A Forced Reunion
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! Aww I'm sad because this is the last chapter. I'm not going to ramble on up here because I know you probably all want to read so go I'll put more at the bottom. Please R&R one last time!
Disclaimer: I think we have established I don't own a thing!
Chapter 20 – Epilogue
It had been a year since Ryan's death today. Everyone was going to go to the cemetery before having a small get together at Sharpay and Zeke's to celebrate Ryan's life. Gabriella stood beside Troy and Sharpay with baby Ryan (I'm putting baby Ryan so I don't or you don't get confused) burying his head underneath Gabriella's head. Everyone knew he was a real mommy's boy and wouldn't ever leave her side not even to go to Troy when they were out. Of course if Gabriella wasn't around he would stay with Troy but he was a real mommy's boy and Gabriella didn't mind in the slightest. The only time she could get space away from him was when he was sleeping. As everyday went by, the more the painful memories of Ryan's loss faded from Gabriella's mainly and the others minds. Gabriella found Ryan was right that she loved being a mom and knew her son and her husband were her whole world now. She knew Ryan was still there in spirit and keeping them all safe even if he wasn't there in human.
"You ok?" Troy's voice snapped Gabriella from her thoughts.
"I'm fine." Gabriella told him quietly as he wrapped his arms around her and baby Ryan, kissing them both on the heads. "Want me to have him?" Troy offered as Gabriella shook her head.
"I need to be close to him today at least." Troy kissed the side of her head as they stood there and listened to Sophia and Kayla talk about just about anything and everything they could think of. That was definitely one of Sharpay's traits the two carried which was definitely an Evans thing Gabriella remembered.
When the twins plus all the others finished putting their flower arrangements on the grave, the others all left Troy and Gabriella alone knowing Gabriella probably needed to do this on her own without all of them there.
"Hey stranger, I'm sorry I haven't been up in a while but I've kind of been a little bit busy. I thought it was finally time to introduce the new other main man in my life apart from Troy. This is Ryan Jack Bolton." Gabriella lifted baby Ryan up a little on her hip while he slept. "Troy was the one who came up with the name. You'd love him Ry. I think Troy gets jealous a little bit because he is definitely a mommy's boy and takes after me with his characteristics while only really Troy in his looks. Then again he isn't old enough yet to show us but he might have a hidden basketball talent hidden under all the shyness in him. Troy would love him a whole lot more if he did." Troy who was standing behind where she was kneeling shook his head. "I guess you want to know how I'm doing. I'm doing great actually. I have some great friends and an amazing husband who are there 24/7 for me if I feel I can't cope. I think you were right though about how I would need someone when you left because I have no idea what I would be like if I had still been alone. Most likely I would have joined you not long after but I'm glad you helped me because otherwise I wouldn't have met my soul mate again and I wouldn't have my son and all of that is down to you. You've never been forgotten though Ryan and nor will you ever be because you will always be in our hearts. I promise we'll come and see you again soon. Bye Ryan." Gabriella let out a sigh as she felt all the weight she seemed to have on her shoulders that had been there since Ryan died seemed to lift and disappear. Troy helped her up as he took baby Ryan from her arms as she wrapped hers around him and just stood there in silence for a few minutes.
"You ready to go?" Gabriella nodded into Troy's shoulder as he linked their hands and somehow managed to keep Ryan contented sleeping on his shoulder, Gabriella looking back once and smiling before turning back and walking close to her two main guys.
Troy had already gone over to Sharpay and Zeke's while Gabriella popped home to grab a few things for baby Ryan. As Gabriella got to the Baylor's front door she heard baby Ryan sigh into her chest.
"Don't worry mommy feels the same way too buddy." Gabriella heard her son let out a noise which was probably some kind of giggle hearing his mom's voice as she opened the door and walked in to see only Troy in the hallway while all the others she assumed must have been outside. "I think daddy has been waiting for mommy and you." Gabriella said as Troy smiled and walked over to them.
"Yes he has. He wanted to make sure that they were ok." He kissed baby Ryan's head and Gabriella's lips before leading them through to all the others. Gabriella couldn't help but grin at Troy's affections towards them both. Over the past few months since baby Ryan's birth, all Gabriella's guesses about Troy being an amazing dad had certainly been confirmed because she could see in his blue eyes how much brighter they became when he was around his family. Everyone had commented on it too, even Chad.
"Hey Gabs." Sharpay called as she walked over to Gabriella and hugged her. "Aww and how's my new favourite little nephew doing?" Sharpay cooed at the 3 month old baby who snuggled further into his mom trying to hide away and stop Sharpay from taking him out of his mother's arms.
"Sharpay you are scaring my son. Leave him alone." Troy told her as she glared at him.
"Bolton so do you." Gabriella rolled her eyes at the two.
"Why is it all the little kids can behave but whenever you put these two together they just seem to love their bickering?" Gabriella laughed at Taylor as they left the two to carry on.
"You sure you are ok Gabs?" Taylor asked as Gabriella looked at her with a small smile on her face.
"Yeah but I just am feeling weird being around everyone and not having Ryan here. I still can't get used to that feeling because I've been so used to him being everywhere I go even if I didn't know." Taylor touched her friends arm.
"He is here, remember? He is here in spirit, in Sharpay, in you and in this little boy right here. He is all around us when we look around because all of us are here today because of Ryan." Gabriella nodded as she hugged Taylor carefully making sure she didn't crush baby Ryan though. Gabriella saw the strange look Troy and Sharpay were giving her as she kept her emotions under control.
"Thanks Tay." Taylor nodded and left her alone as Troy came over to them.
"Are you really sure you are ok? You looked upset talking to Taylor." Troy commented as Gabriella nodded and leaned up to give him a quick kiss.
"I'm positive now." Troy shook his head not quite sure what was going on as he took his son from his wife and held them both close loving the feeling of being a family.
Later on that evening, Troy and Gabriella sat quietly cuddled up on the sofa while baby Ryan was asleep upstairs. Troy was running his fingers lovingly up and down her arm as they enjoyed the peaceful silence.
"You want to know something?" Gabriella spoke quietly looking up at Troy from her position in his lap.
"What?" Troy asked softly looking into her brown eyes.
"If it hadn't of been for Ryan forcing me to come back just a few short months ago I wouldn't be anywhere near as happy as I am now." Troy smiled as he leaned down and kissed his wife.
From that day on Gabriella knew she would be fine without Ryan and knew where ever he was now he could be at peace because she and everyone else were happy but would never be forgotten. He had finally fully fulfilled his dying wish of making Gabriella happy again.
A/N: It's finally over! I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story. I'm glad you have all enjoyed it, even the sad parts. I know this wasn't very long but it was really just a way of rounding it off. To answer people who have been asking there will be NO sequel. Sorry. Please review one last time and let me know you thoughts on this and the story overall! Thanks!
Oh btw if you haven't read it already, I have a new story out called 'To Help A Friend' so please go read and review it! Thanks!