Ok my sincere apologies for taking another year to update but I'm so sucky at this updating thing but at least I do post long chapters (hope thats a little consolation prize). So without further ado, here's the latest chapter:
"You know kicking your ass during a game really always makes me feel a lot better," Troy chugged a bottle of water as he pushed open the double doors to the work out facility and felt a welcome bit of fresh air.
"I'm glad to be of service," Chad rolled his eyes as he threw his gym bag over his shoulder. "And for the record I let you win."
"Sure Chad, whatever helps you sleep at night," Troy closed his bottle and reached for his car keys.
"But you do know that you're going to have to face the music sooner or later."
Troy nodded as they walked to his car, "Want to get a beer first?"
"You know it but let me just check in with the kids first," Chad reached into a small compartment of his bag and grabbed his cell phone. "Six missed calls? Shit! I must be in trouble."
"I hope everything's alright," Troy looked to his friend who had a worried look on his face. After unlocking his car, Troy threw his bag into the backseat and was just about to get in when Chad reached out for him. "What? Are the kids alright?"
"They're fine," Chad replied nervously.
"What? What is it then? Is Taylor going to kick your ass for being out all day?"
Chad shook his head, "Troy, there's been a little accident."
"Oh my god, I'm sorry for joking around Chad. Let me get you home, what happened?"
"Troy, it was Sharpay," Chad said slowly trying to anticipate Troy's reaction.
"What?" Troy felt his heart drop and what felt like a kick to his gut.
"I'm going to drive us home alright."
"What…what happened? Is she alright?" Troy managed to ask as he leaned against his car, trying to steady himself. "Is the baby okay?" He questioned as he closed his eyes, the bile rising up in his throat.
"Troy man I don't know, the messages didn't say…they were pretty much just Taylor screaming 'where the hell are we?' She's been calling since we started playing."
"Oh my god, why did I turn off my damn phone!" Troy exclaimed. "Fuck! She's got to be fine, right? Sharpay…she's always fine, she's stronger than me."
"I'm sure she's fine Troy, the baby too. Everything's going to be alright," Chad replied, praying to god that what he had said was true. "I'll take you to the hospital."
"Okay, okay. Hurry, just hurry," Troy prayed as he sat in the passenger seat. He prayed to God that his wife and baby were okay. He would give up everything for them, their fight was just a blip on the scale, and he didn't care about it at all. All that mattered were Sharpay and the baby. "Please God, please." Troy turned his own phone back on to see that he had a ton of messages from Taylor, Ryan, and his mom. "Damnit!"
"How are you feeling today Mrs. Bolton?" another scrub clad hospital worker walked into Sharpay's hospital room for the hundredth time
"Like I fell off of a ladder," Sharpay replied as she laid on the very uncomfortable hospital bed.
"I would think so," the young man replied as he grabbed her chart and took a seat. "Broken wrist and some bruised ribs, ouch huh? And you're five months pregnant?"
"Yes," Sharpay said quickly. "Is my baby alright? The other doctor didn't say anything."
"That's what I'm here for, I'm a radiology technician so I'll do a quick ultrasound. Your ob/gyn is on her way."
"Oh thank god," Sharpay could really use a familiar face, all she wanted was for Rebecca to say that everything was just perfect with little Elmo.
"Lets prep you for the ultrasound alright. I'm sure that everything is just fine, babies are actually pretty strong and your fall wasn't too large. Did you experience any cramping when you fell?"
"No," Sharpay replied. "But the baby hasn't kicked all day which is very unusual."
"Lets take a look," the technician poured the very familiar gel onto Sharpay's tummy and grabbed the probe. As soon as he placed the probe down on Sharpay's tummy and moved it around, the baby's heartbeat immediately filled the room.
"Oh thank god," Sharpay smiled at the sound and sight of her baby. A few tears of relief rolled down her face.
"Your son looks pretty healthy to me."
"My…my son?" Sharpay questioned, shocked at what she had just heard.
"Yes your son, he appears to be fine. He's moving around and he's got a pretty steady heartbeat. Although your ob/gyn still needs to do her own exam."
"My son," Sharpay repeated again, her eyes glued to the screen and apparently her little boy. "It's a boy?"
"Oh…oh you didn't know? Stupid, Stupid Ron!" Ron hit himself repeatedly after realizing what he'd just done. "I'm so sorry, that's the fifth time this month. I didn't mean too…can you not say anything about this? I don't want to get in trouble again."
"I…um okay," Sharpay didn't quit know what to say. Honestly, she didn't care about the job security of this idiot…all that was on her mind was her son. She was pregnant with a little boy!
"Thank you so much! I could practically kiss you right now!" Sharpay looked appalled. "But I won't. Thanks …I gotta go." Ron quickly left the room.
"Strange," Sharpay mumbled as he left.
"What's strange?" Taylor questioned as she walked into the room.
"That radiologist or whatever he was," Sharpay replied. "Could you grab me a paper towel or something? He didn't even wipe all this goo off."
