Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Rated: T

Thank you for everything.

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Chapter 7 the End

It had been 3 years since Josh Matthews had been to a Christmas party at his childhood home. He stared at the back door and into the kitchen. Maya Hart and his mom were the only ones there, making cookies and laughing with each other. He could hear the faint strains of Percy Faith playing on the CD player his mom kept on the counter near the sink.

But he only had eyes for Maya. She was even more breathtaking than he remembered. He had only watched her life through pictures on Instagram and Facebook for the past 1095 days. The real thing was so much better.

He slowly opened the door, so he wouldn't startle them and went inside. It smelled like sugar cookies and pine trees, just like it always had. He was assaulted with a 10001 memories of Christmas Eves past.

Maya noticed him first, her face lighting up when she saw him standing in the kitchen. "You're here!"

Amy turned around and put her hands on her hips. "Well, it's about time you came to a Christmas Eve party again!"

"Hi mom," Josh said. "Maya. . ."

She came over and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "It's so good to see you again."

"You too," Josh answered, squeezing her tightly.

There had been forgiveness after that horrible night but they hadn't seen each too much other after that. Josh had started constructing a life that Maya would be proud to be a part of, including publishing a novel that had kept him touring and led him straight into the pages of a second book that had been an even bigger bestseller than the first one.

He'd saved enough money to purchase a new engagement ring and a home for them. Somewhere in between New York and Pennsylvania, a new start on the coast. There was even an art gallery looking to hire somebody young and fresh to run it.

"How are you?" Maya asked. "I read your books! Josh, they were amazing! You're a great writer, really you are."

"That means a lot to me, Maya. Really it does."

Amy cleared her throat. "Hello, are you going to greet your mother too?"

"Come here, mom!" Josh said, embracing her. "Long time no see!"

"You were just here for dinner last night," Amy squeaked. "I swear you're still here more than. . ."

"So, where's Riley and Lucas and their brood?" Josh asked loudly. "I've been dying to meet my newest great-nephew. He was born when I was on tour in Europe and I haven't gotten around to seeing him yet. Can you believe I'm a great-uncle, Maya? At my age? My parents didn't think that one out very well!"

"Hey!" Amy said, slapping her youngest son on the back of the head.

"Sorry!" Josh answered cheerfully.

"Everyone's in the living room," Maya replied.

"I'll be back in a few, ladies!" Josh told them, shedding his coat and tossing it on a chair.

Amy turned to Maya. "Has he talked to you recently?"

Maya shook her head. "No. No. After we talked, we both agreed that he would do his thing and I would do mine. Then we'd see what happened."

"What is it with the two of you?" Amy muttered. "Always out of step with each other. I was hoping you'd be giving me grandbabies by now."

"Did you say something?" Maya asked.

"No. No, I didn't say anything at all!" Amy replied. "Come on, let's finish dinner! Everybody has to be hungry by now!"

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"So, are you going to do it?" Cory asked in a low voice. "Are you finally going to pop the question, Joshie?"

Josh nodded. "I am! If that's okay with you, Shawn."

"I couldn't see Maya married to a better man," Shawn replied. "You just better propose tonight. It's been long enough, don't you think?"

"Of course. . ." Josh trailed off. "It's just. . . there were things Maya and I both needed to do before we got here. We weren't ready for each other 5 years ago. It would have never worked out if we hadn't gone our separate ways for a while."

Shawn nodded in agreement. "Right. Right. But you two better not screw it up this time. You've got a second chance, don't waste it!"

"I'm not planning on it," Josh promised.

"Okay. Now show us the ring!" Topanga interjected when she overheard what they were talking about. "It's has to be stunning with all the money you've been making!"

Josh whipped the box out and opened it. The ring he had chosen was rose gold with four round cut diamonds stacked on each other. With only five others in existence, it was unique like Maya and their relationship.

"Ooooh, mama likie!" Topanga said, breaking into his thoughts. "You did good Josh. I approve! Katy you've got to come and see the ring your daughter's going to get tonight! You are proposing tonight, right?"

"If I can get her alone!" Josh answered. "Which is impossible with all you crazy people around!"

"What do you want us to do, Josie?" Cory asked. "Clear everybody out so you can have the house to yourself?"

"Maybe just clear out a room in the house," Josh replied. "But don't let Maya know what's going on. I want her to be surprised."

"Of course!" Topanga said. "Don't worry about a thing Josh! You can count on us to help you out!"

Josh was skeptical, once Eric got involved there was no way anything would be kept confidential. But he knew that he didn't have much of a choice, there was no way he could pull it off all by himself.

So, he told everybody what he was planning on doing and hoped it would be kept quiet until everything was prepared so he could ask her to marry him.

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"Maya!" Katy came rushing into the kitchen. "Maya, there you are! I've been looking for you all over the place. Amy just mentioned she might need somebody to run to the store because there isn't enough butter."

Maya frowned. "Butter?"

"Yes. . . butter," Katy said, handing her car keys and her coat. "Go on, you don't want Christmas Eve dinner to be ruined. Do you?"

"Because there isn't any butter?" Maya repeated. "Alright, I'll go but I'm really not looking forward to the long lines."

Maya sighed and pulled on her coat, completely unsuspecting of what was to come.

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She returned empty-handed because the store had been closing when she'd gotten there and they wouldn't let her inside to make a last minute purchase. She hoped Christmas Eve dinner wouldn't really be ruined as she made her way up to the darkened house.

She frowned when she realized almost all the lights were out, wondering if the party had ended early and nobody had actually told her.

"Guys?" Maya called as she came inside. "Guys, are you still here?"

Josh came out from the kitchen. "Hi Maya," he said.

"Josh. . . where is everybody?"

"We need to talk," he replied instead, coming over to her and taking her hand. "I-I need to ask you a question. But first, let me tell you a story."

"Okay," Maya whispered.

"A long time ago, there was a little boy and a little girl. They met on a Christmas Eve, not quite unlike this one and even though they didn't know it, they were going to fall in love one day. Of course, it did have its obstacles. The course to true love is never smooth. They argued and said horrible things to each other and they went their separate ways to become the best versions of themselves. But he always knew, she was the one for him. He made plans for them, not knowing what she would say to his proposal. . . and here's what he proposed.

"Marriage and a life on the coast in between Philadelphia and New York City. There's an art gallery there that's looking for a director and I could write books. Please say you'll marry me."

Maya nodded. "Okay," she said, her voice low.

Josh laughed in relief and then slipped the ring on her finger before hugging her. She hugged him back, burying her face in his chest and letting him hold her. After a few seconds, he pulled back and pushed her hair away from her face.

He kissed her then, after years and years of waiting for it to happen, he kissed her. She hadn't done much kissing in her life but it was the best kiss of her life all the same. She knew that all of her life had been leading to him. It had been pretty much since the moment they had met.

It was only going to get better from there on out.

The End

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Author's Note:

This may not have been the ending any of you were expecting. I am sorry if it disappointed you but I wrote what I felt was true and honest to the story. Thank you for taking this journey with me. I appreciate each and every one of you.

I am sorry this chapter is unedited but I am with my sister and brother-in-law and I was looking forward to marking this story. It's been a long haul.

Check in for the Parent Trap AU soon. It might not be posted until Saturday when I get home but it will definitely be posted!

Until Next Time!

Love,

Holly, 1/11/16