Oh my god.

I can't believe it – I'm done. Finished. Finito. Adios. Ciao. Arrivaderci. Buh bye. Over.

Through this story, all I ever hoped to achieve was to get some sort of a message out there – if I could raise cancer awareness with just one person, then I would have been happy. But to hear you all tell me how much you have learnt and how much this story affected you...It's more than I ever could have dreamed.

I am still absolutely amazed by the overwhelming response to the last chapter – over 80 reviews and still climbing. I only hope that what I have written for the epilogue does the story justice, and that you all enjoy it as much as you seem to have done the rest of the story.

Samantha who reviewed the last chapter – I'm sorry to hear about your daughter. Cancer takes far too many precious little ones and it is beyond unfair. I can only pray that every day finds us one step closer to a cure.

I have so many people that I want to mention and thank but I really don't want to leave anyone out, so I'm only gonna mention a select few.

Cara – your reviews inspired me so much. You are a true hero in every sense of the word. All the very best for the future.

The Rooftop girls – you know who you are. Thanks for cheering me on and encouraging me. You are some of the best writers I have ever met and for you all to have such an interest in my lil ol' story...I am sooo flattered! You are an amazing group of people and I'm so glad to have met you!

Emily – My twin sister, separated at birth! I miss you so much right now, and I am hoping like heck your computer is fixed soon! You helped me so much with the first three quarters of this story and I know if your laptop hadn't shat itself, you would have been right with me through till the end! Love ya!

Jessaaa – Geez girl, like I said to you earlier, I've become so dependent on you for advice it's almost scary haha. You seriously rock and most of this story probably wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for you, so everyone should thank Jess! Thankyou sooo much for all your help! Can't wait to work with you on our big project! Teffy 4 lyf!! Bring back the faux hawk!

Ok I think that will do me for now, I'm sure you don't wanna be subjected to much more of my drabble! Mariana – keep fighting girl, and I know you'll make it through. To everyone else out there who is fighting cancer or has fought cancer...you are all amazing and inspirational. This whole story is for you.

Please read the A/N at the conclusion of the epilogue for some important informatioooon!

Enjoy, and – as the awesome Holly would say – peace, love, and Zefron bathing in a strawberry smoothie,

Charli

xox


Epilogue

5 Years Later...

"Troooy! Troy...TROY, stop it – I'm gonna be late!" Gabriella half scolded, half giggled as she pulled a jacket on over her uniform and ran her fingers quickly through her waist-length chocolate curls.

Troy groaned. "Nooooo, don't leeeave meeee..." he reached up and snaked his hands around her waist, pulling her back down onto their bed. Gabriella fell on top of him, laughing.

"Troy, I have to go!" she squealed, as his fingers worked to unbutton her blouse, exposing her bellybutton. He ran his lips over her abdomen, ghosting over an old, faded scar before moving further up. "Troy - stop!" Gabriella managed to pull herself away and re-button her shirt, straightening her clothes. "I've really got to go – and you have to get up as well. You have training in an hour and a half, don't forget."

At age 24, Troy was into his second year of playing for the Albuquerque Redhawks. Earlier in the year, he had also accepted the position of coach for the junior development squad known as the Juniorhawks. He frequently complained to Gabriella about the kids and their 'attitudes' but she knew that – deep down – he wouldn't swap his job for the world. She only had to watch his face when the kids were out on the court playing to know how proud he was of the young lives he was moulding.

Gabriella was into her first year at Graduate Medical School, after completing her undergraduate medical degree the previous summer. She was well on her way to her dream career – as a paediatrician – and was currently on a practice rotation, at none other than University of New Mexico Children's Hospital – the same place that had been her second home five years earlier.

As far as their relationship, the pair was closer and more in love than ever. Almost twelve months earlier, they had brought their first apartment together – they loved having their own place, and were very proud of the modest dwelling– they had spent weeks decorating and turning their new home into a reflection of their personalities and it looked great.

Health-wise, things were going well. Gabriella was coming up to the five year off treatment mark – in a week's time she would undergo some major testing, and then sit out an anxious few days of waiting for the final results. She hadn't said much about her upcoming tests, but Troy had a feeling that she was pretty nervous about them. Whenever he brought the topic up, Gabriella was quick to brush it off and change the subject.

"Don't remind me," Troy groaned again. "For the off-season, Coach is pushing us way to hard. My muscles are still burning from last week's session."

"Come on, hot-shot," Gabriella smirked, swiftly pulling the sheets off the bed, leaving a boxer-clad Troy uncovered. "Up, shower – now. There's coffee in the pot, and fresh fruit, muesli and yoghurt on the counter. I'll see you tonight," she placed a lingering kiss on his lips as he dragged himself off the bed. "Love you."

Troy cupped her face in his hands and kissed her softly on the forehead. "Love you too, Gabs. Have a great day."

Gabriella smiled and blew him a kiss as she grabbed her bag and hurried out of the apartment.

Troy yawned and stretched slowly, feeling his aching joints crack back into place. He sleepily stumbled to the bathroom and showered, emerging ten minutes later feeling slightly more refreshed, and a few steps closer to human.

Pulling a Redhawks hoodie over the top of his training gear, he jogged down the stairs and grabbed a bowl from the cupboard, fixing himself a bowl of muesli, fruit and yoghurt before pouring himself a cup of coffee and settling at the table with the newspaper.

His eyes drifted to the date and a chill ran down his spine as he realised it was exactly one week until Gabriella's five year post-treatment scans. The big ones – if these scans were clean, she would be given the all clear and considered to be cured.

Troy's thoughts wandered back over the past five years since Gabriella finished treatment. There had been a few bumps in the road, and many lasting side effects from the harsh treatments Gabriella had endured but – for the most part – she had recovered well and continued to heal, strengthen and move on from her ordeal.

