Maya loved movie nights with her parents. It was one of her favorite things to do with them and her baby sister, Mandy. The little girl was a two-year old bundle of energy now who thought her big sister hung the moon and stars. That energy would tend to run out though just as a movie got started, so to their delight, "Aunt" Topanga and "Uncle" Cory volunteered to keep her on movie nights. Everyone was happy about this, especially little Mandy. She loved her "Aunt and Uncle" almost as much as her parents and big sister. And that love was returned by them.
It wasn't a regularly scheduled event due to their work schedules and her school/work schedule. But they did a movie night whenever they could. It was also special because Josh usually joined them. He was reluctant at first to join them, believing he'd interfere with their family time which he knew was so precious to Maya. But Shawn, Katy, and Maya all insisted that he wasn't interfering with their family time. "Quite the opposite," Shawn said, as he already considered Josh part of his family because he was Alan and Amy's son and Cory's brother. Katy agreed with her husband for the same reasons. And secretly hoped that Josh would actually be part of her family someday. She had also learned to hope, just like her daughter.
Satisfied that he wasn't interfering and was welcomed, Josh enjoyed movie night as much as the Hunters did. And he frequently spent the night at their apartment after the movie was over because it would be late. In fact, he had taken to leaving a change of clothes in the spare bedroom he slept in. Josh asked everyone not to tell Cory how often he did movie night with them and especially not to tell him he would spend the night there occasionally. Since they were only one floor above Cory's apartment, Josh told them that Cory would "pitch a fit." As much as he loved spending time with his brother and sister-in-law, spending time with the Hunters was at least as important to him now, maybe even more, because he knew that while his and Maya's future wasn't planned out yet, he felt strongly that Maya and her family would be a part of his future.
Josh doing movie night with them and spending the night at their apartment made Maya happy because it meant she got more "Josh Time" even though her dad seemed uneasy with this at times. Maya thought that Shawn was being a somewhat over-protective dad, but she didn't mind. She had experienced the opposite of that with Kermit and much preferred this extreme if you could call it that.
Even though this had been a long tiring day for Maya, she still looked forward to watching a movie with everyone and hoped she'd stay awake for it. She'd gotten up early that day, before daylight, to work on her latest painting. Then she'd gotten to school early to help one of the grad students with a project they were working on. Then after a full day of classes, she'd helped Molly with her kids' art class, which she had learned to love more each time she helped. After telling Molly goodbye, she headed home and it was only then, as she reached the apartment building, did she begin to feel the weariness that the day had brought.
She knew that Josh was already at the apartment, probably helping her parents prepare their dinner. Yet another reason they loved him as much as she did. And she was right. She apologized for being so late as she helped Josh finish setting the table. "It's okay Baby Girl," Katy said. "We knew you'd have a long day."
"That's right kiddo," Shawn chimed in. "Besides, Josh is much better at helping prepare dinner than you anyway."
"Hey!" Maya exclaimed as she looked up at her dad who was standing next to Josh with his arm around him. Both had big grins on their faces. She saw that Shawn was teasing her again and Josh was in on it. "Mom," she said, "these two older men are ganging up on me. Are you gonna held me?"
"You're on your own Baby Girl, I'm not getting into this squabble." Maya could see that her mom was grinning as she busied herself around the kitchen pretending not to be involved.
Finally everyone started laughing as the teasing ended and they finished preparing dinner. As they were eating, Maya almost nodded off several times at the table. Katy had noticed this, so after everything was put away after dinner and they headed to the living room to watch a movie, she asked Maya: "Baby girl, are you sure you want to watch a movie? You seem too tired to stay awake."
"I'll be fine mom," she answered. "I've got my second wind now and I really want to see this movie again. And Josh hasn't seen it and was looking forward to watching it with us."
"All right," Katy conceded, "let's all get comfy and get the movie started." Katy snuggled up to Shawn on the couch while Maya snuggled up Josh on the love seat which she'd been looking forward to all day. And the movie began. It hadn't even gotten through the opening scene and credits before Maya fell fast asleep next to Josh.
Katy noticed this right away and softly said: "Josh honey, we can watch the movie another night if you want and we can put Maya to bed."
