A/N: Thank you for all the love on this story! Here is the final chapter!
SUNDAY
Riley watched the sun peek through on this Sunday and could hear the sounds of Maya and Zay laughing loudly. She pulled her phone off her nightstand and could see that it was reaching noon. They had let her sleep in, as she shut down after Lucas had left brunch abruptly the day before. After brunch, Farkle had convinced them to go to the movies, a hangout that didn't require talking. Before she knew it the rest had cramped into their tiny two-bedroom and spent the night. Riley tried her best to enjoy it and be in the moment with her friends but she knew more than they all did. Even when Zay had pulled her to the side to talk, she knew he didn't have the whole story. Riley's door swung open and Maya walked in with a mug and slammed the door behind her. Riley groaned and turned away from the blonde.
"Oh you're awake," Maya said as she placed the mug down.
"Go away Maya," Riley groaned.
"No," Maya said simply and sat on Riley's bed.
"You have been in bed all morning, up, our friends are here, and you are just sleeping it all away," Maya said.
"Not all our friends," Riley whispered.
"Okay, what the hell happened with Ranger Rick?" Maya asked.
"I can't tell you," Riley whispered.
"I hate secrets," Maya said.
"I wish … nothing," Riley whispered and pulled her blanket over her face.
"No! Up!" Maya yelled.
"Maya stop it," Riley whined.
"Riley Matthews! Out of bed now!" Maya yelled and Riley's door opened.
Farkle peeked in and Zay was close behind him.
"She's still in bed?" Farkle asked.
"Yes, and she won't tell me what's wrong or what happened!" Maya groaned.
"Lucas is dropping out of school," Zay said.
"Zay!" Riley yelled.
"What? Why?" Maya asked.
"Pappy Joe," Zay said.
"You know?" Riley asked.
"My parents told me, I put it together when Lucas told me yesterday," Zay said.
"What is going on?" Maya asked.
"Pappy Joe is sick," Zay said.
"What?" Farkle whispered.
"It doesn't look good," Zay answered.
"Riley, You've been keeping this in?" Maya questioned.
"He needed me," Riley said.
"He still does," Zay said.
"Pack," Farkle said as Riley turned to him.
Maya had already thrown her closet open. She was rifling through some clothes and pulling them off the hanger. Zay grabbed a duffle bag she had hanging on the back of her door and grabbed some of her essentials. Riley sat up and watched them go through her things. Farkle disappeared out the door and was followed back in with Charlie and Isadora.
"We booked you a flight," Isadora said as she clutched her phone.
"I can't afford it," Riley said.
"Good thing I paid for it, it's one way," Farkle said with a smile.
"We made something for you to eat and when you're ready Zay and I are going to drive you to the airport," Charlie added.
"Whoa everyone slow down, what are you talking about?" Riley said.
"You're going to him, you're going to follow your heart to where it belongs and right now it's in Texas!" Maya said as she tossed some things to Zay.
He folded her clothes and placed them in the duffle bag and Riley got out of bed.
"We don't know if he wants me there," Riley said.
"Riley he basically said so, he wished you had more time," Josh said as he walked into the room with a plate of food.
"Okay, it doesn't mean to follow him to Texas!" Riley exclaimed.
"Look! I love you, you are my best friend but the one thing we are going to do is stop bullshitting here. You love Lucas, he loves you, and he needs you. We are supporting him by sending him the best thing we can and that's you, Riles," Maya said as she grabbed Riley by her shoulders.
"Riley, it's obvious something is still there between the two of you," Zay said as he came over.
"It's been there since 7th grade," Charlie added.
"Now go shower and brush your teeth, because honey you're going to Texas," Maya said with a grin.
"Flight leaves in three hours," Isadora added as Riley stood there in shock.
"Go to him, Sugar," Zay said and Riley teared up.
She walked over to the mirror and spotted the gaudy gold chain she got from Party City. The lucky horseshoes gleamed in the sunlight and she pulled it off. She tossed it to Zay, who caught it with a look of confusion. However, he knew what she was asking him to do as he looked at it. He placed it in the front pocket of her duffle bag. She smiled at her friends and ran out of the room towards the bathroom.
She was going to Texas. She was going to Lucas.
