even though I was more worried about screwing up my speech, I tried to think positive and hope that it would all blow over fast.
Once we all were seated, Mrs. Darbus began to announce our names and what we had planned for college and what we planned to do for our futures. Afterward, we had received our diplomas and jumped out of our chairs with excitement a few times. I noticed, Gabi kept looking over at me for comfort. She could see how nervous I was to be called up for my speech after everyone had got their diplomas. I winked back at her to let her know I was going to be okay.
"Are you getting pictures, Lucille?" Maria asked.
"Lots. Troy's not looking too goo over there. He looks like he's gonna run out to be sick any moment" my mom joked holding her camera up to take pictures of the graduates.
"Hey, honey, save some film for the party later" my dad said. Mom and Maria laughed.
"Mr. Troy Bolton will gladly be concluding our Senior year with a speech he had volunteered to give. You're up, Mr. Bolton" Mrs. Darbus through the microphone. I stood up feeling very shaky and weak in my knees. I walked up to the podium, feeling the contents in my stomach turn to liquid. I swallowed my breath a few times with my mouth being to dry for words. I stood in front of the podium and cleared my throat, hoping my words would fly from my mouth smoothly, while trying to refrain myself from gagging and vomiting on the spot.
"Seniors of East High" I paused. I looked at everyone as I continued to think. I licked my lips and resumed. "I'm glad to say that I am ecstatic to be able to round up this wonderful last year I had spent with my fellow classmates" I stopped again. I could hear faint chatters from the crowd. I sighed heavily and after a moment I was instantly comforted, yet in shock by a small little voice that I heard coming from where my mom, dad, and Gabriella's mother were seated. 'Dada!' the voice called out. I looked to my right and saw where that sweet little sound came from. It couldn't be. I saw the expression on their faces looking down at my daughter. I stood silent with my mouth open. Of all the days it could happen, I had just heard my baby girl say her first word. "Dada!" Aspen called out again with a big smile on her little face. Gabriella turned her head back up to look at me. She had tears in her eyes. She was just as happy as I had felt to hear our baby girl say her very first word. I chuckled softly and smiled at Gabriella as she smiled back at me. Sharpay, Taylor, Chad, Zeke, Kelsie, and Ryan could all see the looks on our faces. They awed at our reaction to our daughter talking.
"My daughter, everyone" I said into the microphone. The crowed laughed and awed. All of a sudden my nerves had subsided and I was ready to resume my speech.
"I've gotta say, this has been one crazy year. But there was a lot that was accomplished. Along with the accomplishments came a lot of hardships. We started at East High not knowing what would be expected of ourselves. Not knowing who we'd be once we've finished. But we never know who we'll be within time. Only time will tell. But as we look back on this wild journey, we realize that nothing stays the same. The four years I've spent here at East High, were the most challenging yet the best years of my high school life. In those four years, I played basketball, met some amazing people, and found someone very special. Like I said; only time will tell where we will be in our lives. A few years ago, I wasn't sure that I would be here doing this. I thought I would just still be playing basketball, and going to college. But I ended up with more than I bargained for. All in one year, I had been offered a scholarship to college to continue my career in basketball, I kept my special someone in my life, and now we're raising our baby girl together. And out of all of those things, I don't regret a single moment of any of them. And I would take any of it back. And looking back on this wonderful journey, I wouldn't change anything from it. I've learned that we live to learn things in life. And that we grow to experience the newer things that come along. And most importantly, to hold on to the good times we've had, the friend's we've made, the best things we've done to make our school a better place, and the memories we've created being here at East High school. And now today, is finally the beginning of the rest of our lives. And I couldn't be happier that I'm planning to live for it with my family, my best friends, the girl I love that I will, someday soon, make my wife, and my beautiful little girl. And I say so because, we're all in this together. The way it should and forever always be with each other, no matter what turn we make in our lives. Congratulations, East High's class of 2008. We did it. And together. Go, Wildcats!"
All of the senior graduates of East High stood up from out of their chairs and clapped their hands. I stood silent and watched everyone in front of me. I smiled. I couldn't believe that this year was finally over. I looked down at Gabriella, whom just couldn't wipe her smile off of her face. A few tears came into my eyes looking around at my classmates. I tried harder to pinch back my tears. After a moment of applaud, everyone threw their red and white caps into the air. I threw mine into the air as well. Inside, I almost didn't want this year to end just yet. But I had to let go. But not of everything. Forever, I would hold on to the memories and remember the great things that had happened this year. I would never forget. I left the podium and ran down next to Gabriella, picked her up and swung her around. She laughed when I did being excited that we graduated.
"Troy, you were amazing!" she said with a shiny smile on her face.
"Man, I'll tell you, trying to make up a speech on the spot was killing me. I guess hearing my baby girl talk for the first time just some how gave me my confidence back" I said. Gabi and I shared a passionate kiss.
