A Holiday to Remember

Chapter 7

By the time everyone had arrived at Sharpay and Ryan's house for the all weekend sleepover, Sharpay had everything set up. The girls would be sleeping in her room with her while Troy would be rooming with Ryan. Just because she was with Troy now did not mean she was ready for anything like that to happen.

By six o'clock that evening, everyone was sitting in their family room eating pizza and watching some movie Sharpay had picked out. There were pizza boxes littering the floor along with soda cans and chip bags. Everyone was having a great time. Well, almost everyone. Ryan was still worried about Chad. Ever since this morning there had been this sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach and he just couldn't shake it. It was starting to unnerve him.

Before he knew it the credits to the first movie began to roll. Silently thanking anyone who was listening, Ryan got up from his place on the floor. Without a word, he made his way into the kitchen. Throwing away his empty Coke can, Ryan was startled to see Troy standing behind him.

"Hey Ry, is everything ok man? Sharpay said you weren't feeling too good. Something you need to talk about?"

"I dunno, Troy. I just can't shake this feeling that something's wrong with Chad. I mean, did he say anything to you last night to make you think something was going on?"

"Not really. But there was this weird noise in the background. I asked what it was and he said his mom was watching something on the TV. I don't think he was telling the truth. I mean, I know his mom and she isn't a big fan of the TV. Unless there's some kind of musical on, she doesn't turn it on."

"I just don't get it. I mean, if nothing, why wouldn't he tell you? You're his best friend."

"Actually, Ryan, I have to disagree with you there. I'm not his best friend anymore. You are. And don't think for a minute I'm mad about it. I see the way he looks at you. He cares about you man. A lot more than he's been letting on. Listen, I just want you to know one thing. If something were to happen between the two of you, then you guys have my blessing. I want him to be happy and I want you to be happy. If its each other that makes you guys happy, then I'm all for it."

Troy could only smile at Ryan's shocked expression. Clapping him on the back, Troy guided him back towards the living room.

"Come on. Your sister said something about makeovers and facials. If I've gotta go through it then so do you." Laughing they walked back to where their friends were waiting.

When they got there, Sharpay had already begun laying things out for the makeovers. She actually squealed when Troy and Ryan walked back in.

"Ohhhh, yay! Ok, now boys. I want both of you to sit down. It is soo time for you to have a facial. It's been way to long for you Troy."

While the girls could only giggle, Troy blushed and prayed for the floor to open and swallow him whole.

Sharpay however only continued talking.

"Ok, so I was thinking that I would do Kelsi's facial and everything while Gabi worked on Ryan and Taylor, you could do Troy. How does that sound?"

All three girls agreed and Sharpay got to work.

One hour later found Troy Bolton and Ryan Evans sitting in Sharpay's living room with a mud mask on their faces. And if that wasn't enough, Taylor and Gabriella had insisted they both get manicures. Of course, only clear coats were allowed.

Looking over to Ryan, Troy groaned.

"I don't think I've ever been more humiliated than at this very moment."

"Hush now! This is going to do wonders for your complexion." Sharpay scolded.

Another half an hour and they were finally allowed to wash their faces.

"Ya know, my skin actually does feel a lot smoother than before. Thanks, Tay. You did a great job." The girls could only laugh at Troy.

Ryan however was another thing. Throughout everything, he had never spoken a word. Gabi could have sworn he had even fallen asleep halfway through, he was being so quiet.

Once more Ryan left the room without telling anyone he was leaving. This time he went through the kitchen and out the back door. He really just wanted to be alone right now. There were some many things running through his mind he was beginning to feel the on comings of a major headache.

Walking through the back yard, Ryan made his way over to Sharpay's swing. It had been there for as long as he could remember. A small one seated swing tied to a hug willow tree. He always felt at peace when he was here.

Looking up to the sky, Ryan could see small snow cloud spread out everywhere.

"Huh, well, what do ya know? Looks like we just might get some snow this year after all." That's when he remembered it. Seeing Chad coming out of the small convenient store a little more than a week ago. That's also when he remembered the bag Chad had been carrying.

"How could I have forgotten?" Ryan spoke out loud.

It was hard to believe but thinking back, Ryan was positive of what he saw in the bags.

Diapers.

And whips.

And even some bottles.

"What in the world is going on with him?" Ryan couldn't think of any reason for Chad to have those items. Unless...no, that wasn't possible.

"A baby? Chad's been hiding a baby from us?" "What?"

Ryan was now more confused than he ever was.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

After the police and ambulance had arrived, Chad had no choice but to go with them. Going inside and dressing Lucy for the cool weather outside, he grabbed her diaper bag, a few bottled and her car seat. Wrapping her in a soft pink blanket, he made his way over to the police car.

They helped him with the car seat, seeing as he was new to all of this, and then climbing inside as well, they left.

It felt like forever before the reached the police station. Once there, Chad informed them he needed to call his mother's lawyer. They agreed and showed him to a room where he could have some privacy.

Calling Eve and telling her what had happened, she told Chad she would be there with the necessary papers he would need to sign.

It was another half an hour before she arrived. Showing Chad the papers and explaining what they meant, he quickly signed them.

It was official.

Lucy was now his. Legally and any other way there was. The money was now all in his name. Everything was now in his name.

Looking over to the sleeping baby, Chad smiled. She was so peaceful. She had no clue what had just happened.

Before Eve could leave, Chad stopped her.

"Listen, Eve, you were my mother best friend. I think she would be ok with this. I don't think I can handle planning her funeral and taking care of Lucy. Can you make all the plans for me? I'll leave all the decisions in your hand."

"Oh, Chad, are you sure? I mean, she is your mother. Shouldn't you do this?"

"I guess I probably should, but I just don't have the strength for it. I want you too. That is, if you will."

Smiling, Eve agreed.

"Of course I will, honey. I'll take care of everything. Don't you worry about a thing except taking care of that beautiful little girl."

"I will. That much I can do. I promised her before she died. Lucy is mine and I'll make sure she's well taken care of."

"I know you will. Now, before I leave, I need to ask. Do you have somewhere you can stay? Assuming you won't be going back to your place?"

Thinking for only a split second, Chad answered.

"Yeah, I've got somewhere we can go. Don't worry about that. We'll be fine."

And with that, Eve left Chad alone in the police station.

Making a quick call, Chad found out Troy and the gang were sleeping over at Sharpay and Ryan's house. Another call later and Chad was outside waiting on a cab.

Ryan's house. Chad was going to Ryan's house. It was now or never. Time to tell his friends exactly what had been going on.

A/N: Chapter 7 done. I hope everyone is enjoying this fic so far. Next chapter will have everyone meeting little Lucy. Look out for it soon. Until then, reviews are always welcome. Tootles:)