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Chapter Text

Big Red felt like he was in the midst of battle. The clanging sounds of metal, the heat radiating throughout the room, the smells of baking bread and cooking meat and spices of all kinds. It was glorious. Big Red had known that he wanted to continue the family business from the first time he sat in his family’s restaurant and watched how happy the pizzas they served made people. While many of his friends didn’t know what they wanted to do with their lives until High School or college and some were still trying to figure it out, Big Red had always known he wanted to make food that made people happy.

Both of his families, his actual family and the wildcats, had always been extremely supportive of his dream. Sure his friends had missed him during the first half of his senior year, but his parents had gotten him a great opportunity to apprentice under a legendary deep dish pizza chef who had retired to Cairo, Illinois (why his friends kept insisting he was in Egypt he never understood). Then of course he went to culinary school after graduation and after a few years working at Slices was placed in charge of the restaurant just over two years ago. Big Red had been honored when Ricky not only asked him to be his best man, but to also cater the wedding. 

The Redonovich family was hard at work, and Red himself was hyper focused on the dough in front of him. As he worked on it he couldn’t help but think about all the other parties he’d (kind of) catered for the Wildcats over the years: Thanksgivings, Halloweens, New Years, Engagements, Birthdays. As he kneaded the dough in front of him his mind drifted back to a very particular birthday.

“Biggie what took you so long?” Ashlyn chastised him as he came up the stairs to Gina’s room. As he entered he saw the balloons and streamers and a big banner that read ‘Happy Birthday, Ricky’, as well as an assortment of friends all spread around the room.

“I’m sorry,” Big Red apologized as he came in carrying an oversized insulated pizza carrier, “I wanted to make sure the pizzas were still piping hot, so I waited until the last minute.”

“And I for one thank you for your service,” Jet said as he eyed the stack of pizzas as Red pulled them out of the carrier and arranged them on a folding table covered in a colorful plastic tablecloth.

“Well you’re just in time,” Kourtney informs, “Gina and Ricky will be here any second.”

“SHHHHH,” Ashlyn commandingly shushes the group before whispering, “Gina just texted, they’re pulling up now.”

With that information revealed, Maddox heads for the light switch only to be stopped by Ashlyn (Maddox had apparently been barred from touching light switches after an incident on Halloween) who turned off the light herself. Everyone then spread out throughout the room and waited. The group waited in darkness as they heard a muffled conversation between Ricky and Gina downstairs. As the door opened to the attic opened they heard the couple far more clearly.

“Okay so what is it you forgot again?” Ricky asks as he starts to ascend the stairs.

“My water bottle,” Gina answers, “I think I left it by my desk.”

“Still can’t believe you forgot something. You’re the most prepared person I know.”

As Gina reached the top of the stairs she quickly scanned the room checking that everything was in place. Ricky reached the top a split second later and reached for the light switch, turning the lights on.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” The assembled group shouted. Ricky jumped in surprise at the sudden shout and clung to Gina like a safety blanket before he realized what was happening. As he settled down, his arms around Gina shifted from an embrace of panic to one of gratitude.

“Gi? Did you plan this?” Ricky asks in joyous shock.

“Surprise,” Gina replies facing Ricky with the biggest grin on her face. “Do you like it?”

“I love it!” Ricky exclaims, “but my birthday’s not until tomorrow.”

“Well it wouldn’t be as much of a surprise if it was tomorrow,” Gina explains, “besides this way I get you all to myself tomorrow.”

“Well when you put it like that,” Ricky responds with a smile.

“Plus,” Gina continues, “this way I can make up for not exactly being around last year when you turned 18.”

“Sweetie,” Ricky says comfortingly, “It’s okay, things were…complicated.”

“It’s not okay. Don’t say it’s okay,” Gina pouts, “you’re not just my boyfriend, you’re my best friend and you were my best friend long before we started dating, and I couldn’t even wish you a happy birthday to your face.”

“Um, hi,” Ashlyn says incredulously.

“Remember us?” Big Red adds.

“What are we if you two are each other’s best friends?” Jet asks.

“Guys we’ve been over this,” Ricky says rolling his eyes, “I can have more than one best friend, so can we not rehash this argument at this amazing birthday party that my incredible girlfriend planned.”

