#but there's nothing like a group 911 incident to break the ice and get you all to talk like normal people afterwards.

[beholdthemem]

Well, on a positive note, I can at least say that I've finally started bonding with my sister's boyfriend as opposed to making awkward stilted small talk while we both wait for her to reappear and save the conversation.

[sending-the-message]

Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say by spaswimmer1023

I’ve always been creeped out by open casket funerals. I know the dead are supposed to be at peace, but I can’t get over the fact that as a child, my sister would play dead and scare the shit out of me. Now, each time I have to attend a funeral, I’m always afraid that their eyes are going to spring open and I’m going to have the same reaction. Honestly, I wish that would have happened instead.

I walked carefully down the aisle of the church. The sun poured through the stained glass windows making the designs dance on the red carpet. It was silent. No one had arrived yet and I was alone with my grandmother. My step-father picked out a crisp, white casket for her. It was decorated with her favorite sports memorabilia and pictures of family. She looked different. Her face was flattened and her hands were gray. Her hand lay flat on her chest. She looked nothing like the woman that had loved me for many years.

I stood there thinking about the first time she met me. I was three and my mom and step-dad had just started dating. Things were getting serious so my dad brought over his parents to meet my mom’s parents. As usual, I took the spotlight and made sure they knew exactly how things were going to go. I was pretty sassy back then. Instead of writing me off, my grandmother took me aside and asked me how I felt about the whole situation. In my three year old brain, I tried to explain how I felt. Even though, I’m sure it didn’t make sense, she tried her best to make me feel heard. Throughout my childhood, I struggled to fit in with my family. I was always an odd duck and physically appeared differently from my family. The only person that never gave me a hard time was my grandmother.

Tears started rolling down my cheeks. I’ve lost the one person that makes me feel whole. My one advocate in this life. When my sister randomly told me one day that I had a different dad, my grandmother took me out for ice cream while I cried until I felt like my heart broke in half. My mom continuously lied to me about his identity. She would get angry with me when I asked about it. My grandmother, though, would just hug me and told me she loved me.

I heard the door open in the back of the chapel and saw the pastor making his way to the pulpit. I wiped my eyes and turned to greet him. He told me how sorry he was for my loss and we spoke briefly about the structure of the service. One by one people started filing in. I watched as they all peered into the casket to get a better look at her. I saw some people I hadn’t seen in years and others that I wished I could wait to see for another ten years. We sang some songs and the pastor gave his eulogy. Then, it came time for each row to say their final goodbye walking by the casket. My siblings and I sat at the front row. I could feel the tears starting to swell back up inside me. As we neared the casket once again, my eyes caught a white envelope with my named scrawled on it. I quickly snatched it out of my grandmother’s dead hands and moved quickly out the back door of the church.

I continued on with the rest of the festivities that day, but I couldn’t help but replay the events to know how that paper got in her casket. I watched everyone go up there and didn’t see anything. My name was written in my grandmother’s handwriting. It’s unmistakable as she is left handed and tends to smudge. As soon as it was acceptable to leave, I rushed home to read the letter.

“My Dearest Emily, If you are reading this, I know that you are hurting. Life is so short and you always think that you have more time. Somehow, I didn’t have time to tell you this. Please, try not to think of me any differently. I love you and I always will. I’m partially to blame for the reason your mother will not talk about your biological father. He’s a bad man, Emily. Nothing good can come from him. My history with his family starts before your birth.

In 1992, I started attending the church that his father pastored. While I was there, I was offered a position to work as a secretary at the church. Your grandfather warned me to be careful and I didn’t listen to him. I found out things about the pastor that I could never forget. I saw him do things that I could never erase. Your mother had recently started going to this church. She was newly divorced and attending a single mother’s group. This group was led by the pastor’s son. He believed that having a strong male influence would provide comfort and guidance for these vulnerable women. One by one, Emily, the women started to become pregnant. As soon as they did, they were ridiculed by the pastor and his son. Eventually, they would be chastised so badly that they left the church and were never heard from again.

One day, I came in to the church early because I needed to set up a breakfast for some of the older ladies at the church. I saw that the pastor’s light was on and headed that direction to tell him good morning. As I looked in the small window on the door, I saw the pastor’s son being physical with your mother. She lay limp on the floor. He caught a glance of my face in the widow and the door flew open. He dragged me in the room and tied me to a chair and put a gag in my mouth. I couldn’t move and I couldn’t help your mother. The pastor’s son took advantage of your mother and all I could do was sit there. I’m sorry to tell you these details, dear, but they are important.

