say geronimo

JOSHUA GABRIEL MATTHEWS We're not gonna talk about how old I am, because the whole 'uncle' thing already makes me kind of feel like the grandpa of the group with my girlfriend Maya and her friends. But I'm old enough to have an MBA, and to be a sales rep for Paragon Sports in New York City (bring it on, stalkers). Someday I'm going to be taking over Matthews & Sons, but for now I'm enjoying big city life while I still can.

[matthewsandson]

What's one thing you want to cross off your bucket list before the end of the year?

If I told you, then it wouldn’t be a surprise for the person on the receiving end of it, and what fun would that be?

[isadorkiestsmackle-blog]

Get your party on, New York!

If you’re over the age of 21 (sorry, young Matthews and friends) and I’ve actually spoken to you in the last two years, you’re invited to a party of sorority proportions tomorrow night, Thursday, in my apartment. Alcohol and food will be provided, but of course feel free to bring more of your own. Consider tonight a test run - if it goes well, I very well may start hosting more of these soirees, and if not, at least I know I don’t have a knack for hosting. See you all then.

[matthewsandson]

All you had to say was food to be sure me and Maya were in. What kind of food are we talking here? Not like vegetable trays, right?

[drfarklestein-blog]

BABY DADDY || GMW GUYS

[lawyeredriley]

[Riley was reluctant to pull away from Farkle, but she’d follow Maya anywhere, and she could always cuddle up to her best friends again when they were all settled on the couch. Sliding underneath Maya’s arm, she leaned into her side for support.] “Maybe I can bring my princess coloring book in and work on that instead of looking at the screen? I like the theme song a lot, so it’ll be good background noise.” [She didn’t actually like the show at all, but she didn’t want to be alone, and Maya and Farkle and Josh were the best people for making her feel better.] “And can I wear my unicorn onesie?”

[mayahartsart-blog]

[Maya leaned back into Riley’s warmth as they walked, a coordinated step they’d perfected over the years. She chuckled at the idea of Riley wearing a unicorn onesie and coloring a princess book instead of watching the show, but she couldn’t deny it was a very Riley-esque move.] “Whatever you want.” [Maya promised as she often did, leading Riley temporarily away from the mess.] 

[matthewsandson]

[Josh turned his head to glance after the girls, grinning as he watched the way Maya automatically knew how to cheer his niece up. It was hard not to get that fond look on his face every time he watched his girlfriend, and he knew it was selfish, but he couldn’t wait to start his life with her, even if it might mean that these moments would be happening at his and Maya’s apartment, instead of one that she shared with Riley. Auggie and Ava seemed like they were about to have to start a life together -- he was ready to move forward like that with Maya, too, store or no store. Finally realizing that he was staring even once they were through the door, he turned back to Farkle, picking up the remote.] “All right, little guy, which episode are we on?”

[drfarklestein-blog]

BABY DADDY || GMW GUYS

[drfarklestein-blog]

[This was all too much for Riley – there were accusations going around about her being pregnant? She’d never even had sex!] “How could you guys think I was pregnant?” [Riley demanded, her jaw hanging open in shock. She felt defensive, and she folded her arms over her chest, wondering if she’d looked fatter lately or something or if they really just had that little faith in her being safe or telling them about major life events. She didn’t want to tell Ava’s secret, though; she just silently fumed as her glance went from Zay to Lucas to Farkle to… Josh. Riley froze when she saw a look of recognition in his eyes, and she wasn’t going to say anything, she didn’t want to say anything – but word vomit bubbled up in her throat, and before she knew it, she was blurting out the truth.] “It’s Ava’s!”

[Farkle didn’t know whether to defend himself from assuming Riley was pregnant, from first assuming it was Maya, or from saying he definitely hadn’t figured out a scientific way to have a baby himself, but he didn’t have to worry about it long before Riley’s eyes grew larger and he found himself leaning in closer without thinking about it, knowing she was about to say something that would change everything. He almost couldn’t believe it when he heard it, but he saw the look Maya shot Riley and he knew it was true. He suddenly felt ridiculous for freaking out with Josh and including so many other people in it and he didn’t know what to do now, thinking about little Ava Morgenstern pregnant and a roomful of people she barely knew painfully aware of it.] “Does Auggie know?” [He finally let out quietly, breaking the silence.]