Riley's leg shook in the Uber as she saw the familiar landscapes of Austin. She knew she was close enough to the Friar's farm when she spotted familiar shops. Memories rushed back as she remembered getting ice cream with Lucas one hot summer day or running errands with Pappy Joe. The shops began to become sparse and she spotted large lush hills of grass. The Uber did a turn and Riley could feel her stomach flipping with nerves. As they got closer the clouds darkened and before she knew it, it was raining. The rain pattered against the glass and blurred her view of the outside.
"Ma'am, I can't go further into the property, my car will get stuck in the mud," The cab driver said.
Riley looked out the front window and could see the Friar Farm in the distance. She could run it wouldn't take longer than a minute or two.
"It's okay, I can make it," Riley said.
She threw the duffle on her shoulder and opened the door. She jumped out and landed in some mud but she was fine. As the Uber backed out the driveway, Riley gripped the duffle and ran towards the house. The raindrops dowsing her in the warm rain and soaking her to the bone. She could feel her clothes get heavy, and her shoes collect mud. Her curled hair was slicked down by the rain and stuck to her skin. As she reached the porch she knocked on the screen door feverishly. She kicked off her boots and let the mud plop off as she knocked harder. The wooden door swung open and Riley saw Lucas with a look of confusion on his face.
"Riley?" Lucas questioned.
"Hey," Riley said and Lucas shook his head out of his stupor.
He opened the screen door and Riley tried to dry her face but it was no use, as the clothes were drenched and stuck to her body.
"Riley?" Lucas repeated.
"I … I … Lucas I couldn't let you go again," Riley said.
Lucas grabbed her face to see if she was real and she smiled.
"Can I come in?" Riley asked and Lucas quickly nodded and allowed her in.
She dropped her duffle bag onto the floor and was happy to be away from the rain. Lucas closed the door behind him and walked over to in front of her Riley.
"Where's Pappy Joe?" Riley asked as she peeled her thin shawl off.
"At Cletus, I told him to wait out the rain, I didn't want him to travel in this," Lucas said but he was still perplexed by the brunette.
"Are you really here or am I hallucinating?" Lucas asked.
Riley giggled and placed her hand on his cheek.
"I'm really here," Riley said.
"Why?" Lucas asked.
"You weren't the only one who wanted time Luke," Riley said.
"But … you came here for me?" Lucas asked.
"Yes, and for Pappy Joe," Riley said with a slight giggle.
"Riley you didn't have to do that," Lucas said.
"I know, I wanted to, I wanted to be here for you, for us, if you'll allow me," Riley asked.
"Riles I don't know if I can allow you to sacrifice everything you worked hard for, for me," Lucas said.
"Well let's just focus on this summer, let's focus on right now, this moment, us," Riley said and grabbed his hand.
She placed their palms together and Lucas could feel her shiver slightly. He stared into her brown eyes and tried to figure out what to say. What words could express how he felt about her at that exact moment. Then he realized words weren't going to be enough.
Lucas grabbed Riley by her face and pulled her into a searing kiss. She melted into the kiss and Lucas slammed her against the wall. It was as if the other couldn't get enough of the other. Lucas ran his hands through her wet hair and down to her jeans. He pulled away and pulled at her white t-shirt over her face. Riley nodded to him telling him it was okay and Lucas smiled. Riley threw her arms around Lucas's neck and pulled him back into the searing kiss.
"I love you," Riley whispered in between their kisses.
"I love you too, so much," Lucas mumbled.
"So show me," Riley whispered.
Riley ran her fingers down Lucas's chest and sighed contently as he held her close to him. She could feel his heart racing when she placed a palm against it. He kissed the crown of her hair and then nudged her to look at him.
"I love you," He whispered and gave her a soft kiss.
Riley smiled and looked up at him. She had never felt as she did at that moment. She was truly in love with Lucas Friar. As she lay tangled with him in his bedsheets she knew this is where she was meant to be.
"I love you too," She murmured and leaned on his chest.
"The rain is slowing down, should we get ready to get Pappy Joe?" Riley asked.
"I kind of don't want to break this moment just yet Riles, I like this slice of heaven. I don't think I am ready for reality just yet," Lucas whispered as he played with her hair.
"I know but we can't stay in bed forever, I came here to help you," Riley said.
"We can't stay in bed forever?" Lucas joked and Riley could see a sly smirk grow.
"As much fun and beautiful that moment was, no sweetheart we can't," Riley said and sat up.
