According To You

Chapter 1

9 years later

Maya Hunter sat on the porch, a gentle smile gracing her features as she took in the festive scene unfolding before her. It was Christmas time, and the familiar warmth of the Matthews household enveloped her. The laughter of children filled the air as a 7-year-old blonde girl, Harper, plopped down beside her.

"Who's this?" Maya asked, gesturing to a framed photograph on the porch table.

"It's Mommy and Daddy," Harper replied, her blue eyes sparkling with childlike wonder. Maya couldn't help but marvel at the girl's resemblance to her younger self, a bittersweet pang tugging at her heart.

After many and many tries, Shawn and Katy managed to have a child of their own, a little girl who looked just like Maya. She was Maya's twin, if that didn't already exist. Maya brushed over Harper's curls as she heard a sound

"Hey, family!"

As the front door swung open, Maya's gaze instinctively shifted, and her breath caught in her throat. There, framed in the doorway, stood the familiar figure of Josh Matthews, his blue eyes finding hers with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Josh!" Cory's voice boomed, breaking the charged silence as he pulled his younger brother into a warm embrace. "It's good to see you, brother."

"Same here," Josh replied, his eyes never leaving Maya's, the unspoken history between them palpable in the crisp winter air.

The air crackled with tension as Josh and Maya held each other's gaze, the weight of their past hanging thick between them. Harper, oblivious to the undercurrent, tugged at Maya's sleeve.

"Maya, who's that?" she asked, her voice laced with innocent curiosity.

Maya tore her eyes away from Josh's, forcing a smile as she turned to the young girl. "That's Josh, honey. He's... an old friend of the family."

"Uncle Cory," Harper said as she ran to Cory who had picked her up.

"Who's sweet kid is this?" Josh asked looking at the seven year old.

"Shawn's, believe it or not," Cory said as Josh looked at Maya. "This is Harper Hunter. Harper, this is..."

"I know who this is," Harper said instantly. "You broke poor Maya's heart."

The room fell silent as Harper's words hung in the air, the weight of the unspoken history between Maya and Josh palpable. Maya felt her heart skip a beat, memories of their past flooding her mind.

Josh's expression grew somber as he met Harper's direct gaze. "Yes, I'm afraid I did," he said quietly. "Maya and I have a complicated history that I'm not proud of."

Cory placed a reassuring hand on his brother's shoulder. "Josh has grown a lot since then, Harper. He's a better man now."

Harper studied Josh with an intensity belying her young age. "Well, he better be," she said firmly. "Maya deserves someone who will treat her right."

Maya felt a surge of affection for the little girl, touched by her fierce loyalty. She placed a gentle hand on Harper's shoulder. "It's okay, sweetie. That was a long time ago. Josh and I have both moved on."

But even as the words left her lips, Maya couldn't help but wonder if that was truly the case. The undeniable spark between them was still there, simmering beneath the surface.

Josh met Maya's gaze, his eyes full of regret and unspoken longing. "Maya, I..." he began, but was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening once more.

"Who's ready for some Christmas cheer?" Katy's warm voice rang out as she stepped onto the porch, arms laden with festive decorations.

The moment was broken, and Maya found herself torn between relief and disappointment. As the family bustled about, preparing for the holiday celebration, Maya couldn't help but steal glances at Josh, her heart fluttering with every encounter.