Chapter 7

Troy woke up the morning of the funeral for his friend with an air of the inevitability, he was dreading the casket more than anything else it had such a finality to it all. As he walked down the stairs in a black suit which he had brought a few days before, he had suits of course just none of them were black though.

"Honey your breakfast is on the table." Sarah called to him as he stepped into the hallway, Troy sighed as he headed into the kitchen a smile on his lips as his dad looked him over.

"Your looking pretty good in that suit." Jack said to him with a smile.

"Thanks, has Ryan phoned yet?" Troy asked nervously.

"Yes he has, Alex ordered flowers he couldn't get leave to come here for the funeral." Jack said to him with a sad smile.

"They'll understand that, I know he would have wanted to be here." Troy said to him his dad nodded. "So when are you picking them up?" Troy asked his dad.

"About an half hour before the service." Jack said.

"Sam asked me to help carry the casket with Chad so I have to be their early, will you tell Ryan I meet him there." Troy said to him.

"Of course I will." Jack said to him. "Are you going to be okay with this?" Jack asked his son his son's eyes flashed with pain but to his own credit he didn't say anything to the contrary of what they both knew to be the truth.

Troy took his jacket of to tuck into his food quietly wondering what was in store for him today he checked his pockets one last time after breakfast picking up the keys to the Aston he headed into the garage without a word to his parents.

"Do you think his okay?" Jack asked his wife.

"Probably not going by that, but he'll have us and Ryan there with his friends." Sarah said to her husband.

Hsmhsmhsm

Troy pulled up in front of Zeke's house to find the teams cars on the drive way and around the street, jumping out of the car he locked it before heading up the path way, he could hear his friends laughing through the open door flowers adorned the driveway.

"Troy come in." Gloria said to him.

"Gabi here?" Troy asked.

"She stayed over last night." Gloria said to him. "We got the flowers from your brother will you pass on our thanks to him." she said softly.

"He liked Zeke if he could have been here he would have been." Troy said to her.

"We all understand." Gloria said to him. "Gabriella said you are an uncle now, you have a picture for me to look at." she asked Troy smiled proudly before producing a picture from his wallet of the baby with him while they had been at the house. "His gorgeous." she said sadly.

"How are you all coping?" Troy asked.

"Dad is doing badly, his moving in with us tomorrow he doesn't want to be in the house right now." Gloria said to him Troy nodded.

"It was like that for us after my twin was killed." Troy said to her she stared at him. "Not many people know the real reason we moved from New York, my twin died in front of our house." Troy said to her. "Your not alone in what your going through anyway." he said to her.

"Thank you for telling me." Gloria said to him.

"If it helps I can recommend a good grievance counsellor who's local I see them once a week." Troy said to her.

"I'll take the number from you, whether dad will use it or not is another matter." Gloria said to him Troy nodded.

"Troy." Gabriella called to him.

"Hey Gabs beautiful as always." Troy said to her she laughed.

"Where's Ryan?" she asked.

"I needed to bring the car just in case someone needed a live the Mustang is in the shop so space is limited." Troy said. "Ryan's being brought to the service by mum and dad." Troy said to her she nodded.

Hsmhsmhsm

They arrived at the church that Troy and his family went to every Sunday, Troy knew that Zeke's family wasn't at all religious or at least Zeke wasn't.

"The tallest at the back." the hearse driver said Chad and Troy took the back.

"Ready for this?" Troy asked his best friend who he noticed was crying for the first time that day. "Hey none of that, happy thoughts Chad he would want us to celebrate not mourn." Troy said slapping his friend on the back.

They took the casket onto their shoulders with the barest of grunts, easing it up onto their shoulders, Troy looked at Gabriella who smiled at him he nodded at her before placing his arm around his best friends shoulder while the other supported the coffin his friend did likewise to him squeezing his shoulder to let him know he was grateful.

They walked into the church to his favourite music playing Troy searched his side of the aisle to see whether he could spot Ryan right near the front just in behind Zeke's family, with Sharpay and his parents next to him a space for him next to Ryan.

