A/N: Wow, I'm really happy you all seem to be enjoying my story so far. Here is the next chapter – the second part of the holidays. Feel free to leave a review and let me know what you think :)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Girl Meets World characters.

Piece by Piece

Piece by piece he filled the holes

"Piece by piece he filled the holes that you burned in me at

Six years old and you know"

"I love this movie," Cory gushed as the end credits to 'The Santa Clause' started. "And you know what we should watch next?"

"The Santa Clause 2?" his whole family groaned.

"Oh, come on, you're no fun!" Cory pouted and cuddled up to his wife.

"I'll put the DVD in," Josh offered as he stood up from his place next to Maya. The two of them had somehow gravitated towards each other during the movie. A fact Maya only came to realize when his warmth was suddenly gone. She watched the older boy walk over to the TV up until Riley shoved her from the side.

"Riley!" Maya hissed. "What's the matter with you?"

"You're not going to be my aunt," Riley repeated her words from before sternly. However, the brunette couldn't help but smile at the end of the statement. "That would just be too weird."

"No promises, honey," Maya teased and a panicked look spread across Riley's face. The brunette was just about to reply something but was interrupted by Shawn.

"So, listen," Shawn started. Maya turned her head to look at him and – if she wasn't completely mistaken – he and her Mom were sitting a lot closer together than before the movie as well. Huh. "I have an assignment this weekend. It's weekend trip to Columbia County, Upstate New York. It's beautiful up there."

"That's really great. But we're gonna miss you, Shawn," Cory said sadly. The others nodded in agreement

"Well, maybe not. Cause I was thinking, maybe you might wanna come?" Shawn looked at Riley with a questioning look. The brunette gave him an encouraging smile.

"All of us?" Auggie asked curiously. The little boy had had his head in his sister's lap during the movie and was now slowly sitting up.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Shawn smiled at both kids. The two elder Matthews declined the invitation politely, saying that they had a previous engagement back home in Philadelphia.

"You know," Riley said suddenly.

"Here it comes," Cory whispered to Topanga.

"I never go anywhere without my best friend," Riley clarified and Maya perked up.

"Yeah," Topanga agreed. "That's not a bad way to grow up."

"So, maybe you'd like to invite Maya?" Riley suggested with a pointed look to Shawn.

"Oh, you mean her?" Shawn teased. "What do you say, kid? You wanna come?"

"Yeah," Maya nodded with a small smile before glancing at Josh, who was still sitting in front of the TV. "You're invited, too." She shot him her biggest smile.

The older boy chuckled. "Cool," he agreed with a small smile.

"Oh boy," Riley sighed nervously.

"Better get ready to call me Aunty Peaches, honey," Maya teased in a southern bell voice and Riley covered her ears with her hands.

"I can't hear you," she started singing and everyone laughed.

Once they had all calmed down, Shawn turned to Katy with a smile. "You're invited as well, of course."

"Thank you, Shawn. That's really nice of you," Katy said. Shawn perked up but Maya was familiar with that particular tone. She knew what came next. "I'll see if I can change shifts, but I probably have to work this weekend."

"You know what, I'll just book enough rooms for all of us and you'll just see if you can make it," Shawn offered. "No pressure."

"You don't have to do that, I wouldn't want you to waste the money," Katy protested.

"I know I don't have to. But I want to." Shawn gave Maya a smile. The blonde almost teared up once more hearing those words – so similar to the one's he had said to her earlier that day. Shawn really was a good guy.

"Okay then," Katy relented. A small smile spreading across her face. "I'll see what I can do."

"Looking forward to it." Shawn grinned and Katy blushed.

"Okay, you two. Stop flirting." Cory laughed. "Let's watch the second movie."

"Ugh," Topanga groaned at her husband's poor timing. She was really happy that Shawn and Maya seemed to get along.

"On it, my brother." Josh took the remote and set back down next to Maya.

"My brother," Cory replied.

Shawn tousled Josh's hair and Katy hugged Maya from behind. "I think I could get used to this kind of Christmas. What do you say, baby girl?"

Maya looked through the room that had all the people she loved most in the world inside it. "You know what, Mom? I think I could, too."

Sadly, Katy hadn't been able to change shifts. Maya wasn't really surprised but Katy took it especially hard this time and Maya had an inkling what the reason for this was. Or rather who.

"My God! How come all these women are knocked up at the same time," Katy ranted about her co-workers while getting dressed. Maya was sitting on her mother's bed, packed and ready to go. She watched her mother with an amused smile. She knew Katy didn't really mean it; her mother was just sad she couldn't come on the trip. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I love babies. But all of them pregnant at once? How is that even possible?"

