De L'autre Côté
by Tina
So here's the deal: I will probably never get over this of this fandom. I cannot believe it's been over 6 years since "Friends" has ended. And I cannot believe how long I've been writing about it. And yes, I still love it.
Now, bear in mind most of my many, many fanfics (these 14 stories here are just a part of them) were written when I was in high school and in college. I am now 26 (!) years old and I have a full time job, so it's not as easy for me to find the time to write now. But, as I've said, I will probably never get over this fandom. So I still think about it and I still come up with ideas for new stories.
In the past year, I've had two major ideas I got really excited about and this is one of them. I will try really hard to find the time for it, I really enjoy writing. And, also, I would specially like to thank from the bottom of my heart everyone who's ever bothered to take the time to write me a review. Why? You're the ones who basically talked me into giving this another go.
I've had these ideas, but I wasn't very sure wether I should put them down into words and write this. Well, OK, to be completely honest, I did start writing this a while ago, but it wasn't until a few days back that I decided to finish it. It happened after I decided to check my old e-mail account (the one all my reviews and other things go to) and I saw how many "new" reviews I had. I read all the sweet things you've written and, well... You've melted my little heart :) So I decided to make the effort.
OK... Sorry about the very long note :)
Now, about the plot: long story short, after the series finale Ross and Rachel ended up moving to Paris together after all. Life just wasn't the same in NYC with everything changing - Monica and Chandler having the twins and moving to the suburbs, Joey heading off to Los Angeles, Phoebe starting a family with Mike... Now it's 7 years later, Ross and Rachel are married, she is turning 40 years old and feels much, much different than she did when she turned 30. They still have contact with the others, the Geller-Green family visits a lot and the others visit them in France whenever possible. Oh, and let's say that for the sake of this story Ben is like 17, OK?
This isn't going to be just a Ross and Rachel story. It's going to involve Monica a lot, and Chandler too. Anyway, the rest you'll find out throughout the chapters. I hope you like it! :) Reviews are very welcome - it wouldn't be me if I didn't say that, come on.
Oh, and I don't really speak French, so you'll have to forgive my possible (OK, very likely!) mistakes. Pardon me! I'm still a bit unsure about the title, but it'll have to do!
from: Monica Geller B.
to: Rachel Geller
date: Thu, Apr 21, 2011 at 9:15 AM
subject: Re: My big 40th bash!
Dear Rachel,
I'm really sorry I don't come with better news. I really miss you guys too, a lot, but next month will be impossible for us to visit. As you know, the twins are in school and can't miss that many days. As for me, things have been crazy at the restaurant. I've just hired a new manager and he's still under an experimental phase. I can't leave him running the place now, it's too soon. You know how I feel about that place, it's too hard for me to control my trust issues sometimes.
Still, I'm happy to know things are going well in your side of the globe and that you're facing the big four-oh with such grace. I'm proud of you, sister! And tell me, how was Italy? It seems like you guys are always traveling now, it's hard to keep track of all the places you've been to since you've moved.
Last weekend the twins were in a school play, I'm attaching a few pictures for you. Erica was the lead and she also did a bit of singing, it was a success! Jack did some improvising, which amused his father very much (not so sure if the teacher felt the same way though).
Gotta run now, got a full day ahead of me. Take care!
Love,
Monica
On Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 10:14 PM, Rachel Geller wrote:
Hey Mon!
"How you doin'?" :)
Every thing's going great over here, same old parisian life! I'm writing you because I've just decided to throw a big birthday party to celebrate my 40th, next month. I'd dwell on it and make a little fuss about it, but since I'm the last of the gang to join in the 40 thing, I won't... It's gotten old by now, I know. Besides, we all know that 40 is the new 30! (Or so I keep telling myself...)
Anyway! I'm letting you know now so you can book some tickets and come over, I'd love if if you were here to share this moment with me. It's been a while since we've last seen each other (can't believe it's been 4 months since we've last visited!), I really miss you all. Besides, I'm afraid that my optimism won't last very long and I'm gonna need some moral support! We all remember how "well" I handled my 30th.
Also, it's been three years already since you and Chandler last visited. So much has changed here since then! The new apartment is finally 100% done and with my new hours at work it will be much easier to take you guys around. You could also consider bringing Jack and Erica this time, they're old enough and I'm sure Emma and Lucas will love having their cousins around.
