Family Guy: Meg Loves Joe

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I do not own Family Guy; Seth MacFarlane does. I also don't own the cover art.

At the Swanson's house, an empty suitcase was laying open on Joe's and Bonnie's bed. Bonnie walked into the bedroom that she shared with Joe. She walked over to the closet and starting pulling identical purple dresses out. She carried them over to the waiting suitcase. She gently folded the dresses and placed them in the suitcase. She closed the suitcase and took it from the bed.

In the living room, Joe was sitting in his chair watching TV. Susie was sitting on the floor playing with her toys.

Bonnie approached Joe, suitcase in hand. Joe looked up at her

"I have to go."

"Okay"

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"Yeah."

Bonnie sat down her suitcase and walked over to her daughter. She picked Susie up and hugged her. "Momma has to go away for a few days." She kissed her little girl, then carried her over to her father.

"I put everything where you can reach it." She told Joe as she handed him Susie.

Joe took Susie. "If you forgot something, I could always climb up and get it. You know, like I did last week.

The week before, Joe was in his kitchen, dangling from one of the overhead cabinets.

Bonnie was standing below him, watching. "Are you sure you don't need help."

"I got it." Joe opened the cabinet and grabbed what he needed. His hand that was supporting him slipped and he fell. He crashed into his wife and they both crashed into the kitchen table, breaking it. Blood was everywhere.

"Told you I had it."

Back to the present day, Bonnie bent forward and kissed her husband. "I love you. Have a good time with Susie."

Joe kissed her back. Susie reached her arms out to Bonnie.

"No, Momma has to go. You'll have a good time with Dada." She kissed her baby girl one last time. Then Bonnie grabbed her suitcase and left.

Susie started to cry.

Joe hugged her close to him. "Shh, shh. Don't cry. Momma will be back in a few days. Are you hungry?"

With baby in lap, he started for the kitchen. Susie watched her dad's hands move the big wheels on the side of the chair. She put her tiny hands on the wheels and "helped" Joe wheel to the kitchen.

Bonnie had one more thing to take care of before she left town. She walked over the her neighbors', the Griffins', house. She rang the doorbell and waited.

Inside, Peter was sitting on the couch watching TV. He heard the doorbell, but continued to just sit there.

"Peter, get the door!" Lois screamed at Peter from the kitchen.

Peter ignored his wife and continued to watch TV.

Lois came out of the kitchen. "Peter, I swear to God! Can't you just answer the door?"

"I'm watching my show!"

The doorbell rang again. Lois gave in and answered the door. "Hi, Bonnie!"

"Hi, Lois."

Lois looked at the suitcase. "Going somewhere?"

"Yes. I have to go out of town for a few days."

"Oh. Well, who's watching Susie."

"Joe's staying home with Susie. Which is why I'm here: can you guy just check on Joe from time to time while I'm gone. It's not that I don't trust him, but I do worry."

"Of course, Bonnie."

"Thanks. I'll see you when I get back." Bonnie turned to go, then stopped and turned her head back at Lois. "One more thing: he doesn't know that I'm asking you this, so don't tell him. He'll be mad." Bonnie turned back and left. Hopefully Joe wasn't looking out the window just then.

A couple of days passed. One evening, the Griffins were eating dinner in the kitchen.

Meg stopped eating and looked out the window at the house next door. "Mom, have you been next door to check on Mr. Swanson?"

Lois didn't even look up from her plate. "Huh?"

"Have you checked on Mr. Swanson? You told Mrs. Swanson you would. Remember?"

Lois looked up. "Meg, I don't have time for this."

Meg turned to her dad. "How about you, Dad? You're friends with Mr. Swanson."

"Who?"

"Mr. Swanson. Our neighbor. Your friend. Lives over there." Meg pointed out the window, becoming angry.

"Oh oh yeah, the crippled guy. Nope, haven't seen him."

"Well, some should check on him!"

Lois got up and began clearing the table. "Meg, if you're so worried about it, why don't you go over?"

"Fine, I will!" Meg got up from the table and stormed out of the house. She walked over to the Swansons' house and rang the doorbell.

Joe opened the door. Susie was in his lap.

"Hi, Mr. Swanson."

"Hi, Meg."

"I just wanted to come by and see how you are since Mrs. Swanson is still out of town."

"I'm fine."

"Oh." Meg and Joe stared at each other for a few awkward minutes.

Finally, Joe spoke again. "Do you want to come in?"

"Sure."

Joe wheeled back and Meg came through the door. Joe shut the door, then led Meg to the living room. She sat down on the couch and Joe sat beside the couch. Spongebob Squarepants was playing on the TV.

Meg looked at Susie. "She's so cute? Can I hold her?"

Joe handed Susie to Meg. Susie started fussing and reaching out to Joe.