Shout-outs: Gaby, Lunar, skygazer13, Guest, Ella, Guest, frostystuffs, VoniBerry and evergirl2000
Rated: T
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Author's Note: Because today was MLKD for most of us, here's an update for everybody.
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Chapter 4
Dear Josh,
This is my last letter from Paris. I might even be home before you get it. Amazing, it's gone by so quickly. Gertrude Stein said America is country and Paris is my hometown. I'll always feel that way about Paris.
It's turned cold out but I don't feel cold. Across the street somebody is playing La Vie En Rose, they do it for the tourists but I'm always surprised by how it moves me. It means seeing the world through rose colored glasses. Only in Paris where the light is pink does that song make sense. But I'll have it in my pocket when I get home and I'll take it with me wherever I go.
See you soon.
Maya
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Lucas was in town picking up his mother's birthday present when he saw her. She was looking at him like she knew him, he took his sunglasses off and smiled at her, playing along.
"Hello!"
She laughed. "Hi! Hello. How are you?"
"I'm good!" Lucas answered. "Really good actually."
"That's good!" She said. "Are you getting ready for the wedding?"
"The wedding?" Lucas repeated, realizing she must have read about it in the newspaper. "Oh! No! No! I'm not here in town for the wedding. I'm picking up a present for my mother."
"That's right! It's her birthday today, isn't it?"
Lucas frowned. "It is. How did you know?"
She laughed again. "Your mother's birthday is on this date every year, Lucas."
"You obviously know who I am. Do I know who you are?" Lucas asked.
She pushed her sunglasses up on her head and shook it. "Oh no! I'm having much too much fun right now."
Lucas laughed wryly and even though he knew it wasn't good judgement call, he motioned to her luggage. "Could I give you a lift?"
"I wouldn't want to inconvenience you," she answered.
"No inconvenience!" Lucas assured her going over to her suitcase and lifting it up. "Come on. I was just going home anyways. Is it on my way?"
"Oh, I think it is."
"Good! Then I'm doubly glad to give you a ride to wherever it is you need to go!"
"Your fiancée won't mind?"
"Who? Riley!? Please, she'd encourage me to do it! She's always doing a good deed for a person in need!" Lucas grinned. "Hey! That rhymed! Maybe I should take poetry!"
"You already did," the blonde reminded him as they walked to his car together. "Remember?"
"Oh right! Yeah. 11th grade, I thought I could be a rapper. Were we in the same poetry class?" Lucas shook his head. "But that can't be it! I would definitely remember a pretty girl like you."
"Where is your fiancée anyways?"
"At a medical conference in California. She'll be back in a few days and then its business as usual."
"Ah. I see. You're not looking forward to the wedding, I take it?"
Lucas shrugged. "I don't know. I like Riley, she's wonderful! She's funny and sweet and caring. And pretty as hell. . . I'm just not sure. . ."
"Not sure about what?"
Lucas started the car and sighed before buckling in. "I'm not sure I want the obligation that goes along with marrying her."
The girl in the passenger seat winced visibly. "Marriage is an obligation, Lucas. You should have thought about that before you asked Riley to marry you."
Lucas shook his head and started to drive. "Well then, I wish I had never done it."
"Oh come on. You said so yourself, she's wonderful. You shouldn't let a girl like that get away or somebody else will snatch her right up. Somebody more worthy of her."
"Okay! Okay! I take it back!" Lucas said defensively. "Now are you going to tell me who you are?"
"Nope!"
They were almost to his house when Lucas remembered to ask where she lived.
"Dosoris Lane."
"Hey! I live there too!" Lucas said excitedly. "Small world."
"Small lane," she quipped. "You don't recognize me, do you?"
"Of course I do!" Linus replied. "You're my neighbor on Dosoris Lane."
She laughed and nodded. "The turn's up there."
"I was just going to say that!"
Lucas parked the car and they got out, he and the mystery girl stood idly by and chatted for a little bit more while he tried to wrangle it out of her who she was. But she was refusing to budge, so he offered her an invitation to the party the next night.
She was just about to accept when Josh came out.
"Oh good! I've been looking all over for you!" Josh said. "The tailor is here to finish your tuxedo tomorrow night. . ." he trailed off and smiled. "Maya! Welcome home! You look fantastic!"