I'm going a business trip to Milan tomorrow. Ross will meet me there in a couple of days so we can hit Tuscany together. We'll be back next week and I hope I have good news in my mailbox then, alright? :)
Love,
Rach
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Rachel was halfway through the pictures when Ross entered the room, telephone in hand, smiling brightly.
"Alright... Alright. Well, I'll talk to Rachel about it and I'll get back to you, OK?" There was a pause. "OK, I'll call you back tomorrow. Take care, bye."
He hung up the phone and beamed at Rachel, who couldn't help but smile back despite her disappointment with Monica's e-mail.
"Talk to me about what?"
Ross threw the phone playfully from one hand to another.
"That was Carol, she had two good news."
"OK...?"
"First: my boy's got a girl!"
"Ben's got a girlfriend?"
"Yup! And Carol said she was really pretty too." Ross paused as though he'd just realized something. "Is that a little disturbing?"
Rachel rolled her eyes.
"Don't start, Ross."
"Well, anyway... Carol said it's been going on for a while, but she's just found out herself. It's pretty serious, though, he took her to have dinner at their place and everything."
"Aw, that's cute." Rachel smiled, well knowing her husband. "You must be very pleased with yourself."
Ross tried to act cool.
"I'm just saying... My boy, you know? He's got a girl."
Rachel stifled a chuckle.
"What's the other news?"
Ross set the phone down on the coffee table and joined Rachel on the couch.
"Well, here's the thing... Ben's gonna get a couple of weeks off of school next month and he was wondering if he could come over and stay with us. Carol said he's been considering applying for colleges here too, so this would be like a chance for him to look around. And, well, the girlfriend's thinking about coming too. Is that OK?"
"Oh, honey, of course. Wow, you must be so thrilled with Ben considering coming to college here and all."
He smiled at her.
"I really am."
Rachel set her laptop on the coffee table next to the phone and ran a hand on the side of her husband's face, smiling back. His hair had started to turn gray and she thought it suited him. He was definitely one of those guys who looked more charming and distinctive with age.
"I know how much you miss him. I know it's been hard for you all these years only seeing your older son every few months..."
Rachel's smile faded a bit. Ross turned his face so he could kiss her hand and then wrapped his arms around her, bringing her closer to him.
"The past few years have been nothing short of perfection." He kissed her on the cheek. "I do miss him and I am happy I'll get to see a lot of him soon. That's just our life, mon chéri."
Rachel smiled again and they kissed softly. After they pulled apart, Rachel couldn't help but smile even wider, staring into Ross' eyes. They had just spent the most wonderful days together in Italy. Without the kids, they didn't have a timetable or big plans, they didn't even so much as glance at their watches. Their days were filled with strolls around romantic cities, expensive wine and sex. She couldn't help but feel as in love with him then as she did when they'd gotten married, six years before.
He kissed her hair and she wrapped her arms around him, exhaling softly. They were in silence for a few seconds, until Rachel realized he must be reading Monica's e-mail over her shoulder. She closed her eyes and waited for him to finish.
"She's not coming, huh?"
"Apparently not."
They broke the hug and she looked down.
"I'll talk to her."
"It's fine, Ross."
They were in silence for a few seconds again. Rachel bit her lip.
"Aren't those arguments things she could easily manage? I mean, the twins are straight A students, they've probably never missed a day of school in their whole lives. And they're like 7, how much is a week off school going to matter anyway? If she's worried about their studies, I'm pretty sure they'd learn lots of new things here in the old continent. Or if not, if they absolutely can't miss school, they could stay with your parents. And the thing with the new manager... My birthday is still a whole month away. Isn't that time enough?"
"Don't take this personally, Rach. You know how Monica is."
"She wrote me back the very next morning, Ross. With a final answer. Isn't that kinda of... rushed? It's like she didn't even think about it. Like she didn't even discuss it with Chandler."
"Then maybe she'll think about it and change her mind."
Rachel took a deep breath.
"Maybe."
"Come here."
Ross pulled her towards him again and held her close. She rested on his chest and closed her eyes. They stayed like this for a long time, just enjoying each other's presence, each other's warmth and comfort. Rachel was almost falling into a trance when she felt Ross move a little.
"Hey there, buddy."
"What are you doing?"
Rachel looked up and found Lucas, their three years old son, looking at them. She smiled. He was a gorgeous little boy, it always amazed Rachel how much he looked like his aunt Monica.
"Mommy and Daddy are just hugging for a bit. Wanna join us, sweetheart?"
"Nah."
