Disclaimer: I do not own Girl Meets World or any of the characters

Chapter 14

Maya would give anything for a cup of coffee at this exact moment. Her eyes were growing heavier by the day and the dark circles under her bright blue eyes seemed to be a forever feature on her pale face. Her baby bump was growing a little more each day and it was causing her back to ache and her feet to swell. She could handle all of this though. She had no choice but to handle it. Taking care of Josh and making sure that he was comfortable while he recovered was the most important task she had right now. She was lucky to have friends who helped out significantly and Josh was determined to do whatever he could to help himself. He hated having to depend on people and was determined to make sure that he only asked for something when he really needed it.

"Maya!" Riley exclaimed. Maya widened her eyes and turned to face her best friend.

"Sorry, what were you saying Riles?" Maya asked.

"What's going on with you?" Riley asked. "You seem very out of it these past few days."

"Do you ever seem like time is moving all around you but you're so oblivious to what's happening?" Maya asked, running her fingers through her blonde hair and looking out the bay window.

"After Charlotte was born, I felt like a zombie walking through the world," Riley laughed.

"Do you miss Lucas?" Maya asked, completely changing the subject. While Riley was on summer break from work, Lucas unfortunately had to head back to Texas to get back to work. His job had been understanding after Josh's accident but he knew that his vacation time was up. Zay and Vanessa unfortunately had to head back with him to finish up wedding plans and get back to work.

"I do," Riley smiled sadly. It had been a little over a week without her husband and the ache in her chest was growing bigger by the second. She hated being apart from Lucas but she knew that her best friend and uncle needed her help.

"I really appreciate you staying to help me," Maya said. "I don't know how I would get through this without you."

"I'm always here for you, Peaches. There will never be a world where I am not here for you," Riley promised. She noticed the look on her best friend's face and reached out to grab her hand. "What's going on?"

"I miss Josh," Maya sighed.

"What do you mean?" Riley asked, confused by her confession.

"He's physically here with me, but it feels like he is miles away. I just miss being with my husband and when everything was easier for us," Maya explained.

"You just have to take it one day at a time," Riley insisted. "He's home and that is a step in the right direction."

"One day at a time," Maya repeated in a whisper. She kept reminding herself that Josh was okay. She kept reminding herself that Josh was safe now.

. .

"Hey babe," Maya walked into the empty bedroom that was going to be the nursery and smiled at her husband. He was sitting in the middle of the room in his wheelchair, just staring at the blank wall.

"Hey," Josh said. He turned to smile at his wife and grabbed her hand when she got closer.

"What are you doing in here?" Maya asked.

"There is so much that we need to get for the babies," Josh said.

"I know," Maya nodded.

"When did you get the cribs?" Josh asked, nodding at the two boxes in the corner. Maya tried to gauge his face for a reaction but he was just staring at them blankly.

"Lucas, Farkle, and Zay helped me carry them home. They are the ones we saw online and wanted for the babies," Maya explained. "I wanted to buy them before they sold out."

"Oh," Josh mumbled. He just continued to stare at the boxes and she felt her chest tighten at the sad look on his face.

"Are you mad?" Maya asked, squeezing his hand.

"No," Josh shook his head and looked up at his wife. "I just feel so useless right now in the preparation for the babies."

"Hey," Maya slowly kneeled down to his level and rested one hand on her bump and the other on the arm of his wheelchair as she looked into his eyes. "You are doing the most important thing in the world right now. You are healing and taking care of yourself so that you can be ready for the birth of the babies. All I need from you right now is for you to rest."

"I want to help you," Josh protested.

"You are helping me," Maya promised and smiled. "I have been getting the best sleep of my life because you are right next to me every night. The best thing I need right now is to sleep and it's because of you that I have been able to sleep."

"We are going to be okay, right?" Josh asked, turning to give her a look. He looked worried but hopeful at the same time.

