Unlove You

Disclaimer: See Prologue.

Chapter 40: Christening and New Beginnings

Elizabeth Evans is sitting in the large recliner in the Bolton family room giving her great-granddaughter a bottle. Little Nickie is staring up at her with big blue eyes as Elizabeth sings softly to her. Nickie is wearing her white christening gown and her great-grandmother is wearing a conservative blue dress and pearls. Sharpay enters the room quietly and takes a seat near her on the well-worn, but comfortable sofa. The men are all outside waiting to leave for the church and Lisa and Jennifer are finishing up some last minute things in the kitchen.

"Hi sweetheart", Elizabeth says in greeting to Sharpay.

"Hi", Sharpay says quietly and then, adds awkwardly, "Um...we haven't actually had much of a chance to talk."

"No, things have been rather hectic the last two days." Elizabeth Evans has a very smooth, soothing tone. One could never imagine that she would ever find an occasion to raise her voice. "Nickie's a beautiful baby, Sharpay. She's reminds me so much of you when you were this age."

"Really? I think she looks like Troy. I mean, she has his eyes." Indeed, her dark blue, newborn eyes are already starting to lighten.

Elizabeth looks contemplatively at Nickie whose eyes are just starting to droop. "His color, perhaps. But the shape of the eye is the same as yours ... the same as ..." She trails off into silence and cautiously looks up at Sharpay.

"I know I look like her and every time you look at me you can't help but see her, but please believe me. I am not Judith Evans and I promise I will never become her", Sharpay says seriously.

"You're right and I apologize if it seems like we're treating you like that. You're not her, but it is hard for me to look at you and not be reminded of when you were born. It was a very hard time for your mother. Her family ... didn't offer any support. They thought she married 'beneath' her."

"I...I didn't know that. I mean her father left her money ... I always thought they were close."

"Not hardly. I think Judith's father was planning on removing her from the will, but he died before he could do it", Elizabeth finishes with a sigh. She removes Nickie's bottle from her mouth and puts the baby up on her shoulder for her mid-bottle burp. "Would you like to take her for the second half?", the older woman offers her granddaughter.

"Oh no, she won't take a bottle from me", Sharpay explains. It's not unusual for a breastfed baby to refuse a bottle from its mother.

"Of course, ... I forgot", Elizabeth murmurs.

They enjoy a few moments of companionable silence until they are interrupted by Nickie's loud belch. The two women chuckle quietly.

"See ... I told you she was just like Troy", Sharpay comments with a smile.

"Henry's very excited about the christening today. He was very pleased when you asked him to perform it."

"When I ...? But I thought you asked us. That's what Daddy said", the young mother says in confusion.

"Oh my ... I think we have a case of my son playing at matchmaking ... of a sort."

They sit for a minute thinking about this new revelation.

"Well ... I, for one, am glad he did it", Elizabeth finally decides. "Life is too short for our family to continue to be divided."

"I'm really glad he did it too. And it's better that's it's here in Albuquerque. I know it must be embarrassing for Grandpa...". At Elizabeth's puzzled expression, Sharpay continues, "Well... you know ... to christen his own great-granddaughter when she's ... illegitimate." Sharpay's voice has dropped to a whisper. She stares down at the floor and quickly wipes away a single tear that is trailing down her cheek.

"Oh Sharpay, don't ever think that. Henry and I don't live in a box. We understand that the world has changed a lot since when we were starting out. Young people today are under tremendous pressure from every side. However, that said, ... I feel I must be completely honest and tell you that we would have definitely preferred it if you had waited. You're both just so very young to be parents. You're not even adults yourself."

Her kind words and honesty just causes Sharpay to cry harder. Lisa enters the room at that moment. She always seems to have excellent instincts about when she's needed. Seeing the scene playing out before her, she offers to take Nickie so the two Evans women can speak in private. Elizabeth quickly moves over to the sofa and sits down beside Sharpay while pulling her into a hug. Sharpay willingly accepts the comforting gesture and buries her head in her grandmother's shoulder.

"There ... there, dear. It's nothing to be upset about", Elizabeth says comfortingly.

Sharpay sniffles and mumbles back to her, "I'm not upset. I'm happy." Then, she pulls back to look her grandmother in the eye. "I mean ... I was so scared of meeting you. I thought you would hate me and to find out how wrong I was ... well, I'm just happy ... I guess."

Elizabeth hands Sharpay a tissue that she pulls out of nowhere. It's amazing how older women seem to always have tissues at hand.

"Thank you", Sharpay mumbles.

Elizabeth reaches over and lifts the necklace from Sharpay's neck to see it better.

