Chapter 6 - Always

"When? How! What the hell?" Farkle said and Riley cringed under the scrutiny of Farkle's eyes.

"Izzy please go inside," Riley whispered and Isabella looked up at her with those damn green eyes.

"Isabella now!" Riley scolded as Isabella whimpered and ran towards Zay.

Zay scooped her up in his arms and held the girl tight in his arms as he walked away from the two. Riley shut her eyes and anticipated for the tirade that was about to come out of Farkle's mouth. Instead, the air felt still and Riley opened one of her eyes. Farkle's mouth gaped open, his eyes widen with tears and his face in pure shock.

"Riley …" He croaked and Riley opened both of her eyes.

"Farkle look you need to understand-" Riley stopped when Farkle wrapped his arms around her and hugged her.

"I am severely confused at what is going on right now," Riley said.

"I am ten thousand percent pissed off at you but … Riley, I get it, it all makes sense, you didn't leave because you're a selfish bitch," Farkle said and Riley raised an eyebrow.

"Riley you left because … you got pregnant … with her, who I know belongs to him," Farkle said and Riley pulled away from him.

"You cannot tell him Farkle," Riley said and his face contorted.

He took a step back and looked at the direction Zay had taken Isabella. He dropped his hands by his side before squaring his eyes on Riley. He opened his mouth and Riley knew what was coming next.

"Are you out of your mind Riley? You want me to keep this a secret, from Lucas, from Maya?" Farkle yelled.

"Especially from Maya!" Riley yelled back.

Topanga walked back into the room and turned to Farkle.

"Farkle maybe it is best if you leave," Topanga whispered.

"No! I am sorry but no, she does not get to hide his child! How is that okay? How is any of this okay? Explain that!" Farkle snapped and Topanga looked at Riley.

Riley didn't look at her mother, because Topanga has said those very words before to her. Riley had heard it from different people, that it was not fair to either Isabella or Lucas to not know one another. Lucas would be graduating college soon, she had no more excuses.

"It is not," Riley said and Farkle looked at her to continue.

"But it is my choice Farkle, he does not need to take on this added responsibility, one he didn't ask for, how is that fair to him and his dreams?" Riley asked and threw her hands up.

"Riley! That is his daughter, that is Lucas's daughter! You can't keep that hidden, he will not hate you," Farkle said.

"You don't know that!" Riley cried as her eyes began to tear.

"Riley-" Topanga began.

Riley shook and fell to her knees and Farkle sighed. He bent to her and pulled her into his arms once more. He placed his chin on her head and she trembled with tears. He looked at Topanga and shook his head that she could leave.

"Riley," Farkle began as her sobs spilled from her lips.

"I won't tell him," Farkle said and Riley looked up at Farkle. Her face red and tear-stricken and Farkle placed his forehead against hers.

"Thank you," Riley croaked.

"Don't … because you are going to tell him, I will wait until whatever is going on with Josh is done but … I won't keep this from him any longer after that, so I am giving you time to figure this out." Farkle said.

Riley's breath hitched in her throat and she looked at Farkle, his face stern as ever, and his eyes bore into hers. It was just like all those years before, when they were in middle school and he confessed Riley's feelings aloud on the roof. He was even more serious now, and she had no choice but to agree.

"He is getting married," Riley whispered.

"So," Farkle said.

"He has this whole other life Farkle, a kid-" Riley was cut off.

"His kid Riley, your kid, he will love her, he will step up, don't take any more time from him," Farkle said and stood to his feet.

Riley followed suit and wiped her face with the sleeve of her shirt. She didn't know what to say and she ran a hand through her hair while looking at the direction Zay had taken Isabella. Farkle nudged her arm and she looked at him.

"Okay," Riley whispered.

Farkle smiled at her and Riley tried her best to smile back but it faltered.

"What?" Riley croaked.

"Maya is going to be so happy," Farkle said and Riley's eyes widened.

"Farkle please do not tell her," Riley begged.

Farkle's face dropped and he sighed. Riley gripped his shoulder and their eyes met once more.

"Let me," Riley said and Farkle smiled once more.

"This is great Riley, I mean I came over to apologize for her anger but Maya will be so happy to know why you left," Farkle said and grinned.

"Why?" Riley said apprehensively.

"Because … it wasn't her fault," Farkle said and Riley's mouth dropped open.

