Life is the Long Game

Chapter 51

*3 months later*

Maya's POV:

I can't believe that tomorrow my dream is finally coming true. Tomorrow is my eighteenth birthday but more importantly, my wedding day, the day that I have been waiting my whole life for, the day I finally say I do to my soulmate, and the day I officially become a Matthews, Mrs Maya Matthews. I am so excited I feel as though I'm about to burst. Words cannot describe how much I am looking forward to tomorrow, we have everything ready. I have my dress, Riley has hers, Amelie has a cute flower girl dress, Auggie has the rings (yes we trust a 10 year old with them), Ava has her bridesmaids dress despite her protests of wearing one, all the groomsmen have their tuxes, as does Joshua and the venues are all booked, in fact we are having a rehearsal dinner this evening at Topanga's to see everyone before the big day, and also to celebrate my birthday, it was Josh and Riley's idea, not mine, they didn't want my birthday to be forgotten about tomorrow.

As I apply my lipstick and pick up my purse to finalise my look, I glance over at the clock on my dresser: 17:38, it read. The party starts at 6, we better be going. I walk out to my living room where Josh and my dad are sat chatting to pass time as I got ready. As soon as Josh sees my he freezes.
"Maya, you look beautiful. Wow, just wow." Josh comes up and hugs me.
"You think this is good? Just wait until you see tomorrow's dress." I tease him.
"I can't wait."
"Okay lovebirds, let's get this show on the road." Dad tells us and we walk down and climb into Josh's car.

When we arrive at Topanga's, we are still a little only so it's only us, Riley, Lucas, Amelie, Topanga, Cory, Auggie and Ava.
"Topanga, thank you again for allowing us to have the ceremony here tomorrow and the rehearsal dinner here tonight." I say hugging her.
"It's my honour Maya, you are just as much a daughter to me as Riley. I'm so proud of you, I can't believe you are an adult tomorrow and you are getting married then too." She says, tearing up.
"Please don't cry. This is a happy occasion."
"I know sweetie, I know."
"Maya! I can't believe you are becoming my aunt tomorrow!" Riley rushes over and squeals.
"Yeah, your deaf aunt." I joke at the volume of her statement.
"Sorry, I'm just so excited. And Amelie is going to look so adorable in her dress. I'm just so happy." She hugs me tightly before hurrying over to her uncle.

After a while, all of Josh's family, Mr Feeny, Uncle Jack, Farkle and Enid arrive, which means everyone is now here. It's so nice that Josh has a big family, it means that our wedding can be small but not too small and we don't have to have irrelevant people there either.
It's such a nice atmosphere in the room, I take a step back and just watch everyone talk and laugh, I can't believe how lucky I am to be able to consider them my family.
"Hey beautiful." A soft voice interrupts my thoughts. I turn around to see Josh.
"Hey." I warp my arms around his waist.
"Whatcha doing?"
"Just admiring the amazing family you're bringing me into." I look at him and smile.
"This time tomorrow you'll be my wife." He says happily.
"Also, I won't be a virgin anymore." I remind him.
"Neither will I."
"What?"
"I haven't told you this before have I?" He asks.
"No. What do you mean?"
"I'm still a virgin too." He confesses.
"Really?"
"Mhm. I've loved you since I saw you that Christmas at my brothers place. I've been saving it for you Maya."
"That makes it so much more special." I tell him.
"God, I love you so much Maya Penelope." He kisses me. Then before I can respond I hear the door open. I don't look to see who comes through it though.
"I love yo- Josh. She's here." I say, frightened at the sight of her. "Not today. Why? Why does she ruin everything? It's our wedding tomorrow, can't she leave us alone." I try to fight my tears as I speak in panic.
"Maya it's okay. I will not let her hurt you. I promise." He reassures me.
"Let's go sort this out." He suggests holding my hand tightly.
"Josh, I can't face her."
"Yes you can. I'm right here with you baby."
"Okay."
I cling on to Josh as though my life depended on it as we walked up to the bitch.
"Kelly, please may you leave?" Josh asks politely, she laughs.
"You need to go now." He tells her again.
"Maya I hope you're planning on wearing a dress with long sleeves tomorrow, your ugly weak scars will ruin everything, they always do. Honestly Joshua I don't know why you're with such a pathetic, weak baby." She says spitefully. Oh no, everyone is watching.
"Hey what's going on here?" Grandpa asks, protectively and concerned.
"Maya. I think you should try and open up all those ugly scars again, and do us all a favour this time, don't wake up again this time." The bitch spits at me.
"Okay, I don't know who you are but I think you need to leave." Grandpa tells her, she just rolls her eyes.
"Joshie, don't marry the child. You should marry a strong, fit and pretty woman. Not a weak, fat and ugly child." She says.
"That's it Kelly. GET THE FUCK OUT OF OUR LIVES OR I'LL CALL THE POLICE!" Josh roars at her, Amelie starts to cry, and I see the pain of the guilt immediately strike Josh's eyes.
"Stupid ugly baby." Slut laughs. Suddenly, Lucas, Farkle, Josh, Dad and Cory storm over to her and physically lift her out and lock the door shut so she can't get back in.
Josh hurries over to me, he uses his thumb to wipe away the tears on my cheeks.
"She is right. My scars are an eyesore. I'm sorry." I say.
"Maya. Listen to me, your scars are a part of you. Which makes them beautiful and I love them just as much as any other part of you. Please don't listen to her. I love you." He crashes his lips onto mine.
"I'm always self conscious of my scars though."
"Well don't be. Now come on. I believe we have a dinner to rehearse." He takes my hand and announces the rehearsal dinner is about to start. We eat, we hear speeches, we laugh, and we dance until about 10 at night, we decide to finish then as tomorrow is a huge day. When everyone says goodbye, all of the boys head to Cory's house and all the girls head to Riley's so we will be ready in the morning.
When we arrive at Riley's, Amelie is out in her crib, Morgan has the spare bedroom as she is pregnant, Grandma has Riley's bed, I am given the sofa bed, Topanga has a blow up mattress and both Enid and Riley sleep on the couches. We all fall asleep instantly, with nothing but excitement for tomorrow.