There had been one period, however, that hadn't been such smooth sailing. Troy shuddered as he recalled that frightening time in their lives. It was almost eighteen months after Gabriella finished treatment, and the pair were enjoying college life. One day, though, Gabriella had come to him in tears, her words causing his stomach to sink...

Flashback

"Yesss!" Troy exclaimed aloud as the ball swooshed through the net. He was alone in the U of A gym, shooting free throws and working on his jump shot. The sound of the door opening caused him to turn his head, his mouth curling into a grin as he saw who had joined him.

"Hey gorgeous," he breathed, dropping the basketball and meeting Gabriella halfway across the gym, wrapping his arms around her tightly and kissing the top of her head as she buried her face in his chest.

It didn't take Troy long to realise something wasn't right. Gabriella was silent for a moment, before her shoulders started to shake and she let out a soft whimper against his chest. Within seconds, her small body was wracked with sobs, her tears soaking Troy's jersey.

"Hey..." Troy said gently, grasping her shoulders and attempting to pull her back enough to see her face. Gabriella clung harder to him, her arms around his neck, her face pressed hard against his shirt. 

Troy rubbed her back and pressed comforting kisses in her soft hair. "Gabi, what's happened...? What's wrong?"

Gabriella just cried harder.

"Gabi...babe, you're starting to scare me – what's wrong?" Troy's concern was growing. This wasn't like his happy-go-lucky girlfriend, whose smile lit up his day.

Eventually, Gabriella pulled back and looked up at Troy, her eyes filled with fear.

"I'm scared, Troy..." she whimpered.

Troy's brow creased as he stroked her hair comfortingly. "Why, Bella – what's worrying you?"

"I don't feel right...I have felt off colour for a couple of weeks. It's been coming and going, and I thought it was just stress or I wasn't sleeping enough...wasn't eating right...my workload has been insane this past month...but..." Gabriella trailed off as the tears began to fall again.

Troy felt like an iron fist was clenching his heart as fear overtook him like a vice. His hands were shaking as his eyes remained fixed on her tear-filled ones, waiting for her to continue.

"I was washing my hair this morning, and I felt...I..." she swallowed hard, reaching down to pick up Troy's hand, placing it on her neck – towards the back of the left side.

Troy thought he would vomit when he felt a ping-pong ball sized lump beneath his fingers. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out, just a strangled noise of shock.

Gabriella shivered slightly, wiping her eyes. "I called my oncologist. He wants me to come in for a check up and some blood tests this afternoon," she said softly.

Troy's heart was just about breaking in two. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead, and she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and inhaling his familiar scent.

"Whatever this is, we'll get through it. I promise," he whispered.

End Flashback

And – together – they did. Troy had accompanied Gabriella to her appointment that afternoon, and held her hand while she had blood drawn. He comforted her all through the night until she cried herself to sleep – only then allowing his own tears to fall. He made her breakfast in bed the next morning, not bothered by the fact she was too worried to eat. And he was right by her side when she took the call informing her that she was still in remission - her blood results had shown an infection, and after a week or two of antibiotics her swollen glands would go down and she would be feeling as right as rain. He was the first one to kiss her and hug her and twirl her around, joining her in her happiness as tears of relief overcame them both.

Pushing his chair back, Troy yawned as he moved over to the sink to rinse his breakfast dish. His cell phone started ringing suddenly, dancing across the counter as it buzzed. He grabbed it quickly and answered.

"Hello? Yes, speaking...Oh really? Wow, already – that was quick...Ok...Uh huh...Well thank you very much for the call, I'll be in some time this afternoon to pick it up. Uh huh...Yes...Uh huh...thank you, bye," Troy's smile stretched from ear to ear as he shoved his phone into his sports bag, whistling to himself as he locked up the apartment and jogged down the stairs to the car park. He had a huge surprise to plan for Gabriella, and he couldn't wait for it to swing into action.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

On the other side of town, Gabriella hummed softly to herself as she caught the elevator up from the car park, signing herself in and making her way across the lobby toward the elevator which would take her to general paediatrics on level four, to meet with her supervisor. She turned however, as a voice called her name.

"Gabriella!"

Her mouth formed a smile as she came face to face with the man who saved her life five years earlier.

"Hi Dr Zamitt," she said happily, as they stepped into the elevator together.

"Hi Gabi – it's so nice to see you around here again! For a totally different reason of course! I have to say, you're looking fantastic."

"Thank you!" Gabriella beamed.

"So how's everything going – school, Troy...life in general?"

"Great," Gabriella replied. "I'm really enjoying this rotation, Troy's wonderful and life's, well...I don't think I could be much happier right now."

"That's fantastic news," the doctor smiled warmly. "I understand you have your five year post-treatment studies next week, am I correct?"

Gabriella nodded silently.

"I know your tests will be carried out at the adult's hospital, but I was wondering if you would mind me sitting in on the follow up appointment? I'd like to be a part of what I'm sure will be the close of the chapter for you."

Once Gabriella had finished high school, her care technically fell under the adult's hospital. Seeing as she was fresh out of treatment at that time, Dr Zamitt had kept her case for the first twelve months, but after that her medical records had been handed over to a non-paediatric oncologist – Dr Stanley. He was a lovely man, but Gabriella and her mother would always have a soft spot for Dr Zamitt.

"Of course," Gabriella nodded with a smile. It would bring her some sense of comfort, she thought, to have her original doctor there with her.

"Wonderful, well – this is my stop," he commented as the elevator pinged at level two. "I'll see you next week!"

"See you," Gabriella replied as the doors swished close and the elevator continued towards the fourth floor.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

Troy threw his sports bag into the back seat of his car before climbing in behind the wheel and starting the engine. Just as he was about to reverse out of his parking space, his cell phone rang. Cutting the engine, Troy pulled the handbrake back on and grabbed his phone.

