Because Of Grace and Blue Eyes by Mochamint19
Disclaimer: I do not own High School Musical, so please don't sue me
Rating: T- for teen elements and drama
Please Enjoy! I worked really hard on it.
Chapter 3: A Long Time Coming-July 13th, 2010-
The bright afternoon flow of sunshine was so glorious as it came through the window and spread warmly on the curves of her complexion. Looking at the item in her hands she felt a cold wet tear roll down her cheek and hit the satin of her dress. 'Was she really doing this?' she thought. Could she always love him? Would he always love her? There were so many questions running through her mind as she looked at a picture in her hands. It was crinkled and torn slightly, and showed the love she had for it. Taken in their sophomore year of high school almost four years before, it held a lot of her happiness and fear. It was from the last night of performances of Twinkle Town and Gabriella loved how everyone was smiling happy, hopeful and unchanged. It was before Troy had ask her to be his girlfriend, before Taylor and Chad broke up, and well before she would have ever imagined Sofie in her life. The picture reminded her of that beautiful night and of her fondest memories.
The door opened with a small creak and she heard a voice. At first she imagined it was god talking to her, but turning around and shaking those thoughts she recognized it as Jason's. " Gabby are you ready?" Jason asked quietly.
"Can you tell them five more minutes please," she said smiling, more tears rolling down her face. She didn't know whether they were happy or sad at this point.
"Are you ok?" Jason asked softly stepping into the room.
"Yeah Jason, I am." She said forcing a smile, "At least I think I will be."
"You are think about him aren't you?" Jason said laughing lightly.
"Who are you talking about?" Gabriella tried, knowing she had not fooled herself or Jason.
"It is ok to think about him Gabriella, Troy was a big part of your life. He kind of still is, he'll always be a part as long as you have Sofie in your life. It is kind of like Kelsi will always be a part of mine in some way. I don't think we ever forget our first loves." Jason cleared his throat as if signifying that was all he could think to say.
"I am so afraid Jason, that I am not suppose to be doing this." Gabriella started as someone opened the door with a knock. It was Karen.
"Can I talk to Gabriella for a little bit please." The older women asked softly.
So Jason excused himself and left to tell the wedding party.
"Is he out there?" Gabriella asked quietly.
Karen shook her head sadly. "I don't think he got his invitation sweetie. I know my son, and he cares way too much about you not to show up, no matter what his feeling may be."
"I just don't want him to hate me, I feel so terrible."
"Sweetie, don't torture yourself on your wedding day. It's ok if you don't love him anymore. I would want you to be happy instead of waiting around for Troy. I would rather have you be honest with yourself." Karen said this smiling sensibly. "You have Sofie to think about and I know you really love Ryan. I always like you Gabriella, but I know the way you look at that boy standing at the end of that church and I remember the looks you gave my son. I understand that you finally fell in love with someone, that you fell in love with Ryan."
"You know I love Sofie right, you believe I love her, I do?" Gabriella said choking up.
"Yes I know you do." Karen shook her head confused.
"I mean sometimes, sometimes it is so hard to pick her up when she is crying and look at her. She is like this constant reminder that marrying Ryan might not be the right thing. I sometimes wonder if I truthfully love her, or if I love her because I have to love her." She was crying hard now.
Karen took the girl into her arms and whispered. "It's ok, I know you love her. Just because you don't love Troy anymore does not mean you don't love your daughter."
Suddenly it occurred to Gabriella. There was no doubt in her mind that she loved her daughter more than anything. There was just something about those eyes that paralyzed her sometimes. It wasn't sadness that Sofie had never met her father that gripped Gabriella so much. In fact Sofie had a daddy, an amazing one. It would however be the color of them, that piercing blue that would send Gabriella back to her past and her former decisions.
"Do you think he'll hate me?" Gabriella said wiping her remaining tears away with a dry tissue.
"Why would he hate you?" Karen asked bewildered.
"I mean when he finds out about Sofie?"
"Oh," the woman's face softened. "He may be upset, but I don't think he could ever hate you."
"Thanks Mrs. Bolton." Gabriella said grinning joyfully, the tears now gone.
"I'm not Mrs. Bolton anymore, please you can just call me Karen."
"Ok, thank you Karen, from the bottom of my heart, really."
