Like Father, Like Son
Author's Note: Oh it is GLORIOUS I AM BACK! Work has been crazy ladies and gents and the busy season hasn't even started! But it was cool to work high profile concerts like: Ariana Grande again. Working stage side and everything. But it is time to put some of my focus onto writing again and not on work and recently coming back from Jury Duty. Big shoutout to 4ne1 for helping me out as I was doing a six day work week at a bar and then the Air Canada Center for some concerts. In this chapter, the identity of Sarah's date will be revealed and also, how will Chloe react? Also, we get to see how Riley and Lucas take in a certain situation. That will be revealed in due time but for now, I will shut up and let you read.
Disclaimer: I swear this is the last thing you read before the chapter takes place but since I DO NOT want to get into some trouble I am adding a disclaimer. I only own the original characters and plot within my crazy mind. The other characters like Riley, Lucas, Maya, etc. Are properties of Girl Meets World, Michael Jacobs and, Disney...Who was stupid enough to cancel Girl Meets World but I digress, it is time for Michael Jacobs and the crew to tackle more mature topics for their characters to grow up.
A stunned Chloe just keep watching on as her mom go on a date with a mysterious stranger. The man appears to be around her mother's age, he seemed to be a very well dressed man who is sharing a booth with Sarah as he was wearing a black suit with a light blue dress shirt and black trench coat. They were both sharing Vanilla Cappuccinos as Melanie served them, Chloe however didn't know what to think. She has her own motives to be skeptic after living her life without a stable father figure in her life. "Chloe, what's wrong? Why are you upset?" Riley asked Chloe.
Chloe didn't know it but it was Riley that set up Sarah with this mysterious stranger.
"I don't know what to feel Mrs. Friar. What I do know is that I don't want my mom to be hurt badly again." Chloe told Riley remembering the failed relationships Sarah has had when Chloe was younger.
"Chloe!" Sarah called to her daughter from her booth with the stranger.
Chloe turned to her mother not knowing what was going to happen next. "Come here, I want you to meet someone." Sarah told her daughter as Chloe hesitantly approached the booth with a rag in her right hand. Her heart began to pound, was it a one time date, was this going to keep going, what was Sarah going to say in the next few minutes?
"Chloe, I want you to meet Owen Matheson. You've seen him on TV right?" Sarah told her daughter as Chloe began to recognized him as he was a correspondent for ABC. Chloe then shook Owen's hand before Owen began to smile. Owen seemed to be a very friendly person. The former host of: Good Morning America was standing in front of her.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Matheson." Chloe said as she released her grip on Owen.
"Nice to met you too, Chloe. But please. Just call me, Owen." Owen answered the young teenager.
"Chloe, Owen and I were talking about you and how you have always wanted to be in the WNBA and how you used to watch people like: Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker and how when you growing up you looked up to Lucas Friar and Isiah Babineaux." Sarah told her daughter remembering who were Chloe's basketball inspirations as she grew up.
"So were you ever a Lebron James fan?" Owen asked Chloe.
"God no! Lebron was too much of a flopper. Prime Lebron against prime Lucas Friar, Lucas would win one on one especially since, Lebron has proven to not be the most reliable free throw shooter especially in very crucial times of a game." Chloe told Owen going in depth to her basketball knowledge.
"Good point, but Lucas tends to get into foul trouble like he did in game one of the NBA Finals last year leaving Isaiah and Ryan Garrick to do the heavy lifting for the team." Owen argued in return.
"But Lebron NEEDED Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, Channing Frye, Richard Jefferson, JR Smith and others who were and could be all stars on his team. Which was not fair to mostly every single team in the NBA!" Chloe argued back remembering the all stars who Lebron played beside.
"Ok, I will admit this is one thing that will hurt his credibility. But the good thing about Lucas is that from the beginning to now, it was always him and Isaiah. The modern day Splash Brothers or the Kyle Lowry and Demar DeRozan for the Raptors." Owen referenced remembering four great NBA Players.
