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At school-

"And as this will be the last presidential election in which you do not cast a ballot, I want this classroom to be an open forum to discuss the issues which most concern your lives," Mr. Feeny began. "Mr. Hunter, what issue most concerns your life?"

"The swimsuit issue," Shawn stated, making me chuckle. "How am I doin'?"

"Boffo, Mr. Hunter. Mr. Matthews?" Mr. Feeny asked.

"Yes. Actually, there is a pressing social matter which I feel equipped to discuss with confidence and alacrity," Cory stated.

"Oh, well, then you have the floor, Mr. Matthews."

"Nah, that used me up."

"Ms. Cooper?" Mr. Feeny asked.

"I don't know," I say.

"Oh my God. Shawn, we're rubbing off on her," Cory said to his friend.

"Save us, Ms. Lawrence," Mr. Feeny told her.

"Well, first of all, I'd just like to say that I think Cory's really cute for tryin'," Topy began.

"Oh, thank you, sugar," Cory told her.

"And that I think the biggest crisis facing this country is the breakdown of the American family."

"Oh, you always gotta go after Shawn," Shawn spoke.

"Babe," I say. "She doesn't mean you specifically."

"I think I know what she's trying to imply, Betts."

"Well, I just think that lots of other issues, like crime and the decline in education-" Topy tried to say.

"Hey, hey, lay off me," Shawn told her.

"Shawn..." I say.

"All have to do with how we're brought up in our homes."

"Well, now, I agree with you, Miss Lawrence."

"That's it," Shawn said, standing up and grabbing his backpack, waiting by the door.

"Mr. Hunter-" Mr. Feeny began but Shawn just pointed to the clock as the bell rang. "Oh, that's it."

I follow Topy out to the lockers. "Should I check on him?" I ask her.

"He has Cory. He's fine," Topy told me. "Speaking of, we don't have a date tonight. How about girls night tonight?"

"T, I would love to but I'm babysitting Billy tonight," I say, putting my books in my locker.

"Oh, yeah. Just so you know, Billy's parents like to keep him on a strict schedule so no candy after 8."

"I wish I didn't have to babysit but I need the money."

"What for?" Topy asked.

"Shawn and I's dating anniversary is coming up. It's our second year together," I explained.

"It feels like the second year now but when's the wedding?" Topy asked.

I smiled. "Hopefully, in ten years. Still trying to predict the future on what prison it's going to be in?" Topy had a shocked expression. "I'm kidding. Relax! Shawn's better than that."

***

3rd POV

"Shawn, you're not really upset, are you?" Cory asked his best friend at the lockers.

"What, that I'm personally responsible for the breakdown of American society?" Shawn asked. "Nah, I got bigger problems."

"I know. I got problems, too."

"No, my problem is Betty and I were supposed to go out tonight, but it's not happening."

"Well, that's good. Now we got ourselves a rare guy's night out," Cory told him.

"You and me. Two guys catchin' up."

"All right, I'm into that. The boys together again," Cory said.

"So, it's a pretty lucky thing Betty's babysitting tonight, huh?" Shawn asked.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. You have a girlfriend who's babysitting?" Cory asked, the wheels turning in his head.

"Yeah, late into the night, so burgers or a movie? You're buying either way," Shawn told him.

"Shawn, there's no burger. There's no movie."

"Why?"

"Use your brain. There's just you and your girlfriend in a stranger's house..."

Shawn caught on. "No interruptions, alone on a couch..."

Cory laughed.."Shawn Hunter, a parent's worst nightmare. Lock up your daughters. The hormones will be a-flyin' tonight."

"I wish I could believe you when you say it. It just comes out sweet," Shawn told him.

***

Betty

I went to Billy's house once I was done with homework as Billy's mom ran me through the schedule. "Now, Betty, Billy's bedtime is-"

"9:00 sharp," I answer.

"And the emergency numbers are-"

"Posted next to the telephone," I say.

"And-"

"No boys."

"And-"

"No boys at all," I finish before opening the door...

Which I instantly regretted because as soon as I opened the door, Shawn was standing there but his eyes widened when he saw Billy's parents.

He quickly picked up the water jug on the doorstep. "Water guy?" he asked.

"Don't worry, he's not staying. I know your rules. No boys," I say before turning to Shawn and whispering, "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, Betty, when I said no boys, I didn't mean this kind of boy." She wrapped an arm around Shawn, walking her up to her husband. "This is Amy and Alan's little boy."

