Final Chapter

The doors to my private jet opened and I immediately stepped out to breathe in the fresh air. It felt right at home to be back in New York even though me and mum had moved out to L.A. This city has always been home, and nothing will change that.

I could hear the sounds of a crowd cheering as my team and I were heading for the exit. Seems like news reached out to the public fast about me visiting my hometown after the end of the tour. As I walked past the crowd with bodyguards surrounding me, I waved and shook hands with some of the fans and thanked them for welcoming me back home.

A lot of things have changed since I was away. The Matthews moved out of their small apartment for a bigger house near Madison Square Garden. Riley has since been working as a principal of a new high school Farkle opened for her while he's busy running charities for children's education. Lucas on the other hand, he's now a football athlete for the New York Giants. I'm so proud of them and how hard they've worked to have come this far. We've all been seeing each other on TV. I giggled at the thought of that.

I went into the limo with mum and we were driven over to the Matthew's new home. As we arrived, I looked up at the building and let out a whistle. "Wow look at this place. It's beautiful!"

"Isn't it? Come on, let's go inside. They've been waiting for us." Mum said as she pulled me along.

We went up to the 30th floor and went over to Mr. Matthews's door. We knocked twice and said hello. The door swung open and Riley screamed as she pulled me into a hug. "Maya!"

"Riles! It's so good to see you!" I shrieked, with tears swelling up in my eyes.

"It's not exactly home but welcome home, love!" Mrs. Matthews said as she walked over to mum for a hug.

"Home is wherever you are." I smiled at them

They all smiled, Riley now with tears in her eyes too. I looked around the room and was greeted by Mr. Matthews, Auggie, Joshua, and his wife.

Joshua got married 3 years ago to a beautiful lady he met while on a trip to the U.K. I couldn't attend the wedding because I was out of the country but with Riley's help, I was on skype for the wedding and it was gorgeous. Things between us have been normal since then and I'm glad he's happier now.

"My apologies, my fiancé is running late. He'll be here soon." Riley said smirking.

"Fiancé? No way! When did he ask?" I asked, looking at her, bewildered.

"Last month! I wanted to tell you, but I thought it'd be a nice surprise for when you come back." She giggled.

"Oh my gosh, congratulations! About time too. We can talk about wedding plans later." I laughed while hugging her.

Mrs. Matthews gathered us around the dining table and invited us to dig in. Farkle arrived a few minutes later with a bottle of champagne and we spent the entire day catching up, talking about the tour and Riley's new school. Everything was perfect except it felt like something was missing.

Joshua and his wife, Lindsey, left early. The Matthews were at the lounge area with mum. Auggie was preparing himself to leave. He zipped up his hoodie and picked up his skateboard.

"I'm off to meet my friends, mum! It's good to have you back Maya. Don't forget to consider me if you need a new drummer!" He said as he hurried off.

"Teenagers." Riley scoffed.

"We've all been there." I laughed.

There was a pause at the table.

"So...where's Lucas?" I asked.

"You didn't call him?" Farkle asked, suddenly looking up from his phone.

"We haven't really been in touch since the tour and since he started playing for the Giants. How is he anyway?"

"He's doing great. A new girlfriend and everything!"

"What?" I asked, trying not to choke up on my words.

"Farkle!" Riley nudged his shoulders.

Farkle laughed. "I'm kidding! You should've seen your face."

I gave a straight face.

"Oh relax, he actually planned a dinner for all of us tomorrow," Farkle said.

"Really?" I asked, trying not to look eager.

"Yeah, we told him you were coming back. He couldn't make it today so he thought a reunion dinner would be perfect tomorrow. So, wear something nice."

We all slept over at the Matthew's house that night. Mum and I drove to our hotel in the morning so we could get ready for the day. Mum had a day planned out with Mrs. Matthews. I spent my morning at a spa with Riley and got back at the hotel to get ready for dinner. I felt butterflies in my stomach, I was nervous to see Lucas. I wondered if he still had feelings for me after all these years.

That evening, Farkle and Riley picked me up from my hotel in their Mercedes Benz. I just know they have five other cars back home including a limo.

"Get in the car loser, we have dinner reservations!" Farkle exclaimed when he rolled down the window.

We all laughed. "Where's Lucas?" I asked.

"He'll meet us there," Riley said.

