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pedropascalunofficial · 4 years

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My Cousin, Pedro Pascal

Ximena Riquelme

16 NOV 2017 12:53 PM

Before being the protagonist of Narcos or filming with Colin Firth, José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal (42) was a child whom I knew very well because we are from the same family. A man who today looks with nostalgia and some perplexity at his place of origin and his history and who still does not answer what would have happened if he had stayed here.

The first memory I have of Pedro is in the arms of my mother during his baptism, in the garden of my house. She was a weeping bus and had huge black eyes. I was 9 years old. It was cloudy. Years later I learned that the priest was Gerardo Whelan, the legendary rector of Saint George's College. Pedro's parents were not at his baptism: my uncle, José Balmaceda, my mother's only male brother, and his wife Verónica Pascal were asylees at the Venezuelan embassy, which was on Bustos street, near my house. Pepe, as we used to say to my uncle, who years later would become a famous gynecologist, an expert in fertilization, was then a 27-year-old young doctor, in those days wanted by Dina. Some time before they had hidden Andrés Pascal Allende, Mirista and his wife's uncle. One day they came to take him to the José Joaquín Aguirre Hospital and he managed to escape by jumping through the roofs. It was October 1975.

Like most of the Chilean families, there were supporters of both sides in mine: for and against Pinochet. Trying to help Pedro's parents, my dad called a relative who held a high position in the Army. "Tell the children to get asylum, because I cannot guarantee their lives or that nothing happens to Veronica," was his reply. She was 22 years old. Then began the journey of my uncles and with them that of my cousin José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal. Pepe and Verónica had to start living secretly in different houses. Pedro, who was only 6 months old at the time, and his 3-year-old sister Javiera were left in charge of my mother's older sister, "Aunt Juani."

The second memory I have of Pedro is when I accompanied my parents, who carried him and his sister in their arms, to stand on the sidewalk in front of the Venezuelan embassy so that their parents could see them through the window.

My uncles left the Venezuelan embassy for the airport in January 1976, Pedro was 9 months old and obviously does not remember anything. I just remember that they didn't let me go. Pedro could not record the image, which I could not see, of his grandfather Luis Pascal Vigil - a very prominent lawyer - singing the National Anthem on the balcony of Pudahuel. A memory that is not mine but that I adopted, for cute.

As the people of the International Red Cross advised our family on time, Pedro and his sister did not leave the embassy with their parents, but arrived directly at the airport: this allowed their passports not to be stamped with the "L" for " limited to circulate "that stamped on the exiles who left. Therefore, the years that Pedro and Javiera came could come to Chile without problems. And for that reason, the choclón of cousins, we were able to share long summers in Pucón and some winters in Santiago.

The Balmaceda Pascal first arrived in Aarhus, Denmark, in October 1976. A year later they left for San Antonio, Texas, where Pedro's father was able to continue improving himself thanks to a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. Veronica earned a PhD in Child Psychology.

________________________________________

"But Denmark is invisible to me," Pedro writes me by email. A while ago I proposed to interview him at a distance to travel a little about his history, and here we are, in front of the computer, sharing memories. "It is invisible to me, like everything that happened before. Although once, after telling him about my childhood, a doctor told me that the temporary separation with my mother was trapped in the memory of my body and that I could remember it through the senses".

My cousin, far away

The third memory I have of Pedro is a summer in Pucón. It must have been in 1978. "Pepelo", as we said, was no longer a guagua but a restless, very blond boy, who was so impacted by poverty in Chile that when he went out on the street with his gringo accent, he asked any person: "Are you poor?" He took food out of the pantry and gave it away. With my cousins we rented a warm wooden house, colorful, with the door frames out of square. It was summers with trips to those black sand beaches that burned the feet and picnics in Caburgua with lamb on the stick. They took us to mass and Pedro sang very inspired.

"This is where the memories become more vivid, like dreams," he writes. "I remember so many details: my older cousins, children my age who were like family. The beach seemed endless. I also remember running down the hallways and stairs of Aunt Juani's house looking for Santa Claus at Christmas."

XR: What was it like leaving your parents in the United States?

PP: "I think the trauma was going back to the States, although I obviously wanted to be with my parents. But childhood in Chile, with the Balmaceda and Pascal, was a dream, a world where nothing was missing, pure adventure and love."

Now that he tells me that, I remember that image of Pedro hanging on the neck of our aunt Juani, crying in Pudahuel because she did not want to return. At that time going to the airport was a panorama: we were going en masse to leave him and his sister, who traveled in charge of the stewardesses.

In 1981 I went with my parents and my two sisters to see the Balmaceda Pascal in Texas. I remember an eternal road trip from Miami, I remember Pedro's house, in a middle-class neighborhood, comfortable, beautiful, lovingly arranged by his mother. I remember the tears of my mother and Pedro's mother when we said goodbye to return to Chile. We still didn't know when they could return. Although Pedro never fully returned.

In December 1983, Pepe and Verónica were able to enter Chile. The whole family was packed on the terrace of Pudahuel, waiting for them. I remember the Balmaceda Pascal walking from the stairs of the plane to the International Police. I remember them happy, triumphant. Pedro was 8 years old and chose to stay in my house, in love with my girl sister.

We all went to Quintero, to the house of our grandfather Pepe, a great smoker, tennis player, and fanatic fanatic who took us to the town cinema to see double Tora! Programs, Tora !, Tora! More Bridges on the River Kwai and other old movies. Surely Pedro had to see several. Since he was a boy he said he wanted to be a "director". He liked horror movies and was a big movie consumer, like his dad.

PP: "I remember going to the movies with the cousins and the grandfather to see anything with Clint Eastwood, Sylvester Stallone. They leased me VHS movies to see alone and happy."

XR: You once recited Hamlet on the beach with Grandpa.

PP: "No, it was Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller. I was about 14 years old. I videotaped it and lost the fucking camera on the trip back to the United States."

After that summer, Pedro began to come more sporadically. He was already grown up, at school and then at university. They had moved to Newport Beach, California. His father was doing very well. But Pedro, not so much.

PP: "I think that the way the family supported me in Chile was the opposite of what I experienced in Newport Beach. I started well in California but at 13 years old, very involved in the cinema, reading plays, books, TV, TV, TV, obsessed with these things, I had the bad luck to find few like me. It was a world very attached to conservatism and its privileges where not fitting was punished. There was a group of shitty goats who were my friends the first year and became my terrors thereafter. I don't enjoy remembering that time, but there are deep connections from back then. Friends of my parents who are like parents until today."

Pedro's mom soon found a performance arts program at a high school in another district. A more inclusive school compared to Corona del Mar, the neighborhood where they lived in Newport.

PP: "My mom and my driver's license were my salvation. There I was able to unleash my appetite for movies and theater without limits."

As time went by Pedro became a fun, provocative teenager with character. He said he was "lazy", but he went to study Theater at NYU in 1993 and he loved it. I started to see it less. When he came to Chile he went out with his friends, I was already married and having children.

XR: Did you find that our way of life was very boring?

PP: "Bored, no. But overwhelming regarding life's permanent decisions. I didn't have the Catholic structure, and I felt there was no room for a young guy like me. Like suddenly, from one trip of mine to another, you had lives that included marriages and children, and pleasing the visits of the gringo cousin was no longer an option for all of you. I had to duel, because I was jealous of his inattention."

XR: Do you find us very conservative?

PP: "Yes, but it is a major contradiction for me. I come from the perspective that no one can decide how someone else should live their life. And well, in our family there are social rules that are very firm. I think that a person has the right to live his life conservatively or wildly as long as he does not negatively impact anyone or tries to embarrass others by his lifestyle. I don't touch these issues very much with our family for fear of hearing their perspective, but what I do know is that if I ever needed help I could ask any member of our family by the name of Balmaceda, and I would get it."

In 1995, Pedro's parents returned to Chile with their two youngest children, Nicolás and Lucas, who had been born in California. Javiera also came for a couple of years. Pedro stayed in the United States.

PP: "It was a very scary period. I grew up with my family in the United States and from one day to the next there was no home to return to. Suddenly the idea of the safe nest was gone. It was shocking because in previous years I took for granted the privileged life we had in California. I never thought that this could change as suddenly as happened to my parents when they became exiles. Everything felt fragile. Also, I knew that my parents' marriage was wrong and that the tension of those circumstances was hardly going to end. My mother's life felt in danger and the line between needing her, being there for her and finishing my studies and pursuing a career was a horrible conflict. I knew that my mom wanted me to continue doing mine, she never would have wanted me to sacrifice it."

XR: Did you really resent the failure of your parents' marriage?

PP: "For me it was the hardest time. I have not been able, and I do not know if someday I will be able to reconcile completely how my parents separated and the tragedy that came after that separation. The circumstances of my mother's death made it very hard for us to keep her memory of who she was. It hurts so much ... Sometimes I feel distressed and try to face it in the best possible way, because I know that my mother would not like me to do it in any other way."

Pedro lost his mother when he was 24 years old.

PP: "It's hard to say what I remember most about her. You met her, so it is easy for you to understand that she was the love of my life. I think of her every day. Since I don't pray, I can't say that I have a practice to feel her close, but I live for her even though she's gone, and that makes sense to me."

From Alexander to Pedro

XR: Do you believe that pain makes us stronger or does it seem like a horrible cliché?

PP: "I don't think it's a terrible cliche but a profound reality. In some way, losing the most important person in your life, discovering that something like this is possible and that what you fear most in life can happen is an identifiable and permanent moment. There is a before and after after his death. I think, yes, that old age would not have been for my mother, there would have been no footwear with her. Of course, no one wants to grow old, but others can handle it better. I would not have liked to see my mom struggling with it, but at the same time, I wish I had her every day still with me."

It may have been the summer of 2012. Pedro said to our aunt Juani: "I am 37 years old and I still can't get what I want. And it's the only thing I know how to do." It had been a long time since the death of his mother in the summer of 2000 that Pedro had changed his name. From Pedro Balmaceda to Pedro Pascal. He had been searching for years, years of casting where, by being called Pedro Balmaceda in the studios, they hoped to find a Latin or classic Mexican phenotype. He had only made minor appearances in some series.

XR: Although you did not regret it, you did wear Alexander at some point. Why?

PP: "That was a desperate period and directly related to having lost my mother. I was desperate to work, to fill my days with something more to suffer. To eliminate the confusion that casting directors had with this guy named Pedro with European or Caucasian traits, I changed my first name to Alexander and took my mom's last name, Pascal. That only lasted a year, until I was able to find a job and be selected for an Ibsen theatrical classic. But it was too late for people to identify me as "Alex". Also, my mom named me Pedro. So the decision was to call me Pedro Pascal, a name that fits with me more than any other."