Josh, touched by Katy's concern for him replied: "Thank you Katy, but I'd hate to wake her now. She's sleeping so soundly. Since she's seen the movie and we haven't, let's let her sleep for now and watch it together. And to be honest, I kinda like the feeling of her snuggled up next to me."
"Yeah, I know what you mean Josh," Shawn said as he hugged Katy a little tighter.
"Well I guess Maya and I should be blessed that we have two men who enjoy being close their women," Katy said as she snuggled up closer to Shawn and continued to watch the movie.
Later, after the movie was over, Josh looked down at Maya to see if she was still sleeping. And she was; quite soundly. "She was really tired." Josh thought. "She'll probably sleep till late morning."
"Is she still asleep?" Katy asked softly. "Yes, she is. She's dead to the world." Josh replied. "Alright, why don't you pick her up and carry her to her room and I'll put her to bed." Said Katy. "Alright," Josh answered as her moved to pick Maya up.
"Wait," Shawn began, "is that proper? I mean her boyfriend caring her to the bedroom."
"It's okay honey." Katy began as she got up. "Josh is just going to carry her to her bed and then I'll get her in her PJs and make sure she's tucked in. That way she's less likely to wake up and I'd rather not disturb her sleep if I can avoid it." As Josh started to pick Maya up, Katy said to him: "Since it's late, why don't you spend the night here tonight Josh and have breakfast with us in the morning. I know Maya would like that and we would too. Right Shawn?" She smiled at her husband knowing that he enjoyed spending time with Josh whenever her could. "She's right." Shawn said smiling back at Katy. "We'd like for you to stay."
"Thank you, I'd like to." Josh said. "But let's don't tell Cory I spent the night. You know how he'll react."
"I heard that!" Shawn responded as he and Josh laughed.
Josh picked up Maya and began to carry her to her room. As he did so, she instinctively put her arms around his neck and gently hugged him. Josh checked. She was still asleep which made him smile. When he got to her room, he gently laid her down on her bed. "Now you two get out of here," Katy said, "so I can get her ready for bed."
Shawn and Josh did as they were told and then waited in the living room for Katy to come out of Maya's room, which she did a few moments later. "Josh, Maya woke up as I was tucking her in. I told her you'd be spending the night and she wants to tell you goodnight."
"It's okay Shawn." Katy said to him knowing he was about to say something. "We'll both be standing in her doorway. Go ahead Josh." As Josh turned and headed for Maya's room, Katy just smiled at her husband, assuring him it was okay, then took his hand as they walked to Maya's room.
As Josh entered the room, Maya opened her eyes and smiled at him while not taking her head off the pillow. He knelt down next to her bed so they could see each other easily. "I'm sorry I fell asleep before the movie started." She began. "I really thought I could stay awake."
"I know. It's okay. You had a long day and I didn't have the heart to wake you. You were sleeping so peacefully." This caused her to smile. Then he said: "We'll all watch it together sometime. I promise."
"Thank you." Maya said, not taking her eyes off his. "I love you." She continued after a short pause. This made Josh's heart almost burst, as it always did when she said that to him. And, as always, the first thought that popped into his head was: "I can't believe I have this incredible woman in my life; and always will."
"I love you too." He returned. "Now you go back to sleep and I'll see you at breakfast in the morning."
"Okay," she said, her eyes already closing. Josh gently kissed her, then got up and headed for the door. When he got there, they all three turned to look at Maya. She had already fallen back to sleep.
"Wow, Maya's already fallen back to sleep." Shawn said. "She must have been really tired."
"Yeah she was. And I'm getting there myself, so I think I'll turn in myself." Josh said.
"Yeah, us to." Shawn began. "I think we've all had a long day, and week for that matter. Goodnight Josh."
"Yes, goodnight Josh. See you in the morning." Katy said.
"Goodnight Katy; goodnight Shawn. See you at breakfast in the morning." With that. All three headed off to get some sleep.
After Shawn and Katy put their PJs on and got into bed, Katy turned to speak to her husband. "Now see, that wasn't so bad was it? Letting Maya tell Josh goodnight. And even letting him kiss her goodnight?"
"No, I guess it wasn't." Shawn said agreeing with her. Then looking into her eyes, he said: "I guess I know the joy of kissing a pretty blond lady that you love goodnight."
