Take Me There
Chapter 18
A/N: Sorry its so late. I had some family and work issues that had to be taken care of before I could worry about getting back online.
Previously...
"Good." Came Chad's reply. Instead of talking, he pulled Ryan in for what would be their first official kiss. As cheesy as it sounds, when Ryan would later think back on it, he would swear he saw fireworks. It was gentle at first. Like they were getting to know one another. But ever so slowly they deepened it. When Ryan felt Chad's tongue seeking entrance, he gladly welcomed it. It was magical. That was the only way they could think to describe it. It was worth all the waiting, the flirting, everything.
Only breaking apart to catch their breath, Chad's lips sought out Ryan's again. Ryan was melting into their kiss. He felt his knees going week. That's when he felt Chad's arm wrap around his waist. He smiled into the kiss. It was the cheering and catcalls that broke them apart this time. Turning around, they saw that they had an audience. Both boys blushed. Chad's arms never left Ryan's waist.
"Well, it's about time, boys! I was beginning to think you would never get together." Gloria smiled at her boys. She hugged them both and walked away.
While everyone was congratulating them on finally getting together, Ryan noticed someone had walked in through the back door. When he finally spotted who it was, he almost fainted.
"Mom?"
"Hi, Ducky." Mrs. Evans was standing beside Gloria, an uneasy look on her face.
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"Mom?" Ryan said once again, still not believing his eyes.
"Hi, sweetie. How are you?"
As his mother stepped closer Ryan pulled himself in closer to Chad. Chad wrapped his arm around Ryan's shoulder and held him close.
"What are you doing here, mother?"
"Mrs. Danforth invited me. She said you were throwing a party for her son. I wanted to come and see you."
Ryan turned to face Gloria. He couldn't believe it.
"You invited her? But why?"
Gloria stepped closer to Ryan. She smiled at him.
"Sweetheart, you need this. You and your mother need to talk things out. I know you still care about her and I do not honestly believe she feels the same way her husband and daughter do. Take her upstairs to your room and talk. Chad and I will be down here waiting. We love you." She kissed his cheek before walking away. Ryan turned back around to face Chad. He was smiling.
"Everything will work itself out, Ry. Don't worry." He leaned down and placed a small kiss on Ryan lips. Ryan walked away from Chad and to his mother.
"Come on, mother. We can talk upstairs." Ryan turned and waited for his mother to follow. The walked up the stairs and down the hall. Ryan stopped at the second door on the right. He opened the door and motioned for his mother to walk in. Once inside, she began looking around at everything. After a few moments, she faced her son.
"This is your room?" She asked.
"Yes. Its Chad's as well. We share this room, mom." Ryan stated.
"Oh." Came her reply.
"Is that a problem for you?"
"No, not a problem, just something that will take some getting used too." She smiled at her son. Ryan was shocked. His mother never smiled. At least, not at him.
"So, what exactly are you saying? That you are ok with all of this? That it's fine your son is gay?"
"Yes. That's exactly what I am trying to say. Its what I wanted to say to you the other day. You just didn't give me that chance."
"Well, mother, can you really blame me? I mean, when I needed you the most, you weren't there. I lost everything that day. My family, my home, everything! I was devastated. I really thought you would all be ok with it. Maybe not happy or thrilled, but I thought you would at least accept me for who I really am."
"Oh, sweetheart! I can't speak for your father and sister, but I love you dearly. I am so sorry for not speaking up. I was afraid. Not of you, but your father. He and Sharpay are so difficult and I am sad to say I was only thinking of myself at the time. I know I will never be able to make up for it, but I am truly sorry. You are my son and I love you. No matter what. Gay, straight, or whatever. Its fine with me. I just want us to be a family again."
"When you say us? You mean father, Sharpay, you and me?"
"Well, yes, honey of course I do."
"I'm sorry mother, but we will never be a family again. I want nothing to do with either of them. Can't you understand that? After the way they have both treated me, why would I want to go back to that? I have a home here. Gloria and Chad love me and I love them. This is where I live now. With them."
Ryan's mother hung her head. He could see the tears that were falling now. He walked over to her and dropped to his knees. He brought her head up to face him. He was smiling at her. This surprised her.
"Mom, just because I said I didn't want anything to do with them, doesn't mean I feel that way about you. I've thought about it and I've spoke to Gloria about it. She helped me to understand where you were coming from. As much as I wish you had spoken up that day when father started yelling at me, I can understand now, why you didn't."
"You can?"
"Yeah. But mom, you have to know how bad that hurt me. My own family, yelling at me, calling me names, kicking me out of my home, its not easy to get over something like that."
"Oh, honey, I know. And I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. You are my son and I love you, no matter what."
Ryan smiled and reached up to hug his mother. She hugged him back as though it might be there last.
"I love you too, mom."