"Now that is strange, give me one sec," Taylor walked into the small adjoining bathroom and grabbed a bunch of toilet paper before coming back to Sharpay and wiping off her friend's stomach.
"Thanks," Sharpay replied as she lifted her hospital gown back down and pulled up her covers.
"How are you feeling?" Taylor questioned as she took a seat after throwing away the toilet paper.
"Sore all over," Sharpay sighed, "but the good news is that my little guy is alright," Sharpay patted her belly affectionately with her right hand.
"Little guy?" Taylor questioned, her dark brown eyes widening in surprise. "A boy?"
Sharpay smiled, "Apparently so. It's a boy! I still can't believe it!"
"Congrats sweetie! I would hug but I don't want to hurt you," Taylor gushed and Sharpay laughed.
"You know I wanted a girl at first but this is like the best news ever! I didn't think I would be so excited over a boy!" Sharpay cried. "But wait, does this mean I'm going to have to learn to play basketball?"
"Eww no," Taylor scrunched up her face. "But you will have to attend games and do dirty things but honey its so worth it. The love you'll have for him will be unmatched by anything else and no matter how shitty your day is, a hug and a kiss from your child will make it all better."
"Oh you are such a mom," Sharpay laughed even though a few tears rolled down her cheeks.
"So are you Shar. Do you know when you can come home yet?"
"No," Sharpay shook her head. "Actually Rebecca is supposed to be here soon, and good thing too because these doctors are so incompetent here. I just want to make sure that he's really alright from someone that I trust."
"I completely understand, we'll be here as long as you are," Taylor replied, spoken like a true friend.
"We?" Sharpay questioned, Taylor was the only person that she had seen since she had been at the hospital.
"Me, Ryan and Lucy," Taylor said cautiously, gauging Sharpay's reaction.
"Oh," Sharpay frowned, her mood less pleasant. "Have you talked to Troy?" Sharpay asked timidly, afraid of the answer.
"Not yet honey but I left him and Chad messages. I know that they're together I talked to my mother in law and she said that Troy picked Chad up this morning."
"God Taylor I've really done it this time," Sharpay covered her eyes with her right hand since her left wrist was incapacitated.
"No you haven't sweetie, he's probably just blowing off steam but the minute he sees I've called he'll haul his scrawny ass back here so fast."
"I just don't know anymore, we were so awful to each other."
"That doesn't matter, he's your husband and he loves you and you're hurt, that trumps any fight."
"Taylor, I'm so conf…" Sharpay was interrupted by a much welcome visitor. "Rebecca, thank god you're here!" Sharpay was thrilled to see her doctor and long time friend.
"I got here as soon as I could honey, how are you holding up?" Rebecca rushed to her favorite patient's bedside. "Are you in a lot of pain?"
"Not too much, they gave me something for the pain but I was a little worried. It won't hurt the baby will it?"
"It shouldn't, they should have given you mild pain medication and I'm going to prescribe you some as well. I want to do a full examination alright."
"I'll just step outside," Taylor excused herself from patient and doctor.
"Excuse me," Troy practically collided with the front desk.
"Yes," the agitated receptionist answered without bothering to look up.
"I'm looking for my wife," Troy gripped onto the edge of the counter. "She had an accident."
"Name."
"Bolton, Troy," Troy sputtered nervously. "I mean she's Sharpay Bolton!"
The receptionist rolled her eyes as she typed, "Room 316."
Troy dashed off as soon as he heard Sharpay's room number. Not even bothering to wait for the elevator, Troy hightailed it up the stairs. Troy was pretty familiar with his surroundings since he had surgical privileges at this hospital so it didn't take him long to find her room.
"Taylor!" Troy shouted as he saw a familiar face just down the corridor.
"Where the hell have you been?" Taylor hissed as she threw her magazine down on the table.
"How is she?" Troy questioned as he reached his friend.
"Hurt!" Taylor exclaimed. "And in need of support from her husband who has been friggin AWOL all day!"
"I'm sorry," Troy sighed running a hand through his hair. "I need to see her."
"Well you can't," Taylor crossed her arms across her chest, glaring at a frustrated Troy.
"What do you mean I can't?" Troy asked.
"Look who I found," Ryan interrupted as he and Chad made their way to the bickering twosome. Ryan had been walking back into the hospital after talking to his very distressed mother who was currently vacationing in the Caribbean. It took Ryan nearly twenty minutes to convince his mother that she didn't need to fly home for Sharpay. He literally bumped into Chad as they both went to enter the revolving door at the same time.
"Oh great, it's the other asswhole," Taylor sent an evil glare her husband's way.
"Tay," Chad began as he reached out for his wife.
"Save it!" Taylor put up a hand, ignoring her husband and focusing on her best friend's husband. "And you can't see Sharpay because there's a nurse in there!"
Troy rolled his eyes, "I don't care if the president's in there; I'm her husband and I'm going in."
"Hey, hey keep it down," a very familiar voice grabbed hold of Troy's shoulder.
