Chuck vs. The First Year of Parenthood
So what's in store for Chuck, Sarah, and A.J. this time around? This particular chapter focuses on Chuck and Morgan this time. How being a parent can test a friendship and reveal something as well. Read and find out what happens! Anyways, I think you'll enjoy it. Enjoy the read peeps.
Again, if you enjoyed reading my stories and left a comment please leave a comment for this one as well. Tell me what you think and I hope you enjoy the read.
Corey and Shawn
November 5, 2011
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"It feels like it's been ages since we last hung out dude. You and me. Han and Chewie together again." said Morgan reaching a playfully slapping Chuck on his left shoulder.
Chuck arches his right brow to the bearded man sitting to his left. Both men are sitting in the living apartment of Casa Grimes with game controllers in their hand playing Call of Duty. The hetero life partner of one Chuck Bartowski sees that he's not only holding a game controller in his hand, but half eaten stick of string cheese and a can of grape soda as well. From his point of view, it befuddles his own mind how he's even able to play let alone eat and drink at the same time. Yet, he is absolutely able to much to his amazement he thinks to himself.
Afterwards, he shakes his head breaking the focus on Morgan inevitably giving his response. "Yesterday. We saw and talked to each other at work…" emphasized the former nerd herd leader. "…yesterday. Remember."
Morgan takes a quick sip of his grape soda all-the-while holding on to the game controller that has remnants of string cheese all over it. He then takes a moment to wipe his mouth with the back of his right hand and briefly averts his attention towards his lanky best friend. "Doesn't count." he retorted shrugging his shoulders. "We haven't hung out hung out..." he nodded tilting his head to the side ever so slightly to the right. A faint smirk expressed towards the man he practically grew up with so much so he considers him a brother. "…you know what I mean?"
For the married man and father of a now 6 month old son, he does in fact truly know what Morgan means. Since having A.J., all or most of his time has been spent with Sarah and A.J or at work catching up on paperwork that needed to be taken care of. The responsibilities of a married man and fully functioning male adult wrapped up in a guy who was given the opportunity to spend quality time with his best friend thanks to his awesome wife. In his mind, she somehow knew this was sorely needed as was the time she needed to get away with the gals in order to regain some semblance of sanity or whatever what's left of it for that matter.
"Yeah, I do buddy."
True, spending time with A.J. and Sarah is something very special to him and cherishes every bit of it. He cherishes more of the moments in which Sarah experiences something for the very first time to the point where he can't help but light up with a smile. To him, it's those moments he doesn't want to miss out on because they're quite frankly genuine and not to mention heartfelt. They are considered to be the tug at your heartstrings moments you never want to forget about, especially those between mother and son.
While sitting there next to his bearded best friend, he's pressing the buttons of the game controller but lacking the usual focused, beast like mentality that he usually brings to the table. It's something that Morgan clearly notices by way of his peripheral vision causing him to suddenly pause the game. It's a tactic that breaks Chuck out of his zombie like trance.
"What's wrong? Why'd you pause the game?" Chuck inquired. "You've never paused the game as long as I've known you." he added shaking his head in disbelief.
There is a momentary silence on Morgan's part as he takes a deep breathe. Afterwards, he places the controller, can of grape soda, and nearly eaten string cheese down on top of the coffee table in front of him. In doing so, he pushes himself off the couch into a standing position and side steps to his right then takes a step forward making his way around in front of the coffee table. Once he's there, he starts pacing back and forth in between the coffee table and big screen tv/entertainment center. It's a sight that is considerably unsettling for Chuck knowing that something must be serious to have him voluntarily pause in the middle of a Call of Duty game.
It wouldn't be long for Chuck to wait for Morgan to speak up as he suddenly sees him turn in his direction facing him after pacing back and forth for quite some time.
"We're growing apart." he blurted out inevitably biting his bottom lip.
In that instance, Chuck is left briefly speechless by what Morgan just said to him. While sitting there on the couch, he let those three words sink so much so that he actually had to set the game controller down on the table in front of him. After he does, he leans and sits back against the couch trying or at least attempting to make sense of the statement he just made regarding their apparent fading friendship. The Bartowski eyebrow dance is in full effect but this time it's dancing for a far different reason as he reaches up with his left hand in order to rub his forehead. This would lead to him sliding his hand up to the top of his head in order to not only rub it as well, but scratch it in a very perplexed fashion.
