[A/N] here it is, the long awaited finale! Thank you to all who have reviewed and stuck by this story! Now please enjoy, and review! And there were 2 ways this chapter could have gone, in the end I chose this.

Chapter 20: 'You Stay with Me'

"If I can't give You anymore than weathered ships and distant shores…"

"Would You still be My Compass?"

"Cause You keep Loving Me the same."

"I don't know how, but You still Stay with Me, baby."

"You Stay with Me, baby."

Faith Hill 'You Stay with Me'.

Your wife of six years comes out onto your California beach home patio carrying a cake with 6 little candles on it. The weather is beautiful and life is going good. All of your childhood friends, and your folks, made the trip out for this joyous event. Three small children are at the head of the table, with paper party hats on their curly brown haired heads. Your wife places the cake down in front of them, and she smiles happily at you, she made that cake from scratch, after burning the first two attempts. Everyone joins in on a very excited rendition of 'Happy Birthday'. As the song ends your three little ones blow out the six candles in front of them, happy they can finally stuff their faces with the cake your wife had been working on all week.

"Daddy, why does Mommy always wear that heart on her finger?" Caden, your son, asks referring to the heart shaped ring on his Mother's right ring finger.

"Well, I gave your Mom that ring to celebrate our first wedding anniversary." You, Troy, smiled at your wife, Gabriella, as she cuts the cake for your guests.

"Well why don't you have one like that Daddy?" Caden asked again, this time with a very serious look about him.

"You see Caden, when I gave Mommy that ring I made a very special promise to her…" Troy pauses looking around at the eager faces waiting to hear the rest.

"I told her 'days will come and go, tides will rise and fall, but the promise I make today is unwavering. Nothing and no one will ever be able to shake it or question it, no matter the time or circumstance. My love for you is true and undying; you can hold me to it. I'm staying with you until my dying day, and if I go first, I will wait. I love you Brie, forever and ever.'" Troy looked Gabriella straight in the soul and repeated the words which could always drive her to tears, and today was absolutely no exception.

"I love you Troy Bolton…" Gabriella smiled through sweet tears.

"I love you too Gabriella Bolton…" Troy stood up, wrapped Gabi in his arms, and placed a passionate kiss on her lips as their family and friends looked on happily.

"Mommy! Daddy! Eww!" all three kids exclaimed as they watched their parents kiss.

"Ohh, sush little ducklings. You'll do that one day too…" Gabriella smiled down at her three small children, before going in for another kiss.

"Dance with me?" Gabriella holds out her hand to Troy later that night after the kids had been put to bed.

"Sure Mrs. Bolton…" Troy smiled following Gabriella into the center of their small living room.

Gabriella switched on their stereo and within a few seconds their song filled the air. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's 'It's Your Love' had been their song for years. They danced to it at their wedding and every anniversary since then. Troy quietly hummed the words into Gabriella's ear as he held her close.

Dancin' in the dark
Middle of the night
Takin' your heart
And holdin' it tight
Emotional touch
Touchin' my skin
And askin' you to do
What you've been doin' all over again
Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
I just gotta let you know
What it is that won't let me go

"You know, I can't see how I am ever going to get over you…" Gabriella had a hint of humor and sensuality in her voice as she gleamed at Troy.

"Oh, well then I guess you're stuck with me." Troy smiled and rested his head in the crook of Gabriella's neck.

It's your love
It just does somethin' to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
Oh, it's your love

"You happy?" Gabriella asked as they swayed to the music.

"Of course I am. I am the happiest man alive Brie, and that's only because I am married to you." Troy smiled as Gabriella pecked him on the cheek.

Better than I was
More than I am
And all of this happened
By takin' your hand
And who I am now
Is who I wanted to be
And now that we're together
I'm stronger than ever
I'm happy and free
Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
And if you asked me why I've changed
All I gotta do is say your sweet name

"Is this forever…?" Gabriella was lost in the passion and emotion of the song her voice faded out in the affection of the question.

"I pray it is… I'd die if I ever lost you!" Troy looked straight into Gabriella's soul sending a shock right through her… like when they had first met all those years ago.

It's your love
It just does somethin' to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
Oh, it's your love

Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
I just gotta let you know
What it is that won't let me go

"I'm always gonna love you for giving me those babies…" Gabriella smiled as their beautiful children crossed her mind.

"Well, it was my pleasure." Troy grinned like the ornery kid he was, and Gabriella him loved for that.

It's your love
It just does somethin' to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
Oh, it's your love

"I hope this spell I'm under is never, ever lifted." Troy breathily spoke against Gabriella's neck sending shivers down her spine.

"Me too… you're it for me. My beginning and my ending." Gabriella teared up as Troy stayed locked on her eyes, cutting to her soul, her spirit, who she was and who he loved her for.

