"Reactions"
Chapter one:
Monica stepped up to the bar. She hated being at weddings where she hardly knew anyone. The only people she knew were the few people from work invited and the couple getting married. A waitress and a regular customer fall in love, Monica rolled her eyes and ordered a drink. A man stepped up to the bar next to her and sat on a stool.
"Hi, I'm Greg," he said.
"Nice to meet you, Greg." Monica half-heartedly smiled and shook his hand, "I'm Monica."
"I see you're all alone at this wedding," Greg said shining a smile at Monica. "I find that hard to believe, considering how pretty you are." He was about Monica's age and well dressed.
"Are you hitting on me Greg?" Monica asked.
Greg looked at his hands and blushed slightly, "Is that a problem?"
Monica held up her wedding finger and pointed to the gold band that encircled it, "It's not a problem with me, but it might be with my husband." She paused and smiled, "Or with our daughter." She pulled out a picture from her purse of her and her husbands four year old.
Greg sincerely said, "I'm sorry." He smiled. "I should really start asking girls if they're married before flirting."
Monica nodded and smiled, "I think so."
Greg laughed and said, "Can I buy you a drink?"
Monica shook her head, "I was planning on leaving actually."
Greg nodded understandingly, "Going home to your husband? And your daughter?"
Monica shook her head; "Chandler went out of town on business this morning and Rae is staying with my brother tonight."
Greg looked puzzled, "Then keep me company for a while, I've got a few hours before I have to be home for Cheers re-runs at 9." Monica smiled.
It was three hours later that Monica and Greg exited the reception hall. Monica had started talking to Greg and they had a good time. He was polite and Monica thought she could introduce him to Phoebe, the only one of her tight knit group to not be married, besides Joey. But, after three hours, Greg was drunk and Monica had been bored for at least an hour and a half. She had told him she was leaving and she'd call him a cab. Outside of the hall, they stood waiting for two cabs.
"Thanks for making my evening less boring," Greg said, slightly slurred. "So, are you going to give your friend Phoebe my number?"
Monica politely said, "I don't think so."
"Oh, I see, I've become annoying," he said. "I just really liked you." Monica looked at him nervously as he leaned in and tried to kiss her. His lips were almost touching hers when she backed away.
"I'm sorry, Greg, you're very drunk and I'm very married." Monica's phone rang. She jumped." Excuse me," she said as she answered, "Hello?"
"Hey Mon," Chandler's voice came through.
"Oh hey, how's Dallas?" She asked trying to stay calm.
"Good, where are you?" He asked.
"Still at that wedding," she replied eyeing Greg, who looked like he might pass out at any moment.
"Oh, okay, well call me when you get home, okay?" He started to say when Greg put his arm around Monica.
"Is that your husband?" He asked, as he took the phone away from her.
Monica looked at him, slightly afraid and nervous.
"Hi, who's this?" Greg asked as Monica looked on.
"This is Chandler Bing, who's this?" Chandler asked annoyed.
"This is Greg, Monica's friend." Greg slurred.
"Are you drunk?" Chandler said confused, "I don't think I know a Greg."
"We've not known each other long, but I wanted tot tell you how sorry I am that I kissed her." Monica couldn't hear the conversation but panicked when she heard Greg say that.
Greg looked at her, and then pulled the phone away from his ear, "He hung up."
Chandler stormed into the apartment two days later; he dropped his suitcase on the floor. Rae ran up to him and hugged him, "Dad!" Chandler spotted Monica sitting on the couch.
"Rae, can you go in your room for a moment, I need to talk to Mom." Chandler said releasing her.
"Did you bring me a present?" She said ignoring him.
"I'll give it to you, but after you let me and Mom talk." He told her. She pouted momentarily; then went into her room.
Monica started, "Chandler, you didn't pick up when I tried calling you, we were worried."
"You were worried?" He said angrily, "I had the worst two days worth of meetings because I thought my wife was at home making out with some guy named Greg!"
"Okay, you have to let me explain," Monica was shaking. She walked up to him and put her hand on his arm. "There was this drunk guy at that wedding and he tried to kiss me, I didn't let him though."
Chandler looked at her wearily, "And?"
"And that's all, I put him in a cab and sent him home," she paused, "well after you called." She looked deeply into his eyes, "Don't you believe me, Chandler?"
He raised his arm and put it around her, "Yeah, I'm sorry."
"Me too," she said putting her arms around him. She sighed relief, "There's something else I have to tell you."
