No Matter What

No Matter What Part 4

The holidays had come to an end, and as much as Josh enjoyed them, they were always exhausting. Not only for him, but for Maya as well. Josh sat on the edge of the bed, lacing his shoes and he glanced over his shoulder at the sleeping blonde. She was truly beautiful. Everything he could have ever hoped for, everything he didn't even know to hope for, Maya was it. She was quick, always keeping him on his toes. She was kind, loving him and his family with a capacity amazed him every single day. She was smart, funny, stubborn; Maya was everything. As he lost himself in his thoughts of his girlfriend, he couldn't help but hope she felt the same about him. Josh's phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling his attention away from the sleeping girl behind him.

From: My Brotha
Hey Josh, I'm outside whenever you're ready.

To: My Brotha
On my way.

Josh texted back quickly. He quietly walked over to Maya, brushing her hair out of her face slightly and gently placing a kiss on her cheek.

Still mostly asleep, the corners of Maya's lips curled up at Josh's contact.

"I'll be back this afternoon," He whispered.

Maya nodded, barely noticeable. Josh had told her yesterday that Cory needed his help moving Christmas decorations, and while that sounded so fun, Maya would much rather sleep right now. "Love you," She mumbled, her eyes still shut.

"Love you," Josh repeated, his heart surging at those simple words.

"My brotha!" Cory smiled as Josh slid into the passenger seat of his car.

"My brotha!" Josh repeated a large smile painted across his face. Josh was lucky to have such a close relationship with his brother, and he was more than grateful to have him in times like this.

"How've you been?" Cory asked as he pulled out of his parking spot in front of Josh and Maya's apartment.

"A lot of things have changed -it's been a whole week!" Josh teased.

"Alright, alright," Cory conceded. "And Maya?"

"She's good," Josh smiled just thinking about his girlfriend. "Really good." He was worried he wouldn't see the real Maya again after what happened the previous year. But Maya was the strongest person he knew and while Josh knew she carried the weight of their lost child with her, she still managed to pull herself up and continue living her life and being in the moment with Josh every day. If he thought he couldn't love her more, over the last year she proved him wrong.

"So, it has only been a week..." Cory said sitting across from his brother at the familiar diner. "What's up?" He asked shrugging, still not sure why Josh asked to meet with him.

"Can't I just have breakfast with my big brother?" Josh asked with a sly grin slinking up the side of his face.

"Absolutely you can. Is that what this is?" Cory tried to clarify.

Josh looked up at his brother, "No," He finally whispered shaking his head.

"What's up, Josh?" Cory repeated.

"I wanted... your advice, I guess."

Cory nodded, staying quiet now, letting Josh talk.

"So Maya..." Josh started, his hands twisting in front of him nervously.

Cory had to actively try to keep the smile off his face as Josh struggled to continue.

"I mean... it's been years, we've been together for... what feels like most of my adult life, honestly."