[mayahartsart-blog]

[Maya saw the click in Josh’s eyes as soon as it happened - it was part of being a couple for years and years, knowing him so well. Being Riley’s friend so long was also a pretty safe guarantee that Maya felt the outburst right before Riley let it out, but it didn’t stop her from shooting Riley a look for blabbing Ava’s secret. The room was understandably awkward after that and Maya spared a glance at Josh, trying to read his face, until Farkle spoke up. She shrugged.] “Don’t know. We just went to the doctor and it’s on her to tell him now.” [It was uncomfortable talking about another girl’s baby and she knew Riley felt just as tired as she did, and maybe even worse now that she’d let out the secret.] “I just want you guys to know that this? It’s none of our business. And if you guys judge her, I swear, you’ll have to mess with me first. Got it? Let Auggie find out from her, no meddling! Promise.” [She wandered over to Josh while talking, putting her hands on him somehow without really thinking about it, but when she was done talking, she moved her eyes up to his knowingly.] 

[petdoctorfriar]

[Zay shot Lucas a look that clearly said ‘told you we shouldn’t have come here’, but damn Lucas looked like he wanted to stay. He just never could resist the chance to be somebody’s night in shining armor, but if Zay had to forcibly drag him outta here, then he would. It was clear the others had stuff they needed to deal with, and him and Luke weren’t a part of it, no matter how much they might want to be. Although Zay personally didn’t wanna be anywhere near dealing with somebody else’s baby drama, so he gave Lucas a push towards the door.] “Don’t worry, we won’t say nothing.” [Zay promised the group as he full on pushed Lucas, who mouthed an apology to Riley for some reason even as Zay dragged him out the door.]

[matthewsandson]

[Josh wrapped his arms around Maya’s waist, glad to have her close by and glad that the others had left. Now it was just Farkle, Riley, and Maya -- and him, of course -- and even that still felt like too much, but they couldn’t very well kick Farkle out of his own house.] “They’ll be okay.” [Josh murmured the words into Maya’s hair as he rested his chin on top of her head, but Riley still looked just as distraught as she had this whole time. Auggie was so much better at dealing with things than his niece was, though, and Josh knew it was going to be okay. Somehow, they’d get through this. They always did, whenever things went bad in his family.] “Babies born when you’re a teen are usually really healthy, someone would probably want to adopt it if they don’t want to keep it. Or if they do, I know your parents would help them support it, right? It’s gonna be okay, Riley, you don’t need to panic.” [Josh hoped he was right, though; Auggie was probably going to be in way over his head and he couldn’t help but feel partially responsible for having encouraged him to finally do the deed with his girlfriend.]

[drfarklestein-blog]

BABY DADDY || GMW GUYS

[petdoctorfriar]

[Lucas was still gaping at Charlie – the nerve of that guy! He seriously would never figure out what all the girls thought was so sweet about him, but the pressure of Zay’s hand on his shoulder kept him from reacting badly. Instead, Lucas remembered that today wasn’t about Charlie. It was about Riley, and him losing his cool wasn’t going to help her and the little baby growing inside of her in the slightest. Taking a deep breath, then another and another until he finally felt like he wasn’t going to explode, Lucas went and sat down on the couch next to Josh, sitting on his hands so that he wouldn’t ball them up into fists.] “Thanks for the update, Charlie, but I think we can take it from here. Farkle?” [Lucas looked at him hopefully; after all, it was Farkle’s home. Only he could make the call to truly kick Charlie out.]

[drfarklestein-blog]

[Farkle needed the time with the Charlie interruption to calm down towards Lucas - and readjusting to the fact that Lucas was not in fact the father of Riley’s baby - but almost as soon as that anger had faded, his attention focused on Charlie, who was definitely not welcome. Yes, he was Riley’s friend, but he was more of her clueless suitor who just always showed up and hoped she’d finally notice him, and Farkle didn’t have time to humor his delusions today, even laughing at Zay’s shade before taking the cue from Lucas and bounding up to Charlie, snatching the flowers out of his hand and adding it to a vase by the door.]