Katy smiled at that; gently kissed Shawn; and said: "Maya and I are so lucky to have such good men in our lives."
"We're the lucky ones." Shawn replied immediately. "And I know Josh would agree with that." Katy smiled again and then gently kissed Shawn. "I love you Shawn Hunter." She said. "I love you more, Katy Hunter." He replied. Then he turned out the lamp light and pulled Katy into his arms as they both fell fast asleep.
The next morning Shawn decided to take a shower before helping get breakfast ready. As he did so, Katy got dressed and headed down the hallway to the kitchen and get breakfast started. As she entered the living room from the hallway, she was surprised to see Josh already dressed and sitting on the couch. And he seemed to be in deep thought.
"Good morning Josh. What are you doing up so early? It would have been okay to sleep in if you wanted too."
"Oh, good morning Katy." Josh said as he seemed to snap out of his deep thoughts. "I was having trouble sleeping, so I decided to go ahead and get up."
"Are you feeling bad?" Katy asked with genuine concern as she sat down on the couch with him.
"No nothing like that. I just had something on my mind."
"Oh, Katy said, "is it something you'd like to talk about?"
"No, not really," Josh said as he gave Katy a couple of side glances. "You'll probably think it's crazy."
"Oh I doubt that." Katy replied with conviction. Josh was the sanest and most "together" young man she'd ever known. It was one of the most important reasons that she was happy Maya was in love with him. "Why don't you tell me." She insisted.
After glancing at her a couple of more times, he decided to confide in her with this because he did want to talk with someone about it.
"Well," he began, "I love how Maya feels so safe with me that she can fall asleep in my arms like she did last night. And I know it's not just because she's at home with you and Shawn, because she does it when we're alone at my apartment."
He quickly looked at Katy after saying that as he remembered he was talking with Maya's mother and not just a friend. He didn't want her to know that how he knew this was because he and Maya have spent several nights together. But her expression didn't change and she was smiling, so he continued.
"And it's really good sleep to Katy. Her breathing is slow, deep, and steady. She's told me that for so long in her life she didn't sleep well, but that's changed now with Shawn in her life."
Katy smiled when Josh said that; agreeing with him, but said: "So far Josh, this all sounds good to me and certainly nothing crazy."
"Well I haven't gotten to the crazy part yet." He said with a slight smile. "You see, last night I heard Maya's heartbeat. I never have before. And that's not the crazy part. I heard mine too and they were in sync…exactly. It was two hearts beating as one. And I just don't know what to think about that."
"Oh honey," Katy began as she slid over closer to Josh. "That's not crazy at all."
"It's not?" He asked with a surprised hope in his voice.
"No, it's not." She replied assuredly. "What is DOES mean is: not only do you love my Baby Girl, but you two were meant to be together." Then she leaned close to Josh and kissed him on the cheek and said: "And there's nothing in this world that makes me happier than that."
"Really?" he asked.
"Really," she replied. "Now, since you're up. Why don't you help me get breakfast ready?"
"Sure, I'd love to." He replied. Katy got up then and headed to the kitchen. But Josh didn't follow immediately. Instead, he sat for a moment and thought about what Katy had just told him. Finally, he got up and followed her into the kitchen. But what Katy didn't realize, was that she had just put into motion a chain of events that would make her and everyone around her very happy. Happier that she had ever been in her life.
A little while later Shawn walked into the kitchen. "Josh, what are you doing up this early?"
"Well…uh…I was thinking…" he began but was interrupted by Katy. "He heard me in the kitchen so he came in to help with breakfast. Wasn't that nice of him?" Katy looked at Josh then and smiled, letting him know he didn't have to tell Shawn about their little conversation. Josh returned her smile thanking her with his eyes. He really didn't want to talk with Shawn about that.
"Yes it was. Can I help too?"
"Yes you can." Katy replied. "You can start making the biscuits.
"Will do." Shawn replied as he pulled a large bowl from a cabinet.
Later as they were finishing up, Katy said: "Alright, it's about ready to put things on the table, Josh, what don't you go and get Maya up."
"Whoa!" Shawn exclaimed. "You're not sending our daughter's boyfriend in her bedroom are you?"
