𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐨
𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭
After a long day of hanging out with each other Joshua and Auggie had entered the Matthews residence.
"Family Game Night!" Auggie smiled from his uncle's shoulder. "Now with extra family."
"Auggie didn't want to miss game night and we never made it out the city." Joshua explains to his older brother as he puts his nephew on the couch. "Oh, here's your money." Joshua handed Cory a dollar bill.
"I gave you a hundred." Cory reminded his little brother.
"With that kind of money you think we're not gonna buy steak?" Joshua asked him.
"Thank you, papa." Auggie smiled patting his stomach.
"You know what?" Cory asked before opening his arms. "My brother!"
"My brother!" Joshua smiled before him and his older brother hugged.
"Listen, you're here for game night." Cory told him as they detached. "You're family."
"Auggie." Isabella smiled going to the youngest Matthews.
"Izzy!" Auggie exclaimed as he jumped off the couch rushed to Isabella and in an instant was carried to her hip. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, your daddy said I can come since you guys considers me family." Isabella smiled.
"Yay!" Auggie hugged her.
Joshua took noticed of Isabella's presence so he walked to her scratching his neck nervously.
"Hey, Belle." Joshua greeted her nervously.
Isabella turned to him her smile going down a bit nodding, "Hey, Josh."
"I didn't know you were going to be here." Joshua told her trying to start a conversation.
"Well, your brother did ask me to come and my little sister is here plus a chance to see this little guy." Isabella smiled as she tickled Auggie who giggled. "Who would pass down that offer?"
Joshua was about to say something but before he could Isabella turned around taking Auggie with her to the kitchen.
"At least she didn't glare or scream at me like usual." Joshua said to himself.
"Yeah, why does my sister do that to you?" Maya asked behind.
Joshua jumped not knowing she was there.
"Oh, hey Maya." Joshya greeted the young blonde girl.
"Hey." Maya greeted back."Why does she glare and scream at you?"
"Because I'm an idiot." Josh sighed before going to his brother.
The intercom had then buzzed.
"Lucas."
"Farkle."
Riley got up from her spot moving over to the intercom buzzed in her friends.
"Come on up." Riley told the two.
"Topanga it's happening." Cory turned to his wife whisper-yelling. "I thought we had a few more years."
"Calm down." Topanga told her husband.
"No calm down." Cory shook his head. "It's happening right now. Riley invited her friends to family game night."
"You invited me Cory." Isabella reminded him standing next to Topanga.
"That's because you're a future Matthews." Cory told her before she could argue back he turned to his daughter. "Riley, shnookums, um, you're gonna have to prioritize what's more important to you. Your friends or your family? There's only one right answer."
"Why do I-"
"Wrong answer."
"Have to choose between-"
"Wrong answer."
"I love my friends and I want to hang out with my friends." Riley told her father not backing down.
Someone knocked on the door which had caused Riley to go answer it revealing Lucas and Farkle.
"Welcome to family game night, friends." Riley smiled letting her friends in. "Wrong, wrong answer." Cory told his daughter shaking his head.
"Hey Friar, Farkle." Isabella smiled greeting the two. "Hey, Torrez." Lucas greeted back while Farkle was still stuttering.
"Still can't talk to me, hun?" Isabella asked him with a small smile. "No." Farkle shook his head.
"We'll get to it." She smiled at the younger boy. "You'll see we'll have that sibling bond soon."
Too nervous to answer Farkle just nodded in agreement.
ღღღ
"Get rid of them." Cory ordered his daughter. "Why do you have to be you all the time?" Riley asked her father.
"You think it's easy?" Cory asked making his wife and Isabella share a look before he turned to his wife. "Say goodbye to your daughter, honey. She choose her friends over her family."
"Why can't we just play with her friends?" Topanga asked her lunatic of a husband. "Because Topanga, she allowed Mr. Howdy and Dr. Turtleneck into our household, our family was compromised by interlopers." Cory answered his wife.
"Izzy if you were me what would you do?" Riley asked the older girl as everyone turned to her.
"I would be happy because I had friends." She answered. "Must be nice." Isabella shrugged eating some popcorn.
"You have friends." Maya told her older sister. "Yeah, you and your friends." Isabella nodded.
"Yeah, you need friends your own age." Maya agreed with her.
"I need a life." Isabella told her.
"Maybe we could just come back another time." Lucas shrugged.
