Chapter 51 – Announcement

Riley and Lucas spent the next two weeks getting ready for a family dinner that they had planned, both of their parents along with Riley's Grandparents, and their friends. They planned the dinner around their schedule, Riley helped Lucas catch up with his classes and vouched for him with all of his professors, even though they had already known what was happening they allowed him to make up the work he missed. The announcement was set for the first week of November so the two of them picked up as many shifts at their jobs along with study dates at home so they wouldn't fall behind. I was also the first weekend after the end of midterms so they knew that they wouldn't be stressed out studying.

Without her best friend knowing, Riley had picked out invitations for the wedding that we simple and that she could fill out by hand. When she showed them to Lucas he laughed because they were stamped on the back with a purple cat standing on Pluto. Riley had purposely gotten the stamp made for the invitations because they were a part of her childhood. Lucas loved it because he knew that in the future he was going to show it off as something she did that will always make him smile. They had also decided that the wedding would take place in New York since most of their family lived there and picked out a hall where they would be able to have the wedding and the party in without any problems. They had a meeting with the hall to discuss renting it the weekend after, Riley was really excited about it because she loved planning a party even if she went overboard on the details.

As the day of the dinner arrived Riley's nerves were stressed out, she woke up wired because she wanted the dinner to be perfect. She made recipes from both sides of their family trying to make sure that everything would be perfect. Lucas had to work most of the day but Riley was glad because she didn't want him to see her freaking out.

"Riley, I'm home," Lucas said as he walked through the door. He put his coat in the closet before walking over to where she stood.

"Hi," she said as he kissed her. "Can you pull out the chickens when the timer goes off, I need to shower."

"You cooked a lot Riles, are you sure this isn't too much?"

"No because remember whose coming, Zay alone would eat half the table if he could."

"That's true, I swear he eats and eats but doesn't gain a pound," Lucas said laughing at the thought. "I'll keep an eye on things so go take your shower. We don't have long until everyone shows up."

She nodded and ran off to their room, it was the first time her father was going to see her apartment and she knew he wasn't fond of the idea of her living alone with Lucas but she hadn't given him the choice. When she came back out dressed in one of her long flowery dresses Zay, Sarah, Farkle and Smackle had all arrived. Zay already at the table looking at the food but being pushed away by Lucas, when the doorbell rang. Maya and Josh had shown up with her sister in her arms and her Mom and Shawn close behind, they were followed in by Riley's parents and siblings. She didn't know if she could fit this many people in their apartment but she grabbed everyone's coats and started hanging them in the closet. Lucas's parents arrived fifteen minutes later followed by Riley's grandparents, and her Uncle Eric who had tagged along since he was visiting.

The living room was full of people talking and having fun, they had decided on making the announcement after dinner but before dessert because that way everyone was full and no one would be fussy. Lucas couldn't help but smile at Riley for bringing everyone together before Thanksgiving because they hadn't decided on which house they were going to spend the holiday.

"Riley is this a test run for Thanksgiving?" her mother asked as she followed her daughter around. "Because if you want to take over one of the holiday's this year by all means please do so."

Riley laughed at her mother who although loved getting everyone together for the holidays, was still traumatized by her first holiday experience with her Grandmother Amy.

"Maybe Christmas," was all Riley said as she smiled at her mother.

"Dinner's ready," Zay announced as Lucas brought in the chickens she had prepared.

"Damn it Zay, this is Riley's dinner not yours why are you the one announcing it?" Lucas said giving his childhood friend the evil eye.

"Because I'm hungry, I could smell the food upstairs all day as Riley cooked it," he rubbed his belly as he eyed the long table.

Lucas rolled his eyes and sent a silent apology to Riley over Zay's rude behavior. They both loved him but it was a little unnerving when he acted like this. Zay's hunger always trumped everyone else's plans.

"Come on, let's feed Zay before he gets cranky," Riley said as Lucas put his arm around her.

The group sat down at the tables Riley had set up together, Lucas had moved their furniture around so that everyone would fit into one long table even if they were mismatched. Everyone began having conversations when the topic of why they were having the dinner came up again. Her mother told everyone that Riley was thinking about taking over Christmas dinner this year, but Riley had omitted the fact that the only reason she wanted Christmas was for the wedding.

As everyone finished their dinner Lucas took Riley's hand to signal that it was time for the reveal, but before they could say anything Maya stood up and looked around the room.

"Okay everyone Josh and I have an announcement to make," she said beaming at everyone around them. Lucas looked over at Riley as Josh stood to join his fiancé.

Riley loved her best friend but how did she not understand that she had worked hard all morning just so she could build up the courage to tell everyone that she and Lucas had planned on getting married before the end of the year. Riley figured that she would let them have their moment before springing her news on everyone.

"Well," Josh started. "Some of you already know the news but not too long ago I asked Maya to marry me and she said yes."

"And," Maya said smiling at everyone. "We decided to get married before the end of the year because I'm also pregnant."

Riley squeezed Lucas's hand trying not to say anything, her moment was gone and she knew if she made the announcement now it would only be considered second to Maya's. Riley felt the tears coming down her face, as everyone crowded around her best friend congratulating her on her news. Farkle looked over at Riley and Lucas wondering why the pair hadn't moved to join in on the celebration. Instead of going straight to Maya he walked over to them and sat down in one of the now vacant seats.