"Good or bad?" He asked.
Breaking the moment, they heard a voice cry, "Mommy" from Rae's bedroom. Then followed by, "Have you seen my new Barbie?"
Monica rolled her eyes and went into Rae's room and closed the door.
Chandler went over to the kitchen and started pouring himself some juice. There was a knock at the door, and Chandler went over to open it.
He opened the door and a man stood behind it. "Can I help you?" Chandler asked.
"Hi, my name's Greg, I'm looking for Monica." The man, Greg, said.
"You're the guy you kissed her?" Chandler asked surprisingly calm.
"Yeah, I wanted to say sorry." Greg said carefully.
"Did you know she was married?" Chandler asked quickly.
Greg nodded, "I did, but I-" before he could finish Chandler lunged forward and punched him. Greg fell backwards into the hallway and Chandler stood over him.
Greg tried to get up and threw a punch in Chandler's direction. Chandler darted out of the way and returned it with a hard punch to the face. Chandler jumped on him and started uncontrollably hitting him.
Monica heard and came running out into the hallway. She saw what was going on and she pulled Chandler off of Greg. "What are you doing?" She screamed.
Chandler replied, out of breath, "No one kisses my wife!"
Greg slowly picked himself up, "You're an ass." He said and walked away, and down the hall.
Much later than night Chandler sat at the kitchen table drinking iced tea. Monica emerged from Rae's room.
"Is she okay?" Chandler asked.
"Yeah, she didn't see you hit that guy, I told her he fell," Monica said sitting across from him.
"Good," Chandler said sipping his drink.
"Chandler," Monica said leaning in to the table, "That scared me."
"Scared me too," Chandler said, "I thought that guy was after you, or something." Chandler laughed.
"No, you scared me," Monica said leaning back.
"What?" Chandler stood up.
Monica stood up too, "I just saw you beating that guy up, and I thought you were going to kill him." She started to cry.
Chandler walked over to her, "Mon, I was protecting you."
She raised her eyes to him and loudly said, "You could of asked him to leave, told him you didn't want him to come here again, not beat the snot out of him."
Chandler raised his voice, "I was upset, I never meant to-"
Monica threw her arms down by her sides, "I know! I just don't think you should of hurt Greg."
"Greg? Are you two friends or something?" Chandler said matter-of-factly. Monica folded her arms, Chandler continued, "Did you want him to kiss you?"
"No," Monica said as she sat back down at the table.
"Maybe you liked the attention, better yet, maybe you ARE cheating on me," Chandler said, opening the fridge.
"Are you crazy?" Monica yelled. "You are an ass, Chandler. You are an ass."
Chandler's eyes filled with tears, "Everyday I wake up and wonder how I'm going to screw up your life, I am scared once day you'll realise I'm no worth your or Rae's time and you'll leave. You'll leave me, Monica, and I am thankful every night that that hasn't happened. I am scared, too."
Monica pointed to the suitcase still positioned on the floor, "Can you move that?"
Chandler stood motionless as she stood up and walked into their bedroom, "I think I'm going to clean the floors in the morning."
Rae was sitting on the couch watching cartoons when Phoebe came over. "Hey kid, where's Mom and Dad?" Phoebe said.
Rae pointed to the bedroom, "Mommy's asleep," and then she pointed to the bathroom, "Daddy's in the shower."
"Okay, what we watching?" Phoebe asked, sitting on the couch putting her arm around Rae.
"Sesame Street," Rae said. The bathroom door opened and Chandler stepped out into the living room.
"Hey Pheebs," he said quietly.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Phoebe asked concerned.
"Oh, nothing, can you take Rae out for a few hours, Mon and I have some cleaning to do." Chandler lied.
"Oh sure, come on kid," Phoebe said, picking up Rae.
"But I'm in my pyjamas, Aunt Pheebs," Rae said giggly.
"Well, I don't mind, we're just going to go watch TV at my apartment." Phoebe said.
"Then can we go for chocolate shakes?" Rae asked.
"When have we ever had chocolate shakes?" Phoebe said smiling at Chandler.
"Bye Daddy," Rae said as she and Phoebe exited the apartment.
"Bye Chandler, we'll come back in a while for clothes." Phoebe said. Rae giggled.
"Bye girls," Chandler said. They left. Chandler walked into the bedroom, Monica was sitting up in bed, she looked at him.
"Hey honey," he said and sat down next to her.
