It's About Time (GMW - Joshaya)

Chapter 95--EXTENDED

Josh's POV

"Look, don't fucking talk to me man," Lucas said without even looking up to see that it was me.

The two of us were in the reception hall's lobby, Lucas was sitting on the base of a dimly lit fireplace decorated in stone.

"I should've told you sooner. I get that. I have no excuse for that. I messed up. But hey, the way I look at it, you have Maya who is on a manic rage right now, Farkle and Smackle who would probably dismiss you with some sort of scientific reasoning, your new mom and sister, Zay who probably fucked your new sister," I paused for some sort of comic relief reaction, but Lucas didn't budge. "Or you have me."

"What about Ril--" 

I held a hand up to cut him off.

"Of course you have Riley and the rest of my family, but you're not gonna go to any of them. Why? Because you don't wanna ruin the day. So the way I see it. It's me or no one," I took a seat next to him.

Lucas said nothing.

"I promise. I'll just listen."

Lucas swallowed hard and nodded, but didn't speak. The two of us sat there another minute in silence. The only thing daring to make a sound was the crackling of the warm fire and the muffled sounds of music coming from the ballroom.

"You know what's so fucked up? I trusted her," he finally spoke.

I looked at him in confusion, not really knowing which "her" he was talking about.

"My mom. My rea--" Lucas stopped himself from saying 'real mom.' "The mom that I thought was real. She was always the one constant in my life. The one thing that was honest and true and always there. Or at least I thought..." his voice trailed. "Consider this, when I moved from Texas to New York, it was my mom that got me through it. My dad, he was just never there for me like my mom was. My mom was willing to uproot her whole life and career to get me to where I am now. My dad on the other hand, he took the first chance to get me out of the way. I was like another one of his cadets instead of his son. And it's just that I can't help but be so mad at her because I feel like my entire childhood was some fairytale that never actually existed."

Lucas rested his elbows on his knees.

"You can respond, you know," Lucas laughed.

"Oh thank God," I let out a breath that I didn't even know  I was holding in. "I know you're mad at her, but when you think about a mom, and what it is to be one, what do you think of?"

"Someone beautiful, kind, caring, selfless, a hardass, headstrong, someone that would drop their whole life for their kid."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Her," he said.

"I'm about to get all Mr. Feeny/Cory/Confucius on you so buckle up," I laughed. "A mother is someone who births you. Biologically, Rachel may be your mother. And I happen to know that she is a great person. The stories I've heard and my few experiences with her can confirm that. But Lucas, your mom....SHE was a mom. Even though you didn't actually come from her, she raised you. She was a mom. She was the one who was there for you during your first heartbreak, your celebrations, and she is the one who nurtured you into the moral compass you are. People change people. Your mom changed you. Rachel has done no more than bring you into this world, and I'm not saying you shouldn't hear her out, but your mom chose to have you in her life. And sometimes, I think that there may even be more beauty in a person who choses to love you unconditionally."

I saw a tear escape Lucas's eye.

"You're right that was some Mr. Feeny shit," he laughed as he wiped away the tear. "Tell anyone about this and I'll kill you."

"Hey, hey! Let's not let the 'old Lucas' shine through," I held my hands up in surrender. "But uhh I think someone here wants to talk to you..."

Lucas followed my eyes to where Rachel was standing. I gave him a look as to say that if he needs a getaway driver, I'm his man, but he nodded in approval to let me know that he was okay with talking to Rachel.

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****Added on to Chapter 95 for those of you who already read this*****

I got up from the fireplace, but did not depart far. I moved closer to the bridal suite where I found Maya.

"Nice speech, Matthews Jr." she snickered.

"Maya, I'm not really in the mood for your backtalk right now," I snapped.

"What's the problem, did I hurt your sensitive little heart," she tapped my chest with her free hand.

"Enough Maya. You wreak of alcohol," I snatched her glass away from her, but she snatched it right back.

"Oh come onnnnnn, I've only had a few," this time her fingers creeped up my chest as she said each slurred word. 

She downed the liquid without letting it even touch her tongue.

I ignored her antics. Right now, I needed to stay focused on the Lucas situation in case he needs me.

It was kind of hard to hear between the distance and Maya mumbling some drunken words into my ear, but I made out some key points.

I'm your mom. Blah. Blah. Peyton is your half-sister, she is two years younger. You have another sister, Ashley, she is your twin.

My eyes widened. TWIN?!

"Like what you hear?" 

My attention shot back to Maya who had a devious smirk on her face. 

"What? No. I wasn't reacting to whatever you said. In fact, I didn't even hear what you said," I quickly shushed her, and guided her to a nearby seat. "One water please," I asked a nearby waiter.

I leaned back to hear the remainder of the conversation.

 I moved to New Jersey a little while after you were born. Your dad and I agreed to each take one of you. At the time it seemed like a good idea, but then over the years, it became harder and harder. Numerous times I thought about contacted you, but it wasn't apart of the deal. I met another man in New Jersey and had Peyton. Him and I are no longer together. Your dad met your mother and that's kind of where my part of the story ends.

I looked over my shoulder to catch the end of it, where Lucas and Rachel departed. Although slightly confused, Lucas did not look as distraught as before. He was gonna be okay.

The waiter came back with the water. I handed it to Maya and kneeled beside her. Drink this, and don't get up until you're finished.

She took a sip obediently and although unrealistic, seemed to sober up a little within that sip. "I don't need you to babysit me, Josh, I'm not a little kid anymore" she took another hard sip. Her voice wasn't angry now, but almost embarrassed.

It was as if the anger transferred from her to me though because suddenly, I was filled with heat. 

"Apparently you do," I answered with that anger apparent in my voice. "But I shouldn't have to, you're supposedly an adult and maybe your new guy over there should take on the reigns," I nodded my head over to that kid Riley brought over a little while earlier. "Good pick," I sneered. "Oh and next time, please don't talk to my niece that way because I'm not gonna let my old feelings get in the way of protecting family."

I stood up tall and left Maya sitting there. 

Old feelings. They were old...right? Or maybe they were current feelings? But either way, I wasn't gonna let Maya mess with my emotions anymore.