Ahh! Not the very last chapter but close too it! Oh my god.

Hopefully you'll all like this chapter and the Rosslington VS Rydellington thing comes out in this chapter for those who have been waiting for it ;)

Enjoy!

(1) The Goo Goo Dolls - Better Days

Chapter 36
Better Days

And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And designer love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

3 Months Later

Ellington was going out of his mind panicking, freaking out and not knowing what to do.

He decided to go visit Rydel, given that she was nine months pregnant now, because she couldn't go anywhere without the risk of going into labour. So Ell thought he'd be nice and go see her to try entertain her for a little while, watch a couple DVD's, make her something to eat, you know... stuff like that. He thought it would be fine and Rydel would be okay doing that.

Boy was he far from right.

Rydel needed to get up and go to the toilet because she felt she was going to pee herself if she didn't go. Only it wasn't her bladder or, if you will, her needing the toilet.

Oh no.

It was her water breaking.

And what better person to be with her when it broke than Ellington Ratliff.

He was bad enough when Maia was having her baby, well babies, and he had nothing to do with the babies or Maia. But now he does. After all he did promise Rydel he'd help her and be in the room with her when she gives birth, even though it's not his baby, so it should be interesting to see how he handles that.

Rydel was probably taking her being in labour better than Ellington was.

Actually, there was no probably about it... she was.

Even though she was in pain, she couldn't help but laugh at Ellington a little bit. Though it wasn't funny when she was in the car and he almost crashed it being in the state of panic he was in. But Ellington didn't really want to have a baby born in his car, especially when he is nowhere near being a trained doctor, nurse or midwife. Because then it would have been a disaster.

After almost killing them, crashing into cars, breaking the speeding limit and then almost getting a speeding ticket off the police - luckily the policeman was understanding enough to let him go straight away - Rydel was finally in the hospital in bed, waiting for the baby to come. She really doesn't know how much longer she can take the pain anymore.

Fair enough, Laura and Maia told Rydel what to expect and that it hurts but she wasn't expecting it to hurt this much. She thought they were over exaggerating because they're actors and it's what they do best.

Ellington was stood next to the bed keeping at eye on the door incase anybody walked in, aka Laura, Riker, Rocky, Maia, Ross etc, as he was trying to occupy himself from freaking out. It's a pretty scary thing seeing someone in labour, he's not gonna lie that would be why he's freaking out so much. Rydel felt another pain starting to go through her, she moved her hand around on the bed looking for Ell's so she had something to hold onto.

Ellington jumped, screaming a little, when he felt Rydel's hand squeeze onto his as well as digging her surprisingly very long nails into his hand. "Ow, ow, ow, ow!" Ellington kept on chorusing, feeling that Rydel was much stronger than she claimed.

Rydel let go of his hand, taking a deep breath when the pain finally went. Ellington held onto his hand, rubbing it "You have no idea how much that hurts, Rydel." Ellington said.

Rydel looked up at Ellington with a glare. "I'm sorry." Ellington said, realising she was probably in a lot more pain than he was. "But seriously, Rydel... if you ever help someone give birth... you'll also see the pain they go through."

Rydel rolled her eyes "Not everyone's a pussy like you, Ellington."

Ellington took a step back after getting snapped at by Rydel "Hormones much." Ellington mumbled.

Rydel turned her head back round to him, sending him a disbelieving and death glare. She raised her hand and pointed to the door "Get out. I... I want you to get out."

Ellington went to go protest, but instead he nodded and made his way to the door thinking it was for the very best. Rydel sighed with relief when he left the room. Finally she could be alone and deal with her contractions in piece without having someone acting like a complete girl and getting squeamish and freaking over it.

"Ellington!"

Ell turned around where Riker and Laura were coming down the hallway with Jenny. "Is she in there?" Riker asked, looking through the small window on the door where he saw Rydel laid in the bed. He looked back at Ellington "Dude, why aren't you in there with her?"

