She's Having My Baby

Face The Family

19 weeks pregnant

It was December 23rd, also known as the day Maya had been dreading for the past week. Riley had invited Maya to her house for a family Christmas party and all of Riley's family would be there. There was no covering up Maya's situation at this point, it was pretty blatant. Maya felt embarrassed just thinking about their reactions when Riley's family found out. Maya hoped they already knew and it wouldn't be so much of a shock, but she doubted it.

Even though Maya was dressed and ready to leave, she seemed to be stuck to the ground. In her panic-struck state, she pawed around her bedroom for her phone and frantically called Riley.

R: Hey! Where are you?
M: Listen, Riley, I can't do this. It's too embarrassing.
R: What?! Come on, Maya. No one in my family is gonna judge you. Now get over here.
M: Riley I really don't think I can.
R: I'll see you in ten minutes.
M: But Ri-

Riley hung up. Maya groaned and forced herself out of her room and slowly but surely out of her apartment. As she walked to Riley's, she couldn't decide if she was more likely to faint, vomit or simply freeze and be physically unable to speak. Normally she'd be excited to go to a gathering like this, but everything was different now.

Her hand shook as she gingerly knocked on the door. She could probably just walk right in, but she needed all the time she could get. Riley answered, thank God. Maya tried to decipher if she was breathing to fast or barely breathing at all. She pulled her sweater closer around her trying to conceal the obvious. Riley shot her a reassuring smile as she led her further into the apartment.

Riley's grandparents were sitting on the couch and they said hello to Maya and gave her friendly smiles as her and Riley walked past them. So far, so good. Auggie stared at Maya's abdominal area for a second but didn't say anything. Maya figured he was coached.

"Hi, Maya! How are you?" Topanga asked when Maya and Riley reached the kitchen.
"Good, thanks," Maya managed to answer in her panicked voice.
"You hungry? I've got some good stuff here," Topanga gestured towards the stove.
"Sure," Maya smiled.

Maya calmed down a little once she got used to being around everyone again. Maya, Riley and her grandparents were gathered around the TV watching a movie when a familiar face came bursting through the door.

"Uncle Josh!!" Auggie took off running towards Josh as Maya took off running towards Riley's room.

She shut the door behind her and flopped down on Riley's bed. Although she didn't get to enjoy her relief for long, because Riley barged in the door seconds later.

"What was that?" Riley bellowed.
"I can't, Riley. I really can't," Maya sighed.
"Maya, you need to get used to this. What if you end up keeping the baby? You'll have to do this kind of thing all the time," Riley explained.
"Riley, he's the one person...I just don't want to-" Maya was cut off by a knock at the door.

"Uh, Riley? Your mom wants your help in the kitchen," Josh's voice called from the hall.
"Coming!" Riley called back, moving towards the door.

She opened the door and let Josh step inside as she passed him through the door.

"You're gonna leave me here alone with him?!" Maya shouted.
"What's the worst that could happen?" Riley chuckled as she shut the door.

Maya had her back to Josh, but she could sense he was there. She decided she wouldn't ever turn around. If he didn't see, he wouldn't know and everything would be fine.

"So you've really changed. You run in the opposite direction now, what's that about?" Josh laughed.

Maya couldn't answer. She just stared at the wall as Josh talked to her back.

"So, what have you been up to lately?" Josh asked.
No answer.
"Are you okay, Maya?" Josh asked again.

Maya felt tears now. She had hoped he already knew, but it was clear now that he didn't. Maya changed her mind. Riley was right; she needed to face these people. She supposed this was part of her payment for the mistake she made a few months ago. It took everything she had in her, but Maya made herself take off her sweater and turn around to face him head-on. Belly out, tear face on.

"Woah. Holy...woah," he gawked.
"I guess this is what I've been up to lately?" Maya said.
"You really got yourself in trouble this time, huh?" he said with a nervous laugh.
"Yeah, I guess I did," Maya attempted to laugh back., but she couldn't.

The embarrassment, the humiliation, and partially the pain of knowing that this probably ruined her chances with Josh for her whole life, it was crushing her all at once. More tears burned her eyes and there was nothing she could do to stop them.

"Hey, come here, kid," Josh approached her and pulled her into a hug.

He held her until Maya pulled away and wiped her eyes.

"Sorry, God," Maya apologized.

Josh took her hand and they sat on the window together. Maya couldn't help but think of how five months ago she would have been internally squealing right now, but instead she felt sick and dizzy.

"So who's the guy?" Josh asked.
"The cowboy," Maya answered.
"Nice," Josh laughed.
"Definitely qualifies for the stupidest thing I've ever done," Maya sighed. She wasn't crying as hard now.
"Nah, don't worry about it. Everyone screws up sometimes. I guess you just got some sucky consequences," Josh told her.
"Whatever, it was still pretty stupid," Maya said.
"I'm just glad it's not mine," Josh said.
"Ha. You wish," Maya was smiling now.
"What, you're some kinda player now?" Josh smiled.
"I bet I'm more experienced than you," Maya laughed.
"Honestly kid, you're probably right," Josh replied. They were both laughing now.

They sat conversing and joking until Riley came to call them for dinner with a confused and slightly accusing look on her face. Before they left the room, Josh gave Maya one last hug.

"Thanks, I needed that," Maya admitted.
"Hey, you have my number. Call me whenever. I'm good at helping damsels in distress," he smirked.
"I'll keep that in mind," Maya said with a raised eyebrow.
"Then again I don't wanna piss off the cowboy," Josh said.
"Dude, you never piss off a cowboy. They have ropes," Maya laughed.

Everyone sat around the table and ate dinner and for once Maya felt like things were normal again. It felt like she could just be the adopted Matthews daughter she always was and pretend she didn't have her own daughter growing inside her.
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A/N: I basically have the next 14 weeks or so planned out so as long as some people are still interested I'm excited to keep writing! Sorry if chapter lengths are weird but nothing I'm writing in is giving me a word count so it's hard to tell. Anyway hope you liked!