Chapter Text
The One With Moving To Westchester
Admittance Chapter 3
Notes: This is set during set during Season 10 Ep 10 The One Where Chandler Gets Caught. At family therapy Chandler and Monica tell Jack and Richard that they will be moving to Westchester.
A week after they returned from Ohio Chandler and Monica decided to call Dr. Weinberg to schedule a family therapy appointment with Jack and Richard.
Once everyone was seated at the counseling office Chandler cleared his throat.
"The reason why we called this appointment is because we wanted to update you on our plans to adopt children."
"How did the trip to Ohio go?" Dr. Weinberg asked.
Monica smiled. "Great. The adoptive mother is very nice. Her name is Erica. We are very excited
"That's great news Harmonica. On the phone you sounded very nervous about something."
Chandler cleared his throat. "Monica and I have decided to raise our family in Westchester. We think that the city is too dangerous to raise a child in."
"Is there a problem with that?"
Monica glanced at her two fathers. " We were concerned that the distance might be too far and that may impact you helping with the babysitting."
Jack and Richard exchanged a shocked glance between each other.
"No, I don't think that should be an issue. though maybe you should consider giving me the Porsche back. We can go car shopping for a mini van or a more suitable car soon." Jack said.
Monica nodded in agreement. "That's totally fine with me."
"How soon will you be moving?" Dr, Weinburg asked.
Chandler cleared his throat again. "This move has happened pretty fast for us. We will be leaving Manhattan in May. That is when our lease is up."
"Will you need help with the move?" Richard asked.
Monica nodded. "Yes we will. Things are kind of overwhelming. because my roommate Rachel is getting ready to move to Paris for a new job."
"Sounds like there are a lot of changes going on." Dr. Weinburg said.
Monica nodded. "That's for sure. I am really going to miss Rachel when she moves abroad. . She has been my best friend since high school."
Dr. Weinberg shuffled some papers around in her folder. "Speaking of changes how is the rest of your family adjusting to the new family dynamic?" She looked at Jack and Richard.
"Things went over pretty well.. at least with Rachel and Ross."
"And what is the problem?:
Jack Gellar l sighed heavily .Even though time has passed my grandson Ben still has trouble getting adjusted to this new family dynamic.
"How old is he?"
" Nine. "He'll be ten later this year."
"So he was close to your wife?"
Jack nodded. "Yes, very."
"How often does he spend time with you Monica?"
Monica sighed. "Ben was definitely very slow to get adjusted to his relationship with Richard. I think he is still uncomfortable around him."
"Why do you think that is?"
Monica, Richard, Chandler and Jack exchanged an awkward glance between each other.
Jack sighed. "I think my ex-wife still says things to Ross in front of him that gives him less than a favorable opinion of him."
"How does that make you feel?"
Monica had tears at the edges of her eyes. "I never thought this would break apart my family so much Dr. Weinburg. I hate my mother for being so manipulative and wish my brother Ross would be more open to a relationship with Richard and my stepbrother Tim."
"I can sort of see where Ross is coming from because when you were first dating Richard several years ago he definitely seemed like a dad. Circumstances have changed and now we know that he is actually your dad. I have taken this in stride like a mature adult. Ross annoys the shit out of me because he is not mature at all by taking your mother's side. Please don't cry sweetheart. Everything is going to be okay... I promise." Chandler rubbed Monica's back consolingly and kissed her forehead.
"Honey, do you want to take Ben out to lunch so we can talk about this?" Jack asked
Monica grinned. "I think that would be a great idea. I'll give Carol a call when we get home."
The following Saturday afternoon Jack and Monica drove to Carol and Susan's to pick up Ben for lunch. Ben threw open the door excitedly.
"Hi Grandpa! Hi Auntie Monica!"
Monica bent down and squeezed her nephew tightly. "Hi sweetheart. I've really missed you. It's been awhile."
"It sure has. I'm excited to go out for lunch with you today."
Once they got to the restaurant and settled in at the table Ben averted his gaze away from Monica.
Monica reached across the table and squeezed her nephew's hand gently.
"Auntie Monica's right here sweetheart, please tell me what's wrong. Richard has been part of our family for four years now. You shouldn't be still be afraid of him. Can't you please try a little harder to give him a chance? It would really mean a lot to me, Uncle Tim is excited to get to know you."
Tears started to form at the edges of Ben's eyes. "I do want get to know him better too Auntie Monica but I'm so afraid."
"Benjamin Ross Gellar What's going on?" his grandfather said sternly.
"Grandma says really mean things about Richard in front of me all the time when I'm at Daddy's Grandpa."
"I want to give her a piece of my mind." Jack muttered
Monica had tears in her eyes. " Your father remembers Richard from years ago when I dated him Ben. Does he stand up for him?"
Ben shook his head. "Daddy says he doesn't like Richard Auntie Monica because he split apart our family and he knows he probably won't see you again."
