Rowan's POV
I sat in my room a few days after admitting the truth to my parents. It was a really hard week, month, months. It was all so hard but I felt stronger know with the help of my friends and family. My parents were allowing me to make my own decisions when it came to what I wanted to do. They were seeking guidance from people who specialized in sexual assault and rape. I went and saw a therapist. It was the first time I had someone that didn't know me hear my story. She told my parents and me that we need to move at the pace I was comfortable with. I still wanted to think about my next move. Sabrina walked into my room and I gave her the biggest hug. It felt good seeing her again.
"It's so good to see you." She said pulling me back into another hug. "I missed you so much.
"I missed you too." I pulled away. "I know it's been so hectic around here." We hadn't talked about the abortion but Josh told her.
"How are you feeling?" Sabrina asked with concern.
I thought about how weirdly content I was after talking to the therapist. "I'm feeling better, safe and that's a start."
Sabrina smiled. "I'm glad you're doing better." I nodded. "Are you going to report him?" She wanted to know if I made my decision yet.
Truthfully, I wanted to report Kendall but I didn't know if I was strong enough. "I don't know." I said with doubt in my mind.
She sighed. "Row, I love you but you gotta realize reporting him is the right thing to do." Sabrina paused to pick her words. "Be the voice for the woman who can't escape like you did."
"I'll take that into consideration." I promised her.
Cory's POV
It hurt seeing my baby girl in so much pain. I felt like the worst father. I raised my children to be kind and loving. I worried that because of me not warning them of all the evil in the world that I caused her to be subjected to people like Kendall. Those kind of predators look for naive girls to take advantage of. I could've warned her and I could've been more protective. I was thankful that my son watched over Rowan as closely as he did. If it wasn't for Jamie and her friends she could've fallen in deeper with that man. I knew my girl was strong for enduring all of this but she shouldn't have had to. I know I needed to accept the fact that I can't change time no matter how much I wanted to.
Topanga broke down in tears doing the dishes. "How did we let this happen Cory?" She asked me.
I held her in my arms, as her wet hands dripped on the floor. "Shh." I said to comfort her. "We didn't do anything wrong. It was the man that hurt our daughter, not us." I kissed my wife's head.
She pulled away with a teared stained face. "What are we suppose to do!" She shouted. "She won't do anything about him being free!"
My eyes softened. "I understand the frustration as much as you do honey but the therapist said to let her make that choice." I reminded Topanga the hard truth that we all had to accept.
Topanga sighed. "I know. It's just really hard not to be able to help her." She wanted to be useful.
"You are helping her. You're supporting and loving her. That's what she needs!" I tried to reason with my wife.
"You're right. I'm sorry, all of this is just so hard." She sobbed into my shoulder.
"I know it is." I held Topanga and let out a few tears.
Sabrina's POV
I didn't want to hurt my best friend more than she was already hurting but I believed so strongly in getting justice. I know she wanted to but she seemed scared. I hoped maybe my push would help her decide. I knew the rest of her family felt the same but it had to be her choice so I wasn't going to push too much. Rowan and I hung out for a couple of hours It felt normal and I knew she appreciated that.
"So how's it going with Josh?" Rowan smirked at me as I drew a flower in her song book.
I blushed. "It's really good." I didn't to gush about how happy I was.
Rowan raised her eyebrow. "Just good?" She asked.
"Okay it's been amazing but I don't want to bore you with the details." I hid my excitement.
She looked at me and sighed. "This is exactly why I didn't tell anyone the things I was going through before it all came out." I could tell she was disappointed.
"What?" I asked my best friend.
"You are treating me differently." Rowan folded her arms.
I shook my head. "I'm not." I didn't think being overly excited around her was appropriate.
Rowan took my hand. "Listen, I don't want people to walk on egg shells around me. If you're happy than I'm so excited for you." She pleaded for me to drop the act. "Nothing makes me feel better than knowing my friends and family are happy."
"I'm sorry. I won't treat you differently again but I only did it to protect your feelings." I understood and apologized.
"I know." She smiled softly.
We sat there for a second in silence. "I told Josh I loved him." I blurted out something I had been holding in.
Rowan's eyes widened. "Love?!" She had the biggest smile on her face I had not seen in the longest time.
I nodded, smiling. "I know so. I've never felt this way in my life." Every time I thought about Josh my heart fluttered.
"Wow this is big!" Rowan exclaimed.
"I know." I smiled at her.
After the week we all had Cory and Shawn went out to have a boys night but knowing them it was going to be a mushy night. Topanga and Rowan were going to have a girls night and that was great. Rowan needed some time with her mom. Josh and I decided to have some alone time finally at my house. We really didn't get much alone time with what's happened. We decided to watch romantic movies and snuggle all night. It was needed.
The first movie ended and I looked over at Josh who was laughing. "Josh?!" I laughed at him. "You don't laugh at the classic movie that is Serendipity." I found myself laughing as well.
"I'm sorry but that plot line is so cheesy and unrealistic!" He chuckled after seeing the look on my face.
"That's the point. It's so badly unrealistic that it gives you hope at the same time." I smiled and stared at his ocean blue eyes.
Josh played with my fingers. "I never pegged you as the romantic comedy movie type." He caught my stare.
I laughed. "Me either but Rowan loves them and they grew on me." I leaned my head on his neck.
"I guess they'll grow on me too." He smiled and I snuggled my head into him.
"This is so nice spending time just you and me." I told him as I kissed his lips.
He pulled away. "So nice my love." I sat up.
"I'm ready to take the next step." I felt so in love with Josh. It's crazy finding someone I love so much being so young. I was sure of myself when I'm with him. I wanted to be with him in a more intimate way.
Josh looked at me with a blank stare. "Sab I don't-"
I cut him off because I knew how he felt about the age difference. "I want to wait till I'm sixteen in a few weeks. I know you're not comfortable with doing anything before you knew I was ready." I said smiling. "After everything that happened with Rowan it taught me to be honest with myself and how I feel." I ran my fingers through his brown hair. "It feels good, falling in love with you Josh and I want to make this feeling of new love last as long as I can."
Author's Note:
Happy Valentine's Day! I added this Josh and Sabrina scene I wrote for a couple chapters ahead since I wanted to add some love to brighten the day! I promise there will be more Lucas. Then a time jump of a few weeks.
