Taylor had been packing and making arrangements for Reggie while they were gone. Her parents were in West Virginia right now and they couldn't get back quickly enough, so she called the next best place: Jack and Lucille Bolton. She told them she was taking Troy to Hawaii to stop Gabriella from marrying Julian De Aquila and that she didn't know who else to call. Tori would probably also want to go see her mother, but considering how lose of a cannon De Aquila was, Taylor thought it was best they leave both Tori and Regina in Albuquerque with the Bolton's. It was out of the way, but it was better to leave them with family than take them with them or leave them with someone in LA.
The moment Chad came in the back door from parking the car, Taylor was pushing him back out it, Regina in a Baby Bjorn on her chest. She was pulling two suitcases behind her and Reggie's bag tossed over her shoulder.
"We've gotta go. Let's go. Turn around. We've got a flight to catch."
Cofused, but complying anyway. "Where are we going?"
"G is marrying Jules in Hawaii. You need to tell Troy to get Tori and Tempe and Dominick and meet us at LAX. NOW!"
Chad's eyes about bugged out of his head as his wife ushered him back into the car. While Taylor buckled Reggie into her seat, Chad texted Troy, telling him to go now. He'd explain everything when he got there. Chad had promised Troy they'd get her back, and he was going to stand by that promise.
Troy hadn't wanted to leave Tori in Albuquerque, but he understood and agreed with Taylor when she said the children didn't need to be around De Aquila. They'd bring Gabriella home and Tori could finally be with her mother again. But until then, it was best they stayed with his parents. Troy told them they'd be home with her and they'd have the wedding they've been waiting on for ten years.
His feet were practically jumping as the plane started up and they all started taking off from the Albuquerque Sunport. It had been almost two grueling lonely weeks without her, and now they were so close, Troy could practically smell her in his mind. He was quiet, sitting in his seat across the isle from Chad and Taylor, Temperance and Dominick were sitting behind them. Troy felt as though no one else was even around him. He wanted it to seven hours from now. He wanted to run out of the plane, run straight to Gabriella and drag her home so he could make love to her all over the damn place and tell her she was an idiot for trusting De Aquila. But most importantly, he wanted to love her, as much as he always should have.
Sitting down beside Troy, Chad patted his hand over his best friend's knee. "I need to tell you something before you hear it from everyone else and before we get to Hawaii." I looked over at the others and back at Dante. "When Pepper called Taylor... she told her she's getting married. To De Aquila."
Troy's eyes opened wide, his head snapping toward him. "What... you're kidding. Please, tell me your kidding." If Chad even had a tiny clue how this heartbreak felt... how this pain felt, he'd tell Troy he was kidding.
Chad shook his head, looking down. "I wish I was, man. But we'll get there before the wedding. You can get her back from his crazy ass and we'll all come home." Looking back up at him, Cahd moved his hand to his back. "Everything will be alright. You'll get your girl back sooner than you ever thought."
"Yeah if she ain't Señora De Aquila by that time." Troy sighed, burying his face in his hands. "This blows. People should just be with who they're meant for. All this bullshit in the middle is too much."
Chad looked over at his wife, thanking God they were together. "I know what you mean, but you don't have to worry about Pepper. She will not be married to that monster, and you two can live happily ever after."
"Thanks," Troy mumbled, leaning back and inhaling deeply. "I should try and sleep... so I'm rested and well enough to fight for Lilly. I feel like I haven't slept in days."
If he was honest, he really hadn't, not since he'd found out about Sharpay and the baby. It was something he hadn't even wanted to think about, but aside from not having Gabriella in his arms, he was always reminded that it was exactly that that was the reason she wasn't in his arms. He had fucked things up more than Gabriella ever had for keeping Tori from him, and know he was doing the same thing. Even if Gabriella couldn't remember anything, he was still keeping a child he had conceived with Sharpay away from her. He knew he'd have to tell her sooner of later, and he didn't know when that time would come. He was now starting to really realize what she had gone through and understand why she had kept Tori from him. She had her own reasons, but he realized it can't be as cut and dry as he had thought it had been.
Everything was set up outside on the beach. They were had the hotel catering the food. They had brought in a gazebo. Jules had called in a favor and gotten a exclusive string quartet to come provide the music. Everything was set up perfectly. Then why did Bri feel like this wasn't the way it was supposed to be? Why did she feel like she was making a mistake.
Jules would be back just prior to the ceremony starting, so she had most of the day all to herself. She spent it sitting in front of the mirror. Jules had the makeup and hair crew who usually worked with her flown in, but she didn't remember anyone's face. She had no idea who any of them were.
She looked gorgeous though. But it wasn't right. She looked down at the ring and pulled it off of her finger, dropping it on the vanity. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. She started humming softly before the words started coming out silently.
