Down The Aisle.
Appearances.
She felt herself come out of her sleep, her eyelids beginning to awaken. The sunlight streamed through the window, landing on her face, making her nose scrunch in annoyance - she wanted more sleep. She huffed and turned herself over to the other side, laying her face back down on the comfortable pillow and she settled herself down again. The sunlight seemed to grow, and her groaned loudly. Sitting up slightly, her eyes still closed, she picked up her pillow and pushed it to her face, with the blackness she wanted finally covering her.
"Nuh-uh! I don't think so Gabs! I opened the curtains for a reason." Sharpay's voice was suddenly in her ear, taking her completely from her dreams. Her eyes flickered open, adjusting to the new found light, and her pillow disappeared. Fury twisted in her face, before she moaned sleepily,
"Sharpay, give me back the God-damn pillow and let me sleep!"
Sharpay's tinkling laugh surrounded the room at her words, but still no pillow came back to her. Gabriella rubbed her eyes helplessly, figuring that she wasn't going to get the sleep she wanted anyway. She sat up, with her back against her headboard, and looked directly at Sharpay, who was sitting in the wooden chair opposite. A smirk decorated her friend's features.
Gabriella rolled her eyes, before glancing at the clock, seeing it was just turned seven. It wasn't as early as she thought it was. She turned back to her friend, who was looking at her expectantly. Gabriella groaned. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?! And why did you wake me up at this time?"
It was Sharpay's turn to roll her eyes. Gabriella stared back at her, too tired to think. Sharpay shook her head at her forgetful friend and ended up sitting on her bed. Sharpay's hands held onto Gabriella, quite tightly. "Honey… You're getting married today."
And then everything was a blur in her mind; a hive of activity. She was getting married today. How could she forget that? How could she forget the one thing she had been waiting for her entire life. The one moment that brought her and Troy together forever. She smiled widely, and in the back of her mind heard Sharpay laugh. Today she would become Mrs Gabriella Bolton. She sighed in contentment. Nothing could ever beat that feeling. In a way, she wished Troy could be here at the moment to experience the remembrance with her. But he wasn't; he was away getting ready too.
Gabriella laughed loudly. "Gosh, how could I forget?!"
Sharpay laughed again, shaking her head from side to side. "I have no idea, Gabs.' Then they quietened down. Sharpay's eyes held with Gabriella's, and small tears decided to form. Sharpay smiled shakily, trying to contain the emotion. 'I can't tell you how happy I am for you, Gabriella. You are my best friend, and I love you to pieces. I just know you'll be happy with Troy. You deserve this, after everything you had to go through to get to this moment.' Sharpay kissed Gabriella's cheek. 'You deserve this, more than anyone."
Gabriella sniffed, Sharpay's words getting to her. "Thank you, Sharpay. You've been an amazing friend. One I'll cherish forever."
Sharpay wiped away a small tear which had sauntered down her cheek. She smiled. "Now, lets dry these eyes. It's your wedding day! We've got some pampering to do! But first - breakfast."
Gabriella threw off her covers, and grabbed her robe, shoving it on over her pyjamas. Sharpay grabbed her hand, and then they both took off down the stairs, almost two at a time. The morning light shone throughout the house on this fine day, making Gabriella's happy mood increase even more. She felt so incredibly happy.
They walked into the kitchen, with Sharpay announcing that she would make Gabriella some toast, while Gabriella sat down at the table. Sharpay turned back to her friend, holding something behind her back. Gabriella's eyebrows rose.
Sharpay smiled. "So, I've been given orders, that you are to be given this. From lover-boy. Soon to be husband."
Gabriella giggled, before outstretching her hand to take whatever it was. From behind Sharpay's back, she produced a large envelope, which was bursting at the seams. Gabriella was curious, and made to open it, her fingers itching to know what was inside. Then the envelope vanished from her hands as Sharpay grabbed it.
"No! You have to stand over there, on the plastic netting." Sharpay explained.
Gabriella turned around to find a large sheet of plastic covering her floor. Wordlessly, she walked over to it, stood on top of it, feeling the plastic stick to the soles of her feet. Then she turned to Sharpay, and held out her hands for her envelope. Sharpay smiled before handing it over.
"Do you mind stepping right into the middle, Gabs. I know what's inside, and you really need to be in the middle for his brilliant idea to work."