It's your love
It's your love

"I love you Troy." Gabriella looked into Troy's soul the same as he had with her, deep.

"I love you too Brie." Troy shivered at the intense connection they shared as the song ended.

"Mom, Zoey had a nightmare." Capri called holding the hand of her almost 3-year-old sister.

"Ohh, did mommy's baby have a bad dream?" Gabriella cooed as she scooped the little sandy-blonde girl into her arms.

The little girl babbled on in a frightened tone as Troy kissed Capri on the head and sent her back to bed. She was only six, but in the third grade. Both Troy and Gabi were very proud of her. Chris, how they now called him, was only in the first grade, but took third grade math. Caden, he was different on the other hand, he is autistic, but he soared in all his classes. They were very proud of all four, yes four, of their children.

Zoey Halla Bolton was born a month and two days after the triplets turned three. She was a surprise, but loved and wanted. Her name said it all. Zoey means life, and Halla means unexpected gift. She was life's unexpected gift to them.

They tried two years before Gabriella had become pregnant again. Gabriella was about ready to give up when she saw those two bold purple lines on that white stick. Joy and happy tears echoed off the couple's bedroom that March morning, later replaced by passionate moans and cries of 'I love you' at the top of their lungs. They were happy, and life had been going great ever since then.

"Okay, miss Zoey is asleep now!" Gabriella exclaimed joining Troy back in the living room.

"One more dance, please?" Troy grinned as he glided over to the stereo.

"Of course you can." Gabriella giggled as Troy searched for another special song of theirs.

Just as Troy was about to begin the song a loud banging came from behind them in the corner by the front window. There their dog Bea had knocked over Gabriella easel and art supplies. Gabi shooed the little dog away as she cleaned up the fallen canvases, scattered brushes and pencils, and splattered paint from its tubes. Troy chuckled as Gabriella scolded the dog, and attempted to reorganize her things.

Troy walked over to where Gabriella was crouched down cleaning the paint off of their hardwood floor. He helped her, and once finished Gabriella took the paint-stained towels to the kitchen sink. Troy stood in the doorway watching Gabriella, the soft glow off the moon framing her face just right, and he, for the first time in ages bowed his head to pray. There, in their kitchen he thanked God for the woman who'd he give his own life for. The reason he breathed, cried, laughed, believed, hoped, dreamed, yelled, cursed, drank, ate, slept, was a father and would be again, his passion, and drive. His life. She was his whole life… and leaving her had never crossed his mind, ever.

He then looked around their home as Gabriella continued to clean. Pictures of them and the triplets when they were babies. Their birthdays, anniversaries, wedding day, Halloween, Christmas, 4th of July, all those hot summers they spent on the beach… and one of his favorites, the day they found out little Zoey was on the way.

Then he glanced over the living room. Toys preoccupied every surface they could; Gabriella's sketch pad lay open with her pencil case next to it on the couch. The coffee table held an array of things, newspapers, magazines, coloring books, a Bible, another of Gabriella's sketch pads, their cordless phone, both Troy and Gabriella's cell phones, Gabi's iPod, their Wii controllers, TV remote, and Troy's favorite thing… a picture of Gabriella with the triplets while she was pregnant with Zoey.

He smiled to himself, unaware Gabriella was sneaking up behind him. She threw her arms around his chest and he kissed her hand. They stared lovingly into each other's eyes for a moment, until Troy realized Gabriella still owed him that dance.

"I believe you still owe me a dance Mrs. Bolton." Troy smiled brightly as he led Gabriella back into the center of their living room.

"Well, I believe I do… Wildcat." Gabriella breathily whispered against Troy's ear as he brought her in close. It instantaneously sent chills down Troy's spine, as his age-old nickname had only been used for their love making.

Troy kissed Gabriella's neck before pushing 'Play' on the stereo remote in his hand.

TV flashes down the hall
Painting pictures on the wall
And you're still sleeping on my knees
And in the glow of silver light
I trace the lines above your eyes
Just another wrinkle that you can blame on me

"Ahh, I knew you'd pick this one…" Gabriella smiled happily as that very special song filled the room.

"Well, it holds truth, right baby?" Troy asked keeping Gabi close as their stare grew more intense with very sway.

But I can hear the current of the freeway in the distance
If I keep listening
And I wonder if you ever thought of streaming off
Somewhere with it
Am I not what you thought
Will you get tired of what you got

If I can't give you anymore
Than weathered ships and distant shores
Would you still be my compass
'cause you keep loving me the same
I don't know how but you still stay with me, baby
You stay with me, baby

"I can't believe how true that song is to us? 6 years, 4 kids, and you're still hanging around?! God knows I gave you so many reasons not to stay, but you did…" Gabriella let tears flow as Troy kissed them away.

