Bolton Family
Troy Alexander Bolton- 39: October 10th 1991
Gabriella 'Gabi, Gabs or Brie' Carmen Bolton- 38: April 27th 1992
Antonio 'Toni' James Bolton- 17: April 15th 2012
Sarah Anne-Marie Bolton- 15: September 11th 1214
Sebastian 'Seb' Steven Bolton- 12: February 24th 2017
Rodrigo 'Rod or Rory' Elliot Bolton- 12: February 24th 2017
Erin Callie Bolton- 9: December 6th 2020
Lily Robyn Bolton- 7: August 23rd 2022
Jonathon 'Jonny or John' Michael Bolton- 6: October 3rd 2023
Charli Anthony Bolton- 4: April 15th 2025
Matthew 'Matt or Matty' Richard Bolton- 3: November 1st 2026
Harry Philip Bolton- 3: November 1st 2026
Danforth family
Taylor Jennifer Danforth- 38: November 26th 1991
Chad Samuel Danforth- 38: January 10th 1992
Nikita 'Niki , Nik, Kit or Kitty' Emily Danforth- 17: July 27th 2012
Tyler 'Ty' Conrad Danforth- 4: May 2nd 2025
Sophie Paige Danforth- 3 months: September 9th 2029
Baylor family
Zeke Warren Baylor- 38: March 8th 1992
Sharpay Hannah Baylor- 38: June 13th 1992
Thomas 'Tom' Kieran Baylor- 18: October 18th 2011
Daniel 'Dan or Dani' Henry Baylor- 15: September 13th 2014
Imogen Cassie Baylor- 13: November 26th 2016
Evans family
Ryan Lucas Evans- 38: June 13th 1992
Cameron Perry Evans-38: April 30th 1992
Edward 'Eddie or Ed' Wilson Evans- 17: January 1st 2012
Georgia 'Georgie' Karen Evans- 12: March 20th 2017
Cross family
Jason Allen Cross- 38: July 12th 1992
Kelsi Lily Cross- 38: July 14th 1992
Alison 'Ali or Alice' Catrin Cross- 17: June 19th 2012
Jack Liam Cross- 13: September 21st 2016
Lucy Holly Cross- 3: October 7th 2026
Oliver 'Oli' Troy Cross- 6 months: June 8th 2029
25th December 2029
If you turn from the so popular park in the middle of south Albuquerque, carry on down the street to number 157 you wouldn't expect the oh so quite house hold to be the HQ of a clever plan, plotted by the youngest of minds. It wasn't any ordinary day though today was Christmas morning. And the cluster of Bolton kids was standing in the doorway of their parent's bedroom. Ten in total stood waiting for the sleeping adults to awake.
The tallest and oldest child stood forward to talk to the youngest of the crowd. He was tall and muscular like the man in the bed; had an olive skin complexion; straight shaggy dark brown hair; dark blue eyes with brown edging and went by the name of Toni Bolton due to the disliking of his full name Antonio. "Remember guys no jumping on mom, just dad okay?" He warned, only to receive nods of acknowledgement from only four of the five siblings in front of him.
"Why?" This confused young boy had 9 pairs of eyes staring at him. "What? I didn't break it." These words made the others laugh softly, not wanting to wake the sleeping others.
Toni bent down to his brother's level. If you saw these two you could tell they were related. Despite the dramatic age, of 13 years, and height difference little 4-year-old Charli was a splitting image of his older brother. "We're not blaming you for anything Lee," he explained, using his nickname, "It's just that if you jump on Mom you might hurt the baby in her tummy, and we don't want that do we?" the violent nodding from the boy was enough to confirm the understanding. "Rod, wake up mom but make sure dad doesn't feel or hear anything."
It did seem that Toni was the brains behind the mischievous plot but the real mastermind was the 9-year-old keeping back unseen in the crowd. Curly dark brown haired; brown eyed Erin Bolton had the 'dark gift' and was the genius in her grade just like her mother was, but she didn't always use her intelligence to the full potential it could reach.
Getting back to the plan, Rodrigo Bolton successfully lead his 6 month pregnant mother, after fooling the other adult with the quick manovering of a pillow, to where all the rest of her offspring were. Twins Rodrigo and Sebastian Bolton- both named after their mother's family members- were mature twelve year olds, looking surprisingly like their father. They both were fairly tall for there age; good athletic bodies; their father's trademark blue eyes; straight raven black hair that, like most the boys in the family, hung over their eyes scruffily and finally an olive skin complexion, the only trait all the Bolton children shared.
"I feel that something cruel is about to happen" Gabriella Bolton said her eyes narrowing at her kids in front of her.
"Oh we are just teaching our father a lesson." Sarah Bolton replied before shouting "GO WAKE DAD UP GUYS" with that 8 children charged to the king sized bed in the room. The other 3 were just laughing as all of the others jumped on the slumbering figure in the bed.
Sarah Bolton was a beautiful 15-year-old girl. 5" 2inches tall; had a healthy, toned body; an olive sin complexion; curly, light brown, shoulder length hair and her mother's brown eyes.
"Aaaaaaaaaaah!" The man jumped up and quickly looked around to see who had woken him up from his peaceful slumber. "You little terrors" he scolded.
"You know they get it from you honey" Gabriella Bolton said to her husband of 18 years. The three standing Boltons made their way over to the bed. Toni and Sarah sat at the foot of the bed, each with one of the three-year-old twins sat on their lap while Gabriella took her place next to her now wide-awake husband.
"Can I just be the first to say?" Toni started "Merry Christmas," Gabriella smiled proudly at her oldest son. He had grown up to be a thoughtful and caring young man and was always looking out for his siblings, helping out with their homework giving that he got his mother's brains. "It's funny to think that this is the last Christmas that I will wake up in this place," It was true, after the school year was finished, Toni and his girlfriend Nikita Danforth (Chad and Taylor's daughter) and his other friends were moving into a shared apartment close to the campus of the UNM with each other. Niki was taking medicine, were as Toni was taking music. The parents didn't mind because they practically lived in each other's houses anyway. "But on the good side you'll have the little one to take my place"
"Nobody will take your place Toni" His mother reassured him.
"Bu- I'll miss ya" Little Benjamin, one of the younger twins, squeaked. The current youngest of the Bolton kids, identical twins Ben and Matt, were a good mix of both of their parents. They had dark brown eyes; dirty blond, long-ish, straight hair; their dad's heart stopping smile and tanned skin.
"We all will" Sarah said "Some more than others" She added, sadness evident in her voice.
"Hey, little sis' I'm only a 20 minute drive or a phone call away." Toni softly spoke before squeezing his little sister into a tight hug.
"Ok before we all start crying everyone better get ready. Because Sharpay will probably kill us if we are late." Troy said breaking up the brotherly sisterly moment that occasionally happened in the household.
"DAD!" 10 people screamed at Mr Bolton. All Gabriella did was give him a deserving smack around the head.
The mahogany door opened to reveal Tom Baylor, the oldest of the gang's children, Sharpay and Zeke's just-turned 18-year-old son. "Morning Tom," Troy said shaking his hand and stepping in the warm house after Gabriella detached herself from her godson.
Toni walked in after all of his brothers and sisters did and turned around to close the door behind him when a pair of hands covered his eyes. "Guess who?" The voice was so gentle and warm.
Deciding to play with the girl behind him he replied "Umm Eddie?"
"Ha ha really funny, two more guesses" The voice replied with a tad of sarcasm.
"Oh I don't know Ali?" he said cheekily.
"Nope, last guess" She was getting annoyed now.
"Well let's see, it must be my irresistible girl Miss Danforth. Am I right?"
"Turn around to find out air head," She spun him around and, before he could look at her, she locked his lips with her own.
"Defiantly…my…gorgeous…girlfriend," He exclaimed between short kisses. As her hands started to fiddle through his dark hair, his made their way to her perfectly toned backside.
"Bolton! Hands! Daughter! Ass! Off! Now!" Taylor said as she walked past to hang people's coats up in the closet near the front door. The couple broke apart, flustered and embarrassed.
"Sorry Taylor,"
"Sorry mom"
"Well, just thank god it wasn't your father who found you," She said. She then gestured to Toni. "Jacket honey," Toni took off his Super dry jacket and handed it over to Taylor who hung it up with the rest of the coats. "You better come in the lounge, Charli's wondering where his favourite 17–year-olds are." Taylor laughed.
