A/N: Phew, chapter 15 is finally finished. It includes a little time jump and turned out to be really long because there were a lot of things I wanted to include in it. I even thought about splitting it for a while, but since all little plotlines were connected, that didn't make sense. So, here it is. Once again, thank you for all of your nice feedback and I'm really curious to know how you like this chapter. So, as always, 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
He'll never walk away
"He'll never walk away/He'll never break her heart
He'll take care of things, he'll love her"
Shawn Hunter never had the easiest life. His biological mother had left him when he was just a baby and his stepmother had taken off – several times – during the time he grew up. His father, albeit a tad more constant, hadn't been around much either. One of the men he had looked upon as a father figure had been involved in a terrible accident and had had to go a long way to get back up on his feet. His first serious girlfriend had taken off as well and was now happily married. The only constant in his life had been his best friends Cory and Topanga and the Matthews family. However, life had intervened there as well, causing Cory and Shawn to drift apart for a while. Even before their reconciliation – caused by Cory's meddling daughter Riley – he still had been a frequent visitor with the elder Matthews and their youngest son Josh, but most of his time had been spent on the road – alone.
Never, not even for one second, would Shawn have dared to imagine how his life had turned out in the end. Because, from his perspective, things couldn't get any more perfect than they were right now: he had a beautiful wife, an amazing daughter, and another baby Hunter was on the way. He finally had it – the whole package.
But not only was he thankful for his new little family, he was also glad to see that his friends and "extended" family were finally all back in his life. His and Cory's relationship was stronger than ever before and the two best friends spent a lot of evenings together, often accompanied by their wives. The rest of the Matthews clan were regular guests at either the Matthews' or the Hunters' apartment and even his brother Jack stopped by at times, so there was never a dull weekend. Shawn was also happy to say that he had regained his relationship with his former teacher and father figure, Jonathan Turner. Ever since they had met while Shawn was thinking about adopting Maya and Jon's appearance at the big wedding a short while later, the older man made sure to stop by the Hunters for dinner on a regular basis. He got along great with both Katy and Maya and was really excited to finally meet the newest addition to the Hunter family.
Shawn could hardly believe that there were now only two weeks until Katy's due date. The nursery was completely finished and Shawn could never walk by the room without taking a peek inside. A big grin would spread across his face each time he saw the room his and Katy's baby would grow up in. The two of them had decided against finding out about the baby's sex – driving a very curious Maya completely crazy in the process. The blonde was dying to find out, but neither one of her parents would budge.
Even though he would never admit it to anyone – except Katy, of course – Shawn was beginning to come to terms with his daughter dating the youngest Matthews boy. He could see the look the two teenagers shared and their eyes light up whenever the other one was in sight or just being mentioned in conversation. He loved seeing his little girl so happy and knew that Josh had a big part in causing that.
Now, that didn't mean that Shawn was going any easier on the two of them. He kept on teasing and acting as the overprotective Dad he was any chance he got. Every time he watched his little girl go off on a date – be that just the two teenagers or them doubling with Riley and Farkle – Shawn couldn't help but worry. He knew how teenage boys were – he used to be one, for crying out loud. And the thought of Maya dating a younger version of himself … well, let's just say, Shawn didn't really want to think about that. He had talked to Cory on multiple occasions about it – his best friend was feeling the exact same way about his own daughter going off on dates with her boyfriend. However, both Dads had been forced to admit that they respective daughters had gotten really lucky with who they chose to be their first boyfriends. They had known Farkle and Josh since they were little children and both Dads liked them a lot. They were good guys, but Shawn guessed that worrying just came with his newly acquainted role as Maya's father.
Shawn Hunter had always known how to get out of anything. For the first time, however, he didn't want to get out. Yes, things weren't always easy. Neither him, nor Katy were perfect; they were both stubborn and had a mind of their own. It came as no surprise to anyone, when they had their first fight. But they loved each other, so their fights never lasted too long. And as happy as Maya was about her little sibling, those insecurities she had shown Shawn during their talk at the diner a few months ago, were the blonde's constant companion. She was beginning to put them behind her, but she still had a long way to go. However, both Shawn and Katy played a huge role in helping her overcome her fears. So, things weren't really perfect – but be honest, when were they ever. For Shawn, they were – that's all that counted. And things were about to get even closer to being perfect. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Before we get into that, we should check in with Maya and see how our favorite blonde is doing, shouldn't we? I thought so, let's shall!
Three high schoolers were currently walking into Greenwich Hall. Two of the three were casually strolling along the halls while their third companion was positively bubbly and bouncing around with excitement. "Ah, college," Riley Matthews mused after calming down a little bit. "Such fond and wonderful memories."
"Sure, Honey," her best friend Maya Hunter assured the brunette with a bright smile. "You tell her," she hissed to Riley's boyfriend Farkle Minkus, making sure that Riley didn't hear. However, she needn't have worried because Riley was too busy taking in her surroundings.
"No, you tell her," Farkle insisted.
"No way!" Maya insisted.
"Yes way!" Farkle whisper yelled. "I told her last time."
"When?" Maya inquired. "What?"
"Well, I don't know," Farkle admitted. "Last time! It's your turn!"
"Fine!" Maya exclaimed with raised hands. "Riley, Honey."
"Yes, Peaches," the brunette said, looking at her best friend with big, innocent eyes.
"You do remember that we're still in high school, don't you?" Maya asked carefully. "You haven't actually been to college. That's still a few years away."
"I do know that, Peaches." Riley smiled. "But we have been to college before," the brunette reminded her best friend.
"Oh Riles," Maya groaned, realizing just what Riley was referring to. "You're not talking about …"
"Gamma Gamma Nu!" Riley exclaimed and immediately a bunch of squealing sorority girls approached their little group. The college girls picked Riley up and carried her off.
"Riley!" Farkle called, panic evident in his voice.
Maya put a soothing hand on Farkle's arm. "I got this," she told the genius. "Bring her back!"
And immediately, the sorority girls brought a giggling Riley back over. "Yay! See you later, sisters!" the brunette exclaimed while turning back to her best friends. "See, those are the wonderful memories I was talking about."
"Oh boy." Maya shook her head, remembering the last college party Riley and she had attended back in middle school.
"Maya, what's Riley talking about?" Farkle asked, clearly confused by his girlfriend's strange behavior.
"Oh, nothing," Maya immediately said.
