We Can Work It Out

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. I didn't write the lyrics used at the start of the chapter. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Summary: Set after TOW The Jam. A mix up in paperwork leads to an unlikely pair having a baby.

Chapter 1 – Taking Chances

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But what do you say to taking chances,
What do you say to jumping off the edge?
Never knowing if there's solid ground below
Or hand to hold, or hell to pay,
What do you say,
What do you say?

Taking Chances by Celine Dion

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"Where are you going?" Joey asked, walking in the kitchen and setting down a jam jar on the table.

"To the bank," Monica replied with a grin.

"Sperm or regular?" Joey asked, smirking slightly, knowing, like the rest of the gang, that this wasn't a good idea.

"Sperm," she replied.

"So you're really doing this, huh?" Joey asked her.

"Oh yeah, picked a guy, 37135," Monica replied.

"Sounds nice," Joey said.

"Yep. Blonde hair, green eyes," Monica read from the sheet. She stopped and looked up. "I just wish you guys could understand and support me."

Joey sighed. She seemed so determined and yet he could see she was scared too. She was right. Nobody had supported her on this decision. They all thought it was a horrible idea and figured she would give up on it herself. "I am going to come with you," he said suddenly.

Monica looked up quickly. "What?"

Joey reached down and picked up his own donor sheet. "I want to have this bad boy updated. Women will be begging for a unit of Tribianni once I add Dr. Drake Remora to this sheet."

"Ok," Monica said, grateful to not be doing this alone, even if it was Joey instead of Rachel or Phoebe going with her. "Let's go."

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Monica was slightly sick to her stomach as she followed Joey into the clinic. The entire cab ride over she had fought an internal battle with herself as she thought about if this was a good idea. She knew it wasn't the traditional way to have a family, but she wanted a baby more than anything in this world and she didn't want to wait around for the perfect guy. What if he never showed up? What if he showed up to late? She wanted to take this chance. She didn't know how it would end up but she knew she wanted to do it.

She wouldn't be raising this baby alone. Her friends would be there for her, even if they didn't understand it right now. Joey proved that by coming with her today. She knew he was uncomfortable with all this but he was trying to support her anyways.

"Can I help you?" The receptionist asked, breaking Monica from her thoughts.

"Yes. My name is Monica Geller. I have an appointment. I've made my selection," Monica said, handing the donor sheet over to her.

"Very well," the receptionist replied. "If you want to have a seat someone will be out for you shortly."

"I wanted to update my resume," Joey said, shoving the piece of paper through the glass window. I wrote all the changes down there. See, I'm Dr. Drake Remora."

"Um.. Ok," the confused girl said, taking his donor sheet and placing it on top of Monica's file.

A moment later the nurse came out. "Ms. Geller, are you ready?"

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"Well?" Rachel asked as soon as Monica walked in the apartment.

"I did it," Monica replied, setting her purse down. "I should know if it worked in two weeks."

"I can't believe you went through with this," Ross said, with a tone in this voice that could have been shock or disapproval, Monica couldn't figure out which so she decided to pretend it wasn't there. She smiled as she sat down on the couch. She could be pregnant right now.

"Oh sweetie," Rachel said, sitting down beside Monica and wrapping her arm around her. "I am sorry I didn't go with you. I guess I didn't realize how much this really meant to you. I thought this was like the jam and you would never go through with it."

Monica hugged her back. "It's okay. Really. I know this isn't the most traditional way to do this but I want this more than anything in the world. And I know I can do this."

"I know you can do this too" Rachel replied. "Listen, I want to go with you for your follow up."

"Really?" Monica asked.

"Of course! I want to be the first to know if I'm going to be an Aunt!" Rachel exclaimed with a smile.

"Thank you," Monica said, resting her head on Rachel's shoulder. "I was afraid I would have to take Joey again. I came out when it was over and he was lying across four waiting room chairs snoring away."

"Well?" Phoebe said as soon as she walked through the door, followed by Chandler.

"I did it," Monica said, looking over her shoulder at the two of them.

"Wow!" Phoebe said with a smile.

"I um, I have to go. I forgot something…" Chandler trailed off, turning and leaving the apartment quickly.

"What was that about?" Ross mumbled as they watched him leave.

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Two Weeks Later

"How do you feel?" Rachel whispered, squeezing Monica's hand.

"Nervous," Monica replied. She wasn't lying. She was nervous and scared to death. Time felt like it was crawling while she waited for them to call her name.

"Monica Geller," a nurse finally called out.

Monica and Rachel stood up and followed the nurse back to the little room.

"Ok Monica, are you ready to see if you are going to be a mommy?" the nurse asked.

"Yes!" Monica said with a grin, squeezing Rachel's hand.

"Now remember, a lot of times the insemination doesn't work on the first attempt. We can try the process again in two months. It's important that you don't let yourself get discouraged"

Monica was too nervous to speak and settled for nodding as she took the small cup the nurse handed her.

"The restroom is through the second door. Collect a urine sample and Dr. McCartney will be with you in just a few moments," the nurse directed.

The girls only waited what seemed like hours but were only a few moments before a tall female walked into the room. "Hello, I'm Dr. Holly McCartney. You must be Monica," she said, shaking Monica's hand, "And this is?"

"My friend, Rachel," Monica said.

"Hello Rachel," Dr. McCartney replied, shaking her hand as well. "Ok Monica. Why don't you lay back while I do a quick exam? The results came back positive on your urine sample."

Monica stared at the Doctor for a moment, not sure she heard her correctly. "I …. I am ..?"

Dr. McCartney smiled. "The urine sample came back positive. I am going to do an exam real quick just to confirm everything."

Monica squeezed Rachel's hand through the entire exam, to nervous to breath. As soon as the Doctor was complete she sat up. "Well?"

"Congratulations Monica, you are pregnant," Dr. McCartney said with a grin.

Both girls irrupted in screams, hugging and crying. Once they calmed down Dr. McCartney stood up. "I want to see you again in one month just to make sure everything is looking good," she said as she opened up Monica's chart.

"You made a good donor selection Monica. An Italian-American's coloring will combine wonderfully with your own dark hair. You are going to have a beautiful baby."

Monica turned around quickly. "Italian-American? What? I picked a blonde astronaut!"

Dr. McCartney frowned, looking over the chart again. "This doesn't say anything about an astronaut," she replied, flipping through the pages. "Italian-American, actor, large family," the doctor read off. "Monica, this is the one you signed for."

Monica reached up with shaking hand and took the file from Dr. McCartney. There at the bottom of Joey's donor sheet was Monica's signature. She looked up at Rachel in numb shock. "I was so excited I didn't double check…. I just assumed… I….."

"Oh my god," Rachel whispered, her hand flying up to her mouth. "You are having Joey's baby!"