Hey guys

Hope you all liked the last chapter

Here's a small surprise update for you all

A big thank you to all those who have been genuinely supporting me as an author

News for the guest reader (who refuses to mention his/her name, but always has a few words to say), I'm working on some of your suggestions right now, so hopefully you'll like the story enough to not leave more complaints.

Previously:

Zay interviews Cory and Topanga for the Rucas wedding project.

The next day Josh found his girlfriend working on some painting in her bedroom.

Maya had already started working on the painting she wanted to give Auggie as an apology for her selfish behaviour.

Josh asks, "What are you working on?"

Maya replies, "A little project"

Josh says, "I thought you were done with your assignments"

Maya replies, "It's a personal project"

Josh looks confused, so Maya sighs and explains, "I'm making a painting for Auggie to apologise for my selfish behaviour these past few weeks. Riley and I discussed it yesterday with Topanga and came up with an idea."

Josh asks, "What's the idea?"

Maya replies, "Well apparently Auggie really looks up to Lucas as a role model and older brother. So, we decided to make Auggie a painting of him and Lucas. Topanga also mentioned that Auggie wants them to put up some pictures of Lucas with them because he's about to officially and legally become part of their family. I thought he would appreciate this gesture and forgive me."

Josh says, "If I heard correctly from Topanga, then Auggie forgave you that day itself. Right now, you're just apologising because you finally realised your mistake. If you ask me, I think that Auggie was more hurt than mad about the whole incident."

Maya asks, "Have you talked to Lucas about it?"

Josh replies, "Not really. I mean he's been a bit preoccupied with the honeymoon related things and Farkle said that it's better not to disturb him when he's planning a surprise for Riley. Apparently, it doesn't end well for you if you do."

Maya says, "No one actually knows what he and Auggie talked about that day. I really want to know how Auggie forgave me so easily. I mean he usually holds a grudge especially when it comes to me. Like after the triangle mess was sorted, he was cold towards me because he believed I was solely responsible for Riley's pain."

Josh replies, "Well if I remember correctly, then I think that Lucas was the one who saved you from Auggie's wrath back then"

Maya asks, "What do you mean?"

Josh explains, "Auggie had refused to listen to Riley when she tried to defend you and explain that it wasn't only your fault. After that Lucas stepped in and well, rest you know."

Maya asks, "How do you know this?'

Josh simply shrugs and replies, "Topanga mentioned it. That was actually the first time she noticed that Auggie really looked up to the cowboy. I'm not sure when they started getting along so well, but my nephew really respects that kid. Auggie might ignore Cory's advice, but he will always listen to Lucas."

Maya says, "Wow. Ranger Rick must have really impressed that kid to earn his respect. I always wanted Auggie to think of me as another big sister, but it never happened. Then the situation got so messed up that now I have no hope of getting Auggie's respect. He literally just tolerates me because I'm Riley's best friend."

Josh sighs and replies, "Yeah, it's probably going to take a lot of work for you to earn Auggie's trust. He was really angry with the whole triangle nonsense. From what I heard, Auggie actually threatened Lucas when you all came back from Texas. According to Topanga, after that Lucas used to spend a lot of time with Auggie even whenever you guys had plans."

Maya says, "Yeah, I remember that Huckleberry bailing on us way too much. We didn't know where he went but it almost felt like he didn't want to spend time with his friends."

Josh replies, "Well, can you really blame him? During that whole triangle situation no one was really asking him about his feelings. Instead of exploding on you all eventually, he chose to spend his time elsewhere."

Maya asks, "How do you know this?"

Josh replies, "Auggie told me. He had forced Lucas to confess all this one day, so that's how he knew. He was in on Farkle's plan to announce about Riley's feelings on New Year, since he already knew about Lucas. Auggie was hoping that Lucas and Riley would get together and everything would be alright but that never really happened."

Maya says, "They both never got together because they didn't want to hurt my feelings. Riley didn't do anything because she's my best friend and Lucas didn't either because he knew Riley wouldn't want me to get hurt. I really was an idiot back then who didn't even understand that I was hurting my own best friend by not being clear about my feelings."

Josh says, "Just out of curiosity, why did you get attracted to Lucas in the first place? I mean I thought you liked me and all of a sudden, I hear that you and Lucas are a thing."

Maya replies, "I guess I was attracted more to the idea of Lucas, than the boy himself"

Josh looks confused and asks, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Maya explains, "I had seen the way Lucas used to treat Riley like a princess, even when they weren't even dating and I kind of wanted the same thing for myself. After Shawn came into my life, I started hoping for things that I never thought I could get before. I never meant to take something from Riley, but it just happened. I wanted someone like Lucas in my life and I got confused by thinking that I wanted Lucas in my life. I've never really had a good experience with any male in life, before Shawn came along."

Josh says, "I guess I can understand. You wanted some guy to like you and treat you right. I didn't really help matters by constantly rejecting you, did I?"

Maya absently replies, "I guess so"

Josh realises that he should probably change the subject and says, "Well this painting seems to be coming out great. I'm sure Auggie will love it."

Maya replies, "I hope so. Topanga said that Cory clicked this picture when you guys went to get your suits."

