Disclaimer: I do not own Girl Meets World or any of the characters
Chapter 26
"Should we wake them?" Zay asked.
"They look so peaceful," Riley shook her head.
"And adorable," Smackle gushed.
"Oh!" Riley widened her eyes. "Where's my phone?"
"Why?" Lucas scrunched his eyebrows together as he saw his girlfriend rush around the living room, looking for her phone.
"Because I have to take a picture of them," Riley said. "It's something they would both want."
"Check your room," Farkle said as he watched her continue to run around the room.
"Right!" Riley nodded and quickly scurried off to the bedroom.
"Jeez these two sleep like rocks," Zay shook his head. "We've been talking for like the last five minutes and neither have stirred."
"Do you want to wake them up?" Lucas raised an eyebrow at them. "Do you want to deal with the wrath of Maya in the morning?"
"Good point," Zay shuddered at the thought. They all saw Riley rush back into the living room, with her cellphone in her hand.
"Got it!" Riley exclaimed and then stood right in front of her uncle and best friend. She quickly snapped a few pictures and then smiled at the images. "They are so cute together."
"If you say so," Zay shrugged but he knew she was right. Maya and Josh really did make a great couple.
"Should we just let them sleep?" Farkle asked. "We could go make coffee and maybe the smell will wake them up."
"That's a good idea," Smackle agreed. She, Zay, and Farkle walked out of the living room and towards the kitchen.
"They really are great together," Lucas said to his girlfriend. She looked at the sleeping couple and then smiled softly. Josh had his arm wrapped around Maya's waist, holding her close to him and protecting her from the world.
"He really loves her," Riley nodded. It warmed her heart to see the way her uncle loved her best friend. Maya deserved the world and she was so grateful that her uncle intended to give it to her.
"She really loves him too," Lucas said. He, like Riley, was so happy that Maya had finally gotten the chance to be with the love of her life. She deserved to be happy and it finally seemed like she was.
"Let's go get coffee," Riley said. She felt Lucas wrap an arm around her waist and guide her out of the living room, letting the couple sleep.
. .GIRLMEETSWORLD.
"Good morning," Maya mumbled. She turned around in his arms and faced her boyfriend, wrapping an arm around his waist and smiling up at him.
"Morning beautiful," Josh whispered. He lifted up a hand and brushed a piece of blonde hair off her face.
"How did you sleep?" Maya asked, yawning slightly and resting her head on his chest.
"Really good," Josh nodded. He leaned forward to kiss her forehead before looking down at her. "How about you?"
"Perfect," Maya smiled. She knew she was being completely honest too. That was one of the best night sleeps she had gotten in a really long time. Something about being in Josh's arms made her feel safe and content.
"No ballerina nightmares?" Josh raised an eyebrow at his girlfriend.
"Oh hush," Maya rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"I told you I would protect you from all the evil dreams," Josh insisted.
"You sure did," Maya nodded. She scooted even closer to her boyfriend and lifted her chin up so that she could kiss him. He leaned down and their lips met almost instantly. Even in the morning, they felt the fireworks shoot throughout their body.
"I love you," Josh whispered.
"I love you too," Maya promised.
"It's not even eleven in the morning," Zay groaned as he walked back into the living room. The couple looked over to see their friends all standing in the doorway.
"How long have you been standing there?" May asked, a pink blush filling her cheeks.
"Well we came in early to see you two sleeping and then Riley took a couple of pictures," Lucas explained. "Then we all went to make coffee to let you two sleep."
"You took pictures of us sleeping?" Josh raised an eyebrow at his niece.
"You two were so adorable," Riley gushed. "I couldn't help it."
"So, what's the plan for today?" Farkle asked.
"I was thinking we could do a boys day and girls day before we all meet up later," Lucas suggested.
"That sounds like a good plan," Maya nodded in agreement. She could use the time with Riley and Smackle. She could use the girl time. Everyone all agreed with the plan and then separated to get ready.
"Don't miss me too much today," Josh teased his girlfriend as she sat up on the couch.
"I'll try not to," Maya smirked.
"I know it will be hard though," Josh sat up and kissed her neck, causing her to shiver slightly.
"Are we talking about for me or for you?" Maya turned around and raised an amused eyebrow at him.
"For both," Josh said.
"What is that saying?" Maya asked. "'Absence makes the heart grow fonder?'"
"So by tonight, your heart will be dying for me?" Josh asked.
"I have to go get ready," Maya rolled her eyes and went to stand up. She felt her boyfriend tug on her hand and pull her back down onto the couch.
"I love you," Josh said. He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her nose, causing her to giggle.
