Chapter 1: 1
Chapter Text
Meg
“I think that’s the last of the boxes.” Charlie sets down a box as I open one to start unpacking.
“Great.” I push the flaps away and reach for the first item in the box, Charlie and I’s wedding photo. One of the happiest days of my life. I was 21 and Charlie was almost 21 when we got married. All dressed up for our courthouse wedding. Charlie’s parents were our witnesses. Both my egg and sperm donors found out I had gotten married a year into our marriage. They were strangely angry to find out that I hadn’t told them or even invited them to the wedding. Not sure why they would care since I hadn’t talked to them since before I even left Rhode Island at the age of 18 with the help of Grandma Babs and Grandpa Carter.
Pushing those thoughts aside, I put the picture down and dig through the rest of the box. Baby pictures of Chris and Stewie. Two people that neither of my donors have ever bothered to meet.
“Boys, come help mom and I unpack!” Speaking of my angels. Both coming in and immediately going to the unopened boxes.
“Why did we have to leave Oregan?” The same question my 13 year old has been asking since he was told that we were moving.
“Because this is where your father was able to get a new job at a new firm. Especially one that didn’t involve him waiting for someone to die. Or go to prison.” That seems to at least answer that question for a little while. I catch Stewie ripping one of the boxes open and pulling something out of it. Rupert, his stuffed animal. Kind of surprised that Rupert’s lasted as long as he has.
“Um, boys. Why don’t you take the boxes with your names on it and go pick out your rooms?”
“Okay.” Chris goes for the boxes with his name on it with Stewie following behind, holding Rupert. Both head up the stairs and for their new bedrooms. I finish pulling out everything in the box in front of me. I move the empty box to the side and grab another one. I hear Charlie walk over to me as I open the new box in front of me.
“You could have talked me out of taking the job, hon.”
“I could have but I didn’t. Do we really need to have this conversion again?” Charlie heavily sighs. I know what he’s going to say next.
“Meg-” I turn towards him and cut him off.
“Charlie, just because they might still live here in Quahog doesn’t mean that we can’t still go on with our lives. It might be a little harder to avoid them now.”
“Megan…”
“Charles…” The conversion gets dropped very quickly. I empty the box in front of me like I did with the other one and pick up a new one. I open it and notice it’s filled with dog stuff. That reminds me. I walk to the door.
“Going to go get Brian?” I open the door.
“Yep. I’ll be right back.” I walk outside and close the door behind me. I head across the street to the Browns residence. I knock on the door. Some shuffling around and voices inside until a little girl opens the door. She couldn’t be more than maybe 4.
“Hello…” I bend down enough to be at her level.
“Hi. What’s your name?”
“Selena.”
“Are either of your grandparents home, Selena?” She half turns and yells.
“NANA!” Selena moves out of the doorway and Mrs. Brown comes to the door.
“Rallo, get your daughter!” She turns to completely face me.
“Oh, hi Meg!”
“Hi, Mrs. Brown. I’m here to pick Brian up.” Mrs. Brown turns away from the door.
“BRIAN, YOUR FAMILY’S HERE!” A few seconds later, Brian appears in the doorway with his stuff.
“Hey, Meg.”
“Hey, Brian. Thank you so much for keeping an eye on Brian, Mrs. Brown.”
“Not a problem, dear. You know you can just call me Donna, right?”
“I know.”
“Alright then. Have a good night!”
“You too.” Mrs. Brown closes the door as we head home across the street. Brian practically kool-aid man’s into the house once the door opens. I’ll take that as Brian likes the new house. Or is just happy to be no longer at the Browns. Eh, could be both. I close the door behind me as Charlie gives Brian the box with his stuff once Brian calms down for a moment. Brian starts to put some of his stuff down as I grab the boxes with the mattresses. The bedframes will be tomorrow’s projects. I head for the stairs.
“Need help?”
