Chapter Text
It had been about a month since Farkle and Riley had seen the apartment, and about two weeks since they had moved in. The place was nice enough, two bedrooms with an open floor plan, hardwood floors, and a view of the Village. It was only about four blocks from the Matthews’ place which was very comforting to Riley as this whole living on their own thing had really thrown her for a loop.
“I can’t believe all we have in this place in crackers. Crackers I tell you! I am a growing pregnant young woman I can not live off of crackers!” Riley yelled as she flopped down onto the plastic covered couch, arms crossed and face scowled.
Farkle laughed as he walked behind the couch, leaning down to kiss her on the head and whisper in her ear, “Maybe if you’re a good girl at the doctor’s office today you can get some groceries?”
“And some ice cream too?” She asked playfully as she turned around to kiss him before getting up for the appointment.
“That’s only if you’re extra good,” he teased, “Now hurry up or we’ll be late!”
This was only Riley’s second doctor’s appointment but she was already twelve weeks along and her bump was definitely noticeable.
“Farkle I think there’s something wrong with me, all of these moms on the internet at 12 weeks have nowhere near the baby bump I have! Look at this thing, it’s like carrying around a volleyball under my shirt,” Riley complained while poking at her stomach, revealing it to the entire waiting room at Dr Carol’s office.
“Riley, babe, relax,” Farkle said in a soothing tone as he took her hands and held them in one of his, “You’re fine and beautiful and so is the baby, last time we were here the doctor said we have nothing to worry about so let’s just go and hear that heartbeat, shall we?”
“Says the one with a flat stomach and stationary internal organs,” she grumbled under her breath.
Farkle laughed, “I heard that.”
“You were meant to.”
Before the banter could continue, the same blonde nurse as the last time, “Matthews-Minkus family?”
Immediately, Riley and Farkle’s faces both lit up at the sound of their names together along with the word “family”. Because that’s what they were now, a family.
After the nurse practitioner had taken all of the notes she needed and answered all of Farkle’s weird questions about the pregnancy facts he read online as quickly as possible, she had made her way out the door and before they knew it, Dr Carol was in the exam room with a monitor and some other official looking accessories.
“How’s my favorite young couple today?” she asked as she wheeled in her ultrasound equipment, “Everything going fine I hope?”
“Yes, great actually,” Riley said as she leaned back against the cot, following the motion of Carol’s hand, “Farkle and I just rented an apartment.”
Carol smiled as she rubbed the cold gel on Riley’s barely there bump, “Well isn’t that exciting. Look at you two, making your way up in the world!”
Riley and Farkle looked at each other fondly and smiled, joining their hands. Farkle kissed Riley’s before turning back to Carol, “So we get to see the baby today? Do we get to hear the heartbeat? Will we know the gender?”
“Yes, yes, and, unfortunately, no,” Carol laughed, “That last one isn’t for another four weeks, but you’ve come to the right place for the first two! Now let me get this thing on and get you two some pictures of your baby,” she said as she turned her attention to the monitor, messing with some buttons and switches.
“I’m so excited,” Farkle said as he leaned down and kissed Riley on the top of her head, “Can you believe it? Our baby. On that screen” he pointed, breaking one of the fingers he was holding Riley’s hand with free.
“I just hope they’re healthy,” Riley sighed. She didn’t want to get her hopes up, she just wanted to make sure everything was ok. The rest could wait forever for all she cared.
“Alright, 3, 2, 1, touchdown!” Carol narrated as she lowered her probe looking thing onto Riley’s stomach. She was in an incredibly good mood.
After a few moments of silence and Farkle and Riley staring at the shadows on the screen as if there was a significance to them, Farkle spoke up, “So, uh, if I may: What exactly am I looking at?”
Carol seemed to be off in her own little world as she stared at the monitor and prodded at Riley’s stomach, but Farkle snapped her back to reality. “Oh yes! Well, uh, Farkle dear, you may want to sit down.”
This immediately caused Riley to sit up on the cot, her biggest fear was coming true, “Why? Is there something wrong with them?” Her voice was shaky, but she clung onto Farkle’s hand for dear life.
Instead of sitting down, Farkle only moved closer to Riley, tugging her tight against him and rubbing circles into her shoulder as they waited for Carol to give them the bad news they were so afraid of receiving.