After a couple of grumbling ‘fines,’ from Big Red and Jet (and Carlos as well) the party started. Music was blasting through Gina’s Bluetooth speakers playing a medley of songs from the last couple years. The entire HSM trilogy, Camp Rock, Frozen, Beauty and The Beast, The Greatest Showman, with some of the songs the Wildcats had written over the years. Pizza was consumed and of course everyone was loving it. The only pizza that was virtually untouched was the small Hawaiian Pizza that was Ricky’s favorite. 

As Ricky ate the pineapple covered pizza he managed to coerce Gina into having a bite. As Gina chewed she grimaced and after swallowing she said, “It doesn’t taste as bad as I thought, but it’s still not good, and the texture was weird. Sorry Ricky I don’t like it.”

“Hey, we don’t have to like all the same things,” Ricky says, “and I’m happy you were at least willing to give it a chance for me.”

Gina smiles as she says, “well don’t fill up on pizza, I made cake.”

“That sounds…wait, you made cake?”

Gina sheepishly grins and says, “I felt really bad about last year so I made a cake from scratch…with homemade frosting.”

“Gina,” Ricky says lovingly, “you didn’t need to go to all that trouble, but thank you. I love you.”

“I love you, too, so much,” Gina replies before kissing Ricky tenderly. “Now time for cake.”

The entire party erupted into cheers.

“Noah Redonovich,” Big Red’s mom shouts getting his attention.

“What? Sorry mom,” Red apologizes, “I was focused.”

“I know, but we’ve got this handled if you want to head back and start getting ready. I’m sure Ricky needs his best man,” Mrs. Red said.

“If you’re sure. Thanks mom,” Big Red says giving his mom a hug while not touching her with his hands due to the raw dough sticking to his fingers.

“Give Ricky our love,” Mrs. Red says with a chorus of agreement from the rest of the Reds currently hard at work cooking the various dishes for the reception.

After washing his hands Big Red heads back to the chapel. It’s a short walk, only about five minutes. On the walk back Red admires the venue that was chosen. It wasn’t too far away from Ricky and Gina’s California home and very isolated from prying eyes, which is probably why they chose it. Along the way Big Red sees the walkway is lined with fairy lights to guide people when it got dark. He also saw Emmy pacing back and forth talking to herself in muttering tones. 

As Red approached her, Emmy saw him and quickly said, “sorry I’m on my way to the sound check in the reception hall. Please excuse me.” She bolted off quicker than a bolt of lightning leaving Red somewhat bewildered. A couple minutes later Big Red entered the groom’s suite to see Ricky being hugged by Ms. Jenn.

“Ms. Jenn, I’m happy you’re here but I-I can’t breathe,” Ricky strains out.

“Sorry, sorry,” Ms. Jenn says releasing Ricky who takes a deep breath upon release. “I’m just so happy for you. If you had told me when I posted that cast list for High School Musical that my Troy would be marrying my Taylor I would have said, ‘are you sure? He’s got a real spark with that Nini girl.’” Ricky and the group in the room, consisting of Carlos, Seb, and EJ, chuckled before Ms. Jenn continued, “but seeing you and Gina find your way to each other, be there for each other, and have this amazing romance, has been one of the privileges of my life.”

“Thanks Ms. Jenn,” Ricky says with a big smile, “and if you told me on the day that I auditioned for High School Musical that the love of my life was in that room I would have said, ‘Yeah, it’s Nini right?’” Ricky chuckles, “the truth is though that while I showed up that day for Nini, I stuck around for Gina.”

“Speaking of Gina,” Ms. Jenn says in a tone fully meant to hijack the conversation, “she told me her mom isn’t coming, that she doesn’t want her here, and she was very cagey when I pressed her about why. Do you know why?”

“It probably has to do with the fighting, right?” Big Red says making his presence known.

“Big Red, my reddest child,” Ms. Jenn says running up to the man and pulling him into a tight hug. “What fighting?”

“All the fights Gina and her mom got into, especially during her senior year,” Big Red explains.

“Red, stop talking,” Ricky commands.

“No, no, keep talking,” Ms. Jenn encourages.

Big Red feels conflicted but decides to tell the story, “Well, I was only witness to one. It was the night before Ricky’s 19th birthday. Gina had thrown Ricky a surprise party earlier that day…”

After gorging themselves on pizza and cake (which was delicious) the party had ended. Ricky and Big Red had stayed to help Gina clean up. After clean up Ricky reluctantly left Gina who wished him a happy belated and early birthday (with subsequent kisses) and said she’d see him tomorrow. Ricky and Big Red decided to go back to Red’s and play some video games to ring in his 19th birthday. They decided to take Red’s car, leaving the beetle with Gina so she could get some practice in behind the wheel before Ricky gave her the car at the end of summer. 

