When I said I had more ideas, I didn't just meant for the last fic. See, when you binge watch a lot of TV, sometimes you get some ideas. If they seem logical, coherent, or you feel you can expand on them, you make a note/outline of it. While my second fic was overly detailed, this idea—which honestly I had first but wouldn't work without the it's predecessor—was what I call vaguely specific. Meaning I had something specific I wanted to do plot wise, but it was vague enough to leave plenty of room to expand on/develop.
What was the basic story idea? It was based around a fan favorite/one of my personal favorite FRIENDS plot points from season 2—I've been watching a lot of that show as well. However, I needed a reasoning for said plot. Surprisingly, I came up with a reason that formed into it's own B-plot. All in all, this idea was fun to outline but probably won't be fun to actually write because how am I gonna fill all the in-between?
I think I'll manage (hopefully).
So here's another fic I doubt anybody asked for. Please enjoy.
It was my first college spring break. And while the respite from school was welcoming, the thought of spending all that free time on the streets of New York with little to do (and even littler money) was not exactly ideal. So, I found myself back home in Jenkintown. That may sound pathetic, but I was legitimately happy to return to my roots.
And I'm sure no one was happier than my (s)mother.
…
"MY BABY'S HOME!" Adam had no sooner gotten out of his car when he was ambushed—and nearly knocked to the ground—by his mother.
Unsure of what to do, Adam patted his mother's back. "I missed you too, Mom." Her grasp on Adam tightened as she wept with joy. "I also miss breathing!"
"Sorry, Schmoop," Beverly backed away. "I'm just so happy to have you home."
"Hadn't noticed," he finished getting his stuff out of his car. "Honestly though, I'm glad to be home."
"And we're glad to have you home."
Adam looked around? "We? Oh, don't tell me you mean like the royal we?"
"While I suppose that could apply, your father is also glad you're visiting."
"Just not glad enough to get out of his chair," Adam concluded. "People are set in their own ways."
"Come on, I made shrimp parm."
"One never appreciates the value of a home cooked meal until they're on their own and have no culinary skills."
"Look who's home!" Beverly's announcement still wasn't enough to move Murray.
Adam waved to his lump of a father. "Hey, Dad." Murray barely waved his hand as he kept his attention on the TV. "Missed you too, Mur-man." This time, Murray laughed. "I suppose that's in regards to Golden Girls?"
"Mama's Family."
"Ooh, mixing it up a bit."
"Well, well, well." Barry's sudden appearance elicited a shriek from Adam, "if it isn't my little brother home for spring break." He extended his arms. "Bring it in, bro."
Adam breathed a sigh of relief. "Your scary tone suggested otherwise, but still," he hugged his brother, "it's good to see you too, Bare."
"So, listen: I was hoping the two of us could hang out this visit."
"What's the catch?"
"No catch. I just miss you. I also feel like I need to make it up to you for not originally inviting you the last time we went out."
"You mean the time you tricked Erica into going to a fake spa, she invited me so I wouldn't feel left out, and you got us stranded in the middle of nowhere where Erica subsequently went into labor and you had to tell her best friend—who barely managed to arrive in time with your best friend slash father of Erica's child—how to deliver our niece?"
"You know: Erica never did give me my jacket back."
"That ugly one you wrapped the baby in when she was born? Getting birth on that jacket should have been enough of incentive to burn it. Also: shouldn't you want to make it up to Erica?"
"Oh no, Erica's never gonna let me forget what I did. I mean sure, I'll come over and babysit for her on occasion, but-"
"What's that now?" Beverly interrupted.
"Campus isn't that far from Erica's apartment, so I'll stop by every now and then to look after Poppy."
"Do you mean to say that you have spent more time with my precious granddaughter than I have?"
"I mostly go on the days Geoff does his thing at his dad's office so that Erica can sleep. It's a matter of convenience. I happen to be closer and am actually pretty good with kids. I'm Poppy's favorite uncle."
"You're the only uncle that's had any proper one on one time with her," Adam pointed out. "Plus, the few times I did see Poppy, she cried every time I was in close proximity."
"That's 'cause she doesn't like you."
"Dude!"
"She may be a baby, but she knows she doesn't like nerds."
"That's an unfair assumption to make. Besides, isn't Geoff technically a nerd?"
"Nerd, dork, geek, band geek, lovable loser, hopeless romantic, people pleaser, sensitive stud; he can transcend labels, which is why people like him. It's only natural Poppy would really like the guy who takes care of her and gets her everything she wants."
"So, her father? Also, are you implying you have the hots for your brother-in-law?"
"I for one disagree," Beverly spoke up. "How can anyone not love our Squishy?" She lovingly squeezed Adam's face (to his dismay) before continuing. "Adam just needs to spend more time with his niece and then he'll quickly become the favorite uncle."
"I don't think it's fair to have a favorite uncle when you only have two options."