"Um...yeah," Shawn went along with it. "I'm-I'm Cory Matthews. My brother is an idiot. I think I'm dangerous but I'm not."

"We're all dangerous in the beginning," The husband answered with in a monotone.

Billy's mother continued, "We'll be out late. If you two get dozy, just take a little nap on the couch."

"Oh," Shawn said with a grin. "Hear that, Betty?"

"Every word," I reply.

"Very comfortable couch," Billy's dad told Shawn. "Lie down on it, you'll think you're dead. It's wonderful."

I closed the door, turning to Shawn. "If you had gotten me into trouble, I'd kick you out," I say.

"But since I'm not in trouble..." Shawn trailed off.

"Then I'm glad you came over, not so dangerous boy. Why don't you get all dangerous on the couch, and I'll get us something to eat," I told him, pecking his lips and going into the kitchen.

I grabbed us two bowls of spaghetti that was already heated on the stove. I came in with the bowls seeing Billy pull Shawn by the hand. "Billy, what are you doing up?" I ask the boy.

"He's got 64-bits, Betts," Shawn told me.

"Really? Well, he's got 9:00 bed," I reply.

"Oh, Betty, let him have five minutes," Shawn said before whispering, "I really wanna play."

I sent him a look before turning to the little boy, sitting on the couch. "Listen, Billy, your parents have entrusted me with your care, and I have to follow the rules as they have given." I felt Shawn sit beside me, making small movements like he was mocking me.
"And what were you doing?" I ask him.

"I...love you?" Shawn tried.

I roll my eyes, turning back to Billy. "Get to bed right now," I tell him.

"Can't I watch TV?" Billy asked us.

"Sure," Shawn answered.

"No," I answer, hitting Shawn's leg. "Shawn!"

Shawn's attitude changed. "No. Billy, what were you thinking?"

"But it's the Friday night lineup," Billy explained.

"Oh, the Friday night lineup," Shawn said.

"What does that have to do with anything?" I ask.

"Betty, we talked about this before. The Friday night lineup, it's only the best shows on TV. I mean, you walk into school Monday morning, and you didn't see the Friday night lineup, forget it. You got nothin' to say."

"Don't take that away from me," Billy told me.

I look to Shawn, annoyed. "I cannot believe you are undermining my authority. I am this child's babysitter, and I take my responsibilities very seriously." I watched Shawn tried to hold a smile so I looked to Billy who froze. "What were you doing?"

"I love you?" Billy tried.

"Ha. Nice," Shawn said.

"What, you think this is funny?" K challenge.

"No, Mistress Elizabeth. I think it's the opposite of funny. I think it's...liver."

"At least let me watch my favorite show. It's on right now," Billy pleaded.

"But it's 9:30. I know you don't stay up past 9:00," I state.

"It used to be on at 8:30, but this year, they moved it to 9:30. Those idiots."

"Hold on. They moved that show to 9:30. Why?" Shawn asked.

"No one knows."

"Well, was it doing badly at 8:30?"

"No."

"Why didn't they leave it alone?"

"They're trying to kill it. They're trying to kill it."

Shawn placed a hand on the kid's shoulder. "Those are bad, bad people, little man."

I turn to my boyfriend. "Shawn Patrick Hunter, we have to have a little talk."

"Right after the show, Betts," he replied, reaching for the remote.

I snatch the remote, my patience was wearing very thin. "There will be no show." I turn to Billy. "Get to bed."

He listened and went to his room.

"Well, that was nicely done," Shawn said, leaning back. "Now it's just you and me on a cozy couch."

"Nope, you're going home," I say, grabbing his arm and pulling him towards the door.

"Well, then it's just you. What fun could that be?" Shawn asked.

"You have no idea what this is about, do you?" I ask him.

"Yeah, I do, and it happens to be a very important issue, not just to me and you, but to all men and women in relationships, both here and abroad."

I roll my eyes. "Shawn, you have no idea what this is about, do you?"

Shawn laughed. "Come on, Betty, do I ever?"

Billy ran back into the room. "Hey, Shawn, you're missin' a real funny one. The really handsome kid keeps on digging himself in deeper and deeper."

Shawn laughed, letting Billy pull him away. "Love that kid. He is such a doof."

***

At school the next day, I was putting books in my locker when Shawn came up to me. "Betty, how about a lunch date? In the cafeteria, let's say...right now."

I clenched my jaw. "What would be the point, Shawn?"

He sensed my mood and stepped back. "Well, first, I'm gonna take a step back, and then I'm gonna tell you some reasons. I'm hungry, you're my girlfriend, and it's Taco Bar Tuesday."