"Oh, yeah, we don't have walls." Cory said once he realized everyone heard their conversation. "I told you we needed walls, Topanga."
Joshua shook his head at his older brother before walking over to the boys.
"Dr. Turtleneck I presume." Joshua shook hands with Farkle. "How can you tell?" Farkle asked him as he tilted his head.
"Oh, because-" Joshua began before cutting himself off. "You just seem like a doctor to me."
"Thank you." Farkle smiled.
"Thank you." Joshua smiled before turning to the Texas boy. "And you must be-"
"Howdy." Lucas smiled as the two shook hands.
"See this?" Cory asked holding up the board game. "The family game. A game for families. Not the friends game, a game for friends. I saw that game. I didn't buy that game. I bought this one. Because I used to have a family."
"Will you stop." Topanga and Isabella told him.
"How could she choose her friends over us?" Cory asked as he stood at couch. "I mean did they burb her? Did they change her?"
"We haven't yet, but we'll when she gets that old." Farkle answered him receiving weird looks.
"Speak for yourself, honey." Topanga sat next to her daughter. "I know that I have the absolute love and loyalty of my children who like me fine and always will."
"Everybody's here. Everybody plays" Riley tells her father. "Do you really wanna drive your little Riley away, Cory?" Isabella asked the grown man.
"It's like what you were teaching us today." Riley reminded her father.
"I was teaching about the American Revolution, Riley." Cory told his daughter. "How is this anything like the American Revolution? How?"
"Let's think." Riley told him before the two put their fingers on their chins looking out in a distance.
ღღღ
"Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the Revolutionary War." Isabella smiled gesturing the door on her first week of teaching assistant.
Farkle had walked in the classroom dressed as King George III smirking, "Subjects, it's I, King George III, ruler of the British Empire. Now where is that rebellious John Adams who dares chooses his American friends over his king?"
Hearing her que Riley rushed in the classroom dresses as John Adams.
She shoved Farkle out of the way saying, "Here I am! John Quincy Adams!"
"John Adams." Isabella corrected her as Farkle got up from the floor.
"Who's that?" Riley asked as she sat next to her father on his desk. "John Adams was the father of John Quincy Adams." Cory explained.
"But our school is John Quincy Adams." Riley told her father confusingly. "My school was John Adams." Cory told his daughter.
"Your school was the father of my school?" Riley asked him. "Does that make sense to you?" Cory asked her.
"None of this does." Riley shook her head. "I'm also gonna be your teacher next you." Cory informed her.
"You're kidding me."
"Now back to our story." Isabella smiled pulling Riley to the front.
"It is I, John-not Quincy- Adams." Riley smiled before frowning going back to her father and Isabella. "Wait, why'd they name the school after this guy?" Riley asked confused. "I mean he must've done something."
"He did." Isabella nodded. "He did something we're gonna get to it."
"So, John Adams, where are your rebel friends?" Cory asked Riley as he stood up.
"With me as always." Riley smiled as her friend and crush came in the classroom dressed as George Washington. "Hark! Here's one now." Lucas saluted to the class as he tried to stay in character. "Looking good George Washington." Riley flirted.
"John, you're embarrassing me." Lucas smiled.
"Hun, if you're going to flirt do it better." Isabella whispered to the Texas boy causing him to blush knowing he was caught.
"Good!" Riley smiled. "Now, may I introduce he is crazy smart, he's rocking granny glasses, the old kite flyer himself, Benjamin Franklin!"
"I'm not doing this." Maya told everyone outside the classroom.
"Come on, sis, they can't start the revolution without you." Isabella told her younger sister.
"Fine, but no one look at me." Maya pouted.
"Okay!" Riley exclaimed with a grin. "Nobody look at Maya!"
Frowning Maya came in the classroom as Benjamin Franklin causing everyone to share a laugh while her sister sent her a smile.
"Well, Benjamin, can you feel the electricity between us?" Farkle flirted with the girl who had an annoyed look. "When do we get rid of this guy?" Maya asked her teacher and older sister annoyed.
"Right now!" Riley smiled. "King George, the American colonies want their freedom."
"You belong to me and I will never let you go." Farkle told the girl dressed as John Adams.
ღღღ
"You belong to me until you're 18 it's the law." Cory told his daughter.
