Chapter 50
Riley stepped outside and the cold air didn't even bother her, she was so distracted by the Christmas lights and mini stage that she assumed her friends put together. "Have a seat peaches." There was a small table with one chair a few feet away from a microphone. She felt a kiss on her head and she saw Lucas walking away with a guitar on his back.
"What's going on out here?" Riley questioned with a grin. All of her friends that she invited gathered around the table and were silenced when Maya started talking.
"Riley Grace Matthews, we love you, like a lot! All 3 of us couldn't imagine our lives without you in them. So, i'm going to sing you a little song, one we grew up singing together." The blonde nodded behind her. The brunette covered her mouth and started laughing, she had the best friends ever, in existence. Once the music started she felt her eyes fill up with tears.
This is for all you girls about 13
High school can be so rough can be so mean.
Hold on to, on to your innocence.
Stand your ground, when everybody's givin' in.
Maya had a beautiful voice and was surprised she didn't do more with it. The blonde was doing the random dance moves they came up with when they were kids.
This one's for the girls.
This is for all you girls about 25
In a little apartment just trying to get by.
Livin' on, on dreams and spaghettios.
Wonderin' where your life is gonna go.
Maya's blue eyes stared her down with a smile, and a pointing finger. The brunette wiped a tear away and clapped her hands together along with the rest of the party.
This ones for the girls who've ever had a broken heart.
Who've wished upon a shooting star.
You're beautiful the way you are.
This ones for the girls who've loved without holding back.
Who've dreamed with everythng they've had all around the world.
This ones for the girls.
This is for all you girls about 42
Tossing pennies into the fountain of youth.
Every laugh, laugh line on your face.
Made you who you are today.
This one's for the girls who've ever had a broken heart.
Who've wished up on a shooting star.
You're beautiful the way you are.
This one's for the girls who've loved without holding back.
Who've dreamed with everything they've had all around the world.
This ones for the girls.
Yeah we're all the same inside.
From 1 to 99.
Riley stood up and walked towards her best friend and sang along with her. Lucas and Josh laughed while they continued to sing and dance together.
This ones for the girls who've ever had a broken heart.
Who've wished upon a shooting star.
You're beautiful the way you are.
This ones for the girls who've loved without holding back.
Who've dreamed with everything they've had all around the world.
Yeah, this ones for the girls.
Riley and Maya hugged each other with huge smiles on their faces.
Yeah this one's for the girls.
"Thank you peaches. I love you!" The brunette snaked her arms around the blue eyed girls neck. "Thank you Josh." Her eyes turned towards Lucas. "Thank you baby."
Maya leaned back. "Oh it's not over with! Can I get a time check please?" Someone from the group of friends shouted.
"11:52." Josh set down his guitar and brought a stool towards the microphone while the blue eyed girl pushed her back down in the chair. The running back took a seat on the stool and adjusted the microphone.
"Hey baby." He uttered, the cheerleader waved revealing her dimples. "This is the last part of your gift. You and I have had so many great times together but we've also had some rough patches brought about by my own stupidity." The brunette giggled and blew him a kiss. "But you continue to love me, you continue to make me want to be a better person, and you know what, the song will speak for itself." Maya pulled out her phone and started recording.
When I see your smile
Tears run down my face I can't replace
And now that I'm strong I have figured out
How this world turns cold and it breaks through my soul
And I know I'll find deep inside me I can be the one
Lucas' voice was as usual, captivating and addicting. She hung onto every single word and occasionally wiping tears away.
I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven
It's okay. It's okay. It's okay.
Seasons are changing
And waves are crashing
And stars are falling all for us
Days grow longer and nights grow shorter
I can show you I'll be the one
His green eyes stared at her as he strummed on his guitar. Riley was trying to stop crying but this was the sweetest thing he's ever done and she was falling more in love with him.
I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven
'Cause you're my, you're my, my, my true love, my whole heart
Please don't throw that away
'Cause I'm here for you
Please don't walk away and
Please tell me you'll stay, whoa, stay, whoa
Her cheeks hurt from smiling so wide and just to relieve them of the strain she blew him a kiss.
