Hey guys! This is the final chapter of House that Built Me! Thank so much for your awesome reviews! Seriously, i smile like a big weirdo everytime i read them. You guys kick ass. I am probably going to upload a chapter of Kissin in the rain today and one or two tomorrow. I am going camping like in the middle of nowhere where cell phones don't even work so i am definately not going to have wifi. I know it sucks. I hope ya'll will forgive me. Anywho i'll be back on the 12th. So i'll pick up on monday the 13th I promise :) Thank you guys for everything again.

"You leave home, you move on
and you do the best you can.
I got lost in this old world
and forgot who i am."

September 13, 2012- Nashville, Tennessee

I held the magazine in my hand and sighed. This is why I didn't read magazines. I hate that I pulled Troy and Carter into my mess. I looked at the magazine again. 'Gabriella Montez with Mystery man and Child. Does America's Sweetheart have a secret?' That was the ridiculous headline. It was followed by a picture of Troy with his arm wrapped around me at the beach in Hawaii. Carter was looking back at us, laughing at something Troy said.

In August we went to Hawaii, the three of us. We went for a week, nothing special. I just needed a little vacation and invited Troy and Carter along. It was literally a perfect week. Now I have to deal with this crap. I was tired of paparazzi and being in the spotlight.

I picked up my phone and called Troy. I sat down on my couch, pulling my knees up to my chest. I was alone in my house, as usual. "Hello?" I heard him pick up the phone.

"Hey Troy." I said quietly.

"Hey Gabi, what's the matter?" He asked. I don't know how he sensed it but he knew something was up.

I sighed. "I'm sorry, Troy."

"For what?" He asked. "Carter, put your seatbelt on."

I looked at the time. I groaned. "I'm so sorry, I forgot about the time difference. I didn't know you were picking up Carter."

He chuckled. "Gabi, it's fine. Tell me what's bothering you."

I ran a hand through my hair. "My mom brought over a stupid magazine and there are pictures of me, you, and Carter at the beach. I need to call Sharpay and have her handle it. I didn't want you guys to be in the media like that. I'm sorry Troy." I sighed again.

"It's fine Gabriella. I don't know anybody to recognize me." He said with a chuckle. "I'm surprised my mom hasn't called me yet."

"Troy" I whined. "It's not funny. I don't want to freak you out, seriously. I like you and Carter and I want to keep you guys around."

"Don't worry about it Gabi, We're not going anywhere." He said before pausing. "Speaking of the devil. My mom is calling me, so I'll call you when I get home, alright?"

"Alright, I'll talk to you later." I said hanging up. I dialed Sharpay's number.

August 20, 2012- Maui, Hawaii

"Gabi, look at this view!" Troy said, standing on the balcony of our hotel room. "I can't believe we got a hotel so close to the ocean!"

"I wanna see Daddy!" Carter said, hitting Troy's leg.

I walked over and picked him up. "Can you see it or am I too short?" Carter just laughed and Troy took him. I leaned against Troy's side. "It is pretty breathtaking." I agreed with him.

"Thank you for inviting us, and setting this up Gabi. It's amazing." Troy said, wrapping his arm around me. "Seriously. This is a once in a lifetime chance for guys like me and Carter"

I smiled at him. "I wouldn't want to spend my Hawaiian vacation with anybody else. I'm glad you are here to protect me and I didn't have to drag Chad away from Taylor."

We landed in Maui a couple of hours ago. I was so excited for our little vacation. Carter, Troy and I were having a blast. "We should go to the beach." Troy said looking at me.

"Yes!" I said walking over to my suitcase. I changed into my bathing suit in the bathroom. When I came out the boys were ready too. I grabbed a towel and a pair of sunglasses. "We ready?"

Carter ran over to me and held my hand. "Come on Daddy." We walked out of the room and onto the hotels beach. Carter let go of my hand and ran toward the water.

Troy came up next to me and wrapped his arm around my waist. "Don't go in to far! The sharks are gonna get you." Troy joked.

Carter laughed and shook his head. "Sharks eat fish daddy." He slowly walked in the water, lowering himself in.

I laid out my towel and sat down on it. Troy sat next to me and smiled. "You enjoying the beginning of your vacation?" He rubbed my knee slowly.