"Maya and I attended a college party back in middle school," Riley told her boyfriend, completely ignoring her best friend's earlier comment. "We tried to prevent Uncle Josh from falling under the spell of some pretty, smart college witches."
Farkle chuckled. "Of course, you did. And clearly you were quite successful in doing so." The boy shot the blonde a knowing smirk.
"Huh." Maya thought about that for a moment. "I've never looked at it like that." Similar to her father, Maya Hunter couldn't really complain as well: she finally had the family she always wanted – which was about to grow even more; she had great friends; and, for a few months now, she had the perfect boyfriend. After their third date, Josh had officially asked Maya to be his girlfriend and the girl had said yes. The two of them had been dating for a few months now and things were running very smooth.
"You're welcome." Farkle grinned and took a bow. "Thank you, I am Farkle." Both Maya and Riley burst out laughing upon seeing their best friend's old antics again. "Just because I don't do it very often, doesn't mean I can't."
"No, it doesn't," Maya agreed with a big grin. Riley just smiled and kissed her boyfriend firmly on the lips, succeeding in making the genius blush furiously. "Oh, come on, guys. Get a room," the blonde teased. It was just so cute to see the effect Riley still had on Farkle.
"Ry-Ry!" a college girl interrupted them. "You totally ditched us two years ago!"
"I was dealing with some stuff, Harriet," the brunette played along.
"Well, never mind then," Harriet immediately shrugged it off and a brilliant smile appeared on her face. "Guess what, you were just voted best friend to have – again."
"No way!" Riley cheered.
"Way!" the college girl exclaimed. "Gamma song?"
"Do you even have to ask?" Riley inquired. "We are the sisters of Gamma Gamma Nu. We are humble, but we're better than you. We help people everywhere, but we still love our hair. 'Cause we're Gamma Gamma Nu. Whoo!" the two girls sang while Maya and Farkle stood by with a slightly bemused and slightly confused expression respectively.
"Do I even want to know?" Farkle whispered to Maya.
"I think it's safer not to," Maya told her best friend.
"I'll take your word on that." Farkle grinned and Maya laughed out loud.
Riley and Harriet talked for a little while until the college girl excused herself to catch up with some friends. "I really love college!" Riley exclaimed.
"Yeah, yeah," Maya said with a warm smile and gave her best friend a side-hug. "Still a few years away, Honey."
"And it's gonna be so great!" Riley cheered. "Yay!" Upon seeing her best friends' less enthusiastic expressions, Riley put her hands on her hips and gave both of them a stern look. "Guys?"
Farkle and Maya rolled their eyes but decided to appease the brunette. "Yay!" they chorused.
"That's the spirit," Riley cheered and enveloped her best friends in a group hug.
"Alright," Farkle eventually said. "I'm gonna go get something to drink. You guys want anything?" The girls nodded and told the boy their preferences. "Good, I'll be right back."
"He's pretty handy," Maya told Riley. "Your boyfriend, that is."
The brunette looked after the genius with a loving expression on her face. "I know, I think I'll keep him around," she joked.
Maya chuckled. "You happy, Riles?"
A brilliant smile spread across the brunette's face. "Yeah, I really am."
"That's all I need to know," Maya said. "Team Farkle forever!"
Riley burst out laughing. "How about you, Peaches? Are you happy? Is my uncle treating you alright?"
Maya grinned. "Very happy, Riles."
"Then I'm happy, too." Riley smiled and the two girls hugged each other. "I missed this."
"What?" Maya inquired.
"Hanging out," Riley said. "You know, just the two of us."
"I know what you mean." Maya nodded. "I mean, we still see each other every day, but most of the time, either all of our friends or at least the guys are there, too. And I know I've been spending a lot of time with my parents as well."
"Exactly," Riley agreed. "Don't get me wrong, I love our friends and I'm so happy that Farkle and Josh get along. And seeing you so happy with Katy and Uncle Shawn makes me happy, too. But sometimes, I kind of miss the old days, when it was just you, me and the bay window."
"I agree 100%," Maya said. "You know what we need?"
"A puppy!" Riley cheered.
"No, not a puppy." Maya rolled her eyes and Riley pouted. "Fine, we'll talk to your parents about getting a puppy."
"Yay!" Riley cheered. "Little, fluffy puppy. Oh, it's gonna be so cute! I think I'll call him … Sparkles!"
Maya grinned upon seeing her best friend's enthusiasm. "But you know what we also need?" Riley opened her mouth to say something, but Maya quickly shushed her. "Rhetorical question, honey!" The brunette shut her mouth and nodded for her best friend to continue. "A day. Just the two of us. No boyfriends, no families, no friends. Just good old Riley and Maya bonding time."
Riley started clapping her hands together. "Yay!" she cheered. "That sounds amazing, Peaches! Tell me when and where and I'll be there."
The two girls excitedly started planning their Girl's Day when an unfamiliar voice interrupted them: "Excuse us." Riley and Maya turned to find themselves standing right across from two guys, seeming to be a little bit older. "We don't mean to interrupt, but you two seem to be having more fun than anyone else here."
"Really?" Maya asked with raised eyebrows and Riley just chuckled.
"Totally," the other guy said. "So, I turned to my buddy Jasper here and said 'Hey Jas. You see those two pretty girls over there? They seem to be having a really good time. Think we should go over and introduce ourselves?'"
"And I told him," Jasper jumped in. "'Dylan, we would be fools not to! It's not every day you see two girls as pretty as them.'" Both of them smiled brightly. "Anyway, then we walked over here, said Hi and here we are. I'm Jasper and that's my buddy Dylan. Mind if we join you two for a little bit?"
Riley, being the kind and friendly person that she always had been, immediately smiled warmly at the two guys. "Sure, you can," she said. "I'm Riley and this here is my best friend Maya."
"Hi," Maya added with an amused expression on her face.
"So, Riley and Maya," Dylan said. "What brings you two here? How do you know Andrew?"
"Oh, you know Josh Matthews?" Riley asked.
"Of course, we do," Jasper immediately jumped in. "Andrew's roommate."
"Great guy!" Dylan added enthusiastically and Maya had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing. Those two were a bit much, but in a really adorable way.
"Yeah, Josh is my uncle," Riley explained. "We met Andrew through him and he was kind enough to extend an invitation to his birthday party to little old us." And that was the truth. Josh had already known all of Maya's friends before they started dating and continued to hang out with the whole group. After dating a little while, Josh had introduced Maya to his group of friends from college. Well, not really introduced, Maya had known his best friends already from her and Riley's little visit two years ago. Anyway, she had re-met Andrew, Jasmine and Charlotte and the three college kids, remembering the blonde as well, had immediately accepted her as their friend. While re-meeting Jasmine and Charlotte had been very casual – they had met at Topanga's –, her and Andrew's re-meeting had actually been under really funny albeit a bit strange circumstances, but more on that later.