"We already are," Maya insisted. She leaned up to kiss her husband and then rested her head on his shoulder. "I love you."

"I love you too," Josh whispered. The two looked around the nursery and both quietly felt the excitement growing inside of them. In a little less than four months, they would get to meet the two boys that have already stolen their hearts.

. .

"Hey babe," Riley said into the phone and waited to hear her husband's voice on the other end.

"Hey," Lucas greeted, exhaustion filling his tone.

"Well you sound like you're a second away from passing out," Riley observed with a soft chuckle.

"I am," Lucas said. "I'm already in bed and your voice is the only thing that is keeping me awake right now."

"I don't want to keep you awake if you're exhausted," Riley insisted. She felt selfish in that moment. She knew that her husband needed to go to sleep but she also wanted him to stay awake and talk to her. She missed him so much and felt like jumping on a plane right now to see him.

"I think I can manage a few more minutes to talk to my beautiful wife," Lucas said.

"How has work been?" Riley asked.

"Fine," Lucas said. "I have been putting in so many more hours to make up for the time I took off."

"Are you going to be able to get back here for Zay and Vanessa's wedding?" Riley asked, hoping he said yes.

"Yeah," Lucas said. "I am going to leave after work on Friday and then head back late Sunday night."

"I am going to head back with you," Riley said.

"What do you mean?" Lucas asked.

"Charlotte and I are going to go back to Texas with you when the wedding is over," Riley explained.

"Don't you want more time there?" Lucas asked. "You still have some more time left in your summer break."

"I don't want to be away from you any longer," Riley said.

"I miss you princess," Lucas sighed. "I miss you and Charlotte. I miss my girls. This house feels so empty without you two."

"We miss you so much," Riley whispered "Charlotte misses her daddy."

"Is she okay?" Lucas asked.

"She's perfect," Riley promised. "She is ready to see her daddy though."

"Why don't we move back?" Lucas suggested.

"What?" Riley asked, confused by his suggestion.

"Why don't we move back to New York?" Lucas elaborated. Riley opened her mouth to answer and then closed it again. Was her husband serious?

. .

Maya smiled to herself as her husband wheeled himself around her art gallery. He had wanted to get out of the apartment for some fresh air and suggested going to her gallery. He was looking at all the art on the walls and smiling proudly. She knew that she should be working on some paperwork that needed to get done but she loved watching Josh more. She loved seeing the happiness on his face. Seeing her husband look content and in awe was enough to make her heart race. She loved everything about her husband and was forever grateful that he was her life partner.

"I am so proud of you," Josh said, snapping Maya out of her thoughts.

"Thanks babe," Maya smiled at her husband. "I think this place has really come together nicely."

"And business is doing well?" Josh asked.

"Yup," Maya nodded.

"You should do another gallery night before the babies are born," Josh suggested. "It might make you feel good to get all dressed up and have all our friends and family around."

"Oh I don't know," Maya shook her head and twirled one of the pens around in her hand.

"I will be there supporting you," Josh insisted. "Come on, babe. Just think about it. I think it would be a lot of fun."

"I'll think about it," Maya agreed. The idea did seem appealing and a night of glamour seemed to be exactly what the doctor ordered. She was about to say something else when a man in a suit walked through the door.

"Mrs. Matthews?" The guy asked.

"That's me," Maya nodded. She shared a confused looked with her husband and then accepted the envelope that was handed to her.

"You've been served," the guy said before turning and walking out of the gallery.

"I've been served?" Maya repeated but it was too late, she was alone with her husband again.

"What the heck is going on?" Josh asked, wheeling over to where Maya was standing. Maya was just staring at the envelope and Josh poked her hip. "Open it." Maya nodded and then quickly opened the envelope. Josh watched as she read over the contents of the letter and widened her eyes. "What is it, babe?" Josh asked, anxious to know what was going on.

"It's from the prosecution," Maya whispered and lifted her head to lock eyes with her husband. "I have to testify in Kermit's trial."