A Forced Reunion
A/N: Hey thanks for all the reviews! I got my highest so far for this story of 40. I'm sorry this has taken so long to get up but I have been really busy and today I have been working on it all day to get it all right with the emotions. I'm actually crying because this was so hard and the end is so sad to me anyway. Please R&R!
Disclaimer: Own nothing!
Chapter 15 – Only hours to live
Everyone gasped in horror.
"How? This isn't supposed to happen yet! He can't die!" Sharpay exclaimed, tears rolling down her face.
"He was told between 3 and 6 months was all he had left, remember? He's past 5 months now and he is so weak Sharpay. This could have happened a lot sooner." Gabriella reminded her and everyone else as she walked off.
"Sharpay why don't you go in and see Ryan and I'll go after her." Sharpay nodded as Troy followed Gabriella sadly knowing how much she was trying to be brave and accept that this was finally happening.
"Gabriella wait up!" Troy called as she rounded a corner a leaned against a wall taking a deep breath as Troy caught up with her. Troy wrapped his arms around her as she cried into his chest. "Shh it's going to be ok Gabi. I'm going to be here and I'm going to get you through this." Troy assured her rubbing her back as she held onto him tightly. Troy could sense she was scared with how tight she was clutching to him but he didn't say anything and just stood there holding her, letting her take as long as she needed.
"I should get back in there and go see Ryan." Gabriella said pulling back as she went to wipe her tears away only for Troy to beat her to them.
"If you're ready I'll be there next to you all the way." Gabriella nodded.
"Thank you." Troy smiled at her as she leaned up and kissed him before taking another deep breath and lacing their fingers together before walking in.
Sharpay was sat on the edge on Ryan's bed holding on tightly to his hand while the other stood around tearfully.
"You can talk you know." Ryan told them weakly barely being able to keep his eyes open.
"What exactly can we talk about because this situation isn't something we're used to?" Sharpay snapped at him as he squeezed her hand the best he could.
"Talk to me about anything. It's better than just sitting here in silence. Talk about Sofia and Kayla." Sharpay shook her head.
"Forgive us if none of us want to talk and how am I meant to tell my daughters that their uncle they have just got to know has died?." Zeke walked closer to his wife trying to calm her down.
"Sharpay stop snapping at him and calm down." Zeke whispered softly rubbing her back.
"Look what I found." Ryan and the others looked to the door to see Gabriella standing there with Troy.
"Where have you been Gabs? This lot are driving me mad." Gabriella smiled as she kissed his forehead.
"Sorry I had to remember to get something out that I forgot I needed to give you now." Ryan looked at her confused as the others looked on amazed at how normal Gabriella was being towards Ryan.
"What have you got?" Ryan asked as Gabriella smiled before handing him a box.
"You told me when you first were diagnosed and was in hospital for two weeks that when you were finally discharged the first thing you would do is cut up these so I thought you could have the pleasure of doing so now." Ryan shook his head very slowly amazed she had remembered.
"A pack of cards? Cut up?" Chad asked confused and for once not the only one who didn't understand what they were on about.
"When Ryan was first in hospital, all people seemed to ask him to do was play cards and he got so tired of them he said he would one day cut up a pack of cards to for all those times he got caught and couldn't escape. I thought now would be a good thing if he isn't too weak." Gabriella explained as she helped Ryan cut them up as the other looked on still a bit confused. Ryan knew Gabriella was trying to keep his mind of it all.
"Remember when we went crazy when we first met up?" Ryan spoke as Gabriella laughed as all the others stayed quiet and just left the two to themselves.
"The drunken weekend spree?" Ryan nodded. "That weekend we never could beat no matter how many times we tried." Ryan smiled.
"What happened?" Kelsi asked as Ryan nodded to Gabriella to answer.