Carol covered her mouth in surprise, “Oh no, goodness dear! You are fine, everyone’s fine.”
Even though her body had physically relaxed and the tension was gone, she was still perplexed, “Well the baby and I are fine then what’s the big deal?”
“Well, uh, that’s the thing. It’s not just you and the baby dear. It’s you, and the baby, and the baby,” she paused and the room was dead silent. “You’re pregnant with twins, dear.”
To Riley’s surprise, Farkle didn’t faint. He stood strong next to her, his hold on her unwavering and considering the fact that she felt as though she was going to faint, she was incredibly proud of him.
“I’m sorry, did you just say that Riley is pregnant with twins?” He said, still not fully believing the words coming out of Carol’s mouth.
“Yes and this is very exciting! Two for the price of one, that’s what I always say,” Carol exclaimed, clapping her hands and really not getting the mood of the room.
This is not to say that the couple was not over the moon, because they were. How lucky were they to have not only one healthy baby, but two healthy babies? But, they were barely mentally and financially prepared for one baby. And now they have twenty four more weeks to become mentally and financially prepared for two babies and that, frankly, is a lot to handle.
Staring off into space, Riley asked, “Aren’t twin pregnancies more high risk though?”
Carol rested a hand on Riley’s knee, “Yes they are dear but you are young and fit so I’m not too worried, and if I’m not then you shouldn’t be either.”
Farkle wrapped his arm around Riley as he sat down on the bed with her, squeezing her shoulder, “Dr Carol, what should we do differently in order to prepare for the additional baby?”
Carol sighed and got out a pad and paper from the drawer on her desk and began jotting some things down as she spoke, “Well I would recommend doing as much work as possible before they come, I cannot stress how important it is to be as financially prepared as possible. Try to become at peace with cheaper furniture and items so you can afford to buy two of each. And just try to be extra aware of your body, Riley, and listen to it,” she ripped off the paper she had been writing on and handed it to Farkle, “You two, well, you four, will be fine. I promise,” she said with a smile, “Now! Do you two want pictures of the little plums?”
They hadn’t told Zay and Smackle yet but they knew they had too. They just hadn’t had time since Smackle was in Florida with her parents and Zay had gotten a scholarship to some performance camp at UCLA, there just hadn’t been the perfect moment.
However, this moment wasn’t the perfect moment either.
Riley had taken up as many shifts as possible at the Cafe lately, especially after finding out that she was pregnant with twins , mind you. (Cory did not take to this too kindly, of course. He fainted. Twice. “One for each baby!” Topanga had said as she scooped her husband off the floor for the second time.) So, she worked as often as her body, and her anxious boyfriend, allowed her too.
It was a Sunday evening, their lightest shift, and Riley was reading up on the classic What To Expect When You’re Expecting when she heard the bell on the door ring for the first time in the last hour and a half, and in walked in Smackle and Zay.
Immediately, she ducked under the counter.
“Hello?” She heard Zay ask.
“Why would they have the open sign on if there is no one here? Why can’t everyone be as straight forward as I am?” Smackle joined in
“Because, dear, then your bluntness would lose it’s charm.”
Shit shit shit, Riley thought to herself as she heard them getting closer. Ok, maybe they actually think that no one is actually here so they’ll go away. God, I’m such a terrible friend. I should just tell them. Right? I should just tell him-
Beep!
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the bagel she forgot she was toasting letting her know it was done and ready to be devoured.
“What was that!” Smackle exclaimed, she definitely sounded closer at this point.
“Ow!” Zay groaned, “Smackle! You just punched me in the eye!”
“Sorry, dearest, I was just startled, it’s spooky when there’s no one here.”
I have to tell them. I’m telling them.
“Oh there you are!” Riley yelled, pretending to find an earring on the ground as she stood back up. “Oh! Zay, Smackle! What a lovely surprise,” she continued, thankful that her untied apron and the height of the counter were covering her baby bump nicely.
“What were you looking for?” Zay asked.
“Just an earring,” Riley said nonchalantly.
“But you’re already wearing two earrings,” Smackle chimed in.
Riley laughed nervously, “Yes, Smackle, that’s because I put the lost one back in.”
Satisfied with her answer, Smackle turned her attention to the bagel sitting in the toaster on the other island, “Aren’t you going to get that?”
Realizing that moving would mean an increased risk of them seeing the baby bump before her explaining, Riley changed the subject, “So, what can I get for you?”