“I’ll tell her you stopped by.” [Farkle nodded pointedly at the door.] “You say you care. Prove it. Get out of here and don’t her any more stress. She’s already got a lot to handle with the baby.” [He looked away from Charlie, ending the conversation and giving him a view into the hallway…where Riley and Maya were visible.] “Riley.” [Farkle said weakly, not being able to help looking at his friend differently now that she might be carrying life. Charlie lingering in the hallway didn’t make the situation any less awkward, since Farkle wasn’t sure what Riley had heard and if she knew they were talking about her, so he let out another “Bye Charlie”, the other boy finally taking the hint and walking out with a gentle pat on Riley’s shoulder as he passed.]

[lawyeredriley]

[Riley couldn’t believe the afternoon she’d had; she wanted to just get home and lie in bed with Maya and watch movies. They’d promised Ava they wouldn’t tell Auggie until she was ready to, but Riley hated secrets, and she had no idea what to do about the fact that she was going to be an aunt soon. Sure, Josh had been an uncle at her age, but that was so different! It didn’t count! Linking her hand through Maya’s, they walked towards the apartment front door, only to be met with total chaos. Riley’s eyes went as wide as saucers as Charlie walked past her, and she felt guilty for being glad that he was one less person to have to hide a secret from right now. Tentatively, she walked through the threshold, looking nervous as she started at Zay, Farkle, Lucas, and Josh – a group that was usually only altogether when she and Maya were there as the glue.] “Um, hi guys! Not to be rude but… why are you all here?”

[zaybarbineaux]

[Zay glanced around at the faces of his friends, all of them frozen and trying to figure out what to say. They were acting like they’d been caught doing something naughty by their mamas, when really they’d just all been rallying to support Riley. He couldn’t take much more of this, everyone staring around stupidly waiting for someone else to act, so finally Zay took a step forward, deciding to just blurt it out and get it all over with.] “WE KNOW YOU’RE PREGNANT!”

[mayahartsart-blog]

[Maya could sense the tension in the room - it could’ve been cut with anything at that point, and it was freaking her out, especially considering Josh was there. She looked around the room for any clues, including sending a ‘what the hell’s happening?’ glance at Josh, when Zay’s outburst broke the dam and Maya realized what they must have found. Still, thinking immediately that it was Riley’s? Riley’s?! The girl thought 10 PM was late, for Christ’s sake, she wasn’t secretly hoarding a baby. Maya couldn’t help herself - she burst into laughter at the assumption, covering her mouth.] “Riley? Pregnant?” [Hearing it outloud made her laugh more and put a hand on Riley’s shoulder, both to stand up straight and to tell Riley to let her handle this one. She was considering taking the blame herself, but Josh was there and that’d be a cruel lie, so she recovered from her chuckles and cleared her throat.] “None of you are ever going to be detectives. It’s not Riley’s. And it’s not mine either. We had a friend over, so. Yeah. False alarm. Nothing to report. You can all go back to doing whatever you were doing wherever you were doing it.”  

[matthewsandson]

[Josh grinned at Maya, feeling relieved just at the sight of her. Even if Riley had been pregnant -- which he could tell she wasn’t, just from his girlfriend’s reaction -- it was all okay now that his other half was here.] “The little guy over here thought it was you at first, babe, but I told him you’d have let me know if it was, so that’s how we ended up on Riley. And come on -- we all know all of your friends are in this room, and she’s the only other one capable of having a baby in here, unless Dr. Turtleneck cooked up some pretty weird science experiment.” [The look on Riley’s face was too filled with shock and horror still, though, for Josh to completely buy it... and then suddenly it dawned on him, the only other person they might have been helping. The very person that he’d helped his nephew become sexually active with not all that long ago...]