The woman and slightly less red teenagers walked into the already overflowing room. "KITTY" Charli ran from whatever he was doing and jumped into the waiting arms. Nikita lifted the boy and rested him on her hip.
"So how's my favourite Bolton boy doing?" She asked. She smirked once Toni realized what she said.
"I'm okay Kitty." He then turned to his older brother "Told you I was her favourite." He teased sticking out his tongue.
"You had a bet on who was my favourite?" She asked.
"It was more of a fight" Toni replied. "That he won," he added in a whisper.
"You lost against a four-year-old?" He nodded "Pathetic"
"Hey, take that back" He defended stepping closer to her.
"Charli why don't you say hi to Tyler?" She asked referring to her younger brother and Charli's best friend.
"Ok see you later Kitty" with that he jumped out of her arms and walked over to Tyler. Toni was now inches away from her. She could feel his hot breath on her neck as he closed the space between them. She was now on tiptoes ready to start another make out session trying to reach her boyfriends height. He bent his head lower to her ear and whispered.
"You really think I'm gonna forgive you that quickly?" Leaving no time for her to answer he started to tickle her. Her soft giggling redirected everyone's attention to the two of them. Sensing the many eyes looking at them they took a look around to see all the eyes of the people on them. "Nothing to see here people," Toni said trying to hide his now scarlet face. Everyone just laughed at the comment and went back to what they were doing.
"Save it for when you're alone guys" The two turned around and there stood the small, but 17-year-old, figure of Ali Cross. Behind her was Ryan and Cameron's adopted son Edward. Dressed in shabby light washed jeans and a white dress shirt he looked scarily like his father (though the shirt was hanging out scruffily).
"Merry Christmas to you to Ali" He said before hugging her tightly.
"Dude you can let go of my girlfriend now," Ed warned him.
"I'm not interested in your girl, got my own right here," he said, stepping behind Niki and snaking his two arms around her slim waist making her back rest on his muscular chest.
"Well taking about couples, we saw Miss Sarah and Mr. Daniel getting rather close in here earlier, makes you feel like something is going on between them," Eddie exclaimed using a dodgy English accent.
"Nothings going on but I can tell you one thing," Tom said suddenly getting into the conversation.
"What?" Toni's over protective big brother side coming on.
"He certainly likes her in that way. Can't shut up about her," he answered and walked off.
"If he tries anything with her I will personally kill him," Toni whispered.
"Hey, she's old enough to make her own decisions now, back off ok babe," Niki said trying to calm her protective boyfriend down.
"No she's not, she's only fifteen…"
"We were that age when we started dating. Babe just let her be," Niki interrupted.
"Yeah I know but it's hard for me, I've always been the one she'd come for help, her shoulder to cry on. I just don't want to see her get hurt," Toni said.
"That's exactly how I felt, when you started dating,"
The two spun around and saw Chad standing there with the new addition to the Danforth's family, 3-month-old Sophie, in his arms. "Huh?" was all they could say.
"When you and Niki started dating that was exactly how I felt, but I learnt to trust you" Chad explained "Anyway Sophie wanted her older sister," Chad said handing the alert baby into her sister's awaiting arms. "By the way, we're opening the presents in 15 minutes"
"Thanks dad," Niki thanked and hugged him before he walked back over to Taylor.
"Can I hold her?" Toni nervously asked.
"Yeah of course," She carefully passed over the infant.
"She's bigger than the last time I saw her," She just nodded "She looks like you," That comment made her head rise to look at him with a smile.
"PRESENT TIME!" Zeke shouted.
Every person in the room gathered around the large Christmas tree in the cleared out Living room. About 6 couches were moved into a large circle leaving the floor for the kids to sit on. Toni and Niki sat next to Ali and Eddie who were in the mitts of a heated making out session. "Saveitforwhenyou'realoneguys" Toni mimicked.
"Ha Ha funny," Ali said once they pulled away, she was then about to smack him.
"Baby in arms, smacking is banned," He defended
"Your lucky this time Bolton" she said
"Oooh I'm so scared Cross," he said back.
"Kids stop fighting" Gabriella shouted. She was sat next to Kelsi who had Jason next to her holding baby Oliver. "He's gorgeous Kels," Gabi gushed over Oliver.
"Thanks Gabs, how's the pregnancy thing going?" She asked still a bit shy over the Oliver comment.
"It's great, because the kids don't bug me all the time and I'm going to get time off work to do nothing all day," Gabriella said.
"Well me and Kels have decided to stop having kids now right?" Jason said and Kelsi nodded.
"That's a shame you two always make cute kids!" Gabi added tickling Oli's feet. "He looks a lot like you Jase. Got your green eyes."
"And hopefully his eyesight," Kelsi continued.
Niki now had her little sister in her arms. She was sat on Toni's lap, leaning against his chest listening to his steady heartbeat whilst stroking Sophie's cheek.
"So let's see who Santa is this year is," everyone groaned. Being Santa included putting on a ridiculous Santa hat and handing out the large amount of presents under the tree. Troy managed to pull muscles in his back from last year where as Chad, the year before, stopped half way and went on 'strike'. It was simple the way you got chosen, everyone over the age of sixteen, minus the pregnant women, would be put on vote whoever got the most votes would have to deal with the task.
By now Niki, Toni and Sophie were drifting off to dreamland. "You tiered?" He whispered softly.
"That's what happens when your room is right next to your 3-month-old sister's, and she didn't sleep all last night. You?" she huffed barely able to keep her eyes open now.
"Let's just say I got the Christmas alarm this morning at 5:30am buy excited 3 and 4-year-olds jumping on me," he yawned. "Goodnight Kit,"
"It's 12:30 pm," She stated.
"Not the point," He whispered. Just as the two got comfortable with Niki's head resting in the crook of her soul mate's neck and his own resting on top of her's.
"This year, for the first time, it's a tie," Sharpay exclaimed "Niki and Toni both have 16 votes each,"
"Fix!" Toni shouted not opening an eye.
"Rules!" Zeke shouted back causing most of the people to laugh. "Get up lazy heads."
"But it's our first year," Niki groaned now wide-awake.
"As I say again," Zeke cleared his throat "Rules!"
"Okay we give in" Toni retorted giving up. The two stood up and handed the baby over to her mother and walked over to Zeke to fetch their hats. Zeke handed Niki an ordinary red and white hat but for Toni he revealed the same hat but with fake white plaited pigtails coming from each side and 'Mrs.Clause' written on the brimming. "You never were my favourite Uncle, Zeke!" he scolded. "Okay first present Mrs. Clause will deliver today is…" Toni started deciding just to go along with the joke. "For Master. Jack Cross from the Danforth family. Merry Christmas Jack," Toni exclaimed talking in a high-pitched voice making a fool of himself.
Jack opened the rectangular present. In it sat a khaki converse messenger bag and a glasses case. He flipped open the case to see the new pair of glasses he had wanted for a while. "Thank you so much," he thanked looking up at Chad and Taylor with wide eyes.
"Your dad said you've wanted those glasses for ages so we thought it might be a good idea," Chad replied.
"Okay next delivery…" Niki started.
And so it went on, people opening their presents thanking each other until there was two presents left. The one from the adults to the kids and the other to the adults from the kids.
Tom stood up and cleared his throat "Being the oldest 'kid'" he air quoted "I am honoured to tell you that for our present to the adults this year, we have arranged a East High senior class of '08 reunion tonight at East High school."
"No way," Troy said with wide eyes.
"Yes way, Granddad Jack helped as well," Sarah added.
"Thank you so much guys," Gabriella said gesturing to the older of the kids.
"Wasn't our idea mom," Toni let out "It was Seb, Rod, Imogen, Georgia and Jack's" he said pointing to the group of five early teens.
"Thank you again," Taylor said.
"I haven't been to East in ages man," Ryan exclaimed.
"We work there honey" Rachel said to her husband.
A whole new conversation irrupted. The adults were all talking about their own individual high school experience where as the kids were just staring at them longing for their group present.
"Anyway" Troy bellowed, "These are your presents, everyone has their own but they are all linked. And don't open them until we say so." Troy explained holding an envelope for every one there. He handed them out. "Okay you can open them," They all hungrily opened their envelopes throwing the excess paper on the floor.