“I got it.” I head up the stairs with some difficulty because of the boxes with mattresses in them. I managed to get to the second floor of this house without falling backwards down the stairs. I head towards what’s going to be Chris’s bedroom, passing one of the two empty bedrooms. I’m sure we’ll figure out what to do with this empty bedroom. Maybe we’ll turn it into a guest room since I’m sure that Charlie and I aren’t having any more kids. I stop just right after the door of Chris’ bedroom and set down the other two boxes. I check to make sure I’m holding the right one before I enter his room. A few items from his previous bedroom are already set up here.
I really hope that Chris can handle the transition regarding school in the fall. Starting his final year of middle school in not only a new town but a new state in entirety. I set the box down in the middle as Chris is busy with whatever books he had put into the box. I open the box the best I can and pull out the mattress as it flattens itself coming out of the box.
“Where do you want your bed to be, Chris?” Chris looks up from his book long enough to point where.
“There, mom.” I drag the mattress to where he pointed as he goes back to his book. After the adjustments to where the mattress is placed, I take the box and break it down as I leave my eldest’s room. I rest the broken down box against the wall as I grab the box with Stewie’s mattress and head to his room.
I enter and see my youngest looking out the window. Of course, he chose the bedroom with the most windows in the house. My little mad scientist. I just hope his first experiment here doesn’t involve with Brian again. We seriously shouldn't have shown Stewie ‘Back at the Barnyard’ as a toddler. Somehow with what we had in the house, he managed to make them be able to give Brian the ability to speak. That was an interesting conversation with not only Melina, my sister in law who was babysitting Stewie when I had gotten home after a long day of teaching, but also telling Charlie what happened when he came home later that day.
“What’ca lookin’ at, Stewie?” I ask as I set the box down and go to open it.
“Just people watching. It’s interesting to see how people go about their lives while nature is happening all around them.” I get the box open and his mattress out.
“Where do you want your bed to be?”
“By that window.” I turn my head to where Stewie’s pointing without looking away from the other window. I grab the mattress and drag it to the desired place. After everything is fine and dandy, I break down the box once more while leaving my youngest bedroom. I once more place the broken down box up against the first one and grab the last box. I head for what’ll be Charlie and I’s bedroom. I rip open the box and our mattress manages to spring out even for it being a bigger mattress.
Takes me a little longer to find the best arrangement for our bed but I manage to do it. I do the same action I did with the other two boxes as I walk out of the bedroom. I grab the other two broken down boxes and head downstairs. I go to the kitchen and set the boxes next to the trash can. I hear the doorbell ring as I head out of the kitchen. Did Brian forget something at the Browns? Charlie opens the door as I enter the living room. You have got to be kidding me.
“Oh, hello. Can we help you?”
“Hi, I’m Glenn Quagmire. I’m your neighbor.” Mr. Quagmire holds his hand for Charlie to shake it.
“Charles Elrod. Call me Charlie.”
“So, you’re new to Spooner Street?”
“Yea. We just moved here from Oregon.” Come on, Charlie! Wrap this conversion up.
“Oh, yea. What town?”
“Kind of small hick town called Gravity Falls.”
“Oh, cool.” Charlie turns his head and notices my presence behind him.
“This is my wife, Meg.” Mr. Quagmire quickly recognizes me.
“Oh my God, Meg Griffin.” I grimace. I rather not be reminded of my maiden name.
“Hi, Mr. Quagmire.” Charlie looks a little confused.
“You two know each other?” I give Charlie a look and he catches on. I noticed the wedding ring on his hand. Him and Charmese worked things out?
“I thought you and Charmese divorced.” He quickly realizes what I mean and covers it.
“Um, yea. We did. I remarried two years ago.” Huh, looks like Anna has a new step mother.
“Huh. Where’s your wife?”
“She’s currently..Um..In rehab.”
“I’m sorry. For what?” He swallows before answering me.
“Drugs.” Yikes, sounds like my egg donor.
“What’s her name?” Why does he look scared at my question?
“Oh, um. You know, I better get going. Nice to meet you, Charlie. And nice to see you again, Meg.” Mr. Quagmire leaves as Charlie closes the door.
“That was an odd interaction.”