[drfarklestein-blog]

BABY DADDY || GMW GUYS

[drfarklestein-blog]

[It hadn’t taken much more than Lucas answering and saying he was on his way for Farkle to taste blue. He hadn’t passed out in a long time but his weird hunch that Lucas had anything to do with Riley’s pregnancy proving true was too much for him to handle, and before he knew it he was opening his eyes to see Josh shaking him awake. Sitting up uneasily from the ground, he heard footsteps approaching as Lucas and Zay walked in, Zay already making jokes like it wasn’t the most serious thing ever.] “He learned manners? He learned manners?! He didn’t learn enough manners not to knock up the most special girl in the world, did he?” 

[Farkle felt himself getting angry - a rare occurrence that only really happened when someone messed with one of his girls - and it gave him strength though his head ached from hitting the ground. Shakily, he got to his feet, and pointed an accusatory finger at Lucas.]  “You’re going to marry her, right? You can’t leave Riley alone and pregnant in this world! And I’m more than fine having her and the baby live here and helping out with money but that baby isn’t growing up without a father, Lucas! That is not an option, and I’d do anything to make sure you know it.” [He knew threatening Lucas was ordinarily a pretty dumb thing to do - he was still a few inches taller and definitely vastly stronger than Farkle - but Farkle was insane when it came to taking care of Riley and Maya, and Lucas knew that. Hopefully Lucas wouldn’t put up much of a fight, since he obviously cared about them too, and they’d resolve this as quickly as possible, if it was possible.] “What do you have to say for yourself?”

[petdoctorfriar]

[Lucas looked bewildered as Farkle started going off on him, about his lack of manners and marrying Riley. It was all too much for him to process; he’d just barely let it sink in that Farkle was clearly being revived when he’d walked in, and now he was getting a lecture that made no sense. Farkle was saying words, but Lucas couldn’t wrap his mind around them.] “Farkle buddy, you’ve got to slow down here. You think… wait, you think I got Riley pregnant?” [Lucas scoffed at the idea – sure, he’d wondered sometimes what getting back together with Riley might be like, but there was a reason it had never happened. But then Lucas realized he’d never answered Farkle’s question on the phone, and he almost wanted to laugh, except his friend looked so serious that he held back, slumping onto the couch next to him instead.]

“Farkle, man, it’s not mine, I promise. Riley and I – we’ve never done that, I swear. If it’s really hers… It’s not me.” [He tilted his head, looking at Josh curiously. Lucas must have missed something, because if he’d had to guess first, he probably would have assumed it was Maya’s baby first, and not Riley’s. But the other guy seemed completely calm, and he didn’t press, instead turning to Farkle once more, and indicating that Zay should be serious, too… even if internally, he was freaking out. Lucas always liked to protect his friends, though, and right now Farkle seemed to need somebody to be calm.] “Okay, we just gotta – I mean, I’ll help her too, we all will, but first we gotta tell her we know and that we’re all here for her. A baby’s not going to change that, so… when do you think she’s gonna be back?”

[charmingardner-blog]

[Charlie had been walking towards the door with a bouquet of violets when he heard Farkle yelling from down the hall. Intrigued, he walked faster, and listened at the door for a few moments as Lucas denied parentage to… a Riley child? Charlie was painfully acutely aware to the fact that Riley wasn’t sexually active, so this whole conversation felt like it was out of the x-files, but he couldn’t help making an entrance at Lucas’s question. Hiding his surprise behind a casual smirk, he waltzed in, pushing the slightly open door all the way and leaning on the wall besides Zay, flowers still in his hands.] 

“Well, Lucas, usually on days like this she’s back in her apartment two hours ago. She had something to do, though. She texted me a half hour ago that she was getting on the subway, so it should be any time now, but she seemed tired, so I don’t know how she’s going to feel about coming home to this congregation of men, so maybe you should just leave.” 