"She kicked me out."

Laura scoffed, sitting down with Jenny on her lap "I'm not surprised. After how you acted when Maia was in labour, I dread to think what you're going to be like now." she laughed at the idea of Ellington helping Rydel give birth. That is the one thing she would pay to see.

"I can't help it! It's a scary thing to see someone in labour!" Ellington protested, trying to defend himself.

Riker shook his head, barely being able to believe how he was acting "No it's not Ellington, you're just being a drama queen."

"Oh, what is this? Pick on Ellington day?" Ell asked, feeling slightly offended that everyone was ganging up on him.

"When girls go into labour," Laura said, looking up to him with a grin "yes." she answered laughing, Riker joined in.

Ellington rolled his eyes, sitting down in the chair next to Laura where it looked like he was sulking like a 3 year old. "Pick that lip up Ell, you might trip over it." Laura joked.

Ellington turned his head slowly to Laura "Have you been hanging out with Rocky, Laura?" Ellington asked "because you are full of it today."

Laura smiled, like she was proud of herself. "Jenny doesn't even sulk like you are now," Riker said, slightly laughing "and she's three. How old are you Ellington? Twenty-two? Almost twenty-three? That's twenty years difference."

Ellington sighed heavily, folding his arms across his chest.

He could tell everyone was back to normal and it was like they were the band they always were before anything went wrong.

How?

Because he was being targeted to be made fun of for the day.

Great.

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cause everyone is forgiven now
Cause tonight's the night the world begins again

It was almost over.

One more month and that was it, Ross would have his baby girl or boy with him and away from Vanessa and that was it. He was free of Vanessa forever no matter what happens.

Laura had helped Ross a whole lot to make sure that when the baby is born it goes straight to Ross and not to Vanessa, along with Rocky, Ellington, Rydel, Riker and Maia's help of course but it was mainly Laura no matter what anybody says. He really owes her one for helping him with that. Especially with all the drama and the attention off the paparazzi it caused for a short while.

That wasn't fun.

But now it was set in stone. Vanessa wasn't getting the baby and Ross would be free of her for life. To make sure Vanessa didn't do anything stupid to jeopardise the baby being born to torture Ross even more than he was, she was arrested by the police due to what she had done in the past to Ross, to Titus and to whoever else she managed to poison along the way. The police were fully aware about what happens when the baby was born so Ross had no reason to panic.

Vanessa was out of his life for good.

Right now wasn't even the time to worry and think about that, it was mainly Rydel being in labour that was making him think of that. He had to be at the hospital for Rydel's baby being born. His knew niece or nephew.

He was hoping it was going to be a boy. He's only got one and two nieces, and it seems it's starting to get a little bit crowded with girls when it used to be crowded with guys.

There ain't no way Ross is letting the girls take over.

He laughed at himself.

His gay side was really starting to come out more, he's not gonna lie. The fans don't even know about his sexuality yet, so he can't exactly go around flaunt it can he because then even more drama will be caused and more attention will be brought to him. And lets face it... this year has not been Ross's finest, has it?.

The only people who did know he was gay was his brothers, Rydel, Laura, Maia, Ellington and his parents. They didn't find out because Ross decided to tell them off his own accord and choice, oh no. Rocky was being fucking Rocky Lynch as usual and he ended up letting it slip out to everyone in the room. Ellington had to hold Ross back because he honestly thought Ross was going to brutally murder Rocky right there and then. In fact, everyone did.

Ross would have if he was being honest. But not anymore, there was no point.

Besides, it wasn't like he was going to get very far with him being gay. He can't even get the person he likes, Ellington, so what's it to say about other guys he takes a liking too like he did with Ell?

He sighed.

He should know, he never has much luck with love. Even when he was straight he never.

Take Laura as a big massive huge example.

Ross rolled his eyes, there was no point in even bringing that up. It's in the past and totally forgotten about, and you know what... Laura's happy being with Riker and Jenny and that makes him happy.