"I love you too," Maya leaned forward to kiss him and then jumped up to go get ready. Josh watched her go and felt his heart swell with love for the blonde.
. .GIRLMEETSWORLD.
"So?" Josh raised an eyebrow at Zay. He saw the Texas native take a sip of his soda and then look over at him.
"So, what?" Zay asked.
"Everyone else at this table knows where they are going to college next year," Josh said.
"That's true," Lucas nodded before tossing a fry into his mouth.
"Do you know where you are going yet?" Farkle asked. He knew that in the fall Lucas would be going to NYU and he would be headed off to Harvard.
"I do," Zay nodded.
"And?" Lucas raised an eyebrow. His best friend had been pretty quiet about his college choices and he was as in the dark as the rest of them.
"Are you coming back to Texas?" Josh asked.
"No," Zay shook his head. "I decided to stay in the city for college."
"You did?" Farkle asked.
"I did," Zay said. "I'm going to go to NYU next year. I was waiting until I got my acceptance letter to say anything and it showed up right before we left for Texas."
"That's awesome man," Josh reached over and patted his friend on the back.
"We can be roommates," Lucas said and smiled at his best friend.
"Congratulations," Farkle nodded at his friend and then smirked. "Looks like you get four more years of watching Riley with Lucas and Josh with Maya."
"Don't remind me," Zay rolled his eyes and the other three guys laughed.
"How is that going, man?" Lucas looked over at his girlfriend's uncle.
"Honestly?" Josh asked. "I can't believe it took me this long to be with her. These past seven months have been some of the best months of my life."
"You two seemed to click really fast," Farkle said.
"It helps that we've known each other for a long time," Josh chuckled.
"I don't think I've ever seen blondie this happy," Zay said.
"Yeah?" Josh asked.
"You make her really happy," Lucas nodded.
"And she deserves to be happy," Farkle added.
"So don't hurt her," Zay said.
"I won't," Josh promised. "I'm in it for the long haul."
"No more girl talk," Zay shook his head. "This is supposed to be bro time!"
"Bro time?" Lucas repeated and smirked at his best friend.
"You be quiet," Zay threw a fry at him.
. .GIRLMEETSWORLD.
"I am going to burn," Maya said and then sat up on her towel. She saw Riley and Smackle both lying on their backs and the sun blazing down on them.
"So put on more sunscreen," Riley said.
"I'm already lathered up in it," Maya said. She crossed her legs and looked out into the distance.
"What's on your mind, Peaches?" Riley asked, looking over at her best friend.
"What do you mean?" Maya scrunched her eyebrows together.
"You look about a million miles away," Smackle said.
"I don't want this to end," Maya said.
"What to end?" Smackle asked, sitting up. Riley did the same and looked at her best friend curiously.
"Our time in Texas," Maya said.
"Who would've thought we would ever say that?" Riley chuckled.
"It's been the perfect trip," Maya said. "I feel closer to Josh than ever before. I don't want to go back to the real world."
"Unfortunately we have to," Riley sighed.
"But then we have the summer to live in our bubble before college," Smackle said.
"I can't wait," Maya clapped her hands together in excitement.
"Isn't it crazy to think where we were freshman year to where we are now?" Riley asked.
"Lucas yelling at you in the giant hole and Josh telling me that he wanted to wait for someday?" Maya smirked.
"Well Farkle and I have always gotten it right," Smackle laughed.
"You two really did," Maya chuckled.
"We all got it right," Riley said. "We all went through what we needed to in our relationships to get to the point where we are now."
"Plus," Maya smiled. "The three of us always have each other."
"The best friends out there," Riley nodded.
"I don't know what I would do without you two," Smackle said.
"Smackle," Maya smiled at her.
"I've never had close friends like this and you two mean the world to me. I never want that to change," Smackle said.
"It never will," Riley promised.
"It will always be like this," Maya agreed.
"Girl power?" Riley stuck her hand out and the other two placed their hands on top of hers.
"Girl power," they repeated and the three smiled at each other.
. .GIRLMEETSWORLD.
"Where are we going?" Maya asked. Her boyfriend had a tight grip on her hand and was dragging her through the grass.
"Just follow me," Josh said.
"Is this another one of your surprises?" Maya asked.
"Maybe," Josh shrugged and shot her a smile that let her know it was exactly that.
"You'd think I expect them by now," Maya chuckled.
"Where would the fun in that be?" Josh smiled.
"You have a point," Maya nodded.