Soon after that came Brothers and Sisters, other small roles, and later more important ones in The Good Wife, The Law and Order, The Mentalist, until Game of Thrones, Narcos in 2015 and now, filming Muralla china with Matt Damon and William Dafoe - last year we all went to see his cousins together - and then Kingsman 2 with Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges, Halle Berry and Channing Tatum.

XR : Have you ever been excited acting with such powerful actors?

PP: "I have been thrilled with everyone."

With fame have come the new meetings of the cousins with Pedro Pascal. We all want to see him, take pictures of us, we ask him for greetings-chub for friends, we inflate ourselves by saying that he is our cousin. That Peña, the protagonist of Narcos and the sexiest guy in the world, is my cousin-brother. He laughs and humorously calls us "scoundrels" because now we remember him. In fact, that's what our cousin chat on Whastapp is called.

But there is also the modesty to disturb him. Know that you are busy. That while I'm sending you these questions, you're filming in Boston with Denzel Washington. And to feel that there is always a lack of time to speak to him calmly, a space to ask him questions like the ones that occur to me now:

XR: Exile changed your life. Can you imagine growing up in Chile?

PP: "I don't know, because I haven't thought much about it. I have been asked this question all my life and have never been able to come up with an answer. Perhaps my life would have been more complete and solid. What I am used to is that the past disappears as if it had been lived by someone else, in another time."

XR: Do you miss something from when you were Pedro Balmaceda?

PP: "You know? There is very little difference between Pedro Balmaceda and Pedro Pascal. As it is all part of José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal, I feel the same person. But with back problems and more money."

XR: Would you like to start a family?

PP: "Being a dad? I don't know. I have no fucking idea. I love being an uncle. It may just end there. But anything is possible."

XR: Marialy Rivas said something very nice about you on Saturday: that when you play a character, you pretend that this character brought a whole previous story, much bigger than what they are telling. And it's true: you carry a bigger story than you tell it.

PP: "I don't know, cousin. I am very confused trying to organize the past and see what turns out. It helps me understand the pain or be grateful for what I have. Sometimes I feel like I'm a fraud, living between waiting for fame and attention and completely embarrassed by these wishes.

In reference to what Marialy said, I think she means that I put all my confusion, joy and sorrow, ambivalence, hostility, rage, love, lust, greed, compassion, ignorance, knowledge either to indicate a map with the finger on Narcos, throwing an arrow in Game of Thrones, lashing out at Kingsman. Cool! But I think my experience in theater taught me that."

XR: Would you someday like your life to be a script?

PP: "No way." (in english)

XR: Do you still want to be a "director", as you used to say when you were a kid?

PP: "Yes! That will be my way of being a father. Father of a production."

XR: Is dreaming about an Oscar the dream of every actor, even if you don't confess it?

PP: "I confess that possibly… yes."

#pedro pascal #cousin #la tercera #2017 #family #mother #father #asylum #embassy #pedro pascal article #article #javiera balmeceda #peter balmaceda #cousins #pp article

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ion0ra · 6 years

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Story Time

So, as a lot of you who've ever seen my family posts will understand, they're pretty messed up. Like, there's lighter things from just bad jokes, to things like full-on bigotry and abuse.

I wanna lay it all out, because I was thinking about it and wanted to get it off my chest.

So, there are 3 kinds of messed up with my parents, all their own special brew of abusive and neglectful.

So, you have my mother. She seems like a typical Southern mom on the surface. You can see her at church. At Wal-Mart. Dresses kinda trashy. Big & loud hair, and bad teeth. But if you knew her for longer than a week, you started to get this vibe from her you couldn't quite put your finger on until you REALLY knew her.

She's one of the few people I genuinely hate in this world. Growing up, she called me names (to my face) like "fat," "stupid," and other such names, and constantly verbally demeaned, bullied, and abused me (she'd constantly "joke" about things she disapproved of, sometimes even so far as to physically do things to me I'd rather not discuss publicly; she'd withhold information from me constantly, the list goes on. When my parents were talking about getting divorced, she took me to the Taco Bueno/Raising Cane's parking lot shortly after my birthday and told me and made me choose right then and there who I wanted to live with (which is a whole other emotional experience.)) She'd do things from her "jokes," to the "punishment" she came up with where every time I said something she didn't like, she'd slap my face.

Point blank. Didn't matter where or when it was, she did it. More often than not, it was whenever she felt like.

And then there was the privacy invasions. At first, it seemed logical (for someone who's grown up like that) that she saw everything. All my game accounts were linked to hers, and she knew my school-assigned email address (they used it to help teach us about "the real world".) I wasn't allowed to have a phone until age 13, which she could go through any time she wanted.

She'd punish me for whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted, however she wanted. One summer (and this was in Texas, in an area where it gets particularly hot/humid) she locked me out of the house all day (from 9 until about 6 or 7 at night, whenever she decided to get back,) and told me I wasn't allowed back inside (she would contest that because she only forbade me from entering, and told my older sister and two stepsisters I was allowed exactly 1 five-minute bathroom break all day and to tie me down outside if I needed to be, that she "technically" didn't lock me out) until she got back. I wasn't allowed any food, and had to drink from a dirty ass hose. I wasn't allowed to accept help from anyone, and my sisters weren't allowed to take food outside to me. She got home that evening and made me go straight to bed, then said I "hadn't learned anything" and made me do it all over again. I literally went 48 straight hours without food during that time.

The thing she was "punishing" me for? My dog had decided it wanted to lay down while I was taking it for a walk and got his belly a little red and some dirt on it.

Point is, knowing my mother, she was out-right abusive. Case #1 for abusive parents. From her, trust issues and paranoia got amplified, but those are whole other stories.

My dad and stepmom, on the other hand, were more into the manipulative side of things (my dad resorting to getting physical "if need be.")

My dad looks like a quirky guy on the outside. Tall, bald, tattooed. If you meshed with him, you'd get along swimmingly. Otherwise, you were me.

At first, I didn't notice his bigotry (I mean how could I? I was basically a smaller version of him, but not quite.) It wasn't until I'd gotten on Tumblr (about 2010 ish was when I first got on? If I remember correctly) and started questioning basically everything about myself when I started recognizing the subtler things, and it was definitely apparent when my older sister moved in with us.

At the time, she'd left my mom's house (because she'd gotten to her, too) and I was about 14-15. I found out before my parents did that she was actually transgender (and went by he/him pronouns, had a support group, etc.) I was like "oh cool I've always wanted an older brother" but the condition was I not tell my parents until it had already been brought up.

Now... Especially with my dad, he'll say he'll support someone he cares about unconditionally, but if you do something he doesn't agree with, he'll either get... Apprehensive, or just straight-up drop you. When he found out about my older brother, he basically bullied "the phase" (as my dad called it) out of him. It officially ended with a Christmas story that actually involves my stepmom.

Anyways, that's where I started finding out that even though he claimed to be unconditionally supportive, he wasn't.

Long story short, had a Tumblr and a support group, they found out about it, literally took everything away from me and invaded my privacy on literally all my accounts, told me I was "being enabled" because I had friends who'd sent me positivity during a barage of Anon hate, wouldn't even listen to me when I tried to explain how I literally didn't know how some of the stuff that was on there wasn't me (someone has gained access to my account and basically started up a sideblog that let's just say a 14-year-old shouldn't even look at, much less have,) tried to get me to tell them "the whole truth" and when I came out about my sexuality had to bottle it up again and act like it was "just a phase" because of how they reacted, and over the course of the next 5 years tried to invade my privacy as much as they possibly could. (Hell, even today, my dad still has my old email account on his phone to "check on it")

He's the kinda guy who would physically restrain me from doing something, then claim I voluntarily didn't do it. The list goes on.

My stepmother was arguably one of the most manipulative people I ever knew. Anti-vaxxer (to the point that she signed a consent form saying neither of my little sisters could get immunization shots from their schools and when asked about it, shrugged it off and was like "they don't need them," but there was more), terf bangs, the whole shebang. Would constantly goad people, then when someone called her out on it acted like she was the victim. Got my dad to yell at me/restrain me because I was "being too aggressive" trying to not have a panic attack because she was yelling. Got the word "ridiculous" banned in the house (yes, literally banned.) So, so much more.

She'd constantly demean me and talk down to me and about me, tell my sister's they didn't have to listen or pay attention to me, and when I brought it up to my dad/publicly, she'd simply act confused and say she didn't know what I was talking about, or that I was misremembering (a common tactic my mother used that my dad and stepmom hated.) One time, my dad actually asked me if she turned into my mother when she was gone, and I paused for a moment and was like "I mean yeah." (Don't ask how that resolved.)

She was the kind of woman who would slap you in the face and then talk to you long enough to try to convince you that you were never actually slapped in the face (unlike my mom, who would and would just tell you you deserved it.) This was the woman who, when my older sister's friend asked how her son was doing, almost caused a scene by loudly stating that her "daughter was doing just fine and I'll let her know that you were thinking about her." (Mind you this friend didn't know that my older brother was trans. This friend only knew him as he, and once even when I slipped up they didn't seem to notice it.)

All my parents would constantly demand someone access my email, messages, and history at any given point. I had friends who I talked to about this that I was scared shitless my parents would find out about because I didn't wanna lose them. I made so many accounts to cover my tracks I've literally lost access to a lot of them because I just can't remember the login details. My parents constantly told me "if you're hiding something that means you know it's bad" out of the blue, keeping me in a constant state of paranoia.

One time, I'd accidentally left my phone in my room and my dad walked in and stayed in for an abnormally long amount of time. I didn't go in because I knew they would definitely see that as a sign something was up, and just rode out my anxiety until my dad walked out, a hand in his pocket. He made this dramatic deal of calmly saying "Now... You know the rules... I'll forgive you this time, but next time will be worse... Especially after what's happened before..." And I was freaking the fuck out. He looked at me and laughed as he pulled a candy wrapper out of his pocket. He said he chose those words specifically because he wanted to see what kind of reaction he'd get out of me.

There are so many other examples I could bring up that I don't have the time or emotional energy to all in one post, but it breaks my heart there are still people who don't believe there are people like this out there. I once had a guy ask "well if your mom's that bad how come she's not in prison?" And my reply was simple: "Because she can cover herself up well." Parents like this are out there. People like this are out there. Please don't let this be your relationships in any fashion because you don't deserve it.

tl;dr: parental abuse and violations take many different forms. If you have any parents or people you know like this, as soon and as safely as you can, get the fuck out. They may only damage you permanently even worse.