"Don't worry about it sweetie, You will always be my favorite girl and the mother of my granddaughter, I will never abandon you."
Just as she said that the door flew open abruptly and Sharpay came into the room. "You are not trying to leave my brother at the altar are you? Because he is starting to worry you are going all runaway bride. Well I mean I am getting worried you are going to runaway bride. Anyway are you coming?"
Gabriella laughed. "I would never leave your brother at the altar." She said standing up and smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress. "I will be out in just a minute. Tell them I was having issues with my dress."
Almost as soon as she came Sharpay had left to spread the news that the wedding would still on. Turning around she looked at Karen and took a deep breath. "I guess that is my cue."
"Wait, I almost forgot why I came in here in the first place." Karen said fishing a small box out of her pocket that she gave to Gabriella.
"You really didn't need to…" Gabriella had begun, but was silenced when she saw the strand of pearls.
"I figured that no bride should ever be without pearls on her wedding day." Karen grinned.
"Thank you" Gabriella said the last single tear rolling down her nose and hitting the velvet box.
"They were my great-grandmother's, and I want you to have them. I know they in no way apologize for what my ex-husband did to you, but I want them to express that you will always be a part of my family no matter what happens in your life."
"Would you like some help putting them on?" Karen had said taking the pearls and unfastening the clasp and placing them on Gabriella's neck. She then pulled down and straightened Gabriella's veil. " A perfectly angelic bride, no matter what the circumstance."
Opening the door Gabriella found Jason and her wedding party waiting for her, smiling as if silently saying 'finally.'
The church was beautiful, filled with blue lilies and pink roses and it was one of the most exquisite sights anyone could see. Dressed in light blue the bridesmaids looked lovely. First down the isle was Kelsi holding Sofie and throwing flower petals. Next were Sharpay and Chad they had set aside many differences throughout the years and we smiling at a private joke as they walked. Last were Zeke and Gabriella's maid of honor Taylor. The wedding party walked down the isle to some of Kelsi's friends playing violins to the Gavin Degraw's Chariot. Finally Gabriella heard the wedding march and took a deep nervous breath. Instantly she linked arms with Ryan's best man Jason and they walked through the double doors to the man awaiting her. As soon as she saw him she felt all of her nervous doubts disappear and she knew she loved him, really and truly loved him. There couldn't have been a more perfect moment. The wedding was a small intimate gathering of only family, close friends, and some other close people. The whole Evans family immediately adored Gabriella upon meeting her, which made her wonder if Ryan had ever talked about her in high school. It was amazing how much his parents had loved her. Jane and Walter Evans had both grown up in poor families and had earned their wealth. With all the money however, they never threw it in people's faces. It had come as a shock that Ryan and Sharpay had been so mean in high school with such amazingly nice and loving parents. Ryan's family, even Sharpay treated Gabriella well. They respected her and it was nice to finally have a whole family that supported her and her relationship with Ryan. It had been awhile since she felt she belonged, as a true family member. They were the greatest family, she felt, to marry into. The wedding was really spectacular and Gabriella was thankful for all of Jane's help in planing the event. She was never pushy or demanding, always giving Gabriella sage advice about everything. Gabriella felt that Jane really wanted to bond with her new daughter-in-law. Walking with Jason she noticed that the small church was filled and that everyone was in their seats smiling at her, all except one. Gabriella smiled, that didn't matter anymore. He was her daughter's biological father and nothing more. She didn't love him and she didn't have time to feel guilty or sad. All the faces looked at her supporting her marriage to Ryan; those faces were what mattered. Her daughter was what mattered the most and Sofie, she knew, would be ok without Troy in her life.
The reverend started his speech and she grabbed Ryan's hand. Squeezing it he smiled. Looking up into Ryan's bright green eyes Gabriella knew that all of her questions had been answered. This was so beautifully real, he would always love her and she could never stop loving him. She had finally fallen into love instead of being blindsided by it. Soon the reverend was announcing that the ceremony was over and that they belonged to one another.
"And now I happily present to you Mr. and Mrs. Ryan and Gabriella Evans, you may now kiss your bride."