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Back downstairs, Chad and Gloria were saying goodbye to the last of their guests. Chad closed the door and let out a sigh of relief. He walked back into the kitchen were his mom stood talking to Troy and Gabriella.
"Thank you both so much for helping Ryan with the party plans. I know it meant the world to Chad." She pulled them both into a hug. Chad only laughed.
"Yeah, thanks guys. It was an awesome party."
Gabi hugged Chad before she turned to leave. Troy wished him a happy birthday one last time and followed his girlfriend out the door.
"Thanks, mom." Chad hugged his mother.
"Oh, sweetie. You shouldn't be thanking me. It was all Ryan."
Chad smiled at the mention of his name. Gloria saw the love struck look on her sons face.
"I'm happy for the both of you. I knew it before either of you did. I knew it was only a matter of time. I'm just glad you and Ryan can finally be together." Chad blushed at his mothers' words.
"Thanks mom. But we aren't official yet. We still need to talk about things. I just hope everything is going ok with his mom upstairs."
"I'm sure everything is fine, dear."
"Do you think he is going to move back home with her?"
Gloria paused. She honestly didn't know how to answer that. She had wondered herself if maybe Ryan would decide to move back home once he work things out with his mom. She didn't have to think on it long, because Ryan was walking into the kitchen right now.
"No, Chad. I'm not moving back. This is my home now." Ryan smiled
"Oh, thank God." Chad muttered. He suddenly remembered where Ryan had been. Talking with his mother. He walked over to Ryan and pulled him into a hug. Ryan was momentarily stunned. He relaxed into Chad's arms within seconds. He hugged him back.
"So, I take it things went good with your mom?"
"Yeah. We talked. I listened to her this time and she explained a lot of things to me. She apologized and I forgave her. We aren't anywhere near where we used to be, but things are on the mend."
"So, she's ok with this?" Chad motioned between the both of them.
"What is 'this' exactly?" Ryan asked because he honestly didn't know. Even though they had shared and amazing kiss, well two kisses, they hadn't had the chance to discuss the possibility of a relationship.
Chad turned to face his mother.
"We're just gonna go now. We have some things we need to talk about." Chad grabbed Ryan hand and pulled him out of the kitchen and out the back door, onto the deck. It was a nice night and what better place to talk about them, then outside under the stars.
"So, let's talk." Chad stated.
"Ok. Well, seeing as you now know how I feel, I would really like to know how you feel."
"Ryan, that song meant everything to me. It was a wonderful birthday present, by the way."
"Thanks. I'm extremely glad you liked it."
"I did. More than you could ever know."
"So, where does that leave us?" Ryan asked.
"Exactly where I want to be. Ryan, I like you. I have for a long time now. Even before I started working at Lava Springs." This shocked Ryan.
"You're kidding me?!" Chad laughed.
"No, Ry, I'm not. I think it was around this time last years when I actually saw you for the first time. I know we've gone to school together for most of our lives, but I've never really taken the time to get to know you. It was last summer when I had been out town one day and saw you. You were standing on the sidewalk outside of some clothing store. I'm guessing Sharpay was inside. And you were just standing there, looking around. You looked so relax and so at peace. After that, I started paying more attention to you. Noticing the little things. I just never had the courage to talk to you. I knew for sure that if you were gay or at least bi, you were way out of my league."
"Again, you have got to be kidding me? How could I be out of your league? Have you looked at me lately? I'm pale and skinny. I dress like a queer and always make sure my hat matches my shoes."
"And your point is what exactly? You dress like a queer because you are one. And there's nothing wrong with matching. I'm beginning to see the positive side to it."
"But how is it possible for you to have had feelings for me for almost a year and never acted on them?"
"I respect you, Ryan. Plus, I was never sure if you were gay or not."
"And now that you know I am? What do you plan on doing about it?"
"This." Was all Chad said before leaning in and kissing Ryan again. After only a few seconds, he pulled away. Chad could have sworn he heard Ryan whimper.
"And now you know how I feel. So, I think its only proper I ask you something."
"What?"
"Ryan Evans, would you go out with me? Be my boyfriend?" Chad smiled.
"Of course! I thought you'd never ask!" Ryan laughed and threw himself into Chad's arms. Both boys were laughing at their childish behavior. After a few seconds, Ryan stopped laughing.
"Seriously Chad, I just want you to know something. I'm in love with you. I know it may seem sudden, but its how I feel. I don't expect you to say it back. At least not until its how you feel. So, don't feel pressured or anything. It's just how I feel. I love you." Ryan smiled and placed a small kiss on Chad's lips.
Chad pulled Ryan into his lap and held him there. They sat, watching the stars for most of the night. Both boys were asleep when Gloria stepped out onto the deck to check on them. She smiled when she saw that Ryan was in her son's lap and that they were holding hands. She walked outside and placed a small blanket on top of them. Walking back inside, she smiled to herself. Things were finally going Chad's way. She only hoped the boys could be happy together, without someone trying to come between them.
