Hi Readers - FINALLY - the epilogue is complete. I hope you enjoy it. I'm very proud of the fanfic I wrote. I'm pleased with how it turned out.

If you're interested, take a look at my new HSM fanfic called "Anything Else But the Truth".

As always - thanks to the devoted fans who followed this story to the end.

~deewriter

EPILOGUE

1 year later….

Gabriella stared in the floor length mirror and was pleased with the way everything looked. Her make-up was impeccable and not a hair was out of place. Her dark hair fell in waves down her back. The Maggie Sottero dress she was wearing was perfect and fit her like a glove. The dress was made of Gossamer chiffon with a contrasting beaded band around the empire waist. The dress flowed down her body and moved with ease. She found the dress four months before their wedding date. It had been a pain trying on so many dresses, but as soon as she slipped the Sottero number on, she knew it was the one. She felt beautiful, confident, and sexy. It was a romantic dress and it was what she needed.

Sharpay and Taylor had helped her place the veil on top of her head. The sheer material flowed behind her back. She couldn't believe that their wedding day had come at last. So much had happened within the last year. After she and Troy had gotten engaged, she stayed in Boston for two months before relocating to Albuquerque. It was a decision that she didn't regret. Her career hadn't flourished one bit. She was on her way to making partner at one of the top law firms in Albuquerque. Troy was still teaching at East High and coach of the boys' basketball team. As much as she loved her life in Boston, it didn't compare to the life she was building with Troy. Their love was strong and she knew in her heart it would last forever.

She knew their friends were already in their places as bridesmaids and best men. She had asked both Sharpay and Taylor to be her Maid-of-Honors. She was glad she had picked simple black tea-length halter dresses, trimmed with matte satin. She wanted to pick dresses where it would be flattering on all their figures and they could wear the dresses on more than just this occasion. Besides, she loved the back of the dress.

She smiled as she thought about her best friends. She was happy that everything worked out for each of them. Sharpay and Zeke still lived in Los Angeles and the biggest news was that they got engaged three months ago. Zeke had surprised Sharpay with a weekend trip to Napa where he asked her to marry him at Artesa Winery, a beautiful winery that overlooked Napa and surrounded by beautiful fountains, reflecting pools, and sculptures. She was ecstatic for them and Sharpay had already asked her and Taylor to be her Matron and Maid-of-Honor.

It was also an amazing year for Chad and Taylor. Their relationship was stronger than ever. About six months ago Chad was traded to the Washington Wizards, so he and Taylor had purchased a beautiful brownstone in DC. They tried to get to Albuquerque whenever they could. Gabriella and Troy also tried to make frequent trips to DC as well. Taylor was still working as an editor at Ms. Magazine and loved her job immensely.

She had also asked Kelsi and Martha to be her bridesmaids. Kelsi and Ryan had an amazing year, of course, with the birth of their daughter. Sophia Ella Evans was the apple of her parents' eyes that was for sure. She was now almost 10 months old. She was a beautiful baby with fair and delicate skin and head full of little blonde ringlets. Kelsi and Ryan loved parenthood and wanted the best for their girl. Within the next year, they planned to move back to Albuquerque to raise their daughter. They loved Manhattan but wanted their daughter to grow up in a smaller city and be close to her grandparents. Gabriella was thrilled that she would get to see Ryan, Kelsi, and Sophia more frequently once they moved back.

After Gabriella moved back to Albuquerque, it didn't take long to be good friends with Jason and Martha again. They apologized for the way they had treated her during the reunion. Gabriella loved spending time with the Crosses and their kids. It didn't take long for Melody and Nathan to fall in love with their Aunt Gabi. Jason was still a financial planner and helped Troy coach the Wildcats. Martha still enjoyed her role as cheerleading coach.

Gabriella was so lost in her thoughts that she jumped when she heard a gasp behind her. She turned and found her mother staring at her, holding a hand up to her heart. "Gabriella, you are so beautiful," her mother started saying, tears coming to her eyes. "If only your father could see you."

Gabriella blinked back the tears, "I wish he was here, too." She said quietly. Then she smiled at her mom, "Please don't make me cry. I don't want to have to redo my make-up," she teased.

"No, we wouldn't want that. Your groom will be very upset." Mrs. Montez said. "Besides, Troy is dying to see you. So does everyone else."

