Disclaimer: I don't own the characters in this story. They belong to Kauffman and Crane and the other TPTB at Friends! Warning, this takes place after the end of Friends, so there will be spoilers to the last episode!!
Friends Season 11
Episode 1: TOW Monica is Tired
It was three in the morning when Monica Bing stumbled out of bed and padded down the hallway of the new house. She could still smell the fresh paint and the new carpet. She could smell the lingering smell of baked cookies she had made earlier that afternoon for Emma. Monica flipped on the hallway light and squinted to let her eyes adjust to the light. She could hear the cries of her week-old twins. Eve and Daniel Bing were both awake and they were both hungry. Monica sighed heavily as she pulled both children into her arms and sat down in her rocking chair. She had already prepared warm bottles before she went to bed an hour ago, so the bottles were still warm.
"It'd be so much easier if your father was here," Monica said with a sigh as she popped a bottle into each hungry mouth. Chandler was working late tonight. He had taken the week off after the twins were born, and now he was busy catching up on his work. Monica had dark circles under her eyes and she felt like she was going to doze off again. The twins were fast eaters and Monica was very happy that she had two children.
As Monica stared at her newborn children, the phone rang. Monica groaned and she didn't bother to get up. She knew that whoever it was could wait just a few minutes until the children were fed. If it was Chandler, Monica knew he knew better. She also knew that if it was Chandler, she was going to give him a serious talking to in the morning before he left again for work.
A few minutes later, the twins were finished eating and Monica was putting them back down. She walked downstairs and turned on the living room light. She sat down on the couch and reached over to check her caller I.D. Erica's name flashed over it. Monica frowned and picked up the phone. She dialed Erica's phone number. Erica was still in the city. She was supposed to take a flight back to Ohio in a week. The phone rang once and Erica answered.
"Hello?" Erica asked.
"Erica? You called? It's Monica."
"Hi Monica. I'm sorry if I woke you up."
"No . . . you didn't wake me. I was up with the babies."
"Oh," Erica replied quietly.
"Is everything okay?" Monica asked.
"Yeah. I was just wondering if the twins were okay. I know I shouldn't worry about them. They're in good hands, but I can't help but . . . you know? I mean, giving birth to them wasn't the end of it for me . . . I'm always going to care about them."
"I know," Monica replied quietly. "You can come visit them before you leave. You can . . . you can see them whenever you want, you know?"
"Really?" Erica asked.
"Of course, Erica. You carried the babies and you gave them to me and to Chandler. We couldn't have children, and you gave us two. You're always welcome to see them."
"I wouldn't want them to be confused."
"I know," Monica replied. "I'll bring them by Central Perk tomorrow at noon, okay?"
"Okay. Thanks Monica," Erica replied. She hung up and Monica hung up too. She sighed heavily. She felt so bad for Erica. She knew that Erica had a place in her heart for those babies and she knew that giving the babies up was much harder than the poor girl expected it to be. But Erica did the right thing. The front door opened and Chandler walked in.
"Hey," he said cheerily.
"Shh," Monica warned. "I just got the babies back to sleep."
"Oh. Sorry," Chandler replied.
"Erica called. I'm taking the babies to her in the morning."
"What?! Monica, we can't just give them back!" Chandler exclaimed. Monica rolled her eyes.
"I'm taking them to visit!" Monica exclaimed.
"Oh . . ." Chandler replied slowly. "I think I'll stop in on them and say goodnight."
"Don't you dare! I just got them back to sleep!"
"But they're so cute when they sleep . . ."
"Chandler, they are babies. They sleep twenty three hours a day anyway!" Monica said in a hushed voice. Chandler frowned. Monica took a deep breath.
"How was your day?"
"I watched Emma today," Monica replied. "Rachel was moving some of her stuff from Joey's and she needed me to baby-sit. So I had three kids all to myself," Monica replied.
"I bet that was fun."
"Yeah. Fun," Monica answered with a roll of her eyes. "I'm exhausted."
"Well, I have good news. The boss is giving me tomorrow off with pay."
"Why's that?" Monica asked.
