The MOLLYVERSE AKA The Life Unexpected

The knock on the door was insistent. The door opened a crack and an eye looked out, the chain still holding the door open.

“Casey, let us in,” Morgan said.

“What are you doing here, Grimes?” Casey asked. Morgan looked at Alex and swallowed. Alex nodded to go ahead.

“Well, see, Alex and I, we were-”

“He’s probably doing the same thing there that I was here, Johnny,” came the voice behind him. Casey looked at Alex, who’s eyes got huge. She looked shocked for a second and then smiled at her dad.

“Let us in, Dad, before they figure out we’re all over here.” Casey had to admit his daughter made some sense. Her taste in men was questionable, but who was he to judge. As long as the bearded gnome made her happy. Ugh, were those lady feelings? Casey opened the door.

“Well, seems like if I’m the kettle, you’re the pot,” Morgan said, feeling proud of himself.

“Your girlfriend’s dad knows many ways to hurt you, and leave very few marks.” Carina said. Casey grunted at Carina, smiling. “Casey, don’t grunt at me that way in front of the kids.”

“Okay, changing subjects,” Alex said before she learned things she could never unlearn. “Sarah’s car is still at work, Chuck’s car is parked outside, is Operation Charah successful?”

“Not according to the general,” Casey said. “Operation Charah is only successful when her objectives are filled.”

“What exactly are her objectives, Casey” Morgan asked.

“She’s on her way over her now to explain it to all of us,” Casey replied as there was a knock on the door. Casey opened it and saw Emma carrying Clara. Alex held her hands out as soon as she saw the baby, and Casey noticed Morgan looked a little worried. Emma came in and was followed by Molly who was right behind her. “Remember Grimes, those things you do with my daughter can lead to one of those,” Casey said where only he could hear. Morgan’s eyes got very wide. Casey gave off a pleased grunt. Carina leaned into his ear, knowing what he had said.

“Maybe you shouldn’t forget that either,” she said, and leaned back as Casey whipped his head around with an identical look as Morgan. “What are our orders, General?” Emma looked down at Molly.

“It’s very simple, until my Mommy and Daddy are married, Operation Charah proceeds,” Molly said smiling. Morgan looked at Casey to make sure he heard clearly. Casey shrugged.

“Just so we’re on the same page here, General, Daddy is…”

“Chuck,” Molly said like Morgan was stupid. Casey grunted happily at that. “He’s been so good to me, and I love him. I need him in my life, and Mommy does too. Anyone can see they love each other.” Emma laughed.

“She’s right, you know,” Emma said. “And, be ready for a fight with those two. They’ll use ‘complicated’ as a reason every time. Work, there’s the children to think about, Chuck’s lack of confidence, Sarah will be scared to rush things because they haven’t known each other long enough, there will be a million excuses, but the truth is, when you know, you know, and deep down, these two know.”

“They make each other better,” Molly said. “Oh, and I also want a little brother, so that’s part of Operation Charah as well.” Everyone tried to hide their laughter, except Casey who looked queasy.

“General, that’s not something you can usually order someone to do,” Casey said, trying to get out of this. Molly pouted.

“Mr. John, please,” Molly asked, looking sad. Casey groaned.

“Never thought you’d be taking orders from someone so short, huh, Casey?” Morgan asked. Casey shook his head.

“Never.” Casey looked over at Carina. “Which do you think is going to be easier, finding a new IT guy or this?”

“An IT guy, or Piranha?” Carina asked, looking at Morgan. Morgan gulped. Casey turned, an evil grin on his face.

“You’re in the nerd world, Grimes, ever heard of Piranha?” Morgan looked like he was about to pass out.

“I mean you hear rumors, I’m sure they’re all urban legends,” he said, adjusting his shirt collar for more air.

“Morgan, you’re trembling,” Carina said, moving towards him. Alex gave her a look, but nodded to go ahead. “Do you know Piranha? Is Chuck, Piranha?”

“That’s preposterous,” Morgan said. “I have no idea who Piranha is.” Carina looked like she was about to move in, when Alex shook her head. She leaned forward and whispered something in his ear. “Chuck Bartowski is Piranha, and the stories aren’t even close to true. He can do so much more.” He turned to Alex, his eyes shining. “Did I do good?” Alex nodded and smiled. Casey grunted, disgusted.