As Chuck continues to sit there completely dumbfounded, he wants to say something evident by the way he's opening his mouth but nothing is coming out. Of course, his attempts at speaking are overshadowed by the fact that his hands are waving about in a jazz hands kind of way. Not really saying anything but are somewhat expressive in every way. It's something that the successful business owner suddenly notices leading him to quickly cross his arms and tuck them underneath his armpits. It's at that point, his lips tighten and at the same time trying to smile giving Morgan the impression that he's not taking what he said seriously. This causes him to shake his head and speak up.
"Aren't you going to say something?"
For the first time, Chuck doesn't even know nor have any idea how to respond when it concerns something Morgan says that doesn't involved pop culture references or what kind of meat would you take if you're stranded on a desert island. This particular question has completely thrown him off to point where it merits a serious answer. One thing remains perfectly clear while sitting there looking directly at Morgan…he needs to pee.
XXX
A total of 5 minutes go by and then the sound of a muffled flush is heard from behind the hallway bathroom door. It's not long before the door opens with Chuck stepping out but he would suddenly find himself scared out of his wits to the point of nearly jumping out of his skin. The reason…Morgan Grimes.
"You're avoiding what I said."
Chuck takes a moment to gather himself. He's bending over placing his hands firmly down on his knees in order to compose himself the best he can after that surprise ninja like appearance of his bearded counterpart. While doing so, he gives his retort.
"I'm not avoiding the question." he said standing straight up. Afterwards, he briefly looks at him then walks past him heading back towards the living room. "I'm actually trying to make sense of what you said buddy." added the considerably confused father and husband. He briefly looks over his right shoulder at Morgan who is right on his heels.
It doesn't take long for Chuck and Morgan to reach the living room when the CEO of Whiz Kid Systems, Inc. turns around in order to face his best friend since childhood. As he does, the former green shirt of Buy More speaks up.
"What's there to make sense of?" Morgan throws both his arms out in seemingly dramatic fashion while shaking his head at who he considers his hetero life partner. "We're drifting apart and…" It's at this point Morgan starts to get choked up leading to suddenly turn around to avoid Chuck from seeing how emotional he's becoming. "…I don't know how we'll ever be back to the way we used to be." he added briefly looking up and shaking his head.
Chuck can't help but shake his head as well. The reason is due to the complete absurdity of what is happening right now as he stands behind his best friend who thinks their relationship is falling apart. A relationship mind you that has been built on video games and not to mention childish, immature stupidity mostly by the man who refers to himself as Chewie to his Han. While standing there behind Morgan, he has no idea what to say as he's throwing his hands up in the air in utter disbelief. The silence between them seems to last forever but it would subsequently be broken up by Chuck as he steps forward placing his right hand on Morgan's left shoulder.
"Morg…"
Unfortunately, Chuck isn't able to finish what he's going to say as Morgan pulls his right shoulder away from his best friend trying to explain himself. In that instance, he steps forward placing a bit more distance between he and Chuck. This would lead to Morgan continuing on as he briefly gives a sideways glance behind him then faces forward.
"I sense a change in you."
"Yeah, a change in my boxers after you scared me half to death in the hallway earlier." jokingly remarked Chuck expressing a bit of laughter.
Once again Morgan shakes his head after hearing that. A brief silence is given then he continues on. "I don't believe what I'm hearing. Jokes at a time like this."
"What are you talking about dude?" Chuck responding quirking his right brow towards him.
Morgan gives a soft sigh that Chuck clearly hears as he speaks up. "You've become a different person. Chuck, our friendship is breaking apart. You're going down a path that I cannot follow." he said with sorrow in his voice.
It's at that point, Chuck suddenly realizes something and chimes in. "Are you actually quoting in way Padme's dramatic line to Anakin when she goes to see him at the volcano planet of Mustafar from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith? Are you kidding me!?"
It's at that point, Morgan turns around facing Chuck. "Fine. Ok. Yes I was." The emotions in his voice no longer there as if he was merely play acting for the sake of the situation. "It's just that I want the old you back dude."
"What are you even talking about?"
Chuck's self-proclaimed second in command steps forward inevitably sticking his hands in the pockets of his jean pants. He briefly looks down at his feet then returns his attention to his lanky best bed standing in front of him. "Ever since you became a dad, I could feel our relationship slipping away. I feel like I'm losing my best friend. I miss you man." he firmly stated. Afterwards, he steps forward and walks past Chuck heading towards the main window of his apartment he shares with Alex. Upon reaching it, he stands in front of it looking outside longingly at the pre-evening scenery of his apartment complex through the open curtains/venetian blinds.