It didn't take long for him to sit down next to Ryan who smiled taking his hand in his own, "Hey sorry I couldn't bring you myself." Troy said to him Ryan smiled.

"Its okay Troy I'm here with you an that is all that matters right now." Ryan said Chad was behind them in the rows he patted Ryan on the shoulder turning they both smiled. "Have you been crying?" Ryan asked Troy slapped his head.

"Stupid question Ryan." Troy said as his boyfriend scowled and growled at him. "Your gorgeous by the way." Troy added in a hurry.

"Your in the dog house mister." Ryan said swatting his arm.

The service itself was simple but beautiful Troy held Ryan's hand tightly all the way through Ryan had to tell him to ease up a couple of times because his grip had become to painful to bear, Ryan understood what was going on within his boyfriends mind and what being here was likely doing to him, he knew his boyfriend was undergoing a nightmare ten years in the making.

Troy stood by the grave side holding Gabriella in his arms smiling sadly at Ryan who nodded in understanding, "I can't believe his gone." Gabriella said to him with a whimper.

"It gets easier." Troy said to her.

"I don't see how." Gabriella said.

"You never can." Troy said pulling back to look at her. "It will with time." Troy added.

"Thanks for being here for me today Ryan is waiting for us." Gabriella said to him.

"Can you give me a minute with Ryan alone." Troy said to her.

"I'll catch a lift with Chad your coming to the house?" she asked Troy nodded.

Troy watched her go before joining his boyfriend at the grave site, "Hey honey are you okay." Troy asked as he wrapped his arms around the blonds waist.

"Yes is Gabriella okay?" Ryan asked.

"Ryan she's going back with Chad I wanted to make sure you were okay." Troy said to him.

"You two look good together." Ryan said.

"It would help if I wasn't gay Ryan." Troy said to him.

"Are you?" Ryan asked.

"I'm here with you, I got caught doing the naughty with you almost anyway. What do you think?" Troy said to him Ryan turned to look at him Troy kept his arms around his boyfriend. "I love you Ryan we have been together since July its nearly October what brought this on?" Troy asked him.

"Seeing you with Gabi today." Ryan mumbled Troy chuckled kissing the top of the smaller boys head.

"Do you really think I'd change my mind?" Troy asked.

"Well yes." Ryan said Troy chuckled causing him to stare at Troy hurt. "It isn't funny." he said angrily.

"Its funny because it's the most stupid thing I have ever heard." Troy said to him.

"So I'm stupid now." Ryan said.

"Ryan your blowing what happened with Gabi way out of proportion, I love her like a sister but that's it. You're the one I am with you nut, I made my choice, your wonderful when your not insecure about us." Troy said to him.

Ryan pulled a box out of his pocket Troy looked down a sharp intake of breath.

"I wasn't sure if I should give you this." Ryan said.

"Why not?" Troy asked.

"I was afraid you'd say no." Ryan mumbled.

"Ask me." Troy said to him.

"Will you be mine?" Ryan asked Troy chuckled.

"Your terrible with words Ryan but it belongs on that finger." Troy said pointing at his ring finger. "Yes you dufuss." Troy said when Ryan went to put it back in his pocket Troy kissed him Ryan slipped the ring out of its holder and onto his finger. "Its simple but beautiful just the way I like my jewellery." Troy said to him Ryan smiled.

"Your sure about this?" Ryan asked Troy nodded.

"I'm not exactly sure today is the best day to tell people but yes I am sure." Troy said to him he laughed. "Your beautiful Ryan, you just let your sister tell you your not and believe her." Troy said to him. "I am not going anywhere." Troy said to him he nodded. "Come on then people will be expecting us to get to the house soon." Troy said to him taking his hand he looked down at the grave one last time. "We'll take good care of Gabriella Zeke I promise." Troy said to the air Ryan squeezed his hand before they headed back to the car.

