Oh. My. Freaking. Goodness.

It's the last chapter.

I think I might cry.

Well, there is still an epilogue after this but...Last. Chapter.

It has taken me sooo long to write (I just couldn't get it perfect :( ), and I have hassled sooo many people for help. A huge thank you to my sounding board, partner in Troyella-like crime, and all round squee buddy Jessa – this chapter would still be unwritten if it wasn't for you! To the amazing Holly – I only just met you properly yesterday and I spent about 90 percent of our first conversation hassling you for advice. Thank you for your help and for your patience. And thanks Erin and Stacey for letting me toss ideas at you :)

I have so many people I need to thank properly, but I'll do that when I post the epilogue. For now, here is chapter 40. The end of an era for me :( This story has been so emotional and hard for me to write at times, but it has been my baby – my first full length fic, and I have really enjoyed writing it for you guys.

So much so that I got totally carried away with this chapter – forget all my other 'Longest. Chapter. Ever' comments – this one overtook my previous record holder by almost 5000 words! This baby stands at almost 10,000 words long! That's the length my major, year-long assignment has to be for Uni this year! Geeez! I hope you are all still with me by the end of it!

This one goes out to all my new found gals at ZAangels and the rooftop – you girls are all awesome. And of course to Jessa, and to my 'separated-at-birth twin sister' Emily – I miss you SOOO much!! May your MSN right its retarded ways soon!

In celebration of the end of the Zan drought (HAND HOLDING VIDEO FTWWWW!! ... ahem..), without further ado...here it is...le finale.

Charli xox

PS. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, and to everyone who has reviewed at all during the story - you are all incredible :)


Chapter 40

"Graaaace!" Gabriella laughed. "Get out of there, I just packed those!"

She leaned down and scooped up the excitable ball of fluff that had just jumped inside her open suitcase, and promptly settled herself on top of a pile jackets. Holding the wriggling puppy up, Gabriella smiled and buried her face in the soft fur. "Naaw, I can't stay mad at you Gracie. You're just too darn cute!"

"Talking about me again, Montez?"

Gabriella rolled her eyes and turned towards her doorway. "You've got tickets on yourself, Bolton," she replied, unable to hide her grin. He was leaning against her doorway, arms folded and a smirk on his face, his blue eyes as bright as ever.

Grace yapped and wagged her tail excitedly, wriggling so hard in Gabriella's arms she let her down to the floor. "There you go, Grace – attack! ATTACK!" Gabriella joked as the now six-month-old pup raced towards Troy and jumped up on her hind legs, begging to be picked up.

Troy obliged and lifted the dog into his arms, crossing Gabriella's room and leaning down to place a gentle kiss on her lips. "Hey beautiful," he greeted her properly.

"Hi," Gabriella replied with a smile, allowing her eyes to drift closed as he kissed her again. "How was lunch?"

Troy groaned and flopped down on her bed, right next to where her suitcase lay. "It was lunch at Aunt Gladys'...how do you think it was?"

Gabriella gently slapped his leg. "Be nice, Troy."

"I am!" Troy whined. "Ok, she made us cheese and pickle sandwiches, even though she knows I don't like pickles – I mean, she's been my great aunt for almost 19 years, you think she'd remember by now – but she told me to eat them because they would 'put hairs on my chest'" Troy told her in his best Aunt Gladys voice, a look of disgust on his face. "I told her I didn't want a hairy chest and she told me I was a wuss. Can you believe it?! A wuss!" he said incredulously.

Gabriella laughed as she re-folded her jackets and put them back in the suitcase.

"What about you?" Troy asked, folding an arm behind his head as he lay back against her pillows. "How was your afternoon?"

"Well, I've been trying to pack, but little miss over there keeps jumping in the suitcase," Gabriella pointed at Grace, who was now chasing her tail. "I think she wants to come too! Anyway, how's your packing going?"

Troy shrugged. "I'll do it tomorrow."

"Troy! We leave at 6.30 in the morning!"

"Ok, ok – I'll do it tonight. Trust me Gab, it'll take me 30 seconds – I'm a guy."

"Yeah, one pair of underwear and one pair of socks will do you for the whole trip, right?" Gabriella joked.

Troy raised his eyebrows at her. "Oh, so that's what you think of me, is it? Some grotty, smelly boy who never changes his undies?"

Gabriella smirked. "Maaaaybe??" she dragged out her answer, backing away from the bed as Troy sat up slowly, and slid towards her with his hands raised, fingers wriggling.

"Uh uh – wrong answer!" Troy exclaimed suddenly, jumping from the bed and chasing Gabriella around her bedroom. It took him approximately three seconds to catch up to her and pin her down on her bed, tickling her mercilessly.

"I'll have you know I change my undies very regularly," he informed her as he straddled her, his fingertips still digging into her sides as she squirmed beneath him. "At least once a month..."

"Trooooy!" Gabriella was wheezing with laughter. "That's gross!"

"Ok, ok," Troy replied, moving his tickling hands from her sides to her stomach. "Once a week then."

"Eww!"

Troy laughed as he pinned Gabriella's arms to her sides and leaned down, kissing her soundly. After a moment Gabriella slid her tongue across his lips and he allowed her to deepen the kiss as she slipped her arms from under his hands and snaked them up his chest. She pushed him gently as she reached his shoulders so that they rolled sideways, Gabriella ending up on top of Troy and the kiss remaining unbroken.

"Mmm," Gabriella sighed as their lips parted after a few moments. "I really, really love you."

Troy smiled fondly up at her. "I really, really love you too."

"I think I'm ready, Troy..." Gabriella trailed off.

Troy's brow creased in confusion. "Ready for what, babe?"

"Ready," Gabriella repeated meaningfully, running a fingertip down his chest so softly it made him shiver.

"Ready...oh! Oooh..." Troy finally caught on. "Bella...are you sure?" he asked. After their big talk before Graduation almost six months earlier, Gabriella and Troy had grown even closer – if that was possible. It had taken some time, but Gabriella was slowly learning to relax and accept her body – scars and all.