"It's a picture of someone," Ali said confused.
"The picture is of a child from a tribe in Malawi in Africa, the child you all sponsor. They are the same age as you and no one has the same person. And the last part is for Tom, Ali, Eddie, Niki and Toni." Then Ryan stood up to take over.
"You five are all flying out this summer to Malawi to meet your sponsor child," He said waiting for their reaction.
"Bloody hell," Toni whispered so only Niki could hear. Then she turned around and engulfed him a warm embrace. Once they let go they joined the others in thanking their parents. "Hey," Toni and Niki were now back with his arms wrapped around her waist from behind. "Follow me," He whispered in her ear. She turned around and nodded, then the two entwined their hands together and walked off to the door.
"Where are you two going?" The turned the heads to see Taylor and Gabriella, who were in deep conversation just seconds ago when they walked past, staring at them.
"Toilet!" Niki snapped quickly.
"Together?" Taylor questioned noticing her daughter's uneasiness.
"No I just forgot something from the car," Toni lied.
"Okay," Gabriella said suspiciously. Then, still with each other's hand in their grasp, Toni lead them out of the room and up the numerous flights of stairs, stopping at the top floor in front of the door to Daniel's room. "I want to show you something," He explained.
"In Dani's bedroom?" she asked with a disgusted look on her beautiful face.
"No but it's necessary," He sighed. When he opened the door a disgusting odour haunted their nostrils.
"God that stinks," Niki murmured, covering her nose.
"Did something die in here?" Toni muttered through his jumper sleeve.
The two trekked their way through dirty laundry; old pizza boxes and god knows what else, when they came to the glass roof opening. Toni unbolted the locks and threw the door open. Once he lifted himself up onto the roof he reached down and pulled up his girlfriend by the waist, resting her petite frame in his awaiting lap. Nuzzling his nose in her neck and started to plant kisses in her black curly afro, inherited from her father. "Look around," he smoothly whispered in her right ear. Turning her head 180 degrees each way she gasped in shock. Here you could see the whole of South Albuquerque, from beyond the park to the large walls of East High School, marking out the Eastern quarter of the city.
"It's beautiful, how did you find this place?" She asked her caramel eyes eagerly starring at him.
"My dad said this is where him and my mom used to hide to get some alone time during sleepovers when Sharpay's parents own the house," he explained.
"Anyway" She exclaimed "I have a final present for you," She said.
"Me too, but you go first" He insisted.
"You know Albuquerque Gospel," she stated, referring to the gospel choir they sang in.
"Yeah" He replied.
"I got a call from Joel a few days ago," now talking about the choir's musical director, "We've been invited to go on tour in June, for two weeks, all around Britain. It's a road tour." She laughed as his eyes widened all of a sudden.
"A whole two weeks doing something I love, with my girlfriend in a country I've wanted to go since I can remember," He was pretending to think "How could I say no," he grinned cheekily, leaning down for the kiss he got moments later. Pulling away Niki giggled at Toni's disappointed expression.
"What about my present?" she asked sweetly.
Patting down his jean pockets and finally finding the cube object he locked her brown orbs with his blue.
"Merry Christmas, Kitty," he says before opening the box holding two white gold rings. No gems or stones crowded the band just the silver colour and the branded writing that read 'I love you…'
"Always and forever," she finished.
"Niki will you take this ring as a promise that you will marry me after high school is over. And wear it till it is replaced with a proper engagement ring?"
Her eyes were now swimming with tears. "Only if you promise," she said scared at the response she might get.
"I promise," he said sincerely "Always…"
"And forever" she finished again. With that they both picked up the others rings and placed them on the others right ring finger. "They're beautiful were did you buy them?"
"Well I didn't exactly buy them but it did cost money," He said running a hand through his dark brown hair.
"Where they from then?" She asked curious as to why her boyfriend was so secretive about telling her.
"Well first of all our parents knew I was going to do this but I needed something off them to do it," He explained carefully "I got all 4 of our parents promise rings. So your ring is your mom and your dad's old promised rings melted into 1. It's the same with my ring and my parents,"
"It's beautiful," she choked more tears threatening to fall.
"Just like you,"
"You're so cheesy," she laughed.
"No I'm not!" he retaliated.
"Good thing I like cheese then isn't it?" She replied leaning in. The two of them stayed there slowly kissing not giving a care in to the world. After regaining breath the idea hit them that they had been gone for over 20 minutes and suspicion was inevitable.
Toni's POV
Once we had escaped the bombsite of a room we started running down the stairs back into the living room. We didn't even take 3 steps until the door slammed shut to reveal both of out moms standing behind it. Mom had one eyebrow cocked where as Taylor had her arms crossed and her foot tapping. They had caught us.
" Just getting something from the car?" mom's eyes were gazing from me to Niki she always did that.
"Going to the toilet," Taylor was doing the same as mom. Together they were scary. I tightened my arm around Niki's shoulders
"Uh yeah" I mumbled before we spun around and ran into the crowd of people hoping they would lose us. I kind of felt bad, because I knew mom couldn't run after us and for taking advantage of her being pregnant. I turned around and started to walk over to where Charli and Tyler were playing when a hand was placed on my shoulder. I looked at Niki beside me and saw someone doing the same to her. In perfect sync we both turned around to be confronted with our dads. They were also looking for us.
"Uh, hey dad what's up?" I now realise how stupid and guilty that sounded.
"What's up? Antonio James Bolton!" He used the full name he's mad, "Where have you been the past 20 minutes? Your mom's been worried sick about you and you should know by now that stress is the last thing she needs right now," I hate this, he can always find a way to make me feel bad.
"I know I'm sorry dad but I just needed to tell Kitty something important," That was true.
"And I had some news for Toni," Niki stood closer to me and grabbed my hand, squeezing it 3 times, our signal for I love you. At least I wasn't alone. But I couldn't help noticing the drastic change of colour of Chad's face. "I'm not pregnant dad!" We all laughed as we witnessed his colour go back to its natural shade, but I knew that we were still in trouble.
"So you were together?" The moms had caught on to what happened.
"Yeah,"
"Ok, but next time tell us" We nodded and walked into the kitchen.
Niki's POV
Once we were inside the kitchen, I saw Sarah and Sharpay talking whilst Zeke was slaving over the stove making Christmas lunch. Toni and I's presence was noticed when we both took a pew on the counter, only to be shooed off with a hot wooden spoon. Sarah was then asked to help Dani with handing out drinks and I swore I saw her cheeks get pinker whilst she walked out. Leaving me with my boyfriend and godparents. It took a seat next to Toni and joined in on the conversation the two were having.
Just after Toni received a deserving smack around the head from Sharpay, for a comment made on Miss Darbus our music teacher who had been at East since our parents were there. God she must be old. Ali stuck her head through the door. "You guys have to see this," She said to Toni and I. We both stood up and followed Ali out of the kitchen and living room to the hallway at the front of the house. The sight in front of me was so cute. But I saw Toni tense up next to me. Sensing that he would try to stop the scene in front of us, I stood facing him and wrapped my arms around his torso hoping he would relax. Feeling a lot easier once I felt his muscles relax he smiled widely and mirrored my actions.
"She's growing up," he whispered in my ear. But because of the silence of the echoing hall, his words were projected causing the two people a few meters away to pull apart with flushed faces as they realised they weren't alone. As Sarah's red face rose to look up at her brother, she caught my eyes on the way and I gave her a reassuring smile. Then I looked up at my boyfriend, though I knew he still felt he was losing his little sister inside, I was proud of him. He had finally let someone else look after his little sister. He was finally realising that she wouldn't stay his baby sister forever.
As the siblings' eyes met I saw Toni nod gently and smile wider than he already was. He then turned to the boy that was stood next to Sarah. He was still a little flustered from what had just happened. "Look after her for me," Toni said sternly. He was looking straight into Dani's eyes, waiting for a response.
"I will Toni don't worry I'll never try to hurt her," He said nervously.
"DINNER'S SERVED!" I heard Zeke shout. He was shouting a lot today.
Sarah's POV
I know it's pretty risky to start a relationship with your oldest best friend, but there's something between Dani and I, some type of chemistry I can't explain, but deep down I know this will work. I don't care what happens, but it's going to work.