"Mom?" Troy turned around surprised to see his mother.
"Troy you are not going anywhere near Sharpay until you calm down," Lucy Bolton eyed her son before placing coffee and water on the small coffee table.
"I'll be a lot calmer as soon as I see my wife," Troy replied just as a nurse exited Sharpay's room. "I'm going in," Troy headed for the door.
"Don't you dare upset her," Taylor scolded on deaf ears as Troy walked into the room.
"He's so going to upset her," Ryan stated the obvious and everyone else nodded their heads in agreement.
"Pay," Troy said softly walking into the very sterile room. He hated to see her hooked up to the machines and with a cast on her wrist.
Sharpay turned around from staring aimlessly out the window. At first she didn't know whether to be angry or elated at the sight of her previously M.I.A. husband. But quickly anger settled in and she turned back to the window not bothering to acknowledge her husband.
"Oh Pay," Troy rushed to her beside and took a seat on the edge. "Are you alright?"
"I'm still alive," Sharpay replied.
"What happened honey?"
"As if you care?"
"That's not fair Pay, of course I care. I care a lot. You know that I love you."
"Well you certainly have a funny way of showing it."
"Honey I'm so sorry."
"Sorry's not good enough," Sharpay's voice was rising with each word. "I've been here all day and all by myself! And as if I don't have enough to worry about, I was scared that your stupid ass was lying in a ditch somewhere! Where the hell have you been all day?"
"I'm sorry; I had my phone off when Chad and I were playing basketball."
"Basketball? You've been playing basketball all this time?"
"I was still upset about our fight and I needed some time to cool off. Honestly, at the time Shar, I just didn't want to be bothered."
"Wow Troy I don't know what to say," Sharpay shook her head in disbelief before continuing. "I was upset too but I still acted like an adult. I have responsibilities; I can't just vanish for a day. Grow up Troy!"
"What do you want me to say? I've already said I'm incredibly sorry. I'll say it again a million times if you want me too."
"No I don't want your apologies Troy, they don't mean much these days."
"Sharpay," Troy interrupted his wife.
"Before I was the one worried about having this baby but you're the one who isn't ready. You're not ready to really have a family, to be responsible for another human being."
"That's a load of crap and…"
"Is it? I mean honestly Troy; clearly this baby and I rank below your precious basketball."
"I messed up royally Sharpay, I get it, I really do. I'm so sorry that I wasn't there for you today but I can't take it back. But I am more than ready to be a father to this baby."
"I need a little time by myself Troy."
Troy nodded, he didn't want to upset her anymore in her condition, "Alright you rest and I'll come back later."
"No you don't understand, I need a little time away from you Troy. The nurse should be back soon with my discharge papers and Ryan already said that he would take me home. When…when I get home I don't want you to be there."
"Pay," Troy's heart was aching, this was not what he wanted to hear.
"Just for a little bit," Sharpay took a sharp intake of breath, this wasn't exactly easy for her either. "There's a lot I need to think about."
"I don't want to leave you Pay, you're hurt," Troy protested softly.
"Ryan will take care of me, I'll be fine okay. Please Troy, I think we need this. Please," Sharpay pleaded hoping that he would understand.
"Okay," Troy nodded, not believing that he was able to get the words out. "Remember that I love you and I want this baby, I want us."
"I know," Sharpay said quietly as Troy dejectedly walked out of her room.
A little while later, Sharpay was dressed (thanks to Taylor's help) and more than ready to leave the hospital. Troy was already gone, no one knew where he'd gone after he ran out of Sharpay's hospital room. An orderly wheeled Sharpay down to the front entrance of the hospital while Ryan went off to retrieve his car from the parking garage.
"You ready to go home sis?" Ryan questioned as he drove off from the hospital.
"Actually can I go home with you?"
"Um of course but can I ask why?" Ryan turned to face Sharpay who was staring solemnly at her hands.
"Because I told Troy that I wanted to be alone but I don't think he's going to listen to what I want. He's probably sitting at home waiting for me and I just can't deal with that right now."
"Are you sure Shar?"
Sharpay nodded, "Yes I'm sure."
"Ok," Ryan drove on, worried for his sister.
Anyone could see that Troy and Sharpay were made for each other. He just hoped that this was only a little bump on the road for them, they just had to overcome this. When they arrived at the Evans' palatial estate, Ryan helped Sharpay settle into her childhood bedroom. All she wanted to do was sleep but Ryan made her eat a little something. He prepared one of his famed gourmet meals: grilled cheese and creamy tomato soup. Once Sharpay ate a substantial amount, she went to sleep or at least tried to. Ryan decided to sleep in his old room too instead of in his guest house. He dug out his old walkie-talkies from his closet and gave one to Sharpay in case she needed him. It was quite difficult to just yell for someone in the sprawling mansion. There was an intercom system but in order for Sharpay to use it, she would be required to get out of bed and she was under strict orders to take it easy for the time being.
Troy stood on the porch of his childhood home waiting for his parents to open their front door. It didn't take long for the door to swing open and the smiling face of his mother to greet him.
