Drink This,
You'll Feel Better
Season Three of Girl Meets World. Missing Scene from "Girl Meets Ski Trip."
Topanga sighed. She'd known being back at Mount Ski Lodge would make Cory uncomfortable. And although she tried to stay rational and in control, Topanga wasn't at ease with spending the weekend where she and Cory had begun the darkest part of their relationship.
But Cory's nervous twitching and barking every time one of the kids did something unexpected was overwhelming. It was a good thing she'd answered first to Riley's request to stay downstairs for a while, because Cory looked ready to shout again. Topanga's instinct was to take Cory away from everything that was bothering him, but of course they couldn't do that. They owed it to the kids to stay here.
Still, Topanga stared at her husband as he lay on the couch in the dark, wondering how she could help him. She didn't like to admit her weaknesses, but the fact was comforting was Cory's strength, not Topanga's. Perhaps she should just take him upstairs to their room and make him forget their troubles?
Then she shook her head. Cory was unlikely to be comfortable with doing that with so many kids to chaperone. And with the way his eyes were glued to Riley sitting across the room at the bay window, there was no way he would go upstairs.
Maybe she could make him tea. Cory usually preferred to drink coffee, whether in their apartment or at the bakery, but the lodge kitchen only had tea.
Several moments later, the tea kettle sizzled, and Topanga added milk to hers and sugar to Cory's. "Drink this," she said to her husband, handing him a cup of steaming liquid. "You'll feel better." Topanga hoped so, anyway. Especially as a strange boy had just sat down next to Riley at the bay window.
The grateful smile he flashed her proved she was right. He sipped the drink. "Thank you, Topie." Even more with that special name.
Topanga sat down next to him on the couch. "Did we make a mistake, coming here?" she said slowly.
"I don't know," Cory said, his eyes darting from Riley and the strange boy to Topanga. "I've worried enough about Riley and Lucas in the last two years. I never expected to have to worry about another boy that doesn't even go to Abigail Adams High."
"Cory," Topanga said with a sigh, drinking her own tea. That wasn't quite what she had meant.
"And I thought Lucas struggling between Riley and Maya was emotionally exhausting." Cory shook his head against the couch. "That's why I begged the three of them to make a decision soon. But now I wonder whether the fallout will be worse. I'll either have to adjust to Riley and Lucas as a couple, or comfort her after he breaks her heart. That is, unless Riley decides the strange one over there is better for some reason."
His eyes darted back to Riley and the other boy, as if shooting daggers.
For several moments, neither of them said anything as they sipped their drinks. Finally, Topanga nodded. "Yes, I can see why that could be difficult for you. But Cory, I meant coming back here. To Mount Ski Lodge."
Cory's eyes widened in understanding. "I don't know about that, either." He glanced around the darkened room, as if it had hidden nightmares in the corners. "When I first heard that the nature trip was going to be here, I almost resigned from chaperoning. But all of the kids were already so excited…"
Nodding, Topanga's heart swelled as she gazed at her husband. Of course he wouldn't want to disappoint the kids. It's one reason why he was such a great teacher. "You made the right decision, then."
He sipped his drink. "You think?"
She sipped her own drink, letting it warm her just as Cory's expression. "I know. And you know I'm always right." She paused, and then said thoughtfully. "And maybe it's good that we came back for us, too. Lauren may be a bad memory for us, but she's in the past, Cory. We should finally accept that. Especially after I tore up her letter," Topanga said, smug satisfaction filling her as she remembered that moment.
"I'm glad she's in the past," Cory said. Putting his tea aside, he leaned over and kissed her.
Topanga nodded as she finished her tea. "And as much as I hate what she did, sometimes I think she was a good test for our relationship. After that, we knew we were going to be together forever."
He sipped his tea, the smile on his face making it clear the drink truly did make Cory feel better. "Definitely." Then his eyes darted back to Riley and the strange boy. "I wish I could say the same for our daughter."
Eventually the rising sun peaked through the windows. "Do you know we've spent all night talking?" Cory asked, grinning.
Topanga chuckled. "Is there something in the air in Mount Ski Lodge that causes people to do that? We'll, I'm glad I finally know what the fuss is about."
"And I'm glad it was with you this time," Cory said.