"Well, Mom. I guess it's time I explained something to you," Maya started. "You see, when a man and a woman love each other very much …"

"Maya!" Katy exclaimed and burst out laughing.

"What, Mom?" the girl asked innocently.

"Ugh." The older woman took a deep breath. "I guess I did overreact for a moment there."

"Just a tad." Maya grinned.

"Okay, that crazy lady is gone now," Katy assured her. "Your Mom's back in her place."

"Oh great, the other crazy lady," Maya teased.

"Don't hide it, baby girl," Katy played along. "You love me."

"Of course, I do," Maya said earnestly.

"Good, because I love you too." Katy hugged the girl and kissed the top of her head. "You have fun on this trip for both of us, okay."

"I'll try my best. But it won't be the same without you," Maya admitted. "And I think there just might be someone else sharing my opinion."

"What exactly are you implying, oh daughter of mine?" Katy asked.

"Oh nothing. Just that there seemed to be a certain handsome man about your age, who was really looking forward to spending the weekend with you," Maya teased.

"Maya," Katy warned. "No playing matchmaker, you understand me?"

"But you like him?" Maya asked.

"I don't know him," Katy argued. "Yes, he seemed like a nice guy and I know you really like him, but I hardly know the guy."

"But you could like him?" Maya tried again.

"I don't know, Maya." Katy couldn't meet her daughter's eyes. "Maybe."

"That's all I need for now." Maya grinned. "Inquisition officially over."

"Thank God!" Katy exclaimed. "Now let's get you to the Matthews. I don't want you to be late."

"Looking forward to seeing someone again, are we now?" Maya couldn't help herself.

"Maya!" Katy warned.

"I'm already out the door!"

Katy and Maya arrived at the Matthews' apartment and rang the bell. "Shawn?" Cory called excitedly through the speaker.

"Maya!"

"And Katy!"

"Shawn?" Cory tried again.

"Oh, come on now, Mr. Matthews. I'm beginning to think you like him more than us," Maya joked as Cory let them in. The two girls made their way up the stairs with Maya's luggage and stepped into the apartment. Both of them were surprised to see Shawn standing there grinning at them along with Cory.

"Why did you ask for him if he was already here?" Maya asked confused.

"You're fun to play with," Cory teased as he hugged Maya from the side.

"Touché, Mr. Matthews." Maya grinned as Shawn hugged her from the other side making her a Maya-sandwich.

"Hey again, kiddo."

"Hi again, Shawn." Maya grinned at the older man.

"And hey again, Katy." Shawn turned to her mother. "I'm really glad you could make … wait, why are you wearing a name tag … and an outfit that looks very much like a waitress'? Oh no, don't tell me?"

"I'm sorry, Shawn," Katy said earnestly. "I really tried but I have to work. It seems I'm the only one of my co-workers who isn't knocked up." Cory's eyes almost fell out at her mother's bluntness, but Maya just burst out laughing.

"Well, maybe you should change that," Shawn suggested without thinking.

"What? Being not knocked up?" Katy asked with raised eyebrows.

"Um …" Shawn suddenly blushed, realizing just what he had implied.

"Because I'm missing something for that," Katy pointed out, amused at the man's embarrassment.

"What?" Shawn asked confused.

"A man." Katy laughed and Shawn blushed even more.

"Oh …" he said. "Well …"

Cory and Maya had been watching the interaction as if it were a tennis match. Maya was pretty certain that whatever Shawn wanted to say would not be helping him in any way, so she decided to put him out of his misery by jumping in herself. "Should I give him the talk, too, Mom?" Maya asked innocently. Well, she'd help him a little bit at least. The girl was just having too much fun. Cory burst out laughing as Katy and Shawn's eyes went wide.

Luckily, the adults were saved from having to respond by the arrival of the next Matthews family member. "Hey family!" Josh called as he entered the apartment, completely oblivious to the weird situation the others were currently in.

"My brother!" Cory called as he went over to greet the boy.

"My brother!" Shawn quickly followed him, happy about the distraction. Maya giggled and Katy shot her daughter a warning look. Maya just shrugged in response and gave her Mom an innocent smile.

"My brothers!" Josh got a hug from both older men and grinned happily.

"Maya, Miss Hart," he greeted politely.

"Hi Josh." Maya waved and smiled.

"Josh, it's nice to see you again," Katy said. "And please, it's Katy." The boy nodded at her with a charming smile.

"Joshie!" Auggie's voice came from somewhere behind them.

"Auggie!" Josh rushed towards the little boy, who had just entered the room along with his mother and sister. Both women were carrying a buttload of suitcases.