"Troy, hi," Lucy ushered her son inside her warm home.
"Can I sleep here tonight?" Were the first words out of Troy's mouth.
Lucy was a little shocked at first but answered quickly, "Of course darling, you know that you're always welcome here."
"Thanks Mom," Troy said sincerely.
"I just made dinner, come eat with me. Your father won't be home from practice for a few more hours," Lucy led them into the kitchen. Troy sat at the table, not saying a word while his mother prepared their plates. "So," Lucy placed a plate in front of her firstborn. "Are you going to finally tell me why you're here and not at your own house with your wife who very much needs you."
"That's just it," Troy looked up, his eyes heavy with sadness. "She doesn't need me."
"Troy of course she needs you!" Lucy sat down across from her son.
"No she told me she wanted some time apart."
"Oh Troy," Lucy gently squeezed Troy's hand from across the table. "Honey, I'm sorry. If it's any consolation, I threatened to leave your father many times when I was pregnant with you and Tara too."
Troy forced a smiled, "Thanks Mom," he replied although he didn't feel one bit better.
"Sharpay's going through a lot now, being pregnant with your first is definitely not easy. Don't give up on her honey."
"Never, Mom, never," Troy said valiantly and he meant it. There was no way he was going to let Sharpay walk out of his life. He was more than prepared to fight for her and their child, he just hoped that it wouldn't come to that.
No matter what she did, Sharpay just couldn't get comfortable in her old bed. She knew exactly what the problem was too. Troy. It was Troy, this was the second night in a row that she had slept without Troy's arms around her ever expanding waist. It was only nine o' clock but Sharpay was desperate for sleep to take over her tired body. All she could think about was Troy and how broken he had looked when he disappeared about of her hospital room. She'd never seen him that sad before and she felt horrible for putting that pained look in his normally sparkling blue eyes. But he'd hurt her too, very badly, and she was still upset. This wasn't them, they weren't fighters. Sure they had minor disagreements at least once a week but they were quickly forgotten with hugs and lots of kisses.
Sharpay forced herself to sit up, figuring she'd better go to the bathroom. She seethed in pain as she tried to stand up, she was thinking this wasn't the best idea but now she really had to go. Slowly but surely she made her way to the private bathroom in the corner. She was wearing one of Ryan's t-shirts and a pair of his yoga shorts, folded over a few times and worn under her bump. Thank goodness that she didn't have any buttons, snaps or zippers because going to the bathroom would be even more difficult. Once she was finished and in even more pain, Sharpay decided to take a pain pill. She had been hesitant to take one because of the baby even though Rebecca said it was fine. After sitting down on her bed again, Sharpay reached for the walkie talkie on the bedside table.
"Golden throat to Jazz Square," Sharpay giggled lightly as she used their 'old' names.
"Jazz Square here, what's wrong golden throat?"
"Can you bring me some juice Ry so I can take one of these pain pills."
"I'll be right there Shar. Don't move!"
"Thanks Ry."
"Jazz square out."
Sharpay smiled as she placed the walkie talkie back down. She grabbed her cell phone which was right next to it and was slightly disappointed to see that there were no missed calls from Troy. He really was giving her the space she wanted but a part of her was sad that he wasn't checking in with her, being his usual overprotective and very loving self. Sharpay had always complained about Troy's mission in life to protect her but secretly she loved his hovering. She really was a lucky woman to have a husband as wonderful as Troy.
"What are you doing?" Ryan rushed into the room with a tall glass of orange juice. "Why don't you have your pretty little butt under the covers?"
"I had to pee but I definitely over did it," Sharpay explained to her very concerned twin "Wrist hurts. Ribs hurt."
"Why didn't you call me?" Ryan placed the glass down and grabbed the bottle of pain medication.
"Eww Ryan, you're so not going to help me go to the bathroom."
"Eww," Ryan echoed his sister. "I would just help you walk there not…in there." He opened the bottle and poured out two pills. "Here take these."
"Maybe I should only take one."
Ryan rolled his eyes, "If you're in so much pain, you need two."
"But the baby," Sharpay began to protest.
"Will be fine," Ryan finished Sharpay's sentence. "Rebecca knows what she's doing, she wouldn't prescribe anything to harm you or the baby," Ryan placed the pills in Sharpay's right hand.
"Thanks," Sharpay quickly put them in her mouth just s Ryan handed her the glass of juice. She washed the pills down with juice and took another sip for good measure.
"That's a good girl," Ryan smirked and Sharpay rolled her eyes. "Now get under the covers."
"Yes father, whatever you say."
"Let me help," Ryan offered.
"Thanks," Sharpay was ever grateful as Ryan pulled the covers back and she managed to lay back down.
"Sweet dreams Shar," Ryan whispered as he tucked her back in.
"Actually I think I might watch a little T.V. I'm having a hard time sleeping but hopefully these pills will help."
