Four Months Later

Today marked the day that their lives would forever be changed. Though Cory and Topanga had been throwing that sentence around aimlessly for the past two years, they seemed to believe it applied to today than it had in days prior.

In the last two years, Cory and Topanga had endured an unplanned pregnancy, high school graduation, an engagement, freshman year of college, the premature birth of their son, almost losing their son, a wedding that had led them to spend their night in jail, and now moving away to New York City.

Topanga told Cory about the internship the day after Josh's first birthday. She had been accepted at the Brown-Elliot Law Firm as an intern. They had a long discussion regarding it and after a huge back and forth, Cory convinced her that they should go, despite Topanga's apprehensions. Her concerns were based around uprooting her family and moving them all to New York for her. They had a toddler and no family in the city.

Cory had always felt guilty about Topanga giving up Yale to have Josh and marry him. That was her dream school and she gave it up for her family. He didn't want Topanga to give up another dream of hers. It wasn't fair.

A relationship is about making sacrifices for the people you love. Topanga sacrificed Yale for him and Josh. Cory saw it was only fit to follow Topanga to New York. Despite being scared, she wanted this.

So they made a plan.

Cory applied to NYU. When he was accepted there, he was able to successfully transfer his credits from Pennbrook to New York University. Topanga applied to Columbia and NYU and got accepted into both. She opted for Columbia. It was no Yale, she was able to maintain her dream of attending an Ivy League school. She decided to take some classes there whilst balancing her internship and her family. Topanga knew it would be a challenge, but she wasn't the type to back away in the face of adversity. They had even tossed around the idea of finding a daycare in the city for Josh, so they were able to continue their schooling and not have to worry about a babysitter.

When they announced to their family and friends that they were moving to New York, the reception was mixed from family and friends. Some were thrilled for the couple, like Eric. Others worried about how they were going to live, like Cory's parents. And some thought they were going to be left behind, like Shawn.

Cory and Topanga's news came at an in opportune time for Shawn. Angela had just left. She was given the opportunity to go and travel the world with her father, who she rarely saw because of his time in the military. This prompted Shawn to propose in hopes of keeping Angela to stay close. It had worked in Cory and Topanga's case. But he had two things working against him.

One, Angela wasn't pregnant.

And two, they weren't Cory and Topanga. No one could be them.

So Angela dumped him.

With Angela gone and Cory and Topanga leaving for New York, he didn't know what would become of himself. Yet, somewhere in this entire mess, he called life, Shawn saw an opportunity to seize.

As Cory's parents questioned the couple on how Topanga and Cory were going to afford rent, pay for groceries, and Josh's daycare, Shawn came up with a solution. He'd go to New York with them. He'd live with them and help with rent. He'd even take a job that worked third shift, so Josh could stay home with him all day.

Nothing was holding him back in Philadelphia, not anymore.

Cory and Topanga accepted Shawn's offer. One of the hardest parts regarding their decision to move was leaving everyone behind. With Shawn along for the ride, it made the move seem more manageable for their family.

That's when Eric joined in. He claimed he needed a change of scenery, so he thought why not New York. Typically, Cory, Shawn, and Topanga would protest against Eric coming with them, but they needed all the help they could get. Even if that help had half a brain cell.

So there they were, about to leave the city of brotherly love for the big apple.

They had said their goodbyes to Alan, Amy, and Morgan who had a hard time letting go. Their children were growing up. They had been growing up for the past few years, it had finally just hit Alan and Amy today.

As for Jack and Rachel, Rachel decided to enter the Peace Corps and Jack, still in love with her, decided to follow.

Everyone seemed to be leaving.

Except for one other person.

This was what lead Eric, Shawn, Cory, Topanga, and Josh into the old junior-high classroom. They snuck into the desks, which have gotten too small for them, and waited while Feeny cleared the chalkboard.

"We're leaving," Cory announced, causing Feeny to turn around and face his former students one last time.

"I know," Feeny sadly smiled.

"We wanted to know if you had anything else to teach us?" Topanga implored as she adjusted Josh to sit on the desk.

"No. My work is done," Feeny assured the group.

"I don't know. It's pretty scary, we're going out into a whole new world," Shawn said.

"And you're ready to go into that world," Feeny replied.

"Even me?" Eric asked.

Feeny chuckled, "Even you." Feeny shifted his attention away from Eric to address the five of them. "Believe in yourselves. Dream. Try. Do good."

"Alright, Feeny, one last thing. Tell us you love us," Eric said.

"Look, if there's one thing I've taught you, it is that there is a line between teacher and student that must never be crossed," Feeny explained.

"Tell us you love us!" Eric demanded.

"I regard all of my students equally," Feeny argued.

"Come on, you know we're your favorites," Shawn taunted.

"Tell us you love us!" Eric demanded once more.

"I surely will not," Feeny said sticking to his guns.

Eric smiled and relented.

Topanga stood up from her desk first. She passed Josh to Cory before saying her goodbyes. When reaching Feeny, she stood and stared for a moment and then went in for the hug. "I will never forget you," Topanga cried. "You were more of a father to me than my own father."

When she let go, she left the classroom and Shawn took his turn. "You never gave up on me, not once. Even when I gave up on myself. You are the best person I know," Shawn said.

Feeny extended his hand for Shawn to take, but he was caught off guard when Shawn ignored the gesture and hugged him instead. Shawn wiped away a few tears after letting go and followed out of the room.

Eric was next in line for a Feeny goodbye. "I don't know what's going to happen to me, but I do know that I'm going to be a good person who cares about people. I blame you for that," Eric said.

Feeny held out his arms to hug Eric, but was surprised when he only shook his hand. Slightly disappointed, Feeny watched as Eric began to exit the classroom. It didn't take long for Eric to turn around and hug Feeny properly.

And then there were two.

Cory walked up to the front of the room with Josh in his arms to say his final goodbye.

"Mr. Matthews and Mr. Matthews," Feeny greeted the father and son.

"I got Topanga to go to New York. She's not scared anymore. But I am," Cory admitted. This was going to be an adjustment. Was he ready for it?

"You have the right to be," Feeny said.

"You coming with us?" Cory asked, knowing the answer.

"No, I shall remain here," Feeny replied.

"You know, it's a shame. I always thought you would be teaching Josh one day." Cory nudged at his son.

"As did I," Feeny frowned. "As did I."

"Okay, Josh, say goodbye to Mr. Feeny," Cory urged.

Josh rubbed his eyes and held out his arms to hug Mr. Feeny. "Bye, bye Feeny," Josh said.

Feeny smiled. It was one thing to watch your students grow up, it was another to watch their kids grow up as well.

As Josh let go, Cory leaned in for a hug from his former teacher. When it was over, Cory turned around with his son, like the others before him, and left.

Cory saw Eric, Shawn and Topanga waiting out in the hallway for him. In their shared silence, they heard Feeny finally say, "I love you all. Class dismissed."