"Because I fell asleep at my desk and she said I needed a day off. I refused so she said she'd pay me to leave," Chandler replied. Monica laughed.
"Okay. I have a great idea!"
"What's that?"
"You can watch the kids tomorrow and I'll sleep," Monica replied, patting her husband's back and giving him a kiss. "Good night." She headed upstairs to sleep for the next fifteen hours.
*~*
Phoebe walked into Central Perk with Mike the next afternoon. Erica was sitting on the couch sipping latté.
"Hey Erica!" Phoebe said cheerily. "You haven't met my husband Mike."
"Hi Phoebe," Erica said with a smile as she stood up. She extended her hand to Mike. "Hello Mike."
"Hi," Mike replied.
"This is the woman who carried Danny and Eve for Chandler and Monica."
"Have you seen Monica yet?" Erica asked.
"No," Phoebe replied. "Why?"
"Well, she was supposed to stop by here with the twins," Erica replied. Just then, Chandler walked in looking extremely exhausted. Sweat was soaking the back of his shirt, his clothes were in disarray, and the twins were crying in their stroller. Everybody in the café looked over at Chandler as he entered. He quickly made his way over to the couch and plopped down.
"Hi Chandler," Erica said slowly. "Where's Monica?"
"She's sleeping. She asked me to watch the kids today," Chandler answered. "I guess I deserve that. She had them all day yesterday."
"Chandler?" Phoebe asked.
"Hmm?"
"Why are your kids crying?"
"I don't know!" Chandler exclaimed. I just changed both of their diapers, I fed them both before they left, and I sang to them on the way here."
"There's your problem," Mike replied.
"Hey! I can sing," Chandler replied.
"Right," Phoebe laughed. "Come here Eve." Phoebe picked up the baby and she sat down next to Erica and Chandler picked up Danny. The twins were soon quiet and Erica looked very nervous.
"Erica, do you want to hold them?" Chandler asked.
"I don't know . . . I never even held them after they were born."
"There's a first time for everything," Phoebe chimed in. Erica smiled nervously.
"Okay." She bit her lip nervously and Chandler placed Danny in her arms. Phoebe put Eve in Erica's arms too. 'Wow . . . they got big. They're so heavy."
"Yeah," Chandler replied. "monica has been feeding them lead-based formula," he joked. Ross and Rachel walked in with Emma. Emma was in her daddy's arms.
"Hey guys!" Rachel said happily.
"Hey!" Phoebe replied. "How was moving day? Sorry we didn't help. Mike and I were . . . well, we were doing it."
"That's okay," Rachel replied with a laugh. Ross and I handled everything. Emma had a good time at Aunt Monica's."
"How did Joey take it?" Phoebe asked.
"He wouldn't come out of his room," Ross replied. "I think he's just sad that he's losing his room mate again and this time he won't have Chandler to move back in."
"Aww . . . poor Joey," Phoebe replied. "I should go try to cheer him up."
"Don't bother. When he locks himself in his room . . . he doesn't come out for days because he can't remember how to unlock the door from the inside."
"Oh . . . well, where's Monica?" Rachel asked. "I wanted to give her some of Emma's old clothes and toys for the twins."
"She's at home sleeping. She's worn out. I'm taking the kids to visit their grandparents."
"Yours or mine?" Ross asked.
"Yours. I took them to visit dad the other day. He bought Danny a Cher T-shirt with a matching wig," Chandler replied. Mike laughed. Chandler looked at Erica who was starting to cry.
"Erica? You okay?" Chandler asked. Erica nodded.
"I'm fine," she sobbed. "I just can't stop staring at these beautiful babies!"
"Oh . . . Monica wanted me to give you this," Chandler said softly. He reached into the diaper bag and pulled out a photo album. The picture in the front was a picture of Monica holding Danny, Chandler holding Eve, and both of them standing on either side of Erica in the hospital. Erica started to sob again. She put the twins down in the stroller and started to flip through the book. All of the pictures were those of the babies. "She wanted me to tell you that . . . she was going to take pictures of the kids every day and make doubles and send copies to you."
