Chapter Text
Admittance
A Friends Fan Fiction
Notes: Greetings ! New to the Friends fandom. This is set at end of the Thanksgiving episode The One Where Ross Got High and focuses on the dynamic between Monica and her mother. This is based on a fan theory I heard that Monica is not Jack Gellar's daughter. I own no characters from Friends.
Jack Gellar was overwhelmed like his wife with all the information he had just learned about Ross and Monica. The most shocking news that he had heard was that Ross smoked pot in college and placed the blame on Chandler who was supposedly his best friend. As they were getting ready to leave he patted his wife on the shoulder. "I really need to talk to you Judy." The went into Monica's bedroom and shut the door behind them.
Jack did not pull any punches. "You need to come clean to Monica about the affair. Her relationship with Richard a few years ago should be considered incest and we should have stopped it!""
Judy Gellar stiffened' No, I don't."
"We can't continue to keep this a secret from Ross and Monica."
"Yes, we can!"
Jack Gellar raised his voice slightly. "NO! We absolutely can't. Can't you see what this is doing to our family?"
"This doesn't hurt our relationship with Monica Jack!"
"You don't get it! It has not just hurt your relationship with Monica but your relationship with Ross and I as well. Would you stop being so stubborn Judy?!"
"Some things are better left unsaid Jack."
Jack Gellar slowly sank down on to Monica's bed and massaged his temples.
"To be honest Judy we should have gotten divorced right after the affair but you didn't want that. I lost all trust in you after that. You destroyed my friendship with Richard too by having the affair. I can't even look him in the eye. It was really hard for me to call him up this morning to ask him if he wants to go to counseling with Monica and I."
Richard had been a close friend of Jack's who at one point had dated Monica.
"I still don't think we should say anything."
"DAMN IT Judy! You were so passive aggressive to Monica at dinner and I hate seeing you hurt her like that. I have always hated that."
There was a teantive knock at the door. Monica peeked her head around the doorframe.
"Mom, Daddy What's wrong? Why are you yelling? Everyone else is concerned."
"Yes, everything is fine dear. I'll get our coats Jack." her mother slammed the door behind her
Monica noticed the look of distress on her father's face. "Daddy , you look upset. Can we talk about it?"
Jack took his daughter's hand gently "Yes, honey. I think this talk is long over due."
"What's going on Daddy?"
"Your mother has been keeping a secret from us for years and she is a coward."
Ten minutes of silence followed
"Daddy?"
Jack Gellar took a deep breath. "You'll always be my little Harmonica even if you're not my real daughter."
Monica gasped and covered her mouth.
"What do you mean I'm not your real daughter?"
Jack looked at Monica with tears in his eyes.
"That comment your mother made at dinner tonight about leaving someone at the alter... she was talking about herself. She had an affair with someone before we had you. and you are his child. That was the man she left at the alter."
"Who was that?"
Jack looked away embarrassed.
"What's wrong Daddy?"
"It was Richard."
Monica's jaw dropped. "What are you talking about Daddy?
Tears filled Jack's eyes. "I'm not your father sweetheart. Richard is."
"Is that why Mom acted so weird a few years ago when I told you and her that we were dating?"
Jack cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Believe me Harmonia, if your mother had not forced Richard and I to keep quiet I would have never allowed your relationship to happen at all. It was incestuous."
Monica burst into tears and collapsed next to her father on the bed. "Should I talk to Richard about this Daddy? I am so confused."
Jack pulled his daughter into his arms and kissed her forehead softly. "I talked to him before I came over here today and he has agreed to have a therapy appointment with the two of us next week to navigate through this together."
"Navigate through what Daddy?"
"He wants to adopt you honey." Jack whispered.
Monica's jaw dropped in shock. "Really?"
"Yes, how do you feel about that?"
"I won't get to see you anymore?" Monica whispered.