The guys' eyes budged out. "Uncle?" Jasper asked.
Riley and Maya shared a conspiratorial glance and both started giggling. "You're right, Riles," Maya said. "Never gets old." The blonde turned to the two guys. "Riley's father and Josh are almost twenty years apart."
"Ah," Dylan said.
"Sorry." Riley grinned sheepishly. "But people's reactions are always so funny."
"No problem." Jasper laughed.
"Yeah, we get it," Dylan agreed. "Anyway, I don't remember seeing you around here before. You go to another school?"
"You could say that." Maya smirked. "But my girl Riley here has already been appointed as an honorary member of Gamma Gamma Nu."
"Really?" Dylan asked.
"Fascinating," Jasper added.
The two girls smiled at each other. "You two are just too cute," Riley gushed.
The guys blushed and were probably about to say something else, when another person joined – or rather rejoined – their group. "Sorry, I took so long," Farkle apologized immediately. "But it took me forever to find the drinks and then there was a huge line. But anyway, here you go."
"Thanks, Farkle," Maya grinned and Riley thanked her boyfriend with a quick kiss. "Farkle, meet Dylan and Jasper. Guys, this is Riley's boyfriend, Farkle."
"Hi." Farkle gave the two college guys a friendly smile. "Nice to meet you guys."
"Hey," Jasper said.
"Nice to meet you, too," Dylan added. Both guys suddenly looked a bit dejected.
While Riley and Farkle struck up a conversation of their own, Maya talked a bit more with the two guys. "So, Maya," Jasper suddenly said, sounding a little too hopeful. "Do you have a boyfriend as well?"
Flattered, Maya gave the two boys a sheepish smile. "You remember Josh Matthews?"
"Oh no." Dylan grinned.
"Oh yes," Maya told them. "Sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry about," Jasper immediately assured her. "Josh is a great guy."
"And a really lucky one or so it seems," Dylan added.
Blushing a little bit, Maya averted her eyes to the ground for a moment before looking up again. "It still was really nice to meet you," she told them sincerely.
"Likewise." Jasper gave the girl a bright smile.
"Totally," Dylan added. "So, what do you say, Jas? Wanna go get a bite to eat?"
"I'm starving! Wanna come too, Maya?"
"I'm good," the blonde said. "But thanks for asking. I'll see you guys later."
"See you later, Maya. Bye Riley and Farkle," the college guys chorused and the three high-schoolers waved as they started to head towards the food table.
"Why is it that the cute girls are always taken?" they could hear Dylan muttering to Jasper.
"Don't ask me," Jasper told him and shrugged. "But Matthews and Farkle over there are two very lucky guys!"
"I'll say," was the last thing Maya, Riley and Farkle could hear Dylan say before their voices got lost in the crowd. The three of them had to bite their lips to keep themselves from laughing out loud.
"I think I'm gonna like college." Maya grinned as they watched the two guys disappear in the crowd completely.
"Need I remind you about a certain uncle of mine?" Riley teased.
"Oh, come on, Riley." Maya rolled her eyes. "You know Josh has nothing to worry about. Even Dylan and Jasper knew it. But you have to admit, this was kinda fun."
Riley hesitated for a moment before a big grin spread across her face. "Yeah, it kinda was."
The two girls giggled and Farkle just stood by and rolled his eyes. "Can't leave you two alone for two minutes, can I?"
Maya and Riley looked at each other before they burst out laughing again. "Nope!" they chorused.
"Oh boy." Farkle chuckled. "What have I gotten myself into here?"
"Aw," Riley said and went over to her boyfriend. "You love us. And you heard those two guys, you and Uncle Josh are two very lucky guys." She leaned over and kissed him.
A small blush once again spread across the boy's face. "Yeah, we are. And I do love you guys."
"Aw, and we love you, too," Maya joined in. She paused for a moment, thinking about her words. "But in very different ways."
Riley laughed and Farkle chuckled. "I wouldn't have it any other way," the boy said and enveloped both girls in a hug.
A little while later, their group was still searching for Andrew and Josh. Suddenly, a loud shriek caught their attention. "Maya! Riley!" they heard as two girls rushed towards them.
"Jasmine! Charlotte!" Riley and Maya called.
"You girls crashing a college party again?" Jasmine teased after their enthusiastic greeting, consisting of many hugs and much squealing, had commenced.
"Ugh," Maya groaned. "You're never gonna let me live this down, are you?"
Charlotte, Jasmine and Riley shared a conspiratorial glance. "Nope!" they chorused and succumbed to a fit of giggles.
"Farkle, a little help here," Maya said to the genius.
Farkle merely shrugged. "I'm not getting involved in this. I know when I'm outnumbered." The two of them chuckled at that. "I'm waiting until Josh and Andrew are here before intervening in anything."
"Probably a wise choice," Maya admitted. "Anyway, Jasmine and Charlotte, meet Riley's boyfriend, Farkle. Farkle, meet Jasmine and Charlotte."
"Hi Farkle." Charlotte smiled and gave the boy a hug.
"It's nice to finally meet you," Jasmine added and hugged him next. "Those two and Josh have told us so much about you, I feel like we already know you."
"I've heard a lot about you two as well," Farkle said. "Except for the part when you met Riley and Maya at a college party." A cheeky grin spread across the boy's face. "I'd love to hear more about that."
"Hey, I thought you wanted to stop intervening until the guy's showed up," Maya pointed out.
"Hush, Maya," Jasmine said.
"This isn't intervening," Charlotte added. "This is merely storytelling hour." And with that, the two college girls started recollecting that faithful night when they had met Riley and Maya two years ago.
While the three of them were occupied, Riley and Maya scanned the room to see if they could find either Andrew – the birthday boy they had yet to congratulate – or Josh. And, what did you know, it didn't take them long to find at least one of the two.
"Andrew!" the girls chorused excitedly as they saw the older guy approaching them. They took off and tackled him in a group hug.
"Well, if it ain't my favorite two high schoolers!" he greeted them with a brilliant smile. "I was beginning to think you guys had ditched me."
