Chapter 11
Realizing Maya was starting to get upset, Shawn shrugged in acceptance and Katy took an envelope from her purse and wordlessly handed it to Maya. Opening the envelope, Maya found a grainy black and white photo in a cardboard frame. "Wait, what it this"? she asked. Katy beamed as she answered "that is your little brother or sister; we thought you would like a copy of their first photo". Maya still didn't really understand "is this from before, because that's kind of….sad". Katy rushed to reassure her "no baby, no, I'm pregnant"! Maya, surprised, started to become concerned, "and everything is ok, with you, with the baby"? "Everything's great Maya" Shawn jumped in, "we heard his, or her, heartbeat two weeks ago, it's very strong, everything looks perfect." "We don't know the gender for a few months yet" Katy added, "so we've been calling the baby "peanut". We thought about telling you right after the appointment, but wanted to wait until your birthday." Maya reached across the table to her mom "and everything is really ok?" "Yes baby" Katy answered taking Maya's hand "everything is wonderful. I'm exhausted, and we want to wait a couple more weeks to tell everyone just in case, but I will be 10 week's tomorrow, everything's been perfect so far." The reality finally sunk into Maya and she turned to Andrew "I'm going to be a big sister". "Go hug your mom" Andrew replied, as he and Shawn quickly jumped out of the booth and Maya took Shawn's place.
That night Katy and Shawn lay in bed discussing the dinner. "I realized we didn't get to talk to Andrew too much but Maya seemed really happy" Katy started. "You didn't get to talk to Andrew" Shawn interjected, "once Maya took my seat I was stuck talking to him. Really good kid though, just moved here with his mom in August, really polite, takes classes at NYU and works part-time. Oh, and he is over-the-moon about Maya, couldn't stop raving about her." Katy looked surprised "really, they've only been dating a little over a month, do you think it's serious?" "She's gone out of her way to keep us from meeting any boy she's ever dated, now she begs us to meet this one" Shawn responded, "yeah I think it's serious. I'm just thrilled she met someone who treats her so well." After a moment of silence, Shawn changed the subject. "So since Maya knows, how long before we can tell everyone else?" he asked pleadingly. Katy rolled her eyes, the only people either of them would really want to tell is Cory and Topanga. "I was going to wait until we had Thanksgiving with the Matthew's, but I don't think Maya can wait that long" she answered. "Forget about Maya, I can't wait that long" Shawn snorted, "I'm in town the week of November 6th, think we can have dinner with them that week?" "That will be long enough" Katy agreed, "do you think Maya will stay quiet until then?" "I do" Shawn said seriously "she's really grown up in the past few months", he paused and put his hand on Katy's stomach to snuggle "peanut", "she's going to be a wonderful big sister."
The next evening Maya and Andrew met Riley, Smackle, Farkle, and Zay at Topanga's to celebrate Maya's birthday. Riley wanted to throw a party since Maya was turning 18, but Maya talked her out of it, she really just wanted a quiet night with her friends and boyfriend. "Is that another new outfit Maya, its adorable!" Riley gushed when she saw her. "Yeah, well, now that I have money coming in I have to spend it on something right?" Maya joked back hugging her best friend. "Well you could always save it for college" Riley replied. "What are you my parents" Maya said back with a little ice in her voice, "besides, what would be the point, it's not like I'm going to college" she said gloomily. For the first time in her life, she really wanted to go, but she knew her grades the first few years would prevent that. Concerned, Riley pulled Maya out of the crowd to a quiet corner, Andrew still attached to her hand. "Maya, if you really want to go to college, I'm sure you can go" Riley said softly. "That's sweet Riley" Maya responded defeated, "but I blew that chance years ago, you know my grades suck". "They do not!" Riley interrupted, "what are your grades right now?" "All A's, even a couple of A+'s in painting and design" Maya admitted a little shyly, it was the first time since grade school she could say that. "And what was your GPA after summer school?" Riley questioned. Maya glanced at Andrew, she didn't need him to know that she slacked off so much of high school, in response to a gentle squeeze and an "it's ok baby" from him she answered "2.75, I need a least a 3.0 to be considered, there isn't time." "Maya, there is" Riley insisted, "if you keep getting all A's this year, you will pass a 3.0". "Please like I'll get all A's this year" Maya scoffed. "You already are" Riley gently reminded her. Andrew took over, gently rubbing the side of his hand down Maya's cheek, something that always calmed her. "Maya, you are so much smarter than you give yourself credit for, I know you can do this. Riley and I can't help much with your art classes, but we'll help you with your core classes if you need it." At Riley's urgent nod Maya began to feel hopeful until another thought crossed her mind. "Riley you have to do well on the SAT too, I wasn't even going to take it, you know I suck at tests". "Well, they were running an SAT prep course on Saturdays starting after Thanksgiving, it really helps. It's kind of expensive, but I'm sure your mom and Shawn would find a way to cover it." Riley answered. "No, if I'm going to do this, I'll pay for it; my mom and Shawn have enough expenses coming up". At Riley's puzzled look and Andrew's warning squeeze Maya quickly moved on. "Would you take it with me?" Maya asked Riley hopefully. "Sorry peaches, I took it in the spring and got a 1290, I would have to do a lot better to make it into the next scholarship band, plus I work on Saturdays". Maya stared at Andrew with pleading eyes. "Baby I'm so sorry, I took it last spring too, I got the same score as Riley so it isn't really worth it for me to take it again." "You got a 1290 too" Riley asked surprised. "Well, 1300" Andrew responded. "Ooh, 10 points" Riley teased back. Maya noted the good natured rubbing between them and approved, she liked the fact her boyfriend and her best friend seemed to get along. She also noticed that Farkle, Smackle, and Zay were heading their way, so she broke up the conference so they could order and she could open presents.