From a Distance

Legal Things

It's been several days since Riley and Maya's fight and they still haven't spoken to each other.

"Riley, I'm sure all of this will blow over soon and you two will be friends again in no time," you rub her back when you hear a knock at the door.

You get up to answer it and are shocked when you see Maya in handcuffs with a police officer.

"Officer what did she do?" you ask.

"New York Code 145," he says.

"Vandalism?" you shout at Maya who just looks down at the ground.

"Maya," Riley says.

"You did this, you made me do this," Maya says lowly.

"I wasn't even with you," Riley defends. "We haven't spoken in days."

"Yeah, you were with me," Maya says back.

"Are you this girl's mother?" the officer asks.

"No, I'm not," you answer. "I'm acting as her lawyer though," you say immediately.

"Is her mother home?"

"I don't know, she doesn't live here," you tell the officer.

"That's funny," he says. "I asked this young lady where her home was and she gave me the address to this place."

You see Riley flash a look of sadness to Maya.

"I can call her parents," you offer.

Shortly after, Shawn and Katy are standing in your living room.

"You're this girl's parents?" he asks the two of them to which they nod.

The officer pulls the two aside along with you and Cory.

"I spoke with her on the ride here and I've decided that I'll release her without pressing charges."

"It seems this was a one-time emotional outburst," he says to Maya. "As long as you promise that this won't happen again, I will release you."

"Yes, I promise," Maya says and the officer unlocks her handcuffs.

"You folks have a good night and stay out of trouble, young lady."

"You're her lawyer, right?" he asks, pulling you aside. "I just have a couple papers I need her parents to sign for her official release that you can just mail to the station," he says before leaving.

"What are those?" Maya asks once he leaves, motioning to the papers.

"They're things for your parents to sign," you tell her.

Maya takes them from your hands and leafs through some of them.

"Kermit's gonna have a fun time going through his mail when he gets this," Maya laughs.

"We're not sending it to Kermit, sweetie," Katy says.

"But it needs both parents' signatures," Maya says confused. "I mean, Shawn can't legally sign it. Tell her, Topanga."

"Uhh, well, uhh, Katy?" you say in desperation.

"What are you not telling me?" Maya looks around at all the parents' faces.

"We've been working on something with Topanga ever since Shawn and I got married," Katy says.

"What is it?" Maya asks.

"We sent in a petition for adoption and just the other day it was granted," Katy tells her daughter.

"Meaning...?"

"You're my daughter," Shawn says with a huge grin on his face.

"Oh my gosh," Maya hugs both her parents and then you.

"Peaches, you finally have the family you've always wanted," Riley hugs her excitedly.

"I'm sorry that all this happened," Maya tells Riley.

"Me too," Riley hugs Maya again.

You watched them for years growing into the people that they are now. And just like that, they are Riley and Maya again.

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