"Good to see you, Josh," Topanga said. "Cory! A little help here."

"Coming," Cory called and headed over to his wife.

Maya walked over to her best friend and greeted her with a hug. "Hey Riles!"

"Hi Aunty Peaches," Riley teased. Maya and Topanga burst out laughing while Josh – hearing his niece's comment – was so startled, he almost dropped Auggie.

"Joshie," Auggie complained. "What are you doing?"

"Sorry, little buddy," Josh said. "I just got distracted." The older boy looked at Maya with an unreadable expression. Maya – not knowing what else to do – shot him an apologetic smile and a shrug. Josh's face immediately lit up and he winked at the blonde.

"I'm sorry, guys," Katy started suddenly. "I don't want to break up the party, but I really have to go now."

"You sure you can't come?" Topanga asked her good friend with a sad smile.

"I'm afraid so," Katy said just as Shawn approached her. The others gave the two of them a little bit of space while still making sure they could hear what they were saying.

"It really is too bad you can't join us," Shawn said with a sad expression on his face. "You'll just have to come next time."

"Next time?" Katy asked.

"Next time?" everyone else echoed.

"Hello! Private conversation!" Shawn complained while rolling his eyes. Katy just chuckled because while none of the others looked even the least bit apologetic. "Yeah, next time. If you want."

"Next time." Katy nodded. "Sounds good."

"I'll hold you to it," Shawn said jokingly. He hesitated for a second before leaning in and giving the blonde a hug. "Have a good day at work."

"Have a nice trip." Katy smiled as she pulled away and turned to her daughter. "Come here."

"I'll miss you, Mom." Maya hugged her mother tightly.

"I'll miss you, too. I'll call you when I get off from work," Katy promised; she said goodbye to the Matthews family before heading for the door. "See you in two days!" And with that, she left.

There was a moment of silence before Topanga clapped her hands together. "Okay, guys. Let's get going. We rented a van, it's downstairs. We'll just have to get all the luggage down and then we can head off."

Arriving at their destination shortly before lunch time, they decided to get a bite to eat before officially starting their exploration of Columbia County. The plan was to visit an art gallery and go for a short hike today to get them started. Tomorrow, they had a very busy schedule in order to hit all of the spots Shawn wanted to see and write about.

Remembering that Maya loved art and was a great artist herself, Shawn had made sure to plan a stop at a local art gallery during their trip. As luck would have it, it even was their first stop. While they all had to admit that there was some breathtaking artwork displayed, no one was even close to being as enthralled by them as Maya. Seeing the teenager's eyes lit up with joy whilst talking animatedly to one of the artists warmed Shawn's heart. And seeing a glint of jealousy in Josh's as the boy kept a watchful eye on Maya and the – admittedly – young and handsome artist made Shawn have some very mixed feelings: on the one hand, Shawn wasn't blind and there was nothing he rather did than tease the youngest Matthews boy (after all, it was the first thing he had done when he saw them together); on the other hand, he could feel a new protective feeling towards Maya starting to build up inside of him and it scared the heck out of the guy. He was becoming very fond of the girl and these feelings were a bit overwhelming for someone who had been on his own for the last almost fifteen years.

After finally being able to pry Maya away from the art gallery – Josh had taken it upon herself to get her away from the artist – their group had set off on their hike. Since it was still the middle of winter, they had decided to just walk a short trail around a big lake. Although it was rather short, it definitely wasn't disappointing. Snow was covering the trees around the lake which was covered a layer of ice itself. When they had finished about half of the trail it even started to snow and the landscape around them actually turned into a Winter Wonderland.

Shawn and Cory, of course, had to start a snowball fight and everybody else quickly chimed in. They divided themselves up into teams – the boys against the girls – and the war started. Cory took off and chased after his daughter, snowball at the ready when he received one in the back himself – courtesy of no one other than his dear wife. Riley meanwhile took after her little brother who in turn ran away from her squealing in delight. This left Maya at the Mercy of both Shawn and Josh. Shawn took off towards the girl first but was quickly hit by another one of Topanga's snowballs. Riley's mother had positioned herself at a very advantageous spot and took turns throwing snowballs at her husband and Shawn, all the while looking like she was having the time of her life. Now it was just Maya and Josh; the two teenagers were standing opposite each other – just like cowboys in one of those old Western movies. As if on cue both of them took off. Chasing each other through the forest, the only things the others could hear from the two teenagers were delighted giggles and deep laughter. Nobody knew exactly who was in the lead to win of those two when they both came bursting out onto the clearing where the rest of their group was already sitting in the snow, exhausted but totally happy. All they could see was the two of them stumbling and falling to the ground in a tangled heap.