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That night after the party, Katherine Evans drove home with a smile on her face. She had talked to her son and things seemed to be ok now. She couldn't be happier. Pulling her car into the driveway, she shut off the engine and walked into her house. She was shocked when a fist connected with her jaw. She was knocked to the floor. Looking up, she saw her husband standing over her.
"Daniel, what are you doing?"
"Giving you exactly what you deserve."
"I don't understand. You just hit me. You've never hit me. In 21 years of marriage, you've never laid a hand on me. Why now?" She was almost sobbing.
"You think I don't know where you were tonight? You were with him! That faggot you still call your son!" Daniel was yelling at her now.
"He is my son! He's your son as well!" That resulted in his hand slapping her across the face.
"I have no son!" Daniel screamed at his wife. This caught Sharpay's attention. She came running downstairs. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw her mother on the floor and her father standing over her.
"Daddy, what are you doing?" She screamed. She ran to her mother's side and dropped to the floor beside her.
"Teaching your mother a lesson. She must know she can not go behind my back and do what she's been doing."
Sharpay turned to face her mother, she asked her what she was doing.
"Mommy, what is daddy talking about? What have you been doing?"
Katherine never spoke, she only continued to cry.
"Tell her, Katherine! Tell her where you've been!"
Katherine finally spoke.
"I was at the Danforth's house tonight."
Sharpay was still confused.
"Why were you there?" She asked.
"I was there to see your brother."
Sharpay was stunned. She looked from her mother to her father and back to her mother again. She stood up and walked to stand in front of her father. She finally spoke.
"So, that's why you hit her? Because she went to see Ryan?"
"Of course it is! He is a disgrace to this family and it makes her no better if she is stilling speaking to him!" Daniel was still yelling.
Sharpay rolled her eyes.
"Get over it, daddy. If mommy wants to see Ryan, big deal. He is still her son." Sharpay had been expecting a lot of things; her father hitting her however was not one of them. She staggered back and braced herself on the wall. She stared up at her father with disbelief in her eyes. Tears were threatening to fall.
"Daddy?" She whispered. Katherine, having still been on the floor, jumped to her feet when she saw her husband slap their daughter.
"Daniel!" She yelled. Before she could say more she was knocked back to the floor. Sharpay dropped back to the floor and grabbed her mother. They were both crying now.
"Daddy, please, don't do this! What is wrong with you?" Sharpay was terrified.
"When I am done with both of you, neither of you will even remember his name! I will teach you to obey me!"
That night, all that could be heard from the Evans' house was screaming and yelling, begging and pleading.
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When the phone rang at 2:00am, Gloria feared the worst. Her phone never rang this late unless it was an emergency. She was not expecting what she heard on the other end of the phone. It was the police. After a few more minutes of speaking with them, she ran out of her room and downstairs to find the boys. They were both still asleep outside on the deck.
Crying, she woke them both.
"Ryan, Chad, boys, please wake up! I need you to get up now and put your shoes on."
Ryan slowly opened his eyes. Chad followed soon after. As soon as Chad saw the tears in his mother's eyes, he was fully awake and alert.
"Mom! What's wrong? Why are you crying?"
"Boys, I need you to get ready. We have to go somewhere, now."
Ryan feared the worst.
"Gloria, what's wrong?" She turned to face Ryan as he was talking to her.
"Ryan, dear, there's been an accident."
"Oh, God, no. What? What's going on?" He was nearly yelling.
"Its your father. He's..oh God, sweetheart, he attacked your mother and sister tonight. They are in the hospital. We need to go now, honey."
Ryan was floored. He couldn't breath. His chest was tightening. He started gasping for breath. He looked to Chad, with tears in his eyes.
"Can't...breath...help...Chad!"
"No, Ryan! Calm down! Watch me breath. Take a deep breath. Breath in, breathe out. Watch me." Chad was desperately trying to get Ryan to calm down. He knew this could turn bad in a short amount of time if he didn't get Ryan's breathing under control.
"Please...Chad...!" Ryan was gasping for breath. Tears were now rolling down his cheeks.
"RYAN! Breath deep, calm down or you are going to end up in the hospital right along with your mother and Sharpay! Listen to me! They are going to need you to be strong for them, now calm down and take a deep breath." After only a few seconds, Ryan's breathing started to even out. He was no longer gasping for breath. He still had tears running down his face.
"Chad, not my mother! How could he? And Sharpay? His own daughter!"
"Ryan, baby, I need you to stay calm for me. Now, let's go and grab your shoes so we can go." Chad helped Ryan to stand.
Gloria was following behind them, smiling at how her son had taken care of the situation. She only prayed that Mrs. Evans and Sharpay were going to be all right.
For Ryan's sake, she prayed.
A/N: So, how did everyone like it? Reviews are the only way to let me know. I love hearing from everyone. No promises, but I will try to have the next chapter up tomorrow night. Until then, Tootles. :)