A/N Hope everyone is having a nice November so far! Thank you for the continued support of my stories. I am kind of blown away every time I get a follow, favorite, or review! Here is a little light-hearted fun before we get to the heavy stuff...
Part IV
Later that evening…
Once the dinner party guests had stuffed themselves with some of Topanga's delicious cooking, they took a break in the den to lounge before the "big surprise." Maya knew it was a cake, she wasn't a total idiot, and Topanga had mentioned a cake 3 times that day, but she humored them and acted oblivious. After her last birthday where she felt so alone in the world, even thinking her mother forgot about her, she looked around the room at the faces of the people she cared for most in the universe.
They had done gift exchanges the previous evening and Maya could honestly say she never felt more loved. Auggie drew her pictures of the solar system and birthday cards, including one from his "wife" Ava, the Matthews continued to shower her with art supplies, which had become their tradition, Riley had put together a collage of pictures she had taken candidly of her family and friends with the camera Shawn gave her last year(Maya had to admit she was really becoming talented), her mother surprised her by having her treasured gold locket engraved with a personal message, which was too much for her to afford the previous year, and Shawn of course took her to Demolition and bought her way too many outfits. Her actual father remained silent, but the realization didn't sting the same way it used to in light of all the happiness that surrounded her.
Maya continued her efforts to behave in a more controlled and mature way around Josh. Self-regulation did not always come easy. She was still on an emotional high since his arrival but she almost had resumed a normal heart rate at this point. Riley helped her get ready for her "special night" (and scoffed when Maya insisted that her real special night was the previous evening with her actual birthday party and said "who says there's only one special night?!") by doing her hair and makeup, and by helping Maya select the best outfit for dinner.
Riley had asked her earlier why she was behaving so differently around Josh, undoubtedly worried she was "faking it" to peak his interest like she had done in the past with her attempts at playing it "cool." Maya insisted she had accepted her fate, and her current behavior was part of her growth process. The truth was that she just really wanted Josh in her life. Being more calm and mature, and even looking older, was just a way to make him feel less strange or awkward about hanging out with her. She missed their talks about art and music. She wanted his friendship. She had really and truly convinced herself she would be happy if friendship was all they ever had…well, almost.
Dinner conversation was enjoyable and easier than Maya and Josh both thought it would be. Maya's mother was only a "tad" embarrassing when she met Josh and gave a knowing "Oh! You're Josh!" accompanied by exaggerated nods. Why could her mother not be a better actress again? Shawn and Josh predictably continued their "Am I cooler than you yet?" game, this time with Shawn glancing at Maya and saying, "Jury's still out." She was thrilled he had taken such an active role in her life but honestly, she could have done without the protective father vibe right now.
Sitting in the den, Topanga was in the kitchen lighting the candles on her "big surprise." Cory joined her and they both turned around and slowly walked towards Maya, who stood and met them half way. This cake was twice the size of last years and she didn't want Cory (or Riley) to klutzily do something to ruin the moment. She would have been fine either way, but Topanga would have been livid. The group sweetly sang "Happy Birthday" to her before she blew out the candles.
Maya had never been one to believe in birthday wishes. Hope was for suckers and whatnot. But watching the previous year's wish (Shawn and her mother) literally stand right there in front of her exactly as she wished they would be flamed the little spark of hope she had for the one thing in particular that she had done everything possible to snuff. That spark turned into just enough of a flame for her to wish impulsively for her heart's desire at this very moment, Joshua Matthews. Her rational mind reminded her that it would never ever happen and hope was for suckers and lightening doesn't strike the same place twice. Still, Maya figured that if birthday wishes were good for one thing, it was the impossible. As she blew out the candles everyone clapped and hugged her.
Once the cake had been eaten, Shawn and Katy left to get coffee for a "post-date-date." Maya rolled her eyes at how lame adults were about relationships. They were worse than Riley and Huckleberry. She willed at them "Just get together already!" in her mind as they hugged her and left. Topanga went to drop Auggie off at his friend Doy's house for the night so Josh wouldn't have to sleep on an air mattress for both nights of his stay. Cory, ever the old man, hugged the kids good night before going to bed, while Josh made fun of him for being such an "old man."