“So what do we do?” Emma asked, worried about Chuck.

“Nothing,” Casey said. “Walker would have our heads if we had him join.”

“Why can’t Daddy work with Mommy?” Molly asked. Emma started to say something but decided to save her breath.

“He’s scared for Clara.”

“Isn’t Mommy worried about me?”

“Molly, have you seen your mommy?” Carina asked. “She’s amazing, no one can hurt her.”

“Then that’s how we fix it,” Molly said. Everyone was confused. “Mommy and Daddy live together, and that way my whole family is safe.” Casey and Carina shared a look. They both thought and thought. Morgan looked at Alex, she shrugged.

“Guys,” Morgan began hesitantly. “Tell me why her plan wouldn’t work, but because I can’t see why not.”

“Well, if you can get them to agree to live together, it actually is pretty good. The problem is where? That apartment isn’t big enough for the five of them,” Casey said, wondering how the five year old was the smartest kid in the room.

“Chuck’s house is huge,” Morgan said quietly. “It was paid off by the insurance after Ellie’s and Devon’s deaths. It has five bedrooms, one of them has been converted to an office, and one is a play room. Only three of them have beds. One has a single, one has a toddler and a crib, and the third is the queen size that use to be Ellie’s and Devon’s.”

“What’s my bed look like?” Molly asked. Morgan raised an eyebrow. “The toddler bed.”

“Well, I kinda bought it and decorated it knowing that Clara would need it soon, it’s a Star Wars bed.”

“What’s Star Wars?” Morgan’s mouth dropped.

“We have to fix this, now,” Morgan said to Alex. She calmed him down.

“It would be better for them if we were close by,” Casey said.

“There is a duplex for sale next door to his house,” Morgan said. Carina and Alex smiled. “I mean it would be for the mission,” Morgan said to Alex, who nodded. If she said anything she would burst out laughing.

“There is no way you’re moving in with my daughter, Grimes.”

“No problem Casey, you and I will just live together,” Morgan said, smiling. Casey turned to his daughter.

“You know I love you,” he said in a choked voice.

“It’s okay, Dad, I would enjoy living with Morgan, and if it makes you feel any better you can just tell yourself it’s for the mission,” Alex said, trying not to laugh at her father.

“That fixes one problem, but if Bartowski starts working for us, what about his company?” Casey asked

“You mean Intersect Games, where the minds of Bartowski and Grimes meet?” Morgan asked. He shrugged. “It’s not like there’s much going on there.”

“Morgan, what do we not know that we should?” Carina asked. Morgan looked a little disappointed.

“Chuck’s good at making video games, he is, but he’s so much better at hacking and encryption and all that stuff. We’re doing okay, but we’re small, our receptionist is part of the State Work Release program for crying out loud. Chuck is amazing, but it’s just the two of us, really,” Morgan looked a little depressed.

“I’m just spitballing here,” Alex began. “But, why not merge the two companies. There’s plenty of room in the Burton Industries building. IF, Chuck worked as the IT guy, that would free Skip, who would love to work on video games,” Morgan had to agree to that. “And, every job wouldn’t be about hacking. He could work on games, computer protection, that kind of stuff.”

“That’s for Walker and Bartowski to decide, but that makes a whole lot sense,” Casey agreed.

“Are we really doing this to those two?” Emma asked.

“Doing what?” Morgan asked. “We won’t force them, but we can encourage and push them along. Emma, I’ve known Chuck forever, and he’s taken nearly nine years to move on from Jill, if we wait for them, we may all be dead. Sarah has her eyes locked on two things until she saw Chuck, work, and Molly. Besides, we’re doing it for the children,” Morgan said.

“’Ren,” Clara said. Everyone looked at the little girl in surprise. She giggled and clapped her hands together.

“Operation Charah is a go,” Molly said.

“No, it can’t be Operation Charah,” Morgan said. “They would figure that out.” Molly nodded. “How about Project OMAHA? Objective Married And Happy Always.” Molly nodded.

“Now I have to go get Mommy and Daddy to drive me to school.” With that, she turned and left.

“You all will do constant surveillance on her when she starts to date, right?” Emma asked the rest of the group. They all nodded and watched Emma leave.