"I'll get the remote," Ryan scurried across the room to grab the T.V remote sitting atop the blu-ray player. He turned the old flat screen on before heading back over to his sister.
"Thanks Ry," Sharpay smiled as Ryan handed her the remote.
"Can I get you anything else?"
"Um," Sharpay spoke quietly, "Would you stay with me for a little bit?"
Ryan's lips broke out into a huge grin, "Thought you'd never ask." He raced to the other side of the bed before grabbing a big fluffy pink pillow and placing it on the bottom of the bed. He laid down on his stomach, resting his head on her soft pillow. This was exactly how they watched T.V. together during their childhood, whether in her room or his.
Sharpay flipped through the channels with Ryan vetoing many of her choices. She was about to yell that she was the one in pain and she should choose what they watch when she landed on Grease, one of their favorites. "Perfect," the twins said simultaneously. Sharpay reached over once again, forgetting about the stabbing pain for a second, to grab the walkie-talkie. Sharpay held the talk button down, "Love you jazz square."
Ryan pulled his walkie-talkie out of his picket, "Right back at you golden throat."
Troy was searching for a basketball game when he heard the front door begin to turn. It was about time his father return from his usual nightly Wildcat practice. After all these years Jack Bolton was still East High's champion winning coach and showed no signs of retiring anytime soon.
"Hey son," Jack greeted Troy as he walked into the living room.
"Hey Dad," Troy looked up at his father who was in the process of taking off his jacket and gym shoes.
"Where's your Mom?" Jack questioned, once he was all settled.
"Upstairs, she had a little work to do in the office and then she said she was going to turn in a little early."
"Good, we can talk then," Jack replied as he sat down on the couch next to his only son. "How you doing?"
Troy shrugged not bothering with a verbal response, it was pretty obvious how he was doing.
"That's what I thought. How's Sharpay?" Troy shrugged again. "You fucked up didn't you?"
"Dad!" Troy exclaimed, surprised to hear the foul language coming out of his father's mouth.
"What?" Jack questioned. "Did you or didn't you?"
Troy sighed and closed his eyes, "I did."
Jack nodded, "It always happens to the best of us my son, especially the Bolton men."
"Dad what do I do?" it was the first time that Troy had asked his father for help since he'd been married.
"You start by apologizing."
"I already have, she's still pissed. Why else do you think I'm sitting here watching T.V. in your house?""
"True," Jack pointed out. "You beg for forgiveness then Troy. I mean on your knees groveling. You need to prove to her how much you love her. You do love her don't you Troy?"
"Of course I love her! Sharpay, she's…" Troy paused trying to find the right words, the love he felt for his wife was almost indescribable. "She's my life, my whole world. There isn't anything that I would not do for her. She's the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning and the last thing I think about before I go to sleep."
Jack grinned to himself, he was happy that his son knew that Sharpay was the best thing to ever happen to him. Troy had found his true love much like he had. Lucile Jane Reed now Bolton was still the first and last thing he thought about everyday as well. "You need to tell her all of that Troy. Too often we take for granted the ones we love."
"Dad, Sharpay knows that I love her."
"But not like that, not in those exact words. This might mean more than just an average I love you."
"Dad I don't know," Troy said skeptically, Jack Bolton was known for many things and a romance expert was not one of them.
"How long have you been married?"
"Almost two years."
"And how long have your mother and I been married?"
"Uh…" Troy stumbled, feeling guilty he didn't know the answer. He knew it was somewhere around thirty years or so, give or take a year or two.
"Thirty," Jack smiled. "Now who do you think knows more about marriage?"
"Mom," Troy chuckled for the first time all day.
"Very funny Troy. You can keep laughing all the way to the divorce court."
"Dad that's not funny," Troy glared at his father.
"Exactly, now listen to your old man for once."
"Do I have a choice?"
"What do you think? You need to something major for your wife before you end up permanently sleeping in your old bed upstairs."
"What am I supposed to do? Whisk her away to some tropical island?"
"No it's not just about the two of you anymore. You have a family to consider now. In four months you're going to be a father. It's the hardest but yet the most rewarding responsibility you'll ever have. From now on, everything you do will be about your child."
Troy nodded, listening to his father wasn't as horrible as he thought it would be. "So I should do something for the baby?"
"Bingo! You're not as stupid as I thought Troy."
Troy rolled his eyes, "Dad…"
"No seriously. I was so stupid when I was your age Troy. I was so unprepared to be a father and let's face it you were a bit of an accident."
"Dad," Troy began, he didn't want to hear that he was an accident. "Seriously…an over share."
"But the best accident ever," Jack continued on. "I was seriously scared shitless but the moment the doctor handed you to me, all my fear disappeared…well until we brought you home and had no idea what the hell to do with you. But I loved you and I still love you. I know your mother and I raised a good man and I know that you will do right by your wife."
"What are you doing?" Ryan mumbled in his sister's bed just as she stood up.
"Oh good you're up," Sharpay turned around to face her brother, she'd just put her leggings on and was now ready to go.
"The question is, why are you up? And why are you wearing that?"