"Whatever you say, King George." Riley rolled her eyes annoyed at her father's actions. "Stop calling me that!" Cory exclaimed as he frowned.
"What's the matter?" The sisters asked in unison. "Pops doesn't like pops' lesson?"
Maya went to go stand next to her best friend while Isabella stayed with the boys.
"Yeah." Riley agreed with the sisters.
Riley takes the board game from her father as her and Maya get down from the couch.
"Listen guys, not everything I teach in class applies to our lives." Cory told everyone.
"It does, everytime, sir." Lucas told the adult man.
"I haven't been here long but I'm going to agree with, Friar." Isabella told Cory as she pointed to Lucas.
"Okay, game's all set." Joshua informed everyone gesturing the board game. "We doing this thing or what?"
"No." Cory pouted shaking his head. "Yes." Riley nodded her head.
"Do you guys even know how to play the family game?" Cory asked Lucas and Farkle.
"Let me show you." Maya said pushing Cory down. "Because I'm always here and you can't get rid of me." Maya pointed to Topanga. "Always wins." She then pointed to Riley. "Always eats too much popcorn and says 'I'm never eating popcorn again'."
"But it's so delicious." Riley pouted munching on her popcorn.
"Would you be on my team, Izzy?" Auggie asked Isabella.
"I would love to Auggie." Isabella smiled before frowning. "But I'm not allowed to play board games."
"Why?" Auggie asked tilting his head. "I get a bit too competitive." Isabella told the youngest Matthews.
Her explanation had caused Topanga, Cory, Maya and Joshua laugh while the others looked confused.
"Oh, please you are way passed competitive, Izz." Maya chuckled as she told her older sister.
"You even pass me on the competitive scale." Topanga reminded the young girl who was pouting. "No I don't." Isabella denied as she crossed her arms.
"Oh, please." Joshua stood up walking to the girl he was thankful wasn't glaring at him at the moment. "When we were eight we were playing 'Life' and you threw a house at my head."
"Well, what kind of idiot doesn't know how to keep the mortgage and ends up losing 1,000 dollars?" Isabella asked him throwing her hands up.
"I got a bad card." Joshua defended as he held his arms up. "We had three kids and we lost the house." Isabella pointed to her old friend.
"You threw the house and a car to me." Joshua told her as he tried not to smile at the memories.
"Be happy I only threw small pieces at you." Isabella told the boy.
"Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews!" Maya called out to them. "Could you guys keep this for couple therapy? We want to play the game."
Isabella sighed before heading over to the kitchen as Farkle picked up the board game.
"The goal is to get in to one of the four success with your teammate." Farkle read the instructions.
"And then you win. It makes this sound." Auggie pressed the button on the board game which made a noise.
"I win!" Topanga exclaimed before she realized the game hasn't started. "Oh, it hasn't happen yet."
"Yeah, I'm the competitive one." Isabella shook her head.
"What's the big circle in the middle for?" Lucas asked of the button he saw.
"Oh, we don't go there." Riley shook her head. "If even one person goes in there, then you have to play the long game."
"What's the long game?" Farkle asked.
"I don't know." Riley shrugged. "We've never played it."
"Intriguing." Farkle smiled. "Should we find out?"
"No, it takes forever." Topanga shook her head in disagreement.
"And you don't get to hear this." Cory said before he pressed the button.
"I win!" Topanga smiled. "Oh, something's wrong with me." The door bell then rang. "I win! Oh my goodness."
"Now who could that be?" Cory asked.
Auggie went over to the door opening it to reveal Ava.
"Hi, Auggie." Ava waved to the boy. "Hey, you playing a game? Can I be on your team?" She asked Auggie with excitement.
Auggie smiled before they locked arms as Auggie closed the door walking to the group.
"My woman's here." Auggie smiled sitting down.
"Sure, Auggie, bring your woman in. Let's bring in everybody." Cory said before he started to freak out standing on the couch. "Why don't we put up signs on the telephone poles next to the cats and the dogs 'Matthews Family game night'. Only not really it's kind of everybody family game night. Isn't it? Huh?! Isn't it?!"
"There's the freak out." Maya smiled as she threw her hands up. "Best show in town. Do you feel better now, buddy?"
"I do." Cory smiled. "Thank you."
"No thank you." Maya smiled causing her sister to chuckle.
ღღღ
Maya pulled Riley aside trying to come up with a plan.
