Chapter 34

Daniella and Gabriella both giggled at the sight of Thomas and Samantha curled up together on one of the couches in the coffee shop, both actually not all that busy thanks to it being Christmas Eve. The three sisters were the only ones working the shift as Daniella gave everyone else the time off. If it wasn't for the huge gift basket business of freshly baked goodies and such, Daniella would have closed up shop all together but those baskets always seemed to bring in quite a bit of profit.

For that reason, Gabriella had once again been up before the sun, groaning all the way there but in a moment like this, seeing their sister curled up with her fiancé, made it well worth it. In fact, it made Gabriella miss Troy just a bit more, wondering if he was home yet. She had spoken to him twice since she left to go back home because of his busy game schedule but hadn't gotten a clue as to when he was really coming back to Albuquerque.

Her eyes darted over to the box she had wrapped and brought to work with her just in case she did see him. If not, she'd planned on texting Zeke to find out Troy's address to drop it off, even if he wasn't there so he'd have it Christmas morning.

Daniella caught Gabriella's glance and grinned. "You do realize it is Christmas Eve. I don't know if that boy is really going to come in for his protein shake but I bet you're hoping with all your might that you get to see him."

Rolling her eyes, Gabriella returned her sister's look. "I thought you thought so highly of Troy."

"I do, why?"

"You seem to have little faith in the fact that he'd want to see me dear sister," Gabriella pointed out. "Although, granted, his father sounds a bit controlling."

"That's what I was thinking of when I said what I did. Oh, trust me, I know that guy has it bad for you, really bad. If he doesn't show, you should invite him to our home for at least a little bit. There's something romantic about the holidays Gabi."

Gabriella looked again at Samantha and Thomas and sighed. "You know, I have to agree. Look at Sam. She and Thomas were apart for less than a week yet as soon as we picked him up from the airport yesterday, they've been like that nonstop."

"Hmm, maybe I don't want Troy coming. It will make me a sad fifth wheel," Daniella half joked. She was undoubtedly happy for her sisters but during times like these, she did sometimes feel out of place. There had been dates in her recent past, but after everything in her teen years and younger twenties, Daniella wasn't in a rush to get involved really. Just moments like these, well, they sucked.

Almost sensing Daniella's shift in mood, Gabriella wrapped her arm around Daniella's waist and leaned her head on her sister's shoulder. "You'll never be a sad fifth wheel so long as Sam and I both are around. Maybe a fifth wheel, but a happy one."

Laughing, Daniella shook her head before placing her head on top of her little sister's. "You really are too adorable sometimes lil sis. I guess we better prepare the last batch of gift baskets. They should be here to pick them up in about thirty minutes and then we can close probably within the hour from then. Deal?"

"Deal," Gabriella replied, finding herself smiling as she and Daniella got to work arranging all the baked goods they had made that morning in the last group of baskets. Samantha even drew herself away from Thomas long enough to help, leaving him to pop in a few Christmas CDs and blast it through the coffee shop, adding even more festive spirit to the group.

By the time they were done, all three sisters were laughing and singing along to the Christmas carols while Thomas enjoyed watching them, secretly taking some pictures and video clips of them. He knew that Samantha was close to her sisters but he had never seen her glow in this way before. Sure, he'd like to think he made his fiancé as happy as possible but also knew that there was no other bond like a bond between siblings. At least, that's what he imagined since he was an only child and adopted at that.

While Gabriella was busy doing a little dance with Daniella that they had learned when they were kids, Samantha stopped dancing as she saw a guy with chestnut colored hair in a shaggy cut walk into the coffee shop, immediately thinking of how hot he was but then realizing she was more than likely checking out her little sister's guy. Part of her wanted to rush over to meet him but the larger part of her was amused by the smirk on Troy's face as he continued towards her two sisters who were too busy dancing to see his approach.

On Troy's part, he found it adorable the way Gabriella cut loose with her sisters, finding her dance rather simple yet sexy. 'Somehow I'm not all that surprised though. She could make a paper bag and the running man look sexy,' he thought, putting down the gift bag in his right hand on the couch nearby before sitting down on the arm of it, glancing at the man and woman he had never seen before and smiling back at them. Quickly though he turned his attention back on Gabriella and Daniella, catching the end when they twirled and struck a pose, only for Gabriella to instantly brighten more as her eyes caught Troy's.

"Oh my God, Troy!" Gabriella exclaimed, her cheeks flaming as she realized he had seen that whole dance or most of it by the amused look on his face. "When did you get here?"

"Just in time it would seem. It's been practically a week since I last saw you. Where's my greeting?" Troy teased, well half teased, as he was just as anxious to hold her again.