"Really?" Erica asked. "That's so sweet of her." Erica hugged Chandler. "I need to leave . . . I have to make arrangements for my flight next week. It was nice seeing you all." She waved. "Bye."
"Bye Erica," they all replied. Ross and Rachel sat down on the couch. Emma stood on the floor and leaned over the coffee table to play with one of her toys. Rachel noticed that Phoebe was grinning at the two of them.
"What?" Rachel asked.
"It's just so great to see you both back together!" Phoebe exclaimed. "You don't know how happy I am to see you both like this!" Ross put his arm around Rachel and she kissed his cheek.
"We're just glad it finally happened," Ross replied. "All of those years . . . and we found our way back to each other."
"Plus the sexual tension. Do you know that before Ross and I got back together, I hadn't had sex since the night Emma was conceived?"
"Oh my God! You poor thing!" Phoebe exclaimed.
"Hey Phoebe, we probably need to get going, it's almost time to meet my parents for lunch," Mike pointed out.
"Oh, that's right," Phoebe replied. "I'll see you guys later."
"We need to go to. I might stop by and drop those clothes off to Monica."
"Try not to wake her up. I left the back door unlocked. Monica gets grumpy when she's woken up," Chandler warned.
"Believe me . . . I know," Rachel replied. "I was her roommate for years." Ross and Rachel left. Chandler looked at the babies in the stroller.
"Time to go see grandma and grandpa." Danny started to fuss. "No no! I promise this grandpa won't make you wear that sparkly wig."
*~*
Ross walked into Joey's apartment to find Joey sitting at the bar of his kitchen. Ross decided to let Rachel go out to Monica's with Emma because he figured he should talk to Joey. Joey looked up from his plate of pasta and he looked gloomy.
"Hey man," Ross said.
"Hey," Joey replied quietly. He played with the spagnitti with his fork for a minute.
"Everything okay?"
"No. I don't have anybody to argue with anymore," Joey replied. He got a sad look on his face. "I miss Emma. We always argued over Hugsy."
"I'm sorry, Joe," Ross said, patting his friend on the back. "Rachel and I are getting married . . . and we're a family with Emma now. But if it helps . . . you can come over anytime you like."
"You mean that?" Joey asked.
"I mean it," Ross said with a smile. Joey smiled half-way and the two men hugged. They quickly pulled apart and cleared their throats.
"So where are Rachel and Emma?"
"They went to drop some things off at Monica and Chandler's."
"I feel so far away from everyone. Mike and Phoebe live on the other side of town. You and Rachel live in the next building. Monica and Chandler live all the way out in the country . . . and I'm getting new neighbors."
"Really? How are they?"
"They're not cool! I tried to go over for lunch today and they threatened to call the police when I started raiding their fridge!"
"Didn't they invite you?"
"No. Why would they? We just met," Joey replied. Ross shook his head quickly.
"Anyway . . . I just wanted to come and check on you."
"I'm okay. I'm going to try to find a new roommate. Happen to know if Heidi Klum is available?"
*~*
Rachel carried Emma into Monica and Chandler's house. She walked through the back door, into the kitchen, and then into the living room. She was pushing Emma in her stroller and carrying a large box. She put the box down on the floor and lifted Emma out of the stroller.
"Here sweetie," Rachel said. "I'm gonna go put these upstairs in Auntie Monica's closet. Be a good girl and play with Lamby. She handed Emma a toy lamb and headed upstairs with the box. AS soon as she got upstairs, she slowly tiptoed over to Monica's hall closet. She opened it and the door squeaked a little. She quickly put the box down and shut the door. As she was heading back down toward the stairs, she tripped and nearly fell, but caught herself before she could. Monica's bedroom door flew open and Monica walked out. Her hair was a mess and she looked extremely irritated.
"Rach? What are you doing here?" Monica asked.
"I dropped off some of Emma's old stuff for you. I put it in the closet," Rachel said, pointing to the closet.
"Could you be a little more quiet next time?"
"Sorry, Mon. You look really tired."
"Thanks," Monica said with a scoff.