It was now December – the day after Christmas to be precise - and Gabriella had been off treatment for over six months. Her tests were continuing to come back perfectly clear, and she was feeling better than ever. She had had her central line removed 2 months after her treatment came to an end, she had put some weight back on, and her hair was growing quicker than ever – thick, dark brown and even curlier than it had been before. It was now about 2 inches long all over and although Gabriella complained daily about how it was out of control and she couldn't do anything with it, Troy knew she was just ecstatic to have a head full of hair again. He could see her gaining more and more confidence by the day and it made him so happy to see her so happy.

Gabriella rested her chin on his chest and looked him straight in the eye.

"Positive. I mean...not like, tonight...but soon. I love you, Troy, and I want...I want to show you how much."

Troy leaned up and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "We'll do whatever you're comfortable with, Gabi – I don't want you to feel pressured into anything..."

"I don't," Gabriella shook her head. "I know you would never force me to do anything I didn't want to do. And we'll do whatever we're comfortable with, ok? This is about both of us taking a huge step in our relationship – I want us to make the decisions together."

Troy nodded and traced his thumb over her cheek before running his hand through her mop of curls.

"Together," he agreed with a smile. He leaned up and kissed her quickly on the lips, then whispered in her ear. "I love you too."

They lay in silence for a while, just holding each other and basking in the little bubble of happiness they had created and the additional closeness they felt after Gabriella's revelation and this big decision, knowing that one day soon their relationship would graduate to a whole new level.

An impatient bark from Grace drew their attention back to reality.

"What's up, baby?" Gabriella cooed, opening her eyes and lifting her head from Troy's chest. "You want to get out?" she asked as the pup whimpered by the door. She opened it and watched Grace bound down the stairs, then heard her mother come in the front door. "Aaah, that's what was up – Mom's home with food," Gabriella laughed. Feeling a pair of arms snake around her waist from behind, she tilted her head up and kissed Troy's jaw-line, her hands clasped securely over his, which rested on her stomach. She squealed a little as he lifted her off the ground slightly, and set her down so she was standing on his feet. He tightened his grip around her waist, rested his chin on her shoulder, and walked down the stairs, bringing her with him.

"Aaaaah, young love," Maria sighed dramatically, one hand on her heart as she spotted Troy walking her daughter down the stairs on his feet.

"Mo-om," Gabriella laughed and Maria smiled, kissing her daughter on the forehead when Troy brought her close enough. "How was your day?"

"My day was great," Gabriella replied, smiling as she felt Troy kiss the top of her head.

"Did Dr Zamitt call?"

"Mmhmm," Gabriella nodded. "He said my bloods are still looking perfect, he hopes we had a great Christmas yesterday, and to have a wonderful trip."

Early the following morning, Troy and the Montez's would be heading off to Colorado for Gabriella's make-a-wish trip. Everyone was really excited – they had been looking forward to this moment for a long time. Cancer still affected Gabriella and her family daily, but this trip would be another step towards closure on that particular chapter of their lives.

"Fantastic," Maria replied. "Speaking of the trip, Troy, I've talked to your Mom and we thought it would be easier if you just stay here tonight, seeing as we have to leave so early. We've been invited to your place for dinner so we'll say goodbye's then and bring all your stuff back here ready to leave tomorrow."

"Ok," Troy agreed.

Gabriella dug her elbows backwards into Troy's ribs, causing him to grunt in protest. "Looks like you have to pull out those speed-packing skills now, Wildcat," she teased, and Troy groaned again.

"Don't worry," Maria said with a smirk. "From what I could gather, your Mom was washing all your socks and jocks when I spoke to her on the phone. You'll be right."

Troy shook his head and sighed as Gabriella burst into peals of laughter, high-fiving her mother.

"I have a whole week of this to look forward to," Troy lamented, and Gabriella turned back to him, snuggling into his side.

"Awww, don't worry Wildcat – we'll be nice."

"Mostly," Maria added, causing the mother-daughter double act to burst into another round of breathless laughter.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

Later that night, Gabriella and Troy lay curled around each other in her bed. Troy ran his fingers through her soft, short curls as she yawned sleepily.

"Excited?" Troy asked softly.

"For the trip? Yeah," Gabriella replied with a tired smile. "I can't wait. A whole week at the snow with my two favourite people."

Troy grinned and kissed the top of her head. "I can't wait to see you up on that snowboard. You're going to be amazing."

"I'm really glad you're going to be there to cheer me on," Gabriella told him, tilting her head so she could see his face. "You've been there for me through everything."

Troy just kissed her. Gabriella smiled against his lips as she ran her hand up his chest and let it rest on the side of his face, feeling his tongue slide into her mouth. She allowed him to deepen their kiss, as her thumb stroked his cheek.

Troy's hand moved from where it was resting on her shoulder, sliding down her side and over her hip, coming to rest on her slightly exposed lower back. He felt Gabriella shiver at his gentle touch and he pulled her closer, continuing to deepen their kiss.

His lips left hers and trailed a path down to her neck, causing Gabriella to moan softly as she tilted her head to the side. She shivered again as his kisses brushed the scar on her collarbone - left behind by her central line – finding that Troy's lips on the sensitive tissue caused tingles to erupt through her body.

Gabriella's hands moved to his back and wandered lower, she felt his sharp intake of breath as she brushed one hand across the front of his boxers. The hand of his that was on her back moved under her pyjama top as he returned his lips to her mouth, their tongues moving as one. As his hands moved further up, and around to her stomach, Troy pulled back slightly, looking into Gabriella's eyes.

She nodded, rubbed her nose against his, and took his hand in her own, moving it higher. She kissed him again and closed her eyes as his hand wandered over her chest, the other stroking the small of her back ever so softly. For the first time in a long time Gabriella felt alive, like she never wanted this moment to end - Troy's hands caressing her body, their lips joined, time at a stand-still.