"I'm so happy you and Dave are here. And Mom, thanks for walking me down the aisle." After Gabriella's father passed away when she was just 11-years-old, her mother had raised her as a single mom. If anyone was to give her away, it would be her mother.

"I'm honored that you asked me, Sweetheart. I'm so proud of you. You've grown into this amazing woman."

Gabriella blushed. "Thanks Mom. So is it about time I make my way to my groom?"

Mrs. Montez laughed. "Yes, and not a second later. We should get up those stairs." Mrs. Montez helped her daughter with the veil and brought it over Gabriella's head so that it hung down the front of her face. She extended her arm to Gabriella and she took it. She led the way to the entrance to the rooftop. She couldn't believe it when Gabriella first told her that she and Troy planned to get married on the rooftop of East High. The more she thought of it, it was perfect for Troy and Gabriella. They decided to keep their wedding small and intimate – close friends and family only.

Martha, along with the help of her cheerleading squad had decorated the stair banister with ribbons and flowers. It was breathtaking, but Mrs. Montez was excited for Gabriella to see how gorgeous the rooftop was. She knew it would blow her daughter's mind away. Troy had thought up the design and he wanted it to be a surprise for Gabriella.

As Gabriella and her mother made their way up the stairs, she could hear the string quartet they hired playing Pachelbel's Canon in D. It was one of Gabriella's favorite musical pieces and it was what she wanted to march down the aisle to. As they neared the top of the stairs, Gabriella felt the sun on her and her eyes started getting misty. In less than 20 minutes, she was going to be Gabriella Bolton. It was scary and amazing at the same time.

Gabriella gasped as she looked around her. She stared down the makeshift aisle towards a beautiful lattice gazebo decorated with hydrangeas and lilies in shades of blue, violet, pink, and white. She saw Taylor, Sharpay, Kelsi, and Martha to her left and opposite them stood Chad, Zeke, Ryan, and Jason. They all looked exquisite in their dresses and tuxedos. They all smiled as they looked at her. She saw the girls dabbing at their eyes with the tissue hidden in their bouquets.

She was looking for one face in particular and smiled as she saw the handsome face of Troy in the very center of the group. Gabriella could feel a tear slide down her cheek. Troy looked so handsome in his tuxedo. He had even slicked his hair back with a little gel and it looked great on him. He winked at her and held a hand up to his heart.

Troy stared down the aisle as he took in Gabriella's appearance. He was the luckiest man in the world because Gabriella Montez was going to be his wife soon. He was speechless staring at her. She looked stunning in her dress. She looked so classy and beautiful, the dress showing off her sculpted shoulders. Her long dark hair fell in curls down her back. He couldn't wait to lift the veil off so he could really look into her face. They had spent last night apart from each other and he hadn't seen her at all that day. She was a vision to be seen.

He looked out at their guests and smiled at his parents. His mother was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue and his dad smiled proudly at him. The parents of their bridesmaids and best men were also in attendance. Mrs. Evans was holding Sophia Ella and she was giggling and making little noises. He smiled at Mrs. Darbus as she looked proudly at him. She had been ecstatic when Troy told her they were getting married. She told him she always knew they would do that.

Troy's grin got wider as he looked at Mr. Fulton, their old boss from Lava Springs. Troy had gotten to know him over the years as a member of the club. Troy laughed as he thought about the rehearsal dinner the night before. Mr. Fulton had told everyone the stories of catching Troy and Gabriella getting into trouble and it always involved water – the first time they were caught dancing on the golf course and the second time in the pool. He raised his glass and toasted "the water bugs" a happy life together. It was very endearing.

As the quartet's music started to quiet down, he smiled as he saw that Gabriella was standing a few feet away from him. He grinned as the officiant started the ceremony by welcoming everyone and asking, "Who gives this woman to be wedded to this man?"

Mrs. Montez responded, "I do."

Troy walked over and gave Mrs. Montez a hug and kiss on the cheek. She took her daughters hand and put it in Troy's. "I love you both," she whispered and took her seat in the front row of chairs that had been set up.

Troy lifted the veil over so that he could see her underneath. She had tears in her eyes already and at the site seeing that, it made Troy choke up a bit. He winked at her and took her hands in his. He mouthed "I love you" to her.

Gabriella smiled as she stared up into Troy's face. She wanted to reach out and touch his cheek. The officiant started going on about how they were gathered there today to celebrate the union of this man and this woman. They listened as he talked about marriage and commitment. Did anyone have objections? She heard him ask. She was nervous because it was almost to the part of their vows. They had come up with their own vows to say to each other.