"Yes Chad?" he grinned, after seeing his friend name flashing on the screen.

"Dude...are you psychic or what?" came a confused voice down the line.

"Chad...it's called caller I...yes, yes I'm psychic," he replied, shaking his head to himself.

"Freaky...Anyway, I was just gonna ask if you and Gabs wanted to come over for dinner tonight? Taylor's doing a roast."

"Sounds good to me," Troy said. "Gabi doesn't get home until about six, so is sometime after that alright?"

"Yeah, whenever man. So I'll see you then?"

"Actually, Chad...Are you busy right now?"

"Not with anything that can't wait...why?"

"The jewellers rang this morning – Gabi's ring is ready to be picked up. Wanna come with me to get it?"

"Really? Aww, man – I'd be honoured! I still can't believe my little brother is gonna pop the big question to my little sis," Chad gushed.

"Dude, beside the fact that you're making it sound completely incestuous...you're only twelve days older than me – that's not even two weeks!"

"Twelve days, twelve months...it's all relative, Troy. I know you can't deal with the fact that I'm older and wiser, but it's one thing in life you'll never be able to change."

Troy rolled his eyes. "Whatever, man. I'll pick you up in five."

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

"Sounds great, Tay. I don't get home until about 6pm, so is some time after that ok with you?" Gabriella asked as she balanced her cell phone between her ear and her shoulder, handing the cashier at the hospital cafeteria some money, and taking her sandwich.

"That's fine. Chad said he was going to talk to Troy about it, but you know what those pair are like - who knows if the message will get through," Taylor commented.

Gabriella laughed as she sat down at a free table and unwrapped her lunch. "Sadly, I do," she agreed. "Thanks for the call, I'll see you tonight.

"Bye Gabs," Taylor replied, before the line went dead.

Gabriella took a bite of her sandwich as hit the call button on her phone and waited for an answer.

"Hey babe," Troy answered smoothly. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"

Gabriella rolled her eyes at his cheesiness. "I'm just on my lunchbreak and wanted to let you know we have been invited to Taylor and Chad's for dinner."

Troy shifted his cell phone to the other ear as he locked his car and headed into the mall, Chad by his side. "Yeah, Chad told me," he replied.

Gabriella giggled to herself as she remembered Taylor's words. "Fantastic," she grinned. "Taylor just thought it would be safer if she told me as well."

"You pair will never let up on the Chadster and I, will you?" Troy pretended he was hurt.

"Hey, what?" Chad chipped in.

"Is that Chad?" Gabriella asked in confusion. "Where are you?"

"Yeah, it's Chad," Troy replied, glaring at Chad and slapping him across the back of the head. "We're at the mall, picking up...some...er...some groceries for Taylor. Yeah...Chad needed me to help him out, because...y'know how he is – can't tell the difference between a string bean and a snow pea."

Gabriella laughed, buying the white lie. "Ok, well good luck with that. I'll see you about six."

"Bye Bella, I love you."

"Love you too."

Troy shoved his phone into his pocket, and looked to his side, where Chad was making sappy faces and imitating his best friend.

"Bye Bella, my daaaarling! I luuuurve yooou...OWW!" Troy's hand connected with the back of his head for the second time in two minutes. "Actually, I probably deserved that..."

Troy shook his head and smirked as they entered the jewellers.

"Aaaah, Mr Bolton!" the friendly middle aged man behind the counter smiled.

"Good afternoon Pedro," Troy grinned back. "I hear you have something for me?"

"Si, si – yes, I do!" Pedro replied in a thick Italian accent. "Miss Gabriella is going to love it deeply," he exclaimed proudly. Chad sniggered at his broken English.

"Well then, let's see it!" Troy said, his stomach fluttering with nervous butterflies all of a sudden.

Pedro disappeared under the counter and Troy and Chad exchanged a glance. Moments later, he popped up again, holding a small blue velvet box. He opened the lid and held it out to Troy, studying his face carefully.

Troy reached out and took the box, his eyes never leaving the simple yet stunning white gold diamond ring snuggled safely within the soft white satin interior of the jewellery box. The 0.40 carat diamond sparkled subtly amidst the delicate swirl of the white gold band and Troy finally exhaled, his eyes shining with excitement.

"It's perfect," he breathed. "Thank you so much, Pedro."

"Woooow," Chad whistled. "Miss Gabriella really is gonna love it deeply. And then I'm pretty sure she's gonna beg you to love her dee...OW!" Chad whined, before sighing. "Ok, I deserved that too."

"Chad - you know the drill, right? Not a word to Gabriella about this – or Taylor for that matter. Gabi has no idea that I'm planning to propose soon, and that's the way I want it to stay. I love Tay to death, but we both know if she gets wind of this, Gabi will find out faster than any of us can say 'here comes the bride'.

"Yeah yeah yeah, I get it – no telling anyone. But seriously...congratulations, dude – you've picked a winner there."

"The girl or the ring?" Troy grinned cheekily.

Chad laughed. "Both."

Troy nodded and smiled, closing his eyes briefly as Gabriella's face flashed through his mind. "Don't I know it..."

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

"Troy? I'm home," Gabriella called out as she dumped her jacket and bag on the kitchen bench. She looked up as she heard footsteps, and smiled as Troy entered the room, placing his hands either side of her face, and kissing her gently.

"Hey," he said softly, wrapping his arms around her. "How was your day?"

She tilted her head up to look at him, resting her chin on his chest as her arms wrapped comfortably around his waist.

"It was good. I got to shadow Dr Peter's on his rounds of the cardiac ward, and meet some of his patients. I'm learning a lot from him, he's an incredible doctor – the kids he treats...they just adore him. He's amazing with them."

Troy smiled at her enthusiasm, tilting his head down until their noses touched. "I'm glad you're enjoying it so much. You're going to be an incredible doctor yourself one day."