All too soon, however, she felt Troy's hands disappear from under her top and cup her face instead. He pulled back from their passionate kiss and peppered her cheeks and eyelids with butterfly kisses instead.

"Let's get some sleep, huh? We've got an early start and I know you're tired."

Gabriella nodded and kissed Troy one more time before cuddling into him as close as possible and closing her eyes. He wrapped his arms tight around her and breathed deeply, inhaling her unique scent.

"Night Wildcat," Gabriella murmured into his chest. "Love you."

"Sweet dreams, Bella," he replied, kissing her hair. "I love you too."

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

"Look!" Gabriella squealed like an excited child and tugged on Troy's arm, pointing a few yards ahead of them. "Aww, it's so cute!"

Troy smiled at her excitement and wrapped an arm around her as she admired the snowman a group of youngsters were busily creating out the front of their lodge.

"This place is amazing! I had forgotten how beautiful it was up here."

"So had I," Troy agreed, taking in their surroundings. It was like a winter wonderland – snow glistened on every surface, the sun glinting off icicles that hung from the trees making it seem like the whole valley was sparkling and alive.

"Are you warm enough Gabi?" Maria asked as she caught up to her daughter and Troy.

"Yes Mom," Gabriella replied. "Where did you disappear to, anyway?"

"Oh...nowhere," Maria replied quickly, stuffing her cell phone into one of the pockets on her ski jacket. "I'm just too slow for you pair."

Gabriella looked curiously at Troy, who just shrugged and shook his head. They brushed it off and continued towards the ski lift which would take them to the top of the trail where they were meeting Sven – Gabriella's personal snowboarding instructor for the week.

The minute they reached the platform at the top of the lift and trudged away from the moving chairs - their snow boots leaving deeps trails in the fresh, powdery snow – Maria whipped out her camera and began clicking away.

"Smile you pair! Come oooon, just one smile?"

Gabriella and Troy turned around and wrapped their arms around each other, smiling obediently. Ever since the limousine had picked them up at half past six that morning, Maria had been documenting every second of Gabriella's Make-A-Wish trip...even if the only action at that time of the morning was Gabriella and Troy falling asleep on each other's shoulders before they had even reached the airport.

"The view from up here is amazing," Gabriella commented, admiring the breathtaking picture.

"Yeah, it is," Troy nodded. "My Dad and I came up here to snowboard a couple times when he was teaching me. It's the perfect spot to learn."

"I still can't believe we are back here – exactly the same place we met," Gabriella snaked her arms around his waist and rested her chin on his chest, gazing up at him.

"Thank god for Colorado, huh?" Troy flashed his famous grin and kissed her forehead.

"Thank god for Colorado," Gabriella repeated with a laugh.

CLICK!

"Mo-om!" Gabriella exclaimed.

Maria grinned sheepishly. "Sorry! But I can't help it - you two are just so cute!"

Troy laughed and leaned down to whisper in Gabriella's ear. "Can you imagine her on our wedding day?"

Gabriella raised an eyebrow. "Wedding day, huh?" she whispered back.

Troy kissed her forehead again.

The three turned around towards the ski lift when they heard an enthusiastic voice calling out to them.

"Aaah, vell hullo zere! You must be Gabriella and her fan club!" the tall blonde instructor said in a thick Swiss accent. "I am Sven and I vill be ze one reezponzible for turning you into a znowboarding pro!"

Gabriella giggled. "Nice to meet you, Sven. This is my mom Maria and my boyfriend Troy."

Troy shook hands with Sven, as did Maria. Her phone started to ring, however, and she glanced guiltily at Gabriella before hurrying off until she was out of earshot, and taking the call.

"Okey now, Gabriella I underztand you are one preeetty tough gal, ja?"

"I guess," Gabriella blushed.

"She's the toughest," Troy said proudly.

"Vell then, I am certain she vill be a complete natural on ze znowboard. Letz get ztarted shall ve?"

"Ok, here we go," Gabriella replied.

"You go girl," Maria encouraged as she made her way back over to them, shoving her cell phone deep into her pocket.

Sven spent the next little while explaining to Gabriella how to secure her feet to the board, and helping her work out how to balance, before showing her how to shuffle along the flat surface of snow using the edge of the board.

With encouragement from Maria and Troy, Gabriella was soon confident in standing on the board unaided, and chugging along the snow a few paces. After almost an hour, she was getting the hang of it more and more. Laughing gleefully as she wobbled suddenly and landed on her butt in the snow, Gabriella raised her hands and Troy pulled her to her feet, kissing her forehead and steadying her on the board.

"Zat waz a great attempt!" Sven clapped his hands together. "I fink ve are ready to try zomething a leetle more advanced already – ve're going to try riding ze board a leetle way down ze hill, zen ztopping uzing ze chugging technique ve have juzt been practizing, only ve vill attempt it on ze first bit of ze zlope – vat do you fink? Shall ve show everyvone vat you're made of?"

"Let's do this!" Gabriella stated with determination.

"Yeah! LET'S DO THIS!"

"What the...?" Gabriella's head whipped around towards the direction of the ski-lift as she heard a familiar voice, followed by a loud cheer from several more familiar voices. Her eyes grew wide as Chad and Taylor jumped off the chair, followed by Kelsi, Jason and Ryan on the next chair, and Sharpay and Zeke on the third. Lucille and Jack jumped off the last chair, their smiles just as wide as the gang's.

Before she had time to ask any questions, Gabriella found herself flat on her back in the snow with her best friends piled on top of her.

"But...what...how...OH MY GOD YOU GUYS ARE HERE!!" she squealed. As they all helped her up and brushed the snow off her ski jacket and pants, Gabriella looked at Troy who had a Cheshire grin on his face. "You knew?" she asked incredulously and he nodded.

Lucille stepped in to explain. "When Angela told you about your trip, Taylor and Chad commented to Troy that they would love to see you up on that board for the first time. So the three of them got the gang together, talked to your Mom, and then organised amongst themselves to be here for the day as your very own cheer squad. Jack and I taxied everyone to the airport about an hour after you guys took off – we were on the very next flight. We're all flying back home later tonight."