"You sheltered me from harm. Kept me warm. Kept me waaaarm. Gave my life to me, set me free. Set me freeee. Finest years I ever knew. All the years I had with you. And I would give everything I own. I give up my life, my heart, my home. I would give everything I own... Just to haaave you once again."
But then her eyes widened. This song wasn't on any of her movies or anything else released on the Internet because she haven't made it yet. She wrote it for Troy. She had written it for him when they were apart. No, not really apart. She wrote it for him when they were fighting about... something. She couldn't remember what, but it must have been huge. She still loved him, and she had prayed that he still loved her, but she could never know. That's why she wrote the song, to tell him she loved him. But she had never sang it to him.
But then she remembered, she had planned on recording it and dedicating it to him. And then it hit her. She loved him. She loved him more than she could ever love anyone. It didn't matter what had happened to them. She loved him. But what was she supposed to do. She was scheduled to marry Jules in a few short hours. There was no getting out of it...
The jet touched down on the tarmac and it took forever to get off, but once they did and they were down to the baggage claim and car rentals, Taylor and Troy went to rent two vehicles while the others went to get their luggage. Once they had gotten the vehicles rented, Dominick and Temperance went with Troy and Taylor and Chad followed. Dominick would give directions and Troy would drive. He would have let Dominick drive, but they weren't going toget there fast enough, even with Troy himself driving. He wanted to be there weeks ago. He couldn't just sit in the passenger seat of the car while someone else drove. He needed to be behind the wheel.
Gabriella had sat inside for a while after the priest told her they were ready. She wasn't ready, but she knew she couldn't just get out of this. She had agreed to marry him. She had said she loved him, even if she didn't and knew she never could. She could hear the music. And Taylor nor her sister was there yet. Maybe they weren't coming. Maybe Julian was right. Maybe they didn't care. If they cared, they would have told Troy and ... But that gave her the answer she needed. Troy wasn't in love with her and she was going to have to marry Julian, still settling.
Making sure her makeup still looked alright and my hair was in place, she took one last look at myself and headed out the side doors of the hut, right out onto the beach. She saw Julian standing there by the gazebo, the musicians playing beside him. It was just us. Only seven people here for her wedding. She always thought she wanted a small wedding, but this... Shaking her head, she forced how she always thought out of her head. She didn't always think anything, because she couldn't remember that far back, could she?
Julian stood at the end of the path of flowers that weren't really staying in a path since the wind was picking up. His arms were crossed in front of him, his suit tailored to perfection. Tonight was his night. It was his and Ella's night. They'd finally be together. She'd finally be his wife. Bolton would finally lose.
It took a little bullet wound and memory loss to get here, but they were here. And they were about to be happy. His heart flipped wildly in his chest over the idea. Weddings should be special, even last minute ones, and this was special. Every single part of it was special, right down to the bride headed in his direction. She looked... breathtaking. he never really understood what the term meant till this exact second. She literally stole every ounce of air from his lungs.
Her dress fit her like a glove... her eyes... her lips... that dark almond colored skin shined in the sun that was peeking through the clouds. Her dark hair looked just as perfect as the rest of her. Julian felt tears burn in his eyes and shifted slightly as he cleared his throat. They were alone... outside the priest and band of musicians playing music. But it felt right. It felt like a magical fairytale. Nothing could top this. Nothing could ruin this.
Smiling, she started to walk toward Jules, keeping the smile on her face. Coming up to him, her heart was beating a million miles a second. It still didn't feel right, but she knew Julian had been right about everything. No one cared about her anymore and Troy had tried to deceive her into being in a relationship with him. Well, it wasn't going to happen again. Here she was. She was marring Julian and nothing was stopping that.
Dominick knew of the cottage Gabriella and Julian owned on the beach. It seemed like the most logical place for the wedding, since he was sure Julian had no idea they knew about it. Troy pulled up in front of the cottage and turned off the engine. Dominick checked his back to make sure he still had his gun. He didn't usually carry it on him, but if worst came to worst, he may have to use it. Troy took off ahead of all of them, leaving them all behind, even though they were running off toward the music as well. Troy had to get there and stop it.
Julian took Gabriella's hands in his, smiling down at her.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the priest started. "We're here to witness the union of Gabriella Marie Montez and Julian Luis De Aquila on this day."
Julian rubbed his thumb over Gabriella's knuckles and up and over her ring.
"Before we start I must ask if there is anyone who has just cause to why these two should not be wed, if so, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Troy skidded to a stop at the end of the aisle of roses, his eyes burned with fire and hatred. There was Gabriella with... God, Troy hated him. Death wasn't even enough for that sick twisted son of a bitch!
"I do! I object!"
Gabriella jumped, turning to see Troy. Her heart stopped panicking and soared for another reason. He was actually here. She hadn't even called him, but he was here. And he was objecting.
"Troy! What are you doing here?" She wanted to run to his arms, but she had to know he was in love with her and not just wanting to ruin things with her and Jules.
