Gabriella was amazed with all the ice sculptures and shades of blue and creams. It was wonderful and she could barely believe she was there. "This is like something out of a fairy tale."

"Most weddings are," Troy said in a low voice. They were walking across the room when and elder woman stopped them in their tracks.

"Troy," she held up her hands to his face and placed a kiss on either side. "How nice it is to see you."

"Hi mom, this is Gabriella," Troy motioned towards Gabriella.

"You never told me how beautiful she is." Troy's mom placed both hands on her chest. "Oh I am thrilled to meet you Gabriella, please call me Lucile, or mom." With a laugh she wrapped Gabriella in a hug.

"Hello Troy," Gabriella looked at the older man who was almost the same frame and structure as the one to her right, it had to be his dad.

"Hello, Mr. Bolton," Gabriella held out a hand and the man took it, his grasp was firm.

"Call me Jack."

Gabriella smiled and nodded. "I see where Troy gets his bone structure."

"Well I wish I could say that I've heard all about you but .."

"We just met ourselves and I've had him all to myself." Gabriella wrapped her arms around Troy's midsection. "Your son is very charming."

Troy wrapped an arm around her and smiled. "Thank you."

"I remember when we were young and in love," Lucile said wrapping her own arms around her husband.

"Hello family." Chad appeared from the side and Gabriella felt a bit awkward.

"Chad you've met Gabriella." Troy stepped in taking note in Gabriella stance.

"Yes I have, you sly dog," Chad punched Troy playfully. "May I," Chad held up a hand to Gabriella. "I believe their playing our song."

Gabriella smiled and then looked over Chad then Troy for permission.

"Have fun," Troy said handing her to Chad. "Hands above the waist."

"Don't worry; I'll have her back before her carriage turns into a pumpkin." Chad called over his shoulder.

"She so wonderful, I can't believe you let a little thing like her being poor get in the away." Lucile placed a hand on Troy's shoulder. "I have to get a hold of her later."

"Now let's try to not scare her off." Jack said walking past them both. "It's not like the boy has a track record of holding on to them."

Troy took a deep breath and Lucile sighed as well. "It's alright Troy; he's just a bitter old man who wants grandchildren and best for you."

"I know,"

Gabriella laughed as Chad spun her around. "You look wonderful my dear," he said in a funny voice which made Gabriella curtsey. They were dancing on the dance floor for a little while, dinner was about to be served and the bride and groom were still on their way, although they were not late.

"You're in a good mood, Mr. Danforth?"

Chad shrugged and brought her back to him. "It a celebration, it's Christmas, I'm dancing with a beautiful woman."

Gabriella was quite for a moment and then looked back over at Troy who was talking to an older man. "Are you really going to represent Victoria?"

"I'm positive there's money to be made." Chad smile and spun her again. "So will you be joining us for Christmas?"

"No, this is it for me," Gabriella said a bit disappointed as she met Troy eyes from across the room.

Face to face Chad caught the disappointment and he lifted her chin to look him in the eye. "You love him?"

Gabriella let out a laugh, "No, I mean that's just silly, I'm just doing my job," she said looking back over at Troy.

Everyone began to clap as Sharpay and Zeke made their entrance trailing behind them their wedding party. Taylor gave a small wave over to Gabriella and Chad who waved back at her. The waiters came out with their carts and Chad smiled and turned to Gabriella. "I guess I should get you back," he said.

As they came to the table Gabriella took Troy's hand. Troy held out her chair and she sat down letting go of his hand. His mother was seated to her left and Troy to her right.

"Troy tells me you're into music and theater,"

"And that you're going to school?" Jack put in leaning in towards them.

"Yes, I am," Gabriella looked at all the forks on the table and she studied them. Why do rich people need so many forks?

"Gabriella is going to Columbia College on a scholarship." Troy put in offering her a small smile. "Her voice is Beautiful."

Gabriella felt a small blush come to her cheeks. "Thank you,"

Jack smiled. "Well done, I hear those scholarships are hard to come by, must mean you got yourself a smart young lady."

"Do you want children dear?"

"Mom," Troy leaned back as the waiter placed the plate down in front of him as he glared over at his mother.

Gabriella smiled. "I would like 3, actually."

Troy turned his attention to her with a raised brow.

"Looks like this one has plans for you Troy." Chad joked as he picked up his fork and picked at his food.

"Let's not get serious too fast," Jack said leaning back in his chair. "I'm sure things will happen in time."

Troy nodded and picked up a fork as well.

"To think Troy hasn't introduced us because he was worried about your situation." Lucile said lifting her glass of wine. "We're not the kind of people who care about money,"

Gabriella looked over at Troy and rolled her eyes. Troy offered a small smile and placed his hand on top of hers. Gabriella looked at his hand for a moment, the tender touch warming her insides and giving her a fuzzy feeling. Was this how it starts? Was she in this for the money or was something deeper happening between them? Gabriella looked back up at his mother who was on to something else about tea.

After the dinner Troy was standing at the bar alongside his father. "I don't know if this was a brave move or a stupid one on your part?" Jack said looking around the room at people mingling.

"Why is that?" Troy said lifting his glass.

"This girl, you barely know her and your bringing her to the wedding to get Sharpay's attention." Jack shook his head. "She's a nice girl, maybe too nice."

Troy brought his glass down and looked at the contents inside. He'd actually brought Gabriella here to get his parents attention, to show everyone that he was alright, that he was moving on getting a little stronger everyday he had to get up alone. "I like her a lot."

"You're playing with her at least be honest." Jack put his drink down. "I thought I raised you better than this, your mother may believe this tall tale about you finding this perfect girl but I know you Troy, you work into the mornings you come in early in no way are you a young man in a new relationship."