"I must say, Boing, I am shocked," Maya said completely out of breath, lying on top of Josh. "If you wanted to cuddle, all you had to do was ask. No need to tackle me to the ground."

"Well, Gorgeous." Josh sounded just as out of breath as she was. "I think you have things backwards here. Because, judging from our positions, it is a way more likely story that you were the one to tackle me."

"I don't hear you denying you wanting to cuddle," Maya teased, enjoying the fact that Josh was playing along.

"How could I ever deny that?" Josh asked. Maya's heart skipped a beat; at least, until she saw the smirk making his way across Josh's face.

She shoved him playfully and giggled. "Idiot!"

Josh laughed as well before sobering up. "Maya, you do know, I'm too old for you?" he asked.

"I do know that, Josh," Maya said. "But I'm beginning to think that hope isn't necessarily for suckers. So, you never know." And without waiting for Josh to say something, Maya jumped up and held her hand out to him. The boy just shook his head but grabbed the girl's hand, nonetheless.

"You guys okay?" Topanga asked as they rejoined the group. Cory was eyeing the two teenagers skeptically while Shawn was glaring daggers at Josh.

"We're fine," Josh said, smiling at Maya.

"Yup, just a teeny tiny bit covered in snow," Maya added. The girl shook her head to get the snowflakes out of her hair.

"You know what would be really fun right about now?" Riley asked suddenly.

"What, honey?" Topanga asked.

"Ice skating!" Riley exclaimed and Maya's heart dropped.

"Yay!" Auggie added.

"You're right, sweety. That would be nice," Cory said in a weird voice. Seemed like he had something planned. "But I don't know if there's an ice rink somewhere near here."

"Well, then I guess it's lucky that I had already planned of surprising you guys with a trip to an ice rink right around the corner from here for when we finished our trail," Shawn said looking.

"How did you know?" Riley asked with wide eyes.

"A little birdie told me you guys loved ice skating." Shawn shrugged.

"Hey, I'm not a little birdie!" Cory argued scandalized. "But yeah, the idea came from me."

"Thanks, Daddy," Riley gave her father a hug.

"Thanks, Uncle Shawn," Auggie did the same with Shawn. Both men had the biggest smiles on their faces.

And that's how, a little while later, the blonde found herself sitting on a bench, strapping on her skates, while the rest of her group was already ready and anxious to get out on the ice.

"Are you ready, Peaches?" her best friend asked impatiently.

"I need another minute, Riles. Why don't you guys go on ahead," Maya suggested. "I think these skates are too big. I'll just get some in a smaller size."

"You sure?" Riley asked.

"Positive," Maya assured. "I'll catch up with you guys as soon as I'm finished."

"Okay then." Riley nodded, grabbed her little brother's and stepped on the ice. They took a few tentative steps before shooting each other mischievous grins and taking off at a mad speed. Cory and Topanga followed – also hand in hand – in a much slower pace while smiling adoringly at their children.

Josh lingered for a while. "You sure everything's okay, Maya?" he asked.

"Everything's peachy, Boing." Maya grinned at the boy and stood up. "I'm gonna get myself some new skates. See you out there."

"Okay, see you in a few," the boy replied skeptically but took off as well.

As soon as they all were out of sight, Maya let herself fall back down on the bench. There was no problem with her skates, they fit perfectly. There was something else bothering her. She had never skated before. And yes, she could have just said so. But everybody was so excited and each time she tried to mention it, someone interrupted her. And now, the blonde was just sitting there, desperately thinking about how she could get out of this awkward situation. Oh hell, she should just stand up and tell them. But something kept her from doing that. She didn't want to ruin their fun by slowing them down because someone had to help her out. They all looked so happy out there. So, Maya opted to just sit here for the time being. She would figure something out later on. Or at least that was the plan.

"Hey there, kiddo!" Shawn called as he headed towards her. The older man had gotten a phone call and stepped out for a while. Now, he sat down next to her and put on his own skates. "What are you still doing here? You're missing all the fun."

"Oh, you know …" Maya trailed off, not knowing what else to say.

"Oh," Shawn replied. "What's wrong Maya? You can tell me."

"It's just …" Maya took a deep breath. Now was her chance. "I don't know how to skate."

"Oh, that's it?" Maya nodded, a bit embarrassed for making such a big deal about it. "Phew, I can work with that. Come on, I'll teach you." Shawn held out his hand to the blonde and she took it.

This was one thing she really liked about Shawn. Almost every other person would have asked a lot of questions at this point: Why hadn't she said something? How come she had never learned it? Questions she wouldn't have been able to answer because she didn't know herself. But Shawn didn't. Not because he didn't care; but rather because he didn't want to push. He knew, if Maya wanted to tell him, she would.

