You all are just so grand, and I love you to the moon! Thanks for being a constant support, and for all your private messages. Lots and lots of personal things happening in my life, so my fondness for writing took a backseat, but I'd like for writing to move into the passenger's seat again in many ways; and one such way is continuing to love Troy and Gabriella with you all. I hope to upload some new things soon, but in the meantime, here's the final chapter of Sporadic Moments.

P.S. I deleted the previous chapter 16, because I wanted to take a different turn.

P.P.S I think I may have sped up Gabriella's pregnancy a bit ;)

June, 25 years old

Gabriella wasn't particularly interested in accompanying Troy to his summer office party. At 31 weeks pregnant, she wasn't particularly interested in doing much of anything. Granted, she considered herself very lucky. Her mother told her stories of her own nausea and swollenness while pregnant with Gabriella. However, Gabriella's nausea had been minimal, and the only thing she thought was exceptionally swollen was her ass – though Troy told her it looked fine. But as the end of her pregnancy neared, and even her maternity clothes didn't quite stretch enough to accommodate her body, she was feeling self-conscious. Mentally, she knew of the beauty there was in creating and caring for the life growing inside of her; and she loved her baby so much already, but her body was new to her. It had taken her a long time to appreciate her old body, and here this new one was, causing her all sorts of grief.

She stared at herself in the floor length mirror and thought about how ridiculous she looked squeezed into the only cocktail dress she had that would still zip. She sighed and examined herself from another angle, only to regret it when greeted by her backside. She dropped the wedges she had been holding and walked over to sit on her bed, "I'm not going," she called to Troy who was only a few feet away, adjusting his tie in the bathroom.

"What?" he looked over his shoulder to find his wife flopped on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.

"Go without me. It's not like I can drink or eat half the stuff they have there anyway."

Troy walked out of the bathroom and laid down on the bed with Gabriella so that he was also looking up at the ceiling, but he reached over and took her hand in his, bringing it to his lips for a gentle kiss. "Why don't you want to go?"

"I look and feel ridiculous," she told him without hesitation. "I'm like half an inch away from busting my zipper, and god only knows if my feet would actually fit into those stupid wedges."

"Gabriella, you are not serious."

"Don't patronize me," she got up so that her whole body was on display. "Look at me."

Troy propped himself onto his elbows, "Oh I'm looking," Troy appreciated her form. "Now you look at me."

Gabriella instantly blushed when she looked at him, because he was wearing her favorite I want to devour you look in his eyes.

Troy reached out for her and brought her slowly between his legs. When she was close enough, his hands dipped beneath her dress and slid up her warm thighs. He guided them apart and gently urged Gabriella to sit straddling his lap.

"How many times am I going to have to tell you how beautiful you are?" He held her face between his palms and looked into her dark eyes before bringing her mouth to his. "You're going," he spoke softly against her yielding lips, "and I guarantee you that everyone is going to be so jealous that I get to ravish your delectable body."

"Troy," her voice was soft with disbelief, "You're my husband. You would think I was ravish-able regardless."

"You're right," Troy nodded. "Maybe you should let me see you naked one more time before the party," then he added, "just to make sure they will all be jealous." He said as he pulled her zipper slowly down its track.

Gabriella let her dress fall down her shoulders. "It's okay if we're late?"

"We're late to everything. They expect it by now."

"Good, because I'm going to need you to take off your pants." She stood from his lap and let her dress descend the rest of her body.

Troy did as she asked, but he also backed Gabriella against a wall. He fell to his knees and didn't hesitate to rid her of her panties before lifting one of her legs over his shoulder. He licked and sucked at the skin of her inner thigh – teasing her.

"Please, Troy," her breathy desire was enough for him to give her whatever she wanted. He turned his head just slightly before his tongue darted out in one quick motion that caused Gabriella to shutter. Troy placed one hand firmly on the thigh that was on his shoulder and the other hand on her opposite hip. He held her in place as he tasted her most tender flesh. His tongue did a slow dance through all of her folds before latching onto the place Gabriella desired the most. As he sucked and paid particular attention to her little bundle of nerves, he heard her breathing increase and her soft song of his name over and over until she was vibrating in his mouth. He kept his mouth on her for a long while as her erratic breathing returned to normal. Once Troy was sure she could walk again, he slowly lowered her leg.