}o{

Casa de Walker (formerly Bartowski) approximately 5 min ago

Sarah thought about what her daughter just said. She was terrified, not because she was terrified about what her daughter suggested. No, she realized she actually liked that idea. That’s what terrified her. She had no idea how to date someone. The look on Chuck’s face was terror. She just wasn’t sure if it was because of what Molly had said, or Chuck was worried that it would upset or push Sarah away.

“I’ll deal with this later,” Sarah mumbled a little louder than she meant. She saw Chuck’s face and eyes were troubled for just a second and then nodded. She rebuked herself silently. He had taken that the wrong way. “I have a big appointment this morning,” she said as cheerfully and casually as she could. She went into her closet. “I’m going to be lazy and take these clothes into the bathroom and let the hot water knock any wrinkles out of them.” She pulled out a purple button up blouse and a black skirt that went down just to the top of her knees. She walked out and held them over her. “Professional enough?”

“Who’s the client?” Chuck asked. “Not that I need to know, but if I did I could give you a more informed answer-”

“Chuck,” Sarah said smiling. “I get it, you’re spiraling, I’ll tell you if I can’t tell you, okay?” Chuck nodded. “It’s a Mrs. McNeally. She and some other teachers had money in a company that held a part of their retirement fund. The company has been hit with some ransom type virus and can’t get their money out.” Chuck’s face look troubled.

“I had a Mrs. McNeally in the fifth grade as a teacher,” Chuck said softly. “If it’s her, she’ll love it. Please fix this for her, she deserves better than that.” Sarah nodded, afraid to speak. This guy, he cared, he kept putting others first, he was making her feel things she didn’t know if she ever felt. She got her things, walked to the doorway, and thought she ought to fix something from earlier. She walked over, bent down and got within an inch of his lips, staring into his eyes.

“Chuck,” she said softly. “I misspoke earlier. I meant we’ll take care of it later. It’s been me for so long, you kind of get use to just saying it. I’m sorry.” She leaned in and kissed him. It was short, but there was a WHOLE lot there. She pulled away smiling.

“You know if that’s the way you apologize, I look forward to all of your apologies.” She raised an eyebrow and smirked.

“Wait until I’m not apologizing,” she said and walked over to the door, when Emma appeared.

“I’m going to take Clara and Molly over to see the gang at Casey’s if you two don’t mind,” Emma said.

“Who’s the gang?” Chuck asked.

“Casey, Carina, Alex, and probably Morgan,” Sarah answered. Chuck began to chuckle. Emma waved and the three left. Sarah turned back to Chuck, smirking. “What, don’t want to be judged taking the walk of shame?”

“Mrs. Walker, I don’t know who came up with that phrase, but 1. Nothing happened, 2. If it did why would there be any shame?” Sarah smiled.

“I like you, Chuck.”

“I’m rather fond of you myself.”

“I’m going to shower, make yourself at home.”

“I’m going to assume I should stay out of the bathroom until you’re done.” Sarah smirked.

“I’ll let you make that decision, but I will remind you, I am ex-CIA.” Chuck gulped.

“Noted.” Sarah laughed and left. Chuck looked around the room, it wasn’t his anymore, but there was still something about it. He got up headed into the kitchen, and saw breakfast had been made. He grabbed a plate, sat down, and began to eat. He heard the shower stop and shortly Sarah walked out, in a full bath robe.

“Thought I should eat before I get dressed.” Chuck nodded toward the food when the door opened. In came Molly, followed by Emma. Clara was squirming in her arms and Emma put her on the floor. “Are you coming to see me, Clara?” Sarah asked. Clara clapped, and stood up. Sarah crouched down on the floor and held her hands out. Chuck dropped his bacon as he saw Clara get herself up and took a few steps toward Sarah. She started to tumble when Sarah snatched her and gave her a big hug.

“Mama,” she said. Chuck had gotten off the stool, crouched like Sarah, a few feet away, tears running down his face. Clara saw him and reached toward him. Sarah let her go, and she walked six hurried steps to Chuck, who grabbed her in his arms. “Dada,” she said, and Chuck openly sobbed. Sarah didn’t understand until he spoke.

