AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is not the first fic I've written, but it is the first I'm posting anywhere. This is mildly AU, but only mildly. It's really more of a nice "what if?" scenario. This was written shortly after the finale aired last May mainly because I wasn't entirely happy with the end of the Ross and Rachel saga. I mean I, as a dorky romantic named Ross, definitely wanted them back together, but it was almost too easy, too quick after all of the established history. I've since somewhat changed my mind about that, but I digress. This is being transcribed from screenplay format, so it may read a little oddly in places, sorry. I think that's it, except the standard disclaimer that I do this for fun not profit and that I have no affiliation with or ownership over characters or elements from the show "FRIENDS". They are the property in varying degrees of Bright, Kauffman, Crane Productions, Warner Brothers, NBC, various writers and directors and, last but definitely not least, the terrific group of actors who brought these characters to life and made the world a better place in the process.
AND NOW, Putting on my All-Seeing, All-Knowing narrator hat:
The Long and Winding Road
The scene is an airplane. We focus on an adorable girl, about six years old, sleeping peacefully. Though you can't see her eyes, it's still easy to see that this is that mix of Green and Geller genes known as Emma. We now move to the lady sitting next to her. It's Rachel, a few years older, but aging like a fine wine. She is looking at a picture of the gang taken when Emma was born. As she looks, we hear her thoughts:
"Well guys, I can't believe it's been five years since it all happened. Mike and Phoebe getting married. Aww Phoebes, why did you have to get pregnant about the time you were planning to visit, and again with triplets. Chandler and Monica adopting the twins. Can't wait to see all of you. I mean, I've seen you a couple of times Mon, but haven't seen Jack and Erica since they were a day old. And Joey, a big movie star in L.A. now. Who would have thought the guy who once sang 'all you want is a tinkle' would make it. I hope you guys are as excited to see me as I am to see you. I'm sorry I never came to visit you guys, but after the way I left things with Ross, it was just too complicated. Things between Ross and I complicated, imagine that. Oh Ross, I can't stop thinking about that day at the airport. You came to me and begged me to stay, to be with you. Something a part of me had wanted you to do for a long time. And what did I do? I told you I couldn't deal with it and I got on the plane. Why did I get on the plane? Ahhh, you must hate me. I mean, not only did I stomp on your heart and then just walk away, but I took your daughter away from you. At least, thanks to Monica and my Mom, you've gotten to see her a few times. I hope you know you were welcome to visit anytime, but I understand why you wouldn't. Now, we haven't spoken, other than an occasional e-mail about Emma, for five years. I really hope we can work things out. I've missed you, my friend, my love…"
Her thoughts are interrupted by the voice of the Captain over the intercom, "We're lined up on final into Kennedy, should be on the ground in about fifteen minutes. Local time is 8:17am and it's sixty degrees in the big apple. Thank you for flying Air France and enjoy the rest of your Wednesday."
Next to Rachel, Emma stirs and her soulful brown eyes open. "Are we there yet, Mommy?" she asks. Rachel looks at her and can't help smiling as she replies, "Almost there, sweetie." She thinks to herself, "For better or worse, we're almost there."