Author's note: Thanks for all the reviews, subscriptions and for adding this story to your favorite. I appreciate it so much and I want to reiterate that this story is rated PG-13/TV-14.
Paige protectively stood in front of Lucas, "You've got some nerve showing up here."
Dean nodded, "I know and I will explain everything to you both..if you give me a chance."
Before Paige could protest Lucas spoke, "We can talk in the solarium."
The three walked out of the great room as everyone else reacted to what just happened.
"Wow…" A dumbfounded Eric said.
"I know," Jack nodded.
"What's a solarium?"
Jack lifted his brow at his best friend then shook his head.
Eric was oblivious to his friend's stare as he said, "Also, is it just me or are they all ridiculously good looking?"
Riley immediately approached Cory, "Dad, what's going on?"
"Riley, your mom and I spoke to Dean and we brought him here." Cory explained before looking at Topanga who had appeared by his side.
She put one arm around Cory's and placed her free hand on Riley's shoulder, "Sweetie, trust us, Dean has a lot to workout with them but he's a good man and it's Christmas. Families should be together."
Riley was touched by her parents concern for Lucas and grinned before embracing them both.
Lucas closed the solarium's doors and joined his parents on the sectional sofa.
Dean reached out and put his hands on top of theirs, "I..I want you both to know that there was never another woman or family. I'd die before betraying you two like that. Understand?"
After a moment, Lucas slowly nodded but Paige pulled her hand away and folded her arms.
He tipped his head at her, "I deserve that."
"And then some!" she snapped back.
Lucas looked at her, "Mom, we should listen to him."
She sighed and stared into Dean's eyes, "Go ahead."
"There isn't another woman or family, but there was a man and-.."
Paige stood up and furiously yelled, "WHAT THE HELL-I WAS YOUR BEARD?!"
Dean shook his head, "Damn it Paige, I didn't mean it that way! This man, he lost his wife because one of Kallodren's clinical trials. And he turned to me for help!"
She blinked and sheepishly said, "Oh.."
Lucas didn't expect his father to reveal this information. He needed more details, "How did she die?"
"It was a trial for pain medication. The participants, most of them became really sick and a few passed away. The formula was flawed so it was disregarded and the vials were thrown away..at least that's what they told us."
"What does this have to do with you?" She asked him.
He looked his feet before meeting this gazes, "This man approached me about his wife while I was on another project, it was another painkiller. He seemed so sincere and..I met with him and a private detective who showed me that Kallodren's CEO, Larry Cartwright, was corrupt."
"What else did you find out?" Lucas questioned him.
"This new pill, the one I was working on.. it was nearly the same formula as the original pain medication. All they did was change one component that would delay the effects so that it would take months and years for people to get sick or die. Cartwright paid the participants' families and the researchers off to cover it up by lying about the true results…except me. I agreed to help these people take Cartwright down."
Lucas put his hand on top of his father's. He was stunned yet proud to know that he had done the right thing.
Paige removed her hand from her lips, "Why didn't you tell us? How long has this been going on?"
"I was approached in late July with this and Cartwright is dangerous. His security team had dangerous men and he took them with him to each company that he went to. Anyone who tried to stand in his way, he destroyed their lives. Now, I hated lying to you both but I wasn't going to risk your safety especially if I got caught. And I did but it was by my friend Tim and he gave me a 24 hour head start. With the help of that investigator, I went to the FDA and showed them all evidence."
She asked him, "Why didn't we hear about this in the news?"
"This happened in August when that pilot did that emergency landing on the high school track and that congressman had an online affair. Cartwright's arrest, that's a news story fell through the cracks." Dean explained and added, "I've been trying to find a job but no one will hire me. They're afraid that I'll sell them out to the government. So..I've been living off my savings, selling my things. Hell, Cory and Topanga paid for my plane ticket here."
"Dad, you still should have told us!" Lucas said to him.
"I know I should have but I didn't even tell my folks and your uncle Kyle about this. And I'm your father, it's my job to provide and protect you and your mother."
He spoke to his father again, "Not if it means that people will get sick or even die. You did the right thing… but you always told me that there was no shame in asking for help."
Paige chimed in, "He's right! I understand why you lied but we still deserved to know the truth."
"With you and Lucas in New York you were safe from Cartwright but..yes, I should have asked for help but I felt like a failure with no job and future."
"Damn it Dean, you're not just a bank to us! You're family…and families help each other."
He hung his head when hearing her voice quiver, "I know that now and I am deeply sorry for hurting you two. I'll do everything I can to make it up for it. You mean the world to me and I'll do all I can to show you both how true that is."
Paige sat next him, "You better," she said before she pulled him into a rough hug. Lucas smiled as he joined them.
Riley walked up to the solarium's doors to find Maya and Robbie using glass cups to listen in. She grabbed the spray water bottle off a side table and aimed it at her friends.
"Put down the glasses, step away from the door and put your hands in the air. No one will get hurt," she warned them.
