HELLO! I'm just going to start off by saying, this chapter has been written and rewritten many times. My writing skills have definitely changed over time. So this is a rewrite of this Chapter.
Just so you know, Maya is 19 and Josh is 22

MAYA'S POV

Every Christmas Eve is usually spent at Cory and Topanga's apartment. Everybody from the Matthew's family would come. Packing the entire apartment as they always brought close friends. And just like every year I find myself celebrating Christmas with them. Of course My mom and Shawn were here though.

I am always happy to spend Christmas with Riley. But this year I'm even more excited because my boyfriend will be here. Saying boyfriend seemed so weird Since I've only had one.

So, like every year I sat with Riley sorting out ornaments and untangling the garland to put on the tree.

"I wish Lucas could be here." Riley said while trying to get a knot out of the red garland. She was barely paying attention to what she was doing as she was deep in thought.

"Look, Riles, I know you are bummed that you can't spend Christmas with him this year but he has to see his family some time." I said. Ever since they were 15 Riley and Lucas were inseparable. And last christmas Lucas stayed back in New York and spent Christmas with the Matthews. But this year he had to fly back to Texas which made Riley pretty upset.

"I Know. It's just the apartment is so empty without him." She said. Riley and Lucas moved into an apartment together after high school graduation.

All of a sudden the door flew open. It was Josh.

FINALLY!

"Family." Josh said greeting everyone. I couldn't help but smile. I loved how close he is to his family. Even though its WAY to early to think about kids, I know he would be a great dad. The way he acts around Auggie.

"Hey Riley" He said giving her a huge huge. He smiled at me while hugging her.

"Maya!' He said once Riley let go.

I gave him a hug. I haven't seen him in 2 weeks. It was getting so hard hiding our relationship. All I wanted was to kiss him.

"Boing!" I said trying to play it off like it was still 'just a crush.' So no one would get suspicious.

"Still growing up gorgeous." he said. He walked away leaving me with the biggest smile ever. I just love it when he calls me gorgeous. It makes me feel beautiful.

We didn't get to sit next to each other during dinner. But we kept stealing glances from the other side of the table. I don't know what it is about him that just makes my heart flutter.

Talk was kept to a minimum as everyone was stuffing there faces with the delicious food that everyone brought over. I even went for seconds. So did Riley.

Dinner went by quickly. I felt like I had just sat down and I was already full. Soon enough everyone was walking around talking to someone. Riley was talking to an 11 year old Auggie, Cory, Topanga, and Shawn were talking. My mom was talking to Amy and Alan which I found Really strange. And the older Matthew's brother's and sister's were talking to each other. Which left Josh and I all alone for once.

YES!

"Hey." I said walking over to him.

"Finally some alone time." He said. We knew we couldn't kiss or anything like that but just being together was enough. Or just talking. But that moment of happiness between us was ruined by Auggie.

"Look, Maya and Uncle Josh are under Mistletoe." Auggie said pointing right at us.

No we weren't. Were we? So I looked up and, yep. There was some mistletoe. I didn't know how to feel about this. Should I be happy to get the chance to kiss Josh. But in front of everybody? I looked over at Josh. He was looking at me. Deeply. I could tell he really wanted to kiss me right now. And I REALLY needed to kiss him too.

We inched towards each other. To have our lips crash together. It was supposed to be one quick peck on the lips. But it wasn't.

It was a kiss. But then soon tongue was added. Then hands were moved. Josh had his hands wrapped securely around my waist and I had my arms wrapped around his neck slightly in his hair. We took a very small break for air but then we went right back at it.

We finally pulled apart realizing what we had just done. We both didn't want to turn around and face our parents, our friends and family. But we didn't need too.

"Riley, will you please take Auggie to your room." Amy asked. I could hear Riley and Auggie's footsteps as they made their way to Riley's old room. Josh and I slowly turned around. I put my head on his chest and he wrapped his arm around my waist.

"Hi, family." Josh said. They all had wide eyes. "This is my girlfriend Maya."

This wasn't going to be good. Not at all.

"What the HELL was that! Girlfriend, how long have you two been together?" Amy yelled.

"8 months." I said quietly. But everyone still heard.

"Ok. I'm going to need a minute." Amy said before sitting down.

"You two, have been having a secret relationship behind everybody's back for 8 MONTHS!" Amy yelled again. What was the point of taking Auggie out of the room any way if they are just going to yell.

"Are you going to say something?" Cory said

"Yes!" Josh said. "We've been secretly dating for 8 months."

"Why did you guys hide it for so long!" My mom yelled.

Oh yay. She's joining this.

"We knew you guys wouldn't allow us to be together. But. mom. We really love each other." I said.

"Well, you were right! We certainly wouldn't let you guys date!" Shawn yelled. "My daughter and Cory's little brother."

"It seriously isn't that weird. And why is it so bad. It's not illegal!" Josh said. We were both getting very upset over this.

"You two are both part of this family. Which makes it disgusting! If you guys are going to be part of this family you can't date!" Amy yelled

WHAT! Ok, I was done. I was done with this.

I walked past everyone, forgetting my coat and I slammed the door behind me.

I was outside in the freezing New York streets. I've worked so hard to have a family. And they say this!

I made my way to a bench across the street from the apartment. I just sat there. I knew someone was bound to come for me.

Not even 1 after I sat down Josh came rushing outside looking for me. Oh YAY! He got my coat. My maroon long sleeves sweater wasn't doing that much for me. He carefully made his way across the street to place my jacket on me.

"My mom said she was sorry. She feels terrible for what she said to you." He said pulling me closer to him as I was still shivering.

"Yeah, I knew she would." I said "And I feel really bad for walking out. But what are we going to do. they won't let us date. Josh I really like you."

"I love you too." He said. Which gave me the biggest smile in the world. He just said he loved me. He said it first.

"You just told me you love me." I said. Looking over at him.

" I know you told me you loved me a few minutes ago." He said. " It was about time I said it back"

"No, no, no, no, no. I said that to my mom about you. I never directly told it to you. So that mean you said I love you first." I said pointing at him giggling. He rubbed his hand on the back of his neck.

"Fine. And about the dating thing. We don't have to worry. When I was leaving after you they started yelling apologies telling us we could date. They feel really bad." He said getting up. " we might want to get going before they get nervous and think that we ran away or something."

'Ok," I said getting up from the icy cold bench.

As we arrived to the apartment we were hoarded with apologies and hugs.

A/N I hope you like this chapter. There are many more to come