July 1, 2017
Gabriella checked her up-do in the mirror before getting out of her car. It was going to be one interesting night. She stepped out, smoothing out her dress. For twenty-eight, she felt great. She has great kids, a wonderful job, and a wonderful life. She was happy. Grayson and Jillian were with her parents for the night. Grayson was a very hyper four year old who just started pre-school. Jillian, her baby girl, was a little over one and a half. She was turning two in November. Jilly was a mama's girl. They've been attached at the hip since she was born. The only person Jilly liked more than Gabi was little Travis Danforth. Travis and Jillian were born 3 days apart. Jillian was born on the fifth and Travis was born on the eighth.
Gabi and her kids spent every summer and holidays in California. Taylor and Chad were happy to have them there and missed them dearly when they were back at home. Sharpay just gave birth to her baby girl Cassidy just four weeks ago. She was so tiny and precious.
Gabriella walked into the familiar halls of East High. She noticed some subtle changes but nothing too drastic. She stopped at the trophy case and her eyes found Troy Bolton. She sighed a little, glancing over his picture. She continued walking and stopped when she got in front of the gym. Martha Cox stood in front of her again with a wide smile on her face.
"Gabriella Montez! You look better than you did five years ago!" Martha said, wrapping her in a hug.
Gabi smiled. "Thanks Martha, you do too."
"Word on the street is you have a kid."
Gabi smiled. "I have two, actually. A four year old and my baby girl will be two in November." Gabi pulled out her cell, showing Martha a picture of them.
"Aren't they beautiful?" Martha cooed. "You make some good looking kids."
Gabriella laughed. "Thank you."
"Let's talk later." Martha said, handing her a name sticker and a bag of treats.
"Of course, it was great to see you again." Gabriella waved and slipped inside of the gym. Her heels thwacked against the floor. She walked over to her friends who were sitting at a table together.
"Gabi!" Taylor rushed over to her. She wrapped her in a tight hug. "How'd today go? Is everything okay?"
Gabriella nodded. "Everything is fine. I do have some news though." She said sighing.
"Well, what is it?" Taylor asked.
"I'll wait until everybody gets here." Gabi promised. "I won't forget."
"You better not!" Taylor said. "Shar and Zeke just got here. Ryan beat us here. He is around here somewhere."
"Kels?" Gabi asked, looking around.
"Ryan says she'll be here soon. She had to work last minute so she got a later flight." Taylor explained. "Ry said she's bringing Jason."
"Hopefully she'll be bringing a ring with her." Gabriella said, wagging her naked ring finger.
Taylor shrugged. "I guess we'll find out." Taylor looked around and sighed. "I'm dumb for making this in a high school. We need alcohol."
"I'm sure somebody has a flask somewhere." Gabi laughed. "Where's your husband? I have to talk to him."
"He's talking to Kyle Ortega, from the basketball team." Taylor said.
"Thanks." Gabriella made her way through a crowd of people, saying hello to a couple of them. "Chad!" She called out.
Chad glanced over at her before shaking Kyle's hand. He rushed over to her. "Gabs." Chad wrapped her in a big hug. "How are you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She said, smoothing back her hair. "How's Travy?"
"Do not call my son, Travy." Chad joked. "He's good. He misses Jilly Muffin."
"She misses him too." Gabi pouted. "We can go to the park tomorrow."
Chad chuckled. "Okay, good."
She wrapped him in a hug. "How's progress on baby number two?"
Chad laughed. "I'm trying, Tay is not budging."
"She'll come around. I know she wants another one." Gabriella informed.
"So, what happened today?" Chad asked with an excited grin on his face.
"I'm going to tell you what I told your wife. I'll tell you all later." Gabriella said, laughing. "Stop bugging me, gosh."
"We can't help it if we're nosy and we want to know."
"Patience Mr. Danforth." Gabriella teased. "All in good time."
Gabi walked away from him before he got the chance to speak again. She went over to the refreshments table and grabbed a bottle of water. She took a seat at their table and looked at the watch on her wrist. She could see Martha rearranging the name tags at the front table. She watched Martha as she walked inside of the gym, towards the makeshift stage.