Use me as you will
Pull my strings just for a thrill
And I know I'll be okay
Though my skies are turning gray
I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven
Riley ran towards him and her lips pressed against his, they were both unknowingly being recorded. "I love you." She whispered.
"I love you beautiful."
"EVERYONE GO INSIDE AND GRAB SOME STUFF FOR THE COUNTDOWN." The couple didn't move they continued to kiss and hold each other. His thumb caressed her cheek wiping away the happy tears she let free.
"Close your eyes." He whispered. The cheerleader did as she was told while the green eyed man dug something out of his pocket. "Keep your eyes closed while I talk." Lucas clutched her left hand.
"Okay." She uttered.
"I love you Riley Grace, I fall in love with you more everyday. I know I scared you with a proposal the other day." The brunette tucked her lips in and nodded. "Let me be clear this isn't a proposal." He slid the rose gold ring on her finger and noticed her shaky hands. "This is a promise." Riley was trying extremely hard to not open her eyes, her cheeks were hurting again. "A promise that I will marry you one day. Open your eyes." Her doe eyes opened but she couldn't look at anything else besides his breath taking eyes. "A promise that i'm here for the long haul, no matter what gets in the way." He wiped a tear off of her cheek. "What do you say, wanna marry me someday?"
A wide grin approached Riley's face. She sniffled and hugged him tight. "Yeah."
"10.. 9.. 8.. 7.. 6.. 5.. 4.. 3..2.. 1. HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Horns blew, sparklers were going off, people were shouting, giving hugs, taking drinks but they just stared into eachother's eyes.
"Are you gonna kiss me or not?" She mumbled. His hands held her face as his lips met hers. "Happy New Year Lucas."
"Happy New Year Riley, and Happy Birthday." The couple kissed again, and she was really wishing she could kick everyone out. His strong arms lifted the brunette off the ground, and it was then he realized how cold she was. "You want to go inside sweetheart?"
"No, I just want you to hold me." Lucas smirked and hed her tight, occasionally kissing the top of her head and listening to her sigh. 10 minutes had passed until she spoke again. "I'm really cold now." He took her hand and led her inside, a good portion of the party had left to their surprise.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY! NOW LET ME SEE!" Maya slid towards her best friend to grab her hand.
"Yeah, I haven't even looked at it yet." She giggled. It was beautiful rose gold, with black and white diamonds.
"I figured you wouldn't want to go the traditional two hearts intertwining route. So if you don't like it, let me know and we can get you one that you do." Riley's jaw dropped.
"I love it baby!" She leaned over and kissed the green eyed man. "Thank you for everything. Thank you all, you're truly the best friends and boyfriend I could have ever asked for." The brunette moved her head from left to right. "Is it just me or did everyone leave super fast?"
"Yeah they did, they wanted to give you and Lucas some time alone, or so I heard while I was eavesdropping." Maya winked. "Hey baby." Josh rose off the couch. "Want to go outside with me?" Riley's brown eyes rolled. "Just in the backyard."
"Sure babe." Poor Josh he had no idea what his girlfriend was doing. The back door slammed shut.
"She's ridiculous, my parents will be home soon." The brunette kicked off her heels and hopped onto the countertop.
"I really want to." The running back whispered.
"I know baby. Me too, especially because you look super sexy tonight." Her dainty fingers grasped his shirt and her lips moved to kiss him.
"How about instead of torturing ourselves we bring our friends back inside and we watch a movie? I'll hold you and you can fall asleep in my arms, and maybe if I fall asleep your parents won't wake us up when they get home and we can wake up to each other in the morning." The brown eyed girl grinned at his plan.
"Sneaky! I like it. MAYA!"
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Riley woke up the next morning in Lucas' arms, she smiled remembering his plan. It must've worked. There was a clash in the kitchen which startled all 4 teenagers. "Good morning beautiful."