"Riley," he said breaking her out of her trance. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just happy for her," she lied, holding back her feelings. "Let me start clearing the table."

"I'll help," Lucas said standing up to grab the cups as Riley grabbed the plates.

As the two walked away Farkle noticed that something had fallen to the floor when Lucas had stood. The pair hadn't noticed that the little stack of envelopes had fallen but Farkle picked them up to see a purple cat standing over Pluto on one side and on the other the names of everyone standing in the room. He looked around the room as everyone gravitated towards Maya during the dinner party that had been planned by Riley. On one side of the room everyone was smiling and cheering Maya and Josh on while on the other Farkle watched Riley and Lucas pick up the pieces of their hard work. He realized that something wasn't right and looked for the letter addressed to him and Smackle.

Farkle opened it only to read the first sentence 'You are cordially invited to the wedding of,' before realizing what Maya had done. Smackle sat down next to him to see what was going on but he quickly put the letter away and stood. He kissed his girlfriend before excusing himself to go to the bathroom. Only to stop in the kitchen to see Lucas holding onto Riley.

"Did Maya know about this?" he asked them watching as they pulled away.

"No, we told everyone that we wanted to have dinner to make an announcement but that was all we said," Riley told him.

"And of course Maya being Maya misinterpreted the whole thing," he said looking back at the stack of envelopes he held in his hand.

"It's okay Farkle," Lucas said. "We'll try again another day, maybe on Thanksgiving unless you plan on proposing to Smackle that day."

"No, Smackle and I made an agreement that I wouldn't propose until we both graduated and began our plot to take over the world," he joked trying to make them smile but neither of them did. "I was joking about that last part."

"We know Farkle," was all Lucas said.

"I'll take the invitations and put them in my room," Riley held out her hand waiting but Farkle held on to them. "I'll take mine now, you don't have to mail it, and I'm RSVPing right now, I'll be there."

"Good you and Smackle are going to be in the wedding party anyway, I need bridesmaids and Lucas's needs groomsmen."

"You have a deal, and Riley don't let Maya steal your moment, I know you and I don't want you bottling up your feelings."

Riley thought about what he had said for a moment and decided he was right. The cake she had made for the dinner had a little bride and groom on top that Lucas had found on the farm. She had worked hard for weeks planning this moment and she didn't want to be overshadowed by her best friend, who although she loved dearly didn't know how to read the moment at times.

"Lucas," she said but instead of him answering he grabbed the cake and followed her out towards the table.

"Aww Riles you didn't have to do that," Maya said as she saw the cake.

"I didn't, the cake isn't for you Maya, it's for me and Lucas," Riley said as Maya looked at her in the eye trying to figure out what was going on. "Anyway, the reason we invited all of our closest friends and family here to our apartment," she said emphasizing each word. "Is because Lucas and I have an announcement to make."

Lucas and Riley looked over at Farkle who had nodded before they looked at their loved ones.

"When Pappy Joe died he left me a letter that made me realize just how precious my life is, how much Riley meant to me and that in one moment everything could be taken away. So we decided that instead of waiting with the fear of losing one another to something tragic, we want to get married," Lucas said as he looked over at the woman he loved the most.

"The reason I wanted to have Christmas this year is because we were planning on a Christmas wedding," Riley smiled at him.

"No," she heard her father say.

"Well I expected that," she said laughing.

"Mr. Matthews," Lucas said looking across the room at her father. "I would love to have the honor of marrying your daughter this Christmas, and I want your permission to do so."

"I don't want to give it to you," he said before taking a deep breath. "But I know if I'm not there to walk my baby girl down the aisle I would regret it forever."

Riley smiled as she broke away from Lucas to hug her father, "Thank you daddy," she whispered in his ear.

When everyone left in high spirits and all that was left were dishes and leftovers Riley was happier than ever. Maya walked into the kitchen as Lucas washed the plates and Riley dried them.

"Riles," Maya said trying to get her attention. "I'm sorry for thinking that this party was all about me."

"It's okay, I should have been clear with everyone about why I wanted them to come over."

"No, I should have put everything together I mean you cooked all day, you made the place look like home and everything, but as always I go and take the moment away because I wanted to share something with everyone."

"Aww Peaches," Riley said with tears in her eyes.

"Oh and Josh and I decided to wait to have our wedding on Valentine's Day, that way you can help me plan after I help you with yours."

"I will always be there for you Peaches, well as long as you don't turn into a total diva," Riley said laughing.

When Maya left not too long afterwards Riley finally felt at peace because she was able to make the announcement without any other problems and everyone greeted them with open arms. She had less than two months to plan the wedding, and all she had was the hall. Lucas had convinced Farkle to have it in the ballroom at Minkus International, it was the place that they had picked because they knew Farkle would convince his dad to let them do it there for free, all it took was one phone call after the announcement was made before they had their venue booked. Riley was excited for the day that she would become Lucas's wife.

A/N: So this is where I get to the problem of posting this story on here, the next three chapters are supposed to have instagram edits, and this website won't give me the option to add images. I will try and figure something out before I post them.