"Hi," she weakly said. "Chandler, I've been thinking."
"Okay," Chandler said cautiously.
"I think that you should leave," Monica said looking away from him.
"The bedroom?" He asked.
"No, New York," she said looking back at him.
"What? Why?" Chandler blurted.
"I just think for a few months you should go away, I just don't feel like living with you right now." Monica said, pulling her robe tighter around her.
"Just go away?" Chandler yelled, "Are you insane?"
"Not insane, just scared," Monica yelled back.
"I'm insanely in love with you Monica," Chandler said crossing his arms.
"I'm totally in love with you too, but right now, you are not you," Monica screamed.
"You're making no sense!" Chandler shouted.
"You know exactly what I mean," Monica hissed.
Chandler got off the bed and picked up his still packed suitcase, he pulled another one off a shelf and threw a few of his things in it. "Rae's with Phoebe," he said quietly. Then he started to leave. He turned and walked back over to the side of the bed, he leaned in and passionately kissed Monica. She returned the kiss and put her arms around him.
"Bye for now," Chandler said and walked out the door.
"Bye," Monica said softly.
Chandler walked into Phoebe's apartment, still carrying his suitcases. Rae and Phoebe looked at him puzzled.
"Are you going on another trip?" Phoebe asked.
Chandler was speechless, "Yeah, I am."
"Was Monica pissed?" Phoebe asked. Then stopped herself, realising she had sworn.
"Don't say that Aunt Pheebs!" Rae yelled. Then she turned to her dad, "How long?"
"A few months," Chandler said.
Phoebe stood up, shocked, "What? Are you serious?"
Chandler leaned in and whispered in Phoebe's ear, "Monica kicked me out for a while."
She whispered back, "Oh my god, really?"
Chandler tilted away from Phoebe, "So, Rae, honey, I'll be back in a few months."
"That's a long time," Rae said crossing her little arms.
"No it's not, I'll call you," Chandler said hugging her.
Phoebe hugged Chandler with tears in her eyes, "Are you seriously coming back?" She quietly asked.
"I don't know," Chandler gasped, crying.
Rae stood up and wiped away a tear on his face, "Don't worry, Mom will just bake lots while you're away, she always does. She says it passes the time until you come home."
Chandler kissed her forehead. "Bye kid."
Five months later, Monica picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Mon, it's Ross," the voice on the other line said.
"Hey, how's Christi?" Mon said delightfully.
"She's okay," Ross said happily. Then he changed his tone, "Have you heard from Chandler?"
Monica looked at her stomach and put one hand on her head, "No."
Ross sighed then said, "Monica, I really think we should start looking for him."
"Ross, I told him to leave, he left, then he disappeared," Monica angrily said.
"Yeah, but Mon, you told him to leave, but we thought he'd go away for a few days then come running home, we haven't heard anything from him since he said bye to Rae and Phoebe!" Ross stated. "Aren't you scared?"
Monica surprisingly hadn't thought until now, "You think he's dead?"
"No," Ross quickly said, "I just-"
"You do," Monica quietly said. Rae entered the living room.
"Mommy?" She said tiredly.
"Yes, sweetie, I'm on the phone with Uncle Ross," Monica told her.
"What time is it?" Rae asked, crawling onto the couch.
"It's 9:30, you should be in bed," Monica told her and put an arm around her.
Ross interrupted, "Mon, I'm calling the police."
"Ross, you're not calling the police on Chandler!" Monica said, forgetting Rae.
Rae perked up, "Is Daddy coming home yet?"
Monica glanced at her daughter, then back at her stomach and spoke into the phone, "Ross, can you just come over?"
Ross replied, "Yes" and hung up the phone.
Rae snuggled up to her mom, "Is Dad ever coming back?"
Monica sighed, "Yeah, kid, he will."
Rae smiled, "Daddy calls me kid."
Monica smiled, "So does Phoebe." Monica kissed Rae's nose.
Rae scrunched it up, "So does Joey." She started playing with her mom's hair, "It's my birthday in three days."
Monica sarcastically joked, "Oh, I forgot!"
"No, you didn't!" Rae screeched. Then her smile faded, "Did Dad?"
"I doubt it," Monica said slowly, then changed the subject, "Do you want chocolate or ice cream cake?"
"Both!" Rae said excitedly.
Chandler entered the restaurant he regularly ate at. He had been living in Denver for five months and barely knew anyone; he just found a job and worked all the time.