"10 to 1 it's my father. Even better odds that he saw the ring. Be prepared." The brunette sat up and smiled at her father who was in the kitchen banging a pot on the stove. Maya sat up too and started laughing. "Good morning, and happy new year to you father. May I ask why you're slamming a pot on the stove?" Topanga ran out of the hallway and popped him on the back of the head, while snatching the pot away.
"WHAT'S THAT?!" Cory pointed at her left hand and the brown eyed girl couldn't help but smile.
"Oh daddy, didn't you hear? I'm married now that i'm 18." Mr. Matthew's jaw dropped.
"AHH!" Cory screeched. The blonde started playing along and began to sing.
Going to the chapel and we're gonna get married.
Gee, I really love you and we're gonna get married.
His squeal hurt their ears. "Daddy i'm not married, i'm not engaged so go to the medicine cabinet and take a chill pill." Mrs. Matthews snickered at her daughters comment.
"Lucas."
"Yes Mrs. Matthews." He sat up, still trying to open his eyes.
"Care to explain before my husband dies of a heart attack?"
The green eyed man yawned and agreed. "It's a promise ring sir." Cory's eyes narrowed and Topanga was urging him to continue. "A promise that i'll love your daughter for as long as she'll have me, and to get married someday."
"OH!" Mr. Matthews clutched his heart.
"Mr. Matthews if I may ease your worry." He stood up and sauntered into the kitchen where her father was laying on the floor.
"You can try." Mumbled his wife.
"I will come to you when i'm ready to ask Riley. I will get your permission first." Cory quit pretending to have a heart attack and jumped off of the ground.
"Thank you for not dying daddy." The brunette laid back down while Cory and Lucas shook hands.
"Yes sir, thank you for not dying. I can't put enough emphasis on that."
Topanga smiled as she sipped on her coffee. "What are y'all doing today birthday girl?"
The brunette sighed. "This, right here. I'm lame and i'm more than okay with that." Her boyfriend slid back on the couch beside her.
"Well why don't we go ahead and work on our school and scholarship party?" Maya suggested. "We all have our stuff anyways." The brunette stared at the ceiling.
"Whatever y'all wanna do. I'm good with either, i've got everything ready." Riley whispered, she felt like she was falling asleep.
"All of what ready sweetheart?"
Lucas' girlfriend yawned. "Um, I made sheets so you could write down your log in information for every scholarship website. Another spreadsheet for scholarships you applied for and how much it was for. Another one for something else that I can't remember right now. And another one for our school applications." Josh scoffed and laughed lightly.
"Yeah that sounds about right." He uttered.
"You hush or i'll sick my boyfriend on you!" Riley stated.
"Josh hush or i'll sick my girlfriend on you." The brunette giggled and slapped Lucas' back. "Kidding, but seriously don't make me get up dude."
The blonde cleared her throat. "We'll get up in a few hours and do it. I think we're all pretty worn out from last night." Slowly the group of friends fell back asleep.
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4 years later.
Riley entered her 2 bedroom apartment and hung her keys on the rack. She just finished her last midterm as a senior in college. She walked to the fridge, pulled out a water bottle and looked at the cork board to the left of the appliance, the one Maya gave her so many years ago at her graduation party. Pictures of her and Maya overwhelmed her senses, remembering all the good times they've had together. Her eyes moved slightly and she saw their acceptance letters, reminiscing of the day they opened them together. "HELLO?"
"Hey Maya in here!" Josh was right on her heels. "Hey Uncle Josh. How'd y'alls finals go?"
The blonde rolled her eyes. "Piece of cake."
"Piece of carrot cake." Joked Riley. "Josh?"
"I'm so glad we're done with school that's all I have to say." The brunette glanced down at her best friends hand.
"I still can't believe you're getting married in a few weeks. I'm so happy for you two." She divulged with a smile.
"Thanks peaches, 4 weeks well to get real technical 27 days. But, who's counting?" The blue eyed girl joked.
"That'd be you sweetheart." Josh plopped down on the couch. "I can't wait to marry you though, luckily we got approved for that apartment or we would be out on the streets."