Gabriella sighed and leaned back. She grabbed her water and took a long drink. She pulled her phone from her cleavage and made her way to the exit. She propped the door open before calling her mom to check on the babies.
"Why in the world are you calling me, Gabriella Montez?" Her mom answered.
"I miss my babies. Are they sleeping?"
"Gabi, you left the house five minutes ago. They're still playing." Her mom said.
"I know. I just miss them." Gabriella said biting her lip. "I guess I'll go back inside. Just give them a kiss for me okay? I'll see them tonight."
"Alright, see you tonight. Drive safe."
"I will, bye ma." Gabriella hung up. She scrolled through her phone for missed calls but she saw none. She pouted for a second before returning her phone back to its place. She walked inside and closed the door quietly behind her.
"Welcome to the class of 2007, East High Wildcat 10 year reunion!" Martha said into the microphone.
Gabriella clapped on her way to her seat. She took her seat next to Chad and paid attention to Martha. "We have such a great night planned for us all. But first, I cannot believe it has been ten years! Five years ago we were in the Albuquerque Hilton partying it up. Since it's been ten years since graduation, the reunion committee and I thought it would be more nostalgic to have it here in the halls of our alma mater."
"Blah, blah, blah." Chad murmured, leaning over towards Gabriella. "Where's the booze?"
Gabriella laughed quietly. "I thought you were bringing the drinks?"
"Taylor patted me down on the way out the door."
"Damn." Gabriella cursed, leaning on Chad's arm.
"We have followed up with some of our favorite class mates to see where they are today. Let's take a look." Martha pointed to the big screen.
"Hello fellow wildcats!" Sharpay's face took over the screen. Gabriella giggled. Sharpay beamed from the end of the table. "I'm sure you all remember me, Sharpay Evans. Since we have graduated High School, I've gotten my bachelors degree in business and my masters in fashion design. I am currently married to fellow wildcat Zeke Baylor." Zeke made a cameo in the back ground waving obnoxiously, causing the whole room to laugh. "We just had our beautiful baby girl, Cassidy Elle Baylor. June 1st. In the next ten years, I plan to expand my business. Have my designs in Fashion week in three major cities and live happily with my favorite people in San Francisco, California."
Sharpay faded out and some cheerleader took over the screen. Gabriella moved a couple seats over, next to Sharpay. "When did you shoot that?"
"This morning." Sharpay rolled her eyes. "Cass woke me up at like 3 this morning and I couldn't go back to sleep. They called a five, trying to rush to get this done."
"You look hot though." Gabriella smiled.
"Thanks! So do you." Sharpay winked at her. "When are you going to tell us?"
"Later." Gabriella said with a quiet groan.
"Hey Gabs!" Zeke said. "Cookie?" He held out a plate.
"God, yes." Gabriella took two. "Thanks, Zeke." She moved back to her original seat.
"I want one." Chad whined.
"Get your own, Danforth." Gabi said, licking both of them.
Chad groaned. "You suck." He got up. "Baylor, give me a cookie."
"Shh!" Gabriella shushed him, turning her focus back to the screen.
A familiar face popped on the screen and all the girls in the room chattered. "Hey Wildcats, It's Troy Bolton." Gabriella sat back, looking up at the screen. "Since I have graduated East High, I got my bachelors at U of A. I went on the University of California, Berkeley. I got drafted into the NBA and I am a starting forward for the Memphis Grizzlies. I have a four year old son named Grayson Alexander and a one and a half year old baby girl Jillian Grace. They are the most important things in my life right now. In ten years from now, I see myself still playing ball but hopefully closer to Albuquerque or California. I plan to spend all of my free time with my family and friends." Troy paused. "But there's one more thing, hold on." Troy walked off the shot.
Gabriella looked at the screen confused. "In ten years, I plan to be married and have more beautiful children with the love of my life. Our love story is a little unconventional." Gabriella looked up at the screen and it was blank. She looked around the room. Chad tapped her shoulder and pointed behind her. Gabriella turned around and saw Troy Bolton walking slowly toward her. "Five years ago, I found out that my life was about to change. My heart felt so happy that I was going to be a father. I was excited and scared. My son was born and I couldn't think my life could get any better. A while later, the person I've been in love with since we were little kids agreed to be my girlfriend."
