Thank you for the responses I got requesting that I continue with this story. Here is the second chapter, and the next memory. Enjoy!
Troy glanced at his appearance in the mirror, a grin on his face as he thought of the surprise he had organised for today. It was the day of his wedding to Gabriella, and he wasn't the slightest bit nervous. Why should he be? He was marrying the love of his life, after all. He looked at his watch, and worked out that his pre-wedding present for his bride would probably be arriving at her mother's house, where she was staying, right about now. Her mother still lived in Albuquerque, and now that Gabriella had completed law school, the couple had moved back there too.
Gabriella adjusted her veil, smiling to herself. She, too, wasn't nervous at all. She knew she had no reason to be. I'm marrying the love of my life! she thought, walking downstairs as she heard her mother's doorbell ring. Everybody had mysteriously disappeared from the lounge, so she had no choice but to answer the door herself, in her full wedding outfit. She opened the door and her jaw just about dropped. Standing in front of her were her grandparents (her late father's parents) who lived in Spain. They had responded to the wedding invitation months ago, regretfully telling Gabriella that they could not afford to fly out to be there. Which was why she was so stunned to see them. "Oh my gosh! Nanna, Grandpa, I can't believe you're here! But, how?"
"Well, young Troy called us when we explained about our money situation. And bless him, he offered to pay for our flight over. He wanted it to be a surprise," her grandmother explained, hugging Gabriella tightly. "Oh my, sweetie, don't you look beautiful. Your father would have been so proud of you." The young bride went to give her grandfather a hug. "Thank you. I wish Dad were here to give me away. I can't believe Troy did this, it means so much to have you both here."
The thoughtful gesture on the part of her soon-to-be husband brought a tear to her eye. But Gabriella quickly remembered her make up, which had just been applied, and soon regained her composure. Her mother appeared behind her, grinning at the sight of her daughter's happiness. "Hello, Sandra, Peter" Maria greeted her in-laws. "Mom, you knew?" Gabriella asked her, simply receiving a secretive smile in return. Before they could discuss it any further, the doorbell rang again. It was Taylor, who, having kept in touch with Troy and Gabriella, was the maid of honour. Her own high school boyfriend, Chad, who was now her husband, was Troy's best man. Having heard all the commotion in the lounge, Gabriella's maternal grandmother, cousins and aunt filed downstairs to fuss over the now blushing bride.
"Hey Tay!" she called to her friend in excitement. They had both been so busy that it had been a few weeks since they had seen each other, at Gabriella's bachelorette party. "Gabi! You look gorgeous! How do you feel?" Taylor asked. "I feel great! Everyone's here that should be, and I'm marrying the most thoughtful man in the world" Gabriella replied, explaining the wonderful surprise she had received minutes earlier. After some final preparations, everyone was ready to leave as the wedding cars arrived. Across town, at the apartment Troy shared with Gabriella, the groom and his parents, grandparents, best man, and a few other relatives were also ready to leave for the hotel at which the wedding was to be held.
Half an hour later, Troy waited at the end of the aisle as his bride appeared on the arm of her grandfather, walking towards him. She was beaming, her eyes locked on his. As Gabriella arrived at his side, she mouthed "thank you," knowing Troy would understand the reference; before he took her hand, and they stood ready to recite their vows to each other.
After the ceremony, the wedding party relocated to a large hall in the hotel, ready to celebrate. The speeches were to be done first, and Gabriella decided to be unconventional, and make one of her own. She stood up, tapping a glass to get the full attention of her guests. Troy looked up at his new wife in surprise.
"I know its not traditional for the bride to make a speech but, I do have something I want to say. First of all, thank you for coming today. But there are two guests who wouldn't have been here to see this if it weren't for my new husband." She looked down at Troy and smiled lovingly. "Troy paid for my grandparents to fly over to see us get married, and I knew nothing about it until they arrived this morning. I just wanted him to know how much I appreciate what he did for me, and that he made this a day I will never forget," Gabriella again looked at her groom, and addressed him directly as their guests looked on. "I love you so much, Troy." With that, the newly-weds shared a kiss as she returned to her seat.
Then it was Gabriella's turn to be surprised, as Troy stood up, keeping hold of his wife's hand as he announced loudly, "and I love you, Mrs Bolton."