Hey guys! Did you miss me?! Nah, but I'm so sorry for not updating anything in a long time! School and my sucky job has been getting in the way. I've been working on this chapter and a few others for awhile now, as well as new stories that I will start just as soon as I finish at least two more stories that are already in progress! That means a lot of more Rucas, Joshaya, Smarkle, and whatever other ship goodness. I do NOT however, write an honest to goodness Rarlie story because just eww, but send prompts if you want your couple in a one-shot or story of their own. Also to those who have been wanting stories and have sent me prompts already, I am unbelievably sorry for the delay. It's all a work in progress I swear and no story will ever be left unfinished. Be patient with me because as much as I love writing, especially for you guys, school is my priority right now until graduation in just 2-3 more semesters. So here it is, the next chapter and I know it's short, but more to come! I hope you guys enjoy xoxoxo
Chapter 10 No One's POV
Every Saturday since, Riley and Aleyna were joined by Lucas for their annual mother-daughter day. That was four weeks ago, and things couldn't be better. Not only was Lucas apart of her life again, but he and Riley have been able to be friends again. They genuinely and easily welcomed each other back into their lives with an added bonus. It's Monday morning and Lucas offered to drive Leyna to daycare and Riley to school, which Riley happily accepted. It's almost scary how totally in sync they were and how much time they spent together. After bidding their baby farewell, they drove to school in silence except for the radio playing. That is, until Lucas broke the silence.
"I'm breaking up with Missy," he announced. Riley looked over at him from the passenger seat, stunned. She never pressured him on dealings with his life. She didn't like Missy and would die before she let her anywhere near her baby, but she knew that she had to respect her as Lucas's girlfriend, no matter how difficult.
"Why?" she questioned simply.
"You were right. I didn't want you to be right, so I continued to see her, to try and see if there was anything redeemable there. The funny thing is, I wasn't even heartbroken that I caught her and Gardner in bed together. I have known for awhile, but I never thought about leaving her because I thought I deserved it I guess.
"No one deserves that. No one deserves to be lied to or cheated on. Sorry you had to find out that way," she sympathizes.
"You know I saw them that day."
"What day?"
"Our first group meetings. I saw what you, Maya, and Farkle saw. I came back to the library before Zay and I heard the noises, but I saw you first. I saw you looking like you just witnessed a murder. When you left, I decided to see for myself, and yeah. I left after I saw you bring the others to see what you did. I know you wanted to tell me, and so did Farkle, but I knew. Charlie wasn't the only one, by a long shot. I guess, I just got used to it. I didn't feel anything, until you said those words to me at the hospital about taking being a parent seriously and to put her first. I realized that what's best for her and me is to eliminate the negative. Zay's done a good job of keeping me sane when we broke up, but I know that Missy was toxic. I didn't want that to affect me as a person anymore or as a parent. It's time to refocus on what's important, and feeling like the biggest loser dating the biggest manipulator, isn't something I want Aleyna to see. Whoever I date, now or later, will be apart of her life and I would never want that to be someone who is more damaged than me. I'm not perfect and still have a long way to go, but I want to be better for my daughter, for Aleyna," he explains.
"Thank you for that. I would never ask you to give up a relationship. I would never keep Aleyna away from you. However, Missy is toxic and I'm glad you see that now before Leyna grows up to understand the ways of manipulating. I want her to be a good person and be surrounded by good people. I'm sorry being a father caused you to end a relationship, but as a man, I'm proud that you're starting to realize that you deserve so much better, no matter what happened in the past." They had just pulled into the school parking lot and before he could come to a complete stop, Riley leans over the console and wraps him up in a warm embrace.
"I was right in originally planning a family with you because no matter if we're together or not, you're a good guy and I've always known that," she says before letting go and exiting the car. He just sits there for a second, smiling at her retreating figure. He hurriedly grabbed his backpack and hers and intertwined their fingers, walking through the school doors hand and hand. The first people to notice them were Maya and Farkle, who used Riley's car to get to school.
"Hey guys. Wassup?" Lucas greets, hand still encased in Riley's.
"Hey. Wassup with that?" Maya says, gesturing to their hands.
"We're just friends Maya. You and I hold hands all of the time," Riley smirks at her best friend.
"We do. But we also DIDN'T date, have sex, break up, and have a kid together," she fires back with her own smirk. She seriously has no filter.
"Well, while all that may be true, Lucas has a girlfriend. We're just friends who just so happen to co-parent," Riley counters before letting go of Lucas's hand, to both of their dismay, and entering her locker combination.