"That's not what I meant. Um . . ."
"Now that I'm up," Monica started with a yawn, "I might as well get some coffee." She and Rachel headed downstairs where Emma was sitting on the floor with Lamby. Rachel pickedk up Emma and followed Monica into the kitchen.
"I'm really sorry I woke you, Mon," Rachel admitted.
"Don't worry about it. It's okay," Monica replied. "I've slepted enough. I'm just really tired."
"Having a new baby around the house will do that to you."
"Yeah, well, try having two," Monica replied. "I never knew that having kids would be so tiring." Rachel laughed. She bounced Emma on her hip.
"Well . . . I plan to have two." Monica looked at Rachel quickly.
"Are you?" Monica asked with a slight grin.
"No," Rachel replied quickly. "No, no, no, no, no. But . . . it would be nice to give Emma a baby brother or sister some day."
"Oh . . . that would be so nice!" Monica exclaimed. "But please, don't have one within the next nine months because I'm already exhausted as a mother! I don't have time to spoil three babies!" Rachel laughed. "Rach, I'm so glad you and Ross are back together. I thought I was going to have to play Cupid or something."
"We found our way back to each other. We're happy, Mon. We're so happy . . ." Monica smiled happily.
"I'm glad." Monica paused for a moment. "Now get out so I can go back to sleep."
"Coffee?"
"Nah. Sleep is better," Monica said with a yawn. Rachel and Emma left and Monica plodded upstairs so she could go back to sleep.
*~*
Later that evening, Chandler pushed the stroller into the house quietly and he looked at the sleeping twins.
"Okay kids, stay really quiet so we don't wake up your mother," Chandler warned. He pushed the stroller in the rest of the way and Eve started to fuss. Chandler absent-mindedly let the door close loudly as he picked up Eve. As soon as the door slammed, Chandler cringed.
"Chandler!" Monica yelled from upstairs. A look of fear spread over Chandler's face.
"Oh no . . . I've awakend it! Shh . . . if you're quiet maybe she won't know were here! She can smell fear!" Chandler put the baby into the stroller and hurried off toward the kitchen.
Fade to Black
Friends Season 11
Episode 1: TOW Monica is Tired
It was three in the morning when Monica Bing stumbled out of bed and padded down the hallway of the new house. She could still smell the fresh paint and the new carpet. She could smell the lingering smell of baked cookies she had made earlier that afternoon for Emma. Monica flipped on the hallway light and squinted to let her eyes adjust to the light. She could hear the cries of her week-old twins. Eve and Daniel Bing were both awake and they were both hungry. Monica sighed heavily as she pulled both children into her arms and sat down in her rocking chair. She had already prepared warm bottles before she went to bed an hour ago, so the bottles were still warm.
"It'd be so much easier if your father was here," Monica said with a sigh as she popped a bottle into each hungry mouth. Chandler was working late tonight. He had taken the week off after the twins were born, and now he was busy catching up on his work. Monica had dark circles under her eyes and she felt like she was going to doze off again. The twins were fast eaters and Monica was very happy that she had two children.
As Monica stared at her newborn children, the phone rang. Monica groaned and she didn't bother to get up. She knew that whoever it was could wait just a few minutes until the children were fed. If it was Chandler, Monica knew he knew better. She also knew that if it was Chandler, she was going to give him a serious talking to in the morning before he left again for work.
A few minutes later, the twins were finished eating and Monica was putting them back down. She walked downstairs and turned on the living room light. She sat down on the couch and reached over to check her caller I.D. Erica's name flashed over it. Monica frowned and picked up the phone. She dialed Erica's phone number. Erica was still in the city. She was supposed to take a flight back to Ohio in a week. The phone rang once and Erica answered.
"Hello?" Erica asked.
"Erica? You called? It's Monica."
"Hi Monica. I'm sorry if I woke you up."
"No . . . you didn't wake me. I was up with the babies."
"Oh," Erica replied quietly.
"Is everything okay?" Monica asked.
