"This is Alexandra Montez coming to you live from the radio shack," her little voice boomed through the store as she spoke into the microphone from the display set. The nearby sales clerk was quick in his move across the store as he reached turn the volume down on the displayed microphone and amplifier. Shrugging her shoulders she turned around to her mother and grandfather who were in line watching her as she began the process of interviewing the radio shack employee.
Her brown stands were in low pig tails braided all the way to the ends with green ribbons. She was wearing a blue shirt with a small bow on the collar under her bright red jean jumper. Alex always insisted on picking out her own clothes, she was in love with color and in love with the idea of the attention it got her. She placed a hand on her hip over her Scooby-Doo purse that strapped across her chest as she raised the microphone to the man who was staring at her with bewilderment.
"She's really good at that," Luis said towards Gabriella they watched her from the line at the counter.
"Dad, you don't know the half of it," Gabriella rolled her eyes as she watched her daughter. "I don't know where she gets such courage from? She surly didn't get it from me," Gabriella said leaning on the counter while the man at the register rang up her father for a mini recorder.
"I believe she gets it from her father," Luis said with a small smile as she looked back at Alex making sure she wasn't listening. "Your mother says that your planning telling him while you're here," He said before pressing his lips together in a that disapproving line that Gabriella had grown up wishing to never be on the receiving end of. "Is that true?" he asked with a small nod.
It was struggle every year Gabriella came to visit them. Ever since her father found out who Alex's father was, he was dead set against Gabriella's wishes to keep it a secret. Her father never liked the fact that she didn't tell Troy about Alex. He didn't like that Alex was growing up with a man in her life for a father figure or that Gabriella hid away from Troy and everyone by moving away. He had begged her many times to come clean, to come back home, and to stop being so foolish about a high school argument.
"Yes sir," she said standing up straighter and looking up at her father with a knowing frown.
"Tell me, what are you expecting to happen after you tell him about all this?" he asked giving the man behind the counter money for the item.
"I don't know, I'm hoping he'll want to get to know Alex," she said quietly as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I could care less if he forgives me or not," she lied to her father as she turned away to watch Alex walk over to the phones and talk about them into the microphone with the radio shack employee.
"Don't lie to me," her father whispered as he leaned into stand beside her and watch Alex as well. "What's this ring hanging around your neck?" he asked pointing to Doug's engagement ring.
She was busted, unable to lie to her father and not in the mood to try. "Doug asked me to marry him," she said looking down at the ring hanging from her neck her fingers held the ring between her fingertips. The weight of it had been hanging around her neck for days. She could feel it there constantly as a reminder of her pending answer.
"I'm thinking about it still." Her voice low, she hadn't told Alex about Doug's proposal yet and she wasn't looking forward to it either. Alex was not found of Doug, she was just too young to understand the complexity of an adult relationship. To understand that she couldn't keep doing this on her own, she needed help, she needed support, she needed someone there to talk to and ease the pain that was in her heart.
"Well, if you ask me," he said turning to the register where the cashier was printing out the receipt, "There is absolutely nothing to think about. If you wanted to be this man's wife that ring would be on your finger not around your neck like some kind of trinket," his voice rose unexpectedly causing the man to stare at them as he held the bag up.
"Dad," Gabriella pleaded as she let out a sigh, "I'm trying to take things one step at a time." Taking a deep breath she nodded at the man who handed them their bag and she walked along side him as they moved away from the counter.
"It pains me to see my granddaughter growing up without a father. It hurts worst to see my daughter trying to cover a broken heart with lies and wild attempts to run away from her problems," he said putting the receipt away in his wallet.
"I'm sorry to be such a disappointment to you," Gabriella said feeling a tear in her eye, and trying to hold it in.
Placing both hands on her shoulders her father took a deep breath. "You will never be a disappointment to me or your mother. We are proud of you every day, you are strong, talented and beautiful and that's everything we have raised you to be," he said rubbing her shoulders.
