Fate

Chapter 16

Lucas POV

Today was the day that Maya leaves to go back to NYC. Even though she tried to be I could tell she wasn't okay about leaving me again. I felt so horrible about all of this. I prayed every night that Topanga could get me me off probation early so that I could officially be with Maya. Why did I have to go and steal her heart then just break it into two? The last thing I would ever want to do is hurt Maya and that's exactly what I've done. She barely ate anything for breakfast. I wanted her to eat but I also didn't want her to get sick by pushing herself. I did the next best thing and sent a text to her mom. 

"She's a mess. I feel horrible."  

Katy text me back within a few minutes "Don't feel that way. Maya is one strong cookie. She made it through this before and we'll get her through it again. This time she knows she'll see you again."  

I sighed and sent her another response "She won't eat anything. We're leaving soon to go to the airport." 

"She gets that way when she gets upset. It's the nerves. I'll have Riley waiting for her when she gets off the plane here in NYC. Topanga already told me she'd write Riley an excuse to leave school." 

"Thank's Katy, That makes me feel better that someone will be waiting." 

After texting with Katy I heard Maya coming down the stairs with her suitcase. I looked up at her and smiled. Her hair was up in a messy bun and she was wearing a pair of my sweatpants and one of my t-shirts.  I stood up and walked over to her, gently brushing a piece of her blonde hair out of her face. 

"You look adorable." I said before giving her a quick peck on the lips. 

"I hope you don't mind that I stole your clothes." 

"I don't mind. I know it gives you comfort and makes you feel close to me." I said grabbing her hand. 

Maya looked up at me giving me a small smile "You're right it does." 

Maya took her suitcase out the truck so that it was in there. I went over and sat down on the couch by my dad. 

"Boy, son she's really fallen hard for you hasn't she?" he replied. 

"Yeah, Dad she has. " I answered. 

"Do you feel the same way?" he asked and I looked at him like he lost his mind. 

"Of course I do. I wish I could just be with her." I sighed "I try not to show how upset I am in front her. It will only make her worse." 

"You know who you two remind me of?" he replied and I looked at him confused.

"Who?" 

"Your Nanna and Pappy Joe." he replied. "They went through a similar situation when they were about your age." 

"Really?" I asked .

"Yes, they were young when they met around you twos age. Your Great Grandad was enlisted in the Army. They fell in love over the summer but then he got called out to another base so they packed up the family and left." 

"And obviously they made it work because they had you and Uncle Cletus." 

"Right. They wrote letters to each other while they were away and when Dad was finally old enough that he could leave and be on his own he went straight to her." he answered. 

"And then they had you." I said with a smile. 

"Yes. and then they had me. You two will be just fine Lukey. Your probation won't last forever and when you finally get off I'll have that ticket waiting for you so you can be with your girl." 

"Thanks, Dad. That's really encouraging." 

"Anytime, son." he smiled. "You two better get going." 

Maya came back into the living room apologizing for taking so long. Riley had called her to tell she'd be waiting for her in NYC when she got there. They had talked for a few minutes and that's why it had taken her longer. Maya thanked my dad for everything and then the two of us headed off to the airport which was a good 30 minutes away.  I hadn't pulled out of the driveway yet when I had looked over and saw Maya silently crying beside me.  I was really starting to get so upset with myself. How the hell could I do this to her? 

I turned to look at her and seeing her so upset just made me more frustrated with myself. I started pounding my fist on the steering wheel out of anger which startled her. Why the hell did I do this to her? What was I thinking not telling her right away about all of this? If I had maybe things would be easier. 

She looked up at me with an extremely worried expression her face "Lucas, stop." she yelled. 

I stopped pounding my fists and turned to look at her. I didn't even realize that I had started crying. "I'm so sorry Maya. I'm so sorry for hurting you." I replied and she sighed. 

"You didn't do anything wrong Lucas." she replied. 

"I did everything wrong. I should have told you from the get go about my probation. I should have never let you fall for me like this then you wouldn't be hurting so bad." 

Maya climbed up onto my lap straddling me in the front seat my truck. She grabbed my face with both of her hands and made me look at her. 

She looked at me and wiped the tears away "I want you to look at me" she said as tears streamed down her face. I said nothing I just looked at her. "Lucas, nothing and I mean nothing would have stopped me from falling for you. How were you to know that a simple FaceTime call to your 6 year old sister would lead to all of this? You didn't. This is not your fault. And the truth is regardless if you told me about your probation right away or not I would have still fallen for you and I would still had a hard time leaving you." 

"But I'm hurting you and that's killing me." I answered. 

"But it's not like you are doing it intentionally, Lucas. I'm just upset because I'm going to miss you. I'm going to miss the closeness, the cuddling. the making out, and the hand holding." she replied. 

"I'm going to miss all of that too." I replied. 

Maya gently picked up my hands slowly brushing her fingers across the broken skin on my fist. "You know what I'm going to miss more than anything though?" 

"What?" 

She gently placed a kiss on my hurt hand "These hands wrapped around me, holding me so tightly and me not ever wanting you to let go." she smiled "I love you so much." 

Maya leaned in closely, her lips softly touching mine, I wrapped my arms tightly around her and held her close to me as the kiss deepened. I could feel her smiling against my mouth and for some reason that made me feel so much better. We broke away from the kiss and I placed my hand on her cheek

"I love you more than anything in this world." 

"I know you do. " she replied.  "we should probably get going now." 

I nodded in agreement. She got up off my lap and buckled herself in. When I knew she was done we officially set out for the airport. After arriving at the airport I helped Maya get her suitcase out of the back seat of the truck. She checked in and got her boarding pass then we walked to TSA area. We didn't have much time together this time around. 

I cupped her face with both of my hands "Are you going to be okay?" 

Maya looked up at me with a sad smile on her face, "I'm always okay." 

"Text me when you arrive safely." I replied. 

"I will. Are you going to be okay too?" 

"I'm always okay." I replied and she smiled up at me.

I hugged her tightly and gave her a quick kiss before watching her walk away to the TSA line.  For some reason after the talk we had in my truck before arriving here I felt in my heart that Maya really truly was going to be okay and that made me feel like I was going to be okay too.