Thank you guys so much for the awesome reviews. I'm sorry I haven't updated this in a while but I've been trying to rotate through my other stories as well. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize.
Aidan walked into his house and sighed deeply, shutting the door behind him. He walked into the kitchen, hands in his pockets, where his mother was, tons of papers and bills on the table as she shuffled through them. She had her calculator next to her and was furiously scribbling some numbers onto a sheet of paper. "I see it's the monthly bill time?" Aidan asked jokingly.
Haylie looked up from the papers and smiled slightly. "What gave it away?" She brushed some hair out of her face and blew a sigh out of her mouth to move the bangs that were in her face. She glanced at her son and noticed the frown on his face as he took a seat across from her. "What's wrong sweetie?" She took her reading glasses off.
"Tressa broke up with me." He placed his head in his hands. "She said that she needs some time to put herself back together after everything that has happened this week. I don't blame her though. I just wish none of this had happened to her."
Haylie looked at her son and placed a hand on his arm gently. "I'm so sorry, baby. First break ups are always the worst. But I think that she did the right thing and put herself before a relationship." Aidan looked up at her after she said that. "I know, that's not very comforting but it's true. I know you Aidan, I know that you'll give her the time she needs and still be there for her because I raised you to be a gentleman. I could tell that you really cared for her and you will continue to. Things will get better, she will get better and she'll tell you when she's ready for a relationship. All you have to do is wait, which might sound long and boring, but trust me- she'll appreciate it in the end." Haylie finished sweetly, patting his arm twice.
"I know mom. It's just hard." He sighed deeply. "I wish she didn't have those problems to deal with."
"You can wish all you want; sweetie, but it won't change anything. Everything that happens in her life is what makes her, her. But, I'm so proud of you for helping her the way that you are. Sometimes it's nice to have friends to talk to instead of family. Continue to comfort her; she needs it now more than ever." She kissed his forehead before leaving the room, letting him think about what she said.
"Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the bride and groom!" The DJ announced and in walked Sharpay and Troy, still dressed in their tux and gown, holding hands and waving at their family and friends. "Right now, the bride and groom will share their first dance." He added. The newly weds walked to the center of the dance floor and started gently swaying in each others' arms as their wedding song 'I'll Be' by Edwin McCain played. Troy smiled down on Sharpay softly, leaning his forehead against his as he closed his eyes contently.
"We're married." Sharpay whispered, her lips touching his gently as she spoke.
Troy chuckled as he opened his eyes. "That we are PayPay." He smiled before capturing her lips in a chaste kiss, pulling away seconds later to look her in the eyes. "So, how much to you want to bet our mom's are crying their eyes out right now?" He joked.
Sharpay giggled, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Troy, what am I going to do with you?"
"Seriously." He said as he looked up to glance at his mother who was leaning against Jack as she cried silently, watching her little boy dance his first dance as a husband. "Yup, it's like a waterfall." He whispered as she laughed against his shoulder. "You should see it. And don't even get me started on your mother." He teased, grinning as he looked at Lyndsey who was wiping her eyes with a tissue. "Two waterfalls for her."
"Troy, you're crazy." She kissed his cheek and secretly snuck a peek at both mothers, giggling when he noticed that he was right. "They're just happy for us."
"And providing entertainment for us." He laughed before finishing the dance quietly, enjoying the moment with his wife. Once the song ended, they pulled away from each other and smiled at their family and friends, waving at a few of them. The family quickly took pictures while Troy and Sharpay were still in their outfits. After about an hour of talking and conversing with everyone, the DJ interrupted them.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the bride to dance with her father." He announced, Sharpay grinning as her father walked over to her, holding out his hand for her. She took it happily, the two walking out to the dance floor. Vance twirled her before holding her hand, his other sitting on her upper back. "Congratulations baby girl."
"Thanks daddy." She kissed his cheek lovingly. "You look great in your suit."
Vance laughed. "Look at you, all grown up. Where's my little girl that was playing with Barbies on the living room floor, her hair in pigtails, waiting for me to come home?" He smiled softly as he placed a curl behind her ear, tears springing to his eyes.
"Oh, daddy. I'm still here, just a bit more grown up." She giggled as tears made their way down her cheeks. "I'll always be your little girl, don't ever think otherwise. I love you daddy."
"I love you too princess."