The post that got me thinking about all this over the last emotion-charged hour and a half: https://freckledfemme.tumblr.com/post/169530766178/omgwhy-bpdcalvinfischoeder-staar84

#that's my rant for the night #ok to rb #ask to tag #child abuse #child neglect #my parents tag #i don't want to see anyone end up where i was #long post

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wsmith215 · 4 years

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Family separation returns under cover of the coronavirus

Jose walks with his children, who were recently released from a government shelter where they had been held for more than two months. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Dad lives about 10 miles from the White House, stringing together gardening jobs, not letting the kids touch him when he gets home for fear of contagion.

Mom lives in a makeshift refugee camp on the border in Matamoros, Mexico, one of the world’s most dangerous cities, rationing soap.

Three of the children — ages 10, 14, and 16 — just joined their father, Jose, after winning release from a government shelter where they had been held for more than two months. Now, they have deportation orders hanging over their heads.

U.S. officials are fighting in court to take the three children and deport them to El Salvador — to no one. The only way to avoid being separated from their parents, officials say, would be for their mother in Mexico to give up, too. Government lawyers said they’d put her on a plane with the kids if she agreed to return to El Salvador and never again try to join her husband in the U.S.

This is the new family separation, two years after taking kids from their parents at the border blew up into a crisis for the Trump administration. Citing the coronavirus to seal the border to an unprecedented extent, the administration is engaged in a pressure campaign against immigrant parents to get them to give up either their kids or their legal claims to protection in the U.S.

Scores of migrant families across the country are being targeted, according to court documents and more than 20 officials, judges, lawyers and migrants. Many spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of jeopardizing their legal cases.

The fates of many of them may hinge on Jose’s family’s case, which has become a test of the administration’s latest policies to bar migrant kids and families, said Claudia Cubas, the litigation director for the Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, and Jose’s lawyer.

With Jose’s family’s case the furthest along in the courts, “this is either going to make it or break it for people,” she said.

Administration officials deny that they are deliberately trying to separate families.

Story continues

“Consistent with President Trump’s June 20, 2018, executive order, it is the policy of the administration to maintain family unity,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement.

The statement came after ICE officials this month presented the roughly 180 parents in its custody with the choice of separating from their children or remaining indefinitely detained with them, according to government filings in court and legal service providers. Several hundred more unaccompanied children have been united with a sponsor in the U.S., like Jose’s children, but remain at risk. ICE declined to say how many have final removal orders.

Advocates argue that unaccompanied minors are entitled to receive immigration hearings under U.S. law. Government attorneys maintain that many of the children had a hearing under the administration’s “Remain in Mexico” policy after they first arrived at the border and still face deportation, even if that has the effect of dividing them from their parents. The Remain in Mexico policy requires people seeking asylum in the U.S. to wait in Mexico throughout their court hearings.

“There has been due process afforded to those minor children,” one administration lawyer said in a May hearing for Jose’s family, citing the previous proceedings.

Bridget Cambria, a lawyer with the Aldea People’s Justice Center in Pennsylvania, represents detained parents who testified that ICE officials pressured them to separate from their children, rejected the claim that the government’s actions constitute due process.

“Whatever you want to call it,” said Cambria. “It’s asking mothers and fathers to give up their kids.”

Attorney Claudia Cubas talks to Jose and his children in April, shortly after they were released from a government shelter. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Jose’s three daughters — ages 16, 14, and 11 — are about as tall as he is. The 10-year-old boy doesn’t leave his father’s side.

In less than a year, the two oldest girls and their little brother have gone from safe-houses in El Salvador to a tent on the Rio Grande to a government shelter, and now to a home in a Washington suburb with a green lawn, a bicycle and a driveway.

Jose mostly speaks for them. He still doesn’t feel safe, even in the U.S.: MS-13, the gang in El Salvador that told his wife they’d kill the kids if she didn’t tell where he was, has offshoots in Maryland.

“There’s still this sadness in them,” Jose said of his children. “The biggest change that I’ve seen is that now that we’re here, it’s like they can breathe again.”

In El Salvador, Jose was a street preacher. The gangs ordered him to stop, but he wouldn’t. He met his wife, who also proselytized, at their evangelical church. MS-13 had killed her first husband, the two eldest girls’ biological father, in 2006.

Jose fled first, thinking the threats to the family would lessen if he were gone. He crossed the border with his youngest daughter in Laredo, Texas, just short of one year ago. The decision to come separately — they couldn’t afford to bring everyone at one time — has splintered the family in the U.S. immigration system.

Jose told U.S. officials at the border that he was afraid of persecution in El Salvador and was allowed to go to Maryland, where he has a brother and close friend.

By the time Jose’s wife and the three other kids arrived at the border about three months later, the Trump administration had imposed its Remain in Mexico policy across the entire southern border, dramatically changing the rules. Officials turned the four back to Matamoros.

In January, an immigration judge in Texas denied their asylum claims. Jose’s wife believed the judge said she could not appeal without a lawyer.

In roughly four months in Matamoros, the kids had “suffered physical and sexual assault; endured illness, extreme temperatures, and malnutrition,” according to a legal filing. Ten days after the judge ruled, Jose and his wife decided she should take the children to the bridge and send them across the border on their own.

Many parents have chosen to take that chance rather than risk keeping their children in the refugee camps along the border. Of some 65,000 migrants subject to Remain in Mexico, at least 1,114 have been kidnapped, raped or assaulted in Mexico, including children, according to Human Rights First. Of asylum seekers subject to the policy, fewer than 1% have ultimately been granted relief.

On Jan. 17, the three children turned themselves in to U.S. officials at the port of entry between Matamoros and Brownsville, Texas, and were designated as unaccompanied minors, affording them special protections under the law, including a hearing before an immigration judge.

As soon as officials located Jose, he applied for custody. But the reunification stalled when the government discovered the kids had prior removal orders dating from the ruling against them and their mother in January.

Cubas and the children’s legal team sued for their release in March. The case has moved through the immigration system and federal court.

For already traumatized children, Cubas said, “it’s been an emotional roller coaster.”

In the little boy’s legal declaration — in El Salvador, the family moved so much to hide from the gangs that he never learned to read and can hardly write — he says he doesn’t really remember what happened after they crossed into the U.S. “because I’m little.”

“I miss my mom I don’t know what is happening to her,” he said. “I don’t want to return to Mexico because it is a bad place and in El Salvador the gangs are after us.”

Jose’s wife, seen in April, is stuck in a makeshift refugee camp on the border in Matamoros, Mexico. She faces dim prospects for reuniting with her family. (Javier Escalante / Los Angeles Times)

Their mother now lives alone in a blue-tarp tent in Matamoros.

“It’s just me left here,” she said in an interview last month.

The camp, which exploded in size with Remain in Mexico, has no cleaning materials or private bathrooms. Many people bathe in the muddy Rio Grande, where her three kids once saw a dead body floating. Sickness is rampant.

Public health advocates and experts have warned that a coronavirus outbreak in the migrant camps along the border would be devastating.

The mother is not so worried for her kids anymore, now that they’re in Maryland with Jose. She says she talks to them every day.

The legal battle over the children has left Jose trying to play the part of both parents amid a pandemic. He takes as many precautions as he can.

“I have to provide for them,” he said, “but then I’m exposing myself.”

He’s even more worried for his wife in Mexico. So long as they’re apart, he said, “I have this gap in my heart.”

A young migrant named Stephanie, 10, near the Rio Grande in Matamoros, Mexico. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

On May 8, lawyers for the government submitted a proposal for Jose’s family:

If the children agreed to “their expeditious and immediate repatriation to El Salvador” and withdrew their suits against the government, and if their mother presented herself at the border, ICE would deport them together to El Salvador, “thus, ensuring that Plaintiffs remain in the care of a parent.”

But, they warned in a footnote, should Jose’s wife try to pursue her immigration case, they could send the kids to El Salvador alone.

“To be removed with her children, Plaintiffs’ mother would have to immediately elect an expeditious reunification and joint repatriation with her children,” they wrote, “and choose to forego further action.”

They are far from the only family to be presented with such a choice; a very similar case involving two sisters, 8 and 11, unfolded recently in Texas.

The girls crossed the border by themselves after their father was mugged in Matamoros, where they’d been required to stay under the administration’s policy after seeking asylum last September. Their mother, who entered the U.S. on an existing tourist visa and is also applying for asylum, is in Houston. Thirty minutes before the girls were due to be reunited with her, ICE moved to deport them to El Salvador.

After lawyers filed suit, the girls were released to their mother. ICE has agreed not to deport them until a decision by the immigration appeals court — but they still have removal orders.

“This is another form of family separation, and it’s quite in your face,” said Elizabeth Sanchez Kennedy, immigration legal services Director at YMCA International Services, who represents them.

At a hearing in early May in Jose’s family’s case, federal district Judge Randolph D. Moss said he was “troubled” by the government’s effort to “orphan” the children.

“The plaintiffs here are very young,” Moss said.

“You’re taking a nine-year-old child, removing that child from the parent and sending that child to a place in which the child has no guardian.”

With the judge questioning the constitutionality of separating Jose’s family, ICE said it would hold off on deporting the children until November or a decision by the immigration appeals court. That allows Jose time to pursue his separate asylum claim.

Getting a hearing, however, is no easy feat, with already backlogged immigration courts thrown into further chaos by the coronavirus. Already, Jose has been waiting close to a year for the Baltimore immigration court to schedule one.

Ashley Tabaddor, president of the National Assn. of Immigration Judges, noted that the administration repeatedly has pushed back Remain in Mexico hearings while insisting that unaccompanied children continue to attend court during the pandemic.

“It’s clearly more driven by law enforcement priorities than health considerations,” Tabaddor said.

Meanwhile, ICE’s stay is at the agency’s discretion; Jose’s kids still face removal orders. If he ultimately wins asylum, he likely could include his children, and potentially their mother.

In Matamoros, she said she will never allow her children to return to El Salvador.

“My wish is to be with my children there in America one day,” she said. “But if it is my turn to return, I have already lived my life. They are just beginning to live.”

Times staff writer Patrick McDonnell and special correspondent Cecilia Sánchez contributed from Matamoros and Mexico City.

