Down The Aisle

Happiness

She held onto Troy's hand tightly as he guided her through the hall in which they'd got married and out into the warm night air. The sun was getting ready to set and the birds were chirping happily. The caterers and minister were outside, and Gabriella hurriedly thanked them for everything they had done. They smiled gratefully at her, with little smirks playing on the edges of their lips. It seemed like everyone knew what was going on except her. But she loved surprises, and to make her new husband happy, she'd keep all her questions to herself and let him do whatever it was that was happening. Troy looked back at her, his face full of joy. Yes, it'd be worth it.

She kept her hold on his hand and eventually they managed, after going through one of the secret entrances, to get into a car. It was long and black, similar to a limousine, but to avoid suspicion and the paparazzi following them Troy had opted for something a little more discreet. He held the door open from Gabriella and watched as she shifted herself in; it was quite hard because of her dress. He folded the rest of her train into the car before shutting the door, running to the other side and slipping in. As soon as he was in the car it drove quickly off, without any encouragement. Gabriella placed her head on Troy's shoulder and Troy sighed happily.

"Are you happy?" He asked suddenly.

She looked up at him with the eyes he'd learnt to love so dearly. They told him everything she wasn't willing to say and explained how much she loved him with every glance. She broke out into a smile. "Of course I'm happy. We've just got married. No-one could be sad."

He smiled, cupping her cheek and stroking the soft skin. She leant into his touch, the butterflies forming in her stomach as they always did with every touch Troy gave her. It was a normal reaction, and her heart swelled every time. He gently brought their heads together, pressing a soft but passionate kiss on his lips, before breaking off and kissing her eyes, nose and mouth once again. She giggled. This was the part of this man she loved the most.

He grasped hold of her hand in both of his. "But what I really meant was… are you okay now, after what happened this afternoon. It must have been quite a shock to see him there."

She sighed, looking out the window. "Well, I certainly wasn't expecting it. We'd managed to avoid him for almost a year and a half, and then, on the day we don't want to see him the most, he shows up. That man always had impeccable timing.' She laughed lightly, but there was a bitter edge. Troy cuddled her more. 'It hurt me that he was there, you know. And for him to think that turning up today would make me want to be with him… he couldn't have been more wrong. I'm just glad that he's gone now.' She turned to face Troy. 'And I hope that he'll stay away from us. We don't want, or need him."

Troy nodded, stroking her hand. "That's true. But what I'm trying to figure out is how he managed to find us? He always was sneaky in his approach."

"The whole world knew our wedding was today. Half the world knew where it was. I don't think I'd be surprised if thousands of people had turned up wanting autographs and pictures. This was what life is like for you and me. We're always in the spotlight. It wouldn't have been hard for him to find out where we were. Many people knew."

"Do you regret… being with me, then?' He watched her eyes widen in shock and he quickly fixed his meaning. 'I mean, do you regret being with me because before you met me your life was a lot simpler. I remember when I first came our to here and stayed with you. You said that the publicity in London definitely wasn't as full on as it was in America. Maybe if you'd never met me… you wouldn't be so much in the spotlight. And that sounds what you want."

Her hands came up quickly and grasped his face firmly. She looked him dead in the eye. "What I want is you. I don't care if we have to go into hiding as some point because the publicity becomes too much. I don't care how many cameras follow us. And I don't care how many people are watching us. Yes, it's slightly annoying. But as long as you are with me, I'm okay. Don't you ever think that I regret being with you. That's absurd. I love you, you know that don't you? I wouldn't have let you put that ring on my finger if I didn't."

He contemplated her words, finding them all true, and then he smiled. "I'm sorry. I just wish that you didn't have to go through this. I wanted you to have the best wedding possible.' He smirked, grabbing something from behind his back and slipping it over her eyes. It was a blindfold. She gasped in shock, and started to groan, but he silenced her with a kiss. 'And because I want you now to have the best surprise possible, this is necessary. But don't worry. I'm right here."

Her head moved towards him. "Promise?"

He touched her lips with his thumb. "I promise."

The drive for the rest of the journey was pretty silent. Due to Gabriella's blind fold she found she didn't really want to talk, not when she couldn't see Troy's reactions. She sat quietly, feeling the car move, winding in and out on different roads, and hearing the tires crunch along gravel and Troy's quiet breathing. Troy watched in intently, noticing her little movements more than before; usually he was transfixed by her beautiful brown eyes. His gaze was drawn to her left hand, and he watched as she turned the rings round and round, possibly a nervous habit.

He took hold of her hand, guided it up to her lips and kissed the too rings. She seemed to relax a little, and Troy kissed her cheek before whispering into her ear. "Don't be nervous. We're nearly here anyway."

She smiled slowly. "Thank you. I'm not nervous really… I trust you, I just don't like not knowing where we are going. You know that I like to have a schedule, Troy."

