...My Father has a whole other family...

I would Never, let anyone grow up like that.


Shawn Hunter thought he would live out the rest of his days without ever finding happiness, and he was perfectly content in being alone until the day his niece and her best friend gave his life a whole new meaning.

When he met Maya he was immediately taken aback by her tenacity, her wit and her undying will to protect Riley's heart at all costs. He saw a lot of his younger self in her. Maya's story broke his heart.

Then he met Katy. Sweet, strong willed Katy. Maya's mother. When he got to know her, he realized that he didn't want to keep being a nomad. He ran away from good things his whole life out of fear that it wouldn't last. Katy and Maya gave him a reason to stop running, a place to call home.


...I'm Maya Hunter...

"Katy... are you still awake sweetheart?" Shawn lay awake staring at the ceiling.

"um...huh what, husband, please tell me you're not up for another round... I know its our honeymoon but I cant handle anymore.." she smirked and kissed him.

He pulled her close to him and held her tight. "In all my life I have never been this happy, there's only one more thing that I wanted to do though, for our family to be complete.."

"oh? Mr. Hunter are you wanting to have a baby with me? We should think about getting a bigger place first."

"Well... ok that too someday but Ive been thinking a lot and you can say no but I want to legally adopt Maya."

"Are you sure honey, there's a lot that goes into it. I have to get Kermit to sign his rights away... even though he walked out on us years ago."

"Of course Im sure babe, I love you and I love our daughter. When I married you I took on that responsibility. I want Maya to know that she is loved and that I will always be there for her no matter what happens and if God forbid anything ever happens to you, she will stay with me."

"you've thought about everything... that's really sweet of you. I'm sure Maya will be thrilled." Katy's eyes began to well up with tears.

"I will have Topanga draw up the petition and we can start the process as soon as we get back to New York. I love you Katy. Thank you for giving me a family."

"I love you to."


...I'm Maya Hunter...

"You're really gonna adopt me?" she clutched the stack of court papers in her hand and stared down at them with tears in her eyes.

" Yes, I promised you Id be there for you kiddo. I meant it then and I mean it now more than ever. Wherever you go in life you'll always have me and Mom." he pulled his daughter into his arms. She began to cry uncontrollably. "Shhhhh honey its ok. I love you. I'll never leave you."

"Sha... Dad... I have a dad. Ive never had a Dad before. I don't know how this works. I don't know how to be a daddy's girl."

"Just be you, that. is. enough. I don't need anything from you for me to love you."

Katy watched this amazing man deliberately walk into their lives. She knew he would never fail her or Maya.

In every way that mattered, Maya was Shawn's daughter now.