“I think Smackle wants that bagel,” Zay said, pointing to the same blueberry bagel.
“You can’t have the bagel!” Riley erupted, causing Zay and Smackle to grow even more suspicious.
“Riley,” Zay began, “What is your problem? We haven’t seen you in over a month and now you’re treating us like this ? If you wanted us to leave, you could have just said so,” he finished as he grabbed Smackle’s hand and started towards the door.
“Guys! No, please, stay,” Riley said, tears welling up. “Of course I want to see you. I’m sorry I’m acting like this, I just have a lot of stuff going on and it’s a little overwhelming.”
“Like what Riley? We’re here for you, always. Remember?” Smackle assured Riley as she held her hand from across the counter.
“Yeah,” Riley sighed, “I know, Smackle. This is just a really big thing and I don’t know how to say it.”
“How about we go sit down?” Zay said as he led the ladies to the seats where they always sit.
Smackle faced away from Riley as she followed Zay, and Riley saw it as the best opportunity to come out of hiding behind the counter. So, she slipped out and took off her apron, revealing her baby bump. When they turned around, they would know. She was thirteen weeks along with twins and, granted, she wasn’t huge by any means but she was definitely showing. And they would definitely be shown.
Zay made his way to the seat closest to the front wall and Smackle followed suit, he began speaking before he turned around, “So, Riley, what is this big new-” He immediately stopped when he turned and saw Riley standing before them.
“Oh my God,” Smackle stated blankly.
“Don’t say it, babe.” Zay said to Smackle, treading lightly.
“You’re pregnant!”
“And you still said it. Alright let’s sit and listen to Riley,” Zay coaxed as he lowered himself and Smackle down onto the cushioned bench.
The three sat in silence for probably five whole minutes before Smackle spoke up, “So, how far along are you? I think that’s what you’re supposed to ask during these situations.”
“I’m 12 weeks,” Riley answered nervously.
“Do you know the gender yet?” Zay added in.
“Well uh, know,” Riley began, “But it’s funny you should ask because there isn’t only one gender, you see, I’m, uh, pregnant with twins,” she finished with a wince.
The three of them sat in complete silence until, finally, Zay was the one to speak up, “So, you mean to tell me, that you, Riley Matthews, are pregnant with not one, but two babies.”
“Well when you put it like that,” Riley trailed off before sighing and accepting it, “Yes that is exactly what I’m saying.”
“That sounds incredibly overwhelming, are you ok?” Smackle asked, surprising everyone in the room with her sincerity.
Riley looked up from her hands and to her friends, her amazing, understanding, genuine friends and smiled a small smile, “Yeah. I’m ok. Some days are better than others, but I’m doing alright. I’m sorry Farkle and I didn’t tell you sooner, I guess that the longer we put it off the easier it was to stop it from becoming real. We also knew how amazing your summers were going and I know I didn’t want to put extra stress on you.”
“Riley, we want to help you. That’s what we do for each other. We weren’t voted ‘AAHS’ most annoyingly sappy freshman ever’ for nothing,” Zay joked about the Twitter poll that revealed their fate freshman year, “Now. What can the Mrs and I do to help?” He asked, wrapping his arm around Smackle’s shoulder.
“Uhm, I don’t know really. There isn’t much to be done as of right now. We’re just trying to save up as much money and energy as possible before the beans arrive,” she smiled, “But thank you for asking, really. I will let you know when there’s something.”
The couple opposite of Riley stood up and walked towards her to embrace her, toppling on top of her on the couch and engulfing her in the most epic dog pile to ever be dog piled.
Through her fits of laughter, Riley finally managed to squeeze out a “You know, these are going to be a logistical nightmare when my stomach becomes the size of two watermelons hugging one another.”
“So enjoy it while you can, Matthews,” The couple chorused.
“Honey, I’m home!” Riley sang as she came entered her and Farkle’s apartment after another day’s work at the cafe.
Work had been going really well for Riley and Farkle at the moment. She was making decent money at Topanga’s, the tips were definitely a plus, and Farkle was absolutely killing it as a camp counsellor at the New York Hall of Science. He also managed to squeeze in a few Topanga’s shifts whenever he could. So, needless to say, the couple was doing pretty financially well for the time being, obviously mostly because Farkle is the son of a millionaire but that did not stop them from celebrating, or relaxing, after a long week of work. And, tonight, they had chosen relaxing.