"Yes I am. I trust Josh. And besides, we'll be right here only a few steps from her room. It'll be okay honey." Katy said trying to ease his anxiety. "I know what it feels like to open your eyes in the morning and the first thing you see is the man you love. It's wonderful and I want Maya to experience that too."
Josh had to smile at this. Little did they know that Maya had already experienced that with him, and he'd experienced that with her as well. But that was their secret.
"Yeah, your right. I guess we do trust him." Shawn relented which made Katy happy. "Go and get her up Josh, I'm getting a little hungry.
"Okay," Josh said. "And Shawn, I would hope you'd know me well enough by now to know that I'd never disrespect you in your own home."
Shawn could tell Josh was a little hurt by what he'd just said and wanted to make amends. So he said: "I know you wouldn't Josh and I apologize for implying that you would. Go ahead and get Maya up."
"Thanks Shawn. I appreciate that." Josh said as he turned to go to Maya's room. But just as her did, Katy spoke up: "But Josh," she began which caused him to stop and look at her. "if you're not back in here in five minutes, I coming in there after you and I won't be happy."
Josh saw her big smile, but knew she meant what she said. "Yes ma'am," Josh replied returning her smile, "Five minutes or less." Then he headed toward Maya's room.
As Katy saw him disappear down the hallway, she noticed Shawn staring intently in his direction seemingly in deep thought.
"Shawn," she said, "you know Josh meant what he said about not disrespecting you don't you?"
"Yeah, I know he meant it. And I believe him…but…?
"But what?" Katy asked, prodding him for his thought.
"It was the way he said it. Or rather what he said at the end: 'in your own home.'"
"What do you mean honey?"
"Well, 'in your own home' makes me wonder what they're doing when they're NOT in our home; something you and I wouldn't approve of with them not being married and all."
"I'd be surprised if they aren't. Katy said flatly which caused Shawn to look at her with astonishment.
"Whaaaat?" Shawn exclaimed and he looked at Katy in shock. "You mean you approve of this 'extracurricular' activity?"
"No, I wouldn't approve, if in fact they are sleeping together."
"Then what did you mean by 'you wouldn't be surprised,' if you don't approve?"
"I'm just being realistic honey." Katy responded. Shawn gave her a quizzical look of not understanding, so she went on.
"Look Shawn, they're two young, healthy adults who love each other passionately. I'd be surprised if they weren't, like I said before."
"Well I guess I need to have a little talk with young Mister Mathews about this." Shawn stated with a touch of irritation in his voice.
And to what end? Katy asked trying to calm her husband. "What would you say to him?"
"Well, for starters, I'd ask him if they were sleeping together."
"Okay, if you do that, you'll paint Josh into a corner that neither of you will like."
"What do you mean?" Shawn asked; calming down a bit.
"I mean, if they have, in fact, slept together, you'd give Josh only two alternatives: lie or tell you the truth. He wouldn't lie to you. I don't think Josh could ever lie, especially to you. He loves and respects you too much to do that. So that leaves telling you the truth. And he'd hate to tell you the truth, knowing you wouldn't like it, and I don't think you'd want to hear the truth either."
"Maybe not," Shawn replied, "but at least then I could tell him to stop 'till they're married."
"Really?" Katy asked with slight smile. "Would you have stopped with me before we were married if you'd been told too?"
"Now that's not the same Katy. We were both older than them and had been through several relationships before we met. And we both had our hearts broken. We had life experiences that made us understand the consequences of what we were doing."
"That may be true honey. But we can't stop them now and I'm just being realistic."
"Well I can stop it. I can forbid Maya from seeing Josh unless it's here with us on a movie night or something."
This alarmed Katy somewhat. Shawn had gotten upset again at the thought of them sleeping together and just wasn't thinking this through she thought. She needed to calm him again and get him to think about this.
"Honey, if you do that: forbid Maya and Josh from seeing each other outside of our home; you'll force Maya to make a terrible choice."
"What do you mean?" Shawn asked; genuinely concerned with Katy's words.
"You'll be asking her to choose between the two most important men in her life. And number three is not even close to you two. She loves you both and I've noticed she's the happiest when she can spend time with you both, like on family movie nights. Forcing her to choose would break her heart. And I know you wouldn't want that.
Shawn thought about what Katy had just told him and realized the truth in her words, even if he didn't like them.