Pointedly ignoring the looks she knew Daniella and Samantha were giving her, Gabriella crossed the space separating her from Troy and wrapped her arms around his waist as she felt his muscular arms fold around her shoulder and mid-back, bringing Gabriella closer to him. Feeling more than happy to be back in his familiar embrace, Gabriella allowed herself to close her eyes and breathe in his distinct scent, smiling as she felt his lips kiss her forehead and then her hair. "I missed you Troy."

Hearing her words warmed Troy instantly from the chill outside, making him grin just that much more. "I missed you too Gabriella. So much in fact that I couldn't wait to get here before you closed to make sure I saw you since I haven't a clue where you live."

"We can fix that for you," Daniella offered, a cheeky grin on her face.

For the first time since they embraced, both Troy and Gabriella looked up and smiled at Gabriella's sisters and Thomas. "Oh yeah? Draw me a map on a napkin?"

Daniella rolled her eyes. "Honestly, you're such a dork sometimes. I was going to invite you over but if you just want a paper napkin…"

"No, no! Invitation to your home is amazing, thanks!" Troy exclaimed, a grin on his face before he looked back down at Gabriella. "That is, if it's okay with you. I don't want to rush meeting your parents or anything."

Touched that Troy was thoughtful of her own feelings, Gabriella gave him a sweet smile. "I think it'll be nice to introduce you. Are you sure it's okay though with your parents? It's Christmas Eve Troy."

"I know but they'll be fine. We don't have family over until much later."

"Then I'd love for you to come over," Gabriella answered, turning her head as she heard discreet cough nearby, seeing her sister and Thomas both looking at them. Flushing once again at her lack of manners this time, Gabriella looked back up at Troy. "And Troy, I'd like you to meet my sister Samantha and her fiancé on the down low, Thomas."

Troy looked up and saw the smiling faces while he unwrapped one of his arms from around Gabriella and reached out to shake Samantha's hand first and then Thomas' hand. "It's nice to finally meet you Samantha. Gabriella speaks nothing but wonderful things of you and Daniella both. I didn't realize though that you were engaged, congratulations!"

"Thanks Troy! We actually haven't officially announced it so we'd appreciate it if you didn't say anything when we get to our home, especially to my parents," Samantha replied. "I have to say that I'm awfully impressed that my sister didn't lie. She said you were totally hot in addition to being smart and sweet but I half thought she was making all that up."

"Hey!" Gabriella protested, sticking out her tongue at her sister.

Chuckling, Thomas shook his head. "Oh the joys of the holidays and having family around. It's nice to have another guy around here though. I was feeling very outnumbered."

Troy grinned at the older man. "Well I'm glad I could be of service somehow. So I guess I don't have to rush giving you your present yet then," Troy commented, chuckling as he saw Gabriella's pout. "Can I get that amazing shake you always make me or is it time to close up shop?"

"There's still time. One last round of baskets to be picked up actually. I'll put it in a to go cup just in case," Gabriella returned. "Come on CP."

As Daniella and Samantha watched Gabriella take Troy's hand in hers and lead him over to the counter where they started making his shake together, they exchanged an excited grin that was not lost on Thomas. "Why do I suddenly feel bad for the youngest Montez sister and her boyfriend?"

Daniella shook her head. "That's where you're wrong. They aren't exclusive yet Thomas."

"Yet," Samantha emphasized, a twinkle in her eyes.

"Why do I have a feeling that Troy is going to get his ass kicked into gear by none other than the Montez older sisters?" Thomas asked. "I kind of feel bad for the guy."

"Oh, don't worry. It's not like we'll be forcing his hand. More like giving him some encouragement in the right direction to do what he's been wanting to do but has been taking way too long to do. Granted, there have been good reasons," Daniella admitted.

"Good reasons?"

Daniella debated on how much to tell her sister and soon to be brother-in-law and opted to give Troy a fairly fresh slate with them. "Let's just say that there were some major communication breakdowns and hurt feelings. This second time around though has been going much better for them. Honestly, Samantha, you know our little Gabriella. She'd never get involved with a guy if she didn't trust him or really love him."

"And he's a first for her isn't he?" Samantha returned. "I am glad, I was beginning to blame myself for that too."

"You and me both. All the more reason to make sure this goes right between them."

Thomas had a hint of what was going on as he and Samantha had discussed her past before and knew that there was heartache in her life and suspected it was the same for Daniella as well from the sounds of it. "Well give the guy some credit. Maybe he's got something planned already. I may not know either of them but there's definitely major chemistry and Troy doesn't seem like the type to not have game."

