Chapter 8: Momica
"What's that you're writing?"
Monica peered over at her husband curiously from where she was near the kitchen counter, whumping mashed potatoes in a large mixing bowl. From his place at the table, Chandler glanced up from the paper he was scribbling on.
"A letter for Erica."
"Our Erica or Erica from Ohio?" Monica frowned.
Chandler grinned, understanding her confusion. "The latter."
Monica nodded.
It was a few years since they had gone into therapy regarding the nightmares they had both been having. Since then, Chandler and Monica had decided to not pursue the fates and just have fun when it came to their relations as a couple. There was only a teeny, almost infinitesimal chance that she could become pregnant, but that was enough to have hope, even if Chandler and Monica had now accepted that they shouldn't yearn for it. What would happen, would happen, and if nothing happened, well…. at least they were now further on the road to closure and healing.
"The kids are upstairs, making little drawings for her…" Chandler was continuing.
Monica drifted over to stand beside her husband, peering over his shoulder. Their son and daughter had clearly signed their best printing on the bottom already, wishing Happy Holidays to 'Auntie Erica.'
Monica rubbed Chandler's shoulder, before dipping a kiss into his neck. "When do you think…. we should tell them that Auntie is….?"
Chandler lifted his head in thought from where he had been writing. "Soon." He glanced back at his wife, inlaying his palm over hers. "They're old enough to understand; they'll be starting kindergarten next year."
Monica felt tears pooling at the back of her eyes, and she hastily wiped them away. Standing, Chandler pulled her into a hug. "Oh, honey…. Jack and Erica won't stop loving us, even after they know…."
Monica nodded sullenly against his chest. Drew back to look up into his eyes. "We'll tell them after the dinner's done. Once all the guests have gone home." She bustled back over to her mashed potatoes. "Are you going to be all right?"
"What, telling Jack and Erica that they're….?"
Monica glanced back at Chandler and smiled grimly. "Not that. Tonight. I…. I know Thanksgiving isn't your favorite…."
Chandler stepped into his wife, placing his hands on her hips. "No, it isn't. But as long as I'm enduring it with you, Mon, Thanksgiving's not so bad." He smiled bashfully. "It's always been better, ever since…. well, you."
Monica beamed at him, swayed on her tiptoes to kiss him lightly on the lips. Right at that moment, there was a knock at the door. "And so the revolving door begins…" she murmured. There now came a thundering stampede from the direction of the stairwell. "And also the cavalry…"
Jack and Erica, both nearly 5 now, dashed through the kitchen on their way to the foyer. "Kids, you have your drawings for Aunt Erica….?"
"Yes, Daddy!" Jack briefly doubled back to slap his and his sister's greetings on the table before chasing his sister towards the front door. The twins both competitively tussled to throw open the door at the same time and welcome….
"Uncle Joey!"
"Hey, bambini!" Joey chuckled, enveloping his surrogate niece and nephew into a tight squeeze. "Whoa," he drew back, studying Jack. "Last time I saw you, you came up to my chest! You're shrinking!" He ruffled Jack's hair.
Rounding the corner, Monica shook her head with a sentimental smile, sweeping forward to embrace her dear friend. "Thanks for coming, Joey….." They buzzed cheeks.
"What are friends for?" Joey grinned, his nose sniffing the air. Catching the scent, his eyes lit up. "Ah….. I missed your cooking!" Monica beamed at him warmly, before her attention was diverted to the woman standing in the entryway, looking shy. "Is this your plus one you were telling Chandler about….?"
"Mon….?" And here was Chandler, his face alighting and he dashed forward at the sight of his former roommate. "Bring it in, you old stud!" The men slapped backs.
The woman now tucked herself into Joey's side, blushing at his proud smile. "This is Alex, my fiancée."
"This is the gal who got you to commit?" Chandler stared. "I gotta hear how this happened!"
"Alex:" Joey gestured to the Bings. "These are my friends." A slight pause. "They are my family: Chandler, Monica, and the twins, Jack and Erica."
"Hi…." Monica bubbled. "It's nice to meet you, finally…." She gave Alex a gentle hug. "Come on in….."
"Anyone else here, Mon?" Joey gratefully allowed Monica to take his coat.
"Nah, you beat everyone, even Ross and Rache!" Chandler laughed. "They'll be driving in, same as Judy and Jack. Phoebe and Mike called saying they'd be a tad late…."
"Say, Mon, you happen to have any Tums? Felt funny on the drive over."
"Sure, Joe, the medicine cabinet upstairs. Bathroom's down the hall, first door on the left."
"Thanks!"
Chandler cleared away the papers from the table, carefully gathering all the writings and drawings for Erica from Ohio into an envelope. Monica was striking up a conversation with Alex when Joey's voice wafted down: "Say, Mon, all I see are these nausea pills….!"
Monica flushed. "Tums should be near the back, Joey!"
"Oh, here they are! Never mind!"
The rest of the Thanksgiving guests trickled in: Ross and Rachel with both Ben and Emma in tow, Phoebe and Mike with their little baby Martha, and finally Jack and Judy. Despite not enjoying the holiday, Chandler dutifully did the honors and carved.
Judy frowned at how much her daughter was eating, perhaps having flashbacks to when Monica was heavy. "Why, Monica, dear, don't you think that's enough mashed potatoes?"
Monica shrugged. "Can't help it, Mom. I have a bit of a craving for it!"
All at once, Joey's eyes widened, and he began to make really odd croaking noises in the back of his throat, his jaw hanging open.
"Uncle Joey….?" Jack frowned. "Are you choking?"