Gabriella closed her eyes and breathed deeply, inhaling his scent. "Thank you," she whispered, allowing herself to get momentarily lost in him, before snapping her eyes open and grinning. "Ok, I stink like a hospital, so I'm gonna go take a shower. You just sit your handsome self down and relax; I'll be back in ten minutes."

Troy walked through to the lounge and flopped down with a smirk. "See you in an hour, Gab..."

By nine o'clock that night, dinner was finished, as was dessert, and the four friends had adjourned to the lounge room for coffee. They caught up on each other's work and studies - Taylor was enthusiastic to hear all about Gabriella's rotation at the hospital. She had graduated the previous year and was working as a Pharmacist at University of New Mexico Hospital, which was on the same block as Gabriella's Children's Hospital.

Gabriella mentioned that she ran into Dr Zamitt in the lobby that morning, and the conversation turned to her upcoming tests.

"So when are your five year post-treatment tests, Gabs?" Chad asked. "We need dates so we can plan the big celebration that comes after!"

Gabriella shifted uncomfortably, which did not go un-noticed by Troy, who looped his fingers through hers.

"Next week," she replied softly. "But I don't want a big fuss, seriously. Just in case the...I just don't want a big fuss, ok?" she averted her gaze, and Taylor and Chad both looked questioningly at Troy, who shrugged, rubbing his thumb over Gabriella's knuckles, and making a mental note to try and talk to her about this later.

The opportunity arose later that night as they were lying in bed, where Troy was softly stroking Gabriella's hair. Her head was snugged into the crook of his neck, her eyes closed.

"You still awake babe?" he asked quietly.

"Mmm," she murmured, her breath tickling his collar bone.

"Is everything ok?" he probed. "Like...are you feeling alright?"

"Mmm...Why?"

"I was just wondering how you're feeling about your tests next week, that's all..."

Gabriella's eyes snapped opened. "Do we have to talk about this now, Troy?" she pleaded.

"Well, yeah - it seems like it's really bothering you and if I can help in any way, I'd like to try," he replied gently, tightening his arms around her.

"Maybe I just don't want to talk about it," Gabriella snapped, surprised by her tone of voice. She knew she was being irrational, but she couldn't seem to help herself.

"Woah, Gab...I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to see if you were alright about everything..."

Gabriella felt her eyes fill with tears. "Well I'm just rosy - what do you think, Troy?" she replied sarcastically, pulling out of his embrace and sitting up. The fear and concern she had kept to herself for so long was bubbling up and finally pushing her over the edge.

"Gabi..." Troy couldn't help but feel confused about this sudden outburst.

"Don't 'Gabi' me, Troy," she spat, pushing the covers back and climbing out of bed, turning to face him. "You have NO idea how it feels, every year to have people assessing you, trying to find CANCER in your body. You have NO idea what it feels like to have had your body betray you, and to know that it could easily happen again," bordering on hysterical, Gabriella began to cry as she continued to yell. "All this time I've been so lucky, and everyone just thinks that it's going to last – that I'll walk away from these tests with an all clear, and we can forget that any of it ever happened. But it doesn't work like that, Troy – look at Cody – he finished treatment not even two months before me, and has breezed through the past few years, just like me. He had his 5 year studies last month and guess what, Troy – relapse. Too advanced to treat. He's going to die, Troy, and there's not a fucking thing anyone can do about it!"

Troy just sat there, gobsmacked. "Oh Gabi...baby, why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you to worry," she whimpered, her voice suddenly quiet. She wrapped her arms around herself, sobs wracking her body. "I'm so scared, Troy..."

He was out of bed in a flash, standing in front of her. As he reached out his arms she hit him away.

"Don't, Troy, just leave me alone" she sobbed. "I can't deal with this, I can't...can't...I hate this, I can't deal..."

Troy moved closer to her, unfazed by her flailing arms.

"I hate this, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it..." she sobbed as she hit at him, not wanting or meaning to hurt him, but desperate to take her anger, grief, and fear out on someone or something. Troy's heart broke as he watched the devastated girl in front of him. He let her hit him until she was overcome with emotion and exhaustion, and collapsed into his arms. He held her tight as she cried.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she repeated, over and over. "Don't let me go, Troy...please don't let me go."

He didn't. He slowly sank to the floor, taking her with him. Her body was still shaking with sobs as she let out all the fear and sadness she had been keeping inside. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, rocking her back and forth and placing sporadic kisses in her hair.

"I won't let you go, Bella – I'm always here, you know that. I love you. You can always talk to me about anything – I need to know what you're thinking and feeling so we can work through these things together. Shhh, baby...just let it all out," Troy soothed as he rubbed her back. "It's going to be ok."

"I'm sorry, Troy. I'm sorry..."

"I know baby. Come on, let's get back into bed," he slid one arm under her arms and the other behind her knees. She gripped his neck as he stood up, lifting her with him before laying her underneath the covers and climbing in beside her. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "Close your eyes and get some sleep," he whispered, kissing her cheek. "I love you."

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

Gabriella awoke the next morning feeling like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, but also like she had a lot of apologising to do – she had said some pretty awful things last night before the truth came out. She turned herself in Troy's arms so that she was facing him, and pressed a lingering kiss to his lips before resting her forehead against his and tracing the outline of his face with her fingers.

He began to stir and opened his eyes slowly, to be met by Gabriella's.

"Hey," he smiled sleepily, closing the small gap between them and kissing her.

"Hey," she whispered. "Troy, about last night..."

"Uh," Troy put a finger to her lips. "Don't even mention it – you have been keeping all that inside for so long...you needed to vent and I just happened to be the one who pushed you over the edge. I don't mind being your punching bag sometimes – it's what I'm here for."