Sharpay looked down to herself and shrugged, "I can't put my dress back on with all of those buttons so I only threw my leggings on because this shirt of yorus is pretty long but I'm ready now."
"Ready for what?" Ryan questioned, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. It was only seven and way too early to be alive on a Sunday morning.
"I want you to take me home."
Fifteen minutes later and Ryan was pulling his little sports car into Sharpay's long driveway, "Here you are, home sweet home."
"Thanks Ry, I really appreciate it. I know it's still super early for you but I need to talk to Troy."
"Shar I understand and don't you worry about me, I am going right back to sleep. Now don't move," Ryan swung his door open and rushed to the other side, helping his pregnant and injured sister up to her front door. Ryan also grabbed Sharpay's purse and her dress before using her key to unlock the front door.
"Troy," Sharpay called. "Troy." No answer.
"He's probably still sleeping like a normal person," Ryan said followed by a yawn.
"Oh right, I'll just check upstairs."
"No you go on into the family room to relax. You were in so much pain walking down the stairs earlier so I'll go wake Troy's lazy ass up."
"Alright," Sharpay headed down the long hallway while Ryan ran up the stairs. "Is he coming?" Sharpay asked when Ryan suddenly appeared in the doorway a few moments later.
"Um…he's not here."
"What?" Sharpay asked shocked.
"I guess that he actually listened to you."
"Oh my god! Where is he? And why didn't he call me?"
"Shar you asked him for some space, he was just listening to you."
"But he never listens to me. Do you…"
"Do I what?"
"Do you think he's with her?"
"Okay!" Ryan exclaimed. "This pregnancy has got you crazier than ever. Your husband wants nothing to do with Gabriella. He's probably at Chad and Taylor's sleeping on Brandon's top bunk."
"Oh I didn't even think of that," Sharpay immediately grabbed the cordless which happened to be on the table right next to her.
"Shar isn't it a little early to call? It's not even seven thirty yet."
"Are you kidding? With two little kids, Taylor's up at the crack of dawn everyday."
"Hello?"
"Tay it's me."
"Oh Shar, how are you?"
"I'm alright, in a little pain."
"Are you taking your pills?"
"Yes."
"Good and you better be taking it easy. I'm coming by later to check on you. Is Ryan still with you?"
Sharpay nodded, even though Taylor couldn't see her. "Yeah he's been such a great help," she grinned at Ryan.
"I'll relieve him them. Is there anything I can get for you?"
"Actually I was wondering if Troy was at your house."
"Oh hell no!" Taylor exclaimed. "Chad was all kinds of crazy trying to get me to let Troy spend the night but I said absolutely not."
"Ugh," Sharpay frowned.
"Everything okay?"
"I just don't know where he is."
"Did you call him?"
"No of course not," Sharpay rolled her eyes at her stupidity. "That would have been the intelligent thing to do. I guess that's next o my list. I'll see you later okay Tay, I really need to talk to him." After hanging up with Taylor, Sharpay immediately called her husband's cell phone.
"Hello," a female voice answered.
Sharpay was taken back by the very feminine voice. She could feel the panic rising in her body. Who the hell was her husband with? "Hello," Sharpay said hesitantly.
"How are you doing honey?"
Sharpay breathed a sigh of relief as she realized who was on the other line. "Honesty I've been better Lucy."
"Oh sweetheart," Lucy Bolton sighed sympathetically. "What can I do for you?"
"Could you um put Troy on the phone?"
"Sure let me go wake him up."
"Oh no Lucy don't do that."
"Are you sure? He's been drooling on my couch for way too long."
"Is it...would it be alright if I came over?"
"Honey you know that you are always welcome here."
"Thanks Lucy."
"Now you come on over and wake up sleeping beauty over here."
"Sure Lucy, I'll see you in a few."
"Bye dear."
Sharpay hung up the phone and was met with her brother's hand. "Thanks," Sharpay smiled gratefully as Ryan helped her up to her feet.
"You're welcome," Ryan grinned. "Let's get you to the in-laws."
"You're the best Ry."
"Oh don't I know it. And just to let you know, if I'm not this kid's godfather, I will sever all ties to our relationship."'
"Is that a threat?" Sharpay questioned as they walked towards the front door.
"Maybe."
"You'll have to prove yourself first."
"Doing what?"
"Well I can certainly tell you what you can't do."
"Go on, I'm listening."
"You can't use my baby to pick up chicks."
"Oh come on Shar, that's like the best part of having a baby!"
"Absolutely not, my baby is not a chance for you to have a booty call!"
"You ruin everything," Ryan muttered.
"I'll let you teach the baby jazz squares and yoga, Troy will so hate that."
"Now you're talking," Ryan grinned as they hopped back in his car.
After pulling into the elder Boltons' driveway, Sharpay leaned over and kissed her brother's cheek. "Thanks Ryan. Now you go sleep in your own bed."
"Are you sure? I can' wait for you if you'd like."