Ross finished rambling and thinking in his head to himself when he decided to leave the apartment and finally make his way to the hospital. He shut the door and brought up the correct key, locking the door. He turned around from the door when he ended up smashing into someone full force that he actually nearly knocked the poor guy, as well as himself, to the floor.

Ross grabbed hold of the person, he knew he was strong but he didn't realise he was strong enough to knock a guy down who was near enough the same size in him "I'm so sorry!" Ross said, holding onto him.

The guy smiled, he looked around Ross's age if not possibly older "It's okay, don't worry about it."

Ross stared at the guy for a little while, somewhat getting lost in his beautiful shining blue eyes. Ross shook his head, letting go of his arms. What the hell was he thinking? He'd only just met him. And not in the best way possible. Ross laughed nervously "S-sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about," The guy said, laughing a little at Ross's nervousness. He found it slightly cute. "I'm Gavin by the way," he introduced himself at long last, Ross was thinking that he'd have to slowly drag it out of him and find it out for himself "I live just down the hallway. I only just moved in."

"Oh, so your the new person moving in down there..." Ross said, thoughtfully "I thought it was going to be some old lady moving in there. No offense or anything... not that I think your an old lady.. or old for that matter," Ross sighed, shutting his eyes and taking a small pause due to his idioticness "I'm going to shut up now."

Gavin chuckled at Ross's rambling again. "Um, I'm Ross, seen as though I didn't fully introduce myself." Ross said, coming to realise he hadn't done that yet.

Damn it why was he acting all nervous in front of a guy he'd only met merely twenty seconds ago?

Sure, he had beautiful blue eyes as well as amazing looking soft brown hair that looked like you could run your fingers through it all day without getting bored of it.

Stop it. Ross warned himself.

"Yeah, I know who you are," Gavin said, still finding Ross's nervousness and rambling terribly adorable and cute. "I do listen to R5 you know."

"Oh, that's nice. Great." Ross smiled. He swallowed hard, seeing Gavin was staring right at him and silence had taken over them both "w-well.. I've gotta be somewhere but this was.. um... this was nice," Ross went to go walk off but stopped, turning back to Gavin "the talking... not the bumping into you, almost killing you thing."

Gavin nodded "I-I knew what you meant."

"Great." Ross said, sticking his thumbs up before turning around and making his way quickly down the hallway, cursing himself under his breath for being a complete and utter idiot.

Gavin laughed as he watched Ross walk away quickly. He turned around himself, making his way back to his own apartment.

I need someplace simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And thats faith and trust and peace while we're alive
And the one poor child who saved this world
And there's 10 million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them

After a while of them all sat outside Rydel's room, talking and making fun of Ellington for being a pussy over women being in labour a nurse, well the midwife, finally came out of the room. She looked between Riker, Ellington and Laura "Which one of you is helping Rydel?" The nurse asked.

Riker and Laura, who were sat on either side of Ellington, pointed to him. "He is." Laura said smiling "please record this, I wanna watch him screaming and freaking out afterwards."

Ellington rolled his eyes, slapping both their hands away "I hate you both." Ellington mumbled, getting up from where he sat.

The nurse opened up the door, letting Ellington through before following after.

Riker turned to Laura who was giggling like a school girl in a playground. "Laura... why are you laughing?" Riker asked.

Laura shrugged, trying to calm herself down "I just find it funny how Ellington thinks he's going to be able to help Rydel without running out, screaming like a little girl or passing out cold on the floor." Laura said, finally bursting out into proper laughter rather than just giggling.

Riker shook his head, sitting further back into the seat. Sometimes he worried for Laura's sanity. Though, he did find it funny Ellington was helping Rydel. He watched the door and listened for the screaming to begin.

Rydel's as well as Ellington's.