"No way!" Riley exclaimed before she started giggling. After re-meeting Andrew a couple of months ago when she had been to his and Josh's apartment in search of her uncle, she and Andrew had become very fast friends.
"You really think we would miss your birthday?" Maya asked, feigning being offended.
"Happy Birthday!" both girls chorused.
"Thanks, guys." A mischievous grin spread across Andrew's face. "So, tell me. You girls finally single again?" He looked at both of them with a hopeful smile.
Maya and Riley both burst out laughing. Andrew teasing and mock-flirting with them had become one of their little rituals. "Sorry, to disappoint, Drew," Maya told him and winked.
"Rats!" He grinned at them and the three walked over to where the rest of their little group was still recollecting the night of Riley and Maya's first college party. Maya was really happy to interrupt them and introduce Andrew to her good friend Farkle. The two guys seemed to hit it off immediately, both being glad to no longer be outnumbered by their female friends.
The party was in full swing and everyone seemed to be having a great time. Maya was too, but the blonde was slowly starting to get worried. They had been here for over an hour and there was still no sight off her boyfriend. She had discovered a text from him, apologizing for being late because he had to go out to get some things Andrew had forgotten … but that had been 45 minutes ago.
"Hey Andrew?" Maya decided to approach the older guy.
"Yeah Maya?" he asked.
"You have any idea where Josh is?" Maya inquired.
"Well, he offered to go grab some last-minute items someone … ahem … forgot." Andrew grinned sheepishly and Maya chuckled.
"Yeah, he texted me about that," Maya said.
"But he should be back by now." Andrew looked around the room – his height gave him a definitive advantage over Maya. Suddenly he froze and a panicked expression crossed his face.
Maya followed his gaze and, sure enough, there her boyfriend was. Talking to a tall, leggy redhead, who was a bit too touchy feely for both Maya and Andrew's taste. Josh didn't seem to be very comfortable either and Maya had to chuckle a bit at his annoyed expression. He was still carrying some grocery bags; apparently, he had just gotten back.
Andrew saw Maya looking in his direction and let out a yelp. He quickly covered Maya's eyes with his hands and turned her around. "Don't look, Maya! There's nothing to see!" he assured her before muttering under his breath. "I'm gonna kill Josh."
Maya chuckled and could hear her best friend addressing Andrew. "Ugh, Drew? What exactly are you doing there?"
"Just looking out for my favorite blonde here," Andrew told her. "And thinking about what the charges for murder are."
Maya decided that enough was enough. Andrew was very sweet to care, but she firmly swatted his hand away. "Calm down, Drew. We don't even know what's going on." She saw the rest of her little group looking in the direction she and Andrew had just come from and turned again as well. Andrew was just about to cover her eyes again, but she stopped him with her glare. He raised his hands defensively and gave her a sheepish smile. Maya giggled and gave the guy a side hug. In the little while she had known him, Andrew had become a sort of overprotective older brother to her. Yeah, as if she didn't have enough trouble with an overprotective Shawn and Cory already.
"Well, I'll be damned," Charlotte muttered.
"I'll say." Jasmine scrunched up her nose as she tried to get a better look at the read-head. "No!" she exclaimed. "That's Debby Reynolds!"
The name sounded eerily familiar in Maya's ears and suddenly everything clicked. "That's the girl from his class, isn't it? The one that has a thing for him and won't take no for an answer? The one he has to still be nice and polite to because they were partnered up for an important project?"
The three college students looked at Maya with wide eyes. "He told you?" Andrew asked, clearly baffled. And suddenly everything made sense. Him not wanting Maya to see Debby talking to Josh because, while he did know that Debby's feelings were completely one-sided, Josh still had to be nice and put up with her flirting because of their project. He didn't want Maya to get hurt.
Maya nodded. "Yeah, he did," she said. "He was starting to get a little freaked out because of all the attention she was showing him and needed someone to vent to."
"And you're not …?" Charlotte started, trying to find a fitting word.
"Jealous?" Jasmine supplied.
"Worried?" Riley tried.
"About to claw her eyes out?" Frakle added.
Maya gave them a curious look. "Why?" she asked. Her five friends didn't know how to respond to that. "Guys, look at them. Does it seem to you like Josh is even the least bit interested?" All six pairs of eyes turned towards a still squirming Josh and a still flirty Debby. "When he told me about a girl in one of his classes having a thing for him, I asked him straight out if I needed to be worried. He looked at me with wide eyes and assured me that there was no reason whatsoever for me to worry. That I was the only one he wanted to be with. And I believe him. So no, I'm not jealous or worried, nor am I about to go claw this girl's eyes out."
The other five were silent for a moment. "Huh," Farkle finally said. "Is that what they call open and honest communication?"
"Seems to be." Andrew nodded.
"You two could learn a thing or two from Josh," Charlotte told the guys. "It's always better to tell the truth rather than to let your girlfriend find out some other way."
"Totally right, Charlie." Jasmine nodded furiously. "Think about how things could have turned out tonight if Maya hadn't known about Debby."
"Way to go, Uncle Josh!" Riley cheered.
"I'll say," Andrew muttered. "Still, you're something else, Maya." He grinned at the blonde and Riley gave Maya a side hug. "You are acting in a very mature and reasonable way when it would have been totally understandable for you to freak out."
"Thanks, Drew," Maya said earnestly. "And I do appreciate you trying to protect me. You're a good guy."
"Aw," the three other girls chorused, causing Farkle to chuckle and Andrew to blush.
"You really still interested in my boy Matthews over there?" Andrew teased and Maya giggled. "Because there's word on the street that I'm a good guy, too."
Maya rolled her eyes. "Sorry, Andrew." Andrew groaned at that. "Not gonna work today either."
Andrew nodded, a mischievous glint evident in his eyes. "Someday," he said causing all six of them – being perfectly aware of the significance of this particular word – to burst out laughing.
"Ugh, guys," Riley said after they had all calmed down and gestured towards Josh and Debby. "Maybe somebody should go over and safe him. My favorite uncle is sadly too nice to tell her to get lost."
"Kinda reminds me of someone," Farkle teased and kissed his blushing girlfriend, causing Charlotte and Jasmine to gush at their cuteness.
"Yeah, alright," Andrew said and was about to go over there.
Maya, however, placed her hand on his arm to stop him. "I got this," she said and headed over. All five pairs of eyes were trained on her, curious to see what the blonde was about to do.