Lifting her veil Ryan placed a small delicate kiss on her lips and she could feel in his lips as he smiled when the crowd started to cheer. Gabriella never wanted that perfect kiss to end, but he broke away with a small sweet smile, and taking his thumb wiping away a tear away from her face. She noticed for the first time that she was crying for the love she had for him. The reception was an event to remember. The food was simple and delicious, the cake classic, beautiful and chocolate. Ryan and Jason played some songs with the band and the band did a slower instrumental version of Sofie as the first dance. It was the most fun Gabriella had in a long time. At nine o' clock Gabriella's mother took Sofie home so that Ryan and Gabriella would be able leave right away for their honeymoon in Boston. It was at this time that Ryan decided to play a cover song dedicated to his new wife.
"Excuse me." He cleared his throat. "This was always one of Gabriella's favorite songs around the time Sofie was born. We heard it one night when Sofie wouldn't go to sleep and it was three o' clock in the morning. I will never forget the way Sofie just fell asleep within the first minute of the song. As time went by Gabriella would sing it to her and each time she would fall asleep. So before Sofie leaves I would like to send her off with a dedication and a bedtime song, to the two prettiest girls in my life, my wife and my daughter. I'm sure you will remember this Gabby and I promise I will always be your guardian angel. The song is by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus." So Ryan sang and Gabriella danced with Sofie. It would always be a night to remember forever.
That big event would change many things in the lives of Gabriella, Ryan, and their friends. It changed the former teens into self-sufficient adults. The first of many changes started on college graduation day. Chad graduated from Penn State a basketball legend and with a degree in sports broadcasting. Interning for EPSN for a year he finally got his big break and became their college sports correspondent. The last time Gabriella had heard from him was that he moved to Florida and met a nice girl. Zeke and Taylor each graduated from their perspective colleges and got married that following winter. Five months later they had their first child, a son they named Garrison. Kelsi and Sharpay kept their close friendship even throughout the years at Juliyard. Kelsi became a producer for a recording company and Sharpay finally got her dream as an actress on Broadway. Ryan and Gabriella kept in touch and found out that she met the young Broadway director Chris Sparks and was engaged. The years went by, Sharpay got married, and more changes came and went. Some brought them together like the birth of Taylor and Zeke's daughter Abby. Other things drove them apart, like distance and time. As for Ryan and Gabriella, they lived happily. In the spring of 2012 the band started to play a small tour around some clubs. Meanwhile Gabriella graduated and became a columnist for Rolling Stone writing their Fresh New Faces monthly article.
Life was good, and she fell more and more in love with her husband as Sofie grew up. The little girl already knew all the words to her famous song. Somewhere between tours and graduations Ryan and Gabriella moved to a small apartment in New Jersey. It was close to where Sharpay lived in New York and was a new atmosphere away from New Mexico. Then later that year Taylor and Zeke moved to New York and opened a restaurant.
The subject of Troy was rarely talked about, it wasn't because it bothered them, and it was probably more of the idea that Gabriella had matured and had grown out of him. He was only remembered in Sofie's eyes, those bright piercing blue spheres. In the little girls eyes held Gabriella's years in high school and nothing more. The only person that actually still talked to him was Chad and he swore he would never tell about Sofie or Gabriella's marriage. Everyone knew that could be dangerous information that had consequences that Gabriella was not ready for. Life was peaceful for the Evans family. In May 2012 things finally settled a little when Ryan and the band got an offer to play at a small club in New Jersey. It was hard for them to move and the couple struggled financially, but the love that they had for each other helped them get by until July. After being the local band at the club for three months the band finally got signed. Ryan had broken the good news by taking his wife to a townhouse development she had always dreamed about.
"Can I open my eyes now?" Gabriella laughed asking playfully.
"Yes, now you can." Ryan smiled as she opened her eyes slowly. He was still holding tightly to her hand, as she looked around confused.
"Where are we?" She asked quietly.
"The townhouses on Hathaway Road, you know the ones down the street from the high school."
"How did you know, that I've always wanted to look in these, or that I even liked them." She questioned.
"It wasn't too hard to figure out," Ryan began. "Every time we drive past you sigh and this cute little twinkle in your eyes."
Gabriella looked at her feet embarrassed. Taking his finger and pulling up her chin a little. " I think we should live here," he said simply. "It is a beautiful neighborhood and it is big enough for our family. I think Sofie and any other children we have," he said smiling, " would love growing up her instead of a stuffy apartment."