"I'm really proud of you, Brie" I said.
"Why?" she grinned while still being held in my arms.
"Because, if there's anyone I could think of that really pulled through this year, is you. You did it all even when you were having a baby. You said to yourself that even though you were gonna have a baby, it wouldn't stop you from finishing school. But I always knew you could do it. I never stopped believing in you, Gabs. And one day, you're going to make everyone you love proud. And most of all, you'll feel good about yourself for taking the stand and doing it like you did this year" I said to her. Her and I shared another kiss before being approached by our parents.
"My baby boy, you did it!" my mom said grabbing my face and kissing my cheek. Gabi hid her face and giggled at me with my mom.
"Thanks, Mom" I said trying to free myself from her pinching my cheeks.
"Gabriella, honey, I'm so proud of you" Maria said to her daughter.
"Thank you, Mama" Gabriella said giving her mother a hug. I smiled at the two of them still thinking of how proud of Gabriella I was, then I looked at my daughter whom was in Maria's arm.
"Baby girl, you talked!" I said excitedly taking Aspen from Maria. I held her up into the air and the sweet sound of her baby giggles filled my ears.
"Can you say 'Dada' again for me?" I said. Aspen just smiled and giggled again "Dada-dada-dada!" she squealed proudly. I kissed her little cheek making her giggle more.
"This is a gifted child" I said proudly. Mom, Dad, Maria, and Gabriella all laughed.
My mom looked at the time on her watch and gasped. "Come one, you guys. We gotta get back to the house and pull out the rest of the food so we can get ready for the party!" my mom exclaimed.
"In a minute, Mom. We're gonna round up the gang before we head out" I said handing Aspen back to Maria. I chuckled at my baby girl whom was whimpering for not wanting to be away from me.
"You guys wouldn't mind taking Aspen with you guys, would you?" Gabriella asked.
"Of course not. Little one needs her nap anyway so she doesn't turn into a grumpy pants like her Daddy" my dad joked, cooing at Aspen.
"Very funny, Dad. I wonder who I get that from" I remarked. Everyone laughed again.
"We'll see you guys back at the house" my mom said as Gabriella and I went our separate ways from the adults. We grabbed all our friends and invited them over for our graduation party.
About an hour later;
Gabriella's POV-
I walked around Troy's backyard greeting his guests and asking everyone if they were either having a good time or enjoying the food. I probably walked around this backyard at least ten times in the last hour this has been going on. I was growing bored and tired. I had been up early this morning since Aspen loved waking Troy and I up before the scheduled times we were supposed to be awake.
"Hey, babe" Troy said coming over toward me rubbing my tense shoulders.
"Hey" I whispered throwing away left out dirty paper plates trying to keep the yard tidy.
"You doing okay" he asked.
I sighed. "Yeah, I'm just a little bit tired" I yawned. Troy chuckled and pecked my lips.
"You want to go upstairs and take a nap while I entertain the guests?" he offered.
"No, I'll be fine for a bit" I said trying to hold back another yawn. I was very tired. I had been up since six o'clock this morning and had been on my feet since then.
"All right. Well, let me know when you feel like it" he kissed me as he walked off. I scoffed at the man I called my boyfriend. He was lucky he could sleep past anything, especially our daughter's crying.
I walked around again and smiled at the guests and tried as hard as I could not to let Troy see how much more tired I was becoming. Then I noticed Taylor, Sharpay, and Kelsi standing and talking as Taylor held a squirmy Aspen in her arms.
"Why are you so fussy?" Taylor struggled trying to keep Aspen still in her arms as the infant put up a fuss.
"Here. Give her to me" Sharpay said reaching her arms out for Aspen. Once she was in her arms, she still wouldn't stop squirming around and crying.
"Maybe she's hungry" Kelsi thought.
"I doubt it" Taylor frowned.
"Are you guys doing okay?" I approached the girls casually.
"We are. But little one here doesn't seem to be" Taylor referred to the whiny baby in Sharpay's arms.
"She still hasn't had her nap yet. You want me to take her for a while?" I asked.
"No, she can stay with Aunty Shar for a while" Sharpay said gently bouncing Aspen in her arms to get the whimpering to stop.
"Shar, the longer she's awake, the crankier she'll get. It's probably best to just put her down now" I sighed as I lifted my daughter into my arms and held her next to my chest as I patted her back. Aspen immediately calmed down.
"Well whatever makes it easier for you" Kelsi said with a smile. I exchanged a smile with her and swayed back and forth when Aspen began to start crying again.
"Shh, Mama's here now" I whispered to the fussy child in my arms. She rubbed her eyes and continued to cry. I could tell she was tired too.
"Gabs, you look a little tired yourself, maybe you should lie down" Taylor suggested.
"I would, but I have guests to entertain" I protested.