"Riley, I need to get Izz and Josh close but I can't if someone gets him as a partner." Maya whispered to her best friend.
"Okay, but how?" Riley asked her best friend agreeing to help because she always thought Isabella and Joshua made a cute couple.
Maya thought for a moment before smirking, "I know how."
The two walked back to the couch after Maya explained to Riley her plan.
Maya sat between the Matthews brother saying, "Well, well, looks like everybody's partnered up except for little ol' us."
"I could pick you." Maya smiled at Joshua trying to make him uncomfortable. "Or I could pick you." Maya frowned looking at Cory. "Or I could pick you." Maya smiled at Joshua. "Or I could pick you. Yeah, well you see, you represent homework and no fun." She turned to Josh. "While you are so handsome it kind of makes my eyes hurt."
Isabella frowned confused at her little sister's actions while it seemed that Maya's plan had worked because Joshua was very uncomfortable and scared by the blonde girl.
"Okay, here's what I'm gonna do." Joshua told the girl. "I'm gonna be the game host is what I'm gonna do. Cause they stand." Joshua stood up so did Maya. "And they move." He moved away from the girl which caused Maya to subtly smirk sitting back down.
"Hiya partner." Cory smiled at Maya.
"I did not think this through." Maya sighed but watched Joshua walk over to her sister so she was happy her plan was working.
"Isabella, do you want to be my co-host?" Joshua asked her rubbing his neck.
"Hm.." Isabella looked up before turning to him. "Not really." She sarcastically smiled. "But thanks for asking."
"Come on do you really want to just watch the whole thing and not do anything?" Joshua asked her knowing her and how she hated not doing something.
Isabella debated for a bit before sighing knowing that Joshua was right.
"Fine." Isabella told her old best friend. "I'll be your co-host."
"Good." Joshua nodded trying not to smile. "But we need microphones so..." Joshua grabbed a whisk and a ladle from behind her handing her the ladle.
"Thanks." Isabella chuckled without meaning to but was too late as she noticed Joshua's smile before he head to the group.
"Let the games begin." Joshua smiled. "And the game show hosts make sure everyone follows the rules and plays fair."
"Especially this one." Isabella informed as she saw Ava putting fake money in her pocket so she took it before putting it back.
"Ava!" Auggie scolded.
"Shh." Ava smirked at him. "I'm doing thus for us, baby."
"Okay, the object of the game is to create a family, protect it and get safely through a world of obstacles that will test how strong your family is." Joshua read the rules from the box.
"The winner of the short game is the first team to end up in one of the four success squares with a car and house." Isabella adds in as she read the box next to Joshua.
"Get me a car and a house." Ava orders Auggie. "I'm trying." Auggie told her with a tired sigh.
"She sounds like you." Joshua told Isabella.
Isabella had her mouth dropped grabbing a piece from the game causing Joshua to instantly fall to the floor covering his head.
"Wuss." Isabella smirked putting the piece back.
"Okay." Cory pulled the attention back. "Um, Maya and I are up first." He grabbed the dice ready to roll. "Oh, says who?" Riley asked him.
"Says the king of the castle." Cory answered before the two stood up on the couch but unfortunately for Lucas they were standing between him.
"Just because you're the king, doesn't mean you get to make all the rules." Riley told her father taking the dice.
"Oh yeah?" Cory asked taking the dice back. "That's actually the first rule in the king's handbook."
"Well, it's been a lovely evening." Lucas said as he crawled off the couch. "And now I need a hug from my mama."
"Mama?" Maya asked Lucas raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah." Lucas nodded before turning to the two older teens. "What do you call your mom?"
"Ma!" Joshua exclaimed.
"You?" Lucas asked Isabella.
"I call mine Ma." She shrugged. "Or mama sometimes. I like being a child sometimes."
"Try it out." Joshua told the Texas boy.
"Ma!" Lucas repeated. "Nah, she'd put me in the shed."
"You know what dad?" Riley asked her father. "You may be the king, but I am going first." Riley took the dice before rolling it causing Cory to gasp.
ღღღ
Farkle gasped, "You are staging an act of open rebellion against your king."
"You have left the colonies no choice but to break away from you and become independent." Riley told Farkle.
"Because you're fighting for the sake of your families." Cory said.
"And friends." Riley added.
"And family is the most important thing in the world." Cory had explained furthermore.
"And friends." Riley added in again.