“Yea.” I’m curious as to why he avoided telling us the name of his current wife. And why her situation seems so similar to the woman I once called mom. I’m too tired to care right now. Got a long day of unpacking and making this place our future home tomorrow. I just hope I didn’t make the wrong choice in not convincing Charlie to not take the job here.
Chapter 2: 2
Chapter Text
Meg
Only three weeks until the new school year. It’s weird being back at Quahog High. Its name has been changed a few times over the years. When I went here, it was called James Wood High. Then when the late Adam West passed, it was renamed after him. And then a lot of people bitched about it to the point of them just simply renaming it to Quahog High. It’s really weird being back here after 23 years. I head to the office, passing a few janitors and maintenance people. I notice one janitor staring at me as I walk by. What’s odder is that man looks like my sperm donor but older and thinner. I shudder at that thought as I enter the office. I still can’t stand the smell of beer.
“Hi, how can I help you?”
“Hi, I’m Megan Elrod. The new Russian language teacher. I’m here to pick up my ID and keys.” I already found out about my classes a week ago.
“Alright then, just give me a moment.” Going by the nameplate on the desk, Janice goes to find the information of where my ID and keys are. I look over by the window and that janitor is staring at me again. I’m really starting to get creeped out by this guy. He seems to know, and I don’t know why. His name tag catches my eye. I narrow my eyes a little to see it from a distance. Need to see an eye doctor soon. The name “Griffin” is clear on his name tag, and I feel my heart sink. It can’t be him. It can’t be! He should be dead from alcoholism or his reckless actions.
“Okay, Megan. Here are your keys and ID... Are you okay?” I tear my eyes away from the window to look at Janice.
“Um, yea. Can I ask you something?” Her black eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“Sure...”
“That Janitor over there.” I point to him and Janice follows.
“Yea, what about him?”
“Is Griffin his first name or his last name?” She looks at me like I’m crazy for asking that.
“Griffin is his last name.”
“What’s his first name?” I ask shakily.
“Peter. Are you sure you’re okay, Megan?” Shit. Of course, like a fucking cockroach. He doesn’t go away easily. Took a long while to get him to stop trying to find me when I first left Rhode Island. Luckily, he gave up after about three months. She never looked back once I left. I’m still not sure why he kept trying to find me after I left.
“I’m fine. Call me Meg.”
“Alright, Meg. Do you have any questions for me?” I side eye my sperm donor. Why is he smiling at me?
“No.” Janice smiles at me.
“Alright then. See you in three weeks.” I grab my ID and keys.
“Is there another exit I can go through?” Janice points out another exit to me and I head for that exit, hoping to avoid seeing my sperm donor before I have to. I exit out of the office and there he is. Damn it!
“Hi, honey.” I turn to walk away from him and he’s now following.
“Meg, wait! I just want to talk to you!” Well, I don’t. My pace becomes quicker as I walk out of the front entrance of the building.
“Meg! MEGAN! MEGAN RACHEL!” I dig my car keys out of my purse as I try to remember where I parked.
“MEGAN RACHEL GRIFFIN!” I stop. He’s not going to leave me alone until I say something to him, is he? I turn around as dad stops in front of me and catches his breath.
“It’s Megan Rachel Elrod and has been for the last twenty years.” He stands up completely.
“That’s right. Say, how’s that Charlie guy treating you?” Is he seriously trying to make small talk with me?
“Fine.” How does he know Charlie’s name?
“And how are my grandsons, um. Chris and Stewie?” He knows my sons’ names? What the fuck?
“They’re fine. What do you want?”
“Can’t a guy just want to catch up with his daughter after not seeing her for 23 years?”
“Not when the guy was an abusive alcoholic who was married to her drug addict and abusive whore of a mother.” He grimaces and looks ashamed. 23 years too late.
“Meg...”
“Just fuck off, dad.” I head for my car with dad standing there.
“I just want my little girl back! And meet my grandchildren and son-in-law!” I ignore him as I get in and start the car. I buckle up and back out.
“Meg, honey!” I drive off, dad screaming my name. I’m starting to regret not talking Charlie out of taking this job here.
