It's been 10 months of diapers and waking up at ungodly hours. Monica and Chandler were both exhausted, but they created a system over time. Taking turns getting up in the morning so at least one of them could get sleep. During the day they both took on the twins and shared the responsibility. Chandler was able to work from home so he could watch his kids and help Monica with anything she'd let him do, especially when she had to go back to the restaurant. The couple wouldn't have it any other way though. Jack was curious and liked to observe everything around him. He took his time before doing anything. Inspecting toys before deciding to play with them, looking at his food carefully before he even considered eating it. Erica always watched her brother but didn't understand why he took so long to do everything. She liked throwing herself at any opportunity that arose stressing her parents out every time she crawled away from them.
On a Saturday afternoon, Chandler sat on the floor next to his son who was slowly stacking blocks on the coffee table. Erica was by her mom trying to shove shapes into the proper hole getting frustrated when it wouldn't fit, she threw it to the side with a whine. "It's okay Erica, try again" Monica encouraged handing her the square piece again. "Look for the shape" she explained softly pointing at the square hole that was on the box. Erica looked at the square piece in her hand and then at her Mom's finger on the box. She slowly dropped the square into the hole and smiled at her mom. "Good job Erica!" Monica smiled gently, rubbing her daughter's back.
Erica giggled, clapping at herself as she bounced in excitement. She grabbed the next piece looking at the shape.
Chandler watched Jack look at a red block in his hands and his small tower of other blocks. Jack took off the green block he had just stacked and looked at his Dad holding out the red block. "Dada?" he asked.
Chandler smiled softly at him and nodded "that's red" he said softly. "Can you say red?"
Jack grunted in response and looked at the block again before he carefully placed it on top of the orange block. He looked at the stack and frowned when he thought it didn't look right to him. Jack whined and grabbed the red block again putting it down on the table before grabbing the orange. He looked at his Dad again for reassurance.
"You're doing great buddy I promise" he smiled. Chandler tilted his head slightly watching Jack debate with himself about block colors. "Do you want to make a rainbow?" he asked softly trying to figure out what his son was trying to accomplish. Jack looked back at him and held out the orange block to him. "That's orange," Chandler said softly. He gently moved the red block and took the orange block-stacking the colors into a rainbow as Jack watched him carefully. "This?" he asked.
Jack smiled at the sack of blocks satisfied with the color pattern he was looking at. He watched his dad deconstruct the stack and he frowned at his actions. Jack whined when the stack was now gone looking at the disordered blocks on the table.
Chandler held out the red block to him "you try it next Jack" he encouraged him.
He took the block from his dad and looked for the next color.
"Orange next" Chandler said softly pointing at the block.
Jack picked it up and inspected it carefully before gently placing it on top of the red block. He looked at all the other colors before picking up the yellow and placing it on the orange. Chandler watched him take his time with each block, occasionally Jack looked at him for reassurance and he helped and encouraged him until the stack was complete. Chandler smiled beaming with nothing but pride that his son stacked blocks into a rainbow. "Good job Jack."
Jack giggled at his father's approval. He looked at his Dad and then the floor before taking a wobbly step towards him. Chandler's eyes widened watching him. He scooted back a little and held his hands out to him. "You can do it, Jack," he smiled, cheering him on.
Monica looked up and watched her son looking at his feet slowly taking a step forward. Jack let go of the table and took a few steps before falling into his Dad's arms. Chandler held his son close pulling him into his lap. He looked at Monica who was already looking back at him with tears in her eyes. "Did you just walk buddy?" he smiled wider. He picked up Jack holding him above his head making Jack giggle. "Did you just walk?" he asked again with a smile. Chandler held him close, kissing the top of his head, unable to stop himself from crying at his son's new accomplishment.
Monica moved closer to Jack "oh my god" she mumbled, wiping her cheeks from tears. She picked up Jack from Chandler's lap and held him close "my little boy is growing up" she started to cry harder.
Erica watched her parents fawn over her brother and she whined for not getting the same amount of attention. She noticed her Dad looked at her first and quickly waddled over to him without a second thought. Erica flopped into Chandler's lap when she lost balance and he quickly lifted her up. "Wow! Erica, you did it!" he beamed at her. Erica clapped her hands together and giggled now that she was receiving attention as well.
Chandler held his daughter close to his chest and kissed her cheek "I'm so proud of you" he smiled through the tears running down his cheeks. He looked at Monica who continued to cry, mumbling about her babies growing up too fast. Chandler couldn't help but agree. Watching them grow was definitely rewarding, but he wishes moments like these could last forever. He watched his wife get up carrying Jack with her as she picked up the phone to call Rachel about this big milestone.