Chapter 13- Explanations and Apologies

Maya and Josh sat silently on the couch, waiting for Shawn to come back. He had texted Maya about 20 minutes prior, telling her that he knew where Josh was and that he was on his way back to to "beat the shit out of that little asshole". As nervous as she was sure Josh was, he was definitely putting on a brave facade. He spent the entire time laying across Maya's belly and having a conversation with their "Little Bean". Maya laughed when he mentioned teaching the baby how to play football.

"What if it's a girl, Josh?" She raised her eyebrows at him. Josh shrugged.

"Girls can play football, too, Maya. But if it bothers you, ballet it is." Maya laughed again. She leaned over and kissed him gently on the tip of his nose. He breathed her in when she got close. Whatever she was wearing was intoxicating. He looked up at her and caressed her face with the back of his hand. Maya grabbed his hand with her own and turning her face into it, she kissed his hand lightly. That was enough to send him over the edge. Josh sat up and pulled Maya closer to him. He hovered over her face for a moment, taking her in.

"You are beautiful, Maya. You know that right?" Josh whispered. Blushing slightly, she lifted her head, and separated his lips with her own, lightly biting his bottom lip before slipping her tongue inside. Suddenly, there was a sharp knock at the door. Maya and Josh quickly sat up and straightened themselves out. Josh grabbed the blanket from the arm of the couch to conceal his erection.

"Maya, it's Uncle Shawn!" Riley shouted from the kitchen. Before she could make it to the door to answer it, the door flew open and Shawn stomped in, enraged and red-faced.

"Uncle Shawn, before you-" Riley was interrupted.

"Riley, go home." Shawn said, sternly, looking toward the living room.

"But, I-"

"I said, GO HOME!" he shouted, whipping his head around to glare at Riley. Riley's eyes widened and she shrank in fear. Uncle Shawn had never yelled at her before. Tears filling up her eyes, she grabbed her jacket and ran out the door, heading home.

"Where are you, Josh?!" Shawn headed for the living room. Josh started to stand up, but Maya stopped him and stood up herself. She walked toward the kitchen and met Shawn in the middle. As she stood in the way of him getting to Josh, Shawn took a deep breath.

"Move Maya. I am going to-"

"You are not doing anything." Maya cut him off. "This is half my doing. He was not the only one in that bed. And I don't think it would be a good idea for you to kill the father of my child or the brother of your best friend. Do you?" Maya asked. Sighing, Shawn unclenched his fists and put a hand on each of Maya's shoulders.

"All right, Maya. Let's talk about this. Like adults."

"Good. Come sit on the couch with us." Maya reclaimed her seat on the couch and patted the seat next to her for Shawn. Josh held Maya's hand and they explained the entire situation to Shawn, who glared at Josh the entire time.

"Did you consider adoption, or-" Shawn stopped when he saw the look on her face. Maya shook her head.

"I already told Mom. I couldn't handle it if my child was out there being raised by someone else. As far as the 'other' option, no. It is an option for other women, no judgement, just not for me."

"Have you considered what goes into caring for a baby, the cost?" Shawn asked, curious.

"Me and Mom went over this. Me and Josh both have to have jobs and we have to take responsibility. As Mom put it, 'you made the bed, Maya. Now you have to lie in it."

"Wise words from a wise woman." Shawn replied, looking at his phone. "Speaking of which, this is your mother. I am gonna take this in the kitchen." As he walked away, Maya and Josh looked at each other and Josh released an audible sigh of relief. Maya smiled at him and squeezed his hand.

"I knew it would be okay, Josh." Maya said lying her head in his lap. Shawn finished up his phone call and walked back into the living room, smiling.

"So, I talked to your mom and I think we figured it out. You can still come with me on my photo job, if you want. It is not in Europe anymore, like I said." Shawn explained. "Also, it has been moved to the end of August." Maya snapped her head up.

"But, Shawn, that is right before school starts." Maya protested. Shawn nodded his head.

"I know. We will be back before then. This job is only like one night, but we will stay there for like a week." Shawn winked at her. "I'm sure you have some old friends you would like to visit." Maya smiled widely.