Gabriella bit her lip to bite back her emotions. "I thought nothing could be better than this. We had our baby girl and nothing I have obtained whether it was fame or fortune or my education will ever make me feel the way you do. Gabsy, please stand up." Troy murmured, standing in front of her.
"Troy." She said softly, rising to her feet.
"I wanted this to happen where it began. I love you and I never want to be without you or our babies. Will you do me the honor of letting me become your husband?" Troy asked, kneeling down. He handed Gabriella the microphone so he could pull the ring out of his pocket. He opened the ring box and her heart almost stopped.
She opened her mouth to say something but words didn't come out. She nodded her head as Troy slid the ring on her finger. Troy took the microphone back, lacing their fingers together. "In the next ten years, I plan to marry and spend the rest of my life with my best friend."
The room clapped and cheered as Troy wrapped his arms around his girl. He pressed soft kisses to her forehead. She snuggled up to him trying to hold back her sobs. He pulled away to wipe the tears from her face. "You look gorgeous Gabsy."
"I thought you weren't coming." She said, sniffling softly.
"I wouldn't have missed this for the world. I just lied to you so I could give you this." Troy said, pressing his lips to the ring he just gave her. "How are my babies?"
"They miss their daddy. They're going to be so excited to see you, tomorrow. I missed you." She said softly.
"I missed you more, beautiful." He pressed a kiss to her forehead before taking a seat. Gabriella took her seat next to him, cuddling into him.
Martha finished talking and food was being served. Gabriella sat back as Troy got both of them a plate of food. Taylor was sitting across from her. "Let me see that ring."
She reached out with a small grin. "Don't act like you haven't seen it already."
"I'm not. Now I don't have to imagine it on you. Do you love it?"
"Of course, It's gorgeous." Gabriella said, admiring her ring. She played with it for a moment before deciding she loved the odd feeling of a ring on her finger.
"When do you want to get married?"
"I don't know." Gabriella said with a laugh. "I just got engaged."
"Soon." Troy said, taking a seat, putting her food in front of her.
"Thanks baby." Gabriella leaned over, kissing his cheek.
"You're welcome Gabsy."
"I agree, soon but not too soon." She stuck her fork in a piece of asparagus.
"We can get married tomorrow." Troy said, smirking over at her.
Gabriella shook her head. "Nope, we're having a wedding. I'm going to pick out a pretty white dress and have my daddy walk me down the aisle. I want daisies and mason jars."
"Sucks we can't go on a honeymoon by ourselves." Troy murmured.
"You can thank yourself for that one." Gabriella teased. "I don't want to get married for at least two years."
"Two years?" Taylor said loudly before Troy even got a word out. "Girl, you are crazy."
"What? People can have long engagements." Gabi said with a shrug.
Troy kissed the side of her head. "Whatever my fiancée wants."
"Thanks baby." She said, leaning over, kissing his lips slowly. She took another bite before turning to him. "So guess what."
"What, Gabsy?" Troy asked, glancing over at her.
"I have plans for new years." She said, taking a drink of her water.
"What are your plans?"
She smiled, looking over at him. "I plan to spend New Years with you." She reached over for his hand. She held it in her hand, playing with his fingers. "And Gray." She pressed a kiss to the tip of his pointer finger. "And Jilly." She kissed his remaining fingers before pressing his hand flat against her stomach. "And our new baby, due January 1st."
"What?" Troy asked, looking at his hand then up at her. A wide grin came over his face. "We're having another baby?"
"You knocked me up again, Bolton, congratulations." She said, brushing back his hair.
Taylor squealed catching the tables attention. "What?" Sharpay asked from the end of the table. "What did I miss? Are you pregnant again?"
"Yeah." Taylor answered. "Wait, no, I'm not but Gabi is."
Sharpay laughed. "Ten bucks baby."
Zeke groaned. "God, Bolton, Keep it in your pants." He pulled out his wallet slapping money in his wife's hand.
Troy leaned down, kissing Gabi's lips slowly. "I can't wait to see him or her. You're really due on New Years?"
"Yes, sir. Thirteen weeks and three days, I believe." She said, leaning in to kiss him again.
"I can't wait to tell Gray." Troy said, moving a stray hair back.