Debby was currently twirling her hair and talking to the brunette boy about God-knows-what while Josh stood there with a polite smile on his face. His expression, however, resembled the one of a deer caught in headlights. Maya, biting back the urge to chuckle at that, decided to come to her boyfriend's rescue. "Hey there, Handsome," she called once she was within earshot of the two college kids. "Finally decided to grace us with your presence, have you now?" she teased with a big grin on her face. Oh yeah, after being shy awkward messes during their first couple of dates, Maya and Josh were finally back to their usual flirty banter – Thank God!
Josh's eyes lit up the whole room at the sight of his girlfriend. The fact that she was saving him from his project partner was just the icing on top of the cake. He took two steps to close the distance between them and enveloped Maya in a bone-crushing hug. "Gorgeous!" he exclaimed. "I've missed you!"
Maya giggled. "Hate to break it to you, Josh, but if you don't loosen your grip a little, you'll probably have to get used to that feeling."
Josh loosened his grip a little, shooting the blonde a sheepish grin. Maya smiled up at him and, for a moment, it was as if those two were the only people in the whole room. Simultaneously, they both leaned in and their lips met in a tender kiss. "Sorry, I was late," Josh murmured after the two separated. "I blame Andrew."
Maya chuckled. "Aw, don't blame Drew," she told him. "It's his birthday!"
"Yeah, yeah," Josh muttered, taking a step back from his girlfriend. However, he kept one arm around her waist, not wanting to let her go any time soon.
"And, just for the record," Maya said. "I missed you, too."
A brilliant smile spread across Josh's face. "Good to know."
Finally, Maya turned towards the read-head, who was standing a few steps away from them. Debby had a malcontented expression on her face and was eyeing Maya appraisingly. The blonde decided to ignore that and instead gave the other girl a big smile. "Hi," she greeted sweetly. "I don't think we've met before."
"No, I don't think so," Debby said through gritted teeth, trying to sound friendly but not really succeeding.
"Oh, sorry. Where are my manners?" Josh laughed. "Maya, this is Debby. We're partnered up in a class, I told you about that, didn't I?"
"Yeah, you did."
"And Debby, this is my girlfriend, Maya," Josh introduced. Maya and Debby shook hands and, for a moment, an uncomfortable silence spread across their group.
"Well," Debby finally said. "I think I better get going. I promised some friends I'd come find them. It was nice meeting you Maya. See you in class, Josh?"
"Nice to meet you, too." Maya smiled brightly at the other girl.
"See you next week," Josh said and the read-head left a bit dejectedly. Josh turned to Maya and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "You, Gorgeous, are a live saver!"
"Eh, I do what I can." Maya giggled. "Someone had to save my little damsel in distress here." She gestured to Josh. "And who better than a knight in shining armor." She pointed to herself.
Josh rolled his eyes. "Never gonna let me live this down, are you?"
A mischievous grin spread across Maya's face. "Never!"
Josh chuckled. "You guys been having a good time, so far?"
"Oh, we had the best time!" Maya exclaimed and Josh nodded for her to elaborate. "First Riley reconciled with her former sorority. Then Farkle went to go get us some drinks and two guys came over, trying ask us out. Then Charlotte and Jasmine found us and proceeded to tell Farkle all about the last college party Riley and I crashed – their words not mine." Josh chuckled. "Then we finally found Andrew and noticed you looking all helpless while talking to a pretty read-head. I proceeded to come to your rescue and here we are."
Josh nodded. "Andrew already hit on you girls?"
"Once on Riley and twice on me." Maya nodded.
Josh took a look at his watch. "Well, what do you know. We're right on schedule." Maya giggled. "When did that even start again?"
Maya shot him a meaningful look. "You remember me re-meeting Drew? The thunderstorm?"
Recognition crossed Josh's face and he couldn't help but grin. "Ah, the thunderstorm."
Flashback – The Thunderstorm
Shortly after Maya's 16th birthday, she and Josh had gone out on another date. They went ice-skating and were just taking a stroll through the park when they were surprised by an oncoming thunderstorm. Seeing as they were not too far from Josh's apartment, the two teenagers decided to seek refuge there. They planned on waiting until the storm calmed down and then Josh would walk Maya home.
Well, to say that plan failed was quite the understatement. New York City hadn't seen a storm like that in a long time and the two teenagers were really glad to be inside closed quarters. Thunder shook the earth and lightning continued to light up the apartment. After waiting for a little while – which might or might not have involved the two of them making out – the two teenagers came to a realization.
"Maya," Josh said, eyeing the storm outside his window with a worried expression. "I don't think you going home tonight is a good idea. It doesn't look like the storm is going to calm down any time soon and there's no way you're going out in that weather."
Maya nodded in agreement. She had hated thunderstorms ever since she was a little girl. "Yeah, I think you're right," Maya said. "I'm just gonna call my parents and let them know. I don't want them to worry."
Josh nodded. "Oh boy," he muttered. "Shawn's not gonna be happy at all."
Maya chuckled. "No, but what can he do? He can't very well go out in this weather either. You know how my Mom gets." Katy Hunter was even more scared of thunderstorms than her little girl. She had somehow managed to put on a good act while Maya had been a child, but storms really terrified the older blonde.
"Well, we'll just have to see." Josh shrugged and Maya dialed her parents' number.
"Maya?" Katy's worried voice immediately appeared on the line.
"Yeah, Mom. It's me," Maya assured her. "Don't worry. I'm fine."
"Oh, Thank God!" Katy exclaimed. "I knew you and Josh were out on your date and then the storm started. I was getting so worried."
"Thanks for calling, kiddo," Shawn's voice sounded really relieved. "Your Mom's been worrying herself sick."
"I'm fine, Dad," Maya repeated.
"Really glad to hear that." Shawn paused for a moment. "Maya, where exactly are you?"
Maya took a deep breath. "Josh and I were taking a walk through the park when the storm hit us. His apartment was the closest thing we could come up with, so that's where we are right now."
"Oh boy," Shawn groaned.
"That was a good idea," Katy immediately said. "Don't you think so, honey?" Maya grinned at that. Josh looked at her curiously and Maya quickly put her phone on speaker, so he could listen to the conversation.
"Yeah, that was really quick thinking," Shawn had to admit. "I'm gonna come and get you, kiddo. Sit tight."
Right at this moment, an enormous thunder could be heard from outside and shook the whole building. "Shawn Patrick Hunter, you are not going anywhere!" Katy told her husband firmly, a slightly panicked edge in her voice.
"But Katy …" Shawn started.