She followed her boyfriend and let the evening breeze sweep over her. She looked around at all the trees and grass. It was gorgeous out and she knew in just a few hours, the stars would be the perfect setting for the two of them. There was something she really loved about her time with her boyfriend. She loved being with all her friends, more than she could express but these moments were precious to her. These were the moments that set her skin on fire and filled her with a love she never felt before.
"Here we are," Josh said and then finally stopped walking. She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear him and bumped into him.
"Oops," Maya said and then looked up. She gasped slightly and covered her mouth with one of her hands. There was a little table set up for two and two candles sitting on the table. There was a blanket right next to the table and she looked up to smile at her boyfriend.
"Surprise," Josh said.
"Dinner for two?" Maya asked.
"Our date night," Josh nodded. He guided her over to one side of the table and pulled out the chair for her. She smiled at him once more before taking a seat, feeling him push her into the table and then sit down across from her.
"What's for dinner?" Maya asked. He lifted the lid of her plate and watched her laugh. "Tacos."
"I know it's not a Texas specialty but this felt like a taco kind of night," Josh explained.
"It's perfect," Maya insisted. She immediately picked up one of the tacos and ate almost half of it in one bite. She saw her boyfriend chuckle and shot him a look. "Don't judge me. You know that it's not fair to judge me when tacos are involved."
"No judgement," Josh shook his head. "I think it's sexy."
"Oh yeah?" Maya raised an eyebrow. "Seeing me stuff my face with tacos is sexy?"
"I think just about everything you do is sexy," Josh insisted.
"I don't remember you being this charming when I met you," Maya teased.
"What can I say? You bring out the Prince Charming in me," Josh smirked.
"Prince Charming, huh?" Maya chuckled. "Those are some pretty high standards."
"I'll do my best to live up to them," Josh said.
"You've already surpassed them," Maya said. She reached out her hand and grabbed his hand in her own. The two smiled over the candle light and felt their hearts start to race. They were sure that it wouldn't get any better than this.
. .GIRLMEETSWORLD.
"Come cuddle me," Maya opened her arms wide and wiggled her eyebrows at her boyfriend. She was sitting on the blanket and he was cleaning up the table.
"After I give you this," Josh said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box, handing it to her.
"What is it?" Maya asked, feeling her heart start to race.
"Open it," Josh nodded his head at the box and sat down next to her.
"Okay," Maya said. She slowly ripped the paper off the box and then lifted the lid. Inside was a gold heart necklace and she realized almost instantly that it was a locket. She took the locket out of the box and placed the box on the ground. She opened the locket and felt like her heart was about to explode with love. On one side was a picture of her, her mom, and Shawn from their wedding. On the other side was a picture of her with Josh, Riley, Lucas, Smackle, Farkle and Zay from Christmas time.
"Do you like it?" Josh asked, noticing she had gone quiet.
"Josh," Maya whispered and felt her eyes well with tears.
"I remember you telling me the story about the locket you found in middle school. The one with the happy family and how that was something that you always wanted. Something that you always craved," Josh explained. She felt a tear slip down her face and she felt him reach up to brush it off her face. "These two pictures show your two families. That family isn't just the ones you are related too, it could be anyone. You have your mom and Shawn. Then you have all of us, your second family."
"It's perfect," Maya nodded and felt a few more tears slide down her face. She felt him use his thumbs to brush them off her face.
"You're not alone anymore, Maya. You're never going to be alone again," Josh promised.
"I know," Maya whispered.
"If you do ever feel like you're alone, just look inside that locket. That will remind you how loved you are and we will always be close to your heart," Josh said. She leaned forward and threw her arms around his shoulders, burying her face in his chest.
"I love you so much," Maya mumbled into his chest. She felt him run his fingers through her hair and kiss the side of her head.
"I love you too beautiful," Josh promised. "I always will."
"Will you put it on for me?" Maya asked, pulling back and holding out the locket for him. He nodded and took the locket from her. She turned around and pulled her hair to the side. She felt him clasp the locket together and then run his hand down her shoulder, sending a shiver throughout her body. He kissed her shoulder and she turned around to face him. "How does it look?"
"Beautiful," Josh admired and she realized that he wasn't looking at the locket. He was looking right into her eyes.
"Thank you," Maya rested her hand on the locket and smiled softly at him. He lifted up a hand and cupped her cheek in it, causing her to rest her cheek in his hand and close her eyes.
"Anything for you," Josh insisted. He leaned forward and their lips immediately connected. It was a sweet kiss but filled with passion. When he pulled back, he pulled her into his side and pulled them down so they were cuddled together. "Want to just lay here for a little while?"
"There's nowhere else I would rather be," Maya said as she rested her head on his chest. The words were true for both of them. Right there, in each other's arms, was exactly where they both wanted to be.