Once he was finished with his gruesome act, he threatened both of us that if we were to report this, we would both be killed. Shortly after, your mother told me that she was pregnant with you. I felt responsible for making sure that she was safe. When she left the church, I made sure to keep up with her and ensure that you all were safe. I have continued to receive threats ever since that day. Once per year, on the day of the incident, I would get a letter. It read, ‘Oh be careful little mouth what you say. Oh be careful little mouth what you say. For the Father up above is looking down in love. Be careful little mouth what you say.’ There was no return address, but I could only assume it was from your biological father.

Do you remember when your grandfather passed away? It was not an accident, sweetheart. I told him about this incident not long before he died. He became enraged and reported the incident to the police. The same note was left with your grandfather’s body when I found him at the kitchen table. It was ruled a heart attack, but I know your father killed him. He also killed me.

I appeared to have cancer, but I was actually being poisoned. Your father called me one night demanding to know where you were. I did not want him to be able to find you so I refused to tell him. The next day, I spoke with an old friend from the church. What a mistake. Towards the end of the conversation she started crying and then your father’s voice appeared on the phone. He said that I had to pay for what I had done. I wrote this all down so that you could know the truth. Your mother is next, dear. It might be too late already.

Protect yourself, Emily. You are the only baby that was not raised by him. He took all the others and the only people that know about them are dead. He has tortured dozens of women and has made sure that they will never speak of it again. Your father has separated from the church and formed his own movement. He has so many people that will protect him. I’m not there to protect you anymore. Please, take care of yourself. He is not what he appears to be. I made sure to give this note to someone that would make sure you got it. I’ll be seeing you.”

As my tears fell on the note on the table, my whole world came to a crashing halt. For years I fought with my mom for thinking she was keeping information from me. In reality, she was saving my life. My heart started breaking for what my mom and grandmother went through. I hated the way I acted about the situation. How could someone do something like this?

For a moment I realized that I had no idea what this man looked like. Had I met him before and didn’t know it? I live alone and the reality that I was in danger started to sink in. A panic fell over me and I picked up my phone to call my mom to make sure she was safe. The phone rang continuously, then, my mom answered.

“Hello?” she said.

“Mom? Are you ok? I just read a really scary note from grandma. Mom, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” I said, starting to cry once again.

My mom’s voice started to crack. I could tell she was about to cry. “Emily, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

I could hear shuffling as the phone was transferred. “Hi, pumpkin. It’s daddy. Once I finish up with your mom I’ll be right over. We can catch up.”

The call ended and my heart sank. I’m now in my car darting over to my mom’s house. For some reason I can’t get through to dispatch when I call 911. Could someone, please, help me? I don’t know what to do.

[storm278]

Home is where the heart is CHAPTER 1

10 years after college, Riley has gained a reputation of being a flight risk. Her friends and family have tried to stop her from taking off but truthfully there is only one person that can make her stay for good. what happens when riley sees said person for the first time in 14 years. Rucas centric

Rated T

Cross posted to Fanfiction.net here

Prologue 

Maya storms into Riley's pent house after getting a 911 text from her best friend. She marches straight into her bedroom to see the lights turned off and she also hears the brunette crying her eyes out underneath the covers.

"Riley, honey, are you okay I got your text what happened" she says as she turns on the light to get a better view of the situation. Immediately she sees her sister, her mood goes from worried to panicked. She runs across the room to her best friend.

"Riles talk to me what's going on? are you sick? Did someone hurt you? Just give me a name I'll find em"

Riley slowly takes off the cover with tear stained cheeks "Maya it happened again, Charlie," she sobs "he did it again, he promised he would never do it again. I walked in on him and some slut in his office".

Maya immediately hugs are friend and comforts her for several minutes, just allowing Riley to let it all out. "that son of a bitch never deserved you to begin with honey. And no worries, tonight we take care of you tomorrow we can go all psyco crazy on his stupid ass" This made Riley giggled and sniffed back some tears "let's not go all Maya-Ville just yet, we can just throw out his stuff from my place"

"Riley! He hurt you. I have to…" she was cut off by Riley before she could continue "No Maya, you do not have to do anything to him. I blame myself actually".