"Maya!?" Lucas screeched.
"Hello Joshua," Maya said, "Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself."
"Maya!?" Lucas repeated.
"I trust you had a good flight?"
"It was very good, thank you."
"MAYA!?"
Josh frowned and looked at Maya. "Why does he keep saying that?"
Maya sighed. "It's a long story. I need to go and find my mother. I'll talk to you both later."
Josh nodded. "That's fine. I'm glad you're home safely."
"I'll see you at the party?" Lucas asked hopefully.
Maya shrugged. "We'll see. 'Bye Josh."
"Goodbye Maya," Josh replied. He waited until she was out of earshot before giving Lucas a disapproving look and shaking his head. "Lucas, no."
"What are you talking about? I just. . ."
"No!"
Lucas pouted at him. "Spoilsport!"
"You'll thank me for it later," Josh called as he walked away.
"Where are you going?" Lucas called after him. "Back into the city!?"
"Sorry buddy, I'm staying here for the weekend!"
"Did you just decide that!?" Lucas asked, following him.
"No!" Mom asked me to stay for the weekend a couple of days ago. Cory, Topanga and Auggie are going to be here too," Josh replied. "Seriously Lucas, I'm not out to sabotage you. But you made a promise, you need to keep it. I don't care how pretty Maya looks."
"Do you ever notice a pretty girl?" Lucas mumbled even though he knew his brother was right. He didn't know what had come over him except maybe for cold feet.
But there was something about Maya.
Something he hadn't ever noticed before and he wanted to figure out what it was.
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"Was your flight good baby girl?" Katy asked after Maya had given her the gifts she'd purchased for her in France.
"Yeah, it was great!" Maya answered energetically. "I'm not tired at all."
"That's good," Katy said. "Well, I'm happy you're home."
"Me too! Except I do miss it already, more than I thought I would," Maya replied, unzipping her suitcase and pulling out a dress. "I hope this will air out in time!"
Katy raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Oh? Air out in time for what exactly?"
"Maybe steam will help," Maya said, taking it into the bathroom and turning on the shower as hot as it would go.
"Maya, baby. . . you're not talking about Amy's party tomorrow night, are you?" Katy inquired curiously.
"I am," Maya replied, coming back into the room and leaning against the vintage wingback chair.
"And how did you manage to get an invitation to the second social event of the season?"
"Lucas invited me!" Maya said. "Of course he didn't know who I was at the time but he didn't take it back when Josh told him who I was. So, I think the invitation still stands. . ."
"Sweetie pie, he's getting married," Katy reminded her.
"I know mom! I know!" Maya said. "But you know how long I've dreamed about going to one of these parties. I just want to see what it's like and then life will return to normal. I promise."
"Honey. . . I don't want you to get hurt," Katy told her.
"Oh mom, I've already been hurt. Please mom?"
Katy closed her eyes and sighed, it was the kind of look. . . the kind of noise she made before she gave in. "Okay. Okay, you can go. But you have to promise me that you'll be careful Maya. I don't want you to be even more hurt than you already are."
Maya lit up. "I promise you that I won't be!"
Katy smiled sadly. "I really hope you're right, honey girl."
"Mom, everything's going to be okay!" Maya assured her.
But Katy wasn't so sure, her daughter was even more of a starry-eyed dreamer than when she had left for Paris.
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She was a vision in pink Oscar De La Renta and gold. Josh swallowed hard and then took a gulp of champagne, grasping the flute tightly between his fingers. She wasn't looking at him. She was never looking at him. She only had eyes for Lucas. . . she had only ever had eyes for Lucas.
And Lucas was looking at her with a stupid grin on his face, oblivious to his future in-laws and the whole entire party around them. For once, Josh couldn't blame him.
Maya was radiant.
"Who's that?" Tyson Friar asked tersely.
"Mmmh?" Josh asked, snapping out of his stupor. "Oh! That's Maya. She's Katy Hart's daughter."
"The chauffeur?" Tyson asked. "What is the chauffeur's daughter doing at your mother's birthday party!?"
"Tyson!" Ingrid Friar chided, turning a shade of pink that matched her dress. "Tyson, really!"
"The boys have known Maya all her life," Alan said, joining them. "They grew up together."