"Don't worry, Squishy: I'm sure Erica and Geoff's next one will like you more."
"I don't know how to respond to that."
"Mom has a point," Barry wasn't exactly helping. "I don't want to say that my own future children will consider you their favorite uncle. They'll probably like their Uncle Geoff better."
"That's fair: my future children will prefer Geoff over you as well." Barry gave a gesture of agreement. "Dang it, why must Geoff Schwartz be so lovable?"
…
"Poppy, please," Erica was nearly begging her three-month old, "eat it, it's good for you." The baby refused by turning her head and waving her hand as if denying it. "You eat it when Daddy eats it," attempting a new tactic, Erica sampled the baby food, but then quickly became disgusted, "Oh god, this stuff is vile."
"I'm home!" Geoff indicated his presence when he entered the apartment. "There are my girls," he went over to Poppy and blew a raspberry on her cheek, much to her delight.
"You're back a little late," Erica noted.
"I had a couple things to do," he kissed his wife before sitting down beside her. "Ooh, someone had strained peas."
"It's weirdly cool how you were able to figure that out so quickly."
"Well, I hope those nasty peas didn't ruin your appetite for an anniversary dinner."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously; unless you're not okay with just Long John Silver's?"
"I'm okay with sitting in the parking lot at a The Wawa with a bag of chips at this point. Your idea is better, thank you."
He passed her a wrapped present. "Happy Anniversary."
"Aww Geoff, this is so sweet."
"Well it's been pretty sweet being married for a whole year now."
"It really has. I just wish I would have remembered our anniversary and got you something."
He casually shrugged. "It's cool."
"No, it's not. I'll make it up to you somehow."
He gestured to Poppy. "You kinda have."
"Yeah, but you called her your Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year, and Valentine's present."
"She's the best gift I've ever gotten."
Erica smiled at her daughter. "She really is."
"Check it," he twirled a piece of Poppy's hair in his hand, "the Schwartz Curls are coming in nicely. Oh, speaking of Schwartzes: my mom and dad were hoping to watch Poppy tonight before they go out of town tomorrow."
"I'm never one to pass up free babysitting. Also: your parents are leaving?"
"Just for the weekend. There's some ophthalmology conference in Atlantic City and Dad's taking Mom."
"Shouldn't you be going?"
"It's just an externship, I don't actually work for the office yet."
"But you're the son of the doctor, they can take their family with them. You should go and have fun."
"I'll have fun here with you and Poppy."
"Or—and I'm just spitballin' some ideas—maybe, since I'm technically a member of the Schwartz family, I could also go to Atlantic City."
"I'm okay with that. You deserve some time to yourself."
"Let's try a different approach. I could go to Atlantic City with my husband for our anniversary."
"Oh!" Geoff had caught on. "Oh."
"What's with the sadder 'oh'?"
"Hon, we can't go."
"Why can't we?"
"We can't exactly bring a fifteen-week-old to Atlantic City for the weekend." Geoff turned his attention to his daughter. "Did you know that you're fifteen weeks old today?"
"My parents also enjoy time with their granddaughter. I'm sure they'll be happy to take her for two days."
"I dunno, Erica."
"It's not like we're abandoning our child. Poppy's not gonna forget the people she's seen every day of her fifteen-week life. I love her more than anything, but I also love you the same way."
"I love you the same way too."
"Wouldn't it be nice to have time to love just each other? Time that happens to coincide with remembrance of the day we officially agreed to spend the rest of our lives together?"
"I guess it would be nice to spend time just the two of us."
"It would. As selfish as it sounds, a little break from parenting may help us."
"I take little breaks from parenting."
"You do your externship at your dad's office or take your other classes, and then you come back here and immediately go into Dad Mode."
"I am a dad now. I don't really think of taking care of our baby as work because it's something I genuinely love to do."
"Dammit, why must you be so sweet?"
"Thank you?" He wasn't sure how to respond to that. "Also, that technically was a swear so…" he noticed the look his wife was giving him, "…I won't say anything about putting money in the swear jar."
"Speaking of money: Atlantic City is also a prominent gambling locale. Maybe we could win a little extra money and start saving for a bigger car, or a house, or Poppy's college fund."
Geoff considered his options. "Just this weekend?"
"Just this weekend."
"And you'll promise we'll be back before it gets dark on Sunday?"
"I want to, but realistically I can't. Remember the last time a Goldberg promised to get someone home on time?" Geoff did remember. "Come on, Geoff. Please. For me."
"Just two days," Geoff whispered to himself before giving a conceding sigh. "Alright: for you, we'll go." Erica let out an excited cry and wrapped her arms around her husband. "I suppose I'll put our dinner funds toward our trip then?"
"You don't have to sound so bummed," she kissed his cheek as a way to cheer him up. "This getaway will be good for us."
"But are you sure your mom can babysit last minute?"