At this exact moment of time, I'm feeling like a pig because I have just eaten like one. But Zeke does make a mean Christmas dinner. Leaning back in my chair, faintly listening to the familiar story of when Sharpay hated my mom, being told to the younger children here, I realized that where I am now is where I am happiest. With my brothers and sisters, my mom, my dad and my family.
I glanced over to where my parents were sat to find them standing up and grabbing the attention of everyone in the room.
"Guys, we have some news," my mom started placing one of her hands on her baby bump.
"What's up with the rabbits now?" Chad huffed. He used the nickname for our parents- "The Rabbits"- due to the amount of children they had, including me. But all Chad received was a couple of laughs and a smack around the head.
"We know it's Christmas, but this is important," Dad's face was stone cold and dead serious. "It's about the baby," now I was nervous. My eyes wondered over to Toni, who seemed as shocked as I was.
"We're not having a baby anymore," Mom's face was completely unreadable, but then she broke into a smile. "We're expecting triplets!" She practically shouted.
"Oh no you didn't Bolton!" All the fathers bellowed as they stood, looking ready to just attack my dad. They all then started to charge at dad, Chad and Jason taking his arms and Ryan and Zeke gripping on to his legs. "Ready for the plunge Bolton?" Chad asked rhetorically, not like the culprits answer would matter.
"FELLOW BOLTONS WHERE'S THE SUPPORT?" dad shouted from outside. Every remaining body then raced into the back yard to see dad on the edge of the pool, Ryan gripping on the scruff of his collar.
"You see Mr Troy Alexander Bolton, because your wife is pregnant we have let her off the punishment for giving everyone a heart attack in there, but you," Chad can be quite intimidating at times. "You, Mr Bolton, aren't so fortunate." Chad continued.
"Any last words?" Ryan asked, pushing dad closer to the edge.
"Sorry Zeke," dad sent a sympathetic look at Sharpay, "It's only fair…" But Ryan had already pushed him in the freezing cold water. Once he resurfaced, dad didn't hesitate he just shouted, "SHAR'S PREGNANT!"
Looking over to the fathers, every eye was on either Zeke or Sharpay. Then with just the shake of his head, Chad personally dragged Zeke into the pool, only to be pulled in himself.
I started to feel sorry for my dad, as did Niki and Imogen for their dads, so we decided to be nice little daughters and all held out a hand for our dads.
The next few seconds are still a blur but I can remember a quick gush of air and coldness. As I reached the top of water again I noticed that there were now 6 people in the pool. They had all pulled us in.
No-ones POV
Toni's eyes widened and he turned to look at his mom, who gave him a small nod. With that he took off his black cardigan; blue Lacoste polo shirt; white converse and odd stripy socks, leaving him bare chested and footed with only his baggy dark wash jeans on. "Don't forget your glasses Toni!" Gabi called to her forgetful son. Remembering the oblong glasses perched on his nose, Toni took them off and placed them by the rest of his clothes. Nobody knew where his bad eyesight came from, they had offered to buy him contacts, but he simply refused, saying that his glasses made him, him. Toni was just about to dive in when a loud congratulation rang through the garden.
"You're pregnant again?" Gabi gushed at one of her best friends.
"3 months and counting!" Sharpay exclaimed gleefully.
"Thanks for telling us!" Daniel said a bit sadly.
"We were going to guys, just not today," Zeke rushed as well as trying to tread water at the same time.
Then a splash was heard as Toni expertly dived into the pool, grabbing everyone's attention. He resurfaced next to his now soaking girlfriend.
"You're so crazy, why would you want to wilfully dive in this, this time of year?" Niki asked a smile on her face.
"When your swim captain, there's never a swimming season!" he exclaimed flicking his hair out of his eyes.
2 hours later
Now, both out of the Baylor's pool, Toni and Niki were curled up together under a huge beach towel. After the whole shenanigan of the throwing in fathers, people gradually started to ease off and a Christmas pool party was formed. But now it was getting dark and everybody started to get out and take cover inside. But Toni, Niki, Ed, Ali, Tom, Sarah and Dan were still outdoors enjoying the pool. "Can you believe it?" Ali said quietly to Toni and Niki "We get to go to Africa all on our own this summer! And to England! How better can summer get?" She was clearly excited.
"There's been a lot of surprises for me today!" Toni laughed "I've just found out that: I'm going to have 3 new siblings- not the 1 I was expecting-; I'm travelling to England in July on a road tour and Africa in the summer and I have just locked up my entire future," he said, whilst wrapping his arms around Niki under the towel.
"Me too," Tom started "Look what I got in the mail this morning," he stated handing over a piece of paper to the rest of the group.
Toni grabbed his glasses and put them on and then started to read. "You got in?" Niki asked.
Tom nodded "You are looking at the new under 21's USA Soccer Team's Left Winger!"
"What about school?" Toni queried.
"Well I've been chosen for the next 3 matches and the world cup squad, so I'm travelling down to LA for training next week. But I won't be back until February, so I'm finishing my finals with a tutor. So I'll be back for graduation and prom," he explained.
"If he can get a date!" Eddie added smugly, Tom just pushed him back in the pool.
"Now that he plays international soccer, maybe he'll have the balls to ask Mim to the prom," Toni teased.
"Yeah, how many times do we have say, she likes you back?" Niki complained.
"Because if I do ask her and she says no, then I would've just built up my hopes for nothing," Tom sighed.
"That's the point, she won't say no," Ali said annoyance clear in her tone.
"Prove it!" Tom challenged. The girls just huffed, knowing that they would never win, they were both too arrogant.
"Anyway, let's just treasure this alone time now, coz in a few hours we'll be baby sitting 15 other children," Dan complained.
"Well the 12 to 13 year olds won't be a hassle; they'll do something between the 5 of them. It's the younger ones that are going to be a pain!" Sarah said.
"The trick is to do something like a game of tag, to tire them out, then sit them in front of a movie. They'll fall asleep in no time," Toni explained carefully "I've had experience,"
"Yeah, but I heard the adults saying something about doing it at our house because there's more room," Sarah added.
"Ed, dude, what are you doing?" Toni asked. Ed was sat in the meditation position with his eyes closed.
"Treasuring the alone time," he said calmly not moving a muscle.
"Anyway, ignoring the fact that Buddha has come to join us, what we gonna do about feeding them?" Tom asked.
"Take out," 6 people answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Okay, okay no need to shout," Tom stated.
They were about to retaliate when a loud voice rang through the garden. "Kids, can you give us a hand with drying up the little ones, inside?" Sharpay practically shouted.
"Sure," Ali shouted back "Come on guys," she said normally. They all got up and started to walk to the house. "Eddie, Eddie?" Ali was back to shouting now. "EDWARD!"
"That did the trick," Dan whispered to Sarah, causing her to giggle.
Ali now had Ed up to his feet and was dragging him to the house.
Once inside the 7 teenagers split up to help sort out the toddlers and younger children. Charli and Niki grabbed towels and made their way over to Charli and Tyler. Ali and Ed grabbed a towel and headed to Ali's 3-year-old sister, Lucy. After changing into new clothes and handing Sarah one of his over sized t-shirts and a hoodie, the new couple walked over to Sarah's little twin brothers Harry and Matt. Leaving Tom with nothing to do. So he walked over to Niki and Toni. "You two need a hand?" he offered.
"Sure, can you dry up Jonny for us he's standing next to my mom and Lily?" Toni said.
Tom's POV
"Sure" I replied. I might as well get used to having a little one around. Personally I thrilled that mom's having another baby. I miss the days when I got to play with Imogen when she was little. But with my friends and I moving to the apartment at the end of the year and with me playing international soccer, I probably won't get to see much of the baby, but I'll try my hardest.
As I walked over to the most unique Bolton child I smiled at how much different he looked from the rest of his brothers and sisters. Jonny looked exactly like his mom. He had: long, very curly, dark brown hair; captivating dark brown eyes and an olive skin complexion. He was even the same size as his mom was at his age, apparently. As I approached him, he turned his head towards me and gave me one of the cutest smiles I have ever seen. He was a nice kid Jonny was. He was very shy and absolutely loved animals and wildlife.
"Hey bud," I said, smiling at the six-year-old.