"You're right." He finally said. "It would break her heart and I would be the cause of it. And I couldn't live with that. I've always told her that I never want to let her down."
Katy was relieved hearing him say that and leaned in to kiss him. "You never have and you never will." She said softly reassuring him. "You are such a good father to her."
Shawn teared up slightly from hearing her words. Katy had said that to him many times since he'd adopted Maya, but he never got tired of hearing them and he was always grateful when she said them. "Thank you," he said, "that means a lot to me." Katy lovingly kissed him again and said: "Well there's one thing we CAN be happy about with all this."
"What's that?" He asked with a skeptic look.
"It Joshua Mathews she's involved with at least. He'll always have he and their best interests in mind. He's already proven that."
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Shawn said as he rolled his eyes. "Thank God for small favors." He then stated with a laugh.
"Am I an over-protective father?" He asked, getting serious again.
"Maybe." She answered with a smile. "But all good fathers are." I mean, look at Cory."
"Oh God, I'm not that bad am I? Maya's told me stories; poor Riley."
Katy laughed. "No, you're not THAT bad….but you're getting close."
Shawn instantly turned to look at her a little shocked. But then saw her smile and knew she was teasing him. As he returned the smile, he said: "How did I get so lucky to find a girl who's not only beautiful but smart too?"
Katy didn't answer. She just took the compliment in, smiled, and then kissed him. "I'm the lucky one." She finally said softly. Then she spoke up and said: "Let's get breakfast on the table. If I know my Baby Girl, she'll be starving when she wakes up."
While Shawn and Katy were talking about him, Josh approached Maya's slightly ajar door and smiled. He knew the story behind the "door-open code" too. Maya had explained it to him. He gently knocked on the door as he nudged it open. There he saw Maya, still asleep. As he entered her room and walked toward her bed, he saw that she had no makeup on and her hair was all messed up and in front of her eyes. He smiled as he remembered the first morning he woke up next to her when she was still asleep. Her beautiful hair was in a tangle then as it was now, and now as then, he had the same thought: "Even at her worst, she's still the most gorgeous girl I've ever seen."
When he got to her bed, he knelt at its head so his face could be net to hers. "Good morning beautiful," he began, "time to get up. Breakfast is ready."
Maya slowly opened her eyes and focused on the face in front of her. "Morning Boing," she said with a smile. "I love it when you're the first person I see when I wake up in the morning."
"Yeah, me too." He replied.
As she began to wake up more and her eyes focused on the room around her, Maya suddenly sat up in her bed and exclaimed: "Josh, what are you doing in here. This is my room in my apartment, not your room in your apartment! If dad catches you in her he'll kill you!"
"Relax," Josh said with a smile, "he knows I'm in here."
"He does?!" She said as her voice went up an octave.
"And so does your mom," he continued.
"She does?!" Her voice went up another octave in disbelief.
"Seems they trust me." He finished with a touch of pride in his voice.
"They do?" She said softly with a big smile of satisfaction on her face. Josh nodded, smiling back. "Well then, come here Boing." She told him as she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck and pulled him close, kissing him as she did. Maya held him there, kissing him constantly, not wanting to let him go, and enjoying herself thoroughly.
Finally, Josh had to pull himself away from her just enough so he could talk. Maya gave him her "little girl pouting" look letting Josh know she wasn't ready to stop.
"As much as I'd like to continue this," he began, "you mother gave me only five minutes in here, and then she'd come in after me, and she'd be mad."
"Oh," Maya said with understanding as she released Josh, "you DO NOT want my mom mad at you. Believe me, I know." She finished with a grin.
"Okay, then let's go." Josh said as he took her hand, pulled her off her bed and headed toward the door.
"Wait!" she exclaimed. "I want to put a robe on."
"Why?" Josh asked confused. "Those PJs are really cute and you look adorable in them."
"Thanks," she said looking down at herself, "but I bet that's because of my top." She had on a colorful cropped Tee and it was oblivious she had nothing on beneath it.
"Well yeah," Josh began, turning little red, "I really like seeing you like that."
"And I don't mind you seeing me like this," Maya said, "but I can't go out there with mom and dad seeing me like this, especially dad, and especially with dad seeing you seeing me like this. That would probably ruin that trust you've built up with him."