"Guess we'll just have to see about that…"

Once the baskets were picked up, dishes were all cleaned, and the last of the baked goods of the day were packed to bring to a local homeless shelter, all five made their way out of the coffee shop, Daniella locking up the front door after flipping over the sign in the window to show closed.

It wasn't until after the shelter when they were nearly at the Montez home that Gabriella suddenly got nervous. Giving Troy the gift she had picked out for him wasn't that big of a deal for Gabriella but introducing him to her parents, that was huge.

Troy sensed Gabriella's uneasiness and reached over to squeeze her hand. "You okay?"

As Troy kissed the back of her hand, Gabriella smiled. "I am, don't worry."

"Just because you said so Angel," Troy replied, kissing the top of her head as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Mom! Dad! We're home and with a special guest!" Daniella called out as soon as she opened the front door. "Mom, Dad!"

"Geez Daniella, you don't have to be quite so loud," Gabriella immediately said, giving Troy an apologetic look before kicking off her shoes.

"But he is a special guest," Daniella argued. "Very special. Mom! Dad!"

Samantha patted Gabriella on the shoulder before she passed her by in the entryway after taking off her shoes. "May as well get this over with lil sis."

"Gee, thanks," Gabriella sarcastically got out. "It's not too late to leave Troy."

Troy shook his head. "Nah, your sister doesn't scare me. You parents have to be amazing too to have raised you as wonderful as you are Gabriella."

"I haven't officially met you Troy but I already can tell why my daughters think so highly of you," Theresa said from where she stood next to her husband, a smile on her face. "Welcome to our home Troy. I'm Theresa and this is my husband Joseph."

Suddenly it was as if all the nerves Gabriella had been feeling transferred over to Troy as he stared into the dark brown eyes of Gabriella's father. He had felt good when he returned Theresa's smile and shook her hand but when he had shaken Joseph's, Troy couldn't help but feel like he was being silently interrogated without Joseph having to say a word. In fact, the nerves Troy had felt in asking Zeke for his permission to be exclusive with Gabriella was nothing compared to what he was feeling now.

"Now, now Daddy," Daniella stated, walking up to the pair and placing a hand on Joseph's shoulder. "Don't go scaring Gabriella's guy off now. It's Christmas Eve after all, not Halloween."

After a moment more of tense silence, Joseph just nodded his head, cracking a small smile. "Merry Christmas Troy."

"Merry Christmas sir," Troy managed to get out.

Gabriella, having felt bad for Troy the instant she saw how tense he had gotten, quickly decided to interrupt. "Mom, Dad, Troy and I are going to go exchange presents if that's okay. Or Mom do you need my help in the kitchen?"

Before Theresa could respond, Samantha decided to interfere. "Daniella and I can help Mom Gabriella, and Thomas has a bunch of questions for Dad too I think, right Thomas?"

Blinking at his sudden involvement but knowing enough to go along, Thomas nodded. "Actually Joseph I was wondering if you'd show me how you put together all the tracks for the trains in your hobby room."

Samantha proudly smiled at Thomas for having such an excellent idea and thanked the stars when their father looked at Troy a moment longer before looking at Thomas and nodding his head. "Let's go take a look."

Theresa too was amused by the swiftness of her children at giving Gabriella and Troy some desired alone time. She was all too willing to follow Daniella and Samantha into the kitchen, knowing already that both of them had no intentions of doing anything other than eavesdrop as Gabriella and Troy sat down in front of the Christmas tree in the living room.

"Sorry about that," Gabriella apologized. "My dad is just protective."

"More than Zeke. I feel blessed now that Zeke was as toned down as he has been," Troy commented. "I can't blame your dad though. If I had a daughter as beautiful and as wonderful as you, I'd feel just as protective."

Gabriella smiled at his compliment, leaning forward to kiss Troy before pulling back. She handed him the wrapped box and said, "Well, after going through that, I think you deserve to have the opportunity to open your gift first. Merry Christmas Troy."

"Thanks Gabriella," Troy answered, taking the present and settling it on his lap. He undid the ribbon and then tore apart the paper, making Gabriella giggle as she watched. When the lid was off and he tore back the tissue paper, Troy smiled as he saw a blue sweater and a green knitted scarf and beanie. When Troy pulled it out and held the sweater up against his upper body, he smirked as he realized that it was just the right size and would also be fitted. "Wanted to see my rippling muscles more huh?"

Rolling her eyes, Gabriella actually laughed. "I wasn't thinking about the fitted part although I was hoping the sweater would be just the right size since I know you don't like to swim in your clothes all that much."

"True," Troy admitted. "So what were you thinking about?"