All the color in Julian's face drained completely and he found he was gripping tightly at Gabriella's hands, trying to force his eyes the other direction where Troy stood. He had no clue how the bastard got here but he was here and Julian was going to kill him. He snapped his eyes to him, wild with anger. He seemed to be alone which meant if Julian got him somewhere alone, he could make him disappear. He wasn't ruining Julian's happiness! Not again!
"I think you should leave," Julian snapped
"I'm here to stop you from making a huge mistake!" Troy answered Gabriella, running down the aisle quickly and slamming his fist hard into De Aquila's face. He staggered back, falling into the priest and making both of them tumble over some. Troy grabbed Gabriella's arms. "You know this is wrong. In your heart. You can feel it."
Troy tugged her against his body and kissed her as deeply as he could. Gabriella pushed him away from her, tears burning her eyes but not falling.
"No! I can't! You don't love me, and I can't be with you! I need someone who loves me and won't force me into an arrangement I don't want. I need to know you love me, not just want to control me!"
"I don't love you! What?! Are you crazy!? Of course I fucking love you! I flew all the way down here to stop you from marrying that maniac because I love you! I spent every damn day with you in the hospital because I love you! Everyone has told you we were together... and that it was me and you and you believe ONE man on whatever bullshit lies he tells you and run away from your daughter and me again!"
Julian shifted in the sand, spitting out the blood from his mouth and glaring up at Troy as he pushed himself to stand. He was going to kill him. Julian was done playing games. Death was all Bolton deserved.
"Troy!" Taylor screamed when she saw Julian stand and charge at him. "Troy!" I started moving with Chad and Temperance and Dominick down the hill beside the hut. "B!"
Troy heard Taylor's voice and turned quickly, grabbing Gabriella and pulled her aside as Julian charged toward them. Julian shoved Troy down into the sand and started beating him. Troy fought to get out of his grip. Troy kicked Julian back, sending him on his ass and climbed on top of me, sending quite a few blows to his face. However Julian wasn't letting him get away. or live for that matter.
"Julian! Stop! Just stop!"
Gabriella reached down to push him off of Troy, tears starting to fall. She was glad her family was here, all of them... All of them except for Tori and Reggie and Troy's parents. She froze. She remembered them. She remembered all of them. Looking up at Temperance and Taylor, Gabriella took a deep breath.
"Nicky, Chad! Stop them!"
Julian heard Gabriella but blocked her out, starting to undo his belt. He kicked Bolton in his gut, sending him flying right into Gabriella. He knocked her over but that wasn't Julian's focus. He grabbed him right as he turned to check on Gabriella, wrapping the belt around Bolton's neck and starting choking the life from him.
"Li...ly," Troy choked, struggling to get to his knees to check on her.
Gabriella had fallen down against the sand, the force of the fall making her dizzy. She looked up, her eyes focusing on Troy, a belt wrapped around his neck. Chad and Nicky finally let go of Taylor and Temperance, and within a moment, they were by her side, helping her to her feet. She wrapped her arms around them, hugging them tightly.
"Julian! Stop it!" she pleaded with him! "Stop it! I love him! I love Troy! Stop it!"
Dominick pulled De Aquila away from Troy and Chad pulled Troy away from De Aquila.
"You heard her, dick!" Chad spat, "She loves Troy, NOT you!" He blinked, looking over at Pepper and down at Troy, wondering if he had heard it.
Dominick held De Aquila back, struggling to keep him as he struggled in his arms. "Give up, Julian. You have lost!"
Julian struggled harder against the bodyguard's arms, glaring at the others before turning his cold stare to Gabriella. "I'll make every single one of you pay. I'm saving you for last Gabriella. I'll make you pay harder than the rest." He shoved Jeff aside and walked away, anger coarsing through his veins.
Taylor rubbed Gabriella's back softly as she swallowed the large lump that suddenly formed in her throat. She wasn't scared of him. She wasn't letting him get the satisfaction. What Gabriella had said hit her and Taylor turned to stare at her.
A shiver ran up and down Temperance's spine as she watched the guy disappear, turning her eyes to her older sister, smiling at her as she hugged her more, helping her stay on her feet. She hoped that her admitting she loved Troy meant she remembered.
"Thanks," Troy coughed out to Chad and Dominick, rubbing at his throat.
He was trying to figure out how to breathe properly when his head realized what Gabriella had said. He turned toward her, ignoring that bastard who was tossing out empty threats.
"You.. love me?" he asked, slowly stepping up to her. The girls backed away, giving them their space. "God, babe, I've been dying to hear that." He captured her lips in a deep kiss.
Gabriella wrapped her arms tightly around Troy, never wanting to ever let him go. They had so much to talk about, but for right now, she just wanted to kiss him and never let go, murmuring against his lips, "I do love you! I love you so much!"