Riley packed the last of her things into her bag as Isabella sat at the bay window with her dolls.
"Izzy you got everything?" Riley asked as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Yes," Isabella said and put down her dolls.
"Mommy?" Isabella questioned and Riley closed her last bag.
"Yes?" Riley said and turned to the little girl.
"Is daddy coming with us?" Isabella pondered.
"Izzy, it's complicated … Your daddy has a life here in New York. One without us," Riley said as she bent down to Isabella's view.
Isabella frowned and sighed. Riley placed a piece of hair behind Isabella's ear and captured her cheek within her palm. She could feel the little girl tremble in her hands and knew she wanted to cry. It pained her, and it was one of the reasons that she did not want to tell Isabella about Lucas but here they were.
"Uncle Zay loves us," Isabella muttered and Riley raised an eyebrow.
"Iz-"
"I can see it," Isabella said and picked up her dolls.
"Of course honey," Riley said and caressed Isbella's cheek once more.
"Can we go home?" Isabella asked.
"Yes, we are leaving today, once Uncle Zay comes back with Nana and Grandpa," Riley said.
"Good," Isabella said and put on a small smile.
"Izzy, do you want me to see if Daddy can stop by before we go?" Riley asked.
Isabella was hesitant and Riley could see the wheels turn in the little girl's head. In just a few days, all of the little girl's dreams had come true but it came with a price. One she couldn't understand or deal with.
"I don't know, he breaks promises," Isabella whispered.
"He doesn't mean to," Riley whispered.
"I just want to go home," Isabella said.
"I understand but-"
"Riles, Izzy!" Maya interrupted as she climbed in through the window.
"Oh I am getting entirely too old to do that," Maya joked as she sat next to Isabella.
"Auntie Maya!" Isabella cheered.
"Thought you were going to leave without saying bye squirt?" Maya joked as she tickled Isabella's side.
"No!" Isabella giggled.
"Mhmmm," Maya said and smiled.
Riley smiled as the two interacted and Riley could swear it was like they had spent every second together. Something she wanted to go smoothly with Lucas, but she knew it was partly her fault. She just wanted to avoid exactly what was going on.
"Can you give me and your mom a moment alone kiddo?" Maya asked.
"I'm going to bother Auggie," Isabella said as a grin appeared on her face. Before either could object Isabella ran out the room screaming Auggie's name.
"I'm going to miss her," Maya said and leaned back against the window.
Riley took a seat next to Maya and smiled.
"My offer still stands, you can always visit," Riley said.
"I will, it's just not a quick trip like popping up in your window," Maya said.
"I know but we can show you the sites, and have a great day!" Riley said.
"Stay," Maya whispered.
"Maya," Riley began.
"I get it, Huckleberry has this whole thing going on but … Farkle and I would love it if you guys stayed. I'm pretty sure you can find an affordable place to live, and we can help out with Izzy," Maya rambled.
"Yeah but I have a life back in Pennsylvania with Zay and Izzy," Riley said.
"Babueniax," Maya growled.
"No, do not be mad at him," Riley said.
"I'm not, I'm jealous," Maya huffed.
"Plus … I need the space … Alli is having his baby, you guys are still all close, it would be selfish if I came and took that away from him," Riley said.
"Ugh, I hate this," Maya sniffled.
"Peaches, what is wrong?" Riley said.
"I just got you back and you're leaving, this has been the craziest two weeks, and I want you to stay! Izzy is already a big part of my life, and she's leaving all because … you and Lucas can't accept you love one another," Maya huffed.
"Maya, Lucas and I … we are more evolved, we can't just … be us … it doesn't work. Alli is his one true heart. I am pretty sure once things settle down, he and I can work something out for the best of Izzy's interest," Riley rationalized.
"Hope is for suckers," Maya grumbled.
"No it's not," Riley laughed.
"What if I promise all the falling stars that will kiss those little eyelashes?" Maya said with a small grin.
"Maya," Riley laughed.
"Can I at least drive you to the train station?" Maya asked.
"Of course!" Riley said.
Maya tossed her arm around Riley and pulled her into a tight hug.
"I'm going to miss you Honey," Maya said.
"I'm going to miss you too Peaches," Riley said.
"Thunder?"
"Lighting!" Riley said.
"Ok that's enough tears and hugs to last me a lifetime, Farkle should be on his way, want to go bother Auggie with Izzy?" Maya said as she wiped her face.
"Absolutely," Riley laughed.
Lucas sighed as he hung up on his phone call with Farkle who told him Riley was leaving today. He wanted to go by and see her, especially Isabella but something was telling him to go home instead. He leaned his head against the door and let out a slow breath of anger. It wasn't Alli's fault, she was the innocent one in all this.
