('With or Without You' summary: Rachel didn't get off the plane and instead she went to Paris. She and Ross eventually worked things out when she came back for a visit – they got back together. Phoebe and Mike announced that they were expecting a baby, and Joey started a relationship with the woman who moved into Monica and Chandler's old apartment (after having a one night stand with Janice. It was soon announced that Rachel was pregnant again, and after Monica's birthday dinner Ross proposed to her and she said yes. Rachel went back to Paris and was going to quit and return to New York, but was soon offered a promotion. Ross was upset when he learned of this and told Joey that if she stayed he didn't know how they would cope. Rachel attended a meeting with her bosses about the promotion still undecided about what to do. She soon revealed her answer to her bosses, and then phoned Ross to tell him. This story is a continuation. Enjoy!).
Monica and Chandler's House (a couple of weeks after that phone call)
"Erica, do you know how long I spent building that tower?" Chandler asked his daughter, exasperated that she had knocked it down again. Erica laughed and clapped her hands. "No no Jack. No don't put that in your mouth!"
Chandler had been left in charge of the twins as Monica had gone out for the day. Out in the hall the phone rang. Chandler looked between it and the twins. He picked up Jack in one arm and Erica in the other and rushed out to the hall. Then he looked at the phone. "Ok, so I need an extra hand..." The phone stopped ringing and Chandler sighed. He took the twins back into the living room and placed them both into the playpen in the corner of the room and handed some toys through to them. He collapsed onto the sofa and put his feet onto the table. "How does Monica EVER do this?" he asked himself. He soon heard the front door so he jumped up and rushed over to the twins. "And they all lived happily ever after, the end".
"Were you telling them a story?" Monica asked, entering the room clutching a number of plastic bags.
"Yes," Chandler nodded. "It was a very exciting story"
Monica nodded and left the room. She soon returned. "Did Ross call at all today?"
Chandler shook his head.
"Oh, I should call him then..." Monica said, turning to leave the room again.
"Oh, wait!" Chandler called. "Someone rang, but I was juggling babies so I couldn't answer. Maybe they left a message"
Monica went out to the hall and noticed that the answering machine was flashing. She pressed the play button.
"Hello, this is a message for Monica Bing. This is Brenda from The Goldmore Hotel calling to confirm your reservation. If you could please call me back. Thank you"
Monica picked up the phone and took down a note of the number and then she dialled. She waited a few brief moments until someone on the other end picked up. She listened as her booking was repeated to her over the phone, occasionally saying "uh-huh" to confirm things. She finished her call and skipped excitedly into the living room.
"What are you so happy about?" Chandler asked.
Phoebe and Mike's apartment
Phoebe was strumming her guitar.
"I may look fat, but I'm pregnant. I can't play my guitar very well, because I'm pregnant. "she sang along.
"That's a uh... lovely song," Mike said from the kitchen. "Would you like anything to eat?"
Phoebe set down her guitar in frustration. "I can't play properly Mike. And you know why I can't play properly, because I have a baby inside me, it's making me big and fat and the bump is getting in the way of me playing. And do you know whose fault that is? Yours. You big impregnator".
Mike looked at Phoebe trying not to laugh. "Well, I apologise..."
Phoebe covered her mouth looking shocked. "Oh, I'm so sorry. It's my hormones."
There was a knock at the door. "I'll get it" Mike said, heading towards the door. Phoebe packed her guitar into its case.
Mike opened the door and Monica rushed in. "Monica, hi. Please...come in"
"Phoebe, Mike are you busy?" Monica asked. "No? Great – we have work to do!"
"Well we never actually said we weren't busy..." Mike broke off as he received a stern glare from Monica. "Yeah, sure ok – why do we have work to do?"
"We have to set up for the party!" Monica said, grinning.
"Party? What party? Oh it doesn't matter, I love parties!" Phoebe said, clapping her hands in delight.
"The surprise party!" Monica replied. "Now get your coats and COME ON!" she yelled.
Ross' Apartment
There was a knocking at the door.
"Just a minute!" Ross called.
The knocking became more frantic.
"I said IN A MINUTE!" Ross yelled at the door. He sighed and continued to tie his shoe. The knocking got louder.
Ross stood up and marched over to the door, pulling it open and saying "What?"
Joey was standing there hopping up and down. "Hey Ross. Wanna hang out?"
"You banged on my door and are jumping up and down because you wanna hang out?" Ross asked.
"Yeah, sure. Ok, let's hang out!" Joey said, walking in and sitting himself on the sofa. "Guess what I brought... DIE HARD!"
Ross smiled, shook his head and closed the door. They watched the film.
"That was fun, now I have to go out for a bit.." Ross said when the credits were rolling.
"NO! I mean, no – we haven't finished hanging out yet," Joey said. "We could watch Die Hard again?"
"Ok Joe, what's going on?" Ross asked.
"Nothing." Joey replied. At that moment he received a text message. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and read the message. 'It's time' it said.
Ross, who had been reading over his shoulder, looked up at Joey. "It's time for what?"
Joey grinned, stood up, threw Ross his coat and headed towards the door.