Gabriella gave them all a watery smile. "You guys are absolutely amazing..." she managed to tell them, before the gathered around her for another group hug. "I love you all!"

"We love you Gabi!" Taylor announced happily. "We wanted to be here to witness you conquering that mountain and showing everyone what a girl who kicked cancer's butt looks like," she explained, hugging Gabriella tightly.

"You're the best friend ever, Tay," Gabriella whispered as they embraced, suddenly feeling emotional.

"Right back at ya, sister," Taylor whispered in reply.

"Ok," Sven interrupted. "Ready? Remember, dig your heels in to zlow ze board and zlide tovardz ze zide of ze hill – not ztraight down. Ve ready?"

"Uh huh!" Gabriella said firmly. "Ready as I'll ever be!"

Troy bent down and helped Gabriella to click her heel back into the strap on the snowboard, and held her hands, pulling her gently forward as she shuffled closer to the start of the decline. She felt a flutter of nerves in the pit of her stomach as she thought about what she was about to do, but the nerves were soon overridden by a wave of excitement and determination to prove that she could do this.

Spurred on by whoops and cheers from her best friends, her mom, her boyfriend and his parents, Gabriella looked at Sven who clicked his heels onto his own snowboard, and pulled down his goggles. Gabriella pulled down her own goggles and Sven gave her the thumbs up, shifting his weight and sliding smoothly away on his board.

Gabriella took a deep breath before her face split into a wide grin and she yelled at the top of her lungs "HERE I GO!!" With that, she pushed her weight forward with everything she had, and glided forward onto the start of the decline.

Letting out a loud whoop of delight as the board began to move through the snow, adrenaline pulsed through Gabriella as she heard her friends cheering behind her. She focused on Sven, who was a few yards ahead of her, and followed his trail in the snow.

"YEEEEEEEEEEEAH!!" she yelled excitedly. "I'M DOING IT! I'M DOING IT!"

The action made her wobble slightly, and she balanced herself with her arms, steadying the board before continuing her decent. Troy wrapped an arm around Maria's shoulders – she was struggling with her emotions as she attempted to capture every second of the action on film. He too was a vortex of emotion; however he found he could not wipe the smile from his face – that was his girl out there, showing the world what she was made of.

"WOOOOOHOO!" Gabriella cheered once more - roaring with laughter as she suddenly lost her balance and fell on her butt. She looked up behind her with a huge smile on her face and saw all of her friends and family grinning back proudly, still cheering her on. With a giggle, she hoisted herself up out of the snow, brushed her ski jacket and pants off, regained her balance and – with one last glance at Troy, who winked and grinned at her – she pushed off and continued towards Sven.

With one final impressive slide in the snow, she reached him and jumped out of the foot straps, turning to face her loved ones who were racing down the decline towards her, she jumped up and down with excitement as Sven grabbed her hand and held it in the air.

"VICTORY!" he yelled gleefully. "Vell done Gabriella – my bezt ztudent EVER! You should be very proud!"

As Maria, Troy, Lucille, Jack, Taylor, Chad, Sharpay, Ryan, Kelsi, Zeke and Jason reached Gabriella and crowded around her in yet another group hug, her ecstasy was obvious.

"HEAR THAT?" she squealed. "VICTORY – TAKE THAT, CANCER!"

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

"Oooooh, enjoy the rest of the week!" Lucille exclaimed as she hugged Gabriella tight. "Keep an eye on that boy of mine, alright?" The group had enjoyed a fantastic afternoon and dinner together, but - all too quickly - the time had come for Jack, Lucille and the gang to head home.

Gabriella laughed. "I will," she promised, before lowering her voice, her tone sincere. "Thank you so much for helping make this happen...it meant so much to me to have everyone I love most here with me today."

Lucille smiled and hugged Gabriella again. "My pleasure, sweetheart. It was worth everything just to see the look on that pretty little face. You can just repay us by having the best possible time on this trip, ok?"

Gabriella smiled as she felt two warm arms snake around her waist from behind, and a chin rest atop her head. "Definitely," she nodded, Troy moving with her as she leaned forward to kiss Lucille on the cheek.

"Goodbye Mr – you look after our girl, hear me?"

"Yes Mom," Troy chuckled, hugging his mom. "Thanks for all your help, Mom – I love you," he whispered in her ear.

Lucille patted his cheek. "I love you too, my boy. I'm so proud of you."

"Ok, ok – no tears," Troy laughed as he hugged his mom one more time.

"Thanks so much, Tay," said Gabriella as she hugged her best friend good bye.

"Hey, don't even mention it," Taylor replied. "We were just excited to be able to be here for you – you were amazing out there, by the way."

Gabriella giggled. "Jaaa, by ze end of ze week I'll be a prooo!" she said dramatically, imitating Sven.

Taylor laughed. "I'll see you next week. I hope you know I want every single detail of the rest of the trip."

Gabriella nodded. "For sure."

"Bye man, thanks for everything," Troy said as he hugged Chad, clapping him on the back.

"No sweat brother – our Gabster deserves all the happiness in the world."

"That she does," Troy agreed.

"See you when you get back dude," Chad said, pulling Troy towards him and lowering his voice. "And remember – be good...but if you can't be good, be careful."

"Chad!" Troy exclaimed loudly, whacking him over the head. Chad scuttled off towards Taylor, and Troy shook his head.

It took over half an hour, but finally everyone had said their goodbyes and Troy, Maria and Gabriella had waved them off as they headed back towards the airport.

"What an amazing day," Gabriella sighed contentedly as Maria wrapped an arm around her shoulder from one side, and Troy mirrored her actions on Gabriella's other side. Together they turned and headed into the lodge.

"Yeah, it was," Troy agreed, kissing the side of Gabriella's head as she stifled a yawn. "Tired babe?"

"Exhausted," Gabriella confirmed. "It's worth it though – I had an incredible time today."