The officiant smiled at Troy and asked him to proceed with his vows. Troy smiled at Gabriella as he began his speech. He cleared his throat and said clearly in front of their family and friends, "Gabriella," he started, "from the moment I first saw you, I knew you were the one with whom I wanted to share my life. Your beauty, heart, and mind inspire me to be the best person I can be." He could hear the reaction from their guests as they awed and whispered how sweet his vow was. As Troy looked into Gabriella's eyes, his vision blurred. The next part was his promise to her and he knew he would cry as soon as he said the words. He cleared his throat and continued in a shaky voice, "I promise to love you for eternity, respecting you, honoring you, being faithful to you, and sharing my life with you. This is my solemn vow to you."

Gabriella cried as she realized it was her turn to tell Troy her vows. She reached out and touched his cheek, and Troy leaned his cheek into her palm. "Troy," she started, her voice quivering, "I love you, Wildcat. You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle." Troy had tears in his eyes and it made it hard for her to continue, "I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort." She gave him a smile, even though they were both crying by now. "I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life."

The officiant smiled at them and asked for the rings. Taylor and Chad stepped up and handed the wedding bands to him. He said a few words and blessed the rings. He gave Troy Gabriella's platinum band. They had gotten platinum bands inscribed with two words 'forever yours'. He took Gabriella's hand and as he slid the band onto her finger, he said "Let this ring be a symbol of my promises to you and a reminder of my devotion to you. I am honored to call you my wife."

Gabriella smiled at the words. She took Troy's ring from the officiant and as she slid it on his finger, she told him, "Let this ring be a symbol of my promises to you and a reminder of my devotion to you. I am honored to call you my husband." She knew by this time they were both elated and it was almost time to announce their new status. He gave her hand a squeeze.

They smiled at each other as the officiant blessed their marriage and said some kind words in the closing of their ceremony. He beamed at the couple and their small group of guests, "By the power vested in me by the State of New Mexico, I now pronounce you husband and wife." He knew the next part was always every bride and groom's favorite part of the ceremony. "You may now kiss each other."

"Gladly," Troy teased and pulled Gabriella in his arms and gave her a tender and soft kiss on the lips. As she pulled away, cheers erupted all around him. Troy and Gabriella faced their guests and held hands tightly. They were both waiting for the next part that would end their short, but sweet ceremony.

The officiant smiled proudly and said, "I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Troy Bolton."

Everyone cheered and applauded as Troy and Gabriella skipped down the aisle with big smiles on their faces. They were holding a reception dinner at Lava Springs and a limo would be taking Troy and Gabriella over. They went down the stairs carefully, making sure not to step on Gabriella's dress. Their limo was waiting for them and the driver opened the doors for them. Gabriella made her way in and Troy followed taking a seat next to her. As soon as they got their privacy, Troy pulled Gabriella into his arms. "I love you, Mrs. Bolton."

She giggled. "And I love you, Mr. Bolton." She leaned her head towards his and kissed him with passion. "Here's to a wonderful life together."

"I agree. Here's to forever with each other!" He said, handing a glass of chilled champagne to her. "Everything was perfect." Troy told her. "I'm the luckiest man in the world."

Gabriella smiled and leaned against him and sipped her champagne. "I agree everything was perfect. The rooftop was beautiful. You did an amazing job with it. That gazebo was gorgeous."

"Not as gorgeous as you, Brie," he whispered as he leaned towards her for another kiss. "I'm serious, I'm very lucky to have you in my life."

Gabriella could feel tears brim her eyes. "And I'm lucky to have you. You're my life Troy."

Hearing Gabriella say those words made Troy very happy. "And you're mine." He raised his glass to her, "To a long, happy, and loving life together."

Gabriella laughed and clinked her glass against Troy's. "Forever." She said.

"Forever," Troy repeated. They sealed their toast and union with a kiss.

For photos of Gabriella's dress and the bridesmaid dress – please check my profile for the links to copy and paste in your browser. As soon as I saw the wedding dress, I knew it was the one - even the model kind of looks like Gabriella. Hope you agree with me.

For the bridesmaid dress, this photo is defaulted to yellow. To view the color of the dress, select black and for the trim select ivory, and you'll see the image of the dress that Sharpay, Taylor, Kelsi, and Martha wears.