"Yeah. I was just wondering if the twins were okay. I know I shouldn't worry about them. They're in good hands, but I can't help but . . . you know? I mean, giving birth to them wasn't the end of it for me . . . I'm always going to care about them."
"I know," Monica replied quietly. "You can come visit them before you leave. You can . . . you can see them whenever you want, you know?"
"Really?" Erica asked.
"Of course, Erica. You carried the babies and you gave them to me and to Chandler. We couldn't have children, and you gave us two. You're always welcome to see them."
"I wouldn't want them to be confused."
"I know," Monica replied. "I'll bring them by Central Perk tomorrow at noon, okay?"
"Okay. Thanks Monica," Erica replied. She hung up and Monica hung up too. She sighed heavily. She felt so bad for Erica. She knew that Erica had a place in her heart for those babies and she knew that giving the babies up was much harder than the poor girl expected it to be. But Erica did the right thing. The front door opened and Chandler walked in.
"Hey," he said cheerily.
"Shh," Monica warned. "I just got the babies back to sleep."
"Oh. Sorry," Chandler replied.
"Erica called. I'm taking the babies to her in the morning."
"What?! Monica, we can't just give them back!" Chandler exclaimed. Monica rolled her eyes.
"I'm taking them to visit!" Monica exclaimed.
"Oh . . ." Chandler replied slowly. "I think I'll stop in on them and say goodnight."
"Don't you dare! I just got them back to sleep!"
"But they're so cute when they sleep . . ."
"Chandler, they are babies. They sleep twenty three hours a day anyway!" Monica said in a hushed voice. Chandler frowned. Monica took a deep breath.
"How was your day?"
"I watched Emma today," Monica replied. "Rachel was moving some of her stuff from Joey's and she needed me to baby-sit. So I had three kids all to myself," Monica replied.
"I bet that was fun."
"Yeah. Fun," Monica answered with a roll of her eyes. "I'm exhausted."
"Well, I have good news. The boss is giving me tomorrow off with pay."
"Why's that?" Monica asked.
"Because I fell asleep at my desk and she said I needed a day off. I refused so she said she'd pay me to leave," Chandler replied. Monica laughed.
"Okay. I have a great idea!"
"What's that?"
"You can watch the kids tomorrow and I'll sleep," Monica replied, patting her husband's back and giving him a kiss. "Good night." She headed upstairs to sleep for the next fifteen hours.
*~*
Phoebe walked into Central Perk with Mike the next afternoon. Erica was sitting on the couch sipping latté.
"Hey Erica!" Phoebe said cheerily. "You haven't met my husband Mike."
"Hi Phoebe," Erica said with a smile as she stood up. She extended her hand to Mike. "Hello Mike."
"Hi," Mike replied.
"This is the woman who carried Danny and Eve for Chandler and Monica."
"Have you seen Monica yet?" Erica asked.
"No," Phoebe replied. "Why?"
"Well, she was supposed to stop by here with the twins," Erica replied. Just then, Chandler walked in looking extremely exhausted. Sweat was soaking the back of his shirt, his clothes were in disarray, and the twins were crying in their stroller. Everybody in the café looked over at Chandler as he entered. He quickly made his way over to the couch and plopped down.
"Hi Chandler," Erica said slowly. "Where's Monica?"
"She's sleeping. She asked me to watch the kids today," Chandler answered. "I guess I deserve that. She had them all day yesterday."
"Chandler?" Phoebe asked.
"Hmm?"
"Why are your kids crying?"
"I don't know!" Chandler exclaimed. I just changed both of their diapers, I fed them both before they left, and I sang to them on the way here."
"There's your problem," Mike replied.
"Hey! I can sing," Chandler replied.
"Right," Phoebe laughed. "Come here Eve." Phoebe picked up the baby and she sat down next to Erica and Chandler picked up Danny. The twins were soon quiet and Erica looked very nervous.
"Erica, do you want to hold them?" Chandler asked.
"I don't know . . . I never even held them after they were born."
"There's a first time for everything," Phoebe chimed in. Erica smiled nervously.
