Chapter 45
"HAPPY THANKSGIVING!" It was 11 o'clock and Riley already did her stretches, took a shower and gotten dressed. She normally wasn't super excited about outfits but she was in love with this one. Her bright orange off the shoulder sweater said GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GOBBLE! Her black jeggings hugged her legs and hid her knee brace, with black suede booties. The brunette had her hair curled and teased, and nothing but eye makeup on.
Ms. Matthews was working in the kitchen. "Hi sweetheart, happy thanksgiving. You seem chipper this morning."
"Yeah, well today gives me a reason to eat as much as I want and not be judged." Cory laughed. "Do you need help with anything?"
"Sure, if you want to start the german chocolate cake, please do. Do you need the recipe?"
"Nah, it's burned into my brain now." Topanga laughed, she had made it several times a year since she was 11 and swore it tasted better every time.
"You look beautiful, loving that sweater." Riley gathered the necessary ingredients.
"I love how obnoxious it is. Also, thank you for letting everyone come over here. Taylor, Corey, and Shawn and Katy, you rock." Mrs. Matthews glanced at her husband, she hadn't been this happy in a long time.
"It's no problem, them coming helped lighten my load in the kitchen." There was a knock at the door. "Love of my life, please get the door." Cory sauntered across the living room, letting Lucas into their humble abode.
"Hey, Matthews family!" He shut the door and saw his girlfriend in the kitchen. She looked gorgeous, and even more adorable cooking. Lucas hugged her from behind and kissed her neck, on the same side where the sweater hung off. He whispered where no one else could hear, "You look sexy in the kitchen."
"Get out of here." She elbowed him in the stomach. "Wait, where's your family?" Her brown eyes glanced him up and down, gah he was so sexy. His maroon long sleeved thermal, his brown belt and jeans with his boots was driving her insane.
"My mom had to finish up a few things, they'll be over soon. In the mean time is there anything I can help with?" Cory put his hand on the running backs broad shoulder.
"Stay out of the kitchen." Mr. Matthews' eyes were wide and serious, but the green eyed man couldn't help but laugh.
"HEY PARTY PEOPLE! Happy Turkey Day!" Maya pranced into their home, Shawn and Katy following right behind her with hands full of food.
"Hey peaches!" Riley hugged everyone but could tell something was bothering her best friend. 30 minutes later the cake was in the oven, Josh and Lucas were talking on the couch watching the game and Lucas' family was conversing with Riley's about Lord only knows what. The cheerleader snuck her best friend into her bedroom. "What's wrong?" Maya's eyes turned slightly pink.
"My dad called."
"Oh honey." Her long arms wrapped around her blue eyed best friend. "What'd he want?"
"He left a voicemail but i'm afraid to listen to it. Why is he calling me years later? What, how long has it been 5 years?"
"Maybe he's realizing what he's missing." The blonde fidgeted with her hands.
"Shawn is my father now. My birth dad has no say in anything." Riley clutched her best friends hands.
"Exactly, don't let him ruin this day. We're having a beautiful day, with our wonderful family." Maya hugged her friend again, there was a knock on her bedroom door.
"Hey beautiful girls, I thought you'd be in here. It's time to eat." The blue eyed girl sauntered out of her bedroom, and Lucas stopped his girlfriend before she could. "You really do look gorgeous sweetheart. Happy Thanksgiving." The green eyed man kissed her forehead. "I'm grateful for you, that's for dang sure."
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"Dessert anyone?" Riley was in the kitchen standing next to a table full of pies, cakes, and cookies. Lucas raised his hand.
"I'd love a slice of that cake you made." She grinned and took a few more orders before she sliced. "Hey let me help you, why don't you take a seat?"
"My knee's fine, you worry wart." She giggled and wiped some icing on his cheek. Lucas' smile spread across his face, she was so freaking adorable.
"At least let me carry the plates while you slice." The icing was still on his cheek and after she agreed, she kissed it off.
"Hey Maya!" Shawn was calling her name from across the room. The blonde pulled herself away from Josh and skipped towards her step-dad. "I wanted to talk to you for a minute. The other day whenever you were forced to make me popcorn and Josh came over it got me to thinkin'," Shawn stopped and looked at Cory who was eavesdropping. "Cor, give us a minute." After stomping his foot Mr. Matthews left them alone. "Anyways, do you remember that night?"
"Yeah, of course."
"It got me to thinkin' about how fast you're growing up and soon you'll be going away to college and I had an idea. If you don't want to then it isn't a big deal. But, i'd love to take you on a daddy daughter date sometime soon." Maya smiled. "Maybe make it like a monthly thing." Her arms wrapped around him.
"Of course I would. You're my father Shawn." He chuckled and returned the embrace. "Just let me know when, okay?"
"Okay." Maya left him when Katy walked up. "She said yes. I just have to let her know a date."
"I'm happy for you honey. She deserves this, you deserve this. You're an amazing husband and father."
"What was that about peaches?" Riley, Josh, Lucas and Maya were all in the living room, kind of sort of watching the Cowboy game.
"Shawn wants to take me on a daddy daughter date." The brunette smiled, knowing that earlier today Maya acknowledged the fact that Shawn was her father.
"That's so great honey." Josh kissed her cheek.
"Yeah peaches. That's amazing."
"GUYS! A LITTLE GAME OF TOUCH?" Josh and Lucas fist bumped and stood up leaving the women of the family alone. Riley would normally join them, but her bum knee, even if she tried she'd be forced off the field.