"No," Gabriella said firmly. "I need to say this. I said some things that were really out of line, Troy. I hurt you – I know I did – and I really didn't mean to. I'm sorry I said you have no idea what any of this feels like...you have been by my side every step of the way, and I know that you get just as anxious as I do about the possibility of me relapsing. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Cody – I just...I didn't know how to handle the news myself when my mom told me, and I knew it would worry you too...I didn't want to be the cause of your pain. And I'm sorry for hitting at you..." she trailed off, running her hand over his chest thanking god she hadn't left a mark, otherwise her guilt would have increased tenfold.

"I know you are, Gabi. We're good. But from now on, we're facing this together, right? No more bottling things up?"

A relived smile graced Gabriella's face as she nodded. "So you forgive me?"

Troy grinned and kissed her on the nose. "Without a second thought. Now come here, you."

She squealed as he pulled her on top of him and paused to look into her eyes before kissing her thoroughly.

Hands wandered and clothes were soon shed, as passion took over and Troy proceeded to show Gabriella exactly how completely he had forgiven her.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

The following days passed by in a blur as the date Gabriella was dreading edged closer. She kept herself busy with her studies and her rotation at UNM Children's Hospital, while Troy kept his mind of the upcoming tests and consequential results by focusing extra hard during training, as well as busying himself with plans for the big proposal.

He had decided to wait for a few weeks – at least until the tests were over with and they figured out their lives depending on the results. But he was pretty pleased with himself for coming up with the plan that he had, and was so excited for it to come together.

He had spoken to Maria Montez before buying the ring, and she had given him her blessing before he had even got the whole question out. She couldn't have been more ecstatic, and was barely able to keep her lips sealed about it every time she spoke to her daughter.

Now, everything was under control – he had the ring, and he had booked them a relaxing weekend away at Sunrise Springs Resort, which was located in a quiet town just past Santa Fe. He was going to tell Gabriella about their trip once all her tests were done, and he was planning on popping the question after a romantic candlelight dinner during the vacation, while they strolled through the beautiful gardens of the resort.

He smiled to himself just thinking about it. He had just gotten off the phone confirming their booking of a private casita at Sunrise Springs, so everything was set. It was going to be simple, but romantic – perfect. But before any of that could happen, they had a major hurdle to overcome.

The day had arrived.

Sunlight streamed through the bedroom window, pulling Troy from his slumber. He glanced at the time on the clock that sat upon the bedside table and groaned.

Gently, he lifted a hand and brushed a stray curl from Gabriella's sleeping face. He kissed her cheek before rubbing his hand up and down her arm.

"Gabi...Gabi, babe, it's time to wake up."

"Hmmm?" Gabriella mumbled as she stirred at his touch. "What time is it?"

"Almost half past seven," Troy replied, placing feather-soft kisses on her eyelids as she struggled to wake herself. "We have to leave in an hour."

Gabriella rolled into him, kissing the side of his neck before rolling back over and swinging herself up into a sitting position on the edge of the bed, rubbing her eyes. A nervous knot immediately gathered itself in the pitt of her stomach.

It was going to be a long few of days.

Maria called just before they left and wished Gabriella luck, telling her she would drop by tonight to see how everything went. Despite their early start, it was well after 7pm when Troy unlocked the front door of their apartment, and led a tired and sore Gabriella inside. He walked her straight into their bedroom, helped her change into her pyjamas and tucked her into bed.

Troy sat beside her, stroking her hair softly as she drifted off to sleep. He stayed, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest as she slept, attempting to leave the trauma of the day behind. A short while later the doorbell rang and Troy placed a kiss on Gabriella's forehead before leaving to let her mother in.

"Hi Maria," he smiled tiredly as she entered the apartment.

"Hi, how are you doing?" Maria asked.

Troy rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah good, just tired – it's such a long day waiting around – you know how it is."

Maria nodded. She knew only too well. "Did the doctor say anything?"

"No," Troy shook his head. "We only saw Dr Stanley briefly this morning. He said he would see us properly on Thursday. He seems quietly confident, but Gabriella is still sick with worry. Knowing what is going on with Cody hasn't eased her concerns either. That poor family. I can't even begin to imagine what they're going through. He's only a couple of years younger than us...the thought of anything happening to Gabi...I can't even..." Troy trailed off with a sigh and rubbed his arm comfortingly.

"You have to think positively, Troy. Believe that everything is going to be ok. If it isn't...we will deal – it will be hard, but we will get through it somehow."

Troy nodded wordlessly. "She's asleep by the way – crashed out as soon as we got home. Between the nerves and the tests draining her energy...she was exhausted."

Maria smiled fondly. "My poor baby. Well, if I know her as well as I think I do she'll be hungry when she wakes up, especially after having to fast all last night and today. I've brought over a few things so I can cook the two of you dinner," she said, gesturing to a bag of groceries she had set down on the bench.

"Oh, Mar..."

"Uh uh," Maria held up her hand and smiled. "I insist."

The smell of her mother's delicious cooking roused Gabriella an hour later, and she came shuffling through to the kitchen rubbing her eyes. Troy was sitting at the counter watching Maria work her magic when he felt two arms wrap around him from behind, and a chin rest on his shoulder.

"Trying to learn a few tips are we?"

"Heeey, I resent that!" he protested, turning his head to kiss her cheek.

"Hi sweetheart, how are you feeling?" Maria asked, moving away from the stove to wrap her daughter in a hug.

"I'm ok," Gabriella murmured, feeling safe and warm in her mother's embrace. They remained wrapped in each other's hug for a few moments, completely silent until Gabriella spoke. "Mmm, that smells so good.

Troy breathed out a sigh of relief. He knew she had barely eaten the past few days, and that she would barely eat until her appointment on Thursday, so he was glad she was hungry for her mom's cooking. The three of them ate together, chatting comfortably until Gabriella started to yawn and Troy helped her back to bed.