Gabriella quickly brought a hand up to wipe a stray tear from her cheek. She felt so ashamed of herself, so scared for what was about to happen and so worried about what she would lose when this was all over. "I'm scared." She couldn't hide the quiver of her bottom lip or the way her voice broke because her throat felt like it was being closed off.
"Don't you worry, you're doing a fine job of rising that little girl," he said reassuringly. "But I won't be around forever to help you. Before I can die peacefully, I want to be sure that there is a strong man that will take care of you." He smiled at his daughter as she took another deep breath, "you're my treasure I just want to keep you safe." Bringing her close to him he wrapped his arms around her and smiled as she hugged him back.
"Thank you," she whispered as she took comfort in his arms.
"Grandpa! Look it's a real life reporter!" The sound of Alex's screaming voice pulled them apart as they turned to see what she was so excited about. "Can we go over there please, please, please," she pleaded tugging on his pants and pointing outside the doors to the store where there was a small crowd and a lot of flashing cameras.
"Well how can I say no to my little angel?" he said leaning down to tap her nose playfully.
Together the three of them made it out of the store and into the hallway of the mall where a table was set up for two men signing autographs. Alex stood between her mother and grandfather as she looked out at the scene before them in excitement. Her little body was bouncing up and down unable to contain herself and Gabriella laughed to herself as she let go of Alex's hand allowing her to race ahead of them by a little bit. The closer she got to the little mob of people gathered there her smile fell into a frown as recognition hit her like a bolt of lightning. She watched in terror as Troy and Chad were standing in front of a blue set taking a picture with a little boy and his father.
"Mom can we go check it out please, please, please, pretty please," Alex said folding her hands and begging her mom.
"I don't see where the harm would be," Luis mumbled to her. Gabriella mouth went dry as she looked at her father as if he sprouted another head. "You're going to have to talk to him sooner or later."
Gabriella let a long sigh as she looked down at Alex who now bouncing from one foot to the other in small dance. Gabriella could barely comprehend what she was doing before she felt her head nod in permission for them to go get their picture taken.
"Alright!" Alex shouted and began to run over to the crowd.
"Come on," Her father said placing a hand on her shoulder, "It's harmless."
Once they were in line Gabriella stood close to Alex as she jumped around watching from the line as the reporter made his report in front of the camera.
"This is so cool," she said in wonder. She couldn't believe she was this close to an actual live reporter. He was like, only the coolest grownup he'd ever saw and he was real. Moving up in the line she got a better view of the camera man as he filmed the report. She was memorized as he spoke into the camera talking about basketball statics and charity funds to keep sports in the schools.
"Mom can you believe this," Alex said excitedly looking up at her Mom, "He looks so shiny."
"It's like a dream come true," her grandfather said resting a hand on her shoulder and chuckling.
When they came to the front of the line Gabriella felt her heart beating harder she ever thought was possible as she stepped up and smiled as Chad let out a scream.
"Oh my god, Gabby is that you," he said jumping up from his seat and going around the table to give her a hug. "Man, how have you been Taylor told me you might be visiting but I didn't believe it," he said referring to his wife.
Gabriella let out a nervous laugh as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I've been good," she nodded with a shy smile as he released her. "I've been teaching high school classes." Risking it she glanced over at Troy who smiled at her quietly. Those blue eyes were just as she remembered them. He was older, fuller, he looked so comfortable. Turning back to Chad she mentally kicked herself for wearing her mom jeans with her baby blue north face. Her hair wasn't even washed. What was she thinking?
"Troy?" Alex said coming up to the table in front of him. "You didn't tell me you were a big deal," she said crossing her arms as she looked at him with disappointment. Gabriella head snapped towards Alex with wide eyes then turned around as she glared at her father who held up his hands with raised eyebrows.
"Well you didn't ask," he said matter of fact as he smiled down at her. "What if I give you a free picture and autograph as my apologies?" he offered coming to stand up from his seat.
"I want an interview."
"Now?" he said with a wide eye, caught off guard by this little Montez.
"No, but I want a one on one," she said nodding her head vigorously.