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A Weekend in Paris

This is it! The final chapter, I hope you all think it’s worth the wait. This chapter wraps up two stories, Farkle Meets the New Year and this one. Please let me know what you think, I would love to know. Thanks to all who have commented and reblogged and read this story. If you need links to previous chapters, please let me know. I’ll be happy to send them. Enjoy!

A Weekend in Paris

Chapter 12

Monday, August 14, 2023, the loft of Maya and Riley, New York City

It was 5 o’clock in the late afternoon when Riley finally arrived back at the loft she shared with Maya. She and Lucas had just flown in from Texas and the taxi they took from the airport had just left to take Lucas back to the apartment he shared with Josh in her parent's building. Maya and Josh weren’t due to return from Pennsylvania until Friday, Riley was honestly happy for the peace and quiet. She loved Lucas and being on the ranch but she was ready for some alone time. Time just to be Riley. Sarah had vacated the apartment a month ago when she and Zay had returned to the city from their own trip to Texas. It seems Zay had asked Sarah to move in with him and she accepted. Since Zay lived next door it was easy for them to keep an eye on things until Riley and Maya returned.

Riley had pulled her big suitcase into her room and threw it on her bed when she heard a noise come from the small kitchen of the loft. Riley grabbed the baseball bat that she kept next to her bedroom door for emergencies. She quietly walked out of her room when she heard the faucet running. Why would a burglar need to run water? She moved closer to the wall that went all the way to the kitchen counter. She would walk slowly and quietly until she could see who was in the kitchen. She was scared but hoped it would be Zay or Sarah. The closer she got to the kitchen the faster and harder her heart was beating. She wished she’d thought to pick up her phone to dial 911. She tiptoed along the wall with the bat held up over her head, hoping whoever it was wouldn’t hear her. She was about halfway to the kitchen counter when she heard glass breaking. She thought about running back to her bedroom and locking the door, but the next thing she heard eased every fear she had.

No one knew that Maya and Josh were leaving Philly earlier than originally planned. They decided they had missed their friends so much that they wanted to surprise them. They had gotten back into the city about 1 o’clock that same afternoon and for some reason once Josh dropped her off, all Maya had wanted to do was sleep in her own bed. It had been 2 months and 10 days since she had been able to and even though Morgan Matthew’s old bed was comfortable it still wasn't her own. After Josh helped her bring her bags upstairs to her room she kissed him goodbye and headed straight to her bed. She didn’t plan on sleeping for 4 hours but was glad she did, now she could stay up late and clean the loft. It wasn’t messy by any means but she wanted it to look nice for Riley. She needed to go the market as well, there was no food in the place, not even a bottle of water. She was so excited to see Riley and catch up. This is the longest she’d ever been apart from her.

When she woke up Maya went into the kitchen to get a drink of water. She pulled a glass out of the cabinet. She didn’t remember turning on any lights, but there was one on in the living room, maybe Josh turned it on. She turned on the faucet and filled her glass with cold water. Once she emptied the glass she turned to put it in the sink, but it slipped out of hand and hit the floor, shattering in what looked like a million pieces.

“Crap!” Maya said. She hadn’t bothered to put on a pair of shoes after her nap, she was going to have to climb on the counter to get out of the kitchen without getting glass in one of her feet. The kitchen was so small that it only took her a couple steps to get to the counter that opened the kitchen up to the living room. As she jumped to the floor she got a surprise that nearly gave her a heart attack!

“Riles! What are you doing here? When did you get here? Why do you have that baseball bat?” Maya asked, still startled to see her best friend.

“Peaches!” Riley yelled. She saw the startled look on Maya’s face but just grabbed her friend and hugged her all while Maya was asking a million questions.

The two were so happy to see each other and immediately started talking, the broken glass was forgotten.

Monday, August 14, 2023, at the Apartment of Josh and Lucas

Lucas was happy to be back in New York. He had missed the sights and sounds of the city and couldn’t wait to get back to his job and school. This was his last semester before vet school and he was excited about the next phase of his life. He and Riley had made a few plans about the wedding but no date had been set yet.

Lucas paid the taxi and took his bags from the sidewalk and headed up the steps of the brownstone. He unlocked the door, letting himself in the building and placed his bags just inside the door. He pulled the largest suitcase down the hall to his apartment. He was getting ready to unlock it when he heard a whoop coming from inside. He had forgotten that Cory and Auggie had been using his and Josh’s apartment as their man cave for the summer. He quietly opened the door and had to laugh at an oblivious Cory and Auggie. They were so engrossed in the Phillies vs. Mets game they didn’t even hear him come through the door. He quietly rolled his bag into the living room and headed back down the hall for the rest of his stuff. When he came back they still didn’t hear him. He quietly closed the door and walked over to the couch and sat down next to Auggie.

“Hey Aug, will you pass me the popcorn?” Lucas asked.

Without taking his eyes from the TV, Auggie handed him the bowl of popcorn and said, “Sure, here you go, Lucas.”

Lucas couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He was about ready to say something else when Josh walked in the room. He walked right past Lucas and to the chair sitting next to the other end of the couch. All the Matthews men in the room had their eyes glued to the TV and not one of them gave Lucas being there a second thought. He set the bowl of popcorn back on the table, got up and opened the front door and slammed it as hard as he could. Still, not one of them even blinked. Lucas was dumbfounded.

Josh knowing full well that Lucas was in the room, looked at his brother and asked, “Cory did you just hear something?”

“Not a thing, What about you, Aug?” Cory asked his son without ever taking his eyes off the game.

“I didn’t hear nothing, what about you, Lucas?” Auggie asked trying to hide a grin.

Lucas saw Auggie trying not to smile, “You guys really want to do this? I guess if I’m not wanted here I’ll just go back to Riley’s place and sleep there for the night, see ya.”

That got Lucas more attention than he wanted. Cory ran to the door and threw himself against it, “I don’t think so, Friar! Let me have those boots!”

For once in his life, Lucas happily pulled the boots off his feet and handed them to Cory, “here ya go, Dad.”

“Uh-uh, don’t call me Dad, you can’t say things like that about my daughter and then try to be all nice!” Cory took the boots and threw them across the room.

“What did you say about my sister?” Auggie was only 14 but he was as tall as the other men in the room and he walked over to Lucas and grabbed his shirt and was in his face.

“I was only kidding, Aug, please let go of my shirt,” Lucas said as nice as he could.

Auggie’s face softened into a huge smile, “I don’t have it in me to hurt that pretty face of yours, besides we all know you could whoop me good.” He let go of Lucas’ shirt and smoothed it out. “Welcome home big brother! We got ya!”

Josh walked over to Lucas and put an arm around his shoulder, “Welcome home, Howdy! Did we have you worried?”

Lucas shrugged his shoulders and answered, “I was beginning to think something was seriously wrong, what are you doing here? I thought you and Maya were going to be in Philly until Friday?”

“Topanga told Maya that you and Riley weren’t due back until tomorrow, we wanted to surprise you. I guess we did,” Josh said with that trademark grin plastered across his face.

Cory had walked across the room to pick up Lucas’ shoes. When he got back to where the others were standing, he handed Lucas his boots and put his hand on Lucas’ shoulder, “no more stealing your shoes. I know it’s been a while but, I’m done, you and Riley, together forever, you’ve more than proven yourself to me Lucas, welcome home, Son.”

Lucas just laughed at the antics of the Matthews men and decided it was indeed good to be home with his family.

Tuesday, August 15, 2023, Riley and Maya’s place and Topanga’s Bakery

Riley didn’t mean to sleep until 9 a.m. the next morning, but she and Maya had stayed up late talking, the two of them were all caught up on what’s been going on in each other’s lives. She had called Lucas before she fell asleep to tell him goodnight. The two of them decided to ask their respective roommates to have lunch with them the next day. They would all meet at Topanga’s at 11. Riley got up and went into the bathroom to shower, she wore shorts and a tank top and braided her hair and added a bit of lip gloss. Maya was already up and dressed and was talking to Josh on the phone. Riley sat down next to her., but Maya didn’t seem to notice her there.

“Yeah, I know we have to tell everyone, but let’s start with Riley and Lucas,” Maya said quietly.

“Think they’ll be surprised?” she asked whoever she was talking to.

Riley had the feeling she walked in on a private conversation between Josh and Maya so she cleared her throat so that Maya would know that she was there.

Maya was startled when she heard Riley, wondering how much of the conversation she had heard.

“Hey, Riley’s awake,” she said into the phone and offered up a smile for Riley. “Yeah, we’ll see you in a little bit, love you too.”

Maya hung up the phone and looked at her best friend who had the biggest smile on her face, “what’s that smile for?”

“Maya, you told Josh that you loved him, when did that happen and when were you going to tell me about it?” Riley asked as she grabbed Maya’s hand.

“Well, you know, it just kinda slipped out one night after we got to Amy and Allen’s,” Maya answered.

“It ‘kinda’ slipped out? What’s that mean and why didn’t you tell me?” Riley asked, sounding a bit hurt.

“Riles, I’m sorry! It just happened, you should have seen how cute he was when he realized what he said,” Maya said with a dreamy look on her face.

“Wait, Josh said if first? Where were you when he said it? Did you say it back right away and how did he act when you did?” Riley was genuinely happy for her Uncle and best friend.

“So many questions, Riles! Ok. We had taken a walk one night and stopped to look at the stars and he just let it slip. He just looked at me and said that he thinks he found his Topanga and told me that he was in love with me. His face and ears turned red, he was adorable. Yes, I said it back and he had one of those Riley smiles on his face. It was the second-best moment of my life.” Maya told her as she stood up and walked to the kitchen for a bottle of water.

“Wait, second best? Shouldn’t the man of your dreams telling you he loves you be the best moment?” Riley asked while following Maya to the kitchen. “Hold on! Something else happened, didn’t it? Did you and Josh…?” Riley couldn’t finish her question because Maya’s hand was suddenly over her mouth.

Maya‘s cheeks were a little redder, but she was not discussing any details with Riley, “I’m not discussing this with you, so don’t ask, or I’ll ask about you and Lucas.”

Riley’s eyes got bigger and she was the one turning red. She pulled Maya’s hand from her mouth and turned an imaginary key in an imaginary lock and said, “not another word shall escape these lips on that subject.”

They just looked at each other and laughed. They noticed the time and decided to head to the bakery to enjoy a smoothie before the guys arrived.

They had gotten a table out on the patio and Katy has stopped by to congratulate Riley and sneak a peek at her ring, with Topanga.

As Josh approached the table he said, “Well if it isn’t the four prettiest ladies in the whole city!”