"Hey solider," the waitress who usually served him said kindly.
"Hi Carla," Chandler said sitting at his booth. Carla handed him a menu.
"Hey," she said eyeing his hand, "I never noticed you wore a wedding ring before."
"Sometimes I don't," Chandler said looking at it.
"Oh," Carla muttered. "Sorry."
"Don't be," he said. He looked at his watch, "Is today the 15th?"
"It is," Carla told him, filling up his coffee.
"It's my daughters birthday tomorrow." He quietly said.
"And you're here?" Carla asked.
"I guess," he said drifting off into thought. "She lives in New York."
"Ouch, that's far." Carla said sadly.
Chandler handed back the menu, "Yeah, I'm going there."
"New York?" Carla asked.
"Yeah," Chandler said and picked up his coat, "I'll see you later."
Monica glanced around the apartment; Joey and Phoebe had taken Rae out for the morning to play. Monica had decorated the apartment while they were gone and now she was finished. She picked up a light box and started carrying it to the bedroom. Ross had told her not to decorate alone, but she did anyway. There was a knock at the door, and Monica thought it'd be Ross. She went to the door and opened it, still carrying the box. Chandler stood on the other side of the door.
"Hi," he quietly said.
She dropped the box and hugged him, "Oh thank god."
Chandler looked at her confused, "So not the greeting I expected."
Monica stood back, "Chandler we thought you'd died or something."
"Wow," he said shocked.
"Oh thank god you're here." Monica said, her eyes filling up with tears. Chandler smiled, then he looked at her and his face went pale. He looked at her stomach and felt sick.
"You're pregnant?" He asked.
Monica blushed, "Yes, I am."
"So you have a new boyfriend?" Chandler stated.
"What?" Monica said stunned.
Chandler felt like he was going to collapse, "Is it that Greg guy?"
Monica grabbed his arm, "Chandler, I'm five and a half months pregnant."
"And?" Chandler asked.
"You've been gone for five months," she said.
"So you were cheating on me?" Chandler frowned.
"Oh my god, Chandler, you ARE an ass," she said smiling, "It's your baby, you freak!"
To be continued . . .
megz@attcanada.ca
For Sally, because she helped me sooo much with this one.
Chapter one:
Monica stepped up to the bar. She hated being at weddings where she hardly knew anyone. The only people she knew were the few people from work invited and the couple getting married. A waitress and a regular customer fall in love, Monica rolled her eyes and ordered a drink. A man stepped up to the bar next to her and sat on a stool.
"Hi, I'm Greg," he said.
"Nice to meet you, Greg." Monica half-heartedly smiled and shook his hand, "I'm Monica."
"I see you're all alone at this wedding," Greg said shining a smile at Monica. "I find that hard to believe, considering how pretty you are." He was about Monica's age and well dressed.
"Are you hitting on me Greg?" Monica asked.
Greg looked at his hands and blushed slightly, "Is that a problem?"
Monica held up her wedding finger and pointed to the gold band that encircled it, "It's not a problem with me, but it might be with my husband." She paused and smiled, "Or with our daughter." She pulled out a picture from her purse of her and her husbands four year old.
Greg sincerely said, "I'm sorry." He smiled. "I should really start asking girls if they're married before flirting."
Monica nodded and smiled, "I think so."
Greg laughed and said, "Can I buy you a drink?"
Monica shook her head, "I was planning on leaving actually."
Greg nodded understandingly, "Going home to your husband? And your daughter?"
Monica shook her head; "Chandler went out of town on business this morning and Rae is staying with my brother tonight."
Greg looked puzzled, "Then keep me company for a while, I've got a few hours before I have to be home for Cheers re-runs at 9." Monica smiled.
It was three hours later that Monica and Greg exited the reception hall. Monica had started talking to Greg and they had a good time. He was polite and Monica thought she could introduce him to Phoebe, the only one of her tight knit group to not be married, besides Joey. But, after three hours, Greg was drunk and Monica had been bored for at least an hour and a half. She had told him she was leaving and she'd call him a cab. Outside of the hall, they stood waiting for two cabs.
"Thanks for making my evening less boring," Greg said, slightly slurred. "So, are you going to give your friend Phoebe my number?"
Monica politely said, "I don't think so."
"Oh, I see, I've become annoying," he said. "I just really liked you." Monica looked at him nervously as he leaned in and tried to kiss her. His lips were almost touching hers when she backed away.