Ross and Rachel both chuckled softly.
"Where's your sister?"
"In her room, writing Erica a letter."
"Which reminds me you still owe little Joey an answer to that letter he wrote you last week, right?" Ross pointed out.
"Yeah..."
"OK, come on." Ross untangled himself from Rachel's arms and picked up his son. "We can use those new crayons we've brought you from the trip."
Rachel waved and watched them leave with a smile on her face. She took a deep breath and glanced at her laptop.
Alright, here we go.
She finally saw the rest of the pictures and then started typing.
from: Rachel Geller
to: Monica Geller B.
date: Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 7:32 PM
subject: Re: Re: My big 40th bash!
Hey Mon!
The pictures are adorable, I can see the twins were a hit, improvisation or not. It seems like Jack has inherited Chandler's kick for a laugh - God help you! They look beautiful as always, you must be very proud. I really miss those little munchkins!
Over here things are great. Our trip was amazing, it was good to take a break from our busy lives and even from the kids. God knows I love them, but there's something so amazing about mini-vacations and sex in the middle of the afternoon...! :) Yes, I know he's your brother and you don't wanna hear details.
I was just thinking about it now though, how it feels like Ross and I have gotten to the very best phase of our lives (so far). We were happy before, of course, but now it's like every thing's fallen into the right place. After we moved to Paris there was so much going on. We had just gotten back together and I have to admit I was still scared to death we were going to break up again. There was also all the adjusting, we couldn't even speak the language properly. We didn't know anybody. I was starting not only a new job, but a whole new life. Well, we all were.
I guess it was kinda like when I left Barry. Except this time I didn't have all of you - you in special. You were my savior back then, Mon. I'll forever be grateful for what you did to me back then. Anyway... I had, in a way, a piece of you, though. I had your brother and we helped each other through this. I still have trouble believing he left everything behind to come with me. I'll forever love him for seeing then how much this meant to me, even when I couldn't see it myself. I never told you this, but it was actually his idea for us to come and live here.
It wasn't always easy. But, as I said, it's like things have all fallen into place now. My job's going great. It's nothing like when I was in Rauph Lauren and eventually hit a place where I couldn't move any further. I've been promoted a few times over here, I feel appreciated. It's amazing. Then there was Ross' job hunt and his academic life... and then, just when we thought things were settling down, along came Lucas. Ross and Rachel, king and queen of unplanned (yet very, very welcome, of course) pregnancies.
Now it finally feels like this is it, though. The new apartment's done, Lucas is no longer a baby, so he doesn't need me all the time anymore. Both Ross and I have great stability. Emma is growing up so fast, sometimes I can see her already as a young woman. She's incredible.
I have a feeling that life at 40 is gonna be pretty damn good and I just wanted you to be here to share this with me, to be happy with me. But if you really can't come, I understand. I love you and I miss you so, so much. Wish you all the best, always. Send news, OK?
Love,
Your sister, Rachel
Rachel closed her laptop, pleased with her writing. That would definitely get Monica to rethink her rushed answer.
She poured herself a glass of wine and took it to the balcony. The new apartment had a really nice view and Rachel never got used to the beauty of her city of residence. Ever since she had moved, she'd acquired a new appreciation for architecture, art and history. Of course New York also had a lot to offer in that department - the MoMA, the Met, the Guggenheim, among so many other museums and historical places. But in Paris it was everywhere, in every corner of every neighborhood, it was in the air she breathed, and it made a difference that this country's history had began long before her birth country was even discovered.
As she enjoyed the view and the chilly wind blowing on her face, she continued to think about her life.
Sometimes it was hard to believe they'd been living in Paris for seven years already. But then again it was hard sometimes to remember life without Lucas, or what it was like before Emma was this amazing kid who could speak perfect French so quickly after the move. It was also hard sometimes to remember what it was like to be single, to see Ross every day just as a friend and not as the great husband he'd been for the past six years.
Of course she still remembered everything she'd lived in New York City, all the good and the bad. She remembered those lazy afternoons in Central Perk with her friends with such fondness sometimes it hurt. If she closed her eyes and focused on it, she could still smell the scent of coffee in the air and hear her friends chatting away, she could almost feel like she was back there again. But when she opened her eyes, she was back in Paris - away from them, but very close to her beautiful son, her amazing daughter and her great husband.
She finished her wine and, after one last long sigh, entered the house closing the door behind her.
On her way to her bedroom, she stopped on Emma's door and knocked.