Gabriella joined him by dropping gracefully to her knees with him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, her tongue tasting everything his mouth had just done. As she kissed him, one hand dropped between their bodies. Her hand began to pump him, and she felt his moan vibrate through her own mouth.

"I want you to bend me over," she moved her lips just far enough away from Troy's that he could hear her dirty confession.

"Fuck," he hissed as her hand continued to move against him.

They both stood and Troy directed their movements toward their vanity. They were both facing the vanity, Gabriella's breasts and stomach a prominent focal point in the mirror. Troy's eyes met hers in the mirror as he took her breasts in his hands.

"I love your body like this, baby," Troy told Gabriella as his hands slipped slowly down her chest in order to cradle their growing baby. "Everything's so soft, and round, and full, and I can't even believe that there's a person inside you."

Gabriella reached back to kiss Troy, "I want something else inside me."

Troy's brows rose at her candidness. Where was his demure wife?

Gabriella giggled at his facial expression, "Troy, your wife is telling you that she needs you. I had expected a different reaction."

"Oh don't worry. You're going to get what you need. I'm just surprised by how bluntly you asked for it. Usually there's much more moaning and teasing."

"Pregnancy makes me impatient," to prove her point, Gabriella took one of Troy's hands in her own and guided it from her stomach to her inner thighs.

"Say no more," Troy gently placed both of Gabriella's hands on the vanity and positioned her body so that she was slightly bent over. He pushed her hair to one side and pressed kisses to her neck and shoulder before aligning their bodies and delivering just what Gabriella had asked for.

"We're so late, and I still look like a misshapen sausage in this dress," Gabriella complained as they walked the short distance from their cab to the entrance of the garden party Troy's work was hosting.

"You look beautiful, and if that random guy's catcalling wasn't offensive enough, at least you know you look fine as hell."

"It was offensive, and unappreciated," Gabriella assured. "And if anything, it means I feel even more uncomfortable."

Troy kissed her temple, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make light of it. I love you and want to make love to you. You look so delicious in your dress, and not the kind of delicious that a sausage is," he teased a bit with his compliments. They were all true. Gabriella had never looked sexier. Her cleavage peeked out of her v-cut dress in a way that had his hands itching to pull the fabric just a little more to the sides and reveal her body. Her prominent baby bump stretched her dress just enough to display the curves of her body; and it was indescribable how much he loved this woman. He'd loved her for so long – his whole life really.

Troy tried to tear his eyes from Gabriella as they stopped right outside the garden gates so that he could take Gabriella's hands in his own. He looked at her with such sincerity that Gabriella was momentarily breathless, "There is no one on this planet who could make me feel the way you do, Brie. You know I love everything about you. I don't even know how I'm lucky enough to be your husband. I've loved you for so long. Since the moment we met. You and this little one," he paused to pat her stomach, "are my everything; and your beauty is such a small part of what I love about you, but if you need me to keep telling you that you are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, I will. Forever." He promised.

Gabriella moved as close to him as her stomach would allow, "My Troy," she cooed while running her fingers through his soft hair. She kissed him briefly, but as she tried to pull away, he held her in place and deepened their kiss. It lasted only a moment, however, as one of Troy's coworkers walked by and slapped him on the back, humorously suggesting they get a room.

Gabriella blushed, but Troy just laughed and laced his fingers through Gabriella's. They entered the garden with the rest of his coworkers. Everyone was mingling, and seemed in good spirits.

"I'm going to find a bathroom. Be right back." Gabriella gave Troy's hand a squeeze before letting go and walking away.

Gabriella took her time in the bathroom – smoothing her flyaway hairs, reapplying lipstick, making sure no seams of her dress had busted. As she examined herself, she wondered what Troy saw. She turned to the side and looked at herself in profile. Their little guy was growing. Gabriella's heart skipped a beat at thinking of the short weeks left before she would have a baby in her arms. A son. She had yet to tell Troy. They had agreed to wait and be surprised, but at her most recent check-up – incidentally one of the only ones Troy hadn't attended – it was so very obvious on the screen that their little one was a boy. As Gabriella continued to look at herself in the mirror, she wondered how Troy would react to learning the news. He seemed dead set on having a daughter, but Gabriella thought that Troy might also melt at the idea that their baby was a boy. She wanted to tell him. As she looked at her stomach, the overwhelming urge to share the news with Troy washed over her. Tears filled her eyes as anticipation grew. She was going to go tell him. Gabriella pulled out her cell phone and sent Troy a simple text.