"And now any other father/daughters and mother/sons out there may join the bride and her father." The DJ said into the microphone. Troy smiled and walked over to his mother who was wiping her eyes on a tissue before grabbing his hand that he held out and walked to the dance floor with him. "You look so handsome." Lucille commented, fixing his tie quickly.
"Mom, stop it." He whined jokingly, spinning his mother before dipping her unexpectedly. She squealed in surprise and slapped his arm when he set her back on her feet. "Troy Alexander, warn a girl next time." She scolded a smile on her face the whole time.
He chuckled and kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry mom. You know I love you." He said sincerely.
"And I love you too baby." She patted his cheek with one hand before placing a kiss on his forehead in a maternal manner.
Tressa quickly shut her lap top closed, stopping the wedding video she was quietly watching, as she heard a knock on her door. Just as Troy walked in, she covered the computer with her blanket. He looked at her curiously as he walked into the room, lying down on the bed next to her. "Whatcha doing?" He asked in a sing song voice.
"Nothing." She answered quickly, hinting to her father that she was lying.
"And I'm rich." He said sarcastically, reaching under the blanket and pulling out her lap top. "What were you doing on here?" He asked as he opened the top of it, typing in her password that she gave him. He watched as the video player came up and saw the video paused when he and his mother were dancing at his wedding. "Oh." He muttered sadly, his eyes never leaving the screen as he hit the play button. She cuddled up with him to show her that she was there for him.
"I see you figured out how to work the zoom button." They could hear Taylor say to Chad behind the camera. Tressa and Troy laughed together as they heard Chad sigh obnoxiously, Taylor giggling in the video as well.
"I did Tay. I'm not stupid, I can figure out a camera."
"Coming from the man who can't even work a can opener." Taylor added, laughing as he rolled his eyes, the camera still focused on the couples dancing on the dance floor. She took a seat next to him and shook her head, smiling brightly.
"That thing is confusing." Chad exclaimed, earning a laugh from everyone near them. "I'm sure I'm not the only one who can't use it." He mumbled, turning his attention back to the dance floor. By this time, Troy was dancing with Lyndsey and Jack was dancing with Sharpay.
"Lyndsey, you look gorgeous today." Troy said charmingly, throwing her a wide grin to match his tone.
Lyndsey giggled. "Thank you Troy. You don't look bad yourself."
Troy twirled her quickly in a circle. "I never look bad. I always look better than before but never bad." He joked, sharing a laugh with his mother in law. "Pay looks like an angel today." He whispered as he smiled over at his wife who was laughing at a joke his dad had said.
Lyndsey smiled softly, seeing the look of adoration on his face. "I'm happy my little girl found someone who treats her like a princess. You and her are going to last a long time Troy. Treat her right, not that I have to tell you to." Lyndsey smiled up at him.
"I would never treat her like anything less than a princess." He said seriously. "She's my world."
"I think Troy's jealous that I'm dancing with the beautiful bride." Jack charmed, just like Troy had, as the two turned to look at Troy who was looking over at them, smiling softly.
Sharpay laughed. "I think so too. But he can wait; right now it's my time to dance with my father in law." She smiled at him.
"Exactly. Maybe now you can whip my boy into shape. Although, you already know how difficult and messy he can be after living with him for a year." Sharpay rolled her eyes as she thought about how messy Troy really was.
"He's a pig." Sharpay stated, remembering how she almost used his boxers as a towel to wipe her face dry. What they were doing on the towel rack was beyond her. "But, I love him so it's worth putting up with." She whispered lovingly.
"She really did put up with my messiness." Troy smiled softly, telling Tressa the story of their wedding while watching the video of it on her computer. Now, the two were lying on their stomachs with the lap top in front of them, Tressas' feet swinging behind her as her head leaned against his shoulder.
"Your boxers on the towel rack?" Tressa questioned, giggling slightly.
Troy chuckled as he looked down on her. "I don't even know how they got there."
"That's so gross." Tressa faked a gag, laughing when Troy nudged her with his elbow. "But of course mom put up with you. It's a sacrifice you make for love."
Troy smiled gently at his daughter, putting an arm around her shoulders. "It is. Something you'll find out about when you fall in love later on in life." He told her. "Way later on in life. Like when your forty years old, if that." He said, exaggerating the word 'way.' "Maybe even fifty."
Tressa giggled as she shoved his arm off her shoulders. "Daddy, stop it. I'll fall in love when the time is right. I can't change fate." She explained as she glanced up at him. He stared at her for a minute before busting out into laughter.
