A\N: This is the first in a collection of one shots that are all connected through the Because She's My Daughter series. Most of these will be plot points that I thought about writing in the original three but, never got around too and some will be things that pop into my head later on.

It happens on a hot day in July. Maya is sitting on the floor of her and Lucas's apartment while she goes through he jewelry box to find something to wear to her gallery opening when her phone rings. Its her mom and from the tone of her voice whatever happened it wasn't good. The call is short, just to give Maya information but, by the end of it she's emotionally exhausted even though this tragedy isn't happening to her directly and she's far removed from it in the grand scheme of things.

Maya is booking herself a plane ticket and leaving a note for Lucas on the kitchen table. She packs her bag and rifles through her closet for an appropriate black dress while she calls her representative at her latest gallery opening to explain that she can't attend tonight but, to go ahead anyway and notify her of any sales. Getting to the airport takes forever or at least it feels like to Maya. Maybe, its just because of the reason for the trip, time always seems to pass slower when there's a family tragedy to be dealt with and family to get to.

A typical flight from New York to Philadelphia is fifty three minutes but, it might as well be hours because that's what it feels like. As soon as she's off the plane Maya grabs her carry on suitcase and garment bag. Less than five minutes after exiting the airport she's in an Uber and on her way to the Mathew's. Its where her mom and dad are and she's on good terms with the family besides Josh and Riley. Not being on good terms with Riley still hurts, it probably always will but, They're all adults now and can be polite and civil for this. This isn't really about them anyway and she isn't here for them, She's here for her dad and Cory and Topanga and whoever else shows up.

It feels weird to walk into the Mathews house completely alone, without a family member by her side. All the adults turn to look at her when she walks in door. They're all huddled around the kitchen table looking shocked and bone tired. Maya tucks her bags beside a bench by the door and wordlessly squeezes in next to her parents, covering her dad's hand with her own. She can't say she's "Sorry" because the word doesn't seem like enough, nothing seems like enough in this situation.

The day of the service dawns bright and clear which seems all wrong to Maya, She didn't know her Father's beloved teacher as well as the rest of their "Family" but, the whole world should be in mourning not just them. She's standing in front of a mirror in the Mathews's bathroom trying to zip up her dress when she suddenly feels the presence behind her and hears the zipper go up. She'd think it was her dad except he wouldn't try and kiss her shoulder and then there's the voice that calls her "Lil Ferret" instead of " Kid or "Kiddo".

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Maya asked as she rounds on Josh and glares at him.

"What can I say, I'm distracted by my grief and a goregous blonde has been giving me looks all week" Josh answers with a smirk.

"And I'm very happily engaged" Maya returned as she held up her hand and flashed her ring.

"Last I checked, the cowboy isn't here and I won't tell if you won't" Josh told her as he reached out to push a lock of hair behind her ear.

"You realize that my dad still wants to kill you right?" Maya asked as she pushed his hand away.

" So I've heard, I've gotta say sweetheart I'd never thought I'd see the day" Josh threw out with a smirk and a shrug.

"What day?" Maya asked, annoyed now as she slipped on her heels and clipped her locket into place.

"The day Maya Penelope Hart turned into a daddy's girl" Josh told her as he leaned in to fix his tie.

"If having a father who loves and cares about me makes me a daddy's girl then I guess I am and it's Maya Hunter, it has been for a long time" Maya said as she grabbed her purse and walked away from Josh.

The church is beautiful, historic like a lot of churches are in Philly. Its stately and imposing from the outside but, is weirdly cozy on the inside, a perfect place for the person they're honoring. The church is packed with people, past students and colleagues, random friends and people who just knew him. Maya finds herself squished into a pew with her parents and Cory, Topanga and Auggie who is now like a full blown actual person that'd she be able to hold a conversation with. Josh and Riley are a few pews behind them with the other Mrs. Mathews.

A lot of people speak at the service, Her dad and Cory give an amazing elougy that moves Maya to tears that she quickly brushes away. After everything is done, they end up back at the house. She sits on the stairs in the kitchen, nursing a glass of wine and watching the adults take turns telling stories and reminiscing.

"So you must be the famous Maya Hunter, I've gotta say I thought you were smaller" A man says as he sits down next to her on the stairs.

"Creepy older men hitting on me at a funeral, that's a first" Maya responds as she turns to look at the stranger.

"What?...No I'm...I'm Jack Hunter, Shawn's brother" The man corrects as he holds out a hand.

" Ah, Oil tanker man who takes pleasure in killing baby sea animals and the like" Maya said with a nod.

"Dad" Maya calls out as she drains her glass of wine and sets it next to her.

"Yeah kiddo?" Shawn asked as he turned his head to look over at his daughter.

"You're brother is a Jackass" Maya tells him seriously as she stands to get another glass of wine.

"So I've been told kid...So I've been told" Shawn responds with a genuine laugh for the first time in days, leave it to his daughter to get him smiling again.

Maya doesn't cry. Not when she stays a few extra days in Philly to help clean out the house and go through some things. She doesn't cry on the the plane ride home or in the Uber on the way to her apartment. She doesn't cry when she's home and in Lucas's arms with a box of takeout in her lap. She doesn't cry until months later when she shows up to another gallery opening and there's a large bouquet of roses, identical to ones she's received in the past and like ones in the past she's expecting them to be without a note. This time though there is a note, which makes her all but breakdown and make her gallery friends wonder how five words and a signed name can illicit such a response.

Dream, Try, Do Good- George Feeny