I clasp my hands in front of me, careful not to wrinkle my dress. I fiddle with my fingers, my engagement ring feeling out of place on my right hand.

I take a couple of deep breaths; nervous isn't the right word for what I'm feeling right now, though there's a little of that. I'm anxious—definitely ready to get this started. I'm a little scared, but I'm a lot happy.

Today is finally our day; Chandler and I getting married and we can start the rest of our lives together.

I feel a rush of excited butterflies swirl in my stomach and I bite the inside of my cheek as I feel happy tears spring to my eyes.

"You okay, Mon?" I hear Phoebe ask, her hand on my shoulder.

I look up from my reverie and smile, my face already starting to hurt from smiling so much. "I'm perfect," I answer.

"They're just seating the last couple of guests," Rachel tells me. "Everything else is ready."

"Okay," I whisper, resuming fiddling with my fingers, trying to find some way to live through these last few minutes. It felt like it took forever to get to right now, in more ways than one. It was all worth it, though. All the sneaking around, the silly misunderstandings, the insecurities, the occasional fights, the fears, the doubts…all of it has led me to this moment, where I get to marry the love of my life. In a few minutes, Chandler will be waiting for me at the altar, and we'll promise ourselves to each other forever.

I feel a tear escape from my eye and Phoebe is there with a tissue immediately, gently dabbing my cheek. "I'm so happy," I say to her and Rachel. I see their eyes fill with tears as well, and simultaneously we reach other for each other, pulling in for a hug, vaguely aware of the photographer snapping pictures around us.

"I'm so happy for you, Monica," Rachel says in to my ear. "You and Chandler are going to be so happy together."

I nod as we give each other another squeeze before breaking apart. Ross walks up to me, a funny little smile on his face. He takes my hands in his, our fingers squeezing together gently for a few moments.

"I still can't believe it," he says, and he looks a little misty himself. "My little sister and my best friend. Who knew?"

I feel my heart flutter—who knew, indeed. Who knew that after being friends with Chandler for almost ten years that I would fall in love with him, that he would be everything I ever needed? Who knew we'd be perfect together?

"You're not still sweaty, are you?" I ask.

He looks thoughtful for a moment, considering. "No, no I'm good."

"Good." I wrap my arms around my brother and pull him close, hugging him tightly. "Thank you for bringing him home all those years ago."

I feel his body shake as he chuckles a little. "Hey, I was just his roommate—you guys did the rest." He holds me tightly for a few moments before we break apart. "Loser," he tells me, his voice strained.

"Doofus," I answer, my lips curling up in response. He turns away from me, staring at a plant, and I know this day is getting to him almost as much as it's getting to me. No matter how much we irritate each other, it's pretty great that my brother cares about me as much as he does. Rachel pats his arm consolingly as she rolls her eyes at me. I shake my head and chuckle.

Suddenly my mother is standing in front of me, her expression unreadable. She looks like she wants to say something, but instead she just kisses my cheek and wraps her arms around me. I revel in her hug, enjoying of the feeling of just being her daughter. She pulls back and smiles at me, her eyes watery, and I struggle not to let myself get teary again. We both look over and see my father standing there, and somehow he looks larger than life. My mother gives my arm a squeeze before going to stand near Ross, waiting.

"My little Har-Monica," he says quietly.

I nod my head, not trusting my voice.

"If he ever hurts you, I'll kill him."

"I know, Daddy," I whisper, tears spilling out of my eyes again.

He put his arms around me and hugs me fiercely. "My little girl is getting married." He pulls back a moment later, and for the first time I can remember, he has tears in his eyes. "Are you happy?"

I nod my head vigorously. "So, so happy."

His thumb gently wipes a tear from my cheek. "Then that's all that matters."

Phoebe and Rachel appear suddenly, Rachel dabbing at my cheeks and Phoebe waving her hands to dry my eyes. I shake my head and chuckle. "I don't think this is in the job description," I tell them.

"Totally is," Rachel confirms, inspecting my face to make sure all is well. "You're good."

I smooth down my dress, and adjust my veil. "Do I look all right?"

"Most beautiful bride I've ever seen," Phoebe says.

I grin, then my heart stops for a moment as I hear the music start.

It's happening. Oh, my God, it's really happening.

Ross pokes his head out of the room for a moment. "Okay, Chandler and his parents just went in. It's time."

I feel my heartbeat triple as the butterflies in my stomach feel like they're trying to beat their way out. Phoebe and Rachel each give me a quick hug before taking Ross's arms, leaving the room. My father holds out his arm to me, my hand only shaking a little as my fingers curl around him. My mother stands on my other side as we make our way in to the hall.

I see my brother and bridesmaids turn to walk down the aisle, and I know that it's almost my turn.

I take a deep breath as we turn the corner, and there he is. I feel my entire body relax, all of my nerves gone. I can actually feel happiness and love radiating out of me as the world around me goes hazy.

All I can see is Chandler, and nothing else matters.

Not my mother complaining about her own mother not being around to see this, and not Chandler making a joke when he comes down to meet me.

Our hands touch and that familiar jolt of electricity courses through me.

I'm about to marry this man.

I'm going to spend forever with him.

My heart starts to pound again, this time because I'm so very ready to start our lives together.