"Yeah, I did stay. I could've left, but didn't." Troy spoke with pride and care as he ran a loving hand through Gabriella's raven hair.

Another day, another week
we'll slip back in old routines
'til nights like these come in between
Simple moments in the dark
Ones that life can't tear apart
They come along just when we need

"Why'd you stay all those years ago? We were 17 and pregnant, most teenage boys would run. But not you. Instead you married me, took me into your house and under your wing, you loved me… you stayed even when I ran. Why Troy?" Gabriella asked her voice soft but her eyes serious with need.

"Because, I needed you and you needed me. We were two babies having babies… God knew we needed each other. And I let you run 'cause you'd come back, I knew you would." Troy's tone matched Gabriella's as they swayed gently to the music.

And I still hear the current of the freeway in the distance
But I stop listening
'cause I know you'll stay even though the waves are always shifting

We're fighting our way through
I guess I always knew

"How did you know I would come back for sure? I know I'd said so, but, that didn't mean I would. So, how did you know?" Gabriella asked her eyes saying what her heart couldn't. She needed to know why.

"Because you loved me… and I know you'd never leave, not even now, because it would hurt too damn much." Troy teared up as he made that sweet admission.

"I know we promised each other to fight for this, and we have had our struggles. But how do I know we will stay together?" Gabriella dared Troy with her smooth as velvet voice asking such a serious question.

"Because I love you, and can't live without seeing your face every morning… and I know you feel the same." Troy kissed Gabriella's forehead as he answered with raw honesty in his tone.

If I can't give you anymore
Than weathered ships and distant shores
Would you still be my compass
'cause you keep loving me the same
I don't know how but you still stay with me, baby
You stay with me, baby

"You gave up U of A for me…" Gabriella locked sincere eyes with Troy.

"You gave up Stanford for me…" Troy sighed as he played with Gabriella's golden wedding band on her finger.

"You got fired from that job when I was pregnant with Zoey…" Gabriella sighed as she ran her fingers over Troy's scarred knuckles from where he'd worked in a steel factory.

"You worked 3 after that happened… and you were 7 months along at the time it happened too." Troy chuckled thinking back on the memory.

"I almost miscarried…" Gabriella teared up at the thought of almost losing Zoey.

"I made you quit when that happened…" Troy had a triumphed smile on his face.

"I hated you for making me do that!" Gabriella slapped Troy's chest playfully.

"We got into a screaming fight over it…" Troy kinked his eyebrow, making Gabriella's legs turn into jelly.

"And then made love on that chaise lounge on the back deck all night long…" Gabriella smiled seductively, causing Troy's pants to become a bit tight in the zipper.

"Hmm, I loved how darning you were…" Troy huskily spoke against Gabriella's neck, causing her hair to stand up on end.

'cause you keep loving me the same
I don't know how but you still stay with me, baby
You stay with me, baby

TV flashes down the hall
Painting pictures on the wall…

The song ended, but they didn't stop swaying. Holding onto each other, just dying to be close. Troy kissed Gabriella's neck fierily, as Gabi's hands roamed Troy's muscular body.

"I sang that to you for our first wedding anniversary… and I meant every word of it then and… now." Gabriella smiled brightly as her hand traveled down and rested over her slightly rounded stomach.

"Hum, hey there little one… this is your daddy and I love you very much." Troy dropped to his knees and talked to him and Gabriella's unborn baby and kissed its mother's bare stomach.

"And your mommy loves you too little one…" Gabriella rubbed her belly as she and Troy gazed lovingly into each other's eyes.

"And they said we couldn't have anymore." Troy smiled as he stood back to his feet and interlaced their fingers.

"Ummhmm, but I guess God decided differently… kinda like with us baby." Gabriella smiled as Troy wrapped her into his strong embrace.

"I love you Gabriella." Troy smiled happily holding his girl close.

"I love you too Troy." Gabriella couldn't wipe the happy grin off her face as Troy leaned in to give her the most passionate kiss he could manage.

Pulling out of the kiss, leaning their foreheads together, breathing in the other, and holding onto their hearts and minds they spoke their promise they had made many years ago: "I'll be there for you…"

And they meant every word of it.

Wow! And there you go. This story was truly a pleasure for me to write. I grew as a writer while writing this, and you all stuck by me, which is the greatest reward in itself.

I want to thank you all for reviewing and favoring this story. I went through a lot in my personal life while writing this, so that equaled in crazy updating, but you kid's still kept reading! And I love you all for that.

Thank you again for reading.

~ Cassie…

I really suggest you look up the songs from this chapter. One being the inspiration for this story!

'It's Your Love' by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

'You Stay with Me' by Faith Hill. (where this story came from)