"Really Ryan, you've gone above and beyond for me. I know you're exhausted so please go home. Besides Troy and I will be going home together."
"Alright Shar but call me when you get home so I know that everything's alright."
"I promise," Sharpay replied as she got out of the car. She waved quickly before heading up the front steps of the Bolton's wrap around porch. Before Sharpay could knock, the door swung open and Lucy Bolton welcomed her daughter-in-law into her arms. Sharpay winced at the sudden impact.
"Oh I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Lucy apologized upon seeing Sharpay's pain stricken face.
"It's alright," Sharpay replied, trying to catch her breath.
"No it isn't," Lucy sighed apologetically. "I wasn't thinking."
"Really I'll live Lucy," Sharpay smiled as they walked inside.
"I'm so.."
"Lucy don't say it," Sharpay laughed.
"Can I get you anything?"
"Um…"
"Have you eaten?" Lucy questioned, looking Sharpay over as if she could tell whether or not the young woman had eaten from her appearance. "I'll fix everyone breakfast," she didn't let Sharpay answer the question. "Come on into the kitchen, I've already made tea for us."
"That actually would be pretty great."
"Oh dear I forgot, Troy's in the living room if you want to wake him up."
"You know…I think I'll let him sleep for a little longer."
Lucy nodded, "I don't know what they were doing but Jack didn't turn in until after midnight. He said that he and Troy were busy doing research whatever that means."
"Hmm, research?" Sharpay questioned as she followed her mother in law into the kitchen.
"Probably on basketball," Lucy rolled her eyes dramatically as she grabbed two mugs for their tea. Sharpay nodded in agreement as she sat down at the cozy breakfast nook in the corner. "What would you like in your tea honey?"
"Just a little sugar and some honey if you have it."
"I think we have another bottle around here somewhere," Lucy opened the door to her pantry. "Hmmm, now I know I bought one not to long ago," Lucy looked all around until she finally spotted the small jar on the top shelf. "Ugh this is why I don't like it when Jack puts away the groceries," she mumbled as she attempted to reach the jar. Thinking she had a good reach, Lucy leaned higher on her tippy toes only to knock the jar down, causing the glass to shatter all over the floor and an ooey gooey mess to form. "Oh great, just great."
"Oh let me help you," Sharpay was on her way to stand up when Lucy stopped her.
"Sharpay you are in no condition to help me."
"I can at least get you the broom and some wet paper towels," Sharpay offered.
"Hey is everything okay in here?" Troy rushed into the room, "I heard a…" Troy stopped dead in his tracks when he saw his wife sitting down at the table. "Sharpay?" he questioned, afraid that she wasn't real.
"Hi," Sharpay nervously bit her lip.
"Are you alright?" Troy asked, walking closer to her, narrowly missing the glass mess on the gray kitchen tile.
Sharpay nodded, "Yeah I'm fine."
"What are you doing here?" Troy questioned.
"Looking for you," she replied.
"I thought you wanted a little space."
"Why don't you two go talk in the living room," Lucy suggested as her son and daughter in law stared at each otherr, they were so lost in each other that they'd forgotten she was still in the room.
Troy nodded, "Let me give you a hand," Troy helped Sharpay up to her feet and guided her around his mother's mess.
Sharpay held onto Troy's hand as the two walked to the living room. She'd missed his touch and just having their hands intertwined was enough to make her happy. Sharpay sat down on the couch while Troy attempted to tidy up his 'bed.' "Troy, its fine, just sit."
Troy who was in the process of folding a blanket, pushed the it aside and sat down next to his wife. "Oh," he stood back up and pulled out a stack of papers that he had accidentally sat on.
"What's all this?" Sharpay asked.
"Oh um," Troy reluctantly handed over the papers to his wife.
"Rocking chairs?" Sharpay flipped through all the pages.
Troy nodded, "Yeah my dad and I were thinking of making one for the nursery. He made one for my mom when she was pregnant with Tara and she loved it. Plus it was the only way they could get Tara to sleep."
"That's very nice of you," Sharpay smiled as she placed the stack back down on the couch. "It'll look great in the nursery," Sharpay said as an awkward silence engulfed the two.
"I love you," Troy blurted out breaking the silence.
Sharpay sighed, "I know that you love me Troy but…"
"No buts Pay, I love you and I know you know that I love you but I don't think you know the extent of my love for you. You are my whole life, you're my everything. You're the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing I think about before I close my eyes at night. You're bossy and demanding but so kind and understanding. You have the biggest heart out of anyone I know and you're so beautiful, inside and out. You make me want to be a better person."
"Troy," Sharpay let out as a tear fell down her cheek, there was no way she could resist all of that. Troy was never the best at expressing himself but what he had just said was so beautiful.
"I've been miserable these past two nights, I can't sleep without you."
"Me too," Sharpay admitted.
"I want to come home."
"I want you to come home too but Troy this doesn't solve all of our problems."
"I know Pay but it's a start."
Fresh from his daily morning jog, Jack came into the kitchen through the back door. "What are you doing?" he asked his wife upon seeing her down on her knees.
