Cory Matthews is an honest man, but to his younger brother- he was a huge tattletale. "It's not your business to tell Cory!" Josh yelled as he followed Cory around to his car that was parked on the street.
Cory opened the door to his car and looked to his baby brother. "Look baby brother. The benefits of my job are nice. One of them being that I get to keep an eye on Riley and her friends and when I heard through the grapevine that Maya was pregnant, I instantly thought of you."
"Why?" Josh asked. "Because you don't think we can handle this, do you?"
Cory shook his head right before climbing into his car. "It's not that. Just let mom and dad talk to you."
Josh's eyes were the size of saucers. "You told mom and dad?!"
Cory shook his head. "Nope you just did."
Josh was puzzled. His parents weren't there, were they? Cory pointed behind Josh and Josh winced. He turned around slowly to face his now very upset parents. "Hey guys," he began. "I got A on my latest test."
Alan had his arms crossed over his chest while his wife had her hands on her hips. "We need to talk. Now," she emphasized.
Maya struggled to take out her keys as she tried to balance her things and drink as she stood in front of her door. When she finally got her grip on her keys and unlocked the door she was shocked to see her parents, her boyfriend's parents, and her boyfriend all sitting in the living room. "Hey baby girl," Katy greeted. "We need to talk to you about something."
Maya looked over comically large stack of books. "Sure," she answered hesitantly. "But can someone help me with these? They're making my back hurt."
Josh was by her side instantly as he eased her load. "I have no idea what's going on," he whispered into her ear as she handed him her things.
Josh walked away to set her things down and brought her a glass of water in the process. "Here. You should drink more water for the baby."
Maya raised an eyebrow at him and took the water. She shook her head and walked towards their parents and sat across from them. Josh was by her side soon after and talked first. "What did you guys need to talk to us about?"
Shawn wrung his hands out of nervousness and looked at the couple. "There is now an unforeseen circumstance that changes the whole situation."
Josh and Maya exchanged a look and looked back to Shawn. "What do you mean 'unforeseen circumstance?' What could possibly make things more complicated?" Maya asked, concerned.
"Are you guys aware of the guidelines of your relationship?" Amy asked. "Because we are, but it seems like you two weren't."
They nodded. "Yeah," Josh began. "You guys said be careful no matter what. Especially in that department."
"Well that department is why you're in trouble," Alan warned.
"Wait." Maya jumped in. "It takes two to make a baby. You guys can't just pin this all on Josh."
"We aren't," Katy defended. "The law is."
"You're pressing charges!" Maya yelled as she stood up. "You can't do that! You know I gave my consent!"
Katy stood to aid her heated daughter. "We aren't. It's just that you two are three years apart and according to law the fact that he's and adult and your a minor means that he committed a crime. We just don't know to what extent."
Josh's jaw dropped to the floor. "Wait. So you're telling me I can be charged for having sex with my girlfriend?" All the adults nodded. "That's not fair!" He yelled standing up.
"We know that it's not fair. The only reason we're addressing this is because of when the authorities will find out!" Alan argued.
"And when will they?" Josh asked intensely. He stood up trying to emphasize.
"When you have to give your information to put on this baby's birth certificate," Amy explained as she stood, bringing her husband along with her. "They will see and have no choice but to question this. Leading to an investigation or who knows what. The point being is that because Joshua is older, he would be charged with a misdemeanor."
Shawn stood and tried to ease the panic that was creeping up Josh's back. "But we aren't exactly sure if this is the law. It's just what we think. We are thinking about looking into this. Just to make sure Josh won't get into any legal trouble."
Josh was in disbelief. Inwardly he was panicking and trying desperately not to show it on the outside. Taking a deep breath he looked over to his girlfriend. She was staring at the floor shaking slightly. Josh looked at her pained expression and knelt down in front of her. He grabbed her hands and kissed them lightly. He looked into her eyes and stared her down. "I know what you're thinking Maya. It is not your fault. Besides, we don't even know if it's a real problem yet. Okay? Just relax babe." Josh hugged her and whispered soothing things into her ear.
The adults just looked on to the loving pair and hoped things worked out.
Weeks passed and both Josh and Maya's nerves were still high. Just the thought of Josh being charged with anything disgusted Maya. It wasn't fair. She gave her consent, why punish him? She just silently prayed that things worked out fine, because she just wasn't sure if they would.
The whole gang sat in History, their favorite yet least favorite class of the day. All five of them walked in early that day, (except for Smackle she was away) and sat down expectantly. Cory looked up from the papers he was grading and smiled. "You guys are here early," he observed.
"We wanted to be here early today," Riley breathed. "We realized that life can change pretty quickly. Whether we're ready for it or not."
Riley reached back and grabbed Maya's hand. "Yeah," Maya agreed.
"Before you know it we're gonna be having kids of our own."
This statement peaked Cory's interest. "And why is that? Can anyone tell me why life changes the way it does?"
"Because we're stupid kids who make stupid mistakes," Zay answered.
"Not realizing exactly what we're doing," Farkle continued.
"Because we just don't know better," Lucas finished.
Cory shook his head. "Have you all lost faith in your selves? You guys aren't just stupid kids. You are the future. The future changes all the time. The future may decide to grace one of you with another life," he looked to Maya. "Or grace you with love," he looked at Riley and Lucas. "Most of all with the gift of friends that will stick with you through this unforeseen future."
Cory stood from his desk and stood in front of his students. "The future knows what it's doing. So have faith that everything will work out like it's supposed to." Cory looked and noticed his other students pouring into the classroom. "Alright everyone turn to the beginning of chapter two."