Maya laughed until she Riley sprayed her right shoulder. Gasping, she grabbed her wet shoulder, "You actually did it! What kind of a friend does that?!"
"Dayum…" Robbie said with wide eyes as he put down the glass and held up his hands.
"The next one will be in your hair and do you really want Robbie to Instagram what happens when it gets wet?"
"I do!" He took out his phone wanting to capture the moment.
Maya scowled at them both before hissing like a cat and walking away. A disappointed Robbie followed her.
At that moment, the solarium's doors opened prompting to Riley spin around and spray the side table's plant.
"Riley? What are you doing here?" Lucas curiously asked her.
"Oh ya know, just doing my chores, buddy!" She awkwardly chuckled then she realized that the plant was a fake and put down the spray bottle next to it.
He gave her a peculiar look, "Oh…k. My dad just told me and my mom everything."
She intently listened to him and was relieved to find out why his father acted distant towards them.
"He did the right thing," she said with a small grin.
Lucas nodded, "And you were right about him..you had faith in him when I was unsure."
The soft yet appreciative gaze he was giving her brought warmth to her chest, "We..uh, we better get ready for dinner."
"All right."
They walked side by side but three steps in; he suddenly pulled her into a hug. She gasped at the gesture and feel of his body pressed against hers. Without hesitation, she embraced him and turned her face into his neck.
He took a moment to let the feel of her soft lips on his neck before whispering into her ear, "Thank you so much for not giving up on my dad..it means everything to me."
She held him tighter after hearing his words and relished the feeling his breathe on her ear.
At the end of hall, Maya and Robbie watched the pair. They started singing The Little Mermaid's, "Kiss the Girl" causing Riley and Lucas to laugh and withdraw from each other.
At dinner, almost everyone was curious to find out more about Dean. Eric broke the ice.
"So Dean, where ya from, what do you do and how much work have you had done?" Eric gestured to his own face.
Amy slapped Eric's arm and spoke to Dean, "Ignore him. You tell us whatever you like."
"Oh..well, I was born in Austin and lived on my granddaddy's ranch until I was twelve. That's when my folks up moved to New Hampshire to open a bed and breakfast. After they retired, my little brother, Kyle and his wife, Lani, took it over. He's a gourmet chef so it gives him an edge and it's not as big and fancy as this house but it does pretty well."
Paige's face beamed, "Hot damn I just had a great idea! Dean, Amy and Alan are looking for a manager for this place; you'd be perfect!"
Dean modestly shook his head, "Paige, I couldn't impose. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have been kind of enough to let me stay here…"
Alan held up his hand, "Well now, it depends on how much experience you have and what kind."
"I co-managed my folks B and B throughout high school, college and med school. I did everything from cleaning, cooking and bookkeeping. And marketing when the internet came along."
Amy nodded, "You sound more than qualified. We'll talk more after dinner."
Paige, Lucas and Dean smiled before the latter spoke to Amy and Alan, "Thank you two so much for the opportunity. I'm-I'm so blessed that Lucas and Paige found such kind folks."
Right after dinner, everyone separated into different groups and went into various areas of the house. Alan, Amy and Dean were in the office conducting an interview while Riley, Maya, Lucas and Robbie were in the living room about to watch a Christmas special.
Lucas stood up when he saw Dean walk in, "Dad, how'd it go?"
He smiled, "I have the job!"
"That's great! You're gonna be living closer to me and mama now!"
"I know, I'll see you two every weekend and during breaks. I'm gonna tell your mama the good news, y'all have fun!" Dean said before leaving the room.
Maya sarcastically said, "Oh joy, now we'll have Ranger Rick, senior and junior."
Lucas simply chuckled at her.
On his way to the lounge, Shawn went through the great room where Maya was shaking Christmas presents. When he approached he saw her holding one of Cory's presents.
"Kid, I am so disappointed…you're not even trying to be subtle. Have I taught you nothing?" Shawn said with a fake disappointment.
"Oh please, I learned how to figure out presents with one shake, WAY before I even knew who you were." she rolled her eyes.
He looked around, "Where are the others?"
"They're in the kitchen getting snacks." She put down Cory's present and sat on the sofa.
He sat on the couch's armrest, "Maya, you can get Cory a pack of white socks for Christmas and he'd still love it."
She turned to him, "He would but that doesn't show him how I appreciate what he does for me…and socks don't get you an A+."
Shawn smiled and shook his head, "Do or create something that shows him how much you care. Trust me, no matter what it is, he'll love it."
Maya could tell by his eyes and voice that he was being earnest with her. As Cory's best friend, she trusted his advice. She graciously nodded at him.
Eric and Shawn were the first ones to arrive in the house's lounge. They spoke as they got beers from the bar and walked over to the pool tables.
"Eric, why don't you just tell them? Cory and your mom would stop guilt tripping you if you did," Shawn told him while picking out a cue stick.
"Because it's my Christmas surprise and no one, especially you, is going to ruin it!"
Unconvinced he asked, "What would you do to me if I did?"
