CHAPTER 2: PEANUTS, NEXT GENERATION BEGINS

All of Charlie and Pat's friends came over to welcome the new addition to the Brown family. Everyone doted on Little Richie and showered him with presents and kisses, the latter mostly coming from the women, especially his auntie Sally, godmother Marcie, and his nana Maureen, who had remained in town, along with Silas, for a while to help with Little Richie. Charlie and Pat were happy with their son and it showed. They made sure not to let the drama with Peggy Jean ruin their day and just enjoyed the company of their friends.

Also in attendance was Mary and Monica. Monica was still wearing a scarf over her now bald head due to the chemotherapy she was receiving. The doctor told her things were looking promising and that while she would have to keep doing chemo, she was showing some progress in the fight of the cancer. Still, Monica had a lot on her plate, and Mary could see it. But they put their issues to the side, as well, and got to see their new "nephew".

"Pat, Little Richie is so adorable!" cooed Mary.

"You two made a cute baby," added Monica.

"He has my freckles, and Chuck's hair," said Pat, smiling as she held Little Richie. "The name came from my father, whose name was Richard, and Chuck's middle name which is Monroe."

"I will be the best auntie around!" said Mary.

"I think Sally would have something to say about that," said Marcie.

"Unofficial auntie, that is," corrected Mary.

"Aunties, baby," said Monica, smiling.

"Of course, Mon," said Mary, smiling, as she kissed her girlfriend.

Outside, the guys were enjoying each other's company. Charlie has a cigar in his hand, as the guys pitched in and gave him some cigars to celebrate the birth of his first child.

"So where do you think Little Richie will go to school, Charlie?" asked Franklin.

"Not where we went, I can tell you that," said Charlie, puffing on a cigar. "Pat and I discussed it and when he is older, we're enrolling him in a charter school."

"Sounds like a good plan," agreed Linus.

"You think your father will try to show him the barber business?" asked Shermy.

"I wouldn't put it past him, Sherm," said Charlie. "He showed me when I was a kid, remember?"

"I almost forgot about that," said Linus.

"So, what's going to happen with this Peggy Jean girl?" asked Derrick.

"We're just letting the cops deal with it," Charlie replied. "If she shows back up here, I'll deal with it, myself. Otherwise, I'll let the police do their work."

During the party, Monica was chatting with Lucy, Patty, and Sally when she felt dizzy. Lucy and Sally held up Monica.

"Mary, something's wrong with Monica!" Lucy called out.

"Oh shit!" gasped Mary. "The doctor said it was too early for her to go out like this, but she insisted!" She went to her girlfriend's aid. Charlie came in and saw the commotion.

"Is everything all right?" he asked. "Monica, can you respond?"

"I'm… I'm okay, Charlie," assured Monica, regaining her bearings. "Just… weakened from… the chemo."

"Mary, you better take Monica back home," suggested Sally.

"Yeah," said Mary, saddened by her girlfriend's situation. "We're so sorry, Charlie."

"You don't have to apologize, Mary," assured Charlie. "None of us can imagine what Monica is going through, except maybe Linus, whose friend Janice dealt with leukemia back when we were kids."

"I'll have Mary Jo stop over to check on you when she gets done with her shift," said Linus.

"Get some rest, Mon," said Pat. "Mary, call me later."

"I will, Pat," said Mary. After hugging both Pat and Charlie, Mary left with Monica, who was helped to the car by Franklin and Shermy. Pig Pen and Frieda had just showed up. After going up the ramp Charlie made for him, Pig Pen looked at the situation that had unfolded.

"Did we miss something?" he asked.

"Monica kind of collapsed due to the chemo she had been receiving for her breast cancer," said Derrick.

"Mary's taking her back home now," added Patty.

"Oh dear," said Frieda. "I hope she'll be okay."

"Us too, Frieda," agreed Charlie. After a while, order was restored and everyone went to meet Little Richie. But Monica wasn't far from everyone's minds. They wonder if she would make it through her illness.

NEXT CHAPTER: PEGGY'S PLIGHT