"Hey Tom," he said, his voice small and quiet.
"How's it going?" I asked as I started to dry his arms and legs.
"I'm okay. How are you?" he asked politely, like I was his teacher or something.
"I'm fine. But you don't have to be so polite with me I'm your mate," I grinned.
"Okay," he answered shyly.
"So are you excited about your new baby brothers or sisters?" I asked trying to get to know Jonny better.
"Yeah, I guess." He answered a bit too normally.
"What's bugging you dude?" I knew there was something wrong.
"George Francis at school says that the middle child in a family is always left out. So when the new babies are born I'll be in the middle. I'll get forgotten." He said sadly.
"Jonny, it doesn't matter if you're the middle child. You will never get forgotten and your mom and dad will still love you," I explained gently. He giggled as I started to dry his hair.
"I want a baby sister," he blurted out of nowhere.
"Really, why's that?" I asked.
"So I can look after her. I like my little brothers, but they're a bit too playful at times. A baby sister would be a bit calmer," he was pretty mature for a six-year-old.
"Hey Tom, is my son behaving himself?" Gabi had now walked over to us. Out of all my aunts, I liked Gabi the best. She's my godmother as well. But it is practically impossible to hate her. As she bent down next to Jonny, I really was shocked at how identical the two looked.
"Nah, he's been fine. Just talking about him wanting a baby sister," I replied as Jonny just blushed.
"Well I'm afraid that the male chromosome is a bit stronger than the female in this family," she laughed. "Your mom told me about the soccer. Well done!" she hugged me as tightly as she could.
"Thanks, but I'm still in a bit of shock about mom being pregnant again," I confessed.
"I think we all are," she smiled at me "But I know that your mom and dad have been trying for another baby since your sister was born. They really want this baby,"
"I never knew that," I really didn't.
"Your mom was very secretive about it," Gabi explained.
"It doesn't matter though, I'm just excited that I'm going to have a baby brother or sister in 6 months," I explained.
"So what else were you two talking about earlier?" Gabi asked.
"Nothing really, just making conversation," Jonny said sweetly.
Niki's POV
We had finished drying off our little brothers and were now sitting on one of the many couches. But unfortunately Ty and Charli wouldn't leave us alone. They were asking us the most random questions in the world, hoping we would know all the answers.
"How are babies made?" Tyler suddenly asked out of nowhere.
Toni and I were totally flabbergasted. We looked at each other awkwardly.
"We'll tell you when you're old enough to understand," Toni said.
"Why not now?" Charli asked.
"Because you need to understand some other stuff before we tell you," I said ruffling Tyler's curly hair. The two boys huffed and crossed their arms over their chests. It was so cute seeing them angry.
"We're not moving until you tell us," Tyler said as Charli nodded his head in agreement.
"What if we make you move?" Toni said winking at me, causing me to blush a little.
"Nothing will force us to move," Charli said stubbornly.
"Hmm really?" Toni said quietly causing the youngsters to look at us "What about this?" Then I suddenly felt two lips on mine. They were Toni's. As we sat there making out we both felt the weight on laps disappear. This was the one thing the two of them couldn't stand. People kissing in front of them. Toni detached his lips from mine and smiled that million-dollar smile at me.
"Who said I was finished?" I questioned before, much to my pleasure, he pulled me back in for another amazing make out session.
"Do you want me to puke my whole Christmas dinner on you?" We pulled back to see five twelve to thirteen year olds staring at the two of us.
"Can't we get some alone time today?" Toni huffed annoyed.
"Yeah," Rory stated "In a room!"
"Hey you maybe making fun of us now but this will be you in a few years," I pointed out to them.
"There's no way that I am letting a boy stick his tongue down my throat," Imogen gagged.
"I'll remember that when you come home with a boy one day when you're older," Tom laughed at his little sister.
"Do you always have to find a way to torture me?" She moaned.
"Yes, you're my little sister, that's what I am supposed to do to you," Tom grinned cheekily.
"Thomas, leave your little sister alone," Sharpay, scolded.
"Ooh busted with the full name," Eddie joked nudging Tom's side.
"Edward leave him alone," Rachel shouted at her son. Everybody laughed at the sudden backfire at Eddie.
1 hour later
No one's POV
"Okay children line up, age order," Toni hollered through the house. All the kids were now at the Bolton's house. The adults had left for the reunion, leaving Toni in charge.
The sound of footsteps, heavy and light, rang through the whole home. In no time seventeen children ranging from the ages of 3months to 15 years old, were lined up in front of the five high school seniors. "So we have to sort out sleeping arrangements for tonight, just in case," Toni said. He then pointed to Oli and Sophie who were in their older sister's arms. "The little tots will be sleeping in my room, so us five will be sleeping in the living room," his finger then flew to Dan and Sarah at the front to the queue. "I'm trusting both of you to stay in Sarah's room, but god so help me, if you do anything stupid you won't have me backing you up got it?" The two nodded at the dominant teenager, "Jack you'll be sleeping in Seb and Rod's room okay?" Jack nodded as he high five d the twins. " Georgia, Imogen you'll be sharing a room with Erin," The two girls smiled at the nine-year-old. "Lily you'll be sharing your room with Lucy," he smiled at her apologetically; Lucy wasn't the best of sleepers. "Charli and Tyler will be in Charli's room so the other twins and Jonny can be on their own unless you want to join anyone else?" Toni looked at his shy little brother knowing that he felt left out a lot.
"Jonny can stay in our room if he wants," Seb said, smiling at his little brother.
"Yes please," Jonny accepted.
"Okay, so there's five pizzas in the kitchen, so that's 1 between four people," Niki explained. The five seniors laughed as they witnessed seventeen kids dart to the kitchen.
The same time at the reunion
Gabriella looked over shyly at her husband. She never thought she would be as nervous, entering East High, since her first day at the school twenty-two years ago.
Troy looked down and smiled warmly at his nervous wife. He finally knew how she felt that day two decades ago. Even though every one of the adults, except Jason who worked at the elementary school, worked at the place that brought them together, they all were petrified of who would be behind the red doors leading into the gym. But the one person they all were wondering to see was the girl that disappeared completely from their lives.
After graduation Martha just seemed to have vanished. Nobody was told where she went. It was a mystery to them all. It brought back memories of that month of despair and weeping from the loss of their friend.
"Now guys we have to remember she might not even be here," Zeke said tightening his arm around Sharpay's shoulders.
"Yeah, but we can't just give up hope," Taylor smiled.
"Yeah but…" Chad shrugged but was interrupted by a small giggle. The whole group of adults turned around to be confronted with a short woman with chestnut ringlets, who was accompanied by a tall, handsome middle eastern man and a small little girl, hiding behind the tall mans long legs, leaving her features unrecognisable.
"Taylor's right you shouldn't give up hope," the woman smiled weakly. "Hey guys,"
Every woman left their lovers and launched themselves towards their long lost friend, ready to attack her with suffocating bear hugs.
"Daddy," a small very quiet voice squeaked from behind the man's legs. The girls halted inches away from Martha, their moods turning from excitement to confusion.
"Shush sweety, they're not going to hurt you," the tall man comforted, picking up the girl and resting her on his left hip, her head immediately hidden in the crook of his neck.
"Um, guys… this is my husband Raj and our daughter Sunita but everyone calls her Sunny," Raj then stood next Martha gently taking hold of her hand.
"Hello," he greeted his deep thick Middle Eastern accent warming the hearts of the adults. He then turned to the four males of his wife's old, but not forgotten, friends. He started off with Zeke, stretching out his free hand.
"I'm Zeke, I'm the blonde ones husband," That earned him a smack from Sharpay.
"I'm Sharpay, the insensitive man's wife," Raj just laughed and shook Sharpay's hand with a chuckle and a warm smile.
Ryan just crushed Martha in a huge hug, completely lost or words. The dashing man beside him shook Raj's hand and, once Ryan had let go, kissed Martha on the cheek. "Martha right?" Cameron asked. She nodded. "Hi I'm Ryan's husband!"
He then moved on to Jason. "Jason," he introduced, his cheeky smile spreading on his face "Welcome to East High,"
"God you sound like a tour guide," Kelsi teased "I'm Kelsi, the tour guide's unfortunately my husband," Raj let out a laugh. Just as he moved on to Chad and Taylor, Jason turned to Kelsi, finally realising the snide comment.