“Josh!” Riley said with an excited squeal. She stood and walked right past Lucas to give Josh a hug.

“Riley!” Josh said back. He had missed Riley a lot. When she pulled away from him he looked at her and had to admit he liked that smile on her face.

“Something sure has that smile glued to your face. Is it this beautiful ring or my roommate?” he asked with a smile.

“I should hope it’s both,” Lucas said walking over to kiss Riley.

Maya stood and gave Josh a hug and a kiss and greeted Lucas.

“Hey, Huckleberry, glad to have you and Riles back,” Maya was happy to see him.

Lucas thought something seemed off about Maya and asked for a minute to talk to Riley. Josh and Maya walked into the bakery with Katy and Topanga.

“What’s wrong, Lucas?” Riley asked.

“Is something going on with Maya, she was nice to me? She wasn’t her usual sunshiny self,” he said sarcastically.

Riley was bouncing up and down and couldn’t hold it in any longer, “she and Josh said their first I love you to each other while they were in Philly! Isn’t that wonderful?”

“And she just told you about it today?” Lucas knew that was something Maya would move heaven and earth to tell Riley about, yet she didn’t. She waited until they were both back in the city, something wasn’t right.

“Riley isn’t that a little strange, you and Maya tell each other everything,” he said to her.

Riley could feel the heat in her cheeks when she looked up at Lucas and said, “Not everything, babe.”

Lucas gave her a nervous smile and scratched the back of his head, “that’s good to know, but something isn’t right. Josh never mentioned a word to me.”

“Maybe they weren’t ready to go public with it. I did overhear her talking to him on the phone this morning about having something they need to tell us, maybe that’s it. I’m sure she’s just nervous. Can we go inside and order food? I’m starving!” Riley pulled her hand out of his and headed inside without waiting for him to respond.

Lucas followed Riley into the bakery and to the booth in the back that Josh and Maya were sitting in. Katy came by and took their orders. Josh and Riley were talking about everything under the sun and Maya would join in on occasion. She tried to keep up appearances but something was wrong. Just after they finished eating Riley grabbed his hand under the table and he looked at her. He saw the concern on her face. She knew Maya better than anyone and knew that something was terribly wrong. They both also noticed the way Josh kept wringing his hands like he was nervous.

After Katy made a final stop at their table, Riley got an idea, “How about we go for a walk? It’s a beautiful afternoon.”

Maya and Josh both jumped at the chance to get out of the bakery. The pair headed out the door before Riley and Lucas could even exit the booth.

“You see it too?” Lucas asked her.

“Oh yeah, neither one of them is acting normal. Hopefully, they’ll tell us what’s going on.” Riley answered.

The four of them walked up the stairs and crossed the street to head to the nearest park. Maya smiled when she saw where they were. This park is where she was almost arrested in the ninth grade. The statue of the children still stood and you could still make out the mural she painted. It made her feel good to know that no one had painted over her own work. She wished Farkle could be here with them, this was an important to place to her, Riley, Lucas and Farkle.

Josh had heard the story of Christopher Park a few times and couldn’t believe he was standing here. He watched as Maya, Riley, and Lucas talked about the statue and the night Maya had vandalized the park. They had all come so far since then. His eyes lingered on Maya, he didn’t know how his niece and Lucas would take their news. Part of him wanted to grab Maya’s hand and run as far away as they could get. He knew telling their parents would be the hardest but honestly, he wasn’t looking forward to telling any of them.

“So, this is the famous Christopher Park I’ve heard about?” Josh asked.

“It sure is, there’s my hope mural. I have to say, I’m kind of happy to see it still here after all these years.” Maya answered.

“This was the place we got Maya back,” Riley said.

Lucas walked over to the trio, “It sure is. Now it can be the place that the two of you tell us what’s going on with you.”

“What are you talking about, Huckleberry? Boing and I are fine, better than fine actually.” Maya wasn’t ready just yet.

“Come on, Maya, Riley overheard you on the phone. You and Josh have both been preoccupied tonight and you haven’t made fun of me once.” Lucas told her.

“You can tell us anything, we won’t judge you. We love you guys,” Riley added.

“We love you, too,” Maya replied. “We should just tell them, they are our best friends and family, this is the right place to start, Josh. “

Josh smiled at her and grabbed her hand, “I know you’re right.” He turned to Lucas and Riley, “we just don’t know what the two of you will say and don’t want you to think less of us.”

“Think less of you?” Lucas asked, “As a group, we’ve always been able to share things and if Farkle, Isadora, Zay, and Sarah were here they would tell you the same thing. We’re your friends, we know who you are. We won’t judge you.”

“It’s not like the two of you could have done anything so awful, what did you do? Run off and get married, you two wouldn’t do anything like that.” Riley said with a laugh, looking at Lucas who laughed with her. When she looked back at Josh and Maya they looked like two little kids who had been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

“Wait a minute,” Lucas said when he saw the looks on their faces. “You didn’t do that did you?”

Josh gave Maya a questioning look, “we have to tell them.”

“How did she guess that?” she asked.

“Wait, what did you say, Peaches?” Riley walked closer to her best friend, waiting for an answer. She noticed Josh reach in his pocket and pull something out and hand it to Maya.

“What is that Josh?” Riley asked, moving even closer to the pair. She watched with an open mouth as Josh and Maya held up what appeared to be wedding rings.

“Is that what I think it is?” Lucas asked.

“I think it’s what we think it is,” Riley answered him.

They watched as Josh placed a gold wedding band on Maya’s finger and then as Maya did the same for Josh. “We got married!” Josh said, smiling.

Riley and Lucas looked on in disbelief. The two of them were standing with their mouths open, in shock.

Maya reached up and closed both of their mouths, “Surprise?”

Riley grabbed Maya’s hand and held it up to look at the ring, she did the same with Josh. She had no words. She just grabbed both Josh and Maya and hugged them.

“I guess Riley’s happy for us,” Josh said. “What about you, Howdy?”

Lucas was still in shock and didn’t quite know what to say so he just shook his head yes and reached out and shook Josh’s hand.

Riley had let go of Josh but held onto Maya a bit longer, “I don’t know what to say. I was just kidding when I said that.” She finally let go of Maya but they both had started crying. “If this is what the two of you want and if you're happy then I’m happy for you!”

Lucas finally found his words, “I’m happy for the two of you as well, shocked but happy.” He looked down at Maya and opened his arms for a hug which she accepted. I just can’t believe it, when did all of this happen. Riley was telling me about the first I love you earlier, but this is news.”

“How did the two of you pull it off and who knows and who doesn’t? What day did you get married? Where did you get married? Please, tell us everything!” Riley was bubbling over with excitement and rambling.

“We’ll tell you everything you want to know, but can we go home first, I don’t want everyone hearing this,” Maya asked.

“Yeah, let’s go back to the guy's apartment,” Riley suggested.

The walk back to the guy’s apartment took them about 20 minutes and there wasn’t much said on the way there. Once they got in the apartment, Josh got everyone a bottle of water from the fridge and everyone found a place to sit. Riley, Maya, and Josh were on the couch and Lucas was on the arm of the couch closest to Riley.

“So, tell us everything!” Riley and Lucas said simultaneously.

“Well, it all happened the day Lucas proposed to you, Riley. After you called to tell us all the news, Josh and I decided to go for a walk. This was when he told me he was in love with me, I told you that Riles, but I didn’t tell you that he asked me to marry him, too.” Maya explained.

“We were so excited for you and Lucas, the whole family was, but I just wished that it was me that had proposed to Maya. We went for our walk and I told her how happy I was for the two of you and it kind of turned into talk about us and our relationship. Maya asked me where I saw us heading and that’s when I told her she was my Topanga and that I was in love with her. I could have stopped there but I had to tell her everything that was in my heart. I kind of got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.” Josh continued.

“I said yes! I was jealous and wished it was me announcing my engagement. We kept to it ourselves, we didn’t want to steal your thunder. The next day we were going to Atlantic City and we went to a casino that had one of those silly wedding chapels in the lobby. I looked at him and he looked at me and it just felt right. It was just us and it was perfect. We spent the night in the honeymoon suite.” Maya was blushing by this point.

“We spent the next three nights in Atlantic City and the rest of the summer sneaking around to be together. It’s been an adventure. Something I knew life with Maya would always be.” Josh said while looking into Maya’s eyes.

Lucas looked at Riley and could tell she had wheels spinning in her head. He knew that look on her face.

“Wait, no one knows, but us?” Riley asked. “What about Grandma and Grandpa? Uncle Shawn and Katy need to know. My parents will want to know and all of our friends and family. Where will you two live? You can’t keep living apart.” Riley had so many thoughts.

Josh looked at his niece and said, “Slow down, Riley. We will tell everyone, just not yet. Telling the two of you was nerve wracking enough, you made it easy on us. I don’t want to think about our parents, your parents. None of them will be happy. As for the living arrangements, Maya and I have thought about that.”

“What are you thinking, roomie?” Lucas asked.

“Josh and I want to live in the loft. It’s a bit farther from JQA for Josh but it’s closer to the gallery for me. We want the two of you to have the apartment, it’s close to NYU, the bakery, and the animal clinic. What do you think?” Maya asked.

“It sounds like the two of you thought everything through, except for one thing. My Dad will never go for me and Lucas living together before we get married and in the same building as him, no way.” Riley said.

“Riles, you're engaged and there are two bedrooms here. I know you don’t want to move back in with them and you shouldn’t have to. We’re all adults and you and Lucas are engaged now. Surely Matthews will be okay with it,” Maya was pleading.

“I don’t know, Maya. You know how he is.” Riley just didn’t think he’d go for it and Lucas would be stuck with an apartment he couldn’t afford on his own.

“Riley, he may just go for it. Remember me telling you about what your dad, Auggie, and Josh pulled on me when I got home yesterday? Your dad said something to me. He told me no more stealing my shoes, that he was done. He knew that you and I belong together.” Lucas told her.

“Hmm, I wonder if he really meant it?” Riley asked, she had an idea but didn’t know if Josh and Maya would go for it. “I’m fine moving in with Lucas as long as you guys tell everyone that you're married. It’s the only way it will work. You do it tonight, I don’t want the two of you spending any more nights apart.”

Maya looked at Josh, “What do you think? We can video chat with your parents beforehand and then have my parents and Cory and Topanga here and tell them, Zay and Sarah, too. We can tell Farkle and Smackle, as well. It will be morning in Australia soon. I’m tired of walking on egg shells.”

“Let’s do it, Mrs. Matthews!” Josh said as he kissed her.

