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Four days after their morning wedding ceremony and the small reception they had afterwards with a nice brunch and dancing, all out on the beach, Troy and Gabriella spent their last evening in Maui laying in a hammock together, gently swaying with the cool breeze giving them minor relief from the warmth of the night. Lauren, Edward, Stephen, and Annette had all left on separate planes, Edward and Lauren on a private jet and Stephen and Annette on a commercial flight, the day after the wedding to ensure everything went well in preparation for the wedding there and Troy's royal recognition ceremony with the Copanvy Royal Advisory Council. Patrick too had left on the same day along with all their other friends but not before having the time of their lives the day before at the wedding.
"A toast to a man who I saw grow up along with me from boyhood to manhood, who will always have my respect and forever friendship. Gabriella, I'm sorry but my bromance with Troy started in Kindergarten, long before he even figured out he could sing up on a stage with you. You too are stuck with me as much as he is for all eternity. Today you didn't just marry the man of your dreams but you also got a great set of parent-in-laws who are like my second set of parents and, well, me! I gotta say Troy that I had my doubts if this day would ever come but you taught me how strong and special true love could be, helping me find my own true love in Taylor, my beautiful wife. Gabriella and Troy, may you find the happiness you deserve and unending amounts of love as you begin this new beginning together as man and wife," Chad toasted, raising his glass of champagne to the couple radiating happiness at the head table with just the two of them, Gabriella blowing Chad a kiss with tears in her eyes.
After taking a sip, Chad sat down and immediately got claps on the back from Chucky, who grinned. "Not bad little brother. Now how much of that did Taylor write for you?"
"Just the last line, thank you very much," Chad proudly stated, kissing Taylor as she beamed as him.
"Impressive!" called out Zeke from the other side of the round table from where he was sitting between Sharpay and Jason. Martha was sitting on Jason's left with Kelsi on her other side and Kelsi's husband Tom, who held their baby boy Grant. On the other side of Sharpay was Ryan, Tessa, Chris, and Taylor.
Jason laughed. "Who knew that Chad would one day become as sentimental as Troy?"
"Take that back, I'm no sap nor am I as whipped as Bolton!" declared Chad.
"Hey, I heard that!" called out Troy, giving Chad a mock glare before everyone at the former mostly Wildcat table and the tables nearby broke out into laughter. "Guess I can't fight the truth, right baby?"
Gabriella beamed at Troy, obliging the clinking of utensils against the champagne glasses as she leaned in and kissed Troy softly, both smiling as they pulled away. "No, you definitely cannot."
Next up was Tessa, who stood up from where she was sitting, raising her glass with a full on smile on her face that somehow worried Gabriella. "Gaby, the day you have been waiting for since high school has finally come and I have to say, you are glowing far more than I ever thought a human being could without being electrocuted. As much as Troy has taught Chad on how to romance a woman and how to behave like a civilized human being, you have shown me what love but more importantly faith really are along with how incredibly strong the human spirit can be. We all came here today under a mystery, not knowing if this really was going to be sadly your wedding to a man who was not your true heart's choice, sorry Patrick, to benefit your country, or if this was somehow miraculously going to be the day you and Troy would have your dream wedding. I think I speak for everyone here that we are all glad it was the latter, even if we did have to prepare different speeches for this, well I did, Chad could have been spared all together. Anyway, I digress. Troy, you know I've been extremely protective of the woman next to you ever since the first day she came to West High. In fact, I think I still intimidate you more than Sharpay does and that says a lot. Hurt Gabriella and you'll need Paul protecting you, tis all I'm saying. But seriously, to both of you, Gabriella and Troy, thank you for including us all on your special day and being the remarkable, sickeningly in love couple you are. We love you."
Cheers were heard all around as they toasted, Gabriella happy to see how very blissful Tessa and Chris were together, Chris giving Tessa a much more passionate kiss than Taylor had given Chad but what else was new.
"You still are scared of her aren't you?" asked Gabriella, giggling a little as Troy nodded. "She really isn't that scary."
"Oh, I know that. She definitely has her moments though Brie, especially when you aren't around to protect me," returned Troy, kissing Gabriella again as the clinking against the glasses demanded. "They are never going to stop requesting us to kiss are they?"
Gabriella laughed. "They are coming mostly from that one table with our friends so no, despite their protests that we are too sweet for their taste. I'm sorry Tomas isn't here."
Troy shrugged. "He'll be there in Copanvy and that's what matters. It was too risky to tell him anything let alone get him here. There was no way I was going to do anything to jeopardize today, having you finally as my wife, my best friend, my life partner."
