Lovers ~~ON HOLD~~

Chapter #4

*****Joshua's POV*****

I sit beside River as we look at the list of our family and friends creating the guest list. "Your parents, my parents, Eric, Morgan, Natalie, Caitlin, Cecelia, Marc, Cory, Topanga, Riley and Auggie. They're on the official list," River states, writing their names on a page in her notebook. "Farkle and his parents, Lucas and his parents, Smackle and her parents, and Zay and his parents," I add, "Shawn and Katy. No Maya." River writes those names down. "Harriet, Eva, Danielle and Courtney with their boyfriends?" River asks for approval. I nod and kiss her cheek.

I sit with River, Harriet, Eva, Danielle and Courtney as they start planning the wedding cake. "Red Velvet cake, 3 layers, Nature themed?" I question. The girls shake their head at me and flick through the pile of plans. "It's not going to be a large wedding?" Eva questions. We nod in agreement and they flick through the planning again. "Cupcakes. With icing designed to look like a rose. River's speciality." Danielle states. River's eyes widen in happiness as she nods in agreement. "That sounds perfect. We could combine the colors of the icing." She states. I nod and the girls write that down.

I wrap arm around River as I wake up and she rolls over. "Happy New Day." She mumbles. I kiss her forehead and climb out of bed. "Happy New Day, now we can't waste the morning in bed." I state, pulling the covers away from her. She curls into a ball and squeezes her eyes shut. "I'll run you a bath." I say, heading into the bathroom. I hear her sigh, followed by the bed creaking. "Don't worry about that right now. I'm going to head to the bakery for the day. If you want to come, that is?" She calls. I quickly walk backwards into the bedroom and turn to her with a grin. She shakes her head and heads over to the wardrobe, pulling out a two dresses out. "Which one?" She asks. "The light blue one," I state, pointing to it. She nods and heads into the bathroom.

***Time Skip***

I walk walk into the Bakery to see Harriet, Danielle and Eva passing people what they ordered while Courtney hands them the packed items and restocking the displays. Courtney looks up at me and signals to go out the back. I walk quickly around the customers and head out the back to see River working on cupcakes, surrounded by boxes of them. "Big day?" I question. "Last of twenty-five orders," She signs, putting the cupcake tray into the oven. I walk to her side and pull her into a hug. "Good thing I'm here to help," I laugh lightly. She nods and helps me put on a apron. I kiss her forehead and she quickly directs me with instructions.

I hand the last person in the rush their items and they walk out. "Finally. You girls can go for your breaks now. Josh and I will wait for the people who ordered cupcakes to arrive," River says. The four girls nod and head out the back. "2 weeks left until you're a Matthews." I cheer. "And tomorrow we graduate." She sighs. I wrap an arm around her and kiss her cheek. The front door bursts open and we look up to see Maya. "You invited my Mom to the wedding and not me?! That's very low of you, Barron!" She yells. I push River behind me and glare at the younger girl. "I decided it Maya. You just proved why we didn't want you attending. You always hurt River's feelings and I'm sick of it," I state. "I think you should leave, Maya. I don't want to have to call Shawn," River says. Maya glares at River and goes to take a step forward when Riley runs in. "Maya! No!" She yells. My jaw drops as I stare at them in confusion. The door opens again to let Farkle, Lucas, Smackle and Zay. "You're meant to be at school. Why are you all here?" River asks. "Maya didn't come meet me this morning so I went to see Uncle Shawn and Katy. Their wedding invite was crumpled up in a ball so I called the others and we came here on the bus." Riley sighs. River walks out the back and brings out back and tray of muffins. "I'll take you back to New York after these orders are collected, which will be in the next hour hopefully. For now you can have these as a meal." River says, placing the tray onto one of the tables. Everyone but Maya smiles at her and they all head for the muffins. The door bell rings and a heavily pregnant woman walks in. River smiles widely and rushes out back. "Congratulations on your little boy, Anna," River says, passing her a box with her name on it. "Thank you, River. I'll be sure to bring him here for a visit after he's born," Anna replies.

*****River's POV*****

Josh smiles as I pack up a few boxes of cupcakes and pass them to each teen. "These are for your parents so be sure not to eat them," I explain. They nod and climb into the Toyota four wheel drive quickly. Josh kisses my forehead and I quickly climb into the drivers seat. I watch as Josh walks away from the car and heads to his own.

I buzz for the Matthews apartment and Cory's voice instantly speaks up above the commotion. "Yes?" He asks. "It's River. I have a surprise for you all," I say. "Come on up, River," He sighs. I direct the kids to the elevator and press the correct floor.

I open the door and guide the teens into the apartment. "It was like a big game of follow the leader," I explain. "I went after River, Riley, Lucas, Farkle, Smackle and Zay followed me, River brought us all back home after giving us something to eat and drink at the Bakery," Maya explains, looking at the box in her hands. I fold my arms over my chest and sigh. "It wasn't the best surprise after the midday rush. Josh wasn't very happy when it happened, that's for sure," I state. Topanga walks over quickly and wraps me in a hug. "Thanks for bringing them back safely," She sighs. "Mom. I have a present for you and Dad," Riley says. Topanga quickly pulls away from the hug and turns to her Daughter. "I better get going. Josh texted me as I left saying that he was making dinner," I say. Everyone turns to me quickly and says their farewells. I wave and quickly walk out of the apartment.