The group of friends sat quietly as they did their homework in Topanga's. Just silently enjoying each other's company and thinking about what Mr. Matthews said. Their silence was broken as Maya's phone rang. "Hello?" She answered. "Yeah. I'm here. Alright. See you soon. Love you too. Bye."
Maya's conversation was over just as fast as it had begun. She looked over at her friends and noticed that they were just staring at their books, just like she was. "I've been thinking about what he said too, but sometimes I just can't help but think that the future hates me. That sometimes faith just isn't there."
"I know what you mean," Riley whispered. Everyone turned to look at her, wondering how in the world she could relate. Riley noticed and quickly clarified. "Meaning I understand."
Zay nodded. "Understandable. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if my parents hadn't uprooted me from Texas. If fate is so trust worthy then why did fate break up my parents? Still doesn't seem right."
"I wonder the same thing. Except for the part about your parents. It seems like the only thing fate did right is bring us all together," Lucas whispered.
"I wonder why fate made my family rich. We have so many extravagant things but we never see each other. I'd rather be poor and see my family than be rich and never see them," Farkle said aloud.
Everyone sat for a moment just taking in what they all said. "Maybe we can't lose faith just yet. Just hold in there for a little longer guys," Riley breathed.
"Why do you say that Riles?" Maya asked.
Riley pointed towards the door and Maya looked just in time to see Josh walk through the door. "Because sometimes fate brings us something special," she answered.
"Ready to go?" Josh asked as he smiled at Maya.
Maya nodded as she could see the excitement radiating off of Josh. "Yeah. Let's see what fate brings us at your first ultrasound."
Maya turned around to look at Riley and mouthed a small 'thank you' before walking out the door.
"Hi Maya," the doctor greeted as Maya and Josh walked into the ultrasound room. She noticed Josh and smiled. "I'm guessing that you're the father?" Josh nodded and helped Maya up into the table. "Well it's a good thing you're here. This girl needs you, she just about flooded my office after hearing the heart beat last time," she joked.
Maya blushed and leaned back on the table. "Alright you know the procedure Maya," the doctor said. "Shirt up. Warning the gel-"
"Will be cold," Maya finished. "Don't worry I'm prepared this time."
Josh laughed at his girlfriends antics and looked to the doctor. "I'm sorry I never got your name."
The doctor looked up from her clipboard and towards Josh. "I'm Dr. Sarah Hightower." Josh nodded and turned his attention back to Maya. Dr. Hightower set up the ultrasound machine and began the ultrasound. She moved her wand around a bit until you could see the baby. "This is your baby," she whispered.
Josh and Maya ended their conversation and looked up at the monitor. "Oh my," Josh whispered. He looked at Sarah. "That's our baby?"
Sarah smiled. "Yep. Your baby isn't that big though. The baby is about the size of a grape."
"Really?" Maya asked in disbelief.
Sarah nodded. "That's right, but Maya can you tell me if you've been having any symptoms? Nausea, mood swings, anything like that?"
Maya shook her head. "Nope. The only thing is my clothes are starting to feel a bit tight."
"Okay. That just means it might be time to break out the yoga pants and loose t-shirts. Cause soon you'll be showing."
Maya didn't reply, she just looked at the monitor not wanting to even think of people being able to tell she was pregnant. Josh squeezed Maya's hand, sensing her discomfort. "Anything else we need to do?" He asked. "We have to meet with our parents."
Sarah nodded. "I understand. Everything looks fine. Just keep doing what you've been doing Maya and I'll see the two of you soon. I will go and get your ultrasound pictures."
Sarah walked out of the room, leaving Josh to look at Maya worriedly. "You do realize that people already know you're pregnant. Right? What's the difference if people can see?"
"You just don't understand Josh. Can we just not talk about this? I'd really appreciate it," Maya snapped.
"You were wrong about those mood swings," he mumbled.
"What was that?" Maya asked.
"Nothing. Let's just go," Josh answered.
It was a different setting for Josh and Maya as they met their parents, this time at the Matthews' home in the Greenwich Village. As they walked in they noticed both of their parents both waiting there patiently for them. "Hi," Maya greeted as she sat down.
Josh sat down next to her as his mom spoke. "Hey. How was your appointment? Did you guys get an ultrasound picture?"
Josh nodded and pulled it out of his wallet and handed it to his mom. "The doctor said that the baby is fine."
Amy passed the picture on to Katy and looked at the couple. "You two must be so excited, or at least emotional. I know I was every single time."
"Amy," Alan pressed. "Let's not get sidetracked."
Amy shook her head and playfully hit her husband. "I am not. I'm just expressing my feelings from when I was pregnant."
The old couple began to banter and Katy and Shawn quickly interrupted it. "But what we did want to talk about," Katy began as she looked over at Alan and Amy.
"Is our support," Shawn finished. "We just want to say that you guys won't be doing it all alone."
Katy nodded and squeezed her husbands hand. "Yep because I know it takes a village. No one or no two people can raise a child without any help."
"Going off of what Shawn said," Amy began. "We give you our full support. No matter what you decide. If it's adoption or keeping the baby. We'll be here."
Alan wrapped an arm around Amy and hugged her slightly as he spoke. "So do you guys have any idea of what's going to happen anytime soon? In terms of the baby's living situation, if you're keeping the baby."
Josh and Maya looked at each other speechless. "We never thought about any of this," Josh admitted.
"Well maybe it's time to start thinking," Amy advised.
Josh and Maya looked at each other again. They just realized they were completely in over their heads.