"Hey my name is Chad and this is…"
"I can introduce myself thanks honey," Taylor turned to the man in front of her "Taylor,"
After a slight chuckle from the banter of the previous couple he then turned to the blue-eyed man and the Latina girl. He absentmindedly stuck out his hand, only for it to be refused by both people. Troy shook his head. "Now where are you guys' manners?" he scolded.
"What?"
"Ladies first? Ever heard of it?" he pointed out as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Hi there Sunny, my name's Troy," The small girl's head lifted from her father's shoulder and a bewildered look spread across her face. But even with the confused expression, the little girl's facial features caused everyone, besides her parents, to gasp. She was absolutely gorgeous. Her head then quickly darted back into her father's chest. Troy's hand dropped and he turned to Martha who had a knowing expression on her face.
"It's okay Troy, she just very shy," Martha said softly as she took hold of the little girl. "It's okay sweety, this is your uncle Troy and Aunty Gabi, and they're not going hurt you,"
Gabriella and Troy smiled warmly at the girl as her head rose once again.
1 hour later
After catching up with their other former classmates, the gang sat around a very large table. But there was one thing the girls noticed. Sunny looked nothing like either of her parents. As the girls talked that very same fact lingered in every one of their minds.
"So do you girls have any kids?" Martha asked glancing over at her daughter who was now in her Uncle Troy's lap, giggling softly as he gently attacked her small sides.
"Oh yeah, we all have kids all right," Sharpay muttered.
"What do you mean?" Martha asked confused.
"Well let's just say, East High's cutest couple can't get off each other, as you can already see," Sharpay explained motioning towards Gabi's increasingly large stomach.
"Says the one expecting her forth child," Gabriella scoffed back.
"Honey, you have more than double the amount of kids we all have," Taylor stated, rubbing Gabi's back mockingly.
"I still don't get it?" Martha repeated.
"To be straight to the point, Gabs and Hoops have 10 kids already, with babies 11,12 and 13 on the way," Kelsi smiled, happy for one of her best friends.
"13 kids. Wow," Martha exclaimed, truly stunned.
"Yeah, and Tay and Chad have 3 children; Shar and Zeke have 3 going on 4; Kels and Jase have 4 and finally Ryan and Cam have 2 terrors," Gabriella blurted trying to get the attention off of her.
"Wow, that's great," Martha gleamed.
Gabriella then suddenly felt a light bulb pop in her head. "So how old is Sunny then?"
"Well she's five at the moment, but she'll be 6 in March," Martha smiled softly, now seeing her daughter stifle a yawn as she closed her eyes whilst in Jason's yeti like arms.
"They're good with the little 'ns aren't they?" Kelsi smiled.
"I've never seen her so comfortable with new people before," Martha cooed.
"You know we could send down me and Taylor's eldest kids to come pick her up and take to our place," Gabi offered.
"Are you sure?" Martha asked hesitantly.
"Yeah I'll just call him now," Gabi replied, standing up slowly, walking to the quiet hallway to call her son.
"Do you know why Sunny's so shy?" Kelsi suddenly asked from nowhere.
Martha just sighed loudly and looked up guiltily at her friends. "I knew this was going to come up," she murmured to herself. "Just wait till Gabi's back and I'll tell all of you at once," Martha explained dryly. This made the other girls glance at each other.
Suddenly Gabi's soft melodic voice rang in their ears. "Toni and Niki are on their way, with Jonny as well," She smiled.
"Who are they?" Raj said protectively.
"Toni's our eldest," Troy smiled proudly.
"Niki's our eldest," Chad said.
"And Jonny's our 7th child, who's a little older than Sunny," Gabriella smiled to herself.
"Oh, so how old are the eldest?" Martha gleamed.
"17 going on 18," Taylor explained reassuringly.
A moment or so later, the door to the gym opened and then walked in the tall, handsome figure of Toni; the short, divine body of Niki and the tiny, shy stand of Jonny. As Jonny locked eyes with his mother's he ran straight into her arms smiling. His eyes then caught another pair of brown that was looking at him. Her lips turned upwards as she noticed the boy, his then copying her's instantly. "Mom who's that girl over there?" he whispered, pointing to her.
On the other side of the table Sunny's eyes flew to Jason. "Uncle JJ who's that?" she asked in an excited whispering voice.
"That's Jonny," Jason explained.
"I like his hair," she commented, giggling slightly.
"That's Sunny, Jonny," Gabi said, smiling at her son's expression.
"She's really pretty," he complimented.
"Let's go introduce you to her," Gabi suggested, "Toni, Niki come meet the new member to the club," Gabi hinted.
Sunny smiled as she saw her aunty Gabi walk over with the three new people in tow. She noticed the tall, very strong one and became very nervous and frightened. She hid her face into Jason's chest out of complete fear. But then she felt herself being lifted from her position into the arms of her father.
"It's okay Sunny, he's not going to hurt you, he's our friend," Raj whispered into his daughter's ear. She raised her head to look at the man that frightened her to see him smiling at her. All her fears flew away.
Then the warming voice of her aunt Gabi started to speak. "Raj, Sunny, Martha, this is Toni, Niki and Jonny," She said introducing them one by one. Toni and Niki shook hands with the two new adults where as Jonny and Sunny stood there looking at each other small innocent smiles on their faces.
"Don't worry Martha the kids know how to take care of one and other," Sharpay assured a nervous Martha. Martha took one more look at the two teenagers and nodded.
"Alright but one question. Do you know first aid?" Martha eyed the two 17 year olds.
"Niki could probably pass medical school today," Toni bragged proudly, except Niki who blushed deeply and hid her face in Toni's chest.
"So we heard that we're taking a new member home with us," Niki smiled.
"Yep. Guy's this is Sunny. Sunny this is Jonny, Toni, and Niki," After the introduction from Chad Toni lifted Jonny for a piggyback. Toni held out his hand to the small girl. He smiled his father's heart stopping smile as she shook his hand gently. Niki just smiled at her warmly. But Jonny said nothing, showed nothing, just looked at her in awe.
"Aren't you going to say hello Jonny?" His brother asked.
Snapping out of his trance Jonny just let out a simple, squeaky 'hello'.
"Hey," She replied back, not moving her eyes off of Jonny.
"So Sunny. You ready to go?" Niki asked. Sunny nodded her head and then turned to her father.
"Be good Ray-ray. And remember they're our friends," Rajj reassured his daughter. She nodded then was handed to her mother.
"See you in the morning baby," Martha sighed. Sunny smiled at her mom and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Sunny was then handed into Niki's free arms where she relaxed instantly.
Still with Jonny on his back, Toni kissed his mom's cheek as well. "Have fun momma, see you in the morning," He then turned to Martha. "It's nice to finally meet you aunt Martha," he smiled. "See you everyone," He was replied by a number of similar remarks. The four of them had just turned out of the gym when Toni's head popped around the door. "And remember, don't get too drunk. Because we'll be the ones looking after you!" His cheeky grin appeared and his head vanished once more.
"He called me aunt Martha?" Martha mumbled to herself.
"They all grow up knowing about you," Ryan answered.
"Yeah, it was a great bed time story. The story of how our friend disappeared. But we never knew why. Finish the story Martha," Taylor gave her a small smile to urge her on and tell the end of the story.
As the four children entered the parking lot, they started to walk over to Toni's old battered pick up truck. "Kitty can you sit in the back with these two?" Toni sent her a smile and she immediately melted.
"Of course, come on you two," she said happily. Niki lead the younger two to the back of the truck. She knocked down the back of the hold of the Chevrolet and turned to Jonny. "Hop up little guy," she giggled. Niki gently lifted the six year old by the waist so that he could clamber onto the back of his eldest brothers car. Once Jonny had two feet firmly on the truck, Niki turned to the shy girl next to her. "You ready?" she asked. Sunny nodded her slightly and giggled as the teenager lifted her up to the back of the truck. Checking the two youngsters were safely up, Niki turned around to hoist herself up as well. She was shocked to find a pair of navy eyes on hers. Without saying a word Toni grabbed her hips softly and lifted her body to the back of his truck.
"Wouldn't want you to fall now would we?" he asked rhetorically, sealing the unanswered question with a tender peck on the lips.
