Chapter 15

Maya's POV

"Thank you." I whispered in Riley's ear as we cuddled in her bed.

"For what?" she asked.

"For asking me to be your girlfriend. For having the courage to do it right in front of Lucas and Farkle. For encouraging me to do the talent show. For inviting my mother. For everything, Riles." I smiled at her, and she smiled back at me with those adorable dimples.

"Thank you, Peaches."

"For what?" I asked.

"For having the courage to kiss me in the bay window. For having the courage to tell your mom how you feel. For writing a song about your feelings for me and having the courage to sing it in front of everyone. For everything," she said. I kissed her lips softly.

"Riles," I started. "I'm sorry about the Lucas kissing me thing," I apologized again.

"It's okay. I guess I needed the push. Seeing someone else kiss you made me jealous, but I had no right to be if I wasn't brave enough to ask you to be mine," Riley explained. "And now you are."

"I'm all yours." I agreed.

"You better be, Peaches."

"You're going to be one of those possessive girlfriends aren't you?" I teased.

"Yeah, you might as well get used to it," she teased back.

Riley's POV

I woke up in Maya's arms again this morning, but this time it felt even more right. I guess it's because we made it official.

Last night, after the talent show, Maya and I tried to find her mom in the crowd but we couldn't. She must have left already, but I wondered why she didn't say anything to Maya first. I think I was the only one worried about her mom, because Maya seemed happier than I've seen her in days. Her eyes were sparkling blue.

We decided to spend our Saturday going on our first official date. We hopped on the 6 train at Bleecker street and rode it up to Central Park.

It was a beautiful spring day, perfect for a walk in the park. We didn't have any particular plan or direction. She took my hand in her own and we walked aimlessly in the sunshine. We were holding hands in public for the first time as a couple. We held hands plenty of times as friends but this time, it meant so much more to me. I looked at all the other couples walking around the park, holding hands, taking pictures together, lying on the grass together, and I looked at Maya. Her golden waves were blowing in the breeze. She's so beautiful. How did I get so lucky?

Maya's POV

I lead Riley towards the Bethesda Terrace. The Bethesda Fountain is one of my favorite places in the city. We sat down on the edge of the fountain.

"Riles, you see the Angel in the center of the fountain?" I started.

"Yeah, she's beautiful," Riley commented.

"It's my favorite sculpture," I said. "Emma Stebbins, the artist, she was the first woman to ever receive a major commission for a sculpture in New York City."

"Wow, you go Emma Stebbins!" Riley said looking up at the angel. "How long ago was that?" she asked.

"It was back in 1864," I answered. "You know what else is cool about Emma Stebbins?"

"What?" Riley asked, looking back at me.

"She fell in love with a woman."

"Really?" Riley's eyes grew wide.

"She fell in love with a famous actress named Charlotte Cushman. They were really good for each other. Emma was shy and didn't always believe in herself. She never would have went for a big commission like this if she didn't have Charlotte to encourage her."

Riley smiled.

"Just like I wouldn't have done the talent show, if you didn't encourage me," I continued. "Just like I wouldn't have displayed my painting in the art show if you didn't push me to."

"Every Emma needs a Charlotte," Riley said. I caressed her face.

"You're my Charlotte." I looked up at the sculpture, an then back at Riley. "You're my angel." Riley smiled. She slowly leaned in and kissed me.

"How do you know so much about all this?" Riley asked.

"From that big art book Ms. Casale gave me," I answered.

"The one you abandoned in the bakery because you thought you'd never be as good as the artists in the book?" Riley asked.

I nodded. "The one you saved for me, with your little note with the stick figure drawings of us that said 'Maya's art goes here. Change the world.'" I smiled at the thought of those cute little stick figures.

"You will change the world, Maya," Riley said.

"So will you, Riles," I said.

"I'm not so sure about that," she said.

"Well, I am." I said.

"Maya, the way that you're so passionate about art, the way you look at world because of it, I wish I had that about something, anything. I have no idea what I'm good at or what I'm going to do with my life," Riley said.

"You're good at believing in people. You're always trying to make someone's life better. You're so compassionate and kind. I bet you would make a great social worker," I suggested.

"Yeah, maybe I would." She smiled as she contemplated the possibility.

"Peaches?" she started.

"Yes, honey?" I answered.

"What happened to Emma and Charlotte? Did they live happily after after?"

"They loved each other for 19 years."

"Then what happened?" She asked.

"Sadly, Charlotte died from breast cancer," I revealed.

"Oh no," Riley lamented. "Poor Emma."

"Emma passed away six years later. But her art is still here."

We stood up and took one last look at the fountain. I looked back at Riley.

"Promise me you won't die first," I demanded.

"Peaches, how could I possibly promise that?" Riley answered.

"I don't know what I would do without you for six years," I said, sadly.

She took my face in her hands, and looked into my eyes.

"You would think back to our very first date. You would remember this moment, right here, right now. You would remember, that you were my Emma, and I was your Charlotte. And you'll know I'm waiting for you, wherever I am." She kissed me softly, but I pulled her closer and kissed her back harder than I ever have, because I might need to remember this kiss everyday for however many days fate may eventually keep us apart.