"She didn't have that dress when she was younger," Tyson said bluntly.
"Tyson!" Ingrid hissed.
"They're practically like brother and sister," Alan assured them.
"La Vie En Rose" started to play and Lucas approached Maya, smiling slyly and offering her his hand. He pulled her close and started to sway with her to the music.
"Oh yeah?" Tyson jeered. "I have a sister, we sure don't dance like that!"
Alan fixed his son with a look. "Joshua, did you know Maya was coming back?"
Josh stole another sip of champagne before clearing his throat. "She may have mentioned it. . ."
"Why didn't you say anything about it?" Alan asked.
"I could have sworn. . . I didn't get the letter until yesterday actually, by then it was too late. She was home," Josh answered. "Didn't Katy mention it to you?"
"Nooooo."
"Oh, is Maya back?" Amy asked cheerfully. "Look how pretty she looks. Paris sure was good to her, wasn't it?"
"We were just discussing that," Tyson said wearily. "What pray tell, is she doing dancing with your son when he's engaged to my daughter?"
Amy's mouth dropped open. "I don't know, Tyson!"
"Well, we have to do something about it! He's engaged to my daughter and we have a huge business deal riding on this marriage!" Tyson snapped.
"What do you want us to do? Distract her from Lucas until he's on his honeymoon?" Josh mumbled.
"Say that again, Son!" Tyson said excitedly.
"All I said is maybe we should distract her from Lucas until he and Riley are on their honeymoon," Josh answered, regretting the words as soon as he said them. "But I don't know who we'd distract her with! It's a lousy idea."
"You're awfully available," Tyson replied craftily.
"Me!?" Josh said. "Oh, I hardly have time to sleep. . . never mind court a girl! I wouldn't even know where to begin. My dates usually don't get past dessert, never mind second base. . . I mean. . . I'm too busy with work. I couldn't do it!"
"I'd make it worth your while," Tyson tempted.
"I'm sure my brother knows what he's doing!" Josh fumbled.
"Come on boy, don't be stupid! There are plenty of other people willing to get into bed with Friar Incorporated. And if your stupid brother dares to break my little girl's heart, I'd do it in an instant."
Josh thought about Riley and how she'd feel if she came back to find out her wedding had been called off. He thought about the business deal, they didn't need the money but it still wouldn't hurt to have it in their bank accounts either. And then there was Maya. . . he couldn't bear the thought of her getting hurt all over again because of her brother's stupidity.
"Josh, honey?" Amy asked in a worried voice.
"I'll do it," Josh said.
Amy frowned. "Sweetie, are you sure?"
Josh nodded. "He's getting ready to take her to the solarium. You better detain him and I'll go in his place."
"Atta boy!" Tyson said, slapping him on the back. "Go and get 'em!"
Maya was gone by the time Josh reached Lucas. He was putting champagne flutes in the back of his pockets. He touched him on the shoulder.
"What do you want Josh?" Lucas asked impatiently. "Can't you see that I'm busy here?"
"I know, I know! Whatever you're doing must be extremely important," Josh acknowledged. "But your future father-in-law wants to see you."
Lucas frowned. "Uh-oh. About what?"
"Why don't you go and see? He's in the study with Dad," Josh answered.
Lucas' eyes darted towards the solarium. "But what about Maya? She's waiting for me. . ."
"I'll go and keep her warm for you," Josh said. "You just worry your pretty little head about dealing with Tyson. I'll make sure she's still there when you come out."
"Fine. But don't try anything funny!" Lucas warned.
Josh laughed. "Who me? You don't have to worry about me, little brother! Weren't you the one who said that I never give my date a chance to order dessert?"
"Fine!" Lucas said, glancing at Alan and Tyson. "I better go before his panties really get in a knot."
.
"Lucas?" Maya asked, turning around when the solarium door had opened.
"No. It's just Josh," he answered, holding up a bottle of the most expensive champagne he had been able to find at the open bar.
"Oh." Maya wrapped rubbed her bare arms with her hands. "Where's Lucas?"
"He's been detained," Josh replied. "I don't think Tyson was very happy with him, he's probably getting chewed out right about now."
"Oh," Maya repeated. "So, they've sent you to deal with me then?"
"Deal with you?"