Rydel gripped onto Ellington's hand as much as she could, due to the pain and for the fact of him freaking out earlier for nothing. "Ow, ow, Rydel... your breaking my hand!" Ellington said, almost dropping to his knees. He was pretty sure Rydel has put some holes in his hand as well as snapped a few bones.

"I don't care-ow!" Rydel screamed through the pain. She let out another scream and collapsed back onto the bed. She shook her head, feeling tears slip down her face "Forget about it! I can't do it."

"Yes you can, Rydel. Your almost there, keep going." Ellington said, trying to give her some motivation even though he wanted the feeling in his hand back more than anything else in the world. "It'll be over before you know and the pain will be gone," he said reassuringly "as well as mine..." Ellington mumbled, which only got him a glare from Rydel.

"That's easy for you to say, I don't see a baby coming out of your penis!" She snapped at him.

"That's because if it did, I wouldn't have one anymore."

Rydel let out a small laugh at what Ell had just said in the attempt to cheer her up, but that was when she got another wave of pain and she screamed, also squeezing onto Ellington's hand. "Rydel, push, keep going. Your almost there just one or two more big pushes, sweetie." The nurse said, trying to offer as much comfort as she could.

Rydel shook her head, crying through the pain "No, it hurts too much!"

Ell sighed, still holding onto Rydel's hand. He brushed parts of her, now, sweat soaked hair out of her face and behind her ears "Rydel... you can do it... Please," He said gently and calmly, looking into her eyes when she re-opened them "I know I'm not the best person to be here right now, but I'm here for you. I'm not going anywhere any time soon."

Rydel smiled, lifting her hand to his face, cupping it and stroking it with with her hand "Your all I could ask for to be with me right now..." Rydel said, happily and feeling the spark between them both again like when they used to date before everything went spectacularly wrong.

Ell smiled, and soon it faded "Then for god sakes woman push!" Ellington raised his voice with determination and also desperation.

Rydel sat back up again and started pushing again, holding and squeezing onto Ell's hand as tight as she possibly could due to the pain. Ellington on the other hand, he was hiding his pain from Rydel clutching onto his hand and it was clear by his face for anybody who was watching. He could picture Laura laughing at him right now.

"One more big push Rydel and that's it, it's over." The nurse said.

Rydel took a deep breath, continuing to push as hard as she could. Ellington put his other arm around Rydel to hold her, whereas his other hand was practically dead and he had the strangest feeling by putting his other arm around her would cause him to lose feeling in that arm too.

Rydel fell back onto the bed, after finally pushing for the final time. She took deep breaths, realising she was done judging by the baby crying at the other end of her, she smiled a little bit. "There! You did it, Rydel! Well done!" Ellington said, smiling at her happily before giving her a small gentle hug.

They both pulled away from the hug, Rydel lifted her hand up for a high-five which Ellington gladly gave her, but with the hand he had let Rydel squeeze and basically rip to pieces. As soon as she hit it, he winced and cried in pain "Ow..." he whimpered, holding onto his hand. Rydel laughed.

"Here he is." The nurse said, bringing Rydel's baby boy over wrapped in a blanket.

Rydel gently took him from the nurse and held him in her own arms, looking down at him "Hi..." she said smiling as well as crying a little bit, stroking his face with her fingers gently.

Ellington half smiled down at the little baby in her arms, half smiling because he was happy for Rydel but no so much happy knowing that this baby could of been his rather than Titus's. He sighed, resting on the edge of the bed looking from Rydel to the baby.

Rydel looked up from her little boy and up to Ellington, but caught him as he looked back at her. She stared at him for a moment in the eyes, looking at him and debating what to do right now. That was before Ellington leaned forwards and kissed her on the lips softly. It took a few seconds for Rydel to process what he was doing, but she had no problem kissing back.