At this point, Chuck can't help but be absolutely perplexed at what is happening right now. He stands there with his hands placed at his sides letting all that Morgan just revealed to him sink in. True, he and Morgan's relationship is considered unconventional and at times difficult to understand by a certain number of people namely his sister-in-law Cassidy. In his mind, you truly have to an understanding of the type of guy Morgan Grimes is.
Of course, he's had 30 plus years to figure his best friend out only to find there are sometimes more questions than answers when it involves the man who in the past couldn't get enough of a computer virus named Irene Demova. The mysterious enigma that is Morgan Guillermo Grimes is an considered to him a still unsolved mystery that he has yet to fully understand but there may be another in the form of his girlfriend Alex.
XXX
While Chuck continues to stand there a few feet away from Morgan, he can't help but feel like their relationship resembling that of Corey and Shawn from Boy Meets World. It's really unclear which of the two of them are Corey and Shawn because the both of them are considerably Corey Matthew-esque like rather than a Shawn type. Although, Morgan does have character traits of Shawn Hunter in him at times. It can oftentimes feel like they're a married couple and can at times bicker like two over emotional human being who truly do care about each other in a very hetero way.
Granted, there have been one or more occasions where they've talked to each other and had conversations in such a way in the past that Ellie and Devon would become extremely worried. So worried in fact that Ellie would set him up on blind dates just to separate the two of them for their own good. Thankfully, it didn't go so far as talking to each other on the phone and waiting to see if the other was still there or who is going to hang up first type of situation. Thinking back, it's truly frightening how close or should I say attached to the hip the two of them have become.
Truth be told, she's glad that she did because he also started worrying that people would start getting the wrong idea about the two of them. In any case, Chuck reaches up with his left hand placing against the back of his neck. After squeezing then rubbing it up and down he turns to face him. Yet, he wouldn't trade it for the world knowing he is and has always been there for him since his dad supposedly left and then when his mom unfortunately passed away.
He truly appreciates him never leaving his side through the lowest of lows he experienced dealing with so much of sadness and anger at such a young age. Chuck can't help but express a faint smile knowing full well during the tough times in his young life he tried his very best to be the best distraction possible by doing anything in his power to laugh. True, much of it meant him experiencing bodily harm at his own expense but God love him he was able to bring a smile to his face he thinks to himself.
To him, Morgan Grimes isn't just his best friend. He's family and family will absolutely do anything for each other. To be perfectly honest, he wouldn't be who he is today without him by his side. He has to give credit where credit is due when it comes to his bearded buddy from another mother. When it comes to Morgan Grimes he's actually taught him more things than he's come to realize like taking a risk and making a complete fool of yourself in the process. The former nerd herd leader has to commend his short statured friend of all daring situations and schemes he's been a part of just to look back on it and say he did that.
It would be something he knowingly wouldn't take part in because he didn't want to go to jail most of all. He truly has a deep admiration for a guy who has metaphorically gotten back up more times than he can count, especially when it comes to relationships. When it comes to his relationship with Anna, he couldn't really see a future with her because for the most part Anna wore the pants in the relationship.
The relationship he has now with Alex he can see a future with. A future that has the boy who he believes never really wanted to grow up is actually growing up himself and not realizing it. The new job, a position within his company, relationship, and him finding an apartment with Alex are what being a grown adult are all about. For the proud father of an infant son, he has a feeling that the relationship with Alex may very well be taken to the next level. How soon that will be that be is a complete unknown. I hope I'm there to witness it buddy.
"I'm still the old me Morg. The difference is…" he said reaching to playful slap his best friend in the back of his left arm. "…I have responsibilities now. I'm a husband, a father, and a business owner of major company. You have to understand that I have to prioritize my life now." Chuck clearly emphasized. "We all have to grow up some time and become adults."
In that instance, Chuck can clearly hear Morgan exhale that in his mind represents the reality of the situation that he didn't want to have be realized. Afterwards, he turns to face the tall and lanky man. "Why'd you have to become an adult now?" he asked shrugging his shoulders.