Meet me under the willow tree. XO

Troy smiled broadly at receiving Gabriella's text. He would meet her anywhere. He would go to the ends of the Earth for her.

"I have a surprise for you," Gabriella called as soon as Troy was in view.

"And what would that be?"

"Close your eyes," Gabriella's breathy command was accompanied by her gentle hands sliding down his chest and into his hands.

Troy grinned at her with closed eyes. He felt Gabriella lifting his hands to her mouth. She kissed each of his knuckles languidly, whispering "I love you" after each gentle press of her lips.

And Troy whispered an "I love you too" with a smile each time. Once Gabriella reached his last knuckle, she slid his hands down her body until they reached their baby.

"I learned something about our little one," Gabriella told Troy.

"Can I open my eyes yet?"

Gabriella laughed, "No. Now let me finish. I learned something about our baby, and I think you're going to be very excited."

"Tell me," Troy used his hands' positioning in order to slide around Gabriella's waist and pull her closer.

"Well, I learned that our baby is happy and healthy, growing at a lovely rate, facing down in anticipation of birth, and he's basically perfect. Our baby boy will be here soon, so we should probably start thinking of names."

"Boy?!" Troy's eyes widened immediately. "We're having a boy?"

Gabriella nodded with tears in her eyes, so pleased to read the joy etched across her husband's entire face.

"Baby!" Troy shouted before lowering his voice to a softness that Gabriella loved, "Baby, he's a boy? We're going to have a son." Troy guided Gabriella backwards until her back was against the willow tree. "I feel like I'm always kissing you, but I'm going to do it again right now." Troy told Gabriella before doing what he'd just described.

When he pulled away, he asked, "How did you find out? I thought we were going to wait."

"The nurse let it slip at this last visit. Plus, it was pretty obvious on the ultrasound," Gabriella laughed.

"Your mom really wanted a girl," Troy reminded Gabriella.

"So did your dad."

"You think they'll be disappointed?"

"Not in the least."

"Gabriella, Troy, is that you?" Elena's voice wafted into the foyer as soon as Troy and Gabriella walked through the door.

"It's us, Mama," Gabriella affirmed, and in no more than two seconds, Elena Montez was face-to-face with her daughter and son-in-law.

"My babies and their baby!" Elena delighted as she hugged and kissed them each. "I've just finished making lunch, and I already set up the guest room for you. Tomorrow we'll get busy with last minute wedding preparations, and then this weekend we'll have everyone over for a barbeque and the rehearsal dinner," Elena prattled on excitedly, beaming at both Gabriella and Troy, "I can't believe your wedding is next week! Oh! Gabriella, your dress is here! The local boutique said you can come in any time for a fitting, but based on your most recent measurements, I think it's going to be perfect."

Gabriella and Troy shared a glance at one another – overwhelmed by the information Elena was throwing their way, but also softly grateful for all her support.

"Thanks, Elena," Troy smiled warmly. "I think Gabriella mentioned wanting to take a nap, but I would love some lunch. Brie, you still want to nap before lunch?"

"I do," Gabriella looked at her mother apologetically.

"Oh, that's fine, love," Elena cooed before kissing her daughter's cheek. "Go rest. Troy help her get settled. I'll save you some lunch, mi hija."

"We are never, ever doing that again," Gabriella grumbled to Troy as she ascended the stairs. "Being cooped up in that car for the past five days has been the worst experience of my life. I haven't even given birth, and I already know it was worse than labor could ever be."

Troy just smiled as he followed behind his very pregnant partner.

Somehow Gabriella must have known he was smiling, because she turned around to address him, "I'm serious," Gabriella warned, "if I can't fly, then I'm not coming."

"I know you're serious," Troy assured.

"Good. Now I'm going to try to sleep even though it's going to be impossible. Women don't sleep in their third trimester."

"Why don't you soak in the tub? That might lull you to sleep, and I'm sure you would wake up before you drowned."