He took a few minutes to laugh of the humor in her statement, which she didn't see. "Please, you'll fall in love when I say you can." Troy said sternly, pointing a finger at his daughter and his eyebrows raised.
"I was serious daddy. You can't tell me what to do after the age of eighteen, including falling in love." She smiled proudly. "So put that in your juice box and suck on it." She said, laughing when she saw her fathers' shocked expression after hearing that. "I'm kidding about the juice box thing dad. You're too old to understand it. It's a teenage thing." She sighed dramatically. "Oh well. Youth doesn't last forever."
Troys' jaw dropped as he took in what his daughter just said. "I'm young and hip." He defended lamely.
"Daddy, when parents say 'hip,' you know they're old." Tressa said matter of factly.
"Not true."
"Yes it is."
"No it's not."
"Daddy, it is true. Don't argue with me about this. You're getting old, embrace it." She giggled, running a hand through her hair to push it out of her face. "It's ok though, because I still love you."
Troys' humor immediately dropped, his heart soaring when he heard the terms of endearment. "I love you too Tressa. Always will."
"So, wasn't Uncle Chad your best man at your wedding?" Tressa questioned curiously.
Troy nodded his head, fast forwarding to something on the computer. "He was. Listen to his best man speech at the reception, you'll laugh." He said and pressed play.
"Dude, it's time for you to give your speech." Zeke nudged Chad who was downing his second beer of the night since there was a free bar there already paid for by the bride and groom.
Chad rolled his eyes and stood up, fixing his shirt and walking over to the DJ stand. "Dude, can I borrow the microphone for a sec?" He asked, taking it from the DJ when it was handed to him. He brought it up to his lips and cleared his throat, gaining everyone's attention. "For those of you who don't know me, I'm Chad, the best man. First of all, I'd like to give a serious congratulations to the newly weds." He smiled at Troy and Sharpay who nodded at him. "I've known Troy pretty much my whole life. I consider him more like a brother to me, can't you see the resemblance?" He joked, earning a laugh from everyone. "Anyway, I don't normally get all sappy and have heart-to-hearts with people so remember this because I'm only going to say this once. Troy is a great guy. Because we're like brothers, I know that I can trust him with anything and always know that he'll be there for me when I need help. He's someone that can get along with anyone and is a life long friend once you get to know him. As a friend and a brother, congratulations man." He raised his glass of water up towards Troy along with everyone else. Troy smiled appreciatively at Chad and nodded his head at him.
"I'm not done yet so don't everyone get excited just yet." Chad teased after taking a sip of his water. "I also want to say something to Sharpay." He said, smiling softly at her. "We didn't exactly get along until you started dating Troy and even then we had our moments and probably will until the day we die." He laughed with Sharpay. "But, Troy always chooses the right people to surround himself with, which is why I love you like a little sister. I have gotten to know you a lot throughout the years and can tell that you are a very caring person once you dig down deep, way deep. Way, way, way deep." He exaggerated, Sharpay rolling her eyes at him. "What I'm trying to say is that you're a great person, Sharpay, and the perfect person for my best friend. Congratulations you two and I hope you pop out a baby soon so I can be a godfather." He added jokingly, laughing as he saw Troy and Sharpay fidget in their seats but laugh along with everyone else.
Sharpay blew a kiss at him and clapped with the crowd, her and Troy standing up to thank him when he walked over to them. She pulled him in for a hug and kissed his cheek. "Thank you Chad. That was beautiful."
Chad smiled and hugged Troy as well, wishing them a congratulations before handing the microphone of to Gabriella, since she was the Maid of Honor, so she could give her mini speech as well. "Well, firstly I'd like to say congrats to the newly weds as well. They both hold such a special place in my heart. I met them both back in high school when I moved there. After a month of being there, I started dating Troy before he ended the relationship a half a year later, both not really feeling anything. After the Lava Springs incident," The gang laughed as they made eye contact with each other, remembering the infamous summer. "Things changed. I started falling for my current boyfriend, Ryan Evans." She smiled at him. "And Sharpay started to become more caring towards people. The two of us started to hang out and soon enough if was Shar, Kels, Tay, Martha and I hanging out every weekend, like best friends. I could see the way Troy and Sharpay would look at each other, like they wanted to tell each other how they felt but were too scared to. It was kinda cute." She giggled along with the girls there. "Soon enough, after lots of planning from the girls and I, we managed to set the two of them up on a date by faking a group hangout night, the two of them only showing up."
