Chapter 16: The End of It All

Author's note: So I apologize for the mistakes in the last chapter. I was thinking of Topanga's parents/ But Tharitea is Topanga's sister. Topanga is Josh's sister in law and so he wouldn't really have a relation to Tharitea. I'm sorry I'm working on noticing these errors. It might be a little confusing towards the end. MAJOR WRITERS BLOCK. But please enjoy! Also, sorry for making this chapter a little too long!

Lucas's POV:

I couldn't stop pacing back and forth in the waiting room. I just wanted to see Riley. I had called Maya and Farkle and told them about Riley. But they weren't able to come, so I had to keep them updated as well. It felt like everything that seemed so right, seemed so wrong at this moment. I could lose my girlfriend, the Matthew's could lose a daughter, a sister, a niece, a cousin. Maya and Farkle could lose their best friend. My head was spinning and I ended up passing out for a minute there. "Lucas!" I heard someone yell as I came back through. "You alright man?" Josh asked as he caught my fall. "No, I feel so numb. My head was spinning and look where that lead." I said. "Riley is going to be okay, she's still here. Maybe not the way we want her to be right now, but she's going to be okay." Josh said. "I'm not the best at these type of things, but if you need someone to listen. I'm here." Josh said. "Thanks man," I said.

Hours had passed by and we still didn't get any updates. We weren't even allowed to see her yet. "Lucas, you poor thing. Sit down for a little bit." Amy said. "I can't. I can't stay still." I said. Amy got up and pulled me into a hug. "Amy and Alan Matthews?" the doctor called out. "Yes?" they said as they walked up to the doctor. I couldn't hear what the doctor was saying, but from what I saw it didn't look too good. Amy covered her mouth, and Alan had put his arm around her waist. They didn't look too happy. I saw their eyes start to tear up but then Amy put her hand on her heart and she sighed. Was it a sigh of relief?

Topanga's POV:

"WHAT?!" I yelled as I was on the phone with Amy. My daughter! I knew it was too dangerous to let her go to Philadelphia without me. My baby girl. I knew that Cory would freak out the most when I tell him. "What happened to my daughter?! Let me talk to Lucas!" I yelled. "Hey, Topanga…" Lucas said. "EXPLAIN!" I yelled. "We were at your sisters, we were getting ready for dinner and then she turned and looked at me her face as pale as a snowflake, her eyes big and she collapsed. I tried to find a pulse but I couldn't, then I tried to give her mouth to mouth but that didn't work either and I don't know. This is all my fault." Lucas said. "No, it's not your fault. You had nothing to do with it… Did you?" I asked. "No, I'll give you a timeline. Tharitea gave us some water, we talked, we met her kids and then ten minutes later, she collapsed." He said. "As much as I don't want to point fingers here, and I don't want to believe that my sister would do this. But there could be a possibility that she poisoned her." I said. "Well, they did find a chemical in her body and it formed a lump in her chest." Lucas said. Right when those words slipped out of his mouth, I dropped my phone, I couldn't speak. My body fell weak. My daughter, my only daughter.

I had to get to Philadelphia, but I had to go fight for someone else's rights. But it was my daughter. I called the courthouse to see if they could reschedule but unfortunately they said they couldn't. So after court, I was going to drive to Philadelphia and I almost forgot to tell Cory. As soon as I thought that, he came through the door. "Honey, I'm home!" he said as he walked up to the kitchen and planted a kiss on my cheek. "You don't look so good." He observed. "Riley." I managed to get out. I felt my throat start to close and my eyes start to water. Cory's face turned serious. "What happened to Riley?" he asked. "She collapsed. They found a chemical in her body and Lucas told me that it formed a lump in her chest and I think my sister may have had something to do with it." I said as I started to sob. Cory stood there in shock. He took a deep breath and wrapped his arm around me. "WAIT WHAT?!" He yelled as he let go of me. "Did you not hear what I just said?" I asked. "Yes I did, but now it all sunk in. Friar is a dead man!" he yelled. "Cory, he didn't have anything to do with it. He's at the hospital with her, he called your parents. They are there with him along with Josh and my sister. But my sister gave Riley something to drink before she collapsed. So it's pretty obvious she did it." I said. "I have to go see her!" Cory said as he bolted for the door. "I'll meet you guys after court, take Auggie with you." I said.