“Oh, no!” Riley said

“What is it, babe?” Lucas asked her.

Maya was concerned by the look on Riley’s face, “Riles, what’s wrong?”

“I just realized that you’re my Aunt!” Riley said. “You told me in the seventh grade that you would be my aunt one day and now you are.”

“Don’t worry Riles, I would never make you call me Aunt Maya, but once you and Huckleberry get married, he has to,” Maya said flashing a sinister grin to Lucas

“Great, just great!” Lucas said, shaking his head.

“It’s okay, roomie, I already told you I’d never make you call me uncle!” All Josh could do was laugh.

“Yeah, thanks for that, at least,” Lucas didn’t find any of it humorous.

Four months had passed since the day Josh and Maya had told Riley and Lucas about their marriage. They did what Riley had asked them to do that night and told their family and friends the truth. Everyone was surprised and happy for the young couple. The only person that was unhappy about it was Shawn. He was happy that Josh and Maya were together, but he was upset because he had been robbed of walking Maya down the aisle to give her away at a wedding. That was something he had looked forward to ever since he adopted her. Riley couldn’t stand to see Shawn upset so, Riley, Lucas, Zay and Sarah threw an impromptu wedding and reception for Josh and Maya. It was held on the roof of the Matthews building. Riley was the maid of honor and Lucas was the best man. Maya walked down the aisle on Shawn’t arm and he happily handed her over to Josh. Cory performed the ceremony and got a little teary eyed. It turned put to be a perfect day.

Josh had moved into the loft with Maya and they were happier than they had ever been. The only real problem Josh had with living in the loft were the frequent visits from next door neighbor, Zay. Even Sarah couldn’t stop him.

Cory Matthews didn’t have any concerns with Riley moving in with Lucas, it seems he meant what he said to Lucas. Of course, that didn’t stop him from dropping in on them at random times of the day and trying to give them as much trouble as possible. He only did it because that’s what everyone expected from him.

Sunday, December 31, 2023, 8:00 p.m. At the apartment of Riley Matthews & Lucas Friar

It was New Year’s Eve and time for Riley’s annual party. This year she and Lucas were hosting in their own apartment, it was going to be a much smaller gathering than previous years. Just the two of them and Zay, Sarah, Maya, and Josh. The real party would be held next weekend when Farkle and Smackle were due back from Australia. The gang couldn’t wait to see them, they had genuinely missed the geniuses.

Riley had just finished getting dressed and walked into the living room when she heard the speaker box. It was Zay and Sarah. Lucas had buzzed them up and opened the apartment door. Lucas turned on some music while Riley was putting some food out on the coffee table.

“Time to get this party started, Zay and Sarah are here!” Zay said as they came through the door.

Lucas greeted them and said, “it’s not that kind of party this year Zay, it’s just the six of us tonight. The big party is next weekend, remember?”

“Yeah, I remember, I was just trying to liven the place up. It’s kind of quiet in here.” Zay answered.

Riley walked into the room and hugged both Zay and Sarah. “Things will liven up once Maya and Josh get here. Plus Lucas and I have a surprise planned.”

Zay elbowed Lucas in the side, “What’s the surprise?”

“I’ve been sworn to secrecy, she’ll hurt me if I tell you,” Lucas told him.

“Can I talk to you in private for a minute?” Zay asked Lucas.

“Sure, let's go out in the hall,” Lucas suggested.

“No, I don’t want anyone to over hear me and with Josh and Maya on their way, I don’t want to risk it,” Zay said, he was being too serious.

“We can go out on the fire escape if you want, is that private enough?” Lucas asked.

Zay nodded his head, yes and Lucas turned to tell Riley where he would be.

“Is Zay okay?” Riley asked Sarah.

“I guess, he’s been acting weird all day. He’s a little jumpy and won’t tell me what’s wrong,” Sarah said.

“That’s not like Zay, maybe he’ll be in a better mood after his talk with Lucas?” Riley was trying to ease her mind.

Out on the fire escape, Lucas asks Zay, “What’s up?”

“I need your help, man. I have something I’ve been wanting to do since Christmas and I just can’t get past my nerves.” Zay explained.

“What are you up to, Zay?” Lucas was curious.

Zay reached into his pocket and pulled out a box, he held it up for Lucas to see. All Lucas could do was smile from ear to ear. He knew what was in that box.

“May I?” he asked.

“That’s why I’m holding it up like this.” Zay was in no mood.

“Calm down, Zay.” Lucas could only smile. He took the box out of Zay’s hand and opened it. It was a beautiful solitaire diamond ring with a smaller diamond on each side of the center stone in a white gold setting. Lucas smiled and handed the box back to Zay. “Sarah’s a lucky girl, why are you having so much trouble with this?”

“My nerves just get the better of me and I can’t get the words out, what if she says no?” Zay was honestly worried about that.

“Zay, this is Sarah we’re talking about. She’s been waiting for you to pop the question since Texas. She loves you and there is no way she’s going to say no.” Lucas thought Zay was just overthinking things.

“Are you sure?” Zay asked.

“I’m 100% sure that there is no way Sarah Carpenter will say no to your proposal, man,” Lucas answered, giving his friend a pat on the back. “I’ll give you an opening, kind of like we did with Yogi last year. You just get right in there and say what’s in your heart.”

“That sounds like a plan, just hope the words come,” Zay said.

“The day you can’t find the right words to say or any words for that matter is the day I don’t ever want to see. Lucas said with a laugh. “Can we go inside now, it’s kind of cold out here? Josh and Maya should be here soon.”

They walked back inside of the warm apartment and sure enough, Maya and Josh had just arrived. Zay greeted his friends and sat on the couch next to his girlfriend. He smiled at her and took her hand in his, “Sarah, I’m sorry for how I’ve been acting today, I’ve just had some things on my mind and needed Lucas’s opinion on something. I promise I’ll be on my best behavior for the rest of the night.”

Sarah was happy to hear that whatever was bothering him had passed. “Anything you want to share with me?”

“I promise that you will know what’s going on with me by the end of the evening, ok?” he said.

“If you say so, baby,” Sarah said with a smile. She wasn’t too sure about it but she was going to stick it out.

They spent the next two hours watching a movie and talking among themselves. At 10 p.m. Riley called for everyone’s attention and said that she and Lucas have an announcement.

“Lucas and I have a surprise for all of you,” She grabbed Lucas’s hand and was just about to speak when the door bell rang,

“Who could that be, everyone that’s supposed to be here is already here,” Riley said, as Lucas walked to the door and used the peep hole. He turned and looked at everyone with a big smile.

“I think we’ve just gotten a delivery all the way from Australia!” He said with a huge grin on his face.

“Australia, what do you mean, Huckleberry?” Maya asked, everyone, got up and walked toward the door.

“Open the door Lucas, don’t keep these people waiting,” Riley said. Just as she was about to open the door for him, he opens it and none of them could believe what they were seeing on the other side.

“SURPRISE!!!” the two of them said at the same time! Farkle Minkus and Isadora Smackle were standing in the door way.

Riley walked over to them and grabbed Isadora’s hands, squeezing them to make sure she was real, “You’re really here?” she grabbed one of Farkle’s hands, as well and sure enough they were both there.

“You bet we’re real, Bubbles!” Smackle said. Riley pulled both of them through the door and took a turn hugging each of them. “We just got in and this is the only place we wanted to be.”

Maya was next to hug Farkle, “I’m so glad you got to come home a few days early, we’ve missed you so much!”

“It feels great to be home Maya, or do I have to call you Mrs. Matthews?” Farkle joked.

“You only call me Maya, Smackle I have to say, it looks like Sydney was good to the two of you,” Maya said.

“It was we had so much fun in the city and enjoyed it so much. It appears that marriage has been good for you and your Boing. I’m very happy for you Maya.” Smackle added.

“Thank you, Smackle. I have to say I do like being married,” Maya said.

While everyone was greeting Farkle and Isadora, Riley noticed Lucas standing back and enjoying the reunion.

“Did you know about the two of them returning early?” she asked him.

“I did, Farkle texted me this morning and told me that the two of them were on their way home and should be back in the city, just in time for the new year. It was their idea to come here before heading to their own homes. “ Lucas explained.

“We’re all together again, isn’t it wonderful, this night just keeps getting better and better. Speaking of, do you think they are ready for our surprise?” Riley asked.

“I think they are, want me to get their attention?” he asked.

“Yes, please.” She kissed his cheek in thanks.

Lucas used a whistle he always used when he was working with the horses on Pappy Joe’s ranch, needless to say, it worked like a charm. He had everyone’s attention in no time.

Riley started over, “As I was saying before Farkle and Isadora’s wonderful return, Lucas and I have a surprise for all of you…”

“I’m sorry Riley, is it okay if I have the floor for a moment? I won’t take long.” Zay interrupted

“Uh…sure, Zay, if it’s that important.” Riley couldn’t believe the night she was having, It must not be meant for her to make this announcement tonight.

“Hey everyone, first I want to say that I’m very happy that Farkle and Smackle are home from Australia and that topping that surprise might be a little hard, but I’m going to try.” Zay took a deep breath and took Sarah by the hand and pulled her to the middle of the room between the living room and dining area.

Sarah had no idea what was going on but maybe this is what has had Zay on edge all day.

“Sarah, thank you for coming back into my life. It was just a little over a year ago, wasn’t it? You were just getting out of a bad relationship and I was, well I was looking for someone. I wasn’t sure at the time who that someone was going to be, but then I ran into you at the bakery. We reconnected that day as friends and after a while, we connected as something more. I thank God every day that you are here, I love you, Sarah. I never experienced real love until you. I thought I knew what it was all about, I mean look around us, these people in this room accepted me into their lives and have shown me the true meaning of friendship and how it can blossom into something stronger and much more meaningful. I think that describes us, we were friends in middle school and high school, but then we weren’t, then we were. That grew into the love we share now. I love you, Sarah Carpenter and you’re my best friend and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Zay paused.

“What?” Sarah couldn’t believe what he was saying.

Zay pulled the ring box from his pocket, opened it and got down on one knee. “Sarah Jane Carpenter will you marry me and spend the rest of your life with me?” he had tears in his eyes and Sarah was speechless.

Riley was in tears and there was no way she could be mad at Zay for the interruption. This was way more important than what she and Lucas had to announce. Maya and Smackle were crying as well and Farkle, Lucas, and Josh couldn’t help but smile.

Sarah looked around the room to see that everyone was waiting for her answer, she looked at Zay down on one knee in front of her and knew that this is the moment she had been praying for.

