What's up Dravenites! Welcome to another installment of Girl meets marriage. So this chapter is a little different. Remember how parents was part of the summary? Well in this chapter we have the legendary adults of the BMW and GMW; Cory and Topanga Matthews , Stuart and Jennifer Minkus and Shawn and Katy Hunter! Also there might be something dramatic in this Please enjoy.
'' So who's on the guest list?'' Farkle asked Riley in the kitchen.
'' Let's see, its my parents , Ava and Auggie, your parents, my uncle Shawn and honorary Aunt Katy'' Riley answered. '' You mind handing me the turmeric?''
Farkle handed an orange bottle to his fiancée.
Tomorrow was going to be stressful. It was the first Christmas the pair would be holding at their new house. They had been living together for 3 years but had only been in an apartment for 2 of them. This would also be the first holiday they would be hosting ever!
Naturally the pair were terrified. Their parents were not fussy about what Riley and Farkle made, as long as it was edible. Shawn and Katy had been instructed not to bring anything but they were sure that they would bring something anyway. They didn't mind, it meant less work for them.
Riley had decided to cook something traditional and Farkle had insisted upon division of labor so he could help. The dishes that were going to be prepared was a classic Sunday roast. It consisted of a sirloin roast with savory gravy, roasted potatoes, creamed spinach and butternut. The dish was Riley's idea as she thought it seemed '' homey''. The main reason Farkle wanted to help was because he didn't want Riley to feel like she was doing all the work and he was just sitting around, or so he told her.
'' So, your mom still doesn't like Ava?'' Farkle asked.
'' A bit. She doesn't throw Ava out anymore though, now she just leaves the room, so there's a bit of improvement.''
'' Do you think they'll ever like each other?''
'' Nope'' Riley responded almost immediately.
'' But Auggie loves her and that's what truly matters'' Farkle said as he wrapped his arms around Riley's waist.
'' So are you mentally prepared for tomorrow?'' Riley asked.
'' I guess. I mean my parents have always loved you. However, there is a problem.''
Riley pulled away from him and glared. '' What?'''she asked.
'' Uh, nothing'' Farkle answered.
'' Farkle Andrew Minkus what did you do?'' Riley asked, her voice becoming more aggressive.
Farkle sighed, '' you remember Esteban?''
'' Your personal chef?''
'' The same. Well do you know how long he's been serving my family?''
'' No''
'' 21 going on 22 years''
'' So, your whole life?''
'' Yep. My parents are so enthralled with him that they judge anything that isn't as good as his food. So, there's a pretty good chance they'll judge your food. The reason I want to help is because I studied Esteban and his recipes so hopefully we can replicate it.''
'' Wait so you don't think I'm a good cook?'' Riley asked, her arms folded.
'' I never said that. I think you're awesome. I just don't want my parents judging their future daughter in law over something so trivial is all.''
'' Aww baby'' Riley hugged her 6'1 fiancé.
''' Now lets get back to work'' Farkle said excitedly.
Riley smirked as she saw Farkle start to baste the roast, she didn't even get this excited about cooking.
-x-
'' Morning sunshine '' Farkle said softly to Riley.
'' Mm, morning baby'' Riley said as she sat up in their bed.
'' Farkle its'' Riley checked the digital clock on her nightstand '' 6AM, what're you doing up this early?''
'' Making breakfast and getting ready to give you're your first Christmas gift.''
'' Ok, let me get up'' Riley reluctantly got out of bed and got dressed.
When Riley came down the hall into the living room, she saw a pink box on the coffee table. She had changed from her normal pajamas into a pair of black jeans,a grey top with an army jacket and was wearing blue NIKES.
'' Open it'' came a voice.
'' Gah! Farkle you scared me'' Riley gasped.
'' Sorry, it's the thermal socks, the make me silent as a cat.''
'' You're forgiven.''
Riley opened the box and saw something she had always wanted; a princess tiara. It was platinum in color. Incrusted in it were several small pink topazes.
'' Farkle, it's beautiful.''
'' I felt like spoiling you'' Farkle shrugged.
'' Well then you've earnt this'' Riley knelt down and pulled out a rectangular box wrapped in grey paper.
Farkle tore the wrapping and gasped when he saw what was inside it.
'' Nightwing Rebirth, volumes 1 through 6. You're the best'' Farkle hugged Riley so tightly she thought she was going to suffocate.
'' Farkle, you can let go now'' Riley coughed.
'' Sorry'' Farkle let go.
'' So what time are you expecting our guests?'' Farkle asked.
'' They're supposed to be here in about 5 hours, so around 11'' Riley answered as she placed the tiara on her head.
'' So in the mean time I'm going into my Farkle cave to get started on these bad boys'' Farkle said as he raced to what would normally be a guest room but in this case was his personal living space.