Charlie comes out of Mr. Quagmire’s house as I pull in. I turn the car off as Charlie comes closer. I unbuckle, grab my purse and get out of the car. I close the car door and lock it.
“Hey, honey.” I grab Charlie by his collar and kiss him. One of the best parts of my life. I pull away as Charlie’s face turns red.
“Where are the boys?” I let go of his collar as he tries to remember how to speak.
“Uh, in the backyard with Brian.”
“Good.” I head for the door and walk in as Charlie quickly follows.
“Uh, honey, are you okay?” Charlie asks as he shuts the door. I take my shoes off and hang up my purse. I walk to the couch and plop down. The couch shifts a little when Charlie sits down next to me.
“Meg, what’s wrong?” I sigh heavily.
“Met a janitor today.” Confused at my tone.
“Ookay. What was their name?” I sigh again.
“Peter Griffin.” Venom dripping from my words as Charlie catches on.
“Oh, honey.” Charlie wraps his arm around me, and I lay my head on his shoulder.
“He wants to meet the boys. And I’m not sure if I want him to.”
“Then we don’t let him.”
“He is their grandfather, Charlie.”
“That doesn’t mean he’s entitled to meeting them.” He is right, but he doesn’t know my father the way I do. He’ll keep pestering me about it until I cave. But that’ll take a while. I’m hoping for no more surprises until after the school year starts. Praying that we’ll be dealing with calmness for a while before our world gets fucked with once more.
Chapter 3: 3
Chapter Text
Meg
“Charlie, come on! We’re going to be late!” Charlie coming down the stairs as I adjust my earrings and do a few touch ups on my makeup.
“Sorry, I almost killed myself and Brian by tripping over him.” Charlie fixes his tie as the aforementioned dog comes down the stairs on his hind legs. I’m still not completely sure how the hell that doesn’t hurt him. Nor how Stewie somehow being able to make him talk gave him that ability to effortlessly walk like that.
“Heading out?” Charlie stops fixing his tie while turning towards Brian.
“Yep, first date night in a couple of months.” I put lipstick back into my purse while checking to make sure I have everything as Chris and Stewie enter the living room.
“Alright, boys! Your dad and I are heading out for the night. Be good. If anything goes wrong, Officer Swanson is just right next door and the Browns are across the street.” Charlie turns to me, confused.
“Honey, isn’t he retired?”
“He’s also in a wheelchair, what’s your point?” It’s a shame that he was forced to retire after becoming wheelchaired bound. He seemed to really love being a police officer. Though I have a feeling of him becoming disabled and forced to retire is what led to his and Mrs. Swanson’s divorce a couple of years later. Well that and her cheating on him during that time too. No wonder why her and my egg donor were best friends until her and dad divorced.
“Alright then. Love you both.” Charlie grabs the keys off of the hook as the door opens and we head outside. Charlie locks the door behind us as I head out to the car. No sight of Mr. Quagmire’s car in his driveway. Odd. Charlie walks over to me after locking the front door.
“Something wrong?” I half turn towards Charlie.
“Mr. Quagmire’s car isn’t in his driveway.” Charlie’s head turns towards Mr. Quagmire’s driveway.
“Huh, maybe he parked it in the garage.”
“Maybe.”
“Also, didn’t he say that you can just call him Glen?” Suddenly, I’m six years old again. Unsure of where mom was and why dad was dropping me off here.
“Oh, hey Peter. Hey Meg. What’s up?”
“Hel..Hello Muh Mister Quagmire.” My voice quivers while trying to hide behind dad.
“He..Hey Gl…Glen! I ne…need yo..you to wa..watch M..Maggie-”
“My name is Meg, daddy.” I still don’t know why dad kept referring to me as Maggie when he was shit faced.
“...for a co..couple of d..days!”
“Peter, are you drunk?”
“Muh…Maybe. Wha…What’s it to yo…you?”
“Geez, Peter. Don’t you think you should be, you know, sober around Meg?”
“Ma…Maggie-”
“Meg.”
“...here doesn’t mind. Don’t ya, Maggie?”