Chad smiled as he came over and placed a hand on Troy's shoulder, "I don't know man, I think you better give the little lady what she wants." Looking over at Gabriella he winked and chuckled as he patted Troy on the back.
The heat rolling through her veins kept her from reacting to his friendly gesture. Her heart was nearly coming up through her throat as she watched them both conversing like old friends. Her daughter was having a full on conversation with this man that as far as she knew she had never seen before. Fear was making her cheeks burn and she could feel the cold sweat running down her arms and back.
"Fine," Troy said obviously having his arm twisted. "but, let's get you a picture anyway, You and your mom," he said looking up at Gabriella, "If you're okay with that?"
Gabriella blinked in confusion, he was talking to her. He was saying something to her and she couldn't make out what it was over the loud rushing of blood pumping through her veins. He smiled at her and she instantly felt a pull in her low abdomen and her knees went a little weak as she tried her best to smile back at him.
Troy came around the table and held out his arms motioning for Gabriella and Alex to come over to him and pose. Gabriella hesitated not sure if she could believe what was happening but felt a hand push her towards Troy. Looking back she saw her father nodding and already grabbing her purse.
Trapped with no other option she walked over to where Troy and Alex were already standing. She stood besides awkwardly attempting to keep her distance.
"Hold on," Troy said as he bent over to pick Alex up off the floor so she could be in the picture. Before she could worry about it he pulled her in close unexpectedly causing her to fall into him a little and use a hand on his chest to brace herself. He smelled good.
"Everyone say Cheese," he said as the guy behind the camera smiled.
The three of them sounded off in unison as they smiled. As soon as the shot was taken Troy put Alex on the floor and smiled up at Gabriella. "Long time no see," he said calmly.
"Yeah," she said shyly, not able to shake this feeling she had. He looked good, he smelled good leaning against him felt good. Warning bells were going off in her head like a train whistle and she glanced over at Chad who was writing something down on a sheet of paper.
"How have you been?" Troy asked shoving his hands in his pockets.
"I've been okay, you?" she said nervously.
"Been good," he said quickly as he looked around to see where Alex had gone off to. "Your daughter is really something," he offered as he spotted her introducing herself to the reporter who was drinking a cup of coffee.
"Yes. That she is," Gabriella said watching her father talk to the man as well.
"Here you go Troy," the camera man said handing a 5x7 picture to him. Gabriella looked down at the picture and smiled as she saw her daughter smiling in Troy's arms. Her first family photo with all of them smiling, like a perfect puzzle finally put together. Lifting a hand to her lips she couldn't help the emotional pull tugging at her heart.
"My parents are having a big party for their Anniversary," Chad voice distracted her and she turned to look at him as he walked over to her while Troy signed the picture. "Here is the date, time and place. If they knew I seen you and didn't invite you they would kill me," he laughed. "You can bring Alex, my kids will be running around as well. It should be fun."
Gabriella smiled and felt someone grab her hand, "Mom look, look I got the reporter's autograph," she said excitedly.
"So I guess mine means nothing," Troy said holding up the picture of them that he signed.
"Are you kidding me? When I go back home I can so everyone I met some one big," she said reaching for the picture.
Troy chuckled as she took the picture from him. After an awkward moment of everyone standing there he looked back up at Gabriella, "So, I'll see you at the party," he said with a hopeful look in his eyes.
Her lips pulled into a small smile as she nodded. She reached for Alex's hand who was already pulling her over to the reporter she wanted to introduce her too. "Thanks for the picture," she said not being able to hold back any longer.
"Anytime," he said waving at them.
Gabriella didn't feel her heart rate decrease until they were in the car. Her father reached over placing a reassuring hand on her knee before turning on the car. "Did that go well?"
Gabriella felt the embarrassment flood to her cheeks as she placed a hand over her face and let out a sigh. "I never want to do that again."
"If it matters he looked really happy to see you," he offered turning the car on.
"I didn't notice," Gabriella said quietly as she crossed her arms. The rest of the ride was spent listening to Alex talk about the reporter and how she was going to record everything from now on.