"This is lovely, Sharpay. Was this from Troy?"

"Yes, ma'am. It was my Christmas present", Sharpay explains with a sad look in her eyes.

Sensing what she is thinking, Elizabeth says, "But it wasn't what you were expecting, was it?"

Sharpay jerks her head up quickly and looks at her grandmother in awe. How did she know that?

"Am I that obvious?"

Elizabeth lets the necklace falls back down before replying.

"No, not at all. I'm just that insightful", Elizabeth says as she tucks a piece of Sharpay's hair behind her ear. "And don't worry, dear. My insightfulness also tells me that you won't be waiting much longer."

"Oh, it's not him, Grandma. It's me. He has asked me ... three times. I just wasn't ready before and I wanted it to be for the right reasons. And now that I am ready ... well, I'm afraid he's given up."

"Not your Troy. He's a keeper and he's not going to let you get away either. Now, I think we need to do a little repair work on your face and get ready to go."

Both women rise and walk towards the bathroom when Sharpay suddenly stops walking and touches her grandmother's arm.

"Hey, I just remembered something. Daddy told me Sharpay was an old family name and I was named after you, but your name's Elizabeth. So what's with that?"

"Oh that, well ...", Elizabeth Evans starts to reply with a lowered voice. "My real name is Sharpay Elizabeth, but I just can't stand my first name. It sounds like I was named after the family dog, so I've always gone by Elizabeth."

Sharpay just stares back at her in shock before busting out in laughter. Elizabeth joins her and they both giggle into the bathroom. "I love you, Sharpay." "I love you too, Grandma Sharpay."

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As there are no coincidences in life, the Boltons are members of the Albuquerque United Methodist Church. Therefore, there were no difficulties reserving the church for Nickie's ceremony.

Troy and Sharpay are surprised that the church is full of people, mostly students from East High School. The entire basketball team and the scholastic decathlon team take up three rows. Then, there's Mr. Matsui and his family and Mr. Langford, sitting next to him, and most of the faculty from the school, including a remorseful looking Mrs. Darbus. Friends of the Boltons take up a large amount of the pews and the small church is almost filled to capacity. It's almost overwhelming.

The immediate family sits on the front row with Henry Evans already positioned at the pulpit in his full vestments. He is wearing the traditional black robes with a long white sash which hangs around his neck and drapes down to below his knees. Troy and Sharpay are holding Nickie and standing off to the side of the pulpit. The organ starts playing and silence falls over the church as Robbie and Lizzie Evans, dressed in acolyte robes, enter from opposite sides of the sanctuary carrying candlelighters. They both have overly serious looks on their faces as they complete their tasks of lighting the candles on the long table in front of the pulpit. Once they are finished, they sit down together over to the side. Sharpay can see both of them flash a nervous smile at their parents. Bill and Jennifer Evans return those two awkward smiles with ones of encouragement and pride. Sharpay is briefly stuck by a pang of jealousy which she immediately feels ashamed of when she sees the love and acceptance reflected in her father and step-mother's eyes being directed to her and Troy. Before Sharpay can reflect upon this, her attention is drawn to her grandfather as he begins the ceremony.

"Christening a new baby is one of my most treasured duties as a minister. Today's duty is made even more treasured by the fact that the baby presented here today is my first great grandchild, little Nickie." Then, with a smile on his face he indicates for Troy and Sharpay to bring Nickie forward.

"Brother and sisters in Christ:

Through the Sacrament of Baptism

we are initiated into Christ's holy church.

We are incorporated into God's mighty acts of salvation

and given new birth through water and the Spirit.

All this God's gift, offered to us without price.

Who brings this child?"

At this cue, Troy and Sharpay step forward to recite their part.

"We present Lisa Nicole Bolton for baptism."

Then, Nickie is delivered into her great-grandfather's arms as he addresses her parents.

"On behalf of the whole church, I ask you:

Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,

reject the evil powers of this world,

and repent of your sin?"

Troy and Sharpay respond, "We do."

"Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you

to resist evil, injustice, and oppression

in whatever forms they present themselves?"

"We do."

"Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior,

put your whole trust in his grace,

and promise to serve him as your Lord,

in union with the church which Christ has opened

to people of all ages, nations, and races?"

"We do."

"Will you nurture this child

in Christ's holy church,

that by your teaching and example they may be guided

to accept God's grace for themselves,

to profess their faith openly,

and to lead a Christian life?"

"We will."

Mr. Evans addresses the congregation,

"Do you, as Christ's body, the church,

reaffirm both your rejection of sin

and your commitment to Christ?"

The congregation responds, "We do."

"Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include Lisa Nicole now before you in your care?"