He chuckled. "You and your schedules. Brie, for once, for me, please just relax and enjoy the ride. I know you're going to enjoy it."

She sighed. "Alright."

A few minutes later she felt the car begin to move slower, and then grind to a stop. The car gave one last lurch as it parked, and then Troy let go of her hand. She whimpered at the loss, and Troy soothed her by telling her he was just going to open her car door. She nodded, and soon enough the door opened, the warm air touching her skin.

Troy took hold of her hands, and helped her out of the car, making sure she didn't bang her head or trip on her dress. She listened carefully as soon as she was out for any hints about where she was, or who was there. But it was completely silent. Troy chuckled in her ear, and she shook her head, slightly agitated.

"Patience, love." He whispered to her, his breath tickling her ear.

She groaned; knowing that her surprise was right in front of her and still having to wait was making her restless. Couldn't he just show her now?

He manoeuvred her some more until she felt slabs under her feet instead of gravel. She tried to visualize this place in her mind from the things she saw, heard and felt. But she came up with nothing. Finally they came to a stop, and Troy let go of her hands, moving behind her and lifting his hands to the blindfold. Her breath rose in anticipation.

"Ready?" Troy asked, a smirk evident in his tone.

"More than ready." She whispered.

Troy slowly untied the blindfold, until Gabriella couldn't take it anymore and whipped it from her eyes. She blinked rapidly at the sudden lightness and then her eyes focussed on the small, cream walled building, the small sycamore trees shading it gently from the fading sun. It was just as beautiful as she remembered it to be. The wooden doors, delicately painted windows and small flowers decorating the outside all made Location Number 4 - the one she wanted most - made it seem magical. She closed her mouth as to not be accused of gaping, but couldn't contain the happiness as small tears poured from her eyes with joy.

She turned to Troy, love shining from her face. "Troy…" She whispered, dragging off, not being able to find the words. This was him making her dreams come true. How had he managed to bring her here? And how had he managed to find this place? But she didn't want any of her questions answered; she was happy just being here and in Troy's presence.

After a few minutes of just looking Troy coughed, "What do you think?"

She smiled, wiping her tears from her face. "I think I've married the most wonderful man in existence. Troy, how did you even… Well, whatever made you do this, thank you. I always wanted to come here and have my wedding. Unfortunately I can't have my wedding here, but just being close to this building without any paparazzi is enough."

Troy turned to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her as close as he could; her dress was quite puffy. "What makes you think we aren't getting married here?"

Her brow creased in confusion. "Because we're already married…' She stopped for a second, her mind reeling in and then her eyes popped open, her facial expressions full of surprise and wonder. 'You have haven't you…"

He chuckled, nodding. "How good are you at thinking up a new set of vows?"

Gabriella giggled loudly, throwing her arms around his fully and pushing her body against his. Their lips found each other and through Gabriella giggles they managed to kiss. He ran his hands through her curls, and brought her close. Breaking off, he couldn't help but replicate the smile she had produced.

"Alright lovebirds! Troy, get lost! Your wife needs to be sorted before we go through all this again." Sharpay's strict but friendly voice broke them from their moment. Gabriella scowled, but Troy quickly kissed her reminding her of what was happening and she became happy once more. Troy left them to prepare before walking into their new wedding location, ready to get married once again.

Sharpay wrapped her arms around Gabriella. "That guy loves you very much Gabriella. And you are very lucky! Two weddings… jeez, I'm jealous."

Gabriella laughed, hugging Sharpay tightly. "He's amazing, isn't he?"

Sharpay nodded, smiling. "You could say that. But he'd doing it all for you. And he really means what he says. He would marry you anywhere you wanted. And since you didn't get what you wanted the first time, he's giving you it again. Today didn't turn out as the wedding you wanted, did it?"

Gabriella looked down at her feet, covered by the frills of her dress. "Not really. Everything was so panicky, and with Max's unexpected appearance, plus the paparazzi following us everywhere, it wasn't quite the quiet wedding I was looking for."

Sharpay then gestured around them. "Well, you can't beat this. I mean, look at this location. It's amazing. And there are no interviewers or cameras in sight, except for the one your Mum has.' Gabriella laughed. 'And inside and only the people you love most - I feel privileged I'm one of them, honey. So now, thanks to that wonderful man of yours, you are getting your wish. It's quiet, and it's Troy and yours' moment.' Sharpay touched her shoulders, and kissed her cheek. 'So enjoy it."

The music started from inside the church, flying out of the slightly open windows. Sharpay grasped her hand tightly, taking her over to the door, before fixing her dress's train, and then taking her arm. Sharpay smiled over at Gabriella and Gabriella smiled back, a little bit of worry in her eyes, before whispering. "What am I going to say for the vows? It was hard enough making the first ones, and now I have to think these up on the spot!"