"We were both out at a club with some 'friends' already a little drunk when we noticed each other. We kind of then ditched our friends to catch up on everything and let's just say a lot was drunk while we talked and danced. After going to a few different clubs, it was about 6am and we decided we didn't need to sleep because we were still so drunk. We went walking round until all the shops opened and we went completely mad with what we were buying, not caring how much anything was or even what it was. Let's just say we were in for a big surprise when our card statements came through and we found out we had gone mad with spending so much on everything. Half the stuff we brought we had no idea why we did." Gabriella explained as Ryan smiled weakly at the memory. The others tried to speak again but just couldn't since everything they thought seemed to have lost all their meanings because of the whole situation. Gabriella and Sharpay were both just sitting on either side of Ryan holding his hands letting him know they were there and weren't going anywhere.
Two hours passed and everyone was now sitting in Ryan's room listening to Gabriella and Ryan talk. Sharpay was hardly saying anything and everyone knew she was taking it hard because she never normally was this quiet but no one could blame her since it was her twin there lying in front of them dying.
"Ryan?" Ryan and everyone else looked at Sharpay.
"Sharpay don't. No goodbyes yet. I can't say goodbye." Ryan told her.
"I need to tell you this because we don't know how much longer you will be here and strong enough to listen." Sharpay said tearfully as Ryan tightened his grip on her hand as much as he could.
"Go on." Ryan encouraged her knowing she needed to do this. Tears fell down everyone's faces as they realised she was saying goodbye to her brother.
"I need you to know how much I love you, how I have never stopped loving you even while we didn't speak. You mean everything to me because no matter what you are my best friend, the one who could read me before I even spoke, the one who helped me to change from being the Ice princess into someone who had a heart which helped me and my husband get together. I can't face the thought of saying goodbye to you but I have too." Ryan managed to get her into a hug while he kissed the top of her head and put his head on hers, running his hand as best he could through her hair while the two cried.
"I love you too. Just remember, all of you, I'll never be leaving you. I'll be watching down on all your amusing lives just from up there and not down here. You can't get rid of me that easy." Everyone let out a small laugh, all of them not believing how strong Ryan was being. Troy was holding onto Gabriella while Chad and Jason did the same to Taylor and Kelsi and Zeke was rubbing Mrs Evans' back while she held onto her husband and watched their two children. Sharpay kept a hold on Ryan not wanting to let go.
Everyone was silent after talking for another hour when a doctor came in and checked over Ryan. He nodded at Gabriella who knew what he was implying. It really wasn't long now.
"I suggest you start saying your goodbyes now because we are going to have to ask some of you to leave the room and only immediate family will be allowed to stay in and Miss Montez." The doctor instructed as they nodded.
"It's Mrs Bolton now not Miss Montez." Gabriella corrected the doctor as he smiled and then left.
"Why don't all of us take it in turns to say something before we leave?" Taylor suggested as everyone agreed. "I'll start." Taylor moved next to the bed while Gabriella moved next to Sharpay away from the bed while Taylor took hold of his hand. "Well what can I say about you Ryan? I have to admit when I first saw you and Sharpay I hated you before I had even spoke to you because I just thought you were spoilt little rich kids who didn't need anything and to be honest I was jealous but as we grew and we finally got to know you we realized that you didn't always have things as easy and that the two of you were two of the greatest people to ever know because you would do anything for your friends and family and I'm glad I got to see that side of you. I'm going to miss you." Taylor finished as she felt Ryan squeeze her hand ever so slightly before she kissed his forehead and let Chad go.
"Dude all I'm saying is you better not have chucked away all those hats because I'm so going to raid them and see if I can find any that fit on this thing." Chad said pointing to his afro while everyone let out a sad laugh. "Yeah I don't know how to do sad stuff so all I'll say is I'm going to miss you and don't worry we will all keep an eye on both Gabs and Sharpay. I love you man." Chad patted his shoulder as he moved next to Taylor and brought her into his arms while Kelsi went next.
"Hi Ryan. Gosh I never thought I would have to do this. I'll let you in on a secret now since you can't make fun of me for it now and let it go to your head too much. Before I met Jason I used to have a bit of a crush on you and thought that there was something sexy about those sparkly shirts Sharpay would make you wear and let me say you still have your looks even without your sparkly shirts. I'm going to miss you so much Ryan. You were the only person who could read any girl before she even said anything and that's what made you such a great friend." Kelsi kissed his cheek before walking next to Chad who wrapped her in his arms too while they listened to Jason.