"I dropped a jar," Lucy turned around from her mess.
"Need any help?"
"No I've got it but thank you."
"Alright Luce, is Troy up yet? We've got to get to work on our little project."
"Don't go in there!" Lucy exclaimed.
"And why not?" a confused Jack questioned.
"Sharpay's here and they're talking."
"Oh," Jack nodded, understanding. "I hope he takes my advice."
"Oh god," Lucy rolled her eyes.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Honey you're not the best at giving marital advice."
"Well I must be doing something right," Jack smirked at his wife, "you're still here, aren't you?"
"Barely Jack, just barely," she laughed before she went back to the task at hand.
"I hate it when we fight Troy."
"So do I," Troy caressed her right hand before squeezing it gently.
"We're not fighters."
"No we make love not war," Troy smirked.
"Troy" Sharpay giggled in spite of herself.
"Its true and I don't want to fight with you anymore Pay."
"Neither do I Troy."
"We need to start talking more okay, I think we were both keeping a lot inside."
Sharpay nodded, "Yeah we were. I know that you don't want to upset me right now but I'm not glass, I promise you that I won't break…even if it's about what's her name."
Troy rolled his eyes, "You know honey I can't even stand what's her name myself. I spend way too much time with her but she just can't take a hint. I can't believe we dated for two years, what was I thinking? She's clingy, ditzy, laughs at everything you say but surprisingly she'll be a great doctor."
Sharpay grinned, "See I was right, she is a twat! And look you were talking about that giggling buffoon and I didn't get upset, in fact I'm rather happy."
Troy chuckled, "I guess this just proves how strong you are. But in all seriousness Sharpay I just want this pregnancy to go as smoothly as possible…clearly I've screwed it up already."
"Honey," Sharpay began grabbing his hand reassuringly, "it was not your fault. I had no business climbing up on that old ladder in the first place. I will be so much more careful from now on."
"We're so lucky that nothing happened to Elmo," Troy reached down and touched her belly. "Does this hurt?"
"No I'm fine and yes Troy, we're more than lucky, we're blessed that he's alright. I don't know what I would have done if he wasn't okay."
"He?" Troy questioned, unsure if he'd heard her correctly.
Sharpay nodded as she placed her hand on top of Troy's which was still placed on her belly. "This stupid intern told me that my son was alright during my ultrasound."
"Oh my god!" Troy couldn't believe it, he was going to have a son.
"Rebecca confirmed it too after she gave me a full examination," Sharpay smiled at Troy's very surprised face.
"Oh my god!" He yelled again before engulfing his wife into his arms, holding on for dear life.
"Troy…hurts," Sharpay painfully breathed out.
"Oh," Troy pulled away quickly. "Baby I'm so sorry, I didn't' mean to hurt you."
"I know Troy, I know. You were just excited and I can't blame you, I am too! I thought I was just going to burst when I would out. I've been dying to tell you too."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."
"Me too but lets move on Troy. It happened and we can't go back, we can only move forward."
"All I want to do is go forward with you and our son."
"Then lets go home Troy, we've spent enough time apart. And I for one am dying to sleep in our bed again."
"With my arms around you," Troy added, knowing that it was her favorite way to sleep.
"Not yet," Sharpay pointed to her bruised ribs." But how about laying on your chest."
"I'll take it," Troy smiled.
"Good, now come here you," Sharpay leaned in as did Troy, each bracing themselves for a kiss. It had been so long since their lips had last touched that they savored every moment of their wonderful kiss.
"Lets go home Pay," Troy grinned as he stood up before helping his wife. He grabbed his keys off of the coffee table and the two headed to the kitchen, hand in hand.
"Hey you two, everything okay now?" Lucy asked but judging by their smiling faces and the hand holding, she knew that everything was alright.
"We're good," Sharpay grinned.
"Good," Jack winked at his son who rolled his eyes.
"How about I get started on a big breakfast?" Lucy suggested to her family.
"Actually Mom, we're both exhausted. I'm taking my wife and son home for some rest."
"Ok honey, you get some sleep and please take it easy Sharpay. We'll see you later."
"Bye kids," Jack added. "And Troy, I'll get some wood so we can start on the chair."
"Thanks Dad, I'll call you guys later." Troy grabbed his cell phone which Lucy had left in the kitchen before he led Sharpay back to the front door.
"Wait…did he just say son?" Troy and Sharpay heard Lucy scream from the kitchen.
"Time to go," Troy whispered to Sharpay, knowing that they'd get stuck with his very joyous mother any second now.
"Agreed," Sharpay unlocked the door just as Lucy screamed once more. "I'm going to have a grandson!"
"Oh shit," Troy groaned.
Thanks for reading, let me know what you guys think! I always feel like I have trouble during emotional scenes. I just wanted to get them back together because of course we need to move onto month 6 which will feature laughter and more happier times. Troy and Sharpay are about to try their hand out at babysitting for Mia and Brandon. Thanks again!