"I'd tell Angela about the apartment you have picked out because I saved the photos."
"There's not enough proof." He flatly replied.
"And the texts that you sent me. Both are saved in five different places, one of them being the cloud!" He held up his phone showing the photos and texts and then pointed to the roof.
Eric was the last person Shawn expected to be prepared and cunning. His mouth dropped open, "When the hell did you become crafty and smart?!"
"I've been drinking a special tea that makes me smart like bull and strong like dolphin!" He smiled and tapped his head with his right forefinger.
He sighed and said, "It's strong like bull."
Eric laughed and pointed to Shawn's beer bottle, "OK there buddy, you need to ease up on that."
He ignored his last comment, "So you're really doing this to me?"
"Yep! You snitch on me and I'll snitch on you."
"I..I can't believe that I'm being blackmailed by you..Eric! The guy who currently has a sparkly green ass!"
With a goofy smile he nodded, "I know, right?! And I am rocking it!" He then turned around showing off his green glittery backside then wiggled it.
Cory happily burst into the room, "There you two are! My big brother and my bestie!" He happily hugged Shawn then Eric.
"What's going on, Cor?" Shawn suspiciously asked his best friend.
"Oh Shawny, I'm just so thrilled that everyone is here and we're all happy! Oh and here's your phone, I think you got a text." He handed the phone over to him.
Just then, Paige, Dean, Morgan, Jack, Rachel, Angela and Topanga walked in.
"There they are, our girls..Topangela!" Cory proudly declared with his arm around Shawn's shoulders.
Angela lifted her brow as she approached Shawn, "What did he just call us?"
"It's better if you don't ask," Shawn told her before planting a sweet kiss on her mouth.
Everyone in the lounge was drinking, talking and playing pool. Paige was mixing cocktails at the bar. Rachel, Dean and Jack were with her.
"That's delicious! I've never had one of these," Rachel said before taking another sip.
"Tell me about it, this is the best," Jack added.
"They're both my own recipes! I even won a few contests back in Texas." Paige proudly told her.
"Yep, Paige has always been good with her hands," Dean said with a smirk.
With a laugh, Paige playfully slapped his arm, "Oh you are so bad!"
He winked at her before asking Jack and Rachel, "So how long have you two been together?"
Jack and Rachel awkwardly explained to him that they weren't an item. Thankfully, Eric and Morgan waved at them.
"We gotta go, they wanna get in a game," Jack quickly said before taking Rachel's hand.
"They were a couple in college," Paige told him.
"They should be now."
"We have a betting pool going on. I'm still in it."
"How much is the buy in?"
"Twenty."
"I'm in!"
"I knew I missed you." She put her hand on his forearm and smiled wider when he touched her face.
Angela watched television as Shawn changed into his pajamas and then joined her in bed.
"Did you see Topanga tonight? She literally pushed Jack and Rachel together!" Shawn said.
She turned off the television and replied, "I know! She's always been competitive but now she's like a shark..with good hair."
"Exactly and I'm out of the betting pool but you're not. Cory and Topanga are my family but come on; things seem to always workout for them which is the opposite for us. We need this win!"
"I know Baby, but what can we do? Jack and Rachel..they've got so many excuses for not getting together."
Both his brows rose as his eyes widen, "Nostalgia! No can one resist it, not even them."
She agreed, "That's true. I know their song!"
And I remember what they ate on their first date."
"We got a plan!" She smiled at him.
"I like this..us working together again as a team. It feels right, like it always has." He brushed her hair off her face and held her hand.
Warmth traveled from her hand to her chest. Only his touch had such an effect on her. She straddled him and felt his hands on her hips as they passionately kissed.
Curious, Cory asked Topanga why she had giggled as he worked on his laptop at the desk.
"It's so sweet and cute that you're making a slideshow of the photos we've taken so far," she stood behind him and rested her hands on his shoulders.
"Well, you gotta admit, this has been a pretty awesome Christmas vacation, Sweetie. I mean, bringing Dean here was sort of a risk but.."
"It turned out very well."
He closed the laptop, stood up and grasped her face pulling her into a kiss.
A light moan left her lips when their mouths parted, "Not that I'm complaining but what was that for?"
"I was looking at the tree and all the presents under it. And ya know what I was thinking?"
"What Shawn got you?" She teased him.
With a chuckle he answered, "No, funny girl. They're all wrapped up because everyone wants their presents to be secret until Christmas Day. That's a part of your job; you keep your clients secrets."
"I suppose but I'm not a criminal defense lawyer..they hear the worst things."
"Still. It's hard to keep secrets and you do it..because you're strong. It's one of the things I love about you."
A twinge of guilt pulled at her heart but she hid it. She had to keep Angela's secret.
"Do you know what I love about you?" She asked him.
"What?"
She kissed him as she turned him around and pushed him onto the bed. He was on his back looking at her.
"You appreciate everything and never take it for granted especially things like this," she pulled open her robe revealing a black corset and matching lace panties.
His hands shot up in the air as he joyously shouted, "YAY!"