"Your mustang really in the garage?" Ryan asked.

"Yeah it needs a service." Troy said to Ryan who nodded. "I would have preferred to bring it rather than the Aston today of all days." Troy said to his best friend and boyfriend.

"I've never been to the house." Ryan said to him.

"No, its nice you know not big just homely. I used to love staying over at his house when we were younger, it made me feel normal for a little while." Troy said to him. "When your as rich as we are I guess you don't get to see how the other half live." Troy said to Ryan who laughed at that.

"I am not as rich as you are." Ryan said.

"Well you will be before long, when we make this permanent what is mine will be yours as well." Troy said to him as he started the engine.

"I know." Ryan said with a smile.

They arrived at the house inside twenty minutes Troy stopping by the house to change out of his suit which was becoming uncomfortable, "I hate suits." Troy muttered as he jumped out of the car in a pair of jeans and a shirt they were black jeans of course but jeans none the less.

"Troy you changed." Jack said to him.

"I was uncomfortable." Troy said to him honestly.

"You guys took your time." Jack said to them both Troy looked a little sheepishly at Ryan. "What happened?" Jack asked.

"Now isn't the time for this dad today is about Zeke and his mom." Troy said to him.

"Nothing bad I hope." Jack said to him.

"No it was all good dad." Troy said as they went of in search of their friends.

"You think he has any idea?" Ryan asked.

"If my dad tells mum then she'll work it out." Troy said to him.

"Do you think they'll mind?" Ryan asked.

"Are you kidding dad will want to kill you for corrupting me." Troy said to him laughing at the put out look his boyfriend gave him. "Mum will throw us this huge party, Alex will be mad that he missed out on something this big if he can't get time of work." Troy said to him with a genuine smile.

"Maybe we can do something when we are in Australia over Christmas." Ryan said. "You know so the family who missed out on our celebration here can take part over there." he said to Troy who grinned as Gabi approached them it slipped from his face.

"Hey Gab you okay." Troy asked.

"Ryan thanks for coming, I'm fine Troy well I'm not but I am better than I was a while ago." Gabriella said to him.

"I wanted to be here for you and Troy." Ryan said Troy draped an arm around his boyfriends shoulder Gabriella smiled at them both. "I didn't know Zeke all that well, I knew him enough to know I will miss him but I mainly came for you both mainly you." he added.

"That's sweet." Gabriella said grabbing Troy's draped hand. "That is a mighty fine piece of jewellery." she said to them. "When did this happen?" she asked.

"At the grave site." Ryan said nervously Gabriella smiled widely at them.

"Congratulations, wow you guys." she said to them both hugging Troy them Ryan tightly. "Why haven't you said something to anyone?" Gabriella asked.

"This isn't about us today." Ryan said Troy nodded.

"Oh I understand." Gabriella said. "Your right about that but people will be delighted to know when your ready." she added.

"Your happy for us?" Troy asked.

"Of course I am, your both like brothers to me." Gabriella said to them.

Hsmhsmhsm

A week later Troy and Ryan walked into Troy's house, they could here his parents in the lounge, "Boys are you back already." Jack called to them just before they walked into the lounge.

"Hey mum dad can we talk to you." Troy said to his parents.

"Of course you can." Sarah said to them as they sat down on one of the other sofa's.

They looked at each other with smiles on their faces, "Ryan asked me to marry him after the burial last week." Troy said to his parents.

"Wow that's…" Jack started. "Your sure?" he asked.

"Yes." Ryan said to him.

"Troy?" Jack asked.

"Oh sorry, yes I'm sure." Troy said with a smile.

"You don't sound it." Jack said.

"No I am, I was just surprised to find out that you were okay with this." Troy said. "I mean we haven't been together that long." Troy said to his dad he smiled at Ryan touching his forehead to Ryan's softly. "I'm cool with it all." Troy said to him.

"Well then we should organise you a party." Sarah said Troy looked at his boyfriend laughing. "What is so funny?" she asked.