“Daddy, I’m Meg.”
“Su…Sure yo…you are, hon…honey.” Dad rubbed my head at that comment. My hat slipped. Trying to swat dad’s hands away from my head. My hair on the shorter side due to mom in one of her moods and deciding that I couldn’t be prettier than her at six years old.
“So…So, can…can you do…do it, Gl…Glen?”
“I mean, Peter-”
“Yes or no, Glen!” Dad drunkenly screamed, scaring both Mr. Quagmire and I.
“Okay, fine! Damn.” Mr. Quagmire bending down to my level.
“Come on, hon.” Hesitantly, I walked over to Mr. Quagmire. Mr. Quagmire picks me up and holds me as dad drunkenly stumbles off to God knows where. Mr. Quagmire let out a heavy sigh before heading inside with me, shutting the front door behind him.
“I would rather not.” I finally say to Charlie before getting inside the car. Charlie just looking at me confused before also getting in. Charlie starts the car as I buckle up. He also buckles up before putting the car into reverse and backing out of the driveway. Charlie shifts the car into drive and takes off once we’re out of the driveway. My phone buzzes as we approach the traffic light at the end of the street. I go into my purse and pull my phone out, only to put it back into my purse.
“Him again?”
“Unfortunately.” I still have no idea how dad got my phone number and to be honest, I’m not sure I want to know. So far, he hasn’t tried to talk to Chris and Stewie behind my back. He tried to talk to Charlie through the number at the firm. Luckily, that wasn’t a long conversation since he wasn’t looking to hire a property lawyer.
“Hi and welcome to Angelo’s! How many?”
“Two.” The host grabs two menus from behind the podium.
“Alright, follow me.” Charlie and I follow the host to where we’re sitting. A beautifully decorated restaurant. The host sets the menus down at a table as Charlie and I take our seats.
“Your server will be with you shortly.” The host walks off as we open our menus and try to figure out what we want.
“Lots of good options.” Romantic music playing softly in the background as one of the bussers sets down two waters. Our server comes around as we debate on what we want.
“Hi folks! My name is David and I will be your server tonight.” I eye him a little bit as he pulls a notebook from the pocket of his apron. He looks to be of stocky build, though I question how often he’s in the sun due to how pale he is. His bleached hair looks overdue for a touch up along with maybe a haircut with the length being on the longer side. Black nail polish and a pair of studs. No other piercings on him that I can see at the moment.
“Can I get you folks started with something to drink?” I look at Charlie as he looks at me. His face asking me if I want to go first or if I want him to go first. Looks like I’ll go first. I turn back towards David.
“Do you have mocktails?”
“Uh, yea, we should. What mocktail would you like?”
“A Mai Tai mocktail if possible.” David writes it down on his notepad before turning to Charlie.
“Alright. And for you, sir?” I look back at my menu as Charlie turns his head to look at David.
“Make that two Mai Tai mocktails.” I give him a weird look as our server writes down Charlie’s drink order.
“Okay and do we want appetizers to start?”
“I think we’re good.”
“Alright. I will be back with your drinks.” David walks off. Charlie goes back to his menu.
“You know you could have ordered alcohol if you wanted to.”
“I know. I just didn’t want to.” Letting it go for now, I try to figure out what I want. Too many good options. Flipping through the menu as David comes back with our drinks.
“Do we know what we know or do we need a couple more minutes to decide?”
“Um, a couple more minutes.”
“Alright, I will be back.” A grating laugh pierces through the romantic atmosphere as David walks off.
“Who the fuck is laughing?” Charlie and I look for the source and find it. You have got to be kidding me! Dad’s fucking here?! On a date it seems but here?!?! There aren’t other restaurants in town he could have gone to? Quickly turn back to my menu and hide my face. Running into my father wasn’t exactly on the agenda for date night with my husband!
“Who’s that asshole?”
“Charles!” Charlie turns to look at me.
“What?”
“That’s your father-in-law.” Looking at me like I’ve stopped speaking English.
“Who?”