"I like that idea," Gabriella said as she turned to watch Troy put their bags down in the spare room they would be sharing for the next couple of weeks. She began stripping her clothes before walking into the adjoining bathroom.

"Want me to join you?"

"No, I want to sleep, Troy," she kissed him softly, "go let my mother entertain you for thirty minutes. Then, come to bed with me. We can sleep until dinnertime."

"I like that idea," Troy winked at her before leaving.

The week had been nonstop preparations for the wedding. Gabriella was beyond exhausted, but as she looked at the reflection staring back at her, she knew it was worth it. Just the thought of walking down the aisle to Troy's reaction took her breath away.

"Oh God, it's so beautiful," Gabriella finally spoke as she smoothed her hands delicately down the front of her wedding dress. It didn't accentuate her pregnancy, but it didn't hide it either – which was what she wanted. She wasn't ashamed of her little Liam. He was already the second love of her life. Her first love would soon be waiting at the end of an aisle for her. She admired the lace of her cap sleeves and bodice; and she thought of her Troy, the father of their child, as she touched each tiny jewel that sparkled in the decorative row beneath her breasts. Gabriella turned slightly so that she could view the back of her gown in the full-length mirror. The open back tapered softly to accentuate her delicate shoulders and creamy upper back. The long train was something she'd wanted since she was a little girl. Her dress was simple, yet elegant, and it was perfect.

"You are so beautiful, my Gabi," her mother had tears in her eyes. "I know I'm crying, but I'm just so happy for you and Troy. I love you two so much."

"We love you, Mama. More than you'll ever know. Thank you for being so strong for me, and Troy, and Jack over the years. For being the most wondrous woman." Gabriella began to cry too. This wasn't how she'd imagined her dress fitting, but it seemed appropriate.

Elena used the pads of her thumbs to gently wipe the tears from Gabriella's cheeks, "How did I get so lucky?" She asked rhetorically. "You are the light of my life, Gabi. I love you so, so much; and the only thing I regret in this life is not being able to give you more time with your father. I wish he could see you."

"I know, Mama," Gabriella wrapped her arms around her mother and they held one another for a while before Gabriella pulled away and smiled at her mother, not needed words to convey her deep love and affection for the woman.

"Let's get you out of this dress, huh? We've got one more stop before heading home."

"Where are we going?"

"Just to check on the rental," Elena said referring to Gabriella's childhood home that her mother had converted into affordable housing for local university students. "Some of the girls graduated and moved out. I want to see what work needs to be done before I rent their rooms out to new students."

As they parked in front of their old home, a wave of nostalgia flooded over Gabriella. She remembered hide-and-seek in the back yard, planting flowers all along the walkway, running to the nearby park, her first kiss on the park swings. She remembered everything this house had meant to her. She looked up at her long ago home and ached for that childhood.

"I forgot how much I loved this house," her voice shook and tears threatened to fall.

"Come have a look around, then," Elena encouraged with the gentle squeeze of her hand.

Gabriella nodded and got out of the car. So much about the house was the same. Her mother had done much to maintain its charm through her upkeep as a landlord it seemed.

"I'll show you everything I've done over the years," Elena began giving Gabriella the tour. "I had just about every room repainted. Look at the living room. The color is beautiful when the sun hits it." She opened the curtains to show Gabriella just what she meant; and it was true. It was beautiful.

"We should have painted it this color when we lived here," Gabriella joked.

Elena laughed and continued showing Gabriella what was new, "I updated a lot of things in the kitchen. New, energy efficient appliances, and look at this trash can. It composts! I don't know if the renters use it much, though. Oh! And I put in a farm house sink, because apparently they are all the rage, and I figured more people would want to rent if I added one. I was right," she winked at her daughter mischievously.

"New washer and dryer too," Gabriella noted.

"Let's look upstairs. I can show you the rooms," Elena breezed through a general tour of the upstairs, pointing out paint colors, new hardware in the bathrooms, and other odds and ends, until she came to Gabriella's room, "I had turned your old room into common slash study room for the renters, because of the beautiful French doors and balcony, but I just recently redid it. Take a look," she pushed the door open.