"How the blue of the sweater would bring out the various hues of blue in your eyes while the green beanie and scarf would bring out the green highlights."

"Green highlights? Are you thinking of some other guy Angel?"

Ignoring Troy's fake pout, Gabriella shook her head. "Clearly you haven't seen your own eyes. They change colors and shades depending on your mood. They are dark blue, light blue, sometimes grey and sometimes they have green highlights. My favorite though is the shade they are right now, the dark blue that shows how intensely you are feeling at the time. What are you thinking?"

"How much I love you," Troy confessed, amazed and touched as to how much thought Gabriella had put into his gift and how much she had noticed about him. "No one has ever told me about the green color in my eyes before or even talked about how my eyes change according to my mood."

"It's one of my favorite physical parts of you." Gabriella readily kissed Troy back before he straightened and put the gifts back in the box. "Your eyes tell me so much, more than words alone can express."

"I'll have to keep that in mind," Troy joked, putting the top back on the box. He turned and snagged the gift bag next to him and placed it in front of her. "Before you open it, I want to say that I love your gift Gabriella but more importantly, I love you."

"I love you too Troy." She smiled as she kissed him on the cheek before starting to take out the tissue paper from the gift bag after quickly reading the note on the tag. When there was only a small white box left at the bottom of the small bag, Gabriella picked it up and gave Troy a curious look, seeing an anxious look on his face. With nerves tingling, Gabriella gingerly opened the box and gasped. "Are you serious?"

Troy nodded, swallowing the knot of nerves gathered in his throat. "I couldn't be more." Seeing that Gabriella was still staring at the necklace, Troy reached over and pulled it out, laying the pendant of the Zeta Theta Mu letters with the president's gavel charm hanging from the bottom on his palm. "I can't give you my pin like they would in the old days of tradition because there would be serious trouble to pay in our chapter, but I wanted to ask you if you'd wear my letters as a symbol of us being committed to each other. The letters show you are a girlfriend of a Zeta Theta Mu brother, but the gavel signifies that he is or was a president. I know you dropped the Greek system all together and have been really happy as a result, but as this gavel has been worn over my heart countless times, will you wear it along with my letters from now on?"

Clearing her throat, Gabriella swore in her head as she had to blink back a few tears that threatened to fall. "This is huge Troy. Are you really sure you want to give these to me? That you want me to be known as your girlfriend?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Troy returned, meaning every single syllable. "Please Gabriella, Angel, will you bless me with the title of being your guy?"

Without another moment of hesitation, Gabriella nodded, instantly swooped up into Troy's embrace as they shared a tight hug, followed by a series of kisses. When they parted for a few moments, Troy quickly slipped the necklace around Gabriella's neck, staring at where it was against the skin of her chest, catching some of the twinkling of the lights from the Christmas tree nearby.

Gabriella too looked down at it and smiled as she continued to absorb the meaning of Troy giving this to her and more importantly, what they just committed to each other. "This is really real huh? You've actually branded me."

Troy had to chuckle at this. "I could brand you in another way if you want," Troy suggested, wiggling his eyebrows that made Gabriella playfully slap him on the shoulder. "I kid, I kid, well sort of. I wouldn't dream of doing that here in your parents' home anyway. It is more of my commitment to you and to also warn off the other guys. Not necessarily the guys who are stupid enough to think that after you've had me that you could want another but the others…"

Ignoring the arrogance Troy just displayed, Gabriella reacted more to the implication he left hanging. "The others like Tyler? You still think he and Nicole could be a problem?"

With a sigh, Troy nodded. "They've been rather quiet but I overheard firsthand at the club that they are still plotting things and are working together. I don't want you worried though because I'll never let something happen to you, girlfriend or not. I love you too much for that."

"I love you too Troy, I really do," Gabriella returned, snuggling closer into his hold and kissing his shoulder before settling her head there, staring at the flickering Christmas tree lights. "I just don't want you getting hurt or in trouble because of their stupid stuff."

"I won't, don't worry," Troy answered, kissing Gabriella on the forehead before leaning his head on hers. "Come on, it's Christmas Eve. Plenty of better things to talk about than the troublemakers at school. Can I tell you that you are the one blessing that happened to me this year that I will be thanking God for tonight at midnight mass? Like putting heaps and heaps of gratitude on in my prayer tonight?"

"What about your family, friends, academic life, or even basketball?"

Troy picked up Gabriella's left hand with his right and ran his thumb over the back of it, feeling the smoothness of her skin. "I'm grateful for all that too, but you are the best thing that could have ever happened to me Gabriella. The boys, I'm always going to be grateful for because they've seen me through a lot, just as my mom has and my dad sort of as well, but you really are the reason I smile when I go to bed at night and wake up in the morning. I hope you realize that."