"He's fine, kiddo," Chandler leapt to his feet and rounded the table. "Joey, can I talk to you for a sec….? Joey, can I talk to you for a sec…?!" He herded his quasi-brother up the stairs towards his and Monica' bedroom, Joey pointing between Chandler and Monica all the way.
At least when the door was closed behind them, Chandler didn't need to tackle Joey this time. Joey stared at Chandler, eyes wild. "So…. so it's true? Is it true….?"
Chandler couldn't hide it any longer, grinning so wide, it was damn near breaking his face. "Yeah…. She's pregnant, Joe! Monica's pregnant!"
Joey let out a roar of triumph and leapt into the air, only to immediately howl and hold his head after he bonked it on the low-hanging rafters. In the interim, Monica stole into the room, closing the door behind her. "But…. but that's not possible. You guys told us….."
"There wasn't much of a chance." Chandler grinned. "That doesn't mean there was no chance." He and Monica shared sappy, tender looks.
Joey glanced between his dearest friends, beaming. "But…. but that would have had to have been….. like, a one-in-a-million bank shot!" He chortled. "Chandler, you devil!" He fiercely embraced him, slapping him on the back in congratulations. "May I?"
"Please," Chandler gestured.
"Congratulations, Mon," Joey beamed, warmly pecking her on the cheek, and she blushed shyly. A small pause and then Joey's orbs expanded. "But…. but won't it be dangerous? A pregnancy, at your age?"
Monica grinned weakly. "I'm on the far end, I know. But…." She laced her fingers through Chandler's. "Chandler and I are taking it slow. We're being careful."
Joey visibly deflated with relief. "When are you going to tell the rest of the family?"
"We were hoping by the end of tonight," Chandler laughed.
"Do the kids know?"
"That they're getting a little sibling? No," Monica hugged her flat stomach. "They'll be so surprised!"
The trio rushed downstairs, keeping their expressions flat affect, difficult as it was, until the end of the meal. Then Monica made the announcement, sharing their happy news. Jack and Erica were dancing and squealing; Judy and Rachel both burst into tears; Ross appeared at a loss for words.
The celebration didn't break up for hours, and by the time the last of the guests had gone out the door, the twins were asleep at the table. Chandler and Monica each took one child and carried them up to bed, tucking them in.
Both Jack and Erica stirred sleepily as they were being tucked in. "Mommy? Does this mean there's a little baby growing in your tummy? Like how Jacky and I grew in your tummy?" Erica warbled.
Chandler and Monica looked at each other, wondering if this was the time for the hard but necessary talk. Seeing Erica peering at her, Monica took a deep breath.
"Well….. actually, sweetie, you and your brother…. didn't grow in Mommy's tummy."
Erica now sat up, eyes big, wide awake. Jack now also stirred and sat up alongside his sister.
"But… if we didn't grow in your tummy, then….?"
Monica shook her head, glancing to her husband for help as she tried to blink back tears. "Erica….. baby….. you and Jack grew in another woman's tummy….." She exhaled. "Aunt Erica's tummy. That's…. that's who you're named after."
Jack and Erica stared. "We grew into Aunt Erica's tummy?" Jack frowned, confused. "Wait: so does that mean our auntie's our mommy?" He made a face. "I'm so confused…."
Monica chuckled. "Aunt Erica was very young, when…. When you two were in her tummy. And…. and Mommy and Daddy wanted you babies so badly, but we…. we thought we couldn't have any, so…. we adopted you both, right after you were born."
Erica bit her lip. "But there's a baby in your tummy now. So you can have one now." A beat, and then her little eyes bulged with fear. "Does…. does this mean you love our little brother or sister more than you love us?"
"God, no…" Monica moaned, now in danger of devolving into tears. "Please don't ever think that…." She drew both of her children close in a tight hug. "You two are so loved. Daddy and I have loved you your whole lives…. Do you hear me? You were given to us for a reason. Fate finally smiled down on us and gave you to us….." Her voice choked off emotionally.
Jack was quiet. "So…. do we have to change what we wrote in our card?"
"What do you mean, kid?" Chandler cocked his head at his son, bemused.
"Well…. if Aunt Erica's now Mommy…. does this mean we can't call her Auntie Erica anymore?"
"But that's Mommy!" Erica pointed at Monica.
Chandler gently pulled Monica back into his arm so she could lean against him and cry softly.
"Don't cry, Mommy….." Erica warbled. She frowned. "Well, Mommy #1. Cause I guess we have two mommies now…."
Chandler chuckled. "You can call Aunt Erica and your mother whatever you want." He felt Monica freeze against him, like she was afraid that her babies would decide not to call her Mommy anymore.
Jack appeared still deep in thought. "We have a mom and a mommy," he decided at last. "We were in Mom's tummy, and then Mommy brought us home."
"Mommy?" Erica asked.
"Yes, sweetie?" Monica sniffled.
"What if we called you Momica?"
For a second, Chandler thought his daughter had said her mother's first name, but then his ears did an auditory double take. "What?"
Erica blushed. "Mommy's name is Monica, right? Could we call you Momica?"
Chandler couldn't help but grin, impressed by his clever daughter. Beaming wetly, Monica let out a tiny sob before she was leaning in and placing butterfly kisses all over her daughter's face, causing the little girl to giggle.
"Aunt Erica and Mommy – Momica – should both be our mommies!" Jack declared. "Cousin Ben has two mommies! It's what's fair!" Chandler ruffled his hair.
After plenty of hugs and tears and kisses, Chandler and Monica both just managed to exit their beautiful, sensitive children's bedroom before they melted into each other's arms and wept.