About halfway to his house Big Red realized he’d left his pizza carrier at Gina’s house. Red was worried he’d be in trouble if he came home without it so they quickly turned around and headed back to the Porters’ House. Big Red parked a few houses away. Ricky hopped out of the car and said he’d get the carrier.

“Oh no,” Big Red said, “I’m coming with you. If you go in that house without supervision you will never come out willingly.”

“Fine,” Ricky groans, “come on.”

As they approached the house Red and Ricky saw the lights were on in the kitchen but not in Gina’s room. As they got closer they saw the front door was open but the screen door was closed. Gina, after hanging around Kourtney and Ashlyn for so long, was always trying to lower her carbon footprint. She probably turned off the air conditioning after everyone left and had the door open to improve air flow. 

Red watched as Ricky saw Gina in the kitchen, stirring something in a bowl. Red saw his friend’s face lit up like a Christmas tree as he watched his girlfriend. Big Red had known Ricky since before pre-k and in their entire life he never saw Ricky as happy as he was when he was just looking at Gina. Lightly slapping Ricky’s arm to bring him out of the hypnosis that Gina had him under, he reminded his friend why they were here.

“Right,” Ricky says shaking his head out of it’s stupor (while still glancing at Gina with his peripheral vision), “I don’t want to disturb Gina, she’s so cute when she’s focused, so I’ll climb through her window and grab the carrier out of her room.”

“Sounds good,” Big Red agrees, “I’ll wait here.” With that Ricky expertly climbed the side of the house with practiced precision. Big Red watched impressed as Ricky slid open the unlocked window and entered Gina’s room without making any noise. Just as Ricky closed the window behind him Big Red saw a pair of headlights shine as Terri Porter’s car pulled into the driveway.

Thankfully behind the cover of some trees and the darkness of the night, Big Red remained obscured from the vision of the elder Porter. He watched silently as Terri made her way into the house.

“Hi baby. What are you making there?” Terri asks Gina as she enters the house. 

“Frosting,” Gina answers, “it was a big hit at the party today and Ricky really seemed to like it so I thought I’d make some more for his cake for tomorrow.”

“Hmmm, That’s nice,” Terri said passive aggressively with a faux smile. “Is he here? I saw his car out front.”

“No,” Gina replies, “he went with a friend to go play video games and left me the car to get some practice in.”

“You know we can get you a car,” Terri points out, “between the movies you have more than enough money in the bank to get one.”

“I want to save that money for college,” Gina responds, “and besides that car means a lot to me. It’s where I first realized my feelings for Ricky, when he drove me home from Homecoming.”

“And that’s…sweet,” Gina’s mom says just a little condescendingly, “but I just don’t think that boy’s car is safe.”

“Ricky,” Gina interjects. “His name’s Ricky.”

“I know what his name is.”

“Well I wanted to check, since you never use it,” Gina says annoyed, “why do you never use Ricky’s name?”

“Because baby, in a few years it’s not going to matter what his name is,” Terri answers.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Look, I know you’re very infatuated with this boy right now, but sooner or later you’re going to realize that you two are not going to last long term,” Terri states matter of factly. “Your little high school romance is going to end with you getting bored of his devil-may-care attitude, realizing you need someone who’s capable of keeping pace with you, or he’ll break your heart, again. And in a few years, after you’ve met someone who’s a better match for you, you’ll think fondly about your high school boyfriend as you struggle to remember his name.”

Gina shakes her head in disbelief, “you know I thought Ricky had started to win you over after the press conference. Then we had that dinner together and-.”

“And that dinner showed me you can do so much better than that skate rat,” Terri interrupted with venom in her voice. “I loved seeing you so happy and you two were so infatuated with each other it was endearing to see. Then I asked him about what his plans were and he said he would be going to Salt Lake City college ‘if he was lucky.’ That’s when I found out he had a pathetic 1.8 GPA and could barely get into a city college.”

“His GPA improved, he just needed some extra help,” Gina retorted angrily. 

“Help you provided him,” Terri retaliated, “at the cost of your own grades I might add.”

“Ricky had nothing to do with the one B I got,” Gina shoots back.

“What else could it have been?” Terri asks angrily.

“I don’t know, maybe the movie I was working on while trying to balance school and extracurriculars and a social life,” Gina answers, her voice rising.