I smiled and nodded. "I am, This is the most relaxed I've felt in years." I laid back and Troy laid on his stomach next to me.

"Well you deserve something nice like this. You are an amazing person." He scooted up so his face was closer to mine.

I smiled at him. "You deserve it too. You've worked hard for the past five years. You are a fantastic father to Carter." I looked up at him. "Do you ever want more kids?"

"Someday. When I find the right woman, I don't want anymore the way I got Carter." He put a curl behind my ear. "Do you want kids?"

"Someday." I said looking at him. "Hopefully soon, I'm almost thirty, I'm getting up there."

Troy rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Well no matter how old you get you will always be beautiful." I put my hand on the back of his neck. I pulled him down to meet my lips with his. I gave him a light kiss and he pulled away. "I really like you Gabi and I don't want to mess it up."

"I like you too Troy." I said quietly. "You won't mess it up."

He sighed. "I just, I want to kiss you I really do but I want it to be special. Not one in the kitchen or on the beach. I want your heart to pound and feel the tingles buzz throughout your body because that is how you make me feel whenever you touch me." He smiled at me. "Hopefully someday soon I'll get the courage to ask you out on a real date."

"Daddy! Gabi! Let's build a sandcastle." Carter yelled from a couple feet away.

I smiled at him and got up. "Come on big Daddy, duty calls." I held out my hand. He took it and I helped him up.

October 17, 2012- Nashville, Tennessee

Thankfully the whole Troy thing blew over with the help of Sharpay. She was an amazing publicist. Troy and Carter came out for the weekend of Carter's birthday. He said he wanted to come see me so Me and Troy set it up. I cleaned up like a madwoman prepping my house for them. I knew Troy wouldn't care but I wanted to impress.

I was right. Troy couldn't care less if the house was spotless. Chad and Taylor took Carter to get some ice cream. Troy and Chad became good friends. Carter adored Chad. Troy was working on something on his computer up in the guest room.

Troy and I went out on a date when I came to Albuquerque to meet his parents. Lucille and Jack Bolton were very nice. His mom was a little star struck as he predicted. She was a great woman though. She and Jack took Carter for night when we went on our date. Our date was perfect, we went to dinner and a movie and we decided we would take a try at a relationship. I got the Okay from Carter to date his dad.

I laid on my bed, reading a book. I had my headphones plugged in my ears. I sang along with the song that was playing as I flipped the page. A heavy figure laid on my bed next to me, slipping the book out of my hands. I looked up to see Troy, closing the book, putting it on the nightstand. "I thought you were working." I said, pausing my iPod, putting it next to the book.

"I heard this amazing voice down the hall and it distracted me from my work. I had to find out where it was coming from." Troy wrapped his arms around me. "I'm guessing it came from right here." He put his finger against my lips.

I bit his finger gently and he pulled away. I giggled and wrapped my arms around him. I leaned down and kissed his lips gently. He laid me back against my pillow. I played with the back of his hair before disconnecting our lips. "I don't think I could ever get tired of that." I said, dreamily.

"Your lips are irresistible, If it was up to me our kisses would be very worn out by now." He smiled at me before getting up. "I have to get back to work." He winked at me before walking out of the room.

My jaw dropped as he walked out of the room. I giggled and got up quietly. I tip-toed across the hall and peaked in the guest room. Troy was sitting on the computer. I smirked to myself and walked into the room. I picked up his laptop and put it on the dresser across the room. I walked over to Troy and pushed him against the bed. I wrapped his arms around me and kissed his lips firmly. "Work can wait."

Troy chuckled and kissed my lips back firmly. His arms tightened around me, pulling me against him. I licked his bottom lip gently and he parted his lips. I felt the butterflies flush through my stomach as his tongue brushed against mine. I moved my hands up his shirt slowly. Where did this man have the time to work out? He was seriously ripped.

He pulled his lips away from mine slowly. His taste lingered on my tongue. I laid back and opened my eyes and looked at him. My hands still roamed his chest. He looked down at me. "Sorry, I just…. I don't think I could have stopped if I went any further." I dragged my fingernails down his abs slowly. He shuddered slightly. "A-and you are not helping."

I smiled at him and wrapped my arms around him. "I'm sorry." I said innocently. I placed a light kiss on his lips.