Gabriella looked at her smiling husband and her heart broke. Hugging him gently she spoke. "I would love to live here honey, but we can't afford this, but I love that you took me here. It made me so happy," she said kissing him on the cheek.
"But that is the thing Gabriella, we can afford this, if you indisputably wanted to live here." Ryan's smile growing wider.
"But… how? What is going on Ryan?"
"The band got signed today, by this huge record company. The signing bonus is enough for the down payment for this townhouse." Ryan shouted.
"You didn't buy it did you?"
"No, I wouldn't do that without telling you, but if you really want to live here, we can talk to the realtor on Monday."
"Is this real, or am I dreaming Ryan? Are you being serious?"
"You aren't dreaming," Ryan laughed. "If you want to live here, then we should live here."
Gabriella smiled "Then let's buy a townhouse!" she said hugging him tightly.
They moved into the townhouse the August of Sofie's fourth birthday. Life was finally on Gabriella's side. She was writing more not only for her column, but some other articles too and Ryan went on a tour as the musical guest for a headlining band. It was lonely without him sometimes, but he never forgot to call. Every night no matter how busy things got, he would call around eight. Sofie would talk non-stop about her life and then at eight-thirty Gabriella would finally get her turn.
"I miss you so much, more than you could ever believe." He'd say. "We are in Boston or California or Nebraska," was the next sentence. "It is so beautiful here, but never as beautiful as being there with you," would be his last sentence.
"I miss you too." She would say on the brink of tears.
"Don't cry, please don't cry," he would say then. "Just remember that I love you and I will be home for Thanksgiving. We will be together soon."
By this time Sofie would come in and ask Gabriella to read a bedtime story and too sing to her. Ryan would hear this and they would say goodbye. It went on like this until November finally rolled around. Sofie was with her friend next door for a play date when Ryan got home. Hearing his bags drop to the floor she ran out to meet him and kissed him faster than he could blink. Breaking way he laughed a little.
"Wow, that was a welcome. If I didn't know better I would have guessed you missed me." He said playfully. "I swear you would have thought I came back from War or something."
Gabriella said nothing and just held him close to her, smelling his sultry scent that she missed so much. Breathing slowly in and out she never wanted to let him go.
"I missed you too." He said laughing again.
"I missed you more." Gabriella stated simply. "Sofie isn't home," Gabriella said looking deeply into his dark green eyes and smiling.
" Are you implying, what I think you are implying?" he asked carefully.
Gabriella just shook her head and kissed him again. They had really missed each other over the past couple months and it was shown in the way that she kissed him and the way he touched her. This wasn't like all the other times, the first she vaguely remembered and this time wasn't anything like their honeymoon in Boston. She had missed this in the time he was gone and she was thankful that she had him back into her arms. Soon it was Valentine's day and they spent romantic weekend eating dinner alone and trying to watch movies.
Gabriella smiled happily. It was a nice spring day in March. Life was starting to pick up, but that didn't stop her from taking Sofie to the park. Gabriella felt that this was the definition of the perfect moment. Ryan was gone recording the band's first album and playing a few shows in the West Coast, he wouldn't be back until the end of the month. Although that would have been truly perfect she knew that if he were there it would have taken the fun out of her secret. That morning she had taken a pregnancy test and it was positive. This time she was looking forward to this. They were going to have a baby, her and her husband.
"Do you think we should go to the zoo today for your birthday Sofie?" Ryan asked the little girl, that simple sentence brought Gabriella back to her present life. "What do you think Gabby? Gabby?" he asked a little louder. " Are you ok? You seem kind of sad."
"Yeah, I'm ok." Gabriella said with a giggle. "I am actually the exact opposite, just thinking about when I told you about Elise."
Ryan laughed "Oh yeah, how could I ever forget." He said playfully sarcastically.
Not being able to keep her secret for long, she had called Ryan when she got home from the park. Forgetting that it was probably concert time she called his cell phone.
She hung up quickly when she heard. "Hello!" a crowd shouting in the background and she didn't think she could or even wanted to announce her pregnancy to a crowd of thousands of people, so she hung up. Ryan had called back and after some time finally got the information out of her.
"Is something wrong?" he said when he called back.
"No, nothing is wrong, um it was just something important, but it can wait. I don't think it's the best time for you or me."
"Tell me what?" he had gotten a more worried tone in his voice. "Please, just tell me what's going on Gabby?"