"Well, we'll have to tuck you straight into bed as soon as we get back to our room."

Gabriella nodded sleepily. They had been to their room that morning to drop off their luggage, and it was unbelievable. There were two bedrooms – one with a queen sized bed and a huge ensuite, the other with two double beds and an enormous adjoining bathroom and a spa. Maria had told Gabriella and Troy when they arrived that she and Gabi would be sharing the double room, and Troy had to sleep on his own. She had gotten such a kick out of the looks on their faces and watching them squirm that she had left them to sweat it out for a good ten minutes before she informed them she was joking.

Once the bedrooms had been allocated, Gabriella wasted no time putting dibs on the bed closest to the window – and the view of the alpine valley – leaving Troy with the other bed. She had a feeling, though, that his bed would end up largely unused during the week – he liked to snuggle way too much to sleep alone when she was in a double bed in the same room!

Turns out she was right.

Once they made it back to the room, Gabriella and Troy bid Maria goodnight, changed into their pyjamas, crawled into their beds and turned out the lights. Gabriella lay on her side with a smirk on her face, counting backwards from ten.

'10...9...8...7...'

Gabriella smiled to herself as she suddenly felt a weight beside her. The covers shifted as a warm body snuggled into her from behind, a pair of arms slipped around her waist, settling on her stomach, and a familiar set of lips placed a lingering kiss on the back of her shoulder.

"Goodnight, Troy," Gabriella grinned as she settled into his embrace.

"Night Bella."

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

On day three of the trip – the day before New Year's Eve - when Troy and the Montez's arrived back at the lodge after Gabriella's snowboarding lesson, there was a note for Maria from reception. The Make-A-Wish reps were treating her to lunch, an afternoon of pampering, dinner, and then a night filled with music and dancing.

Gabriella was ecstatic for her mother. "Mom, that's so nice of them! You deserve an afternoon and night of fun after being stuck looking after me for the past year and a half."

"Hey, I haven't minded one b..."

"I know," Gabriella cut her mother off with a smile, placing her finger against Maria's lips. "But you are going to go and have an amazing time with these people, and relax and just chill and have fun, ok? For me?"

Maria sighed. "Ok, ok – I'll go. Will you and Troy be alright? I'm not sure what time I'll be back," she glanced at the letter. "It says here the night finishes around 1am – it's a bit late for..."

"Mom, we'll be absolutely fine. We're adults now, remember?"

"I know, I know – but you'll always be my..."

"Baby, I know Mom," Gabriella laughed, hugging Maria. "Now, go get changed and then get out of here! You are not passing up a free day and night of pampering!"

"Alright, alright – I'm out of here. You two behave, and make sure you have some lunch, and dinner later. Don't wait up!"

Maria closed the door behind her, and Gabriella counted to ten in her head before pouncing on Troy.

"Woah," he mumbled against her lips as his back hit the wall of the bedroom, Gabriella's hands running up and down his arms as she pressed herself against him.

Gabriella smiled and ran her tongue over his mouth. Troy tilted his head to the side and parted his lips, shivering as he felt her tongue slide across his. "Mmm," he murmured. "Where'd this come from?"

Gabriella just laughed softly and returned her lips to his, kissing him slowly and deeply, while walking backwards and taking him with her. When she felt the backs of her knees hit the end of her bed, she lay down, pulling Troy on top of her. She wriggled backwards up the bed a little and he followed, before taking her in his arms and kissing her once more.

After a few moments of heated kisses, Troy and Gabriella pulled back a little, and looked into each other's eyes, breathing heavily. Slowly, Gabriella leaned forward and placed her lips against Troy's, kissing him ever so gently, sliding her hands under the hem of his dark blue V-neck sweater and inching it upwards, before breaking off the kiss long enough to pull it - and the white t-shirt he had on underneath – off in one swift movement. She ghosted her hands up his muscular chest, causing him to shiver under her touch as she kissed him again.

Troy's hands found their way to her back and disappeared beneath her mint-green coloured sweater, running up her back – one coming to rest between her shoulder blades, the other moving around to Gabriella's front, nudging the underwire of her bra. A soft murmur into their kiss from Gabriella spurred him on and he slipped his hand underneath her bra, hearing and feeling her sharp intake of breath, and soft hiss as his fingers moved over her curves.

She pulled Troy closer to her, pressing their bodies together as their hands explored each other's skin. Gabriella's hands left Troy's bare chest and moved towards the front of his jeans. As they brushed the growing bulge there, Troy's breath hitched in his throat, and he vaguely wondered what happened to his innocent little Gabi. Deciding he would worry about that later, he let out a soft moan and felt Gabriella smile against his lips.

The smile grew and Gabriella pulled back to look at him, a glint in her eye and her hands suddenly absent from his body.

"Let's go make snow-angels," she suggested, her eyes shining with excitement.

Troy nearly choked, the tone of his voice raising about four octaves as he managed to squeak "Wha? Seriously?!"

"Uh huh – come on, lover boy – let's go," she grinned, bouncing off the bed, tugging at his hand.

"Uh...I'm gonna need a minute," Troy replied meekly, taking a sad glance downwards before hoisting himself off the bed and heading towards the bathroom, where he turned the cold tap in the sink on full-blast and stuck his head directly underneath.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

Troy couldn't help but smile as his girlfriend let go of his hand and ran ahead into the snow, giggling like a small child. Her laughter was infectious, and soon Troy found himself running after her, grabbing her around the waist and spinning her around and around, listening to her squeals of delight before setting her down in front of him and kissing her softly on the lips.

Smiling at her, they separated, keeping their hands joined, but taking a step away from her, and to the side.

"Ready?" he asked.

Gabriella nodded with a grin and together they fell backwards into the snow, laughing hysterically as they flapped their arms and legs up and down, making an imprint in the fresh white powder. Troy stood carefully and moved over to Gabriella, taking her hands and pulling her up out of the snow. They stood back to admire their handiwork.

Gabriella nodded her approval. "Not bad," she commented.