Gabriella sighed, before moving to the middle. Annoyance lay in her tone. "Can I open it now, please?"
Sharpay giggled, before nodding. In a instant, Gabriella's curious fingers were ripping at the package. They slid under the seal, sending it open at both sides. To her astonishment, thousands of rose petals descended to the ground from the package. They fell gracefully, fluttering down, and landing on the sheet of plastic. There was a mix of both white and deep red petals, and her whole kitchen floor was covered, It was beautiful.
Gabriella looked up at Sharpay for an explanation, but only got the reply of, "Read the note, if you can find it in amongst all of those."
Gabriella then got down on her hands and knees, burying around trying to find the note. After a few minutes of searching, Gabriella's hands finally touched on something much rougher than the delicate petals, and she lifted it out of the piles, to find it was a sheet of dark red car, cut into the shape of a rose. Troy's handwriting read:
My beautiful Gabriella. I'm sorry I couldn't be there to wake up with you on this delightful morning, but Sharpay can be quite forceful when she wants to be. Why ever did you give her a key?!
Gabriella's eyes floated up to Sharpay's face, before Gabriella giggled, and began reading again.
I see you have found my package, and I hope you are not too puzzled. As you can see there are red petals, and white petals. The red represent every single day we have spent together, up until today. One for each day; you can count them if you wish. And then there are the white petals, many more than the red ones I hope, because they represent our future, and I hope we can beat the amount of white petals lying on our kitchen floor.
I love you so much, Brie, more than I thought it was possible. I cannot wait to be able to call you my wife. Today we will get married, and you will make me the happiest man on earth. Maybe you'll even make me happy, twice?
I'll be waiting for you, at the bottom of the aisle.
Loving you, and only you, forever,
Troy.
Gabriella's eyes filled up with tears as she read his heartfelt words. He'd said before he wasn't much of a man with words, but everything he had said had touched her heart considerably. Every word was true. And she didn hope that they could beat the amount of white petals, although, by the looks of it, it'd be quite a challenge! But what had he meant by making him happy twice! Didn't he know that you only got married once? Or was that just in Britain? She shook her head, telling herself to only think of the positive things. The most positive, that she would be his bride.
She looked up at Sharpay, tears now falling from her eyes. "He's so perfect."
Sharpay smiled with her. "What did it say?"
She walked over to Sharpay, leaving the card in her hands, while she took a seat down at the table, ready to eat her toast. Behind her Sharpay was awing away, a few mumbles of 'Zeke was never that romantic' in between. Gabriella had to laugh at that; this was definitely the most romantic thing a man had ever done for her.
After she had finished her breakfast, she turned back around to Sharpay, who was now sweeping up the petals that hadn't landed on the plastic, and making sure they were on the plastic now. Gabriella asked, "What's with the plastic then?"
Sharpay smiled. "Troy thinks of everything Gabriella; you should know that by now! He made you stand on the plastic so it'd be easier for me to clean up. To tell you the truth, I'd made him put something on the floor. Seriously, I wasn't going on my hands and knees picking up all 5745 petals… separately!"
Gabriella smiled, before nodding.
At that moment there was a knock on the door. Sharpay announced that she would get it, and moments later she was back with a flustered Lesley in tow. Lesley beamed at Gabriella was soon as she saw her, and welcomed Gabriella into her arms. "Honey, it's your wedding day!"
Gabriella smiled back, excited. "I know!"
Lesley's hands played with Gabriella's hair, taking away the knots in a motherly fashion. "Are you nervous? Most brides are, you know. And you'd expressed worries to me before…"
"I'm not nervous at all. I'm just excited to become his other half. Everything else, like you said, is just melting away. I don't… care if the whole nation watches my wedding. Because I'll be the only one feeling the power of his words and love.' Lesley smiled, and she continued. 'Obviously, I'd love to be able to have that quiet wedding I wanted, but the main thing is that I'm getting married."
Lesley nodded. "Good. I'm glad. You're so in love with him, Gabriella, I can see that clearly.' Gabriella nodded in agreement. 'But, I'm afraid we have to get going. The wedding begins at noon, and you're getting your dresses on at the house.' Lesley went into control mode. 'So come on! Chop, chop!"
