A 4th Of

July Miracle!

Part 2

Disclaimer: As always, I own nothing and holy crapola has it been some time since I updated this! For those who were hoping for a follow up to chapter 3, your wish has been granted!

Summary: Lucas is finally back in Texas thanks to that damned Forgiveness Project of Mr. Matthews'!

Oh sweet Christ had it been years since he stepped foot on to the soil of Austin, Texas! Though he had done so with a large amount of trepidation as he was only really there to confront his dead parents for the first time in years. Pappy Joe had been happier then a pig in mud that he was finally back in Austin, even if it was for a short time but the old jovial man had hoped this whole thing might get him to stay around. Even with his parents' death hanging above him. His little girlfriend Riley was like walking Sunshine in the old man's eyes and he could tell just how much the girl made his grandson happy. Especially after all the stuff he heard from Rachel while his grandson's been off in New York. Their friends was something else too and they all loved him and Cletus. Who was pretty much a hoot and a half in their view! There was of course a stigma surrounding Lucas over the whole incident with Judy The Sheep, at least until Lucas pretty much told folks to shove it where that was concerned much to little Riley's dislike and Maya and Zay's amusement.

A few fights nearly even happened too between Lucas and his old Texas friends but thankfully his new found friends including Zay had been able to prevent those. Lucas would also finally have a word with Isadora over her blatant flirting with him in front of Farkle. As the guy was tired of how that was affecting his friend. Leading to the Genius girl to be honestly shocked as she hadn't realized just how bad a thing that was since nobody had ever said anything to her. This talk would lead to her and Farkle having a very important conversation and a huge apology on her part. Along with her firmly telling him to please speak up next time instead of never saying anything. Course he had to remind her that the times he had reprimanded her was him saying something and that led to her thinking quite a bit on that whole thing and realizing he was right. But still feeling he should have said and done more then that. Those two would end up realizing that they seriously needed to work on their communication skills more and vowed to do so as neither wanted to lose what they had together.

Sunday evening of the weekend stay would finally see Lucas Friar walking into the graveyard that contained his parents. Something that he felt he had to do alone and Riley thankfully stayed in Pappy Joe's truck even if that was the last thing she wanted to do. The young man felt heavy as he walked to his parents' graves, as if his feet were covered in cinder blocks and it was something he hated a great deal. Once he got there to their graves, he just stood there, unsure of what to say until he let out a breath. "Well… I'm here and I seriously feel stupid. Cause you guys are dead and I'm not and me tryin' to talk to you just seems stupidly pointless." Grumbled the angry teenager.

He then let out a sigh along with a shake of the head. "You know what? I'm done. There's no point in this." Lucas started to walk away but then stopped in his tracks and turned back.

"NO! There is a point! There is a damn point to all this! Cause you guys!? You guys left me! Left me and Pappy Joe! All cause the two of ya had to f**king argue with one another that night! Aunt Rachel had to take me in! Do you have any idea what that was like for me!? Huh!? Do ya!? Probably not but I'll tell ya! It was scary for me cause it wasn't what I knew! Cause Pappy Joe damned well couldn't take care of me! All cause you two were bickerin' and refusin' to listen until that jackass hit us!" Tears were coming down his face as he ranted angrily at them while pacing back and forth a little.

Never realizing that Riley had gotten out of the truck at some point during his talk with his parents and had tears of her own coming down her face. As never had she heard so much emotion from him before and wondered if perhaps her dad had gone too far this time with one of his classroom ideas. Even though she doubted he had planned for this to even actually happen. "I HATE YOU! I hate you so damned much! I hate that I miss you guys, I hate that it feels like there's a hole in me cause you two aren't here with me anymore. I hate that I love you both and can never say it to you face to face and have it said back to me. I hate that I don't even actually hate you..."

Lucas had fallen to his knees by that point as the tears kept on coming. "I can't even introduce you guys to Riley. Who's like the sweetest girl I've ever even met! I sometimes still don't even get how she can even want to be with a guy like me but she does and I'm practically wrapped around her pinkie finger." Admitted the young man with a sad chuckle and a sniffle.

He then blew out a breathe. "I'm… I'm not sure I can forgive you guys. But I think… I think I can forgive myself cause I know now it wasn't my fault for what happened. Hell, it wasn't ever my fault. But maybe, maybe one day I can forgive you guys."

And strangely enough, Lucas felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest, even feeling a comforting breeze on his face that made him smile a little. He then felt the small arms of Riley Matthews wrap around him and it made him chuckle. "Couldn't help yourself huh?"

"No. Sorry."

"Don't be babe. Cause believe it or not, this is helpin' even more." Riley smiled at that and kissed him on the cheek.

"Let's get out of here." He said seconds later and once she helped him stand up, Lucas took one last look at the graves of his parents and then walked away with Riley wrapped around him.

Though she did take a look behind her and gave a small smile to the parents she'd never get to meet. A part of Riley hoped that this meant her boyfriend wouldn't be as angry anymore now that he had finally had this moment that he had needed more then he realized. Sure, being with her had helped lessen his anger but it was still there, but this? This just might help with that. And even if it didn't, she would stand by him no matter what. As that's what a girl like her who loves and cares for a boy like Lucas does.

Author's Notes: Hope you guys enjoyed this one!