For Chuck, he has always known Morgan Grimes to be the quintessential man child. A man who he considered to portray in the past a Peter Pan like persona and not to mention mentality. He's the guy that he can honestly say never really wanted to grow up and avoid any kind of responsibility whatsoever evident by his time working at Buy More. He as an employee would give close to 50% tops as soon as he clocked in but when teamed with Jeff and Lester along with the rest of the knucklehead it would quickly drop down to 0%.
He can vividly recall being the only one out in the floor with a store full of customers while the rest of his co-workers including Morgan are in the break room playing games like mystery crisper. A game where bets are placed on whether or not employee food left in the fridge was considered good enough to eat. It would most definitely be a great risk to one's digestive system and not to mention one's own health knowing that 99.9% of the time someone namely Morgan would find himself not coming out of the bathroom for quite some time.
It's at that point, Chuck shakes those thoughts out of his head and takes out his Iphone and presses a few buttons. Afterwards, he steps forward inevitably standing beside his best friend. He then shows him the image of what's on the Iphone screen.
"That's why?" he answered placing his right hand on Morgan's left shoulder. The image is of Sarah holding A.J. in his arms. Both of them smiling.
XXX
You're a lucky man Chuck Bartowski." Morgan stated briefly glancing at his friend standing by his side.
A crooked smile is expressed on Chuck's lips as he squeezes his best friend's left shoulder. "I know I am buddy." He's silent for a moment averting his attention for just a second looking at his best friend then continues on. "You're lucky too you know." he said taking his phone back and placing it back in his pocket. Afterwards, he takes a few steps to the left and plants himself at the end of the main apartment window inevitably leaning back against the wall. "You and Alex are going strong." he added crossing his arms giving a slight head nod towards his bosom buddy.
The mere mention of Alex causes Morgan to light up with a smile on his face. After giving a nod of confirmation he gives his response. "I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop." he proclaimed shaking his head.
Once again Chuck arches his right brow after hearing that. "I don't follow Morg?"
Morgan is momentarily silent as he stands just a few feet away from his best friend since childhood. It's not long before he gives Chuck his explanation in order to shed some light on his previous statement. "Well, this is actually my first grown up relationship. I amazed it's lasted this long."
"We're all amazed."
Morgan complies with a nod knowing how much of a tremendous and not to mention beautiful woman she is. A woman who is also the daughter of John Casey who has the ability to make anyone disappear, especially a bearded guy dating the fruit of his loins. The former green shirt of Buy More looks out the window blinds keenly noticing it's gradually turning darker. He takes a deep breath and slowly exhales. Afterwards, he continues on. "I feel like Alex is going to realize all the times that Casey has called me a moron she is going to finally wise up and leave. Hence the other shoe. Do you get where I'm going with this?" he explained shrugging his shoulders.
Chuck nods after hearing the explanation shared with him by Morgan. He takes a moment to briefly look out the window as well taking in the seemingly peaceful and not to mention all out beauty that he's seeing before his very eyes. It's not long before he returns his attention to the man that has a lot weighing on his shoulders right now.
"Trust me Alex is far different than Anna."
"How do you know dude?" wondered Morgan directing his full attention to Chuck. "What makes you think Alex won't dump me like Anna did?"
This time it's Chuck who takes a deep breath and lets out a quick exhale. He pushes himself off the wall with his right elbow then steps forward to where he stands just two feet away from his best friend with his arms still crossed. "It doesn't take being a former spy to notice how Alex looks at you."
"Like how?"
"Not like Anna who had that look on her face that of both embarrassment and wanting to kill you at the same time." answered Chuck. He could see that he wasn't wrong evident by the nod of confirmation on Morgan's face as he stands there with a reflective look on his face as if he's thinking back on it. In that instance, he continues on. "With Alex, she's accepted the man you are and has watched you steadily become the man she has fallen in love with buddy."
"She's fallen in love with…" Morgan points to himself somewhat shocked by what he's hearing. "…with me?" he firmly added.
"And you seem surprised by that?" responded Chuck with a bit of amusement on his part.
"Hello McFly…" he said. Morgan leans forward in order to reach up with his left hand and knock on top of his best friend's head. "…it's me you're talking about."
Chuck nods. "Yeah. I know. Listen, you've actually grown up more with Alex than you have with Anna. I'm proud of you for that. That shows substantial growth."