The girls smiled. "Well, we're here if you need us" Sharpay said. I smiled back at my girlfriends and walked toward the patio. Aspen kept on crying and squirmed in my arms. I held her completely still in my arms.
"Aspen, stop it! You are fine" I muttered as I patted her back to make her calm down a bit. She rested her little head on my shoulder, ready to go to sleep. I decided to go upstairs to rest my feet for a bit and put Aspen to sleep.
Meanwhile outside;
Troy searched all over the backyard in search for me. He began to get worried when he couldn't find me anywhere.
"Chad!" Troy exclaimed.
Chad turned around, startled by his best friend who had a sudden grip on him.
"What's up, dude?" Chad asked.
"Have you seen Gabriella?" he asked frantically.
"I don't know, I thought she was with you." Chad answered.
"Troy, man, slow down. Maybe she's with the girls" Zeke said.
Troy quickly rushed to Sharpay, Kelsi, and Taylor hoping to find me with them.
"Excuse me, Ladies" Troy said politely.
"What's up, Troy?" Taylor asked.
"You guys haven't seen Gabs around, have you?" he asked them.
"Yeah, I think she went upstairs to put Aspen to sleep. The poor girl looked so tired" Taylor said. Troy quickly without response ran inside the house and ran up to the bedroom. As he opened the door, he saw me spread out on our bed sleeping. He sighed of relief and smiled at me sleeping peacefully on top of the bed. As he walked closer, he saw Aspen in her crib sleeping like the pretty little baby she was. Troy leaned over me and gave me a kiss on the lips. I mumbled in my sleep and my eyes fluttered open as I saw Troy on top of me.
"Hi" I whispered to him.
"Hey" he whispered back.
"I'm sorry I just left the yard without telling you" I said apologetically.
"I was worried for a minute. But I can see you were pretty tired" he chuckled.
I smiled in return. "Just give me a few minutes and I'll be back downstairs with you" I said.
"No way, Gabs. I know you're tired and you've been up since early this morning, so you need your rest. And secondly, you can't get rid of me that easy" he smiled. I giggled at his comment. Troy laid next to me as I cuddled next to him. He let out a heavy yawn, confirming that he was tired as well.
"You know, Gabs" he spoke up from stroking my hair.
"Hmm?" I managed to get out as I was trying to sleep.
"I've done a lot of thinking today" he said.
"About what?" I yawned.
"About us and everything we've been through this last year" Troy stated.
I chuckled. "Well, Troy, don't beat around the bush, tell me what's on your mind" I said impatiently.
Troy sat up and pulled me up and had my back leaned into his chest as he stroked my hair.
"Gabriella, this last year has been pretty crazy for us. We dealt with more than teenagers our age should. But, I came to terms with the fact that now, I have you and Aspen in my life" he started. I smiled as I shut my tired eyes but still having ears open for him.
"And I realized that you and our daughter are all I need in this world. Sure, we've hit a lot of bumps on this crazy journey, but it was all worth it. It's funny to me because a year ago, I didn't think I would have any of this. I was just a seventeen year old boy hoping I would be able to get into college and had no further plans for myself. But now I'm getting the best of everything" he chuckled as he looked down at me.
"And I'm glad you are, Troy" I said as I closed my eyes again.
"I really am. You know why?" he asked.
I looked up at him. "Why?" I asked with a light smile.
"Because I've got you" he said. I smiled at him again and tilted my head to the side to kiss him.
"And you know what, Troy?" I said.
"Hmm?" he mumbled into my hair.
"I have the best of life too" I smiled looking down at my feet.
"And why is that?" he asked simpleminded.
"Because all of this time, despite as much hell as we've dealt with and all of the things we've been through in whatever condition I was in during the time, you've always stayed with me" I said. Troy looked at me with his blue eyes.
"That's because I love you, Gabriella" he said.
"I'll always be there with you, no matter the cost" he whispered. We both shared another passionate kiss before we lay back down to take a nap. Before I could quickly fall asleep, I had thoughts in my head,
All of this time with everything that was thrown at Troy and I in the last year, we still stuck by each other. It made me feel good inside to know that there was someone there that cared about me and loved me unconditionally. All of this time, Troy was with me, even if he wasn't physically there. By every move that me made, every expression on his face, and every feeling I caught from him, he was there and cared so much. I knew by now having Troy in my life was the best decision I had ever made. All because he was there with me all of the time. And I know for a fact, that it would always be this way.
This was all I needed and Troy Alexander Bolton was the only one meant for me in my life from this day forward. But then I can't forget- It's only the first year of our relationship and parenthood. But I still believe things could work from here on out.
A/N: Okay, so I might have rushed toward the ending but I tried my best to make it decent. Anyway, I hope all of readers enjoyed the story overall! And again, thank you all for being patient and being such a good audience! Tell me what you think!
Love always – Nat =]