Jonathan Turner: "I get REAL old fashioned when I see somebody that I care about being brought home by cops."
**creds to -followtheleader- for the awesome new book cover (sorry, I did do my own questionable changes to it oops.)
#1 in Spankfic as of...
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The crowd of excited people morphed around the baby's crib with plenty of awes and coos.
"Daddy, let me see! Let me see!" Auggie begged.
"Alright, son, but no touchy. Babies are breakable." Cory said.
Shawn, John, Riley, Lucas, Grandma Amy, Grandpa Alan, Josh, Eric, Nina, Tommy, and Topanga were also present. After about twenty minutes, everyone finally was able to have their turn with the baby. Topanga, of course, wanted to hog the baby to herself.
"You've had her plenty. I'm the grandpa. It's my turn!" Shawn said, holding out his arms to his new granddaughter.
"Okay...fine." Topanga stated plainly, passing the baby to him. "But you know I'm going to spoil that girl rotten."
"That's my job." Stated Turner and Riley in unison. They gave each other a sly smile.
"I'm the aunt!" Riley said, giggling.
"We can take turns. How does that sound?" Turner asked Riley.
"Sounds good to me." Riley cheered.
"How's it going?" Turner asked Farkle. "You've been awfully quiet, for you."
"It's just...Long days. We are slowly recovering from being so exhausted." Farkle half-admitted.
"Well, you won't be getting much rest anytime soon." Grandma Amy mused. "This baby is going to be needing lots of attention."
"So, Maya...how are you?" Topanga sat beside a downcast Maya still laying in bed. She placed a hand on her forehead. "Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine." Maya said with a scowl.
"No, really. Tell me what's going on." Topanga urged.
The entire room set their eyes on Maya, finally noticing something was off.
"Don't mind me. I'm perfectly alright." She said irritated. "It's just...a lot." Maya sat up with her arms crossed over her abdomen. A weary silence filled the room.
"I think we need to have a little chat, Maya." Topanga said, concerned. "Maybe...Amy? Why don't you, me, and Maya have some bonding time?"
"Can I join in?" Riley asked politely.
"Not this time, girlfriend. I'm afraid this calls for experienced moms." Topanga said. Riley gave a look of disappointment but obeyed.
"Sure, Topanga. Alright, everyone out, who's not us." Grandma Amy instructed. Everyone listened, except Eric. Eric lingered at the crib, cooing playfully with Evie in the little onesie he bought her.
"OUT!" Amy and Topanga yelled in unison.
"Fine...but I got dibs on holding her after your chat." Eric said as he retreated out of the room.
"...So, Maya..." Topanga swept the hair out of Maya's eyes. "I have some idea what might be going on with you. Tell me if I'm wrong. Are you having trouble...connecting with your baby?"
Maya gasped, surprised she hit the nail right on the head so fast. "Um...well..." She looked down at her hands in shame.
"It's not just that...I don't feel like a mother. I'm not cut out for this." Maya admitted. "Do you ever feel lost? Like you feel guilty for feeling what you feel? Like what you are experiencing isn't real? That I'm not real?"
"Whoa, Maya. You're feeling this way?" Topanga asked, appalled at Maya.
"I mean, I don't even know anymore...if I want this baby now...but Farkle does. I don't want to hurt him." Maya stated. "I couldn't bear to take away what he has with his daughter. I mean, she's his daughter."
A knock was heard at the door. "Can I come in?" Farkle asked, solemnly.
"Of course." Topanga said.
"Maya, I love you, but I can't force you to want this baby. You haven't even said her full name." Farkle said, still standing at the door. "I don't want for a child to grow up in a family where she is not wanted." Tears began to swell in his eyes. His cheeks grew hot. His entire body sagged, and his hands hid themselves in the pockets of his jeans.
"Farkle, why don't you come talk to Maya alone? We can give you time." Topanga interrupted.
"No. It's alright. I said what I came here to say. Maya, the choice is up to you." Farkle gave a nod with a weak smile of sadness. He retreated slowly from the room.
"Well, is that how you truly feel?" Topanga asked, combing her fingers through Maya's tangled hair.
Maya put her face in her pillow and let out a muffled sound.
"We can't hear you." Grandma Amy stated plainly.
Maya raised her head two inches. "Yes...I just can't. I've been feeling this for a month now."
Topanga and Amy exchanged knowing glances.
"Well, if we can't change your mind..." Topanga said. "I'll be right back. I've got something to show you." Topanga raced out of the room as fast as she could. Not three seconds later, she came in with Eric and Nina in tow. "Tell her what you told me."
"How do I put this...Nina and I...We want for everyone to have a home, and we have the money saved up. We've talked about this for a long time." Eric paused, locking eyes with Nina. Tears welled up in his eyes, and a grin swept over his face. "Here's the thing...We would love to adopt your sweet, precious baby...but you can visit her all you want. She can even keep the name you've given her. I just really want this baby to have a good home, Maya, and for you to be a happy, normal teenager. We love you, and we love her. This seemed too perfect to pass up. She's a total angel...Just perfect." He grabbed Maya's hand in a pleading way.
"Yes, Maya, we would love to adopt her, and we understand why you do not want the child. We can give her a good home. We will love her like our own." Nina chimed in.
Maya held a puzzled look, then relief washed over her face. She gasped. "You would do that for me?"
"Not just for you and Farkle, but for her." Eric stated.
"Then, yes, totally...Please! Thank you. Thank you so much. I just hope that everyone will understand...Wow...I love you so much." Maya sat up to give Eric and Nina a hug. Happy tears washed over everyone's faces. It was meant to be.
"Let's go tell everyone the news!" Eric jumped for joy. Farkle stood afar off but had listened to every word that was spoken. He accepted this internally but still felt the weight of the loss. He sat on the floor of the hallway outside the room, consumed in his own conflicting emotions. "Dear God, why me? She's too perfect to let go..."