She cleared her throat quickly before continuing. "The next day, I got a call from Shar who was squealing into the phone and said, and I quote, 'O-M-G Troy kissed me last night." She laughed along with Sharpay who blushed a light pink. Troy looked over at her and grabbed her hand, kissing her cheek. "It was the funniest thing. Anyways, you guys should thank the gang; we're the ones who got you together in the first place." She teased, the gang nodding their heads in agreement. "So, I'll finish this up now. Sharpay, you're like the sister I've never had. I'm so happy that you found the perfect person for you. Someone who finishes you sentences for you, who compliments you like there's no tomorrow, who treats you the way you deserve, which I'm sure your father could agree with." Vance nodded his head furiously. "And Troy, you're my best friend. You understood me when we first met and will always be someone that I can count on to talk to because like Chad said, you're there for anybody when they need something hands down. I love you both and congrats again." She smiled at them and blew a kiss, smiling at the attention when everyone clapped afterwards.
"Aww…Aunt Gabi and Uncle Chad were so sweet." Tressa gushed, tears in her own eyes at their speeches. "And Uncle Chad was funny too." She giggled as she glanced at Troy who seemed deep in thought, a graceful smile on his face as he paused the video, staring at the paused picture of Sharpay smiling and seeing him and Sharpays' enlaced hands. Tressa didn't interrupt his moment and let him stare at the picture for a few minutes before he shook his head and looked back over at her, tears silently falling down his cheeks. "Oh daddy." She said brokenly and pulled him in for a hug, letting him lean his head on her shoulder to cry on.
Troy clutched onto her as he gave himself some time to collect himself and in a sense drain everything out. He felt Tressa start to stroke his hair comfortingly and rub his back soothingly which made him feel at ease knowing that she was there for him. Minutes later, he pulled away and gave her a small smile. "Sometimes it just gets to me." He whispered, noticing that she closed the computer for him.
"It's allowed to get to you, daddy. If it didn't, I'd be worried." She said quietly, still rubbing his back since she could tell he wasn't fully together yet. "Feeling better?"
Troy sat up on the bed and placed his feet on the ground, still sitting on the edge of the bed. He put his head in his hands and took a few minutes to think and relax himself. "I just need some time Tress." He mumbled.
"Ok daddy. I'm going to go start dinner. You go to your room and get ready for bed. I'll go do the dishes and lock the doors." She kissed his the side of his head and left her room, walking down the stairs slowly as she blew her hair out of her face. She sighed as she walked into the kitchen, wishing there was something she could do to make him feel better, to cheer him up. Just as she was about to turn the sink on, she heard something knock over one of the trashcans outside in the backyard. Thinking the worst and having flashbacks from that night, she screamed loudly, sinking down to the floor while covering her face with her hands. "Daddy!" She yelled out, sobbing by this time because her flashback was in full force.
Seconds later, Troy skidded into the room, his face contorted into fear and worry as he saw his daughter sobbing on the floor against the counters. He ran over to her and lifted her up into his arms, sitting on the floor and putting her on his lap. "Sh, Tressa. It's ok, I'm here now." He whispered frantically as he rocked her back and forth.
"I heard something outside." She cried out, grasping his shirt in her hands tightly, burying her head into his shoulder. "I thought the worst and started reliving that night." She explained once she calmed down, hiccupping every few seconds. "It's like every little noise I hear at night triggers an attack. I want this to go away." She said brokenly, looking up at her father with her eyes red and brimmed with tears.
"I know you do baby girl. I want this to go away as well but it's going to take some time. I promise you that everything will be ok Tressa." Troy kissed her forehead and patted her arm.
"I believe daddy because you always keep your promises." She whispered as she wiped her cheeks with the sleeve of her shirt, sniffling quietly. "Can you look outside for me though?"
Troy smiled as he nodded his head, standing up and pulling her with him. "I will. Do you want to wait here or come with me?" He asked softly, grabbing a baseball bat to soothe her fear just incase.
"I'll come. I don't want to be alone." She linked her arm with his and the two stepped outside quietly, looking around the backyard. They walked over to the side of the house when Troy stopped, looking back at Tressa. "It must've been the wind. The trashcan tipped over."