"Yeah," Troy agreed. "Just needs one more thing."

He grabbed a ski pole off the veranda of the lodge and walked around the snow angels, dragging the pole through the snow above their heads. He moved back to stand next to Gabriella again, and dusted off his hands.

"There – much better!" he exclaimed.

Gabriella smiled and kissed his cheek before resting her head on his shoulder. "Perfect," she replied, gazing at the message above the two angels who lay side by side in the snow.

Troy loves Gabi

"Gabi loves Troy too," she whispered, and felt him kiss the top of her head. His hand snaked around her waist and she squirmed as his fingers dug into her side. "TROY!" she yelled, laughing and jumping away from him.

"Whaaat?" he protested, feigning innocence.

Gabriella grinned impishly and stuck her tongue out at him. "Chase me!" she yelled, before turning and running as fast as her snow boots would allow her.

"You asked for it!" Troy yelled back, taking off after her and quickly catching up. He reached his arms out to grab her around the waist just as her foot caught in the snow and she tripped, tumbling to the ground and taking Troy with her.

Screaming with breathless laughter, they rolled over and over together, finally coming to rest at the foot of a tree, limbs tangled and out of breath.

"Oh god," Gabriella wheezed. "That was the funniest thing ever."

Troy laughed and hugged her against him, before pulling the both of them to their feet. "Come on," he said, wrapping an arm around her. "Let's go get warmed up."

"Warmed up, hey?" Gabriella raised an eyebrow at him.

Troy gulped. "Gabriella! What has gotten into you today?" he asked incredulously. "Not that I'm complaining..." he added.

Gabriella shrugged. "Just a new lease on life, I guess," she replied airily, before skipping off ahead of him.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

"That...was the most amazing...dinner...ever..." Gabriella breathed, kissing Troy's cheek repeatedly during her sentence. "Thank you."

Troy smiled down at her in the dim light of the hallway, and placed a lingering kiss on her forehead. "My pleasure," he said as he unlocked the room and stood back to let her inside first. He placed his hands gently on her arms, and guided her over to the couch. Sitting her down, he kissed her softly. "Wait here," he whispered, before disappearing into their bathroom.

Gabriella sat patiently for a few minutes, before Troy reappeared and took her by the hand, guiding her through to the bathroom. He stood behind her, gently massaging her shoulders and placing soft kisses atop her short curls as she breathed in deeply.

"Wow, Troy," she gasped – he had filled the giant spa bath with steaming hot, bubbly water, and lit the row of scented candles lined up on the sink beside it.

"You enjoy a nice, warm, relaxing spa while I organise the next surprise," he whispered in her ear.

Gabriella looked up at him questioningly, but he just handed her a fluffy white bathrobe, kissed her gently on the lips, and shut the bathroom door behind him.

Gabriella sighed happily as she slid down into the warm, soapy water. The smell of strawberry bubble bath filled her nose and she closed her eyes, a smile on her face. The past few days had been some of the happiest of her life. She felt so free all of a sudden - relaxed, happy, content...safe. It was almost as if she had finally realised that she could live her life in fear of cancer, or she could stand up and move on, acknowledging that it was and would always be a part of her, but she wasn't going to let that get her down. It was time to let go.

The toughest times of her life had been had during those ten months of treatment, and the months of constant check-ups which had followed, and would continue over the next five years, all be it at much less frequent intervals. But in a way Gabriella was thankful for those tough times – because although some of the memories were hard to bear, they had made her into a stronger, more patient young lady, and shown her what the true meaning of courage and strength was.

She had also learnt who really mattered in life, and was thankful for the amazing group of people she loved surrounding her. Her mother – her best friend and confidant, the one who never let her down. Jack and Lucille, who were like her second parents, and whose faith in her was constant. Taylor, her best friend, the one who got her, the one she could tell anything too. Chad, the big brother she never had, the dependable, loveable one. The rest of the gang, who were always there when she needed cheering up, a constant source of entertainment, the best pick-me-up ever.

And Troy.

Gabriella didn't even know where to begin with Troy. He was the sunshine in her life. No matter how cheesy that sounded, it was true. He literally knew exactly what to say and do to make her smile. He was her other half, her soul mate, the love of her life. Sometimes it scared Gabriella, how deeply her feelings for him ran. It was crazy – she was only six months out of high school – could she really have found 'The One' already? Deep down, though, she knew she had. Troy had stuck by her through her biggest challenge in life. He had seen her at her lowest, and had helped pull her from the darkest spiral she had ever faced. Yet he was still there, right by her side, continuing to love her more and more every day.

As the last of the bubbles around her began to disappear, Gabriella turned off the spa jets and pulled herself from the bath, quickly towel-drying her body, and slipping on the warm robe. She pressed her ear to the bathroom door for a moment, listening for movement or noise. When she heard none, she quietly opened the door and moved out into the bedroom, gasping in amazement.

The lights were out – the room in darkness apart from a soft flickering glow being given off by numerous tea-light candles, which glimmered across the surface of the bedside tables and the chest of drawers. Gabriella pulled the bathrobe tighter across her chest, as she took another step into the room.

"Troy?" she called out softly, looking to her left as she heard movement, relaxing as she felt a familiar pair of lips cover her own.

"Enjoy your bath?" Troy's suddenly husky voice asked quietly.

"Mmhmm," Gabriella murmured her reply. "Thank you."

Troy leaned his head down and rubbed his nose against hers. "I love you, Gabriella."

Gabriella looked up at him, seeing the emotion that filled his eyes in the flicker of the candle light. She reached up and ran her hand softly down his cheek, smiling as he closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. "I love you too, Troy," she replied, almost in a whisper.

He leaned down and captured her lips, the both of them closing their eyes as they allowed themselves to be overtaken by sensations they had never felt before. Gabriella felt her feet leave the ground, as Troy wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her slightly, moving towards the bed. He lay her down carefully, reverently, treating her almost as if she were a china-doll.