The congregation reads their response.

"With God's help we will proclaim the good news

and live according to the example of Christ.

We will surround Lisa Nicole

with a community of love and forgiveness,

that she may grow in her service to others.

We will pray for her,

that she may be a true disciple

who walks in the way that leads to life."

Henry Evans quietly walks over to the baptismal font and removes the ornate lid from the baptism bowl and places it to the side. Then, carefully holding Nickie in one hand, he dips his other hand into the water and says,

"Lisa Nicole Bolton, I baptize you in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit."

Nickie is watching him curiously when he then sprinkles a small amount of water on her head and her face immediately turns into a frown and she lets out an loud and very unhappy scream. Sharpay immediately steps up and retrieves her daughter from her grandfather.

The people respond, "Amen." And many can't help but chuckle at the timing of the prayer.

After Sharpay has had a chance to calm Nickie down, Henry places his hand on her head and recites,

"The Holy Spirit work within you,

that being born through water and the Spirit

you may be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ."

The people respond, "Amen."

"Now it is our joy to welcome

our new sister in Christ."

The congregation says,

"Through baptism

you are incorporated by the Holy Spirit

into God's new creation

and made to share in Christ's royal priesthood.

We are all one in Christ Jesus.

With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you

as a member of the family of Christ."

And Henry concludes the ceremony by addressing little Nickie, still safely ensconced in her mother's arms.

"The God of all grace,

who has called us to eternal glory in Christ,

establish you and strengthen you

by the power of the Holy Spirit,

that you may live in grace and peace."

"Nickie's family would like to invite everyone to the community room now for refreshments. Thank you for joining us in this most blessed event."

The organist starts to play and the congregation immediately starts to stand and move out of the sanctuary. Then, Troy steps forward and clears his throat.

"Every...everyone, please. Please, stay seated. I have something I want to say."

Sharpay gives him a puzzled look. This wasn't in the rehearsal. Everyone sits back down and he continues, "Today, we are here with our friends and family, those who are most important to us; here to share in our daughter's baptism." Then, turning to Sharpay, he says, "Sharpay, I know I've asked many times before and you have turned me down. But now the time just seems right."

He starts to go down on one knee while simultaneously reaching into his pocket for something. Elizabeth Evans quickly steps up to take Nickie out of an open-mouthed Sharpay's arms: one, so she can respond to Troy and two, so she doesn't drop her daughter.

Troy reaches for Sharpay's shaking hand and says, "Sharpay, will you marry me and complete our family?"

The audience oohs and awws at his unexpected question. Her tears are already flowing and Sharpay tries to quickly blink them away. Troy holds the ring which he just pulled out of his pocket to her finger. He stops there, awaiting her answer, and looks up at her with a mischievous look in his eyes and whispers to her, "You don't have to look under anything for the ring this time. It's right here, out in the open."

Sharpay's eyes narrow and she whispers back, "You knew what I was doing and you didn't say anything?"

"Well", he says as he tips his head shyly to the side. "I had this whole big plan, you see?"

The whole church is waiting on pins and needles for her answer. Everyone can tell they're talking to each other, but no one can quite make out what they're saying. Then, realizing that every eye in the church is staring at them and waiting for an answer, Sharpay looks lovingly down at Troy and says, in a loud, clear voice, "Of course I'll marry you Troy Bolton. I love you."

Troy almost drops the solitaire diamond engagement ring when he tries to slip it on her finger, but he catches it in mid-air and manages to get it seated on her finger on the second try. Troy can just barely make out Chad's voice from the second row as he comments on Troy's quick reaction time and a winning basketball season.

The entire church bursts out in applause when he finishes. Troy rises to his feet and turns to face the congregation while holding tightly to Sharpay's hand. She squeezes his hand tightly and pulls him to her to say something to him over the roar of the clapping.

Troy's face pales noticeably and his glorious blue eyes widen in obvious shock. He says something back to Sharpay and then, they both turn to Henry Evans and talk to him in lowered voices. The applause has died down now and everyone is watching the three people up on the altar curiously. Henry Evans' eyes widen also and he says something back to Sharpay. She nods and he starts to flip through his Methodist Hymnal, frantically searching for something.

Troy and Sharpay turn back to the now quieted church and Troy clears his throat as he begins to address the congregation once more.

"Ummm, well, we'd like to invite everyone to stay around for a few more minutes, if you don't mind?"

Sharpay smiles lovingly up at her fiancée and says to the their friends and family, "Yes, we'd like to invite you to our wedding."

"Yeah, which we'd like to happen in about three minutes", Troy finishes meekly.

