A/N: I originally intended this to be a oneshot, but I decided to split it up. It will most likely only be a few chapters. I may not update as fast because I have been working tremendously hard on keeping up my updates on my other story Disintegration of Delusion. Anyways, I got this idea from the Friends episode "The One that Could Have Been"
Niles and C.C. were deliriously happy. They had been married and living in California for several months now and C.C. was 6 months pregnant with Niles' child. They were sitting at a table next to one another, holding hands with their fingers entwined. Frequently they would look at one another, their eyes would meet and they would smile. Niles would occasionally bring her cream colored hand to his lips and plant a loving kiss on the back of it. Being with him had changed her for the better. The loving and caring side of her that had been hidden away deep in her heart for so many years had finally been brought to the surface. They were in love and nothing would change that.
Sitting across from them was another deliriously happy couple. Fran and Maxwell had been married for over a year now. Their twins were at home, happy and healthy being watched by Gracie. This would be the first of many double dates these 2 couples would go on. With a few glasses of wine consumed by each of them, they started to have an interesting conversation.
Fran opened her mouth to speak:
"Awwww, look at you 2. You both are so cute! I would have never imagined this, but you two really make each other happy. Seeing you holding hands right now, it's such a hallmark moment."
And although some of it was due to the wine, she smiled and was actually slightly emotional at seeing both Niles and C.C. so happy together.
Niles and C.C. just looked at one another and smiled while still holding each others' hands.
All of their lives' were going splendidly. None of them would change anything for the world, although a thought suddenly dawned on the 4 of them. If things had been different would have they been able to find one another and be as truly happy as they were now?
C.C. opened her mouth to speak:
"You know, I always pondered the question of how my life would be if I was still a brunette with black rimmed glasses and only Maxwell's secretary."
She turned toward Niles before speaking once more.
"You wouldn't even have considered pursuing me, that's for sure."
Niles felt the need to defend himself and reassure her of his unrequited love for her.
"Sure I would. I fell for you before you were a blonde after all. Oh, and I think you look quite cute with glasses.
He smiled at her while raising the back of her hand to his lips to kiss once more.
Fran spoke next:
"You know, what if I would have married Danny after I saw him in the bridal shop that second time. Oh I am so glad I didn't do that!"
Niles opened his mouth to speak:
"I always wondered how my life would have been different had I continued my schooling and gotten a law degree."
Maxwell chimed in as well:
"I always wondered how different my life would have been if I had taken on Cats. Surely Andrew Lloyd Weber wouldn't be the subject of every positive review on Broadway."
"Honey, your show is going splendidly here. Surely you're not still fuming about that."
"Of course not, dear. I have just always wondered."
Niles spoke once more:
"Do you think if all these things had happened in our lives, that we would still be friends?"
They all pondered the idea.
…