Gabriella's arms remained linked around his neck as he lowered himself on top of her, never breaking their kiss. He moved his kisses to Gabriella's neck, and she arched her back beneath him, sensation coursing through her. As his mouth found the small scar on her collarbone, Gabriella shivered. Troy sucked lightly on the puckered skin and she let out an involuntary low moan.

Running her hands over Troy's back and finding the bottom of his sweater, Gabriella lifted it up and over his head for the second time that day. Troy pulled away to allow her to remove the garment, before returning his attention to her neck as Gabriella raked her fingernails up his now bare back.

As he moved his kisses up Gabriella's neck, along her jaw, and back to her mouth, Troy slipped a hand inside her bathrobe. Gabriella sighed contentedly, and moved her own hands to the top of his pants, running her fingers along the button. Fiddling with the tie on the robe, Troy unlooped it, and slowly slid the garment off Gabriella's shoulders, searching her eyes for permission to go further. Gabriella moved her arms to allow the robe to slide off more easily, and kissed Troy on the nose as he dropped it over the side of the bed and onto the floor, leaving her lying beneath him in just her panties.

Troy's eyes locked with Gabriella's for a moment, before he slowly and respectfully began to run his hands over her body, his eyes taking in every inch of her in the dim glow.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered hoarsely.

Gabriella smiled placidly up at him, running a hand through his hair as he lowered his head and kissed his way down her chest and across her stomach.

When he reached the long, thin scar that snaked across her abdomen, Troy pulled back and traced it with his finger. Gabriella sucked in a sharp breath, and he looked up at her.

"Are you ok?" he asked her, his eyes full of concern.

Gabriella smiled softly, lifting her hand and tracing his mouth with her finger. Slowly, she nodded. "I'm fine. Now come here, you."

Troy grinned as she pulled his face towards hers, kissing his lips. Her hands moved back towards his pants, and began to fiddle with the button, feeling it pop open before lowering the zip carefully. Troy helped her slide his jeans down his legs, leaving him in only his boxers.

As they continued to kiss and explore each other's bodies in a way they never had before, underwear was soon shed and before too long the comforter had been pulled back and Troy was poised above her. He broke off the kiss and pulled back to look her in the eyes.

Running his thumb across her cheek, he searched her face for any sign of hesitation or distress. The last thing he wanted to do was have her feeling pressured into something she didn't really want.

"Are you sure?" he whispered gently, full of sincerity. "I don't want you to have any regrets..."

Gabriella ran her hand across his cheek, over his forehead, and through his hair. "I won't," she said honestly. "I've never been so sure about anything in my life. I love you, Troy – so much."

He leaned down and placed a lingering kiss on her lips. "I love you too, my Bella."

And as their lips joined once more, their bodies now united in the most intimate of ways, Troy and Gabriella gave away their most precious gift to each other – the gift of themselves.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

The following morning, Gabriella stirred as early morning sunlight began to filter into the room. She and Troy were curled tightly around each other – legs tangled, arms wrapped snugly around waists, skin on skin, Gabriella's head using Troy's chest as a pillow, whilst his nose was buried in her hair.

She opened her eyes slowly, blinking a few times as she adjusted to the light. A smile spread across her face as memories of the previous night came flooding back. She placed a soft kiss on Troy's chest and he stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent as he dropped a kiss in her hair, pulled the comforter tighter around them, pulled Gabriella even closer to him, and drifted back to sleep – Gabriella not far behind.

They awoke for the second time a couple of hours later. Gabriella was pulled from her sleep by the feeling of Troy stroking her hair. She opened her eyes and tilted her head to look up at him.

"Hi," she whispered softly, her lips turning up at the corners until she was smiling sleepily at him.

"Hi," he replied, placing a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose, feeling her shiver as he ran one hand up and down her bare side.

Gabriella leaned up and kissed him on the lips, before snuggling back against his chest, smiling as he wrapped his arms tighter around her.

"Mmm, I could stay here forever," she murmured, closing her eyes.

Troy grinned. "Me too," he admitted. "Gabi, last night...last night was..."

"Incredible..." Gabriella finished for him, opening her eyes again and looking up at him.

He nodded and lowered his head to touch his forehead against hers. "Incredible," he agreed.

They lay in silence for a few moments, foreheads touching, eyes closed, just taking in each other's scent and listening to each other breathing.

Gabriella broke the silence with a soft groan. "We should probably get up," she suggested. "I have a lesson with Sven in an hour, and besides, my Mom's gonna think we died in our sleep if we don't surface soon. Either that or she'll think we're curled up together with no clothes on."

"Well we are..." Troy replied with a smirk, kissing her forehead.

"Yeah, but my Mom really doesn't need to know that right now," Gabriella laughed, slapping him on the chest and slipping on her bathrobe, leaning down and kissing him quickly before heading towards the bathroom.

Troy threw back the covers and jumped up, planning on following her, but Gabriella sensed his movement and raised her index finger above her head without even turning around, stopping him in his tracks.

"Nu-uh, Wildcat – wait your turn!"

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

"Woooow," Troy let out a long whistle. "You look amazing!"

"Thanks," Gabriella smiled, twirling around on the spot. "What do you think, Mom?"

"You look beautiful, sweetheart. And you're looking pretty spiffy yourself, Troy," Maria said with a grin, whipping out the camera as Gabriella relaxed into Troy's embraced. She had noticed something different about the pair that day – they seemed even closer, if that was possible – she just couldn't put her finger on it. Shrugging the thought away and making a mental note to have a talk to Gabriella about it when she got home, Maria busied herself with the task of documenting the process of getting ready for the New Years' celebrations.

"Well you look gorgeous too, Mom – you've been glowing since that pampering day yesterday," Gabriella said, hugging her mother.

"Why thank you, daughter of mine. I'm happy to be void of my old, haggard looks for a day."

Gabriella rolled her eyes with a laugh. "You never look old and haggard."