Lucas sighed and leaned back against the headboard of the bed. Riley wrapped the sheet around her body and got from the bed. She walked over to Lucas's dresser and looked for a shirt to put on and some basketball shorts. Lucas stared at her as she moved effortlessly through the room. He couldn't help but reminisce about their past summers together, he was in heaven during those times. As Riley changed Lucas chuckled as his clothes engulfed her and she smiled.
"My clothes are downstairs and I am terrified Pappy Joe will appear," Riley said.
"You're glowing," Lucas whispered and Riley shyly turned away from him.
"Stop," Riley said and they heard a vibration.
"Shit my phone," Riley said as she looked for her jeans.
She grabbed the jeans that were still soaked from the rain and pulled her iPhone out of her pocket. She saw a picture of her and Maya illuminating the screen. Riley swiped to pick up the call and heard the loud yells of Maya.
"Oh good you're not in a ditch cut in half," Maya muttered.
"Hi to you too Peaches," Riley said as Lucas got out of bed and looked for some clothes to change into.
"Everything okay, are you in Texas? I checked the weather, seems like a hurricane is heading that way," Maya rambled.
"Yeah I am at the Friar Farm," Riley said.
"How did Huckleberry take the surprise?" Maya asked.
"Well, we reconnected," Riley said simply.
"Well … oh my god you guys had sex!" Maya exclaimed.
Riley could hear other voices and heard Zay laugh.
"Am I on speaker Maya?" Riley asked.
"Hey Sugar," Zay said.
"Cotius is common in events as such," Isadora commented.
"Oh my god," Riley groaned and Lucas walked in front of her.
Riley pulled the phone from her ear and placed it on speaker.
"Lucas can hear everything too as well," Riley said.
"Hey Ranger Rick," Maya yelled.
"Hey Shortstack," Lucas said with a chuckle.
"You have my honey, and I want you to promise that you will take care of her!" Maya threatened but they could hear the humor in her voice.
"Absolutely," Lucas said as she stared into Riley's eyes.
"I'm in good hands Maya, look we have to get Pappy Joe. I promise to call tonight," Riley said and she could hear whispering.
"Okay that's cool but you should know something," Maya said.
"What?" Riley asked suspiciously.
"We always believed in you two, we're happy you're guys are together, it makes everything feel complete," Maya said and Riley bit her lip.
"Thanks," Lucas answered.
"No problem, speak to you guys later, tell Pappy Joe hi from his favorite non-grandchild," Maya said and the call ended.
"They believed in us," Riley said as Lucas wrapped his arms around her.
"I did too, I was just …"
"Scared?" Riley finished.
"Yeah, what about you?" Lucas asked.
Riley smiled and pulled away from Lucas. She turned and sped out the room, and Lucas was hot on her tail. She went through her bag and pulled out the gaudy gold necklace to show it to him. It reminded him of when they were at the ski lodge and she showed him the leaf.
"This reminded me of you, and I thought if I bought this, then … one day I could have the real thing, my real lucky charm, my Texas lucky charm," Riley said as she handed it to Lucas.
Lucas grabbed it from her and placed it around her neck.
"You will always have me Riley," Lucas said.
"Forever?" Riley asked.
"And ever," Lucas finished.
Riley pulled him into a kiss, when they heard the front door open. Riley pushed Lucas away as Pappy Joe walked in. He raised an eyebrow at the two and smiled.
"My favorite is here," Pappy Joe commented.
Riley could hear the fatigue in his voice and watched him slowly close the door.
"You too Lucas," Pappy Joe joked.
"Hey Pappy Joe," Riley said softly.
"Hmm he told you?" Pappy Joe asked.
Riley nodded and Pappy Joe opened his arms. Riley ran towards the older gentleman and pulled him into a tight embrace. He kissed the top of her head and pulled away.
"Thank you for coming," Pappy Joe said.
"Of course, you're family," Riley said.
"Hopefully this knucklehead makes it's official one of these days," Pappy Joe as Lucas smiled.
"Of course," Lucas said and Riley blushed.
Pappy Joe slowly walked out the room and Riley watched him.
"Happiest I have seen him in the last few weeks," Lucas said as he walked over to her.
"I'm glad," Riley said.
"Happiest I've been too, and that's because of you Riley," Lucas said.
Riley smiled again and Lucas leaned down to catch her lips in another kiss.
"Me too," Riley said.
"Forever?" Lucas asked.
"And ever," Riley finished.
A/N: Hope you liked it, comments are always appreciated! Also I will be updating my other fics soon!