March 28, 2013- Albuquerque, New Mexico

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday Dear Troy, Happy birthday to you." Carter, Troy's Parents and I sang to him in the kitchen of the house. His mom bought him his favorite ice cream cake and I stuck a candle in it and we sang.

We were having a little celebration before Troy and I went up to Santa Fe to stay the night at a nice hotel up there. Troy's parents were in town to watch Carter while we got our get away. I kissed his lips gently as I sat next to him. "Thank you babe." He said smiling at me.

I took a break from recording to spend time with Troy and Carter. I've been staying with him for the last month. I was going to stay a couple more weeks until I went back to Nashville. I put my career on hiatus for now. I've been writing songs like crazy still and when I get back into the studio I would have a lot to work with.

"Gabi, Can you help me?" Carter asked, tugging on my hand.

"Sure," I said getting up. Carter walked upstairs with me and we into his room.

"Can I get help with Daddy's present?" Carter asked looking up at me. "Remember what we got him?"

Carter and I went shopping earlier in the week and we got him a couple things. "We forgot to wrap them huh?" He nodded. "Let's get some wrapping paper." I ran into Troy's room and got some wrapping paper, scissors and tape. I helped Carter wrap the presents and he took them down stairs.

I went back down and sat back where I was. "What are these Carter?" Troy asked, taking the presents from Carter.

"Presents, from me and Gabi." The 6-year-old explained. "I picked them out!" I picked Carter up and sat him on my lap.

He unwrapped the first present. "You got me a shirt and a tie." He said chuckling. "I love it." He opened the smaller one and let out a whistle. "A watch. Damn, this looks expensive. I don't want to touch it."

I rolled my eyes. "It matches your tie." I said giggling. "Carter did a great job didn't he honey?"

"He sure did." Troy said putting the watch and it's case on the table. "thank you Carter. Thanks Gab." I winked at him in response.

We ate our cake then Troy and I headed out to the hotel. Once we got to the room I saw Troy flop on the bed. "Tired birthday boy?" I asked, walking into the bathroom. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail.

"I'm exhausted." He said. He rolled around on the bed and I watched him walk out. "Gab could you get some ice? I'm thirsty"

"I love getting ice." I said running over to get the ice bucket. "I'll be right back. I love you" I leaned over and gave him a kiss.

"I love you too" He said smiling at me.

I walked out of the room and down the hall. I hummed to myself quietly and stood in front of the ice machine. I put the bucket under the ice machine and pushed the button. "Are you Gabriella Montez?" I heard from behind me. I turned around and saw a teenaged girl. "Oh my goodness you are. I think I'm going to faint." She fanned her face.

I giggled. "Please don't faint." I picked up my ice bucket. "What's your name sweetheart?"

"Chloe." She said wide eyed. "I'm such a big fan. I love your music. I literally sing it at the top of my lungs and I annoy my brother." She said with a big smile.

"That is exactly how you should sing all the time." I joked.

"What are you doing in Santa Fe? If you don't mind me asking. Are you putting out a new album soon?" She bombarded me with questions.

I giggled again. "I'm just on a little vacation. I'm about to get back in the studio next month so you should expect a new album, hopefully by mid November to early December."

She squealed. "I am going to be the first in line to buy one! I am so excited. I can't believe I just met you!" She smiled at me. "Can I give you a hug?"

I smiled. "Sure." I hugged the girl and she hugged me back tightly. "I have to get going but it was nice to meet you Chloe."

"Nice to meet you too Gabriella Montez." She said dreamily. I turned the opposite direction and walked back to the room. I knocked on the door and put a piece of ice in my mouth.

Troy opened the door and took the ice bucket from me. "Welcome back." He said chuckling.

I smiled and chewed on the piece of ice. I walked in and saw he set up the room romantically. He lit some candles and put some rose petals on the bed. I choked on my piece of ice. He patted my back a couple times before I swallowed it. I coughed. "Sorry. Wow baby. This looks great."

He smiled at me. "I'm glad you think so."

"I should be doing all of this for you! It's your birthday!" I said with a slight pout. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead.

"Don't worry about it baby honestly." He said smiling at me. He walked over to the bed and set me down on the bed. "Do you know what would be the best birthday present ever?"

I looked up at him and shook my head. "What would be?" I watched him as he dropped down on one knee. I froze in place.