“Yes, Zay. I will marry you!” she said through tears.

There was clapping and cheering going on from the group of friends gathered in the apartment but all Zay could see was Sarah. He stood up and took the ring from the box and placed in on her left hand, he gave her a kiss and she hugged him.

Lucas and Riley were the first to congratulate them. Zay accepted the hug Riley offered him.

“I’m sorry to ruin your surprise, but I’ve been trying to do that since Christmas, you're not mad at me are you?” Zay asked.

“I could never be mad about that. I’m glad you did it here in front of all of us. I’m so happy for the two of you, I love you, Zay!” Riley told him.

“I love you, too, Riley. Thank you.” Zay gave her another hug. Of course, Lucas was right there behind Riley, ready to offer his best wishes to his brother.

Sarah was busy showing off her ring to others, she had a beaming smile on her face.

“I thought you were going to wait for me to give you an open, man. I guess you couldn’t wait any longer, huh?” Lucas had one arm around Riley’s waist and the other was around Zay’s shoulder.

“You were right, I was letting my nerves get the better of me, I just felt like if I didn’t do it right then, that I never would,” Zay said.

“I think this calls for some of that sparkling grape juice you bought, Lucas,” Riley suggested.

“What, no champagne?” Zay asked with a smirk. He knew all about Riley’s last experience with champagne.

Riley could feel the heat in her cheeks at the mention of champagne, all she could do was playfully punch Zay in the arm.

Riley followed Lucas to the kitchen to get the plastic champagne flutes out for him to pour the sparkling grape juice in.

“I’m so happy with the way this night is turning out, aren’t you? Farkle and Izzy are home to stay and now Zay and Sarah’s engagement, it’s all wonderful.” Riley said as she put the full glasses on a tray.

“It’s a pretty good evening, I’m sorry we haven’t gotten to share our surprise yet. But ours will keep a day or two if we don’t get the opportunity tonight.” Lucas wanted to reassure her.

“I know, but I think we should tell them, they’d be upset if we didn’t.” Riley wanted them to know their news, so badly.

They carried the filled glasses into the living room and Lucas made a toast, “I know it’s still an hour and a half until midnight, but this night couldn’t be any more perfect. Welcome home Farkle and Smackle, we have missed you more than we let on and are happy to have the two of you back in the city. Congratulations, Zay and Sarah, we wish you a lifetime of love and happiness, here’s to you.”

“Nobody dare take a drink, we have one more surprise to come and I think we would need another toast and more grape juice, so let's hear what Riley and Lucas’ surprise is before we drink, this is their party after all,” Josh said.

“It’s okay, it’s nothing nearly as exciting as what’s already happened. We can tell you tomorrow,” Riley said.

“No, my best friend has an announcement and we’re all going to put our glasses down until we hear it,” Maya walked over to Riley and took the glass from her hand. “Go on, Riles, tell us what it is.”

“Okay, Maya. Thank you. It’s just that everyone has been asking us if we have set a date for our wedding yet and we just wanted to let you all know that we have finally done it. I will become Mrs. Lucas Friar on July 20, 2024.” Riley was glad that was finally out.

There was one more round of applause and Josh shouted, “To Riley and Lucas!” while holding his glass in the air.

“Now you can drink!” Maya announced and so everyone drank.

It turned out to be a night none of them would never forget, just before midnight the 8 friends went up to the roof only to be greeted by Cory, Topanga, Auggie, Ava, Shawn, and Katy. They all counted down to midnight and each couple kissed then everyone sang Auld Lang Syne.

Riley stood with Lucas as the fireworks went off, “look at all of these people, Lucas. Our family and friends all gathered to start another New Year. Did you think way back in the 7th grade that this would someday be our life?”

He smiled at her and thought about the all the years that had passed since she first fell into his lap on the subway. He had hope that one day they would be together, he just didn’t know it could be as wonderful as it actually was.

“I had hope for us way back then, City Girl. There was only ever one time I almost lost hope. But we made it and we’re here with people that mean the world to us. We have a pretty great life and it can only get better,” he looked down at her to see tears in her eyes.

“I’m glad that brother stuff and triangle mess is behind us, it’s ancient history now. I never wanted to hurt anyone, I just thought I knew what I was doing. I’m glad that we get to walk through this life together and I can’t wait to be Mrs. Lucas Friar. She reached up to kiss him like she did so many years ago and he gladly returned that kiss.

Seven months have passed since New Year’s and so many things have changed in the lives of Riley, Lucas and their friends. First and foremost is the fact that Riley, Lucas, Maya, Farkle, Smackle, Zay, and Sarah have all graduated from college! Pappy Joe, Marcus and Lily Bradford, Jesse and Jack Meyer and Grandma Gandy all made the trip from Texas to witness the occasion. Big changes were coming for the Friar family as Lucas’ parents have decided to move back to Texas after the wedding. Pappy Joe spent the month between Lucas’ graduation and the wedding in New York. His relationship with James stronger than ever. Pappy Joe also spent as much time with Riley and Lucas as he could. He took to city living pretty easy and enjoyed the sights of the city.

Lucas was accepted into the veterinary program at NYU. He was excited to be closer to his dream. Riley got a job at Abigail Adams High School teaching English and would start in the fall. She was excited to see if she could have the same impact on the lives of her students as her father had on hers. She was also excited that she would get to have Auggie as a student. Poor Auggie had to deal with his father and his sister as his teachers. Maya and Josh were getting ready to celebrate their first wedding anniversary, Josh was still teaching at JQA and Maya had some luck selling her art online, but was helping her mother at the bakery in the meantime. Farkle had decided that since he had a degree in business, he was going to change his field of study to science, that was his first love. He’d go to school and work part time for his father. Isadora was going to continue her education right along side Farkle at Princeton. Zay was working hard rehearsing for his new Off Broadway gig and Sarah had landed a job with a large event planning firm. Oh, just so you know she ended up pulling off the wedding of the year, Darby and Yogi were married on Valentine’s Day in a beautiful ceremony. Yoby really is forever!

Saturday, July 20, 2024, the roof of the Matthews and Friar apartment building

It was a beautiful wedding ceremony on the roof of the apartment building, everything from the flowers to the dresses the girls in the bridal party wore was perfect. It was a small wedding, their closest friends, and family in attendance. Riley chose a beautiful ivory lace, knee length dress that was sleeveless and had flowers in her hair that had been put in a beautiful up do. Her matron of honor and bridesmaids wore beautiful knee length turquoise dresses with purple accents. The guys all looked handsome in their gray suits. Of course, Riley had asked Maya to be here Matron of Honor with Isadora and Sarah serving as her bridesmaids. Lucas had his two best men, Zay and Farkle by his side, along with Josh. Auggie and Ava were a bit old for the ring bearer and flower girl, but that is what they were happy to do for Riley and Lucas. Her parents cried as they walked her down the aisle and gave her away to Lucas. Once the officiant had pronounced them husband and wife, Lucas didn’t even have to hear the words before he was kissing his beautiful bride, the whole crowd cheered for them.

After the ceremony, the chairs were moved and the food was served buffet style. Riley wouldn’t let Sarah talk her into hiring a caterer for the wedding. Riley knew exactly who she wanted to prepare the food and since Pappy Joe was in New York, his cook/housekeeper, Ellie was free for the job. She brought along her cowboy Sam to help her serve the food and Riley was happy they could be there. After the food was served everyone got a chance to say something to the bride and groom. Everyone had beautiful words to say to them. Pappy Joe stood to speak and actually ended up reading the beautiful letter he had written for Riley and Lucas’ engagement, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. Riley had noticed some cookies next to the cake when they cut it, they were her favorite snickerdoodles that Zay’s Grandma Gandy had brought with her from Texas. After all the amazing food and beautiful words, it was time for dancing, Riley and Lucas had their first dance as husband and wife.

As they swayed to the beat of the music Lucas whispered in her ear, “Are you happy, Mrs. Friar?”

She smiled up at him, “This is the happiest day of my life, I can’t believe we’re finally married. I’m so happy everyone is here to share this day with us, I don’t think it can get any better.”

He gave her his best devilish grin, “Oh it can get better, later when we’re alone, on our honeymoon.”

“You never did tell me where we were going or is it a surprise?” Riley asked.

“It’s a little cheesy, but we’re going to Niagra Falls. I could only get a couple of days off, one of the other techs asked for 10 days of vacation time, so we have to stick close to home. I figure we can do the whole boat ride and all, they say it’s really beautiful.” He explained.

“I’m sure it is, and I think it’s perfect, who needs Paris or even Cabo like Yogi and Darby. Besides we already had Paris, she said with a laugh.

“Someday, Riles. I will take you to France, I promised you, remember?” he asked.

“I remember,” she answered. Just as she laid her head back on his shoulder she heard someone clear their voice.

“May we have your attention,” it was her father. Everyone was standing around him.

She and Lucas stopped dancing realizing they were who he was talking to.

“Dad, what’s going on everyone is supposed to be dancing,” she told her father.

“There is plenty of time for dancing after you and Lucas open your gift,” Cory said.

“Dad, we asked for no gifts, there’s only a card, we decided to open it later,” Lucas added.

“Luke, listen to your father-in-law, would you, son.” James Friar told his son.

“Come on niche, do what your dad said,” Eric Matthews was smiling at his niece.

“Ok, Uncle Eric, Lucas and I will open the card. I don’t see what’s so important about one card,” Riley complained, “but if it means that much to all of you, we’ll open it. Where is it?”

“Right here, Riles,” Maya said, handing the card to Riley.

Lucas took the card from Riley’s hand and opened the envelope. Inside was a beautiful generic greeting card, “On this, your wedding day we wish a lifetime of happiness,” Lucas read.

He opened the card and there was a nice verse inside and something written in Topanga Matthews’ perfect handwriting, “We hope that happiness follows you through all the years that you spend together. Much love, Us.”

Riley took the card from him and started reading what her mother had written, “We know the two of you asked for no gifts, but we wanted to give you something extra special for your wedding day, we all got together and pooled our money and are able to spring for an all expenses paid trip to Paris, France.”

She looked up with tears in her eyes and handed the card to Lucas, he read the words again but still didn't comprehend it. He looked at her and they looked at their family and friends.

Zay figured the newlyweds needed a little help, he walked over to them and put a hand on each of their arms and said, “This is our gift to you, each of us pitched in, obviously some more than others” he gave Farkle a pretend evil eye. “The two of you do so much for all of us that we wanted to do something special for you. Besides, Lucas did tell you once that the two of you would go to Paris someday. We cleared it with the doctors at the animal clinic, you have 10 days and Mr. Minkus is giving you the use of his jet, you leave out of JFK at 9 o’clock tomorrow morning.

