Boy Meets Parenthood: 26

Announcements and Plans

Topanga glanced up from her salad as Cory paced from one side of the room to the other. She lay her fork down beside her plate and wiped her mouth with her napkin before looking at him again.

"Cory, please tell me what has you so crazy. You have been pacing since you woke up this morning." Topanga pleaded in frustration.

Cory stopped a moment and sighed deeply. He studied Topanga and scratched his head as he pondered whether to tell her what Shawn had planned for the morning. It was driving Cory insane to know what Angela's answer was. Finally he decided there would be no harm in telling his wife, if she promised not to tell Shawn he told her.

"Shawn and I had a talk last night," Cory began, "and he told me he was going to ask Angela to marry him this morning."

"Oh my gosh, Cory, that's awesome!" Topanga exclaimed, "Wow, Shawn Hunter, settling down." She shook her head and smiled. Her bow raised as she began to have what she thought was a brilliant idea, "Honey, why don't we invite everyone over tonight? I know its two nights in a row, but…"

"You- are brilliant!" Cory exclaimed. "He can't not tell me if he's here- I'm going to call right now and-," Cory was cut off by the ringing of the phone. Hoping it was Shawn, he ran to the phone that hung on the kitchen wall.

 "Hello?" he asked quickly.

"Hey Cor!"

"Shawn! Tell me everything," Cory commanded, beginning to pace again, tangling the long cord around himself.

"Calm down, Cor! I'll tell you everything…. but first, Angela and I would like to invite you and Topanga to dinner at the little Japanese place down the street; she has a hankering for sushi." Shawn laughed

"Of course, Shawn, of course- but tell me!" Cory was so desperate to hear the news he completely ignored the sushi comment that would normally cause him to gag uncontrollably.

 "She said yes, Cory." Shawn stated happily, "Just don't let the secret out of the bag yet, ok? I want to make an announcement tonight at dinner."

"What about the wife?" Cory questioned, looking at Topanga.

"Fine, Cory- tell Topanga. Maybe she'll keep you quiet." Shawn half joked. Laughing, he hung up the phone.

Cory looked at the receiver, which had nothing to say but a dial tone, for a moment before cracking a huge grin and turning to Topanga.

"She said yes!" Cory laughed and replaced the phone in its place. "They want us to go to dinner at the Japanese place down the street."

"Sushi?" Asked Topanga, "You hate sushi, Cory…"

"I am sure there are other things on the menu. If not I'll just drink enough saki to choke it down," Cory laughed again, "This is their night. I just need to support Shawn, no matter what Angela wants to eat."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

That night the group of friends from Philly, plus one sweet blonde from Cali gathered in the tiny Japanese place. Thrilled to be together for a second night in a row, the conversation stayed lively around the low table. Propped on floor cushions and sans shoes, the eight happy people conversed about old times, and joked about Topanga's growing tummy.

"You know, Cory and I want you all to come to the birth." Topanga smiled.

The looks on their faces ranged from shock to elation. The elated faces belonged to Eric (of course), Angela and Shawn. Rachel and Jack were slightly wary.

"Pangers! I want to catch the baby!" Exclaimed Eric excitedly. "Can I, can I? Pleeeease?" He begged.

Topanga glared at him.

"Eric," laughed Ashley, "there are only four people who would be able to catch this baby; and they are Carmen, myself, Cory, or Topanga."

"Well, I would be honored to be there, Topanga. Thank you." Shawn said smiling.

"Shawn, if you don't mind- we would really like you to document the birth for us also," Topanga replied, grinning. "We want to treasure this forever."

"Consider it done." Shawn felt proud and honored that his best friends would want him to be with them during such an intimate time in their lives.

"Well," Topanga looked at Rachel and Jack in particular, but spoke to everyone, "if you think you may want to be there, Ashley is having a special class for us at the apartment. It's kind of a supplement to our usual childbirth classes- and she will be giving a short lesson on what to expect, how you can help, and she will answer any questions you guys have." Topanga eyed Eric, "There will be pizza and cake-."

"I am soo there!" Eric grinned and wiggled his brows.

Shawn cleared his throat nervously.

"Guys, I have something to say," Shawn's palms were sweating as he spoke, "Angela and I are getting married."

Angela smiled and squeezed Shawn's hand. Finally, Shawn wasn't running away.

Jack lifted his saki in a toast with a huge smile on his face.

"To my little brother- may he and Angela have all the happiness they both so richly deserve."

"To Shawn and Angela!" The group chorused.