Author's Note:

Whoohoo! This one came easily! You can thank mandatory standardized testing for this chapter.

Disclaimer- I don't own anyone or anything from GMW except the odd workings of my imagination.

Chapter 14

Josh's POV

I've created a monster. Why did I say that Maya and Riley would take Ava shopping for the "perfect" dress? WHY?!

"NO! Maya, surely there is a dress in this huge town of New York City that will work for the dance!" I argued over the phone with Maya.

Apparently they have looked around the city at the normal dress places, and nothing will work. Oh, or they saw a classmate trying on the dress Ava likes. I don't understand what's so wrong about having a dress similar to anyone else? I mean, guys all wear similar suits!

"NO! YOU ARE NOT GOING INTO JERSEY ALONE!" Maya is going to make me bald before we even get married.

Maya hangs up on me, but soon walks in the door.

"Joshua Gabriel Matthews, I don't care if we are in an argument, the next time you yell at me like that, will be the last time you talk to me. Are we clear?!" Maya sticks her finger in my face.

"Yes. Sorry, it is just frustrating at times when you come up with some of your ideas, and it worries me. It's my responsibility to keep you safe. Letting you, Riley and Ava take the train to Jersey to look for formals alone is not keeping you safe. " I apologized.

"Momma M, we have to find a dress! Hannah S just posted that she's having her dress custom made by Sondra Celli. Oh great! Now Hannah R posted a picture that she's going to be wearing a Pnina dress!" Ava rushed in the room talking, and waving her phone around.

"Isn't a Panini a sandwich?" I mutter.

Two blonde heads swivel to stare at me. "Fine, fine I take that back."

The girls kept talking about dresses and places they haven't yet looked.

I went to get a drink and noticed the calendar on the fridge.

"Hey, girls! I have a better idea than Jersey. This weekend is a long weekend, none of us have school Monday. Why don't I call Ma and see if we can all come down to Philly this weekend. Auggie and I can do something with Dad, and Ma can go shopping with you girls, just to give an adult opinion. I think she would be thrilled. I bet no one else in your class will be going to Philadelphia to dress shop Ava." I laid out my plans to the girls.

"Worth a try at least. I can do some research and find some shops to look at, so we can plan out our time." Maya agreed.

"Daddy Josh, are you sure she won't mind?" Ava asked worriedly.

I smiled at her nickname for me. I was just joking when I said Maya and I would be her parents, but she has started calling us Mom and Dad this past week and it has stuck. Honestly, I think she's happy to have someone around that she can depend on when she needs to talk.

"Hey, Mom. What do you and Dad have planned for this weekend?" I grab my phone and walk to the bedroom as I call Mom.

I see Maya grab my laptop and plop on the couch.

"All set. She said she'd be expecting us Friday night and would have dinner waiting on us." I came out of the bedroom to see Maya and Ava looking at dresses online.

"I'll pick you up at school Friday and we can head out. My last class finishes at noon so I'll swing by here and get our bags before I come to the school." I continued.

"Not totally set. This was your idea, so you get to talk to Shawn and Cory and get them to agree to you taking their kids to Philly without them." Maya laughed.

"Ah, you see I'm smarter than you give me credit for, my dear. I have already messaged your Mom and Topanga, and told them Mom invited us kids down to Philly for the long weekend. They both were in agreement with our plans, so the guys have to accept it." I laughed.

"The hardest part will be to tell Riley that she's coming with us, and that Lucas isn't." Ava pointed out.

"Already taken care of, Lucas has already made plans to make a trip down to Texas to see Pappy. Pappy told him he needs him to come help with something concerning the ranch." Maya stated.

"Yay!" Ava cheered. "Now to go give Nanny the weekend off, and start packing."

"Remember we are traveling light, one bag if possible please." I remind Ava.

"Don't forget to pack your strapless bra and your best set of panties for trying on dresses." Maya instructs Ava.

"Do I need to bring a pair of shoes to take dress shopping?" Ava pauses in the doorway.

"Wouldn't be a bad idea. We can always find new shoes but it would help to see your height." Maya decided.

Ava bounced out the door, calling Auggie as she went to tell him of our plans.

I sit next to Maya on the couch and she leans against me.

"You know I really don't want to think about our daughter's undergarments... right?" I said softly.

"But the look on your face was priceless. Now, do we have time for a movie before my parents get home or do you want to go help me pack?" Maya asked.

"I'd love to say movie, but I have a feeling if I don't make you pack now, you won't have anything packed by Friday." I stood up and pulled Maya up off the couch.

"Let's get it done, and maybe we can get that movie started by the time Shawn gets home."

As we walked into Maya's bedroom, she tossed me a backpack. As she pulled clothes out of her closet, I folded them and packed them neatly away. In less than 30 minutes, we had everything but her bathroom bag packed and ready to go.

By the time Shawn got home, we were curled up on the couch watching High School Musical for the 125th time.