-.-.-
Troy stood in front of the mirror in the stately home. He fussed with the buttons of his shirt, and played with the cuffs. He wanted to look perfect. He wanted to look the part for Gabriella. Once his shirt was fully buttoned, and he couldn't find anything to fuss over, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
He was happy more than anything, but more nervous than he thought he'd be. From the moment he'd met Gabriella, he'd known that he would marry her. They were perfect together. So why was he feeling so stressed today? Was it the fact that there was so much publicity for their wedding? Was it the fact that there were so many paparazzi and news reporters outside, waiting to catch a glimpse of the glowing bride Gabriella would be? Or was it the fact that he had a little secret; something he hadn't planned until last night, and had been up until the early hours of the morning with Zeke trying to arrange?
Yes, he put it down to all those rolled into one. Sighing, he sat down, and rubbed his hands over his face, trying to calm down. Everything would go perfectly today, even the last minute things.
He dug around in his pocket, and made sure the ring he was giving to Ryan was there. He was relieved when he found it, and took it out, turning it around gently in his hands. Gabriella's engagement ring was white gold, with three diamonds glittering on top of it. The wedding ring he'd chosen was simple, yet stunning. It was also white gold, with a small row of diamonds. Engraved in the inside was the words, "I'll love you forever". When he imagined them decorating her fingers, he couldn't help the thrill that went through him. Today, he would make her his, completely. They would be bound together.
The doors swung open at the other end of the room, producing a happy looking Ryan, with his wife Michelle looking giddy with excitement on Ryan's side. Michelle rushed over to him and wrapped him into her arms. He sighed at the comfort, but couldn't help wishing they were Gabriella's arms.
She pulled back, and looked at him. "You look anxious." She stated; it wasn't a question.
He shrugged. "Little bit."
She touched his cheek, her eyes telling him to answer properly, like a mother to her naughty son. "Why? You are about to get married to the girl you love. Why one earth are you nervous?"
He shook his head. Why was he nervous? He had no need to be. "You're right. I don't need to be nervous. I'm completely happy, Michelle. Honestly."
She smiled widely, patting him on the back, before going up to his neck and fixing his tie. In so many ways she reminded him of his mother. Always helping and fixing. She stood back after a moment to admire her handy work. "There. That's better. Oh, here come your parents!"
Anna burst into the room, with Jack trailing along behind her, with a happy face. He looked proud of his son, and that pleased Troy. Earlier on in his life, Jack had wanted Troy to play basketball like he had done. Troy had chosen acting over the basketball, and that had caused many arguments. He was glad to see his father looking like he was pleased with him.
Jack came up to him and clapped him firmly on the back, smiling all the while. "So, son, you're getting married. Are you happy?"
Troy looked down, then back up at his father. "More than I ever thought possible."
Jack shrugged. "Well then, there's nothing more for me to say. If you're happy, then marrying Gabriella is the right thing to do. I know you'll treat her right and keep her safe."
"That will be my life long goal; to make her the happiest woman possible." Troy strongly believed that he had to do that; to prove to her that the choice she has made is worth it. Because she was the one who completed him, and the thought of living without her hurt him.
Anna stood back, looking at her son. He saw the tears shine in her eyes, but all she did was stand there, looking at him, with one hand covering her mouth. She let go of her hand and smiled at him. Her voice was shaking when she spoke. "Wow. This is all really happening. You're really getting married. You're… going."
He shook his head. "I'm never… gone. I'm always here. But from now on, Gabriella will always be by my side." He opened his arms, and his mother went forward and hugged him tightly.
"I'm so proud of you Troy. You are an amazing son, darling." She whimpered into his ear, before turning away and hugging her husband.
Ryan stepped up next, holding out his hand. Troy placed his hand in Ryan's. Ryan smiled widely. "Only fifteen minutes of freedom left, buddy."
Troy chuckled. "And I can't wait for them to end."
"That's what I like to hear.' Ryan chuckled, before they released their hands, but Ryan kept his outstretched. 'You got the ring?"
Troy handed it over. "Keep it safe; I'll need it."
Ryan nodded, before everything in that room settled down and quietened. This gave troy time to reflect and get ready to stand at the bottom of that aisle, watching his beauty come towards him.
However, things weren't so quiet at the other end of the house. Women were everywhere, rushing around, with Gabriella standing in the middle of it all, laughing at little comments, and generally just watching the commotion that was displayed before her eyes. Wasn't she the one that was supposed to be throwing up and running around the place like a headless chicken? She shook her head. No, she wasn't nervous at all. She didn't need to be.