"Okay." She bit her lip nervously and Chandler placed Danny in her arms. Phoebe put Eve in Erica's arms too. 'Wow . . . they got big. They're so heavy."
"Yeah," Chandler replied. "monica has been feeding them lead-based formula," he joked. Ross and Rachel walked in with Emma. Emma was in her daddy's arms.
"Hey guys!" Rachel said happily.
"Hey!" Phoebe replied. "How was moving day? Sorry we didn't help. Mike and I were . . . well, we were doing it."
"That's okay," Rachel replied with a laugh. Ross and I handled everything. Emma had a good time at Aunt Monica's."
"How did Joey take it?" Phoebe asked.
"He wouldn't come out of his room," Ross replied. "I think he's just sad that he's losing his room mate again and this time he won't have Chandler to move back in."
"Aww . . . poor Joey," Phoebe replied. "I should go try to cheer him up."
"Don't bother. When he locks himself in his room . . . he doesn't come out for days because he can't remember how to unlock the door from the inside."
"Oh . . . well, where's Monica?" Rachel asked. "I wanted to give her some of Emma's old clothes and toys for the twins."
"She's at home sleeping. She's worn out. I'm taking the kids to visit their grandparents."
"Yours or mine?" Ross asked.
"Yours. I took them to visit dad the other day. He bought Danny a Cher T-shirt with a matching wig," Chandler replied. Mike laughed. Chandler looked at Erica who was starting to cry.
"Erica? You okay?" Chandler asked. Erica nodded.
"I'm fine," she sobbed. "I just can't stop staring at these beautiful babies!"
"Oh . . . Monica wanted me to give you this," Chandler said softly. He reached into the diaper bag and pulled out a photo album. The picture in the front was a picture of Monica holding Danny, Chandler holding Eve, and both of them standing on either side of Erica in the hospital. Erica started to sob again. She put the twins down in the stroller and started to flip through the book. All of the pictures were those of the babies. "She wanted me to tell you that . . . she was going to take pictures of the kids every day and make doubles and send copies to you."
"Really?" Erica asked. "That's so sweet of her." Erica hugged Chandler. "I need to leave . . . I have to make arrangements for my flight next week. It was nice seeing you all." She waved. "Bye."
"Bye Erica," they all replied. Ross and Rachel sat down on the couch. Emma stood on the floor and leaned over the coffee table to play with one of her toys. Rachel noticed that Phoebe was grinning at the two of them.
"What?" Rachel asked.
"It's just so great to see you both back together!" Phoebe exclaimed. "You don't know how happy I am to see you both like this!" Ross put his arm around Rachel and she kissed his cheek.
"We're just glad it finally happened," Ross replied. "All of those years . . . and we found our way back to each other."
"Plus the sexual tension. Do you know that before Ross and I got back together, I hadn't had sex since the night Emma was conceived?"
"Oh my God! You poor thing!" Phoebe exclaimed.
"Hey Phoebe, we probably need to get going, it's almost time to meet my parents for lunch," Mike pointed out.
"Oh, that's right," Phoebe replied. "I'll see you guys later."
"We need to go to. I might stop by and drop those clothes off to Monica."
"Try not to wake her up. I left the back door unlocked. Monica gets grumpy when she's woken up," Chandler warned.
"Believe me . . . I know," Rachel replied. "I was her roommate for years." Ross and Rachel left. Chandler looked at the babies in the stroller.
"Time to go see grandma and grandpa." Danny started to fuss. "No no! I promise this grandpa won't make you wear that sparkly wig."
*~*
Ross walked into Joey's apartment to find Joey sitting at the bar of his kitchen. Ross decided to let Rachel go out to Monica's with Emma because he figured he should talk to Joey. Joey looked up from his plate of pasta and he looked gloomy.
"Hey man," Ross said.
"Hey," Joey replied quietly. He played with the spagnitti with his fork for a minute.
"Everything okay?"
"No. I don't have anybody to argue with anymore," Joey replied. He got a sad look on his face. "I miss Emma. We always argued over Hugsy."
"I'm sorry, Joe," Ross said, patting his friend on the back. "Rachel and I are getting married . . . and we're a family with Emma now. But if it helps . . . you can come over anytime you like."