"I'm sorry, Greg, you're very drunk and I'm very married." Monica's phone rang. She jumped." Excuse me," she said as she answered, "Hello?"
"Hey Mon," Chandler's voice came through.
"Oh hey, how's Dallas?" She asked trying to stay calm.
"Good, where are you?" He asked.
"Still at that wedding," she replied eyeing Greg, who looked like he might pass out at any moment.
"Oh, okay, well call me when you get home, okay?" He started to say when Greg put his arm around Monica.
"Is that your husband?" He asked, as he took the phone away from her.
Monica looked at him, slightly afraid and nervous.
"Hi, who's this?" Greg asked as Monica looked on.
"This is Chandler Bing, who's this?" Chandler asked annoyed.
"This is Greg, Monica's friend." Greg slurred.
"Are you drunk?" Chandler said confused, "I don't think I know a Greg."
"We've not known each other long, but I wanted tot tell you how sorry I am that I kissed her." Monica couldn't hear the conversation but panicked when she heard Greg say that.
Greg looked at her, and then pulled the phone away from his ear, "He hung up."
Chandler stormed into the apartment two days later; he dropped his suitcase on the floor. Rae ran up to him and hugged him, "Dad!" Chandler spotted Monica sitting on the couch.
"Rae, can you go in your room for a moment, I need to talk to Mom." Chandler said releasing her.
"Did you bring me a present?" She said ignoring him.
"I'll give it to you, but after you let me and Mom talk." He told her. She pouted momentarily; then went into her room.
Monica started, "Chandler, you didn't pick up when I tried calling you, we were worried."
"You were worried?" He said angrily, "I had the worst two days worth of meetings because I thought my wife was at home making out with some guy named Greg!"
"Okay, you have to let me explain," Monica was shaking. She walked up to him and put her hand on his arm. "There was this drunk guy at that wedding and he tried to kiss me, I didn't let him though."
Chandler looked at her wearily, "And?"
"And that's all, I put him in a cab and sent him home," she paused, "well after you called." She looked deeply into his eyes, "Don't you believe me, Chandler?"
He raised his arm and put it around her, "Yeah, I'm sorry."
"Me too," she said putting her arms around him. She sighed relief, "There's something else I have to tell you."
"Good or bad?" He asked.
Breaking the moment, they heard a voice cry, "Mommy" from Rae's bedroom. Then followed by, "Have you seen my new Barbie?"
Monica rolled her eyes and went into Rae's room and closed the door.
Chandler went over to the kitchen and started pouring himself some juice. There was a knock at the door, and Chandler went over to open it.
He opened the door and a man stood behind it. "Can I help you?" Chandler asked.
"Hi, my name's Greg, I'm looking for Monica." The man, Greg, said.
"You're the guy you kissed her?" Chandler asked surprisingly calm.
"Yeah, I wanted to say sorry." Greg said carefully.
"Did you know she was married?" Chandler asked quickly.
Greg nodded, "I did, but I-" before he could finish Chandler lunged forward and punched him. Greg fell backwards into the hallway and Chandler stood over him.
Greg tried to get up and threw a punch in Chandler's direction. Chandler darted out of the way and returned it with a hard punch to the face. Chandler jumped on him and started uncontrollably hitting him.
Monica heard and came running out into the hallway. She saw what was going on and she pulled Chandler off of Greg. "What are you doing?" She screamed.
Chandler replied, out of breath, "No one kisses my wife!"
Greg slowly picked himself up, "You're an ass." He said and walked away, and down the hall.
Much later than night Chandler sat at the kitchen table drinking iced tea. Monica emerged from Rae's room.
"Is she okay?" Chandler asked.
"Yeah, she didn't see you hit that guy, I told her he fell," Monica said sitting across from him.
"Good," Chandler said sipping his drink.
"Chandler," Monica said leaning in to the table, "That scared me."
"Scared me too," Chandler said, "I thought that guy was after you, or something." Chandler laughed.
"No, you scared me," Monica said leaning back.
"What?" Chandler stood up.
Monica stood up too, "I just saw you beating that guy up, and I thought you were going to kill him." She started to cry.
Chandler walked over to her, "Mon, I was protecting you."
She raised her eyes to him and loudly said, "You could of asked him to leave, told him you didn't want him to come here again, not beat the snot out of him."
Chandler raised his voice, "I was upset, I never meant to-"
Monica threw her arms down by her sides, "I know! I just don't think you should of hurt Greg."