"No Riley! This isn't your fault. You've been faithful to him for the past 3 years and he cheated on you in return. He's at fault here not you and he has to pay. Maya countered

Riley sat up and propped herself on her pillows "three years' wow, I really stayed with him for that long?"

"Honey I'm as shocked as you are. He was such a creep"

"If I let myself be honest I think after I caught him with Melissa last year I just didn't feel the same way about him anymore but for some odd reason I took him back. I don't know, I guess on some level I just assumed I'll learn to love him and then I opened myself to him again. I was 29 already so I stayed with him. Can you imagine I actually started to feel things for him again. I had hope that maybe he would be the last one you know. God was I stupid" Riley rambled.

Maya knew it was a bold face lie. Maya could admit that Charlie's actions did hurt her best friend but Riley saying she thought Charlie was her 'the one' was nothing far from mendacity. He and the other guys since college have just been place holders in an attempt to forget a certain green eyed doctor. Was she pissed with said doctor? Yes, but he just so happened to have made her best friend very happy a long time ago and for God knows why, Riley has refused to explain the actual reason for their break up. But right now her friend needed her so the story of doctor huckleberry will have to wait. Plus, this was a delicate situation and if not handled properly would mean a horrible reoccurrence happening again

"Honey you are not stupid. Everyone deserves to love and feel loved in return. But can I at least set his stuff on fire. He has some really expensive clothes and shoes here". Maya said with puppy eyes.

Riley sighed with relaxed shoulders and ultimately gave in. "Fine do what you want I don't even care anymore. Please just stay here with me tonight?".

Maya scooted closer to her on the bed and hugged her even closer "I already have Josh watching over Melvin. So girl's night?" Riley cleaned up what was left of her tears "yea I'd love that".

GMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMW

Maya called Isadora and their childhood friend Darby over to join their girl's night. Fortunately, it was a Friday night and their husbands had so graciously agreed to watch the kids. Actually Farkle, Josh and Yogi had been filled in on the Riley/Charlie situation and all three made sure their wives would be with Riley tonight because they knew a lonely thinking Riley Matthews only leads to her taking off to God knows were again for a long time.

Riley had managed to stay put in New York for the past 3 years because of her relationship with Charlie which has been a new record for her since high school. It started with her breakup with Lucas the night before their high school graduation. She took a year off school. She got invited by their classmate Sarah whose dad happened to work as a captain on a ship set to cruse across the world picking and dropping of passengers. Riley and Sarah joined the crew and sailed for months before Riley docked in Europe and got several jobs while touring the continent. She lived and worked there for the remainder of the year. Maya has yet to forgive Lucas and Sarah because that 'friendly invitation' gave Riley the reputation of being the flight risk of their group. Her take off behaviour continued in college after her breakup with a guy named David, she spent the next 2 semesters abroad. Then after college it became a reoccurring event.

Whenever her heart got broken she would take off for months going on a year and Cory Matthews was glad to fund any trip that would involve taking Riley away from guys as long as she was going to be happy where she was going he didn't care. This was after all his little girl and he would do anything in the world to make sure she was happy. Of course, at the time he thought he was doing it to avoid losing his little girl to the wolves but now with her job at Minus international and her occasional 'business trips' after unfortunate breakups he never gets to see her anymore and he didn't like it one bit until Charlie came around.

After the distress text sent from Riley, Maya saw the signs and informed all their friends of what was inevitably coming.

Darby and Isadora came charging into the penthouse like soldiers on a mission. "Riley!" Darby screamed from while moving around Riley's place. "Riley Grace Matthews where are you"

Maya meandered into the living room "Darbs she's in the bathroom. I sent her to take a bath. She just needs to clear her mind. Smarkle did you get my list"

Isadora smiled and went through the list of items needed for the special girl's night Maya had planned "okay so I have the ice-cream, chocolate, popcorn, scissors, lighter and of course wine, is this to your liking Maya?".

"Perfect" Maya responded

Darby was still very much worried about her friend and her 'take-off' antics in situations like this. She just had to speak up "has she mentioned anything about you know…"

"taking off? no I have not mentioned anything about that" Riley said as she sauntered into the living room. "thanks for coming you guys. It means a lot to me that you guys are here"

Darby quickly went and hugged her friend "please don't leave riley, please Charlie is total d-bag. He never deserved you and he doesn't need to know he caused you so much pain you had to leave the country because of him. I swear I'll set you up with someone new, give me a week. I could even find someone who looks just like Lucas if that would make you stay please Riley don't leave this time." Darby ended her ramble because she just had to breathe. Everyone stayed quiet after that because Darby just let out Lucas' name. Riley felt her heart rate go up just by the mention of his name. She even felt a little dizzy just having flashing images of his face and what could have been had she told him sooner.

