XIX

Danielle was still trying to wrap her head around everything when Riley's mom clapped her hands together.

"Well, I was just finishing up in the kitchen," Topanga said. "Danielle, you're welcome to stay for dinner."

Danielle hesitated. It wasn't that she didn't want to stay—it was just that she wasn't used to people inviting her like this. No expectations, no ulterior motives. Just... a genuine offer.

Maya nudged her with her elbow. "You should stay. My mom's working late, and if you leave now, you'll end up eating some expensive, sad meal alone in your big, empty house."

Danielle gave her an unimpressed look. "Wow, way to make it sound tragic."

Maya smirked. "Am I wrong?"

Danielle exhaled, shaking her head before glancing at Topanga. "I'd love to stay."

"Great!" Topanga smiled, already heading back toward the kitchen. "Riley, set the table. Maya, try not to break anything."

Maya placed a hand over her heart. "No promises."

Danielle followed them into the dining area, feeling a little out of place but hiding it well. The table was already mostly set, and as Riley placed the last of the silverware, she grinned.

"Danielle, you can sit next to Maya."

Of course.

Danielle slid into the chair beside Maya, who was already leaning back with an easy grin. The whole setup felt... domestic. Comfortable. Like this was something they did all the time.

She wasn't sure if that made her feel more at ease or more on edge.

Topanga and Cory joined them, setting down serving dishes filled with steaming food. It smelled amazing—something home-cooked, something familiar in a way that made Danielle's stomach twist slightly.

"Alright, dig in!" Cory announced, and just like that, the conversation started flowing.

Riley talked about school. Cory went off on some long-winded, animated story about one of his lessons. Maya made sarcastic comments the whole way through, earning laughter from everyone at the table—including, reluctantly, Danielle.

And then, at some point, Topanga turned to her.

"So, Danielle," she said, her voice kind but sharp with curiosity. "Tell me more about you. What's your family like?"

The question was simple. Innocent. But Danielle felt her throat tighten.

She could feel Maya glance at her, but she didn't look over. Instead, she reached for her water, taking a slow sip before answering with an easy, practiced smile.

"It's just me and my aunt," she said smoothly. "She's great. Keeps busy, works a lot."

Not a lie. Just... not the full truth.

Topanga nodded, but Danielle had the distinct feeling she saw right through her.

"That must be different," Topanga said carefully. "Growing up with someone who isn't your parents."

Danielle kept her expression neutral. "Yeah. But it's all I've ever known, so it doesn't really feel strange."

This time, Maya did nudge her—small, subtle, just enough to remind her she wasn't alone. Danielle ignored the warmth that spread through her chest because of it.

"Well," Topanga said after a beat, her expression softening. "You're welcome here anytime."

Danielle blinked. She had no idea what to say to that.

Maya, however, filled the silence for her. "Yeah, yeah, Danielle's practically part of the gang now. It's official."

Danielle rolled her eyes, smirking. "Oh? Was there an initiation?"

"Yep," Maya said, stealing a roll from Riley's plate. "You survived my personality, Riley's sunshine-ness, and now you've survived a Matthews family dinner. You're in."

Danielle huffed out a laugh, shaking her head. But deep down, something settled inside her.

For the first time in a long time, she didn't feel like an outsider looking in.

Maybe, just maybe, she belonged here.

As the conversation carried on, Danielle found herself relaxing more than she expected. It was easy—easier than it should have been—to fall into the rhythm of this family, even if it wasn't hers.

She wasn't used to people like the Matthews. People who filled a room with warmth just by being in it. People who genuinely wanted to know about her, who didn't pry too much but still somehow made her feel seen. It was... unfamiliar.

And yet, here she was, sitting at their table, eating their food, laughing at their jokes like she wasn't an outsider.

"You know, Danielle," Cory said, leaning forward slightly, "I have you in class."

Danielle glanced up, her fork pausing midway to her mouth. "Yeah. History.

Cory nodded, smiling. "That's right. You always sat in the back with your friends, always talked, but you had the highest test scores in the class."

Maya snorted, nudging her. "Oh, look, Chiron's always been an overachiever."

Danielle smirked. "I like history."

Cory grinned, clearly in teacher mode now. "Oh yeah? What's your favorite time period?"