Maya had spent most birthday weekends with the Matthews since she was a little girl. Last year was an exception, because she was still a little peeved at Riley for having Lucas tie her up in ropes for her scheme, but all had been forgiven at this point. No one could stay mad at Riley for long. She and Riley went upstairs to change into more comfortable clothes. Maya came back into the den alone because Riley was texting with Lucas, per usual.
Of course Josh was there sitting on the couch on his phone when she entered the room and he looked up and smiled at her. She smiled back and sat down on the couch with him.
"Hey there, Birthday Girl! Did you have a good day?" he asked.
She smiled and nodded "I did actually. Last night and then today, it's been probably the best birthday I can remember. Thanks for being part of it, not that you had much of a choice of course-"
"Maya please, if anything I should thank you for being born because there are few things I love as much as cake" he reassured her "Did I miss the gift-giving portion of the evening or-"
"Oh! We did that last night at the party. They kept me late after most people had left and made me open them up in front of them. It was cute but kind of embarrassing because my face was probably 8 shades of red" Maya's cheeks turned pink at the memory alone.
"Well you, as an artist, would be the one to know" he smiled as she met his eyes and smiled back "Speaking of I can't wait to tell you about the lecture I went to today. One of the things the professor said made me think 'Wow Maya would love that' so I wrote it down somewhere. I'd go into it now but Riley won't be interested. Maybe tomorrow I can tell you about it?"
Maya was touched he had thought of her in his new role as future "college student" and was also flattered he had basically called her an artist. She had to remind herself not to let it go to her heart, he was only being nice to her because he happed to crash her birthday plans.
"Oh that reminds me" Josh got up and walked over to the door where his messenger bag was. He reached in and pulled out a plastic shopping bag with the NYU logo and walked back to her.
He noticed that she recognized the bag and explained "Andrew took me to the campus bookstore to buy some NYU stuff so I can be…'full-fledged' in the fall or something like that. I think it was more of an excuse for him to make fun of me, but that's what friends are for!"
Maya chuckled "Don't open, let me guess. He took you to look at beanies."
"Ding! Ding! Ding! Give the lady a prize! Am I that transparent?" Josh asked in mock outrage.
Maya laughed and replied "No Josh, not at all" as she leaned over to pat his hand and humor him. She felt a jolt the moment her hand touched his, just as she had earlier (and always had if she was being honest with herself), and she quickly withdrew her hand.
Josh felt the same spark, and felt sad to see her recoil, as if her touch was somehow unwelcome. They were being so natural around each other again and he didn't want to lose that.
"Well I did pick up something else, but I didn't realize I had missed the gift-giving train" he nudged her leg with his to show her he wasn't put off by her touch.
"What do you mean?" she asked, puzzled.
Josh replied, reaching into the bag "It's for you, Maya. Happy Birthday! I didn't wrap it or anything-"
"You got me a present?" Maya asked as he handed her a navy blue jacket with a zip up front and hood. The letters NYU were large across the back and there was a smaller white logo on the front.
"Yeah, I thought since you want to go there and I happened to be here on your birthday, you might like it? If not I have the receipt and you can-"
"I love it" Maya interrupted somewhat impulsively. She reminded herself to be "cool" as she said "I just, wasn't expecting this. You didn't have to get me anything. And if you felt like you did-"
"No, Maya, I wanted to. In fact, Andrew helped me pick it out and says 'Happy Birthday' too" Josh reassured her.
Maya smiled and decided to try the hoodie on. She stood up and walked to the mirror in the den. Once she had it on and zipped up she did a little spin and looked at herself with a smile.
"What do you think?" Maya asked, with a smile that reached from ear to ear.
Josh was thrilled he could put that smile on her face with something as small as a jacket. He smiled and replied honestly "I can't imagine anyone wearing it better, Maya Hart."