Riley in the meantime just shrugged and went to go read a book in hers and Farkle's room.
-x-
Farkle was currently on the 3rd volume that Riley had bought him but he couldn't seem to get into the story. Nightwing was one of his favorite superheroes but he had something else on his mind.
Farkle hadn't been joking when he said his parents were probably going to judge her cooking. In Farkle's eyes Riley could win Master chef 12 times over but unfortunately his parents might not see it that way.
There had to be a way to make sure his parents wouldn't be so harsh on his fiancée. After all they loved her, they always had. Suddenly Farkle had an idea and grabbed his phone.
'' Hello?'' came a Spanish voice.
'' Esteban, it's Farkle''
'' Oh mister Farkle how are you? How is the girl you're dating?''
'' She's great, we're engaged now''
'' Oh mister Farkle I'm so happy for you, how can I help you?''
'' Well you see, Riley's cooking for tomorrow's Christmas lunch and my parents are coming over.''
'' Oh no, that's no good?''
'' No, its not. They'll judge her food mercilessly, what do I do''
'' Well normally I wouldn't support this, but I think you should get me to come over.''
'' Not that I'm not OK with it, but why?''
'' Your parents are biased to my cooking, I will inspect Ms. Riley's cooking and if I think it's no good then I'll cook''
'' I don't know, I'm not sure Riley would be OK with that.''
'' Trust me, I kno what I'm doing''
'' OK, when should I pick you up?''
'' Oh no need, just send your address and I'll be there, your parents bought me a car last Christmas''
'' Ok cool, I'll send it now''
Farkle hung up and looked at the time on his Superman clock, it was 08:32, lunch wasn't for another few hours, hopefully this would go well.
-x-
Half an hour later, there was a knock at the door.
Riley opened it to see Esteban at the door.
'' Esteban hi'' Riley said hugging the older man.
'' Miss Riley how are you?''
'' I'm great, not that I'm not happy to see you but what're you doing here?''
'' I called him'' came a voice.
Riley turned her head to see Farkle.
'' What do you mean you called him?'' Riley asked.
'' Riles the last thing I want is for my parents to hurt your feelings. To me you're the best chef in the world but Esteban's here to make sure that they see it that way.''
Riley scowled, '' fine, I'm not happy about this Minkus, but I don't want my self-esteem taking a hit today.''
Riley led Esteban to the kitchen where she had started to heat up the food she prepared yesterday.
Esteban stared at it as if he were a scientist looking for new discoveries.
'' He's staring, staring's good right?'' Riley asked panicked.
'' I's not awful but soon he'll tell us exactly how he feels'' Farkle said.
Esteban turned around and looked at Riley.
'' Miss Riley if your food tastes a s good as it looks then my superiors will have to now compare all the food they eat to you'' Esteban complimented.
-x-
Three hours later Esteban had gone home as he claimed he was not feeling well. Maya,Lucas, Zay and Smackle however, had arrived. The six friends were now sitting outside on the back patio.
'' So Maya when do I get you meet my nephew?'' Riley asked.
'' January 4th'' Maya smiled at she patted her belly.
'' We're super excited but also a bit sad'' Lucas stated.
'' Why's that?'' Smackle asked.
'' Huckleberry's pappy Joe isn't doing too well'' Maya said.
'' Shame man, what's wrong?'' Zay asked.
'' His heart. Poor guy's spent too much of his life making barbequed food his primary diet food'' Lucas said.
'' Sorry bud, but look at it this way, hopefully he gets to meet his great grandson before he…you know'' Farkle said, this was met with an understanding nod from Lucas and Maya.
'' Anyway my parents should be here soon, Shawn-I mean my mom says she's got an interesting present for my dad'' Maya said.
'' What's she getting him?'' Riley asked.
'' No clue, whenever I ask she always just giggles and says that I'll find out soon enough.''
'' It's weird, I even started to forumalte what it might be'' Lucas said.
'' What've you got so far?'' Zay asked.
'' Either she's the new owner of Topanga's, she's pregnant or that Maya isn't her real kid'' this earnt Lucas a large jab from his wife.
'' Care to make this interesting?'' Farkle smirked.
'' How so?'' Smackle asked.
'' 5 bucks on new owner of Topangas'' Farkle answered.
''Farkle, someone of your intellect is being reduced to petty gambling'' Smackle asked, a hint of shock in her voice.
'' What you think I'm going to lose'' Farkle asked.
'' No'' Smackle said, '' I know you are. 10 dollars on Maya isn't her child''
Lucas and Maya just looked at each other, they too were interested in finding out, but they weren't about to bet, or so Maya thought.
'' 20 on me getting a brother or sister in law'' Lucas said.