Back at the mostly Wildcat table, Kelsi sighed in contentment, seeing how into each other and the moment Gabriella and Troy were, just staring into each other's eyes like there was nowhere else they would rather be. "They really have come so far, gone through so much."
Martha readily agreed, finishing the bite she had of her Nutella and banana crepe. "Makes us all feel lucky for the little drama we have in our lives. I can't imagine how they managed to get through everything they have but I'm glad they did. They look so happy now."
"Were things so bad for them besides this arranged marriage involving that other guy?" questioned Tom, bouncing Grant a little to make his son giggle.
"There was quite a bit. The rivalry between East and West High to start. Then there was Alicia's constant torture of Gabriella and her eventual attack on Gabriella's life," said Ryan.
"But that wasn't until after Riley harassed Gabriella leading up to his eventual, erm, rape," added Jason, uncomfortable voicing what had happened as any of the rest of them were.
"Then there was the trial and all the emotional and mental tolls it took on Gabriella, which also effected Troy," volunteered Tessa.
Chad nodded. "Then years later, there was Troy moving on with Celeste and getting engaged only to have Gabriella come back into his life."
"Didn't Gabriella come to U of A too at one point, during a New Year's party?" asked Zeke, faintly remembering hearing about that incident.
Sharpay nodded. "Another heartache night as Gabriella saw Troy with a girlfriend that night. Troy too had more than his own heartache, seeing Gabriella dating all those men after the arranged marriage idea was presented to Gabriella by her grandparents."
"Which leads to the stress both went under, trying to get to know each other better after Troy ended things with Celeste, to see who each other had become over the years, all while Gabriella was mainly dating Patrick," stated Chucky, thinking of the number of calls he had with Troy, hearing the constant uncertainty in Troy's voice as he talked about falling in love with Gabriella all over again while at the same time dealing with seeing her with Patrick and other men when all he wanted was her.
"Ella struggled too, always feeling wretched about dating them both but I'm glad her heart won out in the end and her grandparents and the council both have relented, letting Gabriella be happy and remain in Copanvy. I would have sorely missed her if she left to be with Troy even if I'd be happy she was happy," remarked Chris, thankful it hadn't had to go that far after all. "Not to mention I would have lost one amazing partner in the ballet company. I wouldn't have met my wonderful girlfriend either if not for them in some ways."
Taylor watched as Gabriella fed Troy some of her own crepe, both laughing at something Stephen had called out to them right after. "Troy and Gabriella certainly have been through a lot but they are stronger for it and I don't think they could be any happier than they are right now."
Murmurs of agreement were heard from all around the table as the close group of friends went back to their breakfast, making sure to clink their glasses at least every three minutes.
"You know, Patrick will always have my gratitude," remarked Troy, thinking back to the talk Troy had with the other man at some point during the brunch while the dancing was going on. "I even told Patrick that during the reception. Not only did he do what I would never be able to do, give you up for another man, but he also turned in his own family and worked so hard to make sure that his father and his scheming or anyone else involved would be no threat to us getting married. Had he done what he did just to keep you safe, I'd still feel this way."
Gabriella thought of the black haired man who really had done so much for them both in the end. "Patrick really did come through. I don't think I'll ever not feel in his debt."
There was a pause before Troy asked, "Do you still love him?"
Hesitating a little, Gabriella replied honestly. "Yes, but as a man I was beginning to fall for long before I knew you were an option again. He's been a great friend to me the past few months especially when he didn't have to be. I just hope he meets that special woman for him soon enough. Patrick deserves at least that but so much more."
"Patrick will find his own Gabriella when the time is right. Who knows, after dating you, I'm sure a whole line of women are lining up to date the man that was good enough for a princess and was chosen," stated Troy, tightening his hold on his wife, smiling as she snuggled deeper into his side, her head resting on his chest, right over his heart. "I love you so much Gabriella."
"I love you too Troy, above all others. Things may have been tough in the past but if nothing else, it has made me realize how very important you are to me and that I wouldn't ever trade our love for all they money and jewels in the world."
The couple remained wrapped up together, enjoying the view of the clear sky with stars that shined down on them with the half moon off to the side. Sounds from the waves crashing on the shore nearby helped wash both Gabriella and Troy with absolute peace and serenity, allowing them to focus on just them and their new shared life together.
After some time though, Troy smirked as he felt the smooth fingertips and palm of his wife as Gabriella slid her hand under Troy's t-shirt, coming to rest on his muscled mid-section. There her fingers played with every crevice she found, stilling as she felt the scar tissue on Troy's side.
Troy looked down, worried when he felt some wetness through his t-shirt moments later. "Brie? What is it? Is my scar that bothersome?"
