I Still Choose You

About Ten Years after the end of Girl Meets World.

Cory still struggled to accept that Riley didn't live here sometimes.

He was proud that she'd graduated with honors from NYU with a communications degree, and now hosted a regular podcast about forgiveness, self-motivation, and other positive topics. Riley was even asked to speak at women's conferences occasionally. But now she and Maya had their own apartment on the other side of Manhattan, and Cory still missed his daughter's regular presence. Topanga had been suggesting that they change her old room into a den or office for a couple of years now, but he hadn't been able to do so.

But now that Auggie (Cory refused to call him August), had left for Boston to pursue a science degree, the apartment was simply too empty and quiet for Cory to handle.

He hated coming home, so he took to staying at Abigail Adams High later and later. Someday he'd convince the principal to allow Riley to host an assembly at their school. In the meantime, his classroom was the best place to grade papers, that the school needed an extra teacher to supervise detention, or that the debate team had to have his assistance.

At least both Riley and Auggie would be returning home for Thanskgiving. For one day, their apartment would be filled with love, warmth, and delicious food.

Cory's heart swelled when Riley and Auggie stood in the doorway, the night before Thanksgiving. He only wished he could hold his children forever, but they both eventually forced him to let go.

"Mom, I brought the cranberry sauce," Riley said, holding up a Tupperware container as she walked away from Cory. He had to smile at that; Riley had always been quick to think of others, so naturally she wanted to make her mother's duties on Thanksgiving less stressful.

"Thank you, honey," Topanga said with a big grin, then engulfing Riley with a hug of her own. The apartment was already filled with love, warmth, delicious food.

OOOOOOOOOOO

Cory woke the next day, eager for more love, warmth, and delicious food. The purpose of Thanksgiving.

"That turkey already looks great," he said, admiring the large bird as Topanga stuffed and basted it before putting it in the oven.

"Cory, you're in my way," she said with a sigh. "Go watch TV or something." He wandered away, hating to be snapped at or pushed away by his wife when he only wished to embrace the purpose of Thanksgiving.

But he smiled as his eyes landed on Auggie. "Want to watch some football?"

His son's wide grin was all Cory needed to feel better.

OOOOOOOOOO

But a couple of hours later, he didn't feel better anymore. He'd been trying to get Topanga's attention, but every time she walked by him without Cory being able to touch her. More than once, he'd stood, with the intention to kiss her or wrap his arms around her waist, and she seemed to disappear before his eyes.

Didn't she like his touches anymore? At least Auggie and Riley didn't mind Cory's hugs and warmth.

OOOOOOOOOO

After the delicious meal, surrounded by the family's warmth, Cory suggested he help with the dishes. Topanga didn't answer but gave him a look he couldn't understand at all.

Although they'd all had delicious food, the apartment wasn't quite filled with the love and warmth Cory had expected.

OOOOOOOOOO

Fortunately, Christmas was filled with all the love and warmth Cory hoped for, but mainly because they'd returned to Philadelphia, where they could be surrounded by even more family than because he and Topanga were close.

It used to be that Topanga knew instinctively when he wished to kiss her, and he knew when she needed extra comfort from his arms. When had that changed?

OOOOOOOOOOOO

After Christmas, Cory took to spending his free time in a coffee shop near his school when Abigail Adams High was closed. Cory had always hated change, and the ones between him and Topanga were even worse than the absence of Riley and Auggie from their apartment.

It was in fact, the worst change of all, because he and Topanga were now strangers.

OOOOOOOOOOO

One night, Cory looked at the stranger in his bed and wondered if he could ever kiss her again. Worse yet, did he even wish to any longer?

The very thought scared Cory to his bones. How could he not be attracted to his Topanga any longer? Was she even his Topanga anymore?

Cory rolled over to stare at the ceiling, his heart still beating in fear…. But then, truly, he already knew the answer. Topanga, no matter whether she was a stranger or not, was as necessary to Cory as air.

"God, help us," he said into the night. "Topanga, I still choose you."

OOOOOOOOOO

The next morning, Cory got up early to make coffee for the two of them, in an effort to show his wife he still chose her. "Will you have a cup with me before we leave for work?" he said as she came out dressed and holding her briefcase.

Topanga didn't answer for a moment, and Cory hated that he couldn't read her expression at all. "I was going to get a cup at the bakery," she said finally, and way too nonchalantly. She walked towards the door.

Her words and actions slapped him in the face, but Cory pressed on determined to choose Topanga. "Please? We have at least a half hour, and we never have breakfast or dinner together anymore. But Topanga, I want to. I choose you."

She still didn't answer, but at least she hadn't left yet. "It's frightening me Cory, that we don't seem to interact that much anymore, which is why I don't like to think about it. Do you think this is how my parents' problems started? Before Dad found another woman?"

Cory sighed, wishing once again he knew what she wanted him to do. Usually when they spoke of her father and his new wife, Cory would put his arms around Topanga, but she'd been so cold toward him in recent months. "Maybe," he said out loud. "But I'd never chose anyone else."

His legs carried him across the room almost on their own and his arms wrapped themselves around Topanga. At least she didn't push away. "I'll have that cup of coffee with you, Cory," she said finally. "You know how I love that you never give up on us."

They pulled a couple of coffee mugs out of the cupboard and poured fresh coffee. Cory mixed cream into his while he watched as Topanga ignored the milk, she'd always put in hers and placed a spoonful of sugar in her coffee instead.

When had she changed the way, she made her coffee? He glared at her as he drank, almost wishing he hadn't put any cream in his so the coffee would taste as bitter as he felt.

For several moments, they drank in silence. What Cory wouldn't give to be fifteen again, and have Topanga melt into his arms after in Disney World after she realized he wouldn't give up on their relationship.

"Maybe we need to get to know each other again," Topanga said finally. "Without the kids here, it's harder than I thought it would be to find something for us to talk about."

Cory nodded. He took a deep breath and plowed through the unknown. For her. "So what case are you working on now?"