The pair of them pulled away before laughing a little bit. Ellington sat down next to Rydel as best as he could "Erm... I've been meaning to ask you something for a while now..." Ellington said, hesitantly as he wasn't quite sure how Rydel wasn't going to react "I mean, I know it's a long shot seen as though you've literally just had a baby to someone else that isn't me... but um..."

Rydel slowly looked up to him "But what?" She asked.

"Erm... do you er... do you wanna be my girlfriend again?"

Rydel smiled, laughing a little bit "No," she said, making Ellington's face drop. Rydel burst out laughing "Oh my god, I totally had you going there! Of course I'll be your girlfriend again you idiot." she laughed.

Ellington sighed with relief before bending down and kissing Rydel again.

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cause everyone is forgiven now
Cause tonight's the night the world begins again

I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

Laura smiled, she was looking through a crack in the door. She shut it slowly and quietly, turning back round to face Riker "Well, there's some more news you can tell the R5 fans other than another Lynch baby being born."

"What's that?" Riker asked.

"Rydellington being back on, and hopefully this time for good."

Riker stood up from where he sat, going near the door "Seriously?" he asked, turning back round to Laura "They're back together?"

Laura nodded "Yeah, you don't seem too happy about it... is there a reason?" she asked.

Riker shook his head, starting to smile a little "Oh, no! I'm happy for them, I really am... Glad they've worked things out but..." Riker paused, letting out a sigh "I thought him and Ross were gonna get together. You know, seen as though Ross has crazy feelings for him and the baby isn't even Ellington's."

Laura frowned "You're right... Ross is gonna be so heartbroken."

"Oh my god," Ross smiled happily, coming down the hallway where he draped his arms over Riker and Laura "that was the best thing ever. I don't know about you guys, but I'm happy. Cloud 9. what about you two?" He asked, looking between them with the biggest smile on his face.

Riker cocked his head a little bit "Why are you so happy?" Riker asked, not that he was complaining it was just after everything that's happened to him in the past few months Ross has been depressed about it. And he's... happy? It's like nothing bad has happened to him what so ever.

Ross shrugged, smiling like he had been told the best news ever "What isn't there to be happy about?" Ross asked, shrugging a little "I've got the best big brothers and little brother ever, best big sister, bestest friends, the best nieces and nephew, a new niece or nephew as well as my own baby, I'm in one of the biggest bands out there with amazing people who I love... what's there to be unhappy about?"

Laura looked at Riker with a confused smile. She was happy that Ross was happy for the first time in forever, but she was still confused "Okay?" Laura said, she let out a small laugh "is there any other reason why you're happy?"

Ross shook his head, seeming more ecstatic than ever "Nope. Happy, happy, happy."

"Dude, seriously... did someone slip you some happy pills this morning or have you been inhaling exhaust fumes?" Riker asked.

Ross laughed "Awe, you're so funny Riker," he said, squeezing the sides of Riker's cheeks with his hand like a baby. He let go of his face and turned to Laura "He's a keeper. I hope you two last forever."

Laura, still smiling, folded her arms and looked at Ross curiously "Okay, now I know something's up because you have never wished that for us two ever. Not three years ago and certainly not this year."

Ross shrugged "Well this time I mean it," He said, draping his arms around them both "I know once upon a time I would never have wished this upon you both or said this to you... but I do hope you two last forever, until the day you both die. And you know what, if you two being together makes you happy - and it clearly does - then I'm happy."

Riker and Laura exchanged another glance, with the same smiles on their face of confusion. "Okay.." Riker laughed.

"Would you still be happy if I told you Rydel and Ellington are back together?" Laura asked.

"Good!" Ross said, taking his arms around from both of them, taking a look into the room where he saw them both together on the bed which only made him smile more. He turned back round to Riker and Laura "It's about time they figured things out and got back together, they deserve to be happy."

Laura looked Ross up and down "Alright Lynch, who's the guy?"

"Hmm?"

"The guy you've met who suddenly makes you very happy." Riker said, now figuring it out just like Laura had. He was crazily hung up with his feelings for Ellington last week, and now he's... not. So obviously there was somebody else.