"You're a really great guy, Shawn. You know that?" Maya asked as she gave the man a hug, wobbling a bit on her skates.

"There's word on the street," Shawn joked. "Now come on, we'll have you doing pirouettes and jumping triple axels in not time."

Well, at least they tried. Shawn went on the ice first and held his hand out for Maya, so she had something to hold onto as she took her first tentative steps. She was surprised how easy it seemed to be. However, just as the blonde looked up at Shawn, a smile spreading across her face, one of her feet slipped and she crashed to the floor, resembling Bambi from the Disney movie.

"You okay, there, kiddo?" Shawn asked concerned.

The blonde blew a lock of hair out of her face and shook her head while starting to laugh. "Well, I think I'd better start with walking before attempting any jumps or spins."

"That's the spirit." Shawn grinned and helped the girl up.

With her concentration now fully on her feet and holding on to Shawn tightly, Maya slowly but surely got the hang of it. Eventually, she even did a few laps with the help of Riley and then Josh to give Shawn a short break. However, she was glad when he came back because the man had a way of calming Maya down and making her feel confident. Skating was much easier with him by her side.

In the end, Maya managed to skate a whole lap completely on her own with no help from anyone. She was beside herself with happiness as she completed her round and skated towards Shawn, who was waiting for her with a proud smile on his face.

"Did you see that?" she called to him, now only a couple of meters away and beside herself with joy. "I did it!"

"You did wonderful, kiddo!" Shawn yelled back. "I'm really proud of you!" Maya's eyes filled with tears – happy tears. That was until she realized something.

"Um, how do I stop again?" she asked with a panicked voice.

Shawn laughed. "Just head straight for me. I've got this."

"Okay." Before she could even finish the word, Maya was already skating straight into Shawn.

"Uff," the man let out. Yup, he had definitely misjudged the force of the impact because the next thing he knew, he was lying on the ice with Maya on top of him.

"Yeah, you got this," Maya teased as she rolled off of him. "You okay?"

"I'm fine." Shawn laughed. "We'll work on stopping next time."

"Great idea," Maya agreed. "So, next time?"

"Yeah, next time." They stood up laughing as a couple skated up to them.

"Sir? Are you two alright?" the man asked concerned.

"We're completely fine, aren't we, Maya?" Shawn said.

"Yeah, we are." Maya agreed with a bright smile. "Thank you."

"I'm glad." The man smiled. "Makes me think back to when I taught our daughter how to ice skate," he said wistfully. Maya's eyes went wide and Shawn shot her a nervous look. Before they could reply anything, however, the man and the woman said their goodbyes and skated off again.

"Well, I guess we resemble a father teaching his daughter how to ice skate," Shawn tried to lighten the mood as he scratched his neck nervously.

"Y … yeah," Maya stuttered, not quite able to meet his eyes. "I guess we did." She paused for a moment before looking up at the man. "You're gonna make a great Dad someday, Shawn."

"Thank you," Shawn started. "And I'll count myself lucky if, one day, I get a daughter who is half as great as you are, Maya." Maya blushed and Shawn gave her a side hug. "What do you say, kiddo? Should we go get the others and head to the hotel?"

"Good idea, I'm freezing," Maya agreed. "And some hot chocolate would be great right about now."

"You read my mind." Shawn grinned. "Let's go."

Later that evening, Maya was sitting in the room she shared with Riley and Auggie when her phone started ringing. She scrambled up from the bed and raced towards her bag to grab it. "Hey Mom!"

"Hey baby girl!" Katy greeted her. The woman sounded exhausted but also very happy to hear her daughter's voice. "So, tell me. How was your day."

"Oh Mom, it was great!" Maya gushed and Katy's heart welled up. She hadn't heard her daughter this happy in a long time. "But I missed you – we all did. You really have to come next time!"

"Next time?" Katy asked. "So, there really is going to be a next time?"

"Yeah, Shawn said my ice-skating skills need some more improvement." Maya giggled.

"You went ice-skating?" Katy asked. Just like her daughter, the blonde woman had never been to an ice rink.

"Yeah, Shawn taught me," Maya explained and Katy's jaw dropped. This man just kept on surprising her. "Oh, Mom I have so much to tell you. Do you want to hear it? Or are you too tired? God, I'm an idiot! You've been working all day. You must be exhausted. Would you rather go to bed?" Maya rambled on.

"Maya!" Katy grinned as she made herself comfortable on the couch. No matter how exhausted she was at the moment, there was nothing she would rather do than talk to her daughter. "I want to here everything about your day. And leave nothing out!"