He helped Maria clean up and then walked her downstairs to the lobby of the apartment complex before kissing her on the cheek and giving her a hug.

"I'll call you in the morning and let you know how she is," he said.

"Thank you, Troy," Maria smiled gratefully. "I don't even need to say 'look after my girl' because I know that you already do – better than I could ever ask for. I'll speak to you tomorrow."

They said their goodbyes before Troy made his way back upstairs and locked the front door, turning out the lights and making his way through to the bedroom. He stripped down to his boxers and climbed in beside a sleeping Gabriella, wrapping his arms around her warm body, pulling her as close as possible and inhaling her scent. She subconsciously snuggled herself tightly into him and he held her against his chest as he lay there wondering what the future had in store for them and listening to her breathing long into the night.

The next few days were long and anxious as Troy tip toed around Gabriella, making a conscious effort to make sure she knew he was there for her if she needed him, but trying not to stress her out in any way.

Thursday morning the alarm went off at 7.30am, but both Troy and Gabriella were already awake – Troy laying flat on his back, staring at the ceiling, and Gabriella pacing back and forth across the bedroom floor, muttering to herself about clothes. Swallowing his own nerves, Troy climbed out of bed and moved to stand in front of Gabriella. He placed his hands on her arms and looked her in the eyes, stopping her still.

No words needed to be exchanged as her eyes met his and he wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her on top of the head and felt her take a deep breath, her body relaxing against his. He rubbed her back for a few moments as she closed her eyes against his chest. Eventually she pulled back, and they exchanged a meaningful kiss before continuing to get ready.

While Gabriella hunted down a pair of shoes to match her outfit, Troy called Maria.

"How's everything?" Maria asked carefully.

"Neither of us slept very well last night," Troy admitted. "But we've taken a few deep breaths and we're trying to stay positive," he looked up as Gabriella came into the room. "She's here now; I'll just put her on."

"Hi Mom."

"How are you doing honey?" Maria asked.

"Nervous, scared, a little hysterical...but at the moment, strangely calm," Gabriella replied.

"Just breathe, baby. Everything will be ok. Now, I'd better let you go - you don't want to hit traffic. Good luck my sweet girl - Grace and I will be waiting right here for you to call."

When Gabriella and Troy had moved in together, Grace had stayed behind at Maria's – the apartment complex had a rule against pets. Gabriella knew her dog was in good hands, though, and was glad deep down that her mother had some company.

"Are you sure you aren't going to come with us?" Gabriella asked. Maria had told them the day before that she thought it would be better if just Troy and Gabriella went to the appointment.

"Yes," Maria replied. "This is something you and Troy need to do together. I'll be praying for you until I hear. Bye Gabi."

"Bye Mom – I love you."

Troy took her hand as the hung up the phone.

"You ready?"

Gabriella exhaled before nodding determinedly. "Let's do this."

If Gabriella had appeared composed earlier in the morning, by the time she was seated next to Troy in the waiting room outside Dr Stanley's office, she had worked herself into a frenzy. Dr Zamitt had greeted them ten minutes earlier, and joined Dr Stanley in his surgery to review and discuss Gabriella's results, leaving Gabriella and Troy outside to wait.

"I wonder what they're talking about..." Gabriella muttered. "Urgh, this is so frustrating. I mean, why can't they just have their discussion with us in there? It's not like it's private business – it's MY life they're discussing!"

Troy picked up Gabriella's hand and laced their fingers together, holding her hand in his lap and rubbing her knuckles with his thumb.

"Troy, what if it's bad news? How are we going to cope? I don't think I'm strong enough to face all that again – chemo, radiation, fatigue...it...Urgh, it makes me nauseous just thinking about it. I haven't been feeling sick or anything but really...that doesn't mean anything does it? And it's not like I'm expecting to go in there and get bad news, but what if it is? I mean, you never really know, do you? And..."

"Gabriella..." Troy interrupted, but Gabriella continued her nervous chatter.

"Just say...just say like, it is bad news – what then? Do I just drop out of school? Do I just take leave – I mean, how long would we be looking at for recovery...if there is a recovery – oh god, what if there wasn't a recovery? What if we go in there and they just say 'Hi Gabriella, sorry but you're dying – goodbye, have a nice life - or what's left of it...' What then?"

"Gabriella..."

"But then if it's good news...we'll just be going cold turkey. No check-ups, no nothing! What if I do get an all clear, but then a few months down the track something happens and I get some, like...weird symptoms or something? Will I be able to see my oncologist or what? But oh god, what if it's bad news...I don't know...I just don't know what I'd..."

"Marry me."

"Like, do we...what?" Gabriella froze and looked at Troy, who was also seemingly frozen in his chair.

'Oh crap – that wasn't part of the plan!' Troy thought to himself. But with Gabriella sitting right there – shocked and waiting for him to respond – he had only seconds to shift his strategy.

"You heard."

Gabriella stared at him for a moment before snapping back to reality. "Troy," she said softly. "Don't do this – not now. Not when the future is so uncertain. Everything's so confusing - what if the results aren't clear?"

Troy looked her straight in the eye, searching the depths of chocolate brown. "You want to marry me, don't you?"

Gabriella's expression softened and a hint of a smile danced on her lips, her eyes glistening. "Yes...yes, of course I do," she whispered.

Troy grinned, reaching out a hand to cup her cheek. "Then the results will be clear."

Several tears escaped Gabriella's eyes as her smile grew and she covered Troy's hand with her own. His smile grew even wider as he leaned down and kissed her hard on the lips, resting their foreheads together.

"God I love you," he whispered, kissing her again.

The moment was interrupted by a door opening. Dr Zamitt appeared before them, and - suddenly -both of their nerves returned full force.