…
When the phone rang during dinner at the Goldbergs, Beverly got up and answered it. "Hello?" she instantly became excited when she heard who was on the other end. "Schmoopie, hi! How's everything?" Beverly listened to what Schmoopie was saying. "Of course that will be good for the two of you." Her husband and sons watched as she let out a dramatic gasp. "Are you serious?" A beat as the person on the other end answered. "Would you excuse me for a moment?" Beverly set the phone down, screamed in excitement, and let out some joyously colorful words Geoff would have insisted go in the swear jar. Composing herself, she then cleared her throat and replied into the phone, "Yes, that is doable. I will see you tomorrow morning." She hung up the phone and let out an excited squeal.
"Good news?" Murray inquired.
"Erica and Geoff are going out of town and are entrusting our granddaughter in our care for the weekend! Murray, we get to spend this Saturday and Sunday with our Poppy! We get her the first night away from home! Take that Lou and Linda Schwartz! Oh my God, our granddaughter will be staying over! I have to prepare," off she ran.
"You do that, Bevvy."
Barry seemed surprised by his father's casual response. "You're not in any way miffed that one of your kids is pulling a stunt like that last minute?"
"I'm gonna get some time with my Mini Peanut while one of my kids goes away. What's to be miffed about?" He got up to clean his plate while whistling.
"Ad-Rock," Barry leaned toward his brother, "you ever hear Dad whistle like that?"
"I didn't even know he could whistle," Adam admitted.
"I'm gonna try something." Barry cleared his throat before addressing his father. "Oh, Dad!"
"Whaddya want?" Murray called from the den.
"He just went into the kitchen," Adam noted, "how did he get to the den so fast?"
"Dad," Barry began, "can I have twenty bucks?"
"No!" Murray denied.
Barry shrugged. "Thought I could sway him while his mood was good."
"Lemme try," Adam offered. "Hey, Dad!"
"Can't a man watch TV in peace?!" Murray had exasperation in his response. "Whaddya want now?"
"Can I have some money for some new camera equipment?"
"No!"
"Thanks anyway. I guess the stuff I have now is good enough to film Poppy with."
Barry scoffed. "You think thanking him is gonna-"
"What kind of camera stuff?" Murray's sudden appearance back in the dining room caught both brothers off guard.
"It was just some new film that's supposed to give videos higher quality," Adam explained. "Basically, it means whatever I film will be clearer to look at. I was gonna save for some when I went back to school, but when I heard I was gonna spend time with Poppy, I thought it may be nice to get some video footage of her with better quality than what I have now."
"How much?"
Barry was floored by this. "Seriously?!"
"It's for a good reason."
"Barry actually had a good reason too!" Adam quickly spoke. "He didn't wanna say anything, but he was gonna buy a present for Poppy for when she came over."
This was news to Barry. "I was?" He noticed the look Adam was giving him. "I mean, I was. I just wanted it to be a surprise?"
Despite how unconvincing his elder son sounded, Murray didn't seem to care and simply shrugged. "Whatever," he pulled out his wallet and handed Barry a $20 bill. He then gave Adam $100. "That enough for you?"
"Thanks, Dad," Adam thanked his father before Murray shuffled back into the living room.
"Uh…" Barry wasn't quite sure what to say, "…what just happened?"
"I figured you were trying to exploit Dad's good mood so he could give you stuff. When your attempt failed, I did exactly what you did, but with an extra incentive."
"Do what now?"
"Poppy! I wanted something, I said I would use it for Poppy. You wanted money, I said you'd use it for Poppy. By using his beloved granddaughter as leverage, we were both able to get something we want."
"Ah, now I see. I also see that Dad thinks this twenty is for me to spend on my niece and not myself."
"Yeah, but I really did want that camera equipment. If it means having to sacrifice film to capture precious moments of my niece on video for posterity, I'm okay with that."
"I have to admit: this was a cleverly, devious ploy. Let me see if I got the hang of it." Barry went to the living room. "Bad news, Mur-man: they upped the price on the present I wanted for Poppy."
With a groan, Murray pulled out his wallet and handed Barry another $20. "There! Now let me watch my Night Court!" He gestured for Barry to move away from the television.
Barry still had the other $20 out to see as he joined his brother. "This must be what true power feels like."
"I know we can use this to our advantage," Adam started, "but we really need to use it wisely and not as often. We don't need to rouse suspicion. And whatever we want we have to make whoever thinks it benefits our niece, which may not always-"
"Yeah, yeah, sweeten the pot with the Pop," he put his money into his pocket. "Oh, Mom!" Barry went searching for his mother.
"I suddenly feel like this will backfire." Taking no chances, grabbed his satchel and announced his intentions. "I'm off to buy that film equipment. Anyone need anything?"
The only response he got was from Murray shouting, "NIGHT COURT!"
"I guess I'll be back whenever then."
"You do you, Barry."