Cory's POV:

How could Topanga's sister do this? I know I shouldn't jump to conclusions but how? I texted Lucas to give me updates on Riley. I can't believe something like this happened to my little girl. I knew Lucas did the right thing, I mean what more could he have done to protect her. I got into my car and as I was driving I immediately forgot about Auggie. I made a quick U-turn and drove to the school. "What's going on, dad?" he asked as he walked into the office. "We have to go to Philadelphia. Family emergency." I said. "What happened?" he asked. "I'll tell you in the car." I said. Once I finished signing him out, we walked out the school and got into the car. "Alright, so what's going on?" he asked. "Your sister collapsed and they found a lump in her chest. We need to go see her." I said as I drove out of the parking lot. "Dad, slow down." He said. "I'm sorry, I just can't concentrate." I said. "I want to feel safe not scared. I would volunteer to drive but I'm only 11." He said, "Don't worry. You're safe with me." I said.

Lucas's POV:

"Okay, so Riley is in her room now and you guys can see her." the doctor said. I quickly stood up but then I didn't want to seem eager, so I let her grandparents go first. "I saw that." Josh teased. After about 45 minutes, everyone had their turn to see her. "Lucas, she's awake." Amy said. A huge smile spread across my face and I gave her a hug before I went in to see Riley. I opened the door, and there laying the hospital bed was my beautiful girlfriend. "Hi…" she said. "Hi!" I said with chuckle. I walked over to her bed and gave her a hug. "How are you feeling?" I said as I sat on her bed. "I feel alright. I'm sorry I scared you like that." She said. "You don't need to apologize." I said as I leaned in to give her a kiss. "Do my parents know?" she asked. "Yes, I have to keep them updated but your dad called me and told me he was on his way with Auggie and your mom is going to come after court." I said. "How are you feeling?" she asked. "Relieved. Well sort of. The doctor still hasn't told us what's in your chest. But I'm glad you're awake now. You really scared me. I thought I was going to lose you." I said.

"Oh, baby. You're never going to lose me!" she said as she held my hand. "You don't know that. What if this thing shortens your life, what if this thing kills you? I can't lose you, Riley. If I lose you this time, I won't be able to get you back." I said as I started to choke up. "Hey, babe. Don't cry." She said as she sat up and cuffed her hands on my face. "I'm still here. This could be nothing. So don't think the worse just yet." she said. "But the fear of it Riley, the fear of losing you." I said. "We both have a fear of not losing each other don't we?" she said as she ran her fingers down through my hair. I rested my forehead onto her head and stared into her eyes. "What have you done to me, Matthews?" I teased. She gave me a warm smile. "So much for adventure huh." She said. "I honestly don't care as long as I'm with you, baby girl." I said. "My little girl!" Mr. Matthews yelled as he ran into the room. "I should leave you two alone." I said as I got up. "Oh no, you stay." He demanded. Not knowing if I should've sit back down or not, I just stood there awkwardly.

Cory's POV:

I gave Lucas a weird look as he stood there awkwardly, standing in front of Riley. "You are a strange little boy." I said. "Yup, I can't help myself." He said as he swung his hands back and forth. "Do you mind?" I asked as I gestured him to move. He took a step to the side and joined Auggie by the door. "Riley." I said as I walked over to the bed and gave her a hug. "I'm so glad you're okay." I said. "I'll always be okay, dad." She said. "Lucas, come here." I said. Lucas started walking towards me nervously. "Yeah, you better be nervous." I scowled. "Dad! He had nothing to do with it." Riley said. "You're right, I know I'm sorry. Lucas, Topanga told me what happened. But I want to hear it from you." I said. "Why?" he asked. "Because you were there for every movement." I said. "Well, on the drive there we made a few rest stops and then we arrived at Tharitea's house. We walked up to her door, rang her doorbell. She answered and asked us who we were, she let us come in, we made our way to the living room and she asked us if we wanted anything to drink. Riley said water so she gave us both water, after talking to her for an hour, her kids came home from school and she introduced us. I think her oldest daughter may have a creepy crush on me. Anyways, ten minutes after we met them, Tharitea was getting ready for dinner and Riley and I were about to go to the kitchen, when she turned pale and her eyes fell back into her head and she collapsed. I yelled for Topanga's sister and she called the ambulance. I followed them with my truck, we got here and I called for your parents and your brother. They arrived along with Tharitea. The doctor-." Before he could finish I interrupted, "Okay, breathe son. I'll just wait for the doctor." I said.

"But you didn't let me tell you what was wrong with her." he said. "Well, Topanga already told me. I wanted to hear it from you but then I changed my mind." I said. "I'm sorry, sir." He said. "You must be the father? I'm assuming." The doctor said as he walked into the room. "Yes, I am. It's nice to meet you." I said. "Well, the test results are in and…"

To be continued…

Chapter 17 is prom! I feel like I have kept you guys waiting long enough. But as prom night approaches, someone decides to pay Riley a visit before she even gets to walk out the door. But who could it be? Anyways, I tried my best with this chapter, it was a little confusing and kind of hard to write. But hopefully you guys enjoyed it.