"You mean that?" Joey asked.
"I mean it," Ross said with a smile. Joey smiled half-way and the two men hugged. They quickly pulled apart and cleared their throats.
"So where are Rachel and Emma?"
"They went to drop some things off at Monica and Chandler's."
"I feel so far away from everyone. Mike and Phoebe live on the other side of town. You and Rachel live in the next building. Monica and Chandler live all the way out in the country . . . and I'm getting new neighbors."
"Really? How are they?"
"They're not cool! I tried to go over for lunch today and they threatened to call the police when I started raiding their fridge!"
"Didn't they invite you?"
"No. Why would they? We just met," Joey replied. Ross shook his head quickly.
"Anyway . . . I just wanted to come and check on you."
"I'm okay. I'm going to try to find a new roommate. Happen to know if Heidi Klum is available?"
*~*
Rachel carried Emma into Monica and Chandler's house. She walked through the back door, into the kitchen, and then into the living room. She was pushing Emma in her stroller and carrying a large box. She put the box down on the floor and lifted Emma out of the stroller.
"Here sweetie," Rachel said. "I'm gonna go put these upstairs in Auntie Monica's closet. Be a good girl and play with Lamby. She handed Emma a toy lamb and headed upstairs with the box. AS soon as she got upstairs, she slowly tiptoed over to Monica's hall closet. She opened it and the door squeaked a little. She quickly put the box down and shut the door. As she was heading back down toward the stairs, she tripped and nearly fell, but caught herself before she could. Monica's bedroom door flew open and Monica walked out. Her hair was a mess and she looked extremely irritated.
"Rach? What are you doing here?" Monica asked.
"I dropped off some of Emma's old stuff for you. I put it in the closet," Rachel said, pointing to the closet.
"Could you be a little more quiet next time?"
"Sorry, Mon. You look really tired."
"Thanks," Monica said with a scoff.
"That's not what I meant. Um . . ."
"Now that I'm up," Monica started with a yawn, "I might as well get some coffee." She and Rachel headed downstairs where Emma was sitting on the floor with Lamby. Rachel pickedk up Emma and followed Monica into the kitchen.
"I'm really sorry I woke you, Mon," Rachel admitted.
"Don't worry about it. It's okay," Monica replied. "I've slepted enough. I'm just really tired."
"Having a new baby around the house will do that to you."
"Yeah, well, try having two," Monica replied. "I never knew that having kids would be so tiring." Rachel laughed. She bounced Emma on her hip.
"Well . . . I plan to have two." Monica looked at Rachel quickly.
"Are you?" Monica asked with a slight grin.
"No," Rachel replied quickly. "No, no, no, no, no. But . . . it would be nice to give Emma a baby brother or sister some day."
"Oh . . . that would be so nice!" Monica exclaimed. "But please, don't have one within the next nine months because I'm already exhausted as a mother! I don't have time to spoil three babies!" Rachel laughed. "Rach, I'm so glad you and Ross are back together. I thought I was going to have to play Cupid or something."
"We found our way back to each other. We're happy, Mon. We're so happy . . ." Monica smiled happily.
"I'm glad." Monica paused for a moment. "Now get out so I can go back to sleep."
"Coffee?"
"Nah. Sleep is better," Monica said with a yawn. Rachel and Emma left and Monica plodded upstairs so she could go back to sleep.
*~*
Later that evening, Chandler pushed the stroller into the house quietly and he looked at the sleeping twins.
"Okay kids, stay really quiet so we don't wake up your mother," Chandler warned. He pushed the stroller in the rest of the way and Eve started to fuss. Chandler absent-mindedly let the door close loudly as he picked up Eve. As soon as the door slammed, Chandler cringed.
"Chandler!" Monica yelled from upstairs. A look of fear spread over Chandler's face.
"Oh no . . . I've awakend it! Shh . . . if you're quiet maybe she won't know were here! She can smell fear!" Chandler put the baby into the stroller and hurried off toward the kitchen.
Fade to Black