"No," got out Gabriella, feeling silly for tearing up now. "I just, I can't help but remember how I almost lost you Troy, every time I almost lost you, but especially on that day. Riley could have killed you so easily and it was all my fault."
"Shh, baby please don't cry," soothed Troy, kissing the top of Gabriella's dark head as he brought up his right hand to brush through the curls. "Everything has worked out as it was always meant to with us married with a bright yet somewhat intimidating future in front of us. Even if I had died, Gabriella, if I had saved you in doing that, it wouldn't have been in vain. I would give my life for you as you are exactly that, my life. Without you, I'd be nothing."
"But you were doing just fine with Celeste Troy. Now I've got you forced into living a public life with royal duties, dealing with politicians of who some are not all that up and up, and I managed to put your life in danger again! I'm starting to think I'm a danger magnet for you and I can't bear putting your life in danger just for me, ever," declared Gabriella, wiping away her tears. "I don't deserve you Troy."
"Hey, hey, stop that," demanded Troy softly, tilting her chin up so they were gazing into each other's eyes. "You more than deserve me Brie and I don't ever want to hear you say otherwise. We are here today because we are made for each other in every way, just as my father and mother reminded me constantly while we were apart the last few months and were trying to work everything out to make sure today happened. Even Celeste said that to me when I saw her in New York."
The mention of Troy's ex-fiancé's name reminded Gabriella that he had seen Celeste the month before but because of their limited talks via phone she had never asked him about it. "How is she? Was it okay seeing her again? Does she hate me? I'd hate me if I were her."
Troy chuckled, shaking his head. "Actually, no. It was a bit weird at first, but Celeste is kind of in the same boat as Patrick. She understands that she and I were great together but not the perfect fit that you and I are together. Celeste has kept up with us apparently and was very sorry to hear of my being exiled, knowing how much it hurt me. Of course, she didn't realize then that I was working with your family on how to keep both of us safe and how to eventually get married but she expressed that she believed it would all work out for the best."
"Did she kiss you, flirt with you?" asked Gabriella, exposing the small tinge of jealousy she felt.
"Flirt, maybe, but definitely not kiss. I think Celeste has gotten over me and the heartache I caused her, as I'm sure Patrick will in time too. If this was some cheesy movie, I bet those two would end up dating but it's not nor are they really right for each other. They both will find their match one day Gabriella but you can't worry about that. To get back to your original worry, never feel bad for my scars because to me, they are a constant reminder of you even when you aren't around."
"Great, your old wounds remind you of me. Not the best thing," said Gabriella, snuggling her head back onto Troy's chest.
Troy rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean. Instead of having tattoos, I have marks that represent sacrifice for love and courage, that show my dedication to you. If you want, I can get your name tattooed instead somewhere."
Gabriella lightly slapped Troy's polo covered chest. "Don't you even dare! I could never imagine your skin marred any further than it already is with scars. You are absolutely perfect in every physical way, both handsome and sexy, but it's your inner beauty that keeps me coming back for more, and more, and more…"
Between each "more," Gabriella softly placed a kiss on Troy's cheek, under his jaw line, and then his neck, causing him to groan in pleasure. "Gabriella Bolton Montez, I swear you are going to be the death of me but what a way to go."
Giggles and chuckles filled the air as Troy and Gabriella continued to get reacquainted with each other's body before their actions got too heated for a hammock in a public setting. Instead, Troy quickly scooted off, careful not to flip it over and thus spill Gabriella to the ground, before easily picking her up in his arms and carrying her back to their suite for one last night of uninterrupted private time full of lust, pleasure, ecstasy, and, most importantly, love.
When Gabriella and Troy arrived on their commercial flight at the Louvis International Airport, everything seemed normal and quiet. They had sat in first class during both of the flights it took to make it back to Copanvy, which allowed them to get a lot of good sleep, settling for sleeping with their hands intertwined, their heads together, as they couldn't sleep in each other's arms as they were both so used to now. Paul and one other member of the security team had remained in the same cabin with them per security procedures and were now joined by other members of the security team as Gabriella and Troy picked up their luggage and proceeded to the chauffeured car.
Once they left the airport building itself, that sense of normalcy disappeared as rounds of flashes went off in their faces as the paparazzi stuck numerous cameras and video cameras in their faces. Gabriella looked around and was glad she didn't see Martin and Henry, happy that they were able to make a good living without having to stoop this low. Both of them had thanked Gabriella and Troy, along with her family for inviting them to the wedding and making them the official photographers together. They both vowed they wouldn't sell the photos unless specified to by Gabriella herself or, of course, the current King and Queen. 'And they'll keep that promise too as that is just who and what they are.'
