Chapter 8

The stale scent of sanitizer permeates inside the soft white walls as the low buzz of lights drown out the hectic clatter of typing, phone calls, and codes paged every few minutes. A slight breathe in. A light one out her mouth. Her blue eyes fill with tears not ready to fall. Never did Maya imagine she would start Thanksgiving in the hospital.

A gentle hand covers her own and immediately she feels his comfort.

"I'm here," Josh says reassuringly.

Without turning her head or making a sound, she musters up a half smile and nods, thankful for his presence.

This isn't happening. This can't be happening. Everything is gonna be fine. Right? It has to. Stay hopeful, Hart. It's not for suckers.

The same phrases continually play in her head. Josh stares at his friend, her frame getting smaller as she resides in her chair. Feeling helpless, he squeezes her hand one more time to assure her she isn't alone. After a couple of dreadfully long hours, Shawn walks into the waiting room.

"Dad," Maya rushes over to give him a hug. Josh stands and slowly walks over to the pair.

"Hey kiddo," he squeezes her and let's out what seems to be a year's worth of sighs. "She's ok," he continues his voice slightly shaky, "the doctor says she is fine and the baby is ok."

He feels Maya squeeze him tighter as she buries her head in his chest. His hand brushes her golden hair when he notices tears staining his shirt. Finally, he looks at Josh, who stands behind Maya with a relieved look upon his face. Shawn mouths 'thank you' to Josh and in turn Josh smiles and nods. Maya lifts her head , "can we go see her," she asks.

"Of course we can," he says grabbing her hand as they walk towards the double doors.

"Um, sir," a nurse states at Josh who is just a couple of steps behind Shawn and Maya, "only family is allowed in patient rooms."

Father and daughter look over to Josh, who is standing awkwardly behind them. Then, with a stern face Shawn turns to the nurse and says, "he is family."

Maya spins on one heel and walks over to Josh. Smiling she sticks out her hand and with a stuffy nose from crying breathes in through her mouth and firmly states, "yea, he's family."

Josh grins widely as he grabs the petite hand in front of him. He stares at her red sullen eyes and again squeezes her small hand. He looks over at Shawn and mouths 'thank you'. Shawn smiles and nods in response then leads the pair to where his wife lay resting.

As they approach the room, Maya can't help but to think how angelic her mom appears with her eyes closed and hands resting upon her belly. Quietly, they make their way inside, surrounding the bed. Shawn tenderly brushes the top of Katy's forehead before softly kissing it. He leaves his palm on the side of her face. She smiles into his warmth and love, placing her hand over his.

"You've got some visitors," he whispers.

Katy opens her eyes, kissing her husband's hand before facing her daughter. Her eyes glisten, filling Maya with love only a mother can give. Tears begin to fill Maya's eyes.

"You're ok?" Maya asks.

"I'm ok, baby girl," responds Katy.

Maya slowly let's out a long breathe through pursed lips. Still holding her hand, Josh gives her a squeeze and this time she squeezes it back, looking at him with a smile that silently lets him know she's ok.

Catching the moment, Katy indiscreetly let's out an AHEM. Maya immediately snaps her attention back to her mother. Maya stares as Katy's syes shift from her, to Josh, to their still intertwined hands, and finally starting back at her. A smug smile appears on Katy's face as she moves her eyebrows up and down.

Maya rolls her eyes at the gesture then releases Josh's hand and says with a slight laugh, "o yea, I think you're doing just fine." Then she leans over her mom to give her hug, "just don't scare me like that again," she adds.

"I'm sorry about that, honey," Katy starts, "and to you too Josh. I didn't mean to wake everyone up at 3AM on Thanksgiving day."

"It's no problem Mrs. Hunter. We're all just really happy to see that both you and the baby are safe."

"Thank you, Josh," responds Katy, "you really are a great kid who is turning into a wonderful man. But, honestly, you have to stop calling Mrs.Hunter. Just call me Katy."

"Right. Sorry Mrs. Hun. I mean Katy," Josh stumbles out his mouth. "I guess it'll just take me a bit to get used to."

"No it's ok," Katy says as she turns to Maya and quietly adds, "besides he'll have to end up getting used to calling me mom anyway." She ends with a smile and wink to her daughter.

"Okay!" Maya says hurriedly. "Back to more important things. What did the doctor say?"