“Fine, but lets not forget,” Terri continues getting more heated, “I asked your little boyfriend what he wanted to do with his life, and he had no answer. No clue what he wants to do. He lacks focus, ambition, drive. The only thing he seemed certain of is that he wants to be with you.”

“Why is that a bad thing?” Gina shouts exasperated.

“Because Gina, this isn’t some cheesy 80s rom-com,” Terri answers equally exasperated, “it’s sweet how much he wants to be there for you, but in the long run you’ll see that you need someone just as driven as you are, someone to run along side you not just cheer you on from the sidelines. That dinner was enough to see him for what he is. That his getting cast as Romeo was a flash in an unremarkable pan, and that he will amount to nothing, because that’s all he is Gina, nothing.” With that Big Red watched as Gina left the bowl she had long stopped stirring, grabbed the keys for the beetle and head towards the front door. “Where do you think you’re going young lady?”

“Anywhere that’s not here,” Gina answers angrily trying to hide the crack in her voice. With that Gina slammed the front door behind her. As Gina made her way to the orange car she stopped in her tracks and looked right where Big Red was standing. “Big Red? What are you doing here?” 

As if on cue, Ricky drops to the ground next to Red and hands him the pizza carrier. Ricky’s face is filled with hurt, but he’s trying his best to hide it. Gina takes one look at Ricky and the fury that had been on her face just a moment ago is replaced by shock and fear.

“Ricky, please tell me you didn’t hear any of that,” Gina whispers desperately. 

Ricky cracks a half smile and tries to jokingly say, “I would, but you don’t like liars, remember.”

Gina runs the few feet into Ricky’s arms and rests her head against his shoulder as she cries into his shoulder repeating, “I’m so sorry.”

Ricky gently rubs her back and comfortingly whispers, “it’s okay, it’s okay.”

Sniffling slightly Gina says, “No it’s not okay. Don’t say it’s okay. It’s not true.” After saying that Gina grabs Ricky’s face in her hands and forces him to look at her before saying in a comfortingly forceful manner, “Ricky Bowen, you are not nothing; you are everything to me.” Big Red looks at Ricky and the hurt he was trying so hard to hide disappears and is replaced by overwhelming love as he leans in and kisses Gina, providing both of them some much needed comfort. After breaking the kiss Gina smiles and strokes Ricky’s cheek with her thumb and says, “this must’ve been the worst birthday ever for you, huh?”

Ricky half chuckles and takes a breath before answering, “are you kidding? You were here, it can’t be the worst. Besides, I’ve got another one tomorrow, and it will be the best one yet because I get to spend it with you.”

Gina smiles and says, “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“And that was just the first of many blow ups between Gina and her mom. So I hear anyway,” Big Red finishes the story. Ms. Jenn looks shocked and horrified as she turns to Ricky who sighs and nods in confirmation.  

“How did I never know about any of this?” Ms. Jenn asks in disbelief.

“Because Gina didn’t want you to know,” Carlos answers, “things with her mom just kept getting worse and worse. She wanted to keep the drama club, ironically, free from her drama, and she knew if you knew that you’d treat her differently and Gina didn’t want that.”

“Ms. Jenn you gave Gina the ability to form a support system for herself,” Ricky adds, “she knew you’d help her if she needed it, but she had me and Carlos and Ashlyn and Kourtney and Maddox and Emmy and my parents, who became part of her support system. Gina didn’t need you as much, at least not as much as the new Wildcats needed you. You were helping them build support systems for each other, Gina already had hers.” Ms. Jenn wipes away a few stray tears and nods in understanding before Ricky continues, “the one time Gina did really consider telling you was the last big fight with her mom, about a month before her 18th birthday. But that was around the time of the Jet and Dani drama, so you had your hands full.”

Ms. Jenn scoffs, “I remember. That was the last time I ever allowed a couple to play love interests in my shows. Thankfully after that year I started getting enough Wildcats to double cast.” After a moment Ms. Jenn says, “I’ll make sure I don’t treat Gina any differently. It’s her special day after all.”

“Thanks Ms. Jenn,” Ricky says, “and thanks for being here. Gina told me she wanted at least one of her moms here today.”

At hearing that Ms. Jenn broke down and started sobbing again. As Ricky and Carlos wrapped Ms. Jenn in a hug, EJ pulled a pack of tissues from his pocket and handed Ms. Jenn a tissue.