Ross rolled his eyes, still being his happy self. The Ross he use to be all those years ago really. "Guys, guys, guys..." Ross said, walking in between Riker and Laura again "just because I'm happy-"he said, putting his arms back around Riker and Laura once more "-does not mean there is a guy involved. Okay?" Ross said, looking from Riker and Laura.

Riker and Laura sighed, still not believing Ross in the slightest. He was too happy for comfort.

"But if anybody asks his names Gavin and lives down the hallway from me, and I am so going for it." Ross said, patting Riker on the chest (with his other arm still draped around him) "c'mon Jenny!" Ross said, smiling seeing Jenny sat there on the chair. He picked her up, Jenny giggling like crazy, throwing her over his shoulder and taking off down the hallway with her.

Laura laughed as her and Riker watched him take off down the hallway. Riker shook his head "He's crazy..." He said "I'm still convinced someone's slipped him a happy pill this morning."

Laura nodded "It's Ross Shor Lynch. Of course he's crazy," she said, with her hands on her hips. She didn't take her eyes off from where he ran, continuing to smile "I'm just glad we've finally got him back."

"Me too." Riker smiled.

Laura sighed "C'mon, we're going to go get something to eat," Laura said, beginning to walk down the hallway herself.

Riker slowly followed Laura trailing behind her, he scoffed "Says who?"

"Says me." Laura said, turning round slightly as she walked. "I'm hungry dude."

"Oh yeah, because it's all about you in this relationship." Riker joked.

Laura smirked "I'm a girl," she said, holding her hands up near her face like she was some sort of Queen, mockingly of course "of course it's all about me."

Riker rolled his eyes "Funny how it's always all about the girl, isn't it?"

"Yeah, because guys suck." Laura said, taking his hand and pulling him close to him.

"I beg to differ by the way."

"Wanna put that to the test?" Laura asked, sort of threateningly.

Riker shook his head as he stopped walking a little bit "No, not really."

"That's what I thought."

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cause everyone is forgiven now
Cause tonight's the night the world begins again

Cause tonight's the night the world begins again

Okay, you have no idea how much I was smiling writing the part with Ross, Riker and Laura okay and the bit after. NO IDEA. So imagine how I'm going to feel writing the final chapter (which is obviously next). I feel proud of this chapter. There's nothing more I needed to add into it really. Eeep! I hope this chapter was perfect for you guys as well :) Hopefully I can make the next chapter ESPECIALLY perfect for you all! I've already for the song picked out for the final chapter and have done since around Chapter 23. I bet you all can't guess which song ;) Though to be honest I think it's pretty obvious what song and it would be quite stupid of me not to of added it into this... So I thought "hey, why not end the story with that song?" yeah... that song might just add to the perfectness of the final chapter that is to come in a couple days time. (but who knows, maybe I might put off the final chapter for a couple weeks cause I'll be stressing over how perfect it needs to be lel)

I'm sorry, I just needed someone to say "it's all about the girl" in this story towards the end... and honestly it fit in with Riker and Laura at that part without me getting all cheesy and cliche about it c''x. It could of been used in the final chapter, but who knows? Maybe it will be. I don't know \o/

As for the Rosslington VS Rydellington... Rydellington DID NOT WIN the poll. Rosslington did. But you guys should know by now I always do the opposite on polls to what people want X""D Naaa, just kidding. I've always wanted this story to end in Rydellington no matter what :) 1. Because then it's a story without Rosslington 2. It's a happy ending.

I have never written a happy ending before guys. So this is a first. Feel very fucking special X"D.

I would also like to put it out there that I. DO. NOT. SHIP. RYDELLINGTON. So before you all go thinking I ship it... I really don't haha cx

Thanks for reading! Hopefully you'll all enjoy the final chapter! I know most of you are going to want to wait for it lel.

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