Josh says, "Yeah, I think I saw them clicking a picture. I was kind of occupied with the other boys who were trying to figure out a good colour for the suits."

Maya asks, "What is the colour of your suits?"

Josh replies, "Lucas had a chat with Riley and she mentioned that you girls were getting light purple colour dresses. So, we got light grey suits with light purple coloured ties."

Maya says, "Technically we decided on lavender or lilac till then, but light purple works just fine"

Josh asks, "Will you be done by the weekend?"

Maya replies, "I think so. Speaking of the weekend, we have to tell both of our parents and your brother about the baby."

Josh whines, "Do we have to? I would like to live long enough to watch my kid grow up."

Maya chuckles and replies, "Boing, we have to tell them eventually, so let's just get it over with. I promise to protect you if my dad tries to kill you. We both will see our kid grow up."

Josh sighs in relief causing Maya to laugh at her boyfriend's expense.

Josh mutters, "Yeah, yeah laugh it up"

After some time, Maya finally calms down and says, "You have to tell me where is that Ranger Rick planning to take Riles for their honeymoon"

Josh replies, "No way Maya. I do not have a death wish."

Maya asks, "What is that supposed to mean?"

Josh replies, "I'm not telling you because if you tell Riley by mistake then Lucas will be out for blood. He's working really hard on that surprise and I will not risk spoiling it."

Maya whines, "But Josh"

Josh firmly says, "Nope. You will find out with Riley at the reception."

Maya asks, "Can't you give me a tiny hint?"

Josh sighs and replies, "Like I told Riley, it's somewhere Lucas kind of promised to take her back in seventh grade"

Maya asks, "How am I supposed to know what that Huckleberry promised Riles?"

Josh replies, "Lucas said that this conversation happened in front of you. He also mentioned that Riley didn't exactly understand what he had said."

Maya says, "If Riley didn't understand it then I obviously didn't. But how could Riley not understand him?"

Josh nonchalantly replies, "Not a clue"

Just then Josh sees the picture Maya was referring to for her painting.

Josh comments, "Cory took a pretty good picture"

Maya replies, "I agree. Didn't know Matthews had it in him."

Josh asks, "So I get that you're doing this for Auggie, but have you given thought to what you could do for Lucas and Riley?"

Maya replies, "Honestly, not really. I just thought this painting could work for both the boys."

Josh says, "Well it does work for the boys, but then what about Riley? You did hurt all of their feelings, even if it wasn't intentional."

Maya replies, "Well, I could plan a bridal shower for Riley in Texas. I was also thinking about buying her a nice garter."

Josh comments, "I don't think my brother will like that idea very much"

Maya smirks and replies, "Well then, I guess it's a good thing that I don't really care about what Matthews thinks"

Josh asks with a deadpan expression, "Why do I have a feeling that you're going to force Lucas to use his teeth to remove said garter?"

Maya chuckles and replies, "You know me a little too well"

Josh says, "I really hope Cory doesn't kill his son in law within a few hours of their marriage"

Maya replies, "Josh, just relax. I promise I'll talk to Farkle and Zay about keeping Matthews under control. I'm not about to make my best friend a widow on the day of her marriage that too in just a few hours after they take their vows."

Josh says, "I really love my niece and Lucas also happens to be a good friend of mine, so I'll give you a better suggestion. Talk to Topanga about keeping Cory in line."

Maya asks, "But what if Matthews tries to get Shawn to help him?"

Josh replies, "Trust me, both of them are absolutely terrified of Topanga. One look from Pangers and they will remain glued to their seats until the reception is over."

Maya asks, "Is it really that easy?"

Josh nods and replies, "Don't underestimate the power of Topanga. You get her on your side and you'll never have any trouble with Cory and Shawn ever in your life."

Maya asks, "If that's the case then why are you so afraid of telling Shawn about the baby? Won't Topanga save you from my over protective father?"

Josh replies, "I didn't think we would be telling them together. That's actually a good idea. We'll tell Cory, Shawn, Topanga and Katy together. This way Topanga can save me from getting killed. Maya, you're a genius."

Maya says, "If this is how smart you are, then I'm really worried about our baby's future"

Josh replies, "Hey I'm at least better than you. Besides, I seriously doubt that even after having an aunt like Topanga, our baby will have any problems, academically or otherwise."

Maya says, "That's true. If anyone even tries to bully our baby, Topanga will teach the kid's parents a lesson. I still remember what she did to that girl's family who told Riley that she didn't like her."

Josh chuckles and replies, "I still can't believe that it made the local news"

Maya says, "I really did not see that coming"

Josh watches Maya work for some time in silence before he says, "You know what, I think I'm ready to tell our family about the baby this weekend"

Maya asks, "What's changed?"

Josh replies, "Well I'm feeling much better knowing that Topanga will be there to help, if things do go south. Plus, we have to let them know that Shawn is about to become a grandfather and Cory is about to be an uncle. Eventually after the death threats end, I'm sure they'll be excited about the baby."

Maya says, "Maybe you're right. But let's see what happens."

With that Maya goes back to her painting, while Josh sits with her talking about random things.

So, Maya and Josh will soon tell their families about their baby

How do you think Shawn and Cory will react to this news?

Please leave your thoughts in the review section