Prompt: "I would like to see Jeff and Annie's relationship/relationship status through the eyes of a child. It could be a child we've seen in the show (like one of Shirley's brood). It could be a future fic, and the child could belong to Jeff and Annie or another member of the group, etc."


It started on a Sunday as it so often did.

He dawdled by the edge of the lawn, savouring the taste of freedom and enjoying the bright summer sunshine. Knowing he would be scolded if he wasted much more time, he heaved a sigh and retrieved the mail. He glanced around longingly one last time and stopped in his tracks as a petite woman across the street caught his attention. She was pretty, the bright floral pattern she was sporting making her look cheery and friendly, as she performed the same task he did. She happened to look up as he stood there, watching her, and offered a smile and wave.

Mickey decided then and there to keep an eye out for her.


He spotted her again the very next day. Her front door opened as she approached it, a giant standing in the frame and blocking her entrance. The guy didn't look particularly scary and considering the gross way he grabbed her around the waist and kissed her soundly, he guessed they were married. Mickey made a face. It reminded him of his own parents, back in the days before his brother was born, always cuddling and whatnot.

Of course, that made him think. Place like this, couple like that… Where were the kids?


Mickey made his move on Thursday. The plan had been fermenting in his head since he'd first spotted the lady on Sunday – by Tuesday, it had firmed up in his mind, and by Wednesday, he had put it into effect. And today? It was to be his crowning glory, his big play.

Today, Mickey was going to march across the street and meet the elusive Mr. Winger and Ms. Edison, the young(-ish) couple that had just moved in across the street. Armed with a basketball and a plate of homemade cookies, he knocked on the door at 4:00, assured that at least one of them was home by the Lexus sitting in the driveway. His gaze drifted to the ground, foot pawing restlessly at the welcome mat with the butterfly on it, as he waited. He was taken by surprise when the door swung open to reveal a pair of jean-clad legs. He looked up to confirm his suspicions. Yep, that there was the giant he'd seen the day before.

"Mr. Winger?" The man nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "I'm Mickey." Unsure what to do, he thrust the plate at him. Mr. Winger took it and Mickey realized it freed up his hand to do the polite thing. So he thrust his hand at him too.

"Uh, hi, Mickey. I'm Jeff." Mr. Winger took the plate, followed by the hand, and stood there silently for a second. "Is there something I can do for you?" Mickey contemplated the question before deciding that honesty was probably the best choice.

"Your wife is really pretty." The hint of a smile bloomed into a full one and Mickey noted that he looked much less intimidating now.

"She is." His accompanying nod was solemn.

"Do you have any kids?" Mr. Winger, Jeff, gave a slight shake of his head.

"Not yet. But…" He looked around. "If I tell you something, think you can keep a lid on it?" Mickey studied him suspiciously. He wasn't the sort that people usually confided in. Fact was, more often than not, people tried to keep things from him. Still, a secret was too good to pass up so he nodded, hoping his eagerness was at least a little hidden. "We're going to have one pretty soon. Another six months or so." Mickey's eyes grew wide. That was big news.

"Holy cow."

"Yep." Jeff seemed to be debating something but he must've come to some kind of conclusion because relaxed a minute later. "Now that you're in the know, maybe you want to come in and meet Annie? She'd probably want to meet the guy I let in on the secret. The place is a mess, but maybe we can share a cookie?"

"Really?" Jeff nodded again. "I have to ask my mom." He glanced over his shoulder at his house, debating how fast he could make it there and back. "I'll be back in five minutes." He shoved the basketball he was still holding into Jeff's arms. "Here. I'll run faster without it." He took off without another word.


As it happened, that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.