The next few moments passed in a blur, as Gabriella and Troy entered Dr Stanley's office hand in hand. Gabriella felt bizarrely like she was watching the scene from above, floating out of her own body, a buzzing ringing in her ears. They sat down in the chairs opposite the doctor and Gabriella looked around the room she had been in so many times before, taking in things she had never really noticed. The smallest things suddenly seemed overwhelming – like the lone box of tissues on the desk in front of her. How many people before her had needed those tissues to stem the flow of grief resulting from bad news they had received? Would she be the next to require the same kind of assistance?

She felt Troy squeeze her hand and she squeezed his back, letting him know she was with him as Dr Stanley began to speak. He started with all the usual small talk, Gabriella answering his questions while inwardly willing him to cut to the chase. Just when she thought he was going to open her file and pull out the test results, he passed it over to Dr Zamitt.

"I'm going to let Dr Zamitt do the honours, if you don't mind – seeing as he was your original oncologist."

Gabriella just nodded, expressionless. Troy noted the small smile on Dr Stanley's face – surely that was a good sign?

Dr Zamitt took the file and smiled at the couple in front of him. "I'm not going to beat around the bush here – Gabriella, everything looks perfectly clear. You're still one hundred percent in remission, every scan is clean, your bloods are perfect – you've got the all clear."

Gabriella felt Troy's arms around her before she really absorbed what had just been said. She hugged him back, still processing the news.

All clear?

That meant she was ok – everything was fine!

She was healthy – perfectly, wonderfully, beautifully healthy.

She was in the clear, and she was getting married to the man she loved more than life itself.

In that moment, life could not have been any more perfect.

Dr Zamitt and Dr Stanley spent the next few minutes explaining what would happen now – there would be no more appointments and annual testing, but if Gabriella had any concerns she should not hesitate to call – but Gabriella barely heard. It wasn't until they had thanked both doctors over and over again for their time and dedication over the years, and made their way out of the hospital that she really allowed herself to breathe.

In the middle of the car park Gabriella and Troy turned to each other, and Gabriella leapt into Troy's arms. He spun her around and around as she cried into his shoulder – tears of happiness, tears of relief, tears of joy.

"I love you, I love you, I love you!" Troy repeated as he kissed the side of her head again and again, both of them beginning to laugh.

"I'm clear, Troy! All clear! I'm healthy!" Gabriella said, almost disbelieving.

"I know! I know, I know, I know! I knew you could do it, Gabriella – I'm so, so proud of you!"

"And we're getting married!" Gabriella squealed happily.

Troy began to laugh and before long Gabriella joined in as they continued to swing each other around, hugging tightly.

Eventually they made their way back to the car and before they knew it, Troy was letting them in the front door of their apartment. As soon as the door was shut, Gabriella felt her back hit the wall as Troy kissed her soundly.

She moaned into the kiss as their tongues frantically explored the depths of each other's mouths. They kissed with an urgency that had been somewhat subdued during the anxiety of the past couple of weeks, Troy wrapping his arms around Gabriella and lifting her off the ground. She hooked her legs around his waist as they moved blindly in the direction of their bedroom, crashing into two different walls, a door and a rubber pot plant along the way.

As Troy set her down on their bed, his nightstand caught his eye and he pulled back from their kiss with a smile. Gabriella looked at him in confusion as he moved around the bed and opened the draw in the small cupboard, rummaging around for a moment before straightening up – a small blue velvet box clutched tightly in his hand.

Gabriella's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes brimming with tears as he moved to stand in front of her. He reached out to caress her cheek, his face full of adoration.

"I had it all planned out," he informed her. "I got your mom's permission, I picked the ring up weeks ago...I have a weekend away in Santa Fe booked for us in two weeks' time – I was going to ask you in the gardens after dinner, while we watched the sun set. But then my big mouth just went and blurted it out...and I know you've always wanted a romantic, down-on-one-knee proposal, so..." he trailed off, racing around the room and pulling the curtains closed, grabbing a box of matches off the shelf and hurriedly lighting the row of candles Gabriella had arranged there before moving back towards her and dropping down onto one knee, opening the ring box and holding it up to her. "Gabriella Montez, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?"

Gabriella smiled through her tears as she leaned forward and kissed him on the lips.

"Yes!" she replied definitively. "Yes, yes, YES!"

Her slender hands were shaking as Troy carefully removed the gorgeous ring from its box and slid it onto her left hand. It glimmered in the candlelight and Gabriella gasped.

"Oh Troy, it's beautiful..."

Troy reached up and ran his fingers through her hair. "You make me the happiest man alive," he whispered before pulling her to him and kissing her...

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

An hour later, Gabriella suddenly sat up from her comfortable position curled into Troy's side.

"Troy!" she exclaimed. "We haven't rung anybody yet – my mom and your parents will be going out of their minds!"

"Shit, you're right," Troy agreed, reaching over her to retrieve the cordless phone. "How should we do this?"

Gabriella grinned. "You call our parents and invite them over. We'll tell them about my all-clear together. Actually, call Chad and Taylor too – but tell them to come about a half hour after our parents. We'll tell them about our other news once everyone is here," she grinned, wiggling her ring finger in front of Troy's face. Troy kissed her hand and dialled the familiar numbers into the phone.

Lucille and Jack Bolton picked Maria Montez up on the way, and the three practically belted down Troy and Gabriella's door in their haste to find out the news.

Troy opened it and ushered them inside, remaining annoyingly silent despite their barrage of frantic questions. Once they were successfully seated on the couch, Troy and Gabriella seated opposite, Troy held up a hand and their endless questions ceased. He looked at Gabriella and nodded his head.

Gabriella grinned. "I'm in the clear," she said simply, and three parents rushed at them, squealing and yelling with joy, crying tears of happiness, and crushing Troy and Gabriella with ecstatic hugs.

