Chapter 24 Family Dinner

It was Christmas Eve and the whole Evans family were together, which was a rare thing. Sharpay was helping her mother with dinner whilst Ryan and his father set the table and Ryan wrapped up his presents for his family. He had gotten Sharpay a beautiful golden locket, which could hold two tiny pictures inside. He had gotten his mom a pair of dangly earrings, and his dad a new tie. After dinner was ready and the table was set, the four of them sat down to eat. The dinner was running smoothly until the twins' mother asked Sharpay a question, "Sharpay darling, have you put on weight?"

Sharpay looked nervously at Ryan and then back at her mother, "Wh…wh-what'd you mean?" she stuttered.

"I mean darling, that you seem to have gained a little weight, which can't be good for your performances, you have to look your best. Perhaps you should watch what you're eating…" she said looking at Sharpay's stomach.

Sharpay nodded, "I think…I think I just need to go get some air…" she said slowly leaving the table.

"I think I'll go see if she's ok…" Ryan said, also leaving the table.

"Couldn't you have picked another time to talk to her about her weight?" Mr Evans asked his wife.

"She needed telling, I mean have you actually looked at her lately?" she answered.

"I guess…" he said, sighing and taking a sip of his drink.

"You okay Shar?" Ryan asked as he sat next to Sharpay on the bottom of the stairs.

"Should I tell them?" she asked, staring deeply into his eyes, he could see the fear, which burned so brightly in hers.

He hugged her and sighed deeply, "I don't know Shar…I mean, they're bound to find out when there's a screaming baby in the house…"

Sharpay smiled at this and nodded firmly before leaving the stairs and heading back to the dinner table where their parents were still eating dinner.

She sat down at the table, closely followed by Ryan and took a really deep breath before saying quietly, "Mom, dad…I'm pregnant…" She grasped Ryan's hand under the table and squeezed it tight.

"What was that dear?" Mrs Evans asked.

"I'm pregnant…" she said again quietly.

"Speak up," Mr Evans said.

"She said…" Ryan said loudly, "That she is pregnant."

Both Mr and Mrs Evans stopped eating and stared at their children, "I beg your pardon?" Mrs Evans said in a whisper, barely loud enough for the others to hear, but loud enough.

"I'm pregnant," Sharpay said with more confidence, still squeezing Ryan's hand tightly for support.

"But how…what…when…what the…" their father spluttered.

"Well, very easily actually," Sharpay said.

"But Sharpay, you're too young honey, and who the hell is the father…I'm gonna kill that guy when I get my hands on him…" he said, his tone starting to have a hint of anger in it.

Ryan just looked worriedly at Sharpay, "Well…honestly…I…I have no idea…" she lied, smiling reassuringly at Ryan.

"How can you have NO IDEA?" their father practically erupted like a volcano.

"Very easily…" Sharpay said timidly, again lying.

"I can't believe this," their mother chirped in, she looked at though she was about to cry, "Sharpay, how could you?"

"I'm sorry…" Sharpay said, tears in her eyes as Ryan pulled her close to him.

"Leave her alone," Ryan said firmly to their parents.

"And you knew about this, but didn't tell us?" their father looked at Ryan.

Ryan nodded, "I knew alright, but it wasn't up to me to tell you."

There was an awkward silence, which was broken by Mrs Evans, "You are going to get an abortion." She said it quietly, but firmly, without looking at Sharpay or Ryan.

"What…mom…no…" Sharpay shook her head.

"Oh yes you are," her mother persisted.

"No mom…you don't understand…I can't, its too late…and I wouldn't have one anyway…" Sharpay said, trying to keep herself calm.

"What…?" their mother asked, forcing calmness into her shaking voice.

"It's too late mom…abortions can only happen up to 6 months…" Sharpay said quietly, keeping her eyes on her brother.

"And how many months would you be?" her mother asked, the calmness being taken over by worry.

"7"

Their mother and father just looked at one another, neither one able to think of what to say, Sharpay got up from the table and ran to her room.

"See, she knew that's how you'd react, that's why she didn't tell you earlier," Ryan hissed at them before running after his sister.

Mr and Mrs Evans just looked at one another, "Well, I can see that this is going to be a Christmas we remember…" Mr Evans sighed.