"Come in."
Rachel opened the door and found Emma on her desk, watercoloring. Her long honey-colored hair was tied in a messy bun and she had her reading glasses perched on the tip of her nose, a look of deep concentration on her beautiful face. She had her own style and at only 9 it always amused Rachel how Emma was so naturally elegant. She smiled, proud as a peacock.
"What are you doing?" Rachel asked, coming a little closer.
"Just playing around with the palette you've brought me. It's really good, Mom. Merci!"
Rachel looked at her sketchbook and smiled. It was a portrait, a woman with wild hair and kind eyes. Painting and drawing were hobbies of Emma's and she was very good at them. In fact, anything that involved art was among her billions of interests.
"That's really pretty, honey."
"Thanks." Emma muttered as she resumed her work, tilting her head a little to the side as she gently applied a bold shade of red to the subject's lips. Rachel felt like she could watch her daughter forever.
"Lucas said you were writing Erica a letter?"
"It's in the envelope over there."
"Are you done with it?"
"Yes."
It had started a few years ago. As a way to teach Emma to write in English and subsequently keep her practicing it, she, Lucas, Erica, Jack as well as Phoebe's girls Rose and Violet and Joey and Alex's boy Joey Jr. exchanged letters back and forth. It was also a nice way to keep the kids connected.
Rachel grabbed the letter and sat on Emma's bed. Emma stopped painting and turned to face her mother.
"Is it true Ben's coming over?"
"Yes, your father just told me."
Emma smiled.
"Is it also true he's got a girlfriend?"
"So it seems."
"I'm going to tease him endlessly!" She said with delight.
Rachel chuckled.
"You do that and he'll tease you endlessly when you get a boyfriend."
"'Course he won't, he'll be too busy being jealous and all." Emma giggled. "Besides, I still have a few years ahead before I have to worry about that."
"Oh, do you? How about all the boys I see fighting for your attention at school?"
"Oh, please, mom." Emma removed her glasses, walked to her bed and laid down with her head on her mother's lap. "Boys my age are stupid, they're too busy looking for something they can break or something."
Rachel stroked her daughter's hair and laughed, remembering a time when she too found boys her age too immature and stupid.
"You're right. No need to rush there, sweetie." She leaned down and kissed Emma's cheek. "In fact, you should just never get married and be Mom's little girl forever."
Emma scrunched her nose playfully.
"I wouldn't go that far."
They laughed together and spent the next half hour talking, smiling and bonding. When Emma's bed time approached, Rachel left her to get ready to sleep. She gave her daughter a tight hug and kissed the top of her head.
"I love you, honey-bunny. Goodnight."
"I love you too. Bonsoir, maman."
Rachel closed Emma's door and opened Lucas' slowly. His brand new "big boy bed" could be seen perfectly with the help of his Cat in the Hat night light and Rachel's heart skipped a bit watching her little man as he slept. She smiled and slowly approached the bed, lying down next to him.
He was a deep sleeper, so he didn't so much as stir. His breath was steady and the sound it made was sweet and innocent. Rachel kissed his hair and fought the urge to hug him really tight until his little ribcage gave in. God, she loved him so much.
She thought about his existence and about how everything to do with it had always had lots of happiness involved. With Emma, there was a lot of uncertainty and distress at first. Though Ross never left her alone, Rachel had felt very lonely then. She was unprepared and struggled in the beginning with single motherhood. And of course that didn't make it bad, she associated her daughter's early childhood with growth, as a part of her evolution, per se. It was part of the history that got her where she was now.
Lucas, on the other hand, he'd come from sheer happiness. And though the pregnancy hadn't been planned, it was very celebrated when discovered. Ross and Rachel were so over the moon to have another child together they could hardly stand it. That time, everything was right. They were together, they were married, they were a family ready to expand. They were ready.
And Lucas, well, he was really a delightful gift. Just like his sister Emma, he had been a very good baby, he hardly ever cried or got sick. (A very good thing for Rachel herself since no, she hadn't gotten any less paranoid when it came to her children and diseases). He was growing each day and developing this amazing personality. He was kind, sweet and passionate about things. He won everyone over so easily with just a bat of his long, beautiful eyelashes in a way that amazed Rachel.
"Mon petit prince." Rachel whispered. My little prince.
He was growing so fast, she couldn't believe it. Too fast.