'' Lucas!'' Maya gasped.
'' what its just a friendly game, besides what're the chances that any of my theories are right?''
Riley heard the doorbell ring and dashed to the door.
'' There she is'' Cory said as he embraced his daughter in a hug.
'' Daddy'' she cried as she returned the hug.
'' We exist too you know'' Topanga smirked.
'' Hi mom'' Riley hugged her mother.
'' Hey Riley'' Auggie said.
'' Hey Auggie'' Riley hugged her brother, who was now taller than her.
'' This is your house? It seems small'' Ava announced.
Riley cringed, '' Hello to you too Ava.''
'' Guys make yourselves at home, lunch is on the way'' Riley said as she went to the backyard.
The three Matthews family members sat down and greeted Esteban who was currently watching Sophie's choice.
Eventually all the guests arrived and got acquainted. Shawn was still speechless that Farkle had got Riley to go out with him for free.
For about two hours the group caught up with Stuart and Jennifer who had just come back from helping an Amazonian village that had been ransacked by a fire.
The whole group kept congratulating Riley and Farkle on their engagement, saying how they couldn't wait to attend the '' wedding of the century''. Of course Farkle and Riley said that they didn't see it that way, in their mind they were just a regular young engaged couple.
Soon came the experience Farkle had been dreading…lunch. Riley had plated the whole dish extremely well. The sirloin roast was painted in a savory gravy that made it look slightly glossy in nature. The roasted potatoes for some strange reason had been arranged to form a heart. The two vegetable choices had been places in separate bowls, but the scents that irradiated from them could be seen as fit for a king.
Riley had used white crockery and cutlery that she and Farkle used whenever they had company over. Call her old-fashioned but she felt that things should always be a bit more classy when company was over.
The group all sat around the table and said grace, it wasn't a usual thing that any of them did but it seemed necessary as it was a very important holiday.
As the rest of the group tucked into their food, they kept complimenting Riley. Katy kept saying how she could quit her job as a shrink and become a full-time chef at the café.
Farkle however was busy concentrating on his parents, who seemed to be showing no emotion as they ate. He was terrified, the last thing he wanted to see was his fiancée sad on Christmas.
Lunch seemed to go well, although Farkle seemed to be catastrophizing the event in his head.
Now the group were gathered in the living room to open gifts, Farkle was especially proud of the gift he had given to Riley and Maya, it was something he was sure they would enjoy.
Auggie was the first to open his gift, it was from Riley and Farkle. As the boy tore it open he was speechless as to what he had received. It was an Xbox series X, complete with Killer Instinct, Mortal Kombat X and Call of Duty.
'' Awesome, thanks guys'' Auggie hugged his sister and soon to be brother in law.
'' Our pleasure Aug'' Riley ruffled his hair.
Next was Ava, who had received a lovely dress from Topanga and Cory.
'' Thanks'' the woman said with fake niceness.
'' You're welcome'' Topanga said, her teeth gritting.
The next gift was from Farkle to Maya and Riley.
'' Farkle, what'd you do?'' Maya asked as she opened the box. It was two tickets to a spa week in Vermont.
Riley hugged Farkle with all her might. '' Baby you are the best.''
Most of the gift giving went well, mostly everyone thanking everyone else for their gifts but the final gift set the bar for all future Christmases.
Katy pulled a blue and pink stick out of her purse and gave it to her husband.
'' A pregnancy test?'' Shawn asked.
'' Turn it over'' Katy smiled.
Shawn obeyed and saw a plus sign on the screen.
'' Baby are we?''
'' Yep'' Katy wrapped her arms around Shawn.
Whilst everyone was clapping Lucas collected the money from his friends.
-x-
After most of the guests had left, Stuart and Jennifer stayed behind.
'' Guys we need to tell you something'' Stuart said, a sad tone in his voice.
'' Yeah dad?'' Farkle asked.
'' Esteban's been admitted to hospital'' Jennifer said.
'' Oh no, why?'' Riley asked.
'' He got home and collapsed, his wife rushed him to the nearest hospital and he's been booked for a bypass'' Stuart answered.
'' Oh God'' Farkle looked down. '' Uh mom, dad, what did you think of lunch?''
'' Are you kidding, that was the best rroast I've ever had'' Jennifer smiled at her future daughter in law. '' I just hope our son didn't leave all the cooking to you.''
'' Don't worry Mrs. Minkus, he insisted on helping'' Riley answered.
'' That's good to hear, also don't call me Mrs. Minkus, call me Jennifer, we're going to be family soon.''
Farkle smiled at his fiancée and all his worried left. Everything was going to be fine.
Well everyone what do we think. I don't usually do many holiday themed stories but I figured I'd give it a shot.