Morgan can't help but be amused by what Chuck just said. "Now, you're talking like a business man…" He waves his right hand in amusement. "…substantial growth." he added shaking his head continuing to look out the blinds of the man window.
In that instance, Chuck uses his business savvy to his advantage and relates it to Morgan's situation. "It's true. Look at it this way. You hit rock bottom and flat out went bankrupt with Anna. It took a while but you were able to recover. You met Alex and because of that meeting there would a gradual rise in the profit relationship. Are you with me so far?"
"I think so." answered Morgan totally transfixed on his best friend. "Go on."
Once again Chuck nods in compliance. "Ok. The relationship you both established has greatly increased in profit namely this apartment…" he said looking around. Morgan does the same as well. "…and it wouldn't have happened if you left Buy More for a more responsible job being my second in command at Whiz Kid. You've established yourself within the company buddy. Alex sees that. She knows you're doing your very best to provide a life for her. Much respect on that." he stated reaching out for a fist tap.
Morgan smiles inevitably reciprocating the first tap upon letting all that Chuck said sink in. He shakes his head trying to fathom all that was just conveyed to him. "No kidding?"
"No kidding Morg." nodded Chuck once again. He continues on. "Like I said I'm still the old Chuck but because I'm a family man now with a wife and son…" He pauses briefly thinking about Sarah and A.J. "…I sometimes have to make sacrifices. Hard sacrifices like spending time with you." he said pointing at Morgan. "As much as I want to hang with you and play Call of Duty I want to hang with Sarah and A.J. more. They're my first thought when I wake up in the morning and the last thought when I close my eyes at night before I go to sleep." he further explained. Chuck is momentarily silent once again closely observing his best friend's facial expressions in order to try to read him. "Understand?"
"Truth?"
"Yeah."
"I'm the same with Alex. She's my first and last thought too. I do want a better life for her and I'm making plans."
In that moment shared between best friend Chuck unfolds his arms and reaches over with his left hand in order to pat the upper left arm of his best friend. "What plans?"
It's at the point, Chuck can clearly see the expression of surprised panic on Morgan's face as if he's revealed something he shouldn't. As much as he wants to push further concerning "making plans" knowing what he thinks he may be planning, he instead completely changes the subject. "You know what nevermind…" he retorted inevitably pointing over to Call of Duty that was paused prematurely. "…let's get back to playing."
"You read my mind." grinned Morgan rushing over to the couch.
He plops down in his spot and grabs the string cheese smeared controller and un-pauses the game. Chuck does the same and begins playing as well sitting by his best friend. After a while, it's Chuck who suddenly pauses the game causing Morgan to question his actions.
"Ok. Why'd you pause the game?"
"I have an idea. Why don't the old you and me go out."
"Awesome." happily and excitedly responded. Morgan wide eyed and full of life. "What do you want to do. Where do you want to go?"
Chuck sits there for a moment tying to think. After a few moments he gives his response. "How about this. You choose. Now, what would the old you want to do? Remember an evening with Morgan."
Instantly, the bearded little man points at his best friend. Morgan sits on the couch next to his hetero life partner racking his brain as he's been giving the choice to pick their activity. While sitting there thinking, Chuck can't help but play the Jeopardy theme song in his head as he waits for answer. He doesn't have to wait long.
"Act 1. Dinner in Chinatown."
"Sizzling shrimp. Take out or order in."
"Take out." Morgan nods then continues on. "Act 2. Come back here and watch the greatest Kung Fu ever made…"
"Enter the Dragon." they both say in unison. This leads to the two of them play fighting martial arts against each other while still sitting on the couch. At the same time, they're quoting dubbed lines to each other. After a few seconds or so Morgan reveals the final 3rd act.
"Act 3. Firewor…"
Chuck immediately cuts him off. "Nope. Not gonna happen. Remember, you've been clean and off the stuff for years now."
"Come on. What could go wrong?"
"A lot." Chuck blurted out. "Let's play it by ear after we get the sizzling shrimp in Chinatown okay?" he said standing up heading towards to the front door. This leads to Morgan following suit as Chuck opens the front door and steps outside.
The bearded best friend of Chuck Bartowski turns off his XBOX gaming system and heads over to the open front door of his apartment. As he's holding the door handle and closing it behind me, he reaches over flipping off the lights. While doing so, he speaks up. "1. At least 1 firework."
"I'll think about it buddy." he said walking by the window on the other side with Morgan following behind him.
XXX
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