Sharpay squeezed her hand. "Don't worry; you'll think of something, I'm sure."

However, all her worries went away as soon as the doors were opened and she saw everyone waiting for her entrance. She glanced around the hall, taking all the beauty in. The floor was littered with rose petals, deep red and pure white, just like the one's he'd left in his note that morning; she smiled at the memory. The hall had cream walls, similar to those of the outside, and the light shone beautifully through the designed windows, the lovely patterns making shadows on the opposite side of the hall. Candles marked the outsides of the room, and there were rows of seat where each person stood. Flicking her gaze over them all she saw her friends, her mother - who was crying once again, and happened to have the camera in her shaking hand - and there was Zeke, gazing happily at her and lovingly at Sharpay, his wife. Then there was Catherine and Thomas, standing happily, smiling at her. Catherine gave her a confident glance, telling her that now, thanks to Thomas they were both happy. Gabriella had the urge to run and hug her as she passed them, but refrained. And then she trained her eyes to the front, to see the minister and Troy standing waiting patiently. Ryan stood at the sidelines in one of the seating areas, no longer needed of the rings. They were already decorating their fingers. She reached the top, was handed to Troy, and then the ceremony began. For the second time.

Eventually it was time to saw their vows. When asked who would go first, Troy took this opportunity seeing the unsure look in his wife's eyes. He smiled at her, making her smile in return.

"Gabriella. There are so many things to say and I doubt I'll be able to fit them into these next few seconds. Just know that if I regret anything, it was not ebing with you sooner. I remember the day I first saw you, which wasn't as part of our 'pretending' plan, but when you had a smaller part in another film. You looked beautiful from across the room. Thinking back I berate myself for not going and talking to you, because then we could have been together longer.

"And I guess the only person I can thank, other than you, my love, is Frank Letino. If it weren't for him, I'm not sure I'd be standing here today.' He reached up and stroked her cheek. 'You are everything I've ever wanted, and everything I wish I could be. You complete me in ways I never thought another human could, and you make me wake up with a smile on my face. Without you, I am no-one. But with you, I finally feel that it's worth living. Because you are my life now. I love you, and promise to love your forever."

Gabriella felt tears spring to her eyes at his words. He truly loved her, and could only hope that the vows she was creating in her mind right now would be enough to tell him how much he meant to her.

"Troy, you are such a wonderful person. Everything you do brings a smile to everyone's face. You put others first, and aren't afraid to speak up for what you think is right. You showed me how to love again, and how to be confident, but that's just a few of the reasons I love you. There are too many to count. But most of all, you make me happy. Just seeing you makes my day brighten. I need you, more than anything I've ever needed before. And I hope you know how much you mean to me. I love you, Troy. Thank you, for everything." Her voice began to break with emotion, so she finished what she wanted to say.

Troy smiled at her, thanking her silently for her words, and wiping the tears that were trailing down her cheeks. The room was silent as they watched the pair connect and everyone in the room could feel the love bouncing from both the groom and the bride. The minister began again, and the ceremony continued.

----

"I now pronounce you Man and Wife." The minister finished. His eyes twinkled, and then he looked at Troy. "You may kiss the bride."

Troy turns to Gabriella, his bride for the second time that day, and leans down to kiss her. His arms wind around her waist pulling her in and her arms stretch up until she can wrap them around his neck, bringing his face closer to hers, making the kiss more than it was supposed to be. In that moment, no-one and nothing else matters except them. And in that moment they fall in love with each other again.

The chemistry between them cannot be denied.

The love they shared cannot be false.

And even the people who wanted to bring them apart cannot shake what they have.

Because they are in love; an unbreakable bond.

And if you love someone, you'll do anything to make sure they are happy.

Even if it means going down the aisle.

Twice.

A/N; This is a bittersweet moment. I started this story, with We Love Pretending exactly a year today, so it seems appropriate that I end it on the day this story was born. This story had been with me for a long time, as you can tell, and it still holds a place in my heart. It started as a dream I had one night and then ended up as a fan fiction story that many people enjoyed. I just hope it was worth it.

But this is also bittersweet for another reason. This may be the last HSM related story I ever write. My life keeps getting busier and busier, and lately my love for HSM has been weakening. However, you might find me posting small drabbles or one-shots; somehow I don't think I'll ever be able to completely let go of HSM. It's been a big part of my life, of growing up.

I just wanted to use this chance to thank you for all the support you've given this story. I hope you've enjoyed it, and to everyone that has reviewed I am forever thankful for all the comments, helpful criticism and words you have shared with me.

Once again, thank you for reading firstly We Love Pretending, and then Down The Aisle.

So, for one last time (because it really is the last time this time!) please review!

-xlovestory