Icehale: Hey guys! I'm back with a chaptered story this time around. Yup, you read that correctly. My first chaptered story that I've posted! I'm super excited about that. Now for a bit of background information before you start the story — this takes place in the mid 21st century. And don't worry, I know that Merlin and Rosie are Riley and Lucas's great grandparents, but it was better for the plot for them to just be their grandparents. I just wanted to set that down so that no one would be confused. Anyway, Lucas! Disclaimer, por favor?

Lucas: Icehale doesn't own Girl Meets World. She'd like to, but says that it's too unrealistic to wish for.

Icehale: Thanks buddy! On with the story!

—

"Mom?" Riley asked, tromping down the stairs to join her mother in the kitchen. "Who is this?"

Riley had been rifling through her grandmother Rosie's old journals, eager to find out more of the past their family had never been told. While looking, she found a whole section of letters and photographs that had been attached in painstakingly and beautifully, dating from 1961 to 1964. She held one of the pictures out to her mother now, waiting for an explanation.

"I don't know, sweetie," Topanga said, shaking her head regretfully. "You know that your grandmother never told us much about her last before she met your grandfather."

"I know," Riley sighed, setting down the journal. "I'm just really curious about this. I've learned a lot about Nana, more than I ever did before she passed on. Did you know that I'm exactly like she was as a teenager?"

"That's great!" her mother replied, a smile on her face. "I know she always talked about how you reminded her of herself, but I didn't know it was that close."

Riley smiled sadly. "I'm glad it is," she told her mother softly . "It's something else that'll remind me of her."

Topanga placed a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder for a moment before standing up. "I have to go pick up Auggie from soccer," she said. "You fine being home alone for a bit?"

"You don't need to worry about me, Mom," Riley assured her. "I'm twenty, I'll be fine. I have a project to work on anyway."

And as her mother left the house, Riley did work on her project. It would be incredibly valuable to her in the future, after all.

—

"Merlin Scoggins," Riley murmured, glancing down at the slip of paper she held as she reached the house. "435 Maple Drive."

It had taken a lot of research to trace the man in her grandmother's pictures. Riley had even accidentally skipped a class while trying to trace him. Her mother's scolding afterwards had prevented her from ever repeating that mistake.

And now, here she was. She was at the very house of the man — Mr. Scoggins, her grandmother's first love. Taking a deep breath, she reached up to the doorbell and rang it, a low, musical sound.

As the final notes of the doorbell rang, a man opened the door. He was old, but tall and seemed to hold a mischievous and confident twinkle in his eye. It was a bit different than the image Riley had been picturing in her mind.

"Hello young lady," the man greeted kindly, holding out a hand for Riley to shake. "How might you be on this fine afternoon?"

"I'm well, thank you," Riley replied, shaking his hand. "Are you Merlin Scoggins?"

"I am," Mr. Scoggins said, inclining his head in confirmation. "Who might you be, looking for an old man like me?"

"I'm Riley Matthews," she explained. "I was looking in my grandmother's journals after she died and there was a whole sections with love letters written to you and pictures with you labeled in them."

"Who was your grandmother?" Mr. Scoggins asked abruptly, eyes narrowing as he tried to figure out who she was talking about.

"Rosie Lawrence," Riley said. "Or Rosie McGee, her surname before she married my grandpa."

"Rosie McGee," he breathed, looking at Riley for seemingly the first time. "How could I not have figured that out sooner? You look just like her."

He hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Riley, would you like to come in?" Merlin asked. "I could tell you some stories of your grandmama back in the day."

"I'd like that," Riley said, giving him a nod and a smile. "I really would."

—

"...and then she fell into a bucket of grapes," Merlin exclaimed, slapping his knee as he chuckled. "She laughed it off later on, but you know your nana, she'll be embarrassed in the moment."

Riley guffawed. "I never knew," she choked out, her laughter taking over her body. "She was always so calm and serene!"

"Not back then," Merlin grinned, shaking his head. "She was a wild gal, always looking for the best in people and making' us all laugh along the way."

Riley giggled. She checked her watch and was surprised to see that it had already almost been two hours since she had arrived.

"I have to go," she said reluctantly, standing up to leave. "It's been great talking to you, Merlin. I loved all the stories you had, they were absolutely hilarious!"

"Thank you for your stories as well," he replied with a small bow, the twinkle in his eye becoming more cheerful and pronounced. "I'm glad you came along today, it's been a long time since this old man has laughed this much."

Stepping out of the house, Riley hugged the old man. "Goodbye Merlin," she said.

"Farewell Riley," Merlin told her, hugging her in return and ruffling her hair.

She left the street and looking back once, she saw Merlin sighing on the porch, as if he had fulfilled all in his life.

But it definitely wasn't her place to judge.

—

Icehale: So that was the end of the chapter! Like it, hate it? Tell me your opinions! Review, follow, favorite, etc. Until next time, my friends!