Tressa let out a sigh of relief and loosened her grip on his arm. "Sorry I dragged you out here and for freaking out." She apologized as they turned to walk back inside after picking up the garbage can.
"It's ok Tressa. You're going through a hard time right now and I'm here for you every step of the way." By this time, they were in the kitchen. "Do you need anything else Tress?"
"No. I'm going to get ready for bed. Can I sleep with you again?" She asked hopefully.
"Sure thing. I'll be up soon." He kissed her forehead and watched her hug herself as she left the room fearfully. She climbed the stairs and walked into her room, leaving the door open a crack, and pulled out her cell phone. She punched in the number and her thumb lingered over the call button, not knowing if she wanted to do this. Her thumb had a mind of it's own as it pushed the button. She brought the phone to her ear and listened to it ring before someone answered. "Hello?"
Tressa cleared her throat nervously. "Hi."
Aidan smiled brightly as he leaned up in his bed, pushing himself against the headboard of it. "Tressa. Hi. How are you?"
"I've been better. You said I could call anytime I needed to talk so is now ok?" She asked cautiously, placing herself on her bed as she laid on her stomach.
"Now's perfect. What's up?"
"Well, my dad and I watched a video from his and my moms' wedding and I could tell that he was really upset. It's so hard for me to see him so…broken. I just want him to be happy again." She sighed deeply, putting her hair in a ponytail.
"Tressa, he's happy with you. It may not be with your mother but you make him happy. He's so proud of you and wants what's best for you. Don't ever doubt how happy he is." Aidan explained softly, a smile coming to her lips.
"Thanks Aidan. Sometimes I just need to talk to someone other than my dad."
"Understandable. I really am here for you." He smiled even though she couldn't see it. "How has your therapy been?"
Tressa smiled at his concern. "It's been going good. I've only had two sessions so far so there's nothing much to talk about with that. It's been really helpful though. Also, I'm thinking about going back to school soon. I haven't talked about it with my dad but I don't want to just sit around the house all day, you know?"
Aidan chuckled. "I can imagine it being a little…boring. It would be nice to have you back and school and to make sure you're ok in person." He said as he twirled a pencil from his desk in his hands. "Not that I'm telling you what to do or anything so don't base your decision off of that." He asked hastily.
"It's ok Aidan. Thank you though. I just can't sit around and let this tear me apart. I need to move on which is the only way to fully recover. I'm going to talk to my dad about this tomorrow. Do you have any ideas of what I can do to cheer him up? I'm at a loss but I want to do something for him to show him just how amazing he is even though sometimes he doesn't think so."
"Why don't you throw a party or something for him? Bring all of his friends and your family down and have everyone tell him how unbelievable he is." Aidan suggested with a shrug of his shoulders.
Tressas' eyes lit up. "That's a good idea. Then I could play some clips of him growing up and get them from my grandma and grandpa. I could put together a video collage of him and my mom from all of the pictures and videos I have of them. Thank you so much Aidan, you're a life saver!" She squealed as she thought about the idea.
He laughed. "Let's not get to crazy here. I'm glad I could help though. Let me know your plans later on and I'll help you out with planning if you want." He offered kindly.
"Thanks Aidan, I'll get back to you when I need help. Gosh this is perfect." She giggled. "I'll let you get back to sleep though since you have school tomorrow. You're a great guy Aidan. I appreciate everything you're doing for me."
"It's not a problem Tress. Have a good night alright?" He asked teasingly.
"Sure. Sweet dreams." She giggled, hanging up the phone after saying good night one last time. She bit her lip excitedly as she put her phone down and thought about the idea even more in her head. A knock interrupted her thoughts and she smiled when her dad stuck his head in the door.
"Ready kiddo?" He asked.
"Yeah." She grabbed her stuffed monkey and put her glasses on her nightstand before following him into his room. The two laid down and turned the lights off before finally getting some sleep after saying good night, Tressa smiling as she slept.
Well? What'd you think of it? I thought it was ok. I personally loved the flashbacks in this chapter, probably my favorite of all of them. But, your opinions matter to me so tell me what you thought of them!
Also, when Aidan has his talk with his mom in the beginning, it takes place the same night Tressa broke up with him. When the flashbacks start, it's a few days later.
I can't wait to write the party scene, although it'll be a few chapters later, but there will be small flashbacks in that chapter.
Please review!!