"Please, Dad," Maya said. "I don't want anything to happen to you. I'm much safer here than the two of us would be out on the road. If Josh doesn't mind, I'll just stay here until the weather clears up."
"Maya," Shawn started. "Have you heard the forecast? The storm is supposed to go on all night." There was a moment of silence on both ends of the line. "Oh, hell no!"
"Daddy!" Maya exclaimed.
"Shawn, be reasonable," Katy said softly. "Now I know this is not ideal, but it is the sensible thing to do. I don't want either you or Maya out on the streets in this weather."
Maya could hear her father taking a deep breath. "Little Matthews, you there?"
"Right here, Shawn," Josh immediately answered.
"Josh," Katy jumped in before her husband had a chance. "Would it be alright if Maya spent the night at your apartment."
"Maya's welcome here any time," the brunette boy assured the blonde's mother and Maya grabbed his hand. "I don't want her or Shawn out on the road any more than you do, Katy. I don't want either of them to get hurt."
"Good," Shawn said. "Now listen close, young man. I want you to know, even if I'm not physically there, I know things. I expect you to be the perfect gentleman I know you are, Josh. Did I make myself clear?"
Josh gulped. "Crystal clear," he assured the man. "I promise, everything will be alright. Maya can take my bed and I'll sleep on the couch. And tomorrow, as soon as the storm clears up, I will bring Maya back over to your place. First thing, I promise."
There was another short silence before Maya and Josh could hear Shawn letting out a deep breath. "Alright then," he said. "I trust you kids."
"Thanks, Daddy," Maya said earnestly. "Take good care of Mom and little Baby Hunter, alright."
"Of course, Maya," Shawn assured her and the girl could hear the small smile in his voice.
"Thanks for letting Maya stay there, Josh," Katy told the boy. "I'm glad to know she's safe."
"Anytime," Josh immediately said.
"Yeah, not happening, little Matthews," Shawn interjected and both Maya and Josh couldn't help themselves; they both started chuckling. "You take good care of our little girl, alright Josh?"
Josh took a second to calm himself. "Always," he said earnestly.
Not really happy about the whole situation but realizing that there was no other way to handle it, Shawn and Katy bid the kids goodnight. Josh supplied Maya with some pants and a hoodie to sleep in – Maya was drowning in both of them – and the two teenagers sat down on the couch, neither of them quite ready to go to bed. The stayed up half the night, talking and kissing. Finally, they both couldn't keep their eyes open any longer and fell asleep in each other's arms.
That's how Josh's roommate Andrew found them the next morning. He had gone out with some friends the night before and had been able to bunk with one of his buddies because of the thunderstorm. He had sent Josh a quick text, so he wouldn't be worried, but hadn't heard back. Seeing his roommate snuggled up to a cute blonde on their couch, Andrew realized just why that was. A big grin spread across his face; he had known that Josh had been seeing someone for a while now, but there had never been a chance for him to meet the girl. With college and exams, things were just too hectic. Andrew studied the blonde carefully. Huh, he thought. She somehow seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite put his finger on where he knew her from. Deciding that the two lovebirds had been sleeping long enough, Andrew cleared his throat.
Josh was first to open his eyes. The brunette boy blinked and took in his surroundings. When his eyes fell on the blonde, a loving expression appeared in his eyes and Andrew's grin got even wider. "Had a good night's sleep there, sleeping beauty?" Andrew teased and Josh jumped at the voice of his best friend. "I have to say, I'm beginning to feel replaced here."
"Drew!" Josh whisper yelled. "You alright?"
"Fine, I crashed at Jasper and Dylan's." Andrew grinned. "So, you finally going to introduce me to your mystery girlfriend."
"Oh, we've met already." Neither one of the two guys had noticed that Maya was awake as well. The blonde sat up straight and grinned at both of them.
Recognition his Andrew. "No way!" he exclaimed. "You're the girl from Josh's first party. The cute, brave blonde. Took you long enough, Josh"
Josh buried his head in his hands and Maya just giggled. "It's nice to see you again, Andrew."
"Likewise. Maya right?" He inquired.
"You remember my name?" Maya asked.
"I always remember cute girl's names," Andrew flirted. "Your brunette friend's name was Riley, right?" Maya nodded, stunned.
"Hey Drew!" Josh exclaimed. "Stop flirting with my girlfriend and hands off my little niece!"
"Whatever you say, Josh." Andrew grinned. "Now Maya, seriously. Something is seriously wrong with my friend Matthews over there, I have no idea what took him so long. Should something like that ever happen again, give me a call," he joked causing Maya to burst out laughing and Josh to stand up and shove him.
End Flashback
"Oh yeah, good times," Maya said and Josh chuckled. "So, you wanna head over to the others."
"Yeah, just give me one second." Josh leaned in and kissed Maya firmly on the lips. "I love you, Gorgeous, you know that?"
This was not the first time he had said those words to her, but each time he did, a brilliant smile would spread across Maya's face. "I do, Josh," she said. "And I love you, too." Josh's face lit up upon hearing those words. "Now come on, Handsome. Let's go catch up with our friends.
Meanwhile, the adults were in the middle of preparing dinner. As much as they all loved their children, they were really excited to spend an evening with just grown-ups. Tonight, they would also be joined by Amy and Alan. Auggie was sleeping over at his friend Dewey's house and the girls wouldn't be home until late. Topanga and a very pregnant Katy were in the kitchen while Cory and Shawn had the important task of setting the table. After a while, Shawn – really worried about his eight-and-a-half months pregnant wife – suggested that she sit down for a while on the couch. Deciding not to pick a fight with her husband – she was pregnant, after all, not dying – Katy complied. Just as the two men put the finishing touches on their work, the doorbell rang.
"Mr. Hunter," Alan greeted Shawn with a big smile. The two men hugged before the elder Matthews turned towards Katy, who was struggling to stand up and slowly waddled over. "Mrs. Hunter." A huge grin spread across the older man's face as he enveloped the pregnant woman in a tight embrace as well. "Still not getting tired of saying that."
"Still not getting tired of hearing it," Shawn agreed with a cheeky grin.
"Katy, can I just say that for eight and a half months pregnant, you look positively radiant," Amy gushed as she enveloped the blonde in a tight hug.
"It's so good to see both of you," Katy told the elder Matthews sincerely. They gave Shawn and Katy one last loving glance before turning to greet their son and daughter-in-law.