It was weird to speak of him with Riley because since high school everyone stayed in touch with each other except for Riley and Lucas. It was kind of an unspoken rule to not speak of him around Riley. She never talked about their breakup not even to Maya.

Farkle just stuck with his theory that the fact that they would be attending separate colleges ignited the fire but he never quite understood why they wouldn't so much as be in the same room with each other let alone sit to have an actual conversation. Lucas never spoke about the situation either. Whenever Zay or Farkle asked he just waves it off and leaves the room almost like the air was sucked out of him whenever anyone brought up the topic of what happened between him and Riley.

Riley finally broke the uncomfortable silence "I see someone is back on those sugar beverages again. Darbs you really should cut back on those drinks and no I do not want a guy right now no matter what he looks like. As for me leaving I will be going to Vancouver and it's not because of Charlie, we are opening a new office there I need to oversee their operations being that it is the first branch we have in that region of the country".

"Pardon my bluntness bubbles but even I know that's a bold face lie" said Isadora as the other girls take their positions on the couches making themselves comfortable for the night

Smackle continued "I know this Charlie incident might be one of the reasons you want to leave but suggesting you going to Vancouver for business is total crap and you are very well aware of it". At this point the girls were willing to say and bring up just about any topic or argument to ensure Riley didn't leave the country even it meant speaking of a certain emerald eyed doctor.

"Oh really Isadora enlighten me why would I possibly want to go to Canada if it wasn't for the company" Riley said being defensive.

"Because someone cough Darbs cough let out the fact that a certain Lucas Friar from Texas will be coming to town next month to in an attempt to expand his business here in Manhattan. Correct me if I am wrong bubbles"

"Smackle you are supposed to hide the message in the cough not actually say the word cough. And I only told Riley with hopes that she would dump Charlie and move on with Lucas" Darby said

"First of all you are wrong and second if this is how my night is going to play out I'm gonna need a drink. Anyone care to join me for Vodka?" Riley said as she walked over to her mini bar and took a shot. "You guys want me to talk fine let's talk. I have moved on from Lucas!" she shouted "I dated Charlie for the past 3 years' I actually loved him hell I've been dating other guys since college if that doesn't say Riley has moved on I don't know what will".

Maya final spoke out "Honey first of all stop speaking about yourself in the third person its weird and second I hate to break it to you but you and I both know you were never going to end up with Charlie Gardner or any other place holder you've hooked up with since college".

"Maya!" Riley said with wide eyes knowing were her friend was taking the conversation

"Riley I've known you my whole life. I've seen you happy and in love and I've seen you with Charlie. There is a clear difference" Maya took Riley's hand and looked her in the eye "Charlie is an asshole we've all know that, you have refused to accept that fact for some reason. But I know you and even if you won't admit it you still love that Texas huckleberry". Riley took back her hand and went to take another shot and just taking in the burn that came with it.

Riley felt like she has had enough Lucas discussion for one night. She never lets herself think of him willingly because thinking about him meant thinking about the events that surrounded the breakup. She has almost let details of their breakup slip out before and she was not about to let that happen tonight. She took another shot and spoke "weren't we supposed to set Charlie's stuff on fire or something"

"Way to change the subject on us Riles" Maya rolled her eyes "and yes we are definitely making a burn fire tonight if only you would let me get my hands on the actual Charlie…"

"Maya! you would take what you get okay".

"Fine but this isn't the end of this"

The girls drove out of the city that night and in true Maya fashion set all Charlie's stuff on fire. Literally every trace of him in Riley's pent house clothes, shoes, gifts, pictures, all the relationship momentous all gone. Riley felt sad about the situation because she knew the girls were right. After all these years of dating all these different men and traveling around the world in search of some kind of happiness in a new place or in someone or in something that could measure up to what she had with he who shall not be named but yet nothing. She wondered the whole ride going and coming back, would she ever get over him? And if so how, because she simply couldn't go on like this it's been fourteen years for God sake. And boy is she desperate because she just had to find a way. He seemed to have moved on years ago quite nicely so why couldn't she.

At the end of the night Riley had sworn all the girls to secrecy about her impending move.