"The best birthday present anyone could ever get me is if you would agree to be my wife. I can't imagine Carter and My future without you by my side. You are absolutely perfect. I love you so much and ever since you walked into my life you have made me and my son so much happier. One of the best thing I've ever done was bought your house because it brought me the love of my life. Gabi, will you marry me?" He pulled out a velvet box and opened it revealing a diamond ring.

I stared at him astonished. A smile crept on my face and I nodded my head. "Yes." I said hoarsely. "Yes, I will marry you." I said again normally. I watched Troy slip the ring on my finger. We stood up at the same time and he wrapped his arms around my waist. He connected his lips against mine, lifting me off the ground.

June 9, 2014- Albuquerque, New Mexico

"Are you ready to get married Gabi?" Sharpay asked me giving my make up a slight touch up.

"I am beyond ready." I said smiling. "I am so excited."

Troy and I decided on a small wedding, just close friends and family. We wouldn't have a wedding party, it would just be us. We decided to get married at the house, under my tree. I was beyond thrilled about becoming Mrs. Troy Bolton. When I announced my engagement our relationship got a little rocky but we prevailed.

I sold my house in Tennessee and moved back to Albuquerque and in with Carter and Troy. Carter was going to be a part of the ceremony. We were equally excited when we decided I was going to adopt him. The first time he called me mom, I cried my eyes out, in a good way of course.

"It's time to go Gabi." Shar said as she looked at the time then peaked out the window.

I got up and we took a detour through the house and out the front door. I met my dad at the side gate. "You look beautiful Gabi." He whispered before kissing my cheek.

"Thanks daddy." I said smiling at him. Dad and I started walking to the backyard. I walked down the small aisle and down to my fiancé. Dad gave me away.

The ceremony started and I looked at Troy who was staring back at me. He ran his thumbs across the top of my hands. "The couple has decided to say a little something. Troy would you like to start?"

Troy nodded and cleared his throat, causing me to smile. "I first met you Gabi when you came to my doorstep asking me if you could walk around my house. I was a man with a five year old, working my life away. But you changed me for the better. You taught me so many things about life and love. You are the most beautiful and down to earth superstar I've ever met. I couldn't believe that a woman who had everything would come back to a house that she grew up in just to take a look around. I am so glad you did baby and I'm so glad I bought this house. I hope in the coming years through fights and make ups and rumors and truth we will still live in love that we are in now. I love you with all of my heart Gabi and I couldn't find anybody that I would love to share my life with more." I squeezed his hand. He released one of my hands to wipe a tear from my cheek.

"Gabriella?" The man said standing next to us.

I nodded. "When I moved away from this house when I was twenty I thought I would never be able to step foot in here again. When the opportunity came I had to jump on it. When I first saw you I thought you were gorgeous. But you are so much more than just a beautiful man. You are a loving father and a wonderful partner. Being in the business many people lose sight of reality. I did everything I could to not slip into something I couldn't get out of. It was hard living in the world with a missing piece of me. For the longest time I thought it was the house. It wasn't just the house. It was inside of the house, love and family and You and Your son. You and Carter completed my heart. I built myself inside of this house and I finally completed me, with you. I love you Troy and I love Carter and I don't want to live without either of you." I finished with a smile.

We went though the traditional ceremony and when the time came Troy leaned down and kissed my lips. People stayed over for a couple hours. Troy and I slipped away halfway through the party. We went up to our room and laid on the bed. "How does it feel to be Mrs. Bolton?" Troy asked kissing up my arm, slowly.

"It feels amazing." I smiled and gave him a kiss. "I love you husband."

"I love you too wife." He smiled. "you know I thought superstars don't change their last name."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Well I'm not your typical superstar."

He pulled me against him, kissing my neck. "You are my superstar."

"I really did come here looking for my missing piece. I thought I could find my self here." I said quietly. "But I found something so much better… You."

Troy smiled at me and kissed my lips firmly. "I am so glad I bought this house." He said enthusiastically.

I giggled quietly. "Me too."

"I thought if i could touch this place or feel it
The brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it's like im someone else.
I thought that maybe i could find myself.
If i could walk around i swear i'll leave.
Wont take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me."

Based on "The House that Built Me" Performed by Miranda Lambert