Chapter 11
Monday afternoon Cory's last class ended and Lucas Friar slipped into the room as the students were leaving. "Mr. Friar" Cory said apprehensively, "something you didn't understand about today's class?" Lucas took a deep breath and slid into his customary seat in the second row. "Mr. Matthews, I need to speak to you". "Is this about a historical event? I can only speak to you about historical events" Cory responded, then paused, realizing he said the same thing 5 years ago when Lucas showed up at his door to ask Riley on her first date. Lucas looked down for a second chuckling, the same memory brought to mind. "No sir, but I am being serious. Riley turns 18 on Friday, she's an adult, and as much as I know you hate this, you can't stop me from asking her to marry me. However, you mean the world to Riley and it would kill her to know you don't approve. I can't do that to her. You know I'm a good guy, you know I love her, you know I'll take care of her, can you please make your peace with this?"
Cory took a moment to sit on the edge of his desk and take a breath. When he spoke, the "freak-out Cory" Lucas was expecting didn't materialize, Cory's voice was quiet and a little sad. "Riley means the world to me, I know you love her, and Topanga explained how you are staying in New York and plan to have a long engagement, but how in the world are you going to take care of her when you are still a kid yourself?" Lucas began to plead, trying to make Cory listen to reason "sir, you were my age when you got engaged, and it seemed to work out very well, couldn't the same thing happen to Riley and me?" "Lucas, you have no idea how hard it was for Topanga and me in the beginning" Cory rebutted. "Actually, I do, Mrs. Matthews told me" Lucas answered, "and I see how you are now, an amazing couple who still adore each other after more than twenty years of marriage. I want that for Riley and me and I know she does too. I know we will have hurdles, every marriage does, but we are truly better together than we are apart." Cory was silent for a moment, regarding the young man in front of him. Finally he sighed and spoke, "I still think you are too young, and that is not going to change, but I would never want to hurt Riley either. I can't give you my blessing, but I will keep my mouth shut and try to be happy for you both."
"Well if that's what I can get I'll take it." Lucas said, rising and sticking his hand out for Cory to shake. As he was getting ready to leave, Cory called after him "We are having a family dinner at Ruth Chris' on Friday, just us, Auggie, and Riley, why don't you join us?" "Really"? Lucas asked amazed. "Why not" Cory answered, "might as well get used to seeing you, but on one condition, don't ask her at dinner please." "Deal" Lucas said smiling, and then left the classroom.
That Friday night, Lucas met the Matthews family for dinner at Ruth Chris' Steakhouse. Riley had warned him to dress nicely, and he complied, looking stunning in a suit and tie. Even so, he felt a bit out of place once he saw the opulence of the restaurant and gulped at his menu when he saw the prices. "Riley", he whispered, "this place is kind of expensive, are you sure its ok I'm here?" Riley patted his knee and smiled reassuringly while whispering back, "my dad invited you and my parents know how much it costs, yes you're fine. It's not like we eat here often, I think the last time was for my parents' 20th anniversary." When dinner was completed and they had enjoyed the restaurant's famous chocolate lava cake, Lucas reached into his pocket pulling out a small box and an envelope. Cory's eyes narrowed at the box, it was definitely too square for a ring, but he felt anxious just the same. "Do we give Riley her presents now?" Lucas asked innocently. Topanga smiled and responded "we are giving her our gifts at home after dinner, but if you want to give her yours go ahead". Lucas looked a little embarrassed, "maybe I should just wait until her dinner with our friends tomorrow". Riley, who was anxiously waiting to see what was in the box interrupted, "no Lucas, you can't tease me like that, it's my birthday, please let me open them now." "OK" Lucas responded ignoring Cory's glower, "open this one first". He handed her the box, which she opened to reveal a silver lace filigree bracelet. Riley smiled,truly touched by the beautiful present and immediately put it on. "Lucas it's beautiful" she gushed, "is the envelope a present too?" "Sort of" Lucas responded handing her the envelope slowly, "I really hope you like it". Riley looked confused as she saw the envelope was already open. "Interesting wrapping Lucas" she teased. As she read the papers inside, her face appeared more and more confused. "Wait this says you were accepted to New York University, but what about Texas and the baseball scholarship"? Lucas took her hands and looked into her eyes, "I'm not going to Texas, I'm staying in New York with you. I told you I would work it out. The decision was simple, you are the most important thing in my life, and I'm not leaving you." As realization dawned on her face, Riley let out a yip of excitement, causing several other diners to look at them, then threw her arms around him and kissed him, even slipping her tongue into his mouth in her happiness. Realizing her parents and Auggie were watching, Lucas gently pushed her back, and they proceeded to leave the restaurant to head to their respective homes.