"You're right, put the robe on so your dad won't kill me."
They both laughed at that as Maya put her robe on, took Josh's hand, and walked out the door for breakfast.
(Author's Note: I got the idea for the robe part of this scene from a video I saw once of Sabrina Carpenter greeting fans on the sidewalk outside a building. In that video she had on a thin, cropped, button-up, top and it was oblivious she had nothing on underneath it. In fact, she says at one point that she hadn't put a bra on that day. Anyway, I did think she looked adorable in that top and thought it would be nice to have a scene between Maya and Josh where Maya had a top on like that.)
When they got into the kitchen, Maya released Josh's hand, went to each of her parents, greeted them with a kiss on the cheek, and a "morning mom" and "morning dad."
"Morning Baby Girl; morning kiddo." They replied.
"Can I help get anything ready for breakfast? I'm sorry for sleeping so late."
"That's okay Baby Girl. You had a long hard day yesterday and you needed the rest. You and Josh can go ahead and sit down, breakfast is ready."
As they sat down to eat, Maya filled her plate full and began to eat. She was starving just as her mother predicted. As they all four ate, Josh watched the others talk about the week before and the plans for their week to come. He'd always liked observing others and he especially enjoyed watching Maya, Katy, and Shawn when they talked with each other. He knew from talking to Maya and Riley that this was one of her greatest joys; talking with her mom AND her dad at the breakfast and dinner tables; It was what she always wanted. Riley had always had it and now so did she.
"Oh, Josh I'm sorry. We didn't mean to leave you out of the conversation," Katy said in earnest.
"It's okay" he relied. "I enjoy watching the three of you talk like this. I know how happy it makes you Maya." Katy smiled a loving smile at him then reached and squeezed his hand gently to show her appreciation for what he'd just said.
"And Shawn," he continued, "I'm not trying to butter you up either." He said that with a knowing grin remembering that Shawn had jokingly accused him of that when he picked Maya up for their first date.
"Yeah, I know. I guess I can believe you're sincere now." Shawn replied with a laugh.
For the rest of the breakfast the four of them talked about normal family stuff that families talk about. After they were finished eating, the four of them cleaned up the kitchen and table. As they finished, Maya asked Josh: "So, are we gonna hang out today?"
"I'd love to Maya, but I've got something I really need to take care of. Sorry."
"Oh, okay then," she started with a little disappointment in her voice. But she quickly got over it. She knew Josh was busy and had to do things which didn't include her. And that was okay with her. She was happy he liked spending as much time as he did with her.
"I can do some painting today. Come on, I'll see you out." She finished.
"Goodbye Katy. Goodbye Shawn. Thanks for the movie last night and the breakfast this morning."
"Your welcome Josh," Katy replied, "you're always welcome here. And we'll do it again soon hopefully. Maybe next time we'll do a double-feature night. How about that?"
After a moments thought, Josh smiled and said: "Yeah, that'd be perfect."
With that, the young couple headed to the door. When they got there Maya said: "Goodbye Josh. I had a great time last night…well, the part I was awake for anyway." That caused them both to laugh. When they stopped laughing, Josh said: "I love you Gorgeous."
"I love you too Boing." She replied. And with that they gave each other a goodbye kiss. When they released the kiss, Josh looked back into the apartment, which caused Maya to look also. There they both saw Katy and Shawn looking at them, smiling, and then turn quickly away when the young couple looked their way.
Josh smiled at this. "What?" Maya asked when she say Josh smiling. Josh looked into her big blue eyes and answered: "Do you remember on our first date when I kissed you on the elevator?"
"Well yeah," she replied. "I'll never forget that kiss."
"And do you remember that I was uncomfortable kissing you in front of your parents and that's why I waited until we were in the elevator?"
"Yeah," Maya continued, seeing where Josh was going with this. "And I remember telling you that I hoped we'd be comfortable kissing in front of them someday."
"That's right," said Josh. "Well I think we're there. Pretty cool huh?"
"Yeah, pretty cool," she answered as she kissed him again.
"I'll call you tonight." Josh said after the kiss ended.
"Okay." Maya answered, smiling at him. "Bye," she said as she closed the door.
As Josh exited the building and started walking down the street, he was deep in thought: "first I need to do some research and then start searching. This has to be perfect."