"It's the part of the movie where they send somebody from the family to deal with the unrespectable love interest. A showgirl or a nurse. . . . or a chauffeur's daughter," Maya explained. "How much can we buy you for? they'll ask. Half-a-million dollars? No. One million dollars? No. . ."
"Two million dollars," Josh offered.
Maya's eyebrows shot up. "Two million?"
"Not enough?"
"You can't pay me off," Maya replied.
"Good girl," Josh answered.
"Josh. . ."
"Yes Maya?" Josh asked, approaching her.
"I just wanted to know. . . well, I just wanted to know why you sent me. . ."
"Kid" started to play in the background and Maya's eyes widened.
"Isn't this the song Lucas plays for all the girls he brings in here?" Josh asked, putting the champagne bottle and glasses down.
"Well. . . yes," Maya answered. "But you're. . . you're not Lucas!"
"Don't I know it?" Josh replied, swooping her up in his arms as smoothly and as quickly as Lucas had earlier that evening, at least he hoped it was. "It's part of the message."
He whirled her around the solarium, never taking his eyes off of her. "Look at you."
"Look at me?" Maya repeated.
"You're the prettiest girl at the party," Josh said. "Even the stars are jealous tonight."
Maya laughed. "Did you come up with that all by yourself or are you stealing lines from the Lucas Matthews Playbook?"
"I wouldn't even know where to begin," Josh answered, twirling her out and then in, catching her hands in his, before putting her arms around his neck. "I'm just telling you what I'm really thinking right now."
"You're a good dancer Josh," Maya told him, changing the subject.
"Are you surprised?" Josh asked. "I took dance lessons just the same as Lucas. Remember?"
"Yes. I just thought. . ."
"Thought what?" He probed, stopping for a second to look at her.
"That you didn't care," Maya replied.
"I did," Josh said. "I'm not just about the business, Maya."
There was a breath, a pause and then he kissed her while the song reached its crescendo. After a second, Maya pulled away and slapped his face.
"It was part of the message!" Josh gasped, a little breathless from both the kiss and her slap.
Maya's eyes widened. "Oh no! Oh my gosh. Josh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it. . ."
"I deserved it!" Josh hurried to assure her. "Thank you for bringing me back to reality."
"You've got my handprint on your cheek!" Maya said, reaching out to touch him. Josh flinched and recoiled a little bit. "Don't worry, I'm not going to hit you again."
"From now on, I'm going to tell Lucas to deliver his own messages," Josh said wryly.
Maya laughed in relief, then the solarium door swung open and Cory came rushing in.
"Sorry for interrupting the two of you but we've sort of got an emergency, Josh!"
"An emergency? Is it mom or dad?" Josh asked, contained panic creeping into his tone.
"No! It's Lucas! He sat on some glass in the study and he needs stitches. He's asking for you, you know he's a baby when it comes to needles."
"He sat on glasses?" Josh asked incredulously.
"Champagne glasses," Cory clarified.
Josh looked puzzled. "Who left champagne glasses on a chair in dad's study!?"
"That's what mom wants to know," Cory replied.
Josh turned to Maya. "Hey, I'm really sorry but I have to go now. I'll see you later?"
"That'll be fine," Maya answered. "Thank you for the dance and for the company while we waited for Lucas."
Josh smiled. "It was no problem. Goodnight Maya."
"Goodnight Josh," Maya replied, following them to the door and watching him go up to the big house. She sighed then went over to get the champagne, pouring herself a glass as she went back to her room over the garage.
TBC. . .
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Author's Note II:
This chapter is brought to you by late night angst, the acoustic version of "Kid" by the Pretenders and the last few days before I turn 26. Right now, the dance scene in this chapter is by far one of my favorite Josh and Maya scenes that I have ever written.
For full effect, go back and read the scene while you listen to the acoustic version of "Kid". The song in the 1995 movie is "Kid" by singer unknown but I honestly think the song I chose fits my version. Maya's dress is a nod to the one Audrey wore in the 50s Sabrina. My excuse for Josh is that I am writing him the way he comes to me. Besides, I've said it before and I'll say it again. I merely take movies and retool them into the story I want to tell. I do it with all the love and respect to the greats.
Please tell me what you thought. As an early birthday gift.
Until Next Time!
Lots of Love,
Holly, 1/18/2016_