"I said to Ryan that you would say that." Troy said to her she smiled.

"You know Alex won't be happy about not being here." Jack said to them Troy laughed.

"We discussed that, maybe we could have a party at nana's as well so the rest of the family can celebrate with us to." Troy said to his dad. "I would love to have Alex here but I know that isn't going to happen so I can settle for a second party just about." Troy said to his dad.

"I'll call Alex." Jack said.

"Uh no you won't." Ryan said Jack looked ready to argue.

"Its our news dad, we should tell Alex." Troy said quickly his mum chuckled.

"Their right." she said to her husband.

Hsmhsmhsm

"I can't believe that we managed to have your parents persuade us to have it at Lava springs." Troy said to him Ryan laughed as they drove up the drive of the resort.

"Your telling me." Ryan muttered.

"Is Ryan feeling a little nervous." Troy asked his boyfriend teasing him a little.

"I don't like rooms full of people Troy." Ryan said to him Troy's smile faltered a little but shone a moment later.

"Your be fine today, at least if you need to you can get out of the club house, we have plenty of space to walk around if you need it." Troy said to his boyfriend as they got out of the car even though it was nearly winter it was still quite hot the New Mexico climate was good for something at least Troy thought to himself as they entered the air conditioned club house. "Please tell me you replace Foulton." Troy said to Ryan.

"Unfortunately not, mum and dad actually like him." Ryan said to Troy who snorted.

"Mr. Bolton what a pleasure to see you again." Foulton said as they stepped into the large ball room, it was still filling with guests.

"Man does he ever stop kissing ass." Troy asked chuckling when the man had left Ryan elbowed him. "What I was here summer before last, my parents do have membership here and I have it as well. I don't use it but I have it." Troy said to his boyfriend who laughed.

"And why not?" Sharpay asked.

"That would be because I spend most of my summers in Australia with my family." Troy said to her.

"You planning on doing that this year?" Gabriella asked.

"Well I think I mentioned organising a trip to Nan's next summer, one last thing as a group of friends together before we all go of to different universities." Troy said to his friends. "Well me and Ryan are going to the same school but the rest of you might not be so." Troy said.

"Dude I can't afford to go to Australia." Chad said.

"Just bring spending money Chad, I was planning on using the family jet to get us there." Troy said to his best friend.

"You sure?" Chad asked.

"Seriously dude, I offered to take us all out there." Troy said to him. "I wouldn't say that if I didn't mean it." Troy added.

"Congratulations." Chad said to them both.

"Thanks dude." Troy said to him.

"You move fast Evans." Chad said to Ryan slapping him on the shoulder.

"You have to if you want the best." Ryan said to him.

"Hey talk about feeling like a piece of meat you two." Troy said as he glared playfully it at Ryan.

"You think that your dads are going to make speeches." Gabriella said.

"I know they want me to." Troy said to their friends who giggled. "Chuckie what the hell are you doing over there." he added. "Get over here would you." Troy said to his basketball team mate.

"Hey where is everyone else." Chuckie asked.

"They haven't arrived yet don't worry though they should be here. So where is this date you told us about?" Troy asked.

"He'll be here soon." Chuckie said Chad giggled.

"Dude you seriously don't need to be worried about what we are going to say to you, we all accepted Troy and Ryan happily why would we care if you were gay or not." Chad said to his friend Troy nodded as the boy sighed with relieve. "Who was insane enough to agree to date you though." he asked Gabriella and Troy slapped the back of his head Ryan punched his arm.

"I'm sure his cute." Troy said to Chuckie.

"Chuckie." someone said from behind Troy.

"I want you to meet Blake." Chuckie said to them.

"Hey you're the big violin skater playing man." Troy said as he got a glimpse of the boy.

"How do you know these things?" Chad said as Troy shook Blake's hand.

"I pay attention, and we were at the same track meeting a couple of years back." Troy said to Chad shaking his head.

"You remember me." Blake said.

