It's Okay; I Couldn't Sleep, Anyway

Between Boy Meets World and Girl Meets World. After Riley is born, but before Topanga is in law school.

Cory sighed as his head the pillow. Between caring for his little girl and finishing his student teaching, he was always tired.

"I still can't believe Jedediah is coming tomorrow," Topanga said next to him. Cory should have known better than to think he could go to sleep right away. "Worse yet, he's bringing her." She still refused to call the woman her father married since leaving her mother by name.

"I know it's silly but, I just wish I could go back in time, when Jedediah taught me how to dance and played his guitar. Or when he, Mom, and I all spent summers in the rain forest." Topanga spoke into the dark room, but Cory knew how sad her eyes were. "When we were a family."

He pulled her into his arms, fighting a yawn as he did so. "It's not silly, Topanga. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time, too," Cory said into her hair. "When my only worry was whether Mr. Feeny would give Shawn or I detention that day, and how to convince my parents that my life was more difficult than they thought." No worries about keeping baby Riley safe from the world, or whether he would succeed in education, or even how Topanga would handle a visit from her father.

"I love your parents, especially your father," she said, lifting her head as she did so. "They're good to us, and to Riley, and I know your father is committed to your mother. I used to think Jedediah was someone to look up to."

She said his name bitterly, as if she could barely stand the word. Cory had thought Topanga calling her father by his first name was one of the last "carry-overs" from her hippy days and had found it endearing. But now he wondered if it meant something else entirely.

"I know better now," Topanga said, and Cory could see her frown in his mind.

Kissing her lips, he tried to wipe away her sorrow. "My parents are great, and I know they're happy to have you as a part of our family. And Dad would love to know how much you look up to him."

Cory paused, wondering what else to say. He wasn't used giving advice to Topanga, as she'd always been smarter and stronger than him. "If you want to cancel their visit, I suppose I understand. But Topie, I know you, and you still love your father. He gave you away at our wedding, after all."

Topanga didn't answer but placed her head back against Cory's chest.

"And he's still one of Riley's grandfather's," Cory said as a yawn escaped his lips. "You know how I've told you I always wished I could have known one of my grandfathers. Our Riley is lucky to have two."

"I know, Cory," Topanga said. She hugged him tightly against his waist, although her head still rested on his chest. "That's why I agreed to let Jedediah come. But her," she shook her head. "I still don't understand why she has to come."

Cory kissed her hair. "I don't understand that, either, but I suppose they are married now. But you know I'd never do that to you."

Topanga was silent for a moment, and Cory frowned himself. One thing he often fantasied about yelling at her father was how insecure Jedediah's actions could occasionally make Topanga of their own relationship.

"Yes, I know," she said eventually. She turned and gave him a kiss. "I'm sorry I've kept you awake tonight. I know your student teaching makes you tired."

It did, but that wasn't important now. "It's okay; I couldn't sleep, anyway."