As he walked to the driver's door at the head of the vehicle, he ruffled his younger brother's curly hair. Niki was now sat in between Jonny and Sunny, her slender long arms around their frail shoulders in an older sister manner. The engine roared loudly and they soon left the high school parking lot behind them.
After about 10 minutes on the road Niki decided to get to know the little girl next to her a little bit better. "How about we play 20 questions?" Niki asked the two elementary schoolers. They both nodded in agreement and they formed a tiny circle and began the game. "So you two, what's your favourite colour?" Niki started.
"Blue," Jonny said immediately.
"Purple," Sunny replied quietly afterwards.
"Cool I like purple to. Oh and just so you know…" Niki whispered to Niki as Jonny looked out to the passing houses and trees. "…Jonny and all of his brothers and sisters' favourite colour are blue. It just runs in the family. You can ask all them and get the same answer. Ask him!" she said pointing to Toni driving.
"Okay, but what's his name again?" she asked shyly a little embarrassed.
"Toni," she answered.
Sunny then leaned forward and spoke through the open back window as Toni stopped the car at a red light. "Toni?" she queried quietly.
Toni looked into his rear view mirror and smiled at Sunny. "Yep?"
"What's your favourite colour?" she asked.
"Blue," he replied back.
Sunny turned back to Niki, "didn't I tell you?" she laughed.
The door to the 3 storey 13 bedroom house swung open, stepping inside two 17-year-olds and two short children. Sarah, who was just walking out of the kitchen, looked to the door and smiled as she noticed her family in the door way. "Hey guys!" Sarah said loudly, scaring Sunny. She scurried behind Toni's log legs.
"Well it seems that you've met Sunny. She's a new friend of ours. But as you can see she's a little shy," Toni explained. As he did so Jonny moved behind his brothers legs as well. He held his hand out to her and she, slowly but surely, placed her hand in his.
"That's my eldest sister, Sarah. She won't hurt you," he whispered to his new friend softly. She smiled and nodded back at him. Toni then moved to the side abruptly, revealing the two of them holding hands. Sarah looked at Niki and with a smile and raised eyebrows. "Me and Sunny are going to my room. Can you send up Lily for me?" Jonny asked. Toni nodded and with that Sunny and Jonny ran up the stairs.
Jonny turned the handle to the door, still panting from their sudden energy burst. The two stepped into the room and took a seat on the green comforter of the small bed. "So, do you have any other brothers or sisters?" Sunny asked sweetly.
"Uh-huh, Toni's the oldest; then it's Sarah. Next it's my twin brothers Seb and Rory; then Erin, Lily, Me, Charli, Ben, Matt and my mommy's pregnant with three more babies, so that's…" he started to count on his fingers, "Three sisters, seven brothers including me and three more babies. So that's thirteen all together!" he said proudly.
"I would love to have brothers and sisters," Sunny mumbled glumly.
"So how long are you staying for?" He asked, trying to change subject.
"We moved here a couple of days ago," she answered quietly.
"Really because…" There was a knock on the door. The door then slowly creaked open and the visible dark curly hair and bright blue eyes of Lily Bolton stepped into the room. "Lily meet my new friend Sunny. Sunny this is my older sister Lily,"
"So how do you think it's going up there," Niki asked Toni from the kitchen downstairs.
"Well nothing's broken and I can't hear screaming so I guess it's going fine. Don't worry so much, it's bad for you," Toni joked. He wrapped his arms around her waist and planted a soft kiss on Niki's forehead. Toni's nose then trailed down Niki's forehead, the bridge of her nose the finally pressing his against hers in a silent Eskimo kiss. The two then swiftly moved positions so that Niki's back was pressed against the top surface of the island, evidently sandwiching her body in between Toni's and the marble surface. Toni then leaned down; giving his girlfriend a second Eskimo kiss. They both then simultaneously closed their eyes, their heads…
"Guy's we have a small dilemma next door, I think your intimacy can wait," Tom said, popping his head through the door. Toni and Niki broke apart and blushed. They walked out of the kitchen, behind Tom, then into the living room where every child (minus Jonny, Sunny and Lily) was sat on a sofa or chair or sprawled across the floor. Ed, Ali and Tom stood in front of the large flat screen TV, several DVD cases in their hands. The two joined their friends. "Trying to chose a movie but we can't decide so we're having a vote. Nightmare Before Christmas or The Polar Express?" Tom asked impatiently.
"Polar Express, duh!" Niki exclaimed for her favourite movie.
"I'll have to agree with her," Toni said afterwards, earning a bear hug from his girlfriend.
"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you," she squealed.
"Anything for you, baby," Toni whispered in her ear, sending tingles up her spine.
"Please refrain from smooching, there are three-year-olds in the room," Jack exclaimed, covering Lucy's eyes with his hands. The two stepped back from their intimate position, turning scarlet.
"So that's 9 votes for Polar Express and 10 for Nightmare Before Christmas, so I guess its…" Tom started.
"No," Niki whispered, distraught.
"Wait," Toni stepped in, "There's three people upstairs they need to vote too." Niki send her boyfriend a thankful glare, her eyes meeting his. Toni winked cheekily back, and Niki's cheeks flushed a deep red.
"Didn't you hear what I just said?" Jack exclaimed, covering his sister's eyes again.
The vote ended up in favour of The Polar Express, much to Niki's pleasure. All twenty-one children were sat in the Bolton's living room. The two large couches had been pushed against the back wall, and the smallest of the group, including Sunny and Jonny, sat on them to give them a better view. Niki and Ali had put their two youngest siblings to sleep in their travel cots in Toni's room. Toni's back was leant against a couch, his legs spread open. In between his legs sat Niki. Toni's arms wound around her waist, settling on her hips rubbing soft circles around them. Ed was in a similar position to Toni; the difference was that Ali lay next to him. His arm was slung lazily around her shoulder and her head rested against his chest.
Tom sat to the right of Ali and Ed. To say he was jealous would be an understatement. He would kill to hold a girl like that and feel that he had someone to call his. And he and everyone knew that girl was Miriam Adams. The two had met in kindergarten and had instantly become friends. Later that same day he introduced her to his lifetime friends and the six of them became a tightly knit group of friends. Miriam, or Mim to her friends, was a beautiful, small girl. She had light brown hair that had a copper glow in sunlight; green eyes and a moderate skin complexion. To most boys Miriam was a hot girl but to Tom she was a gorgeous, compassionate girl with whom he fell in love with. Tom always envied his younger friends. He wanted what they had, but he knew he was too much of a chicken to stand up to the love of his life and simply ask her out.
Before the film started Ali and Ed handed out an array of blankets and pillows, with the extra comfort most of the younger children's eyes had already drooped and were already asleep to the world.
It was half way through the movie when the baby monitor went off. Niki started to lift herself to her feet when Toni stopped her and kissed her cheek. "Don't worry I'll deal with it," he whispered. When Toni reached his room he heard the soft crying from behind the door. Stepping into the room, he identified the bawling baby and picked up his girlfriend's little sister from the cot. He started to rock the baby in his arms humming the tune he learnt from his mother. Slowly but surely Sophie's cries turned to hiccups and she eventually stopped crying. The problem was that she still had her eyes wide open. Toni bent into the cot to lay her down gently but she wouldn't budge. Her tiny hands had balled parts of his shirt into her fists. As much as he tried to pry her off his shirt she still wouldn't let go. He smiled remembering that this was what Niki always did when they were cuddling and clearly she had passed it onto he sister. Silently giving up, Toni sighed. If she wouldn't let go he was going to have to take her back downstairs with him. Before he walked out the room, Toni checked on Oli before shutting the door quietly behind him.
Niki was surprised to see her boyfriend return with Sophie held tightly in his arms. As he sat down next to her, he leant forward to show Niki, "Care to explain?" he whispered. Niki just giggled and mouthed later back at Toni. As the film went on Sophie's grip on Toni's shirt loosened as she too drifted off to sleep. As he glanced down at the sleeping baby in his arms, he smiled. 'This'll be me in a few months,' he thought. Just at that moment the end credits of the film rolled onto the screen of the TV. Sebastian got up slowly and turned the small lamps in the room on. Rory and Jack followed and bid their goodnights and left the room.