“Farkle?” She called through the halls, searching for her boyfriend.
“In here!” He sang from the soon to be nursery.
When Riley walked in she saw some random cardboard boxes, a few lingering pieces of bits and bobs, and a dormant Farkle laying on the wooden floor, staring up at the ceiling. Without a second thought, Riley joined him on the floor, cuddling up beside him and tracing patterns into his Museum shirt.
After several minutes of nothing but the sound of their synced inhales and exhales, Riley finally spoke in a hesitant and hushed tone, “Whatcha thinkin about?”
“Us,” Farkle sighed, “You, me, them, I don’t know. I know that we’ve been over this a million times and each time we’ve decided we’re going to be ok because we have each other and all that fun stuff but, I don’t know, I can’t help but still be scared out of my mind,” He sighed again and closed his eyes and dropped his volume, “What if I’m not good enough for them? I don’t know how to do this fathering thing. My dad was barely around so he didn’t really teach me anything, and I was an only child so I didn’t even have to take care of someone else. I never even had a pet!”
“You took care of me. You still take care of me,” Riley said, resting her chin on his chest so she could look him in the eyes, “You’re going to be an amazing father because you’re strong,” She began to punctuate her comments with a kiss to various parts of his face, this time for the left cheek, “Incredibly compassionate,” Right cheek, “And you have never stepped away from someone you love, no matter what. You are always up for a challenge and that’s one of the many things I love about you,” And, finally, and nice long kiss on the lips to end her sermon.
After a long, sincere make out session where Riley somehow ended up on top of Farkle, he pulled away, resting his hands on her legs and looking up at her, one side of his mouth turned up into the faintest of smiles, “You really think so?”
“I really know so,” She answered, rubbing her nose against his like the cheesy couple they were.
Riley began crawling off of him and moved to stand up, “So, besides that, how was your day? How was our favorite camper?”
“Oh yes, Orion , I found him in the planetarium again. That kid really loves his space,” Farkle answered as he got up to join his girlfriend on her way out to the kitchen.
Riley sat at the island as Farkle went to go make himself some dinner. “You want anything?” He asked as he got out the smoked ham for his sandwich.
“No, I’m ok, I grabbed something on the way home,” Riley answered as she fingered through their mail. “Hey,” She began, “What’s this?” She asked, referencing the letter addressed to her from someone named Rose Geller.
“Oh that? That old lady from the loft down the hall, you know the really big loft that could fit our apartment and two of her sisters in it, dropped it off like ten minutes before you came home. I think she was hoping to find you,” He answered nonchalantly as he made his dinner.
Instead of answering Farkle, Riley turned her full attention to the letter:
Dear Ms Matthews from room 206,
I understand that you and your Farkle (forgive me, I don’t know your relationship status) are currently going through a rather complicated situation and I just wanted to let you know that there is a friendly face right down the hall.
Your mother was my daughter’s attorney when she was fined for planting a small community garden in a corner of Central Park last month and when she saw where I lived she asked me if I knew you and she told me your story, I do hope you don’t mind that she shared that with me.
But I’m just writing to tell you that when I was your age, I went through exact same thing. I was seventeen when I had my first beautiful baby girl, and my life was turned upside down. Except, I didn’t have a Farkle, or a family for that matter. All I had was my baby Rowan and somehow I worked my way up to being a successful boutique owner and now I have been able to retire more than comfortably. Oh look at me, getting off track! The point is, I know you don’t need an old fart like me to give you advice or to hang around with for a cup of tea, but, if you ever want to, I’m always available for a good chat. Remember, I once just as terrified as I assume you are right now.
Best of luck,
Ms Rose Geller
“What does it say?” Farkle tore Riley away from her letter, and her thoughts.
Her eyes shot up to where he was looking at her, eyebrows furrowed in confusion, “I don’t know, apparently she knows my mom because, well, let’s face it, who doesn’t? But I guess my mom told her about my pregnancy and apparently she was seventeen when she had her first child so she just wanted to reach out to me, isn’t that so sweet?”
Farkle smiled before taking a bite of his sandwich, “Yeah, it is. I guess there are still good people in this world.”
“Yeah,” Riley said absentmindedly as she traced the lettering on the letter, “I guess there are.”