Lovers ~~ON HOLD~~

Chapter #5

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

I pace back and forth as Topanga tries to calm me down. "Honey? Calm down. I was just like you were when your Father and I got married," Mom says, walking into the room with Amy. I stop and turn to her. "I'm scared," I state. "Josh is as well. Cory, Eric and Shawn were trying to do up his tie when I left," Amy says. I sigh and nod my head. Topanga quickly leads me over to the mirror and sits me down. "We have 2 hour to get your make up done and dress on," She states opening the make-up box she brought. I nod and she quickly gets started.

I stand in front of the mirror looking at my reflection. "Are you sure this isn't too much?" I ask the women behind me. "You look wonderful, River. Uncle Josh will drop dead at the sight of you," Riley states. I turn to her with a smile. "Thanks Riley. But I have to say you take the prize for looking wonderful," I sigh.

Dad walks into the room with Cory, Eric, Shawn and Alan. the younger three stop in shock as I turn toward them. "Your brother is very lucky, Cory, Eric," Dad states. They nod and go over to the females. "You ready for this, Sweetheart?" Dad asks. "Yeah. It's time," I say confidently. He wraps and arm around me and pulls me close.

***Time Skip***

I walk into the house ahead of Josh while he grabs the bags from the car after alot of arguments from me. I hear the bags being placed down and arms wrap around me. "Welcome home, Mrs Matthews," Josh laughs. "Thank you, Mr Matthews," I giggle, turning toward him.

I laugh as Josh runs into the Bakery as we climb out of the car. I look the vehicle and and run after him. I open the door to see him holding a few cupcakes on his hand as he stands behind the counter. "Josh! Put them down!" Harriet scolds. "I thought you knew that he never listens?" Eva laughs. "Agreed," I state. They turn to me in shock and let out a squeal of joy, running over quickly put me in the centre of a group hug. "DANIELLE! COURTNEY! GET OUT FRONT! RIVER IS BACK!" Eva yells. A crash sounds and I'm squished between my four employees. "It's good to see you girls too. But I just survived Josh for a month and I want to live," I state. 'Hurtful, Mrs Matthews," Josh calls. "You know it's true, Mr Matthews," I call back.

The doorbell rings as Josh walks into the living room. "My hands are full! Can you please answer the door?!" I call. He smiles over to me with all my baking equipment out and runs to answer the door. "Uncle Josh!" A female voice cheers along with a younger boys' voice. "My brother!" A man calls. "Great to see you, Josh. Is River home?" A woman states. "In the sacred baking room also know as the kitchen!" I call. Feet come running and Auggie and Riley slide into the room. "I would hug you right now, but I'm in the middle of icing cupcakes," I laugh lightly, raising my hands which are covered in purple and pink icing. Topanga, Cory and Josh step into the room wearing smiles. "Good to see you River. Hope you and Josh had a wonderful break together," Topanga states. "It was quite relaxing when Josh wasn't chasing me around in the hopes of me baking him cupcakes. But look where that got me after we arrived home from the bakery," I explain. Josh pouts and Cory pats his back.

I walk into the living room and place a plate of cupcakes on the coffee table. "Josh, you better not eat them all. We have guests round and you have to share," I scold as Josh tries to lift the whole plate up. He pouts sadly and picks up a single cupcake.

"That's amazing, Topanga. Do you know if you're going to accept the offer?" I say, taking a sip from my glass of water. "I don't know. There's things to think about if I do accept the job. There's Riley and Lucas' relationship, Riley and Maya's sister-like friendship, Riley's friendships with Farkle, Smackle and Zay. Then Auggie's friendships with Ava and Dewey. And on a completely different level, Riley having to leave near the end of her Freshman year and Auggie in his 2nd Grade year, having to being thrown into a completely different school and environment. I don't want to put the kids through that. There's also the distance of family involved. What happens if we emotional support from family over  serious crisis?!" Topanga rushes out. My eyes widen in alarm and I quickly wrap her in a hug. "I don't want my Sister-In-Law to be panicking too much right now. If you're going to be panicking over the 'what if's then you shouldn't be flown over to London for more panicking matters to appear. If I were you in this situation, I would decline because I would have my family's best interest to put before my own," I explain. She takes a deep breath and sighs. "You're right. It doesn't matter whether the pay would be higher than it is right now. I've got a great life in Greenwich with my family and friends easily available by driving there or calling without having to check timezones before I call," Topanga states. I smile at her as she stands up and marches into the living room. I quickly follow and lean against the door frame. "I've made my decision about working in London!" Topanga announces, causing everyone to look at me knowingly. I shrug and gesture towards Topanga. "I've got a daughter almost at the end of her first year of High School before she starts her Sophomore year. I have a son almost at the end of the 2nd grade before he starts the 3rd grade. My husband has got a secure job at Abigail Adams High School. I have a secure job at my current work place and I don't need some silly promotion to ruin everything I've already started here. Also, we've got our very supportive family here and moving to London we make it harder to stay in contact with them. So, I've decided that we're staying here," Topanga states. Riley stands up from her seat and cheers loudly, causing us to cover our ears as she begins running around screaming for joy.