"He's going to be so excited. He wants a little brother so bad." She smiled.
"You think it's going to be a boy?" Troy asked.
Gabi shrugged. "Too soon to tell, I'm bad at guessing. I thought Gray was going to be a girl and Jillian was going to be a boy."
"Well you guess and we'll go with the opposite." Troy said.
Gabi scoffed, smacking him in the arm. "You're so rude."
"You love me." He grinned.
"I guess I do." Gabriella said with a small smile. She leaned in, kissing his lips gently.
April 7, 2019
Troy Bolton stood at the altar with his son, Joshua. His newest addition was born at three in the morning on New Year's Eve almost a year and a half ago. Joshua Charles Bolton was a cute little guy with his mom's thick hair and brown eyes. Other than those attributes, he was the spinning image of his father. Grayson, who was turning 6 next month, was so happy that his parents were getting married. Jilly was only excited to wear a pretty dress and throw flower petals.
Chad, Troy's best man, stood next to him with his new daughter Teagan, born only nine months ago. Zeke was next to Chad and he was beaming at his very pregnant wife who was walking down the aisle with his daughter Cassidy. They were having another girl, Quinn Taylor, within the next two weeks. Taylor followed Sharpay, with a bouquet of daisies.
A wide grin cast upon Troy's face when he saw Grayson and his little girl. Gray held his sister's basket and she threw the flower petals happily along the aisle. They rushed over to Grandma and Grandpa Montez after they were done.
Everybody stood as Gabriella flowed down the aisle. She radiated happiness and stood next to her best friend. She handed Taylor her bouquet and held Troy's hands. He was already choked up at the sight of her. She looked amazing in her gown. He was unbelievably lucky to be spending the rest of his life with this woman.
Gabriella laughed and cried and smiled as they said their vows and exchanged rings. She gave the first kiss to her baby Joshy before kissing her husband for the first time as a married couple. They walked back down the aisle before taking wedding and family pictures. Nashville was gorgeous in springtime so it set for a beautiful backdrop for their photos.
At their reception, their kids were occupied by their parents while Troy and Gabriella ate in peace for the first time in six years. They sat close at a table on a stage like they were on display. There was a soft clinking that meant the guests wanted the bride and groom to kiss, Gabriella was just informed. She smiled over at her husband, leaning up to peck his lips.
She slipped her hand into his. He leaned over and whispered, "Can we get married every weekend?"
Gabi laughed. "Why would you want to do that?"
"So I can see you in that pretty dress, eat in peace for at least two hours, and so I can rip that dress off you like I plan on doing tonight." Troy whispered, kissing her ear.
Gabi smiled. "You want to pay thirty thousand dollars every weekend to pay for a wedding?"
Troy shook his head. "It's not about the money babe. It's about the fact that we get some alone time at least once in a while."
"We can set up a date night?" Gabriella suggested. "We can have them once a week until basketball starts, then maybe once a month during the season."
"Who's going to watch the kids?" Troy asked. "We have three little monsters."
Gabi hit him lightly. "Don't call my babies monsters." Her eyes wandered over to her children. "I love them."
"I do too, baby." He murmured into her hair. "Look at Jilly."
Gabriella tore her eyes away from the sleeping infant in her mother's arms and to Jillian who had food all down her pretty dress. Gabi laughed. "Thank god for dry cleaning."
"She's worse than Josh when she eats." Troy chuckled.
"She gets it from you." Gabi teased. She turned her head and kissed his cheek. She sighed in content. "Maybe we can find a sitter. All the other wives have been giving me numbers for nannies and whatnot."
"We can look into it. I'm sure you'll need help during the season, especially while taking on new clients."
"Only two at a time, three if I'm needed pro bono." She restated her terms of working with him. "I don't want a nanny raising my kids."
"I know baby. It would be nice to have help though. They can start off slow after we get back from the honeymoon to get to know the kids." Troy suggested.
Gabriella pushed her husband's hair back. "Sounds good to me, we can discuss this later when we're not at our wedding reception."
"Good idea, thank god I married you." Troy said teasingly. He leaned down kissing her lips slowly. "What would I do without you, Gabsy?"
"I don't know, Bolton." She said, leaning into her husband. "No idea."
An Epilogue! Don't forget to review!