"Riley, you don't think family should come first?" Cory asked her.
"She can't do this right now, Cory." Isabella told him pulling him back. "She's in the middle of a rebellion."
"Oh, right." Cory nodded.
"Oh, yeah?" Farkle asked Riley getting back to what was on topic. "Let's see how your little rebellion fare against the might of the British Empire." He opens the classroom door revealing a cannon at the other side.
"Where did you get a cannon?" Cory asked the genius.
"My cannon guy." Farkle answered as if it was normal.
"Yes, General Washington?" Cory called him once he saw Lucas's hand up.
"You really have to wonder it the king wasn't so stubborn, could something have been worked out so America would be in the British Family?" Lucas asked.
"A nation or a family, can only remain united if it's leaders fairly and address the needs of all its members both old and young." Cory explained.
"Well, I'm not gonna." Farkle stated. "So let's get this party started. Is this thing loaded?" Farkle asked before he crawled into the cannon.
"It is now." Maya smiled as she appeared behind the cannon holding a sparkler. "Happy Fourth of July, everybody."
"Maya, the war hasn't even started yet." Cory told her.
"You're gonna love Boston." Maya smiled telling Farkle as she ignored her teacher.
"When am I going to Boston?" Farkle asked his blonde best friend from inside the cannon.
"In five, four, three..."
ღღღ
"Four, five, six and as usual I will choose the fatherhood path." Cory smiled as he moves his piece landing on a pink square. "And the pink square means..." Cory picked up a pink slip smiling. "I get a daughter."
"Actually, sir, Farkle and I already own that square." Lucas reminded him.
"So?" Cory asked as he made a face.
"So...you're daughter is ours." Lucas explains which had caused Riley to smile very big.
"Excuse me." Cory said.
"Let him talk." Riley smiled at Lucas.
"According to the game, we get your daughter." Lucas told him.
Riley was so happy that she almost jumped over to him but her mother held her back.
"Josh! Isa!" Cory exclaimed.
"She's not Riley Matthews anymore!" Isabella smiled at the grown man.
"She's now Mrs. Dr. Howdy Turtleneck!" Joshua exclaimed as he put an arm over the two boy's shoulders.
Cory glared as they were no help to him but he handed the slip to the young boy. Lucas tried to take the slip but Cory wouldn't let go of it.
"Uh, sir, you're holding on a little tight." Lucas reminded his teacher trying to take the slip. "You really need to let go, sir." Farkle told him.
The slip was then ripped as they were fighting on it.
"You killed my daughter!" Cory exclaimed. "My turn. I pick six." Ava said as she took hold of her piece.
"Uh, Ava, you need to roll the dice." Topanga tried to explain to the young little girl. "One, two, three, four, five, six." Ava moved her piece smirking knowing it annoyed Topanga.
"Josh, Isa, objection." Topanga told the two older teenagers.
"We're going to allow it." Isabella told her. "Why?" Topanga questioned with a small pout. "Because she cracks us up." Joshua told her as the two older teenagers chuckled.
Topanga wanted to be mad but she couldn't be as this was the first time in a long time the two were having a good time.
"I get a...'Make Your Own Luck' card." Ava said as she got the card. "Take over someone's family business. Choose one player to send back to the start." Ava read the card. "I choose... one Topanga, two, Topanga, three Topanga, four Topanga, five Topanga, six Topanga, seven Topanga, or..." Ava smirks before grabbing Topanga's piece moving it back to the start. "Topanga! Wee! Poom!"
"This stinks!" Topanga exclaimed as she frowned. "This had to be done, mommy." Auggie told his mother.
"It's okay, my love bug." Topanga smiled at her youngest child. "Luckily, my team always wins and my teammate has a turn and I'm sure she's going to use it to help me." While Topanga was explaining Riley took her turn before grabbing a card. "Right, Riley?" Topanga asked her daughter but Riley didn't respond. "Sweetheart?"
"Mom, I really hate to do this." Riley told her mother with an apologized look. "But I have a 'Go to Europe with a Friend' card and you're all the way back there. And I've never been to Europe." Riley smiled not knowing she was breaking her mom's heart but everyone else did notice the heartbreak.
"I want to go to Europe." Ava demanded Auggie.
"Get off my back!" Auggie exclaimed as he hit the table with his fist.
"Wait, you're leaving me?" Topanga asked her daughter.