"Looks like you guys seem to be getting along just fine!" Sarah grinned crossing her arms enjoying the sight of Chloe and Owen talking about sports.
"Well, we are in Topanga's right? It only seems fitting. Since their jerseys are here from when they were crowned champions 5 times!" Owen said telling Sarah of how the dynamic duo have created their legacy.
Chloe and Sarah began to look around Topangas and see the merchandise on the walls, from Lucas' and Zay's jerseys, to photos of them in each championship win, to their visits to the white house and even, their gold medal victories in the Olympics. Lucas and Zay have really done it all together throughout their entire careers. They eventually saw the TV that was showing the Knicks game on either TNT against Yogi and the Los Angeles Clippers. Yogi had gone to have a fantastic career being on the Western Conference All-Star Team 5 times, former Olympic Gold Medalist in Basketball with Lucas and Zay in their second go around in the Olympics and a very successful man. The score was 100-94 as the Knicks lead in the final moments of the game.
"Chloe! Can you give us a hand here?" Sabrina called to Chloe as Chloe made her way over behind the showcases as Sabrina needed help emptying the showcases of baked goods like various cakes, cookies, pastries and, more.
The day was done and the remaining food that wasn't used would be donated to a food bank. She watched on as Owen and Sarah continued their conversation as Aaron reluctantly came out with a mop and cleaning bucket as he was now prepared to face his consequences for losing his bet to Chloe earlier in the day.
"So Aaron, good to see you cleaning for once! It's very rare for you to be cleaning up after shift." Natalie nagged her brother as Aaron shook his head knowing it was gonna take awhile to clean up the place.
"Chloe, Natalie, Melanie, Sabrina, you guys are all good to punch out. Thanks girls." Riley told the young ladies as they proceeded to the staff room to punch out and end their shifts.
Chloe went into the bathroom to get changed back into her regular clothing which only took about 30 seconds, however she couldn't stop thinking about the possible outcomes her mother's relationship with Owen will go. She was trying so hard not to think about it having seen her mother heartbroken on different occasions. She began to worry. But before her mind could dive deeper into anxiety, she heard a knock.
"Chloe, hurry up. We're about to close up!" Natalie told her wanting to go home.
"Ok, I'm coming!" Chloe said as she put her uniform into her gym bag and walked out of the washroom.
"Hey, Chloe. Is everything ok?" Natalie asked seeing an expression on Chloe's face that screamed anxiety.
"Yeah, yeah I'll be ok." Chloe answered half-heatedly to Natalie.
"Are you sure?" Natalie asked skeptically.
"Nat, I'm sure. Just drop it ok?" Chloe told Natalie as she walked past the younger Friar sibling as she went back to the front where Aaron was just about to finish mopping while Sarah and Owen were getting ready as Riley was finishing up doing the dishes.
"Chloe, honey. You ready to go?" Sarah asked as Owen stood by the door with his car keys in hand.
"Yeah, let's go home." Chloe said as she first approached Aaron.
"I'll see you tomorrow ok?" Chloe said to Aaron as he placed the mop back in the bucket.
"Yeah. You will." Aaron told her as the two shared a quick embrace. As Riley and Maya observed, she noticed where Aaron's right hand was. It was around her waist and the two have never seen this before. It was clear as day to them now, Aaron liked Chloe.
"Bye Mrs. Friar, bye Mrs. Minkus!" Chloe said waving goodbye to the two teachers.
"Bye Chloe. See you in class." They waved in return as they saw Owen, Sarah and, Chloe leave together.
"Aren't I just amazing!" Riley bragged to her uncle, her mother and, Vanessa who were standing there watching the three leave together.
"Oh I swear to God Riley, if this ends up working out, you should've started a dating website years ago and get people together." Shawn told his niece.
"And if this plan crashes and burns, well we know who to blame." Vanessa smiled off as she and Shawn went to the back to clock out for the night.