Only one thing haunted at the back of her mind. The note that had mysteriously been left for her had had her mind reeling for hours. She had thought about the weeks that had gone before, thought about past experiences, and whom they were with to try and piece together, and find out the person who was trying to instil doubt within her. Who would want her to doubt her happiness with Troy? There was two options. One, the person was being friendly and just checking that she was sure she was doing the right thing - to which she knew she was, because she was nothing without the man who was standing a few doors down. Or Two, they wanted her to doubt Troy, and decided against the wedding, so they could gain something - to which she wouldn't give in. She refused to doubt Troy, because he was strong, and the bond they shared was unbreakable. She just hoped that she wouldn't have to face something like this today.
The dress had been put on little over half an hour ago, and her hair and make-up was done to perfection. She was standing in the middle of the room while all the women in her family danced around her, admiring the dress. They touched it, running their fingers through the fabric, and caused Gabriella t laugh at their awed expressions. At least she knew she'd picked the right dress!
Her mother was standing in a corner, being comforted by Catherine, who was desperately trying to keep her mother's tears at bay. It was very emotion for Gabriella's mother to see her only child given away, and even more emotional as she was the one who was doing the giving away. But she was overall happy that Gabriella had found a man she loved.
Amongst the sea of women, she noticed Michelle coming towards her. They were great friends, and had been ever since that night with the lasagne. Michelle finally reached her, looking her up and down.
"There was never a more beautiful bride." Michelle gushed, and Gabriella looked down, hiding her blushing face.
Gabriella giggled slightly. "Thank you. How's Troy doing?"
Michelle smiled. "He's a little nervous but doing great. He'll be fine once he sees you."
"I'm likewise." Gabriella admitted.
Suddenly Kelsi burst into view, with a small notebook in hand, and in ear piece in her ear, which was her lifesaver. She clapped her hands loudly, and everyone looked to her with attention. She smiled, winking at Gabriella, before talking. "Alright! It's time to go get Gabriella hitched! So I need to all in procession."
Everyone got into position, with Gabriella at the back, her hand slipped into her mothers. Her mother looked up at her, smiling. "You look beautiful, my daughter."
"Thank you Mum."
They began to walk forward, with nervous butterflies stirring in her stomach. But she held her own, going down the stairs, with some of the bridesmaids helping with the dress. Once they reached the bottom, her dress of was laid to the ground, she was given her bouquet, and the bridesmaids, one of which was Sharpay, joined their places, with Sharpay giving her one last kiss on the cheek.
"GABRIELLA! I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD DO THIS!"
A man's voice bellowed from behind them, just as the doors opened. The music which had started came to an abrupt stop. The bridesmaids who had began to walk forward, stopped and turned around, all eyes on the mans voice, and his footsteps which were coming closer and closer to the wedding party. Only Gabriella stayed put, facing the front, with her eyes glued to the front. She couldn't turn around. She couldn't turn around to see--
"Max. Leave me alone. I'm getting married, if you haven't noticed." She said this all in the other direction, not allowing herself to turn and see his face.
She felt his presence behind her, and she stiffened. "Oh yes, I can see what you're doing. Which is precisely why I left you that note, to tell you to stop."
Many people gasped at his words, but her voice stayed strong like steel. "Yes. I got that note. And I decided to ignore it. Now if you can please leave, I'd like to get married."
He persisted. "And I'd like you to listen, Gabriella---"
"I'll call security."
"---you don't love him! You never listened to what I had to say! I had to get myself on television just for the chance that you would see me! Leave him, forget about him---"
"SECURITY!"
"---I can make you happy, Gabriella. Remember how it once was---"
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!" Troy's voice rang from inside the hall. Gabriella's eyes swivelled to look at the man she loved. Fury was pouring from his eyes, and she saw him glance at Max, recognising him from all those months ago.
It seemed the marriage ceremony would be delayed.
A/N; Oh, don't you just love the cliff hanger! I know, I'm being mean. But hopefully you'll get an update soon. There are only two more chapters left, so I'm gonna make them count. This is a belated Valentine's day gift, also. I did a Edward/Bella oneshot too, so please check that out & review!
Will they ever get married? And will Max leave? Will you readers finally find out Troy's secret?
Look for another update to find out!
Thanks for all your supportive reviews; I'd really love some more. Hit near 90 and the update comes quicker. (:
-xlovestory (note the new pen-name)