Farkle had stood for lunch and asked Isabella millions of questions about herself. Riley did not want to admit it but it felt great to have someone from her past accept Isabella with no hatred. She knew it was wrong for her to even think it was possible but she had to protect her daughter from everything going on.

"Your name is funny," Isabella giggled as Farkle rolled his eyes playfully.

"It's unique," Farkle retorted.

"Mommy, can I watch youtube?" Isabella said as she shoved her plate towards the middle of the table.

"Sure but just for twenty minutes, I want you to nap," Riley said as Isabella grinned.

She hopped down from the bench of the table and ran off towards Riley's old bedroom. Cory and Topanga shared a look before excusing themselves leaving Zay, Riley, and Farkle at the table.

"So Izzy?" Farkle asked.

"It is short for Isabella," Riley said grabbing the plates from the table.

"You have anything to do with that Zay?" Farkle inquired as Zay chuckled.

"What are you getting at Minkus?" Zay asked.

Riley placed the dishes into the sink with her back turned away from the two. Riley could feel the question bubbling from Farkle's mouth. He was asking without really asking what their relationship was or is.

"Just a bit close to your name that's all," Farkle mused.

"I named her after Zay if that is what you're asking Farkle," Riley mused and turned to them.

"Yes it is Riley," Farkle said and Riley sighed.

"Zay has become my best friend over the past years, he is someone I truly trust with all my heart," Riley said as she stared at Zay.

Zay blushed slightly before looking down at his plate and Farkle shuffled uncomfortably. Before anyone could say anything, a loud crash and loud laughter filled the air.

"Izzy!" Riley scolded as she walked out of the kitchen.

Farkle cleared his throat and Zay looked at him with a slight frown. Neither was going to say anything aloud but Farkle's eye pried into him. Farkle raised his eyebrows and leaned back into the seat and Zay sighed.

"What Minkus?" Zay asked.

"How could you not tell us, Zay? About Riley, Isabella? You knew this whole time and … you didn't say a word," Farkle whispered.

"It was not my place," Zay said as he stood up.

"Because you're in love with her?" Farkle snapped.

"That has nothing to do with it, look when Riley told me senior year-"

Farkle jumped to his feet and Zay shut his eyes annoyed with himself.

"You knew when she was pregnant, you didn't tell us then! How long … what is … Zay explain!" Farkle scolded.

"She told me, and … I went with her … we have been living with each other since," Zay whispered.

"Wow, Zay I wouldn't expect this of you, not you! What the hell Zay?" Farkle gritted.

Zay hung his head down as Farkle heard a vibration. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and Zay could see that Maya was calling. He watched Farkle press the decline button and sigh heavily.

"You didn't have to do that," Zay whispered.

"Of course I did Zay, I can't talk to her yet, not until I am sure I can keep this secret," Farkle said.

"I am sorry-" Zay was cut off by Farkle's hand.

"Don't … you're in love with her a part of you is selfish and that's okay I get it … especially now," Farkle said and turned away.

"Josh?" Zay inquired.

Before Farkle could say anything Riley walked into the room with an awkward grin. She could feel the tension between the two boys when Farkle's phone vibrated again. Maya was calling back and Farkle hesitant accepted the call.

"Hey, I can't talk right now," Farkle lied and stared at Riley.

"No, I get it … um just meet me at Shaws okay, yeah … love you too," Farkle rushed as Riley looked at her feet.

She looked at Zay who felt exactly as she did, awkward, hurt, lost. Farkle hung up and slid the phone back into his pocket and looked over back to Riley. She struggled to put a smile on her face but he knew not to push it.

"Uh, I better go, Maya wants to meet up and Allison is driving her insane about this dinner," Farkle said.

"Right that," Riley said and sighed.

"You know about that?" Farkle asked.

"Uh, she invited me," Riley mumbled and Farkle's eyes widen.

"You met her? So that means you saw … him," Farkle said.

"He practically begged me to go," Riley said sarcastically and rolled her eyes.

"So then I expect Maya should know by then?" Farkle said as he walked towards the door.

"Well actually … I guess?" Riley mused and played with her hands.

"Good … the dinner is in two days," Farkle said and Riley's eyes widen.

"Two days?! Farkle I need more than that to even-"

"No … Riley … you had four years … I can't lie to her and I won't," Farkle said.

Riley's shoulders dropped and Farkle waved goodbye before leaving the apartment. She turned to Zay who could not say anything.

"Fuck my life!" Riley groaned.