There was another knock on the door. "Now who could that be?" Cory asked, feigning confusion. "Would you go get that, Shawnie?"
"Sure thing, Cor." Shawn walked across the living room and opened the door in one swift motion.
"Hey Shawn," a man with short black hair and a smirk on his face greeted.
Shawn's jaw dropped as he saw his former teacher and father figure standing there right in front of him. "Hey Jon," he said, his voice just the tiniest bit hoarse. The two men hugged each other tightly before walking into the apartment.
Katy waddled towards them, excited to see the man who had played a big role in raising her husband again. "Hi Jon." She smiled brightly at the older man.
A big grin spread across Jonathan Turner's face. "Hey Shawn's wife!" His gaze dropped a bit, taking in all of Katy. "And Shawn's baby!" He quickly tackled the blonde in a hug as well. "God, saying that always makes me happy. Hey Shawn's wife and baby."
"It's so good to see you again, Jon," Katy told him earnestly. "Now don't take this the wrong way, what are you doing here?"
"Matthews invited me." Jonathan gestured towards the brightly grinning man. "Something about a family dinner I should attend."
"That's a really great idea, Cory," Shawn said. "Why didn't I think of that?"
"Because you see our old English teacher much more often than I do," Cory pointed out. He knew all about Jonathan being a regular guest in the Hunter household and was so happy to finally see him and Shawn reconnecting.
"Now tell me," Jonathan interrupted; he clapped his hands together and scanned the room. "Where is my favorite Hunter? She with your daughter, Matthews? Getting into trouble?"
The adults laughed. "Sorry," Katy said. "The kids aren't here tonight. They're at a birthday party."
"Oh, whose birthday?" Jonathan asked curiously.
"Andrew's," Amy told him.
"He's Josh's best friend and roommate," Alan elaborated.
"They're at a college party?" Jonathan asked with raised eyebrows. While the elder Matthews and their two wives nodded, Shawn and Cory suddenly got very panicked expressions on their faces.
"Cor?"
"Shawnie?"
"Did we really let our two poor, little, innocent girls go to a … college party?" Shawn asked slowly.
"No, we couldn't have." Cory shook his head furiously. "Could we?"
"I think we did," Shawn said, already on his way to grab his jacket.
Cory was hot on his best friend's heels. "Then we better go, get them and drag them back over here!" Cory exclaimed. "Hell, you know how college guys are. We were college guys once!"
Shawn's eyes went wide as he thought back to his college time. "What are we waiting for, Cor? Let's get a move on!"
"Freeze!" both Topanga and Katy called and their husbands stopped dead in their tracks.
"Topanga …" "Katy …" they started but were immediately interrupted by the two women marching over and firmly taking their jackets out of their hands.
"Sit down," Topanga ordered while gesturing towards the couch. Heads hanging low, the two fathers complied.
"Now, calm down," Katy said firmly and both guys took a deep breath.
"We talked about this before, remember?" Topanga asked. "Yes, the girls are going to a party at a college. But it's Andrew's party."
"You know Andrew," Katy reminded them. "You like Andrew."
"We like Andrew," Amy added and Alan nodded his agreement.
"Yeah, but we're not worried about Andrew," Shawn pointed out.
"We're worried about all the other guys at this party," Cory said.
"We know that," Topanga admitted. "But you have to admit that both Riley and Maya are very smart and responsible young women."
"Plus, they have Farkle and Josh there," Katy added. "You really think they're gonna let anything happen to their girlfriends?"
Cory was about to argue, when his wife cut him off. "And even if the girls are on their own for a little while, Maya will kick any guy's butt if he so much as looks at Riley wrong. And Riley will just distract any guy by charming the pants off of him."
Cory and Shawn's eyes budged out at that. "Wrong phrasing, Topanga," Katy hissed and everyone, but the two fathers burst out laughing.
"You really think they're gonna be okay?" Cory asked.
"I do," Topanga said. "And I believe that we have raised our daughters well enough, that they would feel comfortable enough to call us if there was something seriously wrong. They are good kids."
"Remember the thunderstorm, honey?" Katy turned to her husband.
"Thunderstorm," Shawn growled.
"Still a sore subject?" Jonathan grinned.
Katy shook her head. "Don't ask," she said before addressing Shawn once more. "What did Maya do first when she realized she wouldn't be able to make it home?"
"She called, so we wouldn't be worried about her," Shawn admitted through gritted teeth.
"And what did Josh immediately offer when the topic of Maya staying over came up?" Katy inquired.
"To sleep on the couch while Maya took the bed," Shawn said slowly.
"And what did Josh do the next day?" Katy asked.
"Bring her home first thing in the morning. After getting some breakfast and coffee into her of course, we all know Maya. She's not herself without her caffeine." The others chuckled. "Amy, Alan, you raised a good young man there."
The two elder Matthews looked at each other with a loving gaze. "We know."
"Now, can you two please stop panicking, so we can have our family dinner in peace?" Topanga asked.
Shawn and Cory looked at each other and nodded. "Yeah," Cory said. "We can do that."
"Let's get cooking!" Shawn exclaimed. "I'm starving!"
Back at the party, Maya, Riley, Josh and Farkle had just hit the dance floor and were having the time of their lives. Josh was currently spinning his niece around and Farkle did the same with Maya. When a slow song came on, the two guys quickly switched partners and Maya found herself wrapped tightly in her boyfriend's embrace. The two of them didn't have to say anything, they were both just happy to spend some time together. With school, college, family and friends – and, in Maya's case, a very pregnant mother – their time together over the last few weeks had sadly been cut short. So, both teenagers knew to make the most of the time they did get to spend together.
They were interrupted by Maya's phone suddenly starting to ring. Furrowing her brows, she got it out of her purse. She looked at the screen and was now completely baffled. "Everything alright?" Josh asked. "Who is it?"
"It's your Mom," Maya said and Josh's eyes went wide. The blonde quickly answered the call. "Hello? Amy? Is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine Maya. Nobody's hurt," Amy assured and Maya let out a relieved breath of air. "Maya, honey, your Mom just went into labor."
"What?" Maya exclaimed. "But she still has two weeks until her due date!"
"Two weeks is totally fine," Amy tried to calm the girl down. "She and Shawn went to the hospital and Cory, Topanga and Jonathan went with them. Alan and I are at the apartment because Auggie came back early from his sleepover – his friend got sick. Is Josh with you right now?"