She stroked his soft dark brown hair and started feeling old. She and Ross had made a deal, she'd had her tubes tied when she had have a c-section to deliver Lucas (he was in a difficult position, the doctors wanted to be on the safe side). So this was it. It had been Ross' plan since the beginning, a girl and then a boy, and Rachel couldn't have agreed more. Even now she knew this was the perfect settlement for them. But she couldn't help but think about how her decision made her feel a bit older.
She had two beautiful children and she loved them more than she could comprehend. But she would never again have another child. And her "baby" was no longer a baby. Her baby was a smart child who could already express his mind, who had homework from pre-school and didn't need diapers changed.
She took a deep breath and hugged him.
A few minutes later, Rachel opened her and Ross' bedroom door and spotted him reading a book, already in bed. She closed the door and rested against it for a few seconds.
"I'm turning 40." She said, as though this was news to him.
Ross put his book down and looked at his wife.
"Honey, I'm 43."
"Which, in guy year, is like 33."
Ross laughed and Rachel pouted playfully. She knew her little freak outs amused him and he always took his time to talk her out of them.
"Oh, Rach, come on… I mean, look at you. Come here." He stretched his arms towards her and she approached him, holding his hands and sitting next to him. "If everyone looked half as amazing as you do at 40, no one would ever make it a big deal."
Rachel continued to pout and Ross smiled. He pulled her closer and kissed her.
"And that pout just makes you look cuter."
He kissed her again and she smiled softly.
"You didn't freak out." She said.
"What?"
"When you turned 40, you didn't freak out. I mean, when you turned 30 you bought that car and you sort of had a little crisis there going on. But when you turned 40, you didn't."
"No, I didn't."
"Why not?"
Ross squeezed her hands and bit his lips for a few seconds.
"Because, you see, I had this goal of everything I wanted to achieve by the time I was 40. And, sweetie..." He trailed off and smiled at her. "I realized I've reached that goal. And that made me really happy."
Rachel smiled wider.
"And what was that, Mister?"
"Finishing 'War and Peace', of course."
Rachel chuckled and playfully hit him with a pillow. He laughed and pulled her closer to him again.
"You know what it was, Rach. You. The kids. Domestic bliss, complaining about the taxes... Perfection."
She nodded and they kissed again.
"So now do you have new goals for the big five-oh?"
He shook his head.
"OK, now you're making me feel old." He said, earning a laugh from Rachel. "Right now all I really wanna think about is my hot wife who would make most 20 year old jealous."
"Yeah? 20?"
"Oui, Madame."
Rachel threw her arms around her husband and kissed him. She laid on top of him and when she felt his hand running up her leg she broke their kiss.
"Light some candles?" She whispered.
"Got it." He replied she she got off of him and sprinted to their closet, stopping halfway to look at him with a giddy smile on her face.
They liked to spice thing up from time to time. Of course they still had spontaneous sex, with nothing but themselves to turn each other one on. It worked, they were still madly attracted to one another. Even so, sometimes it was nice to run that extra mile, to put a little more effort to keep things different.
Rachel opened her lingerie drawer and quickly changed into a little something special. In her bathroom, she quickly freshened up and applied a little bit of Ross' favorite parfume. Then she kept him waiting a few more seconds just to add a little more excitement to it.
"Rachel?"
She smiled to herself.
In their room, the lights were already off and the candles set a really romantic atmosphere. Ross and Rachel smiled at each other.
"Wow. You look amazing, Rach."
"Thanks. Did you lock the door?"
"Yup."
She reached the bed and climbed on top of Ross, taking her time teasing him before she leaned down and kissed him.
"Your mood sure seems to have improved." He said after they broke.
"It sure has." She kissed him again. "I've written Monica back and I'm hoping it'll change her mind around."
"What did you say?"
"This and that. And I may have stirred her competition spirit a little."
"Really? How?"
"Saying you've been there for me the past few years the way she was there for me when I moved to New York."
He smiled and kissed her deeply.
"And if that doesn't work-" She continued. "I will sorta mention how she's only visited a couple of times while Phoebe has been here three times and Joey's come five times already."
"Cheap shot." Ross said playfully, pulling her down for another kiss. "Now that's it, no more talking about my sister while I do this to you.."
Rachel smiled wider at him.
"Oh yeah? Do what?"
Ross pulled her down again and she giggled, eager to find out.
OK, first chapter down! :) Hope you liked it. And please don't get too caught up on the whole technicalities thing, with the dates and ages and all. Even the show got messed up there, so you'll have to excuse me too.