Vanessa and Shawn would soon leave, Shawn would drive Melanie, Corey and, Sabrina home while Vanessa would drive her boys home leaving the bakery in the hands of Riley and Topanga. Riley along with Topanga, Natalie, Troy and, Aaron would soon leave the bakery and would Riley would drive Topanga home before driving home.
Riley knew she needed to bring this to Lucas' attention as soon as he came home from Madison Square Garden, although she didn't watch the whole game through, she knew that the Knicks won.
As they would close the bakery for the night and locked the front door, Riley could see progress in Sarah's love life as she anticipated with her matchmaking ability and also, on top of everything. Her witnessing giving Aaron and Chloe's embrace was something she did not expect. They eventually drop off Topanga at her apartment and drove back to her home with Natalie, Aaron and, Troy. She would make up a quick dinner for them after work before they would get ready for bed. Troy was always the first one since his body could not tolerate being up late unlike his siblings.
Natalie, was working on her science homework and also facetime Sabrina since of all the kids between the Friar family, Babineaux family and, Minkus family, Sabrina was the smartest.
Aaron however as always, was watching the NBA on TNT featuring retired NBA stars like: Karl-Anthony Towns, Chris Paul and, Paul George. The show was hosted by a young host named: Randy McLean who is in his mid 20s. They crew analyzed the game that had just aired between the Knicks and the Clippers as they began to run some of the highlights from the close game.
As for Riley she was going over her emails from the school board that report cards would soon need to be started, and also that she finally got the news, her father would retire as a principle and the news she had been waiting for has been revealed: his successor. Riley didn't know who he has chosen but one thing is certain, he has had a long career and has earned his retirement. She was in her office reading the email until she heard the door open with the sound of footsteps and a gym bag being dropped on her floors.
"Babe, i'm home!" Lucas said exhausted hanging up his winter coat.
Riley left her office to greet him as she greeted her husband with a kiss.
"Hey hun, how was tonight?" Riley asked him as they moved to the living room together before Lucas opened up his gym bag.
Riley noticed something with Lucas but she couldn't put her finger on it. She noticed that Lucas was walking slower than usual. She eventually concluded that either he played throughout most of the game, or he got hurt but she never caught it on TV. He would tell her somehow since when it comes to Lucas' health, Riley knows every injury he has had throughout his career and has even been there for his shoulder surgery and helped him with the recovery and sometimes would even go to rehad with him.
"We did good, Zay was our top scorer, Yogi was the top scorer for the Clipppers." Lucas answered her as he began to massage his head after a long day.
"How's your ankles?" Riley asked. Lucas knew something was up but never told Riley that he rolled his ankle. He must've given himself away somehow.
"How'd you know I got hurt?" Lucas asked surprised his wife noticed.
"You're walking slower and your steps are shorter. Nice try to hide it from me! I'll get the bucket and the Epsom salt." Riley told him annoyed at Lucas' issue of not telling her if he got hurt or injured. She got a bucket and placed two tablespoonfuls of Epsom salt in the bucket and eventually adding cold water filling up the bucket as Lucas placed his bare feet in the ice cold water as Riley could see how red Lucas' left ankle was. Lucas groaned from the cold temperature as the shock registered in his body as he would have to do this twice for 15 minutes each.
"You know what to do right?" Riley asked her husband as she left a towel on the floor for his feet to rest after the 15 minutes had expired.
"Yup. You're going to check up on the kids?" Lucas asked.
"Of course, I'll also get started on tomorrow's breakfast." Riley told him as she left the living room to do her rounds. She first went to Troy's room where she opened the door to his room and found the room to be dark and found him asleep as she heard him snore. She could only chuckle as Troy reminded her of her father when he was young and she would sometimes hear him snoring loudly from across the apartment. She shut the door quietly to make sure she did not disturb him.