Maria held Gabriella close and rocked her back and forth. "I love you my baby girl, I love you so much."

Gabriella started to cry as well. "I love you too, Mom. I couldn't have done it without you. All of you," she announced, pulling back to look at Lucille and Jack too."You're the most important people in the world to me."

Troy and his dad exchanged a meaningful hug as the mothers fussed over Gabriella, who was doing her best to hide her left hand from them. She was saved as the doorbell rang and she shoved it in her pocket as she hurried to let Taylor and Chad in.

The pair were in the same frantic-questioning mode as the parents have been when they arrived, and Gabriella led them through to the lounge room before turning to them and quickly putting them out of their misery.

"All clear, I got the all clear!" she said, and Taylor rushed forward to pull her into a hug.

"Oh thank God," Taylor breathed.

Chad gave Troy a high five and pulled him into a hug as well, clapping him on the back.

"Congratulations man," he grinned before moving over to pry Gabriella from Taylors hug. "Love ya, Gabster. I had every faith in you," he told her earnestly, kissing her on the cheek.

"Thanks Chad," Gabriella smiled and ruffled his afro as Troy came over and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He kissed the side of her head and she looked up and him and grinned.

He took this as his cue, and cleared his throat. "If you would all like to take a seat, Gabriella and I have something we would like to say."

Maria, Lucille, Jack, Taylor and Chad exchanged glances, but did as they were told, sitting down on the couch and in the arm chairs and looking up expectantly at Troy and Gabriella. Troy cleared his throat again.

"First off we just wanted to thank you five for being there for Gabriella...for both of us...through thick and thin. You've all ridden the highs and the lows with us, and we owe you all so much."

Gabriella nodded in agreement, and cuddled against Troy's side. "We can never repay you all for everything you have done for us."

Lucille smiled fondly at the pair. "The best way to repay us is simply to live your life to the fullest and enjoy each and every day. Make every moment count. None of us could ask for anything more."

Troy kissed her forehead and nudged her gently in the side. She knew that was his way of saying 'tell them!'

"There's something else too..." Gabriella began nervously. Troy squeezed her waist and the smiled at one another before looking back at their small audience. "We're getting married."

A unanimous scream of excitement filled the room as Troy and Gabriella found themselves crash tackled for the second time that day.

Lucille, Maria and Taylor grabbed Gabriella's hand out of her jeans pocket and gushed over her ring, hugging and kissing the couple. Chad and Jack clapped Troy on the back and kissed Gabriella, congratulating them both. Maria and Lucille were soon hugging each other, crying more happy tears as they chatted excitedly about weddings, receptions, dresses and flowers.

The group laughed as Gabriella told them how he blurted out the proposal in the waiting room, ruining his carefully planned out romantic weekend away.

"We're still going to go to Santa Fe for the weekend, though," Troy explained. "I think we could both do with the down-time. And besides, we do need to...'celebrate' our engagement..." he said cheekily, winking at Gabriella, who slapped him lightly on the chest.

"TROY!" she exclaimed.

Maria jokingly covered her ears and laughed. "There are some things in life I definitely don't need to know about my little girl, and that is one of them!"

The group laughed again, before another round of hugs and congratulations began.

Maria, the Bolton's and Taylor and Chad ended up staying for a dinner of take-out Chinese food, before going home at around 9.30pm that night. Gabriella and Troy finished cleaning up the kitchen before collapsing onto the couch.

"What a day," Gabriella sighed happily, snuggling into Troy who immediately pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head.

"What a day," he agreed.

"We are going to have to call everyone else and let them know – Shar, Ryan, Kels, Jase, Zeke..." Gabriella commented, smiling as she thought of her friends – now scattered across America chasing their various dreams – reactions. She shivered excitedly, imagining them all back together again for the wedding.

Their wedding – her and Troy's wedding.

They were getting married.

"Mmm, tomorrow," Troy replied. "Tonight I want you all to myself," he smirked, leaning down to kiss her.

Gabriella giggled. "Well, Mr Bolton – you're going to have me to yourself for the rest of our lives..."

"I do believe you're right, Mrs-Bolton-to-be. And you know what?"

"What?" Gabriella asked as Troy nudged her nose with his own.

"I can hardly wait."

Gabriella's smile lit up the room as Troy captured her lips once more. Together they lay back on the couch and allowed themselves to get lost in each other.

In that moment, they had never been more thankful for the night fate led them to one another.

In that moment, they had never been so grateful for how far they had come, and that they still had each other.

In that moment, they had never been more in love.

The rest of their lives together lay ahead – two hearts, but one journey that they would continue together.

Fate had brought them together, but fate had also thrown them some pretty huge obstacles over the years. Now, here they were – moving on from the past, heading towards the future.

A future that had never looked so bright.

The End


And hence falls the end of an era. It's been such a blast writing this for you all, and I'm sad yet excited it's over.

Now, for announcements:

I'm so excited to say that my next project will be a CO-WRITE with the amazing JESSA (zacharyteflonforpresident). It is not titled as yet, but it will be posted on MY profile, so keep an eye out for that in the near future. In the meantime, Jess has made a trailer to whet your appetites – follow the link on either my profile or Jess' profile to view that!

Also in my profile is a picture of Gabriella's engagement ring.

I WON'T be writing a sequel to Amazing Grace, but I DO plan to post a one-off one-shot spin off to give you a little insight into the future Mr and Mrs Bolton's lives – how does cancer affect them 5 years post all-clear? It will be called 'Amazing Grace: 5 Years On' (or something to that effect). So watch out for that too!

That's all from me for now! Please review and let me know your thoughts and feelings! Thanks for EVERYTHING each and every one of you are AMAZING!

Charli xox

Oh, and if you haven't seen today's Jazz/Lakers Zan candids...SHAME ON YOU!