"Yeah, he's standing right next to me," Maya said and handed the brunette boy the phone. He talked to his mother for a few minutes, nodded a lot and eventually gave the phone back to Maya. "Maya, Josh is going to drive you, Riley and Farkle to the hospital. Alan and I are on our way with Auggie. We'll see you there."
"Okay, thanks Amy." Maya hung up and just stood rooted in her spot for a few moments. "My Mom's in labor."
"I know," Josh said, not quite knowing what else to do.
A big smile spread across Maya's face. "I'm gonna be a big sister," she said quietly, not quite believing her own words. "What are we waiting for, let's get going!"
After tracking down Riley and Farkle and saying goodbye to Andrew, Jasmine and Charlotte, the four of them drove to the hospital in record time. Josh, having been giving instructions by his mother, led them through the hallways, always keeping a tight hold on Maya's hand. Finally, they reached the right floor and could see the Matthews along with Jonathan Turner waiting there.
"How are they?" Maya immediately asked. "Are they alright? Is the baby here? How's my Mom?"
"Calm down, Maya." Topanga chuckled. "They took her up to delivery a little while ago, things are progressing really quickly. Seems like your mother had been having contractions for a few hours already, but thought they were just Braxton-Hicks."
"So, we just wait now?" Maya asked.
"Nothing more we can do for now, kiddo," Jonathan said. Maya turned to the older man, only now really realizing that he was here, and tackled him in a hug.
"It's really good to see you, Jon," Maya said. The two of them had formed quite a bond over the last few months. "I'm glad you're here."
"Me too, kiddo," he assured her. Just then, Alan and Amy arrived with little Auggie in tow. After the kids had greeted the rest of the adults and the new arrivals had been filled in, everyone took a seat. And then, … well, then they waited.
Maya couldn't have said how long it had been until something happened. She had sat down in between Riley and Josh and had let her head rest on Josh's shoulder. Nobody really felt like talking much. Cory and Farkle took turns in making some supply runs and keeping everyone in coffee and well fed. Finally, Shawn Hunter – clad in scrubs and sporting the world's biggest grin – came into the room. Everyone jumped up and looked at the man expectantly. Seeing his daughter sitting there among the rest of their family, his face lit up even more. And then he finally said the word's everyone had been dying to hear: "We have a baby," he announced proudly and everyone started rushing over to envelope the proud father in a hug. "The baby and Katy are both fine. Katy is exhausted, but so happy." A big smile spread across Maya's face upon hearing those words.
"Is it a boy baby or a girl baby?" Little Auggie asked the question everyone had been dying to hear the answer to.
Shawn paused a moment for dramatic effect. "It's a girl!" Everyone gushed and awed and hugged each other again. Shawn quickly found his daughter's eyes, curious about her reaction. Seeing the blonde with a brilliant smile on her face, Shawn rushed over to envelop her in a big hug. "Ready to meet your little sister, kiddo?"
"You bet!" Maya exclaimed.
Shawn smiled. "Great, then let's go. Your Mom's been asking for you as well." They waved goodbye to the rest of their family; they would have to wait a bit longer to meet Baby Girl Hunter. Now, it was time for some Hunter family bonding.
Shawn seemed to know exactly where he was going, as he led Maya through the hospital floors. They finally reached the right room and Shawn slowly opened the door. Maya stepped inside and was greeted with the sight of her mother – sporting an exhausted but deliriously happy smile – holding a little bundle covered in blankets in her arms. "Hey there, baby girl," Katy said and nodded for her daughter to come over.
Maya gingerly approached the bed and carefully gave her mother a hug. Straightening up again, she looked at her new baby sister for the very first time. The baby, in turn, chose that exact moment to open her eyes and look up at her big sister with her big blue eyes. Maya had been scared that – after being an only child for so long – she would have trouble forming a connection with her little sibling. And suddenly, it was like all of her worries had been erased. Because, looking at the beautiful baby snuggled up in her mother's arms, Maya felt warmth spreading all throughout her body. She couldn't take her eyes off of the little girl as she realized one thing. She didn't even know the little girl yet, but she already loved her with all of her heart.
Forcing her gaze away from her baby sister, Maya looked up at their parents. Both Katy and Shawn were watching her with an expectant expression. "Mom, Dad, she's beautiful," Maya whispered, as not to disturb the baby. "You did good." Her parents quietly chuckled at that.
"Would you like to hold her?" Katy asked.
Maya nodded quickly and took a seat on the chair next to her mother's back. Shawn carefully took his daughter from his wife, held her close for a second and then carefully placed the little baby in her big sister's arms. It was a strange and exciting feeling for the blonde and her parents couldn't keep the matching grins off of their faces. "Does she have a name yet?" Maya asked.
Katy and Shawn shared a glance before nodding at each other. "Yeah, she does," Shawn finally said.
"Maya, we'd like to introduce you to your little sister," Katy started before looking at her new daughter with an adoring expression. "Amelia Topanga Hunter."
"Beautiful," Maya said softly. "And it just fits her." While the little girl would have her own name with Amelia, both her first and second name honored two women who were very important in all of their lives – Amy and Topanga Matthews.
"We decided to call her Mila for short," Shawn added.
"Perfect." Maya grinned as she addressed the little girl. "Hey there, little Mila. I'm your big sister, Maya. That beautiful blonde over there is your Mom. Now, I might be a bit biased in saying that, but this nice lady is the best Mom a girl could wish for. She's one of the strongest people I know and would to anything to protect her little girl. That handsome man standing right next to her is our Dad. You'll have to be patient with him, he's new to the job – but, personally, I think he's doing really well so far. He's one of the good guys and I can promise you that he'll never walk away, he'll never break your heart, he'll take care of things and he'll love you with all he has." Maya paused for a moment and stroked over the baby's head in a loving gesture. "You are really lucky, Mila, you know that? You are going to be surrounded by so many people who love you so much. And I want to promise you one thing: I will do everything in my power and try to be the best big sister I can be. Just like Mom and Dad are going to be the greatest parents they can be." Maya carefully took hold of one of Mila's little hands "And I promise that we'll do everything we can to give you the best life a little girl can have."
Katy, Shawn and Maya had tears in their eyes as Maya finished her little speech. Maya carefully handed Mila back to her mother and both she and Shawn took a seat beside Katy on the bed. They each put an arm around her while looking down at little Baby Mila, who looked back up at them before closing her eyes with a content expression on her face. And right at that moment, all three of them were convinced that life really couldn't get any better than this. They finally had what they always wanted. The whole package. They're own little family.