"So, Maya do you want to go watch?" She grinned and the best friends walked outside to the big patch of grass. The brunette furrowed her brows, how was Lucas going to play in those dark wash jeans? She didn't mind too much, they made his butt look good. "You feeling better?"
"Yeah, I am. I'm debating on calling my real dad and giving him a what for."
"Are you happy?" The cheerleader pryed.
"Of course."
"Than I wouldn't do it. If he calls again then maybe, but don't let him ruin today. Don't let Kermit ruin how far you've come." Riley smiled and clutched her hand. "If you truly believe Shawn is your father then don't let any outside influence ruin that. Go on your daddy daughter dates and enjoy what time you have left at home. Soon, we'll all go to UT." Maya didn't say anything. "You're applying, and i'm going to help find you a ton of scholarships. That's what January 2 is for."
"Don't get your hopes up. Okay?"
"You'll get in, and I guarantee Shawn has something lined up for you. According to my dad, he's been a saver for a good portion of his life. I won't get my hopes up but you're in the top 10 percent, so okay, I already have my hopes up." They both giggled, and looked out to their men playing football.
"How great would that be though?"
"Terrific, if it happens i'd probably freak out. On my own of course, not in front of people. I still have to retain my rep. Oh by the way, we're going to a movie tomorrow night with Charlie and Missy." Riley divulged, hoping to slide it in their casually.
"I'm mad at you for making me do this." Maya rolled her head to look at her.
"You can't be mad at me. You worship the quicksand I walk on." Maya chuckled. "And, that's why we're going to a movie first, to help ease the mood. Please be nice, let's leave this town in good graces."
"Since when do you care who's good graces you're in?" Her brown eyes looked out to the field and stared at him.
"Since someone made me see the value of relationships. I wanted to bury the hatchet, start from scratch."
"Well, how can you do that after everything they did?" Riley laid her head on her best friends shoulder.
"You can't bury the hatchet, but leave the handle sticking out. Besides, when we leave for school I don't want to only remember the bad memories. The ex, and the woman who broke my knee." She giggled. "I want to remember forgiving both of them and having fun my senior year. Lucas inadvertently helped me realize who I wanted to become."
"So you've decided between Ouiser and Shelby?" The brunette laughed at the Steel Magnolias reference.
"Healthy dose of both never hurt."
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"Riley?" Lucas meandered down the hallway and knocked on her bedroom door. "You ready sweetheart? Daddy's Home starts in like 30 minutes."
"Yeah. One second." Riley finished putting in her earrings and stepped out of her bathroom in a cut off denim shirt, and maroon jeans. "Sorry, I took a nap after my excercises.
"You look gorgeous." His strong hands guided her chin to his lips. "Absolutely breath taking." His lips touched her hand and the running back escorted her to his truck.
"How are you feeling about this?" She asked.
"As good as I can be. I'm with you so I know nothing is going to happen, and he knows i'll pummle him if he tries anything." They were about 10 minutes away from the theatre.
Ding Ding
We're here, text us when you are.
"Maya and Josh are there. And, I know this is going to be slightly awkward but please for me, because you love me try to get along with him. I know you and Missy are buddy buddy now."
Ding Ding
Hey Riles, i'm here..
-On our way.
"Do I sense jealousy?" The running back pryed.
"No, not at all." He smiled and grabbed her hand.
"Good."
"Why's that good?" She asked him with 'confusion' written on her face.
"A boy makes his girl jealous of other women. A man makes other women jealous of his girl." Riley leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"Oo, scruffy." He laughed.
"Alright go ahead and text them that we're here." A few texts later they were all standing in front of the theatre.
"Hey Riles." Charlie hugged his ex-girlfriend, then shook hands with Lucas. "Thanks man, for agreeing to do this."
"Hey Missy." The once frenemies hugged. "You remember Charlie right?" Of course she did, he was the first person she texted about kissing Lucas. But, why bring that up?
"Yeah, hey Charlie." He turned around and smiled.
"Charlie, Missy is turning over a new leaf. As we all are." She glared at Maya who hadn't said anything. Riley sauntered back towards her boyfriend and exhaled heavily, she didn't realize she was so nervous. After getting their tickets and snacks they all walked into the theatre. The cheerleader hadn't thought about how awkward the seating arrangement may be. Maya and Josh walked in the row first, followed by Lucas, then Riley, Charlie and Missy. Lucas clutched Riley's hand tight, even though Charlie was preoccupied with Missy.
"I'm proud of you sweetheart." He kissed her hands and it made her smile.
"I didn't realize that I was nervous. I was worried about-" Her knee started to spasm and she inadvertently elbowed Lucas. "Holy mother of-" Riley inhaled deeply.
He reacted almost like he didn't get hit at all. "Keep your eyes on me baby." The brunette squeezed his hand tight, staring into his eyes and it finally went away.
"Riles you okay?" Charlie had a concerned look on his face.
Lucas replied since the cheerleader was fighting back tears. "She's okay, her knee still bothers her a lot, it'll spasm. Especially since physical therapy started." Missy looked towards the ground and tucked her lips in, feeling guilty.
"I'm sorry I elbowed you."
"It's okay, you didn't mean to."
"I'm going to go for a walk. Maybe I just need to work it out a little." The green eyed man was still grasping onto her hands.
"Do you want me to go with you sweetheart?"
"Oh, no. I'm fine, few minutes and i'll be back." Everyone watched the one person who brought them all together leave. Awkward really was an understatement.
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