"Well," Shawn says, "your mother has mild-preeclampsia. It's nothing serious, but that's what is causing her swelling and headaches."

"Is the baby ok?" Josh asks.

"Yea baby is fine," Katy says while rubbing her belly.

"But," interrupts Shawn, "the doctor is putting her on bed rest for the time being. So no more working at the bakery," he says turning to his wife.

"Wha. Shawn. This is the busiest season for Topanga's, I can at least…"

Shawn interrupts his wife with a shake of his head and a slowly mouthed 'no'.

"Shawns right, mom. You and my little sister need to rest."

Maya holds up her finger as she sees her mom wanting to object.

She continues, "so, until the doctor says you are a-ok to be back at the bakery, I will be working some shifts after school starting Monday."

She sits next to her mom and gently grabs her hand. "Really mom. It's no big deal, let me take care of you for once."

Katy looks up at her maturing daughter and smiles with pride. "well, now how did I get so lucky in life. I love you, baby girl."

"I love you too, Mom," Maya smiles. "Besides," she says continuing to look at her mom, "Josh, here, will help out too."

At the same moment Shawn, Katy, and Maya look over with hopeful looks to Josh. He laughs at their reaction thinking what a family they've become.

"Of course, I'll help," says Josh, "I'd be happy too."

"Thank you, Josh," Katy says as a yawn escapes her lips.

"Alright," Shawn states as he looks at his watch, "it's 7AM, and I think all of us need some sleep. Why don't you two kids go back to the apartment and get some shut eye. The doctor wants to monitor your mom a little longer, so we probably won't be home until later."

Maya playfully snores while resting her head on her mother. "Can't go," she says between snores, "already sleeping."

Katy laughs at her daughter's antics. Another yawn escapes her lips, "ok, my husband is correct. I think it's best if we get some sleep."

"Fine," Maya states. "I love you," she says to her mom.

"I love you, too."

Maya gets up from the bed and makes her way to Shawn. She gives him a hug goodbye and says, "call me if anything changes."

"I will," he says giving her a hug back, "get some rest. We'll see you later"

Josh opens the door for Maya, waving goodbye to Shawn and Katy as they walk out the room. They continue to walk in silence until they reach outside.

"Hey," Maya utters looking up at Josh, "thank you again. You know, for everything. It's nice…" she says looking at the ground, "knowing I have someone to count on."

Josh smiles, then lifts her head with his hand, "I will always be here for you."

Mayas heart begins to quicken. "yea, I'm beginning to realize that."

Both stare, trying to figure out what to do next. What they want to do next. Their bubble popped by the sound of a horn and a man yelling to get out of the way.

Laughing as they move Josh asks, "so back to the apartment?"

"I don't think I can go back there right now and not remember how scary this morning was."

"Alright, then what should we do," Josh says looking up to the sky.

"I don't know. Something," she pauses briefly, "something that'll get these thoughts out of my mind."

Josh turns to Maya who's face stroo with emotions of tiredness, stress, and relief all at once.

"Maya, the doctor said your mom is fine."

"I know. I know that. I just… it was scary. I've practically lost one parent. I can never lose her too."

Quickly Josh pulls her into his arms and they stay wrapped in each other's warmth for a few moments.

"Sorry," Maya says pulling away, "I have no idea where that came from."

"No, its ok, Maya. You know I'm always here if you want to talk.. literally about anything," he says with a small laugh and smile.

"I know that, Josh. And thank you."

"Sooo…" he says as silence ensues again.

"So, what?"

"So what do you want to do," he asks laughing.

"Riiiigghhttt. Still no idea."

Josh thinks briefly. Then a sly grin emits from his face, "come on," he says as grabs her hand.

"Joshua Mathews, where are we going," she shouts happily as he pulls her into a jog.

He stops abruptly.

"Do you trust me," he asks staring into her blue eyes.

"Well, I was starting to, but now I'm not so sure," she says with a joking attitude.

Josh gives her a 'come on' stare as she retracts her statement, "ok, fine. Yes, Josh, I trust you."

His boyish grin returns as he once again grabs her hand bringing her to a jog.

"Seriously?! You're not going to tell me," she yells behind him.

He turns to her, jogging backwards.

"Nope," he smiles, "it's a surprise."

Then he faces forward, grabs her hand, and picks up their speed; leaving Maya to shake her head in laughter, sure she'd go anywhere to where Joshua Matthews may lead.