"I feel an obligation to point out that if you hurt Chuckie your suffer a fate worse than death." Troy said to the skater dude who chuckled.

No one knew that Chuckie had told Troy before he came out about him being gay, Ryan always assumed that it was mere coincidence that Troy was protective of his friend. Troy had been his listening friend when he needed it most, it was probably the thing that had started to get Troy to question his own feelings for Ryan and the growing feeling that he wasn't straight.

"I was the first person Chuckie told." Troy told Ryan.

"Really?" Ryan asked Chuckie.

"Sure, I kind of discovered Troy's secret. I slept over at his one night and found his bears." Chuckie said to the blond.

"You told someone before me?" Ryan asked.

"Not by choice, are you mad." Troy asked.

"No, I was just surprised though I guess we have a lot of things to learn about each other." Ryan said kissing him on the lips. "He shared a secret with you, you knew that he would keep yours." Ryan said as Chuckie laughed.

"I am so in the dog house." Troy said to his friends. "Ryan I didn't so much as tell him as he found the bears and asked I couldn't exactly lie." Troy said to his boyfriend. "Of course he didn't know that I had a twin he just wanted an explanation for why a fifteen year old needed to sleep with a bear or two." Troy said Ryan laughed.

"I thought it was the gayest thing I had ever seen at the time." Chuckie said to them all Troy laughed with the rest of his friends as Sharpay and Jason arrived. "Hey your sister can't even arrive on time for your own engagement party, I better that annoyed the hell out of Jason his totally OCD about being on time for things." Troy said to Ryan.

"Its not her engagement party." Chad said as the two of them approached.

"Ry, Troy congratulations." Sharpay said kissing their cheeks.

"Your late." Troy teased Jason.

"Not due to me." Jason said to him Troy slapped his shoulder.

"Its cool, Sharpay you need to learn that your boyfriend hates to be late for things. Its his thing." Troy said to the blond girl. "Hey dad." Troy said as his father approached from the side,

"Guys your all huddled in the door." Jack said Troy looked behind his friends and laughed their were a few people who were looking to get in Troy's eyes widened when he saw Alex at the back of the group. "He managed to get two days leave starting today the CO owed him a favour." Jack said to his youngest son who hugged him.

"You wanted to surprise us." Troy said.

"Oh no just you Ryan as known for a while." Jack said.

"Your making this up later Evans." Troy said to his boyfriend before being drawn into a hug by his brother his sister in law holding the ever growing nephew. "Hey there buddy." Troy said to Lucas who smiled at him. "Thanks for coming Alex, Jen." Troy said to them. "You know the team, this is Gabriella and Blake, Blake is the lucky sod who stole Chuckie's heart." Troy said to his brother who grinned as he shook their hands.

"I was sorry to here about Zeke." Alex said to them all Gabriella winced turning to walk over. "What did I say wrong?" Alex asked them.

"You're a wonderful brother Alex but your clueless and down on the latest, Gabs is pregnant with Zeke's baby." Troy said to him Alex winced before going to find the girl. "I suppose you, you little terror would like to be held." Troy said to Lucas who blew a raspberry at him. "Oh that's cute young man, your making fun of me as well." Troy said to him as he plucked his nephew out of the baby carrier. "Man your getting heavy." he said. "You puke on my Lucas and your sleep with the fishes tonight." Troy said tickling his chin. "Chuck you haven't met Lucas yet have you." Troy said to his friend.

"No I wasn't able to come over while Alex was here last." Chuckie said as looked at the baby with a smile. "The poor sod as yours and Alex's looks." he added Ryan laughed at this Troy scowled and growled playfully.

Chuckie put his finger in Lucas' hand which he slapped in his mouth the next thing he knew Chuckie was crying out in pain, "His biting me Jesus it hurts." Chuckie moaned as he tried to pull his finger free.

"His teething should have probably mentioned that." Jen said as she tried to get the baby to let go.