Gabriella's eyes widened and immediately filled with tears as she looked at her old bedroom. In the corner sat a plush gliding chair. Several floating shelves housed children's books, and Gabriella noticed a cream colored basket full of soft blocks. Artwork was strategically hung to adorn the walls, and Gabriella's old dresser had been refinished and turned into a beautiful changing station. Her mother had turned her old room into a nursery.

"Mama?" Gabriella questioned through her tears.

Elena just smiled and moved to open the French doors. Behind them stood Troy and Jack Bolton.

"Troy," Gabriella sobbed confusedly.

"Surprise," Troy went to her and brought her into his arms. He kissed her and looked into her eyes, "an early wedding gift," he explained.

"What do you mean?" Gabriella's eyes swam with inquiry and curiosity.

"I know you don't want to raise Liam in the city," Troy stroked her dark curls, "so if you're okay with it, I would like to buy you a house. This house, with a backyard, and neighborhood kids, and friends, and family, and whatever else you want."

"You're buying me a house?" Gabriella could barely speak as she tried to contain her sobs.

"Only if you want it."

"I love you. I love you so much."

"I love you too. Welcome home."

That night, Gabriella lay in Troy's arms. His hand traveled the column of her spine, and her warm, bare skin pressed against his.

"How on Earth can you afford to buy me a house?" Gabriella mused aloud.

"All my savings and a couple co-signers," Troy smiled.

"We have to start looking for jobs now," Gabriella reminded as her brain began to process.

"I actually already have one," Troy planted a kiss to her forehead, "public relations with U of A. Great benefits and pretty good pay."

"Troy you kept all this a secret from me? I feel like I don't know you at all," Gabriella smirked as she sat up to look in Troy's eyes. "But I also feel like I've never known you better than I do now, because this selfless, brave, kind man is the man I have always known you to be." She kissed him slowly, and readily let Troy deepen the kiss as his hands found her hips and pulled her into his awaiting lap. They moved against one another as they kissed and as Troy's body hardened, Gabriella's hand sought him out in order to lead him to her warm, wet entrance. As they sank into one another, never fully breaking their kiss, they professed their love for one another until they both came undone, awash in feelings of love and ecstasy.

As Troy and Gabriella stood facing one another, holding hands, with their friends and family all watching on as the minister read their vows, Troy and Gabriella heard nothing but the sounds of the other's breathing and heartbeat. The saw nothing but the other's eyes and the lives they had created with one another. It had only ever been the other. Always Troy and Gabriella:

"How did you know it was me?" Gabriella asked Troy coyly as she sat with her feet propped up in his lap. They were sharing a bowl of popcorn as they watched a cheesy movie. They weren't really watching it anyway. They were talking about their impending wedding and how much Gabriella couldn't wait for Sharpay to stop sending her early-morning texts about flower arrangements – which Gabriella had decided on months ago.

"What do you mean?"

"To marry, to love. How did you know it was me you wanted?"

"Baby," his voice cooed. He moved so that he could bring her into his lap. "There has never been anyone else. Over twenty years, and I have never loved anyone the way I love you. You're my everything, Gabriella. You know me better than I know myself, and you still love me." He caressed her cheek and stared into her beautiful brown eyes. "God, Gabriella, you are so smart, and kind, and generous, and brilliant, and funny, and exceedingly beautiful. You are the mother of my child, and many more I hope. I can't express the millions of reasons why it's you, but it has always been you. Because you're the girl next door, because you're my confidante and best friend, because you're my comfort and support, because your fingertips trace maps on my skin to which only you and I know the destinations. Because you're my life, Gabriella." His voice was so thick with passion that Gabriella visibly shuddered.

"And you are my life," she pressed her forehead to Troy's as she whispered this promise against his lips. "You are my home, and you take my breath away every single day, Troy. You challenge me in the best of ways to be the truest, best, most authentic version of myself. Sometimes I can't believe that a man so wonderful loves me. I can't believe that the universe weaved us together, that we are our own epic love story." Gabriella kissed Troy softly before peering into his smiling blue eyes, "I can't wait for everyone to know that I am yours and you are mine. For everyone to know what you mean to me."

"You may now kiss your bride," the minister said, and as Troy and Gabriella held one another in their arms, sharing a kiss, no one could have doubted the way they felt for one another.