"So, what's new? Did you guys get engaged yet? I feel like I haven't seen you in forever," she laughs unpacking her backpack and grabbing her books for first and second period.
"Not yet. He's waiting for the right time," she smiles over at Farkle who just fondly rolls his eyes. "But, what's really going on with you and Huckleberry over here?" Lucas has since went to his own locker and is now talking to Zay.
"Nothing really. We just get along now. We hang out from time to time and he joins Aleyna and I on our Saturday outings," she shrugs her friends off.
"Riley, not to be as bold as Maya, but I know you and I like to think I still know a little bit when it comes to Lucas. The way you've been looking at each other lately, holding hands, hanging out, that's not just friend behavior. This is us you're talking to, spill it," Farkle smiles at his best friend.
"Fine, I like him okay. I can slowly, but surely see the Lucas I used to know, my Lucas. I mean, just because we broke up and the sight of him pissed me off royally, doesn't mean I stopped caring about him or even loving him. I can't love him though. He broke my heart and plus he's with Missy. Even if we were to go there, we still have Aleyna to consider. I would NEVER put my baby in the middle of such circumstances. The back and forth that has occurred between Lucas and I since he moved here is something Leyna just doesn't need to go through. I trust him with her, she loves him and he loves her, but how do I know that he won't just up and disappear from my life again? I mean, it's one thing for us to be friends for Aleyna's sake and my benefit, but I can't trust that he won't hurt me again," she confesses.
"Have you guys talked about it? I mean, you guys have been spending so much time together, graduation isn't far off, and until you guys have a serious conversation of what everything means, you will be left feeling even more confused later," Maya chimes in.
"I know okay, but none of that eases my fears of either rejection or heartbreak."
"Okay, neither of those things are realistic thinking. Rejecting you is just something that he would never do. He's spent all of 7th and 8th grade pinning for you, got you, and was so devastated that he lost you. I mean, he started dating Missy of all people, total downgrade," Maya says.
"I don't know guys, I just don't know what to do anymore. I just know that I like having him around again, I like spending time with him. I can still feel the tingles when he touches me or even says my name. I like the way he makes me feel, I feel safe and protected, but I also feel nervous and fearful that everything that I feel, he doesn't anymore."
"Well, seeing as he's been talking to Zay, yet hasn't taken his eyes off of you, says a lot," Farkle says, nodding his head for Riley to turn around. They make eye contact straight away and he offers a smile that she can't help but return. Yeah, maybe their right. Maybe there still is hope.
RLRLRLRLRLRLRLRLRLRLRL
It was late and they were finishing up one of the assignments for their semester partnership. They were alone, having come together and soon will be leaving together. Writing out the final details, and then gathering their belongings, Lucas asked the question that has been on his mind all day.
"So, I was wondering if I could have a day with Aleyna? You know, just the two of us? I know it might be a little soon, but I would like to get to know her a little more on my own," he asks nervously. When talking with Zay, he expressed this in great detail. While hanging out with Riley again was a dream come true, he wanted to get to know Aleyna for himself with no distractions. And yes, Riley Matthews was a distraction. He knew it was asking for a lot seeing as it's only been a little over a month, but he was ready. He was ready to be a full-time father in his daughter's life.
"I'm not saying no, but why? Are you even ready for that responsibility?" Riley asks in return.
"I want to know my daughter and as much as I love hanging out with you again, to be a father, I have to act like one. I need this and want this because she deserves a full-time father and that's exactly who I want to be. I am ready. I'm ready for it all, if you are of course," he says with pleading eyes. She's wanted this since the day she found out she was having Aleyna. She wanted them to be a family. Someone to share the cute moments with and to help out when mommy sometimes needed a break. She wanted Lucas Friar to be in their lives forever. But she still didn't know whether she could trust him fully or not. Looking at his pleading eyes, hopeful yet nervous smile, she knew that despite any misgivings she may have had, he was Aleyna's father. And her baby girl deserved to have him in her life more than anything.
"Okay. Sure," she smiled at his obvious excitement for he grabbed her up in his arms.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you Riley!" he exclaimed. Then he did the unexpected, he crashed their lips together in a bruising kiss. Shrieking in shock at first, she relaxed into the kiss, and threw her arms around his neck, his arms around her waist. The kiss quickly became rated PG13 as they clung to each other. Riley hasn't kissed anyone in almost two years, while Lucas hasn't had a kiss this full of love and passion in a long time. Slowly, when they needed air to breathe, they pulled apart, staring into each others' eyes completely stunned at what just occurred. What did we just do? Her brain questioned her.
"Uhm, uhhh, well, thanks again Riley," he said hurriedly before leaving her in the now empty library.