“That guy.” I point with my head and Charlie follows, even more confused.
“Uh, Meg honey. I didn't know you were black.” Huh? I look and it’s the server. I turn back to him.
“Not the server. The guy at the table.” Charlie looks at dad and anger flashes across his face.
“That asshole is your father?” Why don’t you say it louder, Charlie? I don’t think he heard you.”
“Shhh!” I shush him. Charlie leans in while glaring at dad every so often.
“I thought he was heavier.”
“He was.”
“When did he lose weight?”
“When he stopped drinking.”
“And that was?”
“I don’t know, Charlie! Probably long after I left.” Picking up the menu once more and trying to figure out what I want. Charlie’s glare becomes more apparent as he goes back to his menu. Looks like dad hasn’t noticed us from what I can see from the corner of my eye. Hopefully it stays that way.
“Alright, folks! Have we decided?” Almost scared the crap out of me. I didn’t know he was right there.
“Yes, we have. Meg?” David pulls out his notepad as I try to find what I’m going to order.
“I would like the Italian sausage.”
“Would you like soup or salad with that?”
“Soup. A cup of your minestrone.” I hand my menu to David as he finishes writing down my order before taking it and turning his attention to Charlie.
“And for you, sir?”
"Shepherd's pie.”
“Would you like to add soup or salad with that?”
“Salad.” Charlie handing his menu off to our server.
“And what kind of dressing would you like?”
“Ranch if you have it.” David takes the menu from Charlie.
“Alright. Your salad and soup should be out shortly.” He walks off, leaving Charlie and I alone. Really hoping no one else from the past tries to resurface tonight. David comes back with my soup and Charlie’s salad.
“Soup for the ma’am and salad for the sir.” Setting them down in front of us. We dig in as David walks off to tend to his other tables. Us eating fills the silence between the two of us as something behind me catches Charlie’s eye.
“Huh.”
“What?” Charlie finishes chewing and swallows before he answers me.
“Glen’s here.” I look at him weird.
“What?” He points behind me.
“Behind you.” I turn to behind me and see Mr. Quagmire talking with David. What the fuck is actually going on here tonight? Dad’s here and now Mr. Quagmire?! What the hell?! I face Charlie once more.
“Why the hell is he here?” Charlie just shrugs at me.
“I don’t know. Maybe he’s here with his wife.” Come to think of it, I have no idea what Mr. Quagmire’s current wife looks like.
“And what would your wife like to drink, sir?”
“I don’t know. She’s in the…Oh, there she is!” Okay, time to see what Mrs. Quagmire number three…looks…like. Either this is a horrible coincidence or a fucking ghost. She’s pretty much a walking skeleton with raggedy white hair and baggy clothes. Please just be a horrible coincidence.
“Yea, yea, here I am. Don’t get your panties in a twist, Glen.” My mother sits down across from Mr. Quagmire. Oh my God, I want to throw up. I turn away, praying that I don’t hurl into my soup.
“Huh, so that’s what his wife looks like. She’s a lot more skeletal than I thought she was going to be.” Charlie looks at me and is immediately concerned at my expression.
“Honey, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” I swallow thickly.
“Remember how I told you that my mother’s a drug addict?”
“Yea?”
“And how I’m pretty sure she’s dead now because of her drug addiction?”
“Yea?” Deep breathes.
“Charlie, meet your mother-in-law.” His eyes widen and his jaw drops as he glances at mom. I wasn’t expecting the past to come back so quickly in the short time I’ve been back in Quahog. Unfortunately, the past never dies it seems.
“Close your mouth, honey. A bird is going to fly in there.” Charlie quickly closes his mouth before leaning in towards me.
“Wait, wait. You’re telling me that laughing asshole is your father?” Charlie pointing to dad who’s now just eating.
“And that skeleton is your mother?” Now pointing to mom behind us.
“Yea.” Charlie’s eyes widened once more.
“Wait, if she’s Glen’s wife. That means Glen is…”
“...my stepfather.”
四个好时光 (Guest) on Chapter 3 Sat 30 Aug 2025 04:43AM UTC
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