“Thank God,” he said through his sobs. “I didn’t mess you up.” Sarah put her arms around both of them, and then Molly, not wanting to be left out, came and gave them all a group hug. Chuck could have sworn he heard it, but maybe it was in his mind, but the word came through loud and clear. Awesome.

}o{

“So she had never taken a step before?” Sarah asked, a little surprised. Chuck shook his head. Sarah was driving again, and Chuck found he really didn’t care.

“No, the therapist said with these kind of cases, sudden changes in the family, trauma, all those types of things, can affect development. Not that there’s anything wrong with learning to walk at even 18 months, but it can slow them down. Of course, I thought worst case.” Sarah gave him a tight smile, took his hand and squeezed it.”

“Mama!” Clara yelled from the back seat. Sarah wanted to grin, but she knew she shouldn’t.

“Chuck, about that,” she began.

“Maybe I should let her call me Dad,” Chuck admitted. “Ellie and Awesome would be fine with it, I know.”

“I don’t mean to speak ill of the dead, but was he that awesome?” Chuck smiled.

“He was even awesome brushing his teeth,” Chuck replied. Sarah laughed. Chuck looked down, worried. Sarah squeezed his hand for him to talk. “The therapist also said that when she did respond positively that as long as it was healthy I should try and keep her in that environment as much as possible.” Sarah gave him a glance grinning. Chuck blushed, but kept going. “She even suggested I might date, and get out of my funk.” Sarah fought the grin on her face, but lost. “What I’m trying to say, Sarah, is that you’re good for her…and me,” he added in a whisper. “Thank you.” She grinned at him.

“You’re good for me and Molly,” she replied. “Thank you.” She pulled up the hand she was holding, kissed it, and winked at him.

“Mama!” Clara yelled. Sarah looked at Chuck who shrugged. She looked in the review mirror at Clara.

“What?” she asked. Clara giggled and babbled something at her. Chuck shook his head, Clara had been more responsive and expressive in the past two days than the past three months.

“This isn’t fair,” Molly said. “She gets to call you Mama, but I can’t call him Daddy.” Sarah couldn’t help herself.

“She’s got a point,” Sarah admitted. Chuck looked at her.

“You’d let your daughter call some guy you’ve only known for 2 days, Daddy?”

“Chuck, honestly, if you and I are never are a thing, are you still going to be in her life?”

“If you’d let me, yeah.” Sarah shrugged with his answer. Chuck looked at her, but she wasn’t helping. He decided to end this, here and now.

“Molly, you realize by calling me that, that changes our relationship, right?” Chuck asked. Molly looked confused. “I wouldn’t just be your friend. I would be a parent first, the same way your mom is.” Sarah looked in the rearview mirror and gave her daughter a look. She just smiled back. Sarah had a bad feeling this wasn’t going to go the way Chuck hoped. “You understand that I would have to tell you no, like your mom. Make decisions you wouldn’t like?”

“So if I call you Daddy, I am basically agreeing to what you just said, right?” Clara asked. Chuck nodded, pleased with himself. He looked at Sarah, but the look on her face and her slightly shaking his head left him confused. He had just defused the entire situation. He had figuratively stopped the bomb.

“Okay, Daddy, I understand.” Sarah burst into laughter seeing Chuck’s face.

}o{

They had dropped the two children off with minimal fuss, although Molly did tell Mrs. Wood Chuck was her Daddy. Chuck went to explain, but Mrs. Wood was giggling too hard. Sarah was no help as she linked her arm through Chuck’s and said they should get home and get him out of yesterday’s clothes. Chuck went quite red, and Mrs. Wood’s giggles left, and full out hysterical laughter replaced it.

“Sorry if I embarrassed you,” Sarah said. Chuck had been quiet the entire ride. Chuck looked up at her, and shook his head, as if drawn out of his thoughts.

“Sorry, I was thinking about Mrs. McNeally,” Chuck replied. “Maybe I should come to that meeting and listen in on what’s going on. Kind of just be a free advisor.” Sarah gave him a smiled.

“Chuck, you want Clara to be safe. That’s exactly the sort of stuff you shouldn’t be doing.”

“But, Molly’s safe,” Chuck retorted. Sarah gave him a, “well, duh,” look. “If someone came after Clara you’d protect her, right?” Sarah thought about giving him the safe answer, but for some reason that wasn’t enough. She took his hand.