Lucas and Riley stood there listening to what Zay was telling them, but it didn’t feel real.

“Is this really happening?” Riley asked.

“I think so,” Lucas answered.

Zay pulled an envelope from his suit coat and handed it to Lucas, “all of the arrangments have been made. Car from the airport, hotel, cash, even your passports are in here, you can finally use them. All the information you need is in here.”

Riley still in shock started walking around the room hugging everyone and thanking them. “I can’t believe all of you would do this for us, you’ll never know how much it means.”

Lucas finally accepted the envelope from Zay and hugged his best friend. He started thanking everyone as well. This was a dream come true for them and he didn’t quite think words were enough, “Thank you all so very much, this is our dream and you all have made it come true.” Riley finally joined Lucas.

“We are so blessed to have every single one of you in lives, we love you!” she had no more words.

Someone started the music again and Lucas pocketed the envelope and took Riley into his arms, “How do you feel now, Mrs. Friar?”

“I feel wonderful. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life and I owe it all to you, Lucas. Thank you!” Riley said,

“You don’t have to thank me, Riley, I love seeing you happy,” he told her.

“You’ve done your job then, before today the happiest day of my life was the day you asked me to be your wife in front of that Paris, Texas Eiffel tower, our weekend in Paris. But our wedding day trumps that, it’s been the perfect day and we get to top it off with a week in Paris. Now no matter what, we really will always have Paris.”

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storm278 · 7 years

Text

Home is where the heart is CHAPTER 3

10 years after college, Riley has gained a reputation of being a flight risk. Her friends and family have tried to stop her from taking off but truthfully there is only one person that can make her stay for good. what happens when riley sees said person for the first time in 14 years. Rucas centric

Rated T

Cross posted to Fanfiction.net here

Prologue Ch 1 Ch 2

A/N

The time jump happens a little later in this chapter

Italics are flash backs

Two days after the dinner, Riley left New York. Meanwhile back in Texas Lucas came back to his house exhausted from work to see Zay cooking up a feast in his kitchen.

"Well isn't this a nice way to end the day" Lucas said gawking over all the food

"Well hello to you too"

"Ah ribs" Lucas was fixing to pick one when Zay slapped his hand away

"Hands to yourself till I'm done oh and my trip to New York was fine by the way" he turns back to his matched potatoes "so impolite"

"sorry buddy how was New York?" Lucas hops on the kitchen island

"Good" that's when Lucas finally cleared his heard of work and looked around him. Zay never cooks for him voluntarily and this wasn't just regular dinner it was a freaking thanksgiving feast

"Uh-oh good? Just good? Zay how was New York or more specifically what did you do in New York"

"Nothing have some casserole man, you look tired you should take a shower and then come back and have some turkey" Lucas opened the oven and saw the huge turkey cooking "You made me turkey? Zay seriously what's going on"

"I was hoping to get some comfort food in you first but I guess that plan's out the window now" Zay put the casserole down. "I have some news and before I say what it is I want you to know that I'm always going to be there for you buddy; whenever you need me" He exhaled "I bought a restaurant'

"Zay that's awesome congratulations" Lucas gave his friend a bro hug "so what's the problem"

"The restaurant is in New York man. I'm moving back home to be with V" Lucas was taken aback by this, but Zay has been there by him for way too long so now it was his turn to do the same

"Man that's great for you and V. So you got the ring already?"

"one step ahead of you on that one" Zay explained while showing Lucas the engagement ring for Vanessa

"Is that your grandma's ring"

"Yea, I'm gonna miss you buddy"

"same here, I still can't imagine you leaving Texas for good"

"it was bound to happen at some point" both boys started digging into the ribs "I mean I will always love Austin. I've spent a lot of my life here but as ma always says home is where the heart is; mine just isn't here and I hate to break it to you buddy but neither is yours, not anymore" Zay was hoping and praying that Lucas will catch on to what he was insinuating.

"What are you talking about"

well I guess everyone is in denial this season Zay thought

"Really? do I have to spell it out for you" Zay said with raised brows

"I mean I guess Austin isn't like it used to be since we both went to New York, but it's home for me now; The ranch is here"

"Yea right ranch man. Okay just answer me this, apart from me or the little family you still have here who else in Texas do you talk to; like really talk to, and not about work now, I mean the personal stuff?" Lucas thought for a minute

"I guess you're right on some level. With the whole gang in New York, I guess I never really met new people because you were here"

"wow dude blame the best friend" Zay feigned taking offense

"Oh you know it's true, but dude you know I'm going to be in New York in couple days anyway. I told you that"

"Oh yea, your new clinic how's that going"

"Everything is set and ready. I have great partners over there. I just need to get professional cleaners for the floors before opening day"

"When's that" Zay asked with barbeque sauce smudged on his face

"Next Monday and here" Lucas passed him a napkin "wipe your face"

"You know when I said home is where that heart, I wasn't just talking about the gang right"

"Zay stop!" Lucas warned

"Be mad at me all you want but you know I'm right. I don't even need to mention her name Lucas; It's been 14 years and all I have to do is say an expression and your mind goes straight to her…"

Lucas spaces out and recalls past memories; Riley and Lucas are in an empty classroom back at Abigail Adams high school

'How am I in the wrong here. You are the one who keeps icing me out, keeping huge secrets from me, even right now you won't look me in the eye' Lucas said highly frustrated

'If you can't see that I kept this from you to protect you from getting hurt then I don't know what you want me to say here"

'Damn it Riley! What the fuck!" He ran his hands through his dirty blonde hair "Say something that makes sense to me, because lately it's like I'm fighting with a brick wall. You punch and punch and it never hits back"

'Ok so I'm just going to leave you and your brick wall' Riley tapped on the walls of the classroom 'to finish your conversation because I'm tapping out of this' She starts walking out of the classroom

'Wow Riles you're just going to walk away real mature of you'

Zay snaps his hand in front of Lucas' face "Hello? Earth to Lucas"

"hmm sorry"

"I bet you she was the center of whatever you were thinking of"

"You don't know what you're talking about" Zay rolled his eyes at this. The doctor got up and picked his suit case up to go shower "Look man I'm gonna go freshen up, would you please make a plate for me"

"Sure whatever you want. You know you can run but you can't hide away forever. Riley might not be there right now but she will come back and so should you plus you love it in the city"

"Whatever Zay" Lucas shouted from down the hall.

GMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMW

A year and a half later

Maya, Josh and Melvin are at JFK waiting for Riley at her arrival gate. Maya was way too excited she started bouncing on her spot waiting for her best friend. Melvin even had a cute sign that read 'welcome back aunt Riles'. Her plane just landed so they were just waiting for her to get through customs. Riley came out and immediately ran to where she spotted the blond artist.

"Peaches!" Maya jumped into her arms like her she use to do when they were kids "Peaches I missed you so much" Riley said

"I missed you too honey" that's when Riley noticed her little nephew and his sign

"oh hey there Mel, you are growing up too fast on me now" she picked him up, pecked his cheek and spun him around, the little boy giggled and it melted Riley's heart "Aunt Riles I missed you". Melvin kissed Riley's cheek

"I missed you too Mel" she put the little boy down and hugged her older brother.

"Welcome home sis, how was Canada"

"Surprisingly not as cold as I imagined" All four began strolling out of the airport heading to Josh's jeep.

"Yea I could have guessed Vancouver wouldn't be as bad as New York weather wise" they all got into the car and Josh started driving back to their parent's house

"ah I miss the city, and the bagels just wish I wasn't homeless though"

"Whose fault is that, I showed you five different places and you rejected them all" Josh said

"Josh be nice" Maya playfully smacked him

"Yes Josh be nice to me, plus I didn't get a good vibe from the places you showed me, they just didn't have the homey feeling I want"

"That's because you were looking at them through a computer screen" Josh countered

"Same difference"

"Honey sorry you had to lose your pent house, at least your parents are happy to take you in" Maya said while Riley rolled her eyes

"oh don't remind me"

"Riles! you know mum and dad miss you. You have no idea how excited they were when they found out you would be living with them again" Josh said

"I love them don't get me wrong, but I don't think dad's ever going to let me move out again. You remember when I was to leave with Sarah after graduation"

"can you blame him, you were literally going on exile I still don't know why and how I let you go" Maya said

"Maya it happened years ago you're gonna have to let it go sometime"

A thought hit Josh and his eyes widen "That reminds me Maya, as you can see Riley came back alone so pay up"

"what!" Riley scream "you guys bet on my love life, are you shi-" the brunette stopped herself because there was a four-yea-old sitting next to her

"Thank God she has filters and technically I didn't lose; the bet said I lose if Riley comes back single I hate to break it to you sweetie but she ain't single" the blonde explained

"No I'm her brother I would have known about that" Josh said to Maya

"is this happening right now" Riley said to herself because to her it was clear Maya and Josh had lost it

"Sorry sweetie you lost the bet about seven months ago. Nathan landed New York yesterday so actually you owe me a twenty so pay up"

"that's still going on, I thought they would have ending things by now" Josh peeped at his sister through the rear view mirror while Riley had her arms folded arms looking out the window

"yea apparently it's still on, and even better he's a fellow New Yorker so lover boy decided to move home with our girl"

"Riles is this true?" Josh asked

"Oh me? You mean I actually exist in this conversation go figure"

"Someone's in a mood, common riles, Josh and I were just having a little a fun" Maya said with puppy dog eyes to Riley

"did you guys really bet on this" Maya's hands went up "hey I bet on your relationship staying together"

"Joshua!" Riley punched his shoulder

"ow! sorry Riles, I wanted the twenty" the brown eyed boy said rubbing his shoulder

"Peaches would you come house hunting with me next week, I think I'm just going to buy a place this time"

"Riley are you sure you want a house. I mean it's going to be just you in a big house" the blonde said with panic in her voice

"I didn't mean a house kinda house I meant something like the pent house I lost"

"Oh sure honey" Maya had a mysterious smile on her face because she and the genius Farkle had a full proof plan to ensure Riley never left the country again and the blonde had all her fingers and toes crossed that this would work.

#gmw #rucas fanfic

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socialjusticeartshare · 4 years

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Family separation returns under cover of the coronavirus

U.S. officials are fighting in court to take the three children and deport them to El Salvador — to no one.

WASHINGTON —