Summer

"Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, I am asking permission to ask your daughter out." I say to them. They look at each other, then back at me.

"Can you elaborate, becuase as far as I could tell, you two were already dating." Cory says, crossing his arms. I chuckle at that statement and shrug. Topanga rolls her eyes.

"Oh please, anyone with eyes could see they weren't." She exclaims.

I almost get whiplash at how fast I double take.

"You knew? why didn't you say anything?" I question. She shrugs.

"I don't know what game you two were playing, but I could tell it was an act." She admits. I nod, and make a mental note to ask her for details later. And also to research how to find out if someones a witch. It would explain a lot.

"So, do I have your permission?" I request again. There's a smile on both of their faces.

"Of course you have our permission. There's no one better for her than you." Topanga says.

"Wait wait wait, now I'm not sure if thats true." Cory says, and I give him a flabergasted look.

"You didnt have a problem the first time!" I exclaim. He leans forward and squints at me.

"No, I didn't say anything the first time. Because it had already happened. But now I get to intervene before it does." he grins his usual childish grin and I close my eyes, willing away my annoyance with him. This is practically my father in law, I need to be calm.

"Cory, what complaints could you possibly have?" his wife asks him, and he grins his goofy smile. "It's Maya were talking about."

"Well, I'm glad you asked. Maya Hart is a good best friend to Riley because she's a bad influence and sometimes leads Riley out of the way of danger. But the way I see it, letting them date is throwing Riley into danger. She's Maya. Plus, what about sleepovers? I don't trust her." He dramatically crosses his arms and turns his head.

"Mr. Matthews. With all due respect, You let Lucas, a boy who was kicked out of his entire school go on a date with you daughter. But you can't trust the girl you practically raised yourself? Plus, if it'll make you feel better, I'll sleep on the floor during our sleepovers." I offer. He shoots me a knowing look.

"You will do no such thing." He counters. I consider a comeback but I know it's useles. He's right. There's no way I'm going to date Riley, spend the night with her, and not sleep in her bed.

"Okay you're right, but come on. If you can't trust your daughter with me, then who can you trust?" I pout and hope up and down he agrees. Of course I'm going to ask her out even if he doesn't, but I'd rather not do the sneaking around thing, plus I want the beginning of my relationship with my possible future wife to start on the best terms possible.

"Of course I'm okay with you dating my daughter. No one is better for her than you." I blink.

"Then why'd you say no at first?"

"I like to be stubborn sometimes and it's been awhile.”

——————

The next step was to plan it. I had the basic outline. Large confession of love, flowers, music, the works. Really I jus needed a location. It'd be great to do this at the bay window, but we’re on vacation.

"Well, I have a bay window you can borrow." Vic suggests.

"Borrow?"

"There are bay windows in the more deluxe cabins, you can go there." Vic pulls a key ring out of his pocket, selects one and takes it off to give me. I smile as I take it from his hands.

"That's great! I can set that place up while Riley waits at our cabin, she'll love it!" I say excitedly. I wrap my arms around Vic and pull him into a bone crushing hug.

"You know, there are ways to thank people without sending them to the hospital." He gasps, and when I let go he takes in an exaggerated breathe of air.

"And you!” I almost scream excitedly. “You can distract her while I'm doing all of this!" I’m bouncing on the balls of her feet grinning, and Vic smiles down at me.

"Hey, I hope this all works out in your favor." Vic nods, patting me on the back. I nod.

“Right of course. This is gonna be great!”

Vic gives me simple directions to a cabin and we do last minute touch ups on my ‘speech’

”If this doesn’t work, you can shoot your shot buddy.” I joke. He laughs at that.

”It’ll work. Don’t worry.” He gives me a reassuring hug and I sigh.

”Speak of the devil.” Vic pulls his phone out of his pocket. “Riley just texted me.” He’s silent for a second and he looks at his phone.

”She wants me to come over.” He furrows his eyebrows.

”Just go, distract her. I’ll finish all this up. Text you when I’m ready?” 

He gives me a salute and exits, leaving me alone in his cabin.