"Well I do now," Gabriella answered, turning her head to meet Troy's gaze, feeling his left hand gently run his fingers up and down her side. "You mean just as much to me too. I really do hope that you have a nice Christmas with your parents Troy. I know it's been rough."

Glancing away, Troy nodded his head before he looked back at her. "It will be bearable. My dad won't act up in front of family and my mom will keep him at bay if it gets too close to explosion. He's a decent man, just high pressure is all. I don't look forward to the day that I make it clear to him that the NBA isn't my dream career."

Gabriella tore her hand from his to lay it softly on Troy's right cheek, gently turning his head so that he was looking at her again. "If your dad truly loves you, like I'm sure he must, he'll understand Troy. Just like your mom, I'm sure they just want to see you happy."

Not wanting to spoil this Christmas Eve together, their first together per se, Troy just nodded his head, making note to talk to Gabriella more about his past with his father again sometime soon when they returned to school. "You truly take my breath away Gabriella and that is such an amazing thing."

"And you Troy give me all the confidence in the world that I can be and do anything, no matter what people wearing Greek letters may say," Gabriella returned, running her fingers through his chestnut hair. "I love you."

"I love you too."

They shared an intimate kiss that was rudely interrupted by clapping which broke them apart. Gabriella blushed as she saw Samantha, Daniella, and their mother all standing there, Daniella with something behind her back. "Nice, real nice girls. What happened to privacy?"

"You should know, little sis, in this house there is none," Samantha teased, waving a digital camera in the air. "I got some great shots too that you'll thank me for later."

"Not as great as the ones you're about to get though Sam!" Daniella sang as she skipped towards the couple.

Gabriella gave their mom a pleading look but saw Theresa hold her hands up in the air. "I tried to talk them out of this but since you're all adults, grounding and threats of coal in the stockings don't exactly work now, sorry."

"Do I want to know what your sisters have planned?" Troy asked out of the side of his mouth.

"Most likely not," Gabriella returned, wearily eyeing Daniella who stopped short of them and off to the side. "What devious thing is going on in that mind of yours Daniella?"

"Just a reward system. I'm guessing that since you have a nice new pendant around your neck that Troy gave you his gift already. Did he by chance happen to ask you something too or are there plans of it Troy?" Daniella questioned, looking both of them head on. "Hmm?"

Knowing exactly where Daniella was going, Troy nodded his head. "Yes, as I suspect you heard already from eavesdropping, I did ask Gabriella to move our relationship forward into the exclusive territory. Satisfied?"

"Very," Daniella grinned, whipping out her hand behind her back. "And for that, your reward."

Gabriella narrowed her eyes as she focused on the item dangling from Daniella's fingertips. "You've got to be kidding me. Daniella!"

"Hey, Samantha thought of it too. It's our way of celebrating the good news and it is Christmas Eve after all. Tradition Gabriella, you don't want to break it and be a scrooge, do you?"

Sighing, Gabriella glanced up again at the mistletoe that was now dangling above her and Troy before looking back at him. "Troy?"

Deciding to make the best of the situation, despite having to now do it in front of Gabriella's siblings and mother, relieved at least that her father wasn't around, Troy placed both hands on Gabriella's face, kissing her on the forehead as his answer. When Troy heard the disapproving sounds from both sisters, Troy leaned down and slanted his lips over Gabriella's, closing his eyes to block out the flashes of light he knew were coming from the camera.

When they pulled away, both glanced over at Gabriella's siblings to see them now giggling over the pictures Samantha had taken. After hearing Gabriella whisper her gratitude though, Troy looked back down at her. "Why are you thanking me? I'll take any excuse to kiss you."

"Always living up to your nickname CP," Gabriella returned, further snuggling into Troy's hold and hiding her face in his neck as he wrapped his arms around her, both seeing the way Samantha and Daniella were looking at them again.

For her part, Theresa just shook her head as she watched both pairs, happy to see her daughters all together again and clearly enjoying each other's company, even if her youngest was getting picked on. Despite that though, it was clear to Theresa that Gabriella was happy with the man she had finally chosen after all the time of focusing on school and everything else but her romantic life. It all honesty, it had worried Theresa that Gabriella was so adamant about concentrating on everything but a love life. Now though, as she watched her youngest giggle as Troy nuzzled her neck, Theresa began to realize that perhaps it was because Gabriella knew subconsciously that the wait would be worth it. Whatever the reasons though, Theresa was happy in that moment that everything happened as it did because she had never seen her daughter glow, on a Christmas Eve or any other day for that matter, as she was glowing now.