[zaybarbineaux]

[This was a hot damn mess, and Zay was going to need Lucas to order him an extra pizza on the way home to make up for throwing them into the middle of this. He knew his best friend like he knew his own hand, though, and as soon as Charlie Gardner had the nerve to show up, acting like he owned the place, Zay stepped forward and put a hand on Lucas’s shoulder, before he could even react. Nothing riled Lucas up more than that guy acting like he had some claim on Riley, and Zay knew the last thing any of them needed was him going all Texas-Lucas on the joint. Instead, he tried to diffuse the situation by putting all the attention on Charlie instead.] “What, did you know about this? Or are you just that guy that carries around flowers for girls who ain’t interested?”

[matthewsandson]

[Josh tried not to snicker as Zay called Charlie out; after all this time, he’d finally picked up on what Lucas found so icky about the dude. And while his niece’s ex wasn’t his favorite person in the world, either, Charlie’s only redeeming quality seemed to be the cute way the Maya exclaimed ‘cheese souffle’ every time he walked into a room. Without Maya here, there really wasn’t much use for the kid, so Josh leaned back in his seat, kicking his feet up on the table and making himself at home.] “Actually, if I had to guess which one of the things in this room is not like the other one, I’d say you’re probably the first person who’d go, Gardner. So take a hint or take a seat, doesn’t really matter to me, but I’m willing to bet these guys aren’t leaving.”

[drfarklestein-blog]

BABY DADDY || GMW GUYS

[drfarklestein-blog]

[Farkle tried processing the options as Josh spoke. If it wasn’t Maya’s, then it had to have been Riley’s, right? As the only other girl in the apartment, that seemed like a certainty. But the likelihood of it being Maya’s was way higher, as she was the sexually active one. Unless Riley was too and he just didn’t know it? His mind flashed to Lucas who’d come back to town….just as they’d found a pregnancy test a while later. Coincidence? But Riley would surely tell them…but wouldn’t Maya tell Josh, too? There were too many variables and they weren’t adding up and Farkle wished life were as easy to guess as a movie. At least one of Josh’s suggestions was easy enough to rule out.] 

“Unless it took Isadora’s body five years to process my fluids and she broke into my apartment to take a test in my bathroom, it’s definitely not from a girl I hooked up with.” [Farkle sat back on the arm seat of the couch, forehead crinkled in thought.] If you say it’s not Maya’s, I believe you. She tells you everything and she hasn’t stopped drinking alcohol lately either so…but isn’t it more likely? That it’s her than Riley? As far as I know, Riley hasn’t….Unless Lucas somehow managed to pick up where he left off.” [Farkle couldn’t help adding that bitter thought outloud.] “But if it’s not Maya’s…well, prove that God exists and I’ll say it’s Riley’s. No question that if I were God and I needed another Mary, I’d pick someone just like Riley.”

[matthewsandson]

[While Farkle leaned back, Josh was leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, his hands in his head. He was trying hard to think of a way that this could be Maya, that she would keep this from him... But that just wasn’t how their relationship worked. Sure, they didn’t love talking about serious things, but this was a seriously good thing. If they could handle talking about his dad’s store, and about the logistics of them moving in together, then surely she would have come to him if she’d been worried about being pregnant.] “Dude, unless Maya’s on her way home with a cake that says ‘We’re having a baby!’ on it to announce the news, I just don’t think there’s any way it’s her... She knows I’d be stoked to be a dad, and we’re the only ones who are, you know, employed and in a relationship and actually kinda ready for a kid. She wouldn’t have any reason to be scared or to hide it from me.”

[Which left Josh having to seriously consider the alternative, too -- that his niece was the one pregnant, and something fishy was going on here. Had she acted out because Maya had said she was moving in with Josh? Riley never had dealt with change in the most sane of ways. And she was the type to have a meltdown before turning to people for help, too. Josh cast a sidelong look at Farkle, not sure if he should be amused or annoyed by his contribution to the conversation.] “Before we jump to immaculate conception, should we maybe call the big guy and ask him? You know, if there’s something going on with him and Riles?”