"Mom, it's not personal." Riley told her mother. "I just got this card and-"
"Wait, you're leaving me?" Topanga repeated. "Here it comes." Cory smiled knowing what's about to happen.
"I am your mother." Topanga told Riley. "I have your absolute love and loyalty. What do you think you're talking to him?" Topanga pointed to her husband.
"Hey, Farkle, how do you you do that again?" Cory asked the genius.
"Ha!" Farkle laughed.
"Ha!" Cory tried to mimick the genius boy but failed miserably.
"Now you run, sir." Farkle told him.
"No." Cory shook his head before moving to sit next to his wife. "Actually now I go right over here which is exactly where I belong."
"Well, this game just got real." Joshua commented which received him a nod of agreement from Isabella.
"Will the daughter go off on her own..." Isabella started. "Or does the mother hold on to her forever?" Joshua finished off.
"I'm sorry mommy." Riley apologized to her mother before going to go sit with her blonde best friend. "Partners?"
"Forever." Maya smiled.
"Riley?" Topanga frowned heart broken of her daughter not being her partner no more.
"Mom, I'm just playing a game." Riley tried to explain to her mother. "Isn't that what you want me to do?" Riley asked her mother. "Win?"
"Not without me." Topanga told her daughter sadly.
"Hey, Topanga." Cory called out. "You and me." He rubbed her shoulders trying to comfort her.
Topanga looked at her daughter with a sad expression before smiling to her husband saying, "You and me. Let's win this thing."
"You and me." Maya turned to her best friend. "Let's win this thing."
"You and me." Farkle turned to Lucas.
"I just wanna go home." Lucas whined.
"You and me." Auggie turned to Ava. "It's way past our bedtime."
Both soon yelled out in excitement as everyone turned to the two little kids.
ღღღ
While the partners were in different places trying to come up with a strategy to win Isabella settled herself in the kitchen.
Joshua took notice of her and before he could convince himself not to do something he went up to her.
"Belle." Joshua called sitting in front of her.
"Yes?" Isabella asked too tired to argue.
Joshua took notice that she wasn't going to fight with him so mentally he smiled before he sighed.
"I want to apologize for what I did back when we were younger." Joshua told her looking nervous.
"You mean what you didn't do." Isabella corrected him playing with her bracelet.
Joshua nodded, "What I didn't do. And I understand if you loathe me or even hate me-"
"I don't hate you Josh." Isabella shook her head. "As much as I tried I can't hate you."
"Well, that's good." Joshua smiled but just got a look in return causing him to sigh. "I know I messed up big time and I won't stop apologizing for what I didn't do but what I want is for us to be in each others lives again to go back like we were. I want to have your trust again."
Isabella took in everything what the boy in front of her said, taking a moment to herself before sighing.
"I appreciate you for apologizing everytime you have had a chance even though you don't have to." Isabella thanked Joshua. "But things can't go back exactly the same as we were kids." She shook her head. "We've changed." Isabella told him and she did notice his expression. "That doesn't mean I'm not willing to start new."
Joshua took notice of her words that made him smile at her.
"But my trust I can't say the same." She shook her head which Joshua nodded in understanding but sadly. "You have to understand what happened did change my perspective on others to the point I don't know who to trust. It takes time for me to trust others now."
"Yeah, I get it." Joshua nods. "Friends for now?" He put his hand out.
"Friends." Isabella nodded shaking his hand with a small smile.
The buzzer then rang causing them to call out, "Break's over! Game on!"
ღღღ
"Game over. God bless America." Riley waved an American flag over Farkle as she had a foot on his back since he was on the floor.
"How could you do this?" Farkle asked her. "My kingdom. I have nothing left." Farkle whined very dramatically.
"Well, you still have India, Ireland, Australia, Shakespeare, Dickens and the Beatles." Cory told the boy helping him up.
"Oh, yeah." Farkle smirked turning to Riley. "Who needs you anyways?"
"You know you do." Riley smiled as she put an arm around him.
"The Revolutionary War ended in 1783 leaving a rift between England and the United States." Isabella explained to the class.
"But we love each other now though, right?" Lucas asked.
"We do but it took some time." Cory responded. "In Fact, it wasn't until 1813, when another American helped mend that relationship. His name Riley was John Quincy Adams."
"Oh, that's what the kid did." Riley smiled.