Danielle considered for a second. "Ancient Rome, probably."

Maya groaned dramatically. "Nerd."

Cory, on the other hand, looked delighted. "Great choice! Have you ever read—"

Topanga cut him off before he could launch into a full lecture. "Cory, let her eat."

Cory held up his hands in surrender, but his smile didn't fade. Danielle just shook her head, amused.

The rest of dinner passed in an easy blur of conversation, laughter, and the occasional bickering between Riley and Maya. Danielle didn't speak much—she didn't need to. Just listening was enough.

Eventually, plates were cleared, and Topanga stood, stretching slightly. "Alright, girls, I have work to finish, so I'm going to let you three entertain yourselves." She turned to Danielle. "It was really nice having you here, Danielle."

Danielle hesitated, then nodded. "Thanks for having me."

Topanga smiled, giving Riley's shoulder a gentle squeeze before heading to her home office. Cory disappeared soon after, mumbling something about preparing for class.

Which left the three of them.

Maya stretched, kicking her feet up on the chair next to her. "Well, that was fun. Free food, light interrogation, all in all, a good night."

Riley rolled her eyes. "It was not an interrogation."

Maya pointed at Danielle. "She was totally interrogated."

Danielle smirked. "Little bit."

Riley huffed. "Whatever. You guys wanna watch a movie?"

Maya groaned. "As long as it's not one of your weird documentaries."

Riley gasped. "Documentaries are important!"

Maya turned to Danielle. "Back me up here."

Danielle just shrugged. "I don't mind documentaries."

Maya stared at her, betrayed. "You're kidding me, Chiron?"

Danielle chuckled. "Relax, Hart. Pick whatever you want."

Maya crossed her arms but grabbed the remote, flipping through movies while Riley curled up on the couch beside her. Danielle settled in too, feeling oddly... comfortable.

As the movie started, she let herself sink into the moment.

She wasn't sure how she ended up here, with these two, in a home that wasn't hers but still made her feel welcome.

But she wasn't in a rush to leave.

---

After the movie ended, the three of them sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, the glow of the screen casting soft shadows across the room. Danielle stretched slightly, feeling the weight of the night settle in. She should probably leave soon, but she wasn't in a hurry.

Riley, however, had other plans.

"Oh! Danielle, you haven't seen my room yet!" she said suddenly, her face lighting up with excitement.

Danielle raised an eyebrow. "I think I'll live without the grand tour, Matthews."

Maya smirked, standing up and grabbing Danielle's wrist before she could protest. "Oh no, Chiron, this is an essential part of the experience."

Danielle let herself be pulled up, rolling her eyes but not resisting as Riley led the way up the stairs.

The moment they stepped inside Riley's room, Danielle took it in. It was bright, colorful, and covered in things that screamed Riley. A wall filled with photos, a bed overflowing with pillows, and—

Danielle stopped short as her gaze landed on the bay window.

Maya and Riley climbed into it without hesitation, settling into their usual spots as Riley beamed at her. "This is the Bay Window."

Maya gestured dramatically. "The most important place in the world."

Danielle tilted her head. "It's just a window."

Riley gasped. "It's not just a window!"

Maya smirked. "You just insulted the sacred place of our people."

Danielle huffed out a laugh, but there was something about the way they sat there so naturally, like they belonged there, that made her hesitate.

"This is where we've had all our most important talks," Riley explained. "We've sat here since we were kids."

Maya nudged her foot against Riley's. "Where we've planned out our future, debated life's big questions—"

"Like if cereal is a soup," Riley added.

Danielle chuckled. "It's not."

Maya pointed at her. "See? She gets it."

Riley pouted. "It's a valid debate!"

Danielle shook her head, amused, before looking at the bay window again. It was weird—she'd never had a space like this. A place filled with years of memories, somewhere that belonged to her.

Maya seemed to pick up on her hesitation. "Come on, Chiron, take a seat. You've officially been inducted into the gang, which means you get bay window privileges."

Danielle rolled her eyes but, after a beat, stepped forward and hesitantly sat down.

It felt... strangely comfortable.

Riley grinned. "See? Feels right, doesn't it?"

Danielle glanced between the two of them, their easy smiles, the way they fit together like puzzle pieces in this tiny space.

Yeah.

She wasn't sure why, but it did.