Exclamations of distress are immediately heard from every female sitting on the front row (with the exception of Nickie who is currently sleeping peacefully through all the ruckus).

"But we've had no time to plan." -- from Lisa Bolton

"What about the photographers?" -- from Jennifer Evans

"And flowers?" -- from Elizabeth Evans

"Can I be the flower girl?" -- from Lizzie Evans

"Please... this is what we really want", implores Sharpay.

Then, Henry Evans steps up and announces triumphantly, "I've found the ceremony."

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"Can you believe the looks on everyone's faces?", Sharpay mumbles loudly. She is staring intently into the mirror while she brushes her teeth.

"Yeah that was something", Troy replies from the other side of the bathroom door, but he sounds somewhat distracted.

Sharpay finishes her teeth and starts to touch up her make-up. She lifts her left hand and rotates it slowly under the harsh bathroom light. "Aaaahhh...", she sighs. The diamond solitaire to glinting beautifully along side the gold band.

"I can't believe my grandmother let me borrow her wedding band. We'll have to buy our own tomorrow. I don't think they cost very much, do you? ... You're being awfully quiet out there... Troy?"

"Yeah?", he answers breathlessly. "I'm here."

"Well, I didn't actually think you had left, now did I?"

"What?"

"I'll be out in a minute. Just be ready."

She runs the brush through her hair one more time. Then, she looks at herself in the full sized mirror on the back of the door. Wow, the moment of truth. She and Troy have been intimate for months and had seen each other completely nude more times than she cared to count, but this ... this was different. Tonight she was trying to dress seductively and somehow that in itself was more intimating and sexier than just being naked. Well obviously, Sharpay. Otherwise, stores like Victoria's Secret wouldn't exist. I still can't believe I'm wearing my mother-in-law's negligee. Well, not really. I mean she showed me the tags to prove it had never been worn. And it is sexy. The outside world would never guess that conservative Lisa Bolton would have so many lovely and sexy pieces of intimate apparel to choose from. I just hope we're that active when we're their age.

Lisa insisted that Sharpay take her new babydoll set. The sheer black top is trimmed in pink satin and has a pink ribbon tie in the back and a black satin boosting bra. The matching black G-string has a ruffled front and string sides and is also trimmed in pink satin. Lisa practically threw it into Sharpay's suitcase while they were frantically packing for their impromptu honeymoon, after their impromptu wedding. Well, honeymoon is pushing it. It's more like a night alone in a fantastic hotel suite in the ritziest hotel in town, The Tipton. Tomorrow it would be back to real life. She is already missing Nickie, but she knows she's safe and happy with her grandparents.

Shaking off her feelings of guilt, she checks herself once more and satisfied with her appearance, Sharpay cracks the door open and calls out, "Troy? Are you ready?"

"Turn out the light, Shar", Troy orders from the main room.

She reaches back and flips the light off as she steps out of the bathroom. The main lights are turned off and it takes a minute for her eyes to adjust and for her brain to discover the source of the dim lighting.

Candles... Candles of every shape and size are placed all over the room. There must be over fifty of them casting a soft glow over everything.

"Oh, wow", Troy whispers as he sucks in his breath at Sharpay's appearance. He is leaning back against the fluffed up pillows on the bed. Wearing nothing but a white terry-cloth robe which is opened up showing off his smooth chest, he is trying his best to look casual and failing miserably.

"Oh Troy, this is beautiful. How did you? ...", Sharpay starts to say as she enters the room. Her question dies instantly when she spies Troy on the bed. She stops and unconsciously wets her lips as she gazes lovingly, and admit it, Sharpay, lustfully, at him.

"I...I wanted to make it special, but you're the one who's beautiful." Troy clears his throat and says more forcefully, "Come over here, Mrs. Bolton."

"Of course, Mr. Bolton."

The End.

A/N: Wow, this is IT, ladies. We're done. This is the longest thing I've ever written and HSM fans are definitely the best. I hope everyone liked it. Please review and let me know what you think. If you are one of those people who don't review until the story is finished... well, this is it, so make with the reviewing.

I'd like to really thank my beta reader, Trish, for all the help she's given me. I couldn't have done it without her.

As for the future, I've thought of a couple of one-shots I'd like to do about their future life, but those will probably have to wait until I've worked on some of my other fics. I have a very clear picture of where Baby for Sale will go, but I'm stuck with Why... That poor girl is just so messed up. Anybody have any ideas?

I'm going to try to update my other fics more regularly now, but I'm just extremely busy as I've started a part-time job and just don't seem to have enough time in the day to do all that I want to do.

Start date: Tuesday, December 26, 2006.

End date: Tuesday, December 26, 2006.