Maya, thrilled with the gift, the compliment, and still emotionally high off her birthday and his presence in general, let down her guard for a split second, ran to the couch, jumped on her knees on the cushion next to him and wrapped him in a tight hug, smiling and thanking him over and over.
Josh had the wind knocked out of him before at her hands, when she jumped on his back to read his acceptance letter. This was a little different but just as unexpected. And this time he couldn't have been happier. This was the Maya he knew, impulsive, honest, and loving. He hugged her back, probably tighter than he should have, but his guard was down as well.
Riley coughed in the doorway to alert them to her presence as Josh and Maya quickly pulled away. Riley looked at them skeptically until she noticed the jacket Maya was wearing and put the pieces together. Seeing the smile on her best friend's face erased any hesitation she might have had about Josh sending the wrong message, but Riley had always been a hopeless romantic.
"Aw Uncle Josh did you get Maya a birthday present? I love it! Where's my present?" Riley jokingly asked to put them both at ease.
"Niece, your birthday was over a month ago, not to mention I already gave you your gift" Josh smiled as Riley joined them in the den.
"Yeah like an iTunes gift card is super original, Josh" Riley rolled her eyes as she grabbed a blanket and sat on the other side of Maya on the couch.
"Lesson learned! So what happens now, I know Maya basically lives here but do you guys have any plans to continue the birthday girl's big night? I can head out if you need me to, it's been a long day and I am pretty beat" Josh offered.
Riley smiled "Actually we do have a tradition that goes back as far as I can remember for the end of Maya's big day. You want to tell him or should I?"
Maya became embarrassed "Riley, stop. It's stupid, sorry Josh. Ignore her."
Josh could tell she was withdrawing into her shell again and he didn't want that, so he said "Well based on my superior powers of deduction and your presence in front of the television, I am assuming it's a movie."
"Not just a movie, its Maya's favorite movie of all time, from when we were little girls. We have different tastes but this has always been out common ground."
Maya was so embarrassed she could scream. She wondered if she could disappear into the hoodie Josh had gotten her to escape.
"And that would be…" Josh asked.
"The Princess Bride!" Riley smiled and clapped as she went to put the DVD in the player.
Maya couldn't look Josh in the eye as she processed how he must see her as an insanely immature child. Somethings would never change. She wasn't mad at Riley. Riley was just being herself and trying to make her birthday special. Still, though, her guilty pleasure favorite movie to be aired out like that in front of Josh of all people, Maya shuddered.
"Riley, don't. Josh we can watch something else. Is there a movie you-"
"Are you kidding me?" Josh interrupted "That's practically a cult classic. It has fantasy, action, adventure, and it's like one of the top rated movies of all time."
"Seriously?" Maya asked "You don't mind? It's kind of a guilty pleasure of ours."
"Maya this is one guilty pleasure you have no reason to feel guilty about. Do you…is it okay if I stay and watch? I don't want to mess up the tradition-" Josh hesitantly asked.
Riley interrupted "Of course you can stay, Uncle Josh! Make yourself useful and go make some popcorn. And grab us some waters while you're up. Thanks!" she said sweetly as Josh chuckled and went into the kitchen area.
"Riley, I'm fine" Maya said, knowing her friend sent Josh into the kitchen to make sure she was okay with him saying for the movie "Besides, it's been a good day" she smiled as she tugged at the sleeves of her jacket.
"Good days will keep happening for you, Maya. I believe that with all of my heart" Riley said in her optimistic tone.
"Okay, honey, sure. Now put on the movie, here comes Josh."
Riley bounced up to put the DVD in and grabbed the remote as Josh sat on the other side of the couch, Maya in between. He placed the popcorn and waters on the table in front of them and they all settled in to watch the movie.
"You know I always thought the kid in this movie, you know the one from The Wonder Years? He always kind of reminded me of Cory for some reason" Josh mused.
The girls looked at each other and laughed as they relaxed and enjoyed the classic film.
To be continued…
*The character in the movie Josh is referring to was played by Fred Savage, older brother of Ben Savage (Cory)