Paul and his team did the best they could to keep the paparazzi at bay as Troy helped Gabriella into the town car, letting her slide in first before he followed behind, Paul jumping into the front passenger seat before the car took off.
"My God, that was crazy!" exclaimed Gabriella. "What happened to the good old days of just Martin and Henry happily taking a few pictures at a distance and with permission?"
Paul sadly shook his head. "Long gone Gabriella, at least for now. The old switcharoo has gotten out as it is now public knowledge that Raul Diaz is in custody, that Curtis has been already dealt with and is no longer in Copanvy serving his sentence along with an assassin that was found to be in league with Raul. The men also working in different aspects with Raul are also in question but you'll find out about all that in due time."
"Reminds me of when Riley's trial was going on in Albuquerque," remarked Troy, looking out the tinted windows to see some paparazzi cars keeping pace with them as they continued shooting. His hand slid over the middle seat between them and intertwined their fingers together, squeezing Gabriella's right hand to let give her whatever comfort he could in the moment.
The rest of the trip was done in silence, all three lost in their thoughts as the driver focused on getting them to the palace safely, especially with all the distractions of the paparazzi.
Once inside the palace walls, everyone in the car let out a sigh of relief as the cars that had chased them from the airport could not go any further. When the car was fully stopped, Troy jumped out before anyone could help him out, running over to the other side of the car to open the door for Gabriella. Instead of letting her step out and walk to the palace doors, Troy scooped Gabriella into his arms and carried her to the main doors of the palace, not setting her on her feet until they were over the threshold. Gabriella giggled all the way but stopped as Troy put her down, seeing that intense look he got in his darkening blue eyes that sparkled with something she'd grown rather fond of lately. Their lips met and began gliding together, stopping when an amused chuckle and a cough was heard from nearby.
Troy and Gabriella broke apart, keeping their arms around each other, both blushing as they saw an amused Stephen and Edward staring back at them. "I can see you two got along just fine without all of us there in Hawaii to distract you and keep you company," remarked Edward, smiling a bit crookedly as he saw Troy darken another shade of red while Gabriella nibbled on her lower lip.
"It's good to see it's all working out," added Stephen. "We see you got your own personal escorts that were certainly not our security team, which, by the way, has gone through several rounds of screening with new contracts in place. The team is organized a bit differently with new faces while old faces are gone. Just thought I'd give you fair warning."
"Thank you Dad," Gabriella answered, trying to cool off her heated face. "We were talking to Paul about how different it was, like how it is for celebrities in California and New York back in the US. I miss when it was just Henry and Martin."
Edward gave her a sympathetic look. "Hopefully one day soon it will be again but for now, until after your official Copanvy wedding ceremony, Troy's recognition as a prince of Copanvy, and Raul's trial is completed, I expect a circus as we all of a sudden seem to be interesting to the rest of the world with our drama."
"Hey, that's right," said Troy, the tension he felt earlier around all the paparazzi vanishing as he beamed again, remembering what exactly the next few days would look like for them both.
Gabriella gave Troy a confused look. "What are you talking about?"
When Troy just grinned at her, Gabriella looked to Edward and Stephen, who both just shrugged. Although he enjoyed how adorable his wife looked, puzzled as she was, Troy decided to tell her the epiphany he just had. "I get to marry you, all over again, in just two days Brie."
As Gabriella listened, a bright smile spread across her own face. "I get to use my dress again and get to marry you all over again? How amazing is that?"
"Very," Troy simply returned, tightening his hold around her body while placing a simple but meaningful kiss on her forehead, conscious of the staff in the entry hall as well as Edward and Stephen watching them.
Chuckling again, Stephen just shook his head. "I am now starting to understand why Chris declares you two sickly sweet in his own words. Come on you two, it's time to get you settled into your new suite together and start yet another chapter in your new life together, this time the real royal beginning to your marriage."
Gabriella tilted her head to the side as Troy suddenly paled, wondering what exactly about what her father just said spooked him. "Wildcat?"
"Just, hearing your dad say that, kind of reminded me that I soon will be royalty. Wow," Troy answered, a distinct tinge in his voice that conveyed his awe.
Gabriella only smiled, untangling her body from his and grabbing a hold of his right hand in her left before pulling on it as Edward and Stephen began leading the way. "Come on Troy, your royal future awaits and I'm going to be by your side as you get used to all this each step of the way."
Troy gave her a grateful smile before falling into step with her, ready to face the paparazzi, the extra attention, the responsibilities, and everything else that went with this world he married into so long as he and Gabriella were together for the rest of time.