[drfarklestein-blog]

BABY DADDY || GMW GUYS

[Even though Josh saw their place all the time thanks to Maya, it was a little thing called courtesy to be picking up the random water bottles and paint brushes and shopping bags around the living room. The video game system was all set up, there were cold beers by the couch, and all in all it looked like Farkle did bro dates all the time even though mostly he just hung around with his two ladies. He was admiring his handiwork when he heard a knock and saw into the bathroom at the same time at the overflowing trash can. He’d have to handle that.] “Door’s open! Come on in.” [He yelled at the door as he walked into the bathroom, wiping down the sink and then grabbing the trash can by either side to take outside when something hard and plastic sticking out got his attention.]

[A pregnancy test? A positive pregnancy test, he saw upon closer inspection. He felt his heart beat in his hands and he dropped the trash can. Riley. No, it couldn’t be Riley. She didn’t - no, it wasn’t Riley. Maya! The one with a serious long-term boyfriend. That felt…more likely, at least. Grabbing a clean paper towel, Farkle picked the test out of the trash and, in doing so, noticed three others all marked positive. He wandered out of the bathroom to find Josh.] “Hey, uh, sorry to get this off to a weird start, but Maya isn’t…well…is she?” [He couldn’t even ask it, instead just lifting the test for them both to see clearly.]

[matthewsandson]

[Josh was used to coming in and making himself at home in Maya’s apartment; she’d even given him a key ages ago, and he chuckled when Farkle called that the door was open, as if that would have stopped him anyway. He was looking forward to a night of chilling with Riley and Maya’s roommate, which surprised him. Back when they were younger, he’d always thought Farkle was sort of a dweeb and that he’d have more in common with Lucas, but as the years went on, Mr. Howdy had ended up on his shitlist, and Dr. Turtleneck had been the one to rise in his esteem, with what good care he took of Josh’s favorite girls.]

[Josh’s eyes had been on the cold beers, but at the strained sound in Farkle’s voice, his head jerked towards the trash he was holding up, his eyes widening in surprise. He wasn’t an idiot; he knew that there were three pregnancy tests staring him right in the face, and that they all read positive. But he and Maya didn’t keep secrets from each other, so on instinct he responded, without even thinking about it.] “No way.” [He paused then, though, really thinking about it for a second, and his heart dropped to his stomach. While he loved the idea of having a kid... he had so much left he needed to figure out before he and Maya settled down for real for real, with the store and everything. But she had really been pushing the idea of their future lately... was this why? Sinking down to the couch before his knees could give out under him, Josh stared blankly at the bag still in Farkle’s hands as he responded.] “Shit, dude... I don’t know. You’re... you’re sure it’s not Riley’s? Or some girl you hooked up with or something?”

[drfarklestein-blog]

Do you know how much time I spend in front of a computer? She’d get at least two million views from me, but how could anyone watching her videos not fall in love with her and subscribe? I think I’m going to recommend that to her actually. You can come over whenever you want - I don’t have class todays and it beats sitting around beating my newest videogame.

[matthewsandson]

I don’t, but I’ve got a pretty good idea of it, now. Falling in love with her’s a tall order, Dr. Turtleneck. I don’t think my little niece needs a ton of random Youtube-stalker-suitors. Oh yeah? What’s your newest game? You know what, you can just tell me when I get there; I’m bored now, I’m on my way.

[drfarklestein-blog]

I don’t get sleep anyway, but I’ve heard that rant! I love that rant. She should put it on Youtube and get a million subscribers and get it trending and force Disney to fix their ways! I guess translating from book to movie isn’t easy, but the books themselves could fuel a project for years and years, of that I’m certain. That sounds like a plan. She and Riley are doing something later but you could always meet her here. I heard you’re leaning to make chicken wings, anyway, and we’ve got a pretty good oven over here; wings and Game of Thrones could be fun.

[matthewsandson]

I don’t know if she’s going to get a million subscribers but she might get a million views if you love it enough to watch it that many times. Works for me, dude; my apartment’s kind of lonely when Maya’s not around and I just beat my newest videogame, so I’ve got nothing better to do. I’ll stop and pick up food and be there at... whatever time works.

[matthewsandson]

TEXT MESSAGE ✉ JILEY

Riley: No reason! No reason at all.

Josh: Riley, what do you know?