"Greg? Are you two friends or something?" Chandler said matter-of-factly. Monica folded her arms, Chandler continued, "Did you want him to kiss you?"
"No," Monica said as she sat back down at the table.
"Maybe you liked the attention, better yet, maybe you ARE cheating on me," Chandler said, opening the fridge.
"Are you crazy?" Monica yelled. "You are an ass, Chandler. You are an ass."
Chandler's eyes filled with tears, "Everyday I wake up and wonder how I'm going to screw up your life, I am scared once day you'll realise I'm no worth your or Rae's time and you'll leave. You'll leave me, Monica, and I am thankful every night that that hasn't happened. I am scared, too."
Monica pointed to the suitcase still positioned on the floor, "Can you move that?"
Chandler stood motionless as she stood up and walked into their bedroom, "I think I'm going to clean the floors in the morning."
Rae was sitting on the couch watching cartoons when Phoebe came over. "Hey kid, where's Mom and Dad?" Phoebe said.
Rae pointed to the bedroom, "Mommy's asleep," and then she pointed to the bathroom, "Daddy's in the shower."
"Okay, what we watching?" Phoebe asked, sitting on the couch putting her arm around Rae.
"Sesame Street," Rae said. The bathroom door opened and Chandler stepped out into the living room.
"Hey Pheebs," he said quietly.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Phoebe asked concerned.
"Oh, nothing, can you take Rae out for a few hours, Mon and I have some cleaning to do." Chandler lied.
"Oh sure, come on kid," Phoebe said, picking up Rae.
"But I'm in my pyjamas, Aunt Pheebs," Rae said giggly.
"Well, I don't mind, we're just going to go watch TV at my apartment." Phoebe said.
"Then can we go for chocolate shakes?" Rae asked.
"When have we ever had chocolate shakes?" Phoebe said smiling at Chandler.
"Bye Daddy," Rae said as she and Phoebe exited the apartment.
"Bye Chandler, we'll come back in a while for clothes." Phoebe said. Rae giggled.
"Bye girls," Chandler said. They left. Chandler walked into the bedroom, Monica was sitting up in bed, she looked at him.
"Hey honey," he said and sat down next to her.
"Hi," she weakly said. "Chandler, I've been thinking."
"Okay," Chandler said cautiously.
"I think that you should leave," Monica said looking away from him.
"The bedroom?" He asked.
"No, New York," she said looking back at him.
"What? Why?" Chandler blurted.
"I just think for a few months you should go away, I just don't feel like living with you right now." Monica said, pulling her robe tighter around her.
"Just go away?" Chandler yelled, "Are you insane?"
"Not insane, just scared," Monica yelled back.
"I'm insanely in love with you Monica," Chandler said crossing his arms.
"I'm totally in love with you too, but right now, you are not you," Monica screamed.
"You're making no sense!" Chandler shouted.
"You know exactly what I mean," Monica hissed.
Chandler got off the bed and picked up his still packed suitcase, he pulled another one off a shelf and threw a few of his things in it. "Rae's with Phoebe," he said quietly. Then he started to leave. He turned and walked back over to the side of the bed, he leaned in and passionately kissed Monica. She returned the kiss and put her arms around him.
"Bye for now," Chandler said and walked out the door.
"Bye," Monica said softly.
Chandler walked into Phoebe's apartment, still carrying his suitcases. Rae and Phoebe looked at him puzzled.
"Are you going on another trip?" Phoebe asked.
Chandler was speechless, "Yeah, I am."
"Was Monica pissed?" Phoebe asked. Then stopped herself, realising she had sworn.
"Don't say that Aunt Pheebs!" Rae yelled. Then she turned to her dad, "How long?"
"A few months," Chandler said.
Phoebe stood up, shocked, "What? Are you serious?"
Chandler leaned in and whispered in Phoebe's ear, "Monica kicked me out for a while."
She whispered back, "Oh my god, really?"
Chandler tilted away from Phoebe, "So, Rae, honey, I'll be back in a few months."
"That's a long time," Rae said crossing her little arms.
"No it's not, I'll call you," Chandler said hugging her.
Phoebe hugged Chandler with tears in her eyes, "Are you seriously coming back?" She quietly asked.
"I don't know," Chandler gasped, crying.
Rae stood up and wiped away a tear on his face, "Don't worry, Mom will just bake lots while you're away, she always does. She says it passes the time until you come home."
