Six Months Later

"Topanga?" Cory asked, leaning to his side to nudge his wife awake.

"Five more minutes," Topanga insisted, burrowing herself further into her pillow.

"Do you know what today is?" Cory asked.

Topanga peaked one eye open and looked over at her beside calendar. She smiled at the date. How could she not know what today was. "Of course I do," Topanga reassured.

"It's Valentine's Day!"

"It's Josh's birthday!"

"That's what I meant to say," Cory backpedaled. He knew he was forgetting something today. As soon as Topanga opened her mouth he knew that he made a mistake, but technically he wasn't wrong. It was also Valentine's Day. Josh's birthday just happened to be on that day. Topanga sat up and pushed Cory off the bed. "Ow!"

"Cory Matthews! I can't believe you forgot it was your own son's birthday," Topanga scolded.

Cory pulled himself off the floor and retook his place on the bed next to his wife. "But Topanga, it's Valentine's Day. Our first Valentine's Day as a married couple. We should be celebrating," Cory explained, pouncing on top of his wife.

Topanga chuckled at Cory's spontaneity. She allowed Cory to place kisses that trailed along her face to her neck. If they couldn't properly celebrate during the day, then they may as well celebrate during the morning while Josh was asleep.

"See Josh, I told you your parents wouldn't have forgotten about you on your birthday," Shawn said, entering the room with the awake one-year-old in his arms. His sudden appearance in the apartment caused the two lovers to abruptly jump off one another. "They're working on your birthday present right now."

"Shawn! How did you even get in here? I thought Cory took your key," Topanga asked, trying to make herself look less disheveled. After the first time Shawn showed up unannounced and caught Cory and Topanga in a rather compromisable position, Topanga had forced Cory to take Shawn's key away. A key that she had no clue existed until she found out her husband made a spare for his best friend.

Shawn directed his answer with a knowing look at Cory who was acting sheepishly. "How could I Topanga? I mean look at that face," Cory said.

"Cory!" Topanga yelped. While she wasn't surprised that her husband deliberately disobeyed her, it still disappointed her. Even though they were married with a son, Shawn was still first in Cory's heart.

Nothing had changed.

"Anyway," Shawn said, diffusing the tension in the room. "I stopped by to say 'hi' to the birthday boy and to see if he wanted to spend the day with his Uncle Shawn while his parents continued whatever else they were doing."

"That's a lovely thought, Shawn, but I'd like him to spend his first birthday with his parents," Topanga said, moving from the bed and grabbing her son from Shawn.

"Are we sure?" Cory asked. Shawn's plan seemed very appealing to him. That would give him and Topanga a few hours to themselves.

Topanga scowled in Cory's direction. "Of course, we are. Shawn, we'll see you later tonight. Don't be late," Topanga reminded him.

With it being Josh's first birthday, Topanga and Amy had planned a party for the big day. One that invited all their family and friends over to celebrate.

"I won't be," Shawn assured. "I'll see you guys later, Angela's waiting in the car."

"Bye, Shawnie!" Cory waved at his friend.

"Bye, Cor," Shawn smiled before leaving the room. Topanga followed closely behind with Josh on her hip and shut the door.

"So, here's the game plan. We're going to get ready for the day. I'll cook breakfast, then Josh and I are going to head to your mom's while you pick up the cake and bring the presents," Topanga informed, handing Cory his son so she could get in the shower.

Alone in the room with his son, Cory took the opportunity to spend some quality time with Josh. "You know Josh, one day when you're older, you'll find your own Topanga. Be sure to love her and cherish her like I do to your mom," Cory advised. "If you don't, she may murder you in your sleep."

"Dada!" Josh giggled whilst clapping his hands. He started talking a month ago, but he hadn't expanded past the words dada, mama, or ball.

Cory grinned. He couldn't believe that today marked the day that he gained a son and almost lost him.

Since Josh's near-death experience, the doctors still monitored his breathing. Because of him being born with a respiratory infection, it made him susceptible to other illnesses. Back in December, Josh had another brief stay in the hospital after a bad case of pneumonia which the doctors later found out had turned into asthma, something Josh would have for the rest of his life.

Despite all the ups and downs that came with raising a son young, Josh became Cory's whole world and he couldn't help but watch his son grow and someday take on the world for himself.

"Okay, buddy, let's get you changed," Cory announced. He scooped Josh off the bed and ran through the apartment with him, prompting the little boy to giggle until they made their way into the nursery.

By the time Topanga got out of the shower and dressed herself, she found her son watching television on the living room floor and playing with his toys already dressed for the day. Her heart swelled. She loved when Cory did small gestures for her like get their son ready for the day.

She crouched to the ground to talk to her son. "Doesn't someone look cute for their special day," Topanga said, pinching his chubby cheeks.

"Topanga, stop it. You make me blush," Cory commented, walking into the living room in his polo and khakis.

"Cory, I was talking about Josh," Topanga clarified.

"I knew that," Cory tried to play it off. He was slightly hurt that Topanga didn't compliment his appearance, but it was Josh's birthday. He couldn't be selfish in this instance.

"But don't worry honey, you look cute too." Topanga stood up from the ground and kissed her husband on the cheek. Cory couldn't lie that the gesture did boost his confidence.

She went back to the kitchenette to make breakfast for them. While Cory had his back was turned as he watched cartoons with Josh, Topanga went through yesterday's mail.

A month ago, she had applied to a prestigious internship in New York City with Brown-Elliot. And waiting for her on her kitchen counter was a letter from the law firm that had yet to be opened. She hadn't known why she applied to begin with.

Her life was in Philadelphia at Pennbrook with Josh and Cory. But if she had to be honest with herself, she really wanted to go. She was terrified that the letter contained her rejection. That's why Topanga held off from opening it.

She tucked the letter into Josh's diaper bag, telling herself that she would open it later.