Chapter Thirty-One, Ten Kids, Part 1

"I swear, you're getting heavier now, Lil Ferret. I don't think you were this heavy the last time I piggybacked you. Appetite has been good lately, I see," Josh teased her.

Maya giggled. "Yep. Lots and lots of chimichangas and tacos!" She exclaimed happily.

Josh chuckled in amusement. "That would do it," He muttered as he tightened his grip around her thighs so she wouldn't fall off.

He had been carrying her on his back for almost ten minutes now as they ambled through the large farmers' market near Washington Square Park. They were surrounded by various vendors selling myriads of items from organic foods to jewelry and toys, along with a throng of customers who were busy observing the items or leisurely wandering through the market.

Maya observed the commotion around her, before gazing up at the Tuesday afternoon sun shining brightly in the cloudless, blue sky. After her initial panic in the morning when she saw her father's text message and showed Josh- he slept through the night by her side- she was now feeling calm. Josh had advised her to wait for her father's call and to hear what he had to say. He also urged her to inform her parents about his calls.

"You've been keeping this from Shawn and Katy for months now, Maya. They need to know what's going on...that Kermit's been contacting you...and you should tell them everything he has said. He keeps saying he's gonna reach out to your Mom, but he still hasn't. So, it's time you told them- today, or at the latest, tomorrow, if possible. If you want me to be with you when you tell them, I'll be more than happy to, so you won't be alone...ok? I know it's scary, but you have to let them know what's been going on. This is way too much, and way too complicated for you to be handling by yourself. I know if it was me, I'd probably let my parents know too cos it would just be too much for me to deal with..."

Maya agreed with his assertion. Needless to say, she had been feeling nervous throughout the day as she awaited her father's phone call, but she did her best to enjoy her rare day off from school. She spent the morning with Riley, who had also requested a day off so she could take care of her best friend. Riley made her special soup, and the two girls enjoyed it as they cuddled together in Maya's bed and watched their favorite movies. After his last class, Josh came to pick her up in the afternoon for their date.

He had suggested they walk through the farmers' market first to see if they could find some ingredients for their dinner that evening.

"I ain't cooking, Boing. I'm just letting you know right now so you don't have any expectations," Maya told him matter-of-factly as she sat comfortably on his back.

Josh burst out laughing. "It's ok. Since you're 'sick' I'll handle the cooking tonight," He reassured her.

"Awesome sauce! Now move faster Boing! You're moving way too slow for me! Giddy up, Cowboy!" She ordered him as she slapped his back with her palm.

Josh grinned in amusement. "You know, for someone who's 'sick' with the flu, you're been very energetic and demanding today. Maybe I should have a lil chat with your teacher and parents later about your 'sickness' today."

Maya gasped. "You wouldn't! I'll kill you, Boing," She threatened him. "You better keep your mouth shut, Boy."

Josh chuckled. "Ok, how about we make a deal," He suggested with a teasing grin. "You help with the cooking tonight, and maybe, I won't say a word about your fake illness."

"UGHHHH...Why d'you want me to cook so badly, Josh?!" She cried out in frustration.

"Because you need to learn, Lil Ferret. My girl's gotta know how to cook. I have a big appetite, ya know? All us Matthews men do. Have you seen Cory eat?! So yeah, you gotta learn, girl. I'm just trying to help you out. Save you some embarrassment in the future."

Maya rolled her eyes at him. "It's the twenty-first century, Josh. Aint no way in hell I'm gonna be staying at home cooking your meals. If that's the kind of girl you're looking for, then you got the wrong chick, Matthews. I believe we've had this convo before."

Josh laughed. "No. That's not the kind of girl I'm looking for. You're way too talented to be staying at home cooking for me Maya," He informed her. "As much as I would really love that, I know you'd hate it."

"You bet your pretty bum I would," Maya retorted sharply.

Josh grinned. "I just want you to learn a few things Maya. It will help you down the road. Your Mom is not always gonna be around to cook for you, you know?"

Maya pouted at his statement. "Ugh. You're making me depressed now, Boing. Just shut up and keep it moving. Giddy up!"

"Not to mention, you're gonna have to feed your ten kids," Josh continued. "I mean, who's gonna cook for them? Mommy is gonna have to do it, cos Daddy is gonna be at work all the time."

"What the...did you just say, TEN kids?!" Maya cried out in shock.

"Uh...yeah, I did," Josh retorted with an innocent smile.

"Boy...are you out of your damn mind?!" She shrieked at him. "There's no way in hell I'm having ten kids, Boing!"

Josh grinned mischievously. "Well, we're just gonna have to see about that," He muttered softly to himself.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing," He retorted.

"Oh, hell no! Let me down- right now, Josh! I'm getting the hell away from you!" Maya cried out as she struggled to jump off his back. Josh held on tightly so that she couldn't disembark. "Let me go, Boing! I think I'm gonna find freakin' Ryan right now so we can go to that exhibit after all. At least, HE'S not gonna be talking about having ten kids! You're CRAZY, Boy!"

Josh burst out laughing in immense amusement at her outburst. "Doesn't Ryan have like a million siblings, though?! At least, you know I'm kidding. Ten kids is a lot. I'd probably want five. But Ryan is definitely the kinda guy who would want to have ten kids cos he grew up in that kind of environment," He pointed out. "I'm not sure how you haven't realized that, Lil Ferret. But if you wanna go to him, feel free. In the meantime, I'll go find me a girl who can cook."

"Shut up, Loser!" Maya scolded him.

Josh chuckled at her response. "Looks to me like you gotta stay put, Ferret," He whispered as he glanced up at her with a teasing grin. "Cos, I'm all you've got, Baby."

Maya stuck out her tongue at him playfully.

"Excuse me, can you take a picture of us, please?" Josh asked a couple of teenage girls who were walking past them.

"Sure," One of the girls responded enthusiastically as she took Josh's camera and snapped a few pictures of them.

"You guys look so cute," She commended them as she handed the camera back to Josh.

"Oh, thank you!" Josh responded with a wide smile.

"Lemme see! Lemme see!" Maya cried out impatiently as she reached out for the camera. Josh immediately handed it to her.

She couldn't help the warm feeling that flooded her as she gazed at the photograph of her content, smiling face, and her boyfriend's excited grin as he held on securely to her and she rested her chin on his shoulder with her arm wrapped tightly around his neck.

"Why do I have a feeling you're gonna be updating your Instagram tonight?" Josh teased her.

Maya giggled. "No comment," She simply stated as she returned the camera.

"Ouuu, let's go over there Boing! I wanna check out those necklaces and bracelets. They look so pretty!" She cried out.

Josh grinned. "Ok. But only for a few minutes. We gotta get some food so we can get our apartment date started."

"Ok cool. I just wanna get something for Riles and my Mom," She told him.

And maybe, something for you too, Josh thought with a warm smile as he carried her towards the jewelry vendor.