Tears of frustration flooded Monica's eyes. "He didn't tell you not do hang around with Richard or Uncle Tim did he?"
Ben had tears in eyes too. "Yes he did Auntie Monica. I am so angry at him. I don't want to lose my relationship with you. I am so scared about that."
Monica got up from her seat sat down next to Ben and pulled him into her lap.. "I just knew Grandma Judy would manipulate him like this. I am so angry at your father for not defending Richard Ben. Grandma is the one splitting apart our family for not allowing Daddy to make his own choice about having a relationship with Richard and Uncle Tim. She should not be making that choice for him!"
"I'm even sadder because you and Uncle Chandler are moving to Westchester. I don't want you to forget about me because you will be farther away." Ben buried his head into Monica's chest.
"Oh my goodness, where is this coming from?"
"Grandma Judy told me that Auntie Monica. I know she hates you because Richard is your daddy and Grandpa Jack isn't. She said you are starting a new life and you don't want me in it anymore."
"My precious baby, please look at me." Monica whispered.
Ben raised his tearstained face toward his aunt's
"Don't listen to Grandma sweetheart. She doesn't know what she's talking about. The fact that she'd even think that Uncle Chandler and I will forget about you once we move is ridiculous. We will never EVER stop loving you. You are so special to us Ben. We definitely want you to be part of your new cousin's lives."
"Really?:
Monica hugged her nephew tightly and kissed his forehead. "Yes, really. Please stop crying honey. Everything is going to be okay. We will get through this together."
Ben took comfort in his aunt's embrace. "I love you too Auntie Monica. I promise to open myself up to Richard and Uncle Tim a little bit more."
"That's the spirit."
After dropping off Ben at home Jack patted Monica's shoulder. "Let's go for a ride Harmonica. You look upset."
All Monica could do was nod.
They took the back roads back to Manhattan.
"I am so angry at Ross Daddy." Monica whispered.
Jack squeezed his daughter's shoulder. "Do you want me to talk to him?"
Monica shook her head. "I don't think it will help honestly. Mom has him wrapped around her finger... she always did."
"Do you and Chandler still want to have a relationship with Ross and Rachel?"
Tears glistened in her eyes. " I don't want to lose my relationship with Emma but I am so conflicted.. Do you think Mom will manipulate Rachel as well?"
Tears were in Jack's eyes. "I am so worried that she will honey.. Have you talked to Rachel since Richard adopted you?"
Monica nodded. " I think she's been more distracted lately with getting ready to move to Paris."
"I think you and Chandler need to have a serious discussion with Ross and Rachel."
Monica sighed. "I know Daddy. I think Ross's behavior will ruin my relationship with Emma. He doesn't give a shit"
When Monica arrived home Chandler was waiting for her on the couch reading the paper.
""How was lunch?"
"Emotional. What do you expect?"
Chandler noticed that his wife had been crying. He let out a heavy sigh.
"I just got off the phone with Carol. I think we need to have a discussion about our relationship with your brother sweetheart."
Monica nodded. "I couldn't agree with you more Chandler."
Chandler patted the couch next to him. "Have a seat Monica."
Monica curled into her husband's side.
"Ben thinks we are going to forget about him when we move." she whispered.
Chandler's heart fell to the pit of his stomach. "My poor little buddy. That's not true at all. I love him more than he knows."
"I know honey. I told him that. My mother put that idea in his head."
"And Ross said nothing?"
Monica shook her head. "No, he didn't."
Chandler sighed again. "I'm assuming Ben must have told you that Ross says nothing to defend Richard when your mother says mean things about him?"
Fresh tears gathered at the end of Monica's eyes. That's what he told us at lunch. I am so upset at Ross Chandler."
Chandler kissed his wife's forehead gently. "Baby girl, just let those tears flow okay? I am angry at your brother too for not defending Richard. Your mother absolutely has him wrapped around her finger."
"I'm so worried she will manipulate Rachel too and we won't be able to have a relationship with Emma."
Tears appeared at the end of Chandler's eyes. "I couldn't agree with you more Mon. Do you want to call her later on tonight?"
Monica nodded. " I think we should."
"Do you still want to have a relationship with Ross honey?"
Monica buried her head into her husband's bare chest. "After what Ben told me today I am almost positive that I don't."
"Why does he have such a stick up his ass?" Chandler asked.
Monica shrugged. "I really wish I knew Chandler but I don't."
Chandler's hand reached down to Monica's inner thigh and he gently started to massage it. "I know that feels good baby." he whispered.
Monica moaned in agreement.
"I love you sweetheart." Monica whispered. her lips met her husband's in a passionate kiss and then she repositioned her head back on his chest closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep..
"I love you too Monica... everything will be okay. I promise." Chandler kissed his wife's forehead gently, pulled a blanket over them , laid his head against a pillow shut his eyes and fell asleep.
'Ross buddy, why do you continue to fuck things up? I am starting to lose a lot of respect for you.' he thought to himself.