"Wow, what ever did I do to deserve all these compliments," Maria joked, heading towards the door. "Alright you two, if you can manage to untangle yourselves from each other until we get downstairs, that would be fantastic," she stated with a smirk, holding the door open and heading out after the two blushing young adults who had just shuffled past her.

A couple of hours later, the New Years' party at the lodge was in full swing. Maria was catching up with some of the friends she had made the day before, and Gabriella and Troy were dancing together in the middle of the dance floor.

Gabriella laughed gleefully as Troy took her hand and spun her away from him, before spinning her back in and twirling her around. She giggled against his lips as he kissed her, both their bodies swaying to the beat of the music.

"OK, WHO'S GONNA ROCK THE HOUSE NEXT?"

Troy and Gabriella looked at each other, laughter dancing in their eyes as they watched two nervous young teens shuffle onto the stage, arms folded, staring off into the corners of the room as the next song started up.

"Do you remember...?"

Troy cut Gabriella off with a kiss. "How could I forget?"

"I can't believe it's been two whole years since we met here."

"I know – it's unbelievable," Troy agreed. "Time has gone so fast. But I wouldn't swap a second of that time for anything in the world."

Gabriella laughed. "Not even all those hours you spent with me vomiting everywhere?"

Troy shook his head. "The thought of seeing you sick or in pain ever again is almost unbearable, but if I had to choose between rubbing your back while you threw up, or not having you in my life...I know what I would choose every time. I can't imagine my life without you in it," Troy said sincerely.

Gabriella placed her hand on his cheek and stroked it softly. Troy turned his head sideways and kissed the palm of her hand.

"You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Troy Bolton," Gabriella said, looking him square in the eye. He pulled her closer, and she rested her head against his chest. "I don't know what I'd do without you anymore..."

"Well, you'll never have to find out," Troy replied firmly, resting his chin on the top of her head as they continued moving slowly to the music. "You're stuck with me now."

Gabriella smiled into the soft fabric of his shirt. "Good."

"5 MINUTES TILL MIDNIGHT!" the DJ suddenly announced, and Troy took Gabriella's hand, leading her out onto the balcony of the function room.

"Aaah, there you two are!" the pair turned at the sound of Maria's voice.

"Hi Mom – how's your night been?"

"Great – what about you two? Staying out of mischief I hope..."

Gabriella and Troy laughed. "Of course," they replied innocently.

"We were just reminiscing about everything that's happened since we were here the last time," Troy said.

Maria nodded. "If someone had told me two years ago what the future was going to hold, I would have told them they were dreaming. This time last year, I was scared to even look to tomorrow. I was petrified that 'tomorrow' wouldn't hold my baby girl in it," she said sadly, running her hand through Gabriella's mop of dark ringlets.

"It's ok, Mom – I'm still here...I'm going to be fine."

"I know you are, honey. I don't doubt it – you're the strongest and bravest person I have ever met. Look how far you have come."

Troy thought back to last New Year's, when Gabriela was in the middle of some of her harshest treatment, and so sick that she could barely move. Then he looked at the beautiful young woman in front of him – glowing with happiness, laughing and smiling, a picture of health. He looked at her and he was thankful – thankful that they were brought together by fate exactly two years prior, and thankful that she was still here with him to celebrate the milestone.

10...9...8...

Troy was so lost in his thoughts that he barely noticed the people around him start counting down from ten, until he felt Gabriella slip her hand into his. She gazed up at him with adoration-filled eyes and he couldn't help but smile as he tapped the end of her nose with his finger, and pulled her into his side.

7...6...5...

Maria held Gabriella's other hand as the crowd continued to count down.

4...3...2...1...

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

A cheer resonated through the crowd before everyone's attention tuned skyward to watch the spectacular fireworks display high above the mountain tops. Gabriella felt Troy's eyes on her, and she looked up to see him smiling down at her. He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers.

"Happy New Year, Bella," he whispered against her lips.

"Happy New Year," Gabriella replied, kissing him again before settling back in his arms.

Maria took Gabriella's hand, squeezing it, and she and Troy looked over at her.

"Here's to a happy, healthy, cancer free New Year," she smiled.

Gabriella grinned. "Here's to a cancer free LIFE!" she corrected. Maria touched her daughter's cheek affectionately and kissed her on the forehead.

"I'll toast to that," Troy agreed. "A cancer free life – I don't think much could sound sweeter."

As the three stood – arm in arm – watching the dazzling display that was still lighting up the night sky, they each thought back over the ups and downs of the past eighteen or so months. There were so many points along the journey when everything seemed all but lost, but time and time again, Gabriella – with the love and support of her family and friends - had beaten the odds and fought back to show cancer exactly who was boss. Now here she stood – stronger than ever, and ready to take on whatever the future held for her.

Initially, cancer had thrown them all into a fog – Gabriella's diagnosis had been a devastating blow to them all, and those first few weeks were a haze of darkness and despair. But – gradually – that fog had begun to lift and now – as they looked towards the future – the last hazy remnants of that darkness dissipated and Gabriella, Maria and Troy saw the world in a new light. Never again would they take anything for granted – they understood the preciousness of a fragile life. They had witnessed that fine line between life and death, and come out of the ordeal stronger.

As if they could read each other's thoughts, Gabriella and Troy turned their heads towards one another. As their eyes met and Troy wrapped her tightly in his embrace, Gabriella felt an overwhelming calm wash over her. For the first time in a long while, she felt completely and utterly safe. Her mother had always been a constant in her life, but she knew that Troy was her future and as long as he was by her side... anything was possible.

She was his hero, he was her saving grace.

Together, they had overcome the ultimate obstacle and won.

Together, they were ready to face tomorrow.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me -
I once was lost, but now am found...
Was blind... but now, I see.


And...that's it. OMG. Done. I can't believe it. I really am speechless. So all I will say is...let me know what you thought. Click that lil ol' button down there and tell me if you loved it, hated it, whatever you thought.

Stay tuned for the epilogue: A glimpse of the future.

Go ahead! Make my day! :)

Charli xox