I got in the car and we drove over to another fancy hotel nearby. As we got to the restaurant, the waiter brought us to a balcony overlooking Central Park. I looked at the table and gave the waiter a confused look.

"But this table is only for two people," I said looking at the waiter who's just smiling calmly at me.

"Yeah, enjoy your evening Ms. Hart," Riley spoke before the waiter could say anything.

Riley and Farkle giggled and waved at me as they started walking away with the waiter.

"Wait, what? Where are you going?" I asked turning around to follow them but stopped dead in tracks when I heard a voice coming from behind me.

"Maya?" The voice called out my name softly.

I know that voice. Lucas.

I turned my head back slowly and saw Lucas standing there adjusting his tie as he looked at me, his eyes glistening. He was dressed in a sleek navy-blue suit and a black tie. Wow. I couldn't take my eyes off him.

"Lucas..." I managed to mutter out.

He walked over to my side, pulled out my chair and helped me in. "It's been too long. You look incredible." He spoke softly into my ears.

"You don't look too bad yourself, Huckleberry."

He smiled.

"I missed that." He said.

We spent the entire night talking about our lives for the past years that we haven't seen each other. The dinner was spectacular. Of all the hotel meals I've had around the world, back home was where it's at.

"I can't believe I'm having dinner with an international pop icon!" He exclaimed.

"Please. I can't believe I'm here with the legendary football player!" We both laughed.

"Let's take a picture together. One for the fans?" He asked.

"Of course!" I said as I got up from my seat.

We both stood beside each other and I laid my head against his chest. He took the picture and we both posted it to our Instagram. Immediately the likes and comments came flooding in. One comment caught my attention – "OMG. Maya is dating football legend, Lucas Friar???? I ship it so hard!"

I stared at the comment and I could tell from Lucas's face that he saw it too. We both looked up at each other, not knowing what to say.

"If I'm being honest, I ship it too." He suddenly spoke.

I giggled, trying not to blush.

"I do too," I mumbled.

"I'm glad to hear that," Lucas said as he held my hand. "I've been waiting for you, Maya. Ever since you left, I knew waiting for you would be worth it. Long game, remember?"

"Of course, I remember, I've been playing the long game. After all those years, I was afraid you had already found someone else."

Lucas grabbed my face and pressed his lips against mine. He continued to kiss me tenderly. I felt the butterflies in my stomach flutter like they've never fluttered before. I put my arms around his neck, and he hugged me closer as we continued to kiss. We broke apart to catch our breath and gazed into each other's eyes.

"I don't quit a game that easily." He spoke softly as he chuckled.

We leaned back in for another kiss. He then pulled away and caressed my face. He slowly took a few steps back and knelt down one knee.

My jaw dropped. "Lucas...What are you..."

Before I could continue to speak, he spoke the words my heart has been longing for.

He took a ring out from his pocket, "Maya Hart...Will you marry me?"

I felt the tears from my eyes roll down my cheek.

"Yes! Of course! Now and forever." He immediately put the ring on me and stood up for a hug.

We heard cheers coming from inside the restaurant. We broke apart from our hug and saw that everyone was looking at us as they clapped and cheered. Farkle opened the balcony door. "Man, about time! We finished our desserts 15 minutes ago and had to wait for the big moment."

"You were all in on this?" I asked, giggling.

"Of course. The entire restaurant is! They went through a lot trying to get the paparazzi away!" Riley exclaimed

"Oh my gosh, is that mum?" I asked as I see mum and the rest of the Matthews sitting in the restaurant.

"Surprise! Everyone is here. Look." Riley pointed to a table where mum, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, Auggie, Joshua, and his wife and Lucas's parents were all sitting at. They all waved and smiled. I can't believe I never noticed them when I walked in here earlier. I must have been too focused about finally getting to see Lucas.

We later sat together with the rest and continued on the night with more celebrations.

I looked around the table and at the faces of the people I get to call mine. I was home.

-----------------------

"And that was the happiest night of my life," I said as I put the painting of that night in the restaurant back up on the wall.

"Daddy's too." Lucas suddenly walks into the room.

He picked up our daughter, Dew, and kissed her on the cheeks.

"Mommy looked like a princess that night." He said smiling at me.

"Mommy a princess?" Dew asked.

"Still is." He walked over to me and we all got into a family hug.

"I love you", he whispered.  

I smiled, gazed at his face and whispered back, "I love you too."