"Lucas let go of Chuckie's finger he wasn't trying to be mean." Troy said to his nephew who surprising bit down harder for a moment before letting go of his friends finger finally. "He takes after you and your brothers in that respect you all used to like to bite fingers." Jack said. "I still have the scars to prove it." he added. "Come on Chuckie I'll get you sorted out with a band aid or something." Jack said to his sons friend.

"Thanks Mr. Bolton." Chuckie said as Troy handed Lucas to Jen.

"I need my hands right now, but you young man are due for a good cuddle later." Troy said to his nephew. "How are you Jen?" Troy asked his sister in law.

"Pretty good, its good to finally have a date for his departure from the army you know." Jen said.

"I know." Troy said to her.

"Your friends and Ryan are waiting for you, you have things to do so knock them dead." Jen said kissing his cheek.

Hsmhsmhsm

Troy and Ryan were standing by the band stage, "Do I really need to make a speech dad?" Troy moaned at his dad.

"Yes its tradition." Jack said straightening his sons tie.

When the song ended Troy stepped up to the microphone people chanting song in the back ground probably Chad and his friends, he found Ryan next to him taking his hand in his own.

"Thank you all for coming." Troy said in to the mic. "As you all know we suffered a very close and personal loss recently, a friend and someone that we considered to be a part of the team and family. Zeke would have been here with us tonight in person to help us celebrate if he could but his here with us in spirit. Ryan and I want to thank everyone for coming tonight and making our special night as special as it can be so those of you who are legal and those of you that aren't who have soda or something we would like you to raise your glasses in a toast." Troy said he found Gabriella's face in among the crowd. "To the future and to absent friends." Troy said clinking his glass to his boyfriends as everyone else did like wise. "So have a good night on us if we don't see you all before the end of the night thanks for coming." Troy added handing the mic back to the band before the two of them left the stage.

Gabriella found him a few minutes later by the bar talking to his dad.

"Thanks Troy, he would have liked that." Gabriella said to him.

"It was for my brother as well, but it was from the heart." Troy said hugging her pulling back kissing her cheek. "I'm not going to be able to get this close soon enough." Troy said with a cheeky grin on his face.

"Are you implying I am getting fat." Gabriella growled at him.

"No I'm implying your pregnant and your start to show soon enough by the end of it I wont be able to hug you this closely." Troy said laughing.

"Good point, so long as your not calling me fat." Gabriella said Troy laughed.

"I have to go dance with my fiancé so I'll be back to dance with you in a little while." Troy said to the girl before heading out onto the dance floor to find Ryan who was in the middle of the crowd. "You ready for our first dance?" Troy asked.

"Damn right I am." Ryan said.

"What did you pick?" Troy asked.

"Truly madly deeply." Ryan said Troy's eyes widened.

"Did you even know that I love that song?" Troy asked him Ryan smiled.

"I love it to that's why I picked it, Chad and I went through your laptop to find which tracks you listened to the most." Ryan said to him.

"You hacked my laptop." Troy said to him.

"No I guessed your password." Ryan said.

"You knew I would use Matt's name in other words." Troy said Ryan nodded. "You mister are a first rate sneak and I love you for it." Troy said shaking his head with a rueful smile as he locked his arms around his boyfriends neck the music kicked in. "Are you enjoying yourself?" Troy asked.

"I could use getting out of here." Ryan said.

"Lets stay an hour then make an escape, I have the hotel booked." Troy wriggled his eye brows at his fiancé who giggled.

Hsmhsmhsm

"What do you think their talking about?" Chad asked Chuckie.

"Probably how best to get the hell out of here without being missed." Blake said.

"They wouldn't leave their own party would they?" Chad asked.

"If they wanted some alone time, I also happen to know that Troy booked a hotel for tonight and tomorrow." Chuckie said laughing.

AUTHORS NOTE: To you all a friend of the family today lost their father who sadly passed in his sleep so this one is for him and his family and friends.

Chap 8 is being worked on at the moment but I will not be releasing it until chap 9 is done with so bear with me guys.

Please review.