I was still angry about yesterday of him undermining my authority. "You would feed tacos to our child, Shawn?" I ask.

He looked confused."Our wha-You and I are gonna have a ch-" Shawn paused. "Wait a minute. We've only kissed. I mean, I always knew I was a good kisser, but, wow." He slightly nudged my shoulder. "Does he have my hair or what?"

"Our future child. The one we'd have if we got married," I reply.

"Oh, that kid. Would I feed him tacos?" Shawn asked. "Yeah. Four for 99 cents. He's gonna be taco crazy just like Cory."

"You're not getting that I'm really upset with you," I state.

"Oh, no, beautiful. I had that right away," Shawn said.

"Do you know why I'm upset with you?"

"Yes. Me, something I've done or haven't done or did do, but didn't do properly. Now, with that said, taco," he grabbed my hand to pull me to the cafeteria.

I pull my hand free. "You let Billy stay up last Friday night," I answer. "You'd rather be pals with our kids than a strong, responsible role model."

Shawn paused. "If I may, Warden Cooper, we don't have any kids."

"And we're not gonna. You know why?" I ask him.

"'Cause all we do is just kiss?" Shawn asked.

"Because I believe that a family falls apart if there are not strong, authoritative role models at home."

"Oh, wow, call me out, Betty. My own girlfriend," Shawn replied.

I sigh. "My dad just wanted to be mine and Zack's friend when we were kids because he couldn't handle being a real father."

Shawn's expression softened. "Betty, it wasn't our home. It wasn't our kid. Now, I'm sure what you're saying, but I'm really hungry right now, and all I want's a little taco."

"Well, if that taco is more important to you than our child, then this family has dysfunction written all over it," I say.

"Hey, Shawn, taco?" Cory asked my boyfriend.

"I don't think I'm supposed to have one..." Shawn replied as I walked away.

***

I went by the Matthews home so I can talk to Shawn since he was babysitting Morgan because Cory had to help out at his dad's store. When no one was in the kitchen, I saw a note in Cory's handwriting to go to the living room where I heard a voice in there.

I opened the kitchen door to see Shawn on the couch, a picture book in his lap and Morgan sitting next to him.

"So that night, the purple duck taught all his little friends 'to go to bed early, to eat our green vegetables,' and that there's no reason to be afraid of the potty. The end," Shawn finished.

"The little purple duck is quite the overachiever, isn't he?" Morgan asked.

"Well, that's somethin' for you to think about while you go to sleep. Now, go brush your teeth."

"Billy Epperson said at his house, you let him stay up late and watch TV."

"Morgan, have we learned nothing from the purple duck?" Shawn asked.

"You're just making me go to bed because I'm Cory's sister," Morgan replied.

"No, I'm making you go to bed because I'm your fill-in brother and Cory isn't here to do the job, and I care about you. So, go to bed," Shawn answered.

Morgan pecked his cheek before going upstairs as Shawn was getting up, he noticed me at the door with a smile. "How long have you been here?" he asked.

"Just walked in," I answer.

"Did you come over to yell at me some more?" Shawn asked.

"No. I heard you were babysitting, so I brought you some tacos," I answer, showing him the bag of tacos.

Shawn almost went for the tacos but stopped. "Is this a trap?" he questioned.

"I just figured empty house, cozy couch, dangerous me and maybe you."

"Okay, but before I go near you, what made you change your mind?" Shawn asked.

"I got to thinking about what you said about us being young and not having kids for a while, and my guess is that by the time we do, you'll be a pretty good dad."

"Do you think we'll be together that long?" Shawn asked.

"Do you?" I ask.

"Oh no, Betty Cooper. I see what you're doing, I asked first," Shawn replied, leaning his forehead against mine.

I smiled. "I really hope so," I confess. "Now, answer."

"Let's see. I'm in love with you and our relationship is better than Cory and Topanga's...so yeah. I think we might be together that long."

I press my lips to his in a long kiss before pulling back. "Well, when that time comes, and it will, I know you're going to be an amazing dad."

"You know, my guess is I will be, too," Shawn replied. "You know why? Because kids respect me. They do. They sort of think of me as..." I giggled at the sight behind me. I grasp Shawn's chin lightly and turned Shawn's head so he saw Morgan letting in lots of kids from the neighborhood upstairs. "So, we won't have kids," Shawn responded, making me laugh.

***

3 more chapters until Dangerous Secret