"Nah, i'd let you move in with me. My peaches can't live in a cardboard box." Maya leaned over the island and kissed her cheek.
"So how are you? I felt like we haven't seen each other in awhile." She glanced down at the island.
"Yeah, we've both been studying for finals. But now we're graduating, and we're fancy pants and we can hang out whenever we aren't working." The brunette joked.
"I actually have a job interview, I got the call yesterday." Riley screamed and ran around the bar to give her a hug.
"CONGRATULATIONS! Where?" She questioned.
"The middle school right down the road, an art teacher. That's so weird to say, I never thought i'd be able to afford to go to school, let alone end up teaching at one. I only have you to thank for staying on my ass every year." Riley's bottom lip came out.
"That's the sweetest thing I think you've ever said to me." Josh chuckled lightly as he watched them hug.
"WHERE'S MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE?" The door slammed shut. "Ah, there she is." His lips touched her cheek with his hands behind his back.
"Lucas! I was wondering where you were at." Maya pronounced.
"Sorry, I was finishing some stuff up at the ranch and picking this for you sweetheart." He smirked and pulled out a small bouquet of bubblegum flowers. The brunette smiled and kissed him. "Can you believe someone tried to tell me these were weeds?" Riley got on her tiptoes and pulled a vase out of her cabinet to place them in. "I got into a heated discussion with the guy. I kept telling him, 'no this is my wifes favorite flower, they're called bubblegum flowers'. Apparently i'm crazy." Her brown eyes traced her husband, she wasn't sure if it was because they were done with school but she found herself remembering the day they got engaged. He recreated the first time he proposed, the only difference was that Charlie wasn't at the movie. And then the day they got married. It was 2 years ago, just them and their parents at the Justice of the Peace, no big spectacle, no huge dress. Just the two of them together, the way she always wanted it. "Babe, you okay?" His green eyes pulled her out of the daydream.
"Yeah i'm great. Sorry, daydreaming over here." She giggled. "How much longer?" The green eyed man stared at his watch.
"5 minutes give or take." He mumbled and kissed her head. "We're going crazy."
"I can imagine, it's been-"
"4 days." Lucas interrupted Maya and sat down on the bar stool. "The point was for us to study but we found ourselves video chatting most of the time."
The brunette stared at a picture on the refridgerator, until there was a knock on the door, Riley and Lucas raced to answer it. "Hi baby girl." Lucas' arms wrapped around a beautiful little girl with green eyes but was quickly stolen away by her mother. She was a little less than a year old, and the light of their lives.
"Mommy missed you baby girl." Maya stood behind them smiling at the exchange. Mr. Matthews stepped into the apartment.
"Daddy missed you too. Come here." Lucas held his arms out and she leaned towards her daddy.
Riley scoffed. "Daddy's little girl, of course."
"HEY!" Cory snapped. "You're a daddy's girl."
"You're right. Sorry daddy."
He smiled and kissed her head. "I'm so proud of you honey, business degree to help run the ranch, Lucas you have a degree in agriculture-"
"Almost, we almost have degrees." Riley corrected.
"Right, almost." Mr. Matthews whispered. "But I was really bragging on the fact that you did it while raising this beautiful little girl." Lucas clutched his wife's hand and grinned.
"Sir, we couldn't have done it without y'alls help. Watching her on nights where we had to cram for a test, but thank the Lord we don't have to do that anymore." Riley fell more in love with him. "I don't know how much longer your mother and I could've done that. No, I don't."
"Oh, watch what I taught her." Cory glanced at Elizabeth. "Lizzie, can you say 'bye bye'?"
Elizabeth held up her tiny hand and waved. "Byee!"
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Thanks so much for reading my story. I really hope you guys liked it. I'm sorry it was an abrupt ending.
Riley's Party Dress: promgirl. com search for 'LUX-LD1623'
Riley's Promise Ring: kay. com search for '023909601'
I tried to find a picture of 'bubblegum flowers' but they really are weeds so I had no luck.