Jack took his daughter's hand gently. "You are almost 30 years old Monica and I think you are capable to make your own decisions. Child custody agreements usually end once a child turns eighteen.
Monica nodded. " I definitely still want to have a relationship with you and Ross Daddy. I don't want my relationship with Ben to end."
"Do you still want to have a relationship with your mother?"
Monica shook her head emphatically. "No way. She has treated me horrible my whole entire life.:
Jack wrapped his arms around his daughter consolingly. "I know baby girl. I am so sorry for how much she has hurt you. I should have divorced her fifteen years ago and gotten full custody of you. I have always loved the bond we have shared Harmonica."
Monica snuggled deep into father's chest. "So have I Daddy. I love you so much!
Her father planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I love you too honey."
"Do I have to give up this apartment? If so what will I tell Chandler?
Jack's jaw dropped. "I did not consider that since the apartment is under your grandmother's name. Richard and I may have to meet with Mr. Treager. Perhaps he can have the lease put in Richard's name since your grandmother passed away. Should Chandler come to the counseling appointment with us??"
Monica nodded. "I think he should." she whispered.
A knock came to the door. "Are you ready to go Jack?" his wife asked.
Monica jumped up from her spot on the bed and faced her mother.
"You are an awful person! I can't believe you'd do this to me!"
"Calm down Monica, you don't know what you're talking about." her mother said.
I absolutely do fucking know! Daddy just told me everything. How could you do this to me? To him? To Richard? I can't even believe this!"
There was a knock at the door. It was Chandler.
"Honey, are you alright? We all heard you yelling." He put his arm around Monica gently.
"Ah, just the man I want to see. " Jack said.
Chandler looked at Monica's father with concern. "What on earth is going on?"
"Daddy just told me that Richard is my father Chandler." Monica whispered and then buried her face into his shoulder.
Chandler's arms wrapped around Monica consolingly. "Jack, is she going to be okay? I'm so worried."
Jack cleared his throat. "I hope so Chandler. Would you like to come to counseling with us?
Chandler nodded. "Definitely. When is the appointment?"
:"I will call Dr. Weinburg first thing on Monday morning to set it up."
Chandler nodded again. "Are we still going to be able to live here? I thought this apartment was under Monica's grandmother's name."
Jack nodded. "That is one thing we definitely need to discuss."
Chandler nodded. He then redirected his gaze toward Judy.
" I can't believe you'd hurt Monica like this Judy. That remark you said to her at dinner was uncalled for and now I know there was malice behind it."
"All of you are really over reacting." Judy said.
Rage filled Chandler's eyes. "Are you totally fucking clueless? Monica is really upset about this. I can't believe you can't see past your own issues enough to see how much she is hurting. I fucking hate you Judy Gellar!"
"I am never ever going to forgive you for what you did. Get the fuck out of here Mom!" Monica yelled.
"Let's go Jack." Judy said.
Jack Gellar stood up and pulled Monica and Chandler into an embrace.
"I will let you two know when the counseling appointment is, alright?"
"Thanks a bunch Jack." Chandler shook Monica's father's hand.
"I love you Daddy." Monica whispered kissing her father's cheek..
"Everything will be okay Harmonica. I promise."
When her parents departed Chandler led Monica over to her bed. "Let's sit down for awhile okay? We don't have to go back out there right away."
Monica nodded. "I'm so embarrassed. I can't even face my brother Chandler. I don't think he even knows yet."
Chandler opened his arms and Monica fell into them. He rocked her back and forth for ten minutes.
" I will never forgive your mother how much she has hurt you. I really wish I could take your pain away. Just let those tears flow alright. I'm right here for you baby girl."
Monica's hand reached up and stroked her boyfriend's ear gently. He moaned happily.
"I love you Chandler." she whispered.
Chandler's lips met Monica's in a passionate kiss and his hand caressed her inner thigh. Monica let out a contented moan and her head nestled into his chest.
"I love you too Monica and I promise you that everything will be okay."