Next, was Natalie. Riley checked her watch as the time revealed to be 11:20pm, Natalie should be asleep by now but knows that sometimes she would be awake talking to Sabrina and Anthony. The three reminded her of her, Farkle and, Maya before Lucas and Zay came along to be part of the group. She opened the door and to her surprise, she was asleep as she found Natalie's science textbook on the floor with her notebook as Riley took a sneak peak at Natalie's homework to see it was done, to her satisfaction, it was done very well done as she smiled on a job well done by her daughter.
And finally, Aaron. Aaron was always a wildcard for Riley as he was unpredictable in what he does before bed. Sometimes he would be staying up to play video games, he could be on Skype with his friends and talking about whatever they were talking about, and even, go on YouTube to see highlights of Lucas from when he was younger and listen to the debates that he and Zay would go down as one of the best duos in NBA History. On the same level as: Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Karl Malone and John Stockton of the Utah Jazz or even, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal of the Lakers. As Riley listened from outside his room she could hear nothing, but still went inside to investigate if her first born was still awake. She found him still awake still on his desktop computer working on an essay.
"Aaron, honey. When do you think you'll be done?" Riley asked walking up behind her son who was sitting in a gaming chair as he continued to type away.
"I should be done in about 15 minutes." Aaron estimated as he kept his focus.
"Alright, after that, print it and go to sleep. Ok?" Riley told her son.
"Will do mom." Aaron answered.
"And don't forget your works cited page!" Riley exclaimed to her son making sure he cites his work correctly using APA Formatting.
Aaron groaned knowing his mom's standards when it comes to his work.
"Of course, mom!" Aaron said as Riley walked away and closed the door and returned to her office.
Riley continued to work on the marks for her 3 classes. She was teaching Grade 11 American History, Grade 9 History and, Grade 12 World Issues Class. She had to mark tests and assignments and input the data on her computer. Since she began to do this work from home and send it to her school board email address, she has had to input a password to her computer to make sure her kids do not hack into the computer even inserting a password they would not be able to figure out.
Once 15 minutes had passed, she went back to check up on Aaron as she heard the laser printer working in her office. She knew that he had finished his work and was finally about to go to sleep. She decided to beat Aaron to the punch and staple the 5 sheets of paper together. The title page, the 3 pages of writing in the pages containing his work and, his works cited page. Riley checked it over to see if he had reference his work wrong since they were learning how to cite their work using the APA Format. She was satisfied with his work and left it in his bag.
"Hey mom, where's my work?" Aaron asked looking around her office and checking the laser printer.
"I put it in your bag already. You should be getting a good mark from Aunt Maya!" Riley told her son optimistically.
"Sweet! Thanks mom, I'm going to bed" Aaron said as he walked towards his room.
"Goodnight, Aaron. Love you." Riley told her son.
"Love you too, mom." Aaron told her mother as Riley sat down to get back to work.
Another 10 minutes would pass as Lucas' time soaking his ankle would finish as she heard the bucket being drained over the sink in the kitchen. She would see Lucas pass by feeling sore as he walked barefooted to the master bedroom. She would continue to finish inputting the data for her Grade 12 class and call it a night before she shut down her computer and walked to her bedroom.
Riley and Lucas was getting ready for the night to go to bed. She knew that Lucas was talking something about basketball, but honestly, she wasn't listening to what her husband was saying. The scene about her firstborn son and Chloe hugging was replaying in her head.
She knows that hug. It wasn't any type of ordinary hug.
Aaron's hand was on Chloe's waist! That was no friendly hug like he would give to Sabrina or Melanie.
It meant something, and as a mother, she always knew that Aaron was developing deep feelings for Chloe. She wondered if Chloe had ever felt the same. If she would break her baby's heart, then things would not end well. But if they were together...
Riley would be thrilled. Her son's first girlfriend and not just some fling like he had with the Joanna Meyer girl. It would be real.
Her baby boy is not a baby anymore...
"Riley, are you listening?" The sound of her husband's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Huh? Uh, sorry. No," Riley apologized to him. "I was thinking about Aaron." She sat down on the edge of the bed and Lucas sat next to her.