Next up were Sarah and Daniel, hand in hand, the two repeated the other's actions and made their way to Sarah's room in the basement. All the others, beside the five teenagers, were fast asleep a few leaning slightly on each other's shoulders. Firstly, Ed and Tom went to their younger sisters, softly picked their small, light bodies into their arms and carried them to Erin's room. As they did this Toni and Niki headed to his room to put Sophie back to bed.
As Toni leaned over the cot to lay the baby down, she yet again wouldn't let go of his shirt even in her sleep. Niki just laughed and walked over to her struggling boyfriend. "You're going to have to take your shirt off," she whispered quietly. Toni nodded and handed the baby to her sister, but still close enough for her to grab onto his shirt, and slowly slipped out of his shirt, revealing his heavily sculpted chest. Most girls would be drooling at the sight of his upper body but Niki just smirked and eyed him up and down. "Liking the view Miss Danforth?" Toni joked softly, as he lowered the baby; his shirt still clenched in her little hands, into the travel cot, undisturbed.
"I'm not going to lie, yes I was looking at your gorgeous body," she said bashfully.
"Well, lets get the rest of the kids up to bed, then you can look some more."
Finally all the younger children were in bed and the five seniors were laid across the large floor of the living room, wrapped in the numerous blankets. Toni and Niki were cuddled together on the floor; Ed and Ali in a similar position on the long sofa and Tom sat in Troy's big armchair. "The only way to make this any better was if Mim was here," Toni stated truthfully. Everyone nodded and the small talk started again.
Earlier at the reunion
Martha took a deep breath to eliminate the butterflies in her stomach, "I'll start from the beginning," she took in another deep breath. Sensing her nervousness, Rajj stood behind his wife and placed his gentle hands on her tense shoulders, "Uh well straight after graduation my dad got promoted. And you know my dad was in the army. So with his new promotion we as a family moved to Iran. We moved so quickly that I didn't have time to tell anyone." Another breathe, "After around five months of living there the army base and our house was stuck under enemy fire. My family and I tried to escape but as we left the gates we came under fire." Martha looked at her friends and then suddenly lifted her T-Shirt to reveal four bullet scars scattered across her stomach and low chest. "My parents and brother were killed, but I came out lucky. I was shot four times. They left us there to die. Then suddenly I woke up in this light room in a hospital. Then in walked this guy right here. Rajj was my doctor and told me what happened to my parents." Martha took in another deep breath then looked up at her friends. The girls all were in silent tears and when the guys weren't comforting their wives, they sent horrified looks at Martha but then sent thankful looks at Rajj. "After I recovered Rajj took me back to his house. There I took online nursing courses, and by the end of the year I was a qualified nurse. That was when Rajj and I started to see each other. And now that I had my nursing degree I started to work in the hospital where Rajj worked. We got married after five years. It was a few years ago when one day we got a call to say that there was a small girl coming in an ambulance. She got caught in between enemy fire. For weeks she was in the ICU, but then she made progress and was transferred to the paediatrics. Once we managed to get information out of her we found out that she was an orphan. And I saw the orphanages around that area and they're nothing to be proud of. Then one day one of the workers came into the hospital shouting. He tried to take the little girl but we wouldn't let him. This happened every day for about a week then one night he tried to get her without knowing but Rajj caught him before they left. So for her safety the two of us adopted and named her Sunny, because her bed in the children's wing was by the window and every morning the sun used to shine on her. Then when she was well enough to fly we brought her back here to live with us." Martha looked up with tears in her eyes. She was then bombarded with numerous hugs.
"God I never knew, I'm so sorry," Ryan said and he stepped forward to hug his dance partner. After many other conversations like the following the group started to settle down again and the normal conversations started to flow once more. Topics ranged from the couples new jobs to delight of Ms Darbus. One conversation brought up ended in the men taking out there wallets and pulling out numerous photos of their families. But the night had to draw to a close, so by 12am the adults decided to head back to the Danforth's to spend the night until morning.
December 26th 2029 9:00am
The front door to the Bolton household swung open and in stepped six women. The first one in was Gabriella; she stepped into her home and then shrugged off her winter jacket and hung it on her assigned peg on the wall. Taylor followed closely behind her best friend and hung her own coat on the banister at the bottom of the stairs. Sharpay, Kelsi and Rachel mirrored her actions but one woman was still outside. Martha froze the moment she saw the house. "Your house is huge!" she gaped.
"Well there are twelve nearly fifteen people living here," Gabi laughed. "Come on in and meet everyone."
The six women walked through the quiet house, that was, until they entered the kitchen. Now, there wasn't anyone in the kitchen but the double glass doors leading to the backyard were open letting in the loud hustle of noise coming from the large garden.
In the garden the vast amount of children were all sitting on blankets and old sheets from the shed at the end of the grassland. The children were all dressed in warm winter coats, beating off the bitter chill of that morning. "Okay then girls first, come and get your food." Edward hollered. With that all the girls rose off of their cold bums and walked to the picnic bench where the large amount of food for breakfast was placed. Toni stood behind a humongous metal pot of piping hot porridge and to the one side of him were all the cutlery, plates, bowls and mugs needed and to the other was the many toppings that the kitchen cupboards once possessed. Eddie was in charge of drinks. He was armed with many cartons of apple and orange juice and two metal canisters, behind him, one full of hot cocoa and the other full of tea. And the last person in the newly named 'food line' was Tom. Using extension chords from the kitchen, the boys managed to place the Bolton family's twelve-compartment toaster in the garden as well.
The first girl to the picnic bench was Niki, who evidently was carrying her baby sister. "Two bowls of porridge, please slave," Niki joked. Toni just chuckled, his father's chuckle, and ladled out two bowls of porridge.
"What would you like with thy porridge, oh masterful one?" Toni joked back.
"Honey on the one and a kiss with each," Niki replied bashfully.
"That won't be a problem," Toni smirked. Firstly he squeezed a blob of honey onto one bowl of porridge then leaning over and firstly giving the baby a kiss on the cheek then giving his girlfriend a long meaningful kiss on her lips.
From afar the moms watched the scene unfold in front of them. Rachel, Martha, Kelsi and Sharpay smiled at one and other, where as Taylor and Gabriella put on their mom faces even though they knew they wanted to smile. "Bolton! What did I say about your IPC towards my daughter in public places?" Taylor shouted mockingly.
Toni plastered on his worst fake smile and looked towards Taylor, "Yes Mrs. Danforth," he shouted back. Martha looked weirdly at Taylor; surely this close group of people wasn't that formal.
Picking up on Martha's look Taylor explained. "Toni, Ed and Tom are in my homeroom."
Suddenly their attention was caught by another young mans voice. "You want some? There's more than enough," Tom offered. The six of them looked at each other then nodded to the young adult.
Even by the time the moms reached the front of the line, the pot of porridge was still more than three quarters full. So when Gabriella came up to her porridge-serving son there was one thing she needed to know. "So Antonio, how much of our breakfast supplies do I have to refund?" she asked mockingly.
"None, we bought this stuff this morning, with some of the left over cash from my summer job," he said quickly. He knew his mother hated him using his own money that was meant for college. But surprisingly his mom gave him a smile after her stern glance collapsed.
"I'm proud of you Toni," She stated before leaning over and kissing him on the cheek, after he served her order.
After everyone was served the three boys quickly scraped and poured what ever was left, equally, into three separate bowls and cups and joined their family on the blankets. Toni squeezed between Taylor and Tyler, and then somehow managed to get Niki to sit in between his open legs. Opposite were Ali and Edward caught up in their own little world, wrapped up in each other's arms completely oblivious to everyone and everything else around them. And to the left of them Tom and Martha were talking animatedly to one and other. One of the new things learnt that evening was that Martha new job in New Mexico was the new nurse at East High school, and since after Tom's soccer carrier he would like to study medicine as well as Toni and Niki the four already had a lot in common.
After about ten minutes of talking to the three very likable teenagers, Martha caught something out of the corner of her eye. There, her once quiet, daughter sat next to the little boy she recognized from that night. The look on her face was one she never saw before. For the first time she could finally see that this was where her daughter was meant to grow up. Around a vast amount of close family that they would never had if they didn't move. This is the only place that she could ever feel happy and safe. This was her home. And it would be forever.