"I have a great idea. What about Riley? Can she go? We can both visit Lucas, right?" Shawn contemplated Maya's request and nodded.

"That can be arranged." Shawn agreed, then winced. "I better call Riley and apologize. I think I really scared her earlier." He took a deep breath and dialed Riley's number.

"Hello?" She answered, sullenly.

"Riley? It's me, Shawn."

"I know who it is. What do you need? To yell at me some more?" Her voice broke and stifled a sob.

"I am sorry, Riley. I was upset and… I'm sorry. Please let me make it up to you."

"How?" Riley replied, curious. Shawn smiled through the phone.

"How about I take you and Maya both on my photo job? Would that help?"

"That's definitely a start. Where are we going again, Italy and Germany, right?" She replied, excitedly. Shawn had forgotten that she was not in the room for that conversation.

"Riley, plans have changed. I am not going to Europe anymore." Shawn explained. Riley sighed sadly.

"Ok. So where are you going now?"

"Texas. Austin, specifically. They want me to cover the Bat Festival in August." Riley was silent on the other line, for a moment.

"Texas, really?"

"Yes, at the end of August." Shawn could hear her muffling her excited screams into a pillow.

"Yes, Uncle Shawn. I would love to accompany you and Maya on your trip to Texas." She replied calmly, making Shawn laugh.

"Okay, its settled then. We will leave on the 22nd of August. That is just about two months from now."

"I can't wait. Thanks for inviting me. I love you, Uncle Shawn."

"I love you, too, kiddo." He hung up the phone and walked back into the living room.

"So, what did she say? She was excited, wasn't she?" Maya asked, smiling.

"To say the least, yes, she was excited." Shawn replied. "On to more pressing issues, and I don't want to sound old-fashioned or…old, but, given the situation," Shawn gestured to Maya's belly, "are you going to get married?" Maya and Josh quickly looked at each other.

"What was that look?" Shawn asked. "What are you not saying?" Maya sat up and sighed heavily.

"Well, we were going to keep this a secret until we were ready, but due to, uh, unforeseen circumstances…" she paused and looked to Josh to finish.

"I proposed to Maya on Christmas, and she said yes. But," Josh held up his hands in defense, "we were going to wait at least until Maya graduated."

"You mean college, right?" Shawn interjected. Maya shot him a look.

"Shawn!" she exclaimed.

"What was the reasoning for you proposing to a 15 year old girl in the first place, Josh?" Shawn demanded. Josh was at a loss for words. Luckily, Maya was there to provide the answer.

"With what happened over Christmas break, we both knew there was nobody else, and there would be nobody else. We figured, why put off the inevitable and risk the unknown of tomorrow? We are in love and now we are a family." Maya subconsciously placed a hand on her belly. Shawn, seemingly satisfied with her answer, smiled warmly at her and kissed the top of her head.

"Well, I am heading to bed. And I think you should too." Shawn pointed to her belly. "They take a lot of energy. Or so I've heard. And you, sleep on the couch. Don't even go near her room. You will leave in the morning to go back to your dorm. Pack up your stuff." Josh looked confused.

"But I have classes." Josh protested.

"You also have a baby to support. I will drive you down there tomorrow and we will talk to the dean of students. See if you can get a transfer or finish your classes online." Josh was about to protest again, but when Shawn shot him a look, he closed his mouth and simply nodded.

"We will talk about everything tomorrow, when Katy is here, got it?" Shawn looked at Maya and Josh.

"Yes, Shawn." They replied in unison. Shawn smiled smugly.

"Good. Now head to bed and goodnight to the both of you." With that, he turned and headed for Katy's room. After he had closed the door, Maya and Josh looked at each other and Maya smiled.

"What? I know that look Maya." Josh said, warily. "That is your 'get in trouble look'." Maya giggled and playfully winked at Josh.

"But Maya," he continued, "He sleeps like a rock. Nothing wakes him up." Josh raised his eyebrow at Maya and shrugged as he followed her into her bedroom and closed the door.