"That's right." Cory nodded smiling. "See it took the next generation to bring everyone together."
"So, people that go to war can actually become friends?"
"Revolution is a short moment in time." Isabella started. "But if you play the long game correctly, everybody can end up just where they're supposed to be."
ღღღ
"Somebody has to get a 12." Cory whined. "Anything but a 12. Nobody throw a 12."
"12!" Riley smiled.
"Oh, thank goodness." Lucas smiled. "It's over."
"No, it's not." Riley shook her head. "I'm not going for the success square. I'm going for the circle in the middle." Riley explained. "We are going to play the long game."
"What?" Lucas asked shocked causing the older teens to chuckle at his expression.
"You could win." Topanga told her daughter.
"Dude, why would you do that?" Joshua asked her as him and Isabella moved their 'microphones' to her face.
"Because tonight the family game is not about winning." Riley explained. "Tonight let's find out what happens when you play the long game." Riley turned to her mom. "I only wanted to win to make you proud."
Topanga smiled at her daughter before bringing her into a hug.
"I'm never gonna see my mama again." Lucas cried making Isabella chuckle as she patted his head.
"I wanted someone to land on the success square." Cory admits. "I kind of wanted to hear..." He pressed the button.
"I win!" Topanga exclaimed getting out of the hug with her daughter. "Seriously help me." Topanga turned to her husband."
"In the long game, the players all play together to conquer the game itself." Joshua read.
"So we're all on one big team then?" Cory asked.
"If you'll let us be." Riley answered her father. "And dad I promise that nobody is going to go anywhere."
"Well, Riley, you know what?" Cory asked her as he sat next to his daughter. "If these are the people you have chosen to leave us for someday, they're welcome to play with us anytime. You've made some wonderful choices."
"You going to buy the friends game?" Riley asked her father.
"Yeah." Cory smiled.
"Can we play that one with you guys?" Topanga asked her daughter and her friends.
"Anytime you want." Maya smiled as she nodded.
"You're a good king." Riley smiled to her father.
"You're a good John Quincy Adams." Cory smiled to his daughter.
"Oh, the kid that brought everyone together." Riley smiled in realization.
"Yeah." Cory smiled.
"Told you."
"Who's joining?" Maya asked.
"We are." Topanga smiled.
As that was said the game was continued by everyone.
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It was early dawn and everyone was tired as was Isabella but after some convincing from Joshua she was laying next to her sister half awake.
"Well, the birds are chirping." Joshua announced as he leaned close to Isabella who was close to being asleep. "Sounds of a sleepy city coming to life as the sun peeks it's smiling face." He moved Isabella's hair out of her face so he could see her beautiful face.
Maya took notice of his actions to her sister causing her to smile noticing how they've gotten close last night.
Joshua noticed he was staring at Isabella so he stood up looking to the group.
"Upon 8 tired game players and 1 tired co-host, if Auggie Matthews can roll a 2, then we'll finally find out what happens when you win the long game." Joshua announced to the tired group.
"Nobody can roll a 2." Topanga shook her head.
"We pick 2." Ava said grabbing the piece.
"You know what, Ava?" Topanga asked her. "I finally like you."
"Okay." Ava shrugged moving the piece before pressing the button.
"That's it?" Riley asked as only a noise came from the board.
Then a change had happened causing Isabella to say, "Hold up."
The game starts to whirl playing music before it started to light up twirling causing everyone to stare at the game in amazement.
"And as everyone is joining together, we see that in the long game, friends become family."
"It's not a game at all." Riley states as she came to realization.
"What is it mommy?" Auggie asked his mother.
"It's life." Topanga smiled.
"Life is the long game?"
"Yeah, bubba." Cory smiled. "Life is the long game."
Everyone was smiling at one another before Joshua sat down next to Isabella.
"Belle?" Joshua said causing her to turn to him. "Will I ever get your trust back?"
"I don't know." Isabella shrugged. "Maybe."
"Oh, then that's okay." Joshua nodded.
"It is." She asked confused. "Why?"
"Because I'm in it for the long game." He smiled at her causing her to send him a small smile and a nodded.
"Long game."
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New update, Amores!!! Hope you liked it!!
What do you think of Joshua and Isabella's relationship so far? What do you guys think of them playing long game?
What do you think will happen to them?
Season two is really close what do you guys think will happen?
Published~ December 22, 2019