She had swallowed nervously and took a deep breath. "We're going to have a baby." She said smiling even though she knew he couldn't see her.
"That's amazing!" she heard him yell. "That's funny cause we're in Boston tonight, I will be home in two days. I can't wait to see you. Gosh what I wouldn't do just to hold you."
In July they found out they were going to have a daughter and earlier in the month of August decided upon the name Elise Violet.
"Sure we can go to the zoo if Sophie wants to go, I just have to go grocery shopping first."
"Ok that sounds like a good plan, zoo and then we will go to Leopold's, gosh it has been so long since I have seen Taylor and Zeke."
"I just need to pick up some things and we can go after that. Sofie do you want to go with me?" Gabriella asked the little girl and they left.
She was tired, her ankles were swollen and was in the soup aisle when time spun backwards.
"Gabriella? Gabriella Montez, is that you?" She heard the familiar male voice asked.
It was as if she felt she was being held up at gunpoint, so she turned around slowly exposing the life she had since she had last seen him. She could hear Troy hold his breath and then let it release with a whoosh of air.
"You, have a baby." He said quietly as his face fell slightly. All Gabriella could do was nod and Troy spoke again. "Wow, that is great, congratulations. I didn't know you ever got married, I mean I assume you are married. I think I'll just shut up now." She could tell his nerves were getting the best of him so she talked quietly, neutral.
"Yeah, I'm married." She said showing him her ring. "Four years last month."
"Wow, he must be an amazing man to have gotten you. I can't believe how much had happened since I left for Duke. Chad is the only one I've really talked to, I don't know why? Did you know that Ryan and Jason's band got signed or that Zeke and Taylor opened a restaurant in New York?"
Gabriella just shook her head. "Sorry if this is alittle awkward." She said as fate dealt her another blow.
"Mommy!" she heard Sofie yell. "But apparently not awkward enough." Gabriella whispered to herself.
"Huh?" Troy asked confused.
"Oh nothing." Gabriella had said as Sofie ran down the aisle. "This is my daughter Sofie."
"Hi." She said to Troy. "I'm five today!"
"It is nice to meet you Sofie," the older man said shaking the little girl's hand. "You are very pretty, and wow you have beautiful eyes. You must have gotten them from your daddy."
"What!" Gabriella said louder then she meant.
" Oh, I was just saying that your husband must have blue eyes because of…" he said trailing off thinking her had traveled in dangerous territory.
"Um…Sofie, remember what I said about talking to strangers."
Troy gave her a look of hurt and she explained " Sorry, it has nothing to do with you, I am just trying to teach her that not everyone she meets is as nice as she thinks they are."
Troy pondered the statement for awhile and smiled his signature smile. "So I am just driving through on my way to see Taylor and Zeke, I still can't comprehend all that has happened. My parents got a divorce, I don't know what happened, I guess I never really figured what happened between us either…."
Gabriella cut him off as the tears began to prick her eyes. "Um… Troy I need to go, Sofie has piano lessons and I need to get home, sorry." She said picking up her daughter and driving home.
As soon as she came through the door Ryan could tell something was wrong.
"What happened? Is this a pregnancy thing or did something bad happen?" His voice in a panicked tone.
Gabriella tried to take a deep breath that would stop her tears, but it didn't work. "I…. I saw him…he was at the grocery store." She cried into his arms.
He held her close and comforted her. This was going to be hard, really hard and they both knew this had been a long time coming.
A/N: Hi Folks, It is me I want to thank everyone who is reading this and all the reviewers. You are what help me write. I know I am not the fastest at updating, but I do have two stories that I am in the process of writing. I go back and forth between writing them and with writer's block sometimes it is hard to come up with something worthy to read. I want to let you know I am working on a one shot though that I hope to have out by March at the latest.
-Now for those of you who don't know who Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is or the beautiful song Your Guardian Angel here is a link to the song. This may help you understand more.
I hope you are enjoying this story and here is a small preview of the one shot.
Title: TBA
"Goodbye," Gabriella had said the tears stinging the edges of her eyes. "Do you think I'll ever see you again?"
"Let's leave that to chance," he said turning around slowly and smiling. And no sooner had he said that he was on the bus and gone."
Until Next Time: Reviews are welcome and fun to read.