Chandler kissed her forehead. "Bye kid."
Five months later, Monica picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Mon, it's Ross," the voice on the other line said.
"Hey, how's Christi?" Mon said delightfully.
"She's okay," Ross said happily. Then he changed his tone, "Have you heard from Chandler?"
Monica looked at her stomach and put one hand on her head, "No."
Ross sighed then said, "Monica, I really think we should start looking for him."
"Ross, I told him to leave, he left, then he disappeared," Monica angrily said.
"Yeah, but Mon, you told him to leave, but we thought he'd go away for a few days then come running home, we haven't heard anything from him since he said bye to Rae and Phoebe!" Ross stated. "Aren't you scared?"
Monica surprisingly hadn't thought until now, "You think he's dead?"
"No," Ross quickly said, "I just-"
"You do," Monica quietly said. Rae entered the living room.
"Mommy?" She said tiredly.
"Yes, sweetie, I'm on the phone with Uncle Ross," Monica told her.
"What time is it?" Rae asked, crawling onto the couch.
"It's 9:30, you should be in bed," Monica told her and put an arm around her.
Ross interrupted, "Mon, I'm calling the police."
"Ross, you're not calling the police on Chandler!" Monica said, forgetting Rae.
Rae perked up, "Is Daddy coming home yet?"
Monica glanced at her daughter, then back at her stomach and spoke into the phone, "Ross, can you just come over?"
Ross replied, "Yes" and hung up the phone.
Rae snuggled up to her mom, "Is Dad ever coming back?"
Monica sighed, "Yeah, kid, he will."
Rae smiled, "Daddy calls me kid."
Monica smiled, "So does Phoebe." Monica kissed Rae's nose.
Rae scrunched it up, "So does Joey." She started playing with her mom's hair, "It's my birthday in three days."
Monica sarcastically joked, "Oh, I forgot!"
"No, you didn't!" Rae screeched. Then her smile faded, "Did Dad?"
"I doubt it," Monica said slowly, then changed the subject, "Do you want chocolate or ice cream cake?"
"Both!" Rae said excitedly.
Chandler entered the restaurant he regularly ate at. He had been living in Denver for five months and barely knew anyone; he just found a job and worked all the time.
"Hey solider," the waitress who usually served him said kindly.
"Hi Carla," Chandler said sitting at his booth. Carla handed him a menu.
"Hey," she said eyeing his hand, "I never noticed you wore a wedding ring before."
"Sometimes I don't," Chandler said looking at it.
"Oh," Carla muttered. "Sorry."
"Don't be," he said. He looked at his watch, "Is today the 15th?"
"It is," Carla told him, filling up his coffee.
"It's my daughters birthday tomorrow." He quietly said.
"And you're here?" Carla asked.
"I guess," he said drifting off into thought. "She lives in New York."
"Ouch, that's far." Carla said sadly.
Chandler handed back the menu, "Yeah, I'm going there."
"New York?" Carla asked.
"Yeah," Chandler said and picked up his coat, "I'll see you later."
Monica glanced around the apartment; Joey and Phoebe had taken Rae out for the morning to play. Monica had decorated the apartment while they were gone and now she was finished. She picked up a light box and started carrying it to the bedroom. Ross had told her not to decorate alone, but she did anyway. There was a knock at the door, and Monica thought it'd be Ross. She went to the door and opened it, still carrying the box. Chandler stood on the other side of the door.
"Hi," he quietly said.
She dropped the box and hugged him, "Oh thank god."
Chandler looked at her confused, "So not the greeting I expected."
Monica stood back, "Chandler we thought you'd died or something."
"Wow," he said shocked.
"Oh thank god you're here." Monica said, her eyes filling up with tears. Chandler smiled, then he looked at her and his face went pale. He looked at her stomach and felt sick.
"You're pregnant?" He asked.
Monica blushed, "Yes, I am."
"So you have a new boyfriend?" Chandler stated.
"What?" Monica said stunned.
Chandler felt like he was going to collapse, "Is it that Greg guy?"
Monica grabbed his arm, "Chandler, I'm five and a half months pregnant."
"And?" Chandler asked.
"You've been gone for five months," she said.
"So you were cheating on me?" Chandler frowned.
"Oh my god, Chandler, you ARE an ass," she said smiling, "It's your baby, you freak!"
To be continued . . .
megz@attcanada.ca
For Sally, because she helped me sooo much with this one.