"Well I'm sorry you feel that way dad." Troy lifted his glass again.

"You should apologize to your mother, she's making Christmas dinner plans and I have a feeling this girl isn't going to be around to see them."

Troy took a deep breath. "Alright, you know what," placing the drink on the bar Troy pointed out into the crowd. "You've always raised me to be myself, to not fall into this hype about social status and elite groups. Did it ever dawn to you that, that's all you care about? You care about me making partner, you want me to be married to have a family to go to the same country clubs you do and play golf on the weekends." Troy placed his hands in his pocket and took a step forward, only to turn around and face him. "That girl, the really nice girl, she's different, nothing like Sharpay. She doesn't care if I make partner, she doesn't care if play golf or basket ball, she makes me feel like I did alright by my life."

Jack opened his mouth to speak and Troy held up a hand. "She might be a rebound or a short term phase in my life but at least I'm moving on. Have you? Because in your eyes the biggest mistake of my life was letting Sharpay go." Troy took a deep breath. "She wasn't happy with me; she didn't want to marry me?" Troy tossed his hand up. "And I should have seen it, instead of letting you talk me into marriage I should have seen how unhappy she was and save us all from this looming depression."

Troy shoved his hands in his pockets and turned to leave.

Sharpay who was going around noticed the discussion happening between them and she followed Troy. He walked out into the hall and Sharpay was hot on his heels.

"It was a mistake to invite you here wasn't it?"

Troy turned around to see her in her gown. Her blond curls hanging around her face, she was glowing with happiness except for the frown on her face. Troy let out a breath and shook his head.

"I would have come either way shar, your one of my best friends," He said shrugging his shoulders.

"I seen you fighting with your dad," she said crossing her arms. "Is everything really okay Troy?"

"He doesn't approve of anything I do, it's not really new anymore." Troy looked out into the empty hallway. "What pisses me off the most is that in some ways he's right."

Sharpay looked at him with concern. "Gabriella seems nice."

"I paid her to come,"

Sharpay brow furrowed, "Troy you didn't have too-"

"I know and I did anyway." Troy rubbed a hand against his neck. "I really happy that your happy and have moved on, but it's going to take me some time to get to that level."

"I know, and I'm sorry to kind of throw this at you, we really didn't want to do this so soon but …" Sharpay was quiet and a small faint blush came to her cheeks. "I'm pregnant,"

Troy lost his breath, his chest almost caved in and he nodded. "Wow, that's amazing."

"I so happy, I mean all of this is just so … out of a fairy tale." She said motioning to her dress. "I love him."

"I'm very happy for you."

"I still love you too Troy," she said shrugging her shoulder a bit. "I mean maybe not in that way anymore but leaving the church that day this is the hardest thing I ever had to do, I cried so much after that,"

"It's alright, I'm fine, I should have known."

"How would you? I acted so excited and I hid everything from you, I wanted to make you so happy."

"You did." Troy took a breath. "I was happy."

"Hey guys, the first dance as husband and wife is about to happen, maybe you two should come in at the same time from the same door," Taylor said from behind them. "Some people still think this is very weird."

Sharpay giggled and fanned her face a bit. "Alright, give me a moment,"

Troy nodded and walked around them, "I really am happy for you," he said before disappearing altogether.

When Troy entered the room where everyone was mingling and dancing he searched the crowd for his brown eyed beauty. On the sound of giggles he looked over to a group of children and found her dancing with a few of little ones to jingle bell rock. Troy laughed and made his way over to the sight. "You like kids?"

Gabriella looked up at him and smiled. "Love them, never said I didn't" she smiled and straightens herself out. "You know it might be more believable that we're together if people actually saw us together."

"Is that right?" He said placing his hands in his pockets as he moved a little closer to her.

"Your mom is really nice, and so is your dad," Gabriella shrugged her shoulders. "You have a nice family."

"I'd sell him to you in a heartbeat." Troy said with a small laugh.

Gabriella watched as the children ran off chasing after one another and dodging through legs and tables. "I think a family sounds nice." She said wrapping her arms around herself.

Troy glanced over at her and his heart almost skipped in time. She was a beautiful woman, far more real and homing than he gave her credit for.

"We now announce the invite the bride and groom to take their place on the dance floor for the first dance as husband and wife." The announcer voice carried on the speakers and Gabriella smiled as she watched Sharpay come from out in the hall her eyes were glowing her skin looked almost godlike and standing in the middle of the floor was Zeke.

Gabriella watched as the two begun to dance her own heart overfilled with joy. She was a sucker for romance and gluten for punishment. She'd always watch chick flicks or read sappy novels knowing that they would never come true. The world was so narrow minded to believe in love anymore, people might learn to love one another but the real love, the kind that happened when you couldn't eat, sleep, or think without the person in your mind. Gabriella slowly moved herself along to the music.

Troy held out a hand as he watched other couples begin to get up and join them on the dance floor. "May I have this dance?"

Gabriella laughed and took his hand. "You may."

Troy lead her to the dance floor and Gabriella let his hands wonder where ever as her hands wrapped around his neck. "I still don't see why you need me?" she asked looking around room as they danced slowly. "I can count on my fingers and toes how many girls are giving you the eye tonight."

"I haven't noticed." He said as he gave her a twirl. "Guess I'm too lost in your beauty."

Gabriella rolled her eyes, "Next you're going to tell me I'm the best view in Chicago or something."

Troy smiled and pulled her closer. "Am I freaking you out?"

"A little," Gabriella said pushing a strand of hair out of the way.

Troy leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips it was small and unexpected, Gabriella was silent. She placed her head on his shoulder and he held her closer.

Gabriella already knew she had to get as far away from him as possible if she ever wanted her freedom.