"Not to take the spotlight away from Cory or anything…" Topanga began.
"What's going on?" Riley asked.
"Well, Riley…I wanted to announce it with everyone here, so I waited for your dad's party. So, here goes. I guess I'll just come out and say it: I'm having a baby!" Topanga said, grinning.
Cory jumped up from his seat to lift Topanga and spin her around. "Honey, that's great!" he exclaimed.
"You're having a baby?!" Auggie cried.
"I can't believe it! This is the best birthday present ever. I love you, Topanga!" Cory said excitedly.
"So you're really happy?" Topanga asked with a hopeful look.
"Of course! I couldn't be happier!" he said, hugging his wife. He turned toward the table to see the adults smiling widely and the kids with shocked expressions.
"Riley, Auggie, isn't this great?!" he yelled, trying to get them excited.
"Yeah," Riley said. "That's great, Mom."
"I said I didn't need a brother!" Auggie said, running to the hallway.
"Auggie!" Shawn called out. "I'll go get him."
"No, I think we need to go," Cory said. He took Topanga's hand and led her to the hallway. "I think you should come too, Riley," he said.
Riley stood solemnly and followed her parents into the hallway.
"Wow," Maya said after they left. "That's some news."
"Yeah," Angela said. "I mean not that it's weird for them, but I just wasn't expecting that. I hope they can handle it."
"Ah, they're Cory and Topanga," Shawn said, waving away Angela's worry. "When have they not gotten through something?"
"So they've always been together, huh?" Maya asked the table.
"Oh yeah," Shawn said. "They've practically been married since they were three."
"It must be nice for Riley to know that they'll always be together," Maya said.
"Maya!" Katy yelled sharply. "That's enough!"
"I wasn't saying anything to you, I just-"
"Maya!"
Maya looked down and stopped talking.
"Maya, can I see you in the other room, please?" Katy asked, trying to conceal her emotions.
At that, both Maya and her mother stood to walk into the hallway.
Now the party guests were divided. The Matthews were in Auggie's room and the Harts were in Riley's room. That left only Shawn and Angela in the kitchen, staring awkwardly at the uneaten cake.