"Yeah my girlfriend lost it there when she said you were sexy. I mean no one can beat me because I'm the best." Kelsi cleared her throat and everyone grinned. "Ok moving on. I know me and you have never been that close but this still isn't any easier. We're going to miss you dude and we will never forget any of the memories we've all made with you because our gang will forever be one short now and no one will ever fill that gap because no one will ever be you. See ya dude." Jason finished as everyone freely let their tears run down their face not caring who saw, even all the guys.
"I guess I'll go next. I can't believe you aren't going to be around anymore. You were the only one who could ever help me out when your sister got mad at me and would guide me in the right direction of making it up to her. I have no idea how I'm going to cope with her on my own because as you know she can be hard work." Zeke pointed out. "I want you to know Ryan that no matter what I will look after your sister and family and won't let anything happen to them." Zeke promised.
"Tell. Sofia. And. Kayla. I. Love. Them." Ryan managed to get out.
"Don't worry we will. They'll never be able to forget their uncle Ryan. We'll make sure of it." Sharpay smiled as Zeke gently shook Ryan's hand before moving back next to her.
"Ok I have like no idea where to start." Troy said as he smiled. "You are a good man Ryan Evans and I owe you so much for looking after Gabi and keeping her happy and safe for so long while I wasn't around. You did a good job and I'll be forever thankful because if it wasn't for you I don't know if we would be where we are now. I promise you she will never be alone and I won't let anything happen to her because I know you'll probably come back and haunt me if I let something happen to her." Ryan smiled a small smile and Gabriella grinned. "All in all thank you for everything you've ever done for her. I know it might not be a personal thing like the others have said but to me Gabriella is my everything and you've been the one to bring her back to me. We're going to miss you so much buddy." Ryan shook Troy's hand.
"Look. After. Her. She's. Going. To. Need. You. More. Than. Anything. Soon." Ryan slowly spoke.
"You've got my word Ryan." Troy promised as Gabriella stood up and walked up to him, Troy giving her hand a small reassuring squeeze as he walked past her. As soon as Gabriella took his hand and looked at him she couldn't hold back her tears as she spoke.
"In the eight years I have known you; you have been the best person in my life. Sure we have had our moments, mostly fun I remember. You showed me real devotion when you were first diagnosed and the way you tried to carry on working and being yourself through it all." She paused as she collected herself. "You made me see what was really in front of me most times, the most important telling me to allow myself to love and prepare to move on after all of this.
I had never realised till then just how much you felt for Troy and how much I depended on someone else being there for me when I knew you wouldn't be around. How much I would need someone and how much I missed everyone. That's what convinced me to see what it was between me and Troy when we were back here, what I had been afraid to admit and believe could be real if I went after it. You were always the one who guided me to the places I needed to be and I'm so grateful I got to be with you over the past few years because if we hadn't then I fear all the moments that would have cost me and I don't know if I would be here today without you.
Anyway, enough of me rambling. I love you Ryan, you have been the best friend I could have wished for. Now go and rest in peace but think of me now and again and don't forget to check in on us all because I'm sure we'll know when you're around." Gabriella finished as she held onto Ryan and the two hugged as all the girls let out sobs, Sharpay was the worst because she knew she never got the chance to be as close to Ryan again like Gabriella had and now it hurt that he would be gone soon. Everyone took one last look at Ryan who was still hugging Gabriella before making their way out of the room. Troy went to leave but Sharpay held him back.
"Stay." He nodded as Doctor Willow walked back in with several other people and closed the door behind them.
Gabriella and Sharpay stood in Troy and Zeke's arms as Mr and Mrs Evans stood next to Ryan as they all watched him slowly close his eyes. Sharpay and Gabriella grabbed the other one's hand while Troy and Zeke held them close, both trying hard to be strong even though they were only just able to stay controlled as they slowly watched him take his last few breaths as the monitor flat lined. Doctor Willow nodded at the nurse.
"Time of death: 11.58pm." Sharpay and Gabriella collapsed in sobs as Zeke and Troy comforted them as best they could. Ryan Evans was finally at peace.
A/N: Sad right? Please review and tell me if I got this chapter right with the emotion or if it needed more or less. Thanks!