"What about him?" Lucas wondered.
"I saw the way he gave a hug to Chloe."
"A hug?" Lucas thought it'd be more important than just a hug. "That's it?" He asked, not seeing the big deal.
"That's it?" She repeated in disbelief that he couldn't see what she saw. "You should've saw how he hugged her, Lucas! His hand was on her waist and he never hugged any girl like that before!" Riley smiled at how her son was falling for the girl.
"Really?" Now, that got his attention.
"Yes!" Her smile faltered when she said sadly. "Our baby is not a baby anymore...Lucas, I think he's in love!" He smiled feeling proud for his son. "I trust Chloe with Aaron. Sarah raised her well. Chloe's not like Charlie."
"She's not and I trust her too. I think they'd be good together." Lucas agreed, picturing Chloe and Aaron together dating.
"Maybe you should give him a talk before he...he does something with Chloe. I know Chloe's smart, but I don't want another replay of Joanna Meyer. All of our children are growing up so fast and this is why we need to have another one."
"The baby will grow up fast too." Lucas pointed out.
"Yes, but we can enjoy the times of raising a baby again and you can be around more often once you retire. It's all good." Riley smiled again as she spoke about their future child.
"Are you even pregnant?" Lucas asked.
She smiled wider. "I'll find out. I got a pregnancy test a couple of days ago. I just needed some time to use it."
Riley got off the bed and went to one of her bags to get the rest out. She went to the bathroom and used it in there.
After a while, Riley looked at the result on the pregnancy test. She picked it up and went to the bedroom to where Lucas was still sitting on the bed waiting for her. Lucas stands up when he saw her and approached her expectantly.
"Well...?" He trailed, wondering what the result said.
She grinned in excitement. "I'm pregnant."
Author's Note: PIPEBOMB! Riley is pregnant! Child number 4 is on the way ladies and gents! Well Lucas messed up his ankle and didn't tell Riley in which he fucked up! But yeah, do you guys see Aaron and Chloe getting closer? You just may have a preview, soon. Plus the State Tournament is coming up in a few chapters. Will Aaron have the same success that Lucas had? And will Lucas end his career as a champion? Next time on Like Father, Like Son: Thanks to Lucas and Zay, Owen, Sarah and, Chloe attend a New York Knicks game with courtside seats. However, Chloe meets Owen's daughter: Fiona in which as Lucas and the Knicks practiced, she saw Aaron workout with them. Will there be some sort of jealousy between the two? Also, how will Lucas react to Riley being pregnant again? Find out next time on Like Father Like Son. Don't forget to review, fav and, follow this story I will try to get on this more often since work has been getting crazier. I got 3 shifts next week so it shouldn't be that bad...HOPEFULLY! See you guys next time but first...I gotta take care of some business.
Let's Talk! (God do I miss going this!)
James Stryker: Well that's one way to put it, fear can definitely allow us to behave in ways we normally wouldn't. So MAYBE Chloe is upset that her mom is dating again out of fear that Sarah will get hurt again. And thanks for helping me out with Owen and I have been keeping up with Juliet's World and I think it is still hilarious and interesting how Juliet and Lucas' relationship as father and daughter is. Hoping to read a new chapter soon when work isn't that crazy for you.
4ne1: Yes it's time! You really helped me out with this chapter and I thank you so much for that. I understand why you weren't really available to help out last chapter, you gotta take care of your family and hoping your grandmother is doing ok.
Aaliyah Lampley: Well spring is coming! So we can get rid of the winter coats soon! YAAS!
ANHCahill: Sorry it took so long, work got crazy busy for me me plus Jury Duty was something I did not see coming. And in the time since I last released a chapter, I became an uncle for the first time so both of those events I did not see coming until they happened. But thank you for following the story and I hope you enjoyed this one too. You got your answer as why Chloe is upset and I hope you are satisfied with how she interacted with Owen.