“Like she was my own,” she answered.

“So, what’s the problem?”

“I don’t live with you,” she replied. Although the therapist did say that keeping her surroundings the same would be best for Clara.

“Oh,” Chuck said, having not thought of that.

“That being said, since apparently you’re now my child’s father, and I’m your’s mother, feel free to stop by any time,” she said. “I’ll even leave the Morgan door unlocked for you,” she said softly, waggling her eyebrows at him.

“I can’t believe you,” he said, sounding insulted. Sarah was a little surprised. It was more of the same flirting they had been doing. “Taking the Chuck Bartowski eyebrow dance and trying to turn it into your own!” Chuck crossed his arms like he was pouting. Sarah now understood he was playing and went along

“You named the eyebrow dance as yours?”

“I didn’t name it,” Chuck said, like he was explaining something to a child. Sarah looked over at him, her mouth open. “Those that saw it gave it the name,” he replied as suavely as he could.

“Pbbbth.” Chuck’s mouth dropped open as they pulled into the driveway.

“I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but I am sorry. Know I am not responsible for your actions.”

“Bring. It.” And Chuck hit her with the eyebrow dance. Sarah yawned.

“I mean it was okay,” she said getting out of the car. How does that nerdy eyebrow dance make me want to tackle him?

“Well, that proves it,” Chuck said. “It was what I was afraid of.”

“What’s that?” Sarah said as he led her around front, and she stopped. It was a white house, a picket fence, and a red door. She hadn’t even been paying attention to the house during their verbal sparring.

“You okay?” Chuck asked. Sarah nodded.

“I love it,” she said. Chuck looked at her questioningly.

“Hmm, could it be I was wrong?” Chuck asked, grinning. Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Since you were immune to the eyebrow dance I assumed you just weren’t human, but if you love this house,” and he hit her with the eyebrow dance again. She bumped his shoulder with hers. “Nope, alien.” Sarah laughed. “Fifty cent tour?” Sarah nodded.

As Chuck showed her around, she found herself thinking how big this was for Chuck and Clara, but it would be perfect for the five of them, or even one or two more. She thought the girls could share the one room, Emma could have her own room, and the master bedroom…she fought the blush that threatened to rise.

“Let me get a shower, and changed, and well scoot,” he said. “Make yourself at home, and know, I have no CIA training if you decide to come in the bathroom while I’m in there, but I can scream in a very effeminate way.” Sarah laughed at him, and as he turned, she grabbed his arm, causing him to turn in surprise. She pulled him in for a kiss. Chuck swore he heard colors with that one. When she let him go, he was a bit wobbly.

“Hurry back,” she said softly, and turned to head downstairs. She swore she heard him mumble something about “not worrying about the hot water,” as she left. She explored downstairs and took a long look at his office. It felt like him. It was him. “Chuck Bartowski, what am I gonna do with you, and what are you doing to me?”

“I could ask you the same question,” he said softly from behind. She spun and saw him in jeans, button up shirt and his chucks.

“Casual Friday?”

“Yeah, but when you’re the owner, and you don’t have any clients, every day is casual Friday. But back to your question…”

“I don’t have an answer.”

“Me either, but it’s more than just me and you.” Chuck replied. Sarah nodded

“Let me be honest, part of me loves the fact your daughter is calling me Mama and my daughter is calling you Daddy. There’s another part that is scared to death. Part of me says screw it, let’s throw this thing into overdrive, and a part that says take it slow, and I don’t know which is which, or what I should do.”

“Thank God!” Chuck said, feeling relief. “I feel the EXACT same way!” Sarah stepped up to him.

“What do we do?”

“Why don’t we spend the weekend together, as a family? It’s Friday, let’s do movies tonight, Disney tomorrow or Sunday, or a park, or whatever, and see how it goes. Sunday, we talk.”

“Where?”

“My place is bigger.”

“Is this one long weekend, or is there a curfew?”

“I promise to be a gentleman if you stay, but I would understand if you didn’t.”

“What if I don’t want you to be a gentleman?” Sarah asked softly. Chuck’s brain nearly exploded. She patted his face and then kissed him softly on the lips. “I’m so sorry I enjoy doing that to you. Come one, let’s get to work.”