He opened the door quietly and let himself into the apartment. The air was thick with tension, as Alli was particularly needy and suffocating the last few days. Lucas dropped his bag onto the chair and walked into the kitchen. He could hear the muffle of the television go off in their bedroom and he wanted to go say hello but he didn't.
His head and heart were combating, parts of him told him to hurry out, Alli wouldn't even notice he was gone. Other parts of him told him Riley didn't deserve it, his heart told him Isabela was truly the innocent one in it all. Not Riley or Allison but Isabella. Lucas gripped the island counter and sniffled back his anger and tears. He shoved it all down when he heard the door open and Allison walked towards him.
"Oh! You're home." Allison said with an empty glass and bowl.
"Yeah uh left work early," Lucas grumbled and then placed a smile on his face.
"Didn't expect you here," Allison said and Lucas could see she was a bit uneasy.
"Alli you ok?" Lucas asked as he took a step towards her but she took one back.
"Yes darling, just a bit off track by you being here," Allison said and walked over to the other side of the island.
"Alli?" Lucas questioned.
"No seriously darling, I'm ok," Allison said and placed a weary smile on her face.
"Ok," Lucas sighed in no mood to question her odd behavior as he was overwhelmed with his own emotions.
He turned to the cabinets and grabbed a glass out so he could grab a drink to calm his nerves. A bad habit he thought he got rid of, but whenever the idea of Riley was brought up, so did negative attributes as he was trying his best to suppress any ounce of happiness when it came to her. He looked through the shelves and frowned when he couldn't find his scotch.
"Alli … did you get rid of my scotch?" Lucas sighed.
"Uh … yes," Alli said but Lucas could tell something was wrong.
"Alli what's going on?" Lucas sighed.
"Nothing, just thought we shouldn't have liquor in the house with the baby coming that is all," Allison said and picked at an imaginary lint on the counter.
"Alli it's too early to do stuff like that," Lucas said.
"Is it? Besides, what do you need a drink for? The bottle was half gone-"
"It was mine!" Lucas yelled.
"I can't do this," Allison said and quickly hurried away.
"Alli baby! I'm sorry," Lucas called but all he heard in a response was a door shut.
Lucas slammed his fist onto the counter, frustrated with himself, the situation, Alli. He just wanted a moment to forget but he knew she didn't deserve this. Lucas swallowed his pride and went to their bedroom, he slightly rapt against the door and could hear her shuffling around the room. He opened the door slowly as Allison stood up with her hands behind her back.
"Alli, I'm sorry can we just talk?" Lucas pleaded.
"Not right now love," Allison said as she sounded out of breath.
Lucas sighed and walked into the room and tried to approach her but she leaned against the wall.
"No Alli I am sorry i didn't mean to yell at you, and … wait what's that smell?" Lucas said as he stopped approaching her.
"Nothing, I mean I spilled some perfume-"
"No that's liquor," Lucas said as Allison's face flushed.
"Alli are you drinking?" Lucas asked as Allison showed the bottle of scotch.
"Allison! That is dangerous for the baby!" Lucas said.
"Oh Lucas do not start," Allison spat.
"Alli you're hurting our child-"
"There is no baby! Gosh, you would think all that brain and you could put it together! I only said that so you would leave that tart alone," Allison confessed.
"What the fuck are you talking about," Lucas demanded.
Allison twisted the cap of the bottle and took a swig of liquor. Lucas took a good look at her, and he could see that she was drunk, he hadn't put it together before and just mistook it as she was sick and tired and upset. However, as she swayed on her feet, it was just a lie to mask her drunkenness.
"It was the only way I could be sure you pick me over her, over both of them," Allison muttered and took another swig.
"I thought you were going to work late, and I went through your phone, and I saw messages from Farkle telling you to see them before they leave but you chose me like I wanted you to. Now they are gone, and you chose me," Allison said with a wry chuckle.
"Are you talking about Riley and Isabella?" Lucas questioned.
"Who else, Lucas, who has gotten your bloody attention since she wandered back into your life, and with a child. You said it yourself, you are a father now and that is your focus. We can always try for a baby-"
"Are you out of your mind!" Lucas snapped.
"Yes! You drove me there," Allison yelled.
"So this has been all a lie to keep me from Riley! From my daughter!" Lucas yelled.
"Lucas-"
"Oh my god, I need to stop them, I need them, oh my god," Lucas said as he ran out the room.
Allison ran after him as he grabbed his jacket.
"Lucas, it's pouring out there! Stay with me, focus on us," Allison said.
"Alli look I am sorry for the pain I put you through but I lost four years, I am not losing more, goodbye!" Lucas said and ran out the door.