[drfarklestein-blog]

But the meerkat love didn’t last too long! Where did all the meerkat related merchandise go and why can’t I get it back? I would’ve watched 13 Hobbits if they’d made them! It’s not that I wanted them, but that they most certainly had enough material! I’d love to do a rewatch sometime - I wouldn’t mind explaining the Jesus imagery as we go along! 

[matthewsandson]

Don’t let Riley hear you talking about Disney characters that they don’t sell enough of, because she’ll go on a mad princess rant and you’re not going to get any sleep for like the next three days. No way, they already made up stuff to stick into the middle movie that didn’t really happen in the book, if I remember right. If Maya’s into it, we could all watch at your place -- I know she’s gonna miss it when she moves out.

[mayahartsart-blog]

F2F || JOSHAYA

[mayahartsart-blog]

“I like that Plan B! Wow, we really are ready for anything, I’m impressed, go us! We’re going to be great parents when we’re grown up. A maid? Great idea! Or I’m sure Riley would fall over herself at the opportunity to help out with the little ones, but you’re right. We’re not going anywhere.”

[matthewsandson]

“If we don’t get a maid, then we should definitely at least get one of those vacuums that automatically rolls around the house. Those things are awesome. Have you seen the video of all the kittens riding around on one? Scooby’ll probably be too big for it, but maybe he’ll chase it instead. You and me forever, babe. Well... and Riley, but I guess being stuck with her’s not so bad if it means I get you for the rest of my life.”

[matthewsandson]

TEXT MESSAGE ✉ JILEY

Riley: That's okay! I think the family's going to be big enough.

Josh: Why is that a THINK and not a know?

[matthewsandson]

TEXT MESSAGE ✉ JILEY

Riley: In the process of adopting again, duh!

Josh: Nope, not that he's told me, but maybe we should ask for another niece (or cousin) for Christmas ;-)

[mayahartsart-blog]

F2F || JOSHAYA

[mayahartsart-blog]

“What if they’re only the bad parts??? What if they take too long to realize things, or if they’re too ferretty and hold onto anger too long?? I mean, we’ll still love them obviously but what if they make it haaard? I didn’t really think about it like that but you’re right. The more we can spend time at home with these future babes, the better. We’ll figure it out, even if we’re stressed out with dog hair and diapers everywhere - it’ll be better than being clean and stuff without each other, right? Yeah. Like you’re home. Like the feeling I get when I look at you. The mailbox would just be a perk.”

[matthewsandson]

“Then there’ll be somebody out there who’ll love even their bad parts, like us. We’ll love them no matter what they’re like, and we’ll try to help them be the best versions of themselves that they can be. And there’s always military school if we screw up. I mean, by 14 it’s okay for us to decide we’ve failed them, maybe. Probably not -- I think it’s one of those things we have to figure it out as we go. Maybe I can ask my mom to give us 50 dollars a month to have a maid as my Christmas present or something. That’ll be enough to have her come once a month, right? Or not? We have time to figure it out. Neither one of us is going anywhere, after all.”

[drfarklestein-blog]

Rikki Tikki Tavi works best as a short story, I think, but I wouldn’t say no to seeing a short film; I feel like it’d be a cute premise for an animated show for kids too but who knows, maybe they wouldn’t appreciate that little meerkat as much as I did. The Hobbit had a rich lore of backstory and universe that it could’ve been thirteen movies if they wanted, take it back! Danaerys was killed and brought back, collected followers, and was moving towards reclaiming her throne while freeing slaves along the way - she’s one of the clearest examples of a Christ figure in literature! Lord of the Rings, too, yes. 

[matthewsandson]

Kids love meerkats, The Lion King made them so mainstream they even got a whole Meerkat Manor show. You...wanted...13..Hobbits? I literally don’t even know what to say to you right now, dude. I like The Hobbit and Tolkien books well enough, too, but not that much. Huh, I guess I must have missed the season that that happened. I started watching it late with some guys in college, so I didn’t see the whole show in a continuous run. Or maybe the dragons just threw me off the scent that much.